JAPANESE IRIS (I. Kaempferi)

LARGE 2 TO 3 EYE DIVISIONS IMPORTED FROM JAPAN

We proudly make available to American gardeners the world famous HIGO strain, developed to a mag­ nificent state of perfection under the aegis of the Japanese Prefectural Government. * * * Now you can glorify your own garden with these monumental, dinner plate size blooms and at the same time be the pride of your whole Gornmunity. ' * * >l" Japanese Iris, with their exotic, §}raGetully ruffled flat blooms (sometimes larger than this pa§e), are by far the most spectacular, and the latest flowering of Iris species - mid to late July, here. * * * They are just as easily grown as the others, but more adaptable, sinee they can be grown in damp and even wet locations which many other plants will not tolerate. * *

__...... _IIIIIIJ!o. __ ~-- WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING: ----lIIIiIIIi!!iiiIiiIiii!III~----

ROSE au EE N - (Benibotan) Velvety rich shade of Tyrean Rose - reminiscent of a monare'ta's imJ'lerial attire­ ~rice $9.95 j:ler 3 - Postpaid.

LAUREL CROWN - (Gekeikan) Heavy, snowy white, edged rich rose -like a ceremonial robe. Price $9.75 per 3 - Postpaid. WH ITE au EE N - (Hakubotan) Simply enormous, ruffled frosty white, refreshing as a cool mountain peak in mid­ summer - Price $9.75 per 3 - P0stpaid.

PHOEN IX BROCADE - (Hoho-Nishiki) Shades of deep red, purple, and maroon artistically sprinkled with silver to form a never before seen, exotically colored brocade. Price $10.95 per 3 - Postpaid.

AZU RE SKI ES - (Murakama) Bright blue, sparkling and refreshling as clear cool blue skies. A rare color that will enhance everything else in your garden. Price $10.95 per 3 - Postpaid.

DAZZLI NG TAPESTRY - (Tsure-Nishiki) Glory rosy-lavender, artistically splashed silvery white in a dazzling tapestry of color. Price $8.95 per 3 - Postpaid.

GOLD MEDAL JAPANESE IRIS SPECIAL ONLY $16.00 POSTPAID! One large division of each of the above gorgeous new varieties, properly labeled. You save OVER $5.00 TRIPLE GOLD MEDAL JAPANESE IRIS SPECIAL ONLY $44.95 POSTPAID! Three large divisions each of the above jewels. YOU SAVE OVER $16.00

CONNOISSEURS JAPANESE IRIS SPECIAL For the first time ever, we offer com- plete, undivided clumps, consisting of 7 to 11 or more eyes each of any of the above varieties for $7.50, per undivided clump. Quantities positively limited and orders will be filled in date rotation.

WE PAY POSTAGE including AIR MAIL DELIVERY OF ORDERS TO THE WEST COAST

SPRING SALES FOLDER featuring Lilies, Clematis, Hostas, Wildflowers, Dahlias, Gladioli, as well as rare bulbs and plants to individualize your garden, FREE WITH ORDER, or send 25¢ to cover postage and handling.

Massachusetts Residents Jjlacktborne

HVirginia 22121 Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, Virgin ia 703/768-5700 22308, and is issued in February, April, June, Augus t, O ctober and December. Membership in the Society automa ti ­ cally includes a subscription toAl17erical7 Horticult ll rist and $1.50 is d esigna ted fo r 2 An Editorial each issue of this publica ti on. Member­ ship dues start at $15.00 a year.

Refer edi torial m a tters to : Educational Murray Keene 4 Mi xing Food Pl ants with Ornamental s­ American Horticulturis t Kate Rogers Gess ert Mount Vernon , Virgin ia 22121 28 Signs of Spring-Lorraine Ma rshall Burgess Refer advertis ing m atters to: Publisher Services, In c. 621 Duke Street Gardeners Notebook Alexandria, Virginia 22314 6 Prelude to Spring-Martha Prince Address reg uests for reprin ts of 18 The Dexter Rhododendron Story-Heman A. Howard articles to The American 22 Conspicuous By Their Absence-Pamela J. Harper Horticultural Society, Mount Vernon, Vi rginia 32 Know Your Microcl imate fo r Better Gardenin g- Robert Sheppard AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST is de­ voted to the dissemination of knowl­ edge in the science and art of grow ing Travelogue ornamental plants, fruits, vegetables, 14 Two Spri ng Tr eks to Nepal-C.D. Sayers and related subjects. Original papers which increase knowledge of plant m a­ 26 Pursui ng a Secon d Spri ng-Robert H. Savage terials of economic and aesthetic impor­ tance are inv ited. For manus cript Vegetable Gardening specifications please address the Execu­ tive Director, Mount Vernon, Virginia 8 Tom atoes-Andes Mountains to American Tables­ 22121. All an K. Stoner

Replacement is sues of AMERICA N HORTICULTURIST are available at a My Favorite Plant cost of $2.50 per copy, but not beyond 30 Cornu s Kou sa and its many variations-Alfred J. Fordham twelve months prior to date of current issue. 36 My Favorite Camellia Cultivar-Milton H. Brown

The opinions expressed in the articles which appear in AMERICAN HOR­ 40 Books TICULTURIST are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Soci­ ety. They are presented as contributions to contemporary thought.

Second class postage paid a t Alexandria, OUR COVER: Photo by Robert H. Savage; Geissorrhiza Virginia and at additional mailing of­ rochensis at Darling, South Africa fices. Copyright © 1976 by The Ameri­ can Horticultural Society. PRINTING: RAY PRINTING. KANSAS CITY. MISSOURI AN EDITORIAL

Plants Across the Seas Most American gardens contain plant con­ landscape planning. AAN's annual Landscape tributions from other cultures of the world. The Awards honor planting designers and installers. first settlers brought with them more than their We need to let every community know they can family traditions. They brought their traditional plant their living spaces with highly varied mate­ plants as well. With no baggage inspection to rials, placed in aesthetic, environmentally sound complicate matters, many exotic plants immi­ settings. grated and became part of our landscape. Hun­ When one leaves familiar surroundings and dreds of other plants did not survive the ordeal, travels to other areas, the landscape takes on new however. Their only residue is in the notes of perspectives. Plants normally treated as small, settlers and the explorers. single-trunk trees often appear as multi­ When we walk into our garden, we seldom stemmed plants. Camellias which are usually think that this is a plant from China, England, displayed as individual plants become a surging India, or Peru. The plants have long become a mass of foliage, clipped to create a ground cover part of our heritage. Through selection and prop­ of dancing waves. Conifers which have always agation, the plant we grow often looks like its been permitted to develop their ascending form progenitor in its native habitat. Occasionally, it become sentinels with a strong vertical axis and may be so altered in appearance and perfor­ short, but uniform, lateral branches. mance that it could no longer survive in its origi­ These experiences can be best appreciated by nal surroundings. We continue to look for ways travelling to other gardening areas of the world. I to stretch the area of plant adaptation, acting as a recently discovered this when my wife and I chronicler to our friends by relating the latest travelled with twenty-two AHS members on a exploits of plant acclimatization and survival. 26-day autumn tour ofJapan, Okinawa, Taiwan, Some species seem to get most of our attention, and Hong Kong. We enjoyed the fellowship of while hundreds of others with less dazzling ap­ gardeners with differing horticultural experi­ peal wait on the sidelines, hoping someone will ences in Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, North help them become reigning favorites. Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New York, Ore­ Meanwhile, many native American plants suf­ gon, and Washington. fer even greater indignities. Each year, more na­ Travel becomes more of a privilege each tive stands are grubbed out to make way for the year-the expense and time required make us 3-million-acre crunch for roads, parking, and use our resources wisely. AHS intends to pro­ housing. When we revegetate the area, we tend vide these opportunities to our members. Travel­ to select from the common " top-ten" plants. ling in the company of enthusiastic fellow gar­ Our landscape is slowly turning into a deners is truly a rewarding, educational experi­ homogeneous display of similar plant combina­ ence. The American Horticulturist regularly car­ tions. ries announcements of these worthwhile trips. I have lived in a landscape with acid soil, mod­ Recently, we received more than 1200 re­ erate winters, hot, dry summers and adequate sponses to a questionnaire from members, advis­ rainfall for many years. I have come to expect ing us of their horticultural tour preferences. We to see areas planted a particular way. Even are putting this valuable information to good use without my glasses, I can identify plants just in planning future tours. from their blurred forms and common arrange­ Our future plantings will take on new perspec­ ments. tives as we experience "plants across the seas". We will bring back new information and use it to We must commend our nursery-oriented create better and more imaginative plantings for groups for trying to change this boring national tomorrow's landscape. trend. The American Association of Nurserymen Henry M . Cathey 2 has urged our nation to bring excellence to our President, AHS Special Book Offer to AHS Members

Want Healthy, Vigorous Trees and Shrubs? At a savings of $10.00, here is the book for you: Discount offer expires April 15, 1976 Insects That Feed on Trees and Shrubs Published by: Cornell University Press, 124 Roberts Place, Ithaca, New York 14850 An Illustrated Practical Guide, by Warren T. Johnson and Howard H. Lyon

This new, co mprehensive book gives esse ntial inclu des li fe cycle information to aid in proper inform ation about nea rl y 700 species of insects that tim ing for chemica l control appli cations, should ca n injure woody ornamental p lants in North they become necessa ry. A separate secti on tells America. It deals in a practical way with the science where to get in formation on the ever-changing of entomology so that the reader ca n diag nose methods of modern pest contro l. plant disorders ca used by pests and identify the insect or mite responsible. Only until April 15, 1976, you can order this book at a special pre-publication price of Illustrated with 212 magnificent full-color $24.95-a saving of more than 28% from the composite picture plates regular price of $35.00. Each photograph, scrupulously exact in color and scale, is a compos ite showing both pest and injury ------. symptoms. Th e photographs are all new and have never been published before. Inside this brochure ORDER FORM you can see for yourse lf the remarkable color American Horticultural Society authenticity. Th e actual page size is (9 x 12). Book Department Legends describe the individual pictures, and the Mount Vernon, Va. 22121 facing text points out the charac terist ics of plant Gentlemen: damage, th e geograp hical distribution of the pest, Ye s, I want to save $10.00 by ordering $24.95 and the o rga nism's basic biology. at a pre-publication price of $24.95- .50 postage & a sav in g of more than 28% from the handling re gul ar price of $35.00 : Interprets scientific material in non­ $25.45 total INSECTS THAT FEED ON TREES technical language- AND SHRUBS. An Illustrated Practical An extensive index of key words assists readers Guide by Warren T. Johnson and Howard H. Lyon. in identifying pests by empirical mean s. Accepted common names are used, where available, for both o Check enclosed plants and animals, and technical Latin names for all pests are also included. Name

Provides complete coverage of North Street America- City Three other specialists who work in widely se parate are as co llaborated with the author and State Zip photographer. Ten years in preparation, the book ~------~ Parsley, mixed with lobe lia Mixing FOod Plants with rrzentals Kate Rogers Gessert 2310 NW Grant Ave. Corvallis, Oregon 97330

During the past few years large fruit trees and vines, vegetables, houses, and live surrounded by numbers of people in the United potted herbs and medicinal herbs. plan ts that are beautiful not only in States have begun growing vege­ In the United States, early terms of pure aesthetics but in the tables . Vegetable growing has settlers grew plant necessities oldest, deepest way known to us: great appeal because it satisfies a only . Later on, the well-to-do because we need them. number of our current needs. We adopted the custom of planting or­ As a teacher at the Brooklyn can save money. We can take care namental "parlor gardens" at the Botanic Garden, I planted experi­ of ourselves, at least partially, by front and sides of their houses. The mental gardens there for two years, working on our own land. We can vegetables were at the back of the on the edge of a large field. Most of grow food that is tastier, more var­ dwelling, near the kitchen and out the field is a Children's Garden ious, and nutritionally better than of sight. It wasn't polite to relax or where 300 city youth come each that available in stores. We experi­ entertain guests among the food spring and summer to plant vege­ ence healthy exercise. We feel plants. That would be as bad as tables. Each fall the field is plowed closer to the land and sense our entertaining them in the kitchen' thus the plants we grow are mostly dep.endence on its resources. Today we consider ourselves annuals. There is one need that vegetable more enligh tened and informal. In 1973 I took care of a long an­ gardens do not yet fulfill, at least We are not afraid that our friends nual flower border and experi­ not intentionally. This is the need will think us ill-mannered or mented with companion planting for attractive plantings around our poverty-stricken if we invite them in a flower, vegetable, and herb houses. We think of our gardens as into our kitchens or admit that we garden. I was unfamiliar with the recreational and decorative: out­ grow vegetables. Few of us own invasive habits of some herbs in door living rooms with grass rugs vast expanses of land, so that com­ close quarters, and it became dif­ and hedge walls. Vegetables are bining functions by growing the ficult to tell which companion not considered a part of this orna­ same plants for both food and de­ combinations were most effective. mental scene. Where there is coration would seem sensible. Yet However, the green shades and the enough room, vegetables are our modern gardens are descen­ textures of the vegetable and herb grown in separate areas: in rectan­ dants of the " parlor gardens," and leaves and the bright colors of gular plots in the middle of lawns, we continue to grow plants in the vegetable-fruits and companion or in backyards, possibly sepa­ same old categories: food plants plant flowers were so beautiful to­ rated from the ornamental plant­ and ornamen tals. Some frui t trees gether that they suggested new ings by a fence. and herbs have made it into an un­ ideas for 1974: a vegetable invasion This separation of food plants certain middle territory, but most of the annual flower border. and ornamental plants has a his­ vegetables remain solidly in the I planted flowers and vegetables tory almost as long as gardening food plant category. This is a waste together in a [60' x 10'] section of itself. The wealthy and elite have of both space and design pos­ the border. Few rows were used long observed the distinction be­ sibilities. and vegetables were massed in tween "kitchen gardens," where We should liberate our vegeta­ beds like flowers. food plants are grown, and " plea­ bles from our backyard. We should Around the edges of the flower sure gardens," where rare im­ rejoice that many of their textures, and vegetable area I planted a bor­ ported flowers, sweeping lawns, shapes, and colors are attractive, der of " Banquet" parsley and and shade trees flourish . Most and use them in ways that show off dwarf mixed phlox. The clear green poor and middle-income people their beauty to best advantage. We of the parsley set off the strong red have grown the plants they could can grow vegetables in front, in shades of the phlox flowers. 4 use, and grown them all together: back, around, up and down our Continued on page 34

Prelude to Spring Camellia japonica Martha Prince Photography by Jordan and Martha Prince All Pictures Taken at Planting Fields Arboretum Oyster Bay, Long Island New York, 11771

On bitter grey days in February holocaust of the Civil War. and March, flower lovers in the In the wild, C. japonica blossoms New York area can escape the sleet are usually red and single. The as­ and chill of northern winter. Plant­ tonishing diversity now found is a ing Fields Arboretum, on Long Is­ result of longtime selection and land, has a very beautiful indoor development within the species. collection of Camellia japonica . To There are many hundreds of enter the Camellia House is to named C. japonica , in colors from enter not only a different season, white through pink and rose to but a different time. Few flowers, red, and from solid color to striped by name alone, so evoke the aura of and blotched. In form they may another century! Perhaps it is the mimic roses, peonies, anemones time of Marguerite and Armand in or carnations, and be single, Dumas' bitter-sweet La Dam e aux semi-double, or fully double. Al­ Cci melia s, or Violetta and Alfredo in though usually called varieties, the Lo Tra viata, or our ante-bellum more correct term, in contempo­ South, with its lovely, lost gar­ rary botany, is " cultivar". dens. The visitor to the greenhouse In 1916, when Long Islander Wil­ steps from snowy reality into a 'Adolph Audusson', po pular Semi­ liam R . Coe decided to fill a world of exotic color. Double greenhouse at his estate, " Planting Camellia japonica is but one soms, and the lush, rich foliage, Fields", with camellias, he had a species of the genus Cam ellia , in needed a tropical climate. The poor whole range of colors and forms the tea family (Theaceae). It is an camellias were grown in warm, not from which to choose. Mr. Coe or­ oriental shrub (or small tree), na­ cool, greenhouses; the plants dis­ dered his many plants from John tive to Korea and Japan, and has appeared, presumably "boiled to Waterer, Sons and Crisp Nursery, been cultivated for centuries. The death." A re-introduction to Eng­ in Surrey, England, shipment first written accounts of camellias land was made in 1792, via the being made from the Isle of known in the West are those of a East India Company. These early Guernsey. Of these original plants, Moravian Jesuit priest, Georg plants were of two colors, a striped many remain today In his Kamel, and their name is a double and a white. Enthusiastic greenhouse, now the Camellia Latinized version of his. Although plantsmen soon had differing col­ House of Planting Fields Ar­ Kamel travelled extensively, it is ors and forms growing in English boretum. Mr. Coe left his beautiful doubtful that he introduced any gardens. home and gardens to the State of camellias to Europe. He died in The first C. japonica plants New York in 1955. 1706, and there is no record of any known in America were also of two The usual outdoor growing area such flowers then being in Euro­ colors-one red, one white-sent for C. japonica in America is from pean gardens. from who-knows-where to a nur­ coastal Virginia, through the The first known western bloom­ seryman in New Jersey. The date Carolinas and Georgia to northern ing was at an English estate in Es­ was 1798 for the red, and 1800 for Florida, then west along the north­ sex, belonging to Lord Petre. The the white. Within twenty-five ern Gulf Coast. Lovely gardens are year was 1739. English gardeners years Southern gardens were open to the public in Virginia of the· period must mistakenly have abloom. Many lovely varieties are (Norfolk Botanical Gardens), near 6 thought the exotic-looking blos- thought to have disappeared in the Charleston (Middleton Place and Magnolia Gardens), in Savannah, face feeders; C. japonica originall y at Bellingrath Gardens in Ala­ grew in places where it was neces­ b ama, and at several places in sary to avoid competition with the Louisiana. In fairly recent years, C. lower roots of surrounding trees. japonica h as also become a garden An undisturbed mulch o f oak favorite along the Pacific Coast up leaves, pine needles, or bark chips to Vancouver. Unhappily, mos t provides a good cover. (Peat is Americans in other places know never used as a mulch. It compacts camellias, if they know them at all, into an impenetrable crust once it only as corsage flowers. A dries). greenhouse such as Planting Outdoor camellias, wi th a good Fields' has brought a new and spe­ organic mulch, d o not require cial appreciation of these treas ures much fertilizer; that used should to many people. be sp rinkled on, and not worked Indoor Cultivation in. Fertilizers designed especially Meeting the Ca mellia japonica a t for camellias are avail able, but the Arboretum inevitably leads to those for rh ododendrons and wanting plants for oneself. How­ azaleas are eq ually sa tis factory . Timing of application is critical, to ever, it is a rare and very wealthy 'Puri ty', a fi ne w h ite gardener w h o can afford a avoid la te season growth. As this greenhouse comparable to the one The cultural information on the varies fro m area to area, it is best to at Planting Fields! Fortunately, Camellia House, at the end of the study cultural material offered b y a smaller greenhouses and slow­ article, is applicable to any local horticultural society or a growing camellias are compatible. greenhouse. nearby chapter of The American Camellia Society. If any greenhouse is beyond possi­ Outdoor Cultivation bility, camellias do quite well as C. japo l1ica is a native of moist, window plants. On Long Island, wooded hills ides; knowing this is not too far fro m Planting Fields, the key to s uccessfully growing there is a good coll ection in a long, plants outdoors. The site, there­ high window having full south ern fore, should be one with high exposure. The temperature is summer shade, dappled winter moderated by air conditioning, shade and wind protection (this and the soil is two feet deep, in can be afforded by surrounding tubs within a built-in box . Bloom plan ts). The worst site would be a is good, and has been for m ore south-facing, exposed position, than ten years. open to full winter sun. Beginning gardeners som etimes mistake full win ter sunshine for "protection", because it is warm ; instead, it is devastating. Plants s uch as rhododendrons and camelli as can­ not endure rapid ups-and-downs of temp erature, and s uffer from sun scald and winter burn. 'Etoile', a red Rose Form Dou bIe Holes for planting, made much wider and deeper than the root Choice Plants balls, are refilled with rich, loose­ For outdoor use in colder areas, the textured soil. A good mixture is choice of plants is restricted, and it one-third loam, one-third sand, would be wise to follow the advice and one-third sphagnum peat, of others. Only in recen t years have with the pH value in the range of 5 serious efforts been made to find to 6.5. It is important that the camellias hardy enough to with­ plants are set at a level as high as, stand the climate of New York City or preferably a little higher than, and Long Island. For this area, and that at which they previously others of similar tempera tures, 'Tricolor (Siebold)" a b eautifully grew. As is true of most woodland Gordon Jones, Director of Planting striped Semi-Double plants, the shallow roots are sur- Continued on pnge 35 7 Tomatoes-Andes Mountains

