The Bulletin

A Quarterly Devoted to Man's Oldest Garden Ornamental

Boxwood hunters in . Dr. Alexey Romashin, Charles Fooks, Dr. TomaszAnisko, Rima Pridnya, and Dr. Mikhail Pridnya pose below a statue of Prometheus, a Titan who stole fire from Olympus and delivered it to man. See article, page 27. (Photo: Dr. Henry Frierson)

IN THIS ISSUE

Return to the , 2004, Henry F. Frierson, Jr., MD ...... 27 Correspondence and Notice ...... 36 Walking with Phoebe, Sigrid G. Harriman ...... 37 News of the Society ...... 41

October 2004 Volume 44, Number 2 The American Boxwood Society

The American Boxwood Society is a not-for-profit organiza­ A vailable Publications: ti on founded in 1961 and devoted to the appreciation, scien­ ti fi c understanding and propagation of the genus Buxus L. Boxwood: An Illustrated Encyclopedia* $110 Back issues of The Bulletin (through Vol. 42) (each) $ 4 For information about boxwood and the Society, refer to Boxwood Handbook: A Practical Guide (Revised) $ 18 www.boxwoodsociety.org. Boxwood Buyer 's Guide (5 th Edition) $ 8 Officers: International Registration List of Cultivated Buxus L. $ 3 Index to The Boxwood Bulletin 1961-1986 $ 10 PRESIDENT: Index to The Boxwood Bulletin 1986- 1991 $ 4 Mr. Charles T. Fooks Salisbury, MD Index to The Boxwood Bulletin 1991-1996 $ 3 FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT: To order, see page 36. Mr. Clyde Weber Bentleyville, PA * Other prices includes tax, postage and handling. SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT Publications may be ordered from ABS Treasurer, Box 85 , Dr. Henry F. Frierson, Jr. Charlottesville. V A Boyce, VA 22620-0085. SECRETARY: Mrs. Laurie Jamerson Madison Heights, V A Contributions: EXECUTIVE TREASURER: Mr. McHenry Stiff. III Round Hill, V A Gifts to the Society are tax-deductible and may be REGISTRAR: undesignated or applied to: Mr. Lynn R. Batdorf Washington, DC ABS Boxwood Memorial Garden Fund DIRECTORS: ABS Boxwood Research Fund Mr. John W. Boyd III (2007) Roanoke VA ABS Publications Fund Mr. Walter S. Carell, Jr. (2007) Millington, NJ Mrs. Robert L. Frackelton (2006) Fredericksburg, V A Correspondence: Mr. W. Edward Goode, Jr. (2005) Richmond, V A Mr. Kenneth Lee Hahn (2005) Califon, NJ For address changes, memberships, dues, contributions, or to Dr. Maury Hanson (2006) Madison, VA order back issues or publications, write: Mr. Clifford Hoffman (2007) Flemington, NJ Treasurer, The American Boxwood Society Dr. Gary Ri chardson (2006) Annapolis, MD P.O. Box 85, Boyce, VA 22620-0085 Mrs. Alan Willemsen (2005) Mendham, NJ For general information about the Society, advice concerning EX-OFACIO: boxwood problems or cuItivar selection, write to The Ameri­ Dr. Michael Bowers Boyce, VA can Boxwood Society at the same address. You are also BULLETIN EDITOR: welcome to write directly to the President: John S. McCarthy St. Louis, MO Mr. Charles T. Fooks Memberships: 31106 Johnson Rd. Salisbury, MD 21804 Memberships for the year May 2004 through April 2005 include $16 for four quarterly issues of Th e Boxwood Bulletin: Call for Papers:

Individual $35 Sustaining $100 Technical articles, news, history, lore, notes, and photographs Family $50 Life $500 concerning boxwood specimens, gardens or plantings are Contributing $75 solicited for possible publication in The Boxwood Bulletin. Material should be submitted to: Non-member subscriptions for groups and institutions, such Chairman, Bulletin Committee as botanic gardens and libraries, are $35 by the calendar 1714 Greenway Drive year if established or current year for new subscriptions. Fredericksburg, VA 22401-5209

The Boxwood Bulletin (ISSN 0006 8535) is published quarterly for $16.00 per year by The American Boxwood Society, Blandy Experimental Farm. Boyce, VA 22620. Periodicals postage paid at Boyce, VA . POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Boxwood Bulle/in. P.O. Box 85, Boyce. VA 22620. The Bulletin is printed by M-J Printers, Fredericksburg, VA. Return to the Greater Caucasus, 2004 Collecting Boxwood in Russia Henry F. Frierson, Jr., MD

