I am spending most of my free time in the garden this year as I purposely do not have any other projects on the go. While this makes me very sensitive to the weather, it also focuses my thoughts on the garden: the good, the bad, and the problems.

I have been gardening here in Garden Bay for seven years now, and the yard has been transformed. I started by adding shrubs for structure and solving the deer problem with fencing. Then I started my rose collection which stands at 48 varieties and 60-odd bushes. I then greatly expanded the perennial beds in the front garden. Today there is a solid design and the whole yard is garden.

Now I am propagating my favourite roses instead of buying new ones. I have a handful of problem rose bushes that *maybe* would be better on their own-roots. Before I “shovel prune ” a rose I ‘d like to give it a second chance. I have learned what gives me the most joy in a rose and replacing non-performing roses will probably start this fall.

After seven years I’ve had to learn how to prune shrubs as I prefer a light touch and many have grown to become problems. I’ve got books and the Internet, but trial and error is how I’ve learned the most. And yes, I ‘ve killed a shrub or two along the way. I did a lot of pruning this year and now have a clearer annual pruning plan.

A great example of evolution is the wisteria that came with the house. I enjoyed cultivating the plant on a trellis. The light touch soon got me in trouble and I had to learn how to prune and train the beast properly. This year I realized that for my garden the wisteria was too much work with insufficient reward and was in the way of my real interest of growing roses. I recently removed the wisteria and have no regrets.

Another example is a row of three lilacs that I planted at the side of the house for structure. I chose lilacs for their fragrance and memories of growing up. As the rose collection expanded I planted roses in between the lilacs. Now the lilacs are large, shading the roses, and occupying prime rose territory. I have decided that shovel pruning those lilacs is best. I do have two other smaller lilacs in the garden anyway.

Our annual summer drought started late this year and we are in the middle of a heat wave. There is lots of colour in the garden but most of the roses are resting. The climbing roses that I planted for the pergola are putting out strong new canes 🙂 There’s not a lot to do in the garden in the summer but watch and enjoy, and add to my TODO list for the fall.