The tomato, a wild growing In 1779, tomatoes were re­ taste of tomatoes to "rotten mountain plant, long thought to portedly used in New Orleans, in potatoe-balls." be poisonous, is today's most pop­ catsup, but were planted in the Th@ tomato. has had a varied his­ ular vegetable. A recent Gallup English colonies only as an orna­ tory even to th€l point of being the poll indicates that 92%) of all horne ment, under the name of "Love subject of a U.S. Supreme Court gardeners in the U.S. pJant them. Apples". Thomas J€fferson grew ruling. After an importer had in­ Fresh tomatoes are a tasteful, at­ tomatoes on his plantation in 1781. sisted that tomatoes were fruits tractive, nutritious, and versatile Much of the early literature reports and, therefore, at that time not sub­ food. They grow under a variety of most people consi.dered tomato ject to a duty, the Cellrt in 1893 conditions with a minimum of ef­ fruits and leaves to be poisonous. ruled that the tomato is a vegeta­ fort and require relatively little However, an American, who we bl€l. HQwever, by a strictly botani­ space for large production. do not read about in history books, cal definition which says that a The cultivated tomato, Lycoper­ emerged in 1820. An article by fruit is a rna tured evary, the tomato sicon esculentum Mill., originated Harold Helfer on the "Love Apple" is a fruit just as are green peppers, as "wild" forms in the Peru­ explains: snap or green beans, eggplants, Ecuador-Bolivia area of the Andes "One of the unsung heroes of our summer squash and many other mountains. From South America country was Rabat Gibbon Johnson, the tomato was carried into Central a great man who made a lasting and America and Mexico by prehistoric profound contribution to our society, Indians. It was introduced to other and was then forgottlln. Hardly any areas of the world by European one ever heard of this man, much less travelers. The first known record of of his brave act on the courthouse the tomato reports its introduction steps at Salem, N.J., on a hot August to Italy in 1544. Over the next 200 day in 1820...... his claim to years many European writers re­ fame rests on neither his wealth nor ported seeing tomatoes in Europe the honors that were thrust upon and northern Africa. Although him . "Robert Gibbon Johnson de­ eaten by some, it apparently was serves immortality because he ate a grown primarily as an ornamental tomato ." or curiosity plant. The first report Tomatoes began gainitlg wide of the presence of the tomato in acceptance as a food plant in the North Ameriea was in the U.S. between 1820 and 1850. The Carolinas in 1710. The next men­ feelings of one man are captured in tion of the "tomatis" in North a quote from an 1845 article: America was in a 1766 reference by "Mr. Beecher of the Indiana aJohn Bartram which stated: Farmer speaks with the enthusiasm of " ye 2 nights frost, with some ice, of an epicure (m the subject of tomatoes. ye 4 & 5 of december, ye Governour He says that whoever does not love tould me was harder a Augustine than them, 'is an object of pity.' There's no any they had before crismas last year. accounting for taste." it killed ye pumpkin vines & many of However, another statement in ye leaves of ye carolina peas but did the article quotes the editor of the not hurt ye tomatis." BQston Courier as comparing the 8 Allan K. Stoner, Research Horticulturist . to Arnerican Tables USDA, Beltsville, Maryland garden crops. diseases that attack the crop. new techniques. These early re­ Wild tomatoes perpetuate them­ Early efforts to improve to­ search efforts involved specifi­ selves under conditions of chance matoes consisted of selecting for cally, resistance to fusarium wilt, pollination and natural selection. higher yields . Large, smooth­ nailhead rust, leaf spots, leaf mold, These include plants of the culti­ fruited types were adapted for mosaic and curly top viruses. Start­ vated forms of the seven wild growth under local environmental ing in 1912, a series of new cul­ species that will hybridize with conditions. Prior to 1910, practi­ tivars were released that possessed L. esculen tum . These are L. pim­ cally all of the introductions of new some resistance or tolerance to pinellifolium (Jus!.) Mill. , L. hir­ tomato cultivars were made by fusarium wilt. sutum Humb. & Bonpl., L. private citizens. Since 1910 many The cultivar " Marglobe" was in­ p eruvianum (L.) Mill. , L. g lan­ public agencies and private com­ troduced by F. J. Pritchard and dulosum C. H. Mull., L. cheesmanii panies have been involved in to­ W. S. Porte of the USDA in 1925. Riley, L. chilense Dun., and Solan­ mato cultivar development with This cultivar showed adaptability um pennellii Correll. Growing a particular emphasis being placed to a wide range of cultural condi­ "wild" form under modern on resistance to disease. Over tions, a high level of resistance to methods of cultivation will not 1,100 tomato cultivars have been fusarium wilt, and for the first time change it from a "wild" form. Man developed in the U.S. and Canada in a cultivar, resistance to nailhead is responsible for "taming" wild since 1900. rust. Other important early intro­ Probably the first U.S. contribu­ ductions included the cultivars tion to tomato improvement was " Break 0 ' Day" in 1931 and the introduction of the " Tilden" " Pritchard" in 1932. cultivar by Henry Tilden, of As commercial processing of Davenport, Iowa, in 1865. Tilden tomatoes gained in importance, found and saved seed of a single many cultivars were select@d and " off-type" plant in a field of an un­ introduced for this purpose. Even known cultivar. It subsequently though th@y were developed bred true and resulted in a new primarily for processing, many be­ cultivar. came popular for home garden use A. W. Livingston of Columbus, as well. Most traits of a good pro­ plants to make them more desir­ Ohio, and his associates in the cessing tomato are the same as able for his us@. He does this by Livingston Seed Company, re­ those of a good fresh tomato. In taking advantage of the tremen­ leased several tomato cultivars be­ addition to those cultivars men­ dous diversity that exists in Nature. ginning in 1870. The cultivars tioned above, other examples of Beginning with prehistoric man, "Stone" and " Globe" were the cultivars used for both purposes there have been centuries of natu­ most important. Other seed com­ include " Santa Clara", which was ral selection for the most desirable panies such as the D . M . Ferry and the principal cultivar grown for plants or plant types. In the pro­ Co., and the W. Atlee Burpee Co., canning in California during the cess, undesirable types were con­ began introducing new tomatoes 1930's, and " Rutgers", released by tinuously discarded and seed from in the 1880's. Tomato cultivars in­ the New Jersey Agricultural Exper­ the most desirable were planted for troduced near the turn of the cen­ iment Station in 1934 primarily for the next year's crop. tury included, " Ponderosa" in that state's processing industry. Plant geneticists can bring to­ 1891 by Peter Henderson, " Ear­ During the 1930's serious efforts gether desirable combinations of liana" in 1900 by George Sparks, were made to use the wild species hereditary factors that might never " Greater Baltimore" in 1905 by as sources of disease resistance. be found in the wild. The geneti­ John Baer and " Bonny Best" in This resulted in a major break­ cist does not create new genes, but 1908 by Johnson and Stokes Com­ through when G . W . Bohn and merely rearranges what nature has pany. provided. After the State Agricultural Ex­ Prior to 1860 there were no new periment Stations and the United tomato cultivars developed in the States Department of Agriculture U .S. Those available were brought began research on tomato im­ here from England or France. prove men t, they broadened the These cultivars had fruits that were objectives to include selection for rough, ugly, heavily ribbed, vari­ resistance or tolerance to specific able in size and of indifferent qual­ diseases, heat and cold and adap­ ity. The plants themselves were tability to shipping long distances 10 highly susceptible to most of the or to processing or preservation by C. M. Tucker found immunity to diseases as possible and resistance The most beautiful fusarium wilt in L. pimpinelli­ to growth cracks and bursting roses on the block. folium and transferred it to the cul­ caused by alternating dry and wet The most magnificent tivated species in 1940. W. S. Porte weather. It should also possess mums you've ever known. and H. B. Walker then released to " adaptability" or consistency of the public the first cultivar with performance from year to year, re­ The healthiest. most thriving this resistance, "Pan American", gardless of weather changes or dif­ garden you've .ever grown. in 1941. Most tomato cultivars re­ ferent cultural practices. The cul­ leased during the last 10 years have tivar should produce attractive Black Leaf 40 carried this same resistance, which fruit with good flavor and high GARDEN SPRAY is inherited as a single dominant nutritional value. NATURE' S OWN NATURAL INSECTICIDE gene. A second example of the suc­ Information abou t adapted cul­ cessful use of a related species in­ tivars is readily available from volved the transfer of resistance to many sources including seed root knot nematodes from L. catalogues, loca l nurserymen, • BLACK LEAF 40 kills aphids and si milar sucking insects with 2-way action - by con­ peruvianum to the cultivated spe­ county agricultural agents, news­ tact and by fumes. Kill s ants out-of-doors. cies by A. L. Harrison in 1960. paper and magazine garden arti­ • BLACK LEAF 40 has been helping garden­ ers attain beautiful results for over 90 years cles and successful neighborhood • BLACK LEAF 40 is a naturally occurring. gardeners. When choosing cul­ biodegraoable insecticide that remains "on target" and diss ipates without leaving harm­ tivars, resistance to verticillium ful residue . • BLACK LEAF 40 is versalile wilt, fusarium wilt and nematodes · .. use it effectively on roses, gladiOli, mums, si mil ar fl owers; shrubs. vegetables, fruit trees is often, but not always, indicated and everg reens . • BLACK LEAF 40 is non­ by including a V, F, N with the caustic and does not injure foliage. Does not leave unsightly residue . • BLACK LEAF 40 i s name. Nematode resistance is compatible with standard spray materials for normally only required in South­ combination spraying. Economical to use. fiiiijij Serving Ameflcan Gardeners ern and some Western areas of the ~ with Quality PrOducts Since 187g country while V and F resistance is Black Leaf Products Company As the processing tomato indus­ likely to be important in most all try shifted to mechanized produc­ areas of the country. tion during the early 1960's, plant The tomato picture is continu­ breeders began developing to­ ally changing as seed companies ma toes wi th characteris tics tha t and state and federal experiment made them suited for specific s tations release new cultivars each Spring can types of products, i.e. sauces, cat­ year. The gardener buying plants be early sup, whol€ canned, etc. or seeds can choose from the small in'76 ... inan Processed cultivars for machine "cherry" types to the large harvest are bred so that the fruits " beefs teak" types. There are also ~® are firm fleshed and so they all various shapes represented includ­ ripen at one time. The home gar­ ing pear, plum and round. Plant ALUMINUM GREENHOUSE Over 90 models starting at dener wants to have tomatoes rip­ breeders have even developed $288 • Precision ening gradually over a long some that are shaped like hot dogs prefabrication for fast period of time and may prefer to or sausages, although the latter assembly. Full accessories line. Prompt shipment for have tomatoes with flesh that is were developed specifically for early installation. somewhat softer than processing commercial processing and are not Write for catalog price list AH-46 cultivars. commonly available to home gar­ The Ideal Tomato deners. The ripe fruit color of cul­ d54lumi1l.um During the last few years many tivars ranges from yellow to orange {jreen.qpuses, lrLc. 14615 Lorain Avenue plant breeders have concerned to pink and bright red. Cleveland. Ohio 44111 themselves with developing cul­ tivars especially for home garden Eating Quality use. This has resulted in many ex­ To many people tomatoes are a cellent open pollinated and f1 hy­ major source of vitamins C and A. brid cultivars available for most One medium size tomato (2 x 21/2 every area of the country. A good inches) provides approximately home garden tomato cultivar half of the recommended daily should possess resistance to as dietary allowance of vitamin C for many of the commonly occuring 11 WRITERS WH Y WAIT ? an adult and more than a fourth of PUBLISH YOUR BOOI( IN 90 DAYS success of the tomato crop. and gel expert editing. design. manu­ the vitamin A, but only a few The selection of a suitable site is facture . publicity, promotion and advertising -all under one roof at low costs. Two free calories. At least 2 cultivars, extremely important. In suburban books and literalUre give detai ls and suc­ cess stories. Write or call Oept.393 "High-C" and "Doublerich" that situations gardeners do not always Exposition Press. Inc .• 900 So . Oyster Bay Rd .• Hicksville. N .Y . 11801 (516) 822-5700 have up to twice the vitamin C con­ have much choice where they will tent of standard cultivars were re­ plant. When possible, they should WATER LILIES leased during the 1950's. Unfortu­ be aware of the importance of soil GOLDFISH. SCAVENGERS nately these cultivars lacked many and light. AQUATIC PLANTS. LIGHTS of the other desirable tomato traits Tomatoes grow best in fertile, PUMPS. FILTERS. FOUNTAINS FIBERGLASS GARDEN POOLS. KOI and seed is now difficult to obtain. well-drained soil, but they will Se nd $1.00 (deduct on first order) today for your new copy of co lorful 48 page catalog. Since 1917. 301 -874-5133 grow in almost any kind of soil. A. THREE SPRINGS FISHERIES W. Livingston, developer of many 1556 AMHORT ROAD, LlLYPONS, MD 21717 early tomato cultivars, wrote in STAY IN BLOOI'I ALL 1893: "Tomatoes can be grown wher­ YEAR WITH A TURNER ever corn could be planted . . . . GREENHOUSE To get the best fruits, land that is rich enough to fetch fifty to seventy-five TURNER bushels of corn to the acre should be GREENHOUSES U.S. 13 South. chosen . ... In a word, whatever Goldsboro, NC will thoroughly prepare a rich field in 27530 For home gardeners who are in­ good shape for any common crop , terested in high vitamin A to­ will be all right for tomatoes ." matoes, there have been several The fertility and drainage of the orange fruited cultivars released. garden soil can be improved by re­ One of these, " Carorich", was re­ placing the soil or by incorporating ~dentiiY -lioWers&iiiaiiis~ leased by Purdue University in organic matter from a compost pile rwitb metal markers' 1972 and has 8 or 9 times the or other source. If tomatoes are rustprool. slurdyandiong- I amount of beta carotene or pro­ lasling . Th echoiceofnurs­ planted in an area that receives less eries , garden shops. gar- vitamin A found in the average red den clubs and gardeners I than full sunlight they will be ad­ for 38 years. fruited cultivar. 10 100 1000 versely affected and there is noth­ 10" 1.50 9.50 80 .00 The " acid" taste or tartness of H I ing the gardener can do about it 15 1.75 1' .00 92 .50 10· 1.55 10 .00 85.00 tomatoes is another quality attri­ 15" 1.80 11.50 97 .50 I unless he is prepared to chop down Forposlageandllandlrng , addSlperl0, 2.50per bute that varies with cultivars. IOO, 10.00perIOOO. a tree or two. (" STAONAl" LABELING PENCil included willl all I Simply put, the taste of a raw to­ orders For a~dltional pencils, add 5« each) Inadequate or improper applica­ MONE~BACKGUARANTEE mato is due in large part to the ra­ ..- ....._- Enclose check or money order I tion of nutrients to tomatoes is tio of the amount of sugar to the another source of problems. SENOME amount of acid present. Therefore, MONEY I Ample but not excessive amounts I SENOME ENCLDSEO:$ _ _ PRINT NAM E by selecting tomatoes for higher or of fertilizer applied during soil I ADDRESS ~ I lower amounts of sugars and acids, 1.. ______preparation will help tomato • .PlY ZIP 1ml!!:3!J a plant breeder can alter their taste. plants grow rapidly and produce A common misconception is that well. Generally, a 5-10-5 fertilizer yellow fruited cultivars are natu­ gives good results. Sometimes just GROW rally "low acid". Measurement of a source of nitrogen is needed. Fer­ the total acid content of these cul­ tilizers that contain small amounts tivars proves that this is not neces­ of iron, zinc, manganese, and FERNS! sarily so. A tomato with high acid other minor soil elements are with Barbara Joe content may taste sweet if it also necessary only when the soil is de­ possesses high sugar content Hoshizaki's FERN ficient in these elements. which offsets the acid. GROWERS MANUAL Tomato plants benefit from fer­ Cultural Tips tilization while growing. When Indoors, outdoors-everything Planting the best cultivar does the first fruit is about the size of a the amateur or expert needs to half dollar, it is beneficial to scatter know. With 315 illustrations. not alone assure a successful crop. $15 at bookstores. Or send check The one big factor is the weather. a heaping teaspoon of 5-10-5 fer­ to Alfred A. Knopf, Dept. G, 201 However, there are many other tilizer unifonnly around the plan t 8 East 50th Street, N.Y. 10022. things that gardeners may control to 10 inches from the stem. Mix the 12 (Include sales tax where applicable) which have a marked effect on the fertilizer into the top 1/2 inch of soil Drop garden waste in- and water thoroughly. It is desir­ able to repeat this 2 or 3 times at approximately 3 week intervals. Poor foliage color and stunted growth indicate a need for addi­ tional fertilizer. Another important factor in hav­ ing a successful tomato crop is the quality of the plants themselves. If the purchased or home grown seedlings are not healthy and stur­ dy when planted outdoors, they cannot develop and produce the number of fruits expected of the cultivar. Tomato seedlings should not be planted outside until the soil has warmed and there is little threat of shovel rich compost out. frost. If there is danger of frost after The Rotocrop j\ccelerator: A remarkable new compost bin the plants are put outside, they from England, scientifically designed to convert cut grass, may be protected with paper or plastic coverings, newspapers, or leaves, prunings, even kitchen left-overs, into rich, natural boxes. food for your garden-in weeks. After planting, the soil should be Set up the Rotocrop'Accelerator'in your firmly pressed around the plant so UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE. garden. " Feed " it weekly with ga rden We' ll ship in two weeks. If you're not that a slight depression is formed waste, and you'll have a never ending fully sa ti sfied return it within 14 days, to hold water. Then pour approxi­ supply of free compost for a vibrant and we w ill send you a refund. The mately 1 pint of water (fertilizer garden. money yo u save in artificial fe rtilizers may be added) around each plant A SENSATION IN ENGLAND. Compost o r co mmercial compost wi ll pay for to wash the soil down around the gardening is practically a way of life in yo ur Accelerator'in no time. roots. England. English gardenE!rs have ac­ 'Accelerator'18 (above). 22 Ibs. 3 It. high x claimed the Rotocrop 'Accelerator' for 34 in. dia m. H o lds nearly 19 cu. It. Use on If compact cultivars are grown or so i I. $45.80. its unique efficency. Decomposition is if the plants will be staked, spac­ fast because there are no corners to ings of 18 inches apart in rows 3 cool off. And the precisely calibrated feet apart will be sufficient. Rank air vents let just the right amount of air growing cultivars or unstaked in without losing heat o r moistu re o plants require distances of 3 feet RUGGED, CONVENIENT. Tough PVC apart in rows 4 to 5 feet apart. construction is long lasting and won't 'Accelerator'14. Fo r 'Accelerator' B. Use o n Staking makes it easier to culti­ rot. Panels slide up individually or to­ smaller ga rdens. 3 it. x hard surfaces Specia l gether, so you can shove l out from 27 in . 11 ';' cu. it. Use Ve ntilator base.3 It. x vate and harvest tomatoes, and o n soil. $39.80. 27 ,n . 11 cu. it. $42.80. the bottom. An inflatable cover keeps helps prevent fruit rots. However, heat in, rain out. And there are no Color : All model s natural green. Includes U.P.S . freight and handling in staked plants are more subject to unpleasant odors to attract bugs. co ntinental U.S.A. Packed flat for shipping. losses from blossom-end rot than plants allowed to grow naturally. If staking is to be practiced, it is a good idea to insert the slakes soon ~~JJ_. '::~~:~ttci~ after transplanting to prevent root • Mair to Rotocrop (U.S.A.) Inc., 58 Buttonwood St., New Hope, Pa. 18938. AIN02. damage. ,------I Gentl e me n : Pl ease ship Or c harge m y account with I If the plants are staked and prun­ o 'Accelerator' 18 at $45.80 0 BankAme ricard 0 Master Charge I I 0 'Accelerator' 14 at $39.80 ing is desired to prevent excessive o 'Accelerator' Bat $42.80 Acct. #.--______foliage, remove the small shoots I and yo ur 18·page booklet o n compost I r~;d ~ ning . I e nclose my check or M.O . Expiration Date Int e rbank # I that appear at the point where the dd I Located above yo ur name I ReSidents of Pe nnsy lva nia a sa es tax. o n yo ur MC ca rd leaf stem joins the main stem. Do I I not disturb the fruit buds. It is best I Signature I to prune by hand. Grasp the shoot I Na me I with your thumb and forefinger. I Stree t. I Continued on page 37 City State. Zi p iI 13 ~------I made three expeditions in the bird watchers, botanists, and places are only three feet wide. 1960's to the Himalayas to study those who like to amble and take Along the Trisuli Valley, farmers and photograph plants. In 1974 I photographs or catch up; yet the were ploughing in the wheat stub­ was invited ·to lead a Cook's Ad­ walk is still sufficiently demanding ble while the women worked in venture Club trek to the Langtang to satisfy those more interested in advance of them, carrying and Valley-and again in 1975 to An­ trekking or mountains. Tea is al­ spreading manure on the terraces. napurna Sanctuary. Twelve mem­ ways biscuits with sardines, jam, Plants of interest were scarce be­ bers came to Langtang and twenty or peanut butter; and dinner (usu­ cause of the heavy grazing of sheep to Annapurna, aged between 26 ally around 6 p.m.) is often a mag­ and goats. Only a few trees of and 71. They were interested in nificent affair of homemade soup poorly flowering Rhododendron ar­ wildlife, photography, painting, followed by roasted goat or sheep, boreum and yellow Berb eris were or simply being amongst the dessert and plenty of coffee, with a conspicuous. Amongst the dust of mountains. We had five sherpas to ration beforehand of Nepali rum. the trail, myriads of tiny blue flow-

