Just like any sort of offspring, plant seedlings are a combination of the genetics of each of their parents. Considering the color of that bud, there is no doubt that one of Seedling's parents (the seed parent, most certainly, based on where it's growing) was 'Lilian Austin'. The other parent has to be one of the Noisette roses in that garden, judging from the shape of the bud and the receptacle (that's the bulby part of the bud at the top of the stem).
Seedling's slim, coppery pink bud and round receptacle.
Fat, round buds on 'Lilian Austin'
Slim buds on "Frazer's Pink Musk", which grows immediately beside 'Lilian Austin'
The leaves on Seedling resemble its mama's rounded leaves.
Seedling's leaves
'Lilian Austin' leaf
"Frazer's Pink Musk" leaf
From the time I found Seedling on Thursday morning, I kept a very close eye on it ... checking on it multiple times per day and anxiously waiting for that bud to open.
Thursday afternoon ... nothing.
Friday, morning and afternoon ... nothing
Saturday ... nothing
Sunday morning .... Eureka!!!
See it down there?
Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce the newest unnamed member of the Hartwood Roses family. It has the same coppery pink color as its mama, with a respectable set of stamens that makes my little rose-loving heart go pitter patter.
Finding this tiny plant makes me feel as if I've been given a wonderful surprise gift. There's more to come soon, because it has already started to produce another branch. I can't wait to see what it looks like and how it behaves as it matures.
For right now, I will leave this seedling in place underneath its mama. Soon, though, I will carefully dig it up and give it a place in the garden to call its own.
