@jojosplants haha it sure is! I didn't grow it though...it was in one of the gardening decor package that I found at IKea @averil I see, at first I thought they weren't doing good that's why it's so easy to knock them off the stem, yes I have saved a lot of leaves they are all sitting in a propagation pot right now, I think few of them began to root! @suivezmoi thank you! Haha all I did was read this forum, watch some youtube videos (some of them would tell you it only takes 5 minutes, but that's a big fat lie haha, at least for me it took quite awhile getting everything done plus clean up..), and also google some succulent dish gardens for ideas! Good luck with your gnat problem...definitely don't overwater, the pots should be dry most of the time

How sturdy is your arbor? Some of them are full-blown heavy construction and some are more delicate -- that might make a difference in what you plant. The first thing I thought of was clematis. The big trick is to give them sun and keep the roots cool -- seems contradictory but itÂs what they like and it works. The sweet autumn ones are one of my favorites (just be advised they attract lots of insects, if this is a place you'll be sitting). But there are lots of other lovely ones. I know care can sound confusing but it's just a question of getting the "type" clematis you want to care for -- I've included a link below that might help, or do a search on "clematis groups" for lots of information. You could even plant a couple of types -- a spring flowering one, and a summer flowering one, for example -- for more bloom. If you do go with clematis, just be sure to mulch them heavily. They like cool roots and with that afternoon sun they'll grown well but appreciate the mulch. I grew Clematis 'Jackmanii' and 'Ramona' and against the recommendations, never pruned either one. They were both beautiful and thrived and bloomed heavily every year for over 15 years. I never fertilized, either. The only care I gave them was to water the first year, and to mulch the roots. Another vine that would do really well is the perennial (not the annual) sweet pea (Lathyrus latifolius). It takes the hot sun and loves to climb and blooms all summer until after frost. Comes up every year and except for a small amount of training and tying to support, requires no care. I love these and had one on my fence in hot sun and also up a trellis by a west-facing window. They attract bees so if thatÂs an issue you might not want them. I also thought of trumpet vine but it tends to get huge, given the chance, and will send shoots up EVERYwhere, so if you decide to go with that, be sure you have a sturdy trellis and be prepared to mow down or cut down the dozens of shoots coming up all over the yard. One summer I grew morning glory up a bird feeder post and it was gorgeous  it twined all over and bloomed like crazy. It would like your nice warm location, too. You might want to mix it with moonflowers for evening bloom if youÂll be enjoying the arbor late in the day. There are other fun annual vines, too  hyacinth bean and cardinal climber are two that come to mind, and scarlet runner bean, and also the tall (not the short) nasturtiums. A fun project  enjoy! Here is a link that might be useful: clematis info

Tiffanyrose, Thank YOU! I had such a good laugh after reading your post. Because finally I realized what I've been missing out on. Like you, I'm a newbie and several of my plants have suffered. Not due to lack of love, but due to my ignorance/inexperience. Since my spruce started dying 2 weeks ago, I've been really discouraged. But hey, look, my lilacs are still (barely) alive, my grass is finally growing and my viburnums are still green. And my composting works! I really, really like your attitude. And congratulations on your lavender, pumpkin and sunflower!

Some of them are dead already from what I see. The soil looks bad and it appears one pot has standing water in it. Others will give you some advice, post this over in the house plant section where there is more action. I think you should start with nice healthy plants if you want to start growing plants, that just my opinion. Good luck...