The little Sally Holmes rose is blooming at the hovel.
She comes from humble beginnings. Starting out as a little snippet from her mother, who grows at the side of an old abandoned home in Fort Bragg, CA. Taken from the cool, foggy ocean front climate she traveled over the coast range to the hot, dry environs of Red Bluff. Once there she was planted in a small pot. Now, she could have easily given up at this stage, but no, she put down a few roots.
In spite of lackadaisical care from her gardener, she continued to grow.
With four rough moves around the country under her branches she could have easily bit the dust. There were a few setbacks along the way. When all those around her were attacked by the dreaded black spot, and aphids she took it all in stride and got tougher. She never complained about having to ride 500 miles in the back of a pickup in 100 degree heat, she just got tougher.
This latest move to the hovel saw her, in her old and cracked clay pot struggling to leaf out and then bloom.
But bloom she has, and some day may yet be given a permanent home in a garden where there is a trellis for her to climb on... In the meantime she blooms where she is.
But bloom she has, and some day may yet be given a permanent home in a garden where there is a trellis for her to climb on... In the meantime she blooms where she is.
She's beautiful, and looks more like a wild rose than some of the hybrids my mother preferred. I've got a cactus that came from the Texas hill country. It was about 4" tall when I got it some years ago. Now? It's over two feet tall, and will produce lovely clusters of yellow flowers all the way through the summer.
ReplyDeleteshoreacres I'm enclosing the blurb on Sally: "Extremely versatile, 'Sally Holmes' may be grown as a climber or a shrub. She will reach 6 feet high and 5 feet wide if left alone as a shrub, but can each up to 12 feet high if trained as a climber. The nearly thornless canes will even wend their way through other shrubs, fences, and window frames, reaching for the sun.
DeleteSingle 3½-inch blooms open with just 5 to 8 petals. The delicate, ruffled petals have an apricot hue in the spring, and turn to bright white in the summer, only to darken to a rosy-pink. These wonderful colors are accented with vibrant yellow center.
Despite its dainty appearance, 'Sally Holmes' is vigorous, thriving in most temperatures, and is resistant to pests and disease. This rose enjoys well-drained soil and full sun, but is tolerant of partial shade."
Your cactus sounds like a winner too!
Tough? Like the gardener?
ReplyDeleteWSF, LOL... she's tougher and much easier on the eyes than the gardener.
DeleteThat is a great story of survival for Miss Holmes. I hope she continues to flourish.
ReplyDeleteCiNdEe, Thanks. There have been a few times when I didn't think she was going to make it but she goes on.
DeleteNice!
ReplyDeleteRob, She is!
DeleteI want one!
ReplyDeleteAdrienne, She should be fairly easy to find. I hope you get one.
DeleteVery nice, and that rose takes after you! :-) Envy you the green thumb...sigh I killed a cactus once, and gave up on growing things.
ReplyDeleteOld NFO, Thanks. No need to envy, you can cook!
DeletePretty Girl!
ReplyDeleteWoodsterman, She is indeed.
DeleteHUZZAH!
ReplyDeleteScott, Thank You!
DeleteShe is beautiful and determined.
ReplyDeleteChanges, Yep!
Delete