So, kind friends, my landscape-architect friend is coming for Labor Day, but I'm still brainstorming, so what do you think of this? (1) yes replace CLFence w/ white lattice and nice trellis entry, but mainly (2) move big planter with statue to side under mulberry, balancing the Mahonia on the right (toughest plant they cd sell me at my request), and make rustic stepping-stone pathway up to very top near fence, then pave that little area and put bench or 2 ice-cream-parlor-sized chairs and table? Balance in front of right hand side Mahonia by cutting maple down to graduating heights from path, with plants on top of each trunk, or maybe plants on two and interesting topiary frame currently on top of too-tall trunk (3) stick 3 potted plants, maybe all in one planter (have silver one on hand decorated with green leaves & little red berries) on top of grill for when not in use (usually!).

A large single pond sheet covers the entire pond 15'x8.5'x3' and attached bog areas. Bogs are both in stand alone installations as above and shallow shelves dug into the pond margins. Canna, Cardinal Flower planted in prepared bog areas in this yard. Connecting Canna and Japanese Iris bog area area just after installation in late fall. Final area leaves 11'+ for plant expansion, which will be tight. It takes 30 min to soak excess water through. Baby 5' Gunnera tinctoria just planted and watered. Bottom 3.5' of the pit was lined with plastic and water connection through the compost ammended soil connect with canna (non plastic lined) and Japanese Iris (plastic lined below 10'). Before After 8' wide by 4.5' deep bog pit being readied to support Giant Chilean Gunnera. They sort of work like in ground planters. Pit size is based on final, not initial plant size. You are not going to like doing this, but I dig to 2 or 3' deep and make pits to hold more moisture. I dig with an iron rod and then shovel and screen the larger rock and gravel out.

Red button ginger cold hardys