Monday 2 June 2014

Lavender and Roses

 I wonder if Mr P will ever retire.   When he comes home after a long day, I prepare supper, and if the weather allows we sit on the patio and chat about our day.    Although my husband does not garden, he loves scent.....the perfume of roses, honeysuckle and lavender.    I have the most beautiful honeysuckle that now climbs the arches near the patio area.....a self sown and a very welcome dinner guest :)
 This year I decided not to plant annuals in the half barrels which edge the patio.   Instead roses, under planted with lavender.
 I wanted pale lemon roses and a variety that had a long flowering season.   I chose floribunda Authur Bell.    I am not disappointed, she is so delicate and the perfume is quite lovely
Alongside her is Lavender Ice Blue, not in bloom yet but I am pretty sure the deep blue flowers will compliment the pale lemon of Authur Bell.

We all hold a place in our hearts that can be reached by a sight, a sound, a smell.   Indeed roses take me back to a garden in Essex, watching my Great Grandmother cutting a rose and pinning it to her black velvet jacket.        Apparently she did this every day during the growing season until at the grand old age of 93 she passed away......the memory stays with me, for it is one that is so charming, I do not want to let it go..............

12 comments:

  1. I love the way plants can hold memories for us. Your garden sound idyllic and I can imagine the wonderful perfume.

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  2. My Great Grandmother died when I was ten....for this reason I can remember her well. She was the most gentlest of woman......

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  3. I remember picking an Arthur Bell up in one of the DIY shops, they were selling it off as it was past it's best. I like acquiring plants this way, grabbing a bargain and nursing them back to health. Unfortunately, Arthur Bell was too far gone and I lost the small amount of money I paid, but worth the gamble. Your Arthur Bell looks beautiful, I do love pale yellow roses.

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    1. To be honest Jo I was looking for a pale yellow rose......I bought three Arthur Bell for the price of two. They are all looking healthy, happy and they are just what I wanted.
      They will be perfect with the lavender...............

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  4. Hi Cheryl....Two of my favorites are roses and lavender!! It is a lovely rose, that remind's me of peaches and cream !!
    What a lovely memory of you Great grandmother to hold on to Cheryl !! I never new my Great Grandmother's and my maternal Grandmother died when I was 10 !!

    Grace

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    1. Peaches and cream, what a lovely way to describe Arthur Bell.....

      I am blessed to have memories of her, as I age I realise more and more how very precious they are. I pass them to the children and Grand-children.....so hopefully they will live with them :)

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  5. What a delightful memory of your Grandmother. My favorite roses are yellow. This is a wonderful idea of yellow roses and lavender. Yummmy. Tell Mr P I said hello. Enjoy the smells...

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    1. Hi Lisa,

      They are the perfect combination I think.......

      I will tell him for sure :)

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  6. Roses always remind me of my grandmother. She had such a gift for planting them and keeping them beautiful. Many times I have seen her stick a cutting right into the ground. And it never failed to grow for her. Love your rose and I am especially fond of lavender.

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    1. What a lovely story. I like the fact she put the cutting straight in the ground and was successful......amazing. Green fingers to be sure.........

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  7. I can't help but think this is the way I want to go--pruning away! What a wonderful memory. The scent from my childhood that always sticks with me is honeysuckle. Not until just a few years ago did I realize that my parents had planted several starts of honeysuckle when they moved, not realizing it was invasive. A few years ago Dad, already in his 80's, finally tackled the difficult job of pulling it all out:)

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    1. Hi Rose,

      I have been quite brutal with the garden. My first thought is always for the wildlife and their needs. BUT the time has come for me to have it a little easier and still have a beautiful gardening. It is working, I believe in another couple of years I will be there :)

      I love honeysuckle and havef them climbing through hedgerows, over arches, through trees. I love the scent, also like to see the Hawk moths feeding from the blooms in the evening. It is not invasive here.....rarely do I find it gets out of control.

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