C. D. Sayers University of Durham Departm ent of Botany Durham, DH1 3LE , England Grazing Yaks below Lan gsisa superintend cooking and trekking The Langtang Valley lies approx- ers of Gentiana pedicellata shone arrangements and ample porters to imately east-west some 30 miles brilliantly and accompanied us for carry our equipment. north of Kathmandu and leads to several days. By the second day on these treks the Nepal-Tibet border. We travel- I had visited Langtang nine the party quickly falls into a regular led by Russian jeep to the large years previously in July during the routine. Bowls of hot water for trading town of Trisuli, only 1,900 monsoon. Then the grassy slopes washing are brought to the tents at feet above sea-level; and then we between the terraces were gay with about 5:45 a. m. A breakfast of por­ walked for six days to Langtang, bulbs, iris, and gingers; but the ridge, biscuits and jam (with tea, first travelling north along the misery of walking constantly in coffee, or cocoa to drink) is con­ Trisuli Khola. After the third day, rain or mist and the too abundant sumed as the tents are packed and we turned east along the Langtang leeches made camp sites almost the porters allocated their lo ads. By Khola. These rivers follow deeply impossible. Thus April is a much 6:30 everyone is ready to begin the cut courses often 2,000 feet below happier time for holiday treks, in day's walk. An easy routine is fol­ the trail which follows the valley spite of the heat and dust and the lowed with a stop around 11 a.m. side (mostly around the 6-8,000 relatively few flowers. In steep gul- for a lunch of fruit juice, tinned feet contour lines). Only on the last lies only rarely grazed, we occa- meat, fried or boiled eggs, with day's walk does one ascend to sionally found real gems such as new potatoes or chips. The walk 12,000 feet. The stone-built houses Pi eris formosa (10 feet tall and after lunch is shorter, aiming to get of the villages are surrounded by across, covered with large panicles into camp between 3 and 4 p .m . terraced fields, and the hillsides of creamy white flowers) with 14 This allows plenty of time for the are so steep that the terraces in Cl ematis montana clambering through it and competing for atten­ crossed by several streams running shelter many fine bulbs- such as tion. along man-made courses . The vil­ Fritilla ria and Notholirion , several The trail on the sixth day gently lagers were weeding the young Primula spp. in large numbers, and led upwards along the south­ plants of barley and potato while many other delights. However, facing hillside about 1,000 feet the yaks in calf grazed quietly near during the monsoon one gets only above the Langtang Khola. Every­ the houses. In the meadow, sheets brief glimpses of the mountains thing was very dry and numerous of blue Iris kumaonensis by the just after dawn, before the rain lizards basked on the stones, thousands made us stop and pay clouds descend. In April, we were scuttling away at our approach. silent homage to their beauty. able to walk in bright sunshine and From time to time an overpower­ Careful searching was rewarded admire an ever changing pan­ ing sweetness pervaded the air, by a few plants of less common orama of snowcapped mountains, which after some diligence could species; for example, Primula instead of flowers. We climbed to be traced to a dis tan t shru b of deuteronama and P. aureata , which 17,000 feet and saw snow peaks of

Primula edge worth ii Daphne bholus Elaeagnus umbella ta. By the after­ we found behind a waterfall. Close over 23,000 feet, and lesser ranges noon we had reached the point by is the dairy of Kyangiin between 18,000 to 21,000 feet. where the valley becomes very nar­ Ghyang, reputedly the highest in The 1975 trek to Annapurna row and a reasonable forest cover the world, where yak milk is made lasted 17 days. The rainfall and has survived. This is dominated by into cheese for export to India. vegetation south of Annapurna is oak, Quercus semecarpifolia, and at We proceeded on up the valley, quite unlike the dry inner the forest edge by the river we gently ascending through shrubs Langtang Valley, because the were pleased to find Rhododendron of Rosa , Philadelphus, Berberis, mountains to the south do not ex­ campanulatum in flower. Cobra Spiraea , Lonicera, and other genera ceed 5,000 feet; so the full effect of plants, Arisaema spp., were abun­ well-known to gardeners. All were the monsoon is felt on the big dant, but the ground orchids and just emerging from their winter peaks. Snowfall is further in­ gesneriads that are such a delight dormancy. We camped for three creased by pre-monsoon storms, in the monsoon were either not days at 13,000 feet amongst Primula and as a result vegetation is much flowering or dormant. denticulata and dwarf rhodo­ more luxuriant. Above the forest the valley dendron- white with heavy morn­ The Annapurnas are reached widens into a typically glaciated ing frost- in the shadow of from Pokhara, a delightful 'U' shape, and the trail passes Langtang Lirung, an unclimbed township about six hours drive through the large village of 21 ,000 foot snow peak. During the west of Katmandu. Starting out at Langtang at 11,000 feet. The village monsoon, this valley is filled with 3,600' feet, the first four days were has a very picturesque common so many flowers; then, the sheets spent walking through deJigh tful grazing ground in its center, of dwarf red Rhododendron setosum countryside of steep, terraced hill- 15 sides and mixed oak forests rich ous camellia-like buds were Pass. The trail followed a modest with plant life. The lower valleys almost-but not quite-ready to stream through good forest of support an intensive agriculture, open and display their creamy laurel and schima which later, at including rice terraces which are white petals and centers of yellow the higher altitude, became laurel planted during the monsoon. In stamens. On hot, south-facing and rhododendron. We walked the the forests, loamy banks were hillsides many of the trees and rock entire afternoon beneath superb densely covered with ferns, mainly outcrops were festooned with or­ trees of R. arboreum-20 feet and Pteris and Nephrolepis, and numer­ chids, mostly white flowering taller, in full flower with colors ous plants of Begonia pieta. Here Coelogyne eristata . ranging from almost white to dark the relative coolness often On the fourth day, the trail took red. Monkeys had been pulling the heightened one's enjoyment of the us up to 9,000 feet. As we gained flowers apart for nectar and the contrasting forest and hot, open height during the morning, we ex­ trail was often littered with torn hillsides of the day's march. Some perienced an ever increasing view petals. At a little over 8,000 feet, we of the rivers we crossed were crys­ of whole hillsides densely covered found one of our best M. eampbeI­ tal clear, and it was often possible with flowering rhododendron Iii: on a steep slope 60 feet below us to find, away from the fast main forest- relieved at frequent inter­ was a grey barked tree with a large, current, deep pools ideal for vals by long white drifts of Mag­ open, leafless crown absolutely swimming (for those who could nolia eampbellii. But if the morning plastered with heavy white flow­ take the very cold water). Often the was good, the afternoon's walk ers. To enjoy and fully appreciate forest changed from oak to schima was superb as we slowly gained this species it is necessary to view and laurel trees. We were just too height to Ghorapani, an attractive, it from above, and we were able to early for the schima, Sehima wal­ attenuated village at the head of a do this. We sat for 20 minutes or so liehii, to be in flower. The numer- small valley below the Deorali in silent admiration.

16 Trek route from Betrawati to Langsisa. Just below Ghorapani the forest From Ghorapani we crossed the undershrubs comprised almost en­ Deorali Pass, a narrow ridge at Give a friend tirely Sarcococca hookerana and 10,000 feet, alternatively covered a gift membership Daphne bholus, and although the with open, brown, tufted grass­ sarcococca was flowering, its lovely land, Abies spectabilis, oak and in the scent was overpowered by the per­ bamboo forest. The grassland was American Horticultural fume of Daphne. The perfume was sprinkled with pale blue heads of Society .. so strong it reminded one of a Primula denticulata. In the darkness closed greenhouse filled with of the forest R. barbatum was a forced hyacinths. With bare stems mass of tangled, reddish, polished up to six feet tall, and small cl us ters stems which we had to either climb of pink to white tubular flowers, or duck beneath. The deep red ENERGY· this Daphne created a kind of star­ flowers fairly glowed and often like quality through the forest. So they framed distant views of abundant were they that at times Dhaulagiri. In wettish places P. SAVING the flowers appeared as a pink and edgeworthii drifted in large col­ DOUBLEI' white haze receding into the dis­ onies, the lovely lavender flowers tance. By way of contrast, if one enjoying an enhanced brigh tness WALLED searched carefully, plants of in the shade of the forest. In forest WALLS Pleione humilis could be found clearings Viburnum grandiflorum GREENHOUSES growing in the epiphytic mosses grew in great abundance, together on rhododendron trees. The di­ with a yellow flowered Berb eris. In FROM JUST $499 minutive white flowers stood one place grew a large and pure Now you can grow economically proud of the moss in which lay stand of R. campanuiatum, about year 'round in the only green­ hidden their fleshy pseudobulbs, two weeks from flowering. At the house that solves the energy­ cost problem. Laboratory tested well concealed amongst their cho­ end of the pass we had an interest­ in Vermont, rigid double-pane sen compost. The moss was dust­ ing climb down a very steep thermal walls are 244% more heat efficient, shatterproof, and dry and the orchids seemed to pre­ waterfall-a pitch of some 60 feet, maintenance free. Free-standing fer the vertical trunks and sides of and a descent much aided by the and lean-to models, no founda­ branches. There appeared to be no fixed ropes positioned by the ever tions required. Factory direct only, 5 year total house warranty. readily observable variation in the attentive sherpas. By careful Call or Write population; the petals were a trans­ balancing it was possible to photo­ for fn formation lucent white with attractive foxy­ graph two interesting plants grow­ P.O. Box 2235 , Dept. AH Grand Central Station brown lines marking the throat. ing close to the spray of the New York, N.Y. 10017 We camped a little beyond the vil­ waterfall-P. iisteri, with a small (212) 686-0173 lage in a large clearing, in the mid­ head of nodding carmine flowers, dle of a pure stand of R. arboreum. and a rather neat violet with pale Before us was Dhaulagiri, 26,795 blue and white flowers, Viola Carry TEN TIMES feet-sometimes standing in pilosa. We camped in a deep rocky a Wheelbarrow Load snow-covered relief against a clear gorge, again surrounded by R. ar­ blue sky, at other times merging boreum, but what remained of the with INCREDIBLE EASE! with the clouds and barely distin­ forest was dreadfully bashed about These BIG, strong carts are perfectly balanced on two huge wheels - roll easily over lawns guishable from them. It was an from early spring avalanches. and gardens - carry up to 400 Ibs. of load - huge volume capacity means you make eminently successful camp site. It Following our descent from the fewer trips - you'll save time and steps . provided us with day-long views Deorali Pass, we walked two days, If you are still struggling with a wheelbarrow or inadequate cart (with tiny wheels) send for of the snow peaks, and it was more or less northeast between the FREE Cart Catalog. Build-it-yourself kits, too. ideally situated for half-day excur­ 5-8,000 feet contours and then GARDEN WAY RESEARCH, Dept. 64423 Charlotte, sions into the surrounding forest began the walk towards the upper Vermont for bird and flower studies. We reaches of the Modi Khola. This 05445 spent one of our rest days here, and valley is very narrow and steep, in the morning some of the party and on the eastern side the slopes left camp at 4:30. In darkness, they are dominated by thick rhododen­ climbed 1,000 feet to the top of a dron and magnolia forest with oak nearby hill to watch the sunrise and laurel. The trail wound its way over Dhaulagiri, when the great along the western side, through snow peak becomes suffused with thick mixed forest and bamboo pink. Continued on page 39 17 ' Mrs. W. R. Coe' One of the outstand­ ing pink cultivars now available. The Dexter Rhododendron Stoty Heman A. Howard Heritage Plantation Sandwich , Massachusetts

