A'1ERICANJ IORTICULTURIST JUNE 1981 The American Horticultural Society Presents An Exploration of Colorado July 14-27, 1981

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Estes Park, Co1orado near Rocky Mountain National Park Photograph by Carol Schmeidel

When the rest of the country is beginning to feel the heat of summer, the Rocky Mountains are in the midst 0f an Alpine spring. lovely alpine flowers cover the fields and mountain sides with a canopy of CGlor-a display we invite you to enjoy for two weeks as a participant in the Society's special excursion to Colorado and Utah. You will begin your visit in the Mile-High City with a special all-day tour of Denver's Botanic Gardens, then continue west to such lovely areas as Aspen (the famous music festival will be taking place while you are there), Grand Junction, Durango, Winter Park, Colorado Springs, Moab, Utah-and all the breathtaking national parks along this route. Accommodations will be at picturesque inns whenever possible; in Denver, the famed Brown Palace Hotel will be home. look for more details in the tour brochure inserted in the March issue of American Horticulturist news, or write Dorothy Sowerby in care of the Society for regist(ation material. Join other members of the Society and celebrate the coming 0'£ Alpin(l spring. AV1ERlCANHORfICULTURIST

JUNE 1981

FEATURES COLUMNS

Lilies in Name Only 15 President's Page 2 By Mrs. Ralph Cannon Gilbert S. Daniels The Robison York State Herb Garden 5 Peter G. Aitken Book Reviews 8 Gilbert S. Daniels How to Make a Moss Canoe 10 Patti Hagan

Gardening in Containers 19 Text by Frederick McGourty Photography by Pamela Harper

The Saxifrage Family 12 Jane Steffey Pronunciation Guide 41 Gardener's Marketplace 42

Autumn in England 22 By Valerie Samson ON THE COVER: This Hymenocallis is one of many species of flowers commonly called lilies that Lavender Gardens 27 are, in fact, not members of the family Liliaceae By Lorraine Marshall Burgess at all. Mrs. Ralph Cannon writes about this plant Conf

American Horticulturist VOLUME 60 NUMBER 6

Judy Powell EDITOR 1773 William Bartram of Philadelphia took Rebecca K. McClimans a trip through the southeastern United ART DIRECTOR States, including the Carolinas, Georgia Barbara W. Ellis and Florida. His journal recorded the dis­ ASSOCIATE EDITOR covery of many new and wonderful plants, Steven H . Davis not the least of which was Franklinia ala­ Jane Steffey tamaha, which was never seen again in the EDITORIAL ASSIST ANTS wild. It is through Bartram's collection that H. Marc Cathey we enjoy this tree in our gardens today. Gilbert S. Daniels Throughout much of the 19th century Donald Wyman HORTICULTURAL CONSULTANTS the English firm of James Veitch and Sons introduced many new plants to horticul­ Gilbert S. Daniels BOOK EDITOR ture. Twenty-two "travelers" (the official title designated by Veitch) were sent out May Lin Roscoe BUSINESS MANAGER by the nursery from 1840 to 1905. These men covered the world and introduced Dorothy Sowerby EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS COOR­ thousands of plants into cultivation, many DINATOR hundreds of which were new species. Judy Canady New species are often discovered in MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION strange ways. One prominent and widely SERVICE grown plant is the iron-cross begonia John Simmons orticultural travel is a tradition as (Begonia masoniana). Its scientific name Chromagraphics Inc. old as traveling itself. The walls of honors the man who discovered it growing PRODUCTION COORDINATION Egyptian tombs recorded the plants under a bench in an abandoned green­ COLOR SEPARATIONS H grown in Egypt and the plants brought house in Singapore after World War II. C. Lynn Coy Associates Inc. back to Egypt by Egyptian travelers. Her­ I believe I have now made my point­ 104 East 40th Street, Suite 401 New York, NY 10016 odotus, the 5th century B.C. Greek his­ that you do not have to be an intrepid (212) 687-0191 torian, recorded the plants he saw in his explorer, challenging unknown dangers in ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE travels as well as the strange customs he unexplored lands, to be a horticultural Replacement Issues of AMERICAN encountered. Sometimes the horticultural traveler. There is a long established tra­ HORTICULTURIST are available at a traveler was actually an explorer, visiting dition that it is the knowledgeable and cost of $2.50 per copy. uncharted and uncivilized lands, but more observant individual who may be follow­ The opinions expressed in the articles often he was simply an individual visiting ing a well traveled route who often finds which appear in AMERICAN strange but civilized areas where the dan­ plants new to cultivation and to science. HORTICULTURIST are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of gers lay more in getting there than in the Many of the remote areas of the world are the Society. They are presented as final destination. Many of the 18th-cen­ rapidly becoming easily accessible. Only contributions to contemporary thought. tury botanists who added so much to our a portion of the world's plants has been Manuscripts, art work and photographs knowledge of the flora of the world were described by science, and only a fraction sent for possible publication will be simply inquisitive people observing the of those has been introduced into horti­ returned if they are accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. gardens and fields of people living in strange culture. There are still unlimited horizons AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST is the parts of the world. Pehr Kalm, for ex­ for the avid gardener to discover some­ official publication of The American ample, a student of the Swedish botanist thing new. Horticultural Society, P.O. Box 6118, Carl Linnaeus, traveled in eastern North If you are in a strange part of the world, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, America in the late 1740's. It was through careful observation of what is being grown Virginia 22308, (703) 768-5700, and is his reporting back to his teacher that Kalm in local gardens can often lead to discov­ issued monthly. Membership in the Society includes a subscription to was able to increase Linnaeus' knowledge ery. The natives may not realize that the AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. of North American plants tenfold and to rest of the world doesn't know about their Membership dues start at $20.00 a year, provide information on more than 90 new favorite garden plant. But you, the trav­ $12.00 of which is designated for species. Kalm was a traveler, not an ex­ eler, may find a new gem to introduce to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Copyright © 1981 by The American plorer. He arrived in Delaware and then your own garden. Horticultural Society. ISSN 0096-4417. went on to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New One of the benefits of membership in Second-class postage paid at Alexandria, York and adjacent parts of Canada. These the American Horticultural Society is our Virginia and at additional mailing areas were already well settled, but the travel program. We go to many parts of offices. Postmaster: Please send Form observant Kalm noticed many new and the world, and we are always looking at 3579 to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST, Mount Vernon, unusual plants among those that were ac­ plants. Participation in our trips is one way Virginia 2212l. cepted as commonplace by the established that you can become a modern day plant Member of Society of National residents. "explorer." We aOre fortunate to have been Association Publications Sometimes one has only to travel in one's able to rely on the expertise of a truly own country to discover new plants. In knowledgeable and professional horticul-

2 Jun e 1981 When you need supplies for testing soil, grain or forage, Energy-Free don't just scratch the surface. tural travel consultant-Harold Epstein, ~ Reflectors a longtime member of the Society. His many Give Plants years of experience in the travel business, and his equally thorough familiarity with More Light plants and plantsmen, has given him the IGDffPinto Nasco's free reputation of being one of the most out­ Agricultural Sciences '81 Sun-Stretcher Shells can help you produce blos­ standing developers of horticultural itin­ Catalog for a complete soms faster, grow sturdier seedlings , raise a wider variety of plants. Made of mirrored plastic. Shaped to eraries in the world. Through Harold Ep­ listing of products for collect and concentrate light. Can make a windowsill agronomy and horticulture. more like a greenhouse or brighten a dark corner. stein, our members have been able to visit 12" tall, 9"wide . $3 each, 2for $5 . private gardens to which many other tour Includes equipment for groups would not be admitted; they have forestry and surveying. Plus educational items always been accompanied by knowledge­ such as botanical mounts, able horticulturists; and, of course, they display materials, books have been provided all the amenities of and more. Send for your first-class travel-but at a cost that is con­ free copy. Write siderably lower than one would expect for Dept. AD-816 such careful attention to detail. Free Phone Order Service Sun-Stretcher Collars are ideal for offices or any Of course, we make no claims that trav­ 1-800-558·9595 place with overhead lighting . Opens wide to go on eling with the Society will enable you to In Wisconsin without disturbing plant. Promotes bushier grdwth . turn up new and unknown plants, but many 1·800·242·9587 9" across . 2" high, 3" opening. $2 each, 3 for $5. Sun-Stretcher Stakes help small plants flourish . of our trips take you to areas that still have 5" reflector attaches to 6" aluminum wire that can be that potential. And traveling with a knowl­ bent to focus light on plant. $1 each , 6 for $5 . edgeable group of fellow horticulturists Sun-Stretcher Set, one of each, a $6 value, $5. All prices include postage and handling . will certainly increase your awareness of If you're not pleased with any item return for refund . what is different in a strange garden. Send check or money order to : ~co growth products company FOri Al ktn son. WI 53538 Box 80S-CI0 , Ravinia Station, Highland Park, IL 60035 ModeS IO. CA 95352

-Gilbert S. Daniels President Enjoy WATER-LILIES In your own garden.

Editor's Note: If Dr. Daniels has whetted Lilypons catalogue your appetite for horticultural travel, con­ sider one or more of the following trips features everything we have planned for the coming year: needed for your Exploration of Colorado, garden pool, July 14-27, 1981 including the pool. Autumn Tour of England, September 10-24,1981 Switzerland and Northern Italy, Lilypons Water Gardens September 24-0ctober 8, 1981 Post Congress Tour of New England, ~------LlLYPONS WATER GARDENS September 28-0ctober 7, 1981 WATER-LILIES 1506 Amhort Road 1506 Lilypons Road Exploration of Florida, Lilypons, Maryland 21717 BrooksWre. Texas 77423 October 19-November 2, 1981 Fiberglass garden pools, (301) 874-5133 (713) 934-8525 Lotus, aquatic plants, YES, Please send me the new colorful Exploration of New Zealand, Lilypons catalog, I enclose 82,00. October 21-November 8, 1981 Filters, pumps, lights PVC pool liners, sweeps Name'______~~----~------Autumn Exploration of the Orient, Statuary, books, koi (Please print) November 1-24, 1981 . Address ______Goldfish, scavengers For registration material and itineraries, Send 32.00 for catalogue, City , write to Dorothy Sowerby in care of the State ______, Society, Mt. Vernon, VA 22121. Zip ______, '---______J,

American Horticulturist 3 4 June 1981 PUBLIC GARDENS

1HE ROBISON YORK STATE HERBGARoEN

he campus of Cornell University display. Its purpose is to provide a com­ In the center of the garden is a hand­ in Ithaca, New York is one of the prehensive reference collection of living crafted stone sundial mounted on an au­ T nation's most beautiful, and out­ plants for both study and enjoyment. Dr. thentic millstone once used in the area. standing among its many attractions is the John P. Baumgardt, writing in Grounds Surrounding the sundial are four raised exquisite herb garden donated to the Maintenance, has described Robison York beds separated by wide gravel walks. Each University by alumnus Ellis H. Robison as "probably the most complete, beauti­ bed is divided into three sections by small as a tribute to his wife, Doris Burgess Ro­ fully designed, modern herb garden in the germander (Teucrium sp.) hedges. In each bison. Located on the eastern edge of the country." Although of modern design the campus, Robison York State Herb Garden garden has a regional atmosphere, en­ ABOVE: The garden is truly a teaching and is a feature of Cornell Plantations, the hanced by beds of herbs that were used demonstration garden. Here, herbs that are University's arboretum. The garden, de­ by the area's early inhabitants, by the use nectar-bearing are appropriately placed around a straw beehive. LEFT: This su ndial veloped under the supervision of Audrey of split rail fences and by the exclusive use marks the center of the garden. The raised H. O'Connor, was completed in 1974, but of beautiful local stone for construction herb beds that surround it are grouped beautiful as it is, it has never been a static of the raised beds and stone walls. according to use.

American Horticulturist 5 I n every issue 0 Amertcan Hortlcu turlSt we ope to American Horticultural Society expand your knowledge and enhance your enjoyment Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121 of gardening. We'll show you how to grow new and unusual plants, and we'll take you on pictorial tours YES, I would like to become a member of public and private gardens around the world. In one issue you may learn how to dry flowers that will of the American Horticultural Society last for years; in another you'll be able to discover D I enclose my check for $20. what's happening in horticultural research. D Please bill me. Subscribe now by joining the American Horticultural Society. For $20 a year, you will not only receive 12 issues of American Horticulturist (6 magazines and 6 newsletters), but also free seeds once a year, Name discounts on gardening books, access to a free garden­ er's information service, reduced rates on exciting Address travel opportunities and invitations to all Society events at our headquarters at River Farm. Simply fill City State out the form at left and mail it to us today. We think you'll be delighted PUBLIC GARDENS CONT'D GREAT NEWS section plants are grouped according to with the understanding that the building for your use. The northwest bed contains fragrance would be given to Cornell when it was no herbs, plants used for nosegays and for longer needed as a school. It served this HOUSEPLANTS purpose for about 40 years before being and you taken over by the Plantation's staff in 1962. The garden's purpose is The educational hi story of the head­ Send for FREE to provide a quarters building is appropriate, si nce from INFORMATION on comprehensive reference the very beginning the herb garden was NUTRIPONICSTM..­ conceived to be an ed ucational facility. Use Coupon Below collection of living plants This philosophy is reflected in the garden's for both study and design, which not only emphasizes acces­ enjoyment. sibility and visibility of the plant displays for groups of people but also its educa­ tional program. herbal teas. The northeast bed is planted The plants in the garden are marked with savory seed herbs, dye plants and with labels describing their use and sig­ economic herbs. In the southeast bed will nificance, but it is much more rewarding be found culinary herbs, plants of current to go through the garden with an herbal medical interest and "simples," or plants authority who can answer your questions used medicinally in the past. The south­ about the plants-their cu lture, uses and west bed contains herbs of literature, plants history. Groups wishing to visit the area of the ancients and sacred herbs. Some may arrange in advance for guided tours. herbs are repeated in two or more loca­ Pamela Mackesey, Head Gardener, wi ll tions, indicating their multiple uses. Those often be found working in the garden, and Now you can grow healthy plants in­ plants that are toxic to humans are so la­ she is eager to share her knowledge of doors-even tomatoes using a totally beled and are located where small fingers herbal lore and her experience in growing new and simple system called "Nutri­ are least likely to reach them; nevertheless, the plants. Interested persons may partic­ ponics" . do not nibble! ipate in Cornell Plantation's volunteer Thi~ new system uses a modern attrac­ This, the central portion of the garden, training program, whereby area residents tive planter (or even a used tin can), that is surrounded by a wide grass border that are trained to serve as garden guides. acts as a water reservoir for a flower pot is in turn surrounded by ground-level beds. The garden also serves as a resource fo r permitting long periods without water­ The plant groupings exhibited in the cen­ formal courses on herbs. More than a dozen ing if you desire. Your plants gradually tral raised beds are continued in these ad­ courses have been given since the opening absorb all the moisture they requi~e, simply, easily, practically eliminating jacent ground-level beds. In addition, there of the garden. Topics such as herb culture, leading causes of house plant failure: in­ is also a bed of plants that were used by the history of medicinal uses of herbs, herb adequate moisture and overwatering. area Indians and early settlers and a bed garden design, herbal literature and the Fully tested. We have received many let­ of nectar-bearing plants complete with a story of fragrance have been covered. These ters from customers expressing satisfac­ straw beehive. One large panel bed is courses are open to the public and are so tion. planted with narcissus in the spring and popular that enrollment sometimes has to NUTRIPONIC KITS A V AILABLE is overplanted in the summer with scented be limited. geraniums of over 40 distinct fragrances. The Robison York State Herb Garden Kits include our 50-page beautifully il­ The garden is enclosed on the east and is truly an unusual garden, providing not lustrated book on Nutriponics along west by split-rail fences, and on the north only a display of a comprehensive collec­ with Liqui-SoiITM, special Nutriponic and south by stone walls. Just outside the tion of herbs but also the opportunity to pots and planting medium. Window box also available. garden is the Everett A. Piester Rose Col­ learn a great deal about these plants and lection, and near the garden's entrance is to participate in the garden'S operations. a collection of potted fragrance plants in The philosophy of the garden is well ex­ WINDOWSILL GARDENS redwood bins. The fragrance plant display pressed by the words of Henry Vaughan, Grafton, N.H. 03240, Dept. AH serves as an introduction to the garden and a 17th-century philosopher-poet-physi­ o Send Information is particularly popular with children. cian, which are engraved on stone benches o Send $4.95 Kit The building housing the headquarters in the garden: " The herb becomes the o Send $9.95 Kit of the Cornell Plantations is located near teacher, men stray after false goals when Include $1.50 for Shipping the herb garden. Here you can obtain a the herb he treads knows much, much self-guided tour booklet as well as a variety more." ~ Name of books and pamphlets on herbs and other -Peter G. Aitken botanical topics. This building has an in­ Address teresting history. It was built at the end Peter G. Aitken is a neurobiologist on the City, State Zip of World War I as a school for the village research staff at Cornell University. He enjoys of Fall Creek, which is adjacent to the cam­ photography, especially botanical subjects, as Checks or Money Orders Only pus. The university donated use of the land an avocation.

