Why rose gardening is so addictive

For many of us, the act of gardening brings us closer to nature by getting us outdoors and allowing us the opportunity to tend and grow objects that in the absence of our assistance would not be able to survive, let alone thrive. There is a special connection between the growers of roses and their plants, however, which seems to go even beyond the basic instincts of the traditional gardener. The first reason that roses can be such an addictive plant is the roots it has in our culture in the form of myth and symbolism. The same reason we are addicted to rose gardening is the same reason we are willing to pay a ridiculous amount for a single flower or bunch on Valentine’s Day - nothing in our society communicates more than the rose. This cultural phenomenon has been a part of western heritage for longer than anyone can trace. The rose was considered a flower of romance in ancient China, where it was first developed, and was used throughout the Roman Empire. British history is full of roses in every context - the theater where Shakespeare’s plays were put on was known as the rose, and some of the most distinguishing events in British history occurred during the long “War of the Roses”. Roses were not actually introduced to Europe in the cultivated style until the late 1700s, when they arrived from China. Perhaps some of the addiction we have in cultivating roses stems in part from the same areas that our ancient forebears found so appealing. Many roses have a very distinctive scent, and the shape of the rose is certainly unique enough in itself to warrant extensive cultivation and appeal. Roses can also be found in many different colors and varieties, and there is symbolism attached to every colour that roses can be found in - red, of course, symbolizes love, but did you know that pink roses carry a message of gratitude, while yellow represent joy? Roses also represent a singular species which can manifest itself in a variety of styles, and therefore a rose gardener really needs only to focus on rose types to bring all the variety to the appearance of her lawn and garden that could be wished for. Roses can be planted in the miniature style, as bushes, and as climbers. As has been noted above, roses are also available in several different colors which will add to the overall diversity in appearance of your garden. Roses are also available in petals of many different sizes to further add diversity to your landscaping. Species roses grow hips that are colorful and last well into the winter, and can add a further sprinkle of uniqueness to your landscaping by attracting birds throughout the winter months. Lastly, roses require as little or as much attention as the gardener wants to put in. Pruned bushes look ideal, but roses are also beautiful when allowed to grow freely. Roses also tend to be very hardy and resistant to diseases. The soil composition needs not have too many considerations, and the ground cover is totally up to the gardener. Growing roses can be an addicting experience because of their history, their beauty, their variety, and their maintenance. Once a person dedicates their garden space to the cultivation of roses, the possibilities are limitless.

The gardens at hampton court

There was no abrupt transition from the style of the Middle Ages to that of the Renaissance in English gardens. Many Gothic features were long retained, of which remnants are still in evidence: the carved stonework, the conduits, the walks, and arbors. Trelliswork, as used to surround the beds, remained in fashion with slight variations throughout the reigns of the Tudors. Among the royal gardens of this time were those already existing and kept up at the Tower of London, Baynardes Castle, Wanstead, and Westminster, those renovated at York Place and Whitehall, and a new one at Nonesuch. But the finest of the Tudor gardens were at Hampton Court, where Cardinal Wolsey's work was almost entirely swept away to make room for the improvements designed by Henry VIII. These changes covered part of the space between the palace and the river, and the only portion now remaining is the small enclosure known as the Pond Garden. Of oblong shape, surrounded by an outer wall of brick, the ground is laid out on three different levels, with low retaining walls and copings of stone; in this stone one can see the holes whereby were fastened the thirty or more heraldic beasts which formerly served to strengthen the wooden railings striped with white and green, the royal colors. Above one corner of the wall appears a battlemented banqueting house built by Henry VII. In the center of the enclosure is a round fountain, on a line with the entrance at one end and a vine-covered arbor opposite. From the royal accounts we know that among the flowers originally ordered for the garden in Henry VIII's time were "violettes and Primroses, Gilliver-slips, mints, and other sweet flowers. Sweet Williams by the bushel" It was weeded and watered by women for two cents a day. In this garden young Henry VIII carried on his first flirtations with Anne Boleyn, and here, when overtaken by infirmities, he used to hobble about in his premature old age.

Weed control how to prevent weeds from taking control of your yard

: If bees are public enemy #1 for most farmers, lawn owners and gardeners tend to view weeds with very much the same perception. Weeds are non-native plants that are unwanted in a certain place and time and can be very much harmful to your plants and even public amenity. It’s imperative that you prevent weeds from taking control of your yard lest you wish to see your plants die one by one before the year’s end. Don’t let their harmless-sounding names (chickweed, dandelion and crabgrass) fool you; if you allow them full liberty to grow, you might find it impossible later on to regain control and recover the beauty of your garden. Found below are several tips for better and more effective weed control: Defensive Measures against Weeds Always remember that the healthier your garden or yard’s soil, the better defense your plants shall have against weeds. So make sure that you always keep your garden or yard as healthy as possible. Excellent fertilization is a good defensive step to take against weeds. Using the right type of fertilizer that possesses the best combination of nitrogen and other important compounds four times a year will go a long way in improving the health of your yard. But don’t be surprised if some stubborn weeds still persist in growing; that’s the time when other more aggressive steps must be taken to achieve effective weed control. Aggressive and Chemical Measures for Weed Control When you choose a particular weed product to use, make sure that you use it during the active growth period of weeds. This often happens in late spring or early fall and temperatures must approximately be around 15 to 25 degrees. Extreme temperatures would simply lessen the potency of the product against weeds. On the other hand, if the product you’re using is a weed and feed one, make sure that you spread them always in the morning. This is because morning dew can ensure that the weed and feed product would stick to the weeds, thereby increasing their effectiveness. Avoid watering or mowing your yard when you’ve just applied the product. And just to be on the safe side, prevent both your kids and pets from tramping in the law during those days as well. The Right Attitude to Succeed Be realistic when it comes to your weed control goals. Weeds are like mushrooms; they grow very fast and worse, they’re not exactly easy to get rid off. Hence, telling yourself that you’ll exterminate the weed your population in a bloody one-day battle is simply impossible to achieve. You’ll never get started or feel properly motivated if you think that way. Weeding, like other difficult but highly rewarding tasks, is a huge goal that you must try to achieve by taking one small measured step after another. Give yourself a goal outline if you wish. Divide the gardens into several areas and get rid of weeds in one particular division after another. You need to motivate yourself properly if you wish to succeed and setting unrealistic goals for yourself is certainly not the way to do it! The Right Time to Fight Weeds Time management is equally important in weed control; pick a particular time of the day when you believe you’ll be most available to battle the invading army in your garden. Whichever time period you end up choosing, make sure that you stick to your schedule at all times. Consistency and perseverance are what’s going to win the battle and not a blitzkrieg style of offense.