RoseChat

BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: The winter must have been longer than I thought…

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Seems that often a long winter is paired with a long list of rose orders. I didn’t think I had many on order. Last week when Mr. G asked how many roses were coming this spring, I said oh not too many but then I started to list them – out loud. His response, “ooooo, that sounds like quite a few.” Gotta love him!! I doubt much I would say about the garden would surprise him at this point. 

NOTE: Many of these choices were made based on fragrance and rose health! And, of course their beauty!

HIGH COUNTRY ROSES

Summer Romance (Link)
Loves Me, Loves Me Not (Link)
Reine des Violette (Link)

HEIRLOOM ROSES

Amazing Grace (Link)

INDIANAPOLIS ROSE SOCIETY SALE

Sitting Pretty (Link)
Bright & Shiny (Link)
Honeymoon Arborose (Link)

JACKSON & PERKINS

Oxford Girl (Link)

MENAGERIE

Summer Romance (Link)

PROVEN WINNERS

Reminiscent Coral (Link)

DAVID AUSTIN

The Generous Gardener (Link)

Amazing Grace
Bright & Shiny
Honeymoon
Koko Loco
Love Me Loves Me Not
Oxford Girl
Reine des Violette
Reminiscent Coral
Sitting Pretty
Summer Romance
The Generous Gardener

What rose(s) are you adding to your garden?

Now I need to look at my dahlia list. I think it has grown a bit too. 

RECENT ROSE CHATS

WHY SPRAY WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE TO?|
Paul Zimmerman and Michael Marriott

LISTEN HERE

On this episode of Rose Chat, host Teresa Byington is joined by the dynamic duo of roses, Paul Zimmerman and Michael Marriott. Paul and Michael will tackle the very important subject of growing roses sustainably. They will walk us through steps to take to have beautiful roses without adding chemicals to your garden.

STRAIGHT FROM THE FARM TO YOU
Tyler Francis & Brian Rhodes / Co-CEO’s of April & Ashley

On this episode, I chat with Tyler Francis and Brian Rhodes of Francis Roses about their new venture as Co-CEO’s of April & Ashley – a new source bringing farm fresh roses straight to your door. Tyler and Brain will take us on the inside track to share about their partnerships, techniques and unique processes to bring the very best.

LISTEN HERE

COMING IN APRIL

BECOMING A BACKYARD ROSE HYBRIDIZER
… Growing Roses from Seed
Jeff Droullard, The Rose Dude

RELEASE DATE: Sun, April 13

On this episode, I’ll chat with Jeff Droullard, known on social media as The Rose Dude who has become a backyard rose hybridizer by growing roses from seed. Jeff is so enthusiastic about his hobby and is eager to inspire others! Growing roses from seeds is extremely popular today and Jeff will take us step by step on how to be successful.

A ROSEY APPROACH TO TRENDS
Rebecca Koraytem, David Austin U. S. Sales Executive

RELEASE DATE: Sun, April 27

On this episode, I’m joined by Rebecca Koraytem of David Austin Roses. Rebecca will share with us how roses fit perfectly into the current home and garden trends. Trends are always a fun and fascinating subject especially anything rosy!

NEW FROM THE AMERICAN ROSE SOCIETY

The Fragrant Rose is an e-newsletter for folks interested in gardening and is chock-full of growing tips and information. Delivered FREE to your inbox!

Get a glimpse of some of the great information from the American Rose Society 🌹🌹
👉 Sign up here: https://rose.org/join-renew/#fragrant-rose

I can tell you that as with all things “American Rose Society,” it is a beautiful and informative publication.

POTTING SHED PUTTERINGS

HEAD START ON DAHLIAS

Since our growing season is a bit short and I want dahlias as soon as possible, I start them EARLY! Some are already showing just the tiniest bit of green! 🌱 💚 🌱 💚 🌱

COSMOS

Same as with dahlias. If I don’t start early, we don’t get to enjoy Cosmos for very long and they are Mr. G’s favorites! 🌸 🌸 🌸

Baby Cosmos
Baby Dahlia
Purple Hyacinth Bean
Late Bloomer in the Potting Shed

BIG PROJECT OF 2025: Front yard…

Removed 10 boxwoods (several had blight) and various others shrubs that were past their prime!
The ugly, hard work is done and now the fun work begins.

SPRING THYME IS JUST THE BEST

A phrase that is heard often in our garden this time of year… “Oh come look at this!”

