BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: UNEARTHING TREASURES

Link | August 17, 2018August 17, 2018 | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

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:

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.

Mother of Pearl again … I can’t get enough.

Evening view from the potting shed porch.

WISHING YOU A PLACE TO CALL YOUR OWN AND

A VERY HAPPY BLOOM THYME FRIDAY!

Rose Buzz: Bathsheba

Link | June 10, 2018June 10, 2018 | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

One rose that is creating a ROSE BUZZ in my garden this year is a new introduction from David Austin Roses … BATHSHEBA.

Bathsheba is said to be a well-behaved climber (to 9′ or so) with beauty, fragrance and disease resistance. All the things I want to hear.

Right from the start my new small plant began to take off and start growing strong — even though I didn’t plant it in the most perfect of locations. (I feared it would not get enough sun.) I have been rewarded with adorable buds and breathtaking blooms. Only 4-5 blooms so far but enough to know that this one captures my attention and heart.

LISTEN FOR MORE INFORMATION…

To hear the charming Michael Marriott with the lovely voice and incredible rose knowledge talk about this rose and the other new introductions, listen to the Rose Chat Podcast here…

https://rosechat.podbean.com/e/david-austin-roses-new-intros-for-2018/

If you are growing this rose, let me know what you think and if you have questions, I’m happy to help! Leave me a note in the comment section below.

SPEAKING OF BUZZ….

Did you see the acrobatic bee in my herb garden that I posted on Instagram? He’s my inspiration. I want to have as much fun as he is having as I work in the garden. And I DO have some work to do–all the roses need dead heading! LOL

As I write this morning, my view from my potting shed is one that makes me happy all the time but especially today as we are getting a MOST and I mean MOST needed rain. No one fulfills the needs of the garden OR the gardener like the Creator…

LEMONS TO LEMONADE…

There’s been a lot going on in the garden the past two weeks–some good and some bad. 😳 I’ll have a report on Bloom Thyme Friday!

Keep creating a buzz in the garden! 🐝

Bloom Thyme Friday: Things are Blooming!

Link | May 25, 2018May 25, 2018 | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

This is what we wait all winter for! The Bloom Thyme garden is filled with fireworks and fragrance and we are just getting started!

Look at the Rugosas… go ahead, inhale. The fragrance is so strong you can probably smell them from where you are!

Iris..

These iris are from Mr. G’s momma’s garden and we can’t wait to see them each year. I love “pass-along” plants, don’t you! They give us so many garden stories.

Loving these peonies!!

Mr. G’s tomatoes are on their way to being delicious. And the nasturtium seeds are up!

The President Clematis looking pretty good but has many more blooms to come and needs a bit of a “tie up.”

Tiny Zinnias are holding their own among the herbs. They won’t be small long! Stay tuned.

And, the garden view I love best… the view from my potting shed (garden office) porch.

Now for the best bloom this week…

Introducing the oh so precious Mr. Wyatt…

He joins his two growing and equally precious brothers…

What a special time I have had in California with these guys and their parents! Family Blessings! I will miss them terribly when I leave this weekend.

Special shout out to Mr. G, who has been faithfully watering my all of potted plants and sending me the real-time pictures of changes in the garden while I’ve been away. 😍 #hesthebest 😍

This Friday finds me so grateful for all I have been given…

WONDERFUL FAMILY

WONDEFUL FRIENDS

AND, PLENTY OF BLOOMS

Wishing you a wonderful weekend and a happy Bloom Thyme Friday.

Bloom Thyme Friday: Add. Subtract. Relocate.

Link | September 1, 2017 | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Yes, this week has been about adding, subtracting and relocating.

ADD.

Take a look! I went shopping and found these beautiful plants on sale. Just what I needed for my new project!

New Project: I am adding new perennials to extend my border of cutting flowers. I’ll also add roses, herbs, ground covers and some annuals in the spring! For now I’m getting these beautiful bargains planted!

Border this July…

Current situation … Buckets, tools and pots everywhere!

