A Publication of the American Horticultural Society Volume 71, Number 5 • May 1992 $1.50 News Edition The Rebirth of the Food Garden

hen Rosalind Creasy first started growing ornamen­ tals and vegetables together 20 years ago, Wpeople were shocked. She remembers: "People said it was tacky, they called it 'salad gardening.'" They couldn't under­ stand why she, like everyone else, didn't grow her veggies in rows in the back forty. Now, thanks to the work of Creasy, Robert Kourik, and others, gardens all over the country are also beginning to bring the edibles back in. "Edible landscaping," which Creasy defines simply as "edible plants in the context of your yard," was a term coined some ten years ago with the publishing of Creasy's The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping and Kourik's Designing and Maintaining Your Edible Landscape Naturally. (See page 6.) Creasy and Kourik both live in California: for this and other reasons, reintegrating edible plants into the landscape was initially a West Coast phenomenon. "Things change more quick­ ly in the West," says Creasy. "People here experiment more and change more. And I: they garden all year round." But now, § both Creasy and Kourik point to gardens ~ in other parts of the country-the <3 Chicago Botanic Garden; Cox Arboretum ~ L_L_--.JL_~'==~~~~ in Dayton, Ohio; Missouri Botanical Garden; Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania-that have developed major fruit and vegetable sec­ Flora Mesoamericana 15 tions. The largest edible landscape that In This Issue Creasy ever designed was in the Midwest, AHS Bulletin Board 16 at a plastic surgery clinic in Chicago, Ferns From Spores 9 Gardeners' Bookshelf . 18 where she put in a five-acre landscape Gardeners' Q&A 10 Gardeners' Dateline . 20 with features such as edible foundation plants, an allee of fruit trees, and an Regional Notes . 12 Classifieds 22 asparagus border. Members' Forum 14 Research News ... 24 A major impetus for growing more

Book Catalog Enclosed! American Horticultural Society

The American Horticultural Society seeks to promote and recognize ex cellence in horticulture across America.

OFFICERS 1991-1992 edibles in the landscape, Creasy and Mr. George C. Ball Jr., West Chicago, IL President Kourik agree, is cooking. "People are Mrs. Helen Fulcher Walutes, probably experimenting more in the Mount Vernon, VA kitchen than ever before," says Kourik, First Vice President who connects the new edible gardening Mr. Richard C. Angino, Harrisburg, PA to a baby boom generation that demands Second Vice President frills, accoutrements, and aesthetics in Mr. Elvin McDonald, Houston, TX Secretary gardening and cooking. "What I'm Mr. Gerald T. Halpin, Alexandria, VA seeing," says Creasy, "are people who've Treasurer never gardened in their lives but are into cooking and come into gardening BOARD OF DIRECTORS through cooking. We are probably the Mrs. Suzanne Bales, Bronxville, NY only people in the world in which the in­ Dr. William E. Barrick, Pine Mountain, GA dividuals who grow the food don't cook Dr. Sherran Blair, Columbus, OH Mrs. Mary Katherine Blount, it, and the ones who cook the food don't Montgomery, AL grow it. But this is changing." (More, she Mrs. Sarah Boasberg, Washington, DC feels, because more women are gardening Dr. Henry Marc Cathey, Washington, DC than because more men are cooking.) Chicago Botanic Garden's suburban Mrs. Beverley White Dunn, And what are people growing? Kourik garden is one of 15 edible displays. Birmingham, AL Dr. John Alex Floyd Jr., Birmingham, AL sees mostly annual salad vegetables and Mrs. Julia Hobart, Troy, OH fruit, with snazzy items like yellow pear outdoor classroom and demonstration Mr. David M. Lilly, St. Paul, MN tomatoes and heirloom apples especially kitchen. Gourmet chefs from Chicago use Mr. Lawrence V. Power, New York, NY popular. Edible flowers have peaked in the garden's bounty to conduct classes on Dr. Julia Rappaport, Santa Ana, CA popularity in California; the new rage is cooking and preserving. With 577 Mrs. Flavia Redelmeier, cooking with lavender. Creasy points to different plants representing 476 taxa and Richmond Hill, ON, Canada Mrs. Jane N. Scarff, New Carlisle, OH salad greens, vegetables grown in con­ 155 genera, there's plenty to choose from. Mrs. Josephine Shanks, Houston, TX tainers, and especially herbs. "Americans," Some of the most popular features of the Mrs. Billie Trump, Alexandria, VA she says, "are finally waking up to the use garden include 'Pink Pod' strawberry, Mr. Andre Vierre, Fishersville, VA of fresh herbs in cooking." which is used as a ground cover to con­ Ms. Katy Moss Warner, Public gardens are only very recently trol erosion; 'Wijcik' apple, an upright Lake Buena Vista, FL beginning to playa major role in apple with little side branching that works ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR encouraging edible gardening. Ten years well as a hedge plant; and a common Mrs. Helen Fulcher Walutes ago, it would have been difficult to name quince (Cydonia oblonga 'Smyrna'), a five botanical gardens or arboreta with small tree with beautiful, large white large food gardens. "Just like the zoos, flowers. AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST the gardens are changing from their Cox Arboretum's Edible Landscaping EDITOR: Kathleen Fisher ASSISTANT EDITORS: Victorian stage, where they had to collect Garden, completed in 1990, also includes Thomas M. Barrett, Mary Beth Wiesner from all over the world," says Creasy. innovative landscaping ingredients-purple­ EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Steve Davolt "Now the goal is preservation and stemmed Malabar spinach growing on an MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: instructing homeowners." Galen Gates, arbor; a bed of chrysanthemums, Swiss Darlene Oliver the manager of horticultural collections at chard, and com; purple-leaf okra in a mixed ADVERTISING: American Horticultural Society Advertising Department, 2700 the Chicago Botanic Garden (CBG), border-and an outdoor pavilion for cook­ Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22031. Phone concurs: "Now we have to justify our ing demonstrations. "This type of gardening (703) 2044636. existence to the public. It's difficult to get is the perfect marriage between those who Address all editorial correspondence to: The Editor, them excited with an arboretum setting like to garden for edibles and those who like American Horticulturist, American Horticultural Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA with, say, just hedge plants." to garden for ornamentals," says Education 22308-1300. AMERICAN HORTICULTIJRIST, ISSN CBG's 3.8-acre fruit and vegetable Supervisor Bob Butts. "It's also a timely 0096-441 7, is published by the American Hortic ultural Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA . garden was opened to the public in 1985, concept for those who want to get more out 22308·1300, (703) 768:5700, and is issued six times a established on an island with the hope of of their landscapes." year as a magazine and six times a year as a News Edi· keeping the deer away. ("We found out According to Kourik and Creasy, edible rion. The American Horticultural Society is a nonprofit organization devoted to excellence in horticulture. . that deer swim," says Gates.) Visitors landscaping will only become more timely Botanical nomencla ture in AMERICAN HORTICUL­ cross a bridge, walk through an entry in the future. "It may not end up being TIJRIST is based on HORTUS THIRD. National mem­ bership dues are $45j two years are $80. Foreign dues garden with ornamental fruits, flowers, called edible landscaping," says Kourik, are $50. $12 of dues are designated for AM ERICAN and vegetables, and then can visit any of "but the integration of elements is becom­ HORTICULTURIST. Copyright © 1992 by the American Horticultural Society. Second-class postage 14 edible displays, including an intensive ing mainstream." Creasy heartily agrees: paid at Alexandria, Virginia, and at additional mailing garden with raised beds and espalier, a "In 25 years we're not going to even have offices. Postmaster: Please send Fortn 3579 to suburban garden, an urban garden, an to call it edible landscaping. It will simply AMERI CAN HORTICULTIJRlST, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300. arbor walk, and a wild vegetable and fruit be routine." garden. In the center of the island is an -Thomas M. Barrett, Assistant Editor

2 • Ameri can H orticulturist • M ay 1992 Old-Fashioned Edibles

hy be satisfied with lettuce, can be grown for its beauty as well as its unlike them in colour and even in flavor." tomatoes, and beans? The food value. Also called mountain spinach, The silvery gray foliage has been number of little-used, easy­ French spinach, and butter leaves, it was compared to that of the Russian olive. to-grow, and delicious grown by the Romans, has long been Wfruits and vegetables is legion. The follow­ used as a kitchen vegetable in Europe, Lingonberry ing are some of my favorite edibles that and is often touted as a hot-climate Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) is a were enjoyed by gardeners past but have substitute for spinach. The leaves have a staple in far northern, even arctic, been nearly forgotten by later generations. mild, sweet, slightly salty flavor and are regions, but can be successfully grown as boiled or eaten raw. Traditionally they far south as Zone 4. In my wife's Finnish­ Black Salsify were mixed with sorrel leaves to reduce American family, nothing compares to the Black salsify or black oyster plant (Scor­ the acidity of the latter. jars of sweet-tart, cranberryish lingon zonera hispanica) is a hardy perennial Bernard McMahon in McMahon's preserves that Aunt Helen brings down from Europe, cultivated as an annual or American Gardener (1806) mentioned from Alaska. They are also used in biennial. Its long, grayish black roots can three cultivars growing in American gar­ Finland to make a sweet fruit soup called be eaten in a variety of ways, but are dens-a dark green, a dark purple, and "mehukeitto" and throughout the Nordic most often boiled or steamed and served one with green leaves and purple borders. countries are made into sauces to be like parsnips. The white flesh is tender The most attractive cultivar readily avail­ served with Swedish pancakes, omelettes, and reminds some of the taste of oysters. able these days is 'Red', which has dark and puddings. Thoreau, in the Maine The roots generally reach 10 to 12 inches; red, almost purple, arrow-shaped leaves woods, ate these berries stewed and those of 'Giant Black Russian' will grow on an upright plant that can reach six feet. sweetened. At least 25 common names to 15 inches or more. Black salsify was have been assigned to V. vitis-idaea: used in French, Belgian, and English Buffalo Berry Americans may know it better as gardens as far back as the 16th century Buffalo berry (Shepherdia argentea) is mountain cranberry, moss cranberry, and by the 17th century had gained some native to the Midwest and the Canadian partridge berry, cowberry, or fox berry. popularity in those countries. Plants that plains and was named such because the Lingonberry is a slowly spreading, are not dug up will send up attractive, berries of the shrub were a favorite food evergreen ground cover or small shrub, yellow, daisy like flowers the second year. of the buffalo (the French voyageurs growing to only 10 to 12 inches tall. It called it graise de boeuf). They also made has shiny, dark green, leathery leaves; Devil's Claw a favorite sauce to accompany buffalo pinkish white, bell-shaped flowers; and Devil's claw (Proboscidea spp.) is an meat. Native Americans used the berries produces large amounts of the tiny, dark annual that is as fun to grow as it is to eat. in a variety of ways: eaten fresh or dried, red berries. Gathered or cultivated for centuries by added to a soup with meat broth, made many tribes throughout the Southwest, the into a pudding with prairie turnip Ground Cherries common names-it's also called unicorn (Psoralea esculenta) flour, and pulverized Ground cherries (Physalis peruviana, P. plant, cat's claw, and ram's horn-refer to into a drink. Tart but pleasant berries pruinosa, and P. pubescens) are related to its curiously shaped fruit, which when hang in bunches from the thorny, erect fellow-Solanaceae tomatillo (P. ixocarpa) green resembles a long curved horn and shrub, which reaches 12 to 18 feet. The and Chinese-lantern plant (P. alkekengi), when mature and dry, splits apart to form fruits are also used to make jelly, sauces, but with a somewhat sweeter, tiny fruit in­ two hooked horns or claws. The young and preserves. side of the papery husks (actually calyxes). fruits are pickled like cUGumbers; it can Buffalo berry, which is hardy to USDA The slightly acidic, sweet-tart fruits can also be cooked like okra and the high­ Zone 2, is an attractive ornamental, as be eaten raw or made into pies, jams, or protein seeds are eaten raw or cooked. George Catlin described in his Letters and sauces. Native Americans used 10 species The fiber from the "claws" has been Notes on the Manners, Customs, and of ground cherries for food. The Zuni of woven into baskets in the Southwest at Conditions of North American Indians New Mexico made a prized sauce by boil­ least since A.D. 600. (1833): "This shrub, which may be said ing ground cherries and grinding them in The interesting seed pods, large heart­ to be the most beautiful ornament that a mortar with raw onions, chili peppers, shaped musk-scented leaves, and bell-shaped decks out the wild prairies, forms a strik­ and coriander seeds. Hawaiians call P. creamy white, light red, violet, or purple ing contrast to the rest of the foliage, peruviana "poha" and cook it into a flowers of devil's claw make it an attractive from the blue appearance of the leaves, delicious jam. Several ground cherry ornamental. Drought- and heat-tolerant, it by which it can be distinguished for miles cultivars are available-Po pubescens would be a great addition to a xeriscape. in a distance. The fruit which it produces 'Cossack Pineapple' from Eastern Europe in such incredible profusion, hanging in has one-half-inch diameter berries that Orach clusters to every limb and twig, is about taste similar to pineapple. Like devil 's claw, orach (A triplex hortensis) the size of ordinary currants, and not -Thomas M. Barrett, Assistant Editor

American H orticulturist · May 1992 • 3 Lessons From the Lifescape

One of the premier edible gardens on the evolved into a unique collection of West Coast is the Santa Barbara City ornamental edibles. "Now, aesthetic College Lifescape, in Santa Barbara, beauty is a prerequisite for all plants." California. There grow over 700 species With so many beautiful and delicious and cultivars of trees, shrubs, vines, and plants, it's not easy to pick favorites, says herbaceous perennials, each of which is Sortomme. "It's like a kaleidoscope here. edible and ornamental and suitable for in­ Each year is different." But once clusion in a suburban or urban landscape. Sortomme starts enthusing about the Miniature, dwarf, semi-dwarf, and con­ Lifescape, it's hard to get him to stop. trollable-sized plants are highlighted and "People love the variety of bananas," of special emphasis is placed on mild climate which the Lifescape has 25 different plants that will adapt to the Mediter­ types. "They're surprised to see how tasty w ::; ::; ranean climate of Santa Barbara. New and different they are." Other favorites g cultivars are continually being tested and are the yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia)- a II:o (f) evaluated by students in the environmen­ plant with small daisylike yellow flowers > II: tal horticulture program, who maintain that is grown in the Andes for its huge, II: ~ the Lifescape and use it as their living crunchy, sweet tubers; the golden berry U.o laboratory. (Physalis peruviana; see page 3) and the ~ ~ The garden was originally designed in alpine strawberry (Fragaria vesca) , both II: :Jo 1982 as a fruit grove, replacing a 1960s of which naturalize "and become great () community garden that had fallen into weeds"; passionflowers (Passiflora edulis "Lady Finger' banana. disarray. But as Jerry Sortomme, the and P. mollissima) with their exotic coordinator of the environmental flowers and tropical fruit; and the garden because people don't know that horticulture department, relates, "people Egyptian walking onion (Allium cepa, they're ripe," says Sortomme. started asking more and more about Proliferum Group), an onion that But the Lifescape is more than simply a dual-purpose plants" and over the years it produces small bulbs at the top of the nice place for an illicit free lunch. It has stalk, which make it buckle and drop the become a great resource for area residents bulbs on the ground where they take root wanting to create an edible landscape, a and grow. "This one fascinates people. trend that Sortomme says has burgeoned They enjoy anything that's Dr. Seuss-like." on the West Coast. "Some people are A World Of course, with Santa Barbara's avant-garde and want stuff that's not in longstanding drought and other vagaries the stores. Others like dual-purpose of Cranberries of weather (blustery winds, prolonged planting. As long as you're going to have Indian summers followed by sudden cold a tree, why not get a crop off of it?" Already done Disney World this snaps, rainless months and then two-day People who want a clean environment year? Then think about a family deluges), the Lifescape has had its share and are concerned about the quality of excursion to the Cranberry World of failures. "We try everything three their produce also go for edible land­ Visitors Center, which opened for times, move it around, and then remove scaping, because they can pick something its 13th season in April. The it," says Sortomme. "Because there is they've grown, without pesticides, just museum, located in Plymouth, such a menagerie of things, there is when it's reached ripeness. And they like Massachusetts, traces the history of always something not doing well and the bounty: "A lot of people these days this native fruit through multi­ something doing quite well." Asian pears are making their homes their media presentations, displays of have died of fireblight. The apricots sanctuaries- the tiny little version of the antique and modern harvesting weren't bearing due to foggy springs and Waltons in the city," with a hedge of equipment, a scale model of a all but one have been removed. Pawpaw thornless boysenberries, large-flowered working 'cranberry farm, and other seems to grow fine, but doesn't fruit. dwarf grapefruits in the yard, a Nanking exhibits. Visitors can also watch Standard chill apples and persimmons cherry by the porch, and kiwi growing up cooking demonstrations and have failed. the side of the house. sample recipes. For more Browsing two-legged visitors are information, contact Cranberry another minor problem. To foil hungry Anyone wishing to tour the Lifescape World at Ocean Spray Cranberries, humans, the students prune to make the should contact Jerry Sortomme, Inc., 225 Water Street, Plymouth, fruit less accessible and grow unusual­ Coordinator, Environmental Horticulture MA 02360, (508) 747-2350. colored cultivars, such as golden alpine Department, Santa Barbara City College, strawberries. "The things that don't turn 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA orange or red we get to keep in the 93109-2394.

