Hi GPODers!
Over the years, we have enjoyed samplings of Carla Zambelli Mudry’s plant collections in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Her large woodland garden is like a living gallery for her diverse plantings, including her many varieties of spring bulbs (Early Spring Flowers in Carla’s Garden), hydrangeas (Hydrangea Season in Carla’s Garden), Japanese maples (Carla’s Mid-Spring Foliage in Pennsylvania), clematis and roses (Roses and Clematis Bloom in Carla’s Garden). Today she has returned for a deep-dive on one of these collections that is starting to bloom right now: her roses.
First roses have arrived! They are just fabulous! My roses except Queen Elizabeth (Rosa ‘Queen Elizabeth’Zones 5–9), who is a Floribunda, are predominantly antique and old and found roses with a few David Austins.
This transition has occurred over the past few years because the old and antique roses can be easily obtained as own root bear root and they survive the winters better and they’re healthier. And even though the scent of other roses is often phenomenal, there is nothing that matches the scent of an antique rose like Pink Leda (R. ‘Pink Leda’Zones 4–10)!
I am an OG David Austin fan as I started buying his roses literally as soon as they were available for purchasing in the US. I even have Abraham Darby (R. ‘AUScot’Zones 5–10), which was discontinued a few years ago. Lady of Shalott (R. ‘Ausnyson’, Zones 4–11) is newer favorite as a climber! I re-introduced Benjamin Britten (R. ‘Ausencart’, Zones 4–11) again this year, but he’s quite short at the moment as he was an own root bare root purchase.
I always laugh because people think roses are too difficult and they really just need a routine. Yes it takes time to properly feed them and clean up their beds, etc. but it’s not so difficult once you get your routine down.
The first roses of the season are exhilarating, especially when they are as bright and bold as this double bloom.
In Carla’s intro she mentions that she reintroduced the Benjamin Britten variety into her garden, which is a wonderful bright red-pink double bloom. That plant is still establishing, but she already has this vibrant cultivar in a similar color covered in blooms.
Roses are available in a delectable range of colors, but there is still something so pleasing about the creamy white varieties. These roses will glow during the day, but are particularly magical in a moonlight garden.
Double bloomers are often favored by gardeners, but if you’re looking to attract and support more pollinators the single bloom varieties are the way to go. This deep red variety is a stunning color, and the open flowers allow easy access to its nectar.
Any unfurling flower is like a pocket of potential. You can’t quite see what is on the inside, but if all goes according to plan you will be rewarded with beauty. Roses are particularly wonderful to watch as they transform from a simple bud to an explosion of ruffled petals.
On the opposite end of the color spectrum to the light rose we saw unfurling above, this variety of bright magenta roses is covered in fully-opened double blooms.
Lastly, I had to show off an example of Carla’s rose collection pairing with another genus Carla collects, clematis. Her wide array of flowers allow for fantastic color combinations, like this bright white rose contrasting beautifully against deep purple clematis.
Thank you so much for sharing more photos of your enviable rose collection with us, Carla! Roses can be a contentious plant for some gardeners, but it is clear that you have cracked the code and found the varieties that thrive in your garden and bring so much joy.
What varieties of plants do you collect in your garden? Do you have a rambling rose garden, a parade of perfect peonies, a haven of natives, or a menagerie of rare and unusual specimens? Let us know in the comments below, or consider sharing photos of your plant collection with the blog. Follow the directions below to submit your photos to Garden Photo of the Day!
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