BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: Beauty at Every Turn

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

We are on the road to see roses in a place where there is beauty at every turn.
The mountains. The Inn. The Food. The Friends. The Roses.

Isn’t Mr. G just the cutest thing!!!!

This weekend is the Biltmore International Rose Trials. The history of roses at the Biltmore dates back to the very beginning. You can read about their 120-year love affair with roses here.

Since 2011, hybridizers, both professional and amateur, send their best of the best to live for two years in one of the most beautiful rose gardens in the world. These roses are judged 4 times each year by a local permanent jury and judged annually by additional jurors from around the world. Roses in the Biltmore garden receive minimal care — little water and no chemicals. Good luck to all of the hard working hybridizers who are hoping for one or more of the 12 coveted awards.

There could not be a more perfect place for a rose trial.

This garden is not only steeped in history, but is so very vital to today’s rose world as the trial brings to the public’s attention so many amazing roses.

Just walking through the entrances is an experience and once inside … Stone Walls, Pergolas, May Poles, Arbors, the Conservatory—all work together to create an enchanting place where beautiful roses and their flower companions flourish. Add to that the opportunity for rose friends from all over the country to renew friendships, to share lovely food and wine and to don our hats, grab our clipboards and get to the serious business of finding the best of the best roses for your backyard.

I believe George and Edith Vanderbilt would be proud of the valuable work being done in this garden that meant so much to both of them. A huge thanks to Paul Zimmerman for his vision, commitment and leadership in bringing us the Biltmore International Rose Trials.

MORE TO COME…

Pictures, videos and mini interviews will be posted on Facebook and Instagram.  The Rose Chat Crew interviews will be available at RoseChatPodcast.com a bit later. We are also going to interview Jeff Plack about the Biltmore Wines! Did you know they were also famous for their wines?? Well they are. 🍷🥂🍷

Duty calls and I must go…  Wink. Wink. Seriously, somebody pinch me! 😉

The above picture is from two years ago. This year the hat will be different, but the happiness level is the same! 🙂

Happy Bloom Thyme Friday!

 

ROSE BUZZ: A Redneck Rosarian. A Campaign. An Endorsement.

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

There is definitely a buzz taking place in the rose world. 2018 will be the American Rose Society’s election year. If you are a full member, you have a vote!

Every three years we elect a Vice President who will serve three years and then advance to President for another three years.

THE AMERICAN ROSE SOCIETY…

The ARS was founded in 1892, making it the oldest single plant horticultural society in America. The ARS is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to the cultivation and enjoyment of roses. ARS supports its members by providing educational programs, resourceful publications, and continuing research.

A CANDIDATE…
From his social media bio you will learn that my friend, Chris VanCleave, the Redneck Rosarian, is a “tireless advocate of the rose.” No one knows that better than I. Five years ago I received a call asking what I thought about doing a Twitter chat and then a podcast to be called—Rose Chat. The rest is history. Chris and I have worked together to encourage the rose community and rose growers in all phases of rose culture through Rose Chat. The podcast alone now has more than 750,000 downloads.

Add together his tireless advocacy and love of the rose, his progressive thinking, his leadership, his energy and you have an excellent candidate. But, it doesn’t stop there, one of the qualities that makes him an extraordinary candidate is his tireless advocacy and love of all people.

In his own words, “they’re no people like rose people” and I believe there is no one more qualified to assume leadership in the American Rose Society. The American Rose Society will be in very good hands. He enthusiastically has my vote and I hope he has yours!

Go to iGrowRose.org to learn what this excellent candidate has been up to! Grab a cup of coffee, he’s been busy!

 

 

MEMBERSHIP…
Since only members can vote in the election, this is an excellent time to join the American Rose Society.

  • Trial membership is ONLY $10 (Can’t vote but this is a great bargain with great benefits.)
  • Full membership is $49 (Gives you voter rights!)
  • E-Membership (This one is free and a great way to check us out!)
 You’ll find all the details here.

LOCAL…
While I love most plants and shrubs, roses are at the top of the list. History teaches us I am not alone. Roses have been at the top of many plant lists and have become the world’s most beloved flower. The rose is steeped in history. I have roses that date back to the 1500s in my garden and they have some stories to tell! The rose is also our National Floral Emblem. See, there is so much to love and learn!

