I would like to butt back in here just to clarify a couple items I mentioned earlier. First, and most importantly, the list of tree species and cultivars suitable for streetside planting is an ever-shrinking thing. We continue to lose those species most able to handle the often extremely poor growing conditions on those terraces, things like American elm, green ash, and others which grew without complaint, no matter what we threw at them. Then there are overhead and underground restrictions, many of which were ignored back in the old days. Thus, in my city, we have numerous large silver maples growing up into the power lines. We also have many water shutoff valves completely encased in the bases of large, old street trees. In Somany's narrative, he mentions some of these factors. I would propose that the City Forester-that's not exactly me BTW- has a hard job dealing with new pest outbreaks, new and more virulent pathogens, and on and on. I'd go so far as to say I resent any implication, here or elsewhere, that this is a simple matter. Throw in homeowner likes and dislikes, the common objection to trees with nuts or other large fruits, the need to try to avoid invasive plants, and quite honestly, I think most of you readers will be able to see it's not so simple as it may seem. For my part-and I've already touched on this-I do not agree with the modern trend towards the use of ornamental tree types as street trees. They simply do not meet the design criteria. Street trees are intended to frame the street, diminish its overpowering presence, cast shade-preferably from one side to the other-intercept rainfall, and at the same time, be able to handle the extremes of droughtiness that is so often their lot on these little tiny strips of soil, plus in my part of the world, handle the tons and tons of road salt that gets used every year, and somehow look good and satisfy the aesthetic requirements we hold them to. But these little crabs, serviceberries, Jap tree lilacs, etc. while all decent plants, cannot possibly amount to much on the streetside. Of course, compromise is a part of this. So if the terrace is in fact just 4 ft. in width, a fast-growing 'Autumn Blaze maple may soon outgrow its spot. But even in such sites, I think efforts should be directed at at least trying to grow a taller-growing species. Even the little ornamental guys are going to get too big in those spots anyway, plus their crowns-at maturity-are right where we walk, our garbage trucks drive, our snowplows plow. Not an ideal solution, IMO. +oM

Wow everyone thank you so much for the suggestions. If worse comes to worse in regards to overwintering in pots, I am willing to rent out those garage spaces that apartments have! We could fit one of the tiny cars in it, too. It’ll only be for the winter months anyways! I do have pot bottoms that roll (though I’ve broken so many wooden ones so I will get new iron ones when I move up). Moving them shouldn’t be too hard. From what everyone is saying, it looks like there is a fair shot of my potted Austins being able to survive! Thank you guys so much for your input! :) Before investing in more I want to work with my current children! LOL I absolutely love this rose forum and how fast and helpful everyone is!! If I could post a bajillion heart emojis, I would! Heart heart heart!!!!!

Re the star jasmine: too much sun maybe? I'm in the Pac NW but summers, even here, with relentless sun, are not kind to star jasmines. There is a lot more humidity on the east coast in the south, and things do well there because they generally have plenty of rain and humidity in summer. Jasmines also like shelter. Windy situations are not the happiest for them. You did well to mulch them. After this growing season they should be well established. One thing about the brown leaves: sometimes leaves do this on evergreen things just as the plant is making a branch there. Look for signs of new branches and more leaves - that is a natural occurance then, and nothing to worry about. how wide is your bed by your fence? you mentioned planting catmint (Nepeta). That plant sprawls when in bloom, and can get very wide - so be sure you don't buy the giant nepeta, which sprawls 4-5 feet. You do have to cut back nepeta when it's done flowering each time. What other flowers are you considering and what is your color range that you like? i think you mentioned white, blue, and purple. What other flowering perennials have you considered? you said you wanted low maintenance so ideally, that would be something you don't have to deadhead constantly. . There are some amazing salvias that would do well in your climate. Salvia patens has pure royal blue flowers; ' cambridge blue' is sky blue, rare colors in flowers - not sure what zones they need but worth checking out. Hummingbirds love salvias. Salvia guaranitica "black and blue" is stunning! Or you could plant asclepias and attract butterflies. i adore lantana, which here is an annual but in the Caribbean grew as a woody shrub and bloomed constantly - i guess they are considered invasive down south so it may not be the best choice for your area. Here's a nice article about salvias: https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/how-grow-salvia/ As other have said, until things are established you will need to keep them watered. i used to live in the carribean - no water there - we used our dish water and bath water, bailing out the bathtub, to water our plants! nothing was wasted.

I have never really got along with screens - I don't watch TV. I have relied on books when I want information or entertainment. Back when I was a new gardener, I subscribed to a couple of magazines but quickly concluded that there was always an agenda (usually to sell stuff) and I was even more irritated by the glossy perfection of featured gardens (which I certainly didn't recognise)...but mostly, the tedious predictability of continually catering to garden novices. I do find the internet has value but in general, there is an emphasis on branding, personalities, aspirational BS. I find myself looking at short videos such as 'how to light a Tilley lamp', 'how to do German short rows', 'how to sharpen a chainsaw' but have had very little compulsion to watch TV gardening. Whilst Mr.primula was waiting for a sports channel, one of those garden makeover programmes was playing in the background.. ('Love your garden', I think) .I was dismayed and offended by the whole concept - spend hundreds (thousands) of £££ to make a garden in 24 hours. Rubbish. Not gardening, just shopping. Presided over by grinning nitwits. There is nothing of interest to me. And, afaics, this is amplified on YouTube and subscription social media. So, apart from other gardeners, books (especially plant monographs) are still my main source of information... but again, you have to be prepared to trawl through a lot of utter rubbish but these are usually clearly signalled: written (ahem) by celebrities, heavy on illustration, light on text,