Temps are still in the 80’s in Alabama. Hard to believe that we are already seeing the temps of summer this early in the year. We did have several days of rain last week and that has helped push the garden into bloom. While cleaning out the gutters on Saturday, I took an “Ariel” shot of the garden which I have included here along with a few shots the roses, iris and amaryllis that are blooming this week in our Alabama garden.
Tall Beaded Iris
Amaryllis
‘Sunny Knock Out” Rose
Ariel View of Our Little Garden
“Gypsy” hybrid Tea & “Cotton Candy” Tall Bearded Iris
Tall Bearded Iris
This bed of iris’s came from my mother in-law’s Tennessee Garden
The first bouquet of the year. A gift for a friend.
‘Mary Rose’ & ‘Gypsy’
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About Chris VanCleave - America's Favorite Rose Gardener
Christopher R. VanCleave – America’s Favorite Rose Gardener
Nicknamed "The Redneck Rosarian”, Chris VanCleave is passionate about gardening and growing roses. He is an active member of the Birmingham chapter of the American Rose Society, serving two terms as President. In 2007, he created the Rose Chat Podcast which has reached over a half a million listeners with news and information on growing on growing the world’s most beloved flower, the rose.
He was a contributor to the 2015 Southern Living Gardening Book, has appeared on P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home television show and was featured in the June 2015 issue of Southern Living Magazine. Locally, Chris serves as Chairman of the Helena Alabama Beautification Board where he has spearheaded efforts to create a sustainable landscape in one of the top one hundred places to live in the United States.
His writing is seen at About.com and on his popular website; RedneckRosarian.com, where he chronicles his gardening adventures and explores an intrinsic mix of life, faith and gardening.
An agent of change with over 20 years’ experience in process innovation, Mr. VanCleave is leading the charge to reinvigorate horticultural societies and helping them to reach their full potential in the social media age.
The Redneck Rosarian 
wonderful photos Chris. Your garden is so lovely. I would love to see it when all your roses are blooming!
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I’m gonna try to get back on the ladder when all are in bloom!
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thank you for this posting! love looking at both the plants and the lovely way you arranged them in your gardens. My only question is that I noticed several raised beds: did you build them yourself? every where I look the cost is so prohibitive but the results are so alluring. I did notice that most list a bar to connect sides to reduce bulging and small holes with pvc piping to remove water run off. but no one lists the means of watering?
Thank you for listening to my blur! your garden is a delight !
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Yes, I build these beds myself using six 2′ x 6′ treated fence boards and sturdy cuts of wood blocks in the corners and in the middle for bracing and as connecting points attaching all using roofing nails. I use four of the boards for the sides and cut two of the boards in half for the ends. Since the wood is treated I would not use for veggies only flowers. Seepage from the treated wood could contaminate edibles….. It costs me about $10 for wood and nails for each bed. Building them has been trial and error. Every new one gets better and better. Guess its the redneck in me….. Thanks for your kind words…They are much appreciated.
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These are just beautiful! We got a false start on spring up here and now anticipate some snow… so I’m savoring the garden glimpses you share 🙂
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I hope a permanent spring arrives soon for you!
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Beautiful Chris. I just love the first Iris. What a mix of pretty colors it has. I can hardly wait until mine blooms. Even though I should not rush the season. That is a wonderful over view of your garden. Look at all of those roses! Love it. Have a wonderful week.
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Lona, Thanks. The iris have really shown out this year. Can’t wait to see all our roses in bloom.
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Super Idea on the beds. May I try those too!?
also, how do you water???
I have several gardens. around the peripheral of the house. nothing is a raised bed tho I so would like it. I walk around when I can, with a hose. its sooo very time consuming and hate to say it back breaking. I cannot figure out how to water everything from one spout in the front and one in the back of the house!
Thank you!
ps: I took all my rocks from around my roses after seeing your beds. and bought several bags of shredded Cedar.. thinking of fungal spray first and then a layer of the cedar?
after being in the hospital for almost a yr and then back again, my gardens took such a hit. add to that a neighbor that waters constantly.. and yes, over her fence onto my roses. argh. I don’t speak spanish and she refuses to even listen when I have tried to have others speak to her so I know its up to me to try to protect them this year. sorry for the missive
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I water all 100+ roses by hand. I know, I’ll say it; it is back breaking work. I am now looking at dripworks.com and checking into a drip irrigation system. Not sure how I will hook it all together. Good to spray then mulch. Be sure to spray the ground as well as the shrubs, then apply mulch. Take it easy don’t do too much! I do a little each day.. I hate that about your neighbor. Maybe you should start taking her some blooms, maybe then she’ll listen…..
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Pingback: Blooming Monday – What’s In Bloom In My Alabama Garden | Garden Roses | Scoop.it
It was nearly 90F yesterday here, and rain and 50’s expected for Wednesday. Weird weather the past year, eh? My Iris don’t hold up to heat; it looks like yours do a lot better…
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