William Shakespeare 2000

By Kathy Purdy July 14, 2008 – Posted in: Miscellaneous

This is the very first bloom of this David Austin rose, which I received as a trial plant. It is blooming so low to the ground that it was hidden by the leaf of another plant, and only a chance breeze revealed it. More buds higher up means I will be able to check the fragrance without prostrating myself.

About the Author

Kathy Purdy is a colchicum evangelist, converting unsuspecting gardeners into colchicophiles. She gardens in rural upstate NY, which used to be USDA Hardiness Zone 4 but is now Zone 5. Kathy’s been writing since 4th grade, gardening since high school, and blogging since 2002. Find her on Instagram as kopurdy.

In its own way, frost may be one of the most beautiful things to happen in your garden all year . . . Don’t miss it. Like all true beauty, it is fleeting. It will grace your garden for but a short while this morning. . . . For this moment, embrace frost as the beautiful gift that it is.

~Philip Harnden in A Gardener’s Guide to Frost: Outwit the Weather and Extend the Spring and Fall Seasons

3 Comments… add one

Kathy Purdy July 17, 2008, 9:13 am

You can read more about this rose here. It has so far been untouched by any disease. The foliage looks pristine. Most David Austin roses are not quite hardy enough for my area, so I consider this an experiment.