If you are really thinking that you might use a mirror as the focal point/backdrop, I would suggest that you consider using it in a layered fashion. I'd mount the mirror in a framework that simulated a door frame, set this with some interesting foliage plants to partially enclose it at either side with wisps of foliage, and perhaps set a small trellis out about 5 feet from the mirror with a vine or some such to frame the mirror and door, all with a path leading up to it. The extra depth provided by two structures with some plants in between will make the illusion of this connecting to some other part of the garden more convincing. I wouldn't rule out the idea of some drought & shade tolerant plantings in containers as part of the illusion, surely there are some plants like Yucca species hardy to your zone that could be pressed into service for containers that could survive on just one every 10 to 14 day hand watering. I actually enjoy seeing mirrors used in garden settings, most often at property boundaries within small gardens to give the illusion of more space, and if there is a long view from across the garden to this focal point, it can be quite attractive. To keep the illusion real, it may help to frame the mirror to keep rain off it, and raise it up with steps so that mud is not splashing onto it, as a dirty mirror ruins the illusion rather quickly.

Muy bueno & thanks to all who posted responses on this one! I'm going to harvest the seeds I see forming and take my 'leap of faith' by winter sowing them on the solstice. Far as I'm concerned they're getting their "warm" today & tomorrow when the temp is hovering around 60 degrees here in north central CT. I checked Google + the garden watchdog website before posting the question here and got some good information but nothing related to winter sowing. Once I see the results of WS these seeds, I'll add my information to the DG website for the benefit of others. morz8 - one poster on the DG website said he/she transplants the self-sown seedlings every year. I'm no expert but since this is an eastern U.S. native species, could the reason you don't see self-seeds is your location? If I thought I'd remember to do it, I'd promise to post my results. Anybody who's curious is welcome to ping me and ask when the time comes.

This is what I do, and I never lose any roses, and it doesn't matter what zone the roses are rated at: I overwinter my 50 roses in large pots in my garage with the 2 cars. LOL Three car garage. Here's what I do: - I keep deadheading until it's time for them to go into the garage. - I keep feeding them and watering well until it's time for them to go into the garage. -Then when the temperature gets to be about -6C I cut all the leaves off at the point they join the heavier stem. I don't cut any height off of the plant. - At this point I water them really, really well and move them by dolly into the garage. - I cover them with thick blankets, layers of flannel sheets or sleeping bags when the outside temp gets colder than -20C. - My garage is insulated. - Then I leave them alone in the dark. Doesn't matter if the garage door is opened and closed. - Around January, I look and see if they're dried out a bit. - If they are, then I water each rose 1/2 cup. - I repeat this every month. - As the weather starts warming up, I take off some blankets - so they don't start making new growth in the heat. - Any new growth should be broken off as you would thorns - just push them to the side, and they'll fall off. - If you have only a few pots - you can start taking them outside during the day when it gets about 5 C outside. Bring them inside until the night temperature doesn't drop below 2C. - Remember to water really well once you take them outside. - If you have a lot - then either wait until night tempreatures are 2C before you take them outside - or cover them with blankets at night. ----------------- This winter was really warm, so I didn't cover them at all. Hope this helps. :) Carol

This one is so large and powerful. I've been watching it since it was a wave and early on was concerned it might enter the Gulf. The tracks are all over the place now and I just hope it goes out to sea for everyones sake. I am really concerned about this one though. If you would like I have links to some really great forecast sites.