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JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, INC. * April 1961 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY A union of the A merican Horticultural Society and the American Horticultural Council l600 BLADENSBURG ROAD, NORTHEAST. WASHINGTON 2, D. C.

For United Horticulture *** to accumulate, increase, and disseminate horticultural information

B. Y. MORRISON, Editor Directors Terms Expiring 1961 JAMES R. HARLOW, Managing Editor STUART M. ARMSTRONG Maryland Editorial Committee JOH N L. CREECH Maryland W. H. HODGE, Chairman WILLIAM H. FREDERICK, JR. Delaware JOHN L. CREECH FRANCIS PATTESON-KNIGHT FREDERIC P . LEE Virginia DONALD WYMAN CONRAD B. LINK Massachusetts CURTIS MAY Terms Expiring 1962 FREDERICK G . MEYER FREDERIC P. LEE WILBUR H. YOUNGMAN Maryland HENRY T. SKINNER District of Columbia GEORGE H. SPALDING Ofjice?'s California PRESIDENT RICHARD P. WHITE DONALD WYMAN Dist?'ict of Columbia Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts ANNE WERTSNER WOOD Pennsylvania FIRST VICE· PRESIDENT Tenns Expiring 1963 ALBERT J. IRVING New York, New York GRETCHEN HARSHBARGER Iowa SECOND VICE· PRESIDENT MARY W. M. HAKES Maryland ANNE WERTSNER WOOD FREDERIC HEUTTE Swarthmore, Pennsylvania Virginia W. H. HODGE SECRETARY -TREASURER Pennsylr1ania OLIVE E. WEATHERELL ALBERT J. IRVING Washington, D. C. New York

The American Horticultural Magazine is the official publication of the American Horticultural SOciety and is issued four times a year during the quarters commencing with January, April, July and October. It is devoted to the dissemination of knowledge in the science and art of growing ornamental plants, fruits, vegetables, and related subjects. Original papers increasing the historical, varietal, and cultural know ledges of plant materials of economic and aesthetic importance are welcomed and will be published as early as possible. The Chairman of the Editorial Committee should be consulted for manuscript specifications. Reprints will be furnished in accordance with the following schedule of prices, plus post­ age, and should be ordered at the time the galley proof is returned by the author: One hundred copies-2 pp $6.60; 4 pp $12.10; 8 pp $25.30; 12 pp $36.30; Covers $12.10.

Entered as second class matter in the post office at Baltimore, Maryland, in accordance with the Act of August 2~, . 1912. Additional entry for Washington, D.C., was authorized July 15, 1955, in accordance with the pro­ VISlOJlS of Section 132.122, Postal Manual. A subscription to The American H07'licultural Magazine is included as a benefit of membership in the American Horticultural Society, Individual Membership dues being 16.00 a year. APRIL. 1961

'I'HE~ERICA.N

FORMERLY THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE VOLUME 40 • NUM BER 2

Contents

Forsythias DONALD WYMAN ______.. ______190

Making and Maintaining a Lawn ROBERT W. SCHER Y______.. ______198

Exploring for Wild Narcissus FREDERICK G. MEYER .______.______210

Ornamental Melaleucas for Subtropical Gardens EDWIN A. MENNINGER ______221 A Book or Two ______226

The Gardeners' Pocketbook Dahoon Holly. E. J. HORDER ______229 Aqnilegia jonesii, Rare Miniature Columbine LOUIS O. WILLIAMS and RUA P. WILLIAMS ______. ______229 Tree Peonies from Seed. ETHEL R. HANKELE ______230 Azalea Shinnyo-no-tsuki in Northeastern Alabama. EVERETT LAY ______230 Lyco?Ois sqtbamigem and Lime. MAUD R. ] ACOBS ______.______231 Get Acquainted \I\lith Silenes. l\iJRs. J. ROBERT CHRISMON ______231 Pinckneya pubens. ELIZABETH LAWREN CE ______232 California Redwood in Mississippi. MRS . B. F. LINDSEY ______233 G Mel onia lasian t h w. B. Y. M ORRISO N______233 Hardiness of Fatsia japonica. GRAHAM HEID ______234 Lycoris in Shreveport. LOIS FLAXMAN ______234 RhododendTOn prunifolium. FRED C. GALLL ______235 For Hardiness, Grow Your Own Amaryllis. D . D . MORRISON ______235 Bellingrath Camellia Garden. M. B. GREENE ______236

APRIL COVER ILLUSTRATIONS

Passiflora alalo-caerulea • Front San'acenia flava • Back

SCl-atch-board drawings by D. Todd Gresham

Copyright, © 1961 by T he A merican Horticultural Society, Inc. THE WAYSIDE GARDENS COMPANY Forsythia 'Beatrix Farrand' Forsythias

There are few plants as bright and eye. Often he feels that anything differ­ colorful in the early spring as the for­ ent is worth naming, and then the sythias. Fortunately, they can be grown plantsmen are coaxed into the old circle over a wide area of the United States of obtaining something iust because it and are true harbingers of spring wher­ is "new," only to discard it later when ever grown. They have been favorites in its true qualities become better known. American gardens for a century because At the turn of the century there were they are rugged shrubs, easily propa­ only about four forsythias being grown gated, quickly grown, and because of in the United States [F . intermedia) F. their colorful display of yellow flowers suspensa) F. suspensa fortunei) and F. every spring. Fifty- and even sixty-year­ viridissimaJ. By 1920 others had been old plants are still flourishing in the introduced from China, Korea, and Eu­ Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, Mas­ rope [F. europaea) F. ovata) possibly F. sachusetts. In fact, their usefulness is japonica) F. viridissima koreana) F. inter­ not wearing thin, for numerous new media vars. 'Densiflora,' 'Primulina,' varieties, hybrids, and clones have been 'Spectabilis,' and 'Vitellina,' and F. sus­ introduced in the past few years to give pensa vars. at1"Ocaulis and 'Decipiens']. It a wider spread of color and habit forms. has been only during the last twenty The first species introduced into Eu­ years that some of the "best" forsythias rope was Forsythia suspensa sieboldi) a have come into being, no doubt aided in native in China but brought into Hol­ their popularity by the use of color plates land from a Japanese garden in 1833. in nursery catalogues. About twenty years later this was intro­ New forsythias have originated during duced into England and shortly there­ the past twenty years as the result of after into the United States. The first chance and close observation, and as the plant in the Arnold Arboretum was ob­ result of planned breeding work. Since tained from the garden of Francis Park­ forsythias do not produce seeds freely man in Boston sometime during the and since they are very easily rooted year 1876, so it is obvious that this spe­ from cuttings, most commercial growers cies was being grown in America several are content to rely on asexual propaga­ years before. tion. Several "sports" have originated, Over the years, new species have been however, and these will be mentioned introduced from Europe and the Orient later. and many new varieties and clones have The entire group is very easily grown. originated and been propagated. The Actually they grow in almost any kind flowers of all are yellow; they vary, as far of soil, but do best in a deep, rich loam. as their ornamental uses are concerned, They are practically free of disease and chiefly in respect to their habits and the insect pests, never needing to be sprayed shade of yellow in their flowers. -an obvious advantage to spray-weary There are too many varieties being gardeners. offered now. It is often difficult for a Nearly all are hardy in climatic zones plant hybridizer, who sees some of his where the average minimum tempera­ own seedlings differing from standard ture does not go below - 10 °F. F. ovata varieties, to judge them with a jaundiced is the hardiest and will survive in the next colder zone; F. suspensa atrocaulis and F. viridissima will be flower-bud­ " Horticulturist, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard Univer­ sity, Jama ica Plain, Massachusetts hardy in the next warmer zone. fI gl] 192 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

As for their sequence of bloom, F. grown as specimens or when grown en ovata is always first in the Arnold Arbo­ masse-they do not respond well to be­ retum, followed a few days later by F. ing jammed into the shrub border where giraldiana. The remainder all bloom other shrubs will encroach on their practically together-at the time the space. As a result, they must be pruned spice bush and the Korean azalea bloom carefully, in such a way that their beau­ in the vicinity of Boston, which is about ty of form is not damaged. Hence, prun­ mid-April; earlier, of course, further ing from the base, by removing the older south. Since their flower buds are branches and allowing the younger, more formed the previous year, they are at the vigorous ones to take over, is by far the mercy of the weather, sometimes opening best method. many flowers during an especially warm Many a time one sees these beautiful Indian summer in October, sometimes plants sheared, or pruned, by merely keeping their flower buds tightly closed hacking off the tops. If such drastic ac­ until very late in an unusually cold, re­ tion is needed, it would be better to cut tarded spring. They have bloomed with them off a few inches above the ground the lilacs at such a time, although usu­ in the very early spring or just after ally they fade and are gone by lilac time. they have flowered and let them grow An interesting thing happened last year. During a sudden warm spell they back into form gracefully. Because of started flowering on time and because this, they should never be planted unless of the cool weather immediately there­ there is sufficient space for normal after, they remained effectively colorful growth and development. Those who for four weeks. Not many shrubs give have seen an individual plant, or several effective color for this length of time. plants, grown by themselves so that they Pruning is simple, but far too many can take full advantage of space in de­ individuals do not prune these plants veloping their graceful, arching branches, properly. Forsythias are best when will know what this means.

Vegetative Key to Forsythia Species 1. Leaf nodes in the middle of current year's shoots, mostly one inch (or less) apart except on vigorous shoots 2. Leaves six times longer than wide; all sim pIe; none lobed; plant ex t~em.el~ dw~rf .______., ______.F. vtndtsszma BronxenS1S 2. Leaves only three or four times longer than wide, sometimes lobed or trifoliate on vigor­ ous shoots 3. Plant often procumbent, branches readil y rooting on the ground ______.F. 'Arnold Dwarf' 3. Plant a slow-growing shrub, not procumbenL______F . intermedia 'Nana' 1. Leaf nodes in the middle of current year's shoots, considerably more than one inch apart 4. Pith h0llow but leaves often deeply lobed or trifoliate, solid at the nodes ______. ______.F. suspensa and varieties 4. Pith lamellate or chambered, leaves not 10 bed or trifoliate except occasionally in F. X intermedia 5. Leaves en tire ______.______F. europaea 5. Leaves mostly serrate 6. Leaves broad-ovate, mature branches yellowish.______.______F. ovata 6. Leaves lanceolate, mature branches greenish, brownish or purplish 7. Pith usually solid at the nodes, leaves sometimes divided into three parts on overly vigorous shoots.. ______. ______F. X intermedia (The cultivars 'Karl Sax,' 'Beatrix Farrand: 'Lynwood Gold: 'Spring Glory: and 'Arnold Giant' will usually key out here, but none have leaves divided) 7. Pith chambered throughout, leaves simple 8. Leaves oblong-ovate; rather rugose, serrated at least three-fourths the length of the blade ______F. japonica saxatilis 8. Leaves narrow-lanceolate 9. Some leaves almost entire-at most only a few serrations above the middle ______.______F. giraldiana 9. Leaves definitely serrate above the middle ______.______F. viridissima APRIL 1961, VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 193

Forsythia Species and Varieties X F. intel'media 'Mertensiana': Intro­ duced a few years ago by the Swiss firm [An asterisk denoting the best for of Gebr. Mertens, Zurich. This is said ornamental plantings.] to be more compact in habit than other F. europaea: This six-foot shrub was F. intermedia varieties, grows up to introduced into the United States from about ten feet in diameter, but is not England in 1900. It is a native of Al­ much different from other F. intermedia bania and the original plant is still grow­ varieties and might well be overlooked. ing in the Arnold Arboretum. The flow­ F. intermedia 'Nana': Here probably ers are usually borne singly so that it belong several plants listed in the trade does not make a good showing when as F. "dwarf," F. suspensa fo rtunei nana, compared with the Asiatic species. Even F. 'Compacta Nana,' etc. We have grown though the flower buds are almost as some for several years and they are all hardy as those of F. ovata, there is no practically identical, with lamellate pith reason for growing it as an ornamental. between the nodes, solid pith at the It is usually di stinguished from the other nodes and leaves simple, lobed, and forsythias by its leaves, which are mostly sometimes compound. They are very entire, having only a few teeth at most. slow in coming into bloom, sometimes Its sole claim to fame is that it is the taking seven years, and then the flowers only truly European forsythia. are not profuse, but small and a poor, F. giraldiana: Another poor ornamen­ greenish-yellow. One twenty-year-old tal which should not be grown as such, plant here was five feet tall by eight feet was introduced from northern China in wide, but in all that time it was not what 1938 by the Arnold Arboretum. Closely might be called a good flowering speci­ related to X F. intermedia; the flowers men. are slightly smaller. At Swarthmore, X F. intermedia 'Primulina': Origi­ Pennsylvania, Dr. Wister notes that it nated as a chance seedling in the Arnold usually blooms a few days before F. Arboretum a few years before 1915. It ovata, but our plant blooms a few days is valued for its light yellow primrose­ afterward. colored flowers, but the newer sport of X F. intermedia: A cross between F. F. intermedia 'Spectabilis,' 'Lynwood suspensa and F. intermedia, this origi­ Gold,' has more flowers and they are larger, also. nated in Europe before 1880. It grows up to nine feet tall and has arching * X F. intermedia 'Spectabilis': Com­ branches and, being a hybrid of two monly called the showy-border forsythia, species, gives evidence of both species in this originated in the great Spaeth Nurs­ its leaves. Occasionally there is a small eries of Berlin in 1906; it was introduced amount of purplish autumn color on the into America by the Arnold Arboretum plants, a trait from F. viridissima. Be­ in 1908. It is still one of the most popu­ cause the plant is a hybrid and will lar of all, wi th flowers that are as vivid vary, it is advisable to grow some of the a yellow as the 'Beatrix Farrand,' only varieties asexually and to omit the hybrid recently introduced. Being a F. inter­ altogether from ornamental plantings. media variety, it is more upright and sturdy than F. suspensa, the flowers are X F. intermedia 'Aurea': A very poor larger (about an inch and three-quar­ variety with yellow leaves which, when ters) and are produced in greater quan­ grown in the shade, is colorful. In the tity and in clusters. Some consider the full sun, however, the leaves burn badly. color display as almost a "brassy" yellow, Our five-year-old plants are only about yet there are many who prefer it for three feet tall, have produced inferior just this reason. It is a darker yellow flowers, and so this, too, might be omit­ than the F. suspensa varieties and, with ted from ornamental plantings. 'Beatrix Farrand,' can be classed as hav­ X F. intermedia 'Densiflora': Intro­ ing the darkest yellow flowers of the duced by the Spaeth Nurseries of Berlin, entire group. Germany, in 1899, this was popular for X F. intermedia 'Vitellina': Another a time because it produced more flowers of Spaeth's introductions in 1899, it has than any of the species and botanical the smallest flowers of this group of varieties up to that time. Now, however, hybrids, the reason it has not proved other clones are as good or better. popular. 194 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

