As September comes to a close, I’m moving to a slower pace and taking more time to “just be.” A former colleague was the master of this and this “busy bee” learned the value of slowing down. It is not easy for me to do but I reap the benefits.

Yes,  there’s plenty still to do in the garden but I’m taking more time to enjoy and appreciate. This has been a wonderful week of sunny skies mixed with drenching rain that we have needed for a long time. The cooler temps predicted for the next few days will be the perfect time to start bringing in my topiaries and scented geraniums, take a few more cuttings and harvest herbs.  

Part of the slower pace includes assessments. Mr. G says I say the word “assess” a lot. The fact that he even mentioned it, tells me I do! 🙄  It’s true, I do enjoy “assessing the situation” and making a plan. 

Previous year’s “assessments” led to a plan of adding more flowers and shrubs that are beautiful way into fall. Before, I had so focused on spring and summer (since they are my favs) and didn’t think as much about fall. The plan is paying off. Even with the drought, this has been a great year for late summer and fall bloom.  Plants I’ve added that have made a difference in late beauty:

• Caryopteris (Bluebeard) I have two varieties Beyond Midnight  and Little Miss Sunshine from Proven Winners  
• Dahlias
• More Autumn Joy Sedum
• Lantana
• Adding to the Hydrangea collection

The pollinators have noticed! Their pace has not slowed!

NEW ROSES

I am also “assessing” the roses I’d like to add next year. With my overcrowding problem, I am finding new homes for some current roses to make room for new ones. 

Christian Bedard sent me the list of Weeks new releases and they look outstanding! See what you think… 

FOREVER AMBER (Tom Carruth)

A medium-size Floribunda with old-fashioned form and fruity fragrance.

POP ART (Christian Bedard)

A medium-tall Grandiflora with spreading habit and old-fashioned form and strong citrus fragrance.

MIDNIGHT FIRE (Christian Bedard)

A miniature rose with very good disease resistance, very double old-fashioned flowers and a mild tea fragrance.

CHANTILLY CREAM (Christian Bedard)

This rose is a medium-tall Hybrid Tea with large blooms that have a strong fruity fragrance.

Sweet Madame Blue (Christian Bedard)

A Floribunda with rounded and bushy growth. Flowers are lavender with magenta centers and have a strong citrus & spice fragrance.

For more information on these roses, read on here.

LATEST PODCASTS

My last two interviews have been with Matt Douglas of High Country Roses. I think you’ll enjoy them.

NEW ROSE STANDOUTS
Matt shares about some of the newer roses on the market that are proving to be standouts! He also gives us a “peek” at new roses soon to be released! A rose that’s perfect for your garden just might be on Matt’s list. LINK

PRESERVING THE CLASSICS

Matt talks about a new venture he is involved with… finding and bringing more roses back into commerce. LINK

You can access these as well as other Rose Chat podcasts on the media player below…

P. Allen Smith on Moss Mountain Farm – A Sense of Place – Rose Chat Podcast

P. Allen Smith on Moss Mountain Farm: A Sense of Place | Rose Chat Podcast What can a garden teach us about the way we live? On this episode of the Rose Chat Podcast, Teresa Byington sits down with celebrated gardener, author, television host, conservationist and landscape designer P. Allen Smith to talk about his new book, Moss Mountain Farm: A Sense of Place. For decades, P. Allen Smith has encouraged gardeners to look beyond plants and think about the larger story a landscape can tell. At Moss Mountain Farm in Arkansas, that philosophy comes to life through gardens, architecture, agriculture, conservation and thoughtful landscape design. In this conversation, Allen shares the inspiration behind Moss Mountain Farm: A Sense of Place and the ideas that shaped this remarkable garden and farm. We talk about garden design, sustainable gardening, stewardship, garden history, creating meaningful outdoor spaces, and the relationship between people and the landscapes they call home. Whether you're a longtime gardener, a rose enthusiast, a landscape designer, or simply someone who loves beautiful gardens, this conversation offers plenty of inspiration for creating a garden with a stronger sense of place and purpose. Listen to the Rose Chat Podcast with P. Allen Smith and discover the stories, ideas and gardening philosophy behind Moss Mountain Farm. In this episode: P. Allen Smith's new book, Moss Mountain Farm: A Sense of Place The story and philosophy behind Moss Mountain Farm Garden and landscape design principles Sustainable gardening and environmental stewardship The importance of garden history and sense of place Creating outdoor spaces that reflect your personal style Finding inspiration in the landscape around you Guest: P. Allen Smith Host: Teresa Byington Podcast: Rose Chat Podcast ORDER THE BOOK HERE. TOUR INFORMATION HERE. MORE ABOUT P ALLEN SMITH HERE.     The Rose Chat Podcast Our 15th Season MEET THE ROSE CHAT TEAM 🎙 Executive Producer & On-Air Personality Chris VanCleave – RedneckRosarian.com Chris—aka The Redneck Rosarian—is the mastermind behind the Rose Chat Podcast. He’s a nationally known rosarian, speaker, and TV personality who believes roses are for everyone, not just folks with fancy garden gloves. Whether he's talking bloom care or thorny troublemakers, Chris brings heart, humor, and a whole lot of rose wisdom to the mic. 🎙 Content Creator & On-Air Personality Teresa Byington – TheGardenDiary.com Teresa is a Master Gardener, Consulting Rosarian, and one of the kindest garden cheerleaders you’ll ever meet. She’s been growing roses for decades and still gets excited when one bursts into bloom. With stories, tips, and a dash of garden gossip, she helps make Rose Chat feel like a visit with a good friend, who just happens to be a rose expert. Wanna Keep in Touch? We’d love to pop into your inbox now and then (we promise, no spam—just roses). Click here to subscribe to Rose Chat updates!  

1. P. Allen Smith on Moss Mountain Farm – A Sense of Place 44:51
2. VICTORIAN BEAUTY: THE BOURBON ROSE 37:30
3. MY ROSE TRACKER 37:12
4. NEW GARDEN / NEW RULES 32:25
5. ROSE STUDY GARDEN RENOVATION 40:17

THE BEST

This weekend Mr. G and I celebrate 44 years of marriage. My “assessment” of him is that he is the very best!  ❣️