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Roses In The Garden - a book review

Roses In The Garden by Ngoc Minh Ngo Photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo celebrates rose gardens throughout the world in this beautifully produced book.  The author photographed a total of 11 gardens across the globe (Italy, Morocco, Spain, USA, UK, and Japan). Beginning with the Italian garden Ninfa (often referred to as the most romantic garden in the world), her photographs have a dreamy quality that transports the reader to these exotic locales. Closer to home, Floret Farm in Mount Vernon, Washington, is included in one of the chapters. All types of roses are included in the gardens but the majority feature old rose varieties. Many of the gardens have roses growing in wild abandon, intermingled in hedge rows, spilling over walls and fences and surrounded by pastures and rolling hills. A pictorial index lists all the roses and the gardens where they reside. This stunning book was published by Rizzoli Books and is available on Amazon and in bookstores. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, ...
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Dividing & Transplanting Joe Pye Weed



A major job that I dreaded this fall was digging up, dividing and transplanting  Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum). 

One of my favorite perennials, it makes a commanding statement in the garden. A clump of tall erect stems with puffy pink flowers appear in late summer. In fall, the leaves are a bright yellow.

It started out innocently enough...

In 2017 (it was either planted that year or the year before), it was tall by autumn but only five or six stalks...



Two years later, much taller (7 feet!) and wider but manageable (I'm sure we had cut away at the sides)...



And last year (2022), starting to spread...


This year it has not been that attractive and apparently, I did not even photograph it. The blooms were short-lived, and the plant is sprawling.  Time for action!

I had longed thought that the plant was too large for the area where it is located. So I decided that I move it to another area of the garden.

After cutting the canes back about half-way (I did this a few weeks ago), I started digging around the clump. It wasn't really that bad as the plant is not too deep-rooted, it is just wide. Having a bum knee didn't help matters much.



After almost falling into the thing and poking my eyes out, I decided to cut the stalks down all the way to the ground. Much better!


I was going nowhere with attempting to divide the clump with my shovel. "Christina, bring me the axe!"


This worked much better and I divided the entire clump into three pieces. This should probably be divided even further. They are so heavy!


A newly planted clump just in time for soaking rains overnight...



It will be interesting to see how this does in its new home. It was in a damp spot previously and they do like moisture. This area is a drier location although we water a lot. Until next season!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Kris PetersonNovember 4, 2023 at 4:11 PM

    Another great plant I wish I could grow in my climate.

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverNovember 6, 2023 at 8:51 AM

      I did not realize it couldn't be grown everywhere.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousNovember 5, 2023 at 5:59 PM

    Please follow up next year. I want to see the companion plantings. Thanks

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  3. AnonymousNovember 6, 2023 at 7:11 AM

    Did you plant all the divisions in the garden? Did one dropped back into the original spot? Maybe a slightly dryer location will contain the exuberant growth...
    Chavli

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverNovember 6, 2023 at 8:52 AM

      I planted 2 of the divisions in different areas (I'm putting something different in the original location). I divided the third piece into two pieces and plan to share them.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousAugust 4, 2024 at 8:26 AM

    How did it work? Did they survive, even flourish? Is there a picture from this year?

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    Replies
    1. Phillip OliverAugust 4, 2024 at 9:31 AM

      Yes, both clumps are doing fine and I see buds on them. I'm having to water them frequently because they keep wilting. I will try to get a photo.

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