Members of the American Horticultural Society Will Gather in Miami from March 14-17. 1984 ./ For the AHS Spring Symposium. We Would Lil

Leave winter woes behind and join us in Miami for our Spring Sym­ posium. Tour Fairchild Tropical Garden, famous for its tropical flowering trees, palms and cycads, and stroll through Vizcaya, the Italian Renaissance palace of John Deering. Explore , once the home of world-renowned explorer David Fairchild. Learn about tissue culture propaga­ tion at the Orchid Jungle, and visit wholesale and retail nurseries filled with exotic . Be sure to join us for a unique tropical experi­ ence- south Florida promises to be in the full bloom of spring. For more information about the Spring Symposium, look in the January issue of American Horticul­ turist news or write to the Society's Education Department. You may also elect to extend your horticul­ tural holiday by joining the Post Symposium Tour of gardens along Florida's west coast, the Everglades and EPCOT from March 18-26, 1984. Please join us!

ABOVE: Fairchild Tropical Garden is famous for its collection of palms as well as cycads, orchids, bromeliads and trees native to South Florida and the Bahamas. BELOW: Hibiscus 'Norma', growing in the hibiscus display garden at Fairchild. VOLUME 63 NUMBER 2 Gantents

President's Page: Meet Our New Executive Director 2

Strange Relatives: The Family by Jane Steffey 4

Seasonable Reminders: A Catalogue Review by Peter Loewer 8

Book Reviews by Gilbert S. Daniels 12

New Plants for 1984 by The Staff of American Horticulturist 14 Container Plants for Wintry Terraces by Linda Yang 20

The Kampong by Larry Schokman and Karen Ronne Tupek 25

Reflections on Muck and Mysticism by Frederick McGourry 30

Pronunciation Guide 35

Gardener's Marketplace ' 36

The Indoor Gardener: Florist Azaleas­ Tips for Re-forcing by Judith Hillstrom 40

Sources 42

The Design Page: Symmetry & Balance by Margaret Hensel 44

Hemerocallis 'Song Sparrow', a new introduction from K1ehm Nursery. For more new introductions to look for in 1984 turn to page 14. Photograph courtesy of K1ehm Nursery.

On the Cover

The spectacular flowers of night-blooming cereus, Hylocereus sp., grace a tropical evening at The Kampong, former home of world­ famous plant explorer David Fairchild. For more on this fascinating Florida garden turn to page 25. Photograph by Larry Schokman.

EDITOR, PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR: Barbara W. Ellis. ART DIRECTOR: Rebecca K. McClimans. ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Lyn n M. Lynch. EDITORIAL ASS ISTANT: Jane Steffey. PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Betsy Woldman. HORTICULTURAL CONSULTANT, BOOK EDITOR: Gilbert S. Daniels. PRONUNCIATION GUIDE ADVISOR: Everett Conklin. ASS ISTANTS TO THE EDITOR: Louise Baughn, Cindy Weakland. BUSINESS MANAGER: May Lin Roscoe. MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: Connie Glark. COLOR SEPARATIONS: John Simmons, Chromagraphics Inc. ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES: C. Lynn Coy Associates, In c., 55 Fo rest Street, Stamford, CT 06902, (203) 327·4626.

Replacement Iss ues of AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST are available at a cost of $2.50 per copy. The opinions expressed in the articles that appear in AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST arc those of the authors and are not necessaril y those of the Sociery. They arc presented as contributions (Q contemporary thought. Manuscripts, art work and photographs sent fo r possible publication will be returned if they are accompanied by a se lf-addressed, stamped envelope.

AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST is the official publication of The American Horticultural Society, 7931 East Bouleva rd Drive, AlexMdria, Virginia 22308, (703) 768·5700, and is issued monthly. Membership in the Society includes a subscription to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Membership dues start at $20.00 a year, $12.00 of which is des ignated fo r AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Copyright © 1984 by The American Horticultural Society. ISSN 0096.4417. Second-cl ass postage paid at Alexandria, Virginia and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send Form 3579 to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121.

American Horticulturist PRESIDENT'S PAGE Meet OurNew Executive Director

t is a great pleasure and privilege for be less cost-effective, they might also prove me to join the staff of the American to be more rewarding in enhancing the I Horticultural Society as its new Ex­ character and revitalizing the quality of life ecutive Director. As I assume my new re­ in different parts of the country. How sponsibilities it seems appropriate to share should a national society, with its head­ some of my ideas about the Society so that quarters on the Eastern Seaboard, attempt you might, in turn, be encouraged to share to serve the horticultural in~erests of this with me and the staff your own expec­ vast land of ours successfully? Intuition tations for the Society and enthusiasm tells me that the answer lies in encouraging for enjoying and promoting horticultural differences rather than by forcing similar­ pursuirs. ities, in promoting the development of re­ I'm disheartened by the fact that so few gional activities and facilities, and in re­ people either know or care about the joy lying upon local resources to enlighten and and satisfaction of growing plants. After enliven local settings. all, gardening is one of the healthiest We understand this to be the Informa­ (physically and mentally) and most eco­ tion Age. Your Society has been for many nomical activities in which one can engage. years an important source of horticultural It should be the business of the Society to professionals alike. I would like to enlist information for its members and for the expand its efforts to provide more oppor­ your support in carrying the word about American public. North American Hor­ tunities to learn about and work with plants plants and gardens to every vacant lot, ticulture: A Reference Guide-and earlier in garden settings and in nature. every un landscaped development project versions of this important reference- epit­ I'm also frustrated by the fact that so and every empty windowsill in the land. omize the' Society's great tradition of mak­ many people without first-hand experi­ I'm also interested in helping more plant ing information available. It is my belief ence with plants often view horticulture lovers and gardeners adopt a broader that its increasing involvement in the dis­ and its many manifestations as so much interpretation of the meaning of horticul­ semination, at the national level, of top­ trifling luxury. Ironically, the fact that it ture. Surely it means tending a plot of veg­ ical information on local and regional events isn't becomes apparent only when the etables or a favorite flower bed in one's will continue to render it a Society for all pocketbook begins to suffer. Witness the back yard, but it must also include a sense seasons of the year and for all sections of turnaround in home vegetable gardening of stewardship of the land on any scale, the country. res ulting from the recessionary climate of up to and including the earth itself. We It is very exciting for me to be entering the past decade. With your support, we horticulturists should do more to instill a the Society's service at a point near the will find and develop ways to promote the conservation ethic by encouraging land use beginning of both the worldwide explo­ pleasure and usefulness of green plants and planning and zoning policies consonant sion of information and the national trend glorious gardens. with the long-term welfare of the land about toward decentralization. It could prove to I'm disappointed, too, that we haven't us, as well as by promoting the conser­ be one of the most productive and re­ been more effective in promoting and vation of those that are endangered warding eras ever for the American people. maintaining in cultivation a wider variety in our own localities. Even though the con­ With imagination and foresight, your So­ of plants of service to man. In spite of servation of vast stretches of the tropics is ciety will play an important part in ena­ history's teachings, we seem to forget that the most critical battleground affecting our bling us to enjoy today's-and tomor­ the monoculture of choice species or se­ long-term welfare on this planet today, we row's-technology without sacrificing lected , while convenient and cost­ of this Society can probably be of greatest yesterday's values. I look forward to work­ effective in the short term, ~an have dis­ help in raising the national consciousness ing with all of you in achieving the goals astrous results in the long run. Witness the about worldwide problems by making our of the Society and in making our world a denuding of so many of our city streets friends and neighbors aware of similar, better one in which to live. with the loss of the American elm to Dutch albeit smaller, situations in local contexts. elm disease. Recently, we've become increasingly On the other hand, I'm enthusiastic about aware of a growing, and in my view, healthy the increasing opportunities afforded by resurgence toward decentralization in the Society to work with hobbyists and America. While such trends might tend to -Charles A. Huckins

