Teasing Georgia and Golden Celebration are way too big.

Crown Princess gets huge; she needs her own zip code. I have her growing on a big round 7' trellis. She has a penchant for swallowing her smaller neighbors.

Hello, fellow Gopher Fighter ;oP

I have not grown any of the roses you listed, though several are on my wishlist, but I thought I might share which companion plants have resisted gopher attack in my gardens. These perennials usually have either poisonous or strongly flavored roots and stems, they can suffer some nibbling but are tough enough to shrug it off. I like to use them to fill in between the plants in cages like roses and clematis.

Lavender, Salvia, Yarrow, Penstamon, and Mexican Daisies are my standbys, Foxglove and Heuchera do well in part shade, and bulbs for seasonal color like Muscari, Narcissus, Crocosmia, and Belladonna Lily. There are also lots of sedges and ornamental grasses that the gophers around here seem to ignore.

A tip I picked up for prepping for garden parties is to get some nice looking annuals in pots and just bury the pot for the duration of the party. It gives you instant blooms without transplant shock, and afterwards you can either plant them, or pot them up, or give them away.

I hope you have a great party!

TerryJean-How much bigger than your 7 foot trellis is Crown Princess?

Michael-your a different zone so guessing mine would grow even bigger, but how tall is your too tall?

Seven feet tall would work, but I don't want to drown out Grandmothers Hat and RdV. The wall is 25-30' long (one end has a lower window.

Peachy-thanks for the planting ideas. We already had some narcissus bulbs and I have plenty of Neked Ladies I can move around. Plus my favorite companion plants are the Lavender and Salvia so hopefully the gopher beasts leave the bed alone and the lawn in front of it. We only have a postage stamp of grass under the clothes line but at 88 I can't have mom falling in gopher holes hanging out her danties!

CPM is one vigorous Austin. In addition to being about 7' tall, CPM has multiple long octupus arms and is very bushy, even though I believe she is classified as a climber. Mine has thrown up multiple basals and has gotten very wide, demanding its share of the hillside and crowding out its lesser neighbors and hogging the sun. She demands alot of real estate and I think she really should be used more as a specimen rose. I have a clematis growing through her, she's that sturdy. Even in my winter wonderland of Zone 5, she is canehardy and shrugs off the cold; always pretty much in perpetual bloom except when the JBs are devouring the luscious apricot blooms. She's one of my favs; just hard to contain because I totally underestimated her mature size and planted other roses way too close. In your zone, I'd plan on giving CPM a wide berth of at least 7' so as to not crowd out any other roses.

I'm with Peachy -- Plant something else.

Drive down to Nopalito in Ventura (SOON! They're going out of business) and buy a Salvia in deep purple or blue, or a smallish (Hidcot or Munstead) Lavender.

Or maybe Sticky Monkey Flower, if you want yellow.

We particularly love salvias, and plant them wherever we can.
I just got a 'Winnifred Gilman' S. clevelandii, which is dark-blue. These plants won't take much water, and they don't need much care. If they get too big, whack 'em back.

Jeri

Jeri,

I love Salvias and Lavenders and have bunch already. I put in the Hidcote Lavenders I had planned picked up and then decided they needed more room before I put them in. I have Munsteads by the other rose bed, Goodwin Creeks and thought about Provence for a different planter, but the ones here look a bit sad. One end of the bed that was full of the black and blue salvia, but the shasta daisy was killing them off.

Anyone know if the Russian Sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, is off the gopher menu? The neighbors ones look great and they are closer to the source of the invading gophers.

I was poking holes in the lawn today to see if I can find more of their tunnels and have a couple of spots that might be bigger nest spaces. After tomorrows party next door I might dig those sections of lawn up and see if I can trap the varmints.

Back to the rose drawing boards!

Grandmother's Hat and RdV both had some nice roots wanting to sneak out the bottom of their pots already and are now in wire lined spaces in the bed.

Kippy:

I found a terrific website. See:
"So what won't gophers eat? Among the safest bets are daffodils and naked ladies (Amaryllis belladonna). Some other plants that show up often on "gophers won't eat" lists are columbine (aquilegia), artemesia, ceanothus, rock rose (cistus), breath of heaven (coleonema), foxglove (digitalis), lantana, lavender, mimulus, heavenly bamboo (nandina), Indian hawthorn (rhaphiolepis), rosemary, and native or other perennial salvias. Keep in mind, however, that food choices of mammal pests are not entirely predictable."\

There's more, too, at the website below.

