Rosa Tradescant
R. Tradescant, full of flower
This bed was planted in 2009. It consists of 4 varieties of Rose, quartered in the bed; in the centre is a standard Fejoa. Between the roses, and wanting to take over completely, are masses of Gaura lindheimeri. In front of the Gaura is Stipa tenuissima and geranium that I think I would like to propagate to add in front of all of the roses for continuity.
Rosa William Shakespeare
Both Tradescant and William Shakespeare have a delicious perfume, quite intoxicating.
Rosa Queen of Sweden
R. Queen of Sweden is very upright in its growth, could almost be a pillar rose
Looking down (May 9th) the formal beds are to the left and the large island is in the forground, with the small island behind
Rosa Sophie’s Perpetual
Rosa Sophie’s Perpetual, the darker outer petals outline the inner paler ones
Overflowing
Creating my own garden of the Hesperides 
I have Rosa William Shakespeare! Your roses are magnificent!!
Those are gorgeous beds and what lovely roses…even with all the heat, the roses have not bloomed here yet…can’t wait for mine to bloom.
Beautiful photos, Christina – can almost smell the scent from those photos.
Lovely roses,Christina- I just have new foliage and buds-nice i their way, but I dream of the perfume to come. They are beautiful-and beautifuly enhanced by companion plants- can’t bear rose beds with bare soil.
You should see the rose garden in Rome; just small circles cut from the turf with a small rose struggling in the middle – not good, and not the way roses should be grown. Christina
I remember first seeing roses grown with companion plants, perhaps 40 years ago. I love roses. But not alone.
Gorgeous, I can almost smell them from here. And all this hot weather we’re having (it didn’t drop below 18.4 C last night in Cardiff!) is making my own roses open, too. Another day and Gertrude Jekyll and Geoff Hamilton will be in bloom.
I know how hot it has been! I’ve been in the UK for Chelsea and I suffered the heat and crowds but am now safely home! Christina
I loved seeing your roses and your beautiful beds. I love beds that overflow, too. They just can’t contain all the beauty within!
Gorgeous roses! I just love the dark color on that Tradescant. You have arranged the roses so artfully – I love how they look with the grasses.