Hello! A lot of info, that is good. I joined to specifically "HELP". I have 23 yrs. experience in the horticulture industry. The points made by mjsee,marcinde,bboy,cmniholsdesigns,laag are exceptional!!! You are really creating an "Outdoor Living Space" that will definately give you the "WOW" factor and you will use this outdoor environment. I am not one to side w/ others in this field, for lack of knowledge of some of these so called "pro's" Here is an example: the majority of my work is from word of mouth and fixing CRAP from others. I have driven by job's that I have lost because there was not value placed on Vision, Function, & Workmanship. This is what I see and say time & again "You have to be Shtting me" I could of put three times the profit in my pocket had I done something like that and been done 3-4 wks. earlier. There is really a lot of craftsmanship & experience required in you're project. As I look over the quote it is elaberate in detail, which is good! The person you have consulted w/ really seems to be a visionary. Example: the back patio has two tiers, the hardscape material & style chosen is TOP, it appears there may be some inlays on the patio, boulders are included as part of the structure of the design, two tiers will make things seem much larger and give the feel of individual rooms, the detail outlined is TOPNOTCH! If you have this done make sure the plantings are done on berms, it adds an incredible amount of asthetics. I have done these elaberate "rooms", when they are done the amount of work becomes apparent and you will not regret for one second you hired someone who put there name on the job, paid close attention to detail, and was a visionary. O.k. the price: I thought it was a little high, see what they might do for price on a package deal. This is not a project for "JOE"!!!! Here is a helpful site for the market value of good lanscape: hostadirect.com It appears form the plant material you are zone 5? I have some great friends around Madison. Just curious where does you're quote come from? Preview their other completed projects similar to you'rs, it is well worthwhile to go on a "tour", let them take you. Let me know if I can help more. Later, Rick

To find out what the median price for this job is in your market at this time get estimates from multiple contractors (6 is considered a good number). Chances are several will come out at about the same figure and then you will know what is a fair price. High bidders don't want the job or have made a mistake, likewise low bidders may not know what they are doing.

I was told that becaue it is a root graft that if i take cutting from it and root them that they will not grow as a weeping bush but as upright. This is sort of incorrect. If you take a cutting from the weeping part, you'll almost certainly get a weeping plant. This is how they made the weeping plant in the first place. Just as if you take a cutting from the graft, you'll get the graft again. Whether it will remain stable is an additional issue. This may be a hybrid, but likely it is a sport, chosen for that characteristic and asexually propagated from cuttings via grafting. I'm not sure how vigorous the cutting will be, and there is the possibility that it will not flourish (which is the reason for the graft). Some sports also revert to the parents' characteristics, which is why the cost for such plants is so high, as it takes much effort to make them stable. Bottom line, give 'er a whirl and see what happens, don't spend too much money on material. Dan

"watered occasionally" tells the story right there. Until the roots have grown out of the root ball/shape from the pot they were growing in and can get moisture from the surrounding soil, they need to be watered, just as they were in the nursery where you got it - probably daily, maybe more often. Roots will grow fast, IF WATERED, but you need to give them a chance to acclimate to their new life in the ground. Plants need the equivalent of an inch of rain for the first 2 years or so of almost all trees and shrubs. I would water well, a really long slow watering to really soak the root ball, rig up some shade for it if the weather is as beastly hot as it seems to be along the East Coast, and mulch around it if you haven't already done so - as widely as possible, no deeper than 4" and no mulch in the inch or so next to the trunk. Continue to water when a finger stuck into the soil - dig under the mulch to check - down to the second knuckle is dry/warm. If it is still moist, wait and check again, if dry, water slowly so the root ball is again soaked. Hope your Caragana 'Walker' recovers.