Also:

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What plants DON'T gophers eat?
Catch All, posted by Miss Gardner, a resident of Half Moon

Aquilegia Achillea
Artemesia Arctostaphylos
Buddleja Armeria alliacea
Ceanothus species Coreopsis auriculata
Cistus varieties Coreopsis verticillata
Festuca californica Echium fastuosum
Juncus Geranium
Lavandula Lithodora diffusa
Lonicera nitida �Baggessen�s Penstemon
Gold� Phlox
Mimulus Polystichum
Ribes species Rubus
Rosmarinus Santolina
Salvia (native & perennials) Scabiosa
Sidalcea Sisyrinchium bellum
Westringia Solanum jasminoides
Stipa arundinacea
Teucruim cussonii
Thyme
Tulbaghia

Jeri

Here is a link that might be useful: Gopher-Resistant plants

Jude the Obscure is one of my favorite Austins--absolutely the best scent and beautiful flowers, blooms constantly here. It is a reasonably sized bush here. CPM and Teasing Georgia are big here, so I'm guessing they'd be true monsters there.

I also have Strawberry hill, it may get a big large for the space you have, here it is a 5 foot rangy bush, blooms constantly with light pink blooms with myrhh fragrance.

Golden Celebration stays a bit smaller here, an arching 3-4 foot bush with no tendency to climb or turn into a monster.

Of the ones above, Jude is the one I couldn't imagine living without. Truly a marvelous rose.

Kippy...

That's for the heads-up about Shasta Daisys being attractive to gophers. It's always something. I was going to plant some SDs out in front of my house in what I call deer territory until I read your post.

I got my first gopher hole in the lawn about a week ago and the lady at the plant center said to stuff some rotten fish guts in the gopher hole and then s/he will leave and not bring the whole family back to my garden. I actually was able to get some fish guts at the market from the butcher as he had just cleaned some fish to put out. So far, no more gopher holes nor any damaged plants ... but I won't be planting SDs out there.

Jeri ... thanks for the list and the link.

Smiles,
Lyn

IIRC, Heirloom grew Jude The Obscure as a climber, up in OR. I suspect it'd be pretty tall in SoCal. And I KNOW that Golden Celebration is far larger than 3-4 ft. We need to remember there's a big difference bet. Z-5, and Z-24. :-)

Jeri

IIRC, Heirloom grew Jude The Obscure as a climber, up in OR. I suspect it'd be pretty tall in SoCal. And I KNOW that Golden Celebration is far larger than 3-4 ft. We need to remember there's a big difference bet. Z-5, and Z-24. :-)

Jeri

Any thoughts on Crocus Rose?

Jeri, I had read that article too. They had quite a variety of plants on their list.

I have found them tunneling under one of our columbines, they did some damage cause the plant is showing stress. But it is alive still.

Lyn, I was really surprised, the gophers left the roots on the shasta daisy alone, but would run and chew the leaves of. Lots of little munched leaf stems. We have skunks visiting and digging up the new lavenders and making little v shaped "holes" where they are hunting for bugs. They like the fish fertilizer I hear, so no fish guts down our gopher holes. Although the contents of the indoor cats litter box is tucked in the tunnels. (new cat who is scared outside)

One thing I noticed, when raiding the onions in the garden, it left all the garlic alone and tunneled in under the entry and on the side with no society garlic. No tunnels where the society garlic is planted (of course they just run thru it instead when heading over from the neighbors) But they don't seem to like it at all.

Kippy...

I think the local fox has scared all of the skunks away. They haven't been around since the fox arrived. I think my cat has the fox trained to leave him alone. The fox grabbed Scamp's tail and ended up with far more cat that he thought he was getting. No one messes with Scamp's tail .. lol.

The reason I was going to plant the SDs was because they
were supposed to be deer resistant. If the gophers eat the leaves that's as bad as the deer eating foliage. I'll have to plan something else. Now, I not only have to check for
deer resistance, I've got to check for gopher resistance. Oh joy !

I still haven't figured out which critter tried to pull a tomato through the chain link fence around the veggie garden. (The tomato got stuck in the fence.) But that's only happened once.

Have you thought of using Kim Rupert's 'Annie Laurie McDowell' ? It can be train horizontally so that it doesn't exceed your height restrictions and I am told the fragrance is beyond all expectations.

Here is a link that might be useful: Annie Laurie McDowell

Squirrels and raccoons eat my tomatoes here.

Here's a thought...I just planted 3 of the new Buzz series mini Butterfly bushes and I'm enthralled with their form and color. I ordered them from a place in Cali called 'Easy to Grow Bulbs' and was delighted with the price, size, and health. I ordered the 'Magenta' and 'Violet' bushes and they are very nice for tucking in small spaces between roses...I have them growing between a row of 'Quietness' Buck roses. So if those darn gophers don't like butterfly bushes, maybe they would work for you; keeping fingers crossed!

