Maddy? Birds won't eat stuff that is bad for them. Least they don't eat lady bugs...which are bitter little cusses! I know cause I accidently ate one once...and vegemite tastes better! LOL! Don't know about cats and other animals though. But cats do eat some weird stuff...so I dunno??!! And Ranger's right about shrooms being good for the garden. Just unsightly is all! The birds might be going after the worms in the moist garden you have...and the cats might be going after the birds! Ahhhhhhhh...the food chain! LOL!

Well...like an ass, I went and dug up 5 boxwood from my front gardens and replanted them in the back garden to get more sun...and replaced the front garden with 5 azealas! Am I a glutton for punishment or what? I ammended the soil because it's so close to the house and will get lime run-off from the stucco. It's the shadiest part of my house...only get's early morning and late, late afternoon sun. They were on sale...so I'm giving it a try one more time...damnitalltohell! Wish me luck!

Gilly? Your garden sounds like it's coming along nicely!

P.S. I took some pics of my puny old azealas, along with other stuff...and as soon as I have time to resize them, I'll post um here!

Well my boyfriend took a few pictures today so I guess I'll start with these shrubs by the front porch. They are one either side of the front steps. I obviously would like to cut them back some, but don't want to kill them. I think they are rather pretty. They are just way too big! I have no idea what they are. I have tried to look them up but can't find them. Any advice would be appreciated.

Here is a photo that shows how overgrown they are...

This is a vine that grows along a fence seperating the property from the neighbors. There are also vines on the front porch that I was told were bittersweet. This appears to be different. The leaves are not the same shape.

These next couple of photos are a tree that I think we have finally identified. It appears to be a buckeye or perhaps a horse chestnut. These are not native to this region. I have never seen one before in my life. It's not in great shape there is a split in the trunk that is held together by rope! It has obviously been tied together for some years, there is evidence of old rope that the bark has grown around. I figured maybe someone would be able to confirm the species for me! We plan on just letting it do its thing, until it can no longer stand on its own. Then I suppose we will have to take it down. I find that rather sad!:(

This shows the trunk.

Close up of the leaves.

huntersgirl---I can't confirm if it is a horsechestnut or not.We had one,in front,but the State reconfigured the road(Rt125)& cut it
down.There is something,that is recommended,for trees,with a
split in the bark.I think that it concerns painting, the wood, with
something,so that it doesn't get infected with pests.If you want to
save it(the tree)then I would suggest checking with a tree surgeon or website,etc.Suggestion:Try a search site. Irish

Are they grape vines????

Lilith~ I am not sure...I have looked up grape vines but it is difficult to tell. I had some grapes at another home I lived in but they looked quite different. But there are quite a few varieties.

Irish~ thanks for the advice. I would certainly like to try to save the tree. We were thinking of calling someone to check it out and see if it is worth trying to save.

for azealas mulch with pecan hulls they do better in an acidy soil in part sun. lay the mulch about 2 in. thick

I do think that is a grape vine huntersgirl! Here's a pic of mine to compare the leaves to. Mine must be over 30 years old. They only fruit after five years and need lots of sun (all day sun). Mine is a concord grape. There are several varieties.

TY for the mulch suggestion jay-t! I have a mulch of pine needles on them now. Here's a pic of the existing azealas in my back and side gardens. I haven't taken any of the new ones up front yet. You can see that the hosta are bigger than the azeala. The hosta love this spot...but I'm thinking the azeala don't care for it at all! I'm doing my best to ammend the soil for them and just let them go this season and see what happens.

Here's the azeala in the side garden beside the smoke house. This one was on the property when we bought the place (almost five years ago) and I moved it from next to the house to this current spot. It does better that the others, but still nowhere near what some folks around here have growing in their yards!

*sigh*

My lilac tree. Deep, dark, extremely fragrant lilacs...mmmmm! They had just started to bloom when Grumble was visiting! I love this tree. Most lilacs are bushes. We figure this tree is at least 75 y/o!