My understanding is that pre-emergent keeps seeds from germinating. Therefore, if you are planting seedlings which are already sprouted young plants, it should not harm the. I don't know how long that herbicide stays effective, if you would put seeds down, but I don't think very long, becoz folks that use it reapply each year. I think you will be ok. Now that you own the place, I do encourage you and others to investigate and implement organic lawn and gardening practices. In my opinion, a less than perfect lawn (keep it mowed and it looks good anyway) is preferable to toxic chemicals. Not that you asked but I just slipped that in for good measure. Happy gardening. Laurie

I have visited with Steve at his nursery (it's just down the road from me - dangerous!) and learned a lot. He showed me how he propagates them, as well as his set-up (greenhouse) for the winter. He is very careful with his plants. If one doesn't appear to be what he purchased/traded when blooming, he considers it a NOID and will assign an ID for his tracking. He always sends out the best plants with a mail order, and he steered me away from ones that might not perform for me. Lin

Ours handled several hours at 28 F in February 2011 just fine, and was fully leafed-out by March. The leaves of Texas Olive, as well as others in the genus Cordia, are eaten by beetles. Consequently, some leaves always have brown patches on them. Are you sure the gray leaves resulted from cold damage? Overall, this is my favorite tree of all those native to the Rio Grande Valley. Ty

I can see why a national collection holder is devastated (I have bought seeds from Carrie in the past) but I am not getting desperately concerned for the columbines scattered throughout the woods...and there seems to be some evidence that seed sown plants (ie. not bought in from infected nursery stock) are proving resistant while there are also (expensive) inoculums being trialed for commercial growers. I feel far more sanguine about this than I do about the current crop of fungal, viral and pest predated issues affecting trees and woody shrubs. Diversity...or eggs in different baskets still seems to be the best defence against disaster.