Well, I think this has been a very good thread on David Austins. I appreciate everyone's input. I have made up my mind what I am purchasing this year, but I'm sad that I can't buy about a dozen more....lol. I had already decided to stick to just one order from Pickering this year and they were sold out on my favorites, so I finally decided on Harlow Carr, because of it's disease resistance, it's 'old rose' fragrance, it's ability to repeat bloom and according to the David Austin site, possibly tolerant of part shade. I have just the place for it. It is not my first choice by a long shot. Not the glamourous beautifully formed, quartered and buttoned blossoms that I really love, but I think it will suit my purpose for the time being. What has happened though, is that now I really want to grow more roses and I am very interested in growing more David Austins. So I am keeping my list and I'll just have to see if I can figure out a way to squeeze them in somewhere so I can buy more. :-) zack, thanks for saving me from Geoff Hamilton which I would be unhappy with I believe. Sharifa Asma will go on my list. rosecorgis, Glamis Castle is gorgeous and I would love to try it. I hope you will post photos this summer. Jubilee Celebration, I think I will have to check with others who might have tried to grow it in my area. From a photo, I love the color and form of that rose. dublinbay, I really dislike the BS problems and the loss of foliage that goes with it, so I appreciate knowing the problems you've had with it. York Rose, I really did want to try an Alba. Especially since I have less than full sun in an area I want to try one. I was hesitating because of the 'once bloom', but I am growing clematis too and I had forgotten that I could combine the two. So I am going to buy one Alba. I narrowed it down to Felicite Parmentier and Mme Plantier and I needed a white, so I ordered Mme Plantier. Thanks for the reminder and the link. I have not ordered from the supplier on Cape Ann, but I am going to take a good look at what they are offering this year too..... Thanks for pointing out the size of semi-plena. zyperiris, thanks for that reminder about the Dr Huey rootstock. That will keep me away from ordering DAs at the nursery. I am ordering from Pickering who uses a different rootstock I believe? Maureen, oh how I wish I had room for a large rose like that! You make a great point about looking for the added benefit of 'four season' interest on a once bloomer. Thanks to all! I think the question of whether David Austins do well in New England has been answered. Feel free to keep the thread going on your favorite David Austins. I am still making a 'wish' list as I'm sure others are as well. I was wondering which Austin is the most fragrant, which Austin repeats the best, are there any Austins that don't have droopy flowers, which blossoms last a long time? :-)

Silver Maples, I can attest to, need to be placed with care and in our neighborhood of 1/4 acre lots there are quite a few and they are a headache. The root system becomes a large issue for growing much of anything in their vicinity. They suck up water and the root system travels too far. They also lose branches in ice storms. Winter Moths are taking a toll on all the Maple trees in the neighborhood. I wouldnâÂÂt be surprised if they are not going to make it one of these years. I saw a large dead branch in one of our trees this spring. There is one tree in our neighborhood, that is either a London Plane Tree or a Sycamore. I donâÂÂt know if it has a disease or not. Sometimes it takes a really long time to push out new leaves. And the very large leaves do not break down easily and brown dead leaves fall during the spring and summer instead of in the fall. It never looks healthy either. Too large a tree for small lots too. What about shrubs? One that comes to mind, is Viburnum âÂÂRed WingsâÂÂ. I love this shrub. Really fast growth and ability to screen. Pretty foliage and lots of berries. But wow, do the branches break over the winter. IâÂÂm still growing it and deciding if it works for me or not. Because despite having to cut it back after two winters and especially by more than half after that freak October Ice Storm, it rebounded to twice the size since then and didnâÂÂt lose a lot of branches last winter.

Another New Englander here with roots to the 1600s. who agrees that the magazine used LL Bean and Orvis catalogs for inspiration! Alas...I can check some of the boxes- the cottage shown does look like it is on the island where I live most of the year...Unfortunately these homes are disappearing as summer residents tear them down or move them off of the lots to build trophy summer houses...(that are often only used 2-3 weeks a year!) I confess: I do have blue and white china of all kinds- and have had it for 50 years with some handed-down. We have no brass lobsters...just crackers like others have said. (There may be a wee brass whale paperweight that is lurking somewhere) Also have LL Bean bags of all sizes - how else do you take your "stuff" to the beach??? Fleece - check - from throws to vests...Tis still cold on the island - sometimes even in early June. Summer weather starts around July 4th! Another check for the mudroom...wish I had the sink as pictured! What a great place for potting and pup cleaning. As for the boathouse...My grandparents had a boathouse - but it was a working one on the water - not on a lake and not for cocktails when the sun was over the yardarm ...There were boats of all kinds in it or leaning on it and sails were hung to dry after a race. And the dock...was functional and but you could get splinters if you were barefoot.

For fall colors, I prefer touring by auto. There are many covered bridges in Vermont and New Hampshire. The maples in New Hampshire are gorgeous. A car allows one to explore many nooks and valleys not accessible by boat. The three waterways that I know are the Hudson, St. Lawrence, and lake Champlain. The fall color season is fast approaching! The other call color tour That I recommend is the Blue Ridge Parkway. One caveat: At color peak, the drive is filled on weekends and motels are full. You might have to go 50 mikes off the parkway to find a room during the busy season. Most folks go home on Sunday night, so Mondays and Tuesdays can be enjoyable.