American Horticulturist 7 }3Oa<~---

TWO ON FLOWER ARRANGING SQUARE FOOT GARDENING. Mel Bartholomew. Rodale Press, Inc. AMERICAN Emmaus, Pennsylvania. 1981.360 HORTICULTURAL IKEBANA-SPIRIT AND pages; paperbound, $9.95. AHS SOCIETY TECHNIQUE. Shusui Komoda and discount price, $9.71 including postage Horst Pointner. Blandford Pre$s. Poole, and handling. England. 1980. 184 pages; hardbound, This book is a guide to growing vegetables $15.95. AHS discount price, $12.40 in very small plots. It is applicable to both including postage and handling. OFFICERS gardening in the ground and in containers. Since efficient growing in small spaces re­ quires a great deal of planning in order not Dr. Gilbert S. Daniels to waste growing space, a large part of the PRESIDENT book is devoted to planning all phases of the vegetable garden-from the initial gar­ Edward N. Dane FIRST VICE PRESIDENT den plan and scheduling transplants, to efficient use of the final product. Much of \lrs. John M. Maury the information is very basic and is di­ SECOND VICE PRESIDENT rected to the beginning gardener, but there are quite a few good ideas here that might \1rs. Edward C. Sweeney be new to even the most advanced vege­ SECRETARY table grower. Vertical gardening, for ex­ ample, saves space and produces partic­ J. Judson Brooks ularly symmetrical fruit, while portable TREASURER DESIGN WITH PLANT MATERIAL. cold frames and homemade cloches allow Thomas W. Richards Marian Aaronson. Grower Books. the gardener to get a real jump on the EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT London, England. 1979. 119 pages; growing season. This is an excellent book hardbound, $11.95. AHS discount price, for first time vegetable gardeners and fun Dr. Henry M. Cathey $11.40 including postage and handling. reading for the expert. IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower ar­ ranging. To the uninitiated it seems a for­ midable and highly formalized approach GROWING CALIFORNIA NATIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS to design, which specialists master only PLANTS. Marjorie G. Schmidt. after many years of study. The years of University of California Press. Berkeley. study cannot be replaced by one pass 1981. 366 pages; paperback, $7.95. TERMS EXPIRING IN 1981: through this book, but the reader can AHS discount price, $7.50 including achieve a familiarity and understanding of postage and handling. j. Judson Brooks Dr. Gilbert S. Daniels the art by following the 81 specific ex­ Although written for the California gar­ Harold Epstein amples (lessons) that take the beginner dener, this book has a great deal to offer Mrs. Joseph G. P06tker gardeners throughout the United States. Dr. Harold B. Tukey, Jr. through all the detai'ls of preparing the Theodore Van Veen plant material and the container, and plac­ As one of the richest state floras within ing the components of the final arrange­ the entire country, there are a great many TERMS EXPIRING IN 1982: ment. The many different design styles are native plants in California that are both Richard j. Both explained by clear photographs, line draw­ worthy of cultivation in gardens and per­ Edward N. Dane ings and step-by-step instructions. This fectly hardy enough to be grown else­ Jackson R. Eddy Mrs. A. Lester Marks excellent guide will give the beginner a where. The author has selected the best Mrs. John M. Maury good understanding of the complex rules candidates for the garden from the state Mrs. Edward C. Sweeney flora and provides descriptions, cultural Mrs. William C. Weaver, Jr. behind the apparent simplicity of the Jap­ Dr. John A. Wott anese flower arrangement. information and an estimate of garden value Design with Plant Material is a look at for each species. Line drawings and 48 TERM EXPIRING IN 1983: the principles behind modern English flower color photographs provide some help with j. Lyle Bayless, Jr. arranging. Sixty-three photographs pre­ identification. Lists of plants and seeds Mrs. Benjamin P. Bole, Jr. sent a variety of plant material used in further increase the utility of this work. Everett Conklin Mrs. William Wallace Mein widely different techniques. The Japanese If you are interested in native plants or in Dr. Gerald Barad influence is evident in many of the ar­ some more unusual but outstanding gar­ R.j. Hutton den flowers, you will find this work in­ Mrs. Harry J. Van de Kamp rangements, but modern industrial design Julia W. Rappaport can also be seen as a strong influence. Lots formative. Unfortunately, hardiness is not of very good and differelilt ideas for dec­ specified and must be interpreted from the orative arrrangements of both fresh and information given on native habitat within dried plant material are included. California.

8 June 1981 MEDIEVAL ENGLISH GARDENS. YOUR BIBLICAL GARDEN­ Teresa McLean. The Viking Press. New PLANTS OF THE BIBLE AND HOW York. 1981.298 pages; hardbound, Save time and money­ TO GROW THEM. Allan A. Swenson. $25.00. AHS discount price, $21.25 Doubleday and Company. New York. including postage and handling. buy books by mail! 1981.217 pages; hardbound, $13.95. Order books available AHS discount price, $11.00 including at a discount through postage and handling. the Society. -1 '~ .. h! f . ::I,.~.f ".: ~~'"",*. r io' '. a shame that an equivalent effort was not j YOUR -" put into some climatic description of the . '. }}JIBLICAL ~~'.. A. t~ various provinces of China. It would have ' r:N 1,~ ~ - Ii been far more useful for the reader to know .. ' x.e:. .. ~ • .>'. PLANTS ~''''. the growing conditions tolerated by each Of • \ \ I species than the Chinese characters for the ~~ ltlt~itva(; THE !J6LE Chinese common name. ~.• <1 ~ i, €fl9(iShtfat~ ".t. ~ ~ HOWTO ?i{PWi TERESA McLEAN ~.. ~" GROW ,;P.fl <: • 'I THEM ~,~ i NORTH AMERICAN DYE PLANTS. - Allan A.Swenson i\1f' Anne Bliss. Charles Scribner's Sons. 1. v New York. 1980.288 pages; paperback, r.1. This recent publication is a scholarly work $5.95. AHS discount price, $5.40 that can be enjoyed by all gardeners in­ including postage and handling. terested in the history of their hobby. Many of our native plants provide the raw Everything from kitchen gardens to palace material for dyeing wool in a surprising Many learned works have attempted to gardens and the plants growing in them range of colors. This little book has a brief identify all the plants referred to in the is treated at length. The stories of the de­ introduction to the dyeing process in gen­ Bible, but probably no complete identifi­ velopment of individual gardens are par­ eral. It then presents very brief botanical cation will ever be possible. Between the ticularly fascinating, both from the points descriptions and potential dye colors for problems of translation and the use of of view of the time it took to develop them 125 native plants. Each plant is also illus­ common names, positive identification of and the discussion of the costs involved. trated with a well conceived line drawing all of the plants mentioned is not possible. While Medieval English Gardens has a as an aid to identification. Weavers or Nonetheless, Mr. Swenson has dealt with solid foundation in scholarly research, the knitters who would like to try this process more than 40 of them, giving the biblical reader is not distracted with footnotes or personally will find all the information they reference, a brief horticultural history of references. The one feature that mars the need in this text. By using common the plant and cultural instructions for each. book is an awkward writing style. materials from the kitchen and garden, In addition, he has described a number of with the aid of instructions included in this the better known biblical gardens you can text, a veritable rainbow of colors can be visit and offers plans for creating a small RHODODENDRONS OF CHINA. produced. biblical garden of your own. If you are Judy Young and Lu-sheng Chong interested in having one of the oldest types (translators). American Rhododendron of theme gardens as a part of your garden, Society and Rhododendron Species GARDEN ART. Lorraine Marshall this book takes a very practical approach Foundation. 1980. 670 pages; Burgess. Walker and Company. New to the subject. 0 hardbound, $18.00. AHS discount price, York. 1981. 192 pages; hardcover, -Gilbert S. Daniels $15.65 including postage and handling. $25.00. Instructions for ordering books by mail: Originally published in Chinese in 1974, Ably illustrated with her husband's pho­ Send orders to the attention of Dorothy this English translation describes 283 tographs, Lorraine Burgess' new book pre­ Sams, American Horticultural Society, Chinese speci'es of Rhododendron. Each sents an inspirational commentary on art Mount Vernon, VA 22121. Make checks description is accompanied by a full page in the garden. Her discussion ranges from payable to the Society. Virginia residents, line drawing, and a key to all species fur­ specimen plants, decorative gates and fences add 4% sales tax. When a discount price ther aids identification. With such a large integrated into the existing landscap~ to is not listed for a book, please add $1.25 number of Rhododendron species, many the more conventional art of garden sculp­ to the price listed to cover the cost of mail­ of which are hardy, this book is an out­ ture. Readers planning a new garden or ing and handling. standing addition to the literature on the looking for the one idea to add sparkle to genus. The last 40-odd pages deal with an existing garden are sure to find a cre­ Gilbert S. Daniels is President of the technicalities of Chinese translations. It is ative suggestion here. American Horticultural Society.

American Horticulturist 9 couPle of summers back I was . forced to give over my ground-level How to A backyard garden to two golden retrievers. Despite elaborate dog baffles, the beasts kept digging up my flower plan­ tation. So, gracefully and without actually Make a admitting dog defeat, I withdrew to the top of the fence line, having figured out a way to put my plants to bed along the Moss top rail. Last summer, following a change of house and garden, I decided to recycle the aerial gardening technique I had de­ vised earlier and plant the front stoop rail. Canoe The idea had originally come to me one morning while reading the New York Times. I had granted the dogs ground rights, but I still had air rights. I reckoned I could plant the airspace along the rail with the aid of the Fourth Estate, a little chicken wire and some Rube Goldberg variations. My plan involved the purchase of a roll

ABOVE LEFT: The chicken wire frames of the canoes are first lined with newspapers and an outer, decorative layer of sheet moss. LEFT: Individual plants go into the canoe encased in additional layers of newspaper, which serve as liners for the plant's rootball and as an effective means of holding in moisture. ABOVE: Once the canoe is filled with plants, additional dirt is added to cover each newsprint "pot." Now regular watering is all that is required. OPPOSITE: Author Patti Hagan tends to her completed moss canoe garden.

10 June 1981 of two-foot-wide, one-inch mesh chicken moss. The green-brown outer skin gave The moss canoes are handy for light­ wire and a ball of wire for attaching it. I the planters the look of moss canoes. Lastly, weight city gardening by the substitution sectioned the chicken wire into five-foot I twined together the ragged ends of the of daily newsprint for much of the usual pieces and folded these in half lengthwise, cut chicken wire to make properly pointed soil filler of the standard window box. fastening the ends to the railing with twists bows and sterns for each canoe. Moss canoes are highly adaptable. In ad­ of wire and letting the middle pouch out. This done, the planting of the canoes dition to back fences and front stoops, they I then padded the wire-mesh trough with took very little time. I whipped up a Iighter­ are easy to hang from apartment balconies, an eight-page thickness of newspaper, lin­ than-dirt mix of a sterilized potting soil, deck railings and tree branches. In winter, ing up the centerfold with the trough bot­ peat moss, vermiculite and dehydrated cow trimmed with greens and holly, they are tom. The next step was to soak a fat Sun­ manure. Then, the plants. Each-gera­ appropriately festive. And come spring, day Times (Arts & Leisure, Business, Travel, nium, impatiens, lobelia, petunia-was put the moss canoe does not have to be built, etc.) in water, wad up the moist pages and in the center of a two-page thickness of only refilled with new annuals. These tuck them into the bottom of the trough. the daily. I added enough planting mix to modern hanging gardens seem to thrive on I brought this newsy tilth to within three cover the rootball, a sprinkle of water, then all the news that's fit to plant, and they inches of the rim. (Newsprint holds mois­ gathered the corners and swaddled the are safe from dogs, cats and kids with ture, is lightweight, fairly organic, and roots rootball snugly in the newspaper and placed flower-magnetic softballs. 0 grow through it with ease.) it flower-side-up in a moss canoe. Once -Patti Hagan Step three was to line the chicken wire all the plants were upright and neatly with sheet moss by filling the space be­ spaced, I topped off the canoe with soil tween the eight-page newspaper liner and mix and trimmed any newsprint sticking Patti Hagan is on the staff of The N ew the chicken wire with flat strips of sheet up over the gunwales. Yorker magazine and gardens in Brooklyn.

American Horticulturist 11 STRANGE RELATIVES

1HE SAXIFRAGE FAMILY

an you imagine a family's being distinguished by the fact that its C members lack striking, distinctive characteristics and have few traits in com­ mon? Such is the saxifrage family, the Sax­ ifragaceae. It is a large and widespread family of perennial herbs and shrubs, a few annuals and a very few small trees. Currently the family is considered to con­ sist of a number of subfamilies, but at var­ ious times in the past taxonomists have ranked the subfamilies as families in their own right. The uncertainty is understand­ able when you discover that in this family leaves may be alternate or opposite, simple or compound, flowers may be conspicu­ ous, or not so, with petals separate or over­ lapping or even absent, and fruit may be a capsule or a berry. The saxifrage family is a source of a broad array of ornamental plants of many uses in the home landscape, woodland and flower garden, and beyond these decora­ tive species, one genus is of economic value to fruit growers. Within this rich assem­ blage are found a fragrant shrub that is a s\tate flower, a desirable flowering vine, two hanging basket favb rites, the' yellow waxbell of Japan and "the makings" of a pie. For simplicity's sake an arbitrary divi­ sion or grouping sorts the family members as decorative shrubs, tender species, her­ baceous species and fruits. Collected from far and wide, some of the most popular and familiar flowering plants of a decorative shmb border are of the saxifrage family. Most prominent is undoubtedly Hydrangea, which makes its appearance as a specimen shrub or tree, in a border planting or hedge, or climbing a wall. Hydrangeas are native to North America and Asia. The many species and varieties have been hybridized to give a broad range of plants for summer and au­ CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Hydrangea macrophy/Ja var. macrophy/Ja. Saxifraga tumn flowering in sun or shade. Many­ sarmentosa. Bergenia cordifolia. Philadelphus lewisii. Illustration by Alice R. Tangerini. hued cultivars of Hydrangea macrophylla var. macrophylla (also called H. macro­ with pyramidal trusses of white flowers height, branching and blooming in June phylla var. hortensia) are numerous, hav­ in summer, fading to pink and bronze in with small, white, fragrant flowers. ing been produced especially for forcing autumn. H. anomala subsp. petiolaris is The species Schizophragma hydran­ and sale as pot plants. H. paniculata the climbing form, usable as a vine or geoides, Japanese hydrang€a vine, is often 'Grandi flora' , the PeeGee hydrangea, is the groundcover; it will cling to a support by confused with climbing hydrangea, H. an­ familiar landscape hydrangea, a large plant root-like holdfasts and grow to 75 feet in oma subsp. petiolaris, which, as an or-

12 June1981 namental vine, is the better of the two. The bears fragrant white flowers two to three chief distinction between them is that the inches across in clusters. It differs from flower of Schizophragma has a prominent Philadelphus mainly in being evergreen and white sepal that is absent on the clinging in some technical characteristics. The name hydrangea. honors William Carpenter, a Louisiana physician of the mid-19th century. Also among shrub genera is Ribes, hor­ ticulturally important for both its fruit and Among herbaceous species flowers. Ribes is a large genus chiefly from the temperate zone. Plants have alternate, ofthe saxifrage family, the simple, lobed leaves and flowers with col­ genus Saxifraga, for which ored sepals larger than the petals. The fruit the family is named, is the is a berry in contrast to the dry capsules of many other Saxifragaceae. Familiar to largest group, consisting of Americans are R. sativum, the red currant, some 300 species, and R. uva-crispa, the gooseberry. The red mostly perennials. currant is a relatively modern fruit; its domestication has occurred within the last 300 or 400 years. It is of European origin and it is not spiny, whereas the gooseberry, from Eurasian regions and North Africa, The genus Deutzia, which contains many is a spiny plant, as anyone who has picked attractive, small shrubs, bears the name or stemmed the fruit is painfully aware. of a sheriff of Amsterdam who was a pa­ The European black currant, R. nigrum, tron of botany and a friend of Linnaeus is another fine-flavored fruit, much fa­ and the botanist Thunberg. Most Deutzia vored in Great Britain. These fruiting spe­ species are from Asia, but two are native cies are very hardy; their cultivation is best to Mexico. All are neat, floriferous plants restricted to northern latitudes with co­ with dainty flowers. Nursery catalogs list pious summer rainfall. numerous hybrids among the 50 or so spe­ Unfortunately both currants and goose­ cies. Deutzias were extensively hybridized berries are hosts to the fungus that causes by the French nursery firm of Lemoine in white pine blister rust, and in many areas the early 1900's. However, one of the they cannot be planted in proximity to showiest cultivars, long popular in Amer­ white pine plantations, which rapidly suc­ ican gardens, is the pink-and-white-flow­ cumb to this particular fungus. Gardeners ered 'Pride of Rochester', which resulted contemplating inclusion of currants and from the efforts of a grower in Rochester, gooseberries in the garden should write to New York, before 1893. their state experiment station or county Philadelphus, the mock orange, is prized or state extension service to find out whether for its fragrance in May and June. The these fruits can be safely planted in their white flowers, single, double or semi-dou­ area. ble, appear solitary or in small clusters. P. The genus Ribes also includes a vigor­ coronarius, the oldest known species, is ous, thornless flowering currant, R. san­ the common mock orange, but many hy­ guineum, as well as other flowering species Save a bundle by doing your own tree pruning. Up to 17 foot reach, brids of the species are offered by nurs­ less well known. R. sanguineum was dis­ strong fiber glass poles, fast and erymen. The French nurseryman, Le­ covered in western North America by David easy cutting up to 1W' limbs, moine, was busy here, too. The arched, Douglas, one of the best known of the 16 inch saw blade for bigger stuff. curved or drooping branches create an im­ early 19th.cemtury plant hunters in Amer­ Teflon-S® coated blades won't pressive floral display when massed in a ica. When he returned to England from his stick, gum-up or rust. A great, shrub border. Some varieties are esteemed first collecting expedition, this red-flow­ money saving tool! for repeat bloom during summer. Several ered currant, alone among his introdm:­ Philadelphus species are native to North tions, was then considered to be well worth SEYMOUR SMITH & SON, INC. Better Garden Tools Since 1850 America. P. lewisii, growing to six feet the entire cost of the two-year expedition. Oakville, Conn. 06779 high in our western states from Montana Jamesia, consisting of three species of PRUNING SHEARS. GRASS SHEARS to Washington and Oregon, is the state western American. native shrubs, was named HEDGESHEARS.LOP~NGSHEARS flower of Idaho. for Dr. Edwin James, an American botan­ PRUNING SAWS DO NOT USE THESE TOOLS NEAR A tender genus of only one species is ical explorer in the Rocky Mountain area ELECTRICAL WIRES. USE ONLY WHILE STANDING FIRM Carpenteria. C. californica is a California in the early years of the 19th century. Ja­ ON DRY LAND. native commonly called tree anemone; it mesia americana is grown especially for