It’s Phenomenal!

One of the plants I am adding is a new lavender I found! Phenomenal Lavender is said to be a winter hardy variety that is also disease resistant as well as heat and humidity resistant. I plant lavender every year and have tried several varieties but the “come back” rate is low. Phenomenal Lavender was named Must Grow Perennial for 2013 by Better Homes and Gardens. Let’s hope it lives up to it’s name! Have you grown it?

Jackson and Perkins has “Phenomenal” for sale, if you are interested. Here.

Perle d’Or Rose

Chamblee Roses is sending me two Perle d’Ors next week. I can’t wait to have these roses.

This picture is from the Antique Rose Emporium website (link)

Perle d’Or is a fragrant old garden rose that was bred in France and introduced in 1884. In this country, this rose has been tested through the Earth Kind program, proven itself and came out on top in 2007 when it was named Earth Kind Rose of the Year. Some articles say it is good for Zone 5 or warmer and some say Zone 6. With this in mind, I plan to keep these little babies in the potting shed this winter and have them in containers on the deck next summer. It may be a few years before I plant them in the ground.

SUBTRACT.

One of the few things I am subtracting this year is a beautiful rose that came down with Crown Gall. I had never had gall in my rose garden before—actually I had never even seen it before except in pictures. Needless to say I am not a fan. I took some good advice and removed the plant. If you want to know more about this yucky stuff, read on. #gross #enoughsaid 😷😳

RELOCATE.

I have been grooming a tiny Peggy Martin Rose I was given to have a prominent place in the garden. The location has been decided … on the trellis by the porch of my potting shed. I know. I know. She could get very happy and engulf the potting shed. But today I am okay with that. Having this rose in this space will bring me so much pleasure. My tiny little plant has grown 4′ this year and is ready to move.

I have not been sure what I wanted in this space since I lost my gorgeous New Dawn 3 years ago to RRD. It was heartbreaking, but now I’m going to give Peggy a chance to add the wow to the entrance to my special place.

Here is a picture of 4-year old Peggy on one of my arbors in early June.

Want to see New Dawn in her prime! Here she is…

Yes, she has been missed but hope springs eternal for gardeners and next spring we will watch Peggy grow!

I don’t know about where you are but our weather has turned cold! I don’t know what this early cold snap says about our winter! Mr. G is hoping for a lot of snow. He might just get it.

I usually wish you a happy bloom thyme Friday. And, I do wish you all the best, but it is hard for me to say the word happy. My friends in Texas are on my mind and in my heart constantly. Let’s keep praying for them and helping where we can.

It was one of those days…

Link | July 16, 2016July 18, 2016 | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Today has been one of those perfect days … the kind of summer day that memories are made of.

Blue skies.

Big fluffy clouds.

Plenty of garden blooms.

Extra time with my honey.

No plans.

No agenda.

Just summer fun.

I am grateful.

We did a little gardening, a few household chores, made a quick trip to Lowes and a local garden center to look at hydrangeas. You’d think I have enough. But no. There is always room for another rose and another hydrangea! And, Country Harmony had just the hydrangea I was looking for – Little Lime. He joins the other 5 Little Limes in my garden. I know. I know. But, I just love them! I am also crazy about Bobo and Pinky Winky and Annabelle and … well you get the picture! 🙂

Rose: Aloha

Rose: Flamenco Rosita

Rose: Olivia Rose Austin

Rose in front: Campfire

Rose in front: Beverly

Rose: The Generous Gardener (DA)

Rose: Black Forrest

I hope you had a wonderful day that was filled with the things you love best.

Hey, Mr. G is working on a new project for me! I think it will be ready soon for the big reveal. Maybe even tomorrow. I am so excited about this I am practically jumping up and down. Actually I am jumping up and down.

Fireworks and Fragrance

Link | July 1, 2016July 22, 2016 | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

In life and in gardens the right companions can make the difference. They can make us stronger, cover up our short comings and enhance our beauty.

