Thanks everyone! I think I like it a lot? It's different and "unique" it adds its own something special to my hosta garden for sure! I wasn't sure I would like it so I debated on it for a few minutes but $5 was too good a deal to pass up just because of some barely noticeable frost damage! I relocated it into Luna Moth's old pot. It's bigger. I ordered Cherry Berry today, so I'll need the smaller one I had it in for her. The pot it's in now should (hopefully) last a couple of years? I put it in front because it says it's more sun tolerant. If that's wrong, I can always move it later but for now, it's good.

ella - what a lovely space you created! To help keep the soil in good shape you'll need to add organic matter yearly. Compost spread as mulch in late fall topped with irregular wood chips has worked well for our beds. I reach into the beds in spring using whatever tool is handy to be sure the mulch is pulled back from the plants, but don't dare step into the beds because the soil is just too soft & wet. Slug control is 3 pronged - sluggo type bait, hunt & remove when soil is moist, & also spray with ammonia water... Repeat. Repeat. Especially vigilant late summer to get all the adults possible and in early spring spray often with the ammonia water to get in & around emerging hostas to prevent damage. You're right that Burgundy Glow ajuga spreads less vigorously than Bronze Beauty, but in my 9 month wet climate still spreads fairly well. --3 Burg. Glow bareroot starts from a plant swap this April -- poor soil mulched with coarse wood chips around stepping stones across a low area in part shade became 30+ by now in August spreading out 3 feet square! --spring planted Bronze Beauty 12" apart on center by the next spring was solid around stepping stones, hose reel, etc. That patch is easily 4 feet x 6 feet up & over each other so that not all even rooted just runners spread. Easy care for that area when stepped upon & an easy source of countless starts for other gardens. In another area about 10 runners removed & planted became 3 feet x 6 feet in a year's time growing over pathway rocks toward stepping stones in the middle of the path. If you keep an eye on it & remove the excess runners your hosta will be safe. Otherwise the ajuga will over run & shoot runners between stems & even into the crown. Since the biggest growth spurt is in late spring I just snip the runners in early summer before they root. I am running out of new garden space and friends who don't have their own ajuga patch.

Hi Rob, I have much more success under the cedars than with maples.. I had to add dirt around the maple trees for my hostas.. I did not have to do this with my cedar.. Granted my cedars are old , and they only have top growth now.. as far as the roots not a huge problem , once in awhile I run into them , but the maple trees roots appear much closer to the surface that is why I added soil . Way too much competition for the hostas.. I am not a tree expert , but do know what has worked here in Iowa.. Diane Mumm Here is a link that might be useful: More Gardening Photos

You are all welcome for the pictures. Come back to that website anytime. peren.all LOL You made me laugh at the snake skin. When I saw it in the garden I thought What the Heck ...... The talent and artistic eye some of these gardeners have, makes me in awe. One guy said my thoughts out loud. "These are so beautiful, I want to go home, bulldoze my garden and give up". popmama Thanks so much. It is easy to forget that there are all types of climates and gardens. Green and brown. :) Ken, I don't know, but I'll ask a few people. Beth, thanks. I thought about waiting until January to post, but I got too excited to share. Thanks again for all the comments.