American Horticulturist 13 STRANGE RELATIVES CONT'D

its brilliant orange and scarlet fall foliage. produce dense clumps or colonies of al­ of P. fimbriata from medium elevations Among herbaceous species in the saxi­ most evergreen, fleshy leaves and pink or in the Rockies. Grass-of-Parnassus can be frage family, the genus Saxifraga, for which white flowers in nodding clusters. Ger­ included in bog area or pools ide plantings. the family is named, is the largest group, man-raised and named cultivars are said Tiarella, false miterwort or foamflower, consisting of some 300 species, mostly to have clearer coloring than the species is a stoloniferous woodland genus, readily perennials. They are native to temperate B. cordifolia, generally available. Bergen­ adapted to cultivation in the woodland or regions of Europe and America. Usually ias are suited to moist, shaded situations wildflower garden. It grows naturally in low-growing, spreading or creeping plants, in the border. rich, rocky woods from Nova Scotia and they include some alpine and arctic species. Evergreen, ground-hugging leaves and New Brunswick to Minnesota and further There is great variation in their leaves, one- or two-foot leafless stalks of bell­ south in the mountains, blooming from some being thick and fleshy, others, moss­ shaped flowers characterize Heuchera. The April to June. T. unifoliata, coolwort like, often exhibiting extreme hairiness or most common and most adapted to garden foamflower, is a wildflower of the Glacier succulence, which enables them to survive culture is the hardy H. sanguinea, coral Park area. under precarious circumstances. bells, which was carried to England from Mitella, miterwort, is another woodland These saxifrages have been organized Mexico in an open basket in 1885. Its im­ genus from deep, moist woodlands, flow­ botanically into 16 sections based on mediate popularity stimulated hybridists ering from May to July. whether they are mat-forming, cushion­ to produce many new cultivars. This spe­ One last herbaceous species must be like, deciduous or evergreen, spring or au­ cies is native to Mexico and Arizona. Other described because it is so familiar to indoor tumn blooming. Great variety is attainable species are from Rocky Mountain areas gardeners, most of whom would never have in cultivation because of seasonal changes and from woodlands of the eastern United surmised that it is a cousin of gooseberries in foliage color. Many are spectacular in States. and hydrangeas. It is Tolmiea menziesii, flower. Erect or low-growing flowering Kirengeshoma palmata is the yellow a single species, honoring Dr. William Fraser spikes produce blossoms of red, yellow, waxbell from Japan. Long, thick, bright­ Tolmie, a surgeon of the Hudson's Bay pink, white or purple. Rock garden en­ yellow, waxy petals account for the com­ Company, Puget Sound. This is the pig­ thusiasts know them well. mon name. Flowering occurs in September gyback plant so often seen as a luxuriant Indoor gardeners produce whimsical on plants three or four feet tall with maple­ hanging basket plant. Its manner of re­ effects with Saxifraga stolonifera (5. sar­ like leaves on purplish stems. (For an ac­ producing itself accounts for its common mentosa), its numerous stolons cascading count of firsthand experience in growing name; young plants arise at the junction out of the pot with terminal rosettes of this out-of-the-ordinary gem, see Mrs. of leaf blade and stalk. At an appropriate leaves, pendant around a hanging basket. Ralph Cannon's article in American Hor­ stage of maturity the young plants drop This is strawberry saxifrage, too often ticulturist, February 1981.) from the mother leaf to the soil beneath. colloquially called strawberry begonia The genus Rodgersia is a hardy herba­ This sticky-haired, soft-leaved, intensely or strawberry geranium. More applicable ceous perennial from China and Japan. Its green plant is native to west coast areas is the name mother-of-thousands because flowering habit is similar to that of the from Alaska to California. It is closely allied of the plantlets, formed at the ends showy, feathery terminal clusters of As­ in botanical terms to the east coast Ti­ of the stolons, which are easily used for titbe. The name honors a distinguished arella. Flowers are not outstanding, just propagation. American naval officer, Admiral John small greenish-white blossoms on an eight­ Other herbaceous species of special in­ Rodgers, who commanded an expedition inch sta.lk. It can be propagated from the terest are the garden favorites Astilbe, Ber­ to China and Japan in the late 19th century little plants on the leaves or from runners genia, Heuchera, Rodgersia, Kirengesh­ during which the first species, R. podo­ and can be grown in woods soil in the oma and Parnassia. phylla, was discovered. This plant, known shady rock garden or woodland, but it is The versatile Astilbe is a native of Korea, as bronze-leaf Rodger's flower, is valued not hardy despite its origins. China and Japan. It is a moisture-loving for its bronze-colored foliage. It boasts long­ The Saxifragaceae includes other culti­ hardy perennial with feathery plumes of stalked, divided leaves and handsome sprays vated genera too numerous to mention but red, rose, pink or white florets. Most of of yellowish flowers, reaching a height of many worthy of the gardener'S attention. the cultivars offered for the garden or as three or four feet. Other species and cul­ It is not possible within this column to do pot plants owe their origins to the hybrid­ tivars offer differences in foliage shape and justice to so distinguished a family. It is izing work of Lemoine in France and Ar­ flower color. Rodgersias are well suited obvious that members of the saxifrage ends in Germany. Common names include for moist garden spots. family contribute enormously to our tra­ goatsbeard and meadowsweet. [t is often An enchanting genus of woodland hab­ ditionallandscape patterns and to the col­ carried by florists as spirea, although it is itats is Parnassia, grass-of-Parnassus, fa­ lections of enthusiastic specialists. We can­ not a spirea (which is a member of the rose bled to have sprung from the ground on not honestly assign them to an family), and confusion is further con­ Mt. Parnassus in Greece. Besides the Eu­ undistinguished position in the plant world founded by the fact that one of the native ropean species, P. palustris, several are because of the uncertainty of some botan­ American spireas ' is called meadowsweet. native to various sections of the United ical differentiation. ~ About a dozen Asian perennial herbs States in wet and shady habitats. A deli­ -Jane Steffey comprise the genus Bergenia. Three of these cate, solitary flower tops a long stem that Jane Steffey is the horticultural advisor to the are grown for their foliage and early flow­ often bears only a single leaf. Especially American Horticultural Society, handling ering. From thick rootstocks the plants appealing are the delicately fringed flowers member inquiries.

14 June1981 BY MRS. RALPH CANNON name lily, but they do not even belOFlg to the same botanical family as the true lilies. e true lilies, members of the genus Their general appearance suggests a rela­ Lilium, are noble plants ana. are tionship,- and so gardeners have assigned ~.. amoFlg the mo..st popular !,'>f ga,den comrnOR,names that irnl'ly ali:tual k~sh;ip. subjects. Many other plants also li:arry the Many of t}lese plants are>little known. EVe!). nurserymen have failed to call attention Mrs. Ralph Cannon owns 26 acres of Illinois to their real identity and worthy garden woodland where she has experimented with value. Without doubt, a wider use ana many gardening projects since 1939. better knowledge of these so-called lilies

American Horticulturist 15 Sev,etal members of tn~ .t\rnarylljdace;le The comt;r.J.on name kaffir lily is shared vi ding a good show in the house, but it (amaryllis :family) '.lad t~e Iridaceae (ids by plants in two genera that masquerade also can be an. excellent source for cut family) also mas9ueradeas lilies, and these as lilies, Clivia and Schizostylis. The clivi as flowers when grown in the greenhouse. are the plants thatwill be considered here. are actually members of the Amaryllida­ Pot them in late spring for summer flower A number of plants An these families are ceae and are fairly popular pot plants. They or in the fall for winter bloom, three roots abundant in tropical and subtropical re­ are evergreen, not hardy, and so are not to a five-inch pot, and look forward to gions of the world and are hardy only in suitable for cultivation in the cold-climate crowds of brightly-colored flowers. the southernmostzov.es of the United States. garden. Schizostylis coccinea, also called The bugle lilies, members of the genus Although in cold climates these plants can­ crimson flag, is a member of the Iridaceae Watsonia, which was named after the Eng­ not be grown and left to overwinter in the that would add charm to any garden. The lish botanist William Watson" are also garden, they can be planted in. the spdng. plant looks almost like a small gladiolus members of the lridaceae. These natives They wit! bloom and decor;lte the garden with grassy leaves. It is especially useful of South Africa bear gladiolus-like blooms in the summer and early autumFl and then because it blooms in the autumn when its in shades of rose, salmon, red, sGariet or can be lifted and stored before the onset vibrant scariet, vermillion or crimson white. The flowers, borne on spikes that of winter. They are more than worth the flowers are needed to liven up the flower reach a height of two feet, appear in mid extra fuss. Several of the so-called lilies border. These plants have fibrous, fleshy or late summer. Leaves are glossy and sword make excellent subjects for growing in­ roots and form attractive clumps. They are shaped. There are a number of species and doors 'as pot plants and can even be grown only hardy in the very southern portions cultivars; W. meriana is very popular. These in large containers that are kept out of of the country. In the north, clumps can Continued on page 34 doors until late fall when they are moved be planted in the garden after all danger ABOVE: Watsonia, commonly called bugle last to a frost-proof place. As a resort, they of frost has passed. Not only is this so­ lily. OPPOSITE: Hymenocalli's, commonly can be treated as annuals. called lily lovely whea grown in pots, pro- called spider lily.

16 June 1981 American Horticulturist 17 18 June1981 Gardening in Containers

TEXT BY FREDERICK MCGOURTY PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAMELA HARPER

ontainer gardening outdoors be­ dening. I am sure I would have been nuals in the Northeast. Within six weeks gan for me about 20 years ago when drummed out of the local garden club. the two-foot-tall Saipigiossis, laden with c I started to grow a few annuals in In addition to my lapses on color co­ bloom and weak of stem, followed New­ redwood boxes. My color choices weren't ordination, I was but dimly aware that ton's Law. I scooped up the plants much especially good-hot-pants pink petunias, plants had different heights and that scale like a dancer trying gracefully to hold his orange zinnias and that sort of thing, but was not just an insect. Fortunately, giant leading lady who has suddenly fainted. like most people who grow annuals I was sunflowers never appealed to me or I would Stakes and strings didn't help much. Sal­ interested in bright hues. It didn't really have put them in containers, but there were piglossis was in a five-inch-wide, five-inch­ matter then if the various combinations a number of flops. One was Salpiglossis, deep metal window box, moreover one shattered an occasional pair of sunglasses. which is a Texas-sized relative of the pe­ That was the pre-pastel period of my gar- tunia, though it sounds more like a throat Containerized plants function in formal malady than a plant. It was only three designs as well as ones that can be termed Frederick McGourty is editor of the Brooklyn inches tall when I bought it in a little tray "country casual," and the types of containers Botanic Garden Handbook series. He and his one can use for this purpose, provided they wife maintain a lovely garden at their home from a garden center one Memorial Day, have good drainage, are limited only by one's in Connecticut. the traditional planting-out time for an- imagination.

American Horticulturist 19 which had no drainage holes. By the first "One winter I bought every good, the container gardener can always of August Old Salpi, top-heavy and soggy rely on the Big Three of the shade-tolerant rooted, had given up the ghost, and Amer­ window box on sale at annuals-wax begonias, impatiens and ican horticulture was the richer. every discount store in our coleus. Luckily, each has many strains and The metal window boxes held a certain part o/the state." colors from which to choose. Also, the fascination for me, mainly because they gardener doesn't have to constantly re­ were cheap, light in weight and lasted a move the spent flowers to make these plants few years if protected from winter. They sary, in the cooler reaches of the country, look tidy or to perpetuate bloom, as is the came in various lengths, too. I amassed to water a metal window box at least once case with most other annuals. one of New England's finest collections. or twice a week. In warmer areas daily It was in fact a miscalculation with im­ After awhile it occurred to me to use an watering may be necessary, especially if patiens that led me to dreams of glory with ice pick to punch a few holes in the bottom plants are in full sun, as most annuals should container gardening. Each spring for some for drainage, and plants grew better, even in theory be. Man cannot garden by theory years I bought a tray or two of impatiens those rare ones that like the moist side alone, however, and to cut down on the to plant in compost in two large cement of life. Why the manufacturers don't make seemingly constant watering I learned the window boxes located under an old ash the holes at the point of origin remains a desirability of setting containers where they tree. My custom was to plant, water and mystery, for it would save gardeners a lot would receive morning SUN and afternooN mulch them at the end of May, then return of woe. shade, since the summer sun from lunch in late September to uproot them after the In gardening one seldom has it all one's time on is brutally drying. I am neither first frost had turned them to mush. They own way, and it became clear to me that mad dog nor Englishman, nor are my plants. performed beautifully, and little or no the smaller the container, the greater the In cities, where heat concentrations are Continued on page 36 need is for watering, regardless of whether greater, the matter of site is particularly the currently popular chemical super-ab­ important. In many instances the experi­ Container gardening need not be restricted to sorbents are mixed with soil or a mulch enced urban gardener essentially looks upon a backyard terrace. In the garden areas is placed on top. Summer drought is a more shade from tall buildings not so much as pictured here, strategically placed pots of ornamental kale and tubs of white impatiens common occurrence thaN we like to think, a problem as an opportunity. If shade seems enhance the appearance of other plants and even with normal rainfall it is neces- to come from all sides but light is fairly growing in permanent borders.

20 June 1981 American Horticulturist 21 The American Horticultural Society's Autumn Tour of England has a most unusual itinerary. Of course it includes an intelligent mixture of large and small gardens, Autunm visits to some of England's magnificent country houses and also the occasional church or cathedral, but these special treats are usual fare on our tours. What makes this trip unique is that it concentrates on the less well-known parts of England, the eastern region of Yorkshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. It then culminates in InEngland London at the Royal Horticultural Society's famed Great Autumn Show at Westminster Hall. Garden enthusiasts who are familiar with the climate and plantings of western England will be surprised at what eastern England has to offer. BY VALERIE SAMSON Because this region experiences comparatively low rainfall and has large portions of both acid and chalk soil, a different array of plants are available to the British gardener here. Join Valerie Samson, who participated in last year's excursion, on this reading tour of Britain's "East End" and other points of horticultural interest. Then make plans to see the area for yourself on this year's exploration, September 10-24, 1981. Write to Dorothy Sowerby, in care of the Society, for a registration form.

Eastern England was our destination, but since no tour of British gardens would be complete without a visit to Wisley, the Royal Horticultural Society's garden in Surrey, it was here that we began our trip. It is to Wisley that the 70,000 members of the Royal Horticultural Society come for inspiration. In addition to 200 acres of plants, all of which can be grown in the British Isles, the Garden also has a training program for those interested in horticulture as a career. Wisley-trained personnel are to be found in botanical and horticultural establishments throughout the world. We were fortunate to be guided through the gardens by John Clayton, who has been at Wisley for 25 years. The herbaceous borders were magnificent, but most spectacular

Valerie Samson is a British citizen who accompanied members of the American Horticultural Society on last year's Al1tumn Tour of England.

22 June 1981 was the rock garden, considered by many to be the best of its kind in Great Britain. LEFT: This planting of ornamental grasses is Small gardens designed to help new gardeners with the layout of their own plots at Wisley, the Royal Horticultural Society'S demonstration garden in Surrey. ABOVE: were also much admired. Heather gardens were a favorite of all those Among the smaller private gardens that were opened to us were those of two well­ participating in the Society's Autumn Tour of known flower arrangers, Sheila Macqueen in Hertfordshire and George Smith in England and were usually planted in Yorkshire. Their gardens reflected the differences in their floral design styles. Mrs. combination with drawf conifers. Macqueea's garden, surrounding an ancient cottage dating back to the 15th century, was informal and almost wild in its conception. Curved borders were filled with plants grown for their beautiful foliage. It was interesting to see that Phytolacca americana (Virginian pokeweed) was cherished in cultivation. Another plant that caused considerable interest was the white form of Astrantia major, with its green­ tipped bracts, a must for the flower arranger and a favorite in Mrs. Macqueen's own floral creations. Before leaving the village of Leverstock Green, where Mrs. Macqueen lived, we visited several other small, charming gardens. A cottage garden owned by Mr. and Mrs. Cadnam was immaculate, with roses very much in evidence. Of note was the lovely apricot 'Bethina'. George Smith received us in his elegant home, the Manor House Heslington, which is very close to the city of York. His beautifully maintained garden was interesting to arrangers and bird watchers alike. We were delighted to locate two barn owls high in the treetops sleeping away the daylight hours. We were fascinated by Mr. Smith's slide presentation of his remarkably dramatic arrangements for Badminton house, the home of the Duke of Beaufort. We also saw slides of the Concours de Bouquets at Monaco, which he attends as a guest of the Prince and Princess and where he acts as one of the judges. He, too, had taken great pains to decorate his home with exquisite arrangements for us to view. Our excursion through England also included visits to botanical and horticultural gardens. The Northern Horticultural Society's garden at Harlow Car near Harrogate

American Horticulturist 23 "Although many of the was one of the highlights of our tour. This garden is comparatively new, being just 30 years old. It has been designed on a sloping site with a southwest exposure and a gardens we visited were loamy, acid soil, a location ideally suited to the cultivation of ericaceous plants. chosen because they were There were over 200 species of rhododendrons and as many named hybrids planted smaU or ofmedium size, we in the Garden, but these, of course, were not in bloom during our visit. Instead, it was the heathers that caught our attention. They were growing around a pool where also visited several great massive manmade outcrops of the natural sandstone had been placed. The heathers houses set in had been planted to give color and interest throughout the year. Another pleasant feature of the Harlow Car Garden was the collection of miniature conifers, all magnificent parks." carefully labeled to help the gardener choose and identify suitable plants for his own use. Companion plantings of dwarf conifers and heathers were in evidence in most of the gardens we visited. Although never paired in nature, their juxtaposition appears to have become accepted throughout the British Isles. Great emphasis was placed on foliage plants in a part of the Harlow Car Garden devoted to species of Arum, Phlomis, Rhus, Bergenia, Euphorbia and Cornus. Many of us were also delighted by the alpine house, which was designed to give a natural effect and included a wide range of alpine plants grown in scree beds and stone troughs. Harlow Car was a pleasure to visit, and since the site was chosen for its exposed location and poor soil, this gave great encouragement to those of us who garden in difficult conditions. Both Harlow Car and Wisley were horticultural gardens, but our excursion also included visits to botanical gardens. Here the approach was more scientific. Collections of plants grew irrespective of their decorative value or of their suitabiliry to the English climate. Such a garden was the Cambridge Botanical Garden, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the British Isles. Cambridge boasted both a sandstone and a limestone rock garden. Another feature of great interest there was the chronological garden, which demonstrated the pauciry of indigenous plants and the range of foreign introductions to England from the 11 th century onwards.