F. japon £ca: This species an~ its vari­ * F. suspensa fortunei: Charles S. Sar­ ety sa xatilis bear their flowers smgly and gent said that the Arnold Arboretum hence make poor display plants. The first introduced this to American gardens species is a native of Japan and the about 1878. This is the form with grace­ variety came to America from Korea in fully arching branches, more upright in 1924. habit than Siebold's forsythia, and be­ F. ovata: This should not be consid­ cause it has been so popular for so long, ered as one of the best forsythias since it is the form of F. suspensa which every­ the flowers are small and often are pro­ one has come to associate with this genus. duced erratically. In slightly colder The flowers are the same color as those areas, however, where the flower buds of Siebold's, but slightly larger. of most other forsythias are known to F. suspensa 'Pallida': This has the hab­ be killed by winter cold, this might be it of the species, but the flowers are actu­ tried, if a forsythia must be planted. ally a washed-out yellow, so it is not one Hence, its uses are limited greatly, but to grow as an ornamental. it is worth mentioning. In the collection at the Arnold Arboretum, it flowers F. suspensa pubescens: Introduced about ten davs before most of the other about 1908 from China, i.t differs little forsythias. Often erratic, it may bloom from the species and can be overlooked well one year and very poorly for one as an ornamen tal. or two years thereafter. In extremely * F. suspensa sieboldi: This is the first cold areas the flower buds will winterkill. forsythia to be introduced into European There is a variety of this being grown and American gardens; in Holland in by some Dutch nurserymen under the 1833, in England about twenty years name 'Robusta: but all plants of this later and in America probably shortly which have been grown in the Arnold thereafter. It is the form with the long, Arboretum seem to be more closely re­ graceful, often procumbent branches lated to F. europaea. The original plant that is sometimes seen planted at the is still flourishing in the Arnold Arbo­ edge of a wall where the long stems retum. have an opportunity to hang down F. (ovata X europaea): A cross made vertically for several feet. The stems root at the Arnold Arboretum shortly before easily wherever they touch moist soil. 1935, but the resultant plants are in no The flowers are a brilliant yellow. way superior to the parent species. F. suspensa 'Variegata': Forms of this F. suspensa: A native of China, grow­ arise occasionally with either yellow ing about nine feet tall with widely leaves or leaves variegated with yellow. arching branches. Although the species None I have seen make meritorious orna­ is graceful and interesting, there are mentals and some fail miserably when several varieties that are better as orna­ planted in full sunshine. mentals. The species and its varieties are F. viridissima: This is another species usually identified by the hollow pith from China, discovered by Robert For­ (solid at the nodes) in their stems and tune and sent to England in 1844. It is the leaves, often deeply lobed or divided offered by only a few American nurseries into three separate leaflets. All have because it is not nearly so handsome as gracefully arching branches but they do F. suspensa fo rtunei. Also, it is one of not produce as many or as large flowers the least hardy. It is the only species to as do the F. intermedia varieties. have rather distinct purplish-red autumn F. suspensa atrocaulis: This variety is color, however. The flowers are only not so hardy as the other varieties. The mediocre, the height can be as much as young stems are purplish. It was intro­ nine feet and rather stiffly upright in duced in 1907, but is not commonly in habit. cultivation. F. viridissima koreana: Introduced F. suspensa 'Decipiens': Originating in from Korea in 1917 where it is native in Spaeth's Nursery in 1905, it has been the vicinity of Seoul. This is more hardy growing in the Arnold Arboretum since than the species, but otherwise is about 1908. The flowers are single and do not the same. Rehder says it has a more provide nearly as outstanding a display spreading habit and .larger and more as the other varieties. brightly ~olored flowers . APRIL 1961, VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 195

ARNOLD ARBORRTUM Forsythia 'Karl Sax' 196 THE AIVIERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

F. Vi1" idissima 'Bronxensis': Originat­ and, in certain situations, are slightly ing in the New York Botanical Garden darker than those of F. intermedia 'Spec­ about 1939, this is extremely dwarf and tabilis.' It is upright and dense in habit, slow-growing in habit. Ten-year-old produces heavy bloom and is becoming plants are only about one foot tall and popular for its vivid yellow, conspicuous two feet in diameter. Its often prostrate flowers. branches do not root easily and because "'F. 'Karl Sax': This is a new forsythia of its slow growth and poor rooting recently named by J. L. Thomas of the ability, it is gradually being discontinu~d Arnold Arboretum in honor of Karl Sax, by most American nurserymen who OrIg­ a former director, who is responsible for inally stocked it when it was introduced originating it. The flowers are a slightly to the trade in 1949. It does flower well, darker golden yellow than those of with flowers borne either singly or in 'Beau-ix Farrand: more profuse but clusters of three. The leaves are only slightly smaller, and the habit is ne~ter about one to one and one-half inches and more graceful. Moreover, after trIals long and half an inch wide. of several years in the Midwest, it is *F. 'Arnold Dwarf': Resulting as a reported to be hardier than most other cross between F. intermedia and F. ja­ forsythias. It is a tetraploid, with no~ic.e­ ponica made by Karl Sax in the Arnold ably thickened and somewhat rIgId Arboretum in 1941, this should never be leaves. planted for its flowers which are small *F. 'Lynwood Gold': This was OrIgI­ and greenish yellow and are produced nally found as a branch sport of F. i~­ sparsely. In fact, plants may be five or termedia 'Spectabilis' in a garden m six years old before they produce any Cookstown, County Tyrone, Ireland, and flowers at all. As a woody ground cover was introduced by the Donard Nursery it is excellent, chiefly because of the fact of Newcastle, County Down, Ireland. that its procumbent branches. root.read­ It was introduced into America in 1953 ily wherever they touch mOIst soll. A by the Gulf Stream Nursery of Wacha­ six-year-old plant may be only two to preague, Virginia, and is considered an three feet tall but nearly seven feet across improvement over F. inteTmedia 'Specta­ and as it grows older it may grow a few bilis' since its flowers are more open and feet taller. If desired, however, this tall­ seem to be better distributed along the er growth can be removed easily with stem; that is, the flowers are not so brush scythe or pruning shears. Its abil­ bunched. It, too, is a brilliant yellow, ity to remain comparatively low and to only minutely lighter in shade than F. spread regardless of the slope on which intermedia 'Spectabilis: is upright in it is planted, are its chief merits. habit, possibly a little stiff, but still most F. 'Arnold Giant': This was produced beautiful in flower. by Dr. Sax as a result of experimental F. 'Nvman's Variety': A. T. Johnson breeding work, but it is unfortunate t.hat of Conway, North Wales, Great Britain, it was ever named and released. It IS a wrote a note about the history of this colchicine-induced tetraploid not easily plant which was published in the C!ar­ propagated from cuttings. In a group dene?'S C hmnicle in 1954. It was raIsed as easy to root as the forsythias, this is from a packet of Forrest's seeds. At first reason enough for discarding it. The it was thought to be F. suspensa atro­ flowers are large and deep yellow, but caulis, but later was observed to be su­ those of newer varieties are superior. perior to it, with stiff, bronze-colored Also, the habit is stiffly upright rather branches ten feet high and two-inch­ than gracefully arching, as wi th many wide flowers described as an "ivory of the better forsythias. It should not yellow." It is not yet in American nurs· be grown. eries, but the Arnold Arboretum has *F. 'Beatrix Farrand': This is a cross been growing a plant imported from between a colchicine-induced tetraploid England in 1957 which has not yet and F. ovata, being a triploid, originat­ bl~omed. I do not know whether it will ing in the Arnold Arboretum in 1939 as be any hardier than F. suspensa atro­ a result of the plant-breeding work of caulis. Dr. Sax. The flowers are often as much *F. 'Spring Glory': A branch sport of as two and one-half inches in diameter another of the Arnold Arboretum's in- APRIL 1961, VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 197

Comparison of Forsythia Flowers Petal Flower Shade of Yellow, according to width Diameter Royal Hort. Soc. Nickerson Color Fan Species or Variety (Inches) (Inches) Colour Chart (Munsell Color Scale) europaea ft 1% 3/1 aureolin 5Y 9.1 / 12 brilliant giraldiana 14 IVa 603 empire 5.5Y 9.1/12 " intermedia ft 114 4/1 lemon 4Y 9/ 12 'Densiflo ra' 14 lY2 603 empire 5.5Y 9.1/12 . lana' 14 IVa 602/ 1 mimosa 7.54 9.1 /8 brilliant greenish 'Primulina' ft 1% 603 empire 5.5Y 9.1 / 12 brilliant "'Spectabi1is' % 1% 4 lemon 2.5Y 8.5/13 vivid 'Vitellina' 14 1% 3 aureolin 5Y 9/13 brilliant japonica saxatilis 14 114 3/1 aureolin 5Y 9.1/12 ovata 14 1 603 empire 5.5Y 9.1 / 12 " (ovata X europaea) 14 1% 3/1 aureo1in 5Y 9.1/ 12 suspensa atrocaulis 14 1% 3/1 aureolin 5Y 9.1 / 12 'Decipiens' ft 1% 4/ 1 lemon 4Y 9/ 12 · fortunei ft lY2 3 aureo1in 5Y 9/ 13 'Pallida' % 1% 603 empire 5.5Y '9.1 / 12 " pubescens ·sieboldi % IVa 3 aureolin 5Y 3/13 Vi1'idissima 'Bronxensis' fa- % 603 empire 5.5Y 9.1/12 " koreana 14 114 4/1 lemon 4Y 9/12 ·'Arno1d Dwarf' 14 % 64/2 dresden 9Y 9/8 bril. greenish ·'Arno1d Giant' Y2 1% 4 lemon 2.SY 8.5/13 vivid ·'Beatrix Farrand' Y2 2Y2 60S chrome 2.5Y 8.2/12 " ·'Lynwood Gold' Y2 1% 4/1 lemon 4Y 9/12 brilliant ·'Spring Glory' Y2 2 603 empire 5.5Y 9.1/12 " "These are the " best" for ornamental plantings. To tbese could be added F. ovata for certain limited areas where flower buds of tbe others winterkill, and F. viridis sima 'Bronxensis' where an extremely dwarf, slow-growing but flo wering variety is wanted.

troductions (F_ intermedia 'Primulina), Thus, in this small group of yellow­ this was found in the garden of H. H. flowering shrubs, it can be seen how Horvath, Mentor, Ohio, about 1930 and plant breeders and observing horticul­ was introduced by the Wayside Gardens turists have been able to bring forth of Mentor, Ohio, about 1942. This and better ornamental plants. Of those rec­ its parent, the primrose forsythia, have ommended for ornamental planting, flowers that are a lighter yellow than the only four are native somewhere in the others, wi thout being the objectionable world, and six are the result of selection and hybridization-all introduced with­ greenish yellow of 'Arnold Dwarf.' It is in the last two decades. In this connec­ an improvement over the once-popular tion it is only fair to point out, also, that primrose forsythia because it has large the first variety introduced to America flowers (about two inches in diameter) is still one of the best, definitely empha­ and more of them, thus making a much sizing the extremely important fact that better display. It may well replace the sometimes the older varieties, when primr,ose forsythia in general landscape judged fairly on their merits) are still use. among the best. Complete bluegrass plant at time of infloTescence formation, with abnnJant tillers bmnching fl'om the base, and new rhizomes forming (at point of pencil), Since blueg?-ass is apomictic to a great degTee, seed formed by the inflQ!'escence provides offspring of heredity identical to the par­ ent plant,

Ryegrass to the right, bluegmss to the left. The greater size of the ryegrass seed re­ sults in fewer potential plants per pound (about 250 thousand vs. 2 million for blue­ grass), but grea/a seedling vigor. Along with the fast start from large, food-packed seeds, comes agg?'essive tendencies which result in clumpy grass such as is illustrated on Page 205.

[198] Making and Maintaining a Lawn

ROBERT W. SCHERY*

Although ground covers, composed home lawns. And agronomists, with usually of grasses, have been an accoutre­ whom much of the turfgrass research ment of North American civilization for resided, are oriented, in their basic train­ many decades, lawn grass was nonethe­ ing, to agricultural crops. Most crop less only of casual and incidental garden­ plants are annuals, or at least have a ing concern until recent years when the limited and proscribed season. With exodus to the suburbs suddenly made them there is a need for hereditary good lawns big business. Reasonably identicalness, and heavy emphasis is on little experience in depth or directed improved varieties, high yields, ease in research was available to draw upon; harvesting, and the economic advantages Old World conditions and scheme of liv­ that come with one year productiveness ing offered scant parallel, unlike many of a uniform population of plants. Such other facets of gardening. American is not quite the case in a lawn, where lawn craft has not yet worked completely the mower becomes the great "uniforma­ out of this impasse, and sound, scientifi­ tizer" and where subtle variability may cally-proven information is still badly prove an advantage for perennial exist­ needed. Much lawn tending remains ence of mass grass populations. guided by hearsay and "old wive's tales," Golf courses take for granted intensive even by downright misinformation. maintenance, designed largely for the There is probably more waste motion in care of creeping bentgrasses (or selected the lawn facet of gardening, than in strains of bermuda in the South). Be­ practically any other sphere. cause of the inheritance from golf course Yet the demands are perhaps greater research, may we not be over-intensifying than in other spheres. The home owner lawn care on many occasions; perhaps wants from his lawn not a single spec­ in many parts of the country lawnsmen tacular showing of seasonal nature (as make long-range trouble for themselves may be the case with say chrysanthe­ by adhering to "bentgrass edicts?" Are mums, roses, sweet peas, or such), but we sometimes "killing our lawns with year-around attractiveness and an abso­ kindness?" lute "keeping out of the mud." This And do we stress "timeliness" enough? must be accomplished in spite of in­ Often the what may be less important evitable abuse not inflicted upon other than the when. This is especially true, garden areas. Lawns must endure hard it seems, in lawn fertilization. Fertiliza­ usage for play and recreation; the un­ tion is a wonderful tool to help control naturalness of mowing, often too short "mat," something hardly heard of be­ for the good of the grass; demands for fore intensive lawn management. And greenness both in the heat of summer is the "disease" that crops up evetywhere and in frigid winter. It's a large order. really disease-or a physiological upset The commercial side of turfgrass drew from ill-timed feeding? Are the selected upon whatever information was avail­ varieties more susceptible? Is lawn grass able, chiefly from the experiment sta­ getting "fat" and degenerate? Or do we tions, and the golfing microcosm (almost merely make it seem so, by doing the the only facet of turfgrass interest having right thing at the wrong time. undertaken appreciable research). Some What about ever-increasing "needs" of the information, valid for the golf and voluminous "treatments," hurled at course, does not extrapolate well to the lawnsman nowadays. It really isn't troublesome to have a good lawn. But · Dr. Schery, a botanist by training, has taught at Washington University in St. Louis and has served, as are we wasting hours and dollars un­ well, on the research staff of the Missouri Botanical necessarily; there are instances where Garden where he was co-au ~hor of the Flora of Panama. At present, Dr. Schery is Director of the Lawn Institute, individuals have spent good money and Marysville, Ohio, which accounts for his current interest in lawns alld lawn management. time only to create problems? [199] 200 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

