I agree with Jeanne. Pinching them out will stimulate more growth at the axillary nodes and you will end up with a fuller bush in the long run. I, and others on this forum, cannot say enough time how pruning won't hurt clematis, especially ones that have yet to be planted out in the garden. It actually helps them!

Lou, I think this will work well for you too(from a fellow nutcase). I originally thought about doing framed boxes to cover each vegatable but I figure why not just do a framed bed. I had been toying around with the idea for a while but when Tom (tomncath) talked about growing veggies in his screened patio a while back, I figured this would work for me. Silvia, thanks for the info. These are new veggies to me so it's good to have some info on them. I am also prepared for the fruit bugs war. I made these bags (screen and shade fabric) for things like peaches, papayas, sugar apples and guavas. I will use them on the young mangoes but as the mangoes ripen, I will switch to a metal mesh bag to protect them form the squrls and birds. I showed those bags on another thread last year. I had 100% success in protecting my mangoes so we'll see how these work with the other fruits. I set bird food for the birds and I have butterfly attracting plants. My benevolence ends there. I don't intend on sharing my veggies and fruits with insects. :)

Hi Appledeco, I remember the previous discussion well. We were discussing your planting plans/wishes for a brick patio with planters. It seems like Randy and I, and maybe some others as well (my memory isn't THAT good that I'd remember who all participated in that thread without going back and rereading it) were concerned about how hot that patio would get in our summer heat, so we had a few suggestions and ideas. Is that the one? Hardy Bananas are a cinch. As long as you put them in a good soil mix (one that is rich in manure, humus and compost because they are heavy feeders) and keep them well-watered, they'll grow like nobody's business. Also, depending on how well your fence either does or does not block the wind, you may have trouble keeping them from blowing over, so be sure to use a nice, broad (wide) pot and the heavier the better, so it won't be as likely to tip over. I think either ornamental sweet potato or purple heart would be fine. I have grown orn. sweet potato in the same pot as tall tropicals and they co-existed just fine. I haven't tried it with purple heart, but I'd expect they'd co-exist all right. You probably won't know until you try it. I'm not as confident about the hosta/yucca combination. Yuccas do best in drier, leaner soil, and lower rainfall as well, although some of them can handle periodic significant rainfall depending on the soil they're in. Hostas do best in rich, moist soil and have a much higher moisture and shade requirement. Personally, I wouldn't put the two of them together because they have such different needs. Having said that, it is your landscape and you can do whatever you want, so don't let me talk you out of it if your heart is set on trying it. Remember, though that yucca is a desert/dry plains type plant and hosta is a forest understory type plant so they just aren't that compatible. I grow Black Magic EEs and they do NOT get a lot of water because I'm in a fairly dry part of Oklahoma, so I think they'll do fine for you. Just be sure you put them in good soil (sandy loam, compost-enriched soil, etc.) that drains well yet also retains moisture well. You shouldn't have to water daily unless you find they are just roasting in your location. I only water mine once or twice a week even in the absolute driest weather. Let me think about a dark purple grass and see if I can come up with one. Off the top of my head, I can't think of one that is cold-hardy. If you aren't opposed to using an annual (and I know you'd rather have a perennial, or you'd just go with purple fountain grass), there's a couple of ornamental millets that are gorgeous. The variegated one is "Jester" (about 40" tall) and the solid-colored one is "Purple Majesty" and it is just slightly taller--maybe 4' to 5' tall. Both are easy to raise from seed and you can find seed of them (and photos of them) at Park Seed (www.parkseed.com) and at many other online retailers as well. You also can find them in nurseries and garden centers in the spring. And, I've linked the previous thread in case anyone wants to go back and read it. Now, I'm going to put on my thinking cap and try to figure out an ornamental grass that would be purple to purple-ish. Dawn Here is a link that might be useful: The Previous Thread

greywings, The opening facing the fireplace is to the front entry of the house. It kind of divides the fireplace in half. I hadn't thought of putting the chairs in front of the fireplace. And my dh would love to put an sectional where you are suggesting. He's suggested that a few times. It would have to be a fairly small one since that is not a few big area. Here is a picture looking at the fireplace from the foyer. (Please ignore that ugly green paint that I've since painted over!) And another older one looking more directly where the two recliners are now. (Sorry it's so blurry) Also, what would you put in the corner to the left behind the recliners? Since that's looking into the room from the entrance, would looking at the back of the recliners looks good? I could put a table between them, but a lamp would be difficult without using a rug behind them to reach the outlet. Thanks for the help. I've been struggling with the shape of this room for some time. I've even tossed up the idea of closing in that opening that leads from the foyer, but it would be strange to walk into the house and directly towards the kitchen area. (of course, everyone always heads that way anyhow!) Robbi