decogrl: The time to ID fruits is when they fruit, not when they first leaf out in spring. You can easily distinguish between apples and cherries/plums from the leaves and bark, but what's the rush? Do some pruning for shape and sun penetration, the watch the fruits begin to form. Thin the apples to one per cluster. Then watch them as they begin to ripen out. Of the photos you list, #1 is an apple, #2 is a plum, #3 looks like a plum leaf of some type, and #4 won't come up. Someone will probably be able to ID the fruits for you when they are close to mature if they are commonly planted in your area. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

Hi, I hope someone can help me. I found a couple of Baltimore Checkerspot caterpillars on a plant that is not a chelone. Later I found a smaller caterpillar on a different plant. I will post a picture later. I posted over on Native Plants forum. I'll link to that post with the photos so that I don't have to do the whole thing over again. Thank you in advance! http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/natives/msg0515523528206.html Here is a link that might be useful: Post about Balt Checkerspot cat host plant

When will you be going? Remember there's going to be some stuff for the inauguration (likely not quite as much as for Obama's first term, but still a parade to watch, perhaps a few special presidential-related museum exhibits and of course all those state balls!) The Spy Museum might be an additional option. I find the Inner Harbor to be a tourist trap -- too many chain restaurants. But going to Sabatino's in Little Italy there would be on my list, and maybe some Baltimore folks could suggest some "neighborhood" shopping areas? (Old Town Alexandria, closer to where I live, is also a nice place to spend a day, and you can hop on the Metro from D.C.) Your Pennsylvania options sound good (as long as the drive isn't a concern, because I'm thinking that without a stayover, the walking and then the driving can be fatiguing). If you really want to go to N.Y., I'd think about taking Amtrak and staying over in the city. I wouldn't want to be parking in the city ($$). And just to throw this out there -- there's a new casino in Maryland (at Anne Arundel Mills outlet mall), so if you two are into that ... (I'm not, so I haven't been. But Bobby Flay has a restaurant on the grounds that I might want to check out one day!)

Here is a link: http://www.bluewaterbaltimore.org/blog/2015nativeplantlectureseries/ I am not affiliated with Blue Water Baltimore, I am just excited about these lectures/talks. Thought some of you might enjoy learning about a Baltimore native plant lecture series! Each two-hour session costs just $10 and will include lots of great tips from the staff of Blue Water Baltimore and Herring Run Nursery, plus plenty of time for your questions. All the lectures will happen at the offices of Blue Water Baltimore (3545 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21213). � Native Plants In the Modern Landscape � Native Plants: Planning & Design � Native Plants: Gardening in the Age of Man � Native Plants: Gardening for Pollinators � Native Plants: Gardening for Birds � Native Plants: Gardening for Butterflies Advance registration is required. This post was edited by amanda_m on Thu, Jan 8, 15 at 13:34