I've been gardening in this yard about 7 years, and it's about half way there. Unfortunately, I will probably leave this place before it's "finished" and looks like my dreams, but that's okay. The gardens would be more mature, if the yard hadn't been so neglected by the previous owner and heavily overgrown with invasive plants. It's taken 6 years so far to remove trees like big horrible Norway maples and invasive shrubs and vines, which has taken time away from gardening. I resent it but feel an obligation to remove as many of the invasives as possible before moving. At the next yard, I want a more open lot, with a few strategic canopy trees and established plantings and a big open full sun area. Then I can start gardens from scratch, grow a large vegetable garden, and make a ginormous sunny butterfly garden. :) In the meantime, there is beauty in every stage, and I've grown to appreciate the perennials and other plants that grow well in woodlands and partial sun. The birds and other critters love the habitat too.

Can you get these with double halogen bulbs? Or maybe mercury vapor in 800 watt? If so, I may be tempted to try it. Token: I hate snakes!!! Three years ago, in the middle of the afternoon, I'm taking a break on the patio under my wisteria-covered arbor. Dogs at my feet, just chilling. Suddenly, the girls jump up and start barking like banshees. I turned around, and a large black rat snake had descended from the wisteria and was hanging motionless about a foot away from my head. Not only did I let out a scream that the neighbors still talk about, but I literally fell out of the chair sideways. I locked myself in the house with the girls. I wouldn't go out on that side of the house for two weeks. I finally called a yard clean-up guy and had him cut back all the wisteria. I couldn't sit on the patio without scanning above every two minutes. Freaked me out totally. They're the nastiest darn things and BIG! They're in the yard every year. I think the pond draws them especially when there's been no rain for a while.

When I was a little girl, a long, long time ago, I thought every suburban dweller had a backyard veggie garden. I can remember my granddad going out to his garden in the morning to pick bell peppers, tomatoes, onions - whatever was ripe - to chop up and add to his scrambled eggs. My grandmother, I am convinced, had not only green thumbs but green fingers and toes as well! Granddad got the back fence for his veggies, but Nana got everything else for her flowers. Along the sides of the back fence and every wall of the house she had flowers. Her name was Rose, and she grew roses in every color possible for roses, along with hydrangeas, azaleas, peonies, zinnias, irises (which she took to shows, she was a member of the local Iris Society), even florist-type carnations one year, and many more I can now barely remember. My stepdad grew up on a farm near Ada. He, too, always had a veggie garden along the back fence of our backyard. He and Granddad had very different gardening styles. Granddad's garden was every bit as neat and tidy as Nana's flower beds. Daddy let everything pretty much do what it liked. He'd plant cantaloupes at the west end of the garden, and we'd be picking them from the east end. I don't recall ever seeing cages for anything, though I do think he'd add stakes to tomatoes if they offered to fall over. If they wanted to spread and sprawl all over the garden, he'd let them. Until a couple of years ago, when I bought my first house, I never had the opportunity to garden much so I didn't have any questions for them. Now that I do, they're not where I can phone to ask. But I did learn that you can grow your own food, and that it tastes better than what you buy in the supermarket, and that you can fill your house and yard with beautiful forms, colors, and fragrances. If I didn't manage to learn much about the specifics of accomplishing all that, I did at least learn it was possible and that I wanted that ability. My Nana left on All Saints' Day in 1988. By the time the fourth anniversary of her departure came, they were all gone - Nana, Granddad, Mom, and Daddy. I have learned that I will never not miss them, but time does make the ache hurt less. Melissia, Jay, and tulsacityfarmer, you have my deepest sympathy. Connie, your husband's response is easily one of the, if THE, wisest thing I've ever heard. I don't remember who found this poem, but my Granddad had it read at the graveside for Nana's funeral. After her death he and my parents all decided to plan for their time and let us all know what they wanted. Every one of them wanted this poem read at the service, which we did. It took me a while to find it on the web; I was beginning to think I'd have to hunt up my copy at home, but I finally managed to find it. I didn't remember the title, perhaps the copy I had didn't have it on there, but according to the site where I found it, its title is, "I Am Always With You." When I am gone, release me, let me go. I have so many things to see and do, You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears, But be thankful we had so many good years. I gave you my love, and you can only guess How much you've given me in happiness. I thank you for the love that you have shown, But now it is time I traveled on alone. So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must Then let your grief be comforted by trust That it is only for a while that we must part, So treasure the memories within your heart. I won't be far away for life goes on. And if you need me, call and I will come. Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear All my love around you soft and clear And then, when you come this way alone, I'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home". Debra

I don't think this is very off-topic, actually, since so many of us seem to enjoy using blue and purple companions for our roses! Here are some of my favorites... Asters Allium christophii and Verbascum phoeniceum (with 'Jacques Cartier') Geranium 'Rozanne', Russian sage, Bachelor buttons, and Verbena bonariensis: Clematis 'Etoile Violette' (photobombing 'Great Maidens Blush') Iris and delphinium (here with 'Abraham Darby') Hydrangeas (here with 'Charles Darwin') Sweet peas (sharing a pot with 'The Prince') Nepeta and chives (with 'Blush Noisette' and 'Abraham Darby') Hollyhock and lavender...with a bit too much Verbena bonariensis! Nigella Poppies, Echinops, purple dahlias, and Erysimum 'Bowles mauve' are other favorites, but I think I've posted too many photos already!