COMING IN THE NEXT ISSUE In the December 1980lJanuary 1981 issue of American Horticulturist we welcome the holidays with an article by George Taloumis on making apple-cone trees, lovely table decorations to use during the Christmas season. C. E. Lewis writes about branching and bark; Jane Guest Pepper describes a lovely garden in Pennsylvania; Darlene Conley tells you how to grow your own vanilla beans; Mary Baker describes the charms of a dwarf Punica, an easy-care indoor plant which doesn't mind cold temperatures; and Mrs. Ralph Cannon writes about the irresistible charm of hellebores. In addition, look for our regular features: President's Page; Book Reviews; Strange Relatives and the new Pronunciation Guide. All this and more coming up in December.

lIlu strarion of Ptmica granatum by Alice R. Tangerini VOLUME 59 NUMBER 5

Judy Powell EDITOR Rebecca McClimans FEATURES ART DIRECTOR Pam Geick Bromeliads in American Horticulture 16 PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Victoria Padilla Steven H. Dav is Jane Steffey Hardy Plants for Damp Soils 21 EDITORIAL ASSIST ANTS Text and Photography by Mrs. Ralph Cannon H . Marc Cathey Money-Saving Ideas for the Garden 22 Gilbert S. Daniels Donald Wyman The Staff and Contributors to American Horticulturist HORTICULTURAL CONSULTANTS Why Are So Few Endangered Plants Protected? 29 Gilbert S. Daniels Bruce MacBryde BOOK EDITOR A Southern Patio Garden 35 May Lin Roscoe BUSINESS MANAGER Text and Photography by George Taloumis Page 16 Dorothy Sowerby EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS COORDINATOR COLUMNS Judy Canady MEMBERSHIP/SUBSCRIPTION President's Page 2 SERVICE Gilbert S. Daniels John Simmons PRODUCTION COORDINATION Letters 4 Chromagraphics Inc. Seasonable Reminders: New Apple Varieties 6 COLOR SEPARATIONS Roger D. Way C. Lynn Coy Associates Inc. 220 East 54th Street The Indoor Gardener: Pagoda Bells 10 New York, NY 10022 Ruth Katzenberger (2 12) 751-2960 ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Strange Relatives: The Madder Family 12 Jane Steffey Replacement Issues of AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST are available at a Contributors 14 Page 6 cost of $2.50 per copy. Book Reviews 40 The opinions expressed in the articles which appear in AMERICAN Gilbert S. Daniels HORTICULTURIST are those of the Pronunciation Guide 43 authors and are not necessarily those of the Society. They are presented as Gardener's Marketplace 44 contributions to contemporary thought. Manuscripts, art work and photographs sent for possible publication will be returned if they are accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Page 21 AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST is the official publication of The American Horticultural Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22308, (703) 768-5700, and is issued in February, April, June, August, October and December. Membership in the Society automatically includes a subscription to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Membership dues start at $20.00 a year, $12.00 of which is designated for AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Copyright © 1980 by The American Horticultural Society. ISSN 0096-4417. Second-class postage paid at Alexandria, Virginia and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send Form 3579 to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121.

Member of Society of National ON THE COVER: A sure sign of the change in seasons: Association Publications this strawberry foliage takes on autumn color as the first frost draws near. Photograph by Pamela Harper.

American Horticulturist 1 In 1951 and a second edition was issued AMERICAN lI'I 1956. This four-volume work is ob­ HORfICULTURAL viously more up-to-date in its nomencla­ ture and has many more species described SOC IElY than Bailey's Clyclopedia. Cultural infor­ mation, while directed at the British Isles, OFFICERS is excellent and general enough to allow the American reader to easily adapt it to Dr. Gilbert S. Daniels his own needs. For the greenhouse grower PRESIDENT or the Sunbelt gardener, this is a partic­ ularly useful work as it includes all the Mrs. Erastus Corning, II exotic plants grown in British greenhouses FIRST VICE PRESIDENT as well as the hardier matc::rial grown out­ doors. Two supplements have been pub­ Dr. Harold B. Tukey, Jr. lished, the first in 1956 and a much larger SECOND VICE PRESIDENT second edition in 1969. Although the sup­ plements were originally intended to pro­ Mrs. John M. Maury vide current information on cultivars, which SECRETARY are covered extensively for the "principal kinds of cultivated plants," considerable Edward N. Dane updating on species descriptions for many TREASURER he large number of gardening books other genera is also included. Available which are published each month directly from the Royal Horticultural So­ Thomas W. Richards T give ample evidence that gardeners ciety, it is offered at a discount to mem­ EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT are readers. Those new publications that bers, which makes it more than worth­ are considered most worthwhile are re­ while to join this English counterpart to 'Dr. Henry M. Cathey viewed in American Horticulturist. Both our own Society. IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT popular and more technical works are A third major encyclopedia has just been brought to your attention, and from the published (see the book review section in BOARD OF DIRECTORS orders received, it is obvious that many this issue) by the New York Botanical of our members are interested in building Garden. The New York Botanical Garden TERMS EXPIRING IN 1980: their own reference libraries. Since many Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horticulture of the standard reference works in gar­ by Thomas H. Evc::rett is a brand new 10- J. Lyle Bayless, Jr. dening have been around for a long time, volume work which will be particularly Mrs. George P. Bissell, Jr. Mrs. Benjamin P. Bole, J r. I thought it would be worthwhile to use welcomed by American gardeners. The first Everett Conklin this President's Page to list some works volume has just reached me and I under­ Mrs. Nicholas R. du Pont which I regard as basic to a gardening stand that all 10 volumes will shortly be Alfred M. Hunt Mrs. William Wallace Mein reference library. available. Mrs. Pendleton Miller The two basic encyclopedias of garden­ A one-volume work which includes most Captain Walter W. Price, Jr. ing are surprisingly useful today in spite of the hardy plant material and a great TERMS EXPIRING IN 1981: of the length of time they have been around. deal of the sub-tropical material grown in The Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture the United Statc::s is Wyman's Gardening J. Judson Brooks by Liberty Hyde Bailey was first published Encyclopedia by Donald Wyman. Pub­ Dr. Gilbett S. Daniels in 1900 by the Macmillan Company. It lished by the Macmillan Company in 1971, Harold Epstein Mrs. Howard S. Kittel was revised in 1914 and all subsequent I find it particularly useful as a quick ref­ Mrs. Joseph G. Poetker editions, no matter what claim they may erence work I can keep on my desk. Dr. Harold B. Tukey, Jr. make, are essentially the same as the 1914 For Westerners and sub-tropical gar­ Theodore Van Veen James W. Wilson revision. It is found in both six- and three­ deners of the Southeast, The New Western volume forms, but any version published Garden Book published by Lane Publish­ TERMS EXPIRING IN 1982: after 1914 is worth having. In spite of the ing Company in 1979 is a greatly ex­ obviously dated contents, the descriptions panded and updated version of the ex­ Richard]. Both of plant species, the extensive cultural in­ tremely useful first edition published in Edward N. Dane Jackson R. Eddy formation for all parts of the United States 1967. Available in paperback for under Mrs. A. Lester Marks and well written discussions of history and $10, it is one of the best buys in gardening Mrs. John M. Maury background make this a reference work books available today. Mrs. Edward C. Sweeney Mrs. William C. Weaver, Jr. which I still consult on an almost daily For quick identification of plant mate­ Dr. John A. Wott basis. Copies are often available from sec­ rial with particular emphasis on house ondhand book dealers. plants and greenhouse material (thus also The Royal Horticultural Society Dic­ of extreme value in the Sunbelt states), no tionary of Gardening was first published book can compare to Exotica by Alfred

2 October/November 1980 nJune 24,1980 David Burpee died Energy-Free at the age of 87. He was the son Reflectors O of W. Atlee Burpee, the founder of the firm that bears his name. For most Give Plants of us that name is synonomous with gar­ More Light dening in the United States, and David Burpee was the personification of the seed industry. He took over his father's com­ Sun-Stretcher Shells can help you produ ce blo s­ soms faster. grow sturdier see dlings, rai se a wider pany in 1915 when the senior Burpee died. variety of plants. Made of mirrored plastic . Shaped to collect and concentrate light. Can make a windowsill In the more than half a century which fol­ more like a greenhou se or brighten a dark corner. lowed, he developed the company into the 12" lall . 9" wide . $3 each , 2 for $5 . largest mail-order seed house in the United States. For me the Burpee Company has always meant something new and worth­ while to grow in the garden. Marigolds come first to mind, but snapdragons, zin­ nias and gloriosa daisies are not far be­ hind. Vegetable gardeners, too, owe a great deal to David Burpee. Who hasn't grown Sun-Stretcher Collars are ideal for offices or any the 'Big Boy' tomato? Many hybrid veg­ place with overhead lighting . Opens wide to go on without disturbing plant. Promotes bushier grdwth . etables, including cultivars of squash, can­ In 1978 David Burpee accepted the Liberty Hyde Bailey Medal from the American 9" across , 2" high , 3" opening . $2 each , 3 for $5 . taloupe and cucumber were developed for Sun-Stretcher Stakes help small plants flourish . Horticultural Society at its Congress in 5" reflector attaches to 6" aluminum wire that can be use in the home garden under his leader­ Nashville. bent to focus light on plant. $1 each . 6 for $5 . ship. In 1978 the American Horticultural Sun-Stretcher Set, one of each , a $6 value , $5 . Society awarded David Burpee the Liberty dening. While he led a full and acti ve life, All prices include postage and handling . If you're not pleased w~h any ~em return for refund . Hyde Bailey Medal in recognition of his I'm sure that all gardeners will mourn his Send check or money order to : achievements and contributions to gar- death. growth products company Box 806-C10 . Ravinia Station. Highland Park. IL 60035

B. Graf. Essentially in its third edition, this John Little and C. Eugene Jones gives def­ immense volume of plant photographs is initions of all the specialized terminology eo~iJP~~"" Burpee~ SE~g~lS~Q~~ published by Roehrs Company. Its almost of botany and horticulture. Published in 5~~ 0 .... 2,000 pages makes for a heavy load on 1980 by Van Nostrand Reinhold Com­ new 1981 See the lap, but there is no other book like it. pany, the work provi des the key to the Catalog .... FREE The author's more recent publicati on, sometimes unfamiliar technical language Featuring new Tropica, is an all-color work which ap­ of the professional botanist or horticul­ exciting vegetable proaches Exotica in size but doesn't have turist. and flower varieties for the nearly the scope of the earlier work. These are all reference works of general home gardener. One basic reference which supplements use to the advanced gardener. Many other he new 1B4-page the above encyclopedias is J. C. Willis' books exist for specific plant groups, spe­ T Burpee Catalog Dictionary of the Flowering Plants and cialized growing conditions or climatic is a comprehensive Ferns. Published by Cambridge University regions of the country. If you have a prob­ planting and growing guide with Press, this is more of a botanist's reference, lem in finding a book that answers your over 1BOO vegetables, for it consists entirely of the latest listings questions, write the Society and we will flowers, fruits, shrubs and trees. Plus of the names of plant genera. Older generic try to recommend an appropriate work helpful hints from Burpee's horti- culture experts on how to have a more names refer to the most recent name and which you can add to your own reference productive garden. Send for your for each genus the number of species and library. free copy today, and it wit! arrive in geographical distribution are given. Orig­ your mailbox in early January. inally published in 1897, it is now in its If you ordered from Burpee last year, you will automatically receive your free eighth edition, which appeared in 1973. Burpee catalog in 19B1. <0 Burpee S.ed Co. 1980 Hortus III, by the staff of the Bailey -Gilbert S. Daniels Hortorium, and published by the Mac­ r------,I BURPEE SEED CO. I President 1281 Burpee Bldg .. Warminster. PA 18974; millan Company in 1976, is the most au­ I or Clinton, IA 52732; or Riverside, CA 92502 I thoritative work available for names and I (Please mail to nearest address) I descriptions of plants grown in the United I Yes. Please send me the 19B1 Burpee I States. Cultural information is minimal, I Seed Catalog FREE. I IN~ I but the species and cultivar descriptions I (Please !Trint) I are the most extensive and most current I Address I available. I City I Finally, A Dictionary of Botany by R. I . I L ______S~~ ~ _ J

American Horticulturist 3 Smith & Hawken offers the finest hand-crafted Eng lish gardening tools: forks , spades, hoes, trowels, shears, rakes I and more. Getting Involved irony in the dialect. In Suffolk, country people used to refer to the small pony or I just sat down with a noon GUp of coffee even the donkey they often used in plough­ and your magazine, and after reading the ing their. . . allotments as 'the poor man's TREE PEONIES "President's Page," I decided to write. Punch,' that is, the modest counterpart of CHINESE CONQUEST-blue and green flowers I've ordered other gardening magazines the heavy farmhorse, the Suffolk Punch. -plus many unusual specimens from Chinese but no other is as nicely organized from IN south Wales, too, the ubiquitous elder dynasties never seen before-Send $2 .00 for Chinese catalog and new 1980-1981 all oth­ beginning to end as American Horticul­ was referred to as the Welsh Vine. This er peonies coralag-credited on first order­ turist. I think my favorite feature is "Strange attempt at a derivation is pure conjecture, also amaryllis coralog-Louis Smirnow and Relatives" because I am very much inter­ but we can be sure that 'mulberry' in the Son-85 Linden Lone [lrookville, NY 11545 ested in learning about as many plant fam­ above sense has a long standing link with ilies as possible. Also, I love books, es­ ordinary country people, for the action STOP KILLING pecially gardening books, and I think your rhyme: Here we go round the mulberry YOUR PLANTS "Book Review" section is a real good thing. bush, is real evidence. Genuine mulberries Easy-to-use precision instruments shOllll grow on trees, therefore the mulberry bush status instantly. No chemicals or dyes. There are few bookstores in my area, so Simply insert probes into soil. Funda­ this way I can order them from home. must have been a bramble." mental tools for growing all plants. The Society is great and very informa­ tive and I like that. And I'd love to get I offer this at the risk of setting off the more involved. How can I do it? great mulberry-bramble controversy of the -Mrs. Donna Housel 1980's, because I hope it may interest you. Buffalo Mills, Pennsylvania It seems to me, too, that if in these times we cannot have miracles, we ought at least to share our coincidences. $11.95 Bush or Tree? Mrs. Earl H. Newcomer 1. Fertility Analyzer - Prevents over Storrs, Connecticut application of fertilizer. Jane Steffey began her article on the mul­ 2. pH meter - End soil guesswork - Get acid/ alkalinity balance. berry family (American Horticulturist, Junel 3. Moisture/ light meter - Know your July 1980) with the words of the action water & light needs. Kiwifruit Source SATISFACTION GUARANTEED rhyme, "Here we go round the mulberry Environmental Concepts bush." By a wonderful coincidence, as part I have just subscribed to your magazine 710 NW. 57th St. Dept. AH and understand that the February/March Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 of the same week's reading, we found Check, M .O., Mastercharge, Visa George Ewart Evans (Tools of Their Trades: issue, which I have not seen, has an ex­ SPECIAL! All three $45.95 An Oral History of Men at Work c. 1900) cellent article on kiwifruit. I thought your .... · .. ·OFFER EXTENDED ...... quoting the same singing game . readers who are interested in growing this "Schultz -Instant" Have you ever wonder~d why the song fruit would like to know about a new nur­ says "bush" instead of "tree"? George sery which supplies the vines. It is the F.rNilllZer Ewart Evans offers a reason. After talking California Rare Fruit Nursery, Inc., 989 20·30·20 with a reed thatcher in East Anglia about Poinsettia, Vista, CA 92083. The plants with Model 5 "MtXERATOR YARD GUN" the use of bramble stalks in thatching, he are shipped bareroot in season. ==seeds were which happens to be one of my favorite Extended . limited offer. Immediate shipment. not given away for free but "at a cost of plants. I thought I would write a few lines Schultz Company three farthings a plant or six shillings a about my experience with developing them Dept. AHS 11730 Northline, St. Louis, MO 63043 hundred." Only people of substance, Ev­ from seed. COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY WANTED ans says, "would have access to the mul­ I put fluffy seeds from 'Nelly Moser,' FOR FUTURE ISSUES of American berry fruit. The less favored had the bram­ as soon as I gathered them, into a box half Horticulturist. Please submit ma­ ble, and it was probable that they referred filled with a mixture of dry sand, mulch terial to Rebecca McClimans, 2900 to this as the mulberry because it was the and earth and closed the lid and shook the Connecticut Avenue, NW #442, poor man's fruit, free for the taking. There box well to get the seeds well distributed Washington, D,C., 20008. are a number of analogies for this kind of throughout the mixture. Then I spread

4 October/November 1980 over the mixture, thinly and evenly, a 1/2- inch layer of sand and leaf mold in equal proportions. I watered the bed well and left the uncovered box in the open air on a patio all year. The clematis seed appear to likes this treatment-they have a dor­ mant period, and they need exposure to the winter cold (of course, our winters are relatively mild, hardly reaching lower tem­ peratures than -8 °C) . The next spring five tiny clematis plants emerged from the Now . .. the famous Vegetable Factory® Solar Col/ector ground. Three were eaten by snails, but with added heat storage and air distribution offers the remaining two I rescued and trans­ a total energy system so that you may qualify for the planted to a safer place. I did not water the box during the cold season and started watering it again after danger of frost was 40% TAX over. CREDIT! (A greenhouse or solarium per se does not qualify.) Recently I obtained a new variety, Cle­ IT RUNS ON THE SUN . . . and not and diffuses the burning rays of the sun matis vitalba, with tiny white flowers, much else! automatically. which has proved to be very resistant, and Now Vegetable Factory® offers you all Exclusive, factory direct only, 5 year the options .. . to enjoy the best of grow- warranty, all models and sizes, or solar even if the flowers are not as large and ing, or heating , or both. From America's panels only for retrofit into your own opulent as the large-flowered hybrids, it first and leading manufacturer of double- structure. makes a beautiful green and white spot on wall solar structures, comes a major in- Send for FREE COLOR BROCHURE. novation in storing and distributing solar the wall where I made it climb. heat that requires no internal floor space! ~=----=... VEGETABLE FACTORY, INC. Perhaps my technique is already known All shatterproof construction, no foun- P.O. Box 2235 , Dept. AH-1 0 to horticulturists with experience, but I dations required , a Vegetable Factory® New York, N.Y. 10163 thought I should let you know about it. transmits more solar ene.rg.y.th.a.n.g.la.s.s•••••• o.r.Cia.I.I: (212) 867-0113 I must say, before closing, how happy I am to belong to the Society, and how much I enjoyed reading my first issue of Amer­ ican Horticulturist. Cayetano M. Pepe Revolutionary handpowerad La Plata, Argentina SHREDDER YOURS ... Now you can shred prunings, tough stalks, 186 ways to make a twigs, old plants and leaves ror compost mate­ greenhouse more than Japanese Beetles rial or allractive mulch. Just turn the handle. New , patented culler design makes reduction a greenhouse ... easy and quick . Volume or waste reduces by ways that fit your space, Recent observations of mine indicate that 9O"l0 . Cuts composting your use, your lifestyle, traps for Japanese beetles are commonly time by window size from $283. placed badly; that is, they are placed in months. room size from $798. the middle of what needs protection. Care­ Smaller rots raster. ful observations in my garden show that damage to roses, for example, is worst in the immediate vicinity of the beetle trap. To test this I selected an isolated patch of multiflora which I had seen several times a day for weeks, without any indication of the presence of beetles. A trap was plac@d FREE on the edge of this patch. Within two hours b€etles were present in the trap and feeding on the roses. The patch is big enough so CATALOG that several days later the feeding was still r------~~...... LORD & BURNHAM I concentrated in the vicinity of the trap and I U -t. I DiviSion Burnham Corporal ion I I IRVI NGTON N Y 10533 Depl. 8 the far edges of the patch were virtually _ . . . ' _ _ , send!~_~. rree,inr.ormation. I Send Lord & Burnham's I untouched. Evidently Japanese beetle traps • ,~ '(0\.. .. • :CI t " " · .. .' I free color catalog to: I should be placed at a distance from what . " ~"' .' \ . '. ~7' ~ "\ ,-.I ~ ... • . ;.. , ~ , . _ ~ : I Name I needs protection to decoy beetles away 414 Aero Park, Doylestown, PA 18901 Address I from sensitive plants. I I City I Charles H. Blake I State Zip I Hillsborough, North Carolina ~------I"the greenhouse people ... since 1856"

