what a wonderful reference- clipped for sure! thanks, charles!

don't forget about joining the NC native plant society, going on digs and getting the stuff for free and saving plants from bulldozers at the same time. gotta love that!

Good list, and thank you, but you did leave off We-Du near Rutherfordton. They used to be totally native but sell other things now. However, they have a great collection of native azaleas that people may want to check out. And yes, NCNPS does have some digs, usually organized by area groups, so you need to be a member to get those emails and know about them. (There is one this weekend, for example, but not near enough to me for me to go.) In the Piedmont this year we have only done a few in the spring. Then, with little rain, we did not continue. We also have problems with getting permission, and everybody should remember always to get permission before going on somebody else's land, even if it belongs to the taxpayers. NCNPS groups also have swaps and auctions to fund scholarships and projects that involve native plants.

Tamelask/Ncrescue,

How do I go about joining the NC Native Plant Society?

NCrescue, I didn't forget We-Du Natives in the list I compiled. Meadowbrook Nursery in Marion NC is We-Du Natives.

go to their website- there will be all the info you need there. tom harville is the pres of our local chapter and he's a hoot. they have scheduled walks, fieldtrips & such as well, though i admit i've never made time to go. they also have an informative newsletter that comes out. one of the reasons i like ncnps i s they have already done the hard work of getting permission and scouting. nc rescue's right- there have only be a couple of digs this year, and i've had something going during all of them (grrr). but it's worth joining, because save activity can be really busy, then slow, and you just never know. it's also a great way to meet like minded people.

Oh, I did forget he changed the name. Sorry. As for NCNPS membership, see link below. I missed the picnic in June at which they have plant auctions. However, they are talking about having another in Sept. near Raleigh, so maybe that would be good for you. It does take a while for the volunteer in charge to process your application, and to get maximum benefits you need to affiliate with a local group that organizes hikes, digs, etc. Here in Greensboro there is no extra charge; you just ask to be put on the email list. Oh, and another way you can support native plants is to belong to the NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill. I even belong to the NC Rock Garden Society (I don't have a rock garden) which meets at the Bot. Garden. They have great speakers and often feature natives...just went to WVA for a conference and many FT and talks...wonderful. So much one can do if you are retired, as I am, and have some time.

Regarding We-Du Natives (Meadowbrook Nursery), I just wanted to add some commentary regarding my most recent experience with this nursery with the hope that it's of some help here.

I had never dealt with this on-line operation prior to ordering a 2 gallon Hamamelis virginiana 'Mohonk Red'. It arrived incredibly well-packed and in excellent health. Immediately after planting, it has taken off.

This prompted me to cancel an order I had with another on-line nursery for some other items and a 'Diane" witch hazel in order to place another order with Meadowbrook for a 'Sunburst' witch hazel and a raspberry mountain laurel. I received tracking numbers from Meadowbrook immediately after my orders shipped.

As further testament to their outstanding customer service, I telephoned Jamie with a question while waiting for the Sunburst and mountain laurel. Even as busy as they must be with Mother's Day coming up, Jamie, pleasant as could be, was more than happy to field my queries. After he remembered my name from my previous orders, he informed me that he had shipped me a 'Diane' by mistake instead of the Sunburst I had ordered with the mountain laurel, but that it was my lucky day, as he told me that he had caught the error and immediately shipped me a Sunburst on them! The Sunburst will arrive the day after the Diane and my planting will carry on without a blip!

I couldn't recommend this nursery more.

Is there a chapter in the Charlotte area

Blueangel