If you have been following my blog for a while you know that I have posted my fair share of pictures of my New Dawn Roses. They were spectacular last year (summer 2013).
But you will not be seeing pictures like these for quite a while — maybe years, as the Polar Vortex and New Dawn did not agree on conditions fit for roses this winter. I have grown New Dawn for more than 15 years and have never had to do a hard pruning. But, this year I pruned all the way to the ground. Yes, to the ground.
Take a look.
Vita Sackville West once said, “I am not an armchair gardener. For the last forty years of my life I have broken my back, my fingernails and sometimes my heart in the practical pursuit of my favourite occupation.”
I think Vita could identify with the day I’ve had.
It had been my experience that gardens are ever-changing and I am glad for that. If things were always the same, I most likely would get bored. So, this year we will focus on other plants. There are 3 clematis that also grow in this area and I am asking that they step it up this year! They need to be more than fabulous! I think they are up to the task. Henri I, Etoile des Violette and another one (whose name I can’t remember at the moment) … you are on!
I’ll keep you posted.
MORE ABOUT SPRING…
How are things going in your garden this week? Anything that didn’t make it through the winter? Are you moving ahead with Plan A or are you like me looking for the positive side of Plan B?
Other than the New Dawn roses, things are shaping up nicely this week. The roses that had to be pruned WAY back are recovering nicely and doing very well!I am seeing some strong growth and am hopeful for June blooms!
Here are some of the bloomers in my garden this week…
HAPPY BLOOM THYME FRIDAY!
Teresa, I feel your pain!
I had to cut back so many roses, and even the really hardy OGR’s are taking much longer to bounce back into spring than they usually do.
I’m doing the same thing: focusing on other aspects of gardening, like expanding the types of annual flowers I am growing from seeds, adding various perennials, shrubs etc. And funny you should mention Clematis, b/c I put in a bunch more, too!
Gardeners are the best optimists, don’t you think? 🙂
~Laurie
Laurie, thanks you so much for your comment. I know you truly understand! Yes we are optimistic … Isn’t it wonderful God gave us so many beautiful things to choose from! Let me know how your roses do!
Teresa, I feel your pain!
I had to cut back so many roses, and even the really hardy OGR’s are taking much longer to bounce back into spring than they usually do.
I’m doing the same thing: focusing on other aspects of gardening, like expanding the types of annual flowers I am growing from seeds, adding various perennials, shrubs etc. And funny you should mention Clematis, b/c I put in a bunch more, too!
Gardeners are the best optimists, don’t you think? 🙂
~Laurie
What gorgeous spring images of your garden, Teresa! I bet New Dawn will come back better than ever! What fertilizer do you use on it? Your blog is always informative, beautiful, and inspiring!
I do feel for you …..this year though we have been lucky no snow and hardly any frost but lots of early rain. Now the roses are doing well 3 in flower already, can’t wait for the rest….Good luck with the rest of your roses…Sue.
Thanks Sue! Enjoy your spring! Gardening is always a wonderful adventure! 🌹💚🌹
Thank you ….
oh my gosh your new dawns lost their tops? oh my gosh oh my gosh!!! I have two of them and they are not showing signs of life yet while many of my others are, my fairy died to the ground, the tops are all dead, (by the way you look really good standing there in the sun) anyway are you sure they were dead and just not slow to come back? my new dawns are still light shiny brown, since your dawns have a vast root system they will grow really fast, I notice that about my plants the older they get the more they grow each season probably due to a large root system that grows every year while the tops continue to die back. I definitely feel for you, your flowers are so beautiful I remember the pictures you posted last year, this years weather has been really sucky, I am ready to move south. but alas cannot afford to do so. oh well. (oh forgot my rose bed is almost done)
Sorry about the rose but you are right that gardens are always changing and developing. My garden is several weeks into spring as we have had very mild weather here. I’m trying to keep up with all the new growth and trying to keep my American Pillar rambling rose free from mildew. We have had a lot of rain so this is proving difficult.
Great update, Teresa. thanks for it.
To answer your question:
Our rhododendron is in bad shape. Must be the impact of the ice storm.
The rabbits ate the stems of the clematis near the ground. They were starving, as snow stayed on the ground for more than 100 days.
No, I don’t live in the arctic. This is the kind of winter we had here in southern Ontario.
Trees, shrubs and vines are slow to bud this spring, so I won’t know the full extent of the damage yet, but the pretty spring flowers are blooming. As always it’s a wonderful sight.
Sorry about your New Dawn…tbc