following on roses, orchids etc. (was 40°C)
- Subject: following on roses, orchids etc. (was 40°C)
- From: V* A*
- Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2001 15:10:15 +0200
Dear all:
The 100 roses will be planted in the rose garden at La Landriana. This is
called "the valley of old fashioned roses", but there are many others,
including species, English, and modern shrubs. It is not a valley, but
rather a gentle slope overlooking the artificial lake, that was dug in the
70's. The lake plays a very important role in the management of this area,
as it mitigates the summer heat and provides a source of water for
irrigation. It was dug to control the overflow of irrigation water from
the nearby HUGE nursery, so it contains fertilizers and had many algae
problems; however, it allows us to have roses. And, answering to Moira, it
is not so uncommon in Rome to grow them, they just go dormant during the
summer, unless you water them. There is also a very nice rose garden in
Rome, with a wonderful position, overlooking the Circus Maximus and the
Patine imperial ruins. Actually, ancient Romans ADORED roses, and they
imported them from Egypt to provide petals for their banquets. Unfortunately
until now I have not been able to find any book about recommendable
vaireties for Med climates, while it goes without saying that some behave
better than others. So I have to rely only on the experience I am slowly
aquiring about this, and of course on friends' ones. For instance I find
that the moschatas are surprisingly drought resistant, if you grow them on
clay. At home some Penelope and Felicia only got four deep soakings during
last summer, and they did well. This year they will have to cope with the
same amount. I experiment, when I am free to do it; some of my roses have to
survive with very little water, some get more; in the gardens that I run
which are open to the public we obviously give more em phasis on the
general appearance and water more.
As for climate, Moira: yes, we used to have a couple of showers during the
Summer months until some years ago, but this apparently has stopped, no rain
for months now. I am so sorry for your plants, Moira, let's hope they will
recover when spring comes. Let us know if your Vriesias Rhodos survived.
I remember, Sean, seeing your fog -actually, being caught by it with very
light summer clothes- and thinking that we never experience anything like
this, not even in the winter. No wonder you can grow so many wonderful
things that require huge efforts with us.
The orchids I mentioned are for La Mortella, the garden in Ischia island,
and they are all epiphytes. The garden gets plenty of irrigation in the
lower valley, so many of these orchids can be grown outside int he summer,
noticeably cymbidiums and masdevallias. The really scented one I ordered
(but for indoor) is Oncydium Sharry Baby, which smells like chocolate. Not
very mediterranean, I am afraid; but perhaps I will be pardoned by purists
if I add that I also ordered 12 Fremontodendrons to be planted against a
very tall retaining wall in a sunny and windy position.
Cali, the potentilla is the common fruticosa Moonlight, and we prune it
rather hard in the winter, to avoid it becoming leggy and open. Plectranthus
tomentosum is also called vicks plant and I think you can try and find it
under this nickname, which is due to the distinctive fragrant foliage
recalling the Vicks vape-o-rub (a medicine for cough). A not so good photo
is at http://www.nativehabitat.com/plectranthustom.html , and it seems
easier to find some mentions in Herb-oriented sites. If you would like me
to, I can send you a photograph.
Well, I think that this is all for now.
Oh, by the way the temperatures dropped a little yesterday.
All the best
Alessandra
