Today, Dave Barkley is sharing some images of beautiful flowers that are helping him and his wife get through a very difficult time. They say laughter is the best medicine, but I’m pretty sure roses are at least as good.
We live in a townhouse in South Riding, Virginia, just west of Dulles International Airport and east of Middleburg, which is horse country.
This year I started growing roses in two small raised beds to give my wife an emotional lift. She has metastatic breast cancer, and each day I bring her a rose with her breakfast or lunch.
The pictures are of our garden, and the roses are from David Austin’s fragrant collection.
A perfect little bud, full of promise of the fragrant beauty to come.
A rich red rose, falling open to reveal the bright gold stamens in the center of the bloom.
Layer and layer of golden yellow petals, surrounded by buds promising more beauty to come.
A view of the raised bed rose garden. This is a good reminder that you don’t need acres and acres to have a garden. Even a little space can be filled with beautiful roses or other flowers.
A candelabra of white blooms.
A magical shot of delicate petals shading from yellow to cream to white.
This delicate rose has layer upon layer of delicate petals. David Austin’s famous rose-breeding program has been focused on combining the romantic form and rich fragrance of old garden roses with the wider color range and continuous bloom of modern varieties. The style has been so wildly popular that now other rose breeders are exploring similar directions.
To learn more about growing roses, check out our “Roses Are Plants Too” series.
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Comments
Your roses are beautiful, Dave, as is your caring and nurturing love for your wife during this especially difficult time. I'm sure your daily delivery of a delicate bud or a fully open flower means the world to her... and give you both a moment to set worries about cancer aside and, instead, marvel at the miracle that is a flower. Best wishes to you both and I hope her recovery is taking root.
Absolutely amazing!
Positive thoughts to both of you. This rose garden is a very beautiful, soothing and positive creation, that you have made.
Such a beautiful relationship between you, your wife and your garden. Thanks for sharing this post and the personal story behind it.
Dave, Michaele has said it so beautifully that I can only echo her words. I send good wishes to your wife and you.
I pray God's blessing and comfort for you and your wife. A beautiful fragrant rose never fails to lift one's spirits!
Gorgeous pictures. I can imagine how the beauty and wonderful fragrance of your roses would fill your wife's day with positive vibes.
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