Kelly's Cottage
Garden Roses


Roses and Perennials



Garden Tour


We bought this property 5 years ago.  Located on the southwest slopes in Jugiong NSW.
 40 acres on a gentle hillside over looking the river valley below.  The climate zone is 9a,
with hot dry summers and frosty wet winters.

Consisting of paddocks and the house there was no garden at all.
The first year was spent laying out the 2 acre garden, terracing, putting in paths and fences and
fighting weeds!  I started by planting trees and natives. The hillside was very exposed to wind
and this helped to create pockets of protection.  Over the next 3 years I planted roses and perennials. 
I also added 2 pergolas and several arches, a pond, birdbaths and bird houses.

Improving the granite soil was well worth the effort. I can only guess at the number of tons of sheep manure
that was dug in to a good depth. Lucerne as mulch is spread several times of year with more sheep
manure added as a top dressing.  All garden green waists are chipped up and spread as
mulch or go into the compost heap.

When we moved in we seldom had birds near the house, but now we have many birds that live in our garden
or visit daily. I do not use pesticides so the birds are a great help with insect control. Lizards
and frogs have also moved in and do their part. There is now a large resident population of ladybirds and
parasitic aphid wasps. Kangaroos do frequent the paddocks but the 6 foot garden fence
keeps them away from my roses.

It was during these first few years that I came to find Old Garden Roses. I had initially planted modern HT's,
which were plagued by black spot and suffered badly during the long hot summer. They really looked dreadful!
I was not going to use chemical fungicides in my garden and was in the process of removing the Ht's.
This was when I met Larry, who introduced me to the Tea roses, and I have not looked back since!

  My passion for Old Garden Roses has continued to grow
as they have proven to be such excellent garden plants. Not only are they healthy,
but are evergreen and bloom profusely all year. They are so much more attractive in form and
mix in perfectly with my cottage perennials and native plants.

I still have heaps of new plans and ideas to put in place, but I am very pleased with the garden so far.
Each year as it matures, it takes on more personality and charm and is beginning to have a feeling
of permanence. Every morning I cannot wait to go out into the garden!



Please allow to fully load, there are 30 pics on each photo tour.





Cottage Perennials


 List of Roses


Rose Photos


Available Roses


The Rose Review


Rose Culture


Tea Roses


Links and Things


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