THE FIRST ROSE HAS ARRIVED…
I received my first rose from David Austin – Eustacia Vye. A rose that has been catching my eye for some time. As per my usual, I watched videos and chatted with friends about this rose before purchase and all the reviews were glowing!!
Eustacia Vye came as a robust bare root…
FROM DAVID AUSTIN WEBSITE (LINK)
An exceedingly pretty rose of soft, glowing apricot-pink, each bloom packed with numerous delicately ruffled petals. Held on red-tinged stems, the blooms begin as shallow cups, opening to full rosettes, revealing petals of a richer hue, which gradually pale over time. They have a delicious strong fruity fragrance. A very healthy variety; it makes a strong, vigorous shrub with bushy, upright growth. Named after the flawed heroine of Thomas Hardy’s, The Return of the Native.
I actually ordered another one of these from our rose society sale. Do you grow it?
BARE ROOT ROSES
If you are new to “bare root” roses…
I know they look scary.
I know they look ugly.
I know they come early.
However, I also know that they will be glorious. From these humble beginnings they will work hard to become your magazine picture.
HOW TO PLANT
- Open box as soon as it arrives
- Soak in large bucket of water – I usually do it overnight but you can hydrate a rose in a few hours.
- Give the canes a tiny trim just to wake her up and kick start the growing process. (I sometimes give the large roots a bit of a trim too.)
- Dig a hole deeper and wider that your roots.
- Amend the soil if needed.
- If she is a grafted rose (has that knobby bud union) I plant 2″ below soil surface.
- If it’s still cold outside, mulch high to give them a little protection from extreme weather. Remember to remove the extra mulch when temps rise!
- Water her in.
- Wait. She’ll wake up slowly along with her siblings in your garden.
- Be amazed at how much progress she makes this summer!
ROSE CHAT
ICYMI: Here are the recent guests I’ve been chatting with. To see the entire list go to RoseChatPodcast.com. What a joy to chat with each and every one of my guests and getting to hear their stories. Aren’t gardeners and gardening stories just the best!
GROWING ROSES IN OKLAHOMA
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Dee Nash, Gardener, Writer and Podcaster
LISTEN HERE
Dee is from Oklahoma where gardening can have its challenges. With expertise and wit, Dee shared from her years of experience the good, the bad, and even the ugly of growing roses in Oklahoma. We chat about beautiful roses, RRD and something new in Dee’s world – Alpha Gal Syndrome! Regardless of where you live, you will greatly benefit from the information and encouragement shared by this natural-born garden coach.
ROOTED IN TIME: Saving Roses for Future Generations
John Bagnasco
Chairman of the Save the Roses! Foundation, Writer, Garden America Show Host
LISTEN HERE
NOTE: Save the Roses Auction coming April 13 – 14. Online bidding for the Silent and Live Auctions opens Saturday, March 1 and closes Friday, April 12 at noon. LINK https://www.ccrsauction.com
Guest John Bagnasco highlights the critical efforts underway to preserve the diversity and heritage of rose varieties. John takes us on a journey through the history, challenges, and triumphs of rose preservation, emphasizing why these flowers are more than just a symbol of beauty—they’re a testament to botanical history and diversity.
John shares about the much-anticipated annual event that has become a cornerstone of the rose conservation effort in the US: the California Coastal Rose Society’s Save the Roses auction.
ROSE CHAT COMING APRIL 14
WHAT’S NEW AT DAVID AUSTIN with Rebecca Koraytem
🎉🌹🎉During this chat Rebecca will announce a major promo for the Rose Chat community and a blanket discount we all can use!
🎉🌹🎉MAJOR GIVEAWAY: One lucky member of the Rose Chat Community will win $100 Voucher for David Austin Roses! So tune in Sunday April 14 to hear how to sign up to win! GOOD LUCK 🍀🎉
WEATHER
Spring weather is always tricky around here and keeps us on our toes. We are definitely about 3 weeks early even though the temps are still going up and down like a yoyo! The big news this week has been storms, wind, rain and snow. My word! One day we had 3″ of rain. Snow/sleet never accumulated but was cold and dreadful none the less. The weather app knows the way to my hot buttons — “HAIL WARNINGS” have also been bantered about. 😱 And, tonight there is a FREEZE warning – 28!
BLOOM THYME
Regardless of the weather the garden is making great progress and I can’t wait to get up each morning to see what’s new.
Friends, I hope things are coming right on time in your garden and that you are seeing more beauty every day. Isn’t spring just the best! 💐🌷🌸 The minnow daffodil is fast becoming my favorite little spring bloomer! (Wish I had gotten a better picture of her.) What’s your favorite spring flower?
Until next time, Happy Gardening!
All of the roses that I installed in my mother’s rose garden were bare root, and most were from Jackson & Perkins while they were still in Medford in Oregon. When I installed them between about 1984 and 1989, I expected them to eventually need replacement after about twenty five years. They never did, and some now live here.
Isn’t that amazing!
Yes, and now, I can add ‘John F. Kennedy’, which my mother would not allow in her rose garden (because it was ‘too’ white). It will be new when I do so, but perhaps it will be old someday.
Such a pretty one. I love cream colored roses.
Most people prefer cream or blushed white to white. I, however, prefer the plainest white!