Thursday, February 14, 2013

Who ordered an arbor with everything?


There's a shortage of arbors and trellises around here. I dislike shopping for anything but plants, and so for a long while whenever I had another plant that likes to climb I put it next to this arbor.


On the left side of the trellis is Clematis' HF Young', Goldflame honeysuckle, the roses 'Alychmist', and 'Climbing Caldwell Pink'.


Pictures are from 2011 and 2012.


As if that wasn't enough, on the right side is 'Crepuscule', with Delia's Purple trying to horn her way into the act. I love the combination of Crepuscule and Delia's Purple, more so because they are a rare combination of warm colors in a sea of cool colors in the spring. I have read that there are two versions of Crepuscule; a beautiful monster that grows to gigantic proportions and a more demure, mannerly version. Lucky for me I seem to have the more demure version since I put it next to a small arbor.


Both the Goldflame Honeysuckle and Clematis 'HF Young' may be a
bit stunted by the competition, but I still like them where they are.



But alas, poor 'Alchymist'. This beautiful roses really needs its own place to shine, not struggling where it can only put out two to three blooms a year. I don't think this particular rose is a dud either, as it was put on a trellis against the back porch before the house was moved and was really taking off. Even if this one was a dud it'd be worth replacing. I planted 'Alchymist' beside the back door of our apartment when we lived in Chapel Hill years ago. I had to order it, after reading this description in the catalog of Roses of Yesterday and Today, written by a customer in nearby Pittsboro: "Every shade of peach in existence finds its way into the blossoms, which are beautifully formed at every stage... and such energy of growth! It is a masterpiece!" Who could not be swayed by such a recommendation? The customer who wrote those glowing words was right too. A thriving 'Alchymist' is a masterpiece.


If you want to see pictures of a well grown Alchymist, check out Dani's beautiful blog if you haven't already. She lives in Greece and takes wonderful photographs.

I also wanted to show you what sweet Flowerlady sent me!
Isn't it beautiful? Smells sweet too.

Thank you Flowerlady I love it!

A head bump update: much improved but still convalescing. It takes a while to fully recover from a head injury, even a mild one such as this. The accident happened on Feb. 1st and the worst of the headache and the upset stomach didn't resolve until 10 days later. Even today, after overdoing it, not feeling so hot. This week DH is giving hay and cleaning the stalls and paddock early in the morning, and then I take care of them during the day, including taking them on a couple 1- 1 1/2 mile walks. I say "during the day" because two horses make a lot of mess and I'm (currently) slow as molasses. Even at regular speed the horses being up here behind the house and Prince's rehab takes a big chunk out of the short winter days. I haven't even gotten any of the young woody plants/ transplants in pots out into the garden, a record. Usually that's done by January 1st.

And spring has started with its first nervous ripples. The passalong daffs that don't usually bloom until mid-March have started blooming already, and the scarlet flowers of the Red Maples are prominent in the woodline and scattered on the ground. Looking at the garden I'm wondering how I will ever manage to get it cleaned up in time for spring!


26 comments:

  1. I'm really glad you're doing better! Concussions are nothing to mess with.

    I'm going to add a homemade arbor to my garden this spring that only involves a trip to a hardware store. It won't be as decorative as yours but once it's covered in vines, no one will be able to tell. It might be a good alternative if you're looking to add another arbor. I'll put up a post about it once it's up.

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    1. Great Tammy, I will look forward to that!

      It's a shame that DH's father doesn't weld anymore; he had to retire a few years early due to a knee replacement (which didn't go well) and now he needs shoulder surgery.

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  2. I'm so glad you're feeling better, Sweetbay. Be sure to get plenty of rest and really give yourself a good break--the garden can wait. It's so perfect, I don't really think you need to add anything.:)

    I'd love to find an Alchymist rose for my yard. Where do you get your roses? Do you find them at your local nurseries? Do you do mail order?

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    1. Leslie I almost always get my roses mail order because there isn't a local nursery that carries many species and old roses. Usually from Roses Unlimited, Chamblee's, or Vintage Gardens. They ship beautiful plants.

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  3. Your garden is spectacular and the plants don't seem to mind sharing the arbor. Glad you're on the mend.

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  4. I enjoyed looking at all your gorgeous blooms. I too have too many climbing vines and not enough trellis to grow them on. My honeysuckle is beginning to bloom already! Crazy! Sorry to hear about your accident. I am glad your on the mend and hope you recovery quickens.

