PRAIRIE NURSERIES Com i ng of age CALIFORNIA WILDFLOWERS Theodore Payne's legacy TREE HUNTERS Tall tales from America's woods GINGER LILIES Exotic, fragrant, and adaptable Wor[o[ife PreeJervation Founoation™ announces the development of a new tropical garden oasis.
Lovers of travel and gardens will soon have a new and exotic venue to visit the objects of their admiration. The World life Preservation Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Hawai'i, is set to break ground on a 200 acre site on the picturesque eastern shore of the island of O'ahu. Anuenue Gardens will be the largest and most innovative private garden in the islands. As well as being a center for the propagation and preservation of many rare and exotic floral species, the gardens will also play host to WPF's exotic and rare animal programs, as well. More than 1,000 birds, reptiles, primates, and small mammals will live in spacious habitats scaped with vines, shrubs, trees, and flowers from their regions of origin. These gardens of extraordinary beauty are being created as we look back at how we humans have managed the gifts of our world Become a Worldlife and what we should do differently as a new millennium dawns. As January 1-2001 approaches, we are deciding-in large numbers member TODAY! that we must learn more about the needs of this living planet and and receive: teach each other how to nurture and care for our earth and all its ./ 1 yr. subscription to "Stepping diverse and incredibly beautiful inhabitants. Stones", WPF's bi-monthly newsletter, ONE OF THE VERY SPECIAL FEATURES PLANNED ./' Quarterly color journal The FOR THESE GARDENS: ./ Special offers on seeds & Bamboo Hideaway Retreat Center will be available for: plants of rare and exotic plants Weddings & Receptions-Seminars & Workshops with 24 bungalows for guests Members & Homesteaders ™ needed now to help make We need more beautifu' reJtjul placeJ in our these gardens grow. communitieJ where we can go to remember our Joul. GardenJ are jll Anuenue (pronounced a-new-eh-new-eh) is the I"'lawaiian word for rainbow, where every color we can see is displayed in brilliance-if only we will learn to look closely and appreciate. Anuenue Gardens has been designed to be a center of education as well as preservation. It is our goal to reach out and connect natl"lre lovers from one end of our world to the other. Be sure to visit our website at www.worldlife.com UENUE GARDENS-A PLACE OF HORTICULTURAL, ZOOLOGICAL, AND SPIRITUAL BeAUTY ~~m~~~ 710 Lunalilo St. Ste.601 Honolulu, HI 96813 ~ 808/348/4211 ~ [email protected] co n t e n t s Volume 78, Number 6 November/December 1999 DEPARTMENTS An Inside Look 4 The Theodore Payne Foundation 26 Members' Forum 5 by Karan Davis Cutler Bees in the ga1rden) anemones) Wild GMrdeners. This California native plant organization carries on the legacy of its founder, an Englishman who News from AHS 7 helped teach Americans how to appreciate the Nominations f01r AHS awards) Ornamental diversity ofplants in the Golden State. Plant Germplasm Center, George Washington. Focus 14 Prairie Nurseries 35 Winter can be a brutal time fo r outdo01r plants by Dave Egan no matter where you gr;wden. Swept up in the nationwide resurgence of interest in native plants) some prairie nurseries have Offshoots 19 experienced growing pains. Patience pays off in a California garden. Gardeners Information Service 20 Ginger Lilies 40 Ornamental citrus) China doll) arum family. by Tom Wood These colO1rful) often fragrant) exotic perennials in Mail-Order Explorer 21 the ginger family are striking planted outdoors in Garden Perennials. mild regions and elsewhere in containers. Urban Gardener 22 In Search of Big Trees 46 Growing plants in hype1rtufa containers. by Guy Sternberg Book Reviews 52 A handful of dedicated woodsmen are responsible Biology offlowe rs) restoring historic gardens) for 1recording America)s champion trees) but anyone native landscaping. can get involved on a regional level. Regional Happenings 56 Prairie exhibit at the National Zoo) formal opening at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden) z lecture on g raveyard gardening in Atlanta. <>: It: It: On the cover: Matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri) is one OJ Hardiness and Heat Zones 61 v of many native California wildflowers growing on the I ~ and Pronunciations property of the Theodore Payne Foundation in Sun Valley) :5 v 1999 Index 62 California. Photograph by Claire Curran. American Horticultural Society 7931 East BottleJlm·d Drive • Alexandria, VA 22308-1300 (703) 768-5700..., Wll1w.ahs.01;g an In side look ~ The American Horticultural Society (ARS) educates and inspires people of all ages to become successful and environmentally 1'esp01'Hible atching our four-year-old granddaughter, gardmers by advancing the art Sarah Anchors Cathey, learning to COllJ.1t and science of hort-icuiture. W is a most affirming experience for a "So cial Security-plus" person. With all the new teclmo ~ logical advancements we have, children are still using PRESIDENT/CEO their fingers and toes to grasp the addition of num LINDA D. HALLMAN bers-Sarah's calculation of her digits comes to a BOARD OF DIRECTORS comforting 20. Officers 1998-1999 Like children, gardeners and nature lovers often KATI Moss WARNER, CHAIRMAN La:ke Bllena Vista, Florida retain a fascination with numbers and statistics. They NAl'\lCY S. THOMAS,F:IRST VICE CHAIRMAN find joy in learning what is the smallest, tallest, broad Houstorl, Texas est, hardiest, and oldest. In this issue, Guy Sternberg PAUL ECKE JR., SECOND VICE CHAm,I\1AN gives us an inside look at what inspires people to iden Encinitas, California tifY and publicize America's champion trees, which WILLIAM A. PUSEY, SEORETABY Washiugton, D.G. are truly living national treasures. CHARL~HENRYSNUTHJ~,TREASURER Looking back through the years to the early Middleburg, Virginia decades of this century, Karan Davis Cutler tells us about another giant of the plant world, SHERMAN ADLER Theodore Payile. This expat:J.iated Englishman fell in love with California wildflowers and West PlIlm Beach, Florida devoted his life to grovving and popularizing tl1em. To this day, the non-profit fOllJ.1da L.M. BAKER JR. tion that bears his name is carrying on his legacy by propagating native wildflowers and Winston-Salem, Nonh Caroli1la teaching people their importance in gardens and in the wild. WILLIAM E. BARRICK, PH.D. IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Numbers also figure prominently in David Egan's article about the evolution ofprairie Pine MOlmtll.in, GemlJia nw-series from the environmental ferment of the early 1970s to today. From small nurs KATHSRINE MCKAy BELK eries catering to die-hard regional plant enthusiasts, some nurselies that specialize in prairie Charlotte, North Carolina plants have evolved into major companies supplying millions of prairie plants to clients JAMES L. CORFIELD Geneva, Illi'lOis throughout North America and overseas. ARABELLA S. DANE With tropical and subtropical plants, the important numbers for gardeners are often Basta", Massachltsetts USDA hardiness and AHS heat zones. Nw-sery owner Tom Wood shares his love of gin JOMN ALEX FLOYD JR. ger lilies (H edychiumspp. ). These colorfully-flowered plants can be grown outdoors year Bi,.,ninghatn, Alabama rollJ.1d mainly in USDA Zones 7 to 11 and AHS Zones 12 to 8, but need to be treated DOROTHY T. IRELAND Birmingham, Alabama as tender peremuals or planted in containers elsewhere in North America. WILLIAM R. MARKEN The topic of our Focus section is one of concern to all gardeners: Preventing \ovinter in Us Altos, Califol"1,ia jury to plants. Unpredictable weather conditions in tl1e last several years have caused gar THEODORE R. MARSTON deners to re-evaluate the hardiness and heat tolerance of all their plants. We examine winter Kirklatld, Washington injw-y problems region by region and suggest ways to reduce or prevent damage. EGON MOLBAK Seattle, Washington Finally, to mark the 200th amuversary of the death of George Washington, we're tak CAROL C. MORRISON ing a look back at the ornamental gardens the First Farmer developed at MOllJ.1t Vernon Palatine, llli.lOis and how they have been restored today. While Washington apparently grew only agricul VALERlE L. THOMAS Alexandria, Vi'lJinia tural crops on tl1e land now known as River Farm-tl1e American Horticultural Society'S HOWARD McK TUCKER headquarters-we believe he would be proud of the gardens that now grace our grollJ.1ds. Alexalllu-ia, Vi'lJillia Learning to t:J.-anslate all these numbers into useful knowledge and information will be JEANNE SHIELDS one of the major challenges of the next millermium. Ifyou need an interested and able stu Gree1>ville, Delaware dent, please get in touch. We are training one the old-fashioned way-fingers and toes first. SUSIE USREY Dayton, Oregon Ever in green, ROBERT D. YOLK San MII1·i.lO, California ~ PRESIDENT EMERITUS DR. H . MARC CATHEY -H. Marc Cathey, ARS President Emeritus 4 THE AMERICAN GARDENER November/December 1999 THE AMERICAN members' GARDENER ED1TOR DAVID j. ELLIS MANAGING EDITOR MARYYEE rum ASSOCIATE EDITOR RITA PELCZAR COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT MARGA.R.ET T. BAIRD PUZZLING PERSPECTIVE slow, steady movements with hand prwlers, DESIGN AND ART DlREeTlON I have visited Thuya Gardens in Maine being careful not to bump or jostle the JOSEPH YACINSKI DESIGN many, many times as we go to Northeast hive. This is best done before sunrise or ~ Harbor on our sailboat every summer. I after sunset-when the bees have bedded EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD looked and looked at the photograph on down for tlle night. If a hive of honeybees . JOHN ALEX FLOYD JR., CHAIR page 46 of "Acadian Adventure" in the needs to be removed, most beekeepers will Birmingham, AJabama July/August issue, then I looked some be more tllarl happy to take it. Better yet, NINA L. BASSUK Ithaca, New York more. Something just didn't seem right. honeybees can be moved to a hive box, RICHARD E. BrR Then I figured it out: You flipped the neg where the honey can be harvested for BrtrVard, North Carolina home use. Most bee books explain how to ative. From where the photograph was JOHN E. BRYAN taken, the apple tree should be on the keep bees in the city without disturbing the San Francisco, California right-hand border. I'm sure I was not the neighbors, and beekeeping is very compat JOHN L. CREECH only one who was puzzled. ible witll gardening. Hendersoll/ville, N moth Carolina Thuya Gardens never disappoints me. I suspect Scalia was embroiderirtg tlle KEITHCROTZ The flower combinations are often surplis truth somewhat for hwnorous effect. For Chillicothe, Illinois ing, but it's always lovely and stimulating tlle bees' sake, I hope so. PANAYOTI KELAIDIS and gives me lots ofideas for the use of color Melanie Hunt Denvel; Colorado Nashville, Indiana RICHARD W. LIGHTY in the garden. It's a pity you didn't have a Greenville, Delaware photograph of the garden in peak bloom ELVIN MCDONALD showing the wonderful flow of color. Editor's note: We hoped our reade1-s would West Des Moines, Iowa Mary Ann Olteanu get a chuckle out of Scalia's tongue-in ~ Wilmington, Vermont cheek description ofhis encounter with a re ADVERTISING calcitrant rose bush inhabited by what he AHS ADVERTISING OFFICE Editor's note: OOpSl We did indeed inadver viewed as hostile bees. It was certainly not 4350 DiPaolo Omter, Suite B Glenview, IL 60025 tently flip the photograph ofThuya Gardens. our intent to promote the indiscriminate (847) 699-1707· FAX: (847) 699-1703 use ofpesticides. BEES DESERVE BETTER To follow up on a point made in Ms. COLOR SEPARATIONS MIDWEST PRE-PRESS I got a laugh reading Joseph Scalia's "Off Hunt)s letter, anyone who finds an un shoots" article in the July/August issue, wanted honeybee colony in the garden PRlNTER but as the caretaker of two hives of bees, I should contact his or her local Extension RANTA PUBLICATIONS GROUP was disappointed by the article's overall service. It will likely maintain a list of TheAmerica" Gardener (ISSN 1087-9978) is pubjished bimonthly (January /February, MarrolApril,May IJ une, poru-ayal of bees and their ways. Our native local beekeepers who would remove the hive JulyI August, SeptemberIOctober, NovemberjDecem bees and even the domesticated European for little or no cost. ber) by the American Horuiculrural Society, 7931 E"", Boulev.. d Drive, Alexanana, VA 22308-1300, (703) honeybees have virtually disappeared from Also, anyone who is allergic to insect 768-5700. Membership in the Society includes a sub the wild, so the author shohlld consider stings should, obviously, not attempt to scription to The AmC1"iean Gardenc1: Annual dues are $35; tWQ years, $60. International dues are $50. $10 of himself lucky to have bees in his yard at all. prune out or move an active hive. annual dues goes toward malW'iPe subscription. Period icals postage paid at Alexandd~, Vrrginia, and at additional Many species of bees and wasps increase 1J1ailii1g offices. Postmaster: Please send FornI 3579 to flower and fruit production, and most are BOTANY 101 The American Gardener, 7931 East BQwevard Drive, not aggressive unless provoked. I enjoyed the September/October issue of Ale)(anP6a, VA22"308-1300. Botanical nomendatllro is based on A Syn.o11ymized I was particularly disturbed by the de The American Gardener, especially Colston Checklist ofthe Vascula1" Flm-aofthe United States, Cima scription of indiscriminate use of bug spray. Burrell's ar-ticle on late-season anemones. I da and Greenland and on the Royal MOI·tioulP1 Novembe1-/Decembe1- 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 5 tulips and clematis are among those plants, picking up the remainder of the subscrip AHS PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL like anemones, which have perianths with tions, I am already an AHS member. I do AHS HORTICULTURAL PARTNER only one whorl of modified leaves called not know how much time I have left: on my OKLAHOMA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY tepals, not sepals. Wild Garden subscription, but can that William Latimer subscription just be added to my current Mr. & MrS. Richard C. Angino • Mrs. Overland Park, Kansas AHS memberslup? It seems a waste to be Suzanne Frutig Bales • Dr. William E. Barrick . Mrs. James L. Bartlett . Mrs. getting two copies of The American Gar Joanne R. Bearb . Mrs. William Beckett . C. Colston Burrell responds: I am glad dener-altl10ugh, of course, I can always Mrs. Katherin~ McKay Belk • Ms. Norma you enJoyed the Anemone article. On your give tl1e extra copies to friends! M. Benton . Mr. & Mrs. C. William Black point concerning the proper name ofthe flo By the way, I have always enjoyed your • Dr. Sherran Blair . Mrs. Mary Katherin~ ral structures of anemones, I must hold to magazine, but in the July/August issue I Blount . Mr. Kurt Bluemel . Mrs. Nancy my original designation ofthe structures as was particularly pleased to see the article on H. Callaway . Ms. Barbara Carr . Dr. H. petallike sepals. The term tepals is used to Ron Gass and Mountain States Wholesale Marc Cathey . Mr. & Mrs. Glen Charles . refer to flowers with petallike structures that Nursery. Ron has done some excellent Mr. Russell Clark . Mrs. Sally Griffith are not cleal'ly distinguished as either petals work and has helped show people in the Cooper . MEs. Lamot du Pont Copeland or sepals. Plants with this characteristic in Southwest that their gardens don't need to • Mr. Jalnes L. Corfield . Mrs. Marg~ry Hale Crane . Mrs. Arabella Dane . Mr. clude tulips, alliums, and some lilies. When be-and shouldn't be-Wee gardens in Vir Edward N. Dane . Ms. Sharon Davies . petals are absent, as in anemones, clemat-is, ginia or Washington State to be pretty. Ms. Maureen De St. Croix • Mr. Ron and many other Ranunculaceae, then it is Keep up the good work. Dodd . Mrs. B~verly White DUfJfl III Mrs. the sepals that are colorful and resemble Mary Anne Pickens Peg Dunnigan . Mr. Paw Ecke Jr . • Mr. petals. Columbus, Texas & Mrs. Thmmas FaIllOn • Dr. John Alex P.S. I was tl1e 1997 president of tl1e Native Floyd, Jr. • Mrs. Ethel Foley III Mr. Johu WILD GARDENERS ... Plant Society of Texas, so I am particula.r Geberin III Mrs. Kariu Gdott~ • Ms. I subscribed to Wild Garden and was sorry Iy interested in native plants. I think it is so Charlotte Gral1Jt • Mrs. HalUiett Hall III to hear that the magazine has ceased pub important tl1at we all use what is native in Ms. Li 6 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Novembel'IDecember 1999 IltInl11 ' urlac .nlni mvt 'J\l'rcimti( Ilonrtis 0 ' ndo COr news from ahs INAUGURAL H. MARC CATHEY Bob Moser (left) of AWARD Ohio State University and Dennis Kirven The first H . Marc Cathey Award and (right), executive Medal will be presented at AHS's 2000 director of the Ohio Annual Conference in Houston, Texas, in Florists' Association, March. Formerly known as the Scientific unveil a sign in July Award, it is given every other year to an in 1999 to inaugurate dividual who has demonstrated excellence the creation of the in horticultmal research. The AHS Board Ornamental Plant of Directors renamed the award to recog Germplasm Center nize the achievements ofH. Marc Cathey, at OSU. cmrentiy AHS's President Emeritus and the inspiration behind the AHS Plant Heat Zone Map, which was introduced in 1997. Cati1ey, a renowned plant researcher, served as president of AHS fi-om 1974 to repositories initiated in 1946. Floricultme 20 years ofexperience in the horticultme in 1978 and again 5:om 1993 to 1997. From industry officials say the center fills a void in dustt)', most recently as director of the Seeds 1956 to 1980, Cathey conducted research the national system for safeguarding food, Business Group at Vaughan's Seed Compa at the United States Department of Agl; fiber, and ornamental crops from disease ny, Downer's Grove, Illinois. culture in Beltsville, Mnyland, focusing on epidemics and loss of genetic diversity. Corfield will oversee die process of up the relationship of environmental factors "Until last year, the NPGS hasn't had the grading and converting existing facilities, such as light, temperatme, and exposme to resources to pay sufficient attention to hiring research staff, and putting together pollution on a wide range of plants. He was herbaceous ornamental germplasm," says short- and long-range business plans. He also fourth director of the U .S. National Ar Peter Bretting, national program leader for ",rill also spearhead ti1e recruiting process boretum in Washington, D.C.; ti1e first Plant Germplasm and Genomes for ti1e for a permanent director. "This facility will D.C. Kiplinger Chair Holder at Ohio State USDA's Agricultural Research Service. give breeders all over the world access to University; and national chair for florist and "We're moving into an area of agriculture genes tl1eY might not otl1erwise be able to nursery review at the USDA. which historically has been under-invested." work witi1," says Corfield, "which means Nominations are being accepted now for Because plant breeders often lack eA'tensive that in the long term it will provide the inaugural H. Marc Cathey Award and storage facilities for genetic material, older or tremendous benefits both to the horticul Medal. For details on how to make a nom less commercially viable genes are sometimes ture industry and to home gardeners." ination, call (800) 777-7931 ext. 120, or discarded. The OGPC ensures that the An initial government appropriation of visit our Web site at 1VlVlV.ahs. org. The dead gem1plasm ofw ild or heirloom plants-which $200,000 in 1999 helped establish the line for nominations is December 15, 1999. may in the futme provide genes resistant to OPGc. Additional fi.l11ding is expected to disease or adapted to changing clin1atic con NATIONAL ORNAMENTAL PLANT ditions-won't be irrevocably lost at the ex GERMPLASM CENTER pense of breeding plants with more desirable Judges Wanted for A cooperative agreement signed in July be colors or better fragrance. "It's quite lil November/December 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 7 come both from government and floricul ture industry sources. TIlE NEW ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIE1Y NOXIOUS WEED LIST AMENDED The USDA's Animal and Plant Health In Dictionary of spection Service, which regulates the entry and spread of non -indigenous plants and Gardentng animals in the United States, has added two more species to its noxious weed list: wet Edited by Anthony Huxley and Mark Griffiths land nightshade (Solanum tampicense) and "You would need to have access to a first-class caulerpa (Caulerpa taxifolia) . Plants on horticultural library in order to come up witn a this list are considered to be destructive to comparable body of information. " the environment and their import or sale in the United States is prohibited. HORTICULTURE Wetland nightshade, native to Central ".. .the most complete presentation ofplants America, has invaded many parts of south gardening ever published ... ern Florida's wetlands and poses a potential will set the standard .. " threat to the ecosystem of the Everglades. SOUTHERN ACCENTS The stems of this sprawling perennial, which $200 can reach 15 feet long, are covered with plus shipping* "Informative, up-to-date, and awesome" prickles, as are its leaves. Plants mesh to 4-volumes, beautifully slip cased LINDA YANG, THE NEW YORK 1JMES gether as they grow, forming a blanket that Illustrated ".. .gardeners would be justified in can smother UFlderstory plants as well as climb tree trun'ks. 1-800-972-9892 blowing their entire book budget jor the rest ofthe century on it. " Caulerpa, a seaweed originally from the • s&h $15 in US; $3 0 to Canada Pacific Ocean, is sold for use in public and PAm HAGEN, WALL STREET JOURNAl home aquariums. An accidental release ofthe plant from an aquarium in Monaco in the mid-1980s reportedly resulted in its prolifer ation in the Mediterranean Sea. While it has so far not beun a problem in North America, the USDA has placed this plant on its nox ious weed list as a pre-emptive measure. 2000 PERENNIAL OF THE YEAR The Perennial Plant Association's plant for the year 2000 is Scabiosa columbaria 'Butterfly Blue'. This cultivar grows one to two feet high, produces lavender-blue flowers from rnid- to late summer, and attracts butterflies to the garden. 'Butterfly Blue' is hardy from Zones 3 to 8 andheattolerantinAHS Zones 9 to 4. Two mail-order sources are Kurt Bluemel, Inc., in Baldwin, Maryland (www.bluemel.com). and Busse Gardens in Cokato, Minnesota (800) 544-3192. ~ . ~ AND SPRAY ON PROTE£TION! against water stress and winter kill on broad-leaf evergreens. Also great for keeping Christmas trees and wreaths green and healthy looking. THE PROVEN ANTI-TRANSPIRANT FOR OVER 50 YEARS. Write for free literature WILT-PRUF® PRODUCTS, INC. P.O. Box 469 • Essex, CT 06426-0469 http://www.wiltpruf.com e-mail: [email protected] Scabiosa columba ria 'Butterfly Blue' 8 THE AMERICAN GARDENER No vem be rID e ce m bC1' 1999 AHS NEWS SPECIAL A General in the Garden by Mark C. Mollan Washington was, in fact, a progressive This year marks the farmer who invited new ideas aJ1d methods for cultivation on his 8,000 acres of laJ1d . 200th anniversary ew Americans are aware that Washing In 1761, when he decided to turn Mount of the death of Gemge ton was an avid "tiller of the soil" with Vernon-which had been a tobacco plan Washington) so we offer a Fmuch more than just a passing interest tation-into a diversified farming enter in plants. In fact, had anyone asked Wash prise, he wrote: "Experiments must be tribute to this American ington his occupation, he would have made, aJ1d the practice (of such of them as z patriot-not as Commander o proudly answered, "I am a farmer." He are useflu) must be introduced by Gende ~ often referred to his Mount Vernon estate men who have leisure and ability and [j of the Continental Army in s:: in Alexandria, Virginia, as d1e "Mansion wherewithal to hazard something." The ~ House Farm" and believed that farm work largest portions of Mount Vernon were de America)s fight for freedom [;] o "may be more conducive d1aJ1 aJ1y other to voted to wheat-the biggest cash crop from Great Britain) first ;;j the happiness of maJ1k.ind." In addition to corn, and pasturage. z o z Mount Vernon, Washington owned sever Washington's innovative spirit and in president of the United o:u >'" al nearby farms , including one on the site terest in agriculture spilled over into horti f States) or a founding father Z of River Farm-modem-day headquarters culture, as developments in the smaller => o :;;: of d1e Ame1icaJ1 Horticultural Society. gardens at Mow1t Vernon provided a cor of our country-but w I nerstone for his evolving farming enter f- as a gardener. a GENTLEMAN FARMER prise. While he had a staff of gardeners, Between his long tours of duty as a public Washington frequendy reserved for him w~ b;: servant, Washington enjoyed! spending al self-when he had d1e luxury oftime-d1e :>o u most all of his private time overseeing his pleasures of designing his landscape and ~- farms or tinkering in the gardens at Mount gardens, grafting saplings, collecting seeds, ~ Vernon. "[T]he life ofa HusbaJ1cimaJ1," he and propagating new cuttings. ffi wrote to a friend in 1788, "of all others is "Washington waJ1ted his gaJ-dens to be \."Jo '" the most delectable." impressive," says Dean Norton, horticul- November/December 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 9 (([TJhe life of a Husbandman of all others is the most delectable. )) turist for the modern-day Mount Vernon estate. "So he hired gardeners who were The curving paths of the Upper Garden competent in all phases of agriculture and are flanked by a colorful variety of entrusted them to care for his gardens in flowering bulbs in spring, above. The the best manner possible." small building shown here was used as Ever receptive to new gardening ideas, a school room in Washington's time. Washington revised the Mount Vernon The brick-and-glass greenhouse, left, landscape in 1785 after reading the writings was a main attraction in Washington's of Batty Langley, English author of New garden. Constructed in 1787, it housed Principles ofGardening, published in 1728. tropical plants such as lemon trees and Washington retained the landscape's basic aloes, which were curiosities to many in geometric symmetry, but he introduced the 18th century. features with more aesthetically pleasing and flowing shapes approximating those found in nature. Serpentine paths were in stalled on the west end, leading between the old front gates and the mansion. A new bell-shaped expanse of lawn called the Bowling Green was created in grand view Washington by fellow gardeners, but by the oudine, no original designs or content list of the mansion. At Washington's direction, 1790s visitors such as architect and engineer ings for the garden were fOlmd to exist. "It American holly, white ash, Canada hem Benjamin Henry Lau'obe were referring to was a huge puzzle," admits Norton. "We lock, and tulip poplar trees were then plant it as a flower garden "laid out in squares and visited other restored 18th-cenrury gardens, ed- and still stand today-along the paths boxed vvith great precision." and for over a year reviewed all we could flanking the Bowling Green. Ald10ugh litde mention ofd1e Upper find from existing records." In the end, says Garden exists in Washington's own writ Norton, "The histOlical writings of visitors THE UPPER AND LOWER ings, visitors to Mount Vernon often wrote to MOlmt Vernon wound up being crucial GARDENS of the beauty and solace it offered. In July to t.l1e restoration." Beyond the pebbled roadways thrives the 1799, d1e visiting Reverend Jolm E. Latta heart ofWas hington's landscape: two sym described d1e garden as "very handsomely TROPICAL LUXURIES metrical, candle-shaped gardens. To the laid out in squares and flower knots" and Along the nort.l1 wall of the Upper Garden south, the vegetable garden, ca ll ed the holding "a great variety of u'ees, flowers, stands t.l1e t.l1e 20-by-60-square-foot green Lower Garden-complete with cold and plants offoreign growth collected from house, which was "d1e crovvn jewel of t.l1e fran1es, cisterns, and gardeners tool shed almost every part of the world." Mount Vernon gardens," says Norton. supplied food for the table. On the other In 1985, d1e Upper Garden was archae Built in 1787, Washington based the side of the Green, the Upper Garden logically surveyed, researched, and restored greenhouse's design on that of a similar which developed later-provided a fragrant by the Mow1t Vernon staff to reflect how it structure owned by Margaret Carrollton of setting for a leisurely stroll. might have looked at the time of Washing Mount Clare in Baltimore, Maryland. The Upper Garden was originally creat ton's death. Although Washington and his "It was extremely rare to have had a ed as an overflow garden of sorts when the farm managers kept records on the aglicul greenhouse in t.l1at day and age," Norton Lower Garden, filled with espaliered and rural developments of MOLmt Vernon and explains. "It was a way for Washington to free-standing fl.