Regardless of how hot it is, all you have to do is walk outside and you know it is fall. It just smells like fall. And the biggest sign of fall around here is all the tiny honey locust leaves we find all over our house. They are so easy to “carry in”. This morning at breakfast we watched them rain down out our window. They are everywhere now.
While I am in the midst of fall work which includes moving roses, adding roses, dividing perennials and in general making a big mess, there is still beauty to see.
One of the most beautiful sights in the garden right now is Proven Winners Midnight Blue Caryopteris (Bluebeard).
If you don’t have this shrub and you are in Zones 5-9, treat yourself to one or two or more. I now have 4 and may add two more next year. These late summer blooming machines are outstanding! Link to more information here.
I am not the only one around here who loves them. The pollinators can’t leave them alone.
Buzz Buzz! 🐝
DAHLIAS
The dahlias are putting on a show!
Day DreamerCreme de Cassia??Break OutMilena Fleur
COSMOS
Loving this new (to me) cosmos, Psyche White from Floret.
They are soooooo pretty! Floret is showing sold out right now but that might change. It looks like it is still available from Select Seeds here. I’ll definitely be saving seeds from this one.
STAR OF THE WEEK:
Desdemona! This David Austin beauty thinks it’s spring.
This pollinator is loving her too!
ROSE CHAT PODCAST
We have a new series starting in October – WINTER ROSE TALES. In this series you will hear from rose growers around the country. They will tell us about their gardens and the roses they grow plus share what they do to care for their roses in the winter. I think you will find all of them fascinating and fun.
In the meantime you can catch up on other recently released show here…
ROSE PRUNING: MAKING ORDER OUT OF CHAOS
We hear all the time that one of the scariest things for rosarians to do is prune a rose. I will also say that there is a lot of misleading information floating around about pruning roses.
So today Gaye Hammond is here to dispel the myths and get us on the right track. Even a 30+ years rose-growing veteran learned a thing or two during this interview! So, don't miss it!
ABOUT GAYE HAMMOND:
Gaye is a life member and patron of the American Rose Society and serves on the Marketing Committee of the national organization. Gaye is also the study liaison between the Houston Rose Society and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in connection with Earth – Kind® Rose Research – the largest environmental rose research study done in the U.S.
Gaye is an entertaining speaker and an avid writer of more than 300 articles that have been published in local, state, national and international magazines and newspapers. She has co-authored a peer-reviewed journal article on Earth-Kind Roses published in 2009 in Floriculture & Ornamental Biotechnology, a chapter in The Sustainable Rose Garden, and authored a chapter in the book, Gulf Coast Gardening. Her photography has appeared on the cover of HortScience (December 2010) and she was awarded the cover story for the September 2011 issue of Parks & Recreation Magazine.
ROSE CHAT TEAM:
Executive Producer & On-Air Personality:
Chris VanCleave – 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 – 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://bit.ly/subscribeROSE
The latest podcast is an update from Star Roses and Plants where they talk about new roses and new garden trends.
I’m doing some traveling this weekend to attend the Colonial District Picnic and talk about English Cottage Gardens. So excited to see many old friends and meet new ones!
I am finishing today’s post while having lunch in the garden. Praise to the Master Gardener and giver of all good things. Even in the midst of horrible situations, His handiwork is all around us.
My current view…
There couldn’t be a better day to share the fireworks and fragrance that are going on in my garden…
Many of the roses were highly affected by the horrible rains when the buds/blooms were forming and the horrible heat that followed … but like the survivors they are, BLOOM THYME fireworks and fragrance began!
GHISLAINE DE FELIGONDE
Let’s start with Ghislaine de Feligonde she is devouring the potting shed in a wonderful way. Every year she is more than I dreamed she’d be when I planted that tiny plant 5 years ago from High Country Roses.
THE ARBORS
New Dawn was one of the roses affected by the rain and probably won’t last as long as she normally does but she couldn’t help showing off with Peggy Martin! I don’t think Sweet Drift (lining the walkway to arbor) was affected at all – these little beauties have never been more beautiful!
