Helebores and hydrangeas - I have some very shady parts of my garden, and was delighted to find that helebores will not only grow there, but bloom for 3-4 months, starting in January!

Jackie

Great Dahlia's!

Last year I found a flyer for an event at a Dahlia farm, of course the event had just happened the weekend before. But I would love to visit the Dahlia farm some time.

We have one big white one that we moved, hoping it comes back up this year, but so far no luck

I would without a thought if there were dependable bloomers in my overheated garden (triple digits today) that would complement the roses, not faint in the heat and blend in with the surrounding wild hill views. The closest I've come is pelargoniums in lilac pink and white (the whites are weak sisters compared to the pink), daylilies and reblooming irises in varying colors. One of the irises is blooming even now in the heat.

Ingrid

Yeah.... IRISES. That's my "other" obsession. However, this yr I have decided no more, and I'm even tossing them as I dig out the masses of them. Too many, too invasive, too short of bloom time, too messy after they're done. I also have tons of lilies, dahlias, and various other underplantings, many of which are being dug out permanently as I get to them. I got way too out of control. I'm getting too old and too tired to deal with all these plants. I barely keep them watered. Can't keep up with the deadheading, not only of the roses, but the other plants too. Weeds everywhere. I just don't have the time (or desire) anymore....

I have temporary flirtations--latest was with hosta when I decided to update my ancient hosta beds that suffered badly some years ago when that giant sycamore had to be taken out. I really got into it for the update--just like with roses--looking up multiple sources for particular hosta--chatting twice daily on the hosta forum--visiting my new hosta at least 6 times a day (just to make sure they were all right, you know)--the whole ball of wax.

That was just a few weeks ago--and suddenly it is over. Here I am worrying about my roses in the triple-digit heat. They are beginning to show considerable stress--and one Molineux bush just shriveled up and turned brown from top to bottom. Haven't a clue why. Guess I should not have spent so much time with the hosta--my roses needed me!

I occasionally have such flings with lilies, clematis, and hydrangeas--but roses are the only ones that hold me in the long run.

Kate

Beth, your killing me with the tossing of the iris's (except for those blasted African iris that want to pop up like grass all over)

I have been splitting and moving our iris rhizomes and putting some back down in the chicken zone where they came from. We only have the shorter white ones and the common purplish ones. But other than cutting the dead tops off, they don't get any care other than rain water and the water they can find on their own.

I suppose our other nutty thing is finding the naturalized daff bulbs and planting them in different areas too. Digging in one area I found over a 5g bucket worth. We relocated those once the digging was done. I know there are many more buckets worth scattered around. And I have already been thinking of where to add more.

We also have a lot of naked lady bulbs. But most of our time and water goes to the many times larger than the rose bed veggie garden. Busy looking at ways to can up much of the extras.

Oh yes, I cheat! lol. Mostly with Daylilies (50+), but also with Dahlias ('bout 20). One of my dinnerplate dahlias are getting ready to bloom now. Yay!

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I have fallen in love with heucheras ! They have the most beautiful foliage, require little care, some cultivars are drought resistant, some re-bloom, they don't appear to have many pests. They grow in shade or sun conditions, depending on the cultivar. Most are hardy for my zone. They can be grown in containers or not. Many tolerate poor soil. They don't need to be fed a lot. AND ... MANY are deer resistant.

I've found a plant for deer territory out in front of my house that is actually quite interesting !

Creating beds with contrasting foliage ranging through deep burgandies, reds, oranges, chocolates, lime green, yellow can keep me as intersted as creating beds of roses of different classes, bloom forms and colors.

Smiles,
Lyn

Roses are my love...I have around 150.I have day lilies...around 50 and I love them. They compliment my roses, I think. Oriental lilies are one of my favorites. They take little room and can grow up by or thru the roses. I fight rabbits and disease with the lilies,tho. I would hate to give them up, but I have not had good luck with them,, BAA!!! I have lots of perennials,too. I guess I just feel blessed to have my garden. I love it so. Wish I could post a picture..I am computer stupid!! But I do love my little garden. Lesley

Beautiful! I only have Roses and Tall Bearded Iris right now. But would love to try Dahlia's and Daylilies.

Oh, I have lots of loves, lol! I have four big pots that are planted with dahlias and four big pots that have begonias. Potting them makes it easier for me to dig them out in the fall to save for the next spring. There are several types of iris, poppies, hardy hibiscus and lilies. Then there are the clems, peonies, hydrangeas and columbines. Not to mention the fruits, veggies, herbs and a host of annual pots. All that and 200+ roses too! Sheesh! No wonder I'm tired!

I am with Beth.

I have two more beds where I had planned to plant roses when laid out the garden. That's not going to happen. I am not digging holes in rock any more. I'm too old to even want to try to go through that kind of labor.

I dug up and threw out most of my bearded irises this year. The only ones left are the ones I haven't gotten to because there is just too much work to get to that project. It will happen.

I am building a raised bed for some roses a friend has propagated for me, but that's it for roses. Yes, I love them, but I don't like working this hard in triple digit temps.

I still need to fill those two beds, but I don't want anything that needs to be deadheaded or divided.

I want to enjoy my garden.

Smiles,
Lyn

Lilies of every kind, dahlias (190 this year) and Roses, over 200. Then there are the companion plants to blend them together. And Zinnias (When we have a good year for them), and hydrangeas! Blueberries. Raspberries...Grasses....

I never get bored or stay bored!

Hostas and hellebores for the shade, huechera ad hydrangeas for the part shade, agastache and snapdragons for full sun.