Yes, I like to leave the old stems of the sedum up, as you did, so I know where the plants are. I also think they help 'catch' leaves and snow. Now that you can see them well, removing the old stems will make the plants look fresh and 'clean' although the new growth would be unaffected either way. If you accidentally pull a chunk with roots & new stem, just bury it back to the level it was or slightly deeper. Unless it completely goes bone dry, it won't mind, probably won't even stutter. #5 - hope somebody else can help. My only guess is squill and I don't think that's right, leaves are too broad, too many buds on the stems. Looks like they'll be extremely pretty, whatever they are!

Hi Suiv, My pictures (on Photobucket, no less!) go hinky like that sometimes, too, and it just proves what superior growers we are when we grow 'em sideways. Your first is an Echeveria, and further growth will reveal its name, but I think others might ID it for you. #2 is Crassula ovata - it looks like the leaves are largish, so it might be a cultivar (cultivated variety). #3 is also Crassula ovata, but this one's the cultivar 'Gollum'. I love the TJ's - the only place I can get 0% or 2% FAGE yogurt (clearly the best Greek yogurt).

I'm in the Atlanta metro area. I have lamium outside and it isn't evergreen but it does come back in the spring. I even have some in a container that has come back for several years.

the only problem with your garden .. is that YOU THINK it should look like something else ... someone with a real love of trees and conifers.. spent a lot of money on this landscape .... where are you .. you need to visit an arboretum .. and see how it is done professionally ... so you can start to understand ... otherwise.. just rip it all out.. and plant your own garden.. more in tune with your minds eye ... its your house now ... conifers are trees.... as are trees .. they do things in tree time... not human time ... its a slow motion sort of thing.. you have plenty of time learn about it all .. i would probably suggest that the Picea pungens be removed some time in the future ... it was obviously planted for the size it was.. as a babe at the store ... and now its a telephone pole in the making ... too close to the house.. and ridiculously out of scale ... no redeeming value in my book ... let us know where you are.. and hopefully we can recommend an arboretum nearby ... and you may as well invest in a good pair of hand shears ... scissors are not going to work on trees .... ken