We’re in the middle of the first bloom of the year and it is spectacular this year. As I mentioned in a previous post, we’re about two weeks early this year. Even though my roses will bloom all year long through December, the first blooms are always special as they are more vibrant in color and larger than any other bloom during the year.
My favorites this spring? I’m CRAZY about my new rose, recommended by friends Susie and Pat, called ‘Over the Moon’. A perfect name for this perfect apricot rose. I’ve never seen a larger, more beautiful rose. As soon as I saw this rose in my friends’ garden, I went online to order a few. I had to wait over 6 months to get them and while I was waiting I found two of them at a local nursery! If you like apricot roses, this is a MUST HAVE.
Another favorite this season is Tamora, recommended by friend and landscape designer Elizabeth Everdell. They are positioned underneath the window of a guest room overlooking our English border garden and they stand proud enough to be able to see them while lying in bed looking at the garden, which was my objective. They are so beautiful this year.
I am always thrilled to discover my blooming Helmut Schmidt yellow roses. If I could find more of these roses, I would plant more. They are stunning with their large, creamy yellow blooms. They’re hard to find but I always have my eye out for them. My favorite yellow rose is probably the Graham Thomas for its beautiful flowers and generous blooms, but Helmut Schmidt’s individual flowers are show-stoppers.
My favorite white rose this spring, and always, is Pope John Paul II. I think they are larger than ever this spring and they are pure white. Their fragrance is one of my two favorite rose fragrances in the garden (in addition to my old-fashioned Evelyn). The only thing that makes this rose less than perfect is the fact that it doesn’t bloom as frequently as some of my other roses. But they are worth the wait!
Valencia is always a favorite with their off-white/peachy color and large blooms. I only have three of them, but they always stand out, especially in the spring. I find the color fades throughout the summer months as the heat rises, but the blooms never disappoint.
Spring is the very best time of the year for all of our gardens and the appearance of roses is one of my favorite moments. What are your favorite roses this spring?
