that you can just break off. When I broke off one of them some black bugs were crawling around inside. I also noticed some scaly looking stuff. There seems to be both dead leaves and new leaves on one of them. I have no idea how old they are. They were fully grown when we purchased the house 16 years ago. Any suggestions of what can be wrong? I hope we can save them. I hope the pics will give you a good idea of what we're dealing with.

are the ones in almost full growth. I woud like to streamline it a bit, So much GRASS is growing in the areas, and I can't easily get down and get up. (tho with bypass surgery last Oct it should be easier, who knows)Alyssum usually fills in all over the place, almost making it look too crowded. The daylilies and hostas do well, and they are already coming up.

Should I take out the curved cement and fill in with sod? That is mostly the trouble spot for grass filling in. I just have sedums there and a barberry bush . But what about around the tree in the back? We have old chips there now, and it looks pretty bad, but the Krauter Plum sends suckers up constantly and I (groan) have to get down to cut them. Plus that tree drips with aphids, but not for very long, and doesnt seem to hurt anything.The main area in front is about 8 ft wide, plenty of hostas and daylilies. But I think it could look better, more fun, and clever?

Hubs brought out all the pots and just put them on the path until we decide what we are going to do. I think I just want to display the blue ceramic pots only , at least there. So they look planned and in synch.But I wasnt happy with the way they were arranged last year.

I just need to get this easier for me to take care of. Any suggestions are very welcome. BTW..hubs HATES yard work, does the garden out of love for me, but would rather it be easier. I always get, "What's wronnng with it"?

I had a hard time doing these photos, I had to do them one by one from the desktop, last time I didnt have to do that.So I didnt post all that I wanted or even the best ones, they are so small. yes , technophobe here.

Suggestions appreciated!