Requiem for a Rose

We have come to the very sad conclusion that our gorgeous Rosa Banksia Lutea that has graced the front porch of our house for over 20 years didn't make through this last winter's cold. It isn't leafing out and Joel says that he checked the trunk and the wood is dead. It isn't a reliably hardy rose but until this winter it has survived. We will cut it back to the roots before we dig it out and see if it will come back. But I have the David Austin rose catalogue out looking for a replacement. We have all loved this rose. Although it only blooms once in May, it would be covered with literally thousands of tiny little double yellow flowers. They are only slightly scented but when you got that many flowers they smelled delicious. The rose was a wedding gift from a dear friend, Edith Patten and we will mourn its passing.