The BoxwoodBulletin A quarterly devoted to Man's oldest garden ornamental
Ickworth in Suffolk, England, home of the first National Collection ofBuxus. See story on page 23. (Photo: E. Braimhridge)
IN THIS ISSUE
Growing Boxwoods in England, Elizabeth Braimbridge ...... 23 Buxus Phylogeny, Basil Shanahan ...... 26 Williamsburg Garden Tour, Mrs. Robert L. Frackelton ...... 28 Workshop in Williamsburg, Tom Saunders ...... 33 Minutes of Summer Board Meeting ...... 35 Correspondence ...... 35 Members Share ...... 36 The Seasonal Gardener ...... 38
October 1993 Volume 33, Number 2 TheAmerican Boxwood Society
The American Boxwood Society is a not-for-profitorganiza Available Publications: tion founded in 1961 and devoted to the appreciation, scien Back issues of The Boxwood Bulletin (each) $ 4 tificunderstanding and propagationofthe genusBuxus L. There Boxwood Buyer's Guide (3rd Edition) 8 are more than 800 members in the United States and nine $ International Registration List ofCultivated Buxus L. $ 3 foreign countries. Index to The Boxwood Bulletin 1961-1986 $10 Index to the Boxwood Bulletin 1986-1991 $ 4 Officers: PRESIDENT: Contributions: Mr. Dale T. Taylor Wenonah, N.J. Gifts to the Society are tax-deductible and may be undesig nated or applied to: VICE-PRESIDENTS: Mrs. Robert L. Frackelton Fredericksburg, Va. Boxwood Handbook Fund Mrs. Malcolm L. Holekamp Webster Groves, Mo. Boxwood Memorial Garden Fund Boxwood Monograph Fund SECRETARY: Boxwood Research Fund Mrs. Joan C. Butler Winchester, Va. ABS Blandy Capital Fund EXECUTIVE TREASURER: Mrs. Katherine D. Ward Deerfield, Va. Correspondence: REGISTRAR: For address changes, memberships, dues, contributions, or to Mr. Lynn R. Batdorf Colesville, Md. order back issues or publications, write: DIRECTORS: Treasurer, The American Boxwood Society Mr. Lynn R. Batdorf (1996) Colesville, Md. P.O. Box 85, Boyce, Va. 22620 Mr. John W. Boyd, Jr. (1994) Alton, Va. For general information about the Society, advice concerning Mrs. Sigrid G. Harriman (1996) Fredericksburg, Va. boxwood problems or cultivar selection, write to The Ameri Mr. Malcolm Jamieson (1996) Richmond, Va. can Boxwood Society at the same address. You are also Mr. Richard D. Mahone (1995) Williamsburg, Va. welcome to write directly to the President: Mr. Tom Saunders (1994) Piney River, Va. Mrs. Tyra Sexton (1994) Fredericksburg, Va. Mr. Dale T. Taylor Dr. Stephen D. Southall (1995) Lynchburg, Va. 105 S. Princeton Avenue Wenonah, N. J. 08090 EX-OFFICIO: Dr. Edward F. Connor Boyce, Va. Call for Papers: BULLETIN EDITOR: Technical articles, news, history, lore, notes, and photographs John S. McCarthy Webster Groves, Mo. concerning boxwood specimens, gardens or plantings are solicited for possible publication in The Boxwood Bulletin. Memberships: Photographs should be suitable for reproduction and fully Memberships for the year May through April include $12 for captioned. Suggestions regarding format 'and content are four quarterly issuesof The Boxwood Bulletin: welcome. Material should be submitted to: Chairman, Bulletin Committee Individual $15 Sustaining $50 1714 Greenway Drive Family $20 Life $250 Fredericksburg, Va. 22401 Contributing $30 Patron $500 Material to be returned to the sender must be submitted with Non-member subscriptions for groups and institutions, such a self-addressed envelope carrying suitable postage. Every as botanic gardens and libraries, are $15 by the calendar effort will be made to protect submittals, but the Society year. cannot be responsible for loss or injury.