American Horticulturist 5 SEASONABLE REMINDERS

NEW APPLE VARIETIES

and 1979, they described an additional 75 new apple varieties. Only a few of these 859 are being widely grown in 1980; most have failed. Yet everyone of them, at one time, performed well enough that their originators thought them worthy of nam­ ing. In fact, nearly all of them would likely produce good, acceptable crops if enough trees were planted and grown cardully. But somehow, nearly all lacked that spe­ cial something that made them acceptable to· growers and so they are doomed to obscurity. In addition to the 859 new apple vari­ eties listed by Brooks and Olmo between 1920 and 1979, several score new varieties have been brought into this country from abroad by the Plant Introduction Division of the U.S . Department of Agriculture. 'Mutsu' is a good example of a new va­ riety, now widely grown, which came in as a foreign introduction. Yet in spite of these numbers, the trend in commercial apple growing is toward fewer and fewer varieties. In the 1890's every farm orchard grew nearly 50 vari­ eties. Today, there are only 13 important varieties grown in the entire United States. In descending order, these 13 are 'Deli­ cious' (about 2.5 billion pounds annually), "The proof of a pudding is in the eating." volume of a uniform product; they are not 'Golden Delicious' (1.2 billion), 'Mc­ This old adage is equally applicable to a interested in a new apple variety. Thus, Intosh', 'Rome Beauty', 'Jonathan', 'York new apple variety. The success of a new the success of 'Empire' is, indeed, a phe­ Imperial', 'Stayman', 'Winesap', 'Cort­ variety can be measured by how widely nomenon and has been possible only be­ land', 'Yellow Newtown', 'R.I. Greening', it is grown. Using this yardstick, the new cause it is such a superior new kind. 'Northern Spy' and 'Gravenstein'. 'Empire' apple, introduced from Geneva When is a new apple variety still a new The most important variety, 'Delicious', in 1966, can be rated eminently successful. variety? It may require 50 years or more accounts for 36 percent of all apples grown It is being planted widely; in the spring for a new variety to become established, in the United States today. Furthermore, of 1978 more 'Empire' trees were planted during which time it can still be called its relative importance is increasing every than any other apple variety in New York new. For example, 'Granny Smith' was year. Someday, half our apples could be State, the nation's second most important discovered in Australia before 1868. Now, of this one variety. The entry of a new apple-producing state. more than a century later, planting it is variety could become even more difficult. Because of the long life of an apple or­ just beginning in the United States and we However, most people will agree that some chard and because markets for standard can still call it new. 'McIntosh', number of the new varieties are, indeed, superior varieties are firmly established, new intro­ one in the Northeast, was discovered in and should be grown more widely. ductions are usually very slow to become 1790; 120 years later it was still a " new" Several of the top 13 listed above are accepted. Apple growers are very con­ variety. "fence-row" discoveries and some are more servative, resistant to change, resistant to Brooks and Olmo's 1972 Register of than a century old. In recent years, there trying new varieties. Apple buyers for the New Fruit and Nut Varieties gives brief has been a great wave of nostalgia sweep­ big chain food stores are even more re­ descriptions of the origins and character­ ing over the country. Many people claim sistant to change. They demand a large istics of new tree and fruit varieties intro­ that antique and heirloom varieties have duced in the 50-year period, 1920-70. Seven the best eating quality. I have tasted most 'Jonagold', a new apple variety in this country, hundred and eighty-four new apple vari­ of those old ones; in my opinion, some of is widely planted in England, Europe and Japan. eties are described. Later, between 1971 the new ones are better tasting. The eating

6 October/N ovember 1980 Announcing a totally new, amazingly comprehensive and authoritative reference work that has already been hailed as "the horticultural 'bible' for al/ gardeners,"* "a monumental work that eclipses al/ gardening encyclopedias of the twentieth century,"* * and "an excellent quick-reference source for both students of horticulture and amateur gardeners. ,,* * * The New York Botanical Garden Illustrated ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORTle LTURE by Thomas H. Everett, Just a few of the more than 7,000 entries you'll find in your copy of The New York Botanical Garden Illustrated Encyclopedia Senior Horticulture Specialist of Horticulture . The New York Botanical Garden • Acid and alkaline soils • lime and liming • Bulbs • Mulching and Mulches • Compost and composting • Night-blooming plants A masterwork of more than three million words and over • Dish gardens • Organic gardening • Earwigs • Pollination 10,000 photographs, The New York Botanical Garden • Fragrant plants and flowers • Rock gardens Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horticulture represents the • Grafting • Slaking and lying ultimate reference source in the field of horticulture. • Herbaceous borders • Trees - Indoor hghl gardening - Urea-form fertilizers In over 7,000 entries, this all-new, absolutely definitive • January through December • Vegetable gardens 10-volume set explains everything horticulturists and gardening reminders • Wild gardens gardeners-professional and amateur-are ever likely to • Knot gardens • Zinnias need to know. You get meticulously detailed, thoroughly reliable information on plant anatomy and terms used in plant descriptions, gardening terms and information, types SPECIAL VOLUME-BY­ of gardens and gardening, technical terms, fertilizers and VOLUME SERIES other substances related to gardening, pests, diseases and other troubles, grouping of plants, and much, much more. RESERVATION PLAN It describes and discusses approximately 20,000 FOR READERS OF species and varieties of plants including temperate region, AMERICAN subtropical, and tropical trees, shrubs, evergreens, vines, groundcovers, aquatics, cactuses and other succulents. HORTICULTURIST Annuals, biennials, perennials, roses, vegetables, fruits, You may reserve your set of The and herbs. It sets forth detailed instructions for their New York Botanical Garden Illustrated CUltivation (both outdoors and indoors), describes Encyclopedia of Horticulture now at landscape uses, and shows you exactly how to maintain the guaranteed price of only $52_50 healthy garden. . (plus a small charge for postage and Nine hundred major articles deal with subjects other than handling) for each giant volume. Each the more than 3,600 genera and 260 plant families covered. volume will be shipped to you as it is There are also over 2,500 cross references. published. The New York Botanical Garden Illustrated Volumes I and II are now available Encyclopedia of Horticulture is destined to become the and will be shipped to you upon receipt of your order. Volume III is standard in its field. scheduled for publication in November, 1980. The remaining seven volumes will be published at intervals ' Harold Epstein, Member of the Board of Directors, American Horticultural Society " Elizabeth C. Hall, Senior Librarian, The Horticultural Society of New York 0f approximately six weeks during '''Harold Davidson, PhD .. Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University 1981. SEND NO MONEY. USE THE If order card has been detached, please send HANDY POSTAGE-PAID REPLY your order directly to Garland Publishing, Inc., CARD PROVIDED. MAIL YOUR ORDER TODAY! 136 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 SEASONABLE REMINDERS CONT'D GREAT NEWS qualiry of the new 'Empire', 'jonagold', than 'Vista Bella', attractive, firmer than for your 'Melrose', 'Gala' and 'Mutsu' are abso­ most summer varieties. 2, 11. HOUSEPLANTS lutely unsurpassed. F0rtunately, those of 'Viking'-Aug. 20, U. Wisc., 1969, dark and you you who like to grow apples in your home red, heavy waxy bloom on fruit, good garden will have greater freedom to choose qualiry, biennial cropping. 8. Send for FREE top quality than will commercial growers 'Jerseymac'-Aug. 20, Rutgers, Nj, INFORMATION on who must select varieties for long storage, 1971, 'McIntosh' type, but a month ear­ eye appeal, long distance shipping, and NUTRIPONICS TM-. lier, good qualiry, soft, drops, attractive Use Coupon Below above all, to please the chain store buyer. color, extremely susceptible to scab. 1, 2, The Geneva Experiment Station in New 3,6,7,8,10,11,13,14,15. York has an extensive apple breeding pro­ 'Tydeman Early'-Aug. 28, England, gram designed specifically to develop and 1964, similar to 'McIntosh', but ripens introduce new and superior apple hybrids. three weeks earlier, good 'McIntosh' -like Furthermore, this Station has a large apple qualiry, fully red, large, tree has long, lanky variety testing program. Testing simply branches. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 13, 17, 19. means growing and evaluating apple fmit­ 'Paulared'-Sept. 5, discovered by a ing performances and making an estimate Michigan grower, 1967, two weeks before of their potential usefulness for home gar­ 'McIntosh', attractive red color, firmer than den and commercial growers. We obtain most early apples, medium qualiry. 2, 8, new varieties from around the world, grow 18. them and try to objectively assess their 'Burgundy'-Sept. 8, Geneva, NY, 1974, performance potentials. We have more than glossy dark mahogany, firm, good qualiry, a thousand named varieties in our collec­ sometimes sunburns, hangs well after ripe, Now you can grow healthy plants in­ tion, one of the largest collections in the short storage life. 2, 10, 13. doors-even tomatoes using a totally cmIDtry. Additionally, we, have 700 su­ 'Akane' (Prime Red)-Sept. 10, japan, new and simple system called "Nutri­ perior selections from our apple breeding 1970, very attractive bright red, medium ponics" . program which are being re-evaluated; a size, medium yields, good eating qualiry. This new system uses a modern attrac­ few will eventually be introduced. 2,6,9, 13, 14, 15 . tive planter (or even a used tin can), that Although the Geneva Experiment Sta­ 'Prima'-Sept. 15, Purdue-Rutgers-IIIi­ acts as a water reservoir for a flower pot tion has tested hundreds of new apple va­ nois, 1970, scab resistant, needs no scab permitting long periods without water­ rieties, we have tested only a small portion spray, especially useful for home orchard­ ing if you desire. Your plants gradually of the thousand or more that have been ist, early fall apple, good size, good red absorb all the moisture they require, newly introduced. Our tests are mainly of color, good qualiry. 3, 8, 15. simply, easily, practically eliminating varieties from our own breeding programs 'Jonamac'-Sept. 20, Geneva, NY 1972, leading causes of house plant failure: in­ and of those recently introduced by other similar to 'McIntosh', but nearly a week adequate moisture and overwatering. experiment stations in the United States earlier and better quality, very susceptible Fully tested. We have received many let­ and abroad. We have not thoroughly tested ters from customers expressing satisfac­ to apple scab fungus, good color, medium tion. many varieties introduced by private apple size. 1,2,3,8, 10, 11, 13, 15. originators. 'McIntosh ' spurs-Sept. 25, smaller trees NUTRIPONIC KITS A V AILABLE than nonspurs, very susceptible to apple Kits include our 50-page beautifully il­ · his report gives a brief description scab fungus, 'MacSpur' (Nursery No.8), lustrated book on Nutriponics along of 24 new apple varieties which 'SpurMac' (3 ), 'Starkspur McIntosh' (15 ), with Liqui-SoiI™, special Nutriponic we and others have found to per­ 'Morspur' (7) ; other new 'McIntosh' sports pots and planting medium. Windowbox T form well and which we consider worthy are also available. also available. for grower trials. Dates listed are average 'Gala'-Sept. 29, New Zealand, 1960, harvest dates at Geneva, New York (Zone attractive, light bright red, yellow ground WINDOWSILL GARDENS 5, - 20° to -10°F winter minimum) and color, excellent fresh eating quality, me­ Grafton, N.H. 03240, Dept. AH are listed in order of ripening. Surely, there dium size. 15. is at least one new variery that you will find 'Spartan'-Oct. 1, Summerland, British Send Information o appealing for your own garden. Columbia, 1936, some resemblence to o Send $4.95 Kit o Send $9.95 Kit 'Vista Bel/a'-Aug. 4, introduced by 'McIntosh', medium size, highly colored Include $1.50 for Shipping Rutgers Univ., Nj in 1974, replaces 'Lodi', solid dark red, firm, crisp, white flesh, a green apple of the same season, one of juicy, very good, widely grown. 2, 3, 6, the earliest fully red apples, very vigorous 7,8, 14, 15, 17. Name tree, sometimes watercore. Trees sold by 'Ozark Gold'-Oct. 5, Missouri, 1970, Address nurseries Nos. 2,3,8, 13, 14, 15 (see nurs­ yellow-green, three weeks. 6, 9, 13, 14, ery list below). 15. City. State Zip 'Julyred'-Aug. 8, Rutgers, Nj, 1962, 'Liberty'-Oct. 7, Geneva, NY, 1978, Checks or Money Orders Only better qualiry thafl 'Crimson Beaury', 2% disease resistant, flO disease controlling in. in diam., half red, brighter lighter red sprays needed, especially useful for home

8 October/November 1980 Inside Gardening orchardist, good color, good quality, me­ 2,3,8,10,11,12,13,15,19), 'Jonee'(8), dium size. 2, 9, 13. 'Anna'(3, 9, 15), 'Holly', 'Sinta', 'S pi­ with 'Priscilla '-Oct. 10, Purdue-Rutgers-I1- gold'(2, 8, 12, 13), 'S pence r', 'Prime Iinois, 1972, scab resistant, no scab sprays Gold'(17), 'Spij on'(2), 'Regent'(8, 16), e,:ve¢b/ needed, especially useful for home or­ 'Splendor', 'Fuji', 'Granny Smith' (1,2, 3, GREENHOUSES chardist, also resistant to fire blight and 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17). 'Granny powdery mildew, highly colored, crisp. 3, Smith' requires a very long growing sea­ 8. son; in most of the northern U.S., it will 'Empire'-Oct. 14, Geneva, NY, 1966, not full y ripen. one of most widely accepted of new apple Some relati vely new apple varieties, not varieties, excellent tree shape, productive, recommended because of horticultural good fruit color, excellent ea ting quality, deficiencies, are 'Barry'(11), 'Wayne', medium size, long storage. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 'Lodi'(l, 3,6,7,8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19), 8, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15. 'Quinte'( l, 3, 8), 'Puritan'(2, 10), 'Bea­ 'Red Delicious' sports-Oct. 14, nearly con'(3, 8, 16, 19), 'Sir Prize'(3) . Everlite answers all your needs all year 'round with : 200 mutations for improved red color or Some very new varieties, not yet fully compact tree growth (spur types) have been tested at Geneva in 1980, are 'S ummer • Ove r 90 models starting at $333. • Precision prefabrication for fast introduced. Spurs are generally preferred. Treat'(15), 'State Fair'(3, 15 ), 'Sweet Six­ assembly. Some of the most widely grown spurs are teen'(3, 15 ), 'Macfree'(13), 'Jonafree', • Quality engineered throughout. 'Idaho Spur' (Nursery No. 13 ), 'Starkrim­ 'Nova Easygro'(13), 'Nittany', 'Maigold' • Full accessories line including automatic climate controls. son' (15), 'Redchief'( 8), 'Oregon Spur'(9, (20) .0 - Roger D. Way Get the Inside story . . . 17), 'Miller Spur'(8), 'Redspur'(7), 'Stark­ Write lor catalog-price lilt AH C.II Toll Free (800) 321-3050 spur'(15), 'Wellspur'(6, 17), 'Ultrared'(15), Tree fruit nurseries cited above: 'Silver Spur'(3,4), many others. 1. Adams County Nursery, Aspers, PA C7Uwnillpm 'Jonagold'-Oct. 15, Geneva, NY, 1968, 17304. {jreenhouses, lrt.c. , widely planted in England, Europe and 2. Amberg Nursery, Stanley, NY 14561. Japan, excellent quality, only half red, 3. Bountiful Ridge Nurseries, Princess pollen not viable, very productive. 2, 8, Anne, MD 21853. 11, 12, 13 . 4. Callahan Nursery, 1315 Fruitvale Bou­ 'Golden Delicious' substitutes-'Ha­ levard, Yakima, WA 98902. WATER LILIES waii'(6), 'Smoothee'( 8), 'Honeygold'(8, 15, 5. Carlton Nursery, Dayton, OR 971 14. GOLDFISH. SCAVENGERS 16), 'Sungold'(1, 2), 'Virginiagold'(1), 6. Columbia Basin Nursery, Quincy, WA AQUA TIC PLANTS. LIGHTS PUMPS. FILTERS. fOUNTAINS 'Echo'(13), 'Blushing Golden'(15), 'Firm­ 98848. FIBERGLASS GARDEN POOLS. KOI gold'(3, 4), ' Clear Gold' (19), 'Gold­ 7. C & 0 Nurseries, Wenatchee, WA New colorful 48 page catalog only S1 50 spur'(7), 'Magnolia Gold'(3), 'Nugget'(3), 98801. 'Supergold'(3), 'Criterion'(5, 12). Most of 8. Hilltop Nurseries, Hartford, MI 49057. these have slightly lower fresh eating qual­ 9. Johnson Nursery, Ellijay, GA 30540. ity, some have more red color, and some 10. Kell y Bros. Nurseries, Dansville, NY have less skin russet than 'Golden Deli­ 14437. cious'. 11. Mayo Nursery, Lyons, NY 14489. 'Idared'-Oct. 25, Idaho, 1942, late rip­ 12. Miller Nursery, Canandaigua, NY ening, handsome, solid bright red, tart at 14424. harvest, mellows in storage, long keeping, 13. New York State Fruit Testing Assn., tree medium vigor, heavy cropping, sus­ Geneva, NY 14456. ceptible to fire blight. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 14. Sierra Gold Nurseries, Yuba, CA 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19. 95991. 'Rome Beauty' sports-Oct. 25, 'Law'(2, 15. Stark Bro's Nurseries, Louisiana, MO 6, 9, 15), 'Law Spur'(8), 'Starkspur 63353. Lilypons Red'(15), 'Spuree'(8). 16. Swedberg Nurseries, Battle Lake, MN 'Melrose'-Oct. 25, Ohio, 1944, excel­ 56515. Water Gardens lent quality, large, productive, color slightly 17. Van Well Nursery, Wenatchee, WA dull, long storage. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 19. 98801. r-~~~~;~~;;~~~;-l I 1500 Amhort Road 1500 Amhort Road 'Mutsu'-Oct. 25, Japan, 1948, very 18. Wafler Nursery, Wolcott, NY 14590. • Lllypons, Maryland 21717 Brookshire! Texas 77423' large, yellow-green, excellent quality, pro­ 19. Worley Nursery, York Springs, PA I (301) 874-5133 (713) \134-8525 I ductive, very long storage, pollen not vi­ 17372. I YES. Please send me the new colorful • • Lilypons catalog. I enclose $1 .50. • able. 2, 3,6,8,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. 20. Yakima Valley Nursery, Yakima, WA Some good new apple varieties, but not 98902. • Name I (PI."« pn nl) I outstanding in Geneva tests, are 'Welling­ Most tree fruit nurseries are almost I Address • ton'(2), 'Milton'(2), 'Earliblaze'(15), completely sold out of nursery stock for I C ity I 'Mollie's Delicious'(3, 8, 15), 'Macoun'(l, 1980. Order now for 1981. L ~a: ______1~ _____ J • s z • American Horticulturist 9 THE INDOOR GARDENER

PAGODA BELLS

You can almost hear the bell-like flowers clanging as they sway on a pagoda-shaped raceme. There is the added attraction of velvet foliage with handsome patterns to bring joy during the murky days of fall and early winter. I am talking about the colorful, easy to grow smithianthas which, unfortunately, are not usually offered in the retail trade except through specialty commercial gesneriad growers. (See the list at the end of this article.) Smithiantha is a small genus of plants found in the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala; there are a few species and not many hybrids to date. Smithianthas grow upright from a scaly rhizome to as much as five feet for the Cornell Series (10 hybrids produced by Dr. Robert E. Lee of Cornell), or only six inches for the two small hybrids, 'Little One' and 'Ruth K'. There are varying sizes in between. 'Summer Sunshine', 'Sunburst', S. multi­ flora and S. zebrina are beautiful and not too tall for growing under lights. The spe­ cies S. cinnabarina lives up to its name with deep-red velvet foliage and cinnabar flowers. The heart-shaped leaves are fur­ ther enhanced by a deep pile of soft red hairs. The inflorescence is a terminal raceme of nodding bells.

