Jo Ann, you're right about the alliums. There is another plant that grows up there after the alliums are done, covering the leaves, but don't ask me what it is. I cannot remember right now to save my life!
Veronica, are you talking about the allium seed heads? They will last until I take them down in the late fall. I generally take them out of the garden sometime in October, because that's when the rains and wind starts so things start getting blown around and messy around then.
Yes, I made the rocks. They started as chunks of recycled concrete. We had a patio demolished during a remodel and I had to do something with all the concrete. The rocks were born out of my desperation to get rid of the concrete mess. It's really pretty easy to do. If you can make a hypertufa mix, you can make faux rocks. The secret is to use this product that allows new concrete to stick to old. It's kind of like elmer's glue, is cheap, and is sold by the gallon jug at places like Home Depot and Lowe's. The ones in the front that look like sandstone were a little more difficult.

Having a photo record of your gardens is very worthwhile, in my opinion. I've been keeping a photo record since 2005. It really helps me remember what is planted where. But the down side is that it reminds me how many plants I have lost over the years! That is the bad thing about it.

I've joined the concrete cubit, but I haven't checked it out lately.

I would be dead without Picasa and camera. I take pics everymonth all year starting in April and end in October. Its nice to have a record of a spot where new plants are needed.My memory would never be able to organize with out visuals. When I put anything in the ground I mark it with a plastic spoon. Then I know where new stuff goes.
Wrong picture sorry

try this Hope you can see all the spoons. By May they disappear when perennials fill out.

A pond and a greenhouse! I'm envious. You have a wonderful setting with all the trees. I love the concrete rocks and the bed frames. I have a lot of cement stepping stones and have thought about how to make them look more natural. Do you know the name of the product you used to get the hypertufa mix to stick? Looking at all the garden photos like yours with the climbing roses makes me want to add some. The yellow rhodies are wonderful. I don't think rhodies do well here, at least I never see them blooming. Thanks for sharing your garden. I'll have to keep coming back a few more times to get all the details.

Susan

I find the allium seed heads very attractive. Now if I can just find some old concrete!!
I could make some out of that rock we use around the farm here to fill in places that wash out easily. My DH calls it riff raff. The flat ones could be made from concrete stepping stones.
Susan if you are like I am here your soil is too alkaline for rhodies and azaleas. Very few grow in S Indiana

Veronica

I think I have some photos of how I made some of the rocks. The product that holds the cement onto vertical surfaces is called concrete bonding adhesive. Quickcrete makes on variety and sells is in a gallon size jug. I add a little to the water that I use to mix the concrete, and then use an old paintbrush to brush it liberally onto the sides of whatever I want to cover.

These are stepping stones we make last year from pieces of old concrete and also rock rubble. I have so many rocks in my soil (glacial till) and none of them are large enough to do anything with by themselves.

Later I will post some photos of the rock making process over on the concrete cubit. It's not difficult at all, but you do need strong hands, and if you are making large ones, making them in place rather than moving them later is definitely the thing to do.

Rhodies grow wild in the forests here, so they are really easy to grow. Pretty much you don't have to do anything with rhodies here except put them in the ground. Oh sure, some people fertilize, etc, but even people who don't do all that have nice rhodies if they grow them in the right conditions. The yellow rhodies are my very favorite. They are quite old and came with the house.

I thought I would post this photo of what it looks like inside those yellow rhodies this time of year. It's very cool in there, like being in a small rain forest with all the moss. The moss drips almost all the time. Some chickadees have moved into the little birdhouse. There are several nests in there each year.

Really lovely.

Those rhodies give such a fun feel! Doesn't it just make you feel like a kid in a hidden garden when you are there in the winter time? I love spaces like that. =)

Oh yes, a very WET hidden garden :)! Just touching a branch brings a complete shower of drop onto one's head. But it is a very neat look. And the birds do love it, too.

Enjoying your pictures, Melissa. I've been to your gardens in the early spring and late summer, but some of those views I've missed.

I'm still loving the hot bed. Waiting for the Dahlia coccinea seeds to germinate - I'm guessing it will happen next week.

Kathy

Oh, and I meant to say that I like the size of your thumbnails - that works better for my eyes, too. How did your husband make them bigger?

Kathy, I have no idea. Magic? He pressed lots of buttons on my computer. If you want me to ask him the process, I will do so.

Such a nice respite, visiting your colorful garden, pixydish! Great photos and wonderful gardens!

Thanks, Aguane! I'm happy to know you enjoyed the photos.