We had a big thunderstorm yesterday evening, with high wind and pelting rain. Let's take a walk through the garden and see what I still have left out there to show you. It might be a challenge.
The Rambler Fence is pretty much finished blooming. There is a flower or two left on some of the roses that aren't too bad. With the heat predicted today, I doubt they'll last till tomorrow.
Aviateur Bleriot, blooming in the weeds
Ghislaine de Feligonde
Poor, soggy Albertine
Dr. W. Van Fleet, on the front fence, is hanging in there ... with half a dozen or so flowers this morning. All of the other Van Fleet bred roses on the fence are finished.
Dr. W. Van Fleet
There were only a couple of Old Garden Roses left in the Rose Field.
Apothecary's Rose, with a bee
and a soggy cluster of Charles de Mills
Since she blooms later than the rest, poor Pink Baltimore Belle/Arcata Pink Globe had a particularly short bloom period this year. No sooner than she hit full bloom, the heat came and dried out her beautiful flowers. (Have I mentioned lately how much I love this rose?)
Arcata Pink Globe
Minnehaha also blooms late, but she has the advantage of afternoon shade cast by the cherry tree in the Rose Field, so she's not burned to a crisp.
Minnehaha
Baron Girod de L'Ain is technically a repeat bloomer, but his repeat is paltry at best. Spring flush is definitely when he does his best work. Isn't the white trim on his fresh flowers heavenly?
Baron Girod de L'Ain
I'm always sad to see the spring-blooming roses finish each year. The show of flowers they produce is something that just cannot be duplicated with the more-modern repeat-blooming roses. If you live in a climate that can give them the winter chill they need, I can guarantee that your garden will be better for having them.
Let it be known that I saw my first Japanese Beetle of the year this morning. (I tried to get a photo of him, but he flew away). We'll see what kind of a Beetle season we're in for.
(written by Hartwood Roses. Hartwood Roses blog)