Hunter harvest: November is for...taking time to smell the roses

If you had asked me 5 years ago how I felt about roses, I would have mumbled something about thorns and continued along my way. After having the pleasure of working with them in the nursery and the garden, I can honestly say I've had a change of heart. Recently at work I found myself chatting with some lovely older folks from the local Rose Society and gushing over photos of their prized blooms, wondering how much space the dog REALLY needs to run around in...

You see, I have learned that roses are just about the toughest plants around and reward every ounce of energy invested in them. Give them a sunny spot and they are happy, and if you manage to feed and water them and remove the old flowers, most will bloom for 9 months of the year! What great value! I have even come to love the stark neatness of roses after a winter prune, as tidy and refreshing as a new haircut.

So there are no prizes for guessing what I have chosen to grow along the front fence of the house (if indeed we replace the front fence...that story will have to wait for another day!). There were a few roses growing here already, but they have all gone to rootstock except for one. I have always loved cool colours in the garden as they are so calming and relaxing, and am planting a row of mixed purple, mauve and white roses as the front border. These will be underplanted with a variety of flowering annuals and small perennials in blue, white and purple. So far there are mixed alyssum and blue lobelia starting out, and I scattered some mini daffodils bulbs from the old house through for a bit of brightness next spring.

Most of the roses have been bought and planted, and include a list of very distinguished guests; Charles de Gaulle, Margaret Merrill, Lagerfeld, Pascali, Young Lycidas, and Neptune along with Fragrant Plum, Ebb tide, and Blue Moon. I am still seeking the elusive Rhapsody in Blue and may have to settle for a Big Purple, which I am assured lives up to its simple name. This will replace an existing La Sevillana in the garden, which is a striking lipstick red, and while quite stunning, doesn't really fit in with the look I am going for. It will find a good home with my friend Megan once I finally make a decision and dig it out.

So this is the garden as it looks today: not much is flowering but I am sure once I have mulched and the roots have settled it will be a different story. I have already been blessed by flowers on some of the roses, and they do say patience is a virtue. And yes, the grass really is that brown! Having no tap at the front, I have been faithfully lugging watering cans of water through the house and out to the thirsty new plants. The lawn has not been so lucky, but just as I was beginning to think it would never rain again, there are reports of a 'deluge' later this week. That should give me some time to get on with painting inside!

Until next time, here is a sample of the roses that have flowered for me so far;