My William Baffin rose bloomed overnight, and it is covered with luscious blooms in pink and white. Lovely to see from the kitchen window as I lean against the counter with a mug of something dark and aromatic in my gnarly paws.
The rose is a hybrid Kordesii bred by Felicatas Svejda at the Canadian Department of Agriculture's research division during the seventies, and her creation is one of the hardiest roses in existence. It flourishes in some of the most glacial corners of Canada, cheerfully enduring winter temperatures of -50 Celsius and even colder. My prickly friend blooms gloriously all summer long, but it is only slightly fragrant.
To call the William Baffin ebullient is an understatement. An aggressive climber, it can reach ten feet high in no time at all, and it has thorns by golly - the critter is armed and dangerous. Most roses are rather sedate in their growth habits, but keeping this one in check requires pruning shears, gauntlets and constant vigilance.
At times, the rose reminds me of something out of The Little Shop of Horrors, but I admire its attitude, and we have fine conversations while I am trying to rein it in and curb its enthusiasm. One has to love something with such a boundless, unrepentant zest for life. As far as I know, it has not actually ingested anyone.
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;-)
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