25Dec 2017 by RagingAdmin
Lycidas cares not that it might be winter

Lycidas cares not that it might be winter

Uncategorized
Should anyone be wondering about the winter hardiness of English roses, consider this Young Lycidas -- seen here leafing out on Christmas Eve, after several weeks of temperatures dropping into the 20s or even lower. This variety hates the heat of New Jersey summers, sulking and battling blackspot from the moment temps start staying above 80, but apparently winter freezes hardly matter to it at all. Look at these saucy leaves: now that's attitude. [caption id="attachment_2508" align="alignnone" width="640"] Young Lycidas, waking up on Christmas Eve[/caption]
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20Dec 2017 by RagingAdmin
Arrival… Because they do look a bit like aliens

Arrival… Because they do look a bit like aliens

Planting, Uncategorized
This happy little ganglion is actually James Galway #3, replacing a year-old plant I had to put down the previous fall after it contracted Rosette (aka RRD), a virus that terminally disfigures roses.  [caption id="attachment_2213" align="alignright" width="640"] An own-root James Galway[/caption] Thankfully,this happy critter is healthy as kale and ginger smoothie. This is a perfect example of what an own root rose looks like before planting, and David Austin's nurseies sent me a particularly mature one. Since I needed to quarantine the location of the original location for at least a year to ensure the disease doesn't spread, when this arrived in April of 2017 I planted in a large pot alongside the garage. It grew surprisingly large and strong there in one season -- probably also because it's a…
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18Dec 2017 by RagingAdmin
Clematis Venosa Violacea

Clematis Venosa Violacea

Uncategorized
A complete surprise (I ordered a different variety), Clematis Venosa Violacea has been a strong performer in its second year. The only negative of purchasing this plant is its unfortunate name, which doesn't sound at all out of place in some very different contexts. "I'm sorry I can't come to work today. I have a bad case of Clematis Venosa Violacea." [caption id="attachment_2140" align="alignnone" width="640"] Clematis Venosa Violacea, typical blooms[/caption]
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