Rose Overload!

The past two weeks have been a blur!  As soon as spring weather arrived, I spent every available bit of time for weeks, working in the garden and getting the roses ready for their big show in May and June.  I try to do what I can to have the garden look its best when visitors come.  Whenever I'm outside, I have my iPhone in my pocket ... which is really handy for taking photos.  

Here is a selection of roses that have been photo-worthy so far this year ... in alphabetical order, because that's how they end up being arranged in my blog photo file.  This post is a long one.  Settle in, and ENJOY!!  (Highlighted rose names are links to take you to the rose's description page on Help Me Find, the best rose reference site on the web.)

'Alchymist'

  

'Alida Lovett', Hybrid Wichurana rambler. 1917.

'Annie Laurie', Floribunda, 2001.

"Arcata Pink Globe", Hybrid Setigera rambler, found rose.

'Augustine Girault', Hybrid Wichurana rambler, 1907.

'Baby Betsy McCall', Miniature, 1960.

'Climbing American Beauty', Hybrid Wichurana rambler, 1909.

'Coral Creeper', Hybrid Wichurana, 1938.

"Dennis's Not-Anemone Rambler", Hybrid Setigera Rambler, history unknown.

'Fabvier', China rose, bef. 1829.

'Garisenda', Hybrid Wichurana, 1911.

'Ghislaine de Feligonde', Hybrid Multiflora, 1916.

'Glenn Dale', Hybrid Wichurana, 1927.

'Gold Coin', Miniature, 1967.

'Golden Arctic', Large-flowered Climber, 1954.

'Golden Glow', Hybrid Wichurana, 1937.

'Grace Seward', Miniature, 1991.

'Green Ice', Miniature, 1971.

"Green Mount Red", Noisette, found rose.

Detail of front yard Hybrid Tea garden.  The pink rose in the front is 'Mme. Joseph Bonnaire'.

'Janna', Miniature, 1970.

'Mary Guthrie', Polyantha, 1929.

'Mary Washington', Noisette, bef. 1890.

Detail of Miniature Garden with Ramblers on the fence.

Detail of the Miniature Garden with Ramblers on the fence.

Detail of Miniature Garden with Ramblers on the fence.

'Moonlight', Hybrid Musk, 1913.

'Mrs. Robinson', Floribunda, 2008.

'New Dawn', Large-flowered climber, 1930.

'Orfeo', Large-flowered Climber, 1963.

'Paul's Himalayan Musk Rambler', Rambler, 1916.

'Pink Pillar', Large-flowered Climber, 1940.

'Robin Hood', Hybrid Musk, 1927, and 'Maid Marion', Hybrid Musk, 1930.

Unknown China with Virginia provenance, grown from cuttings from Sacramento City Cemetery rose garden.

"Setzer's Noisette", Noisette, found rose, said to have been taken cross-country from Virginia in the 19th Century.

'Shailer's Provence, Hybrid China, 1799.

'Shailer's Provence', Hybrid China, 1799.

'Silver Moon', Hybrid Wichurana, 1910.

"Single Pink China", China rose, found rose, thought to be a sport of 'Old Blush'.

'Verdun', Polyantha, 1918.

'White Quill', Mini-flora, 2003.

I can honestly say that my roses have never looked better.  My efforts to attend to things before they become a huge problem (like weeds and blackspot) are really making a difference.  Our rainy, cool spring helped, too.

In case this wasn't enough for you, there's still more to come.  Stay tuned!

Foggy Flowers on Friday, and an Invitation

It's raining today.  It also rained yesterday ... and the day before.  It's supposed to rain tomorrow, too.  I'm okay with it, because the roses love the rain (and saturated soil will make for easier weed pulling next week.)

Before the rain started on Wednesday, Ruby and I went for a walk through the garden to see what was blooming.  It was overcast and a bit foggy, and I am really pleased with what this did for my photos.  I hope you like them, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I forgot to mention here that I am having a pot luck Garden Social next Saturday, October 19th, from 2:00 to 5:00.  I am excited to show everyone the improvements in the garden (fewer weeds, more roses, and my new garden along the fence behind the greenhouse.)  If you would like to come, please send me an email so I know ahead of time who's going to be here.  Plan to bring a dish to share, and a rose (or other plant) to trade.  (It's okay if you don't have anything to trade ... there will certainly be enough extra plants so no one goes home empty handed.)

I love a good garden party!!  I hope you can come.