Several weeks ago, my husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday. He said it ought to be something special, because 50 is a milestone. We talked it over, and he suggested it might be time to start planting the roses I've been dreaming of growing for a long, long time. Years ago, before we were even close to being able to buy a house, I signed up to receive David Austin English rose catalogs. Every time I got one, I'd spend hours poring over it and hoping one day I'd be able to place an order.
Well, now we have a home of our own, and a garden, and I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate turning 50!
The initial plan was to order three roses, because that's how many we have room for in the spot I picked, but after giving it some thought, I decided it would be better to start with one and then later (maybe next year) add two more. That will give me the opportunity to focus all my attention on my "birthday" rose, since this is new gardening territory for me.
It took two weeks, but I finally picked the variety I wanted and placed my order. That was on Tuesday of last week, and on Friday my rose arrived! When I got home from work Gregg had already prepared the bed by digging up and moving the banana plants that were in the spot--hard work, and I was so happy he got it done for me! The next day, Saturday, we were able to plant.
Behold my newest "pet"...a bare root shrub rose called "Eustacia Vye":
It doesn't look like much now, but I have high hopes!
40 comments:
What a wonderful way to celebrate your milestone birthday! Good luck with creating your own rose garden -- I hope we'll get updates as your first rose bush grows and blooms!
Great idea for a birthday gift. Carlos grows roses around the yard and they're really beautiful. I look forward to your blooms.
That's a great gift for your fiftieth birthday, Jennifer! What a thoughtful husband you have! Can't wait to see your blooms some time in the future! Wishing you both (and your rose bush) good health!
I cannot think of anything more appropriate and lovely than starting your longed-for rose garden on your fiftieth birthday. The beginning of a new stage of your life with something that as it grows, will bring you so much pleasure.
Excellent! Perfect.
What a wonderful gift. And Gregg took it a step higher when he prepared the bed. I love this idea, and I also like that you started with one. That makes this one very special and gives you a change to learn about its care. What a joy this will bring you... and us!
A fabulous gift for you. We used to live about 10 miles from David Austin Roses and in the summer it was such a lovely place to visit. I have 2 DA roses, which were our Golden Wedding Anniversary gifts from friends. I originally kept them in pots as we were moving and now they are in their forever home. Xx
Eustacia Vye sounds like a southern belle from long ago. Dressed in her frilly pink evening gown with reams of pink underskirts, she fans her pretty little face one moonlit evening under the wisteria that creeps along the terrace of The Barlow Plantation House.
"Come to me my little rose petal," whispers Captain Gregg.
"Oh, Cap'n Gregg. I do believe you are making me blush!" giggles Eustacia Vye.
He takes her hand and they melt away into the shadows as the negro band's music hangs softly in the air like applewood smoke.
What a wonderful birthday gift. But beware roses are addictive. When I took back over the ancestral home we had two rose bushes, now I have 18!
David Austin Roses are the best and Eustacia Vye will give you much pleasure.
I can't wait to see what it looks like when it blooms! (Well, I mean, you showed the catalog picture, but I want to see YOURS when it blooms.)
Oh, there'll be updates. Count on that. lol
I didn't know Carlos grows roses! Will you ask him if he sprays preemptively for fungal diseases? I'm afraid it might be necessary here in SC.
Thank you for your kind words, Ellen!
Those were our thoughts too, Mary. I'm already taking pleasure in the rose--picking it out, planting it, reading up on caring for it...
Oh, and by the way, I planted rattlesnake beans this afternoon! :)
You're so sweet, Mitchell. Thank you!
I'm really happy I started with one and that's my birthday rose. We've talked about adding two more next year and letting them commemorate our 20th wedding anniversary. :)
What a gorgeous color and such full blooms!! I can't wait to see that the birthday rose does!
A wonderful gift. How beautiful they will be.
What a sweet gift for your anniversary! What varieties are they?
You have a really vivid imagination! Haha!
18! Wow! That must be so beautiful!
I hope I can take care of her properly!
I'll be boring you all to tears when/if it blooms with non-stop flower photos! :)
I love the apricot color at the center of the blooms!
I sure hope so! Thank you Joanne.
Beautiful. I think most of our better garden investments have been Roses; and they last for decades.
This is a wonderful gift for your milestone birthday, and Gregg added to it by preparing Eustacia's bed. We're all looking forward to updates!
This is such a perfect way to celebrate turning 50—planting something beautiful that will grow and flourish, just like all the experiences you’ve gathered over the years. And I love how this has been a dream in the making for so long, with those David Austin catalogs quietly waiting for their moment!
Beginning with a single rose appears to be a wise decision, as it allows you to dedicate your love and attention to it fully. Additionally, commendations are due to Gregg for his diligent efforts in preparing the bed—truly a collaborative endeavor. And major points to Gregg for the hard work of prepping the bed—team effort! Can’t wait to hear updates when Eustacia Vye starts blooming. It may not appear impressive at this moment, but I am confident it will be quite beautiful once it blooms.
A rose is a lovely gift and keeps on giving
What a pretty rose! I went off to have a read about them and discovered they have a scent, too. I think it is a good idea to start with one. I can't wait to see how it does for you. Every time it blooms you will remember turning 50.
I hope I can keep it alive (and help it thrive) in what I can only assume is a challenging environment for roses (hot and humid SC).
Gregg's been getting ahead of so much garden work for me lately now that he's (mostly) retired! I'll come home from work and he'll have weeded a raised bed, finished the laundry, and walked the dogs. He's a gem.
The little beauty has only been in the ground for 4 days and it's already sprouting tiny leaves! I'm in love.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!
John, I'm dreaming of future vases full of gorgeous, sweet-smelling roses all over the house. :)
Yes, they're supposed to be very good for fragrance! That was one of the things I looked for when deciding. I'm dreaming of cut flowers in the house that smell nice.
My goal is to end up one of those eccentric old Southern women, sitting on the porch every afternoon, still in a house robe, sipping whiskey, enjoying my flowers, and not giving a damn! LOL.
What a great gift. I hope Eustacia will be very happy.
Love,
Janie
I hope she will!
Well fiddledeedee!
OMG - I'm crazy about David Austin roses. It will be beautiful!!!
I sorely miss growing roses. I hope yours are splendid
What a splendid start to your rose garden. I love the names of roses, some names sound so old fashioned. I have a Julia Child yellow rose. I wrote an article about Victorian roses years ago, and I love the name of the Victorian rose enthusiast, Rev. Hole. Appropriate for a garden expert.
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