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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 ...

More roses



Thanks to all who came by last weekend to see the garden. The garden will be open again this coming weekend as well.

Also thanks to Steve Bender, Southern Living's "Grumpy Gardener" for making a long drive up last week. It rained out the photographers on Monday but perhaps another time.

"Rambling Rector", also known as the rose that ate the pergola, is really going to town right now. You may recall that I wanted to get rid of this rose because it was too rampant and the bloom time seems all too brief. However, when it is in its glory, it really commands your attention.




"Buff Beauty" blooms much longer with buds that open over a prolonged period of time. I love the color variations.


Looking through the pergola with "Buff Beauty" at the end.


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


"Veilchenblau" often called "The Blue Rose" is another favorite and is beautiful every year. It is also quite rampant but easy to prune because the thorns are not that bad.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Just beautiful is all that comes to my mind!

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  2. Wow. When I've been here as many years as you have in your home, I'm hoping mine look half as nice. You've got some great photos yourself. See if Steve will publish those.

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  3. Phillip, you may have it written somewhere, but how large is your garden? Someday, I will be somewhere nearby, and I'll call to see if I can come and visit. I want to be there during rose season, but my rose season overlaps yours unfortunately.~~Dee

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  4. I think the roses are fantastic! I've tried a number of climbers in my climate with little success... I do admire yours! Larry

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  5. My pitaful little rose is blooming now. I almost hate to post about it after seeing yours in their glory. Someday I would like to stroll through your garden.

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  6. Wow, what an amazing garden. You're very lucky :D (Well, I'm sure there's some hard work involved SOMEWHERE ;) )

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  7. Amazing. I remember seeing your Veilchenblau last year and forwarding a link to it to a friend. I can see why you're torn about removing the rampant one.

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  8. Good morning. I truly wish I lived close enough to visit.

    Roses are among my favorites but up here in the northern states we can't grow them nearly as well as you do in the south. Our climbers get about 6 feet tall maximum.
    Marnie

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  9. Ypur roses look beautiful. Rambling Rector is putting on a gorgeous show. I wish I lived close enough to see your garden in person.

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  10. Wow! The sawtooth oaks have gotten huge in the circular hedge. Robert Redman made a great recommendation there! As always, the gardens are looking beautiful this spring. Hope all is well in the quad-cities!

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  11. I vote to leave the Rambling Rector. Its a winner.

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  12. Hope you had lots of great folks by, i know they loved seeing the paths and all the roses - way to go!

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  13. Phillip, I am SURE you get sick of hearing how gorgeous your garden and your photos are. So I won't say it.

    But I'm thinking it.

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  14. Just the most wonderful photographs .... love them!

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  15. I love ramblers, especially growing through the branches of old trees. One of my favorites is Francois Juranville; it blooms with powderpuffs of pink blossoms and a nearly thornless cane. The one in my last garden nearly consumed the gazebo.

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  16. Your garden is absolutely stunning! I would love to see it someday in person. But maybe I shouldn't, I wouldn't want to faint on you.

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  17. Wonderful photos, Phillip! I am a fan of you when it comes to roses. I've never had great success with roses. Only one kind did good for a year but it died on me, another orange one bloomed no more than 2, and I now have a cutting that I took from a rose that blooms in bunches of three or five (not sure of names of any of those as the nurseries here don't care what kind they are - sad) - it challenges me by not blooming for 6 months now after it
    I bought a miniature rose last week and it died completely. There's a dead stick peeking out of that pot now :(

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