The Bo:nvood Bulletin (ISSN 0006 8535) is published quarterly for Sl2.00peryear by The American Boxwood Society, BIandy Experimental Farm, Boyce, Va. 22620. Second class postage paid at Boyce, Va. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Bo:nvood Bulletin, P.O. Box 85, Boyce, Va. 22620. The Bulletin is printed by M-J Printers, Fredericksburg, Va. Growing Boxwoods in England Elizabeth Braimbridge
The Langley Boxwood Nursery was plant identification. The aim is the boxwoods here was by Roy Lancaster started ten years ago and the first two conservation of a genus--or a section while he was compiling the famous years were spent clearing up the debris of it-in a known location. During the HiIlier Manual o/Trees and Shrubs. of a previously abandoned nursery last ten years the National Collections Entitled The Common Box in Britain which had been on the site. This year scheme has considerably raised public (ABS.Vol. 8(4):60), he realized how we were awarded the status of a awareness of the need to conserve old unaware we all were of the richness of National Collection of Buxus. Ickworth cultivars from becoming extinct. the boxwood family. in Suffolk, England, was the recipient The European concept of boxwood Langley Boxwood Nursery is of the first award of a National Collec is either as a topiary medium or as situated on very light sandy soil of low tion of Buxus status. sharply sheared hedging. We do not pH, in the county of Hampshire in the The collection holders are usually think of it as an ornamental shrub with South of England. We have a problem dedicated private gardeners, who differing forms and textures according with plummeting temperature drops in include His Royal Highness Prince to variety. Our more knowledgeable the evening, from a warm summer Charles, nurseries with a specialist gardeners here do know, rather hazily, afternoon to 3°C [37°F], even in production in a particular genus, or that there might be a few more varieties August, which does not help too much. horticultural colleges. There is therefore than dwarf and common box, and cv. A temperature of -lOoC [14°F] in a very personal attachment to their 'Elegantissima'; many of them wiIl winter with no snow cover is also a coIlections by the owners, which serves murmur, "I've always rather liked feature. to safeguard them and ensure their box ... ". Few of them, until recently, We mulch our fields with spent continuance in future. The collections were planting it. It was the missing mushroom compost, perfect for the are made available for reference and plant in our gardens. boxwoods owing to its chalk content sometimes propagating material and The only published study on and light humus. However, a benefit of
At Langley Boxwood Nursery, customers select their specimens. (Photos: E. Braimbridge. except as noted)
October 1993 23 the fast draining soil is that it can be glass at a nearby nursery, and receive sempervirens 'Memorial' quickly forms worked and plants lifted or planted them back in 9 cm pots ready to sell the a perfect oval shape. The new Germ Some topiary forms at Langley Boxwood Nursery. A boxwood rooster at Langley Boxwood Nursery. 24 October 1993 At the Hampton Court Show, Langley Boxwood's exhibit contained 50 kinds of boxwood. (Photo: The Royal Horticultural Society) The emphasis on using B uxus as a was thanks to Dr. John Creech, who Wherever possible we study box shapely shrub, selected for its natural directed us to one of the most dramatic growing wild in its native country. We and particular form , which it holds mountain treks one could wish to make, have seen tiny seedlings of the South without shearing, is an idea we hope to ending at the ancient, mysterious African Buxus macowani, with its encourage here. At a well-attended Flowering Swamp near the rhododen feathery juvenile foliage, growing on horticultural show this summer we were dron covered, snowy summit of this wooded sand dunes of the Ea tern asked to exhibit a selection of different volcanic island in southwest Japan. Cape. We have seen native box in boxwoods. In a tiny space we managed Korea, looking miserably brown in the to display about 50 kinds. The show winter sun . French and Italian natural lasted six days, and by the end we were stands of box demonstrate the effects of exhausted with answering non-stop climate and geography. questions, giving talks and, inevitably, The contribution by the USA to the topiary demonstrations. There is a huge boxwood range is an important one, interest now in box. The theme of our with The American Boxwood Society exhibit was "Box is not just hedging." playing a large part. We have been The visitors were quite amazed at the "boxwood educated" by your Bulletin , diversity of natural shapes, all the boxwood tours and by discussion untrimmed. with the Society'S officers and mem We learn all the time from our bers. We now enjoy sharing the experiences of hands-on growing of pleasures of boxwood with pl ant lovers boxwoods. We are constantly surprised here. at its adaptability, its ability to break its own rules for survival. We recently Mrs. Braimbridge is a long-time found box growing with its bare roots boxwood enthusiast and a member of in fast running icy snowmelt water on Elizabeth Braimbridge, owner of the American Boxwood Society. the island of Yakushima in Japan. This Langley Boxwood. October 1993 25 Buxus Phylogeny Chronological and Geographical Hints from the Literature Basil Shanahan The purpose of this effort is to morphological characters due to similar pollen-morphology and floral anatomy present fragments of published data environmental changes (4). have been interpreted to support the indicating the relative antiquity of Again in company with the specula association (8). Buxus. tion that Buxaceae history may reach Cronquist reports on alternative The effort does not present any new back to relatively early angiosperms, positions and notes that Behnke (1982) data or any new interpretation regarding other accounts, indicating even earlier regards the Buxaceae apart from the the phylogeny of Buxus. The data history, are noted. William R. Corliss, families placed in the Euphorbiales by employed were gathered from the as compiler. states that scientific Cronquist. acknowledged sources indicated below creationists