COTE DE TEXAS: While I Was Sleeping…

While I Was Sleeping…

 

 

image

The roses have been busy.  I was late to take notice that spring has exploded in my back courtyard.  It seems as if it happened overnight.    This past winter was extremely cold and that accounts for all the profusion of flowers – the azaleas look incredible and I suspect the bluebonnets have turned the fields along the back roads leading to Round Top into a sea of purple. 

 

image

In my courtyard, the three rose bushes from The Antique Rose Emporium in Independence, Texas, have completely overtaken my back fence.  I planted these bushes about 15 years ago.   The antique climbers quickly grew to full height, around 15’, arching out over the gravel courtyard in a magnificent display of dark pink and creamy white roses.   Until one day that is, when I came home to discover the Rose Tenders crew had cut the bushes back, taking off about 8 ft. of limbs.  I can’t recall ever being so angry and upset over a flower before.  Irate too at the stupidity of “pruning” an antique climber.   It’s taken years for these bushes to reach back to their full height again, and even then, they have never achieved that weeping, arching effect.  I’m waiting for that, maybe next year, or the next.    And yes, I did break down and buy the Kooboo chairs.  It’s a story for another day – lots of changes going on inside my house which I hope to show you soon.

 

 

 

 

image

There are two bushes of these pink roses.   One on the left side, and one in the middle right over the fountain.  The pink roses aren’t particularly fragrant but that’s ok.   The creamy rose makes up for the scentless pair.

 

 

image

It seems as if the rose bushes grew several feet overnight!   The amount of their growth this spring has been incredible.   Because of this massive growth, the iron trellis over the fountain can barely be seen now.  Only the twinkly lights alert you to the fact that there is indeed a trellis  there.

 

 

image

The creamy white roses are on the right side of the yard.  This variety isn’t nearly as tall or full as the pink.  I should have planted all three bushes the same variety – but at the time, I had no idea I was making a landscaping decision that would be here 15 years later! 

 

 

image

The freezing winter caused a lot of damage around town.  I lost two potted trees and all my variegated ivy is gone.   The pots were filled this week their summer plants and all the beds have been cleaned out and planted with green and white caladiums, whose ears should start peeking out soon.  

 

 

 

 

image

I wrestle with the landscape design.  Some days I love the cluttered English style garden with masses of roses and ivy everywhere.   Then there are days when I want the stark green only garden with box and zinc pots and lots of succulents.   One day…. if I ever have room for both kinds of gardens, that might happen.  Right now the English look is winning. 

 

 

image

Unfortunately, I don’t know the name of the rose varieties, but it really doesn’t matter.  All of The Antique Rose Emporium varieties are perfect.    Go HERE to read my story about The Antique Rose Emporium.  Go HERE to read their web site.  

64 comments :

  1. What a beautiful patio area and beautiful roses ! Happy Spring.

    xxLily
    goldandgray.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. No doubt Winter 2011 brought Texas some of the coldest weather I can remember. I love the antique rose emporium... my roses from there are only about 6 years old... but they are 6 years and thriving. I love your cream roses. I too am torn.. love the english garden look but also swoon at lavender and boxwoods.

    ReplyDelete
  3. These beauties are like my 12 year old son. He got out of bed this morning - and I couldn't believe it. Had I not noticed he had grown 3 inches!!!!!! When did this happen!!!!!! Your roses are beautiful - just like my Ben. Maybe life is telling us to slow down and "smell the roses". Nice post Joni, thanks. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. I loved seeing a glimpse of your courtyard. We haven't seen it for quite awhile. I remember one of the first posts of your's that I read was about how you almost killed the live oak in your front yard by adding soil around it's base. I hoping for an update on it. So I guess I'll just ask...how is that tree doing? So did you decide to use the wicker chairs outside instead of inside? I can't wait to see your kitchen. I love that room in your house.

    ReplyDelete
  5. We just had snow again so these are such great images Joni!!

    I have a new giveaway from The Zhush I think you will love...

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    ReplyDelete
  6. This was a treat to see your courtyard. I am a gardener too and love roses and plan to have a climber added this year to my yard. I really enjoyed this post.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's lovely and it suits you so well.

