2023  gardening season was a year of many, many highs but also a couple of major lows. So on this last week of the year let’s deal with the 3 biggest lows, learn from them, and leave them behind and start out 2024 with a clean slate.

1. THE VARMINTS

I wrote so much about the varmints this year and you are probably tired of all that. However, I’m sure you’d like an update from the critter cam while we were in England recently.  We had multiple visits from Skunks, Raccoons, 5 different wild cats, Rabbits and one huge hairy critter that looked like a ground hog but we are hoping it is another raccoon at an odd angle. So far no deer – at least near the critter cam! If you missed my varmint whining … here’s a link to one of my varmint articles LINK.

2. THE WEATHER

Seems we all had at the very least “crazy” weather. We started out wet wet wet and plants were drowning and moved to dry dry dry. 

3. THE LOSS OF A FAVORITE ROSE

My glorious Ghislaine de Feligonde that has for the last few years hugged up beauitfully to the potting shed succumbed to RRD. Talk about your sick feeling. When I found it, I was for the moment devastated. I have since planted two other Ghislaines so we are not to be without her long! To find RRD in your garden is so cruel. With all the roses I grow, I’ve dealt with RRD very little but it is always so disappointing! First you cry  – then you replant. Luckily she is a fast grower!

The upside to this horror was that Mr. G was able to paint the potting shed!

We are very fortunate that we have such a great research team working on RRD and other diseases that plague roses. Last year we had two very good Rose Chats on this subject… 

THE MANY FACES OF RRD with Gaye Hammond, Master Rosarian
LISTEN HERE

Gaye gives us detailed information about detection, what to do and what not to do!

THE RESEARCH JOURNEY OF SUSTAINABLE ROSES with Dr. David Byrne
LISTEN HERE.   

Dr. Byrne is leading a research team on RRD and the other diseases that plague roses and other plants too! He’s got the big picture!

2023 GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS

Two of the top garden highlights for 2023 were having the garden featured in two magazines… Midwest Living and Birds and Blooms –  and on the heels of the Garden Gate magazine article last year (Link) !! 😱 My word! Life sometimes gives you more than you even know to ask for. I am so so so grateful. 

The other garden highlight for 2023 was receiving the official patent for my little rose, PETITE PEACH. Read more about her here (LINK). And receiving the American Rose Society’s Award of Excellence for a mini rose in the “no spray” division! Be still my heart! A highlight INDEED!

REVIEW OF MOTHER OF PEARL FROM TRUDY STRUCK, PRESIDENT OF INDIANAPOLIS ROSE SOCIETY:

On our trip to the National American Rose Convention this year in Shreveport, LA, ‘Petite Peach’ was introduced as the 2024 Award of Excellence Winner. Because this miniature rose was discovered by one of our own Indianapolis Rose Society members, Teresa Byington, we decided to order it while we were at the Convention for the Hamilton County Master Gardener’s Rose Garden. When the rose came it was tiny but very healthy.  It didn’t take long for it to flourish and begin to bloom the sweetest little apricot roses. The blooms are almost a bi-color of orange and pink.  Roses bloomed nonstop all summer long and well into the fall. In fact, to keep it winter safe, I buried the pot I transplanted it in and most of the plant around the beginning of November and it still had blooms on it. In the springtime, the rose will go to the HCMGA Rose Garden in the miniature bed with recognition to Teresa. I highly recommend this sweet rose for anyone’s garden.

HIGH COUNTRY ROSES

If you would like to have Petite Peach in your garden, she will be available again at High Country Roses on January 10. She sold out last year! Info on Petite Peach at High Country Roses here (LINK)

THE ULTIMATE HIGHLIGHT

All of life’s troubles, disappointments and even highlights pale in comparison to celebrating the Light of the World being born. I can’t begin to imagine what this event was like for the shepherds that night to receive the good news of great joy for all people!

Luke 2: 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Even in a world with much unrest and horror there is still so much good. And, whatever our circumstances, we can add the good!

May peace, comfort and joy be yours as we put our future and faith in our Heavenly Father.

Merry Christmas friends.