A Prelude to Spring the AlTIerican Horticultural Society visifs Charleston April 9-12, 1978

From the moment you are registered at the historic • A visit to Middleton Place, America's oldest land­ Mills Hyatt House you will witness a rebirth of an­ scaped gardens, with its artistry of green sculptured tebellum elegance. Your headquarters hotel is the old­ terraces, butterfly lakes and reflecting pools and quaint est in Charleston; it is also the newest. It opened its wooden bridges. (Cocktails, dinner, musical enter­ doors in 1853, when Charleston was the " Queen City tainment and tour.) OF the South" . . . rich, sophisticated, urbane. The • Drayton Hall, the finest untouched example of Mills Hyatt House served as a center of refinement and Georgian architecture standing in North America, lo­ gracious living. Recently this landmark was recon­ cated on the Ashley River and surrounded by more structed and preserved as a focal point in Charleston's than 100 acres. (Lunch and tour sponsored by the Na­ historic district. You will find the Mills Hyatt House tional Trust for Historic Preservation.) one of the most unusual and handsome hotels in • Charles Towne Landing, 200-acre exhibition park America. graced with ancient live oaks flanked by azaleas You are invited to join us and experience the charm draped with grey lace Spanish moss. Wander through of Charleston, a city that combines a unique gardening the English park gardens with acres and acres filled heritage, antebellum architecture, and modern with hundreds of trees and flowers arranged to facilities. provide interest and beauty. (Lunch, animal forest Charleston is in many ways unique, for she was the tour, guided tram rides.) first American city to protect and preserve the fine old buildings and gardens which have witnessed so much • Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Since the Civil history. Today many of the homes still remain with the War, Magnolia has been one of the top garden attrac­ families that built them. As Charleston enters the third tions in America. There are miles of flora and century, reminders of the agricultural empire it ruled birdwatching trails that wind through the 400-acre ref­ are still apparent, yet today it offers a new look at an uge. antique way of life-one that encompasses the warp • Educational discussions by Dr. T. L. Senn of and woof of the entire history of America. We are Clemson University on the significance of horticultural going to sample its easy pace, its elegant culture and therapy; Dr. Richard D . Porcher of The Citadel on the gardening excellence. Come experience it with us. native flora of the South Carolina coastal plain; and Mrs. Frances Edmunds, on the history of Charleston, at historic Hibernian Hall. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 3-DAY PROGRAM You soon will be receiving a more complete • Walking tours of the Battery Area gardens, brochure describing our " Prelude to Spring" in courtyards and historic properties, sponsored by the Charleston. If you wish a final schedule, accommoda­ Garden Club of Charleston. Some of the finest Charles­ tion card and rates, please write: AHS Tour Commit­ ton properties will be open for your inspection. tee, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121. Am erican

HEDrticulturist Volume 56, Number 6, December, 1977

For United Horticulture the par­ MURRAY KEENE, Editor ti cul a r objec ts and business of The JANE STEFFEY, Editorial Assistant Amencan Ho rti cultural Soc iety are to ANTHEA DE VAUGHAN, Ed itorial Assistant promote and encourage natio nal Interest DONALD WYMAN, Hort icultural Consultant In scien tIfi c research and educati on in ALEX BERRY, Art D irector ho rti culhlre In al l of Its branches. TOM STEVENSON, Book Department JOHN SIMMONS, Production Coordination AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST is the official publication of The American The American Horti cultural Society, Publisher Horticultural Socie t y , 7931 East Mount Vernon, Virginia 2212 1 Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 703/768-5700 22308 , and is issued in February, April, June , August, October and December. AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST is only avai lable to members of the Society 2 An Editorial through the payment of annual dues, of w hi ch $9.00 is all ocated for the subscri p­ tion. Annual membership dues start at Education $15.00. 4 Trees in Tubs-Linda Yang

Refer edltonal matters to : 8 Some Interesting Quotes from Knowledgeable Folks-Tom Stevenson Murray Keene 10 Honeybees, Fl owe rs and Man-Ed Hutchins American Ho rtIculturist 30 Grow It From Seed-Mrs. Julian W. Hill Mount Vernon , VIrgInia 22121 40 Street Trees in the Northwest-W. H. Warren Refer advertising matters to' Publisher Services', Inc. 621 Duke Street Travelog Alexandna, Virginia 22314 18 A Little South of Paradi se-Cath erine and Shannon Smith 26 Baja and th e Boojum-Robert H. Savage AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST IS de­ voted to the dissemina tion of knowl­ edge in the science and art of growing Gardener's Notebook ornam ental plants, fru its, vegetables, and related su bjects . Original papers 13 Give the Calla Lily A Whirl-Lorraine Marshall Burgess which Increase knowledge of plant ma­ 14 Wandering Through Winter-Pamela Harper terials of econom ic and aesthetic im­ 24 Poetry and Verse-Garden Style-Lorraine Marshall Burg ess portance are invited. For manuscript specifications please address th e edi to r, 34 Bare Bones of Winter-Martha Prin ce Mount Vernon, Vi rgi ni a 22121 . My Favorite Plant Replacement issues of AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST are available at a 6 Allium-The Fl owering Onion-Marc B. Reynolds cost of $2.50 per copy, but not beyond 22 Reflecti on on the Katsura-Tree-Michael A. Dirr twelve m onths prior to date of current issue. 42 Acer nikoense- "The Glory of the Woods "-Mrs. Ralph H. Cannon

The opinion s expressed in the articles which appear in AMERICAN HORTI­ CUL TURIST are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Society. They are presented as contributions to co ntemporary thought.

Second class postage paid at Alexandcia, COVER PHOTO: Dogwood and Ice by Elizabeth Friedman Virginia and at additional mailing of­ fices . Copyright © 1977 by The Ameri­ can Ho rti cultural Society. Color separalions by CHROMA·GRAPHICS INC An Editorial

Tree Protection

Many parts of the country experience severe thun­ derstorms with considerable lightning damage to trees. When a valuable tree suffers serious damage, property values are adversely affected. Although the cost of material and insulation often makes lightning rod protection. on a great number of trees impractical, nevertheless the larger, more suscep­ tible trees should be protected with a lightning ground­ ing device. The most susceptible trees are softwoods, particularly the tulip poplar, poplar, willow and elm. It is recommended that professionals be employed to install lightning rod protection. A poorly-engineered system or one with inadequate grounding can b@ more dangerous and cause more destruction than no protec­ tion at all. In the photo (right) the DaveyTree Expert Company is installing lightning rods in the 110 ft. tulip poplar that protects and shades the east side of the Society's River Farm headquarters. The protection of trees by means of lightning rods is brought about in two ways. In the first, th@extension of a suitably grounded metal conductor above the tree tends to release the earth's neutral charge continuously into the air and neutralizes the positive charg@ from the clouds. When this is done, no violent discharge takes place. The second function is to conduct the lightning spark into the ground with little or no damage when a dis­ charge takes place. The grounding device does this by offering a path of least resistance from the top of the tree into the ground beyond the tree's roots. We have all seen trees shattered by a lightning stroke. Damage is caused by the heat and mechanical forces generated in the woody parts of the tree which resist the passage of electricity. By using a properly installed grounded lightning conductor, the lightning stroke which would normally shatter a tree passes harmlessly to 2 earth. 0 ColooialWdliamsburg invites you to take afresh new look at gardening, April 2-5. This year at Colonial Williamsburg, the 32nd annual Garden Symposium offers you an exceptional opportunity to learn first-hand many new and traditional gardening tech­ niques while you experience the special springtime charm of our Historic Area. During this exciting four-day event, presented in association with the American Horticul­ tural Society, we invite you to participate in demonstrations of pruning, mUlching and brick­ work in our colonial gardens, as well as watch a master at work, the internationally­ acclaimed English flower arranger, George W. Smith. You 'll enjoy a special tour to nearby Norfolk featuring the Chrysler Museum and several historic houses, top speakers, award-winning films from the American Horticultural Soci­ ety's film festival, an Early Risers' Birdwalk, a candlelight concert at Bruton Parish Church, and the delicious grand finale of the annual Gardeners' Banquet. Since reservations must be accepted as they are received, we strongly recommend that you make plans now to attend what promises to be an exciting experience in gardening in the town where America grew.

3 'Il{EES IN 'I'UBS

Linda Yang 505 Eas.t 79th Stree t New York , NY 10021

G row a tree in a tub? Sure you can. proven themselves suitable for tub autumnal Flowering Cherry (Prunus We city folk have been doing it for culture. subhirtella 'Autumnalis'), sourwood years. And what we've learned on How to decide which trees or tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) , and our rooftops, balconies and pent­ shrubs to use? Important first are mountain ash (Sorbus am ericana). houses can be put to good use in the considerations of the species' local The dogwood and mountain ash suburbs as well. hardiness, the available light in the both have flowers in the spring and Maybe you're thinking about the proposed planting area, available berries and good color in the fall. containers on your own paved patio space and budget. The cherry flowers in the spring too, or deck. But possibly you're also but is a special delight as winter ap­ But I've found that these practical concerned with relieving the miles proaches. For after the leaves have considerations often fall by the of desolate asphalt at parking fields dropped, it flowers once again. (My and shopping center malls. Why not wayside since choosing plants for own tree never fails to confuse the improve the quality (and quantity) tubs is ultimately the same as for neighbors who come running to tell of plants grown in containers there, any other garden .. . strictly sub­ me that the plant's timetable has too? jective. gone awry.) To begin with, we city slickers To me, the important question is: Although the sourwood leafs out tend to be more original in the kinds will the plant be of interest in more rather late in spring, it makes up for of plants we use in tubs. We do our than one season of th e year? Here in this by its lengthy summer display share of petunia and tomato grow­ the New York City area, several at­ of flowers. These remain well into ing, to be sure. But a wide assort- tractive trees for tubs are the winter as graceful white seed 4 ment of woody plants have also Japanese dogwood (Corn us kousa) , pods . . . a spectacular contrast with the crimson fall foliage . lis, you can keep them in place While needle evergreens such a~ nicely with nails and plastic ties. yews, arborvitae and junipers are Are all of these trees, shrubs and certainly useful for winter interest, I vines really container plants, you prefer the fl owering broa dl eaved ask? Absolutely! And what's more, evergreens. Plants such as rhodo­ growing them in containers enables dendron, azalea, leucothoe, and you to have a lime-tolerant plant even mountain laurel, do very w ell such as the clematis right next to an in tubs. acid-tolerant plant, like rhododen­ A special treat is in store for the dron . gardener with leucothoe when the Once you've selected the plants leaves tum a bronze-red in the fall. that you like, which are hardy in This is true, too, for a hybrid your zone, the key to year-round rhododendron known as " PJM" . survival of outdoor container plants The PJM is a particularly attractive is the size of th e tub in which they are container plant with leaves much grown. It must be large enough to smaller than the classic rhododen­ support root life comfortably all year dron and lilac-colored flowers long. Since the soil acts as a buffer which appear much earlier in against the cold, the more soil there spring. is, the better off the plant. Thus, it's Unusual specimen plants are par­ best to have as big a tub as you have ticularly appreciated when isolated room for. in tubs._Imagine if you will, a well­ Here in the New York City area, a pruned japanese cut-leaf maple minimum size tub is about 15 inches trained to cascade over the side of an (measured in all directions). But big­ old oak barrel. Yet, even the ger is definitely better! for the more humblest of species can be pruned soil in the tub, the more area in and trained for visual delight. which may be stored an ample sup­ Cotoneaster, firethorn, quince ply of both nutrients and moisture for and barberry are a few of the many the plant. Water especially is a crit­ inexpensive, excellent plants which (These, in no way, resemble the ical factor in the health and life of lend themselves especially well to snowball puffs of the shrub hydran­ container plants:- (This subject was container growing and pruning art­ gea.) covered by me in detail in AMERI­ istry. This can be a real advantage If a riot of color in summer is more CAN HORTICULTURIST FALL when the planting budget is mini­ to your liking, consider vines of 1974, Vol. 53, No.4) Suffice it to say mal. clematis. If you select wisely from here, that gardeners too frequently Vines and climbers, too, can be among the numerous varieties, you forget that the soil in containers will grown successfully in tubs. Some, can have flowers virtually non-stop dry out much faster than if it were in like the silverlace or honeysuckles, from spring to fall . When the blooms the ground. Therefore, it's impor­ are such rampant growers that fre­ are done, the spidery looking seed tant to check the moisture of plants quent root pruning will be required pods will remain as decorative in containers the year round. to keep them content in a small con­ mementos. Clematis vines are twin­ From the photographs on these tainer. So rather than struggle, it's ers, so be sure to give them some pages, I think you'll agree that while better to select one of the less rapid heavy cord to wrap themselves petunias and tomatoes in containers growers, such as the climbing hy­ around. are fine, it's more exciting to grow drangea (H . petiolaris). This plant For sheer color choice, however, trees in tubs. supports itself with little rootlets roses can't be beat. And as long as Linda Yang is author of THE which will cling to any rough sur­ we're considering climbers now, do TERRACE GARDENER'S HAND­ face. Once it's established, it will think about climbing roses. They BOOK, Raising Plants On a Balcony, have early summer blooms of won't cling to the wall or fence with­ Terrace, Rooftop, Penthouse or graceful white, flat-topped flowers. ou t some help, bu t if you've no trel- Patio, published by Doubleday, Inc. 0 5 Marc B. Reynolds 136 East 57th Street New York, NY 10022

