Our greenhouse and potting shed garden is blooming again- and it makes me a bit giddy to wander out there in the mornings and afternoons in the dappled sunshine. From a few random new foxgloves to wildflowers to the peonies and new garden roses- they are blooming beautifully.
Today, I am sharing a closer look at the roses we planted and how they look first bloom of the season- and a tip on keeping the deer from eating them.
Watering Woes
The weather has been crazy -we had a late freeze & hail storm that took out a lot of the peony buds and blooms. So while we have green on the wisteria now – we didn’t get the blooms this year. It is a tad cool weather wise yet- and there is beauty popping up as flowers grow and the foundation plants are filling in.
Rose Garden
You might remember the rose garden area we planted in spring with All Dressed Up Roses. Last year was the first year planting anything in this area. It does tend to get hot here so some sun protection is on the to-do list- and we added 6 more of these roses here this spring- so far they are not too happy yet but will keep you posted.
Just look at these beauties in bloom! If you aren’t familiar with these roses- we found them online at Home Depot this spring- and when they arrived- they already had very chunky stalk size – in comparison with some of the other garden roses we have planted that were more ‘wispy’ in structure.
Potting Shed Garden Roses
In the new potting shed area- last year we planted 18 new roses in between the peonies and foxgloves. My husband really loved me while digging all those holes haha. This year- we added more roses, foxgloves and peonies- and placed them all in wire baskets because of the gophers. 12 of the roses are The Ingenious Mr. Fairchild from David Austin Roses and 6 more of the Earth Angel from Heirloom Roses. We added white icebergs this year as well. See more about the Gopher Issue Here.
The Ingenious Mr. Fairchild roses are dainty roses so far- kind of like a climbing rose bloom. But this is just the first set of blooms that are now coming on so I imagine that will change as they grow in.
And they have a whole lot of ruffles! They are said to look much like peonies- which I think they may as they grow. They also have an old fashioned center- which reminds me of rambler roses.
Garden Paths Tips
Full of drying foxgloves, sages and lavenders starting to bloom again and some wildflowers that are blooming. Last year we didn’t get the usual flush of wild sweet peas- but this year they are already climbing the fence and starting to bloom. With all of the tree damage we had from that storm- the garden and yard are looking a bit different this year. Seeing those 200′ tall trees on the ground is sad- there are several that are laying in the yard yet. With so many that came down during the storm- the tree removal folks are far backed up with all the work.
FOXGLOVES TIP: Though they are not so attractive when they are dried stalks in the garden beds- leave them. They are going to seed and they will drop those seeds and create new plants. You can cut some of them and lay the stalks in the garden beds as well to encourage the seeds to get going and also clean up the overall look. We have done both here- I will let you know which one seems to work better.
LAYERS OF BLOOMS: Make sure to also plant things that bloom at different times of the year. For example- the earlier spring bloomers like peonies and lilacs will decorate the garden beautifully- but if you don’t have anything that blooms later- the rest of the summer will be a tad boring.
I love to plant things like sage, lavender, rosemary, lambs ear, catmint & other herb foundation type plants. Along with the later bloomers like the roses, butterfly bush and wildflowers. Currently, we have yarrow & hollyhocks and Allium in bloom in some areas- echinacea, foxgloves, etc. in others.
And we also have quite a few hydrangeas in bloom that I am ready to clip and bring indoors- along with some of those pretty purple roses.
Tips to keep the Deer from Eating Roses
As you can see- we have a visitor coming through quite often. She was actually inside the gated veggie garden area the other day enjoying a few nibbles of tomatoes. My husband had left the gate open and she wandered on in. But what about those areas of the yard that are wide open? You can’t fence off everything to keep the deer from eating them of course. Side note- this picture is from last year- the branches with foliage behind the potting shed almost all came down when a tree fell from across the gravel road and sideswiped all those trees. The tree that looks as if it is ‘forked’ is no longer there either. I will share some updated photos whenever we get things looking a bit better here.
I am a bit odd… I don’t mind sharing some of the nibbles with the deer. I know they need to eat- and especially right now with so much foliage and water being so dried up- they are hungry. So, I don’t discourage them as often as I should right now. But we do use something on many of the roses so that they don’t come through and nibble here and there and take the whole plant out.
Liquid Fence
Liquid Fence is a spray that you can use to keep your roses and other plants from being eaten by deer, rabbits, etc. A couple things to know about using it: (linked below)
Number 1- it smells TERRIBLE. I cannot stand using it- my husband does the spraying. It smells like rotten eggs and garlic and a whole lot of grossness when you spray it. It smells on the plants for a bit too- so first thing to do is cut any roses you want to enjoy in the house- I don’t recommend giving them a sniff after spraying.
Number 2- You need to spray often for a bit. Every few days if you are overwatering- or at least a couple times a week when you first start. This will teach the deer to change their grazing path- they will learn they don’t want to eat those roses- because they smell and taste terrible and so- they go to another area (maybe your neighbors garden haha)
After they have learned to not go through and eat your roses- you can spray once a week or even once every couple of weeks and it will remind them if they get a wild hair.
Share the bounty
We have acreage and lots of deer who live right here on our property. Remember that buck that walked out of area by the pear tree while I was setting up a table? We share the land and bounty with them- but with the roses they have been known to come through and eat every. last. bit. of the buds and blooms and have damaged them enough they haven’t lasted. So, we do keep most of them sprayed. Do they sometimes eat the roses anyway? Yes. But we figure if they eat them when they smell that terrible- they need the food.
