White Wednesday Roses -- and a Bit of a Mystery

I have a rose mystery here in the garden to share with you this morning.  (The rose in question is supposed to be white, so it qualifies for inclusion here on White Wednesday, IMO.)  This is supposed to be 'Baltimore Belle' ... at least that's what the tag said on the rose when I took the cuttings in Lynchburg three years ago.

"Not-Baltimore Belle"

'Baltimore Belle' was hybridized by Samuel Feast, of Baltimore, in 1843.  The buds are supposed to be pink, opening to pale pink flowers that quickly fade to blush white.  The flowers on my "Not-Baltimore Belle" never get anywhere close to white, however. 

A much-admired rose friend of mine, during a visit here last year, was the first to doubt the identity of this rose.  He and another friend stood and stared and discussed it, and they decided that this is not THE 'Baltimore Belle'.  It is the same type of rose, probably originating from similar parentage, but 'Baltimore Belle' it is not.

What is it?

"Arcata Pink Globe"

At the other end of the Rose Field, I grow a mystery rose called "Arcata Pink Globe".  I bought this rose from Vintage Gardens in 2007, and it has turned out to be eerily similar to my "Not-Baltimore Belle".  "Arcata Pink Globe" has been found in several sites in California's gold country.  (It is also thought to be the same as the "Moser House Shed" rose.)  This says to me that it could have been brought from the East with early settlers as they traveled to California to seek their fortunes. Was one or more of those settlers from the Baltimore area, and did they take cuttings of a rose similar to 'Baltimore Belle' with them on their journey?  (Samuel Feast hybridized other roses, most of which are now lost.)

"Not-Baltimore Belle"

My first step in trying to unravel this mystery was to contact Lynchburg to find out where they got their "Not-Baltimore Belle".  According to their records, the original plant came from Sherando Roses.  Yesterday, I emailed the man who owned Sherando.  He replied this morning and said that, to the best of his recollection, his "Baltimore Belle' came from cuttings in Lynchburg (which would be the same plant where I took my cuttings).  The mystery has now made a big circle, and there's no solution in sight.

"Arcata Pink Globe"

I plan to take pieces of both of these roses with me to the open house at Tufton Farm on Saturday.  Doug Seidel and Dennis Whetzel (rose geniuses!) will be conducting their Antique Rose Show that day, where they identify mystery roses that people bring for them.  I can also compare my roses to the 'Baltimore Belle' that grows in the Tufton display garden.

"Not-Baltimore Belle"

All of the photos I have used here were taken on Sunday morning.  Both of these roses are blooming a bit later than the other ones on the fence ... they were in exactly the same stage of bloom, having both opened their first flowers the day before.  Every part of these roses two appear to be identical.  The only tiny little difference that I can find is that the leaves on "Not-Baltimore Belle" may be a little bit smaller than those on "Arcata Pink Globe".  The difference is barely enough to mention, however.

"Not-Baltimore Belle"

"Arcata Pink Globe"

Both roses have the same dull green leaves, and fat reddish pink buds in large clusters.

"Not-Baltimore Belle"

"Arcata Pink Globe"

As the flowers open, some of the reddish color on the buds remains on the outer petals for a short time.  (If you look carefully, there's a bit visible in the APG photo above, just to the right of the large central bud.) 

"Arcata Pink Globe"

Both of these roses are wonderful additions to my garden ... they're big, and vigorous, and resistant to disease.  It's a plus that they bloom for a long time, when some of the other ramblers are beginning to fade, and the flowers smell heavenly.

If you have room in your garden for a big girl, with all these lovely qualities, consider "Not-Baltimore Belle".  Whatever her real name turns out to be, this rose is a winner.

This Weekend was a Blur

This weekend was packed with activities.  It practically wore me out.  I'm just now recovered and recharged enough to tell you about it.

Our youngest daughter graduated from college on Saturday morning.  We all had to be in Fairfax (an hour away from here)  by 9:00am to get a good seat to watch the graduation which started at 10:00. 

The graduates marched in precisely on time.  We spotted our daughter among the sea of green gowns, and we quickly discovered that her group was seated on the opposite side of the stadium.  That's her in the red circle, WAY over on the other side.

Blurry telephoto shot.

The ceremony lasted two hours.  Afterward, we stood outside, posing for the obligatory family photos in blinding sunshine.  (Note to self:  remember to stand up straight and try not to squint so much next time.) 

We left Fairfax and headed straight for home, because we had guests arriving for the graduation party/barbeque at 3:00.  We arrived home at 1:45, leaving a precious little time for the last minute preparations.  Thankfully, we did as much as we could ahead of time on Friday, so there wasn't that much to do.  We already had the party tent up, tables and chairs in place, food prepped and utensils ready.  All that was left was to put tablecloths on the tables, carry the drinks from the house to the coolers, add ice, and start the party.

A friend of ours volunteered to be our BBQ chef for the day.  He cooked delicious burgers and apple-wood smoked chicken.

It was great to eat and drink and visit with family and friends.  The weather Saturday was perfect, and the roses provided the beautiful backdrop for the day's activities.

