If the last picture of a bare stem is inverted (which it appears to be) the plant can possibly be Ailanthus altissima, "Tree of Heaven" which may become "tree of hell." If so, it is a weed and needs to be DUG OUT or chemically eradicated. Hortster

I looked up Canna ( I am new to gardening) and they are very pretty, I think I will have to get some! I looking for more tropical plants to fill in the are that already have the Bird of Paradise and I think the Canna would be a good fit.

Nancy, I have been to the Home and Garden Tour before and it is increadible. I can't go this weekend, I have a family funeral to attend otherwise I would have to be there. For 5 dollars it is a steal. I have always put my pump in some sort of container even if it is only a milk crate lined with window screen and filled with gravel, then wrap the pump with quilt batting to keep out the gravel. What does a pump casing look like? Some sort of metal box? I will see what I can find. Yes I have put misquito dunks in the "cesspool" even though there is lots of wildlife around it. When we get closer in the clean up and can get a water sample I am gonna have it tested to see if there is any way fish will survive. I might put in some goldies, we will see. For now misquito dunks will have to do. When we bought the place the grass was already hip high in the back 1 and 1/2 acres so we didn't see all the JUNK that was strewn around until we hired someone to brush hog it. I have vowed to hubby we will never buy another piece of property without it being mowed, especially since I am the lawn mower :) The man that brushhogged for us did the upper banks and the outer area but the pool itself is lined with trees and brush so thick we can't get to it (I can see tantalizing glimpses though). I am considering putting in a water hyacinth and some duckweed to get it started. I think to much hubby says. hahahahaha.

I would think salvia and lantana would look good together. However, some salvias are perennial and others are annual, and some of the annuals reseed - prolifically. Also, sometimes lantana is borderline here, meaning it might winter over if we have a mild winter, or it might be winter killed. It would be good to get perennial salvia if you want it to come back next year. If you get the blues or purples, you might want something like a yellow coneflower or yellow achillea to go with it, instead of lantana, unless you don't mind the possibility of losing the lantana. Both of these pretty much bloom all summer. If you lived close to OKC, I'd be happy to share some divisions of plants with you, like the yellow achillea (Coronation Gold). I don't have any blue or purple salvia right now, but I have tall blue balloon flower, which is a perennial and very pretty, too. I also have some Speedwell which is bluish/purple, a perennial, too. All of these plants are pretty compatible as to watering, sun, soil, and other needs. If you buy plants, make sure you check the plant heights for the purpose you have in mind. As to tilling, I don't till. Tilling tends to bring up more dormant weed seeds. Weed seeds can lie dormant for years. You might want to check out lasagna gardening. It is layering. First layer is newspaper or cardbord. Second, is loam, top soil, whatever. Third layer, is compost or manure. Last, but not least, is mulch. You just plant right into it. You can google "lasagna gardening" and get lots of tips. These are just my experiences and suggestions, and I wish you good luck. Congratulations on your new first home! Susan