-uit trees along the oyster shell the surrounding Washington farms, specif show offhis sLlccess-and to delight visitors, walkways and vegetable beds, began run ic plants on these properties were only spo who'd probably never seen t.l1e likes ofba ning out ofspace . It was initially planted with radically mentioned. Apart from a single nana or citrus plants in Virginia." Warmed new varieties of fruits and vegetables sent to sketch that shows only the Upper Garden's by a flue system in d1e floor, Washington 10 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Novembnr/December 1999 was able to kee p a wide variety of tropical cash crops at Mount Vernon or one of dle plants in dle greenhouse year rOLUld . odler fat'ms. "The most valuable and SCat'cer Visitor Information Soon after its completion, Mxs . Carroll kinds ofpl ants .. ,may receive nomishment in ton's agent Odl0 Williams delivered dle in my little garden," Washington wrote. Mount Vernon, located 16 m iles augural plantings for tbe greenhouse, Among me "scat'cer" plants Washington south of Washington, D,C., is open which , by his account, included several received into his care in 1785 were 200 va year round. For more information, lemon and orange trees and " ... O ne fin e lieties of seed 6:om China, gifts fiom his local call (703) 780-2000, or visit balm scented Shrub; Tvvo potts of aUoes, physiciatl, Dr, Crailc Unfo rtlLl1ately, one year www.mountvernon.org. and some tufts of potted matjoram ." Odler later, Wasl1 ington noted in his diary dut gifts for dle greenh ouse included oleatlders "None ofdle plants whicb were sowed widl Sources fiom General Moulu'ie ofSoudl Cat'olina, dle seeds fr om China., .were to be seen. " Washington's comrade-in -at'ms from dle Still, dlere were some successes at the bOtatl GEORGE WASHINGTON: PIONfER Revolutionary War, and sago palms from ic gat'den: Most notably, alfalfu and oats were FARMfR by Alan and Donna Jean dle West Incties, perhaps fi'om friends dur grown dlere, atld after Washington ctiscov Fuson ie, Mount Vernon Ladies' ing a u'ip to Bat'bados, his only sojomn out ered bow dley could enrich dle soil, bodl Association, Alexandria, Virginia, side of the U nited States . One Mount were quicldy sown in dle fi elds, 1998, $5.95. Vernon guest conlln ented dlat dle green "George Washington loved agri culture WASHINGTON'S GARDENS AT MOUNT house was",. ,a great source of pleasure. foremost," says Norton. "H e u' u.! y believed VERNON: LANDSCAPE OF THE INNER PlatltS fiom every part of dle world seem to that one of the reasons this country was MAN by Mac Griswold, photographs flomish in dle neady finished apat'b1lent, & great "vas due to its abilities in agriculture. by Roger Foley, Houghtol'l Mifflin, fiom dle atTatlgement ofdle whole, I con But the great fl oral array represented at Boston, Massachusetts, 1999. $40. clude dut it is matlaged by a skilful hatld," Mount Vernon al ongside dle agricultural GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOUNT cash crops-flower, £i:uit atld vegetable gar VERNON by Wendell Ga rrett, 18TH-CENTURY PLANT TRIALS dens, dle botatucal gat'den, me nmsery, me Monacelli Press, New York, New Over dle east wall between dle gat'den and greenhouse-shows us bis gardening York, 1999, $65, dle house is dle so-called botanic garden, world was complete, And it speaks volwlles GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOUNT VER where Washington tried new varieties ofveg about George Was hington's enthusias m NON: AT HOME IN REVOLUTIONARY etables, platlted seeds fi'om fii.ends, and ex atld understanding of horticulture," '~ AMERICA by Robert F. Dalzell and Lee perimented widl green fertilizers. Successful Baldwin Dalzell, Oxford University ventmes here often fo mld dleir way into dle Mark C. Molian is a free -lance wl'itel' living Press, New York, New York, 1998. $30. fiuit garden and nursery, or were planted as in Leesburg, Vil;ginia. N ovembel'/D ecem b er 1999 THE AMERI C AN GARDENER 11 The Alllerican TRAVfl the American Horticultural Society (AHS) , together with the Leonard Haertter Travel Company of St. Louis, Missouri, has conducted a Travel Study Program to gardens in the United States and abroad. This program offers participants an opportunity to visit exceptional private and public gardens, accompanied by tour leaders and horticulturists well-known in their field. Many of the private gardens included in the programs are open only to AHS tour participants. }; The American Horticultural Society educates and inspires people of all ages to become successful and environmentally responsible gardeners by advancing the art and science of horticulture. Horticultural Society ST GARDENS OF THE GARDENS OF DEVON GARDENS OF GRENADINES AND AND CORNWALL SCOTLAND THE LEEWARD AND (with an extend ion to CheLdea) July 25-AuglUlt 5 WINDWARD ISLANDS May 12-22~ (aboard the CLipper M IV May 22-26 GARDENS OF Yorktown) DENMARK February 12- 19 GARDENS OF AuglUlt 5- 15 PROVENCE GARDENS OF June 18- 28 THE VENETO ARGENTINA (de cond departure) March 4- 17 GARDENS OF BRITAIN Septemher 24- 0ctober 2 June 25- J uly 6 GARDENS AND GREAT GARDENS OF TUSCANY HOUSES OF THE WALES, ENGLAND, October 8- 19 NETHERLANDS AND IRELAND April 24- May 4 (aboard the CLipper M IV GARDENS OF Adventure) SOUTH AFRICA GARDENS OF July 4- 17 October 17- 28 THE VENETO: ASOLO, VERONA, AND VENICE GARDENS OF GARDENS OF (jiNt departure) NANTUCKET BARBADOS May 10- 21 July 11- 16 November 8- 12 focus n ovem be rl decem ber winter plant • • broken by heavy snow, ice, or "vind; and in direct damage from human activities suoh as salt used to de-ice roads and walkways (see box on page 16). The severity of winter damage ranges from minor to devastating. Flower buds are most susceptible to frost damage, but this simply means a loss or reduccion of flowers and fruit for that year. Plants that suffer bark splitting caused by a sudden drop in tom perature or sunscald may not be killed out right but are far more susceptible to hlture invasion by insects and diseases. When the roots offrost-heaved perennials are exposed to drying winds and rapid fluctuations in air temperature, the plants usually die. THE RIGHT PLANT Richard Bir, Extension specialist in nursery crops at North Carolina State University, advises, "Part of being a good gardener is knowing how to choose good, hardy plants." In general, plants native to your re Frost heaving. Bark splitting. Root rot. Twig dieback. Leaf scorch. gion or exotic plants from areas of the world that have similar climates are most These and other perils of cold weather are lurking just around the suitable. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone corner as fall gives way to winter in your garden. Every region of the Map-based on average low tempera tures-is a starting point for selecting country) from the frigid Northeast to the mild Southwest) experiences plants suited to winters in your geograph its own winter travails. An examination of plant responses to each ic area. region)s winter extremes suggests precautions for avoiding) as well as But winter survival involves much more than simply enduring exposure to low tem remedies for repairing) winter injury in your garden. peratures. How rapidly temperatures drop and how much they fluctuate; exposure to drying winds; snow cover, rainfall, and ice accumulation all influence a plant's adapt they are no less critical. By providing your ability to a site. "The essence of horticul regional plants appropriate protection from winter's ture is moving plants until you get them hazards, you are more likely to be pleased into a spot they like," says Peter Del Tredi with your garden'S shape-regardless of ci, director of living collections at the winters your own-come spring. Arnold Arboretlll1 in Jamaica Plain, Mass The term "winter injury" describes any achusetts. "What gets attributed to winter by Tonda Phalen tissue damage, including death, that occurs injury often is just caused by poor site se to plants exposed to harsh winter weather. lection for a plant." n The Opinionated Gardener, Geoffrey Winter injuries generally fall into three Above all, it is important to remember Charlesworth poses the question: "What groups: temperature-related damage that healthy plants will better survive harsh Ido gardeners do in winter?" His own an caused by the plant's inability to properly swer: "They accumulate fat." Actually, acclimate to normal winter weather if:! a The weigbt of ice that built up after a Charlesworth's observation is a bit over particular region; damage from physical February storm in Champaign, Illinois, split stated. Though your chores may be fewer, forces such as frost heaving and branches this tree down the middle. 14 THE AMERICAN GARDENER November/December 1999 conditions. SLU11Jller drought, disease, insect fowld in tlle SLU11Jller is delayed damage due tinues with increasing exposure to sub damage, and poor cultmal practices in gen to winter root injury." freezing temperatures. Because much of eral all conuibute to winter injmy. "We see a Accoreting to Manley, "YOLU1g plants are tlle Soutll enjoys fewer exu-emely cold days plant die one year and atuibute it to injmy it the most susceptible, leading researchers to in winter, acclimation is often incomplete received in the winter," Del Tredici explains, reconsider traditional advice to plant in tlle when cold weamer does arrive. "but it is more often caused by cumulative fal l. Instead, plant in tlle spring to allow Woody plants tlut continue to put out damage over the years." Del Tredici also be roots to become better established before new growth well into late autumn often lieves that gardeners should reconsider how they have to deal with winter weatller." Root suffer tip dieback in winter. To reduce tlus they place plants-particularly trees. "Our damage is most likely to occur during peri problem, Bir advises against "prmung and whole aesthetic of open-grown 'specimen' ods of extreme cold without snow cover. fertili zing too late into fall [which] en u'ees sets them up for winter injmy. In the Root injmy is also a selious problem witll courages growm when me plant should be forest, trees protect each other." container plantings, which are insulated by trying to shut down." Geraldine Laufer, In addition, gardeners are often tempt a small volume of soil. For containers mat spokeswoman for the Atlanta Botanical ed to "push the envelope" on hardiness, to stay outdoors all winter, Bassuk suggests Garden, suggests cutting back shrubs, include borderline-hardy plants in their using only exu'emely hardy plants, such as herbaceous perennials, and grasses in gardens. "Zone denial is just part ofbei.l1g jwupers, Sibelian pea-tree (Ca1'agana ar spring-rather than fall-to prevent the a horticulturist," says Nina Bass uk, direc borescens), and mugo pine (Pinus m14go). stimulation oflate growili. tor of urban horticulture at Cornell Uni Containers can also be bLllied in the growld Accumulations of ice can increase me versity. Microclimates within a site may in fall to protect plant roots. branch weight of trees by 30 times or extend yo ur plant selection options to in Sun1J11er drought also influences the de more, resulting in broken li mbs. Multi clude plants slightly beyond tlle hardiness gree of winter damage, because plants ap stel11Jlled evergreens, such as arborvitae,ju zone of yo m region, but it's still a gamble. proach tlle colder montlls witl1 less man nipers, and yews are especially vulnerable. Even appropriately hardy, healtllY, and tlleir normal supply of water. Woody plants Prevent ice damage by tying twine to me well-sited plants can suffer winter damage, absorb most of tlle water tlley store dLUing base of me trunk and wmeting spirally up no matter where you garden. A look at win late SW11J11er and early fall . As a plant begins ward to me top and back down to secure ter injmy to plants by region suggests some acclimating to cold weather, its ability to ab the branches to each omer. Deciduous solutions for preventing, minimizing, and sorb water decreases. Newly established trees wim poor branching habits-such as repairing tl1e most COn1J110n damage. plantings are particularly susceptible. Bradford pears and Norway maples-are also susceptible to ice damage. Broken THE NORTHEAST THE SOUTHEAST limbs should be prLUled immediately; bent Reeser Manley, assistant professor ofhorti Because the Soutlleast encompasses a branches may straighten on meir own after culture at tlle University of Maine in Orono broad range of USDA Plant Hardiness me ice melts. Never try to remove ice; tlUs and director of me Lyle E. Littlefield Or Zones-from 5 to 10-gardeners tllere ex can cause more U1Jury. namental Trial Garden conducts research perience a wide range of winter injuries. In mild areas such as soumern Florida, on root damage caused by cycles of fi-eez Much of tlle damage in tlus region occms light frosts tllat would do little damage fur ing and tllawing-a real problem in New when cold weather hits before a plant's mer norm can be devastating to vegetation England. "We may be seeing more deatll of growm has sufficiently stopped. The lU1accustomed to such temperatures, caus u-ees due to root damage man we realize," process of acclimation (see page 18) is ini ing lawns to brown and plants to drop says Manley. "Much of me branch die back tiated by shortening day lengtll and con- leaves. Don Evans, director of horticulture :2' Winter damage on woody ::> t;> plants is sometimes not appar '"o co ent until later in the growing '" NovembH/Decembe1' 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 15 at Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami, THE Florida, says gardeners can protect partic Salt Injuries WALKER ORIGINAL ularly tender plants by misting them throughout nights with a fine spray of alt damage to plant.s can occur in water when light frosts are expected. any area where salting compOlmds Sare used to melt snow or ice. The THE MIDWEST needles of affected evergretlns turn In the Midwest, occasional warm spells in brown; the leaves of deciduous trees the winter that signal plants to begin early and shrubs display marginal scorch de-acclimation--or breaking dormancy when: they emerge ill spring. Where cause widespread injuries when cold weath plants suffer continued exposure to salt, er returns. "Most winter damage occurs in a feathery, distorted growth pattern late February and early March in the Chica ca1led witches' broom may develop go area," says Doris Taylor, plant informa from btlds of branches that have died tion specialist at the Morton Arborotum in back. Continued uptalce of heavy salt Lisle, Illinois. Wflcentrations from tth<> soil reswicts Jim Locklear, director of the Nebraska root: absorption of nutrients, water, aIild Statewide Arboretum in Lincoln, reports, oxygen~ome12imes killing plamts. "Some springs see one out of four plants To reduce sail. damage, flush soil with damage due to early ae-acclimation." subject to sa!1ty mnoffwith several For the most part, the resulting damage is N:lches of water and repeat clu'ee days manifested as reduced flowering or winter later. This will leach much of the salt "burn" Oll new foliage, but newly established from the soil. RiNse foliage and plants may be killed. Plants susceptible to branches as soon as possible when salt early de-acclimation-such as saucer mag spray occurs, an.d aga,i,n ill early spring. nolia (Magnoliaxsoulangiana)~an ben Prevent or minimize damage by using efit from a northern or eastern exposure, sand, pea gravel, or kitty litter instead where their early-season development tends of salt. In areas where plants are COIl to be slightly delayed. standy exposed to sain runoff or sea spray, Nina Bassuk of Comell Univer THE FAR NORTH sity suggests selecting sait-tolerant "The best preventive technique in our area plants such as Rosa rugosa, barberry is prayer for snow," says Jeff Gillman, assis (Berberisspp.), beach plum (Prunus We .cordially invite you to attend tant professor of horticultural science at the maritima), summersweet (Clethra PHILADELPHIA IN FuLL BLOOM University of Minnesota in St. Paul. "Snow spp.), blue spruce (Picea pungens). March 9 - 12, 2000 cover acts as an insulator against extreme Austrian pine (Pinus nigra), and bay featuring cold," explains Gillman. He also notes that bel'ry (M)I'f'ica pensylvanica). -TP. the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 's some plants "just don't do well here be Philadelphia Flower Show cause it is too cold for too long." Boxwood Gardens For The New Millennium (Buxus spp.) and Japanese holly (flex cre trients and water. The damage, which ap Program Highlights nata), standard foundation plants in much pears as browning of the wood inside the • Private tour of the Flower Show of the Northeast and Midwest, survive only branch or trunk, may be apparent imme before the doors open to the public in limited micmclimates, according to Gill diately or may appear much later-even in • 3-nights at the 4-star Warwick Hotel man. He recommends Japanese rose (Rosa the sun1lTIer-when damaged cells can no • Lunches in a private home and club 1rugosa) or Daphne burklVoodii 'Carol longer move enough nutrients and water • Diruler at Master Chef Philippe Chin's Mackie' as hardier alternatives. to portions of the plant above the damage. Philippe on Locust Most roses are difficult to grow in tlK • Brandywine River Museum Far North, unless their bud unions are pro ROCKY MOUNTAINS • Independence National Historical Park tected tii-om frost. One way to do this is to In the Rocky Mountains, lack of precipita • Longwood Gardens • Mount Pleasant Mansion loosely mound soil at least a foot high tion' strong "vinds, high altitude, inconsis • Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine around and between the bases of the canes tent snow cover, low humidity, and intense Arts' millennial exhibit, "Paris 1900" after the ground freezes. Then build a swilight can create extremely harsh winter • Philadelphia Museum of Art chicken-wire cage around the rose and conditions. "We suffer drought conditions • Winterthur Museum & Gardens loosely fill it with straw or oak leaves. Make in winter," says Harriett McMillan, horti • Private coach & guide service sure to remove all the winter attire before cultural information specialist at Denver COST new growth starts in spring. Botanic Gardens in Colorado. "Winter wa $850 per person, double occupancy Extreme cold in combination witl1 in tering is a necessity." McMillan recom (including tax and gratuities) sufficient snow cover often mean some mends watering at least once a month if Group Leaders borderline-hardy plants will incur fatal tl1ere is insufficient precipitation and if the Ask about OUT special programs for groups. heartwood damage-commonly called ground is not completely frozen. For more information or to make blackheart-which results when water in Wind and drought often desiccate ever reservations, please call: 800-714'-3287 side the plant freezes, causing the cell walls greens, turning foliage brown or even killing to ruptmre, thus blockillg movement of nu- plants. McMillan says that anti-transpi- 16 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Novembe7' / D ecember 1999 rants-spray-on mixtures that coat leaves water absorb. Gently replace tile plant witll wi th a wa.\.')' film, th us reducing water loss out dragging or rolling it. Backfill tile hole may help, but that preventive watering and il1Ullediately, firming tile soil after each shov screening with burlap on the southern, elful and waterillg at illtervals. Mulch over southwestern, or windward side of ever tile planti.Ilg hole, tllen stake and cable the greens offer more effective protection. u'ee or shrub. Ifp lants are frost-heaved from Avoid immecliate pruning of browned frozen grOLll1d, pack tile entire exposed root branches; surviving buds may produce new system and branches witll wet straw, leaves, fo liage when growth resumes in spring. or peat moss, then cover witll a heavy tar SlU1scald and bark splitting affect decid paLilin or burlap. Keep the roots moist wltil Modern Roses to uous plants under conditions similar to tile grolU1d tllaws enough to replant. retain the charm those causing evergreen desiccation. YOLUlg and ri ch fragrance plantings and smooth-barked trees and WEST AND SOUTHWEST of Old Roses, shrubs such as maples, apples, aspens, lin Gardens in the West and at lower elevations and the wider color range and practical dens, mOlU1tai..n ashes, and azaleas are most ill tile Southwest typically expelience mild qualities of Hybrid Teas. vulnerable. Damage, which typicall y ap winters. "There are very few plants that Send for your free copy of David Austin's pears on the southern or southwestern side won't make it ill this climate; Wac and pe new fu ll colour American Catalog of roses, of plants, is characterized by elongated, onies don't do well, but tlut's because of a containing over 50 varieties of English sunken, dried, or split areas of baric The lack of cold weatller," says Don Malloney, Roses, all grown in the U.S., plus a wide best way to avoid such problems is to shade horticulture manager at Strybing Arbore range of interesting and unusual Old sensitive bark by retaining lower branches tum and Botanical Gardens ill San Francis Fashioned, Shrub, Climbing, and Hybrid Tea roses. or by using screens or plastic tree guards. co. "The worst tlut happens is occasional To receive your Calalog please complele Ihis coupon Once such damage occurs, there is little bud death from li ght freezes," adds Ma and send 10: you can do but prevent further injury. Re honey, who recommends a protective cov DAVID AUSTIN R OSES LTD move dead bark with a sharp knife, apply a erlllg called AgroFablic to prevent damage 15393 Highway 64 West, Tyler TX 75704 fungicide, and provide protection in sub to prize tender plants when tile temperature Call : (903) 526 1800 Fax: (0903) 526 1900 sequent winters. does clip below fi·eezillg. www.davidaustinroses.com Snow load and wind also cause injury. Chris Martin, associate professor of Name ...... "Even in April we can get two feet of heavy, urban horticulture at Arizona State U niver Address wet snow that flattens bulbous plants and sity in Tempe, protects very tender tropicals City...... breaks tree branches," reports Ava Salman, ,vith cloches and row covers. "Frosts and Slale ...... Zip ...... AG 2 marketing and catalog manager at High freezes are rare here," he says. "COVerlllg a COlU1U')' Gardens nursery in Santa Fe, New plant is tile only prevention we use during Mexico. "And if the snow doesn't do it, our short cold events." Martin says that wind will flatten everything." She recom most people just let nature take its course: HMMM ... THE mends removing snow from trees and "In the Southwest, cold snaps act as growth shrubs with a broom before it freezes over, control to many of our subtropicals-like SMITHS' FOR AZALEAS AND and planting only short, late-winter flow lantana, bougainvillea, and bird-of-paradise HOSTAS, OR THE JONESES' ering bulbs. Screens can be used to help (Strelitzia spp.)