Roses

Although Spring is supposed to be a great time for roses, I find that here they look good for a short while, then the sudden early heat we have had over the past few years causes them to flower and fade quickly. However, now that Autumn has been around for a while, the roses are flowering brilliantly and lasting much longer with deeper colours true to form.
I have over 150 rose bushes and have ordered about 15 more to arrive soon. Not sure where I am going to plant them, but where there's a will, there's a way. Roses are one of the most drought- and heat-tolerant plants I know. Even in weeks of 42 degrees over summer, they still only need water once every 5 to 7 days provided they are well mulched. White Iceberg and Pierre de Ronsard have coped remarkably with hot, dry north westerly winds for most of spring and summer.

I have developed a love for the simple, single rose flowers such as Mutabilis, my favourite 5 petalled rose. I have two bushes, one each side of my summerhouse entrance.

Multi-coloured rose flowers, such as the Delbard Painters' series are another addiction - Paul Cezanne, Alfred Sisley, Henri Matisse, Camille Pissarro, Grimaldi and Maurice Utrillo - all grace my garden beds, as well as Hocus Pocus and Abracadabra, which didn't do so well in the garden, but is thriving in a large pot.

David Austin roses, which always remind me of little cabbages, do particularly well here with very little blackspot and prolific blooms.I particularly love the colour of Pat Austin. Now for some photos....