24 June 1981 The Cambridge University Botanical Garden has a threefold role to play. It LEFT: This attractive perennial border functions as a serious institution of scientific research; as an educational center for planting is part of Bressingham Nursery, owned by well-known plantsman Alan students of horticultur~ both at Cambridge and elsewhere; and as a public park. Bloom. ABOVE: Beth Chatto's nursery Recently it has also adopted a new role, that of conserving and collecting native garden near Colchester was a neglected flowering plants and large ferns with the aid of the Nature Conservancy Council. wilderness before 1960. Now this bog garden The other botanic garden we visited during our tour was the Leicester University is one of many growing next to green walks Garden, a much more recent creation than that of Cambridge. It consisted of four that meander through five large ponds on the property. large suburban gardens dating from the beginning of this century, the homes adjacent to th~m having since b~come halls of residence for students at the University. As in all botanic gardens, a systematic arrangement of many families had been planted. The garden also had some well-established trees, including an unusual form of Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca', which had branches descending to horizontal tips; a fine weeping birch, Betula pendula 'Youngii', and an extensive collection of maples that added great beauty to the garden. The maple collection included Acer griseum, notable for its peeling, metallic-brown bark, a good selection of cultivars of Acer japonicum, including 'Aureum' and 'Aconitifolium', and Acer palma tum 'Dissectum'. Although many of the gardens we visited were chosen because they were small or of medium size, we also visited several great houses set in magnificent parks whose present owners took great d~light in the cultivation of flower gardens. Such a home was Boughton House in Leicestershire, the property of the Duke of Buccleuch. It was a great pleasure to all of us to be shown around the garden of the Dower House by Sir George and Lady Seott, both talented gardeners. Lady Scott is better known as Valerie Finnis, co-founder of the Waterperry Horticultural School and a photographer whose work frequently appears in the Royal Horticultural Society Journal, The Garden. Everyone was enchanted by the charm and delicacy of the plantings at the Dower House. Soft colors and gray foliage predominated. Also of interest was the colleaion of stone troughs that Sir George and Lady Scott used for Continued on page 38

American Horticulturist 25

Lavender Gardens

BY LORRAINE MARSHALL BURGESS

re you about to legia vulgaris, that seem design a new gar­ hidden in the fence line A den or redo an old shrubbery, so you can one? If so, consider a lav­ watch them dance their ender color scheme. If the way into spring in pale­ thought of manipulating blue arabesques. Let them color seems a bit much, keep company with the relax. Spring flower pretty blue panicled colors tending toward flowers of the slightly lavender are among the lower-growing Jacob's easiest to handle. They ladder, Polemonium cae­ almost fall together nat­ ruleum. urally. Then reach into your Start by focusing on ca talog file and order lavender-blue and lav­ seeds right now for all­ (mder-pink, and make blue and all-purple pan­ them your major color sies to grow as a friendly notes. Then add a few greeting beside the grace notes of golden yel­ kitchen door. Divide and low as sun-bright accents divide again your over­ and a few miniature grown clumps of the plants in white for daz­ creeping phlox, Phlox zle. subulata, concentrating Once committed to on the magenta and lav­ lavender you will find ender shades. Plant them scores of early-blooming where they can overhang bulbs and perennials to a retaining wall. Add new work with. Mother Na­ ~ plantings of common and ture il'l spring has always ~ Persian lilacs (Syringa been partial to mauve and ~ vulgaris and S. X persica) magenta. In fact, she " where they will show to se€ms to like all the pur­ LEFf: A lavender border in the author's Colorado garden includes lemon-yellow best advantage, and in­ ple hues, so why not join Hemerocallis, lavender-pink Hesperis, or sweet rocket, and pale-lavender iris. troduce more golden for­ her? ABOVE: Purple pansies like those pictured above, and others available in shades of sythias in a warm corner lavender and yellow, are perfect plants for the garden with a lavender color scheme. Color scheming is an where they can grow. invigorating enterprise. It gives you an ex­ crimson hyacinths. Then catch the scarlet Do a casual inventory of existing early cuse to dig up and discard or give away poppies and orange iris, as soon as you blue and lavender perennials, and add a any wrong colors in your garden, to seek can identify them. Some gardener who isn't low-growing speedwell such as Veronica out any discordant notes in your color into color harmonies should be pleased to rep ens, some pincushion flowers, Scabiosa symphony. have them. atropurpurea, Ajuga, periwinkle-blue Vinca Find a new home for the bright red tulips Now direct your attention to the things and perennial flax, Linum perenne, if you and cerise anemones that someone gave that are already iro. your gardero.. Uncover haven't already. Search out some early­ you. Lift out the orange daffodils that came the bluebells, Mertensia virginica, that have blooming China aster, Callistephus chi­ with that bushel shipment, along with any been languishing under the oaks, and cul­ nensis, and as many painted daisies, Chry­ tivate those spreads of violets in a wood­ santhemum coccineum, in pink and lav­ Lorraine Burgess is an artist and gardener, long concerned with meshing these two land corner. Lift a few orphans to group ender hues as you can find. From a friend activities. She is the author of The Garden­ together into a new family. Cut a vague acquire a big clump of Campanula glom- Maker's Answer Book. pathway to the garden columbines, Aqui- Continued on page 40

American Horticulturist 27 Conff!SSinns ofa Lazy Gardener

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTHA PRINCE

I cannot imagine life without a garden! and the really routine things most gardens sidered a difficult plot on which to build Existence with no plants to grow, to ar­ seem to demand are not for me. On a hot (the architect agreed!), and we paid very range, to love, would be confining, dull summery day I do not want to dutifully little for a perfect spot..... for us. As this and joyless. There is a human need to watch pull weeds or water the thirsty lawn. I is our second garden, we applied lessons for spring's arrival, to choose treasures to prefer a tall, frosty glass of iced tea, a learned from the first one. Ours is certainly tuck into the soil and to watch them grow. chaise in the shade, and a book. A garden, not a finished garden, nor will it ever be. I love designing new areas-a new vista to me, should enhance life, not run it. After more than 15 years nearly an acre from a window, perhaps, or a new plant Every gardener has his personal prior­ is still in untouched woodland. We started arrangement by our terrace "dining room." ities. Many people truly enjoy demanding with no garden at all. First, the living room I am happy painting flowers, or photo­ gardens and find pleasure in the constant view was opened up, brick retaining walls graphing them or just examining one tiny work required for annual and perennial and steps built, and planting areas de­ petal for its intricate perfection. Most gar­ borders and immaculate lawns. I like and signed. Years later, we are still uprooting den activities aren't "chores" at all, but admire such gardens, too, but only when saplings and clearing poison ivy! Extend­ pleasures. There are, however, supposed the upkeep belongs to someone else! A ing paths, planting evergreens and spread­ necessities of gardening I can do without. garden should be a personal statement. ing ferns and wildflowers is a continuing I am not a particularly orderly person, What do I want (or need) in a garden? I process for lazy gardeners such as we. There like informality, easy care, varied moods. are plans for a small semi-circular terrace, Martha Prince is an artist and writer who I like surprises waiting around the next far from the house and tucked into the gardens on Long Island. Her special interest curve, a seat in a hidden nook, vistas across hillside, where we want a picnic table un­ is wildflowers, with emphasis on rhododendrons and aza leas. Exhibitions of a lawn, a deck in the treetops. I want the der the white pines and the larches. That her paintings have been held at many botanic relaxed and cool feeling of woods. I prefer is on this year's agenda. We do not feel gardens and arboreta. wildflowers, ferns, azaleas and rhodo­ particularly ashamed of ourselves for things dendrons, if I must make a choice in the plant world. Luckily (for me) "my" kind of garden can be an easy one to manage. I must tell you, however, that "easy" gar­ dening requires some hard work in the beginning. A garden doesn't become self­ care, or easy care, without thought and planning. We have about two acres on a wooded hillside. For flat Long Island, this is truly mountainous-the top of our hill is 120 feet above the water. Long Island Sound is not far away. This was evidently con-

28 Jun e 1981 Phlox stolonifera 'Blue Ridge'.

American Horticulturist 29 Glenn Dale azalea 'Coquette'.

30 June1981 "On a hot day I do not want to dutifully pull weeds or water the thirsty lawn. I prefer a tall, frosty glass of iced tea, a chaise in the shade and a book."

undone as yet. Indeed, one of the positive quite lucky in our assortment of natural need at least one male to have berries), pleasures of gardening is looking for­ trees; there are two huge green ashes, many which is low, glossy-green and has red ward to the next expansion! I think a really oaks, a large hickory or two, an American globes larger than holly berries. Leucothoe complete and finished garden would lack linden or basswood (Tilia americana ), a (ontanesiana and its cultivars (including challenge. tulip, a horse chestnut, good white pines, ones with variegated leaves or brilliant­ For any easy-care garden, the choice of a small forest of hemlocks-and too many bronze new foliage) can be mixed as a plants comes first. We have learned what maples. The soil is acid humus over clay. drooping evergreen edging for woods or takes care and what doesn't, what we really The list of acid-loving evergreens is enor­ paths. Our American holly, Ilex opaca, like and want, and what we like but can mous, and enormously varied in shape, and its cultivars are very hardy, as is Illex do without. I love roses, especially the old leaf, texture and color. Start with the rho­ pernyi (and Ilex X aquipernyi) and Ilex ones, but we had gone through the regular dodendrons. Hundreds of hybrids and many crenata (which can be trimmed as a hedge, sieges of Japanese beetles, aphids and black species are hardy in New York. We have if you want a hedge). We have more or spot. In the first garden we had lovely iris, miniatures, such as Rhododendron race­ less eliminated many hollies from our gar­ but we were not systematic enough about mosum (tiny leaves and pink blossoms), den; the lovely English holly suffers bad removing leaves and debris, and they rot­ long, slender-leaved plants such as R. mak­ leaf-burn in the winter, et cetera. We do ted. The neighbor's cat slept in our beds inoi and R. degronianum (with velvet in­ root some interesting species, just for fun of seedlings (she preferred petunias). A very dumentum or "fur" underneath), glossy, (llex cornuta 'Burfordii' is one), but tuck small garden was a lot of frustrating work! round leaves (we use 'Bow Bells' with suc­ them in protected spots and don't really Here, evergreens, groundcover and trees cess) and too many differing ones to count. count on survival. are our staples. We have a good year-round I have to laugh when people ask if a rho­ All these evergreens and the few conifer display, whether the rhododendrons have dodendron garden isn't monotonous ex­ treasures we have planted, such as blue­ real flowers or snowball ones. We were cept at flowering time. To go with these gray Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca', Chamae- are all their brethren in the same genus, the azaleas. We have dozens of hardy azalea cultivars, both evergreen and deciduous. If you ask me to name one perfect rho­ dodendron (perfect shape, perfect flowers, perfect leaves, no leaf burn, no bud blast) I think I'd have to say Dexter's 'Scintil­ lation'. For the single perfect evergreen azalea, the Glenn Dale 'Coquette'. To use only those would be dull, however. All pink. Other marvelous plants include Skim­ mia japonica (a dioecious plant, so you

American Horticulturist 3 1 LAZY GARDENER CONT'D

cyparis obtusa (the Hinoki cypress) and rybells. The showy, drooping, bright-yel­ a mat of Juniperus 'Nana', have given no low flowers have no faults and need no trouble, ever. We do admit to having 25 care. They spread into big clumps and can feet or so of upright yew hedge that needs be divided. clipping onC€l a y€lar. Care in planting is the best guarantee With only a small lawn, "open space" of future ease in gardening. All the plants includes a large terrace (blue stone set in we have chosen need the sam€l soil pre.p­ sand) and several pebble gardens. These aration; a garden cannot possibly takl'l care are wonderful- the stones ar€l on top of of itself without both the right soil al'ld the black plastic, which discourages weeds. right drainage. The first tool need€ld is a Our largest pebble garden is a half-circle roto-spader (unless the man-of-the-garden by th€l terrace, backed by rhododendrons. really likes back-breaking work). I can't We like to change the planting there, much manage gas-driven equipment, but my like redecorating the dining room. Rho­ husband rather enjoys it. He has turned dodendrons are easy to move. Their shal­ over all the soil in each area to be planted, low roots are the reason one does not cul­ and churned in peat and sand il'l the proper tivate around a plant, which we want to proportions. We mulch well, and the soil avoid anyway! Right now our decor is never needs disturbing again. Rhododendron 'Roslyn' (lavender), 'Ide­ N€lxt to the roto-spader, the most useful alist' (cr€lam), 'Bow Bells' (pink), 'Madame tool is a vacuum-shredder-bagger. This both Masson' (white with a yellow blotch) and takes care of cleanups and provides our 'Earl of Athlone' (brilliant red). In front mulch supply. This marvelous invention of them, or rather between them, is the chews up the leaves on the lawn and ter­ splendid ground cover, Liriope muscari race (and driveway, and walks), and spews (sometimes called lily turf). The dark-green, the almost pulverized leaf bits into a can­ lily-like leaves· are evergreen, and there are vas bag; when filled we empty this bag pale-lavender spikes of blossoms in au­ into a big plastic garbage bag and tie it. tumn. Actually, the plants need a "butch" Rows of black bags of ready-to-use mulch FULL COLOR FUCHSIA POSTER haircut in spring before the new leaves are lined up in the garage. Leaves are too come, but we usually forget and it doesn't precious to burn, and I shudder when I see seem to matter. "gardeners" doing it (in the name of neat­ Another groundcover we use extensively ness, I suppose). around rhododendrons is Epimedium (we Then, an automatic sprinkling system have all the species, I think). These foot­ . . . for us an absolute necessity. We couldn't high, carefree and lovely plants are most leave the house without our faithful ser­ noticeable for the leaves, but the pretty vant. My husband installed it hims€llf in sprays of almost-hidden flowers come in sections as the garden grew. As today's red, white, lavender, yellow, pink-and-yel­ equipment and supply prices are so much low. I'm not sure which species is which, higher, he looked up his purchases in a as the first plants were a gift, with no label. current catalogu€l . If you installed our sys­ These, too, should have a butch-cut in the tem now, you would pay about $700. That spring, but they do beautifully with our is with no labor costs, of course. Here is neglect. We also have CJ.uantities of the what we have. There is a six-zone arrange­ glossy-leaved Asarum europaeum (wild ment (partly for flexibility-the steepest ginger), which can be divided and spread part of the hill needs more water because National Fuchsia Society 1981 Annual and spread and spread. Then there is Phlox of run-off-and partly because of the water Show Poster, with Swingtime in full color, stolonifera 'Blue Ridge', a charming creep­ pressure). Each zone is set for hours of the now available by mail. Printed on heavy er that blooms almost anywhere. In the day and days of the week. There is a turn­ 18"x24" stock suitable for framing , this off switch (for rain) and the whole timing limited edition poster is a collector's item woods, partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) and beautiful in any room. Get yours while has made a lovely carpet under the pines, can easily be reset for wet or dry condi­ they last! Unframed posters $4.95 + $1 .84 from one small plant. Foamflower is an­ tions. The plumbing is buried polyethylene handling and shipping in U.S.A. California other woodland cover that takes care of pipe leading to properly spaced, rotating residents add .3011: tax. Posters framed in itself. The flowers are fluffy, white plumes sprinklers (the catalogue calls th€lm oscil­ polished aluminum section frame with above maple-like leaves. The scientific name lating arm sprinklers), and to a few smaller non-glare styrene panel, ready to hang , is Tiarella cordifolia. misting-heads for filling-in. Presumably, $24.95 + $6.00 handling and shipping. Readers who know me already know each sprinkler can cover a circle 60 feet California residents add $1.50 tax . Mail the wildflowers I love, but I don't remem­ in diameter, but some are set for half cir­ your check to Anne deFord IFlowers In Print, P.O. Box 293H , South Laguna, Ca. ber mentioning one tough and enduring cles, some for quarter circles. Why water 92677. Money back guarantee. species, Uvularia grandiflora, called mer- the house, the terrace, the street or the

