Cottage Gardens

Bloom Thyme Friday: Going Up and Over

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

While much of the garden is suffering a bit from all the rain and the lack of sunshine, many of  the climbers and ramblers are “going up and over” beautifully. The two main arbors that are across from each other are making magic happen. The stuff that makes this gardener’s heart sing!

They don’t always bloom at the same time but this year … Oh yea! that is just what they are doing! Most ramblers and many of the climbers I have only bloom one time per year. It is wonderful to see them create rose fireworks together! Timing is everything … well almost everything. A few dry days and some days with sunshine would certainly be welcome.

Front Arbor: New Dawn Back Arbor: Peggy Martin Rose and Francis E. Lester
Zepherine Drouhin Bourbon
Reine des Violette Hybrid Perpetual
Pink Peggy Martin out in front!
Celsiana … a large rambling fragrant Damask.
New Dawn

A typical day in my neighborhood…

For those of you considering adding more climbers to your garden and maybe even a rambler–if you have the space, here are some varieties to consider.

Zepherine Drouhin: Mostly a one time bloomer. Sometimes you will get a few blooms later in the season. It is a thornless Bourbon rose that is quite fragrant.

Francis E. Lester: Read all about him here. You can buy one from my good friend, Guinivere, at Roses of Yesterday.

Honeymoon Arborose: A lovely Kordes white climber that did very well at the Biltmore Rose Trial winning the coveted Lord Burleigh Award for Most Disease Resistant Rose. This is one I hope to add next year! Sold out for this year at Jackson and Perkins. Guess I better place my order for next year soon!

David Austins’s The Generous Gardener: A gorgeous rose that is very disease resistant in my garden. One of the prettiest Austins I have. See it growing in my garden here.

David Austins’s Albrighton Rambler: This rambler is considered a “well behaved” rambler and it grows 15′ or so and not 20-30′! I absolutely love it in my garden. Check it out.

Jasmina: This is a rose our society sold this year and they sold out quickly before I had a chance to get one. I plan to add it in the future. See it here.

New Dawn: Grows like crazy once it gets established. Soft pink and a soft fragrance! I have had this rose in my garden for more than 15 years. Love it.

For more on climbers and ramblers, my good friend Stan Griep did an article for Garden Know How you might enjoy. Read on.

Whether the sun is shining or the rain is falling, I will be having a very happy BLOOM THYME FRIDAY and hope you will too!

Bloom Thyme Friday: Rugged Roses and Rain

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

This has been a week of roses and rain. The rugosas are blooming a full two weeks early … and way ahead of anyone else. Even the peonies are not quite ready. And while they are trying to be gorgeous, the rains keep coming and beating them down. I just read the weather report and there is NO rain in the forecast for the next 4 days–yes! 😍☀️🌺🌹💃

Rugosas are often referred to as “rugged roses” because they can take most any condition. They are workhorses in my garden and they will most likely grow for you too. They are recommended for growing zones 3 – 9–which takes in a good many of us. If you are growing rugosas in the deep south, I would love to hear how they do and which ones you are growing. Occasionally I hear of people having trouble in our hottest areas.

I have about 15 rugosas … Hansa, Roseraie de la Hay, Therese Bugnet, Moje Hammarberg, Belle Pointevine and Blanc Double de Coubert. They form a thorny, beautiful, fragrant backdrop. The spring bloom is the most spectacular, but they do repeat bloom if you deadhead!

Here’s what mine are doing–in between downpours!

The largest one you see here is Roseraie de la Hay.
In front of the gate is Hansa.

If you turn up the volume, you can hear the birds on the video!

The lovely Therese Bugnet.
Roseraie de la Hay

 

Moje Hammarberg

Here is the fist bokay of the season. It may look gloomy outside this afternoon but it’s all lovely rose fragrance inside.

Early or late, these beauties are always welcome.

COMING ATTRACTIONS…

Look at this video of  Peggy Martin today … all loaded up with blooms. She’s gonna be amazing–just like her namesake! Stay tuned!

Rain or shine, I hope you are having a wonderful

BLOOM THYME FRIDAY!

Bloom Thyme Friday: Bringing The Sunshine In

| Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Yellow in the garden is sometimes controversial. I have had people tell me that they hate yellow in the garden! And some people love it.

FRIENDSHIP…

Julia Child

I’ve heard that yellow floral arrangements symbolize new beginnings, happiness and friendship.

Yellow roses stand for joy and happiness, but most of all yellow roses mean friendship.

Last year I lost a wonderful friend and mentor who loved yellow roses. When I see yellow roses, I think of her. Her favorite was Lowell Thomas. Lowell Thomas is not hardy in my zone, but I grow other yellow roses, like Julia Child,  Gold Medal and Harison’s Yellow. When I see yellow roses, I think of her.

As for me, I love yellow in the garden–it “brings the sunshine in.”