GARDENING

BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: Did someone say Coffee, Chocolate and Comfort?

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Mocha Mousse, a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort. – From Pantone website.

2025 Pantone of the year

Each year Pantone sets the color stage for design whether inside or out. Last year was Peach Fizz and I was a big fan of that especially outside with all the roses with peach hues –especially my newly released rose — Petite Peach. More about her here.

For this year it’s all about… Coffee. Chocolate. Comfort. I’m in.

More about the color of the year HERE.

All this talk about mocha mousse had me thinking about the rose Koko Loco (hybridized by Christian Bedard of Weeks Roses) that has been trending for several years. What a perfect time to jump into that trend with a rose in the same palette. So I ordered one from High Country Roses (LINK) 

I don’t know how I have resisted this rose for so long. Beautiful!

Description on High Country’s website.
Koko Loco: The cocoa is creamy like latte. But the latte goes loco to finish all lavender! You just can’t imagine a milky chocolate-colored bud would mature to be a solid soft lavender blossom. Early to bloom, every lovely bud spirals open with impeccable show form. The flowers last long on the plant and in the vase. Beyond its novelty, there lies a great plant….rounded, handsome & bushy…chock full of clean green leaves.

For more info on growth habit, etc or to see if she’s still in stock, read more HERE.

GARDEN TRENDS

Another early season treat is to see the House Beautiful garden trend list and here it is…

  • Chocolate Brown Tones 
  • Cottagecore 
  • Front Gardens (love it)
  • Waterwise gardening
  • Out with bedding traditional plants
  • Cutting Gardens: bring the outdoors in (YES)
  • Future floristry
  • Light-touch gardening
  • Brownfield gardening
  • Sustainable power tools
  • Greenhouse living
  • Seedling success: growing plants from seed is back in the spotlight (Yippee)
  • Bulbs in pots (I’m not the best at this.)
  • Homegrown produce
  • Edible landscaping

For explanations of each of these categories check out their article HERE.

SPRING ROSE CARE

I’ve recently had several questions about spring rose care and simple rose pruning tips. While it is certainly not one size fits all, here are my general tips. (For reference: I’m in Zone 6a.) Again these are basic tips on what I do.

WHEN: My rule of thumb for when to prune roses is when the Forsythia Blooms. The blooming Forsythia tells us that the ground temp has warmed to about 50 degrees. Here we can have temps that dip a bit but we usually do well with the Forsythia rule.

HOW: I cut out any dead, damaged or disease-looking canes, any canes that are crossing the center or rubbing against other canes. For height pruning … I prune the shrub about 1/3 of it’s size. You will also want to remove the leaves still clinging to the shurb and any that have fallen on the ground. 📸 GLAMOUR SHOT:  To get her ready for glamour shots to come, after I prune I take a step back and look at the overall appearance, and using my creative license I make tweaks to get her looking just right. 😉

EXCEPTIONS…

GROUND COVER ROSES:

For ground cover roses I don’t worry too much about all those pruning details. I just shape it up and take it down a bit for size control. As you experience a season of growth, you’ll know how to prune it to get the shape you want. I have 8 Sweet Drift Roses (groundcovers) making a border. While they appear to have a tangled growth, when they bloom they are show stoppers.

CLIMBING ROSES:

Totally different pruning method. I think the best way to learn about this is to SEE it done. Garden Answer and Heirloom Roses have great videos on pruning climbing roses. Orange text denotes links!

OLD GARDEN ROSE, RAMBLERS (and other one-time bloomers):

No spring pruning! As with other blooming shrubs the rule is PRUNE AFTER BLOOM. Pruning in the spring will eliminate your spring blooms! If you want to shape up your plant do it immediately after blooming. NOTE: OGRs need little to no pruning. Just take out dead and diseased canes. Or the ones that are catching on your husband’s shirt as he mows the grass. Don’t ask me how I know. 🤦🏼‍♀️

NOTE: Don’t be afraid! It isn’t rocket science. I’ve made a million “mistakes’ and the roses always forgive and bloom in spite of the gardener. I remember the first time I saw Steve Hutton, then President of Star Roses, take electric hedge trimmers to Knock Out roses. Now you see many gardeners do that with more than just Knock Outs. I’m not saying I would do it, but I guess you could.

FERTILIZER: At the time of pruning, I fertilize per package recommendations. (RoseTone or Scott’s Rose and Bloom: Both are available at our Lowes and sometimes Walmart). The fertilizer doesn’t kick in until temps raise a bit more but it is convenient for me to do it at this time. 

DORMANT SPRAY: Before leaves start developing we use a dormant spray. Through the years we have used several products. (Lime Sulfur, Captain Jack and Bonide products.) Jason from Fraser Valley Rose Farm has an excellent video on using dormant sprays that includes what to use and why you should proceed with caution when doing so.
VIDEO LINK

MULCH: I add 3-4″ of mulch to help with water retention, weed supression and for beauty… mulch makes everything look so fresh and tidy. I know the roses appreciate it as they move to their time to shine!

