Things That Grow on Roses

Last week we looked at my latest garden challenge, dealing with rust on roses. So far there have been no indications the rust has spread to any other bushes, although I type this with crossed fingers.

Fortunately nice things grow on roses, such as magnificent flowers, and here's what's in bloom for me right now.

Ebb Tide

Iceberg

Lagerfeld

 Lagerfeld

Princess de Monaco

Princess de Monaco

Hero

Rosette Delizy

Neptune

David Austin Rose - I am unsure of the name of this one

Unfortunately less delightful things also grow on roses, I've taken some photos of blackspot on leaves for anyone unfamiliar with this scourge. Sadly I had no shortage of examples to photograph.

This one is showing just the black spots, the early stage

The leaves begin to turn yellow

The whole leaf then turns yellow, then brown then the leaf is shed by the bush

These leaves are just about to drop

Unlike Rust, the underside of the leaves only show slight signs of the fungal infection

Another Rose problem, Scale, an insect that doesn't cope well with a steady jet of water

And Aphids

 

Seems I've got the whole gamut of rose issues at the moment. Aphids, like Scale, doesn't much enjoy being sprayed with a steady water jet and you can remove them this way or simply allow the ladybugs (a natural predator) to take care of them.


And on a brighter note, not long after we first moved to Sydney, I planted the first half of my camellia hedge. When our neighbours built their house a couple of years later, I added more sasanquas to provide additional privacy. Now, around 20 years later, the hedge has really come into its own.

The Camellia Hedge is in full flower at the moment

 

Camellia Sasanqua Hiryu

Abutilon megapotamicum arrived on Mother's Day - just love the colours, so very cool!

Abulilon hybrid

Hebe

Tibouchina Groovy Baby

Purple Archangel, is also looking fantastic

Ivy Geranium

This week sees the final days of a business where I worked for almost 8 years. After trading for around 30 years they are about to close the doors for the very last time. I feel for the people who were there at the end and those who left as times became tougher, my friends who gave many years of loyal service, good people who must now move in a different direction. I hope the future is kind to them and they quickly find a new niche. I'll always remember the fun times;  there were so very many of those.

UCW RIP.