You see, I've moved Iceberg 3 times. Three! I kept putting it in spots that were way too shady. I think I was trying to brighten up the shady spots with a white bloom. So, Iceberg was plopped there. No planning. Do you think Iceberg was an impulse purchase? haha - You'd be right!
There's a saying "You'll keep getting the lesson and getting the lesson until you get the lesson." Which means, you'll keep having the same problem until you figure out the right solution!
With Iceberg, I kept having to move it until I found a sunny spot for it. And look how happy it is!
So, I guess the lessons I finally "got" were:
1) Just because you think a plant will look pretty in that spot, doesn't mean that spot has the right conditions for the plant. That's backward thinking. (Wouldn't it be nice if we could plop any plant anywhere? My garden would be fabulous!)
2) Look at the conditions first, then decide upon the plant for the conditions present. Forward thinking! (Does this mean less impulse purchases? Please say no!)
3) If you have a plant that's faltering, check to see if you have the right conditions for it before judging the plant. (Sorry I said all those bad things about you before, Iceberg.)
Hmm, now, where can I put those plants I bought yesterday???
It seems to me that you have to love your garden to put in the time and attention it takes. So I say get the plants you fall for and if you have to move them? Trial and error is NOT illegal. So maybe you can't plant millions of trees or put shade plants in the sun-- but usually there is someplace, maybe in a POT, for that rose or the little fern or whatever you find and really want in your life. Your Iceberg rose looks magnificent!
ReplyDeleteMakes me think, that probably our climber `iceberg is not too happy where it is. But there is nowhere to move it to. It certainly isn't covered with blooms like yours.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right on forward thinking. It is a must for your plants to do well. The great thing is plants are so forgiving as is your Iceberg. It looks awesome and happy now! I like the pairing with the red in the background. Stunning!
ReplyDeletelinniew - You make such a good point. I do do a lot of trial and error! It finally paid off for Iceberg. Others have, unfortunately, not always been as lucky!
ReplyDeleteJanet - Mine always blooms some, but this year it has really taken off. I realized that this year it has been getting a lot more water than it normally does. It needs more than the other roses around it. I hope yours starts showing you some love soon.
tina - Shade, sun, water. It seems simple, but sometimes it's harder than it seems! I guess the best thing is that I will keep moving a plant until it's happy!
Great tips. We all have learned a few of these lessons the hard way. LOL! Your Iceberg roses are beautiful. Mine suffered from black spot this year . Such a horrible year for the roses here.
ReplyDeleteCzasami kupujemy coś pod wpływem impulsu, a później mamy kłopot- gdzie to dać. Twoje białe róże maja świetne miejsce. Pozdrawiam
ReplyDeleteVery pretty. One I've thought about getting.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Three times the charm! The iceberg rose is beautiful - I've thought about getting it before.
ReplyDeleteI have a small table full of plants waiting for me to find a good location for them.. It's there somewhere in the garden!
I did the same thing with "Iceberg" - I couldn't see what all the fuss was about as my spindly plant lost almost all its leaves to blackspot every summer. Then I finally realised it was in too much shade. I move plants all the time, and if this is the price for impulse purchases, I'm happy to pay it. Impulse purchases are one of the joys of gardening for me.
ReplyDeleteLona - Sorry to hear of your blackspot - the weather here was way too dry this summer for it. I'm wondering if I'll get some this fall. I guess lessons learned the hard way really sink in!
ReplyDeleteGiga - I agree that sometimes it's hard to find a good spot for an impulse purchase!
Cher - It is a pretty rose. I love the splash of bright white.
Indie - haha Impulse purchases, I suppose? I try to get mine in the ground somewhere - of course, I usually have to move them later!
Lyn - I agree. I love making impulse purchases. Even if the plant doesn't work out, I have learned something and had something beautiful in my garden for a while.
Having read your blog for a while, and loved your writing style, your humor, and your wit. Thank you for your "rosie entertainment" and please keep it coming!
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Cydney
It's funny that you posted about "Iceberg' because I was just thinking today that I might get an Iceberg to grow near my 'Heritage' rose to replace the 'Red Hot Poker' plant that had grown there before I dug it up and transplanted it elsewhere. Red Hot Poker just did not go with Heritage! Your 'Iceberg' looks so healthy. You may have inspired me to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteCydney - Thank you so much! That means so much to me.
