Hi Woody, Yes, I will take some today and post them later. It seems a lot of people have these narrow beds, no matter how often the "ideal" is touted to be six or eight feet, so it might be of interest, not entirely a hijack. But maybe I'll do it as a new thread nonetheless. I've hesitated to post as it isn't really grown in enough yet to illustrate the principle, unfortunately. It is not that long since I took out the wrong stuff and the right stuff isn't substantially grown in (or rather up) yet. Of course, by the time it is, I may not be taking photos any more. I'll get on with it! And of course, my gardening has to follow the principles as well as accommodate a ridiculously large plant collection... so it doesn't always illustrate principles as well as I'd like! I totally agree that "deciduous" and "winter interest" are not mutually exclusive, as I love branch structure and character, and I also agree that most commonly-available evergreens are dead boring. Regular reading of the conifers forum can help address the latter problem, as there are specialty suppliers galore for a spectacular variety of plants in that family. Selective shopping is really the key - whether for boxwoods, which boast hundreds of varieties, conifers, or rhodos. In rhodos, I almost completely ignore bloom colour and focus on structure and foliage - which rules out most of the green blobs that most nurseries carry. As an example in the conifer family, do an internet search for Chamaecyparis 'Wissel's Saguaro". (One link that will come up is of a picture of mine that I posted on the conifers forum (linked below), and it breaks my heart to see it since that beautiful plant has since died due to my mismanagement. Grrrrr! It was originally planted in my narrow strip and would be looking great by now. The next one I found for sale locally was 4 inches high and still won't even show up on the photo I'm going to post - it is still hiding under a fern and a hosta that will someday grow at its feet!) But flip around the conifers forum while you're there, and you may find some photos of plants that will change your mind, as they did mine a couple of years ago! Philosopher, you might actually get a host of good suggestions, if the idea appeals to you, if you post your photo on the conifers forum and ask for suggestions for likely cultivars. Set off with maybe columnar Japanese maples, the beech I mentioned, Ilex crenata "Mariesii" or a sky pencil type ... some perennials in between... it will take time to grow in, but fortunately that's a nice fence! One key to growing a narrow garden, whether of evergreens or deciduous stock, is also training; after you get the right plants, you still need to tie back a bit and prune to shape as they grow. Even vines on trellises need a lot of that against fences, as they keep trying to grow to the light, away from the fence. Till later, KarinL Here is a link that might be useful: Wissel's Saguaro

I think the post above eludes to this but a vertical conifer would be a nice choice for winter interest...choices are limited with shade though (think Taxus). Only other design suggestion I'd suggest is to make one repeat planting frome one side to the other. I'm not familar with the dogwood you mentioned above but I really do like Ivory Halo. They can quickly attain 6' width in 3 years of planting a #5 plant. As for Oakleaf Hydrangeas, they struggle around here. Snow Queen may get 8' in the PNW but it sure won't get that size around here! The largest Oakleafs I've seen (now I'm only one person) is a 5' one at an M&I bank in Menmonee Falls and another 5' one at Johnsons Nursery display garden (I was told this plant was 12 years old and was kept in check because of dieback). They are also one of the most expensive shrubs around here because of the failure rate. I'd still plant one though, lol. My point is that the dwarfs really are dwarfs around here. Is there any protection from the west and north? If so consider adding a dwarf Japanese Maple. Davidsans in IL offers a very nice selection with decent shipping rates (unless you want to drive to the middle of the state).

Nothing goes like you plan. Had everything ready. I forgot to ask George how he moistens the peat/vermiculite mixture so I used the garden hose sray in the cups before I stuck the cuttings in. It got too soggy. I tried to drain and squeeze out as much as I could. Then I look at the cuttings and don't know how to prepare them right, made another slanted cut under water as best I could, cut the flower heads off as best I could (some of these had three flower heads), some were very healthy but some had some brown stuff on them (none had mold) so I pulled those leaves off but not all of them, shook the water off, dredged in powdered hormone, stuck a pen in the mix, felt I had to pull some of the bottom leaves off or I couldn't poke them deep enough, stuck the cutting in that, pressed as snugly as I could, then buried them as deep as I could in the ground. I figured burying the cups in the ground might keep them cooler if it gets hot again, but then it was frustrating trying to get the pepsi bottles over them without touching the leaves and disburbing the cuttings more and getting the leaves tucked up in there. Some of the leaves are touching the sides, I guess that can't be helped. Finally I put up an old window screen to filter out some of the sun that will get through on the east side, most is blocked now by trees, but a little gets through in the morning. The north side would get some of the morning sun anyway and is not a good place right now, ground packed from cement work that was done, too hard to dig for me. I toyed with the idea of stapling translucent plastic to the screen but just ran out of patience. Once the sun hits the south, they should be ok in the natural light that is left. I was afraid the plastic would block too much light and I would have to move the screen every noon. I put the seventh one, the only one that didn't have a spent flower head, looks very healthy, in the cup, in a gallon baggie, blew some air in, sealed it, and set it on the table by my north window, put curtains to block the sun from the east window very close by. It made me nervous, and all I can do is hope for the best. You look at those cuttings and must have to have some special knowhow to know what to do with each one because each one is different. Then what to do with the rooting hormone with all the warnings about not getting it on your skin, wear rubber gloves, I didn't, so I sealed that up in a plastic container and will use it again because I don't like to waste it. I was thinking as I was struggling with all this and back was hurting, legs stiff, why am I doing this? Why not just buy my roses? Two more sets to go, one tomorrow and one the next day, I hope. Have to go to the grocery store and buy back some bottles. Maybe in time I'll gain confidence and more of a knack with it. It is not easy for me, and it is messy.

This is the only website, where I've encountered any discussion about Asymmetrical Lazy Susans and the dreaded tight kitchen corner. Is the asymmetrical lazy susan a better option over the 33" lazy susan and/ or the blind corner cabinet? I know on paper, it should provide more visibility and accessibility, but does it, enough to make a difference? How much wider is the opening compared to the 33" lazy susan or 42" blind corner, exactly (my blind corner has a 12" opening)? Bottm line, is an asymmetrical lazy susan an improvement over other, not very good options? Is anyone aware of the possibility of custom asymmetrical lazy susans where a leg maybe up to 42" long? What would be the pros and cons of say a 42" x 32" asymmetrical cabinet? Does anyone have experience with this kind of cabinet, seen one in person? It's like pulling teeth to get any information. If it was a solution, you'd think it would be in demand and I'd find positive reviews from all the people who loathe blind corners and don't have an opening large enough for a pull-out. I have searched the internet and found nothing, no reviews or marketing, and one lonely image. I didn't even find much of anything for the 36/33 (alt 33/36) which I know is available from several name brands. I am just puzzled as to why there seems to be no consumer awareness. It makes me wonder what I am missing. Credit for photo goes to housemmo, sorry I cannot find the orignal thread.