Rose garden, May 2018

The rose garden is my favorite in late May, the roses are all in bloom for the first time and the perennials help them show off. This was the first area of the yard that I started to work on in 2016 and looking back at the changes makes me happy, feels good to see the progression.

West fence, looking north

North fence, looking east

In the corner of the fences

Looking down the slope is the biggest change because the railroad tie retaining wall is gone and the whole shape of the slope is new. That's a major work in progress for this year.

North fence, looking east down the slope

In the main rose garden, I've only added a few more plants - a clematis in the corner, phlox to replace the fern leaf lavender that didn't survive the first winter, and three more bearded irises.

Clematis and rose in the mailbox corner

The irises have been amazing this year, now they're mostly done and time to deadhead because some are re-bloomers.

New bearded irises, earlier in May

Bearded iris, earlier in May

Bearded iris, earlier in May

Last bearded iris still blooming

All three of the peonies that I planted in the fall of 2016 finally bloomed this year, now I want more!

Peonies

Peony

Peony and catmint

We cut the roses way back in March, this year and last year, and that does seem to keep them healthier. We did take one out along the north fence, now trying to decide what to do with the gap. 

I mulched with wood chips in the fall and that keeps the weeds fairly well under control, but still have some grass and bindweed to pull out. I also put in a new drip line this week, the old one sprung a big leak last year, so the rose garden is all ready for summer! 

Rose and catmint