ReplyDeletedorothy - I hope your Iceberg does well. I have a Heritage rose not too far from my Iceberg!
It's very pretty rose! Look so healthy and happy too!
ReplyDeleteYou must be very good with roses!
I have been so bad about backward thinking. But then I think I have a plan, forward thinking, and buy a plant only to forget what the plan was. So when I get around to the plant, the plans changed. Oh I was supposed to write it down...oops...maybe I need a refresher in planning period. Actually I am better at it in my head with notes written...I think I have done less backward thinking the last couple of years...moving forward...love the rose!!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty.
ReplyDelete(Oh dear, impulse purchases...)
Malar - They grow well around here. It's not me! They like our sun, and acidic soil.
ReplyDeleteDonna - I find it hard to go by my plans. If I research out specific plants I want, they're not available locally, and I am too impatient to do too much mail order! And anyway, Impulse purchases are fun!
Mac - Some people love impulse purchases (like me). Some go strictly by a plan. I think they may have a much more 'organized' looking garden. I've learned to love the chaotic look!
Holley, Iceberg is one of my favorite roses, since it is simply very beautiful but also because it is so floriferous and it is the fastest repeating rose in my garden. Iceberg is supposed to be relatively shade tolerant for a rose, but of course there are limits to how much shade it can take. I have planted a Climbing Iceberg in a shady position and it is still doing well, but it is flowering less than the Icebergs that are in full sun, has lesser leaves and is a weaker grower. Still it works for me :-)!
ReplyDeleteChristina
Holley, I have moved some of my plants just as many times as this before they finally were happy, too. (I can only imagine what the plant thought when I kerplunked it in the ground in yet another spot it wasn't happy about, sigh, 'Not again.')
ReplyDeleteLove Iceberg, just look at those petals!
Agreed- they are happy and look fantastic. You found the right spot. If only we could plop them in where WE want them and not where they NEED to be...... I could have some really neat plantings if that were the case. hahah But at least you "listened" to the iceberg and found it's happy spot!
ReplyDeleteChristina - Thanks for your experience in Iceberg's performance in shade. I have to say, mine did bloom somewhat, even in full shade - what a trooper! And if it's working, there's no reason to change anything!
ReplyDeleteKaren - I guess they're hoping the new home will be better than the last! It does make you wonder if they get frustrated with us gardeners!
kacky - I suppose then, gardening would be a true art instead of part science if we didn't have to worry about their requirements! I agree that I could paint a beautiful picture if I didn't have to worry about the plant staying alive! :)
I think you just gave me the lesson, and I think I GOT the lesson. My two favorite roses are poorly located due to the poor soil, and I have a shortage of space available for relocation. BUT there is space alongside each rose so that I could move them BACKWARDS away from the street where hopefully the soil is better and can certainly be made better by amending before the move. Thanks, HolleyGarden, for teaching me to think in the right direction - for this situation anyway. Your timing is perfect.
ReplyDeletesherry - I'm certain you 'got' the lesson without my help! Gardens change, and gardeners learn. Too bad the lessons are sometimes painful, sometimes discouraging, and sometimes back breaking! Good luck with your garden renovation.
ReplyDeleteThat is one of my favorite things about gardening, how a plant thrives in one spot, but another identical plant 15 feet away struggles.
ReplyDeleteCynthia - Gardening can be quite unpredictable! Sometimes the problem (or the solution) has to do with soil, or something under the ground that we can't see! Good perspective.
ReplyDeleteI am not a rose grower. I did plant an Iceberg I got on sale, and it was very pretty for one season, then it came back very spindly the next spring, and then died.
ReplyDeleteOh, Sue - What a sad tale! :( At least your "annual" was on sale!
ReplyDeleteIceberg is a winner in my garden. Blooms in flushes from early Spring until late fall. I don't do much to it. Great post. Good lessons.
ReplyDeleteredneckrosarian - I agree. Iceberg is a great rose, at least if it's in a sunny spot!
ReplyDelete