have reported that spores Cronquist also observes that and making the data selection did not and pollen fossils have been found in Carlquist (1982) considers that the have the benefit of additional consulta Cambrian and pre-Cambrian rocks. Buxaceae fit better in the Hamamelidae tion of literature on Buxus. Because creationists reject the evolu on anatomical grounds. Chronology: Cronquist states that it tionary timetable, their judgments may Also noted is that serological seems fairly well established that be challenged. studies by Scogin (1980) support the angiosperms do not antedate the Early However, Corliss notes, most of the relationship of Simmondsia chinensis, Cretaceous, which starts about 131 discoveries to which scientific creation placed by Hutchinson in the Buxaceae million years ago (I). ists refer were made by mainstream family. A more or less continuous record of scientists with controls against contami Geologic history and geographical angiosperm pollen starts with the late nation by material from later periods. distribution of angiosperms: Because Hauterivian stage of the Lower Creta In this context reference was made the speculation of extremely early ceous about 84-74 million years ago (2). to a discovery of this kind in 1963 near origins of Buxaceae are not supported Since Buxaceae are represented Cerro Vertigo at the westernmost here by any reference to specific comparatively early in angiosperm frontier between Venezuela and British Buxaceae evidence, the earliest dates of history, it seems desirable to look at Guiana by G. C. K. Dunsterville, and Buxaceae at the Campanion stage of the other opinions of earliest angiosperm followup investigation of this. The Upper Cretaceous, about 84 to 74 history in company with the speculation chronological start of the Cambrian is million years ago, offered by Cronquist that Buxaceae history may reach back placed at about 590 million years ago are the basis of further discussion here. correspondingly. (5). Catastrophic extinction of species: K. Asama has observed that the Phylogeny ofBuxus: According to Corliss, as compiler, observes that with ancestral plants of angiosperms would Hutchinson, Buxus species are a com plant fossils the change in flora at the be found in seed-bearing pinnately paratively decadent group as appears Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary, about 65 compound leaves (seed ferns) of the lucid from the geological distribution. million years ago, is sharp and synchro Late Paleozoic but that this type of plant The probable pedigree of Buxus is: nous with it. In the western interior of was not found in the Mesozoic to be the Magnoliaceae to Dilleniaceae, to North America this change occurs at ancestors of the Cretaceous angio Rosaceae, to order Hamamelidales, the top of an iridium-rich clay layer. It sperms (3). which includes the Buxaceae (6). marks the geologically brief change in To assist with his problem K. Asama Cronquist offers, as a putative ratio of fern spores to angiosperm offers the theoretical viewpoint that the pedigree for Buxus: the subclass pollen. Evidence implies continent first angiosperms must be found in Magnoliidae to subclass Rosidae, wide disruption of the terrestrial upland sediments of the Early-Triassic within which the order Rosales is the ecosystem (9). or the latest Permian. The chronological provenance of the. other 17 orders of the This major biological extinction boundary between the Triassic and the sub-class. From the Rosales the descent event was observed by many writers to Permian is about 248 million years ago. is to order Calastrales, and from there be selective and it was noted that K. Asama states that the facts he to the order Euphorbiales, which tropical plants came through this presents indicate that the evolution of includes the Buxaceae (7). catastrophe in best shape although they land plants always pro-ceeded one step Cronquist further observes that the were least equipped to resist prolonged before the evolution of land vertebrates. Buxaceae have been usually associated darkness and resulting cold. Consider Plants and animals changed their with the Euphorbiaceae, and the ing the tropical climate preference 26 October 1993 requirements of some Buxaceae species may not be associated a change of Morocco to Turkey. Closely related this survival capacity during that event morphological character. species are in China and Japan. seems significant (10). 4) Morphologically similar species Formerly large quantities of B. semper Continental drift: Good has can have wide differences in tolerance virens wood were exported from around observed that after the origin of the and species of similar tolerance can the Black Sea (16). The culture of this angiosperms, possibly between the have little morphological similarity. species assured its existence in Europe Cretaceous and the middle or late 5) Relative distribution of species to 67 degrees north latitude, the limit of Tertiary, the continents were more or with like ranges of tolerance is deter the warm temperate zone (17). less joined into a single unit fixed in mined by competition between them. The other subsection of the first position. In the latter part of the 6) Tolerance of any larger taxo section is Pedicellalae with 12 species, Tertiary, about 25 million years ago, nomic unit is the sum of the tolerance and its type is Buxus balearica. Species continental drift occurred together with of its constituent species. of the Eubuxus section are distributed the uplift of mountain ranges, and a Other observations relative to the in Europe, Asia, and Oceania. later consequence of this was glaciation theory of tolerance are: The second section is Austrobuxlls, in the Pleistocene epoch, which started 1) The tolerance of a species gives it with a single species,Buxus nitidus, about 2 million years ago (11). a "potential area" of occupation. Actual located in Sumatra. Good further notes that angiosperm occupancy of this area is determined by The third section is Tricera and it geography is in a state of inherent chaos competition and its dispersal over the has 37 species, all of which are Ameri and expressed the hope that the theory area. can, in the sense of western hemi of continental drift will provide an 2) Some distinct relation between