Personal preference is often over­ the trade, adapted itself extremely well looked in lawn tending advisories. There to the North American climate and soils, are degrees of lawn sparkle, just as there spreading widely. It has volunteered in are Fords and Cadillacs, with their dif­ land abandoned from cultivation, from fering upkeep costs. Subjective impres­ Kentucky westward into the high plains sions should be a major criterion, even and northward into Canada. The chief though less exact than clipping weights, harvest centers today of natural Ken­ almost the only objective means agrono­ tucky bluegrass are in northcentral Ken­ mists have for measuring turfgrass re­ tucky, northwestern Missouri, Iowa, sponse. South Dakota, and locally in Wisconsin, Everyone wants a good lawn, yes, but Minnesota, North Dakota and Canada. not at the cost of constant yard work or Nebraska and Kansas some years yield the expenditure needed to maintain a sizable crops also. The production sys­ golf green. Attractiveness around the tem is such as to assure in the retail seed home, certainly; but may not some sea­ package, well diversified heredity sub­ sonal "deglamourization" be endured in jected to much natural selection. the interest of a more economical "aver­ Adapting as it has to a wide range of age" attractiveness for the year? ecological niches, natural Kentucky blue­ grass brings an admixture of strains to market. In essence it is a natural blend­ ing of varieties, comparable to the me­ The Grasses chanical mixing of agricultural or horti­ For a good lawn, suitable building cultural selections. This has appeal for blocks for the climate where this lawn is lawn grass, for the same reason that seed to be are needed. One can never make mixtures rather than pure lines have a first rate lawn out of coarse haygrasses advantage; it provides a range of candi­ or impermanent bunchgrasses. Any grass date plants for the myriad microenviron­ (or combination of turfgrasses) of qual­ ments manifest in any lawn. While ity should be fine textured, perennial for natural Kentucky bluegrass lacks the the climate in which used, and prefer­ glamour associated with publicized selec­ ably able to spread by rhizome or stolon. tions, and hence is sometimes at a dis­ Within the framework of these major advantage in modern merchandising, it attributes varietal choice is less impor­ still seems an eminently suitable base tant than maintenance practices; all for a lawn seed mixture. An exception good grasses can make an excellent turf might be in those rare instances where if they are properly tended, but none expert talent knows how to cope with can do it when maintenance is really the whims of pure-line varieties. The poor. The Lawn Institute likes Ken­ Lawn Institute suggests a hard core of tucky bluegrass mixed with red fescue natural Kentucky bluegrass for a quality varieties such as come from Oregon, for seed mixture, into which may be blended lawns north from Tennessee; bermudas, other noteworthy varieties having special Zoysias and centipede for the South, or attributes or local adaptation. St. Augustine in shade. Bluegrass is largely apomictic. Thus Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is once selections of reasonable distinctive­ the mainstay for lawns in the northern ness have been made, the new "varieties" two-thirds of the country. All evidence can be perpetuated by seed with reason­ suggests that bluegrass arrived in this ably little roguing of the fields. Almost hemisphere along with the first coloniza­ all of the improved varieties have come tion of the East Coast. It spread west­ from simple selection of locally outstand­ ward as the forest was felled and the soil ing plants; there has been little planned turned. Presumably first spread westward hybridization, although some of the Car­ was down the St. Lawrence valley with negie work attempted interspecific crosses the French, for some of the early ex­ which yielded scant practical improve­ plorers to ~entucky found bluegrass ment. So far no one has beaten nature already growmg there (although it was in providing a generous supply of Ken­ not popularly named for the state until tucky bluegrass variants for local adapta­ about 1850) . tion. The parent species, more recently Horticultural selections include such termed "natural" Kentucky bluegrass in well known commercial varieties as Ar- APRIL 1961, VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 201

bore tum, Merion, Newport, Park, and a fescue seed substitutes very nicely for few others. Some of these are little dif­ "nurse grass," a modern bugaboo in­ ferent from natural Kentucky bluegrass, herited from the past when it was but are preferred for such commercial thought desirable to have a quick-sprout­ reasons as high seed yield. Merion is ing species to "protect" soil and stand perhaps the most distinctive of the lot, until the permanent grass could become being low-growing and with a linked established. Of course modern research series of characteristics that may well de­ has proven repeatedly that nursegrasses fine a subspecific taxon in Kentucky usurp space, nutrients, and moisture, bluegrass. Along with the desirable fea­ inhibiting establishment of the perma­ tures of low growth, resistance to leaf nent grass. spot, and dark green color, come dis­ The red fescues have not volunteered advantages such as slow seed germina­ widely throughout the eastern half of tion, high susceptibility to rust, and the country, as have the bluegrasses. reduced adaptedness to southern ex­ Consequently there is no harvesting of tremes of the bluegrass belt. Moreover, "na tural" varieties of red fescue com­ Merion is notoriously a heavy feeder; it parable to midwestern production of will not look well unless at least twice bluegrass seed. Rather the industry has the usual nitrogen ration is received that shifted to the Pacific Northwest, where is normally recommended for natural the best selections are grown under pre­ Kentucky bluegrass (about 3 pounds of cise agronomic operations, notably in actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet per Oregon. From Oregon come such elite year) . varieties as Chewings, Illahee, PennI awn, Park is a combination resulting from Rainier, etc. The seed is of high purity several vigorous strains planted together, and germination, provides an excellent from selections made in Minnesota. It backing for bluegrass in "sunny" lawn should have the same advantages of mixtures, and is the predominant com­ genetic flexibility that natural Kentucky ponent for shady lawn blends. bluegrass has. Indeed, its performance Differences between the parent "creep­ is little different, except that the large ing red" fescue and the several varieties seed sprouts and establishes quickly. named are not very apparent. Physio­ Newport is a Carnegie selection from logical superiorities may have been evi­ the West Coast of Oregon. A choice dent in choosing varieties, but as these strain from the original clone is the grow in eastern lawns there is no gener­ high-yielding C-I selection, noted for ally superior variety. It might be sug­ strong autumn performance in the lawn. gested that, as with bluegrass, mixing a Delta is a Canadian selection, notable few named selections insures wide adapt­ for high seed yields, but otherwise little ability. different from natural Kentucky blue­ Other northern grasses. The chief ad­ grass. Arboretum is a selection from ditional northern lawn genus is Bent­ Missouri, originally chosen for adapted­ gmss (Agrostis). Colonial varieties (A. ness to hot summers that far south. tenuis) are usually chosen for lawn "'\i\Thile there is merit in any of these usage, while the creeping bentgrasses varieties, for general lawn mixtures per­ (A. palustris) provide most golf green haps a blend of several into natural selections. Of the creeping bentgrasses Kentucky bluegrass provides the greatest only two are commonly available as seed, assurance of suitability for the diversity Seaside and Penncross. Penncross is an of lawn locations and maintenance F-l attempt at hybrid vigor, from natural schemes. crossing of several selections planted in Red Fescues (Festtbca rubm, in vari­ inter-mixture. It has generally given su­ ety) are another major ingredient of perior performance to Seaside. quality lawn seed mixtures. This species Most Colonial bentgrasses contain a is especially durable on poor soils and certain amount of "creeping blood," in shade. Its growth habits and seasonal fostering patch-forming in lawns. To cycle are very similar to Kentucky blue­ avoid discordant lawn texture, experts grass, so that red fescue makes an ex­ generally view bentgrass as better used cellent companion in lawn seed mix­ alone than in combination with other tures. Not only does it extend the adapt­ grasses. In any event bentgrass require­ edness of the mixture, but the sizable red ments are somewhat different than are 202 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

Lawn growth cycles. The solid line r epresents a typical northern lawn of K entucky bluegrass ; the broken line, southern lawns such as Ber­ muda or Zoysia_ The southern line can also r epresent summer weeds in a northern lawn; the northern line, winter weeds in a southern lawn. High SOUTHERN ~ ,'" .------~~ ;' ~ I .-\~ Rate of I \ Growth I I I I I I , I , I

~," I Low Spring Summer Autumn Copyright, 1959, Handbook of Gardening, Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Red fescue to the left, bluegrass to the right, the two mainstay grasses for the north­ ern two-thirds of the nation. Both m'e fine textured, perennial, spread to a greater or lesser extent with rhizomes (notably to the right and left of the bluegrass plan t).

THE LAWN I NSl'I TUTE APRIL 1961 , VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 203 those of bluegrass and red fescue-close "cheap" seed mixtures. Under certain clipping, generous fertilization and wa­ circumstances, such as in the fog belt tering, special efforts to control disease, around San Francisco, perennial rye­ thinning to prevent thatch-in short, grass may be enduring and attractive. more intensive management. Bents But it is a bunchgrass, will not spread brown out more readily in summer, and into a tight sod as does bluegrass. An­ may be lost in hot muggy weather. nual ryegrass is coarser, and seldom Some of the named "Colonial" bent­ long-lasting. For that matter, neither grasses are Astoria, Colonial, Highland, species endures well over most of the and New Zealand Browntop. The nation. They seem to intergrade, and "Rhode Island" selection seems the same much of the domestic seed includes both as Astoria, and is considered somewhat perennial and annual forms. The desig­ freer from creeping tendencies than most nation Italian ryegrass usually refers to other commercial varieties. Apparently the annual species alone, whereas Do­ in the bentgrass fields of western Oregon, mestic ryegrass may include a mixture source of most of the seed, there has been of both types. Both species are fast widespread volunteering and mixing of sprouters, hungry for space and nutri­ strains. ment. As a result they are extremely Rough Bluegrass (Poa trivia lis) , im­ competitive when used in appreciable ported from north Europe, is a frequent quantities in a lawn seed mixture. In ingredient of shade mixtures for cooler those mixtures where it is felt desirable climates. It is shallow rooted, actually to have a modicum of nurse grass, we resembling bentgrass more than Ken­ suggest that the ryegrass content be held tucky bluegrass. It usually dies out in to 10 % or less. Actually, the best lawn sunny locations, at least under hot, dry seed mixture will contain no ryegrass, conditions. It is best adapted to moist but will rely upon the reasonably fast shady locations, where little else will starting of red fescue to establish quick thrive. cover. Occasionally other fine-textured, per­ Redtop (Agrostis alba) is a coarser ennial species are included in northern bentgrass, adapted especially to poorer seed mixtures. Canada Bluegmss (Poa soils in middle latitudes. As such it has pait{'stTis) , Wood B luegmss (Poa nemo­ some utility for temporary cover. As a ralis) and Sheep's Fescue (Festtlca nurse grass in combination with blue­ ovina) are examples. Unfortunately, grass and fescue it is not quite so aggres­ very often included are some of the sive as is ryegrass or tall fescue, ordi­ coarse bunch grasses, of which the Tall narily disappears in the course of several Fescue group (Festuca arundinacea) is years, allowing the desired grasses to probably the most troublesome. The "take over"; but it is coarser than a good designation "Kentucky-31" [tall] fescue turfgrass should be, and tends to become on seed packages often confuses the in­ clumpy in age. As with other bentgrass experienced purchaser, who presumes species, redtop contains millions of seeds this variety is somehow the equivalent to the pound, so that even a slight per­ of Kentucky bluegrass. Alta and Goars centage in a seed mixture can result in a are other varieties of tall fescue, while preponderance of redtop. If used at all, Meadow Fescue (Festuca elatior) finds we suggest less than 5% in the mixture. some usefulness in mixtures for the dry Southern Gmsses. Southern lawns interior valleys of California. All of have traditionally been vegetatively these fescues, in contrast to the fine planted from sprigs or plugs rather than fescues from Oregon, are too coarse to seeded. Exceptions to this are common make an acceptable lawn. They become Bermudagmss (Cynodon dactylon) , an­ bunch grass clumps when not crowded nual autumn seedings of "winter grass" into dwarfness by heavy seeding. vVe (usually ryegrass, but any of the north- suggest the use of tall and meadow ern species) , and to a lesser extent Cen­ fescues only for out-of-the-way play areas, tipede (Eremochloa ophiuroides) , Bahia and then planted heavily enough to in­ (Paspalum notatum) and very rarely sure crowding and dwarfing. Zoysia. In contrast, the improved ber- The Ryegmsses (Lolium) , both an­ mudas that form a thick sod must be nual (L. mttlti(loTUm) and perennial propagated as are the golf green bent­ (L. peTenne) are inexpensive bulk for grasses of the North, and so must be the 204 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

named varieties of Zoysia which don't grass belt," from Washington, D. C., come true from seed. Only recently has westward to St. Louis. Lawn grasses a seed supply of centipede become avail­ don't become sufficiently established be­ able. St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum fore onset of debilitating hot weather secunda tum) seed is not available. and summer "disease," and the inevita­ Principles governing choice of lawn ble competi tion from crabgrass and other grass in the South are the same as for weeds. the North, even though the seasonal In the South at least six weeks of cycle is just reversed. As always, one growth should be allowed before the must choose not only upon the basis of season of dormancy. Thus the best plant­ climate and grass, but upon the kind and ing time for southern grasses, which extent of maintenance. Bermudas re­ flourish during the hot weather but are quire frequent attention to look well, dormant during the cooler months, is much like the bentgrasses of the North. from early spring through early summer. On the other hand centipede is a "poor soil grass," but temperamental and be­ coming chlorotic easily. Most of the other species are intermediate. Bermuda Soil Preparation cannot be grown in the shade, although A lot of unnecessary work goes into St. Augustine is very tolerant of shade. soil preparation, especially over-zealous CarpetgTass (Axonopus sp.) is especially cultivation that breaks down soil struc­ adapted to wet acid soils where little else ture. As for the many recommended will grow. St. Augustine is severely at­ soil amendments, remember that grass is tacked by chinch bug, and has in recent nature's outstanding soil builder. Some years suffered from a number of serious of the best stands come from seeding a diseases which mitigate against its use­ rough, loose seedbed, which then does fulness. not so easily slake and pack. Mixing in phosphatic fertilizers to the depth of the the root zone is especially important When To Plant with seedbeds on poorer soils. Compaction of heavy soils is a fre­ The seasonal cycle of a lawn grass quent problem. Tillage of a heavy soil suggests the appropriate planting season. when wet may actually form brick-like Ordinarily grass should be planted just clods. This is one disadvantage of wait­ ahead of the most favorable growing pe­ ing until spring for planting a new lawn; riod for that species, allowing it to be­ in autumn soils are just emerging from come established quickly and dominate a deficit period of soil moisture, whereas the weeds. For northern grasses which in spring they are generally saturated prefer the cooler months, an autumn and poorly workable. In order to culti­ seeding is generally favored. Seeding vate a soil in spring conveniently, one dates range from August in the most may have to wait until the most favor­ northerly states to September or even able planting season has passed. October in middle latitudes. Failing Soil tests can indicate pH, the need planting in autumn, it is still possible to for lime. Most grasses are widely toler­ sow in winter, so that seed is in the soil ant, flourish in a pH range of 5 to 7. ready to sprout come the first favorable Plains grasses such as buffalo, wheatgrass, weather of spring. Seeds find niches lovegrasses and grammas are best adapt­ on frost-pocked soil, become imbedded ed to alkaline soils. Centipede and car­ w~en the soil softens on thawing. It petgrass, well adapted to the sandy, hu­ wIll not suffer from lying unsprouted in mid coastal plain, do best under acid soil cold earth through winter. conditions. Most of the remaining grasses Spring sowings with northern grasses prefer a pH range from neutral to slight­ are possible, too, over most of the blue­ ly acid. Agricultural limestone, pref­ grass belt. The trick is to get started erably dolomitic to supply magnesium early enough. Late spring and early as well, is safer to use than hydrated summer seedings are successful only in lime. Fifty pounds per 1000 square feet favorable climates where summers don't usually suffices to raise the pH nearly an become hot and dry. Seldom is a late uni t. For chlorotic grass in alkaline soils, spring seeding successful in the "crab- sulfur or gypsum and chemical sources APRIL 1961, VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 205

THE LAWN INSTITUTE R esults f1'om planting a poo'r quality seed m ixture, high in hay grass content. Tall fescue, ryegrass, orchardgrass and similar species to'l"m coarSe clumps which are al· most im possible to eliminate from the lawn late?". In seeding new lawns, use a quality seed mixtu're predom inating in fin e· textured grasses adapted to the climate. For avem ge la wns in the N01·th this is usually bluegrass and red fescue varieties such as are gro wn in Oregon; while in the South, bermudagrass is the chief seeded species with a number of othen vegetatively planted.

of nitrogen all have an acidifying influ­ ment of mixed fertilizer after the turf is ence. Iron sulfate or iron chelate treat­ growing, one needn't be too concerned ments may be needed as welL whether it is mixed into the seedbed in Mixing fertilizer into the seedbed high proportions. gives the best assurance that the new The balance of ni trogen-phosphorus­ turf will start vigorously. As mentioned, potassium in grass foliage is roughly on it is especially important to introduce the order of 3-1-2. Since there is gener­ phosphorus into the root zone, since this ally some available potassium in the soil, element is "fixed" almost immediately by most fertilizers designed specifically for soil, leaches down only slowly from the turfgrass have a ratio of these elements surface. on the order of 3-1 -1 or 2-1-1. Familiar Soil tests also suggest deficiencies in analyses include 20-10-5, 18-8-5, 16-8-8, major nutrients. In the soils of humid 10-6-4, and so on. Any of these is ap­ zones both phosphorus and potassium propriate for mixing into the seedbed, are generally needed; from eastern Kan­ since the young grass will make good use sas 'westward potassium, at least, is sel­ of the ni trogen as well as phosphorus dom called for. All turf benefits from and potassium. Whenever soil tempera­ nitrogen fertilization. But since nitrogen tures are in the 50s or lower, nitrogen is will be applied as the preponderant ele- trapped, will not be volatilized. Nitro- 206 THE AlvIERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