During the past few years there shore of Shawme Lake in the town nurseries throughout the United has been a marked increase in the of Sandwich, Massachusetts, he States wherever growing condi­ interest shown in the works of had an ideal location to participate tions were favorable. Charles O . Dexter. The many fine in his new hobby. He had the en­ Fortunately for the horticultural Dexter rhododendron cultivars he couragement and assistance of world, Mr. Dexter was an expert created during the last twenty-two several well-known horticul turis ts hybridizer. Yet, unfortunately he years of his life, 1921-1943, while of that time, including Paul Frost, a was a poor record keeper and most in retirement, are now much in Boston landscape architect; Prof. of his plants were distributed demand. Charles S. Sargent, Director of the without records. Thus, present This renewed interest results Arnold Arboretum; and Ernest growers do not know the parent­ from one or several reasons: age of many of these beautiful (1) The efforts since 1970 of the plants. Heritage Plantation of Sandwich, Mr. Dexter was a kind and Massachusetts to locate and obtain generous man, always willing to all the Dexter cultivars known to be share his hobby with others. Un­ in cultivation; fortunately, he distributed many . (2) The articles pertaining to of his rhododendron seedlings be­ Dexter rhododendrons that have fore he had a chance to see them in been written and published in the blossom. Needless to say, American Rhododendron Soci­ thousands of plants turned out to ety's Quarterly Bulletin; be of inferior quality and should (3) The display of Dexters at the not have been distributed. Several various A.R.S. Chapter plant and present day hybridizers have truss shows, especially by chapters learned a lesson from this experi­ along the eastern seaboard; ence. One was asked what he did (4) The severe winter losses suf­ with all his surplus plants and fered by the rhododendron grow­ quickly answered he would not be ers of the Pacific Northwest during "Dexterized" and burned all plants the winter of 1972-73. Several 'Josephine Everitt' One of the best del­ not needed in his program. In this Dexter cultivars withstood that icate pink Dexter's with frilled petals. way, only the best are saved. "freeze" where other plants long A few years after Mr. Dexter's believed to be hardy, suffered "Chinese" Wilson, the world­ death on April 14, 1943, a volun­ badly or were killed outright. Since renowned "Plant Hun ter", also a tary and strictly unofficial commit­ then several nurseries in that area member of the Arnold Arboretum tee of the American Rhododen­ have become interested in the Dex­ staff. With the backing of these dron Society members was formed ter group. men, other horticulturists and nur­ by Dr. Clement Bowers. The origi­ During the years 1921-1943, serymen were most willing to as­ nal members of this committee Charles O . Dexter, a retired New sist Mr. Dexter in fulfilling this selected by Dr. Bowers included Bedford, Massachusetts textile much needed program. Henry T. Skinner, Paul Vossberg, manufacturer was active in a During the years that followed John C. Wister and Donald Wy­ rhododendron hybridization pro­ between five and ten thousand man. Later they were joined by gram at his recently acquired " re­ rhododendron hybrid seedlings Edmond Amateis and David G. tirement" home. were raised annually. Many of Leach, and occasionally by a few Having purchased a run-down these were distributed to private others. 18 farm of over 75 acres along the gardens, botanical gardens and For over 10 years this committee

worked either as a group or indi­ viduall y, observ ing as m an y of these plants as possible, noting and tagging those worthy of future s tudy. Later cuttings were taken from the selected plants and prop­ agated b y Paul Voss.berg at the Wes tbury Rose Co ., Westbury, Long Island. Under the direction of Dr. John C. Wister, Director of the Scott Horticultural Foundation, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pa., the young plan ts were to be set out for observation. Gradually, as surplus plants became available they were given to the Arnold Ar­ boretum, Planting Fields Ar­ boretum and the U .S. National Ar­ boretum. As agreed, these plants were to be observed and evaluated growing under the climatic condi­ tions of Boston, Massachusetts; Long Island, New York; and Wash­ ington, D.C. Many of these plants were named and distributed by the committee. They are now available in nurseries along the East Coast and the Pacific Northwest. In 1967 the former Charles O . Dexter estate was purchased by Josiah K. Lilly, III, for the purpose of creating a museum of early Americana to be dedicated to the memory of his father, Josiah Kirby May time b owers of some of the 35,000 Dexter Rhododendrons at the Heritage Lilly, Jr. Pla ntation in Sandwich. This beautiful 76 acre estate on the shores of Shawme Lake is now sachusetts, a search for the missing sary assistance was persuaded to known as The Heritage Plantation Dexter cultivars was made. The name the best of the Dexters he had of Sandwich, an educational non­ willingness to help in this search been growing under number for profit museum. displayed by rhododendron grow­ many years. This included the col­ During the fall of 1970 an initial ers, both professional and lections at Swarthmore College study was made of the known Dex­ amateur, was most heart­ and the John J. Tyler Arboretum at ter rhododendron varieties now in warming . During that period Lima, Pa. This combined collec­ cultivation, using Dr. Wister's re­ plants were purchased when pos­ tion is probably th@ most complete port of March 15, 1963 titled sible, otherwise cuttings were col­ collection of Dexters to be growing " Rhododendrons: The Dexter lected of all except five cultivars anywhere at the present time. Strain Hybrids", as a guide. A list which are felt to be non-exist@nt at These plus others have brought the of eighty-four cultivars was de­ this time. list up to 141. Presently 112 are rep­ veloped. Only eighteen were rep­ During 1972 a well-qualified resented in the living collection at resented in the collections at Heri­ group of rhododendron en­ Heritage Plantation. A special ef­ tage Plantation, the garden of their thusiasts became interested in fort is underway to complete this orIgm. creating a much needed book to collection. The next two years were exciting include the works of several East­ It is agreed even by. the most ar­ ones and with the cooperation of ern United States rhododendron dent lover of the Dexter hybrids Dr. Wister and Roger Coggeshall, hybridizers, with Dexter's work to that this list is far too long. An ef­ President of the Cherry Hill Nurs- be one of the features. With this in fort should be made to select the 20 eries, West Newbury, Mas- mind, Dr. Wister, with the neces- very best 20-25 of this group. The remaining must be placed in a sec­ Because of their habit of growth amount of peat moss will help create ondary list even though most of Dexter rhododendrons are not ad­ these condi tions. them are still highly rated. In my vised for foundation planting Planting-Special atten tion should opinion the following thirty cul­ around the modern home. Many be given nol to plant rhododendrons tivars qualify for final judgment. will reach fifteen feet in height too deep. This very common mistake with a spread of the same dimen­ has killed many an otherwise healthy young J?lant. Set plant no deeper than RED: sion or more. In this group there Acclaim (Swarthmore 12507-12) the existing soil grade. Dig the hole at Accomac (Swarthmore 12507-1) are also several with beautiful lush least twice the size of the root ball, mix Dexter's Brick Red (Dexter Estate #427) green foliage. They hold your soil with peat moss and compost. A Dexter's Giant Red (Dexter Estate interest throughout the year, a fea­ few handfuls of cottonseed meal (de­ #431) ture not to be found with many pending on the plant's size) can be Gigi (Ross GG) shrubs. placed .at the bottom of the hole then Glenda Farrell (Ross RR) The Dexter cultivars are like rare covered with an inch or two of soil. Red Velvet (Swarthmore 12507-2) stamps and coins. One has to Tamp the bottom soil firmly so plant Todmorden (Scott # 1) search for them, but in most cases will not settle below the desired level. PINK: you are rewarded for your efforts. Burlap may be left around root ball but Ben Moseley (B.P.P. Moseley #51-6 & One large Massachusetts nursery it must be untied and folded back so edges will be covered with soil. After 52-8) lists ten Dexter culti~ars in their Josephine Everitt (Everitt #5) planting, water thoroughly then 1975 catalog with sizes up to 3 feet. mulch. using oak leaves, pine needles Madison Hill (Swarthmore #12500-2) There are also several specialized Mrs. W. R. Coe (Parker #3) or ground pine bark. rhododendron growers with up to Newburyport Belle (Fowle #19) Pruning-Dexter rhododendrons thirty Dexters listed who will ship Parker's Pink (Parker # 1 PP) are generally classed as vigorous grow­ Sagamore Bayside (Dexter # 16) smaller plants by mail. A list of ing shrubs with many cultivars reach­ Sagamore Bridge (Dexter #180) these nurseries will be sent upon ing heights of fifteen feet. Given suffi­ Scintillation (N.Y. #1, New York Bo- request. Address your request cient space little pruning will be neces­ tanical Garden #67) to me at Heritage Plantation, sary. No definite rule can be followed Skerryvore Monarch (Beinecke- Sandwich, Massachusetts 02563. in the pruning of Dexter cuitivars, as Goury #59-49) Please enclose a self-addressed some will stand a heavy pruning back Skyglow (Dexter #9) stamped envelope. to old and heavy trunks, while others Westbury (H. Phipps #3) will not. If heavy pruning is necessary Willard (Willard #2) RHODODENDRON CULTURE to an old plant with many trunks, it PURPLE-LA VENDER: Rhododendrons are not difficult to would be advisable to cut one or two of Amethyst (H. Phipps #8) grow if you reside within an area these trunks back to one to two feet Dexter's Orchid (Everitt #lA) where the following condi tions al­ very early in the spring. If new growth Lavender Princess (Bosley # 1021) ready exist or can be created. appears that year, you can feel safe in Location-Select a site where plants removing others the following spring. APRICOT: will not be exposed to strong winds If none appears it would be best to Champagne (N.Y. #2, New York Bo- and bright sun. Filtered sunlight allow plant to remain as it is. The shap­ tanical Garden # A) through tall oaks and pines with high ing of these plants should be done Honeydew (Everitt #21) overhanging branches furnish ideal while plant is young by breaking off or CREAM: conditions and tend to protect plants pruning some of the new growth, Dexter's Brandy- Green (Dexter Estate from the drying winds and bright sun. thereby allowing the laten t buds to de­ #491) It is inadvisable to plant rhododen­ velop, forming a more rounded plant. Dexter's Vanilla (Dexter Estate #997) drons too close to the house founda tion Dead-heading or the removal of dead WHITE: for several reasons, one being the or wilted flowers is also advisable, Dexter's Spice (Dexter Estate #968) bright reflected winter sun's rays often being careful not to damage the new Helen Everitt (Everitt-Fuller Sel.) are the cause of severe winter burning. growth buds at the base of the old This reason alone is enough to dis­ flower truss. Many of the cultivars noted on courage one from selecting such a Fertilizing-At Heritage Plantation the list have qualities that were planting site. we use cottonseed meal on our young unknown in the hardy "Ironclads" Soil-For best results your soil con­ plants for two or three years; then they of long standing. The flower colors ditions should have a pH rating within are left alone unless they show signs of range from the pastels to the bril­ the range of 4.5 to 6.0. These condi­ needing an additional feeding. A liant, with flower trusses from tions are usually found where oaks, broad-leaf evergreen fertilizer can also pines, mountain laurels and blueber­ be used in place of the cottonseed. We loose to tight pyramidal. Indi­ ries are growing naturally. The soil also use 5-10-5 if an occasional older vidual flowers will reach five should be loose and airy, consisting of plant needs attention. No fertilizing is inches in diameter with outstand­ a high humus content. Mixing into the done after mid-July. This might en­ ing fragrance not to be found in the existing soil, leaves and needles from courage new growth that would not "Ironclads" . oaks and pines, plus a generous have time to harden off before winter. 21 Conspicuous by Their Absence Pamela J. Ha rper 219 Robanna Drive Seaford, VA . 23696

Since coming to the United one west coast nursery. Admit­ to grow and hardy, the flowers of States in 1967 my garden horizons tedly the flowers have little to offer, this weigela-like shrub are a bit on have stretched to include many being small, white, and almost the small side but are followed by plants I could not grow well in Eng­ hidden by the leaves, but flowers flower-like papery bracts of green, land. It is bliss to be surrounded are fleeting anyway. One English buff and pink. These last a long by sasanqua camellias in flower, nursery, however, top grafts this time and are highly esteemed by after growing one for ten years in tree with the best of the flowering England's flower arranging frater­ my English garden without the Japanese cherries-this best-of­ nity. reward of a single flower. The re­ both-worlds combination is called With Mahonia there is a muddle. verse side of the coin is absence the Sheraton cherry for the color I have yet to see M. japonica in the from the scene of some of my favo­ and polish of its bark. United States, though I have seen rite plants. The Strawberry trees (Arbutus) many shrubs labelled as such, all of Take Pyrus sali cifolia . I finally get their name from the round red them the less attractive (to my ran this to earth at the National fruits which follow the small white mind anyway) M. bealei. M. japon­ Arboretum but have searched in flower urns borne late in the year. ica has cascading racemes of little vain for a commercial source. These small evergreen trees are not yellow flowers, as opposed to the Known as the Willowleaf Pear, it is very hardy, Zone 8 probably, but shorter, stubbier ones of M. bealei, uS,ually grown in pendulous form they are wind tolerant and do well and is a first rate large, evergreen and could easily be mistaken for a in coastal areas. A. unedo thrives at shrub for shady places wherever it small, grey-leaved weeping wil­ Norfolk Botanic Garden but is hardy (Zone 77). Shady, I repeat. low. English landscapers rate it nowhere have I seen its hybrid All too often in the south, M. bealei highly, both for garden use and for offspring, A . x andrachnoides, with can be seen languishing in too hot highway verges. It closely resem­ cinnamon colored multiple twist­ a place, stems bare and leggy, bles Russian Olive, Ela eagnus an­ ing trunks. Said by some American g ustif olius, which I note is de­ books to need an acid soil, English scribed in Wyman's Garden Ency­ experience refutes this, both these clopaedia as bordering on being a Strawberry trees having proved to " dirty tree" but with grey-green be lime-tolerant. foliage " unique among woody There are restrictions on the im­ plan ts grown in the north." As­ port of willows, despite which suming Willowleaf Pear (which dozens of foreign kinds are here, comes from the Caucasus) is so why is one of the loveliest miss­ adapted to the northern climate, it ing? Salix lanata is well-named might well take the place of Rus­ " Woolly Willow". Rock gardeners sian Olive. Has anyone tried it? would appreciate this one. It grows The Paper Bark Maple, A ce r slowly to about three feet and has grise um , has become available in rounded, silvery felted leaves and recent years and demand invari­ catkins large in proportion. S.1. ably exceeds supply; so, clearly, 'Stuartii' has smaller leaves, bigger gardeners are interested in trees catkins, and a gnarled, aged look grown for the year round beauty of which would surely endear it to their bark. Prunus serrula (not to be bonsai enthusiasts. confused with the popular oriental I photographed Dipe/ta flori­ cherries, P. serrulata) is just as bunda at the White Flower Farm of handsome but only at arboreta is it plantsman William Harris, but he likely to be seen on the east coast, does not offer it for sale; nor, so far 22 thou'gh it is available from at least as I know, does anyone else. Easy Prunus serrula Left-Arbutus x andrachnoides Below-Embothrium coccineum Bottom-Potentilla 'Abbotswood'

