I live in Gainesville which is zone 8B. We are land locked, no water in sight. The lowest known temp we have had since I moved here in 1992 is 20. The lowest known in the history of weather records is 13. I don't grow any of yours, butI grow Basjoo, Dwarf Red, M. lasioscarpa, Ensete maurellii, Velutina, Zebrina, Raja Puri, Laterita, Sikkimensis, Ornata "Hot Pink" and Dwarf Cavendish in the ground year round. They all do fine, in a hard freeze, the leaves freeze off and some of the trunk may freeze around the crown, but the trunks almost NEVER die. WHen the weather warms back up they start sending out new leaves within a week usually, and in the event that a trunk does freeze, the plant always returns from the roots. Most bananas, all hedychiums, many costus gingers, Kaemferias, zinginers, brugmansia, most of the alocasias, all the colocasias, most of the xanthosomas, Ti plants, and a host of other tropical plants do fine here in our zone with temps to the 20's. Actually its a relief when they die back sometimes, it gives you a break from all the care and let you do stuff like get your house washed and painted in winter.

I've got the installer coming out early next week. He only appeared in the morning and left installation to his underlings (he tells me all are on the payroll though!). He said the condenser or coil--I am not sure which--gives off some air. If anyone is interested in seeing a pic of the unit with the air leaks, I could send a pic that I took with the leaks circled in red. Now he also says something about the possibility of the ducts having leaks...

Hi no-green-thumb!~You really do have a lot of hidden potential. It has been a long winter; I am in IL, so I know how different winter and spring can look! Still waiting for plants to "pop" here, although a little green is finally peeking through. I did a paver installation in my landscape construction class. They need a gravel base, and proper grading. Their installation makes them more impervious to water than flagstone, which will heave slightly, so IMO flagstone is not the best choice for a patio right next to the house. They tend to be somewhat expensive. BUT the cost of installation of your existing patio included the flagstone itself, which you still have and can re-use, so don't despair! We have a flagstone patio in the far corner of my backyard, and I think that could look lovely with your forest backdrop. It is really not expensive to do, just labor intensive. Many nurseries have staff that might be able to do the job or recommend someone, so if DIY is not an option, you should get several bids before proceeding. Or, this is what I would do if it was MY yard... I think it would be best if you had a deck installed; one without steps, just a walkout that extended from the corner all the way to the purple fence to the left of your ac unit. Replace that panel with six foot cedar fence panels, to hide the AC from view. To add interest, stagger the fence heights. The deck would have an octagonal cut-out for the tree, and low wide steps to the flagstone path connecting it to the cement patio. The flagstone path would be wider at the steps and narrower towards the patio, but it would be at least three feet wide, four feet would be better. I wouldn't touch the stone edged bed of hostas and ferns, except to maybe trench the edge slightly, so that the stones "sink" and are no longer a problem when you mow. I really dig (no pun intended) the natural stone and flagstone combination. However, the wooden deck and cement patio are both more practical surfaces for grilling and eating, more sure-footed. I agree that the cement patio is one logical place for your existing grill. Since that was also expensive to install, why not re-use it? Have you seen these type of gazebos, they're a great way to define the eating area from the lounging/bar area closer to the house? They are designed to be taken down and stored in the winter. Here is a link that might be useful: Gazebos

I would say that we are in the same 90% done range......we have water (so no more doing dishes in the laundry tub), a working wall oven and microwave and gas to the new Wolf 36" range. DH powered up the Vent-a-hood last night so I think I will try to burn off the Wolf tonight if I have the energy.....will post on the Appliance forum what my results are for those of you that are following the Wolf burner saga.... What's left? Cabinet doors, final hook-up of the electrical (under cab lighting etc), fridge install..... We have been at this for 8 weeks now and while our contractor has been great (we're also redoing our master ensuite bath and hardwood flooring on the second floor) we want to be done!!!! Every day after the lastest new improvement gets completed I say to DH ' now what I am really looking for is....." Currently, that's have a garbage can in the kitchen..... We can use the kitchen but it's still a bit of work to find the spices, the pasta, the utensils etc..... Next Monday we should have the cab doors and Tuesday the electrician.....So hopefully by this time next week, I can say we're 99% done!!!! Now to figure out where to put the stuff in the dining room in all that cabinet space......!!! Marion K.