I realize that trying to grow something at the base of a tree is difficult, because of root competition if nothing else. I was aware that certain trees are (in short) hostile to having other plants growing underneath; but I do have daylilies and columbine in one bed, and hosta, astilbe, and other things in the other bed. So I think I can still grow small annuals there, if I just figure out which ones! Wax begonias sound like a good idea: I will look further for those. I haven't planted them in years as I sort of gave them up in favor of bigger-flowered splashier things. I could mix them with the polka dot plants. New Guinea impatiens sound good too, if I can still find any: I can see putting those in pots, maybe, around the base of the nearer tree. That one is close to the deck and looks so bare compared to the rest of the garden, with just green stuff under it now. The other bed is at the end of the yard and really small plants don't show up: but I can't think of anything big and shade tolerant.

I bought these plants to interplant with my annuals in pots outdoors. The leaves are indeed smaller, and the pink spots smaller and lighter. They were much nicer when I first bought them at the nursery. They are making tall skinny stalks, despite constant pinching. I assumed they were just a plant that got rangy when it got older, like most coleus do. They are in partial sun, but it's still pretty bright. Some of these outside pots get brought inside for winter; so it'll be interesting to see what the polka dot plant grows like in reduced light. I didn't realize it was a houseplant.

Oh my goodness... they SO did NOT have them a while back when I placed MY HUGE order with them! LOVE THEM!! mmmm..... I promised myself I wouldn't buy anymore seeds this winter but I also promised myself no more seed trades until I get my ws'ing done & I broke that promise today cause I signed up for yet another! LOL Guess it's the day to break promises to myself. Gonna go check out their goodies & see what else is new since I ordered last... THANKS!!!!! Jodie

Thanks for your response and info, azreno! I'm glad to hear that I can mix and match because I truly enjoy all kinds of flora...flowers, cactus, agaves, vines, desert shrubs, dense foliage, you-name-it! As for the polka dot plants, it seems that if I'm going to have them up front at all, I might need to keep them in containers, so I can move them around as needed throughout the seasons. I guess my main problem is, finding something I can plant right now in my north side(since it is the front of the house) since it has pavered border planting areas that don't get sun. Maybe I should be focusing on my vine-like things.Trelises? What about agaves? Do all of them need sunlight? I also have a porch so would like to have hanging plants that do well with full shade. So, the trick is finding plants that don't mind zero sunlight, but will also survive cold (although they would be fairly protected against the wind/cold since they would be relatively close to the foundation...but not close enough to attract termites I hope!). PS. I live in downtown Phoenix in a historic district, so the climate is usually a bit warmer in general. Btw, I am in love with the Madagascar palm and must find a place for one somewhere in my yard(maybe the east side)! And I saw a hanging Winston Churchill fuschia at Baker's last week that I believe would look just gorgeous hanging from my porch! lol...I can see myself becoming really obsessed with all this gardening stuff. There's so much to learn and plants are such complex critters.