June 30, 2009

Northland Rosarium Display Gardens


Last Saturday I left the kiddos with my husband and went on an outing to the Northland Rosarium, located just southwest of Spokane. It was fun to take a break from being Mommy and just be another rose-loving gardener.


The rosarium sells own-root, virus-free hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers, ground covers, rugosa, english and old garden roses. There is a lovely display garden surrounding the nursery.


It was the perfect time of year to visit, as most of the plants were in the midst of their first and finest flush of blooms. Can you tell that the climbers really caught my eye?


I was sad to miss meeting the owner, Carol Newcomb, as she was away for the day. But other knowledgeable employees patiently listened to me whine and rant about my thrips and rose curculios (both insects - much worse than aphids - who destroy rose flowers by sucking their juices). Unfortunately they couldn't recommend any easy or organic solutions. Nasty sprays might be in my garden's future. Yuck.


Other than the climbers, my favorite parts of the garden featured roses mixed with perennials. Personally, I think roses planted together without other plants tend to look blobby. But salvia and sedum are the perfect foil for this peachy-pink Chicago Peace rose.


Rozanne geranium (cranesbill) was obviously a favorite plant, as it grew happily all over in sun and shade. Of course the name makes it a perfect fit for a rosarium.


Would a rose garden be complete without a gazebo? This white one added nicely to the ambiance.


The formal lavender circle hummed merrily as bees went about their work.


It was a treat to see some of the old-fashioned roses in person, instead of in a catalog picture. No wonder so many people swoon over Reine des Violettes, pictured above.


Shaded benches were strategically placed around the garden, perfect for affectionate but bored husbands to rest upon while their wives exclaimed over this rose and that. I smiled sympathetically at one such man and was glad I'd left my hubby at home.


Of course fragrant Abraham Darby was there, and the employees informed me that he doesn't have a rust problem here in Spokane. Hmmm. I spent the entire ride home dreaming about where I could place a shrub or three of good ole Abe.


Or maybe I'll go with the low-care OSO Easy Paprika rose, pictured above. It would certainly leave fewer petals to clean up. But if I'm going to battle thrips and curculios, I might as well get some fabulously fragrant flowers in the end. I'll probably be back to pick up a few Abe Darby plants.


My eyes seem to appreciate the single-flowered roses more lately than in the past. Does that mean my taste is becoming more refined than the stereotypical 'bigger is better' American? Probably not, as I still love the full roses, too.


And finally, here is a parting shot of another spectacular pink climber. More information about Northland Rosarium, including their catalog, can be found at www.northlandrosarium.com. Best wishes to Carol and the employees of this charming local nursery.

6 comments:

  1. Hi VW~~ Costco had bare root J & P 'Abraham Darby' roses a few months ago. Granted they weren't own-root but when they were marked down to $5.00 for a two-pack, I said, heck yeah!
    Mine aren't blooming yet but I was at a nursery last week and saw Abe in bloom and now I'm so glad I have it. Sorry about your critter issues. I guess I should stop bellyaching over aphids. Beautiful photos of the Northland. What a fantastic day you must have had. Oh yeah, I like the singles too. Have you seen 'Carefree Spirit'? Ooh, la la.

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  2. What a lovely outing VW. Would love to find roses that are own rooted. I too love the fragrance of roses, if you are going to have roses, you ought to have the fragrance along with them. One of the ones that I really love is a Rugosa- Hansa---you can smell it from across the yard!

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  3. What a great way to spend the day! And the view to boot! Very pretty place.

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  4. Hi VW

    Beautiful roses. I too am into the singles and old fashioned roses.

    I NEED that bench by the way.

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  5. I bet you loved going there, especially when you could really enjoy it. I've just started paying attention to the single flowered roses too. I'm hoping to go to a rose farm tomorrow, although I don't think I have room for any.
    I hope you can go back for Abe, I've loved mine. Glad to hear it won't have rust problems there.

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  6. VW ... what a treat for the eyes and nose to wander around this awesome place : )
    Now that is a mini vacation for the senses girl !
    I think you are right about some combinations of roses and perennials .. I think I may be guilty of that crime ? LOL
    Joy

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