Happy Valentine’s Day!

News of ice storms, snow, frigid temperatures, power outages – record breaking, apocalyptic, devastating.  This year the Northwest has been spared – so far.

Sharifa Asma

Still, when the forecast is  for days and days of rain, who doesn’t long for summer?

Besides,  it’s Valentine’s Day, and you should have a bouquet.  So, close your eyes and conjure up memories of the sun on your shoulders, teasing out the cold in your bones.  The birds and bees are busy doing their thing and perfume from a dozen varieties of roses in full bloom wafts your way.

Mutabilis

Some are very ancient, like Mutabilis.

Some are recently bred by David Austin in England, though they mimic old- fashioned blooms with hundreds of  tightly packed petals.  He gives them wonderful names.  My favorite is Jude the Obscure, a rounded creamy apricot ball of petals with an indescribable perfume.  But then there’s also Heritage, a pale pink, whose perfume is nearly as sweet.  And Pat Austin, named after David’s wife, is perfect for smothering an obelisk.  The color of apricot/pink Sharifa Asma makes you stop in your tracks.

And who would want to be without the simple beauty of Lyda Rose?

Lyda Rose

Jude the Obscure

Westerland

But my all time favorite is Westerland – covered for most of the summer with over-the-top blooms of gold and  orange, a deep purple clematis growing through it.   The two have climbed to our second floor porch and are aiming for the roof.  

Westerlund’s cousin, Autumn Sunset, is nearly as fabulous.

 So take a deep breath and raise a glass to SUMMER!  It’s worth waiting for.  Happy Valentine’s Day. 

NEXT: Panic in Torino

Pat Austin

Autumn Sunset