The spring garden becomes more fore the end of May, while A. moly purpl@, which rise more than two vibrant, more regal and more alive shows its golden head in early June. feet high and are surrounded by an when allium varieties are il'lter­ Another interesting and tall Al­ abundance of lush, green foliage. planted with other bulb flowers li um variety is A . christophii. Stand­ All alliums must be planted now, or set alone in their own special ing more than two feet high, its in the fall, to brighten the late spring areas. Sometimes, alliums are over­ flower is a maze of star-like blos­ and early summer garden. They are looked when gardeners begin plan­ soms, loosely-knit so that each blos­ easy to plant and require very little som appeCj.rs to be a flower in itself. ning and planting their bulb gar­ care to sparkle in the spring and The globular whole flower is a dens. Perhaps it is because they summer sun. Just be sure that the bright lilac-pink and its decorative aren't aware of the beauty and vari­ top of the bulb is four to six inches ety in the allium family-a truly foliage-white hairs lining the mar­ from the surface. A. giganteum re­ spectacular spring and early sum­ gins of deep green leaves-en­ quires six inches, all others four. hances any early June garden. mer flower. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the Allium karataviense is an intrigu­ Whatever the reason, the spring bed and mix a fertilizer, such as ing little member of the family. Its garden is more complete when al­ bone meal or one high in phos­ liums are included. And what a silvery-pink, circular flowers are phorus, calcium and magnesium, selection of sizes, shapes and colors reminiscent of snowballs resting on with it. This will place essential brilliant green strap like leaves. They this unique flower provides. The growth elements into the root zone, grow six- to-eight inches tall and colors range from red, blue, laven­ readily available to the bulb. The der and purple to bright yellow and should be planted in rock gardens or loosened soil will permit easier root white and grow from six inches to a along borders where they can be growth. majestic four feet, with varieties to easily seen and admired in early bloom in May, June and July. June. The bulbs should be planted For example, the Allium af­ Two of the later blooming Allium firmly with pointed end up and the latunense is a lilac-purple globular varieties which will create an air of bed should be filled halfway and flower composed of tightly-knit, excitement in the garden are A. watered thoroughly. Finally, add star-like blossoms. Its straight stalk giganteum and A. sphaero cephalum. the remaining soil, cover with a is leafless and stands almost three A. gig anteum is true to its name, a mulch, and water thoroughly again. feet tall. This striking variety can be giant, standing four feet tall on In the spring, as soon as the planted in beds or used as accents in spike-like stalks with large blos­ shoots begin to emerge, fertilize perennial and shrub borders. In soms of the richest lilac. The flow­ with a high nitrogen and potassium either case, it will be a conversation ers, measuring six inches in diame­ fertilizer. Rains will leach these el@­ piece in the garden. ter, burst into brilliant color about ments to the bulb roots. When the On the other hand, the Allium the end of June. blooming period is over, let the moly grows no higher than fourteen A. sphaerocephalum is one of the foliage die naturally so that the food inches and its bright golden star­ latest blooming of the Allium family, reserves from the leaves will be like flowers are a delight in any rock flowering in early July. Its rounded transported down to the developing 6 garden. A . aflatunense blooms be- blossoms are the deepest reddish roots. Allium moly Allium karataviense

Allium giganteum Allium neapolitanum

7 Important otes hom Knowledgeable Folks

Tom Stevenson

The venerable plow is steadily cisely timed basis to establish terell, USDA Agricultural Research yielding ground to a more modern enough mulch to check erosion, yet Service plant pathologist. way of farming: minimum tillage not smother the seedlings. No-till or minimum-till culture al­ and related methods, says R. P. Minimum tillage unquestionably lows plant debris from the previous Kaniuka, editor, "Agricultural Re­ saves farmers time, labor and mon­ season's crop to remain on the field search," a USDA publication. ey. Its long term benefits, however, instead of being plowed under as in Indeed, a USDA study predicts may well lie not in farm economics conventional culture. Disease or­ that by the year 2010, American but in conservation. For the un­ ganisms living in the debris may farmers will practice conventional turned soil, protected by its layer of thus get a head start in spring, and tillage methods on only 5% of our mulch, can retain 50% more mois­ can increase more rapidly, causing cropland. ture than a plowed field, and cut much more serious damage to the Many names have been coined to erosion and runoff on sloping fields corn crop. describe local variations of mini­ by up to 90% . In the past some major plant dis­ mum tillage. By whatever name, eases have spread north from the this modern method of planting en­ southern United States, Mexico and ables farmers to obtain good crop probably South America. Southern yields while providing a complete corn blight, a devastating epidemic soil cover that retains moisture and which caused an estimated $1.2 bil­ prevents erosion. lion damage in 1970-71, probably Today's minimum tillage farmer migrated from southern regions as a plants a winter cover crop, typically mutant of a relatively minor corn rye, after the fall harvest. In the disease. spring, he kills the rye with her­ No-till systems for growing corn bicides, then seeds the main crop This is good news in these times have proved ideal for claypan soil into the resultant mulch with a spe­ of environmental awareness and that is typical of much of the Mid­ cial planter. Not a furrow is turned, consequent social constraints. Not west, says Herman G. Heinemann, nor does the farmer need to re-enter only can minimum tillage help save USDA Agricultural Research Service the field until harvest time, when he a life-sustaining resource, it can also hydraulic engineer. begins the cycle anew. greatly abate the critical problem of By managing the soil with no till­ Minimum tillage methods are not pollution and siltation of our wa­ age, ARS scientists minimized ero­ without their problems, however. terways. It is an idea whose time has sion, saved fuel, and produced more Insects once held in check by deep come. corn per acre than with conventional plowing tend to thrive in undis­ There is a striking relationship be­ tillage. Keeping a vegetative cover turbed soil and mulch. Farmers who tween no-till culture of corn in re­ (crop residue or a living crop) on the fail to anticipate this problem and to cent years and the upgrading of soil surface throughout the year is a select the proper insecticides court minor diseases into major prob­ key to reducing soil loss. disaster. Furthermore, herbicide lems, including anthracnose and No-till methods produced 4 more 8 applications must be made on a pre- gray leaf spot, says Dr. Frances Lat- bushels of corn per acre than by using conventional tillage, and we Jr., agronomist, Ohio Agricultural 1. Planting directly into a pasture used less fuel. But more impor­ Research and Development Center, or native sod in most states. tantly, this method held the average Wooster. 2. Alternating strips of meadow annual soil loss down to 0.6 tons per and no-till corn in Missouri. acre. 3. Interseeding legumes into At corn planting time, the re­ grass pastures in the East and North searchers killed the cover crop with Central States. a contact herbicide. The living rye 4. Planting corn into small grain had helped the soil to dry and warm cover crops in the east from North earlier in the spring than with Carolina northward. The grain crop stalk-residue cover. Later the dead may be left as mulch or utilized be­ mulch reduced surface sealing of the fore planttng as grazing, hay, soil and sustained high water infil­ green-chop or silage. tration rates. The conserved water 5. Planting in previous year's. helped counter midsummer A major advantage of reduced till­ crop residues throughout the coun­ droughts that often occur during a age systems is that they provide new try. critical period of the corn crop's de­ opportunities for double-cropping. 6. Rotating wheat-fallow and velopment. Soil which has not been tilled is also winter wheat-sorghum-fallow in firmer and thus will better support Kansas, Nebraska and Texas. -..,... .. --- heavy machines during wet harvest 7. Following corn and fall-seeded -- seasons. small grain with double-cropped One problem with these systems soybeans from the Southeast into in northern areas, however, is that the southern part of the cornbelt. soils which are not tilled do not warm up as quickly in the spring. No-tillage corn production may be used to advantage on these soils iC in a wet spring, it permits more timely planting of corn. Using the system is an especially Much more research is needed, good practice in the Midwest clay­ new herbicide systems must be de­ pan area. This area includes 10 mil­ veloped, planting equipment must lion acres mostly in Missouri, Il­ be modified, and varieties to best fit linois and Kansas, but also in Ne­ conservation practices must be de­ braska, Oklahoma and Iowa. A veloped. compact layer of subsoil, normally Fuel shortages and spiraling Leaving a mulch on the soil sur­ about 15 to 20 inches below the sur­ production costs in recent years face is important for top yields from face, restricts air and water move­ have made no-till doubly appealing no-till crops. Over several years in ment and retards deep growth of to farmers searching for ways to as­ Virginia, continuous no-tillage corn plant roots. sure full acreage production at has averaged 16, 21 and 25 more During the studies, rainstorms minimum expense, says Dr. A . D. bushels per acre than convention­ that occurred soon after soil was Worsham, North Carolina State ally planted corn on a Davidson clay tilled produced runoff with high University professor of weed sci­ loam, a Cecil clay loam, and a Lodi concentrations of sediment. Runoff ence. silt loam, respectively. In certain from no-till plots contained only an Agricultural engineers indicate farm situations, however, it may be organic stain and very little sedi­ that conventional land preparation more profitable to use some of the ment. The soil cover had dissipated and planting requires 5.5 to 7 gal­ vegetation for grazing or forage har­ the rainfall's energy, eliminating lons per acre. With no-till planting vest before planting the no-till crop. splash erosion, and reducing runoff only 0.3 to 2.4 gallons per acre are Certain soil conditions may limit erosion. required. Total cost savings with no-till adaptability. For example, Someone has said that tillage is no-till planting can be $4.15 to early studies in North Carolina following the horse as an outmoded $19.25 per acre. showed that low pH and low phos­ element of Great Plains agriculture. Like any cultural system, no-till is phorus soils were not suited to no­ The current trend to various systems better suited to some cropping sys­ till crop production. Later studies in of reduced tillage in row crop pro­ tems and sections of the country other areas have shown that sur­ duction indicates that prediction than others. There are many exam­ face-applied phosphorus, potas­ may come true before the end of this ples of successful no-till use around sium, and lime are effective in no- century, says Dr. Glover B. Triplett, the country: Continued on page 38 9

The familiar adage "summer ginning of man's relationship with of hives, purchase of bees, colony comes with flower and bee" is a re­ the honeybee. management and harvesting the minder of what is certainly one of The dawn of written history crop. Varro recorded that one bee­ man's oldest and most familiar as­ found honeybees already kept in keeper of his time produced 5,000 sociations of plant and animal. In­ hives of a fixed pattern and in accor­ pounds of honey annually. There is deed, most paleontologists agree dance with a well established evidence that both Virgil and Varro that flowering plants and pollinat­ system-our earliest information acquired much of their knowledge ing insects evolved at about the about beekeeping at this advanced from Nicander of Colophon, and same time, probably in the Eocene stage of development coming from Nicander in turn appears to have de­ Epoch-some 40 million years be­ ancient Egypt. rived his knowledge largely from fore man. Egyptians are generally credited Aristotle. The honeybee is believed to have with originating migratory bee­ The relationship of the honeybee originated in South Asia-probably keeping. Beehives were placed on and flowering plants, despite sev­ in India or the Malay Peninsula. rafts from which the bees flew to eral thousand years of beekeeping Bees said to be identical to modern gather nectar. As the seasonal bloom history, is seldom understood be­ honeybees have been found en­ advanced, the rafts were moved yond the knowledge that orchard­ tombed in amber millions of years down the Nile River to Cairo where ists depend on bees for cross-polli­ old. The honeybee belonged to the the honey was marketed. nation of their fruit trees, and that Old World-to Europe, Nrica and It is not surprising that beekeep­ clover of one kind or another is a Asia. Although early settlers and ing in ancient times found its major source of nectar for honey colonists found native bees in production. greatest enlightenment in Aristotle, America, the honeybee was not The importance of fruit bloom and among them. Prior to 1500 there the great 4th Century B.C. Greek the clovers notwithstanding, the were no honeybees in the New philosopher and scientist. Many honeybee colony could probably not World (the Americas, Australia and historians, in fact, separate de­ survive, let alone prosper, without New Zealand) according to Dr. Eva velopment of scientific knowledge great numbers of other species or Crane of the Bee Research Associa­ (including beekeeping) into " before kinds of flowering plants providing tion. Aristotle," and "after Aristotle." an array of bloom from early spring "Like the dog, the honeybee has Aristotle's writings reveal his re­ to late fall . In fact, " The Honey accompanied man on most of his markable understanding of the life Plants ofIowa," an important publi­ major migrations, and the early history of the honeybee-even sug­ cation of the Iowa Geological Survey settlers in each part of the New gesting awareness of the fact that in 1930, identified more than 600 World took hives of bees with drones (male bees) only are pro­ plant species that were utilized by them," Dr. Crane says. "Records of duced when the colony does not honeybees. the establishment of honeybees in have a " ruler" (queen). Aristotle re­ Known to beekeepers as support­ America are scanty enough, but we ported honey yields of up to 27 know that they were taken from pounds per colony, this figure ing plants, or minor honey plants, Portugal to Brazil around 1530, and perhaps exceeding the average in these hundreds of non-agricultural it seems likely that there were other the United States in recent years. sources of pollen and nectar that can importations into South, Central The 1st Century B. C. Roman poet be utilized by honeybees are of vital and North America in the same cen­ Virgil was a beekeeper with a keen importance in making it possible for tury. The first records of im­ mind for colony management-in­ the honeybee colony to grow to pro­ portations into North America are, cluding even the clipping of the ducing strength prior to the season's however, over a hundred years queen's wings as a means of pre­ first honey flow, and to maintain later, from 1638 onwards." venting the loss of a swarm. British producing strength and morale in Beekeeping as an art or profession historian Malcolm Fraser tells us between the bloom periods of major is older than the pyramids; its origin that another Roman writer, Varro, sources of nectar. is virtually lost in the mists of an­ published in 37 B.C. what is proba­ Unfortunately for beekeepers, tiquity. Five thousand or more years bly the most definitive work on the and for those whose agricultural en­ before Christ, Neolithic man in theory of beekeeping to emerge deavors depend on pollination by what is now Spain left rock paint­ from ancient times. It included in­ honeybees, many sections of the ings of honey gatherers at work, and structions for choosing and prepar­ United States continue to undergo a it is doubtful that this was the be- ing the apiary location, construction Continued on page 39 11 Above-Zantedeschia albo-maculata is best identified by its white spotted leaves, its creamy yellow blooms tinged with purple at the throat. Right-Z. rehmanl1i is a beautiful more delicate rock garden plant having slender leaves and blooms ranging from pink through lavender to rose.