sphere. The first species listed of the explanation for many problems of morphology and tolerance may be group is Buxusflaviramea. angiosperm geography (12). normally expected because tolerance as The fourth section is Probuxus, Good has presented a geographical a character is amenable to evolution having a total of 7 species, all in Africa, classification of families and among his and genetics as are structural charac divided into two subdivisions. One is families of discontinuous distribution ters. Buxanthus, with three species located in are those that are entirely or predomi 3) The theory of tolerance recog northeast Africa. The other subsection nantly distributed in America and nizes three kinds of change based on is Buxella, with four species situated in eastern Eurasia. speed: central and southern Africa. The Buxaceae are not listed among a) Evolutionary change, relatively Summation: The Buxaceae family them but the Magno-/iaceae are. slow. came into existence relatively early in Hutchinson in this context notes that b) Change of external conditions, angiosperm history and possibly Pachysandra, the most advanced genus relatively fast flourished under climate conditions of the Buxaceae family, because it is c) Change as movement of species prevailing until the major rearrange subherbaceous, is very discontinuous by means of dispersal, also relatively ments of the land masses of the earth and occurs in the Southeast of the U.S. fast. and associated major changes in climate (one species) and in China and Japan Buxus Geographical distribution: conditions. (three species) and this recalls the Mathou (15) notes that this genera and These changes reduced the status of distribution of the Magnolia and others of the family are situated in the Buxaceae to that of a diaspora of Liriodendron of the Magnoliaceae Europe, Africa, Asia, America, and remnants. The Buxaceae seem to family (13). Oceania in subtropical and warm endure the changes rather than develop Theory of tolerance: Ronald Good temperate climates. ing them as opportunities. published this hypothesis in 1931. The Coincidence of anatomical and Application of the theory of theory's six cardinal principles are (14): geographical subdivisions: Mathou tolerance to the geographical distribu 1) A species exists and reproduces divides the genus Buxus into four tion of the Buxaceae has promise of a successfully only within a definite sections. She has treated individually better understanding of the tolerance range of climatic edaphic conditions. 66 BllXUS species. character of Buxaceae species together This range is the tolerance of the The first section, Eubuxus, has a with a better understanding of the species to external conditions. total of 24 species. correlation of the tolerance character 2) The tolerance of a species is a The subsection of this first section, with anatomical characters. character of a species like a morpho Sessiliflorae, has ten species, and its An effort to "improve the breed" logical character and these characters type is Buxus sempervirens. This may be aided by an attempt to recon follow the laws and processes of species grows wild only on Box Hill, struct the Buxaceae toward what they organic evolution. Surrey and Chiltons, England, but is were during their more flourishing 3) Change in tolerance character also found in the Azores and from periods. October 1993 27 Citations from sources acknowledged: Sources acknowledged are: Chemical. Biological, 1989. I. Cronquist, p. 136 1. Asawa, Kazuo. Permium to 5. Cronquist, Arthur. The Evolution 2. Cronquist, p. 394 Triassic Floral Change and some and Classification of Flowering 3. Asawa, p. 214 problems of the paleobiography, Plants, second edition, 1988, 4. Asawa, p. 216 parallelism, mixed floras and N.Y.B.G. 5. Corliss, p. 77 origin of the Angiosperms, a 6. Good, Ronald. The Geography of 6. Hutchinson, Evolution . .. ," p. 132 contribution in Nakagawa, K. and the Flowering Plants, third 7. Cronquist, p. 360 Dickins, J. M., editors - The edition, 1964. 8. Cronquist, p. 392 Tethys, her paleogeography and 7. Hutchinson, J. Evolution and 9. Corliss, p. 12 paleobiogeography from Paleozoic Phylogeny of Flowering Plants, 10. Corliss, p. 14 to Mesozoic, c. 1985, p. 199-218. 1969. 11. Good, p. 413 2. American Boxwood Society 8. . The Families of 12. Good, p. 414 Bulletin, Vol. 30(4):67-73; Vol. Flowering Plants. third edition, 13. Hutchinson, Evolution ... ," p. 138 31(1): 14-23; containing parts II 1973. 14 . Good, p. 417 and III of Flora Repub/icae 9. Mathou, Mlle Th. - Recherches 15. Mathou, p. 8-9,445-447 Popularis Sinicae. sur la Famille des Buxacees; 16. Hutchinson, Evolution ... ," p. 3. Batdorf, Lynn R. Copies of notes etude anatomique, microchimique 138-9 on several Buxus species, as et systematique, 1939. 17. Mathou, p. 9 preparation for a Buxus mono graph, as well as an article Mr. Shanahan is a Library Committee published July 1988. member of the Horticultural Alliance of 4. Corliss, William R., compiler. the Hamptons and a member of The Anomalies in Geology; Physical, American Boxwood Society. Williamsburg Garden Tour 1993 Annual Meeting Mrs. Robert L. Frackelton On May 22, 1993, in conjunction with the ABS Annual Meeting, many members and guests enjoyed a walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg gardens. The tour began near the Magazine where we were divided into three groups led by Cynthia Long, Patricia Long and Rollin Wooley. We headed in different directions and with 4 1/2 miles of boxwood in the Historic Area, it wasn't difficult to locate boxwood gardens! Our group entered the rear of the Custis tenement garden where Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa' enjoyed the shade of an !lex decidua, and then into the garden designed to represent the British flag. The Bryan House garden had several topiary forms and a pleasant arbor, planted with native wisteria and Custis tenement garden, where Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa' flourishes in the coral honeysuckle (Lonicera shade of liex decidua (Possum Haw). (Photos: Mrs. Robert L. Frackelton) 28 October 1993 Arbor in Bryan House garden. planted with Wisteria frutescens and Lonicera sempervirens. Topiary forms ofBuxus sempervirens and dwarf plum trees in the Corkscrew topiary ofBuxus