Northern White-Cedar or arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis). I have scored a DNR grant for deer exclosures and am re-introducing this beautiful species to my 30 acre bog-riverine-wetlands complex. There is something wonderfully human-like in the white cedar's nodding form, smooth bark, and finger-like foliage. They have a very appealing child-like blond/green-eyed personality unusual for the plant kingdom. The ojibwe Indians considered them sacred and I can see why....

I've been itching to do some transplanting/shuffling, but it was too dry 'round these parts. Thankfully we got some some rain recently - a perfect time to do this sorta thing. My major volunteers - virginia knotweed (Polygonum virginianum), viola (love the wood violets), deer tongue Grass (Panicum clandestinum) and enchanters nightshade (Circaea lutetiana (Circaea quadrisulcata) transplant very easily - especially when small in spring time. I'll also be transplanting my asters (Eurybia divaricata (Aster divaricatus) as well. Some echinacea were transplanted to another location, as was some lobelia cardinalis. I'm waiting to see if any of the other plantings from the last few years (ironweed, joe pye, butterfly weed) have multiplied so I can bring those to other parts of the garden. Last year I moved some solomons seal and that is doing splendidly in it's new location. I'm not always gentle with plants - those that require special treatment (anything other than watering until established) seldom work for me. I'm not very good with seed either. shuffling is one of my favorite things to do. especially after (or during) a nice rain.

I just saw that white tailed one like Christy saw. It was alive and on my back deck. From the pix, I think it was a Hooded Skunk, because it did have the white stripe down its nose. Armadillos didn't used to live here either, but they do now, so maybe this Hooded Skunk is migrating Northward also. I'm just relieved that the cats didn't pick a fight with it!

This has come to light in recent years. There are what we call "native nazis" who insist that only very local plants are what they consider native and everything else doesn't count. For instance Amalanchier x grandiflora 'Autumn blaze' would not be considered native as a serviceberry hybrid by some. Then again others would consider it native. A native nazi would not order a red maple grown in Georgia and plant in in Alabama. As for could native species become invasive... yes I believe they most certainly can however they are generally well adapted to a specific area and there are natural controls in place such as predators, pests, diseases to keep it under control. Not so in the case of Juniperus virginia in some midatlantic and plains states however and definitely not the case of Black locust. I personally think the use of natives take out a lot of the guesswork in determining a plant's (or animal's) invasive potential however. So for me I could plant a DED resistant cultivar of American Elm for instance and still call it native. And I consider trees not immediately found growing around me to be native also provided it's hardy in my area. (Example: Honeylocust) I do prefer natives but I'm not strictly native. It just so happens my favorite plants are native anyway. I could care less about wildlife habitat in my yard and to be honest I'd prefer the wildlife eat and poop elsewhere. I am very opinionated on the subject of invasive species. And I'm strongly opposed to their sale and cultivation. That's a topic for another day.