I refer to Madame Alfred Carriere, who I thought had met an untimely end when I transplanted her from garden to plot at the end of March, just as the really dry spell started.
Despite a generous sprinkle of mycorrhizal fungi about her roots, regular watering, and words of encouragement she soon began to shed her leaves. Ever the optimist, I carried on watering and chatting, which soon turned to apology and seeking forgiveness (you all talk to your plants, right?)
Anyhow, something worked because I spied tiny new buds last weekend, which have now turned into new shoots.
She lives!
This time next year…
Allotment Life 
Any thoughts on (eventually) making jam with Madame? Perhaps it would lack that lovely pink hue, but would the taste make up for it?
I hadn’t thought about making jam from the hips. Do you have a recipe?
I was thinking rose petal jelly/jam, but rosehip would be lovely too!
Sadly I’ve yet to try out any recipes myself. I ask b/c am looking for a rose to plant next to my shed. Madame would look great, but usually pink/red roses are recommended for petal jam… in the end fragrance probably matters more than color??
Glad she’s pulled through though!
Would never have considered rose petal jelly but I’m intrigued now. If you are seeking a pink, fragrant climber then Gertrude Jekyll ticks all those boxes. She is more spatially aware that M. Carriere too!
Good for you, and yes I talk to my plants too. xx
And I talk to my plants, as well as the birds and insects in my garden. The birds seem the most responsive – they seem have to listened to my plea not to eat all the strawberries, although I can see the pigeons looking longingly on.
Oh she is a beauty isn’t she! I’m so glad she’s survived.
They make a delicious jam from rosehips in Denmark, called hyben (pronounced ‘hooben’). It’s made with the large hips you get on wild roses there, and is slightly fiddly to make as you have first to remove the itchy fibrous bits in the middle of each hip. But once done, it’s easy to make and fragrantly delicious. I’m looking around here for a source of suitable hips.
You’re the second person to ask if I’m going to make jam with her – it must be a sign!