Zéphirine Drouhin
This beautiful old Bourbon rose is a constant reminder of my parents. It
was one of their favourite roses and they gave Barry and me our first plant.
It is a good rose for beginners as it is easy to grow, is
virtually thornless and has a sweet, mouth-watering fragrance. It will also
grow in poor soils. It likes to climb but is not rampant, not growing much
beyond 10’. Since its introduction in 1868 it has become a firm favourite both with
‘proper’ gardeners and those who dabble. It’s a rewarding rose and when it’s regularly
dead-headed will flower continuously until November. It’s fully hardy so needs
no special winter coddling. It is prone to mildew unless there is plenty of air
circulating around it and is also a favourite with aphids – what isn’t?
The last photo could be called ‘The A-Z of Gardening’ – Aphids
on Zéphirine Drouhin.
Zonal pelargonium (Pelargonium x hortorum)
The Free Dictionary gives this definition: zonal pelargonium - an upright geranium having scalloped leaves with a broad
colour zone inside the margin and white or pink or red flowers.
Pelargoniums
are often erroneously called geraniums. Geraniums are hardy, herbaceous
perennials. Pelargoniums are evergreen perennials native to southern Africa and
are tolerant of heat and drought. In temperate climates they are grown as tender
annuals, a favourite in summer gardens.
