Bone dry ground, night temperatures still single digits. Everything seems to be waiting. Except for roses of the Canadian Explorer Series. They are absolutely healthy. Henry is pretty much scentless but Cuthbert has it all.
I went to our garden center today, hoping to see a lot of roses in bloom. But almost nothing, almost all of them were only in the bud stage. They grow everything in peat-free compost and they don't spray. I should visit later in the year, to see what stays healthy there. I bought some veggies and my favourite compost - Westland MPC with added JI. Only when back home, I noticed they reformulated it to be peat-free. I really like it, the soil/sand part makes it more water-retentive than a typical peat-free compost and it's lightweight and airy.
@Nollie I'm tempted by Rose de Rescht whenever I see pictures of it like yours
My pictures today...
Portland. There were no blooms open on her yesterday and 6 this morning. At least she doesn't seem to be put off by today's glum weather.
Another one of Yolande d'Aragon.She was bare root in Feb 22 spent a year in a pot as we were moving house and was only planted out this March. She seems to be coping better with this treatment than her near relative Sidonie who is sulking.
When we moved into our house last autumn, three roses had survived in the overgrown garden. I had no idea what the blooms would be like. This is the first to flower. It is a climber / rambler with Tea (plus a bit of citrus) scented flowers.
Don't grow up - grow sideways.
Gardening in the West Midlands on a mix of neutral loamy sand & Victorian building rubble.
A few hectic days catching up in the garden and then I remembered I promised to take a few pics. No blooms yet up in Aberdeenshire. Then the doorbell rang and Joy of Joys, my Lark Ascending had arrived - BEFORE I had prepared its new bed!
So three hours later I had cleared the weeds, stones and tree roots. Then I added all the manure/slow release rose food and got her planted before more food and a mulch. Finally crowned her with the obelisk. All done to @Marlorena previous instructions.
And here she is - covered in buds, so I hope not to have to wait too long.
Next up is the Poet's Wife and I would be grateful for some advice on the leaf curl.
Any day now and I am sure Gerty is going to bloom - 14 buds so far! But I think the yellowing spots on the leaves at the base may well be BS. Am I correct? Then should I take off the affected leaves and dispose of them?
Lady of Shalott, much the same stage as the Poet's Wife. I think mine is in special needs, but I love her all the same. I do hope they end up looking like yours @Mr. Vine Eye Those pics are so dramatic.
Now, a view I have not shared before. The front door framed by the two Princess Anne standards. These were my first David Austins and planted out in early Nov 22. Feeding now once a week (they are East facing).
and a close up.
What else can I share. Well the big border is now beginning to knit together. After a sudden -16ºc frost in April, everything slowed and quite a bit of frost damage, but it is beginning to recover.
and finally a combination of tulips that I thoroughly recommend - they are both lates and still flowering after opening over 2 weeks ago. Look away, if you have a magenta allergy! China Pink and Finola.
As you were - and if you weren't try it. You may like it!
Love the two standards either side of your door, @PeterAberdeen, it's an idea I've been toying with for a little while. It's just the bare branches over winter that put me off slightly...
Love the two standards either side of your door, @PeterAberdeen, it's an idea I've been toying with for a little while. It's just the bare branches over winter that put me off slightly...
I don't think I'll mind the bare branches over the winter - a bit of structure, with promise of joy in the summer. Though I am toying with some daffodils for the Spring - but not in the same pots as the roses.
Then once the daffs are over I can whip them away, as I do not like the slow death act they put on once the flowers fade. Maybe replace with late tulips. Then the roses will kick back into life.
White flowers stand out so beautifully in the evening light. Well, lightly coloured flowers. I was just admiring my Starlight Symphony.
Can I please see pics, @pitter-patter? I just bought this one (was dead set on Chawton Cottage then swerved at the last minute... funny how you do that).
Lochinvar has very sweet buds / opening blooms. Gertrude Jekyll behind a bit of a scene-stealer, though... my phone kept trying to focus on her. And a cosmos Kiiro just because it is such a gorgeous lemon colour when the flowers are just opening.
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They grow everything in peat-free compost and they don't spray. I should visit later in the year, to see what stays healthy there.
I bought some veggies and my favourite compost - Westland MPC with added JI. Only when back home, I noticed they reformulated it to be peat-free. I really like it, the soil/sand part makes it more water-retentive than a typical peat-free compost and it's lightweight and airy.
Next up is the Poet's Wife and I would be grateful for some advice on the leaf curl.
Any day now and I am sure Gerty is going to bloom - 14 buds so far! But I think the yellowing spots on the leaves at the base may well be BS. Am I correct? Then should I take off the affected leaves and dispose of them?
Lady of Shalott, much the same stage as the Poet's Wife. I think mine is in special needs, but I love her all the same. I do hope they end up looking like yours @Mr. Vine Eye Those pics are so dramatic.
Now, a view I have not shared before. The front door framed by the two Princess Anne standards. These were my first David Austins and planted out in early Nov 22. Feeding now once a week (they are East facing).
and a close up.
What else can I share. Well the big border is now beginning to knit together. After a sudden -16ºc frost in April, everything slowed and quite a bit of frost damage, but it is beginning to recover.
and finally a combination of tulips that I thoroughly recommend - they are both lates and still flowering after opening over 2 weeks ago. Look away, if you have a magenta allergy! China Pink and Finola.
As you were - and if you weren't try it. You may like it!
Saying good night with Vanessa Bell (taken at 9pm)
Lochinvar has very sweet buds / opening blooms.
Gertrude Jekyll behind a bit of a scene-stealer, though... my phone kept trying to focus on her.
And a cosmos Kiiro just because it is such a gorgeous lemon colour when the flowers are just opening.