I think this is mature and reasoned thinking and takes quite a long time to aquire for most gardeners. There are definate stages we go through, from the innocence of sowing our first seeds or buying those first plants (I didn't even know what japanese anemones looked like, but they sounded so exotic...and by a great stroke of luck, I still have them). Still, you know all those stages don't you Ingrid. All that wild optimism and enthusiasm to create beauty, then maybe a season or 2 of doubts, then a bit more certainty once we gain a little experience, then we get experimental - with little side adventures until, our plants are screaming at us, pointing out their needs. At some point, we finally lift our heads and start looking at a bigger picture than the aesthetics, situating our gardens within a wider eco-system which encompasses wildlife, climate, ethics even. We are not simply going back to nature or some such - gardens are anything but natural, and often, the most insouciant schemes take the greatest effort. Nevertheless, if we are wise and fortunate, we find a way of gardening which is in tune with our own abilities, time and resources which dances over the earth rather than stamping upon it. Then we get rewarded with beautiful healthy and happy plants and all those impossible desires for this and that style or plants fades into insignificance. At least, this is my fervent belief. I have rather a long way to go, I think, but Ingrid, you have always been quite brave and decisive with a fairly clear vision of what you want while considering the limitations of your garden. Extreme situations can really hasten the process of learning as dithering and faffing is a luxury you do not have. Anyway, you will, I suspect, reach this happy equilibrium sooner rather than later.

I can imagine that it's not an easy decision to downsize a garden. Sounds like you've thought it through carefully and it is important to feel comfortable with one's garden.

Best wishes, Ingrid, for your new garden.

We left Texas after one too many summers of drouth, record heat and wildfires...did I mention hurricanes? Actually small mild hurricanes were welcome rain-producers.
The fifty roses I've planted here still face the problems of blackspot and japanese beetles, but at least it is possible to go outdoors in daylight to check on them.
When we were looking at houses here I asked urgently about water rationing or shortages...people just gave me blank looks.
Maybe gardeners see the future a little sooner than folks who spend their days in an office.
Laura, who lives very far from the prairie.

I'm at the stage now where I don't let myself buy additional roses. If I toss out a rose or one dies, I can replace it--but no overall increase in total number of roses--and maybe even omitting with replacing a missing rose sometimes. I have 60+ roses now--about 64, I think.

Part of this is recognition that at my age (I'm a retiree), I can't keep up this pace, hauling a hose around all summer because it is too hot and there has been no rain all summer. So the delicate ones just may find that if they can't survive more on their own, bye-bye! And maybe I will and maybe I won't buy a replacement--if there is a rose I've really been wanting to try out--otherwise, I can't be bothered.

I know that a few years from now, I will need to cut back to 30-40 roses that don't need a lot of fussing over them. By then, I ought to have a good sense of which ones I really love and which ones are not essential to my gardens.

Kate

Yes, Ingrid, I'm there. That is why my newer interest in the desert southwest type plants which are already doing for me what the roses are refusing to...flourishing with less water, more heat and more sun, and NOTHING is eating them! This is nearly a 25% slope. I can't plant things down slope I will have to schlep water down to and the vermin have eaten anything other than galvanized pipes. Been there, not doing it again. I've already identified the first forty which will go. No purchases will replace them as there are already too many seedlings I need to test before culling them. There are also nearly two hundred new crosses from this spring and early summer in the refrigerator awaiting planting. Those are going to require some ground space, too, so there are guaranteed to be even more going away. Kim

Kim

If you are in need of some San Pedro Cactus for that slope, I have a couple of nice 2 story ones (just think you could plant on bottom the slope and see the flowers from top)

Of course, cutting and transporting might make roses look snuggly.

Bless your heart, Kippy! Thanks, I think? Kim

Like all responsible SW gardeners, I used drip irrigation in Santa Fe--when we could water at all. When I moved to sw VA, I couldn't even find parts for drip and had to order everything from Dripworks. I've kept my Santa Fe water habits and plan to sit back in smug satisfaction as less rain and higher heat change the insouciant attitudes here. And I may have to change some roses. This year, my rugosas took a real beating in the heat, which is hard to bear because the deer leave the rugosas alone. But I am adding more noisettes, which fortunately, the deer also ignore.

I've always advocated 'the right plant for the site' and go into tantrums when I see people planting 15' holly trees to hedge beneath windows 3' above the ground. There are plenty of roses that do well in the heat and, once established, take very little water. Also, taking advantages of the microclimates in one's garden is very helpful. Trees help keep a garden cooler and there are lots of drought tolerant trees. Drought tolerant ground covers like sedum and creeping thyme help keep moisture in the soil and cut down on weeds. Lots of little tricks...

