The 2024 Garden Year
January 19, 2024 January Our year started with snow, ice and frigid temperatures in mid-January. Our temperatures stayed below freezing for almost a week. I think it was the most consistent cold that we've experienced since moving here. Fortunately, it was a dry snow so there wasn't too much damage. Once again, we almost lost the azara and I'm afraid there would have been some breakage if I had not kept knocking the ice off. February 14, 2024 February In past years, it seems that inclement weather seems to hit around Michael's birthday in mid-February. After the January snow and ice, this month was actually quite tame. Nothing exciting to report - mostly birdwatching . Early flowers like hellebores, cyclamen and crocus begin to bloom in mid month. March 3, 2024 March I got into a walking routine which I'm happy to report I am continuing this year. You get to the point where you feel guilty if you miss a day. I do miss days occasionally but I'm learning that ...
It's beautiful. All of your plantings and benches, etc are so nice. I love all the arbors you have for the roses to climb!
ReplyDeleteContainer plantings are a lot of work, I'm starting that project in a couple of weeks.
Your garden and roses are beautiful! I agree, Buff Beauty is one of my favorite roses also, but mine never gets that big!
ReplyDeletePhillip, I was thrilled to see your forecast was for roses and are they ever beautiful! You have created a delightful garden, for all the senses...I could sit on the bench or lie down on the garden floor and just look at the beauty surrounding me...If you hear a knock on the door, it will be me, all ready to have a picnic out there! gail
ReplyDeleteYour garden is just exquisite! When you're ready to invite me to dinner, I'll cook!
ReplyDeleteLove how the white roses "pop" against the dark green background. I can almost smell them!
ReplyDeleteHello Phillip,
ReplyDeleteYou know, I was reading down through this post thinking this is a long one when sadly it came to an end!
I don't know of anybody else blogging such beautiful roses from their garden. Simple as that.
I wish you a blackspot free season.
Rob
Phillip, your garden is perfect. It has that old English garden look which can't be easy to attain in Alabama. I envy you the roses. Here in the north they never reach any size.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Oh my.... let me know when I can come over. I am in love (with your garden!) I have many, many roses....but your scenes are breathtaking. I just pray in a few more years mine look just half that good! Consider me a fan...lol....Brooke
ReplyDeleteThe whole garden is wonderful, but oh, that 'Buff Beauty', Phillip! You are inspiring me to first figure out where to put one, and then remember to order one next season before they're sold out. Obviously another archway is involved.
ReplyDeleteReading your blog may be expensive as well as inspirational!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
You seem to have a giant estate garden!
ReplyDeleteHi Phillip, you have the most beautiful roses ever! Love the iris too. Sigh, for the vision you must have while outside or in. Your garden is a lush paradise, designed by a master. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
I agree with everyone else on your roses. I agree with you lamenting the fact more people do not plant beautybush. I had 5 nice sized, blooming specimens to sell at work and decided to move them out of obscurity to a more visible spot on the main aisle. The next day I only had one left.
ReplyDeleteOMGosh Phillip, You have got a magazine worthy backyard. I love not only your plantings and how you've placed them but your statuary choices and placement are equally impressive. Total eye candy. You should be very, very proud.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking for more photos.
Oh, I love your Russell's Cottage Rose! I was going to plant Cl. Cecile Brunner over my pergola, but now I'm not sure since seeing Cottage Rose.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful, Alabama is several garden zones south of Iowa so it is great some real garden photos this time of year.
ReplyDeletePhillip -- I want to tour your gardens! :-) Such a beautiful haven you have there.
ReplyDeleteCameron
Oh I'm very excited! I can't wait until Saturday!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say to these roses is WOW. You really must give yourself time to stop and adore them. They show all the hard work you do to create this blooming wonder.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your comments!
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I've heard that you can grow "BB" much smaller or even as a climber.
Chuck, it's not an estate garden. I think the actual size is around 3/4 acre or close to 1 acre. It does seem like too much for us at times.
Cameron, do come and I give you the tour!
How wonderful are your fotos. I just found your blog because I looked for roses. I have had a lot of problems with roses this winter. I live in the north of Germany and the winter has been very hard and I lost a lot of them.
ReplyDeleteI mysself this months started to write a blog. May be you are interested to have s short look.
Wolf
A garden friend from Germany
http://www.garten-anders.de
http://www.garten-anders.blogspot.com
Such a classic collection of old garden roses. It is nice to be able to sit back and enjoy them. I tried to grow Buff Beauty once but I think it may not have gotten enough sunlight as it didn't do that well. I'll bet the fragrance in your garden is unbelievable!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous roses! You have so many I'd like to try.
ReplyDeletePhillip, I can't wait to see this fabulous garden in person.
ReplyDeleteOh. My. God, Phillip! You live in a Botanical Garden, no kidding!! It's amazing. I can't get over how many roses and plants, bushes, etc. that you have there. It must be overwhelming to the sense, but in a pleasing way, to visit in person! You've given me a great start to my day, thank you so much for your wonderful photos!! Have fun (as I know you have been) in, and out of, your garden, Phillip!!! Jan
ReplyDeleteWhat a feast for the eyes to see these roses and your beautiful garden Philip. I really like the way you use plants with different foliage and texture in your garden. I am planning to plant more ornamental grasses and even remove some roses to improve the look of my garden create more all season interest.
ReplyDeleteSeems like the roses on the arbor recovered well from the hard prune you gave them. Hope you enjoy your garden and roses.
I love that time of year: Rose season! I'm not sure which ones I like more... Gruss an Aachen or Gay Paree. Wherever would I fit more roses in my garden...
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDeleteI would never leave the garden if I had one such as yours. It makes me happy just to see the photos. The fragrance must be a delight as well. We are so lucky you took the time to make photos. Thanks.
Donna
Hi Phillip, Just seeing this post ... we are now in August... Wow! I am just blown away... gorgeous gardens!!! I felt like I was going through pages of a book... your book??? Inspirational! Ah to have a partner in gardening!!!
ReplyDeleteNot sure how I came upon your blog but glad I did. Such nice roses and iris (Gay Paree) plants! Subscribed to follow you. Keep up the gorgeous gardening! Everything in your photographs works, a very professional, artistic eye it is rather obvious.
ReplyDelete