Warmups

Hooray, the warmer weather is finally here!  Anyone who knows me knows that can only be about my garden, because I'm a winter girl; if not for my roses and swimming, summer would have few redeeming qualities for me.  

Still, right now I'm starting to see lots of new growth out there, so bully for that!

I pruned back Knockout quite a lot.  Dang thing had gotten HUGE (as well it should, really) and was in need of a good trim.  I can actually see some of the rest of the garden!  There are a few patches of bulbs that have kicked in, and I've got daffodils nodding their happy little heads.  I planted a patch of pink-and-white Salome daffodils a few years back, which has turned into a much larger patch.  Propagation anyone?  I'm thinking I'm going to dig up most of my bulbs and pot them all anyway, replacing them with plants better suited to sharing digs (ha!) with the roses.

The hard winter has officially claimed three victims: Papageno, which I think I didn't mulch well enough; Hypnotize, which I am kind of upset about but will replace; and Harry Wheatcroft, which I'm really not upset about and won't replace.  I have Oranges & Lemons and Chihuly for the yellow/orange combo.  Everyone else is waking up nicely, and I'm delighted to see lots of new sprouts.

Commandant Beaupaire, a very happy grower which didn't bloom last summer, seems especially excited to get going.  Scentimental isn't far behind (my dependable darling!)  With the death of Papageno I may not be able to hybridize them this year; I guess it depends on how early I get a new Papageno into the dirt?  Further updates as events warrant!

A couple of weeks of saved eggshells went into most of the pots this week, as well.  That trick is definitely one I'm keeping.  I've also gotten my Miracle Grow going, so as of this morning everyone has lots of food to stimulate more growing!  Grow, babies, grow!

Looking forward to another year on The Striped Rose Diaries.  Coming this summer: I start exhibiting!  I (maybe) attempt hybridizing!  Even more bouquets and photos!

See you there!