TIIE .A:r.IEH..IC.AN

~GArz,INE

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY , INC , Summer. 1968 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY INC .

2401 CALVERT STREET, N.W. / WASHINGTON, n. C. 20008

For United Horticulture • • • to accumulate, in C1'ease, and disseminate horticu ltural information

EDITORIAL COrvll\UTTEE DIRECTORS VICTOR H . RIES, Cllll imwn ...... _ ...... Columbus, Ohio P. H . BRYDON San Francisco, California JOH N L. CREECH ...... New Carrollton, l\faryland FRANCIS DE VOS FREDERIC 1' . LEE ...... Beth esda, Maryland Chicago, Illinois CONRAD B. LINK ...... U niversity Park, Maryland MRS. ELSA UPPMAN KNO LL l\[enlo Park, California ELVIN McDoNALO ...... New York, New York LOUIS B. MARTIN FREDERICK G. MEYER ...... _ ...... Takoma Park, l'vIaryland Den ver, Colorado NEIL W. STUART ...... Silver Spring, Maryland R. HENRY NORWEB, JR. Mentor, Ohio FRED B. ' '''IDMOYER ...... Las Cruces, New l'vfexico .JOli N M. PATEK WILBUR H . YOUNG~ I AN ...... Sil ver Spring, Maryland Rochester, New York l\[RS. FRANCIS PATTESON·Kl'IGHT OFFICERS McLean, Virginia President VICWR H . RIES FRED C. GALLE ...... Pine l\lountain, Georgia Columbus, Ohio LEON C. SNYDER First Vice Pl'eside1l.t St. Paul, l\ [innesota DAVID G. LEACH ...... _ ...... Brookville, Pennsylvania EARL E. VALLOT Second Vice Presidellt and Treasure.r Youngsville, !...ouisiana R. C. ALLEN ...... _ ... _ ...... Mansfield, Ohio FRED B. vVIDMOYER Secretary Las Cruces, New Mexico MRS. FRANCIS PA1TESON·KNIGHT ...... McLean, Virginia NATHANIEL "VHJTTIER Medfield, Massachusetts Immediate Past President STEWART D. '''' INN JOHN H . WALKER ...... "Vashington, D. C. Decatur, Georgia Assistant Secretary ROll ERT P. "VI NTZ MRS. ELIZABETH G. EASTllURN, Executive Direct01' Chicago, Illinois Washington, D. C. DONALD ''''YMAN Assistant Treasurer Tamaica Plain, GLENN B. EASTBURN, Fi1lance Officer ...... vVashington, D. C. M assach lISetts

THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE is the official publication of The American Horticultural Society and is issued during the Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall quarters. The magazine is included as a benefit of membership in The American Horticultural Society, individual membership dues being $6.00 a year. THE AMERICA N HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE is devoted to the dissemination of knowledge in the science and art of growing ornamental plants, fruits, vegetables, and related subjects. Original papers which increase knowledge of plant materials of economic and aesthetic importance are invited. For manuscript specifications, please consult the chairman of the Edi· torial Committee. Second class postage paid at Baltimore, Maryland and at additional mailing offices. Copy' right © 1968 by The American Horticultural Society, Inc. SUMMER • 1968

VOLUME 47 • NUMBER 3

In This Issue

Guest Editorial - The Social Significance of Horticulture, Harold B. Tukey ______274 B. Y. Morrison Memorial Lecture-MRs. LYNDON B. JOHNSON ______277 The Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Garden of Gold Gate Park San Francisco, Cali£ornia~P. H. BRYDON, Director ______282 Hollies of the Canary and Madeira Islands-KoRNELIUS LEMS ______290 Sex and My Ruprechtia Tree-EDwARD A. MENNINGER ______.______296 Horticulture Among the Old Masters-NoEL D. SMITH ______301 Excerpts from Peter J. Van Melle ______295, 310

Advances in Horticulture-NEIL W. STUART, EDITOR The New Shape of Horticulture: A Look to the Future SYLVAN H . WITTWER ______. ______306

Repelling Aphids By Reflective Surfaces FLOYD F. SMITH and RA YMON E. WEBB ______307 Recent Advances in Weed Research-LoRAN L. DANIELSON ______309 Gardeners' Notebook Crinum Submersun Herbert Rediscovered-L. S. HANNIBAL ______311 The American LotuS-CREZIA COVINGTON REED ______312 The Chayote-CuRTIS D. ADAMS ____,______314 The Radish-'--More Versatile Than You Think-GERTRuDE B. FIERTZ 315 - - Two Texas Mahonias-LYNN LOWREY ______~~ ____ ~______317 Philoglossa in Cultivation-MELVIN L. BRISTOL ______317 Book Reviews-CoNRAD B. LINK, EDITOR ______.______. 319 Corrections 300

TAXONOMIST, FREDERICK G. MEYER MANAGING EDITOR, ELIZABETH G. EASTBURN

COVER ILLUSTRATION

Rhododendron leucogigas. A striking, recently descr~bed species from New Guinea with indio vidual flowers 6 inches long and 5 inches wide, white, suffused carmine rose, with a strong carnation fragrances. PHOTO P . H. BRYDON Guest Editorial

The Social Significance of Horticulture

There are few individuals who are not quickened by association with living, growing plants. Children are especially responsive to . them but people of all ages find that a few seeds which develop into a plant of their own growing can have a profound and stabilizing influence upon their lives. All of us want to live near green grass and colorful flowers and leafy trees. As civilization continues in its ponderous climb to urbanization we tend to think in terms of giant parks to relieve our steel and glass, and concrete and asphalt surroundings. Instead of the giant park, think how effective a hundred scattered, smaller areas might bel It takes such simple things, and so little, to quicken the spirit and bring light to a drab existence-a flower box on a fire escape, a potted plant on a window ledge, a small parcel of green grass nearby. Here is where the greatest efforts of our American Horticultural Society should be applied-in schools and with civic groups-giving freely of our time and of our talents. In fact, it is a question whether the greater beneficiary in such an enterprise may not be he wno gives rather than he who receives. It is clearly upon the stage of social and human welfare that we must focus our attention. The social problems of our times 'will not be solved by material means alone. We speak of poverty and

274 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY think of material solutions, unmindful that many recipients of our largess are richer in spirit and more understanding of life than we who dispense the charity. Horticulture is much more than an avocation for leisure time. It is concerned with the enrichment, en­ noblement, nourishment, and growth of the spirit. Then why should we not bring all of our tremendous knowledge and experience and skill in horticulture to bear on our pressing social problems! Simply bringing plants into the daily lives of human beings in all walks of life, young and old, country people and city people, those in poverty and those in affluence-this would be a major solution for many of our social ills. The beautification program of the Federal Govern­ ment is aimed in the right direction. So is the American Horticultural Society, and so are the thousands of gar­ den clubs, the 4-H programs, the boy and girl scouts, the park and recreation people, the school progTams, the botanical gardens and arboreta, and the thousands of plant lovers all over the country. Environmental beautification is a great force with a great potential for good. All that is lacking is our own personal resolve to do some of this work ourselves. Let us offer our own green thumb skills to the fine pro­ grams in our own communities and do our part to make them green oases for all of our fellow citizens. If we cannot locate such programs let's start some! ~ The challenge for all of us who are gardeners, whether novice or professional, is simply this: To bring the benefits and the joys of horticulture to those of our neighbors who have not known them before. May the inspiration of our leadership inspire all of us in horticulture to needed action. This is our hope and our prayer.

Professor Emeritus) Nlichigan State University P?'esici ent) XVII 1ntemational H orticultural Cong?"essj 1966 August, 1968

Ui\[ ~I E RI96 8 275 .,.. ..

OFFICIAL CONGRESS PHOTOGRAPH Mrs. Lyndon Baines Johnson The First Lady served as Honorary President of the XVII Interna­ tional Horticultural Congress which held its first United States meet­ ing at College Park, Maryland, August, 1966.

276 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY B. Y. Morrison Memorial INTRODUCTION Lecture ORVILLE L. FREEMAN

The Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture recently established the B. Y. Morrison Memorial Lectureship honoring this distin­ guished scientist who was the princip·al founder of the American Horticultural S_ociety, its president for four years and the editor of this Magazine for 37 years until shortly before his death in 1966. The First Lady delivered the first B. Y. Morrison Memorial Lecturf! before the annual meeting of the American Institute of ATChitects on Jttne 26, 1968 in Portland, Oregon. ' In presenting Mrs. Johnson, Secretary o(Agriculture Orville L. Freeman said, "It was to further man's search for beauty that the 'B. Y. Morrison Lectureship was founded. We want to recognize and encourage outstanding accomplishments in the science and practice of ornamental horticulture. The lecture is to be given annually by an individual chosen for his or her significant contributions in this field. "B. Y. Morrison was a scientist, administrator, landscape architect, plant explorer, author, and lecturer. He advanced th~scienc~ of botany in the United States and gave the American public new ornamental plants. He was the creator of the famed Glenn Dale azaleas, and the first director of the National Arboretum which is today one of the world's grekt centers for research and education in botany. "The choice of Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson to give the first Morrison Memorial Lecture was almost inevitable. She has been one of the single most powerful influences on ornamental horticulture that this country has ever known. She has generated unprecedented interest and support in this science, inspiring millions of people, through her travels, Writings, and speeches, to discover the pleasure­ and recognize the necessity-of growing and caring for flowers, trees, and shrubs. "Once-bleak squares and parks have blossomed, ,barren school gro'unds have greened and bloomed as civic and professional groups, industry and business, the young and the old have taken a new look at their communities. They have found that the planting of ornamental plants can spark new and determined eff9rts to improve all aspects of the quali,ty of living in their communities. "These many projects across the land demonstrate that beauty has its utilitari­ an as well as its spiritual aspects. Mrs. Johnson and those who work with her have shown us how beautiful America has been and can be again. She has reminded us of what naturalists and artists have alwaY'S known: that men' s spirit cannot be shut off from Nature and from beauty unless civilization is prepared to pay a bitter price. "She believes with Santayana who said, 'Beauty is a pledge of the possible conformity between the soul and nature, and consequently a ground of faith in 'the supremacy of the good.' "

SUMMER 1968 277 B. Y. Morrison Memorial Lecture

MRS . LYNDON B. JOHNSON

The man whose name this lecture of their environment-not exploiters of bears-B. Y. Morrison-was a horticul­ it. turist of great skill and knowledge and Far be it from me to yearn for a imagination. return to the lost past. But surely it is I hasten to tell you that I am not an not wrong to hope that modern man­ expert, but only a citizen deeply con­ modern, urban, mechanized man-will cerned about the relationship between somehow recapture that sense of balance the natural world and the world we are between his life and his environment building. I am one of millions of Ameri­ before it is too late. cans who are both. troubled-and hope­ Already, in our age, we have done ful-about the physical setting of life in many of the things which Tecumseh our country. considered unthinkable. Too often, we As you may know, my concern has have bartered away not · only the land, been expressed in an effort called "beau­ but the very air and water. Too often, tifica tion." we have sacrificed human values to com­ I think you also know what lies mercial values-under the bright guise beneath that rather inadequate word. of "progress. " And in our unconcern, we For "beautification," to my mind, is far have let a crisis gather which threatens more than a matter of cosmetics. To me, health-and even life itself. it describes the whole effort to bring the As a people, Americans have prized natural world and the man~made world the virtues of the land: simplicity, hon­ into harmony; to bring order, useful­ esty, hard work, physical courage, indi­ ness, and delight to our whole environ­ vidualism, optimism, faith. ment. And that, of course, only begins A preponderance of concrete and as­ with trees and flowers and landscaping. phalt-of fumes, haze and screeches­ If we are to obtain the vital balance of goes against our grain in a cultural way, nature and architecture and man, the as well as a biological way. Both dimen­ architects must become thoughtful po­ sions of our makeup have been offended litical activists. and poisoned. Years ago, when the white man came Today, environmental questions are to barter with the Indians, the great matters for architects and laymen alike. chief, Tecumseh, asked this question: They are questions, literally, of life and "Sell the country? Why not sell the air, death. the clouds, the great sea?" Can we have a building boom and His sharp inquiry reflects the rich beauty, too? sense of man's harmony with nature Must progress inevitably mean a shab­ which the ancients felt. The Indians did bier environment? not overwhelm the land; they lived as Must success spoil Nature's bounty? part of it. They were in nature-not Insistently-and with growing volume alien to it. They were users and sharers -citizens everywhere in America are de-

