 |
| Clockwise: Pierre de Ronsard, Baronne Prevost, Riene de la Violettes and Cardinal de Richelieu. |
Its hard for me to imagine a garden without roses, although I understand some do exist. My small garden is home to many varieties of this fabled flower. The fragrance and range of colors is far beyond whatever one could find in a store or from a florist. I am particularly fond of heirloom roses which I find to be hardy in my garden and have provided an abundance of blooms for endless arrangements through the season.
There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of its existence. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
 |
| Along the fence a row of Pierre de Ronsard roses lines one side of the garden. |
My passion for this flower developed when I was growing up and would help my grandmother with her roses. There was something very special about the first rose of the summer. I decided that when I had my own garden I would grow as many roses as I could. And I did, about twenty seven different roses vied for space in the little garden and it was magical.
 |
| Climber Zephirine Drouhin is ideal for a northern exposure. |
I have discovered there is a rose for every need in the garden. From covering walls to filling in a space there is a rose made for every situation, each available in a rainbow of colors. I opted for a palette of pinks into dark purples which I happen to love and blends well with the color palette of the cutting flowers I grow like cosmos and bachelors buttons.
 |
| All roses look good together and they always look good with blue and white. |
One thing I do to make sure that the roses look their best is fertilize them with Epsom salts.
The bushes respond well and the roses are luscious for the effort. About 1/2 cup sprinkled around each rose bush in the spring does the trick for the season.
 |
| A centerpiece made from three stacked compotes and a melange of roses from the Rose Breakfast chapter in An Invitation to the Garden. |
Post a Comment