Or better still Spermacoce glabra? Here is a link that might be useful: Spermacoce

In fact, while I'm not entirely sure, I believe the law in New Jersey prohibits disturbance of both wetlands and what they call the transition or buffer area, which is the area between the wetlands and the...well, the not wetlandds. Would it do any significant harm if one person were to take just a bit of the soil? Obviously it would not. But the point is that if everyone were to do it, it might. If it were me, I would not take it. Wetlands are important, and they are diminishing, they are fragile and endangered ecosystems. In a state as highly developed and with as high a population density as New Jersey, preserving what's left is, IMO, vital. Apparently those who crafted the law thought so, too. And Jeannie, BTW... the law is the law. As I said, I'm not certain, but I do believe the law applies to both large companies that might want to clear entire wetlands to build on and individulas who might want to take just a little. So if I'm correct in my interpretation, she would be breaking the law, regardless of whether it's an official wetlands or not.

ath, Knowhatyoumean - growing up in UCLA(upper corner of lower Alabama), water oak was everywhere, and not especially appealing to me in very many ways. But, I'd hazard a guess that Q.nigra would likely be pretty uncommon in brandon's locale, and thus *might* be an interesting addition. Or not. I never see it here, though my understanding is that it is present in the area (I have a graft of the 'Firewater' coccineaXnigra, which was a chance seedling Guy S. grew from acorns collected from the KY champion Q.nigra, located less than an hour west from me).

If you contact the HOA, they should be able to give you a list of their regulations. They MIGHT have a copy of the gov't regulations as well. If not, I would try your local county Extension office. If they don't have the regulations on hand, they should be able to tell you where to get a copy of them. I would think that planting grasses next to the pond should be OK, just check for the invasiveness of whatever you want, BEFORE you plant it/buy it. I have seen yards (mostly wooded ones, I grant, but if you plant it right, that's what yours is/will be) that are mulched throughout with a bark mulch. Paths can be delineated either with a different mulch, or by an actual bender-board-edged path, or just not planted. If you make mounds or slight berms as you go, then you can add to your privacy, and make things more interesting than a flat plane, albeit a planted plane. Of course, all this depends on what the HOA will allow. And you CERTAINLY don't want to interfere with the drainage into the stormwater pond! Check out the local bookstore/library for books on sea-side plants, or look at a general plant/tree/shrub ID book for sea-side plants, and use the species listed in there that you find attractive for a starter list - you may not be able to find all the plants you want, or you might find a more attractive variety than the species. Native plants, for the most part, would require minimal care, once established, and could attract a lot of birds to your lot, if you choose for fruit and protection. Another possible source for suggestions could be the local chapter of the Audubon Society. You might also want to check to see how often and how much water the pond holds, as the mosquito problem might be vast. Some mosquito species can hatch from pre-laid eggs in 3 days! Find out if the local authorities are spraying the pond to kill them off (not so good for you) or if you can put a few small mosquito-larva-eating fish in the pond if it keeps water in it. If not, placing some Mosquito Dunks out where they would be in the water when it rains and the pond fills should take care of the problem.