The Roses

Years ago Far Guy built me a garden structure which we used as an entrance into the gardens from the parking lot. He used some pine timbers that were really thick and wide.  I had this idea to mount some old implement wheels to the sides and have my climbing roses climb up.  We went by my cousin Danny’s place, he had some old wheels that were perfect, they used to belong to my Uncle Ervin. 

Oh..that looks too cold and snowy..

Lets just fast forward to summer! There it is in the wild gardens!

The roses have been there a long time, they are Canadian Climbers, ‘William Baffin’ roses.  They do not like the warmth of the steel wheels..the ones on the east side to the left do the best.  The canes die back some each winter and must be trimmed every spring..if I were more diligent about pruning and forcing the canes to go in the right direction ..perhaps they would look better.

The flowers are only slightly fragrant.  These roses bloom from July till frost.

I love the roses and buds before they have opened.

Then they unfurl, they are a wonderful from their own root rose (not a grafted rose) hardy for our area where it gets 30 some below zero every winter.  Deer also love to nibble away at these roses..they must be tasty too:)

Pick Three!

Nope not the lottery..darn. Today I will share with you my favorite plants. Pick three!

Vines..
Morning Glory President Tyler..Purple very early bloomer.
Asarina scandens Joan Loraine ...not as vigorous as a morning glory.. but covered with snap dragon type blooms..and great looking foliage to boot. Will grow and twine three to five feet tall on a support.
Morning Glory Heavenly Blue..beautiful sky blue color!

Morning Glory President Tyler 2005

Bedding Plants, called such as they are usually used in flower beds.

Zinnia, Dreamland, Coral or Red...wonderful colors, and if you deadhead the old blooms it will bloom all summer.

Salvia farinacea, Victoria Blue..a splendid plant, in a pack it will not impress you, but it will bloom all summer and doesn't require dead heading to look great. Especially useful in perennial beds for a filler...you know until something smaller gets fuller!

Gazania...all of them are great..except they bloom only during the daytime, in the early evening they close up. If you have a hot spot, where nothing else will grow..try a Gazania!

Potted Plants

Geranium Tango Red..will out bloom any geranium out there. Huge blooms..especially if you give them some 1/4 strength Miracle grow every time you water.

Angelonia..wonderful bloomers!

Begonia..the Non Stop series says it all..Non Stop Blooms till frost. Careful watering is a must with begonias, keep water off of the foliage..they will either sunburn from the water on their foliage or get what I call soft rot..and the leaves will fall off one at a time..

Waves..or Spreading Petunias

Purple Wave..the first wave developed..and still the best.

Rose Wave.. excellent color.

Ramblin Nu Blue .. a wonderful deep dark purple..like royalty..and fragrant too!

Purple Wave on my Parents Oxcart 2008

Yellow Flowers.. My very favorite category..it is my blog and I can make up a yellow flower category!!

Rudbeckia, Indian Summer..huge blooms, might even re seed a little for you!

Dahlberg Daisy ( Thymophylla) , the tiniest little yellow daisies..with ferny foliage, hack off the spent blooms with a scissors.. adds a light and airy touch to a flowering basket!

Viola, Velour Yellow... simply put.. heaven must smell like this little flower. I could sell this little plant on fragrance alone..especially to the sensory women. I used to say "Are you a sensory person?" as I waved the plant under their nose..instant sale!

Rudbeckia Indian Summer 2008

Now make your list, check it twice, and when you are out there looking at plants..remember it is not always the best thing to buy plants in bloom..buy ones with tags in them of course, but non blooming is best. IF you buy a bloomer, after you have hardened them off..the blooms should all be cut off at transplant..it is a lot of work for a plant to put on new roots..and support a bloom at the same time. One last reminder..compost..if you use weed and feed on your lawn and then compost the clippings..your plants won't do so well...the same is true for areas that give away compost at the landfills..one never knows what chemicals have been used. Compost is great..just not with weed and feed in it:)