4 + Am eri can Horticulturist • May 1992 A Garden of Guavas and Grapefruits

Chris Rollins, the manager of Homestead, Florida's Fruit & Spice Park, says you can often tell where south Floridians come from by the trees and shrubs they grow in their yards. If you see a pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), a shrub with small beans that are cooked with rice, chances are the yard belongs to someone from the Carib­ bean. Akee (Blighia sapida), a medium­ ,.o"­ sized tree with large yellow and red fruits a:~ that are eaten fresh or cooked with salted o::;) cod, tends to be grown by Jamaicans. u Cubans grow mamey sapote (Pouteria J:~ sapota), a large tree with up to six-pound Il. fruits that are eaten fresh and taste like Jackfruit (left) produces the world's largest tree fruit, sometimes reaching 80 pounds. creamy sweet potatoes. And all of these The sweet fruit of the lychee (right) is eaten fresh, dried, or made into preserves. plus much more grow at the Fruit & Spice Park, a multicultural, multiedible gardens, private estates, and research garden motif." The many visitors who botanical garden in south Florida. stations with interesting fruits and "fruit leave the Fruit & Spice Park with According to Rollins, the Fruit & Spice safaris" to the Florida Keys and Central delicious samples of mangos, sapote, Park is the only public garden in the and South America. plantain, and custard apple might tend to United States with such a rich bounty­ "The current interest in tropical fruits disagree. some 500 varieties and 2,500 is overwhelming," says Rollins. This specimens- of tropical and subtropical makes the Fruit & Spice Park the type of The Fruit & Spice Park is open seven fruits and vegetables. The 20-acre park public garden whose time has come. days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and was founded in 1944 and Rollins has con­ "There's been a feeling almost that f09d is located at 24801 S. W. 187 Avenue, tinually added to the collection through plants belonged to scholars and scientists Homestead, FL 33031. Admission is free. fruit-collecting trips to countries such as and that they don't fit into the botanical Guided tours are available. Honduras, Costa Rica, Borneo, and Malaysia. From Guatemala, he recently acquired Hylocereus species-beautiful night-blooming vines with fruits that are used in drinks, sherbets, and preserves­ Chile Institute Bibliographies and sun sapote (Eicania platypus), a rare, fruiting tree. The Chile Institute has published two projects since it was founded in 1991 "An awful lot of people from different extensive bibliographies. A under the auspices of the New Mexico ethnic groups come here to see their Comprehensive Bibliography of the State University Foundation. It is homeland fruits and vegetables," says Capsicums, compiled by Interim initiating several programs, including Rollins, citing Jamaicans, Cubans, Director Paul Bosland, contains some a chile research information archive; Guatemalans, Colombians, Southeast 8,000 citations, emphasizing horticul­ the Chile Improvement Project to Asians, and Indians as frequent visitors. ture, botany, and genetics. Chile stimulate research on Capsicum; and Americans uninitiated to such exotic Peppers: A Selected Bibliography of an International Chile Center to preserve edibles tend to like best, and to grow, the Capsicums, compiled by Dave Capsicum germplasm. Annual dues of only fruits that can be eaten fresh-the DeWitt, editor of Chile Pepper $25 (check payable to NMSU Founda­ citruses and grapes and bananas and magazine, is designed for more tion-Chile Institute) buy a subscription carambola. "Most of the exotic fruits and popular use. It contains approximately to a semiannual newsletter; occasional vegetables have to be prepared properly. 1,200 citations, emphasizing the chile research reports, and free seeds of That's the main stumbling block for the historical, marketing, gardening, and new cultivars released from the New gringos." To help them overcome that culinary aspects of chile peppers. Mexico State University Chile Breeding hurdle, the park holds weekly classes on The Chile Institute is a nonprofit Program. For information on ordering topics such as "Caribbean Cooking," organization, dedicated to increasing the the bibliographies or to join, write the "Winema king With Tropical Fruits," knowledge and awareness of Capsicum. Chile Institute, Box 3-Q, NMSU, Las "Thai Cooking," and "Lychee and Logan The bibliographies are the institute's first Cruces, NM 88003. Workshop." Rollins also conducts botanical tours to Florida back yard

American Horticulturist • May 1992 + 5 Books on Edibles for a New Age

Americans can be very conservative fruit tion has new desires and new limitations: enlightened by endless charts of disease­ and vegetable gardeners. Perhaps it's the Will it evolve a new type of fruit and vector plants, dynamic accumulators, legacy of the Great Depression when food vegetable gardening? Perhaps the follow­ root zones, international intercropping gardening was serious, survival work. Or ing books herald the way. trial results, rootstock specifications, and it may be fallout from World War II Rosalind Creasy may not have coined the like. He has even included sun victory gardens with their regimental the term "edible landscaping," but she movement charts and an isogonic chart rows and nutritional calculations and certainly popularized it with The showing magnetic deviation for the canning workshops run by colonels. Hard Complete Book of Edible Landscaping continental United States (useful for work. No experimentation. Little time for (Sierra Club Books, 1982, AHS member locating true solar south). flowers . And above all, PRODUCTION. price, softcover: $17). Edible landscaping In the same spirit of unbridled informa­ And all too often still, gardeners leave the is multipurpose landscaping, using the tion is Stephen Facciola's Cornucopia: spirit of adventure in the flower garden and same plants for beauty, food, and environ­ A Source Book of Edible Plants get very serious- almost obeisant- when it mental conservation. Why plant just any (Kampong Publications, 1990, AHS comes to edibles, segregating them from attractive tree, when you can plant a member price, softcover: $30)- an essen­ ornamental areas, choosing plants based drought-tolerant, nitrogen-fixing, food­ tial resource for anyone who's serious sheerly on productivity, and clinging to the bearing tree that is also beautiful? Every about experimenting with different food same old warhorse species. Industrial habits landscape feature can go edible with plants. Facciola lists some 3,000 species­ in a post-industrial age. But a new genera- edible trellises, edible ground covers, yes, 3,000!-and thousands of cultivars edible hedges, edible foundation plants, of edible plants, with sources, bibliog­ edible lawn trees, and edible borders. raphic references, and information on Although there is plenty of information how to use them. This is a truly in this book about planting, maintenance, astonishing effort, a one-man internation­ Lettuce Rej oice and use of edible plants, its real value is al ethnobotany of sorts, with sources. as a guide to landscaping. An encyclo­ A look at Iridaceae, the iris family- not Not too long in the future, we may pedia of edibles, which makes up half of known for its edibility- reveals the level ha ve to stop referriQg to lettuces as the book, describes how to use each plant of detail. Saffron (Crocus sativus), you "greens." Radicchio is red, of in the landscape; there are also two chap­ may know, is an Iridaceae. Facciola also course, and we have red-tinged ters devoted to garden design. includes 12 other edible species and two lettuce cultivars such as 'Red Sails', While Creasy's book encourages a new hybrids. The flowers of Gladiolus cruentus but that's only the beginning. At an design, Robert Kourik's Designing and are eaten raw or boiled; the rhizomes of Agricultural Research Service Maintaining Your Edible Landscape German iris (Iris x germanica) are dried (ARS) experiment station in Naturally (Metamorphic Press, 1986, and used as a flavoring; the bulbous roots Salinas, California, one can find AHS member price, softcover: $17) is of Moraea fugax are eaten roasted, yellow lettuce from Hungary, a more horticultural. Even though Kourik's boiled, or stewed with milk; and the Spanish lettuce with dark red outer second Golden Rule of Edible Landscap­ roasted starchy corms of common tiger leaves, and blue-green lettuce from ing is "you have a lot to do besides flower (Tigridia pavonia) have been used the Middle East with two-foot landscaping; don't let your edible as food by Indian tribes in Mexico since stems that are said to taste a bit like landscape take over," this book has so pre-Columbian times. asparagus and a bit like kohlrabi. much information on how to transform With Facciola and Creasy and Kourik, Some of these imported lettuces your landscape into a Garden of Eden, it's the groundwork has been laid for a new are green, but a darker green than hard to imagine anyone being satisfied edible gardening, with a great diversity of those we find in the supermarket. with a low-maintenance approach. (His plants in all parts of the landscape, Others are striking beca use of odd first Golden Rule, reflecting the ethos of producing beauty and food, and some­ shapes, such as the frilly leaves of the new age, is "enjoy your landscape; if times new food. Won't it be difficult to the type from Turkey. it's just drudgery you're doing something face again your tomatoes and lettuce over Some of these lettuce varieties are wrong.") Kourik describes in great detail there by themselves in their tidy little rows? ancient, possibly dating back how to create an energy-conserving, - Thomas M. Barrett, Assistant Editor thousands of years, according to organic landscape with fruit and nut trees ARS researchers Edward Ryder and and unusual features such as self-seeding To order the above books, add $2.50 William Waycott. They may look wild vegetable plots, vegetables in the postage and handling for the first book, or taste strange to Americans, but lawn, espalier, edible berms, and edible and $1.50 for each additional book, and their appealing traits could be bred shade gardens. send to: AHS Books, 7931 East into more familiar lettuces. If Creasy is the poet of edible land­ Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA scaping, then Kourik is the computer 22308-1300. Virginia residents add 41/2% guru: this is information-age gardening, sales tax.

6 • American Horticulturist • May 1992 From the USDA: Fruits of the Future?

Why should the fruit bowls of America be taste of the apricot and texture of the like the maypop. The ARS says it should limited to apples, oranges, and bananas? plum. The apricot has one of the shortest be on the market in three to five years. How about a plumcot, a passion pop, a seasons of any pitted fruit, but the In addition to these new crosses, the puckerless persimmon, or a rambutan plumcot, like the plum, could be available ARS is also hoping to encourage from Malaysia? These are some of the from spring through fall. Americans to consume some fruits from edibles the Agricultural Research Service Passion pop is a name proposed for the abroad. (ARS) of the U.S. Department of offspring of the tropical passion fruit One that is available here but Agriculture (USDA) has been working to (Passiflora edulis) and the maypop, a underappreciated is the oriental develop in the past few years. native of the Southeastern United States. persimmon or kaki (Diospyros kaki), a The plumcot, a cross between a plum However, its developer, ARS researcher favorite fruit in China and Japan. A and an apricot, is not a new hybrid, but Robert J. Knight Jr., finds the name USDA scientist found that these most trees don't produce enough fruit to "frivolous" and "unnecessary" since the orange-red fruits have three times as be profitable for growers. ARS hybrid is still a passion fruit. "What it much vitamin C as citrus fruit. They are researchers are crossing highly productive needs," he told Fruit Gardener magazine, also high in fiber and a good source of trees of both types and growing their "is a good modifier before 'passion potassium and vitamin A, according to progeny in a California research orchard. fruit.'" The baseball-sized hybrid has researcher Jerry Payne. The best news is They hope to find a combination that citrus like flesh and tangy juice said to mix that, unlike their smaller and seedier produces a hefty harvest of fruits with the well with other juices, and it's coldhardy American cousins, they don't evoke that dreadful pucker response when bitten into. A fruit that might be grown in tropical parts of the United States is the rambutan Edible Organizations (Nephelium spp.), a spiny, egg-shaped fruit with grapelike flesh. Seeds from two The following organizations are devoted • Northern Nut Growers Associa­ species of rambutans were collected from to growing and promoting various fruits tion, 9870 South Palmer Road, New North Borneo (now Sabah) and their seed­ and nut trees. They can provide Carlisle, OH 45344. Amateur and lings are being evaluated at the National invaluable information on fruit and nut professional nut growers organization. Clonal Germplasm Repository for culture and help locate sources of Publishes the quarterly Nutshell and Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nut hard-to-find species and cultivars. the information-packed Annual Crops in Hilo, Hawaii. The wild • California Rare Fruit Growers, Report. Dues $15. rambutan (N. lappaceum var. pallens) has The Fullerton Arboretum, California • Paw Paw Foundation, P.O. Box dark, purple-red fruit with a sweet-tart State University, Fullerton, CA 92634. 23467, Washington, DC 20026. taste. The giant rambutan (N. cuspidatum Promotes growing rare fruits in the Promotes the development of Asimina var. robustum) is about twice as large and home landscape. Publishes the triloba. Planning an annual newsletter; has white flesh. bimonthly The Fruit Gardener and has sells a series of pamphlets on the use other benefits such as a seed program and culture of pawpaw, pawpaw and an information service. Dues $16. sources, pawpaw research, and other We'll Believe It • Home Orchard Society, P.O. Box topics. Dues $10. 776, Clackamas, OR 97015. Promotes • Rare Fruit Council International, When We Taste It home fruit growing and publishes the c/o Carolyn Betts, 12255 S.W 73rd quarterly Pome News. Scion exchan­ Avenue, Miami, FL 33156. Promotes Fresher year-round tomatoes may be on ges for chapter members. Dues $10. the growing of tropical fruit. Publishes the way, says the Agricultural Research • North American Fruit Explorers, the monthly Tropical Fruit News and Service. Ironically, this will be achieved by Route 1, Box 94, Chapin, IL 62628. A has a seed exchange. Dues $35. genetic engineering that will tell a tomato network of individuals devoted to the • Southern Fruit Fellowship, c/o Dr. not to ripen. Tomatoes would stay on the discovery, cultivation, and A. J. Bullard, 103 Smith Chapel Road, vine longer and turn red only when appreciation of superior varieties of Mount Olive, NC 28365. Dedicated picked and exposed to ethylene, a com­ fruits. Publishes the quarterly Pomona to locating superior fruit trees for the pound that causes ripening. Not only will and sends new members the South. Publishes the quarterly the tomatoes be less likely to spoil, but Handbook for Fruit Explorers. Also Southern Fruit Fellowship Newsletter they may be cheaper because refrigeration has a popular mail lending library. and has scion and budwood costs will be reduced. The approach, Dues $10. exchanges. Dues $5. researchers say, works on about 100 types of greenhouse tomatoes and may also be used for fruits and cut fl owers.

