I moved the poor dear last summer during a hot dry spell. While it isn't the most glamorous place to be planted it gets so much more sun.
She took to her new home with glee. She settled in and then sent out several beautiful blooms.
This winter she has had several orange/red hips.
I got out this afternoon and put some chicken wire around the base. I hope this deters the hungry critters.
While out today I cut back the blackened hellebore leaves so we can see the blooms better. Mainly the hellebores that get the most sun have the big buds. Others are still developing.
Just seeing the hellebore buds and the Witch Hazel Diane about to burst into bloom awakens my enthusiasm for spring. I realize it is a little early but when January bowed out with a whopping 7.2 degrees above average temperature range and February first is warm too, I can only expect a warm spring ahead. All we need now is a spot of rain. How about you? Are you thinking spring yet?
Something was chewing the outer bark off of my 'Sallie Holmes'. I'm pretty sure it was rabbits. For the last couple of years I've surrounded 'Sallie' with chicken wire.
ReplyDeleteI guess I am now part of the chicken wire army trying to defend my roses. I have never had this problem before. Ugh
DeleteI don't know what it could be but I hope you catch them!
ReplyDeleteYes, where is the dog when you need her?
DeleteHi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteIn my experience rabbits nibble at rose stems.
Most of my roses are surrounded by chicken wire.
I try to grow nepeta or geraniums at the base to hide it during the flowering season.
Hungry rabbits will eat anything, even plants they find unpalatable when food is plentiful.
Mice love hellebore buds, I lost most of my blooms a few years ago.
I do not think any creature would eat the leaves :)
Not thinking of Spring, it is going to be slow coming this year I think.....
Have a lovely weekend.
As I said, I have never had trouble with rabbits eating roses. They have eaten a lot of other things. I guess I put this rose right into their favored area of the garden. UGH... I am now part of the chicken wire army and I will be planting some nepeta around the base of this rose. Thanks for the suggestion.
DeleteI have two roses too and luckily our goats don't like them.
ReplyDeleteYou are a brave gardener to have goats in the garden. I would think they would eat everything. Even they must think that roses are too pretty to eat. ;)
Deleteoh...white roses are my favorite. Orange ones too...the coral-colored ones. BAD critters eating your precious rose!! I'm glad you can protect her.
ReplyDeleteI want to paint in your garden.
I yellow, coral and white are my favorites. I have a red one because the coral reverted to the nursery stock. I guess I planted it too deep or shallow. I haven't the heart to pull it out. It is a brave rose and blooms in somewhat gloomy (for roses) circumstances. I am not real good with roses.
DeleteYou and your darling Daya are welcome anytime.
I hope your roses will be alright. It's frustrating when critters decide they want your favorite plant. Your Hellebores look nice and healthy and so full of buds. The blooms will be gorgeous! We have had a pretty mild winter here so far, but I am definitely looking forward to spring in just 6 more weeks!
ReplyDeleteI hope so too Lee. That chewing is on a main cane.
DeleteI have seen the rabbits eat all kinds of things with dreadful thorns. Can't imagine how they do it. Very cold here. Only 7 degrees when I got up yesterday am. Have not checked the weather this a.m. as I want to go to the gym and it's better not to know!
ReplyDeleteBrrrrrrrrr that is cold.
DeleteI hope your rose will be okay, Lisa. Those darned rabbits must have been awfully hungry to try a thorny stem. I'm not anxious for spring just yet--we still haven't had a decent snow!
ReplyDeleteHi Rose, I hope it will be ok too. I couldn't believe they gnawed on the largest cane as well as bit off several smaller ones and then didn't eat the entire things!!
DeleteOh yes, I, too, am longing for spring! We had a sunny, spring-like day today, and it seemed to be just around the corner. Mind you, there is still plenty of time for snow and ice! Can't wait for warm sun and long days!
ReplyDeleteI too am looking forward to some warmer, sunnier weather. We have had some warmer days as a spring tease.
DeleteWow, that seems very early for the Hellebores. We've had yo-yo weather this winter: very cold, and then unseasonably warm. I haven't checked the Hellebores--I know they start budding in December, but they're under leaf mulch and snow now. Gosh, I hope your roses will be OK! Good thing you noticed the damage so you could save them!
ReplyDeleteOh lovely rose ~ and green growth ~ tis winter here so nice to see ~ thanks,
ReplyDeleteWishing you a Happy and Peaceful Week ~ ^_^