MOTHER OF PEARL
All 7 of my Mother of Pearls went crazy at the same time! The color. The fragrance. The sturdy shrub. An excellent rose.
VANESSA BELL
Vanessa Bell is just the best color of yellow. She is such a full rose that some of the blooms did “ball” instead of opening but not very many considering the weather. So lovely… She is truly my favorite David Austin. I purchased another one this year and she is budded up and will bloom soon.
FUN IN THE SUN
This is one of my favorite new roses… Fun in the Sun.
If you’re local, the Indianapolis Rose Society and Hamilton Country Master Gardeners have teamed up to bring a beautiful day of roses. Roses for sale, demonstrations, garden tour, great speakers, and free Proven Winner’s beautiful roses to the first 40 guests! For all the details, read on here…
Lady Ashe up closeLady Ashe on deck fenceSweet Drift as borders to the large arborMusic BoxBathshebaEarth AngelImogene The Faun Up CloseThe FaunChampagne WishesEasy on the Eyes
TAKE A DEEP BREATH… we will end with a short video of Madame Hardy. The fragrance is amazing and that cute button eye is what she’s known for. The rain was particularly hard on her but she still has a lot to show!
Friends, we’ll talk more blooms next week. Until then, HAPPY GARDENING!🌹
In the HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS when all could have been lost, we read, “Without any presents at all! He HADN’T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same!”
Even with freezing temps and crazy amounts of snow in places where it was highly unlikely and highly unwelcome, on March 20 Spring came just the same. Bringing with it wind, rain, and in some places snow! But regardless of the weather, spring brought hope for rebirth that we see more and more each day.
I don’t know the name, but I think this may be my fav crocus ever.
SPRING SIGNS
On my daily commute to the office (AKA Potting Shed), I am seeing things that bring incredible joy.
MEMORY LANE
This winter I kept thinking about a rose I grew many years ago and lost to a particularly bad winter – Fragrant Cloud. It was as though I could actually smell the sweet fragrance in my memory.
Guess what I found at Lowes for $10… a bareroot Fragrant Cloud! I’m going to put it in a container, give it lots of love and wait for the blooms. Do you think the fragrance will be as good as my memory? I’m excited to find out. Do you grow this one?
I am trying to keep this rose dormant a bit longer but it is ready to party now!
ONE MORE
I promise this will be the last Dahlia I buy in 2022. 🙄 🤞🏻 I went for a beautiful spring “walk” through one of my very favorite local Garden Centers, COUNTRY HARMONY. Guess what? They had dahlias. And, they had this one! Soooooo different than any of the others!
Thomas A. Edison
ROSE CHAT SPRING FLING
Each Sunday in April we will release a new podcast I think you will enjoy! It is an outstanding lineup! Check them out HERE. https://rosechat.podbean.com
WHAT A DREAM SPRING TEAM!
Speaking of podcast guests… A recent guest, Dr. A (Allan Armitage) is having a Facebook LIVE WalkAbout in his garden tomorrow (March 26). He’ll be showing us what’s going on in his spring garden “warts and all.” I know we will learn and we WILL laugh.
POTTING SHED PUTTERINGS
Things are green and growing in the Potting Shed.
✅ The Dahlias tubers I planted have certainly exceeded my expectations and are going to need more space than I first thought. How will I keep them happy until mid-May??? Probably started these just a few weeks too early. 😉
✅ I potted up the Dahlias I started from seed! (Unwin Bedding Dahlias) Seriously, I NEVER tire of this process. Seeing seeds germinate and watching roots form – I feel allows us to be part of the miraculous. Are you growing anything from seed this year?
✅ The Lisianthus are slowly getting bigger every day.
Dahlias in front / Lisianthus in back
✅ Strawflowers are beginning to sprout.
✅ The seeds I “winter sowed” in milk jugs are coming along.
