Hi All, I appreciate your wisdom. :-) Even though I may have sounded nuts (and I was!), I realize "Rome wasn't built in a day." I'm glad I've gotten to the plantings this year and think they will help a bit in time. Heaven knows that's the truth for the house--there was *nothing* here when I bought 4 years ago. So, it's come a *long* way. But, I'm a school teacher and during Aug-May I have *no* time. Honestly-none. So, I do what I can in the summer (although we have work on prep and admin. now). While I enjoy the product of gardening/interior design, I enjoy process less--esp in the garden where it is physically hard for me to work (due to an injury that makes walking/digging painful). Soooo...I'll admit I'm looking for something that works the first time, if possible. That said, I'm not beyond moving things if I have to and next year will move 2 laurels--somewhere--as they don't work where they are. And, I do enjoy it at its core. All this reminds me of the "what I learned from gardening" thread. I do need to learn patience and to enjoy the modest things that the garden brings. :-) So, resalesally--you are right that I should just "go" and stop obsessing. HA! :-) Nell- Thanks for your comments, too. It is a great door that they have. (Wonder if I might be too lazy to clean those panes?? Hmmm....) Memo- Thanks for the awning suggestion. Trouble is, I just don't like awnings. I know I'm getting away from the authenticity of the house a bit...but based on my completely crude "paint" experiments in WORD, thing something raised a bit will help give me what I'm looking for. But...you might be right about the awning being so tiny compared to the stoop. (Man, I have *got* to learn photoshop to test your theory out.) As for the lattice...so you're saying to post it in the ground *perpendicular* to the stoop? Is that right? Hmmm...possibly. Hadn't thought of that. What do you think about covering the concrete w/ wood and a railing and giving the house a more "cottage" feel? EVERYONE - Paint trim vote for the bottom of the house?? Thanks, ya'll! Keep those ideas coming.

The white spots are mold and should be sprayed with a fungicide as soon as possible. You can prevent further growth but can not eliminate what you have already. In our dry climate this is not much of a problem if good air movement is allowed and no overhead watering. I was hoping to hear from someone in a climate more like yours would respond with more specific recommendations. Al

Those black spots on your Peonies will not be the same fungi that causes Black Spot on roses, Phlox, or most other plants. There are many different fungi that can cause black spotting of many plant leaves and the best means of control is to make the soil the plants grow in a good, healthy soil so the plants can grow strong and healthy and withstand the spores that cause these plant diseases. Contrary to conventional wisdom there is ample research out there that shows that composting diseased plant tissue can help ward off future diseases, if the soil is good and healthy.

I have several that look like that this year from all of the rain we've had. As long as the leaves don't curl up and there is no moldy looking areas on the stems your peony will be okay. If the spots/browning areas on the leaves bother you a lot you can cut the plant back early but it shouldn't be necessary.