I have nasturtiums, one in each rose pot. I wonder if it is just the flowers or the actual plant that keeps them off the roses? Nearly all suffered from aphids but seem to be getting over it. Not sure if it was Safers spray or the Nasties, but the aphids seem to be gone now. I also have chives in each pot, to test the theory of the allium family keeping blackspot at bay. So far so good, or have I just been lucky? Stay tuned to the continuing saga. Basil too eh? intersting. sounds like a herb garden in with the roses. Kinda cool.

I'm trying to get perennials going, especially gypsophilia paniculata, but it hasn't bloomed yet, tried some crushed drywall (chalky) to lower the ph a little. Coreopsis went double on me, loved that, but hard to train right, cut it back. I have grown annual salvia 2 years now but want to go perennial where I used that, blue crystal this year and sangria last year, also a freebie yellow coneflower looks nice, meadow sage is good, haven't had time to mulch it yet and can't get that bed watered much. Some Color Parade lilies. Trying to get some delphs and white foxglove going. Crazy daisy should bloom next year. And catmint, not doing much this year but hangin' in there. Annual alyssum is very drought tolerant. White, pink and purple phlox. I stuck in some Rudbeckia Prairie Sun, very striking but not where it is, supposed to self-seed. I want something medium height or tallish with purple bells. What might that be? Failed twice trying to get campanula? ladybells going from seed, will give it one more shot. Russian sage I love but it gets too big, should try to find the smaller variety. Finally, clematis. Have two kinds going well now; one too young yet, one won't bloom, and one isn't happy where I put it. Many of the plants people in warmer zones are using doubt will grow in my zone.

Hi all. I just got a freecycle garden bounty and a few wineberry plants were part of the lot. I had some questions about the wineberry. I don't know what type this is..just that it's red, soft thorns and originally came from a cutting in Carly Simons property in Martha's Vineyard many moons ago. LOL What are some other plants I could grow with it? I was thinking of putting it in a bed with Barberry bushes- will it choke them out? I've heard some wineberry or elderberry is poisonous- does anyone have a link or photo of the poisonous type? Can I trim this into a shape? Like a conical tree or spear shape? I don't want or need another sloppy lie-all-over the place bush. Comments and experiences with this plant are welcome!

With the exception of the hydrangeas, all of those are full sun plants and a bit on the droughty side as well. Once the trees grow and fill in more - and that often happens faster than you expect - they will be casting their own shade and those plants will not be very happy. And you do not want to plant something now that will have to be dug up and moved later, disturbing the maple roots when you do. And while it is a totally personal observation, those plants just don't reflect the character of the JM's very well. kaitain4's suggestions are much more in character and kind of the typical JM accompaniments. You could also add hellebores or epimediums to the mix as well.