OA...the beehives I bought some time ago from "Tenderhearts" catalog ...probably 8 to 10 yrs. ago...they are basically just a heavy twine (or thinner rope...Macrame type wt) & are wound & glued together somehow...maybe could do one like a paper machee (sp?) project...using a shape (balloon) & wrap rope around with thinned glue...some of us use clear silicone for windows & doors on projects...so that would probably work. I did a terracotta pot last yr with rope & this silicone...here's a pic of it just planted last Spring...I've already planted it this yr. but no pics yet: And then the rope in the beehives is just touched up with some light colored paint. I'll crop it for a closer look: Hope this helps...thanks for lookin'! Jeanne S.

Thanks everyone for the nice comments, I knew you were on the same rusty, shabby, (weird), wavelength as I am! I'm really getting into the combo of rustic and refined (well modified refined for me) now in my decorating. Who knows where it'll end! LOL As long as we're all having fun that's all that matters. :-)

Yacht, I was glad to read your post. I've gotten myself in a bit of a depression here over Easter. I HATE it right on top of St Patricks. Last week I was so excited at the prospect of getting my many Easter things out, and this week it all just made me go downhill instead. I took down the Paddy stuff on Tues, but didn't get a chance to decorate again till today. I pulled out the two boxes of Easter stuff and realized only a few DAYS till Easter now. So why bother? A lot I bought last year on sales after Easter and never got to display, so was "new" this year. I just felt overwhelmed looking at it today tho. I put a few things on my kitchen counter and in the bay window. Didn't even do the stacked plates, that look empty and forlorn now. And wouldn't you know all my stuff is very Easter-y, so can't leave up for Spring decorating. That bummed me out too, thought I would've had Spring things for the stacked plates. We are definitely in our (short) Spring season, weather is around 80 and gorgeous out. Usually we have a family brunch or dinner at one of my kids for Easter. But this year, ALL of them going out of town on trips. They didn't even know each other had planned to be gone till now either. So its just my DH and Dad and I. DH could care less, and will be playing golf as usual that day. My dad's appetite and health pretty bad, so he really doesn't want an Easter dinner either. Guess it's just another day for us this year, nothing special. Did I say I was bummed out!!!!!! Anyway, glad to know I'm not the only one who decided not to decorate afterall. Karen

I doubt that there is any disease involved. It is a very common characteristic of a number of taller growing perennials that the lower, basal foliage will dry out and turn brown the later it gets in the season. Asters, garden phlox and mums will all display this trait, among others. Cutting the plant back several times during the growing season (but no later than the beginning of August) will help to keep the plant shorter and denser with less lower die-off as well as promoting more flower buds. And infrequent but deep watering at the base of the plant during any hot, dry periods in summer should help as well.