One of the most difficult acts in gardening is to discard a beautiful plant and yet there are times when it is time to say goodbye. You might fancy a change, it may simply be in the wrong place, or it has outgrown you. I have had to make some tough decisions this year. Too often in the past I've let sentiment get in the way of practicality. Take the early flowering climbing rose, Rosa banksiae 'Lutea', that graced our south facing patio wall. Note, dear reader, the past tense. 'Lutea', photographed here on 21st April, is a stunner. I bought it a few years ago in imitation of Renishaw Hall in Derbyshire. There the yellow laden, thornless tentacles leap up to the tall towers, a truly magnificent sight so early in the year, or anytime come to think. Frankly on our modest wall the plant was too much of a good thing. When not bathed in eye-catching, fresh, tightly bunched, clusters of flowers I was forever pruning it. Windows, guttering and roof were fair game. It had to go to be replaced by a modest clematis. I'll miss it in spring. If you have a stately home do give it a try.
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| Renishaw Hall - 'Lutea' climbs to top of centre tower! |
Similarly, we grew Rosa 'Paul's Himalayan Musk' on a hornbeam tree on the garden boundary onto the road. It had managed to swing across the road onto an oak tree on the opposite side before the hornbeam died and we felt it safer to take it down and, of course, the rose with it. The rose continued to send up shoots for several years afterwards, some as much as five metres from the original location. I planted Rosa banksia 'Lutea' on the boundary between our neighbour and ourselves but it took to growing through the trees etc to flower only on their side!
ReplyDeleteI know the rose. Huge spreader and famous for those who are interested in such matters. I've seen it at various properties though far too virorous for our garden. It is a shame when your plants show off their best face for the neighbours. I have clematis varieties our neighbours say are the best things in the garden.
DeleteI hate to see a good plant go, but good call. For years I held on to every single plant and tried to find homes for all the divisions and stray seedlings which showed up. Too much becomes a competitive mess and I've been much happier letting a few things go. Plus it's always fun to add new plants!
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