2 February 1984 Cultivate the best -with one of these three superb references. ~

Wyman's Gardening Encyclopedia. Donald Wyman. "The most broadly conceived and magnificently organized one-volume gardening and horticultural reference book that I ever had the pleasure of using."-Dr. George S. Avery, Direccor, Brooklyn Botanical Garden . "A must."-New York Times. (Pub. Price: $29.95)

The Wisley Book of Gardening. The Royal Horticultural Society. The brand new American edition of a cJassic-"a splendid reference and guide to English landscaping and gardening ... the emphasis is on the selection of plants suitable for a garden of one-half acre."-Library Journal. (Pub. Price: $25.95)

America's Garden Book. James and Louise Bush­ Brown. Newly revised. Considered the basic primer on all phases of small property and informal garden­ ing-" not only indispensable for the beginning gardener, but one that should be in everyone's library."-Horticullure. "The winner and still champ."-Newsday. (Pub. Price: $25 .00) L~'-~~:::::::::==--~ ------The Garden Book Club Membership Service Department CHOOSE ONE FOR 250 W. 57th Street, N.Y. , N.Y. 10107 How membership works: You agree to buy four club 50 95 selections during your fi rst year of membership. You'll choose books [rom our club bulletin that offers you a wide JUST $7 (value up to $29 ) selection of garden books (cn times a year. When you wam the main selection ) do nOl hing and you'll receive it automatically_ If you want any other book listed-or none at all-indicate your decision on the reply card enclosed with the bulletin and return it by the specified date. WHENYOU JOIN THE Should you ever receive the main selection without having had 10 days to return the card , you may return that selection at our expense. After fulfilling your initial obligation ) you earn a bonus credit with every book you GARDEN BOO[(CLUB buy. Four credits entitle you to a Bonus Book (most of them available at no ex tra charge, a few for a nominal At last there is a special club for And we will bring you these sum). Unless you prepay, you will be biUed on all orders gardeners that brings you the best excellent books at remarkable savings- for postage and handing. books in every garden category- often as high as 30%-so you can build Please enroll me as a member of The Garden Book Club and send me (check one, two or three boxes) 0 WYMAN'S books that truly serve and reflect the a library of elegant and indispensable GARDENING ENCYCLOPEDIA 0 AMERICA'S varied interests of the gardener's world. gardening books to refer to again and GARDEN BOOK 0 THE WISLEY BOOK OF As a member of The Garden again for inspiration and help. GARDENING-a value up to $29.95 for only $7.50 each. Book Club, you'll be offered books Each month's featured tides will Name ______of lasting use and value-selected be described in the club bulletin- Address ______

with the assistance of our Advisory mailed to you ten times a year-in City ______Board consisting of America's most the kind of detail and candor that distinguished authorities on modern makes it easy to pick out those tides State Zip _____ gardening and landscape design. You of particular interest to you. o Payment enclosed, Please send my introductory book(s) right away. 0 Charge my credit card as follows: can choose from beautifully illustrated To become a Charter Member o MasterCard 0 American Express books on garden history and design, and receive anyone, any two or Card # ______important reference works and even all three of these invaluable encyclopedias, hard-to-fmd technical reference books shown above, just Expires ___ MasterCard Bank # _____ and specialty books, and how-to books send the coupon today. Your only ·· b fi I· Signature ------that tac kl e th e spec ifilC pro bl ems 0 f 0 bligauon IS to uy our se ecuons The club reserves the right of membership approval.

L-each______region in the . during your flrst year of membership. ~ ______------AH02 ~ STRANGE RELA TIVES The Caper Family

f you are a lover the morning. The fruit of herbs, spices is a green berry with I and flavorings, orange, fetid, inedible you know the pi­ pulp. In Hawaii the quancy of . As plant has long been a gourmet cook you used medicinally as a may be using capers cure for broken bones. to add pungency to a Curiously, the whole dish you feature in plant is pounded, then your repertoire. In­ applied to body joints, deed, the caper is a never to the injured Mediterranean staple area. Unlike many of that has been used as its confreres, this spe­ a condiment for sev­ cies is completely eral thousand years. It smooth, bearing no is of integral impor­ spines. tance in the prepara­ Other tion of some "classic" species are listed recipes, and its special among the useful na­ accent is the essence tive plants of Aus­ of Liptauer cheese. tralia; about 20 spe­ But did you know cies are native to the that this chef's delight ~ continent. Hardy in all is a flower? The caper :C but very frosty areas, we eat is the small, i c. arborea is a small immature, unopened 0:: tree from the rain for­ flower bud of Capparis spinosa, belonging is a large genus whose members are of ests of Queensland and New South Wales. to the caper family, . mostly tropical origin. The caper bush is Scattered spines on the stems and very In warm, dry climates where it is native, the only one of economic importance. Some fragile, white flowers characterize this spe­ such as in the Mediterranean region, this of the other Capparis species have admi­ cies. C. mitchellii, a small, rounded tree, spiny bush with its trailing branches is often rable ornamental qualities and, occasion­ is referred to as "native orange." Its white seen growing wild, hanging over old walls, ally, edible berries. flowers are followed by edible fruit. C. on building sites or along gravelly road C. cynophallophora, Jamaica caper tree, lasiantha, commonly called split jack, grows banks. The attractive flowers are rather is a or small tree with long, leathery, wild as a very spiny, heavily branched shrub like lovely, large, wild roses. They are yel­ simple and beanlike, fleshy berries or as a climber over trees. The pulp of its lowish or white with tassels of purple-tipped on long stalks. (The species name means yellow fruit is pleasant to eat, and livestock . The caper bush is not hardy in bearing long, curved seed pods.) It is native find the foliage palatable. A variety of the cool climates, but it can be grown as an to the Caribbean and south Florida, where common caper, C. spinosa var. nummu­ annual in temperate zone gardens. it is a coastal tree. This is a handsome laria, is recommended for Australian gar­ Where the plant is cultivated, its im­ . Its fragrant white blos­ dens. It is commonly called coastal caper mature flower buds are gathered early each soms, borne in few-flowered clusters, have or Flinders rose. morning, necessitating much hand labor. numerous protruding stamens-yellow with The family to which the capers have given In countries around the Mediterranean purplish anthers-that are two or three their name is medium-sized, made up of where capers are an everyday ingredient times as long as the petals. about 40 genera and perhaps 700 species of flavorful dishes, the buds are sold in the C. sandwichiana, a Hawaiian native of trees, , herbs and some lianas market loose, by weight. For sale around named for the Sandwich Islands, is par­ (woody vines). They are found mainly in the world the buds are pickled in strongly ticularly adapted to rather dry, rocky lo­ the tropics and subtropics around the world salted wine vinegar and bottled as a pun­ cations near the sea. Its Hawaiiap name, and in the Mediterranean region. gent condiment. Berries, if allowed to ma­ pua-pilo or maiapilo, refers to its highly Diagnostic features of the caper family ture, are sometimes pickled in rural areas. perfumed flowers. These delicate blossoms include leaves that are borne alternately The generic name, Capparis, as used by have a mass of protruding, yellow-tipped, on the stem and are simple, or palmately Linnaeus, is believed to be derived from white stamens, and they bloom only at or digitately divided (as in the familiar the Arabic word kabar, meaning caper. It night, usually closing by eight o'clock in ). Many have glandular, leaflike

