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Japanese Maples Fall Color

'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back.  'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini
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Petals from the Past

We planned a brief getaway yesterday to visit a friend of ours in Wetumpka, Alabama who is having a difficult time with the health of her husband. Jemison, Alabama is along the way and as any old rose lover should know, it is the home of Petals from the Past. This quaint, charming nursery specializes in old roses, native shrubs and perennials as well as vegetables, herbs, jams and jellies. It is just off Interstate 65 amidst all the other wonderful diversions like home-made ice cream, fresh peaches and produce that you find in south Alabama. 


We only had a precious few minutes, not nearly enough, and I mainly wanted to see their roses in bloom. I only had a brief time to look at their inventory and managed to get out without buying anything. ("No room for it"! Michael the pessimist said).
I could not find a label on this rose but I think it is Katy Rose Pink (also known as Carefree Beauty). It was the most spectacular rose in the garden.




Old Blush roses planted along the fence that enclosed a small garden.

Spirea (and look at the size of the oakleaf hydrangea!)

Unidentified rose and perennials along the porch

Old Blush

Katy Rose Pink (aka Carefree Beauty)




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Gardener on Sherlock StreetApril 10, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    What a beautiful stop on your trip!

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  2. SheilaApril 10, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    How wonderful! Thanks for the visit!

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  3. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)April 10, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Gem of a place!

    I love the way roses look against picket style fences.

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  4. UnknownApril 10, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    Piękna róża ,szczególnie ta na pierwszej fotce ,a mnie dopiero paczki liści budzą się do życia ,pozdrawiam Bogusia

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  5. rebeccaApril 10, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    that is a beautiful place! thank you for taking me there!

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  6. JessApril 10, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    wow. I wish I had one of these near me. :) Seeing as you have to pass back by on the way home, maybe you can sneak in without Michael realizing.

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  7. Jean CampbellApril 10, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    Wish I had a good reason to go to Birmingham so I could pass right through Jemison....

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  8. RandyApril 10, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    Sooooo close, I hate I didn't get to see you guys.-- Randy

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  9. Phillip OliverApril 10, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    Me too Randy. It was a very quick trip!

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  10. Lisa at GreenbowApril 10, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    I can hardly believe your restraint what with all those beautiful roses.

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  11. AnonymousApril 10, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    I don't know how you resisted buying any of those fabulous roses!

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  12. sweetbayApril 10, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Wish you could have spent more time there ~ thank you for reminding me again about Petals from the Past.

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  13. GailApril 10, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    Phillip, someone mentioned this nursery to me today! Old Blush is a beauty...Makes me sigh. gail ps Will you attend the Antiques in the Garden sale this weekend in Jemison?

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  14. KelseyApril 10, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    I have always wanted to visit here. I love antique roses!

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  15. Phillip OliverApril 10, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Gail, I would like to go but I'm not sure yet. Are you?

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  16. John JardinApril 11, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    Phillip – that's funny, Michael telling you not to buy anything because there was, "no room for it!" Being a gardening maniac, I know there is always room for another plant! But my partner says the same stuff to me all the time. Sometimes, I get to prove him wrong!

    Anyway, beautiful images of the roses. I would have wanted to linger a long while, indeed.

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  17. DarlaApril 11, 2011 at 4:21 AM

    I love the pops of color among all that green foliage!!

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  18. Tatyana@MySecretGardenApril 11, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    Oh, how charming! Rustic and elegant!

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  19. FawneApril 11, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    Just love the 'Carefree Beauty', such a great photo. And to think I past over 'Carefree Beauty' for 'Carefree Wonder', if only I had known. I always have these grand visions when I buy a new rose. Some how the reality doesn't live up to the imagined vision, at least not for my roses. Thats okay, I just visit your blog and ...SIGH! There is always another season to try again.

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  20. AnonymousApril 11, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    I made a trip there last year on the way to Montgomery for a Health Department meeting on a Wednesday. I made my list and on the way home Friday stopped in and picked up the things on my list. I just wish they had more things labeled.

    The Huntsville Botanical Gardens spring sale starts Thurs for members. Public sales start Friday.

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  21. Chandramouli SApril 11, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    John was right. There's always space in garden for some extra. Ahh! I'd have picked one from every variety!

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  22. KellyApril 11, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    I love all of these pics! Now I want an Old Blush rose real bad! The search is on :)
    Kelly

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  23. HatchApril 12, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Thank you for the pictures. Jason Powell and the folks at PFTP do a wonderful job. They also have many educational programs they do through out the year. Truly an asset to the gardening community.

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  24. Dee/reddirtramblingsApril 12, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    Phillip, how you made it out of there without buying anything is amazing. Well, Katy Road or Carefree Beauty strikes again. I love that rose more than any other in my garden. She even came through -17F weather unscathed. I need another Carefree Beauty in my garden.~~Dee

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