"Because it can make for an incredibly boring, cookie cutter landscape!" I disagree. The world is full of plants for any particular zone. If you eliminate the invasive ones, the ones with peculiar "health problems" and the ones the homeowner just doesn't want, you still have a big palette of plants. I can tell you that as a homeowner, I have nothing that needs constant care near the house, and no way can my place be described as "cookie cutter". In fact, I think the opposite is true, because when a homeowner asks for something white or silver near the home, all the consultants run for a Salix integra. I know they are easy to find and guarantee work for the following year, but maybe a variegated Weigela or a Silver Leaf Dogwood or some other small plant would do. I can point out 10 houses with a willow for that whitish effect around here, and not a single other plant. I also pass a couple houses where the landscape has been allowed to "mature" because of changing circumstances, and these willows are big and rank. Circumstances change, plant growth patterns don't. If you plant a tree that needs constant pruning near the foundation, and you sell the house, the new homeowners have to continue to prune or rip it out. Or if a job disappears and with that goes the budget for your gardening help, what do you do? Or if the kids grow up and move out, your time is now spent mowing rather than pruning. Add to that the accumulation of years, and you can either keep pruning or sell the house. So far as needing a vigorous plant to invade a crack in the foundation. Here's one story. My buddy bought a split level with room on the north side for a garage. The basement had been clubbed, but the paneling etc. was at the end of its life. He decided to cut through the foundation to make a door to the new walk out garage. (Sloping ground about 25ft. outside that end allowed for a ground level entrance once the garage was added.) It turns out there was a small crack in his block foundation. It had been hidden by some boxwood shrubs on the outside and the interior wall on the inside. The roots of the boxwood (not a species known for aggressive roots) had almost filled the space behind the studs where the insulation was. The crack was only about 5 or 6 blocks tall, maybe 1/4 inch wide at the widest. Still, the roots were there. Not saying they were threatening anybody's health or anything, just saying that given enough time, small roots can build and build and build.

I agree with Ken, definitely willows are hard to kill...and given what you are describing you should probably prune it as often as needed to make it work in the space. If it kills it, so be it because it sounds like the alternative is to rip it out (also an option of course, moving it in early Spring to a location where it works).

OK - tree-form or standard dappled willows are grafted onto a different willow species, usually goat willow, Salix caprea. The dappled willow shrubs (Salix integra) are multi-stemmed - they do not produce a single, distinct trunk - and you can train these puppies for the rest of your life and you will never get a satisfactory tree-like specimen. If you want them like that, purchase them already grafted. Plants that grow happily outdoors in the northern hemisphere - like the willow - do not grow well as houseplants. There is insufficient light and humidity indoors and the temperature is too even. They NEED that winter cold period to achieve proper dormancy.

Great, Thanx Angela. Can attendees try to post a list of what you are bringing, or an Exchange List in your Member Section, so we can pre-arrange Trades? Please see my list and ask for stuff. I generally bring at least 6 types of plants, but requests are welcome - and that is a good way to get what you really hope for. A Personal garden visit is good anytime! Leftover items from Angela's Swap (and others) could be give away on Earth Day, April 21. I have shady storage space if needed, and I live near Woodlawn Park were the 2007 Earth Day event will be held. Add to your usual GW list of Portland-area Spring Swaps this one, combined with the Friends of Portland Community Gardens, to beef-up their annual Plant and Seed Give-Away, on Saturday, April 21. This happens at the Annual EARTH DAY Celebration - which this year is appropriately to be called: Planting the Seeds of Community - so GardenWebbers!! Please attend, invite your Garden Clubs, and help give that meaning... Earth Day 2007 will be held in NE Portland at Woodlawn Park, near the Woodlawn Elementary School and Community Garden, just north of 11th & NE Dekum. Lots will be going on,including music, and a great Kids Play area. Over 100 organizations participated last year! # 75, 8 bus, & # 6 are close. All connect to MAX. Anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 people, including many new, young homeowners, may attend...so begin your Winter Sowing now, to pot-on in April, and also think what you'd like to divide - as WE NEED PLANTS! Want ot clear out that seed bin? Small, labelled packets will be wonderful...as there will be many grateful takers, who will reciprocate in coming years. This is a pay-it-forward culture. It's best to come to Earth Day in the morning, as crowds may be large after noon. Whatever is there could go fast. OK to drop off stuff, then park by my house if you like, on NE 9th Ave. You can call me for info...or to drop off plants prior to the April 21 event...and get something from my overgrown farmyard, or my crusty seed bins. Cell: 503-809-9697 Let's get Swapping! Julie (who will have loads of seedlings in May-June to share, so don't be shy!) Here is a link that might be useful: Earth Day - Plant Seed & Swap and Give-Away