Here is a link that might be useful: Buzz Butterfly Bush

Terry,

I like the Buddleja at the local nursery, they had/have a variety of colors, but I don't seen the dwarfs. I almost got one till I saw a GIANT one and thought that would be too big for the area (it filled a curb side planter and was about that 7' window height) It might grow differently here were there is no frost season to kill it to the ground. But thanks for the ideas.

I have to take another trip south, to Jeri's end of CA on Friday so trying to get some ideas.

Rose Blush,

I totally want an Annie Laurie McDowell, but I was thinking for the entry to the yard so it can be right up front. I still have to design the entry and I better hurry up and order those bands.

I haven't seen the dwarf Buddlejas, and they look interesting. The big 'uns are too big for me!

But I'm curious about their water needs. Are they drought-tolerant???

I see also that the original Buddleja davidii is classed as an invasive plant in some Western states, so I wonder if it spreads, and HOW it spreads, in a no-winter-chill climate. I don't need another devil plant to fight off in my declining years. :-)

Anyone know???

Jeri

Jeri, I've had the 'Lo & Behold Blue Chip' mini Buddleja for 3 years and they haven't spread a bit. I believe they are sterile. Believe me, my soil is so fertile that if anything was going to spread, I'd have had a zillion of them by now. The Blue Chips are just perfect for tucking into those little spaces between roses. As far as being drought tolerant, I'm smack-dab in the middle of a major drought and 100F daily temps. They're looking pretty good, but I'm dragging out the hose and mortgaging the house to pay the water bill. It's 1987 all over again with no rain in sight. Anyway, I wanted some fuchsia color and found these new Buzz series and received nice, healthy 1 qt. Buzz Buddlejas in late May and they are already blooming their hearts out and are a rounded and full bushes. I was told not to cut them to the ground in Spring like other Buddlejas, but just to give them a light haircut as needed. I think you'd like them! An added plus is that they are butterfly and bee magnets!

Watch out for Jude in your zone. Mine is 9X8 feet. I have three Purple Emperor butterfly bushes that each get about 3-4X3-4 feet. They are part of Proven Winners Series of small butterfly bushes. There is a nice color selection with two new ones having come out in the past two years. I wish you were closer because I'll be digging out a nice Purple Emperor very soon so I can plant another rose, and I'd love to give it to someone. Diane

It sounds like Paul Bocuse may get too tall, too, eh? Has anyone grown him in a similar zone? He'd be my first choice if he fits.

Another one I have that came to mind is the Confidence rose sold by RU. I can't figure out how tall she gets, though. She doesn't seem to try to bust out everywhere yet like many Austins tend to do. She's certainly a gorgeous color (as is Paul!).

I grow Wedgwood Rose and love her, but she's so flexible and tall and rambly. I use her as a climber for sure here.

I adore Teasing Georgia. Get her and put her somewhere, lol! But she's a biggin', yep :)

In my garden, in a good 8 years, 'Paul Bocuse' is maybe 3 ft. tall. Maybe it would be taller, where it gets more heat.

The "Buzz" Buddlejas do interest me, and my husband is interested, too. I'll look for them.

God knows, we don't need to attract more bees, though.

We have mostly roses that open to display stamens, and our neighbor has a wild beehive living in his retaining wall. So when we work on our roses, we are surrounded by honeybees.

I LIKE bees, but this is a tad too much of a good thing. So far (knock on wood) they have not Africanized. But if/when they eventually DO, I hope they go after him, rather than us or our dogs!

Jeri

I found a winner for the bed, a rose winner. Of course it was on my list of what Jeri had suggested.

But all day I was walking past a beautiful rose at the neighbors party, I was going to wait and ask her what the name was and then when talking roses (Yves had 2 incredible blooms) she said "Oh you have to see my moms Benny Lopez" So, Benny will definitely be going in the a good spot in this bed.

One issue I have, and part of the reason for looking at the David Austins, is this bed gets extra water, recycled. So many of the drought tolerant plants would not like the zone. Plus, for years the chickens had access to the area so the ground has plenty of long composted chicken manure. The soil is some of the nicer to work with too.

Dad was a bee keeper, I have had my fill of bees. I am happy to have them visit, but I want them to fly a distance, a long distance. With all the roses, lavenders and veggies and no spray, we have lots of bees.

You couldn't choose better than Benny Lopez. :-)

Jeri

I have alot of the fat, slow-moving Bumbles here, which I absolutely adore. Haven't seen alot of honeybees, though. The hummingbirds seem to like the Buzz Magentas too; it's the color they are attracted to.

