Coming Up Roses

Here in St. Louis we face a trying climate for Roses. If it's dry, the aphids and spider mites and diseases attack. If it's humid, black spot and other fungi defoliate the delicate ones. But this year, despite having slurped up almost two feet of rain, our roses have been radiant. Go figure.

The beauty above left is the Linville Rose, given to us by a friend several years ago. It is a delicate creature. It nearly died in the ground from drought and blackspot despite frequent sprayings. So now it lives year round in a clay pot that is overwintered outside, buried in mulch. The delicate pink blush is more apparent in cooler weather.

Our hardiest specimen is this pink single rose, which looks like a wild rose. We planted it next to the front porch, where it will soon be overwhelmed by several varieties of day lilies competing for the same space. It is very hardy and needs very little care. Like the Linville rose, it blooms repeatedly.

I tried the macro setting on my camera to catch a close up of these nostalgic pink petals.

Today Norm bought a new line trimmer and then coaxed the mower to life and mowed front and back yards. It was time: the grass was getting perilously close to the 7-inch height that would have brought the Bel Nor Lawn Police to our door with a citation! It was sunny and warm today but rain is supposed to return tomorrow. I spent the afternoon at the car service place. Gracie went in for an oil change and came out not only with that but with new brake shoes as well. I'm afraid we should have named this car Imelda. But with a long drive to The Other Side of Kansas coming up, it seemed like a wise idea.