"Do you loose all your leaves when you let it go semi-dormant?" You must have asked me this same question two times at least already!! I guess you don't believe it. But no, I don't loose ANY leaves in the winter when I grow them under chilly and dry conditions (December until mid-February). I do not keep my limes (Persian or Key limes) in cool conditions (they are much more tropical). Citrus and hot, dry interior conditions just don't go together so I have given up on anything but limes in the house itself. For the rest of the Citrus collection (in the garage), day temps under glass are now in the low to mid 60's even when it's only in the mid 50's outside--that's NOT cold and the air is fairly humid. As I said, my challenge is really just January--the rest of the year is a cake walk. PS. One of the reasons I am anxious to get them out of the garage is that a stronger sun and warmer conditions means that I have to be much more attentive to watering as they dry out much faster now. I wish I could say that I dote over them in the Winter, but I virtually forget about them from about early December until mid-February.

Welcome to Colorado!!!! I second the Colo Spgs Utils Xeriscape Garden - it's wonderful!!! Also, Harding Nursery is good as already stated, but Paulino's Nursery up in Denver is WELL worth the drive. That place is absolutely amazing. as far as books, there is the "Xeriscape Plant Guide" and several others by the same folks. Lauren Springer's books are good as far as information but can be tough to read...in her first book, her writing skills weren't yet perfected ;) Her second one with Rob Proctor is also good and more readable. I live on the north/east end of town, up by Monument. I'm growing: blue grama/sideoats grama grasses in a "pseudo-prairie", many many varieties of penstemon, many varieties of very tough roses (no Hybrid Teas though - not tough enough to thrive here), rabbitbrush, big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata), New Mexico Privet, Apache Plume, a couple of peonies and clematis in near the house, Agastaches (a wonderful flower), Maximillian Sunflower, several types of yarrow, iris and daylilies (surprisingly xeric), gaillardias, ornamental grasses, and a heckuva lot more. I grow veges in a "hoophouse" (small greenhouse) and tomatoes in clear "tents"...protects from weather and cool nights. My biggest challenges here are not the dry conditions or cold winter, it's the clay soil (actually a benefit because it holds water) and HAIL!!! Holy Cow, this area can have some whopper hailstorms! I've learned that plants with fern-type leaves or narrow, flexible foliage do very well, while stuff like hostas get absolutely shredded. Maximillian's Sunflower, Agastache, Artemesias, and penstemons survived 19 hailstorms at my home last summer unscathed, and we had a couple of absolute whopper storms. Roses did surprisingly well too. Gaillardia got pummeled but bounced back very quickly. good luck with your new home and garden!!! Enjoy!! Nancy

dibgar I understand your indecision about the dining room table. We also will have a dining room in the same space as the great room. I didn't want to put a chandelier because of the position of the dining table in relation to the entrance as people come in from the foyer. So I think what I will do is put 2 sconces on the wall next to the table (I don't know if you have room for that) and then put a can and 2 halogens on each side of the can (as recommended by Whitehead. In your situation can you consider a chandellier that is drapped across the ceiling from the wall (portable type). So in the event you move your table you can move your chandelier. Or else, have you thought about a round table. I think it might take up the space better than the rectangular one on an angle. That way you could put a can and even if you move the table, the can won't seem out of place (maybe.) I'm no expert on this lighting stuff and am learning as I go. I am just trying to use common sense and practicality to get me through the process. Try posting on the decorating forum. Those people have tons of ideas on everything. Good luck.

Hi Doba! Would love to see how everything turned out. Could you post pictures of your kitchen and the FC counters? Need to decide on my counters and FC is one I'm considering. My apologies if you already posted and I missed the thread. If so, please direct me to where I can find it! Thanks so much!