OK - back from Berlin where I had a lovely time and was eager to see what had happened in the garden during my 7 day absence. I especially loved the front gardens (which are all shaded by the buildings) all Hydrangeas, Viburnum, lots of roses (but none yet in bloom), Ostrich Ferns and large hostas - strangely underplanted with ivy as ground cover. Has anyone tried this with ivy?
My new Gertrude Jekyll his now smothered in fat buds (I'll take pictures over the next few days) and is looking wonderful except for a few yellow spots on a few of the bottom leaves that I have no idea about.
The two new standard Princess Annes are showing buds now too. But nothing so far on the Poet's Wife or the lady of Shalott.
The new border's planting is coming along really well - the new plants have arrived and are in the ground: Viburnum Opulus, Camellia SomethingOrOther, ferns, etc.
I was so pleased with the border I ran in and ordered the Lark Ascending - as it was already considered and chosen, do I call this an impulse buy?
Lovely garden pictures and I really hope to be able to post some roses in bloom very shortly, but alas to say, from watching GW, we believe we are about 4 weeks behind you all down South.
I just wanted to stay that I love the pictures of Munster Wood, and the fragrance description of it being like wine - then came the kicker that it was discontinued. Can this really be true. I do so hate being late to a party and missing the excitement.
Just watched a presenter at the Chelsea Flower Show on this afternoon's TV pot up the new Dannahue rose, together with 2 salvias, 1 alchemilla mollis and an erigeron (I think). Looked good but mix not ideal for long term use?
Wouldn't you say it's better to have just one healthy rose on its own in a pot - isn't how most of us would go?
Smells like wine and is glorious in every way. It was a sin, a travesty, an outrage and a war crime to discontinue this rose!
Flowers are lovely, but mine - now that Gabriel Oak has perked up - is my worst performing rose. It’s tiny and weak stemmed, It looks like a recently planted bareroot despite being in its fifth year. It’s not in a tricky spot, not compared to some of my other more advanced (and younger) roses and it gets the same care and feeding as all the others.
So I completely understand why it would be discontinued. Although it might have been nice for them to have replaced it with something similar but better performing.
I suppose its closest rival that they sell is Darcey Bussell.
Well they don’t really have an alternative then. Which is a shame as if they’d released a similar colour, deep red/purple rose I could have gone for that.
Interesting to read your take on MW, @Mr. Vine Eye , and to understand why certain roses are discontinued. I have some lovely Brother Cadfaels, which too have been discontinued... can't think why, as they are lovely, strong, healthy, fragrant etc etc roses that I've had for years...
The one that makes me feel daft when I mention it is "Buff Beauty." Very Arnold Schwarzenegger covered in baby oil.
I don't mind the naming Marlorena.. (unless it's too crazy) Hope they don't screw up like last year.. They all could name it something nice and donate to charities.. rather than having to name them after the charity.. No more Harkness purchase, as it was a fail for me last year.. but now I have mailed them as I think they could have send me the wrong rose.. which matches the pics I have.. will see what their response would be...
Was it a rose with the label 'Caroline Victoria ' by any chance? I was sent a rose with this label a few years ago, but the rose I received is not white but pale pink. Maybe I have a mutant, not sure!
Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus
I think you must have had a weakling - I would have complained long before now and got a replacement Munstead Wood @Mr. Vine Eye.
I know not everyone has this experience, but mine are without doubt my best performing DAs - compact habit, sturdy canes, good healthy foliage, floriferous, repeats well, good fragrance, heat and rain resistant blooms. Yes, a bit short in stature and awkward in habit, nodding bloom habit as per, but I have it planted at the front of the border in a trio and that works well. It did take 4 years to really come good.
Interesting that my trio is late this year, my own-root cutting got going much earlier. The latter is twiggier with longer stems, but it was a skinny cutting to begin with.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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I have decided to leave the cuckoo spit/caterpillar for now and will monitor the roses.
Thanks @Eustace I’d love to see how St Ethelburga does for you. I’m among the other admirers of your Louise Clements.
The new border's planting is coming along really well - the new plants have arrived and are in the ground: Viburnum Opulus, Camellia SomethingOrOther, ferns, etc.
I was so pleased with the border I ran in and ordered the Lark Ascending - as it was already considered and chosen, do I call this an impulse buy?
I just wanted to stay that I love the pictures of Munster Wood, and the fragrance description of it being like wine - then came the kicker that it was discontinued. Can this really be true. I do so hate being late to a party and missing the excitement.
I suppose its closest rival that they sell is Darcey Bussell.
Glad you’re happy with yours though WAMS!
I know not everyone has this experience, but mine are without doubt my best performing DAs - compact habit, sturdy canes, good healthy foliage, floriferous, repeats well, good fragrance, heat and rain resistant blooms. Yes, a bit short in stature and awkward in habit, nodding bloom habit as per, but I have it planted at the front of the border in a trio and that works well. It did take 4 years to really come good.
Interesting that my trio is late this year, my own-root cutting got going much earlier. The latter is twiggier with longer stems, but it was a skinny cutting to begin with.
Three from me…
Desdemona, hard to fault it! Floriferous, healthy, beautiful fragrance, easy to care for.