..remember, David Austin roses take at least 2 to 3 seasons to show their true worth.. at this stage you just want to let them get settled in and leave them alone..
I need a regular reminder of this. Most of mine are in year 2 and I was very close to giving up on Lady of Shallot at the end of year 1. It’s well cared for and in a great spot but it just didn’t do much. It should be my favourite (I adore the colour and fragrance) but it hasn’t taken off yet and the blooms couldn’t even hold themselves up.
Im persevering so I think I’ll get your words made into a plaque!!!
@jonathanmichell23 oh gosh, don't give up on that one.. a magnificent rose, especially in year 3... ...growing in poor, dryish conditions ..huge blooms too..
...that is a slope @edhelka .. I hadn't realised your front garden had that kind of gradient... Super Excelsa makes a great standard... needless to say I used to have it here as a rambler along a fence, but it was sent to me in error and not really what I wanted at the time... watch out for some black spot late on...
@jonathanmichell23 oh gosh, don't give up on that one.. a magnificent rose, especially in year 3...
Oh wow - if mine looks half that good I’ll be over the moon! I’ll keep on trucking with that one :-)
Where I’ve been working at home this week I’ve noticed a gap that needs filling in a shady spot. I was tempted to get another one and see how they compete 😂😂 only trouble is it can get quite wet and it’s on a lot of clay.
Rose collectors like me wouldn't worry about that sort of thing... if there's a gap.. wet or dry, sun or shade, my first thought is.. which rose? duh !..
..remember the saying.. sleep...creep...leap... that's DA roses first year sleep, 2nd year creep.. 3rd year they take off...
@Marlorena that is gold! I shan’t forget that now. And I’m already sat with my DA catalogue (AKA bible) deciding which rose I could sneak in once the garden centres open again 😂
..remember the saying.. sleep...creep...leap... that's DA roses first year sleep, 2nd year creep.. 3rd year they take off...
I was really surprised by how much the roses did in their first year. I wasn’t expecting flowers from what I’d read, but I got quite a lot! So I’m really excited to see what they do this year.
Now I’ve got first year and second year roses. Autumn planted and spring planted first year too. So lots of comparisons.
Ive seen growth starting from the canes on Lady Em and Ancient Mariner, not noticed any on Bathsheba yet. Those were the ones planted at the start of March.
Oh, as a side note, I’m really sad @Marlorena. I divided my Brunnera Jack Frost in autumn, only got a few successful pieces from it unfortunately most of it just fell apart! Potted them, ended up with 2. They were small but green and signs of lots to of new leaves forming. Then last week I noticed they were being eaten up by slugs! I brought them in temporarily to give them a chance to breathe and recover.
they started growing little new leaves. Starting to curl, they had lots of white fly and aphids on so I washed those off. But then, next day (yesterday) one of them, the largest one, has just suddenly flopped and the colour has drained out of it. 😞 Think I’m losing them!
What’s everyone doing about mulch? Have you got a preferred product for your roses?
I’ve got DA rose food, but read that I should mulch too. With everyone on lockdown options appear to be limited but I have found this at Dobies. Any thoughts?
What’s everyone doing about mulch? Have you got a preferred product for your roses?
I’ve got DA rose food, but read that I should mulch too. With everyone on lockdown options appear to be limited but I have found this at Dobies. Any thoughts?
Posts
...growing in poor, dryish conditions ..huge blooms too..
..remember the saying.. sleep...creep...leap... that's DA roses
first year sleep, 2nd year creep.. 3rd year they take off...
Now I’ve got first year and second year roses. Autumn planted and spring planted first year too. So lots of comparisons.
Ive seen growth starting from the canes on Lady Em and Ancient Mariner, not noticed any on Bathsheba yet. Those were the ones planted at the start of March.
Oh, as a side note, I’m really sad @Marlorena. I divided my Brunnera Jack Frost in autumn, only got a few successful pieces from it unfortunately most of it just fell apart! Potted them, ended up with 2. They were small but green and signs of lots to of new leaves forming. Then last week I noticed they were being eaten up by slugs! I brought them in temporarily to give them a chance to breathe and recover.
they started growing little new leaves. Starting to curl, they had lots of white fly and aphids on so I washed those off. But then, next day (yesterday) one of them, the largest one, has just suddenly flopped and the colour has drained out of it. 😞 Think I’m losing them!
After looking at the photos I’ve just had an email from Style Roses and they are replacing ASP, Valerie
https://www.dobies.co.uk/Garden/Garden-Equipment/Grow-Your-Own-Accessories/Plant-Feed/Strulch-Mineralised-Straw-Garden-Mulch_MH5979.htm#783030
I just mulched with what was left in my multipurpose compost bags from last year