It seems this thread has become problematic for a few of us! ;-) Seems to be common on this forum. One does wonder why. Nandina, since your first post seems to be the most practically knowledgeable as well as offered in a friendly manner, I certainly hope you won't quit posting. While I appreciate all the help I've been given it seems there are some who don't seem to want to provide explanations of their suggestions or cannot see that I wrote a book initially which has a lot of info. A sense of humor is always refreshing and I doubt I even liked pablum when I was of an age to eat it!. Thank you. Some comments on your suggestions - since DH is just finishing building my 12'x16' garden house I doubt I could convince him to build a potting shed as well! LOL Also the garden house will have a porch added next year which is where I will have a potting bench. My idea is to hide the bins with plantings. I think it can work. This is a country garden and we have no near neighbors so compost bins are not a major problem. Your idea of a labyrinth/patio is an interesting one which I might have considered a few years ago before we built our large patio right near the house. I think the labyrinth will be fine once established with a circular planting bed surrounding it, paths to and from, and plantings to blend. Frankie, I appreciate you hanging in on this thread and your attempt to define this elusive basic mission statement. I really don't see why this should be a problem for anyone who wishes to help as so far no one has been able to define clearly what it means in landscaping. The parameters I set out for this project IMO are more than enough info for anyone to understand what my basic mission is. BTW for anyone who thinks I'm copping out on stating this basic mission, I can tell you that I have helped several organizations create such a statement so it's not a foreign concept to me. The low maintenance requirement, I agree, has not been well enough defined by me altho I think to say that no "high" maintenance landscaping ideas will be implemented is appropriate. So only hardy plants, a minimum of plants aggressive in this zone, shrubs that require little trimming, plants that do not shed noxious seed pods, and little or no groomed lawns. Most gardeners will understand the concept of well behaved, low maintenance plants. As far as low maintenance hardscaping ideas (such as for paths) I'm definitely looking for suggestions. I love gardening and my DH is always helpful so we expect to continue to spend many hours a week and more at certain times of the year in our garden. I have thot of planting several areas in wildflowers or grasses altho will have to speak with someone at the local Ag office regarding non-invasive plants so I don't use those that could become a problem. I wonder how many here have actually ever planned a garden larger than a city lot. I'd be interested to hear their experiences.

Thank you, Olga; that is very generous of you. The canary bird from Hortico looks more like what I'm looking for than the Rosa Xanthina Spontanea from other sources (more like Hugonis?) as it is a brighter yellow, compared to a more cream-yellow from other sources. Might the last Saturday in April work? I will be going to Sherando Roses to pick up a number of roses (before Randall retires in June); would you like for me to pick up a rose from there for you at that time? I don't believe his website presently works, but there is cached information available for selection. Or perhaps a certain purple gallica-centifolia cross I will be picking up at that time (if you'd care for a cutting of it)? I don't think he presently lists it as presently available....

That's good to hear. I'm also wondering/worrying about the Big Pine Key Deer a couple of islands over.

I'm so grateful to have found this thread. We lived in England for several years and are now building on some acreage here in the States (WA). I am so eager to plant a hedgerow on our border but my husband only rolls his eyes knowing how much work I'd be committing myself to. I've been gathering bits of info for several years now, but that Facebook group you shared is a wonderful help! Thank you. Now that our home construction and dirt work is about done, it's time to get planting....and then the long wait for things to grow to a suitable pleaching stage. :) Thanks again for starting the thread. Hope you are having the best of luck with you own hedge!