THE LAWN I NSTITUTE A mulch, such as straw, a few stems deep, holds moisture while protecting the seed­ bed, l-esulting in a fast, uniform germination. H ere seedling bluegrass pokes thTOugh the mulch, a fe w weeks after planting. The st?'aw can be left in place to decay, and a few weeds beginning to appem' can be elim inated after the grass is more mature, by a weed spra)Iing.

gen applied even to frozen soil is re­ Mulching tained, will benefit the turf fully come March and April. It is a common mis­ Mulch holds moisture at seed side, conception that fertilizer is readily lost bringing about quick sprouting, thus by leaching (on some sandy soils this blunting the chief excuse for nurse may be true) . grasses. ]\II ulches also protect the soil and Trace elements are seldom deficient seed from wash. Any locally available for lawn grasses, both because most lawn material loose enough to permit en­ grasses are not prima donnas in this re­ trance of air and emergence of seedlings, spect (centipede excepted) , and because makes a satisfactory mulch. Tradition­ most lawn soils are not unbalanced ally straw has been used in grain produc­ from continuous cropping through the ing regions, and sphagnum moss in ur­ years. With the clippings left, the likeli­ ban locations because of its ready avail­ hood of trace deficiency is at a minimum. ability. But there's no reason why wood The exception is where iron is tied up chips, tobacco stems, pine needles, and under high pH. woven nettings cannot be used. As a APRIL IYol, VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 207 matter of fact tailor-made mulches are The source of nitrogen makes little receiving intensive research for seeding difference to the grass. During cooler roadsides. There are wood pulp slurries weather nitrogen is trapped by the soil (blown upon the seedbed) , and various and is long-lasting. Chemical fertilizers, fibrous nets, mats, and asphalt or latex based upon ammonium nitrate, soluble emulsions. urea, and ammonium sulphate, prove Moisture retention is the paramount quite satisfactory then, but during feature a home owner needs from a warmer seasons nitrogen may be ammo­ mulch. Straw three or four straws deep nified and partially lost. Thus frequent is still hard to beat, economy considered. light applications are required through Some of the woven nettings and asphalt the warmer season, or else one chooses sprays are so thin that they do little to instead a "slow-release" source of nitro­ prevent drying of the soil. Establishment gen. of stand can be delayed several weeks if Organic fertilizers have long been em­ the seedbed is not held moist. ployed for steady nutrient release as mi­ crobial breakdown proceeds. "Burn" such as soluble fertilizers might inflict Weed Control upon a lawn is thus prevented. How­ Good grass and high mowing afford ever, the newer pelle ted or prilled forms the best weed control. Mechanical meas­ of soluble fertilizers roll from the foliage ures (such as raking up crabgrass ahead of upright grasses, are in effect non­ of the mower) have been tried, but em­ burning at any reasonable rate. phasis has shifted to chemical means. Most organic fertilizers are more For annual weeds, grasses especially, costly per unit of nutrient than are there is an expanding new field of pre­ chemical forms. They are rather bulky, emergence chemical control. Zytron, di­ derived as they are from low-analysis pan, and dacthal are the new chemicals, bean and seed meals, tankage, treated chlordane and arsenates widely used in sewerage, and other organic wastes. More recent years. Post-emergence control for recently man has attempted to duplicate crabgrass is chiefly with arsonates. Per­ the advantages of the natural organic ennial grass weeds still don't yield to se­ fertilizers, by synthesizing the ureaforms. lective elimination. For nimblewill and Ureaform is a polymerized product of quackgrass spot treatment with dalapon, formaldehvde and urea; this breaks down simazine, amitrol or other general herbi­ slowly under microbial action the same cides may prove necessary, followed by as do the organics. Ureaforms, also, are reseeding. generally more costly per unit of nitro­ Broad-leaf weeds have mostly been gen than are chemical fertilizers. whipped with the 2,4-D family of chem­ Fertilizer analysis was reviewed in icals; with silvex joining low-volatile discussion of the seedbed. Rates for es­ forms of 2,4-D, Dicot weed control seems tablished turf will vary with the soil well in hand. Precautions must be taken, and rainfall, but an average lawn needs and young grass may suffer. Bluegrass about three pounds of actual nitrogen and fescue are more resistant than is per 1000 square feet . annually to look bentgrass. This suggests a way of elimi­ well. For northern lawns at least half of nating bentgrass patches in a bluegrass­ this should be applied in autumn, with a fescue lawn. For chickweed, neburon is light application after the main surge of a specialty herbicide, although silvex or spring growth has lessened mowing 2,4-D combinations with arsonates are needs. Three pounds of actual nitrogen effective. would come from 30 pounds of a 10-6-4 analysis, or 15 pounds of a 20-10-5 (ni­ Fertilizing Turf trogen is always the first percentage listed in the analysis, followed by phos­ The major need for vigorous grass of phorus and potassium) . good color is nitrogen. Where soil phos­ Caution should be used in summer phorus and potassium are adequate, feeding of northern lawns. Little trouble nitrogen alone might serve as a turfgrass occurs where summer weather remains fertilizer (at least one annual feeding cool with ample rainfall, but in hotter with complete fertilizer is usually recom­ locations towards the southern limits of mended) . the bluegrass belt, grass forced in sum- 208 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE mer, soft and lush, is a sure invitation to lawn is left to endure drought, as dur­ "disease." Although demise is generally ing a vacation, there-m~ght be loss. attributed to disease, it is obvious that Keep in mind that proven turfgrasses disease does not have lethal consequences can survive drought, even though com­ for other turf not heavily fertilized. pletely brown. An experienced horticul­ Physiological unbalance seems the pri­ turist at the University of Missouri stated mary cause of trouble. that well-rooted Kentucky bluegrass has never been killed by a Missouri drought. If you can tolerate sere grass during parts of summer, certainly estab­ Watering lished bluegrass-fescue sod is not harmed, There is no more equivocal a practice and may be benefited by both the sum­ than watering. At one extreme it is abso· mer dormancy and inhibition of compet­ lutely essential, for surviyal or for green­ ing weeds. The best seed years for blue­ ness during dry periods; at the other grass follow those summers which are ex~reme it encourages weeds, causing hot and dry. mfue harm than it does good. Naturally, a~y. watering schedule must be cali­ b[~ ted to the type of soil and climate. Mowing Sandy soils accept water readily, but hold a reasonably small quantity. Thus Only a few generalities can be tackled sandy soils need watering more fre­ here; not that mowing is unimportant, quently at light rates. Heavier, clay type for there is no greater abuse to a lawn soils are just the reverse. than to have it repeatedly scalped. Nor In such arid climates as eastern Colo­ is it unimportant to the lawnsman, since rado, a lawn is obviously not possible man-hours spent on the lawn are mostly without supplemental irrigation. Mini­ in mowing. To make them as pleasant mum needs for a green lawn are an inch as possible, choose a well-constructed of water per week, and this might be mower of adequate capacity to do the taken as the base requirement for lawns job quickly, uninterrupted by frustrat­ anywhere during periods of drought. ing mechanical tinkering. Quantity of water has a marked eco­ As to height of cut, erect grasses such logical effect. Even lawns "clean" of as bluegrass and fescue profit more from ~eeds from intensive weeding over a pe­ a raised height than do trailing species nod of years, may suffer unwanted im­ such as bentgrass and bermuda. Pene­ bala?ces in domi~ant grass. Lawns kept tration of roots below ground relates to contmuollsly mOist favor hydrophilic height of clipping. Even allowing a few species such as bentgrass, Poa annua and days added growth may improve depth Poa trivialis, at the expense of bluegrass of rooting. One study has shown that and fescue. Annual summer weeds are daily mowing represses root growth more also favored by frequent watering, with than weekly mowing at the same height. crabgrass perhaps the most notorious in­ Of course a happy medium must be vader. struck; don't let grass grow so long be­ Watering only sufficiently to keep the tween mowings that it is "shocked" by grass g:e~n, ~etting the surface dry be­ the next clipping. Root growth is in­ tween IrngatlOns, may help restrict an­ hibited any time more than about one­ nuals. A sound middle-of-the-road course third of the green leafage is removed. for home owners who want a green lawn And unless mowing is reasonably fre­ all summer is to water when the grass quent, extra-long clippings will remain shows the first sign of wilting. This is unsightly at the surface of the newly generally detectable by a bluish-green mowed lawn (shorter clippings would cast, a.nd loss of "resiliency" such that sift through to the soil, decompose more footprmts show protractedly. readily) . One danger from advocating lawn irri­ Since clippings have definite fertility gation is that inexperienced home own­ value, letting them remain on the lawn ers may assume that where a little is might be suggested for erect grasses good, a lot is better. Excessive watering which don't mat (as do trailing bents can waterlog the soil, force all root and bermudas). Clipping removal can growth to near the surface. Then if the be compensated for by an extra fertiliza- APRIL 1961, VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 209 tion on those lawns where dry remains Now with convenient fungicides and in­ are thought unsightly or hazardous. Re­ secticides at hand, it should be no great moval of clippings during a year is task to hold sparkle in seasons proving roughly equivalent to a complete fer­ troublesome. High mowing, proper tim­ tilization. In addition clippings yield ing of fertilization and circumspect wa­ "gums" in decomposition that benefit tering are in themselves most of the bat­ soil aggregation and water penetration. tle against disease. And with advent of If the clippings are short enough to the general-purpose insecticides, those sift through to the soil where moisture occasional ravages as by chinch bug and is adequate for microbial decomposition, sod webworm, can be brought under they will seldom build into a mat; but control. on the trailing grasses a thick layer of Disease. There is current stress on undecomposed vegetation can accumu­ lawn disease, but home owners seldom late, especially with siliceous grasses such find it practical to check disease by time­ as Zoysia. This mat or thatch may be­ ly spraying. Fortunately, change of come so thick as to actually shed water, weather usually does the trick. Many of and partially smother new growth. Also, the so-called diseases may be aftermath some pathologists feel that matted grass to an " upset stomach" of the lawn. is more subject to disease, because of Knowledge about turfgrass diseases is moisture held by this debris. If a mat still meager. does develop, it can usually be reduced Insects. The modern arsenal of insecti­ by raking, or with special power devices cides makes insects in the lawn less a for thinning and aerifying. problem than might be expected. Al­ Kind of grass and its preferred height most any modern insecticide serves to of cut will influence choice of mower. control almost all lawn insects, but some Rotary mowers are economical and ver­ insect troubles such as web worm seem satile, set easily and mow more satisfac­ on the increase, and there may be build­ torily at the higher cuts. Rotaries would up of resistance to insecticides. Hazard seem appropriate for bluegrass-fescue to human health or pets is a problem of lawns, especially in middle latitudes increasing consideration. In our incom­ where mowing in summer should be as plete knowledge, insecticides may some­ high as 3 inches. High mowing reduces times kill off the predators of the insects crabgrass invasion, and helps retain grass we want to control, thus actually aggra­ in the shade of trees. vate the trouble. If rotary mowers be preferable for Miscellaneous. So far there has not high cutting, conversely the reels do a been widespread usefulness from growth neater job at the lower cuts appropriate regulators or special soil treatments. The for bentgrasses, bermudas and many gibberellins increase height but not Zoysias. At heights above 2Y2 inches reel thickness. Growth repressants set back mowers tend to "blow down" the grass the grass, and require too meticulous blades ahead of the cutting edge. handling for the amateur. Seed soakings are said to give quicker sprouting of slow-germinating grasses such as Merion Pests and Problems bluegrass, but Lawn Institute tests indi­ cate relatively little utility, and consid­ Fortunately lawn pests don't loom erable extra work. Sweeping clippings large in most lawnsmen's lives; proven is suggested for trailing, matting grasses, turfgrasses have withstood onslaught but should not be necessary on lawns of through the years with little help. An upright bluegrass-fescue, in which the intelligently managed lawn will snap clippings can settle through to the soil back quickly from temporary affliction. and decompose. I . N osfuriensis 10. N.pseudonorc;ssus subsp. nob;lis 2, N. bulbocodfi/m I I. N. p seudonordssus subsp. forluosus 3. N. bulbocodium vat: cifrinus 12. N rup/colo 4 . N. colcicolo 13. N. scoberulus 5. N. cyclomfneus 14. N, serofifllJs 6, N. jonquf710 15. N. lozeNo 7. N. p oelicvs vor. mojolis 16. N. triondrus 8. N. poeficus vor. verbonensis 17. N. Iriondrus VOl cernuus 9 . N. p seudonorclssus 18. N. Iflondrus vot: concolOl

Location ot the species ot Nanissus collected on the U. S. Department ot AgricultuTe-Longwood Gardens expedition to the Meditenanean in 1957.

NaTcissus bulbocodium trom a bog near Coimbm, Portugal. Flowers are a deep omnge-yellow. LONGWOOD GARDENS, G. HAMPFLER

[210] Exploring for Wild Narcissus

FREDERICK G. :ME YE R '~

As harbingers of spring, few garden pseudonarcisStts, N . taze tta, and N. tri­ flowers in this country are more highly andrus. Hybrids of these furnish the esteemed than the trumpet daffodil greatest proportion of narcissi grown to­ (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) and its nu­ day. In recent years, the miniature spe­ merous hybrids. The common name of cies, especially N. cyclamineus, N. jon­ the daffodil, we may note, stems from quilla, and N. triandrus, have contrib­ the word "daffodilly," or "daffodown­ uted to a host of new hybrids. dilly," as this plant was sometimes called Almost all of the species are interfer­ in 16th and 17th century England. The tile. Hybrids are easy to produce, even ~ent-~ily in English country churchyards by the amateur. N. serotinus has thus 1S thIS plant. In Europe, where it is a far been an exception to this. Attempts native species, the trumpet daffodil is to produce hybrids using this autumn one of the oldest of cultivated garden flowering species as a parent have been flowers. unsuccessful, reportedly as a result of .In the course of a plant exploration abnormalities in the pairing of the chro­ tnp to the Mediterranean region for or­ mosomes. Improvements in cultivated namentals in 1957, twelve of the wild narcissi should be expected by the use species of Narcissus were collected in of additional germ plasm from wild Spain, Portugal, southern France, and sources resulting in: (1) the develop­ Italy. This was a trip sponsored by the ment of new characteristics in hybrid ~nlted Stat~s Department of Agriculture lines (breeders of exhibition daffodils Jll cooperatlOn with the Longwood Gar­ could benefit from a reservoir of wild dens of Longwood Foundation, Inc., material) ; the development of new Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. types more adaptable under the special The genus Narcissus, with about 30 to climatic conditions of southeastern 35 species, is entirely of Old World ori­ United States where it is now difficult to gin. The greatest concentration of spe­ grow trumpet daffodils developed largely cies occurs in Spain, Portugal, and North in Europe for northern gardens; wild Africa. Narcissi also occur in France material could be useful in the develop­ Italy, and the mountains of central Eu: ment of types for naturalizing~ and (2) rope: In parts of the Swiss alps the poet's disease resistant types. The development narCISSUS (N. poeticus subsp. radiiflorus) of narcissi resistant to sclerotinia "smoul­ occurs often in great abundance in al­ der" disease, ramularia leaf "scorch," pine meadows. At least two species, N. basal rot, and a "decline disease" caused tazetta and N. ser-otinus, occur around by a virus, conceivably might result from the perimeter of the Mediterranean. N. a reservoir of new Narcissus germ plasm taze tta is the most widely distributed introduced from wild sources. species, ranging from the Atlantic coast A summary of observations recorded of Portugal to the Pacific shores of ] a­ in the fie ld indicates (1) the wide ra-nge pan. The paper-white narcissus (N. in habitat preference of the species of tazetta var. papyraceus) and the Chinese Narcissus, and (2) a picture of natural sacred-lily (N. tazetta var. orientalis) variation which points out emphatically are widely cultivated. Several of the the need for further collecting in an ef­ modern N. tazetta hybrids, especially fort to bring about a more profound un­ those of the poetaz groups (N. poeticus derstanding than we now have of the X N. tazetta) are now widely grown in species and their relationships. Without northern gardens. A half dozen species a modern monograph of the species, it commonly cultivated include N. bulbo­ is not easy to know well even the mate­ codium, N. jonquilla, N. poeticus, N. rial now in hand. The field notes as re­ corded below will be of particular in­ terest to growers without a ready source ' New Crops Research Branch, Plant Industry Station, Beltsville, Maryland. of information of this kind. Data about [211} 212 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

F. G. MEYER

Grassy hillsides in the foothills of the Picos de Europa) PTOvince Santander) northwestern SPain) are the home of Narcissus pseudonarcissus subsp. tortu­ osus. A close-up view of the wild plant is shown below.

