I went through a period where tulips did not do well. I think they had a virus because when they came up in the spring the leaves were distorted and I got very few blooms. I dug them up and threw them away and waited a while before planting more. I got some as a gift, planted them and they've come back every year bloomed beautifully and actually have multiplied. I've bought tulips at the end of the season at WalMart for 75% off and they've come back. I always leave the leaves until I can easily pull the stems out of the ground. Maybe that's why mine do so well.

As I previously wrote my compliments on your beautiful photos of your garden. There's only one thing you could do to improve those photos..put names of flowers along with the photos. It helps in case somebody likes something and wants to use it as inspiration in their own garden. I have heard that different monitors show up colors differently. You look like there's a lot of orange flowers used, but far away, I can't identify the flowers. I'm computer challenged and don't know how to post pictures period so I shouldn't be giving anybody suggestions. It must be very satisfying to look out at all that beauty and know you did it all yourself. Bet you get a lot of visitors that want to tour your gardens. Can you please tell me where you purchased that adorable garden stone/stepping stone?

Thanks again. Yes, I admit I plant somewhat closely for impact. Even when you think you've given things enough room, you sometimes need to reconsider! I found this pic from 2012 of the rear bed (against the woods) and you can see my original arborescens planting locations with the daylilies behind. I cannot believe how much everything has grown since! But each year I'm always moving things, sometimes once or more monthly throughout each growing season (the neighborhood probably thinks I'm nuts!). Even things that need moved only a foot or two I don't mind doing, because that's another hunk of solid clay I'm loosening up and allowing for root expansion! Other things have naturally spread voraciously as well, like the daylilies, irises and fuzzy-leaved rudbeckia (these are no joke!). Hostas are even getting huge now. I'm at the point where I'm composting overexpansion; wish I had time to give divisions away or sell them! With the most recent transfer of non-bloomers to containers, I find there is a reasonable amount of room for everything with the inventory as-is. I will be cutting in Invincibelle Ruby and Incrediball Blush soon, but those are the only immediate plans. I also prune various items throughout the growing season, as new branches always seem to be growing where they shouldn't. Guess only by chance really, but I subconsciously seem to like the way the Japanese hydrangea gardens are laid out, like a sea of flowers. Without an overabundance of rain (fungal issues) the hydrangeas are very happy planted closely around one another. I will be using large stakes and fencing for Annabelles next year though, as they still manage to spill over onto neighboring macrophyllas. For me, some things seem to bloom more profusely in shade, while others don't. There's really no rhyme or reason to it I've found yet. *shrug* At the current time, I would tell anyone to go ahead and try planting at the woods' edge and see what happens. If adding a completely new bed you'll probably need to chop through some tree roots unless the bed is partially raised by fill or new soil.

I had more herbs than I could use last year so I didnt bother to prune them at all. I am really good at starting seeds, growing then, planting and have things do well. I am NOT good at pruning and understanding that concept well- yet. I decided to completely start the back container over from scratch. This will be the one I plant parsley, basil, and cilantro in. The front one will be dedicated to herbs that come back like oregano, mint, and thyme. I know mint can be invasive, but if it gets too bad I will start from scratch again on this container too :) I cut most of the brown, hard, woody stalks out of the first one and pulled out the dead basil.