The photo with the wooded hills is pretty, but in your intended application it might take on a wispy patch look without help from plants with some substance - perennials - being incorporated into your plan. There are many dwarf and small varieties of conifers - some of those can ultimately get large but take a very long time to get there. Juniperus Squamata "Blue Star" is nice with its steely blue color, manageable size, and easy maintenance. Picea abies "Nidiformis" or Bird's Nest Spruce is another common but attractive conifer. There are many that are less common and come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, textures and colors, but I'm just getting into conifers myself and do some lurking over on the Conifers Forum for pictures and ideas. I don't have the right conditions, patience, or results to deal with seeds. And the growing season here in zone 4 is just too late getting started and to early to end compared with other zones. My annuals come in flats from a variety of local venues. Limonium Sinuatum "Statice" has been good for cluster plantings. Dahlias have substantial foliage. The lowly petunia is a good bloomer and mounder. I have direct sown nasturtiums - "Empress of India" being more drawn to the dark foliage and red blooms. On the perennial side, peonies do exceptionally well here and is a good foliage plant when not in bloom. Nepetas, Veronicas, and salvias are good performers - nepetas and salvias generally repeat if deadheaded Any of the "Northern Lights" series of azaleas might be worth looking into - someone will always add that your soil will need to be on the acidic side. The ninebarks Physocarpus might interest you for a deciduous shrub - "Dart's Gold" has a lime color; "Diablo", "Summer Wine", and "Center Glow" maroon to red. The common Spirea "Anthony Waterer" has dusty rose bloom as does Spirea Japonica "Alpina" - a dwarf that can repeat bloom in the fall. Potentilla - "Pink Beauty" was covered in bloom all season and stays pink at temps 80 degrees and under (which was our entire 2008 summer). A rose on a trellis under the hexagonal window would break up the empty spot there - as would a clematis. The purple "Jackmanii" is a perennial favorite, but there are different types and colors to choose from. Just some thoughts from another zone 4 gardener - no help with arrangements and coordinating things in your spaces since I'm a planner isofar as beginning with a child-like sketch, deciding what I'd like from readily available and space appropriate stock, then moving plants around in their pots until I settle on "the look".

I know that I very much enjoy when others have posted here pictures of open gardens and tour gardens they have visted so I figgured that many of you might want to see the gardens that I had the chance to see. Many, like this garden number one and garden number three were what I would call normal sized yards so its not necessary to have an overabundance of room to get a lovely and interesting garden. Lrae- I did not dream about daylilies or anything else. I just konked out as soon as my head hit the pillow I was so poofed from all my adventures yesterday.

The chicks will start learning how to fly around 10-14 days. So maybe 14-18 days. You could help them with a ramp.

Hi Sarahlhm! Sorry - goodness. I didn't see your post, and it was from a long time ago! Sheesh. You are right to point out that the slabs/ground are tilting towards the house. That is most likely where the water in the basement is coming from. First Step, have all the ground slope away from the house. That patio - if you want to keep the concrete, it can be "lifted". Google it to find a provider. It isn't that expensive, much less than pouring a new slab. Then, you can think about where to put your rain garden. Since you have had water in the basement, stick to the "letter of the law" and keep it 15 feet away from the house. Direct the downspouts there. They can go anywhere 1) downhill from the downspout, and 2) you actually want a garden. The rain gardens can be flower beds, shrubs/hedges, or trees. Don't limit your thinking to just one - it could be any of these. Good luck! Feel free to make an appointment with us if you live in Washtenaw County: https://www.washtenaw.org/706/Request-a-Design-Visit