The JAM Garden
Old Red Rose
One summer early in the Wattle Woods history I dug out some old roses from a friend's garden and moved them into the country. This red rose came with hardly any roots - yet it survived its rather rude re-location...
Shifting in Summer
I shifted two car loads of plants that hot summer's day - Hostas (my very first plants), Ajuga, Ligularias, Rhododendrons and Peonies, as well as two tall, old rose bushes. My friend thought the red rose was a tea rose but didn't know its name.
I wasn't at all sure the rose would survive - or indeed any of my new plants. They were coming from a shady, moist garden in the city to the hot dry winds and sandy soil of the Moosey garden. And moving gardens during the very middle week of summer is a risky business for any plant.
Well, all the plants did survive - helped by some inspired watering and winter-style pruning - and the power of positive thought. Plus a lot of beginner's luck! Thanks, Judith Ann, for your early contributions to the Moosey garden. Your favourite old red rose started well, but as the trees grew and the sunshine lessened it got the sulks. Sadly I'm not sure if I shifted it out in time.
The JAM Garden
The garden area into which Judith Ann's lovely plants were initially moved became known as the JAM garden.