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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

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

Comments

  1. How wonderful! Thanks for the visit!

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  2. Gem of a place!

    I love the way roses look against picket style fences.

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

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

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

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

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  8. Me too Randy. It was a very quick trip!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  17. 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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  18. 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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  19. 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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  20. I love all of these pics! Now I want an Old Blush rose real bad! The search is on :)
    Kelly

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  21. 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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  22. 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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