Greetings everyone and a warm welcome to all my new subscribers this month.
After a wet and windy month, with even some hail thrown in, it looks like the warmer temperatures are about to arrive right on cue for the first day of Summer. Humid conditions may have meant an earlier than usual arrival of black spot, but it appears to be excellent conditions for new watershoots and plenty of large blooms in the rose garden.
With the easing of lockdown conditions, I am back looking after the roses at Sages Cottage Farm, and spending time with my four-legged friends who love nothing better than fresh rose trimmings to munch on.
This month I have got to know a rose with an award-winning fragrance with links to luxury watches and royal rose gardens.
It is a glorious time of the year to revel in roses, so come with me and partake in the revelry!
It was wonderful to return to Sages Cottage Farm this month to see what the roses had been up to in my absence. I had finished the pruning just one day before we went into our final lockdown, so you can imagine my delight in seeing all the roses covered in blooms and lush green foliage.
Below is a bouquet of spent blooms for the goats to eat and trust me they took no time in devouring it.
Please note: Sages Cottage Farm has not reopened to the public yet. If you would like to learn more about Sages Cottage Farm and its history, with glimpses of the rose garden, you can watch a 5 minute video here.
On the scent of an impressive rose
Having won more the five awards for fragrance this rose known by many names really does smell very sweet.
Bred by Marie-Louise (Louisette) Meilland and Jacques Mouchotte of Meilland International in France in 1983 it was introduced in Europe as ‘Yves Piaget’ in 1985. The rose is also known as the ‘Royal Brompton Rose’ and was introduced as ‘Queen Adelaide’ in Australia.
Yves Piaget (pictured above) is the chairman of the Piaget company who have been crafting luxury watches and jewellery since 1874.
Yves has had a life long passion for roses and is the Patron of the World Federation of Rose Societies.
Piaget sponsors the Monaco International Rose Competition, held at the Princess Grace Rose Gardens.
Piaget offers an exceptional prize to the winner of the best variety of roses, all categories combined: a golden rose is set with a diamond and can be worn as a brooch or pendant.
The Princess Grace Rose Gardens
Conceived by Prince Rainier III in memory of his wife, the Princess Grace Rose Garden was officially opened on 18 June 1984.
The garden is 5,000 square metres and has a total of 6,000 rosebushes of 315 varieties divided into seven themes.
The gates bearing H.S.H. Princess Grace’s monogram have been conserved to maintain the garden’s sense of history, but the garden can now be accessed at any time of the day.
On holidays in Monaco with Monet
As we enter Summer here, I thought in would be fun to go on holiday with Monet. In 1883 and 1884, Monet spent his Summers painting in and around Monte Carlo. I hadn't seen these paintings before, and I think the atmosphere feels quite different -
brighter, warmer, and sharper than his more widely known garden paintings. I would love to know how you feel about Monet's Monaco moments.
Landscape near Monte Carlo, Claude MONET - 1883
The Corniche of Monaco, Claude MONET - 1883
The Road to Monte Carlo, Claude MONET - 1883
Monte Carlo seen from Roquebrune, Claude MONET - 1884
Unconventional Lady and Convention News
One rose making a big show in my garden this month is Unconventional Lady.
Bred by W. Kordes & Sons (Germany, 1997) and known as Simply Samantha in South Africa, Unconventional Lady is being used to raise funds for the WFRS World Rose Convention which is being held in Adelaide from 27 October to 3 November, 2022.
It has been confirmed that the convention will proceed
as both a “face-to-face” convention as well as offering online registrations to rose lovers around the world.
A number of exciting before and after tours are planned and registration will be opening on 10 January 2022.
Postcards From My Readers
The changing seasons are always a source of inspiration for me, and having an international readership I get to enjoy and marvel at the delights of the seasons going on at various times around the globe.
In India, Virendra D. is sharing the start of his blooming season (pictured above). "I am sending season's first bloom to you. It is a replica of VatarTag rose, raised by an Indian nurseryman."
Virendra grows his roses in pots on his roof top and is always wary of the monkeys who can come and do a lot of damage, but so far it seems the roses are winning. His second bloom of the season is Taj Mahal (below). Thank you, Virendra.
And meanwhile on the other side of the world, Paul Grace from Indiana is heading into Winter. Take a look at Paul's glorious frosty roses pics. Never getting frost like that here, it is such a novelty to see. Thank you, Paul.
Back home in Australia, Chris W took a lovely photo of her neighbour's roses (below) which were suddenly visible when Chris had to have her side fence replaced. Could that perhaps be Bonica?
And Chris was the lucky recipient of a beautiful bunch of roses for her birthday from her friend Ronda. Thank you, Chris and well done Ronda!
I hope you enjoyed this bright and breezy romp through the roses.
Until next time,
Love and roses,
Michelle
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My Novel: Rose Garden Reverie
A story of transformation set in a rose garden with rose care tips throughout the seasons.
The soft cover book is 110 pages long and costs $20 (Australian Dollars) per copy via the button below with free shipping worldwide.
Also available from online book sellers.
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May the beauty of nature inspire you everyday
Michelle Endersby Art
www.michelleendersbyart.com
phone: 0400 473 173
[email protected]
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