Wednesday, April 28, 2010

My Roses Aren't Perfect

'Brass Band'

My roses are truly beautiful, but if you look closely you will see that they aren't perfect.

'Honey Perfume'

They may have a few spots of mildew.

'Easter Basket'

Rose slugs are present on some of them.
Aphids may be munching on a few buds.

'Moon Over Miami'

There are even a few spots of rust and black spot. But the important thing is that the bushes themselves are strong and vibrant and will not succumb to a little bit of insect or pathogen damage. I take good care of my roses by providing them with the correct amount of sunlight, air circulation, mulch and most important, a really healthy diet of organic nutrients that give them the vitality to grow through the inevitable attacks that they will endure as part of a vigorous, healthy ecosystem. And they reward me every day with these beautiful blooms. A perfect trade off in my opinion!

21 comments:

Turling said...

They look pretty good to me.

Curbstone Valley Farm said...

Very darn near perfect from where I'm sitting! I do miss having roses in the garden.

Chicken Boys said...

They look much better than my roses! I do like my roses, and try to take good care of them. But I doubt they could compare. You're gardens seem superflous.
~Randy

Becca's Dirt said...

Your roses are stunning. They look perfect to me.

Gail said...

They are completely perfect! gail

Goneferalinidaho said...

I got you comment on my blog about the hydrangeas. After checking out your blog I had to add a link to it on mine! I'm gardenbugidaho on blogger.

Amy said...

They look beautiful!

Carolyn Parker said...

They look perfect to me-- beautiful!

Jim Groble said...

Close enough. jim

Anonymous said...

I have the same issues with mine. They look beautiful from afar, and everyone comments on my gorgeous roses. But if I try to take a closeup, you'll see the flaws. Oh well, I still love them!

Ami said...

They are all very beautiful! In south florida's humid, hot climate, growing roses are even chanllenging. I learned to ignore the black spots as long as the rose bush still produces the flowers for me. I also feed them some organic food so that they can stay as healthy as they can.

Sue Catmint said...

To me they're perfect - as are your rose-care methods.

Noel Morata said...

aloha,

who's to care about the shrubs when the flowers are spectacular, at least my thoughts since we can't grow those well with all the issues you just mentioned here in hawaii..btw, your photographs of these beauties are amazing i can almost smell those blooms here....:)

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

Your roses are beautiful! I love the water droplets on the petals. I'm waiting for my 'Honey Perfume' to bloom.

Anonymous said...

Hello Sheila, a beautiful garden rose is 'perfect' to my eye, never mind a tiny bug or mark! I'm in love with your 'Easter Basket' and will have to see if we can get it in Aus. My poor roses are under attack from a bumber crop of aphids this Autumn, but I'm planning to bolster the plants over winter/spring along the lines you've described, so I hope they will be stronger next year!

Sheila said...

Gibbslandgardener - I will have to take another photo of the entire 'Easter Basket' rose bush because it is just stunning. Covered with dozens of soft pink blooms! I'm very fond of it!

The Redneck Rosarian said...

What magnificent blooms. Near perfect to me!

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Your roses are gorgeous! Thankfully roses are hardy plants and flower beautiful.

Joy said...

In my opinion, the most beautiful flower in the world is the Rose.

Anonymous said...

wonderful pictures
♥doris

Unknown said...

Im inlove with your roses