4 February 1984 LEFT: Cleome hasslerana is co mmonl y ca ll ed spider fl ower. This is the cu ltivar 'Pink Queen'. ABOVE: reLigiosa, commonly call ed sacred garlic pea r, is a small tree from the Old World tropics.

American Horticulturist 5 STRANGE RELA TIVES

stipules or spines at the base of the stem, Replace as in the spider flower and caper. The flow­ ers may be terminal (at the tip of a branch) Ugly Store­ and borne in clusters, as in Cleome, or solitary and axillary, as in Capparis spi­ nosa. Usually there are four to eight Bought Plant and four to eight petals. There may be only four stamens, but, in some species, stamens Hangers are numerous, conspicuous and ornamen­ Make every day tal. Seed is borne in a dry capsule in some a SUNday. The Alternative To species and in a round or cylindrical berry in others. With a Janco greenhouse Macrame For Your Many temperate zone gardens are em­ that'sjust right for your home Hanging Plants or business. Free-standing or bellished with a well-known member of lean-to. Janco greenhouses are the caper family, Cleome, commonly called Colorful metal hangers fit all spider flower. There are about 200 species all-aluminum for easy care and 3-hole hanging planters. Use come with regular or factory­ indoors or out, Water or of Cleome, the most widely grown of which sealed insulated glass,. A choice carry plants without damage. is C. hasslerana. Highly visible from mid­ of attractive finishes. tool Start Choose Red. White. Blue. summer until frost, its height provides ac­ with a Janco and you'll enjoy Green. Yellow. Orange. cent and background in the flower garden. years of growing success. Beige. Gray. Black. Nickel. This native South American annual self­ Brass. 3/ 2,89. 5/ 3.95. 10 Send S2.00 for our 48-page sows readily, sometimes running wild in color catalog featuring the or more/7Z¢ ea. Add $1 shipping/handling for each the eastern United States. Like all , largest selection of greenhouses 5. Mass. Residents add 5 % it is strong-smelling (garlicky), hairy, and and accessories. Allo~~urj:;~;;;;;j tax. Send to: weeks viscid or sticky. Its compound leaves of five to seven leaflets have pairs of short ~. p I a n ta s tiq u ~M spines at the base. Terminal clusters of Auspin Enterprises small flowers with long-clawed petals and Dept AMZ 9390 Davis Avenue Dept AH2, 422 Northboro Rd. prominent stamens are followed by nar­ Laurel. MD 20707 (301 )498-5700 Marlboro, MA 01752 row seed pods on long stalks. It is hard to say whether it is the arresting display of stamens or the pendulous arrangement of seed pods that accounts for the spidery name. C. hasslerana bears dark, rosy pink blossoms that become white with age. Breeding has produced improved flower quality, and various cultivars offer choices of color emphasis: ' Great Pink', 'Pink Queen', and 'Rosea', in shades of pink; 'Alba' and 'Snow Crown' in white. Other Cleome species are native to the western United States, from Washington south to California and on to Baja and Mexico. C. serrulata, formerly C. integri­ folia, is widespread in the Rocky Moun­ tains. Commonly called Rocky Mountain bee plant, stinking clover, and sometimes skunkweed because of the unpleasant odor of its crushed herbiage, it occurs in western Canada and migrates through the western United States down to Mexico. This acrid, pungent plant is said to be distasteful to animals, but it is a good honey plant and has been cultivated for that use. Large, showy, pink or purple flowers bloom from June to October on plains and hillsides. In times of severe food shortage, the Navajos made a ground meal out of the seeds. Another bee plant in the family is the yellow spider flower or golden cleo me, C.

