I bring you flowers in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Okay, they’re a day late. But who needs a reason to celebrate beauty?
Roses are difficult to grow on Windy Knoll because of the profusion of black walnut trees, which release a toxin to many other plants called juglone. The juglone is present in the roots (therefore, the earth), leaves, and nuts.
But I’ve squeezed two in up against the house, two climbers — not ready for prime time just yet.
Antique roses have long been my favorites and the hybrid musks in particular — especially Felicia. This one was trained as a small climber at the side of our last home in an area with only a few hours of full sun each day. Most roses love (and require) full sun, but typical of this class, it did okay anyway.
Whether you call them old roses, heirloom roses, or antique roses, they possess a tenacity, grace, and beauty that (in my eyes, at least) tea roses could never offer. These beauties are no longer a secret and several mail order nurseries specialize in them now. Perhaps give one a try.