The cliche still applies, but I won't be using it this year...

15 years ago

Hi friends,

Every year I start a thread titled, "Hi I'm Rob, a Rose-aholic!", or something to that effect. In this thread I would then rant about the INSANE number of roses I would buy every year both locally and mostly through my favorite online vendors.

Well, after telling friends, neighbors, and family that I wouldn't be buying any new roses this spring due to a lack of plant space and an overabundance of grass, I realized I have a confession to make...

I bought SOME roses this year.

I removed more turf this year... about 1000 sq ft give or take. Not just for roses of course... a few Delphiniums may find their way in too. That's fair right?

So, I've given up on apologizing for my addiction or saying "I'll stop buying for a few years".

I already told the neighbors to just accept it, they'll see me out there from near sunup to sundown doing something to the "yarden". Usually with the roses... in pots, many pots... many holes, sod clumps, dirt piles, bags of soil, piles of mulch, burn piles, more trellises and pillars fewer bird feeders, more rabbits, and of course a little more tree trimming to let the sun in, the WHOLE NINE YARDS.

So, here's what I bought this year:

Ramblers-

2- 'Long John Silver' - I know, who needs 2 of these monsters right? I'll have to find out the hard way. :) Which is more fun... from a rose growing point of view.

'Francios Juranville'

'Baltimore Belle'

Climbers-

'American Pillar'

'Isabella Skinner'

'Leverkusen'

'Rosenholm'

'Westerland' - a replacement, so it doesn't count, right?

'White Dawn' - this rose is a defining aspect of my addiction. Every year for the last 7, I have bought 'White Dawn' and every spring I find it dead... I don't care - I'll grow it as an annual. Out of my 150+ roses, with the exception of an occasional quark, 'White Dawn' consistently croaks on me every winter. Well I found a SUPERB 3yr old specimen this year, and I am determined to keep it alive. I'm going to try it in a different location this year. I always tried to grow it against the South wall of the house. This year I will attempt to grow it as a pillar in the middle of the yard.

Alba-

'Morning Blush' - looks gorgeous, can't wait to see a bloom next year.

2-'Felicite Parmentier'

Bourbon-

'Louise Odier'

Centifolia-

'Fantin Latour'

Damask-

'Leda'

English-

'Brother Cadfael' - of course. David Austin Roses sent me a huge one this year.... the roots hardly fit into a 5gal bucket. I hated to trim them down to pot it up.

'Crown Princess Margareta'

2- 'Fair Bianca'

'Falstaff' - didn't want it, but it was a freebie. Maybe I'll trade it.

'Golden Celebration' - I have 5 now but I only want 2 of these monsters, this was part of a package deal from J&P. Maybe I'll trade 3 of these as well.

'Jubilee Celebration' - I've been waiting for this one to lose it's J&P exclusivity for years, I finally broke down and bought it from them, this will assure that it will be available to all vendors both foreign and domestic in spring '09. You can thank me later. :^)

'The Shepherdess'

'William Shakespeare 2000'

'Windermere'

Gallica-

'Tuscany Superb'

Perpetual-

'Baronne Prevost'

'Ferdinand Pichard'

Hyb. Tea- there's only 2 worth having in my climate...

10- 'Dainty Bess' - yes, 10. I think she'll be spectacular "en-masse" shall we say?

'La France'

Shrubs-

'Caramella'

'Citrus Splash'

'Jim Lounsbery'

'Morden Ruby'

Moss-

'Crested Moss'

'Prince de Vaudemont'

Rugosa-

'Martin Frobisher' (a second one), so that doesn't count either.

'Wasagaming'

Species-

'Austrian Copper' - actually found this one locally, love it!

'Fr. Hugo' - Love it!

And this was after making vows to the world at large, and God no less.

So for those of you struggling to rid yourselves of what you call "a disease", just give up, one more won't hurt. You''l be much happier if you just accept the reality of your addiction, and let it grow on you, so to speak. :^)

Thanks for your time,

Rob:)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (28)

duchesse_nalabama
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Rob, you'll never have to apologize to me for buying more roses; I wish I had a neighbor that was so afflicted!

But to the more interesting stuff, where are you going to grow your beautiful ramblers and climbers? Your new area is pretty big - what kinds of trellises, arbors, pillars, etc. will be finding their way into it? Or are these to replace others that died this last winter? A bed of that many dainty bess - that sounds glorious!

