Garden On Fourth Street: Old Garden Roses

Showing posts with label Old Garden Roses. Show all posts

September 29, 2015

Central Florida Garden~A Typical Day

We've had a mix of sun and clouds this morning, clouds finally won out. I was outside early, trying to get a list of things done that I've been working on the last few weeks, but this thing called life, keeps drawing me away. Thankfully, fall weather is just around the corner, and the gardens will need less of me. I had just finished thinning the mustard and turnip greens when the sky opened, no more work for today...

I got a nice bowl of greens that I'll mix in with the collards that I thinned yesterday. I wanted to get some pics of the vegetable garden, but the rain looks like it's set in for a while.

Earlier today, I walked the front yard and found this Autumn Sunset rose full of blooms, in different stages...

She's under planted with Angelonia.

Louis Philippe, on the fence, is a good rose for Florida. He does get some black spot, but not enough to affect his performance as a beautiful bloomer.

On the other end of this fence, another OGR that was given to me as a small cutting, just two years ago.

Knockout rose.

A Gene Boerner tree rose, by the front porch.

Some more Knockout roses, with Belinda's Dream rose in the background.

The last rose today is an unnamed drift rose.

I recently bought two new Hibiscus shrubs, $3.88 at Walmart! I'm trying to incorporate more shrubs into my gardens, for their easy care. I love a good perennial, and I have a nice variety of Salvias, that I wouldn't give up. I'm eliminating some other less worthy perennials though, because dead heading has become a dreaded chore during Florida's summer months.

One I've had for several years.

Two other flowering shrubs. the yellow Thryallis and the blue Cleodendrum 'Ugandense'.

My Sasanqua Camellias are just beginning to bloom. I have two large ones that I pruned into trees, years ago. I also have about a dozen others, shrub types, full of buds, ready to explode. They grow beautifully in Florida, some of mine are in full sun...not to be confused with the Japonica Camellia, which needs a shady area. One of the trees...

It's flower...

Flower from the other Camellia tree.

Down by the vegetable garden, the Mexican Bush Sage and Knockout roses are still in full bloom.

Some Mexican Petunias in the mix.

Blue Ginger not only has a beautiful bloom, but it lasts for weeks.

Lastly, this bee was running around in circles (like me, at times) on my Clematis.

That's all from my garden today... have a wonderful week.

May 24, 2015

Sentimental Garden Journey

Have you ever taken a trip down memory lane and kind of wished you hadn't? After going through some old garden photos, I was somewhat bummed out, o.k., a lot bummed out. Ten years ago the busyness of life caused a slow down, a detour if you will, in my gardens progress. At the same time, other changes out of my control also transformed my garden space. Two old Live Oaks, too close to the house, were removed. Later that year, some nasty winds uprooted several Old Garden Roses and a Drake Elm. It was about that time that I began downsizing the gardens, trying to get them to a less time consuming size. A year later, we removed some of the garden space and installed sod. I know, what was I thinking?!!! Still, so grateful for what I have and looking forward to what my gardens will be ten years from now. Here are some pictures of then and now.

Then... the two Live Oaks that were removed ten years ago.

Now... so barren, but the new roses will make a beautiful garden by fall.

Then

Now

Ten years ago...many more roses than now.

Then... garden was fuller, wilder.

Then... the beginnings of our Confederate Jasmine vine, so, there are some improvements.

Jasmine vine today.

Then...my shade gardens were overtaken by fern, not much to look at.

Now

Now...yes, I think all the shade gardens are improved.

Now

Now, but this is on my list for a change.

Now

Then... last picture, but first in Grandma's heart, my grandson playing in the lilies.

May 19, 2015

Roses

Roses are difficult to grow with much success in Florida. Knockouts and old garden roses being the easiest. I don't spray, try not to use chemicals of any kind in the garden, so black spot is always rearing its ugly head. I pick off the worst and hope for better days. Humidity is always with us here in Florida, so it's somewhat of a losing battle. The beauty of a freshly opened rose in the morning before the heat of the day has faded it makes it all worthwhile.