There was a supplement in this month's English Garden magazine the Romance of the Rose. One of the articles was an interview with Michael Marriott, technical manager and rosarian at David Austin Roses. Here is what he had to say. "You need to be critical of your plants to be sure they are paying their way" And then, on the subject of antique roses, " 'Zéphirine Drouihan' gets every disease going, it's the epitome of what a rose should not be like." There he gave me the much needed push. Sometime very soon I will head out with my loppers and pick axe and the rose will be no more. This lady has underperformed for so many years that even I, who will hang on to plants until they take their dying breath, knew she had to go. I have added compost and fertilizer and even given her new wall supports all to no avail.
I am on the look out for a replacement. A repeat bloomer would be nice and as the wall is only 5' high it must be of suitable size. I will have to remove soil and probably plant the new rose in a cardboard box to prevent rose-replant disease. Ideas welcome.
I find it hard to pull out under-performing plants too but, when a combination of extra water and compost doesn't work, I remind myself that space is limited and get on with it (except when it comes to the mimosa tree, the removal of which involves all sorts of challenges). I'm no rosarian so I won't attempt to advise you on replacement options. Whatever you pick, I'm sure it'll be wonderful.
ReplyDeleteFor me the disappointment has gone on for too long, I look at the roe through my dining room window and I think the view deserves something better.
DeleteThe replacement really depends on what colour and form you like your roses to be, but I find the climbers Sympathie (rich dark red), Gold Bunny (bright freesia yellow), Crepuscule (apricot), Climbing Pinkie and the Australian bred Lorraine Lee (pink) do really well in Adelaide's long dry summers. Good luck with the changes!
ReplyDeleteI am really not fussy about color or form but the wall is not very high so the roe must be trained along those supports. would certainly like a repeat bloomer, disease resistant, dare I say thornless(as id ZD) I know. Way too much to ask for. And most of all must like Texas! Thanks for your suggestions. I will check them out and see what our nurseries carry here.
DeleteWell, now I'm feeling better about the Zephirine Drouhin I managed to let die the first year I had it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI love my climbing Mme Alfred Carrière that blooms spring and fall, with an occasion summer flower.
I know several who have this rose and it does seem to be reliable. I will check it out. Thank you.
DeleteA second vote for Mme Alfred Carrière. I adore mine. And she smells amazing.
DeleteThanks for your comment. The problem with that particular rose is that it grows to 20' and this is a 5' wall.
DeleteI'm happy that you've made your decision. It's hard to finally accept that a plant just isn't what it should be in your garden.
ReplyDeleteI made a cutting from this plant that lived at the bottom of the back garden. It was gorgeous until the hailstorm pounded it to death. It never recovered.
DeleteYup, I shovel pruned mine a few years back. It was a hard decision to make, but no regrets. Next up is the Mutabilis in the front yard. The only blooms it gets are from the long canes that have worked their way up into other trees. It's charming when in full bloom, but that's only once a year now and the thorny canes are a pain to deal with. Full sun when I planted it, full shade now. Maybe a nice dwarf loropetalum will take its place.
ReplyDeleteI/m sure you are the same. Once the deed is done you feel really good about it. The thing about ZD is that she has no thorns. Not does Felicia. I can always fall back on that rose.
DeleteMy ZD only looks good for a month or two at most, then terrible until next year. I think I should replace mine too!
ReplyDelete