278 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY manding that we turn our building to a way Beautification Act, that would help sensible human purpose. They are states landscape their new freeways, asking-literally-for a breath of fresh build some picnic areas, and diminish air; for pleasant precincts in the heart of the advertising that sprou ts along public the city; for relaxation as well as excite­ rights of way. ment; for more reminders of nature in This spring Vermont passed a meas­ the city center. ure to ban all billboards in the state. Public opinion is calling for these Instead, they substituted an ingenious things. And in my nearly 34 years of system of roadside information booths. living with a public servant, I have As Vermonters know, tourists were not. learned the value of heeding such a attracted by a forest of signs. call-not only for Presidents, but also for The great challenge now is to rally Mayors and City Commissioners. citizens outside the architectural com­ We are being asked to develop a whol­ munity-so that not only designers, but ly new conservation. city officials, businessmen, and plain citi. zens will share your concern for the total The Total Environment environmen t. For the American architect, I think the New Conservation means first, a The Human Scale concern for the total environment-not Secondly, the New Conservation will just the individual building, but the ask that the architect design with people entire community. No one knows better in mind-seek to build an environment than you that the loveliest building can on a truly human scale. be nullified if there is no 'sign control I earnestly hope that our civilization ordinance, or if it sits in a pocket of hazy is remembered for more than its mam­ gray smoke. moth freeways and vast urban super­ The answers cannot be found in blocks; for more than the isolated, im­ piecemeal reform. The job requires real­ personal, gigantic public housing proj­ ly thoughtful inter-relation of the whole ects of our cities. Too many of these environment: not only in buildings, but great projects seem to me to be parks; not only parks, but highways; not reproaches, not signs of progress. only highways, but open spaces and The architecture which excites me green belts. most is made for delight and intimacy: When the New Conservation speaks of for the enjoyment of those who inhabit the vast rebuilding that America must it. undertake, it does not mean on the old For instance, Philadelphia has found terms of freeways ripping through a way to depress its new Delaware River neighborhoods and parks, or of drab Expressway and will put a pedestrian public housing, so all-alike that it re­ plaza on top, binding the city to its minds one of Gertrude Stein's phrase, waterfront. It says, "People matter-not "There's no there there." just traffic." It means a creative environment Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco is where people's imagination and variety a marvel of attractions and surprises for of choice can flourish. the strolling shopper. In the realm of transportation, one Niccolet Mall in Minneapolis is an has only to think of Williamsburg, inviting, lively, commercial area built to where cars are the exception, or of make shopping a pleasure. EXPO where there were a half dozen charming ways of moving about, to This concern for human values, hu. imagine what our communities could be man scale, human enjoyment, also like if we applied all that we can do. means preserving what is historic and In a related field, Congress has been good. considering a modest measure, the High- Georgetown, D. C., of course, is a

UMMER 1968 279 famous example of how the past can ant lingering places wherever they are serve the present. needed. And in Savannah, Georgia, history­ For too many of the youth in our minded architects have marked 1100 cities the experience of nature has been priceless old homes to be restored. polluted water, and a "no swimming" At HemisFair, the planners have built sign. The tensions and ill-effects of a a great modern exposition area-but poor environment will continue until thirty old buildings have been lovingly there is enough open space, for chal­ preserved and restored, and they are lenge and refreshment, close to home. among the most colorful punctuation In my own experience right now, marks at the HemisFair complex. nature is encountered most dosely when I leave the city to go to our Ranch. I quickly then come in tune with the great Natural Beauty rhythms of life. I always know whether Concern for the whole environment; it's a new moon or a full moon-or the attention to the human scale-and final­ dark of the moon. When storms come, I ly, a new emphasis upon areas of natural participate in them and thrill at the beauty, both inside the city and beyond great black thunderheads, and the its borders, are three essential ingredi­ crackle of lightning, and the majesty of ents. thunder. I rediscover a sense of hearing and I smell all the blossoms and grasses The twentieth century citizen, no less on the afternoon air after a rain. And than his ancestor of another age, craves it is good for my spirit. and needs to be reminded of his place in nature. The park, the public garden, the This participation in the seasons and shady forest trail, the tree-lined river the weather is one of the most vital and winding through a city; these are not renewing experiences of life- too impor­ only physical, but spiritual resources. tant to be reserved for vacations or for the few. Fortunately, our ancestors realized this. So New York has its Central Park Accomplishing all these things will and more than a dozen other cities onc~ require a major undertaking by Ameri­ had their park systems laid out by Fred-. ca's architects. erick Law Olmsted. So deep is the environmental crisis, so Who can imagine Washington with­ urgent is the demand for change, that out itS' hundreds of green oases-526 tri­ architecture must become not only a angles and squares to be exact-the lega­ profession but a form of public service. cy of l'Enfant, its old Chesapeake and When so many are affected by your Ohio Canal, its thousands of trees and work, you are serving not only the client open skies? who commissions your work and pays Who can fail to delight in San Antoni­ your fee: the public is also your client. o's meandering little river, through the When so many need your help, it heart of the city, lined with walkways, becomes urgent that you look beyond terraced gardens, busy outdoor cafes? the usual market and find new areas of Paley Plaza in New York-with its service. rushing waterfall-is more than a That is why I was heartened-no, triumph of urban design. It is a remind­ jubilant-when I learned that A.LA. er to the city dweller that there is a members are entering the ghetto and world beyond the asphalt and the con­ tackling urban blight-whether or not crete: it is a touch of nature in the city the client can afford traditional fees. din. !t. is a challenge to every public­ Three Problems spulted American architect-to every And now, I hope that I can enlist planner interested in the New Conserva­ you in solving three specific problems tion: a challenge to provide such pleas- which are very much on my mind.

280 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY First, there is the problem of creating blight now, and find some solutions be­ a "design conscience" in every major fore the visual chaos becomes irreversi­ community. ble-and unendurable. Well over a century ago, Henry We talk about "nature," about design, Thoreau said, " It would be worthwhile about the environment. But what we are if in each town there were a committee really discussing is people-not abstrac­ appointed to see that the beauty of the tions, but human beings. town received no detriment." One day I was walking by a drab and Washington has its Fine Arts Commis­ crudely vandalized elementary school in sion and its Committee for a More Beau­ Southeast Washington. One of your tiful Capital. Surely it might be a major A.LA. members was with me. Looking step if other cities had similar public up at the broken windows, he made a bodies-led by architects and planners­ remark I couldn't forget: "A rock to act not as censors, but as educators through a window," he said, "is an opin­ and guides and leaders toward a sane ion." and decent environment. I hope that Today that school is a new place. A each A.LA. Chapter might consider this private donor underwrote the efforts of and persuade its local government to our Committee-and now, the school's establish such catalytic gTOUpS. community plaza offers city children de­ Second there is the problem of Imsight­ lights once found only in the country: ly shopping centers. cascading water, hills to climb, a deep How many shopping centers are mon­ amphitheater for games, dancing and uments to our lack of imagination, to other diversions. our indifference? Too many suburban Seeing that hopeful place, I know that shopping centers offer a depressing spec­ the nature we are concerned with, ulti­ tacle: vast, desert-like parking lots, and mately, is human nature. That is the dull and uninviting buildings. The point of the beautification movement­ shopping center has become a sort of and that, finally, is the point of architec­ "urban strip-mine," a place of exploita­ ture. tion, when it could he a vital and attrac­ Winston Churchill said, "First we tive village center. shape our buildings-and then they Finally, there is one of the most diffi­ sha pe US." And the same is true . of our cult problems: the ugly, ragged city highways, our parks, our public build­ fringes, the blatant neon iungles at the ings, the environment we create: they entrance to metropolis. shape us. If there is any place in urban America You are shaping people-shaping where the natural world and the lives. And so your countrymen are look­ man made world are at odds, it is at the ing to you for creative insights, deep city's edge. I hope that architects and compassion, bold leadership. planning commissions and metropolitan I am sure you wiII give them nothing governments address themselves to this less.

SUMMER 1968 281 The Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Garden of Golden Gate Park

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA P. H. B R Y DON, Director

The Strybing Arboretum and Botani­ pressus macroca1'pa). To the left, pro­ cal Garden is owned by the City and tected from prevailing winds by tall County of San Francisco and operated Monterey Cypress and Monterey Pines by the Recreation and Park Depart­ (Pinus radiata) , is a long deep border ment. It is located in Golden Gate Park, containing a representative collection of and borders Lincoln Way between 9th the Magnoliaceae, including the spectac­ and 19th Avenues. The Arboretum was ular oriental magnolia species M . camp­ made possible by a bequest from the late bellii, M. so,rgentiana var. robusta, M . Helene Strybing and had its beginning sprengeri 'Diva', M. dawsoniana, and in 1937 when John McLaren, the the hybrid M. X veitchii. Also iI;lcluded creator of Golden Gate Park, appointed are interesting magnolia relatives. Eric Walther as its first Director. What Talauma hodgsonii, M ichelia doltsopa, was once a barren stretch of sand dunes M. [igo, Illicium religiosum (anisatum) , is now a sixty-four acre Arboretum in­ I. fioridanum, L. parvifi01'um, Lirioden­ cluding over 5000 species from all over dron tulip iferum, Kadsura japonica, the world. Drimys winteri, D. lanceolata, and Man­ In 1960, a master plan indicating ma­ glietia insignis, the latter one of the jor roadways and topographical changes most primitive of the flowering plants. was designed by landscape architect Nearby, . and on either side of the Robert Tetlow. The first phase, com­ fountain, is a collection of some thirty­ pleted in 1963, provides a new main five cultivars of flowering crabapples gateway and several new areas which which provide a continuity of color to have been planted recently. One of the the earlier magnolias. most popular is the Strybing Arboretum­ Across the way is the Garden of Sunset Magazine Demonstration Home Fragrance which has been constructed Gardens which is contained in a two for the recreational benefit and enjoy­ acre enclosure to the right of the main ment of the visually handicapped. For entrance. The purpose of these gardens them, the plants on display offer special is to help home owners by demonstrat­ sensory experience by their texture and ing construction, landscape, and plant­ fragrance. The statue of St. Francis, at ing ideas. The gardens constitute a year­ the head of the water course, is the work round display, planned to permit season­ of the San Francisco sculptress, Clara B. al changes in plantings and structures Huntington. This statue was featured in and to demonstrate the best use of the courtyard of the San Francisco pav­ plants ideally suited to the climate of ilion at the 1939 International Exposi­ San Francisco. The gardens also serve as tion on Treasure Island. The stones for a showcase for new introductions by the the walls and water course were salvaged Arboretum and horticultural establish­ from the 13th Century Spanish monas­ ments in the San Franscisco Bay area. tery, presented to San Francisco by Wm. Proceeding into the Arboretum from Randol ph Hearst in 1941. the Demonstration Gardens, a fountain The second and final phase of the is visible in the distance against a dark master plan, completed in 1966, is the background of Monterey Cypress (Cu- "key" to a multitude of pending activi-

2R2 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ties. The staff can now proceed with cen ces of greenish yellow flowers in permanent plantings of new accessions April and May. The principal trees in which have been held in our nursery this section are the may ten (lvIaytenus until suitable locations were made avail­ bom-i) , the monkey puzzle (Amucaria able. New vistas have been created amucana) , Nothotagus pro cera, Eucry­ which orient visitors much better than phia corditolia, and Drimys winteri, formerly as to the direction of entrances some of which were planted in 193~ and exits. Apart from thinning, shortly after the opening of the Arbore­ pruning, and a re-alignment of main tum. roads, there has been little change in the Along the main axis, which bisects the older part of the Arboretum where a Arboretum below the Chilean Section, geographical arrangement IS still are some spectacular specimens of the maintained. Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana). The In the Australian Section, the lilly largest one has a trunk circumference of pilly tree (Acmena smithii) , 25 feet tall, 43 inches at 2 feet above ground level charms visitors with its masses of light and is now 60 feet tall. purple fruits in April, May, and June. To the west of the main axis is the Close by, the curious brown flowers of China, Japan, Himalaya Section and Boronia megastigma fill the air with here the staff is presently engaged in heady fragrance. In the nearby South extensive thinning and removal of un­ Africa Section, a sizeable specimen of the dergrowth and a few trees which, be­ silver tree (Leucadendmn argenteum) , cause of close planting, are no longer some 40 feet tall, is lovely against a blue significant as plant specimens. The 45 summer sky. Down the path in the foot dove tree (Davidia. involucrata) , Chilean Section, Puya chi'ensis, one of never fails to attract attention in late several species in our collections, sends April when it is covered with its white up its huge "asparagus" stalks to four­ fluttering bracts so reminiscent of doves, teen feet and bears four foot inflores- or pocket hankerchiefs_ It has some iIlus-

Fig. 1. Garden of Fragrance with a background of Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa). PHOTO MARTHA ROSMAN PHOTO MARrHA ' KOSMAN Fig. 2. Looking south toward the Redwood Trail. trious neighbors in Magnolia campbellii tected locations in the Arboretum. Since 'Alba', 55 feet tall, M. campbellii 'Stry­ most of the species belonging to the bing White', 70 feet tall, and the origi­ "J avanicum Series" are lepidote and nal imported plant of M. campbellii possess a wide color range, it is possible which came from Stuart Low in 1924 that they may cross with members of the and is probably the first of this species Madenii Series, the species of which are on the west coast. predominantly white and fragrant. Cer­ There are few places in the United tainly, it is worthy of a try. In addition States where Rhododendron species and to the above, there are two hundred and hybrids of the Maddenii Series do better thirty species under cultivation in the than in Golden Gate Park. The glorious Rhododendron Section. displays of R. X 'Fragrantissimum', R. One of the conditions of Mrs. Stry­ 'Princess Alice', R. maddenii, R. cms­ bing's bequest was that the Arboretum sum, R. nuttallii, and R. burmanicum contain plants native to and characteris­ delight the visitor in the spring. At tic of California. Consequently, five present, we are particularly interested in acres have been devoted to native plants a number of species which are being and over 420 species are displayed in the grown from seed collected in New recently installed California Section. Guinea by Dr. Sleumer, of the Rijksher­ Within its boundaries is a small grove of barium, Leiden, Holland. These species coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) are popularly included in the so-called called the Redwood Trail which has Javanicum group and, while considered been designed as an area for the study of tender in Great Britain, some of them the unique flora of our coastal redwood have proven hardy out of doors in pro- forests. It contains about one hundred

284 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY PHOTO P . H . B RYDON Fig. 3. Portion of Rock Garden and James Noble Dwarf Conifer collection.

