~GAZINE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

1600 BLADENSBURG ROAD, NORTHEAST / WASHINGTON, D. c. 20002

For United Horticulture *** to acctlm'ulate, inCTease, and disseminate horticultural information

Editorial Committee DiTecton

FRANCIS DE Vos, Chairman Terms Expiring 1967 MRS. ROBERT L. EMERY, JR. JOHN L. CREECH Louisiana A. C. HILDRETH FREDERIC P. LEE Colm'ado DAVID LEACH CONRAD B. LINK Pennsylvania CHARLES G. MEYER FRHlERICK G. MEYER New York MRS. STANLEY ROWE WILBUR H. YOUNGMAN Ohio Terms Expiring 1968 FRANCIS DE VOS o [ficel'S Ma?)'/and MRS. ELSA U. KNOLL PRESIDENT California VICTOR R IES JOHN H. WALKER Ohio Alexandria, Virginia STEWART D. WINN Georgia FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT ROBERT WINTZ Illinois FRED C. GALLE Pine Mountain, Georgia Terms Expi,-ing 1969 JOH N P ATEK New York SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT MRS. FRANCIS PATTESON-KN IGHT TOM D . THROCKMORTON Vi·rginia Des Moines, Iowa LEON C SNYDER lVIinnesota E AR L E. V ALLOT ACTING SECRETARY-TREASURER Louisiana GRACE P. WILSON FRED B. "VIDMOYER Bladensburg, Maryland 1\lew JVIexico

The American Horticultural Magazine is the official publication of the American Horticultural Society and is issued four times a year during the quarters commencing with January, April, July and October. It is devoted to the dissemination of knowledge in the science and art of growing ornamental plants, fruits, vegetables, and related subjects. Original papers increasing the historical. varietal, and cultural knowledges of plant materials of economic and aesthetic importance are welcomed and will be published as early as possible. The Chairman of the Editorial Committee should be consulted for manuscript specifications. Reprints will be furnished in accordance with the following schedule of prices, plus post­ age. and should be ordered at the time the galley proof is returned by the author: One hundred copies--2 pp $7 .20; 4 pp $13.20; 8 pp $27.60; 12 pp $39.60; Covers $13.20.

Second class postage paid at Baltimore, Maryland and at additional mailing offices . Copyright, @ 1966 by The Amencan Horticultural Society, lnc. The American HorliclIltllral ," Iagazine is included as a benefit of mem­ bership in The American Horticultural Society, Individual Membership dues being $6 .00 a year. JANUARY. 1967

THE A.lU::t3IBICAN

FORMERLY THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE VOLUME 46 • NUMBER 1

Contents

Indoor Gardens for Decorative Plants HENRY M. CATHEY, HERSCHEL H. KLUETER, AND WILLIAM A. BAILEY ______3

Native and Some Introduced Azaleas for Southern Gardens­ Kinds and Culture F. C . GAL LE ______13

Fragrance Gardens for the Blind-Fact or Fiction LORRAINE BURGESS ______25

A Book or Two ______33

The Gardener's Pocketbook

Eucalyptus maculata, Spotted gum-v. T. STOUTEMYER ______34

Adenophora as garden plants-RoBERT M. SENIOR ______35

Disc hi elia pe c t en 0 ides- H. TEUSCHER ______36

P OTt la n el ia gmn eli !lom-RI CHA RD M. Bo ND ______41

'Wirt L. Winn' , a new cultivar of the Koehne Holly- GENE EISENBEISS AND THEODORE R. DUDLEY______42

New Zealand Crape Ferns-ALEx D. HAWKES ______~______45

Tu bergen' s Scilla-FREDERIC P. LEE- ______46

JANUARY COVER ILLUSTRATION Piedmont Azalea (Rhododend1"O n canescens) grown in the Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia. - Photo courtesy Canaway Gardens. .. U.S. D EPART1o.·rENT OF AORI CULT URE Fig. 1. Plan C garden four feet long and one foot deep. This long, narrow garclen is most useful in dimly lighted corridors. This version of the in­ door garden also may be used as a room divider. Indoor Gardens for Decorative Plants

By HENRY M. CATI-IEY, HERSCHEL H . KLUETER, AND WILLIAM A. BAILEyl

You can grow and display many kinds able to construct an indoor garden by of decorative plants in yo ur home by following these general plans. using an indoor garden. An indoor gar­ Plan A is [or a garden with a planter den essentially is a planter equipped box 2 feet square. This is a focal-point with high-intensity fluorescent lights. garden-used as the principal decorative The idea is not new. For years, house accessory in a room. (Figs. 7, 8, 9) plant growers-African violet enthusiasts Plan B is for a tall, narrow garden-6 in particular-have worked to develop feet tall and 1 foot square. It is designed ways of growing plants satisfactorily [or displaying plants in hanging baskets. where there is little or no daylight. (Figs. 10, II) By acclimating the plants to a dimly Plan C is for a garden 4 feet long and lighted environment and by providing 1 foot deep. This long, narrow garden is supplementary lighting with fluorescent most useful in a dimly lighted corridor. lamps, growers have been able to It will brighten as well as decorate the maintain plan ts indoors for long peri­ corridor. This version of the indoor ' ods. But they h ave been hampered by garden also m ay be used as a room lack of a light source that is suitable for divider. (Figs. 13, 14) plant display-a source that is high in Planter Box intensity, that is not too hot for the plants, and that does not detract from The planter box can be made of fir the appearance of the surroundings. plywood painted to match the walls in With the development of high intensi­ the room where it will be used, or it can ty lamps that have square, tubular, and be made of veneered plywood stained or round shapes, many lighting handicaps oiled to ma·tch the furniture with which have been overcome. Plants thrive when it will be displayed. Many kinds of wood grown in an indoor garden illuminated and wood finishes are available that are by these high intensity fluorescent sui table for planters. lamps-plants that barely existed in­ Inside the planter is a watertight doors before the lights were developed. liner. This liner is best made of sheet tin painted with asphalt to retard rusting. To grow plants satisfactorily in an For a temporary liner, heavy-gauge poly­ indoor garden- ethylene may be stapled inside the • Water the plants thoroughly, but planter. only often enough to prevent wilting. The planter is mounted on a plat­ • Fertilize the plants every 2 to 4 form, equipped with casters, that fits weeks while they are actively growing. under the riser. (Fig. 2) The entire unit • Illuminate the plants with fluores­ may be moved easily; floors and carpets cent lights 12 to 16 hours daily. around it m ay be cleaned; plants in the garden may be reached easily for care THE GARDEN and replacement; and the contents of Plans for three versions of the garden the room-garden as well as furniture­ are shown. A cabinetmaker should be may be rearranged easily. 'Waterproof hanging baskets are avail­ lAgricu ltural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, Md. able for use with the tall, narrow garden 3 4 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

Fig. 2. Platform, equipped with casters.

Fig. 3. Ballast, con­ nector, and timer.

P I"IOTOS-U.S . D E·PARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

shown in Plan B. (Figs. 10, 11) These baskets have a drainage disk in them Fig. 4. Panel lamp. that permits excess water to be drained off. Lighting System The lighting system for the gardens using panel fluorescent lights consists of separate lamps, ballast, fixture, and ti­ mer. (Fig. 3) The panel fluorescent lamps are de­ luxe cool white. The lamps also are available in tints other than cool whi,te. (Fig. 4) They require special connec­ tors, which should be ordered at the same time the lamps are ordered. Rapid start ballast is required for these lamps. One ballast will operate two panel fluorescent lamps. 'When you order lamps, ask the dealer if mounting fix·tures are available for 5

Fig. 5. Frames must be custom fitted to , each lamp. I / / , / \ / , / ~~------~~ ,

PH01 os-u.s. D E PA RTMENT O F A CRI CUL T t 'RF

Fig. 6. Fixture for panel fluorescent lamps. them. If not, you will have to make your own or have them made. The fixture consists of a wood frame about 13 inches sq uare. (Figs. 5, 6) Three of the sides of the frame have grooves cu t in the inside faces. The panel fluorescent lamp is slid in to these grooves and the fourth side of the frame then is screwed in place, holding ,the lamp secure in the frame. The lamps are held in position over the planteF by slotted metal channels 4 • feet long. These channels are wall stan- Fig. 7. Focal-point garden using panel fluorescent lamps (Plan A). With dards for adjustable bracket shelves. lamps attached to the rear standards, They are available at most large hard- rlS shown here, lighting intensity is ware stores. The lamps, in their wooden high enough for good growth of fixtures, rest waffle side toward the flowering plants. plants on 12-inch brackets that are set in the slots at the top of the standards. The upturned ends should be cut from the brackets to form a flat top on the brackets. Since the ballast is separate from the light fixtures, it can be placed on the rear of the planter box. Not only is it out of sight, but in this location the heat that i,t generates will not harm the plants in the garden. A timer can also be mounted at the rear of the planter. This timer, which is available at electrical supply houses, assures that the lighting system comes on and goes off at the proper time every day. The timer, ballast, and lamps are connected as shown in the wiring di­ agram. (Fig. 16) Wires from the ballast to the lamps are covered with plastic tubing and are hidden in the hollow 6 THE AMERICAN HORTIClJL TURAL :MAGAZINE

the way where traffic is heavy, but plants in the garden are likely to be damagecl by passing traffic. 'Wherever it is used, an indoor garden will light the ceiling and walls as well as the plants. This extra lig'ht may be welcome; it may serve as the primary source of illumination for the room. But it may be unwelcome-glare, rather than brightness. To reduce glare, put fiber­ glass diffusers on the back of the panel lamps-on the side away from the plants, Do not put diffusers between the lights and the plants.

STOCKING THE GARDEN The degree of satisfaction that your garden brings you depends, more ,than anything else, on your selection of plants for it-plants that are both attractive and adaptable to growing indoors. Your sl<.iIl in arranging the plants that you select can add to your enjoyment of the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE garden. Fig. 8. Plan A type garden planted Plan ts should not be placed directly in with Ficus (rubber plant), Dieffen· the indoor garden; they should be hachia ancl azaleas. potted and the pots set in the garden. This method of handling the plants allows you to rearrange your garden back of the standard that supports the periodicall y. lamps. You can use seasonal plants in yom' High-output lamps designated as garden-poinsettia at Christmas, azalea VHO, SHO, and Powergroove are avail­ or tulips at Valentine's day, lily at able as complete lighting systems-tubes, Easter, hydrangea for Mother's day, fixture, reflector, and ballast. The potted annuals during summer, or fixture can be connected to the timer at potted chrysanthemums in fall. Your the rear of the planter. High-output garden should never remain static; it lamp fixtures can be used on the corri­ will soon become unattractive. dor model of the graden. (Plan C) Selecting the Plants SELECTING A LOCATION Select plants according to the amounr The best place to pu t an indoor of light you are prepared to supply. garden is where the temperature during Foliage plants need only be lighted 0 the day is about 75 F. and the tempera­ from the top. So if you want to use only 0 ture during the night is about 65 F. fixtures that are parallel to the planter Avoid locations near heating ducts, and mounted over it, select foliage exhaust fans, or doorways to the outside. plants. Hot air from heating ducts heats and Flowering plants must be lighted from dries the plants. Cold air and drafts the top and back of the indoor garden. from exhaust fans and outside doors 1£ you are willing to mount lighting may chill the plants. fixtures on {he standards so the lamps It is also a good idea to avoid placing shine forward onto the plants, you may planters in heavy traffic areas in the include some flowering plants in the home. Not only is the planter often in garden. JANUARY 1967, VOLUME 46, NUMBER 1 7

Here are the minimum and preferred Pandanus veitchii (Screwpine) number of foot-candles you should use Philodench-on oxycardium to light selected plants when they are Philodendron pertusum (Monstera) illuminated 16 hours dail y_ (A [oot­ Sansevie1'ia (Snakeplant) candle is the light of one candle fa lling on a surface one foot away from the Plants that require medium light: candle. Get a represen ta ti ve from yo ur electric power company or a qualified Minimum: 500 foot-candles electrician to measure the fo ot-candles Preferred: 1000 foot-candles for you .) Aglaonema robelinii (Chinese ever- green) Plants that require low light: Anthurium hybrids Minimum: 50 foot-c«ndles B egonia metallica pj-efened: 100 to 500 foot-candles Begonia Tex Aglaonema (Chinese evergreen) Bromeliads Aspidistra (Iron plant) Cissus (Grape ivy) Dieffenbachia (Dumb cane) Ficvs (Rubber plant) Dj-acaena Kentia fosteriana (Kentia palm) Nephthytis (Syngonium) Peperomia

PANEL LAMP

.-' 0 o o o PANEL o o LAMP o o o /" 48"

GALVANIZED METAL LINER

PLANTER BOX "'" I I ~ I 1 / IV 1.-1 I I tJ 12 "

Fif{. 9. Plan A-Fo- RISER cal-point garden 2 feet square.

PI-IOTO-U.S. DEPARTMENT Of AGRICULTUI4l Fig. 10. Indoor garden for displaying plants in hanging baskets (Plan B). The baskets are waterproof and have a drainge disk in the bottom.

PHOTOS-U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRI CULTURE

Fig. 11. Plan B-Indoor garden for hanging baskets.