6 February 1984 lutea, which blooms from late summer izona, Texas and parts of California. in between, the abundance of colorful, to killing frosts. It is a vigorous annual, Flowering in spring and summer, and sometimes fragrant, fiovyers, with here and six or seven feet tall, occurring naturally reminiscent of Rocky Mountain bee plant, there a juicy fruit-the horticultural har­ from Washington south to California and is another wild native, Cleomella. Its fra­ vest in the caper family is impressive . ., eastward into Colorado and western grant yellow flowers lure bees, although -Jane Steffey Nebraska. its foliage earns it the name stinkweed. C. speciosa, formerly Gynandropsis Doves are said to relish the seeds of Mo­ speciosa, is a robust, succulent annual sim­ Jane Steffey recently retired as the Society'S jave stinkweed, C. obtusifolia. Horticultural Advisor. She is now an active ilar to C. hasslerana but without spines. From the little flower bud that we eat AHS volunteer and serves as Editorial It is grown as an ornamental in warm to the tree that excels in the landscape- Advisor to American Horticulturist. countries and is widely distributed from its Central American homeland. It pro­ duces beautiful, glossy leaves and long clusters of bright pink salver-form flowers bursting from intensely red buds. In In­ donesia it is reported as a woody and often treelike plant rather than as an herb. (formerly C. adan­ sonii), sacred garlic pear, is a commonly cultivated tree of the Old World tropics, "231 TOMATOES, where it is known in some places as temple AND IT'S STILL plant. This small tree bears large, creamy flowers with an odor of garlic. Each flower FULL OF BWOMS~ -c.c. Beckett Lebanon, Ohio has many prominent, curving, purple sta­ mens that appear in feathery contrast to "And my dwarf zinnias grew the petals. The fruit is a spotted berry with one-third larger and as thick fleshy yellow pulp. Dr. Edwin A. Mennin­ as fleas;' Mr Beckett continues, These are the ger, the tropical tree specialist, speaks of dramatic results of using Crateva as the "rich uncle of caper," and RA-PID-GRO® Plant Food says that in the "beauty [that] it can pro­ in his garden. duce on the landscape Crateva excels." RA-PID-GRO is concen­ Another tropical tree of the caper family trated, Just mix with wate!; is Steriphoma paradoxum. As described by spray or sprinkle on, and it Dr. Menninger, Steriphoma "is character­ goes to work instantly. And effectively. That's why Mr ized by gorgeous orange, bell-like flowers Beckett has been using in clusters at branch tips. All four known RA-PID-GRO for years, and species are South American. Curtis' Bo­ why he calls it "the best tanical Magazine reported that it had been fertilizer for the least effort:' grown under glass in Vienna as far back as 1797 and at Kew Gardens in England since 1825. P€tals are pale yellow with yellow stamens." What it's Published lists of native plants of several named is of our western states include six species of what it does. Polanisia. These members of the caper family are coarse, weedy, annual herbs much like Cleome species. Commonly re­ ferred to as clammy weed, Polanisia, is a heavily scented, viscid plant. Flowers may be white to yellow, with numerous sta­ m€ns that are purple in some species. Two species of this western native are cultivated under the name Cleome gigantea or Cleome ,grandis. An early southwestern botanical collec­ tor, Friedrich Adolph Wislizenius, was honored in the naming of another w€stern native, Wislizenia. In late summer, the yel­ low flowers of W. refracta are conspicuous along roadsides and in streambeds of Ar-

American Horticulturist 7 SEASONABLE REMINDERS A Catalogue Review

Barbara Gibson ears from now when they all talk all of these firms have eschewed the com­ a change of pace try one of their Mesem­ about grey days, this particular puter, as I did in last year's review, as that bryanthemum species, the South African YThursday in early November will particular machine has become an elec­ mimicry plants that blend into their hab­ be listed among the "Top 40." What little tronic Trojan Horse and cannot be ig­ itats by aping the rocks about them, yet light is left after filtering through various nored. But I can still say that the following produce daisy-like flowers often as large thicknesses of fog is cut once again by the nurseries and merchandisers wrap their as the plants themselves. The catalogue is curtain of rain gently falling on an already cargoes with care; that you need not fear well illustrated, and complete cultural in­ soaked ground. Luckily, I planted the last ordering for delivery even across thou­ structions are included with every order. of the bulbs that will brighten up the next sands of miles; and that their catalogues Coenosium Gardens is an acre of land right spring season before this particular weather are still written with a modicum of in the center of Lehighton, Pennsylvania, system descended upon us. While planting, restraint. nestled in the Wyoming River Valley. On I thought of doing this most pleasant of Altman Specialty Plants deals with the world that acre is one of the largest collections jobs: a new catalogue review for 1984. of succulent plants and cacti for those of rare and unusual dwarf conifers in the This year there are 13 firms listed. They growers of house plants who are con­ United States. The Finchams have insti­ range from importers of bulbs, to purvey­ stantly in search of the new and the un­ tuted a graft-on-request system of pro­ ors of gardening equipment, to providers usual. Kenneth and Deena Altman are now ducing plants, with specimens usually ready of specialized seeds for the vegetable gar­ entering their tenth year of business, and for shipment by late May. Familiar with den. I can no longer make the claim that each year their collection is expanded. For the white pine, Pinus strobus? Coenosium

8 February 1984 • Indicate selections desired on coupon below and mail today! CAMELLIA BEGONIAS FIREBIRD RED CANNAS CITRONELLA LILY Giant camellia-like flowers grow in the Blazing red flowers all summer long, Beautiful hybrid lily with lemon·yellow shade! Rainbow color mixture. handsome fol iage . Spectacular! petals spotted with black dots. #4400-2/$1.00; # 4401-6/ $2 .50 #4418-2/ $1.00; #4419- 6/$2.50 #4456-2/$1.00; #4457-6/$2.50 PINK FAIRY LILY ELEPHANT EARS SHOWY WINDFLOWERS (Zephyranthes). Pink· flowers all summer. (Caladium). Enormous velvety green (Anemone de Caen). Vivid flowers for low bed, border, indoor pot plant. leaves 2-3 ft. long . For tub, bed, border. cutting, low border plant. Mixed colors. #4402-10/$1.00; #4403-30/ $2.50 #4422-2/ $1.00; #4423-6/$2.50 #4450-12/$1.00; #4451-36/$2.50 FANCY CALADIUMS GIANT GLADIOLUS MEXICAN TIGRIDIA Colorful foliage plant for bed, border, Finest color varieties from Europe . Huge "Tiger Flowers " of red, yellow, white, windowbox. Rainbow color mixture. flowers this summer. Mixed colors. with purple spotted throats. Mixed colors. #4404-3/$ LOO; #4405-9/ $2.50 #4420-10/$1.00; # 4421-30/ $2.50 #4454-6/$1.00; #4455-18/$2.50 HANGING BEGONIAS LILY OF THE VALLEY ONION SETS For hanging baskets, porch, patio, win­ Tiny white fragrant bell-flowers. Shade Plant early for scallions or let mature dowbox. Rainbow color mixture. loving ground cover or pot plant. for large yellow onions. #4406-2/$1.00; #4407-6/$2.50 #4424-5/$1.00; #4425-15/ $2.50 #4436-100/$1.00; #4437-300/$2.50

