a few of my early ones with a couple surprises

12 years ago

The roses are beginning in my garden also, but there are also a few other show-off wannabe types. It is amazing how they can sneak into your shopping cart and find their way home with you. The first of these is a rather shameless red tree peony that announces spring with flowers like this:

Then, there is the issue of these clematis vines. I have a couple of these red Bourbon clematis vines that actually stay short. I really like this variety which found its way onto an old chain link fence gate. It might not be elegant, but it works.

The hybrid tea California Dreamin' actually turned out to be a nice variety. It started to bloom some.

The floribunda Lavender Princess is finally looking much better. Last year was the first year it put on a serious effort to grow after having survived that bad Easter freeze of '07. I think this rose is rather rare.

The Austin rose Blythe Spirit always makes a good show and is currently loaded with buds. The flowers are fairly constant with respect to color, petal count, and size through the growing season. I like it, but it gets quite large and doesn't like hard pruning.

Now for a couple of surprises. Some of the Austin roses are quite variable as to color and petal count. This Lady Emma Hamilton has some extra petals. It is not normally this full.

Not to be outdone, Windrush put out a surprise for me because it usually has no more than 12-18 petals. This one was extra full.

I hope you like these.

Comments (10)

canadian_rose
12 years ago
I love them!! The green lieaves of Windrush are sooo spring green. I just love spring green. The flower looks like it has green tones to it too!

I don't like what you said about Lady Emma Hamilton. :) I ordered that one this year, and I like the crammed in petal look. Oh well, we'll see.

I really like your clematis. So pretty. Really charming on your fence/gate.

Thanks for the look!!

Carol
sanrosa
12 years ago
Beautiful. I love the clematis on the gate. Gardeners are the ultimate improvisers! Thanks for sharing.
Sandra
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bgrose
12 years ago
I love the peony, it is the flower I need definitely in my garden too. Very lovely! The clematis is so gorgeous too, incredible color! I have just started growing clematis but mine looks nothing like yours, I have one single bloom only. All the roses are great, the color of Lady Hamilton is very beautiful indeed. You have many beautiful roses, California dreaming is very delightful!
hosenemesis
12 years ago
Lovely. So green!
Renee
the_bustopher z6 MO
Original Author
12 years ago
One good whiff of Lady Emma Hamilton and you don't care what her petal count is. You just have to bend down quite a bit because she doesn't get too tall, just spreads more sideways than up.
bgrose
12 years ago
I have Pat Austin, the color looks similar to Lady Hamilton.
iris_gal
12 years ago
Nice colors! Blythe Spirit looks so delicate. But no more monster Austin's for me. Hah. I'll succumb.
bgrose
12 years ago
I love the Clematis too, it is very beautiful.
bgrose
12 years ago
I do not understand why your clematis is covered with blooms and mine has only one bloom...Again I want to say that your garden is very beautiful, green, lush and healthy! Looking forward to your next pictures and thanks!
the_bustopher z6 MO
Original Author
12 years ago
I have several clematis plants, but I do not consider myself to be an expert on them in any way. Some of them have only 1 bud/flower at this time. Others have a few, and still others are completely covered. All I can say is that it does take time with them also. I'm just happy that they flower at all.