Monday, May 24, 2010

On the fence


There are two swamp roses (Rose palustris scandens) near the gate that guards the grass road which runs between the pastures and down to the creek. On the other side of the swamp roses is a ditch, then a long stretch of 3 rail fencing that runs to the woods.


View from the other side of the ditch. One of the swamp roses is tipped back, a result of swamp sunflowers growing next to the gate too and leaning all of their 8 foot height against them.



The rose fragrance is very strong, but on this rose the oils are very volatile and they soon burn off in the sun.


Next to the long stretch of fence are more roses: a white mystery climber that I started from cuttings from a rose behind Glen Lennox Shopping Center in Chapel Hill, a rose dubbed 'Seven Sisters' that may really be 'Dorothy Perkins', 'Mermaid', 'Lamarque', and a possible 'Dr. Huey'.


Possible 'Dorothy Perkins'


Frances of Fairegarden suggested that the Glen Lennox rose is 'Alberic Barbier' and I think she is right. It all fits: the glossy leaves, the yellow buds, the apple/ tea fragrance, the absurdly long canes. She nicknamed it Killer but I can't call it that, not with Mermaid nearby. You have to give the hellcat her due.








Looks like 'Alberic Barbier' to me. Thoughts?

Update: I posted a link to this post on the GardenWeb Antique Roses Forum and the consensus was that this is 'Alberic Barbier'. It's good to put a name to the face! Frances you have an excellent eye, and I have to say that I thought from the beginning that you were right.

I first saw this rose about 20 years ago when going to the drive-through window at the back of the State Employee's Credit Union. There must have been a series of them planted along the wall opposite the bank, as they stretch on for what seems like at least 100 feet, in the most romantic jumble of creamy white flowers.


21 comments:

  1. Ah, look at the lavish and beautiful roses!

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  2. Killer, although having grown Mermaid in Texas, I understand how the name might apply to her as well. Hellcat is perfect! Your roses are magnificent, Sweet Bay, with the room they deserve to grow as nature intended. Killer has been removed from the Fairegarden but is doing well, too well, on Semi's compost hillside at the corner of her property. He has decided to grow towards her garden rather than down the hill for some reason and we are working on a strategy to lift the canes and flip them downward without injury to humans. Hope you have adequate room for your Killer, or whatever you choose to call him. :-)
    Frances

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  3. Have you considered Gardenia as a possible ID for your mystery white rose? There are many places around me, and throughout the south in general, where Gardenia is now feral.
    Connie

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  4. Wonderful as always. Sure wish I could smell them.

    FlowerLady

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  5. I love your roses. I would love to have some but have heard how hard they are to keep alive. How do you do it? Do you spray them? Besides knock out roses, what should I start with? Carla

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  6. Thank you for your comments everyone. Connie the only reason I'm thinking AB and not Gardenia is the size of the blooms -- they are a bit smaller than that of Sombrueil. Mystery rose and Sombrueil grow together on the fence, with Mystery having a strong lead. Another characteristic of this mystery rose is the very limber canes.

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  7. Wonderful roses as usual! You have a beautiful garden!

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  8. Those white roses are beautiful!! Well, all of them are gorgeous!!

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  9. What ever the name, it's lovely--as are all your roses. I've seen about 10 completely different roses 'called' Seven Sisters. For some reason, people love that name. Sometimes I wonder if there really is a Seven Sisters rose:)
    Marnie

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  10. I just read through your last few posts so I didn't miss any of your blooms. The roses are so beautiful. I love that they have room to ramble, especially on the old wood fence.

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  11. Your roses are just gorgeous. It's great that they have lots of room to grow so big and beautiful.

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  12. Sweetbay, I know very little about roses~I know that I love the fragrant ones and the more the better! Yours are exceptionally lovely and they seem happy in your sunny site. I can also tell you that the Carolina Rose has a bloom and she smells so very sweet! Thank you. gail

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  13. Lovely, lovely Sweetbay. We have old heirloom roses plant along one side of a deer fence and they are amazing; to think we began with 1 foot starts and today, one especially, spans about 20' x 20'. They are indeed to be enjoyed.

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  14. Oh, I just love roses, especially in a natural setting such as yours.

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  15. That's wild. I lived in the apartments across from that shopping center when I was in graduate school at UNC.

    Just happened upon your blog today and am enjoying it.

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  16. All of your shrubs and plants look so lively Sweetbay! Luscious and lovely! These roses no mater their name or habit work so perfectly in your landscape. I love the contrast of the fence coloring and rustic quality with the roses. Beautiful!

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  17. Wish I knew more about roses (Carefree Beauty Shrub Roses are my Clydesdales) and a few miniature roses grace my garden. But this much I know, your photos are stunning and roses love you. Thanks for visiting ... I've so enjoyed viewing your site.

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  18. I don't know any of the names (although it's fun to hear them), but all of your roses are beautiful.

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  19. Such beautiful roses! I have such a soft spot for white ones.

    btw, I love the idea of you out getting cuttings behind a shopping centre- a true gardener! ;-)

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  20. All of your rose are fabulous and are perfect compliments to your setting!

    Thanks for visiting my own blog and for your comment on my summer is here post. You asked where I obtained my rosa palustris. I found it at a wonderful nursery in Jemison, AL called Petals From the Past. They have many wonderful antique and native plants. I also got my Red Cascade rose from them. They have a web site, also, if you want to look them up.

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  21. The baby girl (winter-sown seedling) roses are doing really well. I should show them these photos so they see what they can grow to. I finally bought and planted my Golden Wings, too!

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