This summer, a sad time for me.
A very good friend who I've known for 25+ years unexpectedly moved away.
We were brought together thru our love of gardening but the friendship grew to encompass so much more than that.
Before she left, she gave me her two 'Lady Emma Hamilton' rose standards.
I re-potted one & placed it on the right side of my garage door (the other was positioned in the back garden.)
In a very short time, it responded with lots of new growth and 40+ buds!
It was the only bright moment in her leaving the state.
I had two of these standards myself for several years before losing them by foolishly setting them out too early in the Spring.
I will not make that mistake again with hers!
They are highly fragrant ~ a delicious scent like no other ~ & the color is hard to beat.
A bittersweet addition. No more "greenhouse hopping" trips or lunches after.
It's dismal to think about....
ps Almost as a reinforcement of this sentiment ~ right when the standard was almost in full bloom ~ a hurricane force wind blew up from no where & snapped the trunk at the base. It remained attached by one thin piece of outer bark. It was absolutely sickening to see. Immediately I staked them both (a little late, right?) and wrapped the trunk of the broken one together using duct tape! I think I need to redo using a grafting method? Surprisingly tho (at least so far) it hasn't died, or even wilted, but I don't know what the long term outlook is???
I miss you so much my friend - and I will miss our annual greenhouse hopping and lunches. l am so happy you revived the Lady Emma's and they are now in the perfect yard. Neither of those standards every bloomed like that for me! As much as I miss you, I am loving Florida and praying you make it down here for a visit soon.
Posted by: Dana Mees | August 26, 2018 at 08:43 PM