Alternatives to roses, that kind-of look like roses?
 

So the roses in my yard (all of them) have the rose rosette virus (aka "witches broom"). Anyone found a good substitute for roses (zone 8, Texas)?

I'd love to replace them with other, nicer roses, but there are no known roses that are resistant to rosette that I can find. Everyone on my street with roses seem to have rosette virus, and it's spread by wind-borne mites and new roses would just get reinfected.

I'm thinking of replacing the dying roses in the front yard with flowering quince. I also have ranunculus bulbs that I'll plant next fall. But I'm open to suggestions since I haven't finalized anything with my landscaper and I still need to file for HOA approval.

I am thinking you need to find something drought tolerant and maybe native.
I can help you out but I need to know more information.
How high.
In the front of the yard or back.
If in the front will they be against the house or closer to the street.
How much sun.
In a row or not.
Color.

Have you considered or could you replace them with dwarf fruit trees.
There are many types of apples that will grow and produce fruit in your area.
They dont have to be formed into a tree either they can be trained into an Espalier.
[URL="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&ved=0CDYQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FEspalier&ei=KYLrVL6CKIfHsQSqp4KwCw&usg=AFQjCNE97k_3Oqdc78VO_79YjXOyevkarg&bvm=bv.86475890,d.cWc&cad=rja"]http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&ved=0CDYQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FEspalier&ei=KYLrVL6CKIfHsQSqp4KwCw&usg=AFQjCNE97k_3Oqdc78VO_79YjXOyevkarg&bvm=bv.86475890,d.cWc&cad=rja[/URL]

You can go to this site and pick out an apple tree you will then be asked to submit your zip code which I already did and it will give you a list of fruits that will grow in your are.
[url]http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.starkbros.com%2F&ei=64LrVJ_wHYnnsATW6YKABg&usg=AFQjCNEASIAMz1Rhq1ke3Z0xzOri9WrwcQ&bvm=bv.86475890,d.eXY&cad=rja[/url]
And anything else you can think of.

Worth

Is it too hot where you are for peonies?

Have you considered succulents?

[url]http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/general/lst.gen.asp?prodid=4395&catagory=11&rs_start=60[/url]

I'd look into native plants.
Here's one idea:
[url]http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/pavonialasiopetal.htm[/url]

What about hibiscus?and,cannas?

I would loooooove peonies but it's too hot here, I had them back in NY during a time when I lived in a house and I enjoyed them more than any other flowering plant. I read somewhere that a gardener around here had managed to grow peonies, but it required placing several large blocks of ice over the ground during the late fall and winter (and replacing them once they melt). It's really a pity about the rosette virus, I do enjoy roses, but without any virus proof varieties it would be pointless to try planting new ones since the rosette has contaminated the whole neighborhood.

I hadn't thought of cannas but they look really nice, and they bloom during summer/fall, correct? How are they for partial shade?

Flowering quince is native and drought resistant, so is Turk's cap. This would be for the front yard, so sadly my HOA will issue a "no" on apple trees. My only complaint on the quince is that they look kind of crummy once spring is over and the blooms fall off, so I'd need some other blooming plants around it for summer and fall.

I have a pair of live oaks in the front, the roses are around them in partial and full shade. Once I remove them the front will look like crap, but I need to spruce things up anyway. We had a large bradford pear removed because it was crowding out one of the oaks, so that has left a big, bald spot of ugly which is where I hae the quince in mind.

The bald spot where the pear was is in full sun, but may eventually become partial shade in 5-10 years as the oak tree canopy grows out. I also need something with a little height to fill closer to the oak, which is in shade so I was thinking of using turks cap for the areas under the tree that are too shady for much else.

I have liriope growing around the street-facing side under the trees but nothing in the back half. And I'd need low growing plants to fill that in. I was thinking a nice mix of ferns in the full-shade areas (closer to the tree trunk), and some flowers in the partial shade areas. Other than ranunculus for some of the sunnier spots- which are very pretty and resemble cabbage roses- I don't have anything picked out. I already have some daffodils out there thanks to the previous owners but I'm not a fan.

