That sounds like such a wonderful and exciting project! Half the fun will be picking and choosing, trying to make colors and sizes fit together harmoniously, and making this one glorious, blooming area. I'm sure the neighbors are going to love this, and in a few years you'll stop traffic. I'm sure the roses in the pot ghetto are also breathing a sigh of relief. They get to go home!

Ingrid

Are you sure you didn't just have a really good dream, Aprille?
Really though, this is great news, you are going to have so much fun.

Randy

Ah, sounds like the hated juniper that is ubiquitous in the Bay Area. I understand why other people like it, but.

One of my criteria when I bought my house in the Bay Area was "no juniper, English Ivy, or bamboo." Well, one out of three ain't too bad, is it? (We got no juniper... the bamboo wasn't too awful and the ivy was an endless struggle.)

I can totally understand JOY at getting rid of a big chunk of the stuff. Totally!

-Greta

That is so exciting----Please keep us posted and pictures so we can all share your joy.

Florence

Wow, Aprille, that must have been quite a sight, trucks, chains, ugly shrubs popping out. I would be excited too. That sounds like a fun day, with the best part still to come.

How Great for you!!!!!!!

Yea!!!!!! More roses!!!

Deb

It sounds like marvelous fun for you, and you'll be beautifying the neighborhood as well! Have a great time, and congratulations on your new gardening space! And how about posting pictures later on?

Melissa

Congratulations on your new "acquisition". I know you'll have a lovely time planning and planting.

Rosefolly

Thanks guys - I knew all of you would understand my excitement! DH says the space probably is about 20 feet if not more! yeah! I did take some pictures yesterday when they were ripping everything out ...

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Aprille

It looks nice and sunny, too. Once you dig in some compost it should make a wonderful rose bed.

R

That is wonderful. Just think of all the goodies you can get in there.

Is that you "supervising?" LOL.

-Greta

It is always a joyous thing to watch such prime real estate open up. Now the hard work begins, what to plant where? :)

WhollyMoley! That's not a hedge. It's a HEDGE!!!
And a darned good thing to have GONE.

Jeri

Hi Greta - no I was behind the camera. That is my neighbour - they did the same thing with their hedge about a year ago and were very helpful. We live in a really wonderful neighborhood where everyone knows each other and on nice days all the parents and kids and everyone else is outside chatting - everyone is looking forward to the roses :o)

Aprille

What the heck was that hedge plant? It could very well have been a beautiful species ruined by cube-pruning.

Most plants should not be formed into cubes. There are some azaleas in the neighborhood like that and it brings tears to my eyes.

hoovb - I think it was Juniper and I totally agree with you about the shaping plant thing, I'm a firm believer that plants should be allowed to grow in their natural shape and hate anything that has been shaped by man. I think this hedge was planted about 20 years ago and shaped the way it was. I just could not stand it and am glad it's gone. If it does not flower or fruit I'm really not interested - no room in the garden and way too many roses waiting for permanent spots.

Aprille

It looks like a pleasant neighborhood: people around (i.e. not hiding in their houses) and mature trees and plenty of plants. And the house sizes aren't swollen beyond all reason.

Melissa

Congratulations, Aprille! I know how you feel, I've had to get rid of so much stuff to get some roses and other nice plants in.

And Greta, you sound just like me: no junipers, ivy or bamboo! Another thing I just don't really get any thrill out of are all the grasses. Spent too many years of my childhood pulling grass out of planting areas to look at it with anything but suspicion.

--Ron