May roses

I think this is the largest selection of roses in bloom at one time in all the years of gardening.

So worthy of their own little photo essay I think.

But I’ll make them a gallery in case you are all bloomed out.

The stalwarts of the rose garden. Three happy shrubs growing on the chestnut fence.

The Munstead Wood flowered well this year. It was floundering under the shade of the apple tree on the edge of the potager. And more importantly, was on a mole rat run. It’s roots were suffering.

So instead of watching it slowly expire I moved it to the back of the potager against the stone wall.

It was a gamble. But so far it has paid off. I wouldn’t call it a prolific flowerer. Yet.

But I’m happy it has found a better home.

And now the roses planted along the north side of the barn, in the shade.

Boscobel is my favourite colour. But so far the shrub is small and this is the ‘harvest’.

Better still is the Charles de Mills. Loved by me. And the passing deer.

I had to fence it as the first buds were munched.

I do love its crumpled edges. Right behind is the shrub rose Ligne Renaud which has a better lemony scent.

Is that the one?

When it’s on the shrub I can recognise it.

Maybe I should just stick to flower arranging and not plant identification.

And on that note. Biblical storms are about to hit. I can’t show you the half a dozen other ones flowering right now.

I have to unplug all electronics and hunker down.

Next time.