A successful 3-day collecting seeds from boxwood growing along the river. We sometimes observed that expedition in 2002 to the southwestern old road from Adler to Krasnaya their leaves were covered with scale part of Russia along the Polyana. We then headed to the and fungus, and wondered about their prompted a return trip to Sochi, Russia National Park, where we saw boxwood effects on the plants. We also saw a from July 4-18, 2004. The participants draped along the limestone walls of the small black butterfly (fig. 6), said to be included Dr. Tomasz Anisko from Psakho Canyon of the river Kudepsta. Polymorpha epialtes by Dr. Romashin, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Our finding of boxwood thriving along on boxwood leaves. Dr. Romashin P A, Charles Fooks of Woodland a river in a moist, rocky environment stated that the butterfly might be Nursery of Salisbury, MD, and Dr. would be repeated many times. We important in boxwood pollination. We Henry Frierson, Jr. of Charlottesville, also observed moss-strewn boxwood in learned later that oral history claimed V A. The expedition had been planned deep shade growing over moss­ that boxwood honey was produced in by Dr. Anisko and organized by our carpeted limestone in the National Park the 19th century prior to the extensive host, Dr. Mikhail Pridnya, Academi­ (figs. 3 and 4). timbering of boxwood. cian of the Russian Ecological Acad­ On July 6 we explored along the On July 8 we explored along the emy and Honourable Forester of river Shahke (fig. 5). The day was river Dagomys-Zapadniy, north of the Russia. Prof. Pridnya, whose office remembered for our stranding (fortu­ village Tretia Rota. Here, for the first was located at the Research Institute of nately for only several hours) two time, we found more shrubby boxwood Mountain Forestry and Forest Ecology former Soviet military vehicles; the growing on exposed and dry, steep in Sochi (fig. I), selected Dr. Alexey first, a large and heavy Gorki truck, slopes along a road cut (fig. 7). We Romashin, a zoologist at the Institute, developed a clogged fuel line as we collected cuttings from several small, to assist in the expedition. attempted climbing a steep incline in mounded plants appearing to grow The Institute was located on the the mountains, while the second, our straight from limestone rocks. We grounds of the Dendrarium, a well­ passenger van, stalled in the middle of noted that boxwood seed capsules known park and arboretum that had the river Shahke. In hiking to a hunting seemed to be present predominantly on been founded in 1892 by Sergey lodge for assistance, we observed plants exposed to the most sunlight; Khudenkov, a publisher from St. boxwood approximately 30 feet tall this observation was made on numer­ Petersburg. A popular destination for and 300 years old. The boxwood ous occasions during our travels. Russian tourists, the Dendrarium was a provided the understory below horn­ On July II we traveled approxi­ showcase for semitropical plants that beam, ash, maple, and elder trees. Prof. mately 300 Ion from Sochi to explore thrive in the environment along the Pridnya explained that although it is areas along the north side of the Black Sea. known where the tallest boxwood trees Greater Caucasus. Prior to our destina­ While at the Dendrarium we grow in Russia, no one has attempted tion at Mezmay, we stopped at the collected cuttings from five boxwood to explore all of the mountain habitats Forestry Service Office in Apsheronsk, plants of interest, including an unusual to find and claim the tallest "cham­ where we collected cuttings from three variegated form that we had collected pion" tree. After our vehicles were different plants contained within two years previously. The other plants once again functional, we ended the hedges in front of the building; one of collected were growing in hedges that day by visiting the oldest (and most these plants had leaves with a particu­ contained mixed types of boxwood. northerly in the world) tea plantation in larly bluish cast. We finally arrived at The Dendrarium had catalogued the Russia, Verhnyi Soloh-Aul, which had Mezmay (fig. 8), a remote and quaint named boxwood growing on site, been founded by Iuda Koshman in village of I, 000 inhabitants, many of which included B. balearica and 14 1901. whom were involved with the lumber cultivars of B. sempervirens (Table I.) The following day we hiked along mill there. The village was centered (fig. 2). the Sochi River in the Sochi National along the river Kurdzhips and had After touring the Dendrarium on the Park between the villages Nizhnoye wonderful scenic views of the moun­ first day, we traveled south toward Orekhovo and Azhek. Once again, tains. In our explorations here, we saw and collected cuttings and boxwood populated sites along the beautiful wildflowers in bloom,

