Replacements for rose bushes

ed110220

Ok so I have seven rose bushes, hybrid tea types, in my front garden planted by previous owners. They appear very old and may even date to when the road was laid out in 1949.

Anyway each year I prune them in the late winter and try to keep them healthy by spraying against blackspot, but invariably I miss some treatments..
Rainy weekend, life gets in the way. So they look nice for about a month in early summer while they flower and before the disease strikes and after that they look like carp as the leaves go yellow and drop off.

I plan to get rid of them and replace them with something that doesn't need spraying every two weeks with nasty chemicals. Preferably with a reasonably long flowering period. Any ideas? The spots are sunny to semi shady.

Tom99

You may have to replace the soil if you are planting in the same places or I think you can get a special compostable 'box' that you plant the new rose in.

ed110220

Sorry, should have been clearer, looking to replace the roses with a different type of shrub.

[Deleted User]

What's the soil like ?
Is it moisture retentive or dried ?
Soil's acidity is also a factor but - as a good allrounder for long period flowering - consider Hypericum 'Hidcote' (yellow flowers), it has a compact shape, it'll reach about 5' high x 5' wide and can be ignored once established.

Any plant needs copious watering in the first year especially if planted in the springtime.

For a looser, more lax, style a Lavatera is also a strong contender (pink flowers, or white-y pink)

Davesnave

Your problem is easier for you to solve because the options run to hundreds and you know better than us what you'd like the look of!

I would run searches for long flowering, easy care and double interest shrubs, then note which suspects appear in more than one list. That's narrowing things down a little. Then check if there are special soil requirements. e.g.camelias needacid soil.

Of course, you might see something you just like the look of whilst doing this. For example pittosporums, aren't the most attractive flowerers and they can get big, but the leaves of some are attractive and they may be pruned hard, so one of the fancy ones might fit in fine.

There are literally dozens of shrub lists online, but they're all other people's choices. When it comes to choosing for easy maintenance that's fine, but for looks it's just opinion.

sheramber

Potentilla. Our council have replanted some rose beds with Potentilla.

Do you want a mixture or all the same?