@Marlorena Our average temps never go down to freezing. Of course, we do get days here and there that low or even lower, just sporadically, a handful of days every winter. But then we also get winter days that are 80F! Just depends on what direction the wind is blowing. This is still quite early for roses here regardless. My first blooms last year (not these varieties) were in May.
We had another brutal storm come through last night that will continue today. It's spawned tornadoes elsewhere, but only 3.5" of rain for us so far. Even my rain garden needs a break. On the plus side it's kept down the stink of the photinia hedge which is in bloom right now.
Topsy turvy weather, I've seen the destruction by the tornado, what a mess, hope that doesn't come too close to you.. we get mini ones here but with changes there's a risk they could get worse as it's totally flat around here..
Only 3.5''? that would be my lot for about 2 months in winter.. if lucky I get 22'' a year here, that's all.. about 1.5/2'' a month..
Well, it's another lovely day today, so I'll just order a couple of clematis..
Shame we can’t have them all! Is your rose count creeping back up again Marlorena, or are you being determined to keep them at a manageable number?
I picked up a Star of India clematis on a whim at the GC recently, which I think you have. I know there are better clematis for my climate (I read it fades a lot in sun) but choice is always very limited so thought I would give it a try on a north or east-facing fence. Maybe with Madame Isaac Pereire..
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
@Nollie I'm afraid it is Nollie, I'm trying very hard to keep it at 35. If I want a plant now, I'm looking at other things which helps me a lot.. I love 'Star of India', I had it north facing, now it's been moved to south facing, so we'll see how that goes.. I have spots for 2 more, I've not ordered yet as 'out of stock'.. so I'll come back to that..
I think my 'So Cool Pale Blue' Salvia has died on me, all the others I got are fine, except that one.. seems like a tricky customer..
No sign of anything near blooming yet? I notice your Crepuscule is not far off..
@Marlorena I'm pleased that you like the wheelbarrow. Thank you for letting me know.
We went to Peter Beales and met a lovely man who used to work with Peter. He was very knowledgeable about roses. I showed him my short list. He recommended my first choice, Chevy Chase, he praised it a lot and they did have it in stock after all. In fact they had all the roses on my list, except Malvern Hills as that is a David Austin rose. I bought Chevy Chase and John Innes 3 and a cardboard box to put in the hole.
The dead Malvern Hills rose has a diameter of 2 feet at the top of the root. No sign of disease. Malvern Hills dates from 2000. The PB man said it's very similar to Alister Stella Gray which is a much older rose.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
@Busy-Lizzie, Chevy Chase rose looks very beautiful. I love a red rose like that.
I am on leave from work today. Lovely sunny day, very rare scenario really that I am on leave, kids and and hubby are away from home and weather is great.
I have fed all roses. Starting with mulching now. I have got four Daleks of compost ready. I also have stocked up purchased MPC and spent compost from last years tomatoes, annuals etc. and I am feeling rich
Hope you enjoy your day @newbie77 .. nice to have some time to oneself..
@Busy-Lizzie That's good news! I remember first seeing 'Chevy Chase' at Mannington must be some 20 years ago, from a long way off, and it startled me with its strong red colour.
I wonder if it was Ian Limmer you were talking to.. he's been there a long time. 'Alister Stella Gray' is one I keep forgetting about, but yes it's a lovely old Noisette rambler, I know Nollie has it.. beautiful foliage too.. I first grew that one circa 1988..
'Malvern Hills' is an offspring of the rampant rambling rose called 'Claire Jacquier', - so I understand - with which it looks very similar, but flowers more often.. 'CJ' is in turn out of a tender Tea rose which may account for the lack of hardiness in 'Malvern Hills'.. but the late David Austin was fond of dissimulation and one can never be sure, even where he stated, just what his breeding lines were..
I hope you get some nice blooms on 'Chevy Chase' this year, even if only a few..
