Kizzy, your desire to grow natives is commendable! I noticed that once I started converting my yard to natives, the house sparrows, starlings, pigeons, and other "trash birds" (non-native, exotic species that are indicative of disturbed habitats) were replaced by more and more native birds every year. I started seeing more butterflies and caterpillars, more of all kinds of insects and frogs and toads and lizards...it's amazing how much of a difference planting natives makes in attracting wildlife. I live in GA, so we have some plants in common, but I don't know how far north "my" native plants range. I think you probably have rather different growing conditions than I do, aside from temperature, so I don't know how much I could help you with suggestions. This forum is just for trading...you'll probably have a lot better luck getting suggestions if you post your request for suggestions on native landscaping in the natives discussion forum, or even in the wildlife garden forum (most of the people over on the wildlife forum realize that you attract more wildlife with native plants).

Gardenweb says that garden gnomes wreaked havoc with their forums and they are working to reverse their mischief! I have no clue what that means! I googled this hummer forum, then clicked on birdwatching forum and it seems to be working. The bluebird forum is up and running too, at least for now! I think they are still working to get things back to normal.

Jerlis, I agree with Matt's explanation that small amounts of shallow watering are not as good for a plant as less-frequent deep watering. When you give plants 'just a squirt' of water, you're training the roots to stay very close to the surface of the soil which makes them vulnerable to drought stress/death. Basket of Gold needs well-draining soil and although it is a full-sun plant in many areas, it does better in our climate if it gets some shade. (That's true of many 'full sun' plants....full sun in a very hot climate is much harder on plants than full sun in milder climates.) Any perennial you plant will need consistent watering until it has established a good root system. Also, any plant that is put into the ground in summer may struggle. It is better to plant in fall or spring so the plants have time to adjust to being transplanted and to form a larger root system before they have to start dealing with the excessively hot temperatures here. Dawn

What is THS? Would that be 'The Home Site'? If so, no, not under Fiber anything or Needle anything, no such categories, this is infuriating. (As suggested by someone trying to answer this when I posted it at Houseplants, (OT) Conversations) A GW search thru the whole site doesn't find it either! Why Oh Why, must they fix that which isn't broken??? Q for Quilts, couldn't have been simpler ... ACKKKKKKK.