Mustang, those are very detailed photos and descriptions of your planting plan! The sites are so clear to my mind. Your rose choices are lovely. Your garden is going to be a most beautiful and fragrant experience to behold with all senses in a very few years!

I've been reflecting on a couple of issues that may be affecting the health and flower production of your plants. The first is the one that always catches me when I plant young roses. Most take several years to grow and flower. The first year is the root establishment year and requires enormous patience. I always forget this in my excitement.

However, as you have noted, sunlight and water access/drainage considerations may also be affecting your roses. If the native soil is pulling away from the planting areas, it sounds like the soil does indeed need attention. If the original holes were large enough (what size breadth and depth?), then you may have some soil contrast issues. It's a good idea to blend native soil with the planting mix in the VERY large holes so the rose roots aren't stopped in their tracks when they hit the transition between the hole and uncultivated ground. Also, this mixture, gently pressed down upon and added to as it settles helps prevent the separation issue you encountered.

If deep watering is a problem, soaker hoses are my go-to for good hydration and solid root establishment. Running the soakers all along the rose area will help the surounding native soil to become hydrated as well so that the amended soil retains more moisture and the transition from amended soil to native is bridged for the developing roots. Since your fenceline is under trees which not only prevent rainfall from reaching your roses but also compete for access to groundwater via big, established roots, I'm thinking soakers (or another consistent and thorough watering system) is needed.

Shade can also be an issue, and since morning sun only is half of full sun, some roses are not as happy to thrive and bloom. Many will grow in morning only sun and some even produce lovelier, better preserved blooms in this condition. Certain Austins, Hybrid Musks, Gallicas and Albas all come to mind. For me, the shade issue is frequently a wait and see one.

Please DO keep us updated on the forum. I look forward to the unfolding of your garden's maturity! I agree Gertrude is one of the most deliciously scented Austins. I grow her ancestor, Comte de Chambord, and look forward to sinking my nose into his blooms each summer!

All the best - Carol

Thank you very much for the very detailed feedback and advice. What you said makes great sense. None of those 6 plants by the fence are doing as well as the two by the deck. Not only do those deck plants get more natural rainwater, but they get about 3 hours more sunlight per day. It could be the plants are just hardier, but I have a feeling it is soil, water and sunlight that is really to be thanked. The picture above is when the plants were only a month or so old. When I winter pruned them, the plants by the deck were easily 5' tall, and the ones by the fence were anywhere from 2' to 3'.

I think the holes were plenty large enough. I did blend native soil with the mix, however the native soil is a red clay that takes ages to absorb water. In fact, they line ponds with it here. :( When it dries, it pulls away and cracks. A soaker system may perk down into and through the clay surrounding the holes faster than it wicks away from beneath. Physics is a tough nut to crack, for sure. It is a layer of topsoil (about 4-6"), then red clay (like rubber), then shale (like sand). If I could water things from beneath, I would have it made! :)

The tree to the left is a Sycamore. It is growing up through my electric wires and loses branches frequently. This is not a good combination. I am probably going to remove the tree. This would give the plants a lot more natural water and 1/2 day more sunlight, since it is the tree to the south. The tree on the right is a healthy and beautiful Black Walnut. The Walnut will provide decent afternoon shade during the hottest summer months, when it is needed most.

I'm as excited as you to start smelling those things again. I lost my mother last year on my wife's birthday. She was taken within weeks of diagnosis. I would clip a rose and bring it to her every time I visited. She kept it in her hand. I buried her with one in her hand..

Sunny. Thank you for the response. I did not know those things. Thank you.... I like to learn something new and interesting every day.

I have plenty of Sycamore by the creek and the pond. This one won't be missed. If I have to choose between the Black Walnut and the roses, I think the roses will be transplanted. :) We'll see how everything looks this spring with the Sycamore gone.

Mustang, please accept my condolences. I lost my mother in 2014 and my father last May. I send both sympathy and empathy. The connection between roses and your relationship with your mother is lovely!

I look forward to reading your garden updates as changes are made and time passes!

Carol

There are people who say that Gertrude Jeckyll is the most intensely fragrant of all modern roses. I think we can't be as definite as that, but it certainly is one of the best.

I was very sorry to hear about your mother. That is never easy.

Rosefolly