27%"

69"

Philodendrons, other than P. oxycar­ Pilea cadierei (Aluminum plan t) ScheffleTi I Scinclapsus at.-reus

Plants th.at require high light: Aiinimt.m: 1000 foot-ca.n ciles PrefelTed: Above 1000 foot-candles A Zoe vaTiegata Begonias, other than B. metallica and B . Tex Codiaeum Co leus CTassu la Episcia X Fa lshedera lizei H edem (Ivy) H oya cal·nosa I mjJ(ltiens Kalanchoii tomentosa JANUARY 1967, VOLUME 46, NUMBER 1 9

Pelargonium species potting the plants. It is available in most Petunia X hybrida (Cascade type) garden shops, many hardware stores, Saintpnulia species (African violets) and large grocery stores. Sa lvia splenclens (Scarlet sage) You can mix your own potting soil Sinningia species (Gloxinia) from equal parts of ( a) garden soil, (b) Tagetes species (Marigold) S.lD , [ or perlite, and (c) peat moss. Add one tablespoon of rock phosphate and Many kinds of plants may be used in one tablespoon of limestone to each the house. Here are some plants that gallon of so il mixture. Before using the grow well under varying condiltions in­ soil, mix iL thoroughly, adding water doors- until the soil mixture is crumbly moist. • Plants that are useful under man); conditions: Aglaonema, Aspidistw, Cis­ Selling the Plants sus rhombifolia, Crassnla 0 ade Plant), Support large potted plants by setting DiefJenbachia, Ficus, N ephthytis, Philo­ Lhem on other clay pots that are upend­ dendTOn, Sansevieria, Scheffl ern , and ed in the bottom of the planter box. Fill Scindapstts. in aro und the upended pots with course • Plants that are useful in extremely gravel to a depth of 3 or 4 inches. Then dry condi tions: Bromeliads, cacti, 1111 the remainder of the box around the PepeTOmia, Sansevieria, Scindapsus, Ze­ potted plants with unmilled sphagnum brina. moss, pea-size gravel, or marble chips. o Plants for large containers: DiefJen­ Small potted plants can be plunged bachia, Dracaena, Fatshedem, Ficus elas­ directly into -the sphagnum or pea tica, Ficus lymta (pandurala) , palms, gravel. Pandanus, Philodendron, and Schefflern. Although the panel fluorescent lamps 0 • Plants for low tempera.tures (50 to used in the garden are not as hot as 0 60 F. at night): Bromeliads, cineraria, incandescent lamps, they generate citrus, cyclamen, English ivy, German enough heat to harm plants that come ivy, J erusalem cherry, kalanchoe, and in contact with ,them. Therefore, keep primrose. all plants at least 4 in.ches away from the • Plants for medium temperatures panel lamps. (60 0 to 65 ° F. at night): Christmas cactus, chrysanthemum, gardenia, grape CARE OF THE GARDEN ivy, palms, pilea, peperomia, ti plant After you have selected plants that (Cordyline teTminalis) , tuberous bego­ grow well indoors, your success in grow­ nia, and wax begonia. ing them depends primarily on the care • Plants for high ,temperatures (65 ° you give them. You should water the to 70 ° F. at night): African violet, plants thoroughly but infrequently, fer­ Aglaonema, Croton, Dracaena, Ficus, tilize them periodically and illuminate Gloxinia, Neph thy tis, Philodendron, them adequ ately and regularly. Scindapsus, Schefflera, cacti and succu­ lents, Caladium. WatejOing Some plants will not do well indoors. Of all steps in the care of an indoor These plants are sunlovers, and though garden, watering is most important. If the lights in the indoor garden are they do not get enough water, plants dry bright, they still are pale and weak when out and die. If they get too much water, co mpared to the sun. Among the sunlov­ plants drown or rot. The proper pro­ ers are zinnia, aster, cockscomb, morn­ cedure is to water thoroughly, but only ing-glory, n asturtium, snapdragon, and often enough to prevent wilting. verbena. As soon as you put plants in the garden, begin adjusting them ,to their Potting the Plants new indoor environment. vVater the soil All plants that go into the indoor ball, clay pot, and surrounding sphag­ garden should be in clay pots. Bagged num moss to saturation. But do not potting soil is satisfactory to use for flood it. 10 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

SPHAGNUM MOSS

U.s. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Fig. 12. Pots in the planter box are raised to a uniform level. S pace between them is filled with unmilled sphagnum moss.

GRAVEL

Allow the whole garden to dry until raIse the humidity. Syringing seldom is the plants are near wilting. You can effective; the humidi,ty remains high detect wilting early by watching the only for a few minutes. And there is leaves; they change from gTeen to gray­ danger of spilling water on furnishings green and begin to droop. in the room. When the plan ts begin to wil t, water When you are watering, do not get thoroughly again. water on the lamps, fixtures, and plan­ "While plants are adjusting to the ter. indoors, some of the oldest leaves may Fertilizing yellow. If so, remove them. 'Wash the leaves with warm soapy water and stake Every 2 to 4 weeks, treat the plants in the plants. They should now be ready your garden with a solution of water­ for a long life in the indoor garden. soluble fertilizer used at the strength You can be sure of watering exactly recommended on the label. Fel.tilize the right amount if you use a plastic only when plants are actively growing. funnel. Use it this way- Do not use dry fertilizers for plants in • Inset the neck of the funnel into the an indoor garden. They do not dissolve soil in the pot. completely, and through buildup, may • Fill the funnel with water. When it eventually kill the roots. empties, fill it again. Even when you use soluble fertilizers, • '!\Then water no longer drains from you may notice an accumulation of the funnel, stick your finger in the neck fertilizer on the surface of the soil; it so the water will not run out; then will be a white crusty deposit. This remove the funnel. deposit should be removed, along with a Only the amount of water that the soil little of the surface soil, and replaced can hold will leave the funnel-never with new soil. too much. Plants watered in this way usually will not need water again for Lighting several weeks. Flowering plants require Plants need light for 12 to 16 hours a more frequent watering than do foliage day. Use a timer to control the length of plants. illumination. Do not depend on your '!\Tet moss on the surface of the planter lllemory to turn on the lights a t the tends to raise the relative humidi ty of proper time. the air around the plants as moisture The timer can be set to turn the lights evaporates from it. This high humidity on and off at any time. For 16 hours of is beneficial to the plants. light, you can set it to turn on at 6 a.m. Do not bother syringing the plants to and off at 10 p.m. J ANUAR Y 1967, VOLUlVIE 46, NUMBER 1 11

While You're Away- Many h ouse plants die while the own­ er is away from home on a vaca tion or business trip. If yo u cannot get someone to care for your plants, cover the planter with polyethylen e sheet and reduce the lighting from 16 hours a day to 8 hours . If you have time before leaving, yo u can train the plants to get along with a little water. If n ot, just give them a good drink, using the funnel method, before you leave. Plants usually can get along satisfa cLO­ rily by them se lves for abou t 2 weeks. If you must be away for more than 2 weeks, you can expec t to lose some of your plan ts, p articularly f1 0weri ng plants. Other Care About once a week, turn each of {he pots in the planter. This encourages symmetrical development of the plan ts Fig. 13. Plan C garden planted with and keeps the plants from rooting into marigolds, impatiens, and coleus. the sphagnum moss through the drain hole of ,the pot.

If plants get old or sick or oversize, P II OT OS-U .S . D EPARTI"fENT OF ACRICULTURE take them out of the planter and replace them with n ew, healthy, moderate-size plants. Fig. 14. Plan C- Indoor garden for You may find tha t you are h aving corridor or foyer.

P,4" ¥. ~ ~r------5 0 Ya" SEE BRA CK ET DETAIL ~~~~~~~~~

+--WIRES ARE TAPED AND PLACED SEE INSIDE C

, ~ 'l.' I ' ~ 21." ~BRACKET DETAIL ~ plants, you can use it for displaying plant collections such as mosses, ivies, orchids, or bonsai. If you use the gard~n for orchids, surround it with a clear plastic-sheet material to hold in mois­ ture and keep the humidity high. Or you may want to display pot.ted plan ts from the florist-plants that you intend to discard after their flowers pass. Because many of their needs are met by the garden, -these potted plants last con­ siderably longer there than they would on a table or window sill. Actually, the plants may continue to grow in the garden. If you in tend to use your garden exclusively for display of florist's plants, you might h ave a metal pan made to fit over the opening in the planter. The pan should be 3 or 4 inches deep, painted to match the planter. Fill the pan with pea gravel or marble chips and set the plants on the gravel­ filled pan. When you water the plants, let some of the wa ter drain into the pan; evaporation from the gravel or marble

U.s. D EPARTMENT OF ACRICULTURE chips will increase the humidity of the Fig. 15. Plan A garden with SchefHera air around the plants. Dieffenbachia and marigolds. insect problems in your indoor garden. MORE INFORMATION If so, follow the instructions in Home For more information on kinds of and Garden Bulletin 67, "Insects and house plants and their care, see Home Related Pests of House Plants," which is and Garden Bulletin 82, "Selecting and available from the U.S. Department of Growing House Plants," available from Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Include your ZIP Code in your return Washington, D.C. 20250. Include your address. ZIP Code in your return address. OTHER USES You may obtain books from your local In addition to using your indoor gar­ library that can supply you with in­ den for growing conventional house formation about growing plants indoors.

Fig. 16. Diring diagram for panel fluorescent lamps. ~nnnn_ ~ TO CONVENIENCE OUTLET

TO SECOND BALLAST RED BLACK

BALLAST LAMP BLUE BLACK -< HOLDERS

GREEN J LAMP L-______YE_~ _O_W_L ______~~~-W-HIT-E-,~~ H~~RS

GREEN Native and Some Introduced Azaleas for Southern Gardens- Kinds and Culture

By F. C. GALLEl

The native azalea species of south­ d uced species. Native azaleas are best eastern United States have been called, used in informal gardens with some by many plant authorities, the most shade provided. They are also excellent­ beautiful of all our indigenous shrubs. ly fitted [or wooded, or naturalistic gar­ They have received high praise from dens. British and European gardeners, pos­ ,t\lith the proper se lection of species, sibly much more than in our own one can have azaleas in flower from late country. Many misbeliefs, genus RhododendTOn, of the used in mass planting rather than as Ericaceae, a family of acid-loving plants. specimen plants having a good green In the past there has been some con­ background to show off the exquisite cern about Ithe separation of Rhododen­ flowers. Azaleas are adapted for light drons and Azaleas. Some botanists and shade and particularly should have most horticulturists feel that the decid­ shade during the hottest part of the day. uous rhododendrons should be separated Morning sun and later afternoon shade as Azalea and the evergreen species kept is recommended. with Rhododendron. Irrespective of ,their Native azaleas, taxonomically, are botanical classification, the plants are difficul t to classify by many botanical very choice and American gardeners authorities. There is a great deal of are fortunate in having them as wild similarity between various species and plants in this country. Particularly, are natural hybridization also occurs be­ we favored here in the deep South in tween species resulting in the appear­ being able 'to grow an even larger num-.. ance of many non-typical forms. Howev­ bel' of species than in other regions to er, within these hybrid forms can be the north. found many unusual color variations Species of native Southern azaleas which have become collector's items. In range in color from white to yellow, t he past, many have tried to segregate orange, scarlet and crimson varying in some of these color forms and classify many vivid shades and hues. Some them as new species, which unfortunate­ plants can be found with or without ly adds to the general taxonomic confu­ conspicuous color blotches in the throat sion. Irrespective of this, we shall give a of the flower. Under proper care most brief description of the various species species produce an abundance of bloom of azaleas that are known to do well in and can equal or surpass in brilliant the South and to discuss their range and color many of the hybrid and horticul­ use. I shall try to give the descriptions in tural varieties of azaleas. Native azaleas the oreler of flowering and the flowering are also hardier and require less care dates will be in reference to Dowering in than many of the hybrids and intro- Callaway Gardens in ",est central Geor- . Ria. There is always some variation with- . 1 Director of Horticulture, Call away Gardens, Pine Mt. Ga. '~n the seasons as to the flowering period. - 13 14 THE Al\-IERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

forms h aving the reddish tubes may often be natural hybrids between -R. austTinum and R. canescens. R . canescens, Piedmont Azalea, plants with white to light or deeper pink fragrant flowers. Flowering occurs in late March and early April. N ative from north Florida to Texas, Alabama, Ten­ nessee, Georgia to North Carolina. It is the most abundant of all the native species of the South and occurrs in nearly all the southern states. A large shrub, often ten to fifteen feet in height, it offers exquisite pink shades, in massive areas of airy, open fl owers. It is common­ ly found in many habitats, along' streams and dry ridges. RhododendTon speciosum, Oconee Azalea, with its orange to orange-red flowers is one of the most attractive azaleas for the South. It is sometimes erroneously called the Flame Azalea. It h as been suggested by some authorities that J olm Bartram, the famous Philadel­ phia botanist, and his son, William, may Rhododend

u.s. Natural stand of Rhododendron nudiflorum at the National Arboretum, Washington, D. C. the flowers in general to be the "color of forms are qui·te interesting and the en­ the finest red lead, orange and bright tire group of Oconee Azaleas are most gold, as well as yellow and cream col­ handsome. This species is rapidly becom­ or," This is a non-glandular species ing scarce because of the heavy popula­ having no pinhead glands on the flower tion expansion in its native habitat and tubes, as contrasted with the Flame protective measures are needed for its Azalea, and it flowers three to four further preservation. weeks earlier than the Flame Azalea. Rhododencl?"on nttdifloTum) Pinxter­ The plants are native in open woods bloom Azalea, is only found in the and wooded slopes form Western 'northernmost areas of the South, in Georgia, in a narrow band through the North Carolina and Tennessee, but ex­ central part of the state, to South Caroli­ tends up into Ohio and northward into na. It varies from low mounding shrubs Massachusetts. Sometimes a dwarf and to plants of six fee t and over in height. stoloniferous plant forming large colo­ While the flowers norm all yare pro­ nies, it is often fo und as a medium duced early to mid-April when flowering to tall shrub. A fragrant white to of the Piedmont Azalea has finished, pale pink to deep violet-red flower is some seasons considerable overlap of produced by this hardy plant, and it can flo wering occurs and natural hybridiza­ be used in many areas of the South for tion is possible. As a result, individual mass planting. The plant flowers in plants may be found with large pink to early to mid-April, is commonly found salmon clusters and some with small red in dry, open woods and is a parent of flowers which wi ll have the pinhead many garden hybrids used in the North. glands, such as are found on the RhododendTOn nudifiontm is rather Piedmont Azaleas and with some of the difficult to separate from another leaf characteristics, as well. The hybrid northern species, the Roseshell Azalea> 16 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

