DeLancey

Keep the blue, Michelle; maybe add blue flowers to a few pots? We have a very plain, square-front, white, 90-year old home, and I'm thinking of black shutters to add some interest, so I vote yes (if we get 'em, as much a vinyl isn't a favourite, at this point in my life, I'm need low maintence). I love the relaxed feel of your garden; a real family lives here. Rob's arbour is beautiful; please post pictures next year of whatever climbers you choose to plant.

Lovely garden you two have created, Regina -- those lilies! There's a four-foot, green wire fence between my neighbour's driveway and ours, with a strip of garden on either side. Orange lilies were planted next door decades back, and have slowly moved through to our side. A few gaps remain, and I've wondered about filling in with some yellow day lilies. Now that I've seen yours, I think I will! I just wish this year's gardening budget would let me go out and buy dozens, right now, so I'd have that colourful mix this summer.. Patience, patience...

Catching up on the GPoD: your garden is lovely, Miyako! I'm in zone 5, and have two types of Ligularia in my moist shady bed. The one with a tall stalk of golden flowers blooms earlier; the golden daisy-like variety blooms in late summer. Astilbe also thrives in the same bed. I love Goat's Beard, which is in a drier shade area, and I think I'll add some Black Beauty, thanks to luvfall's suggestion. I didn't think it'd grow in drier shade and the moist shade bed is full.

Gregg & Kindra:

This garden is what mine wants to be when it grows up! I've been adding native plants and tough perennials, and I, too, welcome the animals. There is a large wooded area between our busy street at the top of the hill, and the busy commercial street at the bottom. We see birds and squirrels, and from our windows: the occasional raccoon, fox, deer, groundhog, or skunk.
I've been thinking a small brige over a dry stream bed would look good in our garden, so thanks for showing us yours: it may get copied...

Michelle: keep up the good work!

Thanks for sharing your lovely photos, Benjamin. I, too, am in zone 5, in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, & have been using more and more native plants. I find the early-season picture quite helpful, as it shows the garden's structure (note to self: take photos this year! Start today!).