R is for Redbud? Roses?

Redbuds are very common here in Tulsa and almost every yard has at least one. There had been a redbud on the west side of the front yard when we bought the house. It was old and had a bad crack and we finally had it removed. But if you have ever had one you know they set seeds like crazy and you are going to find seedlings everywhere.

Well, I found a seedling coming up in the backyard between the shed and the back cement wall and it seemed like a good placement. I figured when it got taller it could partially shade the shed. I could see/enjoy the flowering from the kitchen and back of the house and the rest of the year it would be ‘out of the way’. So I started trimming that seedling up. Each summer I would check it out and prune off all but the very top branches. I’ve done this for about ten years now, actually I’ve lost count of when I first found that tree. It is now definitely taller than the shed and the pruning is beyond me, so by the time this goes to ‘press’ the tree guys will have been here and shaped it up for me. I do like were it is placed, I just want it off the shed roof. I’m using an internet picture…not my own.

Also under R are roses. I have several roses. Two I’m debating about whether I’m giving space to them further as they are not spectacular and I am disappointed in my choice. They might pick up vibes of my intent and surprise me this year and be perfect, but I doubt it and they may be gone before summer.

I also have two climbing roses, both are DonJuan…how perfect is that name for a red CLIMBING rose, wasn’t he the lover always climbing in women’s bedroom windows?…but I digress. They are positioned to take advantage of the curve of the porch front and side. I’ve a trellis on the driveway side and that DonJuan has been there longer and is well draped over the top of the curve.

The other end of the porch. This picture is from another year.

The second went in two years ago by the front steps. It is stretching upward. I’ve got a wire installed in the arch and I am working at getting that rose to grow along the wire support. This year will probably be the defining year to get that one shaped. The DonJuans supply an abundance of flowers which I enjoy picking and bringing in. There will be a few times where the plant is replenishing and I have to wait, but not long. They make our white brick house look positively English cottage garden style.

Newer rose

The last rose is also a red, but a hybrid tea rose. I bought it for the name as much as anything. It is a deep red with the perfect rose shaped bud/flower and it is called “Veteran’s Honor”. I was thinking of my father when I purchased it. I planted it in the backyard in a space where we took out a chunk of cracked up driveway that led to a garage that was no longer there. Our car wasn’t going to get past the gate to the backyard anyway, so why keep damaged cement when you can have a garden. The soil is not the best, but getting better each year, drains well, and is shaded most of the day by one massive oak tree. Saving the oak tree was a second reason for getting rid of that part of the old driveway. You’ve got to value trees of the size that shade things in a place that can reach 100’s during the summer. Removing the concrete allowed the roots access to more water and nutrients.

The Veteran’s Honor rose is just in the edge of the oak’s shade, so it gets enough sun, but doesn’t get burned to a crisp either. And it rewards me with stunning roses each summer. Not nearly as many as DonJuan, but each is so perfectly shaped.

I’m sure I could have come up with some more R’s for today’s post but those are the two that I think of quickest. Redbuds have their place I suppose, but the roses!

And just because I don’t want you to think I’m the only one obsessed with taking pictures of roses. This was taken at the Tokyo National Park Rose Garden area a few years back. Everyone there had their cameras out.