PM2, I have 2 Kwanzan cherries that were here when I moved in, 20 years ago or so, and I don't recommend them! They're a lovely cotton-candy shade of pink for a couple of weeks; their bark is "sort of" interesting; and other than that they're just messy, boring trees, without an especially interesting or graceful form. Winter moths love them, which makes growing things under them all but impossible - anything like hosta, hellebores, or fine-leaved perennials get clobbered by falling petals and caterpillar offal raining down. Maybe there are better varieties - these would certainly make a statement for drive-by viewing but come up short on closer inspection. There are so many bright colors at the same time as the cherries bloom. So, I've headed away from spring-flowering trees for this reason, and would choose something like witch hazel for winter color, Heptacodium and/or Franklinia for fall, or Stewartia for summer. Those seasons need that infusion of color more than early spring, IMHO!

Just checked in (don't spend much time even on conversations lately).... glad to hear that it's what they thought and not the other. re: caffeine... reducing your caffeine intake really helps! And helps the stress management too. Take it from an ex-caffeine junkie. At my worst, 2 cups of coffee and 6-10 diet cokes a day!! (I LOVE diet coke in a can!) I've been caffeine free for 3.5 years now! Well, mostly caffeine-free, it's hard to avoid it completely... I was never a chocoholic (I didn't even like chocolate until my mid-thirties!) so I don't eat much of it... but I haven't given it up. I also drink decaf coffee... which does have small amounts of caffeine. I may have a caffeinated root beer by mistake once in a while (some, like barq's, has caffeine, some, like A&W, doesn't). I don't drink real coffee. In fact in the past 3.5 years the only real coffee I had was that first summer while touring in Scotland and it became more of a problem to get decaf than just drink the stuff... and I wasn't fully weaned. now, I'd just skip it! I cut back in a couple of steps... went from 8-10 diet cokes a day to 2, keeping my cups of coffee at 1-2, or drinking decaf if it was just as available. I was very proud of myself. I remember the conversation with my doctor, though, when telling him I had "cut back" from nearly a case of diet coke a day. "That's really good!" he said. "Now Quit." I have noticed the differences of being caffeine free. The withdrawal week was tough, but not as tough as I expected. Now, I am less cystic (my are mostly POS-polycystic ovarian syndrome), have less headaches, and show better stress management. Not too long ago I was out to dinner. When dessert was served I dug in, took one bite, and could "feel" the espresso hit my blood stream. And it wasn't pleasant. I was eating Tiramisu, made the "right" way! I don't eat tiramisu anymore, either!! Good Luck!

"I can blame gardenweb for some of my dissatisfaction ... there have been instances where I was blissfully unaware of my mistakes until they were pointed out to me here." LOL. I hear you sister! I would add Houzz to the list. I think that Houzz creates totally unrealistic expectations about houses - just like beauty magazines and media in general have totally distorted our perception of female beauty. It is so sad to see 14 year old girls starving themselves so they could look like the "cover girls". No amount of explaining that the pictures have been photo-shopped, air-brushed, etc. does any good. I am not going to post my kitchen - or any part of the house - on Houzz and yet, I am trying - mostly subconsciously - to "measure up" to the ones I have seen there. I know it'd be unfair to compare GW to Houzz b/c people here are trying to help, not discourage, but it is the cumulative impression that perfection is possible that is "killing" me. :-) In this remodel, I pulled my hair out after each finished stage and absolutely hated it. And every time - thankfully - I felt different the next morning. Though it is too soon to tell, I am sure that the final product will be totally "acceptable". But I cannot get rid of a nagging feeling that I got carried away in my sub-conscious "competition" with online designer kitchens (many of which might have been staged) and spent too much money on this remodel (money I'll probably never "recover" when we sell the house). It's funny, my DH said exactly the same thing yesterday - to remember that the remodeled bathroom or kitchen is not my life - there are other (more important) things to think about. :-) (edited for typos) This post was edited by eleena on Sat, Apr 20, 13 at 18:09

Hi Laura, I'm in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Honestly I don't find the weather that bad, the summers are hot and nice and decent length, June-Sept on average and we are the sunniest province in Canada. It's just our lowest lows can be very low, minus 40 C and such, and also late and early frosts can be annoying. I originally come from the Pacific Northwest and I am so done with the constant rain and dreariness. I do like my oddities, hence the different varieties. From what I have read here or researched, all that I have selected can do fine in containers, but a greenhouse would ensure success I think. I couldn't stand them all in my house so for me it's better they are in a separate grow room that I can visit- my version of a man cave (I was going to say lady cave but that just sounded wrong ;)). I also have visions of a full on orangerie in my future, I would love to have a greenhouse stuffed with citrus that I can visit in winter. Not sure if you have seen some posts from the people with greenhouses in cold climates, they look amazing in the snow. Really inspiring! Hi Pip, are we going to see your collection anytime soon? I know you have some nice trees growing.