R . roseum, native to the mountains of Virginia (and even Arkansas and Mis­ souri) northeastward into New Eng­ land. It differs in having less pubescent, or hairy, leaves and also the flower tube is without the pinheads as commonly found on the Roseshell Azalea. R . vase),i, Pinkshell Azalea, occurs in the mountains of western North Caroli­ na. It is a tall, upright, mid-season flowering plant. The flowers, borne USll­ ally in mid-April, are rose-pink with a green throat and with orange-red dots on the face of the upper petal. The flowers are most attractive and have a delicate appearance. Also, a white, flow­ ered form, recently introduced in the trade, is called 'White Find'. I do not know the extent of its range and its adaptability to the South. \Ve do know that in Central Georgia it is doing very well, both the clear pink types and the white-flowered form. It certainly should Rhododendron alabamense, Alabama be tried in many other areas of the Azalea. South, for it is a handsome plant. The flowers lack the distinct tube which is typical of most of the native azaleas, being more bell-shaped and appearing to have separate petals. By some botan­ ists, it is not treated as an azalea, but placed in a separate genus. Rhododendron vaseyi, Pinks hell Rhododendron canadensis, Rhodora. Azalea. Native to the northern states and not PHOTOS-CALLAWAY GARDENS too satisfactory in the South. The flow­ ers of Rhodora are rose to purplish color. \Vhite-flowered forms are known. Rhododendron alabamense, Alabama Azalea, is a fairly rare, or scarce, plant of dry open woodland hills of north central Alabama and in isolated areas in west central Georgia. The typical species is a low plant, three to six feet in height, stoloniferous in its habit of growth. The plant flowers in mid- to late April, white with a distinct yellow blotch, with an attractive lemon fragrance. The plant hybridizes readily with R. ca'l7 escens, the Piedmont Rhododendron, produc.ing pink and white intergrades that often flower earlier than the typical species and are usually taller growing. These hybrids are widespread in Georgia, Ala­ bama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. These are often grouped with R. alabamense and are equally attractive plants and fill JANUARY 1967, VOLUME 46, NUMBER I 17

the gap between the flowering of the mounding shrub and yet, along moist two species. streams, it ca n become quite tall. It is Rhododendron atla'l1tictt?n, Coastal often found in pink forms, which are Azalea, is native only to North and thought possibly to be h ybrids with R . South Carolina in the South, but is (!1'bO? oesce17s and other specieso found in the coastal regions of Mary­ R . ca lendulaceu?n , Flame Azalea, has land, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. It is a already been mentioned along with low growing species, strongly stolonifer­ Oconee Azalea as being one of the most ous in its habit of growth; the flowers .Utractive of n ative azaleas, whose are pure white or white-flushed with southern limits are in tbe Georgia red, sometimes with a distinct yellow Piedmont areas. It is found further blotch and a very attractive fragrance. north, extending into Pennsylvania and The plant is extremely h ardy and Ohio. It I S an upright, tall, late- should be tried more in the South. Many of the forms have leaves that are quite glaucous, whitish on the underside. The plant has been known to hybridize with many other native azalea species, includ­ ing R. canescens and R . nudiflonl1n. Rhododendron VlSCOSU?n, Swamp Azalea, is native in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and north to Maine. A low, dense, stoloniferous plant is typical, bu t occasionally, forms may be found that are quite tall and upright. The flowers are distinct, slender tubes, white to creamy-white, with a strong spicy fragrance. The corolla tubes are very glandular and quite sticky to the toLc h. The species is useful in the h.~me land­ scape. Its fragrant flowers are borne in mid-May to early June. At high eleva­ tions, the plant is often found as a low, Rhododendron viscosum, Swamp Azalea.

PHOTOS-CALLAWAY GARDENS Rhododendron atlanticum, Coastal Rhododendron calendulaceum, Flame Azalea. Azalea. 18 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

U.S. NATIONAL ARBORETUM Natural habitat of Rhododendron calendulaceum on south side of Roan Mountain, North Carolina. flowering shrub. The flowers are gener­ flower usually is quite conspicuous ally somewhat larger than other native against the snow-white petals. The fran­ Azaleas. It is a tetraploid, having twice grance is very much like heliotrope. The as many chromosomes as the other spe­ plant is very hardy and very reliable in cies. It flowers in Callaway Gardens in most areas. The species is quite variable, late Mayor early June. The orange to however, and there are poor forms with orange-red flower phases are usually from flowers not very showy. Typically, Sweet high elevations The flowers are quite Azalea flowers in late May and early variable from light orange to distinct June. There is a late-flowering form of yellow. The plant was introduced to the plant found in the South, which England in the early 19th century and flowers in July and occasionally into was one of the parents of the Ghent August. The plant may occasionally be Hybrids. There are also several named varieties of the Flame Azalea commonly Rhododendron arhorescens, Sweet grown by nurserymen. Its adaptability as Azalea. a landscape plant throughout the South CALLAWAY GARDENS is unknown, but it is certainly worthy of trial. ,I\fhen grown well, it is a handsome, attractive plant. The flowers are non­ fragrant and are generally glandular on the tubes, as contrasted with the non­ fragrant Oconee Azalea, which is non­ glandular. Rhocloclencl1'On arborescens, Sweet Aza­ lea, is the best of the native white aza­ leas. It is generally found along streams and on moist mountain tops in Ala­ bama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and northward into Pennsylvania and New York. It is generally a tall, upright­ growing plant, reaching six to eight feet in height. The flowers are pure white, occasionally with a pink or reddish flush and often with a distinct yellow blotch on the upper petal. The red style of the JANUARY 1967, VOLUME 46, NUMBER 1 19

confused with the Swamp Azalea, how­ generaiiy two to four weeks after the ever, the stems are quite smooth and Flame Azalea, so that the extension of non-hairy, as contrasted with the Swamp flowering is noted. Generally, in our area, Azalea, which has very pubescent stems. it flowers in late June to early July. A It has been mentioned that the Sweet color phase called 'Camp's Red' is Azalea intergrades with R. viscosum, known from the summit of Big Black producing attractive pink-flowered Mountain in Kentucky. The late Dr. forms, and there have been occasionally Wendell Camp was among the first to yellow-flowered forms from Sweet Azalea. recognize the distinctiveness of the red Rhododendl'on oblongifolium, Texas azalea of the Cumberland Plateau and Azalea, is a less-known species, which the name 'Camp's Red' now is used to may need restudying. It occurs in open designate a selected form in his honor. woodland hills along streams in South­ R. bakeri is thought to produce hybrids western Arkansas to East Texas and with R. arboTescens and other species, Oklahoma. It is very similar to Rhodo­ adding to the interesting color forms dendron viscosum, the Swamp Azalea, that are found within the native azaleas. and could be classified as a form of This plant has been little used in the Swamp Azalea, rather than a separate South, but is certainly one that is worthy species. From our observations of the of further trial to produce the orange species at the Callaway Gardens, we find and orange-red color range later in the it similar to R. viscosttm. season, Rhododendmn bakeTi, Baker Azalea, Rhododendmn fUTbishii is a demoted and its synonym, the Cumberland species from North Georgia now gener­ Azalea, R. cumberlandense, was first ally regarded as a hybrid between R. found in north Georgia and named in bakeTi and R. aTb01'escens rather than a honor of Dr. William F. Baker, Professor distinct species. The flowers are pink Emeritus of Emory University. The with a yellow blotch. plants are found in open woods, general­ R. serrulatum, the Hammock-Sweet ly at high elevations of the Cumberland Azalea, is a native of the wooded Plateau, in Kentucky, Tennessee, to the swamps of the Southern Coastal Plains, mountains of north Georgia and Ala­ from east central Georgia to central bama. The plant varies from two to five Florida, west to Mississippi and Louisi­ feet in height, sometimes even higher. ana. It is a very tall plant producing The flowers are very similar in color white to creamy white flowers in late range to the Flame Azalea, but flowering July and early August. Its flowers have a

Rhododendron serrulatum, Hammock-Sweet Azalea. 20 THE AMERICA HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

PI-IOTO- CALLA'VAY GARDENS

Rhododendron pruni. folium, Plumleaf Azalea. long slender tube, much like R. vis­ there are a few other deciduous azaleas cosurn, and are also quite glandular and that are commonly available in the sticky. Apart from the lateness, the flow­ South. ers have a notable clove scent, which is quite delightfuL EXOTIC DECIDUOUS AZALEAS IN Rhododendron pnmifoliurn, Plum­ THE SOUTH leaf Azalea, is found in restricted areas Ghent Azaleas. These plants are very in southwestern Georgia and along the cold hardy and of those tried so far, the eastern border of Alabama. It is a tall only satisfactory ones with us are the shrub, often reaching fifteen to twenty cultivars 'Narcissiflora', a double azalea, feet in height, flowering after the leaves with light yellow flowers, fading to are fully developed. The color of the white, and 'Daviesi', a single pale yellow flowers vary from orange to deep-red. It to white. is in flower at the Callaway Gardens in Mollis Azaleas. These are often seen July and there is spasmodic bloom on in Northern gardens, but they have not certain plants as late as August and occa­ been satisfactory with us in the South. sionally into early September. This is a They are very short-lived, except for the very delightful plant with its brilliantly cultivar 'Hugo Koster'. We have tried colored flowers standing out in contrast many of the new and recent introduc­ to the dark green foliage. Many of the tions of Exbury and Knaphill Azalea flower buds are known to be candy­ and found them to be quite disappoint­ striped, giving an unusual appearance, a ing. These plants are striking in flower condition which has also been noted on and certainly tempting to try because of other species. The plant is without the large, a ttractive flowers produced by fragrance and must definitely be used, as these varieties. However, their un­ with the other late flowering azaleas, in willingness to grow and respond under shady areas to avoid hot sun on the our warm summer conditions are the flowers. main hazard. This is, briefly, an abbreviated de­ vVe hope that in future new hybrids scription of the native deciduous azaleas may be produced between these larger in the South. However, to complete the flowered types and our native azaleas to picture, it should be mentioned that produce large flowered types adapted to JANUARY 1967, VOLUIVIE 46, NUMBER 1 21

sou thern condi tions. This is one of the a need for good soil drainage. Spacing many programs under way here at the of plants may vary. Generally, we recom­ Callaway Gardens, and we have some mend spacing five to six feet apart. interesting hybrid seedlings intermediate However, a close spacing will give you a in flower size between the parents, with more immediate effect and is important the adaptability to grow in our southern for mass planting. condi tions. Further testing by us and by Azaleas prefer acid soils of pH 4.5 to 5.5. other hybridizers in the South is certain­ The soi l should be loose and with consid­ ly necessary. erable humus content. Additional organ­ R. rnucronulalurn, Korean Rhododen­ ic matter should be added to the heavier ell-on, has the appearance of a deciduous soils and even to the sandy so ils, such as azalea and is commonly use d in leaf mold, rotted sawdust, compost, or Northern areas but seldom in the South. peat moss. In some areas of the South, Selection h as produced some very early our soils have a pH higher than 6 and spring flowering plants with large pink this can be acidified with the addition of or lavender flowers but they often tend sulfur. The general recommendation is a to flower too early in the spring in the pound of sulfur to 300 sq. feet. This will South and are subject to killing back by lower the pH one-half point. For exam­ late spring freezes. However, in the ple, if, after having a soil test, your soil northern areas of the Sou th, it is certai n­ is pH 6, it can be lowered to 5.5. 1£ it is a ly worthy of trial. It generally flowers at clay soil, it would take a pound and a the same time as Forsythia and offers a half of material to lower pH one-half good combination. There is an interest­ point. Less sulfur is required for sandy ing cultivar called 'Cornell Pink' wi,th a soils to reduce pH, and it is often distinct pink flower. recommended to add, with the sulfur, half a pound of ferrous sulphate. CULTURE After being p lanted, the plants should The culture of native azaleas is not be watered immediately and then difficult. In fact, they are among the weekly throughout the season the first easier shrubs to grow, if one has good year, unless rains are frequent. The plants to begin the venture. This means general season for plan ting is in late fall, that it is necessary to buy from estab­ early winter, or early spring. The plant­ lished and reputable nurseries and not ing holes should be 1 Y2 to 2 times the from the ordinary plant collector or diameter of the earth ball. The hole peddler. Unless the plants are nursery need not be deep, since most azalea root grown, poor survival can generally be ex­ balls are less than a foot in depth. pected. In the past, the general trend h as Azaleas are shallow rooted plants, but been for collectors to dig plants bare­ considerable organic rna [ter should be root or with very small balls and sell mixed with the plan ting soil. In heavy them on the open markets of our larger clay soils, it may be necessary to remove cities and these, unless given special the clay, adding more sand and organic treatment, such as cutting back and "ba­ matter and to plant the azaleas slightly bying" for one or two years, are often higher than the surrounding beds. dead within the first season. U nfortu­ 'Watering then is very definitely of major nately, there are relatively few nurseries importance. Mulching is also important. who are making Ithese plants available at In the South we are fortunate in having the present time. However, there is more many types of mulching materials-leaf interest being developed, and it is hoped mold, pine straw, coarse peat moss, pine that, within the near future, many more bark, peanut hulls, and others. It is sources will become available. important to mulch azalea plants the It has been previously mentioned that year around and it should be replen­ native azaleas should be planted in some ished as needed, especially during the shade. Particularly is this important for summer, to reduce evaporation and con­ the la ter flowering species. There is also serve soil moisture during this season. 22 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

