It was a real adjustment going from east coast to west coast on this front. I was very fond of astrantias and hardy geraniums back there. Now, my favorite companions are centered on what can take the dry heat and intense sun, along with having a long bloom period, and is on the "spikey" side, or at least has a different texture, to contrast with the roses. Tall nicotianas (my favorites with roses are 'Lime Green' -- Melissa's acid green yellow, for sure-- and an accidental hybrid between 'Lime Green' and white N. alata that is pale green and so scented it wafts all over in evening). Agastaches ("Nectar" series a little more manageable and lots of colors, though as Rosefolly points out, can be obnoxious). Penstemon pinifolius: orange, short, tidy, tough. Aster x frikartii 'Monch': I was shocked this works as well here as it does -- year in, year out, heat tolerant, very easy on the water bill, blooms for like forever. Salvia 'May Night', ditto. Hardy geraniums are mostly not heat-tolerant enough, except Geranium harveyi (odd one from S. Africa) and 'Brookside'. A bunch of species oreganos, teucriums, and saturejas as drought-proof edges. Tea 'Le Pactole' this morning heading into a big flush (I expect her to eat her companions in a few short years) Also this morning, other side of the path (Penstemon pinifolius is on lower right):

Hi, Jon I'm Still playing at hydidizing abutilons. You gave me some great info on beginning hybridizing A's. I started with a shrubby white abutilon and crossed it with what I thought was Kentish Belle ( I believe now it was a Victor Reiter (sp). The F1's varied in height from 8" to 4', the foliage had more of the Victor Reiter characteristics, and the flower color ranged from cream/yellows/white to pale cerise, some with darker veining. The flower shape was more like the white shrubby parent ( 2-3" and fairly flat). I crossed these F1's with the best of each other, with a coral colored Bella, two other purchased un-named bright yellows and also back to the Victor Reiter. Some of these seedlings are just beginning to sprout. I am also growing a seedling provided from a trade ( pink changing to mauve )which was open pollinated so goodness knows what surprise that will bring. It won't be for several months to see what comes of these crosses. Hopefully something good. I would also like to try crossing a Souviner de Bonn with my seedlings this summer :-) Jon what is the name of the California native abutilon with beautiful silvery leaves that you mention? Aker

Deanna, I think of the violas (the pansy-like ones -- not the species violets) as winter annuals. I plant them in the fall and expect them not to survive the summer heat. In this group, I would include the 'Penny Lane' and 'Sorbet' violas. I know that sometimes they are regarded as perennials. For me, however, they have always been very short-lived perennials -- usually not making it past one year, and never past two. From what I've read, the (pansy type) species -- Viola cornuta, was used with pansies to produce the violas. Viola cornuta is supposed to be perennial. Sadly, for me it hasn't been so, either. Maybe in the proper climate, Viola cornuta and the violas descended from it, are good perennials. But not for me, in Maryland. Now as far as self-seeding goes, I've had a lot of that from pansies and violas. As the seed capsule opens and dries, each of its three boat-like pieces pinches down on the seeds, shooting them off in all directions. It's really neat to see or hear. I save seeds by putting capsules in plastic drinking cups with a tissue rubber banded over the top. As they dry, I'll get to hear the occassional "pings" of the seeds being ejected. Makes me think of bullets flying in an old western movie ;o)

@floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK Perhaps I am. Indeed, I know I am overcomplicating this. Apologies. I guess? While I appreciate your offer of help (or maybe, more precisely, the claim that you are offering help). . . let me just say that I feel as though, from your tone--you decidedly do not understand what it means to be on a fixed income and rent (e.g., not have any long-term commitment to the garden you're trying to improve). I don't have time; that's exactly it. Annuals just make more sense. It's unfortunate that I have some shade, but I have to make the most of it and figure out what works for me. I can't spend $400 on plants; I don't think I can spend $200 on plants, frankly. And then all the other stuff @floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK: e.g., Hall's Honeysuckle might seem to you to be ugly and "potentially invasive,"--admittedly, it is in most places--but it decidedly is not in Portland, Oregon, from every single source I've read. And trust me, I'm thorough. I just want something that will thrive and grow quickly despite my difficult soil conditions. That's why answers like those of @einportlandor are a little more helpful, you know? "Yeah, I was broke, too, I understand how you feel... planted poppies and nasturtium and it all worked out fine!" This isn't rocket science. I just want my backyard to look nice. On the super-cheap. I don't need cutting comments for no good reason guised as "help." And to address your query re the soil; argh. I have done everything within my very limited means and power to fix the soil problems and spent approximately $700 in the past year in the wrong-headed attempt to do so: I mixed in 6" of compost 2x by double digging and excavated about 50 gallons of pebbles/rocks and a miscellany of items left by previous tenants. I created a swale and taught myself how to build a rain garden to handle what the gutters can't manage; I regraded the yard, aerated the lawn; etc. etc. This year, I decided to give up on anything more than a little patch o' grass for my dog and constructed "lasagne"-like raised beds (not supported by anything; my landlord won't let me install anything permanent, like even a floating deck, but I put down wood chips everywhere else. It's the only way that I'll anything approaching meaningful drainage (on my budget) and not spoil even moisture-friendly perennials. Forgive me; just a bit frustrated by what feeling like I've been subjected to [inexplicable] derision/passive-aggression rather than been helped. I'll back out slowly now . . . I honestly don't believe you really even want to look at photos or mappings of my garden (other than to get in something that might be helpful but will definitely be officious). I don't ever do this but this nice/mean thing sucks and I just had to respond; sorry. Thanks all.