You've done a great job, Michaela, and are an entertaining writer to boot. I love the ironwork arbor and little fences. I'd like a few of those fences myself. Your Knockout is quite lovely and eyecatching, adding just the right touch of color. Your foxglove in the earlier photo really caught my eye. It's gorgeous in that color. Do you still have it and any close up photos?
Proceed with caution when planting New Dawn is my seasoned advice--she's a monster when full grown with nasty thorns and a very aggressive growth habit. I've owned several and never regretted parting company with them. I can recommend the small climber, Colette, which is tough as nails here, shrugging off our very hot summers and the Arctic blasts we had last year and this. Colette looks delicate and frilly, but don't be fooled. Here's a couple of pics. Diane

Here's another pic of Colette. Diane

Congratulations, Michaela! Often, that's what it takes. Just jump in and get your hands dirty. The lessons you've learned by DOING it are much more precious and valuable than anything, anyone could have advised you to do. And, you had FUN doing it. Isn't that the bottom line? Gardening is supposed to be FUN, providing you with "outdoor time", exercise and the outlet for your pent-up creative energies. We've all killed our fair share of plants until we learned what would cooperate with us where we are and how we like to garden, and I can't think of anyone I know whose tastes haven't changed as they've learned, "matured" in their gardening. It's prettier than it was when you started; you've had fun and can laugh at your foibles and you've LEARNED as you've done it. What could be better? Congratulations, again and Happy New Year! Kim

Diane, thank you so much for your kind words! The arbor was here when we moved in, and I found those iron fences in the shed.... but I did discover them at Menards and purchased a few more since I'd broken a few and needed a few more. They're about $7 a piece but they are really sturdy. If you have menards in your area you should definitely look and see if they have them!

The fox glove was I believe called Candy Mountain. I don't still have it since it was in it's second stage as a biennial and I didn't know that and didn't let it set seed. Going to try growing it again this year, starting some from seeds and then also planting some with blooms for a few years until it can get a cycle going so I always have some blooms. We will see if it works!! It's beautiful though.

Thanks for your feedback about New Dawn. I had not heard that. Colette is beautiful... looks so beautiful on your arbor. Doesn't look like I can get Colette from ARE, which is where I plan on ordering this year since you can get 2 gallons for a really reasonable price. Will have to think on this!

-----------------------

Kim, thank you so much! It really is a good way to learn quickly. I agree... even in just a few short years my tastes have definitely changed. Part of me wants to move the KO rose to another part of the yard and put another Kashmir Rose there, but I can't decide. It does do well, and is always covered in blooms. Thank you again! All jokes aside, I really have learned a lot and had fun! :o) Happy New Year!

-----------------------

Jeri - I was hoping people could relate to my mistakes! I have also struggled with judging distances. It's still something I need to work on. I had to move two strawberry vanilla hydrangeas this summer because they'd gotten so big they were going to eat my 7' obelisk trellises I had nearby. I'm hoping they recover from the move. They weren't too happy about it.

Glad to hear you have found the roses that work for you! You like Antique Rose Emporium? I haven't ordered from them yet but am looking forward to doing so this year. That rose you posted is beautiful... which one is that? is that the Crested Moss? It's gorgeous.

Congratulations! That arbor garden is really starting to look lovely. New Dawn will spread her wings over that arch in no time at all! And look at how much you've learned and how much enjoyment you've already gotten from your garden. Don't worry if it never gets "done". Gardens are always changing and evolving as we do too. That's the joy of it, I think.

I like your archway very much and the decorative metalwork next to it, I might try and see if I can get something like that...

The first photo gave me a kind of ''been there, done that'' moment... with the arch and plantings in grass alongside... the only couple of suggestions I might make, and it's a bit of a cheek I suppose, but if it was mine, I might make a little pathway under that arch leading away from it the other side, a kind of continuation of the one this side of it, perhaps towards a bench or something. As it is, it kind of comes to a standstill with the abruptness of the grass.

