Hosta 'Paul's Glory' & Rosa 'Bosobel' - 30 July 2025

I often write here that when I started scanning the plants from our garden in 2002 my purpose was accuracy. I was careful with colour and I would scan the plants at 100% size and record the date.

Since then I have become artsy. I now like to scan plants with their companions and of late showing the beauty, particularly of my roses, when they are past their prime. I see beauty in aging.

Today July 30^th I am posting this blog in a hole a few days past. The hosta in question is a lovely Hosta ‘Paul’s Glory’ It is huge in a pot. I brought it from a hosta convention in Columbus, Ohio wrapped in wet newspaper in my luggage. I would not attempt anything like that now. The rose, Rosa ‘Bosobel’ in and English Rose that I have included here as it is at the peak of perfection.

I like the combination of the two.

To An Old Poet - Jorge Luis Borges

You walk the Castilian countryside

and see nothing. An intricate

verse from John’s Gospel

fills your mind

so you hardly mark the yellow

sunset. The hazy light raves

and at the limits of the East

the scornful, scarlet moon appears,

mirror of rage.

A Un Viejo Poeta 

Caminas por el campo de Castilla

y casi no lo ves. Un intrincado

versículo de Juan es tu cuidado

y apenas reparaste en la amarilla

puesta del sol. La vaga luz delira

y en el confín del Este se dilata

esa luna de escarnio y de escarlata

que es acaso el espejo de la Ira.

Alzas los ojos y la miras. Una

memoria de algo que fue tuyo empieza

y se apaga. La pálida cabeza

bajas y sigues caminando triste,

sin recordar el verso que escribiste:

Y su epitafio la sangrienta luna.