Question
I am starting college in the fall of 2005, and I have bought a trailer to live in during my years there.  My lot is not big and there is not a lot of space around my porch.  Do you have any suggestions for plants and bushes that would do well in central Alabama?  For most of the day, my trailer is in the shade.  I am going to be busy with college work, but I want to have a nice looking area around my trailer.  Do you know of any shrubs, flowers or bushes that don't require much maintiance that also do well in central Alabama and shade? I would like to create some type of stoned walkway and cover up the tounge of the trailer.  What is the cheapest way to create a stoned walkway?  I am going off to college and want the place to look nice, but I don't want to spend a lot of extra money because college is so expensive in the first place.  

Answer
My database suggests a few of the following plants for a shady central Alabama landscape:
Osmunda regallis - Royal Fern
Euonymous fortunei - Winter Creeper
Rhododendron species - Rhododenrons
Kerria japonica - Japanese Kerria
Hydrangea species - Hydrangas
Taxus cuspidata - Japanese Yew

If I were relocating to a new area on a tight budget, I'd poke my head in the local nursery for ideas.  After that, I go to the local K-Mart or Wal-Mart and save the pennies by getting the same or similar plants from these discounters.  Be careful - not everything carried there will grow in your area.  They are notorious for selling plants don't grow in the local climate (hence the first trip to a local nursery).

As far as a "cheep stone walk" - I'd say its time to think creatively...any broken concrete nearby?  Anybody need his or her field rocks removed?  IS there a river nearby with stones that you can "harvest"? (Ask permission first)

If you've got four years to go at College, look around and see what others have done.

Good luck!