    Here's a garden question: How do you grow roses that need lots of sun with impatiens which need shade?
    Do the roses shade them from being blasted?
    Houston gardening is tricky!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow. I adore your lovely garden. I've always dreamt of having a yard that looks exactly like yours!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your courtyard is beautiful and I love your new kooboo chairs. I'm going to be planting some climbing roses this year in front of our new stone wall on our house and since it's so freaking cold here they should do well. Love seeing your garden!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Well this deserves a wow if anything has. I LOVE the beautiful roses. I am with you on the English garden, and I simply adore your brick patio!
    Just beautiful, Joni! Definitely something to be proud of.
    Teresa
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love your courtyard Joni! The climbing roses are gorgeous! And I'd be pissed within an inch of my life if those roses were mine and someone pruned them back that far!Grrrrr! Especially when they formed a perfect arch! So sending a condolence ((hug)) to ya. I have the blackest thumb in the history of gardening! And I wish I were exaggerating....but I'm not....Vanna

    ReplyDelete
  12. *** HOW PRETTY!!! ***

    Well Joni, NOW I am POSITIVE I really DO know your FAB personal style! Uh-huh!!! I THOUGHT I was reading ANOTHER person's blog, & less than 1/2 way thru I kept thinking "OMG, I have G*O*T to send this link to Joni... she'll LOVE this... it's so HER!!!"..... I am smiling now cuz it was YOUR blog all along!!!

    ... AND, it's all soooo charming, lovely, warm n' welcoming!!! TRULY J*O*N*I (and Mr. Sock man of course!)...

    Sure WISH tho, you'd have shared a pic or two of "the babies" out there, enjoying it all, too... those "pups" are A*L*W*A*Y*S a joy to see!!!

    Hugs n' warm wishes,
    Linda in AZ *
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  13. How utterly charming your garden is!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Isn't it amazing? It does feel as though everything exploded all at one time! I am intoxicated by it all!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lucky you. These are so pretty. It's still so cold here. No roses for us. I'll just enjoy yours.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Joni your courtyard is lovely I can only imagine how lush and goregeous it gets as the season progresses. All the impatiens will be spilling over the urns, I love that look!!! A nice place to sit and listen to the fountain. Kathysue

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ok, I'm on my way. ETA 4hrs. I'll bring a venti quadruple non-fat milk, 15 sweet & low, extra foam for you-- as well as a grande high-fat, super caloric frappucino, extra fat and vanity on the side for me. Done. Ready? Great.

    The roses are sublime. I weep for my gangrene thumb more than you'll ever know ;) My next blog post will be about my ailing elephant ear that is STILL in that pathetic pot that came with the house ;)

    xoxoooooooo,
    Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  18. P.S. The pics!!!!!!! I could hardly focus on the roses b/c the quality of the pics took my breath away! Great job, J. Truly :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. It's a totally different world from Michigan in March, definite envy here.
    I am glad you are enjoying all the surprises and sharing them with all of us. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh, so wonderful, the roses, your seating spots and the ambiance!
    Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Joni, your courtyard is charming. I would love to be sitting there right now. I could almost smell that pink rose on the first picture. Here in Northern California we only have the first tiny rose buds but the bulbs are blooming their heads off. Roses have so much to give for all their needs. I don't mind the dead heading, pruning and feeding but I took out a couple of old ones this year because we need to conserve water.

    So you did buy those World Market chairs. They are nice, but when I sat in one they were a little bit too high. My feet wouldn't reach the ground, so I didn't buy them. Now I'm on the look-out for some that are just right. Your post has given me new inspiration.

    Enjoy your garden!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Gorgeous, wild and replendent!! Hellloooo spring! Are the chairs comfy?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Such a beautiful courtyard! I remember it from a previous post, long ago. The roses are so lovely! I love the English garden look . . . and have to say, at the same time, that boxwood around the brick terrace would look wonderful too. I'm a huge lover of boxwood and have it in both the front and back of my house.

    Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  24. Joni, this is so beautiful and spring-like. It is cold again here, so this is literally a breath of fresh air.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh Joni,
    Seeing your courtyard so beautiful and full of color makes me miss Texas. There is still SNOW on the ground here, and the temperature hasn't gotten over 25 all week! The only color I'm seeing is white. LOL!
    Beautiful, and I can't WAIT to see what you've got going on inside! I know it's going to be fabulous! xo,A

    ReplyDelete
  26. Still raining and cold in Vancouver, my camellia does not have one single bud, I just pruned my roses and I am now admiring your enchanting garden.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Joni:

    Just a quick note to tell you that your roses are just beautiful. Pruning antique roses would have put me over the edge too! What knuckleheads!!!

