Striped rose. Oranges and lemons. Scented beauty.

Just one photograph, of a magnificent striped rose in my garden, called Oranges and Lemons. It's not at all robust, sends up about three weedy stems every year, and has two or three sprays of flowers. But what flowers! I  really do gasp when I come out into the garden and the first flower is there.

It's fantastic. I took the photograph with my phone, and will keep it there, to find and look at when I need reminding of good things.
My dream is to have a garden entirely filled with striped roses. I must work on making the dream a reality!

Rosa Mundi the striped beauty

Rosa Mundi is the most beautiful of roses with its striped petals and golden heart. It only flowers for about six weeks, which I think makes the pleasure more intense as its such a limited time.

Reputedly named after the Fair Rosamund, who was the mistress of Henry II, its Latin name is rosa gallica versicolor, proclaiming it as a sport of rosa gallica. 

Now, rosa gallica is also known as the Red Rose of Lancaster. Remember the famous story of the noblemen from the Houses of York and Lancaster plucking roses to show  their allegiance? The Yorkists plucked rosa alba, the lovely scented white rose, and the Lancastrians plucked - well, a frankly rather gorgeous pink rose! It's the same pink as the darker pink you see in the stripes of rosa mundi.

These photos were taken in my Mother's garden a few days ago, and she told me that they are her favourite flower. Mind you, she says that about snowdrops and fritillaries. She's a woman of very good taste!
Happy summer.

Late summer colour. sunrise, roses, bagels

There have been some astonishing sunrises this week, as the autumn chill takes over from summer warmth.  I think these vibrant orange shades are a celebration of the sunshine season.

The last roses of summer have bloomed in the garden.  This is called Oranges and Lemons. These flowers, although small, have more intense colours than those that bloomed in June and July.

 And the breakfast of my lodger, before she runs a half marathon with assault course. Peanut butter and raspberry jam, in a much thicker and more vibrant layer than usual.

The autumn is upon us.