2012-January through today, October 9

I can not remember the actual date I was in Missouri when I was greeted with the clouds of Dogwood blossoms. I had seen Dogwoods in bloom in yards and gardens, and they are gorgeous, but to see them in their native habitat was nothing short of amazing!!  The density of blossoms is considerably less, but the overall effect was considerably better! I do not believe anyone would ever describe a White Dogwood  growing in someone's garden as delicate, as they are usually a solid mass of blossoms. Beautiful, yes, wonderfully horizontal, yes, but delicate?? No!!

However, when the Dogwoods are growing as they occur naturally, as an under story tree in a timber of mature specimens of mostly oaks and hickories, the effect can only be described as delicate!  Again, I apologize for not shooting any pics, and I will try to remedy next spring!

I am recounting the Dogwood story because they are what steered me in the Native direction. The were so beautiful I decided it would be fun to try to use only Missouri natives in any plantings. I appreciate native plants, but I am NOT  a person who is nutty about "only natives". I was at a function last year, and another attendee was, well, spewing, about "everyone should only plant native plants, because it helps you get in touch with where you live, the soil you live on,  you become part of the planting...blah-blah-blah".   I like to use natives if they are attractive, or serve a function, or make my gardening life easier!!!

One side of the house in Missouri is mostly timber, so I decided I would buy a couple of small Dogwoods and get them started right away. My big problem was I would be planting in about 6" of gravelly soil, unless I could find a pocket of deeper soil. Now, I know the Dogwoods can live and thrive in that habitat, but I was not about to use a pickax to try to dig a hole to put a 5' Dogwood in, plus I knew my chances of "Dogwood Success" would improve if I could find some seedlings to install. I looked online, and that is where I found "Missouri Wildflowers Nursery". By this time the summer was already shaping up to be pretty hot, plus we realized we needed some tree work to be done on that side of the house, and since I did not want to try to protect little 12" trees from crews with chain saws and tree climbing spikes, the dogwood project is on hold until next spring!

But, I have begun some plantings, so next time I will recount those efforts, and the problems I am encountering...can you say  "chiggers" ?????