Oh, please plant Shasta daisies! They are native to North America, and while they can form large clumps, they are easy to keep under control. Some plants are charming in the garden, but disperse readily and are a danger to native ecosystems. Ox-eye is one of these-- it's very ubiquity demonstrates that, as it is not native to the Americas, and has displaced native plants in many open areas. There are efforts to eradicate it, especially in dairy pastures and grasslands where wildlife graze. (Dairy farmers don't like it because it crowds out other pasture plants and gives milk an off-flavor.) There are others that I see mentioned here from time to time that are pretty in the garden but should also be avoided. Some are actually illegal to plant. Sadly, some are even sold by nurseries and seed companies. Something I am going to suggest to everybody is to find out what is on your state's noxious/invasive plant list (and neighboring states as well). There are so many plants that we can choose from, from all over the world that are not invasive or noxious that we can easily have beautiful and responsible gardens. I encourage all of us as gardeners to keep aware of which plants are on those lists, even if they are only on the watch list, and avoid using them. Have to run off to work now, but I'll try to find the link to where you can find state lists of noxious and exotic invasive plants and post it. Dayle Ann

Any sub-tropical exotic catches my eye, like the Gunnera's, Windmill palms(Trachycarpus fortunei), giant ricepaper plant (Tetrapanax papyrifera 'Steroidal Giant'), the many different species of bamboo, hardy eucalyptus, & the hardy banana (Musa basjoo). Also the other hardy and semi-hardy palms such as the Sabal's, (Jubaea chilensis) Chilean Wine Palm, (Butia capitata)Jelly Palm, (Butia eriospatha) Woolly Jelly Palm, plus a few others that I see around the area. I also find the bright flowers of the hardy Grevillea and Callistemon very eye catching. Of course Chilean Firebush (Embothrium coccineum) during the spring also catches my eye along with the bright blue flowers of the Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa) I also like the bright yellow flowers of the Scotsbroom, specially during our dark, rainy, depressing spring days. Those bright yellow flowers are so cheery. Scottsbroom also provides cover and food for one of my favorite birds, the valley quail. If it wasn't for the scottsbroom around Olympia there wouldn't be valley quail. I also like the bright cheery flowers of the butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii). There isn't the range of color, fragance, and time of blooming of any other plant for the northwest. They are very attractive.

You might want to pick up your phone before going, but I know this past spring Puckett's Nursery in Allen had several. I haven't been there lately, but you could call them to see if there are any left: 972-727-1145. Also try Shades of Green in Frisco. Their website is below. You can get their phone number off their site. Don't e-mail them though. I have e-mailed them before a couple times and never received a reply. They're good with plants, but maybe not so good with technology since they probably hired a company to put that website together and to maintain it. ;-) Here is a link that might be useful: Shades of Green

so sorry for the poor lost dog! Not sure why but that website locked up my computer, had to do a shut down, weird. I hope they can find the dog, I bet someone will want a really big cash reward.