The American lIorHcullural Sociely inviles you Io Celehrate tbe American Gardener al our 1999 Annual Conference

Roston" Massachusetts June 9 - June 12~ 1999

Celebrate Ute accompHsbenls of American gardeners in Ute hlsloric "Cay Upon lhe 1Iill." Join wah avid gardeners from. across Ute counlrg lo learn new ideas for gardening excellence. Attend informa-Hve ledures and demonslraHons by naHonally-known garden experts. Tour lhe greal public and privale gardens in and around Roslon, including Ute Arnold Arborelum and Garden in Ute Woods. Meet lhe winners of AIlS's 1999 naHonJ awards for excellence in horHcullure. @ tor more informaHon, call1he conference regislrar al (800) 777-7931 ext 10. co n t e n t s

Volume 78, Number 1

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Commentary 4 Hellebores 22 Members' Forum 5 by C. Colston Burrell Staghorn fern) ethical plant collecting) orchids. These early-blooming pennnials are riding the crest of a wave ofpopularity) and hybridizers are News from AHS 7 busy working to meet the demand. Oklahoma Horticultural Society) Richard Lighty) Robert E. Lyons) Grecian foxglove. David Douglas 30 by Susan Davis Price Focus 9 Many familiar plants in cultivation today New plants for 1999. are improved selections of North American species Offshoots 14 found by this 19th-century Scottish expLorer. Waiting for spring in Vermont. Bold Plants 37 Gardeners Information Service 15 by Pam Baggett Houseplants) transplanting a ginkgo tree) Incorporating a few plants with height) imposing starting trees from seed) propagating grape vines. foliage) or striking blossoms can make a dramatic difference in any landscape design. Mail-Order Explorer 16 Heirloom flowers and vegetables. Bananas 42 by Alice L. Ramirez Urban Gardener 18 By selecting the right species and cultivars) even A Japanese-style garden in Texas. gardeners in temperate regions can grow these Natural Connections 20 tropical beauties- and encourage them to bear fruit. Keeping ]:vild birds safe in winter. Barry Yinger 48 Book Reviews 54 by Rick Darke Gardener)s general reference) pest and disease This modern-day American plant explorer is identification and control) CD- ROM references. scouring the Far East for botanical treasures to Regional Happenings 58 bring back to North American gardens. Renovations at the National Herb Garden) symposium at Davidson College. On the cover: Blooming as early as late January) Lenten Hardiness and Heat Zones 62 roses (Helleborus orientalis) are one of the nonpareil plants in the late winter garden. Photograph by Alan Pronunciations 63 and Linda Detrick. American Horticultural Society 7931 East Boulevard Drive Alexandria) VA 22308-1300 (703) 768-5700 commentary wWlv.ahs.org

~ The American Horticultural Society (AHS) educates and inspires people illennium fever! I've caught it and am a of all ages to become successf11-1 willing sufferer. It's all about new begin­ and environmentally responsible nings, fresh ideas, renewed creativity. As gardeners by advancing tl1e art M and science of horticultur.e. happens each new year, many of us have done some inner searching and made resolutions to improve the ~ quality of our lives this coming year. Here at the PRESIDENl1'/eEO American Horticultural Society, the Board ofDi­ LINDA D. WALLMAN rectors, National Committees, and staff are actively developing programs and services that will enhance BOARD OF DIllBCTORS Ojjicers i998 -1999 . AHS's local and national presence. Why? Because IO.TY MOSSWA'RNEll., ClIAlRMAN promoting the value of gardening and the appreci­ 'take Buenw trml!; Floiiifda ation of gardens is critical to our nation's physical NPiNCY S. U\iOMAS,FtRS'll WeI! CHl\I:ltMAN and emotional health in 1999 and beyond. As a Houston, Texas member of AHS, you know how important gar­ PAm ECK'E,JR.,SEC0ND VICE C~ Encinitas, California dening is to you. Now we must resolve, together, to WILLIAM A. POSEY, SBCR'ETA:Rl' educate and inspire others to become successful and Washi'l-!ftI!n D. C. l environmentally responsible gardeners. How? This process starts in our own homes and G.EfARL~ !f:ENR,Y Siv!i'J.lR)'R., ~ Middleburg, ltirginiw communities by making resolutions about our own gardens. Perhaps this year we will replace some of that lawn with flower beds. Or strive to rely S#ll;RMAN ADJi!ER West Palm Beach, Fliirida less upon synthetic fertilizers and pesticides as a means to cope with weeds and insect pests. .. );,. M. BA1banana tree, tropical fruit specialist Alice Ramirez tells us about some of the best cultivars J(A'lJ:ll1;RINE Mo;KPlY BE~ Charlotte; N:orth CMoUna and explains how gardeners can get these flamboyant plants to bear fruit. J~ 1,. CO;i,\FIELID Bold is also an appropriate adjective for hellebores, which are among the first heralds GenlWa, :Ilitnoir of spring for winter-weary gardeners. Frequent contributor C. Colston Burrell describes AMBEL¥- S. ElANE Bostono Masrachllsetti the best hellebore species and provides an update on the latest breeding work being done JOHN ALEX FL9W T:R. on these stylish and dependable perennials. Birmingham, /!!JtJbama We take many of our most beautiful plants for granted, but often they were brought DORO;m:¥ 1': MtEt::A:NJlJ Birmingham, AJi"b~ma into cultivation only through the extraordinary efforts of plant hunters. We offer a peek Wu:tlAM R. MA:RiORE R. MtillSTON Kirkland, Washington 19th-century Scottish explorer who tramped thousands of miles through the American GllNE M. M!:i;.!&!l, wilderness and left his legacy in the numerous plants that bear his name. And writer Rick Silver Spyi,'!!, Maryla"d Darke profiles the PeIU1sylvania-based Yinger, who is best known for introducing dozens .EGON M,OlJJBAK Seattk, Washington ofstriking Asian plants to America during more than two decades of work for a variety of DlJDLEY M ®RGA'N botanical gardens and nurseries. Nashville, Tennessee Every year we learn more about the value and significance of plants. As we begin this GEOFFl\E~ i.. RAOSCH new year, let's make one more resolution. Together, let's resolve to inspire others to un­ Pimbtlrgh, Penn;yZvania VALERiE L. THOMAS derstand that nurturing plants creates a sense of value for life. Happy New Year! Alexandria, Virginia ROBEltI D. VOLK San. MaJ';no, CaliflWnia

~ PRESIDENT EMERITUS DR. ]{. MARC CATHEY -Linda D. Hallman, AHS President/CEO

4 THE AMERICAN GARDENER January/February 1999 THE AMERICAN members' GARDENER EDITOR DAVID J. ELLIS MANAGING EDJTOR rum MARY YEE ASSISTANT EDITOR CHRISTINA M. SCOTT

COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT MARK C. MOLLAN

DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION JOSEPH YACINSKI DESIGN

~

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARJl) JOHN ALEX FLOYD JR., CHAIR Birmingham, Alctbwma NINA L. BASSUK Ithaca, New York RICHARD E. BrR Brevard, North Carolina JOHN E. BJ<..XAN Sausalito, California JOHN L. CREECH H endersonville, North Carolina KEimCROTZ Chillicothe, Illinois PLATYCERIUM WILLINCKIl this easy-to-maintain and stw1ning tropical PANAYOTI K:EIMDlS Denver, Colorado ' LEMOINEI' epiphyte, which continues to give joy to When I was growing up, only plants were succeeding generations of our fan1ily. RICHARD W. LIGHTI Greenville, Delaware acceptable to my father as birthday or Fa­ J~tdith Campbell ther's Day gifts. Anything else he turned Los Angeles, California ELVIN MCDONALD West Des Moines, Iowa down as unnecessary. Born in 1897 in ~ New York, he struggled to become an at­ QUESTIONABLE ETHICS torney and was a defender in the best sense I enjoyed C. Colston Burrell's piece on ADVERTISING AHS ADVERTISING OFFICE of the word. epirnediums in the MarchiApril 1998 issue 4350 DiPaolo Cc:nter, Suite B In about 1965 I bought a staghorn fern and am happy these wonderful plants are Glenview, IL 60025 (Platycerium lVillinckii 'Lemoinei') for him getting more attention. One ambiguous (847) 699-1707 • FAX: (847) 699-1703 at Dave Barry'S Jungleland Nursery in statement in tl1e article raised a big ques­ COLOR SEPARATIONS Brentwood, California. The staghorn fern tion, however. Burrell mentioned that FILM GRAPHICS was mounted on a 12-inch-square piece of three nurseries "have combed nurs­ u.s. PRINTER redwood. My father was delighted with this eries and wild places in Europe and BANTA PUBLICATIONS GROUP exotic green plant and promptly hung it by Asia .... " If this means these nurseries col­ TheAmerica.tl Gardetler(ISSN 1087·9978) is pubJished a hook on a pittosporum tree that overhtmg lect plants from the wild, I'm appalled at bimonthly (January/February, MarchiApril, May/June, his apartment patio. He and my mother their practice and at your magazine's im­ JulyI August, SeptemberIOctober , NovemberjDecem­ ber) by the American HorticuJturo.l Society, 7931 East lived tl1ere W1til they died in 1976, at which plicit endorsement. BouJevard Drive, Alexandria, VA ·2-2-308-1300, (703) point my husband and I inherited the great­ I expect, however, they collect cuttings 768-5700. Membership in the Society iI)c1udes a sub­ scription to The America1t Gardener. Annual dues are ly enlarged staghorn. and seeds. If that's the case, Burrell should $25; two years, $45. rntemationalduesarc $60. $10 of Mter the plant went up on ollr red­ have made it plain. annual dues goes to\vard magazine subscPption. Period­ icals postage paid at AlexandI:ia, Virginia, andat additional wood fence, the sterile fronds attached Also particularly grating was the story's mailing offices. Postmaster: Please ~end Form 3519 t<;i> The America» GMdmer, 7931 East Boulevard E)rive, themselves to the fenGe itself and spread. use of "trial" as a verb, as in "trialing." Alexandria, VA 22-308·1300. Many friends have taken offshoots by cut­ How about "testing" or "trying"? I'm all Botanical !lomenclature is based on A Synonymized ting deeply to remove a portion of the base for a growing language, but when perfect­ Checkiistofthe Vaseuta,. Floraofthe UnitedStaees, Cana­ da atld Grewlatld and on the Royal HortiwiU,,·al Soei­ fronds and roots. ly good verbs exist, please use them. ely Index of GMdm Rlants. Opinions expressed in the The staghorn subsists on weekly sprin­ Leonard Pardue articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Society. Manuscripts, artwork, and photo· klings from a garden hose and probably Asheville, North Carolina graphs sent for possible publication will be returned ifac· companied by a self· addressed, smmped envelope. We gets some nourishment from the decidu- cannot guarantee the safe return ofunsolicit ed material. 0us golden rain tree (Koelreuteria bipin­ Thanks for your comments on Colston Bur­ Back issues are available at $5 per copy. nata) overhead when it drops its leaves in rell's article on epimediums. Ifyou are a reg­ Copyright © 1999 i>y the American Horticultural Society. Printed in the U.S.A. December. We don't use any fertilizer on ular reader ofour magazine, Pm sure J'ou)re

January/February 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 5 aware we tr)1 our best to ensure that the than in the past. We need to speak up for AHS PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL nurseries and horticulturists we profile are good practice every chance we get. not in the habit of indiscriminately dig­ AHS HORTICULTURAL PARTNER I should add that the conservation ethic OKLAHOMA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ging plants from the wild. The magazine, of the Society is a key reason that I belong, and the American Horticultural Society as and that I enjoy your magazine. a whole, promotes ethical plant propaga­ tion methods. In the last few years we have ORCHID HAVEN IN CAROLINA run several articles that directly discussed I was very intrigued by your article in the the ethical collection ofplant parts for prop­ May/June 1998 issue of The American agation and stressed that plants should Gardener. Author Pani Brown is not much only be dug from the wild under license of a venturing spirit, however, because the from appropriate regulatory agencies or in emergency situations when ecosystems are threatened by human activities. That being said, it is only fair to point out that although most propagation of wild plants is now done through cuttings, divi­ sions, and seeds, many ofthe beautiful plants that adorn all our gardens were originally collected from the wild as plants. In recent years, plant collection has increasingly been done with proper authorization from gov­ ernments and environmental protection agencies, but before that most plant collectors did not shy away from removing plantsfrom their natural habitat. As to the second part ofyour letter, we pleadguilty to use ofiargon and will strive to excise such use ofcctrialing" in future issues!

Leonard Pardue responds: It's simply be­ cause tile Society has been so good on the issue of collecting plants in the wild that the phrasing in the Burrell piece stood out to Pink lady's-slipper (Cypripedium acau/e) me. Unfortunately, here in the Southern Appalachians irresponsible collecting con­ North Carolina mountains are home to tinues, although no doubt to a lesser extent many of the varieties he mentions. Sadly, deer populations are devastating them in the wild, but my garden is fenced in and I am enclosing photographs of some of the Correction treaSlares I grow. The pink lady's-slipper (Cypripedium acaule) is just a small part of In the November/December issue, my patch; I had more than 350 of them in we listed an incorrect telephone num­ bloom last spring. I also have three fringed ber for ordering the book California's orchids (Habenaria sp.) rescued from the Wild Gardens: A Living Legacy. The mowers at a local golf course, and a rosebud book can be ordered by calling the orchid (Cleistes dillaricata). We used to California Native Plant Society at have habenarias, but the deer ate those. The (916) 447-2677. deer have also decimated the lily-leaved twayblade (Liparis liliifolia), and now, alas, the loggers are destroying great areas of Write Us! showy orchids. Ruth Stevenson Do you want to voice an opinion or Roaring Gap, North Carolina share some gardening information? We'd like to hear £i.·om you. Letters to In fairness to Paul Martin Brorvn, we the editor should be addressed to asked him to write about a variety oforchids Editor, The American Gardener, 7931 from throughout North America, so ofne­ East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, cessity he was not able to mention all the ones VA 22308, or you can e-mail us at he encountered in the wild. But, in this case, [email protected]. Letters we print may he acknowledges that he has not yet had an be edited for length and clarity. opportunity to see first hand the orchids of the North Carolina highlands. ~

6 THE AMERICAN GARDENER January/February 1999 nunlm "11U 1... e

mi nimve t"Xc rci tade iubonis n· .!fldoco· news from ahs

now has a website at connections. Distinguished Service Award, the Massa­ oklahoman .net/okl10rticulture. chusetts Horticultural Society'S Silver As a reciprocal benefit of this parmer­ Medal, and the Arthur Hoyt Scott Medal ship, AHS members will now be admitted of the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore free to the Crystal Bridge Tropical Con­ College. To add to his accolades, Lighty servatory at Myriad Botanical Gardens by has been named the 1999 recipient of shovving their AHS membership card. AHS's highest honor, the Liberty Hyde Bailey Award (see box). LIGHTY RETIRES At MOlmt Cuba, Lighty's mission was to Richard W. Lighty, director of the Mount educate the public about native plants and Cuba Center for the Study of Piedmont conduct research on plants native to the Flora in Greenville, Delaware, for the last Piedmont geologic province, which runs 15 years, retired at the end of last year. along the eastern slope of the Appalachian Lighty came to Mount Cuba as its fow1d­ mountains. Of the 20 new plants he intro­ ing director in 1983, following 16 years as duced to the nursery trade, eight were de­ coordinator of the Longwood Gardens veloped while he was at Mount Cuba. Graduate Program in Public Garden Ad­ Among these are Aster novae-angliae 'Pur­ ministration at the University of Delaware, ple Dome', Cornus sericea 'Silver and Gold', Newark. Before that, he was a research ge­ Heuchera americana 'Garnet', and Solida­ Thanks to a new horticultural partner­ neticist at Longwood Gardens. go 'Golden Fleece'. As part of an effort to ship with the Oklahoma Horticultural "I'll be doing things pretty much as prevent endangered wildflowers from being Society, AHS members will be admitted usual, except I won't be going in to Mount collected in the wild, Lighty also initiated re­ free to the spectacular Crystal Bridge Cuba," says Lighty, who plans to maintain search to develop marketable cultivars ofdif­ Tropical Conservatory at Myriad his busy schedule oflecturing, writing, and ficult-to-propagate natives such as trilliwns Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City. serving on various boards and committees. and terrestrial orchids. He also hopes to spend more time in his As we went to press, it was announced seven-acre garden near Kennett Square, that Rick Lewandowski, director of hor­ NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH OHS Pennsylvania. ticulture and curator ofliving collections We are proud to welcome the Oldahoma In the course of his career, Lighty col­ at the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia, Horticultural Society (OHS) as an AHS lected numerous horticultural awards, in­ has been hired to replace Lighty at Horticultural Parmer. Members of this ven­ cluding the Perennial Plant Association's Mount Cuba. erable organization, formed in 1970 as a statewide horticultural group for both pro­ fessional horticulturists and hobby garden­ 1999 Award Winner ers, will now receive The American Gardener and be eligible for all the other It has just been announced that Richard W. benefits of membership in AHS. "We are Lighty is the 1999 recipient of AHS's Liberty extremely excited about this parmership Hyd€ Bailey award, the highest award the with AHS," says OHS president Warren Fil­ SocietY offers to an individual. ley. "We share a similar mission and goals, The award, which will be presented to and I'm sure affiliation with a national or­ Lighty at the Society'S annual conference in ganization such as AHS will be of great ben­ Boston, June 9 to 12, is given to an individ­ efit to the members of our society." ual who has made significant eontributions in OHS is actively involved in gardening at least three of the following areas of horti­ activities throughout Oklahoma, spon­ culture: teaching, research, writing, plant soring lectures by prominent garden com­ exploration, administration, art, business, municators and tours of private and public and leadership. gardens, including Myriad Botanical Gar­ A complete list of 1999 AHS award winners dens in Oklahoma City. Members receive Richard Lighty appears in the Directory of Member Benefits. a quarterly newsletter and the society

Janua1' y/February1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 7 LYONS TO HEAD J.e. RAULSTON the university'S Horticulture Gardens and ARBORETUM his relationship wid1 the students, Lyons de­ Robert E. Lyons, formerly with Virginia scribes himself as "stLUmed" by d1e reaction Polytechnic Institute and State University to his departure. "The fallout has been in Blacksburg, has been hired as director of an1azing," he says . "I've been delighted to the J.c. Raulston Arboretum at North realize that the impact I've had on the stu­ Carolina State University (NCSU), dents and the industry has been valuable." Raleigh. The arboretum, formerly known Lyons says he is honored to be carrying as the NCSU on the work begun by I.C. Raulston but Arboretum, is hopes not to be immediately measured up named in against d1e standards of his legendary pre­ honor of the ar­ decessor. "I want to further I.c.'s legacy boretum's for­ but not be compared to what he has done," DESIGNED FOR LARGE mer director, he says. LANDSCAPED LAWNS who died in an Lyons earned his master's and doctoral • Easy handling with hydrostatic drive automobile ac­ degrees in horticulture at the University of system (no gear changing) cident in 1996. Minnesota at Minneapolis-St. Paul before • Zero turn radius maneuverability Since that time, moving on to Virginia Tech as an assistant (works around landscaping) Bryce Lane, a professor in 1981. He was promoted to full • Internal vacuum system (vacuums member of the professor there in 1995 and has directed the clippings, leaves, lawn debris) NCSU horti­ university'S Horticulture Gardens since • Easy servicing with tilt-up body culture depart­ 1994. While at the university, he won sever­ SEND FOR FREE COLOR BROCHURE ment faculty, al teaching and research publication awards; has been serv- Robert E. Lyons he has also won journalism awards from the ---e --- ing as interim Garden Writers Association of America for WALKER MANUFACTURING CO. director of the arboretum, which is inter­ his writing and photography. He will offi­ 5925 E. HARMONY ROAD. DEPT. AG nationally renowned for its introductions cially begin work at NCSU on February 1. FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80528 (800) 279·8537 of ornamental plants. WWW.WALKERMOWERS.COM "We have been searching for someone UNWANTED FOXGLOVE Independent, Family Owned Company, Designing and to fill I.c.'s shoes for nearly two years, and Conservation groups are keeping an eye out Producing Commercial Riding Mowers since 1980 I'm happy to say we have found him,"says for Grecian foxglove (Digitalis lanata), James Oblinger, dean ofNCSU's College which appears to be potentially invasive in ofAgriculture and Life Sciences. "I.c. was wild areas iliroughout the United States. a giant in the world of horticulture. He Reportedly the plant has established itselfin combined an encyclopedic knowledge of wild areas of Kansas, northern California, ornamental plants with a tireless dedication and several eastern states. A 120-acre infes­ to teaching, public education, and industry tation found on private property in eastern outreach. Dr. Lyons has those same skills Kansas caused the state's Department of and qualities. He is the right person to Agriculture to begin negotiations with the build upon I.c.'s accomplishments and nursery indus­ lead the arboretum into the next century." try to prohibi "I'm really excited about the position sale of the plant with NCSU," says Lyons, "It's very much through the what I do here-but on a grander scale." In state's Plant THE PERMANENT addition to directing the arboretum, Lyons Pest Act. METAL GARDEN LABEL will continue teaching, a condition he in­ Like all fox­

A - Hairpin Style Markers 100 For $ 25.45 sisted on as part of the job. "I wouldn't have gloves, Grecian B - PlanVShrub Labels 100 For $ 8.90 taken the job unless I would be teaching as foxglove con­ C - Cap Style Markers 100 For $ 22.60 D - Swinging Style Markers 100 For $21.40 well. That's what I do here [Virginia Tech] tains digitalis, a E - Rose Markers 100 For $ 25.80 and I didn't want to lose that touch." powerful car­ F - Tall Display Markers 100 For $ 32.65 G - Tall Single Staff Markers 100 For $26.50 Lyons faces a couple of challenges in his diac stimulant H - Flag Style Markers 100 For $ 20.95 that has been J - Small Plant Labels 100 For $ 8.30 new position. Raleigh, in USDA Zone 7, is K - Tie-On Labels 100 For $13.95 a full zone warmer than Blacksburg. Not linked to fatali­ M . Miniature Markers 100 For $19.20 only will he have a wider palette of plants ties in humans Special Quantity Prices Available Grecian foxglove and grazing an- Prices Include Prepaid Postage to embrace, but he will be changing his em­ phasis from herbaceous to woody plants. imals. Inges­ INTRODUCTORY OFFER: 1-Each; A,B,C,D,E,H,J and K "My strength is really herbaceous materi­ tion of plants at the infestation in Kansas With Waterproof Crayon, Only $3.75 als," he says, "but I'm prepared to en­ reportedly caused the death oflivestock. counter the learning curve with woody The American Nursery and Landscape PAW PAW EVERLAST Association has suggested that nurseries of­ LABEL COMPANY plants and a warmer zone." fering Grecian foxglove "may wish to re­ P.O. Box 93 -AH While acknowledging the decision to Paw Paw, Michigan 49079-0093 leave Virginia Tech was difficult because of evaluate its importance and consider his close involvement in the development of offering alternatives." ~

8 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Ja n u ary/Febru a ry 1999 focus january/february new for 1999

A NEW YEAR MEANS NEW PLANTS listed in catalogs and arriving in nurseries. Each year we an promised new colors) new habits) new pest resistance) and new flavors. A very few new plants are destined to become gar­ den classics)' most fade into oblivion with the countless other plants that have gone before. Do we really need a petunia in another shade ofpas­ tel? Does the latest hosta) daylily) or azalea really have something distinctive to offer? Time will be the test of most of these new plants) but we have scoured catalogs and read over-enthusiastic news releases from seed compa­ nies to preview some of the most promising new plants for 1999. Hk)ve also included plants that have been named award winners or (plants of the year)) by various national O1'lJanizations) from the Perennial Plant Association to the All­ America Selections. If you grow any of these new or acclaimed Petunia 'Rose Wave' and Salvia 'Vista White'-new from Ball. plants) let us kn01v your experiences with them.

year. Here are some likely candidates and bloom all summer, thriving even in hot forl999. and damp conditions. what's in Gardeners will also find new colors of ANNUALS Salvia 'Vista', another popular annual by Christina M. Scott If pre-release publicity is any indication of from Ball. The most common salvia is a plant's potential for success, then Petu­ bright red, but now you'll have the choice ach year, hundreds of new plants are nia 'Misty Lilac Wave' and 'Rose Wave' of burgundy, lavender, purple, and red introduced into the market. Many from Ball Horticultural Company, head­ and white. These plants are advertised as Eof these plants that find their way quartered in West Chicago, Illinois, are heat tolerant and fade resistant, growing into seed catalogs or onto nursery shelves sure to be as popular as their predecessors, 10 to 12 inches high. are truly new-the product of intensive 'Purple Wave', a 1995 All-America Selec­ Goldsmith Seeds, Inc. , of Gilroy, Cali­ breeding programs to develop new flower tions winner, and the 1996 release, 'Pink fornia, is introducing a whole new series of colors, habit, or disease resistance. Oth­ Wave'. 'Misty Lilac Wave' has large, three­ snapdragons (Antirrhinumspp. ) for 1999. ers have existed for some time but haven't inch, light lavender blooms that fade to The La Bella series promises to combine the been widely available to the public. pale lavender or white. 'Rose Wave' has in­ best qualities of the other Goldsmith snap­ Whether these plants are really new or tense rose colored flowers that cover the dragons: strong basal branching to create a simply new to us, the result is a wider va­ plant in summer. All of the 'Wave' petunias full profile, an open flower form, and 10 riety of exci ting plants to choose from grow to a height of four to six inches, bright colors, including bronze, lavender, when planning our gardens each spread three-and-a-half to four feet wide, red, yellow, red and white, and purple. La

