Kiftsgate Court Gardens
Just right down the road from Hidcote is Kiftsgate Court Gardens. This garden was created by Heather Muir beginning in the 1920s. Muir's daughter, Diany Binny, came to live at Kiftsgate in 1954. She would add the half-moon pool and redesigned the white garden. She also first opened the garden to the public. Today, the tradition continues as granddaughter Anne Chambers and her husband maintain the gardens. Heather Muir was a friend and neighbor of Hidcote's Lawrence Johnston (their houses are within one mile of each other), and he inspired her in the garden's design. However, the two gardens differ in character and have their own unique characteristics. While Johnston's garden is laid out in strict geometric lines, Muir took a more naturalistic approach. Muir added many heirloom shrub roses to the garden and is famous for the 'Kiftsgate' rose, which occurred from a seedling in the garden. Unfortunately, we were too early for the roses. There were a few like t...
Excellent advise. I have rarely transplanted roses, mainly because I usually kill them. I do have three roses now. I have one that is a rambler that is so old I don't know for sure what it is. I have the climber White Dawn. It is a tough plant. I moved it in the heat of the summer but it lived. It was doing great then winter before last the rabbits ate it to the ground. The poor thing has struggled since. Then I have another climber named Golden Showers. It has been doing pretty good. I don't wish to move another though. I hope your rose thrives in it's new location.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, Phillip, my head was nodding "Yes!" right from the start as it all resonated with me. And when you mentioned the best buds facing inward instead of outward, I thought that had clinched the deal. But I don't think I've ever had a root ball stay intact, so I'll give you 10 out of 10 on this post.
ReplyDeleteYou make it look so easy! I know it isn't. You do a good job.
ReplyDeleteDigging out a rose is my very least favorite gardening activity. There always seems to be one root that goes straight down and is impossible to get at. Here, too, the light soil and lack of any winter chill means crown/root gall is a terrible problem--many of mine have succumbed. A rose intended to be moved ends up having to be discarded because of gall.
My 'Golden Celebration' is huge. I love it.