Gcreek, I laughed when I read your post about creating a long-term plan, because, if you ask my husband, he will tell you that I am the QUEEN of design plans. I have been working off of the original master landscape plan that I created for our original lot for 10 years now. I even gave a speech once on the importance of having a master landscape plan for your property! There's no way you could have known all of that from my above post, so please don't take offense (I'm laughing at myself, no one else), but it did make me giggle. :) I do have a working master plan of the "new" property; the addition onto the house, the shop, the possible apartment above the shop, and the main landscaping features (including how the new and the old will combine to look like it was always one garden). So, when I say it will eventually be garage, shop, & vegetable garden, I mean it! I was at one point contemplating a formal sheared hedge to hide the veggie garden from the street, in which case I would simply plant it now. But I decided I would rather have a pretty privacy fence facing the street, with low landscaping in front of it. I don't want to put that in until the buildings are in; hence the need for something temporary. I like the Ninebark idea, though! See, this is what I mean by a mental block - I've never grown it (mostly because I never found a good place for it in my yard). The cultivars would probably be too expensive for the number I need, but the plain ol' Ninebark could be a good option. I will definitely be researching that, thanks! Butterfly4u, I thought about a temporary fence of some kind, but it's hard to put something 12' high up 'temporarily' - metal stakes won't hold it through our winters. I know, as a gardener, it seems like a waste to grow something knowing it will be torn up. That was actually something I struggled with, because I am normally one to plan for the long-term in my plant choices. But my philosopy is a bit different than yours, I'm afraid. I will try to explain myself without making anybody mad. . . The bamboo was grown naturally, but was made into a fence in a factory, was probably shipped from China (where most things made from bamboo originate), then had to travel from some American port to my little town in Indiana, where I purchase it. It does not increase in value as it ages. It does not contribute to it's site other than screening a certain view for a few years. Then it will be rolled up (or whatever) and put out at the curb. If it looks natural enough, and there is no wire used in the fence (some do, you know), then MAYBE the guys that pick up the yard waste will take it. Or, more than likely, they will not see it as suitable material for the city's compost program, and it will instead be picked up on trash day and end up in a land fill. I might find another use for it until it disintegrates, but if I don't, it will just be in the way without a use, and if it has wire in it, I will still be left with that to dispose of. OR, I could plant something. I can find most plants at growers within a 4 state area (one of my favorites for tree and shrub seedlings is 2 states away in PA), and yes, I mean GROWERS, not people that buy them already grown to re-sell. The plant increases in value the larger it grows. While it is in my yard acting as a screen, it will also feed and shelter wildlife (perhaps even attracting different species to my place), help clean the air with it's "breathing", produce shade, create a microclimate that will reduce the urban heat coming off the road and sidewalk, and provide something interesting for my neighbors and I to look at during all four seasons. And if I choose the type of plant correctly, it will do all of this with a minimum of work on my part (do keep in mind that I am requesting LOW-maintenance plants, because there is no such thing as a NO-maintenance plant). When their job is done, I have options for their disposal. They could find new homes in my landscape or someone else's (at very least, they could provide cuttings for new plants). If they are woody, they can be shredded and used as mulch. If they are leafy, they can be composted. There might be a wildlife organization that needs a brush pile for habitat reclamation (large shrubs are good for that, I hear). One thing I can absolutely promise you is that they WILL NOT end up in a landfill. And look at all the good they did while they were here! It's just a different way of looking at things. To me a throw-away plant is better than a throw-away product, because at least the plant contributed something while it was growing. I am very lucky that my little town has an excellent composting program. They pick up all of my yard waste, tree branches, whatever, and take it to a huge, steaming compost heap at the edge of town. They also chip tree branches, etc., and compost them for mulch. This material is then free for the town residents to use. Believe me, it is a happy day each spring when they open the compost pile up to the public for the season! Sorry for such a long reply post. I guess I felt a need to defend my decision. I am off the soapbox now and still looking for plant suggestions! Jill

ok newbie.. i gave you an answer in the other forum.. here is a different answer.. and how i did it .. back in the day.. i went to every local nursery.. and bought one of everything that met the cultural requirements.. and planted them all ... [culture meaning shade plants for shade.. and sun for sun] over the years.. they have come.. and they have gone.. and i have learned .... your first mistake as a newbie.. as i read your post.. is that you think we can just throw out a garden design that will be pleasing to you.. and easy to work with .... and i dont think that is how it is done ... just buy some stuff.. stick it the the ground.. and make it live... we will worry about design in a few years.. when we see what you accomplished ... by which time your thumb will have turned green .... and we.. you and us.. can have a conversation about what you like [other than color] .. why .. and how you might want to use it .... otherwise.. find a catalog that offers an all-in-one garden.. and mail order it ... its a start .... good luck ken ps: ya know.. this post has just sat here for so long with no reply .... hopefully mine.. will stimulate other suggestions ....

Hi Sheila, I haven't been on the forum in a long time but am happy to report that Elie Beauvillian really took off this year and seems to be happy in the 25gal pot. The holes drilled in the bottom will allow her roots to reach the ground but I assume they'll be nibbled by our resident gophers. Most all my roses are doing well this year in 20 or 25gal pots. Thanks for asking.

Coming up with salt tolerant plants is easy, but salt tolerant tropicalesque plants would require a little research. You might be able to get a quick answer from people in the Tropicalesque Gardens Forum if no one speaks up here. I've never bought any sod. Here is a link that might be useful: See list at bottom of this page.