Jan uary/February 1999 THE AMERI CAN GARDENER 9 Bella snapdragons grow 18 to 22 inches white to deep red trumpet-shaped flowers. high in the garden. 'White Delight' has large white flowers with Nemesia Jruticans (also listed as N. golden throats and is more compact than caerulea) 'Compact Irmocence', a new of­ other cultivars of this tender perennial vine. fering from Proven Winners, of Bonsall, Gardeners who have a soft spot for California, has delicate, small white snap­ daisylike flowers will be pleased to hear that dragonlike flowers with bright yellow cen­ Proven Winners has added two new selec­ ters. The fragrant flowers on this tender tions to its Cobbity Daisies line: A"'lfyran­ perennial are suspended above compact, themum frutescens 'Summer Melody' and semi-trailing foliage. 'Compact Irmocence' is heavy blooming and tolerant of full sun, yet is cold hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

PERENNIALS At Heronswood Nursery in Kingston, Washington, owner Dan Hinkley is excit­ ed about this year's new offerings, includ­ ing four new epimediums that are the result of Hinkley's 1996 expedition to China. Two new, as-yet-unnamed selections of Epimedium acuminatum will add to Heronswood's already large collection of this popular genus. But Hinkley's favorite plant this year is E. chloandrum, distin­ guished by deep red-spotted, lancelike fo­ liage that grows to eight inches long. The yellow flowers stand on 18-inch stems. "This plant was only described in 1997," explains Hinkley. "Before that, no one even Epimedium acuminatum knew it existed" Niche Gardens, in Chapel Hill, North 'Sugar Buttons'. 'Summer Melody' is a Carolina, is promoting a new version of an double, pink daisy that, according to its old favorite. Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's promotional material, outperforms other Knee High' is a dwarf version of the purple A"'lfyranthemum cultivars. It has a strong, coneflower that Niche has been working on bushy habit and long-blooming flowers since 1990. ill summer, the plant produces that are deep pink in bud, turning soft pink clear pink flowers with drooping petals and as they open up. 'Sugar Buttons' is a com­ the characteristic red-tipped cone of irides­ pact plant featuring large, white, double cent orange on stems that top out at 15 to flowers with a yellow center. 17 inches. ill mid- to late August, the plant reblooms on slightly taller stems. TREES AND SHRUBS Other new perermials that will be hitting From Monrovia comes the variegated tl1e catalogs and nursery shelves include Abelia >shrub growing three to five feet nursery in Azusa, California. The unusual tall and four to six feet wide, the foliage of dark purple-bronze foliage serves as a nice 'Sunrise' emerges as small, pink-tinged contrast to the dainty light pink. flowers, green leaves with gold leaf margins. As the which begin to bloom in late spring and foliage matures, it turns creamy yellow. Fall continue throughout the SUfl1lTIer. color is bright yellow, orange, and red. EuroAmelican Propagators, headquar­ Small white flowers appear in spring and tered in San Diego, California, is introduc­ summer. 'Sllflrise' is also available tl1fough ing Scaevola aemula 'Blue Shamrock'. This Fairweather Gardens. new cultivar branches well and grows more Also from Monrovia comes a new The world's finest roses, including compactly than previous cultivars, reduc­ ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo'. A 'English Perfume' (above) and hun­ ing the need for pinching. Intense blue large deciduous shrub, 'Monlo' has dark red dreds more. Call anytime for your flowers cover this 10- to 14-inch-tall bushy foliage that contrasts with two-inch-wide FREE New Roses 1999 catalog. plant in early spring and will continue to clusters of small creamy white summer. It bloom through the winter in mild climates. grows nine to 12 feet high and wide, with 1-800-854-6200 Two new mandevilla cultivars, Mandev­ arching branches that cascade to the ground. 1 ROSE lANE, DEPT . 9168, MEDFORD, OR 97501 ilia 'Ruby Star' and 'White Delight', are Hyd1'angea sikkokiana, a very rare hy­ www.jacksonandperkins.com being offered by Oglesby Plants illterna­ drangea species from Japan, was grown tional of Altha, Florida. Blooms of 'Ruby from seeds collected by Heronswood's Star' mature from swirls of lush pink and Dan Hinkley in 1997. Enormous, bold,

10 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Janua ry/February 1999 Other New Annuals Abutilon X hybridum 'Bella F1 Mix', Three-inch-wide, bell-shaped flowers on compact 14- to 16-inch plants. Pastel colors include apricot, coral, red, peach, rose, pink, ivory, and lemon yellow. (Ball) Begonia 'Dragon Wing', H anging clusters of red, bell-shaped flowers. Waxy, dark green wing shaped foliage. (Ball) Digitalis purpurea 'Primrose Carousel', Pl1mrose-yellow flowers circile stem. Dwarf, only 30 inches high. (Thompson & Morgan) Impatiens Java New Guinea series, 'Java Pearl', white with pink blush; 'Java Lilac Flame', lavender with scarlet star pattern; 'Java Pink', light pink with darker pink stripes. Bronze foliage . (Ball) Pelargonium 'Disco', Large hot magenta flowers. Compact zoned foliage. (Fischer USA) Torenia Summer Wave series, Light and dark blue snapdragonlike bicolor flowers. Creeping/ trailing habit. (Proven Winners) Verbena Temari series, 'Temari Violet'. Baseball-sized flowers, rich burgundy with hint of magenta. Resists powdery mildew. Trailing habit. (Proven Wumers) ~~ ~-­ New Vegetables The Cloister Garden Series Capsicum 'Early Sunsation', 4Y2-by- February 25 .. 28, 1999 4YrU1Eh green bell peppers mature to a sweet golden-yellow. Resists ome glean from the Horticulture at Mount Vernon , bacterial spot, 70 days to green bell; Cexperts in the Mobil Fall Vege table Gardening-A Second 2 extra weeks to golden yellow. Five-Star elegance of Chance, Plant Health Care Using (Seminis) Sea Island's world-class resort. IPM Strategies , The Radical Cucumis 'Early Crisp', Honeydew Nationally recognized garden Underground , Landscape Paving melons bear 7- to 8-pound fruits. Firm crispy flesh. 80 days. (Seminis) authorities bring their rich Materials , Sounds in the Garden, Lactuca 'Crispy Frills', Texture and diversity of specialized and Comparing Apples to Apples. orispness sin1ilar to head lettuce, but knowledge to this exceptional Tours of a private St. Simons leaves are 10Gsly packed and all-green. summit of gardening enthusias ts. Island residence and its beautifully Bolt resist-ant. 80 days. (Burpee) The Cloister's carefully landscaped gardens are among Lycopersicon 'Bucks County', Deep highlights. Please join us. Call red, 8-ounce beef-steak. Crack-free nurtured grounds provide a skin and high tomato yield. Disease fertile setting for three 800-SEA-ISLAND to reserve. resistant. 74 days. (Burpee) stimulating days of horticultural For in depuh information ask Phaseo/us 'Shade', Dark green, slim presentations including Secrets of for ext. 5165. 5Y2-inch bean pods. Tender and Garden Photography Workshop, flavorful. Disease resistant. 54 days . Annuals for Landscape Color­ (Harris) Zea 'Sweet Riser' Three different Secre ts of the Pros, Historic @&~1s:ER. types of sweet corn on one ear. 66 Co-sponsored by the A merican Horticul tural Society www.seaisland.com days. (Harris)

J an u ary/F ebruary 1999 THE AM E RI C A N GARD E N E R 11 scalloped foliage that is similar to oakleaf William Tricker, Inc. ® . '. SEEDS IIF DISTINCTION , ,\1 hydrangea grows along stems that reach America's Oldest Water Garden since 1895 eight feet tall. Large white lacecap flowers William 1iicker, Inc. Tricker's Water bloom in midsummer. .'" Garden Catalog Argyrocytisus battandieri (formerly * Water Lilies known as Cytisus battandieri) will be of­ * Aquatic Plants fered by Gossler Farms Nursery in Spring­ * Fish, Lotus field , Oregon. This 15- to l8-foot-tall * FREE offers shrub, commonly known as pineapple * Great Prices broom because of the pineapplelike fra­ grance of its golden yellow flower clusters, has attractive silky gray-green foliage. NEW Book.. All of these plants should be available at Tricker's your local nursery or through one of the 1101 Water Gardening mail-order sources listed on the next page. Questions and Answers by Biologist Richard Lee, President of Historic Christina M. Scott is assistant editor of The Wm Tricker. Over American Gardener. 1000 Questions and Answers on Water Gardening! Learn from the experts! A collection of seeds for the 335 pages, 36 color photos all-america and over 120 drawings. most discerning gardener. ONLY $24.95 Hard·to·find seed acquired from the top American and selections SPECIAL OFFER Order a Book European trials and the world's today and receive a FREE color Water most unique botanical gardens. Garden Catalog and FREE shipping! he All-America Selections, a non-prof­ (416) 255·3060 P. O. Box 86, Station A it organization that field tests new ...... CALL TODAy! ...... Fax: 1·888·327·9193 (Etobicoke), Toronto, ON Catalogue by request only. CANADA M9C 4V2 Tplants each year and awards those that 1-800-524-3492 offer superior garden performance, has 7125 Tanglewood Dr, Independence, OH 44131 honored 12 plants for 1999. Of the plants chosen in 1999, two re­ ceived AAS Gold Medals, which are re­ served for plants that represent a breeding breakthrough such as improved disease re­ sistance, improved flowering or fruiting, or other noteworthy characteristics The gold medal winners are zinnia cultivars 'Profu­ sion Orange' and 'Profusion Cherry'. Ac­ cording to the selections committee, these Earn a Master's Degree in zinnias are tolerant offoliar diseases, such as powdery mildew and bacterial leaf spot, that environmentally based commonly affect zinnias. landscape design OTHER SELECTIONS . Begonia 'Pin-Up Flame'. A tuberous be­ N estled in the hill country ofWestern Massachusetts is a small graduate school gonia with dramatic bicolor flowers that are dedicated to the intensive study of ecologically sound landscape planning and yellow with red to orange edges. design. The ten-month program, now in its 27th year, prepares its graduates for a • Cucumis 'New Queen'. A watermelon diverse range of jobs in such fields as land and community planning, conservation, cultivar with bright orange flesh that ma­ site design, land stewardship and designing with native plants. Conway's unique tures in about 75 days from seed. program, structured around "real world" residential and community projects, • Cucurbita 'Eight Ball'. This green sum­ emphasizes an analytical design process, communication skills, and individualized mer squash is essentially an egg-shaped or educational goals. Small class size, wide age range. round version of the zucchini. It is com­ pact-growing to only five feet in diame­ INTRODUCTORY SESSION: ter-and fruits can be harvested only five and Saturday, February 20, 1999 or six weeks after planting. 1999 Summer Workshop schedule available soon. • Cucurbita 'Wee-B-Little'. This pumpkin produces miniature fruit that weighs up to Call, write or e-mail for further information. a pOW1d. The plant also has a bushy habit that takes up less space than other pump­ P.O. BOX 179 CONWAY, MA 01341-0179 kins. Matures in about 120 days from seed. 413-369-4044 • EMAIL: [email protected] • www.csld.edu • K niphofia uvaria 'Flamenco'. This new

12 THE AMERICAN GARDENER J anuary/F ebruary 1999 selection of the perennial red -hot poker flowers the first year. Its tubular fl owers, Perennial Plant Association Winner clustered around a spike, are creamy white to yellow at the bottom of the inflorescence n old favorite, the 'Goldsturm' and orange to red at the top. cultivar of the orange cone­ • Lycopersicon 'Juliet '. This new tomato A flower (R udbeckia fulgida var. produces elongated cherry-size tomatoes sullivanti), has been chosen as the that resemble grapes. The tomatoes are re­ 1999 perenn ial plant of the year by the sistant to cracking and mature about 60 Perennial Plant Association (PPA), a days after being set out in the garden. professional organization whose • Osteospermum 'Passion ML'{'. This selec­ membership includes wholesale and tion of these South Mrican plants with retail nursery owners, garden commu­ daisylike flowers includes pink, rose, purple, nicators, and o ther horticulture in­ and white ray flowers around blue centers. dustry professionals. • Portulaca 'Sundial Peach ' . A new rose As is the case witll quite a number of moss with large, shiny pink flowers. popular cultivars of species native to . Tagetes 'Bonanza Bolero'. A dwarf North America, 'Goldsturm ' actually French marigold featuring flowers with an originated overseas, in Foerster's N urs­ irregular gold and red bicolor pattern. ery in Germany in 1937. The cultivar • Verbena ' Q uartz Burgundy'. This was selected because it was more free­ spreading verbena features deep pink flow­ flowering and compact tlu n the stan- Rudbeckia fu/gida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' ers with a white eye in the center. T hese dard variety, which still has much to bloom throughout the growing season . offer in the attractive contrast between its dark green leaves and golden yellow flowers. "The intent of the award is not just to introduce a brand new plant," notes ROSES FOR 1999 Steven Still, president of the PPA. "It's a promotional effort that brings awareness Four roses with very different habits have of worthy plants to the gardening public." been chosen All-America Rose Selections Under ideal conditions-full sun and evenly moist soil-flowering in iliis clump­ (AARS) winners for 1999. T he winners forming perermial begins in midsUl11ffier and lasts into September or October. The were chosen from scores of new roses that slighty drooping ray flowers, which radiate out from a dark brown central cone, are up to went through rigorous evaluations at test four inches in diameter and stand 18 to 30 inches tall. 'Goldsturm' is hardy in USDA sites throughout the U nited States. Rose Zones 3 to 8 and heat tolerant in AHS Zones 9 to 4 . It is not known to be susceptible to experts judged the roses on 15 different serious pests or diseases, offers nectar for butterflies and seeds for birds, and looks great traits, including when massed. -AHS Staff color, fragrance, disease resistance, h ardiness, and growth habit. Sources 'Candelabra', a grandiflora rose, has • WHOLESALE GROWERS • RETAIL NURSERIES lightly scented coral BALL HORTICULTURAL COMPANY. FAIRWEATHER GARDENS, P.O. Box 3~O, and orange flowers Ball is constructing a Web site to Greenwich, NJ OfB23, (609) 451-62EH. and d ark g reen , direct consumers to retail sources for Catalog $~ . glossy foliage. its plants. 1M the meantime, ask your HERONSWOOD NURSERY Ll1D., 15§0 N ~ Rosa 'Fourth of July' 'The fl owers z local nursery for Ball plants by !'lame. 288th, Kifilgstcm, WA 98346, (390) 297-4172. o of 'Kaleidoscope', GOLDSMllliI SEEDS, INC. Visit Catalog $5 f €>r a two-year subscriptiolfl. ~ Ci a shrub rose, change color as they mature. \NVV\N.goldsmithseeds.com for a list NICHE GARDENS, Dept. A6, 1111 Dawson ~ The tan and lavender petals gradually fade of retail mail-order so t:J fees. Road, Char>el Hill, NC 2Y!l 16, (919~ 967- ~ to pink at the tip. This rose grows three to OOJ.$. www.nichegdn.eom. Catalog $§. ...z ::l four feet tall and has medium green foliage. Q. « 'Fourth oOuly' is tlle first climbing rose II SEED COMPANIES z to win an AARS award in 23 years. Canes W. Al l eE BURPEE CO., 300 Park Avenue, w W reach 10 to 14 feet tall and the slightly fra­ www.proven wirmers.com for retail Warminst er, PA 18974, (800) $88-1447. '"Q. o,. grant, velvety red-and-white-striped flow­ mail-order sourGes. www.burr>ee.com. Catalog f~ee. oZ 6 ers bloom in clusters. SEMINIS GARDEN. One re:tai·1 SOllrce is ~ARRIS SEEDS, P.O. Box 22960, ~ The trademarked Betty Boop is a flori­ Rochester, NY ~ w i&I Seeds, bta., 1".0. Box 1710, 4692, ($00) 514-4441. '" bunda rose with ivory yellow flowers Winrlipeg, rIIIB R3C 3P6 Canada. (204) www:harisseeds.€ofTI. Catalog free. edged in red. It flowers early and often and 89 ~- 9962 . Catalog $.3. lW. JUNG SEED CO., 335 S. High Street, has a slightly fruity but sweet fragrance. EUR0AMERIeAN PROPAGATORS, Randolph, WI-5:3956, (800) 297-31:B. A free brochure on the 1999 MRS win­ FISHER USA, and C>GIlESBY PLANTS Catalog free. ners can be obtained by sending a stamped, INTERNATI

J anuary/February 1 999 TH E A MERICAN GARD ENE R 13 fshoots

WAITING FOR THE SNOW TO MELT der of healthy foliage accented by feathery pinks and bold yellows. I spend hours every summer gazing at my gardens. I sit on my by Jewis Cohen back step with a cup of coffee and study the color combinations that are sometimes bold and other times subtle. The soft shades his morning the radio announced that we are halfway of powder-blue love-in-a-mist in front of a creamy yellow daylily through the winter heating season. I looked at our woodpile, and an airy pink prairie mallow can look like chiffon scarves of pas­ Tand for the first time in years I realized we would not be mak­ tel blowing in the breeze. Watching my garden is like a form of ing an expensive late-winter firewood order. Despite the mild meditation. My mind clears itself of thoughts and I am simply in weather this year, I still find winter in Vermont difficult to endure. the moment of enjoying incredible beauty. Those of us who garden here are all too aware of the brevity Even after th~ winter snows settle, I continue my backyard con­ of our growing season. When mud season finally releases its grip templation. I shift from the step to the kitchen table, but I still on the dirt roads, I feel a sense of relief and accomplishment for gaze at tlle same view that until recently fed my eyes and nour­ surviving another winter. Cross-country skiing this morning, I ished my soul. Now what I receive is a daily barometer of winter's stopped in the woods and listened to the silence. There is a still­ hold on the world around me. Every day I calculate depth by ness in winter, a silence broken only _ ..•,_.~_ .• ~o watching the objects outside disap­ by the occasional bird call or clump 1" ". " r pear under snow. The wooden of melting snow falling from a bench that offers itself as a comfort­ ( branch overhead. I skied through t. able sunning station is slowly en­ my backyard and paused at a white gulfed, while the pedestal for potted mound that represents a temporary arrangements in the middle of the coffin for my perennial bed. Be­ perennial bed is eventually swal­ neath the snow, astilbe, phlox, del­ lowed up whole. Even the limbs of phinium, purple coneflower, and the apple tree that once stood high heliopsis sleep contentedly beneath above the ground gradually lose their blanket. I, however, yearn for their position of dominance until my garden; I am impatient for its they are almost genuflecting. fragrance and ache for its beauty. I do not embrace this season Th~se days I watch the calendar, called winter, I simply find ways to making up dates of importance that survive it. Sometimes I think I are not too far off. This way I can an­ would do well to follow the cycle of ticipate their arrival, live through my garden. If! could just pull a big their significance, and move on to blanket over myself for the winter the next one, progressively marking the passage of time as it inch­ and sleep it off, I could avoid a lot of negativity. As I am neither es closer to winter's demise. When the smell of earth first hits my plant nor hibernating aninlal, I try to spend time more positively nostrils, I have to pause and reacquaint myself with this first sign by looking for the beauty in a tree cloaked in ice and bathed in sun­ of botanical reincarnation. There is no sweeter sight than my sod­ shine, or in a winter evening illlll11inated by a full moon. These im­ den lawn finally rid of its snowcover. It is then I begin my daily ages go a long way toward easing my struggle, and every nill moon rounds of the garden spaces, looking for signs of life . takes me closer to my first daffodil sighting, my first peeper's song, Every year I am both awed and humbled by the tenacity of my first day spent in a T-shirt. my perennials. I see their pointy heads pushing their way Today we are enjoying our fi.fth straight day ofsunshine, and my through the mulch and feel rejuvenated by their confidence in indoor garden is responding. I keep an assortment of plants that warmer temperatures and longer hours of sunlight. I have a spend the SUl11iller in outdoor containers. Every fall I evaluate each small garden strip beside our leach field that floods every spring. one's indoor survival capabilities and make my selection. This year I usually inspect this area last, giving it extra time to dry out. I have four pots of mandevilla, two scented geraniums, and two No matter how long I wait, though, it is still covered by stand­ glory bushes. They are all sending out new shoots in response to the ing water, yet closer inspection always reveals evidence of sur­ slowly lengthening daylight hours. This evidence of rejuvenation is vival. The underwater community of black-eyed Susan, a vote of confidence in the future. Instead of being only halfway meadow rue, bee-balm, mallow, and astilbe earnestly with­ done with winter, we are on 'our way toward spring . ...., stands the floods, gratefully taking nourishment from the leach field. By mid-summer this patch becomes a lush backyard bor- Jewls Cohen is a free-lance writer living in Warren, Vermont.

14 THE AMERICAN GARDENER January/ F ebruary 1999 ~ gardeners information service

I'm lookingfor a house plant that doesn't need sunlight sandy, moderately moist soil, they may suffer in pure sand, which butgives offlots offresh o:JC)lgen. What do you recommend? could be similar to what you have in Chiefland. If so, work or­ -B.J., Kennebunkport, Maine ganic matter, such as leafmoLd or compost (about 10 to 15 per­ All plants give offplenty of OA'Ygen, and some help to remove pol­ cent by volume), into the soil to a depth ofl2 to 15 inches. Do lutants fi'om the air. WIllie no plant will grow without any light, this 5 to 10 feet around the area in which you intend to plant there are many that can be grown wlder fluorescent lights. Un­ the tree. This will help the soil retain water. The tree should be fortwlately, few flowering plants will grow or thrive Lillder stan­ placed in full sun and watered regularly for the first year after dard artificial lighting, so unless you purchase and install transplanting. Tllis remarkabLe tree is a relatively sLow grower, professional-quality grow lights, you'll have to stick to foliage but yo u can speed it up by top-dressing with compost or appLy­ plants. Some plants that do well in low-light situations include: ing balanced slow-release fertilizer. spider plant (Chlorophytum spp.), cast-iron plant (As­ I ha-ve seeds ofEuropean beech andgolden chain trees. pidistra eiatior), golden How would I start these seedr? -D.N., via e-mail pothos (Epipremnum MI­ The seeds of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) are known to be reum), kangaroo vine (Cissus recalcitrant and should not be allowed to dry out. They lose their antarctica), grape ivy vine viability in storage, so they should either be planted in the fall or (Cissus rhombifolia), spotted conditioned indoors for three months at 40 degrees Falrrenheit evergreen plant (Aglaonema before sowing outdoors in the spring. GoLden chain tree (Labur­ costatum), Chinese evergreen num anagyroides) seeds will germinate without difficulty when (Aglaonema commutatum), properly scarified. Use a metal file to nick the seed coat before and snake plant (Sansevieria pLanting in the spring. spp.). Many of these com­ mon indoor house plants can A friend wants to start a grape -vine from a set of be purchased at your local vines growing at his mothers house. Should we start from garden center or greenhouse. seedr, or would it be best to take cuttings ofthe old vines? For more lillUSUai house­ -B.S., via e-mail plants, try a specialty nursery Although grapes can be propagated from seed, this is rarely done such as Lyndon Lyon Green- because most grape plants are cultivars and won't come true houses, Inc., P.O. Box 249, from seed. But you have three other options. The first option is Dolgeville, NY 13329-1249; (315) 429-8291; www.lyndonlyon. to take hardwood cuttings. All grapes grown in the U.S., except com. A good reference is Taylor's Guide to Houseplants, edited by Muscadine, can be propagated from hardwood cuttings. In the Gordon P. DeWolfJr., Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, winter, take one-foot cuttings that have three buds and store Massachusetts, 1987. them in moist sand or sawdust until early spring, when they shouLd be planted with the top bud level with the surface of the Over two years ago I planted two three-foot Gink­ soil. The cuttings should produce vines by the end of the first or go biloba

For answers to your gardening questions, (all Gardeners Information Service at (800) 777-7931 ext. 31 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time, or e-mail us anytime at [email protected].

january/Februa1'Y 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 15 orer

SEED SAVERS EXCHANGE 1870s. When Diane's grandfather passed away the following spring, the Whealys came to the sobering realization that if they by Christina M. Scott had not taken those seeds and planted them, this family heir­ loom could have been lost forever. ike most gardeners, you'll probably spend a lot of time this This sentimental attachment to family history-coupled with winter thumbing through seed catalogs filled with "new and a concern over the steady erosion of genetic diversity that was oc­ Limproved" cultivars, many of them fresh from the laborato­ curring because the seed industry was being subsumed by a few ry. Look in the Seed Savers Exchange catalog, however, and you large corporations-led Kent and Diane to search for other gar­ won't find any exciting new plants. What you will find are thou­ deners who were interested in preserving heirloom seeds. As their sands of seed varieties that your great-grandparents may have network grew, Diane says, "We realized that no other group was grown 100 years ago. doing what we were doing," and Seed Savers Exchange was born. But then, Seed Savers Exchange is not a typical seed company. Since that time, the exchange has gathered an amazing num­ It's a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving and pro­ ber of seed varieties. About 18,000 rare fruits, vegetables, flow­ moting heirloom vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. From its ers, and herbs are now maintained at Heritage Farm, the unheralded beginning in 1975 with a group ofsix interested heir­ exchange'S 170-acre property in Decorah, Iowa. Among these are loom gardeners, Seed Savers now has a membership of8,000 and 4,000 varieties of tomatoes, including SL,{ varieties of black toma­ has become one of the most influential forces in the burgeoning toes from the former Soviet Union. "These were a great find," heirloom seed movement. says Kent. "There's an enzyme under the skin that keeps turning the tomatoes darker and darker in the sun and heat. They're very PRESERVING MEMORIES unique." Another favorite is the 'Moon and Stars' watermelon, a Seed Savers Exchange was co-founded by Kent and Diane legendary melon that exhibits pea-sized yellow "stars" and a larg­ Whealy after Diane's grandfather gave the couple some seeds er yellow "moon" on its dark green skin. from a rare morning glory plant distinguished by small purple As the exchange'S seed listings grew, it became apparent some­ flowers with a red star in their throats. "My grandfather had these thing had to be done. "The catalog was getting so big that it was morning glories planted in front of the porch, and each year he unmanageable," says Kent. So, in 1990, the Whealys separated would train them on twine to grow into some shape, such as a their offerings into two groups. Now Seed Savers Exchange fo­ window pane," explains Diane. It turns out Diane's great-grand­ cuses on rare fruits and vegetables-its 1998 yearbook was a parents had brought the plants to America from Bavaria in the whopping 460 pages featuring 11,000 varieties. The smaller

Left: The plant that inspired the founding of Seed Savers Exchange-Grandpa Ott's morning glory. Above: A display garden on the organization's Iowa property.

