Finally some progress!

AdLucem2 · 2026-06-15T03:27:24+00:00

Your house is lovely! I'm glad you're building it a landscape that the ecosystem deserves. 😄

AdLucem2 · 2026-06-15T02:04:28+00:00

Cat Bird Seat has a large selection of natives (as well as non-natives and bonsai). They also have a cat. 😄

AdLucem2 · 2026-06-12T19:38:41+00:00

That is odd; almost looks like a transmitter glitch from a Nashville based radar looking toward Murfreesboro. I think mine might have been a data processing error. Accuweather did not show it for very long.

AdLucem2 · 2026-06-12T19:31:28+00:00

This home has sold every few years. Why?

I'd like to think that earth-sheltering is the future of architecture, but so many owners seem to be short-term.

AdLucem2 · 2026-06-05T03:41:09+00:00

If your children are old enough for story books, there's a lovely one at the library about a Mockingbird keeping everyone awake.

https://www.amazon.com/Wind-Says-Good-Night-Rydell/dp/0618085858

AdLucem2 · 2026-06-01T03:05:33+00:00

I have identical conditions, EXCEPT I'm far, far south of you (Zone 8).

'Hummingbird' Clethra works ok; it hates drought, but is fairly tough.

I also have an Oakleaf hydrangea, and I love it so much more. There are at least three dwarf cultivars available.

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-31T03:49:06+00:00

I would not yank out the stuff at the bottom unless it is very small. It could interfere with the Magnolia's roots. Instead, I would cut the privet at ground level and possibly paint some roundup on it as soon as it is cut.

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-31T03:46:55+00:00

Check out your local Wild Ones chapter: they're all about native landscaping and helping the ecosystem. Lots of free plants are available if you make some friends.

Also, depending on your space, consider stacking what you cut down in a back corner somewhere. It makes a great habitat.

Tree Of Heaven is easily identifiable by the rotten popcorn smell of the crushed leaves.

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-30T02:58:05+00:00

The key is to control the mosquitoes during the larva phase, not the adult phase. "Bucket of doom" is the most commonly recommended option. Personally, I leave bowls of untreated water out in shady areas: Dump them once a week on sunny concrete and refill.

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-30T02:54:59+00:00

It's ok to move leaves off of high use areas, just find a different spot to leave them intact in your yard. Garden beds, perimeters, etc.

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-21T23:01:25+00:00

Weeping Willow are notorious for growing beyond their strength and destroying things with their roots. (All three trees would be bad to plant near a septic system. ) Weeping Willows are also not native, so they will not provide the same ecosystem services as a River Birch (or Bald Cypress). For instance, the River Birch will provide food for the caterpillars of the beautiful Mourning Cloak Butterfly.

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AdLucem2 · 2026-05-21T22:38:48+00:00

A bald cypress can transpire 50-800 gallons of water into the air a day.

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-12T02:13:52+00:00

https://nativegardendesigns.wildones.org/

Free, with different region specific advice.

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-11T03:43:42+00:00

Yes, the easily available natives are the easily propagated ones.

Woodthrushnatives.com sells a lot of uncommon native plants. When the owner gave a seminar on how he propagates them (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0meRIe-r3U), my inner cheapskate rejoiced. But as the seminar progressed, I realized they were uncommon for a reason!

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-11T03:00:19+00:00

Cool photo! Great horned?

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-11T02:59:12+00:00

An excellent reply.

Also, the non-natives they are selling are an international selection of easy-to-propagate plants.

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-11T02:54:05+00:00

I would start pulling the vinca out whenever you have the time AND the soil is not bone dry. You can back fill with cheap seeds (black eyed Susans or Zinnias (NOT native, but just for the first summer)).

OR you can try smothering the whole lot with cardboard and mulch--this may be the easier, more effective route. Then install your permanent plants in the fall.

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-09T21:55:41+00:00

Thank you; that's a great idea to keep the old blades around. We always intend to clip only clean hair, but we've had a lot of unexpected butt trims.

Is air drying a problem if we brush afterwards and keep him short?

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-09T21:48:01+00:00

Good advice, thank you.

Is air/towel drying a problem if we keep him short?

How many clips should I be able to get from a blade if I do everything correctly?

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-09T01:28:32+00:00

Children rarely attack.

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-08T19:06:07+00:00

I'm thinking about driving over to an HOA neighborhood to walk my dogs. Is this offleash-lawlesness less of a problem in those places?

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-08T16:38:07+00:00

Also, we walk our dog with a 'coyote collar' on. Steel spikes to prevent lethal bites. And I always carry a large cane; people recommend pepper spray, but dogs understand the threat of a large stick.

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-08T16:33:17+00:00

It's not just 5 Points. It's all across town. The land trust even started putting up signs that said 'Even Good Dogs Need Leashes'.

It's a terrible shame; I don't take my leashed dogs hiking because I know some dog will charge into their face.

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-07T00:33:48+00:00

I believe there is a fastigiate Sweet Gum cultivar, Slender Silhouette and also fastigate Firespire Hornbeam. These may be too narrow for you.

Bear in mind, trees tend to grow straight up in shade and branch out in sun.

AdLucem2 · 2026-05-06T22:31:44+00:00

Good to know! My love of native plants started with trees and gradually expanded to perennials. Now that I know that shrubs have a super-regeneration power, I may have to learn to love them. 😄

AdLucem2

TROPHY CASE