American H orticulturist · May 1992.7 The Cactus & Succulent Society of America Invites You to Join! As a member, you will be part of an international Society founded in 1929 to promote a better understanding and From Garden Plots to Restaurants appreciation of cacti and succulents. The Society is also dedicated to the protection and A chalkboard in the Eastside Cafe in and vegetables grown for decoration, but preservation of these most unique Austin, Texas, lists the specials for the Damato, who also functions as the creations of nature. day, including a delectable salad restaurant's gardener, also uses it as a test garnished with tomatoes grown right on plot. "For example, I like lettuce, so I use By joining you will enjoy many the property. At Nora's in Washington, the garden to tryout different kinds," benefits, including: D.C., the produce is always organic and Damato says. When he finds one that he ./ A Subscription to the Cactus in the summer the herbs are grown in a particularly likes he passes the informa­ and Succulent Journal. A garden plot outside the restaurant. tion on to two local organic vegetable bi-monthly publication fea­ Is this a dream or are restaurants across gardens that supply the restaurant's turing a balanced presentation the country really growing their own summer produce. of scientific and cultural vegetables? Damato disagrees with Barger's articles. Advertisers in the Well, yes. And no. premise that a restaurant garden isn't cost Journal offer a wide variety of "About five years ago it looked like effective. "I don't spend more than plants, seeds, literature and restaurant gardens were becoming a $1,000 in time, seeds, topsoil, compost, supplies. trend," says Suzanne Ashworth, who has and manure, and I get a $4,000 to $6,000 ./ Membership Voting marketed vegetables to a restaurant in return," he says . Privileges Sacramento, California, and now finds He may be in the minority though. markets for heirloom vegetables. "But According to Wendy Webster, a spokes­ ./ CSSA Newsletters restaurant gardens are hard to maintain person for the National Restaurant ./ Opportunity to obtain rare on a permanent basis," she says. "You Association, gardens may not pull their seeds at a nominal cost either have a surplus or not enough." weight for economic and other practical Annual Dues: Dorsey Barger, who, with Elaine reasons. "A restaurant only makes about Martin, owns the Eastside Cafe, agrees 5 cents on every dollar before tax," she $30--U.S.A., Canada & Mexico with Ashworth. "Our garden is a labor of says. With such a low profit margin it's $35--0ther Countries love. It's just not economically efficient." hard to justify the expense of hiring (surface mail) The garden, which Barger refers to as "the garden help. "And most of the country $55--0ther Countries (airmail) garden from hell," was the brainchild of doesn't have a year-round garden season." J ouma! subscriptions commence with Carla Bloomberg, who opened another Cooperative agreements with farmers or the first issue of each year. restaurant, Carla's, on the site in 1982. gardeners are another alternative, but To begin your membership, That restaurant closed in 1987; Barger according to Ashworth, "It's hard for one send your name, address, and a and Martin opened the Eastside Cafe in contract gardener to grow all the lettuces check or money order in U.S. the same building in 1988. that a restaurant needs." Restaurants may dollars drawn on a U.S. bank to: The garden occupies one-third of the do better limiting contract gardens or one-acre site and is filled with "all kinds those on the premises to herbs or special CSSA, Inc. of greens and vegetables," which are high­ garnishes. Edible flowers, colored peppers, P.O. Box 35034 lighted in the restaurant's daily specials. chive blossoms, and snap pea shoots can Des Moines, IA 50315-0301 Barger and Martin employ a full-time be fulfilled by a small garden and are real­ gardener, Betty Perez, who also looks ly appreciated by a restaurant, she says. U.S.A. after the grounds. Ashworth feels that these contract gar­ But if the garden is so much work and dens have made farmer's markets more not cost effective, why bother? "It attracts popular with chefs. These markets may Affiliated Clubs customers," Barger admits. She uses the be the wave of the future for restaurant garden in advertising campaigns and produce. Webster and Damato both There are more than eighty customers are welcome to wander agree. "Farmer's markets are great affiliated organizations located around. "A lot of other organic gardeners sources," Damato says. "It's a place for throughout the United States, come to the restaurant because of the farmers to meet people and share their Canada and other countries. For garden. They trade bug stories with Betty enthusiasm for vegetables." more information on organizing and compare gardens. It is a neat thing," Chefs always want to try something an affiliate club, or on the Barger says. "It's very peaceful." new, Ashworth says, and the farmer's location of a club near you, write Nora's in Washington, D.C., has "the market offers a way to discover interest­ to: only outside herb garden," in the area, ing produce. And when chefs cook with Affiliate Committee heirloom vegetables, unusual herbs, or c/o Mary Jo Gussett says Steven Damato, who, with his 11807 Dover brother Thomas and chef Nora Pouillon, edible flowers, it may well inspire restaurant-goers to try some new plants Houston, TX 77031 owns the downtown restaurant. The 90 x 20 foot garden is used mainly for herbs in their own garden plots.

8 + American Horticulturist • May 1992 Growing Ferns Froln Spores

By Tim Morehouse layer of sterile African violet rote Henry David soil and under Thoreau, "Nature has it a one-half­ made a fern for pure inch layer of leaves." Many of these coarse sand Wflowerless plants make excellent garden that has been perennials and seeing their fiddleheads sterilized with uncurling in the spring makes wild-collect­ a rinse of boil­ ing a temptation. However, that's not an ing water. ethical alternative to buying them from a Use a pair of catalog or nursery. Just as you can save tweezers to money growing plants from seed, it's very gently more economical- and easier than you remove clumps might think-to grow ferns from spores. about the size Because spores cannot be seen by the of your little naked eye, it was once believed that they fingernail. possessed magical powers. William Place the Shakespeare wrote in Henry IV, Part 1: clumps in tiny "We have the receipt of fern-seed, we rows. A shoe­ walk invisible. " In 1851, German box should botanist Wilhelm Hofmeiser unraveled hold about 50 the fern life cycle. Unlike the seed of Prothalli are removed from a tumbler "greenhouse" and planted in rows. of these flowering plants, he discovered, a fern clumps. spore does not grow directly into a plant down on a clean, smooth sheet of paper Lightly mist the prothalli, preferably of the form we know as a fern. Instead, it and place a light weight on it. The spores with distilled water, every few days. Keep germinates first into a filament of cells will begin to drop onto the paper the shoebox covered. In a month or less, that becomes a small, fiat, heart-shaped immediately, and within a day or so most baby ferns will begin to appear, perhaps structure called the prothallus. This is a of the ripe sporangia will have opened 10 to a clump. stage in which the plant, like the spore and released their spores. When these are about two inches tall from which it grew, has half the number To sow your spores you will need some and there is no longer danger of frost (or of chromosomes of the mature fern. nine-ounce, clear plastic cocktail tumblers, if planting in summer, at least two Prothalli eventually go on to produce a package of resealable plastic bags, and months before the first frost is expected) male and female sex organs, and these peat capsules of the type used to start you can carefully separate the ferns and produce eggs and sperm. A fertilized egg, seeds. Boil a kettle of water while you plant them in a suitably shady part of called a zygote, finally develops the root remove the thin plastic covering the peat your garden. Should weather conditions and leaf we recognize as a fern. capsule and drop one capsule into each prevent you from planting them outdoors While you may decide to grow tropical tumbler. Fill the tumbler full of boiling immediately, you can place them in two­ species for indoor greenery, if you plan on water and stir until the peat is dissolved. inch pots containing the identical soil having them in your garden you will want Place a sandwich bag under each mixture and set the pots on a tray of to learn first which species are hardy in tumbler, then punch three holes in the moist gravel. Keep the pots out of drafts. your area. The Home Gardener's Book of bottom of the tumbler to allow the excess I grow hardy ferns because I like to see Ferns by John Mickel gives complete water to drain out into the bag. Once the my garden increase every year. I prefer the instructions for fern culture and descrip­ peat is cool enough to be comfortably many forms of the lady fern, Athyrium tions of the kinds available. touched, you can sow the spores. Because filix-femina" and the male fern, Dryop­ Fern spores are found within the small they are so tiny, you must keep the paper teris filix-mas. Many lacy and crested cases called sporangia on the undersides as close as possible to the surface of the varieties of these have been introduced of fronds in many species. Sporangia are peat and spread the spores lightly. from Great Britain. frequently clustered together in groups Next, seal each plastic bag tightly Other ferns for shady borders or rock called sori. The time to go spore hunting round its tumbler and hang it where it gardens include the maidenhair, marginal is in late summer or early fall. Spores will get full light, but not direct sunlight, shield, and Christmas ferns. Most do best in begin to ripen then and stay viable until such as in a north window or under a partially shaded, sheltered spots, although a frost. Only if you know a species to be fluorescent light. A comfortable room few, such as the hay-scented and New York common should you collect even parts of temperature will suffice. Label each bag ferns, will tolerate full sun. In wet areas the ferns from the wild. A fellow gardener with species, planting date, and source. royal, cinnamon, ostrich, and chain ferns who grows ferns should be happy to In about three weeks, more or less, flourish. There are also miniatures and share a frond or two, or you can buy depending on the species and the fresh­ species that like alkaline soil. spores from the American Fern Society ness of the spores, a green haze will form. for 25 cents per packet with a self­ The haze is in reality a carpet of flat, Tim Morehouse lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. addressed, stamped envelope. heart-shaped leaves-the prothalli. His first book, on garden design, will be pub­ To harvest spores, pick a frond or piece When these tiny plants are about an lished by Stackpole Books in spring 1993. of frond with ripe sari. Ripe sori are inch tall-they will resemble a miniature To order American Fern Society spores usually dark brown or black (in some clover patch-they are ready to be trans­ or obtain m embership information, write ferns they are golden) and the sporangia ferred to soil. Suitable housing for these to Mrs. Garrett Horder, 16813 Lemolo are round and full. Place the frond face plants is a clear plastic shoebox with a Sh ore Drive N .E., Poulsbo, WA 98370.

American Horticulturist · May 1992 + 9 C;ardeners'~8{J\

write to: National Institute for Urban can dip the cut end in rooting hormone Q: What types of trees and shrubs will Wildlife, 10921 Trotting Ridge Way, powder, which hastens and increases root work best to attract birds, especially Columbia, MD 21044 or Wildlife growth on cuttings. bluebirds, to my back yard? Management Institute, 709 Wire Prepare a rooting medium of perlite, D. w., Middleburg, Virginia Building, 1000 Vermont Avenue N.W., vermiculite, or clean horticultural sand, Washington, DC 20005. or a mixture. You can also mix peat and A: Birds are attracted to plants that perlite. Put three to four inches of the provide cover and food. Trees, shrubs, and Q: Besides English ivy, can you medium in a sterilized flower pot or other dense vines provide nesting space, refuge suggest some perennial vines that would shallow container. Insert the cuttings from predators, and aplace to breed, dry grow on a fence in a shady walkway about one and a half inches deep and off, and stay warm or cool. A meadow left between my home and my neighbor's lightly firm down the medium. Space unmowed for ground-nesting birds gives driveway? The area gets four to six hours cuttings in the medium so there is good them a good place to hunt insects. of sunlight a day in the summer. air circulation around them and do not To provide adequate cover, plant A. j., Gates Mills, Ohio cover them: geranium cuttings are very shrubs more densely than usual, in vulnerable to fungal diseases. Place the clumps behind flower beds or as thick A: Here are several fast-growing, container in a warm bright area, but not hedges near an open meadow. Fill in shade-tolerant vines with beautiful flowers in direct sun. Keep the medium moist but between trees with shade-tolerant ground and/or foliage. Trumpet vine (USDA not excessively wet. Cuttings should root covers and shrubs to create a continuous Zones 4-9) is a vigorous grower producing in three to four weeks. When the cuttings' corridor of vegetation. dark orange flowers from summer into new roots are about a quarter-inch long, Birds and other wildlife prefer naturally fall. This hardy, woody, screening vine is a pot them up in individual containers. shaped and even leggy plants to heavily favorite of hummingbirds. Until it's time to harden them off to move pruned trees or shrubs. Overpruned Virginia creeper (Zone 4) is a drought­ outdoors, grow them in a sunny window shrubs have fewer buds, seeds, and berries tolerant, hardy, fast growing vine with or artificial light. Feed them lightly each for birds to eat. Pruning causes shrubs to lovely reddish green foliage that turns a month and pinch back any spindly growth. become bushier, making it harder for birds brilliant scarlet in the fall. In late summer to get in and out of them. And don't use it produces dark blue berries that attract Q: What can I do to protect the pesticides on plantings meant to attract birds. dogwoods in my landscape against birds. Not only can they kill birds, but Dutchman's-pipe (Aristolochia durior, anthracnose? What should I do if my they eliminate insects birds rely on for Zones 4-8) is a deciduous vine and will trees are already infected? food. cover your fence in one growing season if J. c., Richmond, Virginia Choose plants that produce fruit or planted in early spring after the last frost. seed at different times of the year. Focus The foliage is distinctly kidney shaped A: Dogwood anthracnose kills new on fruit if you want bluebirds, which feed and up to a foot long. This vine produces shoots and causes leaf spots and stem primarily on berries and insects. They are abundant brownish yellow flowers in late cankers. If left unchecked, it will eventual­ not attracted to conventional bird seed spring to early summer. ly kill the tree. It has been devasting to mixtures. If you have a dead tree, The Tara vine (Zone 5), another native dogwoods (Cornus florida) in consider keeping it: bluebirds nest in deciduous vine, has five-inch-long Eastern forests. Factors such as extensive cavities in dead trees and fence posts. lustrous leaves. It is dense, adaptable, and rainy weather, insect infestation, drought, The following trees and shrubs are extremely fast growing. The flowers are stagnant air, and advanced tree age are attractive as cover and food sources for insignificant, but it produces small round positively correlated to increased in­ many birds, especially bluebirds: greenish yellow fruits. cidence of dogwood anthracnose. Studies Trees: Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), show landscape plantings have been less hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), flowering Q: Can you give me some pointers on affected than forest stands since they are dogwood (Cornus florida), hawthorn, propagating some of the geraniums usually spaced farther apart in sunnier juniper Uuniperus virginiana), magnolia, (pelargonium) I grow each summer? open areas with good air circulation. crabapple, mulberry, cherry and plum K. H., Bangor, Maine The disease first appears as circular leaf (Prunus spp.), sassafras, and mountain ash. spots with yellowish centers and purple Shrubs: American cranberry A: Take cuttings from July until the last borders. The center of the spots will (Vaccinium macrocarpon), black haw frost. Water plants well several hours eventually drop away leaving only the (Viburnum prunifolium), elderberry before taking a cutting to ensure cell purple border. (Sambucus canadensis), fire thorn turgidity in the cutting and to decrease If trees have the disease, you can (Pyracantha coccinea), Tatarian wilting. Using a clean sharp knife or razor alternate sprays of Benlate and Daconil honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), service­ blade that has soaked in a bleach solution from bud swell until flowering period. berry (Amelanchier laevis), American (one part bleach to nine parts water) for a However, by providing a healthy environ­ holly, Sargent crabapple (Malus sargentii), few minutes, take several three-to-four­ ment for the tree, you should be able to currant, gooseberry, blueberry, huckle­ inch long tip cuttings from the plants. Dip avoid dogwood anthracnose altogether. berry, rose (Rosa rugosa), and bayberry. the cutting instrument in the bleach solu­ The U.S. Department of Agriculture'S Vines: Grape (Vitus spp.), Hall's tion between cuts, especially if taking cut­ Forestry Report on "Growing and Japanese honeysuckle, trumpet vine, and tings from more than one plant. Remove Maintaining Healthy Dogwoods" advises: Virginia creeper. the bottom two to three leaves, being • Select healthy trees. Don't plant trees To get more detailed information on careful not to crush any part of the stem. with damaged trunks, broken or dead creating wildlife habitats for your yard Before placing it in a rooting medium, you branches, or leaf spots.

