Sunday, March 13, 2011

Antique Roses in Early Spring

Finally, spring is far enough along for rose blooms to break out.

General Schablikine (Tea, Nabonnand, 1878)
General Schablikine
I don't have to rack my brains any more in search of topics to post about, and can quietly sit back and let the roses do the talking.

Lady Hillingdon (Tea, Lowe&Shawyer, 1910)
Roses of Asian origin (antique Teas and Chinas) are always the first to bloom here.

Climbing Old Blush (China, unknown)

Climbing Old Blush
We are still a few weeks away from the main flush, so most of these are individual blooms.

Climbing Lorraine Lee (H. Gigantea, Tea, Mackay, 1932)
Climbing Lorraine Lee
Spring blooms are the pride of the season, with the great number of petals, the strongest fragrance, and the most vivid colors.

Souvenir de Mme. Léonie Viennot (Tea, Bernaix, 1898)
Spying the first roses of the season always lifts my spirits.

Rosa Laevigata (species)
There is a brief period in early spring, after the heavy lifting of winter (mulching, pruning, fertilizing) but before summer's daily watering chores, when I can sit sit back and relax. It is a precious and a very happy time.

Lady Ann Kidwell (Polyantha, Krebbs, 1948)
All these pictures were taken this past weekend at the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden.
Posted by Masha at 7:25 PM
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36 comments:

  1. sherryocalaMarch 13, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Oh, Masha, aren't they lovely? The blooming has started so early this year here. Is yours early or on schedule? I see so many buds everywhere. It looks like the garden will soon explode with roses. It is a very happy time.

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  2. MashaMarch 13, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    Yes, they are, Sherry. I have been envying you for weeks, you know. I think mine are a bit early this year because we have had a very warm January, and they started growing. I can't wait for April...

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  3. The GardenerMarch 13, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    So beautiful!

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  4. MashaMarch 13, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    Thank you, Lois. I am glad you liked them.

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  5. IsabelleMarch 13, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    The first photo is perfection !

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  6. organicgardendreamsMarch 13, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Yay, the rose season has officially started. I especially love the Tea roses. It is such a gift that we can grow them here in California. Great pics as always, Masha!
    Christina

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  7. OneMarch 14, 2011 at 12:58 AM

    Congratulations! I guess this is very good news for you. Spring must be here after that very long wait. :)

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  8. dMarch 14, 2011 at 3:38 AM

    it makes my heart and soul sing with gladness to see these incredible flowers..stunning and I can smell their heavenly scent..

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  9. AnonymousMarch 14, 2011 at 6:14 AM

    I really like the color of Climbing Lorraine Lee. So wish I had that patience for roses. At one time I had them here, but they took so much work, I sent them off to new, caring homes. Floribundas live here today, not showy, but relatively disease free. Wish I could keep roses like you.

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  10. Phillip OliverMarch 14, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    They are all stunning!

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  11. MashaMarch 14, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    Thank you, Isabelle, le General is very photogenic.

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  12. MashaMarch 14, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    Thank you, Christina. I like Teas too and it is a good thing they start blooming early, otherwise I would not be so happy...

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  13. MashaMarch 14, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    Thank you, One. Yes, it is very good news for a rose addict that roses have begun blooming. All of a sudden I am a much happier person. Plants can do that to a gardener...

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  14. MashaMarch 14, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    Thank you, d. I wish I could photograph the fragrance (maybe some day?).

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  15. MashaMarch 14, 2011 at 7:32 AM

    Thank you, Donna. I am sure your garden is gorgeous with or without roses. I am glad you have a few, maybe more will appear gradually, who knows...

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  16. Shady GardenerMarch 14, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    These are beautiful photos of beautiful roses. Thank you for sharing them. Do you grow roses? Thanks for your recent visit.

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  17. MashaMarch 14, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    Thank you, Shady Gardener. I grow lots of roses, but mine are not blooming just yet.

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  18. A Work In ProgressMarch 14, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    I'm so jealous, my roses don't even have leaves yet. Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures!

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  19. MashaMarch 14, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    I am sorry, Shannon, but spring is coming to you too. You have so much else going on, I am pretty sure you don't mind:)

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  20. MashaMarch 14, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    Thank you, Phillip. I am glad you liked them.

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  21. HolleyGardenMarch 14, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    How gorgeous! I know how happy you must feel. I'm still wondering who will be the first in my garden. April is usually the time of glory around here. Enjoy!

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  22. ChristineMarch 14, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Oh Masha!! It is such a pleasure to visit your blog and see such beutiful roses! I especially like the Climbing Lorraine Lee - I guess everyone has their favourite! Thanks for sharing xx

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  23. VWMarch 14, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Those old roses are so soft and elegant! I love mashing my nose into one of them (that's not an elegant word, mash, but it works) to take a deep sniff. The modern roses are too stiff for that.

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  24. MashaMarch 14, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Thank you, HolleyGarden, April is the main show here too. I can't wait.

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  25. MashaMarch 14, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    Thank you, Christine. Lorraine Lee has a beautiful unusual color, you have good taste. It is too bad it is not more available.

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  26. MashaMarch 14, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    You are right, VW, there is nothing like old roses for fragrance.

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  27. Olga PoltavaMarch 14, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    It's just amazing in what a great variety roses come. Each and every rose in these pictures is gorgeous, but they all are so different too. It's really hard to pick a favorite one.
    Awesome pictures!

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  28. AndreaMarch 14, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    Hi Masha, my first time here, just see your site because of your visit to mine. I didn't know that rose varieties are that old! How beautiful that they dont segregate in characteristics even for that long time. I wonder if they also show some mutations thru the centuries.

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  29. GigaMarch 14, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    Chciałabym w pełni kwitnienia róż pospacerować po Twoim ogrodzie. Patrzeć i wąchać. Pozdrawiam

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  30. sweetbayMarch 14, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Sigh... these roses are so lovely! You're making me want to add more to my neverending wish list.

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  31. MashaMarch 15, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    Thank you, Olga, and you are exactly right - it is hard for me to pick a favorite too, that's why I keep adding to my collection, they all look great!

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  32. MashaMarch 15, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    Thank you for stopping by, Andrea. Roses are very old, and they do develop spontaneous mutations (called "sports") fairly regularly. Some of the best known sports are climbing versions of a bush rose, or a striped version of a solid color rose.

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  33. MashaMarch 15, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    Thank you, Giga. I am glad you liked those pictures.

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  34. MashaMarch 15, 2011 at 8:56 AM

    Thank you, Sweetbay, and I am really happy I am not alone with a neverending shopping list of roses! You made me feel less guilty:)

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  35. p3chandanMarch 15, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    Wow! Have never seen so many stunning looking roses especially the yellow, peach and white ones. Love them all Masha!

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  36. MashaMarch 15, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    Thank you, p3chandan, I love all the different color ones, too.

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I am so glad you have stopped by!

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