Help at Ben Lomond

16 years ago

Ben Lomond Manor in Manassas VA acquired a heritage rose garden some time ago to go with the pre Civil War house. It has 165 old garden rose cultivars gotten from a collection of Jim Syring perhaps 20 years ago. Jim died unexpectedly shortly after planting the garden. Much of Jims collection came from Mike Lowe in NH and includes some cultivards that are very rare. The garden has struggled for many years with little help from the county which is primarily concerned with the Manor House. I have made a recent foray there after learning that the struggle had become serious to just keep down the weeds. Some beds are in shambles. A couple of folks have stepped up to lend a hand but the garden is too much for them to deal with this spring and the garden clubs are losing interest perhaps after they were told that the knock out rose they planted in the garden will have to be removed along with some invasive perenials.

I am going to make another foray to the garden next Saturday May 8 and hope that OG Rosers in the area will meet there at 10 AM and help weed and pot up some gallica suckers for a Rose Festival scheduled for May 22 -23. However, it is uncertain just what may transpire at the festival - will check. I would be happy to share more details including the garden plan and plant list to anyone who would like them. Please contact me at my email address for further details and hopefully a hand to give the garden some new life. Or just show up with your best weeding equipment, pruners, and a cold drink and a sandwich if you can stay a little beyond noon. Thanks.

PS - You may want to bring your camera in case something special has begun to bloom. It seems that our season has jumped forward 10 days faster than it ordinarily does. Best, Nick

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Comments (11)

hartwood
16 years ago
RATS, RATS, and DOUBLE RATS!!!

If the work day or the Rose Festival were any other days, I would be there at the front of the line to help. I am committed to be at the Rose Festival in Lynchburg on the 8th, the Open House at Tufton Farm on the 22nd, and there's a private event here at the nursery on the 23rd.

I visited this garden last year, and it was getting pretty shabby at that time. This collection is wonderful, the setting is lovely, and the roses are even lovelier.

I would love to help somehow in an on-going way. We can talk about what's needed, and work something out.

Connie
anntn6b
16 years ago
Please keep an eye open for RRD.
The reason the Virginia Tech plant path people are on top of RRD (moreso than some adjacent states) is the early diagnosis of RRD at Ben Lomond. The diagnosis came about because a volunteer came on GardenWeb Rose Forum asking about strange growth she'd seen in the garden. Larry and I worked with them and that led to the involvement of the State County Extension agent.

We were back about eight years ago and there were several problem spots (in the huge SdlM) and they had started a hedge of R. elganteria along the east side of the garden and several bushes had RRD in it. The multiflora in Manassas Battlefield may be the continued source of the disease for them.

Anyway, be careful what you bring home....but you know that already.
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jerijen
16 years ago
It is so terribly sad to think that the plague of RRD should be such a problem for the restoration of historic gardens. Just sort of makes you grind your teeth.
I read of restoration projects in the 1970s which you don't see mentioned these days, and I suspect that might be a factor.

Jeri
ogroser
Original Author
16 years ago
Ann - I have heard about the problem and it appears through your efforts and those of others have virtually erradicated all of the RRD. I removed a couple of infected plants last year and this year only a RRD suspect in a sucker plant.

I am concerned that the loss of so many RRD infected plants has led to a significant loss of original plants some of which were rare. I have yet to see a current inventory and compare it to the original plant list and plan. Rose time ID work should be a very important undertaking. Of concern is that some well meaning folks think that planting any OGR at any open locations even if it is already in the garden is a good deed. I have not been involved significantly, but it clear that the folks in charge need some guidelines. We'll see where this goes. Plants that I am donating are going only to locations identified in the original plan with the specified variety.

Connie - Will work with you and others as your time permits. I know this time of year is unbelievably hectic. See you soon - probably at Tufton. Best, Nick
vettin
16 years ago
Nick, you have mail. Thx.
sergeantcuff
16 years ago
Nick - How I wish I could join you, but I will be away this weekend.

Please let me know if you are working there another day.

Maureen
ogroser
Original Author
16 years ago
Maureen - Perhaps you can lend a hand on an ID trip that may have to occur within 10 days or so. I am thinking that a lot of work needs to be done at the garden to see where we are. Thanks for the offer. Best, Nick
cecily
16 years ago
Nick, I'll be there with tools. I have a couple of rooted cuttings potted up (Fields of the Wood & Gen Galleini) if you need roses for door prizes, etc.
Cecily
cemeteryrose
16 years ago
I'm with you in spirit. Love hearing about work to restore heritage gardens.
Anita
hartwood
16 years ago
(Please forgive the momentary hijack ... Cecily, since you're local, I would love to have you come to my garden social on June 5. I was going to send you a private email, but your email address isn't listed here. Please let me know.)

On the subject of Ben Lomond ... I'm probably available if there's a workday during the week. I'd love to help.

Connie
ogroser
Original Author
16 years ago
Connie - I can use your help with the ID and plant location work. I can give you more information about a date after I see where we are in the bloom on Saturday. A couple of folks have been in contact to help on Saturday but additional help would be appreciated. It will help get through faster and leave a little time for beginning ID work. This should be interesting to see some of those rare ones, if they still exist. Thanks. Best, Nick