32 June 1981 Solar Heat Your Home Cut Costs - 40% Tax Credit neighbors flowers? And as a final conces­ free time, what do you do that can be called sion to our laissez-faire gardening, we don't gardening?" We enjoy ourselves. We have even have to remember to drain out the a small (8' x 12') greenhouse, and we also system in the winter. Automatic drains are have two propagation cases, with lights, located at all the low points. Right now, in the garage. We root all kinds of ever­ greens from cuttings, we grow seeds of interesting trees we'll never see mature, and we indulge in my passion for the flame "What do 1 want or need in azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum). We PASSIVE SOLAR a garden? 1 like grew so many of my azaleas that we Iined­ out at least two hundred in our outdoor GREENHOUSE informality, easy care, nursery area last spring. I have a wee forest o Triple Glazing with G .E. Lexan panels varied rrwods. 1 like of American mountain ash (Sorbus amer­ o Solarium converts to Screen Room icana) that will probably never show its o Free "Energy Source" -40% Tax Credit surprises waiting around glorious orange berries in my lifetime; my o Provides Heat to your home o Lean·To. Free Stdg. & Window units husband is cherishing a whole palm grove the next curoe, a seat in a o Curved Eave , Bronze Tone Finish hidden nook." in the greenhouse. We have persimmon SAMPLE WINDOW KIT: EncJose$4. for our Greenhouse S ample Kit. Wit h aluminum frames. G .E. Lex3n glazing. (Diospyros virginiana) trees grown from assembly manual and healing guide seed, and I plant acorns of chestnut oak FREE COLOR CATALOG: Write . phone or vi sit our main (as my childhood treehouse was in one). showroom · (516) 694-4400 or others below about 21,000 square feet of the garden are Still stratifying are Halesia monticola (sil­ covered, and as the garden grows two un­ verbell) trees and some Davidia (dove tree). I·I~. ~ I~~~fJl.fct~r:Dept. AH 106 used "zones" can be added for another As gardeners, we seem to have a belief in ..... 'V 910 Route 110 quarter-acre. immortality . . ,-' Farmingdale, NY 11735

What "chores" are inescapable? The only I think the happiest part of our garden­ NEW I THERMOl 81 ENERGY RODS routine care is for the lawn. We have about ing may well be growing our own hybrid FREE WITH EVERY GREENHOUSE 1,500 square feet of it, vaguely kidney­ rhododendrons from seeds. We are rather SHIPPED FACTORY DIRECT ONL Y shaped and gently sloping. My husband aimless, grow-for-fun hybridizers, with can mow it in less than half an hour one none of the stringent rules of professional evening a week. It is the only thing we ones. Professionals throw out imperfect have that needs some fertilizer and lime plants, mercilessly, but as we never intend (except for a few ferns wanting a teaspoon to sell ours anyway, we keep all our plants. full now and then). We generally don't The flower trusses may be too small for fertilize our rhododendrons. Every few years the leaf rosettes, or the flower color im­ we do add a cup of superphosphate to perfect; so far we have only considered plants that aren't flowering well. The only three as possibly worth registering and spray used is Sevin (to protect the rho­ naming-'Peach Parfait' , 'Tutu' and 'Cherry dodendron leaves), and we never do that Sauce'. It is a miracle that such tiny seeds when the plant is in bloom, to protect the of a few years ago are now handsome, bees. I like unchewed leaves because rho­ eight-foot plants, with blossoms such as dodendrons and azaleas are the only things no other plant in the whole world can ex­ we "show" (at the American Rhododen­ actly match! Last spring we had a really dron Society), and poor leaves mean a 10- lush display, and we smiled happily every point demerit. My husband laughs at me time we looked. My husband would rush for the blue ribbon mania I developed a to see the rhododendron nursery bed every With Duncan', Magic Wand, create a few years ago, but the malady is subsiding. evening before he opened the front door. Garden Pond with Waterlilie, and Fi,h! I entered nothing last year, and probably Here "work" outdoors is only in the • Seven assorted modular units attach with won't again. My storage space for ribbons spring and fall. If we lived in another cli­ stainless steel bolts and seal together with sili· cone rubber for unl imited creations. is exhausted, anyway. mate, perhaps I would be a busier gar­ • Each modular unit features a top edge that I think I hear some A.R.S. members dener. New York's hot, humid summer allows rock or brick placement partially below the w ater line for a unique natural whispering, "Don't you dead-head your days are just better suited to iced tea in the appearance. rhododendrons?" Dead-heading is remov­ shade than to weeding in the sun. Perhaps • Pre.

American Horticulturist 33 LILIES IN NAME ONLY CONT'D

Continued from page 16 plants can be grown out of doors year round only in the extreme southern and southwestern portions of this country (Arnold Arboretum Zone 8) . If grown in cold climates, the corms must be planted in the spring after the cold is past and lifted in th e autumn before frost. The cultural requirements are similar to those for the gladi olu s. Another group of plants from the Cape of Good Hope are the African corn lilies, Ixia species, so named because they often appear in corn fields in their native land. These plants are also members of the iris famil y and grow from corms. They bear blooming stalks from one to two feet tall on long, wiry stems and have grass-like foli age. The flowers, borne in spikes or panicles, are vivid and bright in shades of .~ ~ red, scarlet, orange, yellow or white. Often o each star-shaped bloom is marked with a ,,==::o-..;E.-_=~ a; dark center eye. The corn lilies bloom over A white-flowered cultivar of Crinum moorei, commonly called spider lily. Originally from South a long period and make excellent fl owers Africa, the species has rose-red flowers. for cutting. If the plants are to be grown in the open (they are hardy from Arnold foot-long, broad, strap-like foliage as for ber of this genus, bearing delicately veined, Arboretum Zone 7 south), the corms should their large pink or white funnel-shaped pink flowers in August on two- to three­ be planted in a sheltered, sunny place in blooms. The flowers are borne in loose foot stems. C. bulbispermum, one of the November. Pl ant them in sandy soil three terminal umbels of six or eight flowers on parents of C. X powellii, is probably the to four inches deep and two inches apart two-foot scapes. This is a noble plant, most widely grown member of this genus. and mulch heavily. Farther north they can beautiful in the garden, and the flowers Both plants are among the hardiest mem­ be planted out of doors after all danger are admired in arrangements. Their fra­ bers of the genus (Arnold Arboretum Zone of frost is past. Ixia is an ideal plant for grance is exotic. Every garden, large or 7). Many gardeners have found that in a greenhouses or for growing on a sunny small, has a spot or two for an accent, protected location C. bulbispermum can window. Planted in five-inch pots, they can something with special interest. Crinums be grown outdoors year round as far north be forced for winter and early spring are the perfect plant for this use. as New York City. bloom. Indoors or out they will provide Crinum bulbs are pear shaped and large. Another so-called lily that is attractive patches of color and add gaiety to any They should be planted deep enough to in the garden is Amaryllis belladonna, the surroundings. cover their long necks, about five inches. belladonna lily. In August and September Several members of another well-loved These plants like a soil full of humus, plenty flower buds appear in clusters. The fresh family, the Amaryllidaceae, also masquer­ of water and a location in good sunshine. green, strap-shaped leaves are absent at ade as lilies. One of the major differences A top dressing of rotted manure during flowering time, and the lack of foliage gives between the two families is the superior the growing season is helpful. Their root a dramatic effect to the shining stalks and ovary of the lily family versus the inferior system develops slowly and with time will brilliant, trumpet-shaped flowers. These ovary of the amaryllis family. stretch many feet in all directions. Off-sets bulbs are useful for brightening up the To choose one favorite to grow among are formed and can be removed for new garden in August when the exuberance and the others is always difficult. Perhaps mine plants. The crinums are generally not hardy color of the borders are getting past their is the Cape lily, Crinum species, which we north of Arnold Arboretum Zone 7; some pnme. have grown in our woodland for many species are only hardy in Zones 8 or 9 The Guernsey lilies, members of the ge­ years. Plant crinums in the spring in full southward, thus, in most areas of the nus Nerine, which are native to South sun and lift them in the fall. Our offsets country they must be stored in a frost-free Africa, received their common name when have been so numerous that I was able to place during the winter months like the a shipment of Nerine sarniensis bulbs was cut a whole vase of flowering stems one other plants mentioned thus far. After dig­ cast ashore on that island after an English morning without ruining the splash of color ging the bulbs in the fall, cut the foliage Channel shipwreck. The bulbs survived in my garden. Considering the beauty of back to about two inches before putting and established themselves on the island this genus, one has to look forward with them away for the winter. In mild regions, whose name they now bear. excitement to the prospect of growing many where the bulbs do not have to be dis­ This group of so-called lilies are trickier more of these delightful summer and fall turbed every year and are left in the ground, than some bulbs, but once established they flowering bulbs. they will spread and form thick clumps. make a beautiful show each year. If you Crinums are as noteworthy for their two- Crinum X powellii is a handsome mem- live in a very warm climate (Arnold Ar-

34 June 1981 boretum Zone 9) these plants will grow called the spider lilies because of their re­ well in a warm, sheltered spot away from fle xed perianth segments, is a group of the wind. N. bowdenii, also called the Cape summer-flowering bulbs of surprising Colony nerine, is especially suited for this beauty. Hundreds of H . narcissi(lora, a purpose. In July, plant the long-necked species most commonly known as Peru­ bulbs about six inches deep in a rich, well­ vian daffodil, have been grown in the sunny drained soil. The flower stalks appear be­ portions of our woodland for years. The fore the leaves, and in September when the bulbs are planted out in the spring when Enjoy solar benefits plants bloom they will still be practically danger of frost is past. Plant each bulb leafless. After blooming, the leaves must about three to four in ches deep, but do not with a Janco Greenhouse. be allowed to grow through the winter cover the entire neck with soil. They will start to grow almost at once. Blooming All Janco models now available with your until about May so that they can build up choice of regular or factory·sealed in­ a food reserve for the next season. Gar­ stalks will appear within three weeks, sulated glass. bearing lovely white, lil y- like flowers. The deners in the northern climates need not Add solar warmth to your home and in· despair for nerines will perform happily large trumpet-shaped tubes are sur­ crease your living area with a Janco lean· when potted. The scheduling is much the rounded by spidery, curved perianth parts. to , or make a Janco free-standing same as for plants grown out of doors in An added attraction of these lovely blooms greenhouse the pleasure center of your the south. In July plant flowering size bulbs, is their far-reaching, delicious fragrance. lawn . Your Janco agent can help you choose the best model for your site, and one bulb per four-inch pot or three bulbs The glossy, strap-shaped leaves are also advise you on the advantages of heat· per six-inch pot, in a mixture of two parts attractive. This is a plant that never fails retentive insulated glass. Every Janco is loam, one part leaf mold and one part to be exciting. all-aluminum for minimum maintenance. sand. Water sparingly until growth starts, In the fall before the first killing frost, Think Janco when you think and be sure the bulbs are given perfect lift the bulbs, keeping all fleshy roots and "greenhouse." Write for FREE drainage. Nerines grown in pots also will tops intact. Spread them out on the ground 48-pg. full-color catalog today! bloom in the autumn, and the foliage must in the shade to air dry for a day. After Janco Greenhouses drying, shake all the loose soil off the roots be grown through the winter. Before th e Dept. AH-6 first frost of the season bring the pots in­ and cut off the leaves within a couple of 9390 Davis Avenue doors, keep them evenly moist, and allow inches of the top of the bulb. Pack a bushel Laurel, Md . 20810 the plants to grow through late May when basket full of these bulbs, cover it with +(301) 498-5700 the foliage will begin to die back. After newspaper and store it in a frost-proof resting the bulbs the cycle can be started place for the winter. In mild areas (the PEONIES, IRIS, all over again in July. plants are hardy in Arnold Arboretum Zone Peruvian lilies, Alstroemeria, are South 7), these bulbs can remain in the ground DAYLILIES American plants grown mostly in mild year round. from World- Famous areas. Once included in the amaryllis fam­ Unquestionably, these so-call ed lili es have Wild's Gardens ily, they are now classified separately in an appeal all their own. Their distinctive their own family, Alstroemeriaceae. They flowers and unusual forms will add grace 96-page have tuberous roots that prefer a sandy and charm to any floral display, and the full-color loam containing humus and an abundance extra care you must take to grow them in catalog of moisture. Clusters of lilac, apricot or the cooler regions of the country will be with over worth your effort. If you do not have room pink flowers streaked with purple, red, 1300 yellow or orange bloom on three-foot stems. for a colony, why not at least place a few varieties They make excellent cut flowers. Gener­ a t key posi tions in your garden? 0 ally Alstroemeria is easily grown, but the majority of species are not hardy in the Source list for plants: north and thus plants must be stored in­ Amaryllis, Crinums and Nerines: doors during the winter months. One spe­ Marcias, 255 Galveston Road, Browns­ plus ... timely planting tipS . cies, A. aurantiaca, is hardy to Arnold ville, TX 78521 for your garden ... Choose from thiS gorgeous co llection . Send today for your Arboretum Zone 7 and with proper pre­ Nerine Nurseries, Welland, Worchester, cata log of su perb values . $2 (deductible cautions may be grown out of doors year England on first cata log order) . round much farther north. There are a Hymenocallis and some small bulbs: ------Please send your va lue-packed cata log number of hybrids of several different spe­ Geo. W. Park, Greenwood, SC 29647 enclose $ 2 , deductible on my first cata log cies available, some more temperamental Wayside Gardens, Hodges, SC 29695 order . than others. Plant them in the spring for Avon Bulbs, Bathford, Bath BA1 8ED, Name .. July flowering. In addition to being planted England St/ RFD out of doors in mild areas, they can be Van Bourgondien, 245 Farmingdale Road, used in pots in a cool greenhouse. For P.O. Box A, Babylon, NY 11702 City ..... State .. Zip .... propagation, use root divisions in autumn Other "so-called" lilies: send to: or seed. John Scheepers, Inc., 63 Wall Street, New GILBERT H. WILD & SON, INC. Hymenocallis, a genus of plants often York, NY 10005 AH -681 Joplin St. Sarcoxie, MO. 64862

American Horticulturist 35 GARDENING IN CONTAINERS CONT'D

Continued from paRe 20 soften their harshness. By and large they driveway vegetable garden, but then I watering was necessary, since they were worked well, though one visiting land­ wouldn't be able to think about Fainting shaded and the summers in our northern scape architect peered through the cam­ Phil anymore. And spaghetti tubes aren't Connecticut village are cooler than in ouflage and asked sweetly, "Do you take the prettiest system, either-even with most areas. I thought container gardening in laundry too, Mr. McGourty?" sauced tomatoes. was a cinch and couldn't understand why Rabbits forced us to increase our con­ Not all of our metal window boxes have entire books had been written on the sub­ tainer gardening efforts. Our vegetable rusted away yet, much to Mary Ann's dis­ ject (mainly by Californians and/or city garden had been in a scrubby old pasture, gust. We inherited several old tables which dwellers)! which apart from the driveway was the wouldn't be much worse for wear if left Therefore, one winter I bought every only area of our property receiving all-day out during summer, and on these were window box on sale at every discount store sun-a requirement for the best growth placed boxes for green peppers, lettuce, in our part of the state, accumulating, to of food plants except the leaf crops (let­ eggplants and mini-carrots. Seed catalogs my wife's great horror, more than a tuce, chard, etc.). One year the pasture these days list a number of compact-grow­ hundred, which were placed on mostly suddenly became a scene from Watership ing varieties especially suited for con­ sunny stone walls all over our property. Down, with rabbits camped out every few tainers. However, extra space was needed, The next summer was spent running about feet, within hopping distance of the car­ so a couple of sawhorses and sturdy planks with hose and watering can, and we skipped rots. They even intimidated the wood­ were added for more containers. Not a the beach. By the end of July the petunias chucks, who were also eyeing the carrots. rabbit bothered to climb. were peaked, and so were we. The logical response would have been Our only problem in the driveway was Fortunately, there is a season called a fence around the vegetable garden. I ob­ with a raccoon, who one September eve­ winter and it is a time in the northland for jected on aesthetic grounds, since old pas­ ning raided the melons just as they were reflection, or less kindly put, for figuring tures in New England aren't meant to be coming to the desired point of ripeness a out what went wrong and to resolve never cluttered, regardless of Robert Frost's few days before frost. Regardless of the to let it happen again. comments a'bout good fences and good catalog talk, it is hard enough to grow Bigger containers (and grouping them neighbors. It struck me that the ideal spot melons in Connecticut because of cool to ease watering) seemed to make sense. to put the vfgetable garden was at the end summer nights and a short growing sea­ By this time I decided to move up. Red­ of the drivt'way-in containers. This was son, but like all home growers we felt like wood tubs were out of the question be­ based largely on the theory that rabbits gambling a bit. Seed had been started in­ cause, while they are durable and attrac­ don't climb. doors under artificial light in April, young tive, they were beyond our budget, at least We located a half-dozen good-sized, plants moved to wooden boxes in the for the scale on which we wanted to gar­ wooden packing crates and put two to­ driveway at May's end and protected den. Also, Mary Ann objected to my mato plants in each, along with stakes cut against cutworms by collars cut from pa­ scrounging through the greengrocer's gar­ from ash saplings in the nearby woods. per cups. In the first couple of weeks a bage to retrieve bushel baskets (which don't Mary Ann marveled at my optimism. The tarp of black plastic had been placed around make bad containers for a season if the stakes were nine feet tall, and even by the the boxes to reflect heat. The crop itself interiors are partly lined with black plastic end of summer the tomatoes hadn't reached exceeded our dreams-23 beautiful musk­ (polyethylene). the top. The driveway resembled 19th-cen­ melons on their way to perfection. Then, Necessity is the mother of invention, and tury Salem harbor with its masts shorn of the raccoon struck, taking a single bite invention is the mother of discovery. In sails. from each. We consoled ourselves with the my wanderings through the discount stores There is one thing we learned about to­ thought that he might have developed a I noticed that there were kitchen depart­ matoes: they are drunkards. Their thirst bad case of diarrhea later that night. ments as well as gardening ones. The large, exceeds that of any other vegetable, except Melons, in fact almost every kind of flexible plastic dishtubs which sold for possibly cucumbers, which nature did not container-grown plant, require some form $1.98 were ideal for my purposes, and I intend for little window boxes. We never of fertilizing as the season goes by, mainly invested in a century's supply. They had needed a thermometer in summer because because the frequent waterings wash away no drainage holes either, but by this time the tomatoes would tell us when it was nutrients in the soil. We used to employ I had become skilled with an ice pick, and more than 85° F. How well I remember a water-soluble fertilizer every three weeks, this posed no problem. The tubs had two the words, "Darling, the tomatoes are and still put it to work on an occasional key assets apart from size-they were gasping again. Be a dear and give them a recalcitrant plant, but the special slow-re­ lightweight, and the plastic kept down drop from the hose!" Half an hour later, lease fertilizers that are mixed into the soil evaporation. By good chance most of them after musing about tomatoes and how they just before planting time, save a lot of time were dull brown and would not steal the learned from the old-time boxer called and effort. No additional fertilizing is thunder from the plants. Mary Ann was Fainting Phil Scott, who won his fights by needed in the course of the summer. The lukewarm toward the tubs, and acidulous dropping to the canvas shouting foul, I slow-releasers are not inexpensive them­ toward the few Kelly green ones that crept would wind up the hose and wash myself selves, but they allow us more hammock in during my zeal to corner the market. down. Today a lot of greenhouses have time than we used to get. Actually, they were a chlorotic Kelly green miniature hoses aptly named spaghetti There appear to be as many soil (or soil­ and could have stood a shot of iron che­ tubes, which run from individual con­ less) mixes for containers in America as lates. However, I assured her that we would tainers to a central hose to a faucet. This there are gardeners. Specialty formulations plant euonymus vines around the base to would make a lot of sense adapted to the (University of California, Cornell mix) ex-

