The spent flowers could be deadheaded but it such a large specimen now that (a) it may take "forever" or (b) you may not be able to reach many of the top blooms. I would try to remove dead wood regularly but I would do this around the month of May when it is clear which parts are dry and which ones are just dormant. Opening some areas in the top so light can reach the bottom leaves is always useful too (or thin out the leaves a little). Besides this, you can just do the usual things. Apply 3-4" of mulch up to or beyond the drip line so the roots do not have to be watered often. Add a layer of fertilizer below the mulch using either cottonseed meal, compost or well composted manure. Maintain the soil evenly moist as best as you can. And in case this applies to your soil, amend the soil to acidify if you notice signs of iron chlorosis. This post was edited by luis_pr on Mon, Apr 1, 13 at 7:17

Here's something that might help you begin to sort out the situation: it's a link to a website of the author of "The Slate Roof Bible". The book probably tells you more than you need to know, but if you read it you'll know 'way more than most roofers who come to look at your roof. Here's the link: http://www.jenkinspublishing.com/slate.html I have the care of slate roofs on 10 buildings, from a tiny two-hole outhouse to a very large two story, with a slate-roofed cupola, hay barn. My slate is more 150 years old and in constant need of maintenance. The hardest part is finding a qualified and willing worker; I've had some real doozies claim they knew what they were doing. I only try a few of the most basic maintenance techniques described in the book myself, but at least once I found out the correct way things should be done, I wasn't at the mercy of roofer ignorance and mindless prejudice against slate. HTH Molly~ Here is a link that might be useful: Link to Slate Roof Bible

Wow, that's the closest answer to any research I've done.....I think it may be!! Thank you for the link!!

Hi Kristy- You haven't said what your style is and what furniture pieces you must keep and what you are willing to give up. If I had free reign, I would get rid of that huge entertainment unit. It is dark and heavy and old-fashioned and brings the whole room down. We needed things like that when we had big bulky TV's, but we have flat screens now. You can buy an inexpensive wall mount for your TV or a nice table or even some sort of attractive buffet with storage on which to set your TV. Your leather sofa and chair also seem heavy and overscaled for that space. Your home is spotless. Why not try a white or off-white sofa with your beautiful teal chair drawn up next to it. You can also get a coffee table or a large ottoman with a tray on it. You can get some throw pillows that coordinate the teal with the green plants in your aquarium. to put on the chair and the sofa and put in a throw as well that color coordinates. In the alcove over the aquarium you can think about hanging something interesting that is three dimensional such as a macrame wall hanging. You can make it yourself or buy one on etsy or ebay. Or you can buy an obi sash. Or hang a few interesting colored butterflies. I would change the candlesticks on the left side of the mantle, they are too chunky. You can find some that are more graceful, but you are quite correct to do an odd number. If you are going to keep the art over the mantle which is nice, please get different stems for the teal glass vase, the shapes are too repetitious. Please find longer stems, not a rounded arrangement. You might find fresh things from your garden, even live leaves look great. I would need to see more photos of your entranceway, but I think the art hung over the console table is hung too high. That would actually be a nice spot for a beautiful mirror. People want to check themselves as they enter and exit.