You will post pictures, right? Gean
melissa_thefarm
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Have fun! I have or have had a good many of your new roses, and you got a lot of really good varieties. I'm a big fan of 'Fantin-Latour', 'Tuscany Superb', and 'Crested Moss', among others ('Louise Odier' is really good too). I think your hardy climbers sound really interesting! I want to try some of them here, too, even though I'm in a warm climate, but they sound so good. I've been trying to get 'Austrian Copper' for a couple of years now: it's a spectacular rose. Enjoy your new roses!
Melissa
Related Discussions
Got a feeling I won't have any fruit this year.
Q
Comments (6)
Peaches, apricot, black and red cherry, and hazel nuts. The prediction is at least down to 30, probably a lot lower in my micro climate, It is usually 4 to 5 degrees cooler here. The weather predictions come from the GSP airport and it varies a lot from my area, it's 30 miles south, but due to the variables I'm in a different zone. I will probably get an even harder freeze before winters over. They don't usually start to swell and bloom before mid to late March. I just checked the radar and there is a long line of storms headed my way, so I may not be able to cover at all!
...See More
clematis STILL won't bloom
Q
Comments (2)
As Kentstar implied, more information is needed to answer the question. What are the names of the clematis? (This will help give info on pruning and hardiness.) Have you pruned them at all and if so when? What besides bone meal did you use for fertilizer? I would also recommend a soil test, as it will give you more definitive information on what your clematis might need. I take care to do good soil preparation before planting and then don't fertilize, just top dress with compost. Some types of plants (don't know if clematis is one) grow leaves at the expense of flowers if there is too much nitrogen, so a soil test will tell you about that also. In the US, most states have universities that will do soil tests, but I don't know who in Canada does soil tests. For really good information it's best to get one done rather that do a kit test yourself, as those have varying levels of accuracy. Also, clematis don't really need shade for their roots (an often repeated myth,) just adequate moisture. I mulch the soil around my clematis (though not against the stems) to help keep moisture levels even as well as watering when we haven't had regular rain.
...See More
Why won't my Lantana bloom this year?
Q
Comments (11)
sorry folks, this was my mistake - I was searching for Lantana advice and I did not realize that this post was from MAY "2005" and not MAY "2006", so when I did not notice the old date, I posed a question on it yesterday (May 16 "2006"). When I realized how old this thread was I opened a new thread and posed the question again as I didn't think this one would pop up in the newer/recent topics..and now I have two of the same thing..sorry!!
...See More
12 year old WON'T do homework
Q
Comments (25)
I would like to point out that since the thread was started in 2002 I would hope the situation has come to some resolution. Either that or the OP's son is the only 25 year old still in middle school. What you should do is lie to your kid and tell him that grades are monumentally important. That's right I said lie. Grades are somewhat important, and they certainly make paying for college easier. Having said that, knowledge is way more important, I would far prefer my son get a C with complete understanding of the material than get an A with no real understanding of the material. There is a myth about college in general that most parents simply don't understand. Your incredible Ivy league schools have the small advantage of degree portability, but a degree earned from a large state school in the state where you want to work can be nearly as strong. There is a significant amount of research that shows HR directors are biased towards their alma mater, so for example if you want to work in central Ohio then Ohio State is a great choice, mostly because the HR director is statistically more likely to have graduated from Ohio State than anywhere else. The Ivy league only negate some of that. Furthermore, if your son intends to continue to graduate school then even High School performance will not be looked at. Grad schools care about entrance test scores disproportionately, all other factors pale in comparison. When we look at applicants for graduate programs the things we consider are: (1) test scores, (2) work experience, and (3) interview, undergraduate grades only sit in the background to help answer "can the student handle the rigor?". Finally, there is a LOT of research that shows good grades are not an indicator of a successful career and or a happier life. The most significant indicator for success in the work place is participation in an extracurricular sport. The fact of the matter is a B/C student with a strong social life is more likely to be successful than an A student without one. In the end, please make sure that your son/daughter understands the material (please, for the love of god, teach them some math). If they don't understand the material, especially math and english, fix that! Keep their grades as high as you can but don't sacrifice socialization for grades.
...See More
PRO
Susan Serra
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Enjoy them! You deserve it! Deserve is a good word, it allows for a lot and covers a lot of territory.