36 June 1981 This container vegetable garden thrives on the edge of the author's driveway. The plants growing on the tabletop have been declared "rabbitproof" on the theory that rabbits don't climb.

ist, mainly for the commercial grower, bur ing nature, are important, and if you are anyone living in the cooler regions of the can be adapted in the home garden. The just getting started it would be well to turn country, and container gardening can be city dweller might find it easiest to use a to a source such as the Brooklyn Botanic singularly useful in this respect. Not only good grade of bagged potting soil with Garden Handbook, Gardening in Con­ is it possible to hide the evidence if a con­ equal parts of coarse sand and peat, or to tainers, guest edited by George Taloumis. tainer is in crisis and your mother-in-law use an entirely soilless mix. The latter is It is available by mail for $2.85 from the or landscape architect happens to be com­ particularly useful for hanging baskets Garden, 1000 Washington Ave., Brook­ ing for a visit, bur it is also easy to grow because of its light weight, but special at­ lyn, NY 11225. fall bloomers such as cushion chrysanthe­ tention must be given to fertilizing and Every container gardener has favorite mums in containers that are out of sight, watering. Such mixes are more-or-less free annuals, including some which may be very perhaps on a distant stone wall, then bring of soil pathogens. They are based essen­ different from the ones used in flower beds. them to the terrace or porch as they start tially on equal parts of ground peat moss Creeping-zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens), to bloom. The flowers last a surprisingly and vermiculite and/or perlite, with a trace a little yellow daisy with a prominent, dark long time, and if heavy frost threatens it of dolomitic limestone. Our own mix is eye, is a plant that comes to its best in is no difficult task to place an old blanket uncomplicated. It consists of year-old containers, as does another miniature study over them, especially if the containers are compost that is approximately three-quar­ in yellow, the Dahlberg daisy (Dyssodia grouped. Chrysanthemums cannot safely ters decomposed, a shovelful or two of tenuiloba). Both are nice with the electric be left in containers in the open over winter coarse builder's sand per wheelbarrow-load, blue of Lobelia erinus 'Crystal Palace in the North. We put them either in a cold a cup of lime and a half cup of super­ Compacta' or the softness of Lobelia frame or, removed from pots, into the gar­ phosphate, since our soil, like most in the 'Cambridge Blue'. den. Evergreen boughs are placed on top Northeast, is deficient in phosphorus, an We also like to start a container or two after the ground freezes. The survival rate element that encourages good flowering. of Virginia-stock (Malcolmia maritima), is as a rule quite high with cushion mums, Unamended garden soil itself is not sat­ the flowers of which resemble arab is. They which are among the hardiest of the breed. isfactory for containers because it almost may be pink, lilac or white, and plant height Finally, good grooming is important invariably lacks the proper structure. If it is only a few inches. Virginia-stock, like because containers are usually placed in is used in conjunction with peat and sand, sweet-alyssum, flowers in just five or six conspicuous positions-by steps, doors or it is best pasteurized first. Pasteurization, weeks from seed sown directly in the con­ terraces. Spent blossoms should be re­ incorrectly called sterilization in many gar­ tainer. The bloom period lasts only a month moved several times a week. If some leaves den books, can be accomplished in small or so during the heat of summer, but if are marred or scorched, remove them. Make quantities by cooking the moistened soil seeds are started by August 1 a long display sure containers are not beyond the reach in a 2000 F oven for one hour. Close the may be had during the cool days of au­ of the hose! Certain annuals such as pe­ doors and open the windows-there are tumn. One year I noticed that a November tunias look worse for wear as summer nicer scents in the world than roasting soil. temperature of 170 F had not spoiled the progresses. Pruning them back halfway, Also, it is a good practice to change the flowers. Ornamental ("flowering") kale then feeding and watering them heavily, soil in garden containers every year. (Brassica oleracea) is one of the few other works well, but it makes aesthetic sense All sorts of garden annuals, and some annuals that can tolerate such frost and to get the containers out of sight until re­ perennials such as the hardiest, most rug­ look well in late fall. Snapdragons persist, vival takes place. ged sedums, lend themselves to container too. Experiment with container gardening this use. Low height and compactness, or trail- Extending the season is important for year! 6

American Horticulturist 37 AUTUMN IN ENGLAND CONT'D

Continued from page 25 the cultivation of alpine plants. The tufa of the troughs was an ideal medium for species of Lewisia, Saxifraga, Gentiana and other plants that would otherwise tend to rot in the winter dampness. Ripley Castle in Yorkshire, the home of the Ingilby family, was another great house on our itinerary. It had a park laid out by Capability Brown, but the wide herba­ ceous borders were cherished by the pres­ ent Lady Ingilby, who had filled them with masses of old-fashioned favorites such as the many-colored Michaelmas daisies, Achillea, Rudbeckia and Helianthus. At Ripley we had the added pleasure of eating lunch in the beautiful dining room over­ looking the park. Without doubt, the largest of all the estates we visited was Castle Howard o\'erlooking the Howardian Hills in York­ shire. All the land to the horizon belonged to the estate. The manor house was built in the 18th century by John Vanbrough for the Howard family, whose home it still Beth Chatto, pictured here, includes a wide is today. Again, the original concept of a range of plants with interesting foliage in her great park setting had been maintained. garden, above. By mulching heavily and putting foliage plants throughout as much of Notable architectural features were the her garden as possible, she has reduced Temple to the Four Winds and the ex­ maintenance of her four-acre garden to one quisite family mausoleum in which Horace day a week. Walpole said it would have been a pleasure to be buried alive! at Bressingham and Beth Chatto near Adrian Bloom, Alan Bloom's son. This The present inhabitant of Castle How­ Colchester. In both instances it was the garden was laid out on a gently sloping ard, Mr. George Howard, had developed owners who showed us their gardens. site and resembled an artist's palette; a lovely walled area within the park. There Alan Bloom was one of the first to in­ splashes of color, provided by massed he was growing roses. This planting fea­ troduce the idea of perennial island beds heather, were interspersed with beautiful tured shrub roses in particular. Jim Russel, instead of the more traditional formal bor­ dwarf conifer specimens, all of which were formerly of Sunningdale Nurseries, had der. His garden at Bressingham was large planted in random beds surrounded by come to li ve at Castle Howard and had and took the shape of a shallow bowl with impeccable lawns. The deep-pink, double undertaken the replanting of a vast area a pool at the lowest level. The beds were flowers of Calluna vulgaris 'Peter Sparkes' of the estate known as Ray Woods. In this stocked with well-associated plants, be they and the brilliant white of Calluna 'My 66-acre plantation of informal woodland shrubs, perennials or rock plants. Of par­ Dream' were lovely, as were cultivars of he was planting not only the widest pos­ ticular beauty in the early autumn were the lime-tolerant heaths, Erica carnea. sible range of rhododendron species, many the astilbes. Asti/be 'Bronze Elegance', with Mrs. Beth Chatto's nursery garden was of which would otherwise be lost to cul­ its rose-pink plumes and dark foliage, was at White Barn House Elmstead Market. tivation, but also a large range of other an outstanding cultivar, as was the dark­ It was almost impossible to believe that shrubs and trees to replace the original red 'Fanal'. Another unusual plant in this garden was a neglected wilderness prior beech, birch and oak planted nearly three Bloom's garden was the yellow Asiatic to 1960. Near the house, where the soil centuries ago. It was a rare privilege for poppy, Meconopsis chelidonifolia, with its was warm gravel and usually arid because all of us to join Jim Russel for a two-hour erect, leafy stems. A new introduction of low average rainfall, the garden had a walk through these woods, which were not among the shrubs was the vibrant-red Po­ Mediterranean look. A wide range of sed­ yet open to the public because the plants tentilla fruticosa 'Royal Flush', raised from urns and euphorbias, together with thymes were still very young. He had brought many a seedling of 'Red Ace', itself an excellent, and rue (Ruta ), were thriving. The north­ of the rhododendron species with him from vigorous plant. Attracting attention east part of the garden had better soil, so the south, and it was extraordinary to see throughout the tour was the willow gen­ it became the woodland garden. At its cen­ with what prolific ease they were seeding tian. Bloom had the best cultivar, Gentiana ter were five large ponds divided by green themselves throughout the plantation. asclepiadea 'Knighthayes'. walks. This area had been developed as I now come to a category of garden that Bressingham Nursery specialized in the a bog garden with species of Iris, Poly­ gave enormous pleasure to us all, the nurs­ cultivation of dwarf conifers, so with great gonum, Gunnera and other water-loving eryman's garden. We visited Alan Bloom interest some of us visited the garden of plants.

38 June 1981 Mellinger's 1981 CATALOG BIGGER & BETTER THAN EVER 1 04 PAGES Mrs. Chatto revealed to us that she al­ "4,000 Exciting, Interesting Items" ways planted in groups to form a roughly GRASSHOPPER SPORE TUB GARDENING NEW & INTERESTING asymmetrical triangle and that she used Safe .. . Elteclive for Several Year. For Homeowners with limited space GARDEN ACCESSORIES large-leafed plants such as bergenias in the PLANET Jr. SEEDERS ORGANIC PLANT FOODS SEAWEED front of her borders. Every inch of her soil First For Over 100 Years! More Than Ever! ! ! The Organic Insect Control was covered with foliage for as long as PLANTS·TREES SEEDS MANY GREAT VALUES possible to cut down on weeding. She es­ Fruits, Shrubs, Vines, Vegetable, Lawn, Tree, Items Not Available timated that with constant mulching, both Butbs, New Items Ornamentals, House Plant in Many Catalogs with compost and bark chippings, she had CATALOG FREE by regular mall, FIRST CLASS .... $1.00 reduced the maintenance of the four-acre garden to about one day a week! A FAMILY OF HELPFUL METERS For Plant Growers ... Our final visit was to an Essex garden For indoor and outdoor plants and lawns on a very exposed site. Not yet 20 years . No a,tt"y "q"'"d· O""bl. Co",,,",tioo· P"m,","tiy , old, Hyde Hall was the creation of Dr. and _ .•. calibrated· Simple directions - Compact size· One Year Warranty I ::oj , Mrs. R. H. M. Robinson. The garden was FERTILITY ANALYZER· pH SOIL TESTER 1 minute situated on what appeared to be the only in 10 second test measures test determines the acid- . high ground for miles around. Tender amount of nitrogen, phosphorus alkaline composition of soil. Desir- and potash in the soil and tells ed range of 350 plants listed. Tells shrubs grew around the house, but in this you whether it is time to fertilize. what to do if soil is not in desired garden the roses starred. We saw great Each ...... $19.95 pH rc;nge ...... $19.95 MOISTURE & LIGHT METER - beds of massed color, as well as a collection 5 Second test measures the water SOl L SALTS METER - 5 second of climbing and pillar roses supported by level in planter. Another 5 second test measures the concentration of loop ropes and interspersed with clematis, test tells light level where plant soluble salts. Indicates 'safe' or stands. Directions tell when to 'Danger' according to USDA mainly of the small-flowered type. There water & if enough light. . . . $10.95 criteria ...... $21.95 were also greenhouses to visit, an herb Include $1.25 per order handling & shipping - All 4 meters $65.52 ppd garden, lake, herbaceous borders and spe­ Visa and Master Card accepted. Please include card number and expo date. cial collections of Malus and Viburnum, all in full fruit, that made a dramatic im­ MELLINGER'S. INC. 2~~~~ ~i~~~~h~~d44452 pact on us all. Mention also must be made of the de­ Robert W. Langhans lightful garden we visited at Saling Court, DOUBLE-WALL INSULATED Cornell University the home of Hugh Johnson, Editorial Di­ rector of The Garden, and also Glazen­ HOUSE wood, once the home of Samuel Curtis and SOLAR now beautifully maintained by the present GREENHOUSES owners who are not only keen gardeners AN INVALUABLE NEW BOOK but also collectors of embroidery, lace and ALL STYLES & for everyone who works w;t h greenhouses .. WINDOW UNITS $399 wheth er for pleasure or prof;1 botanical paintings. Their home was a lovely FROM JUST ... example of a medium-size Georgian house. If you own or anticipate owning a greenhouse you must read this book. Our tour ended with a visit to the Great It answers all your questions about Autumn Show in London, and it certainly heating, ventilating, insulating, water­ li ved up to its name. Some of the more SOLAR ing, lighting, fertilizing, and pest memorable exhibits included T. Rochford QUICK-MOUNT PANELS FOR control. Effective use of over 200 line and Sons' magnificent display of house SKYLIGHTS, WALLS, ROOFS drawings help to emphasize these points. This information will allow plants, in particular a new range of you to make the proper decisions on Schlumbergera truncata hybrids, and a new how to manage your greenhouse. hoya that produced orange and yellow ~\3~$3!~ The book is organized for easy flowers very freely. Blackmore and Lang­ reading into four sections; structures, environmental controL materials don had a spectacular display of tuberous handling and crop programming. It begonias. One of the smaller nurseries to SOLAR STRUCTURES & ACCESSORIES is well indexed for quick reference. win a gold medal was County Park Nurs­ THAT HELP HEAT YOUR HOME r------ery of Hornchurch in Essex, which spe­ Halcyon Press of Ithaca AND QUALIFIES YOU FOR A III Halcyon H ill Road cialized in plants from New Zealand. While Ithaca, New York 14850 impossible to grow on the east coast of the Yes. Please send me copies United States, these plants were of interest 40% TAX of Greenhouse Management by to westerners in the group. The show con­ Robert W. Langhans @ $14.50 per tained plants for everyone to grow, either copy. A check for $ is in the garden or the greenhouse, and it CREDIT! enclosed. All orders postpaid. COLOR BROCHURE $1, SENT FIRST CLASS Name ______attracted a tremendous number of visitors, \", some of whom were owners of the gardens Address, ______we had visited on our tour. ~ City _____ State___ Zip __

