I haven't had a chance to use my office DSL to check out Ceratostigma plumbaginoides and Lysimachia (part-time job,just me, and I'm OK'd for use after hours--but it is 16 miles away, so never go on weekends). Dial-up here at home is ridiculously slow, so I save research for the workweek, if I have the time. I'm beginning to be afraid of trying ajuga again, especially on the slope. I might try some chocolate chip in my back yard garden, which is the "real" gardening site. I appreciate the combination suggestion of silvery heucheras, lungworts, and bright green bergenias. Sounds beautiful. My goal on northwest and southwest is to not plant the entire ground with groundcover. I like the look of a little this and that with mulch separating groups. I also plan to put various bulbs in this fall. I do think I will put some plumbago in, but of course not depend on it covering some large space. Thanks for mentioning that fact. In the more shaded section, the largest part of the slope, I plan to transplant more vinca--I have a little started there, just not willing to put more in until it is cooler. I don't mind its agressiveness there, I have plenty of it elsewhere to steal, so no $$. Once established, I will just have to trim and work with the north and south areas where they border the vinca. Back to Sweet Woodruff: I will definitely check this out. Also a comment about Japanese painted fern. So beautiful, but alas, after planting it and seeing it not do well, I read that it likes acidic soil and it quickly died in our strongly alkaline soil. I'm still willing to hear other suggestions and comments. Such wonderful ideas from all of you. Thanks again, Leann

Vinca is a shade groundcover. Won't be happy in much sun - grows slowly and gets very chlorotic. Ajuga prefers some shade also but can tolerate a sunny position if adequately moist. But both can be pretty aggressive and that is a very small space that you already have a good many other plants in. You don't indicate where you are located or what zone you are in but there are a number of spreading perennials that would serve your purpose yet not spread aggressively or smother/overgrow other plants. Not all of these will work in all zones but research and see what you like and what may work for you. Most are evergreen. And they are often planted as edging plants in perennial borders, with larger growing perennials, shrubs, etc. behind them. A few of these and some mulch and your soil should be adequately covered and offer a presentable look in winter. Helianthemum nummularia - Sunrose Iberis sempervirens - Candytuft Cerastium tomentosum - Snow in Summer Stachys byzantina - Lamb's ear Veronica peduncularis 'Georgia Blue' - creeping veronica Abrieta deltoides - Rockcress Thymus citriodorus - Lime thyme heaths and heathers Lithodora diffusa

i weeded all my flower beds, cut back my roses etc...on tuesday. Woke up wendsday for work and remembered quite well all those muscles that i had not used all winter, you know those you dont remember having in those spots! I work twelve hour shifts as a nurse and they got quite a kick out of me walking bow legged and having to pull and push myself up. I personally never saw the humor :P . My dad refers to ever flower my mother and i have houseplants and outside plants as either gazalia's or zuchinni and informed me if i had not planted so many of each i would not have this problem grrrrr. Some peoples kids!

Well my DH wins the prize. He hasn't divorced me or threatened to take away my spade, yet. I don't know if all of you saw the photos that Jim (Idiothe) posted of Sheila and I with our kayaks and bikes and the car completely loaded with hostas? Well in order to do that we loaded all our gear in our boats. It is my hubby's car. (both our names are on it, but it is his vehicle 98% of the time.) I drive the used Mommy van that gets used as a truck for hauling mulch and whatever. But the kayak rack is mine, and I can't load boats on my van due to a bad shoulder. So..... he is very particular about his car. He hates me putting the rack on, he will not drive on gravel, etc. So with my bad shoulder, and the heavy boats, I couldn't lift my end of Sheil's up very well. So the J cradles kept twisting and falling down. I finally found a man to help us. We finally got it loaded, made it home... and there are dents all over the top of the car. Bad dents, like really big hail. :( Like will never come out. I feel awful, I do. Whats done is done, and he isn't holding it against me. But he is so sad. And I am too. But I did get all my hostas home! So he wins the hosta hubby of the year award. I need to get those trophies made, don't I? Anyone want to nominate their Wife for the Hosta Wife of the year award?