16 THE AMERICAN GARDENER January / February 1999 Flower and Herb Exchange includes an impressive list of 3,000 old-time fl owers and herbs in its '98 yearbook, including the flower that started it all-Grandpa Ott's morning glory. Another AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY rare, heirloom favorite is the old-fashioned vining pettuua (Petu­ ONLINE announces nia multiflora), a low growing annual with delicate pastel blooms that enut a sweet fragrance at dusk.

A DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP AHS ONLINE If you become a Seed Savers Exchange member-aIIDual dues are cmrently $30-you'1l receive the Seed Savers yearbook, wluch lists ASSOCIATES seeds currently available from otller members. You CaIl tllen place yom order with tile member who offers the seeds, paying a nom- inal fee for postage. In turn, it is hoped that members will grow out For more information about and offer their own heirloom or LU1 - Seed Savers Exchange and us u al seeds. the Flower and Herb Ex- But you don't have to be a mem­ change. or to request a ber of Seed Savers Exchange or the free color catalog. call Flower and Herb ExchaIlge to pm­ chase tlleir seeds. Seed Savers offers (319) 382-5990. Heritage a linuted l1LU11ber of varieties grown Farm. located at 3076 North at Heritage Farm tl1fough its free Winn Road in Decorah. Iowa. catalog, aIld some retail outlets carry is open to the public from 9 tile orgaIuzation's seeds. Those who a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from June become actively involved in the ex­ 1 to October 1; call ahead to change, however, say they feel a great satisfaction knowing they aI·e arrange a guided tour. doing sometlung to help preserve these heirloom plaIlts. Darrell Merrell of Tulsa, Oklalloma, has been a Seed Savers Now you'll be able to get the latest member since 1994. Merrell learned about tile exchange while caring for a terminally ill fanUly member. "Dming that time, my information about the American only outlet was reacling aIld gardening," he explains. "But when Horticultural Society, its events and I started looking for the varieties of plaIltS I had grown as a child, I fOW1d tl1at tlley weren't commercially available anymore." Seed programs, and new features Savers was the only somce for the plants he was looking for. Since then, Merrell has become one of tile exchange's most on AHS OnLine e-mailed directly active members, offering 221 different seed varieties t1Us year to you when you become an alone. "I get a deeper satisfaction witll tlus than anything I've ever done in my life," he says. "We can't depend on the government AHS ONLINE ASSOCIATE! to save om seeds. It's up to individual gardeners to preserve the genetic diversity that thousands of gardeners have given us over the centuries ." NOWon AHS OnLine: John Swenson, a seed collector living in Glenview, Illinois, Regional Happenings Garden Book Service praises the Seed Savers' staff for its "remarkable commitment." Find updated garden Find a book through Swenson has traveled the world collecting plants, and at one time events with Web-site AHS OnLine's affiliation he had one of the largest collections of garlic in the world. Yet de­ with Amazon.com! spite his numerous plant expeditions, he discovered Seed Savers exclusives! (AHS Members-Only Pages) was the only source for many of the varieties he grew. "There is Hort Links just a wealth of plant material there," he says. "It's impossible to Horticultural Careers have a boring garden if you're a member of Seed Savers." Find the horticultural information you're Kent aIld DiaIle are thrilled to see tllere has also been a resm­ Find your dreaI11 job or gence of public interest in heirloom plants. "We've been doing post a listing! looking for! t1Us long before it was popular," says DiaIle. "Now we get 10,000 to 15,000 requests a year for information on heirloom garden­ ing. It's very exciting." With the recent discovery of ways to ge­ netically manipulate crops so they will produce sterile seeds, public interest in seed preservation and heirloom gardening is Visit www.ahs.org sure to increase even further. "Seed Savers has a sense of respon­ AMERICAN sibility to tile futme of the human race and the planet," says Swen­ HORTICULTURAL today and join us! SOCIETY son. "They are much more than just a big seed catalog." ~ YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE AN A HS MEMBER TO BECOME AN AHS ONLINE ASSOCIATE. HOWEVER, SOME AHS ONLINE FEATURES ARE BENEFITS FOR AHS MEMBERS ONLY. Christina M. Scott is assistant editor of The An1eriCaIl Gardener.

January / February 19 99 THE A ME RI CAN GARDENER 17 9 a ener

MY JAPANESE-STYLE GARDEN Eiichi offered the word "static" to describe the mindset of Japanese gardening, which at first seemed at odds with my own story and photographs by Judy Hominick perception of that gardening tradition. A dictionary check offered another, more apt, meaning for static: "forces at rest or in equi­ exas may seem like an unusual place for a Japanese-style gar­ librium," which ties in with the garden'S ain1 of balancing all ele­ den, but the neglected shady area behind the bench in our ments to suggest repose. Tperennial garden was begging for something unique. The spot is compact-about 80 square feet-and although the tried­ CREATING SEPARATION and-true impatiens, begonias, and, sometimes not-so, obedient To separate the Japanese-style area from me rest of the garden, I plants (Physostegia spp.) I had planted there had flourished, they built a yotsume-gaki bamboo fence, one of the less intricate lattice overwhelmed tile area and lacked pizzazz. fences commonly used in Japanese gardens. The lengths of bam­ On the other hand, the area in front of the bench boasted a boo are tied with black twine using a specific, rather complicated, joyful profusion of perennials elbowing each other for growing knot. Tying the many knots taught me about patience-and I have room. A pond, with stream and waterfall, put in by my hard­ the calluses to prove it! working spouse, completed the garden's vibrant feeling. I want­ I men turned my attention to reshaping me Japanese maple tree ed something different behind the bench-something that (Acer palmatum var. sango-kaku) already growing in the center of would surprise a visitor with its unexpectedness. After seeing a the shady area. I did this by tying down individual limbs to give it picture of a Japanese tea garden, with its vision of simple tran­ the "twisted" look common to trees in Japanese gardens. This was quillity, I knew I had found the answer. I soon discovered a done in the spring, when the branches were more flexible. Japanese-style garden is deceptive, however; what seems very The compact size of the space lent itself to a courtyard tea gar­ simple is actually governed by a strict set of rules. Virtually den-known as a tsuboniwa-and although I didn't plan to use it everything in the garden has a reason for being there and sym­ for that purpose, I wanted it to be as authentic as possible. A typ­ bolism is omnipresent-flat stones layered on top of one an­ ical tea garden includes a path lighted by a stone lantern, which other imply a stream, while sifted sand brushed in swirls or lines leads the way for the actual tea ceremony. I incorporated these el­ suggests ripples or waves. ements, designing the path to run alongside the maple tree. Most I read whatever I could find on Japanese gardening and also tea gardens also include a basin-placed low to humble the par­ asked my brother's Japanese friend, Eiichi Watanabe, for his ticipants-for the requisite pre-tea ablutions, but I haven't yet thoughts on the spirit ofJapanese gardening. Proving that gar­ added this feature to my garden. deners are the same everywhere, Eiichi told me that gardening Stones are such an important element ofa Japanese garden mat is very popular in Japan-especially English gardening! entire books have been written on stone placement alone. Because

The author's Japanese garden, above, is separated from the rest of her garden by a bamboo fence, top left. Right: Japanese climbing fern behind the lantern.

18 THE AMERICAN GARDENER January/ Februa r y 1999 this space is so small, however, I contented myself with putting three small rolU1ded rocks near the back of the garden.

SELECTING PLANTS Finally, it was time to add plants. In a Japanese garden, plants are meant to suggest serenity and symbolize a marriage of na­ ture and art. In choosing plants, subtlety and restraint are the key. Plants that bloom continuously are eschewed in favor of those with ephemeral flowers that mark the passage of time­ such as azaleas or cherry trees, whose bl ossoms announce spring. Likewise, the shedding ofleaves in the fall is a poignant reminder of the impending arrival of winter. Moss, a common ground cover in Japanese gardens, lends a very luxuriant, soft feeling to our site. We used local moss-har- A Japanese-style garden is very deceptive; what seems very simple is actually governed by a strict set of rules.

vesting a small quantity from the edges of extensive mats grow­ ing at a nearby creek-and laid it betvveen the stepping stones in the path and in unplanted areas. Growing up through the moss, two patches of miniature horsetail (Equisetum scirpoides) offer a vertical contrast to the flatness of the moss. Fearing our intense Texas heat would be too much for the moss, we had a mister-regulated by a timer-installed in the gar­ den. The thrice daily misting helps combat the heat and gives the garden a moist look so favored by Japanese gardeners. Tllis has now become a favorite spot for my seven-year-old daughter, who loves to sit in the refreslling mist. Ferns are another hallmark of a Japanese garden, providing both a graceful beauty and a primeval feeling, so I used them ex­ tensively to enhance the spirit of the garden. Three Japanese paint­ ed ferns (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum') are growing in the front section, while maidenhair ferns (Adiantum capillus-veneris) are planted along the back for the airy, delicate effect they create. Japanese climbing ferns (Lygodium faponicum) soften the wooden fence bordering one side and three small azaleas sit just gardeners find the prospect of designing behind the bench and will eventually form a screen of spring­ . or even intimidating; however, time pink blossoms. The blue green leaves of Hinckley's creating a garden your landscape and lifestyle Gan columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana), highlight­ be satisJYing and fUn. Join us at the 1999 Colonial ed in spring by airy yellow blooms, grace the opposite edge of Williamsburg Garden Symposium as we learn the the garden. A small Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergiana) basics of garden design and define the skills needed anchors the back corner. to bring cohesion and unity to our gardens. Featured Completing the scene is a deer scare-shishi odoshi-which was speakers and visiting gardeners will Cc -'pOIlSored by (hc originally used by Japanese gardeners to chase away deer threat­ address the d~sign of garden spaces, Ii ening their crops. In the deer scare, a water line hidden in a piece both large and small. Explore the pos- ~ ofhollow bamboo drips water into a cuplike, hollow piece of bam - sibilities of creating spaces and garden boo fastened to one end of a see-sawlike rod. As the cup fills, the spots which suit the gardenef's need AMERICAN weight of the water eventually forces that end of the see-saw to sculpt the outdoors in an informe,d HOa;nGI1LTURAL SOGLETY down, spilling out the collected water. At this point the other, consi der~ d,an d designc d manner. weighted, end of the bamboo drops back down, striking a strate­ gically positioned rock on the grOlmd. The resulting clack, re­ Golonial Williamsburg Foundation peated at regular intervals as the cup end fills and spills, introduces a rhythm to the garden and notes the passage of time. P.O. BOl( 1776 • Wilhamsburg, VA 23187-1776 In the hectic scramble of our daily lives, our Japanese garden 800 - 603- 0948• 75;-220-7255 serves as a reminder for us to stop, take a breath, and gaze upon . ·Facsimile 75;-565 -8630 this soothing slice of nature. ~ E-mail [email protected] Discounr rqJjstrarion for AHS members. Judy Hominick is a free-lance writer living in Dallas, Texas.

January/Fe bruary 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 19 natural • connections

KEEPING BIRDS SAFE THIS WINTER

by Sharon V. Buck

irds are an integral part of the landscape, providing polli­ nation and seed dispersal services for many of our trees, Bshrubs, and herbaceous plants. But increasingly the nat­ ural habitat of our native songbirds is being lost to development and agriculture. In some areas, neighborhoods that take pride in preserving trees, parks, and wild areas are the best-or only­ available habitat. Almost everyone enjoys the presence of birds in the garden, and putting up a feeder can be a source of entertainment for the whole family. But are our feeders safe? Sick birds will eat at feed­ ers, too, and the feeder site can become a source of infectious dis­ eases to which healthy birds are exposed. Be on the defensive. Don't wait until you see a sick bird to start Winter seems a long taking precautions. Farniliatity with the causes of some common way off for these deadly, contagious diseases and a proper cleaning routine can help gold finches feasting prevent their spread. on thistleseed from a feeder, right, but FOUR COMMON DISEASES when it comes, it can There are numerous avian diseases, but the four that are com­ be as harsh for them monly spread arow1d feeders and birdbaths are salmonellosis, as­ as for the female car­ perigillosis, trichomoniasis, and avian pox. dinal, above, perch­ Salmonellosis, caused by the well-known salmonella bacteria, ing on a branch of is spread when food or water is contaminated by an infected bird's ice-glazed hawthorn feces . This disease can cause birds to develop throat abcesses. Last berries. Be sure that year, birdwatchers witnessed at1 outbreak of salmonellosis in the feeders are always Midwest and Northeast that decimated many songbirds. well stocked­ Aspergillosis is caused by a fimgus that grows on daJ.11p, moldy especially in winter. seed and on the debris that drops underneath feeders. Birds in­ hale the fungal spores, which can foster lung and air sack infec­ tions such as pnewnonia or bronchitis. Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite that invades the lining of

Plant for the Birds

Bird Gardens, from the Brook­ Southeast oats (Uniola paniculata). pungens), wild strawberry lyn Botanic Garden's 21st­ Beautyberry (Callicarpa Prairies and plains (Fragaria vesca subsp. Century Gardening Series, americana), beach sunflower Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), californica), mesquite suggests these bird-attracting (Helianthus debilis), purple rough-leaved dogwood (Prosopis velutina) . plants for North America: muhly grass (Muhlenbergia (Cornus drummondii), Pacific coast Northeast capillaris). pale purple coneflower Pacific madroo.e (Arbutus Shadbush (Amelanchier South Florida (Echinacea pal/ida). menziesii), toyon canadensis), winterberry (flex Sea ox-eye daisy (Borrichia Western mountains (Heteromeles arbutifolia), verticillata), American elder­ jrutescens), joewood and deserts Pacific wax myrtle (Myrica berry (Sambucus canadensis). (Jacquinia keyensis), sea Mat1Zanita (Arctostaphylos californica) .

20 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Janua ry/Feb n tary 1999 birds' throats. Infected birds develop sores in their mouths and U1g it in a 10 percent bleach solution for three to four mll1Utes and throats that swell until they cannot swallow. allowing it to air dry. Birdbaths should be scrubbed down peri­ Avian pox, which causes warty growths on the featherless parts odically as well but, Barker says, "The best way to keep birdbaths of birds, is spread by direct contact between birds, by insect vec­ safe is to simply change the water every day." When cleaning your tors, and by healthy birds eating contaminated seeds. Large feeders and baths, make sure you rinse them thoroughly, leavu1g growths on the eyes and beak can be deadly: They can in hibit a no cleanser residue. And for your own safety, always wear gloves bird's ability to eat, leading to starvation, and can obstruct a bu·d's when washing feeders and birdbaths, and only wash feeders in a sight, making it more vulnerable to predators. bucket, not in the kitchen su1k! While you have the feeder down, examine it for any sharp SIGNS OF DISEASE edges that could scratch bU'ds, making them susceptible to VU'us­ Sick birds often puff out their feathers, cower, and appear poor­ es and bactetia. After cleanu1g and exan1i.ning the feeder, fill it with ly groomed. They are also usually droopy and inac tive . If you clean, dry food. Extra food should be stored in a dry, sealed, ro­ notice a large number of sick or dead birds in your yard, con­ dent-proof contall1er. If the stored food goes bad, discard it and tac t your local fish and wildlife office and as k to speak with the disinfect the container before putting good seed back illto it. non-game biologist, or call your local extension office. Offi­ Equally important is the cleanlilless in the area around feeders cials may want to examine the birds to determine the cause of and bU·d baths. Make sure the grOlmd is clear ofwas te and dropped illness or death. food. On the ground, food can easily become contamillated by Wildlife experts advise against handling sick or dead birds. feces. A rake, broom, or indoor/outdoor vacuum is useful in main­ Kimberli Miller, a wildlife disease specialist with the U.S. Fish taillli1g a clean and safe environment. and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Health Center in Madi­ Finally, make sure birds have enough space at your feeder. son, Wisconsin, warns that salmonella bacteria, for example, in­ CroWdll1g increases the chance of diseases beillg spread. If birds fe cts all sorts of animals, including humans. "There are more are overly plentiful, you may need more than one feeder. In ad­ than 2,000 strains of salmonella out there," she explains. "Whil e di tion, planting regionally native plants U1 your garden supple­ there have not been any cases of human u1fection linked to birds ments the birds' diet and lessens demand for space at the feeder. so far, the potential is there." For safety'S sake, always wear dis­ Spread the word to neighboring gardeners to help ensure that the posable protective gloves if you have to handle dead birds. birds in your community stay free of disease. Home gardens create a wonderful habitat for our native birds. BREAKING THE CYCLE Gardeners have the opportwu ty to support these delightful gar­ What steps can we take to lessen the chance of these diseases beu1g den residents by providing food and water during the winter spread at our feeders and birdbaths? According to Margaret Bark­ months when natural sources are hard to come by. At the same er, education coordinator for the Cornell Laboratory of O r­ time, however, bird feeding carries with it an ethical obligation to nithology's Project FeederWatch program, "What it boils down provide a safe, clean environment for those birds. "Bird feeding is to is common sense ." Keepu1g feeders and birdbaths clean is the a popular pastime," says Miller. "But ifyou' re goillg to do it, dou1g single most important way to prevent the spread of disease. Ex­ it responsibly is the way to go." ~ perts recommend washing feeders with soap and water at least once or twice a month. After cleaning, disuTIect the feeder by soak- Sharon V Buck is a free -lance writer in Bahia Honda K ey) Florida.

Backyard Conservation

More than 75 percent ofAmerica's land is owned or managed by carry out in their gardens or neighborhoods. The practices de­ farmers, ranchers, and homeowners, so natural resource conser­ scribed in the booklet-many of which are already being used vation on private land is vital to protecting the diversity and health on a larger scale by our nation's farmers-include wntrol:ling of our native flora and fauna. It is estimated that much of the 92 erosion using techniques such as terracing; planting trees and million acres of developed land ill the United States is cared for shrubs; composting to reduce pressure on landfills; creating habi­ by homeowners, so wnservatiofl groups see private gardens­ tats that will attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife; and con­ green islands ill a sea of CORcrete-as critical serving water. The booklet also irLdudes a list habitat for wildlife. of organizations that can provide additional To bring the irL1PQrtance of this role information or resources for many of the home to gardeners, the N atural Resources suggested projects. Conservation Service (NRCS), National As­ "You don't have to do a lot, or spend a lot sOClatloFl of COl1servat:ioR Districts to make your yard a more irLvitklg place for (NAGD), and Wildlife Habitat Council beneficial birds and irtsects," says WHC Pres­ (WHC) are cooperating on a proiect, called ident William W. Howard. "It's amazillg Backyard Conservation, that they hope will what a few of the right plants or trees will do make one million backyatds throughout fo1' nesting birds and othelr wildlife." North America a friendlier place for nature. A copy of the Backyard Conservation To achieve this goal, the conservation booklet is available by callirLg toll-free (888) groups are offering homemvners a free, 28- LANDCARE. Or visit the group's Web site page booklet that outlirLes 10 conserva­ at www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/CCS/ Back tion practices home- or business owners can A c;edar waxwing tends her brood. yard.htrnl. -David J. Ellis) Editor

J an uary/ February 1 9 9 9 TH E A MERICAN G A RD ENE R 21

The hellebore flower is composed offive diac stimulant. All hellebores are consid­ petal-like sepals, a characteristic shared by ered poisonous, however, and should on most members of the buttercup family (&1- no account be ingested. nunculaceae). These are borne on flower­ The metamorphosis from physic, or ing stems, either singly or in loose clusters medicinal, gardens to ornamental gardens of three or four that emerge in winter or surely included hellebores. The Lenten and early spring before the new leaves. the Christmas roses were widely grown in The center of the flower sports three to America during Colonial times and have re­ Sources eight pistils surrow1ded by multiple rings mained popular here ever since. ofstamens . The carpels-female reproduc­ European gardens display the full range GOSSlER FARMS NURSERY, 1200 tive organs-of the flower are an essential ofspecies, as well as colorful selections and Weaver Road, Springfield, OR 97ll78- characteristic for distinguishing certain hybrids that will make your mouth water. 9691 . (541) 746-3922. Catalog $2. species. Some carpels are fused at the base, Although the more unusual species and hy­ GREER GARDENS, 1280 Goodpasture while others are free. Outside the stamens brids can still be hard to come by in Amer­ Island Road, Eugene, OR 97401-1794. is a ring of scalloped nectaries, which may ica, fortunately for those of us who are (541) 686-8266. C~talog $3. be green or purple. In some flowers the continent-bound, these plants are slowly HERONSWOOD NURSERY lTD., nectaries are petal-like, giving lise to dou­ making their way to our nurseries. 7530 288th NE, Kingston, WA 98346. ble flowers, but this is rare. After pollina­ (360) 297-4172. Catalog $5. (Herons­ tion, the sepals fade to rose or green and Culture wood's annual Hellebore Day is often persist in an attractive state until the Hellebores are easy to grow, quick to ma­ February 13 this year.) seed is ripe. ture, and extremely long lived. This com­ PINE KNOT FARMS, (;)81 Rock (l;ll:lren Flowers are by no means the only bination of traits, along with their Road, Clarksville, VA 23927. (804) 252- charms of hellebores. Their richly textured, abundant, early flowers , makes them indis­ 1990. Web site for online catalog un­ often evergreen leaves add structure to the pensable for the winter and spring garden. der construction; call for information. summer and winter garden. In mild win­ The season-long foliar display makes them PLANT DELIGHTS NURSERY, 9241 ters, they may come through January un­ all the more valuable in the shaded garden, Sauls Road, Raleigh, NC 27603. blemished. In severe weather, they can be where so many plants are dormant in sum­ (919) 772-4794. wwv.v.plantdei.com. easily damaged by cold, drying winds. mer. Give them hwnus-rich, evenly moist Catalog: Send 10 stamps or a box of Where snowfall is consistent, the leaves soil. Most species are widely tolerant ofsoil chocolates. lie hidden all season, but emerge w1scathed pH, but they will benefit from the addition ROSLYN NURSERY, 211 Burrs Lane, in spring. In any case, as the flower buds ofground limestone where soils are strong­ Dix Hills, NY 11746. (516) 643-9347. begin to stir in the center of the rosettes, ly acidic. Though hellebores are touted as www.cris.com/-Roslyn/. Catalog $B. it's best to cut the plants to the ground to shade plants, the more sun they receive­ WAYSIDE GARDENS, 1 Garden malce way for the flowers. Nothing spoils especially in spring while the foliage is ex­ Lane, Hodges, SC 29695-0001. (800) the garden display like a tangle of flowers panding-the fuller the plants will grow 845-1124. www.waysidegardens.com. wrestling with winter-burned leaves. The and the more prolifically they will bloom. Catalog free. juice in the leaves is caustic and can cause a Part shade in summer is best for most WOODLANDERS, INC., 1128 Colleton rash, however, so take care when removing species. Full Still tends to burn the leaves, Avenue, Aiken, SG 29801. Phone and the old foliage. while flowering is poor in deep shade. The fax: (803) 648-7522. Catalog $2. stemmed species such as Corsican hellebore Natural Habitat are likely to flop in shade and may tolerate Most hellebores are native to open oak and full sun except in the Deep South. Resources beech woodlands, scrub land, and grassy Hardiness varies by species, but most are The Gardener's Guide to Growing glades in central and eastern Europe, in­ cold hardy to USDA Zone 5. I grew seven Hellebores by Graham Rice and cluding many of the war-torn regions of the species in my Zone 4 garden using a winter Elizabeth Strangman, Timber Press, former Yugoslavia. These mountainous re­ mulch of marsh hay. If you try growing Portland, Oregon, 199:il. AHS gions are characterized by limestone hellebores where they are marginally hardy, member price: hardcover, $21. bedrock and calcareous, humusy soils. check the plants in early spring and lighten Book (Ode: TIM 027. Western Europe is home to two species. the mulch as the flower buds emerge. As The odd plant out is Helleborus thibetcmus, with all early-blooming plants, late frosts a native of China that falls well outside the can compromise or obliterate the flower dis­ epicenter of hellebore distribution. play. Surprisingly, hellebores are generally Throughout history, hellebores and quite heat tolerant; most species will grow humans have been intertwined. Although into AHS Plant Heat Zones 8 to 10. it is extremely poisonous, hellebore root was used medicinally beginning as early as The Species the fourth century B.C. It reputedly was The genus contains 15 distinct species, used in the treatment ofworms, dizziness, though many subspecies and forms are and mental disorders. Other purported recognized. Hellebore classification is uses were as a pesticide and even as a car- somewhat problematic, however, because

24 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Janu ary / Febru a ry 1999 Corsican hellebore, below and right, is the largest of the species, reaching up to four feet wide and nearly three feet tall. It is easily distinguished by its sharply spined leaflets and cup-shaped pale green flowers.

The inelegantly named stinking hellebore, above, growing here beneath purple giant filbert (Cory/us maxima 'Purpurea'), is short lived but self-sows readily and provides year-round interest. Despite its name, Christmas rose, left, is known to bloom anytime from late December to early March, depending on climate.

