Bloom Thyme Friday: Rugged Roses and Rain

Link | May 12, 2017May 12, 2017 | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

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

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

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

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

The largest one you see here is Roseraie de la Hay.

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

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

Early or late, these beauties are always welcome.

COMING ATTRACTIONS…

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

Rain or shine, I hope you are having a wonderful

BLOOM THYME FRIDAY!

Bloom Thyme Friday: Sunshine Daydream

Link | April 14, 2017April 14, 2017 | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Look who’s coming to join my rose family, Sunshine Daydream!

Star Roses and Plants introduced this grandiflora beauty a couple years back and I am excited to introduce five of them to my garden this year. I think they’re going to look just perfect next to some lovely bell flowers I have!

Note: Just heard from Matthias Meilland on Facebook who told me that this rose has won 13 Awards, including an AARS. 💛🌟💛

Star is very serious about regional testing and this rose has been scoring high points for excellent disease resistance all over the country! For more details… read on.

While my favorite color of rose is pink (I know you are shocked.), yellow comes in second!

Look at the dreamy picture below. Yes, this rose looks to be one that dreams are made of and won’t it look so pretty in bokays this summer.

There are several more new ones joining my rose family … so stay tuned.

What new plants are you introducing?

American Rose Magazine: I’m in there!

Link | April 12, 2017 | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

I am honored to have my garden featured in the March /April edition of the American Rose Magazine. Seriously, this is an absolutely gorgeous magazine filled to the brim with beautiful roses, rose stories and rose information! American Rose is a benefit of membership (trial memberships are only $10) to the American Rose Society.

If you are not a member, you didn’t get to see the article so here it is. BUT, before you look, know 2 things … all the pictures were taken by me with my iPhone and the garden doesn’t look like this everyday. LOL I was just walking around in the garden a few minutes ago and I can tell you for certain … she is ready to get going again! Bring it on!

So, here you go… A Gardener and Her Tidy Mess (that’s me!)

End of An Era

Link | April 2, 2017January 20, 2018 | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Well, I have come to the end of a 20-year-long era–my Smith and Hawkins boots. Remember Smith and Hawkins? Hope you were able to visit one. We had a beautiful Smith and Hawkins store in Indianapolis. I can’t tell you how many dates Mr. G and I had there. He always knows the way to my heart. Even in the dead of a dark, cold Indiana winter, it was spring at Smith and Hawkins. I bought my first REAL garden boots there, actually Mr. G bought them for me. (TRUE LOVE!)

The first pair lasted 10 years and the 2nd pair is coming up on 10 years. The second pair was bought at Target who carried a few things from the Smith and Hawkins line for a while. Seriously, these boots really should have been replaced last year, but I held on hoping that whoever decided to close all the Smith and Hawkins stores, would come to their senses and open again!

Here are my beloved boots in better days. Standing by the door ready to go at a moments notice.

The first issue in the replacement process is giving them up.

The second issue is their replacement. So many options.

I have made a decision to buy these beauties. Are they over the top ???

Time will tell if I have made the right decision—I ordered online. But, I do like the look of them. What do you think? I probably should have sent out an APB to all of you to ask for recommendations, but I am hopeful. Just in case, if you have a suggestion please leave a comment!

Today was the last day for the boots and we made it a doozy!

My plan was a bit “ambitious” for a day with time constraints and “old” boots. But we did it … all I had planned and more!

3A458CBC-786A-448E-82AA-4113779C9172 I guess you could say that these boots (and I quote my good friend and Rose Chat partner in crime, the Redneck Rosarian) are “worn slap out”!

Here’s picture of me and my boots a few years ago… TIRED. DIRTY. HAPPY.

Do you get attached to things?

Growing Roses. Growing Friends.

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

It is no surprise to you that gardening is one of my passions. Digging in the dirt is practically a magical experience for me. And, watching my garden spring back to life is almost cause for dancing in the streets. 💃

This week it has officially started for me and I don’t even want to sleep. Now if the weatherman would just get the memo and bring us more sun! Don’t you agree weekends should always be sunny!

While I love most plants and shrubs, roses are at the top of the list. History teaches us I am not lone. Roses have been at the top of many plant list and have become the world’s most beloved flower. The rose is steeped in history (I have roses that date back to the 1500s in my garden and they have some stories to tell!) and the rose is our National Floral Emblem. Personally, I think everyone would be happier to have roses to pick from their own gardens or patio containers! We are always encouraged to “stop and smell the roses.”

Today I want to tell you about two organizations that have contributed to my joy of growing roses and most definitely to my knowledge!