Beware of Austrian Copper...it invented blackspot, trust me on this. We killed it once and it lived. How can I kill it again? Those blooms are beautiful! And, the foliage too pre blackspot.

I bought Louise Odier this year too. She's a classic, come on. Crown Princess Margaretta, a beauty. Wm Shakespeare 2000, fantastic. The way I see it, you had to get these, no way around it.

Good work.
AnneCecilia z5 MI
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Make no more apologies - that's the spirit. Those with a passion march to a different drummer, it's as simple as that. Why do we feel we must conform to something which would satisfy the masses who only see the need for a rose or two at most tucked into the garden. I think we should thrill to our difference...and when we really have enough, we'll know it.

Good and interesting list. I think you'll like Isabella Skinner and her almost thornless long canes - such a pleasure to work with when one is used to being gashed by the likes of Will. Baffin or John Cabot.

Enjoy!

Anne
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
The strange thing is that we actually believe it when we say it - every single time! Then there's that trip to the nursery to pick out some lavenders and, right by the checkout stand, there is the cutest little yellow miniature. How much can that hurt? (I just got back from that little trip. Anyone know something about a rose named Mistral?) It's truly hopeless and I think I've finally learned to accept and embrace it. The alternative is feeling guilty way too many times and what fun is that? We've found a continuing source of pleasure and excitement (in which drug and liquor are not involved), and I say it's all good.

Ingrid
lemecdutex
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Good job, Rob! I liked the idea someone put forth some time ago to just quit counting them. Anyway, you got some terrific roses. Odd about White Dawn, I would have thought that out of all those roses, it would be quite hardy!

--Ron
carla17
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Someone from the west coast posted some pictures that included Austrian Copper. I checked it out thinking it would be a hard one to get but no. I'd like to hear how yours does.
You have a great list there. Jubilee Celebration seems to bloom a lot, mine is a year old now. Good luck with the work. Of course we want to hear about how they all do!

Carla
lionheart_gw (USDA Zone 5A, Eastern NY)
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Lol, Rob! You're a man after my own heart. :-)

I did not order any roses this year and am having withdrawal symptoms. As I write this I've already been visiting High Country and am *this close* to pulling out the credit card. Is there a hotline we can call?

Btw, Louise Odier is a terrific rose, as is Baronne Prevost. Both are very hardy. BP is a black spot magnet here, but once it's established and growing like crazy, you will fall in love with the wonderfully fragrant and generous blooms. So what if you have to dance attendance to this rose and indulge it in care to keep it healthy? We mere mortals live to serve. :-)

Now, what are those credit card numbers again?
lemecdutex
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
If you do get an Austrian Copper rose, make sure to plant it deep, it won't live very long grafted (generally speaking). I'm hoping mine has finally gone onto its own, and I've been told that it's virtually impossible to root from cuttings.

--Ron
veilchen
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow. Seven years with a new White Dawn. I admire your dedication and perseverence.

I grew White Dawn for a few years and it was never as hardy as New Dawn. I got tired of waiting for it to grow into climbing status so I sp'd it.
Terry Crawford
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Rob - I really don't think we are addicted; we are just passionate about what we love. Big difference, I love myself. I went to the local nursery last night and I haven't been close to one in almost a MONTH...a whole month! It was like breathing the sweet nectar of immortality; it was so intoxicating I was dizzy. Maybe I am a wee bit addicted.

Great list of roses anad please post pics. I'm really interested in what structured you are planning to grow your climbers on...so keep in touch.

Besides, who needs grass? Especially when gas is over $4/gallon to run the mower?
Take care,
-terry
melissa_thefarm
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
New Dawn is in bloom now and my husband is in love. I do tend to forget how pretty it is. Anyway, I promised him to get a White New Dawn, just to keep him from filling up the property with New Dawn (we have two plants of it plus Awakening). You inspired me: if you want it that badly it must be mighty nice. I'm kind of looking forward to it myself. In Zone 8 cold certainly isn't a problem. Good luck with yours!
Melissa
gardennatlanta
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Rob, I like how you say you bought "SOME roses" and then gave a list that I wouldn't call short. I'd love to see your "yarden". I'll bet it's incredible. Maybe it's an addiction; maybe it's passion. It doesn't matter. You're happy and the world is a more beautiful place. What's not to like about that?
aliska12000
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I can't address all your roses because I am out of room, and don't think I have any of the others you mention, will play with rooting and give them away.

