Lacebark, Inc., P.O. Box 2383. Stillwater, OK 74076 Much has been written in recent years about the need to plant only "native" species. But the key questions are often overlooked. Is a plant best adapted to where it is "native"? Once urban soils have become homogenized and modified with all sorts of construction debris, is any plant "native" to that site? Are all introduced species "bad"? Shouldnt adaptation of a plant to a site or region be considered instead of just "native" vs. exotic? Just because a plant is "native" to an area, does that mean that the location/conditions are where is grows best? All these are questions that need to be considered. Our focus should be on plants adapted to a site and with acceptable "manners" relative to the desired purpose. The plant that grows best on a site may or may not be the most desirable and it may be a native or it may be an exotic. In many instances I feel requirement is often confused with tolerance. For example, my research that created the micronutrient fertilizer, Micromax, was done with tomato and pyracantha only. That was in 1978. Micromax has been the number 1 selling micronutrient fertilizer in the world for years. How can it be that research data from one vegetable and one woody shrub relates to thousands of species worldwide? I believe it is because all or nearly all plants have the same requirement for optimum micronutrient nutrition. To study this question I have grown an array of species of plants with a wide array of micronutrient levels. Azaleas were dark green and thrived in a narrow band of micronutrient levels. The same was true for African violet and blueberry. On the other hand, juniper, arborvitae, marigold, and crabgrass were green and attractive over a huge range of micronutrient levels, hundreds of times wider than for the azalea. BUT all of the test species grew best with the same level and combination. These data support the view that plants have vastly different degrees of tolerance, yet for optimum growth, about the same requirement. Now consider the initial questions raised: Is a plant best adapted to where it is native? If a plant grows faster, produces more flowers and seeds which germinate readily and establish new plants more rapidly in a new location vs. where it is native to which site is it best adapted? The new location of course! This is exactly the situation with the Melaluca leucadendron or punk tree in south Florida vs. its native habitat of Australia. In its native range in Australia, it is not an aggressive, invasive tree. A striking reverse situation exists with Pinus radiata, Monterey pine, native to the California coast where it grows at a moderate pace and is not especially vigorous. Yet in New Zealand and South Australia, Monterey pine grows vigorously and creates magnificent timber. A study of fossils reveals that many plants were "native" to locations far removed from were they are currently "native". Conditions change and with the change plant species shift or adapt. Just because a plant is "native" to a site does not necessarily mean that site and conditions are optimum for its growth. Once urban soils have become homogenized and modified with construction debris is any plant "native" to that site? No, other than crabgrass and then only because it has, perhaps, the widest tolerance of all species. On the other hand, many species have such a wide tolerance that they can grow reasonably well under such adversity. For example, southern wax myrtle, Myrica cerifera, is native over a wide range of conditions throughout the southeast USA. It is native to the almost pure sand soils of the Ocala National Forest in north central Florida, to stream banks where flooding frequently occurs, to alkaline soils along limestone outcroppings and acid soils along the swamps of southern Georgia. This is a species with a huge tolerance for growing conditions, and it does well in nearly all urban conditions. In order to have successful plantings on highly disturbed urban sites, we must look to plants with a wide range of tolerance. Along with wax myrtle, one of the most tolerant and adaptable shrub species that works well is Nandina domestica, native to China. Nandina would be at the very top of my list of broadleaf evergreen shrubs with many attractive qualities and good mannersÂnative or non-native. Nandina has attractive foliage, flowers, and fruits, is nearly disease- and insect-free, produces few invasive seedlings or rhizomes, is easy to maintain, and grows well in a huge range of conditions. Are all introduced species "bad"? Absolutely not. Nandina, lacebark elm, Chinese pistache, Pittosporum tobira, and on and on are introduced species that are well adapted to much of North America that have good manners and make good "citizens". On the other hand, melaluca, tree of heaven, Japanese honeysuckle, kudzu vine, and many other species are too well adapted: grow too vigorously and reproduce too freely so as to be undesirable in the view of current day society. The bottom line is that just because a plant is growing "native" under certain conditions, does not mean that it is at its peak or optimum. It simply means that it is able to tolerate the current conditions and survive. Further, relative to the evolution of the species and the changing local site conditions or site conditions of a much larger region, the species may be relatively "new" and will become more vigorous and aggressive in the future as conditions become more favorable or it may be on its way out because it has reached its limits of tolerance and will eventually become extinct. At this point in time no one knows. However, we get a "feel" for the answer from various experiences. Because of the positive plant response and adaptation to such an array of conditions, southern wax myrtle appears to be still expanding its "native" environment. On the other hand, black cherry, Prunus serrotina, appears to be less and less tolerant to environmental conditions and may become extinct in another century or two. In my view, it would be simplistic and foolish to plant only natives. Likewise, it would be foolish to plant only introduced species. Our focus should be on species adapted to the site and with acceptable manners regardless of where they happen to be "native at a particular time in the glob al picture. ------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carl Whitcomb is author of ÂKnow It and Grow It: a guide to the identification and use of landscape plantsÂ, 820 pages, 8.5 by 11 format, hard cover, over 2000 black and white photos of most of the woody plants, native and exotic, that can be grown east of the Rocky Mtns. $60.00 + shipping. Also, ÂEstablishment and Maintenance of Landscape PlantsÂ, 630 pages, 6 by 9 format, hard cover and many photos. $35.00 + shipping. Phone 405-377-3539 or Fax 405-377-0131.

