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P.O. Box 10, Dept. 1526 P.O. Box 188, Dept. 1526 P.O. Box 1130, Dept. 1526 Buckeystown, Maryland 21717 Brookshire, Texas 77423 ThelTnru,Califonrla92274 1-800-723-7667 erlcan Horticulturist Volume 73, Number 2 February 1994

ARTICLES

Proven Performers Our annual "plant society invitational" to nominate plants that have withstood the tests of time and novice gardeners. Heathers by Alice Knight ...... 15 Gesneriads by Darrell Trout ...... 20 Dwarf Conifers by Peter Loewer ...... 25

Patently Superior by Patricia A. Taylor ...... 29 New Jersey nurseryman William Flemer III has spent almost half a century seeking better trees for American landscapes. FEBRUARY'S COVER The Quiet Garden Ph otographed by Michael S. Thompson by Ethel Evans Lindauer ...... 32 The right combination of heaths Depleted by grief, she created a place for self-renewal. can produce blooms 12 months a year, and the easiest to grow are The Groves of Academe the Erica carnea varieties. Their by Norma Jane Langford ...... 36 low growth makes them ideal for An asphalt campus goes green. rock gardens or as companion plants for acid-loving shrubs. The species is distinguished by its protruding anthers. Alice Knight DEPARTMENTS says the very best variety is 'Springwood White', which Commentary ...... 4 blooms from December through May. Knight, who has been Offshoots ...... 5 growing heaths and heathers for 33 years, names more of her Gardeners' Information Service ...... 7 favorites beginning on page 15.

Natural Connections ...... 8

Natives at Risk ...... 9

The Urban Gardener ...... 10

Planting the Future ...... 12

Book Reviews ...... 41

Classifieds ...... 45

Pronunciations ...... 47 American Horticultural Society

The American Horticultural Society seeks COMMENTARY to promote and recognize excellence in horticulture across America.

OFFICERS 1993-1994 y whole career has involved con­ Mrs. Sarah S. Boasberg tactimg others for answers and so­ Chairman lutions, combining that new in­ Washington,D.C. M Dr. William E. Barrick formation with a detailed memory of the First Vice Chairman past, and attempting to discern what it all Pine Mountain, G~orgia means. We have been undergoing this same Mr. Gerald T. Halpin process with our ptlblications-asking Treasu.rer Alexandria, Virginia how members would like them to change. As a result, this month we are starting several new departments: BOARD OF DIRECTORS "The Urban Gardener" is for those with Dr. Thomas Amasen quarter-acre suburban lots, postage-stamp Bicmingham, Alabama city lots, highrise patios, and house plants. Mrs. Suzanne Ba:Ies It will look at concerns relating to our Bronxville, New York Mr. George C. Ball Jr. desire to have plants in our crowded and West Chicago, Illinois frantic world: pollution, community gardens, the health of urban forests, Dr. Sherran Blair the value of landscaping, and laws that affect our landscapes. Co!umews, Ohio "Planting the Future" will expand the theme of this summer's highly Mr. William F. Brinton Mount Veml')f1, Maine successful national symposium on "Children, Plants, and GardeJils": that Mrs. Nancy H. Callaway people need to be introduced to plants and nature as children, and that Pine Mounta.in, Georgia fulfilling this need is important to the future of our society. Mrs. Beverley White ,Dunn Birmi"gham, Alabama "Natural Connections" will describe landscape plants in their native Mr. Paul Ecke Jr. environments: soil, weather, companion plants, pollinators, and other E!)cinitas, California animals that use the plant. This column is based on our belief that growing Dr. John Alex Floyd Jr. any plant successfully begins with knowing its origins. Birmingham, Alabama Mrs. Julia Hobart "Natives at Risk" will describe endangered native plants and their Troy, Ohio habitats, often shlggesting similar nonendangered plants for the garden. Dr. Richard L Lower "Gardeners' Q&A," which members always enjoy in our news edition, Madison, WisGOnsin Mr. Elvin McDonald now appears in both publications as "Gardeners' Information Service," Houston, Texas emphasizing the toll-free information line available to members. New logos Mr. William G. Pannill for each department were designed by artist Kristin Bernhart. Martinsville, Vicginia We are also proud of this issue's feature articles. Mr. Lawrence V. Power New York, New York Our gardens thrive only wQ.en we learn from others. Each year, we give Dr. Julia Rappaport our readers the opportunity to learn from some of the best-the leaders of Santa Ana, California our nation's plant societies. This year, they recommend the best dwarf Mrs. Jane N. SGarff New Carlisle, Ohio conifers, gesneriads, and heathers. Mrs. Josephine Shanks Gardens and gardening can help us deal with many feelings, including Houston, Texas grief. Ethel Evans Lindauer, a teacher in Oroville, Washington, created a Mr. Andre Viette Fishersville, Virginia Japanese garden to help her thFOugh this process, showing that people­ Ms. Katy Moss Warner plant relationships are not abstract concepts, but function in everyday life. Lake Buena Vista, Florida In another article, designers of a prize-winning landscape at Boston's Mr. Monroe Whitton Northeastern University offer ideas that other city gardeners can use to Alexandria, Virginia soften their surroundings. We also profile William Flemer III of Princeton Nurseries. If you have purchased a new tree in the last 30 years, there's a good chance that Bill PRESIDENT put the tree on the market. Dr. H. Marc Cathey A new outreach opportunity for AHS begins Saturday, February 26, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR when my radio call-in show will be expanded to 430 stations across the Mrs. Helen Fulcher Walutes United States. Look for the "Growise Garden Show," from 8 to 10 a.m. I will be U1pdating you on what is new in gardening, answering your questions, and sharing the "Spirit ofthe Society." H. Marc Cathey, President

4 FEBRUARY 1994 American Horticulturist

Editor Kathleen Fisher OFFSHOOTS Managing Editor M ary Beth Wiesner Assistant Editor Chris Bright Editorial Assistant Steve Davoh Design Director Joseph Yacinski Designers Bob McCracken Reg Perry Membership Director Darlene Oliver

Editorial Advisory Board Dr. Gerald S. Barad Flemington, New Jersey John Bryan Sausa li ro, California John Creech Hendersonvi lle, North Ca rolina Keith Crotz Chillicoth e, Illin ois Panayoti Kelaidis Denver, Colorado Peter Loewer Ash eville, North Carolina Janet M. Poor Winnetka, Illinois Dr. James E. Swasey Newark , Delaware

Advertising AHS Advertising Department 2300 South Ninth Street, Suite 501 Plant Sales old hands and neophytes, professional Arlington, VA 22204-2320 nurserymen and landscapers, and pl ain (703) 892-0733 By Lucy Fuchs dirt gardeners, sponsor lectures and pub­ Color Separations li sh chatty newsletters. But it's their spring Heartland Separations, Inc. he phrase "over the back fence" and fall plant sales that recrea te for me the Printer probably belo ngs to times past. To ambience of my back ya rd fence. William Byrd Press, Inc. me it has a lways resonated w ith The newsletters announce them a mo nth T Replacement iss ues of AMERICAN HORTICUL TUR· the no ti o n of casua l but comfortable or two ahea d of time to give members 1ST arc ava ilable at a COst o f $2.95 per copy. The friendship a nd shared enthusias ms. I had eno ugh time to pot up excess plants and o pin ions ex pressed in th e articles th ar appea r in AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST are those of the a gardening neighbor ju st o nce, a nd a ll label them properly. During this period I'm auth ors and arc nor necessa rily those of the Society. my gardening pl easures doubled . We visua ll y assessing my ga rden's quantity, Boranica l nomencl arure in AMERICAN. HORTICU L· TURIST is based on HORTUS THIRD . Manuscripts, shared the surpris e of new woodl and rather than its quality. What do I have too aft work , and photographs sent for possibl e publicatio n pl a nts in the spring. She convinced me to much of? What don't I like that someone will be rerurned if th ey are accompanied by a self-ad­ dressed, stamped enve lope. We ca nnot guarantee th e grow lilies. We shared hi gh humor, like else might? What needs dividing? But more safe return of un solicited material. the phenomenal sq uash vine that took important, I'm looking at my plants not in AMERICAN HORT ICULTURIST, ISSN 0096-44 17, over her entire vegetable patch, ,------, my usual se lf-co ngratulatory is rhe o ffi cial pub licati on of the America n Horti cultural Soc iety, 793 1 Ea st Boul eva rd Drive, Al ex andria , VA and the darker jo kes that nature ~[Yl ",... tranqui I isolati on, but wit h t he' 2230 8· 1300, (7031 768·5700. and is iss ued 12 times a sometimes pl ays, like oux day-o ld potentia l deli ght of o thers in year. Th e Ameri ca n Horricultural Society is a no npro fi t orga niza tion dedicated ro exce ll ence in horriclIlrure. autumn crocuses battered by a mind. There's a fee ling of com- Membership in rh e Society includes a subsc ript ion to late September storm. ~ munity in my garden. AMERICAN HORTIC ULTURIST. Nati onal member· shIp du es arc $45; twO years arc $80. Foreign dues arc Sin ce I left that ho use, I haven't ~ For me, the day of the plant $60. $ 15 of dues are dwoods and shrubs in stead. dings, and other long-anticipated occa- at Al exa ndri a, Virgini a, and at add iri onal mailing of· appreciate the serenity, but I needed to sions. No matter how much I've organize d fi ces. Postmaster: Pl ease send Form 3579 ro AM ERI· CA HO RTICULT URI ST. 793 1 East Bo ul evard repair the loss. My remedy was to con- and planned, hi gher brain functions seem Drive. Ale xa ndria, VA 22308· 1300. struct a metaphorical back yard fence: [ to shut down. This year, I'm glad to say, [ Produced in U.S.A. join ed two loca l plant societi es. was read y with botanical na mes checked The groups, both democrati c mixes of and cross-checked and pots immacul ately

AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST 5 la beled, instead of franticall y thumbing tell him so at the next sa le. through Hortus Third while my hu sband Just like neighbors, the plant sales have was loading the car. their down side. I don't always ge t the AHS M embers put their names on the labels, pl ants I first admire, because fi rst choice too, in case the new owner needs advice goes to those who bring the most plants. President's Council later. That is usually helpful, a ltho ugh one Some club members bring 100 o r mo re. On Membership year when I called the seller of an eastern onl y one occasio n have I made it to 20. Ten Spiranthes orchid I had bought, instea d of seems to be my norm. No matter; I always We would like to recognize the receiving reassurance I had to give it. Like find a half dozen I want. following members for their an adoptive parent, I sought to assure her And there is some anxiety a bo ut the generous contributions. Their gifts that I was ca ring and competent and that pl ants I donate. Will they be chosen and of $1,200 01' more support the the orchid-whi ch she said grew naturally appreciated ? If, when the sale ends, they Society's many programs. on her property-wo uld have a snug bed re main like waifs on the wooden table, and a ba lanced diet. does that refl ect on my gardening- o r me? The sale has the giddy fl avor of a fair, as This ye ar I brought some reblooming Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Angino people unpack tantali zing boxes and greet iris. I knew that the dry brown rhizomes Azal ea Soci ety of America old friends. Then for one deli cio us hour we would seem like ugly brown lumps next to Suzanne Bales survey each other's offerings, with old fresh green foli age of other offerings, so I Mr. G. Carl Ball standbys like pachysandra and exotics like tucked them in to small paper bags and Mr. George C. Ball Jr. my orchid side by side on long tables. The crossed my fin gers that people would no­ Vivi an Elledge Ball se lection exceeds that of my local nurseri es tice "rebl ooming" o n the label. I needn't Mrs. Alfred Bisse ll and the hubbub stirs the adrenalin mo re have worried. "Imagine, a reblooming th an colored pictures in any ma il-order iris!" one browser exclaimed . "H ave you Dr. Sherran Blair catalog. True, the pl ants are sma ll and not ever heard of that! " Everyone of my or­ Mrs. Mary Katherine Blount always in bloom. But there is always some­ phans was given a new home. Mrs. Sarah S. Boasberg one sta nding next to you admiring the When the sale is over, I know a few new Mrs. Elspeth G. Bobbs pl ant you are contemplating and who can people, have a few plants I've a lways Mrs. Nancy H. Call away fill you in on the parti culars: sun or shade, wanted, and have a few unfa miliar ones to Mrs. Susan M. Cargill ra mpant o r demure, trouble-free or a fu ss­ get acquainted with . I'll have to look hard Mr. and Mrs. Glen Charl es budget. Either he or she has grown it, or for a place to plant them, and my husband Mrs. William R. J. Dunn Jr. knows someone who has. Sometimes it 's will make his usual stale joke about bu ying Mr. Paul Ecke Jr. the very gardener who donated it. I have a more land. Finall y I'll decide to pl ant them John Al ex Floyd Jr., Ph.D. spiraea in my garden now that while a where some es ta blished plants need di vid­ Mr. Gerald Halpin pleasure in itself is a lso a pleasant reminder ing. T he divisions of course will be in the Mrs. Samuel M. V. Hamilton of the garden sale at which it was thrust next plant sa le. Before then, there will be Mrs. Richard W. Hamming into my hand with the urging to " Bu y it! visits with garden club friends o ld and new, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Harri s It's lovely-the bloom has three colors!" lots of good garden talk, and perh aps some Mrs. Enid A. H aupt Who could resist such sincere enthusiasm? more plant exchanges. My garden is still a The plants se ll fo r 50 cents o r a dolla r, priva te retreat, but there is no lack of good Mrs. Julia D. Hobart so I can feel expansive. And because I know neighbors at this fe nce I've built. Claude Hope that each plant is locall y grown and at least Mr. Philip Huey one nearby gardener has bee n successful Lucy Fuchs is a fre e-lance w riter living in Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Kulp Jr. w ith it, I give free rein to spontaneity and Ambler, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon H . Ledbetter buy some solely because I'm entranced by Mr. and Mrs. David M. Lill y the shape of the leaf or even an exotic Mrs. Frances B. McAllister name. RESOURCES Mrs. Paul Mellon That's how I came by my alstroemeri a. Mrs. Pendleton Miller For a half do ll ar, I had a grand adventure, The plant groups that have given Lucy Ca rol C. Morrison and an educati o n, too. This handsome Fuchs so much pl easure are the Delaware Mr. William G. Pannill plant looks like no other I have seen and is Vall ey Chapter of the Ameri can Rock Gar­ Dr. Julia W. Rappaport thriving braze nl y among more subtle neigh­ den Society- with members from New Mr. Harry A. Rissetto bors. I would never have ordered it from a Yo rk , N ew Jersey, Pennsylvania, Dela­ Mr. and Mrs. William N. Scarff cata log, since I'm not usua ll y fond of garish ware, Virgini a, and West Virginia-and the Mid-Atlantic Group of the H ardy Plant Josephine M . Shanks combinations. I have since checked out the genus in reference books and fo und many Societ y. For more info rmati on on member­ Mrs. Peter Spalding Jr. others seemingly more to my tas te. But li ke ships and how to contact a chapter near Mr. William M. Spencer III a schoolgirl smitten with the football ca p­ yo u, write: Miss Jane Steffey tain and scorning the pre-med student, my Am e rica n R ock Gard en Society, 15 Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Thomas hea rt no w be lo n gs t o Alstroemeria Fairmead Road, Darien, CT 06820. Mrs. Harry V. Van de Kamp psittacina with its red and gree n pi zzazz. H ardy Plant Society, Mid-Atlantic Group, Katy Moss Warner I'm ass ured that it hails fr om Brazil 's colder 512 West Wayne Ave nue, Wayne, PA Mrs. Mari ll yn B. Wilson climes and just needs a bit of mulch to 19087. winter over in Pennsy lva ni a. Spring will tell, Hardy Plant Society of Oregon, 33530 S.E. but I am indebted to its donor and plan to Bluff Road, Boring, OR 97009.

6 FEBRU ARY 1994 GARDENERS' INFORMATION SERVICE

Q: Could you give me some information stem near the top of the pl ant with a sharp Q : Does Sparaxis tricolor require a cold on Rhododendron canadense? I have heard knife, a pply a sma ll amount of ho rmone treatment to bloom again the next growing it is one of the most cold-hardy rhododen- rooting powder to the wound, pack th e season? -G. E., Fort Lauderdale, Florida drons. -A. w., Pittsfield, Massachusetts area with sphagnum moss, and wrap it with self-clingin g kitchen wrap. When you A: s. tricolor, commo nl y known as har­ A: R. canadense is valued fo r both its see roots through the plasti c wrap, you can lequin fl ower, is an ea rl y spring- fl owering co ld hardiness (Zone 2) and its bright rosy cut off the top of the Norfo lk Island pine pl ant with ve ry bright, multicolored fl ow­ to purple, one-and-a-half-inch bell-sha ped and pot it. ers and swordlike fo li age 12 to 18 inches fl owers in earl y spring. It is a twiggy, up- hi gh. A nati ve of So uth Afri ca, it is hard y right, deciduo us shrub that grows between Q: Over the winter I traveled through onl y in USDA Zones 9 to 11. three and four feet tall. The na rrowl y oval Mexico and fell in love with the bougain­ Since you li ve in such a mild clim ate, yo u leaves are a unique gray green colo r a nd villea vines that seem to grow on every can leave th e corms in the ground, lifting appea r after fl owering is finished. home. What could I plant outdoors that them about eve ry three yea rs to di vide th em. This shrub is relatively tro uble-free and would come closest to this stunning trop- Gardeners in mo re northern zones will ne eds ve ry littl e spec ia l ca re. In the wild, it ical plant? -A.]., Columbus, Ohio need to pl ant the corms in containers and is found in swampy areas, so it sho uld be protect them from prolonged cold temper­ pl anted where there is a good dea l of mois- A: Sho rt of moving to a Zone 10 climate, atures. Using a porous, fertile soil mi xture, ture. Like most rh ododend rons, it needs yo u're unlikely find a vin e as lu sh and pl ant the corms an in ch or two below the acidic soil. It is excell ent for naturalized colorful as the bo uga in vill ea. so il surface. Water them thoroughly and pl antings in part shade. There is a white- Trumpet vi ne (Campsis radicans) has wait until spro uting begin s, then give them flowered cultiva r, 'Alba'. spectacular orange to red fl owers. It is a adequate moisture until th e foli age begin s So urces include: Cummings Gardens, 22 to ugh, hardy nati ve and can be aggressive. to ye ll ow. When fo li age has completely RobertS ville Road, M arlbo ro, NJ 07746, You mi ght want to look for o ne of its less died back, the corms need to be a ll owed to catalog $2; Girard Nurse ri es, P.O. Box in vasive cultiva rs. dry out so that they ca n go into their sum­ 428, Geneva, OH 44041 , catalog fr ee; An other bea utiful hardy nati ve is the mer dormancy stage . Greer Gardens, 1280 Goodpasture Isla nd trumpet ho neysuckl e (Lonicera semper- Whether grown in containers or in the Road, Eugene, OR 97401, catalog free; virens) . Both ye ll ow- and red-fl owering ground, the corms sho uld be started in the and Eastern Plant Specialties, Box 226, culti va rs a re available. fall. They ca n be sta rted from seed in spring, Georgetown, ME 04548, catalog fr ee . Various clematis species, like Clematis and will fl ower in the second and sometimes montana, or hybrids like 'J ackmanni the first yea r. -Maureen Heffernan Q: What is the best method for prop- Superba' or 'Lasurstern,' have large, vel­ AHS Education Coordinator agating cuttings of the Norfolk Island vety, exotic-looking purple and blue flow­ pine? -E. w. ,Washington, D. C. ers. The clematis hybrid 'Ville de Lyon' has bright crimson flowers with showy yellow A: Cuttings of the Norfo lk Island pine centers, and C. viticella ' Mme. Julia USE YOU R GIS (Arau caria heterophylla) must be taken Correvon' has gorgeous dark fuchsia-col­ from the top of the parent pla nt. Cuttings ored flowers with yellow-white centers. Using th e Gardeners' Informati on taken from any side shoots will not form a You may want to look into the numerous Service is ju st o ne of the many bene­ ce ntra l leading bra nch and will ,------, ha rdy and vigoro us c limbing fits of membership in th e Ameri can develo p an unba lanced shape. roses. 'Danse du Feu' and 'Paul 's Ho rti cultural Society. GIS ca n help A number of references suggest Sca rlet Climber' have bright red find an elu sive pla nt, suggest pl ants simply rooting this cutting in a fl owers. 'Tropicana' is bright o r- for special needs, di agnose a prob­ soilless mi xture under mi st in a ange and 'Joseph's Coat' is aptly lem and find a cure, and trac k down propagatio n enclosure, to ensure named for its multicolored or- other informati o n sources. hi gh humidity a nd protecti o n ange, yellow, and pink fl owers. fr o m direct s unlight. But because A. Fina ll y, Hydrangea anomala s ubsp. AHS members can call GIS toll free, heterophylla is so res in ous, yo ur success petiolaris is a hardy, climbing hydrangea (800) 777-7931. Hours are 11 a.m . ra te with this meth od may be low. with la rge, fragrant, showy white fl owers to 3 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday AHS Board Member and house plant and attracti ve exfoli ating bark . The late through Friday, except holidays. expert Elvin M cDo na ld says yo u may have pla ntsma n Dona ld Wyman sa id of this better luck with air-l ayering. Wound th e pl ant: "There is no better clingin g vine."

AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST 7 Protects plants from transplant shock and drought. NATURAL CONNECTIONS

Virginia Creeper berries before its depa rture. This is a n in­ teresting va ri a tion fr o m its usua l diet, f you li ve a nywhere east of the Missis- w hi ch consists almost entirely of in sects o n sippi, there's a good cha nce that you its summer g ro unds and fruit o n its w inter I li ve in the g rasp o f the Virginia creeper gro unds. The no rthern fli cker, pa rti al to (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). A r a m- ants in o ther seasons, is a lso a cree per bling, deciduo us vine w ith distincti ve, fiv e- connoisseur. [n return fo r the cree per's la r- lo bed leaves, Virg ini a creepe r is o ften gesse, the birdssowitsseedsabo utliberall y pl a nted to cl a mber up fe nces, wall s, a nd in their droppings. other structures that would benefit fr o m a The cree per is a lso the ma in larval food q ui ck-growing, low-maintena nce cover. pl ant fo r three sphinx moth species : the Virginia creeper w ill grow to 50 feet o r m yro n, pa ndo ru s, a nd w hite-lined . Yo u mo re, a nd it owes its climbing prowess to may have seen these la rge, nocturna l moths an ada ptati o n no o ther na ti ve eastern vine on summer evenings, hovering befo re a ca n cla im. The cree per doesn't tw ine o r ho neysuckle o r rhododendro n fl o wer, sip- cling: it cements. [f yo u look a t its w iry little ping necta r. [n ea rl y summer, the moths tendrils, you' ll see th at they subdivide into seek o ut the creeper to lay their eggs. If yo u fi ve to eight bra nch lets. Where the tendrils po ke amo ng its leaves in July o r August, to uch no thi ng soli d, the bra nch lets kink you may find the ca terpilla rs, di stingui shed a nd curl a ro und themselves like ruined by their poste ri o r " ho rn " a nd by their springs. But a bra nch let tha t to uches a ha bit of assuming a "sphinxlike" posture suppo rt w ill fo rm a tin y adhesive disk a t its w hen they a re disturbed . They will feed o n tip. The resulting bo nd is extremely strong: cree per leaves all summer, then drop o ff the it's estimated tha t a single tendril with a ll vine to overw inter as pupae in the soil o r its branc h lets a ttached w ill ho ld up to 10 leaf litter below. (Incidenta ll y, do n't try to po unds. imita te the birds a nd mo ths- a ll parts of The cree pe r's o ther majo r asset is nea rl y the creeper a re po isono us to huma ns.) as in conspi cuo us as its tendril s. By late The cree per has a complicated relati o n- summer, it p roduces a crop o f bluish bl ack ship w ith its fell ow pla nts. It may li ve berries covered in fa int w hite bloom. These amica bl y a mo ng its neighbors, as just a n- berri es a re o f little o rnamenta l va lu e a nd other solid citizen o f the pla nt kingdo m. they o ft en go unnoticed. But in the fa ll a nd But its g rowth rate can exceed 10 feet a w inter, they're a sta ple fo r at least 39 bi rd year a nd it sometimes smothers entire acres Sprayed on plant surfaces, Wilt-PruJ:® species. The creeper a ttracts so ma ny bi ~ d s in its embrace. This is the sort of vegeta ble forms a protective coating that slows pa rtly because it grows in so ma ny different ra mpage tha t we associate w ith in vasive dow n moisture evaporation from leaves situa ti o ns. In grassla nd, w here it spreads exotics like k udzu (Puerm·ia lobata), the and stems. Use for: alo ng the g ro und, it suppo rts meado w spe-Ja panese vine th at o nce bla nketed so much • spring and summer transplanting cies like the bo bw hite. In the woods, w here of the Southeast. We usua ll y think o f native • protection from summer heat and drought it's a tree-cl imbing vine, it feeds ,------, plants as better behaved but actu- • fall transplanting forest birds like the scarl et ta na- a ll y, kudzu goes on the ra mpage • winter windburn protection ger. Alo ng the coast, w here it w ill from time to time in Japan . • Christmas trees, wreaths grow in nearly pure sand, it sup- But if yo u 've ever see n a and greens pl ements the diet of sho re birds. creeper- covered woodlo t in fall, Organi c and biodegradabl e, Wilt-PruJ:® A patch of berry-l aden creeper you' ll find it ha rd to bl a me the is the safe way to guard against moisture loss is a n excell e nt spot fo r bird vine for its excesses. A sta nd of year 'round. lilT£; watching. In w inter, the eastern bl uebird is trees cloaked in its glowing scarl et fo li age Ask for Wilt-PruJ:® at heavil y depe nde nt o n berry- p roducin g is a breath-ta king sight. At such moments, your garden supply PRUf® plants like the cree per. The purple fin ch is it's easy to see w hy the w riter All en Lacy store today . ANTl ·mANSAAANT ano ther of the vine's wi nter patrons. The ca ll s the c reeper "one o f the glo ri es of the P.O. Box 469, Essex, CT 06426-0469 red-eyed vireo overw inters in the Amazon- America n la ndscape." - Chris Bright 203n67-7033 ia n basin but it sometimes eats creeper Assistant Editor

8 FEBRUA RY 1994 Cont inuing Education at NATIVES AT RISK The New York Botanical Garden

monkshood relies on conse rving its natural NYBG Continuing ha bitats. One result is th e Driftless Area Education offers courses Nati ona l Wild li fe Refu ge in southwestern and Certificate Programs in: Wisconsin a nd no rtheastern Iowa. Here the cli ff ha bitats and a lgifi c slopes, refu ges Landscape Design from the ice age, a re sa nctua ries fo r other Gardening rare pla nts like the lapla nd rosebay and th e Interior Landscaping Iowa golden saxifrage, Chrysospienium iowense, a tundra pl ant that was discov­ Commercial Horticulture ered in Iowa a nd late r in the a rcti c. Horticultural Therapy Tim Kesseni ch, a hydrogeologist at the Botanical Art & Wisconsin Department o f Natural Re­ sources, has been growin g the pla nts fro m Illustration seeds since the ea rly 1980s. With state a nd Floral Design federal a pprova l, he has grown the pla nts Botany in hi s own ga rden a nd introduced them into Botanical Crafts suita ble ha bitats w itho ut natura l po pul a­ tions o f monkshood. " Finding the ri ght A small sample of classes pla nting site can be tricky," he says. "So me starting soon is: o f our plantings failed beca use the site was Northern Wild Monkshood either too dry, too shad y, or smothered by Maintenance of Shrubs leaf li tter." But three pla ntings at a W iscon- & Small Ornamentals ossy stream ba nks, ice-cold ta lus sin state park have survived to flower a nd slo pes, a nd tiny cliff ledges shelter pro du ce seed . Ano t he r seed lin g tha t begins Feb. 26 M the bri ll ia nt vio let-blue fl owers o f Kesseni ch p la nted in hi s ga rden yielded one of the first plants to be protected by the 10,000 seeds. That may sound like a lot, but The Art of Specialty federa l Enda ngered Species Act, Aconitum the plant produces weak seed lin gs- in the Gardens novaboracense. In 1978, w hen the U.S. wild it keeps its juvenile leaves a ll season. begins Feb. 24 Fish a nd Wi ldli fe Service listed the no rth- Pa lmlike, dark green leaves, typical of ern wild monkshood as threatened, re- others in the Ra nuncul aceae o r buttercup Orchid Growing - searchers knew of o nly 14 w idely scattered famil y, a ppear at the beginning of the sec- Beyond the Basics colonies o f the elus ive w il dflower. ond yea r. By the third season the pla nt begins Mar. 22 In New York the northern wild monks- begins producing flowers, w hi ch range hood grows in rocky stream sites near the top from dee p blue vi olet to lavender blue a nd Landscaping with of the Catski ll Mountains; in O hio plants bloom from late J une until October. In in habit cliffs at the edges of the glacial drift strong light the blossoms o ft en reveal a n Native Plants (the glacier's southernmost limit); in Iowa iridescent rose glow, indicat ing the reflec- begins Mar. 22 and Wisconsin the Aconitum thrives on cl iffs ti on of ultra-vio let light. and algific slo pes- a network of r------, Trekking aro und cliffs to d is- caves that buil d up ice all winter cover the no rthern w ild monks- Call NYBG Continuing and provide yea r-round . refrige r- hood in its nat ive ha bitat can be Education: ati on. Each of these microhabi- a bi t h a rrowing, a nd c o u ld tats is characteri zed by cold soil ; threaten sensitive po pulati ons- 718-817-8747, dept. 106 native pl ant po pulations between one colony in New York was pa r- for more information or them were pro ba bly destroyed by tia ll y destroyed by campers. But a complete climati c changes thousands of yea rs ago. would -be explo rers can see the rare nati ve Federal listing spa rked efforts to find other growing in earl y o r mid-July at the Holden course populations of the northern wild monks- Arbo retum in M entor, Ohio, a pa rticipat- catalog. hood, but fewer than 100 coloni es have in g ga rden w ith the Center for Plant Con- been discovered. se rvation. -Mary Beth Wiesner The recovery pla n fo r the no rthern w ild Managing Edito r

A~ I E R I CAj\; HORTI ULTURIST 9 THE URBAN GARDENER

Through a Glass Darkly abo ut as frequently-and with roughl y the range things so that your double rarely in­ sa me effect-as the idea o f going to the trudes, a mirror or two may help you " recy­ used to li ve on the ninth fl oor o f a dentist. Consequentl y, my windows were cle" your light supply. Some indoor growers hi gh rise a partment building, facing usuall y sandwiched between layers of filth . use Mylar sheeting for this purpose. I south . In that direction there were no If you li ve in a hi ghrise, you might not have It didn't occur to me that house plants other tall buildings for blocks. I had an im- access to that o uter crust, but as I discov- do n't have to be stationary. Lik e people, mense window, so I had plenty of light-so ered on rare occasions, just removing the many pla nts will to lerate less than ideal much light that in winter, when the sun was inner layer can make a startling improve­ conditions fo r substantia l periods of time, low, the glare rendered half of my apartment ment in your light supply. if their schedule all ows them to replenish uninhabitable. It didn't occur to me to move my plants their needs o n a regul ar basis. Yo u can take N ear the window, I had great house away fr om my windows. M y first response advantage of this quality by working out a pl ants. They weren't particularly unusual to poor lighting was usuall y to jam my sort of time-sharing scheme for the best .ones, but they were huge. I had a papyru s plants up again st the windows, so that they li ghting ava il a ble. Your begonia might that would have dressed up the Nile. I had would intercept as much light as possible. spend a week on your des k, then return to a jade pl ant you co uld have camped under. But windows cl ogged with vegetati on can the window tabl e, to displace your fu chsia I had an ivy that I had trained up as a tree, make a dim room even gloomier. Putting to a bookshelf. and I used to gaze with sati sfaction on its pl ants a round, rather than directly in fr ont I didn't know that plants well cared fo r woody heft . I attributed my success with of, a window. may open up the view, but in other respects are better a ble to tolerate these plants to all that li ght. often a room's darkest a reas actuall y c1u s- poor light. A pl ant that is properly potted, Then I moved-not once , but once a ter near the windows, w here the in coming watered, fertilize d, and cleaned will put up year for three years. And the succession of li ght is cut o ff a bruptly by the windows' with low li ghting better than one that is interiors thro ugh which I passed made me edges. These were the netherworlds w here neglected. I'm sure neglect pl ayed a role in fee l as if I were making my way in to a most of my pl ants ended their li ves. Better my jade plant's demise. tunnel. Each seemed darker than the last. lighting is oft en ava il a ble a little fa rther I never got around to buying any artifi­ The windows were never big eno ugh and into the room, where the light fl oods onto cia llights. Fluo rescent li ghts a re energy-ef­ the bes t ones always faced north o r east. the fl oor or an adj acent wall. It's difficult fic ient and many ho use plants like them M ost of my plants eventua lly di ed . The to arrange a room in a way that will allow well eno ugh to fl ower under them. They death o f my jade plant was es pecially pa- pl ants to p rofit from this fact, but it might come in wavelengths that mimic natural thetic. Its firm , plump leaves softened a nd be worth a try. light, so they won't make you feel like wrinkled, then d ropped wetl y to the fl oor. I didn't realize that shifting pl ants up or yo u're li ving in a subway. You ca n use them Its stems sagged and shed their limbs. down mi ght make better use of my light. A on their own o r positi on them where they I have since emerged into the bright light bi g plant won't necessarily do bes t on the supplement your sunlight. A timer switch of suburbi a. Today I have an entire ho use fl oor. If it's bushy like an a butilon or is proba bl y a worthwhile investment. and I can think of it as faci ng in w hatever droopy like a philodendron, you might be I didn't think about giving away my directi on I want. But w henever I consider able to ra ise it on to some sort of pedestal most demanding plants a nd re pl acing them the amenities I can now o ffer ho use plants, and free up fl oor space for other pl ants. with plants more forgiving of low light. It's my expansive ness is tempered with regret Conversely, small er pl ants don't have to sit true that the lower the light level, the fewer for the pl ants I used to have. It's not just on a windowsill : you might consider taking yo ur cho ices, especiall y if you're interested their death that bothers me-it's r======:=:l them down and away from the in fl owering plants. But there are many the fact that, as I now know, they window. A cluster of plants I o nce interes ting plants that will tolerate some need not have died. They could had o n a windowsill proba bly degree of obscurity. Apart from the o bvi­ have survive d those apartments, should have been arranged on a ous ferns and philodendrons, yo ur choices if I had thought a bo ut my win- low table or even o n the fl oor. include many gesneriads (see page 20), be­ . dows more carefull y. So fo r the .... : .:.... They wo uld have looked less like goni as, spa thiphyllums, di effenbachias, benefit o f other pl a nt-loving ...... : ... ;'. ::.:.... they were trying to escape, and and sa nsevi eri as. Fo r other possibilities, apa rtment dwellers, I'll rev iew the mis- my room would have felt less like a cage. look through a well-stocked greenhouse, takes that I made: I didn't think a bout reflected light. Yo u or th ro ugh the growing literature on house I rarely considered how big a diffe rence don't have to like orange shag carpet to pl ants. sim ply clea ning my windows would make. consider the restrained use of mirror til es So even if yo u're still li ving in yo ur own It's embarrassing to admit it, but the idea or wall mi rrors. If you can stand the unex- Dark Ages, you don't have to live witho ut o f washing w indows entered m y head pected sight of yo urself, or if you can ar- plants. - C B.

10 FEBRUARY 1994 Get down to basics.

Uncia Askey edits the Steve Frowine travels the garden pages of Southern world looking for new Accents and Southern plants as vice president Uving magazines and of horticulture at White gives us four Flower Farm and tells us presentations on different about the best new styles of garden making. ~. _~_ garden varieties.

Brent Heath owns Julie Messervy wrote 'The Gloucester Virginia's Contemplative Garden" Daffodil Mart and relies and helps us understand on his expertise as a how gardens serve the third-generation daffodil human need for quiet, breeder to introduce us solitude and to dozens of daffodils. introspection. Colonial Williamsburg and the American Horticultural Society present "Making Gardens"

Join more than 200 horticultural Garden Symposium includes six days of professionals and home gardening access to Colonial VVilliamsburg's exhibition enthusiasts for the 48th buildings, craft shops, museums, and gardens; two receptions and a closing dinner; and a full schedule of tours, talks, WillialRsburg demonstrations, clinics, conversations Garden SYlRposium and optional master classes. April '10·13. 1994 Please send information on the Garden Symposium. Name ______For full registration information, please mail the coupon to Garden Symposium, Address ______P.O. Box 1776, Williamsburg, VA 23187-1776, or call (804) 220-7255. City State Zip ------

A:I.IER ICA 1 HORTICU LTURIST I I PLANTING THE FUTURE

she tripped and the potion fe ll into the is a problem the li stener benefits from the bowl of an ugly old man who pes tered her resolution. In the Greek story ofBaucis and for weeks. The children laughed heartily Philemon, conflict is provided by an im­ and asked for more stories . M y surprise mortal disguised as a poor person tes ting ca me in the afternoon session. I stopped at mortals. We agoni ze as many fa il the test the trillium, about to retell the story, when of hospitality until at last one humble cou­ one of the boys, who had also attended the pi e opens their home to the beggar and morning session, asked if he could tell the treats him as a honored guest. We rejoice story. After that, storytelling was an im- as the beggar throws off his rags to reveal portant part of my walks with children. his true identity and o ffers to grant a wis h The power of stories to make conn ections as a reward. and gently teach respect for nature must ~ Element Five-Transformation Mot1f not be underestimated. Transformation patterns recur in stories As a professional storytell er, I wanted to from many cultures . On Christmas Eve a take this concept one step further by in- poor child wants to place a gift on the altar structing school children to invent their in honor of the Christ Child's birth, but has own pourquoi -stori es. The term comes nothing to give. That night she drea ms an Storytelling from the French word for "why." These are angel tells her to gather the branches that teaching stories that explain how some grow along the road. At the church she is By Candace Miller characteristic of a pl ant, animal, or person ridiculed for her homely offering. She cries, came to be. M any are cl assic transforma- doubting her love, and her tears touch the n fourth grade our class went to the ti on stories considered part of our literary branches . They burst into glorious blos- county museum. There I was awed by heritage, like the Greek myth of Narcissus. soms, a miraculous and selfless gift fit for I a life-sized, marble statue of a man I have instructed both adults and children the King of Kings. This story is told in lying on his side and looking down in in this story-tellin g method, which has Mexico about the poinsettia, in the Ama- frozen perfection at a mirror. It haunted me proved easy enough for even a grown-up zan jungle abo ut the Christmas cactus, and all the way home and I told my parents to learn : in Europe a bout the Christmas rose. about it. That's when I heard my first ~ Element One-Subject. Rea ding and M any of these stories contain strong fl ower story, a bout Narciss us, the yo ung li stening to pourquoi stori es crea tes a morals. Narciss us was transformed into a man who, because of his vanity and cruel mindset for their construction. Many plant fl ower whose botani ca l name reminds us of disregard for the nymph Echo, was made names strongly suggest a story: Jack-in hi s vanity. Baucis and Philemon, however, to fall in love with his own reflection and th e-pulpit, lady's-slipper, pussy-toes, bird- as ked only that they never be parted. They then turned into the fl ower that bears hi s of-paradise. Eac h has the potential to pro- are transformed into trees, often an oak and name. Even today, his story continues to vide a rich subj ect for a pourquoi story. a linden, entwined for eternity. Other tales fascinate me. ~ Element Two-Character. Defin e have the slain bodies of mourned relati ves It was as a volunteer natura li st that I cha racters only for elements important to and broken-hearted lovers transformed redi scovered the power of storytelling. As the story. One strength of storytelling is into fl owers. Bea utiful Rhodanthe sought a teacher I had used stories in classrooms that li steners mentall y construct their own refu ge in the temple of Diana and was to focus attention and solidify concepts. versions of the character, for in- ,------, turned into the first rose and her But on the trail I was faced with children stance, reliving Na rciss us' expe- suitors, into thorns around her. who did not share my love fo r nature and, ri ence vicari ously. It is important I am pl easantly surprised that most distressingly, had not been ta ught a onl y th at he be described as hand- children res pond by telling their respect for nature. On one walk that I took some and cruell y va in . own stories with strong moral with a morning kindergarten class, we ~ Element Three-Setting. messages. found a trillium and a story po pped into Settings that are ambiguous in time There was Bostw ic Va nder- my mind. I expla in ed that once a young and place contribute to the unive rsality of bucks, a m a n "so greed y the mayor Nati ve Ameri can woman fell in love with a story. Only a body of water is necessary ki cked " him out of town. H e built a great a handsome brave. Unfortunately, he ig­ for Narciss us to see his refl ection. mansion with a "state-of-th e-art, digital- nored her. She remembered that the root of .i' Element Four-Conflict and Resolu- control, air-tight va ult." The sheriff no- this plant contain ed a powerful love po­ tion. There must be some pro blem to solv e. ticed that Bostwic hadn't been into town ti on. She was taking it to the brave when Although Narcissus is unaware that there for a while, so he rang Bostwic's doorbell.

