enailes, good call--we actually planted 27 spruces last fall throughout the property, including about 10 blue spruce and the rest norways. That cost a mint since we bought 8-footers and had them professionally planted, but we really needed them after removing generations worth of overgrown and neglected trees. We do have plans for more evergreens, including a dwarf (Globosa?) blue spruce in front of a stone wall, etc. They're just not shown in these images, but that's just because we have a lot of ground to cover! We haven't really planned for much evergreen foliage in the second photo because that side of the house isn't really visible unless you're actually using the outdoor spaces. The first photo has a huge Norway on the far left and then several more between the house and barn (out of frame). Also in the first photo, the largest foundation plants are evergreens. I am a big fan of grasses, though, and may very well add in some tall ornamental grasses in the second view, just for added winter interest. Thanks! karinl, I see your point about the term evergreen. I have pretty much decided against the vinca for all the reasons everyone has pointed out; now I'm giving this some more thought. I definitely don't want hostas, that much I know...alchemilla is a good thought though I was hoping for something slightly flatter to the ground for that layer (and I don't want yellow). Not crazy about ferns either, just in general, though of course I do have a full shade bed that is stocked with some ferns. Hmmm. This is a tough one. You sort of said what I was thinking about the dogwoods--the color is inaccurate in the photo, for one thing. And really I don't care if it clashes with the house, since we'll be looking at it from indoors! This particular area is far from the driveway, entry, etc. so guests won't see it either, and we're set several hundred feet back from the road with mature 80'+ evergreens and similarly mature deciduous trees blocking the view of the house from the road.

Very sad story indeed. So you know, that is exactly why I built my 24X30X4 pond. It is for no other reason but to support the local wildlife. One thing I won't do though is feed them regularly. (With the exception of the bird feeders to get them to come close enough to observe, I don't think it is a good idea to feed wildlife generally.) Even feeding the birds has a whole subset of problems. Food at a larger proportion than the local area provides, creates a population the local area cannot support. It is great while you are there and providing, but becomes a problem when you cannot be there, and/or the animals become too comfortable around people. My approach is to provide a habitat suitable for various creatures, but allow them to stay in balance by letting nature take it's course in food supply. In most parks and sanctuaries it is illegal to feed the wild population. The single biggest problem the creatures have worldwide is habitat destruction. Please consider letting some of your yard go back to nature, and whatever it does, it will provide something a good home and or food. Add a water feature that allows them to drink, and youve come along way toward atttracting every kind of animal. Also, we all need to educate ourselves about invasive species of vegetation in our area, and attempt to control them without chemicals. It is a big challenge, but of paramount importance to maintain the diversity we enjoy. Just because you can buy it at the local nursery, doesn't mean it is not invasive. In fact the opposite is often true, as the invasives are considered great beginner plants, and thrive in your area. Too bad they escape and create large wild monocultures that smother our native plants, and reduce the health of the habitat. Please be aware of what you plant in your state. I have planted at least 8 invasive species that I am looking to replace now, just due to ignorance of the problem as a younger homeowner. Each of them is doing quite well and are well established, so I really have my work cut out for me! Eventually, I will have eliminated the majority, and replanted a specie that will do just as well, without going out of control, and tipping the balance. There are many common plants in my area that are still sold today that have been identified as invasive. Most everyone has heard of the kudzu problem in the south of the U.S., and I'm sure many of the northern problem plants as well. In the north, purple loosestrife, japanese honey suckle, autumn olive, eunonymous, english ivy, several reed grasses, and dozens of others... It is our responsibility to protect that which we cherish and rely upon for our own survival. It is all a big chain folks. Eventually, we are the link that breaks. Regards, -TT

I'm not so crazy about wildlife here and I have never really understood why people are so anxious to encourage it. The 8 foot fence keeps the herd of deer out of the roses (and yes, I do actually mean a herd) but doesn't do much to keep the plants safe from the gophers. The hordes of ground squirrels leave the roses alone but eat the fruit off the trees and destroy young vegetable plants. The odd rabbit now and then can be a problem but so far we only have them now and then. I hope it stays that way. Then there are the rattlesnakes. I do like the birds except for the crows, and I plant things that will encourage them. And we have planted lots of bee plants. As a result our garden just hums with bees. We set up traps for the yellow jackets which are not welcome here. All in all, with the exception of pets, wild birds, and beneficial insects, I'm actually not so crazy about animals. I much prefer plants. Probably why I am a gardener and not working in the field of animal care. Folly

I hear ya about the irony. Native....or non-native when the native animal/insect population is drawn to them equally. Last spring I bought a small (12 inches tall!) wafer ash (Ptelea trifoliata) at a wildflower sale to attract giant swallowtail caterpillars one day. Well, one momma GST did find my wafer ash and soon I had 6 ravenous caterpillars. GST caterpillars feed on plants in the Rutaceae family which, when it comes to natives, would include prickly ash and wafer ash....both trees that are impossible to find at any local nursery. Prickly ash is probably something most homeowners remove anyway. So how on earth do those butterflies manage to stay alive in the midwest? They will eat citrus leaves (a tropical....not something you would find in the midwest...although Poncirus trifoliata survives in this zone). They will eat rue...an herb from Europe! Luckily I had a hardy orange for them to chomp on when they ate all the leaves off the wafer ash. But then they disappeared....I'm thinking a 'possum got them overnight or something. :-/ They had been wandering off once the wafer ash was leafless but they were very easy to find when I looked for them and then put them back on the hardy orange. Cycle of life, I guess. But it is ironic that sometimes the non-native plants are the ones that keep the natives going. What I learned...I'm buying more wafer ash for next year since apparently, it is very delicious to GSTs but I am also going to plant rue even though it's not a native because it is a good food source backup for butterflies. Nothing is cut and dry, you know?