The Calico Gardener Picked the Finest Roses in the Whole Garden
A calico gardener holds a wicker basket overflowing with pink, cream, and crimson roses, and her golden eyes are warm and steady. Her coat of orange, black, and white patches is bright against the green velvet of her coat, which is trimmed with gold and embroidered with flowers on the skirt. A tricorn hat with a sprig of herbs perched on the brim sits above her ears. Behind her are bunches of dried herbs, a pair of gardening gloves, and a wicker basket, all fading into warm shadows. A small leather pouch hangs at her hip.
Roses are beautiful in a garden, but some garden plants and flowers can be risky for cats. Lilies, for example, are very dangerous to cats, even in small amounts, and a bouquet with lilies should be kept away from them. If you are not sure about a plant, ask your vet or check a trusted list of cat-safe plants. Cats love to nibble on greenery, so growing a pot of cat grass can keep them happy. Roses themselves are usually considered non-toxic, but their thorns can scratch curious paws, and plant fertilizers or sprays should be kept out of reach.
The gardener treats her roses with great care, though she is not above giving one a quick sniff. When the work is done, she will take her basket indoors, settle by a window, and supervise the garden from above.
