Rose garden update mid-April

This photo shows how healthy and happy the rose bush is. Note the strong green leaves, new maroon shoots, the blooms and of course, the buds in the background

For those of you who follow my blog, you will know that I garden with primarily indigenous plants, especially back in South Africa. However, having moved into a company house with a largely exotic garden, about a month ago, I noticed a rather neglected rose garden under the bedroom window. Not being one to nurture exotics, especially if they have to be sprayed and pampered in any way, I would not normally have taken on the challenge. But I did with the intention of not ever using pesticides (I haven't and won't!)  and you can read about the beginnings of my rose garden here.

Our bedroom window can be seen to the left of the photo. This is the sight which greets me when I look out in the morning

No sooner had Stanley and I revamped the whole bed, pruned each bush and added compost to the newly dug dams around each stem, and the rain came down. It rained for about ten days, so my roses have no excuse but to flourish. I have been pleasantly surprised by the healthy leaves, new shoots and many rose blooms which these shrubs are yielding.

Beautiful rosebud on another healthy bush

When we revamped the rose bed last month, Stanley and I lifted and transplanted a small rosebush. We'd found it underneath an hibiscus shrub and it was listless and stunted. See below when we transplanted it last month.

If you look very hard, you will see the stick of a rosebush we planted here...

I didn't think it would take, but here is evidence to the contrary...

Ta-daa!

Yesterday while working alongside Stanley in the garden, I spotted a very tiny rosebush seemingly growing out of the baobab tree roots. Stanley lifted it and we planted it close to the original successfully transplanted rosebush from last month

I was thrilled to see white rosebuds emerging this week. I picked two for a candlelight dinner Grant and I had on Friday night. (More about that next week)

Thanks to all who continue to read and comment on my blog. I hope you're having a wonderful weekend. Bless you!