Cabbage roses

I received an email from Liz this morning. A photograph from her garden. A rose she described as giving her much pleasure. Well, I can see why. I always think of these roses as 'cabbage roses', due in large to their tight petal formation. Such a rose used to grace the front fence here. Originally from the far north, it had been taken by cutting from Kemp House, an 1800s early settler dwelling in Keri Keri . Its history fostering the romantic notion that it had been packed with special care by some modestly dressed English gentlewoman and transported onboard ship all away to New Zealand. Along with her nervous hopes for a good life in this far off land on the other side of the world.

Photograph/Liz March