I have been obsessed with finding Old Garden Roses to put in one of my few sunny patches of garden ever since I saw how cold resistant they were during the record freeze we just came through.
Of course, I wasn't able to delay gratification and I bought a Knockout rose while on another errand at my local big box store. She is blooming and so even though she isn't my original intent, I love her.
My wonderful, thankfully strong husband dug out the 2nd 20+ year old hibiscus for me to make room for one of two Old Garden Roses I've been researching. Those are his legs at the top right. That was one big stump to dig!
Saturday, I drove 40 minutes to a rose nursery in south Tampa, Hardin's. What a great place! I was given much information on roses and helped to pick just the easy-care one I needed to go with a Louis Philippe for which I AM going to hold out. This one is not currently blooming but is a nice healthy plant and a good size as well. This is placed in the now filled-in crater left by the hibiscus. Still needs companions and mulch, but this is much better already.
Belinda's Dream She isn't an OGR as she was bred in 1988, but she is an Earthkind(trademark) rose which is especially easy for a beginner. I hope. Hardin's sells all their roses on Fortuniana rootstock which makes them well suited for Florida's soil. Ok, so a week or so ago I decided I wanted 1 OGR to put in this spot. Now I have 2 other roses and a perfect spot for my Louis Philippe in the future. I have to stop my rose obsession now because I'm out of room in my only sunny, well draining soil spot. Can't wait to show pictures of Belinda's bloom!
