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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

Veilchenblau, the "Blue Rose"


I know, I know, there is no such thing as a blue rose. Hybridizers are still trying to come up with one. This beautiful rambler is named "Veilchenblau" which means "violet-blue" in German but who would choose a blue rose over the colors this one displays? I don't think I would. I like it just the way it is. Deep purple crimson buds open to a softer lavender and fade to light pink and white. Each flower has a white streak running along the petals.  
 


This is a rose that always elicits ooo's and ahhhh's from visitors to the garden. Bred in 1909, it is a vigorous but thornless rambler that can be grown a variety of ways, covering arches like we grow it or letting it scamper along a fence. If you look at my photo from last year, you will see that it was much larger then. I pruned it severely last year because it was getting out of control and had some die-back. This is how it looks this year -

Disease-resistant and very easy to grow, this is one of my favorites. The only sad thing about it is that it only blooms one time a year and has little fragrance.

Comments

  1. Ooooh, Veilchenblau is popping up all over the blogdom. Yours of course is fabulous, as is verything about your garden. I loved Randy and Jamie's tour of it, especially the Secret Garden. Silly me, I thought the name meant veil of blue rather than violet blue. Mine is just beginning to open.
    Frances

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  2. Very pretty. I didn't realize it was thornless, a big plus if you have kids in the garden. It looks so nice on the arbor.

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  3. Um, raises hand, I would love a blue rose! (Not that these colors aren't lovely.) :)

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  4. What an amazing color! I've slowly replaced almost all my climbers with Abutilon because it is so easy to care for and blooms most of the year, but seeing your photo makes me wonder if I was too hasty.

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  5. I love the idea of a rose "scampering" someplace in my garden. How nice that this huge rose is thornless. Much easier to keep under control that way. Your soil must be black gold since everything seems to grow so well in your garden. Do you have to make lots of amendments?

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  6. Love it! I think your gardens are spectacular just like you. You have so many areas of interest that it must take you forever to go from one to the other. I too saw Randy and Jamie's tour of your garden. So impressive. I like the winter fountain.

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  7. Your Veilchenblau is lovely draped over the arbor. Such an interesting rose and so beautiful.

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  8. Whooooooa! They adorn the arch very well and damn, are they gorgeous! I wouldn't mind even if they bloom only once a year. Man, these are worth the wait!

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  9. I want one, I want one! Or three... :-)

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  10. Beautiful. I've probably said it before but I really envy you for being able to grow the ramblers and climbers. We never get much height on roses this far north.
    Marnie

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  11. Funny I just posted on my Veilchenblau also. It's a baby though. The deer like to keep it pruned for me but it fools them and shoots clear up off of the top of the lattice where they can't get to it. Actually, I think they'll stay away now that I've found a new repellent. Your gardens are lovely - I need to come back and go through your archives.

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  12. So beautiful. I keep almost ordering this rose, then end up getting something else in its place. Now I definitely wish I had ordered it. May need to place just one more rose order...

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  13. That is a feast for the eyes.

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  14. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!
    Mezmerising! Why don't I have it?!

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  15. I agree with Monica, I'd love a blue rose...not that I've got room for it, or Veilchenblau for that matter. Tres pretty...or sehr pretty as the case may be.

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  16. As a painter of flowers, I'm mesmerized by the lovely oasis you've created. It must be hard for you to spend any time inside your house! Thanks for sharing your obvious passion for nature with us.

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  17. It is a beauty. Stunning photographs. It is also one I don't have. Can you believe it?~~Dee

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