dkotchey - The Montauk daisy is fully hardy here, so should be fine for you. I have found myself in trouble with several of the plants mentioned by others above due to rampant reseeding. Up until recently I was a classroom teacher, and due to work demands in late August onward along with earlier sunset, rarely was able to deadhead. I would never put in a typical perennial garden Eupatorium, tall phlox, or any of the native asters or goldenrods because as lovely as they are, removing all the volunteers took way too much of my gardening time. However, I do have a field area along the back foundation of my house that gets full sun, and am considering planting these plants there where they can duke it out among themselves while the few times per year the field gets mowed will keep the spreading in check. I guess it's a matter of right plant, right place. A couple of other fall blooming plants (not all perennials since my gardens are mixed) that I love include: - a reblooming candytuft, Iberis sempervirens, called 'Autumn Beauty' - most of these bloom spring only, but this selection blooms spring and fall - Hamamelis virginiana, the common witchhazel, which if you choose the right plant (one that actually drops all its leaves) has lovely clear yellow flowers with thread-like petals as well as yellow autumn leaves and a winter branch structure that I love. It does get large, and is a bit coarse in leaf, so isn't a front and center plant for all seasons, but would make a nice backdrop to a partly to fully shaded perennial bed if you have the room -Cimicifuga AKA Actea which although has been mentioned is worth mentioning again. Decorative foliage all season, especially the maroon ones, with pink to white bottle brush flowers in late summer to fall and nice seedheads which I leave up for winter decoration and to feed the birds - Lady Elsie May rose, which starts blooming in late June and doesn't stop until hard frost and is small and healthy enough to fit well into my perennial bed - Hydrangeas 'Penny Mac' and 'Endless Summer' which work like perennials in my garden - die back to the ground each winter and bloom on new wood each summer - Agastache 'Apache Sunset' which has silvery foliage and pinky-orange flowers that start in late August or early September and bloom until frost. - Autumn blooming crocus and colchicum, which always get attention from garden visitors since blooming bulbs in autumn are unexpected Thanks to all of you who have contributed ideas.

Hey, I work for a small business in northern Michigan that sells native plants and I'm interested in buying seeds if you can collect some. If you can collect any amount of seed I will pay top dollar for them. Contact me at maxbutlerofficial@gmail.com

I sometimes propagate a few E. regnans and may have some next spring or summer. The tree pictured froze dead in December 2009 after reaching almost 70' tall so I can't really recommend it for most normal Northwest gardeners who don't like giant dead trees. I might have a couple pots of variegated Algerian ivy kicking around; I'll have to check. This plant and Podocarpus salignus did not sustain any damage last winter, so that is nice. Here's a preliminary report of how the eucalyptus fared last winter - I'll be producing a more complete report soon. Eucalyptus acaciiformis [Chiltern Seeds] dead to the ground Eucalyptus acaciiformis [Chiltern Seeds] dead Eucalyptus aggregata [Milligan Seeds] small one dead, big one dead to ground, resprouting Eucalyptus aggregata [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus amygdalina [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus apiculata [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus archeri [Burnt Ridge] heavy leaf burn, but no dieback, also major resprouting Eucalyptus archeri [Celyn Vale?] no damage Eucalyptus archeri x nitens [Milligan Seeds] mostly dead, resprouting at 4' Eucalyptus badjensis [Milligan Seeds] both dead Eucalyptus badjensis [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground Eucalyptus baeuerlenii [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus barberi [Wildseed] frozen to ground, resprouted Eucalyptus bicostata [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus bicostata [Milligan Seeds] still dead Eucalyptus bicostata [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus bridgesiana dead Eucalyptus bridgesiana [Frank] dead Eucalyptus brookeriana [Milligans] still dead Eucalyptus brookeriana [Milligans] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus brookeriana [Milligans] top dead, resprouting to about 8' up Eucalyptus camphora [Milligan Seeds] defoliated, but releafing throughout Eucalyptus camphora [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus chapmaniana [Milligan Seeds] defoliated, resprouting from about 1' up Eucalyptus cinerea dead Eucalyptus cinerea [California] dead Eucalyptus coccifera [Celyn Vale] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus coccifera [Celyn Vale] dead Eucalyptus coccifera [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground Eucalyptus cordata [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus cordata [Chiltern Seeds] dead, resprouting from base Eucalyptus cordata [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus crenulata [Milligan Seeds] about 70% burn, trunk severely split, but no real dieback, looks like it will be fine? Eucalyptus crenulata hybrid [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus crenulata x nitens [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus dalrympleana [Burnt Ridge] dead to the ground Eucalyptus dalrympleana [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus dalrympleana [Milligan Seeds] slight tip damage, 20-30% defoliated, resprouting Eucalyptus dalrympleana [Milligan Seeds] slight tip damage, 20-30% defoliated, resprouting Eucalyptus dalrympleana [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus dalrympleana [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus delegatensis [Colvos Creek] 50% burn but branches still alive, ought to make it Eucalyptus delegatensis [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus dendromorpha [Milligan Seeds] still dead Eucalyptus dives [Milligan Seeds] heavy leaf burn, resprouted at 2' Eucalyptus dunnii [Nindethana] really dead Eucalyptus elliptica [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus elliptica x nitens [Milligan Seeds] (little one) dead to ground, resprouting Eucalyptus elliptica x nitens [Milligan Seeds] (huge one) about 70% dieback, some branches alive? Eucalyptus elliptica x pulverulenta [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus fastigiata [Milligan Seeds] 50% leaf burn. impressed that it's even alive Eucalyptus fastigiata [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus glaucescens [Celyn Vale] trunk split, no other damage Eucalyptus glaucescens [Celyn Vale] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus glaucescens [Celyn Vale] no damage Eucalyptus glaucescens [Chiltern Seeds] top dead. Resprouting @ about 8' up Eucalyptus glaucescens? Hybrid [Celyn Vale] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus globulus dead to the ground Eucalyptus goniocalyx? still dead Eucalyptus gregsoniana [Chiltern Seeds] 20% defoliated, trunk split, but ought to be fine Eucalyptus gunnii [no special provenance] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus gunnii [Silverdrop] no damage Eucalyptus gunnii [Silverdrop] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus gunnii var divaricata no damage Eucalyptus hybrid (nicholii x ???) defoliated, resprouting all along trunk to top! Eucalyptus hybrid [parvula x ?] (near gate) dead Eucalyptus johnstonii (hybrid?) [Celyn Vale] 10% leaf burn Eucalyptus johnstonii [Milligans] top dead, resprouting to about 10' up Eucalyptus kartzoffiana [Frank] still dead Eucalyptus kartzoffiana [Frank] still dead Eucalyptus kitsoniana [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus kitsoniana [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus kybeanensis [Celyn Vale] lower lvs/brs dead, but mostly fine Eucalyptus lacrimans [Celyn Vale] died back to trunk, resprouting from 5' up Eucalyptus lacrimans [Celyn Vale] no damage Eucalyptus ligustrina [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus macarthurii [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, has resprouted vigorously Eucalyptus macarthurii [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus mannifera dead Eucalyptus mannifera praecox (E. praecox) [Milligan] about 20% leaf burn Eucalyptus mitchelliana [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus mitchelliana [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus moorei [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground Eucalyptus moorei nana dead, resprouting from base Eucalyptus morrisbyi [Wildseed Tasmania] all dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus neglecta [Milligan Seeds] 10% leaf burn Eucalyptus neglecta [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus nicholii [Celyn Vale] was cut down before winter, did not resprout Eucalyptus nitens (Chilean landrace) [GIT] dead Eucalyptus nitens [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus nitens [Victoria BC] dead Eucalyptus nitens [Victoria BC] dead, resprouting from base Eucalyptus nitida [Celyn Vale?] dead Eucalyptus nova-anglica [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus obliqua [Milligan Seeds] still dead Eucalyptus ovata? Yarraensis? [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus paliformis [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus parvula [Celyn Vale] about 30% burn to lower lvs Eucalyptus parvula [Chiltern Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus parvula x nitens [Celyn Vale] no damage Eucalyptus parvula x pulverulenta [Celyn Vale] no damage