So nice to view a well designed structure which really needs very little in the way of foundation plantings, except for a few low evergreen types along the right hand 'el'. One approach: lay a wide walkway (flat stones on hand) which leads onto a large patio across front of house. Plan the patio size for comfortable seating and greeting. Large potted plants as needed on patio. Then design a generous garden bed along the outside edge of the patio for a mixed shrub border which would include the gifted azaleas and other lower growing types; Ilex crenata 'Stokes', India Hawthorn, flowering quinces, hydrangeas. If there is need for a shade tree near house consider a Japanese Zelcovia. Do some selective brush cutting along driveway which would allow the present young sapling growth to mature at no cost. Consider planting one Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodora) out in an open area with lots of room for the beauty and for the ages. Fenced vegetable garden in the back yard as deer will be a problem.

Soff, You are very kind! Thank you! In fact, my Lady Hillingdon is grown from cuttings that came from a rose from Peter Beales. That rose was purchased in 2001, so unless he has changed his own stock, we have the same rose. PB's Lady Hillingdon is definitely more vigorous grafted. This is why I want U.S. stock. By the way, you're right, the Italian mail's parcel delivery service is an outrage, and I use that word without exaggeration. I read your profile and saw that you share a lot of my rose interests, also that you're a native French speaker. I can read French, though not fluently: should you want to establish contact you could write in French and I respond in English. I don't know enough old rose enthusiasts in Europe: they're not that common in Italy. You probably have more company in Belgium. Jerome, I still want LH. I don't know if I'll be coming to the U.S. next year: it depends on a lot of things, including how the currently plummeting dollar will be doing. I was also wondering if I could talk others with certifiably wonderful plants into sending cuttings, since even among vigorous LHs there may be more than one clone. That's a lovely photo. I love palms and roses. I just want to mention another yellow Tea that no one has mentioned (possibly with good reason), that's perhaps fussier than some but lovely when it's happy: Isabella Sprunt, the lemon yellow sport of Safrano. Yes, it's pale. Like Safrano, it's somewhat prone to mildew, not that it cares, but the gardener usually does. Mine is growing in the usual super dense clay and wasn't watered during our drought. It defoliated, but is now putting out new growth and getting ready to flower, not the best time of year, but what I'm trying to say is that it's not a rose that keels over and dies when the going gets tough. I adore lemon yellow flowers and wine red new growth. I'm glad to hear good reports of Alliance Franco Prusse. Melissa

Queen of the Seas--beautiful Mildred Seaver hosta, very distinctive, but it might be too large for your dogwoods--this one should be 24 inches tall and 48 inches across at maturity, possibly larger Sea Fire--another lovely Mildred Seaver plant, good grower and a lovely color Jewel of the Nile--very popular hosta, large and striking Restless Seas--actually called Restless Sea, this Hans Hansen hybrid out of Salute is a good grower and has a unique upright form and leaf Blue Mouse Ears--one of the most popular small hostas, good in any situation. It's a small plant, although not a mini, so make sure it isn't overwhelmed by the larger plants Fair Maiden--one of my favorite small hostas, stunning when grown well. It can be a bit picky about conditions--lots of light, plant it shallow, and lots of water Chartreuse Wiggles--this one is not a great grower, although it's an intriguing variety. I recommend you substitute Dragon Tails for a somewhat similar look Cherish--very pretty, but will probably be lost among the other varieties--it's quite small, and best appreciated in a setting with other minis, also a bit slow to establish. If you want a small hosta with an upright habit (you seem to like the upright ones), think about Lakeside Elfin Fire or Fireworks--otherwise Holy Mouse Ears, Fantasy Island or Island Charm would be good substitutes Bridegroom--very unique, good grower Wolverine--another very popular hosta, although I prefer Dark Star, which is similar but slightly more blue and more rippled at maturity

Yes, I forgot to attach. Sorry about that. Have been busy getting the kitchen ready for removal this week. Just as an FYI, the long wall on the other side of the doorway will house the 27" SZ freezer, coffee bar and pantry cabinet. This doorway is the main entrance into the kitchen. We are trying to make the kitchen appear larger/wider, so I do not want any tall appliances or cabinetry on the window wall. The designer suggested putting the frig on the other side of the doorway, however, with the 36" door swing that would be problematic for people sitting at the island. I know that I want to keep the frig near the rangetop. Currently my cooktop is in the island and we are adding new windows, and getting rid of corner windows and corner sink. The freezer wall is 132", short wall is 67", rangetop wall is 172", and window wall is 176".