the year I finally will begin planting the garden I've been dreaming about...
It has been a long time coming this garden of mine...oh, such a very long time coming. All those plant lists I've made, those inspirational pictures torn out of magazines (some saved for years), all the gardening books with post-it notes tabbing the pages, those stockpiled seed packets and innumerable links to gardening related websites...all coming together now and I pinch myself to believe its true. I'm humming with anticipation like a kid waiting for Christmas!
This week has been all about roses. What fun to walk the nursery aisles and look at all those picture tags hanging from bare, thorny sticks. Who amongst us has not been wooed by those fabulous petal portraits? I fall for them like I fall for wine labels - I may not know the product but I've gotta bring it home. This is one I fell for - isn't she GORGEOUS...
Honestly, would you be able to resist this rose?
..."exquisite, apricot-orange rosettes with a strong,
deliciously fruity fragrance." And it is repeat-flowering!
I am particularly fond of old-fashioned roses and most of them have a delicious scent as well. The U.K. rose breeder, David Austin, has been producing English varieties that do extremely well here in our Pacific Northwest climate. I'm giving a few of them a try. This pale pink one is almost thornless so I'll be growing it as a shrub in an open area where dawg loves to hang out...
Another one I couldn't resist is a climber with this description, "...one of the largest-flowered and most magnificent...full-petalled cups...wonderful fruit fragrance, with hints of citrus or lychee." sigh. Oh look, it jumped onto my cart.
It was the peachy-pink color that got to me on the next one. Another one with few thorns, it grows to five feet tall by four feet wide with "strong, arching stems" and should make a most excellent shrub. Ever been to Shropshire? Well, I never saw a lad there as good looking as this...
Thanks for stopping by to smell the roses with me!
Painting above, "The Soul of the Rose"
by John William Waterhouse, 1908
hi Christi, i think you must have somehow dialed up a "scent-arama" on your blog as i could definately smell all the roses as i read about them. How exciting, a new garden. Make sure you take photos before, during and after. We want to make sure you're actually doing it and not just talking about it....ROFL. cheers, Kaite
ReplyDeleteSO happy for you that you're finally getting your roses and your dream garden. I adore roses and often dream of a rose garden for myself one day. Unfortunately, I have no way of keeping out the hundreds of deer in my yard who love nothing better to wait until the rose blooms are at their most beautiful to chomp away and ruin my feast for the rest of the summer. It's a battle I cannot fight and win.
ReplyDeleteI'll be delighted to live vicariously through your eyes and your garden. I hope you'll share more of the journey...
Ack, love these images. So luscious, I just want to eat them right up. Just can not WAIT to see then in bloom.
ReplyDeleteKaite ~ good idea! I'm not always so good about keeping up with the picture taking but now that you've challenged me for *proof* I shall try to do better {{{grin}}}. Happy gardening to you in your neck of the world!
ReplyDeletePwithN ~ Thank you! I'm happy to share...and I know just what you mean about them pesky deer! Deer fencing is my new best friend but just not practical for everyone...
Jan ~ soooo good to see you here (luv your peekaboo profile photo!). I can't wait either!!!
Hi Sweatpea, your garden is going to be delightful with all these roses. I like the way that they jump into your cart...hihhhi
ReplyDeletext
On this blustery, chilly night, it's a treat to read about roses and the anticipaiton you have for your garden!!! Even with my horrible purple thumb, I was able to grow Heritage roses in the back yard of my former home in Ballard (Seattle neighborhood). They definitely like the sun and were hardy even in the worst winters. They require good pruning as they quickly become straggly. The roses are sweet and last a long time when picked as buds. It will be an exciting summer for you!!! Hugs, R
ReplyDeleteBeautiful roses, I hope you will find the muse there when she goes into hiding.
ReplyDeleteHi Christi
ReplyDeleteJust want to share my love of roses and pre-raphaelite art with you! I am a rose lover like yourself and have a huge rambling country garden with mainly David Austin fragrant roses inc. Heritage.I have grown Shropshire Lass in the past. No other roses come close to these old ones. Good luck with your garden. We are just going into Winter here so the roses are now dormant.
Happy gardening inspiration!