Rosa canina, commonly known as the dog rose, is a climbing wild rose native to Europe, northwestern Africa and western Asia. It is a deciduous shrub that grows quite high, but it can also scramble into crowns of tall trees. The flowers range from white to pale pink. Its stems are covered with sharp, hooked thorns, which help it in climbing. Its red fruits are known as rose hips, which are used to make tea. And so on, and so forth. I am trying to learn about the plant that is invading my garden ever since I have stopped taking care of it. By now, it has become intertwined with the wisteria under my terrace, and it is only a matter of time before it climbs all the way to the terrace itself. I have been doing my best the last two days to stop its progress, though. And I am covered with pricks and scratches to prove it. The dog rose is simply amazing in its defenses, and I cannot but respect it for them. But every wound only buttresses my determination. No matter how slight, it only prods me forward. Using all the garden tools at my disposal, I hack at the invader day after day. At long last, the dog rose has met its rightful match.

Addendum (April 1, 2014)

Having just made it through yet another battle with the intrepid dog rose, I realize that it is time to let it be for a while. My main problem at present is that I do not know any longer what has been cut already and what is still to be cut. As it happens, I often attack a plant that has been cut a few days ago. Bursting with life, the leaves offer not a clue. And that gives me a small satisfaction as I sweat and swear in the overgrown garden. So many dog roses I have cut are still innocent of their imminent demise. A self-satisfied smirk is my only reward, though.