What a nice space for a garden. I like the rock wall. What kind of light does this area get? Dappled sun and shade all year like in the photo, or either more sun or more shade during the growing season? What is your soil like? I find it difficult to tell how large the area is, so a ballpark estimate would help to tell what there is space for. I'd start with removing any non-garden plants growing here and then mulch (cardboard with cut-outs for the hosta with an organic mulch like chopped leaves or wood chips on top) and weed a lot the first year so that when you add plants your weeding and maintenance will be minimal. Since this area will be visible as folks go in and out of the door, having plants with year-round interest and/or some ornament such as sculpture or a birdbath will be important in making this area appealing. I think I would try to plant mostly lower growing items in the front part of the garden, or at least airy plants so that the stone wall is a visible feature. If some of these are evergreen/gold/red, they will provide interest in the winter. In the upper part behind the stone wall, if there is room I'd add background plants with year round interest such as a colored foliage evergreen, and /or variegated red-twigged dogwood, ones that would stand out well against the light walls. With any woody plants, check the ultimate size and be sure you have room to paint or do maintenance behind it if it isn't a plant like the dogwoods which don't mind being cut to the ground. If there is enough light, a pretty trellis with a clematis that gets cut back in the winter (type 3 pruning) would feature the clematis in the growing season and the trellis in the winter. I would probably put a row of low-growing or easily pruned evergreens such as one of the smaller boxwood varieties under the window to provide winter interest and then plant the rest of the area with perennials to give you more interest in the growing season. Particularly in a smaller garden such as this that is in such a prominent place, thinking about varying the foliage color and texture (as you are doing in thinking about adding coral bells) will help add interest to the garden when there aren't many blooms. In addition to the library as a resource, Pennsylvania has public gardens that might give you inspiration, both for plants and for design. Here is a link that might be useful: Pennsylvania public gardens

Hi Guys and Gals... My first thought was Pop's Red. I have a Scott Pratt and it does seem to have the same coloration, but it is different. I was trying to take in the fragrance.. Hard to describe and is faint, but If I close my eyes.. It smells like a glass of red wine!!! LOL. Crazy, but true. Looking at the difference now between Scott Pratt and Pops Red. I'll be back... Here is the bloom inside . You can see the color a little better now. Thanks everyone!!! Lol about the Duvachelle !! Mine is looking good, but not ready yet. I just rooted a two tip as well... HHHmmmm.... Going to do some investigating.. Thanks everyone!!! Laura

You also have to take into account whether you're actually looking at the correct house in question. Our whole street is numbered wrong, even after I claimed my house and moved the marker; it is not right. The funny thing is Zillow says it gets it's info from 3 sources all of which show my street correctly. The next thing was the "Zestimate" of our house which really ticked me off. Here is a handy mans special across the street "Zestimated" more then ours :( ... the house next door sold a year ago, they did not move in for a "good" 6 months, yet that house is also "Zestimated" above ours. It's a close comp to ours but is much smaller. Neither of these houses have central air, new furnace, roof, hot water heater, windows (I'll stop, sure you get the drift). I don't doubt buyers have been looking at our Zillow page as we've had a lot of views. I ended up spending some time there and was able to bring our Zestimate up by entering our updates. Hopefully now that we're ready to sell it will help. I wouldn't put too much trust in Zillow or any of these sites that get general information from tax records. As was mentioned the best way to find what you should offer is to have an agent run comps. Once you make an offer and agree on a price, an appraiser will come out; hopefully it will appraise correctly.

Hi I think the best way to start is contact some contractors and not only get estimates but ideas. be sure that they do not charge for estimates Be sure that you are comfortable with the one you choose. Will he do exactly what YOU want and be sure they will use the materials that you agree upon. When you find one you like check him out with the BBB be sure he is licensed and insured and will comply and get required permits and inspections. Also be sure to get completion date estimates. Compare EVERYTHING between the bidders. Especially compare methods to be sure your comparing on a level field. Go slowly in all steps of the process. IMO someone you feel is honest, and you can see examples of previous work is equal if not more important than cost. Put EVERYTHING in writing and make no assumptions about any part of the job. The first thing is to decide EXACTLY what you want done He can probably give you a bunch of help in deciding not only what you want done but the relative cost. I don't know if a lawyer to draw the contract is necessary but he certainly could be lol. A judgement call there. Same is true of an architect. Of course other things to consider are the "value of the remodeling. Will it increase the value of the house.? of course if it does your taxes will go up lol Be sure to find someone you can talk to. gary