Fig. 4. Rhododendron 'Countess of Haddington'. A hybrid of the Mad· denii Series which thrives in the climate of San Francisco. P H OTO P . H. BRYDON PHOTO P. H. BRYDON Fig. 5. Davidia involucrata val'. vilmoriniana. The dove tree, or pocket handkerchief tree, flowers in late April and early May. Strybing's largest specimen is now 25 feet tall.

and fifty species of native plants which familiar with the living things which grow in association with the redwoods, inhabit the earth's surface and thereby each species c:early marked with its gain an appreciation of their impor­ scientific and common name. tance to our culture and economy. The Arl: oretum's In-Service Training There are two courses presented each Program for school teachers began here year, each consisting of fifteen two-hour -i n 1962. The purpose of this program is meetings which are equally divided be­ to conduct a series of lectures and field tween lectures and field trips through trips to assist the teachers in the presen­ the Arboretum. Courses include botany, tation of nature study classes at the ecology, and horticulture as well as addi­ grade school level. Its aim is to provide tional information about plants and ani­ a n opportunity for the pupil to become mals, their histories, native habitats and

286 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY legends, with literary references. Since the master plan. Some 50 years ago, this 1962, 400 grade school teachers, 60 girl remaining portion of the Arboretum scout leaders, 20 compensatory educa­ was planted to Monterey Pines (Pinus tion teachers, and 30 adult volunteers radiata). The land is gently undulating have completed the course. Through with an undercover of native grasses and them we have reached over 50,000 chil­ a loose sandy soil. After careful consider­ dren with this program in six years. ation, it was felt that this area should be There are still twenty acres of unde­ utilized as a nature trail to supplement veloped land adjacent to the California the existing Redwood Trail. It is not Section which were not considered under our intention to landscape this area in

Fig. 6. Michelia doltsopa. An evergreen tree from the eastern Himalayas with white flowers 7 inches across and very fragrant. Closely related to magnolia. PHOTO P. H. BRYDON

Ui\DI D I ~ 68 287 Fig. 7. Paya chillmsis. The den!:!e spikes · of this. huge Chilean bromeliad are greenish yellow and over 12 feet in height. PHOTO P. H. B RYDON.

Fig. 8. Magnolia cumpbellii. Flowers 10 inches across are deep rose without and paler within. This magnificent Himalayan spe­ cies first flowered in the United States at the Strybing Arboretum in February 1944. PHOTO P . H. B RYDON the popular sense and there will be no The Hall of Flowers is a splendid manicured lawns nor brilliant displays addition to the Arboretum and, with the of exotic plants, but rather a natural Demonstration Gardens, constitutes the planting of California native trees, San Francisco County Fair area. Within shrubs, and herbs with foot trails follow­ the building is the office of the Strybing ing the natural contours to each point of Arboretum. While the Hall of Flowers interest. Under the guidance of trained was designed primarily for flower shows, instructors, a Nature Trail can bring the the facilities are available to civic and natural world closer to the visitor, young cultural organizations on dates which do as well as old, by demonstrating in a not conflict with scheduled flower shows systematic way how living things are and garden club meetings. During the dependent upon one another and how fiscal year of 1967-68, the total attend­ they are influenced by the habitat in ance was over 180,000 and represented which they live. This phase of education 410 separate events. cannot be easily demonstrated in a class_ In the last six years, great progress has room, but out of doors, a properly orga­ been made in the Arboretum and this nized Nature Trail can show in a dy­ has been largely due to the interest and namic manner, the inherent unity that support which has been received from prevails between all living organisms. the Strybing Arboretum Society. Its There are always interesting plants in members have contributed generously, the Rock Garden. Its principal feature is not only of money, but also knowledge the James Noble collection of dwarf and skill. conifers. Rare and unusual dwarf pines, Now that the Master Plan has been cedars, firs, and cypress amaze the visi­ completed we look forward to the refine­ tor, who, more often than not, believe ments which can now be carried out in them to be artificially dwarfed in the the newly prepared areas in the Arbore­ bonsai tradition. tum.

SUMMER 1968 289 Hollies of the Canary and Madeira Islands

KORNELIUS LEMS

The o?'iginal venion of this article was some botanists as separate species. In published in the PToceedings of the 43Td spite of all modern scientific techniques meeting of the Holly Society of AmeTica (chromosomal behavior in hybrid,;, and was based upon a talk presented at chromatography, phytoserology, etc.), the University of MaTyland, College the problem of species definition re­ PaTk) Maryland) NovembeT 9-10, 1967. mains a matter of taste. But perhaps Pmfessor Lems died on MaTCh 17) more importan t than classification is our 1968 in an automobile accident. H e was understanding of the process by which Associate ProfessOT and ChaiTman, De­ new species emerge. partment of Biological Science, GoucheT Ilex perado is a good exam pIe of the College) BaltimOTe, Maryland. PmfessoT emergence of new species. At the center Lems had visited the CanaTY Islands on of its distribution, on the island of seveml occasions collecting plants, in­ Madeira, we find the typical variety, I. cluding hollies, for a p1'Ojected flom of pemdo vaL perado, growing to a height the Islands. of 15 feet with ascending branches; its The pYesent aTticle has been Tevised leaves are variable in shape and number to some extent fTom the oTiginal with of spines; usually the base of the leaf is mateyials pTovided by PTofessor Lems narrowed gradually to the petiole while for this purpose just before his untimely the tip is rounded and the margin bears death.-Frederick G. Meyer forward pointing spines in the upper portion of the leaf; in other specimens, The Atlantic Islands of the Madeira the leaf shape is broadly elliptical with and Canary groups have two species of numerous forward pointing spines, the holly. One of these, Ilex canariensis base rather abruptly narrowed, and the PoiL, is found only on Madeira and on tip acute; thirdly, there is an ovate form five of the seven Canary Islands (Gran with broadly rounded leaf base, a few Canaria, Tenerife, Gomera, Palma, Hi­ very short marginal spines or teeth, and erro). The other species, I1 ex pemdo a bru ptl y poin ted tip. It is the latter Ail., occurs on Madeira, on two of the form that usually produces fruits in Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gomera), small clusters from the lower leaf. The and also on the Azores, and in sou thern flowers of this variety are reddish tinged. Spain and PortugaL The present article The variety in Madeira extends also to reports on the natural conditions under the Azores. which these two hollies live in the is­ In the Canary Islands, another variety lands, and to present information about is present; originally it was described as their ecological and genetic relation­ Ilex platyphylla by Webb & Berthelot in ships to Ilex aquifolium L and other 1836, but later it was united with the species of horticultural in teresL Madeiran species, and called flex pem­ do vaL platyphylla by LoeseneL This The Species holly is a tree to 30 feet high, with horizontal branches, bearing very large llex perado leaves, as much as 8 inches long; as on Ilex perado consists of several closely Madeira, there is much variation in the related varieties, which are regarded by spines along the margin, but the leaf

290 AMERICAN HORTiCULTURAL SOCIETY Fig. 1. flex canariensis-A d.-awing from specimens collected in the laurel forest at Tahorno, Tenerife, 720 meters, Canary Islands. Approximately one-third of natural size. DRAW I NGS BY C. M. HOLZAPFEL shape is more uniform, and much broad­ flex canariensis er and rounder at the base than the I lex canaTiensis Poir. is dis tinguished Madeira typ e. This is the larges t and easily from I. perado by its sm all er best developed of the perado group; it leaves with bluntish point, by the lack of produces abundant clusters of large red long sharp spines (usuall y the margins fruits in the lower leaf axils, on the are en tire) , and by the fac t tha t the older branches. fl owers are produced in stalked clusters In southern Spain and Portugal a in the upper leaf axils, so that the third variety exists, called !lex mature fruits are found somewhere platyphylla var. ibeTica Loesener. Ap­ along the branches of the present year. parently it is difficult to di stinguish from The frui t color passes from green to !lex aq u i/ olium) which also occurs in yellowish to red, but the fruits co ntinue Spain, but more to the N orth. !lex to darken to almost black. T here is aqu ifolium is reported from the Balearic essentially no differen ce between the Islands but it may not be distinguished Madeira and Canary forms of this from hollies in Sicil y, Catalonia, Ma­ species . It grows to a height of 30 feet, especially in the Canaries, where its deira, and even Tenerife. wood is sometimes used in the manufa c­ It is evident that !lex aq uifo lium and tu re of furniture, banisters, etc. I. jJemdo have a similar ancestry, and that the varieties found on the various Climatic Conditions in the Atlantic island groups each developed their indi­ Islands vidual character after becoming separat­ T he Canary Islands are located off the ed from their continental ancestors. coast of . Africa, just South of Morro-

S UMMER 1968 291 co, at a latitude between 27° and 29° scrub (Cytisus proliferus, Spartocytisus 30'N. The climate is considered subtropi­ nubigenus, Adenocm-pus viscosus) most­ cal, with a distinct Mediterranean influ­ ly of Mediterranean descent, occasional­ ence, i.e. with the dry season in the ly with a gnarled juniper tree summer, and a mild, rainy winter. At sea (Juniperus cedrus). But most of the level, the mean annual temperature is native tree species occur in three distinct about 70 °F, with a summer maximum of forest types in the cloud zone. about 85 °F, and a winter minimum of Forests 58°F. Frost is an unknown phenomenon at sea level, and bananas, tomatoes, The first forest type, for which the grapes, and corn are grown the year islands are very famous, is the Canary around. Several of the islands rise very laurel forest. It is restricted to ravines steeply from the ocean, culminating in and coves on the geologically older por­ the Pico de Teide of Tenerife, over tions of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Go­ 11000 feet. Wi th increasing altitude, the mera, Palma, and Hierro. The main temperature drops, at the rate of 1°F characteristics of this forest type are the per 300 feet. It follows that at an alti­ following: All trees are evergreen, with ude of 7800 feet frost occurs regularly, entire shiny leaves; all trees produce and indeed, the upper portion of the berries or drupes, or some other form of Pico de Teide does have snow on it dur­ fruit that is normally dispersed by birds. ing part of the year. In contrast to forests on the continents, relatively few species of trees are rep­ Rainfall resented; the principal trees are four Rainfall is more irregularly dis­ laurels: Laurus azorica (L. canm-ien­ tributed, and yet predictable. Clouds are sis), Ocotea foetensJ Persea indica, and brought in by trade winds from the Apollonias bm-bujana; in addition there northeast and envelop the mid-altitudes is one cherry (Pnmus lusitanica) , one on the north and east sides of Lhe is­ myrtle (Myrica faya) , one olive relative lands; at 2000 feet elevation there are (Notelaea excelsa), two Myrsinaceae only about 80 clear days per year. Total (Pleiomeris canariensis, Heberdenia ex­ annual precipitation is clearly correlated celsa), and last but not least, two species with altitude: near sea level it is ]0 of holly (!lex canariensis and I . perado inches, with four very dry months; at var. platyphylla). It is rare to find all of 2000 feet it is 23 inches, with at least these trees growing together, since some some rain every month; at 6000 feet, require more protected sites on deep well above the level of most clouds, it is soil, whereas others grow on more ex­ down to 14 inches, with three dry posed crests. months. On the southern leeward sides !lex pemdo appears to prefer the of the islands, very little rain falls, and deepest, most shady coves, while flex conditions near sea level are desert-like, canariensis grows on more dry, exposed requiring irrigation for most kinds of soil. A fourth characteristic of the laurel agriculture. forest is the presence of many fern spe­ cies, some of them forming dense masses Cloud Belt on shaded slopes, others growing on the Hollies naturally require a climate trunks of trees such as (Davallia canari­ which favors the development of forest ensis). vegetation. In the Canary Islands such A second forest type, much more open conditions exist only in the cloud belt, than the laurel forest, is made of several from about 1000 to 4000 feet. Below that small trees and shrubs. The most com­ level, we encounter a vegetation com­ mon of these are MyTica faya (the Faya, posed of succulents (Euphol-bia canari­ or Myrtle), and Erica arborea, the tree ensis, A eonium species, Kleinia neriifol­ heath. Other typical associates of this ia, etc.), mostly of African descent. plant community are the Canary Ab?ve the cloud belt, in the cool upper Madrofio, Arbutus canariensis, and flex regIOn, legume shrubs form an open canariensis. This "heath forest" is much

292 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Fig. 2. /lex perado var. platyphylla - A drawing from material collected at Cumhre de Anaga, 700 me. ters, Agua Garcia, and near Taganana, 650 meters, Ca· nary Islands. Approximate. ly three·fifths of normal size.