10 + American Horticulturist· May 1992 • Never dig up trees from the wild to inches apart in well-drained and aerated However, it was recently found that transplant in your yard. soil and keep them well watered. The Nourse Farms, Inc., the commercial • Select sites with good drainage in following spring, plant the seedlings in producer of the seeds, had sold large open, sunny areas. their permanent site, five to six inches quantities that were contaminated with • Make planting holes at least 18 deep, 15 inches apart, in rows three to female seeds. Rutgers sued Nourse Farms inches deep and three feet in diameter. four feet apart. Transplanted seedlings and 'Jersey Giant' seed is being • Prune and destroy dead wood and will greatly benefit if mulched and given "rehabilitated. " leaves yearly. Do not use dogwood leaves adequate moisture using a subsurface or One cultivar that has certifiably for mulch. Prune trunk sprouts in the fall. trickle irrigation system. avoided contamination is 'Jersey Knight'. • During drought, water weekly in the There are some new improved Its production license was issued later morning. Water only at soil level; never asparagus cultivars available from seed. than the others, allowing growers to wet the foliage. They are rust-resistant, all-male varieties correct contamination problems before • Maintain a four-to-six-inch deep that do not produce seed. Thus there are release. 'Jersey Knight' seeds and crowns mulch around the trees; do not use no volunteer seedlings and more energy are available from Jersey Asparagus dogwood chips as a mulch. goes into making bigger plants. Farms, Inc., R.D. 5, Box 572, Newfield, • Determine your soil pH and nutrient 'Jersey Giant' is probably the best NJ 08344, (609) 358-2548. content and fertilize accordingly. known of this Jersey hybrid line, -Maureen Heffernan • Avoid mechanical damage. developed at Rutgers University. Education Coordinator Lawnmowers and string trimmers can cause wounds in the tree trunk that promote diseases and insect problems. If your tree has been severely weakened by the disease, you may want to replace it with Asian dogwood (c. kousa), which seems more resistant to dogwood anthracnose than native trees. The horticulture department at Cook College of Rutgers University has recently intro­ duced several pest- and disease-resistant dogwoods hardy to Zone 6. The result of crosses between C. {lorida and C. kousa, they are under the trademark names of "Stardust," "Galaxy," and" Aurora."

Q: I have always planted asparagus crowns about 12 inches deep, as recommended, but still don't have much of a crop. But my neighbor is able to grow it from seed. How is that done? T. K., South Bend, Indiana Lilypons Water Gardens A: First, you might want to try planting your crowns about half as deep. !BE-gin !JOU'L wau'L gaufw todo.1J with a .jjl!Jpon~ catalogUE: According to Diane Relf of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, asparagus yields can fE-atU'Littg pagE- afU'L pagE- of Gwutiful wau'L lili£~, lotu~, Gog dramatically increase if crowns are set at plant~, fiili, ~tatua~, and thE- E-~~ntial~ fO'L kE-E-ping it all wo~ing a depth of only five to six inches instead togE-thE-'L. of the usually recommended 12-inch trench. Crowns set in a shallower trench flo pool? Choo~ a fiGE-'Lglru~ O'L qxV{! pool fwm thE- maJUj ~izH produce smaller but more numerous spears that mature earlier in the spring. iliown in thE- .Jjf:Jpom catalogUE:. Because these earlier spears are vulnerable to frost damage, Relf suggests a combina­ tion of planting depths, which should give o Please send the new Lilypons catalogue plus informative you earlier, smaller spears, and larger newsletters with seasonal sales. Enclosed is 85.00. spears later in the season. But stick to the California (301/), Maryland (251/) and Texas (3SI/) residents please add tax. shallower trenches if your planting area o Please rush my catalogue by fIrst class mail. Enclosed is 86.75. has poorly drained soil due to heavy clay soils or hardpan. Several recent studies o 1500 Dept. o 1500 Dept. o 1500 Dept. also suggest that yields may improve if P.O. Box 10 P.O. Box 188 P.O. Box 1130 shallow-planted asparagus is lightly Buckeystown, MD 21717 Brookshire, TX 77423-0188 Thermal, CA 92274 harvested the first season after planting (301) 874-5133 (713) 934-8525 instead of waiting the usual three seasons. Houston local (713) 391-0076 Asparagus seed is most commonly sown in early spring in outdoor nursery beds for one season and then transplanted l\:ame Address the following spring to a permanent growing area. Soak seeds in water for 24 City State Zip hours before sowing to soften the tough seed coat. Plant the seeds one or two ------~

American Horticulturist • May 1992 .. 11 Regional Notes Non-Natives Bill Triggers Concern

Could the current love affair with native necessary to widen the gene pool, reduce Minnesota. The U.S. Office of Technology plants be taken to extremes? Legislation dependence on pesticides, or withstand Assessment (OTA) is conducting a two-year introduced in Minnesota last year seemed the environmental stresses of urban areas, study on risks presented by non-native to indicate that the answer is "yes." he went on. As an example, he pointed to plants and animals. Craig Regelbrugge, The state has had more than its share the work of the affiliated Center for director of regulatory affairs and grower of troubles in recent years with invasive Development of Hardy Landscape Plants. services for the American Nurserymen's non-natives, notably the purple loosestrife, Headed by Harold Pellett-who is Association, said that in an OTA-sponsored the Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum serving on the advisory task force that workshop on the topic, "extremists in the spicatum), and among fauna, the zebra worked to reshape the exotic species bill­ group expressed the need for a total ban on mussel. Observing the economic and the center's goal is to develop plants to the introduction, sale, and use of non-native environmental havoc that these species withstand ha rsh conditions of urban en­ species unless they are reviewed and proven were wreaking on the waterways, the vironments and extreme weather. In many not to be invasive." state's Department of Natural Resources cases this will be done, O lin observed, by Since that meeting several months ago, proposed a law that would have tagged crossing hardy natives with non-natives he has read some of the papers written by as suspect any plants not growing in the that have other desirable characteristics. scientists studying the regulations and is state prior to 1800. Plants defined as "We have to control plants that are hopeful that the final report will be non-natives would have included really pests," he emphasized. But he notes balanced. "unnaturall y occurring hybrids, cultivars, that human activities, rather than exotics In the meantime, a proposal surfaced in and non-Minnesotan genotypes." An run amok, are to blame for most native King County, Washington, that would interagency panel would have had to plant loss. Ecosystems are also altered have required 75 percent of the plantings produce scientific proof that any such over time by natural events, such as in all new developments to be natives. plants-which would include nearly all evolution, geological catastrophes, and "There are going to be more of these farm crops, new rose cultivars from the transporting of seeds by birds and issues coming up at the state and local Pennsylvania, new verbena hybrids from mammals. "Our environment isn't the level," said Reggelbrugge. "We hope that illinois, or stray North Dakota natives­ same as it was in 1800, and our native arboreta and botanical gardens, and were not invasive. plants have changed along with it." gardening enthusiasts, will become Not surprisingly, representatives of the This debate will not be limited to concerned and vigilant." nursery industry were aghast. The bill was revamped to deal only with aquatic species, and a task force of experts from Collecting Plants for the South the scientific and academic communities and the nursery and landscape industries To save the Chickasaw plum, huckleberry, (Crataegus opaca) is one of his favorites. was formed to develop a more acceptable Louisiana crabapple, and mayhaw, This early ripening hawthorn has law relating to terrestrial species. Charles E. Johnson is trying to keep one attractive foliage, showy white blossoms, This year's legislative session ended step ahead of the loggers. He and his col­ and clusters of yellow, reddish yellow, or with the exotic species bill tabled. One leagues at the Louisiana State University cherry red fruits that are used in section remained objectionable to the (LSU) Agricultural Center at Calhoun marmalades, jellies, condiments, desserts, state's nursery industry, said Gary Kuper, have established an arboretum to grow and wines. They also have found a chairman of the Minnesota Nursery and native woody plants, many of which, he promising native grape (Vitis lincecumii) Landscape Association's Government says, are "decreasing quite rapidly in the that grows in deep sandy areas. Affairs Committee. Under that provision, wild." They are particularly concerned Although the arboretum was established local units of government might be with native fruit plants whose popula­ to collect and preserve native edibles, it granted authority to regulate tions in Louisiana are decreasing due to has evolved to include other woody propagation, distribution, or sale of land clearing, logging, and other timber natives with landscape and aesthetic plants deemed ecologically harmful. cutting. So far some 70 genera comprising value. These include a sand holly (!lex "The result could be chaotic. It would 200 species have been collected. Future amhigua) that Johnson says "grows in compound the confusion we already have plans call for expansion to as many as some of the most forsaken places I've ever between state jurisdictions," said Kuper, 150 genera and 500 species. seen, in really poor soil." This deciduous whose Park Nursery, Inc. in Stillwater is "Preservation is one thing," says holly with translucent red fruits thrives in separated from Wisconsin only by the St. Johnson, "but if we can utilize the plants, deep sandy areas and could have great Croix River. it increases their chances of being potential as a xeriscape plant. The Although it has now been moderated, preserved." To that end, LSU researchers arboretum is evaluating other !lex taxa. the proposal of such an extreme measure have begun propagation research on The best way to locate promising raised concern among horticulturists as several species and they hope eventually native fruits or particularly attractive well as members of the nursery industry. to convince the nursery trade of their ornamentals, says Johnson, is to ask the Peter Olin, director of the Minnesota desirability. Johnson is bullish on the old-timers in the community. "They know Landscape Arboretum, said his institution native fruits, which he thinks could have where a tree of any value is and can strongly supports wider use of native significant landscape and commercial describe it for you. We couldn't get a plants. But new introductions are potential in the future. The mayhaw good collection without people like that."

12. American Horticulturist • May 1992 _ AHS_ BOOK

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100 Great Garden Plants, Frederick .. . .. TIM 026 27.95 23.75 African Violets and Flowering Houseplants SC ORT 001 8.95 7.75 AHS Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, Brickell GAR 006 49.95 42.45 AHS Flower Finder, Heriteau and Viette SIM101 40.00 32.50 Alba: The Book of White Flowers, Bown TIM 015 32.95 28.00 American Woman's Garden, Verey LIT 001 40.00 34.00 Antique Flowers, Whiteside ...... RAN 009 29.95 25.45 Arranging Cut Flowers ...... SC ORT 018 8.95 7.75 Water in the Garden Baby-Safe House Plants and Cut Flowers, Alber SC GAR 004 12.95 11.00 GAR039 Backyard Design, Breskend . . LIT 006 29.95 25.50 The Book of Potpourri, Black GAR 046 22.95 19.50 Botany for Gardeners, Capon TIM 010 29.95 25.45 Bulbs (2 Vo lumes), Bryan . . . TIM 016 120.00 102.00 Bunerfly Gardening, Xerces Society/Smithsonian Institution . SC GAR 007 19.00 16.95 Carnivorous Plants of the World, Pietropaolo TIM 027 29.95 25.45 The City Gardener's Handbook, Yang RAN 001 26.95 22.95 Color in Your Garden, Hobhouse .. . .. LIT 005 40.00 34.00 Color With Annuals ...... SC ORT 019 8.95 7.75 Complete Aromatherapy Handbook, Rizzi . SC GAR 048 14.95 12.70 , •. "' ...... ~_ ...,." . ··...... t , .. The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping, Creasy SC RAN 002 22.00 18 .75 Complete Indoor Gardener, Brown . . . SC RAN 010 19.95 16.95 The Complete Shade Gardener, Schenk . SC HOU 002 14.95 12.75 Controlling Lawn and Garden Insects SC ORT021 8.95 7.75

Controlling Vegetable Pests SC ORT 022 8. 95 7.75 I ... ~" .... ,,,.. _, ___ ,." ...... -Jo..., " 1_'" t< / .. Controlling Weeds ...... SC ORT 023 8.95 7.75 Country Wines, Varjas/Gulling SC GAR 043 12.95 11.00 Gardening by Mail Creating Japanese Gardens . . SC ORT024 8.95 7.75 H OUOO I Book Retail AHS Title Code Price Price

The Crocus, Mathew ...... TIM 028 50.00 42.50 Decorating Baskets, Cusick ..... SC GAR 045 14.95 12.70 Dictionary of Plant Names, Coombes TIM 005 9.95 8.45 The Easiest Flowers to Grow SC ORT 038 8.95 7.75 Easy Maintenance Gardening . . . . SC ORT 025 Ti mber Press 8.95 7.75 Encyclopedia of Ferns, Jones . .... TIM 019 55.95 47.55 DICTIONARY OF Everlasting Flower Gifts, Pulleyn and Mautor SC GAR 044 14.95 12.70 PLANT NAMES Five-Minute Flower Arranger, Newdick . . RAN 004 16 .95 14.40 Flower Arranger's Garden, Verey . .... LIT 002 29 .95 25.50 The pronunciation, derivation and meaning of botanical Flower Drying With a Microwave, Joosten SC GAR 038 8.95 7.50 names, and their common- name Flower Garden Plans ...... SC ORT026 8.95 7.75 equivalents Fruits and Berries for the Horne Garden, Hill SC GAR 034 16 .95 14.50 Garden Design With Foliage, Glattstein . . SC GAR 037 17.95 15.25 The Garden in Winter, Verey...... LIT 003 40.00 34.00 Garden Plants for Connoisseurs, Lancaster TIM 020 24.95 21.25 Garden Pools and Fountains SC ORT 027 8.95 7.75 The Garden That Cares for Itself SC ORT 039 8.95 7.75 Gardening by Mail, Barton SC HOU 001 15.95 13.50 Gardening in Containers SC ORT 028 8.95 7.75 Allen]. Coombes Gardening in Dry Climates SC ORT029 8.95 7.75 Gardening Techniques . . . SC ORT 030 8.95 7.75 Dictionary of Plant Names Gardening With Peter Rabbit, Walters SC GAR 005 8.95 7.60 TIM005 A Gentle Plea for Chaos, Osler. . . . SIM 001 22.95 19.50 Getting Started With Rhododendrons and Azaleas, Clarke SC TIM 025 14.95 12.70 Gifts From the Herb Garden, To lley and Mead GAR 049 18.00 15.30 The Green Tapestry, Chdtto SIM 002 22.95 19.50 Green Thoughts, Perenyi ...... SC RAN 007 12.00 10.25 Greenhouse Plants ...... SC ORT 031 8.95 7.75 Growing Roses for Small Gardens, Gibson TIM 022 27.50 23.35 Hardy Herbaceous Perennials (2 Volumes), Jelitto TIM 021 125.00 105.95 Hardy Roses, Osbourne . . . . GAR 036 24.95 21.25 The Healing Herbs, Castleman GAR 047 27.95 23.75 The Hedge Book, Whitehead SC GAR 003 12.95 11.00 The Heirloom Garden, Gardner SC GAR 033 16.95 14.50 Herbaceous Perennial Plants, Armitage TIM 007 37.95 32.25 Herbs, Tolley ...... RAN 005 35.00 29.75 The Hosta Book, Aden ...... TIM 006 29.95 25.45 How to Select, Use and Maintain Garden Equipment SC ORT 032 8.95 7.75 In Search of Lost Roses SIM 004 18.45 15.65 Iris, Kohlein ...... TIM 002 37.95 32.25 The Perennial Gardener Japanese Maples, Vertrees TIM 011 40.00 34.00 HOU901 Landscape Plans . . . . . SC ORT 033 8.95 7.75 Landscaping With Wildflowers and Native Plants SC ORT 034 8.95 7.75 Let's Grow, Tilgner...... SC GAR 042 10.95 9.30 Lilacs: The Genus Syringa, Fiala ...... TIM 014 55 .95 47.55 Manual of Cultivated Broad Leaved Trees and Shrubs (3 Vol umes), Krussmann ...... TIM 009 195.00 165.75 Manual of Cultivated Conifers, Krussmann .. . TIMOn 65 .00 55.25 Manual of Cultivated Trees and Shrubs, Rehder . TIM 008 59.95 50.95 Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Dirr . STI 001 43 .80 37.20 Miniature Roses, McCann . . . . . SIM 005 19.95 16.95 Modern Miniature Daffodils, We lls . . . . TIM 003 34.95 29.70 The Mulch Book, Campbell ...... SC GAR101 8.95 7.60 The National Arboretum Book of Outstanding Garden Plants, Heriteau ...... SIM 003 39.95 33.95 Native Shrubs and Woody Vines of the Southeast, Foote and Jones TIM 023 32.95 28.00 The Natural Garden, Druse ..... RAN 003 35.00 29.75 The New Victory Garden, Thompson LIT 004 29 .95 25.45 25 .45 The City Gardener's Handbook Once Upon a Windowsill, Martin TIM 004 29.95 RANOOI Ortho's Plant Selector ...... SC ORT 035 8.95 7.75 Book Retail AHS Title Code Price Price