23 even exceeding the rapid coloniz­ and Chama ecyparis nootkatensis, ing habit of Irish ivy. " " Prostrate" both American natives. It is time misleads a bit because the fuzzy their child was given a wider trial. brown trailing stems, capable of So far as I know Rosa omeiensis putting on six feet of growth in a pteracantha is unique among roses season, mound densely to about in having only four petals to the three feet. The heartshaped leaves small white flowers. This is not a are four inches long and if grown quality likely to earn it garden in sun the smallish white flowers space in competition with hun­ are followed by edible fruit. Main dreds of its more spectacular kin, value of this plant is its willingness but it has another attraction less to grow in shade and in competi­ fleeting than flowers in its enor­ tion with surface rooting trees. I mous flattened thorns of ruby red. see that it was introduced by E. H. Planted where the sun can shine Wilson in 1908, at which time he through from behind, it will not be was in the employ of the Arnold overlooked, and I would bet on Arboretum, so it must have been this to carry off first prize among grown here at that time. Was it flower arrangements if placed in a tried and found wan ting ... does niche and backlit. Finding it is the anyone know? challenge. Among the hardiest and most As nearly as comparisons can be adaptable of all plants are the made-England has a Zone 8 shrubby potentillas, Potentilla climate-so many of the plants jruticosa, P. arbuscula , and their which flourish there are not hardy hybrid progeny. Though these are enough in the colder parts of the well-known in the U.S.A., few Salix lanata U.S.A. That still leaves a great nurseries offer more than a couple many areas where they COULD be foliage scorched and yellow. of kinds, and many of the best are grown, yet even in the south !tea Hypericum 'Hidcote' puzzles me excluded, like the white' Ab­ ilicifolia is not to be found. I have too. Unquestionably a topnotch botswood' and the dwarf, silvery one started now, compliments of a shrub in English gardens, I find it leaved 'Beesii'. The fairly new, friend who brought cuttings back hardly worth growing here. In Eng­ orange-flowered 'Tangerine' was from England, so perhaps in a few land it is somewhat arching but rather quick to cross the Atlantic years time I shall have more to say reasonably compact and upright, . . . this needs more shade than about its adaptability to the Vir­ to about five feet. Here it straggles white and yellow kinds if the flow­ ginia climate. The leaves of this along the ground in messy fashion, ers are not to get bleached out. somewhat sprawling nine foot none of the branches developing Now the first red is about to be shrub are glossily evergreen and into a permanent woody frame­ patented in England . . . watch out holly-like. It is always attractive work and not much more than for this one, named 'Red Ace'. but 'of infinite charm in summer eighteen inches high. The differ­ ers are less patient than their En­ when thickly hung with streamers ence seems to me too great to be glish counterparts, yet what may of greenish white flowers. It was explained by climatic differences well be the fastest growing of all badly damaged in England's last alone, and I am wondering if all the conifers is seeping oh-so-slowly bad winter, 1962/3, so is probably plants grown here have come from into the nursery trade. The big en­ not worth the risk further north a single introduction which per­ eric hybrid known as x Cupresso­ than this. haps began life as a cutting from an cyparis leylandii is a veritable Jacks Cytisus ba ttandieri comes from atypical growth. beans talk of a tree, capable of ad­ Morocco and was not introduced to Raspberries are vining in the ding several feet of height each England until 1922. Since then main, but Rubus x tridel 'Benenden' year. It is densely columnar, in­ honors have been heaped on it by is a shrub, about six feet in height valuable for hedging and shelter the Royal Horticultural Society, with flowers like two-inch single belts and in recent years millions with an Award of Merit in 1931, a white roses. Is anyone growing have been sold for this purpose in First Class Certificate in 1934 and this? And what of Rubus tricolor. In England. Several cultivars are an Award of Garden Merit in 1938. " Plants for Ground Cover", grown, differing in foliage color It is proving much hardier than Graham Stuart Thomas describes from grey green through bright had been anticipated and is cer­ this as " the most vigorous ever- green to gold. The parents of this tainly worthy of trial in Zone 7. So 24 green prostrate cover that I know, hybrid were Cupressus macrocarpa far mine (from imported seed) has been with me only through one sence from the garden scene. This Several of the Euphorbia clan can be mild winter. It is evergreen and the American native is hardy in Zone 5 found (though none too readily) clover-like leaves, three inches or and keeps company happily with but the most spectacular seems not so across, have a silvery sheen. azaleas. A variable shrub in the to be available. This is E. griffithii , Rather a leggy shrub if left to its wild, the most garden worthy form perhaps at its best in the form own' devices, it needs regular has leaves with a greyish bloom. 'Fireglow' . About eighteen inches pinching of new growth to keep it Pendulous clusters of heath-type high, the flo~ers are a vivid bushy. Espaliering on a wall is flowers are borne in May and June. orange-red and the foliage too is another possibility. In June come I finally ran it to earth at just one handsome. It thrives in sun or par­ lp.rge, pyramidal clusters of lemon mail order nursery, but alas, it tial shade, spreading fairly fast. yellow flowers which smell of trop­ proved to be a green leaved form. I can think of many more but this ical fruits. " What's that?" I was challenged is enough to start. If anyone is Chilean shrubs are connoisseur when garden visiting in England growing these-better still, selling plants, not very hardy and apt to this year. "Cutleaf Japanese them-I hope they will let me show prima donna choosiness Maple" said I with confidence, know. And if any reader is in­ about where they will and will not after ha.Jf a glance. Wrong, though terested in importing them from perform well. Just the same I wish I it's almost an identical twin . I England I would be happy to name could find such beauties as the hadn' t met Sambucus racemosa sources if they send me a stamped shrubby Desfontainea, the tree-like 'Tenuifolia' before and have no ex­ envelope. scarlet Embothrium and the vining perience in growing it, but for Mutis·ia spinosa and Tropa eolum anyone unable to meet the needs of Among other gardening pursuits speciosum. Perhaps I could not suc­ Acer palma tum ' Dissectum' this writer-lecturer Pamela Harper op­ ceed with them, even in Zone 8, look-alike would be well worth a erates a Horticultural Slide Li­ but I'd like the chance to try. try. brary, with some 10,000 35mm With Zenobia pulverulenta there Trees and shrubs this far, so I'll slides available. Note her adver­ is no such explanation for its ab- end with an herbaceous plant. tis em en t in the classified section.

NO W you can own the spectacular, time-proven Disease-Free SHEERLUND®ELM As Magnificent - But Superior to The American Elm! You'll thrill to the beauty and be amazed at the disease and pest resistance of the majestic Sheerlund® Elm (Zelkova serrata) - famous for dis­ tinctive, gracefully arched branches that spread for abundant shade. at up to 3' a year, it soon INCREDIBLY HARDY - pest, pollution and disease matures into a lovely resistant, it thrives in any atmosphere and soil - is a tree of most desirable beautiful, useful tree for home gardens, parks and size for any location. other areas in cities or suburbs. r------GUARANTEED TO GROW - or free replacement. It's SHEERLUNDFORESTS a healthy, viable tree immune from Dutch Elm Disease. Box AH-36, Reading, Pa. 19603 ".. .: .~. ., AT LOW, DELIVERED PRICE OF $9.95 for 4' to 5' At proper planting time, please send trees shipped prepaid. Each tree individually packed, D Sheerlund Elm(s) (all guaranteed to grow) at delivered- including a planting stake. Complete instructions to-my-door price of $9.95 for one tree; $19.40 'for two trees; $28.85 for 3 trees. Payment enclosed. for easy planting. Pa. Customers add 6 % sales t~x. GROWN AT SHEERLUND FORESTS - TREE SPE­ West of Mississippi, add $1.00 per total order. CIALISTS SINCE 1905. Member of the American Forestry Assn.; American Assn. of Nurserymen; NAME Pennsylvania Nurserymen's Assn. ADDRESS SHEERLUND Forests, Reading, Pa. 19603 CITY STATE ZIP 25 After an excellent lunch, we toured the city and visited " The Wilds", a wild flower reserve within the city limits, and got our Rtrsuinga first glimpse of the marvelous bloom we would see throughout the trip. Bright yellow and orange Gazania , sky blue Felicia and pris­ tine white Osteosp ermum with deep 5 blue eyes glistened along the Spring paths. Color was everywhere in Rob ert H . Sa vage trees, shrubs and nestled in every 33 Ona Lan e rock crevice. It was a fine introduc­ Newbu rg h, NY 12550 tion to the South African Flora, but only a sample of the array we would encounter later on. A fine dinner and a good night's sleep had us all ready for our early morning flight to Skukuza in Kruger National Park. It was a short flight and gave us an excel­ lent view of the terrain of the east­ ern. Transvaal. Being early Spring, the trees had not yet started into foliage and I thought it brown and dry looking. Later, I realized that it was the perfect time to go to Kruger, since viewing the great va­ riety of wild game would have been very difficult had we not been able to look through the trees. We were met in Skukuza and headed into the bush with very friendly and knowledgeable drivers who would be our guides for the next two days. Arriving at Mala Mala, we were immediately impressed by the Gaza nia at Caledon, South Africa luxury so far from any sizeable town. After lunch and tea, we THERE IS a pot of gold at the end of sulted in my decision to make the drove out into the reserve and saw the rainbow, and I found it. It is 18,000 mile round trip by air, and many giraffe and zebra, wil­ South Africa. Besides being the the nearly 3000 mile journey debeest and warthog, water buck world's largest producer of that within the Republic itself. Follow and impala, all as curious about us sought after yellow metal, the along as I whet your appetite for a as we were about them. We were country itself is as precious as gold. super trip. able to get very close and take ex­ It is studded with some of the most Our big South African 747 ar­ cellent pictures. The birds were as magnificent jewels found any­ rived in Johannesburg the morn­ magnificent as the mammals and where, its spectacular flora. ing of September 11th. We were we drove along side a huge secre­ So many of our favorite flowers immediately impressed by the ef­ tary bird as he gained the neces­ are native there, but it was the ficient arrangements for baggage sary ground speed for his soaring rarer more unique plants that lured handling and transportation to our take off. The lilac breasted rollers, me to this superb land. Further, I luxury hotel. This modern metrop­ masked weavers and Cape star­ always get a bit melancholy as our olis hardly looks like a mining lings added greatly to the color of Autumn announces the end of town. It is modern and sophisti­ the camp. A delightful dinner another growing season here in the cated, offering literally everything around a camp fire of Leadwood 26 Northeast. These two factors re- one could want in a major city. logs in the Boma (enclosure), fea- tured roasted Impala and put the of Table Mountain and provides The tiny town of Darling greeted finishing touch on a most memor­ breathtaking vistas of sheer beauty us warmly and even put on a mini able day. During the next morning and grandeur, no matter where flower show for us. This area is so of game viewing, we also saw the you stand. Here, we saw the mag­ rich in wild flowers that mere magnificent Impala Lily (Aden ium nificent Pro teas so properly iden­ words will never describe the pro­ obesum var. multiflorum) growing tified with South Africa. The King fusion of treasures so literally on the barren hillside. Not a lily at Pro tea (Pro tea cynaroides) looking underfoot. It was impossible to all, but truly magnificent. That af­ indeed like some enormous pink walk in the moist meadows with­ ternoon we returned to Johannes­ artichoke, the Silver Tree out trampling some dainty beauty. burg. (Leucadendron argenteum) glistened There were wild Gladiolus, Moraea, The next day we motored to Pre­ like soft pewter, and the tiny Ixia, Sparaxis and Zantedeschia toria for a look at this beautiful Blushing Bride (Serruria florida) which we would have expected to Capital city. The formal gardens at rustled daintily in the soft breeze. see, but the new gems which I had the govern men t buildings were Leucospennum and Mim etes added never seen before, included spectacular and manicured. The to what seemed endless variety, Spiloxene, Romulea, Monsonia , National Botanical Garden was and nearly ran the gamut of the Babiana and the unexpectedly magnificent with its wrought iron Proteaceae here. I was particularly beautiful Drosera, the Sundew. gates depicting South African keen on the succulent collection The one which really became my aloes. and was totally fascinated to see favorite, was a tiny member of the A broad spectrum of hardier na­ the parallel development of South Iridaceae which they call "Wine tive plant material including the African euphorbias and our Cac­ CUpS". A perfect common name, interesting native Cycads in the taceae. for this flower sligh tly larger than genus Encephalartos, were The succulent wild grape one inch, stands on a three inch beautifully displayed here. After (Cyphostemma) was a fat, peeling stem like a fancy enameled goblet. lunch, we visited the private gar­ small tree, while the odd It is rich, royal robe purple and is den of a lady landscape archi tect. It Elephant's Foot is a succulent yam a third filled with glowing claret. was a masterpiece of engineering (Dioscorea eliphantipes). They The "wine" is separated from the and beautiful design literally made me want to come back and purple petal color by a thin white carved out of a barren hillside. The explore the Karoo and see more of line. This rare gem (Geissorrhiza use of water and carefully selected these treasures. Great drifts of rochensis) owes its survival to the plants made an idyllic setting. Lampranthus, Carpobrotus, and dedicated people of the Darling The next morning another ad­ Conicosia cascaded over the rocks area who well know that they are venture was embarked upon as we in riotous display. blessed with some of the world's boarded the supurb Blue Train for An afternoon trip down the rarest plants. Leaving Capetown for our jour­ the 1000 mile, 24 hour trip to Cape Peninsula to the Cape of Capetown. Private compartments, Good Hope (Cape Point) found us ney along the beautiful coastline of elegant food and courteous service winding our way through the the Indian Ocean, we stopped in Betty' s Bay, where some of the made this a most memorable and beach resorts of False Bay and on to comfortable way to view the spec­ the tip itself. Spectacular surf, nearly extinct Proteaceae grow, tacular scenery of the interior. flocks of sea birds and wind blown and on to a commercial Protea farm Upon arrival in Capetown, you are Pro teas all combined to insure us where cut flowers are dried and immediately intrigued by Table that we were truly at the end of the shipped throughout the world. We Mountain which dominates any African continent. continued through Hermanus and glance to the East. We quickly took The Cape Province is so Caledon, stopping briefly to view more exciting wild gardens on our a cab to the cable car and were re­ beautiful that the entire time could way to Oudtshoorn. A fun day was warded with spectacular views of well have been spent there. The Table Bay, this jewel of a city, and next day, I was torn between a visit had at the ostrich farm where we fed on ostrich omelet and roast os­ the majesty of the adjacent moun­ to Stellenbosch with its fine uni­ trich (delicious!), wa.tched the tains. Dinner and a show at the versity and the very beautiful 150 modern Nico Malan Theatre year old Cape Dutch Homestead, races and stroked the fluffy plumes Centre completed another great Lanzerac, or a return visit to of the big birds. We continued along the "Gar­ day. Kirstenbosch. I chose the latter but den as it is called, stopping The next day had to be one of the promise to make Stellenbosch on Route" high points for anyone with a bo­ my next visit. frequently and enjoying the rapid changes in flora. The Tsitsikama tanical bent or just an eye for On September 19th, we drove Forest was a complete change from beauty. Kirstenbosch Botanical north from Capetown to the heart Garden nestles on the lower slope of the dairy industry in the Cape. Continued on page 42 27 More and more signs and labels the least expensive. For the label­ ing" . are becoming an integral part of ling of plant varieties, engraved When getting to the actual con­ public and private gardens. These plastic, painted metal, and struction of a sign, consider these lettered messages can be invalu­ stamped aluminum are most recommendations from the ex­ able in directing and instructing widely used. In addition to educat­ perts. For stained or painted wood visitors, and aid the gardener in ing the visitors, signs tend to en­ surfaces, use a shade or two lighter preserving the identification of gender a greater degree of respect, than the surrounding garden plant material. For these reasons both for the garden and the gar­ scene. The legend is best when and the essential aesthetics of a dener, than an unlabeled plot. lettered in a dark tone. Routing of garden, the design of signs de­ Signs can and do offer both in­ the letters gives greater perma­ serves the attention of sensitive spiration and admonition. Calla­ nency and makes the words legible gardeners. way Gardens in Georgia have used in any angle of light. Routed letter­ Cost and durability are impor­ the following legend: ing is also easier to maintain. The tant considerations, and more re­ "Remove nothing from the Gar­ top surface can be freshened with a cently wide-spread vandalism is a dens except: paint roller. (Use softwood boards growing concern. It is generally -Nourishment for the soul which respond easily to the agreed that garden signs should -Consolation for the heart router.) present their messages clearly -Inspiration for the mind." When preparing large wooden without being brash or conspicu­ On a more matter-of-fact level signs, several boards can be joined ous. In most instances wood con­ other signs advise-" No Dogs", together with outdoor, waterproof struction is most harmonious and "No high heels", or "No ball play- glue-a product sold by plywood

" Let it be" sign speaks to the 'now' gen eration better than earlier scolding messages such as NO TRESSPASSIN G and KEEP OFF THE ROCKS. Colorado Springs Horticultural Garden w aterfall-rock garden. Photos and data: Lorraine Marshall Burgess 202 Old Broadmoor Rd Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906

man ufacturers. in a 9" post hole cavity while add­ with trespassers and pilferers. The The positioning of signs is ing a mix of one part cement and 3 "LET IT BE" sign shown in an ac­ equally important. "Inconspicu­ parts sand to the hole around the companying photo was designed ous visibility" is the goal. Where stake. Add water slowly to moisten to protect a new waterfall-rock lawns are involved, signs should all of the mix and tamp in place. garden from the rock-tossing inva­ be placed within the border of the When the mixture is set, add soil to sion of playful youngsters. For planting bed to avoid mowing bring the cavity up to surface level. three months not a stone was problems. Signposts should be of In more acute vandalous situa­ turned, or a new plant trampled. cedar, redwood, or treated pine. tions, mount the signs on concrete The garden'S designers thought Lettering should be attractive platforms. (The US Forest Service they had finally reached the and readable, and of a size suitable has resorted to the use of salvaged pranksters who frequented this to its distance from its readers. boiler plate for trail markers. The small city park. The sign was effec­ Upper and lower case lettering is message is designed with stenciled tive for all but one. He or she took said to be more legible than all lettering cut through the metal such a fancy to the sign that he (or caps. with a welding torch.) she) dug it up and took it away, Vandal-proof signs are becom­ Even Braille signs in fragrance either as an objet d ' art or a ing a growing necessity. T-iron gardens for the blind are victims of memento of his (or her) daring. stakes, set in cement, seem the best the despoiler. Sturdy design is es­ Sobeit. answer to this ongoing threat. A sential. quick, sure way to install small Some believe that persuasion is signs is to set their attached stakes the better approach when dealing

Braille and engraved plastic labels are used in Norfolk, In the shimmer of Spring blossoms the dignified looking Virginia's garden for the blind. sign discourages the invasion of careless visitors.

Plant life is qiven full p~otection. Requlations prohibit the picl

:. ... : if, .,-:/" f " "'7:: "( tn.',' Id . • r/(l:.~ [ /(I/([l1II r/.!:'- I '''''! .,I..i{r; r,.. -. ~ ~ ~ - f r-r: f!. ~~..... ( _[fff£::r FAlL Alfred J. Fordham Arnold Arboretum Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Figure A-Assemblage of Carnus kausa Figure B-Bird's-eye view of Carnus kausa from flowers-each from an individual tree . . sixty feet.