12 Give the Calla Lily aWhirl

Lorra in e Ma rshall Burgess 202 Old Broadmoor Road Colorado Springs, CO 80906 BfW photos by auth or

Try the beautifully-formed Z a17- tedeschia in your g a rd e n or greenhouse, or both. This m agnifi­ cent South African tuberous-rooted plant, known also as arum or calla lily can be grown under glass as a fine pot plant and cut flo w er source, or outdoors as a perennial in mild climates. In more rugged climates the tubers must be lifted before frost in the fall. After one or two months' rest, the tubers can be repotted in manure-rich soil to rebloom in late winter or early spring in a cool, sunny greenhouse. After this indoor flowering, withhold water gradual­ The white Calla Ii ly , Z. aeth iopica, is the largest and perhap s the most impressive ly, and then store the tubers in a of these sculptura l lilies. dark place until it is time for replant­ ing outdoors. The white calla lilies are grown monthly gives good results, after the dormant until proper growing con­ from rhizomes, the yellows from roots fill out. Ideal temperatures ditions prevail. It is one bulb that corms. Both are propagated b y through the winter are 65° by day will bloom in the wild with its roots offsets, and the yellows can be de­ and 55° by night. In the summer submerged in water. The Calla is not veloped from seeds set out in beds when outside temperatures match a true lily, nor does it look like most where the weather is mild or in greenhouse conditions the pots may lilies. It is also quite different from boxes to bring indoors in freeze be moved outdoors and counter­ the water arum, an aquatic herb, areas. The seed should be dusted sunk into the soil. The yellow and also known as Calla palustris . It has with a fungicide before planting to dwarf pink varieties prefer still spathes that are green on the outside prevent damping off. Where callas warmer temperatures, and are best and white within. flourish, they need to be lifted and kept in the greenhouse, except in But the Z antedes chia or Calla lily divided every four or five years. sub-tropical si tuations. has truly impressive form . For greenhouse growing start the Seed should be sown in light soil Sculptural and of great substance, roots in pots and place in a cool, in November; the same timing the flowers are popular favorites semi-dark place under the benches, applies to rhizome divisions and among commercial florists . We and do not overwater. As growth offsets. For winter bloom indoors, should use them more often for appears in 2 or 3 weeks move the pot in mid-summer, and leave out­ summer bloom. They make startling pots to a light, open bench and give doors until fall approaches, then displays and a nice complement to plenty of water. Avoid direct sun­ move into the greenhouse to a warm the more popular dahlias, hybrid light, using whitewashed glass or a corner at 68 degrees. lilies, gladiolus, and begonias. In thin shade to prevent burning. Fish A native of tropical African the winter greenhouse they are fertilizer, applied as a liquid semi- marshland, the bulb can remain equally impressive. 0 13 C haenom eles speciosa

Pam ela Harper 219 Robanna Shores Seaford, VA i3696

A long ago gift still remembered has lost all its leaves and may well be nostalgically was the posy picke~ dead. from the garden for my January Bulbs which came from England birthday. Another birthday, my as Narcissus cantabricus monophyllus first in America, is also well remem­ invariably flower for Christmas and bered. Bereft of my garden I sought are increasing steadily in a fairly consolation in a "florist's" shop, to moist and partially shaded spot be greeted not by the longed for· where snowdrops, Anemone blanda sight and scent of violets, daffodils, and Hosta venusta will succeed freesia, mimosa and other forced them. "The white cantabricus is a blooms, but by the sterile vulgarity tender plant" writes Michael of plastic flowers, only relieved by J efferson-Brown in " Daffodils and pots of stiff and un seasonal chrysan­ Narcissi", and Alec Gray (" Minia­ themums, frilled in foil and replete ture Daffodils" ) describes it as four with ribbon bow. My soul cringed. I in·ches high, which is indeed the had always valued winter flowers, height of the exquisite crystalline now they became more precious. white hoop petticoats I have seen One snowdrop braving the ele­ exhibited in pans under this name. ments at the year's low ebb does Mine better meets the description of more to lift my spirits than a dozen variety foliosus , much taller at nine May azaleas. What a pity the snow­ inches with slender, floppy 18 inch drops which come earliest into leaves. The milk white flowers may flower sell at such very high prices. be less beautiful but it is a better For those who can afford it Galan­ garden plant. This winter each thus corcyrensis flowers for Christ­ flower was destroyed as soon as it Viburnum farreri 'Candidissimum' mas in sheltered nooks. opened but foliage and bulbs re­ Autumn blends into winter with mained unharmed. the crocuses. Scarcely has the last later. Sometimes Iris unguicularis The tiny yellow trumpets of the white chalice of C. niveus faded from opens a flower or two in the old year three inch N . asturiensis (minimus) the scene when, in December usu­ but usually it waits until February. If come in late January or February, ally, the first purple feathered buds a bud is picked it will open indoors unspoilt even when completely of C. laevigatus fontenayi peep within an hour or two, an ideal sub­ sheathed in ice. The bulbs tend to through a mat of creeping thyme, ject for time lapse photography. In diminish, probably undermined by wisteria blue when opened by the thin, sandy soil, tight pressed tunnelling moles, and replenish­ sun. This winter they came in against the south side of a pine tree ments will be planted in plastic November, got their noses nipped trunk, it has remained undamaged berry boxes. The flowers lean away but went right on trying and finally at 5°F in ground frozen a foot deep. from the perpendicular and get 14 managed to flower three months A new plant in a less protected spot mud-splashed. A ground cover pre-

vents this and I lise Sedum his­ summer, the leaves turn brilliant red so readily from cuttings. These vi­ panicum minus . Cyclamen coum also in winter, unchallenged star in the burnums need no pruning but· fl owers n o w , chubby magenta January garden. Plants on sale do winter jasmine, J. nudiflorum , half­ shuttlecocks against glossy orbicu­ seem to vary in leaf shape and color­ way between shrub and vine, rarely lar leav e s . The flowers of C. ing. Mine never flowers. looks well in neglect. I like to see it as hederifoliu m (nea politanum) come in Two of the earliest shrubs to a green and yellow tapestry on a wall late autumn but the intricately pat­ bloom wisely make their entry when trellis-not those fanciful, top heavy terned ivylike leaves are among the competition is lacking. Undistin­ lawn rake affairs but an unembel­ mos t long-lasting assets of the guished shrubs with little yellow lished, unobtrusive lattice of wood winter garden. So are those of Arum flowers, Winter honeysuckle (Lon i­ or wire-the jasmine should be on italicum marmoratum , appearing in cera fra grantissima) and Wintersweet display, not the paraphernalia fall and lasting into spring, hand­ (Chimonanthus pra ecox) are valued supporting it. Stems need fasteningl somely marbled in white. If you nonetheless for their earliness and in with " tvvistems" or wire, and re­ grow this from seed don't discard fragrance . Cha enom eles speciosa moval from the base of some old little plants which come plain green; often bears flowers at the turn of the wood each year encourages young often the patterning only appears in year-if only it were not such a dis­ growth from low down. the second or third year . . . some­ mal, near-leafless sight through The buds of the Japanese apricot, times, alas, it neyer does. Where most of summer. Prunus mume, are not damaged by Hall' s honeysuckle stays evergreen, The Asiatic witch-hazels come cold, but once they open-and t1'!ey so will the much less rampant Loni­ next, their twisted ribbon petals tend to come all at once-the flowers cera japonica 'Aureoreticulata' , a bit unmarred by frost. Hamamelis mol/is are vulnerable to frost, still probable jaundiced-looking in the heat of 'Pallida' remains my favorite, but I in February even in the south. So summer but in winter a welcome cannot find it and settled instead for roughly one year in two it is a case of patch of netted gold leafage. the hybrid 'Jelena' , the four-petalled here today and gone tomorrow-or For me the hellebores don' t go by flowers with garnet red curled the next day. A week or two of the book and no one told my calyces close clustered in two inch bloom every other year is enough to Christmas Rose that we celebrate spidery orbs, yellow suffused with justify the gamble. I have the single that event in December. It is a rather red for coppery effect. The American white form, extremely fragrant, the unhappy specimen, hardly as yet witch-hazels are less effective only one I could find. wo'rth calling a clump though I've shrubs but flower earlier, H. virgin­ " The ugliest shrub I know", wrote had it for four years. It gets thrown iana (the source of the soothing lo­ a friend about Abeli ophyllum dis­ out of kilter by the summer heat, tion) in autumn, H . vernalis often in tichu m. It does lack grace (so does dies away around July, resumes January. Hilliers of England have Forsythia) and never looks really growth in September but then, I selected a form called 'Sandra' with vigorous or healthy, but the white suppose, needs time to build up autumn foliage of scarlet and flame. four-petalled flowers are pretty, strength before it flowers in March. After seeing Cornus olficinalis at early and slightly scented. Mine is The Lenten Rose, on the other hand, the National Aboretum in February, three feet high after three years, has made a massive clump, stays ev­ the tatterdemalion bark most tucked away in not too conspicuous ergreen most winters (but not 19761 noticeable against the snow, it has a spot. 1977) , blooms with abandoned gone on my " want" list, in lieu of (or in an article in " The Garden" abundance in early February, phIs as well as) Comus mas, which lacks (September 1976) Roy Lancaster de­ or minus a week or two, and self the interesting bark and flowers a scribes Daphne bholua as " shrub of seeds profusely. H. niger seems to be bit later. The snag is, no nursery the future". This Himalayan native best in the north, H. orientalis in the seems to sell it. The flowers of the was introduced into England early south. two species are alike-yellow, this century and received an Award Fire-red foliage is mostly an au­ massed and multi-stamened. of Merit from the R.H .S. Early intro­ tumnal theme, but southward of Could I have but one winter flow­ ductions, however, (mostly ever­ Maryland Nandina is evergreen, ering shrub it would be a Viburnum; green) proved insufficiently hardy. bright in copper, red and orange just either the pink V. farr eri, the white A later introduction (1962) is now when we most need color. When the V . f. 'Candidissimum' or the pink V . seven feet high and five feet through mercury dropped to 5°F N. dom es tica x bodnantens e hybrid 'Dawn' (the with tip clusters of fragrant flowers sighed in an icy wind and laid down paler 'Deben' is nice too), all stiffly much like those of Vib urnum farre ri . its leaves, but the dense one foot twiggy shrubs with little drumsticks This clone is now being distributed hummocks of the ill-named 'Nana of close packed flower, the scent as D . bholua 'Gurkha' (previously Purpurea' refused to surrender, much like that of the well loved V . listed as D . b. gla cialis .) Hopefully it clinging tenaciously to chubby, carlesii. Watch out for suckers, one will soon become available in the trifoliate leaves, scorched though of mine is a grafted plant, for which U.S.A. D . odora is fairly well known 16 they now were. A low key green in there is little excuse when they root and the very early D. mezereum is oc- casionally offered. Daphne x hybrida it (and so far I have failed) add Rosa (collina x odora) was tried in Califor­ seri cea pteracantha for the translu­ GROWTREES IN TUBS! nia but apparently failed to catch the cent ruby red of the fierce triangular (and lots of other plants too) public fancy. Perhaps where D. thorns zig-zagged along the stems. odora is reliably hardy the hybrid is Light this from behind for the same not needed; elsewhere it certainly effect as ruby red glass held against ought to be available. the light, and prune it hard each I did finally track down one of the year. winter hazels, Corylopsis pauciflora , From brilliance to the subtleties of except that as the years went by it peeling and polished bark, with became increasingly apparent that silver birches of various species THE TERRACE GARDENER'S what I have is not the comparatively coming first to mind. Comus kousa is HANDBOOK dwarf species I ordered. I think it is now fairly readily available, but as by Linda Yang (Doubleday, Inc.) the much taller C. x veitchiana but I yet one rarely sees outside of ar­ " . .. abounds in practical help, am not too discontent. The pale yel­ boreta specimens of sufficient age to author-tested ideas" ... low tassels of flower never look more exhibit the white dappled bark of American Horticulturist delightful than when combined mature trees, similar to that of the with the lavender butterflies of sycamore. ORDER NOW! Horticulture Society of New York RhodQdendron mucronulatum . They Prunus serrula has mahogany bark flower together in early March. 128 W. 58th St., N.Y.C. 10019 with a brilliant shine. It rates low for These notes reflect my experience Inclosed is check for $8.95. Please send bloom, the white flowers being me copies of THE TERRACE in Zone 7/8 gardens. In the north small and hidden among the leaves. GARDENER's HANDBOOK. nothing much happens before It can be bought top grafted with March, though usually at least a few 'Hally Jolivette', one of the prettiest Name sprigs of winter heath, Erica camea P. subhirtella cultivars, thereby get­ and E. x darleyensis , can be picked in ting the best of both worlds, or do January. E. c. 'King George' (or we? Top grafting can result in a Address Zip 'Winter Beauty') is among the first, bumpy bulge ugly enough when compact clumps with urn-shaped undisguised by leaves to distract at­ flowers exactly matching the bright tention away from the beauty of the magenta of Cyclamen coum. trunk. 'Hally Jolivette' flowers in Want to know more about Bark and berry must be the April, but in the south it often puts the past, present and mainstays of the winter garden on another effective show through future uses of plants? where below zero temperatures October and November, as also does prevail. Red stemmed dogwood, P. subhirtella 'Autumnalis'. Comus alba 'Sibirica' heads the list, The most outstanding hardy tree Zone 2 hardy and a B grade shrub for bark effect is Acer griseum , even in neglect, A + if thoughtfully shaggy in cinnamon shreds. At least sited and tended. Some shrubs look best backlit, but not those grown for I used to think so. Lately I have their bark. This one in particular much admired a young specimen of River Birch, exfoliating needs to be viewed from the sunny Betula nigra, in coarser curls of grey over beige. side. Left unpruned it will soon Though moisture loving, River Join the Society for grow eight feet high, but only the Economic Botany and newer wood-that at the top and Birch also tolerates drought. sucker growth from the base-will In the south Lagerstroemia indica is receive the quarterly be bright red. Coppicing back each spectacularly smooth and snaky in journal Economic Botany spring and occasional removal from beige and green. L. fauriei is better the base of some of the older wood stile with a big proportion of Write to: Treasurer, Soci­ ensures maximum production of mahogany in the color mix. A fine ety for Economic Botany, new red stems, at the same time re­ specimen can be seen at the Na­ College of Pharmacy, P.O. stricting the size to that of a fore­ tional Arboretum but this species Box 6998 Chi~ago, Illinois ground plant. Equally bright is the has not yet, I believe, been distrib­ 60680. Memberships: Reg­ Coral Bark Maple, Acer palma tum uted. \Vhere Lagerstroemia is not ular $20.00, Family $25.00, 'Senkaki' (,Sangokaku'), too choice hardy, much the same effect can be Student $15.00. and slow-growing to be touched had from the stewartias. with pruning shears. If you can find Continued on page 33 17 A little South of

Catherine and Shannon Smith Horticulture Dept., Massey University Palmerston North, New Zealand

Mount Egmont as seen from Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust. If you have decided to attend the International Hor­ ticultural Congress in Sydney in August 1978, carry that decision one step further and come visit one of the most horticulturally diverse little countries in the world­ New Zealand. Situated on the air route from Los Angeles to Sydney, New Zealand is about equidistant from Fiji, Australia, and Antarctica. Although frequently pictured as that lit­ tIe 'island off the coast of Australia, it is in fact, an inde­ pendent thriving Commonwealth nation that just hap­ pens to be near Australia. The two countries are nothing alike geographically or botanically. Whereas Australia is a hot dry, semi-desert continent with little rainfall and flat terrain, New Zealand is a lush evergreen country of mountains and grass-covered hills where apples and oranges grow side by side. Here Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria heterophyl­ laY tower over English oaks, camellias bloom all winter and the countryside sports its own gaily decorated Christmas trees (Metrosideros excelsa) in summer. About the size of Japan, New Zealand is warmed and cooled by ocean breezes making the climate suitable for everything from Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) in the north to boreal coniferous forests in the south. Tempera­ ture variation is not great seasonally but there is a con­ siderable difference from sea level to the alpine regions of mountain ranges. This difference allows both sub­ tropicals and sub-antarctic species to thrive in various parts of the country. Isolated from other land masses, New Zealand de­ veloped a unique flora with 85% of its species endemic. :s A mixture of sub-tropical Kauri (Agathis australis) 3, forests, sub-antarctic beech (Nothofagus spp.) forests, g c: tussock grasslands, flax (Phormium ten ax) swamps, ~ (f) coastal palms (Rhopalostylis sapida) , and alpine vegeta- 15 tion provide a botanical experience found few places in 18 the world. New Zealanders realized early in their history that they wished to preserve as much of the rich natural beauty of their land as possible. Thus they have set aside over 7% of their lands for national parks and reserves. These parks offer diverse plant life as well as snow­ covered mountain peaks, active volcanoes, crystal clear glacial lakes, and tropical ocean beaches. The parks ser­ vice provides detailed maps and guidebooks for each park outlining leisurely nature walks, moderately taxing hikes, and proper mountain climbs, all introducing the visitor to unique plant life and spectacular land forms. But the native plants and national parks are only part of the story. When English settlers came to New Zealand a bou t 125 years ago, they brou gh t their love of gardening and their familiar plants with them and turned New Zea­ land into a land of gardens. By and large a single-family, home-owning populace, the Kiwis, as New Zealanders refer to themselves, are Esplanade, Palmerston North. avid gardeners who spend a large portion of their time

New Zealand west coast beach.

