It's an old idea that "My favorite rose is the one in bloom today."

Yesterday I found Berolina was in bloom and I glued my nose to its delicious lemon-kissed-tea-scented blossoms for as much time as I could between putting up some new arbors. So my favorite rose yesterday was definitely Berolina.

Today Golden Celebration caught my attention. I picked one of its blossoms and smelled it. A little less citrus, a little rounder smell. So I guess my favorite rose today must be Golden Celebration.

Of course, Rainbow Sorbet is putting out a fresh bunch of buds - and they are fantastic, knee-high America has maybe seven buds, a Folklore growing beneath a maple (don't ask) has produced its two flowers for the season - and they are beautiful, Scarlet Knight brings color to the garden - if not fragrance, Rise 'n' Shine's yellow blossoms complement the bluebeards abuzz with bees, and one cane of Gemini continues to produce a great knot of blossoms. It's been extra work this year; but between a little extra work and a huge measure of good fortune the garden has become a rich pleasure. Choosing a favorite rose, right now, seems pretty easy.

What's your Favorite Rose du Jour?

Buff Beauty really caught my eye as I came up the driveway this morning. Cecile Brunner was blooming enthusiastically as were quite a few others - Maggie had more flowers than leaves, and Sea Foam was covered with old and new blooms, but Buff Beauty wins the day.

I think today, my Rose de Jour is this one:



For the very first time, one of my RedGolds actually looks like a redgold and not a pale yellow/pink.

Winner's Circle, Can Can, Social Climber, Christopher Marlowe, cl.Candyland and Julia Child are the best right now. We're coming off that long streak of high heat, so most roses are in recovery mode.
Well, I tried to post a pic of Julia child, but something funky is happening with my computer. hmm.

CindiKS said:Well, I tried to post a pic of Julia child, but something funky is happening with my computer. hmm.

I hate it when that happens!

Toni, those Redgolds really do draw attention.

After four full growing seasons during which it frequently seemed to just be growing big and fat, Abraham Darby has finally started producing a few blossoms that are big, deeply cupped, fragrant, and in the lovely apricot tones for which it is loved rather than small, shallow-cupped, pale pink blossoms for which it might be better known.

Susan Daniel for me...just because it finally opened at the most opportune time; no bug damage or ugly brown spots today!




Yesterday, it was Johann Strauss, but that was yesterday...before the rain.


Dick Clark is full of blooms today in a half-barrel planter, while Diamont, my best all-round bloomer of this year, is also temporarily rain-shattered.

Abe Darby is getting ready to open again here, too...lovely fragrance!

The Herbalist has never really stopped blooming this year , and the Grootendorsts are coming on strong for a second showing.

Susan Daniel is an elegant beauty. i do need to check out The Herbalist.

Starting its second blush for the season is Quietness. That's my favorite for today. I'd photograph it, but it's a little off the beaten path.

But I'll wade chest high through the briar clad roses to get its picture if someone can accurately describe the smell of Blush Noisette by comparing it to some other strong and well-known scent. Is is peonies? Face cream? I've been out there inhaling it but I cannot figure out how to describe it.