--doing no more tllaIl giv FOR THE All YOU CAN prevent wind damage. ing them a severe pruning." Wind-toppled trees and shrubs can be o EAT BUFFET? rescued if you act quickly and the grolU1d PACIFIC NORTHWEST isn't frozen solid. Clean out the original Because large boclies of water provide a o planting hole, fill it with water, and let the moderating effect on the climate, gardens o near the Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and along the Pacific coast line enjoy much warmer temperatures in winter than inland areas in the Deer Pacific Northwest. Ri chard Hartlage, director Damage a of tl1e Elisabeth C. Miller Problem? Botanical Garden in Seattle says dus maritime We Have effect allows coastal gar the Solution. deners to experiment • Virtually invisible, high strength barrier Witll many plaIlts that are • Protect garden areas or entire property not hardy inlaIld. • Easily attaches to trees or posts Gardens further in land are subject to Benner's Gardens • 1-800-244-3337 A screen of burlap protects rhododendrons from the freeze-and-thaw cycles P.O. Box 875, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 drying effects of wind in this garden in Bend. Oregon. that can result ill all types Website: www.bennersgardens.com November/Decembe1' 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 17 As for plants that don't do well in the tllen gain additional hardiness very rapidly, Sources winter, Hartlage suggests tllat people be re and, with continual cold weatller, reach alistic and treat marginally hardy species as their maximum hardiness potential. Red The following companies offer almuals. But with all the plants available in osier dogwood (Comus stolonife1'a), one of cover fabrics, cloches, screens, ele Nordl America, he notes, gardeners "Call the hardiest plalltS, Call withstand temper vated sprinklers, cold frames, and get anything they want, whetller it is appro atures of -313 degrees Fahrenheit. With other products to protect plants. priate for their al'ea or not." very hardy plants, maximum hal'diness is A.M. LEONARD. (800) 543-8955. maintained lmtillugher temperatures trig www.amleo.com Tonda Phalen is a free-lance w1'ite1' living in ger the de-acclimation process, wluch oc CHARLEY'S GREENHOUSE SUPPLY. Alexandria) Vi"'lfinia. curs gradually so tllat fi:eezi.ng temperatures (800) 322-4707. www.charleys in the spring do not kill them. For less greenhouse. com hardy plants tllat are not sensitive to day GARDENER'S SUPPLY COMPANY. length, tlle cold acclimation process is not (800) 863-1700. www.gardeners.com uutiated Wltil cold temperatures occur. LANGENBACH. (800) 362-1991. acclimation Most gardeners rely on the USDA Plant www.langenbach.com Hardiness Zone Map when selectiIlg plants LEE VALLEY. (800) 871-8158. by Harold Pellett likely to be hardy in dleir regions. Hardi ness ratings al'e usually based on field ob Resources or a plallt to survive winter conditions servations of a plallt'S ability to survive in in any given region, it 110t only must different zones. Cold harditless ratings of CARE AND PROTECTION OF YOUR Facclimate to withstand the coldest plants propagated vegetatively can provide a PLANTS THROUGH WINTER, AHS temperatures of tlle winter, it must initiate good indication ofsuccess if the ratiIlgs were Gardeners Information Service Bul the process and acclimate rapidly enough developed fo llowing widespread observa letin. (800) 777-7931 ext, 131. $1. to tolerate ally unseasonably cold weatller tion. Plallts from different seed sources Call THE GARDEN IN WINTER by Rose tllat may occur in early winter. In order to differ greatly in tlleu' tiIlling of acclimation, mary Verey, Timber Press, Portland, survive, plants must also retain sufficient however, alld also in tlleir total capacity to Oregon, 1988. $24.95. hardiness during warm periods in late win harden to withstand minimum temperatures. GROWING PERENNIALS IN COLD ter or early spring to endure freezing con It is importallt to keep in nund tlut dif CLIMATES by Mike Heger and John ditions that may follow. ferent tissues on tlle Sa!11e plant have Val'y Whitman, (ontemporary Publishing There is a strong correlation between i.ng degrees ofharditless. Thus record low Group, Lincolnwood, IIlinois,1998. cessation of growth alld tlle initiation of the temperatures at different tiInes oftlle WU1- $49.95. cold acclimation process. Most of our tel' Call cause different types ofuljury symp GROWING ROSES IN COLD CLIMATES hardiest plallts cease growtll alld initiate tlle toms. For example, root tissues have less by Jerry Olson and John Whitman, acclimation process in response to decreas capacity to hal'den than stem tissues. Over Contemporary Publishing Group, ing day lengths in late summer. This can wintering flower buds Calmot harden to tlle Lincolnwood, Illinois, 1998. $39.95. happen even if temperatures are still warm Sa!11e level as stem tissue or vegetative buds. THE WINTER GARDEN: PLANNING and favorable for growth. However, differ Thus plants such as forsythia may survive AND PLANTING FOR THE SOUTHEAST ent plants have different critical day lengths winters Witll0ut injury but "vill often not by Peter Loewer and larry Melli that initiate acclimation. Some require flower above tlle snowlitle. champ, Stackpole Books, Mechan much shorter day lengths than others. Xylem tissues-which trallSport water icsburg, Pennsylvania, 1997. $39.95. Even in the Sa!11e species of plallts, tllere al'e within plants-harden sooner tllan phloem WINTER ORNAMENTA LS: FOR THE big differences in critical day lengths. tissues-which carry nutrients-but are less MARITIME NORTHWEST GARDENER Plants tlut have a broad native range of hardy in mid-wulter; both tissues are slight by Daniel J. Hinkley, Sasquatch distribution fi'om the nortllern to soutllern ly less hardy in mid-winter thall vegetative Books, Seattle, Washington, 1993. latitude differ greatly in tlus regard. The buds. An eal'ly hard freeze can kill tlle bark $9.95. original source of tlle plant-its prove tissues, while the }.,'ylem or vegetative buds USDA PLANT HARDINESS ZONE MAP. nal1Ce-is very importallt in influencing its may not be injured. A severe mid-winter American Nursery and Landscape tiIiling ofacclimation alld, therefore, its abil freeze may kill xylem tissues without injur Associat ion, (202) 789-2900. $10.95. ity to tolerate winters in any given location. Ulg tlle vegetative buds if the tissue temper In general, plallts from nortllern latitudes or ature drops below tlle hardiness level of the from high elevations start acclimation under }..'ylem tissues but does not quite reach the of winter injury ranging from scorching a longer day lengdl tllall tlle same species harditless level oftlle buds. In such a situa and browning of leaves to bark splitting from a more soutllern or lower elevation. tion, tlle uljured plallt may uutially leaf out and heartwood damage. While mulches However, plallts tllat are native to a maritiIl1e normally in tlle sprulg but when hot dry can moderate these cycles, they may exac climate may not acclimate as soon. weatller arrives, the new growth will wilt erbate another problem prevalent in Pacif Plallts that begin the process in response and die rapidly since tlle plant Call1iot sup ic Northwest winters: fungal diseases such to day length hal'den-accumulate certain ply sufficient water to maintain the new suc as root rot that thrive on excessive mois sugars alld proteins in their cells, prevent culent groWtll. ~ ture. Hartlage advises gardeners "to select ing the formation of ice crystals within the plants tllat will grow well in wet condi cells-to a certain level and then do not Harold Pellett is a p1'ofessor in horticulture tions," such as Corydalis flexuosa 'Blue harden much furtl1er until cold tempera at the Uniw1'sity ofMinnesota and execu Panda', a shade loving herbaceous peren tures trigger the next stage. Following tive direct01' ofthe Landscape Plant Devel nial grOlmd cover. some freezing temperatures, tllese plants opment Cente1". 18 THE AMERICAN GARDENER November/December 1999 A GARDEN RESTORED redwood fence, felled by me weight of me ivy mere, which could only be removed wim a backhoe. The most mystifYing-and en by Jan Herron chanting-firId was a pile of rocks, which, when fi'eed from its cloak of ivy, was revealed to be a fountain. We've never located me water ast year was d1e kind of year we garden for. We putter along, supply, and me sycamore beside it has grown into such a giant that dealing wim snails and mildew and me neighbor's dog, and water from me rock pool at me foot of me fountain would now Ld1en-ifwe're lucky---every 10 years or so, we get a season have to flow uphill over me sycamore roots to reach its eventual like no omer. We personally waited 11 years, but we don't count destination in me Wy pond. So we have setded for filling bom me first one because it was speI1t hacking ivy and disposing of me ponds wim a hose. Our cats SLID memselves on me stonework, mos old car parts, dead sneakers, and dog toys the garden contained. quito fish live in d1e rock pool and goldfish in me lily pond. Some When my husband and I bought our property on California's day we might install a recirculating pLU11p. central coast, what we really purchased was a yard. The house is A few years ago me daughter of me eccentric landscaper dropped small and situated close to me street, leaving me rest of d1e quar by to see how her famer's garden was doing. She stepped wough ter acre to ramble off lIDder a stand of firIe old trees. The lot was me wooden gate, surveyed me flowering borders, green lawns, and landscaped in d1e early '60s by a gendeman wim a lively imagina rampant nasturtilU11s and-where coundess omer visitors have ex- tion and a job mat kept him on me claimed, "What a lot ofwork! "- she road. He came home wim his pock- said, "I see a lot oflove." ets full of tree seedlings and his pick Last year me love was augment up loaded wim rocks-some ...-,. ed by an extremely long rainy sea interesting, some beautiful, some just son, courtesy ofEI Nifio. Removal large. On me quarter acre he planted of me old redwood fence opened up me trees, and with me rocks he laid space for me perennial border, and pams, built walls and raised flower- _ . trimming a couple of trees brought beds, and constructed a fountain and sunlight to some shady areas. Late a pond. He also paved some of me leafing of me sycamore in the pams wim little concrete tubes; we Spring-d1ankS again to EI Nifio eventually learned mey were used in furmer increased me availability of sulation scrounged from an oil refirI sunlight to me yard. ery. He planted dramatic clumps of And men me miracle happened. Dutch iris and built picket fences and, Our garden- which has always been at me time ofhis deam, was working an expanse of green wim a flower on a barbecue pit and "tiki hut." We here and mere-burst into lush, tri got me impression mat if he died at umphant bloom. From me spring 11 0 me garden would still have been time crocuses and primroses a work in progress. wough foxgloves and hollyhocks This was a garden mat required to fuchsia and bougainvillea, the sustained loving care to survive. flowering never stopped. Western After its original owner died, succes spicebush and naked ladies, which sive tenants moved in and out of me were part of me originallandscap property, leaving parts of metr cars ing, emerged from under the ivy behind, and me ivy snealced in over me high fences. The car parts and blossomed for me first time in 11 years. were infested by black widows, and me ivy was a haven for slugs We may never see anomer such season, but we would not be and snails. The garden's restoration began when we moved in, gardeners ifwe were not optimists. My biggest chore mese days wim me removal of most of me trash and some of me ivy. is cutting back me perennials, but we also continue me weeding, Eleven years later, me restoration continues. We have dug an watering, and composting-and p November / Decemb~r 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 19 ~ gardeners information service I have an ornamental citrus tree (C. reticulata'Sat organic fertilizer containing only moderate nitrogen, such as fish suma') in a three-gallon container. Two years ago it bwomed emulsion or liquid seaweed. in February, but this past winter it didn'tfluwer. Sticky, clear sap appeared to ooze from its leaves, creating a sticky mess on Years ago I feU in love with the China doll plant and the floor. I couldn't see a~ sign ofinsects or disease. What was have tried to grow this houseplant-with marginal success. My happening to my tree, and how can Iget it to bwom again this plant is no longerfull offoliage, but recent~ its branches seem winter.? -IE., Silver Spring, Maryland to be filling out more. How do I maintain andgrow this plant? Although you didn't see any insects, the sticky mess you describe -L. T, via e-mail sounds a lot like a substance called honeydew, the excrement of Radermachera sinica, also known as China doll, radar plant and piercing and sucking in Asian bellflower, is actually a tropical evergreen tree that is native sects of the order Ho to China and southeastern Asia. Grown indoors as a houseplant, it moptera, which includes must be regularly pruned to prevent it from becoming leggy. Ifyou scales, mealybugs, aphids, have not been prw1ing the plant, try doing so and see ifthat solves and whiteflies. These the problem. Pinching out new growth will also help promote pests are small and diffi fuller, bushier growth. The plant is usually easy to grow, but prop cult to see, especially in er wateting is critical-keep the potting mediwn moist, but be care the early stages oftheir ful not to under- or ovenvater. Yellow, brittle leaves indicate life cycles, but the ap underwateting; blackish tips on green leaves indicate over water pearance of honeydew is ing. China doll requires tich, well-drained soil, bright light, and a often a tip-off to their minimum temperature of 50 degrees F. It is one of the few house presence. Ifyou see ants plants that will tolerate dry air, so misting is not necessary. Repot around the plant, you in tl1e spring and propagate by stem cuttings in the SUl11.111er. more than likely have sucking insects, since Is there a difference between Symplocarpus foetidus ants relish honeydew.In and Lysichiton americanus~ Or is one simp~ an older botan fested leaves may also ical name for the other? -CR., Mission Hills, California host a sooty mold that According to the ROJ'al Horticultural Society Dictionary, Symplo feeds on honeydew. carpus foetidus and Lysichiton american us are different species in Homopterans can damage a plant by piercing its leaves and the Arum family (Araceae) with similar characteristics, but L. sucking sap from it, eventually causing it to lose vigor-and per americanusis usually somewhat larger. Their flowers are typical of haps fail to flower. Severe infestations can even kill a plant. Colonies those in the arum family-a clublike spike called a spathe sur of scales and mealybugs appear as cottony deposits on foliage. rOlmded by a specialized leaf called a spadix. Both are commonly Aphids tend to be larger and can be fow1d clustered on plant stems known as skW1k cabbage, for the musky smell of their foliage. and w1der leaves. Adult whiteflies are tiny flying insects, but they S. foetidus, also known as polecat weed or fetid pothos, is the resemble scales and mealybugs early in their life cycles. only species in its genus. Native to northeastern Nortl1 America Treat your plant with an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil and northeastern Asia, it is a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial available at most garden centers or through mail-order-to get rid with large, dark green foliage that appears after it flowers in late of the pests. One mail-order source is Gardens Alive! 5100 Schen winter to early spring. The spathe-which is borne at grow1d level ley Place, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025; (812) 537-8650. Always fol among thick bracts-is dull yellow-green, heavily mottled and low manufacturer's directions for the use ofany insecticides. Insect flecked liver-red, and reaches a height of about six inches. The predators can also be used to u-eat outdoor plants (see "Natural spadix is short-stalked and usually dark. Born Killers" in the MarchiApril 1998 issue of The American L. americamts, one of two species in its genus, is native to west Gardener for more on beneficial insects). ern North America. Also a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial, it Since new growth is most susceptible to pests and disease, you produces leaves with or after it flowers. Its spatl1e grows about 15 should also reduce the application of nitrogen fertilizer-use only inches high and the spadix is long-stalked and yellow. ~ enough to keep the plant healthy. It is best to use a slow-release - William May, Gardeners Information Service For answers to your gardening questions, call Gardeners Information Service at (800) 777-7931 ext. 131 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time, or e-mail us anytime at [email protected]. 20 TH E AMERICAN GARDE N ER November/December 1999 orer GARDEN PERENNIALS has been designated an official To get a catalog, send $1 to dayWy display garden by the AIneri Garden Perennials, Route 1, by Christina M. Scott can H emerocallis Society. H alf of her 50-page 1999 catalog is devot Wayne, NE 68787. Tours of business doesn't always need a fancy name and a large se ed to dayWies. Korn estimates mat the nursery cam be arranged lection of trendy plants to be successfill. Sometimes all it 40 percent of her sales are for with a week's notice. Call A takes is a commi.tment to growing high-quality plants and daylilies . (402) 375-3615 or e-mail Besides catering to confirmed providing an equally high level of customer service. Such is the [email protected] for story of Garden Perenn ials, a nursery i.n Wayne, Nebraska. dayWy lovers, Garden Perelmials has more information. When Gail Korn opened the nursery in northeastern Nebraska also made new ones. Mary Keast of 17 years ago, she had no idea that it would grow into a booming Oakland, Iowa, first bought mail- mail -order business. "Perennials 'were not as popular then as they order daylilies from me nursery five years ago for a volLU1teer town are now," she explains. "I just thought I could be a local source for project and purchased one plant for herself. Later mat spring she ready- to-bloom perennials." A former English teacher, Korn has had a chance to visit me nursery. "It was amazing," Keast says of no formal wining in horticulture, just a knack for design and an her first view of me nursery's flower fields. "The color on the hill eye for what goes on in her garden. "I pay attention to what I see," was just breathtaking." From that point on, Keast was hooked. Her she says. "I let the plants teach me." garden now contains 260 dayWy varieties; it was also recendy named an AInerican Hemerocallis Society display garden. PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY When Korn isn't tending daylilies in me garden, she can often In her catalog, Korn writes, "We don't grow plants to live indoors." be fOLU1d tending them in cyberspace. Many of Korn's customers Garden Perennials' policy of not coddling plants generally makes for discover Garden Perennials through the American Hemerocallis So easier transplanting. All plants are grovm outdoors and stay in the ciety'S chat room on the Internet, where Korn offers information field year round. "I grow whatever is pretty and does well," Korn on daylilies . "Gail is not just a grower--she's a gardener," says Karen says. "The plants must be able to tal November/ Decemb er 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDE N ER 21 9 a ener HYPERTUFA GARDEN PLANTERS Making a hypertufa planter isn't difficult and tlle matelials are available at most home building supply stores, but the planter must story and photographs by Judy Hominick be allowed to cure for about six weeks before you can use it. I made tlle trough shown below in about two hours, using a plastic stor enacity can sometimes reap rewards for a gardener. That's how age container measming 10-by- 14-by-6 inches for a mold. Cat lit a material now used in many ornamental landscapes was cre ter trays and sturdy cardboard boxes also make good molds. Tated. In the early decades of this century, avid English alpine Whitner recommends reinforcing containers larger tllat122-by-17- and rock gardeners searched long and hard for the perfect contain by-6 inches 'vvitll hardware clotll or fibermesh. (See tlle instructions er in which to grow their temperamental plants. True alpine plants, on tlle facing page to malce your own plantero) like saxifrages (Saxafraga spp.) or alpine forget-me-nots (Myosotis alpestris), are native to mountains in temperate, subtropical, and PLANTING BASICS tropical regions and grow above the tree line-often in rocky The soil for platltS in a hypertufa planter should be porous. The crevices-in perfectly draining soil and in close proximity to stones. Ame1rican Horticultu1ral Society A - Z Encyclopedia of Ga1rden Through trial and error, the English alpinists discovered that Plants suggests a mLXnlre of 2 parts stelilized loam, 2 parts peat, stone kitchen sinks and livestock water troughs made from a soft 1 part sharp sand or grit, one-third part coarse grit, and some rock called tufa were ideal for growing tl1ese plants. But these con slow-release balatlCed fertilizer. You can substitute decomposed tainers were becoming scarce by the 1930s, when determined bark, gat°den compost, or leaf mold for tlle peat moss. If you at°e alpine plant entlmsiasts began experimenting 'vvith ways to replicate growing acid -loving plants, be sure the soil is lime-free atld include the stone vessels. It was fOlmd that a combination of cement, sand, some granite or sandstone chips. To grow plants that like alkaline and peat moss created a material Witll many characteristics of tufa. soil, include limestone chips. Dubbed hypertufa, it resembles tufa and provides ample porosity; A wide range of plants tl1at grow in well-drained soil-includ it is also inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to work into any size or i.ng tll0se tl1at are not alpines-can be used in a hypertufa contain shape to suit almost any garden. er. Planters situated in full sun can be filled with silvery-leafed A1r temisia schmidt-iana 'Nana', which grows six inches high and is VERSATILE STONE SUBSTITUTE attractive paired with low-growing species of dianthus. Moss pink In Stonescaping: A Guide to Using Stone in Your Garden (Garden (Phlox subulata) and almost any stonecrop (Sedum spp. ) will spread Way Publishing, 1992), author Jan K. Whitner reports seeing hy into a dense mass in a planter, tlleir trailing stems tumbling over tlle pertufa containers in natural stone gardens dming a visit to Eng container's edge. Cul.i.rlat°Y plants such as tllyme and rosemary are land. "The containers also suitable choices. seem as ancient as the In shady locations, try stone and rock that sur small, cushion-forming round them, and they species ofsa-wages, baby's lend a time-worn distinc teat°S or Irish moss (Soleiro tion to the gardens they lia soleirolii), and peacock inhabit," Whitner writes. moss (Selaginella uncina I first becanle interest ta)-actually a mosslike ed in hypertufa for use in perennial also known as my Japanese-style garden. rainbow fern. True mosses Japanese stone lanterns will be light at home grow are very expensive, so my ing directly on tlle exterior husband and I decided to of a hypertufa planter, giv make one Witll hypertufa. ing it an "aged" appear Pleased with the results, ance. You can encourage we went on to make the growth of moss by planters of various shapes brushing buttermilk on and sizes. We've placed tlle planter'S surface. -~ some on the natural rocks around our pond, and J~tdJ' Hominick is a one, Witll horseshoe han This hypertufa trough, made by the author, is planted with sweet free -lance writer living in dles, sits in a shady area. alyssum, Corsican mint, variegated thyme, dianthus, and artemisiao Dallas, Texas. 22 THE AMERICAN GARDENER N01Jember/Decembetr 1999 Malting a H ypertufa Planter UNIVERSITYPREOCU;; ere's how I make hypertufa planters for my garden. Be sure to wear rubber gloves when mixing and working Hwith hypertufa. The following recipe is £i.·om Jan K Whimer's Stonescaping: A Guide to Using Stone in Your Garden. WHAT YOU'LL NEED: 1 part P01'·tland cement (no g1'avel) 1 part fine sand (i.e.) mason sand) 2 parts peat moss (milled) with chunks and sticks removed) -from The Garden Club of Palm Beach cement colO1'ing (optional) Supplies and equipment: mold) plastic sheet, 1'ubber gloves, mixing buckets, chisel, wire brush Gardens by the Sea 1. Cover the inside of the mold with a plastic sheet. Creating a Tropical Paradise 2. In a large bucket, Both a complete reference work for beginning and serious gar deners and an exquisite coffee table book for browsing, Gardens combine the peat moss try the Sea opens the garden gate to the magnificent world of tropi and sand. Add the con cal plants. Based on the hands-on experience of members of the crete-and dry cement Garden Club of Palm Beach, it includes chapters on palms, aroids, coloring, ifyou're using shrubs, dooryard fruit, flowering trees, herbs, orchids, roses, man it-and mix well. (If groves, environmental issues, and an essay on the history of the you're using liquid col island of Palm Beach and its gardens and gardeners. oring, add it after the Distributed by UPF. 300 color photos, 20 b&w illustrations, rone maps, mixture is wet.) Use glossary, cultivation chart, chart on pests. Cloth, $34.95 only enough water to bind the peat moss, sand, and concrete. Order through full-service booksellers, with VISA or M/C toll free: The resulting mixture should be thick, not soupy. 1-800-226-3822, or though our website at www.upf.com 3. Spread 1 V2 inches of Gainesville Tallahassee Tampa Boca Raton Pensacola Orlando Miami Jacksonville the mixture on the bot tom of the plastiG:-cov ered mold, making sure to tamp down to re Leave a Legacy move air pockets. Then Remember the American Horticultural Society spread 2 inches of the in Your Will or Trust mi..xture on the sides of the mold. YOY can AHS provides reliable, up-to-date information on issues of make drainage holes on the bottom now"-Or drill holes when immediate concern to gardeners and the greater community. The Society'S mission is to nurture the active the planter is completely dried. development of the United States as a nation of successful and environmentally responsible gardeners. 4. Let 1'he planter dry until it is sc~mi-hard-for 24 to 48 hours, depending on its size. You should not be able to leave You can help support us in our mission by making gifts an imprint on it with your finger, but you should still able to to AHS during your lifetime or under the terms of your will sG(ape the surface with a firtgernail. Carefully remove the through what is lmown as plaImed giving. Let AHS recognize you now for the gift you have plaImed by joining hypertufa from the mold and pull off the plastic sheet. the honor group Horticultural Heritage. 