PINK CANDY LILY ,"'~ DINN'ERPLATE DAHLIAS TASTY ASPARAGUS Attractive new lily with petals splashed .' _. , Giant decorative dinnerplate-size blooms. New strain, large tender spears in abun. and spotted rich pink. ~ ..- ~ :#1 Finest Imported varieties, mixed colors. dance. 2 yr. No.1 plants. #4448-1/$1.00; #4449-3/$2.50 "" #4426-2/$1.00; #4427-6/$2.50 #4438-5/$1.00; #4439-15/$2.50 PICOTEE BEGONIAS FRAGRANT TUBEROSE GIANT STRAWBERRIES Gorgeous red and white bi -c olor flowers; lovely sweet scented double white flow­ Robinson, largest June·bearing variety. large, double and delightfully ruffled . ers in profuSion, year after year. Bumper crops of tasty berries. #4408-2/$1.00; #4409-6/$2.50 ~ #4428-3/ $1.00; #4429-9/$2.50 #4440-8/$1.00; #4441-24/$2.50 STARS OF IN'DIA r.CJ::;- HARDY TIGER LILIES RICH RED (Achimenes). Rainbow color mixture. Bright orange-red flowers with black A rich red strain; long juicy stalks; all­ Start indoors, blooms outdoors till frost. dots, 12-20 per stem, 4 ft. tall. red for pies, sauces. No. 1 plants. #4410-10/$1.00; #4411-30/$2.50 VP #4430-3/ $1.00; #4431-9/$2.50 #4442-2/$l'.OO; #4443-6/$2.50 CARNATION BEGONIAS PEACOCK ORCHIDS OZARK B. STRAWBERRY ! ,::.. ~: . ;:, Ruffled double, carnation-like flowers . (Acidanthera). Exotic sweet-smelling large delicious berries June to Nov., O. ,,~ ... ' ...... ".. :::;..;.t Mixed colors: red, white, yellow, etc. white star·flowers with maroon centers. Beauty can't be beat. Heavy producer! #4412-2/$1.00; #4413-6/$2.50 ~ #4432-10/$1.00; # 4433-30/ $2.50 #4444-8/$1.00; #4445-24/$2.50 HARDY PINK ORCHIDS TINY TOT GLADIOLUS J'tA FRENCH SHALLOTS (Bletilla). Dainty pink orchids, 6-12 per Multi·colored flowers with ruffled petals Small hearty bulbs from France. More plant. For pots indoors or outdoors. and unusual- ma~kings . Mixed colors. ~ flavorful than onions, milder than garlic. #4414-1/$1.00; #4415-3/$2.50 #4460-6/$1.00; #4461-18/$2.50 #4446-8/$1.00; #4447-24/$2.50 ENCtrANTMENT LILY FRAGRANT FREESIAS Each bulb produces 10-16 beautiful nas­ Bright flowers of red, blue, white, yel­ turtium-red blooms, only 3' tall. low. Fragrant pot plant. Mixe d colors. #4452-6/$1.00; #4453-18/$2.50

Amt. EXTRA BONUS DISCOUNTS Van Bourgondien Bros., Box A-AH2, Babylon,. NY 11702 Encl. $ or charge my credit card o Orders .$ 5.00 to $ 9.99 .. 5%' Discount Please send me items indicated below. o MasterCard 0 Visa 0 American Express Expire· o Orders $10.00 to $19.99 .. 10% Discount Check Items' Below For Purchase Card # ______Date _____ o Orders $20 .00 to $29.99 .. 15% Discount Cam. Begonias Pic. Begonias F. Red Cannas F. Tub'erose Citron Lily G. Strawberry o Orders $30.00 and over .. 20% Discount o 4400-2/$1.00 0 4408-2/$11.00 0 4418-2/$1.00 0 4428-3/$1.00 0 4456-2/$1.00 0 4440-8/ $1.00 o 4401-6/$2.50 0 4409-6/$2.50 0 4419-6/$2.50 0 4429-9/$2.50 0 4457-6/$2.50 0 4441-24/ $2.50 o Please send me your free catalog. P. Fairy Lily Stars India Elephant Ears Tiger Lilies Windflowers Red Rhubarb o 4402-10/$1.0 0 4410-10/ $1.00 0 4422-2/$1.00 0 4430-3/ $1.00 0 4450-12/$1.00 0 4442-2/$1.00 o 4403-30/$2.5 0. 4411-30/$2.50 0 4423-6/$2.50 0 4431-9/$2.50 0 4451-36/$2.50 0 4443-6/ $2.50 F. Caladiums Car. Begonias G. Gladiolus Pea. Orchids Mex. Tigridia O. Strawberry' Name ...... o 4404-3/$1.00 0 4412:2/$'1.00- 0 4420-10/$1.00 0 4432-101$1.00 0 4454-6/$1.0e 0 4444-8/$1.00 o 4405-9/$2.50 0 4413-6/$2.50 0 4421-30/$2.50 0 4433-30/$2.50 0 4455-18/$2.50 0 4445-24/$2.50 Hang Begonias Hardy. Orchids lily Valley Tiny Tot Glads Onion Sets Fr. Shallots Address o 4406-2/$MO 0 4414-1/$1.00 0 4424-5/$1.00 0 4460-6/$1.00 0 4436-100/$1.0 0 4446-8/$1.00 o 4407-6/$2.50 0 4415-3/$2.50 0 4425;15/$2.50 0 4461-18/$2.50 0 4437-300/$2.5 0 4447-2~/$2 . 50 P. Candy Lil.y Enchant Lily Din. Dahlias F. Freesias Asparagus POSTPAID City ...... o 4448-11'$1.00 0 4458-2/$1.00 0 4426'-2/$1.00 0 4452-6/$1.00 0 4438-5/$1.00 . o 4449-3/$2.50: 0 4459-6/$2.50 0 4427-&1$2.50 0 4453-18/$2.50 0 4439-15/$2.50 and GUARANTEED New·York Residents Add Sales Tax State .... _...... _...... _...... ZJp ...... SEASONABLE REMINDERS

