Skip to main content

Featured

A Closer Look at Winter Damage

But first, take a look at this gorgeous rainbow that we had on Friday! The five-day stretch of warm temperatures last week really jump-started the garden. Now that plants are putting out new growth, it is easier to see what kind of damage the winter left. Back in mid-January, we experienced five straight days of below-freezing temperatures. This caused much damage in Portland and areas where frigid winds were a factor. Here, we were fortunate to not get the wind and the cold temperatures were dampened by a blanket of snow. That said, it was a tough time for the garden and there are noticeable casualties but no outright deaths that I have seen. The bottlebrush ( Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red') did not like the cold at all. It was planted six years ago, in the north-facing garden no less, and I've not experienced die-back on it until now. A local expert said to cut it all the way back so that is what I did. If it doesn't make it, I won't be too distraught. It is

Forecast for the coming weeks: Roses!

We had a beautiful weekend and I spent almost all of it working on getting the containers planted. I didn't realize we had so many! I finally took a break and started looking around and noticed that the roses are really starting to take center stage. It is good to stop and smell the roses but is there really time to do that this time of year? I did manage to drag my weary self out late Sunday and take some photos.
The first photo is the scene toward the pergola. The rose on the left is "Buff Beauty" and the roses you see on the pergola are "Rambling Rector" and "Reve D'Or".

Another shot of "Buff Beauty" - I would put this in the top 5 of my all-time favorite roses.
This isn't a rose but I had to throw this in. This is one of my favorite flowering shrubs - Beautybush (Kolkwitzia amabilis). I don't know why more people don't grow this and I never see it in nurseries.

One of my favorite views of the garden, with the Beautybush on the left, "Buff Beauty" in the center and the variegated dogwood "Wolf Eyes" on the right.

Next to the pergola, a grouping of beared iris and Siberian Iris grow next to the rose "Gruss an Aachen"

Rugosa roses normally don't perform well in the south but "Hansa" is an exception.

The climbing musk rose "Prosperity" with Beautybush in the background.


Russell's Cottage Rose

Back up near the patio, "Lamarque" graces the archway.

This pink rose is "Carefree Wonder" growing with Iris and Spirea "Goldmound"

"Sally Holmes" on another archway -



"Nearly Wild" surrounds our fountain inside the circular hedge.


Stay tuned for more roses in the weeks ahead!

Comments

  1. 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!
    Container plantings are a lot of work, I'm starting that project in a couple of weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your garden and roses are beautiful! I agree, Buff Beauty is one of my favorite roses also, but mine never gets that big!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Phillip, 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

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your garden is just exquisite! When you're ready to invite me to dinner, I'll cook!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love how the white roses "pop" against the dark green background. I can almost smell them!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello Phillip,

    You 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

    ReplyDelete
  7. 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.
    Marnie

    ReplyDelete
  8. 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

    ReplyDelete
  9. The 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.

    Reading your blog may be expensive as well as inspirational!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

    ReplyDelete
  10. You seem to have a giant estate garden!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi 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. :-)
    Frances

    ReplyDelete
  12. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  13. OMGosh 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.

    I'm looking for more photos.

    ReplyDelete
  14. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very beautiful, Alabama is several garden zones south of Iowa so it is great some real garden photos this time of year.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Phillip -- I want to tour your gardens! :-) Such a beautiful haven you have there.

    Cameron

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh I'm very excited! I can't wait until Saturday!

    ReplyDelete
  18. All 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.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for all your comments!

    Annie, 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!

    ReplyDelete
  20. 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.
    I 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

    ReplyDelete
  21. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Gorgeous roses! You have so many I'd like to try.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Phillip, I can't wait to see this fabulous garden in person.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh. 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

    ReplyDelete
  25. What 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.
    Seems like the roses on the arbor recovered well from the hard prune you gave them. Hope you enjoy your garden and roses.

    ReplyDelete
  26. 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...

    ReplyDelete
  27. Phillip,
    I 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

    ReplyDelete
  28. 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!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Not 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

Post a Comment

Popular Posts