I know that houses in this town had a general appearance at that time (1895) of white picket fences and black locust trees lining the street. The locust stumps seem to last forever. Black walnut trees were around as well. There were also long perennial borders, but that's the concern of the local garden club members. The town has encouraged the planting of newer honeylocust and locust cultivars in the historic zone along with appropriate fencing. That's why they're interested in old photos and discovering what was really used in this area, where the soil is deep clay and quite different from much of the rest of the county. Thanks to all of you who can discern so much from an old photograph.

Jean, Rita is a class AA enabler. Her garden is so ell tended and her photos are so beautiful, that you want to grow what she is growing. Mantis, thanks, I got my faithful and /true from emmerich after waiting a year it was not available for whatever reason. It always photographs the same here, but the eye is larger in her pictures which is why I wanted it...sometimes it takes several years to get "the look" though, we'll see. I really like it with the colors and it has bloomed much more this year. Anika, it is one of thoses whose look changes with temp and with moisture, I suppose...it does have a bit more pink evident, but it is always there. I moved the clump there in fall before last. The first year I had it it was patently unhappy. (3 years) Thnaks, Rita, that's the fun of it, isn't it whan there is more than one beauty. High prais efrom you, Debra, thank you. My roman Cohort was moved this spring, so the blooms are not quite their usual size...I expect return to normal next year. It is a beautiful bloom. kay

Marilyn, I think I'll just let them be. I've got two doctors' appointements today, and still have to set out several plants in the garden. I don't want to have to take time out to worry about running the Mama off. Thanks for the link. I'll check it out this evening.

Does anyone have this floor in the By the Sea finish? Or an opinion as to what's wrong with it to be a pretty reasonable price? Or cautions about installing a 5" wide plank? One flooring store guy said they would not install over 3" widths (even though they do sell wider planks).