It IS the bane of MY existence and has been ever since I STUPIDLY planted it 18 years ago. It's Hedera Helix. It grows UNDER the patio and comes out the other side, then goes under the fence where I have since planted many clematis vines, therefore cannot spray Round-Up or any other weed killer. I rip as much as possible when I can see it well - in Spring and Fall after everything else has died back - then I use a product called 'Vinex' (you can google it - I had to buy it online but I hear ACE hardware carries it). But you must be very careful with it because it will kill everything it touches including 100 year old trees (eventually). I use the little 'paintbrush' tip on the container and apply to the end of the vine - pulling it back as far as I can until I can no longer get any out of the ground - then paint Vinex on it (about a half-inch of the vine). But if you are successful -- and it will not happen fast -- your neighbors will no longer have it either. The other major mistake of my life was Boston Ivy. And Trumpet Vine. And Sweet Autumn Clematis - which grew under the house and came out the other side. I need to move. Westy

Edie...Funny story...last summer, Sean had some buddies over for a swim. His friends know where Sean's plant collection is--grouped together near the house by the pool. One of the guys decided to be a smart a--, and grabbed one of the smaller cacti in a pot and yelled to another guy in the pool, "let's play keep away from Sean...". Now mind you, these were all baseball players with pretty good arms... One of the other 'new' guys said "hey..throw it here" (he was in the pool-not knowing what kind of plant it was). Sean just stood there shaking his head and told them I don't think you want to do that...the kid threw the plant to the other kid, and he caught it mid-air about 30 feet away---along with a handful of thorns!!! OUCH!!!! I'll never forget the scream! Sean said "they'll never touch my plants again!!!" Yes, boys will be boys...

Bahia - gosh - didn't mean to slight you; hadn't seen your reply while writing mine (must have started mine, taken a phone call and gone back to it). I was so not speaking to your choices. We're our own worst critics and after I linked the daffodils I had the thought that 'gee, everyone's going to think I'm some little old lady gardener - just add some petunias and they'll write me off.' My own judgement - no one elses. Poked fun at myself posting daffs so folks would know I 'get' it (I like em in pots and on hillsides, agree hard to work into a home garden without it looking dated - it's partially why I like that kedron one - easier to work it in). I've been going through old gardening and design books as I plan new hardscape for the front and in looking at them I've been so aware of how quickly gardens can look dated. Modular walls fit my budget, but I know within 6 years they'll be passe and for me (and my budget) this hardscape is once. For the books that aren't that old - seems like we've gone for more space between plants and more large rocks (simplistic definition). Anyhoo, so I'm playing with the dated concept and think a dated look for most of us is about the overall plan of how plants are put together more than the plants themselves. For a green backdrop - I'd use what fits the bill AND do something interesting in a bed in front of it or add a trio of large pots with great interest in front of it - love green privacy walls but I'm not all that fussy about how they're attained. Bahia - you do wonderful work (I'd looked at your site) and I don't doubt folks pay you to do something gorgeous plus contemporary. I'm always sending folks to UCDavis for the veg gardening info - will check out their top ten. Here is a link that might be useful: mists and enchantments my blog

I just re-read my post and I want to add that I am not complaining, although I guess it sounds like I am. I like working in a garden no matter whose it is, it's just that this was such a HUGE job and if my "quick fixes" do not work I am going to feel really, really bad. I'm trying to help but I have limited gardening experience myself, and given the time and resource restraints I had, I am afraid that my work and advice will backfire. And my SIL is really smart and all but she doesn't really know how to garden and I am trying to help her without making her think that I think I'm higher and mightier or something because she is easily insulted. I don't think I insulted her, she said thanks and all, but sometimes I come across like a know-it-all.