Here is the list from nckvilledudes' link. Please update any new info about the nurseries on the list. Also, please give your opinion if you had any experience with any one of them. Arrowhead Alpine - http://arrowheadalpines.com Beardsley Gardens (redesigning website) Big Dipper Farm - http://www.bigdipperfarm.com/cgi-bin/searchall.pl Bluestone Perennials - http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/index.html Brushwood Nursery - http://www.brushwoodnursery.com/ Busse Gardens - http://www.bussegardens.com/ Carroll Gardens - http://www.carrollgardens.com/ Completely Clematis - http://www.clematisnursery.com/ Digging Dog Nursery - http://www.diggingdog.com/ DonahueÂs Clematis Specialists - http://www.donahuesclematis.com/ Fairweather Gardens - http://www.fairweathergardens.com/ Fieldstone Gardens - http://www.fieldstonegardens.com/ Forestfarm - http://www.forestfarm.com/ Garden Crossings - http://www.gardencrossings.com/ Greer Gardens - http://www.greergardens.com/plants.htm Gurneys Seed & Nursery Co. - (link too long) Homestead Farms - http://www.homesteadfarms.com/ Jackson & Perkins - (link too long) Joy Creek - http://www.joycreek.com/ Klehm's Song Sparrow - http://www.songsparrow.com/ Koi Gardens - http://koigardenclub.com/Clematis.htm Lazy S'S Farm Nursery - http://www.lazyssfarm.com/Plants/Vines/vines.htm Nature Hills Nursery, Inc. - http://www.naturehills.com/ Paradise Garden - http://www.paradisegarden.com/shop/home_clematis.php Park Seed  (link too long) Plant Delights Nursery - http://www.plantdelights.com/ Rare Find Nursery - http://www.rarefindnursery.com/ Seneca Hill Perennials - http://www.senecahillperennials.com/ Sheffield's Seed Company. - http://www.sheffields.com/products/view/300440 Silver Star Vinery Clematis - http://www.silverstarvinery.com/ Siskiyou Rare Plant Nursery - http://www.siskiyourareplantnursery.com/ Spring Hill Nurseries Co. - link too long Spring Valley Greenhouse - http://www.springvalleygreenhouse.com/ Sunlight Gardens - http://www.sunlightgardens.com/giftcertificates.html Thompson & Morgan - http://www.thompson-morgan.com/ Van Bourgondien Bros. - http://www.dutchbulbs.com/ Wayside Gardens  (link too long) White Flower Farm  (link too long) Woodlanders - http://www.woodlanders.net/

I live in Palatine, and was unsuccessful w/ this plant a few years back. It was a small plant from Forest Farm, barely survived the 1st winter, didn't grow much during the summer, then died after its 2nd winter. I read somewhere to give this plant west exposure so it won't wake up too early in spring & be injured by late cold snaps. (obviously mine died so maybe this was bad advise?) If you're wiling to try it, I'd suggest planting in spring so it's roots have a better chance of establishing b4 winter & reduces chance of heaving, especially if you go with a small size. Important to note - we had alot of huge old Walnut trees surrounding the yard & I think this was planted b4 I learned what havoc juglone can create. So maybe it's not juglone tolerant...? And I remember seeing this plant in local nurseries just after I yanked up the dead one - maybe Knuppers in Palatine, or Platt Hill?

Nice owl! From the back I wouldn't have been able to identify it as an owl. It's amazing how similar raptor backs look - I guess that's a very effective camouflage pattern for a tree dweller. I wonder if sparrow backs work best in grassy environments. I can empathize with your DH slipping while trying to photograph the owl. When I was leaving my NYC neighborhood I wanted to take a photo from the sidewalk of the Siberian Elm outside my window. While backing up I tripped on the railing of the building steps next door and almost fell into the stairwell. I managed to grab the railing and pull myself back up without damaging me or the camera but it was a close call. Claire

The hawk in Menifee, CA can only be a Cooper's Hawk but it is an oddly-colored one. Something going on with the feathers, such as a heavy molt or missing feathers for some other reason. If you have other photos please post.