It was in the spring of 1995 that I bought my first "antique" rose. It looked so small and pretty in its little 2-gallon pot, and I little knew nor long remembered the warning that it was a "vigorous climber". As luck would have it I had purchases 'Old Blush, CL' (A.K.A. "Godzilla the rose"). In my total ignorance, I planted it under a pecan tree in dense shade that would have quickly killed any "ordinary" rose.

But this was no ordinary rose! in six weeks it grew to a height of eight feet and was grabbing the lowest branches of the pecan tree. I quickly installed a post and began to wrap the canes around it, but it was too late. The rose just grew and grew, reaching beyond the top of the post and arching downward with a huge display of blooms.

That did it! I was hooked!

I had heard of rose rustling, and had even attended a meeting that spring, so a few weeks later I found myself between Austin and Fredericksburg, clippers in hand, looking for promising sources of new cuttings. Sure enough I found one - a beautiful (and vigorous) pink rose scrambling up the gatepost at a local winery. I must have left skid marks as I braked and turned into the entrance, and I must have made a strange impression as stood there, suit and tie and clipers in hand, begging the owner for a few cuttings. She was very kind, but cautioned me - "just a few". That was all I needed to hear! Faster than a speeding bullet I was back at the entrance snipping away and stuffing the goodies in a ziploc bag. Then down the road I went...

As it turned out, my first "rustled" rose was (you guessed it) 'Old Blush, Climbing', and after a few months I had a narge number of specimens peeking over the edges of their pots, and trying to form blooms.

That did it! I was REALLY hooked! Since that time, I have adopted several rules of life:

• Never, Never, Never leave home without your clippers
   
• Keep your eyes busy scanning the roadsides at all times
   
• Drive slowly enough that you will probably not cause a wreck by sudden braking
   
• When in doubt, SNIP

The folling vignettes are true stories that may someday become a book with a title like "Wild Roses I Have Rustled". Hopefuly these little stories will inspire some of you out there to join me in the relentless prusuit of found roses

	The Flores Street House Eater
	The Bismark School Rose
	Delila's Rose
	Brooks AFB Red
	Kathy Newton's White Rose
	Gilbert's Red Rose

Last updated 04/27/2002