I can't tell long that walkway to the house is, but since you already have some nice things growing there, I'd leave the phlox and catmint and stick in maybe 2 or 3 smaller roses spaced far enough apart that the phlox and catmint have room to grow in between. Two possibilities occur to me for the periodically spaced roses: a three-ft rose (contrast in size with the other plants there, plus would provide an rounder, more "solid" shape periodically)-- lets say Our Lady of Guadalupe or the floribunda Easter Basket. They are both good bloomers/rebloomers and both are quite good on disease-resistance. Pretty Jessica would be about the right size and has a lovely bloom--but mine doesn't bloom as continuously as Our Lady or Easter Basket does. I would not use Queen of Sweden for this purpose--mine grows 4-5 ft tall--too tall for the front walk, in my opinion. Since the two I recommend are lighter colored, the blue catmint and maybe something darker like you have along the front of the house would form a nice contrast. The other choice I'd consider would be several mini roses along the walkway. My yellow Sweet Diana is a heavy bloomer and frequent rebloomer (and disease resistant)--about 1.5 to 2 ft tall, good full bushy look for a little fellar. It would fit in nicely and the cheerful yellow would look very welcoming. Or a different style mini would be Green Ice--a very full but more sprawling mini that blooms white (with slight coral hue when it first opens and a slight greenish hue in cooler weather). It grows about 1.5 ft high and wide--maybe even a bit more on the width. With the white Green Ice, you would have to make sure that some of the perennials in between the roses formed some contrasting colors (and shapes). Or maybe a combination of Sweet Diana and Green Ice and another mini in bright pink or red--someone else would have to recommend one of those, especially if you want good bloom/rebloom and disease-resistance. Have fun plannning--lots of roses to dream over! Kate

Well I only got a little bit of snow and my bag managed so stay up by itself. A cat did jump on it and I found me a nice foot print in the middle of my bag other than that I have had no problem keeping my bag up. Just a thought here, but you could maybe get a little bench or make a homemade bench and set the bag with its contents underneath. So that the bench will protect and maybe make an igloo effect around the bag and maybe to protect the snow from crushing the bag. Just a thought, I do not know how feasible it is. Someone else was saying something about a stick in the middle to elevate it, well I screwed myself up there cause I cut a huge vent hole in the middle. Plus I seriously doubt a stick will hold up any significant snow. My mind goes back to the igloo effect!!

Welcome John, I'm new here but I must say I am quite impressed with your setup. I'm a failed indoor gardener myself, killed most everything with kindness then let the rest die from neglect. I love your high domes that really could have helped last winter when I was trying to care for humidity loving plants in my dry heated home. I see you go to great lengths to baby your plants, and with a great deal of success. All that being said, give this wintersowing a looksie. I love being able to go out and see the condensation in my jugs and know that it's not time to water yet. It appeals to my apathy and my ignorance. Stick around maybe we could learn a few things from you too. I myself am interested in SFG and am experimenting with wintersowing some of my veggies and starting some indoors under traditional plant lights. So far my results indicate this indoor stuff is eating more of my time. I love this place, I learn something new everyday. These folks have oodles to teach. Don't think me forward but I've always wanted to show a stranger my jugs. MARY

The light marble works in the other kitchen because the counters and floor are darker. It would wash your kitchen out. You need a backsplash that has some of the counter and cabinet colors in it to bring it all together. Also something with a little pattern as your counters and floor are more solid. Try a travertine mosaic tile with same warm brown and ivory tones in it. A mini brick or square would work well as you have that small area above the counters and a larger tile would be too big there.