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  5. I've said it before but I just love the look of your garden. I made the mistake of buying one of those heavy "plastic" arbors from a big box store. The rose got too heavy and broke the arbor apart. Problem is I will have to cut the rose way back in order to remove the arbor and I really don't want to do that. From now on only metal arbors for me! I'm so glad to hear you are feeling a bit better...just take it easy. The garden isn't going anywhere!!

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  6. Love the arbor and the climbers :) Alchymist makes a marvellous couple with the blue clematis. Thank you for the link, you are so kind.
    So sorry for your accident Sweetbay and I hope you'll get well soon. Wishing you a nice weekend. Greetings !!!

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  7. You have so many of my favourite climbers in your garden :) It's so nice to meet you and I'm looking forward to following your beautiful blog.

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  8. Boy, what a riot of spring! It makes me so impatient for spring just seeing those flowers. Some day I hope to have as many climbers.

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  9. I love the way the arbor looks with the riot of flowers around it. The Alchymist is a nice companion to the purple clematis! I just planted a goldflame honeysuckle last fall and I am looking forward to seeing if it will bloom well in the semi-shady spot I have put it.

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  10. What an amazing profusion of blooms you have on that arbor. I don't think I've ever seen a honeysuckle stunted by other plants before :) usually they're the most rambunctious of the lot.

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    1. If that was Japanese honeysuckle it definitely would have swallowed the arbor and everything else on it! lol (I do love that sweet scent though; Goldflame honeysuckle is sweet too but I have to go looking for its fragrance.)

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  11. you are SO right about arbors! It took me years to find something, finally I gave up and my awesome step-father built me one. I LOVE IT! But I needed a big one for my monster climbing rose. The best spots I've seen arbors in the area (not necessarily the cheapest!): Flea Market in Raleigh, Garden Supply Co in Cary, Big Bloomers in Sanford. What about you, any good finds?

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    1. The two arbors we've bought were just the sturdiest-looking and best-priced arbors at Lowe's. :) I haven't shopped for arbors at all really.

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  12. i hope you feel better soon, it is not fun to be sick on the go... I had to laugh about your arbor with everything - just like my yard :). I haven't heard about two Crepuscule clones, but mine does seem a bit more orange than yours. I would love to grow Alchymist and wish somebody would come with a reblooming version of it. I also have an old catalog from ROYAT and enjoy reading it - that type of marketing seems so far removed from what we have today. I visit the nursery too every once in awhile - they are about an hour away from us on the way to the beach, it is a wonderful old property overgrown with redwoods and roses.

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    1. I remember a post where you visited ROYAT! I loved that one! Well, I love all of your posts but it was great to see one on that nursery. :)

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  13. Sweetbay, I'm glad you are better after this terrible head injury. So do not rush, you will do all garden works later, when you feel good.

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  14. Hope Spring springs early for you. Do you grow anything up your house?

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    1. No. I have tried growing some vines next to the front porch, and I used to grow the Sombreuil on a trellis at the back of the house but wasn't satisfied with the results. The vines looked like sort of a mess towards the end of the growing season and trying to weave a Sombreuil through a trellis is just torture. The canes are just too stiff, breaking off rather than bending, and have large nasty hooks on them. Plus, in our climate a house needs to be painted at least every 5 years.

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  15. My goodness Sweetbay! So sorry to hear about your injury! You take care of yourself. Head trauma is nothing to play with for sure. Under normal circumstance I would never post a link in anyone’s comments, but I didn’t see an email address to send this to you privately. Here is a post from my old blog for a way to build some very sturdy and inexpensive trellises and arbors in less than 20 minutes. Please delete the comment if you like. I think you will really enjoy these though. If you have any questions just shoot me and email thru the blog. :0)

    http://www.jandrgardenblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/garden-wall.html

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    1. Thanks for this link Randy, no, I won't delete it! It'll be good to see some ideas.

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  16. I'm happy to learn you're getting better, though slowly. Here's hoping the coming spring will speed your recovery. Looking at those images on the arbor certainly inspire all of us winter-weary gardeners. All best.

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    1. Thanks Lee, and thank you everyone for your responses!

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  17. I have only one arbor trellis, and like you, I seem to plant anything that climbs around it. By the end of the season, it's a colorful tangled mess:)

    Wow, just read about your accident--I hope you're okay and on the mend. Something similar happened to a friend of mine; she wound up with a broken nose that required surgery to reset it. Take care of yourself and do take it easy for awhile.

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  18. As some of my fellow commenters have said, take is slow. Glad you are recovering bit by bit. Love the arbor with all its colorful beauties. That peachy colored rose is wonderful.

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