Thursday, April 24, 2008

Souvenir de la Malmaison apparently has a sense of humor

So, I've been warned a million times by a million people that Souvenir de la Malmaison likes to ball in rain and humid weather. But this spring, even in the most ideal dry air, I've had a grand total of one flower open properly.

And then, a few days ago, humid weather hit Austin like a hot wet sponge to the head, and suddenly, Souvenir de la Malmaison decided to bloom properly and put on a show while every other rose in my garden sulked. Check out the audacity:


















And check out the detail on the edge of those petals. Now I know why everyone is so freakin' obsessed with this rose.


















This has gotten me wondering whether plants can have a sense of humor, because I sense a certain snooty rose declaring, "Dahling, you KNOW I am the star of this show!" Of course, I also picture a certain diva rose holding a cigarette in a long holder as she says this, so who knows?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Roses are certainly the stars of the garden. What divas they can be. Yours looks quite lovely though.

Lori said...

Pam - This one isn't even my favorite, but I do have to say that it photographs exceptionally well. The thinness of the petals does cool things with the light. :)

Annie in Austin said...

It does look special, Lori... and such a delicate color.
I've read that the very trait which attracts you - the thinness of the petals - is what causes this rose to ball. The outer leaves stick like saran wrap to each other and stop the rose from opening.

My Belinda came budded when I bought it. A few buds turned brown and didn't open - sure hope that will not be a problem once she gets established.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Lori said...

Annie - I've had a lot of roses ball on me this spring, most notably the Chinas, which are known for opening well in high humidity. I was complaining about this to one of my friends when I was giving her the garden tour, and she suggested that maybe it's because the Chinas are angry about Tibet. ;)

Anonymous said...

She's awesome isn't she! Mine has gone for a second flush this week.

Notice how the outside petals are a bit brown, though. If they brown when the blossom is too small, it can't open. Sometimes, I peel off the outside brown petals and still get a pretty decent flower.

(I know you know she's my favorite.)

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It looks amazing. You have been doing a great job with those roses. It doesn't look like a typical rose. but It looks amazing.

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What a great garden. I love roses, yellow ones and actually I was thinking to plant a few ones in my own garden...however my wife doesn't want, because she things that space is gonna look better with tulips.