’Tis moonlight, summer moonlight,
All soft and still and fair;
The solemn hour of midnight
Breathes sweet thoughts everywhere,But most where trees are sending
Their breezy boughs on high,
Or stooping low are lending
A shelter from the sky.Emily Jane Bronte (1818-1848)
I am frequently asked why my garden does not contain more roses, and have to explain that my coastal situation restricts the form and varieties that I can grow. Any flower with large or double blooms is doomed to fail in my exposed site. A short spell of rain followed by the almost ever present wind will either cause the blooms to droop or break or result in the condition called ‘balling’, where the outer petals stick together and stop the buds from opening. I therefore confine my choice to more natural single flower forms which also have the advantage of providing an easily available source of nectar for our embattled pollinators.
My first choice is Rosa moyesii ‘Geranium’ which always delivers its geranium red flowers in early June and makes up for their fleeting nature by a prolonged show of flagon shaped hips which slowly transform from green to orange to red over several months. Eventually forming a large and formidably thorned bush it appears easy to grow in any suitable moisture retentive soil.
‘Francis E. Lester’ is a rambler rose that throws all its energy into one abundant outburst of flowers and then rests until the following year. Its multitude of small single flowers, open blush white with pink edging and ultimately fade to pure white. It has a strong musky fragrance and is useful for growing in semi shaded situations and poor soil.
Floribunda roses were developed to improve the flowering profusion of hybrid tea roses but yet retain their beauty and colour range. My wife and I initially fell in love with ‘For Your Eyes Only’ which has single deep pink flowers with apricot overtones and a slight fragrance. This has since been followed by ‘Bright as a Button’ which has similar flowers of a rich pink with dark magenta centres setting off golden stamens. Both plants flower profusely throughout the summer and autumn months, dependent upon dead-heading, and have glossy healthy foliage which enhances the display.
- 'Bright as a Button'
- ‘For Your Eyes Only’
There is a plethora of gardens open under the National Garden Scheme during the summer and many will employ roses to empower their displays.
Penrallt sits in an elevated position within the Mynedd Marian nature reserve with far reaching views across Snowdonia. This ½ acre new garden is divided into smaller areas including herbaceous, shady, exotic, Japanese and vegetable gardens, which illustrate the enthusiasm of the young owner. It is full of surprises and interest, including a Gin Bar which doubles as a tea room. Colourful plants adorn containers, many of which Louise Henson propagates herself.
Penrallt
Planting at Treffgarne Hall challenges the boundaries of what can be grown in Pembrokeshire and the handsome Georgian hall with its hilltop location and panoramic views, sets a formal backdrop to the 4 acre garden. The walled garden, with its double rill and pergolas, excites with plantings of acacias, callistemon, tetrapanax, echiums and other borderline hardy exotics. Further areas contain large-scale sculptures, an eclectic collection of unusual trees and shrubs, summer broadwalk, meadow patch, gravel garden and stumpery as well as a large greenhouse.
Treffgarne Hall
Creigiau Village Gardens on the North West side of Cardiff consists of four vibrant and innovative gardens -two of which are new for 2022. Each is unique and different in character, and anyone seeking ideas for gardens in urban settings will not be disappointed.
1.Waunwyllt, long and narrow, is set against a woodland background, and now incorporates a new large garden extension. It has been designed to include colour co-ordinated ‘rooms’ including a quiet seating area, a summerhouse, and a productive vegetable plot housing a natural pond.
Waunwyllt
2. 28 Maes y Nant has cottage garden planting with a side area surrounded by native hedging which incorporates a wildlife patch and area of mixed annual planting.
Maes y Nant
3. 26 Parc y Fro has been newly planted with wildlife at its heart.
4. The Barn House, also newly planted has landscaping features with a Japanese theme at the rear and a more traditional scheme with year-round colour in the front garden.
An impressive tree lined driveway at Evancoyd Court in Powys leads to 9 acres of landscaped grounds forming part of 70 acres in total. Large box balls line the paths leading to the walled garden which has been crafted into a series of rooms, including areas to relax and a kitchen garden. Mown paths cross grassy areas where newly planted trees continue a tradition of tree planting. Views to the west are spectacular, with two lakes forming a focal point below the raised garden terrace in front of the house and blending perfectly with the surrounding countryside.
Evancoyd Court
Highfield Farm in Monmouthshire has a huge range of interesting plants including many rarities which generate an exuberant display. The deep summer borders are particularly impressive. Enjoy narrow walks through tall perennials and shrubs, a collection of hot and tender shrubs and a garden of 8ft giants. Roger and Jenny Lloyd’s plant sales are not to be missed!
Highfield Farm
Imperceptively our days are now shortening but we still have the magnificence of summer and many days of gardening in the sun (hopefully!).
NGS Open Gardens
Welsh Country has two NGS open garden sections. The first ‘Open Gardens’ are gardens that are open on specific days and the ‘Long Term Open Gardens’ which are by appointment only. There is a search facility on each page so simply search for a garden name or an area of Wales (i.e. Swansea) you’d like to visit.
Words: Rob Dyer
Pictures: National Garden Scheme, Annette Dyer.
National Garden Scheme: Frances Bowyer