more extensive than the laurels, and aside as permanently protected parts. represents a degradation stage. But the population pressure, combined The third forest type of the Canary with lack of interest by the government Islands is the pine woodland, with Pinus of Spain in nature protection, makes it canariensis dominant, and an under­ seem unlikely that any laurel forest will growth of native rockrose (Cistlls sym­ be preserved. Economic forces are at phytifolius), and AdenocaTpus foliolosu s. work here, and the forest service is more Holly does not usually occur in this interested in the rapid growth of intro­ plant community. duced pine trees than in the slowly growing hardwoods of the laurel forest. Plant Succession and Retrogression Happily, flex canaTiensis is mOre widely The three forest communities, the distributed than the laurel and heath, laurels, heath, and pines have been seri­ and is not in any danger. ously depleted in recent years by forest fires and systematic clearing for pasture Comparison with Madeira and the and other uses. Some areas which only Azores ten or twenty years ago supported giant The climate of Madeira is much laurels, are now sadly trampled. Famous cooler than that of the Canaries, since forests, such as Agua Garcia, mentioned the main island is located at a latitude in all older literature as the best of the of 32° N . At sea level, the mean annual Canary laurel forests, are today nothing temperature is 65°F, but like the Ca­ but pastures, EucalYiJtus, and Mediter­ nary Islands, frost is an unknown phe­ ranean pine pastures. nomenon. The highes t elevation is about From the point of view of the holly 5600 fe et, as compared with 11000 fe et en thu iast, this forest destruction means on the Canaries, so that the diversity of that flex jJ emdo var. platyjJ!t'y lla is on vegetation on Madeira is not as great. In the way out, unless forested areas are set [act, much of the island is occupied b y

SUMMER 1968 293 laurel fores t, or various degradation olive relative) . These plants are still stages, including tree heaths, Eucalyp­ found in the modern flora of the Ca­ tus, pine, and Acacia plantations. As is naries and Madeira. \tVe can now con­ true in the Canary Islands, most of the clude with certainty that the subtropical land is under cultivation (sugar cane, laurel forest of the Canaries and Madei­ grapes, fruit trees, and planted timber) , ra was once widespread in the Mediter­ and to see real laurel forest, one has to ranean region, from Italy through walk precariously along the extensive France and Spain, to Morocco. system of water canals (l evadas) into the Elimination of the subtropical flora deep ravines of the North coast. Once from Europe began toward the close of such a forest has been reached, a bota­ the Pliocene Era, when a cooling trend nist is surprised by the similarity to the set in, culminating in several waves of Canary laurel forest, 250 miles to the glaciation, which covered central Eu­ South, consisting of the same species of rope. Only some oaks and birches found trees, the same ferns, and the same hol­ refuge in southern Europe, and perhaps lies. A few differences are noted with a few species of the laurel forest sur­ respect to the hollies: !lex p emdo is vived. In the main, trees that were not more common here, even outside the frost resistant became extinct in most of dense forests, in contrast to its shade­ Europe. It is rather unusual to find loving habits in the Canaries. With !lex broadleaved evergreens in the deciduous canariensis the reverse is true. It is rare, forest region of Europe. One rare excep­ and found only in open laurel forest, tion is Ilex aquifolium, and one possibil­ not as a member of the heath forest as in ity is that it originated from an ancestor the Canaries. The two holly species nev­ not unlike I1 ex perado. The advance of er reach tree stature in Madeira. the glaciers forced I . peTO.do off the The Azores, which have one holly continent, except in a few sheleterecl (Ilex perado) , represent an outpost in places in Spain and Portugal, leaving 1. mid-Atlantic of the Madeiran flora, and aquifolium which spread northward fol­ authorities agree that the vegetation lowing the retreat of the ice. bears the stamp of the temperate The story is not complete without regions. The laurels, myrtle, and holly mention of James Gordon, the British all are low and shrubby. Neither Erica traveler, who in 1760 collected flex arborea, nor Ilex canariensis have sur­ pemdo on Madeira, and brought it back vived, and may in fact never have alive to the Roya l Botanic Gardens at reached the Azores. Kew. Hollies had long been a favorite among the garden-loving English, and History the advent of a new species of holly was welcomed by plant breeders. Althoug-h Since the hollies of the Madeira and !lex perado did not survive except in the Canary Islands are an integral part carefully shel tered places, the hybrid, I . of the laurel forest, the origin of C. X altaclaTensis (I. aquifolium X I. pem­ perado and C. canariensis can be traced best by examining the history of the do) became widespread. Cultivars of the laurel forest. The clue comes from the hybrid such as 'Camelliaefolia' soon be­ fossil record of southern Europe. G. De­ came known. pape, in 1922, published a list of tree A brief word must be said about !lex species whose leaves he found in fossil canaTiensis, which has apparently not deposits of the Rhone Valley, where a played a role in the production of hy­ forest of laurels existed in the Pliocene brids, although its name occasionally Era, about 15 million years ago. Among appears in holly literature. Loesener in the fossil remains, Depape reported !lex 1942 placed I . cana?'iensis in the section canan'ensis along with three members of Cassin oides, apparently on the basis of the laurel family, Laurus canariensis, the position and type of inflorescence. In Ocotea fo etens, Pe1"Sea indica (an avoca­ his view, I . cana1"iensis would be a rela­ do relative), and Notelaea excelsa (an tive of our American holly, I . opaca and

294 A MERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY the inkberry, I. glabm, neither of which by continental drift, or by a much more cross readily with English holly. This extensive series of islands across the At­ relationship between the American flora lantic. These are all matters of specula­ and the Atlantic flora of the Canaries tion, but, as shown here, there was a and Madeira remains a challenge to time when an evergreen subtropical rain plant geographers, because I. canariensis forest ranged widely in the Mediterrane­ is not the only trans-Atlantic con­ an region, and perhaps it formed a nection. Arbutus canariensis, C iethm ar­ world-wide subtropical belt. Its disrup­ borea, Myrica fa ya, Pinus canariensis are tion by glaciers, deserts, and mountain associated with closely related species ranges has left it scattered, with the fo und in Mexico, California, and Canary and Madeira laurel forests as the southeastern United States. Some would only remnants on the eastern side of the explain this by means of land bridges, or Atlantic.

Excerpts From Peter J. Van Melle

Peter ]. Van lVl elle (1890-1953) was brought up in Holland, the son of a Dutch R efoTm ed clergyman. E aT ly in life he was a poet. Demand by the doctors that his health depended on outdo01- life, he went to wOTk in a nursery and soon he emigmted to Ame1"ica, where, like so many othe?" Dutchmen, he found employ­ ment at Bobbink and Atkins Nunery in New Jersey. After a few years of absoTb ­ ing plant knowledge, and our language, he moved to Poughkeepsie, New York to engage with a part1u T in the nursery business, whe1-e he specialized in rock gaTdens (undeT the inspimtion of the noted ClaTence Lown) and in which busi­ ness he remained until his death. A ctive in nursery industTy matt en, he was well known for his (in retrospect) an'tagonism to Standardized Plant Names. H e was author of a monograph on cultivated junijJers and a book "Shnibs and Trees for Small Places." R eligiously he was an intellectual skeptic, yet one with a poet's mysticism. Indeed a rare person whose views and attitudes influenced my own.-Nelson Coon, Box 1, Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts.

On the Increasing Poverty of Available Plant Materials in Nurseries (1949) Diversity is the life-blood of horticulture and the sine quo non of horticultural literature. To the extent that plants are not available the literature of plants loses the quality of realism, and thereby, most of its usefulness.

On Fragrance of Shrubs (1947) To me, fragrance is as sound a criterion for the inclusion and exclusion of plants in landscaping as are stature and texture. It seems important, es pecially in the evening, when color and tex­ ture recede; the cene is translated into darkening masses and silhouette, and one's mind is dispo ed for tillness and rest. It is then that the spices of the garden come forth and pervade our tranquility. If we value it we may well expend exquisite care upon the admittance of fragrant plants.

UMMER 1968 295 Sex and My Ruprechtia Tree

EDWIN A. MENNINGER

For 29 years I was secretary of the Sunshine Parkway, a toll road from cen­ Board of Directors of the Martin County tral Florida to Miami. Hospital, Stuart, Florida. For many The little tree in front of the hospital years keeping the door of the institution prospered and grew. Nobody took any open was a rugged experience. But in special interest in it until Christmas 1940 a benefactor constructed a new 1958 when it burst forth with quantities hospital building for us with 20 beds of beautiful red flowers. This was a first and we were inordinately proud of it. announcement that the tree was a fe­ A few years later we undertook to male because the female flowers on Ru­ landscape the property which had been p,-echtia are beautiful, a brilliant red given to us and from the nursery I was and produced abundantly. Contrariwise, operating, I donated a dozen or more the male flowers on Rupl'echtia are tiny, ornamental flowering trees. red, so inconspicuous that one must ap­ One of these was planted near the proach close to the tree to even see front door of the building and it hap­ them. All were happy that the hospital pened to be a Venezuelan tree known tree was a female and every Christmas it botanically as Ruprechtia coriacea produced lots of lovely red flowers. (Karsh.) Blake. In its native land the Many persons approached me on the vernacular name for the tree is Bis­ street and asked: "Have you seen that cochito. Some 20 species of Ruprechtia beautiful red-flowered tree up at the are known in Mexico to South America hospital?" Usually I would answer: "Yes, but this is the only one which has ever I grew it from seed." been established in the United States. It The flowering of the Ruprechtia tree is a 20 foot evergreen tree, in the same was an annual event because in bloom it family (Polygonaceae) as buckwheat, is very conspicuous. Female flowers look rhubarb, and seagrape. Ruprechtia trees a lot like the samaras on a box-elder tree are dioecious, which means that the produced in great quantities; they are at flowers of the two sexes are on different . first yellowish green but as the sun trees and it takes two to make a bargain. strikes them they turn an intense bril­ It is impossible to know whether a seed­ liant red and hang on for a month or ling tree is a male or a female until it more. flowers. which means a delay of any­ This was the situation until 1962 where from 7 to 15 years. when the hospital directors decided to build a new and bigger hospital to ac­ Of course, I had no idea of the sex of this tree. I had grown several hundred commodate the increasing load of pa­ tients. About this time I left the Board of them from seed obtained in Vene­ zuela and today some are growing on the of Directors. When the contract for the new building was let, obviously some of th~ l~ndscaping in front of the hospital Author of numerous books which include Fantastic Trees, Flowering Trees of the World bmldmg had to be moved and this in­ and Seaside Plants of the World. cluded the Ruprechtia tree. It had to be Edwin A. Menninger, D. Sc. placed where it would be out of the way. Drawer 45 A nurseryman was called in to move it; Stuart. Florida 33494 he root-pruned it properly, cut it back

296 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY P I-lOTOS E. A. MENN INGER Fig. 1. The beautiful, bright-red, female flowers of Ruprechtia.

SUMMER 1968 297 Fig. 2. January 1965. Remains of male Ruprechtia flowers are scattered over the branches.

Fig. 3. Janual'y 1965. Forest of suckers obscured the 3·inch trunk of parent Ruprechtia plant.

298 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY severely, and at the proper time moved ing risen to dominance. This was a pos­ it to a different location in front of an sibility that I thought needed exploring, auxiliary building, at one time occupied so I employed a nurseryman to go down as a nurses' home. From here on the to the hospital and put layers on each story must be told chronologically: one of these suckers. This was properly clone, incisions made in the bark to Chislllws 1962. The new hospital encourage root formation, a sphagnum building was being finished but the Ru­ moss compress impregnated with rooting pjOechtia tree was much as it had been compound was packed around each stem when first replanted. It was still alive and a plastic casing fastened over all. with a few leaves on it but it h ad not This was in April. The stems had grown begun to recover from the move. vigorously and were an average of an inch in diameter. Christmas 1963. The RupTechtia tree I left town for the summer, but when had definitely recovered from the move I returned in October, I was astonished and was growing but not too enthusiasti­ to see that the moss compresses were still cally. in place on the suckering trees. Some of them by this time were 6 feet or more Ch'ristmas 1964. I went by to see how high. I felt the nurseryman had neglect­ our little tree was doing and whether it ed them, but on examination I found was going to bloom this year. I drove that no roots had formed. At each place close to the tree but could not see any­ where the nurseryman had put a poul­ thing; there was no splash of red. I got tice, a huge callous had developed, many out of the car and went over to the tree of them as big as Irish baking potatoes, and discovered that it was covered with but there were no roots. I got a saw and tiny red flowers so small they could cut them all off near the ground. I took scarcely be seen. The tree had changed them to a nursery and we planted these its sex completely. It was fu ll of male in 5 gallon cans, with appropriate chem­ Rowers! Obviously, the hardships of icals, hoping this would force them to being cut back, root-pruned and moved develop roots from the callouses. The had upset the sex regimen in the tree's shoots were all cut back to two feet high, life and it was embarking on a new all foliage was taken off and they were career. turned over to the nursery for suitable I was horrified. I actually worried care. The cuttings all grew, they pro­ about this transformation, and tried to duced plenty of green fo liage, and I get some information from other plants­ thought we were on the road to estab­ men but without much success. lishing these plants. However I was too I went back to see the tree again a optimistic. One by one they died and we month later and was startled to find an lost all of them. Not a single one of the entirely new development. All around cuttings became established. Conse­ the tree in an area of 100 square feet, a quently, I will never know whether they whole forest of suckers or root sprouts were females or males. had come into being. At least 40 young RUpTechtia trees were trying to spring Christmas 1965. The " papa" Ru­ up around the old tree. It had never pj'ec htia tree was in full foliage and it suckered before. This time I called in my produced a lot of its insignificant flow­ ooenetics friends and asked them a lot of ers. It was just another tree of no special ~uestions. W'hat they told me in effect interest at all. was that in all plants both sexes are really present and although this on: Chislmas 1966. Thi time I was a normany manifested the female donu­ patient in the hospital myself and I nance, when this got up et the male took couldn't see anything, but vi itors to m y over. My informants suggested that the room told me of th e beau tiful red­ suckers were probably all females protest­ flowered tree tha t ,"as in bloom on the i noo \'iolently ao-ain t the other sex h av- ho pital o-roumls. Did I know about it? '=' '='

SUMMER 1968 299 Yes, I knew a lot about it. When they in plants. All I can tell you is what I told me it had pretty red flowers I knew have seen and I took pictures along the that "papa" had surrendered and that way so that you could enjoy this phe­ "mama" had again taken over her nomenon, too. domain. My little Ruprechtia tree is once more a female. The phenomena of changing sex in *For a dozen examples of this phenomenon, plants is not too uncommon.* But see chapter on "Sex Switchers" in my book Fan­ please don't ask me anything about sex tastic Trees (Viking Press, New York, 1967).

