CI, TZ, SdlM all growing nicely now. I think this will be a good fragrance bed. I put Lion's rose in the back to add beauty and a good leafy background even though it isn't much on scent. I think if the base gets shaded by the others, it won't get disease. There's room to the right of Abe Darby for one more big rose. I think it's going to be Evelyn. Hopefully, it will work some magic for me. This is a good morning sun spot and gets shade in the hottest times of the day. My summer is a little hotter than Hoovb's but maybe it's close enough. I'm going to hope for the best. The only downside to this location is that it will take the full force of the Santa Ana wind from across the street. We are along the Santa Ana river channel and the wind blows strongly through the gap. It seems to be shifting later than Halloween now. I used to call it the Halloween Wind.

oh, thanks so much, I just picked up some samples from lowes but my camera lens is stuck going in and out and I can't get it to stop so can't post photos but they did have quite a few selections in stock there, Here is a link that might be useful: porcelain wood look tile

Kate, if you do want something that is very low maintenance, laminate is - the old and the newer. I think you're hearing from other people like me, who had the older laminate butcher block (and it was not attractive as I mentioned). If I were you, I'd go personally to the stores that carry it, and see it installed - otherwise I'd remain leery if I only had a sample piece to make a decision. After a quick look, the big box stores have Wilsonart laminate that is different from what I had (but I can't speak to the quality or final look): Though I did say above to check into IKEA, I personally would not want them for my entire countertop. They do require sealant, and re-sealing, and you need to be vigilant regarding standing water and faucets. Even Waterlox will have some issues, such as leaving black marks where rubber feet (the black kind) are - and some appliances have those. I'm doing a butcher block inset into our countertop, but it will be used for prep work and therefore won't be sealed, and I expect water marks and some bread-knife cuts. We'll remove and sand if we ever need to sell. Having said this, I've a relative who has wood countertops - but she never, ever cooks. Her countertops remain in pristine condition, but she is vigilant.

I wish I had layed my tile out before install for the repeats bother me. My installer did ok but the re p.o eats next to each other give away that it is faux. Some brands have a better variation rating than others. Home depot and Lowe's often have a variation rating far lower than higher end tile supply stores if you think it would matter. It mattered with my OCD.