The Perennial Gardener, McGourty HOU901 16.95 14.40 Perennials for American Gardens, Clausen RAN 008 39.95 33.95 Personal Landscapes, Malitz ...... TIM 018 39.95 33.95 Photographic Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Dirr . SC STI002 18.40 15.50 Plants That Merit Attention: Volume I Trees, Poor. . . TIM 013 44.95 38.20 Rock Gardening, Foster ...... SC TIM 001 22.95 19.50 Rodale's All New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, Bradley and Ellis . . . . GAR 002 29.95 25.45 Roses Love Garlic, Riotte . . . SC GAR 041 9.95 8.45 Saving Seeds, Rogers ..... SC GAR 040 9.95 8.45 The Scented Room, Ohrbach . RAN 006 18.00 15.30 Shade Gardening ...... SC aRT 036 8.95 7.75 Shrubs and Hedges ...... SC ORT 037 8.95 7.75 A Small Garden Designers Handbook, Strong LIT 008 22.00 18.75 Stone Scaping, Whitner ...... SC GAR 032 17.95 15.25 The Gardens of Roberto Burle Marx, Eliovson TIM 017 45.00 38.25 Theme Gardens, Damrosch...... SC GAR 001 16.95 14.40 Town Gardens, Boisset ...... LIT 007 40.00 34.00 Trees and Shrubs for Temperate Climates, Courtright TIM 024 45.00 38.25 Trellising, Hart ...... SC GAR 035 10.95 9.25 Water in the Garden, Allison ...... GAR 039 29.95 25.45 The Wildflower Meadow Book, Martin STO 001 18.95 16.00 Alba:The Book of White Flowers The World of Cactus and Succulents SC ORT 040 8.95 7.75 TIM015

Taylor'S Guides to Gardening Annuals . . . SC GAR 009 16.95 14.50 Bulbs ...... SC GAR 013 16.95 14.50 THE HOSTABOOK Garden Design . . . . SC GAR 018 16.95 14.50 Gardening Techniques SC GAR 011 16.95 14.50 Ground Covers, Vines, and Grasses SC GAR 014 16.95 14.50 Houseplants SC GAR 016 16.95 14.50 Perennials SC GAR 010 16.95 14.50 Roses SC GAR 012 16.95 14.50 Shrubs . . SC GAR 017 16.95 14.50 Trees .. . SC GAR 019 . 16.95 14.50 Vegetables and Herbs SC GAR 015 16.95 14.50 Water Saving Gardening SC GAR 008 16.95 14.50

Taylor's Pocket Guides to Gardening Annuals . .... SC GAR 026 4.95 4.20 The Hosta Book Bulbs for Spring SC GAS 028 4.95 4.20 TIM006 Bulbs for Summer SC GAR 029 4.95 4.20 Flowering Shrubs SC GAR 025 4.95 4.20 Ground Covers for Shade SC GAR 030 4.95 4.20 Ground Covers for Sun SC GAR 031 4.95 4.20 Herbs and Edible Flowers SC GAR 021 4.95 4.20 Modern Roses . . . . SC GAR 024 4.95 4.20 Old Fashioned Roses SC GAR 027 4.95 4.20 Perennials for Sun SC GAR 023 4.95 4.20 Perennials for Shade SC GAR 022 4.95 4.20 Vegetables ..... SC GAR 020 4.95 4.20

Reader's Digest Series Garden for All Seasons RAN 011 30.00 25.50 Guide to Creative Gardening .. ... RAN 012 28.95 24.60 Home Handbook of Flower Arranging SC RAN 013 16.00 13 .50 Home Handbook of Herbs SC RAN 014 16.00 13.50 Home Handbook of Houseplants SC RAN 015 14.95 12.75 Illustrated Guide to Gardening RAN 016 27.95 23.75 Plants That Merit Attention Magic and Medicine of Plants . . RAN 017 27.95 23.75 TIM013 Book Retail AHS Title Code Price Price

Practical Guide to Home Landscaping RAN 018 26 .00 22.00 Success With Houseplants . . . RAN 019 26.00 22.00

Random House Gardening Series Book of Bulbs, Phillips SC RAN 020 24.95 21.20 Book of Herbs, Phillips SC RAN 021 22.95 19.50 Book of Roses, Phillips SC RAN 022 24.00 20.50 Book of Shrubs, Phillips SC RAN 023 22.95 19.50

Ortho's All About Gardening Series All About Azaleas, Camellias and Rhododenrons SC ORT002 8.95 7.75 All About Bulbs ...... SC ORT003 8.95 7.75 All About Citrus and Subtropical Fruits SC ORT004 8.95 7.75 All About Evergreens ...... SC ORT 005 8.95 7.75 All About Ground Covers ...... SC ORT 006 8.95 7.75 All About Growing Fruits, Berries and Nuts SC ORT 007 8.95 7.75 All About Growing Orchids SC ORT 008 8.95 7.75 All About Herbs SC ORT 009 8.95 7.75 All About Houseplants SC ORT 010 8.95 7.75 All About Landscaping SC ORT 011 8.95 7.75 All About Lawns SC ORT 012 8.95 7.75 All About Perennials SC ORT 013 8.95 7.75 All About Pruning SC ORT 014 8.95 7.75 Ortho Books: All About Roses All About Roses . . . SC ORT 015 8.95 7.75 ORTOIS All About Trees . . . SC ORT 016 8.95 7.75 All About Vegetables SC ORT 017 8.95 7.75

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Enclosed is my check for $ ____ _ Postage & Handling Charge to: 0 Visa 0 MasterCard Exp. Date: $ 1.00 - $ 20.00 add $2.75 Account #: $ 20.01 - $ 40.00 add $3.75 Signature: $ 40.01 - $ 60.00 add $4.75 $ 60.01 - $ 80.00 add $5 .75 Ship to: $ 80.01 - $100.00 add $6.75 City: $100.01 + add $8.00 per $100.00 State/Zip: Please allow four to six weeks for delivery. Prices are subject to change without notice. Ortho Books: All About Herbs Mail to: American Horticultural Society, Horticultural Book ORT009 Service, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300. Offer Expires September 30, 1992 Saving the 'Stinking Cedar'

The Atlanta Botanical Garden has joined taxifolia-called simply torreya by its some 30 years old still lie almost those racing against time and a champions-20 years ago in his previous intact on forest floors alongside their mysterious pathogen to save a tree species position at Alfred B. Maclay State spindly and suckering offspring. Its use that shared the earth with dinosaurs and Gardens in Tallahassee, Florida, which at has been limited in part because it occurs now has dwindled to 134 known wild one point had more than 200 specimens in such a small area, primaIily in the specimens. under cultivation. Now the Atlanta Florida panhandle, four counties in The Florida torreya tree, Torreya garden, under an agreement with the St. Georgia, and in ravines along the taxifolia, is sometimes called "stinking Louis-based Center for Plant Conserva­ Appalachicola River Basin. cedar" because of the odor its foliage tion, will serve as a repository for 150 Bowden says the tree, a member of gives off when crushed. A mature, healthy specimens of the species, which were Taxaceae or the yew family, has never specimen has a conical shape and shaggy collected and cultivated at the Arnold been evaluated for its medicinal potential. branches arranged in tiers similar to those Arboretum. Its West Coast relative, Taxus brevifolia, of a pine. In the 1800s, some grew to 60 The Center for Plant Conservation is a contains the substance taxol, which feet tall; as recently as the 1930s, there private, nonprofit organization whose shows great promise in treating some were reports of trees with two-foot network of 19 botanical gardens and types of cancers, and recent studies show diameters. Today, however, most die arboreta are dedicated to conserving rare that relatives of T. brevifolia may also be before they grow to more than two or and endangered plants. Among other useful in cancer treatment. three feet. They put out suckers from groups involved in the effort to save the Researchers still have a lot to learn their roots, and their shape is distorted by torreya are the Nature Conservancy, the about why the trees are dying. The fatal an unidentified fungus . "They have a face Georgia Department of Natural fungus may be a stem canker or a needle only a mother could love," said Robert Resources, and the Florida Park Service. blight. Or the primary villain may be en­ Bowden, executive director of the Atlanta Commercially, torrey as have been used vironmental change. "To the extent that garden. "They never survive long enough as Christmas trees, and to a more limited any work has been done, it appears that to produce seed." extent, for fence posts. The tree's wood is these are common pathogens," said Greg Bowden became concerned about T. particularly long-lasting. Fallen giants Continued on page 14 Lament for Maryland's Orphaned Arboretum

Greenway Gardens and Arboretum, a or highly adaptive to local growing condi­ the open market, it seems more likely to privately owned but publicly accessible tions, excepting the thousands of tulips become someone's private Eden than garden sequestered in the undulant that, like Zeeger, hail from Holland. One remain accessible to the public, a fact that farmland of Carroll County, Maryland, is of the few privately owned arboreta in distresses the De Wildes but over which up for sale. The 27-acre hilltop site the country, Greenway was always open they now have little control. flaunts a profusion of evergreen to the public, and the DeWildes delighted "Creating in the splendor of nature" is shrubbery, trees, flower beds, gazebos, in sharing their enthusiasm for flora with the motto imprinted on the Greenway flagstone pathways, and three green­ others. While Greenway was most brochure, and though the flower beds houses, whose treasures include a bird-of­ frequently used for school field trips, haven't been maintained and the plant paradise (Strelitzia reginae), with its senior citizen outings, and garden dub markers have faded beyond legibility, single, vivid blossom of orange, red, and functions, stray plant lovers gained entry Greenway is splendid even in its violet, and a "desert" collection of cacti for $2. desuetude. The geese gliding back and and succulents so exotically out of place According to Dottie DeWilde, the forth on the pond and the junipers and that it looks extraterrestrial. Out on the isolation that afforded tranquility also cypresses watching over the turfy hill wait grounds are specimens of the willowy contributed to the garden's decline; too patiently for the new owner. weeping mulberry (Morus alba few visitors were making their way down 'Pendula'), a dwarf burning bush the dead-end country lane that leads to (Euonymus alata 'Compacta'), and a Greenway's entrance. The waning stand of birches whose bark runs the attendance forced the DeWildes to shut gamut from papery-scaly to smooth their gates in November 1990. Since then, luminous white. The old whitewashed Greenway has been an orphaned barn has been converted to reading and arboretum with an uncertain future. meeting rooms for visiting groups. And if In the past American Horticulturist has the pond where four pairs of Canada happily reported on private gardens geese have summered the past several rescued and preserved by individuals, years isn't lagniappe enough, there's governments, or organizations like the something called "the birdwalk," where Garden Conservancy (see August 1990). pedestrians can make avian observations But there aren't enough private or public from a trail adorned with split-rail funds to prevent every worthwhile garden fences and pergolas entwined with espal­ from being sold, parceled out, or converted iered wisteria, clematis, and grapevines. to other uses. The state of Maryland Owners Dottie and Zeeger De Wilde expressed an interest in Greenway at one bought the land and established Greenway point, but the state's current fiscal woes in 1976, operating the gardens as a have postponed the deal indefinitely. Con­ division of Ecological Enterprises, Inc., sidering that Greenway is only a 45-minute their landscaping and grounds keeping drive from Baltimore, this means a substan­ business. For the most part, they con­ tial recreational and ecological loss to the Lonely arboretum entry beckons centrated on plants that were either native local citizenry. Now that Greenway is on potential new owners.

American Horticulturist· May 1992 . 13 Cedar Continued from page 13

Brock, administrator for the Conserva­ tion and Recreation Lands Program of Melllbers' FOrulll the Florida Department of Natural Resources. "It doesn't seem to be any­ thing unique, like the chestnut blight." Ladybug Bias Theories about why the tree could have become more susceptible include drought In regard to the conflict over a national in­ and eli mination of the fungus-controlling sect, let's face it: The only way to resolve Veitch for Creech smoke from forest fires that once it is to abandon both the monarch butter­ occurred naturally throughout the region. fly (nominated by the Entomological Dr. John L. Creech, past president Bowden observed that the tree's decline Society of America) and the lightning bug of the American Horticultural began in the 1930s, when the (being touted by the Southern Farmer's Society who was profiled in our Appalachicola was dammed, and suggests Almanac) in favor of the pretty ladybug. December 1991 magazine, has that this might have fatally altered the Not only is she a hard worker and for a received the gold Veitch Memorial torreya's environment. good cause, but for centuries in many Medal for 1991 from the Council Brock said the largest surviving torreya, parts of the world has been considered a of the Royal Horticultural Society which has reached a diameter of two feet good luck charm. No other country could of Great Britain. The Veitch Medal and is producing abundant seeds, is in fault us for choosing this pretty, colorful is the highest award that the society North Carolina. "The Japanese species little creature. Besides, this choice would gives to a nonresident of Great grows in the mountains. It may be that please all the environmentalists and Britain. Considered one of the most because of glaciers or some other reason, organic gardeners, and surely, all the prestigious awards in the horticul­ this torreya is growing where it's not women's groups as well. And just think tural world, it recognizes those who really supposed to be." how she will look with the American flag! have advanced and improved the Bowden said that studies on cultivated Lane Furneaux science of horticulture. torreya have not always been valid Dallas, Texas Among Creech's many activities because scientists fail to keep careful are serving on the board of records of where they obtained seed. He Glowing Recommendation directors of the North Carolina Ar­ hopes that through better record keeping boretum and as a consultant to the and by growing out the trees they have, Rodale's Encyclopedia of Organic U.S. National Arboretum, and as the Atlanta garden will be able to Gardening says that the firefl y, actually a vice president of the International broaden the tree's gene pool before it is beetle, "feeds on snails and slugs, and his Dendrology Society. He is a too late. Somewhere among the survivors larvae eat small insects and cutworms member of the editorial advisory may be one tree that can withstand underground and in rotting wood." board of American Horticulturist whatever is laying waste the rest. "We Other books on insects contain similar magazine and in 1990 he received need enough trees to conduct scientific information, so perhaps it is more than the highest award of the American tests with controls," said Bowden. "In the nostalgia that encourages the Southern Horticultural Society, the Liberty meantime, we're using these 134 trees as Farmer's Almanac to lobby for this Hyde Bailey Medal. guinea pigs." .. valuable creature. While gardening back in Ohio I remem­ ber a slender white worm with a reddish head, about one inch long, appearing in Doty, on March 20,1990, the society the soil as I planted. After I was told it ceased to exist. There was an attempt to was the larvae of the lightning bug, I was carry on, but now, to the best of my always careful not to harm any. knowledge, there is no other organization I would be interested to know if any specifically filling this function. research is being done across the country To add to some of the information in on this fascinating fellow of fir e. I have the January "Gardeners' Q&A," I would not read of any pheromone lures to strongly recommended South African attract more to gardens. Aloes by Barbara Jeppe, a rather detailed Bettie Furuta publication on the care of a large number Escondido, California of the species. Many are quite hardy to 3 below zero centigrade. We weren't able to find any research or Regarding bromeliads, the Bromeliad any products relating to lightning bugs. Society is an excellent source of informa­ Pheromone lures usually include traps tion pertaining to the cultivation of this intended to kill harmful insects. But since genus. A couple of the species I have out­ th ey often attract more insects than they doors survived quite well at 11 below kill, it might make sense to invent one zero centigrade, and the tillandsias, under without the trap that is intended only to protection, withstood 5 below with very attract these de- "lightful" creatures. little damage. Mildred Pinnell, Atlanta Botanical I have found that several species of Garden horticulturist; Robert Bowden, House Plant Addenda agapanthus do quite well outdoors with executive director; and Ron Determann. essentially year-round watering. They Fuqua Conservatory superintendent, ' In the January News Edition, yo u listed withstood 3 below zero centigrade, but compare a larger torreya to rooted the Indoor Citrus and Rare Fruit Society were rather damaged at 11 below. cuttings being grown in the garden's among indoor plant societies. However, Leonard Corbett-Grant greenhouses. with the death of its founder, Walter L. Napa, California

14 ... America._ 40rticulturist • May 1992 Flora Mesoamericana

The first volume of Flora Mesoamericana, reversed-the stamens arise within several the first major regional flora ever written rings of pistils. Because of its uniqueness, in Spanish, will be published in late Martines classified it in its own family, summer of this year. Ten years in the Lacandoniaceae. making, the flora is a joint project of the The Missouri Botanical Garden has Missouri Botanical Garden, the National active plant collecting and floristic Autonomous University of Mexico, and programs in all parts of Central America, the Natural History Museum in London. a commitment that dates back to a flora It will describe all of the vascular plants of Panama initiated just before World growing from southern Mexico to the War II. According to Gerrit Davidse, Panama Canal, something that has never co-organizer of the project, a main been done before. impetus for the present flora is "the The region to be described in Flora tremendous amount of loss of habitat in Mesoamericana is extremely diverse, Central America." Because it is such a including rain forests, dry forests, alpine narrow land area with high elevations, areas, and grasslands. Researchers Central America has numerous life zones estimated that 18,000 plant species occur with different vegetation types. "But it's in the region. Since the project began in smail," says Davidse, "so it doesn't take 1981, two new plant families­ long to destroy it." w (f) Lacandoniaceae, with one species of a The flora will be published in seven o tiny parasitic herb, and Ticodendraceaea, volumes, one appearing every year or ~ a family of large forest trees-have been two, between 1992 and 2006. It will described, as have over a dozen new provide extensive information about the '" While on a research trip in southern genera and hundreds of new species. One plants of the region, including scientific Mexico for the Flora Mesoamericana, of the most notable discoveries so far has and common names, botanical Esteban Martines discovered been Lacandonia schismatica, a description, distribution, taxonomic Lacandonia schismatica-the only plant threadlike plant discovered in southern notes, and identification keys. known in which the orientation of the Mexico by Esteban Martines of the sex organs is reversed. This electron National Autonomous University of For more information contact the microscope photo shows three central Mexico. It is the only plant known in Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box stamens surrounded by numerous pistils which the orientation of the sex organs is 299, St. Louis, MO 63166-0299. and six tepals.

