im sorry, i dont have the details anymore, they are lost in history that is my mind. but the most interesting story that i remember is this white moth orchid of maybe australian decent. this had a spur of 12+ inches yet no insect was found to have that long of a tounge. Darwin said, keep looking!! years after his death, sure enough. a (night?) moth with a 14" inch tounge was found. reinforces the evolutionary theory of 1 - 1 evolution quite well. Olbrich botanical gardens in Madison WI had that orchid and that was the second time i heard the story, first time being in botany school. certainly someone here can give the name and maybe even a link? froggy

I don't know what happened to the forbs. A couple years ago there were entire areas that are now bare that were planted in native forbs. I plan to go back and shoot some more photos in fall, preferably late afternoon when it really catches the light. It is stunning. I think its nicer and much more interesting than the typical ornamental varieties I see planted so often everywhere around here. They look so contrived (boring) by comparison, but that is just my own preference. I am leaning toward going exclusively native with the grasses and have already started giving away the imported "garden" grasses I bought last year.

Martha, thanks again for the reply. I have included all the shrubs you used in the garden you did and have particularly liked the ninebark and clethra. I may have put some of my elderberry where it can become a bit invasive....think I may move it to a better spot for it to expand. Iteas, amelanchiers, Cimicifuga racemosas, inkberrys and an oakleaf hydrangea have also done well, as have a red-osier dogwood, but I've read that they can begin to take over also. My winterberry has been very slow to get established. I bought bareroot plants from the state of NH plant site...great prices but obviously very young plants. Several other selections from there (NH) have given mixed results: I have nicely established swamp rose in a wet area...Virginia rose in another. Other dogwoods. grey, alternate-leafed, silky, and Bayberry as well as the elderberry have done well. My experience with native viburnums is also mixed, but I may have some where there is not enough light. Transplanting to a sunnier location might help. It's hard to imagine a garden with NO FLOWERS. Do you have native favorites in your cottage garden? I've not shopped at Plants Unlimited, but have loved Surrey Garden...and Moose Crossing is a treat. We were sorry to lose Anderson here in Wiscasset. I've found a number of plants I've been looking for at Conleys in Boothbay, and their fall sales are very good!

Barb, I am not (yet) a seed collector but I am a native plant grower. My garden began four years ago and so is still a fledgling garden. I am not specific to my growing area, which is Burlington, Ontario, but I am specific to Eastern NA. I am always seraching for native plants at the nurseries and try to purchase the species whenever possible. I would be interested in the seed exchange.