5. 'To give the planter a To learn more about how you can support AHS, contact our natural look, use a chisel Endowment Office at 7931 East BoulevaI'd Drive, or othef blunt tool to Alexandria, VA 22308-1300, (703) 768-5700 ext. 133. remove hard. edges. Then scour the entire surfaG:e with a wire brush. Wrap the planter in a sheet of plastic and let it cure for at least four weeks in a locacion away &om extreme heat or cold. We urge you 10 consull wilh your legal and financial advisors 10 assisl you in arranging Ihe besl melhod 01 6. At rue end of this period, set the planter outdoors for sev~ral conlributing. The American Horlieullural Sociely is lax-exempl under Sedion 501(c)3 01 Ihe Inlernal weeks to finish wring, hosing it occasionally to neutralize cement Revenue ServiGe Code. Conlribulions 10 AHS are lax·deductible 10 the lullesl exlenl allowed by law. AHS is also a regislered charilable organizalion under Seclion 57-49 oUhe Virginia Solicilalion 01 Conlribulions chemicals. The plantltr is now feady for use. -JH. Law ; a financial slalemenl is available upon wrillen requesl Irom Ihe Siale Division 01 Consumer Allairs. Nov em b er/ Decemb ~ r 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 23 The American Horticultural Society presents AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIEn' A CELEBRATION OF GREAT AMERICAN GARDENERS * Houston, Texas * March 16 -18, 2000 * Omni Houston Hotel • II OIN US in honoring the year 2000 AHS award winners, who will share their professional accomplishments, views, Oatherrine H. Sweeney A..1vard J and insights. Come celebrate national horticultural Dorothy F:yqya, Arla!!lta, Georgia excellence and the inspired gardening style of the Lone Star Commercial Awarrd (Individuai) Pierrco BeIIDeru,p, Pr~siclent/CE() State with the American Horticultural Society in this three-day SUlWlY Borcier Nursery, program that brings together the AHS Board of Directors, Kensington, Connecticut members of the AHS President's Council, and AHS members Commercial AWMd (Instit-ution) Monrovia N~ rsery, Azusa, California from around the world. Gain a new perspective on your , Frrances Jones Poetkerr Award garden as you discover this region's unique horticultural Jim Johnson, Colkge S~ation, Texas style through exclusive tours of Houston's best public Horticultural Communication Awarrd Ken Lowe, President/CEO HGTV, gardens and select private Knoxville, Teill1essee gardens. Horticul'turral Therapy Award Diane Relf, People-Plant Counchl, Blacksburg, Virginia Horrticuitural Wrriting Awarrd MiGhael Pollalil, Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut Landscape Design Award Gcooffrey L. Raus€h, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Libert)1 Hyde Bailey Awa'l'd francis W. Cabot, Garden Conservancy, Cold Spring, New York Luther Burbank Arvard Richard Cr:rig, The Pel11Ilsylvania State University, University Park Meritorious Service Awarrd Joseprnnco Shanks, Houston, Texas Professional Award Larry M. SGhoknian, The Kampong of thco National Tropical Botanical Ga # 'S ! * Make sure you are on the guest list for this special event. Call (800) 777-7931 ext. 110. * $425 per person. Special AHS hotel rate of $149. Call Omni at (713) 871-8181. 2000 Annual Conference 4§§ii@i, U! *Wi aHPM h1&i?:::ii oz· complete program and registration brochure in the January 2000 issue of the Directory of Member Benefits, ".....,.--...... or register online "'~!.!!iiil~~:!!.5'::~L"""""""" at www.ahs.org. AHS member price: $425 (includes activi Lecture * Downtown Houston Public Gardens ties for March 16-18; March 15 optional H. Marc Cathey, President Emeritus of AHS, * Private Gardens in Museum District tour an additional $145) \villlead a panel discussion on the AHS "Smart Garden" concept. Learn how "Smart Gardening" will turn consumers into stew ards of the earth in the next millennium. Lecture OPTIONAb Tour of Austin Richard Craig, Professor of Plant Breeding * Lady Bird Johnsofl Wildflower Center Afternoon Tours in Houston and J. Franklin Styer Professor of * Private Gardefls in Austin * Rienzi Horticultural Botany at the Pennsylvania (This trjp will be approximately 3 hours * Bayou Bend State University, will present Penn State's roy bus each way from Mouston. Onboard * Private Gardens in River Oaks research on pest resistance in mnamental iectures, movies and refreshments will be plants and the new world of genetics. Dr. p,FOvided.) Separate fee is $145. Craig is the recipient of the AHS Luther Itinerary: Burbank Award. ContineNtal Breakfast at the Omni Lecture 'Mouston (7:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.) Michael Dirr, Professor of Hortim'lture at Afternoon Tours Bus departs fwm 1ille Oruni at 8:00 a.m. the University of Georgia and award 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. LUl1l.ch at the Lady BiFd Jowson Wild winning author, will discuss his Plant Box Lunch on Bus flower Center in Austin Introduction Program that will feature the * Peckerwood Garden B\!J.s will rernrn to the Omni at 7:30 PID latest and greatest in plants. Dr. Dirr is the * Y\!lcca Do Nurseries recipiern of the AHS Teaching Award. * Private Gardens Lecture Everling Formal Reception and Closing Lecture Bill Weloh, Professor of Horticultme at Banquet , Diane Rdf, ProfessOF of Horticulture a. Texas A&M University, and Bill A :;AUF£+&dh F P*53 ¥ ¥44 J. Ai F·; &MFAbta +N &; tEMP! , 4 * For details, visit the AHS Web site at www.ahs.org and click on A Celebration of Great American Gardeners. * PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOS H BLU MENFELD, LADY BIRD JOHN SO N WILDFLOWER CENTER; HOUSTON CONVENTI ON AND VISITORS BUR EAU; SO UTHERN LI VI NG. INC. Theodor e' The foundation that bears this Leg Englishman's name carries on his work of teaching people to love California native plants. By Karan Davis Cutler Photography by Claire Curran Cliff maidens. Fairy lanterns. MilIGTIaids. Pussy yellow tidy tips and golden poppies," he later remembered. He ears. Summer's darlings. SlU1CUpS. Pretty faces. Tidy tips. You only began collecting seeds of indigenous species "more or less as a have to hear the names to fall in love with California wildflowers. hobby," but what began as a hobby became a passion, then turned The record doesn't indicate whether Theodore Payne, an Eng into a mission. lishman born in 1872, first fell in love with their names or with the For the next 70 years, Payne worked as a horticulturist, land plants themselves, but fall in love he did. Anivi..ng in Los Angeles scape designer, nurseryman, and champion of his adopted state in 1893-after a week's visit at the Chicago World's Fair-he went and its native plants. "Our greatest asset," he wrote, "is California to work as estate gardener for actress Helena Modjeska, who lived itself. We should preserve our native landscapes, our wild flowers, on a ranch in the Santa Ana Mountains. Soon he was seduced, not our landmarks and everything pertaining to the history and ro by Hollywood, but by the native flowers growing nearby. "Wher mance of this great and glorious COW1t:ry." ever you looked or stepped, there were acres of purple owl's clover, In 1963, shortly before his deatl1, Payne estimated tlut he had Below: Payne (on right) in front of his store, circa 1903. Opposite: Hybrid penstemon on the foundation's property. The Transplanted Seedsman mosa), one of Payne's favorite trees, shade n an unpublished document in the picnic area next to the modest office 1960, Theodore Payne wrote, building, a converted one-story wood-and I"As a child I was passionately stone house. The mailing address is Sun fond of flowers." In fact, his was Valley, a small town northeast of Los An more than a passionate fondness, geles, about 15 miles from the Pacific as Payne was a seedsman before Ocean as the crow flies . he was 10, collecting flower seeds and packaging them for Keeping the Dream Alive friends. "It became generally un The foundation, as Executive Director derstood while I was still quite Elizabeth Schwartz explains, was formed young, that when I grew up I with Payne's approval in 1960 by a group would be a horticulturist." of his friends and wildflower enthusiasts; it A three-year indentured ap moved to its La Tuna Canyon location prenticeship at a Sussex, Eng which was donated by Payne's good friend land, nillsery-wi,th a saiary of Eddie Merrill, a nursery owner in Los An $1.25 per week-gave Payne a geles-in 1966. hands-on introduction 1'0 all as Making California native species known pects of horticulture. Among his and available to the public is a primary goal duties was exhibiting at flower of the foundation, whose mission state shows, which involved 18-hour ment pledges "To acquire and share days capped by a three-mile walk knowledge of California native flora; to home fi'om the train station. preserve California's natural habitats; to After immigrating to Califor- encourage propagation and use of native Payne in the California desert in 1961. nia in 1893, Payne worked briefly plants." These goals give the foundation's as an estate gardener, then at the staff plenty to do, especially since more Germain Fruit Company in its seed and plant department. In 1903, he went into plant species-an estimated 6,000-are business for himself in Los Angeles, where he offered a "complete line of vegeta considered native to California than to any bles seeds, flower seeds, and some farm seeds. Oftre@, shrub, and palm seeds, I other state. Of that number, more than a had the most complete stock ... in the colmtry." third are endemic-native only in Califor Payne realized early on that California's spectacular wildflowers were disap nia-and 1,750 are listed as endangered, pearing. "I made up my mind that I would try to do something to awaken a great rare, or uncommon. interest in the native flora," he ,vrote. When no one wanted to buy the wildflower "The use of native plants by home gar seeds he collected, he sowed vacant lots in Hollywood and Pasadena with Califor deners increases every year," Schwartz says, nia poppies, tidy tips, lupines, and more. Public interest was immediate. It was, he adding that the drought that preceded El remembered, "the beginning of wild flower planting." Niiio two years ago stirred interest in plants Sovving vacant lots with wildflowers led to designing "wild" gardens and land that don't need supplemental water to sur scapes-both public arJ.d private-and to writing and lecturing about native vive. "There are so many advantages to plants. And, eventual1y, \'0 his nursery and seed company specializing in native growing native species. You get to know plants and wildflower seeds. When he first began talking about preserving wild the natural cycles-here, it's wet in the win flowers, he recalled, "people thought I was crazy." But, he went on, pointing out ter and dry in the summer, so many natives that since hundreds of thousands of people now ,risired the wildflower areas he es go dormant and resent being watered in tablished, "Perhaps I was not so crazy after all." -K.D.C. July and August. Native plants provide food and shelter for wildlife, they have good resistance to pests and diseases, Opposite, top: Elizabeth Schwartz, introduced more than 450 California they're adapted to our soils and topogra director of the Theodore Payne species into general use . Many of these phy, and they're beautiful." Foundation, points out a feature of plants had been exported decades earlier interest to a group during a foundation and were widely cultivated abroad, but they Focus on Education workshop. Opposite, bottom: Baby blue were dismissed as weeds by Golden State To encourage more Californians to learn eyes (Nemophila menziesii) a California gardeners of the early 1900s. Payne aimed about and grow the state's native flora, native that can be easily grown in to change that attitude-and he did. Today, Schwartz oversees the foundation's ambi other parts of the country. the non-profit Theodore Payne Foundation tious education program, which currently (TPF) honors his work by continuing it. includes a free wildflower hotline, a native A narrow, deeply rutted dirt road just plant garden, a variety ofseminars and class off Tuxford Street, which passes through a es, a limited publishing program, and a re modest residential neighborhood, leads to search library. "Educational programs have the foundation's low-key headquarters on a high priOlity witl1 me," Schwartz says. 23 acres in La Tuna Canyon. Large, white The fOlmdation may be best known for trunk California sycamores (Platanus race- its wildflower hotline, now iro. its 18tl1 year, 28 THE AMERICAN GARD ENER November/December 1999 1 Ie t () THE AMERICAN GARDENER 29 which supplies up-to-the-minute informa tion about what's blooming where in southern California. Nearly 25,000 people phoned in 1998, and the hotline is credit ed with helping turn wildflower gazing into a popular activity. For a small fee, people can subscribe to a weekly fa-x or e-mail ser vice that gives greater details about where to see native plants. Another popular educational tool is Flowerhill, a five-acre garden on the fow1- dation's property planted with more than 75 native wildflowers and shrubs. Set on a steep, southwestern slope, the garden is at its colorful best from March through May. Many people make it a point to see Flow erhill on Poppy Day, the foundation's an nual open house held in April (scheduled for April 8 in 2000). In addition to gaping at hundreds of California poppies (Es chscholzia californica), elegant clarkias (C unguiculata), showy penstemon (P spectabilis), California everlastings (Gnaph alium californicum), and other brilliantly hued wildflowers, visitors can view special exhibits, attend lectures and demonst:ra tions, and tour tl1e rest of tl1e site, which has been left wild and contains more tl1an 200 native species. Monthly seminars and classes sponsored by the foundation are designed to help gar deners incorporate native plants into their landscape. "Erosion and fire control are al ways hot topics here," Schwartz says. The staff also leads tours of the grounds for school children, garden clubs, and otl1er groups by special arrangement. In addition to putting out a quarterly newsletter and seed and plant lists, the fow1dation published Gardenel"s Guide to California Wildfiowel's in 1991. That book, other TPF imprints, and a sizable collection of botanical and horticultural ti tles are available for sale by mail or at ilie shop located in tl1e headquarters. Visitors to the foundation can also use tl1e research library, which contains books and periodi cals with a focus on California natives. Conservation by Propagation All tlus, as Schwartz puts it, "is to get tl1e word out." But tlus isn't all. The founda tion is also among tl1e world's premier sup pliers of plants and seeds for California species. Its inventory changes from one year to the next but typically contains between 500 and 600 species ranging from armuals and herbaceous peremuals to bulbs, cacti, succulents, grasses, vines, ar1d woody plants. Altl10ugh the foundation purchases some 30 THE AMERICAN GARDENER of the plants and seeds it sells, most are col lected and packaged or propagated by the fowldation. The diversity of offerings is breathtak ing, everything from tidy tips (Layia platy glossa subsp. campestris) a six-inch tall annual flower, to Sequoiadend1r ongigan teum) the 300-plus-fo ot giant sequoia. In addition to these household names, visitors will discover plants that rarely are sold else where, such as deerweed (Lotus scoparius) a t\vo-foot shrub with greenish branches and yellow flowers tinged with red, and the white-flowered chaparral clematis (Clema tis lasiantha) . Plant propagation from seeds and cut tings takes place on-site in the 50-by-50- foot propagation houses, which are covered with shade cloth and sided with wire mesh to prevent rabbits and deer from grazing. Once plants have developed good roots, they are repotted and moved to a shaded terraced area where they are hand watered-daily in summer, three times a week in vvinter-potted-up as needed, and cared for Wltil they're large enough to be sold. For some species, such as Rocky Mountain pinon pine (PimH edulis) and single-leaf pinon (P monoph;dla) it's at least a two-year journey. The last stop is the nursery yard, where plants are grouped by type and cultural re quirements (for exanlple, perennials for sun, grOlU1d covers, chaparral shrubs, grasses, ri parian plants). There are choice cultivars available as well as species and subspecies. "We always have waiting lists for some plants," Schwartz says, "such as 'Dara's Choice' salvia (S. sonomensis) and A rc tostaphylos'John Dourley', a low-growing manzanita cultivar with gray-green leaves and pink flowers. Both are drought resistant and excellent ground covers for slopes." Although eye-catching natives surround the nursery area-two yellow-flowered ex amples are bladderpod (Isomeris arborea) a shrub vvith white-coated, or glaucous, fo liage and unusual inflated pods, and blue palo verde (Parkinsoniaflorida) a 20-foot desert tree that carries on photosynthesis in both its leaves and its blue-green bark- the nursery itself is drab compared with typical Clockwise from top left: Volunteer Ed Peterson collects seed in the seed room; the creamy flowers of California native Yucca whipplei: a worker in a founda tion greenhouse holds a pot of coral bells (Heuchera sp.); and native prickly phlox (Leptodactylon californicum). THE AMERICAN GARDENER 3 1 AHS Member Spotlight: Elizabeth Schwartz Payne charged for most gallon containers n 1993, after 15 years climbing u{ 1956, but it's still a steal considering the the ladder at a Los Angeles legal plants' pedigrees. Ifirm specializing in corporate law, Elizabeth Schwanz decided Helping Hands to abandon law for horticulture. The fall sale is only one of the foundation's "Basically I just became uninter activities that wouldn't be possible without ested in what I was doing in my the help of its dedicated member volun legal career and decid(ld there teers. With a staff of only five full-time and were other tbihgs mlife clilat were one part-time employees-and a shoe more importaft:t," she says. string annual budget of $250,000- At the time, Schwartz didn't Schwartz depends on this small but faithful know wl'iat shape her new cart'>er group of unpaid helpers. They propagate, would take; she simply wanted tG> weed, water, plant, help in the office and spend more time outdoors. Mer with the hotlule, lead tours, and work in gard~ning experience was limited the nursery where, Schwartz says, "They mostly to growing vegetables, can talk gardener-to-gardener with our cus but she started taking horticul tomers. It's a wonderful service." ture courses at the U rhlveFsity of The foundation's seed program is also in California at Los Angeles. debted to volwlteers, especially to Ed Peter Another stt'>p she tooK was 1'0 son, a 94-year-old with eyes the color of the join the American Horticultural annual baby blue-eyes (Nemophilia men > Society. "I waIl!ted to expand my ziesii), one of more than 250 California horizONS and become connected to die larger horticuithiral world," she says. Mem plants the seeds of which Peterson collects bership in tflt'> Society, Schwartz says, provided her willi a broad perspective on gar each year. A 1930 UCLA botany graduate dening in North America. "I fOW1d it valuable to learn what and who is going on in and former landscape supervisor at Los An me horticultural world, and I wanted to see what klnd of careers might be open. to geles City College, Peterson's interest in na m.e." Subsequently, she also joined regional plant groups such as the California Na" tive Yali.fornia species began as a student wd tive Plant Socit'>ty and the Southern California Morticllitural Society. brought him into contact with Theodore In 1996 she began worki.ng at UCLA's Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden, Payne in the 1950s. He was one of the or where she learHed a variety ofskills hands-oB, such as propagating plants and main ganizing members of the fowldation. taining ptwt record databases, tmat have served her wdl at the foundation. While Payne's influence can be felt Her first contact witfu the 'fPF was as a customer in the 1980s. "I live on a hill strongly in the seed room-his brass scales sidt'> and was looki.ri.g for drought-tolerant native plants," she recalls. Schwartz and apothecary spoons are still used to sa,ys she applied for nhe executive directoF position at TPF beca,use it was a non measo/e seed lots-it was Peterson who es profit organiza,tion dedicated to educating people about the beauty and value of tablished the foundation's seed program. California native pl~nts. "I fdt it was an opportunity for me to both grow in my: He began collecting seeds of indigenous horticulrnral work and to do something that I cared about," she says. plants in 1964 and never looked back. In ht'>[ fust year at the foundation, Schwartz's main foms has been ensuring Thirty-five years later, he's not only col die foundation's educational component mmains strong. "Like AHS, our organi lected hundreds of California species, he's zation cateFs in large part to home garden~rs," she says, "a,nd it's through that also trained dozens of others, including part of our audience that we're helping to preserve and protect native plants." Dustin Alcala, the foundation's nursery -David J Ellis) Editor production manager, to share and carryon his work. Carrying on for Peterson won't be easy, Opposite top: Western or California commt'> rcial garden centers. There are no however. He not only volwlteers one day redbud (Cercis occidentalis) produces flats ofgiant fulled petunias or hanging pots a week at the foundation, but he is also the crimson-pink flowers in the spring. of over-fertilized fuchsias dripping with dehnitive source for information about Opposite bottom: The fully armed flowers. "Educating gardeners to purchase where \:>lants can be found, when they prickly poppy (Argemone munita) plants that aren't in full bloom is difficuLt, bloom, and more. Between May and No grows naturally from southern but it's part of our job," Schwartz notes. vember; he's on the road almost ev ery California to New Mexico. Seeds and plants are sold tl1foughout week, sometimes camping overnight when the year, but the fowldation's big plant sale he travels long distances. Most seeds are takes place in the fall, the optimum time to gatllered on national forest land or road plant native species in Califomia. Hun sides. "We make sure we have permits, and dreds of customers flock to Sun Valley for we always follow a conservation ethic this annual event, eager to snap up botan when we collect," Peterson says. "We leave ical treasures at bargain. prices. Prices aver plenty of seeds for next year, and always age $7 for a one-gallon container. That's leave some seed on each plant to ensure up from the one dollar that Theodore genetic diversity." ~ 32 THE AMERICAN GARDENER N Jvem b er/D e ce mb er 1999 N017embe1'/Decembe1' 1 999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 33 A Bit of California Anywhere Resources he experts at the Theodore Payne Foundation recommond these Golden State Although California residents will natives-a rainbow rnL'C of annual and tender perennial species-for growing in obviously get the most direct benefit Tcontainers anywhere in North America. from the Theodore Payne Foundation's programs, anyone can Clarkia amoena (farewell-to-spring), Layia platyglossa subsp. campestris become a foundation member and pink to lavender (tidy tips), yellow and cream donations are gladly accepted to Collinsia hetel'ophylla (Chinese houses), Nemophila menziesii (baby blue-eyes), support the foundation's educational .vhite with Wac/rose azure programs. Members receive a Eschscholzia californica ( California Phacelia campanularia (desert blue quarterly newsletter and discounts poppy), orange bells), dark blue on regular educational programs and tours. For more information, write to The Theodore Payne Foundationj 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352; phol1e (818) 768-1802; email [email protected]. You can also learn more about the foundation and California's native plants at the TPr; Web site: www.theodorepayne.org. be fire-treated. "We just fill a flat with seeds and pine needles and set it on fire," Peterson says. "Very carefully," Elizabeth Schwartz adds, ever mindful of insurance premlUms. The foundation still sells wildflower seed rnL'Ctures devised by Theodore Payne California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), the state's quintessential wildflower. more than 80 years ago-surely the first version of the wildflower mixes that are so popular today. Some combinations are Once seeds are collected, they're suictly for color-such as the Golden Mi'C cleaned and then winnowed with increas ture (Payne #3) and Rainbow mixture ingly fine brass sieves or with a specially (Payne # 1 )-but others are formulated for built elew'ic winnower that blows off the special conditions or needs, such as chaff. Peterson keeps handwritten records drought resistance, h.illside planting, and of each seed lot-species name, where and attracting wildlife. when the seeds were collected, collector's There's even an easy-to-grow mixture nan1e-and keys the information to a Cal for children. The key to the future for sav ifornia atlas and a calendar used for tinnng ing native plants is teaching the next gen seed collection. eration what Theodore Payne knew, that Seed lots are stored carefully, either in Mother Nature had been especially kind to envelopes in the deep, narrow drawers of Califonna, "Lavishing upon her such an the tall oal< cabinets or in sealed jelly jars in endless variety of beautiful flowers. When one of tl1e two donated refrigerators. "Vi you learn to know tl1ese flowers ... , they ability varies," Peterson explains. "The greet you lil 34 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Novemb eT/ D e cemb e 1' 1999 Sources activity-secretaries answering phone calls versity continues to increase." The following is a selection of from around the country, consultants de Marie Urice, nursery manager at The nurseries offering prairie plants. For veloping landscape plans, and Ion Exchange nursery in Harpers Ferry, a more extensive list, send a self nursery managers preparing spreadsheets Iowa-where 1998 sales tripled from the addressed, stamped envelope to and work