Roses, gotta luv 'em!

I've been reading a few books at the same time in my very limited spare time, one of them I got from the library which I've started is called "Through the Rose Arbour" by Rosemary Houseman, it looks like a very inspiring story. The author has played a key role in educating the Australians about the beauty and hardiness of old roses. This book is notes from her journey in her gardening life in Kinbrae, Victoria and later, others. She also established a specialist rose nursery called The Rose Arbour. It's been a great read so far.

These roses consist of Anne Boelyn(the photogenic pink apricot blend), Radio Times (Medium Pink), St.Cecilia ( creamy apricot) and Sir Edward Elgar (reddish pink). Yes, there are still roses in my garden, I'll be very busy pruning them around mid July. There are some aphids on some of the rose buds because of the time of the year. Every time I see aphids, I think of my friend who's in her seventies who calls herself a mad gardener, a real green thumb, I'd call her. I asked her what she did with aphids when I first started gardening, she told me she just squishes them with her bare fingers, no sprays needed, nothing!! At the time I went "Ewww!" But guess what, now I do the same. Roses really have a way of making one grow tough. Of course it's only possible when you don't have hectares of rose bushes. Ahhh!! These pictures make me think of lazy afternoons, reading and pottering around, or simply relaxing in the couch............ No, no, no, not for me in reality! I've been too busy in fact. It was just so therapeutic to take some time out to take these photos. Hope you get to have a lazy afternoon or two..........