F. G. MEYER APRIL 196 1, VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 213

F. G. MEYER

Na1'cissus rupicola, a dwarf species, flowering in cultivation from wild material collected in Portugal. The rocky hills of n01,thern POTtugal (illustmted below) are the natural habitat of this dwarf and other upland species of nm·cissi,

F. G. MEYER ~I4 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

the habitats of wild Narcisslls are almost be dug and transplanted while still in wholly lacking in much of the readily flower or when the leaves have begun to available horticultural literature. Of turn yellow and wither. Drying out of value to know is that the phase com­ the bulbs in open-air should be prevent­ monest in gardens of the hoop-petticoat ed. Bulbs stored in soil, even in soil that daffodil (N. bulbocodium) occurs in dries out completely for several months, meadows often flooded with water sev­ usually are uninjured. Bulbs of N. pseu­ eral inches deep at flowering time, later donarcissus, N . jJoetic1ts, and other dried out for several months over a long meadowland species, are much less af­ hot summer. Of interest is my experience fected by storage in open air; in fact, with N. pseudonarcissus subsp. nobilis, there is no real problem with this group a large-flowered phase with bicolored or with the hybrids involving the rock­ flowers, found in a meadow of western garden species. In the wild, narcissi re­ Spain so wet at flowering time it was ceive an abundance of moisture during necessary to recover the bulbs through the growing months of spring, followed mud and water a foot deep. In contrast, by a complete rest over the nearly rain­ I scraped bulbs of N. scabentlus, an up­ less summer until growth of the roots land species, off tops of huge granitic begin with the first autumn rains. boulders in pine-woods near Oporto, in Species of wild Narcissus collected on Portugal. Mistakes in growing the rock­ this trip may thus be divided into two garden or upland species might be partly major groups: (1) upland or rock-gar­ overcome if growers would be more care­ den species, (2) meadowland species. ful to provide the sharp drainage re­ Introductions numbered 33 collections quirements of these species with fastidi­ representing 12 of the known species. ous habitat requirements. On the other Group 1. Species of rocky uplands, usu- hand, it is not difficult to understand ally in decomposed granitic (acidic) why it is more easy to grow N. pseudo­ soils, often found growing in humus narcissus and other meadowland species in rock pockets. In cultivation these once these plants are observed growing species require better drainage than in the wild. ordinarily provided for the species in group 2. Handling Bulbs of Wild Narcissi N. asturiensis The most practical time for digging N. calciwla wild narcissi covers a few weeks in early N. rupicola spring while the plants are still in flower. N. scabendus Bulbs dug at this time are not necessarily N . serotinus (usually near the sea) killed or even seriously retarded. In fact, N. tazetta (usually near the sea) most of the narcissi sent in March-April N. triandrus of 1957 flowered in the spring of 1958 Group 2. Species of open woodlands and at the U . S. Plant Introduction Station, grassy meadows (sometimes river Glenn Dale, Maryland. It is usual for banks) often flooded or very wet at freshly collected wild bulbs not to flower flowering time but dry throughout the before the second season. They should summer. be dug carefully to prevent injury, N. bulbocodium was.hed free of soil, packed in just barely N. cyclamineus ~OISt sphagnum moss and immediately N. jonquilla dlspat.ched to the destination by air, ap­ N. poeticus prop~Iately covered by a plant import N. pseudonarcissus permI~. B~lbs of wild narcissi dug at ~ower1l1g tIme should not dry out. This IS p.erh~ps the chi.ef consideration. Long Wild Collections of 1957 ~ry1l1g 111 open aIr may kill or seriously 1I1Jure the rock-garden or upland species, Narcissus ast1lriensis such as N . rupicola, N. scaberulus, N. The smallest of the trumpet-flowered cyclamineus, and N. triandrus with thin narcissi, 3 to 7 in. tall; flowers about bulb-coats. Probably for this reason, the 1 in. long, deep lemon-yellow. Native mortality in commercial bulbs of the of a few areas in Portugal and adja­ r~ck-garden species is often relatively cent western Spain. Origin of intro­ hIgh. The small-bulbed narcissi should ductions: APRIL 1961, VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 215

(1) Open grassy slopes near the sum­ jacent to a water seep which dries mit of Puerto de San Gloria, Picos up in late spring. Past flowering de Europa, alt. 4827 ft., Provo when gathered on April 12. P.I. Santander, Spain. In full flower, 239061 (bulbs), 239062 (seeds). and abundant on edge of melting (4) Flowering-scapes 3 to 5 in. tall, snow-fields, March 16. P.I. 238523. with deep yellow flowers. Wet [P.I. refers to Plant Introduction meadows along the Rio Elsa, Picos number, U. S. Department of Ag­ de Europa, alt. 3000 ft., Riafio, riculture] Spain. In flower March 17. P.I. (2) Scrub-oak woodland growing in 238524. rich humus soil, Serra da No­ queira, alt. 3000 ft., near Bragan~a, NaTcissus bulbocodium var. citrin us Portugal. In flower March 23. P.I. 238699. A distinct geographical variety of the (3) Open grassy slopes in granitic species restricted to northwestern soil, near summit of Serra da Es­ Spain and adjacent southwestern trella, alt. 5100 ft., Portugal. In France with pale lemon-yellow flowers flower March 26. P.I. 238700. 1 Y2 in. across; one of the largest flow­ ered variants of this species. On steep Narcissus bulbocodium grassy north-facing slopes in sandy acid The hoop-petticoat daffodil is one of soil growing among heather above the the common narcissi of the Iberian sea beyond Pesajes de San Juan, near peninsula where it is often abundant San Sebastian, Provo Guipuzcoa, Spain. in meadows. It occurs also in south­ In flower March 14. P.I. 238029. western France. Sometimes one must dig bulbs of this species in water N aTCisstls calcicola nearly to his shoe top, the meadows are so wet during the season of flowering. Dwarf species related to N. juncifolius Often it grows in great abundance, and N. ntpicola, 5 to 6 in. tall, with turning meadows aflame wi th the deep yellow, scented flowers Y2 in. across. yellow flaring trumpets. Along the In rock crevices in pockets of nearly banks of the Rio Esla at Riafio in the pure humus, Serra do Sico, alt. 1200 Picos de Europa of northwestern ft., near Ramalhaes, west of Pombal, Spain, several acres are carpeted with Portugal. Past flower on April 5. The this species in March. Origin of in­ species is restricted to a few localities troductions: in Portugal. P.I. 238778. (I) A very robust phase with flower­ ing-scapes 25 in. tall in fruit (nor­ Narcissus cyclamineus mally about 12 in.), from a bog The earliest of the trumpet narcissi to (usually this species inhabits flower, beginning at the end of Janu­ meadows) , 25 mi. north of Coim­ ary in Portugal. This species is re­ bra along main road to Oporto, stricted to a few localities in Portgual Portugal. Mostly past flowering and adjacent areas of northwestern on April 6. P.I. 238777. Spain and is now nearly extinct as a (2) Flowering-scapes nearly 1 ft. tall. result of indiscriminate digging by In a wet meadow along Penacova­ collectors. Not a good grower and Luso road, I Y2 mi. from Pen a­ short-lived in cultivation in most parts cova, about 12 mi. northeast of of the United States, but the hybrids Coimbra, Portugal. Seeds collected of this species are excellent growers, on April 3. P.I. 238877. long-lived in cultivation and rank (3) Flowering-scapes, 6 to 8 in. tall. among the most distinctive of the new From a wet swale on otherwise daffodil hybrids. The present intro­ open hilly slopes dominated by duction comes from a private garden Cistus ladinifolius) near Val de in Oporto, Portugal where it natural­ Flores, 35 mi. n. of Seville, Provo izes in abundance, the original stock Huelva, Spain. This local colony of which came from moist banks of is indicative of the kind of habi­ the Fareira River near Valonga, Por­ tat preferred by this phase of N. tugal, the type locality of the species. bulbocodium) namely a site ad- P.I. 238701. 216 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

F. G. MEYER

Nanissus triandrus vaT. cernuus shown in its natural habitat in pine woods of Province Orense, northwestern Spain.

Narcissus bulbocodium va'/'. citrinum has lemon-yellow flowers an inch and a half across, larger than in the typical hoop-petticoat daffodil. Natural -. habitat: grassy slopes above the sea near San Sebastian, northwestern Spain. APRIL 1961, VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 217

F. C. MEYER

Narcissus poeticus vaT. majalis. The Poet's Narcissus' natuTal habitat is near St. Cannat, Aix-en-Provence in southen1 Fmnce.

F. C. JI,'IEYER 218 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

Narcissus jonquilla may be divided into two principal types: (1) those with uniformly yel­ The jonquil is restricted to Portugal low, small flowers produced on a small and Spain where it occurs along river plant with small bulbs, as typified by banks in stony-sandy soil. Often the the lent-lily of northern France and bulbs are buried more than one foot England. In Great Britain this plant by river sand, and to dig them is a is thought of not as a wild species, laborious task. N. jonquilla as a wild although it has naturalized in mead­ plant exhibits variability mainly in ows and in old English churchyards. leaf 'width, size of flowers and time of In northern France bouquets of lent­ flowering. Origin of introductions: lily are sold in early March along road­ (1) Rocky sandy banks of the Douro ways near the forest of Fontainebleau, River at Barca d'Alva, Portugal. (2) those with bicolored flowers Abundant; in flower March 25. (trumpets deep yellow and perianth P.l. 238702. segments pale yellow), produced on (2) Banks of the Rio Guardiana near a larger, more robust plant with larger Serpa, road N. 260, Portugal. In bulbs and broader leaves, as typified flower April 10. P.l. 239063. by N. pseudonarcissus subsp. nobilis of Spain. On the Iberian peninsula Narcissus poeticus var. majalis the trumpet daffodil is nowhere com­ The pheasant's eye or poet's narcissus mon, although in parts of the Pyre­ occurs in southern and middle Europe nees it is said to occur in greater in a narrow belt from northern Spain, abundance. Introductions originate across southern France to the Swiss from: alps, and the Balkan mountains south (1) Serra d'Arga, Provo Minho, Por­ to Greece. The variety majalis is a tugal. P.l. 238738. large robust phase often 15 in. tall (2) Phase with bicolored flowers, at flowering time with large flowers originally from northern Portugal. often 2 in. across. This is the common P.l. 238739. phase of the species in southern France where it is abundant in meadows, N arcisstlS pseudonm-cissus subsp. nobilis which at flowering time are often The subspecies nobilis is a very robust, quite moist. Introductions originate large-flowered geographical variant of from two localities: the species growing to 15 in. tall (1) Moist meadows near St. Cannat, with bicolored flowers and trumpets Aix-en-Provence, France. In flow­ about 2 in. long. This is a rare phase er April 22. P.l. 239333. of the species collected in very wet (2) Moist grassy meadows at Levans, meadows near Riano, alt. 3000 ft. in Alpes-Maritime, France. In flower the Picos de Europa, Provo Asturias, April 28. P.l. 239358. northwestern Spain. Should be tried as a parent in breeding new trumpet Narcissus 1)oeticus var. veTbanensis daffodils. In flower April 1. p.r. The variety verbanensis occurs in a 238525. restricted area of northern Italy above Nal'cissttS pseudonarcissttS subsp. Lake Maggiore. The flowers are 1 to tOl-tuosus 1 Y2 in. across, smaller than in var. A phase of the trumpet daffodil wi th majalis, and the plants are shorter leaves often spirally twisted and flow­ with narrower leaves usually not more ers drooping with sulfur- to creamy­ than one foot long at flowering time. yellow trumpets. This rare subspecies Introduction from rocky meadows and is known in the wild only from one open woods on mountain slopes above locality in northwestern Spain, where Lake Maggiore, near Pallanza, Italy. it occurs on north-facing steep-sloping Abundant; in flower May 6. P,l. meadows, near Unquera, Provo San­ 239682. tander. In flower March 16. P.r. Narcissus pseudonal'cissttS 238526. The natural distribution of P. pseudo­ Narcissus rupicola narcissus is France, Portugal, and A low-growing species related to N. Spain. Trumpet daffodils in the wild juncifolius wi th grass-like leaves, 5 to APRIL 1961 , VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 219

F. G. MEYER

Nm'cissns cyclaminew-the wild phase t1'Om northern Portugal.

6 inches long and bright yellow frag­ (2) Among large grallltIC boulders, rant flowers about 1 in. across. The alt. 1800 ft. between Lago a~a and plants inhabit rocky declivities, espe­ Freixo de Espada a Cinta near the cially on decomposed granite of north­ Rio Douro, Portugal. Nearly past ern Portugal and the mountains of flower March 24. P.I. 238704. adjacent western Spain. This beauti­ ful little daffodil thrives best in culti­ Narcissus scabentlus vation when provided with sharp Dwarf-growing species 5 to 6 in. tall, drainage in raised beds. It may also restricted to Portugal, with bicolored be grown in pots. Two introductions flowers 1;2 to % in. across, perhaps the originate from: smallest of the genus. The corona is (1) Amedo, Provo Tniz-os-Montes, nearly orange in con trast with a deep Portugal. P.I. 238507. yellow perianth. In cultivation it 220 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

should be grown like N. rupicola. A the perianth, often cream-colored with single introduction originates from a yellowish corona. A relic station for crevices of decomposed granite boul­ this plant exists on one of the French ders in pine woodland, near Coimbra, islands of Clenan, off the southern Portugal. Past flowering March 26. coast of Brittany. Introductions orig­ P.I. 238705. inate from the following localities: (1) Flowers creamy-white throughout. Narcissus serotinus On well-drained pine-clad slopes An attractive autumn-flowering species in acid soil, dry in summer, Serra with white flowers, native of the coastal de Madio, Portugal. In flower areas on both sides of the Mediterra­ March 22. P.I. 238706. nean from North Africa, southern Por­ (2) Among large granitic boulders be­ tugal to Lebanon and Israel. Irregu­ tween Lagoa~a and Freixo de larities in chromosome pairing in Espada a Cinta near the Rio crosses with other species have hereto­ Douro, Portugal. In flower March fore prevented successful hybridization 24. P.I. 238707. Hybrid plants of using N. serotinus as a parent. Hybrids N. tTiandnls and N. bulbocodium of N. seTOtinus, if they could be pro­ ""ere found in this locality. duced, would bring to gardens a new (3) North-facing grassy slopes, alt. race of narcissi. Bulbs originate from 1500 ft., near Covilh5. on road the hills near Palermo, Sicily. In flow­ toward Manteigas, foothills of er during October. P.I. 243837. Serra da Estrella, Portugal. In flower March 25. P.I. 238708. N aJ'cissus tazetta This well-known species occurs from NaTcissus triandTus var. ceTnuus the Atlantic side of Portugal, thence Flowers bicolored, wi th the corona around the Mediterranean on both deeper yellow than the perianth seg­ European and African shores to China ments. Occurs mostly in Portugal and and Japan. Flowering occurs from late northwestern Spain. Two introduc­ December to March. The Chinese tions are: sacred-lily is N. tazetta var. o1'ientalis. (1) Plants 6 to 8 in. tall, in moist, The paper-white narcissus (N. tazetta sheltered, pine-covered slopes in var. papymceus) is the best known decomposed grani tic soil, along phase grown in the United States, al­ road N. 120, border of Provo though other varieties from time to Orense and Provo Pontevedra, time have been grown, especially in Spain. Abundant; in flower March Europe. The wild phase in Portugal 18. P.I. 238527. produces pure white flowers on scapes (2) Plants very short, 4 to 6 in. tall about 15" tall. A single introduction on north-facing slopes in decom­ comes from Santarem, a locality not posed granitic soil, near EI Es­ far from Lisbon, Portugal. P.I. 238740. corial and near the village of Robeldal, Provo Madrid, Spain. Narcissus triandrus In flower April 18. P.I. 239082. The Angel's Tears occurs widely over the Iberian peninsula, except in the N aJ'cissus tTiandnlS var. concolor southwestern part of Portugal and The yellow-flowered Angel's Tears, Spain. It is a common species of the with the corona and perianth seg­ hills of northern Portugal in acid soils ments uniformly lemon-yellow. It oc­ where decomposed granite is the na­ curs sporadically in parts of Spain and tive rock. In driving east in a route Portugal. A single gathering of seeds ~bove the ~o~ro River near Oporto and bulbs originates from steep rocky m March, It IS often possible to see slopes under olive trees, between this plant in some abundance at vari­ Mizarela and Caneiro, about 6 mi. ous points along the roadside. It will east of Coimbra on the Coimbra­ be noted that populations exhibit Penacova road, Portugal. In fruit on considerable variability as to height of April 3, in flower a month earlier. the plant, flower size, and in color of P.I. 238879 (seeds), 238880 (bulbs). [221]