sempervirens. Bryan House garden. (Photo: Mrs. Robert Schenk) October 1993 29 Interrupted cone topiary ofBuxus sempervirens in the E. Buxus sempervirens shaped in the interrupted cone topiary Deane House garden. (Photo: Mrs. Robert Schenk) under an American Beech in the Palace gardens. (Photo : Mrs. Robert Schenk) sempervirens), where we paused. Other topiary forms seen along the way were a cork-screw in the Roscow Cole House garden and interrupted cone forms in the E. Deane House garden and the Governor's Palace gardens. The George Wythe House garden represented a formal garden with boxwood shaped into globes and an arbor of pleached hornbeam. The rear of the Robert Carter House garden had B. sempervirens 'Suffru ticosa' in its natural billowing form, with no artificial shaping. A very formal garden on the Governor's Palace grounds had low parterre hedges and on the outside Wisteria prutescens blooming on the fence in the George Wythe garden with pyramids as accents. There were also globes ofB. sempervirens and a pleached hornbeam arbor in the background. twelve cylinders of yaupon hollies (flex 30 October 1993 An American Elm tree shades the billowing B. sempervirens 'Suffruticosa' in the Robert Carter garden. A parterre of B. sempcrvirens on the grounds of the Governor's Palace. October 1993 31 Twelve topiary cylinders ofIlex vomitoria (yaupon holly), 12' tall and 8' in Lush boxwood in the Brush-Everard diameter, represent the Twelve Apostles in the Governor's Palace garden. garden. Guide Cynthia Long al1wng 5-8' tall B. sempervirens. The walkway at Nicholson Street. vomitoria) to represent the twelve guide paused, paths were overgrown virens 'Suffruticosa', some 8' to 10' taIl. apostles. with B. sempervirens 'Suffruticosa', Upon reaching Nicholson Street, A view from the Mound behind the some reaching shoulder height. A path one of two that Governor Nicholson Brush-Everard garden was a mass of leading from the Mound to Nicholson named for himself, the other being boxwood. Behind the house where our Street was "hedged" with B. semper- Francis, we headed for the bus pick-up. 32 October 1993 Workshop in Williamsburg May 21, 1993 Propagation Tom Saunders I guess the best way for me to get between slow release Osmocote, wintering structures we have. Our started is to qualify myself as your sulphur-cote, other water insoluble nursery work force will fluctuate from workshop teacher on boxwood propa nitrogen compounds, and also liquid 10 employees in the winter up to 30 gation. As the second of seven sons fertilizer. during the peak shipping and planting whose father ran a wholesale container To make matters worse, we also season. In addition to the over-winter nursery, I've been propagating plants have to choose a source of micronutri ing structures, a good deal of the ever since I was big enough to break ents and, if this is not enough, whether boxwood and some of the hardier cuttings. During that time and the years we want lime, and if so, how much and conifers are still grown and left outside since, I don't believe any business has in which form-powdered or granu for the winter months. undergone the changes that the con lated. For weed control, we can choose Besides growing some of the East tainer nursery business has. between such products as Rout, Coast's best "English" boxwood, we As an example, plastic cans were Snapshot, om, Devrinol, Treflan, also produce azaleas, conifers, liriope not "the thing" at our nursery in the Southern Weedgrass Control and (which is a great combination plant for beginning. Initially, I-gallon metal cans others. If all these choices make you boxwood), rhododendron, holly, were picked up from the county school uncomfortable, they do me, too. Over hemlock, other flowering shrubs, and kitchen and drainage holes were the years, the only product at our my personal favorite, pansies. Other punched into them to facilitate water nursery that has been consistent for the boxwood cultivars grown for sale are movement through the pots. Soil was duration has been the Rainbird sprin "American," 'Graham Blandy', B. shoveled into the pots as the media of klers. sinica var. insularis, B. sempervirens the day. Into these pots were placed Let's get back to the matter at hand. 'Green Beauty', 'Jim's Spreader',B. irregular, un-uniform single boxwood As of this spring, I've been nursery microphylla 'Kingsville', B. micro cuttings which were fertilized with manager at our farm nursery for 12 p/zylla var.japonica 'Morris Dwarf', 10-10-10 during the growing season. years. Three years ago, the business and B. sempervirens 'Fastigiata'. The plants were placed under loblolly became incorporated and the name was Initially, our nursery was nestled pine shade, and after about four changed from Saunders Orchard & under a pine overs tory and boxwoods growing seasons the plants were ready Nursery to Saunders Bros., Inc. The were the main plant produced. Through for market. Of course, one had to pick name was chosen because Saunders time and expansion of both our num through the plants to select the best Brothers was the name of my bers and our product line, we were ones for sale. Once selected, roots had grandfather's business when he and his forced into open areas for plant to be pruned off that had grown through brothers owned it in the early I900s. production. A lot of our boxwood are the drainage holes. Weed control was Our nursery is located between still produced outside under the pine done by hand and very little pruning Lynchburg and Charlottesville, Va., at trees. I can sleep better during a cold took place. the foothills of the Blue Ridge Moun winter's night if I know my azaleas, Today one must decide whether tains in beautiful Nelson County. For "rhodies," hoUy and boxwood babies plastic pots for production are you geographic buffs, Walton's are inside out of the severe temperature blow-molded or injection-molded. Mountain, Crabtree Falls, and Winter fluctuations and desiccating winds. Technically speaking, they are termed green are the county's landmarks. A boxwood propagation house at "containers" now, and not pots. In Unfortunately, however, Nelson County our nursery will have a gravel floor addition, pine bark, peat moss, sand, is probably best remembered as the base to ensure good drainage and aged