orders. The catalog is still free, but previous year-is exuberant about the pos Prairie Plant Sources, The American now customers can choose to have the 50- itive ramifications for nurseries and their Ga rdener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, page, full -color version mailed to them or customers. "Quality and quantity are up, Alexandria, VA 22308. view it on the nursery's Web site. Prairie prices are down. I think that's good for Nursery now plants 300 acres and offers everyone!" she exclaims. THE ION EXCHANGE, 1878 Old 117 prairie forbs and woodland wildflowers Unlike 15 years ago, gardeners today can Mission Drive, Harpers Ferry, IA plus 19 prairie grasses and sedges. Diboll is choose from a wide selection. Nurseries 52146. (~19) 535-7231 . www.ion a mainstay of the gardening lecture circuit, have steadily increased their offerings of xchange.com. Catalog free. showing slides of prairie plants to admiring forbs and, in recent years, have begun to OAK PRAIRIE FARM, W4642 High audiences around North America and over grow a wider variety of native grass and way 33, Pardeeville, WI g3954. seas. To say the least, the changes at the sedge species. In addition, nearly every (800) 894-3884. www.oakprairie nursery have been dramatic. nursery offers diverse seed mixes that con farm. com. And Prairie Nursery's evolution is not an sider site conditions and desired appear PRAIRIE MOON NURSERY, Route 3, isolated example, according to other prairie ance-short grass prairie for dry soils, for Box 163, Winona, MN 55987. (507) nursery owners in the Midwest. In 1985, exan1ple. Other standard mixes are available 452-1362. www.prairiemoon few Americans knew what a prairie was and to attract butterflies and birds, or for special nursery. com. Catalog free. fewer still would have thought prairie plants situations such as planting over septic fields. PRAIRIE NURSERY, P.O. Box 306, West could become part ofth tlir home landscape. field, WI 53964. (800) 476-9453. Now prairie nurseries are at the epicenter of Changing Business Practices www.prairienursery.com. Cat alog a national revival ofin terest in native plants, However, as Steve Apfelbaum, president of free. striving to meet the demands of a public Taylor Creek Nursery and Applied Eco PRAIRIE RESTORATIONS, INC., P.O. that wants to bring a sense of "wildness" logical Services of Brodhead, Wisconsin, Box 327, Princeton, MN 5g371. (612) back to the American garden. Legislators points out, "Clients want more than sup 389-4342. www.prairieresto.com. are picking up on this public sentiment and ply-they want service and the technical PRAIRIE RI DGE NURSERY/CRM starting to mandate greater use of native underpinning necessary to ensure a suc ECOSYSTEMS, INC., 9738 Overland species in federal and local revegetation pro cessful project." Road, Mt. l'ioreb, WI 53572. (608) jects. "What I find fascinating is that people Alan Wade, a second-generation nurs 437-g24S. Catalog free. are starting to spend money to restore the eryman and the guiding light behind S&S WILDflOWERS, W4401 High environment!" Diboll says. Prairie Moon Nursery in Winona, Min way 33, Pardeeville, WI !53954. nesota, is already facing the challenges of (608) 429-3188. Catalog free. Business is Booming meeting this new consumer demand. Wade TAYLOR CREEK NURSERY/APPLIED Talk to just about anyone involved in the has altered his initial strategy of producing ECOLOGICAL SERVICES, INC., 17921 prairie nursery business these days and they nearly all his seeds and plants on site and is Smith Road, P.O. Box 256, Brodhead, will tell you things have never looked bet now relying increasingly on stock from WI 53520. (608) 897-8641; ter. Existing nurseries are expanding, new otl1er growers. This, he believes, will allow www.apRliedeco.com. nurseries are starting up throughout the the staff at Prairie Moon Nursery to main upper Midwest, and consumer demand tain its commitment to "taking care ofcus continues to soar. tomers" and concentrate on designing the Resources Ron Bowen, who has owned and oper custom seed mixes for which the nursery is ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION. A quarter ated Prairie Restorations, Inc., in Prince well known . ly joumal covering landscape restor ton, Minnesota, since the late 1970s sees it Wade can make this change because of ation throughout North America, this way: "First, the volume of work is way the emergence of one large production fa including prairie-related topics such as up, which is probably a function of a good cility, Agrecol, Inc., and the development designing prairie seed mixes and the economy plus a growing interest in native of a network ofsmaller consignment grow effects of grazing and burning plants. This increased demand is coming ers. Agrecol, a subsidiary ofW.T. Rogers regimes. Writ e to 1207 Seminole from commercial and corporate entities, Company in Madison, Wisconsin, is a well Highway, Madison, WI 53/11. homeowners, and the government sector. financed operation that includes two acres THE PRAIRIE GARDEN: 70 NATIVE Second, the success of nurseries like ours of overhead-irrigated, climate-controlled PLANTS YOU CAN GROW IN TOWN OR has encouraged many new producers to greenhouse space, and more than 500 acres COUNTRY by Robert and Beatrice start nurseries within the last five years, and of monoculture-style production plantings. Smith, University of Wisconsin Press, together we have begun to really increase In 1998, Agrecol grew more than three Madison, Wisconsin, 1980. $15.95. production. Third, we are improving our mi llion plants and produced more than THE PRAIRIE READER. A quarterly understanding of how to grow various 13,000 pounds of viable seed, far out-pac newsletter that exclusively covers plants, clean seeds more efficiently, and im ing most other nurseries growing prairie issues related t o prairies. Write to prove the overall quality. Our seed mixes plants. Steve Banovetz, Agrecol's opera P.O. Box 8227, St. Paul, MN 55108. are better than they were and the overall di- tions director, says the goal for 1999 is "to 36 T H E AMERICAN GARDENER Novembe r/December 1999 Left: At Agrecol, Inc., produce five million plants and 35,000 a wholesale producer pounds of seed." Agrecol, which operates of prairie plants and largely as a wholesaler, counts such well seeds, a potential established firms as Prairie Nursery, Prairie customer evaluates Moon Nursery, and Prairie Ridge Nursery the plants in one of among its distributors. the company's At the other end of the spectrum are greenhouses. Below: smaller growers, many of whom are just Using plants from starting out and anxiously awaiting their various prairie nurs first years of substantial field production. eries, photographer These growers typically have a few acres of David Cavagnaro cre land, some kind of agricultural or nursery ated this meadow experience, and are looking to find their at his home in niche in the business. Decorah, Iowa. One such nursery is S&S Wilclflowers, lo cated near Pardeeville, Wisconsin. Patrick Stollfus, who previously worked for Prairie N ursery, operates the nursery with his wife, Carrie, and his parents, Chuck and Pat Stoll hIS. They have about 10 acres in production, plus a sizable hoop greenhouse. Stollfus says the nursery sells 60 to 70 percent of its seed to other nurseries, such as Prairie Moon. The remaining seed and some plants are sold to "perennial gardeners who are looking for something different." T here is some fear among smaller oper ations-both established and newly formed-that they may be hurt by the emergence of a few large growers, such as Agrecol, who can supply vast quantities of cheap seed. "I am concerned about the im pact of price drops on small producers. We need the diversity they bring, both in terms of the species they grow and the local geno types they propagate," says Taylor Creek's Apfelbaum. "However, I am also optimistic that larger producers can work with small er producers if this becomes the case." While admitting that consolidation of production might signal the demise of some small producers, Diboll points out that the reverse could also be true. "It may, in fact, benefit them," he says, " because they could buy a product cheaper than they could grow it." Stollfus acknowledges that consignment growers like himself must re main flexible and be .eady to grow species in high demand or low supply. Restorations Fuel Demand While gardeners and landscape designers have broadened support for prairie plants; the real pllSh for greater production has come from large-scale projects funded by federal and state governments and corporations. Many corporations in the Midwest have adopted prairies as part of their general landscape scheme. In the mid-1990s, for example, Prairie Moon Nursery supplied November/December 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 37 seed for the Sears corporate headquarters outside Chicago, and Prairie Nursery plant ed seed at Promega Corporation's Bio pharmaceutical Technology Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Other restoration-oli ented projects on property owned by The Nature Conservancy and smaller land preservation organizations have also had an effect on the quantity and type of plant species now under cultivation. Perhaps the largest influence outside the home landscaping market, however, has come from federal and state governments. Marie Ulice ofT he Ion Exchange makes this point perfectly clear, "Government activities have a huge impact on our business-repre senting as much as 50 percent of our sales. Along with Conservation Reserve plantings in Iowa, we have the Living Roadway Trust Fund, which receives and distributes hun dreds of tl10usands of dollars for planting prairies on roadsides. I don't know where we'd be without those programs." Sentiments like hers echo throughout the industry as more landowners and farm ers talce advantage of cost-sharing programs that pay tl1em to plant otherwise unused or low-yield agricultural areas in non-crop plants, under tl1e federally funded Conser vation Reserve Progran1 (CRP), established in 1986. While early CRP guidelines for prairie restorations allowed the use of cultivars of praitie plants-which can often be purchased £i:om suppliers outside the Midwest-rather than regionally native genotypes, Prairie Moon's Wade says tl1at in recent years some landowners have shown a willingness to by pass minimal restoration requirements. "We've had many landowners who were buying diverse seed mixes even though the government's cost-sharing portion was a small part of the total cost. Some of these people were farmers, while others were peo ple who had purchased retirement acreage in the colmtry." These typically large plantings have helped fuel the increasing demand for praitie species. of native plant "nuts." Sales to the general nursery owners such as Dot Wade-Alan Ecology 'Versus Business public require nurseries to educate people, Wade's mother-ofWindrift Nursery in Growth, however, has proven challenging to says Powers, so tl1at they know why, as well Oregon, Illinois. "There was more sharing some of tl1e Oliginal social and ecological val as what, they are planting. To that end, she tl1en," says Powers. "Today, there is less co ues that launched the praitie nursery move and many other nurseries hold nursery operation and more 'industry secrets'." Di ment. Joyce Powers, who in 1974 started tours and educational events, and many boll concurs, "The industry is completely Prairie Ridge Nursery on a 5,OOO-square produce catalogs that offer detailed advice different from what it used to be. There are foot garden space at her home near Mt. about planting and mait1taining praities. more companies and more competition." Horeb, Wisconsin, is not sure prairie nurs What saddens Powers, however, is the Growtl1 is also making it difficult for some elies are always headed in the right direction. loss of me camaradelie tl1at she experienced nurseries to maintain the integrity ofregion Powers recalls the "old days" when she in the 1970s and early 1980s, when she al plant genotypes-a cause ceie:bre for early sold her plants and seeds to a small group would get together with pioneer prairie prairie enthusiasts, such as Wade's parents 38 THE AM E RIC A N GAR DEN E R Novemb&1' /Decembel' 1999 t Doug and Dot Wade, who were among bOtll for the industry and for the place of Above: Nursery proprietor Alan Wade those who championed preserving regional native prairie plants in the American gar stands among beds of prairie plants at gene pools for individual plants. Over time, den. Compromise appears inevitable Prairie Moon Nursery in Winona, Alan Wade has come to realize the need to both in the nursery business and in the Minnesota. Opposite, top: In Illinois, the compromise to meet the demand from gar garden, but greater choices for customers only known wild population of the rare deners, who don't always understand or sup should continue as nurseries expand to Kankakee mallow (Iliamna remota) is on port the ecological rationale for growing meet the demand. an island in the Kankakee River. locally indigenous plants. "There is a lot to be said for reaching Bottom: This prairie on the ~rol!Jnds of "For home landscapes, if the plant will out to the home gardener," says Steve the H.B. FllJller Company's headqllJarters grow well and be aesthetically pleasing to Apfelbaum. "You know, sometimes it in St. Paul, Minnesota, was designed the customer, we're okay with a species that takes a single, showy flower that people re and planted by Prairie Restorations, Inc, is slightly misplaced," he says. late to before they will lift their heads, of Princeton, Minnesota. Diboll, torn between his roles as an open their eyes, and see the bigger picture. ecologist and a businessman, says, in a mo The cOlmections one can draw between a ment of angst, "As an ecologist, I don't small, symbolic backyard prairie planting thlnk having a few, large producers mixing and a million acres of tall grass prairie are up genotypes is a positive development. not that difficult, if one has vision." .., But I don't know how you ovelicome the realities of the business world." Dave Egan is an editor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, site of the Finding a Balance world's oldest prairie restoration. He also The prairie nursery business is maturing, consults with private and municipal clients and with maturity come growing pains about prairie nstoration and management. Novembe7'IDecember 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 39 Above: Elongated pink stamens high light the lacy petals of H. ellipticum, which adapts well to gardens in cool, moist maritime regions. Right: The orange bottlebrush-shaped inflorescences of H. gardnerianum 'Tara' create a candelabra effect in this lush garden setting. Part of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae ), nators. The prominent and often colorful better suited to areas with hot summers, the genus consists of some 65 species, most stamens that protrude from most ginger lily such as the southeastern United States. The of which are native to the southern Hi flowers are specially adapted for pollination epiphytic ginger lilies fowld in tropical re malayas and associated mountain ranges that by butterflies and moths, which pick up gions ofSoutheast Asia are suitable only for extend into China, Burma, and Thailand. pollen on their wings as they hover over greenhouses and humid, frost-free areas These subtropical species grow in cool, flowers to sip nectar. such as southern Florida. moist highlands up to 10,000 feet above sea On larger-flowered ginger lilies, two to level. A tropical subset of the genus inhabits four flowers open at a time, but as many as Mountain Species the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, 50 can open at once on smaller-flowered Ginger lilies native to the high Himalayas and the Philippines. These epiphytic species species. Each flower usually lasts for just one are the least heat tolerant, growing best in grow on trees and rocks, obtaining nutrients day, but inflorescences can remain in bloom AHS Heat Zones 8 to 4 . They are all fairly through aerial roots. for three or four weeks. The blooming peri short-usuall y topping out under three The attractions of the ginger lilies for od for most ginger lilies is from the end of feet-thriving in cool, moist maritime cli gardeners in USDA Zones 7 to 11 are JWle through September or early October mates such as that in the Northwest. They many. Foremost are the colorful flowers, in the South. In fall, pollinated flowers de flower abundantly in midsummer and go which come in pure white and a dazzling velop into bright orange capsulelilce fruits dormant before frost in the fall. Most of the array of pinks, reds, oranges, and yellows as filled with red seeds species featured here have white lips and well . Breeders have also developed many While most ginger lilies grow best in pink stamens and are deliciously fragrant. new bicolored hybrids. tropical and subtropical climates, they are The one exception to this color scheme z The flowers ofsome ginger lilies are also surprisingly adaptable. For horticultural is H . densifl01'um, which has a dense spike S; c£ very fragrant, particularly in the late after purposes, they can be divided into three of small, orange flowers. There are several ~ :r: noon and evening. The scents vary from general groups based on the climates to cultivars of this graceful, short plant. w z the lich, gardenialike fi.·agrance of H . C01'0- which they are best suited. Those native to 'Assam Orange', which originated from z ~ narium to scents reminiscent of citrus, high mountain regions do best in moist, nortlleastern India, is probably tlle most Ci o clove, and even coconut. temperate, maritime regions such as south cold-hardy ginger lily. 'Stephen', has much o S Having bright flowers and fragrance ern England and parts of the Pacific North larger, light orange flowers. :;; o means ginger lilies attract a variety of polli- west. Species native to lower altitudes are H. acuminatum is a larger plant witll r- 42 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Novembel'/Decembe1' 1999 Portable Attractions for the Garden inger lilies are striking container subjects and, for the most part, adapt readily to confinement. A few seem to take to pot cwrure particularly well, especially Glower growing varieties such as H. densiflorum, H.gracile, H. vitlosum subsp. tenuiflO1'um, H. 'Golden Glow' , H. 'Luna Moth', and H . 'Tropic Bird'. Plants grown in containers should be divided and repotted at least every two years. All ginger lilies require plenty of light to bloom well, so they should be kept on a slUmy patio or deck; indoors they require a greenhouse or south-facing sunroom. Varieties suited to the Southeast or the Pacific Nord1west (see chart, page 45) should be started indoors in March. In a lO-inch pot, plant a large, healthy rhizome one inch deep in a mixture of equal parts organic matter, coarse sand, and perlite. 'Luna Moth' is ideal for containers. Once nighttime temperatures stay above 50 degrees Fal1renheit, the pot can be moved outdoors. Keep the soil consistently moist and fertilize biweekly with a bal anced fertilizer throughoLlt tl1e growing season. In fall, the varieties suited to the Nortl1west will go dormant; tllose suited to tl1e Southeast will stay green wliess ex posed to fi·ost. Nortl1 of USDA Zone 7, ginger lilies should be stored over winter in a dry, cool, fi'ost-free place sLlch a garage or basement. Epiphytic ginger lilies can be grown in shallow pots or in large hanging baskets. Since tlleir rhizomes don't store well, these species should be started from fresh bare-root divisions. The growing medium should be a mLxture of medium pine bark, coarse sand, and peat moss. These tropical ginger Wies will grow and flower wough tl1e winter if given enough light and placed where temperatures remain above 50 degrees. -T W broad leaves and a Ia.\': inflorescence sporting subtropical and tropical regions, such as flowers with small, fimnel-shaped lips at the a few large flowers at a time. The t\;yO- inch soutl1ern California. tips of tubular bracts that range from gold long white lip broadens out from where it Arguably tl1e best-known ginger Wy, H. en orange to cinnabar-red. The stems bear joins the five other spiderlike parts of the c01'onarium-sometimes called garland flowers at Wee to eight feet tall depending flower and has a V-shaped notch at its end. flower or white ginger-is tl1e mainstay of on the vatiety. Probably the most adaptable Fragrant H. ),unnanense is found tl1e Hawaiian lei-mal November / December 1999 THE AM E RIC A N GAR DEN E R 43 Sources GLASSHOUSE WORKS, P. O. Box 97, Stewart, OH 45778. (800) 837-2142. www.glasshouseworks.com. Cata log $2. OUR KID'S TROPICALS, 17229 Phil C. Peters Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787. (407) 877-6883. wwwourkids [email protected]. Catalog $2. PLANTS DELIGHTS NURSERY, 9241 Sauls Road, Raleigh, NC 27603. (919) 772-4794. www.plantdel.com. Catalog 10 stamps or a box of chocolates. STOKES TROPICALS, P. O. Box 9868, New Iberia, LA 70562-9868. (800) 624-9706. www.stokes tropica/s.com. Catalog $5. One of the hardiest and most adaptable ginger lilies, H. gardnerianum grows well in SOUTHERN PERENNIALS & HERBS, 98 moist temperate regions and in the tropics. Often two inflorescences arise from each Bridges Road, Tylertown, MS 39667. bract, doubling the effect of the yellow or orange petals and fiery red stamens. (601) 684-1769. Online Gatalog only at www.s-p-h.com. Epiphytes well-drained soil with lots of organic mat WAYSIDE GARDENS, 1 Garden Lane, The last group of ginger lilies are those that ter. Healthy rhizomes should be planted Hodges, SC 29695. (800) 845-1124. grow in trees or rocks in the tropics, ob one to two inches deep, a week or two be www.waysidegardens.com. taining their nutrients through aerial roots. fore your area's normal frost-free date in Cata lo!!! free. Few are hardy outdoors north of Zone 8. spring. Space the rhizomes two to four feet But, since they are adapted to growing with apart depending on the maximum height little or no soil, they grow very well in of the varieties planted; each rhizome time on one bract. The cultivar 'Tara', con hanging baskets or shallow pots on a porch should be aligned horizontally in the plant sidered one of the hardiest ginger lilies, has or in a greenhouse during the winter. ing hole, with the old stem scars upright. fiery orange flowers and waxy foliage . H. villosum subsp. tenuiflorum will Most ginger lilies flower best in a sunny Thanks to the efforts of many breed creep along a shallow pot, sending up many location where they will get some protection ers-myselfincluded-a lot ofexciting new slender, red-banded stems with narrow from early afternoon sun in midsummer. hybrid ginger lilies have been introduced in leaves and red bracts that support fragile With the exception of H. greenei) plants the last decade. Among the taller cultivars white flowers with a most delicious fra grown in deep shade will be leggy and flower (blooming at five to seven feet), perhaps grance. It flowers at any time of the year. sparsely. Because their native habitats are the most dependable is 'Pink V'-also sold H. hasseltii) native to Java, features large generally quite damp, ginger lilies need con as 'Tropical Passion'-which thrives wher flowers with four white, lance-shaped, sistently moist-but not soggy-soils. They ever ginger lilies can be grown and blooms flower parts and a short, pink stamen sus will thrive alongside ponds or streams and from late June through frost with large pended above the tight spike on a six-inch will survive periodic flooding, but their spikes of one-inch, cream-colored flowers tube. This spring-, summer-, and fall crowns will rot if they are immersed for a with dark pink centers. Each bract bears five bloomer has a spicy, clovelike fragrance . long period of time. flowers with a light citrus scent. 'Lemon Within a few years a host of u'opical gin Ginger lilies also crave rich soils and Sherbet' has a large spike of three-inch ger Wy cultivars will be marketed as winter bloom best if they are fertilized every three wide, yellow, ruffled-lipped flowers with blooming house plants, but at the moment to four weeks during tl1e growing season. pink stamens. The most popular tall hybrid only one-'Tropic Bird'-is available. Adding a rich, organic mulch or top-dress is 'Elizabeth', featuring deep raspberry-col Blooming at 18 inches tall, this cultivar has ing two or three times a year will reduce the ored blooms and a heady fragrance. curved flowers that bloom for five days need to fertilize, help retain moisture, and Among the shorter hybrids, 'Pink rather than the usual one. The flowers provide some protection to species that are Flame' flowers at about four feet tall and change color each day from white to cream borderline hardy in your region. has fragrant, three-inch-wide white flowers and, eventually, gold, so that different-col After frost kills the stems in fall, wait a few with a bold, flamelike, deep rose marking ored flowers are open on the same spike. weeks until they naturally detach from the in the middle of the lip. 'Luna Moth' is a This cultivar flowers in July and again in rhizome and can be raked or lifted off. For stout, two-foot plant that has shiny leaves mid-December. those who live nortl1 of Zone 7, dig up the and giant white flowers with a spicy clove rhizomes in the fall, wash away dirt, and pack like scent. 'Golden Glow' grows in dense Culture them in sawdust, wood shavings, or vermi clumps of three- foot stems topped with Butterfly gingers are relatively easy to grow. culite. Over-vvinter in a cool, dry place. regular spikes of clear orange-gold flowers. Their main requirements are a moist but Propagation is most easily accomplished 44 THE AMERICAN GARDENER November/ D ecem bel' 1999 Selecting Ginger Lilies for Your Garden sing this chart, you can select appropriate gia.ger lilies for your garden based on where you live in North America and OIl factors stich as height, flower color, bloom time, and presence or absence of fragrant flowers. For ginger lilies suited to Ugrowing in containers, see the sidebar on page 43. USDA Plant H ardiness Zones are listed below. For AHS H eat Zones, see page 61. (K .. !!~.4Y..~.~.~1!.'!:': . !!'.~u.!!!:~.1!:f!:.~1!.'!:': ...... ~ .'!Y...... ?:-:.9...... ~...... ~ .~. ~~.~ . ~ . ~~.. p.i~ .k...... ~ .