19 making their front yards into gardening show places. called Ngauruhoe can be seen steaming a continuous Lush gardens full of roses, annuals, perennials, bulbs, smoke cloud from its snow covered cone, while further and flowering shrubs and trees make almost every city south, the cold desert tussock grasslands cover volcanic street excitingly colorful. Because home sites are smaller plateaus watched over by Mt. Ruapehu, the highest peak than in America, one doesn't find large expanses of lawn on the North Island and also an active volcano. but rather tidy little flower gardens with something in Descending the plateau to the west, one eventually bloom every day of the year. reaches the coastal city of New Plymouth, home of the Instead of putting away his gardening tools in au­ internationally famous Duncan and Davies Nursery, the tumn, the New Zealander works hard to get winter flow­ biggest export nursery in the country. Within the city are ers planted so his garden will not be bare. Primulas, pan­ Pukekura Park and Brooklands Park, side by side. One sies, cinerarias, poppies, camellias, rhododendrons, devoted to the development of native bush wilderness acacias, magnolias, and the spectacular proteas are just a and the other an old English homestead planned and few of the plants that brighten the landscape even when planted in the garden estate manner, the combined winter skies are dreary. parks offer a rich collection of natives, exotics, conser­ August and September, being the beginning of the vatories, ferneries, and lakes bordered by miles of walks. Southern Hemisphere spring, are particularly beautiful Fifteen miles inland close to Mt. Egmont, the most months in New Zealand. Winter annuals and peren­ beautiful volcano in the country, is the Pukeiti Rho­ nials, spring bulbs, flowering plums, almonds, apricots dodendron Trust. This reserve aims to have the most and cherries, along with magnolias, camellias, and extensive collection of rhododendrons and azaleas in the rhododendrons are in full bloom. Several of the out­ Southern Hemisphere. New Zealand has a near perfect standing native trees like Kowhai (Sophora tetraptera) , climate for growing rhododendrons but due to its isola­ New Zealand's national flower, begin to open their tion lacked these plants until the English settlers intro­ golden yellow flowers. duced them in the 1800's. Now there are well over 700 The musical sounding names New Zealanders call species, varieties and hybrids mixed into native bush at their plants as well as their mountains and cities are part Pukeiti which will be at its most beautiful from August of the Maori language. The Maoris are Polynesians who onwards. came to New Zealand hundreds of years before Euro­ The whole area from New Plymouth to Mt. Egmont peans and settled chiefly in the North Island. They are a National Park is rich in native bush and ferns. Volcanic friendly smiling people who have integrated into the activity destroyed much of the forest here 350 years ago, European based way of life bringing many of their nati ve but the conifers Kaikawaka (Libocedrus bidwillii) and To­ words into common usage. Most native plants are com­ tara (Podocarpus totara) survived and now form part of monly known by their Maori names-Kowhai, Pohu­ the second growth forest dominated by Kamahi (Wein­ tukawa, and Rewarewa. mannia racemosa). The Kamahi forms a dense canopy Beginning where most international visitors begin, in providing a cool dark forest floor ideal for growth of Auckland, there is a tropical feel in the air. Here are the ferns, mosses, and lycopods which cover the ground and large urban garden centers, a lovely begonia conserva­ most of the trees. The gnarled tree trunks covered with tory and fernery, pocket inner city gardens, and an im­ epiphytic mosses and ferns give the forest an eerie ap­ pressive racecourse where bird of paradise and Phoenix pearance and has led to the name "goblin forest" for this palms line the entrance. . type of growth. Here too some of New Zealand's native To the north of Auckland are the remaining giant orchids make their home, giving their location in the tree Kauri reserves. These magnificent forest giants rival the tops away by their delicate scent wafting down through California redwoods but are not New Zealand's tallest the foliage. tree. That distinction belongs to podocarps known as Directly across the country to the east about 100 miles Kahikatea (Podocarpus dacrydioides) and Rimu (Dac­ is the Hawkes Bay and Bay of Plenty fruit and vineyard rydium cupressinum) , both reaching 160 feet. growing region. Protected from cold and strong westerly To the west are the Waitakere ranges with vistas over winds, the area has a continuously temperate climate Auckland and across the Tasman Sea toward Australia and plenty of sunshine. This is where citrus and Kiwi and to the east the Coromandel peninsula where native fruit (Actinidia chin ensis) and fruit trees grow best and bush species vie with exotic tree species giving the area a where New Zealand's young but excellent wine produc­ look similar to commercial forestry in the United States. ing industry is developing. Driving south through the rolling hills of the dairy, Inland and southwest is Palmers ton North, home of grape, and fruit growing country of the North Island, Massey University, the country' s foremost agricultural one approaches the volcanic ridge of mountains and and horticultural university. Modern landscape tech­ geothermal region where naturalized broom (Cytisus niques as well as nursery, fruit, vegetable, and flower scoparius) and lupines (Lupinus sp.) turn the countryside production are studied and taught here. The city itself, into a blaze of yellow and pastel pinks and purples in as well as boasting the beautifully landscaped Massey 20 spring and summer. New Zealand's most active volcano campus, has the distinction of being the rose capital of New Zealand and contains within the large city Fiordland because the area is dominated by deep inlets Esplanade the national rose testing garden. bordered by the loftiest sea cliffs in the world, rising ver­ In Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, at the tip of tically to a mile above sea level. The landscape resembles the North Island, one finds the Otari Native Plant the fiord country of Norway but on a larger scale and Museum with the largest collection of native plants. Wel­ with entirely different vegetation. This area has the lington is a beautiful city sitting on one of the deepest highest rainfall in New Zealand, 300 inches a year, creat­ natural harbors in the world. The hills surrounding the ing some of the most lush bush in the world. At high city are reminiscent of San Francisco. Wellington gar­ elevations the New Zealand beech (Nothofagus spp.) dens and homes are perched on the sides of steep hills predominates while nearer sea level the large podocarps and the terraced plantings seem to hang hundreds of feet called Rimu, Miro, Matai and Kahikatea displace the in the air. beech. Numerous understory trees and ferns complete Crossing the Cook Strait which separates the North this very southern rain forest whose species are gener­ and South Island takes a leisurely three hours on modern ally unknown outside New Zealand. At Fiordland is the luxury ferries or just an hour from Wellington to Christ­ popular Milford Track called by many "The Finest Walk church by air. in the World" . Christchurch, called the garden city of New Zealand, The nearest city to Fiordland is Invercargill, the is built around the Avon River. This stream meanders southern-most city in the world, and the home of the picturesquely through the city's impressive Hagley Park Queens Gardens, a beautiful English style park and ar­ located near the center of the city. Hagley is an enormous boretum of exotics and natives less than 2000 miles from urban park on the English style consisting of sport fields Antarctica. for rugby, cricket and soccer, a golf course and many New Zealand is a lovely country whose natural beauty tennis courts. Situated beside the park is the Christ­ remains wild and unspoiled. The people are friendly, the church Botanical Garden which contains a superb collec­ accommodations first class, and the flora arid fauna tion of introduced plants rarely seen in other parts of the unique. Whether you can come for just a few days or a country. month, there will be beautiful things you will miss be­ The English arrived in Christchurch to find a treeless cause a lifetime could easily be spent exploring this gem coastal scrubland, but they determined to make the city of the Southern Hemisphere. 0 as much like their familiar English cities as they could. Today the residents pride themselves on being as En­ glish as the English. A city-wide annual contest to rec­ Send Now For The ognize outstanding gardens attracts many participants, as well as observers who just want to borrow some land­ scaping ideas. Home gardens and business establish­ New 1978 FREE ments vie for the sought after awards bringing much beauty to the city streets. Park Seed Catalog Inland from Christchurch is Mount Cook National PARK OFFERS 3000 Park, containing the country's most popular scenic at­ VARIETIES OF FLOWERS traction, the Southern Alps, of which the 12,000 foot Mt. AND VEGETABLES IN Cook is the tallest. ONE OF AMERICA'S The perpetually snow-covered mountains attract FINEST CATALOGS. climbers from allover the world. For less hardy horticul­ Find all you need to plan a showplace! Many varieties not available elsewhere; turists there is the unique alpine vegetation. Many of the hybrid seed of great value because of species that grow here are found nowhere else in the disease resistance. ability to grow larger. more abundant flowers and fruit. with world. The Mt. Cook lily (Ranunculus lyallii) , really a brighter. clearer colors. large white buttercup, and the mountain daisies (Cel­ 124 PAGES IN FULL COLOR misia spp.) all abound here. Vegetable sheep (Raoulia I ------_._ '-- spp. and Haastia spp.) cling to the rock bluffs and the I GEO. W. PARK SEED CO., INC. wild spaniards (Aciphylla spp.) with their bayonet leaves I 66 Cokesbury Road Greenwood. South Carolina 29647 better seen than touched are all accessible. A few alpine I MAIL TODAY! Please rush my FREE copy of Park·s Flower and beauties like the yellow buttercup (Ranunculus grahamii) , I Vegetable Book. a gentian (Gentiana divisa), hebe (Hebe haastii) , and I I NAME ______forget-me-not (Myosotis suavis) can only be seen by the ardent mountain climbers who are willing and able to go I ADDRESS ______to the rocks above the permanent snowline at 8,000 to I 9,000 feet. I CITY I The largest national park in the country is south of Mt. I I STATE ZIP ------Cook on the western tip of the South Island. It is called L.. ______:J 21 ~tionon tsura-tree Micha el A. Dirr Department of Ho rticulture University of Illin ois at Urba na- Champaign

Students in my plant materials classes at the University of Illinois are quick to question my one-sided, overly enthusiastic discussion of the katsura-tree, Ce rcidiph yllu m ja pon­ cum Sieb . and Zucco After being in­ troduced to the attributes of the species through slides and face-to­ tree confrontation they constantly ask if it is available from nursery­ men in Illinois and other midwest­ ern states . I perused ten large wholesale and/or retail nursery catalogs and found seven listed this species. Six handled it in large sizes 0 while one grower offered it in gallon ~ containers. Nurserym en are grow- };'" ing the plant yet it is limitedly visi- ~'" ble in the landscape . ~ Very young leaves. Semi-mature leaves. Classification Katsura-tree has confounded and two varieties (not cultivars) of the occurs in scattered localities in the confused botanists for they cannot katsura-tree. Variety C. j. sin ense, mountains. decide the position of Cercidiph yl­ the Chinese form, differs from the Flowers and Fruits lum among the flowering plants. The Japanese type, which usually forms controversy is centered around the several trunks near the ground, in The trees are dioecious with male inconspicuous apetalous female nearly always being confined to a and female flowers on different flower. The most common interpre­ single stem. E. H . Wilson, the great trees. Neither are showy and the tation places this species within the plant explorer, found trees up to 130 males consist of a minute calyx (col­ Order Ma g nolial es where it is feet high and described them as ex­ lection of sepals) and an indefinite perhaps most nearly related to the ceeding the girth and height of all number of one-half inch long sta­ genus Liriodendron . Several authors' other decid uous non-coniferous mens while the females consist of interpretations of the floral structure trees known from China. The vari­ four larger, but still quite small, would make Cercidiphyllum a relic of ety C. j. magn ific um differs from the green, fringed sepals, and four to six some primitive type of flowering species in larger leave s; seeds carpels. They develop along the leaf­ plant, not related to any other now slightly longer, winged at both less branches in mid-April on short living . Cercidiphyllum has been ends; smaller in height; and the bark spur-type lateral branches. The placed in a separate family, the Cer­ which remains smooth until the tree fruits are small pods, one-half to cidiphyllaceae, and constitutes the is of some age. This variety is native three-quarters of an inch long, and 22 only species of the family . There are to the main island of Japan where it are usually borne two to four to- gether on a short stalk. The fruit is thorities li st scarl et as a fall color planted trees on campus attest to often persisten t for I have collected it possibility, I have n ever witnessed this), but eventually will grow 12 to in April of the year following mat­ this. Perhaps W. J. Bean in Trees and 24 inches per year for the first 10 to uration. Shrubs Hardy in th e British Isles, Vol. I, 20 years. The tree will perform best Growth Habit best descri bed the fall color capa bili­ in a slightly acid, rich, moist, well­ Katsura-tree can reach heights of ti es of the katsura-tree when he drained soil, although tolerant of 100 plus feet over its native range wrote, " One never knows when Cer­ less than optimal conditions . (China and Japan) but is co nsid­ cidiphyllums are going to turn or Katsura-tree responds favorably to erably smaller under cultivation. w h at colour fhey will assume. H ere long photoperiods and grows con­ The species can, be grown single or (E ng land) they are seldom all red orall tinuously under 15 hour light: 9 multi-stemmed and will reach yell ow, but gen erally assume shades hour dark regimes. The species is heigh ts of 30 to 60 feet. Spread is dif­ of red, oran ge, pale yellow, pale pink, also extremely insect and disease ficult to predict for the male is sup­ mauve, and green. " free thus facilitating reduced main­ posedly of more upright, pyramidal tenance. Katsura is quite hardy Winter Character habit than the female. H owever, and will survive Zone 4 (Arnold, two trees (15 to 20 '), one male and The winter h abit is flawl ess for the -20°F) conditions without any prob­ the other female, growing side-by­ tree is impeccably well groomed le m s. Choice specimens in the side on campus, exhibit similar up- w hether standing erect or reclining Chicago and Moline, Illinois, areas attest to this.

