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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

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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