My "Spring Flush"
It should be well on its way but I think a combination of no rain and cooler than normal weather has confused the roses, and the result is fair to middlin'. On top of that, the native wildlife is in the process of decimating not only the smaller roses but also my day lilies, irises, pelargoniums and sea lavender. Everything has been chewed up and spit out, with leaves and broken-off iris blooms everywhere, and some pelargoniums with not a single bloom or bud left. It's the worst year yet in this regard because we have a bumper crop of young squirrels and the coyotes have not being doing their job, even though a biologist has counted three groups of them across the street, numbering 34 in all.
This is Notch Ear at the front door, whom we have known since she was a baby who grew up in our front yard. Naturally we're hoping no coyote ever finds her since she's practically a pet.
Baronne Henriette de Snoy has acquired a few more blooms. Notice the partially mangled sea lavender.
Two unidentified bunnies caught at their plein air luncheon.
Rhodologue Jules Gravereaux has finally begun to bloom
Mme. Leon Pain is not far behind with her first flower.
Marie Pavie with her close friend, International Herald Tribune
Duchesse de Brabant, also a latecomer in her shady spot
Here I'm recording the depradation wrought by the lagomorphs and squirrels. The little pelargonium at the base of the slender tree trunk used to sport the prettiest lilac pink flowers almost year-round.
Notch Ear and friend chowing down. That poor rose bush in the very front used to be a round and chubby Bishop's Castle. Not even half is left.
Comments (10)
titian1 10b Sydney
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoingrid_vc so. CA zone 9 thanked titian1 10b SydneyRelated Discussions
My first ever spring flush!
Comments (10)Thanks Juliet! I've added a Thomas Affleck, Mrs. Dudley Cross, 2 SDLM's, Kron. Viktoria, and a Cl. Eden. I also have Heritage and Abe Darby. Those are either newly planted or not in flush yet. I cannot wait to get more OGR's, they are much more my "flavor" than HT's! I cannot wait to fill the whole back fence with more roses! And every other square inch my husband will allow for that matter :) natalie...See MoreWhen to fertilize for spring flush?
Comments (21)Rosefolly, thanks for posting your reassuring comments: you make us all feel better. I do occasionally think about how much better a job I could be doing cultivating my roses. But then spring comes and not all, but a sufficient number of them are GLORIOUS, and it's all done on their native gray clay, plus hay mulch and pruned material. My biggest mistake has not been preparing adequate planting holes, as our soil is extremely poor in organic material. But if a rose of ours gets a decent planting to begin with and a regular covering of organic material afterwards, it does fine. My strategy, along with organic mulching, is to plant as many herbaceous plants in the beds as I can get to grow, and let them do the work. Their roots penetrate the soil; their litter of dead leaves and twigs feeds the soil life. They keep the ground cool in summer while allowing air and water to pass. My reading of 'Teaming with Microbes' has encouraged me to leave the soil largely undisturbed after the initial digging and preparation, so that the web of soil life can develop. I will dig an area that hasn't be worked before and is very heavy, so that I can enrich it with organic matter; but I don't systematically dig my garden beds. The big problem is getting as much organic matter as I need; a problem so far without a solution except time and patience, as the plants grow and slowly begin to mulch themselves. Hey, Paula! Happy spring! Melissa...See MoreSome of my spring flush
Comments (28)All so lovely. Very nice. I think Penelope was the show stopper for me though. That and Lyda Rose which I also grow. That's where my mind is more this year though with single and old fashioned roses. As well I really enjoyed George Burns. I have to re read the thread and see if the quality of re bloom is mentioned. Thanks for those. Kate...See MoreSpring Flush Finale
Comments (2)WOW--you've got some outrageously beautiful and healthy roses there, Jeff!!! You must of done something right lol! The Heart of Gold rose esp is calling me. Thank you for sharing these pix--very lovely. :-)Becky...See More
sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
5 years ago
Melissa Northern Italy zone 8
5 years agoingrid_vc so. CA zone 9 thanked Melissa Northern Italy zone 8ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
5 years agoThanks for all the condolences but, in spite of everything, I'm fond of our bunnies and squirrels, in spite of their garden "activities". My husband and I are both such animal people, and it would be a lonely place outside without all the different occupants, ranging from lizards and frogs to the coyotes and occasional bobcat.
Lisa, fingers crossed for the one remaining cutting of Potter and Moore. I'd love for you to have a plant also. We also had that overnight drizzle, and I took a picture this morning of the Wild Edric that is right beside the one we took out for you. My hope is that you'll have some blooms, even if not until autumn.
Lisa Adams