A limiting factor may be water - is the normal rainfall distribution through the growing season sufficient to support the plants you want? If not, make sure you plant them within easy reach to water by hose! The most common plants at ground level in a spruce or fir forest are often mosses. Club mosses are particularly attractive (and we used to use one kind to make wreaths at Christmas!) I would not use mulch because that would likely smother the plants that naturally grow there. Removing the small trees would definitely help with opening the look, making access easier, and allowing rainfall to reach the ground more evenly. You might want to leave a few fallen logs to act as 'nurse' logs for plantings, removing any clutter of smaller sticks etc. I'd be inclined to then watch and see what - if anything - grows under there naturally to guide you in determining what will have the best chance of surviving under the trees. The margins (along the driveway etc.) are the easy place to start planting ornamentals such as the Rhodos, hydrangeas etc. I grew up in an area of the east coast of Canada where the forest trees are predominately spruce and fir with hardwoods mixed in. The forest floor had lots of interesting vegetation that would be a shame to bury under mulch. Rhododendron canadense (a short, deciduous shrub) grew wild in open areas of the woods so, in the right conditions of light and moisture, I'd expect that Rhododenrons and Azaleas should do well. Is there a park or garden nearby with the same sort of conditions so you can see what is normal for the local ecology?

We recently had to move three - 7 year old pepper bushes from one garden to another. We did it during the winter, when they were dormant. I pruned them pretty well and watered them in a partially sunny spot. They are back with a venegance, lots of little peppers! I already harvested some that had turned red. I should mention these were habaneros, pequin and thai peppers. The habaneros are larger than I had seen them before on that bush. I have had only about 70% success rate transplanting the sweet peppers, but it is worth a try. Hot peppers seem to be easier.

Michele: I completely and totally empathize with you wanting to take everything in sight. Your Hostas should be fine -- think long and hard about other things because: When I left my old place 5 years ago I was sure that I couldn't live without everything I had grown over a 15 year period. Of the 127 (we counted) plants I chose to move, including mature shrubs, I only actually used about 15 of them when it came time to give them a new home. A lot of effort for naught. I had a "plant tag sale" with the rest and used the $$ for my new place. Other than the collections (Lavandula for me) I've come to grips with the fact that it's Just Plants. Part of the real fun I've had in my new place is starting from scratch and building the gardens to the property, rather than forcing the property to accept the plants. Yes, this was a catharsis, but one that saved a lot of anguish when it came time to resite plants. Yes, starting from scratch can be a great time but ONLY if there is a place for everything. It sounds like you're not sure, yet. Your plan to save your plants sounds feasible. My 127 were held on pots buried to the rims in leaf mulch in a protected, wooded area for the first winter, but I second arbo's suggestion to talk to a real expert. You have far too much invested to not make the call :-) Martie

The tile is a killer since there is so much of it, and it certainly does make a statement. I'm guessing you're leaning towards a bit more traditional? So at a minimum? A low-budget "fix"? 1) I'd get rid of any stained surfaces (door/trim) and instead paint. 2) I'd replace the three mirrors with rectangular-shaped framed mirrors. and replace the light bars above the mirrors with sconces. 3) You can just replace the vanity as a whole. If that's too much, at a minimum I'd replace the vanity faucet. If you can go beyond that, I'd replace the hexagonal sink with a rectangular sink. If you can still go further, I'd consider replacing the vanity top too. I'd reface the vanity with drawers with frame and panel drawer/door fronts that more resemble the traditional 6-panel doors.All that', it's probably easier to just replace the vanity as a whole. 4) You can degloss and paint the shower frames to get rid of the brassy color. 4a) The brass and glass surround on the back tub could be removed and replaced with a curtain. 5) I'd consider covering the existing glass with a topical frosted film. Not sure if the existing design will shadow through the film. But look at different films, their levels of opacity, and see it it'll work. 6) New towel bars, etc, to get rid of the brass. 7) A large throw rug on the floor in front of the two pedestal sinks might disguise the stepped floor tile pattern. Good luck!