Propagation Cuttings from mature wood are extremely difficult to root. Cuttings taken in June and treated with graduated IBA (indole-3-butyfic acid) solutions up to 2 percent (20,000 ppm) failed to root an'd, in fact, did not callus in sand under mist. Seeds collected in April from the same tree from which the cutting wood was taken germinated within two weeks at 90 percent plus capac­ ity. Katsura-tree does not require a stratification period and can be di­ rectly sown after fall collection. Seed which I purchased failed to germi­ nate, emphasizing the inherent Mature foliage. problems when one does not know anything about the seed source, right habits. Most large specimens I in a more spreading form. The red­ Cuttings taken from the young seed­ have observed show a distinct py­ dish buds contrast with the refined, lings rooted 90 percent with 0.1 per­ ramidal to conical outline. There is a slender, brown to reddish-brown cent IBA (1000 ppm) under mist. weeping clone, but this is rare in the stems while the brown bark of older trade primarily because it is difficult branches develops a shaggy charac­ to propaga te. ter similar to that of Ostrya virgin­ Production Seedlings were transplanted to Foliage Colors iana Koch, American hornbeam. Katsura-tree is a four-season woody one-gallon plastic containers into a 1 The ornamental attributes of this plant adding interest and quality soil:1 peat:1 perlite medium. Start­ species are many and initiate in late where other trees (ashes, elms, ing in late June they were fertilized April to early May in Urbana with honeylocusts) fail miserably. The three times per week with 200 ppm the unfurling of the leaves which are tree can best be used as a lawn N (derived from 20-20-20 source), To tinged reddish-purple. Through specimen although street, park golf say that the young seedlings re­ gradual metamorphosis they change course, and other large areas are well sponded favorably would be mis­ to bluish-green. The fall color can be suited. representation for they actually spectacular, ranging from yellow to jumped out of the container. By a beautiful apricot-red reminiscent Culture early September when fertilizer of the excellent colors attained with Katsura- tree is slow to rees­ treatments were suspended the service-berries. Although many au- tablish after transplanting (newly Continued on page 37 23 Poetry and ~rse

Lo rrain e Marshall Burgess counters with prospective converts. forego the controversy, but some are 202 Old Broadmoor Rd. Others lack the skill of easy conver­ prone to dwell on life's ironies or lit­ Co lorado Springs , CO 80906 sation; they resort instead to poetry tle whimsies . Not surprisingly, There' s a touch of poet in many and verse as gentle ways of advanc­ through the centuries, many of gardeners. They deal with small ing their own value concepts. If they these findings appear on sundial miracles, and big mysteries. They are not poet enough to compose legends. Some of the humor might revel in the w armth of the sun, the their own lines, they seek the words make you wince at its corniness, but ben efits of soft rain, and the infinite of past masters and record them on other passages delight. Even in a ways of plant growth. They are so stone, or wood, or tile as articulate garden we look forward to the unex­ contented with their lot that they expressions of their own emotions. pected. search for w ays to share this con­ They turn to old masters and echo Consider the following literary tentment with others. their advice. British PO E? t W . H. gems: Some gardeners are able to convey Auden once said that he considered " Let others tell of Storms their enthusiasms in: one to one en- poetry ill-suited to controversy. He and Showers believed that this gentle art should I'll count only your sunny hours." have no ulterior purpose, that it The rhythm is faulty and it doesn't should be designed to aid the mem­ quite rhyme, but we enjoy the mes­ ory and to tempt one to dwell on sage. Or sense the touch of bitter­ pleasant things. ness in the following statement: Most gardeners are willing to " Love makes Time go, Time makes Love go." I wonder too how many gardeners have prompted themselves into ac­ tion with this age-old sundial m­ scription: " Haste, oh haste, Thou sluggard, haste! The present is already past." Even Shakespeare must have .....' .. been intrigued with the oppor­ tunities for literary expression on sundials. In Henry VI he wrote: " Methinks it were a happy life To carve out dials, Point by point." -Garden Style

And in his 77th sonnet he said , So w hen your work is fi nished . poets and artists of history. "Thou b y the dial's shad y stealth Yo u ca n wash you r hands and pray O ne sensitive gardener of my ac­ May know For the Glory of that Gard en . q uaintance designed a vine-covered Time's thievish p rogress Th at it m ay not p ass away:" reading platfonn w here she might To eterni ty . " Emily Dickinson 's poem. ''I'm study all the gard en greats of his­ A u s tin Dobson o ff ered a m o re Nobody! Who Are Yo u?" seems just tory. Across the back garde n wall caustic version: right for a garden . There is another she had mounted a row of ceramic " Time goes, you say? verse of hers that would d o as well : tiles m em orializing su ch m e n as Ah no! "There cam e a day at summer's full Linnaeus, Spren gel, Michaux, Re­ Alas, Time stays. Entirely for me; doute, and Le Notre. We go." I thought that such were for the There are m an y ways of using Yet the instinct to say it with saints, poetry and verse in a gard en . It is words pers i s ts . In a s outh e rn Where revelations be ." simply a m atter of availing ourselves California nurse r y w e find a Poetic expression com es in man y of the opportuni ty. 0 crudely-carved sign that tells of the fonns . Som e of us pay muted hom ­ wonder of gardening : age by install in g a St. Fran cis shrine "all the flowers fo r our birds. Others d elve into the of theories of Oriental gardeners, ar­ all the tomorrows ran ging ston es and trees in p re­ are in scribed ways in rem embrance of the the seeds of today" In the more formal Brookgreen Gardens of South Carolina there are inscriptions b y Kipling, Kilmer, Dickinson, and Hiatt carved in stone and mounted on vine-covered walls. Joyce Kilmer' s lines to 'Trees' seem to sing praises to a 200 year old live oak that stands nearby . Rudyard Kipling' s verse about Adam, the first gardener, reminds us that God sees to it " That half a proper gardener's work Is done upon his knees .

./ ......

.....

~ ......

...... ,,'

d' ••••.•.••.•. , (' . ,. .J''''' ......

. '~" .... ~ .. and

Robert H . Sa vage 33 Ona Lane N ewburgh, NY 12550

Have you ever wanted to walk on the moon or visit a strange new world filled with mystery and magnifi­ cence? You can, and you won't need a space suit or a space ship for that matter. You need only take the AHS tour to the Baja and see for yourself the " out of this world" scenery you thought only existed in the mind of a science fiction writer. Cc;msider this 800 mile long finger of land as having assumed its present configuration rather recently, as geological time goes. With the movement of the conti­ nental plates and the birth of the famous San Andreas fault, this chunk of Mexico literally floated away from the mainland, forming the peninsula and the Gulf of California. With this movement of the land mass came the flora of the Sonora and California. Now, after a few million years, many of these plants are found in no other area of the world and are therefore called endemics. These rare plants were my prime reason for wanting to visit the Baja, but this rugged, wild country has some­ thing for everyone who enjoys the simple beauty of na­ ture. Let's start in San Diego and motor our way into this fantasy land together. At San Diego our big, comfortable bus loaded with 24 eager souls, started the short 15 mile trip to the Mexican border at Tijuana. After a transfer to a Mexican bus, we were off to Ensenada via new Highway l. The new flora started almost as soon as we left Tijuana. Coastal scrub and some chaparral type vegetation per­ sisted to Ensenada. The dominan.t plants were the Laurel Sumac (Rhus laurina) , Buckwheat (Eriogonum fas­ ciculatum) and the beautiful stout silvery grey rosettes of the Century Plant (Agave shawii). The view of the ocean and the surf competed con­ stantly with the new terrain, and heads swiveled as

26 Right-Yu cca schedigira , Fa r Right-Boojum and Cordon though watching a tennis m atch trying unsuccessfully to see it all. We arrived in Ensenada about noon. The new Hotel La Pinta proved that the Mexican Government is serious in its effort to provide excellent facilities for Baja visitors. Rooms were spacious and clean, well appointed and comfortable. A welcome Margarita was served with an excellent luncheon. The afternoon was free and most of the group wandered into the downtown area where the shops, full of curios, clothing and jewelry, lined both sides of the street. Our California friends from Encinitas had discovered a sea food restaurant just a block away from the beautiful bay, Bahia de Todas Santos. Cold poiled lobster, huge shrimp and abalone were relished with fine Mexican wines and crisp salad. After having travelled in Mexico just a few years ago, when it was the wise American who avoided raw vegetables, a complete dinner with no restrictions (and no repercussions) was a real treat. Morning found the eager group in the lobby waiting for the dining room to open. There was just time for a quick look around the courtyard where a fine young specimen of the endemic Mexican Blue Palm (Erythea armata) was growing. We would not be going far enough south to reach the native area of the blue palms, so it was a great treat to see this handsome tree at the hotel. Nter a big and delicious breakfast, our jovial driver got us all aboard and we headed on down Highway 1. The road cut inland a bit and we lost sight of the ocean. We were in pure chaparral now, and the mountains ap­ peared much closer to our east. We turned off the main highway to San Telmo, four miles east, where we re­ ceived a message from the Meling Ranch advising us that the road was passable for our bus and that they were expecting us for lunch. The 17 miles to the ranch took nearly two full hours and provided some of the most 27 spectacular scenery of the unspoiled country imagin­ The peninsula narrows below El Rosaria and we rode able. A one lane dirt road, just wide enough for our up and down the central mountain ridge and observed medium sized bus, meandered through ranches and the the immediate change in the plants and the terrain. foothills of the Sierra San Pedro Martir Range and on to Much drier here, we lost the carpets of Ice Plant(Mesem­ the Meling Ranch. The curious cattle stood in the road bryan themum crystalinum) and the soil appeared as bar­ and stared until the bus horn sent them running. Quail, ren gravel. A roadside stop quickly proved that abun­ rabbit and ground squirrels abounded and our driver dant plant life has adapted magnificently to their harsh had as much fun " herding" them as he did the cattle . . surroundings. The Agave shawii persisted in this area The Meling Ranch began at the end of the last century also, but was less robust with its reduced available mois­ and was originally a camp for the father of the present ture. Two tiny mammillarias barely showed their spiny owner, who mined gold in the mountains above the tubercles above the soil level, thus conservIng moisture ranch. Today, it is a working cattle ranch with guest in the other 80 percent of the plants below the ground. A facilities. At about 4000 ft ., the ranch is surrounded by much taller and more slender Red Barrel Cactus (Fe rocac­ magnificent mountains. The combined feelings of tus gra ci!is) now spotted the slopes adding bits of much majesty and tranquility here reached us all. needed color. After getting settled in our quarters, a big lunch of Further on, with much excitement, we spotted our fried steak, tossed salad, fresh milk and much more for­ first Boojums. Called Cirio (taper) by the Mexicans, it is tified those who would go exploring and encouraged technically Fouqui eria columnaris, but is still more com­ those who wanted to rest to get on with it! monly listed as Idria columnaris . This has to be one of the We were to have tried to reach the new observatory at most unusual plants in the world. Extremely variable, the 8000 ft. level, but a rock slide precluded our attempt. some reach over 70 ft. without a major lateral branch. We did manage to get to the 6000 ft. level where our Others sprawl and twist in both grotesque and graceful charming hostess took us to the site of the old gold mine. ways. Short laterals give a spiny appearance to the Quartz rubble from this operation provided many pretty smooth, diamond patterned, swollen trunks and bear rocks which were added to the memorabilia on the bus. tiny leaves which drop during dry periods. At this level the most beautiful shrubs were undoubt­ Companion plants of the Boojums excited nearly as edly the Ceanothus. Called Wild Lilac though no relation, much interest, particularly the Cardon (Pachycereus the varied shades of blue and even pure white, were pringlei) . Reaching heights of nearly 50 ft., this enormous startJing against the very dark green foliage. cactus resembles the Giant Saguaro (Carn egiea gigantea) Upon returning from the old mining site, we were of Arizona, although it appears stouter and more nar­ greeted by a crackling fire in the big fireplace at the rowly branched. lodge. This was very welcome, as the temperature had The flame tipped Ocotillo (Fouqui eria splendens) , spiny dropped quickly as the sun disappeared here in high vase-shaped sister of the Boojum, was just beginning its country. After a big dinner of succulent roast pork with showy bloom at the tips of the leafless stems. The Old all the " fixins", our hostess told us of the history of the Man Cactus (Loph Qce reus schottii) contrasted smooth ranch and the area. We were fascinated by the stories grey-green stems with crests of hairy spines, looking like and the self sufficiency displayed by these nice people. chin whiskers. Bright cantaloupe blossoms of the Ap­ Huevos Rancheros (scrambled eggs with sausage ricot Mallow and profuse red-flowered Hummingbird mixed in), home made bread, hash browns and lots of Flower (B elop eron e) formed mounds of color among steaming coffee comprised our final meal at the ranch these giants and created a beautiful natural landscape. before our early morning departure on down into cen tral The fat trunk of the Elephant Tree or Copalquin Baja. We looked for whales so often seen in the small (Pa chycormus di sco lor) seems happiest when apparently bays, but did not happen to see any that day. attempting to split some enormous rock after having We drove directly to El Rosaria which marks the grown from a seed in the narrow crevice. (See Con­ northern edge of the Vizcaino Desert. We were joined tributions of th e U.S. Nation al Herbarium, Smithsonian In­ here by Mrs. Anita Espinosa. She is most knowledgeable stitution, for 1916, Vol. 16, pages 344-345.) of the local plants and has been of great assistance to the Picture all of this pushing up from the granite gravel interested plantsmen who wished to study the area. Mrs. amidst enormous boulders scattered about in great pro­ Espinosa greeted us, told us of the history of the area, fusion as though some shower of meteors had managed and said that she was taking us to see the Boojum Trees. to pepper the landscape with hundred ton rocks. This name is credited to Godfrey Sykes of the Desert Bo­ Moonscape? Perhaps, but with the pleasant addition tanical Laboratory in Tucson, and refers to " a mythical of the fascinatingly strange plants of the Baja. thing found in remote places" as written by Lewis Car­ A long trip back to Ensenada found a tired group roll in his " The Hunting of the Snark". Upon seeing agreeing that it was well worth the long journey to see these strange trees through his telescope, Sykes this rare spectacle. exclaimed , " Ho, ho a Boojum, definitely a Boojum." The The next morning found us refreshed and ready to re­ name stuck, grew and persists since that expedition in turn to California, but we were already making plans to 28 1922. return to the Baja. 0 _--lily of Bark

Dr. Donald Wyman 59 Jericho Road Weston, MA 02193

World traveler Donald Wyman, Horticulturist Emeritus of the Ar­ nold Aboretum and Consultant to

the American Horticultural Society I recently sent us a number of excel­ lent photographs of tree bark. We decided to reproduce them to show our readers their beauty and diver­ sity. One suspects a whole book could be written devoted to this in­ teresting art form provided by common and not-50-common trees found throughout the world. 0 Castal1ea sativ a, Spanish Chestnut

Z elkova serrata, Japanese Zelkova

A cer griseu/11 , Paperbark Maple ---..... -".....,.~...."..

