Random Rose Reflections

19 years ago

Our moving day is now fast approaching -- Oct 1. Less than 6 weeks away. There are 93 roses currently sitting in various sized pots in the driveway. The small ones can be moved in my Expedition -- the large ones will be a challenge. I think I'll ask my BIL if I can borrow his enclosed trailer. That should do the trick.

Where to plant them all? Each one has been chosen with care, but most without regard to their ultimate placement in the gardens to come. Gardens will have to be designed to fit the available roses, hopefully with room for the treasured finds to come.

I did my ceremonial first rose planting on Tuesday -- Paul's Himalayan Musk to climb a mulberry tree adjacent to the fence that I'm going to cover with ramblers. Only 92 more to go.

The clearance sale at Vintage is going to cause me some problems. I have narrowed my must-have list to 10 -- only 3 of which are on my current shopping list. 30%. Most of the others are ones I have been considering, I just didn't place them high enough to put them on the official list. At the current Vintage discount price, I couldn't resist.

Even though it's still August, it's been mild, rainy, and damp here in Virginia this week. The roses like it. It's been a bit disorienting for me, though, since this is my 4th day without having to go out to water the pots. Instead, I took my coffee out to visit them and snap off any dead blossoms.

Japanese beetles appear to be all but gone now. I found one on Melodie Parfumee yesterday evening, but he didn't appear to feel too well -- I stepped him. Thrips, combined with the damp weather, are making a very difficult situation for some of the lighter, denser blooms. Brown edges and balled buds are not particularly attractive. I've been misting the buds in the evening to try to stay ahead and salvage some of the blooms.

There's still plenty of time to make plans to join us at my place for the GW plant swap social on Oct 21. It appears that we will have quite a varied group. I look forward to a good turn out and a great time had by all. Remember, the idea of this gathering is the "social" part -- the plant swapping is just an excuse.

Connie

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Comments (7)

zeffyrose
19 years ago
Connie---I guess I missed something---When and where are you moving ???--I sure wish I could join the gathering.--It is always fun to meet rose lovers----
Va would be an easy trip but I will be recuperating from hip surgery in Sept.
Good luck and please take pictures of all our rose friends.

Florence
hartwood
Original Author
19 years ago
For the past 5 years, my husband and I have been restoring and renovating a pre-Civil War farm house in Hartwood, just north of Fredericksburg, Virginia -- about 20 miles from where we are now. It is my dream house, and its restoration has been more work than I had ever thought it could be.

{{gwi:299780}}

This photo is from early in the process -- the bushes you see are gone. (Burford holly . . . good riddance). We're putting in stone retaining walls and boxwood instead. I just can't go to an old house and feel right unless there's at least a faint smell of boxwood in the air.

The restoration was supposed to last 3 years at the most. I started buying roses in preparation for the move. Construction delays, unexpected repairs, and family stuff have put us 2 years behind where we wanted to be. and the rose collection has grown tremendously. I have the room to plant all I have, and much more, I just have to put a plan in place and get it done.

Zeffy, when you're better and you'd like to come visit, just let me know. Rose lovers are some of my very favorite people.

Connie
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bluesibe
19 years ago
Connie hi,

Best of luck with your move. I think you have some challenges ahead of you, but interesting ones. Can't wait to see your garden as it progresses.

I hope you have a wonderful time at the swap. There is nothing like a GW gathering.

Enjoy your new home, I've never been able to afford my dream home in any of it variations or locations.

Carol
michaelg
19 years ago
Connie, I love your house. Congratulations on finishing the renovation.
zeffyrose
19 years ago
Congratulations------I love old homes----

Your house is wonderful

what an exciting time for you

If I remember correctly I think I saw pictures of your home before. I immediately thought about a beautiful Christmas Tree in the bay window.

I would love to see pictures of your home at Christmas---It would make a great christmas card---

Good Luck with your move.

Florence/zeffy
brandyray
19 years ago
Connie- good luck w/ your roses and your stately brick home. Someone on another thread mentioned that Vintage's shipping was very expensive, so I'm not sure if the sale will really save us money or not, and I haven't decided if I'm going to order, but, if so, I will order the ones that no one nearer stocks. Brandy
hartwood
Original Author
19 years ago
Brandy (and anyone else). Vintage's shipping is a bit pricy, but so is everyone else's since the USPS raised their rates in May.

Depending on where you usually shop and what you're looking for, the sale will definitely save you money. Here's how my order shook out: I ordered 12 roses, sale price of $7.50 each, took advantage of the dollar off special so they were actually $6.50 each. Shipping was $48.25, Ag fee $7.00, grand total $133.25. That averages $11.10 per rose. When I played hookie last Friday and went in person to Sherando Roses, I paid $10 for the one-gallon specials . . . but I have to factor in 3/4 of a tank of gas for the trip. The way I figure it is this, potted bare root roses at your local nursery are $20 or $25 dollars, and they have mostly newer modern varieties (though I picked up Madame Plantier this spring). Ordering on line is usually cheaper than this. The selection is much, much wider. Besides, I love the excitement of choosing just the right varieties, and watching the little bands grow into big-boy bushes.

Connie