October 2004 27 incl uding Lavatera. Campanula. . that these were particularly hardy with the exception of its presence on a Gentiana. Erigeron. Echium. Inula. plants, as Mezmay is 2,255 feet above few plants growing at the Dendrarium. Prunella. Lysimachia. and Aruncus. In sea level, typically has a low tempera­ Psyllid was noted very infrequently, a si ngle meadow, we saw a profusion ture of -10°C in winter (and may even while we commonly saw mite damage. of blooming plants including Stachys. get to -25°C), and gets 3 to 4 meters of Scale and rust were often seen on Delphinium, Filipendula. Ranunculus, snow annually. leaves of boxwood growing in warm, Geranium, Silene, and Verbascum (fig . On July 13 we collected boxwood moist areas. 9). cuttings on Mezmay Rock, west of the At the end of the trip, we had On one excursion from Mezmay, village. We found boxwood growing at collected samples from 40 different we hiked along abandoned railroad the highest elevations (3,255 feet) of plants of B. sempervirens, including a tracks (fig . 10), built in the 1930s; these any location that we would visit on the few seedlings. Seeds from boxwood at tracks overlooked the spectacular entire trip. We made several collections 4 different locations were al so obtained narrow canyon of the river Kurdzhips, of plants growing on the dry, exposed (Table 2, compiled by Dr. Anisko) (fig . whose water raced against the lime­ face of Mezmay Rock (fig. 15). Here, 18). The cuttings are now being stone walls (fig . 11 ). Here we made the plants were typically dwarf with propagated at Longwood Gardens, numerous collections of boxwood small leaves which were bleached Woodland Nursery, and Saunders cuttings (fig. 12), including several yellow due to direct exposure to the Brothers Nursery (Piney River, V A). with quite small leaves and one whose sun. One plant, however, was of Hopefully, these plants will produce new growth appeared especially golden particular interest, as its leaves were excellent cultivars for the garden. Dr. (figs. 13 and 14). Later that day, after greener, thicker, and had a waxy Anisko, Mr. Fooks, and I are greatly our 15 km hike in the morning, and as texture (figs. 16 and 17). It was appreciative to our hosts, Dr. Pridnya the rain began, we made additional apparent that these boxwood growing and Dr. Romashin, for their guidance, collections of shrubby boxwood out of the rocks had come from seeds scientific expertise, and, especially, present in thickets along the river produced by plants higher above, their personal warmth and hospitality! closer to the village. Many of these which were present as the usual forest (See cover photo.) plants had a mounded habit, while understory. others were more prostrate. On this At all times during our explorations, Dr. Freirson is ABS Second Vice­ day, more than 15 collections of we examined boxwood for evidence of President and Chairman of the ABS boxwood were made. We speculated pests. We saw virtually no leaf miner Research Web Site.

Table 1 Catalog of B. sempervirens cultivars at the Dendrarium in Sochi, Russia.

'Angustifolia' 'Arborescens Variegata' 'Argenteo-variegata' 'Aureo-marginata' , Aureo-variegata' 'Bullata' 'Handsworthiensis' 'Latifolia BuIlata' 'Lyteralis' 'Marginata' 'Myrtifolia' 'Rosmarinifolia' 'Rotundifolia' 'Suffruticosa'

Fig. 1. The Research Institute of Mountain Forestry and Forest Ecology is on the grounds of the Dendrarium in Sochi, Russia.(Photos: Dr. Henry Frierson)

