Frank writes:

On 4/28/2011 1:39 PM, Ig.Gardener wrote:
I've read that Dogwoods don't do well in the deeper, more shaded parts,
but there are so many that are actually doing quite well deep in my
woods. Maybe the fact that it's all hilly helps them get more sun than
they normally would or maybe I'm just lucky!
I actually did know that about butterfly bushes and I have two. I have
also read that many of the butterflies in Virginia like Violets and
Thistles, both of which I'm not sure I want to add since I've heard
they're invasive, especially Thistles. Any other suggestions on plants
that could be host plants or feeding plants? It's a partial shade area,
as you can imagine I have very little full sun.

We have not really tried to attract butterflies but I'm getting to
like the butterfly bushes as they are one thing the deer don't eat.
The butterfly's feed on the nectar. Not sure what more they would
need.

We had a lot of wild dogwoods when we first moved in and I tried to
move three out front and first two died when I determined I needed
much larger root ball.

My wife is pretty proud of her Dogwood transplant.

She yanked it out of the ground when it was about 4 feet high.
Still going strong 10 years later.

They self seed in our backyard.

There are some spectacular looking ones at the Bronx Botanical Garden.
I'm still trying to prune ours the same way but I can't say I've
succeeded. Yet.

We have one over 40 years old but it's in really bad shape.
It was full grown when we moved in 34 years ago.
It's all disfigured and is rotten on the inside. It's so grotesque
I can't bring myself to get rid of it.

This might be it's last year though.