Since azaleas are shallow rooted plan ts, ent trade names available, which can be it is not advisable to cultivate around added either as a spray or soil treatment them. \I\Teeds should be hand pulled and -they usually produce excellent re­ rather than hoed out. sults. It is advisable to follow specific Very little additional care is required recommendations for the specific materi­ in maintaining azaleas once established. al that you may purchase. Occasionally, pruning may be necessary Pests and Diseases. Native azaleas are to remove old or weak branches. Old generally very free of insect and disease established azalea plants may be cut problems. Occasionally, it has been back quite hard after flowering to en­ noted that spider mites may be common courage new growth and flower buds for on some species. This is a small, minute the next year. Pruning cuts down on insect that can be found on the under­ height, if desired, to work the plant into side of the leaves, sucking the plant the general landscape scene, or plants . juices. The leaves become a greyish can be left to grow tall and lanky, such green. The use of Aramite or Kelthane as many species will do, to serve as a is commonly recommended for good background for lower growing plan ts, control. Lacewing, the common pest of which can be used with them. the ornamental azalea, is sometimes Many fertilizers are available for use found on a few native azaleas, but it is with native azaleas. There are commer­ generally not as serious. They are found cial azalea and camellia fertilizers, or on the underside of the leaf, causing a cottonseed meal is another frequently blackened residue, and the leaves will be used material. We have been using a a light green to straw green in color and 10-5-7 fertilizer and one of the newer the plants will not be vigorous. Malath­ fertilizer mixtures containing Ureaform­ ion and Lindane can be applied in the aldyhyde nitrogen in a formulation of late spring, as the first signs of Lace­ 12:6-6. We find that an early application wing are prevalent and repeated for a of fertilizer, in our area in late March period of three applications of spray. or early April, just prior to the early We have had excellent results with Zec­ flowering of R. canescens) is normally tran, a new insecticide, and found that it right. If rains are not forthcoming, it has systemic properties and only one may be necessary to water the fertilizer spray application is necessary. This ma­ in and then a second application of terial is highly recommended for the fertilizer can be applied in late June or native azaleas and other azaleas, as well. early July. The common large caterpill ar, Datana A common fault of native azaleas is major) is frequently found on some na­ iron chlorosis, although it is not as tive and other azaleas. It is a very large common with the natives as it may be hairy caterpillar with a black body and with some of the cultivated azaleas. But, long white stripes, with blackish or dark the same indications of yellow leaves red head. This pest is generally found in with deep green prominent veins is a the woods on native azaleas, blueberries, characteristic symptom. Iron chlorosis and huckleberries. A general insecticide can generally be corrected, by applica­ containing DDT or Malathion, will give tionE of iron sulfate or ferrous sulfate, I excellen t con tro1. This is a very gregari­ oz. to a gallon of water to which a ous insect, generally found only on one spreader-sticker material has been or two plants in a garden and not added, applied as a spray to the foliage common every year. and also applied to the soil as a liquid Leafgall is probably the most com­ drench. If this does not correct the mon of the azalea diseases, yet the injury situation, then magnesium sulfate, or to the plants is quite minor. It is an epsom salt, can be applied at the same obnoxious organism, causing large de­ rate. Also available for iron chlorosis formed buds or leaves, which become are many forms of the iron chelates: very pale green, later becoming velvety There are many products under differ- grey. This is similar to leafgall disease JANUARY 1967, VOLUME 46, NUMBER 1 23 common on camellias and occasionally small plants are best moved. It is ad­ on other azaleas. l'vIore prominent in wet visable to select appropriate plants, spring seasons than in dry years, the tag and mark them while they are in con trol of leafgall should be started very flower a year prior to moving. The early if a wet season is forecast. Removal plants are best moved in the fall or very of infected limbs or stems will be early spring. Careful digging should be helpful to the general appearance of practiced to obtain as many roots as the plant. These should be destroyed. possible, because wild specimens usually This disease is not carried over within have very poor root systems. The roots the tissue of the plant from year to year. are often very widely spread and very Early in the spring, as soon as the sparse. The plan ts should be severely infection is first noted, the use of Cap­ pruned after diggi ng, cutting back al­ tan, Ferbam, or Zineb is recommended. most to the ground. vVe recommend six Native azaleas are less susceptible to to eight inches above the ground. At Azalea Petal Blight than are some of the Callaway Gardens, we move large quanti­ evergreen azaleas. This may be due to ties from areas now rapidly going into the more open arrangement of the flow­ subdivisions, and it is our practice to cut ers of the native species. However, if the plants back quite severely, heel them Petal Bligh t is noted, causing a defini te into a rich mixture of soil and organic spotting of the flowers and producing ma tter, holding them for a period of one wilting, the same general recommenda­ to two years. During this time, the plants tions should apply as for other azaleas, are watered frequently throughout the using a material called Dithane B-1 4. growing season and fertilized heavily Another name for this material is after they have started new growth with Parzate or Zineb. A newer material is one of the types of fertilizer previously Thialiate; also, Captan and Phaltan are recommended. 'tVe have, on some occa­ now being tested for control of petal sions, moved plants in mid-summer and blight. To control petal blight, com­ during the flowering season. However, pletely cover the azalea flowers as soon the plants respond more slowly, and it as they begin to open with one of the may be two or more years before they recommended fungicides. Also, under become re-established and begin to set test, is a new material called Actidone flower buds. However, we do find that RZ_ This material is proving to have cutting back is the most important prac­ good effect both as a soil application a tice, cutting back the top of the plant to mon th or two before the azaleas come in correspond to the very poor root system flower and as a spray on the flowering tha.t is normally found with collected plants as well. Again, however, it has native azaleas. been noted that the native azaleas are Propagation of n ative azaleas will be not as susceptible to petal blight as the briefly outlined. Cu ttings of native Asia tic azaleas. azaleas are generally difficult to root, as compared to the Asiatic azaleas. Some of PROPAGATION the species with stoloniferous growth Collecting of native azaleas is not a habit are much easier to root than are commonly recommended practice, par­ the upright or non-stoloniferous spe­ ticularly since most of the collected cies. However, extreme variations exist plants are poorly handled so that the within the species. You may find that a survival rate is very low. Also, permis­ certain clone or plant is easy to propa­ sion should be obtained from landown­ gate by cuttings, whereas another clone ers before collecting'. Many of us in the . of the same species will be extremely South are fortunate to have native aza­ difficult to root. There are two major leas on our own farms and woodland problems in rooting cuttings of native areas, and we may wish to move them azaleas. The first is getting them to root to more appropriate areas in the land­ and the second is inducing new growth scape planting. If this is the case, after rooting. Mist propagation is pre- 24 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

ferred. Cuttings should be made of new tion. The seedlings are quite variable growth in the late spring, while growth and will not always have the same bril­ is still green and just beginning to !ian t color as a good selected parent, but harden. Under mist propagation, a sand at least they will have the same color medium is recommended, or a mixture range as commonly found. Seeds are of sand and peat moss. After the cuttings collected from the brown capsules in have rooted, additional light should be the fall of the year, just as they are applied and the cuttings potted to in­ beginning to turn brown before open­ d uce new growth before fall. It has been ing. Seed can be stored until the follow­ noted that cuttings that root and then ing spring or can be sowed in the fail to put on new growth in the same greenhouse immediately. Seeds of azaleas season will often die over winter. It is are very fine and capsules should be held important to induce new growth on until fairly dry and then shaken thor­ cuttings the same season they are rooted. oughly or cracked to extract all the very Layering is a more satisfactory meth­ small seeds. One seed capsule normally od of propagating but also slower and will contain on the average two hundred more cumbersome in handling certain or more seeds. Ground sphagnum moss :lonal varieties of native azaleas. Layer­ is the best medium for seed sowing. The IIlg can be done in either spring or sphagnum is moistened, pressed filmly summer; branch or mound layering is into pot or flat and the seeds are broad­ the recommended method. In this meth. cast onto this medium. No additional od, a low branch is bent and staked to covering is necessary, since watering will the ground, pegging it down with a wire carry the seed into the shredded materi­ al. Germination usually begins within fast~ner. You may wish to dig a trench, addmg peat moss or organic matter thirty days at 65 ° to 70 ° in the green­ under the branch. It may be a year or house and after the second set of two two before the branch has rooted and is leaves has appeared, the seedlings can strong enough to cut from the parent be pricked off into separate flats into a mixture of soil and sand and peat moss, pl~nt. The stem can be slightly wounded WIth a long narrow cut, or it can be cut planted into peat pots. After the seed­ upward, producing a tongue that will be lings are two to three inches in height, coming down from the tip part of the they should be pinched to induce branching. Normally, seedlings will branch. We fi~d the latter method gen­ erally more satIsfactory than air layering flower during the fourth or fifth year. Occasionally, we have had some flower­ procedures. Native azaleas may also be ing earlier than this and in some cases it root-pruned. By this method, the severed reqiures eight to ten years. root will often fOl'm a new shoot and We in the South are most fortunate in that may be dug away from the parent being able to grow one of the most plant one to two years later. _vVe have attractive of native American shrubs and also noted that root cuttings can be to have it in abundance still in many of made of certain azaleas. Root cuttino's b our state parks and gardens. Through­ are made by cu tting pieces of root, out the South, gardeners are urged to g.ene~- all~ three inches in length, pencil take an interest in the native azaleas, as size m dIameter. These are laid horizon­ well as in many of our other attractive tally in a mixture of peat moss or native plants, which make splendid or­ ground sphagnum moss. Though they namentals. We can make good use of are noted to be very slow to produce t~ese plants, obtaining as many as pos­ new sho'O'ts, we can reproduce large SIble from local nursery sources and numbers this way. encouraging our nurseries to start . Propagation of native azaleas by seed growing many more such excellent na­ IS one of the best ways for mass produc- tive plan ts for general landscape use. Fragrance Gardens for the Blind­ Fact or Fiction

B y L ORRAINE BURGESS

The crea tion of fragrance gardens fo r and makes adul ts feel that they better the blind seems to most people a charm­ understand the problems of the blind. ing idea, a way to share the pleasures of Bu t strangely enough this garden a garden with those who cannot see. concept does not win the universal a p­ Fragrant plants are speciall y arranged proval of associations for the blind, or of and marked with braille labels so tha t some blind indi viclu als. T hey do not the blind may acquaint themselves with wish themselves "set apart as being dif­ the scent of J asmine, H eli otrope, and fe rent or in need." Some blind people Mignonette. Other plants are chosen for prefer to walk in a garden on the arm of their fragrant foliage, such as Bayberry, a friend wi thou t calling attention to Lavender, Peppermint, and Lemon themselves or their p ligh t. Blind associa­ Geranium. Still a third group of p lants tions tend to discou rage such under­ are included for texture and form plants takings for the sa me reasons. like Blue Fescue, Bleeding H e~ rt , and Nevertheless gardens for the blind Pussy ' Nillow. Such an assembly of co ntinue to grow and increase in num­ plants captiva tes the fa ncy 6f children, ber. Some ami ctecl perso ns are quite

Norfolk Botanical Gardens' special fragrance garden for the blind is planted in raised beds made, .from cobblestones, formerly ballast in old sailing ships that once docked in this tidewater country. The small pool in the middle adds splashing weder to this "touch, hear, and smell" project. The hand rail is maintained at an even 30·inch height, while the height of the raised beds varies. P H OTO BY AUTHOR 26 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

PHOTOS BY AU'rHOR Braille and English labels along the hand rail offer plant information to both the blind and the sighted. Tree branches are carefully pruned so as not to interfere with passing visitors. enthusiastic about the creation of a Botanical Garden in Texas. As evidence separate place, a "playground for the that such gardens are acceptable to the sense of touch and smell." blind, they exist at their own summer Fragrance gardens already exist at the camps at Bedford, New Hampshire; Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York; Egypt, Massachusetts; Spring Valley, Tyler Aroretum in Lima, Pennsylvania; New York; and Macon, Georgia. In Golden Gate Park in San Francisco; other countries Toronto, Canada; Hove, Garden for the Blind on West Roosevelt England and Vienna, Austria boast such Road, in Chicago; and the Fort Worth ins tall a tions.

The Fragrance Garden is adjacent to the Administration Building patio; there Creeping thyme, Sweet Alyssum, Elaeagnus fruitland ii, and Day­ lilies serve as additional "nose-catchers." Linden trees mark the entry to the garden, and more trees will be planted to provide the contrasts in warmth found in light and shade. JANUARY 1967, VOLUME 46, NUMBER 1 27

Labels are placed at uneven intervals be­ side the plants they describe. For Spring Narcissus and Hya­ cinths compete with poolside Sweet Flag as fragrant blooms.

PHOTO BY AUTHOR The Fragrance Garden at the Norfolk Especiall y for fragrance the garden Botanical Gardens, illustrated herein, was contains Bayberry, Anise tree (Illici­ built in the Spring of 1963 through the um), Santolina, Irish Lace Marigold, cooperation of the city of Norfolk and Lavender, and Artemisia. the Tidewater Federation of Garden The garden follows a free-form pat­ Clubs. Modest in size, it still possesses all tern of raised beds edged with a waist the ingl-edients to make it an excellent high guide rail. Labels along the rail working example. Plants were chosen contain information in braille and in for interest in all seasons, either for English about the names of the plants fragrance, color or texture, in flowers or and their season of bloom. The sense of foliage. Included are 'I\Ti tchhazel, Pus­ sound is exaggerated by the crunch of sywillow, Loquat, and Daphne odom gravel on the walkways. A sculpture for winter bloom; PieTis, Osman thus beside the small pool with splashing fragrans, Magnolia viTginiana, Styrax water is planned in the near future. obassia, Fringe Tree, Calycanthus, Hopa Mrs. E. W. Timmons, landscape desig­ crab, and Lily-of-the-Valley for spring. ner at the Botanical Gardens, helped In the summer, such roses as 'Eiflel with the building of the garden. She Tower' and 'Pink Peace' vie with dwarf suggests that it is important that the Rugosa rose, ClethTQ, Gardenia radicans, guide rails be of uniform height even Jasmine, Vibu.rnum odoratissimttm, All­ though the height of the beds may vary. woodi Pinks, Petunias, Rue, Costmary, She cautions that while blind people and Bosta. For fall there is Loquat, have a remarkable sense of touch with Clematis, and Herme Camellia. their hands, they should be protected 28 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE from protruding twigs or branches 'braille' in terpretor. which might hit their [ace or eyes. If, from these observati ons, ORe con­ Braille markers, she suggests ca n be cludes that a Fragrance Garden [or the obtained inexpensively from Volunteers Blind is a worthwhile community pro­ for the Blind, c/ o Mrs. J. M. Beck, 332 ject, it should be understood that the South 13th St., Philadelphia, Pa. She blind are not limited to this one brief further advises that the English transla­ interlude with plants. It should serve as tions be written on the back o[ the an enticement to them to search out braille labels, so they can be installed on other gardens and further encounters the rails without the assistance of a with the botanical world.

P HOTO BY AUTHOR Labels are angled for easy viewing and easy touching no matter how they are read. The markers can be moved along the horizontal rail to key positions as new blooms appear. A Book or Two

(Books available for loan to the membership are designated: (Libm!·y). Those not so designated are in private collections and are not available tor loan. Books available for sale to the Membe1-ship aI'e designated with the special reduced price and a!'e subject to the usual change at price without notice. Orders must be sent through the American H orticultural Society accompanied by the proper payment. Please allow two to three weeks tor delivery. Those not designated to·r sale to the Membership at 1'e duced prices can be purchased through the Society, however, at the retail prices given. In these instances the full profit is received by the Society to be used tor increased semices and benefits at the Membershi/).)