✅ Next week I’ll start Mr. G tomatoes inside and sweet peas plus a few other cool season flowers outside.
Yes, much is going well in the Potting Shed with one exception…. fungus gnats. I’m treating them with a solution made with Mosquito Bits and using “sticky tape” flowers. But so far they seem to be enjoying it all. 🙄 How do you deal with them?
Yes, spring came just the same! Let’s roll up our sleeves and enjoy regardless of what the weatherman is predicting! And here the outlook is … well let’s just say I’m gonna need a good amount of red lipstick. 💄
A busy week pushed Bloom Thyme Friday to Saturday! Even during a pandemic, there are many wonderful opportunities!
This week temps were up – near 80 (Daffodils popped up!) and temps were down – 27.
Rain came (thankfully) and so did frosty mornings!
GO BACK TO SLEEP!
NEW ROSES FOR 2021
One of the fun things I did this week was to attend the Indianapolis Rose Society meeting. During the meeting, I gave a program on 2021 rose introductions.
Wow! Next year we have a great selection of new roses to look forward to. Truly something for everyone from gorgeous high centered Hybrid Teas to colorful, blooming machine shrub roses. Many of them are fragrant too! Whether you are just getting started or have been growing roses for years, take a look at what’s coming our way!
Here is a link to the NEW ROSE PRESENTATION. Let me know if you have trouble opening the link.
To whet your appetite, here are afew of my favorites. I gotta say it was very hard to choose just one for each category.
Jackson and Perkins have some exclusive releases this year!
CUP OF GOLD CLIMBING ROSE
English Rose Look
Quick to Establish & Fast Growing
Reaches 10-12′
Repeats Bloom All Summer
I liked this one so much that I ordered it on the spot while working on the presentation. If you have been following me for a while, you have heard me say repeatedly that I do NOT need any more climbing roses. And I don’t, BUT, do you see how beautiful this one is.
(Here is a list of my other climbers.)
Ping Lim, who brought us the Easy Elegance collection, has a new line of roses — TRUE BLOOM. They had limited distribution last year but did not make it to my area – the midwest.
There are so many beautiful roses in this collection, so be on the lookout for them in your area in 2021.
SPEAKING OF PING…
Ping Lim is a very special person who is dedicated to bringing beauty to our lives! I had the pleasure of chatting with him on the Rose Chat Podcast a few months back. It was wonderful to hear his story of how he fell in love with roses and what he has coming soon!
This gray, frosty day and all this talk about new roses has me very excited for next June …so let’s go back to June for just a couple of seconds…
Mother of Pearl
The Faun
NOW IT’S BACK TO REALITY AND JOY FOR TODAY…
To kick off the season, the Thanksgiving cacti are blooming right on cue!
The red beauty is perched on the rocking horse that Mr. G made for our children when they were wee ones. I love having it in our family room for every season!
Love this color…
Care tips from Good Housekeeping:
HOW TO CARE FOR CHRISTMAS CACTI…
A lack of water and dramatic temperature swings can cause flower buds to drop more rapidly. Maximize your specimen’s blooming period by paying attention to these six key factors:
– Soil: Use a quality soil rich in humus and other nutrients.
– Temperature: Maintain an optimal climate of 65 degrees.
– Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist while your plant is blooming, misting it frequently.
– Light: Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun.
– Fertilization: Apply a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks once buds form.
– Transplantation: Repot your cactus each year after flowering.
I was in Lowe’s yesterday and they were putting out tons of these cacti. You know where this is going… I bought another one. It is a tiny plant just covered in light pink buds. There is no picture of the open bloom, but I suspect it will be like my ivory colored one. The small plants at Lowes are $3.98 and very healthy!
The care tips above AREan excellent goal, but I’ll admit I don’t provide all of that for my cacti and they are very forgiving! But, don’t overwater!
If you grow these, here is an illustration to identify the one you have.