28 October 2004 Table 2 growing in Psakho Canyon of the o 7-08-2004. Along river Dagomy s­ Collections in , river Kudepsta in Sochi National Zapadniy, north of village Treti a Sochi region, Krasnodarskiy Kray, Park. Rota, . Plant Ru ssia. RS-IO, /lex colchica, cuttings taller then RS-17, not as dense. Habit 07-06-2004. Along river Shahke, near rounded, mounded, very handsome. RS-Ol, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings village Solokh-Aul, Sochi National RS-19, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings 07-05-2004. Sochi Dendrarium. Park. 07-11-2004. Park in front of the local Leaves very narrow. Plant growing RS-ll, Buxus sempervirens, seeds Leskhos (Forestry Service) office in in a hedge. 07-07-2004. From a population Apsheronsk. Leaves bluish. Plant in RS-02, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings growing along river Sochi between a hedge. 07-05-2004. Sochi Dendrarium. villages Nizhnoye Orekhovo and RS-20, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings Leaves small, myrtle-like, bluish, Azhek. Sochi National Park. 07-11 -2004. Park in front of the local with pointed tip. Plant growing in a RS-12, /lex colchica, cuttings Leskhos (Forestry Service) office in hedge. 07-07-2004. Along river Sochi Apsheronsk. Leaves convex, RS-03, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings between villages Nizhnoye Orekhovo pointing forward. Branches droop­ 07-05-2004. Sochi Dendrarium. and Azhek. Sochi National Park. ing. Plant in a hedge. Plant low-growing. Leaves small, Female plant. Spreading growth RS-21, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings narrow, bluish, with rounded tip. habit. Leaves dark green, spines 07-11-2004. Park in front of the local RS-04, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings different than typical. Leskhos (Forestry Service) office in 07-05-2004. Sochi Dendrarium. RS-13, Buxus sempervirens, seeds Apsheronsk. Leaves large, broad, Leaves flat, broad, thin, medium 07-08-2004. From a population along rounded, dark green. Plant with stiff green, in a heningbone arrangement river Dagomys-Zapadniy, north of branches, in a hedge. on stems. Plant in a hedge. village Tretia Rota, Sochi National RS-22, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings RS-OS, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings Park. 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the 07-05-2004. Sochi Dendrarium. RS-14, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings river Kurdzhips northwest of Leaves yellow-variegated, broad 07-08-2004. Along river Dagomys­ Mezmay. Plant low-growing, yellow zoning turning to lime Zapadniy, north of village Tretia prostrate, on an exposed cliff. green, glaucous overtone. Plant Rota, Sochi National Park. Leaves RS-23, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings tree-like in a group. bluish. Plant tall, single trunk, 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the RS-06, Buxus sempervirens, seed branches long, strongly weeping. river Kurdzhips northwest of 07-05-2004. From a population RS-lS, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings Mezmay. Leaves small, dark green. growing along the old road from 07-08-2004. Along river Dagomys­ plant upright, handsome. Adler to Kras naya Polyana, just Zapadniy, north of village Tretia RS-24, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings north of the village Kazachiy Brod. Rota, Sochi National Park. Leaves 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the RS-07, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings small, slightly bluish. Plant small, river Kurdzhips northwest of 07-05-2004. Along the old road dense, well branched, growing on an Mezmay. Leaves small, narrow, dark from Adler to Krasnaya Polyana, open, limestone cliff. green. Plant with upright branching. just north of the village Kazachiy RS-16, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings RS-2S, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings Brod. Leaves convex, shiny, dark 07-08-2004. Along river Dagomys­ 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the green, flat arrangement on stems. Zapadniy, north of village Tretia river Kurdzhips northwest of Typical growth habit. Rota, Sochi National Park. Leaves Mezmay. Leaves of the new growth RS-08, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings larger than RS-15, but even more golden yellow. Growth habit typical. 07-05-2004. Along the old road compact. Growing on the same open, RS-26, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings from Adler to Krasnaya Polana, just limestone cliff as RS-15. 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the north of the village Kazachiy Brod. RS-17, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings river Kurdzhips northwest of Leaves elongated, prominent side 07-08-2004. Along river Dagomys­ Mezmay. Leaves small, medium veins, medium size and color. Plant Zapadniy, north of village Tretia green. Plant low-growing, dense, 5 m tall, single stem, branched I m Rota, Sochi National Park. Leaves mounded. Branches with flaky bark. above the ground. medium size, dark, green. Plant very RS-27, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings RS-09, Buxus sempervirens, seeds dense, conical, very small. 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the 07-05-2004. From a population RS-18, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings river Kurdzhips northwest of

October 2004 29 Mezmay. Leaves very dark green, RS-36, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings of the exposed location. Plant smaJl , lustrous, oval, with notched tip. 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the 25 cm tall. Branching loose. river Kurdzhips southeast of RS-44, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings RS-28, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings Mezmay. Leaves large, medium 07-13-2004. Mezmay Rock west of 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the green, typical shape. Plant prostrate, the village Mezmay. Large exposed river Kurdzhips northwest of spreading. steep slope covered with dolomite Mezmay. Leaves small, glossy. RS-37, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings rocks and boulders, treeless. Leaves Growth habit upright, branching 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the narrow, medium green, not glossy. loose, stems long. river Kurdzhips southeast of small, 40 cm tall. RS-29, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings Mezmay. Leaves small, narrow. RS-4S, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the Plant small, prostrate. Branches 07-13-2004. Mezmay Rock west of river Kurdzhips northwest of pendulous. the village Mezmay. Large exposed Mezmay. Leaves medium size and RS-38, Buxus sempervirens, seedling steep slope covered with dolomite color. Growth habit full , branching 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the rocks and boulders, treeless. Leaves dense, spreading. river Kurdzhips southeast of small, narrow, light green. Growth RS-30, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings Mezmay. Leaves golden yellow. habit narrow, upright. 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the RS-39, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings RS-46, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings river Kurdzhips southeast of 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the 07-13-2004. Mezmay Rock west of Mezmay. Leaves very smaJl , soft . river Kurdzhips southeast of the village Mezmay. Large exposed Pl ant low-growing, branching loose. Mezmay. Leaves small, rounded, steep slope covered with dolomite RS-31, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings cupped. Plant low-growing, 25 cm rocks and boulders, treeless. Leaves 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the tall, prostrate, growing on the edge of broad, narrowing toward tip, slightly river Kurdzhips southeast of the population in the Fagus cupped, light green, especially young Mezmay. Leaves small, soft, orientalis forest. ones. Plant dwarf. medium green. Plant prostrate with RS-40, /lex colchica, cuttings RS-47, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings dense branching. 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the 07-13-2004. Mezmay Rock west of RS-32, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings river Kurdzhips southeast of the village Mezmay. Large exposed 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the Mezmay. Leaves very narrow, dark steep slope covered with dolomite river Kurdzhips southeastst of green, spines protruding slightly rocks and boulders, treeless. Leaves Mezmay. Leaves small, suffruticosa­ upward from the surface of the leaf. very glaucous, medium size, rounded like. Plant small, 50 cm tall, spread­ RS-41, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings tip. Plant tall, upright. Branching ing, not as prostrate as RS-31, more 07-13-2004. Mezmay Rock west of sparse, upright. rounded, with dense branching. the village Mezmay. Large exposed RS-48, Buxus sempervirens, seedling RS-33, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings steep slope covered with dolomite 07-13-2004. Mezmay Rock west of 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the rocks and boulders, treeless. Plant the village Mezmay. Large exposed river Kurdzhips southwest of very small. steep slope covered with dolomite Mezmay. Leaves small, soft, RS-42, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings rocks and boulders, treeless. Leaves medium green. Plant very prostrate, 07-13-2004. Mezmay Rock west of exceptionally small, the smallest almost horizontal, flat, growing out the village Mezmay. Large exposed seen. of a steep slope. steep slope covered with dolomite RS-49, Buxus sempervirens, seeds RS-34, Buxus sempervirens, seeds rocks and boulders, treeless. Leaves 07-13-2004. From a population 07-12-2004. From a population medium size, slightly glaucous, growing on Mezmay Rock west of growing in the canyon of the river upright in stems. Good color despite the village Mezmay. Large exposed Kurdzhips southwest of Mezmay. that other boxwood around it steep slope covered with dolomite Fruits did not open, seeds discarded. chlorotic. rocks and boulders, treeless. RS-3S, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings RS-43, Buxus sempervirens, cuttings RS-SO, /lex colchica, cuttings 07-12-2004. In the canyon of the 07-13-2004. Mezmay Rock west of 07-13-2004. Mezmay Rock west of river Kurdzhips southeast of the village Mezmay. Large exposed the village Mezmay. Large exposed Mezmay. Leaves narrow, dark green, steep slope covered with dolomite steep slope covered with dolomite with pointed tips. Growth habit rocks and boulders, treeless. Leaves rocks and boulders, treeless. Female spreading. Branches soft. small, yellowish, probably because plant. Leaves small, dark green.

