growing roses: old wisdom vs. new tricks in my backyard
I still remember my grandmother’s rose garden—fragrant, wild, and always a little untamed. Back then, roses seemed like a family treasure, passed down through hands that knew every thorn and bloom. But when I decided to plant Princess Charlene de Monaco roses for the first time this spring, I braced myself for disappointment. Everyone in my community said roses were fussy, meant for patient hands and gentle climates, not for our unpredictable North American weather.
Surprisingly, these modern roses didn’t demand the rituals my elders swore by. No midnight pruning or secret compost mixes—just sunlight, a little mulch, and regular watering. It made me wonder: are we clinging to traditions that don’t fit our lives anymore? My neighbors, mostly older gardeners, still insist on their tried-and-true methods, while younger folks prefer quick fixes and Instagram-ready results. Sometimes, our community garden feels like a battleground between heritage and convenience.
Yet, as I watched my roses bloom—soft pink petals glowing after a sudden summer storm—I felt a connection to both past and present. There’s a quiet healing in tending to something beautiful, especially when the world outside feels chaotic. But I can’t help but notice the tension: some say our new ways are disrespectful to the old, while others argue that tradition holds us back from enjoying what nature offers now.
Is it wrong to break from the past if it brings more beauty into our lives? Or are we losing something precious in the rush to make gardening easier? I’d love to hear your stories—have you faced similar conflicts in your own gardens?
#RoseGardening #FamilyTraditions #ModernVsTraditional #Gardening