12 FEBRUARY 1994 " DOLLAR BILLS, DOLLAR BILLS." When no one answered, the sheriff broke in and the door to the va ult opened, reveal­ ing th at Bostwic and hi s treasure had bee n TURN UNSIGHTLY BRUSH "turned into money plants." Tl~a t is the collabO!a tive effo rt of fiv e fifth-grade boys INTO FREE MULCH! who had bee n shown a sprig of lumina ri a. .. .Reduce it 12-to-l with the TROY-BILP Chipper/Shredder! In one bea utiful tale, a third grader wrote, "A long time ago God was trying to get peace on ea rth by making it rain . Every time a drop fell more happiness wo uld grow. The devil hated love so he changed it so th at every time a drop of ra in fell a person wo uld die. Soon there was onl y one person left. God fo ught , back with his mighties t power. He se nt a message to the dev il that sa id, 'I love you.' When the dev il Turn a mess like this .. .into FREE landscaping mulch in minutes! read this his fi ery red body hissed and di ssolved into tiny little seeds and every­ • Extra-large hopper swallows up to r ------where the seeds fell a fire lil y grew." a bushel at a time. I 0 TRIJ~.'LT· R2~~0 Another story tell s of two Native Amer­ • Large, flow-through shredder I 102nd Street and 9th Avenue design for fast, thorough, jam-free ican girls during a fa mine. Usuall y they I Troy, New York 12180 3 13 operation. would "tell stories to keep their minds o ff I o YES! Please send me your FREE Ch ipper! • Auto-feeding chipper handles big Shredder Catalog and Homeowner's Guide wi th their hunger but this time it didn't work " branches up to 4" thick; wider I details about all your models, specs, and TROY-BILT" so they took a walk along the ri ver. There chute reduces trimming of side I Easy Pay Pl an with NO-M oney-Down Financing! they saw the most bea utiful fl ower they branches for faster processing! I Name______had ever seen. They picked it and it came I Address, ______Send for your FREE Catalog! I City______alive! "It began to paint things-flowers, Call Toll-Free rocks, trees, and best of all , food. That I State______Zip_ _ _ _ _ 1-800-366-3434 Dept. 4270 ni ght they went to slee p, hungry but happy. I Product also available in Canada I ... .or mail this coupon. In the mo rning they sho uted for joy be­ '-======-______~1::'4 , ~r!.n ::Y~ c~ cause the food had become real, all painted by the fi rst Indian-paintbrush." That mov­ ing story was created by a second grader! Children tell me that they like pourquoi stories beca use goodness is rewarded, ev il punished, and the little guy often wins. It's ni ce to know that children still like stories that express hopes for a better tomorrow. Through storytelling we can pass on our love of fl owers and the message that we must become lovers of all nature.

Candace Miller has taught kindergarten through college and is now a full-tim e pro­ fessional storyteller at schools and botanic gardens. Sh e lives with her family in Lim a, Ohio.

STORY SOURCES One Hundred and One Legends of Flow­ el'S byEli zabeth Todd N ash. Christopher Publishing H o use, 1927. Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch. Dell Pub­ li shing Company, 1972, Favorite Stories for the Children's Hour by Ca ro lyn Sherw in Ba il ey. Pla tt a nd Munk, I 965, Garden Flower Folklore by Laura C. M ar­ tin. Glo be Pequot Press, 1987. Wildflower Fo lklore by Laura C. M artin; Globe Pequot Press. 198 4 .

AMERICAN HORTICU LTURIST 13

FROM THREE NATIONAL PLANT SOCIETIES, SUGGESTIONS FOR LOW-FUSS, HIGH-REWARD PLANTS FOR THE LANDSCAPE AND THE LIVING ROOM. Heathers In Zone 6 and south, the right selections will give you bloom all year.

eathers can be harder to de­ B Y A L I ( E KNIGHT three species of Hudsonia, a genus in the fine than they are to grow. rock rose family, commonly ca ll ed " beach Plant societi es use the word heather." New Zealand tea, Leptosperm­ to include varieties of An­ um scoparium, a member of the myrtl e dromeda and Bruckenthal­ family, is sometimes called New Zealand ia.H But when North American gardeners heather by gardeners on our West Coast, talk a bout heather, they are usually refer­ where it's a common garden shrub. ring to the hardy heathers- small ever­ The word "heather"- spelled over the gree n plants in the genera Caliuna, Erica, centuries as hathir, hadyr, haddir, hadder, and to a lesser extent, Daboecia. Still, not hather, and hether-first appeared in the all species of " hardy heathers" can be 18th century and may have been a compro­ grown in a ll parts of North America and mise between the Scottish " hadder" and the not all plants dubbed " heather" are actu­ Engli sh "heath. " Heather was the Scots' all y heathers. common name for plants that grew wild on Pl a nts commonly sold as "Scotch their highl ands. Linnaeus called them Erica heather " in supermarkets and other retail vulgaris, but in the earl y 19th century that outl ets are often tender South African spe­ was changed to Caliuna vulgaris. cies of Erica. The western United States is C. vulgaris cultivars are the "true heath­ home to Cassiope mertensiana, commonly ers," and the ha rdiest of all the hardy ca lled white heather or mountain heather, heathers. Carefully selec ted varieties can be and species of Phyllodoce, a lso ca lled successfully grown as far north as USDA mountain heather or mo unta in heath. But Zone 3. The genus name is derived fr om th ese natives from a bove the tree line like the Greek word "kalluno," meanin g to growing conditions very different from the sweep clean or beautify. Cultivated for garden heathers, which hail from treeless many centuries, Calluna has been used not wastelands and moors of Europe and Asia. Opposite: The flowers of Erica vagans onl y for brooms and brushes, but a lso for All of these plants are at least related to 'St. Kaverne' can last from July packing materi al, thatched roofs, baskets, heathers, since they're members of the through November. Above: The white fences, road beds, pegs and na il s, ropes, hea th family, Ericaceae, which encom­ corollas ofE. vagans 'Lyonesse' mattresses, forage for cattle, and food for passes 70 genera and nearly 2,000 species, contrast with its brown anthers. honey bees. Heather also has medicinal including rhododendrons, mountain lau­ properties as an astringent, is an additive re ls, and blueberries. for brewing beer, and provides wood for Other " heathers" aren't even kissing making briar pipes. cousins. Eastern North America is home to Ca lluna species are nati ve to western

AMERICAN HORTICULTU RIST 15 Europe and the Mediterranea n, but seed eas il y and have become na turalized in Nova Scotia a nd the northwestern coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, pre­ suma bl y when settlers from Scotl and and England dropped seeds from heather mat­ tresses or packi ng material. There are se veral hundred na med varie­ ties of C. vulgaris on the market in Europe and now more than 450 are available in North America. Plants raNge fr om small mounds or carpets one or two inches high to shrubs three feet tall. Some are prostrate and low spreading while others are bushy and upright. Flowers vary from white through pink and purple to crimson, in both single- and double-flowered forms. M ost of them bloom in summer, but a few still have fl owers th rough December or into J a nua r y. The foli age is usuall y smooth-leaved in many shades of green, silver, gold, or bronze, some with pink or white tips of new growth. Some change foliage colors with the seasons, often be­ coming a striking red in winter. The double flowers of Call una Some all-time choice and highl y recom­ vulgaris 'Kinloehruel' appear on mended cultivars are: shrubs only a foot tall. 'County Wicklow'. La rge double, shell pink flowers from July through Octo ber on a low, compact bush 12 inches high and 18 hardiness, but in Zones 6 and warmer, it's inches wide, w ith midgreen foli age. possible to plant a co ll ection that will 'Kinlochruel'. A double white-fl owered bl oom relia bly in every month of the sport of 'County Wickl ow'. year-a claim that few, if any, other plant ' Tib ' . H eli o tro pe-colored , d o uble ge nera can ma ke. blooms July to October on an open bush The hardies t and easiest to care for are 12 inches tall, spreading to 16 inches, with the E. carnea varieties, whose natural hab­ dark gree n fo li age. itat is coniferous woods and stony slopes. 'Silver Knight'. Lavender flowers August Their prostrate ha bit and fast growth make to September on an upright bush 18 inches them excellent plants for a rock garden or tall and 24 inches wide with downy silver compani ons for other acid lovers. Esta b­ gray foliage. lished plants require ve ry little attention, 'M artha Herman'. White fl owers July to and when properl y planted, form a close September on a compact bush 10 inches carpet that smothers weeds. tall and 15 inches wide with bright green The fine, narrow leaves range in color foli age. fr om golden and pale gree n to deep or 'Gold Haze'. A golden-foli aged plant grayish green, some with streaks of gold or with white fl owers August to October, cream or pink tips on new spring growth. growing upright to 12 inches tall and 16 The fl owers, usuall y on upright stems, dif­ inches wide. fer from other Erica species in hav ing pro­ 'Allegro'. Ruby fl owers from July to Oc­ truding a nthers. Fl ower buds form in tober on an upright bush 18 inches ta ll and summer, but many ta ke up to nine months 24 inches wide with dark fo li age. to finish fl owering. Flowers tend to open 'Blazeaway'. Lavender fl owers August earlier than average where winters are mild to September on an upright bush 12 to 15 or as much as two months later w herl3 inches tall and 24 in Ghes wide. Golden winters are harsh. summer foliage turns orange in fall and The foll owing cultiva rs are dependable then fi ery red in winter. in Zone 3 (with protection) and south a nd While C. vulgaris has scalelike leaves, all are a bout six inches tall : Erica speci es, or hea ths, have needlelike 'Springwood White'. M asses of white leaves. Species vary considerabl y in their fl owers December through M ay. The

16 FEBRUARY 1994 bright gree n, trailing shrub grows 16 to 24 green plant spreads 24 to 30 in ches. Left: The foliage of Call una vulgaris in ches wide. 'Darleye nsis Alba' ('Si lberschmelze'). 'Gold Haze' contrasts sharply with 'Porter's Red' . M agenta fl owers January White flowers Se ptember thro ugh M ay. other heathers. Above: Erica cinerea through May with dark foli age; spreads to Abo ut the sa me size as 'Darl ey Dale', it has 'Eden Valley' produces its bicolor 18 inches . medium green foli age with creamy tips in flowers from June through September. 'Pink Spangles'. Sh ell pink fl owers Janu­ spring. ary through M ay deepen with age fo r a 'Furzey'. Deep lil ac pink fl owers Octo­ bicolor effect. Midgreen foli age, sprea ds to ber through M ay, deepening to almost he­ 18 inches. li otrope. The dark green fo li age has pink 'King George'. Pink fl owers December tips in spring. through March, dark fo li age. Compact, 'Jack H. Brummage'. Heli otrope fl owers rarely spreading more than 10 inches . January through M ay with yell ow-orange ' Foxho ll ow Fa iry' . Another bi colo r, fo li age. Only 12 inches ta ll and sprea ding with a pale, shell pink coroll a and pink to abo ut two feet. calyx. Midgreen foli age, spreading to 14 'Ghost Hills'. Pink fl owers deepen to in ches . heli otrope between November and M ay. The winter-fl owering heaths with per­ The bushy pl ant sprea ds to 30 inches, and haps the longest bloom times are the E. x the medium gree n fo li age has crea m-col­ darleyensis va ri eties, which are usua II y ored tips in spring. hardy in Zone 5 (with protec ti on) and E. tetralix cultiva rs are sma ll , compact warmer. They tend to be a. bit tall er than E. heathers eight to 12 in ches ta ll , often with em'nea, most to a bout 18 inches. M any pleasing gray foli age and waxy-textured begin fl owerin g in late September and con­ fl owers. Varieti es of this species, also called tinue bl ooming until late May. Some form the cross-l eaved heath o r bog heath, can buds as earl y as June and are bl ooming take wet soils as well as dry conditio ns, and aga in in late September. are hardy through Zone 4 . Recommended So me ve ry worthwhile choices among va ri eties include: this group are: 'Con Underwood'. Deep magenta fl ow­ 'Darl ey Da le'. Shell pink fl owers begin ers July thro ugh October on bushy, sil ve ry appea ring in late September and da rken as gray pl ants 20 inches wide. the season progresses. The bushy, dark 'Alba M o llis'. White fl owers bl oom June

AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST 17 HEAT HER CULTURE

eathers are easy-care evergreen plants that can be used almost anywhere through October on a gray green to sil ve ry except indoors or on a shady porch. Although they do best in full sun, they gray, compact and upright pl ant 12 inches H can tolerate partial shade; too much shade will reduce bloom and make wide. them become leggy. Filtered shade is often best for golden-foli aged Calluna species, To extend hea ther bl oom furth er into the which can sunburn during long hot summers. summer, consider E. cinerea cu lti vars, Most varieties like neutral to slightly acid soil. Heatbers don't like wet feet, so which have fin e leaves and bloom in colors good soil aeration is even more important than with most plants. You may want ranging from white to almost black. Most to improve the soil by adding peat moss. are low-growing, neatl y shaped bushes a The planting hole should be about twice the size of the heather root ball. foot or less in height. Some are spreaders, Heathers have shallow roots and must not be planted any deeper than they are a few a re upright. They wi ll be hardy in growing in the pot. Scoring or lightly scratching the root ball in two or three places Zone 5 (wi th good protection ) and south. often helps plants become established more quickly and can prevent plant loss. Attractive and recommended culti va rs Plants should be spaced 12 to 30 inches apart, depending on variety and the include: landscape effect you want. 'Eden Valley'. Bicolor lavender and Once plants are in the ground, you should never let them dry out. This is by fa!; white flowers bloomJune through Septem­ the most comnlOn reason for losses, especia,lIy wirh new plaNts. Water new ber on li ght green plants that are 20 to 24 plantings deeply at least once a week ci'l1J:ing hot weather. Because heathers are inches wide. shallow rooted, remove weeds carefully and do not cultivate too deeply. Keep 'CD. Eason'. Bright magenta fl owers mulch away from the stem and crown of the plant. June th rough September on bushy, dark If you are on the northern edge of the hardiness zone recommended for your gree n plants 15 inches wide. heather species, winter protection may be necessary. Evergreen boughs, straw, or 'Cevennes'. Mauve flowers bl oom June other material will help protect them from cold and drying winds, and from heavy through September on a medium green snow that might break branches, especially on the tree heathers. upright plant spreading to 15 inches. Regular pruning is not always necessary, especially with low-growing, winter­ 'Joyce Burfitt'. Dusky, deep rose pink to bloomiAg varieties, but it will keep plants bushy and well-shaped aAd improve alm ost black flowers from July through flowering. Up.ight, swmmer-blooming heathers need regular pFlll1ing to keep from September. The foli age is dark gray green becoming leggy and om of control. PruNe ainer floweriDg, or very early in spring and the habit somewhat loose, spreading before new growth starts. Avoid pruning late in the year when frost could cause to 20 inches. stems to split. Cut the pfaAr back to just below the previous season's blossoms. E. vagans (Cornish heath) is the most As plants become established, it may be helpful to apply rhododendron-type lime-tolerant of all heather species and ca n fertilizer lightly in early spring. Keep fertilizer at least two inches from the stem of be grown in heavy soil with added peat. the plant and off of tlae foliage. Granular fertilizers are best. Mature pla nts will These bushy, sy mmetrical plants, 12 to 18 thrive with little or no fertilizer, but if the foliage turns pale, an application of iron inches tall, are ideal for a low hedge or may be helpful. -Alice Knight border. They should do well in Zone 5 (with protec ti on) through 8. Some of the best, blooming July through October, are: 'Lyo nesse'. Pure white corollas contrast with brown a nthers and dark, glossy green foliage; 24 inches wide. 'St. Kaverne'. Pink flowers may last through November. Dark foliage, spreads 20 inches wid e. 'Mrs. D.E Maxwell'. Deep rose pink fl owers, dark foliage, 20-inch spread. Tree heaths tower above all the oth ers­ up to 20 feet in some climates. The species included in this group are E. arborea, E. australis, E. /usitanica, E. terminalis, E. x veitch ii, and most varieti es of E. erigena. Once establi shed, th ese plants are quite hardy and ca n be grown in Zone 5 and farther south. Recommended varieti es include: E. arborea. 'Alpina'. One of the few fragrant heathers, this cultivar is ani se­ scented and has an upright habit, averag­ ing six to eight feet ta ll with a three-foot Erica terminal is, a tree heath, grows to six feet. spread. Whi te fl owers March th rough Ma y and li ght gree n fo li age.

