Roses in June

Thank you, whoever ordered A Year of Roses! It reminded me to take time soon to visit Whetstone Park of Roses, soon. Last year I went at a time when the heirloom roses were over and I would really like some pictures of them. I grow a few here, but I have them scattered about and would rather create more of a feature of them. Each year I try to grow them from cuttings like my mother did so successfully, but haven’t yet gotten the knack.

I’m going to try to use the greenhouse for that this year. I am especially longing for Blanc Double de Coubert Rose, since I put it next to a Spruce tree which now threatens to engulf it, and it is further insulted by the farmers herbicide sprays. But today, during a morning walk, it’s scent wafted out far to the road where I was taking a morning constitutional… and I thought again of how much I would like more of this old fashioned rose.

I wanted to get pictures of the parks collection because I am very interested in the heirloom varieties and want to write an article on them. I once had some of the Bourbon roses, but they all met their demise in the colder winters. When the books say “hardy” it is all very relative!

Be sure to see Gardens in Ohio and A Botanical Wedding.