Almost, nearly there: David Austin’s finest – the promise of a good year for the roses?

This time last year, nothing. Barely a bud, nothing even closely resembling a flower. The month-long Sub-Zero ºC that was March 2013 put back the roses until July. This year, after a mild winter and some early sunshine (and the possibility of a long warm summer), I think it will be a good year for…

An out-and-about gallery with poppy, rose and rock rose

Poppy, rock rose (the pink Cistus), climbing rose Cecile Brunner and a large shrub rose (and I will look up a name for you!) Out-and-about today and just a few pictures this time...

Lady Waterlow – a perfect rose for a pillar, post or low fence…

A rather beautiful rose in bloom today - as it is in the gardens of Petersham House - but a chance here to study it up close. Large-flowered climber Origin -Nabonnand, 1903 Parentage - 'La France de '89' x 'Mme. Marie Lavalley' Color - Pink & white blend/gold stamens Foliage - Medium green Thorns -…

The Darling Buds of May – the first Alliums, fragrant Roses, lilac, flashy tulips and buttercup fields –

Alliums and ironwork in the Cutting Garden at Petersham Nurseries - elsewhere the first of the roses coming into flower - so many more in furious bud; I had to wait until July last year for the first roses to bloom - March was so bitterly and consistently chill, day and night, that the whole…

Petersham House – my first look at the gardens

Petersham House opened its gardens last Sunday (part of the National Garden Scheme) and this was my first opportunity to have a look around. I've glimpsed tree and blossom from behind high walls and hedges, and through the iron gates into the Kitchen Garden, but this was more like it! I'll let the photos do…

Rose Helen Knight

I first saw this rose in a wooded situation at Wisley and it was doing fine. This specimen is out in the open in the new Bowes Lyons Rose Garden, again at Wisley though it is a different beast altogether. While it can happily manage a shady spot, it clearly loves an open sky. A…

Springtime Blues at Wisley… and the rather excellent online RHS Plant Selector

Fields of Blue - Camassia leitchlini at RHS Wisley - with Rhododendrons in the woods there too (below) Primula auricula Blue Velvet - in the Alpine House at RHS Wisley yesterday Wisteria floribunda Yae kokuryu (above) at RHS Wisley - below, Clematis alpina Pamela Jackman (in my garden) If you are planning a blue-themed garden…

Bengal Beauty – A First Class Rose with First Prize for the First Flowers of the Year…

The China rose - Bengal Beauty - or Bengal Crimson - the first Old Roses to flower at Petersham - the first of any of them by a country mile! A deep cherry-red - large sumptiously-coloured single blooms, with a stretch and a twist, set against deep green, purple-flushed foliage. And set to flower continuously…

Plants and prospects for my new Kew Project

We're off  to a good start - breaking ground today on my Mediterranean project in Kew. The first crop of plants have been delivered, including those I bought from North Hill Nurseries last week. The (growing) list includes - Caryopteris Heavenly Blue, Dark Knight, White Surprise (7), Euphorbia White Swan (3), Pinus Mugo Mops, Amelanchier…