Viburnum dilatatum is not native, you probably realize that.

Another good choice is Spicebush, Lindera benzoin. You need more than one in the hopes of getting a male and female. Consider Calycanthus floridus if you can't find C. fertilis. Some of the dogwoods (like silky dogwood) should be considered for the part shade areas.

Don't forget you can use species plants for cross pollination (like viburnum dentatum); check for spring native plant sales nearby.

Other habitat thoughts to consider: a few conifers and hollies for cover, a loose brush pile in an inconspicuous area for cover, a water source (even a birdbath), plants with seeds like coneflowers and asters, perhaps a few grasses (Muhly grass is one).

Are you sure you need to mailorder this stuff? Several things are pretty common. I'd call some local nurseries; they may be happy to order some of these things and you'd get bigger sizes. There are some state nurseries that you can order cheaply from (there was thread about this on the Trees forum).

Hope that helps.

I knew about the dilatatum. I am still debating whether to choose them or just go with the dentatums. Lindera was on my original list, and got dropped for some reason that I can't remember any more. I will also think about dogwoods - there are several around, planted by birds, I think.

Do you have specific recommendations for conifers and hollies (I assume you mean the evergreen kind)? While keeping this wildlife friendly, I would also like for it to all look nice.

There will definitely be a brush pile. After all, I have no real way of getting rid of all the stuff I am planning on cutting down. I'll just move it all to a different, and less conspicuous location. I already have bird baths and feeders setup, and have an extensive perennial garden that has plants that provide food for the birds. I keep leaving the seedheads in hopes of attracting more, but the crew still leave enough there to reseed like mad.

The reason I want to mail order is because of the cost involved in buying locally. I will definitely get larger plants, but the prices also go up substantially. For example, 5 gallon Amelanchier laevis is $49.95, and Vitex is 39.95. Decent price for what you get, but it adds up, so, I will be able to afford less than half what I want. The Birch that I want (haven't decided yet) is $119.95 locally, balled and burlaped, and $15.00 for a gallon in the catalog. I'm in no rush, and actually enjoy watching them grow, so it doesn't make a lot of sense to me to pay a lot for a larger plant.

The other problem of course is that some place like Forest Farm has a *much* larger selection of pretty much everything than even the best nurseries in the area. For example, they carry less than 15 varieties of Viburnum, and a grand total of 3 dentatums.

Suja

I understand your explanation about mail order versus local and you're right about getting a huge selection that way. But do check for local native plant sales. I get 3-5 gallon sized shrubs for 8-15 dollars so you could do some mail order and some local. Are you a member of VNPS? Between them and the Maryland (which has a nice website) Native Plant Society, you might be able to find out able some good spring sales (since you're in northern VA).

I'm a bit more southern than you so your experience with conifers is probably broader than mine. I love Eastern Red Cedar (a juniper) and secretly long for the hemlocks that other people grow. Other than loblolly and Virginia pines, I haven't noticed conifers being very invasive, so I'd say your choices are wide open. Leyland cypress is overused so that's the only one I'd avoid.

American hollies are nice, "Savannah" is a beautiful cultivar (I think one of it's parents is English). Yes, I was talking about the evergreen hollies. Yaupon is a native one, you don't have to get the overused dwarf ones. With all the chinese crosses, there are a ton of choices but I don't have experience with any specific ones.

Sounds like you have good plans. Good luck. I'm sure the birds will love it. Buckeye is good for hummingbirds; we have a. pavia here (the red buckeye which is a shrub).

Here is a link that might be useful: Savannah holly

Esh_ga is right about V. dilatatum, especially in your area. It is noxious and should be avoided.
I have V. agnus-castus, I like it, it is pretty, but lets face it, it has zero wildlife value.
You've been looking in the wrong places for plants locally. Late March is the FONA Native Plant sale at Nat'l Arboretum with 14 vendors. The sale is seperate from the seminar. May is the really great sale at Green Spring Gardens Park in Annandale. Also in May is the smaller ParkFairfax neighborhood sale in Alexandria. These are just a few that I know of, buy directly from the growers and the prices are reasonable.
Sam

As much as I would like to have the dilatatums, I think that I'll pass on it. I haven't seen any in my woods, but it doesn't mean that I should wait until I see it before I do something. I am battling enough invasives, and don't need any more.

I have heard poor reviews about the FONA sale. Lack of variety, seeing the same things that are available at local nurseries, and the plants being overpriced. Haven't been to one. Should get a membership anyway - at least it will support a worthy cause. I am definitely going to the Green Spring sale this time around. Last time, there was a conflict with the Mid-Atlantic plant swap, and I couldn't go. I've been to the one at Blandy before, and was disappointed by the selections. Someone had listed other plant sales in the region - I'll check into it.

Suja

Musser Forests is located in Pennsylvania. It has good prices for species plants but not that many cultivars.

Forestfarm seems to have everything that I want, too. I'm just wishing I could get there and really get to see those shrubs and make my decisions and/or selections in person.

Sharon

Here is a link that might be useful: Musser Forests

I have bought many small shrubs from Forestfarm with no problems. I order for the first week of May and they arrive looking fine. Many things I would never find around here. I just try to make sure that what I order is not something that is an incredibly slow grower.

Sharon, I have had *excellent* luck with the plants I have received from Forestfarm. There are some things I wouldn't buy from them again (like Japanese Maples), but that's because I've found equally good sources with good prices, much closer to home.

Suja

My problem with Forestfarm isn't whether or not the plants will be in good condition. My problem is that there are so many choices that I just can't decide which variety to get, and I can't seem to find them closer to home in order to compare.

Sharon

You can check my "Brightest Red Red-Twig Dogwoods" thread for a stellar example of this phenomenon. Whenever I go about trying to decide, I invariably find myself thinking, "I just wanna go to Forestfarm! I just wanna go seeeeeeeeeee!!!!"

Sharon

Here is a link that might be useful: Brightest Red Red-Twig Dogwoods

Blueberries would be a nice addition to your list...and feed you AND the birds. Sounds like you're going to have a wonderful bird haven...good luck. josh

Order from forest farm. I have order from them a lot and they always come through. Plus they are always so nice.

The hummers and butterflyies seem to enjoy vitex in my area.

"I have heard poor reviews about the FONA sale"
In my post earlier on this thread I should have been more explicit. The sale I referred to is the Native Plant Sale held in conjunction with the Lahr Symposium. This is the 20th year and date is March 25.
The above quote refers to another sale.
At this sale you buy direct from the grower, no middle man.
There is simply no substitute for shopping and seeing exactly what you are getting. Mailorder nurseries especially in PNW have a reputation for sending rooted cuttings and seedlings.
Sam

Here is a link that might be useful: March 25 Lahr Symposium & Plant Sale