Did you ever think about creeping Phlox or that type of groundcover? Creeping phlox grows like crazy and fills in quickly. It also comes in so many different colored blooms! Even types of creeping Thyme could work well. My mother had thyme all over an embankment and it spread like crazy. Both of those plants don't have deep root systems and sort of float on top of the ground, they do not climb at all. Lilies and irises will work well, once they fill in. I have a section of embankment that I'm trying to cover with daylilies, but they still need mulch around them since they are just not filling in fast enough. Now my old fasioned ditch lilies have filled in tremendously, although they do get really tall. Lilies do need cut back at some point. Perriwinkle is a good groundcover too. My parents had that everywhere when I was a kid. It does not climb and can grow just about anywhere. If you ever need to rake dead leaves out of it, its very tolerant to abuse and doesn't get tangled in your rake the way ivies do, and you end up pulling out as much ivy as you do fallen leaves! Research ground covers, there are so many varieties, some evergreen shrub types and some are herbs, like thyme or lambs ear. I'm sure that you'll fine something to suit your situation.

Just jumped on the computer for a quick moment and haven't read all of the responses in great detail. So, please forgive me if my response is repetitive to those posted above. If it were my daughter (or my own hair), I would definitely call the salon owner and request a full refund plus the cost of repairing the situation. I wouldn't go back to the colorist who damaged your DD's hair. Apparently, she isn't competent, or she, for some crazy reason, allowed your DD's color to over process. No excuse given would satisfy me at this juncture. The only way to fix the "stripes" would be to foil in a reverse color (the natural color) of your DD hair. Also, I would ask the colorist to include differing shades of your DD's natural color - multi colors used to get a more natural and not a "stripe" effect. When I have my color done, I use 2 highlight colors, a mid light and a low light at every color appt. It is doable, don't let anyone tell you that they can't use more than one or two colors, because they can ~ it's done by many women to achieve a more natural highlight affect. Unfortunately, I have no idea how damaged your DD's hair is at this point due to over processing. The reverse color would be a way to "fix" the problem, but it really depends on how badly damaged your DD's hair is at this point. and that's where an objective opinion comes in. An objective opinion cannot be obtained by the colorist who damaged your DD's hair, at least not in my mind. If the hair isn't damaged to the point where reverse color would cause further damage, that's the best option. IMO, the first thing I would do regardless of what is done to correct the color, would be to purchase upon the recommendation of the salon, conditioning shampoo, conditioner for every wash, as well as a conditioner that your DD could apply to wet hair before bed and sleep with it on her hair and just rinse out in the a.m. Any good/reputable product line for a reparative shampoo & conditioner, ex: Redken Extreme Conditioning, or Clear Moisture or similar product for your DD to use when washing her now in an effort to prevent further damage or breakage. Also, if possible, don't shampoo every day. The last thing overprocessed hair needs is to be washed too often. This is going to be costly, but at this point, you're not going to get the quality you need from a grocery or big box store IMHO. Also, any hot irons or the like would be off limits so as to not further damage DD's hair. In a perfect world, not using a blow dryer would be a good idea. Every little thing in the heat department that you can eliminate in that regard will help repair and prevent more damage. Any chance of cutting your DD's hair shorter? Just throwing it out there. That's what I would do to start to cut off as much of the damaged hair. Also, very frequent hair cuts until this situation is really under control. It may take months for all of this damage to be cut out. I know personally how hard that would be for her if her hair is at a length she is happy with. However, cutting it would really make a difference in the appearance. If your DD's hair is long, I imagine that it is too damaged to do much else. Hair, at least my hair, grows very quickly, so if it were cut, at least it would be taking a step forward toward returning to healthy looking hair. Many years ago, I had a perm that was over processed. My hair lierally looked like a brillo pad, and I wanted to stay in bed until the whole thing resolved (obviously not an option at that time). I slept with Intense Climatress conditioner on my head every night for months. I have no idea if that product is still available, but if it is, it really does work in a damaged hair situation. Used it every night covered by a shower cap to protect my pillow, as well as help keep my hair damp with the conditioner. In the a.m., I just rinsed, only used shampoo every few days. This outcome is not acceptable in this day and age. There are so many great products formulated to avoid this very situation. Hair color products have come a long way since I started highlighting my own hair. Also, great colorists with alot of experience, and who continually attend the workshops given by product companies, etc.. Perhaps you have a friend or collegue whose colored hair you like? Just thinking perhaps a recommendation of another salon by someone with great color would be the best direction to go for an honest evaluation of what your DD's hair would tolerate WITHOUT further damage. Geez, this is such a darn shame for your poor DD. As if going to school with female peers isn't already difficult enough. I may be alone on this, but when my hair isn't looking okay to good, it definitely affects how I feel about my appearance. When I had the bad AND LAST perm, I was working full time, but felt like carp when I looked in the mirror before going out in public. I hope that you're able to find a great colorist to guide you & your DD going forward with this.

I understand your pain. Yesterday, I got my hair cut and the stylist gave me a lovely blow dry, finishing it with hair spray. My next stop was at an unenclosed shopping center. Normally, I park at one end and walk to the other and back, checking in at B&N, Pier 1, Home Goods and Staples. It was sprinkling, but I didn't want to hassle with an umbrella. Unfortunately, when I exited Staples, it was pouring buckets. By the time I reached the car, I was soaked to the skin. I couldn't even get a comb or a brush through my sopping wet hair because the hair spray was acting like concrete. I needed to go to the grocery store, but I gave up and went home because I looked and felt like a drowned rat. We ate cereal for dinner. LOL!

Seeing your chooks makes me want to get a couple of them, nothing nicer than a hen scruffling and talking as she goes. Grandkids have changed towns now and Henry has planted the chook yard with veges, so I guess I had better resist the urge. Your plants are great and wasn't the rain wonderful, better than all the hand watering . Marion