perlite, vermiculite, peanut hulls, and final nesting site for Hurricane Camille railroad ties to form the exterior sides yes, soil, are just some of the choices on August 19, 1969. Fortunately its of rooting beds. The media used is a from which a grower can choose from devastation on our farm converted us mixture of coarse sand and peat moss. to comprise their growing media. Of from a field nursery to a container The rooting depth is about 6". Shade course, we can no longer call it soil; nursery. cloth is left on the house year around now, it's a plant medium. Also to At present, we produce 1/2 million and sprinklers are installed to provide expedite turnover, we must decide plants annually on our 35-acre nursery. sufficient water for the young plants. whether we want 1,2, or 5 cuttings per Most of the plants are grown and The beds are narrow enough that a container. For fertilizers, we can choose overwintered in one of the 150+ over- worker can reach half the width of the October 1993 33 bed to either stick the cutting or lift it mately 4" in length are removed from With a powdered hormone, do we once rooted. We use pylon labels to the parent plant and the lower leaves honestly know how much remains after mark varieties and provide the workers are removed. To expedite the the physical process of sticking the with 2"x 10" boards to sit upon when hormoning process, cuttings are banded cutting is over? sticking if so desired. For winterizing together with a rubber band to prevent Because of the number of varieties the house, a sheet of milky white plastic reassembling them later. The physical we're growing we like to tag most of is attached to the boards down the side act of stripping the cutting opens sites the flats. We use a flat 18"x18" made in the fall. This plastic can also act as for rooting to begin. To aid in counting by Lerio. In each flat, two plastic an umbrella to facilitate fall and winter the cuttings, 25 are banded per group. inserts are placed, each numbering 32 sticking in inclement weather. Also, it This is not necessary if the cuttings are cells that are 2.25" square and 3.5" provides heat retention, which is to be planted in cell flats, only if deep. Therefore, 64 cells make up a essential in quick rooting. As far as I'm rooting beds are being used. Without tray. Through a lot of cost analysis, we concerned, soil temperature is the the number, goals cannot be achieved. have determined this to be the most number one factor in achieving fast Uniformity of finished plants is economical route to go. Often cultivars rooting if the cutting is taken at the always the objective of the grower. This are a different shade of green and this proper time. can be achieved if one starts out with aids in plant identification. In addition, Any homeowner can duplicate this uniform cuttings. Clipping the terminal we encourage our workers not to plant situation in his back yard with 2" achieves two other purposes: one, it boxwoods that have similar appear lumber if ample shade is present If prevents the cutting from drying out so ances side by side. Over the years, we shade is not present, make a wooden quickly by eliminating the succulent have overwintered azalea liners in these frame out of 2" x 4" lumber and nail growing tip, which is not as important unheated houses, too. Of course, our burlap sacks as a shading material. Of with boxwood as it is with azaleas and ultimate goal is to have plants that our course, water must be provided as other flowering shrubs, and two, it customers would keep coming back for, needed. My biggest complaint with this causes the cutting to branch more isn't it? age-old system was that the plant's readily resulting in a fuller plant for the Two of my favorite boxwoods are growth was checked when it was lifted field. Once readied, cuttings are B. sempervirens 'Graham Blandy' and and became bare-rooted. For this reason moistened with water to enable the one we call "insularis" (Buxus sinica and due to a lack of houses, we looked powdered rooting hormone to stick var. insularis nana). After all, if we at an alternative environment for easier. With boxwood, Hormodin #2 can't be the President of the United rooting. powder is used, which is equal to 0.3% States, then let's let our plants beautify Rooting in flats in a media of peat IBA (or 3,000 ppm). Cuttings taken in the grounds at the White House. (Close moss, pine bark, and perlite has resulted the summer months root readily with to 400 plants of B. microphylla 'Green in rooting percentages in excess of this hormone concentration. If cuttings Pillow' were planted in the rose garden 95%. Within each of these flats are 64 are to be taken later in the year, an at the White House.) 2.5" x 2:5" round jiffy peat pots. Each increase in the hormone concentration peat pot is 3.5" deep. Around the area may be needed. As time permits, we Mr. Saunders is the manager of the we attach shade cloth to cut down on stick boxwood cuttings from June boxwood division of Saunders Brothers, wind desiccation. Having developed a through February. Because boxwoods Inc., and a Director of the ABS. successful system, we decided to try it as a whole don't proliferate or grow as in a growing structure to eliminate the quickly as other plants, most of our only drawback to the system; that is, cuttings come off of landscape plants the labor required to move the flats in and not container plants. In Memoriam the fall. Initially we filled the flats and In recent years, we have had good placed them in long beds in a house. success using the liquid hormone Mrs. Athalie Clarke Looking at this method closer, we felt IBA-K at a concentration of 5,000 ppm. Life Member that we were not utilizing enough of the This hormone is water soluble making Mr. Alden E. Flory total floor space. Henceforth, we set the it a great product for the propagator. Member since 1986 flats with a few skips in the bed to Because it is a liquid, cuttings are not Dr. L. Henning Mayfield allow the worker places in which to pre-moistened before they are Member since 1988 access the individual flats. I don't know hormoned. We recommend a 3-second Mrs. Paul Stone how a greenhouse could be utilized any basal dip using this product I always Member since 1988 more efficiently than this. Once in feel better using a liquid hormone place, we start taking broadleaf cuttings because I feel plant uptake of the after the 4th of July. Cuttings approxi- product is necessary for good results. 