This is a continuation of the blog post on May 25th. Each photo caption includes the name of the rose, the type, where the variety was created, and the year of creation.

Every spring and fall, I make a pilgrimage to Nananoshima Rose Garden, a rose garden on a small island in the very center of Osaka. ("Nakanoshima" literally means "center/middle island".) It has over 80 different kinds of roses from around the world and over 4000 plants. Timing is always a challenge. If you go too early, there isn't much to see. However, too late, and the roses are wilting and very disappointing. This year I went later than usual but, thankfully, although many roses were past their peak, there were still enough to keep me very busy. Despite a full schedule, I have no regrets about taking the time to visit the garden. It was a peaceful oasis and one that did me good. (I stopped at Kitahama Retro Tea Room on the way home and bought some ginger shortbread cookies. I have no regrets about that either! (^.~))

I took SO many photographs of roses that I'll be uploading them in sets of 5 starting today. Each photo caption includes the name of the rose, the type, where the variety was created, and the year of creation. (I finally remembered to take note of the details this year! Rather pleased with myself!)

Enjoy! (^.~)/

• Nakanoshima Park and Rose Garden: travel.gaijinpot.com/nakanoshima-park/
• Kitahama Retro Tea Room Video in LINKS

My garden is full of blooming Saxifraga Stolonifera. Quite the mouthful, isn't it! Actually, it's one of over 300 species of saxifrage (genus Saxifraga), also known as rockfoil. I have several other saxifrage plants but this one is the most prolific. It's the only saxifrage species that is widely grown as a window or basket plant. It's also called strawberry begonia, strawberry geranium, or mother-of-thousands. (Note that it is not actually a begonia or a geranium!) I love this plant! It requires little care, the bugs leave it alone, and every year the multiple stalks of tiny, white, 5-petaled flowers turn my garden into a fairyland!

The world of succulents has been a relatively new discovery for me. First, I bought a few and then promptly killed a few. (I'm the queen of over-watering.) However, I've slowly figured out how to keep them happy and healthy and am currently enjoying several blooming outside on my patio.

Cacti, however, are another matter. I have several, but they aren't very happy. (I still have much to learn!) This one, however, was a recent purchase. It had one small bloom when I bought it and, to my delight, it has proceeded to bloom and bloom and bloom! What's the secret? I have no idea! I'm hoping its enthusiasm will rub off on all the neighbouring cacti! (They are all located in the same area.)

I think this is the year when my garden and I are finally in sync. I've been working on it for over 10 years, and the challenges have been many. First of all, we are renting, and the soil is non-existent. As a result, almost all of my plants are in containers. Since I have over 150 of them, watering is a challenge, as is keeping their roots from cooking in their pots in the extreme heat of summer. And then, of course, I was working full tilt for many years with little time to spare. Thankfully, that has changed and being able to spend time in the garden every day has made a big difference. I've been tending my plants more carefully this year, and the effort has paid off. My garden exploded with an abundance of healthy growth and fragrant blooms. (To my astonishment, even my roses are thriving!) Ah, I am so grateful for this hobby. Although my younger self would have rolled her eyes at the very idea of gardening, it has made a huge difference to my mental health and has saved me many times over.

These photos were taken in my garden over the past few days.