T H E AMERICAN GAR D ENER 25 The nodding flowers of green hellebore, left, are usually the deepest green of any hellebore. Like many hellebores, H. torquatus, right, displays considerable variability in flower color; the purple form can be difficult to obtain and is highly prized by plant breeders.

of the plants' extreme natural variation mer, me flowering stalks die back as fresh The early-flowering stinking hellebore and promiscuous propensity for natural stems emerge for next year's blooms. (H. foetidus) never fails to delight gar­ hybridization; two individuals of a species American horticulture has muddied the deners wim its spidery, near-Iy black leaves can be distinctly different in tlle color and identity of H. atrorubens, an exquisite pur­ and bright chartreuse bracts and flowers. size of me flower, as well as in tlle dissec­ ple-flowered species. Most nurseries sell a This monstrous species may stand nearly tion and serration of me leaves. This can dark-flowered selection or subspecies of H. three feet tall on succulent green stems lead to disappointment when buying orientalis- sometimes dubbed the «H. clotlled in hand-shaped leaves wim five to open-pollinated seedlings. If you have a atrorubens of gardens"-under tl1is name. nine narrow, toomed leaflets, me outer­ definite color scheme in mind, select your The real McCoy is a delicate but quietly so­ most with mree or more segments. The hellebores while mey are in bloom. phisticated plant 12 to 18 inches tall wim common name refers mainly to the A giant among hellebores, Corsican purple nodding flowers flushed vvith green stench of crushed leaves, although the hellebore (H. al'lJutifolius, formerly known on the inside. As with most hellebores, flowers, carried in large trusses at me top as H.li17idussubsp. corsicus) is outstanding, flower color varies anl0ng individuals fi:om of me year-old stems, can also be skunky. with erect stems topped by open clusters of purple-black to pale red-violet. The decid­ Each nodding, cylindrical flower is apple­ stiff, three-lobed, coarsely saw-toothed uous leaves have five elongated, oval leaflets, green with a red-brown lip. Mature leaves. The WaA)" nodding, pale green flow­ toomed above me rniddle. The paired, out­ clumps are multi-stemmed and may be ers are carried in dense, multi-flowered ermost leaflets may be furmer dissected into several feet wide. After flowering, cut cymes. Mature plants can reach two- to tl1fee to four narrow divisions. New leaves away tlle old stems to aid me new ones in t'I>'!o-and-a-half-feet tall and wee- to four­ may be tinged with purple in spring. This emerging from the clump in summer. feet wide. One of me more tender species, species has been scarce in cultivation, but it The bracts become conspicuous before it is sometimes listed as hardy only to Zone is beginning to show up in me catalogs of the new year, and branched flower clus­ 6 or 7, altllough it has been known to sur­ specialty nurseries. Plar1ts require humus­ ters begin to elongate in early winter. In vive-witll protection-in Zone 4. In SlUTI- lich, limey soil for optimum growth. a mild winter, buds may appear in Janu-

26 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Jan uary/February 1999 Color Waves for the Future ary, though February and March are the pecialty hellebores can be hard to find, but ongoing breeding in Europe and main flowering months. Named selec­ America will ensure more of the best selections will eventuaJly reach a wider tions of particular interest include 'West­ Smarket. Selected hellebores are not cheap; flowered seedlings or divisioNs &om er Flisk', with red stems and red-tinged superior forms sell for $15 to $25, compared to $6 or so for unselected forms. petioles set off by gray-green leaves. Plant The most exciting work is focused on the lenten rose (11. orientalis). Today's Delights Nursery lists several cultivars de­ spectacular Lenten roses in shades of plum, burgundy, lime green, shell pink, and veloped from seed strains, including the 'white are the result of hybridization wid1 H. Od01'US, H. cyclophyllus, and H. torqua­ huge 'Green Giant', as well as 'Sienna', tus. They are referred to collectively as the Orienta1is hybrids (E. xhybridus). Some which has nearly black leaves. of the key English players in this exciting metamorphosis are Will McLewin and Although H. foetid~ts may be short Elizabed1 Strangman. Robyn White of Blackthorn Nursery and Ashwood Nursery lived, don't despair; it self-sows readily. Be are the largest hellebore prodl!LCers. In America, hybridizers have been busy select­ aware, however, that named selections ing the best of the Blitish introductions and making their own crosses. may not come true from seed. Plants seem indifferent to soil, as long as it is humusy Seed Strains and not sodden, especially in winter. Most of the best H. orientalis hybrids available in America today are seed strains The Christmas rose (H. nitJer) is one of developed from named varieties. A seed strain is a lineage of plants-in this case of my favorites. The perky, glistening white hyblid origin-that come nearly true to type from seed. Many seed strains are de­ flowers open as early as late December­ veloped by making controlled crosses each season. Less reliable strains are devel­ hence the name-where the climate is be­ oped from open-pollinated plants. nign, although in my Minnesota garden it Dick and Judith Tyler of Pine Knot usually waited until the snow melted in Farms in southern Virginia have devel­ early to mid-April. Unlike most hellebores, oped a breeding program based on con­ the flowers bloom on short, naked stalks trolled crosses from named cultivars and and they face outward. The sepals open seeds obtained from English sources. white and slowly fade to burnished pink. Their aim is to provide affordable seed Many gardeners consider this tough and strains in a good range of colors, rather beautiful plant difficult to grow, but give it than expensive and slow-to-propagate an alUmal sprinkling of ground limestone nan1ed selections. Upward-facing flow­ and it will reward you in time with broad ers, full, round petals, and rich, stable clumps featuring more than 20 flowers. colors are valued, as well as good foliage. Beauty and fragrance go a long way in Gossler Farms in Oregon is market­ creating a flawless plant. Add chartreuse ing controlled selections made by Glen flowers and perfection is attained. This tan­ Withey and Charles Price of Seattle. talizing combination makes fragrant helle­ Withey and Plice have been hybridizing bore (H. odorus) a must for collectors and longer than most Americans, and SOme enthusiastic gardeners. The one-and-a­ stunning seed strains are now available, half- to two-inch luminescent flowers nod including reliable color lines in white, from leafY stems up to 20 inches tall. The yellow, clear pink, smoky purple, dark flowers vary in fragrance from sweet to purple, and t'he elusive "black" flowers. slightly musty. The basal leaves have five Wayside Gardens in South Carolina is of­ Refining propagation techniql:les f0r main oval leaflets; the outermost are di­ fering a seed strain-trademarked Royal hellebores will increase the availal;ility vided variously to make up to 11 seg­ Heritage~eveloped by John Elsley. af gorgeous fl0wers sue;l" as this selec­ ments. Each leaflet is toothed on the upper David Culp, a Pennsylvania breeder, tion of H. orientalis subsp. gl:Jttatl:Js. third of its length. The newly emerging has developed an oji)en-pollinated seed leaves are clothed in silken hairs that briefly sa-ain-referred to as the DLC hybrids-from superior named forIDs. Other nurs­ persist on the undersides of the leaflets. eries that are marketing superior introductions of Oriental'is hybtids as well as oilier This species is easily confused with H. cy­ hard-lIocfutd species indude Herol1swood in Washington, Piccadilly Farm in Geor­ clophyllus, but the latter's flowers are larg­ gia, and Plant Delights Nursery m North CaroLilla. er-to two and a half inches-and the carpels within its flower are not connect­ On the Horizon ed. They are fused for a few millimeters in Man,y hellebore wllee;.ors are pMticularly excited

Ja nua1'y/F ebruary 1999 TH E AMERICAN GARD ENER 27

Companion Plants distinguished in the wild. All are garden­ ombin.ing hellebores with ot:her plants is easy, because winter and spring worthy, but-because of their promiscuous are the peak bloom period for so many bulbs and wildtlowe.rs. Wood nahlre-are hard to find in their pure form. Canemones (Anemone nemorosa), trilliums, dog's-tooth violets (Erythroni­ Because of this, some nursery owners pre­ um spp.), snowdrops (Galanthus spp.), hyacinths (Muscari spp.), al'ld coryd.alis fer to list Lenten roses as H. xhybridus. are a few of my favorite bulbous pa.rtners for hellebores. Other spring bloomers H. orientalissubsp. orientalis has large, that excel in the company of hellebores are primroses, hepaticas, lungworts (Pul­ pure white to cream flowers, while those monaria spp.), and epirnediums. Foliage from ferns, bleed.i.ng hearl'S, sedges, and of H . orientalis subsp. g1Jtttatus are white wild gingers (Asarum with maroon spots. H. o1'ientalis subsp. spp.) carry the summer abchasicus-the plant sometimes referred display. to as the cCH. atrorubens of gardens"-is To complement the most often represented in America by the evergreen foliage of helle­ clone known as 'Old Early Purple'. It bores in fall, add bulbs sports dusty mauve flowers and red-tinged such as cyciameI)., colchi­ spring foliage. Mature clumps are quite cums, autumn croctlses, large, with leathery evergreen leaves sternbergias, al'ld spider formed of wide leaflets. The ephemeral, lilies (Lycoris spp. ). Other leafY flower stalks rise from the center of good associates are toad the clump, bearing one to three flowers lilies (Tricyrtis spp.) and. apiece. Plants are variable in flowering asters, as well as baneberry time, often starting in late January and (Actaea pacypoda) and. continuing through April, and do best in Solomon's seal for thelr rich, well-drained soil in light shade. The two-tone purple flowers of Muscari latifolium colorful fruits. Foliage alone is reason enough to grow make a good foil for Lenten rose. -C.CB. purple hellebore (H. pU1'purascens). The deeply divided hand-shaped leaves resem­ ble origami parasols. The deciduous circu­ Give them rich, fertile soil. Plants may be tively mottled with cream. The petioles and lar leaves, which disappear by mid-winter, slow to establish but are worth the wait. veins may be rosy red or green. The out­ cap stiff petioles up to two feet tall. Saucer­ This species is a major player in hybridiz­ facing, saucerlike flowers are rose-pink. shaped flowers vary from rich plum-purple ing programs, contributing its deep pur­ H. multifidus is noteworthy for its del­ to sea-green and can open as early as De­ ple flower color and the metallic sheen icately divided foliage and its apple-to cember in mild climates. In my Minneso­ that creates "black" flowers. lime-green flowers. A number of sub­ ta garden, this was the first species to I love green flowers, so naturally I was species vary in height, flower size, and leaf bloom, often sending up its buds before I thrilled to acquire the green hellebore dissection. Look for specialty nurseries to removed my winter mulch in March. For (H. viridis). A variable species with a wide offer this enchanting species in the next best growth and flowering-in northern distribution in western and central Eu­ few years. areas-give it full sun to light shade. rope, the outstanding forms are gor­ H. thibetanus is a blowsy species with Getting ahold of the exquisitely beau­ geous. The nodding, apple-green flowers white, nodding to outfacing flowers with tiful H. torquatus can be tough. This are one to two inches across in groups of pointed petals that fade to pale pink. The plant is sure to be proudly displayed in two to four. The stiff, lustrous, deciduous flowering stems sport several flowers, ac­ the gardens of collectors, but mere mor­ foliage has up to 13 divisions and is cented by large, leafY bracts. The erect tals will have to beg, borrow, or bribe to coarsely saw-toothed. The leaves stand up leaves have seven to nine toothed divisions. find a source. The elegantly divided, to a foot high and combine well with The overall effect is reminiscent of Glau­ rounded leaves resemble those of H. pur­ sedges and ferns in the summer garden. cidium palmatum, a woodland plant native purascens, but each of the five leaflets is This species seems to tolerate more mois­ to the mountains of northern Japan, rather intricately divided into many linear, ture than the others and does well in a than of a hellebore. Plants go dormant in toothed segments. The leaves are com­ humus-rich clay loam. summer after flowering. pletely deciduous, even in mild winters. Seed pods rather than flowers are the Like most hellebores, this plant can be ex­ Collector's Plants charm of H. vesicarius. The small brick-red tremely variable in size, form, and flower H. dumetorum is a collector's plant, grown flowers are edged with green and the soft, color. At its best, the flowers are rich for a complete hellebore collection rather dissected leaves set off the inflated carpels plum-purple inside and out. Most plants than for its individual horticultural prowess. that hang like Chinese lanterns from the are rich purple outside and sea-green in­ The small green flowers and divided leaves lO-inch stems. This summer-dormant side with flaring sepals. At worst, the superficially resemble H. viridis, but the species is tender a.nd difficult to grow. ., flowers are d.ull gray-green. They hang on plant is not as prepossessing. leafY, 12-inch stalks that, after flowering, H. lividus is the most tender of the Author and landscape designer C. Colston are overtopped by the upright foliage. species. It is touchy in Zone 7 and may be Burrell recently moved himself and his bud- killed at 10 degrees Fahrenheit, hellebore collection from Minnesota Opposite: Purple hellebore's flowers though the plants will survive. The stiff, to the Blue Ridge Mountains near come in a range of pastel hues. three-lobed, slate-green leaves are attrac- Charlottesville, Vi1lJinia.

January/February 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 29

(CWhen Douglas first something of a folk hero to plant lovers large collection of exotic plants, his interest around the world. In life, Douglas was an in botany was given a spur. After two years extraordinary plant collector whose success at the estate, he took a post at the famous explored and fell is apparent from the fact that he has more botanic garden in Glasgow. There, as plants named for him than anyone else in though their meeting had been fore­ in love with the the history of botany. One thinks first of the ordained, Douglas met the eminent Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), which William James Hooker, newly appointed Northwest Territory University of Georgia horticulturist Michael Professor of Botany at Glasgow University. Dirr regards as "one of the noblest forest Hooker quickly recognized young trees." Others are the mountain pink Douglas's intelligence and dedication to in 1824, the country (Douglasia nivalis), Douglas's maple (Acer botany and enlisted his help in collecting glabrum var. douglasii), water-hemlock botanical specimens for a secolild edition of was immense and (Cicuta douglasii), and Douglas's knot­ his book on Scottish flora. In writing of weed (Polygonum douglasii). Douglas's Douglas at this early period, Hooker re­ largely unexplored by death-he was apparently trampled to rnad

32 THE AMERICAN GARDENER J a nuary /Feb n tary 1999

is now Washington State. The first hours Most of the time he traveled on foot, in of botanizing made an indelible impres­ good weather and bad, in rain and in scorch­ sion. ('"With respect to the appeal'ance ofthe i.ng drought. But there were compensations. coUntl')' and its fertility my expectations In one journal entry, Douglas writes of the were fully 1'ealized. It is vel')' varied, diver­ scenery as (grand beyond description; the sified by hills and extensive plains,gene1'al­ high mountains in the neighb01'hood, ... the ly good soil. The greater pal't of the country 1'ainbow from the vapor of agitated wa­ as far as the eye can reach is closely covered ters, ... the reflections from the snow on the with pines ofseveral species, )'Douglas wrote mountains, together with the vivid green of enthusiastically in Ius journal. the gigantic pines, form a contrast of rural The "pines ofseveral species" were what grandeu1' that can scanely be surpassed. )) we now know as Western hemlocks (Tsuga Collecting was a joy. During the six hetel'ophylla), balsam fir (Abies amabilis), months following Ius arrival on the Pacific and the tall straight tree-that though it coast, the yo ung botanist coll ected 499 was later renamed Douglas fir in his species, many new to botany, which he honor-is neither a pine nor a true fir. carefully illied and described in Ius journals. These were among the first plants Douglas Among these were several varieties of described and collected in the area. lupines, penstemons, evening primroses, The world that lay before Douglas is honeysuckles, firs, and grasses. now difficult to imagine. The area from the Douglas spent the winter ofl825-26 in Yukon down to the CaJjforrua border was Fort Vancouver recovering from an infected claimed by both the U nited States and knee and classifying, mounting, and pre­ Britain. Although trading camps had been serving more specimens. As spring arrived, established along the rivers by the Hudson's he set off along the fur u-aders' route up the Bay Company, much of the region was Columbia River Gorge. He tramped along sparsely populated. The main inhabitants the banks and clim bed the nearby lUlls, find­ were small bands of Native Americans­ ing several new plants, including the beauti­ Clatsop, Cl-unook, and others. ful yellow fritillary or mission bell Tier upon tier of majestic evergreens (Fritillaria pudica) and the lavender-flow­ grew along the Cascades from northern ered farewell-to-spring (Clarkia pulchella). Califorrua to the Canadian border. Clear When the William and Ann set sail for Lon­ streams and lakes dotted the wilderness. don in October 1826, it carried 24 large Under a canopy of branches, explorers boxes of plants and seeds and one box of moved along the trails in the half light of stuffed birds and mammals from Douglas. the forest or paddled down rivers between Douglas's main interest, though, was in towering rock precipices. conifers. IdentifYing a previously unknown Douglas was soon at work, setting out conifer tluilled Douglas, and he discovered on a four-month journey up the Columbia many, including the Western white pine and Multonomah (now Willamette) rivers, (Pinus monticola), Western silver fir (Abies sometimes traveling with a guide but more amabilis), Ponderosa pine (Pinus pon­ often on Ius own. His aim was to gather as derosa), and the Sitka spruce (Picea sitchen­ large a plant collection as possible to send sis). Any suggestion that a new conifer on the William and Ann when it left for might be found was an irresistable lure. England in October. H earing of an enormous pine with huge foot-long cones, the explorer was deter­ In the Field mined to find it. On advice from Native The life of a plant collector was hard. One Americans, he headed south, toward the account in Douglas'S journal offers a area that is now central Oregon. glimpse of the conditions he endured: Mter a grueling month-long hike On my fourneys I have a tent where it through dense forests drenched by constant Opposite: Ponderosa pine. Above, can be carried, which rarely can be done; rain, the red-haired botatust and his Native top to bottom: Detail of leaves and sometimes I sleep in one, sometimes undel' American guide at last stood beneath the cones of Sitka spruce; a Sitka spruce a canoe turned upside down, but most tallest of all pines-sugar pine (Pinus lam­ growing by the water's edge in commonly under the shade of a pine tree bertiana)-its high-held boughs and pen­ Washington State; and yellow-and­ without anything. ... I confess, at first, al­ dant cones far above them. The tree's size white Limnanthes doug/asii grow­ though I always stood it well and never felt was amazing; one that had been blown ing among buttercups. any bad effects from it, it was looked on by down in a storm measured 215 feet long, me with a sort ofdread. Now I am well ac­ with a circumference of 57 feet and rune customed to it, so much so that comfort inches. Douglas relied on his excellent seems superfluity. marksmanship to shoot down three fine

January/February 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 35 A Legacy of Plants n his short life, Douglas created a tremendous legacy in the plants that he intro­ (P coulteri) pines. He also collected beau­ duced into cultivation all over the world, including those he brought to Europe tiful wild flowers that he felt would do well Ithat returned, improved, to us. He had a genius for spotting new plants and a in cultivated gardens, including California tenacity at collecting and bringing them back. poppy (Eschscholzia californica), mariposa Above all, Douglas is remembered for the conifers he introduced to the world, lilies (Calochortusspp.), and dozens more. all of which he loosely called "pines." The Sitka spruce now covers over one million A Mysterious Ending acres in Britain, where its moisture-loving, Despite his successful collections in North wind-tolerant nature thrives. In addition, he America, Douglas was frustrated by logisti­ brought back several firs-including white fir, cal and monetary problems in his desire to noble fir, lovely fir, and seven pines-lodge­ cross Siberia on his way home to England. pole, ponderosa, and Monterey among In protest at the removal of one of his them. In the mild climates of New Zealand, friends at the Horticultural Society of Lon­ Australia, and South Africa, the fast-growing don, he also resigned his membership in the Monterey pine is a popular plantation tree. society. Lacking support for further explo­ And of course, he sent back the Douglas rations, in 1833 Douglas finally embarked fir, aJtbough he was not the first to discover on the long journey back to England. the tree named for him. That distinction be­ Along the way, he spent several months longs to another Scotsman, Archibald Men­ botanizing on the Hawaiian islands. In spite zies, who explored the Vancouver area in the of problems with his eyesight, he hiked the 1740s. But Douglas was the first to ship seeds lush forests of the island, collecting new back to England. Because of his work with ferns, flowers, and trees. He climbed to the the trees of the Pacific Northwest, he is some­ summits of both Muana Kea (13,796 feet) thing of a folic hero there to this day. Douglas brought seeds of Cali­ and Mauna Loa (13,680 feet) and hiked up Naming the explorer's other contribu­ fornia poppy to Europe. He did the active volcano of Kilauea. tions is alcin to making a nursery catalog of not collect Iris douglasiana; it was On July 12, 1834, while hiking across the finest sort. Sud} a cataJog would include named for. him after his death. the big island of Hawaii toward the port fruits such as gooseberries, severaJ cmrants, town ofHilo, Douglas stopped-presum­ and raspberries; flowers including mariposa lilies, and California poppy, to name a ably to get directions-at the hut of Edward few; as well as numere)Us fems, grasses, and shrubs. Gurney, a former member ofAustralia's no­ Descendants of many of those western plants, propagated by seed companies in torious Botany Bay convict colony. Gurney Europe, have come back-sometimes as improved varieties-to the nurseries of warned Douglas about several camouflaged America. Among them are Virginia clematis (Clematisvirginiana), Oregon grape pits-used to capture wild cattle-along the (Berberis aquifolium), California trout Wy (Erythronium californicum), blue flax course he planned to take. What happened (Linum perenne), a dozen lupines, mariposa lilies (Calochortusspp.), yellow fritil­ next is pure speculation. Some historians lary (Fritillaria pudica), 11 kinds of evening primrose, phloxes, the golden cur­ suggest Gurney murdered Douglas, but rant (Ribes aureum), 18 penstemons, coral bells, and one of America's only two most agree Douglas more likely was the vic­ wild peonies (Paeonia brownii). It is fitting that the land he loved so well would tim of his poor eyesight or unrelenting cu­ become the benefactors (')fhls great legacy. -S.D.P riosity. Whatever the cause, Douglas's mangled body was discovered at the bot­ tom of one of the camouflaged pits in which specimens. Unfortlmately, the shots also at­ claim. He had introduced more plants into an enraged bull was already entrapped. His tracted eight unfriendly Native Americans. England than any man before him, and he faithful dog, Billy, was found waiting near Outnumbered, Douglas offered them to­ apologized for seeming to "manufacture" the pit. David Douglas, intrepid traveler and bacco if they would help him search for so many plants "for my own pleasure." passionate naturalist, had reached the end cones. Apparently this was an acceptable But Douglas was peevish and short­ of his journey. agreement; the eight dispersed and Douglas tempered in high society. In October 1829, Although he was only 35 years old slipped away with his cones in tow. bored ofcivilization , he once again set offfor when he died, Douglas may have explored In April 1827, having already covered the Pacific. His prime focus this time was the more of America on foot than anyone else 6,000 miles mostly on foot, Douglas un­ flora ofCalifornia, but he managed journeys in history. His tireless collecting brought dertook a journey to Hudson's Bay where into his beloved Columbia Basin and up into hundreds of North America's most splen­ he hoped to catch a ship to England. He Alaska, accompanied by his Scottish terrier, did trees and flowers to the attention ofEu­ scaled glaciers and climbed the craggy Billy. In California he missed the majestic ropean gardeners and botanists and mountains, making the first recorded as­ views of the north but felt the lush vegeta­ inspired later European explorers to seek cent of the northern Rockies, alone and tion was compensation. "It was beautiful the floral treasures of the New World . .., without the aid ofmountain-climbing gear. country," he wrote, "the land of the vine, When Douglas finally reached England the olive, the fig, and the banana." Susan Davis Price, author of Minnesota in the autumn of 1828, he was a famous, Once again his collections were stag­ Gardens, and the forthcoming book, Grow­ but exhausted, man. London, which gering. Among his nearly 500 finds were ing Home, lives and gardens in St. Paul, adored explorers, greeted him with ac- the Monterey (Pinus radiata) and Coulter Minnesota.

36 THE AMERICAN GARDENER January/February 1999 Bold Plants Adding a few visually dominant plants can make a drab garden dynamic.

b Y Pam Baggett

Have you ever planned a brilliant border on gested I also add an occasional lofty grower near the edges to break paper, only to have it prove to be a design disaster in real life? When the static effect of planting in rows according to height. Despite I planted my first large border, I thought I had the perfect design. knowing that my garden lacked pizzazz, it took me another year or I combined new plants I had selected based on catalog descrip­ two ofp lanting to grasp what had been missing in my design. Asters tions with existing plants moved from trial beds in the garden. The and other perennials with tiny leaves and flowers had been includ­ color scheme was precisely organized and the bloom seasons care­ ed in my original plan to contrast their diminutive foliage with the fully considered. Yet, after two years, my color-coordinated but larger leaves of plants such as unsatisfying l OO-by- 16-foot border barely reached four fee t in hardy geraniums and variegat­ Flanked by purple fountain height at the peak of the growing season. It lacked focal points: ed obedient plant (Physostegia grass, castor bean, and bold plants that would contribute height, form, and solidity vit;giniana 'Variegata'). What Mexican sunflower, Canna among the delicate beauties already in place . was missing were plants bearing 'Bengal Tiger', center, anchors It was easy to see that I needed taller plants in the center of my leaves six inches or longer with this bold border at the New freestanding border. A friend with an eye for garden design sug- simple, clear outlines. I needed York Botanical Garden.

