Lately I have been studying rose pruning. I have watched excellent videos here and here and bracing myself up for the task.
In much the same manner, I have decided to prune a third of my last manuscript, in order to obtain what I hope will be strong growth this summer.
It is easier to talk about roses than my work, so let me tell you about the roses. I never thought I could grow a rose, living in rentals and year-by-year situations, until I took the plunge and planted a white rose I found at the remainder shelf (not far does the literary metaphor stray) at my local nursery. It was a beraggled “iceberg” which patiently offers up half a dozen flowers each year. Sometimes a flower has a delicate red stripe on one petal. I keep waiting for it to branch out, but so far, it has remained steady and very slow.
My next was a rescue red, whose name I don’t know. It too does not offer nymerous flowers, but the growth has been steady. I wish I took pictures when I first bought it, as it looked pretty sad indeed.
Indira Ganesan, Rescue Red, 2018
Third time for me was the charm as late one fall I got my first David Austin rose on discount. This was James Galway, and a climber, to my surprise. Now standing seven feet tall, it produces masses of fragrant pink blooms throught June, and again in late summer. This is the rose I need to train to a proper structure, as it is in need of care. Two late autumn sale roses met their maker after a furious winter, but now I have two springtime purchases: a Lady Emma Hamilton which probably needs to get out of her put and into the ground, and struggling Getrude Jeckyll. I had first planted the Getrude Jeckyll in a shady spot, then moved her to a sunny spot. I think she did not take to the move, especially as an agressive spirea was growing next to her. I am going to transplant the spirea and hope for the best.
It’s warming up in Denver, so I’m starting to get the gardening itch. I have but one big pot in front of my apt, perhaps starting a rose this year would be a hopeful move. Your David Austins are beautiful!
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Do, Dana! Take a look at their website fir recommendations on containers. You could also plant companion plants in the pot, like trailing lobelia or something. What a good blank canvas to play with!
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I loved your descriptions of the roses. And I tried to choose a favorite – I couldn’t, I love them all and hope the very best for them – and you.
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It is easy to get obsessed by the David Austins! So beautiful and fragrant. Lately i have been taking gardening in vicariously by watching Gardener’s World on tv. My mom used to do the same with Victory Garden!
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