60 days
9 weeks
10 weeks
76 Days
But whose counting!
‘Memorial Day’ in the Fall
A hybrid tea rose known by the name of ‘Memorial Day’ bequeaths me with stunning blooms as well as rapturous fragrance. {photos captured in October 2016, Zone 6b South Central Pennsylvania}
Pretty in Pink
Sweet Drift, by Knock Out Roses / Star Roses and Plants, has been an excellent disease-resistant performer for me here in Zone 6b of Central South Pennsylvania over the years. I have four of these beauties planted in a row. They just love to try to take over my walkway that runs parallel to them. Though they were alleged to be small ever-blooming shrubs, these clusters of abundant pink easily grow 3 – 4 ft high and about 2 – 3 ft wide if I let them. Oh, I don’t mind their eager growth though for they sweetly greet me every time I drift to and fro.
Sweet Drift in all her shades of pink say farewell. {Sept 2016}
Fall Farewell
As I embrace the cooler Fall weather, I find myself savoring every rose just a little longer than usual for though I know the shades of color and flirtatious fragrance will soon depart, giving way to a season of rest, perhaps the memories will endure.
Joseph’s Coat pushes out one last burst of color {Sept 2016}
Memorial Day with fading Oregolds {Sept 2016}
Memorial Day peeks over a 6 foot fence. {Sept 2016}
Perfect “Peace”. {Sept 2016}
Sweet Drift in all her shades of pink say farewell. {Sept 2016}
A Season of Heat
While enduring the weather’s daily heat advisories or even “excessive heat” warnings recently, I noticed some of the leaves on my roses were edged in shades of burnt yellow. Although above ground is sweltering or even frying the foliage, below ground much activity is taking place for the overall benefit of the rose bush or any other plant life for that matter. The purpose of these hot days is to force the roots of any given plant to plunge deep within the soil in search of nourishing water.
“Dream Come True” captured at Portland, Oregon’s International Rose Test Garden.
Typically, the leaves of your rose bush will tell you what it needs particularly in the hot season of summer. If you see burnt edges on the leaves or the leaves appear to be wilted or even borderline crunchy, your plant needs a deep watering. Make sure you put the hose at the base of the bush and let it saturate the ground about a foot deep or for several minutes at a time. Otherwise, a quick watering will promote shallow root growth, which is not healthy. If your rose bush has a plethora of yellow leaves, it may have received too much water or may be suffering from heat stress. Should you have a dark colored mulch, such as my favorite cocoa hull mulch, it could cause the lower leaves to experience too much heat and turn yellow.
Overall, the leaves will dictate when to water and when to skip it. You don’t want to water unnecessarily or too often as it could actually damage the roots. Rather, when you start noticing the leaves drooping a bit or feeling slightly harder than normal, it’s time to water. Mark on your calendar when you’ve watered as well as several days later when you noticed the leaves looking and feeling rather rough. You then will have a good indication of how many days your rose bush can go between watering – just subtract a day or two before they get droopy or rough. Bottom line, throughout this season of heat, a fine balance of sunlight, heat, and watering is a must. Don’t be afraid of the ongoing heat and how it may damage your plant. Let the rose bush learn to extend it’s roots deep within the soil and let the leaves tell you what the plant needs and when.
“Strike It Rich” captured at Portland, Oregon’s International Rose Test Garden.
Similarly, in our daily lives, we go through seasons of intense heat. And while our leaves, or outward displays, may moan and groan in our discomfort, take courage in knowing this is a season of perseverance. A season of heat to force our roots to plunge deep into the living soil of an immeasurable God. During such seasons of perseverance, our roots are invited to run deep into the river of life flowing from the one and only Jesus Christ. Many will succumb to the misery or the heat…many will give up and die off…while others will take the opportunity to go stronger within the deep wells of their soul soil. They will be able to endure brutal winters and blustering winds because their roots are firmly planted. Consequently, those that endure the season of heat, will be able to endure all seasons for they are “ever-blooming” roses.
Visiting the “City of Roses”
Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Portland, Oregon, also known as the “City of Roses”. Never in my life had I been afforded the opportunity of exploring the Pacific Northwest. What a beautiful state! My husband and I packed in many activities including experiencing enormous waterfalls along the Columbia River, the food trucks located along 10th and Adler Streets, all the way out to Oregon’s coast at Cape Kiwanda. The weather was spectacular especially when you compare it to the extremely hot and humid weather we are accustomed to here in South Central Pennsylvania and the Maryland area. We found it comical Portland had a “heat advisory” for 85 degree weather! Meanwhile, we came back to an “excessive heat advisory” of nearly 110.
Needless to say, while enjoying the perfect temperatures hovering in the upper 60’s and low 70’s, we were blessed to tour not only the beautiful terrain of Oregon, but her roses as well! Known as the “City of Roses”, Portland boasts rose bushes nearly every where you look. The landscaping along the on and off ramps of their highways, median strips, and sidewalks all showcased numerous roses.
While driving back from Cape Kiwanda, noticing the sprawling orchards and nurseries prevalent in Oregon, I recalled Heirloom Roses,the popular online rose supplier of the US, is located just south of Portland. As destiny would have it, according to Google Maps, Heirloom Roses was located just off the next exit on our way back to our hotel. Naturally, with little effort, I was able to persuade my husband into taking a rose detour. In a matter of minutes, I was delighted to tour the facility and gardens of Heirloom Roses. How cool was it to see the very place I’ve ordered roses from! The sales clerk was amicable and gave us free mugs when I purchased a pink tee-shirt that reads, “Sorry, my roses need me!” .
The next day this rose lover / history nerd, toured The End of the Oregon Trail museum, followed by touring Portland’s International Rose Test Garden. My husband was impressed I knew many of the roses by name without looking at the placard. It became a fun little game. Although I knew most of them, there were some roses I had never seen previously. I was hoping to discover a David Austin English rose known as “Lady Emma Hamilton”, a $60 rose bush that sells out super fast. It’s been on my wish list for awhile now, but I had yet to enjoy her in person. Unfortunately, she was no where to be found at the International Rose Test Garden, but it was a lovely garden nevertheless.
The day after visiting the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, we went to Pittock Mansion, which unbeknowst to me also has a rose garden surrounding the mansion itself. In fact, Georgianna Pittock, the lady of the elaborate mansion, was one of the founders of Portland’s Rose Society. She often hosted the rose society’s events in her rose garden. To my utmost surprise and delight, guess what rose was located there? Lady Emma Hamilton! Oh, my, her beautiful sunset orange and pink coloring with abundant fragrance did not disappoint! Frankly, I enjoyed the gardens more than the mansion – especially after discovering my “wish list” rose.
Overall, our trip to Oregon was unforgettable. East Coast mountains, waterfalls, and beaches just don’t even compare to Oregon’s. I’ve told my friends here back home that Oregon ruined me for she is indeed a spectacular state with the added benefit of including a “city of roses”!