lists over 35 cultivars alone. Or you may vacy to your home, coupled with all-sum­ really makes a statement in the fall garden. be astounded by their variations on the mer bloom; the old-garden rose collection Be the first on the block with a fritillaria European beech, Fagus sylvatica, and a that includes memorable classics from the of a pale, coral-orange, Fritillaria car­ particular beauty, the variegated sweet gum, 1800's; or the, bird lover's collection, with duchorum, recently discovered at Lake Van Liquidambar styraciflua, with creamy-col­ colorful rose hips to attract your favorites. in Turkey. Lyons also carries a complete ored areas on a lush green that turn red The Campbell family is to be congratu­ line of Felco shears and all replacement and pink for fall. The Finchams are also lated for keeping a good thing going. parts. the founders of the newest in specialized Le Marche is a marketplace for gourmet McClure & Zimmerman are bulb brokers plant groups-the American Conifer vegetable seeds created by Georgeanne from Chicago. I first made their acquain­ Society. Brennan and Charlotte Glen. Together they tance when I ordered Cardiocrinum gi­ Epicure Seeds specializes in unique and publish a handsome catalogue devoted to ganteum, the beautiful Himalayan lily, early choice varieties of gourmet vegetable seeds, these eciatant plants of the kitchen garden. last year. Since then I've seen their hand­ coupled with a growing list of gardening For just a hint of their listings, the follow­ some catalogue, which gives complete cul­ equipment. Their catalogue includes fine ing are the kinds of chicory available for tural instructions for planting out all the descriptions of the vegetables cited, com­ 1984: the reds, 'Palla Rossa', 'Rouge de bulbs and many fine illustrations of the plete growing instructions and an occa­ Verone', and 'Treviso'; the greens, 'Pain flowers themselves. Especially interesting sional recipe. The following suggestion for de Sucre' and 'Ceriolo'; all sharing the bill is their explanation of the classification of leeks is an example of the latter: braise in with a variegated type, 'Chioggia', which daffodils and the number of species and bouillon, then marinate in vinaigrette for doesn't hold a candle to the three Mache: cultivars they stock. Don't miss the long a succulent salad; or combine leeks with 'Grote Noordhollandse', 'Vert de Cambri', list of species tulips for the rock garden; sausage, freshly grated horseradish and and 'Coquille de Louviers'. (Mache is also Tulipa marjolettii, with pale,creamy white cream, wrapping all in a pie crust for a known as corn salad or lamb's lettuce.) petals just edged with cerise, makes an ex­ main dish that will have the troops running New Yorkers please note: they also stock cellent bloom for cutting in the spring. across the hills for more. Or sample one arugula. Walter F. Nicke is the grand old man of of their twelve varieties of lettuce, includ.­ John D. Lyon is a bulb importer from Mas­ the garden equipment world and carries a ing the French butterhead, 'Hilde'. You'll sachusetts with a a list notable for its many fascinating variety of equipment in his cat­ discover a new world of epicurean dining. flowers. Chief among these are the au­ alogue known as Garden Talk. Highlights Faire Harbour Ltd. of Scituate, Massa­ tumn-blooming crocuses, with five species are the many products from England that chusetts has nothing to do with plants or listed. Crocus ochroleucus has small, white bear the Design Centre of London symbol seeds. But they do stock all the replacement flowers brushed with ocher-yellow at the of best British quality and design. The parts for the Aladdin Greenhouse Heater, base and is very appealing, but it is C. Trigger-Release Lance for watering in the including wicks, flame spreaders and those speciosus 'Oxonion', with its deep violet­ greenhouse, the Gardener's Belt (with its hard-to-find metal wings that attach to blue petals surrounding orange pistils, that pockets for seeds, tools, and all the rest) either side and distribute heat over a wide area. They also stock a fantastic number of parts for kerosene lamps, including a Mail-Order Addresses complete line of chimneys and shades. Russell and Yvonne Graham produce an Send for the catalogues mentioned in 80218. The catalogue is $1.00. attractive catalogue from Oregon that in­ Peter l.oewer's article at the following • Le Marche, 7118 Batavia Road, cludes a fine selection of specialty bulbs, addresses. P.O. Box 566, Dixon, CA 95620. lilies, native plants, ornamental grasses and The catalogue is $1.00. hardy cyclamen. For an attractive addition • Altman Specialty Plants, 553 • John D. Lyon, Inc., 143 Alewife to the perennial border down at the shady Buena Creek Road, San Marcos, Brook Parkway, Cambridge, MA end, try the Japanese sedge, Hime-kan-suge CA 92069. The catalogue is $1.00. 02140. The list is free. (Carex conica) , which originally dotted the • Coenosium Gardens, 425 N. Fifth • McClure & Zimmerman, 1422 W. open woods and low hillsides of Hok­ Street, Lehighton, PA 18235. The Thorndale, Chicago, IL 60660. kaido, Japan, with its curved green and catalogue is $1.00. The catalogue is free. white blades up to 12 inches long. And • Epicm;e Seeds, Ltd., P.O. Box 450, • Walter F. Nicke, Box 667G, Hud­ don't miss the outstanding collection of Brewster, NY 10509. The cata­ son, NY 12534. The catalogue is Trillium; they list 14 species. Also included logue is free. free. on the Grahams' list are 20 species and • Faire Harbour Ltd., 44 Captain • Joshua Roth, Ltd., P.O. Box 496, cultivars of cyclamen, in my opinion one Peirce Road, Scituate, MA 02066. Santa Rosa, CA 95402. The cata­ of the most beautiful flowers in nature. The catalogue is $2.00 and is re­ logue is $1.00. High Country Rosarium, located in Den­ fundable with a $15.00 order. • Smith & Hawken, Dept. H20, 68 ver, Colorado, began with a collection that • Russell Graham, 4030 Eagle Crest Homer, Palo Alto, CA 94301. The specialized in old garden roses, hardy shrub Road, N.W., Salem, OR 97304. catalogue is free. roses, and species roses that originated in The catalogue is $1.00. • Sunrise Enterprises, P.O. Box colder climates. Don't look here for that • High Country Rosarium, 1717 10058, Elmwood, CT 06110-0058. dainty hybrid tea rose. Instead, check out Downing Street, Denver, CO The catalogue is free. the selection of hedge roses that add pri-

10 February 1984 Its ~rm~t for or the Thatched Bird Houses from Eng­ land's past are all notable items to wish the Very Finest in for when Christmas 1984 rolls around, if Miniature Roses not sooner. His line of black English flower pots, available in sizes ranging from 11/2 to six inches in diameter, are tough, pliable and almost unbreakable. selection, featur­ Joshua Roth carries a complete line of ing the very best flower, garden and Bonsai tools and cut­ lery, both wholesale and retail. His retail of the older and catalogue includes attractive pictures of the very newest many tools that are either hand-forged or turned from laminated steel using the Jap­ varieties. anese process that is similar to the one used to make the famous samurai swords. Al­ though all the Japanese imports are strictly utilitarian, many would be equally at home :T~j---~~-:~--~;--;~::--~-~-~:~------! against a velvet backing in illuminated glass , ' cases. The brush and grass sickles are es­ Please send your value-packed • I,' ~:~lOg Today! i pecially useful around the field and yard, r------• catalog. I enclose $2, deductible .. and no flower arranger should be without • on my first catalog order. • a pair of Ikenobo Ikebana shears. Address Smith & Hawken is another first-rate sup­ • Name • plier of equipment for the garden, and their • St.lRFD • City large and colorful catalogue describes many • City State----.Zip_ • State Zip shovels, forks, spades and cultivating tools II send to: • made by Bulldog of England. They almost • GILBERT H. WILD & SON, INC . • ,for~t Miniature Roses, Inc. ! 58 Hammond Street i make one want to go outside and dig for I.AH-284 Joplin SI. • Sarcoxie, MO 64862. the sheer joy of holding the handles. The ..... _--_. ------~~~~~!::,--~~~~~-~~~~:-~~~-~-~?-~?------j vine and orchard shears are extremely well made and belong hanging close to every grape arbor or fruit orchard in the country. The classic machete is a handsome tool of WATER- LILIES roll-forged, carbon steel with a copper­ in your garden wrapped, beechwood handle ready to tame the Green Hell or the back yard. Sunrise Enterprises was suggested to me Lilyponscatalogue by a reader as a good source for roots of features everything the Chinese chives, Allium tuberosum, since needed for your the germination record of the seeds is often garden pool, not the best. I've since found their cata­ including the pool logue to be an interesting slice of the Ori­ ent. For example, it lists dozens of Chinese vegetables in English, accompanied by Chinese characters. Included are 21 vari­ Lilypons Water Gardens eties of Chinese cabbage (Brassica sp.), five kinds of calabash gourds (useful, when Water-lilies, Lotus, Aquatic plants, Goldfish, Scavengers, dried, as water dippers, birdhouses, and Koi, Fiberglass garden pools, PVC pool liners, Sweeps, gtmeral decorations), and six types of Chinese radishes. Also featured are a large Filters, Pumps, Lights, Statuary, Books and much more.. number of seeds for sprouting. If you try nothing else in the line of Oriental vege­ New colorful Lilypons catalogue and seasonal mini catalogs, S3.50. tables, make sure you grow the chives; they are superb as flowers and as food. 6 Xame ___-c=,--- __,--- ____ LILYPONS WATER GARDENS ( Please print) 1500 Amhort Road 1500 LUypons Road -Peter Loewer P.O. Box 10 P .O. Box 188 Addres,5..5 ------LUypons, Maryland ,21717 Brookshire, Texas 77423 Peter Loewer is a botanical artist and C tty,______(301) 874-5133 (713) 934-8525 scientific illustrator who writes and illustrates YES, Please send me the new color- his own books. His latest book, Peter Loewer's Month-By-Month Garden Almanac, is reviewed on page 12.

