Comments on: Posies of roses and other allotmenty things

By: Suzy

Suzy — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:36:30 +0000

Dear Helen
I thoroughly enjoyed your original article in the Telegraph about cutting roses in an allotment but have subsequently discovered that I have lost the carefully cut-out piece of newspaper. I wondered if you could possibly let me know your recommendations other than those mentioned in your blog above. I seem to remember that you suggested about half a dozen that were particularly good.
Many thanks for your help. I look forward to planting your suggestions and reading many more of your articles.
Suzy Hill

By: Gracia Hagy

Gracia Hagy — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:43:57 +0000

I am continually adding to my gardening info. Thanks for the post!

By: Reimar Engellage

Reimar Engellage — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:24:45 +0000

I’ve to ask for a excuse because I wrote the website URL of Richards website wrong. The right URL is: http://www.zats-perennials.com and the date he past his way were the December 28. 2009 not the 29.

I had a food poisoning the last few days and were under havy medicine

Thanks a lot. Reimar

By: Helen

Helen — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:06:06 +0000

Thanks Reimar. I have written a piece about Richard here today. I hope people will look at his book online.

By: Reimar Engellage

Reimar Engellage — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:18:48 +0000

Unfortunate I have to post the bad news that my long year and very close friend Richard G.Z. Zatloukal has past his way on December 29. 2009 after a heart failure.

If someone is interested in his work, please feel free to take a look at his website: Zatloukal’s Perennials at: http://zats-perennilas.com

Thank you very much.

By: Richard Zatloukal

Richard Zatloukal — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:35:31 +0000

Funny way to spell ‘despite’ — unless you were being frightfully clever in a way that has escaped me. But you know me — the eternal pedant (well, I’ve been correcting your spelling for nearly 40 years!)
The only roses I have ever planted are Rosa moyesii ‘Geranium’ (now, apparently, known as Rosa ‘Geranium’), Rosa xanthina ‘Canary Bird’ and Rosa glauca (much better name than ‘Rubrifolia’). You may deduce a particular leaning in these choices.
Now, in Thailand, I don’t even try to grow roses, particularly here in hot Bangkok. The roses sold to tourists in the bar areas are totally scent-free and so are sprayed with rose scent before being toted around!

By: patientgardener

patientgardener — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:31:40 +0000

I too love the idea of growing roses on the allotment. I am about to apply for one but suspect there will be a long waiting list. I use the varigated mint with bunches of flowers as well – it lasts a long time in water

By: VP

VP — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:33:36 +0000

Definitely go for a potato fork. I found a lovely ancient second hand one at my garden centre and the weight and feel of it is just right. Not one skewered spud last year (when I usually have so many) and much easier on the back too. The soil breaks up much better around the tines too, so you also find many more spuds rather than them becoming next year’s ‘volunteers’.

By: Amalee Issa

Amalee Issa — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 05:50:00 +0000

Roses to spare? Blimey, that really is nirvana. And I love having vases of flowers all over the house too.
Now about the, “Shall I buy a potato spade?” Helen, if you want to buy a spade that only works a handful of weeks in the year, why not! But it might be a good idea to go to Marks instead and buy some fabulous drawers, cos they work all year round and make you feel fabulous long after the potatoes are harvested…
I can’t believe I’m writing this on a serious blog.

By: emma townshend

emma townshend — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 21:44:13 +0000

So jealous. I can’t imagine there being a better life than one where you have roses to spare. I have only just discovered the joy of growing my own flowers. Next year I am going to give up on being a half-hearted, unmotivated vegetable allotment grower, and just do flowers, which get me up at 6am to go and pick. I feel such love for how beautiful they are. I have bought Sarah Raven and I am scheming, long-term. I think this posy has a beautiful simplicity though – she keeps going on about layering flowers of different categories / foliage, and I am quite happy to see one kind of a flower in a vase. Oh my god, I must stop wittering!