The Newport Flower Show has just passed and I’m reminded again how gorgeous the roses of  Newport are in June. What a sheer delight it is to walk among the many, many cut samples gathered from gardens all over town, just waiting to show off their splendor to visitors and judges alike. The Show is also a wonderful resource for educating oneself and taking notes on just what you might want to add to your garden. My list is always longer than space will allow…

Yes, roses are for a specific “rose garden,”  but at Parterre I let them also inform many of our outdoor spaces — along a wall, encircling a window, over an arch, running along a series of draped chains and against an iron treillage (as you can see in sequence below).

‘Falstaff’ is both a sexy color (a combination of merlot and Matisse magenta) and enthusiastic rambler.

‘Sombreuill,’ an unusual shade of champagne with blush overtones, is a true stunner with its 125 petal count.

Eden Rose, also known by the romantic name, ‘Pierre de Ronsard,’ blooms almost nonstop all summer.

‘Pink Raviata,’ a new and much anticipated addition to the garden, has the most intoxicating aroma.

‘Abraham Darby,’ the first rose I fell in love with many years ago…and you know what we say about first loves.

My favorite trug for gathering roses while I’m cutting.

Julia Child, a free blooming floribunda and a personal favorite, took the BIG award at the Newport Flower Show last year…the Annie Laurie Aitken Award. What a surprise and an honor!

David Austin, when here for the Newport Flower Show a few years ago, specifically recommended  ‘Crown Princess Margaretha’ for training along our garland chain. Enjoy this “you were there” video!

Hope you’re having a rosy and colorful summer.