Thanks everybody! Topher, needle palms are VERY slow from seed--first to germinate and once they do, to grow to any appreciable size. Mine took several months to germinate, and after a year a few were still germinating every few months. If I were doing it over again, I would start out with a good-sized needle palm because they're so slow. BTW here's a needle palm growing not too far from where I live; I took these photos about a year ago. I'm not sure people appreciate just how big these can eventually get--the one at the National Arboretum is about twice as big! This one is a little over 20 years old but I don't know how big it was when it was planted. It's one of the oldest and most beautiful specimens in the city:

I remember when you posted when this happened, nice to know all was not lost......They look beautiful.........One yr (when I lived on the other side of the mountains) I had put miracle grow potting soil in the holes that I planted a couple plants. I covered @ night religiously, but it still on 3 different occasions they frosted to the ground...Notice I said it was 3 times this happened. I thought they were gone each time but they were on a soaker hose that had other plants to take care of. Next thing I knew, I'd have tiny mater plants comin' back. They did start to set, but just didn't have enough time to come ripe. (winter comes early and quickly some yrs over there) Point being, sometimes, maters act like 'the little train that could'.............Good for you........T (fingers crossed you get a decent yield)

Congratulations on some great crosses, Debra. I love the NA x SOP, the pink one at the top. Beautiful clear color, a bitone, fancy edge, big size, and well-behaved sepals. Looks like a winner to me! I also really like the Sun Bear seedling with the 'exotic' eye. I like eyes that are pointed like this one is. Hope they all continue to look good. Looks like you have some you may need to register! Bob

Maisie (6b)'s idea to check for utility locations is a good one...call "Dig Safe". If you think you have any space for trees, I recommend you start your project with trees. They are the backbone of your landscaping. They say "the best time to plant a tree is yesterday. The second best is today". A small bare root tree you plant now will cost a fraction of a large Balled & Burlapped tree you buy in five years...and have a better root system. (Thus being more resistant to drought and wind). The little things can be planted whenever, and you will likely change them several times over the years. Spring is one of the best times to plant trees. See if your County Soil Conservation District has a Spring seedling sale. Generally deciduous trees go to the south (To provide summer shade but not block winter sun). Evergreens go to the north to block winter north winds, between you and the neighbor with the ugliest house, and between you and the nosiest neighbor. I'd visit a local arboretum to get a sense of what trees you like and what options you have. Also look at what grows well in the neighbor's yards...and most importantly, what doesn't. All gardening is local...you will find lots of regionally inappropriate advice online. How many feet from the road to your house? Are there above ground power lines? How far from the street is your oak? Do your neighbor's have a row of street trees you can continue? What is your USDA zone? You could put a small tree in the corner where your walkway meets your driveway. (Really small...think serviceberry or maybe Winter King Hawthorn). Foundation plantings are generally overused...but you have the kind of foundation that calls for them. I always like holly for it's winter interest and Rhododendron for it's huge flowers. Both are easy if you have acidic soil, and I think both tend to look better in irregular shapes then boxwood or yew would. Boxwood, privet and yew look formal, tend to look lousy unless maintained meticulously, and can look "dated". Really an aesthetic choice....to do you prefer the sharp-angled "formal" look or a splash of color in the right seasons? How meticulous do you think you will be about trimming? The other alternative is to pick something that can be cut to the ground and grow back for ease of maintenance. (ie Diablo Ninebark). Those sorts of plants tend to be deciduous and thus not as interesting in the winter. You don't have room for much between your walkway and your house...but you could stick some easy bulbs (eg Daffodils, liatris, nodding onion) there. Or you could turn that strip of grass into a much bed and put perennials there...although that would be more work. If you are willing to put in more work and money, I might put in a hedge (possibly holly) or a picket fence with climbing vines. (Roses or grapes) along your border between you and the pale yellow house.