Roses and Perennials

Some exuberant combinations of perennials and roses in the island bed at the top of our garden this Summer.

Achillea ‘Blue Boa’ (it’s really purple not blue), R. Lady of Shalott, Lilies and Veronicastrum ‘Pink Glow' and R. Munstead Wood

R. Jude The Obscure and Salvia uliginosa

R. Munstead Wood and Veronicastrum ‘Pink Glow’

Rose Munstead Wood is a beautiful rich magenta here in the warmth of Summer and much darker and more crimson in early Spring and Autumn. I love the contrast of the voluptuous rosettes with the glowing spires of the Veronicastrums.

R. Munstead Wood, R. Lady of Shallot, Achillea ‘Blue Boa’ and also glimpses of Stachys byzantina

R. Jude the Obscure and Salvia uliginosa

Olivia Rose Austin Review

Three and half years ago, my husband and I planted the first roses in our garden. In mid winter by the time I was getting home from work at Everglades it was dark so we did it by torchlight. Among them were three Olivia Rose Austins. I remember deliberating for a long time about which rose to put in this particular spot, as it is visible from the kitchen window and in prime position framing the deck. I needed something really healthy, as it would be shaded until mid morning and then be blasted by afternoon sun, and also a rose that bloomed prolifically, and formed a shapely shrub

Anyway three years later I really couldn’t be happier with my three Olivias. They are exceptionally healthy - I have never seen her with any blackspot - truly miraculous! And she blooms her head off really. Although I gather she is quite drought tolerant I think she really enjoyed this very wet Winter and Spring.