Cannas looks promising, I hadn't known about them. I was also thinking of oxblood lillies.

What about a Rose of Sharon ( Hibiscus syriacus ) for the partial shade or full sun area. It would give you height and some of the doubles have a rose-ish look. They're hardy and easy to find, and there are even some variegated varieties.

Just a thought.
Canna lilies and hibiscus are water hogs.

Here is the tag on the hibiscus and the advertisement.
At home depot we select plants suited for your area.
On the tag, Keep soil moist.:?


I have some standard cannas growing and every time one comes up I cut it back.
They are about gone now.:yes:

Whats up with the HOA not wanting a fruit tree?

Worth

Would they allow an herb garden in the bare spot?
I think a nicely bordered herb garden with stuff like lavender and sage would be nice.


Worth

Rose of Sharon are not water hogs. And they play nice with Live Oaks.

Will Camellias do?
[url]http://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-grow-camellias/[/url]

[QUOTE=Vespertino;453088]I would loooooove peonies but it's too hot here, I had them back in NY during a time when I lived in a house and I enjoyed them more than any other flowering plant. I read somewhere that a gardener around here had managed to grow peonies, but it required placing several large blocks of ice over the ground during the late fall and winter (and replacing them once they melt). It's really a pity about the rosette virus, I do enjoy roses, but without any virus proof varieties it would be pointless to try planting new ones since the rosette has contaminated the whole neighborhood.

I hadn't thought of cannas but they look really nice, and they bloom during summer/fall, correct? How are they for partial shade?

Flowering quince is native and drought resistant, so is Turk's cap. This would be for the front yard, so sadly my HOA will issue a "no" on apple trees. My only complaint on the quince is that they look kind of crummy once spring is over and the blooms fall off, so I'd need some other blooming plants around it for summer and fall.

I have a pair of live oaks in the front, the roses are around them in partial and full shade. Once I remove them the front will look like crap, but I need to spruce things up anyway. We had a large bradford pear removed because it was crowding out one of the oaks, so that has left a big, bald spot of ugly which is where I hae the quince in mind.

The bald spot where the pear was is in full sun, but may eventually become partial shade in 5-10 years as the oak tree canopy grows out. I also need something with a little height to fill closer to the oak, which is in shade so I was thinking of using turks cap for the areas under the tree that are too shady for much else.

I have liriope growing around the street-facing side under the trees but nothing in the back half. And I'd need low growing plants to fill that in. I was thinking a nice mix of ferns in the full-shade areas (closer to the tree trunk), and some flowers in the partial shade areas. Other than ranunculus for some of the sunnier spots- which are very pretty and resemble cabbage roses- I don't have anything picked out. I already have some daffodils out there thanks to the previous owners but I'm not a fan.

Cannas looks promising, I hadn't known about them. I was also thinking of oxblood lillies.[/QUOTE]
Cannas do great in part shade. So do a lot of Salvias. You can get cannas of different heights,too. Maybe some Mexican Bird of Paradise, elephant ears or bananas,too?
I had a lot of bulbs from Home Depot that did well in hot,dry weather. Asiatic lilies and that sort of thing. Lavender and Rosemary are nice for sunny areas. Texas sage and Autumn sage,too.

[QUOTE=ginger2778;453135]Will Camellias do?
[url]http://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-grow-camellias/[/url][/QUOTE]

I think the pH might be too high in TX, unless she's in E.TX.

[QUOTE=Worth1;453094]Just a thought.
Canna lilies and hibiscus are water hogs.

Here is the tag on the hibiscus and the advertisement.
At home depot we select plants suited for your area.
On the tag, Keep soil moist.:?


I have some standard cannas growing and every time one comes up I cut it back.
They are about gone now.:yes:

Whats up with the HOA not wanting a fruit tree?

Worth[/QUOTE]

Hmm. Lots of cannas in Mesa,AZ. Mine were irrigated but only every two weeks in summer. It was dry where I had them, under a giant pine tree.

Can you grow plumbago in texas?

