Sounding great Caroline! I think you'll be happy with the picket fence. It makes a cottage statement in spades. A few roses on that puppy would make a show.

Is the path which you will plant up with hosta and fern in the shade? If so, you might add some little woodland flowers in there for sweetness. I love hosta (and so do snails...watch out!).

Can't wait to see pix.

Steve

Yes it is in the shade. I am making lists of the perrenials that will do well and have coral bells, mahonia, bleeding heart,lobelia,pulmonaria,foam fern,astilba,viola, heuchera on my list. I had someone last time I posted send along a garden site that had roses that like semishade so will see about those.

I have not had snails in my hostas before. I will watch for that.

Your garden sounds WONDERFUL. Maybe you can plan a trip to Alabama ??!! I read that you go to the Netherlands each year. We lived in Groningen for a year while my husband was a Riksuniversitat. Thanks for the support and anyother ideas you care to share for gardening in the South.

Doe voorzichtig! Caroline

Caroline, I understand hybrid musk roses are more tolerant of shade, particularly if it's dappled rather than solid shade. Your garden progress sounds wonderful - please do post update pics.

Anne

I don't blame you for being excited, Caroline.
It sounds like a great plan! Best of luck!
PattiOh

I decided I had better get a few more interviews with landscape folks. I was a little worried as the one I was going to use came up with a vauge proposal and a charge of $4500.00 !! He poohpoohed the idea of a soil test. He didn't know the names of some of the plants I had bought.

I had another young man come out today. He looked around the space and said "well first we need a soil test ! " YES. SO he is coming back with a detailed plan and a detailed estimate and the names of people I can go see to get an idea of his work. I am glad I decided to do this. Haste makes mistakes. I have one more coming on Monday and I told the fellow today that I had one more interview. I think I will get a better plan this way.

I planted 2 bacopa's in pots and 6 geraniums. I mowed the grass and edged and swept. I am on a roll thanks to you guys. Now I am off to read an old article I saved on Cottage Gardens...who knew I would ever need it LOL. Caroline

Caroline, you are on a roll! And it is a wise idea to get more than one proposal.

I don't know how you manage to avoid snails and slugs with hostas, but if they ever become a problem I highly recommend Escar-Go! It's safe for the environment and it works!

Here is a link that might be useful: Escar-Go!

"Now I am off to read an old article I saved on Cottage Gardens...who knew I would ever need it LOL."

ME!!! hahahaha!!! : ) I am so happy you'll be partaking in this style of gardening. And I'm really looking forward to seeing the results. So glad you're keeping the picket fence, too. Nothing says cottage like a picket fence. : )

A shade tolerant rose you might want to consider is Therese Bugnet. I'll link you to a pic of mine. She was young here and in the shade. Now she's in the sun and not liking it much so she's on the list to be moved. She is a rugosa with lovely pinkish-lilac blooms.

Btw, did you get your shelves in the kitchen? I haven't been online much - vacation and lots of spring cleaning, inside and out. I've done so much painting that the fumes feel permanently imbedded in my nose. Still have the butler pantry/laundry room to go . . . sigh . . . I'm desperately seeking that light at the end of the tunnel.

Hugs, Diana

Here is a link that might be useful:

Thanks for the snail link...for a minute I thought it was to eat LOL. Yes I have decided to become a better shopper. I found the fencing that matches mine a Lowes today. No reason this one guy said he had to "make" it...haha. I went to a great garden center and saw a way to use my old windows ( I have 20 !!) with the fence. We are going to do a 6 ft picket just where the "eye sore view" is and then the regular height for the rest. I did see today where they used an 8 ft wide panel standing free and then move a little way and put another 8 ft panel of fencing. Looked like "rooms" and I liked that. I will take a pic and post and see what ya'll think.

angel yes I did post the pics///they are in the photobucket link under "Pottery Barn" . They cam out looking great.

LOVE that rose. I don't know where to get them except at Lowes. I didn't see many around at the other garden centers. Maybe it is the wrong time to plant them ??

If you need a climber ,think Zephrine Drouhin.It is a bright pink and copes well in the shade.
Sounds like you are having a ball.Why didnt you make all this planning into a TV show?

Have you checked with your local extension office or university to see if there's anyone that can come out and help you plan it? Maybe some horticulture students needing a project?

I envy your shade. Our neighborhood was clear cut when developed and we have no old trees.