At current population levels we have ample water here in my area, but Ingrid's post is very wise. In dry areas, water use is a moral issue as well as a practical and economic one. And, with climate change and population growth, things can only get worse.

Hoov's superb garden blog is a good place to learn about xeriscape plants as well as roses.

Here is a link that might be useful: A Piece of Eden

If I've learned anything at all, it's that rainfall does not come when I need it. It's an all-or-nothing occurence and I refuse to let Madame Nature hold my garden hostage to her capricious whims.

The easiest method for us has been 55-gallon drums converted to rain barrels, but they must be elevated. That's the tricky part. Stacking those turkeys on blocks makes them about as stable as a Weeble; however, if elevated higher than the plot they are supposed to water, gravity and a long hose will do the majority of the dirty work.

I still have to lug it by hand to pots and planters, but water conservation has been a saving grace for us. Now that we've been irrigated sufficiently by Isaac's remnants, the rain doesn't want to stop. I've had to release excess run off because we have more than we can use.

campanula, what can I say about what you wrote? Would I could express myself one fraction as eloquently. You understand the gardening experience so well. I've done my share of "dithering and faffing" in the past, but time is a luxury we no longer have. I think all of you here are making adjustments in your own way.

Michael, thank you for the link to hoovb's wonderful blog. She's managed the change to xeriscape with intelligence and panache. And she still has beautiful roses.

Ingrid

As a long time perennial gardener and beginning rose gardener, these posts at first made me sad. Campanula and Ingrid beautifully stated the truth about "gardening". Over the past few years I have accepted and allowed the truth of changing climate, sustainability and eco responsibility to factor into my plant and landscape choices. That is why I feel it is so important to seek out guidance locally as to what will perform well and be happy close to home--also contributes to a sense of community.
I feel an obligation to leave this earth for my children and theirs as unscathed by my existence as is reasonably possible.
I saw a great book yesterday while browsing the gardening section at B & N (where there were more books on growing marijuana than there were on growing roses) that addresses all kinds of ways to have an environmentally responsible garden. I wish I had bought it as it was full of novel methods of irrigation and landscaping.
Anyway, growing HT's here in the South I've been told I "have" to spray or they will blackspot. I posted recently about my spotting Peace CL. All I've done is remove diseased foliage and removed nearby annuals. The spotting has decreased by 90% in a few days.
"Europeana" started to mildew when I first planted her. I moved her to a sunny site with better circulation and she is very happy!
Seems as a culture we have been brainwashed to expect perfection. I let that go a long long time ago.
My garden is perfectly imperfect and I like it that way.
Susan

Thank you Susan for that reminder about people wanting perfection. It is so true these days.

My dad preached against lawns back in the 70's, talked about sustainable practices back when it made him a crackpot. But some of his talking did stick with people. I have been adding lots of roses, as you probably know, but they are just in a ring around the house were I do not want to add edibles and over places like septic/leech fields. I recognize that as mom ages, having flowers to bring in to her will be important. I did add some lawn, put probably less than most have in the parking strip out front of their houses. Big enough to roll on, walk on and hang our laundry over it. Small enough I can mow and edge it in about 5 minutes with a push mower and weedwacker.

The next project for me is making a utilitarian veggie garden in an orchard with out grass and chickens patrolling look good with a minimum of maintenance and watering needed. I have no doubts, it will never been the cover of a house beautiful magazine!

Ho Kippy, Ms dynamite strides out! You truly do an astounding amount of work and truly, although there are those with cherished potagers, any decent veggie garden is always going to be a bit shambolic.
{{gwi:245518}}
A picture of part of my allotment.

"shambolic"???? I think not! How nice to see a picture of your allotment. You tend to make it sound like a disaster area, Suzy, but I frankly never believed that, and here's the proof.

Susan, you stated your point so beautifully. We all have imperfect gardens; that's their nature. They're living, growing and dying entities, never static and thus never boring. Besides, if we ever found a person with a perfect garden we'd have to strangle her/him!

Ingrid

I've recently retired but am not ready to limit my roses or other plants yet. I've spent this summer redoing some beds and making more, and have planted hibiscus, brugmansias, Tecoma stans (yellow bells), lots of coleus and other annuals in them. I have about 25 roses and am getting 3 or 4 more next week, and when they are planted, I plan to get several from Heirloom Roses or Chamblees (maybe both!).

Flaurabunda, I've been doing the same as you to save water. I have a 5 gallon drum, 2 33 gallon trash cans and a lot of 5 gallon buckets under the eaves. I collect water from my central a/c, and with our humidity, can get 15-20 gallons/day. I have about 30 milk jugs and other gallon sized containers in my garage for daily watering. Even with all that, I have to use the hose this time of year from time to time because it's so hot and dry. But my water conservation means I have a $40 water bill instead of $80.

