Pamela’s FAVOURITE RPOSES
“I’m a rose addict!” says Pamela. “I can’t get enough of them: climbers, shrubs, David Austins.” Here are some favourites:
‘Ashram’ (Hybrid Tea) Striking tangerine blooms. Resistance to black spot. 1.2m ‘Bonica’ (Meilland Floribunda) Masses of petite, mid-pink blooms. Never stops flowering. 1.2m
‘Falstaff’ (David Austin) Gorgeous, deep crimson, cupped blooms with an old-world fragrance. 1.6m
‘Lamarque’ (Climbing) Exquisite 1830s Noisette climber. White with lemon centre. Repeats well. Very fragrant. 3m
‘Mary Rose’ (David Austin) Classic double pink shrub rose. Never stops flowering. Strong honey and almond blossom fragrance. 1.2m
‘Moonstone’ (Hybrid Tea) Impeccable form. Ivory-white blooms with shell-pink edging. One of the best roses for a hot, dry climate. Breathtakingly beautiful. 1.2m
‘Pierre de Ronsard’ (Climbing) This rose reminds Pamela of coconut ice. Glossy foliage. Repeats well. 2.5m
‘Sally Holmes’ (Shrub) Tall with white single blooms and apricot buds. Mild fragrance. 2m
‘Tranquillity’ (David Austin) Beautiful vigorous rose with perfect white rosettes. Thrives in full sun. 1.2m
“We were desperate for water in December and January,” explains Pamela. “One day it was 46°C for a few hours, and we lost so many plants.” When it rained in late January, the garden bounced back, although several trees fell over during the storms.
“The climate can be quite brutal here,” she adds. “You have to go with the flow and adapt, planting what will survive.” Over the years, Pamela’s plant selections have evolved to include more plants with lower water requirements. “I’ve always loved dry and Mediterranean plants, and I’m a huge rose and salvia enthusiast.”
To make the garden more drought resistant, Pamela plans to install water-storage tanks, and manage the run-off and catchment of rainwater on the sloping property to ensure the water has every opportunity to soak into the garden instead of being wasted.
Broad, sweeping kikuyu lawns, which are often a casualty in times of drought, follow the contours of the gently sloping block. These rely predominantly on natural rainfall, and the tree canopy is high enough to let in plenty of sunlight, which maintains good grass cover, even in winter. The mature tree canopy also provides protection from prevailing winds, and the birdlife here is plentiful and diverse. With these factors and the shelter of deciduous trees, the garden has developed its own microclimate over the years.
None of the plants in Pamela’s garden are pampered. When a plant grows and performs well, it stays and is often repeated. “I am a firm believer in the right plant in the right spot. Plants have to be happy in the soil and the climate,” says Pamela. “I’m always striving for that elusive vision of beauty. It’s challenging and stimulating, and it just keeps getting better.”