Wow, I just looked up Pleioblastus pygmaeus because it had a cool look in the picture above. MOBOT rates it as "very invasive" and warns that "fertilizing it is tantamount to throwing gasoline on fire". I love that description... so, that plant is out of the question, although I must admit it looks great under the tree. Mindy (arbo_return) I love the carex suggestion you made, it looks great, different from what I had in mind, but it's very nice looking nonetheless. And the link to your website, wow, great pictures of combinations. I had to laugh out when I read the about the pot'n dot method of planting... guilty your honor!! :-) I will try and avoid that planting style... Thanks again for all your great ideas. I have settled in my mind on a combination of Hosta plantaginea �Grandiflora' in an informal smattering around the tree trunks, bordered by drifts of Calamintha 'White Cloud', a yet to be determined grass and a bold stand of Sedum 'Neon' or 'Autumn Joy'. Neon sedum seems to have a fresher pink look than the more brownish pink AJ, although that brownish color might go better with the paperbark maple's bark color and fall foliage color... not sure yet. That's how far I have gotten with my day-dreaming about this bed. Off to do some more searching for the perfect grass... it might turn out to be Hameln pennisteum after all...

Was it a Snowberry Clearwing Moth (Hemaris diffinis)? Here's a link to a US Forest page with more info: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/hummingbird_moth.shtml Here is a link that might be useful: Pics of Snowberry Clearwing Moth

Hope your right Jeanne - By the way I love your style of pruneing - lol. Scissors in one hand - Martinis in the other - lol. Mindu - I could just loose a finger that way. Your funny :0) When I do something I do it big - all or nothing By the way Donnas - one of the books I have been reading by Linda Beutler titled Gardening with Clematis - Linda states (regarding pruning) "If you want a generalization that will carry you right through the entire genus, here it is: When all other logic fails, the best time to prune any clematis - to whatever degree you wish - is right after it has finished its first flowering of the growing season. You wont have to worry about disrupting the flower timing, and there will be more growing season remaining for the plants recovery. Carry this pearl of wisdom with you always" She also says " If your vines have become unsightly they are sending you a message: Prune me this very minute. So because my plants looked unsightly underneath (really twiggy and sticky looking) - I decided to go for it and see what happens. I will let you know what happens - I decided to try it on 2 of my clems - Jackmanni and Dr ruppel which is a group 2. Golden :0)

My first topiary is a Teddy Bear sitting on top of a yellow round pottery container, with the word "Hunnee" written on it. (Still need to take a picture of it.) He (named him Fuzzie Wuzzie, to prove that hairless doesn't mean "fuzzless, LOL) is peat moss filled with just a little ivy on him so far. The problem is that I'm in zone 6 and obviously want to have him and the ivy survive during the winter, but just finally finished him two days ago. I know ivy is perennial this far north, but not so sure how well it will do outside in a container (covered by one heavy teddy bear.) I brought my ivy into the house last winter. I have an unheated porch, which will keep them a little warmer then keeping them outside. I'm hoping that someone can teach me how to care for the two of them through the winter. Any hints are appreciated. Also, I doubt this question has ever been asked before, but, as long as the ivy doesn't cover Fuzzie's head by Christmas, is it OK to crochet a Santa's cap for him?