18 FEBRUA RY 1994 E. terminalis. This species forms an up­ Left: The flowers of Erica carnea ri ght, open bu sh four to six fee t ta ll , SOURCES AND RESOURCES 'Pink Spangles' deepen in color spreading to three feet. Lil ac pin k fl owers with age. Above: Daboecia cantabrica bl oom July through October against a me­ The North Ameri can Hea ther Society is an 'Alba' is an upright cultivar of the dium gree n fo li age. internati onal nonp rofit organi za ti on dedi­ Irish heath. H orticulturists have di sagreed a bout cated to the advancement and knowledge whether Daboecia species belong among of the botani ca l genera of Andromeda, th e true heathers. Their leaves are fl atter Bruckenthalia, Cali una, Daboecia, a nd and broader with white undersides, and Erica, commonl y called heaths or hea thers. their lantern-shaped fl owers are more con­ The society was fo unded in 1977 as the spi cuous. But heather society members Pacifi c Northwest H ea ther Society. There usuall y include this genus because it works a re now fo ur regio nal cha pters-the well with other heathers. It does well in Northwest, Northeast, Cascade, and Cali­ moist so il but is also quite drought-toler­ fornia North Coast chapters-plus the ant, and is hard y with protection through Cowichan Study Group in northern Van­ Zone 5. couver Island. Annual nati onal member­ Recommended varieti es include: ship dues of $1 0 include a subscription to D. cantabrica 'Alba'. An upright culti var th e quarterl y Heather News. The society of the Irish heath with white fl owers June recently publis hed North America's first th rough October and light gree n fo li age, book on heather, Hardy Heather Species growing 20 inches ta ll and 24 inches wide. by D M atheny. The 186-page work has D. x scotica 'William Buchanan'. These bl ack-and-white line drawings and sell s for hybrids are the product of the Irish heath $39.95 in hardcover a nd $24 .95 in and D. azorica, fr om the Azores. This cul­ softcover, plus $2. 50 postage and han­ ti va r has crimson fl owers fro m June dling . Contact the No rth Am eri ca n through October and dark green fo li age. It H eather Society at P.O. Box 850, Elma, is 10 inches ta ll and spreads to 20 inches. WA 98541, or ca ll (206) 482-3258. Choose one of these plants or a dozen. Sources of heathers include: Use th em as hedges, in a .rock garden, in a The Heather Garden, 6 Roland Kimball border planting, as compani on plants with Road, Free port, M E 04032, (207) 865- rhododendrons a nd azaleas, in planter 3618. Catalog free. boxes, in a berm, or trea t yourse lf to a Heaths & Heathers, P. O. Box 850, Elma, whole hea ther garden! WA 98541 , (206) 482-3258. Send SASE fo r descriptive lis t. Alice Knight is a founding member of the Rock Spray N urse ry, Box 693, Truro, M A North American Heather Society and has 02666, (508) 349-6769. Catalog $1. grown heaths and heathers commercially Waquoit H ea ther N ursery, P.O . Box 3214 for 33 years as co-owner of Heather Acres/ Waquoit, MA 02536-01 10, (508) 548- Heaths & Heathers in Elma, Washington. 6979. Catalog $1.50.

AMERI CAN HORTICULTURIST 19 Gesneriads Choose a flamboyant bloomer for the patio or a mini that will grow in a thimble.

B y o A R R E L L T R o u T

he gesneriad family contains white, ranging from about six inches to sev­ some of the most beautiful and eral feet in diameter. S. speciosa hybrids will easily grown house plants produce 60 or more large fl owers a year. available to gardeners. There S. eumorpha is somewhat sma ll er than are more than 26 genera, S. speciosa, with heart-shaped, shin y, dark T2,900 species, and even more hybrids; tu­ green, four-inch-Iong leaves with reddish berous and rhizomatous storage systems; undersides, and it has a longer blooming stature that ranges from tree-sized to micro­ season. It produces many one-and-a-half to miniature; and habitats from alpine to trop­ two-inch, white, nodding flowers that are ical. Such diversity makes it a challenge for held well above th e foliage. curious neophyte growers to limit their Another undemandin g a nd proven choices to plants that wi ll really perform plant-in cultivation since 1850-is S. car­ we ll in their homes. Nevertheless, the re­ dina/is, with very showy, red, two-inch-Iong ter-inch lo ng lil ac flowers. In a terrarium, sul ts of an informal poll taken at the 1993 tubular flowers, with two upper lobes pro­ these true miniatures are very easily grown, Ameri can Gloxini a and Gesneriad Society jecting out an additional half inch. The fl ow­ will not go dormant, and will continue to (AGGS) convention in the New O rl eans ers are hairy, as are the leaves, which are soft bloom over long periods of time. A white­ area should offer some guidance. These velvety green and whorled; the resulting flowered sport, S. pusilla 'White Sprite', its selec ti ons have been grouped according to overl ap gives the impression of a less airy, offspring S. 'Snowflake', and the eq uall y whether they are tuberous, rhizomatous, or more compact plant than S. speciosa. tiny S. concinna are also quite easy to grow fibrous-rooted because plants within these True to its botanical name, S. hirsuta has and they will come true from seed. It may broad categories have similar cultural re­ so much hair on its four- to six-inch-long take as little as five months to produce a quirements. leaves that the calyxes almost disappear in flowering plant. all the fuzz. The plant can produce a phe­ In recent years many hybrids have been Tuberous Gesneriads nomenal number of very perky flowers created between these little plants and their The best known gesneriad is the " florist with white lobes and white dots on a purple offspring. Hybridizers AI Wojcik, the late gloxinia," Sinningia speciosa. There are throat. S. hirsuta is a bit finicky as a young Marty Mines, and others have created a many hybrid forms of this lovely ornamen­ plant but seems to be easier to grow by the bewildering array of miniature plants, with tal, all with large upward facing or nod­ time it is two to three years old. The result rosettes from three to six inches in diameter. ding, bell-shaped flowers in white, pink, is an appealing, furry oddball of a plant. Here are just a few of the current favorites: red, or purple; some are patterned wi th On the other end of the size spectrum is S. 'Cherry Chips'. Cherry pink flowers, dots or color blocks. All form a low-grow­ S. pusilia, full-grown at only two inches white throats distinctively spotted red, ing rosette of leaves, some ve in ed with high by two inches across with three-quar- with small dark leaves.

20 FEBRU A RY 1994 S. 'Cindy'. La rge no dding fl owers, Above: The popular "florist shaded purple on top, white below, throats gloxinia," Sinningia speciosa, has fin ely striped and spotted with dee p purple. been hybridized into a kaleidoscopic S. 'Mercury' . Large nodding fl owers of range of colors and patterns. Left: deep burgundy and sma ll bronzy green Torrid licks of red on the leaves of fo li age ma ke for a distinctive contrast. Episcia 'Cleopatra' show how the S. 'Miriam G.'. Light purple with dee p genus earned its common name of purple fea thering through each petal lo be. ({ flame violet. " Eve ry fl ower is different. S. ' Apricot Bouquet' .' Perfectly na med, this plant holds two-and-a-half-inch-long apricot-colored fl owers on many stems, fo rming w hat looks like a bouquet. M y pl ant, conta in er-grown on a dec k in full sun, pea ks each summer with a top flower count o f mo re than 200 open bl ooms. All of the reddish, tubular-fl owered gesneri ads offer ga rdeners a bonus of attracting hum­ mingbirds. Chrysothemis pulchella (bronze fo rm )

AM ERI CAN HORTICULTU RI ST 2 1 has four-inch-Iong, shiny bronze leaves, die. Although they wouldn't make very which form a contrasting background for rewarding house plants, the unifoliates the soft ye ll ow flowers, and more impor­ have been crucial building blocks for hy­ tant, for the orange calyxes that persist for bridizers who used these plants and others weeks. If you continue to remove old stems to create ever-blooming and more heat-tol­ the plant will not go dormant. erant plants. Growers of Nautilocalyx species tend to The first of that group of plants was S. choose them for their beautiful foliage. 'Constant Nymph', with clustered strap­ They do well in low-light conditions, but shaped leaves about one-foot long. The requi.re warmth and perform best in a ter­ flower stems, or peduncles, arise directly rarium, growing in long-fibered sphagnum from each leaf, as there is no central stem. moss. S. 'Constant Nymph' produces up to seven The leaves of N. pemphidius are shiny spikes per leaf, with each spike having up and dark green with a bronze tinge. The to six flowers. The flowers are deep violet­ flowers are pure white. The narrow, sharp­ blue with a ye llow throat; the lower lobes pointed leaves form a rosette that resem­ are veined in dark blue. bles a starfish. It can be effectively grown S. 'Maasen's White', a sport derived as a single crown with a two-foot spread from the compact, free flowering streps or as a many-crowned plant, with each referred to as nymphs, has 10-inch-Iong crown only a few inches across. leaves and glistening white, two-inch flow­ ers with ye ll ow patches in their throats. It Fibrous-Rooted Gesneriads is still one of the best white-flowered hy­ Top: The trailing habit and explosive Streptocarpus (cape primrose) is a genus of brids, and looks wonderful planted with flowering peaks of Columnea hybrids, over 135 specit:ls from comtinental Africa Hosta undulata cultivars. like this brilliant 'Firebird', make and Madagascar encompassing some At the 1993 AGGS convention flower them arresting hanging plants. amazing botanical and horticultural curi­ show, a well-grown specimen of Jonathan Above: The white, nodding, tubular osities. These include the single-l eaved, Ford's hybrid Streptocarpus 'Black Pan­ corollas of Sinningia eumorpha will stem less plants known as unifoliates, ther' was judged "Best in Show". This outlast those of S. speciosa. which grow to over three feet, take two favorite has good foliage, about 10 inches years or more to flower, then set seed and long, and plush, velvety, purple-black

22 FEBRUA RY 1994 HOW T 0 GROW GESNERIADS

flowers with two bright gold "eyes" in th e row your gesneriads in any light soilless mix that does not compact, is well lower throat. aerated, but stays slightly moist. These needs a re supplied by most pack­ Another Ford hybrid, S. 'Scottish Mist', G aged mixes sold for African violets. You can prepare your own mix with ha s medium lavender pink, purple- netted, equal parts of sphagnul'l'l peat mGlSS, coarse perlite, and coarse venniculit€, pll:l s a almost double, three-inch flowers, with a pinch of lime. Light in an east or west window is perfect for mosn gesneriads, but foliage spread of mo re than three feet. Lik e a southern exposure may be needed in winter. To produce healthy plants and most of the pl ants in this genus, 'Scottish abundant blooms, most gesneriads require 12 to 14 hours of bright daylight, with Mist' ma kes an ideal house plant, but it little direct sun. In a greenhouse, shading will probably be necessary during the also performs admirably when pl anted in long, bright days of summer. Most plants placed under two four-foot 40-watt conta in ers and grown on a deck or patio. fluorescent tubes (one cool white, one warm white) will produce continuous (As with any strep, it should be kept in the bloom. The li ghts should be placed three to 12 inches from the tops of the plants shade or in dappled sun.) and left on for 14 to 16 hours per day. Mikkelsens, Inc. has created the Olym­ All gesneriads benefit from higher humidity than exists in average home c()fldi­ pus series of hybrids, which tolerate out­ tions. Grouping plants on trays of gravel, misting them, or using a home humidifier doo r temperatures. All o f Mikkelse ns' improves the situation. pl ants, which a re often available at local Gesneriads like their soil to be kept moist but not soggy. Touching the soil with green houses a nd ga rden ce nte rs, a re your finger is the best method of determining when the mix is starting to dry and named after characters in Greek mythol­ when it is time to water-always with warm water. ogy. S. 'Venus' has nice ruffled pink laven­ Normal house hold temperatures are fine for most gesneriads. In the outdoors, der fl owers with dark magenta streaks in they are happy with day temperatures of 70 degrees or highe r, with a 10 to 15 the throat a nd is a solid performer with degree drop at night being ideal. lo ng lasting flowers. S. 'Ulysses' produces Plants should on ly be fertilized when they are in active growth. Use any house five velvety purple-black flowers on each plant fertilizer at one-quarter strength of manufacturer's directions every time you four-inch peduncle. water. Most growers use a general house plant formula (15-30-15) OF one labeled The Nematanthus genus provides some for African violets or gesneriads. promising candidates for either indoor or Tubers are planted (barely covered) when they show signs of new growth. Water outdoor hanging baskets. Two favorite well initially, then sparingly until growth is established. Place the container in long-blooming, floriferous plants a re N. bright light or within a few inches of the fluorescent tubes. When the plant appears wettsteinii and N. 'Cheerio'. They are often to have finished its growth cycle, stop watering and allow it to go dormant. Store called the "candy corn plants" because of the tuber in its pot in a cool place, somewhere between 50 and 65 degrees. When their po uched, one-inch-long, orange-red new growth resumes, repot and start the cycle over. Rhizomes are treated much flowers touched with yellow, which are the same way, only the plants are "teased" into dormancy by graduall y withholding produced in great numbers. The fl owers water. This assures a good crop of rhizomes. -Darrell Trout really complement the gorgeous foliage: shiny, three-quarter-inch, succulent-loo k­ ing leaves . Columnea hybrids, because of their trail­ ing habit, also make handsome basket plants. C. 'Early Bird' and C. 'Chanticleer' are incredibly easy-to-grow plants that a l­ ways seem to be flowering, while others, like C. 'Firebird', achieve tremendo us flowering peaks. Episcia is commonly called "flame vio­ let" because of its exotically patterned fo­ liage. The most desirable hybrids are ones with white, pink, and green le aves, the best being E. 'Cleopatra'. All of them require hi gh humidity and warmth; they will be damaged by temperatures under 60 de­ grees. Most are grown in terrariums placed in moderately lit locations-never full sun-and growers content themselves with not having flowers, which are a clash ing shade of red anyway. Ch irita vari eties are just beginning to be widely grown. The easiest one, Chirita sinensis ' Hisako', has been avail able only The thimble-sized Sinningia 'Snowflake> will come true from seed and for a couple of years and is grown primar­ flower in as little as five months. il y as a foliage plant. The succulent leaves

A:vI ER ICAN HORTICULTURIST 23 are about five inches long by two inches wide, rather pointed, with a serrate edge, SOURCES &RESOURCES and boldly marked in green and sil ver with a deep ve ining pattern that adds texture. The American Gloxinia and Gesneria d So- ciety was formed more than 40 years ago Rhizomatous Gesneriads to encourage the introduction and culture Achimenes are summer-fl owering plants of gesneriads. It sponsors local chapters that are best used in hanging baskets in th roughout the United States and Canada, windows or on pati os (a nd particul arly on funds research, stages fl ower shows, and porches in the South, where they are well trains judges. U.S. dues are $20 per yea r known). I've also used them for fillers in and include a subscription to The Gloxin­ the late summer border. The fl owers have ian, published six times a yea r, and an a very narrow tube but fl are dramatically extensive seed fund that gives members to produce a w ide face. Choose hybrids access to rare and unusual gesneriads. For fro m the widest color palette im agina ble: more informati on, including an expanded Top: In cultivation since 1850, red, pink, white, blue, purple, and yellow, so urce list, and to fin d out about a scripted Sinningia cardinalis bears shocking plus two-tones and some with spectacul ar slide program that wi ll be ava il able in April red blooms against a background ve ining-they are all easy to grow. A few for horticultural groups to rent for a mod­ of soft, velvety foliage. Above: The favorites are the fi ery red A. 'Inferno', es t fee, write to: AGGS, c/o Jimmy Dates, leaves of S. hirsuta are almost hairy A.'Compact Fuchsia', A. 'Valse Blue', and Horticu ltu ral Society of New York, Dept. enough to comb. Top right: In the A. 'Ambroise Verschaffelt', whi ch is white AH , 128 West 58th Street, New York, NY absence of a central stalk, the with purple netting. 10019. petioles ofStreptocarpus 'Constant Koellikeria erinoides is quite a mouthful Sources of gesneriads include: Nymph' spring directly out of the fo r a deli cate-looking plant that ca n be Beli sle's Vio let H o use, P.O . Box 111, foot-long leaves. kept quite happy in a small terrarium. It Radisson, WI 54867-011 1. Catalog $1. grows in a compact fo ur- inch rosette with Coda Gardens, P.O. Box 84 17, Frederi cks­ ni ce sil ver-spotted green leaves and per­ burg, VA 22404. Catalog $2. forms best at 75 degrees with plenty of light Kartuz Greenhouses, 1408 Sunset Drive, (eas il y supplied by a few flu orescent tubes) . Vi sta, CA 92083-6531, (6 19) 941-3613. This barely scratches the surface of the Catalog $2. amazingly diverse world of gesneri ads, but Lauray of Sa lisbury, 432 Undermountain the proven performers listed here should Road, Sa lisbury, CT 06068, (203) 435- start yo u we ll on yo ur way to growing and 2263. Catalog $2. selecting your own favorites. Les Violettes Nata li a, P.O. Box 206, Beecher Fa lls, VT 05902-0206, or 124 Darrell Trout is the past president of the Chemin Grapes, Sawyerville, QC JOB Greater New York Chapter of the AGGS, 3AO Canada, (8 19) 889-3235. Interna­ the co-editor of Cross Words, the newslet­ ti onal ca talog $2.50. ter of the Gesneriad Hybridizers Associa­ Logee's Greenhouses, 141 North Street, tion, and a board member and Finance Danielso n, CT 06239, (203) 774-8038. Chairman of AGGS. Catalog $3.

24 FEBRU ARY 1994 ------~------Dwarf Conifers These dwarfs are delightful even when there~s no snow white.

efore I had space for a garden BY PET E R L 0 E VV E R ha lf a century, eve n tho ugh after two cen­ of my own, I im agined a ll co­ tu ries it could be 200 feet high. ni fe rs as inha bitants of bl ack ~ A pla nt mi ght be viewed as a dwarf brooding fores ts, the kind of under 12 fee t at maturity, although a fe w because o f the nature of its g ro wth: woods that Engli sh artists and spec imens may reach 16 fee t. True dwarfs branches might d roop or creep alo ng the Bwriters visited w hen walking the Carpathian ca n stop growing at three feet or less. There gro und. M ountains on the prescribed continental are several reasons why a plant may qua li fy ~ An individua l plant a nd its clones tour. It took me some time to discover that as a dwarf: might be the result of a chance mutation all conifers are not giant dark umbrellas, ~ The species is geneti call y dwarf or that makes it a sho rter copy o f its parent dripping with dread and keeping the forest sma ll. spec ies. fl oor from producing even a fern or rwo. ~ The species is very slow-growing. A ~ It may be a cl one of a "sport," o r bud Dwarf conifers are something else again. western red cedar (Thuja plicata) might be mutation, in which onl y one branch of a These sma ll evergreen pl ants are usuall y quite comforta ble in a sma ll back ya rd fo r norm al- sized conifer species shows evi-

It's easy to see where 'Blue Star' juniper gets its name.

