I've had years where one type of plant didn't do well. Two years ago, a hailstorm destroyed all my daylilies and hosta. That year, I noticed the roses more. We've had bad winters or late freezes where roses didn't do well, and then I focused on iris and daylilies.
This year I'm hoping maybe the iris and clematis give a good show. Everything else is pretty beaten up by the wind, that cold snap, the 102 temps.
Toni, this may be a salvia/iris/lilac year for you.
That heat and wind on Sunday killed a few of my evergreens, just that quickly. I guess they are kind of sensitive in the spring?
Sue, I have also found that intensively planted flowerbeds are much easier to maintain than lawn. The general public doesn't understand that. People have asked me how much water I use, and how much I work in the flower beds. They just don't get it when I say "way less water and time than you spend on your lawn".
Lyn, I can't imagine carrying plants, tools, hoses up and down 5 levels. I guess you don't need a stairmaster!
It wears me out to pull my wagon up the gentle slopes in my garden.
