My two cents on a 6 year old thread... Northern seed source for Tulip Tree is critical if you want a healthy vigorous tree in zone 5 or colder. After two conversations I had with landscape professionals (urban forester & retail nursery owner/landscaper) in southern Ontario, they shared that a few wholesalers are bringing up B&B Tulip Trees from growers in North Carolina (cheaper than locally grown). They discovered this after investigating why their Tulip Trees planted in the last ~5-7 years were not as robust (low vigor, winterkill, sudden death) relative to the native wild Tulip Trees. Performance of the southern trees was not so bad that the wholesalers would stop importing but poor enough that the perfectly hardy Tulip Tree is getting a reputation as 'borderline'.

Besides Enger Park and the Rose garden, there is the Glensheen mansion. I think it is free to just look at the grounds. I believe that they are doing some interesting vegetable garden trials at Glensheen this year. I wlll have to check that out, too. http://www.d.umn.edu/glen/explore.html Edelweiss Garden Nursery is a quality garden nursery where you will see some unusual stuff. I believe Rick (where's Rick?) likes to visit there. http://www.edelweissnursery.com/ Seven bridges road is a very nice drive to see some "off the main beat" scenery. Good shocks on your car would be nice, but definitely worth the ride http://www.amitycreek.com/sevenbridges/page1.html I love going to Minnesota Point. Go over the lift bridge and drive the 5 miles or so to the end of the road at the Sky harbor airport. Park the car and pick a trail and walk to the lake side in the sand dunes. (They do use poison ivy for a ground stabilizer, so shoes and socks are good.) Recently, all the plums, june berries and chokecherries were blooming. There are blueberry plants and wild roses. You might find me down there. The drive is nice and there are many unique little front yard cabin gardens along the drive. Bring some pop and a picnic lunch. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Point The Fairlawn mansion on the Superior side has a garden. I haven't checked it out yet. The Thompson Hill rest area on the way into Duluth on 35 is a beautiful rest area. If you walk behind the rest area building, you might find a trillium still in bloom. Actually the wild flowers are the best. Probably will be a little early for the lupines, but those are great to see. Have a great time. Hoghaven - your friendly unofficial Duluth chamber of commerce rep.

annz3, you live in the Ithaca area? (I'd subconsciously noted your mentioning that but forgot to comment). I have a kid who decided to spend undergrad years there. He had a fabulous experience - are you or a family member involved with one of the two colleges in town? We loved going to visit and enjoyed both the town and the surrounding area. Though you'll understand, this thin blooded Californian restricted visits to fall and spring. It's a beautiful area and there seemed to be lots to do.

My grand daughter, Emma, and the aerial bridge in Duluth, MN.