AM ERICA HORTICU LTURIST 25 CONIFER CULTURE

ost conifers are not fussy. If given a compatible d imate, the appropriate with a nest-depression in the center, so that amount of light or shade, and reasonably good garden soil wjth some it cl osel y resembled an avi an home. If left M organic content and adequate aeration, th ~y will succe.ed. A ca r.efully alone, 'Nidiformis' will reach a diameter of chosen planting site, and some continued attention ONce the conifer is in the three fee t in 10 years. ground, are the ke ys to suceess. Next to a spot where late winter sun­ Winter cold combined with winter sun Gan caus€ troublesome heaving of shine would ca ll a tiny penn ycress (Thlaspi unprotected or unmulchtd ~oots. The ground altetnately freez

26 FEBRUA RY 1994 ous colors to bo rders, and the hedge in­ C. pisifera contributes two great culti­ cludes two spec imens of Thuja occidentalis va rs. 'Bo ul evard', which o ffers grea t blue 'Rheingold ', awas h with a pinkish gold colo r o n soft, mossy textured lea ves, slows glow in summer but turning bro nze during its growth in hot, dry areas, but when the colder months. Their ultimate height conditions are more favorable can reach 15 will be three feet and they a re hard y to feet in 20 yea rs. And what could be more Zone 4. fun th an a living du st mop in the garden ? In both my gardens the wonderful creep­ O nl y instead of bein g dingy white, 'Golden ing juniper fr o m Asia, Juniperus pro­ M op' is an intense ye ll ow, growing low to cumbens 'Nana ', has spread its gray green the ground until it ambles over the edge of fo liage over the ground, up to the edge of an im portunate rock o r the edge of a wall. Below left: 'Nana' balsam fir rarely vari o us rocks, then crept over their tops at All fo ur of these false cypresses are com­ gets taller than 18 inches. the rate of fo ur to eight inches a yea r, like fo rta ble in Zone 5. Below: 'Golden Mop' false cypress a miniature version of the ultimate wave on There's even a ground-hugging conifer will grow low to the ground or amble a Hawaiian sho re. fo r Zone 3. Origina ll y di scovered in 1921 over a wall. Bottom: 'Pendula' I ha ven 't had time or space to plant every o n a mo unta in sid e in eastern Siberi a, hemlock should be staked to get the conifer I've admired in other gardens. Fo r Microbiota decussata makes a sprea ding perfect weeping form. example, there's the dwarf fo rm of our mat, eve ntuall y about fi ve feet wid e, and native ba lsam fir, Abies ba.lsamea 'N ana', does well even in shady locations. The a densely branched bush smothered in soft , fo li age is medium green in summer but dark green needles. It forms a glo be that turns bronzy brown in th e winter. rarely gets larger than 18 inches high or 14 For a ve rtical accent in th e fo rma l ga rden inches wide. yo u could wait for any number of shrubs The fa lse cypress genus is respo nsible fo r to reach the point of pruning, or you could many diminutive gems. Nobody sho uld pl ant Juniperus virginiana 'S kyrocket', a o verl ook Chamaecyparis lawsoniana fast-growing fo rm tha t appears determi ned 'Green Glo be', a gray green fo rm that to pierce clo uds, but stops at 10 to 12 feet. closely resembles a gree n bowling ball , es­ If space is limited, you ca n choose the peciall y fin e for the rock garden. 'Konyn's slower J. communis 'Pencil Point', which Silver' is a semi-dwarf from H oll and, gree n should be only three fee t high in 10 years. with white vari egati ons and somewhat py­ Both are hardy to Zone 4. ramidal in shape. At the end of 10 years, it The Alberta spruce has produced many g sho uld be no ta ll er than fi ve fee t. cultiva ted forms, but fo r eye-pleasin g ~

AMERI AN HORTICULTURIST 27 spreading, pwstrate, or like living pencils, either rounded or pointed at the tips. Pick your color: dark green, light greeI'l, blue, bronze, yellow, or spattered with white. And not only are they marvels of texture and subtle colorations, but they will take their sweet time getting to the point of crying out for more lebensraum than you have to give.

Among the many books Peter Loewer has written is Evergreens for Landscape, Lawn and Garden. Recent books include The Wild Gardener and The Evening Garden.

SOURCES AND RESOURCES The American Conifer Society is an inter­ national organization that encourages the development, conservation, and propaga­ tion of conifers, with emphasis on plants that are dwarf and unusual. Membership includes the quarterly American Conifer Society Bulletin, which features articles written by hobbyists, collectors, nursery owners, and professional horticulturists. There are annual two-day national meet­ ings held around the country and regional sha pe, try Picea glauca 'Con ica', the dwarf one-day conferences in the Eastern Region, Alberta spruce, possibly the most popular of Central Region, and Western Region, and dwarf conifers. It forms a very dense, conical an annual seed exchange. Annual member­ bush that will reach four feet in 10 years. ship begins at $25. Write to the American Those seeking an alternative to green might Conifer Society, P. O. Box 314, Perry Hall, look for the cultivar 'Sander's Blue', which MD 2.1128, or call (410) 882-5595. has the same shape and growth rate as the Commercial sources of conifers include: parent with a distinct blue cast to its needles. Appalachian Gardens, Box 82, Finally there are the dwarf hemlocks. Waynesboro, PA 17268, (717) 762- Tsuga canadensis, native to the United 4312. Catalog free. States and Canada, has produced a surpris­ Camellia Forest Nursery, 125 Carolina For­ ing number of cultivars over the years. est, Chapel Hill, NC 2/516. Catalog $1. They are all extremely hardy but do prefer Dilworth Nursery, C-1200 Election Road, a cool root run so mulching is beneficial. Oxford, PA 19363, (215) 932-0347. My favorites include T. canadensis Price list $1. 'Cappy's Choice', a compact, low-growing Forestfarm, 990 Tetherow Road, Williams form with light green needles tinged with OR 97544. Catalog $2. gold and reaching a mere 18 inches in 10 Girard Nurseries, P.O. Box 428, Geneva, years; 'Jervis', which forms an irregular OH 44041. Catalog free. pyramid of 18 inches in a decade; the beau­ Porter howse, Bin C, 41370 S.E. Thomas tiful 'Pendula' , a weeping form that should Road, Sandy OR 97055, (503) 668- be staked and tied to get the perfect 5834. Catalog $4, refundable. Top: The Chinese creeping juniper rounded and pendulous habit; and the in­ Rarafolia, RD #2, Box 404, Beverly Drive, spreads over the ground like an comparable 'Cole's Prostrate', which fol­ Kintnersville, PA 18930. Price list $3, ocean wave. Above: A plant can't get lows the undulating contour of every rock refundable. much more vertical than the it touches, reaching the edge only to spill R & L Nursery, 2900 Michigan Street, 'Skyrocket' juniper. over and start to travel again. This cultivar, Bellingham, WA 98226, (206) 676- particularly, does not like hot sun or dry 0910. Retail list free. locations. Washington Evergreen Nursery, P.O. Box Name your shape: dwarf conifers can be 388, Leicester, NC 28748. Catalog $2, pyramidal, rounded like a bun, weeping, refundable.

28 FEBRUA RY 1994 Patently Superior William Flemer III crosses botany and business acumen to give Americans a broader choice of trees.

B Y PAT R ( A A T A Y LOR

ave you ever looked for a in late June and early Jul y, when few other vase-shaped tree to replace a trees are blooming. In th e species, the qual­ dead elm? Have you ever ity of blossoms varies all over the place, as wished your maples were does the form and foliage quality." even redder in the fall? Have "He's keenly observa nt of what grows yoHu longed for a flowering crabapple that well," says Nina Bassuk, program leader wou ldn't be disfigured by scab and mildew? of Cornell's Urban H orticulture In stitute, Then William Flemer III has worked with "and he's increased the breadth of what's your dreams in mind. In the past 47 years, available to include a lot of uncommonly the New Jersey nurseryman has patented 32 used trees," such as Maackia amurensis trees and shrubs. Thirteen are recom­ (A mur maackia) and Eucommia ulmoides mended in Th e National Arboretum Book (hardy rubber tree) . of Outstanding Garden Plants. Two-Zel­ David Sydnor, professor of horticulture kova serrata 'Green Vase' and the 'S now at the Ohio State University, says some Queen' hydrangea-have received the Gold Flemer introductions-like the pagoda Medal Award of the Pennsylvania Horticul­ tree-don't fare well that far west. " But tural Society. In 1992, Flemer won one of 'Greenspire' is the little-leaf linden and his the American Horticultural Society's top 'Green Mountain' sugar maple is very ap­ awards: the Catherine H. Sweeney Award propriate for Ohio." Data indicate Flemer for extraordinary and dedicated efforts in has introduced more trees that have sold the field of horticulture. 100,000 and up than anyone in the country. Others in the field say he's tops at two "To do that, a tree has to work in a large essentials for a breeder: he's a sharp-eyed segment of the U.S.," Sydnor observes. botanist who chooses his introductions Flemer-as the Roman numerals after William Flemer III says his 'Redspire' carefully, and he's a canny entrepreneur his name might hint-represents the third pear is more wind-resistant than the who knows how to promote them. generation in a successful nursery busin ess, popuLar 'Bradford' . " He won't introduce a plant unless it's and he might have been quite content to outstanding," says Delaware landscape de­ rest on the laurels of his forebears. In stead, signer Wi lliam Frederick. "His Japanese he is not only breeding and introducing pagoda tree (Sopho ra japonica 'Regent') is improved woody landscape pla nts, but he a tree I wouldn't be without. It's very showy is a leader in trade organizati ons, lectures

AMERI AN HORT ICU LTURI ST 29 another branch. In 1913, he bo ught three adj acent fa rms in the Princeton area . The site was chosen for its excellent soil-a sassafras loam that was pa rt of an o utwash pl ain-and its proximity to both the Dela­ ware- Raritan Cana l and a branch of th e Pennsylvania Ra ilroad. His pl a nt-loving genes proved domi­ nant; both of his sons fo ll owed him into the nurse ry busin ess. His namesake, William Jr., eventuall y assumed ownership of the Prince ton property and changed the name to Princeton N urseri es so that it wo uld not be confused with the nurse ry hi s brother owned in Springfield. After serving as an ambulance volunteer in World War I, he returned ho me to the prosperity of the Roaring 20s, marriage, and a famil y. Wil­ li am III was bo rn Janua ry 18, 1922. The "nursery" young William grew up in was much vaster than a room with a crib. Among the many acres of bea utiful trees and shrubs that he wandered as a toddler, Flemer sa w many specimens chosen by hi s elders. Severa l of these-a row of ginkgos that hi s grandfa ther planted to sc ree n a road, and a magnificent umbrella pine pla nted by his father across the driveway from the main offi ce- still stand today. 'Strawberry Parfait' flowering crabapple is both beautiful and disease resistant. Such surro undings instill pride in most nursery offspring, Flemer explains. And bein g a ble to work side-b y-side with their extensiv ely, and has written severa l books. spa ired over this son. One day as he was pa rents every day gives them a se nse of Flemer's 1971 book, Nature 's Guide to riding the trai n between Washingto n and competence and belonging. "There's a l­ Su ccessful Ga rdening and Landscaping, New York, he confided his worries to a ways work that children can do in a nur­ seems years ahead of its time. Its introduc­ fell ow passenger. This ma n listened sympa­ se ry," he notes. "That's why so many of tio n o ffers some insight into Flemer's phi­ theti ca ll y and then suggested a compro­ them stay in the business." His daughters, losophy. "Man the exploiter, " he writes, mise: tell the son to go into the nursery Lo ui se Gross and Hari ette Hesselein , and "must become equall y man the repl enisher. business, where profits were more assured son W ill ia m F lem er IV, a re pa rt of The fo rester, the wise farmer, the ga rdener than in farming. Prince ton's current management team. are the real heroes of o ur complex culture, And so in 1878, the Germa n immigrant Altho ugh neither of the first two William for they alone re place what others con­ appre nticed hi s son to a nursery business Flemers had felt it necessary to go to col­ sume." Left un said, but refl ected through­ in Wes t Chester, Pennsy lvani a. William lege, the changing nature of American so­ out his life, is th e fact that th e nurse ryman Flemer's only qualificati on for the jo b was ciety dictated that Willia m III sho uld not onl y replenishes but also crea tes. a love of plants. But it too k him onl y fo ur pu rsue a higher educati on. As a bona fid e Tree breeding is Il ot onl y an art a nd years to gain enough confidence and prac­ "nursery brat," he had enrolled in nursery science of course, but also a bu sin ess, a nd tical knowledge to open his own nu rsery in management at Cornell Un iversity. "Then the story of Prince ton N u rseries-toda y Roselle, New Jersey. In 15 years he out­ a fri end took me aside-it was in an eleva­ the largest wholesa le nurse ry on the East grew the pro perty and moved hi s busin ess tor at a summer meeting- a nd sa id, 'That 's Coast-is a quintessenti all y Ameri can one. no rth to Springfi eld, New Jersey. The tim­ the dumbes t thing yo u can do. Your father In the 1850s, Flemer's great-grandfather, ing and locati on were perfec t. kn ows more about the nursery business a builder of water mills, left Ge rma ny and In the q uarter centu ry preceding Wo rld th an any professor. Yo u need to learn came ro the Washington, D. C., area to War I, th ere was a tremendo us expansio n abo ut pl ant growth and o rganic chemi stry, make his fo rtune in construction. He had of suburbs within the N ew Yo rk metropol­ ge neti cs-the theoreti cal knowledge your five sons, and as is bo und to happen in itan area. Flemer's business was so success­ father ca n't teach you.'" large fa milies, one rebelled. Willia m si mply ful in providing woody o rna menta ls for the So Flemer enro ll ed in botany at Yale, did not want to jo in hi s fa thers and broth­ newly develo ped properties th at soon it returning to New Jersey with a master's ers in the building trade. He wanted to was necessary once again to increase the degree in 1947, and immediately set to become a fa rmer. acreage devoted to production. work on hi s first breeding projec t. Sin ce the The father, aga in not uncommonl y, de- But rather than moving again , he set up 193 0s, America n elms had been fa lling to

30 FEBRUA RY 1994 Dutch elm di sease, a nd eve ryone was sc rambling to find another equa ll y bea uti­ ful and useful shade tree. Fi e mer chose what to others mi ght have seemed an unlikely ca ndidate, th e honey locust (G leditsia triacanthos) .lt wa tough and ada pta bl e, but had two significant drawbacks: la rge th o rns a nd ug ly seed pods. Thro ugh pa ti ence and innumera ble crosses between natura ll y tho rnl es trees and natura ll y fruitless trees, Fie mer ma n­ aged to breed out both, and 'S hademaster' ho ney locust was awa rded a patent- hi s first- in 1956. It's still a top se ll er today. Fl emer ranks high among fell ow nurse ry­ men, not onl y fo r the quality of his pl a nts but fo r hi s persona l charm and fo rthright­ ness. They've elected him president o f the Ameri ca n Associati on o f N urse rymen, the Who lesa le N ursery G rowers of Ameri ca, and the Intern ati o na l Pl ant Propagators So­ ciety. But he breaks ra nk with some o f them over the issue of plant patents. They would argue that no one should "own" ge neti c materi al. Flemer feels patent enco urage creati vity by assuring that ha rd work w ill bring some fin ancial reward. In 1930, the United States beca me the first-a nd was fo r severa l decades the onl y- country to let woody pl ant breeders Serendipity had a roLe in Flem er's discovery of 'Snow Queen' hydrangea. patent their creati ons and coll ect royalti es, for 17 yea rs. Flemer thinks this law helped the United States become the world 's lead­ worth work ing w ith ," Fi e mer notes. 'Strawberry Pa rfa it' and M. 'Cardinal'. in g develo per o f new woody culti va rs, de­ O ne of hi s pl ant patents, however, was The first blooms heavil y w ith large fr a­ spite the fact that the Ameri ca n public the result of pure serend ipity. Fl emer has grant pink fl owers with red margins, pro­ la cks the horticultural sophisticati on of long bee n fo nd of the na ti ve oakleaf hy­ duces sma ll red-chee ked fruits that attract many other countries . N ow th at Germany, dra ngea (Hydrangea quercifolia). In the birds, and has leathery dark green fo li age En gland, and Canada have plant patent earl y 1970s, to step up Princeton's produc­ th a t resist s a pple sca b and mildew. laws, a nd with the Netherlands due to ti on, he ordered new stock to be grown 'Cardinal' is the fir st truly red fl owering fo ll ow suit, he believes the United States is from seed rather than grafts. Walking down crabapple resistant ro apple scab and mil­ in fo r some sti ff competition. a row of seedlings one day, hi s skill ed dew. It's a heavy bl oomer with small, dark Shade trees, es pecia ll y maples, predo mi­ plantsman's eye noti ced one with fa r more red fruits and purple leaves. nate among Flemer's plant patents. " M y of the sterile fl o rets that make hydrangeas Fie mer has a lso introduced three culti ­ dad didn't like perennials," he says. " He felt showy. " Bur the heads didn 't hang down in va rs of o ur nati ve shadblow (Amelanchier there was no money in them." His all-time a rain storm, the way some of the old tree spp.)- A. hybrida 'Cumulus', A. canaden­ favorite introduction is his red maple selec­ peoni es do." H e rook personal charge of the sis 'White Pilla r', and A. laevis 'Sn ow­ tion, Acer rub rum 'October Glory'. " It a l­ seedling and eventua ll y patented it as 'S now cl o ud ' . Th e la tte r is a p a rti c ul a r ways turns a brilliant crimson red in the fa ll , Queen' hydrangea, honored by the Pennsy l­ favorite- exce ptio na ll y vigoro us w ith and it retains its leaves long after a ll other vani a H orticultural Society in 1989. leathery da rk green lea ves fr ee of leaf spot red maples have defoli,ated. " H e's also The p revious year, the society had hon­ and turning crimson and purple in fall. All proud of hi s 'Redspire' orna mental pea r, o red Fl e me r's Zelkova serrata ' Green of them a re bea utiful in earl y spring, w hen introduced in 1975, which is fa r more re­ Vase'. Flemer had planted a batch of seeds they're covered with sin gle white fl owers, sistant to wind damage than the ubiquitous fro m the Institute o f Fo rest Genetics in bur Fl emer thinks they would be even mo re ' Bradford' released by the U.S. Department So uth Korea, and noted one seedling grow­ stunning if their fl owers were do uble. of Ag ri culture in 1963. ing tw ice as fast as those nearby. It proved G iven hi s extraordin a ry record, it will not There may be less mo ney in perenni­ to lerant of pollution and drought, and is be surprising ro read in the near future that als, but it takes a lot less time ro pro duce often reco mmended as a street tree ro re­ he has succeeded at this as well. new cultiva rs. " Yo u have to wa it fi ve ro pl ace elms, because o f its vaselike shape. se ven yea rs after you've pl anted a ma ple Among hi s favorite recent introducti ons Patricia A. Taylor is th e author of Easy seed t o see if you have a pla nt tha t is a re two fl owering cra ba pp les: Malus Care Shade Fl owers.

MvlERICAN HORTICU LTUR IST 3 1 The QUiet Garden Bereaved of her father and son, she discovered the regenerative power of a garden.

B Y E THE L E V A N S L N 0 A U E R

hen I was 12 years old, my father was stationed at Barber's Point Naval Air Station on Oahu, Hawaii, and o ur family li ved in Waianae, about 15 miles away. Our neighbors to the north were the Shimabukuro family. They were hard-working and kind, and ex­ tremely interesting to a youngster from the mainland. They were the Wfirst people of J apanese ancestry, as well as the first Buddhists, that anyone in my family had ever met. Occasionally I visited their home as a guest of Betty Shimabukuro, a friend about my own age, and was surprised to find there a shrine. It contained a statue of Buddha and the ashes of various deceased relatives, including Betty's paternal grandfa­ ther. I was enthra ll ed to see such deep spiritua lity in people who were not Christians. The shrine was not the o nl y thing that I found interesting. Their gardening was different too. They had a vegetable garden, w hich would not in itself have been extraordin ary, except that it was absolutely weedless, thanks to many hours of painstaking handiwork by the two yo ung daughters. But it was a garden that I thought of as " the quiet garden" that I liked best. I was raised in a family that thought of gardening for pleasure as raising fl owering plants, bushes, and trees . The more color and contrast, the better. One day I asked Betty'S grandmother w hy they did not have a flower garden instead of such a plain garden. Grandmother Shimabukuro, who never spoke English altho ugh she seemed to understand it perfectl y, replied through Betty's translation that she did not want a " noisy garden "; she wanted a "quiet" o ne. As the years passed, I almost forgot the conversati on, but I never lost the lo,ve I came­ to have for the idea of a quiet garden. I a lways wished that I could have one of my own, but never thought I would. Thirty years, much traveling, and seven children later, my life began to change radica ll y. A series of deaths in the family left me feeling like a worn-o ut shock-a bsorber. For several years the phys ical and emotional drain seemed continuo us. The cruelest blow came in 1981, when my 16-year-old son Herman died from complicati ons following an auto

32 FEBRUARY 1994 If I could not control the world around me, I thought, perhaps I could create one that I could control. One of the lessons the garden soon taught me was that one controls nothing- not death and not gardens.