January / February 1 999 THE AMER I CAN GARDENER 37 bold foliage to provide a visual resting place leaves contrasted dramaticaily vvitl1 me slim for eyes fatigued by the relentless details of blades of six-foot-tall maiden grass (Mis­ fluffY flowers and fi1SSY foliage. After sever­ canthus sinensis'Gracillimus'), which I had al years of experimenting, I have now iden­ added for its height and graceful, fountain­ tified a gallery of dramatic plants tl1at make like form. Prairie coneflower (Ratabida my borders as exciU11g as I had originally pinnata) complemented tl1e canna's colors hoped tl1ey would be. with its airy, swept-back, clear yellow petals. And tl1e smoky pink petals and burnished Semihardy Subtropicals orange cones of purple conefl ower (Echi­ My North Carolina garden IS 111 the nacea purpurea) echoed the outrageous orange flowers and pink stems of 'Bengal Tiger'. In effect, 'Bengal Tiger' became the whisky in the punch, taking this section of my border from polite and proper to impas­ sioned and energized. Cheered on by my initial success with carmas, I now in­ clude several in my garden's design. A recent introduction, Canna 'Phaison' (trade­ marked Tropicana), eLicits ei­ ther delight or dismay from visitors as they take in its shocking foliage-striped dark purple and tich coral-red wim tinges ofsteely blue and bright green- and its huge orange flowers. It is hard to imagine a gaudier plant, or otle mat will develop a more loyal following among gardeners who like color. I firmly believe that summer is meant to be cele­ brated in all its garish splendor and so took 'Phaison' into my garden on first sight . My fa­ vorite companion thus far for The exotic leaves and showy warmer half of USDA Zone 7 (AHS Zone this brazen beauty is a shrubby willow white flowers of butterfly ginger, 7), so I can grow bold subtropicals such as (Salix purpU1r ea 'Pendula'). In contrast to above, are tlighlighted by tlae airy cannas and ginger lilies with impunity. the density and firm verticality of the carma, pink flowers of bush clover North of Zone 7, these plants must be 'Pendula' is a flighty wild child. She flings (Lespedeza sp.) in the author's treated as expensive annuals or dug and her slender purple stems and narrow, blue­ garden. Canna 'Bengal Tiger' and wintered over in the same manner as gray leaves out in all directions, as if tmable the hardier Joe-Pye weed, above dahlias. Without a long, sultry growing to choose which way to go first. Slightly less right, make a dramatic pairing. season, however, they may not achieve the ostentatious plants mat go well with this grand stature they do in soumern gardens. compelling combination include me ten­ Calmas were me first bold -foliage plants der purple-leaved fountain grass (Pennise­ to grace my borders, and I admit I felt pret­ tum setaceum 'Rubrurn'), blackberry lily ty brazen plal1U11g my first Calma, 'Bengal (Belamcanda chinensis), and globe ama­ Tiger' (sometimes listed, incorrectly, as ranth (Gomphrena 'Strawberry Fields'), 'Pretoria'). A sought-after plant just a few which produces fire-engine red, cloverlike years ago because of its swmyyellow-al1d­ blooms from summer to fros t. green-striped foliage edged with a fine trac­ For those who disW

38 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Jan uary/February 1 999 Bc)ld 1)la11ts

leaves. Highly fashionable Cannaglauca to Zone 7, what is a nortl1ern gardener to 'Panache' bears slender, salmon-pink flow­ do? Relax, there are a number of hardy ers and long, narrow green leaves. Be fore­ perennials that can make great centerpieces warned: 'Panache' forms nll1ners that will for gardeners in cooler areas of tl1e CO Lll1- weave throughout yom border. try. My favorite is Joe-Pye weed (Eupato­ At more than $50 per plant, Canna rium purpureum), hardy from Zone 4 to 'Stuttgart' seemed destined to remain on 8. In my garden I have a low-growing se­ my wish list for several more years, but a lection of unknown origin tl1at produces friend recently sent me a root. Its uicolored expansive, deep green leaves in Whorls leaves feature bold blocks of pale green, arow1d dark bmgw1dy stems. Willie regu­ blue-green, and creamy white; small , lar J oe-Pye towers over the peach-colored flowers are a late-season garden at seven to 12 feet tall, highlight. In hot climates, 'Stuttgart' does tlus "dwarf" form tops out at a best where light afternoon shade prevents mere six feet. E. jistulosum and scorching of the white sections of each leaf. its more compact cultivar, 'Gateway', would create a sim­ Ginger Lilies ilar effect. Joe-Pye's midsum­ With their chLll1ky stalks and lush leaves, mer domes of thready, smoky ginger lilies (Hedychium spp.), like cam1aS, pink flowers are complement­ add a delightfully u·opical texture to the ed by the arching, airy inflo­ border. Butterfly ginger (Hedychium coro­ rescences of Panic'btm narium) sends up five-foot-tall stems vi1'lJatum 'Rotsu·al1 Ibusch'. I clothed in glossy, lime-green leaves. From also include a spectacular ele­ these stems emerge cones ofwhite, butter­ phant ear (Co locasia ' Black fly-shaped flowers that open every everung Magic'), wluch has two-foot­ from August until frost. Even if butterfly long, dusky black-purple leaves ginger were not so attractive, I would still borne on black-cherry stems. grow it for its fragrance, a sumptuously The colocasia is hardy only to sweet perfume tl1at wafts through the gar­ Zone 7, but furtl1er north an den on an everting breeze. But its bold ornamental rhubarb (Rheum leaves are a designer's delight. In my gar­ spp. )--or even an edible culti­ den, it contrasts perfectly with the lacy, var like red-stemmed 'Valen­ maplelike leaves of Vitex negundo 'Hetero­ tine'-would make a good pbylla'. Each summer afternoon, tl1e substitute. Tender Salvia van­ vi tex-pruned annually to maintain its houttii-bearing brilliant red eight-foot height-casts its delicate shad­ tubular flowers that weep from ows onto the broad surfaces of tl1e ginger burgundy bracts and dainty Wy's leaves. Other choice companions for pointed leaves that emphasize butterfly ginger include the white-fruited the strength of the J oe-Pye Asian beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma weed's form-completes the 'Albifructus'), pink-flowered bush clovers picture. (Lespedeza spp.), and tender rosebud sage Joe-Pye weed is native to (Saliva involucrata 'Bethellii'), which bears 111Y area, as is anotl1er local res­ hot pink flowers on five-foot stems. ident I recommend: pokeweed Another excellent ginger lily is H edy­ (Phytolacca americana). I chium coccineum 'Aurantiacum'. Its leaves know what you're thinking: are narrower than those of butterfly ginger, "Is she crazy?" After all, tl1is is a plant com­ Pokeweed, top, is not a standard but they are still large enough to provide a monly seen along roadsides and in aban­ choice for the border, but its rich strong contrast to more delicate foliage. doned fields. But consider it just for a purple berries provide an attractive While butterfly ginger opens just a few second. The strapping, six-inch green late-summer show. The statuesque flowers each day, 'Aurantiacum' explodes leaves on ruby stems are gorgeous, and the leaves of Colocasia esculenta into full bloom in August and produces clusters of berries, changing to the color of '1I1ustris' and blue salvia, above, several flushes offlowers before frost. In ad­ port wine, glow irresistibly in the slanting complement one another in the dition to using 'Aurantiamm' in the pemn­ rays oflate summer's sun. In the last days author's garden. nial bed, I pair it with tl1e wine-red fountain before frost, ripe with frLut and overhang­ grass (Pennisetum 'Burgundy Giant') and ing a clump of pale pink Dendranthema colorful coleus in terra-cotta containers. 'Venus', there is hardly a more beautiful plant than purple pokeweed. If wine and Hardier Perennials rubies aren't in your color scheme, there is While my garden happily hosts plants hardy a selection called 'Xanthocarpa' that has

January / February 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 39 reach 10 feet. In summer, cup plant bears green leaves. In midsummer, a sturdy bright yellow daisies that resemble small flower shoot emerges from the center of sunflowers. Later, the seedheads provide the each. foliage rosette, bearing many outfac­ additional benefit of attracting goldfinches ing, starry blossoms and crowned-as its and other birds. Match cup plant with other common name suggests-with a terminal less formal natives that don't require rich tuft of leaves. Even better is Eucomis soils or lots of attention, such as asters, gold­ 'Sparkling Burgundy', introduced by Tony enrods (Solidago spp.), bee balms (Monar­ Avent of Plant Delights Nursery in North da spp.), and grasses. Carolina. This selection has wine-colored Although most asters are narrow-leaved, leaves and pink-tinged blooms. In my gar­ Tatarian aster (Aster tataricus) produces den, 'Sparkling Burgundy' provides a pow­ broad paddle-shaped leaves with ruffled erful form and color contrast to delicate edges. Tatarian aster mal<:es a fine patch of pink. Salvia coccinea 'Bicolor' and white­ foot-tall foliage from which rise five -to­ flowered Gaura lindheimeri. Pineapple lily seven-foot-tall stems bearing pale purple is hardy to Zone 7, but the small bulbs can blossoms that open in early autumn. The be easily dug and overwintered. cultivar 'Jindai', with sturdy five-foot stems, In a shady area, a similar sword-like tex­ mal<:es an excellent screen for obscuring the ture can be had from aspidistras and roh­ For the smaller garden, painted spent remains of summer's past glories. deas. Aspidistra elatior, cast-iron plant, has arum offers dramatic foliage for the Another sun -loving plant with paddle­ historically been used as an indoor plant be­ winter garden, followed by showy shaped leaves is giant coneflower (Rud­ cause ofits tolerance for poor lighting, but red berries in summer. beckia maxima). Its powdery blue-gray in Zone 7 to 10 it can be grown in the gar­ foliage, the size and shape of good old den. The best cultivar I've seen is 'Asahi', southern collard greens, is wax-coated to the leaves ofwhich are frosted creamy white Sources preserve moisture in the heat of its native on the upper third. CU!ltivars of Rohdea Texas. In early summer, six-foot spikes of japonica are similar enough in appearance FORESTfARM, 990 'fetherow Road, brilliant golden flowers with swept-back to aspidistras that I occasionally have trou­ Williams, OR 9:Y544-9D9~il. petals and protruding brown cones rock­ ble remembering which is which, aFld they (541) 8A6-7269. Catalog $4. et forth from its 18-inch-tall basal rosette have the advantage of being hardy in Zone GLASSHOUSE WORKS. Church ofleaves. I use the early summer bloom of 6 to 10. Plant Delights has recently intro­ Street, Stewart, OH 4S77S-0('l9:Y. Rudbeckia maxima as a screen in front duced a long list of evergreen rohdeas, (740) 662-2142. ~.glasshouse of Canna 'Wyoming' and love the con­ many of which are spotted, splashed, or works.wrT1l. Cataleg $2. trast of the canna's rich purple leaves and streaked with white or cream. GOODWIN CREEK GARDENS, P.O. tangerine-orange flowers with the cooler My garden is in full sun, but an herba­ 60x 83, W illiams, OR 975114. colors of the rudbeckia. ceous perennial I greatly admire for shady (541) 846-7357. Cata log $1. gardens is spiny bear's-breeches (Acan­ PLANt DELIGHTS NURSERY, 9241 For the Smaller Garden thus spinosus). Its boldly architectural, Sauls RQad, Ra leigf-J, NC 27603. These huge plants are all well and good, foot-long leaves are armed with fierce­ (919) 772-4'794. www.plaFltdel.com. but what if your garden is just too small looking but relatively soft spines. A ma­ Cata log: Send 10 stamps or a box to host a five -to-eight-foot-tall giant? ture clump grows to three or four feet in of €hGco lates. First of all, be sure that it is too small. height before blooming in late spring here WE-OU NURSERIES, Rou;te 5, Bm< Often, a tiny space will look larger with in North Carolina. White or mauve flow­ TiM, Marion, NC 28152-9338. the addition of a lofty plant or two. Bold ers are enclosed by hooded purple bracts (704) n S-S300. vvww.wedu@ plants create the impression of a bigger and arranged in spires up each stalk. Al­ wnclink.com. Cata log $2. space because the viewer doesn't feel like though bear's-breeches are actually native Gulliver amongst the Lilliputian vegeta­ to Southern Europe and the Mediter­ tion. Also, since tiny gardens often tight­ ranean, its slightly sinister look makes me green stems and yellow berries. Just make ly embrace the gardener'S dwelling, a few think of medieval British castles and hood­ sure to clip the berry clusters before they grandiose plants can bring the garden ed highwaymen. Spiny bear's-breeches is drop or are eaten by birds and scattered so closer to scale with the adjacent build­ hardy to Zone 5 and has the advantage of they don't seed throughout your garden. ings. In my large garden, low-growing tolerating hot, humid summers, which Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) is an­ bold-leaved plants bring foliar contrast distress its better-known cousin, common other underused dramatic plant hardy in down to ground level, bu t if your gar­ bear's-breeches (Acanthus mollis). If you Zone 4 to 9. Simple, rich green leaves up to den-or your temperament-doesn't can accommodate its preference for cool a foot long clasp the stems in opposite pairs allow for giant elephant ears or jumbo summers and Zone 7 winters, Acanthus to form a central cup that catches and holds Joe-Pye weed, consider the visually sim­ mollis provides broad, rounded leaves to rainwater for birds and buttertJies. Cup plant ple lines of the following smaller plants. two feet long and half as wide. thrives in poor soils and may become lanky At onJy two feet high, pineapple lily If you don't have room for five -foot­ in rich soils; most of the plants I've ~een have (Eucomis comosa) still provides a strong tall Colocasia 'Black Magic', perhaps the been six to eight feet in height, but it can presence with its soft, sword-shaped, olive- smaller but equally attractive Colocasia

40 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Ja nuary/Febru ary 1999 I~ ) <.

In this artfully designed border, above left, the dramatic black leaves of Co/ocasia 'Black Magic', center, are softly framed by purple fountain grass, maiden grass, and cleome. Above right: Through its striking, dark green leaves and architectural flower spikes, common bear's-breeches makes a bold statement in a shady garden; this plant grows best where summers are cool.

esculenta 'Illustris' will fit your garden. 'Illustris' bears arrowhead-shaped, char­ Other Bold Plants coal-black leaves with bright green veins. It grows to only 30 inches tall, making it e willing to experiment and you'll find dozens of plants whose foliage forces the an excellent contrast for yarrows, hardy viewer's eye to stop and peruse its bold outline. Others I grow--or would con­ geraniums, and other low-growers. 'Il­ Bsider growing if they were suitable in my region-include brightly striped New lustris' prospers in light shade as well as Zealand flax (Phormium spp.). These agave relatives from New Zealand have erect sun, especially in hot gardens, and prefers linear leaves in a variety of colors but are only hardy in Zones 9 and 10. moist to boggy soils. If you have a silver or blue color scheme, consider cardoon (Cynara carduncu­ A rum italicum subsp. italicum (also list­ Ius), sea hollies (Eryngium ed as 'Pictum') provides a similar arrowhead spp.), or Scotch thistle (Ono­ leaf form for shady sites, but it emerges in au­ pardum acanthium). Car­ tumn' filling the space left vacant by vvinter­ doon is a sensational silvery dormant shade-lovers such as hostas. addition to the border. 'Pictum' produces some interesting seedling Hardy to Zone 7, this gian[ sports; my favorite is a new selection called artichoke relative grows four 'Legs', which bears two-foot-Iong leaves or five feet' tall and, given a with gleaming silver veins. The leaves stand long-growing season, will nearly parallel to the ground and are larger produce deep purple thistle­ and better variegated than other forms. like filowers in late summer. Arum foliage is a blessing in the winter gar­ Sea hollies are branched, den, and its shqrt spikes of fat red berries erect perennials distinguished strike a cheerful note in summer, long after by thistlelike filowers wroteet­ the foliage has faded. Cardoon, seen bere in combination with ed by collars of spiky bracts. Nomatter the size of your own garden, roses and bergenia, has eye-catching-but Different species are suitable incorporating bold plants into your design prickly-silvery fol.iage. for a wide range of soil types is the key to creating a vibrant, balanced and hardiness zones. masterpiece. As I've expanded my palette Felr dry climate gardeners, agave relatives such as YlJccas (see The American to include grand plants, my motto has Gardener NovernberjDecember 1997), agaves, and dasyJirions are perfect choices been, "If in doubt, try it!" I recommend felr a bold. centerpiece. The el'ect, swordlike leaves of these natives of om SOl!lth­ this spirit of adventure to gardeners every­ west and Central America offer a dramatic vertical dement that makes a welcome where who want to tackle the timid corners change From the FOunded form of other border plants. Hardiness varies from of their own designs . ..., Zone 7 for some yuccas to Zone 10 and 11 felr agaves and dasyLiFions. Other worthy bold planliS inclhlde castor bean (Ricinus communis), an erect, Pam Baggett is proprietor ofSinging Springs multistalked subtropical shrub grown as an annual north of Zone 9, and red hot Nursery, 8802 Wilkerson Road, Cedar poker (Kniphofia spp.), a perennial in the lily family famous for its spikes of tightly G1t ove, North Carolina, 27231; e-mail: clust~red red, Qrange, yellow, or multicolored tubular flowers. -FB. nightai1t @mindspring.com. Catalog $3.

January / Fe bruar)1 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 41

oingBanana

These leafy tropicals have tremendous appeal even for gardeners in temperate regions.

b y A c e L Ram r e z

Even in gardens where climate prevents the development of ripe bananas, the rustling fronds and dramatic habit of banana plants are worthwhile for the tropical ambiance they create. Not to mention the excitement they will create among the neighborhood children, who are likely to set up camp beneath the shady, spreading leaves. While gardeners in USDA Zone 9 through 11 can, with minor protection from oc­ casional frosts, grow bananas outdoors year round, in cooler regions bananas can be grown year round in containers or even transplanted i.nto the ground from last to first frost. Like many other tropicals, bananas are quite easy to overwinter in a dormant state. Ifyou have a warm greenhouse or well-lighted sun room, cold-climate gardeners can even keep ba­ nanas growing in containers through winter. Bananas are members of the banana family (Musaceae), which includes two genera­ Musa and Ensete-and about 40 species. Most bananas cultivated for their fruit-tech­ nically classified as a berry-are hybrids of Musa acuminata and M. balbisiana. These selections are often collectively grouped under the name M. xparadisiaca. Fruiting selections fall into two main categories: eating bananas and cooking bananas. The bananas most Americans are familiar with are the sweet, tender-fleshed eating ba­ nanas whose green outer skin turns a deep yellow at maturity. These are usually eaten out of hand or blended with cereal or desserts. Eating bananas with reddish-orange to pur­ ple skins and flesh are also available. opposite: The ornamental blood banana In tropical regions of South and Central America, Africa, and Asia, however, it is the brings a hint of the tropics to a starchy, bl a!tl. der-tasting, cooking banana-also known as plantain or vegetable-banana­ northern Virginia garden. Above: What that is a culinary staple. Plantains typically are larger than eating bananas, with creamy to appears to be a dramatic flower bud pink flesh and green skins that ripen to a muddy yellow. at the end of a banana's flower stalk is Bananas are native from Central and Southeast Asia south to the northern part ofAus­ actually a formation of bracts that tralia, where their natural habitat is the edges of tropical forests. These clump-forming, enclose the flowers. These flowers later herbaceous tropical perennials sprout from underground rhizomes, forming spongy ta­ develop into bunches of fruit, seen pering pseudostems that are topped by an umbrellalike cluster ofglossy leaves. The leaves higher up on the stalk. emerge nearly vertically as a tightly wOlmd bud and unfurl gracefully, gently drooping to give bananas a palmlike appearance. Whereas patlm leaves are formed of hundreds of nar­ row leaflets, however, banana leaves are whole but have finely etched creases that run from the central rib of the leaf to tl1e outer edges. Where tl1ey can achieve full growth, dwarf varieties top out at eight to 10 feet and non -dwarf selections can reach anywhere 6:om 15 to 30 feet. But in cookr regions, where

Jan ual'y/February 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 43 the growing season is six months or less, ous growth, maintain high heat and hu­ fertilizers you can buy at any home supply even the larger cultivars are unlikely to top midity, feed the plants every 10 days, and store. If you are growing a number ofba­ 10 feet; dwarf cultivars confined to con­ provide abundant water. Move young nana trees, well -composted litter from old tainers will stay at a manageable three to plants into their permanent location only banana plants makes an ideal fertilizer be­ five feet talL after four full leaves have developed. This cause it supplies precisely the micronutri­ will take approximately SL,{ to eight weeks eats needed. During summer, a time of Cultivation in spring or early summer. maximum growth, feed monthly. Leaf­ Bananas can be purchased as tissue-cul­ Good tilth is essential because banana margin burn and entanglement of newly tured plantlets, potted or bare-root suck­ roots won' t curve around a buried ob­ emerging leaves are symptoms of over-fer­ ers, or as semi-dormant rhizomes. A struction. Instead, they will grow straight tilizing. Fertilization is particularly impor­ number of selections can be raised from on, getting crushed and injured. The soil tant if you are trying to produce fruit; seeds-which have been bred out of ba­ should be slightly acidic, with a pH of be­ sufficient stored food in the rhizome is nanas cultivated for fruit-sown in soil tween 5.5 and 6.5. Bananas require a great necessary to bring on and support flower warmed by a heating mat. deal of moisture and warmth during the and fruit development. Grow yow1g plants in five-gallon con­ growing season, but drainage must be Bananas do best with a dormant period, tainers prior to in-ground planting using a good because the fleshy roots will decay in so stop fertilizing and withhold all or most very rich growing medium- a three-to­ overly wet soil. Too little water, however, water from December to February in warm one blend of organic matter to coarse sand induces dormancy. The plant then ceases to climates. In cooler regions, stop feeding as or vermiculite is ideal. To encourage vigor- grow until watering is resumed. Mulch, if soon as nighttime temperatures drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the time to bring your bananas inside. In spring, start coaxing your bananas back into growth by resuming a regular feeding and watering schedule when early decidu­ ous trees break dormancy. Wind is the enemy of all bananas. The fleshy roots resemble stout cords and do not branch. Threadlike rootlets grow out of these and sprout hairs that absorb nutri­ ents from the soil. Ifheavywind shakes the pseudostem, the threadlike roots, along with the root hairs, are torn off; even the cordlike roots can break. The tattered ap­ pearance of wind -damaged leaves is also unattractive. 'Pisang Raja', 'Rajapuri', 'Saba', and 'Orinoco' are somewhat wind­ tolerant varieties. Desert-climate banana gardeners should minimize exposure to north, northwest, and northeast winds. Banana plants stop growing at temperatures over 100 degrees, and fruit and leaves are vulnerable to sun The pu rple flowering banana used, must be renewed; roots will grow scorch. To reduce heat and block excess (Musa ornata) is an easy-to-g row into it and can be burned if they become light, use plastic SW1 screening where nec­ ornamental that produces flowers exposed to sun. essary. Be vigilant about watering and and decorative fruit when it After planting, spray leaves with com­ mulching. Misting heads on a sprinkling reaches three feet tall. mercial foliar fertilizer or dilute manure system can be used to raise hwnidity to ad­ soup. Western gardeners should water heav­ equate levels. A good choice offruiting ba­ ilyon a regular basis to leach out accumu­ nana for the desert is 'San Jose'. lated soil salts. After a month to six weeks, begin a regular fertilization program. Cold Tolerance Bananas are heavy feeders. Choose a Most banana plants stop grovving at air tem­ balanced fertilizer containing nitrogen, peratures around 53 degrees or when soil potassium, and phosphates plus trace ele­ temperatures drop below 68 degrees. When ments such as iron, boron, and zinc. Soil the temperature drops to 35 degrees, the can also be amended with organic prod­ fruit on hardier varieties and the foliage on ucts such as kelp, blood meal, and bone tender ones will die; on most, the buried meaL Many successful banana gardeners rhizome itself survives only to 22 degrees. rely on commercial citrus and avocado fer­ There are, however, a couple of orna­ tilizer; others swear by the water-soluble mental species that are reasonably cold

44 THE AMERICAN GARDENER J anuary/Februa r y 1999 as

tolerant. Musa basjoo, native to Japan, is For most varieties of mature fruiting ba­ the most hardy of all bananas. It survives nanas and large ornamentals the minimwn Sources outdoors in winter as far north as Canada, final pot size is a IS-gallon container. A half­ Belgium, and Switzerland. It produces a wine barrel is better. Before the plant be­ BANANA TREE, INC., 715 Northamp­ pseudostem to eight feet tall and a ye l­ comes full-grown and in1possibly heavy, it's ton Street, Easton, PA 18042. (610) lowish inflorescence that hangs down like best to place the pot on a wheeled plant cart. 253-9589. for plant listings, that of a fruiting banana. If space is really limited, M. acuminata visit www.banana-tree.com. Edible banana varieties known to have 'Super Dwarf Cavendish' stands two to four GOING BANANAS, 24401 SW 197 survived below-freezing cold snaps include feet tall, is sturdy, and produces good fr uit. Avenue, Homestead, FL 33031-1174. 'Red Banana', 'Ice Cream', 'Manzano', It can be grown in containers as small as (305) 247-0397; Fax (305) 247-7877. 'Golden Rhino Horn', as well as 'Orinoco', eight incl1es. 'Honey' ('Nino'), which reach­ Catalog free. a plantain grown extensively along the Gulf es only six to eight feet tall and is best grown PACIFIC TREE FARMS, 4301 Lynwood Coast, Arizona, and in California. in part shade or morning SW1, is another ex­ Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91910. (619) cellent container choice. 'Double Mal10i' 422-2400. Catalog $3. Overwintering Banamu reaches five to seven feet at maturity. STOKES TROPICALS, P.O. Box 9868, Some gardeners in cooler parts of the If foliage is your main interest-and New Iberia, LA 70562-9868. (800) counu'y have managed to overwinter ten­ back-breaking work not to your liking­ 624-9706. www.stokestropicals.com/ der varieties under shelter, although some propagate your banana plant by potting up tropicaLplants.html. Catalog $4. would call this overzealous. When the first the suckers that develop around the base of hard freeze threatens the bananas in Rod­ ney Hader's Independence, Missouri, gar­ den (USDA Zone 8), he digs around his in-ground plants, keeping far enough away from the pseudostem to include most of the roots. He cuts each leaf off at the main stalk. Afrer wrestling each plant out of its hole, he knocks off the soil from its roots, being careful not to damage them in the process. If suckers coming out of the rhizome are two feet or taller, he separates these and treats them as individual plants. Smaller ones are discarded. He stands the rhizomes in large plastic containers without planting mix or soil. He monitors the plants over winter and pours in a quart of water when they seem to be drying out. Spring re­ planting is a matter ofeducated guesswork. He has learned that ifhe puts them in the ground when the weather is too cool and wet, the bananas won't grow-and some­ times they even rot. Short-season gardeners who would like mature plants. Take those at greatest dis­ Many bananas are easily propagated to harvest bananas or bring ornamentals to tance from the main stalk because they are by separating offshoots from flower must maintain their plants in con­ more likely to have significant root devel­ the parent plant. Each offshoot, like tainers year row1d and bring them indoors opment. Treat these as winter houseplants the one shown above, left, should before the first frost. House or greenhouse while sacrificing the parent. If you want to have its own set of roots. temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees are ideal. keep the parent plant, use a very sharp Above: The fruiting end of the Use a mixture of sand and loam amended trenching shovel when cutting away suck­ appropriately-named pink banana with coarse bone meal. Maintain humidity ers so as to minimize damage to the parent (Musa velutina). by using misters or setting the pot on grav­ rhizome. Leave the suckers exposed 24 to el in a large tray of water. Bananas do well 48 hours before planting in order for scar in filtered sunlight, but using a growlight is tissue to form over the fi'esh cuts. In hwnid necessary when interior light is inadequate. regions, dust the suckers with an anti-fun­ Start fruiting varieties in five-gallon gal powder before planting. pots. Smaller ornamental species, such as M. uranoscopus(formerly M. coccinea), re­ Pests and Diseases quire smaller containers for initial planting. To protect against gophers, moles, and Repot in a larger container at least once other such burrowing, root-eating crea­ during the growth process. tures, line the planting hole with galva-