~ !y'!~.~;l.: ...... y'~ ~ ...... !!:.~~~.c?~.~1!.'!:': .. '. Q.~~!:l.g~ .. ~.~!:.~.? ~ ...... ~ .~ !.T.~...... ?:-:.~ . ~ ...... ~ ...... 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This is best done these pests or spray with an insecticidal soap. largest kinds as specimens in the middle of in mid-spring, when the new bl!lds are start In older plantings, the m ajor scourge a flower border and plant shorter varieties ing to swell . Remove any old or dead parts that may appear is mushroom root rot. This around them . Alternatively, medium-size of the rhizome and cut it into two- to four fungal disease first becomes apparent when and small cultivars can be planted along a inch sections. Before planting outdoors, the top few leaves on a stem turn brown and h ouse fo undation with an eastern expo store the divisions in a cool, dry place for a die prematurely. If the rhizome is cut open, sure. Don't forget to plant a few fragrant few days to allow the cut surfaces to heal . the interior will be brown, with white flecks. kinds under your bedroom window so that For those with patience, species ginger If tIus occurs, cu. off all infected parts until you can enjoy them in the everung when lilies can also be propagated by planting there is only crisp, light yellowish rhizome. their scent is strongest. seeds one-quarter inch deep in a sterile pot Dust the ends with sulfur and replant in a G inger lilies can add a touch of the ting medium . Water well and keep above new location. Plants that are dug and re tropics to your backyard. Now that they 65 degrees. All seeds should germinate in planted at least every three years rarely have come in so many different sizes, and their three to five weeks. Transfer to four-inch this problem. fl owers sport so many colors and scents, pots when the seedlings have four to six and bloom across the seasons, there's no leaves. It usually takes 18 months to two Garden Placement end to the spots they can fill. ~ years for a plant to flower from seed. T he key to successful gardening with gin Ginger lilies are generally pest- and dis ger lilies is to select the varieties that are best A nursery owner in Archer; Florida) Tom ease-free. One sees an occasional grasshop suited to your climate and location (see the Wood specializes in growing and breeding per or corn earworm . Manually remove table, above). You could plant several of the members ofthe ginger family. Nove m bel' / Dec e m b e r ' 1 9 9 9 THE AMER I CAN GARD E N ER 45 For a few dedicated tree hunters, seeking the big ones is all in a day's job. n the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) the legendary outlaws, portrayed by Robert Redford and Paul Newman, are amazed by the tracking skills and Itenacity of the posse that pursues them. Newman's clas sic line, "Who are those guys?" provides comic relief, but many of us who enjoy searching for spectacular trees in our spare time feel much the same sentiment when we hear about the exploits of America's elite tree hunters. What exactly does a tree hunter do? Well, there are a variety of national, state, and local programs that record, publicize, and try to protect trees possessing one or more special attributes. I1hese trees may be worthy of recognition because of their age or tl1eir associa tion with historic eventrs; because of their rarity-for instance, en dangered species or trees found growing wild far beyond their presumed natural range; because of their aesthetic qualities-such as tl1e windblown cypress trees at Monterey, California; or for their un matched height or girth. Trees that fall into the last category are known as champion trees. In the United States, national champions for hundreds of native tree species are recorded in the National Register of Big Trees. American Forests, a non-profit conservation organization based in Washington, D.C., has been publishing tl1e Register since 1940; itis updated every two years. Information on champion trees for individual states is often kept by state registrars. While the big tree program sponsored by American Forests is re stricted to native species growing in the wild, forest ecologist Robert Van Pdt has developed a separate listing of champion trees in Wash ington State that includes non-natives and ornamental trees. Van Pelt believes it is important to record the potential size limits of non-na tive species-including tl10se growing in public or private gardens as well. Showcasing champion ornamental trees can help people avoid planting tl1e right tree in the wrom.g place, says Van Pelt, and poten tially makes every tree an inspiration instead ofa nuisance. It also helps 46 THE AMERICAN GARDENER b y Guy Sternberg support the preservation of outstanding landscape trees that are threatened by development. Van Pelt's listing, published as Champion Trees of Washington State by the University of Washington Press (see "Resources," page 49) includes 1,350 individual state or national champion trees rep resenting 869 different ta.,xa. Size Counts Most people have seen photographs of the grandest champion of them all: The General Sherman giant sequoia (Sequoiadendrongiganteum). Growing in California's Sequoia National Park, it is 275 feet tall and 102.6 feet in girth. Its trw"lk is estimated to weigh some 1,385 tons, based on a computed volume of 52,500 cubic feet. And many of us have also heard about what probably are the oldest living trees, the an cient bristlecone pines (Pinus aristata) ofInyo National Forest, Cal ifornia, which have survived for several thousands of years. But there are cow1tless otl1er trees wortl1Y of recognition in their own right. For example, over the past tl1ree decades I have stumbled upon, recognized, and nominated 30 Illinois state big tree champions, and tl1ree national champions. That works out to a state champion every year and a national champion every decade, on average. While all but 12 of the champions I have registered have, over time, been detl1roned by larger trees, my efforts have earned me a local reputation as the "Tree Dude." But like the proverbial big fish in a small pond, I am humbled by tl1e accomplishments of some of the greatest tree hunters in the business. T hese are the men-and at this level of the game they are almost all men-who have "BIGTREE" on their license plates, carry transits and measuring tapes in tl1eir cars, and can sniff out a champion-caliber specimen from a mile away. These tree hunters share a reverence for nature that brings to mind the tree-worshipping druids of Celtic legend. They also have jobs that provide tl1em with nearly constant access to the outdoors, and person alities tl1at dtive them to finish any project tl1ey embark upon. Gator Country Now retired after 37 years as a professor of botany at tl1e University THE AMERICAN GARDENER 47 Measuring and Nominating a Big Tree nyone can join in the fun of seeking out America's largest trees. If you are interested in pursuing t:his hobby, here are some tips £'·om American A Forests on how to find big U-ees on your o-wn: • Research .one or more relatively obscure species native to your region and be come fa.miliar enough with its general appearance that you can farm a mental pic ture of its habit or foliage. By doing that, your attention will be triggered almost unconsciously when you happen upon one accidentally. • Check the National Register ofBig Trees for species that have been chan1pions for a long time. Such trees may have died or lost a limb and thus may be de throned by a smaller tree. • Try and find one of the trees for which no champion exists. As of the 1:999 edi tion of the Register; some 135 species still had flO national champion. Such un crowned trees indude northern bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), smootfu dogwood (Cornusglabrata), and Biscayne prickly ash (Zanthoxylum coriaceum). • Pay particular attention to short-lived tree species such as willows, cotton of Florida in Gainesville, Dan Ward has waads, birches, and alders. These trees rarely live longer than 130 years, so their been interested in biolagy since his boy reign as champions is short compared with some other genera. hoad in Indiana. Ward says he began car • Whenever you ga out in the woads, take along a tape measure, camera, and rying a measuring tape when he was 15, notebook in case you come across a tree you think might have championship po using it ta document the biggest trees in tential. For tips on how to estimate the height of very tall trees, see below. Mantgomery COW1ty, Indiana. He still has the little red notebaak in which he record To nominate a tree as a champion, you need the following information: ed those measurements. • Full common and botanical name of the tree. Regional, tree identification hand But his big-tree hunting activities really books or taxonomic keys are useful for identification, but you can also ask a local started when he maved to Flarida, where forest service or woperative Extension .office to confirm your tree identity. the subtropical climate supports many fas • Circumference of the tree at four and a half feet above the grOlmd. If there is a cinating trees not found elsewhere in the branch at that point, measure the narrowest point below it. United States. Along with a friend, Rabert • Vertical height of the tree to the nearest foot. Accurate measurements require lng, and many volunteers, he took on the professional tools, but a rough estimate of height can be determined by using challenge .of dacumenting Flarida's many an old forester's trick, which trees. A knowledgeable botanist, Ward has relies an a straight stick or been able ta straighten out many of the tax pole two to four feet long, onomic problems that can plague such a and a sizable tape measure. program. Some big trees-especially in a Grasp the stick by its base state such as FlOtida that supparts sa many and hald it vertically at obscure species-are easily misidentified by arm's length, making sure landowners or amateur batanists. the length of the stick above Because so many people know abaut your hand is equal to the the big tree program, Ward says it has been distance between your hand his "passport" to gain access ta private and your eye. Walk back lands so he can measure potential champi ward away from the tree, an trees growing there. "I rely on the gaod staying approximately level approximate height of tree will and sense ofpride most landowners feel with the tree's base (this taward their trees," he says. technique wan't wotk if the tree is at the top or bottom of a hill or depression). Ward and Ing collaborated with the Stop backing up when the stick above yow; hand appears to be the same length Florida Native Plant Saciety on the book as the tree's height. You should be sighting over your hand to the base of the tree Big Trees: The Florida Register (see "Re and, \¥ithout moving anything but your eye, also sighting past the top of the stick sources," page 49), which documents to the top of the tree. At the point this alignment .occurs, make a mark and mea about 100 Flarida national champions and sure the distance along the grOlmd to the base of the tree. That will give you a many mare state champions. While many rough estimate of the tree's height. are true giants-such as the 92-foat labial • Average diameter of the tree's crown in feet. ly bay (Gordonia lasianthus) Ward and • Photograph .of the tree marked with the date the image was taken. Robert W. Simons faund in the Ocala Na • Location of the tree. tianal Forest in 1963-the champion Send the above information and a description ofthe tree and your name and ad roughleaf velvetseed (Guettarda scabra) is dress to: National Register ofBig Trees, Po. Box 20aO, Washington, D.G. 20013. eight feet in height, and three others have a crown spread afless than five feet. 48 THE AMERICAN GARDENER November/December 1999 Tree hunters at work. Opposite page: Knee deep in swamp water, Dan Ward stands next to the national champion pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) in Florida's Goet he St ate Forest. Far left: Will Blozan cl imbs a mighty black cherry (Prunus serofina) in the Great Smoky Mountains. Left: Robert Van Pelt gazes up at knotted t runk of the Quinault Lake western red cedar. Mountain Man Blozan credits much of his success to ollalis) to be a bitternut hickory (C cordi Ask any knowledgeable woodsman in the his familiarity with forest ecology-know Jormis)-then proceeded to make the Great Smoky MOlll1tains about big trees, and ing where each species grows best and is poim moot by nominating new champions they'll direct you to Will Blozan, the Tree likely to reach its maximum development. for both species. He is a writer, too, with Hlll1ter. This athletic 32-year-old, profes His work with the National Park Service Stalking the Fo rest Monarchs: A Guide to sional arborist from Black MOlll1tain, North involved mapping old-growth forests, a Measuring Champion Trees due to be pub Carolina, can wander in the woods all day background that has proven very useful lished next year. without map or compass. He loves being i.n for determining some of the most pro the forest and studying forest ecology. ductive places to hunt big trees. Of Finding the Biggest of the B ig Blozan has nominated 32 national course, his physical ability to hike fo r In contrast with Florida and the Smoky champions, many of which he discovered miles in rugged terrain doesn't hurt, and Mountains, there aren't very many native in his favorite stomping grounds, the he always looks for the champions of the tree species in Washington State. But the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. small tree species, which others tend to ones they have are of the "Omigosh" cate Formerly a biological science technician overlook. gory. Enter Robert Van Pelt. for the National Park Service, he remains Like Ward, Blozan has made some tax Van Pelt, a researcher in forest ecology interested in "shedding new light on east onomic corrections for the record. He cor at tl1e University of Washington in Seat ern trees and their characteristics" at every rectly identified the tree once recognized tle, grew up in the Midwest but moved to opportunity. as the champion red hickory (Carya Washin gton nearly two decades ago. He Resources STATE CHAMPION TREES. BIG TREE INTERNET FIELD of Washington Press, Many states maintain TRIP. Take a virtual tour of 1996. $16 .95. AMERICAN FORESTS. This records of the largest trees the biggest, tallest, and FAMOUS TREES OF TEXAS organization publishes in the state. Check with oldest trees in the country by Texas ~ orest Service, the biannual National your department of con- at www.bio.ilstu.edularm edited by John A. Haislet, Register of Big Trees. servation, department of stronglbigtreelfieldtrip.htm. Texas A&M Un iversity Contact American Forests, natural resources, state Press Consortium, 1984. 910 17th Street, N.W., forestry commission, state References $10.95. Suite 600, Washingt on, university, or state native GIANTS: THE COLOSSAL D.C. 20006; call (202) 955- plant society. BIG TREES: 'FHE f LORIDA TREES OF PACIFIC NORTH 4500; or visit its Web site TREE SOCIETIES. These REGISTER by Dan Ward, AMERICA by Audrey at www.amfor.orgl organizations devote t heir Robert lng, Florida Native Grescoe, photography by frames.shtml?bigtreel study to particular taxo- Plant Society, 1997. $18 Bob Herger, Roberts bigtree.html. nomic groups and often plus tax and postage. Rinehart Publishing, FAMOUS & HISTORIC have helpful information Write to 10301 Bellwood Niwot, Colorado, 1997. TREES. Request inform- for members. You can visit Avenue, New Port Ritchey, $29.95. ation on this program by the Web site of the FL 34654. MEETINGS WITH REMARK- calling (800) 320-8733 or International Oak Society CHAMPION TREES OF ABLE TREES by Thomas by visiting the Web site at at www.saintmarys. WASHINGTON STATE by Pakenham, Random House, www.oldtrees.org. edul-rjensenlios.html. Robert Van Pelt, University New York, 1998, $24.95. NOllembe1'/December 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 49 Larry Mahan measures helped his father clig sassafras roots for tea. the trunk of an east But this interest clidn't coalesce i.nto a sys ern cottonwood tematic search for big trees until a couple (Populus deltoides) in of years ago. Macoupin County, It started in late 1997, when he casu Illinois, as his wife, ally told his friend and former school Donna, looks down principal, Lester Cox, about a large and from her vantage beautiful white oak (Quercus alba) grow point on the local ing on his farm. Cox showed him a copy champion tree. Mahan of a list of big trees of Illinois, published has measured more by the state forestry division. While dri than 400 notable trees ving home that night, Mahan decided to over the last two launch a big tree survey of Macoupin years and is docu County, his home area. He enlisted a menting his work in a small but motivated team of helpers, in book on the county's cluding Cox, local student Aaron At biggest trees. wood, and Harry Bloome, a florist whose forays into the countryside delivering flowers gave him the opportunity to be come one of Mahan's chief tree spotters. As Mahan began to find large trees, he published photos and brief accounts in local newspapers. The response was imme cliate and enthusiastic. Macoupin County landowners began calling to ask iftheir tree might not be bigger than the one they saw in last week's paper. In just two years, Mahan has measured more than 400 great trees in Macoupin was motivated to pursue raising public ap such measurements to establish another red County while traveling more than 5,000 preciation and awareness of special trees cedar near Lake Quinault as the largest of the miles-not COW1ting hiking and canoeing by his first sight of a national champion four Washington giants in absolute mass. mileage. Several of his trees will become grand fir (Abiesgrandis) near Olympic The men profiled above are just a few of new state champions, and a couple are big National Park. The freshly harvested giant the many declicated tree lovers who have enough to challenge current national cham was a log, loaded on a huge truck and on chalked up dozens of national champion pions. To inspire others to develop a respect its way to market. nominations in their lifetimes. Other for nature, Mahan plans to compile a book In a region where so many trees be prominent tree hunters include Frank T. on the big trees ofMacoupin County. come so spectacular, they can begin to be Callahan, owner of an Oregon seed com The National Register recognizes 825 taken for granted. Along the Nolan Creek pany, who is credited with 38 national U'ee species as being native to the United watershed near the logging town of Forks, champions in the 1999 National Register States and eligible for nomination as na the tallest of four western red cedars of Big Trees. The late Paul Thompson tional champions. Of these, 135 species (Thuja plicata) considered to be co helped find and nominate 65 of Michigan's currently have no national champion, and champions was cliscovered on state prop 75 current national champions. And in Vir old champions don't live forever, so the erty while a timber harvest was being ginia, Richard Salzer, along "vith the team door is wide open for you. In adclition, marked for sale. That tree was saved, but of biology teacher Byron Carmean and some state listings such as Van Pelt's in every inch of the surrouncling forest was Gary Williamson, have nominated 54 of Washington record non-native species, and cut. Worse, one of the tree's major roots the 62 big trees creclited to that state. most cow1ties nationwide still await an in was cut so that a boardwalk could be in tensive tree survey such as Mahan con stalled around the trunk! Getting Started ducted i.n Incliana. When Van Pelt took over management While you might not aspire to the exploits Whetl1er you seek such records to vali of the state's big u'ee program, Washington ofthe U'ee hW1ters described above, success date your efforts, or simply enjoy shaIing a had a respectable 13 national champions. at a more modest scale is easily within the moment of history with a living orgaIusm Now it has more than 50, thanks in large grasp> of anyone willing to learn about trees that CaI1 dwarf hun1an scales of space and part to Van Pelt's personal efforts. Because and spend some time exploring Weely places. time, hunting trees can be a rewarding, he spends so much time in the field, he is dif People like Larry Mahan, for instance. even spiritual experience. ~ ficult to track down. An elementary school teacher in central When I tried to contact him, he was Illinois, Mahan seems to have the same Guy Sternbe1lf, president ofthe I nternation down in redwood country, using laser sur kind of tenacity that characterizes all the al Oak Society and co-author of the book vey equipment to measure the volume of great tree hunters. He first became inter LaI1dscaping with Native Trees, researches some huge trees. Van Pelt already has used ested in trees back in 1947, when he big, old, and historic trees in his spare time. 50 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Novembe7'/December 1999 ince 1953, the American Horticultural Society Awards Program has recognized Sindividuals and institutions who have made significant contributions to American horticulture. The Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for 200l. Members and friends are invited to nominate deser:ving candidates. To nominate someone for an AHS award, visit our Web site at www.ahs.org. Or, send us the nominee's name, title, address, telephone number, and achievements along with your own name and information on how you can be reached. For a list of previous award winners or more information on the awards program call (800) 777-7931 ext. 120. Nominations must be received by December 15, 1999. Award Categories Landscape Design Award. Acknowledges an individual whose Liberty Hyde Bailey Award. The Society's highest award. The work had expanded the awareness of horticulture in landscape individual must reside on the North American continent and architecture. have made significant contributions in at least three of the follow Local Horticulture Award. Given to an individual or group ing areas of horticultmal activity: teaching, research, writing, plant who has contributed to the improvement of horticulture in the exploration, administration, art, business, and leadership. host city for the Society's Annual Meeting. Luther Burbank Award. Recognizes extraordinary Meritorious Service Award. Awarded to a mem achievement in the field of plant breeding . ber or friend of the Society to recogni ze out- Commercial Award. Given to an individual standing and exemplary service in support of and/or institution committed to the hi ghest the Society's goals, services, and activities. standards of excell ence in the field of com Frances Jones Poetker Award. Given for mercial horticulture. significant contributions to the appreciation G. B. Gunlogson Award. Given to an indi of creative fl oral designs in publications, on vidual for the creative use of new technolo the platform, and to the public. gy in home gardening. Professional Award. Given to the director of H. Marc Cathey Award. Recognizes an individ an arboretum or botanical garden whose career ual who has enriched horticulture through out achievements represent a significant contribution standing and notable research. to horticulture. Horticultural Communication Award. Recognizes effective Catherine H. Sweeney Award. Given for extraordinary and communication using media and research techniques for the dedicated efforts in the fi eld of horticulture. purpose of expanding horticultural awareness. Teaching Award. Recognizes an individual whose ability to Horticultural Therapy Award. Recognizes significant contribu share his or her knowledge of horticulture has contributed to a tions to the field of horticultural therapy. better public understanding of plants and their impact on man. Horticultural Writing Award. Given to a person whose Urban Beautification Award. Given to an individual and/or an excell ence in writing has made a significant contribution to instituti on for significant contributions to urban horticulture. horticulture. they grow and admire, this book covers inspire a renaisSal1Ce of interest in tlus ne bOtil the ordinary and the exotic. Bernhardt glected field. uses familiar examples-such as roses, Ifyou have ever stood in your gal-den on squashes, and peas-to illusu-ate a mYliad of a warm summer evening and wondered topics, as well as sun orchids (Thelymitl'a why some flowers have only stamens willie spp.) from soutllern Ausu-alia, ghost flow otllers have only carpels, or why insects pol ers (Mohhavea confertiflora) from Alizona, linate some flowers and not others, The screw pine (Pandanusspp.) from tile SOUtil Rose )s Kiss is a valuable source of accessible Pacific, and guavas (Eugenia spp.) from alld comprehensible answers. SOUtil Amelica. He also tackles complicat -Barbara S. Arter ed topics such as the hormonal and envi Barbara S. Arter teaches biology and botany ronmental cues for floweling, reproductive at the University ofMaine at Augusta. strategies, evolution, poll en morphology, genetics, and bud development-all with tile ease and grace ofan experienced educa THE NEW TRADITIONAL GARDEN: tor and u-ue plant entlmsiast. A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CREATING The Rose)s Kiss contains plenty of liter AND RESTORING AUTHENTIC ary references to plants-particularly AMERICAN GARDENS FOR HOMES roses-to establish the importance offlow OF ALL AGES. ea.- biology offlowers ers in the annals of human experience. Michael Weishan. Ballantine Books, New Though the book does not contain bold York, 1999. 400 pages. 7J;'2 "x 9J;'2 ". Pub ea.- garden restoration color photographs of beautiful exotic flow lisher)s price) hardcover: $35. AHS price: ers, it is well illustrated with detailed black $24.50. ea.- native landscaping and-white drawings and photographs of feathery stigmas, nectar glands, fused s this century draws to a close, niE ROSE'S KISS: A NATURAL carpels, ichneumon wasps, and fritillary more gardeners than ever have be HISTORY OF FLOWERS. butterflies. Also included are a glossary of A come interested in discovering Peter Bernhardt. Island Press) Washington, flower terms and an extensive index that their horticultural heritage. The rising de D.C., 1999.267 pages. 