I listed the plants above because they are the plants which I have been on an all-out mission for 7 years to eradicate in my yard (add kudzu, bostin/english ivy and privet to that list as well). These plants are so incredibly invasive that I can't even find them in my neighborhood in some cases, and they still creep up everywhere in my yard. With regards to Wisteria, the non-native one is in the top 3 most invasive vines in north America. By planting the non-native version of Wisteria, you are helping to kill, maim and dwarf trees and tree canopies all over the state. I had a former neighbor plant one vine about 15 years ago, and I've been trying to kill it for 7 years now, including digging out the roots entirely (as big around as my leg!!) and hitting it with Roundup 3-4 times per year. To give you an idea of how bad the non-native Wisteria is, I have a tree branch in my backyard that is about 6" in diameter, and shaped like a corkscrew. Seriously, a corkscrew. A small section of wisteria grew up onto it when it was only an inch or two thick, and squeeze it like a python, forcing it into a big long spiral. That is how powerful this vine is. It will turn a giant hardwood tree into a big spiral. It will get to the point where it weighs so much it will pull a tree down, break it in half, tip it over to rip up by the roots. English and Boston ivy are equally bad, they climb the bark of the tree and hold water to the bark, killing the bark, thus killing the tree. Go drive through old rich neighborhoods around Buckhead. You'll see trees all over with ivy climbing up them. They fall down all the time, dead because of it, and the owners don't have a clue. The yellow/white flowering honeysuckle bush and vine are invasive. They seed everywhere. I really love the smell of them, like Mahonia and Nandina, volunteers sprout up everywhere, and once you have one establish to any degree, even if you get rid of it, you'll be killing sprouts all over for years to come. The seed sprout/volunteer problem is an issue with privet (chinese), wisteria (japanese), mahonia (see above), nandina, honeysuckle (asian bush and japanese vine) and some forms of pear. These are the most common invasives in my area. They are also the most pervasive. Truly, I have been preaching this forever, and I know some others around here like esh feel my pain with regard to non-native invasives, but there are several invasive species lists out there to reference, and in my opinion, it should be law that any plant put in the invasive species list can only be sold after the buyer is given a very truthful description of how invasive a species can be, and a lesson on how hard it is to control invasive species. Nurseries are often so incredibly irresponsible about selling invasive species to folks who just don't know any better. Or, they buy it, plant it, then move away, and leave future owners to deal with it (but they often don't know what they've got, as you are experiencing).

Happy new year everyone! GGG - excellent advice on sticking with native plants. In fact, that would work well for me. One of the reasons I wanted to order heirloom seeds was that I'm kind of tired with the same old store variety veggies. So seeds would give me a variety of things to grow that one normally doesn't see or eat. But your thought on staying with native plants in a sense does the same thing. It gives me a chance to grow and try things I don't normally get to have. I'll still go with some things that I find interesting, but I would like to stick with natives as much as possible. It just makes sense, really. If you happen across your Jerry Hightower notes, I'd be most grateful. Being able to read up on and study native plants now gives me a chance to understand and learn well before I plant. I will follow up on the other references you gave as well. Liliumskygazer, I understand what you're saying in that the author is a bit judgmental at times. Please note though that I am very new to taking gardening seriously. So for me, nearly the entire book has brand new ideas, or old ideas presented in a new light. For me being a newbie and all, I found it one of the best gardening reads in quite some time. That being said, when I find an author who appears closed minded or single minded on certain topics, it's tough look past that to see the rest. But what I got most from the book, and what I respected most about it was that: - The author emphasized looking at gardening spaces as a whole, living, symbiotic system. - It gives several realistic, real world examples of the systems he was discussing; before and after. Too often, I find this lacking in most educational books. - That each eco system has a *tremendous* amount of variety, created using a very specific strategy. It is these concepts that made me rethink everything I had in mind about gardening, for the better. Good news y'all! I moved into my new home over these last few days, AND...!!! And I bought my first rakes, gloves and a shovel. I'm going to get some soil tests done this week some time, and Duane will be by next Saturday to kick off my gardening adventure. I'm going to take lots of "before" pics and post them on a yet uncreated web site so we can all get a good laugh from the newbie gardener. ;) Once again, thank y'all for the help and advice.

lol I have a little room upstairs where I keep all my seed stuff. After I mailed out the last package last year, I just closed the door and did not go back in there to deal with the mess for weeks! Downstairs there are too many cats, and it takes only one to make a complete disaster of a seed box. This year I am going to take photos of the seed sorting and result mess! Mary, I'll update your list right now!

amck, all my friends here "dated" Elery right along with me. I posted pictures of our first meeting at Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, later pictures of him riding my horse the first time I took him to the farm, more pictures of him driving the backhoe and manure spreader at Dad's direction, LOL. I posted more pictures when he bought me the food processor for my birthday, only about a month after we started dating, I nearly sent that back. There was a whole 'nother thread and set of pictures when he proposed to me the third time. We were on the deck of a restored sailing schooner on Grand Traverse Bay when he talked the captain into letting me steer the boat, then got down on one knee and proposed in front of everyone. I was so embarrassed I said yes immediately. I told him I should have said "I hope you can return that ring". He said I should have because then he could have gotten free "sympathy drinks" all night and talked me into it later! My wedding pictures were posted here, we got married outside at a local inn and no one was there except us, my kids and grandkids, my parents and my boss who is also one of my best friends. last fall there were pictures of our "reception", some of the members here attended that too. It's been a forum romance/wedding/marriage all the way through, and you could probably still find some of the threads on the gallery. And yes, he's a great guy and I'm dam*ed lucky to have found him. It only took me 52 years to find a man who truly believes that I am Empress of the Universe. I think I'll keep him. Annie