Enbeetled Rose

My scented pink rose after Japanese beetles snacked on leaves and the flower bud.

Enbeetled Rose

I have had this little scented tea rose for many years now. It grows outside my living room window so I can see when it blooms if I don't get out into the garden.

Most years it has missed the onslaught of Japanese beetles, little green plant-eating machines that consume anything edible in sight. Not this year.

As I was walking through my garden one morning, I noticed the rose bud I had spotted the day before looked dark. When I got up close, it was literally covered in Japanese beetles. 

After squishing as many as I could, I didn't want to leave what looked like almost no bud on the plant so I cut it and took it inside. I love having fresh flowers around the house, they are a wonderful gift from the garden.

Next morning, a beautiful scented rose was in bloom, welcoming me to another day.

Oh, "enbeetled?" I don't think it's a formal word but it should be!

Charlotte