The miniature roses are in full bloom despite the weather. It's not as if they receive special treatment in terms of water, though most have more or less half a day's shade. They have proven not only vigorous, but floriferous as well through summer's heat.
In the South Border are a lavender from Kordes...
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| For scale, the background plant is Lavendula stoechas "Madrid", roughly 20 inches tall |
I should have expected it, given the performance of the red mini "Daniela".
And then there are the two potted minis on the patio. Both of these nearly succumbed to powdery mildew last spring. I had little hope for them but kept hosing them down thoroughly, and both are back in full feather. I wish I had caught the yellow one when it first bloomed as the blossom was exquisite -- like a miniature antique rose. Hopefully there will be another opportunity soon!
The miniature roses are certainly providing an unexpected dash of color in June, making them my pick for the monthly favorites round-up with Loree at the Danger Garden.
Your remark about the toughness of miniature roses is interesting. I remember that I had a baby pink one in my old garden, which also did remarkably well (although I think it was eventually shaded or crowded out). I'm not having a whole lot of luck with my larger roses so maybe it's time to go tiny!
ReplyDeleteIf you do, I'd love to know how it works, Kris. I'm still not sure why these are growing quite so well; the main thing I've had to watch for is spider mites, especially right at first planting. I never could grow them in the ground in the Midwest; winter was too cold and other plants simply swamped them in the garden. They seem able to hold their own here!
DeleteGreat to see the miniature roses, I have had one or two in the past usually given as pot plants. I was interested to see your Lavender thriving, I don't know why we persist in trying to grow it in many parts of the UK as we just don't have enough sun, something you would seem to have in abundance:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, Rick - I agree our gardening conditions could hardly be more opposite :) The lavenders have been wonderful here. I could never keep them alive in my garden in the Midwest, where the high humidity sapped them within a couple of years, so I promised myself plenty of lavender when starting this garden.
DeleteYay for your mini roses! I was shocked to hear that my sister-in-law had a thriving rose garden in Phoenix before moving in with my brother. I never would have thought they would do so well in the heat. Thanks for joining up with the favorites!
ReplyDeleteI'm still surprised about the roses, Loree! But apparently there are still some commercial rose fields here for the wholesale industry. I'm still learning to adjust the feeding and mulching... ;-)
Deletefloriferous indeed, Amy!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I later deadheaded twenty blooms from the lavender rose and still had plenty on the plant! :)
DeleteGoodness they really are amazing...not only floriferous but their leaves look so healthy...no disease at all. Fantastic!
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