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.…
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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…
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…
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…
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. I didn't really…
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. I planted Buck's…
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…
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. 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.
We all know that many roses, as well as other plants like dwarf fruit trees, are often grafted onto sturdier rootstocks. It doesn't happen very often, but sometimes that sturdy rootstock decides to take on a life of its own again. The deep red roses here are from the rootstock grafted onto my alba rose, Passionate Nymph's Thigh. The passionate nymph's roses are a delicate flesh pink - as appropriate for a Maiden's Blush, as for a rowdier…