A grandmother's rose garden

16 years ago

I was searching through the forum this morning, looking at all the rose devotees and suddenly got nostalgic for my granny's rose garden. She is the reason for my love of roses which, in turn spurred my love of gardening and hence, my career. I remember as a little kid her plants always being so full and beautiful, every rose a well cared for treasure. Toward the end of her life, I was living in her house while she lived with my aunt. It was my turn to take care of the roses -my first garden! I learned about fertilizing, pruning, mulching, spraying. Even though a teenager, I did everything I could to produce beautiful, healthy plants and was rewarded with giant bouquets of flowers to take to her at my aunt's home. I must have filled every vase she had on several occasions with masses of roses and I still remember the look of joy on her face to this day. There's nothing like the love a grandparent has for their grandchild.

I was driving by her old house recently, aghast at what the current tenants have let the garden devolve into- a mass of weeds. However, as there was no one home, I walked into the garden and took several cuttings of her, and my favorite of the roses -the plants on the wane, their names long forgotten. Well, I potted them up and am happy to report that all six cuttings seem to have taken root!

I'm sure many postings like this have been made before, and maybe I'm just feeling sentimental this morning, but I just felt like remembering all this. If there are any grandparents out there, I hope you know how much your love and the passions you have can inspire the little ones who look up to you. I don't have my granny anymore, but I have the love she instilled in me- and I now have some of her roses too!

-Shiloh

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Comments (6)

buford
16 years ago
I never met my paternal grandmother and my maternal grandmother died when I was 3. But your post made me cry.
garden2garden
16 years ago
The tears welled up in my eyes too. You've taken me right down nostalgia lane with you.

I know you brought as much joy to your Grandma as she does to you. She must have been very proud of you. I'm SO glad you got those cuttings and that they rooted! What a treasure!

All of my grandparents were gone by the time I was 5. I sure would have liked to have known them. I feel fortunate to have pictures of them though, some people don't even have that.

Your last statement is so true. We might be a huge influence on a grandchild we may never meet because we could be gone by the time they're grown or before they're even born. Who will we be to them? That might be all that survives is a picture and a story about a nice person who loved to grow roses (if we're lucky)...
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patricianat
16 years ago
What a fantastic post. My mother worked much of the time in her business and my grandparents were the caretakers and teachers. I loved them dearly and my gardening grandmother always had time for a hug and conversation.
sarah_rc
16 years ago
Thank you for sharing this! I'm thrilled for you that the cuttings are thriving. I was just told by my visiting maternal grandmother (NJ from AZ) that I am a 4th generation rose gardener. She was so excited when I told her of my passion for my (37) roses. Also, as a child I enjoyed the garden with my paternal grandmother and certain flowers always remind me of her - big white clematis, zinnias, and purple violets. Through my childhood I would always pick her violets. Just a couple months ago I helped my 4 year old son pick her a violet bouquet. She had tears in her eyes as she said to him "oh darling, your mother always brought me violets." Right now she is very sick and I know that the memories she has given me are more precious than gold. I just planted a white clematis in my garden and feel like I have some of her here. I hope your cuttings turn into healthy bushes and spark your memories too!
pacnwgrdngirl
16 years ago
Those are such lovely sentiments shiloh. I'm sure your grandma is looking down at you smiling! So happy to hear that all of your cuttings are taking too.

Every time you cut a bouquet or smell the wonderful fragrance of your special roses, think of your grandma.
zeffyrose
16 years ago
What a lovely post-----I'm so happy your cuttings "took"--
soon they will be beautiful bushes.
Memories like this are worth more than gold.

Florence

A grandmother's rose garden

Comments (6)

buford

garden2garden

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