What!!! It's my turn for favorite rose article!! was my reply having read my September newsletter.
So as I venture outside to spray this very lovely Sunday Morning, it's 7:15am (my favorite time to spray) Dear Hubby has already left for the golf course. Just me and my birds at their feeders. We have the world to ourselves.
I smile and take a long deep breath as I notice that refreshing crisp
feel of fall in the air. How welcome it will certainly be this year
after that sweltering summer heat. According to my favorite TV
weatherman, we had nine days of record breaking high temps last
month. The effect of heat stress can be seen in every living entity,
including roses.
But to my unexpected surprise a darling little rose I bought on impulse last spring at a local farm supply store seems to have withstood much better than her more established neighbors.
A little polyantha call The Fairy. Introduced in 1932 by Star Roses, described as "light pink milk fragrance, with 25 petaled double blooms that perform throughout the year,"
While my other bushes appear "tired" The Fairy looks just as chipper as the day I brought her home. Not an incredibly large bush, only about 3' tall, she has lush green foliage, and clusters upon clusters of blooms that resemble pink popcorn. Now, here's the really amazing part (for me it is), totally black spot free!!
I'll admit I've never been attracted to polyantha's or shrubs before, but The Fairy has made me take a second more serious notice at what they have to offer for my garden.