Wonbyherwits, judging from the photo you posted i would say you have a very keen eye as well. I think the trick for me is useing plants that do well in my conditions and understanding there growing habits and mature size. I think experience is the best teacher in my case. I have no special talents as a gardener other than a deep love of plants. I've been useing the same plants (10 yrs.) and understand what thay do. Thanks for your kind words. I googled herbaceus borders "images", there are a lot of inspirational border pics. This is the 1st year i've started back working on my borders. I took the last 7yrs building and understanding my antique and shrub rose collection. Its good to be home again. Perhaps we should start another thread discussing combination and heights etc.........mark

End of September for zone 5?? That seems overly cautious. I typically transplant well into October and this year am pushing the envelop into November. Just divided and moved a Hosta and 4 peonies this weekend, and planted some Chives that were in a pot, all of which should do well because 1) they are quite hardy plants and 2) they were planted into beds that are close to the house foundation, where it will stay warmer for longer and allow for more root growth. In October I planted some winter-sown plants, and expect there will be some losses with those because they were still pretty small. Also received a few Bluestone replacements, Heuchera and Geranium 'Rozanne' and got those in the ground in early October. Also have transplanted at least a dozen shrubs in the past month - Lilacs, Dogwoods, and Winterberry Holly - and with woody plants you are supposed to allow them to go dormant first, and that doesn't happen until mid-October or later.

It won't freeze much if it does freeze at all.....only a few inches, at most. The rule of thumb, at least for milder climates like zone 7 and above, is that you can plant/transplant at any time of year the soil remains workable - not frozen, not overly saturated. In my zone 8, that means at any time throughout winter as long as the rains hold off for a few days :-))

Thanks. Forgot to mention peonies too. And I assume these really should be done in the fall rather than wait until spring.