MORE JOY FOR THE DAY…
Our very favorite Classic Beef Stew, Rhodes rolls fresh from the oven, and Mr. G’s handsome face.
Planting bulbs in the fall shows we have faith in the unseen and hope for the future. Add to that a good splash of hope in advertising!
Regardless of their size or shape, bulbs are not attractive or very impressive. But they are small mighty miracles!!! From such humble beginnings, we are promised immense spring beauty just at the time we will need it most. We read the catalog descriptions and labels on the bags and dream of what will come — making getting out in the cold and often damp weather to dig holes and get them in their new home worth it – as an investment in our late winter mental health! We will start looking out the window for their beautiful metamorphosis and, the beginning of the gardening season! 🌷
FERTILIZERS & PESTS
I never fertilize my bulbs at planting time. The main reason is that most of the critters who are overly fond of my garden love organic fertilizer. I do not need to encourage them.
Even without any fertilizer around they still are attracted to the site where the bulbs reside. Squirrels were a big problem last year with the bulbs. In one area they dug and tossed out the daffodil bulbs 3 times before I decided to top-dress the area with some diatomaceous earth. Party over! This year I’m using cayenne pepper and some fencing to ward off unwanted visitors.
We have had a bumper crop of acorns this year in our neighborhood, maybe the cute little acorns will keep the cute little squirrels busy.
TOOLS OF CHOICE
AUGER
Around here we love power tools and this one is fabulous. The best tool for planting larger bulbs with little disturbance to the surrounding area. I purchased mine through Amazon. Link. We also have a long auger that we purchased at Lowes.
DIBBLER
Just received this as a surprise from Mr. G and already I am questioning how I have lived without this tool! It was perfect for planting the garlic and other small bulbs! Gets in tight places without disturbing other plants. Link.
SHOVEL
Many of my daffodils are planted in big groups and if there is plenty of space, the shovel works great!
WHAT I’M PLANTING THIS YEAR
THALIA NARCISSUS
Monty Don’s (Gardener’s World UK) ‘Thalia’ daffodils had me drooling through episode after episode this spring. Luckily I was able to find them at Brent and Becky’s Bulbs. Take a look here.
Here’s a screenshot from his social media post this spring… Drooling yet?
ICE KING DAFFODILS (Bag from Lowes)
One of my favorites!
PINK MIX (Bag from Lowes)
I love pink and it is always fun to see what we get!
SNOW DROPS (GALANTHUS): Mount Everest
Our local woods are filled with snowdrops that we were able to enjoy more than ever this spring because of the lockdown. Add to that the pictures my daughter sent from England of fields of these beauties — both convincing me I needed some just outside my window. These came from Brent and Becky’s too… Info here.
ALLIUM
I planted alliums for the first time last year and just loved them! So of course I need more. This year I am adding Perian Blue (Lowes} and more Purple Sensation (American Meadows).
GARLIC
Just like last year, I am planting only one variety of garlic – Brown Rose (From the Garlic Store). Yes, the first year it was for the name and now that we have enjoyed it, I am planting it for the flavor! The garlic is in the ground with a good layer of cayenne pepper to make it less attractive to varmints…
FAMILY STORY
Each year we plant daffodils in memory of our beloved Uncle Tony — Mr. G’s brother who passed from us much too soon from a long, gallantly fought battle with cancer. He was an artist and a gardener and he loved daffodils. In one of my last conversations with him, he talked about his daffodils and was excited to see them bloom. He did not get to see them bloom in his garden on earth that year, but I know he was greeted with daffodils and so much more that spring. After he passed, I bundled daffodil bulbs in burlap and passed out for people to plant in his honor. I was grateful that so many were excited to do just that. I hope they remember this special man when they bloom.
FALL FOOD
With being home more and cooking so much more, we are constantly adapting recipes to better suit two people. We love acorn squash and usually just eat it plain. However, I have been seeing all kinds of recipes for stuffed acorn squash and they look so delicious. This week we had our own version. It turned out so well I thought you might like to try it.
