Sam, Clement, Resin and bboy, thank you very much for your answers. All three P. menziesii should be of almost exactly the same age. Is it a possibility that genetic variances between them caused one's bark to mature faster? It is quite likely that the third one is P. pinaster since that tree used to be planted on small scale for forestry around where I live. Thank you for the compliment, Sam. :) Taxus baccata is a conifer which is wild growing here anywhere; presumably because of its extensive use for hedges. Close to the one I found were numerous "normal" (single coloured, dark green ones) so this one catched my eye immediately. This one has smaller, more sickle shaped leaves which are green on the inside and bright-yellow across their edges. This post was edited by liopleurodon on Fri, May 17, 13 at 5:23

I am going CRAZY trying to find a color that works with my simple stucco (ranch?) house. The galvalume (silver) roof is new as are the patches of stucco where we took off outdated trim bands. I'm hoping a fresh pair of eyes can offer suggestions because I've googled inspiration pictures for a week straight til I'm blind. I'm not happy with any of the samples I've chosen. I've tried *SW Universal Khaki which I thought would compliment the silver travertine pavers (like above pic) but it turns an awful color outside. *BM Revere Pewter-to white/light. *SW Dovetail-turned purple same as SW Requisite Gray, SW Perfect Greige, and SW Versitile Gray. *Porter Antique Silver-purple, *Porter Stone Gray-to brown, don't like it. *SW Amazing Gray-to light? but so pretty. *SW Fawn Brindle which at times still has a lavender cast to it but not as much as the others, wish I could say I love it but I might have to live with it. *Porter Olive Gray (which is similar to my interior)and stayed pretty true outside it's a 90.3% match to BM Clarkesville Gray BUT what do you think? Similar green interior/exterior/landscaping/lots of oaks-that's a lot of green going on. The majority of homes I've driven around and looked at that have silver metal roofs are vinyl side and the stucco ones are two story with elaborate trim to contrast with the body color. I am not dead set on any color family I just want something that complements the roof and looks good with the surrounding oaks. Sorry so long and thank you for reading!

Chris Yes, pls. number them, take individual photos, or at least just 2-3 per photo. And try to get more of close-ups, some are very small to ID. Succulents need very similar care: fast draining potting mix, containers with drainage holes (hope all of yours have it), very good light - many will do best in good sunlight. And letting us know your general location or at least a growing zone would help. Best if added to your name.

CeresMer, I hear you. This year is somehow particularly bad. I even started to spray insecticide which I never did before, and still they find ways to do some damage (but the spray did help to some extent). The thing is, I was never able to actually see them!! I see some aphids, yes, but never any other insects (apart from bees and ladybugs of course) on my roses. So when I saw this poor guy, I instinctively thought he was the culprit! Lol.