A rose’s beauty in all its fullness

Individual roses featured are Easy Does It (bottom left), Jack Dayson (aka Perfect Moment) (centre) and Poet’s Wife and Esther Geldenhuys

The beauty of a rose is usually defined by the scent and color of a bloom. Some have no scent to speak of but the seductive colors attract us to their beauty. And there are seemingly endless varieties of colors, patterns on the petals and shapes that lure us into exploring the mysterious loveliness of the rose. Yet, as illustrated here in this arrangement of long stemmed roses from my garden today, the wonder of the rose depends on their ability to grow under many conditions and to withstand weather, foul or fine.

Roses with long canes are almost always available from professional florists. Roses are grown commercially for sale so that they can be used to decorate homes and provide dramatic decor for various events, such as weddings and concerts, and other grand occasions. Roses planted in one’s garden for the sheer pleasure of seeing them grow and develop seldom automatically have long canes.

It is thus a bonus when one can wander through one’s rose garden and pick firm, long stemmed roses, that have magnificent blooms to boot. Such was my experience today as I picked these dozen or so blooms. To be sure, their stems are not dead straight, and many of them are protected by sharp thorns, known as prickles. But what was most pleasing for me was the healthiness of their leaves, testimony to days of planning and careful application of organic muti that does not harm the likes of bees and other creatures who find their homes among the rose bushes. The brightness and vivid colors of the leaves are testament to their good health.

Then there is the name of each rose – but that’s something to wonder about on another occasion. For now, joyfulness that they have survived two days of lashing rain of such force that in a few rare instances the sheets of water bent low the proud blooms of these beauties of Creation. And enjoy the splendid colors not just of the healthy leaves that have their own role in the birth of the blooms, but also of the stout canes that held those blooms high, and hidden roots that provide succour for the growth, and the hands of many who tend each rose bush.

And the rain…

Two queens and a princess

Peace (left), Garden Queen (centre) and People’s Princess (right)

Two Queens and an enduring Princess! The Queens were picked just a few minutes ago before an intense thunder shower erupted, while the Princess presented me with all her charm yesterday – lying gently and with a blush of shyness against a rock. Some would call Peace the Queen of all roses, and her prolific and long-lasting popularity would well support this view. Certainly, her naming after the end of World War II spoke of peace, not the need for more war and violence such as the world is experience currently in Ukraine and other flash points. Garden Queen has a regal colour about her, and she has the propensity to take one’s breath away in her royal dress. And then there is the Princess – the People’s Princess. Named for the late and much lamented Princess Di, she blends beautifully with these stately Queens. I hope you enjoy the large blooms of the Queens, and the one on People’s Princess, sporting her first bloom on this newly planted rose bush.