ChrisK, This is from a nursery's description of the NSH, they sound perfect for your requirements. Ideal selection for hedges and privacy screens Grows up to 3 ft. per year! Thrives on neglect YouÂll appreciate how these holly trees stay deep green all year, unlike other hedge trees that can brown out during either the summer heat or mild droughts. Plant 5-6 ft. apart for a living wall that gives you complete privacy -- no holes or gaps. You control how they grow  whether naturally into a dense, pyramidal shape that matures at 15-25 ft., or pruned into a tall box hedge. They grow up to 3 ft. per year without pruning. When they reach the height you want, just clip off the leader. This will slow them down and make them thicken. These holly trees make perfect accents at the corners of your home, in the flower garden or entryway. The dark green foliage makes a great contrast to surrounding trees and shrubs. During the winter months you will enjoy the red berries against the deep green foliage. Clip some branches to decorate your home for the holidays. Bird watchers delight as these berries attract all kinds of wildlife!

I don't notice redpolls around here in the summer, they must go further north with the snow buntings. I was wondering though when the Whiskey Jacks start nesting, because they're one of the first fledglings out in the spring. I thought it might be why they were out and about and maybe came to the feeder to look for suitors? We've started calving now and every year I note in my records when the crows and then the geese show up. Last year crows showed up on March 9th and the first geese on March 23rd. They seem to send out scouts first then the bigger flocks show up a bit later. But I think I saw crows a few days ago and it wouldn't surprise me becasue of the mild spell we had in February, but I always second guess myself this time of year between crows and ravens :( Gil, " Build it and they will come" . It took a couple seasons way out where I am to get the birds coming regularly, but its amazing how fast they figure it out once a few have started. I remember the panic I felt when a bird would show up to check out the feeder and it would be empty! I'd drop everything and run out and fill it hoping I didn't totally freak them out! I'm a hopeless birder :)

Thank you all! I just wanted to say that we have pretty cool nights and alot of daylilies do not open well at all. CBME is unusual in that it opens perfectly, every bloom, even on a new plant. If you like it, try it! It is a 10 daylily, IMHO! Jean, hi again! I missed you and wondered how you are. I don't think the daylily folks would want me posting roses, so go over to the Rose Gallery to see my roses. Happy gardening and try to keep cool--hah! K

Earlier this week I went to the supermarket and bought all the chocolate goodies .... 3 boxes of chocolates, 5 boxes of scorched almonds, 3 bags of choc coins and one box of After Eight mints. I hid them in a big box (crockpot size) on a low shelf in the pantry ... bad move! DH came home Tues night and found gold foil from the bags of coins all over the floor! I put a heavy weight on top of the box and felt secure in the knowlegde that she couldn't possibly move the weight, lift the box lid and cause any more havoc ... wrong move! While we were at work yesterday she had herself another little party! DS got home first and text me to say there was scorched almonds, after dinner mints and a huge amount of confetti sized cardboard packaging all over the kitchen floor!!!! I don't think she's actually consumed alot of the chocolate (luckily!) but she's torn alot of the packaging - two of her favourite passtimes has always been shredding cardboard and dis-embowling soft toys! Now that box is up on the HIGHEST shelf in the pantry with what remains of the goodies! And I have to brave the supermarket again to replace what's gone .... GRRRR!