Assuming we are all calling the same tree hackberry, it is a nice, though not real sturdy tree here in North Carolina that is not invasive at all. It makes a nice shade tree here, but once large, it does not stand up well to the severe winds we get with summer storms and hurricanes. We have one in the back yard. The most problematic tree I have is my Pecan. The squirrels bury the nuts, and they sprout up everywhere, quickly sinking taproots that make them difficult to pull out. Nip the seedlings at ground level and they just resprout.

My old garden roses are starting to bloom now. The poliantha roses won't be far behind, and the peonies will burst open any day. The bearded iris are just past prime, while the dutch iris are nearly finished, and the siberian are in bud. Aphids nearly killed my columbine before I looked closely enough to see what the problem was. (One problem with a big garden and little time is that some plants can kind of get lost and neglected.) The buds are swelling on the peach-leaf bellflower, which is one of my absolutely favorite flowers.

Yarrow "Moonbeam" is starting to color up, but it is by far my earliest yarrow. The coreopsis "Early Sunrise" will bloom tomorrow or the next day. I love the way it pops up here and there each year in different places. The bleeding hearts are finished, as are the last of the tulips and late season daffodils. The larkspur is elongating but the buds are just starting to set. The oriental poppies are getting tallo, but there are no signs yet of buds. About half of my dahlias have emerged.

Leo, 4 years ago in the middle of January I rescued what I was told was an aster from the garden of a friend's mother who had died. The house was going to be sold and razed. I transpanted 2 plants. Only two. Well. Turns out it was a wild goldenrod. They can be so difficult to key out that I haven't tried to identify it yet--someday--. In the fall it is lovely with tartarian asters, but it is the most invasive creature I have ever had rampage through a garden. These things do well in poor fields. Imagine how it took to my lovingly prepared garden soil. Now it is invading my neighbors lawn, though she doesn't know it yet. I have created a monster! We do have 10 acres of what used to be a farm about 15 miles from here. It has some goldenrod but not alot. Maybe I should move some of this out to there?

Help! Here it coooomes....Wake up, Janie. Wake up. Still spring so it isn't actually chasing me yet. What kind of magnolia ya got, Leo?

Janie