Sorry, I hit the Submit button by mistake. As you can see mine has evolved since the initial inspiration and every part was an incredible amount of work and exertion, and though roses have moved and left, companion plants have grown and left, and now evergreen azaleas have been added to give naked canes some cover and a more filled look to the beds, I've always been happy with the circle design. It was the exhilarating first step. As far as digging in the sun, in my first backyard rose bed I actually used a beach umbrella for shade while I sat on the ground with my feet dangling in the bed doing the "double dig" because it was killing my back to bend that far over to dig the second shovel down. Have you ever tried digging from a seated position? It works. Also you need a wheelbarrow and probably a wagon with big rubber tires for hauling bags and bricks and all the other stuff you need for maintenance, feeding, etc. You need to learn how to best spend your strength and energy. Don't go wasting it on lugging 40 lb bags of compost one at a time. Pulling a heavy cart with 4 bags on it is easier on your back that carrying one bag from the front yard to the back 150 times. Better yet, will your vehicle fit into the backyard? Got some friends? I'm excited for you to be starting your wonderful garden, and I'm so glad that part is behind me. Work smart and protect yourself. Also, I think you'll find the most success with Teas, Chinas and Noisettes. They love our heat, don't mind humidity & wet weather and don't suffer from the fungal diseases that modern roses do. Since I don't spray, that's very important. Where are your photos??? Hartwood, I love your gardens, designs and roses. I wish I could get to Virginia to see them in person. You've done such a beautiful job. Sherry

I would love to attend, maybe someday. I live about 2 hours north of Charlotte NC. My DH and I are planning our first trip to Charleston this year at the end of May. If anyone would like to do a swap while we are there, or swap thru the mail, here's my list. I've been hosting swaps in my garden for years. Email me for a link to my garden photos, and I'd enjoy links to yours.

Resin: I appreciate your willingness to continue making suggestions, especially in light of my resistance. You have given me good ideas. Now I need to take field trips to W&M and the Botanical Garden in Norfolk. I'd love to find a conifers expert in this geographic area because it is quite different from most of the Southeast. Beng - Yes, there was something about the Aleppo pine that struck me too. You described it perfectly. I'd like to try growing it. I'll look into the Table Mountain pine and Resin's recommendations as well. David, you are right about our climate. We live on Stingray Point, at the end of a peninsula that juts out into the Bay. Being surrounded by a large body of water on three sides is a strong influence on our climate. Temps and humidity are much lower here than 2-3 miles away. The wind blows most of the time, but we are protected from winds out of the north and northeast by a band of trees. Winters are mild with the first freeze in late Nov to early Dec; last frost around mid-March. The Bay has a cooling effect in the spring and early summer - our temps are often 10 degrees lower than the nearest town 3 miles away. Yes, Pamela Harper lives a few miles south of here, as the crow flies. Now anyone reading this thread knows more than you wanted to know about SE VA. I am sorely tempted to ask about cedars (see photo #2 above) that can take a fair amount of wind, usually from the south, that may go on for weeks in the spring and summer. Given what you know about my climate, would Cedrus libani manage? Cedrus atlantica var. glauca? Neither? Other? Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so I give thanks for your patience and your help. I hope you have a peaceful, happy Thanksgiving. I'll be planting trees so I'll be happy! Pam

Nice to hear that you loved Philly. I know very little about it but as I said earlier, Kevin and I will be there the first week of August. I'm taking a day trip from Philly to NE New Jersey to visit a friend there, and she said I could take a train and she would meet me at the station. I assume there are a lot of trains between Philly and Manhattan. I would like to know what you liked best about Philadelphia and if you have any special recommendations. Kevin and I will be visiting Annie1992 in Michigan on our way and will spend more time in Michigan than in Philadelphia. Did you get to meet Sushipup in Philly? Pam is in Europe right now, and she won't be around to meet us either.