To turn this neglected yard (figure A) into a romantic garden, Gilmer begins with a classical-style arch with climbing roses. Rose trees will be planted behind and on either side of the arch and red, yellow and pink roses will fill the ground in front. An English-style teak bench will help give the layout a strong focal point. It will take some time and effort to revamp this garden spot and plant enough roses to produce the right amount of blooms. This project's requirements are: - Skill level: 3 (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult)
- Time needed: 12 hours
Supplies: Rose pruning gloves
Spray paint (neon colored)
Wood stakes
Yellow construction twine
Rose arch
English-style bench
Old or antique-style roses
Compost
Velcro garden tape Tools: Standard gardening tools (shovel, rake)
Hammer
Long-handled loppers Instructions: - Begin looking for the varieties of antique or antique-style roses that you want to use well in advance of planting. These roses are often difficult to find at nurseries and ordering from catalogues may be required.
- Place a rose arch in the center of the back of the garden. An arch is a great way to change the visual perspective of a garden. For example, this arch will help downplay the background expanse (figure B).
- Use stakes and string lines to layout the basic design of the garden. The stakes should be closer together at the back of the garden by the arch and further apart at the front of the garden. This helps change visual perspective, too, by increasing the sense of depth within the garden.
- After the lines are laid out, use spray paint to mark the ground and remove the stakes and string for digging (figure C).
Expert note (Frank McDonough, horticulturist): Old roses are defined as those varieties that were in cultivation prior to the development of hybrid roses around 1865. It is important that these old-style roses are kept in cultivation because they contain traits like disease resistance, color and scent that may be needed by rose breeders.
RESOURCES :
Roses and Rose Trees from Meilland Star Roses
Rose grower and retailer
Meilland Star Roses
Cutler, CA 93615
Website: www.starroses.com
GUESTS :
Frank McDonough
E-mail: frank.mcdonough@arboretum.org
Website: www.arboretum.org
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