Broussolletia jJajJyrifera, Common Paper-mulberry GrowItfrom -or Hardiness You Never Know Until You Try

Mrs . Julian W. Hill 1106 Greenhill Avenue Wilmington, DE 19805

There is too little known about the Zone 6, had grown to 5' tall and very hardiness and adaptability of many bushy, seemingly well adapted, for trees and shrubs for any very par­ 16 years. 1976 was too much for it ticular climate, namely that of one's and it passed away without a clue. own garden. There are basic bread What could be the reason? The lack and butter plants, to be sure, that are of altitude? Barnard's Inn Farm is considered reliable but for the only 50' above sea level. The hot choicer and rarer ornamentals, too April of 1976 followed by the freez­ little information is generally avail­ ing May with no rain? Drought? able. This is a field of study ripe for a What conditions were unsuitable? contribution by amateurs. All one From six plants in. 1960, seemingly needs is to remember: " there is no adjusted, there are now only four substitute for close observation." since 1976. Far from its native West­ Grow a plant and keep notes on its ern mountains the conditions it was beh~vior . Watch closely for signals faced with were evidently not suita­ of distress or well-being. Observing ble, and too great a strain was put on and comparing can give enormous (; the adaptability of the plant. pleasure and satisfaction to any gar- ~ After the plant explorers we are dener. '" indebted to the various agencies The elegant fir tree from Taiwan, '"o and organizations working with the s=o introduced in 1930, is called Abies 0.. new materials. Who is doing the kawakamii. It is listed inHortus III for Rhododendron atial1 ticLilrI crossing, breeding, and testing for hardiness Zone 8, yet it has been in tomorrow's finest trees? The State the ground in Martha's Vineyard, ports of the U .S.D.A.-Longwood and Federal government agencies, Mass., in Zone 6, since 1973. In the plant exploration programs, one is nurserymen, the U.S. National Ar­ fall of 1976 it was sturdy enough to continually struck with the theme: boretum, other arboreta across the move out of the nursery into its cho­ " known hardiness of a species may country. Why not the amateurs? sen position in the arboretum. Hor- possibly be increased at· its lower Most of the arboreta are limited in tus III suggests Zone 8 " where sum­ limit by introducing seeds and funds and opportunities to do the mers are cool" . Summers are coolon specimens from its northernmost work they would like to do. Many Martha's Vineyard and so are win­ native range". Growing and testing know the need for long term tree ters, cool to 5-10° below zero at Bar­ the new materials in different cir­ studies, but their priorities lie with nard's Inn Farm. Hardiness, I have cumstances under different condi­ shorter term projects. In three or five concluded, is not always as listed in tions builds each species' reputation years conclusions can be reached "authoritative" literature. for adaptability to a given hardiness and published about perennials, Anyone engaged in horticultural zone. But clearly this is a guide and after several generations under studies is indebted to a long line of not a guaranty. So if the gardener study. This kind of work is good people from the past who have been wants a plant to thrive in a zone image-making for the author and advancing basic knowledge of fine colder than it is listed for he takes his institution. But in the case of ornamentals. First of all, there are the risk and finds out for himself. Pinus lamb ertiana, the giant or sugar the plant explorers who brought in Many experiments fail. For in­ pine, a 200 ' tree with cones up to 20 the seeds and plants from the four stance, a long-lived bristle-cone inches long, it could take 25 or more 30 corners of the earth. Reading the re- pine, Pinus aristata , listed for use in years for the tree to produce its first Clematis seedling in nursery

Rhododendro n hybrid, Nakaharai x W. Leith, cv 'Red Fountain__' _ - __r- ---:

31 seed or pollen. This makes a pro­ trees of these species in Barnard's gram based on selection or breeding Inn Farm, Zone 6. Seed produced in in this species slow business. Do the eastern Pennsylvania from a tree enormous cones of Pinus lamb er­ labeled S. ko reana planted in 1958 tiana , P. sabiniana, or P. coulteri in­ produced a flowering tree IS' or so trigue you? Would you like to see tall. But its flowers are smaller and them on a tree with the long needles its bark greyer than ons. ko re ana . So of P. griffithi (the Himalayan pine)? it seemed it was crossed accidentally Would you like to see them on a tr.ee with S. monadelph a, since the 2 with deep green, or steel blue, or species were growing n@al' together variegated leaves? Would you like to and a hybrid tree resulted. The seed­ Vegetable Factory® see them hanging on a tree resistant ling tree is now listed as S. X Hen­ to the pine shoot moth, or Diplodea ryae, the correct name for that cross. SOLAR PANEL pinaea? Would you lik@to se@ them 1m ported Japanese seed of S. in your life time? Then plant your monadelpha planted in 1965 pro­ GREENHOUSE se@ds yesterday and make careful duced a bushy flowering shrub USES 60% notes of your dates and sources. about 7' tall in 10 years, thoroughly Don' t wai t for someone working in hardy in my conditions, but quite LESS HEAT. conditions far removed from yours. unlike those in local arboreta as re­ Th is practical th erm a l wall greenh ouse It is your local area that matters to gards tr@e habit. Is there no local so lves the energy cost prob lem. Patented rigid double-wall const ru ction, te sted in you, and it is there the observations source of true S. monadelph a or ar@ Vermont. Cost abou t V3 as mu ch to he at as ord inary greenhouses. More than pays should be made. the available trees misnamed? 5. fo r itsel f in hea t savi ngs alone .. Excl usive, The numerous Junipers are in a ps eudocamellia , grown from seed, fa ctory direct onl y. All mode ls and sizes, 5 ye ar wa rranty. Fre e Color Broc hure. field of study pretty well covered, if has been the most successful species Call or Wr ite for In forma tion not crowded, and yet aJuniperus vir­ of stewartia in my experience, nor is giniana has come to light that is it possible to distinguish progeny of ~=----_....;::3..... - P.O. Box 2235 Dept. AH-12 slender and straight (with no bulge S. koreana from progeny of S . Grand Central Station in the middle), that roots readily pseudocam ellia , at least in 10 years' New York, N.Y. 10017 (212) 686-0173 from cuttings, that is a rich dark observation. Our nativeS. ovata and green in winter, that was produced S. mala codendron are much slower to by mother nature and is now grow­ mature, but well worth the wait. ing beside the New Jersey turnpike These last two species from the where it has been right along. Its southeastern United States were name: Junip erus cv. slender. If it planted in 1966 and 1960 respec­ proves worthy after further observa­ tively. Neither has yet flowered. In tion it will be registered and re­ the meantime they are rewarding for leased to anyone interested (as cut­ their glossy leaves and rich fall color­ tings only). How many turnpike ing. travelers have noticed this tree? Curiously enough, it has been my It may be safely assumed that observation that some native Amer­ many arboreta and botanic gardens ican plants, when moved out of their are working quietly with limited normal range, either in altitude or Send today for my FREE plant groups. Only time will tell latitude, are fa r less easily adapted fact filled, informative their successes. This is also true of to my conditions than their Far East­ COLOR CATALOG nurserymen. But the plants they are ern counterparts. Not only is this so testing may not fit your needs. Here with the Stewartias, but also with Full size, home gardener, A cer p en sy lvan i cum vs . A ce r quality California is an unlimited field of poss), bili ties REDWOOD greenhouses. suited to amateurs. They need have rufi nerve, or with Carpinus caro lin a little fear of duplication. Ilex has vs . Carpin u s t ec hon os ki. The FREESTANDING MODELS, been worked on by many ag d Ma g­ Japanese plants are quicker to ma­ LEAN-TO AND DOMES! no lia by more every year, and now ture and better able to adjust to our 95 Kalmia is becoming available in new climate than the native counter­ From $112 spring clothes, but how about parts. Details of my climate include stewartia ? Ho rtus III lists S. mona­ sandy soils, summer droughts, thin ~ 1?£WuJIIF/l-, delph a and S. pse udo cam e:/lia for nutrition, cold winter winds, and an THE GREENHOUSEMAN® Zone 8. In my experience seeds from acidity reading of 4.5 - 5.2. 980 17th Ave., Dept. 71-M various sour(::es have p r oduced Is there no-one working with our 32 Santa Cruz, Calif. 95062 happy and fast-growing flowering lovely fringe tree, Chion anthus vir- ginica? There is ample variation in sasanqua from my trials which has seedlings to make clonal selection bloomed is C. cv. 'Maiden's Blush', Wandering Through desirable. Also there is the florifer­ which v-v:as grown from a cutting in Winter ous Chionanthus retusus, Chinese 1964 . Last fall, in its very sheltered fringe tree, to work with. Or how corner, it bloomed well. The grace­ Co ntinued fr om page 17 about the sorrel tree, Oxydendrum ful single pink flowers nod in the arboreum? The tree is beautiful in master bedroom of the 17th century These are all deciduous. Pinus three of the four seasons, at least. farmhouse through the chilliest Oc­ bungeana is a short needled, some­ But I do not know of any clonal selec­ tober rains, or the brightest Indian what vase-shaped or round-headed tions at this time. Or how about the summer days. Though a very small evergreen, often multi-branched genus Styrax? There are charming plant, another C. sa sanqua seems to from the base. It grows slowly and species native to the eastern United be on its way called C. cv. 'Ginrei' . gets more attractive each year. In the States that are not known to many H ortus III lists Aucuba japonica as early stages a little judicious prun­ gardeners, and there are several another plant for Zone 8. Fresh seed ing of lower branches may be species from the Far East that are imported from Japan in 1960, taken needed to reveal the patterning of better known. Unfortunately for me, from fancy leaved kinds, germi­ the trunks, a patchwork of grey, there is something about my condi­ nated readily, but only two plants green and yellow, becoming white tions that militates against success proved hardy in my Zone 6, both in old age I understand . . . don't with the handsome S. obassia , listed concolor green males. These two w e all! for Zone 5 further north. Possibly it plants are now 4' tall and bloom reg­ From bark to berry. Holly, of is our droughts that are not to its lik­ ularly in early spring. Broad and course, with 'Burfordii' the choice ing. Or, why, to my knowledge, is narrow leaved females have been where only one is wanted, and no one working with Ungnadia or added to the grouping. No variegat­ where it is hardy, because it fruits Zenobia , both excellent native ed types are among them. The blos­ even when grown alone. The Ilex x plants, quite at home in Zone 6? As a soms of the males are frequently mese rv eae hybrids bred for cold cli­ start, why not grow a seedling pro­ blackened by frosts in late May. I mates have such blue-sheened glos­ geny from any genus of your choice have read in the explorers' literature siness that even the males (,Blue and make selections suitable locally? that aucubas, native in Japan, follow Boy', 'Blue Prince') are ornamental, That is all the home owner really Cam ellia japonica further north in as well as being mates for the fruit­ needs. When the work is a hobby, Honshu than any other broad­ ing 'Blue Princess' and 'Blue Angel'. the time factor, crucial to a nursery­ leaved evergreen. Deciduous hollies such as the treelike Possum Haw, I. decidua , the man's budget, is no longer a hin­ When it comes to trying Tai wania drance to ultimate success. The eight foot I. verticillata and its cryptomerioides, listed for Zone 9, pleasures of close observation are Japanese equivalent I. serrata all put rewards enough. "Instant garden" one is really living dangerously. Yet on a fine display through much of is not a civilized concept, in my the seeds from a newly-discovered winter, though all too few nurseries opinion. Who ever heard of "instant northern source planted in 1971 offer them as sexed plants, also the Rome"? have yielded one plant still alive in case with Sea Buckthorn, Hippophae Camellias are listed for Zone 7B 1976 in the open nursery. Only time rhamnoides. Nurseries describing and 8, and yet C. japonica and C. will prove or disprove this experi­ the berrying potential of this shrub sasanqua are not the only camellias ment. without mention of its dioecious na­ growing on Barnard's Inn Farm, in The Mexican pine, Pinus ture are surely contravening the Zone 6. There is one plant of Camel­ ayacahuite, is listed in Hortus III for truth in advertising laws . . . or is lia oleifera that has been covered in Zone 8, but it is one of our tallest and ignorance an acceptable defense? October for 2 years with two inch handsomest trees. First seen many Skimmia , too, only Zone 7 hardy, white flowers. It is now about 6' tall years ago in the Bailey Pinetum, must have a mate unless the low and 6' wide. It was planted as a small Westtown School, Pennsylvania, growing S. reevesiana with perfect rooted cutting in 1965. C. saluenen­ seeds from two sources were flowers is chosen. Red berries are sis, a Chinese species, grown from planted in 1961. The five resulting generally preferred to orange and seed in 1960, has flowered in late original seedlings have produced the hardiest red-berried Pyracantha spring since 1974. Some of these trees of some dissimilarity in form, is P. atalantioides, by no means the seedlings, which were open­ yet all are densely foliaged to the equal, however, of the P. crenato­ pollinated, appear to be C. X ground. They are massive, soft to serrata selections such as 'Graberi' Williamsii. The[r pale pink single touch, a rich green color, and from so popular in the south. flowers are definitely ornamental. 10 to 15 feet tall. I feel that this pine Just a few among many pos­ C. japonica from seed have flowered, should be grown wherever pines sibilities. Whether from blossom, too, but more reluctantly in our thrive, at least up to Zone 6. After from bark or from berry, the winter short season. The only remaining C. all, you never know until you try. 0 garden need not be drab. 0 33