Practical Bonsai for Beginners !l80 pages, illustrated . ., 17.50 (Library) . Mem­ bers' Price $ 14.87. Kenji Murata, J apan Publications TracJi:lg Co., Rutland, Vermont. 1964. 120 pages, illus­ This new reference book on flow ering shrubs trated. Price $3 .95. (Library) Members price has recently been released. Mrs. Zucker has $3.35 . divided the book into four pa rts. Part I deals with the use of shrubs, with very extensive lists The interest in the cultural horticultural of shrubs growin g' over 10 feet, those between 6 study of Bonsai (raising dwarf trees in pots) is and 10 feet. between 3 and 6 feet as well as those increasing by leaps and bounds,-especiall y docs under 3 feet at time of maturity. Further lists in this seem to appeal to the ma le persuasian and Part I cover characteristics as well as preferred calls for all their creative imagina tion, stamina, growing conditions. There is a bloom time chart and "long term returns." Kenji Murata realizin g and a cha pter devoted to the use of shrubs in our desire for immediate results, wisely does not the house. suggest beginning with seeds, but with easil y Pa rt II is given to how to plant and maintain obtained seedlings preferably conifers. Vlf e fol­ shrubs and their troubles and hardiness. low him along and find success will be ours in In Part III the acquiring of shrubs is covered five short years; his photographs of bonsai that including propagation. In this section I feel that age show what can be done. There a re also the Buyer's Guide Chart is so apt to change even beautiful examples of 300, 200, and 1"00 year old before a book reaches the public that proba bl y conifers which have been lovingly tended over these 46 pages could have been deleted. the centurjes and handed down as precious The last Part of the book takes care of small heirlooms. trees to grow with shrubs and the most fre­ No weaksister hobby this-it calls for guts, quently asked ques tions about shrubs. The final stick-to-itiveness and ta lent. Transplanting and entry is a good index. wiring, training and displaying are well illustrat­ It is interesting that Mrs. Zucker uses the ed with text providing procedure. Excellent soil Nickerson Color Fan sold by the American preparation information and wha t we should Horticultural Society as her standard for deter­ have as tools for bonsai is well covered. The mining color. au thor tells how to tell fron t from back of a The excellent black and white photographs ac­ bonsai you are preparing, when and how to nip companying the short descriptions of the plants those sprou ts on con ifers as well as fIow er­ which are listed alphabetically were taken b y bearing trees; care of bOAsai after wiring and Mrs. Zucker. They are really a great feature of best placement of your bonsai-never on the this nicely assembled book which has the h andy ground. plant hardiness zone map as end papers. The There is an excellent guide to 50 popular only criticism I h ave beside the Buyer's Guide is species for bonsai, with common English and the ocassional mispelling of plant names, such as scientific names, fertilization, wiring, pot soil, Euonynws alata for Euon)'l1!us alatus watering, sprout-nipings, pruning, transplant­ FP-K ing with notes on each one. This is an excellent book for experienced growers as well as begin­ The Art of Japanese Flower ning strugglers. There soon will be a Baby Sitters Service for Bonsai trees; since they must be Arrangement watered twice a day in summer, you can't go Stella Coe. The J ohn Day Company Inc., 200 away and just tuck them in the garden. But real Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y. 10016. 1964. Bonsai fans will gladly baby sit for each other's 158 pages, illustrated. $5.95 (Library). plants I'm sure. The author is the founder of the London KAREN Foss chapter of Ikebana International and a graduate Master of modern Sofu Teshigahara's Sogestu Flowering Shrubs School, T okyo. Mrs. Stella Coe published this Isabel Zucker. D. Van Nostrand Company, 120 entertaining and enlightening book in England Alexander Street, Princeton, N.]. 08540. 1966. where it was so highly successful it has wisely 29 30 THE ArvIERICAN HORTICULrURAL l'vIAcAZINE

been brought to us in this American edition. It Climbing Roses Old and New wastes no words in its lucid, straight-forward Graham Stuart Thomas. St. Martins [>tess, 175 approach to the modern manner of Japanese Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010. 1905. flower arrangement. There arc 51 black-and­ 203 pages illustrated. $8.95 (Library). Mem­ white photographs, each with a diagram of bers Price $7.60. Shin-Soe-Hikae (or Heaven-Man-Earth), which should be very helpful to beginners; there are 28 Mr. Graham Thomas of Surrey, England, diagrams and a glossaTy explaining the Japanese advisor to the National Trust, has made a words used in the book. valuable addition to his earlier books, "Old Having lived in Japan for 12 years, Mrs. Cae Shrub Roses" and "Roses of Today," in his absorbed the knowledge she now so well dispen­ latest book covering climbing roses. He has ses through her interesting book. In the chapter grown roses since his childhood, is thoroughly on "Ikebana explained" she invites us into her familiar with the rose gardens of his own charmed circle and sets the pace for our happy country and France, and is definitely the most adventuring with her. We liked particularly the thorough and painstaking person of all those idea of having the diagram for the arrangement doing research on old roses today. He admits his on the same page with the arrangement. Sugges­ partiality toward old roses and his chapter on tions for material to use, restraint too of her the musk roses and their importance in the abstract and free style arrangements is helpful. ancestry of the more modern varieties proves This is a welcome addition to our ever-growing this. collection of flower arrangement books. We have The beginner will find his detailed descrip­ just one small objection, there are no photo­ tions most helpful, as well as the chapters on graphs of the first Japanese school, the classical, rose culture. There are also diagrams for sup­ which is just touched on; but as Mrs. Cae ports for climbing roses, and a botanical chart points out this book's objective is to instruct in by Gordon Rowley for those interested in classi­ the modern styles which she does to the Queen's fying roses. taste. Mr. Thomas' own delicate line drawings and KAREN Foss soft-tinted water colors are a delight to the eye and photographs of formal and informal treat­ The Driftwood Book ment of the climbers adds interest. As is usual in the books of Mr. Thomas, each chapter is Mary E. Thompson, 2nd edition. D. Van No­ followed by a list of illustrations used by earlier strand Co. Inc., Princeton, N. J. 1966. 248 writers with his evaluation of each. The exten­ pages, illustTated. $5.95 (Library). Members sive bibliography given is a valuable source of price $5.05. information for those who are interested in The DTiftwood Book by Mary E. Thompson, further study, making this volume a reference photography by Leonid Skvirsky includes Index work for both the beginner and the more with numbers in italics referring to the 160 advanced rosarian. exquisite black-and-white illustrations. Quoting MAUDE GAY BENZINGER from the author herself, " three things pertinent to flower arranging and especial! y to driftwood The Magic World of Roses arra-nging,-creative imagination, courage, and freedom of expression." Mrs. Thompson has all Matthew A. R . Bassily. Hearthside Press, 31>1 these and more, as this new edition of her 1960 Park Avenue South, New York, N. Y. 10016. book shows. 1966. 224 pages, illustrated. $6.95. (Library). Having for 25 years collected weathered wood Members' Price $5.90. from above the timber line to quiet coves, lakes Few people have had the wealth of experience and ocean shore, I share fully Mrs. Thompson's that has been the background of Matthew interest in this intriguing hobby, and to that Bassity, author of "The Magic World of Roses." growing clan of weathered wood collectors, I Formerly Curator of Public InfOl'mation at urge them to read this excellent book for help Brooklyn Botanical Garden, then as public rela­ in making the best use of their "driftwood". tions counsel for Jackson and Perkins for fifteen The book is divided into three parts. Part I years, and more recently as public relations covers the mechanics, finding, preparing, and counsel for All-American Rose Selections, he has mounting; Part II, art of use with flower ar­ had can tacts w,ith many experts and access to rangements which will be a great help to authentic information not usually available. For opening your eyes to possibilities in your own example, the greater part of the pictures which "driftwood"; and Part III, modern trends to probably average at least one to each of the abstract, with use of today's textural materials more than 200 pages can be credited to Jackson of all kinds. Mrs. Thompson's free form arrange­ and Perkins. Mr. Evans of the American Rose ments are an inspiration in the use of restraint, Society has given technical advice. McCall Maga­ imagination, and insight to achieve beauty. It is zine has su pplied pictures on the rose in crafts a real Treasury of Weathered Wood and is and also Hallmark and Popular Gardening. recommended for both the neophyte and experi­ There are specific directions for rose photog­ enced arranger. (A book so beautiful should raphy given by experts from the Eastman Kodak come out in full color in its third edition) . Company; pictures of prize-winning arrange­ KAREN Foss men ts of roses; instl'Uctions on how to dry roses; JANUARY 1967, VOLUlVIE 46, NUlVlBER 1 31

recipes for pot pourri; the rose in food ar.ld Islands. The taxonomy of Aloe is perplexing, medicine; articles on rose history and legend, largely because botanists of the past worked and informa tion on how to grow roses and how mainly with dried herbarium specimens, and for to plant them. this reason the classification of Aloe h as long Considerable space is devoted to rose culture been in a state of confusion. The book is not a for different areas and how to use the Plant fina l treatise on aloes, ye t Dr. Reynolds h as Hardiness Zone Map. One chapter is devoted to made a most significant co ntribution based upon Rose Awards a nd Test Gardens, another to fie ld work. Objections may be raised as to American and European rose gardens. Judgin g taxonomic co nclusions. but the author's field and cl assifying roses are ex plained and even how work a nd documented materials are above to patent a rose. All-in-all this book by Mr. reproach. Horticulturists and o thers will be as­ Bassity is a comprehensive encyclopedia on all tounded to learn that between 1951 and 1960, phases of rose cultUl'e and uses. the author traveled more than 40,000 miles over MAUDE GAY B ENZINGER Africa and Madagascar in sea rch of A loe species "at their type localities, and wherever else I Flowers in the Winter Garden could find them." Two maps show the author's itineraries on his many trips to aloe country. M. M. Graff. Doubleday & Co. Inc., New York. The geographic cove rage in Africa includes all 1966. 203 pages, illustra ted. $4.95 (Library) . areas of the continent north of the Limpopo Members Price $4.20. River on the northern border of the R epublic of This is a delightful book with great appeal to South Africa (including Socotra, Arabia, and the gardeners who love the "little flowering things." Canary Islands). Aloe barbaclensis Mill. (Aloe Thi'!se small plants and bulbs may be grown to ve1'a L.) of the Canar y Islands h as long been make an appearance during the gray months. known to medicine and was illustrated first in The a uthor has had spring in J a nuary in the Codex Aniciae j ulianae of A.D. 512, and the gardens on Long Island and in New J ersey. pl ant is given good coverage by D r. R eynolds. Mrs. Graff writes knowledgeably of alpine The Tl'opical African species in Part I are plants, crocus and a goodly number of other divided into 20 groups, but without a dichoto­ winter bloomers, which with a little planning, mous key the user will h ave difficulty placing a n will flourish and flower despite falling tempera­ unknown aloe into it's correct group. Once tures. placed , the going will be easier, since keys to the Photographs, m an y of them in color, by the species are provided. Unfortunately, the keys are author give a nice pictorial review of various not strictly dichotomous, which is a fault that bulbs and plants she has used to brighten the will cause some trouble for users of the book. winter scene. The 46 species from Madagascar in Part 2 al'e Inclusions helpful to serious winter gardeners divided into 9 groups. A comparison with the are an index, a glossary, a bibliography, and a continental African species is interesting because source list of nurseries. of the discontinuities usually associated with the EVELYN J. MOORE two fl oras. ''''hile the aloes appear to form a na tural group, some of the Malgache (Madagas­ The Aloes of Tropical Africa car) species, as for example A. capital a with and Madagascar dense headlike inflorescences , and A. suzannae, which is the only species known with a simple Gilbert Westacott R eynolds. Published by inflorescence up to 9 feet long and flow ers the Trustees. The Aloes Book I'-und, P.O. Box apparently nocturnal, have no counterpar ns on 234, Mbabane, Swaziland. 1966. xxii + 537 the African continent. Likewise, no grass aloes or pages, 4 to, il1ustra t

Somalia. Flower color varies from yellow to formative and useful book. Several other straw­ orange and red. berry experts contributed to this book by writ- Good black and wh ite habitat p hotograph s ing ch apters on specifi c topics. - are provided for most of the species, and fresh The introduction is written by the Honorable flowers were photographed life size. The piece Henry A. Wallace who contributed greatly to de ?"tisistance are the 106 full page color photo­ the production of this book through his inspira­ graphs of aloes in their natural h abitat. Mostly, tion, stimulus, and suggestions. H e briefly sur­ lhe quality of the color is excellent. veys in the introduction the development of From the point of view of production, the varieties which played an important role in the book is of high quality we h ave learned to establishment of the strawberry industry in associate with botanical publications from th e America. Republic of South Africa, particularly with The Ii rst pa rt of the book is devoted to the reference to color. The format is clear with few history of the strawberry, early breeding work, printing errors. For a book this size, the m odest and strawberry species. The appearance of the price tag is one of the most attractive features, strawberry in m any religious paintings in the panicularly as compared with the price of 1400's is pointed out in Chapter Two. Excellent similar books published in this country or in color photographs illustrate how the strawberry Europe. was depicted in some of the paintings. Miss FREDERICK G. MEYER Vivian Lee discusses the early history of the strawberry and traces in a remarkable story the The Bird Table Book journey of Fmgm·ia chiloensis, Chilean strawber­ -rony Soper. Distribu·ted in American by Tap­ ry, from Chile to France ill 1714. She also linger Publishing Company, 29 East 10th describes for the first time in English the Street, New York, N. Y. 10003. 1965. 139 observations of Antoine Duchesne who is cred­ pages, illustrated. $4.50 (Library). ited with first identifying the origin of the T he author of this charming little book states modern day strawberry. The commonly h eld that his object is to suggest ways in which we view is that almost all the mdoem day strawber­ may have the interest and pleasure of sh aring ries resulted from crosses of F. virginiana and F. our lives with wil d birds. He fe els th at we chiloensis, referred to botanically as F. X an­ should make our gardens, our city centers, and al1f1Ssa. The discussion of the life and work of our industrial areas attractive for birds as well Duchesne is very well written and makes very as for ourselves-the two objects are perfectly interesting readin.g. compatible. The ch apter on early breeding work in Eu­ Mr. Soper is writing primarily for the English rope emphasizes the contributions of English gardener, conservationist, or bird lover, but and French breeders such as Knight, Paxton, much of his material is applicable in America; all d Riffand to the developmen t of the large­ for example, such basic information as food, fruited strawberry. Color photographs of several water, coveT, and n esting si Les or boxes. In of the early va rieties developed in England and addition h e includes a ch apter on p redators and France are included. poisons, a long chapter of species notes, and an The results of studies on strawberry genetics appendix giving much interesting information and cytology and descriptions of the eleven on everything from the life span of wild birds, strawberry species are presen ted to give a clearer how to treat bird casualties, and where to get understanding of th e genus Fragm·ia. The work birdsong recordings all the way to recipes for of Millardet, Richardson, Longley, East, Schie· the bird table and notes on birds and the law. mann and many others is reviewed. Their There is also a bibliography as well as an index. accom plishments h ave added much to the The book is attractively illustrated with black present knowledge of the genetic composition of and white photographs and line drawiAgs and strawberries. In the chapter covering the species should appeal to any gardener who feels that his there is a very informative description and garden would be more atlract ive with the addi­ compari son of the three octoploid species, F. tion of the natural color, movement, and son'g 1Iirginiana, F. 01lalis, and F. chiloensis. provided by wild hirds. The second part of the book covers the GWM varie ties which h ave been developed in America si nce 1800, earl y and present day breeders and The Strawberry breeding programs in America. and strawberry G. M. Darrow. Holt, Rinehart, and ·Winston, breeding and industry in other parts of the world. A wealth of useful information about New York. 1966. 447 pages, illustrated. $15.00 (Library). Members' price $13.00. these topics is presented. Color photographs showing varieties and breeding techniques sup· "The Strawben-y" by George M . Darrow is an plement the text. excell ent book in which information pertaining The physiol ogy and morphology of the straw­ to the history, breeding, and physiology of the berry is presented in the last part of the book. strawberry is presented in a cl ear and systematic The structure of the plant and fruit and the form. There has been a definite n eed for such a effect of the environment on growth and de­ book, and Dr. Darrow's awareness of this fact velopment are described. A most interesting and his desire to share with others the knowl­ su bject covered in this secti on is the wide edge he has gained has provided a most in- adaptability of the strawberry. JANUARY 1967, VOLUME 46, NUMBER 1 33

