On Wed, 24 Dec 2003 00:54:00 GMT, animaux wrote:

If the twiggy plants are twiggy on the porch side, it's because they need
more
sun.

They're twiggy all over, apart from the very top which has a mop of
greenery. As well as the porch shade, they are partly shaded by trees,
which will get worse in the spring when the trees sprout. I'm surprised
that the previous house owner planted these where they are - she appeared
to be very knowledgeable judging by the rest of the garden. Ah well, I'll
just have to see how they fair.

Hubby and I were discussing a different type of porch border involving
gravel and shade tolerant shrubs. The grass is very patchy in this area too
- understandably - so we need to do something that will be more pleasing
to the eye. I don't want this to become the bane of my life... I have a
bunch of rubus and ginger to contend with too :-/ I want to enjoy my
gardening, not sigh every time I put my gloves on!

On a lighter and less miserable note - it's Christmas eve - woohoo!!
Merry Christmas everyone!!
--
Lynda