Wednesday, November 4, 2009
A chilly day here on the mountain. The temperature is now 33 degrees but the 3 mph wind keeps putting up gusts that ride the thermometer up and down. Karl the Wonder Dog begged for another walk outside but after walking through the fields, I headed for the pines to get both of us out of the wind.
As we exited the fields I noticed the yellow of some wild rugosa roses. I'm not a rose growing person but I do enjoy them and the yellow was bright enough to catch my attention. When Karl and I got back to the house I looked at some that Gail has been growing for perhaps ten years and the bright fall leaf colors were interesting. I decided to mentally rewind the summer for a minute and catch a glimpse of the roses when they were in bloom along the split rail fence.
Rugosas are thorny friends and there comes a time when they need pruning. I never favored this chore and perhaps that's the reason I never got excited about them. The other weak point is that they are quick to put out runners and finding a new rose in the middle of a walking path never pleased me either. That habit always makes for easy give-away plants to friends and neighbors but I have more to do in a summer than fill in holes. Gail says friendships and donations should not come with negative comments about back filling holes. She always makes sense.
The color selections are limited to whites, yellows and lavenders but the fragrance and the beauty of a mature bush of rugosas can't be beat. Around here you seldom see a collection of mature bushes but our trips to the Maine coast remind us how plentiful these are in many places in the world.
This image with the shadow was me standing around waiting for a honey bee to return. Not too many honey bees left in the world so I knew it might take a while. First came a bumble bee and then the hornet below. I gave up and took pictures as I could. The fragrance is alluring and night moths are amazing beginning about 9 PM on summer nights when they arrive by the hundreds to work these flowers.
Finally, here is an image of a double. The beauty and fragrance of this simple rose flower makes me begin to forget the thorns. Sometimes it takes me a while to see the beauty in things. I doubt I am alone.
Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where it only took me all day to finish my thoughts on the yellows of fall.
George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
5 comments:
I love rugosa's fall foliage, too...rich, golden yellow! And don't forget the interesting hips.
Hey, George, that last pale pink bloom look suspiciously like a peony ;)
Lynn
The nice thing about gardeners is they are always helpful. Thanks Lynn, for a botanical eye and a helpful watch over a tired gardener.
I have replaced the peony image with a double rugosa. Do not know the name of either but they are both nice to grow!
George
I just love rugosas the this one is beautiful, you have so many blooms. First time visitor, I'll have to look around a bit.
Hello Randy;
Thanks for finding The Vermont Gardener.I notice on your blog that you are interested in dragonflies. There's a little glacial carved pond 3 miles from here that is known as a place to study dragonflies and damselflies. I don't know much about them but at certain times people are wading into the swamps to take pictures.
George
I miss green and blooming things already. Very nice post George, and beautiful roses. I'm with you on the pruning though. . . ouch!
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