Your comment about White Dawn interested and concerns me. I bought 2 last year from a vendor who had a setback in the spring freeze somewhere in PA IIRC. I wanted his, so he either roooted me two or got me a couple, shipped them late Aug or so, excellent plants, actually probably bands.

I wanted to grow both on my arbor in front with Rooguchi, that fell over, so I bought some trellises and put one on the east side that gets a fair amount of sun and the other by the garage. Paired them with C. Julia? Correzon?. Like a dummy, I didn't winter protect them.

Well, they both came back, but had died to the ground. The one on the east side it putting out new growth but slow. The one by the garage is not doing well, think I should dig it up and pot it, then decide how to overwinter it, possibly in the sunroom, depends.

I will winter protect the one one the east side but fear the canes will never climb high enough to be nice. So much for White Dawn. LJS would be too heavy and large for any room I have left, might work by the garage, but there is something wrong there. Only columbines seem to do well there, but a window box w/geraniums which need sun bloom continuously.

I thought of sp'ing it and putting two once-bloomers I rooted in their places, but they sucker badly which I don't want on the east side, by the garage might be good.

So I'm really stuck on White Dawn, wouldn't grow it as an annual am already going to have to do that with my 2 Hettie as it is.

Was going to start a thread on it asking for advice but will just lay it all out here and see if there is any other white rose that might be as pretty as White Dawn. I haven't seen any yet that would work in my/our zone.

We can't always have our way about things.

You are so lucky to be able to have all those other roses and more turf you can make into a bed and obviously know how to grow them properly.
luanne
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I like that "You're happy and the world is a more beautiful place." I was cheerfully telling everyone I had about 160 and then I counted and noted that I had somehow dropped a nothe 35 roses into my elastic garden....well there was the Sacremento Cemetary sale 5, the Vintage Open Garden, 3, the mounting yen for W.E. Lippiat,the Mary Webb that John35-60 sent etc. etc. funney how these things sneak up on you. And you know after the open garden I realized how wonderful it has been to share and grow these beautiful flowers. I've stopped feeling guilty for being so passionate about something. It's a gift of being alive. Happiness and roses, what's not to like?
la
oath5
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Leda is a very pretty rose. Mine is blooming, pretty fragrance. I find the leaves and buds have a resiny almost pine scent to them, but that's just me...I could be wrong. Pretty vigorous too, sending up a lotta basals for it's first spring in my yard.
shootingstar2
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Rob,
I really got a chuckle out of your post, thanks so much for that. My neighbours must think I am insane so I can relate. Seems all I have done the past few springs is dig up turf and add more roses. Went overboard this year with 47 new ones. Right now I am so exhaused that I am telling everone I will NEVER do that again...but DH just smiles and says "when the catalogues go up on the websites next fall all that will go right out the window". Mind you he's just as bad, he requested I dig up the entire front yard and plant pansies.....'cause he thought a purple front lawn would be cool. Did Delph's from seed again this year in the quest for the elusive dark cobalt blue that i want to pair with John Davis, will see how many colours (besides dark blue) I get.

A question if I may... what is it about white dawn that has you smitten enough to replace it every spring. I have seen it for sale locally and passed it by because I knew it would never survive our winters. If however, it is special enough that you keep it as an annual.... well maybe......oh dang....

Martin Frobisher is a very lovely fellow, I can understand completly why you would want another. I think you will also love Wasagaming. Congrats on finding one, ditto to Isabella Skinner.

There are some on your list i would love to try but unfortunately there are no Canadian suppliers for them.

Have fun with your new treasures

Cathy
harryshoe zone6 eastern Pennsylvania
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Brother,
That's quite a representative list. It required multiple flicks on the scroll wheel. I want you to keep buying all the roses that I want. Because I refuse to buy any more...I am, once again, "The Standard of Self Discipline".

At least until Patrick comes out of retirement.
luxrosa
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I would love to have room for 2 "Long John Silver" it is one of the few roses I've lost sleep over while longing for it.