Smithianthas are members of the same fascinating plant family to which African violets and gloxinias belong. This Smithiantha zebrina is suitable for growing under lights.

10 October/November 1980 Smithianthas are members of the same taining a constant, even moisture level at When the rhizomes begin to break dor­ fascinating ,plant family to which African all times. mancy, harvest and repot. You will find violets and gloxinias belong. As with oth­ The amount of fertilizer you will need they have multiplied; where you had one, ers in this family, most of their culture is is dependent upon the growing medium there are now from three to five rhizomes. good horticultural common sense. The only you use, If it is compost, there should be This is the most popular way to propagate really critical area is watering, which is enough nutrients to last the first couple smithianthas, although they can also be discussed later in this article. propagated by division of the rhizome or Your first plants will probably be grown by tip cuttings. Seed is seldom used except from the scaly rhizomes you have received The more humidity, the by hybridizers because the other means are in the mail and which need to be potted. so quick and easy. Most rhizomes are as thick as your thumb more lush and floriferous Unwanted house guests that could be and perhaps longer. They will need at least your smithianthas will be. particularly troublesome to smithianthas a four-inch pot. If you've chosen one of are whiteflies and mealybugs. If you have the Cornell Series, it might be wise to use kept a small fan constantly operating in a larger size. Plant one rhizome per pot your garden, the moving air will help to horizontally, about one-half inch deep. of months, then it becomes necessary to reduce the possibility of these pests show­ Allow only one sprout to develop for vigor add supplemental nutrients on a regular ing up. (Unfortunately, this will result in and beauty. basis in the form of water-soluble elements reduced humidity, which should be The growing medium must be light and needed by the plants. If you use a soil-less watched.) However, if any of your other porous, it should drain easily and it should mix the application of liquid fertilizer plants are infested, expect the smithian­ have a goodly supply of organic matter should start immediately. Apply as one of thas to also become hosts. A clean indoor and maintain an even moisture. The ad­ your regular waterings 1/4 teaspoon to one garden can best be attained by isolating dition of dolomitic limestone is important, gallon of water of Earth Care, a balanced every new plant for at least six weeks be­ for gesneriads need a pH of 5 to 5.6. For blend of nitrogen, phosphorous and po­ fore it becomes a part of the collection. different climates this describes different tassium, fortified with iron and man­ If you do find some "bad guys," dip the mixes, which can be formulated from many ganese, and a favorite formula of the entire plant (not the soil) into a good in­ ingredients. Compost and peat-lite mixes professional growers because of the boost secticide and then isolate it until you are are both popular. In the wetter areas many to both the root and shoot systems. Earth sure it is clean. Malathion is one such in­ plants are grown in a bark-peat-perlite Care is available at leading nurseries, gar­ secticide (but it cannot be used on ferns mixture. den centers and hardware stores. or cacti). In order to have stocky plants that flower, The mountains where smithianthas grow About three months after planting the it is necessary to grow them in very good naturally have cool nights even though rhizome you should see a terminal flower light; some sun is preferable and artificial they are in the tropics. Therefore, high spike' emerge. Nodding tubular flowers will lights are ideal if you have the space. summer night temperatures can cause appear alternately beginning with those Smithianthas require more light to flower smithianthas to sulk a bit because they at the bottom of the flower spike. The bell­ than African violets. If the light is suffi­ prefer the dark period to be cooler than shaped blossoms form a raceme shaped cient, you'll have blooms from late sum­ the day by at least 10 degrees. It can also very much like a pagoda. Smithiantha mer until Christmas; under artificial light get too cold for them. In the fall, allow blossoms appear in various shades of white, you may have flowers all winter. This is them to become accustomed to a gradual yellow, pink, salmon, rose and red, often because these plants are photoperiodic and decrease in night temperatures until you with red spots in the throat. If growing respond to short nights for bud formation. can stabilize them at 55° - 60°F. conditions remain good, the plant will If you choose artificial light, keep their The more humidity, the more lush and produce more racemes in the leafaxils growing tips no more than six inches from floriferous your smithianthas will be. In beginning near the top of the plant. I have the tubes and keep the light on for 14 the window this could be a problem, but had them near the soil line when my plants hours daily. in a greenhouse or under artificial light it were grown under lights. The most critical aspect of growing any is possible to maintain a relative humidity Try this more unusual member of the gesneriad with rhizomes is to keep the soil of at least 50 percent. gesneriad family in your indoor garden constantly moist but not soggy. Drying It is nice to have plants that can be put soon. To order plants, write one of the out tricks the plant into thinking it is time into dormancy while your indoor garden suppliers nearest you: Buell's Greenhouse, to become dormant. Buds blast when this is most crowded and which can be brought Box 218, Weeks Rd., Eastford, CT, 06242; happens. Sometimes the stems remain green back into flower during the season you Golden Gate Gardens, 3773 17 St., San if you continue to water, but growth slows have. the most space. After the flowering Francisco, CA 94114; Kartuz Green­ tremendously and you may get serial prop­ cycle, withhold water until the stem dies house!;, 1408 Sunset Drive, Vista, CA agules instead of flowers. The rhizomes back, then remove it. Store the dormant 92083; Lauray of Salisbury, Undermoun­ will not go dormant the first time you for­ rhizomes in the pot in which they have tain Rd., Salisbury, CT 06068; W. B. get to water, but if dryness continues long been grown if you can. Water occasionally Richardson, R.R. #2, Box 81 E. Orleans, enough, or occurs often enough, this phys­ to keep them, plump. After dormancy of MA 02653; Tiki Nursery, Box 4252, iological reaction will take place. Perhaps three to four months, new growth begins Princeton, FL 33032. 8 wicking would be your answer to main- to break in the late spring. -Ruth Katzenberger

American Horticulturist 11 STRANGE RELATIVES ll-IE MADDER FAMIIY SECOND OF A TWO-PART SERIES

The madder family is recog­ produced on an indoor plant nized for its flowering orna­ was far from adequate to meet mental species as well as for the a family's needs. prominent commercial prod­ Then, of course, there is the ucts-coffee, quinine and gardenia. Gardenia jasmi­ dyes-which were described in noides, the Cape jasmine, is a an earlier column. greenhouse or conservatory The array of ornamentals in­ plant; it is less satisfactory as cludes plants for outdoor cul­ a house plant because of its high ture in frosty regions, colorful, humidity requirement and the tender species for the green­ need of low night temperature house or outdoors in warm to induce bud formation. How- climes, a rare native American ever, many temperate zone gar­ shrub and a couple of small deners succeed with this tem­ woodland species. Over 60 peramental species, keeping it genera are listed as cultivated indoors in the winter, setting plants and there seems to be it outdoors in light shade in the something for every gardener. summer, and otherwise meet­ For the gardener in warm ing the challenge of its special regions, exotic Ixora, flame-of­ care. Flowers, borne singly or the-woods or jungle geranium, in pairs, have long contributed flaunts bright orange-scarlet their pervasive fragrance to flowers in showy "snowball" perfumes, teas and oils, and the clusters atop six- to eight-foot fruit has uses in certain recipes shrubs. Ixora, native to the for soups, sauces, dyes and cos­ tropical East Indies, is culti­ metics. Although Gardenia is vated in the open in California, a genus of Chinese origin, the Florida and Hawaii and is name commemorates Dr. Alex­ prominent in the landscape ander Garden, a native of plantings of Caribbean islands. Charleston, South Carolina, and Seeds are said to be favored by friend of Linnaeus. peacocks. For the gardener who likes Bouvardia, a tropical Asian to acquire oddities or rarities, shrub, provides a choice of red, several choices of very unlike pink, white or yellow flowers, character suggest themselves. several named cultivars being Pinckneya pubens is a rare, very fragrant. The sprays of deciduous, large shrub or small Illustration by Alice R. Tangerini starry blossoms are often in- tree, native to the southeastern cluded in bouquets and table arrange­ A healthy coffee plant is indeed a beau­ United States. It was named for Charles ments by florists. tiful sight. Hardy only in Zone 10, coffee Cotesworth Pinckney of South Carolina, Serissa is a single Japanese species with is a greenhouse or conservatory plant. Its a distinguished statesman and general of white flowers in clusters. It can be grown rather leathery leaves help it to endure the the American Revolution. During the Civil outdoors from Zone 5 southward. Dwarf relatively dry atmosphere of other inte­ War, the bark of this tree was thought to forms of Serissa are adaptable to dish gar­ riors so that it is popular for interior land­ be a substitute for quinine, hence the com­ den and bonsai culture. scaping and as a house plant. The fra­ mon names, Georgia bark and fever tree. Pentas lanceolata, the Egyptian star­ grance of its small, starry, white flowers Pinckneya is unique among native Amer­ cluster, is suitable as a bedding plant in resembles that of the gardenia; heaviest ican trees in being the only member of the the South, furnishing flat clusters of star­ bloom occurs from July to September. The Rubiaceae outside of the tropics with showy shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, lav­ bright-red berries are decorative, and when petaloid sepals. The flowers, with these ender and white. Pentas can be grown con­ ripe, can be washed, dried, roasted and petal-like sepals, varying from deep to light tinuously without dormancy as an ever­ ground for coffee. We all have an urge to pink, come in late spring; they seem poin­ green house plant. It makes a shapely 12- grow food plants indoors, but when coffee settia-like and account for another com­ inch pot plant under fluorescent lights. prices soared, the quantity of coffee beans mon name, summer poinsettia-tree.

12 October/November 1980 An Exceptional Offer

Chinese serpent vine is a relatively un­ perula odorata, sweet woodruff. This pe­ known species of Psychotria, recom­ rennial is excellent as a ground cover or mended for hanging baskets or as a creep­ when used in clumps in the border or rock ing-climbing plant. Its one- to two-inch garden. It thrives in the shade. It is known leaves are shiny dark green; the white ber­ for the fragrance of its dried leaves and ries which follow flowering endure dec­ for the aromatic enhancement the fresh oratively for a long time. leaves add to a glass or bowl of Moselle Nertera, a tender, creeping herb, used wine. Pick a sprig to send in a letter to a as a pot plant, is known as coral-bead friend, to float in wine or just to slip into SAMPLER plant or English baby tears. I have seen it your pocket. DWARF DUTCH BULBS in plant shops in England but never here 12 of 8 fine varieties (perhaps I haven't visited the right shops). Ideal for small spaces or pots The transparent, pea-size, orange-red ber­ Only $35 for all 96 bulbs ries for which it is admired and which give it its eye-catching character persist for We are Holbrook Farm and Nursery and months. our specialty is mountain grown perennials Flowering all year, sometimes pro­ and selected woody plants from the moun­ fusely, sometimes sparsely, is the fire­ tains of North Carolina. We also market high grade bulbs. And some of the very best of the cracker vine, Manettia. This is a four- or Dutch bulbs come in the miniature or dwarf five-foot tropical American, twining, types. woody vine for greenhouse culture. The Holbrook has assembled a quality offering tubular, yellow-tipped red flowers are only Gardeners interested in of different dwarf bulbs which have been per­ about three-quarters of an inch in size. It sonally selected to give your patio or planter a natural dyes from plants succession of color from March through May. can be pruned and maintained as a bushy Your sampler selection will include: Snow­ vine of six to 12 inches, and as such the can make use of Galium drops (Galanthus nivalis) Hanging white overall delicate effect makes it a good plant roots. There are at least flowers whose petals are fringed with a trace for artificial light gardens. of green. 4" -6". Iris Reticulata "Cantab". sixty-eight members of the Clear blue flowers with gold on the falls. In temperate or cool gardening regions, 4" -6". Crocus chrysanthus "E.P. Bowles" the diversity of the madder family provides genus in the United States. - a buttercup yellow with light purple feath­ other choices, such as the wildflowers ering on the petals - 6". Glory of Snow Houstonia and Mitchella. Houstonia (now (Chionodoxa luciliae) Star shaped flower of reclassified as Hedyotis) is the delicate, Unfortunately this garden lovely has sky blue (Carolina) with a white center and a yellow stigma. Up to 6 flowers on a stalk. 6" spring-flowering native American bluet or suffered the indignity of having its name -8". Narcissus "tete a' tete". The color is a Quakerladies, of which there are several changed from Asperula to Galium odor­ bright yellow with a long cup and slightly species. With leaves in ground-hugging atum, and that is too bad, for other gal­ reflexed "back row petals". It has two flowers mats, it almost suggests moss. Houstonia iums are known as bedstraw and cleavers on each stem, hence the name. 8" -10". Narcissus canaliculatus - yellow cups with is remarkably adaptable, yet it can be stub­ . . . also as weedy perennial herbs. The white outer flowering segments. Fragrant born about taking hold in locations cho­ resemblance between sweet woodruff and 6" -8". Muscari tubergenianurn - a grape sen by gardeners. bedstraw can be seen in the whorled leaves hyacinth of significant merit. The flowering Mitchella rep ens, the partridgeberry, is and extremely minute flowers. It is worth­ heads are dark blue on the lower portion and a another American native found in the lighter blue on the upper parts which provides while to seek the more delicate forms of a nice contrast and it's an easy grower - 6" - woods over most of the eastem. half of the Galium for rock garden or informal bor­ 8". Tulipa batalinii "Bright Gem". A late United States; its flowers appear in united der use. flowering botanical species with blooms of pairs and mature as the twinberry, the lit­ Gardeners interested in natural dyes from sulphur yellow flushed with a soft hued ap­ tle scarlet drupe so popular for woodland plants can make use of Galium roots, in­ ricot color - 6". Don't miss this grand offering. We guaran­ terrariums. This plant is another member cluding sweet woodruff, as a source of red, tee r.eplacement if your bulbs do not arrive in of the Rubiaceae named for an early and by learning the distinctive features can good growing condition. American, the colonial Virginia botanist, collect from the wild for dye use. There Free. If you order now we'll send you our John Mitchell. are at least 30 members of the germs Gal­ new 1981 catalogue, at no charge. In swampy areas or waterside sites, the ium growing in northeastern and central Allen W. Bush, Proprietor buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, United States and another 38 in Califor­ Order now! Send check or money order scents the air with small, white flowers in nia; there are even a few in the arctic. (N.C. Residents add 4% sales tax.) for ball-shaped clusters from July to late Sep­ The fascination of the madder family $35.00 to: Holbrook Farm and Nursery, tember. It is hardy over most of the United does not end with the plants themselves. Dept. AH; Rt. 2· Box 223B· Fletcher, N.C. 28732 States and perfectly at home in most gar­ Choose one plant name and let it lead you den soils. through history, biography, plant explo­ Herb gardeners, and many others too, ration and romance. There is something ~Holbrook Farm take delight in the familiar whorled leaves for everyone among the Rubiaceae. 0 ~&Nursery and minute springtime blossoms of As- -Jane Steffey ROvn: 2 • BOX 223 B· FLETCHER, N.C. 28732

American Horticulturist 13 (3?N I RlBlfIt:R)

Mrs. Ralph Cannon holds a her high school days. Besides article are personal opinions George Taloumis, a former ed­ doctorate from the University growing house plants, she en­ based on these experiences. itor of Horticulture, is a free­ of Chicago and is now retired joys teaching and writing about lance garden writer and pho­ as Emeritus Professor from that them. She is a past national Victoria Padilla is co-founder tographer. He is the author of institution. She owns 26 acres director of the American Glox­ of The Bromeliad Society. She four books on gardening and of Illinois woodland where she inia & Gesneriad Society. Her is editor of the Journal of the also serves as the New England has experimented with many articles have appeared in the Bromeliad Society and is the regional editor of Flower and gardening projects since 1939. New York Times, Flower and author of three books: South­ Garden and is the garden col­ She has contributed articles to Garden, The Gloxinian and ern California Gardens, Bro­ umnist for the Sunday Boston The American Daffodil Jour­ American Horticulturist. meliads and Glossary for Bro­ Globe. nal, the American Rock Gar­ meliad Growers. den Society Bulletin, the Hosta Bruce MacBryde earned his Bulletin, Flower and Garden Ph.D. in neotropical plant tax­ Jane Steffey is the current hor­ Dr. Roger D. Way is professor and American Horticulturist. onomy at Missouri Botanical ticultural advisor to the Amer­ of pomology at Cornell Uni­ Garden and Washington Uni­ ican Horticultural Society, versity's New York State Ag­ Gilbert S. Daniels is the current versity, with a Public Health handling member inquiries. She ricultural Experiment Station, President of the American Hor­ Service fellowship from Barry retired from the U. S. Depart­ Geneva, New York. He does ticultural Society. He holds a Commoner. He established an ment of Agriculture in 1971 research on fruit crops, spe­ doctorate in botany from UCLA active herbarium in Ecuador, after an administrative career cializing in the areas of apple and is the former Director of and has coauth~red books on in the Soil Conservation Service and cherry cultivar testing, ap­ the Hunt Institute for Botanical Central American weeds and and Extension Service. In USDA ple and cherry breeding, pro­ Documentation, Carnegie­ vascular plants of British Co­ employee activities she held duction of virus-free fruit stocks Mellon University. lumbia. He is a past chairman office in the USDA garden club and fruit tree nursery technique of the conservation committee and in the Organization of research. The new, widely Ruth Katzenberger has spent of the Botanical Society of Professional Employees of the planted apple cultivars, 'Em­ 25 years in the study of the plant America, and has worked in the Department of Agriculture. She pire', 'Jonagold' and 'Jonamac' family, Gesneriaceae. She has Office of Endangered Species is a graduate of Hood College originated from this breeding been growing house plants since over five years. The views in his with a major in botany. research."

• EXOTIC • NEW and UNUSUAL • SELECT • HAND PICKED • CALIFORNIA FRESH FRUIT and PLANTS ~I• KIWIJAM: 8 oz. JAR and/or KIWIFRUIT: 1 lb. of FRESH FRUIT Sent anywhere in U.S. in combination or separately -v­ 3 50 per jar; 3 50 per lb.; 6 50 combo '\r -/ Send Something Different to- KIWIPLANTS: 1 yr. old female with male polinator. Rooted cuttings sent just in time SOMEONE for Spring planting in your area. SPECIAL FUll INSTRUCTION-$1000 per pair.

