Rose Story Farm in Carpinteria is one of Santa Barbara County’s treasures — and perhaps its most colorful.
Started in 1998 by Danielle Hahn — Dani to her friends — and her husband, Dr. Bill Hahn, the 15-acre farm is the result of their shared love and passion for gardens.
Over the years, their small, personal rose gardens have evolved into blocks of vivid colors and varieties. They now produce more than 300 different kinds of roses and cut more than 40,000 rose plants for the national floral trade and event design world.
“It has been a dream of mine to write a book about roses, sharing my love for these gorgeous beauties and demystifying them for both gardener and flower arranger,” Hahn told Noozhawk.
“I appreciate the simple and straightforward place roses can flourish in our gardens and homes.”
Hahn’s dream has culminated in The Color of Roses, which she describes as “a reference for choosing plants for gardens, designing for a special event, planning for home floral arrangements or simply dreaming about a future full of roses!”
“The Color of Roses,” Danielle Hahn’s new book, features 300 full-page photos of the world’s most beautiful roses. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo 
Award-winning rosarian Danielle “Dani” Hahn signs copies of her new book, “The Color of Roses.” Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo 
Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo 
Dani Hahn and Laura McGuire of Wendy Foster. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo 
Wendy Foster in Montecito hosted the book signing for Dani Hahn’s “The Color of Roses.” The celebration among family and friends featured charcuterie from Pierre LaFond market next door and specialty gourmet sweets by Gipsy Hill artisanal bakery. Credit: Judy Foreman / Noozhawk photo
On Saturday, family and longtime friends gathered at Wendy Foster in Montecito’s Upper Village for a book-signing reception for Hahn, a consulting rosarian with the American Rose Society and a recipient of the Great Rosarians of the World Award.
Charcuterie was provided by Pierre LaFond & Co. market next door and Gipsy Hill Bakery brought artisanal gourmet sweets. Wendy Foster herself was on hand to meet and greet browsing customers and her old friends, too, who chatted away as if at a rose garden party.
Wearing a rose frock by Magnolia Pearl, Hahn penned her name and personal messages for guests, most of whom — like me — left with multiple copies of her book, which would make a great Mother’s Day gift BTW.
Gorgeous, multivariety rose arrangements from Rose Story Farm provided a kaleidoscope of color and intoxicating scents at the signing table and throughout the shop. A complimentary bouquet of Rose Story Farm’s beautiful colored blooms were also gifted to guests.
The book’s stunning rose portraits in every possible shade were taken by photographer Victoria Pearson, whose creations show off the personality of each rose. I could almost smell the roses I’ve collected and those I want to still plant in my garden as I read through the 300-page book.
The Color of Roses is available at Chaucer’s Books, Tecolote Book Shop, Wendy Foster and on Amazon.