White iJeeling papel'Y baTh of Nlelaleuca le1 1,cadendl'on

Ornamental Melaleucas for Subtropical Gardens

EDWIN A. MENNINGER their wide range of usefulness, from Australia's most useful contribution to hedge plants to filler shrubs and orna­ subtropical horticulture are the hundred mental specimens. Third advantage lies and fifty species of evergreen trees in in the abili ty of various kinds to thrive the Myrtle Family called Melaleuca. under any possible kind of soil condi­ Sometimes these are called tea trees or tions, from wretched swamps to high dry paper barks, although nobody uses them land. And for the economic utilitarian, to make tea and only a few of them have there is the fragrant, essential oil pro­ papery barks. duced by the leaves of all species anel Their versatility lies first in the wide distilled for the past century to fill many range of sizes, from rock garden orna­ needs. mentals to big trees, some of timber Yet with all these features, the Mela­ dimensions. Second advantage lies in leucas are cultivated chiefl y for the 222 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE APRIL 1961 , VOLUME 40, NUMHER 2 223

W. H. HODGE

Melaleuca leucadendron

Melaleuca cordata Melaleuca elliptica Melaleuca hypericifolia 224 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE splendor of their fluffy flowers. These and are carried at the branch tips. include intense reds, pink, yellow, pur­ Melaleuca styphelioides is another ple, and white. Their "bottlebrush" handsome big tree with papery bark, form reflects close relationship to the twenty to sixty feet or more, and some­ much smaller genus Callistemon. The one has called it the ideal street-planting only difference between them is that tree, just spreading enough, uniform in stamens of Melaleu,ca are always in growth, and willing to thrive in brackish bundles. or boggy soils or anywhere else. It has Most widely planted in South Florida small, rather prickly, light green leaves, is the so-called Punk tree or Ca jepu t, and in spring produces white bottle­ M elaleuca leucadendron L., which has brush flowers in great masses. re-seeded itself in many swamps and NI elaleuca armillaris ranges from a gone wild. In undrained land which taIl, compact bush to a thirty-foot tree, most trees would scorn, the Cajeput depending on the wind protection it reaches maximum vigor, a big bushy gets. I t likes wet soils, has very fine cut monarch sometimes to eighty feet, but foliage and in spring produces many brittle enough to be broken by hurricane white, two-inch bottlebrushes. winds. The tree first draws attention These three Melaleuca trees are by its white, peeling papery bark which grown only sparingly in Florida, where acts as insulation to make the tree high­ until recently the residents believed only ly resistant to damage from brush fires. one kind of Melaleuca existed - the (The name }\tIelaleuca, derived from the Cajeput. But growers have now taken Greek m elas, black, and leu/ws, white, strongly to two other, newly-introduced may refer to white trunks blackened by species that hold even greater promise fire.) Several times a year this Melaleuca for landscape work. These are the big covers itself vvith great masses of honey­ spreading "Snow in Summer" (M. lin­ laden flowers, much loved by bees. Un­ ariifolia) , sometimes called Flax-leaf or fortunately, the honey they make is of Narrow-leaf Paperbark, and a more such poor quality that the Central Flor­ tropical species from northeastern dio Beekeepers Association is asking that Queensland called "White Cloud" (M. new mass plantings of the tree be dis­ bmcteata, Syn. M. genistifolia). continued. Cajeput honey is reported to Melalettca linariifolia makes a tall have such a disagreeable odor and Havor tree to forty or fifty feet, well-shaped, that fi ve per cent in mixtures with other with slender, spreading branches and honeys lowers the grade to such an ex­ bluish-green, linear leaves arranged op­ tent as to make it unsalable. positely on the twigs so that an end-view Sou thern California is too cold for resembles a cross. It has heavy papery this tree. Similarly in Australia, the bark and just loves to be planted in coastal specimens in Victoria are any­ swampy places in coastal areas. The thing but handsome, whereas in Queens­ wood of the tree is valued for piling in land it is magnificent. Pink and cream­ swampy places, because it resists rot. It flowered varieties have been reported is used in turnery and makes excellent north of Brisbane. fuel. Distillation of the leaves yields a Most widely planted in Southern Cali­ pale yellow essential oil that has a fornia are the Pink Melaleuca (M. neso­ pleasant terpentic and myristic odor. Phil~),. the Prickly Paperbark (M. sty­ The fragrant, white, dense bottle brush phelwzdes), and the Drooping Melaleuca flowers are produced in great abun­ (M. armillaris) . dance, always in pairs, and make the tree "Melaleu,ca nesophila is one of the a spectacle at the peak of its bloom. most beautiful of Australian ornamental Melaleuca bmctcata is a lovely tall tree trees," wrote E. E. Lord. "It has long to 40 feet or more with hard, blackish, been grown and valued in southern Cali­ rough bark, quite unlike the paperbarks. fornia as a park tree, yet in its native The scattered, rigid, acuminate or pun­ land it is rarely seen. It is covered in gent-pointed, flat, half-inch, dark green spring and early summer with numerous leaves, give the tree the appearance of mauve-and-gold bottlebrush flowers that a conifer. But this resemblance vanishes make good cuttings." Unlike most Mela­ when the copious small white bottle­ leu,ca flowers, these are more ball-shaped brush flowers begin appearing all over [225]

);( ~ ;:;~ ....; '"~ L...-___I.-.I M elaleuca lateritia Melaleuca thymoides the branches. They are in oblong spikes, although in California the following are sometimes at the branch tips but usu­ cultivated to some extent: ally the axis grows out before the flowers Robin Redbreast (M.. lateritia). Red expand, and many of the bracts develop flowers. Six to eight f ~ et. in to leaves. Scarlet Honey Mynle (M. fulgens) . Although the U . S. Department of Red flowers. Five or six feet. Agriculture has introduced about fifty Crimson Honey Myrtle (M. wilsoni) . kinds of Melaleuca trees and shrubs, Red flowers. From four to six feet. F. Franceschi grew these and many Thyme Honey Myrtle (M. thymifolia). more, and other experimenters have White flowers. Two or three feet. tried their hands with the genus, the Oval-leaf Honey Myrtle (M. elliptica). plants still do not have a wide distribu­ Carmine flowers. Ten feet. tion and the public is almost wholly Stiff Honey Myrtle (M. cordata) . R ed ignorant of their possibilities, perhaps flowers. Three feet. because none is available in nurseries. Dotted Melaleuce (M. hypericifolia). NO~1e of the shrubs is grown in Florida, Red flowers. Eight to ten feet. A Book or Two

Encyclopedia of Gardening Therapy Through Horticulture Stanley B. Whitehead. [Revised from Walter Donald P. Watson and Alice W. Burlingame. P. Wright.] Charles T. Branford Company, The Macmillan Company, 60 Fifth Avenue, 75 Union Street, Newton Centre 59, Massa­ New York II, New York. 1960. 134 pages. chus€tts. U. S. Edition 1960. 789 pages. Illus· Illustrated. $4.95. (Library). trated. $5.00. (Library). The reader of this book will undoubtedly be Walter P. Wright's Everyman's Encyclopaedia surprised to note the few examples given of how of Gardening wa.s revised by Stanley B. White· horticulture has been used to overcome mental head in 1952. The 1957 revised edition of this and physical handicaps. The writers are more work now constitutes the 1960 U. S. printing. concerned, and rightly so, with the use of the Written for the British gardener, the book proper methods. The usefulness of horticulture would seem to meet no great need for his Amer· has been well established and now it is time to ican counterpart. Cultural methods for British delineate the methods so that each type of gardens, for outdoor plants particularly, cannot patient may be properly benefitted. Also, ex­ apply in all climates in this country. There is, perience has brought to light certain limitations of course, no reference to hardiness zones for and the authors have fully covered this phase. woody ornamentals, an important factor to the Chapter 9, "Therapeutic Evaluations" gives American gardener. Of lesser importance per­ in diagram form a number of activities under haps, is the inconsistence of giving the native the headings-Scope of Technique, Physical habitat or area of origin for some plants but Effects, Mental Results, and Recommendations omitting it for many others. for Application. These activities illustrate the VIOLET K. THOMAS many items, some of which will be a surprise to the many who have not taken the time to study the effects of some of the simpler garden jobs on the gardener. The places where the major therapeutic programs might well be established as far as the physical program is The Gardener's Directory concerned are illustrated. Sources of materials for such projects are also listed which should be W. Stephenson. Doubleday and Company, J. helpful to any workers, for in most cases they Incorporated, 575 Madison Avenue, New are carried on by volunteer workers from spon. York. 1960. 454 pages. $3.95. (Library). soring garden clubs. This is an important compilation of data, W. H. Y. made initially because the author wanted to know himself. It contains, in brief annotated lists on: Horticultural Organizations in the Beekeeping United States (General, Specialty, Scientific and Trade, with data that is correct as for today but John E. Eckert and Frank R. Shaw. The will alter as officers change and as facts are Macmillan Company, 60 Fifth Avenue, New altered in passing time.) ; Places of Horticultural York II, New York. 1960. 536 pages. Illus· Interest in the United States; Calendar of Horti· trated. $12.50. (Library). cultural Events in the United States (another Since this review is to reach a group that schedule that will soon be out of date) ; Sources contains probably few beekeepers but a great for Horticultural Information and Services in many who are in a position to take up beekeep. the United States (again a section that will ing, either as a faSCinating hobby or as an yield variable results); A selected list of Books often profitable "extra string in the bow," this and Periodicals; and a Section on International is written with these persons in mind. Horticulture, that should be invaluable par. There are still a great many people who think ticularly if one is a linguist! of bees only in terms of stings and visualize This reviewer can think of no way of express. hives as straw "skeps" or log "gums." Hives of ing his appreciation, other than to say that he these types are rapidly disappearing and are is ordering his own copy at once. now extremely rare in the United States. In B. Y. M. fact, this writer, in the hope of making photo.

(Boohs a:,ailable for. loan to the M em b ~rship are designated: (Library). Those not so designated are in pnvate collectIOns and .are not avallabJe for loan. Boo.1is available for sale to the Membership are. deSignated with the speCial reduced pnce and are subJect to the usual change of p"ice without notice. Orden must be sent through the Ame1"ican Horticultuml Society accompanied by the proper paymen:t. Please allow t:vo to three weeks for delivery. Those not designated fO?' sale to th ~ Membership at reduced pnces can be purchased through the Society, however, at the retail PrI.ces gIVen. In these Instances the full profit is "eceived by the Society to be used for increased services and benefits oj the M embership.) [226] APRIL 1961 , VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 227

graphs of the old-fashioned log gums once so The Rockwells' New Complete common in our South, made three trips through our so uthern mountains in the past two years Book of Flower Arrangement without finding a single stand of such hives_ F. F. Rockwell and Esther C. Grayson . Dou­ They have been replaced by the modern mov­ bleday and Company. Incorporated, 575 able frame hives_ Madison Avenue. New York 22. New York_ The movable frame hive was invented over 1960. 336 pages. Illustrated. $5.95. (Library)_ a hundred years ago by Lorenzo L Langstroth, a Philadelphia clergyman, and is a marvel of This book on flow er arrangement has been si mplicity_ It enables the beekeeper to examine written in an easy-to-read-a nd-understand man­ each individual comb in the hive at wilL He ner which may be used by the beginner just can expand and contract the hive space as starting to arrange or the experienced arranger. needed, make increases, find and treat disease Surely the authors' experiences in writing pre­ or find the queen and replace her when desir­ vious books on flower arrangement have been of able, or just satisfy his curiosity_ Its use is now much help in this present book. world wide_ A series of chapters is written concerning the In North America honeybees, too, are differ­ pnnciples of design and color. Simp!e sketches ent. The former black bee from Northern Eu­ well illustrate the points considered, such as rope, which had such an unenviable but well balance, focal point, scale, accent; and, in many deserved reputation as a stinger, has been re­ cases, an excellent arrangement in black and placed by modern, more gentle strains_ The bee white illustrates the same point. most generally used is known as the Italian, Those persons interested ill flower arrange­ improved by cross breeding by American queen ment of special types or periods will find the breeders_ It is reasonably gentle, and is usually chapter on the types of arrangement useful. handled during hive manipulations without Design of oriental and occidental types are dis­ gloves or other protection except a head net. cussed together suggested types of containers and Thus, anyone wishing to take the initial step plant materials for each_ A reading of these into beekeeping can, with the aid of one of the chapters will be of interest not only to the many good begi nners' books. some obtainable arranger who is called upon to make such a free through the county agent. find himself special kind but also to the viewer of period embarked on a hobby that will give him years arrangements at the flower show. of pleasure and may often be expanded into a This book is well illustrated (92 in color) profitable part-time or full time occupation_ which makes it an excellent one to be just read Once over the first hurdle the new beekeeper or to be studied as a text. will want to find the best authority he can find C. B_ L as to the hows and whys of his new occupation_ Beekeeping by Eckert and Shaw will fill such a need exceptionally welL It is written by two unquestioned authorities and is presented as a modernization of the long time standard book of the same name by Dr. E_ F. Phillips. It CO ll­ tains an excellent chapter on "Making a Start The Southern Gardener in Beekeeping" and is ready with clear and au­ Mary B. Stewart. Robert L Crager & Com­ thoritative information on all phases of bee­ pany, New Orleans, Louisiana. 1960. 436 keeping, even to marketing the packaged prod­ pages. Illustrated. $5.50. (Library) . uct, as the beekeeper requires it. The subjects Here is one more good try at writing a garden covered include equipment, honey and pollen book for the South and this time for a very sources, colony organization, management in special portion of the South, the coastal plain spring, during the honey flow. in preparation area from North Carolina to northern Florida, for winter, processing honey. and others_ then across that State to western Florida and The chapter on "Bee Behavior," containing along the Gulf Coast to Texas. Mrs. Stewart is as it does, a review of the research work of von very careful in explaining precisely what she Frisch and others on communication among means by the area for which she is writing, and bees by means of dances, is an exceptionally how she will designate any comments for other clear statement on this subject and should be portions of the South if such occur. By and. good reading for almost anyone_ Some extremely large she succeeds very welL She also has a very valuable research work has been done on the detailed discussion of soil preparation, with rela­ honeybee in recent years, and it is a pleasure to tion to the soils in the area. The one thing she find this so well covered in the space available. does not confess, is how much travelling she has A glossary of beekeeping terms, which will be done to see what can be done in other parts of of especial value to the beginner, a very com­ the South than New Orleans, where she lives. plete bibliography, and an index also are in­ and works but still within the Coastal Plain cluded_ Altogether it is an excellent piece of areas of her field. One suspects that she has book-making using large readable type, clear not done as much as she should, nor perhaps illustrations, good paper and binding. As con­ as much as she would like, for there remains. tinuous use of such a manual may extend over in most of her text a background of New Or­ many years these features are important. leans experience, that is of absolutely no use to· In view of the fact that honeybees are of those of us who live not too far away, but cer­ such great value in cross pollination this book tainly not off the said Coastal Plain. This re­ should be available in all libraries dealing with viewer has already remarked more than once agricultural subjects-of course, it should also that the Gulf Coast part of that area, is full of be on. and frequently off. the shelf of many tiny micro-climates and these do not come in beekeepers_ for any attention a t all save a few words of FRED W. SCHWOEBD general warning. 228 THE AMERICAN HORT ICULTURAL MAGAZINE

