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Planting Autumn Crocus (Colchicum)

I don't believe I have ever grown autumn crocus ( colchicum - I love to say that word) -  although we did inherit one when we moved into this house. I moved it, and apparently it did not like that because I never saw it again. I have always wanted to grow it, but I always think about it at the wrong time of year. Plus, I never see it at nurseries (not even at Yard N' Garden Land). When a friend offered me some, I said YES. She gave me one special one called "Waterlily" and several that I guess we would call the  "average one".  'Waterlily' The question then was where on earth would I would plant them. I read that they are nice in grassy areas so I then decided to plant them along the grassy pathway in front. (This pathway is about to become a gravel pathway as I am refusing to water it daily. Michael wins this battle and gets to do the "told you so" dance .) I decided to tuck the primo one at the corner of the path next to this pot. Diggin...

A Good Year For Roses

'Crown Princess Margareta'


Who would have thought that our cold, wet spring would result in such healthy roses?  They have been remarkable, and the continuing cool temperatures keep them looking good.

I was more ruthless with pruning this year and I'm not sure if it was that factor or the lush rainfalls we got back in May, perhaps a combination of both, but the result has been a significant growth spurt and an abundance of blooms.


'The Impressionist'

'The Impressionist' has been one of my favorites. It has suffered a lot of abuse from my hands, having been moved twice and then its stiff canes forced down horizontally along the front fence. I was seriously considering moving it again but decided to give it one more chance and it listened.

'Lady Emma Hamilton'

'Lady Emma Hamilton', one of the most deliciously scented roses, was wisely planted near the front door along the sidewalk. It isn't a carefree rose and displays an occasional odd mosaic pattern on the leaves, but overall it is a stunning rose.

'Julia Child'

For years, I've heard nothing but raves about 'Julia Child' and finally found a spot for one. Generally, pure yellow roses are not my favorite, but I'm anxious to see what this one does.

'Swany'




'Swany' is a rose I got from Joy Creek Nursery. My plan was for it to drape over the trough that runs along the back of the driveway. It had other plans and has now grown over the top of the fence above it and continues to run down on the other side. The blooms this year are astounding, so thick you can't see the canes or leaves, and pure white.

Others -

'Lady of Shalott'



'Ballerina'

'Grandmother's Hat'

'Chinatown'

'Radway Sunrise'

'Tranquility'

'Buff Beauty'

'Gold Medal'

'Lyda Rose'

'Gertrude Jekyll'

'Tess of the D'Urbervilles'

'Alchymist'

'Sea Foam'

'Dublin Bay' with Clematis 'Jackmanii Superba'

'Darcey Bussell'

'Robin Hood'

'Veilchenblau'

Michael pruning and deadheading


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. They are all gorgeous, Phillip, although I'm especially taken with "The Impressionist', a rose I've never seen before.

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  2. Your roses are so beautiful that I could almost smell the stunning scent of each one. Thank you for sharing these.

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  3. Oh wow. Your roses are just perfection, Buff Beauty is a real romancer!

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