Grreat idea! Very pretty, I love Impatiens, they are one of my favorites!

To make a long story longer I will continue to help you through your issues. "You said that if we created a raised bed with amended soil that we would probably lose most of the junipers. I'm not saying we're actually going to attempt this, but what do you think would cause them to die? The transplanting process itself, the amended soil, or the height of the raised bed?" It's just the fact you just planted them last October. They have had 8 months to reestablish with little or no side effects except inner browning which is normal. The fact you are now entertaining digging them back up for reestablishment in a raised bed will not be in their best interests especially with summer around the corner. Also they are not dying tells me your watering is not out of balance. Disregard the 5 inches of rain Mother Nature dumped upon them. I'll take that anytime. A natural occurrence. All nursery personal are programed weather qualified or not to sell shelf products to cure plant aliments. They will tell you all scenarios and create some as to what may be the problem with your plants. Hopefully they didn't relieve your pocket book of any change trying to diagnose all these potential problems. Save your receipts. If not convinced after talking to the forum about your concerns you have call your local extension agent and they will come out and tell you what, if any problems, you could have. Dave

The larva of the Fungus Gnats need a soil that is quite moist to hatch from the eggs and then grow into the flies that we most often see, so the first step in control of these wee buggers is to not water as often, keep the "soil" the plant is growing in a bit dryer. Of all the means of control I have seen over the years this Garlic Tea is new, however one proven control method is to put pieces of the "Mosquito Dunks" on the potting soil. surface.

I would concentrate on the surrounding surface area ..... IF there is enough black items in the whole room to balance the visual weight of the current firebox -- then I would leave it alone. If not -- then consider adding some dramatic black glass bowls to the coffee table or maybe a tall black vase somewhere in the area ..... Perhaps try a black-and-white contemporary artwork above the fireplace box? OR perhaps a grid installation of smaller colorful artworks? Yes -- the gold-framed mirror does appear (although this is an impression JUST from a small photograph!!) a bit too traditional at the moment ..... OR maybe go for a firebox surround of glass tiles? Maybe silvery ones? OR -- for a truly dramatic effect (depends on the clients and their use of the room!) you could even go for mirror tile! Depends on the installers too -- and add those decorative "stars" on the seam corners. Perfect for folks who entertain at night ..... Just some thoughts! Jan