Famed rose breeder loses home in wildfire

If you grow ‘Betty Boop,’ ‘Julia Child’ or scores of other popular roses, you owe Tom Carruth a debt of gratitude. Now would be a good time to show it.

Carruth, who served as chief hybridizer at Weeks Roses for 26 years, lost his Altadena home last week during the Eaton fire, one of the wildfires still raging through Los Angeles County. Carruth had lived and gardened at that home for four decades.

As a rose breeder for more than 40 years, Carruth developed more than 150 rose varieties including many best sellers; at least 10 became All-America Rose Selections. Besides ‘Betty Boop’ and ‘Julia Child’ (both floribundas), his AARS winners include ‘About Face,’ ‘Cinco de Mayo,’ ‘Fourth of July,’ ‘Hot Cocoa,’ ‘Scentimental,’ ‘Strike It Rich,’ ‘Memorial Day’ and ‘Wild Blue Yonder.’

In 2012, Carruth retired from Weeks to take his dream job: rose collection curator at the world-famous Huntington Library in San Marino. Originally planted in 1908, the Huntington’s 3-acre rose garden needed renovation and Carruth masterfully tackled the project. Under his supervision (and plenty of hands-on care), the Huntington’s rose garden – with about 3,000 bushes in more than 1,300 varieties – has never looked more spectacular.

Carruth also is a popular speaker. In November, he visited two local rose societies – Sierra Foothills and Mother Lode – to present, “My 60 Years in Roses.”

After news of last week’s wildfire, Beverly Rose Hopper of Mother Lode Rose Society was among the first to reach out to other clubs to support Carruth. Hopper set up a GoFundMe page to help Tom and his husband, Rob Krueger, get back on their feet. They had escaped the fire with only their cellphones, iPads, medications and a change of clothes.

“A kind and generous soul, he has touched many lives, whether you know him personally or not,” Hopper wrote. “Tom Carruth has given the world so much beauty and love. Due to the fire, he has lost almost everything. It’s time for us to give back; show our appreciation, and support.

“It’s hard to process how difficult it is when so much is gone forever,” she added “This is our opportunity to show we care, and are there for him in this difficult time as he tries to rebuild his life.”

Carruth and Krueger were among thousands displaced by the wildfires. When they returned to their neighborhood, they discovered the worst.

“The first night of the fire we evacuated to a friend’s house,” Carruth wrote to his supporters. “Then at 4 a.m., we had to evacuate again, this time to the Pasadena Convention Center. In the morning, we were able to drive by our home only to see it engulfed in flames. Heartbreaking. We are now staying with friends in Pasadena while looking for a temporary place to move to, and figure out what’s next.”

As of Monday (Jan. 13), the GoFundMe page had raised more than $30,000.

“We have witnessed a phenomenal community effort, everyone working together to get through this and to get cleaned up,” Carruth added. “The outpouring of support from all of our friends and neighbors has been very gratifying. It’s time to smell some roses.”