Sorry to be so absent here for the last few days. My wife and I read (and researched) each comment thoroughly and came up with a sorta-plan before we went out nursery-browsing on Saturday. We agreed with timbu that more of a minimalist approach would be best, as to not detract from the house, and to allow us to add plant material later if we want to augment it. It would also help with the water conservation issue, which I obviously did not consider early enough in the overall landscape process. We do plan on reducing the size of the right-side grass when we re-do the walkway in a year's time or so. I'll follow up with pictures soon, but here's what we ended up doing: On the left/right sides of the driveway, we sunk sandstone rock clusters into the dirt, and planted lavender around those (this mimics what we did in front of the 4' tall fence on the front border of the property). On the left had side, we added a tree - a different species Japanese maple. We couldn't resist. We really wanted something different, like an Autumn Fantasy or October Glory maple, but were concerned with a) it being to close to the driveway and b) it being too big. We had a flowering cherry on the cart at one point, but neither of us was in love with it - thought it might look out of place. We also places 4x trailing rosemary along the driveway wall on each side, spaced about 4' apart. Hopefully those will trail nicely and soften that harsh wall. In front of the windows, I didn't get my camelias. You're all absoultely right - TOO BIG! We ended up getting four rhodies to go nearest the windows, followed by a row of gardenias, and lastly a row of white azaleas (who knew costco sold azaleas). We plan to get a large truckload of wood chips delivered in the coming week to cover all the dirt that still is exposed. The wife is very happy with the finished product, and I'm fine with it (no love, no hate). Thanks to all for your inputs. I fear we're not nearly experimental enough for this group here, as we didn't budge too much from our comfort zone. But cost and time were unfortunate constraints here. I wish I could start over completely with the landscape design here (and wish I had $100k to spend on it!). Thanks again. -Shawn

Madspinner, I was driving up to Mt. Baker a few weeks ago and thought of how cool it would be to live in the mountain foothills... of course a lot of the plants I am growing wouldn't last too long up there! On Olearia phloggopappa, I have sent seed to a few people and no one has had any luck with it yet. I will collect fresh seed and try it myself this summer. It's possible that it needs cold stratificaiton. Anyone who wants to discuss this further please do so via email. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos.

Glad you liked the pics. Mary, I planted the Pseudopanax ferox in 2006. I planted P. crassifolius nearby at the same time but it croaked in the sort-of-bad winter of 2006-07. So ferox wins. I hope it gets big and if it dies I like your idea. I just did 50+ cuttings of that Podocarpus salignus so there will be plenty of those available later if I don't kill them all. (I think I brought a couple to Fronderosa) I originally got it from Colvos Creek. It's surprising how readily cuttings on that assume apical dominance. Lagarostrobos franklinii has been there for years... very slow. But cool. It's also easy from cuttings.... I think I did about 25 cuttings of it. I don't know what happened to the elk; maybe they all swam to Hawaii to look for food. I haven't seen them yet this year at all. Cascadians, the only real loss is the Cupressus. With so many trees I expect a couple major losses like that every year.... last year it was that Pinus patula. Everything else can be fixed. No need to freak out, just be patient! PS. don't stake your trees too tightly - I think it's better to use rope to secure them or else prop them up with a hefty branch. Most eucs are inclined to lean and there's usually no point in trying to stop them.

Perhaps you could have a trip to Mount Annas(Correct Name?) which I beleive has native plants from all over and discover what they do with the WA natives. I thought Kangaroo paw like it a bit damp and sandy. We had a man from Strathmerton,Vic.speak at APS the other night who ripped up his clay fairly deeply, mulched, hilled and swailed, and had good results. Yes it has to do with microclimate and soil . Research to learn about the plants' natural habitat. After all some WA plants do not grow in sand. Don Burke has a good native garden. But Mount Annas National gardens would be your best bet.