Terry, I love the bumbles. We had a long dead tree that was full of bumble holes til it fell over. Not sure where they are living now (hoping not the old garage) But they are fun to watch.

When I was planting one of the new roses last week I must have had a half dozen bees helping me. Guessing that rose really attracts them. The sunflowers buzz when you walk past them too.

I found Lowes has the Russian sage, on sale too. I rarely stop there, but will have to on my tour de Ventura Co nurseries.

One of those days, work called so I left a bit later than planned and promptly hit traffic (forgot everyone was headed home after the holiday) I walked around Otto and looked at my options, I had decided if they had a Crocus left I was going to take it. I have looked at it every trip down but skipped buy it, was too big for one spot and might not be big enough for where I want it, but it keeps calling me. I had my list of ideas for a second, but decided I would look at all of the ones on my list and see just how they were handling the inland heat. One stood out and happy, with blooms waving with no crisping, etc (it was only 81 there when today as a high per TWC) A nice size and was on my maybe list, so Lady of Megginch it was today.

I hit even more traffic trying to get back to Camarillo, barely made it to Harbor Freight Tools before they closed. So I ended up missing Nopalito before they closed for the day. I did peak at their plants and a few look interesting.

Lowes of course was still open so I got my Russian Sage. I skipped the green thumb store, okay I missed the exit and had enough of traffic and was not going to try and work my way back.

BUT, Lowes had $7.98 2.5 pots of Iceberg, but not just regular Iceberg, but what looks like 3 own root Icebergs, white, brilliant pink and burgundy. I had to get a pair, now to decide where to put them!

We were dog-showing all weekend, so we passed Nopalito 3 times en route home from the Ventura Co. Fairgrounds.

There are still plenty of plants there, so I hope to get back up there in the next couple of days. There are some specific things I want, before they disappear.

Jeri

All my digging up the yard had results....one less fat gopher (and a new place to fill with the contents of the kitty litter box-they use the protection of a sidewalk my dad put in to use as their super highway. They are going to have one stinky stop now)

The only good gopher is a dead gopher.

If that gopher was in the target area, Kippy, you've probably got the current culprit. They're so territorial, they don't live in close proximity.

But I use the word "current," because in our experience, where one gopher goes to its just reward, another will move in -- soon or late -- to occupy the attractively-vacant premises.

Jeri

Jeri,

I think I have two of the little beasts, well one now. I dug kind of a trench between us and the neighbors, if nothing else the neighborhood cats will have a better chance at getting them. I figure with the safety zone under the walk filled with stink, maybe that route will be less attractive.

The other beast is in our veggie garden and terrorizing my new citrus trees, but that soil is so much easier to dig and a few holes with traps is not as big of an issue.

Mom said it was a fat one, but something came and ate it out of the trap. (hope they thought it was an appetizer and plan on coming back for more)

Hi Kippy: I also got Russian Sage from Lowe for $2.50 a decade ago. It gives me yearly PAIN, constant trimming, and EXTREMELY invasive, giving baby plants all over.

Annie Laurie McDowell is a tiny shrimp compared to my 15 space-hogging Austins. Annie blooms constantly at the expense of growth, thus remaining small. She doesn't put forth stem growth unless the temp. is above 80's. If your temp. is below 80's, she stays small. After 5 months she's smaller than my smallest mini, Scentsational.

Last year was cool and rainy, my Austins didn't sprout octopus arms. This year is hot and dry, and Austins go beserk with octopus arms. My 2-months old Austins: Evelyn, Scepter d'Isle, and Charles Darwin are throwing out 3' long canes. Mine are own-roots, imagine what they would do if GRAFTED on Dr. Huey.

I got my Lady of Megginch and Crocus roses planted today. Mamma and Poppa oriole did a lot of scolding and the babies were vocal in yelling they were hungry. I had to dig a hole, leave for a bit, dig another hole, leave for a bit, line a hole with gopher wire, leave for a bit.....kind of slow but I do like more orioles! FYI Lady Megginch is still covered in flowers and they seem to last well.

Strawberry, I am hoping my Russian sage stays manageable, the neighbors have not had issues with them sending out babies. It put it in an area that we have to access some times so if it gets in the way it might get a hair cut. It is not blocking access, just close to the zone. I am going to add a few more of the black and blue salvia, they are supposed to be invasive too, but so for the worst they have done is creep out of the bed slowly (leaving a hole behind them)

I hate to say it, but I would love 3' canes would probably be perfect to rest on the border of Santa Barbara (Mexican) Daisy.