If you have other specific questions leave me a comment or email me, I am happy to help!

UNINVITED GUESTS

We’ve had some uninvited guests… one tried to get his annual eye exam. Wrong “office” buddy.

They look right at home. 😱
Looks 20/20 to me!

ROSE CHAT

Rose Chat 2025 has begun!

THE HERBAL PROPERTIES OF ROSES
Jason Croutch, Fraser Valley Rose Farm

For thousands of years roses have been used for so much more than an ornamental plant. Join us as we take a look at the additional benefits of growing the Queen of Flowers.

NEXT UP is Leon Ginenthal to chat about SOIL & PLANT HEALTH – this one will be posted on Sunday, February 23. 

WINTER SOWING

Winter sowing is now complete with 22 jugs! In many of the jugs I did sections to be able to plant more than one variety. I certainly don’t need a “jug full” of everythng I wanted to try this year! 😳

  • Love in a Mist: Mulberry Rose
  • Blue & White Alyssum
  • Calendula: Bronzed Beauty
  • Onion: Yellow of Parma
  • Strawflower: Red, Rose and White
  • Larkspur: Katy’s Picot
  • Gomphrena: Audray Purple-Red , Raspberry Cream, Lavender Lady and Las Vegas White 
  • Marigolds: Sugar & Spice, Queen Sophia & Savannah
  • Rudbeckia: Sahara & Caramel Mix
  • Statice: Seeker Pastel Blue
  • Coneflowers: White and Mellow Yellow
  • Snapdragons: Apple Blossom, Royal Bride and Costa Velvet
  • Sweet Pea: Jewels of Albion
  • Rose Seeds: Tuscany Supurb
  • Bachelor Buttons: Cyanus Double
  • Canterbury Bells: Calyan Mix
  • Nasturtiums: Cherry Rose Jewel and Tip Top Pink Blush
  • Dara: Mixed
  • Columbine: Barlow’s Double Mix
  • Ageratum: Blue Horizon
  • Verbascum: Shades of Summer
  • Phlox: Sugar Stars
  • Lady’s Mantel

Spring winter sowing

I will begin “winter sowing” again in April to plant Zinnias, Cosmos, Tomatoes and Basil! It worked so well last year!

WHILE WE WAIT

As finish up this post today we are having a wintery mix – rain, ice, snow. Single digit temps. Yuk.  BUT to those of you with colder winters, look at these pictures… they were taken the 3rd week of March last year! Our beauties are coming back!

Ignoring the weather outside, with every seed I sow I am giddy with anticipation of the miraculous new life that is to come. As gardeners we get to experience miracles most every day.

To everything there is a season but often it seems Winter tends to be a boundary pusher — we just have to keep the faith in the garden and out.

Until next time, have fun in your garden.

WINTER YOU HAVE OUR ATTENTION!

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Hello Winter, you have certainly decided to be record-breaking this year. This week I’ve heard from friends in southern states with record breaking snowfall and plummeting temps! The pictures don’t even look real! My big question now is how long will it last. Probably not too long in the southern states but up here — might be another thing! 😳🥶 This is that time of year that I tell Mr. G that it’s not coming back. Things are too cold and and too dead, it’s not coming back. He hands me a cup of coffee and says, “don’t worry, it always come back.” He’s the best. ……..Ahh spring, oh the miracle you are!! And you’ll be back in about 55 days.

You know who IS enjoying this weather? The birds. G has been keeping them well fed and they have rewarded us by their presence and thier song! SOOOO MANY. Look at this handsome guy…

Bluebirds routinely play in my Potting Shed window box. They are so precious! I hope they nest close by! Take a look…

WINTER SOWING 2025

During this kind of season I hear Mr. Rogers in my ear singing, 🎶”Let’s think of something to do while we’re waiting.”🎶 Anyone remember that one??

One super fun thing we get to do while we are waiting on spring is Winter Sowing!! 🥳

And, winter Sowing is happening here but honestly I was almost afraid to put anything outside. How cold is toooo cold!

Winter sowing truly is one of my favorite gardeny things. So little investment in time and material. It allows me to experiment more too! Each year I plant some seeds I’ve never tried before. If you are new to winter sowing or want to know what I have done in the past… check out another post here. 

NEW TO ME THIS YEAR…

(Links to companies provided.)

I’m trying some new colors of Nasturtiums – Tip Top Pink Blush and Cherry Rose Jewel.

Love Coneflowers and want a yellow one, so I’m trying a new variety to me Mellow Yellow.