Sunday, we cleaned up the remains of Saturday's party, and readied ourselves for our Open Garden in the afternoon.  Most of the roses are in full, glorious bloom right now.  We had quite a stream of visitors all afternoon, strolling the gardens, taking photos, and asking questions ... lots and LOTS of questions.

A view through the rose arches, looking toward the barn.

Alberic Barbier on the Rambler Fence.

I talked to people from right before noon, till well after we closed at 4:00.  I tried to give everyone who came some individual attention, and I think I did okay with that.  I always seem to be teaching ... how to plant, what to use for spray, how to train a climber, etc. ... these things are easy to demonstrate in the garden.

Most of our Sunday visitors left here with a better appreciation for the beauty (and the ease) of Old Garden Roses.  They saw roses they'd never heard of before, in astonishing numbers.  If everyone who came learned one thing while they were here, I achieved my goal.  I want everyone to see that they have alternatives to the mass-market roses ... this place is my classroom.

It's raining today (as it did yesterday) and the roses will be even better for it in the coming days.  I'm taking this time to catch up on some administrative stuff (the things I dread) and I will probably work a bit on the walls of the basement bathroom ... they're almost ready for paint.  (I'll show you this a little later.)

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for White Wednesday Roses.

(written by Hartwood Roses.  Hartwood Roses blog.)

Flowers on Friday ... Monsieur Paul Lede

There is so much blooming in the garden right now, I'm afraid that I may wear out my camera photographing it all.  One of the most photogenic roses I found this week was Monsieur Paul Lede, a climbing tea rose introduced in 1913.

These beautiful apricot roses, against the blue sky and the weathered concrete fence posts, made for a wonderful series of photos that afternoon.

When I planted this rose, I didn't realize that it was a climbing tea ... so, it's planted in the center of the border where a shrub would have been perfect.  To accomodate the 8-foot canes that Msr. Paul Lede produced last year, I gathered them up and flipped them over the fence.  This may not be a perfect solution, but it will have to do until I find a better place for it.

If you come this weekend during Open Garden on Sunday, Msr. Paul Lede will be here to greet you.

(written by Hartwood Roses.  Hartwood Roses blog.)

White Wednesday Roses!!

My favorite day-of-the-week feature is back!!  I love white roses, and blogging about white roses is almost as good as seeing them in the garden.

For my first White Wednesday of the season, let's make one more stop in Lynchburg, to see some of the white roses that grow in the Old City Cemetery.

Aglaia, Hyb. Multiflora, 1896.

Technically, Aglaia is pale yellow (it's also known as Yellow Rambler).  The flowers start yellow, and they quickly fade to a beautiful ivory white.  I have been searching for this rose for two years, and no one had it for sale.  The lovely ladies at the Rose Festival last Saturday knew how much I wanted it, and they set the last one aside for me.  Now I just have to decide where to put it.

Sir Thomas Lipton, Hyb. Rugosa, 1900.

I love this rose!  It was one of the very first ones I bought for the garden, when I started buying roses in 2002.  The poor thing lived in a pot until two years ago.  It has settled into its anchor position on the row of rugosas in the Rose Field, and it's blooming its head off right now.  The American Rose Society, however, does not love this rose ... saddling it with a pitiful rating that it doesn't deserve.

Blanc Double de Coubert, Hyb. Rugosa, 1893.

I don't grow this rose ... yet. Hybrid Rugosas are so carefree, and this one is wonderful.  I will be adding this to my collection if the VERY near future.

Frau Karl Druschki, Hyb. Perpetual, 1901.

In old rose books, Frau Karl Druschki is mentioned as one of the very best white roses EVER.  Her only flaw is that she has no fragrance ... which I can overlook, because she is so beautiful.

Fortuniana, Hyb. Banksia, 1840.

Fortuniana is a lovely almost-evergreen climber, that covers itself with clusters of delicate, papery flowers every spring.  Our friends in Florida are probably most familiar with this rose as a root stock.  It is fragrant, and worth garden space on its own merits.

Madame Plantier, Hybrid Alba, 1835.

Madame Plantier may be one of the most perfect white roses.  Light green foliage, trailing/mounding habit, fragrance, and THORNLESS.  Who doesn't love a pure white rose with that cute little green pip in the center?

Sombruiel, Large-flowered climber, c. 1950's

This rose was once thought to be a climbing Tea from the 1880's, but it isn't.  It's also been called Colonial White ... having a rose with two names confuses everyone.  (There is a climbing tea known as Mlle de Sombruiel, also known as La Biche, which makes this really confused.)  Whatever it is, this rose is fragrant and vigorous, and a great addition to one of the pillars on my Arcade.

Silver Moon, Rambler, 1910.

I'll wrap it up this week with one of my favorites, Silver Moon.  It is a product of one of my favorite hybridizers (Dr. Walter Van Fleet) and I grow it in a prominent spot at the end of the Rambler Fence.  The ones at the Cemetery are in full bloom, and mine is just now getting started. 

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If you're local, and you want to come visit the roses in full bloom, I'm opening the garden this Sunday (May 16) from noon to 4:00.  The roses are early this year, and I'm afraid that many will be finished if I wait till the nursery opens on May 29.