CORRECTIONS The following corrections are for the Daylil)' Handbook, Vol­ ume 47, Number 2 of The American HortiClIltuml Magazine: Front Cover: Change photo caption from BURIED TREASURE to GREEN VALLEY Back Cover: Change photo caption from GREEN VALLEY to BURlED TREASURE l'irst page, bottom of page: R everse words "Front Cover" and "Back Cover" Change "Photo Steve Moldovan" to " Photo John A. Bartholo­ mew" Page 44, line: Insert "pages 46, 47, and 48 " Page 85, transfer first line of first column to first line of first column page 81 Page 174: Reverse photo identification symbols A and B Page 246, Special Awards-1962: add Donn Fischer Memorial Award-'Golden Chimes'; Special Awarcls-1967: add Bertrand Farr Medal-VlliIliam R. Munso n, Jr. Color Plate 27: Insert name FRANCES FAY for photo in upper right corner Color plate 32: Change "Louise Rockett Garden " to "Louis Rockett Garden"

300 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Horticulture Among the Old Masters

NOEL D. SMITH

Many first time visitors to the N ation­ The wisdom of Andrew W. Mellon in al Gallery of Art in Washington, D. C. insisting that the Garden Courts be in­ are surprised to learn there are two cluded in the magnificent building he living gardens on the main floor of the gave to the American people is proven Gallery which comprise approximately daily by the great numbers of visitors fifteen per cent of the exhibition space. who welcome the restful interlude Most will readily agree that the gardens afforded by a few minutes pause in these add much to the enjoyment of a visit to areas of quiet beauty. The always the Gallery and its priceless collections present flowers, the graceful fishtail and to the concerts that are held in the palms (Caryota urens) and the bubbling East Garden Court on Sunday evenings fountains comprise an atmosphere of in season. Indeed, it is doubtful whether tranquility that helps greatly to alleviate there would be regularly scheduled con­ "museum fatigue" and makes a visit certs in the Gallery were it not for the more thoroughly enjoyed. Gardens. When the National Gallery of Art was officially dedicated by President Frank­ Noel D. Smith is Hortioulturist, National Gallery of Art, 6th Street and Constitution Ave· lin D. Roosevelt on the evening of nue, N.W., Washington, D. C. 20565. March 17, 1941, the Garden Courts were

Fig. 1. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C. A view of the East Garden Court on opening night, March 17, 1941, showing a portion of the Widener Acacia Collection. PHOTOS NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

SUMMER 1968 301 Fig. 2. Same view of the East Garden Court twenty-seven years later, June, 1963. aglow with yellow clouds of the fabulous the initial years. Experimental plantings Acacia collection of Joseph E. ,I\Tidener, are still made from time to time but it is who also generously gave his great art now possible to predict with fair certain­ collection. Since that evening, the Gar­ ty the reaction of most types of plants to den Courts have never been without Garden Court environment. flowering plan ts. In 1968 they will reach In addi tion to the difficul ties ca used the 10,000th consecutive day of flower by the unavoidable physical shortcom­ displays and will welcome their 40 mil­ ings of the building with respect to lionth visitor. plant growth, the control of insects and The Garden Courts of the National diseases poses many problems. Using a Gallery are, in effect, rather deep wells power sprayer in the gardens when there with heavily frosted laylights high over­ are untold millions of dollars worth of head with the same type of glass in irreplaceable works of art within the skylights far above the laylights. In b e­ spray drift area is not exactly conducive tween these layers of frosted glass are to making lasting friends with the Gal­ many steel beams and other obstructions lery director. The development of sys­ which together permit very little sun­ temic insecticides has aided greatly in light through to the plants below. The helping to keep insects under control Garden Courts were the first and quite and, hopefully, plan t pathologists will possibly are still the only gardens in the soon be able to perfect efficien t broad­ world in an air-conditioned building spectrum systemic fungicides. with such low hurr.idity and low light Daily syringing of the permanently intensity. With no research data for planted fishtail palms and other foliage guidance, many mistakes were made in plants has been an established

302 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Fig. 3. A view of the West Garden Court with Aza]eas and Lilies. procedure since the gardens were first complemented with plants, usually with planted. Fertilization is done through foliage plants only because of possible injection into the irrigation water. By color clashe of flowers with a painting maintaining a nutritional balance in or of flowers which might detract from this manner it h as been possible to the interes t in a painting. For the same keep most of the original 19tH fi shtail reason, p lant containers with subdued palms in excellent condition. shapes and colors are the rule. The In addition to the plants and flowers plants are u ed to add to the effect of a in the Garden Courts, mo t special ex­ display of a work of art and not as a hibitions in the National Gallery are display themsel e .

SUM 'lER 1968 303 Quite often, plants are used to guide Because of the interest shown by visi­ traffic in areas where velvet ropes would tors in the iden ti ty of Gallery plants, give a "busy" appearance. Thoughtful unobtrusive labels are used on represen­ visitors respect such barriers and the tative specimens in almost all stagings, overall effect is considerably more pleas­ giving the scientific name and a common ing. Short-growing, large-leaf plants are name when possible. Inquiries come by frequently employed to camouflage mail, telephone and in person and are lamps placed on the floor in front of a always welcome. Every effort is made to painting. supply the horticultural information re­ From time to time the United States quested. Marine Band will play in the Rotunda During Christmas week, Easter week, and/ or in the Garden Courts for a spe­ Gallery anniversaries, openings of Spe­ cial opening or other official function, cial Exhibitions and during the week of such as a reception for the distinguished the Presidential Inauguration, the Great ladies attending a Presidential Inaugur­ Rotunda is also arrayed in garden ap­ ation. Finding a flower that will match parel, which requires hundreds of plants. or blend with the scarlet of the Marines' These floral events have beome tradi­ dress uniforms is sometimes difficult. To tional throughout the Washington area meet partially the problem of Marine and attract many appreciative visitors. uniform color incompatability with To maintain plants continuously in flowers, the Gallery's horticultural de­ good condition throughout the Gallery partment is currently increasing the pro­ building, adjustments must be made in geny of a Gallery-bred azalea seedling flowering plant stagings every day and which comes close to matching the Mar­ complete changes undertaken on an aver­ ine scarlet and, hopefully, the Gallery age of about every ten days. During the will eventually possess at least one group course of a year, as many as 6,000 foliage of plants, other than white, which can and flowering plants may be used. The be used with impunity when the Mar­ massive proportions of the Garden ines come marching in. On these occa­ Courts and the Rotunda call for plant­ sions when one of the other military ing designs in kind. This would present service bands plays there is no problem a serious problem if the Gallery could in this respect. not supply its own needs through a The Garden Court plantings have a carefully timed production schedule in completely different purpose than the its own greenhouses and outdoor grow­ arrangements used in conjunction with ing area. works of art or official functions in that The semi-automated Gallery green­ they themselves are the principal attrac­ house is tucked away between a moat tions. The plant arrangements in the wall and the building at the southwest ever-changing panorama of the National corner. 'Within this area, in addition to Gallery's Garden Courts have employed a three-compartment greenhouse, is a cooling unit, coldframes, facilities for nearly every conceivable type of orna­ mental flowering plant from the original steam sterilization of soil and equipment and enough open space for summer Acacia through the alphabet to Zygocac­ ius. growing of a limited number of tropical plants. At the northwest corner of the The lighter colors with their more Gallery building, on the Constitution reflective petal surfaces give the most Avenue side, there is another simulated pleasing pictures. Dark shades absorb so moat and most of the Gallery's large much of the available light that they azalea collection is grown within this often appear drab by comparison. Com­ 8,500 square foot area. binations are tricky and it sometimes The horticultural department of the happens that an attractive staging in Gallery plans, develops and maintains daylight will backfire under artificial what it hopes will be beautiful effects light. through plants. The program brings re-

304 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY freshment and pleasure to the millions a group of well-behaved youngsters from of visitors. It also teaches by demonstrat­ a less affluent section of the city fas­ ing the importance of ornamental plants. cinated by a close-up view of a living, Its success can be measured readily by formal garden, and soaking it up to stow a stroll incognito among the visitors. away in their memory banks; an elderly The day may be cold and drab with a couple strolling arm-in-arm and deep in threat of snow but it is spring inside the a discussion of the plants with which Garden Courts and there one may find they are not familiar; a middle-aged within a few minutes an elderly woman woman taking copious notes, perhaps gazing at a bank of azaleas as she rests in for a garden club discussion back home; a patio chair in quiet contentment; mini­ and others ad infinitum. skirted teen-agers rushing into the Gar­ For many it is a first-time visit to an dens with a hushed "Wow-eeeI"; young art gallery and the Garden Courts con­ parents trying in vain to pose a toddler tribute to their comfort and enjoyment before another bank of azaleas for a in unfamiliar surroundings. For all, the snapshot for grandmother; three Y9ung Gardens among the Old Masters pro­ Marines fresh from boot camp, identify­ vide a pause that refreshes body and ing the azaleas as chrysanthemums; sharp­ mind for renewed interest in and enjoy­ eyed home gardener pointing out to ment of the fabulous art collection his wife a lone mealybug on a palm leaf; which surrounds them.

SUMMER 1968 805 ADVANCES in Horticulture

Gardening is the nation's leading adult hobby, yielding pleasure and profit in . the culture of ornamentals, vegetables, and fruits. Surveys conducted for an Ohio gm'den implement company show that m01·e than one-third of our people are gm·deners. Reports of new plants, products, gadgets and n:ethods overwhelm us and there is a continuing need for evaluatwn and apphcatwn of the new inf01-mation. In Volume 47 of The American Horticultural Magazine we present a new sec­ tion-Advances in Horticulture-composed of short reports and abstmcts of papers desCTibing new findings of interest to gardeneTS. We hope that these notes will P1-ovide enough information so that, if desired, they can be put to use by members.

The New Shape of Horticulture: niques in culture, and mechanization of A Look to the Future planting and harvest operations. The SYLVAN H. WITTWER* introduction of Fl hybrid seed has in­ creased production of many crops by 10 (From a paper presented at the Wil­ to 30 percent. Hybrid seed is now avail­ liamsburg Garden Symposium, Williams­ able for cabbage, corn, cucumber, sugar burg, Virginia, March 17-22, 1968.) beets, tomatoes, petunias, and at least a Dr. Wittwer noted that we are witness­ dozen other important horticultural ing remarkable increases in the produc­ plants. tivity of many horticultural crops such New strains of many crops have short as corn, tomatoes, and beans. These in­ stalks and thick stems that will not lodge creases are due to the development of when fertilized heavily and whose up­ new strains and hybrids, changes in the right vertical leaves capture solar energy form and shape of plants, new tech- more efficiently. New genetic combina-

Fig. 1. The Wilde mechanical cucumber harvester in operation in Michi­ gan, August, 1967. Dr. Wittwer notes, "Almost 50 percent of the total pickling cucumber acreage was harvested mechanically this past year. This is also reflective of the changing shape of horticulture because two years ago only one experimental machine existed in Michigan." PHOTOS V.S.D.A. tions possess disease and insec t resis­ and reduce storage disorders of several tance, show a greater response to fertil­ fruits. izer, and have decreased water req u ire­ Carbon dioxide enrichment of almos­ ments and a higher nutritive value. pheres in greenhouses for flower and Changing cuI tural practices i ncl ude vegetable crops is a reality and has re­ minimum or zero tillage, earlier plant­ sulted in greater gains in productivity ing, prescription weed control, improved and improvements in quality than any timing and placement of fertilizers in­ other growth factor studied in recent cluding foliar applications, higher plant years. An asphalt underlayer for sandy populations through narrow row spac­ soils, 22 inches below the surface and ing and equidistant planting. one-eighth inch thick, has increased the Biologically active chemicals are hav­ yield of several vegetables (beans, pota­ ing a tremendous impact on production, toes, cucumber, cabbage) by 50 to 100 storage, and quality of horticutural percent grown on semi-droughty soils. crops. Gibberellin has revolutionized the Mechanical harvesting of apples, blue­ production of Thompson Seedless grapes berries, cranberries, cherries, grapes, to­ for table use. Approximately 25 per­ matoes, and cucumbers grown for proc­ cent of all navel oranges are treated with essing has or will soon become a stand­ gibberellin to delay aging and rind ard practice (Figure 1). Mechanization senescence, and to prolong the harvest has reduced labor costs for harvest by season. Gibberellin induces male flowers one-half for tomatoes and from 3 to 1 to form on female (gynoecious) cucum­ cent a pound for cherries. With blueber­ ber plants, thus expediting rnass produc­ ries, one machine and three people are tion of hybrid seed that will produce equivalent to 200 people picking by plants bearing parthenocarpic fruit at hand. Many experimental harvesting every node. Growth retardants !lot only machines are now being evalutated for control vegetative growth and flowering citrus crops, apples, pears, peaches, rasp­ of many ornamentals but now induce berries, strawberries, and asparagus. earlier flowering in tree fruits and pro­ " Professor of Horticulture and Director, Mich­ mote fruit setting and fruit growth in igan Agricultural Experiment Station, Michigan several crops, enhance frui t coloration, State University, Eas t Lansing, Michigan 48823

