For container mix for conifers I use very small pieces of bark ( like mini nugets but smaller). The nursery that sells this product calls it soil conditioner. Espoma has a prodcut called Clay Buster (I think) that looks like very small gray (pourous) gravel, also to help with the drainage is a white granite like product called Chicken Grit - sold at the farm stores. All four ( including some peat) make a nice well drained soil. A big drainage whole is great and I do not put gravel on the bottom - just a window screen. The soil mix is always discussed by Al on the container forum. In fact Al does not use any peat. He also include a product call Profile Turface, which is great but had to get in my area. I have used my mix in my hypertufa troughs with great sucess. For any containers I like to use a conifer that is one zone colder - so zone 5 or lower. I agree with the taxus, for the best in shade. Maybe a tall Ilex crenata like Sky Pencil would work too. I have seen them grow in the ground in somewhat shady areas. Mike

i have found clethra to have a very regular, symmetrical shape. mine that are in full sun are leafy all the way to the ground. i have them growing in shade, in sun, and in sun/shade. all are nice plants. its one of the cleanest native plants out there, they don't look messy like some other shrubs. i did buy some from franks nursery a couple years ago that were very slow to leaf out and they were more woody and less leafy than my others. i think if i cut them back it will rejuvinate them. clethra have a nice yellow fall color too.

Ok, I just couldn't stand not posting today. Tho actually its 10 min after midnight, so I'm a wee bit late. LOL. Since I haven't been able to unpack and take pix of my Dollar store dish finds from late last week, I decided to share this tiny purchase with you. I won the bone dishes on eBay I was bidding on. No one else bid thank goodness, got the set of six for $10. Plus darn shipping! I chose this set to bid on because it's from the 1920s and I love OLD stuff. And am hoping the milk-glass will go with various settings. Karen

Hi everyone, Thank you for your kind words and expressions of sympathy. It really helps. I've been working at home today and keep expecting to step on the lump of gray fur who always chooses the most inconvenient spot for her naps. Alas. It's very hard and lonely. My son is being married in late May and I think after the wedding, when I will be working from home for two months, I'll go to the APL and adopt maybe two kitties so that they will each other to play with. I would love to get a dog, but living alone, I don't think I have the stamina to take care of one. And I have such a small yard. I keep imagining the winter, with the walk covered with you know what. Gibby3000: I'm sorry for your losses, too. I am really glad I could stay home today because I've been a weepy mess. My eyes are swollen and the least thing sets me off. Your so lucky to have three cats -- Catluvr: I'm sorry too, for your loss. My dog died the day I came home from a 10 day trip. She failed within an hour of my picking her up at the kennel and I am certain she was just hanging on to see me. The guilt was ferocious. I understand how awful it is. It still makes me cry. (Well, anything makes me cry right now). Flyleft: thanks, too, for your sympathies. I really do still feel her around, but I actually hope that she's reuniting with my dog, who was her lifelong friend. I just hope my mother isn't there poking both of them with her cane. Uxorial: How lovely to have a Lucy. I was telling my son today that if I get another cat I want to name her Lucy-two. He thinks I'm nuts. But how can anyone not love a Lucy? I hope yours stays well for a good long time. Pecan: Good luck with your pug. 19 years is pretty miraculous. I hope you'll know what to do. I'm very glad I persevered with Lucy. She actually started using the litter box almost exclusively in the last couple of months, and so I'm glad I hung in there with her. Thank you all for your sympathies and e-hugs and understanding. It means a great deal. Molly