Gardening on the Coast of Maine

My Clematis is Finally Blooming

2008-08-13T11:00:00.011-04:00

Who ever heard of a clematis taking 4 years to bloom! It's hard to believe, but that's how long I've been waiting.

What a joy to finally see flower buds after such a long wait. What color would it be, I wondered. How large, what type? You see this is one of those plants I purchased from a discount store so long ago I'm not even sure of the variety. It was one of those bare rooted plants packed in a plastic bag with several others.

It's been through a lot. I moved it from one state to another, and from here to there in my garden hoping it would take off. Finally, it seems content. I'm not sure I thought I would see this day. What a pleasure to see this lovely purple flower. I just wish I knew what it is!

A Lovely Shade of Yellow

2008-06-19T19:11:00.000-04:00

I was recently perusing one of the better nurseries in my area and happened upon this glorious blooming climbing rose. A big, puffy David Austin-like flower that was begging to be seen. It was a lovely shade of yellow -- ranging from a mid-tone for the new blooms, to a very pale cream for those with more age. It was the perfect shade as far as I am concerned. This is not one of those shouting out golden yellows that screams to be heard -- wanting to be planted with similar strong hues such as warm reds, and oranges, for example. But instead, it is a softer more understated color that works beautifully with white, purple and pinks. It's known as "Full Moon Rising ™" bred by Meilland International in France and grown and marketed by Star Roses in the U.S.

For those of you who may not be familiar...

"Meilland International SA is a family-owned rose growing business founded c. 1850 and is one of the most important of its' kind in the world. The business operates today out of Domaine de Saint André in Le Cannet-des-Maures, Le Luc en Provence, Var, France with braches all over the world."

Source Wikpedia

As much as I like this lovely yellow rose, the only problem is, -- it's hardy to a zone 6b and I just happen to live in a zone 5b.

Well, you might wonder why I would purchase a rose that has a very good chance of dying in my less than temperate Maine winter. I've recently asked myself the same question. My answer is -- I'm going to try to defy the odds. I will protect it, I will bury it and I will do what it takes to let it survive. You see, we zone 5ers have more limited options when it comes to roses and the like. We learn to adapt. I don't mind, after all, if my 20' (of course mine isn't this big) rose, is just 4 feet tall every year. If I can just make it live - I'll feel like I've accomplished something.

Now...I just find a place to put it!

More Information on Full Moon Rising

I think I'm Smitten

2008-06-10T20:36:00.000-04:00

Well there is no doubt I am passionate about gardening. When my house is in shambles because I literally haven't cleaned it in 4 weeks - ugh........yet, my gardens look pristine..........well, almost...I should say:) That's when I know I've become a gardening addict.

Just one more lovely flower.....it would look so beautiful next to that other perfect flower I bought the other day. And, oh my........did you see that rhododendron they were selling at Home Depot - you never see that variety there! It's so uncommon.......well, OK, it's a bit uncommon, oh maybe not so. But, wasn't it spectacular with those large trusses of pure pink blooms. Scintillation....ah....it's outstanding! It didn't look so bad either for a HD Rhodie....until of course I took it out of the container. That was a surprise -- roots tangled in a complex web that couldn't be fixed! But, see......it's doubled in size in 3 weeks. I think I did OK..........it wasn't such a bad decision after all buying an important structural planting from a "chain store".

You must be wondering with all of my time gardening, shouldn't I clean my kitchen more often, or vacum my house. After all, I do have young children living with me.

Oh if only I had the energy. It's so hard to clean... it takes so much time. I know spending 5-6 hours a day in a garden seems like a lot......but, time just flies......... I am beginning to think I have a problem. I think I'm an addict. Actually, I know it. I am a gardening addict. It's a difficult thing but I am coming to terms with it and I think I will be ok.....