To increase the chances of success (even with the bulletproof shrubs) you might want to consider planting further from the house wall. The proximity of the wall, and the overhang, keep a lot of the rain from landing on this kind of bed. The rhody and azalea that are there now (or were there) are probably suffering from lack of water and too much alkalinity leaching from the foundation and the walkway. They are really understory shrubs and are not appropriate for a narrow foundation bed. Soil prep in this kind of narrow area is also really important if you want the plants to thrive - this is as important as picking the right plants. You will also want to invest in a soaker hose and possibly a timer; if these plants are actually dying, it is very likely that they didn't receive enough water while they were getting established. It would be dificult to plant anything between the path and the house that has any height, without making the path impassable. But, because of the strong horizontal lines of the house, and the different siding above and below the overhang, something taller than the overhang at some point along the front might help unify the facade. So, I'd suggest putting in a bed beyond the path for anything taller than about 3'. I'm not a designer (that may be quite obvious!) but that's what I'd consider if this were my house. Before you start shopping or digging, I'd get to the library and borrow some design books - there are some great new ones that address front yard gardens. Even though your time is limited, the time you spend reading and looking at designs will be well spent - and will save you lots of time in the long run. If you're near Swarthmore, take a look at the Scott Arboretum there. Their specialty is showing how plants will look in the home garden, and they have some outstanding people who might be able to answer questions and make suggestions. You really want to grow something that you like, since you'll be looking at it for a long time!

No, you're not in the wrong section - tree ferns can seldom be treated like houseplants for long...certainly not a species like Dicksonia antarctica. And therein lies your problem. Without higher light levels and damper atmosphere, conditions that are virtually impossible to provide in the average home in winter, this Dicksonia will continue to deteriorate. So what realistically can you do? Not much, otherwise I guess you'd already be doing it. Siting the tub in a cooler and damper spot, with an overhead growlight on a 12-16 hour timer, is what's required. Something like a specialist 125 watt fluorescent lamp, suspended from a cellar ceiling in a downward reflector, would be sufficient provided the other conditions are met. The only way of significantly raising humidity indoors under home conditions (assuming you don't have access to a dedicated plantroom) is to enclose the entire tree fern (tub and water dish included) in loose polythene sheeting...but honestly, who's going to do that?! Any chance of rigging up an overwintering space in a garage or glasshouse instead, and installing lighting and frost-free heating there instead? Can't see any way of overwintering a Dicksonia antarctica trunk indoors under normal houseplant conditions, though.

first.. to get one watering program.. you should have one media .. then you can presume.. in a given size pot.. all will need water at the same time ... until some plants get larger than others .. next ... there is NO reason.. not to let a pot go so dry.. the plant wilts ... note how many days it takes... and then water one day sooner ... insert finger.. see how it feels.. and feel the weight of the pot ... you are guessing.. and that is why you are struggling ... just this year... after 30 odds years of playing in the garden.. i was at a greenhouse ...and i see the dude in charge ... and i say.. boy.. everything in that one house is wilting and bone dry ... he says.. thats his system ... that it makes for a hardier plant... that grows roots .. to fill the pot.. etc ... mind you.. its just for one day.. as he said they would be watered later that evening ... [whatever works.. works.. and boy does his system work for him] no one can really tell you.. how to do it.. in your pots.. in your micro climate.. in your media.. with your plants ... experiment until you find how it all works for you .. and then next year.. they wont make the media anymore.. and you will have to start over ... lol ... mixing any water soluble fert at about 1/4 ... and using it with every watering... is a very easy way to do it .... finally.. when growing a crop... you might want to switch out your media every crop ... i only see yellowing like this.. when i try to reuse the old media too often .... too late for this bunch ... but dump it when this crop is done ... ken ps: i would just pinch off the affected leaves.. and be done with it ... pps: if the pots are on that deck all the time... think about how hot the pots can get in hot sun.. on a reflective surface.. with reflective fencing behind ... most plants like cool roots... not being baked .... especially in your zone ...

Good advice on going out at night. I did that just now and it looks like I found the culprit. I am not sure what exactly it is though. Here is a link to the photos: http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h273/johnmiki/IMG_0720.jpg http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h273/johnmiki/IMG_0724.jpg Pics are a bit blurry but it is the best I could do. It is a small critter, about 1/3 inch long. Body is wider at one end and then narrows. At least I know what it looks like, now I just need a name. Thanks for your help so far. John