At least seven bees are in this next picture, demolishing the rose buds. The bees don't eat any of my other roses; only this one. Old Blush is in a main garden bed, but I think I am going to move it because there really isn't any point in having a rose bush in a prominent flower bed if you don't have any flowers on it!
My rose for today is amazingly fragrant. I walk down the steps from the deck and the pathway along the stone wall is filled with its scent. It actually has two names. It's official name, if you are taking it to rose shows, etc., is Marquise Bocella. It is also known as Jacques Cartier. Around here, meaning my house, we just call it Jacques.
These are definitely not long stemmed roses. As you can see, the flowers are snuggled down in the bush. And the stems are covered with thorns. But it is a beautiful rose.
Unfortunately, Jacques is one the Japanese Beetles absolute favorite roses in my garden. So, I will hand pick the beetle off and give them to the chickens. I have also considered in past years covering the bush with netting, like you would buy at the fabric store. It would look odd, but at least I would have that wonderful fragrance.
My Columbines growing behind it make a lovely contrast with its pink petals. That is catmint to its right, which is just starting to bloom. Blue, of course. You can see a Buddleia in the background to the left. And just pretend you can't see the weeds, o.k.?
Have a beautiful day!
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3 comments:
I love your pretty roses! How do you know which ones will be fragrant when you first get them? (Sorry if it's a dumb question. :) )
~ K ~
K - There are no dumb questions! :) Asking questions is a very good way to get answers! Almost all books about roses and catalogs from companies that sell roses either have a list of fragrant roses or tell if the rose is fragrant in the description of the rose. Usually they will have both. When I am shopping for a rose (which I don't do anymore because I am afraid that Rose Rosette Disease is going to wipe out the ones I have already - and then I will have to see.) Anyhow, as I was saying, when I am shopping for a rose, I will figure out what I want, ie: fragrance, disease resistance, shade tolerance, climber, shrub, continual bloom, or whatever, and which color, and then I will search my rose books and catalogs for the roses that sound like they might meet my requirements. I have to tell you, though, what a catalog, and sometimes even a book, tells you can vary from the reality of growing it in your garden! There! Aren't you glad you asked? :)
Very glad. :) My husband told me he thought of getting me a knockout rose bush, but they don't seem to be very fragrant. He wants something that will smell nice, too. :) So I was wondering...
~ K ~
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