THE AMERICAN ROSE SOCIETY

Through the American Rose Society (ARS), I have rose friends from all over the country that enrich my rose hobby. This society exists to promote the culture and appreciation of the rose, through education and research to members, to local rose societies and their members and to the public.

MEMBERSHIP…

Most ARS members are home gardeners who enjoy growing roses and want to expand their knowledge of rose culture. Starting now gives you all winter for learning and getting ready for spring! If you are not ready to take on a full membership, give it a try with the cost effective TRIAL MEMBERSHIP and see what you think.

FOUR-MONTH TRIAL MEMBERS RECEIVE:

Free advice from Consulting Rosarians.

Free or reduced garden admissions, a $25 value after just 3 uses.

Free online access to five quarterly bulletins, a $45 value.

2 issues of American Rose magazine, $16 value.

Discounts of up to 30% at merchant partners.

A four-month trial membership is valued at $86 for only $10!

For FULL MEMBERS, one of my fav ARS member benefits currently is the monthly newsletter. I am the editor! To see a sample of the newsletter, read on here.

OUR LOCAL SOCIETY … INDIANAPOLIS ROSE SOCIETY

I serve as 1st Vice President and Chairman for website and social media. Check out our website at IndianapolisRoseSociety.com and join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

In this organization I have met wonderful people of all ages. We are all at different stages of the gardening experience and have different passions. Some are into just growing while others with the competitive spirit, enter the most amazing blooms and arrangements in competitions! Some members have 1 rose and some have 500 roses. One of the greatest perks is getting to visit member’s gardens. This group has some amazing gardens!

But it is so much more…

We spend time enjoying all things “rose” together. We learn, we laugh, we celebrate successes and we deal with failures & issues together. It’s not just roses that keep us together, over the years–we have become family and you are welcome anytime!

This year we have members coming from Marion, Kokomo, Bloomington and most of the surrounding burgs!

Our 2017 year started off with a bang in March, as Dr. Mark Windham gave a program on getting our gardens off to a good start and gave us the latest on his research with Rose Rosette.

You can keep up with what’s going on by subscribing to our blog at INDIANAPOLISROSESOCIETY.COM. Most of our meetings are the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm at the Sullivan Munce Center in charming Zionsville. HERE’S WHAT’S COMING UP FOR 2017.

NEXT MEETING:

TIME / PLACE:
Tuesday, April 11, 6:30 pm
Sullivan Munce Center / 225 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville

The program will be on Fertilizers and Soil Amendments, presented by our panel of experts, John Hefner, Mark Nolen and Humberto DeLuca.

What kind? How often? Organic? Inorganic? Too much? Too Little?
Bring all your questions! This panel will have the answers!

NOTE: The rose in the graphic above is the award winning Easy Does It.

This is a picture my daughter took from her garden! I don’t know if this rose will be available locally, but it is available online from Edmunds Roses here.

EASY DOES IT…

Recommended Growing Zones: 5 – 10
3-4″ Height
Bushy Growth Habit
Fruity Fragrance
Disease Resistant

Wishing you a wonderful spring!

What Roses Should I Add?

Link | February 6, 2017February 7, 2017 | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Since Christmas has come and gone, I have been working on my garden lists…

Seeds to buy. (So far I’ve ordered several packs of Sonata Mix Cosmos and Cannes Mix Larkspur-great rose companions!)
Perennials to add. (I totally want more peonies!)
Annuals to add. (I’m looking at the new ones out!)

And, TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT ROSES TO ADD!

With a moved tree I found a bit more sun and am happily finding roses and companions to fill that sunny spot!

On order so far are 3 Mother of Pearl roses from Roses Unlimited. Look at these blooms!

mother-of-pearl-a-bouquet-on-a-stem

Photo courtesy of Marci Martin.

Pat Henry of Roses Unlimited is lovingly caring for them until ship date in late April! I fell in love with this rose at the Biltmore in September. The experience of seeing an entire section filled with this beauty was enhanced by my friend Marci Martin standing beside me regaling with stories of how beautiful and healthy this rose was in her Connecticut garden last year. I was sold! Marci could sell me most anything! 😃

Listen to Marci tell her story …

David Austins coming to my garden…

desdemona_3_4

Desdemona

A medium size, fragrant shrub. These peach pink buds get to me! In an interview with Michael Marriott a few weeks ago, I found myself falling deeper and deeper in love with this one!

More details here.

the_ancient_mariner_1_1

Ancient Mariner

Medium size shrub, disease resistant shrub with strong fragrance. Because you can NEVER and I mean never have too many pink roses. Ad says “masses of blooms” on this one. A pink, blooming machine … SOLD!

