Viewing post #2851700 by Arico

I'm going to be brutally honest Bea so forgive me, but your garden doesn't appeal to my tastes at all I find that people are too hung up about 'continueing summer for as long as possible' to the point of blending the seasons too much with evergreens; so much so that that type of garden isn't too far off from the modern mono type I posted above.
I like colorful fall and 'dead' winter. I like looking at a 'depressing, fungus infected/decaying' landscape because 1) it's part of life and 2) because it makes spring that much more exciting when it arrives.
I never liked evergreens...I still don't really (they're boring, spikey, ugly and I have bad memories of one big pine oozing sticky sap everywhere...)...I've MANAGED to accept two so far: Pinus mugo pumilio and P. leucodermis 'Compact Gem'. But who knows, they might get me hooked eventually

sallyg said: bumplbea

Arico, I think you've got a fantastic design started and it does sound like you'll enjoy a diverse collection, both in the working and the enjoying. I think when you get down to the perennial/bulb/annnual level is where you'll want to make any planting of a particular kind not TOO small and mixed up. From my yard, my feel is that since I have sooo many kinds, (and many are natives not super showy, one misses 'seeing' some interesting individuals. I think Bea's works because it is mixed very tastefully and, the individuals are big enough to stand on their own.

Hope you will keep us updated
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Perhaps you're right. I'll definately keep your advice in the back of my mind when the time comes