When one is confronted with a decision about a decidedly invasive plant, one should consider the much bigger picture...and not make a decision based on emotional values. I'm glad that debrah is able to mow her seedlings but what about the many millions of seeds from her tree that escape to who knows where, carried far and wide by birds and other wild life? THAT'S the bigger picture. I'd urge anyone who loves these plants to spend a day doing recovery and reclamation work in one of our beautiful State or National forests. Volunteer days are advertised in the local papers or posted at your local extension office. Invasive plant species costs Alabamians millions of dollars. Here is a link that might be useful: Here's a great fact sheet!

Gardengal you took the words out of my mouth, I totally agree with every point you made. I've studied the songbird issue extensively because I would never grow a plant that would be a major contributor to songbird deaths. I also deliberately avoid growing any invasive plants, repurpose/reuse/recycle, eat sustainably, and manage a native garden at our local elementary school. Just so it's clear to certain people that I am not mocking environmentalists, but rather calling out extremists. Cecily now you're backpedaling and focusing about the songbird issue rather than the invasivness issue, which is the issue that is subject of this post. If that's your reason for objecting to nandina, then just say it. I still stand by the facts that the seedlings are not overly high in quanity in Virginia compared to other clearly invasive plants. This is also true out in rural Warrenton where I also spend time gardening. Clearly the seedlings annoy you, so by all means pull them out and maybe figure out how they're getting onto your property so you can deal with the source. I watch my nandinas like a hawk each year for berry consumption by birds and I never lose any berries, they continue on into the next spring and I cut them off when they start looking ratty. Same is true on my brother's property in rural Warrenton. And he has the same experience of me, a few seedlings directly under the plants, and berries that persist into the spring. So it's not an urban / rural issue. Whether a plant in the invasive species list is still sold in the state is irrelevant to whether the list is accurate and valid. Of course commercial sellers are going to keep selling bad plants, that's what they do, human nature. So I'm kind of done with this too because when someone is either not listening, is not comprehending, too biased to openmindedly consider what other people are saying, or actively trying to start and maintain a fight, I walk away. Have a nice Defensive Saturday!

Hello fellow Somerville gardener! I too have noticed the mimosa trees along the road. I think they are self seeding. I grew up about 60 miles north of Somerville. Can't grow mimosas there. I love them. they remind me of my home when i was very little (before we moved) in Floral Park, LI, so I was thrilled when I saw them along Rt 78. I think there is a large one to the north of an overpass near in toward Newark. I used to commute to Jersey City and said a quick mental hello to the tree as I passed on the way home in the summer. I think these trees would have place of honor in my Dr. Seuss garden if I ever get around to making one. The blossoms smell lovely, look lovely and feel lovely stroked against a cheek. Sorry to see they are a weed tree and also prone to disease.

I once grew a cutting of Norfolk Island Pine - a tree that can be used as an indoor plant in cold climates. The piece I used for rooting was horizontal, and the plant that eventuated from it continued in this same growth habit. I gave it to a friend, and over the years that he had it in his well-lit kitchen, it continued on its sideways journey. Regarding wild callery pear, I presume this is Pyrus calleryana. We have them growing in a street down the road and my boss and I used to collect the seed from them years ago. They were used for planting as root stock for Pyrus ussuriensis to be budded onto. You might like to collect some of the berries when they go brown and squashy. The seeds germinate easily. Then you can choose your favourite-shaped one.