I don't know if I've seen these or something similar, but I wouldn't go so far as to say they look natural... there's always too much of it or it's too uniform or it's used in places where real rock wouldn't be used... but I think it can look perfectly acceptable. After all, even real rock is cut with precision saws these days, and I'd have trouble saying that looks natural. The question of matching with other materials later is a bit complicated, not by the likelihood of having too much visual difference but of not having enough. I think to mix and match materials in the garden you use the same principles as when doing so in the house - you need a balance of similarity and contrast of texture, pattern size, etc. If you use big blocks, large flagstone pieces, or actual boulders I think you'll be fine. If you use something that is very similar, similar size piece and similar colour, then I think it will look "off." KarinL

It is too pretty to eat, isn't it, Roselee? But we do. ;) They provide us workers with hot plates and toaster ovens so we can cook for lunch, and lots of people do. One of my favorite things is to pick a bunch of lettuce leaves and top them with boiled eggs and dressing I've brought. I need to bring some bacon today to boil up some of those mustard greens in the fifth picture. We're re-doing the website, Matx, and I asked Holly, the lady who takes care of getting the website stuff done, if they're planning a blog to let everyone know what's going on in the garden. She said no, it would be too labor-intensive, but they might do something like that in the newsletter (no promises, but maybe mention the results of anything like that). Are you signed up for it? We currently send it out via email ~ I'm not sure if that will change, but I do know it will be posted on the website each week. If you want to get it now, send me your email address and I'll get you signed up (there's no way to sign up for it on the site right now ~ you have to do it in person and I don't mind doing it for you). BTW, the test plot was more of a demonstration to show how much better veggies do with the mycorrhizae additive (I know I'm spelling that wrong) that's new to us. It's a beneficial fungus that grows symbiotically with the plants' roots, helping them gather more nutrients and moisture. I need to specifically look at those today to see if there's a difference between the ones planted with and the ones without. I was a bit concerned that the two were planted too close together for an accurate assessment, but I think it was unfounded ~ it does seem from the pics that there's a difference already. Isn't it, Carrie?! I'm constantly amazed every time I see it. My section is right next to it, so I get to see it every morning and all day as I work. LOVE. That.

I would LOVE to see a picture of BM Natural Wicker since I was going to use that color for my family room and kitchen until I found out it was a 99.7% match for BM Bone White so I might as well use Bone White that is in a ready mix can. I wonder what the .3% difference is? It appears golden and very neutral and beautiful in my rooms. I was going to paint my bedroom with that color but the painter started to paint a wall and then called me upstairs to tell me it was coming out with a lot of orange in it. Little did he know it was reflecting off of the Oak I then had in the room and I wish he would have just painted the room since I am sure I would have been so happy with that color and my Antique White furniture. But now I am not sure what I want. The Natural Cream is very pretty in Melissa's bathroom. I have Bone White now in several rooms and it does change color depending on what is around it and it does have a tiny bit of red in it.

It may not apply to you but floral’s point is well taken. I have yews that are as tall as trees, evergreen and perfectly natural looking screens that blend in with hemlocks snd pines. They are easily cut back to make room where I want it - for shrubs underneath, a maple tree I want to reveal in the canopy. The value of mature shrubs and trees is the time it takes to get there. That said (not for the OPs benefit but to reinforce a message from an English perspective where pruning skill is so much higher. We Americans tend to think if yew only as gigantic meatballs), I think your best bet now may be tall rhododendrons or viburnums. Nantucket’s are almost evergreen. Deer are not an issue I take it..