Phlox Sugar Stars – such sweet colors

Onion: Yellow of Parma – Over the moon about this one! Confession, I have a thing about onions and they seem to be hard for me to grow. Thank’s Stef from Hooked and Rooted for the inspiration. Find her here.  https://www.youtube.com/@HookedandRooted

One of my favorites is Gomphrena and I’m trying some new colors: Lavender Lady, Raspberry Cream, Audray Purple Red, and Audray White. SO MANY. I may have to call this garden season the “Year of the Gomphrena”! Last year it did so well!!! This is a no fuss plant going strong from early summer to frost! I used them in so many arrangements and they dry beautifully.

Globosa Purple & a “pink” I don’t remember the name.
Loved them both!

Trying a new variety of Larkspur: Katy’s Picot Larkspur.

Trying a new Sweet Pea that someone recommended as fragrant and has loads of blooms but I can’t remember who – Jewels of Albion  This is a custom blend esclusive to Renee’s Gardens! Here’s what Renees has to say about it… “EXCLUSIVE – Our custom blended color palette of especially fragrant antique varieties offers both beautiful cool shades and plants with significantly more heat tolerance than other sweet pea varieties. You’ll have a succession in bloom with “Flora Norton” (pastel blue), “Lord Nelson” (deep blue), “Mrs. Collier” (creamy-white), “Lady Grisel Hamilton” (pastel lavender) and “Captain of the Blues” (mauve-blue). This lovely perfumed mix blooms on strong climbing vines that easily cover a trellis or fence.”


And finally, I am super excited about a new, exclusive Zinnia from Johnnys Seeds… Ballerina!! Have you seen it? Soooo pretty!

I’m sure there will be more to come. Do you have a recommendation for me?

GETTING TO KNOW YOU WALL

This week I started the 3rd annual GETTING TO KNOW YOU WALL.

I started doing this “wall” in my potting shed with info about new plants I’m adding to the garden or plants I added last year that I want to keep an eye out for. Since I have a very established garden, this is such a great help in determining just where I want to plant them in the garden. And, not to miss the ones I planted last year!

ROSE CHAT

It is almost time for ROSE CHAT 2025 and I am super excited! The lineup is stellar. So many wonderful rosy people will join me! If you missed it, here’s the ad from New Years. Newley added to this list is Dee Nash of Red Dirt Rambling. Looking forward to a wonderfully rosy year!

The February guests are Jason Croutch of Fraser Valley Rose Farm and Leon Ginenthal the owner of Der Rosenmeister Rose Nursery in New York.

Last year Jason joined me to talk about growing roses in containers. He had so many tips and tricks. LISTEN HERE

The last time Leon was with me we chatted about rambling roses, his garden is filled to the brim with these beauties and he had a great deal of advice and insight! LISTEN HERE

If you have cabin fever, there is a gorgeous video on YouTube of Leon’s amazing garden… check it out here. You can almost smell the roses!

UNTIL NEXT TIME…

Friends, I hope you are safe and staying warm and have plenty of time to dream and plan! I know dreaming and planning is keeping me going! I’ve even found a new place for another arbor with roses!!! 🎉 Can you believe it!! More about that later. 

Until next time, sending warm wishes from the Potting Shed where everything is quite crowded but cozy and warm! Outside – not so much!

BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: Before We Dive In…

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Don’t judge me, it’s January and I don’t have a word of the year. None seem “just the thing.” I do, however, have a phrase. During the Christmas season we watched “I HEARD THE BELLS “movie and while there were many phrases that caught my attention, there was one I wrote down … “Let’s be up and doing…” 

Note: The full phrase, “Let us, then, be up and doing,” comes from the poem “A Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

I loved the movie! If you are not familiar with the movie it is about the origins of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow writing the Christmas carol, I HEARD THE BELLS. 

SIDE NOTE: I learned of this movie when Danielle of Northlawn Flower Farm on YouTube said her husband had a role in this movie!  If you don’t follow Danielle (link), I think you would enjoy her garden adventures… and I think you would enjoy the movie. 

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

Before we move fully into 2025, let’s talk about some standouts from the 2024 season.

TRAVEL

Our travels often take us to New England and England and we love that. But we added a destination this year… Italy. And we are so glad we did. A year of travel highlights indeed!

Windsor Castle
Rural England
London
Venice
Florence
Assisi
Vatican
Sorrento
Positano
Venice

FIRST YEAR ROSES…

BOLERO

Such a gorgeous and healthy rose. For a first year rose it just bloomed and bloomed and the booms were beautiful and the fragrance so yummy.  I read one review that called the fragrance “romantic”. I would agree. Bolero was also very healthy. This rose would work in most any size garden as it only grows to about 3.5 H x 3 W. I suspect it would be fantastic in a container too. I can’t wait to see all the blooms that will come with the second season.  One more thing …. outstanding cut flower!

