The seeds that I planted weren't calendula :(....different varieties and heights of marigolds. I think everyone must know about my "weed"! It's growing taller every day and looking less compact and less like a marigold. It's between 6"-8" tall just from the rain over nite. Once these weeds are gone, the sunshine can get to the real marigolds underneath. It will also look much more organized and less "weedy" when they start to fill in. Thanks again for your help! LC Grace.

I planted Sea Holly from seed, thought it looked nice in the picture, and of course, the name, Sea Holly, sounded nice. I was standing near the flower bed where I had planted it, one day, and I thought, did an animal die under my giant hosta, or something? Couldn't figure it out, until I finally went over and smelt the Sea holly, OMG, it really stunk. And it's not that pretty either, I'll soon be getting rid of it, I hope!

Fun thread! I do love the smell of Russian/Autumn Olive, and many of the other scents mentioned here - lilacs, herbs (especially basil!), citrus, and freshly-mown grass. I also do love the smell of tomato plants, and most every/any rose I have ever stuck my nose into. Love lavender too! I think one of my most favorite smells is lily of the valley. I absolutely LOVE this scent, even though I often have to get on my hands and knees to smell it, lol. It doesn't seem to be as strong in the vase as in the garden, sadly. I don't like lilies too much - I find them rather strong and a bit irritating, but I do love marigolds. Katy, funny thing about the boxwoods. I DO think they smell like cat pee, lol, but here's the thing. I'm a huge history buff, and as a kid, my mother would always take me to visit old colonial houses in the area (and beyond) (she is a history buff too) and they always seemed to have boxwood around them. I remember as a kid always wondering what smelled so bad, lol. But now, when I smell boxwood, I'm reminded of these beautiful old houses, and their (not always so beautiful) gardens, and so I kind of like the smell of boxwood now. I guess it's that association thing. Like the fact that those invasive rosa multiflora bring me back to the days when I was sick to my stomach all day, every day, while pregnant with my first kid. That in itself wasn't pleasant, but I remember a particularly beautiful June morning when I got to wallow lazily in bed all morning, with the windows open, and the breeze blowing in the scent of the forest of rosa multiflora behind our condo. Ah, pure indulgence, lol! :) Dee

Sadly, he can probably get off more easily than any of us would like to think. I don't know, but the realist in me says find a way to move. You can't depend on the neighbor's being incarcerated to go forward with a normal life. It sounds like your neighbor's "crew" still assembles despite his absence. If he and his friends disappear, is there potential for a replacement problem group taking up "residence" in your immediate vicinity. Could you have friends over for an impromptu summer bbq? It seems as though you can't plan anything outdoors so long as your neighbor's son & his friends are around. I can see this getting worse first before/rather than better. Things are definitely not in your favor with regard to the current real estate market, or for that matter, the economy in general. However, when it gets to the point that your kids can't safely go outside to play on a nice day, and you are living in daily fear, is it really worth your sanity and that of everyone in your family? I am a fighter as well as a total optimist. Before reading about your situation, I would have adamantly defended my right to live in my home. I would not allow the behavior of another make me move from a home I created. However, under your circumstance, I would definitely consider all options, moving being one of them. Is there a reasonable possibility that your neighborhood will get progressively worse, or is this an isolated thing within a 10 block radius of your home? If I were to take a walk in your neighborhood, would the gang presence be obvious to me? What is the the town like overall? It may be a strategic move to get out of this neighborhood now before it becomes reputed for its higher potential for crime? Also, I can't remember if you mentioned having any pets. If you do, they need protection from this situation as well. I wish I felt more optimistic about this getting better for your family. You and your DH are the only two people who can gauge what your home life will be going forward if you do stay in your current home. Also, I don't know the ages of your children and how "at risk" they are being next door to this kid and his friends.