I do something similar to v1rtu0s1ty, in Microsoft Paint (if you have Windows, you'll find Paint in Programs -- Accessories). Paint is just like using graph paper except you can have lots of colors and everything erases -- and you can clone a plan, change it, enlarge it, etc. I also print out the plans, draw changes on the print-outs, then put those final changes in the computer. The way my brain works, I only use the plans to figure out what fits where, and also to keep track of where things are, like where in the front lawn I planted crocus bulbs or how far the shade tree canopies extend). I haven't tried to photograph the front of the house, then alter the photograph in Paint: for instance, draw green blobs on the front of the house to see what the new shrubs will look like. When I want to imagine what something will look like, I stand in the yard and stare at the area in question and try to picture in my mind the proposed change. I do a lot of standing in the yard and staring. (Part of my function in life is to keep the neighbors entertained. "What is that crazy woman doing now?"). Paint.Net is a similar program, and supposedly better; it's free. I've forgotten why I don't use it (probably my OS is too old; I need a new computer). http://www.getpaint.net/ For past discussions of landscape design software, go to the Landscape Design forum page and search "software" at the bottom of the page. Here's a thread where pls8xx discusses how to go about making a landscape plan: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/design/msg0820393221024.html He uses Microsoft's Paint. The symbols he uses for plants and objects look like things he's created himself, but you can also use graphic elements from picture you scan, photograph, or copy from the Internet. (Store the pictures in My Pictures [or whatever the newer versions of Windows call it], then open them in Paint.) These are some links I have; I'm not sure if you'd find them helpful or not. Some are software and others may be sample garden plans. They're free, but most require registration. http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/design/virtualgarden_index.shtml http://www.bhg.com/bhg/category.jsp?categoryid=/templatedata/bhg/category/data/gardenplans.xml Lowe's used to have a similar planning page on their website, but my link doesn't work, and if the page still exists, I can't locate it.

Judy - I have attached a link to CNET. It has an explanation of how and what you need to download. The download is for software that you purchase - but you can use it in DEMO mode for seven days without purchasing. It limits your record time to one hour segments, unless you purchase it. It might get you by if the segment is under an hour. I would say the very easiest way would be to put a tape recorder in front of your computer speakers and record it that way. If you don't have a tape recorder - you could check into borrowing one - often Library's have them to lend.

I get no credit for this if it works - thanks will go to my super-geek hubby who is lying on the lounge beside me, watching the winter games! There is a setting in Internet Explorer (and most other browsers) that turns off pictures to make downloading pages faster. You may have inadvertently turned this off (or the gremlins may have done it!) To check in Internet Explorer: On the Tools menu in Internet Explorer, click Internet Options. Click the Advanced tab. Scroll down to Multimedia and make sure the thing you want are ticked, most importantly "Show pictures". Hope this works!

It looks like the shade is fairly bright so you should be able to grow things that like part shade. You could also consider planting both climbing roses and clematis to increase the length of your bloom time; they grow well together. A rose such as Zephirine Drouhin has grown fine for me, though some cold years it has to start over from ground level. It is part shade tolerant, scented, and relatively thornless with pink blooms in spring and some repeat over the summer and into fall. One or more of the type 3 summer blooming clematis might be a nice combination and give you a long season of bloom. You could fasten the rose canes up the columns along with perhaps some wires, and then the clematis would climb the rose canes and wires combined. the clematis won't climb just the posts since they need something that's less than half an inch diameter to wrap the leaf petioles around. The type 3 (hard prune) clematis are the easiest care IME. Here's a link to the previous discussion where you got suggestions from other members so perhaps you have to do less repeating here. Do you have a color preference? White, lavender, purple and reddish with a slightly blue cast are all common colors, and I think any would look nice with the pink of ZD rose or with each other. Are you planning to plant in the soil just off the edge of the decking and do you only want them growing up the posts, or do you plan to add other trellising materials to make more of a wall? Since you hoping to have them grow up to the roof line of the pergola, about how high is it from the ground? Many but not all of the type 3 clematis will be tall growing, but I am not sure how well they will grow right under the edge of the roof mentioned in your previous post due to the increased shade. Perhaps you can loop wires a foot or 2 down so the clematis can grow across them. One few large clematis that I like that can reach at least 10' unless otherwise noted: Betty Corning (lavender bells with a very light scent for some folks) Venosa Violacea - deep purple with white centers Viola - deep purple John Huxtable - White Princess Diana - bright pink bells and a bit less than 10' Gravetye Beauty - Deep red bells Little Bas - Medium blue-purple with white centers