Ursula Bethell

Ruth H.T.

‘Ruth’ is my very fine new rose-tree.
‘Compact in growth’ is she, and ‘fairly vigorous’;
Her leaves so ‘dark and shiny, will not mildew.’
‘Erect’ she carries ‘large round blooms of copper-carmine.’
‘Continuous,’ these blooms, and ‘sweetly scented.’

Around her base spring many-coloured tulips;
Beside her leans an orange crimson-spotted lily;
Beneath her smiles a small bright apricot-hued viola.

– – So to my faith, and for your fancy. But the facts are:
Two bare thorny twigs with a pink label,
Stuck in the earth around them several white pegs.

From a Garden in the Antipodes (Sidgwick & Jackson, 1929)

 

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Last updated 4 April, 2005