34 October 1993 Minutes of Summer Board Meeting - July 9, 1993 A special summer meeting of the the Society wishes to promote. The Board of Directors will meet on ABS Board of Directors was held on The garden is to be an educational Friday, September 10 at 12 noon in Friday, July 9, 1993, at the Sheraton display of plants. The need for a wind Charlottesville for the fall meeting. Inn in Staunton, Virginia. Those break was mentioned, perhaps existing attending were President Dale T. B. sempervirens (Common Box) at Mrs. Scot Butler, Secretary Taylor, Vice President Mrs. Robert L. BIandy Farm could form a hedge along Frackelton, Secretary Mrs. Scot Butler, the north side of the garden. The water Following the July meeting, on Treasurer Mrs. Katherine D. Ward, line will be installed 36 inches deep for August 6,1993, there was a gathering Directors Lynn R. Batdorf, Mrs. Sigrid freeze protection. For co-planting at BIandy Experimental Farm to discuss Harriman, Malcolm Jamieson, Tom materials, a specific list of plants might the relocation of the ABS Memorial Saunders and Stephen D. Southall, be published, with sizes desired, as a Garden boxwood collection and Director of the State Arboretum, Dr. request for donations. Mr. Jamieson, companion plants according to the Edward Connor, and landscape Mr. Saunders and Dr. Southall will Master Plan. Dr. Connor and Nancy architect, Nancy Takahashi. work for plant donations when they Takahashi had marked the outline of The meeting was called to order by receive the list of needed plants. the area and Dr. Connor led the group President Taylor at 1:00 p.m. The Mrs. Butler moved that the Board around the site in a pouring rain. Treasurer reported a balance of $32,966 authorize the expenditure of up to Present were Mr. Batdorf, Mrs. Butler, in the checking account and the $8,500 in accordance with the cost Mrs. Frackelton, Mrs. Harriman and amounts allotted to special funds. estimate provided by Dr. Connor for Mrs. Sexton. When Mrs. Takahashi Dr. Connor reported on the ap preparing the east end of the Memorial joined us, there was a review of the proaching completion of the new Garden for planting this fall, including plants with suggestions as to space amphitheater and the advisability of water line installation, preparation of required and choice of companion rescheduling the sequence of develop beds, planting and mUlching. Dr. plants. This was to be incorporated and ing sections of the ABS Memorial Southall seconded the motion, which presented at the fall board meeting. Boxwood Garden. It was agreed to shift was passed unanimously. This expendi concentration to the east end of the ture replaces the Society'S commitment garden, the area where existing speci of $6,000 previously authorized at the men .plants will be displayed, so that spring Board Mecting on March 19, soil preparation, drainage and water 1993. Dr. Connor said that new uniform Dear Mrs. Frackelton: line installation may begin this fall. signs are being placed throughout the The booklet editors are very pleased Mrs. Nancy Takahashi explained the State Arboretum. and proud to receive two awards from revised master plan of the Memorial Mrs. Frackelton reported that the the Federation of Garden Clubs. One is Garden. The north and south sections July Boxwood Bulletin is being printed. the Massachusetts Certificate for present a more logical plan for the Membership is now 750. Special Achievement. The other is the boxwood plantings. Cultivar specimens Mr. Batdorf had no Registrar's Tommy Donnan #13 National Award will be,arranged by species, with the report. He circulated a group of Certificate of Merit under Publications . . Buxus sempervirens on the two outer excellent photographs of boxwood The Book of Evidence was mailed edges and color drifting from dark diseases and insect damage to be used to the Federation's Medal Awards foliage to light foliage. Discussion in the new Handbook. As for the Mono Chairman on June 9, 1993. Your letter centered on the need for decisions graph. he has decided to include only was printed in it. It was (and is) a fine about specific cultivar locations. There the temperate zone boxwood species. 1ctter and we thank you very much for still remains a problem with doubtful The next five-year Index of The Box it. It was mind-boggling but very names. Mrs. Takahashi noted that it wood Bulletin will be needed in 1995. important that we had a copy ofLynn will not be a static garden; plants can Mr. Jamieson suggested that a Batdorf's latest listing. I am sure we come out and others can be moved in. It packet of information about the ABS would have flunked without that. was noted that spacing must be far and favorite boxwood cultivars be pre enough apart to allow room for digging. pared and sent to magazines and news Thank you again for your coopera Questions were raised about named papers. He feels there is little general or tion and help. cultivars which have not becn regis widespread knowledge about boxwood. tered; perhaps emphasis could be given There followed a discussion of Edie Knowles (Mrs. George B .• Jr.) to registered plants, a prominent possible locations for the 1994 Annual Garden Club of Buzzard's Bay, S. location might be given to plants which Meeting and a future tour. Dartmouth, Mass. October 1993 35 Members Share ... Testimony to the endurance of boxwood, these Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa' were laid flat by a March snow blizzard, but in May they were upright with a flush of new growth (below). If snow is caught in the powdery state, brushing it off is helpful, but when icicles have formed, leave it alone. Some broken branches will be quickly filled in. (Photos: John E. Hart.) 36 October 1993 In the Armstrong garden in Williamsburg, some vigorous sports ofBuxus microphylla 'Compacta' have taken over the parent plant (above) . Below, Buxus harlandii continues its vigorous growth, and is now shoulder high. (Photos: Mrs. Robert L. Frackelton) October 1993 37 At Elmwood in Essex County, Va ., Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa' plants line the garden path with clumps