You guys are too kind. Thank you. Karin, I have had a terrible time trying to find the right plants for around that pond. I ended up with some tried and true southland plants. The background plants are nandinas. I have three big green phormiums, one to each side of the waterfall and one up against Mikey's office. There is a Giant Bird of Paradise and blue agaves that are far too large and out of scale for the size of the pond. Five phoenix roebellinis, one in a barrel with wire plant. Sword ferns are all around the waterfall, which has a gold duranta, some papyrus, and a Ming Asparagus fern behind it. There is one Wheeler's Dwarf pittosporum, a Sprenger asparagus fern in a pot and three on sticks, and some lilies, irises, and Louisiana irises planted here and there. There is variegated ivy on one side, and acorus here and there. I just planted three carexes, and there is some zoysia grass out there too. Whew. It's a dog's breakfast of plants! The zoysia is very slow growing, but it's pretty. I think that's the grass you like. No female dogs on the zoysia! Renee

Renee, always beautiful! I wanted to ask you about your path. My fieldstone path when I inherited it was only 3 feet wide because the rest of its 6 feet width was covered by grass, irises, and neglect. One path was completely invisible and I didn't even know it was there until I began weeding after our purchase and kept finding more rocks. I was very motivated to grow a beautiful ground cover between the rocks, but I am finding out that grass continues to pop up EVERYWHERE. I'm assuming it is because there are still healthy grass roots underneath the stones that continue to send up shoots despite weeding and Round Up. So, what's the secret to getting grass and weeks out of the places where your ground cover is growing? I can keep dirt between the paths through just weeding, but it's the ground cover that challenges me!

Hosenemesis, Parrot Jungle was a gift from some one on this forum. It bloomed last year but wasn't as pretty as this year. It's a prolif.... Jean, CITE is one of my favs. I love the cream throat. So unusual... Debra, the first picI had of SB was muddy. It looked more rose than red. She shapped up nicely though... Jan, those pinks are the ones I like best. I hooked ya huh? Hehehe!!! I got this camera last year and the colors are more true than the 2 others I have. One made everything looked washed out and the other one was just OLD..Nell Dean is my favorite double. I have lots but she is the best with her wonderful foliage and strong scapes. Not to mention her lovely ( large ) face. I hate it for Glory Calls. She is such a sweetie.. Chris, did you mean Good Morning America? I've had that one for awhile and he is so pleasing to the eye...I'm sorry you can't grow Trimmers, they do well for me.. Missy, TD was new to me last year and he is really strutting his stuff. GC is one I've had for several years and have a nice clump of it!! Rick, UM is one I use a lot crossing. The seedlings always seem to have that beautiful throat too!! Check with me later after I get everything done here and maybe we can trade...HUH??? Kay, I'm so glad you like it. I haven't looked at site pics so I really don't know if mine is better but for certain, it's better for me!! Hahaha!! Jkayed, thanks..she's a doozy! Thank you Vickie. They are do gooders too!! Nancy, they are just kind of unique. I guess that's what makes them stand out!!! Lalaland, I have had UM much longer than CITE and although Catcher is a good one, I prefer UM over it.. Sharon, how much space do you have. I have over 700 reg ones and around 500 seedlings. Some of the seedlings are going to the woods this year.. Madflower, You can do it.. Hehehe!! They all love coming to a new place..( once they settle in ). Thank you Patsy!! Rita, I wouldn't expect a lot from the first blooms. Mine bloomed last year but wasn't as impressive as tis year! LOL!!! Thank you all for your kind words....Ellie

Chris: INCA PUZZLE has 10 fans and SUMMERTIME IDYLL has only 6. And I bought these as double fans in 2009. I have to say though I think SI would have done better if I put it in a spot where it had more room from the beginning. Hopefully moving it will improve the increase. Debra: RED SLEEVED WARRIOR is really shining this year. I got this from Curt in 2010 and now it is hitting its stride. I think the last couple of rainfalls we've gotten really helped. Avedon: INCA PUZZLE is a favorite of mine here. Always does well and increases nicely. Julia