Though she be but little, she is fierce.

OK, so we’re not talking Drag Race fierce, but she’s showing up!

Last year, I planted three little bare root roses that I grabbed from a sale shelf at Sam’s Club. They did pretty well, and have climbed up a trellis that had to be creatively attached to my porch. Side note: they were not labelled as climbers, but are obviously so motivated.

This Spring, the leaves started to come back quickly–along with a swarm of what turned out to be sawflies. They skeletonized more leaves than I’d like to admit before I bought some insecticidal soap and fought them back. I was worried, though, that the damage had been done.

Until yesterday afternoon! She’s a little bit raggedy, and a smidge on the small side, but she’s beautiful. And I counted at least 3 dozen more buds that will be backing her up soon enough.

I think she’s going to do just fine.