WOW EVERYONE! THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INPUT! PLEASE KEEP IT COMING! HAS ANYONE TRIED GRAPHITE PENCIL? I HEAR THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST IN OUTDOOR WEATHER TOO? ANYONE HAVE SUCESS? I HAVE BOUGHT AN ENGRAVER FOR MY METAL TAGS, BUT THROUGH TIME THEY BECOME UNREADABLE AND NOT TO MENTION MYHAND DIES QUICKLY WHILE DOING THIS,LOL. SO I AM SEARCHING FOR A BETTER WAY. I THOUGH MAYBE THESE IMPRESSION STICKERS/LABELS WOULD WORK. oNE KIND GENTILEMAN SAID HE TRIED THOSE AND THEY HAVE LASTED HIM 1 YEAR SO FAR. tHE JUST NEED TO BE PRESSED ON FIRMLY. iM SURE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SURFACE TOO AS THEY WERE TOUGH TO GET TO MY METAL PLANT TAGS BUT AFTER USING SOMETHING HARD UNDERNEATH TO APPLY WITH FORCE THEY HAVE STUCK. SO NOW I AM JUST WANTING TO HEAR WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THEIR EFFORTS WITH THESE THINGS. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY! MELISSA

Out of your list, this is what I've sown and when. All were winter-sown - I don't direct-sow anything but green beans! echinacea - March veronica - February dill - April (first week) delphs - February cleome - March rudbeckia - February calendula - February cosmos - April (first week) blanket flower - February dianthus - February Hope this helps. :) Dee

Nice ideas. Funny thing is that I replanted 2 TS this summer after lost 2 to rabbits earlier this year. Looking at your garden and the tall T. Splendide (so beautiful) and Bobo, how about a couple neat looking ornamental grass that have some purple color to complement the mostly green color and the texure of the tall green conifer ? I recently planted a switchgrass Cheyenne Sky. It is the most drwaf and compact form (2 ft tall, plus 1 foot very airy tiny flower). The mix of dark purple/silver blue foliage, with a breeze, makes me stop and look at it everytime I walk by the garden. I planted 3 Heuchera Frost Violet next to the grass. Will try to take a picture tomorrow. Roses are another option as well if you choose the kind that is drawf and carefree as mentioned by Karin. I have double knockout, pink and red in different places and they bloom for the entire May-October. But they are tall for your purpose. But drift roses would be good alternatives. Vivian

Mimi, you gave me some wonderful advice before -- what goes around comes around. i agree with everyone else, don't give in. it's a shame though that your mom is in the middle. i guess your dear sister will have to look into respite care or maybe offer your mom's aide a bonus to look after your mom. i personally do not make any plans more than 2 days in advance, because from experience things change here from day to day and not to mention from hour to hour. right now it's your own health that you should be worried about, your are tired and stressed abd need to get yourself back on track. i know what it's like i do it all for 24/7 and while my mil has had this pace maker put in and has been at home for 2 weeks, she says she cannot plug in a kettle, or even open a jar, however she did go shopping the other day. Mimi, like you i am soooo tired so i do know how you feel right now, so stick to your guns! debbie