@Marlorena - absolutely loving your Lambada, what a stunning colour!
Been a busy few days here at Aberdeenshire Towers! Managed to finish a marathon weeding session on three of the big borders and that allowed me to take stock of "what the hell is going on". Nearly finished the mid-summer rose feed, I know I'm late but we are about a month behind up here.
Firstly the Hot Border has had a make over with The Poet's Wife and Lady of Shalott each getting their very own obelisk for support. LOS even about to give another few blooms.
So all good there. I then revisited the new North border and The Lark Ascending just about to re-bloom. The hot spell forecasted for next week should help that along.
Meanwhile, over by the summerhouse Dr W Van Fleet is getting his wiggle on and growing great guns. He should be fantastic next year (fingers crossed). The Hollyhocks are now in their stride, though once again the dreaded rust has hit them hard.
Just round the corner, Gerty is overcoming her Saw Fly invasion and throwing up the canes. I'll soon have to put up the wires and start her training. No sign of a second flush, but keeping her healthy has been the priority.
Finally, we have the behemoth, also known as the Rainbow Border as it can take all colours and I do not care if they clash. This is to be my 'more is more' border. First is a reminder of this border in January this year when I joined this merry Rose Thread, followed by what it looks like now:
It's good to compare and get some perspective on the work. We really need to give ourselves credit for what we have achieved, though mostly we see what needs to be done!
Even the Guajard is re-flowering and giving me immense joy:
Finally I have neglected the three new climbing roses on the back wall. They seem to have all grown forward, away from the wall and the wires! Should I cut away the front-facing canes and encourage back growth by pruning to a backward facing bud? Here is Zepherine Drouhin showing the problem - but she's blooming well.
And finally the gratuitous Agatha shot, fresh from being unhelpful and running away with the ball of twine!
Thats all looking fantastic @PeterAberdeen! I love that rainbow border especially! --------------- Im feeling a bit disheartened here, it has rained almost non stop since late May / early June, absolutely huge fat slugs keep decimating my potted bedding, its a constant battle (I must have picked off dozens) so my tubs are dull and plants puny as a result. My roses are getting battered and absolutley covered in blackspot and shedding leaves, even the ones that dont usually get it. I cant treat the mess as the rain would just wash it away instantly. I need to feed them again too but am down with a rotten cold virus (again!) so it will have to wait.
Im usually out in the garden constantly in summer, every break, evenings, weekends, but its so WET now its just trying to nip a few dead heads during the daily mad dash out to feed the birds. Not been able to plant the new perennials I had purchased to go in. Very disheartening as I look forward to the summer garden. Im hoping we get at least a few weeks of summer here this month!
I love the Rainbow Border, @PeterAberdeen and the pretty wooden obelisks. Not an expert, but I had that problem with a climber in its first year and I just turned the whole plant around in the dormant season, so it was now leaning into the fence.
Fully sympathise, Jessica. It's been a washout. I still have only 2 out of 4 trellises painted and installed because it hasn't stopped raining for long enough to do the rest- there was *one* completely rain-free day in July. One. The lack of warmth is delaying the second flush on some of the roses. The slugs have been rampant, the grass seed is being largely washed away, and the roses can only be enjoyed inside! Shall we ask for our money back?
Tossing up between getting Strawberry Hill potted from Jones or Happy Couple/Brenda's Beauty from Styles.
@PeterAberdeen Looking great isn't it, after all the hard work you've put in..
Your 'ZD' is very young but the new vigorous shoots are at the back aiming for the wall, so I can't see any problem with that.. the couple of shoots pointing outwards can be pruned back if they have flowered or in your way..
@Busy-Lizzie Thank you.. I have to use my phone camera now which I don't like, so I can't post much.
Posts
Been a busy few days here at Aberdeenshire Towers! Managed to finish a marathon weeding session on three of the big borders and that allowed me to take stock of "what the hell is going on". Nearly finished the mid-summer rose feed, I know I'm late but we are about a month behind up here.
Firstly the Hot Border has had a make over with The Poet's Wife and Lady of Shalott each getting their very own obelisk for support. LOS even about to give another few blooms.
So all good there. I then revisited the new North border and The Lark Ascending just about to re-bloom. The hot spell forecasted for next week should help that along.
Meanwhile, over by the summerhouse Dr W Van Fleet is getting his wiggle on and growing great guns. He should be fantastic next year (fingers crossed). The Hollyhocks are now in their stride, though once again the dreaded rust has hit them hard.
Just round the corner, Gerty is overcoming her Saw Fly invasion and throwing up the canes. I'll soon have to put up the wires and start her training. No sign of a second flush, but keeping her healthy has been the priority.
Finally, we have the behemoth, also known as the Rainbow Border as it can take all colours and I do not care if they clash. This is to be my 'more is more' border. First is a reminder of this border in January this year when I joined this merry Rose Thread, followed by what it looks like now:
It's good to compare and get some perspective on the work. We really need to give ourselves credit for what we have achieved, though mostly we see what needs to be done!
Even the Guajard is re-flowering and giving me immense joy:
Finally I have neglected the three new climbing roses on the back wall. They seem to have all grown forward, away from the wall and the wires! Should I cut away the front-facing canes and encourage back growth by pruning to a backward facing bud? Here is Zepherine Drouhin showing the problem - but she's blooming well.
And finally the gratuitous Agatha shot, fresh from being unhelpful and running away with the ball of twine!
Any advise on the ZD greatly appreciated.
---------------
Im feeling a bit disheartened here, it has rained almost non stop since late May / early June, absolutely huge fat slugs keep decimating my potted bedding, its a constant battle (I must have picked off dozens) so my tubs are dull and plants puny as a result. My roses are getting battered and absolutley covered in blackspot and shedding leaves, even the ones that dont usually get it. I cant treat the mess as the rain would just wash it away instantly. I need to feed them again too but am down with a rotten cold virus (again!) so it will have to wait.
Im usually out in the garden constantly in summer, every break, evenings, weekends, but its so WET now its just trying to nip a few dead heads during the daily mad dash out to feed the birds. Not been able to plant the new perennials I had purchased to go in. Very disheartening as I look forward to the summer garden. Im hoping we get at least a few weeks of summer here this month!
Fully sympathise, Jessica. It's been a washout. I still have only 2 out of 4 trellises painted and installed because it hasn't stopped raining for long enough to do the rest- there was *one* completely rain-free day in July. One. The lack of warmth is delaying the second flush on some of the roses. The slugs have been rampant, the grass seed is being largely washed away, and the roses can only be enjoyed inside! Shall we ask for our money back?
Tossing up between getting Strawberry Hill potted from Jones or Happy Couple/Brenda's Beauty from Styles.
William Shakespeare
Looking great isn't it, after all the hard work you've put in..
Your 'ZD' is very young but the new vigorous shoots are at the back aiming for the wall, so I can't see any problem with that.. the couple of shoots pointing outwards can be pruned back if they have flowered or in your way..
@Busy-Lizzie
Thank you.. I have to use my phone camera now which I don't like, so I can't post much.