Stop and Smell the Roses

The roses have started to bloom at Struan Farm, not just the early ones, hooray!

I recently learned that "Dublin Bay," the red rose above, was bred by renowned international rose breeder Sam McGredy, who emigrated to New Zealand from Northern Ireland in 1972. He was instrumental in getting plant breeder's rights introduced in the country, amongst many other things.

The pink roses above include "My Mum" and "Compassion," while the orange roses are "L'Oreal Trophy" and "Frilly Jilly." "Paddy Stevens" and "Platinum" are still gearing up. "Crepuscule" is blooming down in the Homestead gardens, but that's an entirely different world here at Struan Farm, for another day.