Lisa, I've always appreciated the concept and practice of square foot gardening. It has always been a little to formal and precise for me though. I prefer the concept of edible landscape or in my case, edible jungle. You simply have to be aware of how large each will grow and how compatible different plants are with each other. If you noticed, the beans and onions have their own bed. I did plant the bell peppers in spaces that otherwise may not have been utilized in the same bed. Many say beans and onions aren't compatible, because onions are nitrogen hogs while beans produce nitrogen. They are right. I had to give the beans extra nitrogen because the onions were basically stealing the beans nitrogen or at least causing insufficient nitrogen to be available for the beans. Ted

Ingrid, it's a climber and can get very large. The plant I collected my cutting from was growing basically as a mound about 9' high and 12' across. I'm growing mine as a mound cascading down a rough hillside. Gregg Lowery identified it for me and said that the best specimen he ever saw was growing out west of Hopland (Mendocino County), a notoriously hot spot in summer (I've personally experienced temps up to 114 degree there). Description from Vintage website: "Those who grow and love Mermaid should try Alba Odorata (not to be confused with the pink rootstock rose, Odorata or Fun Jwan Lo.) A Bracteata hybrid with enormous, button-eyed, peony-form flowers of pure white, so packed with petals that it does its best in hot, dry climates. Healthy, clean, easy to grow and blooming steadily from mid-summer onwards." and it's listed as a "Type 2" large-flowered climber. Rosefolly, It definitely tolerates drought. Where I collected mine received no summer water. I think it would be lovely draped over an old building. The leaves are beautiful, as are the buds. -- Debbie

Ha! Looks like Amber beat me to the punch :) I was just about to post that Don Juan is an excellent red climbing rose for our hot Florida weather. I have two newer Don Juans growing in my backyard and they're doing great! The blooms are the most romantic dark red. Here's a photo of one I took a couple of days ago: Don Juan - Climbing Rose If you're open to a pink climber I also have Catherine Nelson and she grows extremely well and fast! Mr. Nelson of Nelsons Roses had this rose specifically created for his wife Catherine. Catherine Nelson - Climbing Rose As far as yellow climbing roses I don't have any personal experience with them firsthand but I've seen photos of "Sky's The Limit" and it appears to be a beautiful yellow climber. Sky's The Limit - Climbing Rose For the best of all 3 worlds you can also try a multi-color climber like any of these 3 and they put out an explosion of different colors: Jacob's Robe - Climbing Rose Joseph's Coat - Climbing Rose Pinata - Climbing Rose Regardless of which climbing rose you decide to go with, try your best to find a rose grown on Fortuniana rootstock. It's practically a requirement for longevity because of the nematodes found in our Florida soils that love to munch away on roots. Dr. Huey rootstock would be a second alternative if you can't find what you're looking for on Fortuniana rootstock. I buy most of my roses from Nelsons' Florida Roses and they are all 100% grown on Fortuniana rootstock. I've linked their site for you if you'd like to see photos of their extensive collection. His nursery is located in Apopka, about 25-30 minutes NW of Orlando. If Nelsons is too far for you they also sell Nelsons roses at Lukas Nursery in Oviedo. And if you happen to be in South Florida, CoolRoses.com is also a good source for Fortuniana roses. OH! Almost forgot, the roses at Leu Gardens should be in continuous bloom well into the Fall. Early Autumn is especially nice because the cooler weather really brings out the darker blooms :)

Hostatakeover, thank you for your comments! - I think you have explained my garden plan down to a T and I am so pleased someone else gets it!!! I work hard on varying texture, scattering in a few flowering perennials, making sure there is something in the winter garden when the hostas are sleeping, And I do like large hostas and am more interested in growing them big and healthy, and having them look nice in my overall garden scheme, than just being able to say I have one of those. Granted that is getting harder and harder with all the beautiful hostas I see on this forum. But I am becoming more particular and disciplining myself to say no to ones that look close to something I already have. And being such a fan of the cream centered ones and the big blue tokudama family members, I am learning I must sprinkle in the all-green and all-yellow hostas even if they are not my favourites so that there is some variety and my beauties can stand out. I just planted Leather Sheen and to me it is kind of plain but I am appreciating the shiny leaves and how it picks up the darker edges of Fire and Ice and compliments her colours. I am also now having to take a second look at duplicates in my yard from my earlier gardening days and wondering who I might gift that one to. But in the end it is all so much fun and I love seeing gardens from everyone on this forum and how we all share a passion for hosta but express it in such unique ways.