More info here.

maid_marion_1

Maid Marion

Small, disease resistant shrub with light fragrance. More info about the rose here.

ROSES BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER…

As you know I love the stories behind rose names, so I wanted Maid Marion in my garden. At the helm of this story behind the story of the rose name is none other than my friend, Marci Martin. Marci had this rose named for someone very special. It’s a rose story you don’t want to miss! Read about Marion here.

Thank you Marci for all you did to make Gayle’s dream a reality.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

So, you’ve seen the roses I am adding so far this year. Is there one that you think I need on my list? Please leave me a comment and tell me about it!

In the meantime, HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY. Wishing you love, flowers and perhaps some chocolate!

Fresh Start

Link | December 31, 2016 | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Out with the old — in with new!

I just love flipping the calendar to a new year! A clean slate with endless possibilities! I am an optimist and always look forward to what’s around the corner … new plants to grow, new things to learn, new people to meet, more time and experiences with my family and friends and–the big one–watching my grand boys grow!!

So many blessings!

This weekend I’m working on my “add to the garden” list–serious fun! 😍 My work table is overflowing with ideas and inspiration!

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Wishing you a wonderful 2017!

From Instagram to Indiana … Roses are for Sharing

Link | November 27, 2016November 26, 2016 | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

This summer I received a huge gift from my Instagram friend, Holly Hagy. I “mentioned” that I would love to have a start of a found rose–Barbara’s Pasture Rose–that I had heard about several times.

I’ll let Holly tell you her side of the story…

I got started on Instagram in December of 2014. I had been thinking of doing a blog, to find a way to connect with more folks, to talk roses, gardening, cooking decorating and just plain life! I found Instagram and boom, the blog became IG instead…which is still a blog, but in a snippet of a phrase and a photo.

It’s a great fun way to connect with people who have the same interests! I started following Teresa B. On IG and she started following me too…😀

One day, I posted a photo of an old, found rose I had bought at the SCC (Sacramento City Cemetery) sale, many years ago…Barbara’s Pasture Rose, this is a rose Barbara Oliva, one of the founding caretakers of the Sacramento Cemetery found. One day she and friends were driving in the country and there in the middle of a field in the middle of nowhere, no farmhouse anywhere around, was this big beautiful blooming pink rose. Barbara said “stop the car” and braved a barbed wire fence to take cuttings of that rose. And it’s a good thing she did because the rose is now long gone from that field!

Anyway, Teresa posted she wanted this rose. I knew she could not get it easily in Indiana, so I offered to root one for her! I was so nervous if my cuttings would even take, but a few did … and Teresa’s baby rose was sent to her.

It made me so happy to share a rose with her! To me, this is what gardening and roses are all about…making new friends and sharing roses! I try to offer cuttings at both the rose societies I belong to…and whenever anyone likes one of my roses that is a found rose or a hard to find rose.

Holly Hagy

THE ARRIVAL…

Well the California baby rose came to Indiana the first week of June and it was in perfect shape. If you ever wondered how to ship a rose, take a look at what Holly did.

She shipped Priority Mail and the baby rose arrived just like this…

Barbara this summer as she grew on my deck potting bench...

Barbara Today…

She is inside out of the cold and will be ready for a big pot next spring! Believe it or not this little rose bloomed this summer. One pretty pink bloom but it was during a rain storm and it was beat down before I took a picture. But, there will be more to come.

I cannot tell you what Holly’s gift means to me. Although we have never had the pleasure of meeting in person, I think of her every time I look of this rose. I am hoping to say “thank you” in person some day. I will never meet Barbara in person this side of heaven, but her legacy lives on and I will never forget her. To read more about Barbara and her legacy, read on here and here.

Yes, Holly said it best, “this is what gardening and roses are all about…making new friends and sharing roses!!”

To anyone who thinks that Instagram friends aren’t real friends, you should “meet” Holly. She’s real and she is special.

You can follow Holly’s gardening adventures on Instagram @eatgrowlivelove and I recommend you do!

The Long Goodbye

Link | November 13, 2016 | Teresa / TheGardenDiary.com

Today was that day. The day that the real frost arrived. I was out early to take some pictures. I never want to miss the garden with that first glisten.

Last week I was making bokays of roses — the latest I ever remember! I was thinking I was going to be like my Cali and southern garden freinds who always talk (brag) about having roses for their Thanksgiving table. I ALMOST MADE IT. One week out!

But, the roses are yawning and saying, “good night.” Time for a long winter’s nap. They were amazing this year, so I will “allow” them this time.