Judith I think I have a pretty good idea of what you have on your mind now. From what you've said the shower will be going against the brick wall. That will leave the other side "open". What I'd suggest to consiser is make use of that side too so you'll have double the use of that area. If I was in your shoes, on the other side of the area, near the current metal fence, I'd have a sitting area. In Key West they'd probably have one or two andorondike chairs. This way, after you put all that work into your tropical get-away you'll be able to enjoy it even more, with a cool spot for reading or relaxing. You could literally spend the day in their if you where so inclined. But now back to your dream picture. It really is a nice area. What really gives that area the tropical look are the plants and just as importantly, the wood work. What I would recomend for your project is to first "pencil out" a design, then install the shower and floor/ground cover and add plants last. Once the shower is in and maybe a chair or two, you'll know exactly what you have to work with. The shower is the most important thing, especailly the functionality. WHen you put that in, I'd assume it'll drain into the yard, you have to make sure the area has the proper grade, so water moves away from the area. So get the shower in and work around that. Next you can look at the sides. I think the brick wall is nice. On the side with the metal fence, what would be best for the long run is to build the same wood fence you have now. Add another twelve feet or so. Or like you said, you could go with a roll of bamboo fence. Or even cheaper I think, is a roll of reed fense that's available at Home Depot or Lowes. Last would be to get the ground done, which is really part of doing the shower and should probably be done first. Now's the time to refer to your plan and start building that in. In your picture, what really sets things off is that nice "teak?" floor. If you have it in your budget to do that, great. But if you look at your picture between the two deck areas, you'll see a gravel path. That's what I would go with to keep thing cheap. Under the shower I would put 4 large, square terra cotta pavers for the floor. In the areas that won't have plants I'd put white pebble gravel. The white rock really "pops" in a shaded area. Prior to laying the gravel down make sure you give it a douple or tripple layer of gardeners cloth, or what you find best, so that once the gravel is down, you won't have to worry about weeds. And for a pathway through the area, I'd use the pavers you have, but I would double them up into squares, and stagger them to recreate the nice curved path you have now. This again is all Key West style. I'd assume they use this because it is the cheapest way of doing things and it comes out great. Once all that was done and working nicely, I'd add the plants. If you really want a secluded area with lots of privacy, on the backyard side entrance, I'd have the two big banana marking the backyard entrance, either near the fence and the wall, or closer to the center. Looks like you have may enough room for a banana in each corner. Once all that's done, you can fill in the interior as you see fit with plants, pots, stones, pagoda's or whatever catches your fancy. Plenty of ways to do it cheaply. You won't have the huge teak deck that the picture has, but one thing you will have, hopefully, is some contrasting red, burgandy, in form of caladium "small elephant ear", canna or Thai plant. And that is actually the one thing that would make your picture perfect. Anyways, that's just some ideas for doing it on your own. All the supplies can be hauled in from Home Depot, aquired fairly cheaply, or for free. Good Luck!

Comments? I can't get past the fact that you are ordering telepone poles!!! How in the world are you going to get them placed??!! You must take pictures of this process. Wow! I have a small cacao that's around 24"+ tall and lots of branches. I moved mine out of the shade house at the start of winter...in the greenhouse mind you. And it has done quite well. Granted, it is winter with fewer sunny days, decreased day lengths and decreased intensity. Hoping this will prepare it for full blast of summer sun. I was running out of room in the shade house. I could always move it around some larger plants if need be. I think they can tolerate more sun than some people think. Your placement sounds really ideal. They would be protected from the harshest periods. Again...pics pics pics! As for your neighbor's invasives...you could always encourage other types of plants or offer to help remove them for him. Maybe a little education would go far. Then again...maybe not! Could be one of those Cool Hand Luke cases..."What we got here...is failure to communicate". I have a neighbor in back whose very tall pines are blocking out the first rays of my prescious, winter morning sun...which translates as no gas heaters being on! My neighbor hates the trees but says her husband doesn't want to cut them down. I admit to "planting" alternative methods to ridding herself, and me, of those trees. I've even entertained undertaking the venture myself...in that darker, inner self place. I mean, afterall, I'd just be doing her a favor. Right? I'll keep working on her. She wants a garden and with those trees, a garden is impossible. Communication! Communication! Subliminal messages! Communication!

Goodmorning Everybody ! :) I heard from my swappers last night...:))) Mariann I have a couple of surprizes for you...We love putting surprizes in our boxes Regina started it.. Chell you are so creative and your writing is so much fun to read... I bet the boys loved playing pirate.. I can see their smiling faces now...What a great idea to make a hideout.. They will always remeber their hideout mom made for them... Norma I havent traded with you but I am sure you went way above in sending her nice cuttings..I seen pics of what you send...They are awesome boxes..:)) Please dont be sad..:)) Regina howdy :) I am so sorry about Mark having to have surgery and the heart condition would just send me into heaven.. Wow I am so glad to read it all went well...Shooo My heart sank for a minute...He will be all healed for college this fall..:)) You empty nester dont go through what I went through...Stay busy and call them alot... I miss my kids so much it hurts sometimes... Dogs are okay but they cant replace our true babies...I love reading about chell and her boys... It makes me smile so much... Frances lol You poor gardener..ahhah You need a break from mother nature..Really..:)) Oh big snakes yucky... I would be screaming... I love chippies...They are so cute...Havent had many around with a cat now...Kiki has brought home two gardener snakes...He was very proud of himself... Yesterday I was getting ready to go out and play in the dirt...The crows or blackbirds were screaming...It just like a scene in the movie the "birds"... It creeped me out really bad...I couldnt see what they were yelling at.. I watched tv...Than got bored and went coleus shopping..lol The master gardener sale for the next county over is tommorow... I cant wait to see what they are going to be offering..I have never been to this one...Oh I almost forgot..I heard from the master gardener I met...Looks like we are building another gh..lol She wants to do it closer to fall since everyone is busy with their gardens...I am glad we could help her..They are a pain to build.. well I gabbed enough lol must be the strong coffee and I got a lot of sleep...:)) Have a good day everybody..Barb

All Thank you Peeve for posting my clickable links and thanks to all for responding. Lazygardens - Initially I was thinking Victorian. Then one day walking through a home center, I spotted a beautiful house in a tropical setting on a magazine cover. Immediately changed my mind. That was 8 yrs ago. Yes, it is the turret and the Mediterranean flare that speaks to me. Mrs Pete didn't know you are from North Carolina - always enjoy your comments. Yes you are correct, my choices are tropical and hope NC doesn't have any style restrictions. Understand some building and zoning codes have changed in the past few years. It's funny, I too was thinking about the three bears as I typed. My hope is to make my first choice the 'just right' house by having the designer modify the plan to an affordable size and style. First, on my list is a separate living/dining room and a family room - hard to find. I will continue to look but time is passing fast. There will be two adults living in the house. I will retire before the build is completed. My Beau will continue to work a few more years. The build will be 20 miles from a 'hotel express' is why I want enough space to accommodate visiting family and friends. Okoko - I know what you mean about small spaces as my present home is small which is why Im looking to expand. Enjoy