I rather appreciate posts like this - thanks for providing the updates! I think they provide a much needed dose of reality that illustrates how needs/wants and budget factor heavily into the final garden design. A couple of thoughts: I realize the garden is very newly planted and needs some time to mature before providing a true picture, however I'd encourage you to research under the term "potager" for some additional input that may help. Potagers are very functional kitchen or edible gardens that have been expanded to include some purely ornamental plants to extend the interest. They often include structures (similar to your vine teepee) to provide some height and verticality as well as interest or whimsy and you might want to include one that would support a flowering vine. You are off to a good start with this, but I think it could be expanded to become a real feature and less of a more practical/functional approach. As for the barrel/rock area, I might approach that differently. I'd consider removing the barrels in favor of a planting that is a bit more of a traditional entry planting (the coreopsis can easily be moved out into the raised bed area). I might mound the area with additional soil if space provides without infringing on the pond. The rocks will look a bit more natural if you consider a bit better placement and imbed them into a low mound - generally it is recommended that 1/3 to 1/2 of the rock/boulder be below ground level for a natural look. Add something with a bit more height as a focal point - a dwarf conifer, an attractive evergreen shrub or even a small Japanese maple (great accent to any water feature) and appropriate underplantings. Personally, I'd focus on things that tended to be evergreen for this area, just so the area looked lush and green year round. And finally, I'd add more color to the bed on the outside of the wall - what about some roses? In your area, hebes, gardenias or other smaller flowering shrubs would work well also. If you can add a bit more year round presence and wait for the plants to fill in and mature, I think you will have a very attractive and highly functional front garden. It's not everyone's idea of what an entry garden should be but there's no reason why it cannot be be practical and pretty and fit your budget and your requirements.

hello" im new to this garden web but have admired the beautiful and creative minds thank you all for the inspiration. i was thinking about the styrofoam bb idea what if you befor mosaicing it. you string string or something through the ball with a long skinny nitting needle then do the mosaics & grout that way you could hang them from a tree or porch by the string how does that sound ? lol probably silly just a idea.. karen

My Sunbeam Kordana from Wal-Mart does spread quite a bit. If you ever considered showing minis, it's a good thing to have single blooms on long stems. But I just think it makes for a lanky bush. My experience with Kordanas is that they aren't very well-behaved bushes, but the blooms are spectacular. Definately not one of the most compact minis.

Friend had to let her 13 year old golden retriever go, due to heart problems. Doctor said she was just too miserable to keep going. Some times you just gotta let go. Your sense of love will let you know. Good luck!