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…

GARDENS OF THE NORTHEAST – Rose Chat Podcast

GARDENS OF THE NORTHEAST Stephen Scanniello Stephen is a world-renowned gardener, historian, author, lecturer, designer, and consultant for gardens public and private. He currently serves as the curator of the internationally acclaimed Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden at the New York Botanical Garden and as the consultant for the Elizabeth Park Conservancy in West Hartford, CT. Today Stephen will share updates from the beautiful gardens and garden projects in the Northeast.   It is said that every rose has a story and Stephen just may know most of them. I'm sure today we will be educated, enlightened, and entertained as we chat with a master storyteller about his favorite subject – roses. ROSE GARDEN IMAGES… DOWNLOAD HERE INFORMATION ON THE HERITAGE ROSE FOUNDATION… ROSE CHAT TEAM: Executive Producer & On-Air Personality: Chris VanCleave – http://www.RedneckRosarian.com Creator of the Rose Chat Podcast. Mr. VanCleave is a nationally known rosarian, television personality, speaker and advocate for the rose. Content Creator & On-Air Personality: Teresa Byington – http://www.TheGardenDiary.com Co-Host Teresa Byington promotes roses as an integral part of the landscape, as a Consulting Rosarian, Master Gardener, writer, and speaker. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to Rose Chat Podcast Updates: http://eepurl.com/hAC6gP    

1. GARDENS OF THE NORTHEAST 54:19
2. UPDATES, PLANS & PROJECTS 52:10
3. INTERNATIONAL ROSE TEST GARDEN 56:14
4. MY GARDEN JOURNEY 54:24
5. ROSE GARDEN UPDATE & MORE! 41:16

THE BEST

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