My mother came home while they were working, and she went outside to talk to them about coming again in a few weeks (she wasn't happy about the hawthorne, but it never bloomed). I was inside for a bit before I went outside to leave, and when I walked through the front door I see the guys finishing up a brutal trimming of my 'Iceberg' rose. My jaw dropped. The Iceberg had finally hit its stride this year (7 year old plant) and was about 7 feet tall, 4 feet wide, and a disease-free bloom machine. And they whacked it back.

It turns out my mom wanted them to cut it back for the winter (what?), and they had obligingly pulled out their engine driven trimming machine and mangled the poor thing. The teeth on the trimmer weren't sharp enough to cut all of the way through the tough wood of the rose, and what it couldn't cut through it chewed to pieces.

*sigh*

It will grow back, it always does, but I had hoped to leave it alone this year and let its bark mature so that it would have a more graceful shape. Ah well.

One of these days you will need your own garden. When two people have strong but different ideas about what the garden should be, ultimately both will be unhappy.

Rosefolly

I can sympathize. Planted 3 Caldwell Pinks on my Mom's & uncle's graves this spring. The creeps mowed 'em flat & the heat finished them off.

I'm replanting between the stones & going to wedge rocks underneath. I secretly feel like surrounding them with 12" of re-bar sunk around the plants--but don't want anyone to get hurt (or not much I don't)

I agree. My own patch of earth would be great!. I am grateful for the dirt I manage here at the house, it just gets difficult sometimes when I try to explain to non-garden savvy parents why it is, in fact, absolutely necessary that I continue to bring home plants. Lol.

About the Hawthorne: that side of the bed is due for a revamping soon! The thing was actually supposed to come out, but I just asked the yard guys to do it while they were here. When I pointed out another two Hawthornes crammed behind Iceberg, my mom had them pull those out as well. She just didn't like that the bed looked so bare and that I had them do it without asking first. All's well that ends well though, those things never bloomed and they will all eventually be pulled out.

Josh

When I inquired about my parents' plans to renovate the front beds, they told me that they wanted, "more shrubs and less roses." (There are only 3 of my roses in the bed).

I'm still trying to wrap my head around how that could be possible. Less roses? Is that even a real thing? Will report back when I come to a rational explanation.... Lol

Josh

Camp, you are a genuine gardener and can have no knowledge of the abysmal ignorance of our mow and blow "gardeners" here. I'd let you happily loose in my garden to do what you will to any plant while I went shopping. These people you have to stand over with an eagle eye because they know practically nothing other than grass. There may be exceptions but I haven't encountered them. Not in this life would I let one loose in my garden.

Ingrid

Actually, I do! I brought in a handful of the smelliest, fattest Juse blooms the other day and she quite enjoyed them. I guess I will just have to keep working on 'em. My dad loved Reines Des Violettes' first bloom here. Maybe they can be swayed.

Ingrid,

The aftermath really is flooring, isn't it? Iceberg will spring back again, but it may be another year before it recovers to its full glory.

Camp,

The Hawthorne was already tag for removal; my dad and I had discussed how they needed to go because they did not get enough sun to bloom. Believe me, I fear what would happen to me if I truly commandeered the landscaping! And Ingrid hit it right on the head: there is an extreme difference between a professional gardener, and the mow and blow guys we have here. They're fine chaps, and really only doing the best they can with what they know, but I still keep an eye on them to make sure the roses come out unscathed. I'm sure your clients don't have to worry about any of that!

Josh

I just need to let you know that I am still guffawing about you referring to your posterity as "offspring." I sincerely enjoy your humorous syntax.

Josh

Pointing out a few antique roses too

Josh

Who would have guessed how much I love them all.

I showed him Lady Ann Kidwell and Archduke Charles.

But the one that impressed him the most was...Don Juan. Of course he is a very mature and very happy rose and does get right in your face.

Randy