DISTRIBUTED BY: AGRICADO, 125 W. MISSION AVE., SUITE 215·H • ESCONDIDO, CA. 92025

14 October/November 1980 AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST

he scorching summer of 1980 is behind us. Autumn has arrived. Take pleasure in the rich, jewel-like colors of the season and the beauty autumn brings to gardens everywhere.

American Horticulturist 15 BROME~I jIAI )8 IN AMERICAN HORTICUlTURE

BY VICTORIA PADILLA

It is indeed mystifying that bromeliads have for they are to be found only in the West­ ditions of open forest where some light been so long in taking their rightful place ern Hemisphere. They are prevalent in parts can filter through the canopy formed by in American horticulture. For over a cen­ of the Deep South, and their range extends the trees. tury these plants have been favorites on from Virginia south through Mexico and What do bromeliads look like? There the Continent, but it has been only in the Central America to within 500 miles of are over 2,000 identifiable species, so they past decade or two that their value as in­ the southern tip of Argentina. Within this assume a number of forms . For the most door plants and as striking specimens in great area they are to be found almost part, they are in the shape of a rosette with frost-free gardens has been recognized in everywhere-from sea level to the highest the flower spike rising from the center. this country. Today, they are still relatively Andes-growing atop rocks on bleak The best known species is the edible pine­ unknown, and many retail florists and mountainsides or in the dark corners of apple, which was the first bromeliad to nurseries are hesitant about stocking them. the jungle, perched on trees alongside or­ What makes it even more strange is that chids, clinging to sands along the ocean BELOW: One of the most colorful of all bromeliads (with one lone exception in or in the high deserts of Peru. Mostly they bromelaids, Guzmania sanguinea. RIGHT: West Africa) are truly all-American plants, are epiphytes, preferring the humid con- Aechmea chantinii.

16 October/November 1980 find itself away from America, being brought from Europe. It is highly possible brought by Columbus as a gift to Queen By the 1930's, the figure that many bromeliads were brought to this Isabella . Another familiar bromeliad is the that loomed first and country by these men to whom bromeliads Spanish moss which festoons many of the were familiar plants. One such plantsman trees in the South. This plant is a member foremost above all was Henry Pfister, who for 30 years man­ of the subfamily Tillandsioideae, a group bromeliad growers was aged the White House Conservatories. which is particularly popular in Califor­ Mulford B. Foster of Along with orchids he featured a number nia. But it is the many highly ornamental of rare and outstanding bromeliads. Par­ bromeliads with their bizarre foliage Orlando, Florida. ticularly noteworthy were his many guz­ markings and their striking inflorescences manias-all rare items at that time--and that first became popular in collections. California, but the first reference to a bro­ his giant-sized Aechmea mariae-reginae, Bromeliads may be said to have entered meliad in a garden for decorative purposes a plant which is difficult to obtain even horticulture during the last part of the was that of Pitcairnia corallina in Santa today. 18th century. The earliest known collector Barbara in 1880. Dr. Francisco Frances­ Undoubtedly, at this time bromeliads was Nicolaus Jaquin, who left Holland in chi, the eminent Italian horticulturist who began to be introduced into many of the 1755 to go to the West Indies and Ven­ settled in Southern California, listed sev­ botanical gardens around the country­ ezuela in search of new plants, and he eral puyas, billbergias and dyckias in his Chicago, Buffalo, New York and Brook­ brought back several bromeliads. It was catalogue issued in the mid 1890's. In the lyn having the beginnings of collections. not until the early years of the 19th cen­ East, the nursery of Pitcher and Manda The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis tury, however, that the popular and fa­ in New Jersey listed 76 species in 16 genera was one of the leaders in this field. The miliar species such as Aechmea fasciata, in their 1896 catalogue, but these plants earliest recorded species was Pitcairnia la­ Billbergia pyramidalis and Vriesea splen­ were little known and seldom seen outside tifolia which was listed in 1895 as having dens found their way into the botanical botanical gardens. been in the Garden for some time. Through gardens and drawing rooms of Europe. This was the era of the grand estate with the assiduous efforts of Ladislaus Cutak, There is no record of bromeliads being its great conservatories and parklike Continued on page 38 cultivated to any extent in the United States grounds. Such an establishment necessi­ until the 1890's. True, as early as 1857 tated the aid of well-educated and expe­ BELOW: Tillandsia brachycaulos growing on the pineapple was reported growing in rienced gardeners, many of whom were a branch. RIGHT: Guzmania x Orangeade.

18 October/November 1980

20 October/November 1980 Hardy Plants For Damp Soils

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MRS . RALPH CANNON

Poorly drained land can sometimes pre­ permanent plants. If a large amount of sent a problem to the gardener, for gar­ peat is used, sprinkle the surface with a dening on damp soil is different from gar­ light application of fertilizer to prevent dening elsewhere. But poor drainage nitrogen starvation. An effort also must needn't be a hindrance. In fact, it can be be made to discourage the future appear­ a unique challenge. There are many mois­ ance of annual weeds by mulching heavily ture-loving plants available that will fluor­ or using other techniques. In addition to ish on poorly drained soil, and with proper actual dampness, other soil conditions are study and selection of plants you can important for the successful growing of transform such areas into the most re­ the chosen moisture-loving genera. For warding parts of your garden. example, if your soil is full of clay, then Ironically, the main trouble with grow­ humus, leaf mold and well-rotted manure ing plants in poorly drained soil is drought. must be added to loosen it up and allow The root growth of the plants under these aeration. wet conditions is mainly restricted to the If your garden has an area elf damp soil, surface layers; consequently there is no here are suggestions for plants that will deep root system to draw moisture from be happy there. In fact, these plants ac­ the lower soil regions if a dry spell does tually need damp soil to thrive. Native come along. plants corne to mind immediately, for they Perennial weeds growing in the damp are easy plants to grow and are among the soil also can cause trouble. Therefore, most handsome that can be grown in gar­ eliminate these weeds before you make dens. any permanent plantings. After the weeds Aruncus dioicus, the common goats­ are eliminated, dig the ground and allow beard, makes a fine plant for a background it to weather and dry OMt somewhat. A in the moist area. It grows about five feet surface dressing of peat will aid in pre­ tall, and anything that gives height is val­ paring the upper layer for receiving the uable in a garden. The stems carry large, fern-like, pinnate leaves that make hand­ some tufts. They also bear clusters of small OPPOSITE: To keep the plants vigorous, cream-white flowers in great plume-like transplant Iris kaempferi every three or four years. ABOVE: Houttuynia cordata displays panicles. Blooming in June, goatsbeard is attractive flowers in midsummer and colorful very noticeable. To provide winter inter- foliage in the fall. Continued on page 42

American Horticulturist 21 Money-Saving Ideas For The Gar

oming up with money-saving ideas for the garden is a Ctricky business. It can be argued that the best way to save money in the garden is to give up the pastime entirely. But to a true gardener this suggestion borders on heresy. Then again it can be argued that gardening is itself a money-saver because it can become such a consuming passion that it leaves little time for the pursuit of other, more expensive hobbies. Most of us probably fall somewhere in the middle of these two extremes-devoted enough not to mind spending money on our hobby, but not so devoted that we object to saving money when we can. We hope you will find our money­ saving suggestions helpful. Some of them may be practices you already employ; others may not apply to your gardening needs. But surely there are several ideas which, if put into practice during the next year, can save you at least $20. In that case, membership in The American Horticultural Society (which starts at $20 a year) may be the best money-saver of them all. Ill ustrati ons by Robyn Johnson- Ross

fall harvest. In winter, after the MONEY-SAVING IDEAS FOR possible, grow up instead of you'd like, remember­ leaves have fallen, the low THE VEGETABLE GARDEN out. Plant beans, cucumbers, vegetables don't have to grow tomatoes, gourds and other in a vegetable garden. Consider winter sun will still be able to • Plant only what you need. viny plants on poles planted in edibles for ornamental borders. warm the walls and enter the Unused produce simply the garden for that purpose. Many herbs (parsley and windows. represents wasted effort. For chives, for example), • When choosing a new ideas on how to make next • Make inexpensive permanent strawberries, eggplant, lettuce building site, search for land year's garden super-efficient, poles from used galvanized and other such plants provide that naturally provides an write to the National Garden pipe bought at a junk yard. attractive foliage to offset advantageous climate. A south­ Bureau, Inc., P.O. Box 344, • Use sunflowers as poles for ornamental plantings while at Sycamore, IL (JOI78. Ask for facing slope, protected from your beans and accomplish two the same time producing an winter winds by a hill above is their "Nonstop Vegetable aims at once: the sunflowers edible crop. Garden Plan." especially desirable in cold are sturdy enough to hold regions. There's another bonus: • Keep the garden producing. beans as they grow, and they the south-facing aspect of the As soon as you remove a crop may ward off some insects at ENERGY SAVERS ... land will give you an extra of vegetables such as lettuce or the same time. Simply plant • An energy-saving idea on month or more of gardening early beets, replace it with sunflower seeds two weeks which plants will grow-build weather. In a hot, muggy area, another crop such as kale or before you plant your beans so a four-foot-wide eyebrow trellis a breezy hilltop site may Brussels sprouts. that they will always be a step across a portion of the south eliminate the need for air­ • Use the soil as efficiently as ahead. side of your house. Plant it conditioning. A lake or wide possible, avoiding crops which • If lack of space prevents you with grape vines to screen out river can modify the extremes spread over a large area. If from growing all the vegetables summer heat and to produce a that are typical of midwestern

22 October/November 1980 den

sites. Remember that a micro­ moist, warm air will benefit summer the wall surface of a book just published by the climate that's good for your nearby plants and humidify the vine-covered sunny area may Penn State College of house is also good fot your area. And yo u'll save on your actually be up to 10°F cooler Agriculture. One commercial garden-and vice versa. fuel bill. than an exposed wall. In greenhouse which applied their winter the reverse effect is suggestions saved $20,000 • Ivy and other vi nes on brick • Indoor plants like possible. A vine-covered north during a si ngle winter! Each or masonry walls will actually fluorescent lights. These lights wall may remain up to 8°F manual is $2.50. Order from help with insulation. In consume no more electricity warmer than a bare wall Industrial Research and than incandescent bulbs, give exposed to the north wind. Innovation, 225 Pond three times as much light for • Another winter money-saver: Laboratory, Dept. AG, the wattage, last longer and disconnect the drye r vent from University Park, PA 16802. give off considerably less heat the outlet so that it will vent as well as afford more even humidity into the house and INSECT CONTROL distribution of light. A two­ onto yo ur plants. Move ailing • To conserve insecticide (and tube, 24-inch fixture is the plants to the laundry area for minimum practical size for your health), spray only the closest proximity to these ideal plants-not the air you growing plants under conditions (but not directly breathe. Cover the infected fluorescent lights. For most next to the vent or the heat plant with plastic, cut a small purposes, combine one cool could be damaging). white and one warm white flap through which to spray tube in the fixture. • Cover windows on the north the insecticide, spray and side of your house with remove the plastic the • Select tree species wisely to bubbled sheet plastic (you can following day. protect your home and other buy it by the yard). This plastic • Identify insects before plantings from winter winds admits enough light for most and to shade your house in spraying with a general plants and keeps out the cold. purpose insecticide. Only after summer. Of course, the design Wet the window glass with a identifying an insect can the of plantings will depend upon sponge and slap the plastic proper insecticide program be property shape and size, but in sheeting in place. general, larger evergreens designed to control the pests. • If you own a greenhouse, (spruces, pines, junipers, etc.) General purpose spraying is send away for "Greenhouse can be remarkably effective in frequently wasteful. Your local Energy Conservation," a new reducing winter cold when USDA Extension Service can be planted to the west and north of great help, both in insect of dwellings. Deciduous trees identification and in suggesting to the south shade the house a proper spray program. from hot summer sun, but • Plant squash near tomato impede sunlight only slightly in plants in the garden in order to winter when it is wanted. reduce spraying for whitefly. Midwest studies have shown Whiteflies cause considerable energy savings up to 30% problems on tomatoes. Squash, when using an evergreen on the other hand, is not windbreak, and deciduous trees seriously damaged even though planted on the south side of the house can reduce roof temperatures in summer by as much as lOOF. • Save power and help your house plants at the same time during cold months. If you have an electric dishwasher, stop it at the end of the wash cycle, open the door, pull out the top shelf six to eight inches and let the dishes air dry. The

American Horticulturist 23 it is a favorite host. Thus, and use the cut branches as planting the two vegetables windbreaks for your azaleas, next to one another will result rhododendrons and boxwood. in large numbers of insects on Stake them up around the squash and few or no plants, being especially careful whiteflies on tomatoes. to protect the side on the • Consider this insect control prevailing winds. idea for squash alone: place • Use discarded sheer curtains aluminum foil, shiny side up, to cover strawberries, currants, under the plants. The light raspberries-any ripening fruit reflection it causes seems to or vegetable-to protect them confuse insects, but it doesn't against birds and animals. produce enough heat to • Recycle bread wrappers and damage the squash. other plastic bags to create mini-greenhouses for seedlings MANY USES FOR GALLON­ and other plants which will SIZE PLASTIC MILK JUGS: benefit from high humidity. • as dippers for potting soil, • Simple and more effective etc. The tops remaining after substitutes for broken crockery principle one uses when marigolds; use them to tie up the bottoms have been cut for over drainage holes in pots: pouring juice from a can. Keep bundles of twigs or stems for use a~ saucers are ideal for this cut-up pieces of foam cups and the jugs handy and close by the trash heap or the fireplace purpose. Keep the cap on to foam egg cartons; wedges of plants, so that when a patio when doing a fall garden prevent leaks. With the cap off, old kitchen sponges (they allow plant needs attention, it gets it cleaning; cut them into circles the scoop becomes a handy excess water to drain, but keep immediately and isn't forgotten and use them as "filters" funnel. in welcome moisture-sterilize before you get back with a between your soil and drainage • as solar heat traps in a before using); fiberglass watering can. medium in pots to prevent soil greenhouse. Collect as many insulation strips (they can be from escaping. jugs as your greenhouse can • as saucers for potted plants cut to fit the pot bottom, they use, fill them with water and in areas where aesthetics don't • Use clear plastic don't deteriorate and they repel place them in sunlight to allow matter (beauty is not one of (polystyrene) disposable pests and fungi); styrofoam the water to absorb the sun's the jug's strong points). Simply tumblers as pots for small packing bits (usually in the heat. The heat they give off at cut them down to the height plants. Drill or melt a hole in shape of peanuts and often night will help protect plants desired. the bottom for drainage (for called peanut packaging) which from cold temperatures. Each best results, use a hot nail for retailers use when packaging gallon of water weighs about 8 DOUBLE DUTY this purpose). These clear pots breakable items. pounds and can therefore allow you to easily evaluate • Most people garden in old • Use plastic bags as liners moisture and root conditions. release 8 BTU's of energy for clothes, but old clothes also inside clay pots or other They also work well as each degree it cools at night. can be used in the garden. Cut porous containers. Punch temporary covers for newly • as cloches-cut out the up old shirts or trousers into drainage holes in the bottom potted small plants which need bottom, place over tender strips for use as ties on plants. and tuck it below the soil line a high moisture level (a plants put out when there is Cloth is better than wire twists so the plastic isn't seen. Potted miniature greenhouse). still risk of frost, or over because it won't cut into plants treated in this manner cuttings rooted in situ (leave plants. Also, colorful cloth • Check sewer or pipeline and used on the patio, porch the cap on to start with, then blowing in the wind will construction sites for discarded or balcony need watering less remove it when the cuttings discourage birds where you tiles and coupling fittings. often. have rooted to help harden don't want them. These terra cotta and concrete • Use old bits of gift package them off before removing the • Hundreds of uses have been pieces make nice pots and yarn to mark new shrubs or jug entirely). devised for old stretch garden ornaments. Be sure to young plants that will need • as water jugs for container stockings, but have you ask permission to take them extra attention when set out. plants. For easier pouring, considered these: cut them into home, however. These reminders can even be make a small second hole near strips and use them to tie up • After the holidays, rescue color coded: red for extra the top of the handle through tall, viny plants such as your discarded Christmas tree watering, green for special which air can enter-the same tomatoes, delphiniums, tall and those of your neighbors fertilizer, etc.

24 October/November 1980 • Another use for plastic • Buy "spoiled hay" from bleach bottles: cut them up local farmers. It costs about $1 into strips to use as plant to $1.50 per bale. Not only labels, affix them with wire does it keep weeds down on and write on them with a vegetable and flower gardens, "Sharpie" pen (buy these at a but it also adds nutrients to the dime store). soil and minimizes the need for • For fine, permanent plant periodic rototilling. labels, consider the ones • Powdered eggshells are a produced by the American good calcium additive for Horticultural Society's Plant house plant potting soils- a Science Data Center. These teaspoonful to a three-inch pot. labels aren't inexpensive, but a comparable label purchased • When preparing a new seed from any other source would bed, save money on mulches cost 30% to 40% more. Write and soil-lightening amendments for our catalog in care of by restricting their use to a PSDC at the Society. strip about three inches wide • After pruning, set aside the where the seed is to be planted. straightest, strongest or most Mix the amendments about supple branches, large and three inches deep in the soil small, for staking plants. and plant yo ur seed as usual. By the time seedling roots • Use left-over wire fencing to outgrow their mulched space, make ring supports around they will be strong enough to peonies and other plants. cope with the heavier • Save the plastic containers surrounding soil. which cottage cheese, ice cream often deliver a complete and mixed dried fruit come in. • Manure is to soil what gold truckload of shredded branches They're excellent for growing is to a bank. Get it free or at to your house for a delivery fee paperwhite narcissus and come minimal cost from these direct of only about $10. They don't in especially handy when you sources: a nearby farm, riding take reservations, however­ want to give away paperwhites stable, or, if you live in a large instead, you must spot the as gifts-you don't have to city, from your city's zoo. truck in your area when a crew worry about getting the Allow it to break down prior • If the trees in your own yard is cutting trees and make your containers back. to using it as a mulch or soil don't provide enough leaves for delivery request to the driver. If additive, and be sure that it your mulching needs, check he agrees that you're within a WAYS TO SAVE MONEY hasn't been treated with with your neighbors-but be a reasonable distance of his ON MULCHES, chemicals which may damage good sport and ensure your normal route, he will most FERTILIZERS, SOIL your plants. neighbors' cooperation by likely also agree to give you the results of his day's labor. Keep AMENDMENTS, ETC. • Reserve some of the manure raking their yard yourself or in mind that a truckload is • Collect and store fireplace for manure tea, an inexpensive providing them with bags if quite a bit of mulch. Perhaps wood ashes in a dry place for liquid fertilizer. Fill a five­ they prefer to do their own you will wish to consider use as a fertilizer additive. gallon bucket with water and raking. If trees simply aren't sharing this abundance with Filter out unburned rubbish place one pound of manure abundant in your your neighbors. first. Wood ashes contain 32% which has been put in an neighborhood, it is possible calciHm, 5.5% potash and 3% improvised cloth bag holder that your city or county has a leaf dump from which you can • Save spent tea leaves for use phosphoric acid and trace inside the bucket. Push the bag as a mulch on acid-loving elements which aid in root, down occasionally to aid in obtain all the leaf mulch you will need. Call your Sanitation plants such as azaleas, flower and fruit development. leaching and to ensure a richer magnolias, pieris. Mix it into your soil at a rate brew. Remove the bag when or Public Works Department of 10 pounds per 100 square bubbles appear and reserve this for information. • Use lawn clippings as mulch. feet or four ounces per square "stock" for later use as a liquid • Tree clearing companies such Not only will grass clippings yard. fertilizer in dilute form· as Asplundh or Davey will protect your plantings from