w h ite birch (Betula pa pyrifera) , peeling into papery Then, of course, there are nuts. Black walnuts (Ju glans layers and IT' arked b y dark lenticels, is at its most dra­ nigra) are not as common as they used to be; many of the matic w hen growing in clumps. An almost-weeping best trees vanished into veneer factories. However, they form of the European birch (B etula pendula 'Gracilis') are so distinctively delicious that the two-inch balls are stands as proudly, but droops slender fingers to play in worth a search in early winter. The outer husk contains a the winter wind. Smooth, tight, lined grey bark, almost a brown dye, which was used by the Indians; watch out, silver in color, clothes the b eech (Fagus grandifolia) . This, or you will dye your hands! When not dried properly our American beech, stands tall; the European (Fa gus there is a mushy layer between the husk and the nut shell sylvatica) may be an awesome thing, especially an old itself; because of this, they can make rather a mess on a tree of the weeping form (F . sylvatica ' Pendula'). tidy lawn. The classical method of treating walnuts on a " Grandeur" is too small a word. lawn is to rake them onto the driveway, then go back and Come look for yourself. Straight trunks, twisted forth over them with the wheels of a car. A practical solu­ trunks, graceful branches, angular branches, upward­ tion. And hickory nuts! Some are, indeed, pignuts (and reaching twigs, or drooping ones-the trees are writing pigs are probably their only devotees). Shellbark and unique signatures, and learning to read them is an ad­ shagbark hickories (Carya lacinio sa and C. ovata) are well venture. Even the " paper" against which they write is worth bringing into the kitchen. True, a hammer is beautiful; the winter sky is different. It may be a darker, needed to crack them-but if you have ever eaten hick­ polished blue, or a fierce and marbled gray; the sunset ory nut bread you won' t h esitate. sky is often richer than the one of summer. A tracery of The ground is a treasure trove of cones, too. There is branches against a wintry moon has no match in May. much variety-large and small pine cones, spruce, fi:r, Flowers have been succeeded by seeds. True, you cedar. The use of spirals in nature is possibly best must look for them, as they do not signal their presence. studied here. A special pleasure is to visit a grove of hem­ If you have admired the star-like leaves of sweetgum locks, and be an eavesdropper on the chatter of a swarm (Liquidamb ar styracifl ua ) and the deep red of its autumn of busily lunching chickadees. color, now is the time for collecting the prickly brown I have been talking of a grey and brown world. There is (St yrax obassia) , replaces its racemes of fragrant blos­ color, lots of it. Among the bright reds are the now­ were dipped in gold or silver paint, to ornament the visible stems of one of the shrub dogwoods (Cornu s alba Christmas tree . Do you remember the dainty white bells 'Coral Beauty'). Its warm glow is an unexpected surprise. chi'ffiing on the silverbell tree (Halesia carolina) last A fresh yellow-green marks the stems of C. sericea cv. spring? They have now been transformed into long fla viramea. There is color, too, in the array of berries. The four-winged seeds hanging in swaying rows along the viburnum berry clusters do not shrivel until late in the branch-tips. And a cousin of silverbell, the snowbell winter; the glossy red of Viburnum opulus makes a gay (Styrax Ob assia) , replaces its racemes of fragrant blos­ contrast beside the yellow ofV. opulus 'Xanthocarpum.' soms with sprays of round " grapes" -that is, if grapes Some viburnums have blue berries. grew in two neat rows. Perky cups, opening into five­ Have I forgotten the hollies? Of course not-but there pointed stars of dark brown, are the empty seed pods of are many other than the ones we traditionally associate Stewartia koreana, and are very attractive. Most seeds with the holiday season. The green and white blotched are! The empty clusters of the deciduous azaleas are fa­ leaves ofIlex aquifolium 'Argenteo-marginata Silvary' are vorites. quite startling. Our favorite Il ex opaca may have yellow Acorns make a fascinating study in themselves; when berries instead of red ('Canary' is one). Ilex pedunculosa you walk along, look only at the ground, pick up the has smooth leaf margins, and hangs its berries singly, on acorns, and see if you can identify the oak. Big fat acorns, long " strings," as though they were truly intended to be half inside their bumpy cups, are actually an edible gift ornaments on the Christmas tree. One of the loveliest of the chestnut oak (Quercus prinus) . As a child I tried to native hollies, to me and to the robins, is a deciduous imitate the Cherokee Indians, and make flour for one, winterberry (Il ex v erticillata). bread-with notable lack of success. Some acorns are What else might it take to lure you outdoors? Perhaps a almost hidden within the cups. The overcup oak (Q . glistening layer of velvety white snow, for that turns the lyrata) nearly smothers its acorns completely. The north­ world into the Snow Queen's kingdom. Even a few dried ern red oak (Q . rub ra) holds its acorns in cups so flat as to clumps of grass, emerging from the white, have the deli­ be dishes, of sorts. The bur oak (Q . macrocarpa) is also cate beauty of an etching. The prosaic stack of logs, in­ called the " Mossycup" -for fringed and mossy are tended for the fireplace, becomes suddenly beautiful. exactly how the cups appear. Big acorns, little acorns­ And no plainest, straggliest, most ordinary tree fails to fat acorns, slender acorns-any park, arboretum or seem an exquisite crystal tracery, when iced by a winter woodland should provide an assortment. We have rain and glittering in a pale sunlight. woods of our own, and often plant a pocketful of acorns Leave those garden catalogues alone! There are to add variety-someday. As everyone knows, garden- months to go before the spring-and winter is here to 36 ers believe in their own immortality. enjoy now! 0 Reflections on the With wit and elegance Ann Burpee's Katsura-tree leighton recreates the new 1978 Garden gardens of colonial America Continued fro 111 page 23 From the a uthor of Early American Gar­ Catalog-FREE plants were 3 to 5 feet high and well dens . . . a delightful portrait of the exciting ho~ti cu ltur al renaissance created by Featuring new exciting veg­ branched. The early freeze (Sep­ homesteaders, farmers, and leaders such etable and flower varieties as Thomas Jefferson. Illustrations. Ap­ for the home gardener. tember 1974) did not damage the pendix of pla nts. 514 pages. plants and they were pl"aced in an The new 184-page opaque poly-house for overwinter­ Burpee Catalog is a comprehensive planting ing. Surprisingly there was no die­ and growing guide with back on any of the 150 plants which over 1800 vegetables , were stored. Fifty plants were shift­ flowers, fruits, shrubs and trees. Plus helpful hints from Burpee's ed to 3 gallon containers in May of horticulture experts on how to have a more 1975 and fertilIzed similarly to the productive garden. Send for your free copy previous year. The vertical (height) today . Will be mailed to you in January 1978. increases were not as great as the If you ordered from Burpee last year, first year for the plants grew 2 to 3 you will automatically receive your Burpee Catalog in January. feet; however, they doubled or tri­ @ Burpee Seed Co . 1977 pled in caliper and developed into I BURPEE SEEDS well-branched, attractive and, from I 1168 Burpee Bldg., Warminster, PA 18974; a nurseryman's or customer' s view­ I or Clinton, IA 52732; or Riverside, CA 92502 I (Please mail to nearest address.) point, highly salable or purchasable I YES. PLEASE SEND ME THE 1978 BURPEE GARDEN I CATALOG FREE . plants, respectively. Katsura-tree, $17.50, now at your bookstore, or order from I Name ------~~~~------like many other woody plants, is (Please print) well adapted to container culture Houghton Mifflin Company ~ : Address ______2 Park Street, Boston, Mass. 02107. Please and it is possible to produce a 5 to 8' include 85¢ postage and handling. I City I well-branched container specimen I . I L~~ ___ ~ ___ ~~ _____ ~ in a year and a half, whereas under field conditions a similar plant would take 3 to 4 years to develop. r------~ Effects of pH I Send for our catalog today! I In retrospect I might add that the fall color on the one-gallon plants I 173 IT CONTAINS I was a beautiful apricot while the larger trees on campus turned yel~ I DIFFERENT GREENHOUSES I low, even the tree from which the I (ONE JUST RIGHT FOR YOU) I seed was collected. Perhaps pH af­ fected the degree of red pigmenta­ I I tion for the container plants were in a medium of pH 5.5 to 6.0 while the I ... and all I campus trees were growing in soils I the things I with pH ranges of 6.5 to 7.5. An En­ glish authority noted that the I you should I species withstands chalky soils but I know before I does not color readily there. I you buy I The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Il­ linois; the Arnold Arboretum, I any greenhouse. I Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts; and Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, I . How to select the size I Ohio, have excellent specimens of ~...... · How to select the site I Cercidiphyllum. The largest speci­ I II ~ I · Greenhouse as an extra room men I have witnessed is located next I · Costs I Why Glass to the town hall in Amherst, LORD &BURNHAM • I I Division Burnham Corporation • Heating and Cooling Massachusetts, and measures 60 to' I IRVINGTON, N.Y. 10533 Dept. 8 • Equipment and Accessories I 70 feet in height and 80 to 90 feet in • Installation spread. 0 I Send for your FREE copy today . I 37 I, ______Be sure to study it before you buy Any Greenhouse. J • The Hershey Nursery Important Quotes Presenting, for the Announces Con tinued from page 9 first time anywhere, the AN INCREDIBLE MAGNIFICENT DISCOVERY••• till planting systems if a mulch is A Rose for all Seasons! present on the soil surface. A recent survey of entomologists .%tet in Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, PatioPatty North Carolina and Virginia indi­ .%ulzq; cated intensity and frequency of Rose Mini-FloraN Amazing one-of-a-kind mini-rose. :,.•. "'!.~ - ~e With proper care, it will A strong-growing, long-lasting live as long as you do! rose with eye-catching color!

damage by above-ground insect pests of corn and soybeans more common in no-till than conven­ tional systems. Although injury levels differed from state to state, the major insect pests were army­ • Specially bred to grow indoors • SpeciaUy created for the formal or out. Grows in winter, indoors. worms, cutworms, stalk borer~, gardeus at Hotel Hershey, one of • Perfect outdoor border plant or European corn borers, corn root­ the great resorts of N. America in pots for patio display. Grows worms, white grubs, and such non­ • Reaches 3-31/z ft. tbe first season to approximately 18 inches. • Flowers are long-lasting even wben This all-new breed of rose com­ insect pests as slugs and mice. Root cut for indoor use bines the most desirable features of aphids caused damage in no-till This vibrant and versatile rose is the result of a unique combination of the the floribunda and the traditional corn in Kentucky and North Caro­ wonders of nature and the science of miniature rose. It's larger and man. The Hotel Hershey Rose is a stronger than the miniature rose, lina. New in-furrow system insec­ cross between two All-America award yet smaller than the floribunda. ticides and other control and man­ winners; and this brilliant neon orange Each tiny bud is perfectly formed, red grandiflora reflects the finer quali­ fragrant. Send for yours now! agement systems can prevent in­ ties of its parents. Ideal for home gar­ sects from being severe deterrents to den use or for mass planting. A special offer only no-till. world-famous~i1th~le $4?ACH5 from the world­ Hershey Nursery, There are many areas of the Uni­ famous Hershey $5~~ Nursery, Hershey, Pa. for ted States where neither wind nor 2 $9.50 Hershey, Pa. 2 for $11 water erosion is a serious problem, says Dr. Robert Frans, University of .------~Patio Patty Rose Order Form r------~Hotel Hershey Rose Order Form Arkansas professor of weed control. Hershey Nursery Hershey Nursery 621 Park Avenue The no-till concept is questionable 621 Park Avenue Hershey, Penna. 17033 for such areas, unless there are con­ He~hey,Penna.17033 Please ship the Patio Patty Rose in sistent economic advantages for its Please ship the Hotel Hershey Rose in the following quantities (postpaid): use. The Mississippi River Delta is the following quantities (postpaid): one of the questionable areas. IQnantlty I Price $ Total Early experience in Arkansas I

~~ NAME ______showed little difference in yields of NAME ______~ ADDRESS ______cotton and soybeans grown under ADDRESS ______crrY______minimum vs. conventional tillage. CrrY______Cotton gave a slight yield response STATE ______ZIP ______STATE ______ZIP ______to minimum tillage. The reverse was Pa. residents add 6% sales tax. Check Pa. residents add 6% sales tax. Check or money order, no C.O.D.'s please. true for soybeans. or money order, no C.O.D.'s please. Offer good only in the 48 continental Offer good only in the 48 continental United States. Yield differences emphasize the United States. • 38 ._------frustration that farmers often en- ._------...• counter with double-cropping. within a matter of minutes; others Moisture may be short following Honeybees, Flowers die after they return to the hive. In­ wheat harvest, causing poor stands and Man sec ticide poisoning of pollen of the second crop. Or there may be Con tinued fro l'll page 71 sources has a much more subtle ef­ too much rain, causing excessive fect on the honeybee colony in that shift in land use from pasturage to weed infestations. the workers carry the poisoned row crops like corn and soybeans. It When little or no control of com­ pollen to the hive where in a chain­ doesn' t take an especially en­ petitive vegetation was obtained reaction process vast amounts of lightened beekeeper to understand with the no-tillage method because brood and non-field bees are killed. the dire consequences of the situa­ of no application of herbicides or in­ Sevin, or Carbaryl, is especially effective herbicide action due to too tion. noted for its damage to honeybee much rain, yields were reduced Where once it was possible to colonies. produce a net surplus of 100 or more with the no-tillage system. Aside from its relationship to man pounds of honey per colony per The potential for no-till crop in terms of pollination of plants and year, colonies now are often consid­ production in the Mississippi Delta prod uction of surplus honey, the ered well located and well managed can be summarized as follows: If honeybee has become extensively if they produce an average of 50 you can second guess the weather naturalized, living in hollow trees pounds net surplus honey. and the predictability of your weed and other places of shelter. Under White sweet clover, said to have control program, you might do as these condi tions the honeybee been brought to this country by ac­ well with no-till as with conven­ demonstrates a remarkable survival cident, was widely planted in farm tional crop production practices. ability. It is this population, often in rotations as a soil builder during the Unfortunately, you also stand a remote areas, that will more than second quarter of this century. chance of finding your no-till fields likely be associated with the flowers White sweet clover is credited with covered wi th weeds. of native plants long after the rela­ providing probably the greatest tionship of the honeybee and man quantity of honey ever produced in comes to an end. 0 the United States. But in today's economy, white sweet clover is not a cash crop, is not planted , and occurs only accidentally along unkempt roadsides and in old fields. White Dutch clover, once an excel­ lent early summer source of great quantities of honey, is now largely considered a noxious weed and is A research team headed by Ag­ being eradicated from lawns, golf ricultural Research Service agricul­ courses and institutional lands tural engineer Keith C. McGregor, which once were dotted with the at­ See how to grow full -s ize sunny-gold or crimson ... ed USDA Sedimentation Laboratory, tractive white flowers. White Dutch de li cio us Sta rk Apples. Oxford, Miss. , found in a 3-year clover was also heavily utilized by Peaches. C herries. Pears even in a tiny ya rd. Har­ study that no-tillage methods of bumblebees and other valuable na­ vest bushels of fruit fo r table. canning. freezing or cropping greatly reduced soil losses tive insects. to sell at profit. More than STARK BRO's AD·Ne,,·, 350 varie ties of Exclusive compared to conventional tilling. Since the production of honey is Free Catalog Shows Leader and U.S. Patented the primary goal of most beekeep­ How You Can Have an Fruit . Shade a nd Nut In the case of soybeans, says Dr. Orchard .In Your Back· Trees. Bulbs, Roses, B. D . Carriere, USDA ARS, in a re­ ers, the decline in abundance of the yard wIth STARK Shrubs and Vines - all pic· DWARF T.REES !hat tured in glo ri o us color. port on the research, seven times major melliferous plants, such as the Bear Full,S,ze FrUIt. Mail coupon TODAY' more soil was lost through erosion clovers, is disastrous. However, the STARK BRO'S Nurseries Box A128C7, Louisiana, Mo. 63353 from conventional tilled plots than seriousness of the situation varies 'S:;:-:;; ~O:;-N:;;e= --- -, from the no-tillage plots. Also no­ both regionally and locally . If a I Box A128C7, Louisiana, Mo. 63353 I DRush New Color Catalog FREE! I tillage had a beneficial cumulative beekeeper carefully surveys an are'a I M r. (Please Print) effect: as surface matting and mulch in terms of farming practices, it is Mrs. I I Miss increase, soil erosion continues to still possible to site a bee yard for I Add ress I decline, and the least amount of ero­ reasonably good production of Cll y sion recorded from no-tillage plots honey. I I was in the third year of the test. On Insecticides are a major threat to IL. Stat______e Zip ...I the other hand, erosion from con­ honeybees in many sections of the ventionally tilled land was highest country. Often the workers encoun­ during the third year. 0 tering poisoned nectar are killed 39 Street 'fiees in the Northwest W. H . Warren 6-1041 St. Ch arles Stree t Vi cto ria ; B.C, Canada

