The Wyck Rose Garden has inspired me to try again to grow old roses

Last week I finally got it together to go to the Wyck Rose Garden
I can’t believe that despite living in Northwest Philly for the past 50(!) years, this was my first visit to the Wyck Rose Garden.

The roses were slightly past peak thanks to an unseasonal heat wave, but the fragrance was still overwhelming. Wyck gives these roses what they want—-full sun. There’s no getting around it; roses require full sun.

For many years I tried to grow old roses—-mostly in partial sun. I remember their names: Madame Hardy, Pierre Oger, La Reine, Rose de Rescht. I loved them, and I lost them all.

The tour guide at Wyck encouraged me to try again. She advised growing the really old roses—-damask and gallica--if I can find a spot in full sun.

I think I’m going to give it a try. It will involve pulling out some plants now in my few spots of full sun, but that fragrance is worth it!