I ran into a similar situation at my "new house" about 5 years ago. I thought there was a large raised island bed under a huge scotch pine tree... but when I poked around a little, I realized that it was a dumping ground for the previous owner's woodstove ashes, charcoal fires, and lots of other junk/debris. I just removed the big hunks of things (half bricks, toy cars, large pieces of charcoal, etc.) that I ran into while working/planting. I ammended the planting holes, then just put in simple annuals to start. They grew fine, actually. I also dedicated one end of that "island" as an open compost area. In spring, I move the finished compost onto the remainder of the 'bed', and start adding new input again. After 5 years of doing this, you'd never guess the mess I had started with. Given my experience, I'd say that a butterfly/cutting garden is the perfect way for you to start. Many candidate plants are the kind that aren't fussy about their conditions. :)

Thanks BP. The only apple tree that I will risk trying out will be the espalliered one which will be small versus having to deal with a 30 ft tree that will require a visit from an arborist. I guess you can say when it comes to trees I'm more keen on the shape of the tree and it's foliage because I don't expect the tree to be in bloom all season long. I've been shaping trees since I started dabbling with bonsai at the age of 14 and so it's more of the shape as a whole that excites me. I currently do topiaries and have made a few indoor topiaries. I may choose the crabapples for a table top bonsai when my backyard is finally complete. Oh you should try an ebony fence. It's like a shadowy backdrop and when you contrast the greens against it, the fence 'disappears' making your yard larger than it is. Without greencovers, it just looks very chic.... I tried looking at cornus kousa but this can get very large too.... the search continues. I'll have to relearn to post photos. I did it before and so should be no problem. Ianna.

Greetings, The 1939 Checklist does not list Crimson King as a reblooming variety, but remontancy was not something that was accurately sought, and was more of a novelty until later on. Crimson King is an Intermediate Bearded Iris, so it should bloom earlier than your Tall Beardeds. Your height analysis seems correct. I'm not sure if what you have is definitely Crimson King, due to the angle the photograph was taken. It should have the long, droopy falls. Sincerely, Carlos Brighton Park Iris http://www.brightonparkiris.com/

WOW that's serious. I can smell the rat nests from *here*, pesky. ugh ugh ugh...how the city refuses to do anything about that public hazard is beyond me. Maybe they're waiting for a pet to get bitten by rabid vermin?? (sarcasm). How can they ignore anything that looks like those photos? I just don't get it. I wish you fast and effective luck in your pursuing it through the channels you know of. And sable, glad to spread the word of "Rascal" -- he also wrote a book called "Raccoons are the Brightest People" which was in heavy rotation on my nightstand with the first-mentioned book. http://www.amazon.com/Raccoons-Brightest-People-Sterling-North/dp/052518788X REALLY worth reading along with "Rascal"; like the nonfiction version of it. And re starlings: we have had an ongoing battle with them as they nest *right above* our front door every year, leaving poop-trails down our walk and driveway, across the court to one particular tree they always fly to...just constantly embarrassing, as no matter how often we cleaned the walk and the door, they'd mess it up again as soon as we were done. We tried putting metal mesh to block the entrance they'd been using--they pecked right through it, even though our contractor said it had always stopped starlings before. I hated starlings until I found a book called "Arnie the Darling Starling" at Goodwill. I do agree with the criticisms of the author's care for the bird, but I will never look down my nose at starlings again (although of course I'll keep my mouth closed when I'm looking up at them : )). (actually, I'm happy that that one negative [and correct, IMO] reviewer mentioned Linda Johns, because I now search or her books every time I go to GW. ONE of these days, one of these days...) Here is a link that might be useful: O.K., they're cute too : )