We have a ton of hostas over at the cottage we bought diagonal from our property. So no $$$ lost on them. I may just keep them closer to the sides that are without trellises on the inside. Adding hardscape and planting larger rocks and possibly a small bench or tiny checkers table and chairs. To the one side under the gazebo. Or...something to display a collection of birdhouses on. Worst case we just do hardscape under it. And a few eye catching details to catch ones eye when you walk through. I must admit...you voice a Huge concern of mine though Yardvaark. Though free plants won't break the budget at least.

Hi Jannike, you're welcome! Yes ma'am, Annie is a seedling I raised way back "in the mists of time"! I think your hospital project is a lovely one to take on. Eventually, one should take care of the twenty foot span, but I'm sure you want it covered faster. I would suggest two, to three of them. Own root climbers take their time, unless you're looking at once flowering types which put far more energy in to growing than flowering. The more heavily the plant flowers, the slower it grows, generally. Some flower more as smaller plants, while others grow instead of flowering. Annie and Renae are the former types, so you can cover the space faster with one or two more plants, but one will eventually take care of it for you. I would consider the twenty foot span as three, six foot spaces, then plant one plant in the center of each one. That leaves only six feet for each to provide coverage and color for initially. If you'd prefer fewer, divide it in half (two, ten foot sections) and plant one in the middle of each, spreading out their growth to cover the five feet on each side of the plant. If you select Renae for that spot instead, I would still suggest the same treatment. If you choose a budded plant of some other climber, I would suggest only one, planted in the center of the span, as budded plants usually push growth much faster than many own root types. Not all, but most, particularly climbing types. I do think the lack of prickles will be a lovely trait for that situation. The lack of prickles is why I planted Annie Laurie McDowell where I did in the garden pictured on Help Me Find. It's right inside the gate entering the rear yard where people will come into personal contact with the plant. It is where the gentleman sits to smoke his occasional cigar while tossing the toys for the dog, so not biting is a great thing. And, she flowers virtually all the time and smells wonderfully. Ironically, she's also the only rose the dog gnaws on in the entire back yard. Eight other climbers on the walls and he gnaws Annie and the lilac. You should probably check with Burling about her timing with the plants to see what will work best with the hospital's timing. Good luck! Kim

After one or two of mine ended up in Apache Junction, I modified mine and it works 98% of the time. I cut the canopy starting at the peak, down each side about halfway down, following the roof poles. This gives you four triangles that peel down from the top. I happen to own a grommet tool so at the end of each cut I placed a grommet to keep the cut from traveling any further and tied it at the grommet point to the frame. Then I attached velcro tabs 1/2 way up each side of the triangles and at the top. When the wind blows too hard, the velcro comes appart and dumps the air. Depending om the material your canopy is made of, you may have to reinforce your edges where you make your cuts. You may have to expiriment with the size of you velcro tabs, but I found 1/2" x1/2" squares worked well for my material which was 65% sunscreen. It's important that you reinforce the ends of your cuts. If you don't have a grommet tool, a paper punch will work. the hole helps keep the cut from traveling, and you can add a square of duct, aluminum or other strong tape for extra strength. If you don't reinforce the cut, all the flapping arround will finish off the canopy. I found that cutting halfway was adequate for my canopy, but your wind exposure, material and overall weight all have an effect. More or less may work.

I suppose I could always move to Texas and do your gardens for you :) Let me dream.......Having no idea what would survive your climate. Absolutely climbing roses. White clems with coral roses. Purple clems with pink roses. Red clems with blue roses. I see delphiniums as well. I see hybrid tea roses or peonies with shorter variety clematis at four points around the arbor making a square around the circle. Butterfly bush at points between. I like the undulating edges around the square. A tiered look without the upward/downward grade. A path that enters at a different location that meanders to the entrance of the arbour. Make it a secret. Are you going to sit within? I hope! A water fountain inside? Lowe's had an interesting new product here. Recycled tire edging. About 6" wide by one deep, 18' long roll. The only draw back was it should have been designed as a "T" shaped product. Thereby inserting the stem to about 6" under ground. Then it would be ideal. As it stands creeping grass is a pain. Oh wait....grass is a pain! The deepest edging you can buy will slow down the creepers. Not having any idea what your water conditions are like I would suggest soaker hose made from recycled tires available here at HD buried in the bed about 10-12" down makes a 100% water-wise watering system. That would be put down before you start planting. Mark it so you don't cut it with a shovel. Gosh, I wish I knew more about what withstands your hot summers. I can plan that for here but would it suit.....I'll dream a little more while I am weeding tomorrow (for someone else!!) Dana