Pink Grootendorst

There is lots of activity in the area as roads are cleared, stranded wedding parties released, MREs (the military’s Meals Ready to Eat) delivered by helicopter by FEMA, and damage assessed but all is quiet here at the End of the Road. The roses enjoyed their deep drink,  fatten their buds and bloom. The goldenrod is happy too.

Thomas Affleck

Thomas Affleck was hybridized at the Antique Rose Emporium in 1998, so it is a new rose. In my garden it is about 4 feet tall and loaded with roses all season. It begins early and continues all summer. Its hardiness is a reminder that hardiness is built into a rose, and is not dependent on the climate of the nursery where it was grown.

It is nearly thornless as promised, but it is not fragrant for me. That might possibly be a result of my soil or climate because the ARE recommends planting it where you will pass often so you can enjoy its scent. I have planted it at the end of the Herb Bed in front of the house so I pass it, and admire it, dozens of times a day, but alas, no fragrance. Its beauty and persistence make up for it though.

Double Red Knock Out Rose

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Harrison's Yellow

The first time I was given this rose it came with warnings to plant it somewhere it could be mowed back and kept under control. Unfortunately, it died. I tried again and I now have two clumps, but the mower has not be necessary yet.  I love that this early bloomer reflects the June sunlight which encourages all the growth on the hill.

Harrison’s Yellow rose presents its small double blossoms only in June. Its small leaves and spiny prickery stems will endure all summer. Like lilacs, this old rose is one that is often found on abandoned farms. It suckers easily so it was easy to give roots away to those who were setting off for new lands and new opportunities. I’m just glad I have the opportunity to have it growing in my garden.

Purington Pink

My Monday Record is a day late because I have been so busy with all the weeding, trimming, pruning and planting. There is so much left to do that it seems I am not making progress, but I am! The roses are making progress too. This is a rose bush given to me by the Purington family on Woodslawn Farm in Colrain. The flowers are small, about one and a half inches across, but intensely fragrant – and more come into bloom every day. Just beautiful. This Purington Pink, with spiny foliage, much like Harrison’s Yellow, is my Rose of the Day.

Purington Pink

I have three other Woodslawn roses, all hardy and trouble free. It is hard to know how long they have been growing on the Farm which has been tended by Puringtons for seven generations.

The whole of the fenced vegetable garden (above)  is planted, as is one half of The Potager, the unfenced part of the vegetable garden.  I call it The Potager because it has berries and flowers as well as vegetables.  The mulched garlic has not sent up scapes yet, and the sugar snaps, zucchini, carrots and beets were just planted this weekend, so no shoots yet. However, I did see a cottontail bunny hopping away when I walked down early this morning. Grrrrrrrr.

The Cutting Garden section of The Potager has zinnia, China aster and gomphrena seedlings, as well as Colrain Red beebalm which is loving its new bed.  Paths all around the gardens being refreshed with more cardboard and more mulch.

Our daughter Betsy was here briefly over the weekend and before she left she raked all the lawn. She also told Henry how to mow more efficiently so the clippings were more concentrated, quoting the training she had received at Greenfield Community College when her work-study job was with the ground crew. They really knew how to mow! I sent her home with lots of plants –  coral bells, Joan Elliot campanula, chives, golden marjoram, thyme and garlic chives.  I think that is most of it. Last year I helped her put in some ornamental plantings, and this year she has her first vegetable garden, an 8 x 10′ raised bed. She said she thought she ought to start small. She doesn’t get that kind of wisdom from me I’ll tell you.

Betsy is also a water expert, and while I was busy with other things she and Henry not only got the sump pump set up in our old dug well so that we don’t have to use the household water supply for garden watering, they are also cooking up a siphon system that won’t require a pump. I’ll report on the success of that project soon I hope.

Rugosa "Agnes"

I thought I pinched off the buds of the roses that were delivered early this month. I guess I was wrong.  ”Agnes” a rugosa from High Country Roses is hardly more than a foot tall, but she has two more buds. I better  pinch them off.  I want this new rose on the Rose Bank to put all its strength into good roots.  Yellow is a very unusual color for rugosas. I hope it will be hardy. Many yellow roses have less stamina than the familiar reds and pinks.

Rosa setigera

Rosa setigera, otherwise known as the Cherokee rose or Prairie rose is the only climbing rose native to North America.  Its range is from Canada to Texas, as far west as Nebraska and Kansas.  I bought my plant at Nasami Farm in Whately last year. My rose collection was calling out for a native American rose.  I was told that although this is listed as a climber most people let it just grow into a mounded tangle.

R. setigera foliage

I didn’t really know what this rose would look like, but the foliage was quite different from the usual rose foliage.

R. setigera

This spring the rugosas started blooming in early June and the other varieties followed. We had a good show  for the Annual Rose Viewing the last Sunday in June. But no Cherokee rose.  I wondered if I had watered it enough; it is in quite a dry spot.  Then when I finally got my feet under me after my return from Buffalo, there it was, in full graceful bloom. The single blossoms in shades of pink are about two inches across on arching branches.  I don’t know if this late bloom date is typical, or another manifestation of all the odd weather this year.

Quietness

Quietness is a Griffith Buck rose I saw last fall at the New York Botanical Garden. I knew I had to have it.  I ordered it from Chamblee Roses,  planted it this spring, and it is just starting to bloom.  The pale color and beautiful shape are perfectly serene.  I will be serene because Buck roses are very hardy.  Other Buck roses in my garden are Applejack, Hawk eye Belle, Prairie Harvest and Carefree Beauty.

Carefree Beauty

I planted Buck’s Carefree Beauty last year. It has not grown very much, but it does bloom – huge blossoms.

Hawkeye Belle

Hawkeye Belle was planted on the new Rose Bank this spring and is settling in. She also has delicate pink flowers. Hooray for Dr. Griffith Buck. He had an eye for roses, and compassion for gardeners who wanted a hardy disease resistant rose.

Rosa Mundi 6-30

Rosa Mundi is an ancient striped gallica rose – rosa gallica versicolor.  A good friend gave me this rose many years ago and has proved its hardiness by surviving this long. It has not increased in size, but it returns to bloom every June.  It is listed as hardy to Zone 4, so why hasn’t it thrived?  If I am honest I must assess the planting site. Although it is said to be tolerant of some shade, I think this spot next to the Cottage Ornee is too shady. Nor does it get the water that roses love because it is too close to the Cottage which has a fairly deep overhang.  I keep thinking I should move it to a more congenial spot.  I am starting a list of plants that should be moved this fall.  Rosa Mundi, possibly named after the Fair Rosamund, mistress of Henry II who lived in the 12th century must be moved.  This fall I will give the fragrant Fair Rosamund a better bed.

Pink Grootendorst Rugosa

We are making the final preparations for the Annual Rose Viewing tomorrow afternoon. I haven’t finished dead heading, but here is a preview of some of the roses in bloom.

Ghislaine de Feligonde rambler

Fantin-Latour alba

Ispahan damask

Red Meidelland landscape rose

Madame Plantier alba

These roses and more will be awaiting admirers at the Annual Rose Viewing at the End of Knott Road in Heath, Sunday, June 27, 1-4 pm. Take some time to smell the roses.