Saucy, everything looks so good. I don't know how you could have been depressed about the GG! I love the way it's tucked against the wooded background, it really is lush and I think the play of foliage will make a brilliant background to the statuary. You need some Asarum europeum and I'll bed Lamium would look nice in there, too. What sorts of bulbs are you going to add for spring color before the surrounding trees leaf out? As for your leaf casting... why is it pinkish? is it the mix you use for the casting or did you tint it to get that warmer color? I love the mirror frame, too, they're a great way to add some interest to gardens, esp. smaller more enclosed ones. Around here I worry about birds flying into them (they hit the south windows with regularity).

I'M LOOKING IN THE MACOBOY BOOK AND BOB HOPE STAMENS DO NOT LOOK SEPARATED LIKE YOURS AND THE LEAVES DON'T SEEM TO BE SERRATED LIKE YOURS BUT, AS I SAID, I'M LOOKING AT A PICTURE IN A BOOK.

The second picture looks like an amur maple, but the colouring on the first photo looks too magenta in tone. I have this maple, or at least what is left of it after the rabbits get after it every winter. It surely is a nice colour in the fall. ....if only I could get some upward growth...

Mirabilis jalapa/four o'clock