The fruits of your labor will be rewarded by doing the so called boring stuff first. Instant gradification for this project will come with great disappiontment. So you are on the right track. If you want those roses sooner try growing in the large pots as you say. Put in an area that won't get in the way of the project area. You can also dig holes and place those pot in the holes to be lifted and planted when ready. Some can be placed above ground level and some placed in dug holes. Kind of a win win. Don't forget to use annuals to also give great color and interest during the growing season. It is a compramise you may beable to live with. I agree get pics of before during and after. Watch it evolve I think you will be suprised and quite pleased with the results.

Portland from Glendora does really well for me in the shade (others seem to agree on HMF). It's very, very fragrant, repeats well, and is about the size you want or a little bigger (depending on how enthusiastic it is about garden conditions). Nice clean, abundant foliage too. Reine des Violettes does well in shade. She's mucho fragrant and thornless too. Another you might want to look at is Sidonie. She's similar to Glendora but a lighter color. Mine is doing well in partial shade. I also really like Grandmother's Hat. Mine is just a wee slip of a thing as she arrived only recently, but when I've seen her full grown, what a lovely plant. Very versatile. Excellent scent. Melissa Here is a link that might be useful: Portland from Glendora on HMF

-Brenda, I have provided a link below to Michelle's pics. The Cottate Garden forum has a "gallery" side that people can post extra pics on. There is also a "conversation" (mostly off topic conversations) side and an "exchange" side that people use to exchange seeds and plants. We are now on the "discussion" side of this forum. If you look on the main page you will see Messages, and below it it has the different sides. Just click on one of those and it will take you to the gallery, conversation, or exchange side. CMK Here is a link that might be useful: Michelle's Secret Garden pics

Jeanne, you are just full of it tonight. I love everything you shared. The 'Barnwood Bloom' is so pretty. Great job on creating this one! The gas stove grate really sets off your flower. The little hummer on your birdhouse is sweet. That cement birdwaterer looks heavy and looks nice with the other mushroom and surroundings. Your "Henri Studios Two Cherubs Reading" is just darling and you stole it for sure at $29.99. Buys like this are not always at our finger tips but sounds like having a Good Eye paid off. Tipsy pots are looking good. It seems as though petunias and moss roses like the hot dry summers. I love your dahlias in your rope terracotta pot. So pretty. The terra cotta fish are just to cute too. The flowering kale, peppers and herbs are doing well. I use to plant flowering kale every year but didn't even think about it this year so it was great seeing yours. Thanks so much for going OT and sharing all these great pictures w/us. Punk