And your goals are ....?? If the garden is to be an artistic statement (interesting and pleasurable to look at and be in,) then I think you are way too wrapped up in the plants at this stage of the game. It would be better to work out the forms, arrangements, layout and then consult your list of plants to see what would be useful to you in making your dream come true. Trying to squeeze in all the favorites first creates the likelihood that the end result will be jumbled, crowded and possibly disorganized. Because of the blackness of the shadow areas, the limits of the garden can't quite be seen, but the arbor does not seem to be at the back. I would consider, first, how this would be placed since it's a major element and you are not using it as an entrance, but more like an altar ... which is OK, but maybe it would be better toward the back and less in the center of the garden. Wish you had a better picture that showed into the shadows. I hope you paint the arbor and make it look more refined. (I don't get the mass appeal of weathering barn wood in gardens!)

Don't count on anything that you buy from a Lowes, HD, WalMart or even local nurseries to automatically do well in your zone. Check them out on the internet first. Businesses that sell plants are in business to make money. Even many nurseries will sell you plants that are not suited to the local climate. If they are responsible nurseries they will tell you that the plant you are buying will be an annual in your zone, meaning it's going to die come winter. Cheryl

Hi there, This is my first time writing for landscape design, so I hope I'm in the right place! I just had a fence installed a few months ago, and finally getting around to making a bed in the last bit that was empty. I purchased: 1 Lollipop Crabapple tree 1 Weeping Norway Spruce 1 Dwarf Bald Cypress I just planted the weeping spruce and the crabapple tonight, so I'm able to easily move them. I have to adjust them anyway because they were planted a bit high, but it was getting late and wanted to get them in the ground. Now for the help. I originally thought to put the lollipop crabapple tree in the corner because I know "eventually" it can get 10x10 feet. Does anyone have one and have an opinion on that? I read you can trim them, but not sure how much you can trim without hurting the tree. I do want it to grow, but it is very small right now. I just took out an ornamental pear tree from that spot that I planted last year because it had a disease, unfortunately. It was tall and went over the fence. Now I am staring at this little guy, and it seems off! haha I know it is quite bare, even when these get planted, but I am just not happy with it. Would anyone care to share their opinion? A few options I thought - remove crabapple and find another spot for him. Maybe put him down near where I have the cypress hanging out. Move Weeping Norway to spot the crabapple is, maybe put some rocks near him so the branches can cascade over rocks? We don't have the biggest space, so we tend to purchase unique trees/shrubs and don't follow must rules when it comes to gardening. We tend to like more of the rock garden/japanese inspired designs. We like things that look unique, and I purchased the crabapple mainly for the birds. Any advice I would dearly appreciate! :) Thank you! Here is a better picture of the space - even though I did more and extended the bed down (past the weeping spruce) - I am replacing the boxwoods along the chainlink with a elderberry tower to give more privacy. This is when the ornamental pear was in place. I really miss it, but it has pear rust and it gets very bad late summer - and I noticed the tree has weakened this year :( Would rather remove it while it's small and not have to deal with it later.

Thin the fruits when small to take the weight off - notice that the tree is already sending new vertical shoots up from behind the arching portions on its own. New branches coming up from near the center and then bending over with age is a basic growth mode common to apples and their familial relations the roses also. Even the purple leaved crab to the right of the dwarf looking one will have its on modified version of this going on. Speaking of that other tree if you look up the 'Royalty' crab apple you may find that is what kind it is.