Edition 10th April, 2025

10th Apr 2025

HELLO DEAR ROSE FRIENDS ...

We’re glad that daylight saving has ended. What we weren’t expecting was a severe frost which you can see has called an early end to our sweet potato harvest …

And sadly, our dahlia patch is now also finished flowering for this season, rather earlier than normal …

With such early frost, we also experience a depth of colour in our rose flowers which can be rather disconcerting for our customers. Just today I responded to a caller who was baffled by the dense ‘pink-crimson’ colour of a Gra’s Blue rose which was posted just last week … this picture was taken on 20th April last year and you can see the dark pink-crimson edges on the flower …

This weekend is expected to be very warm again so it’s definitely crazy weather and visitors are amazed at the proliferation of roses both in our gardens and potted roses in the nursery so if you have time, do come and take a walk in the gardens soon …

Have a giggle

Q. What’s the last thing that goes through a bug’s mind when he hits a car windscreen?
A. His bum!

EVER THOUGHT OF BREEDING YOUR VERY OWN ROSE?

There’s a very keen interest for gardeners to breed their own variety of rose and it’s really quite simple, especially if you register your interest by emailing Richard and Ruth at walshroses45@yahoo.com.au and join the ROSE BREEDERS FORUM.

We enjoy the interaction with Australian rose breeders and learn so much about roses, not only in Australia but all around the world. I am now harvesting hips ready to set seed again this year …

It’s a lot of fun and can be most rewarding as I know from the sales of Gra’s Blue since it was first released after receiving a bronze medal and the Governor of Gifu (Japan) award for the most highly fragrant rose of the 2013-2015 rose trials at the National Rose Trial Grounds in Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

If you’re visiting Adelaide do wander into the trial grounds and you’ll see a bed of my Gra’s Blue rose … it’s amazing!

Have another giggle

Q. What’s easy to get into but hard to get out of?
A. Trouble!

SPECIAL OFFER THROUGHOUT APRIL!

May you enjoy a lovely week in your autumn garden and with all the chaos in the world today, take heart and go pick a bunch of flowers in your garden or pop into our online store where you can purchase any potted rose at 50% off … that’s cheaper than buying bare-rooted roses and the joy of receiving an established rose bush for your garden will most definitely cheer you up!