Into the orchard...
I've just gone into the orchard, and started clearing out old rose pruning. Some lovely, subtle fragrances have been wafting around. But some of the climbing roses are really struggling - like Madame Caroline Testout, who has never been the healthiest. But amazing, breaking news! Finally, after fifteen years, one of the Uetersen Climbing roses is actually climbing. The second is still satisfied with being squat and firmly attached to the ground, hardly knee-high.
I don't think there is enough sunshine, but not sure what I can do about this. Parkdirektor Rigger's archway is on a lean and needs someone with strong legs (I'm thinking Non-Gardening Partner) to jump up and down on it. Hmm.
New Dawn Roses
Next morning...
Nice news - Speckles the stray cat came for late supper. And I hadn't given him enough, because he returned about fifteen minutes later and chirped on the doormat. So, naturally, silly me got out of bed with a tiny bit more. ' Hissssss' was his way of thanking me for my thoughtfulness.
Tuesday afternoon...
Hello garden, full of roses. You are looking absolutely beautiful today, if a little weedy. Have been enjoying spending quality time in you today, surrounded by your greenery and flower colours. Oh so very beautiful. You must have an outstanding gardener...
No need to rush. No need for barking dogs, either. Winnie is frustrated because she cannot (for once) find a ball for me to throw. Just one more session to go now.
Time for a tiny, inconsequential list, sorry about this. It does help me to settle my grasshopper mind. Though if I had one dollar for every list item that I've written down and NOT done, I'd be able to employ an undergardener for a year, I reckon. Now there's a thought...
Tiny List...
- Pot up pieces of Bergenia (rescued from the rather dry Willow Tree Garden).
- Rake up all mess from lawns around the Willow Tree Garden.
- Take photographs of the last flowering rhododendrons.
- Take more photographs of the orchard roses.
Mixture of the Late Rhododendrons
Thinking about the roses : I spied a pink rose flowering low on the fence-line by the woodshed. It's dear, darling Paul Transon, cut down viciously a year ago. The survival instinct is strong in this rose. But the recycled roses I planted three weeks ago in the Hump Garden aren't happy. They need some more drastic pruning. Another item for another list. And as for the orchard roses - enough said. Better sort them out properly (am embarrassing at the state some are in).
Autumn Sunset Roses
Then my gardening day will be complete and I can wash my hair and put on clean jeans. Simple rewards. Yeay!