American Horticulturist 25 weeds and conserve moisture, weeks early-all for the "cost" order firms. By ordering in tablespoons ground limestone, but they will also add fertilizer of a single mowing. quantity, you may not only be 2 tablespoons superphosphate, to your soil. Two to four eligible for discount rates on 5 tablespoons 5 -1 0-5 fertilizer • Shallow watering of a lawn percent of the dry weight of the plants themselves, but you and 1 teaspoon chelated iron, results in the development of grass clippings is organic may also save substantially on all obtainable from a garden shallow-rooted grass, which is nitrogen. shipping costs. supply store. Tie the plastic vulnerable to almost all adverse bag shut and tumble and knead • If your area experiences conditions. Correct watering • A neighborhood cooperative it until the ingredients are heavy snowfalls during the will help prevent the loss of a purchase may be in order mixed. Wet the mixture with winter, use it to your lawn, but how do you know if should you want to buy a large about 3 pints of water to advantage. Snow is one of the you're watering correctly? One piece of equipment such as a which 1/4 teaspoon of laundry least expensive of all mulches. solution: place a tin can, leaf mulcher, rototiller or wood detergent has been added (the Temperatures under snow notched with a two-inch depth splitter. Choose your co­ detergent functions as a cover are much warmer than mark, in the area you plan to owners carefully, however. An wetting agent). Again, knead the surrounding air and the water. When the tin can has irresponsible user could end up the mixture until it is humidity under the snow two inches of water in it, it is costing you more than uniformly moist. Keep the blanket is higher too. time to move your sprinkler to shouldering the entire expense moist mix in the plastic bag another location. yourself. In that case, the best until you need it. • Provide your tomato plants solution may be to rent the with welcome calcium and a BUY IN GROUPS equipment. Renting could also • A few annuals can be relied trace of phosphorus by adding be done on a cooperative basis. upon to re-seed themselves, one teaspoon of powdered milk • Some nurseries sell their stock wholesale. If you can thus saving you the yearly to the hole in which the MISCELLANEOUS pool orders with friends and expense of buying new seed or tomato seedlings are planted. new bedding plants. Some The powdered milk will neighbors, you can save • Save by making your own substantially. And keep in general-purpose potting soil. reliable examples are floral promote about a two-week carpet snapdragons, 'Baby advance in growth and help mind that this discount may Into a plastic trash bag put a apply not only to plants but 10-quart bucketful of shredded Doll' dianthus, portulaca, guard against blossom drop or hardy begonia and the outdoor rot. also to fertilizers, gardening sphagnum peat and the same tools, grass seed, mulches, etc. amount of either perlite or spiderplant (Cleome). • Encourage earthworms in The same is true with mail- horticultural vermiculite. Add 3 • Start plants from seed. your garden by reducing the Seeds, of course, are cheaper to chemical residues in the soil buy than grown plants. If and increasing the organic nother way to save put in charge then calls the money by group buying buying seed, buy only the content with leaf mold, numbers in numerical order. 1S to try group best-you'll save money in the compost, peat moss, etc. Worm A Whoever is lucky enough to bartering. No money exchanges long run. Don't waste time, castings are free fertilizer and have drawn #1 gets first pick hands-just plants. Pamela however, on seed you may worms keep the soil in great and may choose one plant. Harper explains how it is done have collected yourself from tilth. When all the numbers have in her community. "Every been called, we start again. hybrid plants. They don't remain true to type. To keep MONEY-SAVING IDEAS FOR member who wants to This time each participant seeds viable from one season to TIlE LAWN participate must contribute chooses two plants. This plants, although no tally of procedure is followed until the the next, store them in a dry, • At high elevations and in how many plants each member number of plants remaining is cool spot. One rule of thumb is northerly areas the summer of the group contributes is fewer than the number of to be sure that the humidity season may be all too short for attempted. Plants are set out in participants. Then there is a and temperature levels in your maximum plant growth. alphabetical order (we usually "free for all," when everyone chosen spot always total less Especially when starting a new hold the meetings in someone's may grab whatever is than 100 (the lower this figure lawn, or reviving a dormant garden, or if raining, in unclaimed. I have never known the better). For instance, if one, a close mowing (scalping) someone's garage). Once a plant to be left unadopted, your location has a relatively in late winter or early spring everyone has had a chance to and I have acquired some real constant temperature of 50°F, removes the insulating barrier inspect the merchandise, each treasures this way. It is be sure the humidity level is of old vegetation and exposes participant draws a number something that could be done less than 50% . Seeds can even darker soil that is more from a hat (enough numbers by any garden club, plant be frozen and remain viable as absorb ant of sunlight. The are put into the hat to include society or even a neighborhood long as they are well packaged ground warms, "bringing all participants). Whoever is group." and are not thawed before you spring" as much as a couple of plan to use them.

26 October/November 1980 Weeds can be cut out well below the surface if you slant the blade the way you cut asparagus. The single blade cultivates between closely­ planted annuals and weeds between stones or sidewalks better than the three-pronged cultivator or the traditional paring knife. Its sharper inner blade is great for cutting apart young plants in flats and trimming grass along beds, yet the blade, being sharp only on the inner curve, makes it safe as well as easy to use." • Keep a garden log or diary of successes, failures, bloom time and the susceptibility of plants to certain diseases. This diary will not only allow you • In autumn take cuttings The possibilities are almost • Fashion your own topiary to cut down on future from your begonias, impatiens, limitless. Consider moneywort, frames from old wire coat mistakes, but it will also make coleus and geraniums to save meadow rue, wild columbine, hangers. One method: plant it easier for you to efficiently over the winter. Put them in a bloodroot, violets, common eight to 10 sprays of fast­ plan new garden projects­ cool room with a southeast or asters, mosses and wild ferns. growing ivy in a good, large surely a money-saver. southwest window exposure Remember to try to provide clay pot full of soil. Bend the • Save money on and prune them to control your transplant with an hook of the coat hanger into a rhododendron and azalea legginess. As roots develop, environment that is similar to straight line with a pair of plants by buying "liners" take cuttings from these what it had in the wild. pliers, then insert the whole (rooted cuttings) rather than cuttings to make additional length of the straightened hook • If you would like to grow the more expensive 18/1-20/1 plants. By spring you will have into the soil. This will give the fruit trees, give special plants. Buy them through mail­ plenty of "free" bedding plants hanger/frame a secure base. consideration to the dwarf order catalogs or find a nursery for your outdoor garden. Twist the hanger into a desired varieties. Since they can be source near your home by shape (a circle is easiest and • Raise -your own perennials­ trained to grow no more than looking through a library copy lends itself to many holiday and many shrubs-from seed. six feet high and still produce of American Nurseryman ornamental possibilities) and One packet of Buddleia, for good yields, they are easier to magazine. You will have to allow the ivy to train itself example, will supply you, your spray, prune and harvest and wait a few years for blooms to around the frame. With the neighbors and your friends will save you time and money begin appearing on these addition of a red bow at with all the butterfly bushes in labor and maintenance costs. plants, but not as long as you Christmas, you will have you will ever want. • Achieve color in a shady might think. Liners adapt well grown your own wreath. • Use more common native garden without spending to your garden's micro-climate plants in your landscape plan. money or planting time every • Elizabeth Schaeffer offers and grow quickly, while larger, Tran~plant from the wild, year on flowering annuals. this idea for an inexpensive yet "artificially" raised specimens heing sure, however, that the Instead, install permanent multi-purpose garden tool: a may take one or two years to plants you choose are not plants with variegated foliage. linoleum knife. You can buy it adjust to your garden's climate threatened or endangered and Some plant types that include at almost any hardware store, and not grow at all during the that you have permission to varieties with variegated foliage and, says Schaeffer, "it cuts adjustment period. The take them. Roadside are Hosta, Aegopodium, through the ground well difference in price will more construction sites are ideal Ligustrum, Lamium, without disturbing the ground than offset the longer wait for places to find good plant Pachysandra and Euonymus; around it, yet if you really blooming time-and you will specimens, and by rescuing also native spotted wintergreen want to disturb the ground a also have the newest cultivars them from destruction you will and rattlesnake plantain exhibit cross-hatching motion in your garden as soon as be doing the plants a favor. this characteristic. accomplishes the purpose. professional nurserymen do.

American Horticulturist 27 • After having enjoyed the plan, are comfortable and of the American Horticultural beauty of your roses, don't let dry to walk on, and weeds Society. As a member of AHS, the petals go to waste. Use don't grow in them. you are entitled to our free them for potpourri, sachets, • When the government gardener'S information service. rose petal jam or jelly, provides something free of Write Jane Steffey, in care of refreshing rose water, even old­ charge to citizens, it's best to AHS, Mount Vernon, VA fashioned rose petal beads-all take advantage of it! One of 22121. good gift ideas. Look for the most helpful free services in • Shop around even when recipes in the June/July 1979 the country is the Agricultural buying by mail. There is often issue of American Extension Service. Look up a significant variation in the Horticulturist. Find others in your local extension agent's prices of plants from one gardening books in your local number in the telephone book nursery to another. The more library or in the Roses volume (usually under county distant from each other the of the American Horticultural government listings) and place sources, the greater the Society's new Illustrated the number near your phone differences in price. Mail-order Encyclopedia of Gardening. for handy reference. Your local buying opens the door to this • Spend a little money to save extension agent is the best "regional comparison buying." some-invest in a heating cable authority to seek out on Order lots of catalogs, then for your soil (a cable costs as herbicide and insecticide use in compare and save. 0 little as $8) if you like to start your locality (each state has different laws), and he also will plants from seed. When used in The staff wishes to thank the likely have the most up-to-date combination with fluorescent following contributors for their information on what varieties plant lights, it makes raising help in preparing this article: healthy seedlings easy. Because Richard Adams II; Mrs. of the bottom heat produced Benjamin P. Bole Jr.; J. Judson by these cables, seedlings Brooks; Lorraine Burgess; Mrs. emerge much faster (some in as Ralph Cannon; R. Milton little as two or three days) and Carleton; Robert F. Carlson; germination can be Dr. Gilbert Daniels; Steven considerably improved. Davis; Anthony]. De Blasi; Vegetable seeds germinated in Charles Elstrodt; Gail Gibson; this way can be set out as Pamela Harper; Judith seedlings earlier in the season Hillstrom; Mrs. Howard Kittel; and thus produce for you Betty Ann Laws; Clarence E. earlier in the season as well. Lewis; Jeannette Lowe; • Make garden paths with old Elizabeth Pullar; Don newspapers-enlist your Robertson; Elizabeth R. neighbors to give you their Schaeffer; Dr. Robert Schery; newspapers in order to build Jane Steffey; Shelton E. up your supply. Pamela Harper Stewart; T. Davis Sydnor; Mrs. explains her method: "I dig out Roger Thomas; and James W. the path a foot deep, put in Wilson. newspapers (the whole paper, If you have money-saving about ten sheets thick, not ideas for the garden which you single pages) about four deep, would like to share with other then top with pinebark or of plants work best in your members of the American hardwood mulch. Pine needles, specific climate. In addition, he Horticultural Society, please if available, would also work." can mail you any number of submit them to The Editor, The advantages of this method free brochures on gardening American Horticulturist, are numerous: these paths are which you may find helpful American Horticultural Society, inexpensive to build, and informative. Mt. Vernon, VA 22121. Ideas inconspicuous in an informal • All the questions your local chosen for publication will garden, can be easily moved if extension agent can't answer appear in future issues of the you change your landscape can be directed to the attention newsletter.

28 October/November 1980 Why Are So Few Endangered Plants Protected?

BY BRUCE MACBRYDE

"The governments of the American Republics, wishing to protect and preserve in their natural habitat representatives of all species and genera of their native flora and fauna ... in sufficient numbers and over areas extensive enough to assure them from becoming extinct through any agency within man's control," created the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere 40 years ago (on October 12, 1940). In Article VIII "The protection of the species mentioned in the Annex to the present Convention, is declared to be of special urgency and importance. Species included therein shall be protected as completely as possible ... " In April 1942 Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as our president, proclaimed that the convention was "made public to the end that the same and every article and clause thereof may be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the United States of America and the citizens thereof ... "

o have made such a perceptive renewed commitment and effecti ve action become an acute dilemma when there is commitment more than a gener­ in each of the countries whi ch adheres to a clear human threat to develop the only T ation ago is indeed something we its principles. known habitat of such a little known spe­ can be proud of. It is equally clear that Grand words, diplomatic intricacy and cies; we are not tolerant of delay in our there is now greater urgency to conserve bureaucratic caution-nevertheless, wild plans based on ignorance and conjecture vulnerable plants because the earth has plants are becoming extinct because we about an obscure plant. become so much more crowded. Sixteen increasingly usurp their land to satisfy our The United States has given insufficient nations in addition to the United States needs, and sometimes we even collect the effort to developing and synthesizing have ratified this treaty, and nine of them plants themselves without heeding their knowledge of our botanical heritage have added plant taxa to its Annex (Bo­ weakened capability to supply us in the through monographic and floristic tax­ livia, which signed the treaty long ago, has future. How many species of wild native onomic research. International compari­ also added plants, but that country still plants are we likely to lose? son reveals our negligence. The Flora of needs to ratify it). The U.S. government The conservation of plants begins with the U.S.S.R. was published between 1934 began placing species of animals on the the recognition of our scientific ignorance, and 1964, with an updating volume in Annex list in 1941; it has not named any as we admitted in Argentina in 1965. The 1973. Flora Europaea was published be­ plants for the list. At an inter-American few hundred years that western civiliza­ tween 1964 and 1980. lconographia Cor­ conference relative to .the convention which tion has developed here is insufficient time mophytorum Sinicorum began publica­ was held in Argentina in 1965, our coun­ to know our flora. Plant taxonomy itself tion in 1972. A checklist Enumeration des try did provide an 'unofficial' list of 38 only crystallized into a science in 1753 Plantes du Canada was published in 1966- trees and 44 herbaceous plants which were with the binomial nomenclature and ar­ 1967 and The Flora of Canada in 1978- considered rare and in need of protection, tificial system of classification of Lin­ 1979. but we stated that new studies were nec­ naeus, and botanical exploration and study In the United States, there have been essary before we could prepare a complete in the United States still regularly yield discussions since 1965 to prepare a Flora and official list of our threatened flora. new species in our flora as they did when of northern America (north of Mexico). In fairness, it must be stated that the Linnaeus sent his student Pehr Kalm here In the fall and winter of 1972-1973 there treaty has been largely neglected by all in 1747. In the last 15 years three species, was a full-fledged but short-lived attempt countries in our hemisphere, and the An­ each so different that it represents a new to begin such a Flora, when government nex listing of plants is neither inclusive nor genus, have been discovered: Apacheria funds were quickly withdrawn because of current for any of them. Yet the vision and in Arizona, Dedeckera in California and the need for a leaner federal budget. In the promise of the convention remain, and five Harperocallis in Florida. Since logic tells spring of 1980 the first comprehensive technical meetings on it in the past three us that rare species are harder to find and checklist of our flora was published as a years will culminate in a conference in live more precariously, it is not so sur­ result of sustained individual and private 1981. This conference intends to bring prising that all three have been recom­ effort; this fall a second complete checklist together, in Washington, D.C., the heads mended as endangered or threatened spe­ will be published as a result of indepen­ of agencies of natural resources in the cies. However, because we are so ignorant dent careful effort and federal funds. Americas to create a dynamic administra­ of our native flora, it can become difficult However, the preparation of a national tive structure for the convention within to decide whether a species is truly rare Flora remains elusive. the Organization of American States, and or simply little known. This difficulty can Just after Christmas nearly seven years

American Horticulturist 29 Rhododendron chapmanii- Photograph by E. LaVerne Smith

30 October/November 1980 Echinacea tennesseensis-Phorograph by Dr. Paul Somers

American Horticulturist 31 ago, in 1973, the Congress emphasized by habitats and collecting for the horticul- there must be sufficient new information law that the careless endangerment and tural and hobby markets. Some other at- for a reproposal; the Service's administra- extinction of plants had become so likely tractive plants on the official list are Rho- tive interpretation of this is that the in- that federal intervention was necessary. As dodendron chapmanii from Florida, formation must be new subsequent to the in 1940, our government pledged to con- Echinacea tennesseensis, Betula uber from withdrawal of the species, rather than new serve jeopardized species in their ecosys- Virginia, Vicia menziesii from Hawaii, subsequent to its first proposal. As time terns. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 Trillium persistens from Georgia and South goes on this criterion should become less had been preceded by earlier national leg- Carolina, Mirabilis macfarlanei from Idaho important, for the plants will get closer to islation covering only animals. This new extinction and this will become the suf- law not only included plants, but con- Congress was wise in ficient, new data! tained a unique section which required the Secondly, critical habitat must be pro- Smithsonian Institution within a year to designing a method to posed for each plant at the same time the review the "species of plants which are quickly address the scope species is proposed, to the maximum ex- now or may become endangered or threat- of this problem in plant tent prudent. Critical habitat is the essen- ened," and the methods for adequately tial habitat a species needs for its survival conserving them. The resulting report of conservation, but it has and conservation. Only three of the 56 January 1975 named 3,187 plant taxa been less than bold, in plants have legally desigflated critical hab- which were recommended for legal pro- fact increasingly cautious, itats. While this concept seems useful, it tection, of which 355 might already have is difficult to apply. To know the exact become extinct. Thus about 10 percent of m providing for legislative distribution of a species lilew field work our continental flora, some 2,100 taxa, solutions. is almost always necessary; to carry out were thought to be at risk, and almost 50 this new work more funds are needed than percent of the more vulnerable Hawaiian and Oregon, Arctomecon humilis from have been made available, more skilled flora, nearly 1,100 taxa. Utah aBd Harperocallis (lava (the species botanists with local taxonomic and geo- Such severe stress on some of our native in one of the flew genera mefltioned ear- grapnic knowledge are needed than usu- plants remaifls a problem too little noticed lier). Others which might be collected are ally exist, and one may need time to wait, by botanists, horticulturists and other Dudleya traskiae and Delphinium kin- perhaps until the next spring. Judging a plantsmen. Congress was wise in design- kiense in California, and Sarracenia or- species' population dynamics and whether ing a method to quickly address the scope eophila in Alabama and Georgia, and for- a buffer zone is necessary also is hard to of tnis problem in plant conservation, but merly in Tennessee. do quickly. Additionally, the preciseness it has been less than bold, in fact increas- The rarest plant on the list is Kokia of a critical habitat map may give a false ingly cautious, in providing for legislative cookei, a small Hawaiian tree with one sense of finality and security, so that a solutions. While the 1973 act has been individual left in the Waimea Arboretum, developer won't bother to seek the plant amended several times to bring more nearly possibly a second individual at the Royal elsewhere, and unknown populations might equal possibilities for protection of plants, Botanic Gardens, Kew, and a leaf tissue therefore be destroyed. the animals still enjoy the potential for culture in Japan. Phacelia argillacea is the In evaluating the area to designate as stronger coverage. More significantly, rarest listed species still in nature, with critical habitat, Congress now requires a weakening amendments to the act in No- four individuals growing on a railroad edge socioeconomic analysis as well, with the vember 1978 have restricted the possibil- in Utah. An officially protected plant that intent of excluding portions of the area ity of using the law for any vulnerable may have agricultural value is Zizania tex- if doing so is beneficial to those people species. Nor should the exactness of lists ana, which could perhaps be used to breed affected and the species would not go ex- of Latin names and state distributions in a wild rice adapted to a warmer climate. tinct in consequence. Gathering economic the Smithsonian's report (and its revised To reach the official list of the Endan- data at such an early stage delays pro- book in 1978) lull us into the belief that gered Species Act, a taxon must first be posing the species and thus bringing at- our rare plants are understood. Our flora proposed for listing in the Federal Regis- tention to its environmental needs. More- remains poorly known: we do not know ter. In June 1976 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife over, it may be premature or redundant: if many of these rare taxa are good species, Service, which administers this law in the there is a consultation process through subspecies, varieties or even entities, and Department of the Interior, proposed which possible conflicts may be resolved we do not know their distributions well, 1,727 additional taxa along with the 56 after the species is listed (with or without even with regard to the states in which above. About half these plants are endemic critical habitat), and if no accommodation they occur. to Hawaii, 270 are in California, and some is possible an exemption from the act can In the nearly seven years that the En- are located in every other state except the be sought, even if the development would dangered Species Act has been law, only Dakotas, Nebraska and West Virginia. The cause a species' extinction. 56 native plants have been officially listed legal fate for this majority of endangered Because the listing process is now so as endangered or threatened species (en- candidates has been far different from that arduous, only six plants are currently pro- dangered species are defined as those in of the lucky 56. One of the new Congres- posed: Potentilla robbinsiana, Hudsonia danger of extinction now, while threat- sional amendments to the act placed a montana, Callirhoe scabriuscula, Spi- ened species are those somewhat better two-year limit on proposals, requiring the ranthes parksii, Eriogonum gypsophilum, off, which might become extinct in the candidate plants to be withdrawn in No- Hedeoma todsenii and Astragalus yoder- future if current trends continue). Twenty- vember 1979. Congress does allow a spe- williamsii. (Two are proposed without one of the listed taxa are cacti, which gen- cies to be reproposed, but only if other critical habitats, since revealing their 10- erally suffer from both threats to their stringent new criteria can be met. First, cations publicly might increase collecting.)