Personally, I think everyone would be happier to have roses to pick from their own gardens or patio containers! We are always encouraged to “stop and smell the roses” for our health!

I serve as Vice President and am Chairman for website and social media for the Indianapolis Rose Society and you have my personal invitation to come join us.

In this organization I have met wonderful people of all ages. We are all at different stages of the gardening experience and have different passions. Some are into just growing while others with the competitive spirit, enter the most amazing blooms and arrangements in competitions! Some members have 1 rose and some have 500 roses. One of the greatest perks is getting to visit member’s gardens. This group has some amazing gardens!

But it is so much more…

We spend time enjoying all things “rose” together. We learn, we laugh, we celebrate successes and we deal with failures & issues together. It’s not just roses that keep us together, over the years–we have become family and you are welcome to join our family anytime!

This year we have members coming from as far as Marion, Kokomo, Bloomington, and most of the surrounding burgs!

You can keep up with what’s going on by subscribing to our blog at INDIANAPOLISROSESOCIETY.COM. Most of our meetings are the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm at the Sullivan Munce Center in charming Zionsville. Here’s what 2017 looked like for us. I you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

 

 

Bloom Thyme Friday: Add. Subtract. Relocate. 

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Yes, this week has been about adding, subtracting and relocating.

ADD.

Take a look! I went shopping and found these beautiful plants on sale. Just what I needed for my new project!


New Project: I am adding new perennials to extend my border of cutting flowers. I’ll also add roses, herbs, ground covers and some annuals in the spring! For now I’m getting these beautiful bargains planted! 

Border this July…

Current situation … Buckets, tools and pots everywhere!

It’s Phenomenal!

One of the plants I am adding is a new lavender I found! Phenomenal Lavender is said to be a winter hardy variety that is also disease resistant as well as heat and humidity resistant. I plant lavender every year and have tried several varieties but the “come back” rate is low. Phenomenal Lavender was named Must Grow Perennial for 2013 by Better Homes and Gardens. Let’s hope it lives up to it’s name! Have you grown it?

Jackson and Perkins has “Phenomenal” for sale, if you are interested. Here.

Perle d’Or Rose

Chamblee Roses is sending me two Perle d’Ors next week. I can’t wait to have these roses.

This picture is from the Antique Rose Emporium website (link)

Perle d’Or is a fragrant old garden rose that was bred in France and introduced in 1884. In this country, this rose has been tested through the Earth Kind program, proven itself and came out on top in 2007 when it was named Earth Kind Rose of the Year.  Some articles say it is good for Zone 5 or warmer and some say Zone 6. With this in mind, I plan to keep these little babies in the potting shed this winter and have them in containers on the deck next summer. It may be a few years before I plant them in the ground.

SUBTRACT.

One of the few things I am subtracting this year is a beautiful rose that came down with Crown Gall. I had never had gall in my rose garden before—actually I had never even seen it before except in pictures. Needless to say I am not a fan. I took some good advice and removed the plant. If you want to know more about this yucky stuff, read on. #gross #enoughsaid 😷😳

RELOCATE.

I have been grooming a tiny Peggy Martin Rose I was given to have a prominent place in the garden. The location has been decided … on the trellis by the porch of my potting shed. I know. I know. She could get very happy and engulf the potting shed. But today I am okay with that. Having this rose in this space will bring me so much pleasure. My tiny little plant has grown 4′ this year and is ready to move.

I have not been sure what I wanted in this space since I lost my gorgeous New Dawn 3 years ago to RRD. It was heartbreaking, but now I’m going to give Peggy a chance to add the wow to the entrance to my special place.

Here is a picture of 4-year old Peggy on one of my arbors in early June.

Want to see New Dawn in her prime! Here she is…

Yes, she has been missed but hope springs eternal for gardeners and next spring we will watch Peggy grow!

I don’t know about where you are but our weather has turned cold! I don’t know what this early cold snap says about our winter! Mr. G is hoping for a lot of snow. He might just get it.

I usually wish you a happy bloom thyme Friday. And, I do wish you all the best, but it is hard for me to say the word happy. My friends in Texas are on my mind and in my heart constantly. Let’s keep praying for them and helping where we can.