American Horticulturist 11 Impressive Epimediums

These low Book Reviews maintenance plants deserve a place in your INTERIOR LANDSCAPING. garden. The Tok Furuta. Reston Publishing Co. Save time and foliage is exquisite and everchanging. Reston, Virginia. 1983. 188 pages; money-order books The intricate hardcover, $19.95. AHS discount price, flowers come in yellows, pinks and $18.25 including postage and handling. available at a white and last for weeks when cut. This introductory book for students of in­ Best of all, they terior landscaping is equally suitable for discount through the have a multitude of uses - as a the beginning landscape architect or the groundcover, Society. alpine .bed, or serious home gardener. The usual chapters border specimen. on how plants grow under artificial con­ book you will want to read at one sitting ditions and on recommended plants for and then keep by your side throughout the Try our Eplmedlum Collection, a wonder­ interior use are supplemented by excellent ful selection of six named v_IetJes. Just year. 24.99, postage paid. All labeled and discussions of the relationships between shipped at planting time. plants and people, and the effects of plants BIBLICAL PLANTS Or send '1.00 and ask for our "1984 Peren­ on the quality of life. This is a useful ref­ nial Wishbook", a descriptive plant catalog GARDENING WITH BIBLICAL of hundreds of varieties of perennials. erence work for anyone who grows plants indoors, whether it is in a shopping mall PLANTS. (Catalog free with plant order.) or your own living room. Wilma James. Nelson-Hall. Chicago, Illinois. 1983. 252 pages; hardcover, THE BAMBOO BOOK. $24.95. AHS discount price, $23.95 Roger Stover. Endangered Species Press. including postage and handling. 4838 Douglas Ave. Tustin, California. 1983. 64 pages; Racine, Wi. 53402 softcover, $16.00. AHS discount price, PLANTS OF THE BIBLE. $14.25 including postage and handling. Michael Zohary. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, Massachusetts. 1982. There are so few books about bamboo for 223 pages; hardcover, $16.95. AHS the gardener that this one would be wel­ discount price, $13.10 including postage come under any circumstances. Fortu­ and handling. nately, this is also a worthwhile addition to the literature. Not only does it offer Gardening with Biblical Plants treats well good descriptions of the many cultivated over 100 species that can be grown in gar­ species of bamboo, but it also groups all dens of the United States. Bible references of the plants according to their hardiness. are given for each plant, together with a For the northern gardener, the large num­ discussion of the plant's uses in biblical ber of hardy bamboo species may come as times. Cultural information is also pro­ quite a surprise. Chapters on garden cul­ vided, along with restrictions as to where From the Queen's Seed Merchant ture and propagation are helpful, and dis­ the plant may be grown. Each plant is il­ lustrated with a line drawing of the leaves -Six carefully selected English cussions of the use of bamboo in construc­ buttercrunch & cos varieties of tion and cooking will undoubtedly inspire and the flowers or fruit. softheading lettuce. Hermetically many readers to consider growing these Plants of the Bible is not a gardening sealed foil packets of the finest giant grass relatives. book but a popularly presented botanical most delicate of English lettuce work identifying the plants of the Old Tes­ in successive planting from PETER LOEWER'S MONTH-BY­ tament. The descriptions include a list of March to September. Late plantings grow through December and MONTH GARDEN ALMANAC. areas where the plants occur in nature, and sometimes Winter over without Peter Loewer. Perigree Books, Putnam identification is discussed in terms of the protection- Publishing Group. New York, New plant names in Hebrew, ancient Aramaic, York. 1983. 175 pages; softcover, $7.95. Greek and modern Arabic. Each plant is SIX FOIL PACKETS $6.00 AHS discount price, $7.50 including illustrated with a colored photograph. An PA RES. ADD SALES TAX postage and handling. excellent introductory section discusses the Most garden almanacs focus on the garden geography and climate of Israel as well as month by month, both indoors and out. the place of plants in biblical life. This one is different, however. Lots of gar­ The first book is recommended for the den gadgets and an excellent list of sources gardener who would like to grow some of will give you ideas for your own garden, the plants referred to in the Bible. How­ and all of the plants and hardware are ever, for anyone seriously interested in 545 PINE TOP TRAIL. BETHLEHEM. PA 1801 7 readily available. Well-written and beau­ biblical plants in general, the second book tifully illustrated by the author, this is a is an outstanding reference work.