32 October/November 1980 The time elapsed before there is a final on this new refuge). A federal/state co- have a recent wild origin, purchasing only listing in the Federal Register for such spe- operative agreement is possible, with the from reputable nurseries, and educating cies is quite variable; the law requires a federal government funding two thirds of others to undertake similar efforts. These two/three month minimum, anticipates that a state's conservation program. Even trade prohibitions are enforced at our in- the job can be done in eight months, and though the state agency must meet only ternational borders by the Animal and Plant allots the two-year maximum. If necessary minimal qualifications, only six states have Health Inspection Service in the Depart- an emergency listing can be made, which qualified for this opportunity to conserve ment of Agriculture; interstate enforce- temporarily bypasses the usual process and plants. Those who care about plants should ment is the responsibility of the U.S. Fish is good for eight months. This rule is now encourage use of this mechanism, since the and Wildlife Service. The private citizen being used for the first time on a plant's funds and activities can be for plants not also can help, and a reward is offered for behalf, the plant in question being Astra- yet federally listed. furnishing information which leads to a galus yoder-williamsii. Lastly, the act establishes a regulatory conviction. In order to bring some consideration to process which prohibits commercial in- Regrettably, the act does not directly the many candidate endangered and terstate trade and export/import of listed prohibit the actual digging up or collecting threatened plants in the Smithsonian's re- species, unless a permit has been issued. of listed wild plants (if there is no federal port, the Service published an optional The intent here is to halt the traffic in wild involvement), although a few state laws notice in the July 1975 Federal Register plants and shift the market to cultivated do prohibit taking, and the private land naming each taxon and its state distri- specimens of the species. Horticulturists owner can prevent it on his property as bution. In the past five years individual can help in this endeavor by learning how well. The act does prohibit the taking of botanists, native plant societies and state to propagate species now primarily taken listed animals unless a permit has been and federal agencies have developed much from the wild, increasing species with lim- issued. There has been speculation that the new information about our vulnerable ited stocks in cultivation so that the mar- reason for this anomaly in the law is the flora. To urge renewed consideration for ket can be satisfied from an acceptable unclear or ill-perceived tradition regarding our imperiled native plants in environ- source, encouraging all honest growers to the ownership of wild plants. However, mental planning and make use of the re- put 'cultivated origin' on sales labels for Article VIII of the Western Hemisphere cent data, the Service will publish a new any propagated species which also might Convention states that species included in notice early this fall. While there will be its Annex shall be protected as completely many changes in the listings which reflect as possible, and that their " . . . taking our improving knowledge, the magnitude T he foremost change necessary shall be allowed only with the permission of this problem in plant conservation ap- to make certain our endan- of the appropriate government authorities pears similar to the 1975 assessment. gered plants survive is the par- in the country." Populations of several The Endangered Species Act provides ticipation of all gardeners, horticultur- candidate endangered plants on private an array of conservation measures for the ists, botanists, plantsmen-all who have land have been intentionally destroyed in 56 officially endangered and threatened made plants a significant part of their the last few years; in other instances pri- plants. The greatest affects are on federal lives. Three thousand vulnerable native vate land owners have been pleased to agencies, which cannot jeopardize listed plants do not seem too great a number learn they harbor such unique species. species or damage their critical habitats to be able to conserve, especially when In international treaty and in national (unless granted an exemption); they also one realizes that there are less than 20 law our government has correctly recog- must carry out conservation programs for candidates in over half the states, and nized the value of wild plants and the the species. Perhaps half the candidate over 100 in only eight states. Start a doubtful future for too many of them. In plants are on public land managed by the foster plant project with the endan- the past 40 years the knowledge about our federal government, and probably a larger gered or threatened plant closest to your native plants has improved substantially, number are affected by federal activities. home-don't put it in your garden, but alt,hough it is too little when compared to Fortunately some of these agencies, such join with others in ensuring its survival that in some other countries, and it is far as the U.S. Forest Service, have developed in its natural habitat. too little when exact questions arise re- policies to treat candidate species as if they Start with the plant taxonomist at garding development or plant conserva- were listed and to so manage them that your loeal university, or join your state tion at a specific site. listing will be unnecessary . .For virtually native plant society or botanical club, To conserve our endangered plants, we all listed species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife or eheck with your state government's cannot carryon as before. The federal Service is directed to prepare recovery plans Heritage Program or Department of government should coordinate a Botanical with the objective of restoring their via- Natural Resources, or inquire of the Survey, which will sustain the preparation bility so that the act's measures are no U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through of a national Flora that thoroughly syn- longer needed. However, for some local your phone book. If you cannot par- thesizes existing knowledge of our vas- species, sustained management and cau- ticipate directly, support a local or na- cular plants, and which will ensure that tion may be all that can be accomplished. tional conservation society which is at field work is carried out on our rare plants If necessary, land can be acquired for work to protect endangered plants. For in a coordinated manner and as an urgent listed species. The remnant of the Antioch more information about conservation priority. We must support and improve Dunes in California was purchased for efforts going on in your state and 10- government resolve and capability to con- Erysimum capitatum var. angustatum and cality, write to The Society (attn: Jane serve vulnerable plants, at both national Oenothera deltoides subsp. howellii, which Steffey, AHS, Mt. Vernon, VA 22121) and state levels. There are enough of us appeared on U.S. postage stamps in June for a list of names and addfesses of who care about plants to do the job, if we 1979 (an endangered butterfly also lives people you can contact. will. 0

American Horticulturist 33

A Southern Patin Garden

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE TALOUMIS

Mrs. Hugenin Thomas of Savannah is small and energetic. With these attributes, plus vision and determination, she has designed, developed and realized a patio garden that is one of the most delightful and enchanting in Old Savannah.

LEFT: Potted geraniums pull one's eye upward along the wrought iron railing of a staircase leading to the Thomas' townhouse. TOP: Holly ferns thrive in the lush climate of Sa­ vannah. ABOVE: English ivy and potted azaleas provide a col­ orful backdrop for statuary.

American Horticulturist 35 Behind a row house at 7 East Gordon ABOVE LEFT: An Street, on the south side, is an enclosed ornate iron grille door garden area open only to the sky. High leads to a carport. Nearby grow ferns, brick walls and one facade of the Thomas' aspidistra, English ivy, four-story house form its boundaries. One liriope, saucer magnolia brick wall, on the carport side, has open­ and creeping fig. ings in the brickwork and an ornate iron ABOVE RIGHT: grille door which allows air to circulate 'Candidum' caladiums grow in pots next to the more freely through the garden. All walls, pool. RIGHT: Potted mellowed by time, are softened and pat­ geraniums grow in pots terned with English ivy and creeping fig. along the balcony; at its The townhouse, started in 1850 and base grow aralias, mahonias, ivy finished in 1853, is only 24 feet wide. Its geraniums in hanging width determined the dimensions of the containers and palms. square patio. Though only the size of a large room, the patio is filled with a wide array of plants and an interesting assort­ ment of garden features and containers that presents a compendium of a "million" the rise of the pool opposite the balcony, over the Thomas' property. pictures. and the winding stairs lined with pots of Behind the pool, accented with a figure When the Thomases acquired the prop­ geraniums, created interesting vertical lev­ of a child holding a jug through which erty 15 years ago, there was no patio gar­ els of visual enjoyment in a tiny area that water flows, is a lush planting of Aspi­ den, "just a yard, a loquat tree, camellias would otherwise have seemed flat and distra. Since it is shaded by the wall in all around, and dirt in the center," ex­ rather plain. winter, it does not become windburned. plains Mrs. Thomas. "Like the adjoining Little by little, the garden grew. The tu­ Pots of 'Candidum' caladiums are grouped row houses, ours was two rooms deep, lip tree (Magnolia soulangiana, called sau­ at one end of the pool, and at the other, with the staircase at one side. We added cer magnolia in the North), palms and a a large clump of holly fern grow~ luxu­ rooms on the south side and the balcony crape myrtle were added to give height, riantly. On the balcony are two elegant from which to view the garden and walk along with azaleas, camellias, mahonias jardinieres with yedda hawthorns (Ra­ down into it." and other plants. In the neighboring yard, phiolepis umbellata). Bricks were laid for a floor and a raised leaning over the wall, is a pecan tree, a Color is present in the garden during bed along one side. This raised bed, plus blessing for the shade it casts in summer every season. Flanking the figure in front

36 October/November 1980 LEFT: Aspidistra surrounds this playful fountain HORTICULTURAL figure at the pool. lOURS Upcoming offerings sponsored by The American Horticultural Society Autumn Exploration of the Orient -repeating a popular tour which includes visits to Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. November 1-24,1980

Baja, California and Copper Canyon -includes "the most dramatic train ride in the Western Hemisphere" through Mexico and an area filled with gorges so huge they can swallow four Grand Canyons! Until several years ago this area was inaccessible except by horseback. March 29-April12, 1981 of the ivy-clad west wall are tW9 pots of orchids are given a special mix. There is pink azaleas that flower in March. "When an overall small feeding of all plants in Garden Cruise of the these finish blooming, they go into the sick March, followed by another feeding in the British Isles bay under the balcony," says Mrs. Thomas. fall. The geraniums are given "a small dose" onM.T.S. Argonaut "They are followed by pots of caladiums every week or 10 days. -including stops in England, and chrysanthemums in the fall. The pots In winter the bulk of the container plants Scotland, Wales, Scilly, Mull, of pink geraniums at the base of the bal­ stay outdoors. If the temperature goes be­ lona and Orkney with optional cony also add color, along with coleus and low 30°F, the ferns and geraniums go un­ earlier departure to visit London impatiens grown in the shade." der the balcony, where podocarpus, aralia and the famed Chelsea Flower Mrs. Thomas is proud of her orchids, and mahonias form a backdrop of green. Show. which she flowers successfully-cattleyas Pest problems are few, chiefly scale on May 21-June 2,1981 and phalaenopsis, including 'Amy Camp­ aspidistra, oleander and the palms. White­ To request additional details or bell', a favorite. They stay out until mid­ flies on azaleas, the orange and the ca­ to make reservations for any of Novemb€lr and then are wintered in a south mellias are tackled with Malathion. these horticultural explorations, window, on trays with moist pebbles, on As much as Mrs. Thomas likes to talk write to Dorothy Sowerby, Tour the top floor of her house, where temper­ about the gardening aspects of her patio Coordinator, American Horticul­ atl!J.[@S often go down into the forties. garden, she would rather dwell on how tural Society, Mount Vernon, Mrs. Thomas spends about an hom each freely it is used for outdoor living and en­ VA 22121. morning tending her patio garden. For her joyment. In fact, all year round. "In sum­ it is one of low maintenance, designed mer we have breakfast, up and down. We Our 1981 Symposium is sched­ chiefly for relaxation. "Since we live in it lunch there on Saturdays, and on Sundays uled for July 14-18 in Denver, so much, like a room in a house, it has to enjoy steaks, grilled in the carport area. Colorado. Please mark these be swept constantly." In winter when we eat outdoors, we don dates on your calendar and make Her most useful tool is a pair of man­ extra sweaters and coats." plans to join other members of icuring scissors which she uses to cut off The several tables, chairs and benches the Society in a tour of the Mile­ faded blossoms, tips of plants and gen­ make it possible to entertain several guests, High City and the surrounding @rally maintain a neat appearance, an out­ and at night the globular lights add illu­ Rockies, with special emphasis standing characteristic of the patio garden. mination, along with fascinating shadows. on alpine gardening and cold­ To water, Mrs. Thomas uses a hose with For Mrs. Thomas and her family and hardy plants. Accommodations the nozzle removed, but a watering can friends, her patio garden is "not a place will be at the world-famous for the container plants. She feeds plants to live, but a way to live"-all in the midst Brown Palace Hotel. with whatever she happens to have on of plants that are tenderly and lovingly hand, usually a mixed fertilizer, though cared for. 0

American Horticulturist 37 BROMELlADS CONT'D

Continued from page 18 a sizable collection was eventually accu­ mulated and displayed with the other ex­ otic plants for which the Garden is noted. One of the outstanding estates in the West was that of the railroad magnate Henry E. Huntington, situated in San Marino, California. Under the inspired direction of William Hertrich, the garden became the repository of many rare spec­ imens. Of special interest to bromeliad fanciers is the 25 -acre Desert Garden, started in 1907, where the finest collection of xerophytic bromeliads may be seen. Puyas, bromeliads, pitcairnias, hechtias, dyckias-there are some in bloom throughout the year. In Florida, the first large bromeliad col­ lection of any note was that of Dr. Henry Nehrling in Gotha. As early as 1891 this eminent horticulturist was intrigued by the native tillandsias which then grew in abundance throughout the state, and he collected them for use in his own garden. He obtained bromeliads from Europe, bo­ The variegated pineapple, Ananas comosus 'Variegatus'. tanical gardens in this country and from their lands of origin. His enthusiasm for bridizing billbergias, but he is to be re­ siasts, offered bromBrazil but two of his bi-generic crosses, Billbergia thousands of various kinds. and then on to practically every other nutans X Cryptanthus beuckeri and Bill­ Two other growers in southern Cali­ country in Central and South America. He bergia nutans X Cryptanthus bahianus, fornia who were prominent at this time not only trod the path set out by the early are popular today. He sent the first cross and exerted a not inconsiderable influence explorers but also blazoned new trails and on to a nurseryman in Escondido, Cali­ on other growers were James Giridlian by doing so discovered 175 new brome­ fornia, W. I. Beecroft, for introduction and David Barry, Jr. James Giridlian, whose liads. into the trade. establishment, Oakhurst Gardens in Ar­ Foster was aided in the identification Beecroft himself tried his hand at hy- cadia, was a mecca for rare bulb enthu- of his species by the American botanist,

38 October/November 1980 Dr. Lyman B. Smith, then with the Gray All this in turn has led to extensive hy­ Herbarium and more recently with the bridizing among American growers-a Smithsonian Institution. It goes without situation which has resulted in much con­ saying that today Dr. Smith is the foremost fusion in nomenclature. A case in point authority on the Bromeliaceae-his' mas­ is the late Ed Hummel of California, who sive three-volume study on the family produced some of the finest hybrids to be superseding all previous monographs de­ seen anywhere. He kept no record of his voted to it. work, and the hundreds of his crosses which Foster's famous " Bromelario" in Or­ flood the market are like orphans-their lando soon became the ultimate bromeliad parentage unknown. And so it is with doz­ garden and brought visitors from all parts ens of other hybridists. However, there of the world. The nursery which Foster have emerged a few serious nurserymen established on the grounds issued a mail­ who are endeavoring to bring order into order listing in 1942, and for the first time the hybrid mixup. Such are Ervin Wurth­ bromeliads became generally available to mann, Robert Burstrom and Charles gardeners throughout the nation. Coolbaugh of Florida and Joseph Carrone In the late forties a dozen zealous am­ of Louisiana. ateurs from southern California started a Although bromeliads may be seen chiefly bromeliad round robin, which in turn led in the southern states, there are few public to the formation of the Bromeliad Society gardens throughout the nation that do not in 1950. Under the aegis of Mulford Fos­ have a spot reserved for them in their con­ ter, the first president and editor of the servatories. bulletin for its first 10 years, the society Florida and coastal southern California flourished and soon became international are the two areas where most of these in scope. Through the efforts of the mem­ plants may be grown outdoors the year bers bromeliads found their way into shows, round. In the Deep South with its humidity into public plantings and horticultural es­ and heat, neoregelias with their colorful tablishments, and more and more nurser­ foliage and brilliant hearts reign supreme. ies began to feature these plants. This is true, also, in Florida, but other Today prominent places are assigned to genera, those originally from lower ele­ bromeliads in all the major flower shows, vations, thrive-the frequent rainfall and each year scores of exhibits featuring proving to be a boon to these plants. In only bromeliads are held by the members. the Pacific Southwest, where semi-desert Not satisfied with the varieties that the conditions prevail, tillandsias take their nurseries have to offer, bromeliad enthu­ stand and decorate many a tree in the col­ siasts are setting out to collect their own lector's garden. Xerophytic types also plants in Mexico, Central and South abound here. America. Whereas collectors in the forties The foremost bromeliad nursery in this might have been satisfied with any bro­ country, and undoubtedly one of the most meliads they could lay their hands on, times outstanding in the entire world, is to be have changed, and today even the most found in Vista, California. Despite arid inexperienced novice has his sights set on conditions the Kent family, with highly those plants which are difficult to obtain sophisticated equipment and 60,000 square and to grow. Hence the interest in the var­ feet of greenhouse, maintain a collection iegated forms of otherwise plain-leaved that is second to none. Their catalogue, varieties. They are so in demand that the which lists 1,536 species and hybrids in stocks of them are constantly being de­ 49 categories, certainly demonstrates the pleted and prices for them sometimes reach progress that has been made with bro­ unbelievable heights. meliads. Mulford Foster's listing in 1945 Also in demand are the plants not yet contained 75 entries. in cultivation, those which come from the For further information about brome­ hinterlands of Ecuador, Colombia and Pent. liads and where these plants can be ob­ No matter that many of these species come tained write to: The Bromeliad Society, from the rarified atmosphere of the high Inc., P. O. Box 41261, Los Angeles, CA Andes and resent ordinary cultivation, some 90041. All those interested in these plants collectors must have them at any cost. The are invited to join the Society, an inter­ nurseries of Europe, especially in Belgium national organization. Membership enti­ and the Netherlands, have been besieged tles one to receive its handsome journal by requests for new hybrids, and so the with colored illustrations, access to seed demand for new plants goes on. fund, affiliation with local groups, etc. Cl

