Here are links to the vines I'm looking for: http://www.nafralevi.de/passiflora/passifloralle/alata/gr/gr_Passiflora_alata_1.jpg http://www.ranger146.com/N_Leighton_Drive/pics/Passiflora_incarnata.jpg http://www.sunshine-seeds.com/passiflora/foto/Pass_Amet.jpg I don't have a pond but thank you. Thanks, Shannon

Both are beautiful trees, of course. Jacaranda is the more beautiful in bloom. Poinciana leaflets are smaller. Jacaranda leaf has an end leaflet which is larger than the other leaflets - a telltale difference. I found the following from "Some beautiful Indian Trees" by B.Blatter and W.S. Millard, 1937 Jacaranda leaves: Leaves are alternate or almost opposite, each with 9 to 16 pairs of pinnae, each pinnae having 14 to 24 pairs of leaflets; leaflets oblong-rhomboid, 1/5 to 1/3 in long, the end one larger. Poinciana (aka Gul Mohur) leaves: The leaves may attain a length of 2 ft. The leaf is composed of from 11 to 18 pinnae or minor leaves arranged in pairs along the mid-rib. The pinnae bear from 20 to 30 pairs of small oblong leaflets, each measuring 1/3 to 2/5 by 1/10 to 1/6 in. See if the following picture helps you at all: http://www.medamana.org/public/kerala/flora1/51.html Slide 82 in the same slideshow has a picture of a Poinciana tree, but not a closeup. John

Gardengal you took the words out of my mouth, I totally agree with every point you made. I've studied the songbird issue extensively because I would never grow a plant that would be a major contributor to songbird deaths. I also deliberately avoid growing any invasive plants, repurpose/reuse/recycle, eat sustainably, and manage a native garden at our local elementary school. Just so it's clear to certain people that I am not mocking environmentalists, but rather calling out extremists. Cecily now you're backpedaling and focusing about the songbird issue rather than the invasivness issue, which is the issue that is subject of this post. If that's your reason for objecting to nandina, then just say it. I still stand by the facts that the seedlings are not overly high in quanity in Virginia compared to other clearly invasive plants. This is also true out in rural Warrenton where I also spend time gardening. Clearly the seedlings annoy you, so by all means pull them out and maybe figure out how they're getting onto your property so you can deal with the source. I watch my nandinas like a hawk each year for berry consumption by birds and I never lose any berries, they continue on into the next spring and I cut them off when they start looking ratty. Same is true on my brother's property in rural Warrenton. And he has the same experience of me, a few seedlings directly under the plants, and berries that persist into the spring. So it's not an urban / rural issue. Whether a plant in the invasive species list is still sold in the state is irrelevant to whether the list is accurate and valid. Of course commercial sellers are going to keep selling bad plants, that's what they do, human nature. So I'm kind of done with this too because when someone is either not listening, is not comprehending, too biased to openmindedly consider what other people are saying, or actively trying to start and maintain a fight, I walk away. Have a nice Defensive Saturday!

HI lea, sadly there are not many trees that only grow to 3mts, let alone quick growing and deciduous are you after a Native or a Ornamental? perhaps a tall shrub would suit better have you thought about Hibiscus they grow reasonably fast and lose their leaves in the cooler months in less than three years mine have grown past that size but you have to keep them pruned to get that bushy look. What about a Fowering Peach, Plum, Cheery or a Manchurian Pear, Crabapple, or one of the smaller Magnolia trees. Have a look around your area and see what is growing or get on to the local council they may be able to help or the Garden Centres in your area. Cheers MM.