[QUOTE=amberroses;453386]Can you grow plumbago in texas?[/QUOTE]

Yes and no, it depends on what part of Texas.

Where I live it freezes back to the ground almost every yer.

Worth

Thanks all for the suggestions!!!

Camellias look PERFECT! Saw a few varieties that look like a cross between a rose and a waterlilly. Bird of paradise is another that I looked up from this thread, wow, REALLY eye-catching and love the colors.

While I like hibiscus/rose of sharon, there's a lot of people in the neighborhood with them on the front lawns, it leaves me wondering what other options are out there to offer a bit of contrast.

I currently have some salvias out front, but they're not doing well since it's mostly partial/full shade in the front lawn due to the two live oaks. They're about 17 years old now, my arborist mentioned that's when the canopy starts to spread out. Which means even denser shade to come. I'm probably going to have to move the salvias to a sunnier spot.

Worth- my HOA won't let me grow any food-bearing plants on the front lawn unless it's considered an ornamental plant (examples: beautyberry, flowering quince, ornamental peppers). They don't want anyone turning the front of their houses into food gardens, personally I think the rule stinks, but around here it's very hard to find a modern home that isn't in an HOA (and there's no land left to buy and build your own). They're much more flexible about backyard pants provided that it can't be seen from the street.

The HOA "design guidelines" have a lot of xeriscaping recommendations, and some of the suggested plants aren't on that list. So I'll need to do a little research on watering requirements for some of the suggested plants, because if I don't mention those details I'm sure the HOA will ask. Has anyone grown camellias in Tx?

Pomegranates, the miniature variety are pretty, drought tolerant and considered ornamentals.

uh oh, just read a few articles that turned my world upside down: there are some peonies that can be grown in north Texas, particularly Itoh Tree peonies which do very well in So Cal.
[URL]http://nhg.typepad.com/north-haven-gardens/2015/02/think-you-cant-grow-peonies-think-again.html[/URL]

[URL]http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1342724/[/URL]

[URL]http://gardenhomeandparty.com/2010/10/27/fall-gardening-growing-peonies-in-southern-california/[/URL]

Been doing some research, camellias seem like a nice fit for my front yard under the live oaks since they like the shade, and drought tolerant once established! And they're BEAUTIFUL!!! They look like a hybrid of my three favorites: roses, waterlillies and peonies :)
[IMG]https://camelliassww.blob.core.windows.net/assets/standard/PAGE/8056/large/Camille-2672.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://camelliassww.blob.core.windows.net/assets/standard/PAGE/11907/large/LadyFernanda.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://camelliassww.blob.core.windows.net/assets/standard/PAGE/15852/large/cjaponicaVirgiesEden.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://camelliassww.blob.core.windows.net/assets/standard/PAGE/15967/large/Dr%20%20Karl%20Horn%20front.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://camelliassww.blob.core.windows.net/assets/standard/PAGE/16113/large/cj-Jessica%20Beach.JPG[/IMG][IMG]https://camelliassww.blob.core.windows.net/assets/standard/PAGE/16390/large/KyleWhite.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://camelliassww.blob.core.windows.net/assets/standard/PAGE/16498/large/cj-Purple%20Passion.JPG[/IMG]
[IMG]https://camelliassww.blob.core.windows.net/assets/standard/PAGE/16518/large/cj-Ruchi%20Rhodes.jpg[/IMG]

They are gorgeous, aren't they? You should see the ones at the Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales Fl. There are over 150 varieties there. That was why I thought of them for you. Strong bushes with flowers that looked so rose like. I think they are in bloom now, they like to bloom in the Florida wintertime.
Trivia, that tower has a working carillon, and is built on iron mountain, the highest place in peninsular Florida, at a whopping 350 ft above see level!

[QUOTE=ginger2778;453745]They are gorgeous, aren't they? You should see the ones at the Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales Fl. There are over 150 varieties there. That was why I thought of them for you. Strong bushes with flowers that looked so rose like. I think they are in bloom now, they like to bloom in the Florida wintertime.
Trivia, that tower ihas a working carillon, and is built on iron mountain, the highest place in peninsular Florida, at a whopping 350 ft above see level![/QUOTE]

The highest point in Brazoria county Texas which is on the coast is the local land fill.:lol:

Worth

Is it too cold for Gardenias in your part of Texas?