American Horticulturist 39 ~s______

SHADE PLANTS FOR author's earlier book on dwarf area. Whether or not you are Roadside Wild Fruits of Okla­ GARDEN AND rhododendrons (1973), this an organic gardener, this book homa is a useful little hand­ WOODLAND. George E. volume describes all of those is worth reading. book that can be carried with Brown. Faber and Faber. species whose mature growth you as you drive through the London, England and exceeds 1.5 meters in height. REGIONAL Midwest. The clear, color pho­ Boston, Massachusetts. 1980. The first 87 pages are devoted PUBLICA TIONS tographs and brief descriptions 240 pages; hardcover, to cultural information for ROADSIDE WILD FRUITS will enable you to easily iden­ $27.00. AHS discount price, growing rhododendrons in all OF OKLAHOMA. Doyle tify most roadside plants by their $22.85 including postage and parts of the world. The rest of McCoy. University of fruit (mature propagule in the handling. the book is devoted to species Oklahoma Press. Norman, botanical s(;mse-not necessar­ descriptions together with some Oklahoma. 1980. 82 pages; ily edible). This book should be history of introduction to cul­ paperbound, $8.95. AHS useful for many miles outside tivation and some notes on har­ discount price, $7.75 Oklahoma. diness in the garden. The water including postage and Poisonotls Plants of the Cen­ color paintings, line drawings handling. tral United States is a well il­ and photographs are excellent, lustrated handbook intended to but they only illustrate a small familiarize the population of the portion of the species de­ central states with the poison­ scribed. Of particular interest ous plants likely to be encoun­ for the rhododendron special­ tered in that area. Both native ist, but probably too detailed and introduced species are in­ for the average gardener. cluded, as well as some of the more common house plants. GETTING THE MOST Clear photographs, a good plant FROM YOUR GARDEN. description, a discussion of the Editors of Organic Gardening poisonous principle and the Magaz,ine . Rodale Press. symptoms of poisoning are Emmaus, Pennsylvania. 1980. given for each plant. Arrange­ 482 pages; hardcover, ment is by plant family and no This English publication is a $14.95. AHS discount price, indices of symptoms or iden­ welcome addition to the Amer­ $13.95 including postage and tification keys are included, so ican gardening bookshelf. handling. it is a book to read in advance, Choosing plants for the shady This handbook of intensive not a reference for use in an garden is always something of POISONOUS PLANTS OF vegetable gardening discusses emergency. a problem. Most of this book THE CENTRAL UNITED how to get a larger crop from Trees and Shrubs for North­ is devoted to " A Dictionary of STATES. H. A. Stephens. The less space and possibly with less ern Gardens is a useful refer­ Shade Plants." Genera and spe­ Regents Press of Kansas. labor. The chapters 'on growing ence for the colder parts of the cies tolerant to various degrees Lawrence, Kansas. 1980. 165 beds and interplanting may United States. Nearly 400 or­ of shade are described, together pages; paperbound, $9.95; surprise those of you who are namental trees and shrubs are with brief notes on culture and hardcover, $16.00. AHS used to the more conventional described, together with cul­ propagation. Both woody and discount price, $9.20 garden with plants in rows and tural information. Descriptions herbaceous plant material is in­ paperbound and $15.65 cultivated areas in between. of the more popular cultivars cluded. The introductory chap­ hardbound including postage Even if you don't switch to this are brief but adequate. Identi­ ters deal with the design of a and handling. method, you can get lots of good fication keys are given for gen­ woodland garden, and a con­ ideas for increasing your veg­ TREES AND SHR UBS FOR era and within each genus. This cluding appendix presents the etable yield. The chapter on NORTHERN GARDENS. book can be used equally well potential garden use of all of companion planting is more Leon C. Snyder. University of to select a plant or to identify the plant material in a briefly controversial, and I'll let you Minnesota Press. an unknown specimen. Good summarized table. Definitely a make your own decisions on Minneapolis, Minnesota. color photographs further in­ worthwhile treatment of an the validity of this approach to 1980. 411 pages; hardcover, crease the utility of this book. often troublesome aspect of pest control and garden plan­ $17.95. Dwarf Shrubs for the Mid­ gardening. ning. The chapters on starting DWARF SHRUBS FOR THE west is aimed primarily at help­ your own transplants from seed MIDWEST. Rebecca ing the midwestern gardener THE LARGER SPECIES OF are particularly good. The last McIntosh Keith and F. A. landscape his home. It should RHODODENDRONS. Peter 150 pages of .the book are de­ Giles. University of Illinois at be equally useful to the nursery Cox. B. T. Batsford Ltd. voted to regional reports from Urbana-Champaign (Special industry in suggesting some London, England. 1979. 352 all over the United States. They Publication 60). 1980. 163 more unusual (as well as more pages; hardcover, $47.50. will undoubtedly give you ad­ pages; hardcover, $20.00; usual) plant material appropri­ As a companion work to the ditional good ideas for your paperbound, $7.00. ate for use in tlle suburban

40 October/November 1980 The CITY GREEN@) HYDROPONIC IQtchenQardelf landscape. Cultural informa­ cies of a genus you will find tion includes hardiness data. that reading through the eight Grow your own herbs, salad greens, Photographs and line drawings pages devoted to Acer, for ex­ tomatoes, flowers right in your own aid in identification and visu­ ample, is a very pleasant and kitchen 365 days a year through alization for use as a guide in informative activity. If, how­ the miracle of hydroponics a landscape design. ever, you are interested in Acer griseum only, you will have Save time and difficulty in finding the entry. Within each genus, th ~ species money-buy books are not arra nged alphabeti­ by mail! Order cally, and the names are not at the beginning of the line but books available at buried within the text. Al­ a discount through though the names of maj or en­ • No weeds, no pests, no soil. tries are in boldface, they are • Taste the difference of fresh herbs. the Society. • More flavor, better nutrition. still difficult to locate. Nomen­ • Serve your own fresh picked salad. clature, too, leaves something • Grow your own fresh flowers. THE NEW YORK to be desired. While the author BOTANICAL GARDEN has followed Hortus III as a Hyd roponics Isn I new It s a proven sCience Send your name and add ress (p lease pri nt clearly) as anC ien t as the pyramid s, as new as mul· together with check or money order lor $32 .95 . ILLUSTRATED guide to the most correct name IImllhon doll ar In~ l a li a l lons worldWide (N J re side nts add 5% sales tax) 10 ENCYCLOPEDIA OF for a plant, he has chosen not ~~~p ~e~~ryO~~~~:, i, ~~ h:e~ sG~~d, ~n ~I~~\~~ Hydroponics Division right In your kitchen window, balcony or any Market Makers, Inc. HORTICULTURE. Thomas to indicate cultivars in the in­ bther co nvenient spot The Hyd roponic Nutri- 900 Rou te 9 . Woodbndge. N.J 07095 en! ReservOir needs filling only once every 10 $29 H. Everett. Garland ternationally accepted manner, days or so It feeds your plants automatically, 0 I 95 Publishing, Inc. New York, n Y (plus 3 00 handling a sh.pp.ng) but has invented his own in­ Complete Garden Kit (all you add IS water) Even in- New York. 1980. Ten consistent system (using the cludes herb and lelluce seeds Satisfaction Guaranteed. volumes; hardcover, $525.00 correct Roman typeface, single II makes a terrific gill item ! Order today. Yo u can 't lose ! the set. quotation mark style when the For la sl delivery caU Toll -Iree 800-331-1750 (Operator 115) and charge 10 your Visa or Maslercharge ca r(J Although only the first of 10 cultivar name is in English, but volumes has reached us for re­ using italics when it is other­ view (the others are to appear wise). Thus, most of the time, shortly), the publication of this it is not possible to distinguish new encyclopedia is an event between a botanical variety and ~R1CANH2RTICLllJURlST whose announcement should a cultivar. For identification, this not be delayed. Only two other work is fine, but you had better major horticultural encyclope­ crosscheck each name in Hor­ How does your garden dias exist in the English lan­ tus III before trying to com­ grow? American Hor­ guage and both of them are long municate with any fellow gar­ ticulturist is not only out of date (see President's Page dener or nurseryman. In spite filled with beautiful in this issue). We have needed of these shortcomings, this is pictures, but also with an updated, authoritative ref­ still an encyclopedia which is helpful gardening in­ erence work particularly aimed destined to become a standard formation which you at gardening in the United States work in American horticulture will want to refer back and Canada, and we finally have and which belongs on the shelf to time and time again. it. of every serious gardener. 0 Now you can keep Entries are arranged alpha­ -Gilbert S. Daniels your issues of Ameri­ betically by genus or subject can Horticulturist all (such as air-layering), and the in one place for quick, cultural information is ex­ Instructions for ordering books handy reference. tremely useful and easy to use. by mail: Send orders to the at­ These attractive binders will hold 18 issues, Abundant and excellent pho­ tention of Dotty Sowerby, That's three years' worth of gardening know-how. tographs help illustrate tech­ American Horticultural Soci­ Our magazine title is attractively embossed in niques and aid in plant identi­ ety, Mount Vernon, VA 22121. gold on a rich, leather-like green spine, Easily fication. The plant descriptions, Make checks payable to the applied gold numbers are included to help you however, are more difficult to Society. Virginia residents, add add dates and volume numbers. work with. The descriptions are 4% sales tax. When a discount Three or more binders for $5.00 each or good, with much useful cul­ price is not listed for a book, $5.50 for one binder postpaid. Send your check tural information included for please add $1.25 to the price to Binders, The American Horticultural Soci­ each species, and if you are gen­ listed to cover the cost of mail­ ety, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121 and we erally interested in all the spe- ing and handling. will fill your order promptly.

American Horticulturist 41 HARDY PLANTS FOR DAMP SOILS CONT'D

Continued from page 21 mon in any wet landscape (see it pictured period or early in the spring before foliage in the April/May 1980 issue, page 26). It growth. A good procedure is to divide est, do not cut down the tall stems in the blooms from May on. Its handsome yel­ some clumps one year and others the next fall but wait until the following spring low flowers growing.among the tall, sword­ year in order to have good bloom in the because they keep their shape, color and like leaves are a splendid sight. The seed planting. They bloom from June through give height to the area. Planted in groups capsule will open into three pods, each the first half of July. The varieties are clas­ three to four feet apart, they will make an having two rows of orange-red seed, pro­ sified as single, double and triple, depend­ impenetrable clump. viding a decorative effect for fall. ing on whether extra petaloid structures Best known of all native species for wet have developed. The flower colors range sites is the marsh marigold, Caltha palust­ through all tints and tones from red, dark­ ris. It grows two feet high and has cordate An early bloomer and purple to blue-purple, as well as pale colors leaves up to seven inches wide. Its five lovely flower in a moist to white forms. Some have colored veins beautiful, bright, yellow-gold sepals, which with lighter tints and tones; some have look like petals, stand in clusters well above patch is the primula, quite dotted patterns; some have a mottled ap­ the foliage. The individual flowers are two well known by all. pearance and some have colored borders. inches across and the plants bloom pro­ When in bloom the effect can become a fusely from April through June. Few plants symphony of colors. These iris never look are lovelier to look upon in spring than The lobelias, both L. cardinalis and L. better than when planted near astilbes. this plant with its wealth of blossoms. siphilitica, are natural candidates for the A large part of your moist garden can A fine companion for the marsh mari­ damp area. Lobelia cardinalis, the cardi­ be devoted to astilbes. There are white-, golds is skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foe­ nal flower, has bright carmine-colored pink- and red-flowered ones which are tidus. Although the pungent smell of the flowers with remarkably intense pigment. very impressive when grown in masses. small, mottled, purplish-greenish flowers When in flower it flashes like a beacon. Once established, these plants are self-sup­ might suggest that it be banished from Flowers are about one inch long, borne porting and may remain undisturbed for your planned moist area, the handsome, in spikes on erect, un branching, leafy stems a number of years. As growth starts, the large, glossy, cordate leaves which grow two to four feet tall. Leaves are narrow, new foliage, which may be copper-red or cabbage-like one to two feet in height cer­ dying down after the blooming season. yellow-green, is very decorative. The leaves tainly should convince you to reinstate it. These plants like half shade and moisture. are fern-like with toothed or cut leaflets, As early as February the cowl-shaped, spear­ Each plant needs a foot of space for de­ and they bear panicles of showy flowers. like spathes of a brownish-purple color velopment and will survive winters if its As they are heavy feeders, give them an are found sitting on the surface of the flowering stems are left uncut. The stems annual dressing of well-rotted manure. ground. These spathes enclose tiny flowers are hollow-if cut near ground level they They need plenty of moisture during their growing on a fleshy club-like spadix-all fill with water, which causes the roots to growing season. The spent inflorescenses of this loveliness before the leaves even rot. Lobelia siphilitica, the great or blue turning brown, russet or chocolate are begin to grow! When the leaves grow to lobelia, has suffered too much by com­ appealing if allowed to remain on the plants their full height, the plants really become parison with its gorgeous sister, L. car­ for autumn decoration. Some cultivars that outstanding. dinalis. Flowers are one inch long, blue in are rewarding are: the whites, 'Snow­ Chelone lyonii grows naturally in moist color, marked with white, and are borne cloud', 'Gladstone' and 'Deutschland'; the soils. Turtlehead is the common name, on dense, leafy spikes. It is a swamp plant pinks, 'Gloria Superba', 'Bridal Veil' and taken from the form of the flowers. The and to make a success of it a permanent 'Peach Blossom'; the reds, 'Feuer', 'Fanal' flowers are rosy-purple in dense, showy, moist place is needed. All lobelias prop­ and 'Sentinel'. As the white flowers fade terminal spikes, perhaps the best in flower agate easily from seed. the reds begin to open and give life to the of this delightful genus. The leaves are In addition to the native plants there are whole planting. deep-green in color, rounded at the base other selections which will thrive in moist An early bloomer and lovely flower in and tapering. These plants need rich ground soils. With such a damp area it becomes a moist patch is the familiar primula, quite and moisture in order to bloom profusely. possible to grow with great success many well known by all. Most of these primulas The roots lie close to the surface. If covered plants which need special conditions. One (Primula polyantha) are hybrids, and the with rotted manure the plant will bloom of the most magnificent of all plants for flowers come in an astonishing range of more profusely. This covering also will act the moist site is the fabulous Japanese iris colors and shades. They are vigorous in as a preventive against drought. (Iris kaempferi). These plants require a growth when in the right situation and Sweet flag, Acorus calamus, is a char­ rich, fertilized soil of one third peat, one surroundings. Their height ranges from six acteristic plant of marshy places. With third organic manure and one third leaf to 12 inches and they flower in the spring. grass-like leaves about three-quarters of mold. The leaves are long and narrow. The They need partial shade for happiness; do an inch wide and four to five feet in height, flower stems are stiff and slender and show not plant them in full sun or full shade. it makes a clump of beautiful foliage. The little branching, usually two flowers at the For vigorous growth they should be di­ flowers are an inconspicuous greenish-yel­ apex and one side flower. The rhizomes vided every two or three years in late sum­ low, but the plants are worth growing for are short and thin and roots are fibrous mer. They are easily propagated from seed the foliage effect alone. Any planting needs and abundant. To keep the plants vigor­ if sown as quickly as seeds mature on the foliar finery. ous, they must be transplanted every three blooming plants. Even quite green seeds Iris pseudacorus or yellow flag is com- or four years, either during the growing will germinate.

42 October/November 1980 PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

Guide to Botanical Names in This Issue Hedeoma todsenii Lythrum salicaria is one of the easiest heae-ee-OH-ma tod-SEN-e€-eye The accent, or emphasis, falls on the Hedyotis head-ee-O-tiss plants to grow in damp soil. This purple syllable which appears in capital letters. hew-STONE-ee-ah loosestrife has large, purple flowers in a The vowels which YOll see standing alone Houstonia tall spike borne on a two- to five-foot high are pronounced as follows: Houttuynia cordata who-TY-nee-ah cor-DA Y-ta leafy stem. It is a late summer flowering i-short sound; sounds like i in "hit" o-Iong sound; sounds like 0 in "snow" Hudsonia montana plant. There are many forms and different a-long sound; sounds like a in "hay". hud-SOHN-ee-ah mon-TAN-ah colored flowers. A couple of worthy va­ Iris kaempferi EYE-ris KEMP-fare-eye In many cases there are several ways of rieties are 'Roseum', with cherry-colored Iris pseudacorus EYE-ris sue-DACK-o-rus pronouncing the same word. This guide blossoms; 'Perry', which has cherry-red Ixora icks-O-ra attempts to convey the most generally blossoms; or 'Robert', compact in habit accepted version. Kokia cookei KOK-ee-ah COOK-eye with rose-carmine blossoms. Lobelia ca'Ydinalis Ligularias make themselves comforta­ Acorus calamus AK-o-rus KAL-ah-mlls lo-BEEL-ee-ah car-di-NAY-liss Aechmea fasciata eek-ME-ah fash-ee·A-ta ble where there is plenty of moisture. They Lobelia siphilitica Aechmea fulgens eek-ME-ah FUL·jens lo-BEEL-ee-ah siph-i-LlT-i-ka are a member of the composite family and Aechmea mariae-reginae Lythrum salicaria are very impressive perennials because of eek-ME-ah mar-EE-ee - re-JIN-ee LITH-rum sal-i-KA Y-ree-ah their large, glistening, leather-like, round Apacheria ap-pat-CHER-ee-ah Magnolia soulangiana leaves, sharply toothed with a width of 12 Arctomecon humilis mag-NOL-ee-ah sue-Ian-gee-A-na ark·toe-MA Y-con HEW-mil-iss Manettia ma-NET-ee-ah to 20 inches. When in bloom from July Aruncus dioicus ah-RUN-kus dy-O-i-kus Mirabilis macfarlanei to September the flowering stems rise to Asperula odorata meer-RAB-i-liss mak-FAR-Ian-eye about four feet, carrying heads of branch­ ass-PER-yew-Ia o-door-A-ta Mitchella MITCH-ell-ah REE-penz ing inflorescences in long racemes. Two Aspidistra ass-pi-DIS-tra Nertera NER-ter-ah cultivars which are easy to grow are 'Golden Astragalus yoder-williamsii Oenothera deltoides sllbsp. Queen', with green leaves and heads of ass-TRAG-ah-Ius YO-der howellii WlLL-yums·ee-eye golden-yellow flowers, and 'Othello', with een-o-THEER-ah del-toe-EYE-deez Betula uber BET-yew-Ia YEW-ber how-WELL-ee-ey€ bronze leaves and heads of bright-orange Billbergia nutans X Pentas lanceolata flowers. They are both elegant plants and Cryptanthus beuckeri PEN-tass lan-see-o-LA Y-ta are best used for background or as accent bill-BERGE-ee-ah Phacelia argillacea plants. (Editor's note: for more details about NOO-tanz krip-TAN-thus BEW-ker-eye fa-SEE-lee-ah ar-jill-ACE-ee-ah these plants, read Mrs. Cannon's article Billbergia nutans X Pinckneya pubens PINK-nee-ah PEW-bllnz on ligularias which appeared in the June/ Cryptanthus bahianus Pitcairnia corallin a July 1979 issue.) bill-BERGE-ee-ah NOO-tanz pit-CARE-nee-ah kor-ah-LEEN-ah Houttuynia cordata is a rare, rugged krip-TAN-thus ba-hee-A-nus Pitcairnia latifolia and joyful little plant that is happy grow­ Billbe'Ygia pyramidalis pit-CARE-nee-ah lat-i-FOL-ee-ah bill-BERGE-ee-ah peer-ah-mi-DA Y-liss ing in moist places. It will grow in full sun Potentilla robbinsiana Bouvardia boo-VAR-dee-ah po-ten-TILL-ah rob-ins-ee-A-na or part shade, is hardy and has a creeping Callirhoe scabriuscula Primula polyantha root stock which is easily controlled. It \