30 October 2004 Fig. 2. Boxwood hedges were only occasionally seen at other sites in Sochi besides the Dendrarium. Infront of the art museum a clipped boxwood hedge surrounded a statue of Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924).

Fig. 3. In heavily shaded and moist areas in the wilderness of the Greater Caucasus. moss sometimes draped boxwood.

Fig. 4. A grove of8. sempervirens grew from moss­ Fig. 5. Like many rivers in the Greater Caucaus. the river covered limestone rocks in Sochi National Park. Shahke provided a beautiful panoramic view.

October 2004 31 Fig. 6. Our zoologist guide, Dr. Alexey Romashin, Fig. 7. Dr. Anisko collected shrubby B. sempervirens on a steep believed tlUlt this black butterfly was responsible for slope north of the village Tretia Rota. pollinating boxwood.

Fig. 8. This was a typical cottage located in the remote village Mezmay, located about 300 kmfrom Sochi.

32 October 2004 Fig. 9. Prof Pridnya collected Lady's Mantle for his wife, who used the plants for medicinal Fig. 10. After a long hike above the river Kurdzhips, we returned to Mevnay purposes. where we found that goats had claimed the abandoned railroad station.

Fig. 11 . The limestone walls of the canyon of the river Fig. 12. One of many cuttings that we took from attractive Kurdzhips contained drooping boxwood. boxwood plants growing along the river Kurdzhips.

October 2004 33 Fig. 13. One interesting boxwood had golden new Fig. 14. The goLden new growth on the pLant in Fig. 13 was not growth. This upright pLant was about sixfeet taLL. seen on any other boxwood during our expedition.

Fig. 15. Boxwood (inforeground) wasfound growing on the exposedface ofMezmay Rock at an aLtitude of over 3.000feet.

34 October 2004 Fig. 16. Dr. Anisko studied a particularly interesting boxwood, tlUlt retained its green color unlike its neighbors whose leaves were yellowed from exposure to the sun.

October 2004 35 Fig. J7 . This cutting from the plant seen in Fig. 16 shows its Fig. 18. Seeds were collectedfrom boxwood growing dense, relatively thick leaves. in four different locations.

