Thanks for all these comments. Some responses... greenthumbzdude: I am considering the Princeton elm, also sold by Botany Shop. I really like these people, and have bought about 300 trees from them (mostly Thuja 'Green Giant', as well as various other trees and shrubs.) Their site recently added a warning about "structural problems" with the Valley Forge - that's what got me thinking that it might not be just my faulty technique or something. I've also considered the zelkova; haven't seen one in person, but the description sounds reasonable. I do like the super-fast growth rate of elms; also, having successfully pruned one of my (deceased) native ones to a perfect flat-fan form, I'm more optimistic about succeeding with elms. wisconsitom: I've had these for about five years (bought 'em at about 5' height), and they'd be at over 40 feet if I hadn't pruned them hard (to about 20') to control misdirected limbs. Now the tough decision is whether to down them now and start fresh while I'm young enough to enjoy the results, or follow this investment. I might split the difference and plant new near the current trees. If the older ones don't improve, I can cut them down. If they do, I'll have a couple more years before the new ones are too big to transplant. alexander3: I did use poles until they were about ten feet high, which helped. laceyvail: Thanks; I understand that. In fact, the long line I now have planted runs from a bit east of south all the way around the building to due west. The western ones will only need to hit about 25 feet to be useful (I planted them later, so they're still below that); the southern ones will shade the main windows when they hit 30-35', and give excellent shade at 40-45'. Won't take long, at 5-6' per year annual growth! Thanks again for your thoughts.

Purple and yellow/chartreuse go great together, and you already have a good green pallet. I like the geranium and the purple flowering edger together for color AND texture A striking and bold hosta would really stand out in the center. Last year I'd added a Blaze of Glory and its color would be perfect in the spring, though it became more chartreuse-green later in the year. I am sure the abount of direct sun would influence that. I'm not sure about the grown size of this hosta but mine seems to have an upright habit. Can anyone contribute a pic & info of Blaze of Glory? Every one has a different perception of beauty, so all I can do is offer an opinion and see if you like it! Some times when I am having a problem deciding such as color blends I make cut-outs and make layouts with them. The cheap art colored-marker sets can be used to create a wide variety of color blots on paper which can be cut into circles and played with. Les

How about nigrescens or Tenryu. I took an eye off my nigrescens a year ago last summer and put it into a new garden. The first picture is that plant and the picture was taken last night. The second and third picture is of Tenryu, which looks quite a bit like nigrescens.

Hey Paula - Kinda: "the only good Bishops Weed is a dead one!" jokingly that you didn't go quite far enough. We're really both on the same page. By the way, your Krossa Regal looks great. How large is the pot it is in? I bought mine with the intention to plant it in a large Grecian urn, creating an image of a living green fountain. I eventually decided to use a smaller vase shaped hosta in the urn, with KR & Regal Splendor flanking it behind a pair of Blue Angels. I won't post pics of it this year because my gardens need so much work. The weeds won't do them justice. Maybe next year if I don't do something "klutzy" again next spring. Les