On the Fence (a rose list)

I had to keep myself from pruning in January, but finally it’s time. The Forsythias have two flowers on them. Most people wait for more of the flowers to come out. I have to get started asap to come anywhere near completing this seasonal duty. (I’m mostly on a two year rotation now out of necessity.)

We had a mild December and January. Some of the roses, especially those that surround the house, were still trying to bloom. The short, gloomy, very wet season encouraged them, but unlike prior winters the temperatures stayed between 40 and 53. We usually get snow once in December and a couple of times in February. February came through on the snow and freezing weather which helped the roses into a light dormancy.

March has offered a few dry days and some sun. There has been enough good weather to paint and work outside on projects. The rain is coming, but today I’ll work while dry and in 48 degree weather. I’ll take it.

I can’t help but marvel at all of the tender little growth that is giving the landscape just a touch of color.

Two of the many lists…

Many of you have asked for a map or list of everything that is in Anne’s Gardens. Every time I’m asked I think that I am going to soon have an up to date list to share. Even now as I write this I think, “surely I can finish that task in the next couple of months.” But reality sets in. Some of the ramblers and old world roses have only a two week bloom time. If I’m not in that section of the property during that time, I miss the chance to verify the names. My first priority is to make sure that the roses live.

There are many lists. Most are updates of the 2009 and 2011 versions, that Anne printed out and made notes on. Unfortunately, there are no dates on these notes which makes it difficult to put them together in chronological order.

There a three additional caveats to be aware of when looking thru this rose list. As Anne became interested in ramblers and climbers she generally listed only those. She knew all of her roses well, but didn’t include all of them on her main lists. For example, under the heading of Around the House, she lists only those roses that were, or that she could get to work as, climbers. The list I’m sharing has 39 roses listed in this area, but there are well over 120 presently there. I’ll post a list of the varieties around the house later, after I finish identification. The third warning is that the spinosissimas are not listed. I brought them to the property just a couple of years ago after Anne left us.

So, with all of that, here is the list of Anne’s Garden roses. Although it is inaccurate, it is the best we have for now.

I have maps too, but they are generally the original plans for each project. These projects evolved over time. For example, Anne designed the formal garden, also known as garden #1, for Max. He preferred a garden of modern roses. Anne confided that she did sneak older roses in as well. This now isn’t a secret. The heritage roses are the ones that are doing the best. Here is the list of Formal Garden Roses from 2009. Many are still there, but deletions and additions have taken place.

I hope this is at least a starting point and will help those who have asked me to share it. I don’t have the time I want, or need, to complete all of the inquiries that come in. I certainly wish I did. I am open to volunteers to help directly with the rose maintenance, or even better, to find, cut, and packaging rose cuttings for others.

The Save the Rambler Project

Under the direction of Claude Graves and a newly put together Save the Ramblers Committee, the American Rose Center is working on a three point conservation project to Save the Ramblers. The three points are to work with large and small nurseries to get these beauties into commerce; give public gardens three year old plants ready to bloom for FREE (public gardens pay only for postage); and work with those who purchase the roses to register the roses so we know the status of these rare gems.

Anne gave many of initial roses to Chambersville Tree Farm in Texas which since have been duplicated through cuttings in the two rambler nurseries of the American Rose Center in Shreveport, LA. I am working with Claude to continue to provide cuttings of ramblers for the project as I think it is one of the best ways to conserve Anne’s roses and with them her memory.

As the Save the Rambler Committee meets I will share our progress. In the meantime, go to the Save the Ramblers webpage https://rose.org/ramblers/ and check out the story about Anne’s Ramblers by clicking on the American Rose Ramblers button. Included in the article by Claude Graves is his list of all of the ramblers at the American Rose Center and their availability status. If you own a nursery and want to participate in the Save the Ramblers initiative, please contact Claude Graves. We are also looking for people who can help us share why people should grow these magnificent roses and just how easy it is. Please contact me or Claude if you can help us get the word out.

And now to get outside and use the last of the sun…

I can hardly sit still to type this. The sun just came out and I have just over 4 hours to enjoy the last dry day for the foreseeable future (10 day weather forecast). I’m a little thin on eye candy (pictures) this time, but hopefully the listings of the roses that are (mostly) here will be a suitable replacement.

Don’t forget to join your local heritage roses society or the Heritage Rose Foundation. This year’s Heritage Rose Foundation conference will be held June 6 – 8 at the Hyatt Jersey City. Steven Scanniello and Shauna Moore will host rose garden walks through the NY and Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. I hope I can make it this year. Go to https://www.heritagerosefoundation.org/ for more information.