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?
Roses are certainly the stars of the garden. What divas they can be. Yours looks quite lovely though.
ReplyDeletePam - 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. :)
ReplyDeleteIt does look special, Lori... and such a delicate color.
ReplyDeleteI'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
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. ;)
ReplyDeleteShe's awesome isn't she! Mine has gone for a second flush this week.
ReplyDeleteNotice 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.)
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.
ReplyDeleteWhat 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.
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