Roses After The Rain

Some roses decided to bloom during Tropical Storm Debby.  I ran out between rain bands and took pictures since most of these blooms would soon be blown to bits by wind and heavy rain.

'White Out'  

'Belinda's Dream'

'Louis Philippe'

'Julia Child'


I am still amazed that my roses are doing so well.  They get a haircut and compost in February, and a monthly application of Mills Magic rose food.  During the dry season I hand water them about twice a week.  A drip irrigation system is on my wish list.  

Roses Love Rain

All the rain and soggy conditions the last few weeks kept me from deadheading the roses as should be done to encourage less leggy growth and more blooms.  The roses seem to be doing well in spite of my lack of diligence.

Julia Child

The bushes have all grown quite spindly and less bushy with all the extra water, but the buds still keep opening and offering their sweet scents.  The area in front of Julia Child was actually under water for weeks.

Scentimental

The other roses are planted up close to the house and are in a well-draining area.  It was nice to not have to worry about giving them supplemental water.

Louis Philippe

It seemed that whenever I had the time to get outside for a quick trip around the garden with the clippers the rain clouds would let loose.

Belinda's Dream

This section of the garden is ready for some attention.  I am looking forward to spending some time cleaning things up in this area and preparing for one of my  favorite times of the gardening year - Fall.

White Out

Summer Roses

My two favorite roses are doing well and blooming despite the heat and the lack of rainfall.  My other roses seem to have less blooms and bloom less often in the heat of summer.  These summer roses are a treat to both my eyes and my nose.  

Julia Child was planted this spring and seems to be happy in her spot against the back fence.  This area is full sun and is irrigated only by me and my trusty hose.  As often as possible that hose is attached to the rain barrel, but lately rainwater hasn't always been available.

This rose starts out a deep butter yellow that fades to light yellow.  My bush is only about eighteen inches tall and about as wide.  I have read that I should expect her to get to be a very round, bushy three feet in all directions.  So far, her leaves have remained a deep green and don't seem to be bothered at all by the heat.

The other rose that is doing super this June is my favorite, Belinda's Dream.  She is just so beautiful to me.  Her fragrance is very sweet and drifts on the breeze so I can enjoy it while I work near her.

This rose is a really big bush.  She is about five feet tall and wide and blooms in continuous flushes.  She does get brown leaves when not watered regularly.  She doesn't have any pest problems though other than last fall she had a little blackspot; but just a little on the backside of the bush.  

These are my favorite roses because of the shape of their blooms and the fact that they bloom so often.  When in bloom each bush is covered with roses.  They both have a light fragrance.  Julia Child is a bit spicy scented while Belinda's Dream has more of an old rose fragrance.  I do not want to spray pesticides or use chemicals in my garden and these roses are doing well without those things.  I love all my roses, but in the heat of summer these two really shine.