American Horticulturist · May 1992 + 15 AHS Bulletin Board Showhouse is for Gardeners, Inside and Out

A semicircular entry garden is the first stop on the Alexandria Decorator Showhouse tour at River Farm in May. In all, seven garden areas, 23 rooms, porches, and patios, and two outbuilding spaces have been transformed for the event. The fund-raiser, cosponsored by The Campagna Center and AHS, presents the best in interior and landscape design. The new or renovated garden areas range from the fanciful to the practical: • In the Entry Garden, designed by Susan Feller of Gardenworks Design As­ sociates in Alexandria, teakwood benches and tables painted with "trompe l'oeil" flowers are surrounded by an American boxwood hedge, borders of annuals and perennials, and four dogwoods. A central reflecting pool features a bronze sculpture of two blue herons by Walter Matia. A tree house was one of the first creations installed in the Secret Garden, one of seven • Connie Pearson of Pearson Design & garden areas created for the Alexandria Decorator Showhouse. Associates in Alexandria has designed a Kitchen Garden that is an updated filled with a va~iety of perennials and upstairs hallway is wallpapered with a version of its Colonial ancestor. The native shrubs, including azaleas, oakleaf design of garden trellises. garden, planted under a huge magnolia hydrangeas, dogwoods, bleeding-hearts, The garden theme is carried throughout tree, consists of raised beds filled with daylilies, coral bells, and cinnamon ferns. the house and gardening rooms abound. shade-tolerant spring vegetables and • In the Gallery Garden, classical and A sisal floor covering in a hallway is culinary and medicinal herbs. abstract sculptures are set against an ivy­ painted with leaves. In the "flower room" • The Habitat Water Garden is a low­ covered wall and framed by dogwoods, off the kitchen, Jean Woodman of Jean maintenance garden filled with native azaleas, liriope, and an annual border. A Woodman Designs in Alexandria has plants. Designed by H. Kibbe Turner of pergola reflects the lines of the main chosen wallpaper decorated with Wildlife Habitats in Gaithersburg, house. The garden also includes a hedge ladybugs, and fabric covered with a Maryland, the water garden also includes of ligustrums and rhododendrons, hydran­ design of oak leaves and acorns is used as bluebird houses and feeders. geas, and hostas. This area was designed an accent. This back porch, formerly used • The new Rose Garden showcases the by Greg A. Pyles of Campbell & Ferrar as a storage room, includes areas for evolution of hundreds of ancient, Nurseries, Inc., in Alexandria. rep otting plants and flower arranging and ancestral, and modern hybrid roses in a Inside the main house, visitors are a study nook filled with books on garden traditional design. Accented with welcomed in an entrance hall designed design and horticulture. companion plants, the rose garden was with the gardener in mind. Wall panels A second-floor bathroom has been designed by Lila Fendrick and Pam are hand painted with botanical illustra­ turned into an indoor gardening room Granade of Lila Fendrick Landscape tions of herbs and Virginia wildflowers. ideal for repotting and caring for house Architecture & Garden Design in Fresh-cut flowers decorate the room. An plants. In the gardener'S retreat down the Washington, D.C. hall, the colors of hydrangeas and roses • Joan Honeyman and Holt Jordan of provide a relaxing backdrop. Jordan Honeyman Landscape Architec­ One of the most dramatic changes is to ture in Takoma Park, Maryland, have the kitchen, designed by Donna Ralston designed a delightful Secret Garden Lectures Set Latham of Total Environment in Lorton, surrounded by tall evergreen hedges and Virginia. The renovated room features a low stone wall. Water from an old In conjunction with the showhouse, hand-planed cherry cabinets, natural-clay springhouse fills a pond surrounded by AHS will present a series of lectures tiles, and new white appliances. colorful annuals and woodland on horticultural motifs in the Upstairs offices have been temporarily perennials. A tree house is perched in an decorative arts and horticultural transformed into two sitting rooms, two ancient Osage orange tree and a swing interior design. See page 21. guest bedrooms, a child's room, the hangs from the tree's massive branches. Correction: In our March issue, master bedroom, and a lady's study. • The Garden Calm, designed by lecturer Cindy Cotton should have Outside areas have been changed into a Marty Hays of J. J. Petro Landscape, Inc., been identified as owner of colonnade, a terrace, and a dining area. in Mitchelville, Maryland, is an area of Citysca pe, Inc. Two rooms of an outbuilding, the interlocking concentric brick rings former carriage house, are now a "River surrounding a central pool. The garden is Cottage," a couple's weekend retreat.

16 + American Horticulturist • May 1992 One room features both sitting and dining areas; a second room is a North American Horticulture Released bedroom. The rooms are light and airy. Urban Country Designs in Bethesda, The American Horticultural Society added, including chapters on native plant Maryland, has created a relaxing atmos­ recently released the second edition of societies and botanical clubs; state, phere using architectural artifacts like a North American Horticulture: A provincial, and local horticultural headboard made of old shutters, vintage Reference Guide. It is the most organizations; horticultural therapy; and fabrics, and nautical and garden folk art. comprehensive directory of horticultural historical horticulture. There are over An outdoor area, "Casablanca," was organizations and programs in the United 4,500 organizations and programs designed by John F. Saladino of New States and Canada. It was published by included in the book. York City. The terrycloth-covered sofa Macmillan Publishing Company and "All of the gardens and societies and and distressed marble floor give the edited by Thomas M. Barrett, assistant programs in the book are also in our illusion of a bathing pavilion. editor of American Horticulturist. computer database, which we continually The proceeds from the decorator show­ All of the information in the first update and make available to members," house will be used for Campagna Center edition of North American Horticulture said Barrett. "This is a very important programs and AHS educational activities. has been updated and augmented. resource; no other organization has The showhouse is open through May 31. Completely new sections have been anything like it." Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Thursday evenings,S p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sundays, 12 noon to 5 AHS Flower Show Awards p.m. Tickets are $12 per person. For more information call The Campagna Every spring brings a flurry of major flower Landscapes, Inc. for "Free Association on Center at (703) 549-0111 ... shows, and at several of these AHS honors a Japanese Garden," which merged the the single exhibit "that best demonstrates stark elements of Japanese design with an the bond between horticulture and the unorthodox and sensual use of native environment" and encourages viewers to American plants. beautify their own homes or communities The Campagna through horticulture. 1992 winners were: .. Seattle. Elandon Garden's Daniel AHS Board Backs Center Robinson for "Once Upon a Time," in which gnarled pines and hemlocks engulf Native Plant Petition The Campagna Center, formerly the and supplant the burned-out husk of a Alexandria Community YWCA, is a once-majestic Japanese maple. During its January 17 meeting the AHS nonprofit, social-service member­ .. Atlanta. Fockele Garden Company, Board of Directors voted unanimously to ship organization committed to Homeplace Garden, and Mary Jo Means support a petition to the Federal Trade improving the quality of life for Ltd. for "Ike's Retreat," a re-creation of Commission (FTC) requesting an amend­ women and families in Alexandria. President Dwight Eisenhower's cottage ment to the official labeling guidelines for The center provides a variety of and garden on the 18th-hole putting the nursery industry. A coalition of 11 programs including Extended Day green of Augusta National Golf Course. environmental and horticultural groups, Care, with before- and after-school .. Boston. Kilroy Design Associates for headed by the Natural Resources Defense care during the school year and a an exhibit entitled "A Woodland Garden Council, sent the petition. The petition summer day camp; a Head Start pre­ Meets Man's Back Yard." detailed two sections of the commission's school program, which includes .. Philadelphia. Delaware Valley Guides for Nursery Industry that create a medical, dental, and health screen­ College, creators of a "Night Gardening" loophole allowing nurseries to collect ing and educational enrichment for exhibit that used lighting and shades of native plants or purchase wild-collected disadvantaged three- and four-year­ white to invite enjoyment of the garden native plants, grow them for a brief old children; youth services, includ­ after daytime working hours and to period, and subsequently label them ing outreach, counseling, and This provide a habitat for nocturnal creatures. "nursery grown," with no further men­ Way House, a temporary shelter for .. New York. Nina Wilcher of Poetic tion of source, origin, or propagation. runaway and homeless youth; 50 More or Less, which arranges companionship, support, and activities for individuals with mental health concerns; Retired Senior Volunteer Program, a placement program for volunteers age 60. or older; Women's Correctional Pro­ gram, which provides support for female inmates of the Alexandria Correctional Center; Wright to Read, funded by the Frank and Betty Wright Foundation, which provides volunteer tutors for children in grades one through three with below average reading skills; and Re-Use, an arts and crafts recycling center mainly for children and teachers.

America n Horticulturist· May 1992 .. 17 , Gardeners' Bookshelf

Rodale's Chemical-Free sidebar articles, which address subjects Yard and Garden such as insect life cycles, soil- and pest­ management misconceptions, and tree Anna Carr, Miranda Smith, Linda A. stress symptoms. Gilkeson, Joseph Smillie, and Bill Wolf As more and more books emerge to Edited by Fern Marshall Bradley. Rodale attempt to cash in on the green move­ Press, 1991. 453 pages. 7Vi' x 93/8". ment, gardeners will have to exercise care Black-and-white illustrations. Publisher's in selecting appropriate reference guides. price: hardcover, $26.95. AHS member This work by five of America's leading price: $23. organic gardening writers is a technically precise and thorough publication of great Rodale's Chemical-Free Yard and Garden value, both to organic gardeners and their is a thorough step-by-step guide. It VEGETABLES' FLOWERS· FRUITS· TREES, SHRUBS· LAWNS conventional counterparts. recognizes that many of today's gardeners e- Natura! insect, disease, and weed control -Joseph M. Keyser are curious about introducing principles Soil rejuvenation for higher yields of organic gardening into their own eo Joseph M. Keyser is the American yards, landscapes, and gardens, but are eo Problem-solving encyclopedia of 125 Horticultural Society's director of perhaps not fully convinced that a eo An in-depth guide to dozens of .JJIf.""~ programs and of the National Backyard complete organic program is right for nontoxic products Compost Demonstration Park. them. For those still sitting on the fence, e Month-by-month garden care this manual might well bring about that calendar The Hedge Book conversIOn. Special highlights of the volume include Jeffrey Whitehead. Storey Communica­ an outstanding chapter by Necessary implementing that transition. Also of tions, Inc., 1991. 142 pages. 6" x 9", Trading Company's Bill Wolf, stressing interest is an encyclopedic management Color photographs, black-and-white the crucial role of maintaining and guide listing well over 120 species of the illustrations. Publisher's price: hardcover, improving soil health to create a healthy most commonly planted vegetables, $21.95; softcover, $12.95. AHS member and productive garden. Wolf presents fruits, trees, shrubs, and herbaceous price: hardcover, $18.75; softcover, $11. simple insights into the structure, ornamentals and another smaller guide chemistry, and biology of soil, while with identification keys and control Witness the lowly hedge, ubiquitous yet establishing an organic regimen for basic practices for 35 notorious pests. uncelebrated, essential yet unsung. soil improvement. Reference tables and One of the most striking features in this Though one of the most commonplace illustrations underscore key techniques manual is the repeated emphasis on features of yards, gardens, and parks, and materials for this cpapter and serve observation and identification. The secret hedges have been largely ignored in the as an important resource for gardeners to organic gardening lies in watching, voluminous literature of horticulture and anxious to restore a natural balance to testing, and constantly studying the landscaping. their soil. garden environment, as well as a cardinal Jeffrey Whitehead attempts to remedy A chapter by Miranda Smith presents a willingness to learn more about the this sin of omission with The Hedge complete eight-point system for making causes of a problem before trying to treat Book, a slender volume that delves deeply the transition to chemical-free gardening it. This principle is effectively established into the aesthetics and hard practicalities and includes a monthly guide for throughout the book in a collection of of planting and maintaining a hedge. In the first section of this book Whitehead focuses on the two-fold nature of "living fences," which "allows a gradual The Com3'lete Guide to North American Gardens integration of home and environment." Volume One: The Northeast / Volume Two: The West Coast Faintly echoing the organic aesthetics of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, he William C. Mulligan. Little, Brown never intended to be comprehensive expatiates on this dual essence, describing and Company, 1991. 176 pages each. tomes that sit on the library shelf; they a hedge as "a friendly intermediate 5V2" x 9V2". Color photographs. are sturdy paperbacks to throw in a between the rigid, linear architecture of Publisher's price: softcover, $15.95 rucksack, toss in the car, stuff in your human beings and the complex designs of each. AHS member price: $13.50 each. pocket, and use. The gardens that nature." Hedges satisfy our territorial Mulligan has selected he covers very impulse and need to control our Why must publishers insist on well, with a symmetry of enticing environment while re-establishing our mislabeling their products with titles photos, necessary tourist information, bond with the earth. Unlike a wall or that claim "complete" and and enlighteniag descriptive essays. chain link fence, a hedge forms a pleasant braggadocio jacket copy ("the only With the beauty of an "art book" and property boundary, a gently dissuasive one you'll ever need")? Don't listen to the details of a field guide, I know of barrier to the rogue pets and trampling the shouts of the barker- these books no garden guide that combines the children of others and a corral for our are far from complete. grace and utility of these books. own. We can situate a hedge to block out But William Mulligan's guides were - Thomas M. Barrett, Assistant Editor unsightly blots on the landscape or to visually appropriate the more picturesque- say, a neighbor'S taller