Figure C-Colorful fruits of Camus kau sa. Figure D-Rich reddish-brown autumn color of 30 a Camus kausa. When asked if I would prepare an article concerning upper side of the branches. my favorite tree, I pointed out that I was fond of many Comus kousa tree as seen from a height of sixty feet trees but h ad no specific favorite. I do have some pet above is illustrated in Figure B. From this aspect, the trees, however, and among these is Comus kousa , the tree appears so covered with blossoms that it would Japanese Dogwood. seem difficult to find space for one more. When plants are raised from seeds, seedling popu­ Several of the Wakefield trees bear flowers with lations often duplicate one another with monotonous additional bracts; some have six, others have seven to uniformity. Seedlings of o ther plants, however, may nine. One tree of special interest has flowers with ex hibit characteristics that differ greatly from other additional bracts of varying number-some were members of th e same lo t. Such variation has led to joined together. Others on the same tree have a nor­ new selections that a more knowledgeable horticul­ mal complement of bracts fused in the manner tural public has found increasingly interesting in re­ whereby they form a square. cent years. Japanese Dogwood provides a strikin g Variation in Fruits example of the variation that can arise when plants are Figure C illustrates the fruits of Comus kousa. The raised from seeds. skin is rich red and prominently dotted with the re­ In the early 1950's, Mrs. G. Kennard Wakefield of mains of calyxes. They are compound fruits, and each Milton, Massachusetts, started a number of Cornus contains several s tony seeds. kousa plants from seeds. These were lined out orchard Fruit samples of Cornus kousa were collected from fashion in a field so they could be observed. From individual trees in the Wakefield planting. An effort time to time, more trees were added, and the planting was made to select a specimen typical of each particu­ now contains over one hundred and fifty specimens. lar tree. In size the fruits ranged from that of a marble Much of the information presented here is based on to a diameter of one and five-eighths inches. The observational notes made in this collection. heaviest weighed 32 grams (one ounce equals 28.35 Both Comus kousa and C. florida have sm all globose grams). C. kousa fruits are edible and have a flavor clusters of insignificant greenish-yellow flowers, that which appeals to m any people. Large size would be are usually accompanied b y fo ur showy bracts. The important to those wish ing to eat the fruits. The fruit combination comprises an inflorescence, that is often stalks also varied, and ranged in length from under loosely termed a flower. So, for the sake of simplicity, two to over four inches. There is no relationship be­ we will use the term flower. Although the flowers of C. tween fruit size and stalk length. kousa and C. florida are somewhat similar in structure, An interesting sidelight is that Japanese dogwood they can be easily identified. The bracts of C. florida fruits are ignored by birds at the Arnold Arboretum. are notched at the apex, while those of C. kousa are Chipmunks, however, remove the seeds from the pointed. fruits and leave the plants with their cheek pouches Variation in Characteristics of the Flowers bulging. This defeats natural dispersal, for chip­ Figure A shows an assemblage of Comus kousa munks store the seeds in their larders, where repro­ flowers . Each was collected from an individual tree, duction would be impossible. Japanese dogwood in and was chosen as being typical of the flowers pro­ its native habitat must have some other carrier, possi­ duced on that tree. It is interesting to note that no two bly a large animal such as a deer, bear, boar or such, flowers are precisely alike. They differ in size, sym­ that would eat the fruits and carry the hard-coated metry, bract shape, shade of color, and pedicel length. seeds in its digestive system until they were elimi­ The ornamental characteristics of the flowers on some nated in droppings-and thus scattered about the trees obviously are. far superior to those of others. countryside. Some bracts are tinted pink, and these had accom­ Autumn Color panied flowers which, for some reason or other, had Autumn color of Comus kousa varies from plant to aborted. It is not unusual for spent bracts to be flushed plant. The leaves tend to remain on the trees, and thus with pink before they fall. The presence of reddish to display fall color, for a prolonged period. Figure D pigmen t in Comus kousa leads one to wonder if plants illustrates a specimen that exhibits rich reddish­ with pink or red flowers may exist, as is the case with brown coloration. Comus florida. If so, might a search in its native In summation, we conclude that persons interested habitat result in their discovery? in Comus kousa should purchase only vegetatively In addition to widely varying floral characteristics, propagated clones. An ideal plant would exhibit the growth habits are also diverse. Some trees are tall and floral characteristics that can be best viewed at eye narrow in shape while others are broad and rounded. level. Ideal frui t size and color shown in Figure C , and Comus kousa flowers are generally borne on the excellent autumn coloration is displayed in Figure D. 31 Robert Sheppard 5220 w. 102nd St., Apt. 316 Bloomington, 55437 Q

Know Your Or ... Microclimate Why Can For Better George Greenthumbe Gardening Grow Better Roses

Why can George Greenthumbe grow better roses open backyard, can be considered a microclimate. All than you? This question (names changed to fit your that is required is an environmental factor (tempera­ neighbor, brother, boss, or whoever) is asked at one ture, wind, sun, etc.) be different in the small area you time or another by most gardeners. Maybe it isn't are examining. roses. Perhaps you are having trouble with iris, In the hot summer, a wooded area is often cool and azaleas, or some other bea·utiful plant. You ask inviting while a near-by open field is hot and George. He gives you some vague answer about sheep oppressive-two different microclimates. Feel the manure and the full moon. Definitely, his knowledge north and south sides of your house any time the sun and experience is far superior to yours! is out. The temperature difference indicates two mi­ Maybe not. There may be a simpler answer to those croclimates. Maybe you have had a garden that would great roses that has nothing to do with George's skill. get frost at one end but not the other-again, a differ­ It might have to do with microclimate, a rather impos­ ence in microclimates. ing word. A microclimate's affect on the growth of All plants are affected by microclimate. Some plants plants can be tremendous. will tolerate a variety of different microclimates with A microclimate is simply the "climate" or environ­ little change in growth. Others are so sensitive that ment in a restricted area. All factors important to the they make good indicators of specific microclimates. overall climate of an area also affect microclimates: They won't grow in any others. temperature, sunlight, rainfall, humidity, soil type and Red-osier dogwood (Corn us stolonifera ) grows natu­ so forth. A microcIimate can be large or small. Any rally in wet, swampy areas. Yet, it is also at horne 32 area, whether underneath a small evergreen or a large, planted in a sunny foundation planting or in a shaded backyard. Paper birch (Betliia papyrifera), on the other croclimate. Sc ientis ts have found that a forest in hand, tolerates little hea t if it is to grow at its best. I summer often gets less th an four per cent of the sun­ once worked on an old estate that had paper birch 20 light an adjacent field gets . That forest is also likely to inches in diameter and forty feet tall. In comparison, be 5-10° cooler during the day, slightly warmer at birch planted in a nearby housing development were night, have higher humidity, and greatl y reduced dying before they reached a quarter th at size. wind speed. Of course, these factors do interact. Less The birch on the estate grew by a lake, surrounded wind often means high er humidity. Less sun usually by other trees th at shaded the ground on a north means lower temperatures w hich in turn mean less facing slope. This combination gave a microclimate drying conditions. with high humidity, low so il temperatures, and good The observant gardener can use his/her knowledge moisture near the roots. Birch thrive under such con­ of microclimates to great advantage. Yo u don't have to ditions. In the nearby development, most birch were be a scientis t to find different m icroclimates in your planted in open front yards in hard packed soil. The yard. A thermometer can help, but an observant eye sun beat on the ground and dried the packed soil. can tell you a lot. Where does the dew leave las t (i ndi­ Hardly an ideal microclimate . cates high humidity, low wind)? Does the soil dry People I talked to in the developmen t po in ted to faster in some areas than others even though th e soil birch borers or some mys terious disease. This is type is th e same (low humidity, wind, strong light, or common to plants growing in a microclimate they high soil temperatures)? Are some areas more com­ can't tolerate. The harsh microclimate doesn't always fortable for lounging in the summer (lower tempera­ kill the ill-suited plant, but almos t always weakens it ture, ligh t wind, shade)? Watch the condi tions of yo ur so its defenses against insects and disease are less yard and you will learn a lot. effective. A plant suited to the microclimate is gener­ Watching your plants can tell yo u much also. If one ally a strong and healthy plant. species of plant has consistently more insect pests or Microclimates can vary a great deal even within a disease than its neighbors, you might suspect an un­ short distance. I measured the soil and air tempera­ favorable microclimate. A tall, leggy plant with few tures under a group of trees (birch and elm) and in a blooms probably isn't getting enough light. Do some garden bed on a very hot August day a year ago. In the plan ts mildew more in some parts of your yard than in morning the soil and air temperatures were about 75° others? Suspect a microclimate with poor air circula­ F in both places. By mid-afternoon, the air tempera­ tion, high humidity, too little sun, or a combination. ture had risen 180. The soil temperature under the Once you have an idea of the different mi­ trees had risen one degree, yet the temperature of the croclimates in your yard you can do two things: bare soil of the garden, exposed to the s un, had risen choose plants fitted to the microclimates or alter the 15°! m icroclimates. The first is easier. Although informa­ Curious, I decided to compare some different but tion on how specific plants react to specific conditions physically close microclimates in a nearby park the is often hard to find, it helps to cons ult a couple of next day. I took all measurements in the afternoon good gardening books or talk to an experienced gar­ when the air temperature was 93° F. The lowest soil dener or nurseryman. Even general information like temperature I found was in a marshy area--only 71° F. " likes ligh t shade and cool roots" is useful and should The soil was shaded by tall cattails. Because the soil be followed. It is best to grow only plants s uited to the was wet, evaporation also helped keep the tempera­ microclimates of your yard . If you must compete with ture down in this microclimate. The second lowest George Greenthumbe, grow a plant that thrives in soil temperature was 74° under a small stand of Scotch your yard but can' t tolerate George's microclimates. pine. They were thick enough that little light reached You can modify a microclima te slightly, but it may the ground. be hard. First, yo u need to know exactly what needs I found the highest soil temperature in an open, changing. Soil too hot and dry? Try a light colored mowed area-900, just three degrees from the peak air mulch and water more often. Too much wind? plant a temperature. This yard-like area sloped to the south hedge. Too little wind? Rebuild your fence (tearing and got the sun's rays full force. Nearby, a large maple down your house may be a bit dras tic' ). You need to shaded the ground and dropped the soil temperature be creative. Trial and error is often the bestway to deal to 77°, still on the southerly slope. An open area that with a problem microclimate. It may be hard, but sloped slightly north, thereby getting less direct sun, changing a microclimate can give spectacular results. also had lower temperatures than the south slope- Next time you see old George Greenthumbe, tell 83°. All of these measurements were within a quarter him you think roses are too easy. YourSiberian iris are mile of each other. spectacular in your yard. Too bad h e can't grow th em A hot summer day does produce extremes in a mi­ so well. All he needs is a light sprinkling of m ouse croclimate, but even cooler days can produce an effect. dung gathered in the fourth quarter of the moon. We Soil temperature is only one factor affected in a mi- won' t tell him about microclimate. 33 Co ntin ued fro m page 4 ferny carrots: " Ultra Pak" with trained on purple-husked corn Mixing Food Plants short strong bushy tops. stalks, and three kinds of basil. In all I was delighted with my This area is bordered along the Along the back of this area were garden: well-fed, aesthetically front by plain-leafed parsley and gloriosa daisies and soybeans, pleased, and full of ideas for 1975. I summer savory, and divided in with blending hairy grey-green had also discovered several com­ three by paths outlined in dwarf foliage. Zucchini squash with its plications. marigolds. large two-shaded green leaves and It is often hard to determine the This year I will continue my ex­ school-bus-yellow flowers grew in growth habit and other ornamental periments to include fruits, peren­ a hill with " Royal Purple" zinnias characteristics of vegetables by nial herbs, and obviously-edible in the center and around the edges reading seed catalogs. If the part of vegetables like tomatoes. I want to of the hill. The vines hid the scruffy the plant that is commonly eaten is incorporate companion-planting foliage of the zinnias, and the zin­ the part that will be visible in your principles more thoroughly into nias grew through the squash garden, you're likely to get good my designs, and to integrate plant­ vines and emerged covered with information. In other cases, you ings with houses. Surely some of brigh t flowers. must be a good detective, using you are already working on such In front of the squash and zinnia suggestions intended for commer­ experiments. If we are ingenious patch were several long rows: of cial growers for your own pur­ and patient the old dichotomy of "Tina" dwarf marigolds, Nierem­ poses. utilitarian versus " pleasure" plant­ bergia, " Ruby" and " Salad Bowl" Growing vegetables in clumps ings may blend to a close, and we lettuce plants alternated with or irregular bedded sections re­ will be able to use our land more Lobelia. quires some adjustments in cul­ thoroughly and comfortably, as a There were disasters. " Royalty tural practices. I estimated the area source of both life and beauty. Purple Pod" snap beans, a compact a plant would occupy at maturity. bush form we had used in the For example, a parsley plant will be Children's Garden in 1973, were about nine inches in diameter, so planted WIth nasturtiums in be­ as I planted I left nine inches rn;een so they could crawl around around each parsley seedling. on the ground among the sturdy Where I was worried about possi­ bean bushes. But the beans did not ble crowding, I left a few extra grow in bushes in 1974; they inches. trailed along the ground. The nas­ There were plenty of paths so turtiums got tangled with them that every part of the garden could 9448 Mayfield Rd., Dept. C and everything fell over. I ripped be easily reached with a hoe. I cul­ Chesterland , Ohio 44026 all the plants out, sowed again, and tivated and weeded around plants pinched the bean seedlings re­ rather than in between rows. peatedly. Unfortunately the same Plants grown next to each other thing happened. were chosen because they grow at COLONIAL HERB GARDEN " Rhubarb" Swiss chard got similar rates and attain similar Circle: 5 ft. diameter more over-the-fence questions heights at maturity, thus one plant than any other flower or vegetable would not overshadow and stunt 32 plants of culinary and medic· inal herbs of old. Plan, plants & the growth of another. in the annual border. Its rippled, instructions. $27.50 Sh ipping red-veined leaves stand up large Choices between preserving or­ paid. and straight. It's eye-catching, not namental patterns and harvesting only in mid-summer but on into a crop were not necessary, since October. vegetables left past the time they' re Blue salvia grew with chives at ready to be eaten won't usually be Send for our 1976 its base. There were also various edible or attractive for very long. catalog of herbs, ex­ kinds of salad greens, those that In this year's garden I have de­ otic house plants, hold up well in our hot Brooklyn cided to go further. Everything in geraniums, cacti, suc­ summers. They were planted in an the 60' section is edible, (except culents and other specialty plants. Cat­ oval shape of three rings: lime­ marigolds which will be used as alog: 50c deductible green ruffles of " Salad Bowl" let­ companion plants). from your first order. tuce, dark crumpled leaves of For example, in one area there " Ruby" lettuce, and sharply are sunflowers, soybeans, a bush notched clusters of endive. On pumpkin, lovage, carrots, " Rhu­ 34 both sides of the oval there were barb" chard, scarlet runner beans Continue d from page 7 tion', 'Lady Vansittart', 'Tricolor Prelude to Spring (Siebold)', 'Donckelari' , and 'Gov­ ernor Mouton'. Fields, lists the following, in de­ For indoor or greenhouse use, scending order of reliability: and for use outdoors in " camellia 'Lady Marion' (also called country," the gardener has an 'Kumasaka') enormous, even overwhelming, 'Berenice Boddy' choice. To list " Best" is 'Blood of China' pointless,-no two people could 'Triphosa' possibly choose the same flowers 'Valtevareda' as favorites. A good camellia nur­ Other growers have had variable sery may offer two hundred named success with 'Glen 40', 'Grandi­ cultivars of C. japonica! One of the flora Rosea', 'Sweetheart', and a pleasures of growing is choosing, few others. As it is nice to have and a catalogue is a delightful mar­ "good luck" with the first plant ketplace. With a lavish list from one grows, ' Lady Marion' which to select, it is personal pref­ ('Kumasaka') is recommended. It erence, not someone else's taste, is a rose-color, rose-form double, which matters. Who is to say that and quite beautifuL the same soft pink is "better" in For outdoor use in areas inter­ the prim, meticulously arranged, mediate in climate between New small petals of ' Pink Perfection' York and the Deep South, the than in the fluffy, ruffled " pet­ number of possibilities increases. ticoats" of 'Sara Hastie'? Washington area gardeners may Cam ellia japonica is a captivating consult a list prepared by the species. The gardener is cautioned UFE Camellia Society of the Potomac that exposure to the flowers is Valley; the list includes 'Finlan­ quite likely to be followed by a dia', 'White Queen', 'Magnoliae­ new, incurable horticultural " dis­ INCOME flora', 'Lady Clare', ' Pink Perfec- ease" ! THE CAMELLIA HOUSE PLANTING FIELDS FUND Cultural information on C. ja ponica given by Gordon Jones, It will take the gifts of many in­ Director, Planting Fields Arboretum dividuals to make the National N umber of Cultivars . . . .. 122 Center for American Horticulture Soil Depth ...... 36 inches prepared soil over a reality. Members may further drainage tiles this effort and take advantage of Soil Composition ...... Sandy loam with generous incorpora- the Society's tax-exempt status by tion of organic material joining the new AHS life income Temperature. . . . . November through After Flowering fund in which donor's contribu­ Flowering Day: 45°F Day: Rises with tions are pooled with the gifts of outdoor others. Your contribution will pay temperature you annual income for the rest of Night: 40"F-42°F Night: 55°-60"F your life while at the same time (as nearly unfluctuating as (to stimulate offering immediate tax benefits. possible) growth) For additional information on Ventilation ...... Both summer and winter this and other giving programs Fertilizer ...... Granular 10-6-4 (501 urea form nitro­ offering inflation and tax relief, gen) Super phosphate (for bud set) write the Executive Director, Frequency of American Horticultural Society, application: once Mount Vernon, Virginia, 22121. Time of application: after flowering Watering ...... Frequent and thorough watering Humidity ...... 50% plus Plants are syringed and walks hosed down often, to increase humidity 35 peony form with wavy petals and with upstanding large petaloids interspersed with stamens. It is white My Iavorife with a few red and pink blotches and stripes. The flower blooms on a plant of medium and compact growth from late November through March. It was not long before this lovely camellia began to Camellia GJilvar "sport its huge family" of show winners. Within a few years about ten mutants were registered with the offi­ cial registry of camellias, The American Camellia So­ Milton H . Brown ciety. Many others were given names and also put into Executive Secretary, The American Camellia Society the trade. There are eleven separate cultivars of the P.O. Box 212 , 'Betty Sheffield' family growing out-of-doors at the Fort Valley , GA. 31030 National Arboretum in Washington. For many years now various of these varieties have found their way to the Honor Court, Court of Honor and Head Table of camellia shows ranging from our Nation's Capital down through Florida, along the Gulf Coast to New Orleans and along the West Coast from San Diego to the state of Washington. The names given to the many mutants of 'Betty Sheffield' range from such mundane ones as 'Betty Sheffield Blush', 'Betty Sheffield Pink' to such de­ scriptive ones as 'Charming Betty' and 'Betty Sheffield Su preme'. There is also a bi t of a humorous one that is registered as 'Funny Face Betty' . It was the entrance into the camellia world in 1959 of 'Betty Sheffield Supreme' that really put this family of camellias in the foreground. This has always been a consistent show winner from the very beginning. During the 1974-75 season, it was the second highest winner in camellia japonicas grown out-of-doors. As you can see from the photograph, this flower has that something that just shouts, " Look at me!" when a team of judges approaches the display tables. The flower has the wonderful characteristic also of falling off the bush in one piece when it falls; it does not shatter as do many camellias. The flower is also ver­ Betty Sheffield Supreme satile in flower arrangements and will last quite a few days after being cut. The studios of the late Edward Marshall Boehm To answer the question, "What is your favorite honored the camellia 'Betty Sheffield Supreme' by camellia?" is like trying to answer which is the favo­ making it the first in a series of fine porcelain camel­ rite child. In any case, there is always a favorite, even lias. Mrs. Boehm personally honored the grand old if we wish not to admit it. My favorite camellia is a lady of camellias, Mrs. A. B. Sheffield, by graciously "family" rather than one particular cultivar. It is 'Betty donating to her one of these coveted Boehm camellias. Sheffield' along with its many mutants or sports. There is only one minor drawback to this wonderful It was in June 1949 that Mrs. A. B. Sheffield of family of camellias. Occasionally a plant of one of the Quitman, Georgia registered a lovely new camellia newer varieties will either sport a new mutant or will japonica seedling which she called 'Betty Sheffield'. revert back on one of its limbs to the earlier "mother The flower can best be described as being about 4 to variety". Since all of the 'Betty Sheffields' are wonder­ 36 41/2 inches in diameter, an incomplete double to ful, this is just not a drawback to me. COl1til1u ed from page 11 Tomatoes-Andes Mountains to American Tables Support the Bend the shoot sharply to one side until it snaps; then pull it off in the opposite direction. American Horticultural Tomatoes need about 1 inch of water per week. If rainfall is defi­ Society cient, plants should be thoroughly watered once or twice a week. Heavy soakings at infrequent intervals are better than many light spri nklings. . a home for all horticulture Weed control is essential since they compete with tomato plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Weeds also harbor insects and dis­ eases and may be hos ts for nematodes. When hoeing or cul­ tivating it is important to not cut deep so that the tomato roots are not cut or disturbed. Mulches can also be used to heip keep weeds down. They also reduce water loss from the soil and stabilize soil temperature . Rolls of black polyethylene, paper, and alumi­ num mulch are available in most garden stores or naturally occur­ ring materials such as straw, leaves or grass clippings may also be used as mulch. When using plastic, paper, or aluminum mulch, the soil should The American H orticultural Society is es tablishing at G eorge be treated with a broadcast appli­ Was hington's Ri ver Farm in Mount Vernon, V irginia, a Na­ cation of fertilizer before applying tional Center for American H orticulture where all scientific, the mulch. If organic mulch is used professional , and amateur horticul tural organizations who wish it should be at least two inches to do so, can join together in one facility . deep on the soil to provide insula­ It will take the gifts of many individuals to build the National tion, hold water and control Center. A charitable bequest provision in a will is one way to weeds. help fin ance the acti vities of the Society . A bequest rewards the For tomatoes to be most flavorful giver throughout his lifetime with the knowledge that hi s con­ and have the best color they should tribution will be used to devel op and support "a home for be harvested after they are fully American horticulture". Individuals who ,,\f ish to support the ripe. If tomatoes are picked at a Society through charitabl e bequests are urged to consult with mature green stage they can be their attorney regarding the legal terminology or write the ripened at temperatures between Executive Director, American H orticultural Society, Mount 55° and 72°F. Light will increase the V ernon, V irginia, 22 121 for further informati on. color of tomatoes somewhat, but it Contributions and other gifts to the American H orticultural is not essential to ripening. When Society are deductible for Federal income tax purposes. tomatoes are placed in direct sun­ light, the added heat often results in a deterioration of quality. 37 African Violets Dwarf Conifers Herbs

