Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail. 30th June 2018 
Good Year for the Roses
It is a good year for the roses! I don’t think I have ever seen such bloomin’ marvellous displays of all types of roses; climbers, Hybrid T’s and shrub roses have all put on amazing growth, have healthy foliage and are laden with the most fantastic amounts of blossom. And the scent of course, is absolutely beautiful. It always reminds me of being insistent on making ‘rose petal perfume’ when I was a kid, despite my mother’s best efforts to deter me. The beautifully scented petals would be harvested, (when dad wasn’t looking), steeped in water, dutifully bottled and then allowed to degenerate into stagnant, smelly water that was inevitable thrown away by the end of the summer holidays. All part of learning process – if you can’t improve on it, leave it alone!
Rambling Rector is probably one of the most eye-catching ramblers and one in a client’s garden has taken advantage of a 30ft apple tree to scramble up and then tumble through, adorning it with it’s white waterfall of flowers; it’s quite a sight – and scent. (see pic)
It is a bit of a mystery why roses are doing so well this year but apparently they were just as good last year too – I honestly can’t remember, I’ve slept since then. One theory is they appreciate a dry spring and continued lack of rain during the flowering period and another is global warming in general. Those with an inquiring mind are busy speculating just what has happened to produce this super race. But so far, the experts’ jury is out.
Roses are still the most popular flower in the whole world with fossil-dating showing they existed 35 million years ago. In 1945, a creamy pink Hybrid Tea was named Peace to celebrate the end of World War II, and has since been voted the world’s favourite rose, despite there now being around 30,000 varieties to choose from.
The Railway Line Garden Centre in Three Cocks is holding a Rose Festival until the 1st July, where you can get 10% off all roses and also get advice.
I will be going to pick up a David Austin ‘Little White Pet”, for obvious reasons! It produces large clusters of small, white pompon blooms, with a light but pleasing fragrance (so unlike Yogi, most of the time!). The vigorous, spreading growth forms a compact, rounded shrub with neat, glossy foliage.
And talking about little white pets, the Railway Line are also hosting a Pet Day tomorrow (Sunday), where you are welcome to take your dog along to socialise and choose from over £400 pet giveaways! www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk
Life’s a Beach
I am still struggling to get over chronic laryngitis – the doctor prescribed antibiotics and I self prescribed a day at the beach. We are so blessed to have such stunning scenery in Wales, from beaches to mountains, canals, woodland walks and a whole lot in between.
Ynys Las has great memories, as it is where I completed my barefoot run across Wales and last week I enjoyed the memories as we walked along the beach to Borth, where Yogi enjoyed an unexpected ice cream for dogs.
Whilst on an intellectual level, I fully understand and agree with the famous quote, ‘Take time to stop and smell the roses’, I am still somewhat frustrated by my restricted ability to be a ‘human being’, rather than a ‘human doing’. Any tips will be most welcome.
Paws to Help a Good Cause
Last year, spotting an opportunity to fill a vital gap, Sam Joseph and Jade Statt launched StreetVet, the UK’s first non-profit to provide outreach services for homeless dogs. Since then the fabulous concept has spread through the UK and now a friend is in the process of setting up StreetVet’s in Swansea. She is
looking for a meeting point like a soup kitchen or an area where the homeless people can also have access to food, ideally centre of Swansea so it’s ease of access for everyone.
Dogs are often the only company a homeless person has and will trust; in Bristol a donated Polaroid camera meant that they could have photos of their dog to cherish and lift their spirits too. How many of us take the 100’s of pet photos on our own mobile phone for granted? And how many of us are all too aware of the life enhancing (and even occasionally life-saving) qualities of a four legged friend? StreetVets not only provide veterinary care for the doggy friends of the homeless but also other essentials like collars, leads, food and bedding.
Sarah, who is a registered veterinary nurse, is doing an amazing job, already working to secure a contract with a local vet and gathering lots of support and volunteers but it’s a big task and she would be really grateful for more help in a number of areas. If you think you can help in any way at all please contact her on 07964828005 or at Slevans@bridgend.ac.uk. Thank you very much.
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