Lisa b., I started out with with conifers in the Picea abies family (Norway spruce). My first conifer was Picea abies 'Acrocona': If you want a dwarf version of it there is a 'witches broom' dwarf called Picea abies 'Pusch': Anything in the Picea abies family would be a good start as they are hardy to zone 3. Pinus mugo (mugo pine) are also very hardy(Z2) and there are dwarf versions that are very bright gold in winter (P. mugo Carsten's Wintergold,P.mugo Zundert) also variegated(P.mugo 'Kokarde','Marand', 'Pal Maleter') Pinus mugo 'Teeny' Finally any of the Picea pungens (Colorado Spruce)dwarf cultivars might also be a good start. ('Montgomery', 'Glauca glabosa', St. Mary's) Picea pungens 'St. Mary's'. Picea pungens 'Mrs. Cesarini' Please be aware that I am no expert on conifers. There are probably much more qualified people on the conifer forum to give you advice. These are my personal opinions though, based on my personal experience in Zone 5 . Hope this helps .^^^Dan^^^

It's so nice to see these pictures on a day like today ! Your monarda combo is so pretty. I'm going to keep that in mind when we can finally buy plants again. I think your pic of the arch with the pathway is just perfect! And it's awesome to see your overall view , sometimes it's hard to picture a whole garden piece by piece. So lovely!

Al right here it goes. I still can't seem to get the color right w/this new camera. I'm not sure but I think this is kmotgg. the seedlings in the cup were not marked so I need to move it when the heat lets up. Same bed by the walk an drive. All of this is ws. So small this year. I can not believe it but I think this is a bud on my single poppy in this location!!! I have 4 that actually made it. Never been able to grow them before. This is a new stone bed or actually I am enlarging a bed that is there. I need more space! lol So I can plant more flowers : ) I went out last night an seen several of these on my Alaska Dasies. I think they may be box elder bugs, not sure have to look them up. This is my new veggie garden. Has a very late start with it. I'm not sure but someone told me they think they are Mexican sunflower. I am going to wait until it cools a bit an then will move them they will need much more space than I gave them here. Not as many w/blooms as I would like. But start over w/new perennial is going to be slow I guess. Also lost a lot of annuals to rain again this year. Bonnie : )

No, the large red blooms are a type of Red Zinnia I bought this year. I just LOVE them. They turn a lovely coppery orange as they fade, so even look nice when they are waning. The white hyacinth bean gets pods on it that have a purple seam. I've never seen that before. OkPrairie - these plants are in the front yard, which I did water and maintain. The backyard went to the @#U$_*#! Everything is burned up back there; my contorted mulberry virtually has no foliage, the hostas are burned to the ground, except for S&S. Oakleaf hydrangea is still looking fair to middling. The Japanese Maple's leaves are curled up and brown & crispy. My little asimina triloba is still looking great in a pot, as are the EEs - some of them. Wish someone would come by and p/u these pots of EEs (free). Susan