The Walnut Canopy

Palais Royal climbs into the Crabapple Tree

The sight of this pearly white rose with a pink blush clambering into the crabapple tree this morning stopped me in my tracks. Emerging from a bed of delicate white Canterbury Bells it reminded me of the magic of a June wedding; a perfect melange of form, scent & colour. This rose was discovered by Alain Meilland in France in 1999, his family business is now in it's sixth generation of producing exquisite blooms.


We planted this vigorous climber two years ago to introduce interest in the planting above eye-level & to dress the tree with blooms after the blossom had faded. We have not been disappointed, it's glossy olive foliage is a perfect backdrop for the lightly fragranced flowers which are produced in flushes throughout the season. Her climbing partner in this gorgeous combination is the majestic clemetis Niobe.

An Old Garden Moss

Let me introduce you to the elegant, historic rose 'Nuits de Young', bred in France in 1845 by Jean Laffay. This single flowering, mossed musk is a delight in the midsummer garden. Matt foliage & thorny stems support double maroon/purple blooms. 'Nuits de Young' has a shy, deferential nature almost as if it is apologising for its exquisite rose scent & aristocratic form. With the old fashioned air of Hugh Grant as the slightly eccentric bookseller in 'Notting Hill' it does not demand your attention from a distance. To appreciate the full beauty of this rose, I love to wander along the path & hold it's soft head in my hand. At the moment it is magnificent in full bloom, adding dramatic shade under the arching branches & white flower-heads of David Austin's magnificent 'Snowdon' & the dramatic 'Nevada'. The soft underplanting of white campanulas are like sumptuous cotton cushions, their purity enhancing this rose's regal splendour!

The Prince

I absolutely adore this regal rose who accompanies 'Nuits de Young' in our dusky purple planting. In contrast to the old mosses this heavy, fragrant flower head stands on an insignificant, spindly stem. It is almost impossible to define the glorious intensity of it's crimson blooms; neither words or pictures provide a true reflection of it's beauty. Surprisingly this is a modern rose, although the fabulous colour & heady fragrance are inherited through a long line of old crimson roses, originating in a cross between Tuscany & Dusky Maiden. I would recommend anyone to grow this fabulous rose, it's blooms never disappoint!

A Bohemian Gent

This morning between the showers I indulged in a little dead-heading. Along the terrace I encountered the delightful Moss Rose 'William Lobb'. He is affectionately nicknamed 'Jack' here; a reflection of his tendency to shoot up like a beanstalk. Whilst young the Mosses are extremely tactile with soft thorns around the new flowerheads, the thorns on the previous year's growth are viscious & will shred your fingers in a flash!

Moss Roses are fascinating to look at & invoke an air of nostalgia in the garden. The sticky moss on the flowerheads creates a shabby-chic aura with a hint of the carefree summers of yester-year. William's floppy, arching growth is enchanting & to gain maximum benefit from his fragrant, deep crimson blooms we have trained him along the walkway. When in flower I love to visit him often & sit awhile in his fragrant company. Like Paul's Himalayan Musk he only flowers once, so I like to make the most of their company while they're here!

Let Me introduce You-----

Over the next few visits I would like to introduce you to some of the charming roses that inhabit our garden.

My first choice is the stunning rambler: 'Paul's Himalayan Musk. This soft scented,vigorous rose is a dichotomy. Dainty sprays of apple-blossom rosettes flower with abandon, their slender stems arching gracefully under the weight of the blooms. If the summer breeze is travelling in the right direction one's senses are intoxicated by his soft Jean-Paul Gaultier scent. It is enough to stop you in your tracks!! This tenacious rose thinks nothing of climbing thirty feet high into the branches of a gracious host; whose reward is an abandom of blossom in June. However, don't mistake his grace & charm for weakness. Five years ago on a hot summer's day it was my sad task to fell the apple tree in whose branches this rose resided. The odds were against us, it was a blisteringly hot day & I had consigned myself to the possibility of losing the presence of this ephemeral rose in my life. Indeed the heat was such, that his amputated stems wept. We wrapped his roots in hessian & rested them at the base of our wise old Holly. These glorious photos are a tribute to the strength & tenacity of this gentle rose. Enjoy his presence, brief as it may be , for today his beauty battles with the enemy of transience---The Wind. As the petals dance across the lawn, I thank him for his presence & send him on his way.

A Rhapsody of Roses

I just wanted to introduce you to a few of the charming guests that we have flowering in the garden at the moment. There scent is intoxicating & their form sublime. Prolonging their flowering is becoming a fixation. The secret is deadheading. I love it the opportunity to stand close and experience the essence each rose in person - in a way get to know them. All roses are unique with there own individual personality; expressed in the way they hold their heads or display their leaves. Roses are a passion & at this time of year the garden is an exquisite symphony. Enjoy---