Almost any tree peony will stutter for the first couple of years until it becomes settled in place. Although one of my friends does some grafting for Cricket Hill I would suggest for your first tree peony try one of the most common Fen Dan Bai or Phoenix White. It grows quickly has a nice white flower with scent. The darker the flower the more quickly it will mature in warm temperatures. The dark red that I love I plant in shade or at least where the western sun does not hit them during the blooming season. For your reference there are only a few retail nurseries that grow tree peonies and ship. The older plants available are generally too heavy to ship with the shipping charges larger than the price of the plants. If you can take a driving trip you can pick up and not have the shipping charges. Tree Peony Garden if the one in PA has a reputation of having excellent plants. There are several nurseries on the net with the same name in other countries. Carol Adelman of Adelman Peony Gardens has started selling tree peonies. This is the first year but based on her normally peony plants they should be good. Understand will be bare root on own roots. Rick Rogers of Brothers Tree Peony is where I purchase some of my tree peonies. His are in pots. Mostly American types. Some still on grafts but many on own root. He will answer questions even if you do not purchase from him. He is also looking for 50+ year old tree peonies to graft from. He must be able to identify the tree peony. Father is Allen Rogers. Klehm's/Song Sparrow has tree peonies in the past only sent potted but are now doing some bare root after frost. Check this forum for others such as 4 Iris in California.

My advice? Less is more. Don't hide features of your home by cluttering them up with doodads and knickyknacks on top of cupboards. If you have nice tile or wood floors, don't cover them with rugs except for around the sink in kitchen and entry ways. A nice rug on hardwood can be an anchor, but never to take away from the hardwood which is a major bonus feature. AS for the bathroom - less, less, is more. Since bathrooms are typically small, you don't want to overcrowd them. Just nice fluffy color coordinated towels and if you have room, a nice vase with flowers.

Hi. Thanks angiebangie and gang for going through this process. I too am looking at new windows. Seemed like an easy process (tho time consuming) at first glance a 1 1/2 weeks ago, I chose installers and plus a local area mfctr to speak with thinking I would be getting the diverse windows I thought would be good after some research on mfctrs & contractors (angies, yelp, bbb, etc). I mistakenly thought my questions, their mini-me window samples, technical information, warranty, and bid would help me narrow down to a couple of windows where researching the detailed window specs at places like NHRC, etc, would help me decide. Not how it worked. Only 1 of 3 bring came w/ sample window & glad b/c made me realize Milgard Styleline was not for me. Tuscany looked a little better, but saw more contoured or wood-looking windows in Lowes that were aesthetically pleasing (Pellas, but wasn't/dont want Pellas for reasons usually cited). I want to balance looks with energy and cost since will look at them another 15-20 years...not all or nothing...hadn't expected sooo much vinyl & so little glass....losing almost triple width of frame (which means losing 2/3's all the way around). My last guy was a HIGHLY rated construction company installer who's site says Don Young along with Simonton. The owner forgot if set appt and called when appt was. Ten minutes later his right hand young man who acts on his behalf showed up (works my part of town). No samples. Said nothing about what I was getting or why suggesting. As leaving, I asked manufacturer. Simonton. What series? 5050. Says need 5500 if want lifetime warranty with labor. Bid to come last night. Guess later. Doesn't matter after that. Also, the last guy said something about my vinyl when I asked because Ringer windows' owner mentioned and could drive up cost...but no real numbers on how much and he was trying to say something that didn't seem correct which would maybe cause major price increase...but not $2000. Ouch! (I am no expert, but pretty good at construction...I may not use them..but doesn't mean he isn't correct...I don't like big $ surprises). Really disillusioned. Feel like having to start all over again. Don young doesn't warranty labor which is most expensive part of bids I have been getting. Unless I misunderstand the warranty- your installer will be your warranty for labor if they provide it. The two-tone coloring is not always available from what I remembered. But now need to consider since 3/4 of house is stone, that is a very good point angiebangie. :-) I saw you had a hard time anagiebangie with Sunrise dealer. I haven't found one yet. Would you be willing to share who was helpful or not...even sunrise? Seems like you did a lot of research (can email). All ears here or by email for anyone with really good experiences and windows to suggest that look nice...possibly less vinyl, but decent efficiency, decent leakage ratings, and visibility ratings. (Sunrise was "said" to have really good visibility ratings compared to Soft-lites (darkness vs light). Apparently you don't have to sacrifice one for the other from what I have read...but is just reading. Apparently I have gone about this wrong. I just want new, nice looking windows with great warranty...mid-upper may be fine...price is one of many factors; not rich. Ringer windows of Taylor,TX- great reviews. "Seems" like good product on first look. Anyone know anything about them? Permit- I really need tempered glass in places, and do I need to pull a permit? Everyone says no. I know city is a pain, wants a permit for about everything, but not always for the better. (can send email..don't want to cause anyone trouble. can say what is important from code standpoint..dont want redflag down road for other work..inspectors have right to reflag other work according to architect friend). Appreciate any feedback to help me through process. :-)

You do not need a soaking tub in the house for resale. A nice sized shower is more desirable nowadays. The only reason to put in a soaking tub if you have another tub in the house, is if you'll actually use the soaking tub. I put one in because my DH loves to soak.