My garden style is cottage gardening …. I grow everything from trees and shrubs to herbs and roses. These garden companions work beautifully together to give me just what I want—continuous beauty. In fact, once we get through one of the midwest’s hard, cold winters, I am looking for fireworks and fragrance. Nothing adds the fireworks and fragrance like roses.

In April, lilacs give me beauty and fragrance that garden dreams are made of however, in a few weeks they are finished — for a year. Forsythia make a huge showing too— bringing all that yellow sunshine into our world—for a few weeks. Just as I am saying goodbye to those lovely shrubs, along comes the Rugosa Roses and Old Garden Roses with an explosion of blooms that fill the garden and many vases to the brim with beauty, fragrance and over the top charm. While most of the old garden roses only have one bloom per season (about 4 weeks), many of the rugosas don’t stop with just one bloom cycle and will give you at least a few fragrant blooms throughout the growing season.

Just as the rugosas are taking a break and the one-time blooming old garden roses are finished for the season, here come the easy care roses I call garden roses (sometimes referred to as shrub roses). These power bloomers go to work and believe me their bloom season will continue all the way to fall. There is no shrub or perennial that gives me season-long bloom like the garden roses and paired together, they work their cottage charm.

Rugosas putting on a show in my garden!

Whether you are like me and have have lots of space, or you have a few nooks and crannies you would like to brighten or have containers on a balcony that need some punch, there is a garden rose for you. Garden roses come in all sizes and colors and will take no more care than any other plant or shrub in your garden. Give them sunshine, water, a bit of fertilizer, a quick trim of the spent blooms, then just stand back and enjoy. (And have your vases ready to fill and share.)

When deciding on companions for your roses, the first thing to consider is compatible growing conditions and here are two companions that have their relationship all worked out and have become a match made in heaven… roses and clematis!

Etoile de Violette and New Dawn Climber…

Here are some easy care, power blooming shrub roses that fill my garden with beauty and work well with all of the other plants that catch my fancy.

Petit Pink… This small shrub from the Proven Winners OSO Happy series is constantly happy in my garden covered in these dainty pink flowers. We can thank David Zlesak for this amazing shrub!

Music Box and her companions… This is a lovely blooming machine from the Ping Lim’s Easy Elegance Collection. Starts out creamy yellow and adds more pink as it matures.

Sunrise Sunset… also from the Easy Elegance Collection paired with Double Red Knockout

The Generous Gardener… One of the best and most disease resistant David Austin roses I have ever had!

Peach, Apricot and Red Drift Roses… These beauties from Star Roses and Plants grow low and spreading fitting nicely in the front of a border but they also do equally as well in a container. These are super blooming garden roses.

Quietness… This lovely Buck Rose is a part of the Earth Kind series and is one of the most beautiful bloomers in my garden. If it can make it through the rigors of the Earth Kind testing program and is considered hardy for your zone… take a chance! Did I mention it is very fragrant!!

Quietness with her lily companions…

Beverly HT from Kordes... Beautiful, sustainable and fragrant. Big winner at the Biltmore International Rose Trails. Love it!

IMG_1622 1.jpg

Belinda’s Dream and her companions… This is another rose from the Earth-Kind series. This rose grows big and strong in a container on my deck and is rarely without beautiful and fragrant blooms.

Cherry Pie… The amazing bloomer below is from the Proven Winner’s OSO Easy collection. This picture is of a three-year-old rose in my herb garden. What started out as a tiny test rose, is now a show stopper. She has more than proven herself to me!

The rose is our national floral emblem and
the most popular and beloved flower!

So, if you have shied away from roses in the past, thinking they are divas that take more time and energy than you have … Think again!

It’s not just hair styles that have changed since the 80s… The new Millennium brought us new classes of easy care, sustainable garden roses and we are getting more and more every year.

Maybe it’s time to dress up your shrub borders and add more blooms to your flower beds with the new rose kids on the block–they will bring the fireworks!