18. American Horticulturist. May 1992 shrubs and trees or a quaint churchyard Forewarned is forearmed, and keeping on a nearby hillside, a design principle the these factors in mind will make us expert Japanese call "borrowing" landscape. hedge gardeners. Enjoying the vantage point of a fiction The second section of this book is writer and poet as well as a landscape dedicated to listings of recommended designer, Whitehead writes lucidly from hedge plants and hedge plants with experience. He stresses the careful special characteristics. Far from HEDGE deliberation to be exercised before exhaustive, these listings encompass the embarking on a hedging venture, most common species and a few neglected especially when we consider the relative ones. The entries aren't so attenuated that BOOK permanence of a hedge and the high the author can't squeeze in an initial expense in time, money, and effort. illuminating comment, such as this on the Ho" to Sc·],·,·t. In addition to the usual considerations boxwood (Buxus microphylla): "any 1'1 [11 It. n il" ("'0'"' such as rainfall, sun exposure, soil plant that can be clipped into the shape of a L i"ill,g F e ll "" quality, and climate zone, hedges are a duck and still look good will certainly subject to two more unusual make a fine hedge." environmental stresses. First, because Too scant for the landscaping profes­ hedges belong to a monoculture sional, for the homeowner contemplating (members of a single species planted in a hedge it is the ideal bare-bones hand­ dense proximity to one another), book, written in a capable, personable whatever pest or disease at first afflicts style by an expert unafraid to voice a one plant may quickly contaminate the partisan accolade, like the one to the entire hedge. Second, crowded conditions mountain laurel and its June white to force plants to vie for limited resources, a pink flowers, which "are unrivaled by factor that luckily also controls weeds anything with roots and leaves. " and promotes uniform growth. - Steve Davolt, Editorial Assistant A Countrywoman's Year Spenser, and John Evelyn along with obscure historical writings such as The Rosemary Verey. Little, Brown and Shepherd of Banbury'S Rules to Judge the Book Order Fonn Company, 1991. 117 pages. 53/4"x 73/4". Changes of Weather and The Complete Black-and-white engravings. Publisher's Weather Guide of 1812. Please send me these books at the price: hardcover, $19.95. AHS member The book is sprinkled with a collection special AHS member prices. price: $17. of 21 excellent engravings that serve as EJ Chemical·Free Yard the perfect complement to Verey's delicate andGarden ...... $23.00 Rosemary Verey, author of several classic and terse style. Whether you be gardener, gardening books, once again brings us the naturalist, historian, or poet- or like D The Complete Guide to North American Gardens subtle and poetic images of her English Rosemary Verey some of each- it is well o Volume One: country garden and the charming worth your while to take in this treasure­ The Northeast $13.50 Cotswold village surrounding it. This is a trove. It should inspire even the most o Volume Two: diary, not only of an isolated Glou~ester ­ sedentary to venture out and witness the The West Coast . $13.50 shire garden, but of the whole garden of wondrous display that is nature. 0 The Hedge Book nature. Verey takes us swiftly through a -Juliet Liniado D Hru:dcover ... $18.75 gardener'S year with an eclectic and D Softcover . ' ... $11.00 spontaneous record of ideas, visions, and Juliet Liniado is a former American memories. "There will always be some Horticultural Society horticultural intern. D A Countrywoman's Year $17.00 phenomenon of nature to pause beside I would like to order __ books. and admire, to learn from and to tuck into one's memory," she writes, and this Postage and handling: $2.50, first book; could well be her creed. $1.50, each additional book. Virginia Verey sets an example to us all when residents add 41;2 % sales tax. Please allow six weeks for delivery. Prices are she takes the time to stop and examine subject to change without notice. the hazelnut tree, for example, and wonder at its origin and lineage. Or when D Enclosed is my check fer $ ~ __ she worries about the welfare of the bees A D Charge to: nesting in her roof and proceeds to read o Visa 0 MasterCard Exp. Date: The Life of the Bee by Maurice Maeter­ COUNTRYWOMAN'S Acct. #: ______---~ linck and shares with us obscurities of YEAR Signature; ______---- their lives, such as how they survive freezing temperatures. ]io"'PfJrd by H .R. N . Th. Pmu,o/ Vl1al" Ship to: ______Her wide knowledge is in evidence Street: ______throughout the book with references not Rosemary City: ______just to gardeners, but to historians, Verey StatelZip; ______philosophers, and poets as well. Here are recipes, poems, folklore, gardening tips, Daytime phone number: ______philosophical observations, and descrip­ tions of plants, people, and animals, all MAlL TO: AHS Books, 7931 East BouJevar,d set within the framework of the annual Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300. cycle of nature. Gardening tips are drawn from poetic sources such as Chaucer,

America n Horticulturist • May 1992 . 19 Gardeners' Dateline

Mid-Atlantic + May 15-17. Spring Wildflower Northeast Symposium. Wintergreen Resort, + May 9. The 64th Annual George­ Wintergreen, Virginia. Information: + May 6-7. Brooklyn Botanic Garden's town Garden Tour. Washington, D.C. To Lorrie Knies, (800) 325-2200. Annual Spring Sale. Brooklyn Botanic benefit Georgetown Children's House. Garden, Brooklyn, New York. Information: Information: (202) 333-4953 or (202) + May 16-17. The 44th Annual Rose (718) 941-4044. 337-2890. Show. Coliseum Mall, Hampton, Virginia. Sponsored by the Virginia + May 10-19. Lilac Festival. Rochester, + May 9-10. Third Annual Plant Sale Peninsula Rose Society. Information: New York. Information: (716) 546-3070. and Horticultural Fair. State Arboretum J. Kosidlak, 501 Mount Stirling Circle, of Virginia, Clarke County, Virginia. Hampton, VA 23663, (800) 851-5122. + May 14. The 53rd Annual Herb Information: (703) 837-1458. Sale. Bryce Douglas Farm, Kimbertown, + May 17. Tour of Private Annapolis Pennsylvania. Held by the Herb Society + May 10. Private Country Gardens Gardens. Annapolis, Maryland. of America. Information: Mrs. Edward S. Tour. Oatlands Plantation, Leesburg, Information: The William Paca Garden, Madara Jr., (215) 664-2738. Virginia. Information: Route 2, Box 352, 1 Martin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401, Leesburg, VA 22075, (703) 777-3174. (410) 267-6656. + May 30. Seventh Annual Plant Sale. Tower Hill Bofanic Garden, Boylston, + May 27. The 67th Annual Flower Massachusetts. Sponsored by the Show. Piankitank Ruritan Club, Hudgins, Worcester County Horticultural Society. Virginia. Sponsored by the Garden Club Information: (508) 869-6111. of Mathews. Information: M. Tucker Preston, (804) 725-9362. + June 10. Columbus' Bouquet. "Flowers From the New World." Rodef + June 28-July 2. International Society Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden, for Horticultural Science: Second Interna­ Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Information: tional Symposium. "In Vitro Culture and Irene Jacob, (412) 621-6566. Horticultural Breeding." Baltimore, Maryland. Information: Dr. Freddi + June 12-14. Secret Garden Tour. Hammerschlag, USDA, ARS, PMBL, Newport, Rhode Island. Information: B-006, Room 118 BARC-W, Beltsville, Myra Duvally, 33 Washington Street, MD 20705, Fax (301) 344-3320. Newport, RI 02840, (401) 847-0514.

North Central + June 13. The 18th Annual Plant Sale. Garden in the Woods, Framingham, + Through July 5. Early Summer Floral Massachusetts. Information: (508) Display. "Lotsa Geraniums." Foellinger­ 877-6574. Freimann Botanical Conservatory, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Information: (219) + June 14. Seventh Annual Wildflower 427-1267. Festival. "Family Day: Wildflowers: Live and Blooming." University of Connecticut, + May 16-17. Flower Fanfare. "Monet Storrs, Connecticut. Cosponsored by the at Giverny: The Art of the Garden." Plant Connecticut State Museum of Natural The month of May will be doubly merry sale and festival. The Garden Center of History and the Audubon Society of at New York's Wave Hill, where an array Greater Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio. Northeast Connecticut. Information: of celebratory events will honor the 25th Information: (216) 721-1600. (203) 486-4460. anniversary of Marco Polo Stufano. Since 1967 Stufano has been the sole + June 13-14. Garden Walk II. Tour of + June 14. The 36th Annual Rose director of horticulture at Wave Hill and five local gardens. Des Moines, Iowa. Show. Planting Fields Arboretum, Oyster has orchestrated what an international Information: Sandra Bendixen, 37 30th Bay, New York. Presented by the Long gardening magazine called one of the Street, Des Moines, IA 50312-4421, Island Rose Society. Information: Robert world's premier gardens. Praised for an (515) 282-3462. Ardini, (516) 773-7936. original and unorthodox use of texture, form, and color, Stufano has received + June 15-23. Milwaukee Journal Rose + June 25. "An Indulgent Corner: many awards for his gardening artistry. Festival. Boerner Botanical Gardens, The Unfolding of Victorian Gardens." Scheduled events include workshops, Hales Corners, Wisconsin. Information: Hartford, Connecticut. Hosted by the tours, lectures, and an exhibition of (414) 529-1870. Stowe-Day Foundation. Information: landscape painting. The special activities Elizabeth Newell, (203) 522-9258. will culminate on May 28 when Stufano + July 11-15. International Floriculture will be feted with a gala celebration ball. Industry Short Course. Cincinnati, Ohio. + June 25-27. Native Plants in the For further information, contact Public Information: Ohio Florist's Association, Landscape. Conference. Millersville Relations, 675 West 252nd Street, Bronx, 2130 Stella Court, Suite 200, Columbus, University, Millersville, Pennsylvania. NY 10471, (212) 549-3200. OH 43215-1033, (614) 487-1117. Information: Grace Evans, Continuing

20 + American Horticulturist • May 1992 Education, 104 Dilworth Hall, Arcadia, Cali fornia. Sponsored by the • May 29-31. Second Annual Garden Millersville University, Millersville, PA Epiphyllum Society of America. Tour. Temecula, California. Sponsored by 17551, (717) 872-3030. Information: (818) 821 -3222. the Temecula Valley Rose Society. Information: Edie O'Hair, P.O . Box 1673, • July 1. Cornell Turfgrass Field Day. • May 8-9. University of California Temecula, CA 92593, (714) 676-0938. Pine Island, New York. Information: Botanical Garden Plant Sale. Berkeley, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange California. Information: (510) 642-3343. • May 30-31. Bromeliad Show and County, (914) 343-1105. Sale. Descanso Gardens, La Canada • May 16. Third Annual Regional Flintridge, California. Held by the San Northwest Xeriscape Workshop. "Xeriscape! The Fernando Bromeliad Society. Information: Great Escape!" Kerr-McGee Center, (818) 952-4400. • May 2. Rhododendron and Bonsai Ridgecrest, California. Information: Day. Garden of the Rhododendron Steve Cooper, (619) 939-2864. • June 26-28. Fourth Annual Species Foundation, Seattle, Washington. Landscape Design Symposium. "Theme Information: (206) 661-9377. • May 16-17. Fiesta de Flores. South Gardens in the Contemporary Coast Botanic Garden, Palos Verde Landscape." Santa Barbara Botanic • May 3. Spring Festival at Washington Peninsula, California. Information: South Garden, Santa Barbara, California. Park Arboretum. Seattle, Washington. Botanic Coast Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Information: (805) 563-2521. Information: Center for Urban Horticul­ Boulevard, Palos Verde Peninsula, CA ture, (206) 685-8033. 90274, (310) 544-6815. International South Central • May 17. The 18th Annual Benefit • May 17-31. Lilac Festival of Blooms. Plant Sale. The Huntington, San Marino, World's largest lilac collection. Royal • May 30. Kansas Country Gardens. California. Information: (818) 405-2140 Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario. "Farm Tours for the Weaver, Herb or (818) 405-2147. Information: (800) 668-9449. Gardener, and Flower Lover." Botanica, the Wichita Gardens, Wichita, Kansas. Information: (31.6) 264-0448.

Southeast Spring Events at River Fann

• May 15-16. Rose Extravaganza. The big event at AHS this spring is the Ages." Lecture by Joan Honeyman at Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, Alexandria Decorator Showhouse, Collingwood Library and tour of the Georgia. Information: (404) 876-5859. which will be held from May 2 through River Farm gardens. 10 a.m. $10. May 31 (see related article page 16). In • May 14. "Composting for Every • May 30-31. "Alice's Wonderland" conjunction with the showhouse we'll Home and Garden." Lecture by Joe Topiary Display. Callaway Gardens, Pine host lectures and events throughout the Keyser. 11 a.m. Free. Mountain, Georgia. Information: (800) month. Events are held at River Farm • May 15. "How to Grow Orchids 282-8181. unless otherwise noted. For more in Your Home." Lecture by Ted information or to register contact AHS Villaponda at Collingwood Library • June 17. Annual Fern Show and at 7931 East Boulevard Drive, , and tour of the River Farm gardens. Sale. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300, (703) 11 a.m. $10. Birmingham, Alabama. Sponsored by the 768-5700 or (800) 777-7931. • May 18. "Use of Water as Birmingham Fern Society. Information: • May 6. "Principles of Garden Ornament and as Wildlife Habitat in Peggy McGill, (205) 836-3480. Design." Lecture by Susan Feller. the Garden." Lecture by H. Turner. 10 10 a.m. Free. a.m. Free. • June 27-28. Third Annual Tour of • May 6. Local Docents and AHS • May 20. "Bringing the Outdoors Ponds. Atlanta, Georgia. Information: Members Tea. Tea and private tour of In: A Visual History of Botanical Karla Sperling, National Pond Society, the showhouse and gardens. 4 p.m. $20. Prints From the 17th and 18th P.O. Box 449, Acworth, GA 30101, (404) • May 7. "Introduction to Home Centuries." Lecture by Ginny Sites at 975-0277. Composting." Lecture by Joe Keyser. Collingwood Library and tour of the 11 a.m. Free. River Farm Gardens. 11 a.m. $10. • July 8-10. World Chestnut Industry • May 9. "Creative Interior • May 21. "Healthy Gardens From Conference. Morgantown, West Virginia. Plantscaping Ideas for Your Home." the Ground Up." Compo sting lecture Information: R. D. Wallace, Chestnut Hill Lecture by Cindy Cotton at Colling­ by Joe Keyser. 11 a.m. Free. Nursery, Route 1, Box 341, Alachua, FL wood Library and tour of the River • May 23. "An Afternoon With the 32615, (904) 462-4330. Farm gardens. 1 p.m. $10. Wines of Virginia." Lecture and wine­ • May 11. "The Garden as tasting by Gordon Murchie and tour Southwest Inspiration in the Decorative Arts: of the gardens. 3 p.m. $15 for AHS Horticultural Motifs in Textiles From members, $20 for nonmembers. • May 12. Water Gardens. Albuquerque America and Around the World." • May 28. "The Golden Age of Garden Center, Albuquerque, New Lecture by Dixie Rettig at Collingwood American Gardens." Lecture by Mac Mexico. Sponsored by the Council of Library and tour of the River Farm Griswold at Belle Haven Country Club. Albuquerque Garden Clubs. Information: gardens. 11 a.m. $10. 10:30 a.m. $20. For information call the Diana Day, (505) 296-6020. • May 11. AHS Members Tea. Tea Campagna Center at (703) 549-0111. and private tour of showhouse and • May 28. "Basic Soil West Coast gardens. 4 p.m. $20. Enhancement." Composting lecture by • May 13. "Plants Through the Joe Keyser. 11 a.m. Free. • May 3-11. Epiphyllum Show. Los Angeles State and County Arboretum,

America n Horticulturist· May 1992 . 21 Classifieds

Classified Ad Rates: $1 per word; THE AVANT GARDENER AZALEAS AND RHODODENDRONS minimum $20 per insertion. 10 percent discount fo r three consecutive ads using FOR TIlE GARDENER WHO WANTS MORE FOR GARDEN ERS WHO CARE WHAT GOES FROM GARDENING! Subscribe to 1HEAVANT WHERE: Carl son's Catalog and Color Cue the same copy, provided each insertion GARDENER, the liveliest, most useful of all gar­ Cards help create year-round, low maintenance meets the $20 minimum after taking dening publications. Every month this unique news Azalea and Rhododendron ga rdens worthy of discount. Copy and prepayment must be service brings you the newest, most practical infor­ any size estate. Two-year subscription: $3. received on the 20th day of the month mation on new plants, products, techniques, with CARLSON'S GARDENS, Box 305-AHC, South three months prior to publication date. sources, feature articles, special issues. 24th year. Salem, NY 10590. (9 14) 763-5958. Awarded Garden Club of America and Mas­ Send orders to: American Horticultural BOOKS Society Advertising Department, 2700 sachusetts Horticultural Society medals. Curi ous? Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22031, Sample copy $1. Serious? $12 full year (reg. $18) EXOTICA Series 4, wi th 16,300 photos, 405 in color, 2,600 pages in 2 volumes, with Addenda (703) 204-4636. TIlE AVANT GARDENER, Box 489M, New York, NY 10028. of 1,000 updates by Dr. A. B. Graf, $187. T ROPI CA 4th edition, 1992, 7,000 color photos, 1,156 pages, $165. EXOTIC HOUSE PLANTS, 1,200 photos, $8 .95. HORTICA, pic­ torial cyclopedia of garden flora and indoor r ~ AHS PRESENTS "GREAT GARDENERS plants, 8,100 color photos sched uled for Fall ~~ OF AMERICA" AT AMERIFLORA '92 1992. Shipping additional. Circulars gladly sent. ROEHRS COMPANY, Box 125, E. Rutherford, NJ 07073.

