I have wild red currant, Rovada domestic red currant, Magnus black currant, red gooseberry, no name, yellow sweet gooseberry, no name, and Josta, tiny cuttings only as they are first year bushes. I suspect they have not had their chilling requirements yet, so cuttings or small bushes would probably be better in early spring. Where did your sweet chestnuts come from? I am looking for a seed source I don't have to shuffle the genetics a bit. Jocelyn

I agree that the native versus nonnative species discussion cannot just be black and white. And a major part of the discussion is just what constitutes a native plant. Here in North America with its vast array of geography and climate types, you cannot necessarily assume that a plant that is native to one area/region will automatically be suitable and equally as attractive when used as a native species outside of its common range. There is a huge difference in hardiness and overall suitability between say a New England native, a Texas native, a midwest plains native or a PNW native. As well as the types of wildlife or other fauna they might attract. I can only speak from my PNW viewpoint but there are a limited number of local native plants that are well suited to a cultivated garden or landscape. Few are very garden worthy in that they have rampant or unruly growth habits, grow excessively large for many situations, prefer forested or heavily shaded, moist environments or just react negatively to a cultivated setting. And native plants from other parts of NA are often not very happy in the peculiarities of the PNW climate and growing conditions. I would never consider this to be an either/or situation. Native plants DO provided garden benefit as they are typically well suited to the local climate and growing conditions. But when used outside of their natural range, they may lose those benefits. As well as not servicing the different wildlife present as they would within their range. But non-native exotics can also attract pollinators, support all manner of insect life, both good and bad, and therefore the birds that feed off of them. Some sort of blended balance between the two is what we should strive for.

but if it rings your bell.. dont let my opinion bother you ...to be changed every few years ... when you could do some root pruning ... i had a WH once ... when i moved i potted 1625 plants to take with me .... but i left the witch hazel because it was one of the least inspiring plants i had for the 5o weeks a year it wasnt blooming ... and who in the heck wanted to walk out in a MI winter .. to look at the minimalist flower show ... lol ... but if it rings yoru bell.. dont let my opinion bother you ... now.. all that said ... you might be better off buying a smaller plant ... perhaps mail order ... and growing it on to size.. rather than buying a bigger potbound plant.. that might not be ready to stay in that pot forever ... you dont mention how big the ones you are seeing are ... were they field grown and dug and potted ... etc ... there might be ... and there usually are.. many problems with large trees or shrubs in pot ... that are usually fixed when planted in other earth ... winding circling roots the usual suspect ... but again... if its your dream plant... go for it.. life too short ... ken

I have one called Harvest Moon and it blooms in the fall. https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantcollections/plantfinder/hamamelis_virginiana_harvest_moon--harvest_moon_witch_hazel The deer here have not bothered my witch hazel, but my neighbors also have unbothered dayllies and tulips. I think they find other things to eat (wooded Vermont). My children did however crush it sledding down a hill. :( It's still tiny and I can't find pics but it was very pretty. Cutting it to the ground as it should grow new shoots. If you're looking for early spring color, as someone posted above Spicebush is an easy growing, early bloomer and birds love the fruits. I planted five of them last fall and am looking forward to a small grove of them. They have these planted in Prospect Park in Brooklyn and they are a lovely early burst of fragile spring color. My all time favorite early understory bloomer is serviceberry. It is so hard to find the straight species canadensis! Everyone is sold out. I have autumn brilliance but my woods are wet and I **love dots of of the fragile white puffs of shadblow--the essence of spring woodlands imo.