Thanks:) 'Pink Lipstick' huh? That sounds like that might be it!! If this is the one with dark pink flowers it must be. I'll google it after a bit. Maybe your strawberries would be happier growing with a ground cover like mine are doing? They (and my Iris)seem to love it so I'm letting them! It's also the only place I haven't been ripping out that awful Sedum. Sure it's a nice Sedum with pretty flowers and all, but it just shouldn't be planted in a mixed border/garden :O Thanks Karen, I love my Lavender plants and the ease of caring for them. All they need from me is a pruning a couple times a year; every other year or so a pretty hard one in spring to keep from getting woody centers. Next spring will have to whack the 'Vera' back because they are WAY large again and it was only the year before last they got it really good. They (the 4 plants) are 2 plants planted side by side (abt. 2' on center) and over the years they have basically grown into 2 shrubs. In flower (I just went and measured :)) they are 5.5' wide!

i really appreciate the kind compliments; i put one heckuv an effort into a meticulous little oasis of plants and such. i think next spring i am going to dig out some of the less flashy hostas and donate them to the neighbours; i sense that i am turning into a bit of a collector on the low end of the food chain. lol. i am always keeping my eye out for the right hosta at the right price in the right condition. the heuchera bud is starting to bite as well and i will need to make room for that too.

Hi again pm2! Those cinderblock beds were an absolute bear to build for me! The ground there is solid ledge, with maybe up to 3 inches of soil in spots. I had no help at all, and built the things with a shovel and a five gallon bucket to move the load of compost from the pile to the beds. It was a lot of work to make them level. Sooooo, once the bottom level was done, that was pretty much the hard part. The second layer was cake (although of course it meant filling with more soil/compost, bucket by stinking bucket!) I staggered them like bricks, and they are fairly stable. I also filled the holes with compost for added stability. It is great to be able to sit on the edge while working, and I also grow things in the holes. I think in the photos you can see what remains of alyssum and parsley. I love that deutzia too. My first and so far only deutzia, from Bluestone. Quite a beauty and if I recall correctly, rather long-lasting. The siberian iris were from a swap, and I want to say that they were from Sue (vtskiers). The lily - isn't it beautiful?! I'm a sucker for apricot-colored lilies and roses! I went outside and couldn't find a tag, and then came in to check my invoices. It may - MAY - be Fairest. I say that only because that seems to be the only lily I have that I can't find a picture of, lol! The pictures of other lilies on my invoice(s) don't match this lily, so I'm guessing it's Fairest - although the description says its a cross of an asiatic, and I thought this particular lily was a type of Oriental. Anyway, I will try to discover what it is. The caterpillar was some nasty thing that either stuck me or bit me, several times, before I even saw it, and made my hand swell. They were everywhere that day! I don't recall the name of it. (Gee, I'm beginning to realize that I'm pretty forgetful!) Where was I? Oh yeah, lol! I posted about it here and someone gave me an answer. But when I first saw it hanging off my hand, I didn't even think it was a living thing. I thought it was a piece of paper or something! And lastly, my camera is a Canon EOS Rebel XT. My DH plays with it more than I do, and it really takes some nice photos. Hope Santa brings a camera for you! :) Dee

Gorgeous Blooms! Typhoon and J-4 are a must for me next year. I love your J105, and your Super Round is super impressive! I love mine but yours puts mine to shame! How long have you had it in the ground? Thanks for sharing! Andrew