Cecile Brunner – CONVENT AND CHAPEL

A selection of some of the original roses outside the Chapel verandah.

The Convent was always known for its roses. I’ve never had a property before with a suitable environment for roses, although I have always loved the sense of history and romance that comes with them, so this is a perfect setting for me to let loose.

This rose, outside the sunroom, is always the first to flower. By the time it comes to prune her, she will have rambled across the timber work and window above.

To be honest, I can’t remember how many I’ve now planted. I suspect well over 120 but there have been (and will continue to be) some failures along the way. Some of the roses are now hitting the two year mark whilst others are still in their infancy. However, I’m beginning to get a better sense of how they will grow and, of course, starting to have favourites.

The Chicago Peace is spectacular. I have another young bush as well (planted when I was worried that I may kill the original with harsh pruning!)

I have a couple of Lamarques but this one is more established. It should grow tall and provide and arching bower on this corner.

Whilst I have made some endeavours to select colours in spaces, the ‘Original Seven’ that were here were pretty random, with yellows, apricots, pinks and reds mixed, so I’m going with the flow. For other beds, I’ve been more selective – pinks, reds and whites along the front ash fence, soft pinks and whites on the Grotto and whites, yellows and apricots in the back gate bed. A few of the learnings – never get bare rooted stock. However much I promise myself I’ll plant them immediately, I don’t and I lose some. Another learning is the difference between climbers and ramblers. I have a few climbers, such as Mr Lincoln, that really need some sort of climbing frame – their strong arching branches don’t ramble softly over the wall like the other roses.

One of two old Papa Meillards - just strong colours and a great cut flower. — One of two old Papa Meillards – just strong colours and a great cut flower.

Overall, though, I’m pretty happy with my choices and locations and think, given time, the Convent garden will have a wonderful rose display. At present, I’m just enjoying wandering through the garden to look at them and, of course, have lots of roses in vases inside to enjoy as well.

My favourite - Crepuscule. This plant seems to be in the perfect position and is doing all the right things. — My favourite – Crepuscule. This plant seems to be in the perfect position and is doing all the right things.

Cecile Brunner is vying for the best performer and is clearly winning.

Crepuscule - this is one of the first roses I planted and is nearly two years old. A few more have since found their way into the garden. — Crepuscule – this is one of the first roses I planted and is nearly two years old. A few more have since found their way into the garden.

Graham Thomas, a David Austin rose. Roxy seems to think there may be a lizard nearby.

Particularly exciting this Spring is watching the roses bloom. I know I can’t take the credit as roses do very well in Kandos. When first buying my property the agent told me that the only roses that won’t grow here are ones that aren’t in the ground. That being said, I’ve been responsible for a few rose tragedies. However I’ve also added over 100 roses to the garden, mainly heritage varieties.

A Blushing Pierre de Ronsard along the Grotto.

Pinky making her presence felt at the Grotto.

Anyway, all of my roses other than ‘The Original Seven’, are very new – less than two years old – and it’s exciting to see them begin to establish and flourish. Also to see what type of flowers they have rather than just being a picture on a label (or not!). The old roses appear to enjoy the attention, with a hard pruning and good feeding. The new roses are just beginning to show their growth patterns. It’s such a luxury to be able to select roses to pick each day for indoors, but I also just love seeing them on their bushes.

One of the 'Original Seven', a Chicago Peace. — One of the ‘Original Seven’, a Chicago Peace.

Cecile Brunnet running up the Grotto. — Cecile Brunner running up the Grotto.

The original plan was to have climbers and ramblers tumbling themselves over the ash brick wall to what is quite a plain footpath. This is now just starting to succeed and should look a picture in years to come.