My, my, my. His garden is certainly a place of wonder! Unlike my garden, Robert's garden isn't all about roses ... but the roses are definitely the star of the show right now.
This is the view I saw to my left as I pulled into his driveway.
The large roses on the arch are Alberic Barbier (white) and an unknown red climber.
Here is the view of this arch from the other side.
Robert and I have tried for years to identify the red rose ... and we have been unsuccessful so far. It was given to Sherando Roses as cuttings of 'Jaune Desprez' by the folks at the Lynchburg City Cemetery. ('Jaune Desprez' is an apricot Noisette, so that's not it.) This rose is fragrant and healthy, and it blooms like crazy. One day, we'll figure out what it is.
There are beautiful views everywhere you look in Robert's garden! This is what you see looking toward the barn from his back terrace.
Look a little to the left, and you get this view.
1. Climbing Clotilde Soupert
2. Paul Transon
3. The Alexandra Rose
Speaking of the barn .... that's where Robert keeps his alpacas! I want some of these so badly!! (Later.) The Husband assures me that I can have my own alpacas once we clear a few things off our To Do list. I can hardly wait!
Russelliana, a beautiful purple rambler, grows on the fence in front of the alpaca yard.
(wide shot)
(close up)
To the right of the barn is this circular garden.
The concrete table, with umbrella, is surrounded by raised beds with rebar arches that contain alternating purple and white climbing roses. 'Violette', a purple rambler, was particularly photogenic!
This vignette is beside Robert's chicken house. He bought this rooster sculpture when he and I went to the Maymont Flower and Garden Show in February, and I love how he is displaying it on top of an old rusty axle from a piece of farm equipment.
'A Shropshire Lass' is a David Austin English rose Robert grows that I have never seen before.
One of my favorite roses is 'Banshee'. Robert's was blooming when I was there. I'm still waiting for the first flower of the year on mine.
Beside Robert's greenhouse is a great example of growing roses into trees.
1. Veilchenblau
2. Darlow's Enigma
3. Tess of the D'urberbilles
Darlow's Enigma is planted on a rebar tripod beside Tess of the D'urbervilles. Darlow is trying to swallow poor Tess, and looks to be determined to escape up into the holly tree, which already contains Rosa fortuniana (not visible in this photo) and the lovely purple 'Veilchenblau'.
My favorite view of the afternoon was this one I saw on 'Ghislaine de Feligonde' I love how the soft apricot yellow of the roses perfectly contrasts with the brilliant purple of the clematis.
I have to stop now, so I can get ready for a very special visitor. Kat from Low Tide High Style is coming over this afternoon!! She and I are going to eat, and visit, and spend time with our cameras in the garden. Speaking of cameras ... I have to go pop my camera battery into the charger.
Bye for now!
