PINK AND WHITE ROSES

Although we have not yet had more than a sprinkling of snow this winter where I live high up on the Pennines of West Yorkshire, we have certainly had plenty of dull, windy, cold and wet days with the occasional bouts of sunshine.  Today was a sunny day and I noticed that one of the Arthur Bell rose bushes at the front of my home is trying to bloom.  Yellow buds have appeared that I know would open if the frost could just hold off, but that isn't likely and the British Broadcasting Corporation weather forecast promises below zero temperatures tonight.   As long as I cannot enjoy roses in my garden, I shall continue to buy them for my home.  I wanted something to chase away the winter blues so this week I chose two bunches of short-stemmed roses in hot pink and white.  It's a pity that they aren't fragrant but you can't have everything, can you? 

 

 

 

I've found that by trimming the ends off the rose stems every few days, that the blooms last a long longer.  Apparently, bacteria in the water blocks the ends of the stems preventing water being drawn up towards the flowers.   Also, when I buy the roses, they provide a feeding liquid to put in the water which also helps them last longer. 

 

 

 

Nearly 2 weeks later (22/01/2013) and the pink roses (below) are still going.   You can see that I have been trimming the stems, as mentioned above.  The white ones, however, didn't fare so well; they neer fully opened and the edges of the petals started to turn brown so I threw them out.  Obviously some types and colours of roses last better than others.  I think the deep colour of the pink roses disguises their age somewhat.