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The Rose Garden
In truth, our damp climate is one not enjoyed by roses, but I
couldn't have a garden without them. Luckily for me, the ones
that do best are the ones I like the best. Old roses are survivors,
disease-free, vigorous, and not too highly-bred, they pay their
rent in our less-than-ideal conditions.
Notable successes are 'Charles de Mills' and the purply-maroon
moss rose 'William Lobb'. English roses like 'The Dark Lady' and
'Fisherman's Friend' are less successful, but we soldier on with
them.
But the glory of the rose garden for a few brief weeks in early
summer is a huge bush of the Chinese wild rose R. moyesii. One
of only two shrubby survivals from the old garden here, this fabulous
rose covers itself with single deep red rosettes centred with
pollen-heavy golden stamens. Add elegant ferny foliage and flagon-shaped
scarlet hips in late summer, and it adds up to one of the all-time-great
garden plants.
The Rose Garden 2>
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