Any group 2 pruning group clematis would be a good companion, based on your personal color preference. Ken Donson is a 'light-pruning type'- group 2. Pairing a 'heavy pruning type-group 3, with Ken Donson would be a pruning nightmare in a few years. Many of the 'large flowered types' sold in nurseries are group 2's with a some exceptions. My suggestion is to check before you buy. Suzy

The difference between my hosta and those grown by a commercial grower is that they amend their soil and feed their plants but it doesn't take massive roots and perfect soil to grow massive hosta. I have already proven that. Those Maples won't come down until their replacements can provide at least 50% of the shade that is here now. I lost a few branches between the house and the trees which started cooking my hosta a few years ago. I went out and spent almost $500.00 for a 40' long by 10' wide shade cloth and the hardware to install it. I use it every year now until some of those branches grow back. I am the exception to the rule that hostas don't grow under Maples. The one thing that the Maples do kill is Heuchera. Even though they have similar fibrous roots to the Maples, the Maples choke them out within a few years. I am going to use bone meal and Osmocote on the entire yard this year. Once in April and again in July. I will also be using fertilizer spikes around all of the trees and shrubs including the Maples. There will be enough fertilizer used out there to satisfy everything that is growing. I am guesstimating that it will cost around $500.00 to do it. Some of it will get worked into the soil around the plants since I plan on going around and chopping up tree roots around the hostas and in the path to remove some of them before I mulch. I have already tried the pergola route, city said no. I would never intentionally plant an Oak tree for a couple reasons. I don't do acorns or the squirrels and damage they cause to plants because of the acorns. I'll take Maple seeds over acorns any day. I would also like to have shade in my lifetime. I have had giant oaks before(3' diameter trunks) and I hated them. The falling limbs from a Silver Maple is not much different than the branches that come down because of squirrels keeping their paths open along the big branches. We own a couple massive Oaks on another piece of property(4' diameter trunks). All I see when I look at them are dollar signs if they ever come down. I would never intentially cut them down but if they happened to fall down I would sell the wood.

Hello guys, sorry for the delay in response. This time of year is brutal and now adding WoodZotic has stirred things up. Barg, that technique will work fine. Adam, that would rock. I look forward to your results. Mike, color is a reddish brown that highlights and accentuates richness of hardwoods and grain. The color on the label is the color. For now this is the only color available. The Woodzotic will outlast the Messmers. J Hyatt, you have to understand, when directions are given to a large scale of people you have to make them as foolproof as is possible. Its not mandatory to wipe off the WoodZotic but you do have know how much to apply and what is cosnsidered overapplication. This holds true for any stain and sealer but since the WoodZotic is loaded with the stuff that makes a stain last (transoxide pigmentation, resins and mildewcide)its can be easy for a homeowner to get into trouble unless the excess stain is removed from the surface before curing. Comparing TWP and WoodZotic is comparing Rolls Royce to Chevy. Both may appear to do the same job, but the manufacturing process and the right parts assure the Rolls Royce will outlast and outperform the Chevy ten times out of ten. I know you like TWP John, and as I have said many time, I like TWP too. In fact, when WoodZotic was first made the very first consultation was made with the owner of TWP/Amteco. Its just that TWP is not now and never has ben designed to work effectively on hardwoods. You modify the products (TWP\\\'s) vapor trasmission rate and change its maintenance characteristics by layering it on. Anyone in doubt that the manufacturer does not recommend this, should give them a call and ask them.

SHRTY: I think you're right. Atspace is blocking me, wanting me to buy/use their photo storage. I ran Spybot, and AVG runs daily, so I don't know what else to do. CALAM: I haven't had time to look at your gardening photos you sent via email yesterday, but from what you describe, you're a team of one - GEESH - wish I had your strength. Yeah, you left NOTHING in your wake on Bucerias beach. Just finished mowing/edging/blowing, and getting ready to bring the birdbath bowl inside to begin. Think I'm going outside the box, and just mosaic in white shards. Don't wanna make a green leaf.