I hope this helps with any animal nibble issues you have – and inspires you to add a few David Austin Roses to your garden.
Garden Bits
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Happy Gardening all.
Darlene says
Great post
Im all about roses can never be enough💕
Thank you foR SHARING
Vicki says
Your Roses are lOvely. I have, what i cAll, a wOodland garden With hostas, HYDRANGEAS, etc. the deer lOve it. It wAs recommended i buy aNd set up an Orbit Sprinkler system. It has a motion detection device on it and onLy Sprays when It detects motion. It works. The deer scamper Off When it cOMes on. I highly recommeNd one…or three!
Deb says
Great idea! Do they dislike mint, like rabbits? There was something i sprinkled into my flowerpots that had ground WalNut shells and peppermint ESSENTIAL oil. It smelled WONDERFUL to me, wasN’t toxic and kept the RACCOONS from pulling out mY newly potted annuals every night!
Gemma says
Thanks for this post on roses, Courtney, I’m learning new things every time:)
This spring, I planted my first climbing rose, Eden pretty in pink. It came with the most beautiful flowers on it. After they were done blooming, the rose has not produced anymore blooms so far. It did grow a little in height, but no flower buds at all. I’m wondering if I need to feed it or maybe I’m just too impatient lol..
Any thoughts or insights? How long do climbing roses usually take to mature?
love your beautiful cottage style!
Gemma
Karen B. says
Your garden still looks lovely. I too have a bit of willingness to share with some of the rabbits we have in the area. The adult rabbits typically stick to the grass but the babies will eat lots of flowers. They are too cute for me to try to frighten off. I leave carrot skins and some lettuce pieces for them when I’m preparing food. They seem to enjoy that.
Karen
Nancy Johnson says
I make my own liquid fence by whirling an egg and a quart of water in the blender. (Sometimes, if i think about it, I add a clove of garlic, a dried red chile, or tabasco sauce.) I strain it into a household spray bottle, and it works better than anything I have ever tried. Bonus: it is similar to sour dough starter. If you leave a little of the old mixture in the bottom of the bottle, it gets really nasty. Just don’t spray if you are downwind. 😀
Katherine says
Your hard work and long hours are rewarding you with beautiful flowers! enjoy!
Barbara C says
It is so sweet that you are willing to “share the bounty” with the animals. I can’t say I am quite so generous. Maybe I’ll think about that! 🙂
Diane Hance says
Your gardens are beautiful. We also deal with a large deer population. We alternate between bobex and a product called Hinder. Bobex is rotten eggs and garlic but stronger than liquid fence–it was recommended by the MN DNR. hinder is also rotten eggs and garlic but with just a bit of ammonia which cuts the horrible smell. we spray our woodland garden every weekend. I am like you, cannot tolerate the bobex, hubby sprays it. we can’t be in the garden for at least a day after spraying.
Patricia Wilson says
Courtney, I haven’t been as attentive to your blog recently as I had in many years past. Now I’m Back! I’ve saved this post for inspiration since my husband and I are making over our own landscape.
Aussie Jo says
Bloody awesome post
Tammy Moore says
Hey, thanks for the post on Liquid Fence. I just bought some and haven’t used it yet. Good to know that it works! The deer here don’t need to eat my shrubbery or flowers they have a huge alfalfa feild by my house they can eat.
Linda Johnston says
Linda
Juliet says
YOur Roses are so BEAUTIFUL. We’ve struggled to grow them successfully at our new home, but we’re not giving up. I’ve been using a deer sPray On some AreAs outside our fenceD Garden and it smells dreadful. Like fish oil. I need to check if its liquid fence … but equally bad smelling! Appreciate the tils on foxglove … i was wondering when to trim Them … And i’m glad i waited. Thanks fOr a helpful … and beautiful … post! xo
Mita Sarkar says
Awesome amezing
Georgeanne Olive says
The Roses are lovely.
Shirley @Housepitality Designs says
Hi CouRtney! I too battle the deer. We have Used Liquid Fence and I Must Garden (smells minty).
I have had hood luck with planting Rosemary in between my hydrangeas etc.
Your FLOWERS are magnificent!
Happy SummER!
Karen B. says
Thank you for all the information. We don’t have deer in our garden but the rabbit population this time of year is robust. Haha. I use a product called Rabbit Scram. It’s a powder (looks like soil) that you use as a perimeter around flowers and roses. It’s not harmful to any animal but the smell repels them from entering the garden (mostly). You only must use it about once a month for it to work.
I love your grounds as well as the amazing plants you’ve chosen.
Karen B.
franki Parde says
Seventeen deer in less than 7 miles…ya think we have a problem…INDEED WE DO!! They have destroyed My love of gardening by trampling, eating, pooping…it’s really bad w/ticks, Lyme, etc. So, I spray..gallons…& revel if I see several roses blooming @ once. Oh, dear. franki
Rachel Harper says
Courtney,
Thanks for sharing your beautiful roses and tips to keep the deer away. I’d like to share a link to your helpful tips on my Sunday Dirt Road Adventures. Thanks for your inspiration.
Gail rouw says
Your garden appears to be pastel roses.the one I was going to recommend is a gorgeous red! It’s named “TRAVIATA”, my favorite OPERA, it is a FLORIBUNDA with the form of a David Austin rose. So beautiful! Another new FAVORITE,again a floribunda, is ” Peach Swirl”. This one looks LIKE slightly melted peach and vanilla ice cream swirled together. Both of these roses have a bazillion petals.