Naw....just extend the beds out :)

I remember ya, and remember when you injured yourself. Glad you are back to feeling right!

PS. I think the bed looks good myself, but I like that look!

Just do a severe pruning so you can see what you have to work with. Remember, if you start all over, you'll have all that weeding to do. As it is, much of the space is filled in. Choose a few plants you're tired of, and remove them to make room for anything new you want. I actually love the idea of expanding the bed. Then you can plant babies along the edges, but still have the mature plants to enjoy. I envy your challenge. Enjoy every moment.

Martha

Hi, Wendy! Of course we remember you. I remember that bed too, with blue morning glories on the arbor, right? :-)

I'd shovel prune a few of the biggest overgrown frankenplants. And try pinching some others early next growing season to control height. See what happens then..

What's the big yellow flowered one in front?

Karen

Hey Karen! That's coreopsis. I must be the only person who has it grow to six foot tall! My daisies are 4 foot, maltese cross at least 3 foot. I grow tall perennials. I miss the mix of short plants at the front of the bed.
Gonna sharpen that shovel..

I had a front franken bed that I couldn't bear to deal with anymore - - stuffed with New England Aster, rudbecki goldstrum, helianthus maximillion - all totally overgrown and choking out other things. I hired a laborer in the spring for a day, pointed out the 3 kinds of plants in this bed and told him to take HALF of each kind out and walked away.

I spent the day in the back gardens, refusing to "watch" the massacre. I don't even know where he dumped the clumps (on the perimeter somewhere, we have farm fields on two sides). When I came back up front at the end of the day it was a miracle. I could see and enjoy lots of plants that had been buried, I could actually see some dirt where I could put some seedlings, I could actually walk down long overgrown paths through this bed. It was (is still!) wonderful.

Do what feels right. As an expereinced WSer, you KNOW you can always "make" new plants!!!!

Thanks guys..between this forum, and my yahoo group "Brokenheelnotspirit" I feel like I can get over this. I remember hearing a radio show about people who have to deal with chronic pain, and I remember thinking "I'm so glad I don't have to deal with that". Well peeps, I can say that it happened to me, and I don't wish it on anyone.

I look at people who just 'walk' down the street with envy. My appreciation for everyone who walks with a cane, or a walker has appreciated exponentially. I am lucky, compared to some, and unlucky, compared to others.

I am so glad that I have my garden to keep me busy, and whole.

Oh, honey, that bed could be SO much worse:) I worked for a litigation attorney for a few years. We had a lot of fender bender type accidents that resulted in the victims have chronic neck or back pain for the rest of their lives. Ever since I am afraid of any auto accident, even fender benders because I'm afraid that will be me.

Of course, we remember you and your beautiful gardens..you are the lady that makes her own rocks, in a plastic bag..you sent me detailed instructions. If you can afford a laborer for 1 day and tell them exactly what to do, I think you'll be able to start over. Looks like you need to divide a lot. Maybe contact a nearby garden club or advertise on Free Cycle in your area. Can you collect seeds from your plants yourself? If you are satisfied with size of your flowerbeds, I wouldn't extend them.

I was just thinking about you the other day. There was a workshop among some of the MAG group and they made hypertufa at Jill's place aka Critterlogist on DG website.
Sounds like they all had a lot of fun doing it.

Wendy,
If you are still having frequent pain, you should consider finding a Palliative physician. They are often associated with a hospice organization, but their specialty is helping people control debilitating pain. They tend to be more liberal with stronger pain medications that orthopedic docs, etc. They also have other methods for helping with pain. Contact the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. They may be able to point you in the direction of a good doc near you. Good luck.

Martha

Good advice Martha or see a pain management specialist which is probably the same specialist that you suggested.

Your beds look lovely to me. I like the color coordination. You have a really nice garden.