as well as honey bees and native polli- gardenerC’s notebook nators,” says Michele Colopy, PSC pro- gram director. Ortho’s decision follows in the wake of some other major U.S. companies—in- Horticultural News and Research Important to American Gardeners cluding home improvement stores Lowe’s and Home Depot—that have pledged to phase out neonic pesticides and label NEW PLANT SPECIES DISCOVERED gus, is demonstrating exceptional hybrid GOOD NEWS FOR POLLINATORS plants that have been sprayed with them. New plant species are popping up world- vigor. Since its discovery 10 years ago, S. Ortho, part of the ScottsMiracle-Gro cor- Sales of many neonics have been suspend- wide. Suetsugu Kenji, project associate ryanii has significantly increased its range, poration, has joined the list of garden-in- ed or banned in Europe and other coun- professor at the Kobe University Gradu- demonstrating potential for invasiveness. dustry businesses that are moving away tries. A list of U.S. companies—including ate School of Science in Japan discovered According to University of California, from the use of neonicotinoids, or neonic retail and wholesale nurseries—that have Riverside scientists Shanna R. Welles and for short, a widely used class of pesticides pledged not to sell or use neonics can be Norman Ellstand, S. ryanii has spread that researchers have implicated in con- found on the website of the nonprofit to 15 of 53 surveyed sites in California. nection with the die-off of bees and other Friends of the Earth at www.foe.org/bee Wells and Ellstand conclude, “We are pollinators. Specifically, the brand plans action/retailers. not aware of any plant neospecies whose to eliminate the use of imidacloprid, clo- A gelatinous substance extracted from the pads of prickly pear cacti can purify polluted water. range spontaneously experienced such thianidin, and dinotefuran in its products PURIFYING WATER WITH CACTI a dramatic expansion. Salsola ryanii has Economically and efficiently removing plant in the early 1900s to turn muddy between the mucilage of cactus and arse- every indication of being just as invasive contaminants from water is a significant river water into clear, potable water. nic. The mucilage also attracts sediments, as its highly invasive parents.” challenge. An extract of prickly pear cacti Norma Alcanta, the woman’s grand- bacteria, and other contaminants.” (Opuntia ficus-indica) may soon become daughter and a professor in the De - According to a presentation Alcantar’s FREE TICK TESTING TO FIGHT LYME DISEASE a viable way to do so, offering a nontoxic, partment of Chemical & Biomedical team gave at the American Chemical So- Besides being bloodsucking pests, ticks can and more sustainable alternative to cur- Engineering at the University of South ciety’s national meeting in March, the carry Lyme disease and other serious infec- rent methods. It’s all thanks to a Mexican Florida in Tampa, decided to test this for cactus gel effectively helped clean water tions that afflict humans. However, sci- grandmother who recounted using the herself. “We found there is an attraction during the aftermath of the devastating entists know little about how widespread these diseases are, which makes avoiding them more challenging. The Bay Area Lyme Foundation (BALF), a leading non- Sciaphila yakushimensis is a newly discovered profit funder of innovative Lyme disease Voluntary restrictions on the use and sale of parasitic plant species that uses a fungal host research, is calling on citizens to help fill neonic pesticides by the garden industry is rather than photosynthesis for nutrients. this void of knowledge through its recently likely to benefit bees and other pollinators. launched tick-testing study. and named Sciaphila yakushimensis. The Gardeners and other outdoor recreation- by 2017. This decision follows Ortho’s ex- new species, found during a plant survey ists who encounter ticks of any kind may pansion of its line of non-neonic garden NICE DIGS! in Yakushima, Japan, is a subtropical send them in to Northern Arizona Univer- products earlier this year. “While agencies mycoheterotrophic plant. Mycohetero- sity in Flagstaff for free testing. In addition in the U.S. are still evaluating the overall trophic plants do not photosynthesize to Lyme, the ticks will be tested for six other impact of neonics on pollinator popula- The OXO Good Grips Trowel is constructed but depend upon fungal hosts for nu- human diseases, tions, it’s time for Ortho to move on,” says of high-grade 420 stainless steel for strength and trients. Spotting these species is difficult including Rocky Tim Martin, the general manager of the durability. It features a soft, non-slip handle with because they are small and only appear Mountain spot- Ortho brand. above ground when they flower or fruit. ted fever. All data Pollinators should also benefit from a gel insert that flexes to provide cushioning Orchid enthusiasts should be pleased by will be mapped, the recently announced partnership be- when digging into tough and compacted soil. the discovery of Encyclia inopinata, a new categorized, and tween Ortho and the Pollinator Stew- Easy-to-read markings provide clear and orchid species. Found in deciduous for- recorded. The ardship Council (PSC), a pollinator convenient depth measurement and serrated ests along the Pacific slope of Oaxaca state, An adult female black- data will then advocacy organization, to educate the edges tear through tough soil and weeds. Mexico, it is a lithophyte, a plant that grows legged tick can transmit allow physicians public concerning the appropriate use on rocks. It blooms between March and Lyme disease to humans. and the public to of pesticides to decrease their impact on July. Its name is from the Latin inopinatus, be “appropriately pollinators. Part of this effort will involve FOLLOW US! meaning “unexpected,” for the surprise its vigilant to the symptoms of the disease,” ex- modifying pesticide labeling regulations discoverers felt upon seeing it in bloom and plains Laure Woods, BALF president and so labels can more clearly indicate to con- realizing it was a new species. co-founder. sumers which products are neonic free. www.oxo.com A less pleasant surprise is the discovery To participate or for more infor - “Straight-forward, easily understood that Salsola ryanii, a hybrid of the invasive mation, go to www.bayarealyme.org/ product labels help consumers make the