Poorbutroserich, grow roses on their own roots and the diseases won't be such a problem. Yes, I get blackspot, but that's about it. I don't own any sprays. A few years ago I did toss a rose that got too much blackspot, though. Out of about 25 roses, only one is grafted and I'm amazed that it's done so well (it's Golden Celebration).

Camp, as soon as my guy sees what I did all summer, I will share photos. For now I can only share macros cause I know he looks at my websites to see what I posted.

The nice thing about the front yard of ours, Mom noted the other day the front yard bushes needed a bit of attention. She had already used the pruners and had them done by the time I got there, 2 a couple more hours and the front yard was "done" I don't think we have done much more than dead head and pick passion fruit in the past 2 months. I need to do the back and side yards too, guessing that will take even less time cause most of the roses are newer or I have already been fussing with the beds. Just a few weeds to pull, a few annuals that have gone to seed and some bulbs stems to trim and then hit it with the leaf blower and call it good. We have "urbanite" (gotta love that name for recycled chunks of sidewalk concrete) with dichondra on one side and the basic 12" squares with gaps so the rain does not run off as much as drops in the gaps. By this time of the year the dichondra looks a bit sad, but a couple of good rains and all is well again.

well, I am looking forward to seeing them Kippy, since you have entertained (and intrigued) us all with details of all the work you have been doing.
Ingrid, you are a sweetie - this is the tidy end!
Seriously, I have been taking piccies this summer but still waiting for eldest to fix up my computer so I can actually get the photos uploaded (it is infuriating squinting at the tiny screen on my camera, with my rubbish eyesight). It will be a pleasure to do a little tour of an english institution (allotments). Feel I especially owe you, Ingrid, after your generous sharing of the ups and downs of your garden. I will certainly strive for the same transparency and clarity.

I had already decided I was going to cut back on the roses and the garden some but then I got the water bill...all $421.00 worth of it! Egads! I expected it to be high but that was really ridiculous. At my rose society meeting last night I wasn't the highest bill either. Everyone was complaining about how high their bills were and the top one was much closer to $500.00.

So now I'm looking at cutting back even further than I'd first thought. I do have a lot of one cane wonders and just plain dogs that I can get rid of. I usually say I'll wait for spring to see what comes back but then in the spring after they've survived another winter I cave and they end up staying. So this year I'm trying a new strategy. I'm going to dig them out this fall. I figure that way in the spring I can just replace them with some of the ones from the patio pots and that will cut those back too. Plus if there's a spot or two left over I'll have a place to put one or two new ones. Cuz you know I'm gonna see a new one I want, lol!

Hi Ingrid,

Here are some of the books I've found very helpful and enjoyable. I'm posting the front and back covers of each. They're all different but still handy to have for various purposes. I bought them all in the garden shop of Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (which is conveniently quite close to where I live and within walking distance if I'm feeling adventurous and don't intend to buy any plants!). Bart O'brien who co-authored all 3 has long been on staff at RSABG and is a noted authority on California native plants, including one of my favs Rosa minutifolia. Carol Bornstein was the Director of Horticulture at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. She's a great advocate for locally appropriate plants, and champions one I'm still having trouble finding, the lovely grass, Bothriochloa barbinodis (Silver Beadgrass). David Fross is the founder of Native Sons Wholesale Nursery a source for many of the companion plants I've selected to grow with my roses. Btw, David Fross introduced a cultivar of a Calfornia native rose--Rosa californica 'Los Berros' (and yes I have it!). {{gwi:326851}}From
{{gwi:326852}}From Gardening Books

This one is arranged like an encyclopedia (by scientific names but with common names provided too, plus there's an index), showing many CA native plants in gardens or their natural environment. For each plant there is standard information provided such as what kind of plant it is, where it grows, light, soil, and water preferences, etc. Here's an excerpt from page 102 that describes California buckwheat:

"Eriogonum fasciculatum
California Buckwheat
Plant type: Evergreen shrub.
Geographic Zones: All except high mountains.
Light: Sun to partial shade.
Soil: Adaptable; well-drained preferred.
Water: Drought tolerant to occasional.
Natural Habitat and Range: Dry slopes and canyons in coastal scrub, chaparral, desert woodland, and desert scrub below 8000 feet; Alameda County south to northwestern Baja California and east to southwestern Utah and Arizona."

