ALEXANDER

Alexander is a very special standard rose and probably now in his 40s. He belonged to my father (also Alexander) and may well have been grafted by him in the late 60s early 70s. Anyway, when Dad passed away Alexander moved in his tub to Mum's new house where he stayed until she went into a nursing home. He then flitted to our house in Renfrew where other than being repotted and having his suckers removed every year, needed little care. About this time of year, while Mum was in care, I would pick one or two of the flowers and take them to her.

In May this year Alexander was was taken to his new home in Carradale where he now has pride of place in a small rose border. I just hope he can survive the winter gales in his new seaside location!

Even on a miserable wet day like today his beauty shines through.