I am rather partial to roses, but we gave up trying to keep them alive many years ago. We inherited some when we first bought our house and bought a couple more in the early days, but we were always having to treat them for black spot, aphids and a multitude of other complaints. I am a lazy gardener [even that's stretching the truth a fair bit], but they really were more trouble than they were worth in the end. I'm glad to see that even the NT garden, Nymans, has had issues with theirs. The rose garden there has always been a delight, but they've taken a radical step and grubbed the whole lot out because of disease issues. The plan is to replant in two years. On my last visit all we saw were a series of empty borders, but who could be disappointed with these dreamy beds that are this summer's temporary replacement. Gorgeous.
If the experts fail then there is no hope for the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteIn the pink! The trick with roses might be to grow species roses rather than modern hybrids. They are possibly not as sectacular and generally more thorny but are hardy and have better naturally adapted disease resistance.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I call planting, a muddle of gorgeous colours and textures - like my wardrobe in garden form! xxx
ReplyDeleteI love roses too, but preferably in someone else's garden, as I've never had any success with them. Those dreamy borders are delicious! xxx
ReplyDeleteI love cosmos!
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