Thanks @Alfie_ and @Marlorena. Always a real pleasure to see your CM shots, Alfie, sorry I wasn’t clear there, I meant breaking leaf bud on the bare canes rather than rose buds, like Marlorena’s is just doing. There might be hope for mine yet then Marlorena if it’s a bit of a laggard. Finger’s crossed!
Ah sorry 😂
I can’t remember generally when it does this and its current state wouldn’t be a true reflection because I was unhappy with the first prune so I have recently pruned it again (much lower and almost to the floor) as 7 foot was too much last year! I will check when I’m home but since this more recent drastic pruning I don’t think I have any stem buds yet.
@dasha. My DAs that do well in shade (and are in shady locations) are Julia Child, Scarborough Fair and James Galway. I’m not sure how they would fair in dry shade though. James G has some scent as does JC but not strong. James G is in the shadiest location of all my roses and somehow grows the fastest of all my climbers. It was recommended on here to me.
@Nollie I have some stem budding on CM by very small with not even any leaves yet. The main stem on that beast I just measured at 5cm!!
One of my best for early growth is Penelope which only went in this winter as a bare root:
@Alfie_ your champagne moment is incredible! Another rose to add to the list!
I think I’ve decided to take my hebes out of my front garden border and get Desdemona in the ground. It’s a small bed, just over 4m long. I’m debating whether to create a Desdemona hedge or whether to have mixed planting, that way there may be more interest all year round. What do you all think?
@agnasia Honest opinion, I would find that totally boring if I had to stare at it from my window. I like Hebe's but I'm not keen on those types of Hebe's, and if I walked past I might think whoever lives there doesn't want to garden much.
It's a nice border with a pretty edging at the front. I'd be digging the whole lot out, replenish the soil and grow your hedge, of whatever type you choose. If you mix things up too much it can look uncoordinated.
I had a 'Desdemona' hedge for a few years. It was really nice but I wanted a change, so now have a mixed rose border with other plants, but it is longer and wider. I had some pink roses at the front but don't think you'd have room for those.. I interspersed with blue Penstemons..
Thanks @Marlorena I appreciate the honesty. I liked them more when they were smaller and a part of the border, rather than now completely dominating it.
I agree in not mixing things too much, but I think I want some other interest in it. The pink roses look lovely but perhaps better for a larger border as you suggest. The penstemon look nice, I will have a look in to them as I’ve not grown them before. Maybe rose, grass and one other plant like a penstemon and repeat? Or classic rose and lavender, although they can get big and leggy?
I love the rose-lavender combo, very tempted to put two rose in my lavender border where two plants mysteriously died overwinter. But don't they have rather opposite soil requirements - rich and moist for rose vs poor and dry for lavender?
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I can’t remember generally when it does this and its current state wouldn’t be a true reflection because I was unhappy with the first prune so I have recently pruned it again (much lower and almost to the floor) as 7 foot was too much last year! I will check when I’m home but since this more recent drastic pruning I don’t think I have any stem buds yet.
@Busy-Lizzie - yes I meant Penelope L sorry.
This is the border
Honest opinion, I would find that totally boring if I had to stare at it from my window. I like Hebe's but I'm not keen on those types of Hebe's, and if I walked past I might think whoever lives there doesn't want to garden much.
It's a nice border with a pretty edging at the front. I'd be digging the whole lot out, replenish the soil and grow your hedge, of whatever type you choose. If you mix things up too much it can look uncoordinated.
I had a 'Desdemona' hedge for a few years. It was really nice but I wanted a change, so now have a mixed rose border with other plants, but it is longer and wider.
I had some pink roses at the front but don't think you'd have room for those..
I interspersed with blue Penstemons..
I agree in not mixing things too much, but I think I want some other interest in it. The pink roses look lovely but perhaps better for a larger border as you suggest. The penstemon look nice, I will have a look in to them as I’ve not grown them before. Maybe rose, grass and one other plant like a penstemon and repeat? Or classic rose and lavender, although they can get big and leggy?