[:en]Rose picture credits go to Ken Gourley, our Rose Aficionado. “Royal Sunset” rose just starting to bloom What could be lovelier than deep purple blooms of Clematis viticella “Polish Spirit” growing with the fragrant golden-apricot flowers of the old French Noisette rose, “Crepescule?” Though small & simple, it’s fun to include a few of the flower arrangements that end up … Read More
Roses in Winter
Roses blooming in January? Yes, it does indeed happen out here in California! But truth be told, there are extremely few roses in bloom right now. In fact, January and February are the ideal months for winter rose-pruning, where the bushes, shrubs, and climbers are either re-shaped and/or sometimes even cut back by as much as half … Read More
A Rose is a Rose (August 2014)
These yellow roses (‘Graham Thomas’ in the foreground, with ‘Malvern Hills’ behind) that were in profuse bloom during late spring, are now blooming more infrequently and even somewhat semi-dormant now that it’s late summer, due to intentionally cutting back on the hand-watering during our state’s drought this year. In wetter years, I’ve felt freer to water generously once a week … Read More
Roses in May
Thanks to my friend Lily for introducing me to THRIFT TOWN, I’ve been able to purchase some amazing vases for even more amazing prices — this beautiful little turquoise martini glass, for example: a whole whopping $1.99!!!! (The larger green glass vase featured in the Living Room #5 pink rose arrangement, as another THIFT TOWN example, was much more “high-end: … Read More
Rose Garden Virtual Tour (2014)
We appreciate Ken Gourley for his work in the Fern Lodge rose garden. What follows is his thoughts and pictures of the rose garden. Climbing Tea rose, “Sombreuil” It’s rare to see many roses in bloom as early as Easter weekend, even at Fern Lodge; but this year was a delightful exception! Here is a pic of the heirloom … Read More
Virtual Tour of Fern Lodge Rose Garden (2011)
This rose garden is meticulously taken care of by our own Ken Gourley, who will be sharing some of his insights into the roses seen here. In this picture (above), the prominent pink rose in full bloom just to the left of the large patch of white Dutch Iris is the “Strawberry Hill” rose. The softer pink rose on the … Read More