Every day in the garden I see something new. Sometimes it is something I “need” to do and sometimes it’s something just for my enjoyment! Like the Hellebores or Lenten Roses … Their name reminding us of the miraculous season ahead. A time to focus on the horror of the crucifixion, Christ’s love for us and the glorious joy and hope the resurrection brings. From Good Friday to Easter Sunday, we know a lot can happen in 3 days!

Friends, I hope this season is filled with moments of pure joy for you as we continue to have a front row seat to the many miracles of spring.

Bleeding heart begins
Minnow
Grape Hyacinth
Pansies
Artemisia 
Forsythia, Rhodo

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!
💛🌱💛

BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: The Scented Room

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

In 1988 I was in infancy stage of designing the garden of my dreams. It started with an herb garden (15 X 16′) inside a picket fence and surrounded by roses. The same fence is there today … of course built by the mega talented Mr. G. 

How it looked last summer!

During that time I was reading anything I could get my hands on regarding historical roses, fragrant roses, rose crafts and  gardening.  I found several stories of pioneer women who left the east to travel the Oregon Trail in search of adventure and a new life. As I read their stories, I found myself feeling akin to these women in so many ways, especially when their stories turned to the plants they grew and the way they used them. 

It was also during that time that I found a book that is a game changer book – I love it to this day.  A book that brings beauty from the garden on every page.

THE SCENTED ROOM by Barbara Milo Ohrbach

A beautiful and practical book filled with  potpourri recipes, wreath making designs, floral arranging tips, growing and preserving flowers. 

Mr G Made me 2 large racks and I filled them!

RESOURCES!

In the back of THE SCENTED ROOM was an extremely valuable RESOURCE GUIDE (no internet) for both US and England! Where to find essential oils, florist supplies, dried flowers and roses!  Under the heading RARE & UNUSUAL ROSE BUSHES  is …  High Country Rosarium (today High Country Roses) and Roses of Yesterday and Today  along with others. Fun!

If you were gardening during that era you may have this book too. If not, it is still for sale on Amazon (link) for a fairly good price! I would highly recommend it! Every time I pick it up I am transformed to beautiful, fragrant places and inspired to create more and more beauty from the garden. 

I’m curious, what is one of the books that continues to inspire your garden adventrues through the years.

POTTING SHED PUTTERINGS

A few weeks ago I set out to make a fresh batch of potpourri. Once I gathered up a glass bowl, wooden spoon and flowers I dried last year. It was time to open the storage box for oils, fixatives and dried flowers from the garden.

Every time I open the little boxes the smells transfer me back through all the years of gardening in this space. Some of the oils date back to the beginning. And it all smells earthy and floral!

It is now in a glass jar being turned regularly to cure. It will be ready in a few weeks.

Note: I didn’t use an actual recipe — just made the most of the supplies I had on hand. I used lavender, roses, cinnamon sticks, various flowers from the garden, and lemon verbena. Oils were rose, victorian rose, and lavender. Fixative was orris root.

MEMORY LANE

Warning: Rabbit Hole…

Along with Barbara’s book, other places I found resources were magazines like The Herb Quarterly and Victoria.  I subscribed to several rose newsletters like Bev Dobson’s Rose Letter and Heritage Roses by Jan Wilson. Do any of you remember those? We also attended herb festivals, which was fairly common during that time. Actually some of my first Old Garden Roses were bought at Herb Festivals. My favorite was the festival at the Newburgh Country Stone in Newburgh, Indiana. If I remember correctly they had old garden roses from Pickering in Canada. Two of my first Old Garden Roses were Madam Hardy and Bourbon Queen. I still have them. 

Aren’t garden memories so special? I’d love to hear some of your earliest memories in your garden? Share below!

I still order organic lavender and organic rose petals for my potpourri to have enough but supplement with the flowers I dry from the garden.

Whether I officially make potpourri or not, I always clip enough roses during the season to fill a bowl or two of timeless beauty. 

ROSE CHAT

So many of you have told me how much you enjoyed my chat with Gaye Hammond on The History of Roses. Huge thanks to Gaye for her research and her love of all things ROSE! She is a treasure!

You can listen anytime… HERE

🌹NEW ROSES

I am making some tweaks to the garden (raise your hand if you are shocked) and wanted to try some new roses and “new to me” roses so I have several on order. 🎉🎉 There are soooo many beauties out there!!! We’ll talk about those next time…

BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: Trees and Books

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

We are back from our latest trip across the pond and are loaded down with love, hugs, wonderful memories, books and darling little ornaments just perfect for the annual Boxwood tree. Since my days as a florist I have loved making boxwood trees – though they have evolved to include many more greens than just boxwood. Many of the greens were gathered from the garden and the flowers were ones I dried this summer. I did find some fresh things to add too from Trader Joes.

