A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME...

.......is called the McCartney rose, or just Paul, as we refer to the rosebush in our back yard. Many years ago, when I worked at the Hikes Pt. Post Office, my supervisor brought me a garden catalog that was going to be thrown away. He'd noticed the name on the front, but the first thing that caught my eye was the picture on the front cover: a gorgeous pink rose, and in the background, a Hofner bass. Those of you who're Beatlefans or Macca fans will know that the Hofner bass is synonymous with Paul McCartney, so you'll understand when I say it took me a moment to look at the explanation....a new rose was being introduced: the McCartney Rose!

Since then I've had a Paul at every house we've owned, and Italy is no exception. My firends at the VIP garden center in San Martino in Campo were happy to order it for me once my garden was getting more sun. (When the park behind us was renovated, quite a few trees were removed, allowing more sun into our garden!)

This year's crazy spring weather had me a little worried about my Paul. Other rose bushes seemed to be blooming, yet poor Paul just sat there for the longest time. I knew it wasn't dead, but it sure wasn't growing either. I fertilized and waited, and eventually my patience was rewarded! I brought the first bloom into the house so we could enjoy the wonderful perfume. For me, a rose is not a rose unless it has a scent, and the McCartney rose has an incredible scent...one that just fills up a room. If you're looking for a beautiful rose, ask your garden center about Paul!