@peteS I'm biased, but imo Desdemona is the best of DAs small-medium roses. It flowers from June-October, has a wonderful scent and its blooms are a sight to behold. Running it close is Olivia Rose, but she lacks the same scent
@Marlorena@Mr. Vine Eye I’m pleased to have done the right thing.. shows I’m learning lots from you guys. I still remember the horror when I realised I had removed two perfectly healthy basal cane from my lady of shallot last year thinking they were suckers.
@peteS I second everyone’s advocacy for Desdemona.. I have one and together with Roald Dhal they are my two best performers.. and I grow all my roses in pots. Both have vigorous growth and tons of blooms.. I did see Scarborough fair in a large pot at DA’s potted rose display last year.. it seemed to do well, but I didn’t like it’s scent.. it’s a very personal thing after all.
Desdemona is the one in the centre.. this is its second year. I have grown it in a 35x35cm pot as I couldn’t find a bigger one at the time.
Just caught up on last 44 posts - keep them going guys, some beautiful roses there and I'm deeply envious of Nollie's garden. Like your balcony too @celcius_kkw -except for the height!
@Lizzie27 it’s both a blessing and a curse.. at this height one can see a lot of things.. be it the ships and ferries coming into the river Mersey or even the fire that I spotted today in a distant site. The downside is it’s much colder than on ground level and can be very exposed and windy. That said I have noticed that both the two new DAs this year claim to be suitable for windy and exposed areas so I might just be able to find a spot for them next year.
@celcius_kkw You've clearly got your potting compost spot on. DA's website recommends a mixture of John Innes No3 and multi purpose. Is that the mixture you use, and if so what ratio?
@peteS my potting mix recipe has changed over time as I learn more from others. John Innes 3 in my opinion has rather poor drainage capacity so you really must add in at 30 even 50 % multi purpose compost to loosen it up.. I am a huge fan of perlite lately and would recommend adding that or some horticultural grit too. Perlite improves drainage and is incredibly light..which your back would thank you when you move you pots..
My dislike with John Innes 3 really stems from the fact that two of my roses were potted with it (I may have added just 20% multi purpose compost) and few months down to line when the wet winter came they became water logged.. I ended up having to repot one of them to save it from drowning (and it was a big job because it was a climbing rose in a huge pot).
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gosh my garden has really taken a beating from the wind today! Seems to have eased off now.
My dislike with John Innes 3 really stems from the fact that two of my roses were potted with it (I may have added just 20% multi purpose compost) and few months down to line when the wet winter came they became water logged.. I ended up having to repot one of them to save it from drowning (and it was a big job because it was a climbing rose in a huge pot).