(Click on an image to activate the gallery feature.)

Video showing some of the mechanics… I got so “into” the project, I forgot to photograph the beginning! 🙄

Final product…

PAST TREES…

Each year the tree is different and this year I went much larger to accommodate the ornaments. It is truly one of my favorite holiday projects and I think a great way to extend the “garden” season! Keep watered and they will last several weeks.

BOOK CORNER…

While in England I have the pleasure of being very close to the Oxfam Second Hand Book Shop. It calls to me. I try not to go everyday. It is not easy.

Here are the treasures I brought home this time:

The Companion Garden by Bob Flowerdew

A book on how nature can help your plants — by companion planting. Can you believe his last name??

” THE ROSE: Roses are grown everywhere, so they are very prone to pests and diseases. Underplant them with alliums, especially chives and garlic which prevent bad attacks of black spot and increase their perfume. Parsley, thyme, catnip, mignonette, lupins and Limnathes douglassi are also beneficial.”

🌹 NOTE: Limnathes douglassi = Poached Egg Plant (LINK) Buyer beware, it is said to spread easily!!

The Quotable Gardener by Charles Elliott

A collection of wisdom from Jane Austen to P.G. Wodehouse, captures the essence of this country’s favorite hobby. For anyone who counts their hours in the garden as the most enjoyable and satisfying. 

“As for the roses, you could not help feeling that roses are the only flowers that impress people at garden parties; the only flowers that everybody is certain of knowing.” -Katharine Mansfield (The Garden Party) 1922

The English Garden by Edward Hyams

“Man has long dreamt of creating an ideal paradise – a Garden of Eden … But Edward Hyams maintains that it is not until the twentieth century that this dream is fully realized and the concept of the true English Garden emerges.”

Great Dixter: Then and Now by Fergus Garrett

This book goes back to the beginning to tell the story of Great Dixter.

– Great Dixter was the family home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd – it was the focus of his energy and enthusiasm and fueled over 40 years of books and articles. Now under the stewardship of Fergus Garrett and the Great Dixter Charitable Trust.

“If Dixter remains loved and retains its own identity, everything else will fall into place.” Christopher Lloyd

V. Sackville West’s Garden Book 

A collection taken from the “IN YOUR GARDEN” column she wrote for the Observer from 1947 to 1961. It is said that she established a “gentle, bantering relationship” with her readers. This book is a month by month account of what she was doing in the garden. On page 16 the reader learns how she first conceived the idea of a white garden at Sissinghurst and then on page 119 how it turned out! (Be still my heart.) The pages are delicate but very readable and with some pictures – all taken at Sissinghurst.

“Someone ought to write the biographies of persons who had had roses named in their honour. Who was Mme Hardy? Who was Charles de Mills? I don’t know and I long for a Who’s Who to correct my ignorance.” -Vita Sackville West

🌹 NOTE: Several such books exist today that have backgrounds on roses. Here are a couple I enjoy:

  • A Rose by Any Name, Douglas Brenner & Stephen Scanneillo (LINK)
  • The Women in My Rose Garden, Ann Chapman (LINK)

Wayside and Woodland Blossoms by Edward Step

This one is the “sweetest treasures” I found at the book shop –because of what’s on the inside flap…

Wayside & Woodland Blossoms make as great an appeal to the unskilled lover of flowers as to those deeply versed in botany, for technical terms are used on sparingly and the descriptions are given in language easily understood by the layman.

The work is a classic and undoubtedly supersedes all former books of the same kind. Signed… The Queen

The first printing of Wayside and Woodland Blossoms was 1941.

🌹NOTE: There was one more book that I bought for a friend as the book literally screamed her name at me! 💜

The illustrations in Wayside and Woodland Blossoms are so sweet…

ROSE CHAT…

🌹The final Rose Chat of 2023 has been released and it was so great to end our year with the amazing  Dr. David Zlesak. We chatted about one of his areas of expertise… Plant Breeding and Plant Patents. 

LISTEN HERE

🌹What a wonderfully rosy year it has been on Rose Chat! Aren’t we fortunate there are so many wonderful people in our rose world! If you missed any of these chats or want to listen again, they are are available at RoseChatPodcast. com.

Here is a video of the lineup from last year that I posted on social media…

🌹I am working on next year’s line up and have some fabulous guests coming to chat about roses. Stay tuned!