Lux.
p.s.. I liked your use of the sub-atomic particle "quark" until I realized it might be a typo.
brother_cadfael
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Gean,
"Rob, you'll never have to apologize to me for buying more roses; I wish I had a neighbor that was so afflicted!"
Thanks :), I wish all of us could be neighbors.
I'll have 1 'Long John Silver' on a large trellis and rambling along a split rail fence right behind the trellis, (see 1st pic), and the other one along with 'American Pillar' on a pergola over my patio that I'll be building this summer. The others will be on similar pillars as the ones in the 2nd pic and on the south wall of the house. The only roses that died on me last winter were 'White Dawn' and 2- 'Fair Bianca'. The FB were my fault because they weren't buried deep enough.
Yes, I'll be posting pics. :)
Rob:)
{{gwi:261449}}
{{gwi:261450}}
brother_cadfael
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Melissa,
Thank you for your well wishes...
Here's a pic of 'Austrian Copper' for you.
A few of the flowers that bloomed before these were much more orange, these in the pic are VERY red. It's an interesting rose for sure.
Thanks,
Rob:)
{{gwi:261451}}
brother_cadfael
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Susan,
Good to hear from you. I'm glad you're more of a regular around here again.
I actually have six CPM that I've had for a few years now and another WS2000 that I got from Pickering last year... wanted to se one on 'Dr. Huey' while I'm waiting for Multiflora rootstock to kick in. Is that cheating? ;^)
Thanks,
Rob:)
{{gwi:261452}}
poodlepup
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Dude....you are SO out of control
brother_cadfael
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Poodlepup,
Dude, wait till next year, then you'll see out of control.
I'm putting in over 200' of split rail fence with roses planted at every post.

You're welcome to come and see it, but bring a bucket with you to catch your drool please. :)

Rob:)
brother_cadfael
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Anne,
Ingrid,
Ron,

Thanks for the enabling! ;^)

You've all made good points. They'll be useful the next time I have to explain myself. :)

Yes, my 'John Cabot' is quite the shredder too. I unwittingly put him right next to my hose reel. Ouch! But he gets a good pruning away from that area now.

Yes, it is a much healthier addiction than drugs or alcohol. But probably just as expensive. :)

I'm just about done counting my collection. Saying "this is my rose garden", and knowing all of them by name will have to do from now on.

Thanks,
Rob:)
duchesse_nalabama
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks for the pictures, Rob - I like that trellis a lot. Looking forward to the pics!

"knowing all of them by name" - I don't keep track of the number very well, and it's not even that high - but the names! now, that's important!

Gean
brother_cadfael
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Carla,
I'll keep you informed.

Lionheart,
How could you not order ANY roses this year... Now that's SICK!!! ;^)
Thanks for the BS info, can 'Baronne Prevost' be sprayed?

Ron,
Thanks for the tip on 'Austrian Copper', I will plant it deep.
Now that you've told me it's nearly impossible to root from cuttings, I'll have to try. That should keep me busy after all the planting is done.:)

Veilchen,
'White Dawn', Yeah, she's like poison in my veins.

Thanks,
Rob:)
zeffyrose
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Good luck with all your new roses-----I love the ramblers--- I do have to prune PHM this year ---he is smothering some of my other roses---
I love your trellis--

Can't wait for the pictures.

Since I can no longer dig holes I have to limit my purchases but I did buy "Super Dorothy" this year ---she is only a baby but I'm anxious to see a bloom.

Roses are wonderful !!

Florence

The cliche still applies, but I won't be using it this year...

Comments (28)

duchesse_nalabama

melissa_thefarm

Related Discussions

Susan Serra

AnneCecilia z5 MI

ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9

lemecdutex

carla17

lionheart_gw (USDA Zone 5A, Eastern NY)

lemecdutex

veilchen

Terry Crawford

melissa_thefarm

gardennatlanta

aliska12000

luanne

oath5

shootingstar2

harryshoe zone6 eastern Pennsylvania

luxrosa

brother_cadfael
Original Author

brother_cadfael
Original Author

brother_cadfael
Original Author

poodlepup

brother_cadfael
Original Author

brother_cadfael
Original Author

duchesse_nalabama

brother_cadfael
Original Author

zeffyrose

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

The cliche still applies, but I won't be using it this year...

Comments (28)

Related Discussions

brother_cadfaelOriginal Author

brother_cadfaelOriginal Author

brother_cadfaelOriginal Author

brother_cadfaelOriginal Author

brother_cadfaelOriginal Author

brother_cadfaelOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

brother_cadfael
Original Author

brother_cadfael
Original Author

brother_cadfael
Original Author

brother_cadfael
Original Author

brother_cadfael
Original Author

brother_cadfael
Original Author