There are obvious signs of the serious lack of rainfall this year. The roses are shedding their leaves early. They are a pale brown and rattle in the wind. The plant is abandoning its fruit production. The few rose hips that are on the plant are void of their normally plump bodies and rosy complexion.
I included the photos and a link to last years post on Oct. 18 of the same patch. The contrast of the abundant, robust red hips of last year to the sparse, desiccated hips of this year is alarming.
I am looking forward to the gentle, life-giving rains of late summer and fall.
