Rita, you might try putting some blood meal on the ground. it keeps the rabbits off my plants, not sure on the squirrels.
My roses have a nice little flush going on. i took inventory this morning. Looks like I have 48 different Austin roses, plus 3 that have lost their tags. Summer Song didn't make it, and nobody is carrying it that I can find. Maybe it was a weak rose? My Summer Sun, from Kordes, is full and gorgeous. I planted both at the same time. I think both came from Palatine. Sue, did you buy both also? Are they both healthy?
The five new ones Austin has for 2014 are distinct from his earlier intros. They are beauties! Most likely, I'll order all five. My wish list from earlier years includes 'England's Rose', 'Skylark', 'Princess Anne', 'Tam O'Shanter', climbing 'Wedgewood Rose', 'St. Alban', 'Pilgrim' and 'Sister Elizabeth'. Hopefully, I'll add at least three from that group. The 'Fighting Temeraire' that I bought this year is still in bloom. I don't usually order singles, but this one has an interesting color blend. It has just a tad of blackspot, but it is planted in a crowded area without much air circulation. It also doesn't get enough sun. Once I remove a few overgrown shrubs, it will be happier. So many of the Austins look alike. I am particularly searching for new ones that still have the sturdy growth habits, the disease resistance, the scent, but aren't a look-alike to ones I have.
None of the new rose catalogs have arrived here yet, so I'm searching online. Are any other companies offering Austins?
