Roses

We lived in the tropical north of Australia for 14 years and one of things I missed most was the inability to grown roses - they don't like humidity (and nor do I). The first thing I did when we moved south to cooler conditions was to plant roses.  I wasn't successful with some, but others have flourished very well.  Here are a few of my favourites in the garden. 


Five or so years ago I cleaned out a section of my front garden that had become overgrown, an area I hadn't touched before.  In the process of removing all the plants I found a tiny thin rose bush, a foot in height - hard to call it a bush as it only had a single stem and a few leaves. It had been hidden from sunlight and water for many years but had not given up and was struggling to live. I dug up the rose and planted it somewhere sunny with better soil and gave it water and fertiliser . In the first year it grew a little but no roses to be seen. The second year it produced one small rose, nothing fancy. The next year it grew a little bigger and had 2 stems. This year it has doubled in size and produced this magnificent rose.   It was truly beautiful in every way.  


I have a wonderful friend called Narelle - she will do anything for anyone. She is the lady who organises all our theatre outings (plus our trips to restaurants) and she does it because she loves to do things for others.  A few years ago I helped her write a job application and in return she gave me this gorgeous rose bush. It has such a delicate colour and very feminine, which I hope I have captured in this photograph. 


This rose you would have seen on my banner - its beautiful but no one for picking as it doesn't last very long inside. Its an older rose and once again neglected for many years, hidden away under a tree until it was rescue and replanted somewhere sunny. Every year it produces these wonderful flowers. 


I have included this one as it is called a Banskia Rose - not technically part of the rose family, but just as beautiful.  Its a creeper and likes to drape over things and hang down like a bridal veil with these delicate butter yellow flowers. Its gorgeous and it never needs my care or watering. Its a tough plant in drought areas.

I haven't been very inspired this week with writing blog stories - my apologies.
How have you all been?


Comments

  1. Oh, Jo, thanks for sharing these lovely pictures. I love roses, but they are rather challenging to grow where we live now. There are few varieties that do well, but the soil is very alkaline and roses like acid, so it will always be a struggle. Thank you for sharing these pictures. The "banner rose" is my favorite! Simply stunning!

    The "Lady Banks" rose is popular here too, but I don't think it does quite as well in Texas as it did in Arizona. Roses love Arizona! :-) There is a Banksia rose in Tombstone, Arizona that is reported to be the biggest in the world. I never had roses grow so well as they did in Arizona.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't know that the Banskia Rose grew elsewhere . I can imagine your climate would be perfect for it as it really copes in drought conditions - it was the one plant that did not suffer when we had our big drought.

      Delete
  2. Those roses are absolutely gorgeous!
    Although it is very humid here some folk do have beautiful rose gardens. I love flowers and sometimes mourn for the loss of my (small) garden. :-(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the humidity brings out all the bugs so you need plenty of time and energy to keep on top of these creatures + things like powdery mildew that arrives with the dampness of the wet season.

      Delete
  3. Those are SO pretty! I really love roses, and your photos are simply beautiful! All of them are gorgeous colours, too. :) I was very sad to leave my roses behind when we moved. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It will be interesting if you can grow them where you are - they don't need too much water but humidity isn't their friend.

      Delete
  4. Jo your roses are so lovely!! I wish I had better luck with them in my gardens!! You photograph your flowers so beautifully!! Im betting your yard is stunning right now!

    Vicki

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The garden is full of flowers at the moment - we have had good rains and that always helps with the flower show. The lilac is flower at present and the smell is divine.

      Delete
  5. I love roses! Sorry Jo ive been so busy and haven't kept up. On the occasion when I've had time my pic hasn't allowed me to access blogs or when I finally do it won't let me comment! Not sure why. I'm catching up now on my favourite blogs via my iPad.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment