United States

My grandmother had a small rose garden when I was growing up. I do not remember the varieties but I do remember my fascination. However, the thing that impacted my desire to grow roses the most was a single pink rose bush just outside the sliding door of the house I grew up in. My mom is not a green thumb and for several years after we moved into that house she did her best to destroy it. Each year it would come back. Some years reaching over 6 feet tall. The fragrance was amazing and I always wondered why she wanted it pulled out. It was stunning. Eventually my mom gave up and my dad just prunes it back each spring and lets it go. That rose is still there today, 47 years later and still producing!
In 2015 I retired from the military after 27 years of service. Around 2017 I could feel myself struggling with the transition to the civilian world. I needed an activity that kept me in the moment. As I tried several activities, the creative side of my brain became active again and I remembered that single rose bush.

Beginner (6 years)

Last visit: Thursday, July 4th