My disappointments - although as Fire said itās a bit hard to judge this year with the weather. But ...
Bathsheba has been rubbish. A few blooms early on and then sheās just sat there doing absolutely nothing. Third year rose too.
Desdemona is usually one of my best but this year, after the first flush, sheās mostly sat there looking sad. No new growth to speak of.
actually now Iāve started itās probably easier to name the ones that havenāt been a disappointment. Most of my late summer plants havenāt performed as well due to the weather and second flushes have been lacklustre.
Also due to the hot and dry weather I held off and held off on feeding. So they never got a summer feed. That probably hasnāt helped.
The Generous Gardener, Lady of Shalott, Kew Gardens, Malvern Hills and Royal Jubilee have been the best overall performers through the year so far.
To be honest this year has been a big disappointment in terms of growing - especially at my allotment. Speaking to others though it seems many found the same. Seeds not growing, and then no rain for the few that did.
I only have a few roses, mostly David Austins, so no disappointments as such ā just that they havenāt flowered all at the same time. Low sawfly activity (I did keep on top of looking out for the caterpillars) and no mildew or blackspot.
Photo this morning shows Roald Dahl in the foreground, Flower Carpet Pink and a handful of blooms on Olivia Rose Austin. The rest (4 Vanessa Bell plants, and a very tiny Draga) are quiet. Earlier in summer, it was exactly the opposite with VB and ORA in bloom by themselves. It probably works out better that way though, in terms of colours not clashing. Nepeta āKit Katā is not growing too well and I will need to rethink my underplanting in front; happy to hear any ideas!
Olivia Rose Austin
Overview of the garden ā the star jasmine is still putting out some flowers. I did keep everything well watered every week with Envii Seafeed Extra, apart from a couple of times I was away. I never watered the lawn but itās bounced back from recent rains after a completely dry summer.
Weāve had the odd few days over 30c but itās mostly been cooler for the last few weeks with decent rain, so roses and perennials (especially the salvias) have really picked up,Ā the grass is lush and the garden is looking better than it has all summer. The blackthorn produced a good crop of sloes and is bizarrely flowering again, but all other fruit was a no-show and I didnāt even bother planting any veg this year.
Weāre off to Andalucia for a week so no more rose photos from me until the middle of next. We are combining the trip with picking up the Smudge (new puppy) in Valencia on the way home, but are dropping in on the drive down so will meet her for the first time tomorrow morning. Excited but slightly nervous too, our tranquil life is about to be turned upside down! Ā š¶ š¶ š¶Ā
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Cheers, and no worries, a Smudgerama will be coming soon š Ā Hereās a little something to keep her fans happy in the meantime - Smudge on the left:
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
@Mr. Vine Eye , oh I was thinking this year allotments and vegetables would have done great with all the sun and heat. Nevermind, there is always next year. I feel we (gardeners and plants) are not ready for the dry periods. I got exhausted with watering and I was only watering where it was needed for survival.Ā Ā
Lovely photos, I am enjoying looking at all your roses while mine are soaking and reviving.Ā
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Bathsheba has been rubbish. A few blooms early on and then sheās just sat there doing absolutely nothing. Third year rose too.
Desdemona is usually one of my best but this year, after the first flush, sheās mostly sat there looking sad. No new growth to speak of.
actually now Iāve started itās probably easier to name the ones that havenāt been a disappointment. Most of my late summer plants havenāt performed as well due to the weather and second flushes have been lacklustre.
Also due to the hot and dry weather I held off and held off on feeding. So they never got a summer feed. That probably hasnāt helped.
The Generous Gardener, Lady of Shalott, Kew Gardens, Malvern Hills and Royal Jubilee have been the best overall performers through the year so far.
Hopefully itāll be better next year.
Photo this morning shows Roald Dahl in the foreground, Flower Carpet Pink and a handful of blooms on Olivia Rose Austin. The rest (4 Vanessa Bell plants, and a very tiny Draga) are quiet. Earlier in summer, it was exactly the opposite with VB and ORA in bloom by themselves. It probably works out better that way though, in terms of colours not clashing. Nepeta āKit Katā is not growing too well and I will need to rethink my underplanting in front; happy to hear any ideas!
Weāre off to Andalucia for a week so no more rose photos from me until the middle of next. We are combining the trip with picking up the Smudge (new puppy) in Valencia on the way home, but are dropping in on the drive down so will meet her for the first time tomorrow morning. Excited but slightly nervous too, our tranquil life is about to be turned upside down! Ā š¶ š¶ š¶Ā
Your Roald Dahl is such a tender, beautiful colour, @Athelas. Astonishing how quickly the grass revives, isn't it?
PAoK finally shattered on Day 7 in the vase- not bad! Now trying Emily Bronte.. what a divine scent. Day 1...
What a wonderful garden@Athelas, I didnāt know grass could come back so soon and so well
https://harknessrosecompany.com/competition/
@Mr. Vine Eye , oh I was thinking this year allotments and vegetables would have done great with all the sun and heat. Nevermind, there is always next year. I feel we (gardeners and plants) are not ready for the dry periods. I got exhausted with watering and I was only watering where it was needed for survival.Ā Ā
Lovely photos, I am enjoying looking at all your roses while mine are soaking and reviving.Ā