Listing last updated on 12 Jun 2022.

Germany

Not a garden in a classical sense, but grassland where an apple orchard is going to be established (also used as pasture for sheep). Eifel is the name of the region in Germany, it's close to the Belgian border. The soil is of volcanic origin. It is an ancient agricultural region. Some of today's roads were built more than two thousand years ago by the Romans.

I want to plant my not-so-shade-tolerant roses there (those who suffer in my shady garden, or get too big) and my seedlings. They will be subject to extreme conditions though: full sun, no irrigation, exposed to wind and the harsh inland climate of 550m above sea. Eifel does not have the mild climate of the neighboring Rhine, Mosel or Ahr River Valleys, where they make excellent local wine.

I garden organically, so I don't spray, but my roses will have to handle whatever my neighbouring farmer sprays onto his field. Also, my land is not fenced, so all my plants will need some protection against sheep, rabbits, deer and wild boars.

For my breeding programme I try to collect hardy, robust and fragrant roses. I love both blood-red and apricot coloured roses, but have no delusions about the hardiness of orange roses. Also, a healthy, self-sufficient, fragrant rose never has an ugly colour or habit. I select for function, not form.