American Horticulturist 39 LA VENDER GARDENS CONTD

Continued from page 27 erata, the clustered bellflower, with its dense, brilliant-blue flower clusters. Di­ vide the clump into at least six parts to start a controlled drift of these easy-to­ grow and sometimes rank beauties. Then add several delicate clusters of pale violet­ blue wild phlox, Phlox divaricata, just for contrast. In the fall, this one or next, add buckets of bulbs producing flowers with a lavender cast. Choose squills, Scilla siberica, with tiny blue flowers, grape hyacinths, Mus­ cari, for their blue or purple grape-like spikes, and crocus in all their lavender variations. Then, remembering the need for a touch of golden yellow, buy daffodils to toss down a slope and plant where they fall. Select tulips by color and avoid the reddish hues. Look for 'Texas Gold', 'Yel­ low Dover' and 'Moonstruck' as warm accents. With the bulbs in place and marked, add adjacent plantings of golden alyssum, Au­ rinia saxatilis, globe flower, Trollius, and leopard's bane, Doronicum, to continue the sungold complement. Plant a scattering >­ of purple r~ck cress, Aubrieta, and cat­ ~ mint, Nepeta. The latter adds a gray fo­ <.:> Cultivars of Iris come in many shades that are suitable for a garden with a lavender color scheme. liage with deep-purple flowers. Pictured here is Iris 'Melodrama'. To make everything sparkle, add some pure-white flowers to serve as buffers be­ beautiful single, whites with yellow sta­ mums, and yellow aHd purple coneflowers tween the stronger hues. Use snow-in-sum­ mens, single and double pinks and a mauve (Rudbeckia and Echinacea), can introduce mer, Cerastium tomentosum, candytuft, or two to choose from. some mellow notes to the summer song. Iberis, and some English daisies, Bellis With roses, your choice is somewhat Yellow and white chrysanthemums and perennis, the true daisies of history with m0re limited. You should forego the vivid dwarf purple asters can be the prime focus small ray flowers in white and pale pink. reds, the scarlets and the coral and orange of the early fall garden. One New England With all this accomplished you can an­ hues, but you can still choose among many aster, Aster novae-angliae 'Harrington's ticipate spring with high hopes, knowing pinks and whites, a few lavenders and many Pink', is an excellent choice for the taller that all your flowers will be sympatico. pale and golden yellows. Hybrid tea cul­ grace notes, while the yellow chrysanthe­ Having left nothing to happenstance, ad­ tivars include 'Promise' in pink, 'Seashell' mums carry the harmony. mit to your self that Mother Nature still in peach and gold tones, 'John F. Kennedy' In the herb garden purple marjoram will reigns supreme. As your garden borders in white, 'Sterling Silver' in lavender-gray, stay purple, flower to seed, and both dill fill out you can be confident that they will 'Heirloom' in true lilac and 'Kings Ran­ and caraway will dapple with golden light. harmonize with the apple and pear blos­ som' in gold and yellow. In time the gardening year will gentle soms and even the cherry. You may, how­ In annuals for midsummer bloom choose down to a quiet gray. This gives you time ever, sense a slightly jarring note in the yellow marigolds, pink or white zinnias to evaluate your color exercise. If lavender brighter pink of the peach blossom. and lavender and purple petunias. This is to become a permanent feature you might Actually there is no reason why this lav­ selection will give you the profuse bloom look more closely at disruptive colors in ender theme cannot drift along happily aNnuals provide while retaining the limited fences, walls and garden furniture and bring through the poppy, peony and rose sea­ pallette theory. them into harmony. sons. There need be no friction as long as As the annuals reach peak bloom, the If, after a year of lavenders and gold, varieties are restricted to lavender, pink, summer perennials will be offering taller yow feel denied of bright red and vibrant white or yellow blooms. Include poppies­ flower stalks and more unusual flower orange, take a sabbatical from sweet har­ the Orientals are available in pink, white forms. Lavender Veronica, magenta Lyth­ monies and move toward dissonant and mauve, and Icelandic poppies come rum and Liatris, golden Solidago (golden­ expression. Remember your garden is in white and golden strains. With peonies rod), and blue and white Delphinium can yowrs to shape and color to your pleasure. you will need to pass up the bright reds give you lovely spires of color. In time the All this article suggests is the lavender and maroons, but this still leaves you with gold-topped Achillea, golden chrysanthe- alternative_

40 June 1981 PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

Guide to Botanical Names in This Issue Halesia monticola Phlox divaricata FLOCKS di-vair-i-KA Y-ta The accent, or emphasis, falls on the HALES-ee-ah mon-ti-KO-la Phlox stolonifera FLOCKS sto-lo-NIFF-er-ah syllable which appears in capital letters. The Helianthus he-lee-AN-thus Phlox subulata FLOCKS sub-yew-LA Y-ta vowels which you see standing alone are Hemerocal/is Phytolacca americana pronounced as follows: hem-er-o- KAL-isslhem-er-OCK -a-liss fy-to-LACK-ah a-mer-i-KAN-ah i--short sound; sounds like i in "hit" Heuchera sanguinea Polemonium caeruleum o-long sound; sounds like 0 in "snow" a-long sound; sounds like a in 'hay". HEWK-er-ah san-GWIN-ee-ah pol-ee-MOAN-ee-um ser-RULE-ee-um Hosta HOSS-ta Polygonum po-LIG-o-num Acer griseum A-ser GRI-see-um Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris Potentilla fruticosa Acer japonicum A-ser ja-PON-i-kum hy-DRAN-gee-ah ah-NOM-ah-la po-ten-TILL-ah fru-ti-KO-sa Acer palmatum A-ser palm-A-tum pet-ee-o-LAIR-iss Rhododendron calendulaceum Achillea A-KILL-ee-ah Hydrangea macrophylla var. macrophylla rho-do-D EN -dron Ajuga ah-JEW-ga hy-DRAN-gee-ah mack-ro-FILL-ah ka-len-dew-LA Y-see-um Aistroemeria aurantiaca Hydrangea paniculata Rhododendron degronianum al-stro-MARE-ee-ah aw-ran-TEE-a-ka hy-DRAN-gee-ah pan-ick-yew-LA Y-ta rho-do-DEN-dron de-groan-ee-A-num Amaryllis belladonna Hymenocallis narcissiflora Rhododendron makinoi am-ah-RILL-iss bell-ah-DON-ah hy-men-o-KAL-iss nar-sis-i-FLOR-ah rho-do-DEN-dron mack-EE-no-eye Aquilegia vulgaris lberis eye-BEAR-iss Rhododendron racemosum ak-qui-LEE-jee-ah vul-GA Y-ris Ilex X aquipernyi rho-do-DEN-dron ray-si-MOS-um Arum AIR-urn EYE-lex ak-qui-PER-nee-eye Rhus ROOS Asarum europaeum Ilex crenata EYE-lex kren-A-ta Ribes nigrum RY-beez NY-grum as-AR-um your-o-PEE-um [lex cornuta EYE-lex kor-NEW-ta Ribes sanguineum Aster novae-angliae Ilex pernyi EYE-lex PEAR-nee-eye RY-beez san-GWIN-ee-um ASS-ter NOV-ee-ANG-glee Iris EYE-ris Ribes sativum RY-beez sa-TY-vum Astilbe ah-STILL-be Ixia ICKS-ee-ah Ribes uva-crispa R Y-beez oo-va-KRIS-pa Astrantia major ah-STRAN-tee-ah MA Y-jer jamesia americana Rodgersia podophylla Bellis perennis BELL-iss per-EN-iss JAMES-ee-ah a-mer-i-KAN-ah ROD-jers-ee-ah po-do-FILL-ah Bergenia cordifolia Juniperus chinensis Rudbeckia rood-BECK-ee-ah BER-gen-ee-ah cor-di-FO-lee-ah jew-NIP-er-us chi-NEN-sis Ruta REW-ta Betula pendula BET-yew-la PEN-dew-la Kirengeshoma palmata Salpiglossis ' sal-pi-GLOSS-iss " Brassica oleracea BRASS-i-ka o-ler-A-see-ah kir-eng-ah-SHOW-ma palm-A-ta Sanvitalia procumbens Callistephus chinensis Leucothoe fontanesiana san-vi-TAL-ee-ah pro-KUM-benz kal-iss-STEFF-us chi-NEN-sis lew-KO-tho-ee fon-taynes-ee-A-na Sax ifraga stolonifera Cal/una vulgaris kal-LOON-ah vul-GA Y-ris Lewisia LEW-iss-ee-ah sacks-i-FRA YGE-ah sto-lo-NIFF-er-ah Campanula glomerata Liatris ly-A-tris Scabiosa atropurpurea kam-PAN-yew-la glo-mer-A-ta Lilium LIL-ee-um scab-ee-O-sa at-tro-pur-pur-EE-ah Carpenteria californica Linum perenne LY-numper-EN-ee Schizophragma hydrangeoides CAR -pen- ter-ee-ah kal-i-FORN-i-ka Liriope muscari ly-RY-o-pee mus-KA-ree skiz-o-FRAG-ma hy-dran-gee-o-EYE-deez Cedrus atlantica SEE-drus at-LAN-ti-ka Lobelia erinus Schizostylis coccinea Cerastium tomentosum lo-BEEL-ee-ahllo-BEEL-ya eh-RY-nus skiz-o-STY-liss cock-SIN-ee-ah scr-ASS-tee-um toe-men-TOE-sum Lythrum LITH-rum Schlumbergera truncata Chamaec-yparis ebtusa Malcolmia maritima shlum-BBR-jer-ah trun-KA Y-ta kam-ee-SIP-er-us ob-TOO-sa mal-KO-mee-ah ma-RIT-i-ma Scilla siberica Sl'ILL-ah sy-BEER·i-ka Chrysanthemum coccineum Malus MAL-us Skimmia japonica SKIM-€e-ah ja-pon-i-ka kris-AN-thee-mum coek-SIN-ee-um Meconopsis chelidonifolia Solidago sol-i-DA Y-go Clivia CLIVE-ee-ah mek-i-NOP-sis kel-i-don-i-FOL-ee-ah S~rbus americana Cornus KOR-nus Mertensia virginica SOR-buss a-mer-i-KAN-ah Crinum bulbispermum mer-TEN-see-ah vir-JIN-i-ka -Syringa X persica si-RING-ga PER-si-ka CRY-num bul-bi-SPER-mum, Mitchella repens MITCH-ell-ah REE-penz Syringa vulgaris si-RlNG-ga vul-GA Y-riss Crinum X powellii Mitella my-TELL-ah Tiarella cordifolia CRY-num POW-ell-ee"eye Muscari mus-KA-ree tee-ah-RELL-ah cor-di-FO-lee-ah Davidia day-VID-ee,.ah Nepeta ne-PELta Tiarella unifoliata Deutzia l)EW}" -see-ah Nerine bowiienii tee-ah-RELL-ah yew-ni-fo-lee-A-ta Diospyros virginiana ne-R:Y-nee bow-DEN-etl-eye Tilia americana dy-OSS-per-os vi r -jin-~c "A-na ' 'I ~ Neroine sarniensis ~ TILL-ee-ah ah-mer-i-KAN-ah Doronicum dor-ON-i-kum ne-'tty- ,nee sar-nee-EN -sis Tolmiea menziesii Dyssodia tenuiloba Parnnssia fimbriata TOLL-me-ah men-ZEES-ee-eye dy-SO-dee-ah ten-yew-i-LO-ba par-NASS-eh-ah fim -bree-A-ta Trollius TRO-lee-us Echinacea eck-i-NA Y-see-ah Parnassia palust1'is Uvularia grandiflora Epimedium ep-i-MEAD-ee-um par-NASS-ee-ah pah-LUSS-tris yew-view-LAIR-ee-ah grand-i-FLOR-ah Erica carnea AIR-i-ka CAR-nee-ah Philadelphus coronarius Veronica repens ver-ON-i-ka REE-penz Euphorbia yew-FOR-b€e-ah fill-i-DELL-fuss ko-ro-NAIR-ee-us Viburnum vy-BUR-num Gentiana asclepiadea Philadelphus lewisii Vinca VIN-ka jent-tee-A-na es-klee-pe€-A -dee-ah fill-i-DELL-fuss lew-ISS-ee-eye Watsonia meriana Gunnera GUN-er-ah Phlomis FLOW-miss WAT-SON-ee-ah mer-ee-A-na

American Horticulturist 41 GARDENERS~IPlAC---E----_

CLASSIFIED AD RATES: 50¢ per word; $10.00 Drawer PP, Southampton, NY 11968. (516) booklet. NA-DI's CACTUS, 659 East Ashton, minimum per insertion. 10% discount for three 283-3237. Grand Island, NE 68801. consecutive insertions using same copy. Copy Build a begonia/episcia collection with cuttings. must be received two months prior to publi­ 60¢ and up. Easy. Inexpensive. Catalog-instruc­ CACTI AND SUCCULENTS cation date. Send orders to the attention of Cindy tions $1 . Some varieties unique. Gifthorse From the wonderful world of cactus, rare, un­ Weakland, American Horticultural Society, Greenhouse, New Johnsonville, TN 37134. usual specimens, books, fertilizers, pots. 1981 Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121. Or call (703) list 50¢. BARNETT CACTUS GARDEN, 1104 768-5700. BONSAI Meadowview, Bossier City, LA 71111. BONSAI-Indoor and Outdoor plants, Books, Cactus, Epiphyllums, Lithops, Echeverias and Imported Pots. Catalog "AH" $1.00 Refund­ other succulent plants, 95 page Catalog $1.00. AFRICAN VIOLETS able. THE BONSAI FARM, 13827 Hwy. 87 CACTUS GEM NURSERY, Dept. H, 10092 AFRICAN VIOLETS-GESNERIADS-Free South, Adkins, TX 78101 (Near San Antonio). Mann Drive, Cupertino, CA 95014. pamphlets, "Helpful Hints with African Vi­ olets" and "Gesneriad Growing Suggestions" BOOK SEARCH SERVICE CARNIVOROUS PLANTS available by sending stamped, addressed enve­ Send me that list of wanted gardening books Carnivorous, woodland terrarium plants and lope to GESNERIAD-SAINTPAULIA NEWS, (or d€tective stories ... ). Out of print, anti­ supplies. Book, The World of Carnivorous Plants, Box 549, Dept. AH, Knoxville, TN 37901. . quarian, second hand. I'll let you know what $6.50 postpaid, Illustrat€d catalog 25 ¢, P€ter MINIATURE AFRICAN VIOLETS AND I can find. No obligation. Edward F. Smiley, Pauls Nurseries, Canandaigua, NY 14424. TRAILERS: Special Rainbow Selection, 10 plants Bookseller, RFD 5, 43 Liberty Hill Rd ., Bed­ WIP-World's largest grower of exotic carni­ for $16.00. Postpaid airmail. Brochure 25 ¢. ford, NH 03102. vores, over 75 varieties. Now featuring rare RA Y'S AFRICAN VIOLETS, RD 4, Box 212, Tropical Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes). Fully il­ College Stati2!!, TX 77840. BOOKS lustrated catalog 50¢. WIP, Box 303C, Grant, 1,000 plus varieties African Violets, including 40-PAGE, ILLUSTRATED CATALOG. Over FL 32949. 300 books for indoor, outdoor, hydroponic and miniatures, and other gesneriads. All supplies. DAFFODIL BULBS Catalog 50¢. DORIS GREEN'S HOUSE, Dept. greenhouse gardening, 25 ¢. CAP ABILITY'S Naturalizing Mixtures (8 varieties): Special AH80, 7260 Brickey Lane, Knoxville, TN 37918. BOOKS FOR GARDENERS, Box 114A6, Deer + Park, WI 54007. Mixed Colors or All-Yellow, Bushel $68 .; Peck LARGEST SELECTION-Save 20/40% on Plant All-color TROPICA, enlarged 2nd Edition, 7,000 $21. 10% Discount before June 15. Postpaid Stands, Light Fixtures, Growing Accessories, East of Mississippi. 10% ext.ra West. Free folder Lamps (30 kinds) FREE CATALOG. Indoor photos, $115.00. Pictorial Cyclopedia EXO­ TICA, 12,000 photos, $78.00. EXOTIC PLANT features varieties, collections. River's Edge Farm, Gardening Supplies, Box 40567 AH, Detroit, RD 3, Box 228A, Gloucester, VA 23061. M148240. MANUAL, 4,200 photos, $37.50. EXOTIC HOUSE PLANTS, 1,200 photos, $8.95. Shipped DWARF CONIFERS & PERENNIALS THE AVANT GARDENER prepaid if check with order. Circulars gladly sent. ROEHRS, Box 125, E. Rutherford, NJ Dwarf conifers, rare evergreens, unusual plants, YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT IT, now don't miss 07073. bonsai material. Mail order, Gallon size. Cat­ the most useful, the most quoted and reprinted alog $1.00 deductible. TICKLE CREEK NUR­ of all gardening publications. Subscribe to THE BOXWOOD BULLETIN SERY, 822N.W. 23rdAve.,Portland, OR97210. AVANT GARDENER, "the great green gossip sheet of the horticultural world." Twice monthly, Join the American Boxwood Society for $5.00 EVERGREENS 24 times a year, this unique news service brings per year and receive quarterly the Boxwood Bulletin: Information on varieties, culture, his­ BABY EVERGREENS, Seeds, Seedlings, Or­ you all the firsts-new plants, products, tech­ namentals and Xmas Tree stock, Azaleas, Rho­ niques, with sources, plus feature articles and tory, etc. American Boxwood Society, PO Box 175, Boyce, VA 22620. dodendrons. Flowering shrubs, Blueberri€s. special issues. Now in its 12th year, and awarded Catalog Free. GIRARD NURSERIES, Geneva, the Garden Club of America Medal for out­ BROMELIADS OH 44041 standing literary achievement. Special to new THE BROMELIAD TREASURY, Dept. A, of­ subscribers, $10 for a full year. Sample copy EVERGREENS-DWARF CONIFERS fers a selection of decorative species and hybrid $1. The Avant Gardener, Box 489H, New York, Over 100 varieties of dwarf evergreens de­ NY 10028. Bromeliads at very reasonable prices. Unique 20 page DESCRIPTIVE LIST, $1.00, refund­ scribed by size, shape, color and texture. For rock gardens, porch and patio and dwarf conifer AZALEAS AND RHODODENDRONS able with first order. Also "Bromeliads for Modern Living," 80 page booklet with 135 gardens. Catalog $1.00 refundable. WASH­ DESCRIPTIVE CATALOG of America's larg­ beautiful Bromeliad color photos, $4.00 post­ INGTON EVERGREEN NURSERY, Box 125 est mail order selection of super-hardy, land­ age paid. 639 Bend Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. AH, South Salem, NY 10590. scape-size azaleas and rhododendrons. $1.00 (deductible). CARLSON'S GARDENS, Box 305- BROMELIADS-Over seven hundred species. FERNS AH, South Salem, NY 10590. Excellent house plants, shipping worldwide. Listing one dollar. Deductible on first order. FRUSTRATED BY FERNS? Identify them the EXOTIC MALA YSIANNIREYA and Mad­ SEABORN DEL DIOS NURSERY, Rt. 3, Box easy way, without using a key! Send $4.95 for denii rhododendron adapt easily from tropical 455, Escondido, CA 92025. NAME THAT FERN by Elliott Blaustein, to mountaintops to sunny windowsills. Catalog SAFFYRE PUBLICATIONS, Box 7, Franklin $1.00. THE BOVEES NURSERY, 1737-A SW BROMELIADS-10 Medium size, labeled ready Lakes, NJ 07417. Coronado, Portland, OR 97219. to pot. $12.50 postpaid, three page listing for stamp. CORNELISON'S BROMELIADS, 225 FLOWER ARRANGING SUPPLIES BACK ISSUE WANTED· San Bernardino, N. Fort Myers, FL 33903. COMPLETE CATALOG OF FLOWER AR­ Palm Society member desires to purchase or RANGING SUPPLIES. Foams, containers, ac­ borrow January 1961 issue of American Hor­ CACTI cessories, books and tools. Low, low prices­ ticulturist titled "Cultivated Palms." James Ide, All plants greenhouse grown by us. Large se­ Send 25¢. THE FLOWER DESIGNERS BENCH, 4031 Eunice Road, Jacksonville, FL 32250. lection. 50¢ for catalog. SCHULZ CACTUS Box 839 AH, Auburn, NY 13021. GROWERS, 1095 Easy Street, Dept. C, Mor­ BEGONIAS gan Hill, CA 95037. FLOWER JEWELRY BEGONIAS-all types. Illustrated, descriptive CACTI and SUCCULENTS for the Discrimi­ Handpainted enameled flowers on 14kt. gold catalog featuring over 500 varieties, many rare nating. Illustrated Catalog $1.00. LITHOPS­ and sterling silver; earrings, pendants and and unusual. $1.00. THE THOMPSONS, P.O. floweringsize-51$8.50 ppd., includes culture brooches all ft::atured in our latest catalogue.