Repelling Aphids hy Reflective Sur­ duced soil water evaporation, less soil faces, a New Approach to the Control compaction, better aeration and micro­ of Inseot-Transmitted Viruses bial activity in the soil, reduced fertilizer leaching, less fruit rot, no root-pruning (Adapted from a chapter for a forth­ during cultivation, and more carbon di­ coming book, "Virus VectOTs, and Vege­ oxide available to the young plants. tables," by Kal"i Maramorosch.) High levels of carbon dioxide build up Increased yields from aluminum or under the plastic and the gas escapes plastic mulches on vegetables, fruit, and through the hole made in the film for ornamentals have stimulated the wide­ the plant. Sh eldrake thinks that this spread use of these mulches in American "chimney effect" supplies carbon diox­ agriculture. Over 3,000 tons of plastic ide to the actively growing leaves and are used on strawberries in California promotes growth. alone including some 7,000 acres of plas­ Smith, Webb, and their co-workers find tic mulching. Sheldrake (1967) lists as that by selecting appropriate mulche, benefits obtained by mulching with pI a - additional benefi t may be derived by tic: weed control under black pIa tic repelling aphid vector and thus reduc­ sheet , changes in soil temperature, re- ing or delaying viru di ea e infec tion .

S UMMER 1968 11 07 Fig. 2. Better growth of cucumbers on aluminum mulched plot (right), unmulched (left).

, Entomologists have known for some were not protected from early Virus In­ time that pure yellow and, to a lesser fection because the young vines grew extent, orange or green surfaces attract rapidly and covered the mulch early in certain flying aphids. These aphids ig­ the growing period. nore blue, violet, white, gray, and black In gladiolus planting on Long Island, surfaces. New York, Johnson and co-workers Kring (196'1) reported that when he (1967) found that reflective soil mulches placed unpainted aluminum pans repelled flying aphids and reduced around yellow ones the aphids avoided spread of cucumber mosaic virus in pro­ the yellow pans. Kring thought that the portion to the effectiveness of the mate­ repellency was due to the light being rials as repellents of aphids. reflected from the aluminum surfaces. The home gardener stands to profit Smith and co-workers tested this obser­ from these studies with mulching mate­ vation by placing sheets of aluminum rals not only because of the potential of between crop rows. They obtained 96 better plant growth, but also in some percent aphid repellency when they cov­ cases, through some protection from ered 50 percent of the area with the aphid-transmitted virus diseases. sheets. With 30 percent coverage, repel­ lency dropped to 70 percent. Other tests Literature Cited showed that the aluminum repelled Johnson, G. V., Arthur Bing, and Floyd E. equal numbers of aphids whether placed Smith. 1967. Reflective surfaces used to repel at ground level or suspended 18 inches dispersing aphids and reduce spread of aphid­ above the ground near the top of the borne cucumber mosaic virus in gladiolus plantings. lou1-. Eean. Ent. 60 (1): 16-18. plants. Aluminum suspended vertically Kring, J . B. 1964. New Ways ·to Repel Aphids. was less effective than when placed in a Frontiers of Science, Conn. Ag1'. Ext). Sta. horizontal position on the ground. 17 (1) : 607. November. Additional tests showed that squash, Sheldrake, R . 1967. Plastic Mulches. N. Y. State cucumbers, and cantaloupes, when College of Agriculture, Cornell Extension Bull. 1180. mulched with strips of aluminum foil to repel virus-carrying aphids, yielded con­ FLOYD F. SMITH siderably more than unprotected plants Entomologist, and (Figure 2). This was due primarily to RA YMON E. WEBB keeping virus infection away from the Plant Pathologist young plants and giving them a tremen­ Agricultuml Research Service dous growth advantage over the unpro­ U.S. Department of Agriculture tected plants. However, watermelons Beltsville, Maryland 20705

308 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Recent Advances in Weed Research III wooded areas. Geese are used as in Horticultural Crops grasskillers in nursery crops and straw­ berries. Laws to insure purity of crop LORAN L. DANIELSON* seeds reduce the random and widespread (From a papeT pTesented at the Wil­ distribution of weed seeds. liamsburg GaTden Symposium, Williams­ The needed breakthrough in weed burg, Virginia, MaTch 17-22, 1968.) control came with the introduction of synthetic organic chemicals as herbi­ cides. The benefits have reached all Dr. Danielson commented that every levels of plant production from the large language has an equivalent of the commercial grower to the home garden­ word "weed." Certainly weed control er. A wide variety of commercial herbi­ has been a universal and continuing cide formulations are available at gar­ problem for gardeners through the den supply stores. Federal and State years. In King Richard II, Shakespeare extension specialists, farm advisors, has a gardener say, "I will go root away county agricultural agents, and garden the noisome weeds which without profit writers provide directions for use of the suck the soil's fertility from wholesome various herbicides appropriate for the flowers." several climatic regions of our country. Different methods are used to control Recent research has included many many kinds of weeds. The hoe and the studies on the biological control of cultivator are well known as some of weeds. Investigators are studying the man's oldest tools. Certain crop rotation use of combinations of biolgical, chemi­ patterns have been adopted. Gas flames cal, mechanical, and cultural methods of have killed weeds in corn and cotton. controlling weeds. Hazards to man and Flooding controls some weeds in rice animal are minimized by these coordi­ and cranberries. Broadcast seeding of na ted research investigations. "smother crops," such as soybeans and Dr. Danielson discussed a new method sorghum, controls several weed species of herbicide application under trial that and provides organic matter for the soil. may ultimately be widely used by the Goats and sheep are used as brush killers commercial pot plant grower as well as

Fig. 3 . Weed control with herbicide-impregnated cotton cloth. The treated cloth was placed just below the soil surface in the pot at the right and both were seeded with annual ryegrass.

SUMMER 1968 309 the home gardener. One of the problems Weed seeds were prevented from germi­ in using herbicides on small areas, such nating and there was no injury to the as ornamental and vegetable plantings flowers and ornamentals growing in the around homes, is the lack of precise containers (Figure 3). Presumably the control in rates of application. In an method could be applied to garden plots attempt to improve the metering of her­ as well as containers when the materials bicides in horticultural plantings, cotton become commercially available. cloth was impregnated with horticul­ turally useful herbicides. The treated "Leader, ·Weed Investigations, Horticultural cloth was fitted in pots or cans just Crops, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Belts­ below the surface and covered with soil. ville, Maryland 20705.

Excerpts from Peter J. Van Melle

On Rock Gardens-(undated) There is need of guidance in the design of a rock garden and, I would say, let us make the most of both Nature and of Design. I, for one, lift up my eyes unto the hills. The woodland and the field already have their share in our gardens. I am more desirous to see in what vital way this voice of the mountain may come to assert itself in our gardening manner, than how the present im­ pulse (towards rock gardening) may be smothered in the amen­ ities of Design. I hope that we may achieve something over and above the mere decorative use of the high-born wildings in Wlalls and walks. I do not like the idea of speckled trout in goldfish bowls.

On Designing Rock Gardens (1933) The values in rock gardening are distinct from those in other gardening pursuits. They are alien to the type of horticultural aspiration that goes in for mammoth flowers and double flowers and quality stem and whatever else there may be that makes dahlias, and zinnias, and peonies famous.

310 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY The Gardeners' Notebook

CRINUM SUBMERSUM Herbert 50%, and the bulb was semi temperate or Rediscovered mountainous in origin as cool nights did not curb the growth. In contrast, it is to While attempting to identify a num­ be noted that Asian and African species ber of Florida garden crinums the writer of CTinum which go through yearly wet encountered an unusually attractive and dry cycles are deciduous and all plant which had the floral markings and have slender pointed foliage. We also features of CTinum scabTum from tropi­ established that the nearest related spe­ cal Africa and foliage features not un­ cies was Crintln~ commelyni or undula­ like the central American C. erubescens. tum. An extensive literature search gave no clue as to the particular identity. The plant is commonly called C. fimbTiatu­ lum or amabile in garden circles, but this is quite in error and we remained without a definite clue. The possibility of a C. scab"wn X erubescens hybrid was considered and duly rejected since the crossing of two tropical species adapted to humid climates would hardly yield a plant which could thrive and flower under the writer's harsh, summer-dry cli­ matic conditions of the Sacramento val­ ley in California. Neither could such a cross explain the formation of a strap­ PHOTOS BY AUTHOR like leaf with a blunt tip, since an Fl Fig. 1. Crinum submersum Herbert hybrid is normally intermediate in char­ as found in gardens. Tepals snowy acter between the features and habits of white with a deep pink keel. the parents. :presumably, strap-like foli­ age would be characteristic in both par­ Early nursery catalogues from Florida ents. indicated that our so-called C. fimbriatu­ Further study concerning the pollen lum had been imported from Nassau and cell structure of foliage convinced around 1895; likewise the bulb had been the writer that we were definitely listed by Holland bulb firms under the dealing with a species which was occi­ same name. It is presumably widespread dental in origin, that there was no Afri­ in garden circles throughout the tropics can or Asian parentage present, that as color photos of the bulb have been despite its apparent Codonocrinum received from Carins, Queensland and floral features of curved tepal tubes and Hawaii. As far as can be determined the declinate filaments, the plant was actuaL true C. fimbTiatulum is not in the trade. ly allied to the subgenus Platyaster. The Our plant in question would have fact that some filaments tended to remained unidentified except that by spread quite broadly also suggested this. chance we happened upon a description The evergreen, bluntly tipped, strap-like of C. submersum Herbert in the 1824 leaves and growth h abit indicated the issue of Curtis's Botanica l Magazine, t. plant was adapted to a climatic area 2463, and here was our plant growing in with a moderate rainfall most of the the Sierra del Mar back of Rio J aneiro. year, that th e foli age was adapted to a T he interes ting part was that Dean relative humidity appre iably Ie s than William H erbert had been puzzled by

MMER 1968 311 the odd morphology of the flowers and plant's indefinite status. We are inclined foliage, thinking (quite like the writer) to find it adapted to dryer ground than that he had encountered a possible scab­ Herbert postulated, but this is of minor rum X erubescens hybrid, which he had importance. As a garden plant the bulb found most difficult to explain. is ideal for the sub tropics and is unques­ With our present day understanding tionably one of the showiest of the of hybrids and subgenera we now know Crinum group with the blossoms resem­ that the plant is definitely an American bling some of the Lilium speciosum var_ species. It is basically a member of the rubrum hybrids. subgenus Platyaster but has declinate Crinum submersum can be recognized filaments due to the tepal tubes being by the following features: curved. Fundamentally there are no ma­ Bulb ca. 3Y'4 in_ in diameter with jor genetic barriers between the subgen­ short tunicated neck; leaves 8 to 10, era Platyaster and Codonocrinum. The evergreen, semi-erect, strap-shaped, ca. division is purely artificial, as plants can 2 in. wide by about 2 ft. long, having cross between the two subgenera and a depressed midsection giving the ap­ pearance of two midveins, tips blunt give fertile or semi-fertile Fl hybrids. like C. augustum; scape compressed, slender, ca. 20 in. long; blossoms sessile in umbels, commonly 5 or 6; tepal tube distinctly curved, ca. 6 in. long; tepals ca. 3Y'4 in. long, inner 1 in. wide, exte­ rior % in. wide, patent, slightly re­ curving, snowy white with a deep pink keel (coloring of keel is the same on the interior as exterior of the blos­ som) ; anthers dark, pollen bright yel­ low; filaments bright red, normally declinate but occasionally spreading, approximately two-thirds the length of the tepals. On the basic of foliage similarities as well as other factors, it is very possible that the T . L. Mead hybrid 'Peach Fig. 2. Crinum X 'Peach Blow' a hy­ Blow' is a cross involving C. submersum. brid possibly involving C. submersum. 'Peach Blow' differs quite significantly Tepals pale lavender on the exterior, soft pink on the interior. Flowers from known Crinum hybrids involving with a spicy fragrance. Asian or African Crinum. Until C. sub­ mersum flowered, 'Peach Blow' had As Dean Herbert surmised, C. sub­ been the enigma of the hybrid group. mersum could be a transitional species, L. S. HANNIBAL but there are others in this class like 4008 Villa Court some forms of C. flaccidum in Australia Fair Oaks, Calif. 95628 which are intermediate in filament ar­ rangement between Platyaster and THE AMERICAN LOTUS Codonocrinum. The present thinking is (Nelumbo lutea) that the curved tepal tube of Codono­ The native American Lotus (Nelum­ crinum is a rather new character to the bo lutea) is one of the most beautiful of genus and evolves in areas where rain­ aquatic flowers. The plant is known fall is concurrent with the flowering under several common names, including period. sacred-bean, pond-lily, lotus-lily, water­ However, the importance of this find chinquapin, pond-nut and the Indian is that it confirms the validity of C. name, Wonkapin. American lotus is part submersum Herbert as a species. J. G. of our national heritage. It does not Baker passed the bulb by in his mono­ grow naturally in any other country of graph on the Amaryllidaceae due to the the world.

