I got this flattened kind of bowl with a drop in with a tiny frog and it is going to be perfect for some coming arrangements. I used corkscrew willow (staple with me) and 3 sprigs of rosemary and 4 roses. I had to drill the holes in the bottom of the corkscrew as it was hardened over winter and then just stuck them in the frog! Voila'

Nice! I like the rosemary sprigs in there.

I never thought of using rosemary! It looks really great Candee. The RM goes really well with the roses and willow!

I am thinking I need to grow more Rosemary now. I had two great bushes that were flowering broom plants and they did not make it and now got a weeping pussy willow, but think I should hype up the rosemary cause it smells so good! Right!
Do you Steven and Kim have Rosemary in your garden???

No, I sure don't. There's a gigantic old plant in a large container at a local nursery. The thing's huge!

I like using dappled willow in mine. Right now they're pretty with their catkins coming out. Those will be pink soon. Then, later, the variegated foliage is gorgeous.

We have a small pot of rosemary that we bought at the grocery store, but I don't think it grows to well here over the winter. Apparently there IS hardy types which will survive this far north but I haven't picked one up yet. Do you find it to be fairly slow growing?

Very slow growing Steven, are you certain it won't survive up there?
Kim I am with you on the willow, I use corkscrew a lot and also love the Harry Lauder walking stick.

I've read it won't survive but admittedly I have never tried it. What kind of soil does yours grow in?

I love those double white daffs in your last photo!

I have never had our soil tested Steven, I have no idea, to us it is just good dark looking soil and has some sand mixed in and clay way down under.
I really like those daffs as well they are so warm and fuzzy!

Ahh, good dark soil isn't what we have ours is 100% pure clay that you could cut with a knife. After we get it ammended more I'll have to try planting a rosemary!

Let me know how it goes. What zone are you in up there?

Technicaly zone 5, but our backyard has a microclimate + climate change makes things alot warmer, so I always go with zone 6a. So far I've had no problem growing zone 6 plants. What zone are you in Candee?

6a here Steven. But I have been known to grow past the zone as well.

I've got a rosemary plant from the grocery store so maybe I will try it in a sheltered spot this summer and leave it out to see how it fairs!

Perhaps if you keep it close to the bricks and mulch it good??? Just an idea.

Good idea! I'll put it in the garden by the patio so it can benefit from the heat. The patio is going to be right next to the house so next to the patio is as close as it can get

I've had elephant ears overwinter along the brick foundation of our house in an area that gets morning and early afternoon sun. I was shocked to see it sprout the following year after I forgot to dig them up before the frost zapped the top growth!

Kim, that is impressive, I cannot imagine those ears surviving Ohio winters. Matter of fact we are headed to Aurora next weekend! Hope it is warmed up then.

This is one of my white tree peonies, bluebells, acanthus leaf and a single gerber daisy.

Anothr angle