I am absolutely delighted to tell you that I have been asked to write for Scribehound Gardening, and that my first piece will be out at the end of this month.
I planted Cecile Bruner in my garden here in coastal Los Angeles about 36 years ago and now she has grown to be a massive plant/tree which has reached 20 feet in length with a trunk like a tree trunk diameter over 15 inches. She is growing over my patio cover and every year in November I have to get a crew in to hack her back as she grows 8 foot long branches that arch over the patio cover and out over the garden. She starts blooming in March and is still blooming now, dropping petals like snow onto the chairs and table below. She is spectacular. She never gets any diseases and most importantly does not suffer from powdery mildew, which can be a problem in my garden. We had the wooden patio cover constructed just before we planted her, and it is now badly in need of being replaced, but that would mean cutting Cecile down to the ground, which I am not prepared to do. I suspect Cecile Bruner is holding the patio cover up these days rather than the other way around.
The roses are so good this year! I was ready to set fire to my Claire Austin last year - or would have been if it hadn't been absolutely SODDEN - because the flowers shattered or balled, the stems flopped, and it looked terrible. But this year - so far - it looks good. Having attempted to do a Niff Barnes on the pruning and training, I have also been feeding it the Uncle Tom's Rose Tonic, and it seems to have paid off. It's a shame it costs about the same as liquid gold.
I think we are all having an epic rose year this year - food or no food! Are you feeding the liquid gold early and late in the season as they suggest, or all the way through? YES to Niff and her gorgeous obelisks…I am also obsessed xx
Early and late in the season for the roses in the ground, and monthly (when I remember) for those in containers. That sounds very grand - I should say, I have two in the ground, and three in containers! We're not talking Sissinghurst here.
Oh Cecile! I like the look of her. We have a rose walk of 'Pretty Lady' (a very lovely birthday gift for the previous owner of our house on her 50th birthday) and she behaves in a similar manner and I love her for it!
Congrats re the Scribehound, will defo take a look. I’ve let my garden completely run away with me due to a bit of bad health but I’ve given myself a talking to and simply implement the 5 minute plan. I’ve a splendid patch of nettles though and not quite sure how to deal with them. What a beautiful rose. Sadly, I’ve never been to a party that even approaches the one you describe.
Moira I’m so sorry you’ve not been well. Honestly I think just enjoy the garden, and yes, 5 mins can work wonders! Perhaps pick a few nettles and make a healing soup? I’ve heard it’s a fabulous cure-all.
When I was first married we planted the climber Compassion through which climbs clematis Perle d’azur, we have always had those two plants ever since. In Kent both my s in law and I bought Jacqueline du Pre, which flowers incredibly well with a beautiful fragrance.
I always read your posts as soon as I see them in my inbox so congrats on the scribe hound news I might actually subscribe as have been umming and erring. I have a long list of Substacks I’d like to subscribe to but it’s getting quite expensive! I’d love to read a post of your favourite/worth it subscriptions. I also have Cecile brunner given to me 12 years ago as a house warming gift when I knew nothing about gardening and it sat in its plastic pot I think for about 2 years! It’s now trained on a wall and looks (and smells) gorgeous every May. Will be chopping my nepeta but might hold off my geraniums as no flowers yet and the mounds of leaves just look so lovely…I vow to feed every year and then mostly forget apart from some sporadic seaweed in the water can when I remember.
The party sounds Ah-maz-zing lucky you and such gorgeous weather for it! Have a lovely day x
I am very often guilty of not planting things immediately; i’m so very glad you finally got Cecile into the ground and she is bringing you joy! Geraniums seem to have come on very early because of the weather here in London - literally flopping over. I will def do a post on my favourite Substacks - I have the same problem as you - I just can’t subscribe to every single one I want…which is why Scribehound is so good for me as I’m obviously nutty about plants and it’s the perfect thing x
This is a lovely post to read on my dull Monday morning commute, thank you! And it’s reminded me that I must properly feed my roses and chop back geraniums.
It's sad to hear Richard Raworth has died as their garden was one of the best I've seen with the NGS and I still have the planting list from it. Sophie was there looking like a gorgeous rose herself.
Cecile Bruner looks stunning. Have you seen the new David Austin rose for Chelsea? It's striped which are my favourite so I am very tempted (£36!).
Absolutely not a party person so can't help you with that one :/
I wish smoking was still good for you like in the old days.
It still makes you look cool just like the old days.
