Anise 'Woodland Red' ( Illicium floridanum ) A few weeks ago, I thought spring would never arrive, but now the change is astonishing. The nights are still cold (40s and sometimes even 30s) so planting tender annuals and vegetables is unwise although I have already succumbed, but covering and uncovering things gets old quickly. Someone made a wise comment last week and I must agree with them - "Don't plant anything tender until after May 1". Several plants are blooming like never before. One is the Anise shrub (above and below). I don't know if the recent tree pruning, which is allowing more sun into the woodland path, is affecting it or perhaps it is just age, but I've never seen so many blooms. Michael refers to this as "the stinky fish shrub" and I have to admit to smell of the flowers is quite unpleasant. It is so beautiful that I can overlook that. The old pink dogwood tree, which was already here, shades our woodland path and it too is prett
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August Roses
'Seafoam' rose with Clematis x durandii
The roses are displaying their second flush of blooms and basking in the languid hot temperatures. I fertilized them with fish emulsion about a month ago. The second bloom is usually much lighter than the heavy spring displays but some of them can be quite profuse.
On the lighter side, 'Seafoam' (above) has actually been a very shy bloomer this year, even on its initial display. I don't know why this is.
Also, much sparser in blooming this go-around is 'Radway Sunrise'. This is a rose that just keeps blooming as long as the spend blooms are deadheaded. Amazing color on this one -
'Radway Sunrise'
When I look at the photos, 'Playboy' (below) looks a lot like 'Radway Sunrise'. 'Playboy' is more orange although the color now has a more pronounced pink effect. Maybe the weather or the camera -
Another in the orange color is 'Coral Cove'. I'm still impressed with this one. It is part of the "Easy Elegance" series and just a fantastic performer -
'Tequila Sunrise'
The color for Best Orange must go to 'Lady Emma Hamilton'. Despite occasional foliage issues, the flowers are drop-dead gorgeous -
And here she is in action -
Another rose out next to the street is 'Robin Hood', a hybrid musk shrub. I'm not sure how I managed to plant this rose out in the front since I was trying to stick with orange, reds and purples. Oh well, I'm not moving it -
'Robin Hood'
And yet another rose in the pink range - this is 'Marjorie Fair' (sometimes called 'Red Ballerina'). This is a big sized rose and needs lots of space. Ours is cramped but seems happy -
'Marjorie Fair'
In the back garden, 'Lamarque' is performing more admirably this year. It barely bloomed last year but has in bloom this year almost all summer -
Another white rose - 'Darlow's Enigma' - which I envision covering the pergola. It will be competing with a number of other vines, mostly notably the Crimson Glory Vine (Vitis coignetiae).
'Darlow's Enigma' and Porcelain Vine (Ampelopsis glandulosa)
The pinks -
'Cornelia'
'Eden'
'Eden' with 'Phyllis Bide' which has already faded -
'Gertrude Jekyll' which took the place of 'Iceberg' on the obelisk. 'Iceberg' is doing well in its new location next to the garden shed.
'Gertrude Jekyll'
'Marchesa Boccella' reblooming nicely -
'Marchesa Boccella'
'Olivia Rose' is one of the nicest performing David Austin roses so far -
My favorite rose is the one I look at in that moment. I imagine it's a full time job to keep deadheading them all summer long. A labor of love rewarded.
Michael does most of the deadheading and goes through them a few times every week. I always try to have the pruning shears on me so I catch a few when doing other things.
Lovely one and all, although it was the clematis in the first photo that really grabbed my attention. I've had only sporadic blooms on my 'Pink Meidiland' roses this summer and no others but I know they're not getting enough water this year.
I usually do an August cut back on my roses but I never got around to it this year. I usually cut off about a third and I get fresh foliage and 1 or 2 more bloom flushes-our first frost seems to be holding off til late Nov or December these days. I'm with you on Lady Emma !
Gorgeous roses indeed. Enjoyed seeing them. 'Lady Emma' was a terrible fader and the foliage was awful in my garden. The freshly opened flowers and the red brand new foliage were the best--but as both aged, yeeeechhhh. Yours looks perfect.
Lovely roses. I am waiting for mine to have their late summer flush, but for some reason, this year they have been so odd. I am sure it hasn't helped that they've been attacked by beetles. The foliage is beautiful but they are just not doing much now. Which is why I loved your post. Living my rose life vicariously through you. :)
My favorite rose is the one I look at in that moment. I imagine it's a full time job to keep deadheading them all summer long. A labor of love rewarded.
ReplyDeleteMichael does most of the deadheading and goes through them a few times every week. I always try to have the pruning shears on me so I catch a few when doing other things.
DeleteLovely one and all, although it was the clematis in the first photo that really grabbed my attention. I've had only sporadic blooms on my 'Pink Meidiland' roses this summer and no others but I know they're not getting enough water this year.
ReplyDeleteThat will make a difference!
DeleteGorgeous roses. Especially love the colour and form of 'Marchessa Boccella'
ReplyDeleteThat bloom is fading and the shape of the bloom changes and flattens a little as it does that.
DeleteI usually do an August cut back on my roses but I never got around to it this year. I usually cut off about a third and I get fresh foliage and 1 or 2 more bloom flushes-our first frost seems to be holding off til late Nov or December these days. I'm with you on Lady Emma !
ReplyDeleteGorgeous roses indeed. Enjoyed seeing them. 'Lady Emma' was a terrible fader and the foliage was awful in my garden. The freshly opened flowers and the red brand new foliage were the best--but as both aged, yeeeechhhh. Yours looks perfect.
ReplyDeleteDespite the blackspot, it is usually a nice looking rose. The color is fantastic.
DeleteLovely roses. I am waiting for mine to have their late summer flush, but for some reason, this year they have been so odd. I am sure it hasn't helped that they've been attacked by beetles. The foliage is beautiful but they are just not doing much now. Which is why I loved your post. Living my rose life vicariously through you. :)
ReplyDeleteDo you have Japanese beetles? I had those in Alabama but fortunately haven't seen them here in Washington.
Delete