Double Delight ~ Exquisite Color and Fragrance

My little cutting of Double Delight has produced few but marvelous blossoms this summer. This rose opened in early October, its deep crimson petals revealing a rich, pastel treat.

Soft pink, cream and buttery yellow petals are revealed as the rose slowly wakens, unfolding with a broad, friendly smiling face.

The fragrance is as rich and complex as its colorful display; deeply inhaling the center of the rose provides an initial draught of deep old rose. A soft, sweet finish reminiscent of vanilla French buttercream lingers for an almost imaginary moment.

The winter will freeze the ground to as much as four feet deep. I will keep all my new babies, including this little Double Delight, watered and mulched until the distant spring reveals their survival or demise.

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Until the Roses Begin to Bloom

The color of morning in our garden offers a soothing refreshment. 

It seems a long wait for the first of the roses to bloom. Many blogs I follow have displayed tantalizing photos of full, glorious flushes. In the meantime, I am trying to keep out of the wind and dust, and content myself with what is.

Creeping phlox and candytuft are doing their mightiest to bloom before they are upstaged by the roses

April 10, 2011, the last of  the rooted cuttings are bravely inuring themselves to our capricious spring weather.

The last of the rooted cuttings are now in the ground. The minis rooted well. A family emergency in the middle of potting up the rooted cuttings resulted in carelessness on my part, and several  labels got lost. I know there are white and pink minis, and a Double Delight or two. 

A pink mini from a rooted cutting keeping the Pink Lemonade honeysuckle company.

Mystery, perhaps Double Delight?

The roses are all planted, even the ones ordered from Chamblees and Heirloom. All have had frost-nip several times, but are carrying on with grim determination.

Seminole Wind from Chamblees

Moonlight Scentsation, a fragrant miniflora from Heirloom

One of 3 Peggy Martin roses, from Chamblees.

Overnight Scentsation, a fragrant miniflora from Heirloom.

The tiny new growth on all the new roses is encouraging. Roses are miracle workers; from the smallest little stick will grow a new blooming bush, holding its own by the season's end. Eden means pleasure, and there certainly is Edenic pleasure in the humblest of gardens.

You may click to enlarge the above photos