A chapter on breeding for resistance to straw­ The orchids taken up here-650 of them from berry pests is included also. The appendix Venezuelan territory have to date been dealt contains a world list of strawberry breeders, with-include a considerable percentage which parentage of American strawberry varieties, and occur in contemporary cultivation at this time. a list of strawberry literature. Others, including a fascinating array of "botani­ This book is a must for everyone who works cals", especially amongst the myriad pleurothal­ with strawberries or has an interest in them. lids, are exciting potentials for the connoisseur The excellent coverage of the large number of collector. topics makes it a valuable reference. An out­ Mr. Dunsterville's plates continue to amaze, standing part of the book is the beautiful color with their meticulous attention even to the photographs which in themselves are worth the tiniest, microscopic detail; they are certainly to price of the book. be considered among the finest critical illustra­ FREDERICK F. ANGELL tions of orchids ever published anywhere. His handsome color and monochrome photographs, too, are fascinating; those in the fourth volume Tree Flowers of the Forest, are particularly valuable to the orchidologist, Park and Street showing as they do characteristic orchid habi­ Walter E. Rogers. Dover Publications, Inc., tats. New York. 499' pages, illustrated. $3.00. A considerable number of new species, new nomenclatural combinations, and taxonomic de­ An unabridged paperback republication of a cisions are proposed in these books by the junior book first published by the author in limited author. Certain of these affect orchids of horti­ quantity (1500 copies) in 1935. cultural importance, and I for one would have In addition to being professor of botany at wished that Mr. Garay had afforded us his Lawrence College, the late Walter E. Rogers was reasons for them. also a skilled photographer. In using this talen t, Orchidologists have never reached any sort of he combined the knowledge of trees with an agreement, amongst themselves, and doubtless ingenious photographic technique that resulted never will. But certain of Mr. Garay's judgments in this unusual book. Generally, the botanical seem poorly founded to me, and I suspect will text, which is on a non-technical level, adds receive similar unfavorable attention from others little to previously published popular tree in­ in his field. Since this gentleman is Curator of formation. When this text is combined with the Orchid Herbarium of Oakes Ames at Har­ outstanding photographic reproductions of tree vard, it is indeed surprising that he appears flowers, however, the true value of the book unaware of so many recent pertinent publica- emerges. Possibly no where can there be found tions. in a single publication a larger collection of tree ALEX D. HAWKES flowers, many enlarged 20 to 30 times their normal sizes, so clearly reproduced. From the Magic of Trees and Stones smaller inconspicuous flower of the " Maidenhair Katsuo Saito and Sadaji Wada (Translated Tree", to the larger showy "Cucumber Tree by Richard L. Gage.) Japan Publications Magnolia", the author used silhouetted drawings Trading Company, P.O. Box 469, Rutland, of tree habit and actual size flowers, with Vt. 1964. 282 pages, illustrated. $12.50. (Li­ photographs to illustrate his text. One hundred brary) . Members price $10.62. twenty-one species, comprising 33 families, are This is a handsome book with many black and presented in this book the most causal tree white photographs both general and detailed lover, as well as the more serious student, should and clear diagr.ams. It would make a good find interesting. presen t for the gardener who is in teTested in ROLAND M. JEFFERSON design and is mechanical, tidy and master or mistress of his or her en tire ou tdoor prem lses. Venezuelan Orchids Illustrated The contents deal solely with gardens of Japan, but with the above in mind many of the Volumes 3 and 4. G. C. K. Dunsterville and features could be beautifully translated to the Leslie A. Garay. Andre Deutsch, London west. The use of stone is shown in many aspects 1965 and 1966. 348 pp. and 244 pp., each with and there is a whole chapter dealing with the 150 plates, plus maps and photographs; dis­ construction of walls and terraces, stones for use tributed in the USA by Museum Books Inc., and stones to admire. The gardens range from 48 East 43rd Street, New York 10017. $20 per small, ancient ones to those surrounding large volume modern buildings. The text is interesting and In our time, a great many books dealing with informative and brin.gs to the reader the fulfill­ the Orchidaceae have been published. But few ment of the promise implied by the first sen­ of these can equal in artistic magnificence the tence: 'Shibusa, the Japanese word that means volumes of Venezuelan Orchids Illustrated, of quiet and refined taste sums up the characteris­ which we now have the third and fourth (out of tics of Japa:nese gardening: a proposed six) . K. LAHR The Gardener's Pocketbook

Eucalyptus maculata-Spotted gum Blue Gum (E. globulus) in California The fruits and also the leaves of this since they consider other species more species are identical with those of the attractive as ornamentals. Californians lemon gum which is considered by some have been unaware of the landscape botanists to be a variety of the same values of many of the less common spe­ species. However, the bark of the spotted cies. Undoubtedly this is a potentially gum is deeply mottled since it sheds in important ornamen tal species in the patches and the trunk of this species is coastal area of California from Santa usually heavier as are also the branches Barbara to San Diego. and foliage. The two forms are about -v. T. STOUTEMYER equal in cold hardiness and should be Dept. Horticulture planted only in the areas of mildest U. of California climate. Los Angeles) California Both the lemon and spotted gums are Adenophora as garden plants rapid growing forms of exceptional a.ttractiveness which are useful for sky­ Of the many genera comprising the hne, for clustered groups which can add family Campanulaceae that grow in great distinction to an area of sufficient the temperate zone, possibly the least scale. Neither are suited to small scale well known to the amateur horticultur­ structures. ist is the genus Adenophora; and yet Australians who visit California are Farrer, in one of his books says "it is often surprised at the large use of the strangely neglected in ones garden. Many of them are exquisite and grace­ ful." Probably the reason for this nea-Ject . b IS due to the fact that the average gardener cannot distinguish most of them from the popular Campanulas. No doubt another reason why they are sel­ dom seen is due to the fact that seeds of many species are not readily procurable in this country. Most of them are native to Japan, China, ,the Himalayas, and parts of eastern Russia. There is one plant, A. liliifolia) that is found in eastern Europe. None grow in the Amer­ icas or in western Europe. All in all, there are probably about fifty known species. Like the well known "Harebell", Campanula rotundifolia) all the Adeno­ phoras that we have raised, have basal leaves that are different in size and shape from the stem leaves. The main characteristic that distinguishes them from Campamtla is the fact that the style of the Adenophora is attached to a raised disc at the base of the flower. In PHOTO BY AUTHOR fact, the name Adenophom means "disc Spotted gum-Eucalyptus maculata. bearing." This disc is whi tish, and its 34 size and shape often vary in the different species. As far as I know, there has never been a taxonomic classification of the genus, and from our limited experience, I O'et the impression that many of the pla~ts tha.t ~re given specifi c rank are really VarIetIes. One taxonomist writing on the flora of Japan distinguishes the various species by the size and shape of the disc. There is another characteristic of the genus that might interest the gardener. IVlany of them are late summer bloomers; some flower in August and September, and a few flower as late as FROM GARDENERS CHRON ICLE the Chrysanthemums. vVe had a couple Adenophora farrei. of plants last fall that were in full bloom China. It has an average height of about o ~ October fifteenth. We originally re­ one foot, and has violet-colored ceIved seeds of this plant under the drooping, broadly bell-shaped flowers on name of A. hhasiana. It greatly resem­ the ends of numerous erect stems that bles Campanula rapunculoides) the "Rov­ emerge from the base. This plant we i~g Bellflower" but it has even larger violet-colored bell-shaped flowers along h ~ve never. raised, but have only seen pictures of It, as well as several herbari­ the two foot stems, and seems to lack the invasive characteristic of the above men­ um specimens. A. nihoensis. A plant native to J apan tioned Campanula. that we h ave had, which also attains an Most of the plants tha t we have raised average height of one foot, and which or seen, are more suitable for the border bears a bell-shaped violet-colored flower than for the rock garden, since many of up to one inch long. One characteristic them attain a height of two to four feet. of the plant is the disc at the base of the However, there are a few that do not flower which is rather cup-shaped. vVe exceed a height of one and one half feet. have only had the plant for one year, so A. coelestis. One of the most attrac­ cannot attest to its hardiness, but like so tive species. An alpine plant native to many plants of this genus, it probably Adenophora khasiana. requires some protection from the mid­ day summer sun. PHOTO BY AUTHOR A. tashiroi. Alilother low growing plant, even lower in height than A. nikoensis. Native of Japan and Korea. Has rather thick, toothed, ovate leaves, about an inch long. The stems bear terminal bell-shaped flowers with exsert­ ed styles. The disc is tubular. A. tahedai. This Japanese plant seems to vary considerably in size. Some of them are low growing, possibly one foot high, while others attain a h eight of about two feet. The stem leaves are broadly lanceolate, and the corolla is barely one inch long. The style is not exserted. The disc is cup-shaped, wider than long. vVe had seeds of this plant, but they fai led to germinate. A . farreri. Classed among the taller 3G THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

Adenophoras along wi th A. khasiana that narrow at both ends. The flowers, more suitable for the border, or even for about one inch long, are drooping, race­ the wild garden in light shade. In its mose, and somewhat cylindrical. In its native habitat, A. fan-eri is often found native habitat it is said to grow on growing in rather shady meadows. It rather damp ground. There is a picture attains a height of about eighteen in­ of the plant in The Royal Horticultural ches, and as one authority states, "pos­ Society Dictionary of Gardening (1956). sesses a delicacy of habit surpassing in A. stylosa is a Siberian plant about beauty many of the varieties of the two feet high, blooming in early sum­ Campanula genus." The upright stems mer. It has ovate rather coarsely toothed arising from the base, have numerous leaves, with short stems, and drooping, good sized mauve-violet drooping tubu­ somewhat tubular-shaped flowers. The lar campanulate flowers opening from style is nearly always exserted. It is said the base upward; its lobes are rather that in its native habitat it is usually short, and the style is exserted. Our found on rather dry ground. plant bloomed in July. Many other species that are generally A. liliifolia. Our plant bloomed about over eighteen inches high, are frequent­ the end of July, was approximately 2~ ly seen in botanic gardens, particularly feet high, with many small drooping in Europe. All of them bloom sometiHle flowers dangling on the upper haH of during the summer. Among these are A. the upright stems. The stem leaves are bulleyana, latifolia., potaninii, tricuspi­ small, and narrowed at the base into a data, and verticillata,~the last named very short petiole. The style is consider­ also pictured in the R.H.S. Dictionary ably exserted. In the original descrip­ of Gardening. None of them seems to be tion of the plant, the flowers are de­ particularly difficult to raise in a fairly scribed as blue or whitish blue. Our light garden soil. Possibly their chief plant had creamy white flowers, the only requirement is that they should be Adenophora that we have ever grown grown in a rather shady location. Of that had white flowers. It possibly has a course the height which we have at­ wider range than any other species, tributed to them will often vary, depend­ extending through eastern Europe and ing on climate and edaphic conditions. Siberia. -ROBERT M. SENIOR The following are interesting and 1607 Union Trust Bldg. moderately tall species with different Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 shades of violet colored or purpled Dischidia pectenoides flowers which usually bloom at different The genus Dischidia* contains about times during the summer: 50 species but none of these are likely to A. forrestii. About two feet high, and be known to general horticulture. Their very leafy in the middle part of the stem, urn-shaped flowers are small and usually with a nodding corolla that is broadly are inconspicuous, because contrary to tubular, and a style about the length of the flowers of the related genus Hoya the flower. The disc is very short. those of the Dischidias do not spread A. omata. Said to occur on shady cliffs flatly but open only for about 1 mm. at in. China, averaging about two feet high, the tip. They usually are pale pinkish in wah short-stemmed tubular flowers color. about one inch long. The upper stem Morphologically (structurally), how­ leaves are sessile, serrate, and narrow at ~ver, the Dischidias are of very great the base. It blooms in August. mte~est because they develop widely A. palustl'is. This species seems to vary varymg and most remarkable leaf mod­ considerably in height. Though our ifications which are unique in the whole plant was fully two feet high, one au­ plan t kingdom. thority states that shorter plants occur The cen ter of distribution of the that are not too tall for the rock garden. * Belongs to the Milk Weed Family (Asclepi­ It has sessile, ovate, toothed, stem leaves adaceae) . JANUARY 1967, VOLUME 46, NUMBER 1 37

Leafbladders of Dischidia pectenoides. Notice the position of the upper blad­ der in which water from the outside cannot enter at all. Dischidia peclenoides. Notice the open and empty shell of a seed pod at the up per most tip of the plant. Dischidia imbricata. The tightly ap­ pressed, slightly hollow leaves shelter the roots.