Roses are so obsessive and hard to resist, you are doing well at 35, Marlorena. Sorry ro hear about your 'So Cool Pale Blue' Salvia, maybe it was a duff plant? Mine have actually done far better than my tough old red Greggii ones, which are looking decidedly iffy.
This was my first bud, on The Prince, tucked away next to the wall. It’s taken some time but finally showing a tiny sliver of colour:
I’m pleased to report that I had no dieback at all on Alister Stella Gray, despite some severe temperatures, so it’s proving hardier than Duchesse d’Auerstädt, which I lost over a milder winter.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Posts
We had another brutal storm come through last night that will continue today. It's spawned tornadoes elsewhere, but only 3.5" of rain for us so far. Even my rain garden needs a break. On the plus side it's kept down the stink of the photinia hedge which is in bloom right now.
Only 3.5''? that would be my lot for about 2 months in winter.. if lucky I get 22'' a year here, that's all.. about 1.5/2'' a month..
Well, it's another lovely day today, so I'll just order a couple of clematis..
I picked up a Star of India clematis on a whim at the GC recently, which I think you have. I know there are better clematis for my climate (I read it fades a lot in sun) but choice is always very limited so thought I would give it a try on a north or east-facing fence. Maybe with Madame Isaac Pereire..
I'm afraid it is Nollie, I'm trying very hard to keep it at 35. If I want a plant now, I'm looking at other things which helps me a lot..
I love 'Star of India', I had it north facing, now it's been moved to south facing, so we'll see how that goes..
I have spots for 2 more, I've not ordered yet as 'out of stock'.. so I'll come back to that..
I think my 'So Cool Pale Blue' Salvia has died on me, all the others I got are fine, except that one.. seems like a tricky customer..
No sign of anything near blooming yet? I notice your Crepuscule is not far off..
We went to Peter Beales and met a lovely man who used to work with Peter. He was very knowledgeable about roses. I showed him my short list. He recommended my first choice, Chevy Chase, he praised it a lot and they did have it in stock after all. In fact they had all the roses on my list, except Malvern Hills as that is a David Austin rose. I bought Chevy Chase and John Innes 3 and a cardboard box to put in the hole.
The dead Malvern Hills rose has a diameter of 2 feet at the top of the root. No sign of disease. Malvern Hills dates from 2000. The PB man said it's very similar to Alister Stella Gray which is a much older rose.
I am on leave from work today. Lovely sunny day, very rare scenario really that I am on leave, kids and and hubby are away from home and weather is great.
I have fed all roses. Starting with mulching now. I have got four Daleks of compost ready. I also have stocked up purchased MPC and spent compost from last years tomatoes, annuals etc. and I am feeling rich
@Busy-Lizzie
That's good news! I remember first seeing 'Chevy Chase' at Mannington must be some 20 years ago, from a long way off, and it startled me with its strong red colour.
I wonder if it was Ian Limmer you were talking to.. he's been there a long time. 'Alister Stella Gray' is one I keep forgetting about, but yes it's a lovely old Noisette rambler, I know Nollie has it.. beautiful foliage too.. I first grew that one circa 1988..
'Malvern Hills' is an offspring of the rampant rambling rose called 'Claire Jacquier', - so I understand - with which it looks very similar, but flowers more often.. 'CJ' is in turn out of a tender Tea rose which may account for the lack of hardiness in 'Malvern Hills'.. but the late David Austin was fond of dissimulation and one can never be sure, even where he stated, just what his breeding lines were..
I hope you get some nice blooms on 'Chevy Chase' this year, even if only a few..
I thought the Montana clematis was dead too, but I've just discovered some green buds on some of the lower stems.
This was my first bud, on The Prince, tucked away next to the wall. It’s taken some time but finally showing a tiny sliver of colour:
I’m pleased to report that I had no dieback at all on Alister Stella Gray, despite some severe temperatures, so it’s proving hardier than Duchesse d’Auerstädt, which I lost over a milder winter.