My generous Montville Rose

This is my gorgeous Montville rose growing very happily in the front garden. It was given to me by Mum and is the offspring of her bush in Maleny, Queensland. The bush was huge and I desperately wanted one of my own so Mum, who could never resist growing something for free grew one for me. Quite simple apparently. 

A study of Google, suggests that the Montville rose is actually the Duchess de Brabant, a large, bushy old fashioned rose. 

This glorious specimen is growing at "The Shambles," a private country garden in Montville. 

The photos on their website will make you drool. Take a peek here. 

https://montvillegarden.com






Anyway, the reason I am writing this post is because I have succeeded in growing another from a cutting. 

I realise this looks like a stick with a few leaves sticking out of it growing in a cut off soft drink bottle and yes, it is, but I am very excited. 

I butchered the bush in late March, not the best time to try to grow cuttings in Brisbane. The weather was still hot and humid so chances of success were slim. We were far more likely to end up with a mouldy dead stick. This one brave cutting held on and after a couple of false starts where leaves formed and then dropped off, we now have a strong little beauty with lucious green leaves. 

This is her Mum, 3 months after cutting back. At the time she was touching the eaves and was about 2m across. With a few shots of super fertilizer and plenty of water, she generously flowers continuously for us.

Isn't she beautiful. 

Happy Gardening!

Roses are Beautiful

There is something about roses that is truly magical. 

I am now the custodian of Mum's two rose bushes since she passed away recently and I feel a sense of responsibility and attachment. We used to talk about them every time I visited Mum.  

They are the same variety of an unknown miniature in terracotta pots. I am always concerned about plants in terracotta because they dry out so quickly. We are currently experiencing extremely hot weather in Brisbane so the plants are watered at least daily and I check them morning and evening to make sure they are OK. 

Plenty of water, deadheading the spent blooms and a dose of slow release fertiliser and they seem to be settling in well.