There is an abelia cultivar, 'Kaleidoscope', that is pretty much multi-colored, or 'Silver Anniversary' that is white and green - I assume the flowers are the usual white, not having seen them for either. To my knowledge, it stays small, but having only seen plants in the nurseries, I am not sure of the height, but I think about 3'. No berries, but the leaves' color might make up for that. Indian Hawthorn stays evergreen, fall/winter to late spring flowers in pink or white. Bluish fruits/berries aren't anything special, though. There are dwarf Yaupon hollies - they should stay small and have berries. 'Nana' is not known for berries, but some of the others are - you would have to have a male, but it doesn't HAVE to be in that bed, just nearby. While not evergreen, the cultivar 'Red Sprite' of I. verticillalta grows to 3-5', and is noted for its long-lasting berries - again, you would need a male around. I saw a new, very dark purple-leaved Loropetalum at a Spartanburg nursery last week with red flowers - it is supposed to stay smaller and more compact than the usual cultivar. I'm sorry, but I don't remember the name, just that it was very newly introduced. How about rosemary? You would have to chose one of the taller varieties, and might have to keep it trimmed to keep it to size, once it grew, but the trimmings are good for cooking, and the blue flowers are in winter-to-spring, so would offset the lack of berries. Sand is ideal for them, as good drainage is essential.

I'm firmly resisting hostas and only have a few old ones. I have to say I'm pretty impressed at myself for showing so much self control! Here are a few variegated things. As I was looking for photos I realized it's yellow foliage which is my real problem. Way too much of that around here :) iris pallida variegata with tulips variegated thistle (double whammy of variegation plus weed!) variegated boxwood 'Lady Plymouth' pelargonium

Bringing some more items looking for a good home: regent juneberry bushes (x2) - someone take both for x-pollination please. Aka Saskatoon aka serviceberry bush. rose of Sharon seedlings. These are the lavender colored ones with the darker red throat. sunflower "lemon queen" seedlings. rudbeckia goldsturm "orange coneflower"

I don't care if the world knows I'm married, although I don't have a problem with it either. But I would love to tell the world how lucky I feel to have found such a great loving relationship! I'm not super caught-up in the symbolism of a ring, but I don't have a problem with it either. I like symbolism if I get to make it my own. That's what I'm kind-of looking for in a ring, something that speaks to both of us. SO is really the sticking point sometimes. He is very picky, very particular, very negative about a lot of things. He searches and searches for just the right thing to purchase. Drives me nuts sometimes. On the one hand. On the other hand . . . he found me!!! Edited to add that I had a serious talk with SO about the fact that I loved the hand crafted ring with the gold leaves, loved the natural style of it and could see myself wearing it all the time. He had to admit that he was conservative and traditional and just didn't like it. He said that he would be fine with my getting it if I liked it, but I said, no, we can find something we both like. So one down, couple more to go . . .