From the look of the weekend weather report, there is light at the end of the tunnel. While I still am hearing from friends farther north that have snow, I am hoping our snow and plunging temps are behind us. Here in Zone 5b, our projected last frost date is May 10, so we will most likely get more “frosty” days but I sure hope not.
There has been a great deal of winter damage around here. Most of the roses (except the old garden roses and rugosas) will be pruned down to about 2-5″ from the ground. There are 3 or 4 that look as though they will not be back. We have been here before — although not recently! While the start will be slower and the bloom cycle will be later, history tells me most of them will be okay — in fact many might enjoy the severe haircut.
The biggest loss is the climbers. A shocking loss. One of which has been beautiful for so many years-New Dawn. You cried with me about that one last week. This week we are lamenting over another beloved rose… my Peggy Martin rose. Last year was the 3rd year in my garden and it was wonderful! I still see life, but it is at the ground and there is nothing above. 🙁
Last year by the end of May she was up and over the trellis. Not gonna happen this year. But, it will be interesting to see how the recovery goes.
When I contacted my good friend, Peggy Martin, who the rose is named for, she said Oh, Honey don’t worry, I’ll “strike” you some cuttings. WOO HOO. These will be cuttings from the original Peggy Martin Rose in her garden. Can I just say, Peggy Martin is the best! If you ever get the chance to meet her as she travels around talking about old garden roses and her Peggy Martin rose, GO. She is a delight and a fountain of knowledge—dripping in southern charm. #nottobemissed So just as I said last week, when God closes a door, he opens a window. 🙂
Me and Peggy… standing outside a lovely open door!
Regardless of all that “climber” sadness, there are many things bringing me garden joy today…
The Trillium are back!
My baby snapdragons — started from seeds I saved from last year’s beauties — had some time outside today. Behind them is my grandmother’s pitcher filled with mint that has been living in my potting shed all winter. I love this pitcher! My grandmother was a great gardener. The pitcher is a simple item she used in a very ordinary life but knowing that it was her’s, makes it extraordinary to me.
The rugosas were little affected by the horrible winter. They are champs!
Here is Therese Bugnet Rugosa today….
Rugosas from last June…
Too bad this picture isn’t scratch and sniff. Oh the fragrance! If you have a bit of room in your garden or want a living fence — grow rugosas! Bonus: they are very disease resistant — require no spray, in fact, those thick, wrinkled (rugose) leaves can be harmed by spray! Some varieties that I grow are …
- Moje Hammarberg
- Rosearie de La Hay
- Hansa
- Theresa Bugnet
All of these I would recommend.
It was a wonderful day in the garden. Spring is finally springing and there’s so much more to come!
I CAN’T WAIT!
What are some highlights of your garden this week?
I hope you enjoy every minute!
Were having same here at the Idea Garden at University of Illinois.
Sad. Rugosa is best of our 72 roses.
My Savannahs look pretty good but Beverly is struggling! I believe I have lost Sunshine Daydream. 🙁
I can hardly believe the trials and hardships your roses go through, Teresa. That must be why they are extra beautiful, or perhaps it is because you love them so much…
So sorry about your loss of New Dawn and Peggy Martin, Teresa.
My roses have suffered too, especially Beverly and Wedding Bells.
Savannah, Eternal Flame and Sunny Sky are OK but have been adversely affected too.
Looking vigorous and ready to go are Olivia Rose Austin, The Poet’s Wife, Lady of Shalott, At Last, Sunshine Daydream, Sparkle & Shine, Winter Sun, all Knockout and Drift roses.
I hope your roses start to spring back soon. Will surely be a year much different than last year! But sometimes hard pruning bears much fruit.
Rugosas are fab, aren’t they? I grow rubra, Hansa and Wild Edric. It’s all about the tulips for me at the moment, but I saw my first buds on ‘A Shropshire Lad’ today. My roses all took a bit of a hit from the cold this year, but are all coming back now. So sorry about your losses, but so lovely you have replacements on their way!
Rugosas are worth the winter wait for sure. … adding spring firework and fragrance for sure!!
Goodness! I cannot imagine weather cold enough to damage roses! It gets cool enough here for them to go dormant, but that is about it. I know it gets colder in other regions, but it takes some serious cold to damage roses.
Don’t the leaves of roses look magical when first coming on in the spring?! Thank you for sharing your beauties!
Yes, so much in the garden looks magical in the spring. Right now we are getting a slow stead rain and it has everything green and glistening! Renewal. Rebirth. Restoration. That’s spring. Glad you stopped by! Have fun on your journeys. I love following along.
Good morning Teresa,
You have no idea how you did inspire me to prune hard! I have roses in my little garden but still having fear how to prune.
Have a wonderful day.
Rosehugs Marijke from Holland.
Hi Marijke. Nice to hear from you. I did a post a while back about spring rose care and pruning. https://thegardendiary.com/2018/03/15/spring-rose-care-2/ It might be more help for you. Our winter has been brutal with temperature going up and down! was very hard on my roses even the ones I covered with mulch. To get down to healthy wood on the canes required a hard prune. Sad to do but not way around that much damage. I hope you have a wonderful growing season. Rosehugs to you.