January / Fe bruary 1 999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 45 nized wire mesh. Snails and slugs can mass mates avoid planting tl1e following sus­ about seven feet. Its chubby rose-pink in leaf petioles, feeding on emergent ceptible, but otherwise excellent, culti­ fruits are covered in a fuzz of short hairs. growth. Aphids might infest unfurling vars: 'Apple', 'Ice Cream', 'Gros Michel', They are tasty but seedy. The fruits pop leaves but cause little damage. Thrips 'Hua Moa', 'Namwa', and 'Orinoco'. open when ripe, revealing white pulp. sometimes disfigure the fruit, and spider Nomenclatural confusion surrounds the mites can infest greenhouse plantings. What to Grow popular ornamental "blood banana" (M. These pests can otten be controlled by ju­ 'Ele Ele', a plantain sometimes listed as acuminata 'Zebrina'), which has reddish dicious use of insecticidal soaps and strong 'Black Hawaiian', offers unusual black stems and attractive deep red to purple jets of water, but in some cases you may and green coloration, with almost-black mottling on its upper leaves. Some sources opt to use pesticides. leaf sheathes, petioles, pseudostem, and list this or a similar selection as M. suma­ Most North American banana growers midribs in contrast to green leaves. trana, M. acuminata 'Sumatrana', or are, fortunately, spared dealing with the 'African Rhino Horn' and 'Jamaican 'Rubra'. From my experience, selections la­ worst problems that banana plants suffer Red' produce a red and green combina­ beled 'Sumatrana' are generally shorter in the tropics-the list of blights and bugs tion. M. variegata(formerly M. vittata), than 'Zebrina', with broader foliage and afflicting tropical commercial groves variegated green and white, produces lighter red markings. Either way, blood ba­ numbers over 70. Banana plants growing fruit but is grown primarily for its foliage. nana grows well with other tropicals in a The ornamental M . lush bedding display or headlining a blend uranoscopus maintains a of ornamentals in a container. vertical habit and tops Experienced banana growers advise out at about eight feet. growing 'Zebrina' in a large container for Its erect inflorescence several seasons before planting it in the produces bracts of bril­ ground to allow it to build up a robust root liant scarlet tipped in yel­ system and multiple stems. low. This tender species needs a soil pH below Abyssinian Bananas 6.5 and tolerates medi­ "Abyssinian bananas," of the genus Ensete, um shade to full sun. M. are not for the compact garden. These beccari, similar in habit noble plants reach 30 to 40 feet tall at ma­ to M. uranoscopus, pro­ turity, producing huge, boat-sail size leaves. duces deep red flowers They take part to full sun, require prodi­ with golden yellow tips. gious amounts of water, are fast growing, M. mannii-at maturity and must be protected from wind to pre­ standing about four­ vent the leaves from shredding. and-a-half feet tall-is The bold, red-brown inflorescence re­ ideal for growing in­ sembles an edible banana flower, but the doors and will do fine in bracts are less colorful and don't drop. a five -gallon pot. It pro­ After fruiting, the plant dies. Abyssinian ba­ duces pale crimson nanas can be grown indoors in pots if you flower bracts. have enough space. By restricting the roots, M. ornata, one ofthe size is limited, fruiting delayed, and lifespan easiest ornamental ba­ therefore extended. nanas to grow, will bear E. ventricosum is the standard green flowers at about three form. E. ventricosum 'Maurelii' features feet in containers. large amounts of maroon on the pseu­ Grown outdoors in a dostem and its upper leaves are tinged ma­ warm climate, however, roon. This variety is perennial in Zone 9 or it can reach the size of a warmer. The fruit, which is edible but not small tree. The flower very palatable, is brilliant red and gold upon Musa basjoo, top, is a very hardy species that can be bracts are lavender in the ripening. E. ventricosum'Montebeliardii' grown outdoors year round in gardens as far north as species, but cultivars produces a slender maroon pseudostem Canada. Above, Abyssinian banana (Ensete ventricosum produce flowers ranging that appears as if varnished. It grows to 20 'Maurelii') is noted for its maroon-tinged leaves. from bronze to white, feet and sprouts red-tinged foliage. magenta, and even red. Although the number of banana vari­ in warm humid areas such as Zone 10 in M. sanguinea grows to about four feet, eties are not limitless, enough are available southern Florida, however, can succumb its terminal bud producing blood-red to American gardeners to keep a banana to a form of fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxys­ bracts with yellow flowers. Fruit, when it enthusiast busy for as long as time-and porum) known as Panama disease. Nurs­ develops, is yellow, spotted in red. This na­ space-holds out. -~ ery experts at Going Bananas, a tive ofIndia can be grown from seed. mail-order nursery in Homestead, Flori­ M. velutina, a slender plant with pink­ An expert on tropical fruiting plants, Alice da, recommend that gardeners in such cli- ish leaf stalks and midribs, grows to L. Ramirez lives in Los Angeles, California.

46 THE AMERICAN GARDENER January/ February 1999 Bananas Growing Bananas for Fruit etting bananas to produce fruit is a function oftem­ by-4 board anchored securely into the ground. The fruiting peranu'e, day length, and appropriate feeding. Bananas stalk rests cushioned against the hose. Gstop growing when the soil is colder than 68 degrees, During the winter months, cover the fruit spike with an so if you want your plants to produce fruit, choose a growing opaque open-ended plastic bag. Bagging keeps the fruit dry and site known to have warm soil, or warm the soil with black plas­ minimizes dan1.age from pests, fungal infection, cold, and wind. tic mulch. Bananas flower and set fruit once they have devel­ Bananas give off ethylene oxide as they ripen, so bagging keeps oped a certain number ofJeaves, 12 to 20 depending upon that gas close to the fruit and accelerates the ripening process. variety. Soil temperature determines the speed of leaf output Some cultivars-particularly 'DwarfCavendish'"-afe vul­ and stalk production, as does day length and the differential nerable to cigar end rot, a fungal infection that in humid climates between daytime high temperatures and nighttime lows. The attacks the fruit tips during cool, wet weather, turning them nine-month planting-to-harvest process that occurs in the black. It then works its way up, like the burning ash of a cigar. tropics takes 24 to 30 months in a climate such as California's, Reduce chances ofinfection by removing dessicated floral parts. where nights tend to be about 20 degrees cooler than days, and soil temperature is below 68 degrees most of the year. Ba­ Harvesting nana gardeners in southern Florida enjoy speedier results. A bunch ready to be harvested will have reached its full size, A mature, standard-sized plant in fruit needs 1Y2 to 2 pounds achieved a mature yellow--or red or blue, depending on va- of6-percent nitrogen fertilizer each month. Young plants need a quarter to a third that amount. Avoid getting fertiJizer on the pseu­ dostem when spreading it. A mature banana in fruit additionally needs one cup (8 ounces) sul­ fate ofpotash or some other potassium source every six weeks to two months. Commercial banana fertilizer can be purchased by mail order. (See page 45 for sources.) Fruiting bananas tend to sprout a great many "pups," or suckers, at the base. These side growths compete with the main stem for nutrients. All but one or maybe two should be cut away carefully to avoid harrning the main pseudostem. The largest sucker re­ maining on the plant will become next year's fruiting stalk. It's also important to leave at least eight to 12 feet between plants so that they are not competing for nutrients.

A closeup view of 'Jamaican Red', above left, shows how the bracts of a Once you have met a banana's conditions for banana bud peels back, revealing a row of female flowers that will later flowering, a spike will emerge from the pseu­ become a hand of fruit. As the bud's spike elongates, more bracts peel dostem, then arch downward. A huge and dra­ back for yet another row of flowers. Above, right: Clusters of developing matic mahogany bud develops at the bottom fruit are borne high up on the the flowering stalk of Musa acuminata. of this spike. As layers of showy red bracts furl upward from this bud, they reveal tiered rows offemale flowers. riety--coloration and will have rounded out. Immature ba­ These are at first the size and shape oftoes but quickly grow into nanas have an angular look that softens as fruit: ripens. When recognizable hands ofbananas . When the plant has produced all in doubt, cut off just one hand of your bunch and let it rip(m its little green fingerlings, cut off the remainder of the inflores­ indoors. If the fruit ripens properly and tastes good, then cut cence-which includes the male floweFs--that hangs beneath. down the rest. You wilinot have sacrificed the whole bunch Leave about five indies below me bottom hand of bananas. The to a mistake. Ha,rvest while the fruit is still hard; its flavor de­ goal is to channel the 1'lant's energy into the developing fruiE teriorates if you wait ~ti1 the bananas soften on the plant. rather than sustaining a spectacular but useless blossom. After harvest, cut' down the spent stalk; it will never produce A bunch of ripeniDg bananas can weigh more than 50 again. Glenn Young, a banana gardener in California, elirrtinates pounds. As the bunch develops, you need to brace the plant a slIep by simply cutting off the entire stalk with the fruit bunch to keep it from falIing over. One method involves drilling and still attached. Leave about four feet of stem above ground, en­ wiring together two lengths of bamboo in an asymmetrical 'X' abling the juices to flow down and sustain the parent plant. Re­ shape. The pseudostem then leans into the crotch at the small­ move this remaining stem once it has dried out. Make sure to est end, its weight supported by the two long legs below. You wear old clothes when working with banana plants, because the can also slip sturdy wire through a length of old garden hose clear juice running out of the plant contains tannin, which per­ and attach the wire to a chain link fence frame, a pipe, or a 2- manently stains fabric a dark brown color. -A.L.R.

J a n uary/F e b ruary i 999 THE AMERI C AN GARDE NE R 47 Fusion Horticu·ture Plant hunter Barry Yinger is bringing the best of the East to the West.

b y R c k D a r k e

On the back pond slope, Asian for context, have resulted in a unique fu­ native Angelica gigas reaches mightily to­ sion of horticultural influences. "I think ward the Pennsylvania sky. It is late July, Barry just has a very pragmatic and refined and the purple-black blooms tower over eye for plants that offer utility and value to Barry Yinger on the rolling rural farm the American gardener," says Joe Gray, where he was born, and where this general manager of Hines's Vacaville, Cal­ bizarrely beautiful species was first intro­ ifornia, nursery. "It's really tough to di­ duced to America. vorce your personal feelings about a plant The giant angelica is only one of many from how the American public might like superb discoveries Yinger has brought to it, but he has an innate ability to CLlt North American gardens dming more than through the minutiae and zero in on what two decades of international plant collect­ we are looking for." Yinger's work for ing. Dming that period, he sought out new Hines is currently focused em Asia, partic­ plants both for prominent American public ularly Japan, but as the popularity of trop­ gardens-including the U.S. National Ar­ icals grows, he is extending his search for boretum in Washington, D.C., and Long­ new plants throughout Southeast Asia to wood Gardens in Kennett Square, Thailand, India, and Singapore. He sees Pennsylvania--and for commercial nurseries one of the main aspects of his job as "try­ such as his present employer, Hines Horti­ ing to anticipate horticultural trends, to opposite: Near his home, a restored cultural, Inc., headquartered in Santa Ana, be far enough ahead of the core of public barn on his family's farm in Penn­ California. In ali, he has organized and car­ interest that we can have plants selected, sylvania, plant hunter Barry Yinger ried out more than 50 trips, including 40 to propagated, and ready for sale when peo­ stands below a purple-flowered Japan, five to Korea, three to England, and ple want them, not five years after they're angelica that he introduced from others to Taiwan, PalAcorus able for this day and age," says Carl Hahn, a thick skin. (~corusgramineus'Ogon' is a gramineus 'Ogon') is an early Yinger former director of the natural resomces di­ good example of how horticultural tastes introduction that is only now vision of the Maryland National Capital change," says Yinger. "At the time I becoming widely popular. Park and PlaIU1ing Commission (MNCP­ brought it back [1976] there was no com­ PC). "Frankly, I've never met anyone more mercial interest in plants like that. Every­ dedicated to plants than he is." one I talked to at the time said it was 'a Yinger'S deep connection to the cul­ collector's plant', meaning it was a plant for ture and plants of both North America people who didn't have good taste in gar­ and Eastern Asia, enhanced by a tremen­ den design. Now it's a mainstream plant dOllS eye for detail and an abiding passion with tremendous commercial success."

48 THE AMERICAN GARDENER January/ February 1999

His considerable knowledge of tlle native flora dates to childhood days spent cultivat­ ing wildflowers from arowld the farm. Yinger credits grandmother Elsie Mummert with influencing him toward ornamental horticulture. He describes Mummert's Altoona, Pennsylvania, gar­ den, a three-hour trek in his youth, as "ca­ sually outrageous: a wonderland of grasses, variegated plants, purple foliage, tropicaJs used as armuals, plants in containers, gat"­ denias, succulents, cacti-all set against a great Edwardian house." In the early '70s, Yinger left the farm for the University of Maryland in College Park to pillsue an interdisciplinary degree in Plant Science and Asian Languages. Born of a concern that too few students in agriculture and plant sciences had ability in Asian lan­ guages, the innovative program included four years ofinstmction in Chinese and two in Japanese. In 1974, Robert Baker, an associate pro­ fessor of horticulture at the university, arranged for rmger to spend the spring se­ mester in Japan on independent study, an experience Ymger calls "the turning point in my life." It opened his eyes to Asia's aesthetic and cultural traditions and the incredible richness of its flora. This initial journey to Japan, centered on Kyoto, introduced Yinger to two distinct aspects of Japanese horticulture: the centuries-old traditions of temple gardening and the modern, Western­ influenced landscapes and plant collections typified by the superb Kyoto Botanic Gar­ den. Most important, the trip provided in­ troductions to prominent Japanese botanists Yinger named this cultivar of the Japanese hydrangea vine, top, 'Moonlight' for its and horticulturists, many ofwhom have be­ luminescent leaves. The silvery catkins of another Yinger introduction, Japanese pussy come lifelong friends and professional asso­ u. willow (Salix chaenomeloides), above, show up well against a background of heather. ciates ofYmger's. ~ Key among these was Yotaro Tsukamo­ > In addition to Acorus g ramineus Gray believes Yinger has another sure to, head of ornamental horticulture at Kyoto 'Ogon', a dwarf sweet flag that has pale winner in Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon'. "This University, and Tosruo Ando-at the time "... green-and-cream-striped leaves, Yinger's is a fantastic plant for USDA Zone 4 one of Tsukamoto's graduate students­ 3 introductions include such notables as through 7 or 8. It has phenomenal early who would figure prominently in Yinger's '"c" Schizophragma hydrangeoides 'Moonlight', spring flowers and beautiful yellow foliage later visits. Yinger returned to the States irJ.­ a woody climber native to Japan and Korea. that flushes out to chartreuse," says Gray. tent on furthering his Asian experience. 'Moonlight' features fragrant creamy white "It turns an apricot-red color in fall and it While at the University of Maryland, flowers that bloom in terminal cymes in has shown good heat tolerance-it's doing Yinger worked part-time for Gustin Gar­ midsummer and heart-shaped, smooth, well in the Mid -Atlantic states." dens, a garden center near Washington, blue-green leaves highlighted by promi­ D.C., where he gained important early in­ nent green veins. He has also brought into Pennsylvania Roots sights into the world of commercial horti­ the trade a number of ornamental sedges, The family farm, located near Lewisberry in culture. During this period, he got to know including Carex dolichostachya 'Kaga York COlmty, provided Yinger's early intro­ William H . Frederick Jr., then president of Nishiki', C. morrowii 'Ice Dance', and C. duction to living, growing things, and to Longwood Gardens' Board ofTrustees. A phyllocephala 'Sparkler'; two selections of the self-sufficiency of rural life. "Being born noted plantsman, landscape architect, and bush clover, Lespedeza bicolor 'Avalanche' here, having lived so long on the farm, and author, Frederick combined an expertise in and L. thunbergii 'Edo Shibori'; apd a new being relatively isolated, I have a highly de­ plants with the knowledge of how to use willow species, Salix chaenomeloides. veloped awareness of place," he observes. them in the landscape. "Bill taught me to

50 THE AMERICAN GARDENER January/February 1999 think clearly, carefully, and boldly about color," Yinger says. Wishing to provide Yinger with some early career direction, Fredelick introduced him to George H.M. Lawrence, a consum­ mate horticultural taxonomist who had headed Cornell University's Bailey Horto­ lium and become the founding director of what is now dle HWlt Institute for Botani­ cal Documentation in Pittsburgh. Frederick recalls anticipating that Lawrence might encourage Yinger toward an academic life in horticultural taxonomy. But, after lengthy conversation, Lawrence instead suggested that Yinger's abilities were most needed in the commercial arena, where he might bring horticulture in the United States and Japan closer together. Forging New Relationships After completing his degree, YInger began planning return trips to Japan. Supported by Longwood Gardens, he made his first bona fide plant-collecting trip there in 1976, bringing back plants to be shared be­ tween Longwood and the U.S. National Arboretum. One of these was Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'. It was on d1i.s trip that the University of Maryland studies really began to prove their worth. "My language facilities, even though limited at the time, made me different," he says. "They allowed access and insights otherwise not available." The trip also reinforced Yinger's appreci­ ation that in Asia, and especially in Japan, "relationships are as important as horticul­ tural knowledge." Toshio Ando, Yinger's earlier acquaintance, became his best contact on this trip and on others that soon fol­ Yinger discovered this dramatically variegated sedge (Carex phyl/ocephala 'Sparkler'), lowed. Ando's broad interests embraced top, through nursery industry contacts in Japan. A purple-leaved silk tree (Albizia both wild and cultivated plants, and the ac­ spp.) highlights other exotic container plants, above, at Yinger's Pennsylvania home. cess he provided to nurseries and unspoiled natural areas proved invaluable. dens in Wheaton, Maryland. Normandy ranking all Japanese traditions, it would be "I think it was more than just knowing worked with Ymger in the early 1980s when near the top. Most of the traditions people the language," says Carl Halm, the former evaluating plants Yinger brought back 6:om think of as Japanese, including ikebana and director of the natural resources division of Asia. As an example, Normandy cites the bonsai, are largely borrowed from Chinese MNCPPC. "The thing about modern natTIe Yitlger bestowed on a new cultivar of and Korean tradition." plant exploration is that it's hard to find Japanese hornbeam (Carpinus japonica). Yinger describes koten engei as "an ob­ new species. Particularly in Japan, where "'Ebi odori' means 'dancing shrimp' in session. with selecting, displaying, and spec­ cultivars are the objects of the search, it's Japanese," says Normandy, "which is an al­ ulating in cultivars according to a strict set critical to have respect for the culture and lusion to the way the tree's shrimplike of rules or criteria. The plants are most often ways of the people. I don't think somebody catkins move in the wind. It ties back to the Japanese species grown primarily for fea­ with jU$t a smattering of Japanese could cultural sensitivities of the Japanese." tures other than floral beauty. This has re­ have achieved what he has achieved." Yinger's interest in Japanese culture also sulted in a focus on vatiations in size, shape, This respect for Asian culture has carried helped him become fan1i.li.ar with some hor­ and color ofleaves, including vatiegation." through into some of the cultivar names ticultural practices few Westerners know Although the popularity of koten engei that Yinger has assigned his plants. "Barry about, including koten engei. «Koten engei is somewhat dimit1i.shed in current times, often tries to preserve a sense of the culture is one of the few horticultural traditions in Yinger's strong relationship with another in naming a plant," says Phil Normandy, Japan that is strictly and purely a native eat-Iy contact in Japan, Masato Yokoi, en­ plant collections manager at Brookside Gar- Japanese tradition." says Yitlger. "If! were abled him to locate and introduce a num-

Janu ary/February 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 51 Sources ASIATICA can be contacted bye-mail ber of superb variegated plants from the made it extremely difficult-and even dan­ at [email protected]. koten engei tradition, including Carex phyl­ gerous-to visit the northern islands. FAIRWEATHER GARDENS, locephala 'Sparkler'. That August, shortly before leaving P.O . Box 330, Greenwich, NJ 08323. Chollipo Arboretum, Yinger, Ando, and a (609) 451-6261. Catalog $3. Longwood Korean friend, Young June Chang, spent • Schizophragma hydrangeoides Encouraged by Baker and Frederick, three days hiking the slopes of Mount 'Moonlight' Yinger entered the two-year University of Odae in northeastern Korea. They revelled • Sedum 'Frosty Morn' Delaware Longwood Graduate Program in in the richness of the native flora, which • Spirea thunbergii 'Ogon' 1977. Yinger's masters' thesis, a mono­ survives due to the protective proximity of HERONSWOOD NURSERY L1D., graph on Japanese members of the genus ancient Buddhist temples. 7530 N.E. 288th Street, Kin~ston, Asarum) was unusual for the Longwood It was tllen that Yinger discovered An­ WA 98346-9502. (360) 297-4172. program, which is primarily focused on gelica gitJas growing in an area visited by E. Catalog $5. public garden management. The mono­ H . Wilson in 1917 and was surprised that • Acorus graminelds 'Ogon' graph remains a unique and important such an extraordinarily showy plant had es­ • Angelica gigas treatment of the Japanese native wild gin­ caped attention. Yinger still vividly remem­ • Salix chaenomeloides. gers and a testament to Yinger's long-term bers discovering the angelica in a subalpine PLANf DELIGHtS NURSERY, 9211,1 interest in Asian woodland plants. meadow, towering above the "splendid Sauls Road, Raleigh, NC 2760:§l. Yinger also values the Longwood yeat"s chaos" ofchrome-yellow Patrinia) billow­ (919) 772-4794. www.plantdel.eor:r:l. especially for helping him to establish fur­ ing white bugbane (Cimicifuga spp.), Catalog: Send 1Q stamps or. a box ther contacts in public horticulture. Partic­ blue-purple Adenophora and Aconitum) of chocolates. ularly important among these was former and bright orange Lychnisflowering below. • Acorus graminelds 'OgOr:l' Winterthur Gardens taxonomist Hal No seeds were available at the time, but, • Carex phyl/0cep-nala 'Sparkler' Bruce. Yinger says Bruce, with whom he fortunately, Chang was able to return to • Nosta yinger-ii remained close friends until Bruce's death Odae in October and collect a few seeds that • Sedum '~rosty Morn' in 1987, was an enormous influence. he sent to Yinger. The seeds germinated ROSL.YN NURSERY, 211 gum ilane, "Hal's approach to plants was both acade­ readily and the angelica grew to flowering Dix Hills, NY 117461. (516) 6AHlM7. mic and poetic," he says. "We were good size on his farm in 1983. It has since proved www.cris.eoml-Roslyn/. (atal€>g U. friends who spent a lot of time looking at amenable to cultivation in much of USDA • Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' plants, talking about plants." Zone;) to 8, which intrigues Yinger. "Judg­ • Salix chaen0meloides. After earning his degree, Yinger headed ing from where it grows in the wild, you • Schizophragma hydrange@ides for Korea, where he had accepted a job would never think it would be widely adapt­ 'Moonlight' with Carl Ferris Miller, an American expa­ ed to cultivation," he says. "It is a reminder triate who was developing his hobby gar­ that you can't make too many assumptions." den and vacation home into what would The opportunity to explore the western eventually become the internationally Korean islands also arrived that year with renowned Chollipo Arboretum, located Ymger's appointment to the newly created southwest of Seoul. position of Curator ofAsian Collections at While he was there, Yinger also took the the U.S. National Arboretum. Yinger's re­ opportunity to research aspects of the Ko­ sponsibilities included design and develop­ rean flora that had been overlooked by ment of the Arboretum's Asian Valley area, most previous explorers. Yinger realized which initially displayed Japanese plant in­ Western explorers since E.H. Wilson just troductions brought in by Arboretum hor­ after the turn of the century had all tra­ ticulturists John Creech and Sylvester versed similar paths, mostly through (Skip) March. In addition, under the aus­ Korea's northeastern mountains, virtually pices of the Friends of the National Ar­ ignoring the west coast and its islands. His boretum, Yinger initiated a new series of interest was piqued after reading an article plant expeditions focused on Korea. With about the broadleaf evergreen flora of the assistance of the South Korean army, he Korea's west coast islands written at the was able to locate remnants of Ueki's w turn ofthe century by Japanese botanist camellia populations and collect seed. >< 0: Homiki Ueki. Ueki had visited many is­ The offspring of these plants proved to o4: ><, lands and documented populations of be one-half to one full zone more cold u Q1 Camellia japonica and other horticultural­ hardy than any Camellia Japonica previ­ W t: ly desirable speoies farther north than any­ ously known to Western horticulture. Ad­ '"G 0- one had expected they could survive. lf ditional seeds of Angelica gitJas were also o0- Z they still existed, Yinger reasoned, these brought back to the Arboretum during the G Yinger credits Phil Normandy, plant populations were likely to include plants Korea expeditions. Lewis Ginter Botanical '"Q1 0: collections manager at Brookside with superior adaptations for cold-hardi­ Garden Managing Director Holly Shimizu, :x:4: Gardens in Wheatol'l, Maryland, for the UJz ness. Unfortunately, the political division of then curator of the Arboretum's Herb Gar­ z evocative name of Sedum 'Frosty Morn'. Korea that had occurred since Ueki's time den, grew seedlings and distributed them ~

