Thursday, July 03, 2008

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..........

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Guess what? I do that now, too.
That's why now people call me "green thumb"...
Roses sure can make you tough, haha.
Hey, I noticed that you've changed your couch or what? Lovely.
Simply Roses

Sweet Designs said...

Ah, I simply adore visiting your blog, I love love roses. They do not however grow well in my yard..not enough light and very humid and hot. So I get my rose fix from your beautiful blog. I also enjoy your photos of your home too, so soft and romantic!

Alison Gibbs said...

Oh I so envy you still having roses in your garden now. This morning I just pruned 14 standard Icebergs in my front garden. My only other rose the Pierre de Ronsard climber also needs a trim. I hope to add some more roses to my garden through the week.
Alison

Anonymous said...

Hi Rosy,

Wow - beautiful! Roses blooming in the winter time would never happen where I am at in the US. Just about everything dies off (except for the evergreens) by the end of fall.

I am glad to hear that you are squeezing in some reading time. I know you love to read, and have lamented the lack of time... enjoy!

Art by Ronda Juniper Ray said...

I HATE APHIDS! At one time, I tended over 500 roses on five acres, and honest to pete, I would rather rake the impossibly thorny stalk of any of the Grootendorst roses over my EYEBALLS than squish aphids.

You have my undying respect and admiration.