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QUESTION: Will I have noxious plants in my planting? ANSWER: Existing city ordinances list noxious weeds as the following: burdock, greater and lesser ragweed, thistles, and field bindweed. These are plants common to disturbed soil condi- tions and may occur in the first years of a planting as in any other new garden situa- tion. These must be removed .to be in compli- ance with City Ordinances. QUESTION: Will I be adding to peoples ' allergy pro- blems? ANSWE R: Many wind pollinated plants such as oak trees have pollen which affect certain individuals. Ragweed as mentioned above is a plant. that grows in disturbed places and must be remov- ed. A popular misbelief is that goldenrod pollen is the cause of hayfever. This may stem from the fact that both ragweed and goldenrod bloom at the same time. Goldenrod being the more visible of the two could have been labeled the culprit. It is not a known allergen. Potent allergens are pollen grains from unmowed non-natives such as red top, rye grass, timothy and Kentucky bluegrass. Mowing turf grass also can contribute to alternaria spp. which is highly allergenic to many people. QUESTION: Do naturalized landscapes hide trash accumula- tion? ANSWER: Trash accumulation unfortunately is possible in any vegetation. City ordinance requires citizens to control trash accumulation. QUESTION: Will a naturalized landscape lower my proper- ty values? ANSWER: In a recent court case, a claim to this effect was not allowed as evidence because of its hearsay nature. This was in light of the fact that all property (traditionally and naturally landscaped) had increased in value. Because of many factors in house buying, it is difficult to prove the effect of landscap- ing on the total value. In Madison, the increased existence of and buyers ' awareness of naturalized landscapes has proved to be an advertising point for at least some houses. 8