Six on Saturday: Rose Blooms at Peak Display

I'm "borrowing" an idea AND I'm cheating for this Six on Saturday. The borrowed idea is to focus on one type of plant/bloom, in this case Roses. I'm cheating because I'm including one that isn't quite blooming yet (on the arbor in the first photo above), but I'm including a bloom from last year:

1. This is Climbing Prairie Rose (Rosa setigera), and for some reason it's simply taking a little longer to bloom this year than last year. But it's a beauty when it happens.

All the others here are blooming or have just finished blooming:



2. Here's an unknown cultivar that was here when we moved to this property more than 20 years ago, and it wasn't marked. It's a short little buddy, but it has a beautiful color and shape.



3. Next is Rosa X Oso Easy Double Pink. It's perhaps the hardiest and longest-blooming Rose in my garden. I started out with two shrubs of different sizes, and over the years the smaller one has caught up with the larger one.



4. Rosa X  'At Last' is such a lovely color, and the scent is amazing. It doesn't bloom as long as some of the others, but it's a beautiful flower, and sometimes a repeat bloomer.



5. Another unmarked Rose that greeted us when we moved in all those years ago, this one above is ruffly, hardy, and a deep Fuchsia color.

6. Finally, here's the Rose my paternal great-grandfather created, we think by crossing a tea Rose with a wild Rose. The story of its beginning goes back to a farm in Minnesota (northern U.S.) in the early 20th Century. Our family nicknames for it are 'Sweet Mary' and 'Grandpa Buffham Rose.'

I have a couple more Rose varieties in the garden, but they will have to wait for another post. Thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations for hosting Six on Saturday!

The Memphis Fling in Full Swing

A lovely bouquet at a help desk.

Mostly photos here, friends. The first full day of the Memphis Garden Fling was brimming with fun and beauty.

As I've previously mentioned, it was a great event, and I admit I took way too many photos. Narrowing them down for coverage here is tough, so I'm not including much text. Links are posted throughout for more information on many of the locations and highlights.

We started at the Memphis Botanic Garden:

















I spent most of my time at the botanic garden's My Big Backyard area, with whimsical displays aimed at families and children of all ages. Included: flower "beds," a "stuffed" toilet, and a chrysalis swing.

Mandevilla sanderi

Franklinia alatamaha

The Memphis Botanic Garden also had impressive water features and lovely plant displays.

Next up, the gardens of Dr. Arsen Manugian:











Described as a plant-lover's English estate garden, it featured an expansive front view, graceful props throughout, a nifty garden shed, a circular sedge display, and more impressive water features.

Our next garden, that of Karen and Alex Wellford, offered tiered walkways and surprises beyond the garden gate:

Zantedeschia elliottiana

Unknown Rose hybrid

Lillium hybrid

The plants, including the homeowners' amazing Roses, really captured my attention, as did the raised brick bed above, with its sweet juvenile statue.

The Charles Kistler property greeted us with its unique architecture, designed by George Awsumb, a nationally recognized architect: 

The gardens, with fun planters and plant combinations throughout, are dedicated to Kistler's late wife, Nancy.

The artistically designed pool area was a favorite spot for Flingers.

Mary and Jeff Sexton's garden also had a welcoming entrance:









Fountains and whimsical planters and props were found throughout the gardens.



But...perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Sexton garden was the amazing collection of more than 30 varieties of Hydrangeas. I took way too many photos to include them all here.

The Jacki Distretti garden opened with a beautifully designed front garden area:





The back patio area was welcoming and fun, too.

Phyllanthus myrtifolius

Magical planters and touches greeted us throughout. (Can you see the cherub figure within the evergreens above?)

Our final private gardens of the day were those of Susanne and Walter Allen:





They had another cute garden shed and creative props throughout the gardens.



Impressive raised-bed cutting gardens greeted visitors at the front.





The plant combinations and arrangements were artfully done.

Our final destination of the first full day was Dixon Gallery and Gardens:

Tithonia rotundifolia

It was a breathtaking collection of stunning vistas, lovely architecture, and peaceful props, including benches donated in honor of garden supporters.

There were so many amazing displays and beautiful, healthy plants. I honestly wish I could include them all here. Stay tuned for more coverage of the Memphis Garden Fling here, and on the Fling website.