PHEW
I planted Cecile Bruner in my garden here in coastal Los Angeles about 36 years ago and now she has grown to be a massive plant/tree which has reached 20 feet in length with a trunk like a tree trunk diameter over 15 inches. She is growing over my patio cover and every year in November I have to get a crew in to hack her back as she grows 8 foot long branches that arch over the patio cover and out over the garden. She starts blooming in March and is still blooming now, dropping petals like snow onto the chairs and table below. She is spectacular. She never gets any diseases and most importantly does not suffer from powdery mildew, which can be a problem in my garden. We had the wooden patio cover constructed just before we planted her, and it is now badly in need of being replaced, but that would mean cutting Cecile down to the ground, which I am not prepared to do. I suspect Cecile Bruner is holding the patio cover up these days rather than the other way around.
I LOVE THIS! I want to come and see her IMMEDIATELY!
Well... next time you are in Los Angeles between the months of March and Mid May....... :)
The roses are so good this year! I was ready to set fire to my Claire Austin last year - or would have been if it hadn't been absolutely SODDEN - because the flowers shattered or balled, the stems flopped, and it looked terrible. But this year - so far - it looks good. Having attempted to do a Niff Barnes on the pruning and training, I have also been feeding it the Uncle Tom's Rose Tonic, and it seems to have paid off. It's a shame it costs about the same as liquid gold.
I think we are all having an epic rose year this year - food or no food! Are you feeding the liquid gold early and late in the season as they suggest, or all the way through? YES to Niff and her gorgeous obelisks…I am also obsessed xx
Early and late in the season for the roses in the ground, and monthly (when I remember) for those in containers. That sounds very grand - I should say, I have two in the ground, and three in containers! We're not talking Sissinghurst here.
Oooo I am a reader of both gardening and country life Scribehound so will look out for you Thanks for the Cecile Brunner alert must get
Re feeding I feed David Sustin slow release feed in spring and seems to work well 😊
I’m def going to try the Austin food!
Many congratulations! Great recommendation, to be explored further…
Thank you! It’s a joy
Oh Cecile! I like the look of her. We have a rose walk of 'Pretty Lady' (a very lovely birthday gift for the previous owner of our house on her 50th birthday) and she behaves in a similar manner and I love her for it!
I think all roses everywhere have decided to spoil us this year!
Oh and congrats on Scribehound! I already subscribe so can't do it again - but I'm so pleased you will be writing there!
I’m so thrilled to be a part of it!
Congrats re the Scribehound, will defo take a look. I’ve let my garden completely run away with me due to a bit of bad health but I’ve given myself a talking to and simply implement the 5 minute plan. I’ve a splendid patch of nettles though and not quite sure how to deal with them. What a beautiful rose. Sadly, I’ve never been to a party that even approaches the one you describe.
Moira I’m so sorry you’ve not been well. Honestly I think just enjoy the garden, and yes, 5 mins can work wonders! Perhaps pick a few nettles and make a healing soup? I’ve heard it’s a fabulous cure-all.
When I was first married we planted the climber Compassion through which climbs clematis Perle d’azur, we have always had those two plants ever since. In Kent both my s in law and I bought Jacqueline du Pre, which flowers incredibly well with a beautiful fragrance.
Enjoy Chelsea
Oh that sounds like a truly wonderful combination!
I always read your posts as soon as I see them in my inbox so congrats on the scribe hound news I might actually subscribe as have been umming and erring. I have a long list of Substacks I’d like to subscribe to but it’s getting quite expensive! I’d love to read a post of your favourite/worth it subscriptions. I also have Cecile brunner given to me 12 years ago as a house warming gift when I knew nothing about gardening and it sat in its plastic pot I think for about 2 years! It’s now trained on a wall and looks (and smells) gorgeous every May. Will be chopping my nepeta but might hold off my geraniums as no flowers yet and the mounds of leaves just look so lovely…I vow to feed every year and then mostly forget apart from some sporadic seaweed in the water can when I remember.
The party sounds Ah-maz-zing lucky you and such gorgeous weather for it! Have a lovely day x
I am very often guilty of not planting things immediately; i’m so very glad you finally got Cecile into the ground and she is bringing you joy! Geraniums seem to have come on very early because of the weather here in London - literally flopping over. I will def do a post on my favourite Substacks - I have the same problem as you - I just can’t subscribe to every single one I want…which is why Scribehound is so good for me as I’m obviously nutty about plants and it’s the perfect thing x
This is a lovely post to read on my dull Monday morning commute, thank you! And it’s reminded me that I must properly feed my roses and chop back geraniums.
I’m definitely going to be doing same…are your geraniums flopping like mine?. Thank you for your kind note
It's sad to hear Richard Raworth has died as their garden was one of the best I've seen with the NGS and I still have the planting list from it. Sophie was there looking like a gorgeous rose herself.
Cecile Bruner looks stunning. Have you seen the new David Austin rose for Chelsea? It's striped which are my favourite so I am very tempted (£36!).
Absolutely not a party person so can't help you with that one :/
Best of luck with Scribehound!