COOKING SQUASH:
Cut and remove seeds from squash. Brush with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on roasting pan. I baked my cut side down but you can do either.
Bake at 425 for 20 -25 minutes or until fork-tender.
FILLLING:
1 cup of cooked Trader Joes Harvest Grains Mix
1 teaspoon dried Thyme (a bit more if it is fresh)
1 teaspoon dried Sage
1/3 cup chopped and toasted pistachio nuts
1 T oil or melted butter
Salt and pepper to taste (we used a lot of pepper)
We also sprinkled on some red chili flakes
Mix all ingredients and add the warm filling to baked squash as soon as it comes out of the oven. So simple and delicious. Very filling and good for you too.
If you try it let me know what you think and if you have another simple fall recipe, share that too in the comments below so we can all enjoy!
Whether you’re planting or cooking today… all the very best.
We’ve had some beautiful weather — just perfect to work on the climbing roses and I have several! If you are interested, here they are….
Peggy Martin (3)
New Dawn (3)
Jasmina
Francis E. Lester (more rambler than climber)
Ghislaine de Feligonde
Bathsheba
The Generous Gardener (2)
Veilchenblau
Papi Delbard
Honeymoon Arborose
Lady Ashe
Mercy, I sort of forgot I had so many until I wrote the list! I told Mr. G this week I really do not need any more climbers. 🙄 I hope he forgets I said that.
I love them! Nothing adds charm and beauty to a cottage garden like climbing roses (or clematis for that matter but that’s a story for another day).
DO CLIMBING ROSES REALLY CLIMB?
So, do climbing roses actually climb? NO, they send out long arching canes that we shape and secure. In the last few weeks, my climbers have been sending long, long canes. Some are 10’ – 15’.
So, I am doing “ladder time.” Even though I am not the most comfortable on a ladder and even though I do get the occasional prick. (Ever tried to tie up New Dawn??? OUCH.) .. I consider it a wonderful job. While up there I am looking over the garden – making plans as I gaze. And while I am shaping up the climbers, I almost get giddy as I visualize how gorgeous they will be in the spring as a result of my love touch.
MOST COMMON QUESTION ON CLIMBING ROSES
A question I hear often is “why do my climbing roses only bloom on the tips?” The answer to that question is they bloom on laterals. So to produce more lateral canes, you need to secure the long main canes horizontally – this forces lateral growth all down the cane and those laterals will bear flowers. Note: Work with your canes to gently shape – not a harsh angle that might damage the cane. Ask me how I know this…. Yes, experience. 🤦♀️
This is my 1st year Peggy Martin secured this way…Fifth-year Peggy Martin – secure and happy…
Another common question is what do I use to tie my roses.
As you can imagine through the years I have used just about everything — including pantyhose – and they work. #truth However, my tie of choice is the green stretchy tape. Check it out on Amazon here.
PRUNING CLIMBING ROSES
My rule of thumb is don’t do an overall prune of climbers — especially for the first three years while they are getting established. Pruning climbing roses is very different from pruning shrub roses or hybrid teas. Your task from the start and ongoing will be to trim out dead, diseased, or any cane that does not contribute to the overall health and beauty of the rose. As you watch your climbing rose grow you will begin to see what I mean. #trustme
ROSE TERROR 😱
Just in time for Halloween, I have a scary video for you to watch. Be sure you watch all the way to the end! In this video, Ben Hanna, owner of Heirloom Roses, is pruning his very established climbing roses. Even I panic when I watch this video. In 15 minutes he will terrorize and teach you!
REMEMBER, STAY UNTIL THE END and see the rewards!
Another pruning video that is very helpful and not quite so scary is this video by Paul Zimmerman. Paul will entertain you and educate you on the many facets of training roses!
Favorite line from this video… “sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind to the rose.” #truth
As with all plant care, visit your plants regularly and they will help guide you to what they need.
BLOOM THYME
We started the week with one night dipping down to 32 and some of the roses didn’t like it. Some of them didn’t mind at all.
