i dont really see whats training BC needs .. when its 10 feet tall ... and 3 inches thick.. do you really think that whats apparent today.. will be so then??? and.. thats a shipping stake ... remove it.. then decide if you need a real stake ... one more properly sized to its intended use ... if any ... man.. i love free gifts ... ken

A nice alternative to an evergreen backdrop for hamamellis is to site it where it will be back-lit by the rising or setting sun. In my garden, Arnold is planted just off the west side of the house, and the entire living room is filled with its color in the late afternoons in February and March. Diane is also to the west of the house and lights up like a torch late in the day. Poor old Jelena, may she rest in peace, was to the west of the street, and passers-by would stop and gawk on their afternoon strolls. I'd like to say that it was also stunning from the house at dawn, but I'm a late sleeper so I have no clue if that's true.

Livnlife I admire you for tackling such a small ball and I love it with the iridescent glass background. Eklypz, I can't believe this is your first Van Gogh glass!!! Diamondjennie, your ball looks so dainty and elegant. Flagtruck, using cup handles to make a built in stand for that gorgeous ball, was absolutely brilliant!!! Ahem...I can't believe that the person who ran this exchange and told everyone to make sure they took a picture of their ball before they sent it, failed to do that with their own ball and is going to make us all wait anxiuosly for Momof3 to find her camera! LOL Hey momof3...did you find that camera yet? Barb

Thanks you guys! I love the hummies too! I have 5 feeders up and some I have to refill daily. The rufouses showed up last week. So it's gonna be hummie heaven til fall now! Lily, I will take some full shots of the pergola today. Only problem is it's still quite a mess right now. I have weeds out the ying-yang and there's drip hose piled in the middle awaiting the new beds nearby getting finished up. My whole yard is a major mess. It's s total work in progress. With all the rain and cold temps, I haven't been able to get much of anything done. It's clear today, but we're expecting the rain to start back up tonight I believe and supposed to last most of next week. Auuugggghhhh!!! I'm so sick of it!!!