5·%" X 8J;'2". Pub lists, among other things, all of the malld for illformation on the preservation, lishel' )s price) hardcover: $24.95. AHS price: botanists, beetles, birds, bees, and bats restoration, alld rejuvenation of our culti $17.50. mentioned in the book. If all of tlus isn't vated lalldscape makes this book-written enough, tlle autll0r tlu-ows in an almotat by Weishall, a garden designer alld editor f you missed Botany 101 in college because ed bibliography to furtller satisfy your cu of the quarterly magazine Tl'aditional you thought it would be too dull or tech riosity about the anlazing world offlowers. Gardening-a timely addition to garden Inical, here's your chance to make it up. The In the beginning of the book, Bern ing literature. Rose)s Kiss makes the study of flowers-and hardt la\11ents that botany, one of the old The book is subtitled A Practical Guide a plant's reproductive organs-both clear est branches ofscience, is, wlfortunately, in to O 'eating and Restoring Authentic and completely enjoyable. Bernhardt cuts danger of disappearing from classrooms American Gardens f01' Homes ofAll Ages, through what he calls the "fortress ofjargon " due to its wlpopulal-ity witll modern col but be forewarned: This is not strictly a perpetuated by the scientific elite to bring lege students. Perhaps The Rose)s Kiss will how-to guide. The book is not orgaluzed readers a thorough yet manageable investi by time period-as one might expect from gation into the science offlowers. the title-but presents a series of topics Each chapter of this entertaining book is TI-I E ROS E'S KIss based upon design principles. This kind of like a mini-lab exercise, taking the reader framework makes the book easy to skim or through a step-by-step examination offlo read ill its entirety, but it may cause some ral anatomy. A professor of biology at St. frustration for the reader looking specifi Louis University and a research associate at cally, for example, for information on how the Missouri Botanical Garden and the to design a garden to complement his or Royal Botanic Gardens ofSydney, Australia, her arts-alld-crafts-style blmgalow. As tlle Bernhardt-whose speciality is floral biolo author states in the introduction, "This gy--eloquently and imaginatively compares book is not all-inclusive-a single work on complex botanical structures to everyday such a vast subject could never be." household items tlut an average reader can The table of contents gives a concise relate to: He cleverly compares flowers to summary of the information discussed ill pizzas, chromosomes to frankfurters, pollen each chapter, which will help guide tlle grains to bakery buns, and pollen grain walls reader. The first chapter of tlle book gives to Teflon. By the end of tile book, you'll be a very abbreviated history of how gardens plucking petals, dissecting carpels, cOlmting evolved in Nortll America, pointing out sepals, and spying on bumblebees in order their European ancesu-y and how they were to wlderstand the form, fi.mction, and evo adapted to suit conditions in the New lution of plant sexual organs. A Nawral History ifFl owers World. The emphasis on Americall 19th Written for nature lovers and gardeners century designers is refreshillg. The latter who want to better understand tile plants Peter Bernhardt half of the chapter focuses on the on-goillg 52 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Nov ember/ December 1999 cUrl'ently teaches as pl'ogram head for horti personal anecdotes to look to your neigh THE e/VEW cultu1'e at the Northern Virginia Commu borhood flora for inspiration alld informa nity College in Sterling, Vi'l'lJinia. tion. Lowry's examples, while heavily TRADITIONAL grounded in the flora, falma, and resources of her own northern California neighbor ~ARDEN GARDENING WITH A WILD HEART: hood, are useful in showing how to start RESTORING CALIFORNIA'S NATIVE alld develop a restoration of your garden no LANDSCAPES AT HOME. matter where you live. I, for one, was in Judith Larnel' Lowry. University of Cali spired enough after reading the book to fOI'nia PI'ess, Berkeley, Califomia, 1999. scurry to the far corner of a nearby univer 61j8 "x 9 1j4 ". 280 pages. Publisher's price, sity campus-one of few undisturbed hardcover: $35. AHS pl'ice $24.50. patches of land I know of close by-and also to go to my computer to search online A Practical Guid. to Or •• lil1~ ccording to Judith Lamer Lowry, for a used copy ofan early book on the flora anJ Rc.toring Allthcotic home gardeners should do much of my vicinity. AmeTica.ll Gardens A more than create a natural garden A harmonious gardener, Lowry seems for HOlDes of All Aile. or a habitat for wildlife. A "gentle" (my never to fight with her lalld. She writes of word) "falutic" (her word), she advocates welcoming as a natural sign of health the returning our Yal·ds to dle lands they used seedlings that pop up everywhere. Three debate of the desirability of authentic to be, informing us, for example, that the times foiled by the birds in sowing a wild restoration versus the creation of gardens quality of nectar ingested by a bee or but flower patch, she sows the seeds in small in the "style of" a particular period based terfly from a non-native plallt may not con pots instead and later trallsplants them into upon sketchy archaeological remnants-as tain the chemical repellents of a native the growld. Invasive exotics and weeds are exemplified by the gardens of modern -day nectar, which may help protect the insect recognized as enemies-she does do some Colonial Williamsburg. from its natural predators. At the same lecturing on this subject-but are halldled The second dlapter ofdle book, "Unity," time, her book contains no harangues with persistence, not panic. Without begins addressing the principles of design. against lawns or pleas to eradicate your ex putting down others who might think dif At first glance the chapter may seem dis isting plalltings-just an insightful refer- ferently, she reminds us that there are solu jointed-it jumps from history to dle first of tions otller than herbicides, and that many plant lists to principles oflayout-but seed-grown species have certain benefits after reading it in entirety, it flows in a logi over cultival"s. cal malmer. The points in the chapter aloe While general gardening topics such as supported by numerous illustrations-most- planning, guidelines for design, planting, 1y historic reproductions or modern render alld mai.ntenallCe are addressed, tllese top ings in the style of the 19th century. ics are not addressed in an organized fash The remaining chapters follow this for ion. The heart of the book is a series of mat, each citing a garden as an eXal11ple to essays on California wildflowers and bunch illustrate the points being made. The de grasses, as well as ways to collect, propagate, tailed illustrations range from fence styles to alld use them-leaving no doubt as to the topiary to designs for paving and edging. author's own continual source of inspira The seventh chapter has excellent step-by tion. Even if the plalltS she describes are not step i.nsu"uctions for the layout of Vic tori all tllose in your garden, however, these de garden beds, while the eighth chapter illus lightfi.!1 personal essays shed light on the trates the proper way to construct a beehive. basic procedures of home restoration gar The text not only covers ornal11ental plants, dening. For any wildflower enthusiast--es but also some fruits and vegetables. peciallya Californiall-this part of tlle book In general, the information in this book is a real bonus. A detailed index and read eALIPORNIA ~ S is good for all gardeners, aldl0Ugh some may ing list alnplif)r the book's usefulness. NATIVE find dle reading a bit tedious and the inter LANDSCAPE'S Gardening with a Wild H eart is not a jections of personal projects not terribly rel fast read. The ideas it presents are textured, ative. The most useful portions of the book, like the layers of an ecosystem's canopy. however, aloe at the end: a compendium of ence to them as "tired but reliable." The autllor has discovered that when "we historic plants (which notes when each plant Recognizing that a home gardener will draw certain boundaries around our gar was introduced to American gal"dens), a list most likely restore his or her Yal"d in stages, dening activities, we cause ourselves to go of historic gardens in the United States, alld she shows, instead, how to start "tipping deeper." We can simply enjoy reading a list ofsuppliers of period garden materials. the balance" toward local natives. Eventu about the author's personal journey or use These sections alone make dle book a wor ally, as part of the growing process, she her experience as a guide to mapping one dlyaddition to the gardening reference shelf hopes your yard will become fully restored. of our own. -~ of everyone who owns a historic garden or Gardening With a Wild H eart is by no - Elizabeth Schwartz is interested in garden history. means a typical "how-to" book, but the au Elizabeth Schwartz is executive director ofthe - David T. Scheid thor-who has been in the California na Theodore Payne Foundation, a non-profit or David T Scheid's interest in historic gardens tive plant nursery business for 20 ganization dedicated to pl'eserving the native extends from his own home to the courses he years-does encourage you through her flora afCalifornia. Novembe1'IDecember 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 53 photographs and paintings, the chapters in varieties and special techn.iques. Each sea this book cover various garden styles-such son is discussed in detail, making this a gardeners' as cottage borders, kitchen gardens, and good gift any time of the year. wildflower meadows-and details plant books combinations associated with each. Among the featured combinations are standards Treasured such as snowdrops and crocuses-and sur To better serve our members, AHS has teamed prising ones such as purple peas and clema up with Amazon. com. We can now offer bet tis. Each chapter closes with a profile of a Perennials ter discounts on most titles, faster delivery, designer who has been influential in defin more inventory, and improved access to hard ing the style. to-jind titles. The books listed here are chosen based on perceived reader interest, unusual SANCTUARY: GARDENING FOR subject matter, or substantive content. To THE SOUL. order, or for information about other gar Lauri Brunton and Erin Fournier. Fried dening books, please call Trish Gibson at (800) man Fairfax Publishing, New York, New 777-7931 ext. 136 or visit our Web site at York, 1999. 144 pages. Publisher's price, www.ahs.organdlinktoAmazon.com. hardcover: $35. AHS price: $24.50. Sanctuary gardens provide a refuge from today's fast-paced world. This book cap PLANTS AND DESIGN tures the essence ofa sanctuary garden with full -color photographs and a tapestry ofim COTTAGE GARDEN. ages. It offers many ideas for creating CRAHAI\\ STt tART THUi\\:\S Te1'i Dunn. Friedman Fairfax Publishing, spaces that inspire and renew, while cele Nerv York, New York, 1999. 72 pages. Pub brating the various moods of sanctuaries: TREASURED PERENNIALS. lisher's price, paperback: $12.95. AHS price: serene, passionate, or meditative. Graham Stuart Thomas. Sagapress, Inc., $10.50. Sagaponack, Nerv York, 1999. 180 pages. The splendor of the cottage garden is Publisher's price, hardcover: $39.95. AHS shown in all seasons, from lavish summer LIVING price: $28. borders to austere winter landscapes. Illus Thomas, a world-renowned English horti trated are signature cottage-style plants, SEASONAILILY culturist, details over 200 of his favorite such as fragrant lavender, delicate sweet ~ plants, complete with personal commen peas, English wallflowers, and old roses. ~7/," )(;/./"." CJ,,,"/,.,, tary and entertaining historical background Details are given on how to define the ",..,1 d,,· I'),, /,Ie ,,/ ' 11", II, (H:II information. There are even three musical bounds of a garden and embellish it with odes to plants, written by the author. In suitable fencing, paths, arbors, window cludes more than 180 color photographs. boxes, and more. HERBS HERBAL REMEDIES: DOZENS OF SAFE, EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS TO GROW AND MAKE. Kathleen Fisher. Rodale Books, Emmaus, Pennsylvania, 1999. 160 pages. Publisher's price, paperback: $14.95. AHS price: $12. This concise introduction to herbal medi LIVING SEASONALLY: cine offers an overview of how to make var THE KITCHEN GARDEN AND ious herbal formulas-such as infusions, THE TABLE AT NORTH HILL. ointmen.ts, and tinctures-and describes 32 Joe Eck and Wayne Winterrowd. Henry plants commonly used for treating or pre Holt and Company, Inc., New York, New venting a variety of medical conditions. York, 1999. 197 pages. Publisher's price, Features reference tables, cautionary side hardcover: $40. AHS price: $28. bars, and 100 line drawings. A reflection ofEck and Winterrowd's ex periences at their Vermont farm, this book THE HERBAL TEA GARDEN. is filled with beautiful color photographs, Marietta Marshall Marcin. Storey Books, CLASSIC PLANT COMBINATIONS. delicious recipes, and practical advice for Pownal, Vermont, 1999. 224 pages. Publish David Stuart. Trafalgar Square Publishing, anyone interested in living off the land. er's price, paperback: $12.95. AHSprice: $12. North Pomfret, Vermont, 1999. 160 pages. With a special emphasis on vegetable grow Herbal tea lovers will learn how to select, Publisher's price, hardcover: $29.95. AHS ing, it concentrates on soil preparation, grow, and create their own special brews price: $2l. seed, sowing, pests and diseases, harvesting from 70 herbal tea plants, as well as find out Illustrated with 200 inspirational color and preservation, rare vegetables, LU1USUal about the history of tea. The book also de- 54 THE AMERICAN GARDENER November/December 1999 scribes how to plan and cultiva te herb gar THE NEW THREE-YEAR dens, and how to dry, freeze and store the GARDEN JOURNAL. GUIDES harvest. Louise Carter and Joannc Lawson. Photog l'aphy by Allen R olzach. F~tlcrum Publishing) Golden, Colorado} 1999. 208 pages. Pub MISCELLANEOUS lishel'}s pricc, hal'dcovel': $29.95. AHS pl'icc: $21. This fully revised journal provides space for three years' of writing or designing on THE Q!20TABLE bound-i.n graph paper. T here are regional and seasonal recommendations on every as GARDENER pect of garden management. Includes over 100 color photographs. AUSTEN • CA rFt.. CHARL tSWORT H rROST HAWTlIQRN[ .. JEFFERSON 4. I[""LI. 10 Y([ J,J I'L1NG l LOYD MITCIULI rROUS'l A CONTEMPLATION UPON St1 A'" • Sln\'Ell .. TliORL\V Tt IURISER FLOWERS. nVAIN • WHARTON • \\'lItTMAN Bobby J Wal,d. Timber Prcss, P01'tland, 01'C WILD[ \\IuOO IOUn gon, 1999. 447 pages. Publisher}s pl'icc} hardcover: $24.95. AHS pl'ice: $17.50. T his bedside book contains quotati ons £i'om poems, novels, plays, and stories about a vatiety of plants. It also traces the ori gins of the plants ' botanical and common EDITED BY names. Selections fall i.nto fo ur categOli es : CHARLES ELLIOTT mythological themes, historical significance, reli gious symbolism, and the use offl owers WILDFLOWERS OF THE EASTERN THE QUOTABLE GARDENER. ill poetic associati ons. UNITED STATES. Chal'lcs Elliott, cdit01c Thc Lyons Press, NclV Wilb ~t1, H. and Marion B. Duncan. Thc Yrwk, Ncw Yorlz, 1999. 271 pagcs. P~tblish THE BIG BOOK OF BUGS. Univcrsity ofGc01;gia Press, Athens, Geor;gia, Cl"Spricc, hardcovcr: $20. AHS plt ice: $14. Matthcw R obertson. Stewa1't, Tabo ri & 1999. 380 pages. Pubtishcr}s price, hardcov Elliott has gathered over 400 quotations Chang, New Y01'lz, N ew Y01'le, 1999. 448 cr: $29.95. AHS pl'ice: $21. on gardening from autho rs such as pages. Publishcr}s pl'ice, hal,dcovCl': $2 9.95. A guide to more than 1,1 00 wildflowers, Ro bert Frost, James Joyce, H enry AHS pl'icc: $21. grasses, and grasslike species fow1d through Mitchell , Mark Twain, and others. In This kids' book is full of facts, fi gures, and out the eastern region, organized by plat1t cluded are one- line quotes, stanzas of stOlies that answer questions like, "Why do fa milies within tVv'o main sections-di ve rse, and fu ll narrative paragraphs on bees malce honey?" and "Which bug is the cotyledons and monocotyledons. Over 600 topics such as wisdom, seasons, and en smartest?" A pair of 3-D glasses, included color photographs provide visual aid for thusiasm . A great gift for the gardeners with the book, lets kids view 40 pages of plant identification. The book also has a on your list, who will find this a treasured 3-D illustrations, and there are dozens of ac glossary and an illustrated section on distin companion fo r a long winter night. tivities and expeliments for kids to try. guishing various plant structures. AHS HORTICULTURAL BOOK SERVICE ORDER FORM SH IP TO: Name CHOOSE PAYMENT METHOD: Address 0 Check enclosed. Amount: $ City State Zip o Charge to: o VISA o Mas terCard Daytime phone ( Accow1t # Book Title Qty. Price Each Total Exp. date Si gnature STANDARD SECOND- NEXT-DAY SHIPPING DAY AIR AIR Subtotal $3 per $6 per $8 per Virginia residents: Add 4.5% sales tax shipment shipment shipment plus 95¢ plus $1.95 plus $2.95 Postage & Handling (see chart) per Item per Item per Item Total Mail completed form to: AHS Horticultural Book Service, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Al exandria, VA 22308-1 300. Or call toll-free (800) 777-7931 ex t. 136. Pri ces in effect until Dece mber 31, 1999. After expiration date, orders w ill be f illed pending availability. Pl ease allow four to six weeks for delivery. Pri ces su bject to ch ange without notice . Novembe7'/ D ecembel; 1 999 TH E AM E RI C A N G A RD ENE R 55 and Green Industry Expo. Baltimore Massachusetts. (508) 869-6111 . Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland. (410) 584-9754. DEC 8. Botany for Gardeners. Lecture by Carol Levine. New York Botanical Garden, NOV. 22 & 23. Arboretum By Moonlight. Bronx, New York. (718) 817-8747. Guided hike. U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C (202) 245-4521. NORTH CENTRAL NOV. 26-JAN. 9. 1999 Winter Flower NOV. 8 & 9. The Practice of Restoring Show. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Native Ecosystems. Conference. National Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Arbor Day Foundation. Arbor Day Farm's (412) 622-6915. Lied Conference Center, Nebraska City, Nebraska. (402) 474-5655. DEC 2. The Poinsettia: A Rags to Riches Tale. Lecture by Paul Ecke Jr. U.S. NOV. 20. The Indiana Native Plant and regional National Arboretum, Washington, D.C Wildlife Society's Annual Conference. (202) 245-2726. Indianapolis Historical Society, Indian happenings apolis, Indiana. (317) 251-7343. DEC 2-4. Holiday Splendor. House tour and greens sale. The Pittsburgh Civic NOV. 25. Christmas Around the World. a look at what's Garden Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Holiday exhibits and entertainment. (412) 441-4442. Frederik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids, happening around Michigan. (616) 957-1580. DEC 4. Poinsettia and Craft Demon the nation stration. The National Capital Area DEC 4 & 5. Auxiliary Holiday Sale. Federation of Garden Clubs. U.S. Holiday items grown, dried, and hand National Arboretum, Washington, D.C crafted by the Arboretum's Auxiliary. AHS Events (202) 245-2726. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen, Minnesota. (612) 443-2460. Events sponsored or co -spon sored DEC 10-12. Christmas Open House. by AHS ar e indicat ed by this Ladew Topiary Gardens, Monkton, DEC 12. Poinsettia Soiree. Fundraiser for r:l!m symbol. An expanded and Maryland. (410) 557-9466. the Belle Isle Botanical Society. Anna updated R egional H appenings list Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory at Belle ing can be viewed on the Society's NORTHEAST Isle, Detroit, Michigan. (313) 852-4064. W eb site at www.ahs.org. NOV. 5-7. Orchid Show. Massachusetts NORTHWEST Orchid Society. Tower Hilll30tanic MID-ATLANTIC Garden, Boylston, Massachusetts. NOV. 13. Landscaping with Native Shrubs (508) 869-6111 . & Trees. Lecture. Lakewold Gardens, ~ NOV. 6. The Native Plant Trend: Lakewood, Washington. (253) 589-5604. Good or Bad? Panel diseussiofl with H. NOV. 6 & 7. A Harvest of Violets. Tri-State Marc Cathey, Adrian Higgins, and Scot African violet show and sale. Freling NOV. 26-28. Christmas Open House. Aker. Friends of River Farm. George huysen Arboretum, Morristown, New Garland Nursery, Corvallis, Oregon. Washington's River Farm, Alexandria, Jersey. (973) 326-7600. (541) 753-6601 . Virginia. (800) 777-7931 ext. 110. NOV. 10. Composting In The City. DEC. 17. Luminaria. Candle-lit garden NOV. 8. The New Ecological Garden. Workshop. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, walk. Yakima Area Arboretum, Yakima, Lecture by Gary Smith. Longwood Brooklyn, New York. (718) 623-7220. Washington. (509) 248-7337. Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. (800) 737-5500. NOV. 26-JAN. 2. Christmas Holidays at SOUTH CENTRAL the Newport Mansions. Preservation NOV. 11-13. Northeast Community Society of Newport County, Newport, NOV. 6 & 7. Orchid Show. Botanica: Supported Agriculture Conference II. Rhode Island. (401) 847-1361 . The Wichita Gardens, Wichita, Kansas. Organized by Just Food. Tamiment, (316) 264-0448. Pennsylvania. (212) 677-1602. NOV. 26-JAN. 9. A Victorian Holiday and Holiday Train Show. Model train exhibit. NOV. 8. Garden in a Bottle. Terrarium NOV. 12 & 13. Topiary: The Art of Green New York Iilotanical Garden, Bronx, New workshop. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Sculpture. Lecture and workshop by Joan York. (718) 817-8747. Louis, Missouri. (636) 451-3512. O'Rourke. Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, Maryland. (301) 962-1451. DIiC 4-JAN. 2. Holly Days at Tower HiI/. NOV. 13 & 16. Deer Neighbors. Lecture Demonstrations, tours, and displays by on deer control in garden. Missouri NOV. 13-16. Professional Grounds local garden clubs, florists and designers. Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri. Management Society Annual Conference Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, (636) 451-3512. 56 TH E A ME RI C AN GARD EN E R November/D ecember 1 999 NOV. 20. An Herbal Harvest of Oil Florida Chapter of the International Palm NOV. 20 & 21. Sarasota-Bradenton Rose Concentrates and Pestos. Lecture and Society. Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Society Show and Sale. Marie Selby demonstration. McAshan Herb Gardens Miami, Florida. (305) 667-1651 . Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, Florida. at Festival Hill, Round Top, Texas. (941) 366-5731. (409) 249-5283. NOV. 8-21 . Mum Festival 1999. Cypress Gardens, Winter Haven, Florida. NOV. 20 & 21. 13th Annual Garden DEC 4. Carols and Crumpets Herb (800) 282-2123. Festival. Plant sales, plant clinics, Festival. The Tulsa Herb Society. Tulsa and demonstrations. Heathcote Garden Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma. NOV. 13. Arranging with Dried Flowers: Botanical Gardens, Fort Pierce, Florida. (918) 836-5307. Wreaths, Topiaries and Centerpieces. (561) 464-4672. Lecture and demonstration. Tryon Palace DEC 16. Holiday Arrangement of Fresh Historic Sites and Gardens, New Bern, DEC 5-MAR. 2000. Winter Orchids: Greens and Natural Materials. Workshop. North Carolina. (800) 767-1560. Splendor Under Glass. Exhibit. Atlanta Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Botanical Garden, Atlanta, Georgia. Missouri. (636) 451-3512. NOV. 13 & 14. Bonsai Show. Riverbanks (404) 876-5859. Zoo and Botanical Garden, Columbia, SOUTHEAST South Carolina. (803) 779-8717. DEC 11. Locating Early 20th Century Plants. Lecture on the re-creation of an NOV. 6. Mount Dora Plant and Garden NOV. 13 & 14. Ramble 99. 59th annual historic garden. Tryon Palace, New Bern, Fair. Gilbert Park, Mount Dora, Florida. festival of plants, garden accessories, North Carolina. (800) 767-1560. (352) 357-4116. exhibits, and more. Fairchild Tropical Garden, Miami, Fl orida. (305) 667-1651 . DEC 11. Soils, Preparation, Planting and NOV. 6 & 7. Fall Plant Sale & Hibiscus Management. Lecture and workshop Show. Mounts Botanical Garden, West NOV. 13-15. Fall Plant Fair. Marie Selby with Tony Avent. Plant Del ights Nursery, Palm Beach, Florida. (561) 233-1749. Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, Florida. Raleigh, North Carolina. (919) 772-4794. (941) 366-5731 . NOV. 6 & 7. Orchidfest. Show and sale. SOUTHWEST Atlanta Orchid Society. Atlanta Botanical NOV. 20. Horticulture Workshop: Garden, Atlanta, Georgia. (404) 876-5859. Organics. Mecklenburg Composting NOV. 12 & 13. Holiday Gift and Garden Program. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Market. Denver Botanical Gardens, NOV. 6 & 7. Palm Show and Sale. South Belmont, North Carolina. (704) 825-4490. Denver, Colorado. (303) 370-8187. Prairie House Companions o animal symbolizes the mythical Old West like the American buffalo, or bison. The teeming herds of Nthese shaggy creatures that once grazed the Great Plains are now history, but thanks to a collaboration among several Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo in Wash ington, D .C., opened a new American Prairie exhibit this July, giving visitors to the nation's capital a chance to view bison in a naturalistic setting. Along with a starter herd of two bison calves and a colony of prairie dogs, the 46,000-square-foot exhibit show cases more than 100 plant species native to the Ameli can heartl and, as well as interpretive displays that tell the prairie's story from both environmental and cultural perspectives. "Grasslands are every bit as endangered in the Amelican West as the rainforest in South America," notes Clinton Fields, executive director of the Friends of the National Zoo. Yellow coneflowers welcome visitors to the prairie exhibit. H uman activity has destroyed most oftl1e American prairie: Once covering about 40 percent of the United States, only hibit include bergamot (Monarda fotulosa), yarrow (Achillea about one percent remains. millefolium), blazing star (Liatris spicata), and coneflower Although the bison may be the exhibit's initial draw for (Ratibida pinnata). The exhibit's Prairie Plant Discovery visitors, zoo officials are hoping that the exhibit's innovative Trail enables visitors to learn about tl1e histOlical medicinal design will also encourage visitor appreciation of the plants in and ceremonial uses of many prairie plants. a prairie ecosystem. The exhibit features a mixture of grass T he National Zoo, located at 3001 Connecticut Avenue, eS- "mostly Indian grass and big and little bluestem," says N.W., in Washington, D .C., is open everyday except Chtist Chris Price, zoo horticulturist. "We don't know which grass mas. Admission is free. For more infor mation call (202) es tl1e bison will end up liking the most," she says, "so the 673-4800, or visit the zoo's Web site at www.si . ed~t/natzoo. plantings may change in the future." Other plants in tl1e ex- - Margant T Baird, Communications Assistant November/December 1 999 THE AMER I CAN GARDENER 57 NOV. 13 & 14. Southwest Sunset Orchid. Formal Debut for Stowe Botanical Garden Display and sale. Orchid Society of Arizona. Valley Garden Center, Phoenix, en years in the making, the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Arizona. (480) 496-5762. Carolina, marked the completion of its long-awaited, nO-acre first phase with Ta tlll'ee-day grand celebration on October 8 tlu'ough 10, Designed by land NOV. 20. Feeling of Fall Festival. Fall har scape architect and 2000 AHS award winner Geoffr'ey L Rausch, tl1e garden's cen vest displays and demonstrations. Boyce terpiece is a 13,500- Thompson Arboretum, Superior, Arizona. square-foot Visitor (520) 689-2811 . Pavilion surrow1ded by meadows, woodlands, DEC. 3 & 4. Annual Holiday Fair. Albu and formal gardens, in querque Garden Center, Albuquerque, cluding tl1e Four Sea New Mexico . (505) 296-6020. sons courtyard, an heirloom Cottage Gar DEC. 3-S. Luminaria Nights. Display. den, and tl1e tropical Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tucson, Canal Garden. Arizona. (520) 326-9686. Named for tl1e tex tile magnate and philan WEST COAST tl1ropist who established the original endowment, Stowe's new Visitor Pavilion is flanked by gardens. NOV. 6 & 7. 