If you are like me and your garden season is ending, start following Michele Endersby on Facebook or Instagram. Her season is just getting started. Her artist’s eye and love of roses might just get us through the winter.
FALL TREAT
One of our family’s favorite fall treats is CARAMEL DIP for apples. (You can dip anything you want but yummy fall apples are ooh la la!)
I have been making this simple recipe for more than 30 years. I first put it on my blog in 2012 and it continues to be one of the most downloaded pages. If you want to see the original post, read on here.
RECIPE
1 Package of Kraft Caramels Note: I buy Kraft Caramels in 11oz packages (40 caramels) 1 Stick of Butter 1 Can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
That’s it! Stir over low heat until everything is melted and blended. This takes about 20 minutes.
Do stir constantly … this mixture BURNS VERY EASILY!!
I love packaging the dip in little jelly jars … 15 – 30 seconds in the microwave and it is perfect. If they last long enough, store in the refrigerator!
What are your favorite fall treats?
NEXT TIME
Next time we might have to talk about bulbs. Little boxes keep being delivered. Kinda like Christmas!
As you must already know my life’s greatest garden treasure is Mr. G. who is the very best at supporting my garden obsession. One of the reasons he is so good at this — his grandmother was a gardener who loved the same style and many of the same plants as me — Our garden reminds him of the special times he had walking in his grandmothers garden, hearing her talk about the plants she loved and helping her when needed.
I so wish I could have seen her garden – more specifically, her in her garden and hear the garden stories. I did meet her and she was lovely, but not gardening at that time. well, not outside, but she did have a vast collection of house plants — something I am well on my way to having too. 🙄
I also had hoped to see pictures of her garden, but through the years none surfaced.
Until last weekend.
Greg’s mother passed away last November, she was lovely too and enjoyed flowers but she was an inside girl.
This past weekend we were doing that task that all of us hate, going through our loved ones possessions. But, like most of you know too, you so often uncover treasures. Unexpected treasures.
Here was mine.
Though the picture is black and while and faded – I can SEE a good portion of her garden and HER in the garden. And, YES, she did garden in dresses and stacked high heels Mr. G tells me. Much different than my cargo pants, bogs, t shirt and often a very handy garden apron. Thank you Mamaw Levis for preparing him well to love our garden too. I still wish we could have strolled in our gardens together in the mornings with our coffee in hand. She loved her coffee too!
And then there is this iris…
A treasure I have in my garden is a fragrant iris that she had in her garden and my mother-in-law had too. I actually see iris foliage in the garden picture above. Could it be the same one…
Treasures INDEED.
BLOOM THYME…
For now the torrential downpours have subsided and the HEAT is soaring. We are hoping the sky hasn’t forgotten how to rain. … it was VERY good at it for a few weeks.
Glad we have long garden hoses!
Here’s some of this week’s bloomers…
I suspect we have the spring rains to thank for our fluffy Annabelle border.
Many of the Clematis still going strong…
First blooms of Papi Delbard rose. My good friend Paul Zimmerman did not over sell this rose! Thanks Paul.
Bokay for my kitchen…
Another bokay to share…
OTHER THINGS CATCHING MY EYE THIS WEEK…
A new clematis getting started
Peggy Martin is finishing up… still looking so fine!
Phlox coming into it’s own!
Tomato jungle
I love dallies – they are some upkeep for sure but they add so much to the garden in summer.
Love the “yarrow” welcome to the Herb Garden…
Phlox going strong
Forgot to plant my Flamingo Pink Celosia .. so I’m glad I have some germinating in a pot. Still hope!
My Forsythia is blooming letting us know that the ground temps are now around 50 degrees and it “should” be safe to start pruning the roses.
As I took a quick look over the garden this week, I saw some things that made me very happy and a couple things that are iffy.