There is an index and that shows a wide now leader of all phases of extension work per­ range of plant materials and some carelessnesses taining to plant pathology in New York_ Dr. in trying to keep up with the latest SC IentIfic Sherf specializes in vegetable diseases. names, no disgrace but too bad, as she urges RAYMON E. i 'V£Bll ri ght names on all. The s.ec ti on on Potted l?lants for Patio use is interestmg If one h ves m an urban area but there is little discussion of what Corsage Craft one does with them, in other areas where winter temperatures mean emptying the patio. There Glad Reusch and Mary Noble. D . Van Nostrand Company, Incorporated, 120 Alex­ are so me astonishin CT inclusions among the bulbs listed and so me giv~ n with too little reporting, ander Street, Princeton, New Jersey. 1960, Second Edition. 189 pages. lllustra ted. $4.95 . e.g. Leucoco"yne ixioides apparently reported (Library) . on one planting that co uld not have been good, as the flowers are described as "so small" whIch To many gardeners, the enjoyment of flowers they are not, if happy. No rep?rting . on pre­ comes not only from the growing of them but sistence. There is an interestmg diSCUSSIOn also the using of them for many purposes. Wear­ on Nerines, and her treatment, but again there ing of flowers may add much to dress or outfit is nothin CT to show if after the success of the of the wearer. The fact that this is a second original planting, she continued to. have. suc­ edition indicates the interest of home gardeners cesses. So one could continue almost mdefillltely, in using flowers as this kind of decoration. The not to be nasty about it, but to point out that book tells the principles of making a corsage the book should be redone, in far more detail and then illustrates the ways in which they are and with more complete reporting on everything made. Sketches show how flowers are wired or or else with omission of all such that are not tied to make many styles of corsages as well as known for a longish period. arranging flowers to be llsed as jewelry and in The illustrations are line drawings, fairly ac­ the hair. Corsage Craft is an excellent guide to curate but not at all charming, and no credit those wishing to make this form of arrangement. line is given . They should be redone. Vines, C. B. L. trees, shrubs, bulbs, potted plants and the usual horror section of insects and diseases complete the story, plus a month by month calendar, that Other books added to the Librm'y: could well serve for many, even those like the reviewer, who live outside of the favored areas of the immed iate shoreline. American Tomato Yearbook, B. Y. M. 1960 John W . CarnCf{)SS . Editor. American Tomato Yearbook, 8 Elm Street, Wes tfi eld, New Jer­ Vegetable Diseases and Their sey. 1960. 44 pages. Illustrated. $2 .00 . Control Charles Chupp and Arden F. SherE. The Evergreens for Every State Ronald Press Company, IS East 26th Street, New York 10, New York. 1960. 693 pages. Katharine M-P. Cloud. Chilton Company, Illustrated. $12.00. (Library). Book Division, 56th and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia 39, Pennsylvania. 1960. 227 This is a concise, well organized and well pages. I ll ustrated. $4 .95. illustrated book of 22 chapters presenting perti­ nent information on about 40 major diseases of vegetables and their co ntrol. One chapter is devoted to the diseases of tropical and minor Anatomy of Seed Plants vegetable crops. Discussions are also included on Katherine Esau. John Wiley and Sons, In­ general problems such as seed rot, diseases due corporated, 440 Fourth Avenue, New York 16, to mineral deficiencies, and nematodes. A list New York. 1960. 376 pages. Illustrated. $6.95 . of valuable references fo llows each disease dis­ cussion. The book is exceptionally well written and Introduction to Quantitative will be most useful to commercial vegetable growers, home gardeners, as well as teachers and Genetics students in plant pathology. Professor Chupp is considered a world au­ D. S. Falconer. The Ronald Press Company, thority on vegetable diseases. He taught more 15 East 26th Street, New York 10, New York. than 40 years at Cornell University, including 1960. 365 pages. Illustrated. $6.00. 27 as Professor of Plant Pathology. Dr. Chupp became professor emeritus in 1954. Before com­ ing to Cornell as Dr. Chupp's successor in 1954, Principles of Genetics Dr. Sherf had taught plant pathology and served Eldon J. Gardner. John Wiley and Sons, as extension plant pathologist at the University Incorporated, 440 Fourth Avenue, New 'york of Nebraska and Iowa State University. H e is 16, New York. 366 pages. Illustrated. $7. 50. The Gardeners' Pocketbook

Dahoon Holly Were it not for this particular attack, the Dahoon Holly would be superb in As a plant collector, I am rather se­ foliage, like its relatives. I do not know verely handicapped by having to make whether the species is the preferred host a living by other means, but one man­ for the spittle bug, but in my observa­ ages. tion it is much more severely damaged One time while travelling down a than nearby I. opaca varieties, I cl-enata, highway at high speed, on a highway I. vomitoria, I decidua and I. cornuta. from Tampa, I spotted a twenty-foot In fact, I could find no damage on the evergreen tree on the edge of a low last four species.-E. J. HORDER, Mobile, thicket, coyered from top to bottom with Alabama. red berries. After conservatively backing up the highway, and onto the shoulder of the road, I had a chance to examine a fine specimen of !lex alSSine. This was my introduction to the species so I be­ Aquilegia jonesii, gan searching for others and taking cut­ tings. Rare Miniature Columbine Since that time, I have seen how Many years ago we spent a most en­ variable in size and shape the leaves of joyable summer in the Big Horn Moun­ the Dahoon can be. For example, the tains, in north central Wyoming, collect­ first tree seen had light green leaves, el­ ing the flowering plants of those en­ liptical, about five inches long, but chanted mountains. One day we climbed nearby I found a male tree with thick, Medicine Mountain to see the old In­ dark green, almost obovate leaves, which dian Medicine Wheel which covers a reached eight or nine inches long on portion of the summit of the mountain, vigorous shoots. and to collect plants along the way. Cuttings of these specimens rooted The summit of I\IIedicine Mountain is readily and I have been able to grow made up of a much fractured and joint­ on a few of each in the form of trees ed limestone with scree slopes below the and, by pinching shoots, in the form of summit and the ledges which surround shrubs. Today, these plants are growing a part of the mountain. A number of on in moderately well drained soil in similar limestone-capped mountains can Coastal Alabama. be seen at about the same elevation in In Alabama I keep running almost the vicinity. These certainly are of the exclusively into another form of I. cas­ same geological formation. In the crev­ sine that has been given the varietal ices of the limestone and in the scree name of angustifolia. On this all the slopes below the summit we found a leaves are much smaller, perhaps two or miniature blue columbine which we had three inches or less. never seen previously in our collecting Here, I. cassine would seem to be a trips through the Rocky Mountains, and good holly for ornamental planting, at that time we probably did not know save for one thing. In the spring, after that the species existed. We colle:: ted shoot growth has made four to five the columbine in several duplicates but· inches, hordes of spittle bugs begin feed­ came away with the impression that the ing on both shoots and leaves. These plant was rare on that mountain. The little black hoppers sit on the plant species proved to be Aquilegia Jonesii parts and begin puncturing cells, caus­ which was first collected in and de­ ing a severe curling and twisting of scribed from "northwest" Wyoming leaves and death of new shoots. I have about sixty years before we found it. not attempted any control in order to In June of 1960 we deviated from the see what would happen. Usually, some beaten tourist trail and took the north time in August, the damage ceases road up the west side of the Big Horns, abruptly and the plants resume new to revisit Medicine Mountain. The snow shoot growth. still persisted where it had drifted dur- [229] 230 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE ing winter months but the alpine flora minated, some taking two years, but was at its finest in most places. Aquilegia after four years my husband gave them Jon esii was just beginning to show a few all to me. I lined out about one hun­ buds, rarely an open flower. We found dred twenty in a square bed, and one the plant to be very abundant, especially morning on awakening, found that rab­ on the scree slopes and just below the bits had eaten everyone to the ground. rounded summit of the mountain. Actu­ They survived even that, and grew vig­ ally the individuals of this species must orously. run into the millions on Medicine Dr. Wister, who visited us, told me it Mountain and on the other limestone­ was a waste of time, as I would have capped mountains of the vicinity. "only dirty lavender" blooms. The tufted leaves of Aquilegia Jonesii N one bloomed un til they were seven are usually from 3 to 7 cm. tall. The years old and most of them took eight; flower scapes, which bear a single flow­ from the one hundred twenty, I got one er, reach 8 or 9 cm. and when in fruit lavender and it was a beauty. may reach to 15 cm. or more. The blue When they were ten years old, I sold flowers are gigantic in relation to the sixty to my garden club members. They plant which bears them. The photo­ are all now twenty years old, the seed­ graphs show that the inch-long flowers lings, not the club members! I have been are almost as big as the plant from which able to follow practically every plant, they come. and from the sixty remaining, I still The known range of Aquilegia Jonesii have forty-five, after giving away the is not great, extending from Sheep others. This spring (1960) I had over Mountain in Alberta and Dawson and seven hundred blooms. Some are single, Gunsight passes in British Columbia some double, some change from year to southward along the Lewis Range to the year, pink, white, red and white, and Big Belt and Little Belt Mountains in only one red. Montana, then to "western" Wyoming I let a few seed mature on each plant. and out to the isolated Big Horn Moun­ I immediately plant three in a small size tains in north central Wyoming. The pot (sand and good garden loam) and species is to be expected on similar lime­ sink the pot in the lath house beds. stone formations in the Teton, Wind Again, some come up the following River and Green River ranges in Wyo­ spring and some the second spring, and ming at elevations of about 10,000 feet. so it goes on. I feed them superphos­ The photographs will give a fair idea phate in March and bone meal in Au­ of the size of the plants in early spring gust. - ETHEL R. HANKELE, M.D., Ne­ and the kind of habitat in which they shaminy, Penna. grow. Seeds should be present from late July through August for those who wish them. There is a passable road to the summit of Medicine Mountain now and a trip to see this fine little columbine and the Indian Medicine Wheel is well worth while for anyone going along the Azalea Shinnyo-no-tsuki in north road in the Big Horn Mountains. Northeastern Alabama -LOUIS O. WILLIAMS AND RUA P. WIL­ Several years ago, I stopped in Pass LIAMS, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Christian, Mississippi, and telephoned Agricultural R esearch Service, Crops Re­ B. Y. Morrison about this variety of search Division, Beltsville, Maryland. azalea which intrigued me greatly from the descriptions. He gave me the ad­ dress of a nursery source and urged me to try. I immediately ordered a dozen Tree Peonies from Seed plants. The planting has been most suc­ cessful and strangely enough I have Mrs. Jacobs' story of her success with never observed any damage to the blos­ tree peonies inspired me to write about soms which I could identify as being the our own. result of cold. My trouble is that the In 1940, my husband bought some blossoms instead of being six or seven tree peony seed from Japan. They ger- inches in diameter are actually only APRIL 1961, VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 231 about three inches. Nothing I have might be especially happy, as I am given tried seems to increase the size of these to considering my own pleasure rather blossoms and I would certainly welcome than those of the plants. any suggestion from you. The soil was well drained, very light The fact that the January issue of the loam. I had found that in Virginia, AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE some good gardeners planted lycoris with was devoted to palms has made me very the tip barely covered. I tried mine that happy. We have a native stand of Sabal way and covered with leaf mold, chiefly minor in a swampy area within fifteen of beech leaves. I used rotting logs gen­ miles of the writer's home that I am erously, also beech, around the patch positive is the northernmost stand of with the thought of helping to hold palms in Alabama. We grow Cocos aus­ moisture. tmlis (now Butia capitata) and I re­ With leaf mold and rotting logs I cently obtained from the Palm Society doubt that the soil was even neutral, the address of a grower from whom I though I never did actually test it. The hope to obtain several other varieties bulbs increased by leaps and bounds, induding Chamaerops. - EVERETT LAY, have bloomed beautifully each summer, Gadsden, Alabama. and were completely satisfactory. I be­ gan giving bulbs away and cannot guess how many have come from the original five.-MAUD R. JACOBS, South Carroll­ ton, Kentucky.

Lycoris squamigera and Lime The editor believes that a liberal addi­ Get Acquainted with Silenes tion of bone meal in his acid soil has helped this species that is not too well Gardeners unacquainted with the fas­ grown in the South, but his comments cinating silenes are missing one of the elicited the following note from Mrs. dependables of plant life. Commonly Jacobs, who gardens in limestone land in called Catchfly and grouped in the Pink Kentucky and prepared her soil as indi­ family, they consist of some 300 species cated. Comments from others will be scattered over North and South America welcomed. and Asia. It is safe to say they are bet­ About squamigera's fondness for lime, ter known abroad than here. It is a rare I have some doubts. I am in limestone occasion when more than the common­ country, as I am sure I have told you be­ est sorts are observed in local gardens. fore, but I doubt the presence of much We wonder why, as there are so many lime in my topsoil, as I have a layer of desirable features in their favor. sandstone over the limestone. I started There are annuals, perennials, and bi­ with five bulbs of squamigera perhaps ennials, easily propagated by division twenty-five years ago. At that time the and cuttings. Seeds germinate readily center of my activities was the pool for when sown at proper time, and, as a swimming. I planted the bulbs on a rule, transplant well. I sow all Silene steep bank beyond the pool in day so seed in the fall, except S. regia. heavy that I was ashamed to put bulbs For most silenes, soil conditions are there. When I lifted the bulbs some immaterial. A few prefer shade, others years later to replant on the upper level revel in full sun. They require no win­ of my place, I found each had become ter protection. Here S. compacta (some­ three. The bulbs originally sent me had times referred to as S. orientalis) is a been the size of a child's head. Most hardy annual, beginning to flower the that I lifted and all that I have lifted latter part of April and from then until since have been slightly larger than a the freezes come one can find its rose­ good hyacinth bulb. Insofar as I can colored head somewhere in the garden. discover, there is no difference in the size A light pink form of this variety ap­ of bloom between huge bulbs and peared in our garden last year, proving smaller ones. a welcome diversion in color. Only once My replanting was where I wanted the have we had the white sister of this spe­ flowers rather than where I thought they cies which was ethereal in its beauty. 232 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

