The British are coming! (Bloom Day, 5-13)

I grew up in the Boston area, the birthplace of the American Revolution, and every time my English roses start to bloom, I get this Paul-Revere-ish urge to run through the hillsides shouting "The British are coming!".  Funny what a good-looking rose can do to you (or me at least).

First up is Golden Celebration, my favorite yellow rose.

Golden Celebration

Winchester Cathedral was my first English rose to bloom this year.  It's a funny one, though.  Not only does it tend to put out splashes of bright pink and bi-colored roses, but this year it even gave me some bi-colored leaves. 



Winchester Cathedral

Winchester Cathedral 

Pat Austin has a hard time keeping her head up.

The colossal roses of Abraham Darby 

Abraham Darby with sage and thyme

My other English roses are somewhat slower, but I have some antiques and moderns that keep things interesting. 

 Majalis plena, a gift from a fellow Infogarden member (danke, Andy!), dates from before 1583.

Lady Banks

Mme. Alfred Carrière

Mme. Alfred Carrière, a good 6 feet tall in its second year, is fast becoming one of my favorite roses.

Pierre de Ronsard is slowly waking up.

Alchemyst

La Sevillana

Well, that's more than enough for today.  If you leave me a message, next time I might tell you my secrets for having such healthy roses...

Si me dejáis algún mensajito, a lo mejor os revelo mis secretos para tener las rosas tan sanas...