Hi Austin,

My peonies and iris seem about on track, maybe a bit ahead of schedule given the mild spring. 5ft seems very unusual for a bearded iris, even with bloom stalks.

Iris Daring. Deception

Peony West Elkton

And here’s a rose Barbra Streisand, I think her foliage is especially nice

The dirt is my Peony. They are usually beautiful I think I will try one of yours. My yard men put mulch on top and I did not catch it, maybe that is my problem

I am 5’7 so you can judge from my shoulder how tall these have grown, so unusual.

What are you feeding those irises, Austin?! Never seen an iris that tall, as a group they’re blooming early, too. Do you know the variety of the salmon iris...very nice!

I will look up but it is not remontant. My dog replanted and removed the labels years ago when he was a puppy and I have moved them so many times I have lost tract. When I moved to Dallas I was intent on located those rebloomers that Renee cultivated. I have a list of all my original purchases and all rebloomed some more than twice.I will look up the list and post it if you want, it may take me a bit to find but it is here. They get what my roses get because most are planted close by. I think alfalfa hel

Well that got sent accidentally. The peach iris was a bonus send with another order. The pic was years ago and was from after only one year in bed. It multiplies abundantly too much so.

Better pic of iris

I am gobsmacked by these pictures. Holy moly! Irises amazing and what is that Rose? I am going to guess that The Mulch on the peonies is the problem. They do not like to be buried.

Golden celebration but it is long gone now... I did not like the summer color too pale and washed out also it bloomed some in heat , but not enough for me. Beautiful in spring hiwever .Agree about mulch thought I had removed most of it but maybe too much got left...
Good advice thanks, I will use the jet spray in the morning on that baby.

I also thought the white garage did no favors to the yellow rose— this year I have planted Lavender Crush on a new arch by garage - hoping for good contrast with white backdrop

Lavender with those irises will be outstanding! I guess I need to look up these reblooming irises. I'm missing the boat.

I will find the list and post it if you think people have an interest. Mine bloomed a lot - at least in spring and in fall but some even mid summer. Each year had different stars in midsummer.

My peony has sunk over the years, which is part of problem. I also moved everything around this year in that area. Looking back to old pics for these posts has shown me just how much I change things in my garden. My plants need wheels.

Question: when is the best time in our area for me to lift up those peonies.... assuming they eventually break ground. I only have the one due to space and shade but I dearly love it and wait for its spring display every year.

You are right Ben I looked it up and the peachy iris is Beverly Sills. No fragrance, no rebloom.

"They" say fall, but I've received and planted peonies in early spring while dormant, so that should be fine. Just get their roots. I need more peonies, but wish they had at least one re-bloom. However, maybe that's why they're so cherished.

From your pic looks like the Peony is huge but sunken. Yes, fall is usually the time to replant after. most of the foliage has died away. I’d divide it up and get a few plants from it. From the Martha Stewart video, she actually breaks off a few nodules (as opposed to just dividing the plant), as if injury will spur it to new growth.

Good to know you have had success in spring, Vap.

Rebloom in iris is not a big deal for me, the rebloom cycle is usually so short, I’m OK with a quality spring show. But for a rose to be considered decent, I’d want 4-6 good flushes.

Actually I have a couple that seem to be always in bloom and the blooms go for a long time. Roses are large and full in July so a pale blue iris peeking out is always appreciated. I can pretend I am growing an English garden in England. Mind are very similar to the Encore Azalea bloom cycles though not always at same time. I am having trouble with rot because I water my roses so much to get blooms.

I know my growing circumstances are different, but I would LOVE to know those that are most successful in this regard.

sorry to delay Vap and time still not my friend today. I will send you a list of Tex rebloomers so you can check locally to see if they are successful in your area... I will post it as a discussion so others with an interest in rebloomers can chime in maybe offer more or better advice. I think many of us grow iris betw our roses...

That is fantastic and the best way to post for future searches. Thank you!!!.

Austin,

a bit off topic, but have you ever been to Covington’s Nursery in Rowlett? A friend took me there last weekend, it has got to be THE most impressive nursery in DFW, and one of the very best in the US. Great selection of really well grown roses, too. I cannot believe I’d not been before.

No but will definitely put on my list, I know, that you know, a good garden worth a visit. Did you go to North Haven yet? I hope their business is good. Tornado destruction and virus concerns are a lot for any business. I plan to visit to buy something* when weather gets friendlier. Also, do you grow paniculata phlox? I find it a great one to put between roses to provide a degree of separation for RRD (kinda like our current virus directive). They do however take over the beds if you do not take care.

Yes, I visited North Haven during Rose Day Mar 7. They have a big tent set up in front, some significant progress, but still much work to do. I try to support them too, I bought Olivia Rose Austin, Easy Spirit and some tomatoes. You will be amazed by Covington’s!

I don’t grow tall phlox, but I agree a tall skinny plant that flowers at the same height is nice.

I grow this Bolivian Verbena, shown here with Beverly and Lady in Red. I like that it enhances the rose rather than covering it. Of course, by summer it gets big and needs to be trimmed back.

Nice! I am going to be a pest and push Dark Lady again it lives our climate looks almost as good in August as Spring. I sincerely do not think she will disappoint you. Grow for flowers not for bush. They constantly come in big and profuse and fragrant. Much much better than Mun Woods in my garden. Only rose I have 3 planted.

Loves

If you get her I would go grafted from DAustin. Own root slower

Anybody grow James Austin? I couldnt stand myself and bought 5 on the last day of the David Austin discount March 6 and one was James Austin. Photos look pretty and it says it doesnt get huge.

Judith

It may have been an irrigation issue, but the James L Austin bed at Farmer’s Branch were all wilting in late spring. For your sake, I hope it’s not a varietal issue, and others will chime in with better feedback.

All the Judi Dench were crispy brown and very dead.

I got a James Austin, newly planted. No info yet.

Dark Lady last August in heat and drought now folks how can you beat that😍❤️

4” every one - also as long as I am being pushy does anyone grow Mary Magdalene? It is so nice stays very small, blooms year round and has that frilly petticoat that remains for days after the petals drop. I use it in front of taller roses that get leggy. blooms big for its petite size. Loves Texas heat. fragrant. In my garden she is first to bloom in spring and last to stop in winter. She has buds showing color now. I have never seen any post about her.

I would like to find a Mary Magdalene.......dont know anyone who offers it. If all the Farmers Branch Judi Denches were dead - I dont feel as bad about losing mine. Tiny thin canes......never grew, finally faded away. Must be an offspring of Summer Song. Makes me wonder why David Austin does not test these roses here in the US. There appears to be plenty of room behind their new office and warehouses in Tyler. Going to the trouble of introducing, shipping, growing, etc. new roses that bomb here in the US seems like a waste of time when it would appear to be easier to test them here.

PS: I am potting my James Austin in a big pot so hopefully it will get a good start! Maybe that section got left out of being watered..........I have seen some lovely photos of it.

Ben my new Love Song has a bloom. Thank you! Looks to be a strong growing plant. I bought 2 bushes (one OR one grafted) and put them together. That could have been a poor decision, putting them together. But again thank you for singing praises for our area.

Glad it’s working out for you! Love Song is an outstanding rose for our area.

Is that one bush or two? How old?

Looks to grow wider rather than tall correct??? Trying to decide if I need to reposition one of my LS

Just one plant, at least as wide as it is tall, rounded and bushy. This was only it’s second season, as I said, Love Song is really a top notch garden subject.

Well Thanks Ben guess I will get out my new pink shovel :)

watching soul sister she is also growing strongly with a bud - another of your recs