CORRESPONDENCE NOTICE

U.S. National Arboretum News Report 45th Annual Meeting

In the Fall 2004 U.S. National Cultivar Registration Authority for The 2005 ABS Annual Meeting Arboretum News and Notes, under Buxus L., and author of the newly will be held May 5-7 next year in the "Pardon My Dust," projects under­ published Boxwood: An Illustrated Lynchburg, V A, area. Paul Saunders way are li sted. Among them is a Encyclopedia. has been making plans with his usual major expansion effort for the enthusiasm and exuberance. He also National Boxwood Collection at the has elected to handle the registration Arboretum. Boxwood: An Illustrated this year. A photo shows the layout of new Encyclopedia is available from : beds which will be home to specimen ABS Treasurer boxwood now held in greenhouses or P.O. Box 85 lath houses because of lack of space. In Memoriam Boyce, V A 22620-0085. The new plantings will include newly registered cultivars and plants Cost is $110. (Members may Mrs. E. E. (Frances) Colbert buy one copy for $99.) collected during the 2003 collection Charter Member trip to the countries of Georgia and Shipping cost is $10 for Azerbaijan, sponsored by Longwood priority mail ; $5 for standard Gardens and headed by Dr. Tomasz mail. (Virginia residents must Mr. Donald Gore Anisko. Lynn R. Batdorf is Curator of add sales tax of 5% of the book Member since 1984 the National Boxwood Collection, price.) ABS Registrar for the International

36 October 2004 Walking with Phoebe How Boxwood is Used in an Urban Setting Where Space is at a Premium Sigrid G. Harriman

Early morning streets are empty in Washington established hi s beloved Mount Vernon and other places and Old Town Alexandria when Phoebe, Mount Vernon plantation not more report on their use of boxwood in the our English Labrador Retriever, and I than six miles down river and created future. explore the neighborhood and its one of the most frequently visited many old and not so old townhouses gardens, using boxwood in great Before moving to Ohio in 2002, Mrs. with small gardens. We have discov­ quantities. This fact may have Harriman was ABS Secretary and a ered to my delight the varied ways influenced the widespread use of member of the ABS Memorial Garden boxwood has been used to enhance boxwood in Alexandria. Committee. She and her husband now the small front yards so typical of Phoebe and I plan to explore live in Alexandria, VA. Alexandria. Phoebe enjoys walking close to a boxwood to feel the smooth, cool leaves. (S he does not like needlelike shrubs. Along the way she has discovered a large 'Vardar Valley' ( I ), three perfect plants of 'Graham Blandy' thriving in an impossibly small space (2), 'Elegantissima' trimmed as a hedge (3) and in planters (4), as well as a very big Buxus sempervirens (5) about 12 by 8 feet. She also found 'Suffruticosa' used to disguise electrical instruments (6), form a fluffy hedge in a front yard (7) and grace foundation and window boxes of a very affluent residence (8). We both have also discovered severely clipped 'Suffruticosa' at a front walk Fig. 1. Phoebe completed her inspection of 'Vardar Valley' and is ready to enter (9) and a massive hedge of 'Suffru­ the garden. (Photos: Sigrid Harriman) ticosa' on either side of the neigh­ bor's walk (J 0). Various parterres ( I I, 12, 13) amazed us for their imag­ inative use of limited space. Lastly, in our backyard thrives a 'Green Mountain' (14) in an old planter. Alexandria was founded by English and Scottish businessmen on a designated site along the Potomac River in 1730. This location at the river had been used for commerce by Dogue and Algonquin-speaking Indians for centuries but was by 1730 virtually abandoned. The earl y village of Alexandria was established not far from the trading post where ships arri ved and left with goods from other continent s, mostly Europe. George Fig. 2. Three 'Graham Blandy' seem to like the closeness of a brick wall.

October 2004 37 Fig. 3. 'Elegantissima' hedge between two Alberta spruces. Fig. 4. 'Elegantissima ' in white planters and a white match-stick fence.

Fig. 5. Rugged-looking large Buxus sempervirens survived Fig. 6. Several 'Suffruticosa' hiding compressor. construction of a new driveway.

Fig. 7. Healthy English Boxwood or 'Suffruticosa '. Fig. 8. Three 'Suffruticosa ' and smaller versions in window boxes.

38 October 2004 Fig. 9. How Long wiLL these 'Suffruticosa' survive such severe treatment?

Fig. 11. SimpLe panerre about 10' x 12', a wrought iron Fig. 10. Luscious hedge could use some trimming. fence and candytuft.

Fig. 12. Back yard circuLar panerre with 'Justin Brouwers' and candytuft.

October 2004 39 Fig. J3. B. sempervirens topiary and four healthy 'Suffruticosa '.

Fig. 14 'Green Mountain ' surrounded by white impatiens.