ELIZABETH (David Austin)

This David Austin rose just wowed me with every bloom and her growth habit. She is a large rose and I am so glad I gave her plenty of room — she needed it and will need it even more as she gets established. David Austin voted her Best for Health, Best for Fragrance and Best for Flowering. I would agree. She performed so well. When I saw the picture of her online I thought she would have very delicate, easy to shatter blooms. She does not. Size is about 4.5′ W X 4.5′ H. She had several blooms throughout the season but I know it was just a tease to her production for the second year! Great cut flower. 

ESTABLISHED ROSE STANDOUTS

PLUM PERFECT (Kordes)

Oh my word. She would not stop blooming – even in the drought. She held on to those incredible blooms forever! A truly wonderful rose. I am so glad I have two! This year she grew about 3’ H and 2.5’ W. Healthy, beautiful but only a light fragrance for me. I enjoyed her so much in the garden that I didn’t cut very many for vases. Just enjoyed her immensely in the garden.

REMINISCENT PINK (Proven Winners)

This rose has grown into a large easy care shrub and deserves some space in the garden. Size is 3.5′ x 3.5′. She sometimes sends out long arching canes in that old fashioned romantic way. If you love old fashioned blooms in form and fragrance, you’re gonna love this one! When I see her from the window I can’t believe she is not an “old garden rose”. She was covered with blooms off and on throughout the season. Great in a vase too. Simply outstanding.

PETITE PEACH

Petite Peach had another fantastic year proving to be an almost bullet proof power bloomer! So proud of this rose. I hear great reports from people all over the country. Those blooms last forever in a vase and dry well too.  You can purchase at High Country Roses here. 

OUTSTANDING COMPANION PLANTS

GOMPHRENA (Globe Amaranth)

I started two colors of Gomphrena from seed via the Winter Sowing method (link). Couldn’t have been easier. Once these little plants were in the ground, they exploded and bloom literally all summer long. I used them in so many arrangements! And they dry perfectly too! This year I am growing 3 colors.

Planted in jug late January and planted in the ground in early May. Starting blooming in mid June and bloomed until frost!

Early summer
Late Summer
In an arrangement

BOXWOOD BASIL

Linda Vater on her You Tube Channel (link) was all about boxwood basil so I had to try it. This too was planted by seed using the winter sowing method and it was a huge success. I think every seed germinated and I had little boxwood balls all over the garden. Visitors couldn’t believe it wasn’t boxwood! Look at the pictures. Hard to tell! And the fragrance was fantastic. What a great return on investment! Planted in jug on April 9, planted in garden mid May and these plants were going strong all summer. From a small seedling came these amazing “boxwood” basils.

LISIANTHUS

What an outstanding addition to a cut flower garden! Started from seed in January, planted out in late May, blooming from June to October! So beautiful and wonderful in arrangements. Literally lasts forever as a cut flower. Downside… in my growing zone (6a) she has to be “babysat” in seed trays for so so long! 

OUTSTANDING SHRUB

Fire Light Tidbit Hydrangea

I have so many hydrangeas – my notes say I have 40  / 10 different varieties. But the Fire Light Tidbit is such a standout. She is a good size to pair with roses too. Growing about 3.5 W X 3’H. 

Here she is hugging up to Pomponella rose! (An outstanding rose I might add.) What a combination! I now have 6 Fire Light Tidbits and plan to add 2 more in 2025. 

FAVORITE BOKAY

This is a bokay I made for myself when I couldn’t be out gardening. I had hand surgery in early August and it certainly slowed me down for a few weeks. But these beauties sure cheered me up!

INDIANAPOLIS ROSE SOCIETY

The Indianapolis Rose Society is Zooming into the new year with special guest Robin Jennings of Heirloom Roses… Additional Details here.

ROSE CHAT

Rose Chat 2025 kicks off in February and there are so many guests already on the calendar to join me! Some are repeat favorites and many are brand new to the conversation. We are going to cover subjects like… the importance of soil, moving from a spray garden to a no spray garden, growing roses from seed, new rose releases, miniature roses, Earth Kind rose releases, the herbal properties of roses, climbing roses,  and on and on!!! Whew! I can’t wait!

If you have extra time and want to catch up on last year’s chats… there are so many good ones here….

HAPPY 2025

Happy New Year friends. If you are like me you are looking back AND planning for what’s to come while cleaning out closets, making list and going through garden catalogs!

So, “let’s be up and doing,” adding loveliness to the world around us. Our world sure needs it.

Until next time, happy garden planning.

Bloom Thyme Friday: Lists

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

This time of year we hear a lot about lists … 

The words… “He’s making a list, checking it twice gonna find out who’s naughty and nice” can send shivers up the spines of small boys and girls!

Soon gardeners will be making their own lists… What to plant, seeds to buy, supplies needed and on and on!