What about CONFEDERATE ROSE? Or CREPE MYRTLE? I grew them both in Gainesville FL, and they were beautiful. Crepe Myrtles come in dwarf & small as well as full size. These photos are of my Confederate Rose-

I would personally go with the semi dwarf crepe myrtle.
I used to not like crepe myrtles but a resent drought changed my mind.
They got no water and still chugged right along for the duration.:yes:
Then I decided that was my kind of tree.
Yes they are done to death here but for a good reason and they bloom all summer long.
And I hate to say it but I have taken a liking to nandinas.
People say they are invasive but I beg to differ.
I have not seen one plant growing where it wasn't planted.
They grow in sun or shade and once established are a cactus of a plant.
When it gets cold enough they turn a beautiful red and have foliage all year long.
And come in all heights for your requirements.
What more could you ask for.:yes:

Worth

You could always put in tomato cages and stage a showdown with the homeowners association. The press likes this kind of drama.

[QUOTE=Stvrob;453922]You could always put in tomato cages and stage a showdown with the homeowners association. The press likes this kind of drama.[/QUOTE]

Knowing me the way I do that is exactly what I would do.:twisted:
My raised beds are in the front along the drive.
They are painted and look nice.
Yet one nosey neighbor wanted to know why I put them there.
My answer was because I can.
The truth was it was so my late wife with cancer could see them every day when she came home from work and pick a few tomatoes.:)
As far as I am concerned the guy didn't deserve the truth.


Worth

I lucked out, the front lawn has 4 mature crepe myrtles in addition to the live oaks. I'm not the original owner, but I don't deadhead the myrtles and now they're almost as tall as the house itself.

It's nice being able to have control over the front lawn, but locking-horns with the HOA isn't in the cards right now. While I fart in the general direction of their "rules" to be honest they haven't been jerks about any of my landscaping change requests, so I guess I can't complain.

Thanks for all the suggestions in this thread, it's been so helpful. I'm finishing up some research for my proposal to the HOA. For sprucing up the front I'm pretty sold on the camellias, there's so much variety in bloom form, color, height and they're shade loving, drought tolerant, and they seem uncommon in the neighborhood (I don't remember seeing anyone with them on their property). I have a sunny spot on the west side of the house where I'm hoping to put two mexican birds of paradise, and I'm researching a few other suggestions for sizing to see what else I can fit in before I make any final decisions. My front and west side yard isn't huge, so I only have so much room to play with, I wish I could fit in a lot more and experiment with a wider range of plants.

I have probably 50 camellia bushes on our new place. I understand they prefer very acidic soil, which mine is. I live in a blueberry growing county. I also have lots of azaleas and something that I think are rhododendrons, but I'm not sure,yet.
I'm dealing with some sort of flower disease right now but we've had a wet,cold winter. I really love the flowers, they are so pretty! Especially the "Christmas" camellia, red with yellow in the middle.

50! Wow, that's amazing, I'll sounds like you'll have plenty of perfect blossoms for cutting :) Sorry to hear about the flower disease, since it's been wet does it look like camellia flower blight? I was reading up on camellia care and for some reason it comes to mind.

Luckily my soil is slightly acidic, but it's clay so I'd need to amend it regardless for both the camellias and the mexican birds of paradise. I read that cotton burr compost is preferable for them, and luckily I've already got tons since I use it for my tomatoes.

I had two trees removed, one is on the east side of the house and a medium sized camellia japonica would be perfect for that spot, it gets morning sun, but after 12:00 it's completely shaded. There used to be a big holly there that was eating the corner of my house. The other side I have a hole where the bradford pear was, I'm wondering if I should place a c. sasanqua in that spot since it's going to get full afternoon sun which might scorch a japonica, but in 5 years it will be partial shade.