You are very fortunate to have one of the best rhododendron nurseries in the country near you. It is www.rarefindnursery.com. They carry native rhododendrons including ones that are azaleas. They list of native North American Native Rhododendrons includes: Rhododendron Species   Common Name        Classification            Suitability R. alabamense       Alabama Azalea      deciduous azalea            yes R. albiflorum       Cascade azalea      deciduous elepidote rhod.   NO R. arborescens      Sweet Azalea        deciduous azalea            yes R. atlanticum       Coastal Azalea      deciduous azalea            yes R. austrinum        Florida Azalea      deciduous azalea            yes R. calendulaceum    Flame Azalea        deciduous azalea            yes R. camtschaticum    Therorhodion        deciduous elepidote rhod.   no R. canadense        Rhodora Azalea      deciduous azalea            difficult R. canescens        Piedmont Azalea     deciduous azalea            yes R. catawbiense      Mountain Rosebay    elepidote rhododendron      yes R. cumberlandense   Cumberland Azalea   deciduous azalea            yes R. eastmanii        May White Azakea    deciduous azalea            no R. flammeum         Oconee Azalea       deciduous azalea            no R. groenlandicum    Labrador Tea,       lepidote rhododendron       no R. lapponicum       Lapland Rosebay     lepidote rhododendron       no R. macrophyllum     Pacific rhod.       elepidote rhododendron      no R. maximum          Great Laurel        elepidote rhododendron      yes

You may have to set up some sort of watering system, either a soaker hose or drip waterer, or plant in pots that will keep the water where you want it - with the ornamental plants, not the treee roots. What kind of trees are they - some trees are better than others abouit sharing their space with ornamental plantings? In any case, you can improve matters greatly, whatever you do, if you mulch at a rate of at least 4 inches - no more than 6, and maybe only 5 - around the trees and the plantings. If you do have grass growing under the trees, then there's hope for growing other things, but if no grass, then only the toughest things, or the pots, would be possible, as the tree roots will take up every drop of available moisture. Mulching will help keep whatever moisture there is, in the soil, but if you pile it too deep, you encourage the tree roots to grow up and into it, NOT what you want!! You can try such natives, and their cultivars, as Virginia spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana and hybrids), green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virginianim var. australe), downy skullcap (Scutellaria incana), thimbleweed (Anemone virginia), Texas bluestar (Amsonia ciliata), butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa), downy phlox (Phlox pilosa), threadleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata), brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba), aromatic aster (Aster oblongifolia), wild ageratum (Eupatorium coelestinum - be warned, it spreads rampantly in good garden conditions), false dragonhead (Physostegia virginiana), various goldenrods (Solidago spp.). These, with initial watering for the first few months to get them established, evolved to grow under dry woodland conditions, so should be able to adapt to your yard. Some might want sandier soil, but you could amend the planting area for them, if you wanted to go to the effort. The small shrubs you could plant include American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), fothergilla (Fothergill major), yucca, (Yucca aloifolia), Georgia basil (Calamintha georgiana), golden St. John's wort (Hypericum frondosum), or maple leaf viburnum (Viburnum acerofolium). Again, all of these are native, woodland growers, who can tolerate dryness. All flower, and some have fall color or berries. Good luck.

Hello-this message is for leaveswave and others-Landscape Alternatives has indeed moved (yesterday, July 30th, was their first day at their new site). They had a wonderful moving sale-nearly everything half off. Guess what? The sale continues to their new site (grand opening sale?). All 6 packs are half off, cultivated plants are more than 1/2 off, and everything is new, fresh, very healthy and they want a new home! Here's a map of their new site: http://www.landscapealternatives.com/newmap.html It's in a very pretty area of the St. Croix Valley, and there are apple orchards, state parks and other artsy stuff to hopefully encourage folks to come. Their grand opening sale is only for a couple of weeks...for those who love native plants, it might be worth it to take a trip up there! ( : ~Melissa Here is a link that might be useful: Landscape Alternatives' main website

The best thing about Minnesota is the reputed cold winters. It helps keep the riff-raff out! Though the common joke is "2 seasons, winter and road construction" the two best seasons are often overlooked. The beauty of spring and fall can be breathtaking. (Check out Joanmn's pic that was chosen for a billboard. It's in another thread.) Where else would people build an ? Weather is a big topic of conversation because it has an impact on so much of the lifestyle of the state. Not just for recreation but also for agriculture and other occupations. Outdoor or indoor recreation, there's variety. Overall consistently one of the highest rated for public education and after talking to people from different parts of the country, I see that's quite true. Quality of life is subjective, but overall the health of Minnesotans is up there too. The Mayo, mentioned before has treated presidents and worldwide royalty. When people have serious illnesses, the Mayo is the top of the lists for places to go most of the time. The Mall of America is the largest in the US, the Edmonton mall is the largest in the world, both malls built by the same guys. Skiing, golfing, fishing, hunting, crafts, cooking, eating, naps and many other hobbies are among Minnesota favorites. January is the coldest month with an average high of 22° and July is the hottest with an average high of 83°. The highest recorded temperature was 108°F in July of 1936. The lowest recorded temperature was -41°F in January of 1888. Many vehicles around here are equipped with heaters and air conditioners so it's not quite like Little House on the Prairie with the horse and wagon in the blizzard. I haven't even taken out my winter coat yet. I use a quilted flannel shirt. It hasn't gotten cold here yet. It might though. There's lots of webcams to have a look at the metro area, traffic cams, there's even loon cams fish cams and more. Because we have so many lakes and woods and more, we tend to have a few mosquitoes. The major metro areas treat for them so they're not as big a problem as many think. Lakes and air are very clean. Canadians sneak across the border to partake in our reasonable prices. But we're likable and forgiving people - we don't kick them "oot", eh? I think they like the big bobber water tower. Most of our houses don't have wheels on them and most have basements under them. I'll never forget when my Texican cousin first visited, she couldn't get over the basement and spent most of her time down there! Soon you'll receive your Lutefisk lessons and venture out to go to the fishhouse parade in Aitkin or watch the ships come and go in Duluth/Superior. Want to see an open pit iron ore mine? Take a quick video tour. We'll be glad to share some hotdish recipes too. Then it's of to greet Paul, Babe, Herman the German, the big Otter the largest prairie chicken and the big ball of twine. Go watch "Old Gluepot" run the Ken-L-Ration Derby at Canterbuy Downs. Pick a pony there. Entertaining. BTW, Walleye is good, no doubt... but you ain't et fish 'till you et fresh caught Sunfish. Fry them with the skin on - there's a fat under the skin that's indescribably delicious. Ah yes, Minnesota, where the winters are cold and the women are colder, the men are tough enough to fry bacon without a shirt on and all the mosquitoes are bigger than average. Here is a link that might be useful: Lots of links to check out