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| This is the family portrait on the Ichaboat hood. |
I had a tall order for October 10 - find as many roses as possible for a promotion at North Arkansas Chiropractic. Chris has been seeing him for pain management, and he is very good. Chris was greatly improved over a period of time and continues to go. I do well if I keep in shape, but I have also appreciated his work.
Fortunately, we had two rains last week, but I also supplemented with some watering on Saturday. We had cold nights, which slowed down the blooming, but sunny days over 70 degrees. The white KnockOuts decided to provide some great, delicate, five-petaled roses. The pink KnockOut gave up only one. The reds had quite a few blooms in great shape.
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| A white KnockOut hogs the camera space here, and a red KO shows off its profile. |
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| The orange Easy Does It rose is just behind the Paradise rose. |
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| A double red KnockOut rose makes a beautiful miniature. |
The biggest change has been more attention paid to growing host plants for beneficial insects - thanks to Jessica Walliser and Sharon Lovejoy. The rose garden is surrounded by Spirea and now enjoys Mountain Mint, Cat Mint, and Horse Mint to attract beneficial bugs.
Our helper found a good supply of cardboard and finished the back of the Wild Garden. We have had good success with suppressing most weeds in the back, although various plants are left alone - like Pokeweed and Queen Ainn's Lace - and new shade plants are being introduced.
We also obtain more pine needles for the Hosta garden. In mulching we need more pine needles and dozens of leaf bags. Our helper even begged a flatbed driver to deliver all his bags to our house. He refused.
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| Paradise, multi-colored, is past its peak, but it performs well and blooms often. |