The brightest spot was seeing Peggy Martin who you will remember died back to the ground last year (Read the story of Mother Nature’s curve balls here.) but, she has now made it up and over the arbor again and I see buds all the way. Praying we don’t get a late frost or freeze like we did last year.
…TIME TO PLANT BARE ROOTS ROSES
Boxes have been arriving this week: 2 from David Austin and 1 from Palatine Roses. These bare roots look fabulous. Some are going in the ground and some are going in pots.
New Ones: Vanessa Bell, Dame Judi Dench, James L Austin, The Generous Gardener (I already have one and just love it!), Ghislane De Feligonde, Jasmine, and Papi Delbard. I simply cannot wait to see how these beauties grow and bloom! I’ll share!
They are all fabulous, but look at this dreamy Vanessa Bell!! Named for the artist, designer and founder member of the Bloomsbury Group – sister of the writer, Virginia Woolf. (DA)
NOTE: For more tips on spring rose care, read on here.
Wollerton Old Hall in Shropshire, located not far from the David Austin nursery, has one of the most beautiful private gardens in the country. The gardens are set around a 16th Century hall and feature roses in creative plant combinations, including many of our own English Roses. Wollerton Old Hall is open to the public on selected days throughout the summer. Read more here. http://www.wollertonoldhallgarden.com )
…TIME TO ENJOY BLOOM THYME BLOOMS
Isn’t spring just the best… except for those friends are getting pelted with snow as I write. So sorry! Hoping this will be the last.
…TIME TO GET SOME REST
Today I worked a little too hard and a little too long— if you get my drift. 😉😉 Think I should take a cue from our Southern sister Scarlet who said, “tomorrow is another day!” However, I typically run my life in “no time like the present” mode. 😃
Have a wonderful week. I’m heading for a bit more Advil! My body might be tired/sore but my spirit is soaring!
If you are familiar with the movie A GOOD YEAR you might remember this quote… “all she needs is a fresh coat of paint and a good scrub.” This a family favorite movie so I have enjoyed that quote many, many times.
This summer marks 20 years that my dream of a potting shed/office became reality. Mr. G out of love for me and the secret desire to reclaim some of our home from all the garden stuff, built this tiny bit of heaven for me.
A couple of weeks ago, I thought of the movie quote while standing in my potting shed. Summers are a time of gathering things in the potting shed and little time to tidy things up. So, as I stood in the middle of all the stuff, I thought YIKES I think she “needs a fresh coat of paint and a good shrub.” So it began … moving stuff —lots and lots of stuff.
While moving things around I unearthed so many memories!
Catalogs from the 80s and 90s…
Then and now, I love pouring over catalogs!
Receipts from Jackson and Perkins test panel roses (Anyone remember those?) I had high hopes that one of my test panel roses would “take off” and I would be able to officially name one for my daughter.
Picture from the early 90s… (Sorry for the blurry picture of a picture.)
So many fragrant petals. In those days I dried roses, herbs and flowers to make wreaths and other garden crafts to sell at a local garden center. SO MUCH FUN.
And, while digging in the garden last week I also unearthed a plant tag from Jackson and Perkins, Medford Oregon…. Not sure of the date, but I haven’t grown roses in the place I found this tag since the late early 90s. Note the AARS trademark.
It was a lot of fun to see old things again and walk down memory lane. Many of the roses in the pictures I no longer have.
Tastes change.
Garden conditions change.
Little trees grew.
Large trees were hit by lightening.
A few pests showed up.
Sustainable growing practices became more important.
Some things hold true. I was over the moon about roses and all their companions then and I continue to be today. The garden has always been a balm for my soul; the place where my creativity soars; a place where I have the closest connection to the Creator.
BLOOM THYME THIS WEEK:
Mother of Pearl and neighbors
Mother of Pearl bud
Yes, a fresh coat of paint and a good shrub was just what was needed….
… plus a new lamp, a super cute spool of jute (thanks Lacey) and a cute baby boy pic!
Zinnias out growing their space and bringing in the butterflies and hummingbirds.