Until next time…

I’ll be focusing on Family, Friends, Food and the birth of a King…

BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: The Dog Days of Summer

Link | | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

These are certainly the Dog Days of Summer … hot! hot! hot! 🥵 But, there’s more than just heat going on in August.

August is universally the time for vacations and holidays especially in Europe. We joined that group this year and have just returned from a lovely vacation in New England. There is nothing quite like the north eastern seacoast. We were with beautiful people and went to so many beautiful places! Oh and the food! I love seafood and it was out of this world. 🦀🦞🦐

One of the places we visited was the Elizabeth Park/ Helen S Kaman Rose Garden. It was amazing. I thought I knew what it would be like from pictures I’ve seen through the years, but, oh no – it so exceeded my expectations. I’ll tell you more about my time there soon.

We came home relaxed, refreshed and recharged. We can’t wait to go back!

August celebrates sandwiches. in August of 1762 the Earl of Sandwich requested two pieces of bread with meat inside. We’re all about celebrating sandwiches in August too — we had the first BLT with a homegrown tomato. Nothing like it! 🎉🍅

August… the gateway to all things Autumn. I’m sure enjoying autumn more than I used to, partly because I became more focused on plants that have their heyday this time of year … Dahlias, Zinnias, alliums and power blooming roses that can take the heat!

SOME LIKE IT HOT

Well, I don’t know that they truly LIKE IT but many roses in my garden are acting like it is a normal summer day… not a day when the heat index is 105 and has been in the 90s for way too long.

Are there roses in your garden that do better in the heat than others?

My “some like it hot” observations…

  • Mother of Pearl isn’t phased – keeps going strong.
  • For Petite Pink and Petite Peach the heat is no big deal.
  • Sweet Drift says “bring it.”
  • Music Box isn’t phased much. 
  • Flamenco Rosita has so many blooms even if they are a bit smaller.
  • Reminiscent Pink is doing very well.

Others are blooming but sparingly and many of the blooms melt so quickly. The roses are pretty much on their own during these extremes. Minimal watering, no fertilizing and no big expectations. I do think we are going to start cooling down next week and more of the roses will have a chance to shine!

Unlike many of you we have had some rain. Not tons but enough to keep things going without too much supplemental watering. We don’t have irrigation so we are extremely grateful for the rain. I am praying that those of you dealing with drought will have rain very soon. Drought is so cruel.

August is also a time when many schools start. Maybe it’s seeing all the back to school items but August has me itching to get new pens and paper and make lists. Mr. G would tell you that every season is a season of lists for me.  The garden lists I am currently working on:

  • What did well…
  • What needs to go…
  • What I need more of / less of…
  • What was outstanding…
  • Seeds to buy…
  • Dahlias…
  • Bulbs…

Roses:

  • Who was outstanding…
  • Who struggled…
  • Where will I put more roses.. (I’ve found a few spots!)
  • What roses do I “need”… (That list is always in place.)

INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT I’M LOVING:

If you are like me and love dried flowers, I have an Instagram account recommendation for you.
LAYLA ROBINSON DESIGN / Creating happiness with everlasting flowers.
She does such beautiful arrangements and crafts with dried flowers! LINK HERE.

ROSE CHAT PODCAST

Coming this Sunday (August 27) is a new podcast… don’t miss this one. You’re gonna love Rachel.

ROSE CHAT NOTE:

I am beginning to work on the 2024 line up for Rose Chat. If you have suggestions of who you’d suggest I have on the podcast or topics you would find interesting, let me know. Email your ideas to me HERE.

BLOOM THYME IN AUGUST

The day we returned from vacation the garden greeted us with a light rain falling. It was such a welcome site, I immediately got out my phone and took videos. I posted a video on YouTube for easy access if you would like to see it.

The misty rain was such a blessing!
Earth Angel
Cut Dahlias
Cafe au Lait
Mr. G’s tomatoes!
Ghislaine de Feligonde
Reminiscent Pink
Flamenco Rosita
Petite Peach
Dahlia bokay
Honeymoon
Music Box
Milena Fleur
Zinnia Love

Yes, August is here and so is Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Did you know PSLs have been around for  20 years! That’s a lot of spice! Mr. G and I enjoy having one to celebrate the season. But we may wait until the temps drop to at least the 80s! 😳🥵😉

There’s no going back on the seasons so let’s hit this season head on and enjoy every minute. Until next time …

Stay cool, stay safe and have fun in your garden … 💐🌸🌱🌼🌹🌺🪷🌻😘☕️