S. pendu la 1'osea is also a hardy an­ this species. S. stellata) a three-foot nual, growing ten to twelve inches high. perennial with deeply fringed white Blooming early, their pink, phlox-like flowers arranged in panicles, grows with blossoms combined with blue forget-me­ reckless abandon in our garden. nots and pansies create a pleasing pic­ The Royal Catchfly, S. ?-egia) grows 30 ture. The double S. Bijou (from Eng­ inches tall. It is a showy, long-lived spe­ land) , with salmon-pink flowers, grow­ cies for midsummer and autumn color in ing four to six inches high, could easily the garden. The well-branched, upright be substi tuted for Bellis daisies. plants produce large flowers of brightest The purplish variety S. pendula bon­ red. This is suitable for the hardy bor­ netti is an old favorite, occasionally seen der. Seed should be sown in spring for in gardens and hard to locate. Of all best results. Last year, we grew S. for­ the Silenes, S. frivaldskyana) with blue tunei in white and pink for the first time foliage, long upright steps set with buff and were well pleased with it. The large, cream, and deeply lacinated flowers, is deeply fringed flowers were very attrac­ our most prized member of the family. tive. Some species close in mid-day if This long-lived species has much in its placed in full sun, but this variety re­ favor. It will bloom continuously from mained open the entire day. May to November if the seed pods are S. hookeri is a super-treasure for the clipped. Having a long tap root, it must rock garden. The fringed bloom is bright be transplanted while small. coral-pink about one inch across. It Another free flowering form is S. grows in the sun or shade with equal acaulis kodiak) from the Kodiak Islands. results, blooming in May-June. Shortly It is rarely listed, but well worth search­ after hot weather comes the foliage dies ing for. Still another fine member of down. This one is difficult to transplant the Acaulis group is S. acaulis pendun­ as the tap root goes deep into the cularis. Growing one to three inches ground. It comes freely from seed that high, it is fine for low edgings. The must be sown in the fall. mossy foliage and long blooming rose­ The soft, gray leaves and inflated colored flowers were a decided feature. white flowers of S. maritima are a joy for This one requires gritty soil. I fell in weeks. For compact plants, place in love with S. alpestris flo1'e-pleno at first poor soil. It is at home in sun or shade. sight. This dwarf produces a profusion Considering its meagre possibilities of pure white, small double flowers in and ranging from four to six inches in May-June. It was short-lived with us. height, the wild pink S. pennsylvanica offers a bit of lively color in the rock Another dwarf gem is S. maritima crevices where it flourishes. The beauti­ plena) with large double white flowers ful pink flowers are gathered in a flat­ and trailing habits. Along in May, we topped terminal cluster. There is no begin to watch for the opening of S. reason why this charming silene should whenyi. The cushiony mats and large not be in our gardens. For several years phlox-like blossoms of clearest pink are we have grown and enjoyed S. alexis) a very effective in the border. While not delightful Hungarian native. This two­ as long-blooming a some varieties, it foot perennial has a three months flow­ makes up for it in floriferousness. For a ering season. The delicate pink blossoms long season of bloom we like S. schafta. are very pleasing. - MRS. J. ROBERT We have had this variety bloom continu­ CHRISMON, Greensboro) North Carolina. ously from July until frost. The silvery rose blossoms bring gaiety and color to a waning garden. For late spring brilliance, nothing ~urpasse? the Fire-pink Silene, S. virgin­ tea) havmg large flowers with deep cleft Pinckneya puhens petals in vivid shades of velvety scarlet. This is our wild species and a hillside Caroline Dormon said she wished I covered with their bright blossoms is an could be at Briarwood when the Pinck­ arresting sight. neya bloomed by the pond. "No use to A coral-pink sport of S. virginica has give you one," she said, "for it comes been discovered in our mountains and from swamps and would not grow in should prove a decided color break in your dry garden." APRIL 1961, VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 233

But it does grow in my dry garden and Georgia Bark. It is also called Bit­ and h as grown there for ten years and ter-bark and Fever Tree because the bark has bloomed for eight of them. ]VI y has been used as a substitute for qui­ Pinckney a is one of two small plants nine.-ELIZABETH LAWRENCE, Charlotte} that Mr. Crayton let me have when I North Carolina. happened to visit him after one of his collecting trips. The other plant died, but this cannot be a difficult thing to grow, for the roots were bare, and after travelling from Florida to Biltmore, they California Redwood in Mississippi came on down to Charlotte, to be set out in the heat of early summer. In the autumn of 1946 I sent to Cali­ Several trunks are usual, but mine has fornia for a dozen redwood seedlings, only one, and it would be a shapely about ten inches high. I planted ten of small tree by now, if it had not met with them in a temporary, makeshift la th an accident in early youth. The leader house, while we were living on the beach was cu t off eighteen inches from the front in Gulfport, Mississippi. I gave ground. The plant recovered slowly and two plants to my brother in Long Beach. has now reached a height of about ten During the 1947 hurricane, when salt feet. In the swamps it reaches twenty­ water flooded our yard, all ten of mine five. were lost, but my brother, Ben Simmons, Pinckneya comes into bloom the las t succeeded in growing one of his and it is week in Mayor the first week in June, now (1960) eight feet high.-MRS. B. F. and is in its glory for a month or more. LINDSEY, Long Bea.ch} Mississippi. The clusters of tubular flowers, that look as if they were cut from fine, cream­ colored felt, are set off by an occasional enlargement of the calyx-lobe, that looks like a leaf and turns a clear, bright pink, Gordonia lasianthus that is a tint of spectrum red, and very Thanks to the publicity given it, the near the carmine 21/2 of the Royal Hor­ Franklinia has had its name and fame ticultural Society Colour Chart. well before the public, and from that The flowers are followed by rather same public one hears many a complaint decorative green-gold fruits, to three about failures, with not enough data quarters of an inch in diameter. These offered for any diagnosis. hang on for a year before they spli t and If it is difficult, certainly there is no drop their winged seeds. The large oval, difficulty with potted plants of its cousin, light green leaves take on warm apricot Gm-donia lasianthus} which seems to ac­ tones in October. cept moving as easily as any common Mr. Hohman told me several years thing. ago that at Kingsville, Maryland, he had Obtaining a plant of this has been one four year old Pinckneya that had among the man y procrastinations of the never bloomed. This, mine, and Caro­ editor's garden, but this late April a line Dormon's are the only cultivated stop was made in Atlanta and a plant plants that I have known about. It seems picked up at old Fruitlands Nursery. It to me too bad that we are not making was growing in a tin, not too happily, if use of one of our most beautiful native one counted the bare stem and the top trees, especially as it seems to be easily tuft of leaves, but within a week after propagated. Cuttings of mature wood being put into a spot where it would are said to strike in sand under a hand­ have regular watering, and a soil that glass. Seedlings need rich moist soil and would delight any camellia, it started shade, and the trees need some shade. out to grow, with fine new leaves and Mine did much better before I lost a in late July, one glorious bloom quite sheltering pine. as fine as any Franklinia, known here. In spite of its restricted range, along Scented too. the coast from southern South Carolina It is too soon to know how evergreen to Florida, Pinckneya is well enough it will be here, and this fact is queried known to have several common names, only because of the bare stem in the such as Maiden's Blushes, Calico Bush, original can. Dr. Hume says, in his 234 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

Camellias in America (page 89), that Lycoris in Shreveport "Its pure white flowers, each lasting for only a day, are attractive and sweet Actually, I live in a pine grove which, scented. Individual trees continue to according to the authorities, denotes an bloom over a period of two or three acid soil. Some of the lycoris are planted weeks. There is another species, G. axil­ in drifts among the trees and some in the laTis, in southern China." He reports it borders of the azalea beds where the soil as evergreen also. is maintained at pH 5. I permit the We have here another Gordonia, pos­ needles to fall from the pines and accu­ sibly not the species noted last, but from mulate as a mulch for the winter, but China, that is evergreen, grows mostly remove the covering in spring to dis­ in a bush form with many stems from courage insects from taking up residence, the base, and blooms that appear so late and to allow sun and air to reach the in the autumn that most are caught by soil. Ample moisture IS provided our light frosts. throughout the year. Our plant of G. lasianthus is too Bulbs are planted in September but young to be a source of cuttings, but our the flowers are small the first season. Chinese plant comes easily from cuttings Any planted in October seldom appear that grow off well in ordinary media. above ground until the following sea­ How long it may take to make a bush son. I have never transplanted any, but remains to be discovered. As far as this suppose that when the plants are dor­ reporter could tell, there was only a faint mant, would be the best time, just as the scent from the blooms of the Chinese leaves are ripening off. Foliage is kept in plant. Possibly in some garden just a top condition as long as possible and little more sheltered, it would have no when dead, is cut, not pulled, at soil difficulty in blooming well and compet­ level. ing with the earlier camellias.-B. Y. M., To make as great a display as possible, Pass ChTistian, Miss. to do for the garden in the autumn what azaleas do in the spring, I feed my bulbs. After the blooms have faded, and as the foliage emerges, I apply a generous quantity of superphosphate, over and around the planted area. I simply scat­ ter handfuls until the ground is white. Hardiness of Fatsia japonica Then it is watered in. About two or The only discovery of interest that I three weeks later, another feeding is have made here, is that Fatsia japonica given, a light sprinkling of well rotted will grow well. dairy manure. In southern California this was our Under this treatment, it is common to favori te foliage plant for tropical effect. find scapes with nine to ten flowers, and After coming to Georgia, I was surprised this season, 1960, there were, for a first to read somewhere that japonica was time, heads of eleven flowers on some of hardy to New Jersey. Local gardeners the plants bought as Lycoris aurea. and nurserymen assured me that this One buys lycoris as one finds them, meant, along the coast only. (Actually, some here, some there. In my garden I our garden is located in a microclimate have radiata, aurea, albifiora, albifiora that is one sub-zone more severe than carnea, squamigera and a cream colored that of Atlanta generally.) We had to form with flowers like those of radiata find out for ourselves, so we planted a for which I have no name. All of this small specimen of japonica. It has cream colored form came in a shipment thrived and survived the ice and snow of aurea several years ago. A urea varies storms of last March and a two degree F. in color from pale yellow to bright or­ spell of weather two years ago. It re­ ange, and blooming periods are spaced ceives no special winter protection. Its from the last week in August to mid­ leav~s are large and healthy appearing, October. Whether or not these are all but I.t does not grow during the winter aurea I do not know, bu they were and IS, therefore, slower than the Cali­ bought under that name. Multiplication fornia-grown plants. - GRAHAM HEID, is not as rapid as books suggest and one A tlanta, Georgia. must wait several years to get a full dis- APRIL 1961, VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 235 play, one well worth waiting for. As Oconee Azalea, will have set flower buds purchased, albiflora and albiflora carnea that first season, whereas R. prunifolium appear identical, all blush pink, nary a does not. white one. Squamigera is very slow to We are growing most of our R . pruni­ multiply and temperamental, some years folium azaleas from seed, collecting seed giving good bloom, some years not. from the different colored forms that we I started planting Lycoris in 1932 and have. We find, after the first several have added what I can find from year years of seeing our seedlings, that this is to year; this year, adding "cinnabarina" the best procedure, as most of the result­ and squamigera purpurea, if they ever ing seedlings are coming through with arrive.-LOIS FLAXMAN, Shreveport, Lou­ very good red color, and not too many isiana. of the orange hues. We have also done some limited work on growing this plant (and others) from root cuttings and think that this also has possibilities and further work will be needed on this. R . prunifolium starts flowering with Rhododendron prunifolium us the first of July, spasmodically through August and September in indi­ We are very fortunate in having R. vidual plants. We have flowering at this prunifolium native in our own country, same time a late-flowering form of R. and are using it extensively in the Gar­ arborescens, having made crosses between dens on the Callaway Estate. We hope it and R. prunifolium, and have some that, in years to come, it will be one of very interesting hybrids from them. the main features of the Gardens during The first group of these hybrids flow­ the summer season. Of course, the plant ered last year, with many of the pink and is found also in other areas in the State, salmon shades among them, and most of and some in Alabama as well, but it is them with fragrance from R. arb ores­ possibly the rarest of all native species. cens. Of course, the large part of the We have also a good source of seeds of group of these hybrids has not yet flow­ the plant from the Callaway Estate, since ered and there are many other younger Mr. Callaway's preservation of this spe­ hybrid seedlings that we will be looking cies was what won him the Garden Club forward to seeing in the next few years. of America award. Since that time, we We have other crosses, using R. pruni­ have been doing all the propagation here folium and other native azaleas, with in the Gardens, and have several thou­ seedlings now coming on from R. pruni­ sand plants already in permanent loca­ folium X R. cumberlandense, and many tions, and are planning to add many others as well. Most of these are two or thousands more in years to come. three years old and it will be at least two This plant was collected from a num­ or three more years before we can see the ber of sources, usually around streams or results.-FRED C. GALLE, Chipley, Geor­ in moist soil areas, and is much more ex­ gia. acting in its demands for location than any other native species we handle. It should never be put out on dry sites, and should be given partial shade, in the best location possible. We have bet­ ter results with collected plants if we cut them back to the ground, and place For Hardiness, them in a heeling-in bed of well rotted Grow Your Own Amaryllis sawdust and peat moss for one year be­ fore putting them out in permanent lo­ Since the Dutch hybrid amaryllis are cation. This has reduced mortality on not hardy out of doors here, I have been collected azaleas, so that we now follow making crosses, between one of the van the practice on all collected species. Meeuven hybrids, Queen Superiora, and Many of these azaleas, after one year in American hybrids. The Queen Superiora the heeling-in ground, are back to a is a magnificent, blood red, with full height of twelve to eighteen inches and flat flower form. The American hybrids others, such as R . canescens and the were chosen at random from what I 236 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE liked best of both Howard and Meade With the exception of about two hun­ strains. The resulting seedlings are al­ dred, ten to fifteen year old plants most as handsome at the Dutch, and are moved in the first year for quick effect, hardy outside here in Sheffield, where all the plants are three and four year old our winter temperatures may go as low grafts on one and two inch Prof. Sargent as -5 and rarely -10 degrees Fahren­ root stocks and have grown unusually heit. well because of the heavy root systems, Ordinarily I do not u se any protective the well-drained, moderately acid, sandy mulches and as always follow the rules soil and the light shade of pine trees. to plant the bulbs in depths so that the The terrain is gently rolling, affording neck shows. perfect surface drainage, but does not The seeds are sown as soon as ripe, and erode because of the year round mulch are scattered on top of a bench in my of pine needles. greenhouse, between the pots of other Each variety is permanently identified thing's and forgotten. Germination is by a three inch x six inch brown plas­ very good. Once large enough to handle, tic label with white lettering, riveted on the seedlings are transplanted into wood­ an aluminum stake. en boxes and placed under a bench and From the landscape point of view, the grown on. They are given no rest and Camellia Arboretum embraces an area kept in growth the year around. Quite roughly four hundred feet square having fertile soil is used and no further feeding a densely wooded ravine beginning near is done until at size 1'2 to % inch bulbs the center, and emptying into a bayou are lifted and set around the edges of along one side; a stand of slash pine the greenhouse benches out of the way averaging about thirty feet apart; a and grown there till the first blooms winding, looping twelve foot trail sur­ occur. With no rest, these bulbs usually faced wi th carpet grass and edged wi th bloom in one and one half to two years ophiopogon; and a complete planting from sowing of seed. The most out­ of five hundred different varieties, spaced standing bulbs are planted outside in the at roughly twelve feet apart, staggered. early autumn and usually bloom the Beginning with the Daikaguras, Sep­ next spring. tember Morn, Arejishi and a few others The biggest trouble I have with the that begin to bloom here in late Septem­ growing of amaryllis bulbs is that slugs ber, the over-all blooming season is eat out the hearts of the bulbs during about six months, and such blooms! On the warm nights of winter. To combat many of the pines are climbers such as this, I cover the plantings with alumi­ coral vine, trumpet vines, Banksia and num screen wire, covered at the edges other roses. Reseeding themselves to with soil.-D. D. MORRISON, Sheffield, make their way up through the pine Alabama. needles each year are such well known annuals as vinca, torenia, gaillardia, cleome and phlox. Nearly all the an­ Bellingrath Camellia Garden nuals and these vines are at their best There is a new camellia garden in when the camellias are not in bloom, all Bellingrath, known as The Bellingrath of which proves that there was no truth Gardens Camellia Arboretum, unique in in the statement that a camellia arbore­ that it is at once an arboretum with a tum here could not have year-round comprehensive collection of camellias beauty. and a garden that is beautiful through­ During 1961, the arboretum will be ou t the year. expanded to seven acres, and new kinds The camellia garden is a little less planted to increase the total to eight than four years old and already has five hundred clones. One, two, and three hundred varieties of Camellia japonica year old grafts are on hand for this an? abo~t. thirty species and species hy­ planting. - M. B. GREENE, Theod01'e, bnds thnvlOg on the original four acres. Alabama. Sarracenia flava