Also, I've had New Dawn 3 times and each time it was too much for me. I hope you might take another look at that, and see if there's another rose you might prefer, but we all learn from our trials and errors and if it's what you really want, then go for it, and see how it is for you there....

enjoy your gardening, and very best wishes,....

Seil, thank you so much. I agree... that is part of the joy. I think gardening tells a story about us, that's for sure. :o)

I am now thinking that instead of New Dawn, I will plant Madame Plantier instead. It's a one time bloomer, but it's hardy to zone 3, very vigorous and the blooms might fit better.... was thinking pale pink, hot pink, and red might clash. And Antique Rose Emporium has it!

-----------

Marlorena

It kept my pup out of there, which was my original goal. At first I didn't like it but it's grown on me and I think its starting to look better as the roses grow taller, the fences don't overpower it anymore.

Yes! That's exactly what I'd like to do someday. Originally I wanted it to have a path into that pollinator garden you see in the background, but we put a fence in and so now I have to find another route. We throw the frisbee for my dogs in front here, so trying to find a way to complete it without taking too much of this space away.

Good to know you've also had issues with New Dawn. You guys have helped me look elsewhere and I think I've got a better rose picked out now. 'Madame Plantier' I think will go there instead.

Thank you very much! Best wishes & happy new year to you!

Michaela

Michaela...what a great story. As others have said, we all have done some of these same things. Gardening is always evolving and patience is important. A strong back is helpful,too. Your garden has developed into a lovely garden. I would also ask you to consider carefully before planting New Dawn. She is a lovely rose but a real monster.I did finally dig mine out and it was near impossible. Thorns are wicked! I miss her spring flush, but I sure don`t miss her wild growth and thorns. Just my thoughts....Lesley

Great gardening story :-)
Knockout does add a perfect color with the black iron, white garage and lovely expanse of green.

New Dawn is gone from my garden. And the friend who badly wanted it has also pitched.it.

I would visit the Antique Roses Forum with one of your trellis pics and ask them about using Mme. Plantier. If I have correct information she gets quite wide. If that is true, aggressive pruning would be needed to keep the archway open.

One of the Canadian explorer roses might fit the bill.

Have you visited HMF for research?
http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.2114

Here is a link that might be useful: Antique Roses

Michaela, after over 30 years of gardening I still make loads of mistakes. Mind you, I am a slow learner!
I think your arbour looks great, and I agree with several others, that New Dawn is a brute. I remember the pain. Mind you, I saw it recently in Tasmania, and it's porcelain pink blooms had me thinking about it again! You see what a slow learner I am.
Is that really your garage? I'd be very happy living in it!
Diane, your Colette looks very pretty. And Jeri, WHAT is that gorgeous rose?
Trish.

Lesley, thank you so much. Patience is important, and definitely something I struggle with. It's hard to plant something and know it's going to be a few years before it really wows you! I planted two Henri Martins this last summer and a Salet Moss and I'm dying for them to bloom. They are the first "old" roses I've planted and I am just antsy to see them. I was impressed with how much they grew in their first year though from little bands.

I have removed New Dawn from my wishlist on ARE! Thank you for letting me know. I definitely don't want a monster of a rose covered in thorns.

--------

iris_gal, thank you very much! Yikes... Sounds like a lot of people have had trouble with New Dawn. HMF is bookmarked on my computer. :o) I'm on there way more than I should probably admit! I saw Mme. Plantier gets about 5 feet wide. I don't know that I mind the pruning too much since its vigorous, hardy to zone 3, and near thornless. I dunno? I'm conflicted.

--------

Trish, it's good to know I'm not alone! I do feel like I've learned a ton but there is SO much to learn. It always amazes me the stuff everyone knows here. Well I bet in the right place it might not be such a terrible idea! If you had it somewhere where it could get as big as it wanted and you didn't have to pass by it too closely. I don't think a place like that in my yard exists.