But for now, it’s 2 am and I have jet lag and am wondering about Mary. Did she have a list of things she “needed” or “wanted” for her new baby? If so, I doubt it included a long distance donkey ride, an animal trough, scratchy hay, smelly sheep, shepherds or even angels. Her actual list we will never know, but we do know she heard from God, listened, trusted, obeyed and treasured. Joseph did too. May we always do the same. 

The Birth of Jesus

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Friends, Mr. G and I have recently had the pleasure of spending very special time with all our children and grandchlldren. We even had them all in the same country at the same time! Time to cook together, decorate, stay up too late, attend children’s Christmas programs and all the things families who live in different places never take for granted. I can tell you that WAS on our list AND we felt the blessing and joy making this season oh so special. 

I hope this season finds you filled with joy as we celebrate the greatest gift, given to all — the baby in the manger. 

Merry Christmas friends. So grateful for you. 

PS: Speaking of Joseph …

For King and Country has a wonderful song about what Joseph might be thinking through all this, things on his list, questions he had. The song is called The Carol of Joseph. Mr. G and I LOVE it. Listen / watch here. 

BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: SOFT FALL

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

It’s that time again.🍂 .🍂 .🍂 If you have been following for a while you know that Fall is not my favorite. (Spring 💐) Getting closer to the long, dark, cold winter does take a bit of getting used too. Mr. G loves all things fall so his euphoria is rubbing off. He even has me totally excited for snow days!

For many of my gardening years I lived in a sea of variations of pink, white, purple and the palest yellow! I tried many reds, yellows & oranges but they didn’t last very long.

PEACHY THINGS

Peach was my gateway color — when I planted my first Mother of Pearl Rose. Mother of Pearl can go from pink to peach. In my garden she is more peach. So, I now have 9 of them. Then in 2019 I found a “sport” on a Petite Pink rose that became Petite Peach! What a wonderful ride that has been! 

Mother of Pearl
Mother of Pearl
Mother of Pearl
Petite Peach

ADDING MORE FALL

For the last few years I have been on a journey to add more fall into my life in the form of fall colored blooms. I have been successful with having dahlias that blend summer and fall and now I’m moving to Rudbeckias. A bad experience with a rudbeckia pass-along plant given to me 25+ years ago has me very skittish. Regardless of my efforts, that plant keeps popping up and trying to take over!

Have you seen all the rudbeckias out now. There are  some beauties out there! Many are annuals in my zone and maybe that’s for the best! 😉 I started the Sahara blend using the winter sowing method and they are just now beginning to bloom. They are gorgeous but I believe I have them planted where they aren’t getting enough sun – so they are blooming later than expected. (They were planted safely tucked out of main sight in case they proved to be too garish!😄) I love them. Next year I will bring them out into the light of day!

While researching rudbeckias on You Tube I came across the Hello Garden account and a particular video on rudbeckias. While Kate was showing some of the beautiful rudbeckias she was planting she used the terms SOFT FALL and GENTLE FALL and talked about easing into the fall with your color palette. PERFECT. I keep thinking of those words and have decided it is my new fall mantra! I want Soft Fall colors in my garden and I want a soft, gentle fall attitude. 

Thank you Kate for a new perspective and all the great garden information on the Hello Garden site. You can link to Hello Garden here. She’s also on IG here.

MORE TO COME

I know my journey into fall colors is not over. My friend Dee of RedDirtRamblings has me getting very excited about Marigolds. Marigolds! I have never been excited about marigolds before. Well except when I heard the story about how roses became the national floral emblem and the fact that marigolds were a part of that story. Read here.

Back to marigolds… Dee’s right, there are some super pretty ones out there. Mercy, is there no end! Of course there isn’t! 🎉🎉 While the oranges and reds will probably never work their way into the main borders & beds around here, I can find places where they can work their particular kind of magic!

Do you have a favorite rudbeckia or marigold I need to know about???

Other plants in my garden that are giving me a  SOFT, GENTLE FALL vibe …

Hydrangeas as they fade to deeper rose and rust colors

Dahlias … so many beautiful colors of dahlias that go from summer to fall beautifully. 

Winterthur Viburnum berries

Grasses

And Zinnias!

Viburnum Berries
Queeny Lime Orange
More Viburnum Berries 🤍
From Dreamland Mix
Seattle
Seattle
Floret Dawn Creek Honey
Motto
Labyrinth
Queeny Lime Red
Rock Run Ashley
Fire Light Tidbit

ON THE OTHER HAND

Three weeks ago I had hand surgery (right hand 😏) that has certainly curtailed any “real” gardening. On the other hand, it has not even slowed down my planning for next year, my seed, dahlia tuber, and plant research or endless list making! And, I’m finding out how important that little microphone by the text box on my iPhone truly is! Voice to text! A winner – if you proof read!! 😳

Since I couldn’t be out among the flowers as much, I filled my window with vases of cut blooms. We loved it so much that I continue to refill the vases!

