Evolution of a formal rose bed...

3 years ago

Well, as many of you know, I like to let roses and other plants do what they want to do, and am not good at keeping them neat, tidy, or formal. Years ago my DH had an oval bed cut out of our front lawn, and I got a Peach Drift standard, and eventually planted very small polyanthas around it, with some bulbs, and later added some cerinthe in the front. I actually was looking forward to having a sort of more formal bed right by the brick path to our front stairs. Ha! Of course my normal proclivity took over, and it was not maintained as a formal bed at all. Over the years one of the tiny white polyanthas decided to morph into a climber, and is climbing through the top of Peach Drift. On the other side, Lauren is now bigger and taller than anyone, and is sort of wrapping itself aruond the rest. The cerinthe gets huge at the front, and then usually we pull it out so that the few small roses can get some light. This year, I went to do that, and there was a very loud protest from a pair of towhees who had built a nest in what was now a perfect small forest. (The birds approve of my laissez faire style of gardening).So, we had to retreat to wait until the babies had fledged. I like it the way it is (although I do intend to pull out the almost finished cerinthe soon). Here for your amusement are three photos of its evolution - the last photo was taken yesterday.

Jackie

When first planted

a few years later - that's Lauren on the right

yesterday:

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jacqueline9CA
Original Author

3 years ago

Thank you all - anyone who has a smallish area where roses & plants are making a tangle like this, feel free to post your pictures - I would love to see them! Here is an old pic of one area I planted to obscure the old falling apart garage next door - there are 3 roses, a clematis, and lilies all tangled together.

Jackie

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Comments (10)

Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
3 years ago
Ha ha, best laid plans. That sure happened fast.

The same thing happens here. I get recommendations for fillers and then I have a huge jungle and end up pulling it all out.

Im glad that your birdies won out.
fig_insanity Z7b E TN
3 years ago
Jackie, the last picture just makes me smile. It's what an artist's garden looks like, whether it was intentional or not. And I'm always amazed at your Lauren. As much as I love mine, it will never be as large as yours. Color me jealous (green, or otherwise, lol).
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Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
3 years ago
I love your approach Jackie.
Moses, Pitt PA, cold W & hot-humid S, z6
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Any garden graced with a nesting pair of towhees is an extremely positive reflection on the benevolent temperament of the gardener. 😊

Moses
rosecanadian
3 years ago
Jackie - doesn't look formal anymore...but it looks perfect!!! :) :) So much color and beauty. :)
dianela7analabama
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
It is absolutely lovely Jackie. I can enjoy and appreciate a formal garden, but this is ideal to me. I have a few areas that have turned into a knot of roses all clumped together like that and I always enjoy looking at them.
judijunebugarizonazn8
3 years ago
If my formal garden I’m planning turns out that beautiful, I will feel fully satisfied and gratified.
rosesmi5a
3 years ago
Your gardens are not only beautiful, but they inspire further thoughts and careful looking. I appreciate formal gardens, but they can be taken in at a glance; formal gardens have no mystery or wonder of Nature's own designs. Perhaps that's why formal gardens often include a maze...
Katie Zone 6b/7a NC Mountains
3 years ago
I like the look of it a lot and am a fan of cottage and casual style gardening myself.

Most of my roses are planted on a steep slope so besides spring pruning I certainly won’t be out there constantly shaping my rose bushes, I am looking forward to them filling in like yours.