Try checking out the Maryland natives site: http://www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/nativesMD/pdf/MD-Piedmont.pdf If you aren't in the piedmont, they have a mountain zone or coastal zone list as well. We are zone 7 in northern VA and have many of the same natives. I have currants, Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel-evergreen), Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay Magnolia-evergreen), Ilex opaca (American Holly-evergreen), Amelanchier canadensis (serviceberry-deciduous), Virburnum dentatum (southern arrowood-decid.), Decumaria barbara (native climbing hydrangea), vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry-need two different to cross-pollinate-I have Jersey and Hannah's Choice), native azaleas (deciduous), and pysocarpus opulfolius (common ninebark). I tried pines, but found them to be poor barriers/screeners, although mixed with other plants they are pretty and feathery. I decided that the screening was most needed for only three seasons, so I have a variety of trees (oaks, river birch,redbud, and native dogwood) and shrubs which offer depth and great screening when I need it. Lots of food and habitat for the birds, also. Hope this helps some. And do check out the website-lots of good information there! Cynthia

We bought 3 pygmy goats (1 male, 2 female) in December, so here's our experience so far. They LOVE honeysuckle, and we can't pull it down fast enough, but they don't eat the woody vines (at least ours don't). They also love a lot of other things like dogwood leaves, so like you all have noted, they don't discriminate between the desirable and undesirable. They are cute and sweet natured and easy to keep. The small size of a pygmy, even when they rear up on their hind legs doesn't allow them to munch anything but the lowest branches. That also means that they don't always pull down the honeysuckle that has grown far up into some of the trees. We have 9 acres; the goats are kept in a fenced area near the barn/workshop at one end of the property on about a half acre or so. So far they have done a great job of keeping down the weed growth on the fence line (old fence between us and the neighbors plus the new fence), plus all the undergrowth in 2-3 groves of trees. They also graze, which to my husband's delight, reduces his mowing in this area. We think the 2 females are pregnant. One neighbor already wants 2, and we plan to keep some for future breeding so we can eventually fence off some other areas for them to work on. I wish you folks in the city could have some. They are low maintenance, feed we supplement with is cheap, and they make great little pets also. And yes, Carol, you need to have at least a pair as they like to stick together. Hope this info is useful.

midwesterner, That's great that you're taking so many actions to help native plant species. I've only done a small subset. I do end up discussing the topic of the problems invasive plants cause and the benefits of native plants with various people I know. I knew so little about these topics until about 7 years ago, and find many people are still unaware about them. Many times the attitude people have is that they still want their pretty flowers and don't care about other effects, but many times I think I at least get people to consider these things. I also do the research for friends and family when they're thinking of adding to their garden. Sometimes if they're considering an invasive plant I'm able to come up with a native or at least non-invasive alternative for them, that will serve as well. Many times I think I end up doing the research with no result other than my learning a bit more, but sometimes it does make a difference to what ends up getting planted. I became interested in native plants by way of my interest in wildlife gardening. Native butterflies and birds are often more interesting to people than native plants at first, and making people aware of the importance of native plants to wildlife is one way to spark an interest in natives. I know that was the case for both me and one of my SILs. Years ago if I had been told that I'd probably attract hummingbirds to my yard if I planted some Monarda didyma (bee balm) I would have done it in a minute. I also try to get people to read "Noah's Garden". It really made me realize I could have an effect by making some small changes in my yard. Our house is on a little bit more that a quarter acre in a mature suburb, but it is definitely a wildlife garden now, and a place that native plants have started showing up on their own.

I'm gardening in an area of California called Marin County, which is north of the Golden Gate bridge and adjacent to the wine growing region of Napa and Sonoma Valley. We have 2 huge infestation problems that effects our agricultural economics. Because our 'infestation' problem(s) are affecting the economics of the region we have been assisted by the state legislators with funds for research, education and hopefully a control or remedy soon. Sudden Oak Death syndrome - SOD - is killing off our majestic old oaks at an alarming rate and is is now found to be in our redwoods as well as all the host plants such as Rhodo's, madrones, ect.. The lumber industry has been very active in lobbying for help and the UC ag system has been working full time on trying to find a solution. The wine industry is another extremely powerful lobby and they have done more than any other organized industry to get their message out about the Glassy Wing Sharp Shooter insect. Now when I bring in an order of plants that originates from a county out of my region I must call the ag inspector several days before my plants arrive in order to set up an inspection date. Once the plants are dropped off on the site they cannot be moved until they are inspected. So making sure that you set up your appointment well in advance is required so that you don't hold up your crew waiting for an inspector to arrive before you can place or plant your plants. We also have all the other transient insects, fungal diseases and soil born diseases to deal with. At the moment I am going head to head with a boxwood blight that is killing off my potager hedge and have spider mites on my passifloras. I think education is key when dealing with clients as well as keeping ourselves updated about IPM's and other organic measures one can take to combat infestations. Hort Oil, Neem and BT is my friend. I don't and won't use any toxic chemicals . I used to be a chemical queen in my early 20's and all thru hort school, but after a series of health scares I won't touch them anymore. If a client want to go into chemical warfare, then they can drop the bomb, but most here in my 'hood are pretty health conscience and fortunately prefer to use organic measures.