21st Annual Plant Sale, the privately-operated Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, garden is expected to cover 450 acres and cost $150 million when completed-some Claremont, California. (909) 625-8767. 20 to 40 years in tl1e future-and is Weely to lival world-renowned botanical gardens. Long-range plans call for the construction of conservatories and additional demon NOV. 11-14. Fall Plant Festival. The stration gardens. Huntington, San Marino, California. Executive director Mike Bush calls Stowe a "marvelous addition to tl1e Piedmont (626) 405-2100. region" and hopes it will attract at least 100,000 visitors annually. Stowe is located at the North Carolina/South Carolina line, close to two interstate highways. The garden NOV. 12-14. Craftsman Weekend, is open year row1d. Admission is free, but a donation is suggested. For more informa Lectures and house and garden tours. tion call (704) 825-4490 or visit the garden'S Web site at www.stowegarden.org. Pasadena Heritage, Pasadena, California. (626) 441-6333. New Life for Historic Cemetery Gardens NOV. 27-DEC. 4. Christmas at Filoli. Filoli, OSt gardeners don't tlunk of graveyards as places to practice tl1eir craft, but Woodside, California. (650) 364-8300. horticulturist Kevin Kuhalic is an exception. On November 18, tl1e Geor M gia Peremual Plant Society (GPPA) will sponsor Kuharic's lecture at tl1e At Weekends, DEC. 3-DEC. 19. A Centennial lanta History Center entitled, "Heavenly Gardens: The Resurrection of Rural Christmas at Dunsmuir. Dunsmuir Garden Cemeteries," a survey of the lustory of cemetery gardelung. Historic Estate, Oakland, California. Kuhatic is not only oddly comfortable surrounded by tombs and headstones, (510) 615-5555. he's also mat1aged to carve out a successful graveyard-based career for lumself: He at1d partner Paul Boat co-own Atlanta's Gate City Caretaleers, a business that spe DEC. 4 & S. Candlelight Evenings. Fuller cializes in tl1e restoration and maintenance OflustOlic cemetery gardens. Kuharic ton Arboretum, Fullerton, California. traces Ius fondness for graveyards to Ius childhood in Indiana, which included visits (714) 278-3579. to tl1e fan1ily plot with his grat1dpat'ents to maintain plantings and religious orna ments. "Often, we had picnics," he recalls. DEC. 4 & 18. Winter Garden Tours. The After moving to Atlanta in 1988, Kuhatic began visiting Oakland, tl1e city'S lustOlic Ruth Bancroft Gardens, Walnut Creek, mwucipal cemetery, to combat homesickness. "I felt a sense of belonging, even California. (925) 210-9663. tl10ugh my people were not bwied tl1ere," he says. He quickly became a tour guide for the cemetery, which was established in 1850 at1d is listed on the National Register CANADA of Historic Places. He was also tl1e first to volLmtatily "adopt a plot"-a site where he still loyally gat'dens today. Taking tl1at idea one step furtl1er, Kuharic and Boat opened NOV. 4-13. The Winter Garden Show at Gate City Caretakers in 1995, in at1 effort to re-establish the professional gardening at the Royal, The Coliseum at the National Oaklat1d that had ended witl1 the stock I1m'ket crash in 1929 . Trade Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. Kul1atic and Boat now maintain about 100 plots and gardens at Oaldand and spon (416) 393-6400. sor its Graveyard Gardening Program, as well as consult on work state\-vide. They at'e also preparing a large-scale, restorative landscape installation at Oaldand. Kul1aric is NOV. 20 & 21. Greenhouse Growers proud of tl1e revival of a "gardening mentality" in the once-neglected cemetery. In Association Conference. Ramada Hotel, place of pavement, he notes, "now tl1ere are huge portions splinkled 'vvitl1 gardens." Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. (306) 966-5586. For more information on Kuhatic's lecture, contact Karen Guzy of GPPA at (770) 955-1303, or e-mail [email protected]. Gate City'S Web site ad- DEC. 10-JAN. 2. Festival of Lights. dress is gatecitycaretakers. com. -M. T B. VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver, British Columbia. (604) 878-9274. ,.-, 58 THE AMERICAN GARDE N ER Nov cm be1'/D ece m ber 1999 ROSES ARE YOU A ROSE LOVEN We'd love to tell you about the latest techniques for growin g beautiful roses, show you the newest varieties, and help you find the right roses that will grow best for YOLl. It's al l in our colorful monthly m GARDEN STATUARY LADY BUG'S PLANTERY 'N SUCH-Whim sical garden treasures for your garden, patio, home. Al l statuary weatherproofed to withstand www.LlVINGWREATH.com Buy or make distinctive personal and corpo weather. Handpainted, handrubbed verdigris rate gifts, lovel y, lasting wreaths, all zones for Bring A Manatee finish. Send now for free color brochure. P.O. indoors or outdoors. Originator, Teddy Box 926, Holly Springs, GA 30142. 800-700- Colbert's Garden: Award winning book, Th e Home For The Holidays 9210. Tel. 770-345·3910; FaJ':: 770-345·5241; Uving Wreath, easy ready-to-plant wreath This holiday season. Adopt-A-Manatee. fo r E-mail: [email protected]; bases, exclusive fra me, succulent cuttings. Web : ladybugsplantcry.com. P.O. Box 9, Somis, CA 93066 (800) 833 3981 someo ne YO ll love. They' ll receive a photo and biography of " th e ir " manatee, an adoption GREENHOUSE PLASTICS ce rtiticate. and a memb ership hand book. YOllr co ntribution will go toward efforts to help protect BOB'S SUPER-STRONG GREENHOUSE PLASTIC-Pond Liners. Resists hailstones, yell ow Accelerated Gardening e nd a n ger~d manatees and their habi tat. For more information. contact: ing, leafburning. Samples: 2 stamps appr~ciated. Box 42AG, Neche, ND 58265; 204-327-5540 daily. litera plants thrive and bloom in just ~ Save the Manatee®Club ...... 500 N. Maitland Ave. Maitland, FL 32751 INTERNET 8 to 10 weeks. Shop on-line at ~ 1-800-432-JOIN (5646) GARDENWEB. Come visit with other gardeners www.savethemanatee.org from arOlmd the world at GardenWeb, the Internet's www.etera.com garden COml11Lmlty: w1Vw.gardenwcb.com or call for our FREE catalog, PEONIES featuring more FREE DEBT RELIEF! Lower your monthly payments by up to 50%! BEAUTIFUL JAPANESE/CHINESE TREE than 350 varieties and much more. a loan. Not bankruptcy. A Debt Management system PEONIES. Wide variety of exotic, INEXPENSIVE to get you out of debt-FREE! Direct referral to peonies available. Catalog $3. All plants 3 years old Toll-Free: 888-840-4024 • N,nn."mto' credit counseling. .& ~'V~. and older. SMIRNOW'S SON'S PEONIES, Dept. bills and call today! www.a merix.com AG, 168 Maple Hill Road, Huntington, NY ~Etera~ ..... "."., ...... 11743. Phone: 516-421·0836. November/December 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 59 The Cloister Garden Series February 24 .. 27,2000 ome glean from the experts in the lush elegance of to Tree Tops, Garden Bulbs for Extended Beauty, The Making C Sea Island's world-class resort. Nationally recognized of "Gardens of the Wine Country, " and Casual Elegance. garden authorities bring their rich diversity of specialized Tours of a private St. Simons Island residence and its knowledge to this annual summit of gardening enthusiasts. beautifully landscaped gardens are among highlights. The C loister's carefully nurtured grounds provide a fertile Please join us. setting for three stimulating days of horticultural presentations The Cloister Garden Series is one of the Great American including: Photography of Gardens, People and Places, Garden Lecture Series co-sponsored bY@ FAJ/} Paths: A New Way to Practical Design, Tremendous Trellises, American Horticultural Society. M (sIil.;Jzc{® Simply Simple Landscapirng Projects, What it Takes to Make a Ca1l 800-SEA-ISLAND THE CLOISTER® Fine Tree, New Crape Myrtles for Beauty: From Ground Covers to reserve. www.seaisland.com H.gardneriantnn'Tara' Pettstemon spectabilis pronunciations and 7-10, 11- 7 PEN-stell-mon spek-TAH H.gracile bih-liss 8- 10,10- 8 H. GRASS-ih-lee 7- 9, 11- 8 Phacelia campanularia H.greenei fi.lh -SEEL-yuh kam -PAN-yew planting zones H . GREEN-ee-eye 8-11, 11- 8 LAlR-ec- uh 11 , 12- 10 H. hasseltii Phlox mbulata Most ofthe c~tlti]Jated plants jeatl,wed in this edition ofth e magazine an list H. hall-SEL-tee-eye 8- 11,11- 8 FLOKS sub-yew-LAY-tuh ed hel'e with theil' pronunciations and USDA Plant Hardiness Zones and H.maximum 3-8,8- 1 AlfS Plant H eat Zones. If 0 is listed in place of USDA hal'diness zones, it H. MAl(S-ih -illUill 8- 11 , 11- 8 Pinus eWlIlis H. thyrsiforme PIE- nus ed-YEW-liss 5- 8, 8- 5 means that plant is a true anmtal--it completes its lift cycle and dies in a yeal' H. thur-sih -FORM-ee Pinus monophylla or less. v'opical plants that are hal'dy only in USDA Zone 11 al'e listed min by 7- 11 , 11- 7 P. mon-aw-FIL-luh 6- 8, 8- 6 im~tm ave'rage temperature. To p/~1'Chase anAlfS H eat-Zone Map, call (800) H. villosum subsp. temtiJlonmt Platantts racemosa 777-7931 ext, 136. H. vil -LO-SUill subsp. PLUH-tan -us rass-eh-MO-suh ten-yew-ih -FLOR' UIll 8- 9,9- 8 9- 11 , 12-9 Populus deltoides H. 'Pink Flame' H. yttnnanense POP-yew- lus del-TOY-deez Abiesgrandis 7-11, 11-7 H. yew-nuh-NEN-see 3- 9, 9- 1 AY-beez GRAJ"l -diss H. 'Pink Sparks' 7- 9, 10-6 QUC1"ctts alba USDA 5-6, AHS 6-4 7-11, 11-7 Iliamna remota KWER-kus AL-buh 5- 9, 9-4 Arctostaphylos 'John Dourley' H. 'Pink V'/'Tropical Passion' ill -lee-AM -nuh ree-MO-tuh Romneya coulteri ark-toh-STAFF-ih-loss 7-9, 9-7 7-11,11-7 5-9, 9-4 rom-NEE-yuh KOOL-tur-eye Argemone munita H. 'Tropic Bird' Isomel'is arbol'ea 7-8, 8- 7 ar-JEM-o-nee mew-NYE-rull 10-11, 11 - 8 eye-SOM-ur-iss ar-BOR-ee- uh Salvia sonomensis 'Daria's Choice' 9-11, 12-9 H. acttminatt·tm 10, 10- 9 SAL-vee-uh so-no-MEN-siss Artemisia schmidtiana 'N ana' H. ak'yew-illin-AY-tuill Layia platyglossa 10- 11 , 12- 10 ar-teh-MEEZ-yuh 7-9, 10-6 LAY-ee-uh plat-ih -GLOSS-uh Scabiosa columbal~a 'Butterfly Blue' slunit-ee-AHN-uh 5-8,8-4 H. coccinettm 'Orange Brush' 10, 10-9 skay- bee-O -suh kol -um-BAH Cat'ya cordifol'mis H . kok-SIN-ee- uill 7-11 , 11 - 7 LoUts scopal'ius ree-uh 3- 8, 8- 1 KEH-ree-uh kor-dih-FORM-is H. c01'onal'htm LO-tus sko- PAl'l..-ee- us 6-8, 9- 7 Selagil1elta uncinata 5-8, 8-4 H . kor-o-NAlR-ee-uill Lysichiton amel'icanus sel-uh-jill-NEL-luh un-sih G ovalis 7-11,11-7 ly-sih -KITE-on uh -mair-ih NAY-tuh 7-11, 12- 7 C. o-VAY-liss 6-8,8-4 H. densiflol'um KAN-us 7-9, 9- 7 Seqttoiadendt'on gigante~tm Cercis occidentalis H. den-sih -FLOR-um 7-9, 11- 8 suh-kwoy- uh-DEN-dron SUR-siss ah.k-si h-den-TAL H, densiflorttm 'Assam Orange' jy- GAN-tee-um 6- 9, 9- 6 iss 7-9, 9-7 7-9, 8-5 Myosotis alpestris Symploca1'f1tts foetidus Citrus reticulata 'Satsuma' H. densiflo1'1t1n'Stephen' Illy-O-SO-tiss al-PES-oiss sym-plo-KAR-pus FEE-tih-dus SIH-truss reh-tik-yew-LAY-rull 7-9, 8-5 4-8, 8- 1 5- 9, 9- 1 11 , 12-9 H . ellipticttm MY1"ica pensylva1tica Thttja plicata Clarkia amoena H. el-LIP-tih-kuIll 7-9, 10-6 Illy-RIH-kuh pen -sil-VAN-ih THEW-yuh ply-KAY-tuh KIARK-ee-uh a-MEE-nuh 0, 9-1 H. flavescens kuh 3- 6, 6-1 6- 8, 8-6 G tmguiculata H. flay-VESS-enz 7-11, 11 - 7 Nemophila menziesii Veronicastrum vit-ginicum C. un-gwik-yew-LAY-tuh H. gardneriam~m nee-MAF-ill-luh Illen-ZEES ver-on-ih -KASS-trulll vir-JIN 0, 9-1 H. gard-nair-ee-AN-uill ee-eye 0, 12- 2 ih -kum 3- 8, 8-1 Collinsia heterophylla 7-11,11-7 Parkinsonia florida Zanthoxylum coriace~tm col-IN-see-uh het-ur-o H.gardnerianum 'Kahili' par-kin-SO-nee-uh FLOR-ill zan-tho-ZY-lu m kor-ee-AY FIL-luh 10-11, 12-9 7-11,11-7 duh 8-10, 10-8 see-Ulll 6- 9, 9-6 Cornus glabrata KOR-nus glab-RAY-tuh 7-10,10-8 Dalea candida DAY-lee-uh KAN-dih-duh 9-11, 12-9 Eschscholzia californica es-SHOLTZ-zee-uh kal-ih FORN-ih-kuh 8-10,9-2 GOl'donia lasianthus gor-DOH-nee-uh lah-see-AN thus 8-10,10-8 Hedychium 'Carnival' heh-DEE-kee-um 8-11,11-8 H, 'Double Eagle' 7-11, 11-7 H, 'Elizabeth' 7-11,11-7 H. 'Filigree' 8-11,11-8 H, 'Golden Glow' 8-11, 11-8 H. 'Lemon Sherbet' 7-11, 11-7 H, 'Luna Moth' 8-11,11-8 Novembe r/December 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 61 Planters," Nov/ Dec., 22. "My Japan Scalia, Joseph. "The War ofthe Roses," ese-Style Garden," Jan./Feb., 18. July/ Aug., 16. Keyser, Joe. Reviews: The Back)lard Bi1fd Scheid, David T. Reviews: The New TI'a house Book and Gardening for the ditional Garden, Nov/Dec., 54. Birds, Sept./Oct., 54. Pleasures of the Cottage Garden, Knopf, Jim. "Fragrant Natives for tl1e May/JLme, 52. Rockies and the Southwest," Schwartz, Elizabeth. Review: Ga1'dening Mar/Apr., 38. with a Wild Hecwt, Nov/Dec., 55 . AUTHOR Lee, Rand B. "Fragrant Tulips," Scott, Christina M. "Colvos Creek Nurs Alcock, John. "Stinging Caterpillars," Sept/Oct., 43. "A Medley of Mints," ery," July/Aug., 18. "Garden Peren July/Aug., 20. Review: Butterfl)1 July/Aug., 22. "A Passion for Pinks," nials," Nov./Dec., 21. "High Gardening) May/June, 52. Mar/Apr., 24. Country Gardens: Success in tl1e Arter, Barbara S. "Acadian Adventure," Marturano, Arlene. "The Carolina Chil Southwest," Mar/Apr., 18. "Insect July/Aug., 40. Review: The Rose)s dren's Garden," July/Aug., 17. Tales," July/Aug., 10. "Lyme Disease Kiss) Nov./Dec., 54. May, William. Reviews: Perennials and Update," July/Aug., 14. "Ozone Baggett, Pam. "Bold Plants," Jan./Feb., Annuals II and Tnes, Shrubs and Damage to Plants," Mar./Apr., 12. 37. Groundcovers II, Jan./Feb., 55. "Protecting Medicinal Plants," Berger, Jane. Review: The Gardener)s McDonald, Nancy. Reviews: Growing Sept./Oct., 20. "Seed Savers Ex Atlas) Mar./Apr., 57. Perennials in Cold Climates and change," Jan/Feb., 16. "Wild Earth Bitner, Richard L. "Skin Cancer," Growing Roses in Cold Climates, Native Plant Nursery," May/Jw1e, Mar./Apr., 10. Mar/Apr., 56. 19. "Wilkerson Mill Gardens," Bryan, John E. "Rain Lilies," May/June, Mollan, Mark C. "Appalachian Moun Sept./Oct., 18. 43. tain Club: More Than Just Happy Reviews: The Essential Earthman, Buck, Sharon V. "Keeping Birds Safe This Trails," May/June, 20. "A General July/Aug., 54. Henry Mitchell On Winter," Jan./Feb., 20. in the Garden," Nov./Dec., 9. Gardening, July/Aug., 54. My Fa Burrell, C. Colston. "Indulge in Native "Mosquitoes," July/Aug., 11 . vorite Plant, July/Aug., 54. Plant In Irises," May/Jw1e, 26. "Late-Season "Other Biters," July/Aug., 13. f01'mation Online) Mar/Apr., 58. The Anemones," Sept./Oct., 23. "The "Polaris Schoolyard Habitat," RHS Shorter Dictionar)1 of Gardening, Roses of Winter," Jan./Feb., 22. Mar./Apr., 16. Sept./Oct., 55. Tyler)s Honest Herbal, Cohen, Jewls. "Waiting for the Snow to Olsen, Sue. "Ferns oftl1e Nortl1west," Fourth Edition, May /J une, 54. The Melt," Jan./Feb., 14. July/Aug., 47. Writer in the Garden, July/Aug., 54. Cutler, Karan Davis. "Ode to the Ordi Pellett, Harold. "Acclimation," Sheldon, Bill. "The Greening of Kansas nary," July/Aug., 32. "Theodore Nov./Dec., 18. City," Sept/Oct., 49. Payne's Legacy," Nov./Dec., 26. Phalen, Tonda. "Updated Rooftops," Snowden, John. Review: The Color Enc)l Darke, Rick. "Fusion Horticuluu'e," Sept./Oct., 10. "Winter Plant In clopedia of Ornamental Grasses, Jan./Feb., 48. "Native Grasses," jury," Nov/Dec., 14. Mar/Apr., 56. May/June, 33. "Success with Pollard, Jean Ann. "Thuya Garden and Sternberg, Guy. "Big Trees," Nov./Dec., Sedges," Sept./Oct., 36. the Wild Gardens of Acadia," 46. Dean, Molly. "Garden Reflections," July/Aug., 46. Stromme, Elizabeth. "The Stress Test," Mar./Apr., 31. Prendergast, Norma. Review: The Tulip, Sept./Oct., 16. Dole, Claire Hagen. "Makeover in Seat July/Aug., 55. Wang, Jennifer M. "Ants 'N' Plants," tle," May/June, 22. Price, Susan Davis. "David Douglas," Mar/Apr., 22. Donnelly, Jane E. "Spring Serendipities," Jan./Feb., 30. "The French Connec Wasowski, Andy. "Defender of the Mar./Apr., 14. tion," May/June, 38. Desert," July/Aug., 27. Egan, Dave. "The Evolution of Prairie Quarles, William. "Carefi'ee Roses," Wood, Tom. "Ginger Lilies," Nov./Dec., Nurseries," Nov./Dec., 35. May/Jw1e, 10. 40. Ellis, David J. "Backyard Conservation," Raabe, Robert D. Reviews: Ball Identifi Vee, Mary. "Rooftop Retreat for Hospital Jan./Feb., 21. "Deterring Al1Its," cation Guide to Greenhouse Pests and Therapy," Sept./Oct., 13. Mar/Apr., 22. "Hardy Fragrant Na Beneficials and Pests ofthe West, tives for Nortl1ern Gardens," Jan./Feb., 54. SUBJECT Mar/Apr., 46. Ramirez, Alice L. "Going Bananas," Acadia National Park: "Acadian Adven Endicott, Katherine Grace. Review: The Jan./Feb., 43. ture," July/Aug., 40. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Gardener)s Refi, Paula. "Fragrant Natives for Eastern Anemones: "Late-Season Anemones," Desk Reference) Jan./Feb., 54. Gardens," Mar./Apr., 44. Sept/Oct., 23. Ferber, Deborah. "Rocks and Flowers," Reich, Lee. "Sorbus Reconsidered," Annuals: "Ode to tl1e Ordinary," May/June, 16. Sept/ Oct., 30. July/Aug., 32. Fisher, Kathleen. "A Tale of Two Gar Robinson, Lana. "English Borders, Texas Bananas: "Going Bananas," Jan./Feb., 43. dens," Mar/Apr., 49. Reviews: Dis Style," May/June, 47. Birds: "Keeping Birds Safe dlis Winter," covering Annuals, Sept/Oct., 53. Salman, David. Review: The Plantjinder)s Jan./Feb., 20. Earth On Her Hands, May/June, 53. Guide to Cacti and Other Succulents, Book Awards: "1999 AHS Book Award Herron, Jan. "A Garden Restored," Sept./Oct., 53. Winners," May/Jw1e, 7. Nov./Dec., 19. Savory-Posselius, Maggie. Review: Heir Book Reviews: The Backyard Birdhouse Hominick, Judy. "Hypertufa Garden loom Flowers, July/Aug., 53. Book, Sept./Oct., 54. Ball Identifica- 62 THE AMERICAN GARDENER NOlJember / Dec e mb e 1' 1999 tion Guide to Greenhouse Pests and Mar./Apr. , 31. "A Tale of Two Gar Medicinal Plants," Sept./Oct., 20. Beneficials, Jan./Feb., 55. The Blrook dens," Mar./ Apr., 49. "Theodore Payne's Legacy," lyn Botanic Galrden Galrdenelr's Desle Gardeners Information Service: African Nov/Dec., 26. R eference, Jan./Feb., 54. B14,tteljly blue li ly, Sept/Oct., 22. Bromeliads , Northern Plants: "Hardy Fragrant Na Galrdening, May/ June, 52. The Color May/ Jwle, 17. Cherry fruit fly, tives for Northern Gardens," Encyclopedia of Ornamental wrasses, May/ Jw1e, 17. China doll plant, Mar/ Apr., 46. Mar/ Apr., 56. Discovering Annuals, Nov/ Dec., 20. Corn gluten, Northwestern Plants: "Ferns of the Sept/ Oct., 53. Earth On H eir Hands, Mar./ Apr. , 21. European beech, Northwest," July/Aug., 47. "Make May / J Wle, 53 . The Essential Earth Jan ./Feb., 15. Fish meal/kelp, over in Seattle," May/JlU1e, 22. man, July/Aug., 54. The Gardener's July/Aug., 15. Ginkgos,Jan/Feb., Nurseries: "Colvos Creek Nursery," Atlas, Mar./ Apr., 57. Galrdeningfor 15; Sept./Oct., 22. GoLden chain J Ltly / Aug. , 18. "Garden Perennials," the Birds, Sept/ Oct., 54. Galrdening tree, Jan./Feb. , 15. Grapes, Nov./ Dec., 21. "High Country Gar llJith a Wild H eart, Nov/ Dec., 55. Jan /Feb. , 15. H eirloom gardens, dens: Success in the Soutl1west," Growing Perennials in Cold Climates, May/ June, 17. Horseradish, Mar./Apr., 18. "Seed Savers Ex Mar/ Apr. , 56. wrowing Roses in Cold July/Aug., 15. House plants, change," Jan/Feb., 16. "Wild Earth Climates, Mar./ Apr., 56. H eilrloom Jan /Feb., 15 . Insects, Nov./Dec., Native Plant Nursery," May/ June, FI01velrs, July/ Aug., 53. H emry 20. Joe-Pye weed, July/Aug., 15 . 19. "Wilkerson Mill Gardens," Mitchell On Gardening, Jltly/Aug., Leaf rollers, Mar./ Apr., 21. Lemon Sept/Oct., 18. 54. My Favorite Plant, Jltly/Aug ., 54. balm, Mar/Apr. , 21. Miniature roses, Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical The New Traditional Garden, May/JLU1e , 18. Pampas grass, Gardens: "The Greening of Kansas Nov/Dec., 54. Pelrennials and An Sept/Oct., 22. SkLu1k cabbage, City," Sept/Oct., 49. nuals II, Jan./Feb., 55 . Pests ofthe Nov/Dec., 20. Umbrella plant, Ozone Damage: "Ozone Damage to West, Jan ./Feb., 54. Plant Infolrma May/JWle, 18. Plants," Mar./ Apr. , 12. tion Online, Mar./ Apr., 58. The Ginger Lilies: "Ginger Lilies," Nov./ Dec., Payne, Theodore: "Theodore Payne's Plantfindelr's Guide to Cacti and 40. Legacy," Nov./Dec., 26. Other Succulents, Sept./ Oct., 53. Grasses: "Native Grasses," May/JLU1e, 33. Plant Hunt ing: "David Douglas," Pleasures ofthe Cottage Garden, Habrant hus: See Rain Lilies. Jan./Feb., 30. "The French Connec May/June, 52. The RHS Sh01rter Dic Health: "Lyme Disease Update," tion," May/ June, 38. "Fusion Horti tionary of Gardening, Sept./ Oct., 55 . JLtly/Aug., 14. "Rooftop Retreat for culture," Jan./Feb. , 48. Trees, Shrubs and Groundcol1ers II, Hospital Therapy," Sept./Oct., 13. Plant Injury: "Winter Plant Injury," Jan./Feb., 55 . The Rose's Kiss, "Skin Cancer," Mar./ Apr., 10. Nov./Dec., 14. Nov/ Dec., 54. The Tulip, July/ Aug., Heirloom Seeds: "Seed Savers Ex Powell Gardens: "The Greening of 55. Tyler's Honest H erbal, Fourth Edi change," Jan./Feb., 16. Kansas City," Sept./Oct., 49. tion, May/ J une 54. The WJritel' in the Hellebores: "The Roses of Winter," Prairie Plants: "The Evolution of Prairie Galrden, July/Aug., 54. Jan / Feb., 22. Nurseries," Nov./Dec., 35. Carex: See Sedges. Insects: "Ants 'N' Plants," Mar/ Apr. , 22. Rain Lilies: "Rain Lilies," May/JlU1e, 43. Children's Gardening: "The Carolina "Insect Tales," JLtly/ Aug., 10. "Lyme Rooftop Gardening: "Updated Children's Garden," July/ Aug., 17. Disease Update," July/ Aug., 14. Rooftops," Sept./Oct., 10. "Polaris Schoolyard Habitat," "Mosquitoes," July/Aug. , 10. "Sting Roses: "Carefree Roses," May/ June, 10. Mar./ Apr. , 16. ing Caterpillars," JLtly/Aug., 20. Sedges: "Success witl1 Sedges," Conservation: "Appalachian MOlU1tain Irises: "Indulge in Native Ilises," Sept./Oct., 36. Club: More Than Just Happy Trails," May/ JWle, 26. Sorbus: See MOlU1tain Ashes. May/June, 20. "Backyard Conserva Japanese-Style Gardens: "A Tale of Two Southwestern Plants: "English Borders, tion," Jan/ Feb., 21. "Protecting Gardens," Mar./ Apr. , 49. "My Japan Texas Style," May/ June, 47. "De Medicinal Plants," Sept./Oct., 20. ese-Style Garden," Jan./Feb., 18. fender oftl1e Desert," July/Aug., 27. Dianthuses: "A Passion for Pinks," Michaux, Andre and Fran~ois: "The "Fragrant Natives for the Rockies and Mar/Apr., 24. French Connection," May/June, 38. tl1e Southwest," Mar./Apr ., 38 . Douglas, David: "David Douglas ," Mints: "A Medley of Mints," July/ Aug., Theodore Payne Foundation: "Theodore Jan/ Feb., 30. 22. Payne's Legacy," Nov/Dec., 26. Eastern Plants: "Acadian Adventure," Mountain Ashes: "Sorbus Reconsid Trees: "Big Trees," Nov./ Dec., 46. July/Aug., 40. "Fragrant Natives fo r ered," Sept/ Oct., 30. Tulips: "Fragrant TLtlips," Sept/ Oct., 43. Eastern Gardens," Mar/Apr., 44. Native Plants: "Acadian Adventure," Urban Gardening: "Hypertufa Garden Ferns: "Ferns of the Northvvest," July/Aug., 40. "The Evolution of Planters," Nov./Dec., 22. "Makeover July/Aug., 47. Prairie Nurselies," Nov./Dec., 35. in Seattle," May/ June, 22. "My Japan Fragrant Plants: "Fragrant Natives for "Ferns of the Northwest," July/ Aug., ese-Style Garden," Jan./Feb., 18. Eastern Gardens," Mar./ Apr. , 44. 47. "Fragrant Natives for Eastern Gar Washington, George: "A General in tl1e "Fragrant Natives for the Rockies and dens," Mar./Apr ., 44. "Fragrant Na Garden," Nov./ Dec., 9. the Southwest," Mar./ Apr., 38. "Fra tives for the Rockies and the Western Plants: "The Pacific Coast Iris grant Tulips," Sept./ Oct., 43. Southwest," Mar./Apr., 38. "Hardy es," May/June, 30. "Theodore "Hardy Fragrant Natives for North Fragrant Natives for Northern Gar Payne's Legacy," Nov/Dec., 26. ern Gardens," Mar/ Apr. , 46. dens," Mar/ Apr. , 46. "Indulge in Na Yinger, Barry: "Fusion Horticulture," Garden Design: "Bold Plants," tive Itises," May/Tw1e, 26. "Native Jan./Feb.,48. Jan./Feb., 37. "Garden Reflections," Grasses," May/ JLU1e, 33 . "Protecting Zephyranthes: See Rain Lilies. NOl1ember/ D ecember 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 63 PAUL BCKB POINSB'T'TIAS An American 'Tradition For Over 75 Years Freedoffi™ Red Eckcspoint® (490) USPP7825 gROWINg A HOLIDAY FAVORITE THROUgH gENERATIONS [flver 75 years ago, Paul Ecke Sr. had a dream that helped change American floriculture forever. His dream was to introduce the nation's first potted poinsettia and create a new holiday tradition. Today this tradition is flourishing - the poinsettia remains the nation's number-one potted plant. The Paul Ecke Ranch, like the poinsettias we grow, has also become part of this American tradition. Now in its third generation, the ranch continues to provide the type of leadership forged by Paul Ecke Sr. From a full line of classic poinsettia varieties to a full range of spectacular colors, shapes and sizes, the Paul Ecke Ranch combines generations of experience with an innovative spirit to make the season bright. O:Irk Rlod (836) PPM Paul Ecke Ranch. P.O. Box 230488. Encinitas, CA 92023-0488 USA. 800.468.ECKE (3253) • 760.753.1134 Fax 760.944.4054 • Fax on demand: 760.944.4045 • Website Address: www.ecke.com Ask for these varieties at your local floral retailer.