yin49, i didn't realize i could click on the photo and see more!!! live and learn. i like all of the designs u made. what program do you use? rather than repost the photo, here is the message from above (5 messages ago ... my first note to you)... the photo was taken on the patio, looking out at the pergola (as opposed to looking from the pergola back at the house). the house is on the west side of the lot, so the pergola area gets much shade ... not dense, but dappled due to the 4 pecan and 1 ash trees. i'm attaching another view of the area, as you can see ... we have much yard and open green to 'play' with. where to put medium height shrubs. there are additional photos (taken during the construction etc) on photobucket. thanks again. you are very talented! ============== first post : "Posted by letsharmonize 9 (My Page) on Mon, Sep 8, 08 at 6:35 landscapedesignchina, i'm curious what you would do with this? when you have time. we like simple designs. thank you! Here is a link that might be useful: pergola view from patio" Here is a link that might be useful:

Do not worry about Oleanders toxicity. my aunt has been a veterinarian in PHX for 30 years and has never seen or heard of a case of oleander poisoning. We decided against Oleanders because of the proximity to the pool, they are very messy. We instead planted a Japanese Privet hedge, total of 65 5-gal spaced 3 ft. The only main drawback is the water consumption during their first summer. Each received 5 gallons of water 5x/week. Heavy water schedule on a reliable drip is an absolute must in their first summer. Otherwise they will fry. Even with consistent deep watering, about 20% did not survive. Another tip that will greatly enhance survival and thrive is proper soil amendment. Privets do not like high PH soil (too much salt) which is very prevalent in AZ soil. Prior to planting, treat the soil w a sulfur product. this will loosen the soil and allow for maximum nutrition uptake. Ensure to continually treat the plants w products that will lower PH levels. Many synthetic fertilizers will increase PH, so look for a local organic compound meant for trees and shrubs. Our hedge has grown 4 ft in 2 years. and will grow faster now that they're established. Good luck!

The Camillia I bought last fall is still hanging in there, but hasn't done well for me so far. I covered it over with a milk crate and leaves last winter, worried that it wouldn't tolerate the cold it's first season, after I planted it in the fall and not the spring. I don't think it appreciated having that milk crate of leaves sitting on it all winter, because it dropped all it's buds before they opened, then lost leaves over the summer. But it has been in the ground for a year and it still has some healthy leaves and I think I see a couple of flower buds starting to develop. This year, it's on it's own over the winter. I am still interested enough in growing them, to give it a different location if it is still struggling next spring. And I may order a different variety of Camillia and plant it in another location and try it again. I hope it makes it through the winter and starts putting on some growth next year. I think the biggest challenge in my garden is dryness and not the winter cold.

Emmarene, I'll check out Oleander, thanks! Our yard is large, our lot is 1/4 acre, which is BIG for in the city in this area. I'm not sure how much of that is the backyard, but quite a lot. Even just our side yards are large. One has my raised garden beds. The other side has the shed and a drive-thru gate to our driveway. We could park there if needed...probably several cars. The back part of the backyard is still large. It's an awkward angled shape, though. But I plan to put a medium tree in that pointy corner as to fill up some of that space. Yardvaark, I like the tree-d look a lot. Now if my yard could be that colorful NOW. LOL. It's funny how I find "painted" renderings super attractive, but that's because we've been looking at our backyard dirt farm for how long now? LOL. The concern for trees, though, is that I'd like it to have leaves all year so that the view is screened all year. I also don't want to rake up 6 or 8 trees worth of leaves every fall. Granted, our yard guy could do it...but... Thanks for the very helpful replies. The site did not notify me of replies like it usually does, so I was delighted to come here and find some really great suggestions! Thanks!