well hi ya joey! This pond will be 1 yr. old in August. All the fish wintered over just fine and I have been going plant crazy. Do you see the hosta in a piece of drigtwood floating around in there? I am up north near Fairmont. ah..Ripley...I bowled a 658 series there ;)

Hi Sue, In my front hosta bed, I have the tall hostas at the back and smaller ones in the front. I try not to put 2 hostas with similar colour right side by side. Other than that anything goes. Most perennials will not survive the winter being under the dryer vent. I plant annuals under the dryer vent and they seem to be okay for the summer. So maybe just leave that area for a few shade annuals. I also plant fall bulbs in this bed for early spring colour. The hosta foliage grows up and covers it later in the spring till it can be pulled out. Happy gardening, Sierra

Hi guys! I was away for a while. I came back to this thread to use some of the ideas that you all suggested. Then I realized, my last post, which was to thank all of you for all your help, somehow, it must of never posted because I do not see it here. So, I just wanted to make sure that I re-thank everyone for sharing their information and pictures! It sure will help out with my new bed! I live on a fresh water lake, with trees that go right up to the waterline in certain areas, so I am going for the natural look I think, just hosta, and some rocks, I do not think I want any other plants, thinking they would take away from the hostas. I think the rocks are a good compliment to the water. I am thinking of maybe doing some family groupings too. I thought it would be neat to do a grouping of Lakeside hostas near the actual lakeside! (well, not too close). I am also going to bury them in containers I think, instead of planting them right in the ground. I hope that is a good idea? I have to find a place where I can get nursery pots cheap. But I am still thinking of ideas. Thanks again for everyone who helped! I will let you know how it turns out (if it ever gets done! LOL!) Christy

Thanks to you all! I couldn't wait to get on to see what you all would suggest & you gave me pictures, no less! Thanks, don r, for the photo uploading advice. I think my directions come from the forum from a couple of years ago & photobucket's options have expanded since then (i'm printing out your directions!! :-) ) Janice, I saw your photos last week on the forum and was admiring the colors, lushness, and the play of light & dark. My garden can be like that--it's so satisfying! And certainly one needs it when the perennials one can grow are so limited. I have a sun garden soul (I NEED color!) but I do love the textures you get from the greens. Which leads me to my next question: I looked up all of your helpful suggestions & my heart really went out to paradigm (is that the one blooming in your third photo?) I agree that my garden needs more color; it's just that it can't clash with the sweet kate tradescantia which is in three different spots in my garden (along with the hakone grass)So...is that actually paradigm in your garden that I really like--with the stripey effect & the crinkly/corrugated edges? LOVE!!! I do like my August Moon, too, and that might work. My mom has Sun Power but it's HUGE! (what kind of sun can that get? hers is lovely but gets fried half way through the summer. Questions, questions!!! I love gardening!!! Thanks for all your help, everyone! melissa