This project has certainly given me the opportunity to observe how each of these perform in a vase! Something I have been wanting to do! So far big winners are Plum Perfect, Petite Peach, Quietness and Bolero. 

Here is Bolero proving what a winner she is. I do love this rose. So glad I added two of them this year. So fragrant too.

Hand is healing very well, big bandage is long gone and now I just have to protect and do the hand exercises. No “real” gardening for a few more weeks. I’ll ease back in!

ROSE CHAT PODCAST

This week on the podcast I chatted with Gaye Hammond about US Rose Trials. Boy did she bring some interesting facts and behind the scene stories!  

U.S. ROSE TRIALS PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
Gaye Hammond, Master Rosarian

Gaye has been an integral part of several U.S. Rose Trials and has much to share with us regarding rose trials of the past, the present, and will take a peek into the future. Gaye will guide us into how they are conducted and the valuable role they play in bringing beautiful and healthy roses to our gardens. Get ready to learn and laugh as Gaye educates and entertains us!

You can LISTEN HERE.

UNTIL NEXT TIME…

Yes, fall is coming fast and aren’t we fortunate that God’s creation gives us much beauty in every season. Let’s take our time and enjoy it slowly.

🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂

BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: Rosemania Part 2

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

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! ⭐️

Here she is paired with Petite Peach. Much more muted than she started.

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)

BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: And, The Award Goes To…

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)

BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: Open Garden and a Rose Explosion

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!

LISTEN HERE.

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)

LISTEN HERE

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.

LISTEN HERE

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.

Savannah Neighborhood
Vanessa Belle
Waiting…
Regale lilies
Earth Angel
Popcorn Drift
Love this yarrow color
Lotta pink!
View from patio
Gabriel Oak
Moonlight Romantica
Cats Pajamas
Chantilly Cream
Feverfew
The Potting Shed got a fresh coat of paint!
Herb Garden
Zaide
Fama Blue Scabiosa

Friends, thanks for stopping by. Until next time, I hope you are having fun in your garden!

BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: ROSEMANIA

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Soaring heat, storms and rain have given us an exciting and very early spring. Bloom Thyme is welcome any time. Weather is certainly keeping us on our toes! Our hearts go out to all of you who have been affected by the terrible storms bouncing around. Especially our friends in Houston. You are in our prayers.

THE ROSES ARE COMING BACK 🎉

Every year in the deep dark part of winter when everything is so dead, it seems doubtful that the garden will come back — but it always does. Oh, the many miracles of spring!

Here are a few of the early birds catching my attention in a big way!

CROWN PRINCESS MARGARETA

I planted the princess last year but only had a few blooms. This year she is knocking it out of the park. Just look at the form. I wish you could enjoy the fragrance – she is amazing. When I see this color in my garden it still surprises me as for so many years I resisted. I have always fancied pink roses and the creamy colored ones! Now I welcome the Crown Princess Margareta and others with similar coloring … Bathsheba, Lady of Shallot, Rise Up Amberness and At Last. 

EARTH ANGEL

She is angelic! I just love this rose and it is a great day when she blooms. Each year she gets better and better. A healthy Kordes rose with old fashioned beauty, form and fragrance! She’s just getting started and there are many buds yet to open.

SWEET FRAGRANCE

This is the second year for this little beauty. I bought her at Lowe’s for under $25. She is part of the beautiful roses from the great hybridizer Ping Lim and part of the Easy Elegance collection. She is a standout in form, color and in fragrance. She is small to medium sized and would be great for a container! 

PLUM PERFECT

Last year I added 3 of these to the garden and they were good performers! This year they are going from good to GREAT. They are starting out with a bang. This beauty is from Star Roses and Plants/Kordes Sunbelt collection. They are bred for intense heat and they are sure getting a work out. This week it has been near 90 everyday. (IN MAY!!) Their medium size would make it a good candidate for most any garden and in a container too. 

MOTHER OF PEARL

You know I love her. I have 9 shrubs! She never disappoints.

EASY ON THE EYES

This is an almost bullet proof rose from great hybridizer Tom Carruth. Beauty, healthy and fragrant! Those colors!!

THE FAWN

The Fawn is a rose you don’t hear much about – unless you talk to me!! I absolutely love her! She was released in 1983 in Denmark and has had many names… The Faun, Bossa Nova, and My Granny. She is a healthy, beautiful, blooming machine that can tolerate some shade! If you are interested in having her in your garden, Heirloom Roses sells this one as The Fawn and Roses Unlimited sells her as The Faun.

