Sluice, the rocks are moved with a hand truck (dolly) and some muscle. Occasionally I'll use a 2X4 as a lever to get the heavier ones in place. I can handle rocks up to a little over 500 lbs. this way. Thanks Sprucebud and Gary. Sprucebud the Picea glauca 'Pendula' is definately one of my favorites even though its pretty common. I got this one 5 years ago at 4 feet and it now tops 12 without this years full growth. Keith you're right the Pinus aristata 'Blue Bear', Pinus edulis 'Trinidad' and 'Farmy', and Abies concolor 'Charming Chub' all came from High Country Gardens this year. That mini bed with the Acer palmatum 'Sharp's Pygmy' in it is new. I was debating about switching out the small rocks because I found some I like better but it will probably be a moot point in a year as the ground covers will have it mostly covered by then. Thanks. Hi Dave, Thanks for the nice comments. As far as new garden projects go. This past week I moved 2.75 tons of weathered limestone outcroppings and made a new island bed that I ended up using all Spruces in. I used all existing plants moved from other areas of the yard and added another Picea glauca 'Pendula'. Here's a pic that shows the type of rock I used. I'll try to get some more soon. Also moving a couple of plants freed up some additional space to add to that new mini conifer garden which I'm excited about because I still have an order coming from Bethlehem nursery. Thanks again!

I have been busy bringing in the plants that I want to keep over the Winter. I brought the two Hibiscus in a couple days ago since the weather guy was warning us of a frost. Today I cut back the Mandavilla and brought it in. Also two large hanging begonias and one Coleus. I've never tried to keep a Coleus, but it was just too pretty to throw out. They are all in the end of the garage where I have an entrance door with windows. Also I dumped some container plants, and took down the deck umbrella and brought it in. I'm right proud of myself!! The weather today has been perfect with sunshine, and temps in the high 60's. S'posed to get some of that rain on Saturday, when the family will be here for my DD's birthday. I hope it will hold off though. Enjoy the weather while we can. Winter is just aeound the bend. Sue

We went to Lowes on Sunday, and the plant selection was terrible. It seemed like they hadn't gotten in a new shipment of anything in awhile. The roses were half-dead and the same old varieties, with 50% of them being "Arctic Blue." I've seen some pictures of it online and liked it, but I found that I didn't care for it in person. They did have a shelf full of clematis starts which I was really happy about. They had varieties like "Nelly Moser," "Blue Boy," and "Duke of something...I don't remember what : ), (it was purplish-red). I ended up choosing a "Prince Phillip" clematis and a star jasmine to climb up the side fence. The smell is heavenly! This weekend we may go to a different Lowes to see if they have anything. I can't wait! Have a nice evening, damask_rose : )

Thanks, TJ! The big one is coming along nicely. I put several into larger pots last year, so I'm hoping to see some good sizing up this season. I brought all the other big gals out of the greenhouse and sunned them on Friday.