Monday, January 05, 2009

National Velvet

A Rose Touched By Gentle Sunlight

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


When we built this house, the Authorbloglets and I created the garden and planted everything that grows in it. This rose bush is in our back yard and it is the only one of its kind that we have - the best way I can describe the colour is to call it bronze.

It has an unusual scent as well. I'm not sure about the breeding background, but I'd love to know where the characteristics of this subtle scent came from. It's more like the buttery scent of a Fuji apple than the waft of a traditional rose.

I was tinkering around in the garden when I noticed that the late-evening sun was playing across the petals, endowing them with a quality that was almost like watching rich velvet. I had to resist the urge to touch it - and to get my camera instead.

Visit Luiz Santilli Jr for the home of Today's Flowers.

36 comments:

Sandra said...

This rose looks so beautiful that it seems almost unreal!

Neal said...

That is very pretty with all the shadows!

Laerte Pupo said...

Beautiful rose. I post a rose too.

Reader Wil said...

Very beautiful rose, David! Lovely colour too. Have a wonderful, rosy 2009!

Naturegirl said...

Your rose is what poetry and paintings are made of! Beautiful but arn't all roses! Smiles to you today!

Saz said...

BLooming gorgeous!!

Arija said...

David, you have me stumped. I have a whole bookshelf of Rose books but was not able to find any mention of National Velvet. I'll keep looking. Can you give me a few more clues, i.e. year of purchase and aphoto in ordinary light, preferably with leaves and hips. It looks and sounds David Austinish. Size and shape of bush would be helpful too.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Lovely!

Sheila

Lee said...

David, this color has attracted my attention since you started sharing it. Wondering what type of rose it was I went looking. Is it an Apricot Rose?

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shot; funny to see roses in full bloom while my gardenis almost bare.

Barbara said...

Very lovely Rose. Smiles B

Barbara said...

Very lovely Rose. Smiles B

Maggie May said...

Beautiful. Makes me yearn for the summer.I can almost smell it.

® ♫ The Brit ♪ ® said...

Once again a wonderful rose photo David!
My Grandmother's garden was always full of roses and you have reminded me of my wonderful childhood, so thanks!!

Liesel said...

You can almost feel the softness of the petals, as soft the feather of peacock. Beautifully captured, David

Pat - Arkansas said...

A very, very beautiful rose. I'm using my imagination to inhale its fragrance.

Anonymous said...

I love roses. This yellow one,is very beautiful. Perhaps it is called "Velvet."

sweetmom said...

what a beautiful color, I love roses too, visit my red roses, thanks.

Anonymous said...

That is a beautiful color and a beautiful photo. I'm glad you went to get your camera.
:-)

Gill - That British Woman said...

great photo.....

Gill in Canada

Anonymous said...

What an unusual color ... I don't think I've seen one like it before, but I shared the last roses of the season from my yard in Southern California this week at Happily Retired Gal and Sacred Ruminations, especially for all those folks who are currently snowbound. I'll be cutting those bushes back in the next week or two so I'll have no NEW roses to share until Spring time.
Hugs and blessings,

Anonymous said...

yes! that's a very beautiful rose, great macro shot! love the color too.

Bee said...

Planting roses is one of the best ways to "put down roots," I think. I've planted dozens in the last two years (all dormant now, of course), but I don't recognize your beauty.

That scent: how delicious!

Berni said...

Just the hint of summer I need on a snowy blowy day like today.

Gone Back South said...

Mmmm, I can almost feel its softness.

Hilary said...

Gorgeous flower, David. That's my absolute favourite time of day for how the world around me appears. Bathed in sunlight. It's just perfect on your rose.

SandyCarlson said...

That's a gorgeous rose. A part of the family!

Tammie Lee said...

stunning image of a gorgeous flower!

DJ Kirkby said...

So beautiful, I thought it was called a Peace rose, didn't know it was called National Velvet. The smell is like peaches right?

i beati said...

magnificent sandy

Jeni said...

What a beautiful rose that is, indeed! I love roses -especially yellow ones or any shade too! This one very much reminds me of the roses my son-in-law gave daughter Mandy last February for her birthday and Valentine's Day combined. So very pretty!

Sandi McBride said...

Okay, winter dropped in on December 21 here and already I'm longing for Spring and roses, roses, roses! Lovely picture...gives me such a longing.
Sandi

Anonymous said...

My favourite of all flowers and a beautiful picture.

CJ xx

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

David: A wonderful capture of the beautiful rose. Congrats for being the first link on TF.

Unknown said...

Beautiful rose and I like your description of it's smell.

Olga said...

Love the yellow color b/c it has a bit of orange in it. And you can see the texture of every petal!