of Crape Myrtle adding relief to the straight line. Growth along the inner branches indicates that the plants have received good care (left). At right, the limbed up trees give the effect of an English manor park as seen beyond a cluster of shoulder-high Buxus sempervirens. Mature trees include Magnolia grandiflora. (Photos: Mrs. Robert L. Frackelton) erne Seasonal gardener Practical tips for boxwood enthusiasts from Society members Boxwood: the Key to Christmas outer wire on the wreath frame at a cross piece, so the Decorations wire or string will not slide. Do not cut the wire or string from the spool. Assemble a cluster of six sprigs Wreaths of boxwood and lay on the wreath frame. Wrap the The ideal time to shape your boxwood is late fall attached spool wire very tightly around the cut ends using your clippings to make holiday arrangements, of the boxwood several times, then wrap the wire wreaths, and roping. very tightly around the wreath frame several times. To make a basic boxwood wreath you will need a Do not cut wire or string from spool. spool of wax-coated string or a spool of #22 gauge Keep the clusters of boxwood uniform in size. To wire, a flat 2-wire wreath frame 18" in diameter, complete the wreath, continue wiring clusters of approximately 11/2 bushel of 5-inch sprigs of boxwood. boxwood onto the frame, working in one direction. (Supplies may be purchased from Wal-Mart or a craft Attach the last cluster of boxwood by lifting the first store). cluster up and wiring the last cluster under it. Wrap Wrap the end of the wire on the spool around the the attached spool wire tightly around the ends of the 38 October 1993 last cluster and then around the wreath frame. Leave 1 NOTE: Other natural materials for roping such as inch of wire to wrap around the frame. Cut the wire holly, white pine, and cedar can be combined in from the spool with the wire cutters and wrap the random bunches. I-inch end around the outer wire on the wreath frame Kissing Ball several times to secure it. Clip off any protruding Many different materials may be used for the ball; pieces of foliage. Any type of boxwood is suitable for potatoes, apples, a 3" or larger Styrofoam ball, or a any of these projects. ball may be made from chicken wire and floral foam. Boxwood wreaths can also be made using a straw To start, insert one 10" piece of # 18 gauge floral wire base. (These are not suitable for between storm doors, down through the center of the ball. Bend the bottom as the door will not close). For this wreath you will of the wire into a fishhook shape. need an 18" straw wreath wrapped in green plastic and Make sure that the hook is firmly attached to the floral pins. Assemble a cluster of three to four sprigs ball. Bend the top of the wire into a loop. Attach the of boxwood and lay it on top of the straw base. Stick a other 10" piece of #18 gauge floral wire to the loop. floral pin over the stems of the boxwood and push it Bend the top of the second wire to suspend the kissing in. Assemble another cluster of three to four sprigs of ball at a convenient working height. Insert 3-4" sprigs boxwood the same size as the first. Lay it on the first of boxwood into the ball until the ball is entirely cluster 1 to 2 inches down from the top of the foliage covered. Tum the ball frequently while working on it so that it overlaps the first cluster and covers the to be sure that its shape is uniform. The finished ball pinned ends. Secure it with a floral pin. Continue should be 8-10 inches in diameter. Red ribbon, berries, pinning clusters onto the straw base, working in one herbs or other material made be used to decorate the direction. Attach the last cluster of boxwood by lifting ball. These can be wrapped onto a wooden pick and the first cluster up and pinning the last cluster under it. inserted. After the holiday season the entire ball is Repeat the same steps for the outer and inner edges of discarded. the wreath. Extra clusters of boxwood may be required Table Arrangements to cover any plastic that remains exposed. Clip off any Boxwood makes an excellent filler at any time of protruding pieces of foliage. the year. Longer pieces of boxwood are needed for NOTE: The floral pins will hold best if the stems arrangements and their length depends on the flowers of the boxwood are kept short and as non-woody as and the size of the arrangements. After plucking the possible. This wreath may be double faced. stems should be cut on a diagonal and inserted first Roping into the arrangement. After the greens are placed the Materials needed: Boxwood clipping 8-9" sprigs, flowers, cones or balls made be added. cord or twine, one spool of #20 gauge floral wire and Boxwood is an excellent green to work with as wire cutters. Stretch your cord keeping it secure (on a there is no sap, no needles to hurt or drop off and even door knob or attached to nails). Hold a bunch of 3-4 when it becomes dry, it stays intact. The greens can be sprigs of boxwood and the cord in the left hand and washed off in a weak dish washing solution to remove the spool of wire in the right. Wrap the wire around any dust or insects. This will also give a shine to the the stems of the boxwood and around the cord 4 times. leaves. If the season has been very dry, leaving them Do not cut the wire from the spool. Assemble another in the water for a couple of hours will keep them bunch of 3-4 sprigs of boxwood and lay it in the same fresher much longer. If a wreath is placed a door direction on the first bunch on the cord several inches behind a glass storm door, it will tum brown with from the end so that it overlaps the first bunch and sunburn. covers the stems. Twist the attached spool wire tightly It should take a less than an hour to make a wreath around the two bunches two or three times. Be careful or a kissing ball. They make ideal gifts and something to wrap the stems only; if the leaves are wrapped, it you can use more than one of. will spoil the fullness of the roping. Keep working in the same direction. Attach the last bunch of boxwood Katherine Ward, Treasurer of the ABS in the opposite direction. Twist the attached spool wire tightly around the last two bunches. Cut the wire Mrs. Ward operates a treefarm. and during November from the spool. and December. a holiday gift shop.