genus appears to be in Indonesia and Malaysia but some species occur also in the Philippines, Burma, S. China, For­ mosa, New Guinea, Australia, and some of the S. Pacific islands. Most of them live in tropical regions which are subject to seasonal droughts, and their modified leaves, which with some species assume the shape of hollow bladders, serve the purpose of conserving moisture for the roots which they shelter. Most fascinating, of course, are those species which produce bladder-like leaves, the function of which has puzzled biologists ever since the first of these plants was discovered. This first species was Dischidia mfflesiana, which is more frequently cultivated than any of the 38 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE others, and which I described and illus­ trated earlier in this Ioumal (January 1962, vol. 41, page 51). At that time I still had no real explanation for the function of these bladders, but I have recently found a most excellent paper by H. H. ·W. Pearson (Journal of the Lin­ nean Society, 1902, vol. 39, page 379- 389) , in which especially D. pectenoides - the main subject of this paper­ is described in detail and is illustrated by a series of sketches. Pearson named this species pec­ tenoides because the shape of the blad­ der reminded him of the shell of a Pecten (a scallop), and his careful ex­ amination of herbarium material, ob­ tained from the Kew Herbarium, led Opened lea/bladder 0/ Disehidia pee­ him to very intriguing conclusions and tenoides. The roots originate on the suggestions. neck 0/ the inner bladder. The leaf-bladders of D. pectel1oides­ as also those of a few other, still largely unnamed species-are even more re­ that the inner surface of the ou ter markable than those of D. mfflesiana. bladder contains numerous stomata They are more complex, being actually (breathing openings, characteristic for double bladders, because they contain a most plant leaves). In the living blad­ small bladder within the large one. der, these can, indeed, be seen clearly Pearson found the cavity of the large under magnification. Through these outer bladder densely filled with roots, stomata the plant evidently discharges but stated that he could not establish (or transpires) surplus water into the where the roots came from. On the inside of the bladder, and this important living bladder it can be seen clearly that discovery explains much which has so in this case the roots do not enter from far been obscure. Especially in this case, the ou tside through the bladder­ the opening of the bladder is rather opening, as they do in D. mfflesiana, small, and its posi tion is freg uen t1 y but are produced inside, from the neck such that water from the outside can of the inner bladder. This fact suggests hardly enter at all. very strongly that the inner bladder may The strong probability that by means actually be not a part of the transformed of the stomata the plant may use the leaf itself but may have originated bladders in times of surplus to store rather from the inverted petiole (the water, which in times of need can be leaf-stalk). At any rate, the slanting reabsorbed by the roots in the bladder, is bladder-opening is left clear and unob­ most intriguing. After all, these bladders structed. are transformed leaves, and most of us On the accompanying photograph of will have seen at times certain plants the opened bladder, the inner bladder discharge surplus water in drops from can be seen to be rather small. In fact, it the margins of their leaves. Such trans­ is li ttle over half as large as shown on pired water is lost, of course, but here is Pearson's sketches. The reason for this an ingenious adjustment which makes it may be that we have no ants. The possible to conserve the transpired water irritation caused by the ants, crawling for the important lise of keeping the around in the still forming bladder, may roots alive during the dry season. cause it to enlarge. Pearson, of course, could only surmise, Most significan t is Pearson's statement because his specimens were dry, but his JANUARY 1967, VOLUME 46, NUMBER 1 39 supposition is most reasonable and be­ assurance only increases our wonder comes even more convincing, when one how such a complex structure ever could observes the living plant. Bladders are have developed. And, why should such most freely produced, when the plant is an odd mutation, which results in kept in a warm, humid atmosphere and providing accomodations for ants, be is sprayed freely. Its normal leaves are advantageous to the plant? It has to be, hard and may not be able to transpire at or it would not survive. all, and the reaction of the plant to Pearson speculates that the ants ren­ ample moisture seems to be to develop der a valuable service to the plant by bladders into which it can transpire. carrying organic debris into the outer As an explanation for the develop­ bladder, in this manner supplying nutri­ ment of the double bladder Pearson ents to the roots. The ants do this, of offers the proposal that this appears to course, but I am inclined to doubt that be a special provision for the accom­ this could actually be of importance. modation of small ants. He always Ants are not tolerated in greenhouses, found a few dead ants between the roots yet our plants show no diminution of contained in the outer bladder, while growth vigor through lack of organic the inner bladder was "crammed" with matter in the bladders. ants. This led him to presume that the Quite a few other plants provide inner bladder served as a refuge for the homes for ants, usually in hollow stems, ants, when the outer bladder became and the main service the ants seem to suddenly flooded. It seems to me that, perform in these cases is that of defense because of the position of the bladder, against leaf-eating insects and other sudden flooding is a rather unlikely marauding animals. When a plant, danger. It iss u r e, however, that which is infested with ants, is touched by -rhl.'ough the discharge of water, trans­ any animal, the ants rush out prepared pired to the inside, the outer bladder for war. This is very effective because will be too wet for many months at a nobody wants to have anything to do time to provide a satisfactory shelter for with ants. Eggs, deposited by flying in­ ants. The inner bladder always remains sects, also are destroyed by the an ts. dry. Its position is such that water from There still remains the question: what the outside cannot enter it under any attracts the ants to Dischidia pee­ circumstantces, and its inner walls con­ tenoides? Pearson, who also was curious tain no stomata which could discharge about this, observed at the bottom of the water. outer bladder an accumulation of small, There can be little doubt that the irregularly shaped lumps of cells v:h~ch reasoning so far is correct, but this were sweet to the taste. On exammmg Dischidia pectenoides in flower. The the wall of the bladder, with a view of bright red flowers remain closed, be­ ascertaining their origin, he discove~ed ing cleistogamous. The flowering that the outer tissue of the convex SIde spurs, once produced, flower again of the neck had been injured and torn every year, as they do in Hoya. by the ants and that yellow strings of cells, embedded in mucilage and hang­ ing from the wall, were clearly the source of the material at the bottom of the bladder. He concluded that the sweet material thus produced was appar­ ently appreciated by the ants. Pearson does not mention the flowers of Dischidia peetenoides, which he may not have seen but which also are quite remarkable. In the first place, they are bright red, which renders them conspic­ uous, in spite of their small size, and this 40 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

pressed to the bark of the host tree that an almost air-tight cover is formed ~over the roots which are sheltered beneath them. Undoubtedly, these leaves also transpire water on their under-surface, keeping the roots moist. It seems that, once this adaptation is achieved, a complete closing of the leaves around the roots in the form of bladders would be no more than a logical further development. Several other species of the genus Dischidia also produce such tightly ap­ pressed leaves which shelter the roots. -H. TEUSCHER 3280 Ridgewood Ave. Montreal) Quebec Portlandia grandiflora Dischidia imhricata. The small, pale Portlandia grandifiora L., native to pinkish flowers open for about 1 mm. ] amaica, is an evergreen member of the Notice the long spur which bears the Rubiaceae. Although Baron H.F.A. Eg­ flowers and which has produced flow- gers (1) had reported that it grew under ers for a number of years. cultivation here, I found only two speci­ is the only species of Dischidia known to mens when I reached St. Croix in 1952. me, which has showy flowers. In the One grew at the great house at Estate second place, the flowers of this species Beeston Hill, and the other at Estate are cleistogamous, which means that Anna's Hope about two miles away. they remain closed but are able to fertil­ There is no record of their origin, but ize themselves. In fact, this is the only they were probably brought in by per­ Dischidia which ever has set seeds with sonnel of the old agricultural experi­ us. It does so every year. ment station at Anna's Hope, about 'Why the cleistogarnous flowers? Many 1923, when the arboretum was started. of the explanations given above, The species (figure 1) grows from 6 to though perfectly logical, are still based 14 feet tall. The leaves are opposite, largely on speculation. I venture to short-petioled, elliptical-oblong, point­ purp05e yet another speculation: Un­ ed, leathery, shining, veiny, about 8 doubtedly, the ants, which in nature inches long, 3Y2 inches wide, reddish always infest this Dischidia) do not toler­ when young, dark green when mature. ate on the plant the particular small The deciduous stipules are deltoid or creatures, whatever they may be­ ovate. perhaps mites-which normally fertilize The flowers (figure 2) are large, 1 to 3 the flowers. This threatened the survival in the leafaxils, short-peduncled, and of the species, and the development of fragrant. The segments of the calyx-limb cleistogamous flowers-not uncommon are leafy and elliptical-lanceolate. The in the plant kingdom-seems like the funnel-form corolla is 6 to 8 inches long; logical saving solution. the limb is about 3 inches across, The additional photographs are of 5-costate, shining white. The ridges of Dischidia imbricata which does not pro­ the tube and the edges of the corolla duce bladders but is also most interest­ lobes are often reddish in bud, usually ing. This species shows leaf modifica­ fading in maturity. The corolla lobes are tions which might well be considered as rounded-deltoid and plaited-imbricate a step towards the development of blad­ in bud, with one lobe exterior. The der-leaves. Its leaves are shallowly hol­ stamens are exerted and the slender low but their rims are so fiFmly ap- anthers are half as long as the filaments. JANUARY 1967, VOLUME 46, NUMBER 1 41

The two mature plants are narrowly conical jn form. Both are about 12 feet high, and the trunks are roughly 5 inches in diameter at ground level. Im­ mediately after every soaking rain there is a heavy bud-set at the end of every twig and branch, and about two weeks later the plants are covered with pure white flowers, about 8 inches long, very much the shape and size of Easter lilies. The flowers always open in the early evening, and remain open for several days, making a beautiful show against the dark green, glossy foliage, and giving out a most pleasant scent, especially at night. As cut flowers, they last about a week. The flowers are attractive to birds. Bananaquits and Emerald-throated Hummingbirds both of which slit the Fig. 2. The funnel-form flowers of Portlandia grandiflora vary from 6 to base of the flowers to reach the nectary. 8 inches in length. The flowers also attract many large sphinx moths (especially of the genera Protoparce, Erinnyis and Pseudosphinx) , which are probably the natural polli­ nators. to root cuttings of mature and green Despite the activity of the moths (and wood were unsuccessful. about a hundred selfings by hand), About 1956, the late Mrs. Lawrence neither plant ever set any seed. Efforts Bodine obtained three small plants from Puerto Rico, and all bloomed within Fig. 1. Portlandia grandiflora in the a year or two. Two of the plants grow author's garden, St. Croix, U.S. Vir­ erect with a main trunk, and the third is gin Islands. indeterminate in habit. The erect plants have flowers about an inch shorter than the older specimens, and the indetermi­ nate one has blooms an inch longer. In fact they are so long that they hang down and are less attractive than the smaller horizontal ones. All three plants set seed, and one lot of cuttings of the large-flowered one was rooted successfully, though repeated sub­ sequent trials have all failed. Seed sprouted readily, and about 100 seed­ lings were given to gardeners in St. Croix and St. Thomas. I obtained one rooted cutting and two seedlings, which were planted about 15 feet apart in my garden, in full sun, in a very shallow calcareous clay soil under­ lain by broken limestone. All three plants have grown well. The seedlings are erect and "small" flowered and have reached heights of about 5 and 7 feet, in about 5 years. The cutting now makes a THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE tangled bush about 4Y2 feet high and 6 winds. For weeks at a time the foliage or 7 feet across. It started to flower in hung down limply, only to "freshen ~p " about 18 months after being set out, but over night whenever about 3/10 of an the first blooms did not appear on the inch of rain fell. When a shower of half seedlings until about two years later. an inch or more occurred there was the Before the first seedling bloomed, no usual flush of buds, but several times seed was set on the cutting. 'With the these dried up without opening if no first lot of flowers on the first seedling, a more rain fell within the next few days. few fruits matured on the cutting, and PortZandia grandiflora seems relatively nearly every bloom on the seedling pro­ resistan t to pests. Two scales and an duced seed. Since then good seed has aphid occasionally attack it, but these been produced by about half the flowers are easily disposed of by a malathion on all three plants. A good deal of seed spray. The large flowers are very suscep­ has been given away locally, and I will tible to damage by strong winds, and in be glad to furnish small amounts on the exposed position where I grow them request to anyone interested. At its best, sometimes last only a clay or two before PMtlandia gmndiflom is so attractive becoming battered and black-spotted. that I would like to see it enjoyed by as This is especially true during the J anu­ many people as possible. It is likely that ary-April dry season when the trade· use of a mist bed, rooting hormones, and winds are strongest. possibly bottom heat, would make vege­ At least two other species of PortZan­ tative propagation easier than I have dia are reported from Jamaica, bu t found it. despite several years' effort, I have never Unfortunately, I do not know the cold been able to get plants or seed. If they tolerance of Portlandia grandiflora. I are half as good as their relative, they would guess it could be grown wherever will be well worth having. key lime will do, and that it might even -RICHARD M. BOND be as hardy as sweet orange. It should be Kingshill, St. Croix, worth trying in much of Florida and in U. S. Virgin Islands coastal southern California, and should certainly be a great success in Hawaii. In References my garden in St. Croix, the Portlandias bloom after every heavy rain, winter 1. Eggers, H. F. A. 1879. The Flora of St. Croix: and the Virgin Islands. Bulletin No. 13 , U.S. (when such rains are rare) and sum­ National Museum, Government Printing Office, mer alike. Virginia R. Hartenstein in Washington, DC. Flowering Plants Fmm Cuban Gar­ 2. Garden Section of the V\romen's Club of Havana, Flowering Plants from Cuban Gardens. dens (2) (the only horticultural treat­ 1958. 2nd Edition. Criterion Books, New York .. ment of the plant I have been able to find), says it blooms only in spring and summer, as often as four times a year. 'Wirt L. Wil1n', a New Cultivar of Whether this shyer flowering in Cuba is the Koehne Holly a result of cooler winters or more varia­ Among woody plants there are many ble day length in an area 6 degrees obscure forms that have genuine land­ north of St. Croix, or to a genetic scape merit. Often such plants languish difference in the Cuban plants (grown for years and sometimes they are lost to· from cuttings, according to the book), I cultivation, simply because of remaining have no idea. Certainly, the plant is very unrecognized and unpublicized. One of variable as I know it. these is the Koehne holly, !lex X Portlanclia withstands drought well. I koehneana, named in honor of Emir have no water for irrigation, and my Koehne (1848-1918), a renowned Ger­ plants survived 1964 in St. Croix. This man dendrologist. Curiously enough, the' year was the driest (30.54 inches) of 113 name is occasionally listed in horticul­ years of record (annual average = tural references, but rarely has it been 46.81 inches), with many days of drying seen in the nursery trade, here or JANUARY 1967, VOLUlVIE 46, NUMBER 1 43 abroad; apparently no cultivars have i ve" green in color. Most leaves have been previously selected and named. thickened and somewhat revolute mar­ The hybrid name, I. X koehneana, gins; and they are provided with 7-10, was applied by the German botanist, more or less conspicious, lateral veins on Theodore Loesener in 1919 to a hybrid either side of the midvein which is plant of I . aqu.ifolium X latifolia. prominent, and raised on the lower Koehne had discovered it growing in the surface, and slightly impressed above. Orto Moncioni garden belonging to Gui­ Loesener has further described the short seppe Gaeta near Florence, Italy. It petioled (1-2 cm.) leaves as being dense­ was this plant, and the herbarium speci­ ly and closely spinose-dentate, and as men made from it by Koehne, that having shortly acuminate apices, and Loesener used to base his description of wide cuneate to obtuse, or rarely, sub­ the hybrid in 1901, and to erect the truncate bases. species hybrid name in 1919. It is in­ A plant which has been identified at ferred tha t all progeny resul ting from the United States National Arboretum the cross of I. aquifolium and I. latifolia (NA accession No. 23214) as I. X may be referred to as I. X lwehneana.. koehneana was obtained in 1963 under The Koehne holly is distinguished by the name of I . X altaclarensis 'Wilsonii' being intermediate between both par­ from D aingerfield Nursery of the Na­ ents, but with foliage more closely re­ tional Capitol Parks, National Park Serv­ sembling that of I. la.tifolia. The large ice, Alexandria, Virginia. However, its (10-16 cm. x 6-8 cm.) , elliptic or rarely original source was the Winn Nursery, oval leaves are evergreen, coriaceous, Inc., of Norfolk, Virginia. It is now completely glabrous, and somewhat "01- appropriate to give this selection of the Koehne Holly, so long ignored horticul­ turally, the cultivar name of 'Wirt L. Hex X koehneana "Wirt L. Winn' ·Wi nn'. Wendell Winn, President of the U .S. NATIONAL ARBORETUM Winn Nursery, Inc., suggested this fitting name in honor of his father, who founded the Winn Nursery in 1920. A description of the plant growing at the National Arboretum follows: flex X lwehneana 'Wirt L. Winn' A heavy-bearing, vigorous, single­ trunked, compact and pyramidal tree of 5 meters. It has attained a spread at ground level of almost 3 meters. The trunk, with light gray and smooth bark, is straight and measures 13 cm. in diam­ eter six inches from the ground. The branching pattern is at first spreading, then more or less pendulous, and the purplish, first year stems are strongly ascending. The predominantly smooth, dark green and glossy leaves are elliptic to ovate, and measure 6-11 cm. long by 3-5 cm. wide. The leaf margins are provided with 8-11 fine, but conspicious, outward pointing spines on each side. The fruit, borne in fascicles of 7-10, is globose and slightly longer than wide or occasionally wider at the apex, measures 7-10 mm. long and wide, and contains four pyrenes. Being inconspicously 44 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

