I've been doing gardening tasks that are good and need doing. However, not fun and not photogenic. Switching some spray irrigation out for drip. Wise and good, but not fun.
The once fantastically gorgeous weeping standard 'Renae' rose declined sharply the past couple of years. A hard prune, generous irrigation, and good fertilizer did nothing at all to improve it, so I decided it had to go.
Beheaded:
I wondered if I should have given poor Renae a little more time--until I realized the scion growth was brittle and dry. There was a little green growth, but the plant was dead.
It used to look like this (on the right hand side) as recently as 2011.
Digging it up, I discovered a massive, fatal case of crown and root gall. Such a massive infection relieved me of all guilt: there was nothing I could have done to save it.
Ouch!
Good I got it dug out, but not fun, and not pretty.
I planted the other 'Hercules' in 'Renae's place. Every time I walked by the potted Herc I kept imaging that I heard it screaming to get out of its pot and into the ground. I moved it into a larger pot a few months ago, but the larger pot was already packed full of roots.
When I was finished, looking at an Aloidendron surrounded by roses, I thought--oh, that looks odd. Not right. What have I done now? Not pretty. Now what?
The once fantastically gorgeous weeping standard 'Renae' rose declined sharply the past couple of years. A hard prune, generous irrigation, and good fertilizer did nothing at all to improve it, so I decided it had to go.
Beheaded:
I wondered if I should have given poor Renae a little more time--until I realized the scion growth was brittle and dry. There was a little green growth, but the plant was dead.
It used to look like this (on the right hand side) as recently as 2011.
Digging it up, I discovered a massive, fatal case of crown and root gall. Such a massive infection relieved me of all guilt: there was nothing I could have done to save it.
Ouch!
Good I got it dug out, but not fun, and not pretty.
I planted the other 'Hercules' in 'Renae's place. Every time I walked by the potted Herc I kept imaging that I heard it screaming to get out of its pot and into the ground. I moved it into a larger pot a few months ago, but the larger pot was already packed full of roots.
When I was finished, looking at an Aloidendron surrounded by roses, I thought--oh, that looks odd. Not right. What have I done now? Not pretty. Now what?
Sorry to see Renae go but more aloes to keep the hercules companu won't go amiss!
ReplyDeleteI have several in pots waiting for a home in the ground. Herc won't be alone for long.
DeleteI think you had no other choice because you cannot plant another rose on the same spot. So why not pretty? Who cares, 'Hercules' needed more space and will be grateful.
ReplyDeleteHappy gardening!
Maybe I was just worn out from digging, and fatigue made me pessimistic.
DeleteIn a couple of years when Herc is dominating that view, you won't be thinking "not pretty" any longer I think.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed whenever I see spaces left to plant in your garden - it always seems so packed!
Some parts are packed, some are mostly empty. I'm working towards going to dry-garden (no irrigation) in some areas to reduce water usage. It's tough.
DeleteYour Hercules will tower over the roses in no time and everything will look great. I know it!
ReplyDeleteI hope so, because it's right out front for all to see.
DeleteWhat is the silvery, green ground cover on some of the pictures? I like it!
ReplyDelete-Brett
Hi Brett,
DeleteThat is Dymondia margaretae, from South Africa. It's a wonderful plant, hardy to about 25F.
I agree with Mark & Gaz, 'Hercules' just needs some companions.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right.
DeleteThere's usually a lot of work behind the scenes of "pretty".
ReplyDeleteFor some reason it seems like there's more than there used to be!
DeleteI live in Roseville Ca. Do you know where I might find a Renae standard? What type of rose standards are the other two in the picture? tbuell@calstrs.com
ReplyDeleteHi tbuell, My 'Renae' standard was from Weeks; they no longer offer 60" standards and according to their current list, they do not offer Renae at all. You might try growing a Renae on a tower and prune to see if you can get the same sort of effect; it has a flexible growth habit and drapes gracefully. helpmefind.com/roses can tell you where to get 'Renae'. The rose industry was hit hard by the economic downturn of 2008, a declining interest in roses, and the drought.
DeleteThe other roses in the photos are all shrub plants. 'Renae' was the only standard I had.
Hope that helps...
ok, it's official. I've scoured the entire internet and cannot find a Renae or Sea Foam standard in the US. I've had the nursery speak to Star Roses (vendor), I emailed Helpmefind.com/roses, and I've spent weeks searching the web on my own. I wonder if I might be able to have one shipped from Australia? tbuell@calstrs.com
ReplyDeleteWell, a long, long shot, but you might try contacting Burlington Roses in Visalia and see if she'll graft some for you. http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=17.18773
DeleteOr learn the art of grafting. It can be done.
Importing plants legally from another country is an iffy thing.