As the holiday season looms, some of the rosebushes in my garden are still producing a few flowers. They are all beautiful in the late autumn light, but perhaps the most striking is the rose-pink rugosa rose. It has grown large, thanks to the abundance of fall rain, but now its leaves have turned bright … Read more
In late December many of us sing the old carol, “Lo How a Rose Ere Blooming,” but we in cold winter climates do not expect to see roses blooming in our gardens. Sometimes, though, there are exceptions. We are now heading towards late December and a rose in my garden pushed out an unexpected blossom … Read more
Rosa laevigata, has acquired a host of nicknames over its long history, but is most often called “the Cherokee rose”. It is native to China, but has been in North America so long and acclimated so well that many people think of it as an indiginous wildflower. Its longevity and popularity is also due to … Read more
After four years of waiting, at least one go-around with Mr. Antlers and a presumption of plant death, ‘Vick’s Caprice’ has finally bloomed in my garden. And even though the tough little rose put out only one flower, it was worth the time and anxiety. The cupped and quartered bloom is lovely–rose pink, accented with … Read more
For years I have called myself a rose lover, but I have completely neglected a significant category of old roses. Finally, this summer, a plantsman of my acquaintance called me on it. “How,” he said, “could you not grow alba roses?” Of course, I made all the usual excuses, mostly having to do with the … Read more
