In November 2020, I planted a rose in the side border. It’s brightening up the place nicely and smells delicious. There are even a few raindrops on this rose, which reminds me that last week I actually received a brown paper package tied up with string, as a little gift from the climate film festival! I have some warm woolen mittens too, so all I need’s a bright copper kettle to complete the set!

I’m thinking of favourite things because today on the radio the news is of the long awaited Sue Gray report into Downing St parties during lockdown, and lies our Prime Minister tells, so instead of listening in a rage I’ve been smelling the roses and picking some flowers this morning, joining #RoseWednesday.

Gertrude Jekyll is one of the first roses to bloom in this garden, just after the white roses round the front door, and before the rosa ballerina and the wild rose in the hedgerow.

I’m pleased that this Gertrude Jekyll rose that I planted in November 2020 as a bare root is now flowering pretty profusely, and there’s lots of new growth coming in. It’s beginning to cover the mostly dead conifer hedgerow behind it in the side alley between the front and back of the house.

David Austin roses correctly describes the scent as “the quintessential Old Rose fragrance.” They’re also right that it’s vigorous. I think this space needs a new ‘mid tier’ flower now that the ‘bleeding heart’ is fading out. The extremely vigorous japanese anemone nearby is keen to take on this space, but I think I’d prefer a few more hebes.

Anyhoop, I have a shiny new website almost ready to launch for Brimstonewood.co.uk and some wonderful stories about wood for Vastern.co.uk so I’d best crack on.

Search #RoseWednesday for more beautiful blooms…