Monique sounds like a wonderful daytrip. I am not sure about Allen Haskell's but I have begun to notice a label on some plants that I have bought from area nurseries naming the grower/distributor Quansett Nurseries for New England, some familiar names are Blooms of Bressingham, Steppables, Proven Winners, ect. Avant Gardens is in North Dartmouth and Quansett Nurseries is in South Dartmouth. As a whole sale distributor they may not sell to you but it might be an interesting pit stop. I would suggest you e-mail first. The recommended restaurants and activities are from the Avant Gardens web site www.avantgardensne.com Places to Eat and other Points of Interest Some of our favorite spots to grab a bite are: MargaretÂs 16 Main St Fairhaven, MA 508-992-9942 Delicious varied and inventive menu using lots of fresh vegetables, seafood. Open for breakfast lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesdays. BYOB $- $$ Â Not Your Average JoeÂs 61 State Rd Dartmouth MA 508-992-5637 Something for everyone, wood oven pizza, burgers, imaginative appetizers, salads and entrees. Full Bar. Lunch and dinner. Â The Lebanese Kitchen 1487 Purchase St New Bedford MA 508-992-8217 Healthful and delicious Lebanese specialties, including Baba Ganoush, Fattoush, and Shawarma. Open for lunch and dinner. Closed Sundays. $ Â The Back Eddy 1 Bridge Rd Westport MA 508-636-6500 Great spot on the Westport waterfront, with emphasis on regional cuisine using local produce, meats and seafood.$$-$$$ Â The Kinsale Inn 13 Water St Mattapoisett Ma 508-758-4992 One of the oldest innÂs in the northeast, this is a great spot to enjoy a cold brew and have a bite to eat. While you are in the area, consider visiting these local attractions: Â AHA! Night in Downtown New Bedford Downtown New Bedford which hosts the site of the UMASS Dartmouth School of Viusual and Performing Arts, is becoming the place for artists to open galleries and call home. On AHA! (for Arts History and Architecture) Night, held the 2nd Thursday of the month from 5-9, these galleries open their doors to visitors, and the local museums waiver admission fees. Music and dance fill the streets, and there are special activities for children. Â The Whaling Museum 18 Johnnycake Hill New Bedford MA 508-997-004 A treasure trove of local history and memorabilia of New Bedford's whaling past. Traditional music lovers should inquire about their concert series. Â The New Bedford Art Museum 608 Pleasant St New Bedford MA 508-961-3072 Wonderful small art museum housed in one of New Bedford's grand old buildings. Exhibits change several times during the year. Â Acushnet River Antiques 72 Kilburn St New Bedford MA 508-992-8878 Many gardeners are treasure hunters and this is a good place to check out frequently. Over 95 dealers of antique furniture, garden finds, textiles, jewelry pottery and collectables. Easy access off of Rt 195. Open Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 11-4. Â Fort Taber over looking BuzzardÂs Bay The southernmost tip of New Bedford is now a state park with unobstructed views of BuzzardÂs Bay and the Elizabeth Islands. Relax and catch the refreshing ocean breeze. Fort Taber offers bike paths, a picnic area and swimming at the adjacent New Bedford beaches. Take Rt 18S off of RT 195. At the end of Rt 18, Continue straight on West Rodnery French Blvd. Â Demarest Lloyd State Park BarneyÂs Joy Rd S. Dartmouth MA Horseneck Beach Route 88 Westport MA Two more spots to enjoy the ocean. Demarest Lloyd offers a protected beach for swimming, with a wooded area for picnicking in the shade. Horseneck is known for its pounding surf and sand dunes.

Hi Auntdd1, Sorry, I haven't been on the GardenWeb for a while. Got an email about your question. At the moment I can't remember the name of the blue Clematis, but I'll ask my husband if he remembers... It is an amazing sight when in bloom. I noticed we had a bit of die-off after last winter, but it's putting out new shoots that we can train up the trellis. I know one of us bought a Clematis Multiblue, so check that one out. (And nhbabs may know better than I which one it is. I'll check out her suggestions too to see if anything rings a bell.) Hi Mindy, I'm so sorry. I posted my question about Mahoney's and never came back. I think the Mahoney's in Winchester is correct for one. And maybe Russell's for the other, but I don't remember what towns they were in. Thank you for your help. To finally answer your question... I don't know of any nurseries that sell barberrys near me. It's the same problem with invasives. I think most nurseries are afraid they'll get an earful from customers if they do. But... we go to Wildwood Nursery and the Farmer's Daughter in RI at least a couple of times a year and I will ask them. Unfortunately, one is in East Greenwich and the other in South Kingstown and not close to Boston. We almost never go north of Providence unless it's a special trip. Leslie

If you will be going via Richmond VA, a sidetrip to Lewis Ginter Gardens may be worthwhile. The place is relatively new, but has interesting layouts, wonderful peonies, a japanese garden, ponds -- and a good little restaurant for lunch. I have not been there, but Maymont Gardens in Richmond is also supposed to be lovely; I understand it is more formal, with an Italianate garden. Nearby is Sandy's Plants -- she normally sells her wide selection of perennials and woodies wholesale, but will also deal with individuals. You *need* the golf-carts she supplies to traverse her huge spread. I've gotten wonderful things there, beautifully grown, for better than reasonable prices. LynnT Here is a link that might be useful: Sandy's Plants

Another suggestion is to check with Darrel at selectedplants.com and see if he'd accept giving a Gift Certificate and then letting her choose what she wants from his extensive varieties listed, or he could help her with that, and then having Darrel ship the plants to her at the correct time. You could then tell her a Gift Certificate in her name is at Selected plants or maybe Darrel would even send her a card saying that X dollars for plants has been entered in her name from__________________. His prices are reasonable and his packing is superb and I think it might be a better way to go than searching for a local nursery source. Carolyn