SOMEONE HELP ME WITH THESE ROSES!

I decided that since I’ve been “outed” I might as well come totally clean and just get the help that I need.

Yes. I admit it. My roses are a disaster. They were planted quite some time ago and I was so looking forward to springtime when I was certain they’d blossom into incredible blooms to brighten my front lawn. The reality of the situation has fallen far short of that dream.

And, I’m not happy about it.

I love the springtime, and part of the reason is that I am enamored with the bold bright colors of all the fantastic flowers that make their appearance during this time of year. I’ve long coveted my friend’s garden that hugs her front porch like a cozy embrace and, honestly, my roses were an attempt to mirror that. But it just ain’t happening.

My bushes are scrawny and unimpressive. Granted, a few of them have some buds (and thank God they do or I might sink into a total spring time depression) but the majority of them are just . .. there. They look like a sad kid who is waiting on something. . . someone to come over and brighten up their day. Don’t they know they are supposed to be brightening up mine?!

I was just about to start searching online for some solutions, but thought I might as well just start with you (since I’ve been “outed” and everything). I’m pretty sure that I’ve narrowed down the problem. It’s too much shade. The huge and copious trees in our yard are gorgeous and we’d never chop down a single one, but they are wreaking havoc on my roses that are starving for some endless hours in the sun.

So since I’m not getting rid of any trees, I need to plant something that will flourish in a fairly shady area that only gets a couple hours of sun every day.

Any suggestions?

Come on. Help a sista’ out.

I’m dyin’ over here. . . . and so are these high maintenance roses.

Priscilla