ROSES

There is no rose that I do not like. However, this red, red rose, Velvet Fragrance, is one of my absolute favorites. Its flowers are not only big and luscious and deeply red, they are also very fragrant. Besides, they bloom well in the rather harsh environment that is our garden. The stems are on the thorny side, and the thorns are big, but Velvet Fragrance is a gorgeous rose and could be forgiven for all the blood it draws from me when I tend the plants.

This lovely rose is Westerland Rose. Under ideal circumstances, this rose should be climbing and cascading on the trellis. Our garden, with its clayish soil, however, is hardly ideal for growing roses. Yet, that did not stop this plant from yielding clusters upon clusters of salmon flowers come spring time. The flowers are also mildly fragrant.