"The Earth Laughs in Flowers” Ralph Waldo Emerson

I met Lady Banks today during the Virginia Historic Garden Week Tour of gardens in Norfolk.  I caught of glimpse of her on the porch of a charming carriage house.  

She has double, miniature petals, and at first doesn’t even look like a rose.  Essentially there were NO THORNS. And then I realized that this was a cutting, and that she actually originally lived here, climbing up the tree...

Or possibly here, lounging by the potting shed

 
I am captivated by this rose.  

She blooms for about three weeks annually;  

Has a light, delightful scent;  

Is disease and drought resisitant;

and was named after the wife of the botanist, Sir Joseph Banks.

But I also understand that Lady Banks is not for the faint of heart.  Her growth is very, very vigorous.

Here she is in white, in another location, pretty much doing what she does best...

The fact that she is thornless encourages me to overlook the “growth” flaw...  And I love the sound of her laughter.

Comments

[Kym]

I can certainly see why you're captivated! I love that first photo -- the peaceful, calm, restful porch of the carriage house. I want to be there!