I just heard an interesting segment on NPR. The topic of discussion was the spread of disease from wild animals to humans (bear with me--I'll connect to this thread), and the reason is human encroachment on undeveloped areas. This argument may end up being a powerful one for conservation--and we are just beginning to understand the role insects and microorganisms(even our butterflies) play in sustaining human health. So, Todancewithwolves, you may have played a role in helping out the local insect populations and may indirectly be helping humans out! Unfortunately, many people are not convinced by conserving for conservation's sake, but many people tend to be motivated by human-centric reasons--profit and convenience are a couple that come to mind. But we are all connected--the health of humans is directly related to the health of all animals, no matter or large or teeny-tiny like the microorganisms in the soil! I may someday try to get my town certified by the National Wildlife Federation' Backyard Conservation program, but it's a huge undertaking.

I was tempted to go in my lunch hour last week but thought that would be pushing it from Decatur! So we managed to get there today. It was our first visit and its a wonderful place, so sad that they are closing. My kids played in their sandbox with my husband while I looked around, what a treat! I bought a Ceanothus, thanks to David and Esh mentioning it (there is still one left!), Physocarpus Summer Wine, Caryopteris Bluebeard, Amelanchier Autumn Brilliance, Edgeworthia (paper bush), Kolkwitzia Dream Catcher, Rhamnus (buckthorn) Fine Line, and two Amsonia Hubrechtii, which I had been looking for all over town and was delighted to find. I agree, a wonderful selection, and very knowledgeable and friendly owners, such a shame they have to close. They still have a lot left -- tons of perennials, which I didn't have time to look at all of, but there were rows and rows of them, and lots of shrubs, including one more ceanothus! Thanks to Fay, my plants are all sitting outside having a good shower.

Agertz, I can't imagine why your plants are not coming back. I have rescued probably thousands of trilliums, mainly cuneatums, erectums, sulcatums, ruegelii, and even grandiflorums, the big white ones. There are other white ones, of course, that do not grow in our area, so I have not worked with them. Most trilliums require at least moderately good soil, but I just had a site that was hard, red clay,and they had thrived there...before the bulldozer. If we don't have enough rain in the summer, they just go dormant early.I have planted many here at my house, put some in public gardens, and given many away. Nobody says they never come back. Can you give any more details? You should be able to move these plants. They are not as particular as ladyslippers. Check your soil Ph although, since you are only moving them a short distance, it is probably the same. I did buy some T. flexipes that like a more neutral soil, and I had to put a chunk of concrete nearby to help them along, but that is all the amendments that I have done. They bloomed beautifully this year. The only trillium that I have had trouble with is T. pussilum. Can anybody out there help with growing ideas for this one? Oh, we transplant any time since rescues are dependent on the developer, and most of the trillium respond ok. The photo and the rhizome drawings were quite good...the latter shows the "L" shape that, when digging, you have to make allowances for so that you do not cut the rhizome.

I think this depends so much on local situations. I see ideagirl's point, and as many have stated above, many of us are willing to pay a premium to encourage local business. BUT, this is a two-way street: local businesses should definitely be aware that they are competing for business that is also offered online, often for cheaper, and actively implement the friendly, helpful service that is the big advantage they have over online retailers. Sorry but guilting me into shopping locally is not going to cut it, when I walk into stores that have a huge mark-up and can't be bothered to assist me. I understand the higher costs local business incurs and willingly pays a bit more. Hundreds more? No, because at that point I can't afford it at all. My tactic is to check locally first - go into the store, look around, and see what happens. Unfortunately, I am often ignored and/or treated with utter indifference. At that point my philosophy is that if they don't care to have my business, I'm happy to spend less online.