African Violets, the world's most loved house Dwarf confiers and bonsai materials. Co lor Herbal Tea Sa mp ler $4.00 Herb Seeds, plant! To learn more about them write to Afri­ catalog which also contains Rhododendrons Sp ices, Medicina l Herbs, Over 400 different can Violet Soc iety of America. P.O. Box 1326, and Map les 50¢ GREER GARDEN S. (HT), items. For catalog se nd 50¢ HERB SHOP BOX Dept AHS, Knoxville, Tenn . 3790 1, fo r a free 1280 Goodpasture Is. Rd ., Eugene, OR 97401 362 Fairfie ld, Con necti cut 06430. brochure. Better still, sned $6 for membership in the 18,000 member Society and receive 5 Ferns GROW OU R HERB PLANTS IN DOORS OR issues of the beautifu lly illustrated African Vio­ OUTDOORS. Send 50 ¢ for informative catalog let Magazine. LEARN ABOUT FERNS- join the Los Angeles listing over 125+ varieties-culinary, med ici­ Internati onal Fern Society fo r only $4.50 nal, insect repel ling, bee. FOX HILL FA RM, Amaryllis yearl y. Receive 16-page educational Bullet,n Box 7AM, Parma, Mi. 49269 AMARYLLI S, largest sizes, ideal gift Care­ and two-page Lesson monthly. Address Insecticides fully se lected varieti es : Send for colored illus­ LAIF S, Box 448-H, Hawthorne, CA 90250. trated list LO UI S SMIRN OW, 85 Linden Lane, Glen Head P.O., Brookv ill e, New York 11 545. WHITEFLY SPR AY with Resmethrin Fuchsias (S B 103) - very eff ective. 12 ou nce aerosol. $3.00 plu s .35 handli ng . NYS. residents add Azaleas FU CHSIAS-75 varieti es tested in th e S.E tax. PRACTICAL PRODU CTS, P O. Box 246-A, South Salem, NY. 10590 NATIVE AZALEAS- 13 of the hard to find for heat resistance . Propagated from acclima­ species featured in th e Fe bru ary 1976 iss ue of tized stock. Send l Oa: for list HIDDEN SPRINGS NURSER Y. Route 3. Rockmart. American Horti cu lturist-just part of the Japanese Maples largest mailorder selection of hardy azaleas Georgia 30 153 and rhododendrons grown in the Northeast Over 100 named Japanese Maples plus a 1976 Catalog- $ 1.00- refundable with first large selection of other species and named order. CAR LSON's GARDEN S, Box 305-AH- 2, Gardening Equipment cultivars. Most not ava il able elsewhere. Color South Salem , N.Y. 10590. Maple and Rh ododendron catalog 50 ¢ PEERLE SS POTMAN offers 100 high quality GREER GA RDEN S, (HT), 1280 Goodpasture Bonsai plastic pots for on ly $10.00 postpaid. (30/2"; Is. Rd. Eugene, OR. 97401 50/4"; 20/6W') Worlds largest pot catalog 25¢ For membership information write: Am erican GOLDEN EARTH ENTERPRI SES BOX 33 6A Bonsai Soc iety AH , 228 Rosemont Avenu e, BRE A, CA LlF 9262 1 Miscellaneous Erie, Penn sy lvania 16505. Indoor-Outdoor Mister-Automated solid Greenhouses sta te system . Heavy rooting and stu rd y Cactus & Succulents growth - Valve. sensor. power supply. cables GREE NHOUSE 8' x 12'. Bu ild yourself for $50 - $79 50 Fully Guaranteed - AOUAMONI­ Llthops - Fascinating African succulents re­ or less. Eight d ifferent plans $2.97. Inc ludes TOR . Box 327-Z. Huntington. New Yo rk sembling colorf ul pebbles Other rare succu­ hotbed . Guaranteed . Werth 's. Box 1902AH, 11743. lents Write for catalog ED STORMS . 4223 Cedar Rap ids, Iowa 52406. Pershing Ft Wort h Texas 76107 Nurser·y Stock Chrysanthemums America·s Finest - 100 Best Violets and Gesneriads- Write for Colo r Catalogue 15a: MILLIONS OF SEE DLlN'GS High quality National Chrysanthemum Society, Inc. USA - Illustrated Growing Aids Catalog ue 25a: ­ at reasonable prices Over 150 se lections Annu al dues $7.50, inclu des 5 iss ues of The FISCHER GREENHOUSES. Dept AH. lin­ for Christmas trees. ornamentals Wind­ Chrysanthemu m, Beg inner 's Handbook. MRS. wood . New Jersey 0822 1 breaks. conservation. Wildlife food and cover WALTER CHR ISTOFFER S, Sec, 394 Ce ntra l etc Free catalog. Carino Nurseries Box Avenue, Mountainside, New Jersey 07092. 538W Indiana. Pa 15701 Greenhouses and Indoor Gardening Plant Supports Tiltproof Daffodil Bulbs GREENH OUSE GROWIN G ACCESSO RIES! Complete automatic heati ng, cool ing, ve nti la­ NEW Plant Supports from ORDEV keep you r Naturalizing Mi xtures: Ri ver's Edge (8+ var­ tion systems an d ot her accessories fo r all la rge growing potted indoor or pallo plan ts ieties) $44. Bushel, $13. Peck; Novelty (10 + g reenhouse makes. models. Write EN­ straight. tiltproof and securely port ab lE . unusual varieties) $50. Bushe l, $15. Peck. VIRONMENTAL DYNAMICS, 3010 DDA VINE. STAKE KIT expands through add-on sections Postpaid East of Mississippi, 10% extra West up to 6 feet ta ll TR ELLI S KIT adaptable to 10% discount before June 15. Free Folder. Ground Cover Plants va rious shapes and heights. Detai led informa ­ Ri ve r's Edge Farm , Rt 3, Box 228A, Glouces­ tion ORD EV MFG . CO , INC . 6781 Ward Road . ter, Va. 23061. PAC HYSA NDR A-Ideal Permanent Eve r­ Niagara Fal ls. New York 14304 green Ground Cover Plants. Th rive in most Primroses soi ls, sun or shade. Grow to an even height of Daphne Odora 8". Plant 6" apart. St urdy, heavi Iy rooted BARNH AV EN PRIMROSE seed and plants for p lants, postpaid; 50-$8.50; 100- $ 15.95; spectac ular Spr ing color. Also rare Fl owe r Th e delightfu l 'Februa ry Daphne' offered by 500-$56.95; 1000-$ 100.00 Guaranteed to live Litt le Lake Nursery growers of rare plants. or we'll replace up to 1 yr. Folder on re­ seed fr om many lands, Un ique new catalog 35 $5.75 prepaid, California residents add 6% quest. PEEKSK ILL NURSERIE S, SHRUB OAK cent s. FAR NORTH GARDEN S, 15621 Au­ sa les tax. Box 782, Willits, Ca liforn ia 95490. 17, NEW YORK 10588 burndale Way, Li von ia, MI. 48154. 38 Climbing the last 500 feet Publications Slide Lectures through deep snow between OUT OF PRINT & DISCOUNT BOTANICAL A "do it yourself" lecture servi ce for Garden scrubby stems of R . lepidotum, Rosa BOOKS Begonia Cacti Bromeliads Ges­ Clubs etc . Sets of 35mm slides with accom­ and Viburnum, we entered the neriads Roses African Violets Ferns Orchids panying notes. Many topics. Rent or sale. Send for Free Catalogue H. LAWRENCE FER­ Pamela Harper, 219 Robann a Dri ve, Seaford , Sanctuary and reached the high GUSON P.O. Box 5129 C Ocean Park Station VA 23696. lateral moraine of the South An­ Santa Monica, CA 90405 napurna glacier and the 1957 Volunteer Peace Corps Machapuchare Base Camp. The WAKE UP YOUR GARDENING . Gardening is You are needed fo r Peace Co rp s projects In 'Sanctuary' was so named by the going places-are you with it! Th e AVANT Lati n Am eric a, Afr ica, Asia. ExtenS ion wo rk in first British climbers to visit the GARDEN ER brings you all the "firsts"-new harvesting , storage & marke ti ng , home gar ­ plants, products, techniques with sources­ dening pr oJects, research, nur sery & orchard area when attempting the ascent of plus full features, special issues. A unique horticultural magazine-news service, 24 is­ programs, etc. Tr ansport atio n, housing , med­ Machapuchare in 1956. We pitched sues a year, over· 500 articles. Curious? 3 ical care, pai d vacatio n. U.S. ci tize n Si ngles our own camp a little way up the sample copies $1 Serious? $8.50 for a full or couples onl y. Inform ati on: Lyn n Rotenberg , snow-covered slope which runs year. P.O. Box 489, New York, N.Y. 10028 ACTI ON, ORC Box F-18, Washington , D.C 20525. along the foot of the moraine. Walking further up the Sanctuary, GARDEN ING BECOMES AN ADVENTURE we saw Chris Bonnington's Base when you replace the common with the un­ Wildlife common. Our catalogue of rare and un ­ Camp for his successful An­ usual plants shows the way Contains stones. Attra ct Wildlife. Restore our En vironm ent. napurna South Face ascent in 1970. nature lore. growing tipS . etc . all for lu st Send $1.00 for cata log descri bing over 90 That night was stupendous­ vari eties food and cover pl ants, in cluding wild $1 .00. Jamieson Valley Gardens. Rt 3- 0 . crystal clear sky and light enough Spokane Washington 99203 edibles. Game Food Nurseri es, P.O, Box V-Z, Omro, Wi s. 54963 on the snow to read a newspaper, with s tars above but only a limited BOTANICAL & HORTICU LT URA L BOOKS Wine Grape Plants view because of the high peaks so Rare. Out-of-prlnt. Ne w - Latest Catalog $1.00 S.J Singer Co 11 33 Broadway. New VARIETAL WINE GRAPE PLANTS Caber­ close around us. It was not, how­ York. NY 10010 net Sauvlgnon. Zin iandei. Grenache. Pinot ever , s ilent for even at night there Chardonay. Sauvlgnon Blanc, many others. was an almost constant clatter of Hops seed available. Ogren-a, 970 3rd Cactus & Succulent Books-the largest selec­ falling rock and sounds of av­ tion in th e country, also book on many other Avenue. LA Calif. 90019. horticultural and botanical subjects. Send for a lanches high up on Machap­ free cata log . ABB EY GAR DEN PRESS, P.O. ucha re. Abov e were Hiunchuli, Box 3010, Santa Barbara, Cal ifornia 93105. 21,133 feet; Annapurna South, 23,683 feet; Annapurna I, 26,545 Rare Plants Continu ed from page 17 feet; Gangapurna, 24,457 feet; Two Spring Treks Annapurna II, 24,781 feet; and the Dwarf Conifers. Alpines Exotic Japanese glorious twin peaks of Machapu­ Maples. Bamboos. Ornamental Grasses. thickets. It took three days to re ach chare, 22,942 feet, known as the Hostas Sempervlvums. ExtenSive Catalog 50q; . Ove r 7.000 different plants at nursery. the head of the valley, at around " Fish Tail" . This mountain has a ViS itors Welcome. Palette Ga rd ens. 26 W. 11,000 feet, by which time the rich clearly defined summit and the ear­ Zionhill Road. Quakertown. Penna. 18951 forest had changed to grassland lier British climbing expedition Rare Bulbs and Plants and shrubberies of roses and ber­ s topped one hundred feet from its beris. Where the snow had already summit, because the Nepal Gov­ THE WIDE . WIDE WO RLD OF BULBS AND melted, enormous rosettes of ernment has decided this moun­ PLANTS . Amerlca's unique catalog. Th ou­ sands of rare items. Many unavailable else­ Meconopsis paniculata were scat­ tain shall never be climbed. As where. Bul bs from Achimenes through tered amongst the grass, beneath they rightly feel, one great peak at Zephyranthes. Hundreds of genera and large groups of pale pink flowering least should remain sacrosanct. thousands of species from the world 's best Viburnum grandiflorum. On the op­ The fine weather we had been growers. Hard y bulbs and perennials: house posite east bank, made quite inac­ enjoying began to break up. We plants. orchids. bromeliads. insectivorous plants countless ot hers. Now completely re­ cessible by the Modi River, the retreated the next day back down vised . Price $3.00 (Deductible) INTERNA­ lower slopes supported a wonder­ the Modi Valley and returned to TIONAL GROWERS EXC HANGE. Box 397-E. ful association of Betula utilis and Pokhara after another four, h appy Farmington. Michigan 48024. R . barbatum. The red flowers of the days through more rhododendron rhododendron glowed out of the forest and cultivated terraces of the Rhododendrons sunless hillside. Set as they were lower valleys. We spent our final Ove r 600 species and hybrids. Exbury and amongst the peeling, leafless birch rest day one d ay's walk from Evergreen Azaleas. Many other rare plants. stems above a ground cov er of Pokhara, sleeping upon a gentian Color Rhododendron and Mapl e catalog 50¢ snow, they formed a truly memor­ spangled turf amongst the last of GREER GARDENS, (HT), 1280 Goodpasture Is. Rd, Eugene, OR 97401 able plant experience. the rhododendrons. 39 POISONOUS PLANTS OF THE UNITED PLANT A TREE THE DICTIONARY OF USEFUL PLANTS STATES A w orking Guide to reg ree ning America by by by Nelson Coon Walter Conrad Muenscher Michael A . W einer Rodale Press, In c. Collier Books Macmillan Publis hing Co . Emmaus, Pa . -1975 New Yo rk- 1975 N ew York-1975 290 pages, well illustra ted, $10 .95 277 pages, paperback, well illustra ted, $3.95 227 pages, wonderf ully illustrated, An incredible number of plants cover the Dr. Muenscher had a long and distin­ Hardco ver $15.95 earth, and few there are that have not been guished career as a professor of botany in Soft cover $6.95 pu t to some use by man, says the au thor. the College of Agriculture at Cornell Uni­ Until now, information on these plants and Every day the forests of America are de­ versity. His book is a complete guide to their use could be found only in scattered stroyed to make room for highways and nearly 400 species of plants that can cause and specialized books. houses, shopping centers and parking lots. skin irritations, rashes, blisters, illness, Though not a scientific book per se, it is a This is a tragedy we don't have to accept, even death. , The explicit line drawings useful reference for scientists and histo­ the author says. Plant a tree! Not tiny orna­ simplify plant identification for the hiker, rians. And though primarily a reference mental trees, but the great trees-oak, house plant fancier, or house owner with book, it is not dry reading. maple, willow, tupelo-that will grow with pets and children. The book is a compendium of informa­ The original issue of this book was pub­ people through several generations. He tells tion on hundreds of plants from throughout how, when, where and why. lished in 1939. It organized and brought the United States. Each plant is featured in "By disseminating this book," Weiner together the results of some 25 years of re­ an entry, arranged alphabetically within says, " I hope to restore respect for great search and testing. In 1951 a new edition, botanical families. Each en try briefly de­ trees. Trees that will grow with people, revised and expanded, was published. scribes the plant and its habitat. through several human generations, carry­ The purpose of this reissue of the 1951 Beyond this, each entry fully explains the ing a continuity that is unavailable from edition, says the editor in his Foreword, is fact and folklore behind current and historic modified little hybrids. to provide in an inexpensive paperback uses of the plant, with many providing suf­ " The peculiar modern trees may have volume what might be life-saving informa- ficient details to enable the reader to put the characteristics that make them initially de­ . tion about plants and some animals' reac­ plant to use. sirable, such as rapid growth, uniformity, tion to plants. There are several small pam­ It is a worthwhile addition to the book and controlabiHty, but through time they phlets that contain some of the same infor­ shelf of gardeners, wild plant foragers, hor­ fail to attain the grandeur available to us mation, but the material in this book is by ticulturists and plant lovers. far the most authoritative and most com­ only from tall growing species. "It should also be remembered that if plete available anywhere. trees do in fact purify the air ( they do), pro­ The title, " Poisonous Plants of the United Modem Weed Control vide us with oxygen (they do), add moisture States" is not as inclusive as it might be: by (yes), and baffle noise (certainly), then the Most of the plants of the continental United Alden S. Craf ts larger the tree the greater its contribution to States are also found in Canada, Alaska, and University of Califo rn ia Press these desirable qualities in our lives (the Mexico. However, although Hawaii is now Berkeley, Calif.-1975 parentheses in the paragraph above are by one of our states, this book is not really valid 440 pages, illustrated, $15.75 the author). there, for the plant life of the Pacific Islands Dr. Crafts is professor of Botany Emeritus " To compose this guidebook several is quite different. at the University of California, and a former older books about tree-planting were This is a two-part book. Part 1 explains president of the Weed Society of America. utilized. Here were found sound, basic what is meant by poisonous and tells how He has long been prominent in weed­ principles developed in ages when men did the plants are classified. Several lists of contwl research. The first forerunner of this things by themselves, keeping to a plants are provided as an overview of the book, Weed Control, was published a gen­ minimum their reliance on man-made re­ types and families that migh t be dangerous. eration ago, when few herbicides were in sources. Part II deals wi th about400 species of plants general use; the present book includes a "One result of this research into the an­ representative of about 70 plant families. table listing more than 200 of them. tique is the inclusion here of many natural, Distribution and habitat are given. His latest book deals exhaustively with or organic, fertilizers that are easily avail­ Poisonous principle explains why the' plant the botany, chemistry, plant physiology, able but at present in little use. Scant space is harmful, and describes the section of the and ecology involved in the modern is given to the overly prescribed commercial plant that may be most dangerous. Condi­ technology of weed contro!. In addition to fertilizers. The modern fertilizers may act tions of poisoning li s ts how and when the the topics treated in his earlier books, he more quickly, yielding quicker initial plant is usually used, and gives information gives particular consideration to the place of growth, but the manures and other old about how it might have, in the past, been weeds in the human environment-on fashioned fertilizers give longer-lasting used as a medicine. Symptoms is a section farms and highways, for example, and in benefits to the tree while they add humus to that enables the reader to help diagnose the parks and industrial areas. the soi!." effects of contact with the plant. Case his­ Because of the range and depth of the tories are sometimes included. Treatment is information it presents, Modern Weed Con­ often, though not always, included. trol should prove useful both as a text for