AME RI CAN HO RTI CU LT UR IST 33 accident. Four yea rs later the death of my ese maple in my garden is 22 years old (it fa ther, a close friend and mentor, left me was 15 when I first brought it ho me) and tota ll y depleted. As the eldest child, I over­ it was very painful for me to prune it the saw th e fun era l and other necessa ry ar­ first time. But a fter much reading a bo ut rangements, and when I returned ho me I Japanese maples and how they were im­ felt I had nothing left to give anyone. The proved if well pruned, I bravely re moved next day I went o ut to the back ya rd-a abo ut one-thi rd of the branches. This not lovely vegetable garden for abo ut 20 years, onl y improved the shape of the little tree, succeeded by a weed patch-and began to w hi ch I needed to keep out of the pathway, create my own quiet garden. but resulted in the tree becoming mo re Us ua ll y my husband and I, as well as the vigorous and attractive. children, made important decisions to­ Here too, seemed to be a lesson fo r life. gether, but at that time I discussed my Just as pruning all ows o r even forces vig­ acti ons with no one. In fact, fO F a bo ut two orous growth of the portions of the tree weeks I barely spoke at all. The emoti onal that are left , perhaps loss all ows us the tra uma I was suffe ring was just too close space to grow in some new way, or forces to the surface and speaking was painful. (A us to grow stronger and mo re vigorous most unusua l situati on for a person who th rough the sheer necessity of continuing. had always loved to talk, and not an easy Perhaps what we fo rge o ut of o ur suffering one fo r my fa mily to understand.) even has the capacity to make us more I began clearing the ground of weeds beautiful. and, using a sti ck, drew a sort of kidney As any small child or confirmed gar­ shape for a pond. My fa mil y left me alone dener knows, there is something very ther­ fo r severa l days and then, timidly, asked apeutic abo ut di gging in the dirt. Delving what I was do ing. I told them r was making in to the earth gives us time to think over a Japanese garden. The children tho ught it problems and make decisions. It can also was a great idea and bega n to help me by keep the body busy while the mind takes a pulling weeds, raking, and excavating the rest, providing an oppo rtunity for medita­ planned pond. ti on. Such was the case for me. I focused Genera ll y speaking, Japanese gardening on the garden, chose a jo b to complete, is organized gardening. W hen I bega n cre­ such as weeding a ce rta in section or di g­ ating the garden, my life was anything but ging up the area for the pond, and once r As any small child or organi zed. Death does not respect organi ­ began the methodica l work, my mind sim­ za ti o n and it does not wa it fo r a convenie nt ply emptied itself and rested. time or fo r proper preparati on. If r could Sometimes the whistl e from the nearby confirmed gardener not control the world around me, I thought, lumber mill would remind me that several perhaps I could create one that I could hours had passed. I might not reca ll any­ knows, there is something control. O ne of the lessons the garden soon thing that had happened during that time, taught me was that one controls nothing­ but I would find that much work had bee n not dea th and not ga rdens. Most of the completed, and each time I returned to the very therapeutic about pl ants I have placed in the garden have world of home, fa mily, and students, I surv ived, but many did not. Some, like the seemed to be growing a bit stronger. umbrell a pine (Sciadopitys verticillata, not Aft er my husband built the pond, with a digging in the dirt. a true pine), are not adapta ble to o ur win­ recircul ating waterfall and strea m to feed ters, whi ch often plunge to lows of 28 de­ it, we had a great many bird visitors. I had g rees be low zero. But o thers came never been terribly fond of birds, but could unbidden and added much beauty to the not help but be impressed by their obvious garden. Li chens and mosses were among pleasure as they bathed in the artificial these vo lunteers, and w hen r saw how bea u­ stream, then stood on the bridge to shake tiful they were, I decided to let nature and dry, leaving tiny spatters of water on the happenstance dec ide what shoul d grow in rock. It is their garden too, I rea li zed. the broad pathway that winds through the W hen I saw hummingbirds visiting the garden. Soon w hite-fl owering speedwell honeys uckle bush that I had planted, I (Veronica sp.) also seeded itself into the bo ught a hummingbird feeder and was pathway, and this has not o nl y increased the amazed when one of the little rascals pulled beauty of the garden but gives it the look of my hai r when I was ga rdening to re mind an old garden rather than o ne that will be me that the feeder had run out of nectar. It only eight years old this July. was her garden and it shoul d, after all , be O ne of the most difficul t tasks for any run properl y. new gardener is pruning. T he sma ll Ja pa n- W hen I bega n the garden I had a statue

34 FEBRUA RY 1994 of the " BVM "- Catho li c school-s tudent The greate t lesson that ma king a Japan­ sla ng fo r the Blessed Virgin M ary-nea r ese-or any other kind o f garden- has to the waterfa ll. A time went by I decided offer is that we each have the power to that [ had little in common with the pure, re-create some sma ll po rti on of our world. virgin al, otherworldl y woman the statue We can create a place to relax a nd retrea t, represented and gave her to a friend. In­ reflect o n o ur experience and re-order our stead I fo und a statue of Kwan Yin, an thoughts, a nd then, refreshed, emerge o nce as pect of the Bu ddha identi fied with mercy again to take up th e ca res o f the worl d. and compassion, personifi ed as female. M y Even when I a m unable to work in th e I cannot go out into my Kwan Yin was a divinity I could easil y ga rden, I enj oy the particul a r bea uty of the identify w ith. H er statue depicts a se nsuous moment, the ti me of day, the season. At woman w ho has truly experi enced li fe. As nigh t the garden takes on a mystica l q ual­ garden for even a few minutes she extended her hand to me, o ffering suc­ ity, the rocks gli stening and glowing in the cor, she seemed to understand my worldly moon light. A rain y fa ll aftern oon spent in pro bl ems. the tea house, a refuge built just fo r such without feeling uplifted. It My husband says that we ha ul ed over respites, sooth es a nd lulls the gardener two to ns of rock for the garden a nd he may w ith its gentle m usic. Soun d-ab orbing instills in me feelings of love, be ri ght; [ have never bee n good at estimat­ snow makes a trip to the garden in wi nter in g such things. I do know that selecting even more quieting and restful , and the the right rocks took much time and that it purity of the snow seems to clea nse the soul peace, and belonging. was both phys ica ll y exhausting a nd phys i­ in a way that li ttl e else ca n. call y sati sfy in g. Most of the rock used in My who le fa mil y was pleased when they the garden came from the Simil ka mee n heard that I was writing about my garden. Ri ver, near where we li ve in Washington T hey a ll be lieve it is quite an impressive State, just a few miles from the Canad ia n creati on for a gardener in a tiny town o ut border. At the time [ was teaching courses in the sti cks. For me, it is hi ghl y sy m boli c in adult educati on and Engli sh as a second of the changes in my life in recent yea rs. All language at a local college, and my stu­ of my li fe I have longed fo r order, symme­ dents brought me more rocks from Can­ try, peace, beauty, joy, and many other ada, M exico, and a number of states. The things for w hic h I do not ye t (and perhaps large fl at rock that serves as a bridge over never wi ll ) have a na me. I beli eve that my the stream came from the Ri ver of No Japanese ga rden is parr o f my own strivin g Return in Idaho. to sati sfy these longin gs fo r inner peace. Rocks, too , taught me lessons. They are The Zen gardeners, as well as those who hard and strong and will survive long after meditate in Zen gardens, must have rea l­ [ am gone, but even the strongest succum bs ized this long ago as they set our to create to the river, which is made up of minuscule an atmosphere, a sense, a fee lin g of that drops of water that together can wear the wonderful awe and love that comes w ith roughest rock into a smooth stone. enlightenment, tra nscendence, or, as psy­ [n my garden, hundreds of smooth , flat, chologist Abraham M aslow put it, the oval ri ver rocks were placed in a suhama, " peak experience." a swirling pattern intended to create a fee l­ Suza nne and Pierre Rambach, in their in g of moving water, which seems in this book Gardens of Longevity in China and case to feed into the pond. I arranged the Japan, tell us that the oriental garden ex­ rocks three times, spending several ho urs presses the Taoist philosophy: "To ena ble each session, before I was satisfi ed with the man through meditation, to advance along pattern. (Even now I see the rocks that are the way o f spiritual search leading to out of place w henever I look at it! ) The Awakening." I cannot go o ut into my gar­ arranging of these rocks taught me many den fo r even a few minutes without fee ling lessons, including pati ence, but the greatest uplifted. It instills in me feelings of love, lesson of a ll ca me w hen I viewed the peace, and belonging, fee lings I, in turn, suhama fr om the deck that overl ooks it. w ish to give to others. If there were no The styli zed patterns and organization of other reason for my garden, this would be the whole garden, and the suhama in par­ eno ugh. ticul ar, see med to approach perfection. If there is a lesson fo r life in this it must be Since creating her garden in 1985, Ethel that life should be viewed from afar, in its Evans Lindauer has earned a doctorate in fullest context, and not ana lyzed in such alternative education and has taught minute deta il that the who le experience is courses at Wenatchee Valley Co llege. Sh e spo iled. lives in O roville, Washington.

AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST 35 The Groves of AcadeITle City gardeners have common problems. An urban campus just has more.

B Y NOR M A JAN E LANGFORD

he Gree n Line train to Northeastern University in Boston's Back Bay grinds to a metalli c halt. Cars rush past on both sides of the tracks, slowed only momentaril y by a crosswalk light and a warning tweeter that sounds like a wounded bird. A ve ndor se ll s sandw iches and soft drinks from the back of his canteen, making change onl y inches from rumbling trucks. The wind Twhips cigarette butts and candy wrappers across the concrete and against iron railings, stirring smell s of gasoli ne, exhaust, stale coffee, and newsprint. Sixty paces into the ca mpus, you step into another world. Suddenly yo u hear rea l birds. Sun filteri ng thro ugh fine-foliaged trees casts lacy shadows onto an understory of hem­ locks, aza leas, rh ododendrons, an apple tree, benches, grass, and a winding red brick path. Northeastern didn't always fee l so welcoming. Ph otographs from the late 1970s show this sa me area, Bul finch Mall , as a no-nonsense, straight-forward continuati on of the street. But about 10 years ago, the uni ve rsity began jack hammering as phalt and concrete to make space for pl antings, and in 1992 Northeastern was honored by the Ameri can Associati on of N urse rymen for its landscape transformati on. "Our goal was to re move all ve hicular traffic from the inner parts of the ca mpus, and create gateways so that when a student approached by subway or car or walking, he would know he's at Northeastern," says Jack Malone, director of phys ical plant services. Construction of a new libra ry gave the campus a new center, so the landscape theme beca me "a ll roads lea d to the li bra ry. " Greening all the inner gateways and avenues to the lib rary took seven yea rs. " But we wanted to do it right," says M alone. W hy woul d a budge t-conscious in stitution in hard-pressed Massachusetts lavish such attention on shrubbery? "Because it's the first thing a student or parent looks at when Above: In 1979, reforestation was just they come here," says Ma rk Boulter, head of Northeastern 's landscape department. He beginning on Bulfinch Mall, which cites a nati onal survey o f 1,000 hi gh sc hool seni ors and recent graduates indica ting that had been a parking lot. Opposite: the most important factor in their choice of a universi ty was a personal visit-and the Today the mall is a quiet retreat just most important influence during the visit was the appearance of the ca mpus. steps from the rumble of city traffic. "We get some fl a k when we're working on the landscape," says Jim McCarthy, supervisor of grounds. " Kids say, 'Well , there's where my tuition money is going.' O r staff says, 'There's my raise this year.' But students wouldn't come here if it wasn't attracti ve . It's important to everybody that it looks good, and that the kids fee l sa fe and comfortable. "

36 FEBR UARY 1994 AMERICA HORTICULTURIST 37 Like many city gardeners, Northeast­ ern University landscapers had to work within narrow spaces. Cabot Court, above in 1979 and at right today, is only 35 feet wide.

Northeastern's landscaping goal was far Northeastern we combined red paving colors defin e the space," says Dacus, so the different from that of most home owners, bri ck, which is very good at a borting glare, light green of turf gives way to darker colored but the challenges posed in both pla nning and green grass. " shrubs and even darker trees. Throughout the and maintenance parallel those of many city The next pri o rity was to soften the hard landscape, Dac us used green, terra cotta, and gardeners. No sprawling greenswards edges where buildings meet ground. At this the light gray of granite. "Your eye can look awaited this crew. Small lots, hard surfaces, junctu re of hori zontal and ve rti ca l, says at them forever," he says. "People always little sun, and heavy traffic are the rule. Pressley, "one paved surface mee ts, basi­ have an affection for natural warm colors­ Altho ugh Northeastern's urban campus call y, another paved surface. In urba n the sea, grass." encompasses 5 1 acres, most of this is cov­ spaces, you have these planes going up on Dacus thinks it's a mistake to use too ered by buildings, pa rking lots, a nd a park­ either side, so it's an unbroken hard encl o­ many accent colors in a landscape. It's like in g garage. O nl y a bo ut fiv e acres a re sure." having on€! spectacul ar fi sh in your fi sh actuall y " under cultivati on," and these The solution: use pla nts of different tank , he suggests. If you get a second but odd-s haped bits are scattered a bo ut the heights to create a gentle " hypotenuse" di ffere nt rare fish, the first o ne no longer ca mpus. Some are narrow corridors be­ that will lea d yo ur eye upward and hide the stands o ut. "Control your desire to have all tween fo ur- and fi ve-story buildings. Bul ­ hard right angles. The lawn di sa ppears the prettiest trees in the world," he says. fin ch M a ll , fo r example, is onl y 55 feet under shrubs th at a re backed by trees, so Pick just a few va ri eti es, "and ha ve a whole wide and 200 feet lo ng. Cabot Court, be­ you see a slo pe, rather than the building, bunch of them. If you keep your house­ si de the gy m, measures onl y 35 feet by 430 says Chris Dacus, Pressley 's project man­ the front, back, and everything around fee t. The new library quad is an expansive ager for the Northeastern pro ject. it-in the same materials, the continuity 220 by 140 fee t, but Greenl eaf Park, near Curving walkways also soften hard an­ will pull the whole thing together. The less th e campus po lice statio n, wouldn't even gles, says Dacus. " Curves are powerful va ri ety you use, the mo re speci al it will be." accommodate a bas ketba ll court, and the illusio ns. They make the space seem The pa lette of materi a ls Pressley chose newest pocket of greenery on Tavern Road sma ller because they kee p a ltern ating. for Northeastern includes granite curbs, measures only 40 by 80. They make it seem as though something brick pavers, wrought iron fences, several For William Press ley, the landscape ar­ different is happening at every turn. From kinds of lights, and Victori an cast iron and chitect largely res po nsible for North­ every a ngle, it's differe nt. " Dacus boasts wood benches. Shrubs include severa l eastern's tra nsformati on, the first priority that Northeastern has mo re brick in its shade-tolera nt nati ves-mountain laurel was reducin g urban gla re-the reflecti on walkways than H arvard has on its whole (Kalmia latifo/ia), Leucothoe fontanesiana, of sun off hard surfaces that forces you to campus. " In Harvard Yard th ey have brick and Viburnum opu/us 'Nanum', plus five sq uint, especiall y on sunny winter days. at every entrance, but as soon as you get rhododendron and azalea cultivars. "Our approach is to use materia ls that in , everything is bitumino us. Northeastern In choosing trees, says Dacus, "we're absorb th at harsh light, so yo ur eye re laxes has been much bolder. " usuall y trying to provide as much sun as when yo u look at them," he says. "At Colo rs take the edge o ff too. " Lighter we can because the buildings are so ti ght.

38 FEBRU ARY 1994 Beca use of the heavy foot traffic, limbs lower th an seven feet are removed, and certa in trees-the birches and o rna mental pears-are pruned so they won't snap under heavy now. Unfortunately, in a landscape so heavi ly traveled, a ll the damage isn't a result of natural forces. Can't keep the neighbor­ hood preschooler out of yo ur aza leas? Imagine tryin g to deter 11 ,000 coll ege stu­ dents-and another 19,000 part-timers- from wa lking thro ug h yo ur s hrubs. Bou lter says that kind of damage can be Below: Students, who used to stay on reduced by phasing in plantin g until yo u campus just long enough for classes, see w hat the rea l traffi c pattern is goin g to now find it pleasurable to "hang out" be. "The ma in quad 's a perfect exa mple. on its many benches. Bottom: Orna­ We put in grass and some shru b , then sat mental pears and rhododendrons back and aid, ' Let's see w hat kinds of cow signal the end of a Boston winter. paths the student are goin g to create.' We Bollard lights increase security with leave things a li ttl e unfinished sometimes. low-key indirect illumination. It saves us in the long run." Designers tried to cut down on grass damage from hackysack-a game in whi ch five or six players stand around in a circle tryin g to kick a beanbag to each other-by surro unding large turf area with wrought iron fences. But th e fence turned o ut to be ~ 12 If you put a Norway maple in there, yo u magnets for bicycles. "At MIT (Massachu- ~.~!J!;:~~t!l!!!..J!=:...- wou ld have no light. So we chose trees that se tts Institute of Technology) they go so far ~ had lacy, sma ll leaves." These include as to boot bicycles," sa ys Bou lter wistfull y. ~ honey locust, an earl y- flowering cultivar of "You have to get a sticker and park your ~ ornamental pear, nati ve flowering dog­ bike in designated a reas. But there's such ~ >- wood, cherries, sa ucer magno li a, and red an in flu x of traffic here, it's a losing battle. ~ pines. They've a ll owed an occasiona l spec­ We're not even done with the fencing and 5 J: imen of that urban "weed" tree, Ailanthus someone's strapping a bike to it. " But "- altissima, to remain if it happens to be Pressley o bserves that there are less des ir­ growing in the right place. ab le p ossibilities, li ke h av ing bikes In picking out individua l trees, Dacus strapped to trees or to ra ilings for students didn't a lways go wi th the most perfectl y with disabilities. And when the bikes are shaped specimens. " For Cabot Court I gone, t here is no ugly bike rack to mar the chose trees that were light on one side scenery. because I knew we were goin g to have to Then there's tras h. The average urban press them again st the building. Then we ga rdener may worry about a few stray ha m­ had them dug in such a way that even the burger wrappers getting ca ught in the rose root balls were o ne-sided." Dacus a lso bushes. Northeastern's maintenance crew tagged the trees to indicate w hi ch direc tion removes seven million pounds of trash each they had been facing in the nursery. Trees year from more than 100 containers that develop thicker bark on the side exposed are emptied once or twice each day. " We to the sun, the landscapers explain, and by tried to put conta iners everywhere," says replanting them with the same orientation, Boulter, " but they take a lot of abuse, get the trunks won't have to be wrapped to throw n around, beat up, set on fire, hit by protect them against sunscald. cars." A bottle deposit bill, intended to Starting with only 40 trees 10 years ago, increase recycling, encouraged people to Northeastern now basks in the shade of grub through the containers for bottles and more dian 300. Good trees are not inexpen­ cans, but didn't encourage them to repl ace sive even when small, and Boulter values the trash can lid. A flip-top trash conta iner some of the mature specimens at thousands solved that problem and is easier fo r the of do ll ars. All of the trees are carefull y uni versity staff to empty as well . pruned to remove dead wood, keep the Chewing gum is not exactl y a headache canopies open, a nd remove rubbing limbs. for the home ga rdener, a nd w hen the

AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST 39 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Northeastern campus was prima ril y as­ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GARDEN PLANTS pha lt, it didn't matter, says Boulter. "The gum just got ground into the tar and made more asphalt. " To remove it from the brick A comprehensive, up-to­ wa lks, maintenance crews use a spray date, and lavish guide to product that freezes the gum so it can be garden plants, this exten­ sc raped off with a putty knife. sive encyclopedia in­ Beautificati on has not eliminated that cludes over 8,000 plants, urban art fo rm known as g r a ffi ~ i , w hi ch 4,000 of which are fea­ som etimes has to be sa ndblasted or tured in exquisite full-colm waterbl asted off of ve hicles, buildings, and trash receptacles. The unive rsity has es ta b­ photographs. Written by a li shed a graffiti hotline to help speed the team of plant experts, The clea nup. If it can't be cleaned up, says American Horticultl:lral So- Boulter, they pa int over it. After a w hile, ciety Encyclopedia of Gar­ the a rtists seemed to get ti re d o f trying to den Plants is designed to keep up. "But if you let it sit there, it breeds = l;Je the gardener's bible; a more graffiti ." standard work of refer­ Sec urity is a conce rn on any ca mpus ence for every gardening today, but es peciall y one in an urban set­ bookshelf. ting. " We have to keep everything open," says Dacus. "Every kind of dense planting The American Horticul- has to be against a wall , not o ut in the r ~ tural Society Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, published at $49.95, is open. Then we're fa irly aggressive on li ght­ ~ ~ available to AHS members for $42.50 pllJs $4.75 shipping and handling. ing." These aren't harsh spotlights, but indirect li ghts. Bo ll ards light walkways through their louvered tops. Uplighting re­ THE AMERICAN fl ects off trees, enhancing their vertical as­ ~ pect a nd even ma king them look like HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY they' re fl owering when they're not. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GARDENING These islands of greenery may not ha r­ ~--- bo r crimina ls, but they do ha rbor wildlife: seven or eight families of ducks have man­ =~ With 3,500 illustrations, in­ aged to make nests and raise youngsters in ~ eluding 400 series of step­ the university's shrubbery. When the duck­ by-step photos , The lings are old eno ugh, campus po lice escort them firmly do wn Forsythe Street and American Horticultural So­ across Huntington Ave nue to the Fenway, ciety Encyclopedia of Gar- a rive rside pa rk . dening is the only How has the ca mpus changed in 10 yea rs? gardening guide you 'll ever need. This 648-page Both Bo ulter and Dacus attended North­ companion volume to 'Fhe American Horticultural eastern before the transform ati on. "The Society Encyclopedia of Garden Plants is packed ca mpus used to be a hard place," says with basic and advanced ga r.dening techniques­ Boulter. "There was no place to go outside, everything from transplanting to hybridizir:lg-and no reason to take a wa lk. There were no includes practical and informative tips on creating outside sitting pl aces. " and maintaining your gar.den. " One thing I noticed," said Dacus, " is that no one hung out at NU. It was more The American HoHicultural SocietylEncylope­ lik e hi gh school. You ran in and ran out. dia of Gardening retails for $59.95, blJt AHS Now you see a lot of people sitting aro und, members can ~eceive it fo~ just $49.95 plus and a lot of people studying on the grass. $4.75 shipping and handling. And the windows had shades 10 yea rs ago. Now w hen you walk down Caq,ot Court, all the windows are o pen, shades up. Peo­ TO ORDER: ple rearra nge their des ks so they can see our Send a check or money order along with the titles of the books ordered to : AHS Horticulturall3ook o f them. " Service, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300. To charge to your Visa or Norma Jane Langf01'd is an adjunct pro fes­ MasterCard call (800) 777-7931 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ~astern Time. sor of commvmicatiol1 at Northeastern University.

40 FEB RUARY 1994 We Grow Beautiful Perennials BOOI( REVIEWS At A Price You Will Like!!! The plants that return to bloom season after season for years of easy pleasure, our specialty .. . Perennials. Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice White Theris for early spring, Mark }. Plotkin. Viking Penguin, New summer's perky Shasta Daisies and York, 1993. 318 pages . 6 '14" x 9 '14" . Black­ fall for blooming Chrysanthemums and-white photographs. Publisher 's price: . .. Perennials beautify your home. hardcover, $22. A H S m ember price: Bluestone grows over 300 varieties $19.80. of perennials which are shipped in full growth - easy to plant and It was during a 1974 night school lec ture each plant guaranteed. at H arva rd University that M ark Plotki n Send for our free catalog or call 800-852-5243. di scovered his passion for Amazonia-for We will be pleased to hear from you. its pla nts and fo r the people w ho li ve Name ______among t hem a nd know their secrets. The TALES OF A lec turer, Ri chard Eva ns Sc hultes, was the Address' ______wo rld 's pre eminent ethnobota ni st, a nd Pl otkin reso lved to foll ow in Schultes' foot­ SHAMAN'S 8Iale' ____ steps. Plotkin decided that he too wou Id Zip ______lea rn about the region's medicin a l and eco­ 7225 MIDDLE RIDGE RD. nomic plants from the ex perts themselves: MADISON, OHIO 44057 the shamans of Amazonia . APPRENTICE Pl otkin's Ta les of a Shaman 's Apprentice is a book fo r everyone interested in plants and their relati onshi p to people. The a u­ th or chronicles over a decade of plant col- lec ting trips he made a mong the tribal O nce the stage is set, the reader jo ins peoples of northeastern Amazoni a , in Pl ot kin on his first trip to the regio n. T he French G ui a na, Surin am, Guya na, and destinati o n is French Guia na, where Pl ot- Venezuela. In the process he offers us a kin assists a zoo logist searching fo r the fascin ating view of the worl d of the sha- bl ack caiman, a hi ghl y enda ngered croco- mans: we lea rn something of their li fe , the dilian. Next we fo ll ow Pl otkin o n hi s first LET'S GROW TOGETHER pl ants they use- and glimpse the rituals ethno bo ta ni cal expeditio n. He ve ntures th at extend their beli efs beyond the realm into the forests o f Surinam, a mong the Spread your joy of gardening to others. Give a of the natural world . Maroons, where he develops a yea rning to To set the stage fo r the author's journey go deeper into the fo res t--to learn fr om the membership in the American Horticultural Society. into the shamans' world, the fi rst chapter Indi ans o f the Amazon's most remote re­ Share the unique range of AHS membership ben· explains the va lu e of traditi ona l medicin es gions. A year later, he travels to the vi ll age efits with your family and friends: American Hor· and ethno botani cal research. The foc us is of Kwa ma lasamoetoe, w here he meets ticulturist magazine and News Edition, toll·free on efforts to develop new drugs from Koita, a member of the Surin am Ti ri6 tribe. Gardeners' Information Servi.e, Annual Free Seed pl ants nati ve to tropi cal rain fores ts, but Koita becomes fri end, advisor, translator, Exchange, Educational Programs, Horticultural Plotkin mentions research into ,------, and teacher. He introduces Pl ot- Employment Service, Horticultural Book Program, pl ants fro m elsewhere as well. We kin to the region's ethno botanical Environmental and Conservation Programs, official lea rn, fo r example, th a tth ~ leaves ri ches- and to the Jaguar Sha- AHS Membership Card, special events at River of the oldes t li ving tree species, man, a master healer. This sha- Form, our Society's headquarters in Alexandria, the gin kgo, act as a vasodilator. man becomes one of Pl otkin's Virginia, and much more . Plus New Member Ginkgo leaf extract may have mentors, and a central figure in dues ore discounted to only $39! va lue in treating a variety of con- the a uthor's effo rt to lea rn fr om ditions res ulting £ro m diminished bl ood the Indians themse lves, in the same way It'seasy to give an AHS membership I Simplycoil our fl ow to the brain. In Europe, w here the Schultes did. Like Schultes, Pl otkin wants Membership Office tolliree at (800) 777-7931 . extract is widely avail able, annual sales to be more thaFl an o bserver: he wants to exceed $700 million. We also hear of new coll ect sci entific data, but as a participant developments in the use o f plants aga in st in the shamans' activities. His struggle to ca nce r and the AID S virus. do so ma kes for fascin a ting reading.

AMERICAN H ORTICULTURIST 4 I Plotkin's story is intriguing, engaging, ex­ citing, and disturbing- a rare accomplis h­ ment in a botanical work. The book foc uses on the author's own adventures but it serves another important purpose too. At appropriate tu rns of the text, the reader is transported from the heat, bugs, and reptilian encounters of the rain fo rest to digressions on the history of the region's economic pl ants. Armchair bo­ tani cal enthusiasts es pec iall y wi ll find these digressions a welcome break. Here we get a fresh view of products normall y taken for granted. We learn, for instance, how chew­ ing gum came to be a commodity, how cinc hona evolved as the so urce of quinine, and how avocados were introduced to the America n palate. The book is as much a [t 's gardening made easy. PRO·SOL's hi story as it is a piece of reporting on the pre-measured, dissolvable packets are easy current state of Amazonian eth nobotany. to use. Simply drop packet in a gallon of The crux of Plotkin's story, however, is water. .. no mess, no measure! the problem of surviva l: of these ecosys­ Use indoors and out. For big, beautiful Remove one Drop packet in Feed! Greatfor tems and of the peoples who ifl habit them. blooms, there's PRO·SOL 15-30-15. For packet from water ...th e spray f eeders, ANd as Plotkin sees it, we can't have one lawn, garden, and house plant feeding, the container. packet is too! dissolvable! without the other. "Ethno botany," he use PRO·SOL 20-20-20. Both have writes, "takes a holistic approach to con­ servation and proves the vital importance of the role indigenous people can play in PR{)tSOL the ongoing struggle to protect, use and PLANT FOOD For more information or to order call : sustai n the rain forest . . .. The bea uty of 800-4-PRO-SOL ethnobotany is that it brings people into the forest picture, showing that triba l peo­ ples can hel p provide us with answers on the best wa ys to use and protect the forest." EW beauty, gorgeous Many of those answers begin to emerge new colors, exotic from this book. In their richness and di ver­ fragrance and sity, these pages recall Amazonia itse lf. The fascinating new interest Nare given to your onl y disappointment that awaits the more garden by the addition of a exacting reader is the lack of an index to Water Lily Pool. And, Pl otkin's treasure-trove. - Steven Foster fortunately, every garden, large or small, provides ample room for a Water Steven Foster is a writer and editor special­ Lily Pool, or at least a simple sunken tub garden. izing in botanical and herbal subjects. Marvelously beautiful Gardening With Groundcovers effects can be achieved quickly and with little and Vines effart or expense. You can Allen Lacy. HarperCollins, New York, enjay a Water Lily Pool 1993.233 pages. 7V2" x 93/8". Co lor pho­ this summer if you plan now. tographs. Publisher's price: hardcover, $35. AHS member price: $31 .50. EW Full Color Catalog! A beautiful catalog filled with helpful Allen Lacy's Gardening With Groundcov­ information describes ers and Vines is a delightful trip through and illustrates in full the garden on hands and knees. As usual, Ncolor the largest callection of Water Lilies in America Lacy's wri ti ng is descriptive, informative, along with Aquatic Plants and colorful. And as usual, he wi ll make and Ornamental Fishes and Pool Accessories. most gardeners want to run right out, tear up their existing gardens, and start again SEND $3.50 or call from scratch. l.soo-524-3492 (Mastercard or Visa) Lacy is at his best when phil osophi zing about the wonders of the plant world­ William Tricker. Inc. both in and out of the garden. When, for 7125 Tanglewood Drive Independence, OH 44131 instance, he refl ec ts on the plants he sees thro ugh the wi ndows of a speeding New

42 FEBRUARY 1994 Drought Resistant Lilies

Grace your world with the beauty of lilies ...

Oriental hybrids. Asiatics. Trumpets/Aurelians. Rare and endangered species. Plus new exclusives, developed by leading hybridizers, & available only th ro ugh our full-color catalog. Choose from more than 200 exquisite varieti es in all- the largest selection of Pacific North west garden lilies in Jersey train, he refreshes the reader's appre­ the world. All the fines t quality on the ciation of na tural surroundings . Lac y market today . A ll guaran teed. wants us to take a fresh look at the garden r------~ I as well: he argues that American gardeners Please send me your full·color ca tal og. fea turin g over I 200 varieties of lop-qualit y garden lil ies. I enclo se $2 I I should develop th eir own style instead of (refu ndabl e wilh order). I I trying to recreate the English garden. That Name ______I I pl ea made me want to jump for joy, sin ce I Address. ______I I I've grown weary of fielding the " how do C" y _____ St. te __ Z'p ___ I I I make a real English garden" question at I B&D Lilies I every garden club talk I give . I 330 "P" Street , POrt Townsend , WA 98368 I The trea tment of herbaceous ~------~ groundcovers is informati ve, complete, and with just the right number of opinion­ ated directives. That latter ingredient is essential in my judgement: no plant person UNIQUE 74H

A MERICAN HORTICULTURIST 43 did and impressive scarlet red. But the book shows it as a weak reddish orange that would interest few prospecti ve growers. Apart from these reservati ons, however, I would rate All en Lacy's Ga rdening With Groundcovers and Vines as deli ghtful and in fo rmative reading. --Paul E. Ca ppiello

Paul E. Cappiello is an assistant professor of landscape horticulture at the University of Maine.

Magazine The Complete Book of Cacti and Succulents Terry Hewitt. Dorling Kindersley, N ew ShedsNew York, 1993. 176 pages. 91/4" x 11W'. Color photographs. Publis her's price: hardcover, $29.95. A HS member price: LightOn $26.95.

G iven the modest length of Terry H ewitt's growing from seed as well as from cuttings Indoor book, hi s title might sound like an over­ and di visions. And for the more adventur­ statement. But for the beginning or inter­ ous, a section on grafting is included . mediate hobbyist, the autho r lives up to his Appended to the text is a set of plant Gardening promise. The book both shows and tell s, li sts, in w hich species are gro uped accord­ integrating concise text with over 600 in g to ease of culti va tion, preferred cl imate, colo r illustrati ons. Readers come away and method of p ropagation. A brief glos­ w ith a solid introduction to the fascinating sary fo ll ows, then an address list of plant world o f desert pl ants. societi es and plant sources. H ewitt begins by expla ining the struc­ This may not be a complete book, but it ture of succulent plants. H e describes their w ill be a ll the new cactophile w ill need for habitats, then offers sketches from the his­ quite a while! --Gerald S. Barad tory of cactus a nd succ ul ent expl oration. By shining light into every corner of the As readers get their bearings in the field, Gerald S. Barad is president of the Cactus houseplant wo rld, this refreshingly different dozens of photos introduce them to the and Succulent Society of America. magazine renews the sense of wonder you felt endless variati on of form and fl ower color when you discovered gardening. Each colorful fo un d in these unusual plants. issue brings you fresh growing tips and the H ewitt a lso covers special methods of latest pl ant products, plu s journeys to Book Order Form fascinating greenhouses and exotic countries of di spl ay. Readers learn how to put together origin. Subscribe now to save, and start seeing di sh gardens, ha nging baskets, and win­ 0 Tales of a Shaman's your favorite pastime in a new light. dow boxes. Step-by-step illust rati ons show Apprentice ... . . $19.80 what materials are necessary and guide 0 Gardening With $31.50 readers through each project. Groundcovers and Vines 0 The Complete Book of The largest part o f the book is a " pla nt Cacti and Succulents $26.95 Qf!lJ!.ru2.c!E.~!!jlJ catalog" that offers a sampling o f the cacti Postage and handl ing: $2.50, first book; $1.50 Na me ______and succulents avail a bl e to the hobbyist. each additional book. Virginia residents add T he coverage is ge nerous, but I have one Address ______4 1(2% sa les tax. Pl ease a ll ow six weeks for de li v­ reservatio n abo ut the way it is presented. ery. Prices are subject to change without notice . City ______H ewitt may be a little ahead o f the cactus­ Enclosed is my check for $ ______State ______Zip ______growing world w hen it comes to no men­ clatu re . His use o f binomials confo rms to o Visa 0 MasterCard Ex p. Date: _ _ _ Canada & Mexico - $19.95 the latest revisio n, in w hich many species Overseas - $23.95 WV Residents Must Add 6% Sales Tax na mes were changed to fit a more con­ Acct. # : densed taxono m y. Beginning ho bbyists Payment Enclosed MC VISA Signature: o 0 0 sho uld be aware that the use of the new names a lone could ma ke ordering d iffi cult, Shi p to: Credit Card Number since ma ny commercial growers have not Street: ______/ / yet a bsorbed these changes. Signaru re Expira tion Date Next comes a section on "care and culti­ City: ______va ti o n." In additio n to cultural advice, State / Z ip: ______there is a ge neral discussion of basic needs, li ke lighting a nd nutrition, and suggestions MAll TO: AHS Books, 7931 Ea$t Boul evard H~usePlant Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300. A H 2/94 -----magazine----­ on what to look fo r when bu yin g plants. PO Box 1638-AM • Elkins, WV 26241 • 800-892-7594 H ewitt's secti on o n propagati o n covers

44 FEB RU ARY 1994 CLASSIFIEDS

Classified Ad Rates: $1 per word; mInI ­ CACTI AND SUCCULENTS are nOt in a positi on to offe r full placement se rvice to ca ndidates or employers. H owever, mum $20 per inse rtion. 10 percent dis­ SElvIP ERVIVUMS, hard y uccul ent rosette. as a service to ou r members-jobseekers and count for three consecutive ads usin g the Twelve va ri ety coll ecti on. $ 15 check. Descrip­ employers a like-we welcome the r es unl(~S and ti ve li st $ 1 deductible. STRONG' ALP IN E same copy, provided each insertion mee ts cover letters of indi vidu als seeking jo b changes SUCCULENTS ( ), P. O. Box 2264, Fl ag taff, the $20 minimum after discount. Copy and and employers seekin g ca ndidates. All res ponsi­ AZ 86003-2264. prepayment must be received on the 20th bility fo r checkin g reference and determining the appropri ateness o f both positi on and ca ndi ­ day of the month three months prior to CARNTVOROUS PLANTS date rests with the indi vidua ls. AHS 's participa­ publication date. Send orders to: AHS Ad­ ARNIVOROUS (Insecti vorous) PLANTS, seeds, upplie , and books. Color broc hure free. PETER ti o n in this acti vity is o nl y to se rve as a vertising Department, 2300 So uth Ninth PAULS NURSERJ ES, Canand aigua, N Y 14424. conn ecting point for members of the Society. Street, Suite SOl , Arlington, VA 22204- Inquiries and info rm ati onal materi a ls should be 2320 or call (703) 892-0733. DAHLIAS ent to HO RTICU LTURAL EMPLOYMENT­ EX HIBITION, GA RD EN, WO RLDWID E SE­ AM ERI CAN H O RTI C ULTURAL SOCIETY, LECTION . 32-page color catalog, over 100 Dept. 294 , 793 1 East Bo ul evard Dr. , Al exan­ THE AVANT GARDENER ph otographs, $2. CONNELL' , Dept. AH, dria, VA 22308-1300. FOR THE GARDENER WHO WANTS MORE 102 L6 40th Ave . E., Tacoma, WA 98446. FROM GARDENING! Subscribe to TH E "SIIV1PL E," TH E RO VI NG GARDEN IN G AVANT GARDENER, the liveliest, most use ful EMPLOYMENT ARTI T pecia li zing in horticultura l a rt, garden of all gardening publications. Every month this We at th e American Ho rticultural Society are illusion, faca de, topi ary, trompe l'oeil, espa li er, unique news service brings you the newest, most often asked to refer indi vidua l to significant trelli s work, perso na li zed teaching and trainin g. practical informati on on new plants, products, ho rri cultura l positi on around the country. We Box 69A H, H oney Brook, PA 19344. techniques, with sources, feature articles, special issues. 26th yea r. Awarded Garden Club o f America and Massachusetts Horticultural oci­ ety medals. Curious' Sample copy $1. Seri ous? $12 full yea r (reg. $18). THE AVA NT GAR ­ DENER, Box 489M, New York, N Y 10028. AZALEAS AZALEAS IN GLOWING EARTH TONES AND PALE PINKS. New heat-tolerant decidu ­ ous azalea hybrids head an all-star lineup of tree and shrub introductions. Our showstopper se­ lection of hundreds of woody plants in generous sizes at reasonable prices ranges from over­ whelm ing floral display to quiet foliage interest. Lovely catalog, $3. FAIRWEATHER GAR­ DENS, Box 330-A, Greenwich, NJ 08323. BOOKS GARDENING TRIVIA- great rainy day activ­ ity for gardening enthusiasts. 167 pages of hor­ ticultural quizzes. $4.95 postpaid. BRU CES , 30548 St. Andrews Blvd., Sorrento, FL 32776. PRO·SOL's free-flowing fonnulas are H ORTICA-ALL-Color Cyclopedia of Gar­ Take the agitation out of feeding, keep den/Flora, with Hardiness Zones, a lso IN­ ideal for greenhouse or field use and are the nutrients in ... choose PRO·SOL. DOOR PLANTS, 8,100 photos, by Dr. A. B. 100% soluble ... no clumping, no Graf, $238. TROPICA 4 (1992), 7,000 Color clogging. photos of plants and trees for warm environ­ PRO·SOL products contain ments, $165. EXOTIC HOUSE PLANTS, 1,200 chelated micronutrients for photos, 150 in color, with keys to care , $8.95. faster absorption. A fu ll line Circulars gladly sent. Shipping additional. of commercial products ROEHRS CO., Box 125, Ea st Rutherford, NJ and custom fonnulations PRO-SOLFor more information call : 07073. (201) 939-0090. makes PRO· SOL the 800-633-7685 BULBS professionals' choice. DUTCH BULBS for fall planting, 12cm Tulips, DNI Daffodils, Hyacinths and Miscell aneous. Catalog Free. Paula Parker DBA, Mary Matti­ Plants know the difference son Van Sc haik, IMPORTED DUTCH BULBS, Profits will show the difference P.O. Box 32AH, Cavendish, VT 05142. (802) 226-7653.

