On another thread recently, a regular poster here did a *:facepalm:* which perfectly expresses my feelings when I see "window boxes" in posts about landscaping. Honestly, spare yourself. How the heck would you water the things, and if you could they'd drip on your cars... Ditto for clematis up the posts. Very romantic - in summer - but have you ever seen clematis in winter? And they do grow INTO eaves; they do not naturally curve out and go over the roof. Ask me how I know. Blank slates, big or small, are daunting until you start fleshing out the parameters and constraints you face, which can be best done by looking really hard at function. In this case, these include preservation of sight lines, shade and sun preferences, and property lines, both on the ground and in the air. So for example, you want shade on your son's room - so put a tree in spot A. But choose a tree that does not make an overwhelming mess nor spread or seed excessively (hint to my neighbours: not a Norway Maple). You want some screening probably just at a certain spot when people are looking from a certain height to a certain height. A wall of green may not be necessary to block this - perhaps three columnar evergreens, either upright or droopy or some of each. The property line looks like it is a huge issue to me. It looks to me as if your neighbour will want to have walkable space next to that boat, and will step on your plants if they don't have it. Having had my fill of neighbour issues, I personally would either leave that area for them to do something with, or do it in flagstone with ground cover or in brick - end of story. Then it's space you can use to weed or prune your plants too. Legal issues aside, it just has to work on a day to day basis. Now, the next step is debatable depending on whether you DIY or are having this done for you. You see, a designer always has to do a plan in advance and then get approval and work to it, because the designer then goes away. If you are DIY, you have the luxury of feeling your way through this, because you're always going to be there. And plants can be moved. In other words, the designer has to get it right first time. In contrast, you get to make a few mistakes, and change your mind. Yes, it can cost an extra few dollars, but if you get it mostly right, not that much. First maybe you address a boulder(s). If your husband is a rock person, I'd go along with this, because I am one and I know that when you need rocks, you need rocks. If you don't get your rock, you suffer from rock envy, which can make a person grumpy. Go rock shopping together (or watch craigslist or your local construction sites for free ones). Next, you go plant shopping. You get a few plants. You may find tall slender evergreens among them - there are some great junipers in this category (also some great ground-hugging junipers for the front end of the driveway) and some amazing drooping spruces. You argue about where to put them, and then you go back to the nursery a few weeks later and get a few more (lots of new stock coming in through the season, don' t just go once). Then you plant and live with it. Move it around if something isn't right (in the fall, not in the summer). (It is already actually a little late to plant without being sure of watering adequately this first summer - be aware of that). You might find yourself picking up a few new plants as the weeks or months, or years, go by. In a way, though, all my advice is only going to lead you to one key realization: what you and your husband each want is not incompatible. There's plenty of room on that strip for both of you. KarinL

Awesome pics! My Grandmother was born in Marshall almost 100 years ago! All my family is from Battle Creek. My Dad moved out west while in HS, he took us back there a few times to visit his cousins and their kids, it was alot of fun! Great Aunt and Uncle had a place out on 3 1/2 mile rd. They used to have a berry patch with the most delicious berries on it. I wish I knew what kind of berries they were. I would love to try to grow some here. Better yet, would love to contact the current owners and see if the berry patch is still there and if they would be willing to send me some cuttings! What nostalgia that would be! Eating berries from the same berry plant I ate from as a kid!

This is the application form that I had to fill out. Very simple. Plus had to send pictures of the plant Dave APPLICATION TO REGISTER A MAPLE CULTIVAR NAME (See guidance notes overleaf) Species PALMATUM Cultivar name to be registered VERKADEÂS JACUS POTUS Person or Organisation originating name ÂDAVID VERKADE OF DAVEÂS NURSERY Person or organisation registering name ÂDAVID VERKADE  Have any other names been used for this cultivar, such as a nursery code name, registered trade mark, etc ? Yes/No NO If so, what is/are the names ? ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ.. Details of Origin Chance seedling, witches broom, mutant or deliberate cross ÂSEEDLING  Seed /sport parent, if known  Pollen parent, if known  Person/organisation who selected this cultivar, if different from above ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ.. No. of years under observation ÂÂ4ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ.. Description of Cultivar General Description ÂÂTHE MAPLE IS NAME FOR MY DAUGHTER JACQUELINE VERKADE ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ. ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ. THE NEW FLUSH OF SPRING GROWTH IS A VERY THIN RIBBON LEAF OF DEEP BURGUNDY COLOUR APPROXIMATELY ¾" LONG AND AS IT MATURES INTO AN ODD SHAPE TURNS TO A SALMON COLOUR THEN TURNS TO GREEN. THE SHAPE OF THE LEAF WHEN MATURE RESEMBLES ACER PALMATUM HAGOROMO. THE PETIOLE REMAINS PINKISH IN COLOUR. THE PETIOLE IS ALMOST NON-EXISTENCE. THE SECOND FLUSH OF GROWTH IS NOT LIKE THE FIRST, IT COMES OUT IN SALMON COLOUR AND NOT THE THIN RIBBON LEAF OF THE FIRST FLUSH OF GROWTH THEN TURNS TO GREEN. THE NODES ARE VERY CLOSE TOGETHER AND THE BRANCHES ARE THIN AND DELICATE LOOKING. THE PLANT GROWS IN BUSH FORM. ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂOutstanding Features ÂODD LEAF AND THE SALMON COLOURS ON THE SECOND FLUSH OF GROWTHÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ... ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ. Similar established cultivar(s), if knownÂHagoromo, Kosh mino, Momenshide  Suitable garden/landscape uses (e.g. small or large garden, landscape, patio, container, bonsai) ?  SMALL OR LARGE GARDEN AND LANDSCAPE  Cultural needs (e.g. full sun, shade, wind protection) ? ÂÂFILTERED SUNLIGHT  Â Propagation method (s) ÂÂGRAFTING  Publication Has the name and description of this cultivar been published yet ? Yes/No. NO Relevant first publication e.g. catalogue, magazine, book, and date ...

I'm home from our wonderful trip. We were in the New England states for about 5 days. Wow! The changing of the leaves is something that I have wanted to see all my life. Every other time I was in the area the leaves had changed and I missed it. We do not have the 4 seasons (more like 2 seasons) where I live so this one one of those things I've had on my "bucket list". I now have been able to cross it off my list. Such a nice trip! Meeting Bizzo was also a wonderful experience! She is just as nice in person as she is on the forum. More pictues later of our trip. Tomorrrow I leave for another "experience" I can cross off the bucket list! We have reservations in New Orleans for the kitchen table at Commander's Palace. This table sits in the kitchen and you get to have a little of everything the staff prepares. We are going with another gastonomical couple that will appreciate the wine list and food as much as we will. We booked a room at a B&B close to the restaurant so we can walk and not drive.... We can always take a taxi but that may take us to Pat O'Brien's on Bourbon street and this is supposed to be a short trip... I turn 50 at the end of this month, so, what the hay, we are having a wonderful time. B&B where we will stay: http://www.maisonperrier.com/ Here is a link that might be useful: Commander's Palace