The storms (with hail) and rain continued through the early part of the first flush so we have not had an epic season. But, we have had a good season and the garden has given me enough roses to fill a very special request for a graduation event and enough to participate in the Rosefest rose show last week.
The most wonderful days are when I get to fill my wagon with blooms to make bokays for friends!.
Table arrangements for a special event…
Here they are in their traveling boxes Mr. G made. These boxes are fantastic and keep everyone safe in transit!
GETTING READY FOR ROUND TWO OF ROSES
With the first flush leaving, I’m busy dead heading, leaf picking, and adding another round of fertilizer (RoseTone and Heirloom’s Founders Fish Fertilizer).
When I say “I am leaf picking”, here’s what i’m doing…
Removing any diseased leaves AND removing leaves that are at the bottom of the plant. Those leaves are in the lines of fire from dampness and fungal spores and are bound to get into trouble.
I first heard of removing the bottom leaves from an article I read from the great rosarian Monty Justice the father of Monty’s Joy Juice Fertilizer. Monty was a passionate and inspiring rose gardener dedicated to growing the most beautiful roses and helping others to do so. If you’d like to read more about his life, here’s a link to a great article about him. (LINK)
Rose standouts from the past couple of weeks…
STATE OF GRACE
I planted State of Grace last year and she did okay but this year she decided to go for it. OH MY WORD!! Yes, she went for it!! The blooms start out vibrant but fade to more muted tones – very much like Distant Drums I think, so you get a wide color spectrum. The blooms hold on well and she needed all her strength with the rain and wind! Light fragrance and outstanding in a vase. Highly recommend! ⭐️
SAVANNAH
Savannah was on her way to being spectacular but in the end the storms kept her from getting to shine like she normally does. She was great on the shrub but not quite up to being the star in a vase as she normally is. She’ll be back. Such a strong performer and so fragrant.
QUIETNESS
This is a rose I think every rose lover needs. She is just about perfect. This power blooming medium sized shrub has the prettiest blooms and wonderful fragrance. She lasts so well in a vase too! Heirloom has her for sale… (LINK) You won’t regret it! I have four and have given away many as gifts!
HONEYMOON ARBOROSE
I fell in love with this rose, when I was judging at the Biltmore Rose Trials. This rose has been in the garden for several years but has been moved about a few times. 🤷🏼♀️ (I am “that” gardener.) Honeymoon went into 2024 with 3 years in the same spot under her belt and it showed.
She had more blooms than ever before and would have been outstanding for a very long time had it not been for the afore mentioned, rain, storms and hail! As with all the creamy and white roses the rain did dampen her glow a bit but this is such a great rose.
She is a well behaved climber getting to about 6’ in my garden. I love her sweet, old rose fragrance and I so enjoy her noddy prettiness.
Here she was just starting out. Unfortunately I didn’t get a shot of her completely bloomed out. But she sure got attention from visitors.
REMINISCENT PINK
This beauty is part of the Reminiscent Series from Proven Winners. This series strives to combine classic beauty and fragrance of old-fashioned roses with modern day performance. SHE DOES THAT BEAUTIFULLY. I love the shrub form and the old fashioned bloom. As you can see from the picture she is not stingy with her blooms and she is just as generous with her fragrance. I could not love this rose more. Healthy and gorgeous! If you’d like to have one of your own… find it here. (LINK)
PETITE PEACH 🍑
Several asked me about Petite Peach since one of my plants was added to the gorgeous Hamilton Co Master Gardener Rose Garden in a planting demonstration at Rosefest.
Here is a post I wrote telling the Petite Peach story. (LINK)
VASE LIFE
I am going to be more mindful of the roses I bring inside to see how long they actually stay pretty. I can tell you that so far these have been impressive…
- State of Grace
- Eustacia Vye
- Quietness
- Savannah
- Earth Angel
- Music Box
- Petite Peach
- Gabriel Oak
I talked about cut flowers and preservatives in a previous post. (LINK)
LATEST ROSE CHATS
The conversations have been lively on the podcast. So much to learn from each other!
Menagerie Farm & Flower
Felicia Alvarez
Chatting with Felicia Alvarez, founder of Menagerie Farm and Flower was a great delight. Menagerie Farm is a rose farm and nursery nestled in the heart of the Sacramento Valley. Don’t miss this inspiring episode as we hear from Felicia who believes daily life doesn’t have to be ordinary and strives each day to grow products that will make everyday life more beautiful for your home & table. Don’t miss this one. Felicia puts her heart and soul into her work. Loads of information and inspiration!
GROWING ROSES IN CONTAINERS
Jason Croutch, Fraser Valley Rose Farm
On this episode Jason shares his favorite roses to grow in containers as well as tips to help us be successful. Regardless of your soil type or the size of your garden, growing in containers gives us all more options. Keep up with Jason on the Fraser Valley Rose Farm YouTube Channel. (LINK)
In case you missed this one… I think all rose lovers will find this information fascinating!
THE HISTORY OF ROSES
America’s True Native Plant
Gaye Hammond, Master Rosarian
On this episode, Gaye Hammond takes us on a journey of the history of roses in the United States from antiquity to the 1900s. Gaye has done years of research and has much to tell us.
BLOOM THYME AROUND THE GARDEN
With many of the roses taking a break it give the other flowers a time to shine and the cut flowers are ready to explode.
Friends, thanks for stopping by. Until next time, I hope you are having fun in your garden!
Gorgeous roses! Do you alternate the rose tone and fish fertilizer, or use them together? Also, how often if you don’t mind me asking.
I’m doing RT now and will do fish fertilizer in a couple weeks. I feed 3 times a season. 💐💐💐