Hi everyone, I just had another thought about where I might put EVS, but wanted to find out if EvS MUST climb or can it be more shrub-like if it has horizontal space to spread/fan out. I have a big front window that is about 5' above ground, and about 6' wide. Does EVS have to be a climber? If left to its own devices, does it sort of spray up and out, tumble and fall, I don't know the lingo yet. But I guess I'm wondering if 5' tall and 6' wide (even with some pruning) would be sufficient for EVS (in NorCal) if not trained to a trellis but allowed to become a shrub. If it can be grown this way, does it still need some sort of grid/trellis/cattle panel something or other behind it (up against the house) to train the plant initially? With the Celebration just a few days away, I'm still trying to decide where to place the plants I already *own* so that I can justify buying *more*. LOL Thanks!

Doctor's orders are not to set foot outside without a hat and sunscreen 365 days a year. Like that's going to happen. Over the years I've bought two high UV-protection, wide brim, Panama hats with lining in both the brim and crown. At the first opportunity, my d@amned old dog sat on both of them. I still wear those hats, but they're...interesting-looking. For company, I wear straw hats sold at hardware stores for $12. I need a new one every year. The Panamas have been a better value in the end. Even all torn up and 50 bux each, they've lasted 15 years. I like a 4 inch brim so that it shades my face. Beware brims that hang down in front of your eyes You have to tilt your head up to see and that's a neckache in the making. I'm partial to natural materials, finding them the coolest. I consider hats made of artificial fibers (aka spun crude oil) a Satanic conspiracy. If you're not that kind of whackadoodle, then hats with polyester parts offer the best UV protection at the smallest cost. Stampede strings optional. Here is a link that might be useful: Stampede strings

I'm in northern Il. My favorite shade flower is Astilbe. It likes 'woodsy soil' and needs a bit extra fertilizer to do well. Comes in a variety of colors. Same thing for perennial Digitalis (Foxglove). I have both of these growing well. If it's really wet, you may want to look at any of the ferns, hostas. I have a great deal of pachysandra for ground cover. Yes, one often gets 'mixed messages' on plants. I'm only giving you what I grow here. The advantage, for me, on these plants too is that they love to be covered in leaves and mulch (the 'woodsy soil'), so they're easy to maintain. These are all perennials that I have a lot of. I have little knowledge of annuals.

Try planting up some containers with year round plants that are shade tolerant - a variety of small shrubs, hellebores, heucheras, ferns and some grasses will all grow quite happily in a low light situation and are evergreen. You could also select something with some variegation to add brightness - Euonymus fortunei cultivars work well in containers, are very shade tolerant and come in both white and gold variegated forms. You could include some wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens - its foliage will turn a deep maroon in cold weather and it also offers big red berries. Add seasonal color with winter pansies or later, primulas. FWIW, except in the coldest weather, I've grown florist's cyclamen in outdoor containers all winter - they just need to be out of the worst of the weather as they don't hold up well in lots of rain.