I have been growing roses for over 20 years. I like the climbers and the David Austen roses and here in South we have repeat blooming roses that are very little care Knockout is their name.
My vision is to have all my wooden fencing covered in roses or clemetis. So far I have about 1/3 covered one rose just up and died one spring and then some evil pruning person just cut out another one. So I am planting more New Dawn climbers. They bloom several times and don't attract many pests.
One of my favorite stories as a child was The Secret Garden and that garden and Charleston walled gardens have influenced my fledgling garden.I think gardeners are optimists you must be to take that leap of faith plant a seed and feel that it will grow.
The garden used to have more roses but with the heat here I decided to put more bedding plants like iris and poppy and foxgloves all over the garden. There is a side path that leads to the gate and that area is partly sunny so I have another climbing New Dawn there and lots of peonies, foxgloves, herbs, lavender and saliva.
With this extended cold winter I wonder how all my beauties will respond? I think that a temperature drop is good for peony bloom. I just hope nothing else gets frozen out. Right now the pink almond trees are in bloom and some pink camellias. I am always so sad when a plant dies. I don't talk to my plants but I do feel they are alive and respond to vibes as well as sun and water so I take it hard when they die.
For now I must content myself with dreaming of roses.
Have a PINK day!