312 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY At one time the American lotus could with a sweet, faint fragrance attractive to be found growing in ponds, lakes, still bees. Flowering occurs in July in the streams and wet lands across the eastern south and August in the north and west. part of the United States from Canada to Lotus flowers present a most mag­ Florida and as far west as Texas. But it nificent display, opening in the morning is fast disappearing from most of its and closing in the heat of the afternoon. once-wide range due to dredging in the But the bloom will last four to five days. east, trampling by cattle in the west, and The seed pod develops after the petals extreme cold. Some streams in the north and stamens have fallen, first gold then and northwestern areas where the plant green. The mature seed pod expands occurred earlier are now so polluted into a brown receptacle four to five with chemical and industrial waste as to inches across, flat on top and tapering to no longer support higher vegetation. the stem. The large cavities hold brown The American Lotus has disappeared seeds about the size of hazel nuts. from most of these areas. CultuTe American lotus thrive in deep fertile mud in slow streams and ponds, needing both sun and warm water to bloom. It is readily propagated by dividing the thick tuberous root stock in late September. They may also be grown from seeds. Pods should be covered with cloth bags to catch the seeds. Press the seed into balls of clay and drop into water one to five feet deep, or sow them one to two inches apart in pots immersed in water indoors at 60 °F. Transplant seedlings as needed and set the pots outdoors the PHOTO LONGWOOD GARDENS following spring in an aquatic location. Fig. 1. Nelumbo lutea Location of native stands It is unfortunate that the American To my knowledge the larges t and lotus has often been referred to as water­ most substantial stand of native Ameri- lily, because it is not a member of the lily family. The name lotus m ay have been confused in the public mind with another plant with this name as a genus of the pulse or bean family (Legumino­ sae) . Although the American lotus (Ne­ lumbo) and water-lilies (Nymphaea) are closely related, they cannot be con­ fused once the m ain differences are made known. Water-lily leaves flo at on the water and the native species have white to pink flowers. The flowers of the Ameri­ can lotus stand on stalks elevated three to four feet above the water. The leaves, nearly as tall as the fl ower stalks, are circular, one to t'·I)"O feet in diameter, and are depressed or cup-shaped. The many- petaled, cup-shaped flower is pale, Fig. 2. Neluntbo lutea in Crab Orchard golden yellow, eight to ten inches wide Lake, Illinois, August 1965.

S UMMER 1968 313 tion of 1600 ppm. In fact, the entire Virginia Beach area is changing as a result of dredging operations and new housing developments. The wild duck and geese no longer make Back Bay a hunters paradise. Only a small percent­ age of the once vast hordes of wild fowl now make Back Bay their winter feeding grounds for they no longer find sufficient food for their needs. The city of Virginia Beach has offered its assistance to help save the American PHOTO CREZIA COVINGTON REED lotus. We hope for success in the preser­ Fig. 3. Lotus garden (N elumbo lutea) vation of this unique and valuable near Virginia Beach, Virginia. The plant. bloom· filled creek extends for more than two miles. Some other known stands of American lotus: can lotus extant was flourishing two New York State-Cayuga Lake years ago in a natural stand growing in Tabernacle Creek and North Bay near Monroe, Michigan-Two small stands Virginia Beach, Virginia. More than six in the vicinity of Monroe, cared for acres of this plant in North Bay have by the Monroe County Garden disappeared completely and the lotus in Clubs. These garden clubs plant the winding creek produces less and less seeds each year in the Fermi Power bloom each year. Due to the proximity Reactor plant. They are attempting of the sea, the stand was flooded with to restore the LaPlaisance stand salt water in 1933 during a tropical which has been badly damaged by storm and almost disappeared. From sur­ high water and carp. viving rootstocks and seeds, this stand Boston, Massachusetts-A small stand was restored during a period of 15 years. in a local park. Fourteen years ago, the Cape Henry Women's Club initiated a measure to Wabash, Minnesota-A small stand conserve the American lotus in Virginia. available only by boat. Their plan was presented to the late Members of the American Horticul­ Raymond V. Long, Director of the Vir­ tural Society can perform a valuable ginia Department of Conservation and service by reporting any existing stands Economic Development. This body ap­ of the American lotus in their vicinities. proved the plan on October 6, 1954. Since that time, the Cape Henry CREZIA COVINGTON REED Women's Club and the Virginia Depart­ 5524 War Admiral Road Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452 ment of Conservation and Economic De­ velopment have co-sponsored an annual lotus festival for the conservation of the American lotus plant and to help fund THE CHAYOTE the Club's other charitable and educa­ Also called Mirlton or Vegetable Pear tional programs. Part of the fund goes (SechitLm edule) toward establishing a small park at the site of the Lotus Garden which is dedi­ The Chayote is a member of the Cu­ cated as a living' memorial to the first cumber family (Cucurbitaceae), a per­ se ttlers who landed at Cape Henry. ennial with tuberous roots, native in Unfortunately, this beautiful natural tropical America. It is grown for its stand of American lotus is in serious edible fwit, tubers and young green jeopardy because of high salt concentra- parts.

314 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY The Chayote has grown successfully and baked, or made into fritters, sauces, for a number of years at Callaway Gar­ puddings, or used in salads. The tubers dens, Pine Mountain, Georgia. It is can be prepared in the same way as adaptable anywhere in the southern potatoes, and the young shoots and United States, where the ground does leaves can be prepared like spinach. not freeze more than an inch . It will CURTIS D . ADAMS grow as an annual in areas where the Director of Physical Plllnt roots are killed in the winter. The entire Augusta College ripe fruit is planted in the spring, after Augusta, Georgia 30901 danger of frost has passed, with the stem .3. end slightly exposed and the opposite THE RADISH end sloping downward into the soil. Plants can be started in the garden or (More Versatile Than You Think) in the greenhouse (in pots) and trans­ All of us know that pretty spot of planted if care is used in moving the color garnishing a salad or brightening plants. Plants may also be propagated an appetizer or cocktail tray. Actually from cuttings taken near the crown of the "little red marbles" of the mustard the plant. family (Raphanus sativus) are far more versatile than that, and, along with the white and black varieties, can serve as a substantial vegetable. In fact the radish is one of the oldest cultivated vegetables known, and its origin, probably in Chi­ na or western Asia, is lost in prehistoric times. The radish has traveled widely. It is mentioned, for instance, on one of the pyramids of Egypt where it is listed along with tons of garlic and onions needed to feed the workmen. Later we hear of the Greeks making sacrificial offerings to Apollo of radishes presented in "dishes of gold." Still later in Eu­ rope in the ninth century, the great

PHOTO CALLAWAY GARDENS emperor Charlemagne included rao­ Chayote (Sechium edule) in fruit. ishes among the plants that he wished always to be planted in the imperial Chayotes seem to grow well in any gardens. Hundreds of years later and good, well drained, garden soil, as long half a world away, in the 18th century, as the plants are well mulched, watered Moravian missionaries planted radishes weekly during dry periods and fed heavi­ and small turnips in a tiny garden at ly with compost and/ or fertilizer. Nain in Labrador. Soon New England­ The plants should be spaced 12 to 15 ers, too, were raising radishes. From feet apart and trained on an arbor, their gardens some plants even escaped trellis, fence or the side of a building. to grow wild along roadsides and in lVrore than one plant should be grown to abandoned fi elds. insure pollination. A long gTowing sea­ Today red radishes, less often the son is required and fruiting usuall y oc­ white and the black, are available nearly curs about September in west central every day of the year in our markets, but Georgia. still nothing quite equals the pleasure Most pans of the Chayo te are edible. and flavor of those picked from our own T he frui t can be used i 11 the ame man­ garden. Radishes are, too, one of the ner as potatoes with meats and other best plants to give a child for hi own vegetables. They can be crea med, tuffed first garden. They are almo t foolproof

UMMER 1968 315 to grow, and they provide the unforget­ radishes to 112 inches apart. Allow a table thrill of serving and eating one's little more space for later sowings, and own produce, home-grown. as much as six inches for the larger, Red radishes are so decorative that winter types. Radishes may even be many cooks simply trim the tops and the planted right along with slower seeds of root, cut the fleshy part half through to other vegetables, for which they break form "petals" (the French advise: tailler the soil, and are removed before their avec fantaisie) , and serve them as garn­ space is needed. ishes or appetizers. Europeans, however, Early and mid-season varieties can be often eat them spread with sweet butter. sown as early as the soil can be worked, For salad (without lettuce) any of the and additional plantings made at inter­ red, white, or black varieties may be vals until hot weather arrives. Then a sliced and mixed with a French dressing gap must occur, but a last seeding can be to which mustard and scissored chervil made about a month before frost. Most or basil are added. A German version red varieties mature within three to four grates the radishes. Sliced radishes may weeks, and should be gathered prompt­ also be added to sliced cucumbers and ly. The white "icicles" need four weeks, mixed with seasoned sour cream. This and should be no more than six inches combination is also good as sandwich long. A round white radish is ready in filling. In Japan, where the radish is about 25 days. called Daikon, a large black kind which Certain varieties are called "winter reaches a weight of several pounds is radish." A white type, for instance, usu­ cooked like turnip, or is pickled, and the ally called Chinese, takes 60 days to seed pods are used like capers. maturity. This is the mildest of the As a hot vegetable all three types are winter radishes and is from six to eight good. Slice the red ones across, not too inches long when ready. Another type thin, but cut the "icicles" lengthwise. can be grown in the spring or else in late Melt a little butter, add a small amount summer for winter use, and left for 45 of chopped onion, and saute with the days until nearly a foot long. Winter radishes. Then add a few tablespoonsful radishes can be used when ready, or else of water, cover, and simmer for ten stored in moist sand in a cool place minutes. Add a sprinkle of salt and a (40 °F) up to two or even three months. little finely cut parsley. This vegetable is When removed for use, soak for an hour good with roast pork. The black radish in cold water, and use either fresh or may be cooked in the same way but will cooked. need a longer time, about 15 minutes. Then, since it is stronger in flavor, add a Black radishes are not often grown in little curry or ginger, along with the salt. this country, but in Japan, China, and All three types of radishes may be parts of Europe they are popular. They cooked as above, and then added to make a pleasant change when served cream sauce. All are reported as rich in either fresh or cooked, and, to para­ vitamin C, provided with some vitamin phrase a current ad, you don't need to A, some calcium and phosphorus and be native to the above countries to enjoy -no calories! these radishes. Several nurseries carry the seed, and the large, turnip-like vege­ Cultivation table itself is often found in metropoli­ Radishes will grow under a wide vari­ tan markets. Black radishes are sown in ety of conditions and in almost all parts late summer, take about eight weeks to of this country. However, for fine tex­ mature, and should be picked before ture and flavor, the soil should be loose, frost. The long, black, Spanish type rich, and well worked so that growth grows to nearly ten inches in length and takes place quickly. Sow in rows and two to three inches thick. Like the cover lightly with not more than 12 inch winter white radishes, the black ones can of soil. Germination takes place within a be used fresh, or stored under the same week. When the plants are up, thin early conditions.

