I would like to touch a bit on the origami master's observatgion re creeping into zone 6. I have observed the same thing and have seen trees in my neighborhood normally grown in lower zones but are okay here but in a protected area. However I think that because our weather patterns has been terribly unpredictable lately, it would be best err to keep within the official zones. I've never had to burlap my corkscrew hazel. However I did plant it in a corner of my fence and so it's well protected from fierce cold winds and the severity of winter. I had it in my front yard for about 2 years but I observed that my particular kind of corkscrew (comes up purple at first and then green) started to burn from the south sun which surprised me. I didn't think of this plant as a semi shade plant but eventually I did transfer it to it's present location. There it thrived so much it brought up new 'trunks' and multiple branches. I've had to prune it several times over to keep it in check. Ianna

designsaavy...no problem about the hijack...it's still about the Corian. I purchased my counters from Home Depot. There was a local fabricator I really wanted to use but HD had a sale that was too good to turn down. As luck would have it, HD contracted their fabricating and installs to that same fabricator so I got the best of both worlds. When I purchased mine, I took the layout, with exact measurements to Home Depot and you purchase the approximate square footage based on your layout. If that number ends up being a little more or less, they adjust before installation. Ours was pretty much dead on. Also, we actually purchased/contracted for our counters several months before they were installed. It was no problem at all...the fabricator just said call when you're ready for templating.

Regarding the cardboard for weed control, you can also use several layers (8 to 10) of newspaper instead. Just be sure to use the newsprint only, not the glossy ads. I actually prefer newspaper over cardboard as you can make holes and plant through it. Cardboard takes MUCH longer to decompose. To prepare a grassy area for gardening, just cut the grass very short then lay down the 8 to 10 layers of newspapers (hose it down so it doesn't blow away) then cover with mulch. If you do this in the fall, it will be wormy and ready by spring for planting. It sure saves digging and sore backs :-) You will be amazed at how much newspaper it will use up. Win-win

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.