Farewell to days of wine and roses

There are quite a few old rambler roses in the garden I share with Marty. Two weeks ago they were a fine sight, but already they are going over – the days of wine and roses are so fleeting, but they leave us with beautiful memories to treasure until next June.

Here is Rosa ‘Belvedere’ in full bloom a fortnight ago, bought some years ago at Belvedere House in Co Westmeath - really much too vigorous for the place I have it, but it makes a bold statement by the front gate.

Rosa ‘Belvedere’ in full bloom

And here it is today.

Rosa ‘Belvedere’ going over

Here are portraits of a few others – some of which I do not know the name of. I would be glad of suggestions from any reader who recognises them.

Rosa ‘Neige d’Avril’, from Angela Jupe at Fancroft Mill

Rosa name unknown

Rosa ‘American Pillar’, from my mother’s garden
- in honour of Marty

Rosa ‘Weilchenblau’ 

Rosa name unknown – a bit like R. filipes ‘Kiftsgate’, but not so vigorous
– the evening scent is to die for

Rosa name unknown – it is more like a giant shrub than a rambler,
and repeat flowering – it will continue up to the first frosts

Rosa ‘Dorothy Perkins’ has bloomed particularly well this year
– it is usually spoiled by mildew, but not in the dry conditions this year

We also have a yellow Lady Banks' Rose (Rosa banksiae ‘lutea’) planted beside a Southern beech into which it has climbed more than 20 feet. It is very early and long over, but flowered very well high in the tree this year. Here is a portrait taken from the web.

Lady Banks’ Rose (photo by Jarekk on Wikimedia Commons)

How blessed I am to be surrounded by such beauty, even if it is evanescent! It puts so many of our worries into proper perspective:

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? (Matthew 6:28-30)