It nice to know that there are others who took the same initial approach that I did. Early this spring I decided that I was going to avoid the bargain shopping trips, and also not buy anything unless I knew exactly what I needed for a specific location, and then I researched my options thoroughly. Except for a few perennial purchases, which I knew I would want anyway, I stuck to my new rule. Here is how I fixed my mess. I looked at every major area and decided what I did or didn't like about it, then tried to figure out how to correct problems that needed correcting. Once I did that, I made lists of everything I had, determined which little micro-climate each plant would grow best in, then proceeded to place them based on size, color, shape, etc. One thing that helped me "see" where to put the shrubs and trees was to use 4' tall stakes where I was thinking about putting something. This gave me a solid point to look at instead of depending on my minds eye. It served to be an invaluable exercise. I also used a person holding a long stake to simulate a tree so I knew exactly where it should go. Another thing that helped was that I made a measuring stick out of an 8-foot long, 1 x 1 piece of wood by placing marks on it for every foot. This helped me place each shrub neither too close or too far from anything. Im not always accurate at eyeballing the spacing of anything over 3Â, anything over 5Â IÂm hopeless. After moving nearly everything, I only needed to purchase 4 major shrubs and one tree. Their spaces were planned and there were stakes in the ground marking where they needed to go. Planting happened almost immediately after the plants were brought home. The first layer is nearly completed, and perennials are filling a lot of the small gaps for now. Next year I will tweak the second layer, but itÂs so much easier to see what needs improving because 90% of the first layer was thoughtfully planted. I made a few mistakes, but that was near the end of all the plant moves, my body was screaming at me to stop, and it was just beginning to get hot, so I rushed. I ended up making over 130 plant moves this year. I tossed out or gave away plants that didn't fit, and I got rid of a couple of things that were more trouble than they were worth. It was a waste of money, but a lesson learned. What really surprised me when I finished for the season, was that by establishing the first tier and placing trees where they needed to be, the garden seemed to come into itÂs own, or that it could come into itÂs own despite there being a lot of area that need to be filled. I donÂt know if that makes sense, but what I do know is that I am cured of bargain plant shopping, and rescuing sad little plants from big box stores and other places who have no business selling plants (ignore those little clematis from the big box store, they donÂt count). I found it much more satisfying to carefully select plants before going shopping, and I had a lot more time in the garden than I would have if I had kept up my usual garden center hopping habit. Most of those garden centers carry the same plants, have you noticed that? As soon as you establish the bones of your garden, and you can do it if you stay home instead of going out hunting, you will be in a position that will allow you carefully choose what plants you really want. You will be able to keep up with planting and it will be much more enjoyable.

Very nice selection of plants Stephen! Can you tell us the background info about the Picea abies 'Holey Family no. 1'? Is this a witches' broom or a seedling selection? How many more numbers are there from this serie? The true cultivar name for the Chamaecyparis laws. 'Nymph' is 'Ellwood's Nymph'. I think your Tsuga mert. 'Mountain Light' reverted for about 90%. Did you never consider to cut off the green parts? I found a simular variegation at my nursery which is more yellowish.

thanks, Nat4b. I knew it was a lot, but didn't remember how many, so I looked up the list of them that I kept. I had 103 daylilies that re-bloomed last year, some of them had as many as 4 sets of scapes. I have only 35 so far this year, but I knew last year would probably be a record. That was about a third of them that re-bloomed last year. They often pout when they are moved, Nancy, don't they? Darobi and Maryl, that is the deepest purple I have here. so often purples are actually maroons or reds. Indian Giver is the closest I have to MAAS. Thanks, Ellie. He is toothy. It is a pretty one, Ikayd. Thanks, Lida, and Avedon. Well, when bloom is over, I do get to sleep longer, Avedon. Since I post so many, it can be hard to pick one. The thing is, it's hard when so many are showing off. kay

susied, here's a closer pic of my alcove: Doesn't look like much right now, but finishing the walnut top will make all the difference, I think. Before it was part of the dining room, and now it's my command central. The old layout is in the thread below. The perimeter cabinet color is a Starmark tinted varnish called "ivory cream", but I think that's a bad description. It's more of a pale putty, with a slight green undertone, than ivory or cream. colorfast, thanks for the very kind words! But I can take no credit for the way the bones of the kitchen came together. GW helped me with appliance/sink placement and zones, and the architect did the rest. I got to pick the paint color. :) Speaking of which, I'm just about to run to the paint store. DH took the day off to paint, so I'm getting the supplies. Can't wait to see the space with a little more color! Here is a link that might be useful: My first kitchen post