Garden: Bumblebee and the Roses

My climbing wild roses made it all the way past the top of the deck rail last year, and this year they're up to the eaves! A little bumblebee (on upper left blossoms) flying around the deck plants took advantage of them, as they began to 'peek' though the rails.

The scent is very light but sweet. They're only in bloom 3-5 days, depending on how warm and windy it is, but what a treat! I don't pick the blooms. I leave them on the bushes to become rose 'hips' for jelly, and dry them for Vitamin C in winter!

By Mary CS from Woodridge, Illinois