In Burgundy, climate and terroir come together to form a paradise for roses, and they put on a heavenly show, especially in late spring. I’m a rose grower from way back, so Je suis contente.
When we first moved here, to get a quick start on growing some roses I picked up a ‘6-pack’ of rose bushes that were just a few inches tall, packed together into a small paper carton. They were 5 euros for the box; there was no name or label on them. I figured they wouldn’t grow, but for 5 euros, why not give it a shot?
These roses are now the hardiest in the garden. The colors are fabulous, they rarely get diseases, they bloom like their lives depended on it. I’m desperately hoping there’s a rosarian out there who can identify them. C'est une mystère!
I’ve included photos of two of the mystery roses and some other varieties I grow here that I love.
PHOTO ABOVE: Bonica. VERY easy care, few disease. Grows in a bush form, 3.5 feet tall and wide, that is covered with clusters--sometimes 20 on a stem. Cut one stem and you can fill a vase! Blooms are small-ish.
ABOVE LEFT: Mystery Rose #1 and my favorite rose of all. Floribunda but with a classic 'florist rose' flower. It's a deep salmon, really almost a watermelon color, going slightly toward gold at the center. Bush is 2.5 ft., upright but not full. It's very hybrid tea-esque except for the clusters. Blooms constantly. RIGHT: Mystery Rose #2. This has a looser, bushier form (3 ft. tall) and blooms all the time even though it's mostly in the shade. What's interesting is that the buds are a deep coral but flowers are pale salmon, turning ever lighter and pinker as they open.
LEFT: Aloha is an stunning, many-peteled climber. But it's not quite a climber, it has a stiff structure so looks elegant upright against a wall, and mine's attached with only 3 nails. About 8 ft. tall and very disease resistant. RIGHT: I grew the demurely ruffled floribunda Amber Queen in Charleston too, where it did better, so it must like the heat. The blooms, yellow bordering on apricot, have a great old rose look to them, though it's a modern rose. But in the French climate, I find it susceptible to black spot. 2 ft. tall.
Above LEFT: Madame Pierre S. Dupont is a climber that just keeps growing---my neighbor has one that covers the side of a barn. It's a bright clear yellow and stops traffic when it blooms, but doesn't repeat much (I've heard yellow roses are the weakest bloomers, is that true?). Above RIGHT: If you like orange and you've got a big space, you won't find a better focal point for the garden than Fellowship, also called Livin' Easy. It's a beauty: flourescent orange, opening to an orangey-apricot with a gold center. It always reminds me of a perfect sunset, rolled into one bloom. The bush gets big and round and full, very lush, so that it's a pretty plant even when it's not blooming. Mine is about 5 feet tall, 4 ft wide. Few diseases. Go here to see a good photo of its spring flush. LEFT: Another view of Mystery Rose #1, amongst the lavendar.
Gardeners and rose lovers, I hope you'll share some of your favorite varieties too!
This just in: I'm happy to be a guest blogger this week over at The Daily Basics. Look for the article called "Putting a Spin on the French Cheese Course".
In the COMMENTS: Heather of Unexcused Absenses has some more diet tips (including how to eat French cheese, sensibly) but everyone else is talking macarons. Hampton says you can only learn to make them in France--well darn, you'll have to come over. Liza of Provence in Ann Arbor IS coming over soon, to eat macorons (and more). Natalia says getting them to be beautiful is an art--so true, and luckily the learning process is delicious. Meanwhile Gina is aging her almond flour. Sue just wants Nicole's kitchen; and Heather of Lost in Arles can walk down the street to get hers--why make them indeed!
Favorite Reads: I think I mentioned, a friend gave me a copy of Lunch in Paris: A Love Story, with Recipes
