I bought this “Grace N’ Grit Rose” at the Apple House our first summer on the farm, in 2019.
It was a tiny little thing – about a foot tall. I planted it near our back door, in a small bit of dirt between the porch and driveway, not realizing that it was a shrub rose that would grow so tall.
I love it’s wild, unruly spirit and it makes me smile every time I park my Jeep in the driveway.
Earlier this spring, in one of the strong thunderstorms with wild winds, it took a real beating. A few branches stayed standing near the porch rail, but most of it was bent and flopping near the concrete. I kept thinking that I needed to trim it up, to tame it a bit and make it look a little better. I just kept putting it off.
Then last week I noticed that in the open spot in the middle, where the branches had been beaten and separated, there was a whole lot of new growth – shooting straight up from the middle of the plant.
That new growth is now just full of blooms and is absolutely beautiful! The prettiest part of the whole plant.
A lovely bouquet right in the middle of the empty, broken spot. 
