"Any ideas on maybe a three season plant that could be used to add some structure to the beds" Pat_tea, I don't know what zone you are in but it's likely warmer than my zone 3. I have a curved path through a perennial bed and have used Dusty Miller with Munstead Lavender behind and between on one side of the path and the Dusty Miller with perennial flax on the other side. I'd have used all lavender but the flax is hardier and I may have to replace all the lavender with flax later if some don't survive the winter. I've been quite pleased with this and would post pics except I've been too busy gardening this year to deal with the pics I've taken. The Dusty Miller is not successfully perennial here but certainly looks very good for 3 seasons. Might be perennial in your zone. Perennial flax is really only 2 seasons as needs deadheading in August otherwise one has a million of them. Lavender is still looking reasonably good here and I've been lucky with it as it's not reliably hardy in this zone. Another plant I like along pathways is Walkers Low Catmint. I first saw this on Freda's blog and loved it. See the link below and other catmint links there. I've propagated my WL but still don't have enough plants to edge the path. Will take more slips in the spring to make more plants and eventually may do the same as Freda. OK, back to the original question as to how to place plants evenly on both sides. What I did was to measure to find the center of each side of the path. My path curves so these are not equal measurements. Then I found the middle point of each side and marked it. Then I took a stake which was approximately the distance I wanted the plants spaced which was *about* 18" and marked out from the center. I then fiddled with it until it worked out fairly well at each end. I'm not a perfectionist in my garden so close enough WAS close enough. This particular perennial bed is somewhat raised from the lawn so I couldn't go too close to the end of the path but IMO it looks good. Hope that helps. :) Here is a link that might be useful: Have I Told You Lately That I Love Catmint?

I suppose "deal with them" is open to individual interpretation, but you could trap them (Havahart makes a 2-door trap their size and a one-door "Chipmunk trap". I find sunflower seeds make a good bait) and release them elsewhere (note- probably illegal). I built a separate cage- make sure your "transfer glove" doesn't have a hole in one finger, 'cause the little buggers'll find THAT finger- and would bring them to work with me. (Oh, did I mention that at the time I worked where there was an 11 acre preserve?). Other folks might mention that the same trap fits into a large plastic bin filled with water, and, apparently, the 'munks don't swim too well... nor do they survive the cheapo Victor-style "rat traps" (the dumb ones, don't, anyway). Here is a link that might be useful: Havahart

My first topiary is a Teddy Bear sitting on top of a yellow round pottery container, with the word "Hunnee" written on it. (Still need to take a picture of it.) He (named him Fuzzie Wuzzie, to prove that hairless doesn't mean "fuzzless, LOL) is peat moss filled with just a little ivy on him so far. The problem is that I'm in zone 6 and obviously want to have him and the ivy survive during the winter, but just finally finished him two days ago. I know ivy is perennial this far north, but not so sure how well it will do outside in a container (covered by one heavy teddy bear.) I brought my ivy into the house last winter. I have an unheated porch, which will keep them a little warmer then keeping them outside. I'm hoping that someone can teach me how to care for the two of them through the winter. Any hints are appreciated. Also, I doubt this question has ever been asked before, but, as long as the ivy doesn't cover Fuzzie's head by Christmas, is it OK to crochet a Santa's cap for him?

Just a question before you reset... Prompted by this thread: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/comphelp/msg1217510723913.html Did you happen to do the "image block" mentioned by Zep516 in this post? If so, you'll have to undo that because the new "Preview" button used for replying is no longer an "HTML button", but an image. So if you're blocking images from "graphics.gardenweb.com", you won't see the new yellow/gold "Preview" button. If that doesn't apply to you, the reset function is found under "Help>Troubleshooting Infomation". Edit: This reply is kinda obsolete now because the "Preview" button is no longer an image, but an actual HTML button once again. :) This post was edited by chuggerguy on Mon, Mar 24, 14 at 10:46