I understand giving away plants that you don't want or that need thinning out. I have gotten quite a few plants that way and share hostas, seeds, etc with friends and neighbors. I don't kill plants just because they are less than perfect or I want new ones. Gardening teaches me that life is beyond my control. I am learning to accept surprises and imperfections in myself and the world around me. Gardening is relaxing and spiritual for me. Everyone has their own way, shovel prune if that is your thing.
I moved a few roses this year and still need to move a few minis. It is a challenge to dig holes here because of the rocks, etc. One can dig a big enough hole, fill it with water and have it still full the next day! In that case, there is a big rock or lots of little rocks and clay blocking the drainage. A back injury limits my ability to do heavy work, but friends help me sometimes. At the moment, I have the half dug holes marked, time for another "move the rocks" bbq. I suspect the drainage issues and spring-thaw cycle are the reasons that I have had problems with grafted roses. Many neighbors have also had problems. The exception is people with their roses in raised beds filled with improted soil/mix.
Anyway, I am thinking of swapping William Shakespeare 2000 with rountuit in the fall or spring. Spring would probably be best. At the moment, I have the large cane staked so that it doesn't fall into my Tiffany hybrid tea. My rose bed is in front of the building facing south, so the roses tend to lean forward. Rountuit and the minis were so small last year that I was afraid they would be lost among the plants at the back of the bed - mostly lilies and errant morning glories. The peonies near rountuit had spread rapidly. I was very surprised. It has less space in its current location than I had planned. Live and learn.
This is my first garden, so it has been a learning experience. I am still glad that any rose survives after my "body bag" dead sticks.
I like my place clean, but not crazy clean. I sew and knit and have numerous sewing and knitting machines and works in progress. I don't have a separate "studio space". Not to mention all of the books. At some point, I will move into a larger place, but for now I try to keep things organized and reasonably tidy.
