@Omori ...I'm always rose wanty, that's the problem... As for the earlier flowering dates, well last year if we recall, was the total opposite as everything was a month late, due to the cold and long Spring.. some roses I had didn't really start until end of June.. but of course I accept the overall conclusions.. this winter we seem to be in unknown territory, I don't recall one like this so far..
Here's a revisit to 'Vanessa Bell'.. I continually sing the praises of this rose..
..[with 'Bathsheba' and Geranium pratense]..
I played with the filters trying to do something 'Impressionist'.. well, I liked it actually..
...I pulled out all the stops Omori... decent soil too.. but I also have my eye on a shrub called Cistus x heterocalyx 'Chelsea Bonnet', so we shall see who wins..
It is lovelt to be reminded of summer beds, that driveway one developed beautifully @edhelka, lovely to see it mature.
I have pruned and defoliated everything bar ramblers and noisettes. I tried but the leaves are coming off with a strip of cane, do those of you that defoliate cut them off?
GdeF with a long cane from WollertonOH through itJust getting dusky and my exciting delivery from Rumwoods arrived, well packed with minimal plastic and only ordered on 1st. Good roots
Canary Bird and Pink Martini. Got them planted before it got dark (camera lies)Very beautiful red stems and thorns I think
..impressive armature there @tack .. quite something.. I've not ordered from Rumwood's before so this is good information.. ...as for defoliating, I only do what I can easily reach without ladders or anything... I've never bothered with ramblers even when I lived in Cornwall..
When I defoliate - I hold the cane with one hand at the top, or wherever I can reach that’s furthest from the direction of pull, to keep it still and under tension. Then with the other hand pull each leaf back on itself in the opposite direction and they just snap off really easily.
I only snip if I’ve got to a very thin section, probably at the very tip of a cane where it would just snap if I tried to pull the leaves off.
I'll not bother I think, doing exactly that is damaging some canes, particularly bad with Malvern Hills @Mr. Vine Eye , good to know not entirely necessary @Marlorena, thank you.
..I just use scissors by snipping off the leaf stalk at the axil, where it joins the main stem... it does leave a small stub of stipule behind but I don't mind that, it saves injuring the cane..
I saw my first slug today munching on a clematis shoot.. they're all coming out early..
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.. @Allyblueeyes
..thank you, glad you liked it..
...as for defoliating, I only do what I can easily reach without ladders or anything... I've never bothered with ramblers even when I lived in Cornwall..
I only snip if I’ve got to a very thin section, probably at the very tip of a cane where it would just snap if I tried to pull the leaves off.
I saw my first slug today munching on a clematis shoot.. they're all coming out early..