Garden: Roses

Last year we bought an armful of roses as they do well on our horrible (but improving) clay.  We lost one - Mrs Gertrude Jekyll, ironically - but the other three, if not exactly thriving yet, have now produced their first flowers.

Experience has shown that most plants, regardless of whether they are trees or shrubs or herbaceous perennials take at least two years to get established.  A lot must be going on in the root department to allow for the sudden explosion of growth.  Fingers crossed that these three will really go for it next year.  Meanwhile here is a taster:






Gros Provins Panaché



On the side of the bank close to the terrace and deck so we can enjoy the scent.








The other two are climbers, one either side of a rustic arch which tops a flight of steps leading out into the meadow and orchard areas.





Le Grand Huit.

Intense red, but no scent, which I'd not realised at the time.

It seems to be a rather weak plant, plenty of flowers to come, but it has little interest in putting on any climbing growth.  It can consider itself on probation at the moment!

And on the other side Pierre de Ronsard (called Eden in Britain, I believe) pale pink/white.

This looks as though it will be the only flower this year, but it is sending up strong growth for next year.














Elsewhere, Mermaid is going great guns on the pergola; the first flowers are just coming out and she will provide plenty of shade this summer.  Should we have such a thing.










For 2014 I've planted three rosa rugosa in places where they can be left to be total thugs, one is part of a mixed hedge with three types of buddleia to keep the bees and butterflies happy.  And based on current growth rates, that will be starting to look good in 2016!

Meanwhile, we have the dog roses to enjoy.







Mixed hedges with rose and cornus flowering after the blackthorn froth - all self sown!  I may try some rose hip syrup this year.