40 October 2004 NEWS OF THE SOCIETY

Fall Board Meeting Minutes, September 23, 2004 The fall meeting of the Governing tion of the encyclopedia came closer readily available and not lose interest Board of The American Boxwood to fruition. A motion was made by or pay penalties for early withdrawal. Society was held on Thursday, Dr. Frierson to allocate some of the Granted. CD contains only Restricted September 23, 2004 at the Blandy 2004 Auction money to clear the Funds. President Fooks commended Farm, Boyce, Virginia. In attendance "negative balance" in the restricted Mr. Stiff on undertaking the were: Charles T. Fooks, President; Research Fund. Motion passed. Treasurer's position and doing such a Clyde Weber, First Vice President; The object is to report so the fine job. Henry F. Frierson, Jr., MD, Second Board can see what we can allocate: ABS Bulletin: Mrs. Frackelton Vice President; Laurie Jamerson, dues income is to cover $16 per announced it's either feast or famine Secretary; McHenry L. Stiff, III, member for The Boxwood Bulletin, when it comes to articles for the Executive Treasurer; Lynn R. the Treasurer's services, the web site Bulletin. Dr. Frierson's timely article Batdorf, Registrar and the following fees and any miscellaneous items in on the Russian collecting trip July Directors: John W. Boyd, III, Decca the normal course of the Society's 2004, delivered today, is a great boost G. Frackelton, W. Edward Goode, Jr., business. Restricted Funds (Special with Mr. Hahn's bio as a new Direc­ Kenneth Lee Hahn, Maury Hanson, Funds): ABS Memorial Garden Fund tor. MD., Clifford Hoffman, and Gary is funded by donations and memori­ Nominating Committee: Clifford Richardson, MD. Absent directors als; Publication Fund is funded by Hoffman, Chairman, had no report. were Walter S. Carell, Jr. and Chris donations and net from sales of the RegistrarlPublication Report: Willemsen. Guests attending later 1- Handbook and now net sales from the Lynn Batdorf reported that Boxwood: were Dave Carr, Curator, Blandy Encyclopedia; Research Fund is An Illustrated Encyclopedia was Farm; Katherine D. Ward, former funded by donations and net from completed one week after the Annual ABS Executive Treasurer; Paul and sales of the 5th Edition of the Buyer's Meeting, but it's done! The American Tatum Saunders. (Mr. Saunders is Guide. Nurseryman's Association has an ad coordinating all the details of the Mr. Stiff, Treasurer, asked to for the encyclopedia in their list of 2005 ABS Annual Meeting.) Presi­ renew the CD (in Bank of Clarke books for sale. dent Fooks called the meeting to County) into three CDs, maturing 1,2 Mr. Batdorf is busy updating and order at 12:00 noon. Mrs. Frackelton and 3 years to allow funds to be more revising the Handbook and estimates made a motion that the minutes of the Governing Board spring meeting, held May 6, 2004, at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia and printed in the July 2004 issue of The Boxwood Bulletin be accepted as published. Dr. Frierson seconded and the motion was carried by the Board. Treasurer's Report: Mr. Stiff distributed a detailed accounting report covering the period since the one for fiscal year May I , 2003 through April 30, 2004, given May 6, 2004. The Treasurer's report was accepted as issued. Discussion followed about reporting restricted funds and keeping all restricted funds in a separate bank account as the Encyclopedia FundlPublication Fund Paul Saunders outlined plans for the 2005 ABS Annual Meeting and treated those was set up (July 2003) when publica- present to his delicious apples. (Photo: Decca Fracke/ton)

