OwdPotter's new rose garden

Thank you @Sheal.
I've now caught up to where my old thread was basically up to, so i'll be updating off script from here.
It's been a useful exercise. I've managed also to get my photos organised, even deleting over 1'000 too.
So thanks to all for the encouragement.

 

Looking forward to further updates then OwdPotter.

 

Spring update.
The timber raised planting boxes have rotted and started to fall apart and so, over winter, I decided to remove them and build a new planting bed in their place using some of the old rockery rocks which I stockpiled on the grass island.
This is not a new rockery but a raised bed that just happens to be built using rocks.

I am undecided how to plant this up, and if I want to add more roses here.
I'm considering planting up in a complementing style using white and 'ish plants. I have dumped a few pots of Osteospermums and Sisyrinchiums that I have lying around as an indication of my thinking.
I'm open to suggestions and ideas on this.

 

Adelaide d'Orleans
One year ago, (well if you look closely)

And now

I'm amazed by the growth in 1 year.

Some of these stems are over 3m long and would have easily been up and over the top if I had chosen, but I have trained them back and forth horizontally to fill out the screen, working upward to approx 1.2m.
Lots of new shoots at all levels and on both sides.
I'm excited for the blooming season ahead.

 

In my opinion white plants tend to stand out more than other colours and assuming the bed is closer to your home than the rest of the garden, I think it may overpower the colours of other plants further back. For example: that would be the first thing that draws your eye. If I was to use white plants there I'd break them up with a little colour so that it doesn't look too stark.

 

Thanks @Sheal,
New bed is right in front of bedroom window, so need something lower growing also.
I will bear your point in mind.

 

Alpines and ground cover plants may be an idea.

 

Such a beautiful garden. I have loved reading all your posts and look forward to more! The new rock bed is stunning

 

@Beaus Mum,
Thank you for your kind compliment.

 

I like the rock edging. I've used Geranium sanguineum under the roses in my rose bed.

 

@OwdPotter, Those rocks must have taken some moving, how's your back?!!
It will look good when planted up. The variegated green/white iris leaves (sorry, can't remember the name) might contrast quite nicely with your more mounded plants perhaps?
Little White Pet is a smaller DA rose might also suit if you want to include a rose or two. We have two in a raised bed about 3ft from our bedroom window.

 

"Little White Pet" is quite an old rose variety. DA might sell it but they didn't breed it. Roses DUCHER - Shrub rose Little White Pet
It has distinct hints of pink particularly in bud, which you might or might not want in your white border. I used to have one but it never did very well here. The soil's really too well-drained and sandy for roses to thrive.

 

Thank you @Sheal, @Busy-Lizzie, @lizzie27, @JennyJB for your comments and planting suggestions, all valuable input.
Yes indeed lizzie27, some of the larger rocks are probably 25kg or so and were quite a challenge to move.

 

Here is another view of the bed from opposite side, photo was on 24 March and as can be seen the bed is already almost fully out of the house shadow, so is a full sun location between April to Oct.


Taking the point on low level planting, viewed from the house anything up to about 600mm tall will be OK and not obstruct view.
For colour scheme that I am working to complement, here are the bloom colours of roses in the adjacent rose bed and on pergola.
Clockwise from top left these are:
Adelaide d'Orleans (on lower pergola)
Ghislaine de Feligonde (middle pergola)
Lady Emma Hamilton, Vanessa Bell, Desdemona, Lichfield Angel, Roald Dahl, Arthur Bell(?) (Rose bed)


Additionally, foliage colours of complementary and underplanting are essentially silver/grey (cerastium, stachys and fescue) and a block planting of Lavender (Munstead or Hidcote, I can never remember which), all of which provide all season evergreen interest.

 

Some random photos. May
Lower pergola. AdO; Clem Early sensation



Rose bed.

First in bloom this year, Arthur Bell

Desdemona, gaining some stature

Cottage garden bed


Munstead Wood, mixing it with the Foxgloves