OwdPotter's new rose garden

An early stage in my redevelopment was relocation of my grasses.
This is what became of them.
Sept 21


Feb 22

Mar 22

 

My mental image of the rose garden redevelopment was loosely formed around an idea to create a floriferous enclosure surrounding the patio seating area, and to screen the garage and create a fragrant tunnel of blooms over the lower steps and up to the top garden.

Having now established the basic structure for the former, in spring 2022 I started work on Ph 2, screening garage and creating a fragrant rose walk.

Again, demolition and rebuilding of failing retaining walls was required. (I’ve had to rebuild so many wobbly walls that I wonder whether Yozzer Hughes had spent some time here before me…)


The existing raised bed was relocated to provide better access. A further extension to the pergola was then built to link together all 3 pergolas into a continuous structure from bottom step to top garden, and a new planting bed created.

 

Rose bed established and filled out well in 2nd year in 2022.
May:
Roses heavily budded by mid May

First blooms beginning to break by end May

June:

Ghislaine de Feligonde & Roald Dahl


July:


In the immediate foreground above can be seen rosa Munstead Wood in a pot. This was retired by DA and is no longer available. We spent mid July to mid August travelling in Europe and came back to a dessicated plant covered in dried up 2nd flush blooms. I thought I had lost it but with some TLC and copious emergency watering it recovered and is now planted in the Ph 3 border.

 

And pergola during same period:
May:
Generous Gardener beginning to clothe the upper pergola



June:
Toyah responding beautifully to previous year's renovation.




G.G & Falstaff in bloom.
Dark crimson roses, my favourite colour.

 

Interesting overall views taken whilst netting top of pergola in September.

 

In Nov 2022, having given much consideration to numerous possible climbing & rambling roses with which to clothe the new lower pergola extension, I decided to stay true to my original intention and planted Adelaide d'Orleans.
This is a non repeating, rambling rose with white semi double fragrant blooms. It's semi evergreen foliage should also provide an important year round screen for garage.

Well rooted specimen supplied by Trevor White.

In the hope to extend the flowering season on this pergola from late spring into early summer, I also planted an evergreen clematis Early Sensation.

 

Evening @wiseowl
Thank you for your kind comments.
The journey has been enjoyable on so many levels. From my early fumblings as a complete novice, I have gained much from so many knowledgeable folks giving generously of their time and experience. I couldn't have done it without them.
It is also a pleasure to be able to recreate the journey and share that here, in the hope that others may also enjoy it too.

 

I enjoyed your posts on the old Forum, but even better to have it all so clearly here. I love seeing before and after photos.

 

Thank you @Busy-Lizzie, very kind.
It's an interesting exercise.
On the one hand it's easier because I'm creating a thread in the past tense at the moment, on something about which I have already sought advice and opinions, so I am recording it chronologically for the members here for whom it is new.
On the other hand, I'm aware of the ex GW members who may have already followed my previous thread for over 3 years, so am trying to keep it fresh by adding background info and pictures that I didn't previously post.
The advantage should be that it will provide a more concise and complete record.
Once I have caught up, I shall then revert to updating in real time.

 

The planting up of the new lower pergola completed Ph2. At the same time I was also considering development of the existing mixed border (Ph 3)

I have been tinkering with this border since the beginning, searching for an identity. Reshaping and widening it, adding stuff, removing stuff, relocating stuff. This is ongoing.



This is how the border was in Nov 22. The wooden stakes are proposed locations for new roses to be added.

The border divides the lower patio area and rose bed from the lawned top garden and is viewed from both sides. I am therefore working to create a complementary transition from the vibrancy of the lower rose bed and patio planting and the more restrained feel of the top garden, being essentially lawn bounded by mature shrubbery.

 

Aside from a spectacular Rhododendron display in May, the top garden colour scheme is essentially defined by evergreen foliage and the reds, deep pinks and purples of autumnal blooms.

To supplement this palatte, I have added the following roses:

Munstead Wood. Existing plant relocated from pot to border in Aut 2022.


Tuscany Superb. Planted bare root in Mar 22.


Rose de Rescht. Planted bare root Nov 22.


Rhapsody in Blue.Planted bare root Nov 22.

 

2023, a good year for the roses.
April:

May:



June:
R to L. Vanessa Bell, Lichfield Angel, Ghislaine de Feligonde

Roald Dahl, Lichfield Angel

Roald Dahl



v From front; Desdemona, Lady Emma Hamilton (both 1 year old), Vanessa Bell, Roald Dahl, Ghislaine de Feligonde on pergola

Desdemona


Tuscany Superb (on home made mini lisk); Generous Gardener, Falstaff, Toyah

 

2023, pergolas.
Top:
Generous Gardener, 3rd year, spreading it's wings.


Beginning to create canopy with Toyah


Middle:
Ghislaine de Feligonde.



Lower:
Adelaide d'Orleans in 1st year

 

Stunning Owdpotter!