Then there is a color photo of the plant along with information about the location of the photo, followed by 5 paragraphs of detailed notes, including multiple named cultivars. And that is the basic format for the whole book, with the amount of notes varying from plant to plant. There are in addition some excellent appendices that list places to see native plants growing as well as where to buy them. I consult this book all the time when considering what to add or not to add to my garden. It has saved me a lot of grief! 271 pages. {{gwi:326854}}From Gardening Books
{{gwi:326855}}From Gardening Books

This one has all sorts of handy data. There's a great plant list where the plants are grouped by form--trees, small trees/large shrubs, shrubs, sub-shrubs/perennials, vines, groundcovers, and cacti/succulents and arranged by watering needs--very low, low, medium, and high. There are sections on soil (including a neat quick test and table for determining the soil type in your garden), watering, climate, planting, care, pests, weeds, etc. 238 pages. {{gwi:326856}}From Gardening Books
{{gwi:326858}}From Gardening Books

This book is packed full of suggestions for replacing the traditional lawn and how to go about it. It is loaded with color pictures of examples of various options. Lawn replacements that this book covers include: greenswards, meadows, rock gardens, succulent gardens, carpet and tapestry gardens, kitchen gardens, green roofs. There is also an encyclopedia (like the one in California Native Plants for the Garden) of plants for those recommended. 154 pages.

Melissa

Thank you Melissa for taking the time to introduce us to these books. I really think plants of that type are going to be the future trend in gardening as many parts of our planet become dryer. I'll be going to the nursery soon and I'll look for some plants. I must admit though, that in the past I've had little luck with many plants, and pretty much have a black thumb. Even the toughest plants that they've planted in hell strips to divide the road in town where they broil in the sun seem to expire not long after they visit my garden. But, I'll keep trying and hopefully will find a few plants that will condescend to live with me.

Ingrid

Hi Ingrid, you're welcome!

Fyi, I had a talk recently with a very experienced staff member of the local botanic garden. What he told me might be useful. He said that many California native plants, particularly drought tolerant ones, aren't good choices to *plant* in the summer, and many people in the surrounding areas who plant in summer end up killing the plants (one reason why their Claremont nursery is closed during the summer but their Westwood location, in a cooler area, is not). This is because the drought tolerant natives are adapted to our hot dry summers and don't like to receive water in the extreme heat. They should be planted much earlier, in order that they have time to establish, to grow roots at the time of year they like to receive water. Planting in the summer is especially stressful for these CA natives. The new plants don't have enough development on them to go without water in the high heat season (or they'll cook and die!) but it is also very easy to give them too much water and this too kills them. It is better to plant at the appropriate time and this is often in the fall. And that happens to be the time when they have their annual plant sale to encourage people to add to their gardens at the right time.

Melissa

I know a man who lost his nursery and now sells what he grows at farmers markets in orange county. He has said that California will be warmer but wetter in the spring as the ocean heats up. I was worried about this but he said not to worry as long as we can save the water we get and move more water south. I said what about the midwest, etc. and he just said " they will have to learn to save water when it comes."

He's a really bright guy but tells people to pour more water on their lawns in summer. I say the restrictions are going to be a way of life in So. CA unless we are more careful. I agree with grass for parks and libraries but not for shopping centers and business parks. I wish they would voluntarily give them up. Pretty soon it will just be down to who can afford the water.

We had a little debate about the future of home gardens. He's in the wealthier part of OC and thinks nothing will change. I say the days of unlimited water are going to end. I may just move because the thought of not having a cottage garden depresses me. Native look alikes only get you so far. I'm not bashing natives. I love a good native scape. I'm just a fruit, camellia, rose enthusiast. It all takes water even when you mulch religiously.

What I do know is that the sun is very active right now and that may be part of the story. I'm not denying the whole co2 level. Time will tell and playing it safe will bring down the number and severity of hurricanes and tornadoes. I'm all for more trees and painting roof tops white to reflect more of the sun's energy back into space.

What about my garden? Roses that aren't outstanding have been given away. Water's getting more expensive all the time. I don't plant many annuals in summer anymore. I do them in late fall through early spring when I don't have to water them every day. The grass is gone. I put in a ground cover thyme which looks great but takes only light traffic. It looks good in the parkway under the row of pink rosette. Lots of ground covered areas gave way to bark mulches especially under trees where I used to grow ferns and violets. I miss all that stuff but when it comes down to it, I can only afford so much water so it goes to the roses and camellias.

I applaud you Ingrid and everyone else. These are tough decisions. My situation is different. We gather our own water though it's certainly not unlimited. One thing I can do in a large garden is accept a certain amount of roses looking bad in the summer in the more outlying areas. One thing I've done to indulge my rose collecting is to plant more species and other once bloomers that don't need much in the summer. Many of those roses are still attractive without blooms. Thanks for all the info on natives Melissa. I've planted more each year and find my taste has changed in regards to these plants.

Melissa, thank you for the tip about not planting natives in the summer. I'm sure I might have done this in the past but no more! What you say makes perfect sense. It's also possible that I overwater the natives and kill them with kindness. I still have a lot to learn.

Ingrid