Enchanted

Most of the time, I plant a rose without knowing exactly what it will look like in bloom.  I have an idea of what the color and form the blooms will be, all based upon a picture on the tag, a website, or google image.  But to really know whether I will love the rose is a mystery.

I had seen enough pictures of Buff Beauty to know I was already infatuated.   All the pictures I've seen show it to be a heavy bloomer.   Plus, the color of the blooms are an unusual dark yellow to apricot color.  I am a sucker for an apricot bloom.  And a buff colored yellow seemed unusual enough to make me want this rose in my garden.

So, I got Buff Beauty, and placed it in a corner of the main rose bed.  A corner to which I rarely venture.  This spring was the first it had bloomed in my garden, and yes, I was pleased.  But I was not enchanted - until yesterday.

Yesterday I experienced Buff Beauty in a new way.  I was behind the main rose bed, checking on the small hedge that I've been babying all summer.  Two of the hedge plants had almost died due to the drought, and I had been worried that I would have to replace part of even possibly all of my hedge.  Walking down the row, I reached the corner where Buff Beauty was planted.  I would not have stopped, except there was a weed that needed pulling.  That was not acceptable.  This called for immediate action!

I stepped into the hedge row, reached far into and under Buff Beauty, wrapped my fingers around the offending weed, and pulled.  As I did, I inhaled.  And I experienced the scent of Buff Beauty's soft, sweet fragrance for the first time.   That's all it took.  I was enchanted.  I should thank that weed for being there.  But that is below my dignity as a gardener.

Walking to the far back corner will now be a regular venture for me.  A beautiful color, lovely form, and a sweet scent.  Buff Beauty has it all.

Enchanting.