Rayne, it looks fantastic!! That limb is so perfect for your set-up. I think it's worthwhile endeavor...I asked for advice on this topic on another thread & got some very helpful info; these comments here have been useful as well. I did end up doing one, (photo soon to be up, I hope)but I had to keep it very columnar due to space constraints. Tacked 7 different orchid specs. all in bloom to a moss covered post. Set that in a pothos plant for the trailing & softening. I'm lucky in that it's placed to get a lot of light. Kept them in their plastic pots & covered them w/ moss also - hoping that combo, plus regular misting & watering of the pothos, will help them retain correct moisture level. It will have to be moved anyway around Thanksgiving; so I'm already trying a few different tricks with the manzaneta. I'm psyched to check out the other plants you mentioned terp.

Sandy, Love your gardens, your hostas are to die for and your flowers are so pretty. Love how you mix the shrubs, vines, flowers, ground covers, and hostas all together. I also love your statuary! I have a bunny garden and a cat garden. Your bunny with the carrots and those cats by the trellis are sooooo cute!!!! Wish I could find something that cute. We just don't seem to have them here in my area. Everything seems to be just ordinary here. Did you find them locally or buy them on the internet or maybe mail order? Great Gardens!!!

I just bought the latest eight last night at the Hosta Library Auction from Naylor Creek for $45.00 + $9.00 shipping. They are already shipped and I should have them on Monday. I have bought a bunch of others as tissue cultures plus I buy many at Hornbaker Gardens an hour or so north of me. On occasion I will find something locally but I have more varieties than the local nurseries. Sometimes I get them through secret hosta swaps plus I do hosta trades once in awhile online.

Thanks, holiday-ers! ...appreciate your comments...am glad my t'scape brought you warmth...did me, too... it's 0 here tonight & supposed to be -14 tomorrow night...BRRRRR! jaybird...all 3 snowmen were bought diff yrs at diff places...I think I got the bigger chubby snowman at a "Ben Franklin" store (a dime store variety used to be called)...both the chubby snowman had "Made in China" little gold stickers on the bottom. The tall slender snowman with the cool top hat has no markings...he also has a couple brownish pine tree branches & pinecones at the bottom front of him. I don't remember where I got him...am guessing about 10 yrs. ago...sorry, not much help. Just keep ckg TS's, GW's, & specialty shops, etc. & one may pop up for you! Jeanne S. I tried to Google "chubby snowman" & came across this action rhyme that I am familiar with...took me back to "working days" ...tee hee: Chubby Snowman There was a chubby snowman And he had a carrot nose (put fist to nose like carrot) Along came a bunny (2 fingers up for ears) And what do you suppose (hands on hips) The hungry little bunny (rub tummy) Was looking for his lunch (hand to forehead, looking) He grabbed that snowman's carrot nose NIBBLE! NIBBLE! CRUNCH!! (Pretend to eat carrot)