Both common and glossy buckthorn are absolutely, without a doubt, DESTROYING vast wooded areas up here. Shade tolerant and very prolific, they easily move into wooded areas and set up shop. Once established they prevent EVERYTHING else from growing there. No more spring wildflowers, no more tree seedlings. Even maples, which are as a group very shade tolerant themselves, will not regenerate under the buckthorns. If you don't think something like this is a problem, it is because you lack the awareness of, and appreciation for, what was there before. Every exotic species is not invasive. I intend to plant some Norway spruce, for example, on land I plan to buy. Norway spruce can reproduce in this area, but will never become a problem plant. This discussion absolutely calls for a nuanced approach. Banning the use of ALL non-native species would be hugely ill-advised. But taking the view that any plant that can grow in a given locale should therefor be allowed to do so is just plain ignorant. The buckthorn invasion up here has been described as a slow-motion catastrophe, by people that can see and understand what's happening. Again, I think that people that don't see these invaders as problems have little understanding of the havoc they are causing. +oM

That is a great spot for a good focal point. While I am really fond of the Acoma Crepe Myrtle (It has a growth pattern that gives it almost an oriental look), I would consider an Anacacho Orchid. It is a very hardy, care-free native that blooms twice per year, spring and fall. The tree itself is beautiful, and the blooms smell great. Next to the door, that would be a great benefit. I think it looks best as a small tree and will grow to about 10 feet or so. It is not very commonly used, so it would be a great conversation piece, as well. If you are set on a shrub, try Grecian Pattern Plant, if you can get it. It stands out well on its own as a shrub for a focal point. The foliage is beautiful, and it has a whitish spike bloom that is just stunning. If you use this one, keep an eye on it in the summer heat to make sure it isn't getting scorched. Treating occasionally with Liquid Seaweed can help. Another option would be to use Agave. Again, they are great at standing out in a bed, and they are very low maintenance. With your existing landscape I would recommend one of the smaller varieties, but the Blue Agave would look great, so long as you don't mind it having it removed and replaced with a younger specimen every five or six years. I would recommend staying away from any of the hedge-type shrubs, as they will tend to either blend in with the existing hedge or look like they were planted mistakenly. On the subject of crepe myrtles, I definitely recommend pruning them, so long as you are pruning selectively from the bottom up, and not 'topping' or pruning from the top down. While it is fine to prune off the old seed heads at the end of the season, hacking the tops off can open them up to problems in the future. If you start with a variety that only gets to the height that you want, you should never have to top them. Happy Planting! Jeff Rodgers Blue Collar Gardeners Here is a link that might be useful: Blue Collar Gardeners Podcast

Thanks, Toronado. I may or may not. I haven't decided. I really wanted a Crape Myrtle tree but that's apparently not going to happen. I've already prepared the areas around the house for the plants and Shrubs I've ordered. There really isn't anywhere I could put a Crape Myrtle shrub. I do have one spot appx. twelve feet long by six feet wide that is currently occupied by what looks to me to be a Weeping White Mulberry tree. Some idiot planted this weeping tree three feet from the garage foundation and two feet away from a sidewalk. The tree roots cracked and heaved the sidewalk last year but haven't yet affected the garage foundation. The top of the tree is brushing against the roof, which is nine feet above ground level. I'm going to remove the sidewalk, the small concrete patio and the weeping tree next year. I'm going to have a friend bring his trackhoe onto the property and dig down deep enough with the bucket to remove the weeping tree with the hopes of saving it and replanting it elsewhere. I'm fairly certain that he can remove it in such a manner that the majority of the root structure will remain intact. You can see the weeping tree in the photo included with this post. This is the south side of the house. All the other shrubs and trees you see in the photo were removed last year and the beds are bare. This photo was taken in the late afternoon and as you can see that particular area, the east side of the garage, does not get afternoon sun. It gets about four hours of morning sun. For this reason I don't think Crape Myrtles would do very well there as they wouldn't get enough sun. It's my understanding that Crape Myrtle shrubbery also needs to be planted farther away from structures. I suppose for this area I'll have to plant some shade loving shrubbery. I would want shrubbery that either flowers, has berries or has colorful leaves, leaves that either do or do not change with the seasons. Although I know that it would probably make a landscape architect cringe, I don't particularly care for needle leaf shrubbery, for contrast reasons or otherwise, although I have some on the north side of the house that will remain. The area you see that is still getting afternoon sun is where the Azaleas will be planted. This bed for the Azaleas doesn't get full sun all day, as you may think by looking at the photo. As the sun tracks over the house this area gets about six hours of morning/early afternoon sunlight and about four hours of sunlight that is broken up by some fairly large Oak trees on my property and the property of the neighbor to the east of me, trees that you can't see in this photo. I suppose this is called dappled sunlight. I would appreciate any suggestions for what would do well in this afternoon shaded area, the area from the weeping tree to the garage man door. I have no intention of building a deck in the future so that doesn't enter into the equation. As I mentioned, the small concrete patio will be removed.

Crape myrtles are fairly easy plant to grow. I have one outside somewhat protected and it is dormant now. I think zone 8 would have been safe to grow outside. They need some winter dormancy and that is difficult to provide indoors. A cold unheated garage/shed will work. Look here for a fun article: https://adamaskwhy.com/2013/05/30/crepe-myrtle-bonsai-can-you-grow-one/ Ficus benjamina, retusa etc are the easiest plants to practice. They need to be indoors in winter. For outdoor plants a trident maple is a lot of fun. Chinese elms are easy too and they can be indoor or outdoor in winter. I say start with several, if you can. It can be loads of fun.