This is what we started with three days ago. And that was one seriously wicked rose vine that had to be taken out. I love old roses, but this spot gets only a few hours of morning sun so it just got all leggy and wandered in search of it...or victims. I'm not quite sure which though, remembering the number of times it snagged me and my clothes! Last year, I think we had like one or two roses on it. Not worth getting poked and pricked for. Three years ago, right after we moved in, I'd cut this nearly to the ground (because the siding had to be replaced and repainted), and it grew back with a vengeance and a vendetta. Honestly some of the canes were about an inch or more in diameter with huge thorns like claws. Yes indeed, there were moments of sheer terror when confronting it this weekend. Really though, I was kind of sad to see it go, the few roses it did manage to produce were pretty and I love the romance of climbing roses. Another time, another place perhaps. There's a polite little clematis in its place now and I'm content with that.
Update on the peony...it's taking its time...keeping me in suspense.
I am so much looking forward to a garden again! We are moving back to Michigan in June, and reading your posts about peonies and roses and enchanted gardens makes me all achy with longing!
Posted by: brenda | April 25, 2006 at 04:32 AM
Hello, I was sent you my order from another email address. but it is block and errow to send email. Please reply to me. and I want to order patterns. I am sorry from this place. I always visit your blog and your shop! Thank you.
Posted by: Sachi | April 25, 2006 at 04:56 AM
Yeah for Victoria magazine !!! Will they ever make another magazine like Victora !!!
Clarice
Posted by: Clarice | April 25, 2006 at 07:15 AM
What a cutie in the garden! That rose looks like something out of a sci fi movie! I love that peony!
Posted by: vegasandvenice | April 25, 2006 at 08:29 AM
How can this garden not grow enchanted with such a helper as this! I understand your feelings about your rose bush. You should see my Cecil Brunner rose. It is huge...after 2 years in a row of cutting back on it. I think I will have to be drastic with it. It's so beautiful when it blooms though. Hundreds of tiny pale pink roses!
me: I planted that exact variety at my old house; trained it up a trellis, and it was so dear to me! Yes, a bit more of a challenge to manage than the usual rose bush, but so worth it for all those quaint tiny pink buds. It made me so sad to leave it behind. If the deer weren't such a problem I'd have roses climbing everywhere!
Posted by: Mrs.Staggs | April 25, 2006 at 10:53 AM
lookin good! My husband's aunt is coming to town for a week to "help Me" since that is not an achievable goal, I'm going to put her to work landscaping my yard and hauling materials (she is only eight years older than me (twenty two years younger than my mother in law)her garden is always awesom and I need some help!! and some sun. Come back sun
Posted by: brit | April 25, 2006 at 11:04 AM
I loved Victoria, too! I still can't imagine why they stopped publishing it. I still have my copies but they are all cut up from gathering pictures for collage. It was such a fabulous magazine for collage!!
Posted by: debra | April 25, 2006 at 11:37 AM
I'll be back tomorrow for more peony shots. I swear I can smell its sweetness from here!
Posted by: Kelli | April 25, 2006 at 02:59 PM
Oh, it would be fun to be tagged.
Posted by: AnnieElf | April 25, 2006 at 04:49 PM
I love the idea of an enchanted garden! I have had a small butterfly/hummingbird garden. This year I am expanding it to include a small flagstone patio. I have an old log which I will make into a fairy dwelling and it will be an enchanted area. Thanks for the daily inspiration you provide.
Posted by: Dana | April 26, 2006 at 04:37 AM
ahhhh..i also have all of my victoria
back issues and would never part
with them...
sigh.
that was a good magazine.
:)
Posted by: gkgirl | April 26, 2006 at 06:09 AM