1) t- ;; ,of h. X lYoCecd. s f-o ""'- Auc lOVJ \5r ' /'- 11~ ~~) October 2004 h 'K e.S ~vc-4 41 he may have it ready next faW Townsend was honored for his work tion signed by the Board acknowledg­ December. Funding would come from in plant breeding and the introduction ing the contributions of Katherine D. the Publications Fund when sufficient of two new American Elms. Ward to ABS and presented her with funds are available. Mr. Hahn and ABS Annual Meeting - 2005: an autographed copy of Boxwood: An Mr. Carell are looking into printing Paul Saunders presented a tentative Illustrated Encyclopedia. costs. (Mr. Batdorf noted one source schedule for the upcoming 2005 ABS New Business: Mr. Stiff sug­ claims the Handbook is out of print Annual meeting to be held in gested the Board donate a copy of the and charges $100 for the book. There Lynchburg, Virginia. Dates will be Encyclopedia to Mary Olien, Curator are still some available from the ABS May 5-7, 2005. Tours of Thomas of Education for the Arboretum for Treasurer at the regular price.) Mr. Jefferson's Poplar Forest, Bedford her efforts with the Boxwood Sympo­ Batdorf doesn't find a 5-year Index National D-Day Memorial, Ivy Hill, sium, April 3, 2004 which generated very useful and suggests a I O-year or Oak Ridge and Saunders Brothers, $3,000.00 for the Encyclopedia Fund. longer Index as we have passed the 5- Inc. are planned. Dr. James Robertson The Board agreed. The Board also year date. and several other outstanding speak­ requested he send flowers from the ResearchlWeb Site Committee: ers are on the agenda. Mr. Saunders Society to Joan Butler who is recov­ Accompanying Dr. Tomasz Anisko, also elected to do the registration ering from hip surgery. Curator of Plants at Longwood including the form and enlarging the Lynn R. Batdorf spoke at the Gardens, President Charles T. Fooks mailing from his list. ABS members European Boxwood and Topiary and Second Vice President Henry will be sent the details and Registra­ Society meeting in June 2004 in Frierson traveled to Russia in July for tion Form, either in the January 2005 England. He shared a copy of their a two-week collecting trip. They had Bulletin as usual or in a special Topiarius with the Board. He re­ two excellent local guides. /lex as mailing. Because of the extra day quested we exchange articles on ABS well as Buxus were gathered, both included in the 2005 Annual Meeting, beginnings and such, and EBTS with seed and cutting collections. Full it was suggested that the spring us, for publication in each other's report will be in the Bulletin. Dr. meeting of the ABS Board, usually journals to reach beyond our bound­ Frierson has just received Dr. held at the Annual Meeting prior to aries. Mr. Batdorf also noted there are Mosuli shvili 's report, mapping the opening events and the January Dutch and French EBTS Chapters, boxwood in the country of Georgia. board meeting, where attendance is and said they are a very energetic She is to be congratulated for her always uncertain because of the group. promptness in completing and weather, be combined into a March A two-page memorandum, reporting on her Research Grant meeting. Lee Hahn made a motion to addressing increasing ABS member­ project. move the combined Governing Board ship, restyling The Boxwood Bulle­ They have not pursued the meetings to March, seconded by tin, expanding the web site and overdue DNA analysis report because Clyde Weber, carried by the Board. publishing the ABS membership li st Dr. Frierson was made aware of an President Fooks set the March was circulated and di scussed. Presi­ illness in Dr. Kohler's family. As per meeting for March 24, 2005 at 11 :30 dent Fooks appointed a committee motion May 6, 2004, Dr. Maury a.m. at BJandy Farm. consisting of Kenneth Lee Hahn, Hanson presented a proposal for Chairman, Lynn R. Batdorf, W. research requests: Application to the Old Business: Discussion of how Edward Goode, Jr. and Clyde Weber American Boxwood Society for Grant to shorten Board meetings instead of to address the comments in the Support. Discussion followed to add just adding more meetings. Sugges­ memorandum, study the options and to Item 5, a list of the principal tion that matters being discussed be report recommendations to the Board investigator's pertinent publications available prior to the meeting and that at its next meeting. and to delete, from paragraph three in the committees do their assigned the body of the letter, a financial work and submit to the Board for vote Respectfully submitted, record of expenditures. Mr. Stiff instead of repeating every detail. The Laurie Jamerson made a motion to accept the proposal Secretary asked that she be able to ABS Secretary as amended, it was seconded and notify bye-mail to address this carried by the Board. change and President Fooks said he U.S. National Arboretum Stake will need agenda items at least two Holders Meeting: Dr. Gary weeks prior to meetings. Richardson reported that Dr. President Fooks read the Resolu-

42 October 2004 Kenneth Lee Hahn, New ASS Director

My interest in boxwood began when, as a young teen, I worked as a gardener at our family parish church in Fair Haven, New Jersey. The church was landscaped with some beautiful plants which I would later learn were boxwood It was at this point that I developed an appreciation for the "eye appeal" (Thank you, Paul Saunders) of English boxwood. Attending college in the Washing­ ton, DC, area I had an opportunity to visit historic homes and gardens where my interest in boxwood continued. In later years, during a family summer vacation on Block Island, Rhode Island, while enjoying a small gardening shop, I was leafing through a book and came across a reference to The American Boxwood Society. The contact name was Joan Butler of Virginia. Subsequently, I met Joan at the Blandy Farm. My encounter with this petite, enthusiastic and knowl­ edgeable woman resulted in learning that there were many more types than just English boxwood. Joan's passion for boxwood is contagious. I give her credit for my continuing interest and involvement in the Society. Through participation in this group, I've developed a deeper understanding about the world of boxwood. I look forward to the Annual meetings where I have the opportunity to share boxwood stories with other enthusiasts and outstand­ ing experts in the field. The meetings Kenneth Lee Hahn provide time where members, comprised of a diverse group repre­ cially in winter, as I enjoy the view sharing boxwood information and senting many different professions from my windows, I relish the green I expanding the membership on a and cultures, can come together to see in an otherwise gray landscape. global basis. share their common thread of inter­ As a board member I will work Personal background: member, est-the boxwood. with the directors and the member­ Centenary College Board of Trustees; Being a member of the Society has ship to advance the objectives of the past member, Tewksbury Township afforded me an opportunity to gain Boxwood Society and to oversee the Committee and Planning Board; ongoing knowledge about boxwood sponsored initiatives. residence: Califon, New Jersey cultivars and incorporate these green It is my expectation that our web (Hunterdon County) with wife Millie; plants into our home gardens. Espe- site will play an increasing role in employed by Johnson & Johnson.

October 2004 43