Thursday, February 08, 2007ROBB ROSSER for The Columbian
How do I love thee? A lot. Would it be enough to say I'd love you to the depth and breadth that a dandelion's roots could reach? How about, "I love you enough to dig to the depth of a small, ornamental pond." This may not sound romantic to everyone on Valentine's Day but I guarantee you this is an offer no gardener could refuse. Slip a packet of wild flower seeds into a Valentine's Day card and watch your garden sweetheart swoon.
Paper hearts, sweet treats and sugar kisses don't have the impact they had when we were ten or twelve. Not every cliche carries the panache it once did. Only one person I know would truly appreciate the gift of a pound of chocolates. She makes it clear that immediate gratification is more important to her than fitting into anything petite from Victoria's Secret. Most of my friends would thank me with a cringe, knowing they now had to fight a battle between staying on a healthy diet and eating the whole box in one sitting.
Times have changed. That includes how we celebrate a romantic holiday like Valentine's Day. I would venture a guess that most gardeners would prefer a new, disease resistant shrub rose over a pound of chocolates. Better yet, I think a gift of two or three (OK, maybe half a dozen) deluxe, cream filled chocolates from a fine chocolatier included with a gift certificate to Heirloom Roses in St. Paul, Oregon would elicit the best response on Valentine's Day.
There is any number of pure red roses you could choose to symbolize your heartfelt love. The David Austin English rose, 'L.D.Braithwaite' is a fully double, fragrant, old rose that many consider the finest red English rose. 'William Shakespeare' is a magnificent rose in deepest crimson that ages to a red so rich it becomes almost purple. Like other English roses, this one has a heady, old rose fragrance.
Caring for roses in the Northwest can be a tricky task with our long rainy spells in winter and spring followed by extended draught in late summer. Heirloom Roses has taken great care to give you virus free, own root roses for better bloom, winter hardiness and long plant life. 'Razzle Dazzle' and 'Braveheart' are two roses I've admired for their clear, deep red color. For a looser, more casual look in roses, 'Peter Beales' is a single, strikingly rich crimson red with a pronounced golden center and a nice perfume.
For the gardener who appreciates the perfect form of a red, hybrid tea rose there are 'Crimson Glory,' 'Alec's Red' and 'Intrigue.' 'Mr. Lincoln' is a well-known hybrid tea with long, pointed buds that open into perfectly formed roses on long stems. This is a rose so red that the texture resembles velvet. The strong damask fragrance will take your sense of smell to new heights. Many consider 'Oklahoma' the most beautiful and fragrant of the darkest red roses. (Heirloom Roses www.heirloomroses.com/ 503-538-1576)
The romantic notion of the red, red heart can be played out in many plants that aren't even in bloom at this time of year. Give the gift of any winter plant with hints of red in bark and berry for a twist on an old tradition. There are numerous shrubs that carry a pay load of bright red berries through the winter months and into spring. In addition to the ornamental interest of berries on holly, cotoneaster and viburnum is the draw the berries have on overwintering birds.
Among the hollies, Ilex x meserveae "Blue Princess" and I. x "Blue Prince" produce huge clusters of red berries that contrast well with the blue toned leaves and stems. Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red' is a deciduous holly so the abundant red fruits appear especially vibrant on bare branches. Choose a low growing cotoneaster such as C. dammeri or C. salicifolia 'Scarlet Leader' for a vigorous plant that will cover large areas, including steep slopes, in sun or light shade. Beginning in fall the berries glow above a dense mat of dark green leaves.
Even the neighborhood grocery store will be selling four inch pots of early spring primrose and tulips by the time Valentine's Day rolls around. The best garden stores will have cedar planters filled with an abundant mix of primrose, daffodils and rich, red early tulips. As old fashioned as it may be, Valentine's Day still holds a powerful sway in our romantic lives. Few things will delight your Sweetie more than knowing that you splurged with him or her in mind. Just like the best gardens, love is nothing if not generous.
Source: Columbian.com - Serving Clark County, Washington