Atvl ERICAN HORTICULTURI ST 45 PR O FESS IONAL CARETAKER AVA IL ABLE. GROUND COVERS INEXPENSIV E HERBS AND PERENNIALS. Ex pert property care. Horricultural experrise. QUALITY GROUND COVERS AND PEREN­ Send SASE for price li st to KOLLER'S NUR­ Upkee p and impro emenr skill s. Esrate, farm or NIALS. Aegopodium, European Ginger, Ivies, SERY, 2 186 Ireton Trees, Moscow, OH 45153. ranch position sought in Rural West or Rocky Lamiums, Hardy Cactus, Plumbago, Sweet No sales west of Mississippi. I>.lountain states. L.S., P.O. Box 761, Ojai, CA Woodruff, Sedums, Vincas. Over 100 varieti es. HOUSE PLANTS 93 024. GIL SON GARDENS, INC., Dept. H, P.O. Box 277, Perry, OH 44081. Fax (216) 259-2378. ORCHIDS, GESNER IADS, BEGONIAS, CACTI & SUCCULENTS. Visirors welcome. SEN IOR HORTICULTURIST-ro head re­ HARDY HEATHERS for all -year garden color! 1992-1993 cata log, $2. LAURAY OF SALIS­ sea rch and deve lopment at private botanical Descriptive mail-order list for SASE. Fast ser­ BURY, 432 Undermountain Rd., Sa li sbury, CT garden in Sanra Fe, New Mexico. Goals include vice! HEATHS & HEATHERS, P.O. Box 850, 06068. (203) 435-2263. design, developmenr and demonstration of su s­ Elma, WA 98541. tainable ecologica l teohniques and continued HYDROPONICS evolvemenr of native and specialized gardens. NEW ENGLAND GROWN HEATHER GROW LIGHTS. Complete hydroponic sys­ Qualifications shou ld include research or aca­ PLANTS. Discover this unique family of hardy tems starting at $65, high intensity grow lights demic background, practical growing eKperi­ evergreens! Heathers have fascinating foliage from $114. Free catalog. Call (800) 772-1997, e nce, g rant writin g capabiliti es a nd colors, blooming times and flowers. Quality or send postcard to GREENTREES, 2244-H, S. communication skills. Knowledge of the region plants ava il able year round shipped UPS. Send Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA 92084. preferred. Please respond by resume and letter $1 for our color catalog to: ROCK SPRAY NURSERY STOCK to ADMIN ISTRATOR, DEVARGAS CENTER, NURSERY, P.O. Box 693, Truro, MA 02666. Suite G-534, Santa Fe, NM 8750 1-1498. (508) 349-6769. CHOOSE FROM 2,000 VARIETIES of exciting and hardy plants. Many exclusives. Rhododen­ HERBS drons, azaleas, conifers, shrubs, trees, perennials GIFT IDEAS GALA HERB WEEKEND, March 19-20 and and much more. Mail-order ca talog, $3. ROS­ NO MORE DRY PLANTS! Hear Tom's Green Water Lily Weekend, April 9-10. Exhibits, discus­ LYN NURSERY, Dept. AH, Box 69, Roslyn, NY Thumb play "How Dry I Am " when your plants sions, slides, door prizes and refreshments: held in 11576. (516) 643-9347. need watering. No more guessi ng! Soi l tester. our warm greenhouses, rain or shine 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Rush $7.95 plus $2 SIH; DIRECT INNOVA­ Admission free. BITTERSWEET HILL NURS­ WHOLESALE TREE-SHRUB SEEDLINGS. TIONS, P.O. Box 250-A, West Covin a, CA ERIES, 1274 Governor's Bridge Rd., Davidson­ Beautify Property. Make Money Growing 91793-0250. Guaranteed. vi lle, MD 21035-1507. (410) 798-023l. Christmas Trees, Ornamentals, Nut Trees, Tim­ ber. Wimdbreaks, Noise Barriers, Wildlife Food/Cover. Easy Instructions, Guaranteed. Free Color Catalog. CARINO NURSERIES, PLANTS OF THE SOUTHWEST TH E BEST H EI RLOOM SEEDS Box 538J, Indiana, PA 1570l. Since 1982. Over 500 varieties of traditional Stunning wildflowers & native grasses and heirloom vegetables, flowers, and herbs, PALMS .• Traditional vegetables & herbs many organically grown. Nationally recognized RARE AND EXOTIC HAWAIIAN-GROWN • Over 25 spicy chiles - plants & seed collection. 68 page catalog, $2 (deductible) PALM AND CYCAD SEEDLINGS from (804) 973-4703 MC/VlSA/Discover RT. 6 Box llA, SANTA FE, NM 87501 SOUTHERN EXPOSURE SEED EXCHANGE around the world-Carefully shipped to any­ _ 505-471-2212 lOO-PAGE COLOR CATALOG, $3.50 P.O. Box 170-6, Earlysville, VA 22936 where in the USA. Please send for price li st­ 1 KAPOHO PALMS, P.O. Box 3, Dept. A, Pahoa, HI 96778. (808) 936-2580. European Garden Tours CREATIVE GARDEN TOURS PERENNIALS An unforgettable experience awaits! OUR LARGE, FULL COLOR CATALOG tells in 1994 We custom-design unique flowet and you how to grow plants, not just how to buy The Gardens of Italy: explore the fmest garden tours worldwide for Horticultural them. Complete descriptions and helpful advice gardens of the Italian Lake district and Societies, Garden Clubs, professional and on over 1,000 varieti es of perennial flowers, Tuscany and enjoy 2-3 night stays in non-profit organizations. Call us now to ornamenral grasses, prairie wildflowers and dec­ Venice, Florence and Rome. plan a special trip for your group. orative vines . Cata log subscriptio n, $1. MILAEGER'S GARDENS, 4838 Douglas Ave. The Chateaux and Gardens of France: 1-800-262-9682 Dept. AH, Racine, WI 53402-2498. (800) 669- experience the most beautiful gardens X.O. Travel Consultants Ltd. 9956. of Northern France, the castles of the Xo. ThA VEL 38 West 32nd Street, Suite 1009 Loire Valley, sightseeing in Normandy New York, NY 10001 BEAUTIFUL PERENNIALS at a pleasing price. CoNSULTANTS, LTD. Telephone: (212) 947-5530 and the enchantment of Paris. We at Bluestone have grown and shipped our ~ ...~ Telex:4955784 specialty, perennials, for over 20 years. Let us Call John Bradfield at TOe Wf~ FAX: (2 12)971 -0924 help beautify your home with our economical 4208 N. Freeway Blvd .. Ste. 121, Sacramento. CA 95834 plants, bulbs and shrubs. Write today for our (800) 505-2505 or (916) 922-7927 free color catalog. BLUESTONE PERENNI­ ALS, 7201 Middle Ridge, Madison, OH 44057. NATIVE PLANTS, grasses, hostas, iris (c1ean­ shaven), water loving plants & other perennials. Catalog $1, refundable. PINE RIDGE GAR­ DENS, Rt. 1 Box 474-AH, London, AR 72847.

Choose from over 2000 useful plant varieties in our mail PLANTS (UNUSUAL) DWARF & RARE CONIFERS, ALPINE & catalog. Extensive collections of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, ROCK GARDEN PERENNIALS, PLANTS for Conifers, Perennials, hardy Camellias, Kalmias, ---'~~Il. Bonsai. Join us in the search for the rare and rare shrubs and trees and much, much more. unusual. Catalog $4, refundable with first order. PORTERHOWSE FARMS, 41370-P S.E. Send $3 .00 for our descriptive mail order catalog to: Thomas Rd., Sandy, OR 97055. Roslyn Nursery OVER 2,000 KINDS of choice and affordable plants. Outstanding ornamentals, American na­ 211 Burrs Lane, Dept. L tives, perennials, rare conifers, pre-bonsai, wi ld­ Dix Hills, NY 11746 life plants, much more. Descriptive catalog, $3. FORESTFARM, 990 Tetherow Rd., Williams, (516)-643-9347 OR 97544-9599.

46 FEBR UA RY 1994 JO Y C R EE K NU RSERY perennia ls and nati ve pl a nts. Cata log $2, refunda bl e, .l OY C REE K NURSERY, Bin 2, 20300 N.W. Watso n Rd ., Sca ppoose, O R 97056. T R EES, SHRU BS, PER ENNIALS. Extensive coll ectio n o f spec ie , varieti es a nd culti va rs. Conta in er grown on fa rm. Catalog $2. OWEN FA RMS, Ro ute 3 , Box 158-A-AH , Ripley, T N 38063-9420. PRONUNCIATIONS RARE PLANTS W E SPECIA LI Z E IN T H E GENUS FICUS. Rare, un usua l xerophytics, bonsai, tropica ls. Se nd $1 a nd SASE to BOB'S, Rt. 2, Box 4 2, Wingate, T X 79566. ROSES Abies ba.lsamea AY-beez ba ll -SAM-ec-uh }unipenls procumbens joo-N IP-e r-iss H O RT ICO'S LARGE C RO P of heavy ro es Acer I1Ibl1lm AY-se r ROO-bru m pro-KUM -ocnz avail able from mid -November o n. Over 700 Achimell es a h-KIM-e h-neez J. communis J. kom-YEW-niss varieties, including: new show ro e and ground Acollitum lI ovaboracel1 se a k-oh-NY-rum J. squamata J. squaw-MAT-uh covers; Engli sh ga rden ro e by David Austin; no-va h-boh-ra h-K EN-sec }. vi rgil/ial1a J. vir- jin-cc-AN-uh Pi o neer roses; a ntiq ue and classic ro es by Peter Ailallthus aLtissima ay- LA N-thus a l-T IH -s ih-muh Kalmia latifolia KAL-mee-uh lat-ih -FO E-Iec- uh Beales; miniatures by Rennie; 6 tho rnless HT Alstroemelia psittacina al-stroh-M AIR-cc-uh Koellikeria eril10ides kc ll -ih -KA IR -ee-uh va ri eties; hardy types-Ottawa Explorer , Man­ sit-uh- IGH-nuh a ir-ih-NOY-decz itoba Pa rkla nd roses, and the fa bu lo us Pave­ AmeLallchier canadellsis am-e h-LA G- kye r Leptospermum scoparium Icp-toh-SPUR-m um ment roses. A superb co ll ection from our fields ka n-a h-DEN-siss skoh-PAR-ee-um that a re known to be virus-free. O rders shipped A. hyblida A. H IGH-brih-duh Leuco thoe fOlltanesiana loo-KO H-th oh-ee by o ur tem pera ture-contro lled truck to UPS de­ A. laevis A. LEE-vis fo n-tan-ee-zee-AN-u h PO tS in the USA fo r local d istributio n. Catalog, Alldro meda an-DROM-e h-du h Lonicera sempervirens la h-N ISS-er-uh $3. Sepa ra te catalogs for roses, shrub (& lin ­ Ara/lcaria heteroplry Lla ah-raw-KA I R-ce-uh se m-per-VY-renz ers), and perennia ls. HO RTICO IN ., 723 Ro b­ hct-cr-oh-FIL-uh Maackia aml/.rensis MA K-ee-uh a h-mcr-EN-siss son Rd., Wa terdown, ON LOR 2 Hl . (905) Anmdillaria viridistriata MaillS MAL-us 689-6984 . Fax: (905) 689-6566. a h-ru n -dih-N A I R-ee-u h vir-ih -dee-stry-A Y-tu h Microbiota decussata my-k roh-by-OH-tuh TRAVEL Bnlckentha/ia brew-ken-T HAL-ee-u h day- kus-SAY- tuh Call1/l1a vulgaris kal-LOO-nuh vul-GA I R-i s Miscanthus sinensis miz- KA N-rhus M O RRIS ARBO R ETUM OF THE UNIVER­ Campsis radica/IS KAMP- iss RAD-ih -kanz sigh-NEN-siss SITY O F PENNSYLVANIA to ur o f Engli sh cot­ Cassiope mertensial/a ka h-S IGH-oh-pee Nautilocalyx pemphidius tage ga rdens, june 14-22, 1994. Enj oy Eng lish mcr-ten-see-A N-uh naw-ri h-Iow-KA L-iks pem-FID-ee-us co untr y ga r den s d u r ing pea k b loom: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Nematanthus wettsteinii nee-mah-TA -thus Sissin ghurst, Hidco te, Ba rnsley H ouse, Kifrs­ ka m-e h-SIP-ah-riss law- on-ee-A -uh wct- STY-nee-eye gate, pri vate garden visits. In fo rmation: C har­ C. pisifera C. pih -S I F-c r-u h Parthenocisslls quinquefo/ia lotte Feldma n, CULT URAL CONNECTIONS par-then-oh-S ISS-us kwin- kwe h-FOE-Iee-uh AT TRAVEL O NE, (2 15) 642-7005, (800) 523- Chirita sinensis chih -RY-tuh sigh- EN-siss 2786. Chrysosplenium iowense Plryllodoce fih -LOW-doh-kee kris-oh-SPL EE N-ee-um eye-oh-EN-see Picea abies PI E-see-uh AY- beez HISTO RIC GARDEN WEEK IN VIRGINIA. Chrysothemis puLchella kris-oh-TH EE- miss P. glauca P. GLAW-kuh Virginia's most gorgeous homes a nd gardens pu l-KEL-uh Pin liS strobus PI E- nus STRO H-bus w ill b e s h owca sed April 23-3 0 du ri n g Clematis mOl1tana KLEM-uh-tiss mon-TA N-uh Pueraria lobata pye w-eh-RAY-ree-uh "America's La rgest Open Ho use. " Ra ise funds C. viticella C. vy-tih -KEL-Iuh low-BA Y- tuh fo r your Garden Clu b, H o rti cultura l Society or Columnea koh-LUM -nee-uh Rhododelldron calladellse roh-doh-DEN-dron civic group by experi encing the g lo ry o f spring Crocosmia kroh-KA HZ-mee- uh kan-ah-DEN-see in Al exandria, Lees burg, C harl ortesvill e, Rich­ Daboecia azorica dab-EE-shee-uh Sophora japonica so-FOR-uh jah-PON-ih -kuh mo nd. Call A lex Weathera ll , LAKELAND a h-ZO R-ih-kuh Sciadopitys verticillata sigh-ah-DO P-ih-tiss T O URS, INC., 2000 H o liday Dr., Cha rl ortes­ D. cantabrica D. kan-TA H-brih -kuh ver-tih -sih-LAY-tuh ville, VA 22901. (800) 999-7676. D. x scotica D. x SK OT- ih -kuh Sedum SEE-dum GENTLE JOURN EYS OF LONDON invites Episcia ee-PISS-ee- yuh Sequoia sempervirel1S see-K WOI- yuh you to jo in a delu xe escorted tour o f some o f Erica arborea eh-RY- kuh ar-BO-ree-uh sem-per-VY- renz Engla nd's m ost beautiful spring gardens-trav­ E. australis E. a w-STRAY -Ii ss Sillningia cardillalis sih -NIN-jee-uh eling to Devon and Cornwa ll incl uding a day E. cam ea E. KA R-n ee-uh kar-dih -NA L-i ss excursion to the subtro pi cal Isles of Scill y. De­ E. cinerea E. sih -NEE-ree-uh S. concinna S. con-SIN-nuh parting Lo ndon 23rd April, 1994-8 days. UK E. x darieyel1Sis E. x dar-Iee-EN-siss S. ellmorpha S. yew-MO R-fuh £785 (S upplement fo r single room UK £86). E. erigena E. air-ih -J EN-uh S. hirsuta S. her-SOO-tuh Contact: Sa ndy Buell , TRAVEL VENTURES, E. lusitanica E. loo-sih-TAN-ih-kuh S. pusilLa S. pew-SIL-Iuh INC., (708) 920-1 910. Fax: (70 8) 920-1109. E. termil1alis E. ter-mih -NAL-iss S. speciosa S. spee -see-O H-sllh TROPICALS E. tetraLix E. T ET-rah-liks Sparaxis tricolor spa h-RAK-siss E. vagal1 s E. VAY-ga nz try-KUL-Ier TROPICAL SEEDS AN D BULBS-Thousands E. x veitchii E. x VEE-chee-eye Spiranthes spy- RAN-theez of types incl uding chocolate, cashew, cinna mo n, Eucomlllia ulmoides Streptocarpus strep-roh- KA R-pus tea, coffee, banana, helico ni a, gingers, anno nas, yew-KO M-ee-uh ul -M OY-deez Thlaspi THLAS- pie chicle, plus palms and much mo re fo r your tropica l greenhouse o r indoor suntoom. Se nd $3 Gleditsia triacanthos Thuja occidentalis THEW-yuh fo r cata log. THE BA N AN A TREE, 715 N . gleh-DIT-see-uh try-uh-CAN-thos a hk -s ih-den-TAL-iss Ha mpton St., Easton, PA 18042. Hosta ul1dulata HAHS-wh T. pLicata T. ply-KAY-tuh un-jew-LAT-uh Tsuga ca1tadel1Sis SOO-gah kan-ah-DEN-siss UNIQUE TOOLS Hudsollia hud-SO-nee- uh Veronica ve r-ON-ih-kuh FAMOUS C HINESE GARDEN SC ISSORS. Hydrangea al10mala subsp. petiolaris Vibumum opuius vy -B ER-num OP-yew-Ius H andmade, sha rp, precise, beautiful and rugged! hi gh-DRAN-juh ah-NOM-ah-Iuh subsp. Zelkova serrata zel-KOH-vuh se r-RAY-tuh 6" size $9.95 (shipping included). Sa tisfaction pet-ee-o h-LA IR-iss guaranteed! JR, Box 693561, Miami, FL 33269. H. quercifoiia H. kwer-sih-FOE-Iee-uh

AME RI CAN HO RTI CULTU RI ST 47