52 THE AMERICAN GARDENER January/February 1999 widely, ensuring the species' presence in American gardens. Hosta yingeri, found by Yinger in 1985 and named in his honor by botanist Sam Jones-then with the University of North Carolina-is another product of the Na­ tional Arboretum trips to Korea . H. )Iingeri has proved a valuable plant for breeding due to its thick, glossy foliage and the fact that its fl owers are arranged symmetrically around the stem. Yinger left the Arboretum in 1987, tak­ ing career turns toward administration for the next few years, first as director of Pow­ ell Gardens in Missouri, then as head of horticulture for New Jersey's Sommerset County Park Commission. Though he en­ joyed this work, Yinger missed the COlmec­ tion with Asia. He began consulting for Yinger, right, and Hines co-worker Andrew Wong survey some of the out-of-the­ commercial nurseries, first for Isley Nurs­ ordinary plants that grow around the porch of Yinger's home. ery in Oregon, then for Hines, a wholesale supplier of container plants with operations hybrid, deftly melding the flmving spaces of horticultural books of limited distribution across the United States. traditional Japanese arcluteculre with tl1e tl1at are generally unavailable in tl1e U.S. The consulting work for Hines allowed sturdy utility of rural Pennsylvania. In tl1e last four years, tl1e new garden Yinger to renew his travels to Japan, once In addition to his work for Hines, Yinger Yinger has built in front of his renovated again seeking new plants for American gar­ has maintained a personal fasc ination witl1 barn has developed into a sophisticated as­ dens. The arrangement proved so mutually W1Usual Asian plants of all types, including semblage that includes an array ofhorticul­ beneficial that in 1993 Yinger became many rarities that, because of their life cy­ tural gems. Through artful design, it evokes Hines's full-time new products resources cles, clifficulty of propagation, or other cul­ both tl1e "splendid chaos" of Mount Odae manager, with primary responsibility for se­ tural requirements, are not practical for and the serene spareness of old Kyoto while lecting and acquiring new plants for evalua­ large-scale commercial production. Along sitting comfortably against the local stone. tion. ''We've come full circle. The great early with Andrew Wong, a plant collector and In si milar fashion, a unique confluence of plant collectors from England were spon­ explorer who also works for Hines, Yinger academic, artistic, cultural, and commercial sored by owners oflarge private estates or by formed Asiatica, a micro-nursery that caters tl1emes have melded to make Yinger's a sin­ large nurseries," says Yinger. "We went to specialty plant collectors. Yinger and gularly interesting career. ., through a long period where much of the Wong intend Asiatica to fill a niche the larg­ international exploration was conducted by er nurseries can't serve, offering mostly R ich Darhe is a landscape consultant, write1", botanical gardens, but we're now seeing Japanese woodland natives such as hardy and photographer living in Landenberg, more and more commercial nurseries asso­ gingers (Asarum spp. ), liverworts (H epat­ Pennsylvania. His most recent book, The ciating themselves with individuals to bring ica spp.), and mayapples (Podophyllum Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses, in plants from other countries." spp.). Asiatica also offers specialist Japanese is due out in March by Timber Press. The list of horticultural successes Ymger has introduced is already long, but his knack for finding plants that are ahead of current Yinger on Native Plants plant trends makes it entirely possible that more of his introductions may, over time, sked how the apparent North Amelican trend toward native plants affects achieve wider appeal. "I believe that it may plant introduction and commerce, Yinger replies, "Many of my favorites are still take a while for some of these plants to ANorth American natives, but I have a hard time understanding why anyone become recognized," says Haim. would want to limit the gardening experience exolusively to plants that are currently native to North America. The issue raises questions that, even theoretically, are hard Back to His Roots to answer, like: 'How far away from home do you go before a plant is not native any­ Yinger moved back to the family farm in more?' or 'Do you consider populations that are now gone, but once clearly existed, 1993, {lurchasing title from his parents, as native or non-native?' Native plants do sell when they're good garden plants, but I who continue to live in the main house. He haven't observed that the general public will buy a plant that is not their first choice began working on the barn, transforming simply because it's native. I believe open public places should be planted with plants the lower story into a stunning residence. that don't disturb the feeling of place if one exists, but how could it possibly matter The bearing walls are built of characteristic what you grow in downtown Las Vegas, for example? Part of the Japanese lesson to red-brown York County sandstone, held to­ me is that you can preserve a sense of place and enjoy grmvi.ng non-native plants if gether with prominent white mortar in you do so in a controlled setting." -R.D. keeping witl1 local tradition. It is a superb

J anuary/February 1999 TH E AM ER I CAN GARDENER 53 erature and folklore; garden tools; and PESTS OF THE WEST, REVISED: gardens that every horticultural traveler PREVENTION AND CONTROL should visit. FOR TODAY'S GARDEN AND Of course, the book does have its lim­ SMALL FARM. itations. Because it tries to cover so many Whitney Cransha1V. Fulcrum Publishing, different topics, you won't find in-depth Golden, Colorado, 1998.248 pages. 9/1 x 9/1. information on all your gardening ques­ Publisher)s price, softcover: $19.95. AHS tions. It didn't take me long to stump this price: $16. FUL017 book with a question I truly wanted an answer to: How dangerous is Brugman­ BALL IDENTIFICATION GUIDE sia?This plant is famous for its narcotic TO GREENHOUSE PESTS AND properties, and although the book has a BENEFICIALS. large, nicely illustrated section on 40 poi­ Stanton Gill and John Sanderson. Ball sonous plants, it did not include the or­ Publishing, Batavia, Illinois, 1998. 244 namental Brugmansia. On the flip side, pages. 6/1 x 9/1. Publisher's price, hardcover: each section contains a list of books to $67. No AHS discount available. BP e01 read for further information. Also, because it tries to be all things to all gardeners, the book is inadequate in some sections, particularly in its lists of rec­ ea, general reference ommended plants for different regions of the country. But it does contain a large re­ ea, pest identification source section, which contains addresses and phone numbers for hundreds of orga­ ea, CD-ROM reference nizations that can help you with more lo­ calized information. THE BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN The true merit of the Gardene1')s Desk GARDENER'S DESK REFERENCE. Reference lies in the odd facts and issues Janet Marinelli,general editor. Hem'y Holt that are of interest to gardeners. It packs a and Company, Inc., New York, 1998. 816 lot ofinforrnation in one place for a mod­ pages. 7%/1 x 912 /I. Publisher's price: hard­ est price. While the information may be cover, $40. AHS price: $28. HOL 019 skimpy on anyone subject, it certainly is an introduction to a great many subjects. For he Brooklyn Botanic Garden Gar­ instance, I may not be interested enough in dener)s Desk Reference is a great endangered plants to buy a book on the T book for the beginning gardener as subject, but I am interested enough to read II gardeners, no matter how hard well as for the expert who already owns a a small section on plants threatened by col­ they try to avoid it, are eventually dozen specialty garden books. It is a su­ lection. I highly recommend this book for A faced with an infestation of aphids, perb information source for a wide range every gardener'S library. whiteflies, or other common pest on their of subjects. -Katherine Grace Endicott favorite house or garden plants. These two Say, for example, you suddenly wonder Agarden columnist with the San Francisco new books are welcome additions to the how many flowering shapes there are. A Chronicle, Katherine w'ace Endicott is also literature available on pest control. quick check in the chapter called "Botany author of Northern California Gardening. The revised edition of Whitney Cran­ for Gardeners" will lead the reader to shaw's Pests of the West, first published in drawings and descriptioll.s of the most THE BROOKlYN llOTANIC GARDEN 1992, addresses garden problems ranging common inflorescence types. Perhaps the from improving unhealthy soil to prevent­ most useful part of me book is the section ing and controlling weeds, insects, and a on weights, measures, and conversions, GARDENEitS host of diseases. which make dilution rates and estimating Cranshaw starts by discussing biological the weight of root balls a snap. In fact, this control methods, using black-and-white section has useful information that I have DESK photographs and descriptions of many never seen elsewhere. predators, parasites, and pathogens ofcom­ As with looking through an almanac, mon garden pests. The author approaches random meandering leads to interesting REFERENCE this sometimes morbid topic with a sense discoveries. I was mesmerized by a chart of humor, describing one plant disease as JANET M ARINF.:LL I GENERAL EO I TOR in the plant conservation chapter that lists making the "Black Death of the Middle declines in crop diversity. Did you know Ages seem like a mild head cold." that in the United States, 75 percent of A chapter on cultural and mechanical our potatoes come from only four vari­ controls brings together many common­ eties? Other useful topics covered in the sense approaches to insect control, includ­ book include ecology in plant communi­ ing site preparation, crop rotation, ties; kitchen, ornamental, indoor, and city sanitation, solarization, and the time­ gardening; poisonous plants; plants in lit- honored method of spraying pests off

54 THE AMERICAN GARDENER January/Februar y 1999 with a strong jet of water. Chemical con­ The largest and most informative sec­ displayed on tlle opening page, called the trols are also explained in detail, but Cran­ tion covers identification of major pests. "workbench"-is user-friendly and can be shaw advises using pesticides only when all The 10 chaptrers, each devoted to a differ­ customized. You can arrange the list alpha­ other n:lethods have failed. ent pest, feature descriptions and photo­ betically by botaI1ical or common name or To help gardeners find solutions quick­ graphs of the insects and suggestions for by plant family. You can also quickly and ly, one chapter lists the insect and disease biological controls. These chapters are very easiJy generate a list of plaIlts having specif­ thorough; in one on aphids, 15 different ic attributes or cultural requirements. Cus­ species are described and five biological ton1ized lists can be saved for later use or set BALL IDENTIFICATION GUIDE TO controls listed. Other chapters focus on to run in a slide show presentation. caterpillars, fungus gnats and various flies, Each plant is described and illustrated REENHOUSE PESTS leafminers, mites, thrips, white flies, scale in an information sheet when you click on AND CIALS insects, mealybugs, and beetles and weevils. the plant's name in the workbench. The The final chapter addresses miscellaneous sheet contains thumbnail images of all the pests, including pillbugs, millipedes, mol­ photographs of the plant-which can be lusks, and earwigs. enlarged by clicking on tllem-as well as The third section, diagnosing the cause cultural requirements and other data. A of plant dan1age, offers good desctiptions of map oftlle United States shows where tlle symptoms produced by different insects, as plaIlt will grow. You CaIl also add your own well as numerous useful color photographs. notes to a plant's information sheet and There is some repetition ofplant symptoms hear the pronunciation of the plant'S and insect desCliptions, but tlle book con­ botaJ1ical name. tains so much information that tlle repeti­ The printing options with these pro­ tion is actually helphu. grams is almost endless and allows repro­ Though written principally for profes­ duction ofaIly or all of tlle photographs aIld sional growers, any home gardener who information sheets in almost any fashion. BY STANTON Gll.L owns a greenllOuse or who simply has an in­ EOtll programs are true Windows appli­ AND JOHN SANDERSON terest in insects and tlleir lifecycles will find cations and anyone fanllliar with Windows tl1is book most usehu. should have little trouble with them. One problems associated with many garden veg­ -Robert D. Raabe drawback is that tlle voluminous amount of etables, fruits, and some ornamental plants. Robert D. Raabe is profess01' emeritus of After each disorder, there is a reference to plant pathology at the University ofCalif 01 ' ­ the page on which each of the pests or dis­ nia, Berkeley. ease-producing organisms-as well as ways to control them-are discussed in detail. Useful appendices include sources for bi­ PERENNIALS AND ANNUALS II. ological control organisms and other pest Horticopia, Inc., 1997. Publisher's price: one management products, characteristics of CD, $120. AHS price: $108. HOR 001 common garden pesticides, methods of at­ tracting insectivorous birds to your yard, TREES, SHRUBS AND and a chart for approximating dilution ra­ GROUNDCOVERS II. tios for pesticides. Scattered throughout the Horticopia, Inc., 1998. Publisher's price: book are useful sidebars with in-depth in­ two-CD set, $180. AHS price: $162. formation on such topics as ants and aphids, HOR002 data necessitates the use of two CDs. Horti­ honeybee decline, insect pheromones, com­ copia provides a utility that allows tlle data panion planting, and slime mold. In all, Publisher's price for both programs: $288. to be copied to hard disk; tl1is requires about Pests ofthe West is an excellent book for the AHS price: $270. 800 ME of memory but eliminates the need gardener or horticulturist who lives in the to constantly switch disks. Intermountain and High Plains regions of orticopia, Inc. has recently released Overall, these two programs should ap­ the country. updated versions of its CD-ROM peal to all gardeners who are equipped with The Ball Identification Guide to Green­ Hreference works: Perennials and the proper computer hardware. Although house Pests and Beneficials moves us out of Annuals and Trees, Shrubs and Ground­ they are not likely to ever replace a library the gardens addressed in Pests of the West covers. Perhaps to a greater degree than of good reference books, they do provide and into the greenhouse. This reference, sinlliar products on the market, these two an excellent complement. put together by two entomologists who programs-which complement each other The recommended system require­ specialize in greenhouse insects, is more but can be purchased separately-have ments for using the CD-ROMs are: Mi­ technical than Cranshaw's book. sometl1ing for everyone: Students, profes­ crosoft Windows 95, 98, or NT 4.0; The guide is divided into three sections: sors, landscape architects and designers, Pentium processor with at least 16MB IPM (integrated pest management) in the and serious gardeners will all fi.nd value in RAM; Windows compatible sound card; Greenhouse, Identification of Major Pests, these programs. 256 colors; and 800 x 600 resolution. and Identification of Plant Damage ofSpe­ Together, the two CD-ROMs contain Quad speed or faster CD-ROM drive. -.., cific Crops. The first section explains the es­ more than 11,000 high-quality photo­ -William May sentials of establishing an IPM program in graphs of over 5,000 plants in close-up A Master Gardener, William May vohtnteers the greenhouse. shots and landscape views. The plant list- with AHS's Gardeners Information Service.

January/February 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 55 An appenciL'{ grouping herbs by bloom time will help the gardener ensure a full season of gardeners' color. Contains 117 color photographs.

A CELEBRATION OF HEIRLOOM books VEGETABLES: GROWING AND COOKING OLD-TIME VARIETIES. To bater serve our members, AHS has teamed Roger Yepsen. Artisan, New York, 1998. up with Amazon. com. We can now offer bet­ 192 pages. Publisher's price, hardcover: $35. ter discounts on most titles, faster deliveries, AHS price: $24.50. ART 002 more inventory, and improved access to hard­ This large-format book describes the fla­ to-find titles. The books listed here are based on vors, scents, and textures that distinguish perceived reader interest, unusual subject heirloom vegetables from the store-bought matter, or substantive content. To order, or for varieties. The author details the history of information about other gardening books, plants from beans to turnips and provides please call Trish Gibson at (800) 777-7931 information on growing, harvesting, and ext. 36 or visit our Web site at www.ahs.m;g saving seeds. The book's recipes will allow and link to Amazon. com. you to taste these heirlooms at their best. Seed sources, a bibliography, and a list of heirloom plant conservation organizations PLANTS are also included. Contains more than 50 icate plants is sure to become an invaluable watercolor illustrations by the author. gardening reference. The book contains an HERBS IN BLOOM: A GUIDE extensive encyclopedic section in which the TO GROWING HERBS AS habit, culture, and propagation of more ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. R 0 G E R YEPSEN than 250 different species is detailed. Sepa­ Jo Ann Gardner. Timber Press, Portland, rate chapters focus on displaying these ten­ Oregon, 1998. 394 pages. Publisher's price, der plants in containers or conservatories hardcover: $34.95. AHS price: $24.50. and using them to create an "exotic look." TIM 154 Overwintering tender plants and control­ By focusing on herbs as beautiful ornamen­ ling their pests are also covered. Includes tals that can be used anywhere in the land­ more than 120 color photographs. scape, Gardner aims to dispell the notion that "herbs are primarily foliage plants snipped for flavoring and grown in a formal GARDEN HISTORY arrangement of types called 'the herb gar- AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF GARDENING. Anthony Huxley. Lyons Press, New York, 1998.386 pages. Publisher)sprice, hardcov­ 100 HEIRLOOM TOMATOES FOR er: $35. AHS price: $24.50. LBP 013 THE AMERICAN GARDEN. First published in 1978, this classic garden Carolyn J. Male. Workman Publishing, history book tracks the craft of gardening New York, 1999.272 pages. Publisher's price, from ancient times to the present. Huxley softcover: $17.95. AHS price: $14.50. WOR017 A biologist and founder of an heirloom tomato newsletter, Male knows tomatoes as well as anyone in the U.S. In this book she introduces us to the many forms-from white to gold, sweet to smoky, and fluted to flattened-of our most popular heir­ loom plant. The book is designed as a man­ ual for cultivation as well as a field guide. It begins by helping you choose the correct variety for your area and ends by teaching you to become your own seed saver. den'." Detailed information on 80 flow­ ering herbs is provided, including THE PLANTFINDER'S GUIDE TO propagation, transplanting, landscape uses, TENDER PERENNIALS. and the history and folklore associated with Ian Cooke. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, the plant. In addition to the herbs discussed 1998. 192 pages. Publisher's price, hardcov­ at length, more than 600 other herbs get er: $34.95. AHS price: $25. TIM 153 brief mention as related plants of interest. J1his new resource on these marvelous, del-

56 THE AMERICAN GARDENER January/February 1999 focuses on the gardener as artisan, discussing A guide in both the artistic and the techni­ the history of tools, tedmiques, and proce­ cal senses, this book will assist anyone who dures-from propagation and irrigation to has wanted to capture gardens or plants on composting and greenhouse culture-that film. It includes chapters on equipment, make plants actually grow. Includes hun­ design, working with natural light, and sea­ dreds of historical prints, drawings, and sonal changes. Illustrated with more than black-and-white photographs. 130 color photographs. Also available from the same series: BIRDS AMP 006 PHOTOGRAPHY FLOWERS AMP 002 LANDSCAPES AMP 003 THE SEASONS AMP 004 TREES AMP005

WINTER READING

MY GARDEN IN AUTUMN AND WINTER. E.A. Bowles. Timber Press, Portland, Ore­ gon, 1998. 348 pages. Publisher's price, hardcover: $24.95. AHS price: $17.50. TIM 155 First published in 1915, the third and final LAUGHTER ON THE STAIRS. volume in Bowles's classic garden chroni­ Beverle)1 Nichols. Timber Press, Portland, cles provides an enchanting look at his Oregon, 1998. 260 pages. Publisher}s price, Myddelton House garden during the time hardcover: $24.95. AHS price: $17.50. of year when most people put their gar­ TIM 156 dens to bed. Faced with the decline of his The second book in Nichols's Merry Hall treasured spring and summer plants, trilogy, this reissue oftl1e 1953 classic con­ Bowles turns to a wide variety of other tinues the narrative-begun in Merry plants to keep his garden fresh and alive. Hall--of the autl10r's rescue of a derelict Chapters on colchicums, autumn crocus­ country estate. In this volume, the main es, ferns, evergreens, and berries-elo­ plot shifts from the garden into the hOllse, THE FIELD GUIDE TO quently written in Bowles' passionate and but Nichols can't resist straying outdoors. PHOTOGRAPHING GARDENS. witty style-offer the reader a multitude of We learn the "four L's of gardening" and Allen Rokach and Anne Millman. Ampho­ plant choices for the winter garden. This the reason why geraniums are a test of to Books, New York, 1998. 128 pages. Pub­ reprint includes a map of the garden at one's morali ty. The final two chapters, lisher's price, softcover: $16.95. AHS price: Myddelton House and an appendix with which involve the local flower show, are the $13.60. AMP 001 updated plant nomenclature. highlight of this hilarious novel.

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Jan uary/February 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 57 JAN. 22-24 II Virginia Flower and Patio Show. Garden State Exhibit Center, Garden Show. Virginia Beach Pavilion, Somerset, New Jersey. (732) 785-9174. Virginia Beach, Virginia. (757) 853-0057. MAR. 4-7 II Washington Flower and JAN. 23-FEB. 28 II Women of Flowers: Garden Show. Washington Convention A Tribute to Victorian Women Illustra­ Center, Washington, D.C (703) 823-7960. tors. Exhibit. Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania . (800) 737-5500. NORTH CENTRAL

FEB. 1 II U.S. National Arboretum by JAN. 30-FEB. 28 II Azalea and Camel­ Moonlight. Nighttime walking tour. u.s. lia Flower Show. Chicago Park Distriet. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C Lincoln Park and Garfield Park COflserva­ (202) 245-4521. tories, Chicago, Illinois. (~12) 746-5100.

FEB. 5 II Today's Hortic~lture. Sym­ FEB. 6-14 II Bella Italia: National City posium and plant sale. Longwood Gar­ Cleveland Home and Garden Show. I-X dens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Center, Cleveland, Ohio. (800) 600-0307. (610) 688-2919. FEB. 10-14 .. Festival of Flowers and FEB. 13 & 14 II Orchid Festival Week­ Homes: Home and Garden Show. a look at what's end. Brookside Gardens Conservatory, Rosemont Convention Center, Rosemont, Wheaton, Maryland. (301) 949-8230. Illinois. (847) 888-4585. happening around FEB. 18-21 II Maymont Flower ali'ld FEB. 24-28 II Fort Wayne Home and the nation Garden Show. Richmond Centre, Garden Show. Memorial Coliseum, Fort Richmond, Virginia. (804) 358-7166. Wayne, Indiana. (800) 678-6652. MID-ATLANTIC FEB. 20 II Paphiopedilum Orchid FEB. 27-MAR. 7 II Cincinnati Home and JAN. 7-FEB. 25 II Gardening for the Forum. U.S. National Arboretum, Garden Show. CinGinnati Convention Home Landscape. Lecture series. Rut­ Washington, D.C (703) 360-6920. Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. (513) 281-0022. gers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey. (732) 932-9271 . FEB. 20 II Western Pennsylvania NORTHEAST Gardening and Landscaping Sym­ JAN. 16-MAR. 14 II Romance of the posium. Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center, JAN. 9 II Invasive Plant Species: Orchid. Exhibition. grookside Gardens Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (412) 441-4442. Issues and Management. Lecture by Conservatory, Wheaton, Maryland. Glenn Dreyer. The Rhode Island Wild (301) 949-8230. FEB. 25-28 II New Jersey Flower and Plant Society. Corless Auditorium,

The National Herb Garden Gets A Facelift

he National Herb Garden at of new lighting fixtures to enhanGe the U.S. National Arboretum safety for evening events and pro­ Tin Washington, D.C., is closed grams at the Arboretum. to the public this winter while mod­ J oindy developed by the Ar­ ifications are underway to make the boretum and the Herb Society of gardens more accessible to visitors. America (HSA) the herb garden "The garden has seen quite a lot of opened on June 12, 1980, when it heaving as a result of freezing and was dedicated as a gift to the Amer­ thawing, which has made access for ican people from HSA. Several handicapped patrons difficult," ex­ HSA members were among the plains Jim Adams, the garden's cu­ volunteers who helped transplant rator. "Many new guidelines for more than 800 species and mlti­ handicapped visitors have evolved The herb garden at the U.s. National Arboretum. vars of herbs in the garden to safe­ since the garden's opening, so we ty ifl a temporary holding nursery are bringing it up to code." The addition of flagstone paving, before renovations began in November. a new ramp, and root barriers to decrease trip hazards will The herb garden will officially re-open in mid-March, smooth out the pathways for all visitors. although some modifications will continue through June. Although improving handicap accessibility is the primary For more information about the herb garden, call the U.S. motivation for the project, many other improvements are National Arboretum at (2Q2) 245-2726, or visit its Web site being accomplished at the same time. These include refine­ at www.arsgrin.gov/ars/na/. ments to irrigation and drainage systems, aFld the installation -Mark C. Mollan) Communioations Assistant

58 THE AMERICAN GARDENER January/February 1999 University of Rhode Island, Bay Campus, Washington. (253) 756-2121 . Show. Orthwein Floral Display Hall, Kingston, Rhode Island. (401) 783-5895. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Lou is, FEB. 17-21 • Northwest Flower and Missouri . (800) 642-8842. JAN. 27 • East Meets West. Lecture by Garden Show. Washington State Dan Hinkley and Darrel Probst. Arthur Convention and Trade Center, Seattle, FEB. 13 . Herbal Beginnings in the and Janet Ross Lecture Hall, New York Wash ington. (800) 789-5333. Garden. Workshop. International Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York. Festival Institute. The McAshan Herb (718) 817-8747. FEB. 24-28 • Portland Home and Gardens at Festival Hill, Round Top, Garden Show. Portland Expo Center, Texas . (409) 249-5283. FEB. 18-21 • A Garden To Celebrate: Portland, Oregon. (800) 343-6973. 18th Annual Connecticut Flower and FEB. 19-21 • Arkansas Flower Garden Show. Connecticut Expo Center, SOUTH CENTRAL and Garden Show. Statehouse Con­ Hartford, Connecticut. (860) 529-2123. vention Center, Little Rock, Arkansas. JAN. 1-MAY 31 . Bayou Bend Collect­ (800) 459-7469. FEB. 18-21 • Rhode Island Spring ion and Gardens Tour. The Museum of Flower and Garden Show. Rhode Fine Arts, Houston, Texas. (713) 639-7758. MAR. 4-7 • Gateway to Spring: Island Convention Center, Providence, Wichita Lawn, Flower, and Garden Rhode Island. (800) 766-1670. JAN. 8-10 . St. Louis Flower Show. Show. Century II Convention Center, Junior League of St. Louis. America's Wich ita, Kansas. (316) 721-8740. FEB. 20 • Gardening With Wild­ Center, St. Louis, Missouri. (314) 569-3117 flowers. Slide show by Doris Anthony. ext. 234. SOUTHEAST Peace Dale Library, Peace Dale, Rhode Island. (401) 783-5895. JAN. 13-MAR. 5 • Lucia Boles Exhibi­ JAN. 9 . Camellia Show. Tampa Bay tion. Floral and garden landscape paint­ Area Camellia Society. Tampa Woman's MAR. 11-14 . Garden Classics. Capital ings. Monsanto Hall, Missouri Botanical Club Building, Tampa, Florida . District Garden and Flower Show. Hudson Garden, St. Louis, Missouri . (800) 642-8842. (941) 688-0916. Valley Community College, Troy, New York. (518) 356-6410 ext. 418. JAN. 30 • Wornall House Museum Ann­ JAN. 16 & FEB. 7 . Marie Selby ual Garden Seminar. Lecture by H. Marc Gardens: Behind the Scenes Tours. NORTHWEST Cathey. The John Wornall House Museum, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, Kansas City, Missouri . (816) 444-1858. Florida. (941) 366-5731 . FEB. 3-7 • Tacoma Home and Garden Show. Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, JAN. 30-MAR. 14 . Annual Orchid JAN. 20-23 • Interior Landscape Con-

Bringing Life to the Landscape at Davidson

he theme of the 15th Annual D avidson H orticultural Monticello, will offer an historical perspective on garden design Symposium, "Personal Edens: Creating U nique Spaces in her keynote address, "The Evolution ofth e H ome Landscape." Tin Southern Gardens," was inspired by Julie Moir After Messervy's Wednesday morning lecture, Kurt Bluemel, Messervy's book The Inward Garden. The symposium, spon­ nursery owner and ornamental grass expert, will lecture on "Al­ sored by the Davidson Garden Club, will be held Tuesday and ternative Plants fo r Conventional Uses." Other experts offering Wednesday, March 2 and 3, at Davidson College in Davidson, simultaneous afternoon workshops include Renee Shepherd, North Carolina. proprietor of Renee's Garden Seed Company, who will en­ Messervy- who will speak Wednesday morning-and sev­ lighten participants on the age-old practice of creating gardens eral other well-known gardening experts will offer insights into for the kitchen, as well as more comemporary gardens for ro­ creating a garden charged with memories and meaning. "The mance; Kim Tripp, director of the Botanic Garden ofS mith Col­ symposium is aimed at helping gardeners identifY meaningful lege, will speak on the merits of using woody plants in the associations- either personal or garden; and Craig Tufts of the Na­ even historical-from the past and tional Wildlife Federation will lend bring them to life in their gardens," his expertise in creating natural habi­ explains Polly Brockway, spokesper­ tats in the garden. son for the event . All indoor events will be held in The first day of the symposium the Chambers Building on the will include a tour of the Davidson Davidson College campus. Registra­ Co~ege Arboretum, a book-signing tion, due by February 20, is $8 3. session by the symposium's speakers, Single-day registrations are also avail­ and a tour of the Allison Woods able. For more information, write to: Demonstration Garden. Following a Davidson H orticultural Symposium, wine reception and dinner, Peggy P.O . Box 1145, D avidson , NC Cornett, director of the Thomas Je f­ 28036, or call (704) 892-8285. ferson Center for Historic Plants at Spring comes to the Davidson College campus. - M.CM.

