Also looking for a class never fir here. Doesn't get much direct sun but gets bright shade. Would Sally work here? It does gets lots of water when it rains from the downspout. In San Jose, CA.

I think Sally Holmes would grow in both places. Did you see mature Sally Holmes locally? You can usually find them at Armstrong.

Couple of questions though... why did you have to cut down the bushes along the fence? Have you tried to dig there? There may be some tough roots there making digging difficult for a few years. In the downspout area, how much of the roof is rushed through that downspout? How's the drainage in the soil? Is it clay? If so, would it be too wet for roses? Is there a different bush that you like that prefers water (and clay if you have it) that might be better suited for the downspout spot? If drainage is good there, none of this would be an issue.

I put a rose (climbing Pinkie) near a downspout recently too. I have been amending my clay soil there for a while with lots of mulch. Even so, I know it's a risk and I'm mostly experimenting to see how it goes. Sally Holmes is probably one of the easiest roses to grow, but there might be other bushes that would appreciate the water more in that spot.

Good luck though! I'm a fan of Sally Holmes and think it looks great everywhere.

There were 3 podocarpus (fern pines) that were growing along the fence and they were getting huge and were so messy so they had to go. Roots could definitely be an issue. It's been 3 years since we got rid of them and last summer I threw 3 lantanas that I got off the $3 rack from Lowes into the space. They work fine but I need height. I'm trying to remember if I hit roots when planting them. I guess I'll be digging tomorrow to find out.

For the spot out front. Clay soil that has not been amended. I think Sally will be ok there. We don't get rain often like we did this year and in future heavy rain years I can always get an attachment that drains the water to the street.

I am constantly reinventing my yard so I'm not afraid to get rid or move something if it's not working but still like to research first.

Thanks for the feedback!

If it's been 3 years the roots will be a little softer and not as bad as if they were freshly cut down. I would go for it and plant Sally Holmes along the fence and in front! It's one of my favorites. And mass plantings always make a wonderful impact. Plus it will look great with lantana underneath. Post photos when you're done! I love Sally!

Oh also... it looks like you may be able to just add some gravel to the downspout area to direct the water where you want and help with drainage. Looked like there was room for that and some more soil and mulch in that area too.

But what zone are you in? I've has a few of them but they acted more like shrubs that climbers.

Jayferg is in San Jose, which is near me in CA and is probabaly 9 or 10. Sally Holmes is definitely a climber, even becoming a self supporting tree-like climbing shrub here in CA. :-)

I'm in 9b

Oh OK. I have a Ghislane De Feligonde that would take up that wall but here Sally Holmes doesn't get that big. It's beautiful, I love the contrast between the buds and the blooms.

Jayferg it looks great and I really like it with the purple lantana. I have near purple lantana and verbena near mine too. :-)