Thanks for your kind comments. I am rearranging a bit today to try to get a sleeker look. I will post pics if it goes well. While I wasn't paying attention, i have accumulates a good bit of perennials in the last two years, and as I received them or purchased them, i just randomly planted them somewhere. It's not a good look. Again, I don't have an "eye" for design and I think that's my biggest problem.

Due to my size constraints,I never intended on having a Garden...just a small veggie patch. Lol.

An acre? I wish.

Thanks again for taking the time, for your helpful suggestions and for being so kind.

I don't really think I'm anal but admit I may have been when I started designing the garden beds I envisioned when I moved back home late in 2005. I wanted to sustain pollinators--bees, butterflies & hummingbirds--and knew I had the means, opportunity and resources to achieve my goals. Secondary goal was to improve curb appeal.

My first self-assigned task was to conduct a shade study given my acre of property to determine where there was full/part sun vs. full/part shade. Next I hired a neighbor with a backhoe to do the grading.

Be grateful you didn't spend the hours I did on my knees digging up the lily-of-the-valley my mother loved. The roots grow more than a foot down below the soil surface and were as big around as my thumb.

The untidy smoke tree growing on the southeast corner of the house was also removed with no regrets. In its place there's a Harry Lauter Walkingstick tree (aka Demented Witchazel)--Mother's Day gift from my son & DIL. The thin branches grow in a corkscrew pattern. It's different...and really cool looking.

I don't think I have an "eye" for design either but I borrowed lots of garden design books from the library and visited quite a few botanical gardens gathering ideas. They helped me envision what is now my garden. The hardscaping (i.e., granite garden bench, granite walkway, patio brick path, etc.) isn't something you'll be faced with but have confidence you'll eventually get a garden view that pleases not only your vision but your heart.

Bon chance!

Gardenweed, I've posted some pics of my more organized garden, here.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3983447/kitchen-garden?n=9

Its ok, I guess.

Needs "something",

I posted a reply on that page.

space shouldn't be a problem when it comes to perennials. You'll need to do some divisions later on though. Ive a similar garden bed and its packed well with plants to reduce weeds.