@PeterAberdeen, I had asked how old because if they are so old it might be too much effort to relocate those and you could just get something new. Anyway ground would be wet and you have got good advice on how to move so it would be ok.
Thank you, I thought that maybe why you asked and it is a fair point. I will try with the relocation first as the roses are of sentimental value to mum.
Goodness I laughed at your "you did ask..." You are right up my street here and I love all your choices and the pics really help to envisage the look.
The white foxgloves are beautiful against the rose and I do have a surfeit of Albas waiting to be planted out (I may well need to plant them behind as they get to over 6'). But it was the picture of Geranium Patricia that has really caught my eye, as I divided one last year (1 plant divided into 12 medium plants - go figure!) and I have two still waiting their 'forever-home'.
I also love your idea of the Veronica 'Marietta' and the Phlox Paniculata 'Amethyst'. But I'll add them to my Wish List.
Excellent companion illustrations Marlorena. I should dig out some photos but other long-flowering stalwarts in my dark red, pink, purple and white rose borders @PeterAberdeen are..
Verbena Bonariensis, frothy white gaura, penstemon raven, nepeta and alliums atropurpureum and purple rain. I like a bit of moody burgundy and a splash of dark red (never orangey red) to lift the pastel shades.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Here’s a rose that doesn’t conform to type and gave me pause when I came to prune it.
Mrs. Oakely Fisher, a Hybrid Tea from 1921 with very large, single blooms. Nothing like the glamorous high-centred blooms on stiff, upright canes that we usually associate with HTs.
The habit is more tea than hybrid - twiggy and shrubby. So I’ve pruned it more or less like a pure tea rose or small shrub, removing about a third of the material by lightly trimming, shaping and thinning. This feels right but if anyone else grows it and thinks I should reduce it more, please let me know!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
@Nollie ..Very nicely done, I would do the same and grow it as a shrub, lightly pruned..
When I had it here in an exposed situation, summer gales blew the flowers off rather too quickly.. so I should have put it in a more sheltered spot. I loved the colourful Spring foliage, along with the Austin 'Silas Marner' 2 of the best shrubs roses for Spring foliage, and if I had the room, worth growing for that alone..
Thanks @Marlorena I’m glad I trusted my instincts and didn’t treat it like an average HT. It’s only completed it’s first year but has impressed so far, the blooms are lovely and your right the foliage is too. It’s serendipitously in a sheltered spot so bloom life, although not long, has been ok for me.
Actually for the obsessive (that’ll be me) or folks a bit nervous about pruning for the first time, aside from stepping back and assessing how it looks as you go, I’ve just discovered that taking a photo is a great way to check your handiwork!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
That's why I take regular photos of various plants, including the roses. You can then study the shape in detail to see if it needs correcting or not.
I got all togged up in gardening gear this morning, picked up my new pruning saw to tackle my WC again - and it rained. Dried up whilst having lunch then drizzled again. I'm not winning today.
Exactly! Lizzie, you are ahead of me there. I’ve subsequently snipped off another couple of inches of those canes top left of photo to round it off better.
We are entering a cold period just now, but looks as northerly parts of the UK are due more snow..
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Posts
Goodness I laughed at your "you did ask..." You are right up my street here and I love all your choices and the pics really help to envisage the look.
I also love your idea of the Veronica 'Marietta' and the Phlox Paniculata 'Amethyst'. But I'll add them to my Wish List.
I expect other members have their own combinations to show too..
Verbena Bonariensis, frothy white gaura, penstemon raven, nepeta and alliums atropurpureum and purple rain. I like a bit of moody burgundy and a splash of dark red (never orangey red) to lift the pastel shades.
Mrs. Oakely Fisher, a Hybrid Tea from 1921 with very large, single blooms. Nothing like the glamorous high-centred blooms on stiff, upright canes that we usually associate with HTs.
The habit is more tea than hybrid - twiggy and shrubby. So I’ve pruned it more or less like a pure tea rose or small shrub, removing about a third of the material by lightly trimming, shaping and thinning. This feels right but if anyone else grows it and thinks I should reduce it more, please let me know!
..Very nicely done, I would do the same and grow it as a shrub, lightly pruned..
When I had it here in an exposed situation, summer gales blew the flowers off rather too quickly.. so I should have put it in a more sheltered spot. I loved the colourful Spring foliage, along with the Austin 'Silas Marner' 2 of the best shrubs roses for Spring foliage, and if I had the room, worth growing for that alone..
Actually for the obsessive (that’ll be me) or folks a bit nervous about pruning for the first time, aside from stepping back and assessing how it looks as you go, I’ve just discovered that taking a photo is a great way to check your handiwork!
I got all togged up in gardening gear this morning, picked up my new pruning saw to
tackle my WC again - and it rained. Dried up whilst having lunch then drizzled again.
I'm not winning today.