'The Generous Gardener', a rose for obstinate gardeners😉

Papi Jo · November 2023

Hi all rose lovers! I'm opening this thread for discussing the merits, planting and after-care of a well-known rose, David Austin's R. 'The Generous Gardener'.

As related on another discussion here I've been given that rose and a bit embarrassed about where to plant it in my garden. I have now finally decided to erect a brand-new trellis, all for this supposedly vigorous bush/climber.

I have gathered useful advice and pieces of information about it and similar rose-trees, and am intending to document this discussion with my experiments growing TGG. Forum members who have it are welcome to add their own remarks, pieces of advice, pictures, etc.

Episode #1- The trellis

These trellis are becoming a bit rare (and expensive) now in France, as compared to 20 years ago when I started my garden. People seem to go for plastic fences now. Anyway I managed to get hold of 2 trellis of 180cm x 180 cm each. When erected their top is about 2 metres above the ground and the total width is almost 4 metres. I expect this will suit TGG but I realise I will have to train its canes as horizontally as possible, to prevent it from reaching 4m. high with little flowering. I intend to follow the tips in this instructive video mentioned on Paul Zimmerman's page here.

Here you can see TGG still in its pot, sitting at the foot of the trellis, awaiting for plantation...

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/lp/vif5weuy1htz.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/ad/z8nqufurqclm.jpg

to be continued...

Fire · November 2023

I am intending to document this discussion with my experiments growing TGG.

Fab. I'm looking forward to your experiments.

Perki · November 2023

I have the The Generous Gardener on a small pergola , its took it a while to reach the top of the pergola (years). Its a beautiful rose especially on the first flush and its probably my best scented rose .

Obelixx · November 2023

I grew this in my Belgian garden @Papi Jo, on a similar trellis running north-south and separating the veg plot from the ornamental garden. I trained it as horizontally as possible and every year it threw up fresh flowering stems and flowered beautifully on both sides tho it was planted on the west side.

I think it needs good, rich soil and a lot more rain than we get here so I haven't planted one here. It survived some horrendous winters and had no direct sun thru winter as it was on teh north side of the house.

Yours should do very well.

Janie B · November 2023

Hi @Papi Jo, I will follow this thread with interest, and more than a little trepidation... I planted a GG rose earlier this year, on a, probably much too small, obelisk in one of my beds... let's see how long it takes to smother the support!

Mr. Vine Eye · November 2023

You’re growing it in exactly the same sized space as I do - across two 6ft fence panels - it’s North Facing. Flowered well this year probably as the top has reached the height of the fence so it’s getting more sun. Must be 5 years old now.

Obelixx · November 2023

@Janie B I think you may want to re-think the obelisk. I don't think GG will happily wind round a confined support so try and find a way to let her spread her wings and find a smaller rose for your obelisk.

Papi Jo · November 2023

Episode #2- The planting

Today was the great day.

DA R. 'The Generous Gardener' was planted at the foot of its brand-new trellis... and the operation was conducted by the book (almost). With the potted plant a DA Potted Rose Planting Guide had been provided, which Papi Jo held with one hand, while digging, etc. with the other hand, and taking pics with the 3rd hand.

STEP 1.- Prepare the soil. Already done
STEP 2.- Dig a hole that is wide enough and deep enough for the roots (approx. 45cm wide and 45cm deep. Well, 0.09 m³ doesn't look much, but it is still a hell of a lot of soil to move around, and I'm afraid I gave up at about 42-43cm (pics #1 and #2). Should be fine, there were no DA inspectors around to check.
STEP 3.- Using a fork, break up the soil at the base of the hole ... and mix with a spadeful of compost, etc. I used what I have to hand, viz. horn meal (corne broyée) and Or brun fertilizer, which I use a lot of in the garden (Organic amendment made by composting manure supplemented with seaweed).
STEP 4.- Remove the rose carefully from its pot and position in the centre of the prepared hole. Pre-positioned it to check the eventual depth (pic #3).
STEP 5.- It may be necessary to tease the roots open from the root ball before planting. Pics #4 and #5. On taking the plant out of its pot, found a small quantity of fertilizer "balls", most of them yellowish, a few bluish... and I did have to tease the roots open... Ensure that the buds union sits around 5cm below the surface. I did it (no pic for this step, sorry)
STEP 6.- Mix a further 2 spadefuls of compost, etc. OK. Lightly firm the soil around the rose with your foot. OK. Pic #6.
STEP 7.- Water the rose well after planting. OK, pic #7.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/ke/tcis57msy1m9.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/id/jp2hhdpmu8m0.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/cv/j3rl9klfb4tw.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/e9/rf7nxdhm1ofw.jpg

Now for a nice cuppa and siesta.

clematisdorset · November 2023

Those pesky DA inspectors! 😁

'The Generous Gardener', a rose for obstinate gardeners😉

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