I guess I never realized your flower bed was so, well, formalized. A whole lot fewer problems and nothing takes away from each plant. Sometimes I think I should just cultivate up the entire east side of my back garden, re-edge to keep the neighbor's grass out, and plant my peonies right in a row with heavy mulch around to keep out weeds. Maybe a little front row of low flowering plants. What a job that would be. I did it one year with my little rototiller but then planted with different plants. I don't think I could do it again and doubt I could talk my DH into doing it for me even if I helped by removing the stepping stones and existing plants.