The front Hybrid Tea beds, as seen from the front porch.

(written by Hartwood Roses.  Hartwood Roses blog.)

Random Facts.

Weeks ago, Karen at This Old House 2 and Grace of Sense and Simplicity were so sweet.  Each of them tagged me with a blog award ... and I've been too up-to-my-ears in things to acknowledge them here until now.  (I did send each a personal thank you message, so I'm not THAT much of a clod.)  I'm still buried hip-deep in stuff to do this week, but inspiration struck and here I go.

I'm supposed to share some random facts, ones that you may or may not know and might find interesting.

1.  I learned to sew when I was ten years old.  I made my prom dresses as a teen, and even sewed my own wedding dress (and one for my sister).  Many of the clothes my three daughters wore came from my ancient Kenmore sewing machine ... prom dresses for them, too. 

Now, I sew for my dogs.  They get coats, sweaters, and collars.  Greyhounds need special martingale collars, and I make tons of them.  (all profits are donated to Greyhounds Rock, which raises money for canine cancer support and research.)

 
2.  I usually wear my socks inside out.

3.  My coffee cup is my constant companion in the morning, and I'm always misplacing it.  "Where's my coffee cup?" is a regular thing.

4.  Since I started to need reading glasses, I have probably bought 50 pairs.  I have them all over the house, in my purse, in all my cars, and who-knows-where else.  I have sophisticated ones, gaudy ones, classic ones, flowered ones ... all bought cheap, so I don't feel bad when I lose them or break them.  I found a pair in the yard yesterday afternoon.  No telling how long they'd been there.

5.  I love funky shoes and baseball caps.  Here's my newest shoes, with one of my favorite caps ... not your Grandma's rose-themed attire, is it.

Since everyone I can think of who blogs has already done this at least once, I'll keep these awards here instead of passing them along.  I am so honored that Karen and Grace think enough of my little blog to acknowledge it like this.  It's nice to know that I'm not just talking to myself when I'm here.

(written by Hartwood Roses.  Hartwood Roses blog.)

An Accidental Combination

I readily admit that I have WAY to many roses still living in pots.  (There are 200+ at last count, which was a while ago.)

As I was watering the other day, I noticed this:

Sally Holmes (the white rose) and Souvenir du Dr. Jamain had snuggled up together, making the most beautiful combination of colors and forms that I've seen in a while.

I think I may have the perfect spot in the garden to show this off.

(written by Hartwood Roses.  Hartwood Roses blog.)

Moved Almost to Tears.

This week has been a blur.  I was working early in the week to get things here to a point where I could leave them for a couple of days, so I didn't worry about anything while I was in Lynchburg.  Wednesday and Thursday, traveling to and from Lynchburg to give my presentation at the cemetery ... Friday, catching up on work here.  Yesterday, I took my mom to Lynchburg for their Rose Festival (more on this another day). 

This morning, I could finally exhale, take my coffee and my camera to the garden, and see what's out there.  I knew the roses are early this year, and I knew that things were beginning to bloom faster than I anticipated, but I had no idea of the beauty that happened while I wasn't looking.  I was so moved that all I could do was stand in the Rose Field and try not to cry.  It's THAT beautiful.

(you can click on any of these photos to get a larger version.)

Noisettes in the foreground, Portlands in the middle, and ramblers on the left.

Geschwind's Nordlandrose, with America (the rambler, not the modern climber) on the right.

Shailer's Provence.  Can you see why this is one of my very favorite roses?

Some of the Chinas, left to right, Hume's Blush, Gruss an Teplitz, Ducher, Old Blush, Napoleon, Jean Bach Sisley, and Cl. Pompon de Paris.

Portlands in the foreground (Glendora, Rose du Roi, Rose du Roi a Fleurs Pourpres, and another Glendora), Geschwind's Nordlandrose in the back right, and Vanity on the top left.

In this photo, Autumn Damask is the rose in front, and I also see Tuscany Superb, White Bath, Shailer's Provence, and Zephirine Drouhin.

Looking west toward the barn.

The opposite view, east toward the garage and the house.

Noella Nabonnand, Tea Climber, 1901

A detail of the flowers on Zephirine Drouhin ... she is a beacon of hot pink in the garden.

Kathleen Harrop shares the arch opposite Zephirine Drouhin.

This is still a very young garden.  All of this was created in the last two years, if you can believe it.  We prepped the ground for this garden two springs ago, and the first roses went into the ground during the first week of June that year. 

Photos cannot capture the feeling of standing in the middle of this many roses.  There's so much to see, I don't know what to at look first.  Everywhere I look, I find something beautiful.  It's something that MUST be experienced in person. 

Because of this, I am going to open the garden for visitors next Sunday (May 16) from noon until 4:00.  I still have weeds everywhere (though there aren't as many as there were a short time ago)  The rambler fence looks like a haystack.  The nursery roses may or may not be ready ... but that's not the point.  There are FLOWERS in the garden, and I'm itching to share them.  If you're local, please plan to come.  (If you're on my mailing list, you'll hear about this again in an email.) 

(written by Hartwood Roses.  Hartwood Roses blog.)