Well, I decided the scale needed probably won't work for our yard, but found another intersting landscape that has given me other ideas. I did spend hours reading the blog though. fwiw, I actually liked the unity that only a few (4) types of plants brought in the example above. The existing trees/shrubs in our yard do not appear to be related in an fashion to each other or the house. The next idea I am researching is alternating rows of plants in the front. I found a listing for multi million dollar contemporary house (like ours-except ours is not worth near as much) and really liked their landscape photos. I need to figure out how their rows were laid out in relation to the sun and whether such a configuration would work for the angle of our walk and slope (i.e. erosion concerns) tot the sun. The basic design was row of short boxwood,row of taller shrubs/roses, path, repeat- short boxwood, rose/shrubs, path, etc. The angles of the rows worked well with the house and layout of the walk. My wife would like roses and we only have enough sun out front, so thought this may be another way to create some cohesion. A cottage type garden is not going to work with our contemporary home.

Sunset has wonderful books aimed at southern gardens and gardeners. I have one that must be 30 years old. What I like about it is that it has older varieties listed that you seldom see anymore but that you might encounter from time to time. I think everyone should have a book like that to look up impartial information. That is how I came across my Brandy which is an amazing bloomer in cool or even the hottest weather. It out-performs all our other flowers and is about the size of a small woman's hand. A good 4-6" I would say. Jackson Perkins also has a great book with the more modern varieties, but they seem to imply that all the varieties featured are fantastic performers, and I couldnt disagree more. Many a bush has come to my house only to go back, because it didn't tolerate the heat or wasn't the color they described. We live in zone 8a which might be the same as where you are.

Jean, I have burned once, but the burn pile is enormous again. And sill more weeding to do. I feel your pain. Just e careful. Thanks, Julia, we are getting rain again Ester too. I will not complain, since it is much better to have a lot of rain than to have the drought. I still have a lot to do, but I also have some planting to do as soon as it is safe. (freeze wise) Timberohio, I can identify. My garden was neglected for no really good reason but the heat last year. Make ure you are getting enough Vitamin D too. It is wonderful that you discovered the magnesium missing piece. congrats. Do start slow. Otherwise, you'll feel as if you've been beaten. Rita, that zinnia strip has turned out to be a favorite part of my garden. The dirt has improved so much since I have been mulching. I plan to plant cleome and coreopsis along with the zinnias this year. And, you know how it is, I am already figuring out next year's bulb order. By the way, the zinnia strip has had a lot of the queen of the night tulips to return from last year. Another color is also returning, but they haven't bloomed yet, so I don't know what it is. Yes, I really love the dutch iris, so will be planting some this fall. I have had an unreal increase in the dutch iris I planted next to the front roses. I may divide them this fall since they are the dark purple ones I love. I cannot wait for pictures of all your tulips. That is going to be a traffic stopper for sure. I have a bunch of seeds in the greenhouse and a lot of plants too, so as soon as I feel frost safe, I will be planting. I placed a small order from Annie's Annuals, and the plants came and are beautiful. The shipping is obscene, but I'm used to that from the roses, and these are sent second day air. See how pretty they are in their 4 inch pots? Gotta figure out where to hide Easter eggs in my scanty cover. I was hoping for azalea bloom, but no such luck, just the buds: Happy Easter anyway. kay

Sammy, It sounds like you had a wonderful trip to Southwood. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Nurseries are few and far between here in southern OK, but we're going to one of my favorite nurseries down in Texas today. We spent Mother's Day (my choice of activity since it was Mother's Day) mowing, mulching, weeding, and harvesting the garden since heavy rain is in the forecast for today and I wanted to get ahead of it. Now the rain can fall all it wants and we'll be away shopping, with the knowledge all this week's yard and garden maintenance work is done. I hope everyone had a Happy Mother's Day, whether they are mothers or grandmothers, favorite aunts who are like a mother to their nieces and nephews, and anyone else who fills a motherly role in someone's life. Lisa, Other than the milkweed we already have growing on our property, I haven't seen any this year....not in a single store and not even in nurseries. The green milkweed here is blooming and we have a pretty good Monarch population already, including some that are old and faded. Happy Birthday and enjoy spending your birthday gift card! Larry, I have noticed that all your days are busy days. I don't think you know how to sit still. That's not a bad thing, either. Staying busy keeps us young. Dawn