Ballerina 2008
Bridal Blossom 2005 
The Pilgrim Rose in 2008
James Galway 2007Dr Anne is at home for three weeks prior to a visit to Cambo Estate in Fife. The main task for these weeks is to get the garden into order. The 15th and 16th April were sunny and warm enough to work. Dr Anne first of all set herself the task of feeding the roses and turning over the earth.
David Austin's James Galway roses on the arbour got the first feed - rose plus and bonemeal. They don't have great depth of earth so require some John Innes Number 3 and T.L.C.
The floribunda bed has eight roses, four long established including William Quarrier and Heartbeat and four new ones - News, Blue for You, Champagne Moment and Margaret Merril all from David Austin late 2008. Thistles are planted for contrast and required cutting back.
The well established patio rose bed was next. There are around 25 roses here, all from Cockers, Aberdeen and they usually produce an abundance of blooms throughout the summer months. The standard Ballerina from Cockers bought from Mrs McArthur's prize money for the best garden in Portsoy back in the 1990s is set in the middle of the patio roses.
Dr Anne's favourite bed - the fairy roses - provides joy throughout late July, August and September. These roses are mainly well over 20 years old yet produce an abundance of blooms. Replacements can now be purchased from David Austin.
The 18th April had promised snow but the sun shone so further beds were tackled. First of all the roses which date back to the 1960s, mainly hybrid teas were trimmed although they had been pruned in the autumn. Peace, Remember Me, Fragrant Cloud and Ena Harkness were the original four with all surviving except Ena Harkness. Some of the others are nameless but provide sentimental value when they burst into flower. Many of them need replacing but... not this year. There is a small section of David Austin roses in this bed - Graham Thomas, William Shakespeare, Gertrude Jekyll, James Gallway and in the middle is a new standard Bonica.
The top section of the garden has newly established roses all shades of yellow, some along the old dykes - Pilgrim bought in 2005, Teasing Georgia bought in 2008 and Mr McArthur's rose known as 'Dad's rose' which dates back to 1963.
In the pots there is Golden Celebration and Anne Boleyn. On the arches are James Galway, Passion, Atoile d'Holland and a few that the names are not know. One beauty was called Brides Blossom by Mrs McArthur.
Dr Anne almost forgot - there are a couple of rosas in the shrubbery.
In the pots there is Golden Celebration and Anne Boleyn. On the arches are James Galway, Passion, Atoile d'Holland and a few that the names are not know. One beauty was called Brides Blossom by Mrs McArthur.
Dr Anne almost forgot - there are a couple of rosas in the shrubbery.
Grey Granite admits to being horrified when she saw the first photographs before noticing that they are retrospective. Phew! How could even Dr Anne have such an amazing garden this early in the season? Hard work at this stage in the season obviously reaps rewards later.
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