Want to learn more about daylilies? The revolution in vegetable gardening? New urban BULBS trees? Gardening in the shade? Join America's gardening experts for the "Great So uth African Gladiolu s, Ixia, Ba biana, Gardeners of Ameri ca" lecture series being held at AmeriFlora '92 in Columbus, Ohio. Lachenalia Amaryllids and other seeds and bulbs. Presented by the American Horticultural Society, in association with First Community Write for catalog to RUST-EN-VREDE NUR­ Bank of Ohio, the lecture series will continue every Saturday until October 1O . AmeriFlora SERY, P.O. Box 231, Constantia, Republic of '92, the official Quincentenary Celebration of Christopher Columbus'S voyage to the South Africa 7848. New World, is a showcase for American gardening. For ticket information contact: Dutch bul bs for fa ll planting, 12CM Tulips, DN1 Sherran Blair, First Community Bank of Ohio, 4300 East Broad Street, P.O. Box 717, Daffodils, H yacinths and Miscell aneous. Columbus, OH 43216, (614) 239-4680. Catalog Free. Paula Parker DBA, Mary Manison "GREAT GARDENERS OF AMERICA" LECTURE SERIES van Schaik, IMPORTED DUTCH BULBS, P.O. SCHEDULE: MAY, JUNE, AND JULY 1992 Box 32AH, Cavendish, VT 05142. May 2: ''The Luxuriance of Peony, Hosta, and Daylily Gardening" CACTI AND SUCCULENTS Roy Klehm, Owner of Klehm Nursery, South Barrington, Illinois HUGE SAVINGS-DURING MOVING SALE! May 9: "Gardening : The Great American Dream" Save up to 25%- Don't Miss Out! Catalog/i n­ Carolyn Marsh Lindsay, Immediate Past President of AHS, Rochester, New York formation ... $2. K & L CACTUS/SUCCULENT NURSERY (AH), 12712 West Stockton Blvd., May 16: "Gardening in All Five Senses" Galt, CA 95632. Allen Lacy, Author and Garden Columnist, Linwood, New Jersey CARNIVOROUS PLANTS May 23: "Gardening for the Design of It" Sally Boasberg, Landscape Designer and AHS Board Member, Washington, D.C. Carn ivorous (Insectivorous) Plants, seeds, sup­ plies, and books. Color brochure free. PETER May 30: "Flower Arranging for Floral Artists" PAULS NURSERIES. Canandaigua, NY 14424. Pauline Runkle, Floral Artist, ManChester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts COMPOSTING SUPPLIES June 6: "What Catalogs Can Bring to Our American Gardens" Steven A. Frowine, Horticultural Research and Information Director at White Flower Farm, Litchfield, Connecticut AHS carries a full line of un ique compost bins, tumblers, and accessories- all demonstrated in June 13: "Improving Your Garden With Herbs" our National Compost Demonstration Pa rk­ Holly Shimizu, Horticulturist and Director of Information for the U.S. Botanic Garden, Washington, D.C. and all signifi cantly discounted (for members June 20: ''The Gardens of Wave Hill" only). Free price sheet. AMERICAN HOR­ Marco Polo Stufano, Horticultural Director of Wave Hill, Bronx, New York TICULTURAL SOCIETY, (800) 777-7931. June 27: "Oasis for City Dwellers: The Public Gardens of New York City" DAYLILIES Lynden Miller, Landscape Designer, New York City AWARD-WINNING DAYLILIES- Direct From July 4: "A New Era in Gardening-The Old and the New" Grower! Va rieties for all climates. Beautiful 130- Andre Viette, President of the Perennial Plant Association, AHS Board Member, and Owner of Andre Viette Farm page catalog featuring 185 full-color pictures: $3 and Nursery and Jacqueline Heriteau, Author of The American Horticultural Society Flower Finder and The ($5 co upon incl uded). DAYLILY DIS­ National Arboretum Book of Outstanding Garden Plants COUNTERS, Rt. 2, Box 24AH-5, Alach ua, FL 32615. July 11: "Gardening in Small Spaces and Containers" Linda Yang, Author ofT he City Gardener'S Handbook and a garden columnist for the New York Times EXOTIC PLANTS July 18: "Wild Kingdoms of the City" THE EXOTIC PLUMERIA (Frangipani) by James Van Sweden, Landscape Designer, Washington, D.C . Eliza beth and Sharon Thornton. All you ever wanted to know about plumerias and more. July 25: "New and Better Urban Trees" Cultivars identi fied in color. Send $13 Plum eria William Flemer III, President of Princeton Nurseries, Princeton, New Jersey Specialties, 4110 Spyglass Hills Dr., Katy, TX 77450.

22 + American Horticulturist • May 1992 FR EE PLUMERIA PLANT with mInImum PLANTS (UNUSUAL) STATIONARY order!!! Easy-to-grow Tropicals. 300+ vari eties ! OVER 2,000 KINDS of choice and affordable PHOTO NOTE CARDS-full color- sample, Plumerias, Hibiscus, Bouga invilleas, Gingers, plants. Outstanding orn amentals, American na­ brochu re $1. Photos by Trish, Dept. AH, 89D Flowering Vi nes and Shrubs, Bulbs, Jasmines, ti ves, perennia ls, rare coni fers, pre-bonsai, Louis Ave., Va ll ey Cottage, NY 10989. Fragrant Pl ants. Books. NEW! Super Flower­ wildli fe plants, much more. Descriptive catalog TRAVEL producing specialty fertilizers. NEW! Plumeria $3. FORESTFARM, 990 Tetherhasl, Will iams, Handbook (color). $10.95. Beautiful descriptive OR 97544. NEW ZEALAND- Spring Ga rden and Best Sights catalog, 100+ color photos. $2. PLUMERIA Tour, October 29-November 16, 1992. $3,685. PE OPLE, Box 820014-AH, H ouston, TX Escort is Dr. Ellen T. Henke, a noted botanist and 77282-0014. ROSES T.V. personality who has appeared on CBS, CNN, Donahue and many local stations. Dr. Henke is LARGEST ASSORTMENT OF ROSES to be GARDEN DESIGN Garden Destinations Contributing Editor for fo un d anywhere, at reasonable prices: HT, climb­ Flower & Garden magazine and former instructor PROGRAM A PERFECT GARDEN! Garden ers, antiques, English Garden Roses, Ren nie's at New York Botanical Garden. The tour, timed for Designer's Helper is an easy-to-use software miniatures, Cocker's introductions, etc. A su perb the peak of spring, will include visits to public and package fo r even the computer shy. Create dis­ coll ectio n . Most orders shipped in our private gardens and nurseries. You'll marvel at tinctive gardens by selecting plants that meet refrigerated truck to USA UPS depots for dis­ New Zealand's roses, camell ias, azaleas, mag­ cultural, aesthetic, and use requirements for yo ur tribution. Catalog $2. HORTICO INC., Fax nolias, lilies, orchids, native brush and ferns, herb garden designs. To order ($39.95) or for free (416) 689-6566. gardens, authentic Chinese ga rden and winter gar­ information write to: CORNUCOPIA, Depart­ den. A highlight will be the Rhododendron Festiva l ment B, P.O. Box 307, W. Boxford, MA 01885. along wi th the sce nic beauty of Mt. Cook, MINIATURE ROSES From RALPH MOORE Queenstown, Mil ford Sound, Rotorua, Auckland, (Wo rld-renowned breeder)- Also: Min ia ture and Christchurch. For a full detailed itinerary call GARDEN SUPPLIES, ET C. Tree Roses and Selection of Old, Rare, Unusual NEW ZEALAND CENfRAL RESERVATIONS WOOD PLANTERS, TUBS, SOIL SCREENS, Roses. MOORE, 2519 East Noble, Visa lia, CA OFFICE, (800) 351-2317 in CA, (800) 351-2323 Dollies, Etc. FREE Catalog. SASE: MARTIN 93277. Catalog $1. outside CA. H ORTICULTURAL, 32 Burton Hill Dr., Dept. AH , Weatherford, TX 76087.

E-Z KLEAN INSTANT DECK CLEANER. Recommended by New York Times as Best, Easiest, Safest way to restore color to dirty, gray, TRAVEl/STUDY TRIPS mildewed wood decks, steps, shakes. Environ­ FORTHEAHSGARDENER mentall y friendl y, nontoxic to plants. Free Catalog. CHEMICAL-WORLD, Box 376AH , Holtsville, NY 11 742. (5 16) 654-9437. JUNE 18-27, 1992 GARDENS OF THE COLORADO ROCKIES HELP WANTED AND THE GRAND TETONS The American Horticultural Society is often The Denver Botanic Garden's former director, Dr. William Gambill, and tts senior asked to refer individuals for horticultural posi­ horticultural advisor, Andrew Pierce, will lead a program that begins in Denver, Colorado, tions around the country. As a service to our and concludes in Jackson, Wyoming. The itinerary includes private gardens, Colorado members, both job seekers and employers, we Rockies National Park, Dinosaur National Pari<, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone would be very glad to receive resumes and cover National Pari<, and an exciting float trip on the Snake River. letters of individuals seeking job changes and JULY 12-21, 1992 employers seeking candidates. All responsi bility for checking references and determining the ap­ SUMMER GARDENS ALONG THE OHIO Asteamboat voyage on board the magnificent Mississippi Queen will take participants propriateness of both position and candidate along the Ohio River from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh. We are indebted to AHS members rests with the individuals. Inquiries should be and friends who have opened their homes, gardens, and clubs to us. And what a sent to: Horticultural Employment, AHS, 793 1 splendid collage of gardens they are, ranging from the unique collections of trees and East Bouleva rd Dr., Alexandria, VA22308-1300. shrubs of Mr. and Mrs. Morse Johnson in Cincinnati to the artful use of native plants of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Motch in New Richmond to the English gardens of J. Judson HOUSE PLANTS Brooks in Seickley. Leading this program for AHS will be Mrs. Harry Van de Kamp of Paso Robles, California, a former AHS Board Member. O RCHIDS, GESNERIADS, BEGONIAS, CACTI & SUCCULENTS. Visitors welcome. AUGUST 8-19, 1992 1992-1993 catalog $2. LAURAY OF SALIS­ GARDENS OF FRANCE BURY, 432 Undermountain Rd., Salisbury, CT This tour has been created around the great private gardens of France located in the 06068. (203) 435-2263. regions of Bri ttany and Normandy. Here you will find gardens ranging in style from Prince Wolkonsky's Mediterranean terraces in Keraldo to Princess Sturzda's wonder­ ful use of ground covers at Le Vesterival. Each garden you will find different, yet LANDSCAPING throughout the incomparable French style has been used to provide an accommodat­ LEARN LANDSCAPING AND THE GAR­ ing home for many rare species of !rees, shrubs , and other plants. Leading this DENING OF PLANTS AT HOME. Start busi­ program will be long· time AHS Board Member Richard Angino. ness or hobby. Free booklet. Lifetime Career OCTOBER 20-NOVEMBER 11 , 1992 Schools, AH0142, 101 Harrison St., Archbald, SPRING GARDENS OF NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA PA 18403. This is your opportunity to visit the finest public and private gardens in New Zealand and Australia at the height of their spring bloom , including the color masses of rhododendrons and azaleas that thrive in this benevolent PEONIES climate. The itinerary includes the exceptional gardens of Mr. and Mrs. John Tynegrove in Christchurch, which were featured recently in the PBS series ''The Victory Garden," along with the National Rhododendron Gardens Also DAYLILIES, JAPANESE & SIBERI AN in Canberra, which promise to be ablaze in full color at the ti me of our visit. This program is being lead by Andre IRIS. New 1992 catalog- $2 (deductib le). Viette, long-time AHS Board Member and lecturer in horticulture. CAPRI CE FA RM N UR SE RY, 15425 S.W. Leonard Haertler Travel Company. 7922 Bonhomme Avenue, Sl. Louis, MO 63105 , (800) 942-6666, (314) 721-6200 (in Miss ouri) Pleasant Hill , Sherwood, OR 97140. Phone & Fax (503) 625-7241.

Am erica n Horticulturist· May 1992 • 23 turn can switch on defense chemicals. But the time symptoms appear; then the tree Nitrogen-Fixing Trees in the process, these sentinels can become usually dies within three to five months. damaged by oxidation. Vitamins C and E The test should help researchers learn Most gardeners know that many legumes, are antioxidants that appear to protect more about how the disease is spread and such as peas, can improve soil quality by the plant against this damage, as a result to find palms resistant to the disease, says fixing nitrogen from the air. University of making them more resistant to drought, Nigel Harrison, a plant pathologist at the Maryland researchers are studying the harmful microbes, weed killers, and university. value of some trees in the legume family mechanical injury. This works whether Lethal yellowing has been particularly for fixing nitrogen. These include the the vitamin is sprayed on foliage, painted destructive to the coconut palm, an black locust and Japanese pagoda tree. in a band around a tree trunk, or poured attractive landscape tree as well as a William Graves, a researcher who into surrounding soil. Plants grown from source of products such as cooking oil, announced his findings at Maryland treated seeds also seem more stress­ coconut meat, fiber, and wood. The Nurserymen's Day this spring, has also resistant. disease has wiped out more than 10 discovered nitrogen-fixing nodules on But don't run to the medicine cabinet million coconut palm trees in Jamaica Maackia amurensis, a small Leguminosae for a blackspot cure. The vitamins work and Tanzania. More than 35 palm species tree from Manchuria that he believes to best in weak concentrations, down to are susceptible to lethal yellowing. have considerable potential as a street or parts-per-million; overdosing is a likely container tree. Maryland researchers are result of a home remedy. However, also studying the redbud for its nitrogen­ enough scientists are following this line of Rutgers Map fixing potential. inquiry---'{)ne literature search in the late 1980s produced 155 citations-that a Available commercial product is a virtual certainty, Vigor from Vitamins perhaps even sometime this year. A new plant hardiness map developed at Rutgers University and described in the If researchers can determine the best March 1991 News Edition has spurred so doses, gardeners may soon be preventing Hope for Palms many inquiries that it is now being made all types of plant problems the same way available as a 20 x 30-inch poster. they protect their own health: with A University of Florida scientist has The map-developed by meteorologist vitamins. developed a DNA-based test to probe lethal Mark Shulman and Art DeGaetano, who Dale M. Norris, an entomologist at the yellowing, a disease that has killed half a is now a research climatologist at University of Wiswnsin-Madison, has million palm trees in Florida since 1970. Rutgers~ivides the United States into found that soybean cell membranes The disease is believed to be caused by 23 climate zones, based on such factors as contain stress-sensitive proteins similar to mycoplasmas, which are small and simple minimum and maximum temperature, those surrounding the nerves of insects. cellular organisms with no cell wall, no precipitation, and first frost date. Indirect evidence of such proteins has nucleus, and no internal structures except The map, printed in 27 colors, is turned up "in every plant we've tested," DNA and ribosomes. They are probably available for $7. Write to Rutgers he told Science News. spread by insects such as leafhoppers. University Hardiness Map, Rutgers When a plant is stressed, the proteins There seems to be a delay of months University OCLTT, 377 Hoes Lane, P.O. stimulate messenger,chemicals that in between the time a palm is infected and Box 1179, Piscataway, NJ 08855-1179.

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