I should add, the owner is not interested in maintenence, so xeriscape-friendly plants are high on the list. For the floodplain area, on my list of considerations I have witch hazel to corner her yard, osmanthus, wax myrtle and japanese plum yew to be the official division between floodplain and yard. To ease the transition from tall trees to flat grass, I'm thnking oak-leaf hydrangea, fothergilla, spicebush. Brunnera and tiarella towards the front, mixed in with ferns and wintergreen will help complete a slope towards the grass. I'm looking for evergreen, shades of blue and dark green, fall/winter interest, white or blue blooms, fragrance, and drought tolerance once established.

Perhaps a trip to Saul Nursery on West Nancy Creek would help, although you already have a marvelous plant list. They call this location "The Swamp" because of Nancy Creek. If you go, please tell Bobby and Cathy that Rosemary Walsh says hi.

And let us know what you do.

Rosie