American Horticulturist 43 ORE ~iiOUSE FOR CLASSIFIED AD RA TIS PLEASE SEE ORCHIDS: 30; CACTI, SUCCULENTS: 50. PAGE 39. Beautiful, annotated catalog 25 It . RAINBOW GARDENS BOOKSHOP, BOX 721-AH, La Habra, CA 90631. ACCESSORIES/GOURMET DESIGNS (R. DAVID) "Rush twenty-five cents for a booklist of treasures, Distinctive, custom designed and silk-screened Some ancient, some recent, on gardening lore, items in plexiglass, wood and classic laid lithos. On flowers, the purest of humankind's Free $2 sample with questionnaire. Send large pleasures, SASE, R. David, Box 128, Livermore, CA 94550. On Apples to Zinnias, on herbs and much AFRICAN VIOLETS more" Pomona Books, Rockton, Canada, LOR lXO. 1,000 plus varieties African Violets, including miniatures, and other gesneriads. All supplies. "INTRODUCTION TO THE STAPELIADS." Catalog 50¢. DORIS GREEN'S HOUSE, Dept. Color illustrations, cultural information. $6.95. AH80, 7260 Brickey Lane, Knoxville, TN 37918. List of over 1 00 of these amazing Starfish flow­ ers, 25¢. RAINMAN NURSERY, 20101 Han­ LARGEST SELECTION-Save 20/40% on Plant son, Fort Bragg, CA 95437. Stands, Light Fixtures, Growing Accessories, WHY FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE PAY OUT­ Lamps (30 kinds-discounts to 45%) FREE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES RAGEOUS PRICES for scrawny, tasteless gro­ CATALOG. Indoor Gardening Supplies. Box Locate Midwest. Small investment partnership, cery store vegetables? 40567, Detroit, MI 48240. clean air, open spaces, prefer floral design and Now - with food prices sky rocketing at almost AMERICA'S FINEST-163 best violets and knowledge of greenhouse operations, book­ unbelievable rates - you can cut your fami ly's food gesneriads. Beautiful color catalog, illustrated keeping desirable. Housing available. If inter­ bill to the bone and grow plump, juicy ri ch tasting Growing Aids catalog, PLUS 8-page "Tips" on ested, contact Dick Utesch at A & D Green­ vegetables almost every month of the year! Violet Growing, 50¢. FISCHER GREEN­ house, R R #1 Box 45, Riceville, IA 50466 Tel. HOUSES, Oak Ave., Dept. AH Linwood, NJ 515-985-2832. 08221. Ye s' Grow delicious, mouthwatering veget ables We are looking for an experienced Garden Su­ early as February and late as December with Michigan's authorized distributor for Fredette perintendent for the two acre restoration of GUARD 'N GRO, the solar powered mini gree n­ Originals. Other leading hybridizers. BUGTUS­ Wm. Paca's 18th century garden. Please send house . SLE VIOLETS, 5280 Haven Rd . Leonard, MI resume and references to: Mrs. J.M.P. Wright, SOLAR DESIGN 48038. Phone 313-628-3478. List 25 ¢ and large 18 Pinkney St., Annapolis, MD 21401. Forge t ~a rt i fi c i a l lighting ! Forge t artificial hea ting! GUA RD SASE. Visitors welcome. 'N G RO work s its mag ic entirely off solar e n ~ r g y . CONES AND PODS AZALEAS All you do is pl ace GUARD 'N G RO over seeds. cunings. or Cones and pods, many varieties- Pines, Spruce, tra nspl ant s. FRAGRANT YELLOW AZALEAS from Amer­ GUAR D 'N G RO 's thennal air cell s trap and seal in solar hea l Hemlocks, Sequoias, Redwoods. Illustrated cat­ . .. protects plant s fro m freezing cold. killing frost. sleet. hai l ica's largest mail-order selection of super-hardy, alog and ideas, 50¢ (refundable). CONES, 42664 and high winds ... keeps pl ant s wa rm and moist. Insures fast , landscape-size azaleas and rhododendrons. Cat­ full vi gorous plant growth EVEN ON CLO UDY FREEZING A Upper Calapooia, Sweet Home, OR 97386. CO LD DAYS . All thi s without any 3r1 ifi cial lig ht or heat alog $1.00 (deductible). CARLSON'S GAR­ v/ hatsoever! DENS, Box 305-AI118, South Salem, NY 10590. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PRIVATE GUARD 'N GRO weighs S ibs! Measures 40" long x 18" wide x 21" tall. Perfect fo r porch. patio . backyard or small space AZALEAS & RHODODENDRONS FOUNDATION co nt ai ner garde ning . Folds fl at for storage! Add-on GUARD ' N G RO extens ions avail able . Each ex te nsion doubles the Rhododendrons and other broad leaf evergreens Ladew Topiary Gardens Foundation, 3535 Jar­ length o f each G UAR D ' N G RO un i!. Lets you protect yo ur rettsville Pike, Monkton, MD 21111, 20 miles e nti re garden Spring, Fa ll and Winter! in small sizes for the collector. Free catalog. E.B. north of Baltimore. Must have some horticul­ FREE Nauman, Dept. AH, 324 Avalon Drive, Roch­ ester, NY 14618. tural knowledge to oversee garden staff of five Now - with food prices go in g through the roof - you can and experience with museum management in­ greatl y red uce the endless expe.nse of havin g to pay o utra­ geous prices fo r " bl ah " tasting superm arket produce . You RHODODENDRONS, AZALEAS, from super­ cluding: administration, budget and program can grow delic ious mo uth watering vegetables this winter hardy to greenhouse varieties; dwarf conifers, development, curatorial duties, fund raising and while your fri ends are paying hi gh prices for them in stores. Let us rush yo u the startl ing facts and free inform ati on kit rock garden rarities. We ship. Catalog $1.00 grant proposals and continuing promotion of w ith the complete G UARD 'N G RO story. (refundable), THE BOVEES NURSEY, 1737A community relations. Salary negotiable. For fur­ SW Coronado, Portland, OR 97219. ther information write Box 72, Garrison, MD AZALEAS, RHODODENDRONS, HOL­ 21055. LIES- many hybrids and species. All raised in FLOWER ARRANGING SUPPLIES Midwest. 75 ¢ for list. We ship. Holly Hills, Inc., 1216 Hillsdale Rd., Evansville, IN 47711. FLOWER ARRANGING SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT. Also carefully selected supplies BOOKS for corsages, house plants and terrariums. LET YOUR LOVE FOR PLANTS PUT YOU Wholesale and retail, since 1936. Catalog 10¢. IN BUSINESS . Dorothy Biddle Service, GM-l, Hawthorne, NY DO YOU .. . . Want to be your own boss? 10532. . .. Need a little extra money-or a lot? ... ______MAIL COUPON NOW! ------COMPLETE CATALOG OF FLOWER AR­ Want to choose your own working hours? RANGING SUPPLIES- foams, containers, ac­ GUARD 'N GRO ~ MY BOOKLET CONTAINS CONCISE, SIM­ cessories, books and t001s . Low Low prices. Dept. AH-11 , St. James, NY 11780 PLEDETAILS OF HOW I GROSSED $20,000 Send 25 ¢.. Designers Bench, Box 839 AH, Au­ .... - IN THREE MONTHS. ON MY OWN. ON burn, NY 13021. Ye s! Ru sh me my FREE GUARD 'N GR O fa ct kit. I want to save money and cut my food bill to the bone by growing A SHOESTRING. SO CAN YOU. Send $5, my own de licious ve.gelables this Fall and Winter with IJostpaid, to IVY , Box 142 A, Ivy, VA 22945. GARDEN FURNITURE GU ARD 'N ORO mini greenhouses. No obligation, No salesperson wi ll call . INTERESTED IN GORGEOUS books on Af­ Solid Teakwood Garden Seats- featured in the Name rican Violets, Begonias, Bromeliads, Epiphyl­ arboretums & gardens of England. The perfect lums, Orchids and MORE? We are the LARG­ heirloom gift for chun:h, park or private garden. Address EST, with the NEWEST books around! Send $2.00 deductible for the 10 page British Citv _____ State ___ Zip __ EXAMPLE: Books on BROMEL/ADS: 17; color catalogue and current price list. Precipi-

44 October/November 1980 tation, Inc. 17317 Germantown Rd., German­ cause it contains no cheap muriates (chlorides), town, MD 20767. (3 01) 428-3434. sulphates, sodium, or urea. Soluble, odorless, CORSAGE ORCHID KIT containing 5 baby with trace elements for maximum growth. orchid plants with potting medium and instruc­ GREENHOUSE GROWING Guaranteed. One pound $6.00 postpaid. Prod­ tions. Choose cattleya, phalaenopsis or oncid­ LEARN GREENHOUSE GROWING with our uct information for self-addressed, stamped en­ ium. $4.50 complete; 3/$12.00; postage $1.00. nationally famous home study course. All new velope. United Applied Research, Inc.; Dept. A; Jungle-Gems, Box 3215A, Portsmouth, VA and exciting. Certificate available. FREE DE­ PO Box 1164; North Riverside, IL 60546. 23701. TAILS. Growers Associated, Box 585AH, Ca l­ Save water, time, and money . " DRIP IRRI­ PAWPAWS istoga, CA 94515. GATION FOR LANDSCAPE AND GAR­ Amateur plant breeder of the American paw­ HARPER HORTICULTURAL DEN," a planning and installation guide for the paw seeks garden space/greenhouse space for SLIDE LIBRARY (PAMELA HARPER) homeowner. $4.00. Trickle Soak Systems, 8733 nursery of Asimina triloba cultivars, crosses and Magnolia, Suite 109, Santee, CA 92071. We supply many of the pictures in this and other hybrids with other Asimina species. Locations garden magazines. See cover this issue. You may PROPAGATION BREAKTHROUGH-Don't near D.C. preferred. R. Neal Peterson, 1761 rent these and 25,000 others, or buy duplicates. gamble-use only the best mist controls. Guar­ Lamont St. N.W., Washington, DC 20010. Lecture programs on many topics. Catalog $1. anteed, versatile, portable, indoor, outdoor, PECANS 219 Robanna Shores, Seaford, VA 23696. automatic, economical. Write Aquamonitor, Box 327, Huntington, NY 11 743. PECANS: Quart each of halves, pieces, meal. HELP WANTED Three-quart sampler $9.75 postpaid! Hermi­ Part-time piece work. Webster, America's fore­ Miniature hand-colored etchings-herbs, wild­ tage Farms, Box 143-HO, Hermitage TN 37076. most dictionary company needs home workers flowers, mushrooms, fruit and more. List and Free brochure. Large selection. photo $1.50. The Little Farm Workshop, 820 to update local mailing lists. All ages; experience RARE MAPLE SEED unnecessary. Send name, address, phone num­ Andrews Road, Bath, PA 18014. berto Webster, 175 5th Ave. Suite 1101-1461B, JAPANESE MAPLES, UNUSUAL SPECIES New York, NY 10010. 96 PAGE COLOR CATALOG has many sen­ AND SELECTED CUL TIVARS. Small packets sational va lu es on more than 1300 varieties for collectors, specialists and bonsai use. For Gardener wishes position on estate with green­ Peonies, Daylilies and Iris, plus timely tips. $1 list write: MAPLEWOOD SEED COMPANY, house. Single man has formal training and ex­ (deductible on first catalog order). Gilbert Wild 6219 S.W. Dawn, Lake Oswego, OR 97034. perience. For references and resume wri te & Son, Inc. , AH-I080 Joplin Street, Sarcoxie, American Horticulturist, Box AHS c/o HB, RARE PLANTS MO 64862. Mount Vernon, VA 22121. FREE BROCHURE-Exotic aroids, palms, suc­ WILD BIRD FEEDERS: Finest Window, Perch, HERBS culents, sansevierias, aloes, cycads, hoyas, ferns, Deck, Terrace, Hanging, Pipe Mounted. Nest others. Catalog and newsletters $3 refunded OLD-TIMEY HERBS for today's gardeners. Homes. Free literature. Dialabird, 554S Chest­ with first order. "Endangered Species" 12571(A) Seeds, plants, teas, books, botanicals, scented nut St., Westwood, NJ 07675. Red Hill, Tustin, CA 92680. geraniums. Catalog $1.00 (deductible). YAN­ BROMELIADS. 8 different mature bromeliads. KEE PEDDLER HERB FARM, Dept. AH80, Still looking? Give us a try! Rare plants from Growing instructions. Labeled. Postpaid $8.75. Burton, TX 77835. far corners. Baobab, Plumeria, Flamboyant, 2 page li sting for 15 It stamp. Cornelison Bro­ Hand Flower, much more! Until now you could MAKE FRAGRANT GIFTS : Potpourri, per­ meliads, 225 San Bernardino, N. Fort Myers, only read about them, available from: JOE'S fume, pomanders, sachets, cedar bags ... FL 33903. PALMS, 1480-A Sunrise Dr., Vista, CA 92083. WholesalelRetail Catalog of herbs, spices, es­ BOLDUC'S GREENHILL NURSERY- Exotic Catalog only 50¢. which includes all yearly sup­ sential oils, kits, gifts ... 25¢. . Tom Thumb & Hardy Ferns, 2131 Vallejo St., St. Helena, plements. Workshops, Box 3496-AH, Alexandria, VA CA 94574. Please send self-addressed, stamped 22302. SEEDS envelope for list. FREE! 6 HERB SEED PACKETS : Sweet fennel, WORLD'S LARGEST SELECTION of qualiry GROW INDOORS AND OUTDOORS. No coriander, dill and curled cress; all used in salads rare seeds from every continent. Thousands of yard or apartment is too small to enjoy the and/or for seasoning. Dishrag gourd (Iuffa exotic ornamentals, tropicals, houseplants, pleasure of growing these little roses. Free color sponge) is eaten as summer squash or dried for palms, flowers, bulbs, perennials, trees, rare catalog of selected varieties. NOR'EAST MIN­ sponges. Fenugreek produces a maple flavored herbs, medicinal, edible plants. Illustrated 128pp IATURE ROSES, INC., BOX "AH," ROW­ seed used in baked goods, candies and syrups. c~talog $1.00. Free vegetable catalog, with Eu­ LEY, MA 01969. A $4.14 value. Packing and shipping $1.00. ropean & Oriental varieties. WORLD SEED Send to YANKEE PEDDLER HERB FARM, Something for everyone. Cactus, succulents, SERVICE, Box 1058-AT, Redwood Ciry, CA Burton, TX 77835. begonias, violets, foliage and garden plants. No 94064. list, no mail-order. Retail and wholesale. Open MINT & HERBS FRESH OR DRIED, LARGE RHODODENDRON & AZALEA SEED-Send 6 days. Sunday by appointment. HARVEY'S, OR SMALL QUANTITIES. FREE samples. Send self-addressed, stamped envelope for extensive 611 So. 8th St., Adel, IA 50003. $1.00 for pstglhdlg Raul I, Rt. 1, BX 283, Or­ list of hybridizer'S crosses. Growing instructions oville, CA 95965. included. Stonehouse Creek Nursery, 1948 Lor­ NURSERY raine Avenue, McLean, VA 22101. Brighten your winter with fragrant, tasry, at­ DWARF EVERGREENS, UNCOMMON tractive herbs. Descriptive Collector's Catalog, TREE PROBLEMS·BOTANICAL OR LEGAL TREES. Visitors welcome. Displays labeled. $1.00, listing over 70 varieties with cultural tips For Directory of members of the American So­ for indoor/outdoor growing. Browsing encouraged. Please send a stamp or two for our list. (No shipping) DILATUSH ciery of Consulting Arborists-the experts in ORENMOOREHERBS, 9708 208th Ave. East. NURSERY, 780 Rte. 130, Robbinsville, NJ tree care and appraisals for legal matters, write: (AHI0) Sumner, WA 98390. 08691. ASCA, 12(C) Lakeview Avenue, Milltown, NJ 08850. HOUSE PLANTS ORCHIDS VEGETABLE SEEDS HAWAIIAN PLANTS. Send 50¢. for new 14- ORCHIDS-ORCHIDS-ORCHIDS­ page illustrated catalog. Many rare and unusual BLOOMING SIZE CA TTLEYAS 5 for $25.00. Save money on your grocery bills: grow your plants included. Hana Gardenland, PO Box 248 Hybrids, mericlones and wild orchids from the own vegetables from seeds. These vegetables AH, Hana, Maui, HI 96713. jungle. Marure plants and seedlings available. were specially chosen for balcony/patio, ciry, suburban and country gardens. Information: G. MISCELLANEOUS Send $1.00 for our complete list. Deductible on first order. LAUREL ORCHIDS, 18205 S.W. B. Enterprises, 655 Jeffrey Street, # 1 03, Boca GRO-MAX 27-9-9 FERTILIZER is better be- 157th Ave., Miami, FL 33187. Raton, FL 33431.

American Horticulturist 45 fraises des Bois french woodland strawberries

Can you think of a nicer, more appropriate gift for your gourmet or gardening friends than 12 husky plants of Fraises des Bois? Developed by us from French stock, these berries are called 'Charles V' -after the 14th century monarch who first brought wild strawberries from the woods and cultivated them in the gardens of the Louvre. Clumps of cool green leaves, white blossoms, and luscious red berries grace these lovely plants all summer long-June until frost. They grow to eight inches and a foot wide-and do not send out bothersome runners which are fine for farmers but a nuisance for gardeners. Follow propagating instructions, as these large field-grown plants can be divided after only one year in your garden. A dozen Fraises des Bois will yield 100 plants or more in two years, and berries enough for ample servings of this delight every week. Cultivation is simple-good soil, sun, and water. This is the present that can't go wrong, because we won't let it. We guarantee safe delivery. Here's the way you send Fraises des Bois as Christmas gifts. Give us the names of those whom you wish to remember. We will send gift cards to arrive in time for Christmas, thlen ship the plants early next spring (Florida and California orders shipped for , Christmas). One dozen 'Charles V' $18.00, two dozen to one address, $32.00; please add 10% per dozen for delivery east of the Mississippi, 15% west. This is a fruit-no Connecticut sales tax. Write, wire-or phone (203) 567-0801. We can easily take care of your order at any last minute you choose to act. -Amos Pettingill White flower furm Plantsmen

Litchfield 7705, Connecticut 06759