Hopefully Jeri will come back and tell us what that beautiful rose is. :o)

Michaela

Michaela -- The photo I put up is actually 'Mme. Ernst Calvat,' which I found to be a far better rose than her sport parent, 'Mme. Isaac Periere.' In the end, neither was really suited to my conditions.

But you know, you don't KNOW what doesn't work -- until you try it. So I don't regret any of that experimentation. :-)

Jeri

Jeri - it's a gorgeous rose. I understand that. I became a little paranoid when my Blaze Improved Grafted Rose didn't make it last winter and now I have convinced myself that everything is going to die unless i plant a Z3 rose.... hoping I simmer down after this winter when (hopefully) most or all of my roses will make it!

If anyone is still reading this, I am switching things up with my plans for the arbor and am leaning towards Abraham Darby or Graham Thomas, but am unsure of which color would look better with the red roses. I am planning on moving the KO to another place in my garden and planting a second Kashmir, so I am worried the red will look weird with the yellow? Any one have any thoughts or pictures they'd like to share with those colors together?

Michaela

@gardenat902.
I think your garden is beautiful and a promising start for an awesome garden. The one thing I may suggest if this was my garden is to fill up the background near the fence area. The arbour is framing your neighbour garage and you may want it to frame something more timeless. I would fill it with evergreens, shrubs or roses that grow very tall to block that view and add a sculpture or simply an urn for the look. It may be a bit formal but that is what I would do, of course taking budget into consideration.

@nanadoll
This is the look I love for a front garden. It is beautiful and semi-formal, not to fussy. Too bad my front entrance is not in the center of the house but against the garage. I wonder if I can change it a bit. My creative juices are flowing. Thanks.

JJPeace, thank you for your wonderful suggestions. Its hard to see but I do have a Henri Martin Moss Rose growing right near the fence behind the arbor that will hopefully fill in there and give it a softer look. I just planted it last May so it might take a few years for it to really fill in there.

I love the suggestion of covering the garage... the only concern I have is that we may eventually tear down the garage and expand it. it's very old, has some rotted wood, missing roof tiles, the concrete is cracked, windows are old and rotted, etc etc. My husband eventually wants to widen it for two cars and spruce it up when we have the money. So I've been avoiding planting anything too special near the garage for fear it will get destroyed when we do that.

I am planning on adding several obelisk trellises into that garden this year for some small DA climbers/clematis and I am adding some roses to that garden as well to give it some height since my perennials are all similar heights. One thing I have on my wishlist for this year is a solar fountain to put in the center, so that will hopefully give it a better focal point as well.

Thank you for your wonderful suggestions! If only budgets didn't have to get in the way of our visions, right?

Michaela

Wow Michaela, that is very exciting. Since you may build a new garage that will definitely open up new possibilities. I agree that it is best not to plant too many things there now.

However, you will have the advantage later on how to design the garage and integrate the garden to it.

Good luck and please show us the pic later on. No pressure though but start saving.

Nanadoll, you are back!!!

Michaela- nice arbor. I want to try Kashmir too!

Farmerduck, it's good to be back and so much fun seeing what everyone is up to. Love it.
Michaela, could you show us a photo of your front entrance? Maybe we could make a few suggestions. I think there are lots of interesting garden design possibilities for an entrance at the side of a home. Diane

JJPeace, thank you! I know, it's definitely a dream right now but it's fun to plan until we can make it happen. Yeah I'm trying not to plant anything that would be difficult to move or replace until we can get that done. I figure I have lots of other places in the yard I can focus on until then!

I sure will! It's so fun sharing gardening adventures with people who understand how exciting & rewarding it can be!

----

Farmerduck - thank you! Her blooms are beautiful! I'm hoping she survives the winter.... it got down to -8 at 10 pm last night, not sure how much more it dropped. Thankfully (I can't believe I'm saying this) we got a lot of snow so I'm hoping that the thick layer of snow is protecting my roses.

----

nanadoll, I don't have any right now but I will take some in the spring and see what you guys think! I'd love some suggestions. :o)

Michaela