If you are interested in having a garden like this, it's possible. Here are some to do's:
Buy your roses from a reputable rose farmer. If you think you are going to get better than average blooms from big-box stores, you won't. I'll leave a couple nurseries I've used with success
Plant them now. Beyond May, you're better to wait until next Spring or they may not take root.
Watch videos out on YouTube and on the nursery's websites. David Austin is one of the best. They have a very helpful handbook they will send you for free that has everything you need to know.
Start planning out where you want the roses to go. You need to know the characteristics of the different plants. If you want a plant to climb up a wall or over an arch, you need a 'climber' and not a shrub. Most big-box stores sell knock-out roses which are weak and die easily.
Feel free to ask me any questions you may have. Here are the nurseries I've had good luck with:
https://www.davidaustinroses.com/ - the best. Worth the extra few bucks to get the best. You'll notice they are sold-out on a lot of the nice roses. That's because people buy them early on and get them delivered later. Early on means November - February.
https://heirloomroses.com/ - great place. A little bit lower priced. They have more sales than anyone. Black Friday sale is great. They ship in one gallon containers.
https://www.highcountryroses.com/ - great people. Really helpful and fast shipping. I bought a couple of climbers that will go out 20 to 30 feet and they're doing great.
Hello Pillar! I agree on all your points and I want to purchase from David Austin, so hard to chose. Especially love the Emily Brontë! They are all so lovely.
I'm planning on purchasing some climbers as well. Thank you for the marvelous tips fren! 🌹
You bet. Thank you for all of the hard work you do on the site.
I think the biggest learning lesson I had was to make sure to plant shade tolerant plants on north facing fences or walls. The David Austin website tells you which plants are good for shade.
The next biggest lesson was to amend the soil around the hole for the plant. Last year, I planted 25 plants so had a lot of digging to do. Instead of waiting for the plants to be delivered, I started digging a month in advance. This gave me time to dig the holes big enough and also allow the holes to soak in some water so they are loose.
That was very wise of you to do your garden prep in advance, especially the watering.
A favorite show of mine from the UK is Escape to the Country and in one episode they visited the David Austin Gardens which I believe is now run by his son. The roses there of all kinds on display were so lush blooming profusely in beds, on arbors, trellis' etc. I swooned!! Such incredible beauty! ✨
Gardenias are my absolute favorite. Their perfect white elegant blossoms and heady fragrance are heavenly!
👍🏻 Up to the White House Grounds Keepers. Way to represent. Question? Any Rosefags out there know if they use the flowers inside the White House?
If you are interested in having a garden like this, it's possible. Here are some to do's:
Buy your roses from a reputable rose farmer. If you think you are going to get better than average blooms from big-box stores, you won't. I'll leave a couple nurseries I've used with success
Plant them now. Beyond May, you're better to wait until next Spring or they may not take root.
Watch videos out on YouTube and on the nursery's websites. David Austin is one of the best. They have a very helpful handbook they will send you for free that has everything you need to know.
Start planning out where you want the roses to go. You need to know the characteristics of the different plants. If you want a plant to climb up a wall or over an arch, you need a 'climber' and not a shrub. Most big-box stores sell knock-out roses which are weak and die easily.
Feel free to ask me any questions you may have. Here are the nurseries I've had good luck with:
https://www.davidaustinroses.com/ - the best. Worth the extra few bucks to get the best. You'll notice they are sold-out on a lot of the nice roses. That's because people buy them early on and get them delivered later. Early on means November - February.
https://heirloomroses.com/ - great place. A little bit lower priced. They have more sales than anyone. Black Friday sale is great. They ship in one gallon containers.
https://www.highcountryroses.com/ - great people. Really helpful and fast shipping. I bought a couple of climbers that will go out 20 to 30 feet and they're doing great.
https://www.therosegardener.com/product-page/rectangular-labels-double-line-with-out-stakes If you really want to go all-out, buy these little signs for each plant. It sends the signal to any visitor that you are serious about your plants and a bit of a nut.
Good day.
Hello Pillar! I agree on all your points and I want to purchase from David Austin, so hard to chose. Especially love the Emily Brontë! They are all so lovely.
I'm planning on purchasing some climbers as well. Thank you for the marvelous tips fren! 🌹
You bet. Thank you for all of the hard work you do on the site.
I think the biggest learning lesson I had was to make sure to plant shade tolerant plants on north facing fences or walls. The David Austin website tells you which plants are good for shade.
The next biggest lesson was to amend the soil around the hole for the plant. Last year, I planted 25 plants so had a lot of digging to do. Instead of waiting for the plants to be delivered, I started digging a month in advance. This gave me time to dig the holes big enough and also allow the holes to soak in some water so they are loose.
Best of luck.
That was very wise of you to do your garden prep in advance, especially the watering.
A favorite show of mine from the UK is Escape to the Country and in one episode they visited the David Austin Gardens which I believe is now run by his son. The roses there of all kinds on display were so lush blooming profusely in beds, on arbors, trellis' etc. I swooned!! Such incredible beauty! ✨
Gardenias are my absolute favorite. Their perfect white elegant blossoms and heady fragrance are heavenly!
Take care Pillar!
Beautiful
https://nitter.poast.org/WhiteHouse/status/1919749566469177675