    Chicago had a tease last week with high 50's and low 60's temperatures. We all know better in the Midwest, but there is hope that the real spring is not far behind.
    Can't wait to see what you have to show us on the inside.

    Happy Spring!!!!! M.A. ox

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a gorgeous garden...adore the wicker!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. what a beautiful spot to actually stop and smell the roses...
    I am jealous of your weather, ours is still wet and cold (maybe get to 60 this week???)but this is so inspiring to see and wonder what to plant at my old/new home.

    ReplyDelete
  30. May the English garden look keep on winning! There is much that is beautiful but there is nothing better.

    Your chairs are charming. We look forward to the story. Truly, we do.

    As you must be well aware, Joni, we will all come back again and again, on another day, another week, in another hour. We are, most of us, utterly addicted to you and your blog, Joni, to your generosity of spirit, and your great and generous and wildly informative and educational posts!

    We love you. We really do. I know I speak not only for myself but for ever so many others.

    Even after I've finished reading one of your posts, I find I am longing for the next. As satisfying as one of them may be, it only whets my appetite for the next.

    Yeah, Joni, you're that good. : )

    ReplyDelete
  31. Beautiful, elegant and tranquil.....you can never go wrong with roses, imho!
    -linda,ny

    ReplyDelete
  32. Three of my pots broke because of the harsh winter we had this year. I can't wait to be able to set out my outdoor furniture and potted plants as you've done here.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I have such garden envy! The roses are gorgeous. Take another pic when the caladiums are up. Here in the Northeast we are still cleaning up after all the winter storms and the temp this AM is 32?! Brrr! Can't wait to get out there. Seeing your garden reminds me Spring will get here...eventually. Enjoy!
    Paula

    ReplyDelete
  34. How special, Joni!

    I love roses. My grandmother had a gorgeous rose garden and I used visit very often. There's something so special about them.

    Your garden is looking so romantic! I love it.

    I hope you're enjoying Spring.

    Have a wonderful day, Joni.

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com


    PS: Joni, if you have a minute, please, drop by to see a post I've made about a really interesting company that builds French furniture in Brazil. Really pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Your garden looks so nice & peaceful.....
    Azaleas grow so beautifully in Houston....
    Your urn fountain is nice too. Looking forward to your upcoming changes you mentioned!
    Have a great day...

    ReplyDelete
  36. Your yard is simply charming, Joni - and how lucky you are to be enjoying it already!. Here, in New England, we are still dreaming of summer weather.

    ReplyDelete
  37. What are your plans for finishing the sitting area?

    Coffee table, ottoman, end tables for the bench?

    What are your plans for the empty wire urn on plinth? Perhaps a tool bouquet of antique tools?

    Will you put antique iron heat register over plastic French drain grate?

    Planning to swap plastic green ties with brown twine?

    Perhaps a tiny leaved, slow growing, variegated ivy for the pots with impatiens?

    What are you doing about mosquitoes? Pair of posts with ceiling fans at the sitting area will help. Creeping fig on posts, finial on top.

    Better, I want to visit. Will it be tea, wine, lemonade? Love a garden with ideas brimming & good bones already.

    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

    ReplyDelete
  38. Your garden is beautiful. I can imagine you spend a lot of time there. I'm a tad jealous, that yours is all cleaned up and planted for the season. I'm still waiting for warmer weather, but getting anxious! Have a great day. Mona

    ReplyDelete
  39. One thing I have learned as a homeowner: do not EVER leave yard or tree people in your yard unattended - they will butcher every living limb!

    Your garden is beautiful, Joni. Thank you for sharing with us. Can't wait to see your indoor projects!

    Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  40. Lovely! Enjoy it before it gets too hot. I'm definitely a fan of the blowsy English garden -- nothing too formal and rigid for me. I don't have enough sun to grow roses well, :-( but I make up for it with hydrangeas. The antique roses are my favorites, though, especially the wonderfully scented ones. It actually snowed here in NC yesterday morning, and it's 39 now! Hey, this is the south! Those early warm spring days were deceptive.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Looking forward to your post on the Kooboo Chairs since I bought two from World Market. They have changed the whole feel of the dining room and have jumpstarted several more changes. They look lovely in your courtyard, Joni. Your outside 'rooms' are just as inviting as your inside rooms -- lots of heart here.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Just lovely Joni. I adore antique and old roses. There is nothing prettier than a mature garden. Don't change a thing!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi Joni!
    Your courtyard looks like you've also been sprucing it up a bit, it looks very European and inviting. the first shot of the rose was frame worthy......Maryanne xo

    ReplyDelete
  44. I love it when you show us your home. Your courtyard is so lovely with the roses and kooboo wicker. I just posted about porches and thought of your back porch where you blog. Would have loved to include a photo but couldn't find it! I think we are all longing for spring!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Enjoy this "outdoor" weather in Texas right now. It's so much fun to have a patio area that looks so stunning. I'm sure you love having your coffee or a glass of wine out there while you read all your favorite blogs! Ruthie

    ReplyDelete
  46. Your garden looks beautiful Joni. My roses have gone crazy in the past week as well but still not half as pretty as yours.
    Now bring on the rain already!
    xo~
    T

    ReplyDelete
  47. Your garden looks wonderful already. we are having snow again today. I do have some sad jonquils trying to bloom,but the heavy snow has made
    there heads weap. Thanks for sharing. Richard at My Old Historic House.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I'm getting inspired to transplant a rose that is in too much shade.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Your courtyard is beautiful. I am looking forward to seeing flowers and green space here one of these days!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Love seeing your garden, all in bloom! I just got back from a glorious week in Dallas - 80s, sunny, tex mex!

    Can't wait to start seeing things bloom up here in NY!
    xo Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  51. Six days ago I was wresting a blizzard in Toronto. I am sooooo longing for your weather. My garden won't look like this for another 2 months (at least). You lucky duck! Debra

    ReplyDelete
  52. Joni,
    Love the comments Tara Dillard made! I met her a couple of months ago here in Atlanta. She's a hoot.
    Love your garden, it is beautiful. It's because of my meeting Tara that hubby and I are rearranging our backyard!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  53. That yard and those roses invite repose, enjoyment and reflection on the beauty of life and gardens. La vie en roses!

    Merci!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Your courtyard is beautiful! Do you do the work yourself? I knew you'd get the Kooboo chairs. Hurry up and show us the changes you made inside!

    Karen T.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Joni, I too am such an admirer of not just your talent and gift for all that is and can be beautiful but your down to earth personality, humor and the way you nurture and encourage all of us. I'm a woman of limited means, but unlimited optimism. I feel the same about a few others such as Tara Dillard, who I learned about on your blog. I just soak it all up, and I am grateful. I adore your garden, your home and you. : )

    ReplyDelete
  56. Joni, I have always admired your back yard. It's so inviting....it just beckons you to come, sit, stay and enjoy the beauty!!!!! Thanks for sharing it with us once again!!!

    Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  57. I would love to have tea in your English style garden!

    ReplyDelete
  58. It's gorgeous and I'm totally jealous. My huge yard serves as a go-cart track for 1 ruffian and 1 tomboy and an insanely goofy dog.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Your roses are amazing, Joni! I used to have some similar varieties, but I finally pruned them all with a shovel when I decided to surrender to black spot, powdery mildew and the damned Japanese beetles. But I had to remove my daffodils AND my azaleas from the back yard once I realized they were poisonous and giving my puppies diarrhea (I know, right?!). If I replant some rose bushes, maybe the thorns would encourage Otto and Lulu to leave my flowers alone???

    ReplyDelete
  60. Joni, I absolutely adore your yard! It's beautiful, and it reminds me of a secret garden. I would leave it just as it is. It's so lovely! I can see why you enjoy spending time there, particularly with those beautiful roses and all the neat garden urns, etc.

    I cannot wait to see what you are doing in your house. I know it will be fabulous. Please don't hold us in suspsense too long, okay?

    Love to you, Elisabeth, and Mr. Slippersocks Man, too...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

    ReplyDelete
  61. Beautiful patio area! I love your cream roses. Thank you for sharing with us.

    Homeowner Insurance

    ReplyDelete
  62. I love this garden - I am envious! I could sit there and sip coffee and read a book for a long, long time. It is beautiful Joni!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Hi Joni! Your roses are gorgeous!!! Love my peonies, but nothing beats a rose for dependability...and blooms for months! Thanks so much for the view. Trish

    ReplyDelete
  64. That furniture doesn't look very weather proof.

    ReplyDelete