Memories of Cape Cod

Years ago, while staying at the Wequassett Inn on Cape Cod, I fell in love with a rose named "New Dawn." While our climate in Northern Virginia is a far cry from that of Cape Cod, I put this rose in my garden as a way of remembering the magic of the Cape and New England gardens. Fortunately, it has not let me down, with this year's bloom being especially spectacular.

I'm not a serious rosarian, but have learned a few tricks. Number one is that New Dawn does NOT like the usual late winter pruning recommended for most roses. Instead, I prune rampant growth at the end of the growing season. Now if I could just figure out how to get it to rebloom, as some books suggest it should. Your comments and suggestions welcome!

A New Border Leads to the Front Door

In Fall 2009, the flagstone walkway leading to the front door was renovated. The stones were lifted and a new subsurface of stone dust was put down to raise the sidewalk to prevent water from pooling on it. A border of creeping phlox and blue rug junipers was removed.

In Spring 2010, a new mixed border was planted. The idea is to create spring and fall interest playing off the yellow-green of the Caryopteris and Sedums and the purples and burgundies of the Nepeta (catmint), Salvia, and Heuchera (coral bells). Also included is an Amsonia (blue star) and a yellow Baptisia .


Here is the before and after.

Hard Pruning a Knock Out Rose

After several years, this Knock Out rose had seriously outgrown its space and was making it difficult to get in  and out of the car when parking next to it. The solution was a dramatic pruning in late winter and here are the results.

Before pruning - a tangled mess

After Pruning - March 7, 2010 after the February snows melted.

Full bloom in progress on May 22. I expect they will bloom continuously until November. Knock Out has proven to be drought tolerant,untroubled by pests and diseases, and able to withstand my attention!