BLOOM THYME: Beauty with Challenges

What? It’s Almost July! June was a blur. It sure has been busy around here.

This season has had it challenges but there has also been an abundance of beauty! Before we look at the beauty, let’s talk about some challenges (in no particular order).

CHALLENGE # 1: STORMY WEATHER

In the good news and challenge column…

Rain has been abundant and the roses have loved that! Many areas of the garden were flooded at times but we are always grateful for rain! However, storms have been more plentiful too with wind and hail. Have you ever seen a patch of Lamb’s Ear after a hail storm. Now to see how that recovers. Leaves of every kind took poorly to being pelted. More hail was predicted this week but the storm never materialized, however plenty of rain has come. Pssst … it is raining now and more is predicted for tomorrow.

CHALLENGE # 2: SUN/SHADE

Another challenge in my garden this season has been to find enough sun for sun loving flowers to thrive and to find shade loving flowering shrubs and flowers. Those itty bitty trees we planted 20 and 30+ years ago are becoming the shade we “dreamed” of for the west facing back yard with the blazing sun. The flowers we have now would probably have voted differently on whether or not to plant those trees. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 🌲🌳🌹🌸

QUESTION: What is your most shade tolerant rose or other flowers?

CHALLENGE # 3: RRD

One of the biggest challenges I recently faced was Rose Rosette. Last year I found RRD in my garden in the beautiful border of Sweet Drift leading up to one of the large arbors. A border that has been there for many years and looked perfect.

Please don’t let my experience discourage you from growing the amazing Sweet Drift rose. It is truly a fabulous rose. Rose Rosette Disease is unpredictable and random in the plants it affects. While I haven’t had a ton of RRD, through the years I have had it pop up in several different roses varieties and several different areas of the garden.

Upside: Once the diseased roses were removed it started the creative juices and I redesigned that garden space. As I watch it grow and fill in, I am very happy with the results. Gardens and gardeners do not stay the same. Both are ever-evolving. As creatives we can celebrate that and let even “forced” changes inspire us to enjoy creating new spaces. There is no shortage of inspiration, designs AND PLANTS!!

NOTE: You can find the latest information on RRD … HERE.

CHALLENGES #4 & 5: DEER AND WINTER EXTREMES

Between the deer munching and the up and down temps of our winter weather, including a late season freeze, the large arbors were not covered with beautiful rose blooms this season. The only one that had at least a few canes survive to the top was Jasmina. So we are celebrating her!

Upside #1: The beautiful Etoile Violette clematis that I have on each of those arbors had their time to shine. Etoile Violette needs to be cut down each year anyway so is not bothered by what is going on at the top of the trellis. She quickly scampered up and over the trellis to cover them with her beautiful deep purple blooms. Yes, she having her time in the limelight. 💜

Upside #2: Peggy Martin seems quite refreshed with her forced “rejuvenation prune” and has already scampered back up to the top and is starting over.

Mr. G has a plan to help Peggy and the others in the deer department by trying an electric winter deer fence around the main cottage garden area! And, we will hope winter holds off on her late freezes! 🥶 🤷🏼‍♀️

MAY AND JUNE BLOOM THYME:

Here are some of the blooms bringing joy this season.

Above and Beyond! So well named! For a one-time bloomer, she blooms for such a long time. Our neighbor had several of her senior pictures taken in front of these blooms! Thank you Dr. David Zlesak for this gorgeous rose. ⭐️ I saw Above and Beyond for sell this year at Lowes!

ROSE CHAT

There’s always so much to learn about roses, and each guest brings a wealth of insight from their part of the rose world that informs and inspires us!

Recent Chats…

Carolyn takes us through the history of fragrant roses, exploring their significance from centuries past to the present day and the science behind the fragrance factor. Carolyn also highlights roses that have earned prestigious fragrance awards, and she and Teresa will share their personal fragrant favorites. Join us as we celebrate one of the most cherished attributes of the rose.

Rhonda and I chat about her new book GARDEN FOR LIFE: Strategies for Easier, Greener, More Joyful Gardening as We Age. Drawing on a lifetime of gardening experience and her gift for storytelling, Rhonda shares practical ideas, helpful information, and inspiration for gardeners who want to continue enjoying the hobby they love at every age and stage of life.