K_wren's photostream  

I used to buy packages of flower seeds every year at the local hardware store and let the kids each plant their own flower bed. One year, we ended up w/ stocks. I'd never heard of them. They are delightfully fragrant- well, these in the garden were. The ones you find in florist's bouquets aren't, and these in the photo, alas, weren't either. But I still remember the unexpected delight when those seeds bloomed years ago and perfumed the evening air.

I've not had tremendous experience eating capers, but this is what the flower looks like. Seen in the Temperate House, Missouri Botanical Gardens, St Louis

I've not had tremendous experience eating capers, but this is what the flower looks like. Seen in the Temperate House, Missouri Botanical Gardens, St Louis

This photo was taken back in the middle of May. The only things out and about in St Louis drenched with this much moisture are the humans...it was pushing 100F yesterday.

This rose has threaded its way thru a lot of history, too. From what I've read, it is believed to be the rose "Four Seasons Rose of Paestum". It's believed to have been brought to Europe in the XIII century from Persia but was probably in Europe before that as it seems to show up in Roman frescoes.

Who knows. People then were probably a lot like people now, and didn't mind digging up and carting off a lovely, fragrant specimen back home. Whatever the origins, this is a lovely rose, hardy, robust, very fragrant, and with repeat bloom, which makes it unique. Another note I've found on this rose: it doesn't like chemical sprays. Which makes it, and also rugosa roses, good choices for gardeners who like a less chemically-intensive garden.