Well, I suppose I could see an argument for a new, separate forum devoted to discussions of Australian native plants growing in North America, as distinct from them in their native haunts. The forum that you guys linked to tends, of course, to be frequented mostly by our friends from Down Under. While that can be interesting and worthwhile, I have found that some of their issues and terminologyÂnot to mention their seasonsÂare not always applicable to us here in the States. But whether that warrants a separate forum is another matter. I don't mean to be critical, perennialfan273, but if you have questions or comments or photos to share regarding, say, callistemons or grevilleas or eucalyptus or any other Australian plants, why would you not just do so in the Shrubs Forum or the Perennials Forum or one of the regional forums that suits you geographically, or another one of the existing, broader forums? What would the advantage be of having a dedicated Australian plants forum, especially since realistically it's likely to be pretty sparsely inhabited?

Nice, The glass I got for her was from Cooltiles.com. It came on that mesh. The colors so far are Kona (darkest) Ceylon and lemon. I love the stuff they have there. They sell it by the sqaure foot for backsplashes and showers/etc. I didn't get anything done this weekend. DD had a slumber party, and the house was full of 14 year olds most of the weekend. So I'm off to make up for lost time! Hazie

Yes, it does drain. There's a slight natural slope in the yard (which continues beyond our lot) and the area that I'll be creating a large new bed in is probably the moistest part of the property. But there's never any standing water - even in the wettest years (like this one has been). And the trees and shrubs we've planted along the periphery of it seem to be happy as can be. There's a big old maple on the edge of this area, but there are no surface roots visible - which I know sometimes happens - so I think it gets plenty of water generally. The river birch is growing like crazy and looks great. Viburnums and Jim Dandy winterberry - very happy. So - the bottom line will be: don't amend the planting hole/water and fertilize broadly when needed...no playing favorites??? I have some other beds that I'll be expanding - they were only big enough to get some shrubs and trees in, and I want to plant (a bunch!) more smaller things (hostas, other perennials, etc.). I'll keep those pointers in mind when I start planting next spring.... That planting time, in a previously grass area, is when I cus the clay!!! But it does seem like after a bed has been established for a while, and mulched yearly, the soil improves and it's easier to work. And even though I complain about the clay, things I've planted are doing well - except the &#!@&* Endless Summer hydrangeas! A sorrier-looking group of shrubs I've never seen. Next year they will be replaced... if my husband prevails, they will be transplanted and permitted another chance. However he might go outside one day and find they've disappeared ;-) .

Your garden layout is beautiful. Roses present challenges that would try the patience of a saint. At least with anthracnose the foliage holds on feeding the bush. I like to call the rose leaves their 'mouths and stomachs,' without which a rose starves...often to its death. At this point I'm concerned with how your stressed roses will survive their first winter in your zone 5a. Do you intend to use some sort of winter protection?