* * Six years or so ago I began gardening roses, I'd say it changed my life but that would be so dramatic!!
It changed my life!!
I am now ruled by 250+ of them and I spend most of my time meeting their demands. This is a very rewarding hobby. To care for them, to see them flourish, and then present the world with the "Queen of Flowers," is truly an experience.
Also in the mix is the world of insects that the roses attract. While in San Jose we had a butterfly that was endangered and about to become extinct. When I first started gardening, along came the "Black Spotted" butterfly, about 2 of them. Every year since, their numbers have increased, thanks to the roses and other flowers I have that attract them. What was really awesome is that when I was watering, they would follow me around to pick up the moisture from the water, fabulous. There's nothing left on that property for them, it's basically been mowed down. I hope they found a new place to live and hopefully propagate.
The bees are amazing, watching them up close as they burrow into flowers and buds is a trip. They are so intense that they don't pay any attention to me as I watch. The big black and yellow bumblebees are definitely the fat boys of the garden as they lumber from bloom to bloom.
The Garden is where the soul feels at home. * *
Date(s): October 5, 2006. Album by Nancy Littleton. Photos by Nancy Littleton and Bob Worthington. 1 - 42 of 42 Total. 9826 Visits.
1 "Playboy," all rose pics taken by my son Bob
2 "Diana, Princess of Wales"
3 "Sunsprite"
4 "Fire and Ice"
5 Fall Festival, Miniature
6 Gold Glow
7 "Brandy," Hybrid Tea Bred by Jack E. Christensen in 1981
8 Bumblebee on Dahlia
9
10
11 Voo Doo
12 Fire and ice
13 Paradise
14 Candy Stripe
15 Dahlia
16
17
18 Gaura
19 Angelonia
20
21
22 Rinocula
23 Rinocula
24 Sterling Silver
25
26 French Lace
27 Sunsprite
28 Angel Face
29 Columbine
30 Grand Prize
31 Columbine
32 Lady X
33
34 Passionate Kisses
35 Black Magic
36 Bronze Star
37 "Disneyland," Floribunda Bred by Dr. Keith W. Zary in 2005
38 Wild flowers at Point Reyes National Seashore
39
40 Wildflower in Pt. Reyes
41 An alien creature growing in my garden - actually, it's a Plumeria that I brought home from Hawaii. Very interesting to watch them grow.
42 The alien's sister, a little more mature. Who would have thought that you put this cigar shaped plant in the ground and it starts growing little thingys. Those thingys start to become leaves, fascinating.
