Evelyn Castro-Lake shared these wonderful images of her cottage-style garden in north-west Illinois. Her garden is full of classic garden divas like roses and lilies, but she chooses tough, diseases resistance varieties that thrive in her conditions without the need for sprays.
The roses she primarily plants are from the Canadian explorer series: ‘William Baffin’ (fuschia, on the left) and ‘John Davis’ (pink, on the right) along with a climbing miniature rose ‘Jeanne Lejoie’ (pink, on the left.)
More from Evelyn’s garden:
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Comments
Good morning, It looks like you've created a perfect cottage garden with your colorful plant combinations blending beautifully together . Your terrific post is welcome on this cold,dreary morning in central Md.
Thank you & good luck, Joe
Joe, thanks much!
Evelyn
Beautiful! Love your gardens. What zone are you?
Hi, I'm in Zone 5b.
So pretty Evelyn,,,, so warm and charming and right out of Better Homes and Gardens! I love the lilies mixed in with the perennials, and just adore Raspberry Wine Monarda!, you have created a visual and sensory delight, for the butterflies and humans alike! Love the roses agains the shed,, just beautiful!!!!
Flowerlady, thanks so much. I'm so looking forward to Spring!
Happy gardening. Evelyn
Show-Stopping! Traffic stopping!
Love it all. Thanks for sharing.
Your rose framed doorway is the very definition of enchanting, Evelyn, as is the flower lined walkway. Is the beautiful cathedral type arched structure the entry to a greenhouse? I can't quite make it out. You do a wonderful job of pairing your lilies with a perennial choice that really brings out the best in both of them.
Hi Michaele, thank you! Yes, the arch is the entryway to our greenhouse. I just love gardening and can't wait for the new season to start.
Hi Evelyn, magnificent displays especially your doorway. You must have list of disease resistant roses to share if you never spray. I found disease eventually built up in my garden except for the knockout roses which I never spray. But I would love to grow other roses. Please share your list. Thanks, Nancy
Hi Nancy,
Here's my list of disease resistant hardy roses that grow really well in my Zone 5b no spray garden:
* Canadian Explorer roses:
- William Baffin, Climber, fuchsia
- John Davis, Climber, pink
- John Cabot, Climber, pink
* Kordes roses:
- Amadeus, Climber, red
- Pomponella, Shrub/climber (can be grown as a short climber, pink cupped flowers)
- Florentina, Climber, red
- Rosanna, Climber, salmon
- Rosarium Uetersen, Climber, deep salmon (the flowers are beyond stunning!)
- Quicksilver, Climber, lavender
- Laguna, Climber, deep pink
- Out of Rosenheim, Shrub, red
- Eutin, Shrub, red
- Dortmund, Climber, red, VERY thorny, shiny glossy leaves
Other favorites:
- Prairie Joy, (Shrub, light pink)
- Darlow's Enigma, (Shrub, white single petal flowers)
- Ramblin' Red,(Climber, red)
- Super Excelsa, Climber, fuchsia, very thorny (this is the repeat blooming version)
- Zephirine Drouhin, (Climber, medium pink, very fragrant)
- Jeanne Lajoie (Climber, pink miniature-love this one!)
- Dream Land (Climber, pink)
As you can see, I grow mostly climbers. I sprinkle them throughout the garden. Feed them Magic Mills a few time throughout the growing season (stop feeding by early August). I also give them a few shovelfuls of mushroom compost/cow manure (bagged from Home Depot) in early Spring. Hope this helps! Evelyn
Absolutely beautiful Evelyn! Love ❤️ all your photos.
Thank you Foxglove! Evelyn
Love, love, love your garden! Just my style and reminds me of my much loved and sorely missed garden in northern New Jersey.
Awhh..thank you BTucker!
All of the winged pollinators in the midwest must stop by and then vacation in your beautiful garden resort for the summer, Evelyn. Your lush plantings are not just a feast for human eyes, but a sumptuous buffet for all that fly!
so beautiful, some of my favorite flowers
Holy cow, would I ever like to take a stroll through your gardens. Thank you for the virtual stroll anyway! Just beautiful!
Thanks Joanna!!
So pretty!! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you everyone for all of the many wonderful compliments. This just made my day! Have a great garden season! Evelyn
Beautiful gardens Evelyn and breath-taking flowers. Enjoyed all of the mixtures and colors. What a joy on this cold NW day. :)
Meelianthus, thank you so much!
Evelyn, I absolutely love your garden. My favorite garden style is Cottage and some of my favorite flowers are Roses, Peonies, Coneflowers, Bees Balm and Salvia. It is fascinating that we have the same plants -but OMG -your eye for design is amazing. Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden. It was such an inspiration. I look forward to seeing more of your Cottage Garden.
Hi Caroline, that's my favorite style of gardening as well. Thank you for the kind words. Happy gardening! Evelyn
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