40 classroom use and as a reference book for tomato plants, when and how to weed, how important facts that must be taken into ac­ agricultural technologists. Not only does it to raise plants for fall harvesting; also what count to prepare a small garden, and pre­ con tain lists and classifications of herb­ to do after a crop has been harvested, and sents the different possibilities: the icides that will be of valu e in the labora­ much more. terrace-garden, fountains, loggia, stair­ to ry as in the field, but it also offers an Specific instructions on soil preparation, cases, and others. abundance of illustrative material that will plan ting, fertili zing, care, harvesting and "The object of the present work," they help the reader to visualize the varied as­ ailments are given for the various kinds of say, " is to offer the gardener the widest pects and forms of weed con trol . vegetables grown in home gardens. possible selection of typical examples of " Given our present population of over " With vegetable gardening," says the au­ built-in gardens. It seeks to give some idea three billion, one third to one half of whom thor, " virtua ll y the entire crop mustsucceed of the variety of national, thematic, and are always hungry," says Dr. Crafts, "food if the gardener'S efforts are not to have been climatic approach es to s m all-garden ar­ production must have top priority among in vain. What's more, in a small plot several chitecture, to stimulate the'imagination, the needs of people. And food production, successive crops must come to a lavish har­ spark off ideas, and open up fresh pos­ despite a 36 per cent rise in the current de­ vest, almost all of them grown from seed, sibilities for the garden enthusiast. cade, has barely kept up with the popula­ something very few people ever attempt " Plants offer infinite vari ety, and by a tion increase. While population control these days with their flowers. careful choice, the imagination can produce must become effective if the human race is " With vegetables you also need more delightful results. to survive the twenty first century, time is specific knowledge than with flowers. You " Important factors to consider when required to educate the people the world have to take better care of the soil, discover choosing plants include size when full­ around to the practices required. Mean­ how to keep its fertility high, and learn how grown (particularly for trees and shrub s but while food production and distribution to live with the spoilers, the pests and pred­ also for flowers), shape and color according must be increased to stave off starvation ators that may descend upon you. With to season, ability to strike root and speed of and violence. vegetables, you cannot be a casual gar­ growth." "I hope this book will continue, as have dener, you must be on hand much of the The garden layout, to be successful, they the three previous editions, to meet the time, not only to work the land and to keep say, must harmonize completely with the needs of all who are interested in the basic the crops coming, but also to harvest them building with which it is associated. principles of the botany of weeds, as well as before they spoil. " The ideal situation is, of course, when the techniques used in their control. " " All this is much more demanding than both the house and garden are designed setting out a few annual plants bought from together, since they can then be integrated the gardening center, but to me it is also much more easily. MAKING VEGETABLES GROW enormously more rewarding. The most ob­ " The most perfect example of such inte­ by vious reason, of course, is the taste of gration is what we in the West regard as the Thalassa Cruso home-grown vegetables. There's absolutely Japanese garden, since in this case the Albert A. Knopf, publisher no comparison between them and those house is designed to fit the garden, the New York-1975 that are store-bought, and that is why I poetry of which permeates the subtly mod­ 229 pages, iilustrated, $8.95 would like to encourage people who feel ulated architectural space in which it is set." The author writes a regular column for the that they have no space for vegetables to Boston Sunday Globe, the Boston Globe make space, if only by growing certain CaleNdar, and McCalls magazine and is a amenable crops, like tomatoes and cucum­ contributor to Country Journal. She has bers and many herbs in containers in any Books Received lived and gardened in Boston since 1935 and sunny spot anywhere." in AHS Library has grown vegetables in varying-size plots in the Northeast for over 30 years. CITRUS GROWING IN FLORIDA In 1969 she received the Horticultural So­ THE PERSONAL GARDEN­ Ziegler; Louis W. and Herbert S. Wolfe ciety of New York's citation for distin­ ITS ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN University of Florida Press, Gainesville guished horticultural service and the Gar­ By 1975 den Club of America's Distinguished Ser­ Bernard Wolgensinger and Jose Daidone 246 pp. illustr. blw vice Medal. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. $10.00 This is a good book for beginners and New York-1975 those who want to get better results with 164 pages, wonderfully illustrated, $30 CACTI AND OTHER SUCCULENTS growing your own food. The author tells Daidone and Wolgensinger are French Ginns, R. how to plan the size and content of the gar­ architects, partners, based in Paris, and at David & Charles, North Pomfret, VT. 05053 den, from pocket-handkerchief size to one present are involved in the architectural as­ June 1975 that will feed a family of four with sufficient pect of low-rent housing, clinics, renova­ 129 pp. illustr. blw surplus to put up vegetables for winter use; tion of city centers, private houses, social $9.95 also when and where to get your seeds and and sports facilities, etc. plants, when and where to plant, how to The b00k contains 94 color illustrations, have beans ready for harvesting two weeks 94 black and white gravure reproductions earlier than usual, how to cope with leggy and 23 plans for small gardens. It details the Continued on page 42 41 Continued from page 27 and trees and grass were much GARDENING FOR PEOPLE greener than two weeks prior in (who think they don't know how) Moon , Douglas Pursuing a Kruger, but the animals were most John Muir Publications, Santa Fe Second Spring accomodating and strolled and 1975 leaped into full view. More fine 266 pp. illustr. by Judy Daniel pictures were taken and we left $6.00 Zululand feeling very satisfied as we started the last leg of our jour­ A QUEST OF FLOWERS Fletcher; Harold R. the sparsely treed area we had ney home. Edinburgh University Press , driven through, and semi-tropical We returned to Johannesburg George Square , hardwoods towered above a cool and visited just one more garden Edinburgh EH8 9LF forest floor. before the last minute shopping Oct. 1975 386 pp . wlnotes, An evening flight from Port and packing for our flight. The­ botanical & general index; Elizabeth to Durban brought us garden of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Op­ illustr. blw & color back to the hustle of civilization. penheimer is really a private park endpaper maps Here, rimmed with groomed of indescribable beauty and peace­ £10. beaches, a more tropical climate ful grandeur. Unique use of a hill­ COLOR IN THE SKY­ provides a vast array of familiar side provides meandering paths Flowering Trees in our Landscape tropical plants, but here at the Bo­ and unimpaired vistas of the lower Menninger, Edwin A. tanical Garden, we were again garden. Sculpture accents Horticultural Books, Inc. Sturat FL amazed at the variety and rarity of throughout the garden provide 1975 the collection. The entire city is focal points and identify areas of 260 pp. illustr. blw & color $14.95 neatly planted and the Durbanites this vast estate. It was a privilege to obviously take advantage of their be able to spend so much time with HYDROPONICS-The Bengal System climate to keep their city beautiful. the estate managers there. (5 th edition) The next day, we headed north The afternoon gave us the oppor­ Douglas , Sholto into the Drackensberg. The tunity to pick up last minute gifts Oxford Un iversity Press, Madison Ave., NYC "Berg", as the locals call this spec­ and to ship home some of the great 10116f75 tacular mountain range, looms books on South African Flora and 185 pp. with list of research with all the majesty of the Swiss birds so that we won't forget this stations and bibliography Alps, and a trip here is a must. most wonderful trip. I came to $4 .25 At Cathedral Peak, the tiny early South Africa for the climate and the A GARDEN BOOK FOR HOUSTON flowers were just poking up into flowers, but now I have many more and the Gulf Coast the misty Spring at 8000 feet. reasons to do it all again. The in­ (new edition) Thatched Zulu huts dotted the credible beauty, the food, the River Oaks Garden Club landscape on the lower slopes and cleanliness and the genuine Gulf Publishing Co., Hou ston friendly children waved vigor­ warmth and friendliness of the Nov. 1975 183 pp. illustr. blw & color ously as we passed them and the South African people, all make me $7 .95 cattle they were herding. The Mar­ wish I had learned earlier about the tial Eagle soared majestically and wonders of this gem of a country. BEGONIAS--Chevalier the Hadeda Ibis echoed his distinc­ I found my second Spring and Chevalier, Charles. tive call as he flew back and forth saw beautiful rainbows that beck­ Translation by Alva G. Graham privately printed. over the mountain stream below oned and seemed to say, " Come Copies avaiable from American our hotel. As we left this story book back and see our Golden country Begonia Society setting, we promised to return. again soon." I'm planning on it! 1975 Leaving Durban, we headed Editor's Note: Mr. Robert H. Sav­ 185 pp. large format paperback; north in Natal to Zululand and the age was one of 20 AHS members illustr. blw & color $10.50 Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Superb who took the Society tour " An Ex­ accomodations in keeping with the ploration of South Africa" this past A MANUAL FOR FLOWER JUDGING wildness of the area, made another September. The unanimous con­ 4th edition memorable experience in game census was that the trip was care­ Prepared by Pi Alpha Xi, National viewing. Here, we saw groups of fully planned, well executed and Honorary Fratern ity in Floriculture gave the group an excellent oppor­ & Ornamental Horticulture white rhinoceros which were August 1975 nearly extinct a few years ago, tunity to see this exceptionally 69 pp. multilith (or mimeo) large format Cape buffalo, nyala, giraffe and the beautiful country at its best. Want $2.00 always delightful impala. Now to go in 1976? Write AHS for a 42 Spring was progressing rapidly brochure. Greenhouses Designed by a working gardener, then precision-engineered with newest manufacturing techniques for the best in design and quality at money-saving prices . .. Write for our full-color 48-pg. catalog, then compare prices, design, and growing space, and you 'll see why there are thousands of satisfied Janco owners. There is a Janco greenhouse for everyone from the enthusiastic beginner to the dedicated professional -- over 100 models that fit any site, every budget. Jancos are all-aluminum for minimum main­ tenance; have easy-to-follow instructions and complete accessory line. In addition to Jancos which range from the economical Scot to the magnificent Chesapeake, Janco also makes the pre-packaged Belair (requires no founda­ tion , saves you money without sacrificing quality) and the Window Garden, which adapts to almost any window without expensive alterations.

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10788 Tucker St. , Dept. PA 2 Beltsville, Md. 20705 JANCO~ GREENHOUSES 301 - 937-3300. Yes, I want to know all about Janco Greenhouses and how they save me money. Please send Janco's FREE 4B-pg. FULL COLOR catalog.

, Name ______

I Street ______43 AGENT OPENINGS available in a few select I City ______State ______Zip ___ territories. Write Janco Sales Manager. NATIONAL HORT.ICULTURAL AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE INDEX AVAILABLE

Thanks to the tireless efforts of Dr. Richard A . Howard, and the AHS Cumulative Index Committee, a comprehensive Index of 50 years (1922-1971) of the Official Magazines of the American Horticultural Society is finally available. The 109-page meticulously-researched volume clearly shows the development of American horticul­ ture and the willingness of the members of this Soci­ ety to share their knowledge. At the close of the fiftieth year of publication, the title of the Magazine changed again-to the American Horticulturist-so the preparation of a cumulative fifty year index is most appropriate. The Index documents articles by such eminent horticulturists as B. Y. Morrison, Frederick G. Meyer, Tom Stevenson, Frederic W . Heutte, Donald Wyman, John Baumgardt, John L. Creech, Frederic P. Lee, William F. Kosar, Russell J. Seibert, Liberty H. Bailey, Henry M. Cathey, Ernesta D. Ballard, Frederick W. Coe, Wilbur H. Youngman, F. C. Galle, Neil Stuart, Lorraine Burgess, Clarence Lewis, Henry T. Skinner and many others. . ••••..•••••••..•...... •.••••...... ••••.. THIS INDEX IS A MUST FOR LIBRARIES, SERIOUS • : THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY HORTICULTURISTS, GARDEN WRITERS AND RE­ • SEARCHERS . It is a useful tool even for gardeners who : MOUNT VERNON, VIRGINIA 22121 • do not have a complete collection of past magazine is­ Please send me __ copies of the Cumulative Index of sues as most botanical libraries and many other the National Horticultural Magazine, Volumes 1-38, horticultural-academic libraries have them. 1922-1959, and American Horticultural Magazine, Vol­ The Index is available for $10.00 per copy. Write umes 39-50, 1960-1971 . the Cumulative Index Committee, c/o The American o I enclose $10.00 per copy. Horticultural Society, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121. Please use the convenient order form below. • Name • Address ______City ______State ______

Zip ______~ ______...... • Julia Child Benefit Julia Child will hold two cooking demonstrations to benefit the American Horticultural Society at the Shoreham Americana Hotel, Washington, D.C., April 28 and 29, 1976. The benefit titled, "The Art of French Cooking", will feature re­ cipes from Mrs. Child's recent trip to Fr­ ance. The April 28th demonstration will be at 8:00 p.m., while the April 29th demon­ stration will be at 2:00 p.m. Admission costs are $15.00 per session or $25.00 for both-tax deductible. The benefit cooking performances will include door prizes, a kitchen boutique, a raffle of cooking equipment and food, a plant and herb sale, and sale of autog­ raphed copies of Mrs. Child's cookbooks. All recipes demonstrated by Mrs. Child will be included in the benefit program book.

If you wish tickets or more information write A.H.S. headquarters, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121, or call (703) 768-5700.