A rose by any other name...

Finally, after seven years the rose my mom gave me bloomed.  I find it very fitting that it bloomed this year.  It is my parent's Fortieth Anniversary.  I love plants with history and this rose has a story.   I believe it is a Harrison's Yellow or the "yellow rose of Texas."  I prefer to call it the prairie rose since you see it by every old prairie homestead.   As Shakespeare said in Romeo & Juliet, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

My Grandmother is a wonderful historian and she sent me the story of how she obtained the yellow rose.  "We (She and her sister, Clara) both went over to the John Gerlt place where Alvin Millard now lives. The yellow rose bush grew by the old house that stood on the creek. I have fond memories of John and Marian Gerlt who lived just over the hill from our place on the creek, and so does Clara. We went over one day with a spade and each got a few shoots from it. The last I heard it was still blooming in the yard where our old house still stands. I don't think it lasted on the Millard place, though and I don't know if there is one where Clara and Bub lived either."

When Mom married Dad, she took a slip from Grandma's plant to put in their front yard.  It must have loved their sandy soil because it became a beautiful thick hedge.   I remember creating a path to a small area in the middle that I could sit and play.  I must have been very little.  It only bloomed once a year, but oh the fragrance.  I also remember us taking photos in front of it while it was blooming profusely with my Grandma Gregg when she graduated from college. 

After Kelly and I built our cabin, mom waited until my gardens were settled and gave me a slip.  I was so excited, but not very informed.  I planted it in a very shady spot.  It came up every year and never got any bigger.   I finally broke down and moved it to the sunny corner of the rose bed.  Still, it needed time to readjust.   It got much bigger, but never bloomed.  Until this year.  This year it is loaded.   I can say it was worth the wait.