A few days ago, I noticed this rose growing in tall grasses out on the edge of the vineyard. It seems to me that there used to be more little rose bushes planted at the ends of vine rows, but they've gradually been disappearing. They were always nice splashes of color at this time of year.
The ones you see here grow in an absent neighbor's yard. We haven't seen G., whose main residence is in the Paris area, since last year. Waist-high grasses and weeds have taken over her yard and the gravel walkway around her house. The man who used to come mow it and keep it neat-looking is fairly elderly, and I suppose he no longer wants or can do the work. I haven't seen him in a year or more.
G. is a widow and a retired teacher. She's active in local politics where she lives in a suburb north of Paris, not far from CDG airport. Over the past few years, she's been doing a lot of traveling to exotic places like India and the American Far West. She has told me that she really wants to go see New York, but I'm sure she hasn't been able to do that in 2020. I hope she gets to make the trip one day. G. is about six months older than I am. She has children and grandchildren who will inherit her house when the time comes.
My plan for the day ahead is to make bread and make lunch, after walking the dog. I guess I'd better get busy.
The color is great. I would have guessed the ones at the edge of the vineyard were wild except they're multi-petaled, and wild roses, I think, are usually single-petaled. Probably they are longing for water.
ReplyDeleteIIRC there were rose bushes planted at the end of each row of vines in vineyards near Paso Robles. I've always wondered why.
ReplyDeleteI found this explanation courtesy Kendal-Jackson:
Delete"There is evidence that roses have been used as an early warning system for vineyard managers, similar to a canary in a coal mine. Roses and grapevines are both highly susceptible to powdery mildew, but roses are even more susceptible than grapevines. If a rose shows signs of being infected by mildew or mold, chances are good the vineyard hasn’t been affected yet. The vineyard manager then has enough time to counteract the spores and protect the vineyard from being infected."
They say it's because roses are particularly vulnerable to mold and mildew. If the roses get sick, the grape-grower knows s/he needs to start keeping a careful eye on the vines, because they will get it next.
DeleteWe both typed and posted at the same time! Lol!
DeleteThat's funny! You are both good at research.
Deletechm and Ken this is really interesting. I never would have guessed this. A good story to tell at happy hour, if I ever attend one again. ;-)
DeleteThe is a US Bourbon Whisky "Four Roses." The man who was setting up the distillery met you young woman and asked her to a social event. She said she would be there but she would need to decide if she wanted to dance with him. She said if she wanted to dance with him she would be holding a rose. When he arrived she was holding four roses. About a decade ago the brand changed ownership and is focussing on very high quality. The single barrels are worth buying.
ReplyDeleteWasn't there a saying or expression about being "too young to drink four roses"?
DeleteI haven't seen any roses in person yet, this year -- I usually see them at the MO Botanical Garden, but it hasn't re-opened yet. Someone along my walk route must have some, though -- I'll take a closer look next time!
ReplyDeleteThe roses around here have been incredible for weeks now. I was out driving around (picking up groceries) this morning and I saw so many beautiful roses in people yards.
DeleteA nice trivia answer: roses for wine growers - an early warning device!
ReplyDeleteMary in Oregon
LOL — and a decorative warning device to boot.
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