Love my Roses!

Jenny, Geoff, and the grandkids gave me my first Knock-Out rose bush for my Birthday.  I hope it does as well as my next door neighbors' bush.  His is just huge and so beautiful.  I have had a slew of rose bushes in my day and have had some make it and some kick the bucket within a couple of weeks.  I have the perfect spot for them, so I think.  I just keep losing them because of forgetting to water and fertilize regularly.  I do have a couple faves that have made it through my uncaring.  My Don Juans and my Lady Banks always give me a thrill. They are at least 20 years in the ground.  Lady Banks blooms only once a year, but the Don Juan rose vine just keeps blooming and blooming.  Hope you enjoy the photo I took below when they were both in bloom.

My MamaJo (Grandmother) and my Mama loved roses too.  I guess most women do.  The beauty of nature is in a rose.  The fragrance, the color, the intense pleasure is all there for the taking.  My Lady Banks is a thornless climbing rose that explodes in yellow clusters of small blossoms.  Although it only blooms usually in March and into April it is a sight worth seeing.  The Don Juan rose fragrance is by all means the richest of my roses.

The Rose

A single rose
Given by one to another
A single rose
Be it a friend, sister, or lover

A single rose
So good and pure
A single rose
May be the cure

A single rose
May dry the tears
A single rose
Wipes away the fears

A single rose
Represents many things
A single rose
To a memory, it clings

And if, by chance, that memory is bad
A single rose
Can seem so sad

But if, with luck, the memory is good
The rose stands proud
As it should.

Calysta Rose Anderson