tumbleweed species S. australis and S. tra- lyme-disease-prevention/tick-testing. best choices to protect both their plants LEFT:COURTESYUNIVERSITY KOBE OF GRADUATE SCHOOLSCIENCE. OF CENTER: SCOTTBAUER, COURTESY USDA,OF BUGWOOD.ORG. RIGHT: COURTESY DAVIDOF CAPPAERT, BUGWOOD.ORG COURTESYAMERICANOF CHEMICAL SOCIETY

48 the American Gardener May / June 2016 49 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The researchers PEOPLE and PLACES in the NEWS found it could break up oil slicks, too, and NURSERY FOUNDER RECEIVES SCOTT MEDAL has shown promise in filtering aquarium This year’s prestigious Arthur Hoyt Scott Medal and Award recipient is Dale and aquaculture water. They are currently Deppe, president and owner of Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, Mich- working on creating a synthetic version of igan. Presented annually by the the mucilage that could be manufactured Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore Col- rather than extracted from cacti. lege in Pennsylvania, this honor is given to an individual, organization, BIG CHANGES FOR NATIONAL GARDENING or corporate body who has made an ASSOCIATION outstanding national contribution to A leader in garden-based education for more the science and art of gardening. than 40 years, the National Gardening As- With his wife Liz, Deppe founded sociation (NGA) has undergone a radical Spring Meadow Nursery as a small reconfiguration. The NGA liner production company in 1981, brand and website was re- growing it into a 200-acre propaga- cently acquired by Dash tion nursery through the years. The Works, LLC, a Texas Dale Deppe with Claire Sawyers, Director of nursery has introduced numerous no- corporation owned and the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College table cultivars such as Hydrangea pa- operated by Dave and Trish niculata ‘Limelight’and Invincibelle™ Whitinger. The Whitingers state that, “Our Spirit hydrangea, the first smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens) with pink blooms. long-term goal is to continue to serve the Invincibelle Spirit is tied to Deppe’s philanthropic activities. Since its intro- gardening community with educational re- duction in 2009, one dollar from each plant sold is donated to the Breast Cancer sources, reference guides and informational Research Foundation. Sales of the plant and corresponding Pink Day fundrais- databases, social media features, and helpful ers hosted at garden centers across North America have raised over $900,000 tools and apps.” to date. The Deppes also created the Spring Meadow Nursery endowment fund, The part of the original NGA that fo- dispersed through the Horticultural Research Institute, to provide scholarships cused on youth and school gardening has for horticulture students and financial support for research projects. become a separate nonprofit, KidsGarden- To learn more about the Scott Medal and Award, visit www.scottarboretum. ing (www.kidsgardening.org). It is devoted org/programs/scottmedal.html. specifically to providing educational re- sources to support successful, self-sustaining IN MEMORIAM garden programs in educational settings. American horticulture has lost two insightful voices with the passing of Suzanne Another of the NGA’s original “Suzy” Frutig Bales and Mel Bartholomew this spring. components—widely cited market re- Bales wrote 15 books on gardening and nature. search—has been spun off into National She contributed to numerous garden publications and was a garden columnist for the New York Times and Newsday. She served as a garden editor for Bet- ter Homes & Gardens magazine and Family Circle for many years. She was also a gifted photographer, speaker, and garden designer. She received the Hor- ticultural Communication Award from the American Horticultural Society (AHS) in 1995. She served on the AHS Board of Directors for two terms (1990– Gardening Market Research Company, 1994 and 2006–2010). (www.gardenresearch.com). It will con- Bartholomew invented “square foot gardening.” tinue to produce and analyze this infor- The method of planting in square raised beds in- mation as a private business. stead of in traditional rows made gardening more Finally, the new, leaner NGA will con- efficient and revolutionized the way many people tinue producing Garden.org while giving it grew their food. His book, Square Foot Gardening, a makeover. “Our immediate task,” say the published in 1981, remains a bestseller. In addi- Whitingers, “is to update the website with tion to writing over half a dozen books, Bartholomew a new and improved software system, and hosted his own TV show based on his gardening to update the look of the site to give visitors method for eight years. His Square Foot Gardening a more up-to-date experience.” m Foundation spreads this method around the globe in an effort to help end world hunger. m News written by Editorial Intern Mary Chad-

duck and Associate Editor Viveka Neveln. JOSHCOCEANO,LEFT: COURTESYTOP SCOTTARBORETUMOF SWARTHMORE OF COLLEGE

50 the American Gardener