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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 from Portland

Here are some individual rose shots from the Portland International Test Garden. Since I grow mostly old roses, I have been out of the loop on the hybrid tea and modern roses front. It looks like the hybridizers have introduced some exciting selections. Here are some that caught my eye.

Rose "Rhapsody in Blue"
"Rhapsody in Blue" - isn't this color amazing?

Rose "Bewitched"
Another lovely lavender rose called "Bewitched".

Rose "Cinco de Mayo"
"Cinco de Mayo" was a 2009 AARS winner.
Rose "Daydream"
"Daydream" is a rose that we grow in our garden but it doesn't look like this!

Rose "Dortmund" with Pink Dogwood
"Dortmund" again - this time growing among the branches of a pink dogwood.

Rose "Dr. Dick"
"Dr. Dick" - I laughed when I saw the name of this rose. It immediately brought back memories of Christine Baranski on "Cybil". She was also dissing her ex-husband "Dr. Dick"!
Rose "Grande Amour"
"Grande Amour" - a stunning red rose. Perfection!

Rose "Heaven on Earth"
"Heaven on Earth"

Rose "Ketchup and Mustard"
"Ketchup and Mustard" - now who would name a rose this?
Rose "Kiss Me"
"Kiss Me"

Rose "Princess Alexandra of Kent"
"Princess Alexandra of Kent" - a lovely profuse rose. If I get the chance to grow roses again, this is one for my want list.
Rose "Sparkle and Shine"
"Sparkle and Shine"
Rose "Strike It Rich"
"Strike It Rich"

Rose - unnamed trial
This rose was labeled "Unnamed Trial Rose" and it was a stunner. It is sure to be a success.


Rose - unnamed (foliage)
I thought the foliage was quite interesting as well.

Rose "Barbra Streisand"
"Barbra Streisand" - I've read a lot about Ms. Streisand's demand for perfection in choosing her namesake rose. It looks like she made a good choice. Another superb lavender rose.
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Beautiful roses! Years ago I tried to grow some hybrid teas but with black spot and Japanese beetles I gave up. In the last couple of years I've tried some English shrub roses but they still seem to prone to black spot. Are there any you grow that show any resistance? I am growing several of the knockout roses.

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  2. I'm all of descriptive words. I thought "Rhapsody in Blue" had to be the prettiest one until the page finished loading. Now I don't know. I think I love 'em all.

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  3. That Rhapsody in Blue is much more blue than mine. I assume that's a camera/color thing? It's a blackspot magnet here in Kansas.

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  4. Rhapsody in Blue looks unreal. I like the yellow one best I think. No maybe that one you liked. No maybe the last one. Heck, I don't know which I like best. Beautiful, all.

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  5. Sue Ellen, I grow mostly hybrid musk, noisette, polyanthas, etc. They are more resistant than hybrid teas.

    ProfessorRoush, the color is enhanced a bit but it was pretty vibrant. It is like you said earlier, the roses out there just look different.

    Lisa, I know, it is hard to choose just one!

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  6. Wonderful collection Philip and your photos are marvelous as always! Larry

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  7. Oh my goodness, those roses made me drool! Mine are all resting right now, so it was fun to see all of those pretties in full bloom.

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  8. Cinco de Mayo! No, the next one, no, the one after that! Rose overload is right. Heavenly!

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