Eucalyptus pauciflora [Mt. Buffalo] no damage Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp pauciflora [Milligan Seeds] dead to ground, resprouting Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei [Celyn Vale] no damage Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei [Celyn Vale] no damage Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. debeuzevillei [Milligans] some damage to trunk/bark, top still growing fine Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. pauciflora [Chiltern Seeds] 70% leaf burn, trunk cracked, but top keeps growing Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. pauciflora [Milligan Seeds] one undamaged. The other dead to ground, resprouting Eucalyptus perriniana (mainland form) [Milligan Seeds] 60% burn Eucalyptus perriniana (Tasmania) [Burnt Ridge] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus perriniana [Celyn Vale] no damage Eucalyptus perriniana Tas. Form [Milligan Seeds] 30-40% leaf burn, ought to be fine Eucalyptus pulverulenta [Celyn Vale] defoliated, resprouted to 9' up trunk Eucalyptus quadrangulata dead Eucalyptus radiata [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus radiata [Milligan Seeds] still dead Eucalyptus regnans [Milligan Seeds] dead Eucalyptus regnans [Milligan Seeds] still dead Eucalyptus retinens [Frank] still dead Eucalyptus rodwayi linear juv lvs [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus rodwayi round juv lvs [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus rubida [Celyn Vale] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus rubida [Chiltern Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus rubida [Frank] dead, resprouting from base Eucalyptus rubida [Milligan Seeds] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus rubida x nitens [Celyn Vale] dead Eucalyptus rubida x viminalis [Celyn Vale] dead Eucalyptus scoparia [Forestfarm] dead Eucalyptus sp. aff lacrimans [Celyn Vale] 20% leaf burn Eucalyptus sp. was supposed to be saxatilis [Milligans] dead to the ground, resprouting Eucalyptus stellulata [Chiltern Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus subcrenulata [Celyn Vale] dead Eucalyptus subcrenulata [Milligan Seeds] 60% leaf burn, regrowing throughout Eucalyptus subcrenulata [Milligan Seeds] no damage Eucalyptus urnigera (Mt. Field, Tas) [Frank] mixed: some dead, resprouting; some fine Eucalyptus urnigera [Luke Isham] 90% burn, top half is dead, ought to recover Eucalyptus urnigera [Milligan Seeds? Not sure] dead Eucalyptus urnigera x dalrympleana [Celyn Vale] minor leaf burn, no real damage Eucalyptus urnigera x nitens [Milligan Seeds] 50% defoliation, top regrowing, and resprouting at base Eucalyptus v.was supposed to be vernicosa but too big no damage Eucalyptus v.was supposed to be vernicosa but too big no damage Eucalyptus viminalis [Celyn Vale] dead Eucalyptus viminalis [Chiltern] dead to the ground Eucalyptus volcanica [Frank] dead, resprouting from base Eucalyptus williamsiana still dead Eucalyptus youmanii [Milligan Seeds] both dead now, one resprouting from base

Cymbopogons are native grasses that are closely related to the Lemongrass that is used in Asian cooking, I have tasted a few different species, and they all taste bloody awful in my opinion (and smell like cats piss!!), but I have been told by a reliable source that it depends on the species and the growing conditions. I think these species have more potential as insect repellants than in any culinary use, as all the lemongrasses produce citronella. A lot of spices that come to us from other cultures have become part of a culinary tradition primarily because of their medicinal or practical qualities, I have been reading a lot about this in Indian cooking, the inclusion of things like asfoteida (or hing) in many indian lentil dishes is because of its digestive qualities, this is true of fennel seeds, ginger and many others. This is also true of the spicy liqueurs and appertifs of mostly european origins that we enjoy today simply for their flavour rather than their original intended purposes as digestive aids and remedies. I think that this is also true of the way Aboriginal people use plant material, so whilst I agree that they are probably not considered culinary spices, even by Aboriginal people, there are plants used in the preparation of food that have medicinal properties or are used simply for practical reasons (to keep food moist or to insulate it from the intense heat of a fire during slow cooking) and some of these impart some fairly distinctive flavours on the dish being prepared, and as such could also be considered culinary spices. I can imagine that todays use of the spice cinnamon evolved from a similar usage, but that is simpy specultion and the result of a wish to be able to grow my own cinnamon tree, peel some bark off and wrap it around a hunk of lamb and cook in some coals just to see what it tasted like ;-). mudlark