EUSTACIA VYE

The wait is over. You know that both Mr. G and I have been sooooo excited about Eustacia Vye! (He loves her name.) Her first blooms are open and she does not disappoint. She is perfect. We have two shrubs and the other one is budded up and almost ready!! 💕💕

BUYING ROSES ONLINE

Of course we want to buy local when we can, but many of the roses I grow and recommend are not sold locally. Below are the online sources that I use. I have a history with all of these companies and they are well represented in my garden! 😉  LINK

Where to buy roses…

ROSE FOOD

For those who have asked what I’m feeding my roses this spring…

For established roses I used a combination of Rose Tone and Scott’s Rose and Bloom. For new roses… I planted them with Earth Worm Castings and watered in with Alaska Fish Emulsion Fertilizer. Ben from Heirloom convinced me of this with the information that comes with their roses. When I next need fish food for roses, I’m going to order Heirloom’s Founders Fish Fertilizer. (link)

So far so good. Everyone is happy. I’ll fertilize again after the first flush to push for more!

Confession: Through the years I have used many different products on my roses. I do like to change it up a bit. However my most consistent products have been Mill Mix and Mills Mix Easy Feed, Rose Tone, Scotts Rose and Bloom and Fish Emulsion. I am interested in trying Heirloom Roses Founders Fish Fertilizer – when I need to purchase more (LINK).

I have not tried a product that didn’t work, so my thoughts are that roses aren’t as picky as many think. As always follow the directions on the container. I truly believe under fertilizing is better than over fertilizing. 

IF YOU SUSPECT A PROBLEM…

If you think something is “off” it might be a good time for a soil test! The lab I have used in the past is Great Lakes Labs. (LINK)

ROSE CHAT

GROWING ROSES IN CONTAINERS
Jason Croutch, Fraser Valley Rose Farm
RELEASE DATE: Sun, May 26

LISTEN HERE.

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)

ROSEFEST COMING SOON!

The Indianapolis Rose Society’s annual event ROSEFEST – Saturday, June 8. It will be a lovely day of roses. Speakers, demonstrations, rose garden tour, giveaways, vendors and a fun People’s Choice Rose Show. Bring your roses to enter or come be a judge! 

All the details are on the Indianapolis Rose Society website HERE. 

SPRING LOVE

As I look at my garden this morning with all the beautiful blooms and the weeds too, I am reminded that….

Happy Gardening Friends.

BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: Blooms, Bare Roots & Weather

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

THE FIRST ROSE HAS ARRIVED…

I received my first rose from David Austin – Eustacia Vye. A rose that has been catching my eye for some time. As per my usual, I watched videos and chatted with friends about this rose before purchase and all the reviews were glowing!!

Eustacia Vye came as a robust bare root…


The Lovely Eustacia Vye

FROM DAVID AUSTIN WEBSITE (LINK)

An exceedingly pretty rose of soft, glowing apricot-pink, each bloom packed with numerous delicately ruffled petals. Held on red-tinged stems, the blooms begin as shallow cups, opening to full rosettes, revealing petals of a richer hue, which gradually pale over time. They have a delicious strong fruity fragrance. A very healthy variety; it makes a strong, vigorous shrub with bushy, upright growth. Named after the flawed heroine of Thomas Hardy’s, The Return of the Native.

I  actually ordered another one of these from our rose society sale. Do you grow it?

BARE ROOT ROSES

If you are new to “bare root” roses…

I know they look scary.
I know they look ugly.
I know they come early.

However, I also know that they will be glorious. From these humble beginnings they will work hard to become your magazine picture. 

HOW TO PLANT

  1. Open box as soon as it arrives
  2. Soak in large bucket of water – I usually do it overnight but you can hydrate a rose in a few hours.
  3. Give the canes a tiny trim just to wake her up and kick start the growing process. (I sometimes give the large roots a bit of a trim too.)
  4. Dig a hole deeper and wider that your roots.
  5. Amend the soil if needed.
  6. If she is a grafted rose (has that knobby bud union) I plant 2″ below soil surface.
  7. If it’s still cold outside, mulch high to give them a little protection from extreme weather. Remember to remove the extra mulch when temps rise!
  8. Water her in.
  9. Wait. She’ll wake up slowly along with her siblings in your garden.
  10. Be amazed at how much progress she makes this summer!

ROSE CHAT

ICYMI: Here are the recent guests I’ve been chatting with. To see the entire list go to RoseChatPodcast.com. What a joy to chat with each and every one of my guests and getting to hear their stories. Aren’t gardeners and gardening stories just the best!

GROWING ROSES IN OKLAHOMA
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Dee Nash, Gardener, Writer and Podcaster

LISTEN HERE  

Dee is from Oklahoma where gardening can have its challenges. With expertise and wit, Dee shared from her years of experience the good, the bad, and even the ugly of growing roses in Oklahoma. We chat about beautiful roses, RRD and something new in Dee’s world – Alpha Gal Syndrome! Regardless of where you live, you will greatly benefit from the information and encouragement shared by this natural-born garden coach.

