I think you're right, E.O.! My concern was that the clay may have held too much moisture for the plants, but, they were not well-established plantings! That must have been a huge factor! I love the fact, that when wet, clay can hold moisture well! That's why I'd like to continue to use it in the barrels, as well as for the mineral values. But, so many warn against doing that! So, I figured that was a big contributor to their loss! Wait a minute--my Sum of All was WELL ESTABLISHED in it's barrel, and it had alot more clay than I'd think it should have, as I discovered when I dug it out! The roots were impressive and filled the barrel! I must accept--it was the freakish Spring--which could re-occur anytime! So--I try to divide my hosta--one division for the barrel and one for the ground, now! I lost none in the ground last Spring! Another reason for my wanting this discussion, of pots in barrels is that I like to keep my new hosta potted, (if not root-bound or close to it) for at least a season to allow them to get their maximum value in being contained and watered well. After that--I like to pot up a size and then maybe finally completely plant it in the ground or in the barrel! I'm still learning as I go, here, so please bare with me!!! :o/ I appreciate all your patience and willingness to share your knowledge and experience on this forum! And, I know--"they're just hosta.....!" :o) Back to the yard--what a beautiful day here, today!!!!

We purchased the Asko Pro Series washer (W8844XLW) and the Pro Series heat pump dryer (T884HPXLW) for a second floor laundry closet. We are a retired couple with no children at home, who tired of hauling the laundry to the basement. After two deliveries of dented products were not accepted, we finally received unblemished devices in late December (unclear if manufacturer, distributor, dealer, or delivery issues). We opted for Asko because of their size (compact, stackable), the dryer’s heat pump which improves energy efficiency, their large capacity, and the anti-vibration system (critical for second floor usage). We have had these stacked units for four weeks (about 20 loads) and, thus far, are very happy with them. The washer gets the clothes very clean, so much so that there is no need for any bleaches or boosters. The Asko anti-vibration system completely addresses the vibration concerns. The spin speed can go up to 1400 rpm and sound somewhat like a jet engine, but not so loud as to be objectionable. The selection of wash cycles and options are quite sufficient for our laundry needs. The heat pump dryer also has a wide selection of cycles and options. As well known, these dryers take much longer than typical US dryers. However, the runtime has been significantly less than the time on the dryer display. The dryer can be loud -- but not excessively louder than our previous gas dryers. You have to pay scrupulous attention to the maintenance requirements -- cleaning lint filters, etc. -- for it to operate correctly. In all, there have been no unpleasant surprises with these units. Their cost is high, but we feel the function and efficiency is worth the cost. However, this washer and dryer may not be suitable for someone who only has certain and/or limited time windows for washing and drying.

Thanks for the advice, ccmadie. I did a lot of tests on stones a year ago for another project and discovered that yes, some stones labeled quartzite have calcium in them and therefore, etch. (Super White, New Super White, Monte Blanc, Fantasy White). Very misleading. Nuage is a new stone I have not seen a lot of. I did do tests (overnight) on the current stones I'm considering: lemon, balsamic vinegar, wine, coffee, fantastic w/vinegar, smashed strawberry, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, tap water, and food coloring - all the things that don't hurt my current dark granite. I also tried to scratch them with a steak knife. Nothing, except the tip of my knife was bent. I went back yesterday to look at the nuage again. The salesperson took his car keys and we both tried to scratch it. We then went to another stone that I've seen labeled granite (a fusion type) and we both could gouge it. One definitely has to be an educated consumer!

I read this whole thread before taking a risk on Yardzen. I have a pretty small project, where it's not cost effective to work through the entire design process with an expensive landscape architect. I thought the risks were minimal ... but my experience with Yardzen was terrible! So I wanted to circle back to this thread, even though it's pretty old and add my voice to the chorus above warning you to avoid Yardzen. It's not worth it. I spent quite a bit of time on the questionnaire, but got a first iteration back from Yardzen that was SUPER far from what I was looking for. The house was a color I specifically said I didn't want. The aesthetic was super contemporary, even though my house is craftsman style. It felt like the info I entered wasn't even considered. I added a bunch of feedback (more time wasted). I even met with a designer they offered to put me in touch with. After that virtual meeting, I felt better. But when my final design came back, I had so many weird design details in my drawings ...for example, counter seating facing a fence. You can always pay for them to do further iterations, but at this point, it felt like a bottomless pit. You can keep giving feedback, but there's a real disconnect between the client and the design team. The risks here are more than just your money; it's your time and energy as well.