June is for Roses

"Emily Bronte" a David Austin English Rose

I have never considered myself a rose lover. I still don't. They simply aren't my favorite flower and it seems like they're overrated. 

But, there are roses and then there are David Austin English Roses. Just the name "English" makes me like them. Tasha Tudor had David Austin roses in her garden and that fact alone makes me want to have one. They are renowned for their quality and expertise, bred and created in Shropshire, England. 

This past spring I took the plunge and ordered my very first rose bush. Above, is "Emily Bronte" and she bloomed this past June for the first time. I'm learning a lot by tending her. Learning to look for aphids and pick Japanese beetles off. Did you know rain makes brown spots on the petals of roses? So, if it's to rain, pick the open roses with abandon and bring them inside to enjoy.

I also learned you can visit the David Austin rose gardens in England, look at the roses in person and purchase plants on site. Since I don't live in England, I'm positive I have the next best thing: A friend who has approximately 30 David Austin roses bushes. She generously invited me and another friend over and let us pick some to make our very own bouquets. This very well might convince me to be a rose lover after all. Which rose should I get next? I'm thinking a climber...to go on an arch at my new garden gate...

My bouquet (complete with my own foxgloves) went into a new-to-me vase, which I found at a yard sale. It's copper! I cleaned it with ketchup. Yep, ketchup. Apparently the acid in the vinegar makes copper shine again.