J anuary/February 2 999 T H E A MERICAN GARDENER 59 ference and Tropical Plant Industry FEB. 17-APR. 17 • Wildflower Tour. Exhibition. Associated Landscape Con­ Tohono Chul Park, Tucson, Arizona. tractors of America. Embassy Suites Hotel (520) 742-6455. and Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (800) 395-2522. WEST COAST

JAN. 22-24 • Southern Gardening JAN. 20-23 • Ecological Farming Symposium. Callaway Gardens, Pine Conference: Tending Our Grassroots Mountain, Georgia. (800) 225-5292. Farming Community. Committee For Sustainable Agriculture. Asilomar Con­ JAN. 23 & 24 • Camellia Promenade. ference Center, Padfic Grove, Califorl1lia. Flower Show. Camellia Garden Club, (408) 763-2111 . Lakeland, Florida. (942) 688-0916. You can't take one home, but you JAN. 24 . Camellias Class. California can get to know your new manatee JAN. 28-31 • Atlanta Garden and Arboretum ~oundation . The Arboretum friend through the photo, Patio Show. Cobb Galleria Center, of Los Angeles County, Arcadia, Cali­ biography and membership Atlanta, Georgia. (nO) 998-9800. fornia. (626) 447-8207. handbook Save the Manatee®Club FEB. 17-21 • Southeastern Flower FEB. 6 • Feng Shui in Exterior Design. sends to you. You can also read Show. City Hall East Exhibition Cent er, Class. California Arboretum Foundation. updates on your manatee in the Atlanta, Georgia. (404) 888-5638. The Arboretum of Los Angeles County, Club newsletter. Your contribution Arcadia, California. ~62e) 447-8207. funds programs that are working FEB. 19-21 • Palm Beach Tropical to protect endangered manatees Flower and Garden Show. Horti­ FEB. 13 . Camellia Show. Huntington and their habitat. Contact: cultural Society of South Florida. Inter­ Botanical Gardens, San Marino, coastal Waterway, West Palm Beach, California. (626) 405-2141 . ,... Save the Manatee®Club Florida. (561) 655-5522. f;:;J 500 N. Maitland Ave. FEB. 20-24 • Landscape Contractors Maitland, FL 32751 FEB. 25-28 • Ikebana Society and Executive Forum. Interactive Forum. www.objectlinks Sumi-e Society Flower and Art Show. Associated Landscape Contractors of 1-800-432-JOIN (5646) Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, America. Westin Mission Hills Resort, Florida. (941) 366-5731 . Rancho Mirage, California. (800) 395-2522.

Statement of Ownership. Management, and Circulation FEB. 26-28 • African Violet Society FEB. 26-28 • San Francisco Orchid (R'qui,ed by 39 U.S.C. 3685) 1. Publication Title: TIle Amcricnll Gardener. 2. Publication No.: 1087· of America Show and Sale. Tampa Society's Pacific Orchid Exposition. 9978. 3. Filing Date: September 23, 1998.4. Issue Frequency: Bimonthly. 5. No. oflssues Published Annually: 6. 6. Annual Subscription Price : 545. African Violet Society. Westshore Plaza, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason. Center, San 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: TIJC.Amer­ imlJ Gardeller, American Horticultural Society, 793 1 East Boulevard Tampa, Florida. (813) 681-1910. Francisco, California. (415) 546-9608. Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308- 1300. 8. Complete, Mailing Address of H eadquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: Same as above. 9 . Ful l Names and Corporate M3iling Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and FEB. 27-MAR. 7 • Southern Spring FEB. 27 • Lyon Arboretum's Spring Managing Editor: Publisher-American Horticultural Society, same ad­ dress as above; Editor-David J. Ellis, same address as above; Managing Show. Gharlotte Merchandise Mart, Char­ Plant Sale. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, Editor-Mary Yee, same address as above. 10. Owner: American Horti­ cultural Society, same address as above. I I . Known Bondholde rs, Mort­ lotte, North Carolina. (704) 376-6594. Honolulu, Hawaii. (808) 988-7378. gagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding I Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12. The purpose, function , and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt St':ltuS for federal income cnx pucposes have not changed dur­ MAR. 4-7 • Nashville Lawn and Gard­ FEB. 27 • Musical Instruments From ing the preceding 12 months. 13. Publication Name; 7]u;AmcricnnGar­ dtllcr. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data ·Below: Nov.jDec en Show. Tennessee State Fairgrounds, . the Garden. Youth workshop. Hunting­ I 997-Sept./Oct. 1998. IS. Extent and Nature ofG:irculation: Nashville, Tennessee. (615) 352-3863. ton Botanical Gardens, San Marino, Average No. Actual No. California. (626) 405-2272. CopicsEach Copies of SingIe Issue During Issue Published MAR. 5 & 6 • Tampa Spring Expo. Preceding Nearest to 12 Mon t1!s Filing D ate Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa, Florida. MAR. 12-14 . The Remance of a. Tora! No. Copies (Net Press Run) 28,801 29,818 b. Paid and/ or Requested Circulation (813) 655-1914. Orchids: 54th Annual Santa Barbara ( I) Sales Through Dealers and (Arriers, Street Vendors, and International Orchid Show. Earl Coumer Sales (Not Mailed) 6.500 6,500 MAR. 6 . Hellebore Day. Picadilly Warren ShowgrQunds, Santa Barbara, (2) Paid or Requcsted j\obil Subscriptions 2 1,392 22,002 Farm, Bishop, Georgia. (706) 769-6516. California. (805) 967-6331. c. Tond Paid and/ or Requested Circu· lation (Sum of ISb(l ) and ISb(2») 27,892 28,502 d. Free Distribution by Mail (Samples, Complimentary, and Other Free) 150 150 SOUTHWEST CANADA e. Free Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or Other Means) f. Tora! Free Distribution (Sumof l Sdand I Se ) 150 150 JAN. 30 & 31 • Incredible Edibles: FEB. 21 • Mediterranean Fcood and g. Total Distribution Trepical Harvest. Denver Botanical Wine Festival. Mediterranean (Sumof15cand I Sf) 28,041 28,652 h. Copies Not Distributed Garden, Denver, Colorado. (303) 370-8187. Greenhouse, Royal Botanical Gardens, ( I ) Office Usc, Leftovers, Spoikd 433 400 (2) Return from News Agents 3,030 633 Hamilton, Ontario. (905) 527-1158. i. ToraJ (Slim ofl5g, IShel ), and ISh(2» 3 1,505 29,685 Percent Paid and/or Requested FEB. 1 & 2 • Horticulture Magazine Circulation (1 5c/ 1Sg x 100) 99% 99% Symposium: Landscape Design. MAR. 10-14 . Toronto Flower and Gar­ I certify that :111 information furnished above is true and complete. den Show. Metro Toronto Convention -David J. Ellis, Editor Denver Botanical Garden, Denver, Colorado. (303) 370-8019. Centre, Toronto, Ontario. (800) 730-1020.

60 THE AMERICAN GARDENER J an uary/Feb ru ar y 1999 PLASTIC-Pond Liners. Resists hailstones, yellow­ perb collection. Our fields are known to be virus­ ing, leafbuming. Samples: 2 stamps appreciated. Box free . Orders shipped with our temperature-con­ 42AG, Neche, ND 58265; 204-327-5540 daily. trolled truck to UPS depots in tlle USA for local distribution. Catalog $3. Please submit retail or­ HOSTAS ders by tax at (905) 689-6566, or call in on (905) 689-9323. HORTICO INC., 723 Robson Road, HOSTA SPECIALISTS- Field grown, large Waterdown, Ontario LOR 2H1. Tel: (905) 689- choice selection including species, classics, new and 6984 or 689-3002. E-mai l: [email protected]; exclusive varieties. Descriptive catalog, incl udes Web site: htrp://www.hortico.com/ color, $3. SAVORY'S GARDENS, INC., 5300 a look at current offerings Whiting Avenue, Edina, MN 55439-1249. SEEDS from the marketplace NURSERY STOCK UNCOMMON SEEDS for exceptional gardens: TREE/SHRUB SEEDLINGS. Wholesale prices. hard-to-find ornamentals, unusual perennials, BeautifY property. Make money growing Christmas flowery vines, antique annuals, rare alpines, trees, CLASSIFIED AD RATES: All classified advertis­ trees, ornamentals, nut trees, timber. Windbreaks, tropicals, wildflowers, herbs, heirloom vegeta­ bles. Catalog $1. HUDSON SEEDS, SR2, Box ing must be prepaid. $2 per word; minimum $50 noise barriers, wiJcLlife food/ cover. Easy instruc­ 337-AG, LaHonda, CA 94020. per insertion. Copy and prepayment mtut be re­ tions guaranteed. FREE color catalog. CARINO NURSERIES, P.O. Box 538AG, Indiana, PA ceived on the 20th ofthe month three months prior 15701. www.carinonurseries.com. TRAVEL to publication date. Send orders to: AHS Adver­ ENGLAND AND WALES GARDENER'S tising Office, 4350 DiPaolo Center, Suite B, NINETI selections oflandscape, reforestation, and TOUR- May 12- 27, 1999. Garden-writer es­ Glenview, IL 60025, or call (847) 699-1 707. winter-bearing wildlife habitat trees and shrubs. corted to Chelsea Flower Show plus 17 out­ COLD STREAM FARM, 2030C Free Soil Road, standing spring private and public gardens. Free Soil , MI 49411.616-464-5809. Priced in Canadian $, U .S. cl ients save approx­ BEEKEEPING imately45 percent. Call DISCOVER TRAVEL, QUALITI BEEKEEPING EQUIPMENT AND TREE SEEDLINGS-Evergreen and deciduous. LTD. 1-800-540-2892. www.d iscovertravcl. SUPPLIES. Explore the miracle. Free catalog. Specializing in native and wetland species. Orna­ on.ca. E-mail: [email protected]. BRUSHY MOUNTAIN BEE FARM, 1-800- mental shrubs and grasses. Ground covers, peren­ BEESWAX (233-7929). nials. Zones 2-8. FREE color catalog witll cultural .~~. a who I who ofexuptWnal descriptions for each variety. MUSSER FORESTS, :~i: plants. ... catalog $3 BOOKS Dept. 74-A99, P.O . Box 340, Indiana, PA 15701. "lfll"'tt" 1-800-643-8319. Fax: 724-465-9893. E-mail: ;f1Cfts on Mill Gardens H ortica: Color Cyclopedia of Garden Flora [email protected]. with Hardiness Zones and Indoor Plants, 95 ;Wilkerson Mill Road 8,100 color photos by D r. A. B. Graf, $238. PEONIES , aimetto, Georgia 30268 Tropica 4: 7,000 color photos of plants and BEAUTIFUL JAPANESE/CHINESE TREE I www.hydrangea.com trees for warm environments, $165. PEONIES. Wide variety of exotic, INEXPENSIVE Exotic H ouse Plants: 1,200 photos, 150 in peonies available. Catalog $3. All plants 3 years old For Serious Gardeners color, with keys to care, $8.95. and older. SMIRNOW'S SON'S PEONIES, Dept. Native and Exotic Plants Shipping additional. Circulars gladly sent. AG, 168 Maple Hill Road, Huntington, NY 11743. Phone: 516-421 -0836. Ferns, trees, shrubs, palms, perennials, ROEHRS C O., Box 125, East Rutherford, NJ vines, yuccas, grasses. Many hardy northward. 07073. (201) 939-0090. FAX (201) 939-0091. PERENNIALS Catalog a/more than 1,000 plants: $2.00 Woodlanders, Inc. BEAUTIFUL PERENNIALS at pleasing prices. 11 28 Colleton Ave. Aiken, SC 29801 BOOKS ON GARDENING, LANDSCAPING, Send for FREE catalog-our biggest ever! BLUE­ PLANT-HUNTING, BOTANY, ETC. STONE PERENNIALS, 7201 Middle Ridge A stock of over 3,000 titles, including Road, Madison, OH 44057. rare color plate books. Rme Tms, 9MandPemmials ... PLANTS (UNUSUAL) Free catalog from: ST. ANN'S BOOKS

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T H E AMERICAN GARDENER 6 1 Eupatorium fistulosum 4-8, 8-3 Panicum virgatum 'Rotstrahlbusch' E. purpureum 5-11, 9-1 5-9,9-5 hardiness and Fragaria vesca subsp. californica Pennisetum 'Burgundy Giant' 5-9, 9-5 9-10,6-1 Glaucidium palmatum 6-9, 9-6 P. setaceum 'Rubrum' 9-10,10-1 heat zones Petunia 'Wave' 9-11,12-1 Physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo' Hedychium coccineum 8-11,12-8 3-7,7-1 For Y01,W convenience, most ofthe cultivated plants feat~wed in this edition ofthe magazine are listed H. coronarium 8-10,10-8 Physostegia virginiana 'Variegata' he}'e with their USDA Plant H ardiness Zones and Helleborus argutifolius 5-9, 9-6 4-8,8-1 AHS H eat Zones. If ais listed in place of USDA H . atrorubens 5-8,9-5 Phytolacca americana 5-9, 9-5 hardiness zones, it means that plant is a true an­ H. cyclophyllus 6-8,9-6 Pinus lambertiana 6-8,8-6 nual--it completes its life cycle and dies in a year H. dumetorum 6-8,9-6 P. ponderosa 5-8,8-3 01' less. Tropical plants that require minimum tem­ H. foetidus 6-9, 9-6 P. thunbergiana 5-8,8-5 pe1'atures warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit­ H.lividus 7-9,9-8 Platycerium willinckii 'Lemornei' the minimum ave1'age temperature in USDA H. multifidus 7-9,9-7 9-11, 12-9 Zone II-will be listed by minim$bm average tem­ H. niger 4-8,8-1 Pseudotsuga menziesii 4-7,7-1 peratul'e rather thal~ by zone numbers. H.odorus 6-8,9-6 Ratabida pinnata 3-9, 9-1 H. orientalis 4-9, 9-1 H. purpurascens 5-8,8-1 Abelia xgrandiflora 'Sunrise' H. thibetanus 5-8, 8-1 Salix chaenomeloides 7-9, 9-2 USDA6-10, AHS 12-6 H. torquatus 6-8,9-1 S. purpurea 'Pen.dula' 3-7, 7-1 Acanthusmollis 7-11,12-4 H. vesicarius 6-8,9-1 Salvia involucrata 'Bethellii' A. spinosus 6-9, 9-5 H. viridis 6-8,8-1 9-11,12-2 Acorusgramineus 'Ogon' 3-11,12-2 H. xhybridus 6-9, 9-1 S. vanhouttii 9-11,12-1 Actaea pachypoda 4-9, 9-3 Heuchera americana 'Garnet' 3-8, 8-2 Sambucus canadensis 4-9, 9-1 Adiantum capillus-veneris 7-11,9-3 Hosta yingeri 3-9, 9-2 Schizophragma hydrangeoides Anemone nemorosa 4-8, 8-1 Hydrangea sikkokiana 8-10, 12-8 'Moonlight' 6-9,9-6 Angelicagigas 4-9,8-2 Jacquinia keyensis 10-11,12-9 Silphium perfoliatum 6-9, 9-6 Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana Kniphofia uvaria 'Flamenco' 5-9, 9-1 Vitex negundo 'Heterophylla' 6-9,9-5 3-8,8-1 Koelreuteriabipinnata 7-9,9-7 Arbutus menziesii 7-9, 9-7 *A few bananas, such as Musa basjoo and Arctostaphylos pungens 7-9, 9-7 several cultivars named in the article, are Argyrocytisus battandieri 7-9,9-7 Laburnum anagyroides 6-8,8-5 cold hardy to USDA Zone 8 or 9. Aspidistra elatior 7-11, 12-4 Lespedeza bicolor'Avalanche' 5-8,8-5 Begonia 'Dragon Wing' 11, 12-1 L. thunbergii 'Edo Shibori' 6-8,8-6 The codes above are based on a number of com­ Begonia 'Pin -Up Flame' 0, 6-1 Lygodium japonicum 10-11, 12-9 monly available references and are likely to be con­ Berberis aquifolium 6-9, 9-6 Miscanthus sinensis 'Gradllimus' servative. Factors such as microclimates, plant Callicarpa americana 5-10,12-3 4-9,9-1 provenance, and use of mulch may affect indi­ C. dichotoma 'Albifructus' 5-8, 8-7 Musa species and cultivars 10-11, 12-7* vidual gardeners' experiences. To purchase a Canna 'Bengal Tiger' 8-11, 12-1 Myrica californica 2-9, 8-1 durable tlvo-by-three-foot poster of the AHS C.glauca 'Panache' 8-11,12-1 Onopordum acanthium 6-8, 12-7 Heat-Zone Map, call (800) 777- 7931 ext. 45. C. indica 7-11,12-1 C. 'Phaison' 7-11,12-1 C. 'Stuttgart' 8-11,12-1 C. 'Wyoming' 8-11,12-1 Carex dolichostachya 'Kaga Nishiki' 6-9,9-6 C. morrowii 'Ice Dance' 5-9, 9-5 C. phyllocephala 'Sparkler' 5-9, 9-5 Clarkia pulchella 0,9-1 Colocasia esculenta 'Illustris' 9-11,12-1 Cornusdrummondii 3-8,8-1 Cynara cardunculus 7-9,9-7

Douglasia nivalis 8-9, 9-8 Echinacea pallida 4-8, 8-3 Ensete ventricosum 9-11,12-9 Epimedium chloandrum 5-9, 9-4 Equisetumscirpoides 3-10,12-4 Eschscholzia californica 8-10,9-2 Eucomis comosa 8-11, 12-8

62 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Argyrocytisus battandieri H. dumetorum ahr-jih-ro-SY-tih-suss bat-ton­ H. doom-eh-TOR-urn DEER-eye H·foetidus Aspidistra elatior H . FEE-tih-dus as-pih-DIS-truh ee-LAY-tee-or H. orientalis subsp. abchasicus Aster novae-angliae H . aw-ree-en-TAL-iss subsp. ASS-ter NO-vee-ANG-lee-ee ab-KAS-ih-kus Carex dolichostachya H. thibetanus KAIR-eks dol-ih-ko-STAKE-ee-uh H. tih-BET-an-us Cicuta douglasii H. torquatus sik-YEW-tuh dug-LASS-ee-eye H . tor-KWAY-tus Cleistes divaricata H. vesicarius KLEE-iss- teez dih-vair-ih-KAY-tuh H. ves-ih-KAIR-ee-us Colocasia esculenta Hydrangea sikkokiana kol-o-KAY-see-uh es-kyew-LEN-tuh high-DRAN-juh sih-ko-kee-AN-nuh Cynara cardunculus Jacquinia keyensis SIN-uh-ruh kar-DUN-kyew-lus juh-KWIN-ee-uh kay-EN-sis C. scolymus Kniphofia uvaria C. SKO-W1 -mus nil1-FO-fee-uh yew-VAIR-ee-uh a simple speaking guide to Cypripedium acaule Laburnum anagyroides sip-rih-PEE-dee-um uh-KAWL-ee lah-BUR-num uh-nal1-jill-ROY-deez plants found in this issue Epimedium chloandrum Lygodium japonicum ep-ih-MEE-dee-um klo-AN-drum lie-GO -dee-um jah-PON-ih-kum Abies amabilis Equisetum scirpoides Musabasjoo AY-beez uh-MAB-uh-liss eh-lcwi-SEE-tum skeer-POY-deez MEW-suh BAS-joo Acorus gramineus Eschscholzia californica M beccari AK-or-us gruh-MIN-ee-us es-SHOLTZ-zee-uh kal-ih­ M. beh-KAR-eye Adiantum capillus-veneris FORN-ih-kuh M. xparadisiaca ad-ee-AN-tum KAP-ih-lus-ven­ Fragaria vesca subsp. californica M . par-uh-dih-SEE-ak-uh AIR-iss frah-GAY-ree-uh VES-kuh subsp. Nemesia caerulea Amelanchier canadensis kal-ih-FORN-ih-kuh neh-mee-see-uh see-ROO-lee-uh am-eh-LANG-kyer kan-uh­ Glaucidium palmatum Panicum virgatum DEN-siss glaw-SID-ee-um pal-MAY-tum PAN-ill-kum vur-GAY-tum Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana Hedychium coccineum Phytolacca americana ah-lcwi-LEE-juh kris-AN-thuh var. heh-DEE-kee-um kok-SIN-ee-um fie -toh-LAK-uh uh-mair-ill-KAN-uh hink-lee-AN-uh Helleborus argutifolius Picea sitchensis Arbutus menziesii hel-eh-BOR-us ar-GEW-tih­ PIE-see-uh sit-KEN-sis AR-byew-tus men-ZEES-ee-eye FO-lee-us PlaPycerium wiUinckii Arctostaphylos pungens H. atrorubens plah-tih-SEE-ree-um wih-LINK-ee-eye ark-toh-STAFF-ih-loss PUN-jenz H. aHo-ROO-benz Prosopis velutina Argyranthemum frutescens H. cyclophyUus pro-SO-piss vel-oo-TEEN-uh ar-jih-RAN-thuh-mum froo-TESS-enz H. sigh-klo-FIL-lus Pseudotsuga menziesii soo-doh-SOO-guh men-ZEES-ee-eye Ratabida pinnata What's in a Name: Equisetum scirpoides ruh-TIB-ih-duh pin-NAY-tuh Salix chaenomeloides idely distributed in northern temperate regions of the world, members of SAY-liks kee-nom-uh-LOY-deez the horsetail fan1ily (Equisetaceae) are among the oldest plants identified S. vanhouttii W from the fossil record, evolving some 300 million years ago. The fan1ily is S. van-HOO-tee-eye now represented by just one genus, which includes about 25 species. Closely allied Sambucus canadensis to ferns, these prinlltive wetlands plants reproduce by spores that form in conelike sam-BOO-kus kan-uh-DEN-siss structures called strobili at the top of virtually leafless stems. They also spread­ Scaevola aemula some species quite aggressively-by creeping rhizomes. skee-VO-luh EE-mew-luh The genus name--derived from the Latin equus, or "horse," and saeta, which Schizophragma hydrangeoides means "bristle"- refers to the plant's resemblance to a horse's tail. The specific epi­ skiz-o-FRAG-muh high-DRAN­ thet acknowledges the plant's resemblance to Scirpus, a genus of sedges. jee-OY-deez The hollow, jointed evergreen stems of horsetails contain the abrasive mineral sil­ Silphium perfoliatum ica. Native Americans used the dried stems to clean cooking bowls and sharpen ar­ SIL-fee-um per-fo-lee-AY-tum rows and early American settlers used them to smooth and polish woods, ivory, and Spiraea thunbergii metals, hence the derivation of another common name, scouring rush. E. scirpoides spy-REE-uh thun-BER-jee-eye is a dwarf species of scouring rush, growing a mere four to eight inches tall on Uniola paniculata sprawling, wiry stems. yew-NEE-o-luh pan-ik-yew­ LAY-tuh

January/February 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 63 ForThe

We know that in the South, gardening is more 1999 Gardening School Schedule than a hobby. It's a way of life~a joy! And, Southern Living has always been a vital source for Disney Ir.lstitute February 27 Atlanta Botanical Garden March 2 SOllthern gardtmers with tips on what to plant, Memphis Botanic Garden March 9 ·",: when to plant and where to plant. Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden March 16 (Columbia, SC) New Orleans Botanical Garden Mareh 18 We continue this tradition with the Southern Living Callaway Gardens March 19 Ribbonwalk, Charlotte's Botanical Forest March 23 Gardening School, co-sponsored by the American San Antonio Botanical Garden March 24 Horticultural Society. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden April 7 Bellingrath Gardens & Home April 17 Missouri Botanical Garden April 24 These hour-long shows Biltmore Estate May 22 will offer advice from Southern Living experts on such topics as land­ scape design and use of -. . color in your garden. ..

AMERICAN HORTIOULTURAL SOCIETY