Hardy Souls

Our yard has a few hardy souls! 

It is a pleasant surprise to see what has survived years of neglect,

and the ravages of weather and wabbit!

This reminds me of a native (Rocky Mountain States) rose.

The blossom is very simple, but oh, so beautiful.

A little research on the Internet (I am soooo in love with the Web and all of the information I can have at my fingertips!) yielded very little information. I found 'the' rose on one site. It is growing at Joan Franson’s (evidently she is a renowned rose judge) Laboratory of Roses and the author of an article about a tour of Fran's garden comments, "One vigorous rose that arches into the street, its long canes dotted with lavender pink sprays of blossoms, has remained a mystery species rose, although visiting rose lovers bend over an impressive cane, carefully scrutinizing the blooms. "No one knows what that rose is,"

So, we have a mystery rose in our garden. How fitting, since so much about our house is a mystery!

White Roses

We have about 4 plants that survived.

Sadly, they have no odor, and they turn brown quite quickly.

Russian Sage

Perovskia atriplicifolia

This is a weed in our yard. There were a few clumps, originally. 

Now it has spread in all directions. Russian Sage thrives in dry climates.

Shhh! Don't tell the plants that they aren't supposed to like clay soil!

This is a tiny red rose. It reminds me of the

'Valentine' roses that are sold in grocery stores.

Potentilla

This shrub is well suited to dry climates and therefore, it is no surprise that it survived years of drought at our house. The plant is also called Cinquefoil, Shrubby Cinquefoil or Buttercup Shrub.

The funny thing is that in the past my husband has pointed out this variety at stores and in other plantings. He has said he'd like to have it in his yard. He was pleasantly surprised when some of the dead-looking shrubs we noticed in the winter turned out to be thriving Potentilla.

Now, hopefully, everything will thrive.... unless we kill them with kindness!