Toni - when I find a plant that survives the insults and abuses of mountain weather, I'll happily share it with you. Come to think of it I need to review the list myself.
I've been told that peaches and apricots grow well here. Planted my first apricots a few weeks ago. Daffodils are very happy here. And I have some tulips returning for a second year that I thought were the single year kind. Lavender, nepeta, and oenothera grow well here. Most alliums are moderately happy here including onions, garlic, and various lilies. Iris definitely thrive. I got some cheapo discount iris at a clearance from Wilds last year for $2.00. When they arrived I was shocked that 80% of them looked like compost fodder. Probably three quarters of them are alive now. So it wasn't a terrible deal.
I've been happy to see that some sedums work. And red hot pokers, too. Euphorbias have endured punishing conditions where other "drought tolerant" plants have failed including cold hardy agaves. With adequate water, dahlias have proven to be quite easy. It seems to be natural habitat for most perennial herbs: rosemary, sage, and thyme. Santolina and stachys can be coaxed along with additional water. So too, coreopsis and salvia. One of three heucheras planted in deep shade last year survives. I planted some arugula last year and it is well on its way to becoming a prominent weed. Too wet and cold for most cactus and agave. Too dry and sunny for most of the plants in the normal gardening lexicon.
The only roses that I can say are definite successes here are Abe Darby, Tess of the d'Ubervilles, Rise 'n' Shine, and Thor. Crocus Rose, Cherry Parfait, Rainbow Sorbet, Gourmet Popcorn, Art Deco and Cupcake show definite promise. So do Blush Noisette and Hermosa which both stayed green through the winter and are much the healthier for the effort. (Here the ground does not freeze deeply, so a plant that can survive freezing temperatures at least in spring and fall can grow when there is ample soil moisture - hence the success of alliums and cold hardy evergreens. Cool season grasses thrive, too.)
I remain hopeful for Le Reve, Lady Hillingdon, Sexy Rexy, Don Juan, Allgold, Baronne Prevost, Rosarium Utersehn, Felicite Parmentier, Lavender Lassie, Mrs Robinson, Magic Dragon, ZD, Marie Pavie, Perle d'Or, Nouveau Monde, Centennial des Lourdes, and Westerland.
The other roses including Belle Epoque, Apricot Nectar, Lemon Spice, White Maman Cochet CL, Blumenschmidt, Futura, Geisha, Gardenia, Sympathie, and Cotton Candy are all very probationary, speculative, perhaps temporary. The nibbling critters are fond of Paul's Lemon Pillar which, after three years is not so many inches tall.
Etoile d' Hollande is being pulled up this season. Anson Jones did not survive the winter. Lamarque, Celine Forestier, and Reve d'Or failed quite convincingly, too. Surprisingly, Pink Parfait seems to be gone. But it appears that most of the rose garden survived the winter intact. Hurray.
I saw your review of Mardi Gras at another site and it cheered me to know that the rose can do well since it is on my Garden Valley order. I'm sure you have a list, too. And at your leisure, I'd be glad to know what's on it.
(Note to Zuzu - Feel free to move this entry to where it belongs best ...)
