Dee, so, you were a Ranger fan, rivals of the Bruins, I remember some of the intense games we had. Your daughters play hockey, that must be really nice that you all share that interest. I wonder if they have any interesting in gardening too? :-) That sounds like a very interesting garden. None of the negative effects of the slope that you would think and evidently all positives. I would imagine it is a different look out the front of the house at the garden too if it rises in front of you, while the back of the house continues to slope down and perhaps has a nice elevated view. So all the same shade of green? But with the golds of Hakone and Spirea and are some of the Hostas variegated and gold? I do understand your dislike of all the same shade of green. I am often looking for a dark, dark green, to break up some of the mid green tones. And I like the golds and the variegated to break things up. The browns and burgundy leaves, I always think are going to add to the mix for interest, but IâÂÂm not always happy with it, so I donâÂÂt have a lot of it. Hi, Thyme2 :-) YouâÂÂre lucky that you have some moist spots on your property. Mine really doesnâÂÂt have a one. Tree root zones and completely level with no low spots. So, there are a lot of plants that prefer moisture that I just skip over in a catalog. GreenGo, IâÂÂve had the same experience with Midnight Wine this year. I wasnâÂÂt sure they were coming back either. I had not heard of âÂÂShining Sensationâ before seeing your photo on another thread. ItâÂÂs a nice color and size. Do you shape them round and prune them a lot? Was there a reason you shovel pruned âÂÂWine and RosesâÂÂ?

I would continue using the same amount of water, just water less often. Using less water can cause a buildup of salt in the soil which can burn the plant. I always water until water starts to flow out the bottom of the pot so to remove any salts.

I never cut my lily stems, I do leave them until they finish turning brown. If any seed pods develope, I do pinch those off though.

Oh, hi there UK!!! I've been more of a 'no show' than a 'hanger on', this winter! I confess to being very preoccupied in a non-hosta sort of way, hoping the winter will pass more quickly if I don't continue to come here and drool (as I HAVE DONE, btw) from time to time!! Thank you for posting my pix and giving me hope for what's to come--back--hopefully!!! You've picked two of mine that I am so in love with! The first is 'Flemish Sky'! I love the look and color so much, that I ordered another one for this Spring! It looks like it looks--sort of a turquoisey-blue-green! How's that for a Crayola crayon color!!! The other one is 'Cutting Edge! It is such a beauty, for a solid, especially in the Spring but it just continues to be impressive even beyond Spring, with those luscious curvy leaves!! Here is 'Cutting Edge' in 2006: 2007: 2008: 2009: I just got 'Flemish Sky' last year so I don't have much to show--yet, in terms of growth rate! I highly recommend both, from my experience!! I can't wait to see 'Flemish Sky' in a few more years!!!