Sandy: Wonderful pictures. It's interesting to me that the Little Yellow, Phaon Crescent, and Dogface were all more strongly marked than ones I have seen. What time of year were those pictures taken? --- About those sterile cultivars: We have a tree around here, the Bradford Pear, that is a sterile import from China. However, it is also fragile. Branches fall off either in wind, or else in the spring when the branches are full of sap and flowers. We had one fall over in our yard (when the girls were outside ... yikes!). So, to remedy this, other sterile cultivars with improved strength were created to replace the Bradfords. BUT It turned out that the sterile cultivars could *cross-pollinate* the Bradford. The result is that Bradford hybrids are now escaping, and taking over, in the wild. Bummer, dude. (That's not a criticism of the Lantana; garden flowers are not much of a threat. Rather, I'm making a general observation about the quirks of sterility). Jeff

The native eastern talinium (teretifolium) does okay in part sun, but won't bloom as well. (In the wild, I've even found it in full shade.) That said, most of our true alpine type rock plants which are succulent or form cushions will require full sun. I agree Sedum ternatum would be a notable exception. I haven't tried telephiodes in part sun or shade, mine is in full sun and I tend to find it in full sun in the wild. I haven't heard about folks growing Blue Mountain Heath (Phyllodoce caerulea?) as far south as PA, but I'd be interested to know if it is possible so I can attempt it in the mountains of VA! I've been trying to explore south-eastern rock gardening too, and while there are lots of great rock plants in the wild, there don't seem to be too many in the nursery trade. Alot of the pine barrens species would probably work well but I cant find a source for any of them. There are also some granite and shale barren species that are really interesting, but few of those seem to be available either. There have even been a few articles in the American Rock Garden Society journal about south eastern rock plants for gardens but I haven't found almost any of them in the trade. I'd say one of the best species I've found which is commercially available is Cumberland Rosemary. It is isn't a Pennsylvania native (or a VA one, for that matter) but it is an eastern native which does well in hot summers, has spectacular flowers, and can be used in cooking like European rosemary. It'll probably take part sun but won't look nearly as nice. Another great underused plant is Virginia Agave (Manfreda virginica). It is basically a small agave with fragrant flowers. Janet_e had some good suggestions, and many of those would work well in your situation.

Are disease and drought stressing your garden? Tired of replacing dead plants" The solution: GO NATIVE! Jakes Branch County Park will be hosting our second annual Native Plant and Seed Swap on May 20th, 10am-1pm. �This is a FREE event focusing on Pinelands native plants and "green" gardening practices. � Local organizations including RareFind Nursery, New Jersey Native Plant Society, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, Barnegat Bay Partnership, Ocean County Master Composters, EarthFirst Natives and more will be on hand with displays, literature and resources. We will offer native seeds and seedlings to take home, but we encourage you to bring native seeds or plants of your own to swap. �We will also offer short nature walks highlighting native plants along our hiking trail and a make-your-own seed pot craft for kids. For more information, call Jakes Branch County Park at 732-281-2750 or visit www.oceancountyparks.org for more information and directions!