I have seen numerous city lots where the entire yard was mint. That was despite the owners' efforts to keep it in check. I have grown it in a pot, and had it send runners through the holes at the bottom of a pot and up into neighboring pots. I am currently growing spearmint in a hanging pot by the back door, where I can keep an eye on it. For your garden, may I recommend calamint? It is a Mediterranean edible, and does not spread by runners. It does spread by seed, but is not a big problem. I've been growing it for 15 years without trouble. I do cut it to the ground each summer when it starts to set seed, and it bounces back happily.

Yes, rouge, it's always fun to plant-shop and find new 'stuff' that fits the spot :-) 'under the pines' sounds a bit grander that it actually is - there is not a pine forest on our little 1/4 acre! There are just 2 white pines in our backyard, one each on the neighbour to the north's property and one of the two neighbours' properties that back onto our lot. The other neighbour behind us (the one with the metal shed and the two little dogs you can see in one of the earlier pictures) has several rather ratty old spruces. Together all that creates the 'under the pines' environment. The pines have thinned out quite a bit in the last two years - there were a lot of dead pines around this sping! Summer droughts and a couple of almost-snowless winters have taken a big toll on them. Looking out from the living room window just now, this is 'the pines': The path with the golden planting is the left side of the short loop that runs from the silver area a bit to the right of the shed to the center path that comes out at the north edge of the lawn. You can see both the begining and end of the path in this picture: Using our green shed to orient yourself, you can see all our garden's backyard paths and beds in this drawing and should be able to figure out where the golden one is: So, while I'd love to have a real forest to play with, I have to make do with our miniature 'woodland' and try to make it look much more than it is! :-)

What a lovely house and yard, chippy. You've gotten some good advice already, but I'll add my suggestions: Dianthus - perennial pinks come in a huge variety of colours and size, but mostly under a foot. Added bonus -they smell spicy-sweet. Aquilegia - they are a personal weakness of mine;) They only bloom for about 3 to 4 weeks, but depending on variety the season goes from May to July here (Can. zone 4/5). Many colours, striking shapes. Some don't tolerate full sun well, but others do. Creeping phlox - these also only bloom about 3 weeks, but are lovely when they do. They are also evergreen and form nice low mats of green the rest of the season. Sea Pink/Thrift (Armeria) - lovely small clumps of grassy like foliage with blooms in pinks. Very hardy and tolerant of neglect - like babies;) Alliums - onion/garlic family. These are bulbs, but they are lovely summer bloomers and hardy (last years). Campanulas - many are shorter in stature and tolerate sun. Usually spring and summer bloom. Perennial Geraniums - many colours, spring and summer bloom; many under a foot. Lavender!!! - if you like lavender, it's ideal for a hot, sunny walkway! Mine thrives on neglect and less-than ideal soil. It also blooms later on in summer here. Penstemon - another of my favs - lots of colours and sizes; hardy plants that bloom over long periods - some all summer. Veronica - low, spreading clumps with lovely pinks, blues, purples in bloom; unique shape; tolerant of hot sun. Those are a few I can think of off hand. My advice would be to start with two or three perennials you like and start filling in your walkways with these, but still use some annuals. That way you are guaranteed colour all summer. Build up your perennial collection each year. Keep in mind that some things will not work or you won't like, so be prepared to experiment. And don't ignore spring bulbs like daffs, tulips, and crocus! They are lovely colour early in the season when not much else is going on. Congrats on the new baby, too:) Looks like you've got a busy summer ahead.

Hi I recently was looking at different lights to purchase also. I was given the advice to buy 6500k compact fluorescent for growing. And 2700k for flowering. I purchased these from eBay and my plants have started growing like crazzy! Good luck hope this helps!