316 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Put radishes at the top of your next cult to pick and often they are gathered shopping list. Take home a good supply by thrashing the plant with a stick so the and cook them for a horticultural adven­ berries will fall on a sheet. ture which is certain to please the Mahonia swaseyi is much rarer but it palate. occurs with agarita in the few localities where it is found on the limestone hills GERTRUDE B. FIERTZ of central Texas. The leaflets number 107 Vanderbilt Avenue Manhasset, New York 11030 up to at least thirteen, and are smaller, softer and lighter green than in agarita. The fruit is produced on longer stems, is somewhat larger and easier to pick. The TWO TEXAS MAHONIAS shrub has the same growth habit as M . Mahonia trifoliolata or agarita, as it is trifoliolata. Although very rarely used, often called locally, ranges over most of M . swaseyi would make a useful orna­ central and southwest T exas. It is one mental. Apparently natural hybrids oc­ of the most common evergreen shrubs of cur between the two species, since M . swaseyi plants with fewer, stiffer, more Mahonia swaseyi. Native of the lime­ spiny leatlets, resembling those of agari­ stone hills of central Texas. ta, are found. PHOTOGRAPH FROM A WATER COLOR BY PEGGY B ERG These native Texas mahonias thrive in sun. Good drainage is essential. Transplanting is easy in winter where the soil is not too rocky to dig an earth ball of reasonable size. Locally, the two commonest mahoni­ as in cultivation, M. bealii and M. 10- mariifolia, require shade. LYNN LOWREY 1404 Upland Houston, T exas 77043

PHILOGLOSSA IN CULTIVATION Philoglossa is a little-known her­ baceous genus of the daisy family (Com­ positae) from the Andes of South Amer­ ica. The genus comprises several plant forms, perhaps all referrable to the single species Philoglossa peruviana DC. In 1964, I found a variety of this species described by me as var. sap ida. This plant is cultivated by several Indian groups of the northern Andes. More 1 _._._ recently, this variety has been intro­ central Texas. Dark green, stiff, spiny, duced in H awaii and now it is growing trifoliolate leaves, small, yellow, fragrant very satisfactorily at the Lyon Arbore­ flowers, small, red berries and dense habit tum in Honolulu. of growth make it a good ornamental Philoglossa peruviana var. sapida has where it can be grown. On first seeing several vernacular names in Kamsa and agarita, many think it is a species of Inga, the native languages still spoken in holly. It mature height is about seven the area where it is principally known. feet and it may have that much spread. "Huacamuyu," the most widely used The tart, edible fruit make good jelly. name in the Inga language, is a good The piny leave make the berrie difli- one to perpetuate. In comparison with

SUMMER 1968 !l17 lhe several Kamsa names, it is easily tern are the plantings of Huacamuyu pronounced. The Inga language belongs which appear as small patches of ground to the Quechua family of languages, and cover. The leafy ti ps of the branches are is thus related to the Quechua of the old gathered and cooked as a potherb, and Inca empire, as well as to the Quechua also in other ways. Few of the natives extensively spoken in present·day Peru. continue to cultivate Huacamuyu today, Geographically, Inga lies at the for now they prefer the tree kale (Bmssi­ northern extreme of the present dis­ ca olemcea var. acephala) of European tribution of this group of languages. origin. The Indians agree, however, that Since there is a tendency for the names in earlier times before the kale had of useful plants to accompany the plants reached their isolated valley, a great themselves on their migrations, we may deal of Huacamuyu was grown and that find cl ues to the region of origin. In this it was eaten every day in all households. case, the central Andes, the Inca heart­ Philoglossa penwiana var. sapida has land, is suggested as the region of origin. weak, herbaceous and repent stems that The distribution of the plant Hua­ send out roots at every node. The ends camuyu, as recorded by plant explorers of the stems are erect to a height of 8 to and botanists, is extremely restricted. 12 inches and bear one or two axillary, Huacamuyu was "discovered" by Miguel long-peduncled, conspicuous yellow Bang in · Bolivia in 1890, and about flower heads. The paired, ovate leaves seventy years later it was encountered are rather crisp, and the stem is some­ for the second time in Colombia, not far what succulent. from the border of Ecuador. I suspect Vegetative propagation by cuttings is that it also grows in Ecuador and Peru, exceptionally easy, particularly since perhaps eyen in cultivation, but evi­ roots often have formed before .the cut­ dence of this is lacking. ting is removed from the parent plant. Huacamuyu is known principally Cuttings, with or without roots, may be from the valley ·of Sibundoy, an ancient set directly in the ground and daily lake bed high in the mountains of south­ watering will ensure their success. The ernmost Colombia within one degree of flowers have not been observed to set latitude from the Equator. The Valley seed, either in Colombia or in Hawaii. lies at an elevation of 7200 feet. Rainfall Huacamuyu was originally cultivated is very great, reaching or exceeding 200 as a food plant, and I can testify that it inches annually, while the mean temper­ is quite acceptable to North, as well as ature is about 60 degrees and frost never to South American palates. Whether its occurs. The fertile soil is a well drained future lies in cultivation as a ground sandy loam favoring a great variety of cover or as a vegetable remains to be crops and horticultural subjects. discovered. The Sibundoy and Santiaguefio tribes MELVIN L. BRISTOL of the valley practice a primitive form of Assistant Botanist agriculture or horticulture wherein most Harold L. Lyon Arboretum of their important food plants are Honolulu, Hawaii p anted in one garden-wide mixture. The land is · never completely cleared, Reference for scattered throughout are a large vari­ Bristol, M. L. 1964. Philoglossa-a cultivar of ety of cultivated and wild shrubs and the Sibundoy of Colombia. Botanical Museum trees. An exception to this general pat- Leaflets, H arvard University 20: 325-333. IIIus.

3 IS. AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Book Reviews

Fragrance and Fragrant Plants for grower. There is a general index as well as House and Garden indices to orchid pes ts, orchid societies, litera­ ture, where to purchase greenhouses, potting Nelson Coon. Published by Diversity Books, material and plant sources in this country and Inc., Grandview, Misso.uri. 1967. 235 pages. a broad. There is considerable information on Illustrated. $7.95 (Library) . such ma tters as plan t diseases, viruses, feeding and watering of plan ts and the various types of The author, who has spent many years work­ growing mixes that may be used in the growing ing with the blind, draws on his wide knowledge of orchids in the home or the garden. of plants and their fragrances to write a most interes ting book. In the first chapter he tells of LI NNAEUS T . SAVAGE scents and their "use" and problems-scents in animals, use by ancient man, use in religious ceremonies, and, in day to day living. The gardener may be more interested in the author's The Complete Book of Growing comments on the fragrant scents in all kinds of Plants From Seed plants such as trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, house plants, roses, geraniums, fruits, vegetables, Elda H aring. Diversity Books, Inc., and the plants of the greenhouse. H e writes Grandview, Missouri. 1967. 240 pages. Illus­ from his experiences and observations with these trated. $7.95 (Library). kinds. These may include his reaction to the sce n t of the plan t being disGUssed, some cui tu ral A good cultural guide for the starting of information, or suggestions on where it may be plants from seed. The author groups the plants grown or perhaps a paragraph on the origin and into several chapters according to kind, e.g. use of the plant. annuals, perennials, vegetables, house plants, T he author points out that we all have and trees and shrubs. In each case she gives different responses to odors, for some the odor general information about that particular kind may be pleasing while to others it may even be and then fo llows with more specific information objectionable. for the differen t genera, often giving some Oh yes, fragrance is a part of the book itself; cultural information in addition to propagation a scent (lavender?) was used in the ink. instructions. She has written this on the basis of study and her experiences in gardening in CONRAD B. LINK Connecticut. The book is well illustrated with sketches and photographs showing equipment, techniques, Rare Orchids Everyone Can Grow and m il n y flowers and plants.

Jack Kramer. Doubleday and Company, Gar­ den City, New York. 1967. 144 pages. Illustrat­ ed. $6.95 (Library). Mountain Flowers

This new book has many full colored illustra· Anthony Huxley. The Macmill an Company, tions and line drawings and is written by an 866 Third Avenue, New York, N. Y. 10022. orchid grower widely experienced on a moderate 1967.428 pages. Illustrated. $5.95 (Library). scale with species and h ybrids in his home, greenhouse or garden. It is a good book on the An illustrated guide to the fl owers of the subject of orchids in general and worthy of any mountai ns of Europe, fro m the Pyrenees in the library for the amateur or the professional. west to the Julian Alps in northern Jugoslav ia For anyone interested in orchids the book, including alpine plan ts found in Scandinavia while sma ll , con tains a wealth of information. and in Italy and plants of the hills and northern T he colored illustrations are pleasing to the eye part of the British Isles. and indica te what the amateur or experienced Si mple keys to plan t families and a description grower may expect when following certain clear of the genus and pecies is included. Twelve and concise instructions in growing orchids for hundred kinds of plants are illustrated in 112 tun or prorlt. T he author writes in a manner color and 36 black and while plates. that i most u nderstandable to the inexperi­ American gardeners will recognize familiar enc d grow l' and should do much to encourage perennial and bulbous plants of which some are uch persons to grow orchid of their choi e parents of lhe perennial and rock garden planl [rom the many kind obtainable at moderate we grow. Thi would be an excellent handbook pri . The book i not involved with technicali­ to carr in your pock t while climbing the ti s beyond the comprehension of the a, erage mountains oC Europe.

! (ER 196 319 Flowering House Plants­ articles on Camellia species, and on new culti­ Month by Month val'S and the 1967 registration list of new cu ltivars. For the breeder and those interested in Jack Kramer. D. Van Nostrand Company, the development of new 0ultivars there are Princeton, N. J. 1967. 128 pages. Illustrated. l'esearch oriented articles on the use of gibberel­ 5.95 (Library). lic acid on camellia flowers; on breeding for more cold resistance; inheritance of flower form For each month of the year, the author and color; and on interspecific hybrids. describes a few plants that flower at that approximate time. Many are excellent plants for their foliage effects alone. Some monthly sugges­ tions include plants for the warm room, a cool Iris: Goddess of the Garden room, for a challenge to the gardener and those from the florist. Later chapters discuss the Winifred Ross. Diversity Books, Inc., Kansas fundamentals of growing plants indoors. City, Missouri 64141. 1966. 180 pages. Illustrat­ ed. $5.95 (Library).

This book shows the enthusiasm of the author Pleasures of Wild Plants for iris and her interest in helping others know more about this satisfactory garden plant. It is Audrey Wynne Hatfield. Taplinger Publishing chatty and non-technical. The culture of this Company, 29 E. Tenth Street, New York, N. plant is discussed, seasonal care, use in the Y. 10003. 1966. 197 pages. Illustrated. $5 .95 garden, hybridizing, award winners, taking pic­ (Library) . tures of iris and comments on personalities of the "iris" world. Fifty plants are described, some native to Nothing is said of the history or development Great Britain and others introduced centuries of the present day iris nor of the genus itself. ago. Emphasis is placed on the culinary use of You just know from the pictures that the book these plants along with their history, and the is about the tall bearded iris. ancient myths and traditions associated with each. Recipes are included for the culinary enjoyment of these plants as salads or as vegeta­ bles, in sou ps, stews, for jams and jellies and as All About Miniature Roses beverages. For cosmetic uses they include sugges­ tions for sachets, toilet water, lotions, and soaps. Ralph S. Moore. Diversity Books, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, 64141. 1966. 136 pages. Illus­ trated. $5.95. (Library).

The American Camellia Yearbook- A book on the culture of the miniature rose 1968 with suggestions on their use and ways they may be grown. It opens with the story of the Published by the American Camellia Society, discovery and development of the miniature rose; Tifton, Georgia. 1967. 340 pages. Illustrated. later chapters tell of the present day devel­ $4.00. (Library) opment of new varieties. The author writes of his experiences and hybridization of these Another of the well-done yearbooks of the kinds. He has introduced several new kinds that Camellia Society. It contains a variety of articles are known in the trade as 'Eleanor'; 'Diane'; on culture, pest controls, flower shows, and 'Fairy'; 'Princess'; 'Baby Darling'; and 'J et Trav­ judging. For the fancier of new kinds there are el'.

August 29, 1968

320 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY , . , \ f '. i f

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Nickerson Color Fan The American Horticultural that anyone leaf, any group of tern of Color Notation which i ~ Society has for many years been leaves, or all of them can be fast becoming accepted as ~tand­ interested in making available fanned or pivoted out for use. ard by many industries and so­ to the horticultural public a Each leaf has seven color chips cieties dealing wi th color sys­ popularly priced color chart that ranging from the palest to the tems in America_ The chart uses could be used as a standard in deepest hue of a single color. In color names that have been se­ all phases of horticul tnre. its closed position the Fan meas· lected as standard by the Inter­ No color chart except those ures one and a half inches by Society Color Council and by with a thousand colors or more seven and a half inches and is the National Bureau of Stand­ can obtain all the colors needed one· half inch thick. Fully opened ards. by the various horticul tural it measures fourteen and a half Judges who have used the Fan groups, but the Nickerson Color inches in diameter. report that the color chips are so easy to handle, particularly Fan, which has been approved Included with the chart is a when working with color classes, by America's outstanding color twelve page booklet explaining that they prefer it to any other foundation, can well become the use of the Fan in detail. color reference. Its handy, com­ sJandard. The Fan is composed Printed in small type on each pact form makes it exceptionally of 40 separate leaves fastened color chip is the descriptive convenient to use out-of-doors between a fron t and back cover color name and its numerical by gardeners, h ybridizers, and of heavier stock in such a way designation in the Munsell sys· growers in teres ted in color.

AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 2401 Calvert N. W., Washington, D. C. 20008 Please send me ______coPy of the Nickerson Color Fan caples I enclose $ ______for the D Members price $6.37 D Non-members price $7.50 D Plus postage and handling 0.25 each N arne ______,, ______'" ______

Streec______

Ci ty ______S ta te ______Zi P Code The Fairmont Hotel San Francisco, California

Theme: HORIZONS IN WESTERN HORTICULTURE.

Annual Meetings of THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY September 18-21, 1968 Fred C. Galle, President

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF BOTANICAL GARDENS AND ARBORETA September 15-18, 1968 . Dr. Francis de Vos, President

THE GARDEN WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA September ~ 17-20, 1968 Mrs. Isabel Zucker, President

Participating The California Horticultural Society Jack Napton, President

The Strybing Arboretum Society Mrs. William Wreden, President

The We.stem Horticultural Society JiIorace Baker, President