David: I think a lot of the disagreements about what are the best trees and/or which are "trash" trees comes from how different trees grow in different parts of the country. I think you are out of the best range for growing sweetgum. Here I am a bit too far north and west, but I never see them sucker, and seldom see breakage. Go to eastern MD and south and they will knock your socks off. Of course there are the seed cases, and I can understand peoples feelings about those. But if I love a tree, I ignore such things. I have tried the male seedless variety--or at least one of them, and it was ill-adapted to this area and had to get rid of it. It seemed to be too far north for it. No color--the leaves just froze off in December. I posted "In praise of hackberries" a few months ago and although many people agreed with my opinion of the tree, others in different areas described growth habits/problems I had never seen here. Here they are often so perfect in form and generally magnificent I could never imagine anyone not loving them. I posted because many people cannot identify this tree and it is almost never offered for sale. Sycamores! Wow. Here in Winchester, VA they are wonderful--not just my opinion. It is probably the most commonly planted tree here in developments, along streets, parks, etc. And they are stunnning! I can't imagine what you are seeing there. So what trees are loved and by whom is not just a question of personal taste--often it is how a tree grows in one area as opposed to another. BTW--Ken hates maples because they are not good for growing hostas under! Ha--I will never be "hosta"le to maples! --Spruce

I wonder if my name should be Pragmatist or Semanticist rather than Palimpsest. When I am trying to get a feel for what a client wants I literally ask things like "What color cabinets do you like?" "Plain doors or lots of trim?" "Shiny countertops or matte?" All the design shows have pushed the need for a "catch phrase" or a "theme" and I think this actually creates confusion. This is why pictures of what you like are so helpful. I know a woman who was "shopping" for a designer who said "I love French antiques" and nobody is showing me what I am looking for!" So, she was shown more French antiques and got really angry and frustrated. Finally she was told "You know what? Find a picture of what it is you are thinking then!" She didnt like French antiques at all...she liked English Regency and she just thought it was French. So even when there is a real historic style (as opposed to the American coined "Old World" which conjures a general, rather non specific feeling)--there can be confusion.

As a former owner of a 1900 Victorian, hope you have deep pockets because I see a good bit of work and restoration. Renting the whole house seems challenging at best. Porch looks like there might be some wood condition issues. What budget are you planning for? Will you upgrade plumbing and electrical and sewer lines. These infrastructure items can eat a budget fast and must be done. Big undertaking. We had a 10 year plan and the house was owned by one person. Year 10 we got job transfers and second redo of kitchen got handed off to new owners. I wouldn’t tear down any walls. If people come, they are looking for a 1920 experience. Not a modernization. We sold our house in hours. At asking price. So think things through. Research what renters want.

In fact, Jackson & Perkins survives in name only; it was bought by a conglomerate called Western Capital Resources (they also own Park Seeds and Wayside) after the 2007 financial crisis and subsequent bankruptcy of J&P. (which sadly took down Weeks Roses and others) However, the fact that 'Climbing Iceberg' isn't really suitable/ideal for all USDA 6 and colder climates isn't J&P's fault - they just produce varieties that sell well. It's always up to the customer to determine how well-suited a particular rose it to their climate and specific situation. Noted in previous posts is the fact that when a nursery lists a rose as "hardy to Zone 5", they are only stating that the rose will survive those conditions, but they are not claiming that the variety is guaranteed to be cane hardy to the very tips in cold climates. That said, and as others have noted, placing a rose close to a building may only exacerbate freeze/thaw cycling problems which are known to result in cane damage.