Well, the nursery is right on all counts....but we wouldn't be able to plant anything if we avoided every plant with known problems. If I were running a garden center, I would 'probably' sell those plants, but I would try very hard to educate the customer. If you were to take a drive around my neighborhood, you might change your mind about the Bradfords. Many of the properties have well established pears that were obviously planted several years ago, maybe as much as 7 or 8 (or more). Most of them have begun the breaking apart process; and finding huge piles of Bradford Pear debris along the curb is routine. Unfortunately, people plant these trees as a focal point in the front yard, making them an eyesore and even a danger when the splitting begins. But, all of the plants you mentioned should be readily found at any of the big box stores or garden center outlets.

In 3-4 inches of soil about the only thing you could conceivably grow might be groundcover sedums. Maybe. Deer do eat sedums, but generally don't bother with the groundcover types. You can't possibly be growing cherry, or any other kind of, trees in 3-4 inches of soil. And with deer, cherries are asking for trouble. Highly deer and drought resistant perennials include yarrows (Achillea sps. and cvs.), Russian Sage (Perovskia), Belamcanda and Pardancanda, lamb's ears (Stachys), Penstemons, Agastaches. Give some of those a try if you have more soil than 3-4 inches.

Dane: Depends on which annual Salvia you are looking at. If it is some of the S. splendens you should be able to get plants up and blooming with your rain fall amounts in no time. Direct sow when soil temperature is at 65 (seeds will germinate at 70 degrees). I would use a ferilizer with a high middle number. Start using fertilizer at half the recommended amount after the first set of true leaves are out and you see the second pair coming up. If using Miracle Grow make sure plants are watered really well so you don't burn them. You can also work some bone meal in the soil before planting seed. I use organic fertilizers but they are not available every where in the US. I would also work compost in the soil especially sandy soil. If your in clay soils I would do a raised bed so it perculates well. You can also grow S. coccinea "Cherry Blossums" or Lady in Red. Option 2 is go to your local nursery and purchase the same plants so you have a head start on the growing season.If they are not available there try A world of Salvias Rich has several varieties to choose from.If seed is the way to go for you try Thompson & Morgan seeds. Have fun! Art

I just remembered back in the 80's I use to wear Estee Lauder's Youth Dew, Giorgio, Opium and Obsession. Later I switched to Magie Noire, Casesars Woman and Cinnabar. I think the reason I stopped wearing perfumes because I burned out my sinuses with such heavy fragances. LOL I hated Poison because my MIL bathed in it. The guest room would reek for weeks afterwards. Maybe that is another reason I started hating strong perfumes. I wonder? I loved Estee Lauder's White Linen but it stunk on me. I haven't bought or wore a new fragrance in over 8 or 9 years. Clare