Old Master Rose
My first Old Master was a standard rose I bought for five dollars from a sale at a local Crematorium. One of Sam McGredy's 'hand painted' roses, it looked superb in Middle Border surrounded by self sown white and lime green Nicotianas.
In the winter of 2004 I shifted my Old Master standard - just across the path, you understand. It was, after all, the right time of the year to shift a rose! I dug him well into his new spot, watered him, and laid compost gently around his base. Old Master, like a crusty old-school painter, obviously abhorred change, and seriously sulked all summer.
Old Master Rose
In the autumn of 2005 my flirtation with him finished, and he went into retirement (actually he went in the burning pile).
Second Old Master
Then off to the rose sale I went and found a shrub replacement, which I lovingly planted in the Hen House Garden. Oddly, this chap disappeared - one year he was there, a few years later he wasn't, and I have no record of shifting him.
Old Master Roses
But wait! Enter Old Master Mark Three, again rescued from the rose nursery sale. I had high hopes for him, though his original planting place was rather inhospitable, and he sat in a pot for a wee while. This Old Master has also disappeared. Too old to survive partial neglect in my garden?
Old Master Rose
Then a few years ago I offered a good country home to a group of unwanted roses, no names given. And yes, there was Old Master Mark Four - his colour markings were very obvious (he was terribly popular in New Zealand rose gardens back in the day). Mark Four was planted by Willow Bridge, out in the open sunshine by the water race. Oddly, he was rather shorter and stubbier than I'd expected. It obviously wasn't the best spot, and he soon became overrun with tall Iris confusa plants. Oops.
So I shifted him into the Hump Garden. Joy! He is finally happy! Fourth time lucky?