ROOTED IN TIME: Saving Roses for Future Generations
John Bagnasco
Chairman of the Save the Roses! Foundation, Writer, Garden America Show Host

LISTEN HERE

NOTE: Save the Roses Auction coming April 13 – 14. Online bidding for the Silent and Live Auctions opens Saturday, March 1 and closes Friday, April 12 at noon. LINK https://www.ccrsauction.com

Guest John Bagnasco highlights the critical efforts underway to preserve the diversity and heritage of rose varieties. John takes us on a journey through the history, challenges, and triumphs of rose preservation, emphasizing why these flowers are more than just a symbol of beauty—they’re a testament to botanical history and diversity.

John shares about the much-anticipated annual event that has become a cornerstone of the rose conservation effort in the US: the California Coastal Rose Society’s Save the Roses auction.

ROSE CHAT COMING APRIL 14

WHAT’S NEW AT DAVID AUSTIN with Rebecca Koraytem

🎉🌹🎉During this chat Rebecca will announce a major promo for the Rose Chat community and a blanket discount we all can use!

🎉🌹🎉MAJOR GIVEAWAY: One lucky member of the Rose Chat Community will win $100 Voucher for David Austin Roses! So tune in Sunday April 14 to hear how to sign up to win! GOOD LUCK 🍀🎉

WEATHER

Spring weather is always tricky around here and keeps us on our toes. We are definitely about 3 weeks early even though the temps are still going up and down like a yoyo! The big news this week has been storms, wind, rain and snow. My word! One day we had 3″ of rain. Snow/sleet never accumulated but was cold and dreadful none the less. The weather app knows the way to my hot buttons — “HAIL WARNINGS” have also been bantered about. 😱 And, tonight there is a FREEZE warning – 28!

BLOOM THYME

Regardless of the weather the garden is making great progress and I can’t wait to get up each morning to see what’s new.

Potting Shed Window Box
Thalia / Minnow
Belarina Pink Ice
Yes, we’ve had rain!
Spice Baby Virburnum
Minnow
Spring pruning!
Fav 2024 Pansy – Flirty Skirts

Friends, I hope things are coming right on time in your garden and that you are seeing more beauty every day. Isn’t spring just the best! 💐🌷🌸 The minnow daffodil is fast becoming my favorite little spring bloomer! (Wish I had gotten a better picture of her.) What’s your favorite spring flower?

Until next time, Happy Gardening!

bloom thyme friday: Yellow

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

There’s a lot to be said about yellow.

The color yellow is associated with the sun and life-giving warmth, while also being used as traffic warning signs.

Yellow represents happiness but before you say awwww… yellow is also associated with deciet and cowardice. But on a brighter note (no pun intended) it is also a symbol of hope.

In the language of flowers the Victorians used to convey words they would never say aloud, yellow roses most often meant jealousy. Today we think of them as the symbol of friendship and joy.

With all that said, if you had asked me a few years ago if I liked yellow in the garden, I’d say “no – well, maybe a little bit.” But today that is not the case – there is so much yellow in my garden … and I’m fast moving toward orange! 😳😱🍊 How about you?

Let the sun shine in!

Golden Fairy Tale
Bathsheba
Hyperion
Milena
Ghislaine de Feligonde
Imogen David Austin
Vanessa Bell David Austin

YELLOW MEANS GO!

Yes, around here, a blooming Forsythia seems to shout “gardeners, start your engines!”  (I do live in the sphere of the Indy 500!)

Yes, she says, the ground has warmed to at least 50 and spring work can begin. No doubt Mother Nature will have a good laugh and share some sneaky moves as we maneuver the next few weeks. I certainly remember last April 17 looking out on a garden draped in sheets and covered in buckets as the temps plunged in to the low 20s. I have the sheets and the buckets close at hand.

LATEST ROSE CHAT

SPRING IN MY ROSE GARDEN
Cindy Dale, ARS District Director / Deep South District

Award-winning gardener Cindy Dale joined me to walk us through the steps she takes to open her rose garden in the spring! Cindy grows in the deep south but all of us have much to learn from her experiences in the rose garden!

LISTEN HERE

NEW BOOK!

While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. Genesis 8:22

Christie Purifoy has done it again. If you are like me and are a big fan of her books Garden Maker and A Home in Bloom, you will love the newly released Seedtime and Harvest. Few garden writers go to the very heart of gardening as Christie does. Yes, she supplies tips and tricks for gardeners but what I get from Christie’s writing is so much more. I am reminded of why I garden and the deeper connection it brings to everything around me.

From Seedtime and Harvest…

It isn’t certainty or guarantees that make the ground beneath our feet firm, it is love.

Find books and so much more from Christie here

GO TIME!

Yes, it’s go time in the garden and the color yellow leads the way. 💛 💛 💛

Until next time friends, happy gardening.
Don’t overdo!
💛🌱💛