Before World War I, Victoria, Vancouver and Seattle, 60-80 miles Rosaceae species are highly subject British Columbia, experienced a real distant, receive 8.3 inches and 6.2 to pests , particularly English estate boom. Deciduous forest trees inches respectively. hawthorn and its varieties. were thickly planted on boulevards Temperatures vary enough to Pruning can be a problem with (parking strips) to promote new make the use of Prunus blire ia na the latter. Summer pruning has subdivisions regardless of obvious practical in Washington State but been found to be more successful in potential problems with low over­ not in British Columbia, where oc­ controlling unwanted sucker head wires. To control growth the casional winter injury is a factor. growth on them. An exception has trees were pollarded annually. The Seattle and Tacoma have given been Prunus cerasifera pissardii and soft growth which resulted brought very serious study to street tree P. c. nigra . These have thrived suc­ about insect problems. Linden, elm selection, no doubt assisted by the cessfully under dry summer condi­ and maple trees were heavily at­ excellent experience and guidance tions in Victoria, lasting about 55 tacked by leaf hoppers and aphids. of the staff of the University of years. They look best alternated Sticky, sooty mold blackened side­ Washington Arboretum. Noticeable with green leafed trees . Betula walks under sycamore maples. in their lists are the clonal selections papyrifera looks well with them. This became my problem in 1930. of the late Ed Scanlon and others. It Fruit trees are out; but opinions vary Basic information on suitable was also interesting to note that as to use of flowering crabapples. smaller replacement trees was neg­ some cities made good use of local Two na ti ves are generally ligible, so the project became a selections. Victoria has a good non­ banned-Acer macrophyllum which pioneer one. First step was to re­ seeding selection of Fra xinus ornus. has a large buttress root base like move alternate trees and replant Vancouver uses Cornus x 'White horse chestnu t, and Alnus rubra . with smaller types. Then the balance Wonder', a hybrid between C nut­ While most maples and linden are of the forest trees were taken out to tallii and C flo rida . It has also propa­ subject to sucking insects in Vic­ leave the new trees approximately gated and used over 10,000 trees of a toria, they are acceptable elsewhere. 40 ' apart, twice their former dis­ hybrid of Tilia euchlora selected from A esculus x carnea and its cultivar tance. a specimen planted about 1910. 'Briotii' on the other hand are well­ A point should be made here that Someone has said, " There are no behaved. Silver maple is generally if shade requirements are not a bad trees when the right tree is regarded as unmanageable. Birch prime factor, then close planting is planted in the right place." When borers do not appear to be a problem both costly and wasteful. Serious the wrong tree is planted in the in Victoria, but European birch is consideration should always be wrong place there is bound to be particularly susceptible to aphids. given to proper spacing of street trouble. It may take years to evaluate Paper birch has been an excellent al­ trees from both aesthetic and them for a given area only to dis­ ternative. budgetary considerations. cover that trees which may be un­ Because of the poisonous seed, For this article, major cities with suitable for you may grow very well laburnums are usually excluded established street tree plantings in on streets in another city nearby. It from street plantings. coastal British Columbia and the can usually be expected that trees on Thanks are expressed for assis­ Puget Sound area were asked to list streets will be less than no~mal size tance from street tree officials in the good and poor trees for street plant­ because of the various unnatural following cities for their help in pre­ ings. Replies from smaller cities conditions on city streets. paring this report: Vancouver, Vic­ were inconsistent. This may be In my opinion it is as imp'~rtant to toria and New Westminster, British partly due to inexperience in know what trees to avoid as it is to Columbia, and Seattle, Tacoma and evaluating trees-it takes time; but know the desirable ones. There is Kent, Washington. varying climatic conditions are also general agreement that poplar and involved. Victoria only gets 4.27 willow have no place on a street. Mr. W. H. Warren was Parks Ad­ inches of rain during the five month Members of the rose family, with ministrator for the City of Victoria, growing season May-Septem­ some exceptions, are suspect. Most British Columbia, 1930-1970. He is ber-which necessitates summer cherries and mountain ash are presently horticultural consultant at 40 watering of all newly-planted trees. short-lived and may lack vigor. All The Butchart Gardens. 0 Best Street Tree Selections SEATTLE TACOMA VANCOUVER Small or Narrow Small Small Ace r rubrum ' Annstrong II' Ace r ginnala Acer cissifolium Carpinus betulus 'Pyramidalis' Carpinus betulus 'Columnaris' Japanese cherries ' Akebono' (best in clay) Crataegus X lavallei 'Accolade' Prunu s maa ckii Crata eg us 'Toba' 'Whitcombei' Prunus padus Ko elreuteria panieulata 'September Gold' Prunu s sargentii ' Rancho' Prunus sargentii 'Columnaris' Oxydendrum arboreum Comus x 'White Wonder' Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' Prunus X blireiana Malus floribunda rosea Magnolia kobus Medium Medium Medium Aeer platanoides 'Emerald Queen' Prunus avium 'Scanlon' Tilia euchlora hybrid (top selection) Acer rub rum 'Red Sunset' Prunus padus 'Plena' A cer cappidocicum 'Rubrum' Acer rubrum 'Schlesingeri' Prunus maa ckii Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Flame' (outstanding) Fraxinu s ornus Liquidambar Acer cam pes Ire Malus X 'Snowdrift' Carpinus betulus MaLus X 'Wintergold' Carpinus belulus 'Purpurea' Prunus sargentii Carpinus betulu s 'Quercifolia' Tilia cordata 'Greenspire' Pyrus calleryana Tilia cordata 'Bicentennial' Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' Tilia cordata 'Scanlon x PlIO' Fraxinu s oxycarpa 'Flame' Fra xinus oxycarpa 'Golden Desert' Aesculus X carn ea 'Briotii' Ph ellodendron amurense Catalpa bignonoides Davidia involucrata Tall Tall Tall Aesculus hippocastanum Acer pseudoplatanus 'Spaethii' Liriodendron tulipifera Pterocarya fraxinifolia Acer plalanoides 'Crimson King' Acer rub rum 'Sunset Red' Liriodendron lulipifera Quercus coccinea Sophora japonica 'Regent' Fraxinus americana ' Autumn Purple' Columnar Fra xinus americana 'RosehjlJ' Ginkgo biloba 'Fairsmount' Acer rubrum 'Scanlon' Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold' Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyckii' Quercus borealis Fraxinus pensylvanica Lanceolata 'Marshall' Cercidiphyllum japonicum Liquidambar styraciflua Quercus phe/los Quercus palustris 'Sovereign' Tilia euchlora

Unacceptable Trees for Street Plantings

SEATTLE TACOMA VANCOUVER Acer negundo Juglans nigra Acer negundo Platanus Acer macrophyllum PopuLus Aeer macrophyllum Platanus Aeer sacchari.num Populus Acer platanoides $alix Ailanthus Quercus palustris ALnus Prunus Acer pseudoplafanus Platanus X acerifolia Albizza Robinia Betula Quercus alba Aesculus MaLus Alnus rubra $QpnQra Fagus Quercus rebur Prun 'us~herries Quercus alba Betula pendula Tilia americana Ginkgo RQbinia Catalpa Ulmus Gleditsia !Oa!ix VICTORIA Crafaegus oxyactmtha Conifers Juglans Ti/ia cordata Gleditsia ~ Tree fruits I.iquidambar Ulmus Frunus subhirtella Sorbus Malus Zelkeva Betula pendula Crataegus Paulownia Comus Laburnum Acer nikoense- "The Glory of the Wocxls"

Mrs. Ralph H . Cannon 5849 N. Kastner Avenue Chicago, IL 60646 There are many sugar maples, Acer, saccharum, and black maples, Acer, nigrum, growing in our wood­ land 60 miles southwest of Chicago. This sugg€sted that we should try to grow other species of maples. We had read David Fairchild's "The World is My Garden" in which he wrote: " The loveliest of all the intro­ duced species around the house was Acer, nikoense, a maple from Japan and Central China. Its delicate leaf­ lets turned to a more beautiful and brilliant scarlet than the autumn foliage of any other maple I had ever seen." 1.:hus the first non-native maple that we bought and planted in our woods was Acer, nikoense, in 1950. The 6-foot whip was planted near and east of a large sugar maple be­ cause we were told that it was not too hardy in our zone 5, and we thought the large maple would pro­

tect it from the strong westerly . '"~ -' winter winds. It has been growing u.j Q) 25 years now and is a magnificent u tree about 25 feet high. I think we "i!' U'" can say that it grows slowly and >­ .0 o should increase in beauty every -0 .c year, making it suitable as a speci­ 0.. men tree. Acer nikoense Acer nikoense is a trifoliola te species, on a bole of smooth England, there are a number of these tively large hairy leaflets erupt into greenish gray-brown bark. It has trees 40 feet high. brilliant scarlet and the tree becomes large dark brownish-green shiny We have found it to be an interest­ the glory of the woods. The color leaves of three ovate to oblong ing tree throughout the growing remains a couple of weeks an un­ slightly toothed leaflets about 5 seaSOIil . In early spring it breaks into forgettable pictur€, and then all at inches long, pubescent beneath. growing with salmon-pink foliage once over-night all the leaves fall. This is one of the few maples that covered with silvery hairs. As the This tree has withstood - 25° F of has compound leav€s. At the end of foliage unfurls the leaves become a cold and 100° F of heat and also our each stalk there are three small leaf­ shiny green. In summer the dark disastrous drought of 1976. We are lets on their own little stalk. The tree green foliage is decorative and its unable to irrigate. It has not yet has an open crown and will in time feathery leaves allow a little light to fruited but we will be looking each reach a height of 40 feet. At Weston- filter through its shade. spring for the flowers that should 42 birt arboretum in Glouchestershire, When autumn comes the rela- come in cymes. o by the Monsanto Co.) placed over one of categories of speCIal cultural conditions. the glass houses reduced total heat use The last chapter on pests and diseases (a by 57 per cent during cold weather. single s.!

African Violets Handmade cedar pots-many shapes, small Rhododendrons, Azaleas to larger planters and trays. "Weather" beau­ America's Finest-110 Best Violets and Ges­ tifully, " breathe", don't break with every tum­ Rhododendrons, Azaleas, from super-hardy neriads-Write for Color Catalogue 15q:­ ble. Individual or bulk orders, write for free to greenhouse varieties; dwarf conifers, rock Illustrated Growing Aids Catalogue 25q:­ pamphlet. Messina & Messina Plant Co., garden varieties. We ship. Catalog 5Oq:. The FISCHER GREENHOUSES. Dept. AH. Lin­ Rt. 1, Box 217-K5, Comfort, Texas 78013. Bovees Nursery, 1737 SW. Coronada, Port­ wood, New Jersey 08221 . land, OR 97219. Fantastic plastic flowerpots. Free literature. Pots up to 16 inches, round or square; flats & Amaryllis packs. Flor'-1-pot, Box 34, Bethel MN 55433 When you can't find the azaleas you want at the nurseries you normally haunt-Shop AMARYLLIS, largest sizes, ideal gift. Care­ America's largest mailorder selection of fully selected varieties: Send for colored illus­ VERI LUX TRUBLOOM, most effective of all hardy azaleas. Catalog $1.00 (deductible). trated list. LOUIS SMIRNOW & SON, 85 Lin­ growth lamps for indoor light gardening and CARLSON's GARDENS, Box 305-AH3, South den Lane, Glen Head P.O., Brookville, New greenhouse use. Promotes long-lasting Salem, N.Y. 10590. York 11545. blooms on compact plants. 50 % longer lamp life means substantial savings. 48" 40-watt lamps $37.80 ppd. for carton of 6. Prices on Catus Wholesale Only all standard sizes and full information on re­ quest. VERI LUX TRUBLOOM, Department World's largest importer of Mexican cactus AH, 35 Mason Street, Greenwich, CT. 06830. (authors of The Complete Guide to Mexican Cacti) seeking midwestern and northern out­ lets for bare root cactus. All plants healthy House Plants and sturdy. U.S. Dept. Agriculture inspected. Large assortment of plants and sizes. Loads Beautiful Hawaiian Anthuriums-direct from may be designed to suit your particular nursery at low prices. Send for price list. needs. Plants easily established, guaranteed Kuaola Farms, Box 1140, Hilo, Hawaii 96720. against loss. HUGE PROFIT POTENTIAL. Silver String Cactus Company, P.O. Box 1573, Decatur, Ga. 30031. (404) 288-5976. Indoor Plant Specialists

Chrysanthemums Begonias, Exotics, Geraniums and Herbs. New 85th Anniversary Catalog, profusely il­ lustrated with color, $2.00. LOGEE'S GREEN­ NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY, HOUSES, 55 North Street, Danielson, CT INC. USA. Annual dues $7.50, includes 5 is­ 06230. sues of THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. Beginner's Handbook. Mrs. F. A. Sharpnack, Sec. 12514 Epping Ct. Wheaton, Md. 20906 CHOICE BROMELIAD COLLECTION, 5 es­ tablished plants, $18.98 plus $1.50 shipping. Illustrated booklet and listing of Bromeliads, Ferns Tillandsia Novelties and Succulents, $1.00 (refundable). Walther's Exotic House Plants, "GROW TALL" in janco's LEARN ABOUT FERNS-join the Los Ange­ R.D. #3, Box 30AH, Catskill, NY 12414. les International Fern Society for only $4.50 new Camellia glass-to­ yearly. Receive 24 page educational Bulletin and two-page Lesson monthly. Address Plants ground greenhouses. LAIFS, Box 448-H , Hawthorne, CA 90250 Extra height, extra light make these new GROWERS CATALOG-lour 52nd Year) lean-to and free-standing Camellias ideal Thousands of items. Trees, Shrubs, Plants, for topiary trees, large ornamentals, hang­ Fountains and Waterfalls Fruits, Seedlings, Seeds, Pots, Tools, Sup­ ing baskets. Like all Jancos, they are all­ plies, Books. Stamps appreciated. Mellin­ aluminum for minimum maintenance, fit Your complete source for fountains, water­ ger's, 2384 Range, North Lima, OH 44452. any site, every budget. falls, garden pools and garden ornaments. Jan co is the only manufa cturer with a Free catalog. Roman Fountains, Inc., Box HARPER HORTICULTURAL SLIDE LIBRARY. nation-wide network of agents who are 10190-AHC Albuquerque, N.M. 87114 Over 10,000 correctly identified 35 mm slides working horticulturists, each with his own of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, bulbs, working Janco . They're ready with prac­ tical advice on all aspects of erecting your wildflowers, etc. Catalogue now ready, $1.00. Gardening Equipment Janco. Pamela Harper, 219 Robanna Shores, Sea­ Write for FREE 48-pg. ford, VA 23696 (804-898-B453). full-color catalog today! MIST pROPAGATION AND DRIP IRRIGA­ TION. Our versatile indoor-outdoor systems Janco Greenhouses are controlled by a sensor that regulates NURSERY CATALOG. Unique and Different Dept. AH-12 water to precisely balance evaporation and Catalog. Trees, Evergreens, Shrubs, Fruits, 9390 Davis Avenue transpiration losses-unique, trouble-free Seedlings, Seeds, Tropical Plants, Growers Laurel, Md. 20810 ana extremely water saving. AQUAMONITOR Supplies, Equipment. Mellinger's, 2344C (301) 498-5700 -Box 327-Z-Huntington, New York 11743. Range, North Lima, Ohio 44452. 45