I delurked in another reply. I have a large vegetable garden consisting
of 5 raised beds and a small greenhouse. We are in the process of
adding 3 smaller raised vegetable and 1 raised flower bed. I'm in Zone
6A Ontario. I have a couple of problem areas.

1) The front flower beds need a total make-over. They face west so get
mostly afternoon and evening sun. Until last year I planted a mish mash
of whatever flowers I grew from seed. We want something a little lower
maintenance than flowers although I would still like a small edging of
flowers for colour. Any suggestions.

2) We need a fast growing bush type to create privacy on the south side.
The problem is there is a huge likely over a hundred years old maple
tree that sucks all the nutrients out of the ground. Suggestions?

TIA
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Garden Gnome
http://ca.360.yahoo.com/sfg.oamc
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/garden_wanderings
http://gardengnomewanderings.blogspot.com/

look into English Laurel or other laurel varieties. Another option is
Thuja. another evergreen plant which is tall and columnar in shape.