I'm not thrilled about the idea of attaching anything to the siding either. Part of the problem is that the trellis doesn't seem to be able to lean back. I think there is a cane the grew behind the trellis that keeps it leaning forward a bit and then the weight of the rest of the rose is pushing it too far right now. I'd cut off that cane but I can't actually see which one it is. I do have two other trellises on either side, but moving some of the rose to those doesn't seem like it would solve the problem. I thought about doing cement on the feet, but I'm having trouble pushing the trellis into the right spot and I'm not sure that I'd be able to hold it long enough for the cement to set. That's why I don't have it propped up either - the bottom is fairly sturdy but it's the top that leans and won't go back. My temporary measure is actually an extension cord tied to the top of the trellis and anchored rather poorly on the phone box and a door handle.

Annette.... Growing fig trees is probably one of the easiest, and most delicious things you could do. Decide whether in ground, or containerized. Decide on location. (Full-sun, and heat, is good) Figs grow/develop on new wood, so prune if you must to control growth. Read postings on this forum about when/where to prune, and pinch new growth. The winter will be your problem. If containerized, and heavy...buy a dolly @ Home Depot and roll the plant(s) around. Read postings on winter storage/dormancy. Buying a twig/small, rooted-cuttings is a waste of time. Get a bearing-age tree, and you'll have fruit this year. Check your local garden centers for good trees. Twigs die out if not grown perfectly, and in the long run, you'll get more bang for the buck by starting off with a larger plant. I grow my 6 foot tall, single-stem trees in large storage tubs (with drainage holes), and all branches are grown at the top of the long bare trunks. I roll the trees around on dollies. This saves the back, and I'm hernia free. If you can store the trees (containerized) in an unheated garage or dark, cool, storage shed you'll probably solve your winter problems. Buy a short-season fig variety. If at a bearing age, and growing vigorously, pinch back new growth to 6 leaves on each branch for earlier ripening of main-crop figs. You'll be chowin' down on figs by September, or earlier! Seriously, this forum is the only place to get good, solid, up-to-date, fig-growing information. If you are going to buy figs through the mail, stay away, no...run away! from Ty-Ty, and Willis Orchards. Why?...search this forum. Also, west-coast nurseries are known for selling fig trees with mosaic virus. I learned the hard way. I personally have grown only one short-season variety called "Atreano"...which makes a very large, golden-yellow fig that's really sweet... if, ripened correctly. Do a search for this excellent, smaller-growing fig variety. It's a good start. Deer might not be a problem, but birds could be! Hope this helps you decide what to do. Read everything about growing figs on this forum, then decide how you will want to grow the tree(s)...then, go shopping. It's fun, and you'll be hooked. We were all normal once. : ) : ) BronxFigs

Thanks for your responses everyone. I think we will buy it--which means we will eventually have to buy something for the other wall in order to achieve a sense of balance. These two walls flank the opening into the entry hall so I think it will look funny if there's a painting on one wall but nothing on the other. We had slept on it, then went back to the gallery. Then realized that it might be too big so had to wait for our housesitter/puppysitter to take measurements and send them to us--all with a considerable time change, so a couple days have gone by. As for finding another place in the house, our house has very little wall space. But the dining room is not spoken for yet, so it could go there, worst case scenario. It's rare that we agree on art, so I'm happy we found something that appeals to both of us. We actually like so much of this artist's work that it was difficult to decide. (Of course, DS does not like the painting, which is typical of him these days. But he's only 15.) Thanks again for your advice!

Jamie - I totally agree! I haven't met Rod, of course - just emailed back-and-forth, but he seems very nice, and is great to deal with. The plants he sends are huge and beautiful. Gotta say though, to be fair, I also got some nice plants last year from Hallson's, and always get nice TC plants from Made in the Shade. Ken - I went out and adjusted the water in the buckets after I read your comments. So after I drove to the eye dr.'s, they said she was "out of the office today" and "sorry they didn't contact me"... hmmm. Long story short: I went home and started potting. Was able to get 6/20 done. I took a couple of pictures, though I was trying to work quickly (so I could get cleaned-up again and go to work!). I'll post some pictures later in a separate thread. I made the executive decision to pot them all up for now. A few were purchased for the purpose of keeping in pots. And I'm not 100% sure where the others are going in the garden. So this way I can audition them and move them around until I'm sure. I also think I may buy another Japanese Maple and put a small stone path in the large corner bed, so it's best to do that first. Jo - yes, new babies! I've added a lot to my hosta numbers this year - more than I originally planned. This is definitely a disease! I'm up to 87 cultivars.