This year the Annual Rose Viewing will be the Last Rose Viewing – at the End of Knott Road in Heath. The Rachel Rose, named for one of Heath’s grand dames, will be holding court with other notables like The Queen of Denmark and Madame Plantier.

Mount Blanc rugosa

The rugosas are among the first roses to bloom in June. Fragrant Mount Blanc is one of my favorites.

Thomas Affleck rose

Thomas Affleck does not have the promised fragrance (at least not in my garden) but he does bloom energetically early and late in the season.

The Rose Viewing is always the last Sunday in June because these hardy and old fashioned roses bloom for such a short season, and the end of June is when I can count on most of them to be strutting their stuff.  This year that is June 28 from 1-4 pm. Cookies and lemonade will be served. The weatherman is predicting rain, but so far it has never rained on the Rose Viewing. We’ll see.