Yesterday was my first Mothers’ Day without my mother. I got her roses though. I mean I dug and canned the roses from her rose garden last winter. They live here now. Most were rather shabby and old, and probably should not have been salvaged. Nonetheless, they are all remarkably healthy now, even if only four bloomed so far. These are the same four that I got pictures of earlier, for Six On Saturday two days ago, so are somewhat faded now. Since these are the first blooms on elderly plants that, although healthy, are recovering from brutal transplant, the stems are quite puny. I gingerly set them in one of my mother’s Waterford vases, with nothing else. They would have disintegrated if I had tried to ‘arrange’ them. Instead, I simply left them facing away from each other in four different directions. Even if they had been in better condition, I really do not know much about arranging flowers. I only grow them.
‘Proud Land’ is my favorite of the entire rose garden, and the oldest of the original roses. I planted the first in about 1984, and added two more during the following winter.
‘Heaven on Earth’ is too billowy and pale pink for me, but I got it now anyway. The color was richer earlier.
‘Apricot Candy’ really was apricot colored not too long ago.
‘Julia Childs’ is surprisingly fragrant. It was likely a gift from Filoli, where my mother volunteered.
In A Vase On Monday, which is also known simply as IAVOM, is graciously hosted by Cathy of Rambling in the Garden. Anyone can participate. I did, at least this once. Simply arrange flowers or other material from the garden in a vase, and share pictures of it with commentary and a link back to Rambling in the Garden. Also, leave a comment at Rambling in the Garden with a link back to your post.
Tony Tomeo 
These roses are all beautiful and make a really lovely vase – I bet your mom would be smiling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I did not expect them to bloom already, so soon after those that are established in the ground here. Actually, I did not expect them all to survive.
LikeLike
Being me, I love the pale pink! Lovely that you got the roses.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I hope my niece likes it too. I would prefer it to go to her garden next winter than to stay with me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol. I hope she loves it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If she does not, she will not say so.
LikeLike
What a lovely sentiment, to pick the roses you had from your Mother’s garden on Mother’s Day. They must bring back many memories for you, especially the first Mother’s Day without her. I hope the roses continue to thrive for you, Tony. Don’t worry about ‘arranging’ for IAVOM – the meme is totally inclusive and ‘picking and plonking’ is actively encouraged
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Proud Land’ is the only one of these four that I remember from the original rose garden. The others were added within only the last several years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a lovely Mothers Day tribute to your mom. I hope the roses live for a good long time in her memory 🙂 .
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I planted the ‘Proud Land’ in about 1984, I figured that they would be replaced after about fifteen years. They eventually get virused. I really do not know if they are virused now, after about 37 years, but they still seem healthy. I do not intend to replace them just because they are old. I suspect that they will last longer than I do.
LikeLike
A lovely vase for your Mum, who would no doubt have been touched by this tribute. The red one would be my favourite too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When the rose garden was developed, only hybrid tea roses were installed. A few floribunda roses were installed outside of the garden. Now, these three red roses may be the last of the hybrid tea roses.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done on achieving such lovely blooms, I am sure your mother would be so pleased that you have shown her roses and spoken about her. I am sure you miss her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did nothing. They bloomed on their own. My priority was salvaging the old plants. The flowers are a byproduct of that endeavor.
LikeLike
I think it’s wonderful that you brought your mother’s roses home to your own garden, Tony. I’m sure she’d be pleased. All the roses are pretty but I do love the scent of ‘Julia Child’.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They will not stay here. They will just recover while canned for a year. Several or most will likely go to the garden of my niece. I hope to retain the ‘Proud Land’ because they are my favorite of what remains, and some of the originals.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you; but these are staying in my garden for now.
LikeLike
Tony, I love this and I am sure your Mom would as well. I have a Waterford rose bowl from my mother I rarely use..though you are in a better place for roses. It is a difficult loss (Mother) so I hope the roses help; I am sure she would be happy to see them in your garden and vase and passing them along to your niece.. Hearts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am pleased that my niece expresses an interest in them, as well as many of the artifacts from my mother’s home. People of her generation are not interested in the same sort of gardening, or lifestyles of two decades ago. Besides, I am none too keen on the majority of roses that were added in the last several years that I do not remember. The hybrid tea roses that were there earlier are what I remember. Roses do very well here, but I do not want to maintain as many as I used to maintain in my mother’s rose garden, especially if they are not hybrid teas.
LikeLike
The roses are all lovely and a wonderful way to honor your mother’s memory. I’m a great believer in passalong plants–lucky niece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some of the flowers have been shared for a few generations. My great grandfather’s rhubarb will have been through five generations when my niece grows it, and six when her children get it. My great grandmother’s Iris pallida has been around through as many generations, and may have belonged to my great great grandmother!
LikeLiked by 1 person