I did a Google search for Irises & Roses and Gardenweb. Found it on the first hit. As for the camera. Okay let me just say that I'm terrible with technology. I can use my computer at work because I've got the best tech support in the world, but I'm intimidated by the fancier cell phones, blackberries, etc. I didn't open my digital camera until a full year after it was given to me for Christmas. I used it while on vacation two weeks ago but haven't tried to download the images to my computer. The instruction manual alone is as thick as my thumb. Why is it necessary to have to take a class in order to use a fricken camera? Of course my partner says I'm terrible with anything outside of my normal routine. I've got an Irish Lap Harp (another X-Mas gift) that has been sitting in its case along with the instruction book and cd for three years. I even bought an electronic tuner - not that I know how to use it. The reason I like gardening is because the technology doesn't keep changing every time I blink. Okay, you have to stay on top of the latest chemicals and creative watering techniques, but the rest is a pretty static skill. And I don't follow landscape fads. Just my two cents worth, Patrick

I also forgot to mention that I solarized afterward for 6 weeks - but not until late July so it was almost too late to do any good since the yard started getting shade as the days got shorter - however, we did get a hot spell that I was grateful for, for the first time. I think it might be a good idea - for Bermuda but also for everything else - wait till the hottest sunniest time of the year with the longest days - and use clear plastic - not the thinnest (it tears) kind but also not too thick (blocks out heat) - watered underneath to bring up the weeds so they fry in the heat and the humidity makes it even hotter - my soil definitely got too hot to touch! Edit: Sorry I just reread and see you've started already! Maybe you can skip the solarizing since it's not hot yet - but you do have 4 months - and while the plastic is on, you can do lots of research and visit Theodore Payne and choose your plants...;) Also - do you have to have everything planted to get the rebate or just some things to show what you're up to? Waiting to plant some of it till fall/winter might be a good idea to get them established... Carol Bornstein's book has been a good resource for me. Here is a link that might be useful: Carol Bornstein - California Native Plants for the Garden This post was edited by slowjane on Sat, Apr 19, 14 at 15:26

HI Spike I am on Cape Cod - I live on a "cut-through" road. I put in a circular driveway for easy acess for visitors and wanted to take out all of the front grass near the road and just put in plants. My Uncle a retired landscaper advised me not to rip up the grass, just because of the road salt and plows. He told me that I wouldn't have plants because of the salt come spring. So I left a strip of grass then put in rocks ( from the beach) around the flower bed. In the flower bed is an assortment of flowers I had for years and some I got ideas from members here on the web. What I have had for years are Iris, Spirea, Daisy, Lily and Black-Eyed Susans. For annuals I always put in Petunias and Impatiens, as well as what ever I find hardy - some times snapdragons. I have now added the Cape Cod orange Lilies, Tickseed, two Roses, and Hyrandgeas sp.(I put in the fall and they came up despite the cold harsh winter). In this bed with regular mulch I also put in the pine chips from trees I had cut down in my yard. They are all fine. Even the new spring Tulips and Daffodils did well. But I really think the strip of grass and the pine chips saved my plants. I hope this helps. Because too plows are known to take down mailboxes in the winter I line the strip of grass in front bed with reflectors. The people who plow don't care much I find they barrel down the street but the reflectors do help so they know there is the yard there especially when its snow very hard and difficult to see! Oh and I don't know the name of this plant but it spreads on its own, each year I get more and just dig them up and plant them in other spots, but is beautiful and gets tall with with silver grey leaves and purple flowers - its everywhere here on the Cape and also the geraniums both the annual and the perannual bushes I have had luck with. Since I want this bed "filled" and "thick" I am now digging up yarrow that is growing and moving it to this bed - but that can be invasive - a little goes a long way. Oh and the Cape Cod Roses found at the beach and as well as the cottage fence Roses always survive too. Good Luck! Chantel :-)

With the watering you're doing, you should get some California poppies pretty soon. They look like carrots, only the leaves are lighter green. In fact I guess they are related to carrots. They should flower this year, but they will only be annual for you. But then again they often reseed. Many wildflowers like a gravel mulch, and will grow and reseed better with it. For me, California poppies, Gaillardia, Mexican hat, and Prairie winecups (Callirihoe or something like that) all reseed almost to the point of being pests. Another good source for seeds down there is Plants of the Southwest.