“Maturing Garden”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana
While I have been gardening for many years, it is only in the last few years that my garden has started to look like I envisioned it eventually would. It seems as if the garden is finally starting to mature. Plants that were small for so many years have, it seems, suddenly grown big enough to make a nice showing. Because I have a very shady garden with clay soil, it has taken longer for plants to reach a good size as it has taken a while to improve the soil. Of course, the shade didn’t help, either.
One plant that is showing it has matured is a climbing rose bush my mother gave me. For years, this rose has grown slowly and put out a sparse flush of blooms. This year, however, it is finally looking good. If it was in more sun, this would have happened a lot sooner, but I am glad there is a good show this year.
I am not sure of the name of this rose as my mother started with a cutting from a friend. I do know that it was very popular in the ’60’s, and it is often seen in the older neighborhoods around here.
One of the nice aspects of this rose is the cluster of blooms it makes. Since the flowers open at different times, there is often many shades of pink in the cluster. This may be why some people call this rose Seven Sisters, but I am not convinced this is the correct name for this particular climber.
I am just happy this rose has finally gotten some growth on it. I have noticed, especially this spring, that many of the plants in my garden seem to have grown into their mature size. Finally, the garden is starting to look like I always hoped it would.
Always Growing 
RobinL said,
May 4, 2010 at 8:22 pm
That is gorgeous climbing rose! We’ll be putting in my new trellis soon, so I’m shopping for a great climber.
Aunt Jeannie said,
May 4, 2010 at 10:55 pm
I am wondering if this is a Peggy Martin rose (the name is fairly new). A Peggy Martin is either thornless or almost thornless. Whatever it is, it is beautiful. I am trying to get a Blog Roll of Louisiana blogs so if you know of any that do flowers, please let me know.
Jan said,
May 9, 2010 at 8:54 am
Yes, my rose does appear to be “Peggy Martin”. After reading the story about how Peggy Martin’s rose survived Katrina and learning that she had tried to find out the name of this old rose for years, I know this has to be the same one. My mother started hers in the early ’60’s from a friend’s bush. It grows all over the New Orleans area esp. in the older neighborhoods, so this sounds like it. Thanks for the info.
Janet said,
May 5, 2010 at 6:29 am
It is a true beauty Jan. Nice showing this year, hope for many more for years to come.
nancybond said,
May 5, 2010 at 6:42 am
Such a beautiful pink — I like climbing roses very much, partially because of their smaller, compact blooms. Yours are simply lovely.
kate/high altitude gardening said,
May 6, 2010 at 11:20 am
Oooh… what a pretty pink color. I’m 7 years into my garden and it is just starting to do what I’d hoped it would. They certainly are a labor of love…
deborahelliott said,
May 7, 2010 at 6:33 pm
It is a great reward and a blessing, to stay put long enough to see a garden mature. And the joy is in the making, because a garden is never done! The pink rose on the arch is truly lovely. Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer said,
May 8, 2010 at 8:22 pm
What a lovely pink rose! I have not had good luck with roses that have to contend with shade.