Of course, I was delusional. I am so not over this rose. I was at a garden centre last week for a brief escape from the rain. It was there I spotted the miniature rose, 'Lavender Crystal'. I had no choice. It had to come home with me. I circled the table, elbows at the ready should someone move in on my rose before I could secure it. I told myself that at $8 it was the deal I was after, not the rose. Yeah.
I potted it up in a black ceramic pot with a pearl finish on it. The perfect foil for the rose. I had to put it by the front door so it is the first thing I see when I come home. I am telling myself that my time with this rose is fleeting. It will never make it through the winter. Besides, there are other silver roses out there.
But then I look at her, gleaming in the soft evening light, impossibly mysterious and regal. If I believed in elves or other magical creatures (which as a grown woman I certainly do not - harumph!) this miniature beauty would be of their garden.
What is it about roses that inspires such flights of fancy? I really have no idea. They don't affect me at all. Really.
For ancient king and elvish lord
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.
On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, in twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.
~J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
BTW: Planting finally commencing in garden! Will post updates soon. :)
27 comments:
I understand perfectly about lavender roses and I think it is great that you've planted it where you can enjoy it. It is a gorgeous colour of rose. In my Ottawa garden, I planted a rose named Lavender Lassie and loved the blooms (although not quite as lavender in colour as your lovely miniature rose). Sadly, I can't grow it here. Mostly I try not to think about it, but that often fails me.
There's something about roses that catch our imaginations and won't let us go. About a month ago, I was stunned to get 2 enormous volumes of Ellen Willmott's 'Genus Rosa' through interlibrary loan. I'd put in a request over a year ago, not dreaming that I'd ever see the books. (I think there are copies at the U of A library, but the one I got was sent from a college in New Hampshire.) Talk about an obsession with roses ...
Glad you got your rose, and great to see Tolkien verse brought into a garden blog!
Thanks for a pleasurable start to my day.
Now matter how beautiful the other roses might have been, when we had lavender roses in at the flower shop, they were the ones everyone wanted. Just so special and unusual.
That is a very beautiful and unusual rose! In Alberta the miniature roses will sometimes overwinter. I think it may be because they are often completely covered with snow. You might want to sink it in the garden in the fall. It just might come back for you!
I love lavender roses but they don't love it here! Not without a lot of spraying and fussing anyway. Your photos capture its magic beautifully.
What a gorgeous new addition, and indeed, a terrific deal.
That is one beautiful rose! I don't believe I have ever seen a true purple rose before. beautiful!
I would have had trouble passing up this gem too. I have a lavender rose called 'Rhapsody in Blue.' Have you seen it? If not, there's always next year. :)
Kate, hi! I googled the Lavender Lassie - wow! No wonder you still dream of it. :) I grew up in a warmer zone and wish I could plant the climbing roses my mom did but I didn't garden then so I don't have my own favourites to pine for. No wonder garden tourism is such a big industry!
I am so impressed with the books you got through the library. I just put in my first interlibrary request for an out of print book that is supposed to be beautifully illustrated. I hope it comes during a lull in my summer reading. Thank you for your comments on my other posts as well. :)
Adrian, Don't you think Tolkien would be tickled to be quoted on a garden blog? I bet he would find the whole culture of communication fascinating. Glad you had a morning smile! :)
Deborah, the lavender roses really seem to stand out in the crowd, don't they. I just cannot resist! lol
Ann, the staff at the garden centre suggested as well that I plunk it in the ground at the end of the summer. I tell myself I won't get attached to this rose, but I will. So, yes, I will plant it and think about it - all winter! ;)
Sweetbay, you have so many gorgeous roses - I swoon! They really are something special aren't they.
Rebecca, for the price of two small lattes, it was so worth it! I can see why people get into miniature roses. They are not expensive and they are so cute! What's not to love?? :)
Sheryl, as the flowers fully open they fade to a very pale lavender that is almost silvery. They glow in the evening. I am smitten.
Grace, I googled the 'Rhapsody' and it is gorgeous! Yes, "next year" is the siren call for gardeners. We just can't stop! Maybe it's a good thing there are four seasons. :)
I'm an utter novice when it comes to roses - had no idea they came in lavender. No wonder you were smitten, that colour is extremely eye catching.
Marguerite, I had no idea either until I saw that first one in BC. What a thrill! :)
Haha, I didn't realize it was a miniature!! Even more charming! I have successfully overwintered one, but I'm not sure if it'll flower this year...
Wow..what a gorgeous and stunning rose! beautiful photo series1 i love love mini roses...they are so charming and enchanting! Wonderful post..enjoy your magical friends!
Victoria
Rebecca, Good luck with your mini! This one is rated zone 6 so maybe with a lot of cover it come back. Might as well try!
Kiki, I am loving these adorable tiny roses too. I think I may get more to put in the front of my beds. They are just so sweet.
Definitely worth the $8. I regularly plunk down twenty-five for Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' that fail to survive the winter (although allegedly hardy). They are nice, but don't conjure up Tolkein.
I read something by Jim Hole a couple of years ago about overwintering non-hardy roses in a heated garage. Might be worth a go if you have such a garage or a reasonable facimile.
I just love the colour of this rose; the nearest I have to this colour is Rhapsody in Blue, but it isn't as beautiful a colour as yours, it does overwinter in my dry soil, our temperatures don't usually go much below minus 7 or 8°C. Christina
It's an absolutely STUNNING rose - and an incredible photograph! Can you overwinter it indoors?
HBG, Definitely my best $8 spent this year so far. My garage is not heated but it is insulated and rarely gets below -15C. I may try it in there - thanks!
Christina, You are a lucky lady to have a lavender flower that reliably overwinters for you. I wish! :)
Your lavendar rose is esquisite and a wonderful find. It definitely had to come home with you! Enjoy it and thanks for sharing :)
What a beautiful & unusual rose.
I can understand why you fell for this rose and I am sure she is worth it even if you enjoy her company only briefly. I am off to see if she has made it over this side of the pond. Have noted several beautiful roses that seem to suffer from travel sickness.
Cathy and Steve, some people suggest overwintering them in a heated garage. I think I will try my luck in the ground with some cover. Wish me luck!
Lee, I am really enjoying it - so glad I got it!
Ruthie, thanks - she is a sweetie!
Anna, I hope you find it. :)
Ms S girl : ) who could not fall totally in love with this rose ?
I had one called Angel Face and it died two years ago (I think from me moving it too much .. bad me !!)
Your pictures are stunning of it and the description of the pot it graces is simply wonderful .. I would save a full format picture of this beauty and have it in my garden office if I were you !!
Joy
PS .. I love the quote from Tolkien
I can see why you are smitten. It is beautiful and your photos are lovely. Looking forward to seeing your garden with the new plantings. :)
You have all the reasons to swoon and be enchanted! I haven't seen such color in a rose yet, and it really looks magical especially in your amazing photos. I like to swoon to!
Finally catching up on so many blogs I've neglected during a very busy summer. These photos are gorgeous. Wish I could see it in the bloom.
Joy, Amy, Andrea, Rilla, Thanks for the kind words. I am thrilled with this rose. Think I will add some mini roses to my garden next year as annuals.
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