Journal Notes...Greenhouse Construction Continues, Polar Vortex, Colors of Fall

Well, my husband continues to work on the greenhouse.  It looks like a house!  He makes it seem so easy!  Next week the news is reporting a polar vortex.  I will be honest, when, I  feel reports on the news are highly overdramatized (to be polite) and my internal monologue thinks, you are telling me things to make me watch commercials....the more horrible, the more inclined you feel people are to watch.  I actually didn't watch the news, my mother told me of it.  I get my information online.  All that being said, it will get cold next week.

The polycarbonate is very "wavy".  I asked what will be done about the "cracks."  He said is putting a ridge cap.

I will still need to recover the floors at the least but at this juncture I will be in the way...at least, this weekend I will be.

I wanted to take a good look at the flowers before I do not see color for 3 months.  I opted not to put rye grass down this year...but I feel some has reseeded from previous years.

These camellias are to bloom in the spring, I thought.......

I think roses really like the cold.

First Prize

Don Juan

Blue Girl

Weeds are dying away, maybe that is why it looks better.

I believe this Belinda's Dream, but I am not real sure.

Granada

Black Bacarra is unusually large from what I am used to seeing.

 The leaves of trees are starting to change.

The above were taken yesterday. The ones below were taken this morning.

My peacock is named after a dear friend who died a year ago today.  Joe.  I cut some of the flowers and visited him today....miss him still.

Journal Notes...Summer Plantings, Tomato Cages, & Display Roses

As a general rule, I have heard it is not good to plant in the dead of summer.  However, the rain has been so deep and consistent, I have broken this rule.  I have planted wild flowers and new plantings taking advantage of the never ending rain.  When the sun comes out, it does feel quite intense but the majority of the roses are not seeming to complain about all the water.

The rose garden is for cutting but certain aspects of it are for display.  I, originally grouped them by color but between confusing the roses, and not being happy with the foliage that has gone out the window.  I wanted to see more foliage and color when I stepped out on the the back porch.  I moved a blue girl and a mystic haze dahlia and replaced them with two knockouts.  I am quite fickle when it comes to knockouts but one thing I have learned.  If you are going to have a display and a cutting garden but display roses in the front.

Mystic Haze Dahlia I am having the toughest time with.  It is supposed to rain this morning so I hurried and switched them out...yes, another faux pas...putting a new plant in the old plants spot..but the rose garden is designed in such a way, another placement would not be good.

Ignore the date, I changed the batteries, but Granada roses are making an appearance.  I love the cut roses but they aren't as consistent as shrub roses so I needed to mix more.  For the record, I don't think I meant to plant her here.

A few weeks ago, I bought two William Baffins.  Now I read that it is great rose for down here but I am unsure about the consistency of blooms.  It, also, a climber so I was going to attempt to make rose "trees" out of them.

This is the other one.

So I bought tomato cages.  Now I am little concerned about using them because what happens if strong winds hit.  The rose garden is in excellent spot when it comes to wind.  On the south, east, and west side it's protected by the house.  The downward slope I think helps a great deal to.  Immediately on the border are perinneals to break the wind, and trees are one the north but fairly far away.  All that being said, my concern is still the same.

One of the shrubs I had an easier time with.

However, the other I just couldn't get the bush to cooperate.  Will probably stake and wire this one.

Boy, make no mistake weeds will overtake if you aren't watching.  The plinth has become completely overrun with vines.  Albeit pretty, I opted to completely remove them.

Much better.

Wordless Wednesday