42 June 1981 The most absorbent

Send $1 to John De Salvio Company, 507 Fifth spices, essential oils, sachets, soaps, containers. substance Avenue, New York, NY 10017. . . . Wholesale/Retail Catalogue 50¢. Potpourri Crafting Booklet $2.00. Tom Thumb Work­ on earth . .. FOR SALE shops, Box 3496 AH, Alexandria, VA 22302. Bamboo (Aurea-Sulchea). Stalks from 4' to 25' in height. J. Nicholson, 7207 Bellona Ave., Bal­ HOUSE PLANTS timore, MD 21212 (301) 377-7480. ORCHIDS, GESNERIADS, BEGONIAS, CACn & SUCCULENTS. Visitors welcome. 1980-81 FUCHSIAS Catalog $1.00. LAURAY OF SALISBURY, Rt. M\¥f&ABSORBENT POlYtJER ® LEARN ABOUT FUCHSIAS. Join AMERI­ 41 (Undermountain Rd. ), Salisbury, CT 06068 This remarkable new soil additive (203) 435-2263. CAN FUCHSIA SOCIETY. Membership for dramatically increases water holding calendar year 1981, including monthly "Bul­ PHILODENDRON, PALM and other guar­ capacity yet will not cause letin" January thru December, $8.00 USA, $9.00 anteed SEEDS. ORCHID and BROMELIAD overwatering problems. Plants develop foreign. Write AMERICAN FUCHSIA SOCI­ Plants. Write for list or enclose U.S. $2.00 for ETY, Hall of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, San faster and grow hardier , with less care . Illustrated Catalog (postage). AL VlM SEIDEL, A product of USDA research, Aqua­ Francisco, CA 94122. CORUPA-Santa Catarina-Brazil. Stor absorbs up to 900 times its ' GARDEN FURNITURE RARE-REASONABLE-GUARANTEED-Agla­ weight in water in the form of gel parti­ Solid Teakwood Garden Seats-featured in the onemas, Alocasias, Bromeliads, Hydrophy­ cles . The se "act ual pieces of water " arboretums & gardens of England. The perfect turns, Mini ature Orchids, Staghorns, Cycads, act as tiny reservoirs allowing plants to heirloom gift for church, park or private garden. Palms, Sansevierias, etc. Stamp for list. JERRY draw water only as they need it. Send $2.00 (deductible) for the 10-page British HORNE, 10195 S.W. 70 Street, Miami, FL 33173. AquaStor also provides the ideal en ­ color catalogue and current price list. Precipi­ vironment for roots by improving aera­ tation, Inc., 17317 Germantown Rd ., German­ UNUSUAL INDOOR PLANTS. 1,800 Vari­ tion and drainage . town, MD 20767. (301) 428-3434. eties-Begonias, Exotics, Geraniums, Cacti , Oxalis, Herbs. Catalog with color $2.00. Lo­ Water houseplants once a month. GARDENING gee's Greenhouses, AH, 55 North Street, Dan­ Plant s grown with AquaStor require " THE BACKSAVER SHOVEL"-Our new, ielson, CT 06239. less frequent watering. It protects narrow cut, tapered shovel moves less earth. plants that are sometimes overlooked , Digs smaller, neater holes. EASIER ON YOUR Dracaena, Philodendrons, Palms, Euphorbias, and next vacation . .no water worries . BACK! Overall length is five feet-no stooping. Sansevierias, Aloes, Bulbs, Haworthias, Pachy­ podiums, Adenia, Adenium, Testudinaria, Great for the garden Average width is 5" instead of traditional 8W'. Flowering plants develop more blos­ About V3 less in width. The blade itself is a Ipomoea, Curcurbitaceae, Cyphostemma, Ra­ standard 11 W' long. Dig the depth you need phionacme, Anacampseros, Pelargoniums, Sar­ soms and bloom longer . Vegetable without disturbing large amounts of soil. Your cocaulons, Cotyledons, Senecios, Oth onnas, plants prod uce larger yields ih less check includes UPS charges. DC, MD and VA Didiereaceaes, Stapeliads, Sarcostemmas, Cer­ time . All with up to 50% less water . customers please add local sales tax. For a opegias, Encephalartos, Bowenia, Lepidoza­ Trees and shrubs flourish the first year BACKSAVER SHOVEL send $15.00 to: P.l. mias, Macrozamias, Cycas, Zamias, Cera to­ AquaStor helps establish plant s by zamias, dioons, Dischidias, Hoyas, Ferns, Tool Supply, 17317 Germantown Road, Ger­ eliminating tran splant shoc k due to mantown, MD 20767. Bamboo, Bonsai, Flowering Bushes and Trees, Evergreen Bushes and Trees, Groundcovers, Ivy, water st re ss. GREENHOUSE GROWING Orchids, Orchid Cactus. Catalog and newslet­ The 4 oz . package of fast absorbing PROPAGATION BREAKTHROUGH-Don't ters $4. ENDANGERED SPECIES, 12571 (A) AquaStor 450 is enough for ten aver­ gamble, use only the best mist controls. Guar­ Red Hill, Tustin, CA 92680. age houseplants . For outdoors order anteed versatile, portable, indoor, outdoor, au­ 26 varieties of Peperomias, Sanseverias, T rop­ extra absorbing AquaStor 900. One 8 tomatic, economical. Write Aquamonitor, Box ical Fruits, Carnivorus Plants, and much more. oz. package does 30 ten foot rows , 327, Huntington, NY 11743. Catalog $1.00. DAB Enterprises, PO Box 628, 200 sq . feet of garden, or 12 average Bastrop, TX 78602. trees or shrubs. HARPER HORTICULTURAL SLIDE LIBRARY (PAMELA HARPER). HOYAS Easy to use .. . Long lasting . .. Biode· We supplied many of the pictures in this issue HOYAS-New 1981, Descriptive list of 115 gradable . .. Here 's how to order : and other garden maga.zines. You may rent these different hoya species with growing instruc­ Me/Visa call toll·free: 1·800·621·0660 and 25,000 others, or buy duplicates. Lecture tions. Cuttings & plants available. $1.00 for In Illinois : 1·800·572·0444 programs on many topics. Catalog $1. 219 list. SAN LUIS GARDENS, RD 3, Box 269A, Robanna Shores, Seaford, VA 23696. Dept. AH, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. Absorbent Industries Inc. 611 E. Jefferson St. HAWAllAN PLANTS MINIATURE ROSES Morton , 1161550 HAWAIIAN PLANTS AND SEEDS. Send 50¢ Finest and Latest Varieties. Catalog $1.00 (re­ for our Catalog of Rare and Unusual Plants fundable) . PIXIE TREASURES MINIATURE Name ______from HAWAII. Hana Gardenland, PO Box ROSES, 4121 N. Prospect, Yorba Linda, CA Address ______248AH, Hana, HI 96713. 92686. City ______State ___ Zip ____ HEATHS AND HEATHERS MISCELLANEOUS : - Me L::' VISA # ______HEATHS AND HEATHERS as well as super­ Exotic Butterflies, Beetles. Africa, Brazil, etc. 64 hardy, landscape-size azaleas and rhododen­ Page Catalog. $1.00. Complete Scientific, PO Int erbank# ______Exp . Date ___ drons. Catalog $1.00 (deductible). CARL­ Box 307-H, Round Lake, IL 60073. AquaStor 450 AquaStor 900 SON'S GARDENS, Box 305-AHH, South Salem, POTPOURRI-Secret Blend. Absolutely Heav­ 4 oz ____8 oz . NY 10590. enly. Sample-$2.00 + 75¢ Postage and Han­ $4 .95 ppd . $7 .95 ppd . dling. Includes free price list-tea-coffee­ HERBS ____Three for ____ Three for spices. THE GENERAL STORE, 113 West 3rd, $12 .95 ppd . $19 .95 ppd . LA VENDER, ROSEBUDS, POTPOURRI, herbs, Maryville, MD 64468. Credll card or money orders shipped within 48 hrs Check orders . allow 2-4 weekS lor delivery

American Horticulturist 43 GARDENER'S MARKETPLACE CONT'O Inside Gardening TEA-Gourmet-Over 50 varieties to choose UNCOMMON SEEDS from. Tea Sampler Pack-$4.99 75 r;. Postage with + Our latest catalog features many new seeds and and Handling. Includes free price list-tea­ bulbs not previously offered. If you are a serious coffee-spices. THE GENERAL STORE, 113 grower of uncommon plants, our catalog is spe­ West 3rd, Maryville, MO 64468. eveWm® cially for you. 15 r;. stamp. The Banana Tree, GREENHOUSES PECANS : Quart each halves, pieces, meal. Three­ 715 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. quart sampler $9.95 postpaid. Tenpeco, Box WORLD'S LARGEST SELECTION of quality 638 HO, Rutherford, TN 38369. rare seeds from every continent. Thousands of COMPOST SHREDDER-Under $25 .00. Build exotic ornamentals, Hopicals, houseplants, adaptor for your rotary mower. For easy to palms, flowers, bulbs, perennials, trees, rare follow plans send $3.00 to RAMSHRED, PO herbs, medicinal, edible plants. Illustrated 128 Box 4493, Dept. AI1, Martinez, GA 30907. page catalog $1.00. Free vegetable catalog, with European & Oriental varieties. WORLD SEED Shade cloth for patio or greenhouse. Eight den­ SERVICE, Box lOS8-AT, Redwood City, CA sities available. Custom sewn with reinforced 94064. binding and brass grommets. Last for years. Call Everlite answers all your needs all year (404) 778-8654,24 hours a day. Yonah Man­ UNIQUE CATALOGS 'round with: ufacturing Company, P.O. Box 280, Cornelia, MAKE POTPOURRI, Perfumes, Pomanders, • Over 90 models starting at $333. GA 30531. • Precision prefabrication for fast Lotions, Herbal remedies, Fragrant Gifts. New assembly. recipes ... Free catalog . .. Supplies . . . Large • Quality engineered throughout. NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN SASE SCENT SHOP, 5500 Greenville #106AH, • Full accessories line including COOKBOOK automatic climate controls. Dallas, TX 75206. Get the inside story ... 192 pages, htardbound and fully indexed-rec­ FREE CATALOG. GARDENERS MAKE BET­ Write for catalog-price list AH. ipes from around the world-edited by Jules Call Toll Free (800) 321-3050 TER LOVERS, other sayings on large colorful In Ohio (216) 251-6100 Bond-illustrations from 15th and 16th century glass plaques 9" round for window or wall. herbals-orders being accepted now for fall Money-back guaranttle. Send self-addressed delivery of first edition-send $1 6. 00 plus $2.00 stamped envelope. Artistry in Glass, 332 Put­ C7llumirz.um postage and handling to New York Botanical nam Road, Dept. AH, Union, NJ 07083 . (jreen1zpuses,~c. Garden, Box 8140A, Bronx, NY 10458. VEGETABLE SEEDS ORCHIDS Save money, on your grocery bills: Grow your ORCHIDS! ORCHIDS! ORCHIDS! Brome­ own vegetables from seeds. These vegetables liads, Staghorn Ferns, Books, Peters Fertilizer were specially chosen for balcony/patio, city, Potting Mixes, Supplies for indoor and green­ suburban and country gardens. Information: house culture. 22 page catalog, 30r;. coin or G.B. Enterprises, 655 Jeffrey St. #103, Boca FINE ENGLISH stamps. FOX ORCHIDS, INC., 6615 West Raton, FL 33431. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205. GARDENING VIOLETS AND HERBS Smith & Hawken TOOLS PHALAENOPSIS (MOTH) ORCHIDS 10 Baby African Violets $6.00. 10 Herb Plants offers the finest Blooms for months. Seedlings to blooming size, $6.00. 30 African Violet Leaves $10.00. 100 durable tools, Baby African Violets $50.00. My Choice, no forged and crafted white, pink, yellow, pepperment and novelty by hand in England: types, $8 .00-$20.00 up. Add 15 % shipping two alike. Labeled. UPS paid. ABC Herb Nurs­ forks, spades, shovels, U.S.A. Send for list. GREEN VALLEY OR­ ery, Lecoma, MO 65540. women's tools, watering CHIDS, RD 1, Box 233S, Folsom, LA 70437. cans, hoes, rakes, trowels, pruners, shears and more. (504) 796-5785. WILDFLOWERS "NEW ENGLAND MEADOWS," a 14 variety FREE mail order catalog of classic PLANT HORMONES seed mixture. Provides color May 'til frost. Used ~ tools. (For rush "MERISTEM" valuable phalaenopsis by pro­ successfully all over the East. Send for brochure. TOOL COMA\NY service send $1.00). Spruce Brook Nursery, Wheeler Rd. and Rt. 68 Homer, Dept. A22, Palo Alto, CA 94301 ducing keikis with hormones. Experiment with other difficult-to-propagate plants. Complete 118, Litchfidd, CT 06759. with detailed illustrated instructions and up­ dated notes. 15cc for $15. 45cc for $35. Whole­ "miter ~i1ies! sale inquiries invited. PLANT HORMONES, Your Guide to Box 354V, McMaster University, Hamilton, Water Gardening Ontario L8S lCO, Canada. Send one dollar to: ~n Wess "miter Gardens TETRAPLOID DA YLILIES 2480 N. Euclid. 10 • Upland. CA 91788 Over 450 hybrids; exotic new Tetraploid In­ ~roduction s . Catalog $1.00, deductible with order for plants. SEAWRIGHT GARDENS, 134 In­ dian Hill, Carlisle, MA 01741 (617) 369-2172. ~~ Visitors welcome! TREE PROBLEMS-BOTANICAL OR ~~~ LEGAL ~Z.~ilIrE For Directory of members of the American So­ Let's make it work ciety of Consulting Arborists-the experts in together! tree care and appraisals for legal matters, write: "Wait, don't tell me. Wildflowers." ASCA, 12(C) Lakeview Avenue, Milltown, NJ 08850.

44 June 198 1 COMING IN AUGUST In the August issue you will be visiting many different areas of horticultural interest. Dorothy Knecht will be your guide on an exploration of Swiss gardens, then you can travel west to the Pacific Coast for a look at two rhododendron gardens in Washington and Oregon. Donald Watson will write about a rather unusual horticultural subject, but one of special interest to Californians-fire-retardant plants. For those in colder cliinates, Bill Yanda contributes tips on buying a solar greenhouse. These stories and our regular features-coming up in the August issue of American Hortic;ulturist.

American Horticulturist 45 This is a Border of Perennials, -Perennial Thlips

For the past five years a new strain of Tulips are sturdy, long-lasting-everything, in short, has bloomed superbly in test gardens here and that you could ask from a Tulip, and perennial in Holland. They have large blossoms like Dar­ to boot. win Hybrids, grow to two feet, and self-propa­ You might think that this extraordinary strain gate readily in formal beds and naturalized of Tulips would carry a high price. Not so. At sweeps. We don't know if they wiH last as long $6.30 per dozen, the cost is about the same, as Daffodils, but we do know that the count of maybe a bit less, than many recent varieties. full-sized blooms has actually increased over the Sorry, varieties cannot be mixed to get a lower period of the trials. So, if you normally plant price, though we do offer a collection, #4435B, new Tulip bulbs each fall, you can now figure 6 each of the 5 varieties for $13.50 .. Please add your annual cost at one-fifth your first cost. shipping charges of 10% east,of the Mississippi, There's no "catch." Just give these vigorous 15% west and charge, if you like, to your Master bulbs a rich, deeply dug horne and follow direc­ Card or Visa account. (Connecticut residents tions that corne with the shipment. Varieties in­ please add sales tax.) For your convenience, clude Pink; #44253, old rose outside, glowing or­ phone orders are accepted at 203-567-0801, ange inside; Red, #44256, dark red outside, the weekdays from 8:30 to 5:30. Bulbs are shipped base black edged yellow; Two-tone, #44259, in time for fall planting and purchasers will re­ orange-scarlet at the center of petal, edged in ceive a one-year subscription to our catalogues bold yellew; Yellow, #44262, deep golden-yellow known collectively as The Garden Book. You'll with a black base; and White, #44265, a rich enjoy them almost as much as the Tulips. cream, touched with pink at the edge. Flowers -Amos Pettingill White flower farm Plantsmen Litchfield 7709, Connecticut 06759