My love affair with roses started when I was a teenager and a wonderful friend brought me a big, beautiful bokay of roses she picked from her mother’s garden. I was recovering from minor surgery that I won’t bore you with, but what I remember most about the experience is the gift of roses. The fact that they were not purchased but hand picked for me just blew me away. I remember how wonderful they smelled.
I was already familiar with that fragrance because in my great grandmothers yard were big thorny bushes that smelled just like those hand-picked pretties. However, I never remember my great grandmother picking any of her roses, they were just a living fence between her and her neighbors. I can only imagine how many bokays could have been created out of those large bushes.
I was totally enchanted then and continue to be enchanted now by the beauty and fragrance of a rose.
The memory of those fragrant roses sent me in search of Old Garden Roses. Without the internet is was a bit harder to “track” them down but I found them! Some @ Roses of Yesterday and Today! I can still remember the first catalog from them. I was totally enchanted with the rose pictures, the rose names, the rose history and, most of all–their promise of fragrance!
The most fragrant roses in my garden are the Hansa and Roseraie de ‘L Hay. Amazing is the bokay that holds a few of those. They can perfume an entire room.
I am more than excited when the growing season comes. I not only love tending my 175+ roses and their companions, but one my life’s greatest pleasures is creating bokays to share. And, re-reading the history behind the roses, well that is incredibly fun too!
Have you been inspired by someone’s gift to you?
Above is another gift I received … it includes a dirt drawer! Read about it here…
Other articles on roses …
Here is a favorite bokay I shared with someone special.
Pingback: Bloom Thyme Friday: Food for Thought | The Garden Diary
I love climbing roses. They add a beautiful dimension to the garden. Thanks for sharing your garden with us.
Good morning Mary. Yes going vertical is so important in a garden’s overall design and a great use of space! Today I have the day off and on the top of my to-do list is to watch my New Dawn climber open! She’s full of buds! Gonna be a good day! Hope you have a fun day in your garden too.
Absolutely gorgeous! Wish I had some space with all that sunshine!!
Thanks Cherie. I am blessed with both shade and sunshine. But, I am running out of space. Ha!
Pingback: Bloom Thyme: The Difference a Year Makes | The Garden Diary
I love fragrant roses, too. If they don’t have a lovely perfume – I won’t grow it. Your bouquet is stunning!
Roseraie de l Hay is my most fragrant rose! I do have a few that don’t have fragrance but it is the first thing I go for. Glad you stopped by, I love sharing my roses!
Pingback: Bloom Thyme: Daylilies and Drought | The Garden Diary
Beautiful rose garden photos. I also have memories of my grandmother and mom growing roses.
Garden memories are just the best. My earliest memory is picking flowers to give away at the age of 3. It is one of the most vivid memories of my childhood.
Love your roses and garden. Can’t wait for spring — I can smell my beauties already!
I know. I simply can’t wait!!
Pingback: Roses, Wisteria and "Plant Breeding for the Home Gardener" | Hammock Tracks