uous display of fruit than is evident for I. lalifalia, which, typically, has shoJter pedicels. The fruit of I. latifalia, al­ though red, is prominently punctate and dull. 'Wirt L. vVinn', however, possesses bright glossy fruit. The size of the fruit of the hybrid selection is intermediate between the parent species. Whereas the I. lalifalia fruit ripens disappointingly late in the vVashington, D.C. area (usually January or later) , the Koehne holly at the National Arbore­ tum shows great desirability by ripening fruit in mid-December, a feature similar to some of the late fruiting cultivars of English holly. Because I. lalifalia is of only borderline hardiness in the 'Wash­ ington area, it should be planted in

U .s. NATIONAL ARBORETUM sheltered sites. '\t\Tirt L. Winn', however, Foliage and fruit of 'Wirt L. Winn'. shows promise by being more winter hardy, and is as hardy as I. aquifolium. Further testing may show a possible advantage of the hybrid as a substitute for the English holly in the southeastern United States where I. aquifalium is difficult to grow, as well as farther north. Another consideration is that staminate punctate, the fruit has a good bright red plants of I. aquifolium and I . latifolia color. may be used as pollinators for 'Wirt L. Authentic voucher herbarium speci­ Winn' due to the three overlapping mens and photographs of 'Wirt L. flowering periods, and to their mutual 'it\Tinn' have been deposited in the U.S. compatability. National Arboretum Herbarium. The cultivar name has been registered with An additional character, not often the Holly Society of America, Inc. Reg. mentioned in identifying interspecific # 15-66, 1966. hybrids of !lex, is the similarity of the Many characters of 'Wirt L. Winn' seeds or pyrenes, as they are called in the indicate that it is an interspecific hybrid. genus. The pyrenes of all species of The best evidence of hybrid origin is the holly have distinct shapes and surface overall resemblance to plants resulting markings. As might be expected, the from a duplicate cross of I. aquifoli­ pyrenes of the Koehne holly cultivar are u.m and I. latifalia made at the U.S. intermediate in size and shape. Evident National Arboretum by William Kosar. also is the coarse, prominently raised !lex X koehneana 'Wirt L. Winn' has and reticulate ridged type of surface the vigorous growth of I. latifolia, but sculpturing characteristic of I . latifolia, like I. aquifolium, it is compact and intermixed with the smoother, net­ pyramidal in habit. The leaves, usually veined sculpturing of I. aquifolium. larger than those of the typical English The Koehne holly is a distinguished holly, are smaller, glossier, darker green ornamental among broad-leaved ever­ and more acuminate than those of I . green trees. Its habit is erect and com­ latifolia. The leaf spines, flat and nu­ pact with gracefully drooping branches. merous as in I. lalifolia, are not so The very large, glossy leaves are well strong and rigid as those of the English accented by the handsome and persistent holly. The distinctly longer fruiting ped­ red fruit. For landscape use, 'Wirt L. icels result in producing a more conspic- Winn' and future selections of I . X JANUARY 1967, VOLUME 46, NUMBER 1 45 koehneana may possess a potentially greater climatic tolerance than I. aqui­ folium or I. latifolia.

-GENE EISEN BE ISS AND THEODORE R. DUDLEY!

1 U. S. National Arboretum, \'Vashington, D.C. 20250.

New Zealand Crape Ferns The ferns of New Zealand are a marvelous assemblage, frequently very evident in the wild, widely cultivated in gardens and greenhouses there, and of tremendous potential interest to con­ noisseur collectors in this country. I say "potential interest," since so few of them have as yet been made available to use-this even though a number of them New Zealand Crape Fern, Todea hy­ menophylloides. have long been favorite subjects 111 Great Britain and on the Continent. popularity. Several interesting books on Ferns, in these United States, are to­ the Pteridophyta, as an assemblage, have day enjoying a notable renascence of been published during recent years, and a number of reputable nurseries­ New Zealand Crape Fern, Todea hy­ principally in Florida and California­ menophylloides, with the giant King now offer for sale a gratifying exten­ Fern, Marattia salicina, growing at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, New sive array of species, common and Zealand. scarce, indigenous and exotic. To date, the several species of Crape PHOTO BY GEORGE FULLER Ferns, of the genera Todea and L eptop­ teris, do not appear to be commercially available in this country. This is regret­ table, since two of them are among the most spectacular of all known p teridoph ytes. Through the kindness of my talented colleague, Mr. George Fuller, of New Plymouth, New Zealand, I have two excellent photographs of one of these, the famed Single Crape Fern or Heruheru, Todea hymenophylloides. (The Double Crape Fern, also known as Prince of Wales Feathers or Ngutun­ gutukiwi, Todea superba, will be taken up at a later date.) If we follow the system proposed by Edwin Bingham Copeland (Gen em Fili­ Cttm, Walthan, Mass., 1947), both of these should be known as Leptopteris, but in New Zealand they are generally considered to be Tocleas. ,l\Thatever their correct botanical names, these are splendid ferns. As is 46 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE shown in 1\11'. Fuller's photographs, To­ officially over, and about the same time dea hymenophylloides is a caulescent as the common snowdrop and early species, the trunk on occasion attaining crocus. This is two weeks or so sooner a height of about one and one-half feet. than the well known brilliant blue S. This caudex is stou t, and supports a sibirica and its variety atTocaendea (syn. richly spreading crown of numerous 'Spring Beauty') and than the turquoise plush-soft fronds, each up to two feet blue S. bifolia and its several varieties, long and one foot broad. These fronds, white to pink. as the specific name implies, simulate The flowers of Tubergen's scilla are a those of the fabled Filmy-Ferns of the very pale lavender or mauve. The gar­ genus Hymenophyllum. So thin that den effect, however, is white. The flow­ print can be read through ,them, they ers are starry and one inch wide. The six are of an incredible dissected complexi­ petals each have a narrow central streak ty, an odd yet beautiful translucent on front and back, blue towards the base dull dark- green hue, and give one very of the petal and lavender towards the much the impression of some sort of tip. The leaves are short and thick, four artificial ostrich feathers! to a plant, and a half to three-quarters In New Zealand, where this species is inch wide. endemic, it is reasonably common in The scape, or flower stalk, may have forested, moist areas throughout the is­ up to five flowers on it. As soon as the lands. Oddly enough, despite it~ ex­ stalk appears above the ground the top­ traordinary delicacy of foliage, it is fre­ most flower starts opening. The stalk quently to be found in somewhat dry spots. It seems to be readily transplanted into the garden, and thrives (at least in its native country) in the garden when Scilla tubergeniana. afforded shade and rich soil. PHOTO BY ~II ARIAN A. LEE Though this tree-fern in so many respects resembles one of the Filmy Ferns, its botanical affi nity is actually with our old friend Osmunda, this be­ cause of the unique sporangia. - ALEX D. HAWKES P. O. Box 435 Coconut GTove) Flo7'ida 33133

Tubergen's Scilla Scilla tttbeTgeniana is rela tively a new­ comer among the small hardy spring blooming scillas. It was introduced in 1931 by C. G. van Tubergen, Ltd. (Zwanenburg Nurseries) of Haarlem, The Netherlands, and is not yet com­ monly seen. The bulbs came from the mountains of northwestern Iran (Per­ sia) . There are those whose impatience demands that their gardens have the earliest flowers of spring. They should acid Tubergen's scilla to their collection of early bloomers. With me it is earliest of the spring flowering scillas. It blooms around March I, before winter IS JANUARY 1967, VOLUME 46, NUMBER 1 47 keeps on growing and is ultimately four fast as S. sibirica, which self seeds. Plant or five inches tall when all its flovvers are them about two inches deep and two or open. Cyril Coleman says that if grown three inches apart. Tubergen's scilla in fu ll shade the stalks grow up before should be p lanted along a walkway or flowering. There may be more than one driveway where its early flowers will be Hower stalk from the bulb. seen on cold, gusty days before the Tubergen's scilla will grow in a wood­ weather inspires regular inspection tours land setting or in partial shade. My around more remote parts of the garden. patch grows at the base of a white oak. -FREDERIC P. LEE The bulbs are free blooming. They 7401 Glenbrook Rd. increase slowly with me, nothing like as B ethesda, Maryland 20014

PHOTO BY MARIA N A. LEE Scilla tuhergeniana in a garden planting. FIRST EDITION DAFFODIL HANDBOOK A Very Special Issue of the American Horticultural Magazine GEORGE S. LEE, JR., Editor with WILLIS H. WHEELER, the American Daffodil Society FREDERIC P. LEE, the American Horticultural Society

" . . . destined to become a classic . .. a horticultural masterpiece. Sheer delight for the amateur and an absolute necessity for the professional, this volume, interna­ tional in scope, compiles in its 25 chapters every bit of current information about Daffodils. It is total, comprehensive; there's nothing more to say." Ruth C. Carll Horticultural Editor

The list of 27 authors of this Daffodil Part I is a complete garden guide with Handbook reads like a Who's Who of the instructions on planting and care and Daffodil World. George S. Lee, Jr., for­ hardiness. mer president of the American Daffodil Society and recipient of its Meritorious Part II thoroughly covers the basic Service Medal has assembled in this dis­ horticulture of the daffodil-plant struc­ tinguished volume the world authorities ture, growth factors, soils, diseases, nu­ on the subject Daffodil. They have per­ trition, hybridizing. formed a service to all daffodil growers and aficionados. Part III considers the unique daffodil Everything one need know about daffo­ groups, each chapter by an authority on dils including the most recent develop­ the group described. ments in cultural practice, pest and dis­ ease treatment, and new imported and Part IV offers an international view of domestic varieties is contained in this the daffodil world. Breeders and trade outstanding volume. For the expert horti­ sources are listed. culturist there is an immense storehouse of botanical and historical information Like all books sponsored by the Amer­ and for the enthusiastic amateur is a com­ ican Horticultural Society. The Daffodil plete "know-how." Handbook presents a sound, scientific The four major divisions of the text treatment of its subject. And enhancing, provide all the necessary information for this definitive story are numerous photo­ the successful cultivation of daffodils. graphs of exceptional quality. 56 illustrations 6-% x 10 240 pages

The American Horticultural Society, Inc. 1600 Bladensburg Road, N.E. POSTPAID IF PAYMENT Washington, D.C. 20002 IS WIlli ORDER Please send me ...... copy(ies) of THE DAFFODIL HANDBOOK @ $3.00 a copy paper bound. $4.50 a copy cloth bound.

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Garden Symposium APRIL 9-14 IN WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA

Presented by Colonial Williamsburg in Association with The American Horticultural Society

F you haven't already made reservations for the twenty-first cele­ brated Garden Symposium in historic Williamsburg, better do so soon. I Coming at a later-than-usual date this season, the Symposium provides a manelous opportunity to view Williamsburg's "Great Gardens of the 'Western 'World" in their Springtime glory. This year's schedule creates a happy event that is both informative and enjoyable. The program in­ cludes lectures, demonstrations, question-and-answer clinics, and social events. Here are visiting authorities: Hem-y M. Cathey, horticulturist, Belts­ ville, :Md.; Vincent C. Cerasi, ASLA, White Plains, N. Y.; D01'Othy Cooke, flower arranger, Leicester, England; Edward G. Corbett, research horti­ culturist, Glenn Dale, Md.; Frank S. Curto, horticulturist, Pittsburgh, Pa.; George F. Hull, horticulturist, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Carlton B . Lees, executive secretary, Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Boston, Mass.: Lois Woodward Pa~tl, Longwood Gardens, Pa.; Robel't H. Ruckel', ASLA, Norman, Okla.; W. F. Scott, Jr., APSA, photographer and iris authority, St. Louis, Mo.; Kathl'yn S. Taylor, conservationist, Dover, :Mass. ; Patl'icia B . Vanden,,(/,1-kel', arranger, New Canaan, Conn., assisted by members of the staff of Colonial 'l\Tilliamsburg. The opening reception will be held this year at Carter's Grove Planta­ tion, one of the great plantation homes of colonial Virginia called by noted architect and author Samuel Chamberlain "the most beautiful house in America." Take a springtime vacation with a purpose by attend­ ing the Williamsburg Garden Symposium, April 9-14, in Virginia's colonial capital.

]f you need more inform ation, write i\'frs. 1\1.(a1' 1' B. Deppe. R egistrar, ] WilliJmsburg Garden Symposium, Box C, Williamsburg, Va. 23 185 for [ free brochure. You ma), telephone (703) 229-1000. Rhododendron speciosum-Ocollee Aza'lea.