I'll answer the first question for you. The planting hole should be the as wide as you care to dig it, though with a sandy soil, you needn't make it much larger than 2 or 3 times the width of the root ball. It should not be any deeper, however, than the height of the roots and maybe even a little bit shallower. That root ball should rest a little above the surrounding soil level. It's best to measure carefully so that you don't have to put more soil in the bottom to compensate for a too-deep hole, but dig it out so that the roots can rest directly on the natural soil. Do not add a single bit of soil amendment to the hole or to the backfill. Plants establish themselves much more efficiently in native soil whether it be sandy, clayey or anything in between.

Hi..please let it be and enjoy ! : ) see my pic above your post. It will become a bush, but not an unwanted type. I LOVE mine!

Again, not a GO but did two bathroom countertops. One I ripped off the formica and did it on the under base. I think you're better off leaving the formica. One I did on cement backerboard. Both times I used tile which was all the same thickness. I think you can do it but I would strongly suggest you break all your china, lay it out and check for differences in thickness, those slight curves plates and saucers have and footers because I think you'll want the countertop to be level. I think that will be your biggest problem. Even with the tiles, I kept putting a level across different areas and the whole width. Course, this storeowner I know had a fire and used the china in her store that was broken to do her countertop where you make your purchases. It is not even at all and it is charming. On an area that big, I spread mortar but I guess you could glue each piece down with GEII. I don't know if the mortar I used will work for formica, you might search this forum or the bath/kitchen forum for "formica" to see if anyone has any experience. Have you figured out what you will use for an edging? There are pretty cove tiles that might work if they are the right thickness. I cut and stained molding for mine. I try to not run my tiles right up to the edge so my molding will lay in tighter and evenly and I can grout any gaps. ladyronnie (I think) did an amazing bathroom countertop that you can look at here. I don't know of any book but this forum is invaluable for help.

1. is too far away to id. for certain. Possibly Spiraea arguta clipped so it hasn't flowered. 2. is a Fuchsia - not necessarily a winter hardy one. 3. is Buddleja - quite likely a self sown one that someone has attempted to cut down. 4. Sorbus cultivar possibly S aucuparia 'Chinese Lace'. 5. Philadelphus or Deutzia - new growth is tricky to distinguish. Erring on the side of Philadelphus. 6. Potentilla fruticosa (see above for the latest name change but still widely referred to as Potentialla.) 7. Campanula portenschlagiana, a very common self sower. 8. Aucuba japonica All are run of the mill except the Sorbus. If you cadged that one you got a bargain.