My first rose bush

This is my very first rose bush. I bought it in Litchfield County, Connecticut, at a nursery called Paley's, with the help of my sister-in-law, who is lucky enough to work there. I wanted something a little more hearty and less precious than the typical rose bush; something you could imagine stumbling across at the side of a road (which I have since done -- there are tons of these on 11th avenue and 24th street bordering my favorite playground in the city). It's a fairy rose bush, thus named for its tiny light-pink, fairylike clusters of flowers, and I think I've found the perfect rose for me. It is a repeat bloomer; unlike most other varieties, it blooms all summer long. Unfortunately, before I realized this, I cut back a few branches thinking it was done, but Rosie doesn't seem to mind. She's still blooming anyway. And how else does a new gardener learn? (Note: in the top picture, which was taken this morning, the flowers around the bottom of the pot are not roses...I added them for when she stopped blooming, before I knew she wouldn't.)

The other roses I love are beach roses. I think I'll try to add some to the garden next summer.