12 February 1984 Book Order Form GUERRILLA GARDENING. the author reveals a strong anti-commer­ John F. Adams. Coward-McCann Inc. cial bi as and ignores much of the com­ o Interior Landscaping $18.25 The Bamboo Book $14.25 New York, New York. 1983.224 pages; mercial plant breeding directed specifically o o Peter Loewer's Month-By- hardcover, $14.95. AHS discount price, at the home garden, he nevertheless pre­ Month Garden Almanac $7.50 $13.00 including postage and handling. sents a good explanation of the shrinking o Gardening With Biblical Plants $23.95 The title of this book is an unfortunate gene pool and the dangers of losing genetic o Plants of the Bible $13.10 choice, for it may turn away some readers variability in any plant species. Even if you o Guerrilla Gardening $13.00 who would not only agree with the author, don't want to save your own tomato seeds, o Earth Ponds: The Country but would profit from what he has to say. this is a well-written account of how and Pond Maker's Guide $10.25 Genetic Conservation for the Home Gar­ why old cultivars should be preserved. 0 Common Plants of the Mid- Atlantic Coast: A Field Guide dener would be a much more descriptive - Gilbert S. Daniels Hardcover $20.00 title, although it would certainly not at­ o o Softcover $9.15 tract as much attention. This is a book that Gi lbert S. Daniels is the Immediate Past explains how to preserve older varieties of Enclosed is my check for __ books Presiden t of the America n Horticultural for the total amount of $ ______plants and where to find them. Although Society. I Please all ow six weeks for delivery. Discount price includes postage an d han­ dling. Virgi ni a residents add 4% sa les tax. Mail to: Deborah Harpster Guest Reviewer American Horti cultural Society P.O. Box 0105 EARTH PONDS: THE COUNTRY has crafted a first-rate guide with the able Mount Vernon, Virgi nia 22121 POND MAKER'S GUIDE. assistance of Mary Warinner, the book's Ship to: ______Tim Matson. The Countryman Press. illustrator. This guide covers plants in the Street: ______Woodstock, Vermont. 1982. 111 pages; coastal zone from Long Island to Cape softcover, $10.95. AHS discount price, Fear, North Carolina, a particularly in­ I : C i ~: ------­ $10.25 including postage and handling. teresting region where the range limits of I 1 This outstanding and attractive " how to" northern and southern species converge and : State: Zip: ____ manual provides comprehensive instruc­ overlap. L______J tions for siting, digging, sculpturing, main­ Although many species are, of necessity, taining and living with a country pond­ omitted, the author briefl y discusses the Dumbarton Oaks or even an urban backyard pool. It would more common and endemic plants. An in­ serve as a valuable reference for any pond troduction provides an illuminating over­ Stanley Smith Garden builder, whether interested in fishing or view of a typical coastal zone ecosystem, Internship aquaculture, supplemental irrigation or and the author has also included a useful Applications are invited for a Garden simply aesthetic enhancement of a prop­ key to the plants covered in the text and Internship , funded by the Stanley Smith erty by an enterprising horticulturist. The technical glossary. Horticultural Trust and open to men and women , of any nationality, not over 25 advice offered is based on years of practical The book is divided into sections that ye ars of age who have demonstrated an experience. correspond with natural landform divi­ interest in gardening, horticulture , or Clearly, as any real estate agent or ded­ sions: Plants of the Beach, Dunes, and and who plan to become profes­ icated gardener knows, ponds have great Maritime Forest; Plants of Salt and Brack­ sional gardeners, preferably in private appeal and obvious charm. An admitted ish Marshes; and Plants of Freshwater gardens. The intern will work for one year in the gardens at Dumbarton Oaks, proselytizer, Matson envisions a patch­ Wetlands, Tidal and Nontidal. Well-con­ gaining experience in various aspects of work sea of pond sculptures across the ceived black and white drawings illustrate gardening and in the problems of man­ country. The text is supplemented by a over 100 species. A short descriptive text aging a large garden. They will also wide-ranging appendix that covers pond highlights the taxonomic features with dis­ have access to the Garden Library . culture resources that will guide readers tribution and wildlife food value. Applications should be addressed to the Director, Dumbarton Oaks, who wish to explore further. A thorough index and bibliography, Washington , D.C. 20007, and be ac­ coupled with an appendix listing of Na­ companied by a curriculum vitae, a COMMON PLANTS OF THE MID­ tional Seashores, Wildlife Refuges and copy of the high school andlor college ATLANTIC COAST: A FIELD Coastal State Parks, add to the value for record , and two letters of recommenda­ tion addressed specifically to the advan­ GUIDE. the reader. This is a superb guidebook for tages to the applicant of working at Gene M . Silberhorn. The Johns Hopkins amateur naturalists, students in a variety Dumbarton Oaks. The appointment will University Press. Baltimore, Maryland. of ecology-oriented courses and gardeners be made by the Director of Dumbarton 1982. 256 pages; hardcover, $20.00; who wish to assess new species for use in Oaks acting in consultation wilh Ad­ softcover, $7.95. AHS discount price, their backyard "wetlands." visor for the Gardens and the Superin­ tendent of Gardens and Grounds. If $20.00 hardcover, $9.15 softcover -Jack DeForest necessary , interviews will be sc hed­ including postage and handling. uled . The appointment will be for one Gene Silberhorn, a senior member of the Jack DeFmest, Ph.D., is a free-lance year from September I, 1984. The stipend will be $11 ,000. Deadlinefor Vi.rginia Institute of Marine Science staff, economist livi rng in Alexandria, Virgini a. Applications: March 15 . 1984

American Horticulturist 13 New Plants for 1984

BY THE STAFF OF AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST

ur annual search for the best new trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and house plants has brought to light many new species and cultivars we would like to consider for our own gardens and the gardens here at River Farm. Hybridizers and plantsmen have certainly been busy this year. We have uncovered two outstanding new magnolia cultivars, several exciting plants for the house plant enthusiast and three cultivars for the Rhododendron lover, just to name a few. We hope you enjoy this brief look at what the new year has in store for gardeners. Sources for these new plants are listed on page 42.

Rhododendron 'Wild Affair'. between the red-flowered 'Jean Affair' is a compact, attractive appear in late May, and it is This beautiful new release from Marie de Montague' and black- plant that grows to about six hardy to _5° F (the southern Greer Gardens is a cross red 'Moser's Maroon'. 'Wild feet in 10 years. Its flowers portions of U.S.D.A. Zone 6).

14 February 1984 Rhododendron 'Cannon's constantly changes throughout Double'. A new deciduous the blooming season. The azalea, "Cannon's Double' is plants grow to six feet in 10 notable fo r its exceptional years, bloom in mid- to late hardiness-to -25 0 F (U.S.D.A. May and have attractive, four­ Zone 5). It bears three-inch, inch foliage throughout the full y double flo wers whose summer season. 'Cannon's interesting combination of Double' is available from Greer pink, cream and white Gardens.

Hibiscus 'Disco Belle White'. fl owering selection, it makes an This new rose mallow excellent short-season bedding produces an abundance of nine­ plant in northern areas. 'Disco inch flowers on compact plants Belle White' is a perennial and that reach a height of only 20 with mulching, will survive in inches. It is the first dwarf U.S.D.A. Zone 5. It is available hibiscus available from seed as from Geo. W. Park Seed a separate color. An early- Company.

LiJium 'Butterscotch'. This beautiful, soft orange color new introduction from with a very faint pattern of Borbeleta Gardens is a lines and spots on its petals.

Streptocarpus F-1 Hybrids. and in light gardens. 'Delta', Rhododendron 'Chetco'. This Young plants will flower This is a new group of cultivars (left), is a mid-range blue with gorgeous new deciduous azalea heavily and grow to six feet in to look for in florist shops and narrow veining. Other cultivars bears brilliant, clear, butter­ 10 years. The blooms appear in greenhouses around the to look for include 'Baby Blue', yellow flowers that range from mid-May, and 'Chetco' can be country. All have exceptionally 'Mirage' (also blue-flowered) three to four inches in size. Best counted on for good fall color. large flowers, and their small, _ and the 'Royal' series (above), of all, it is remarkably hardy­ 'Chetco' is available from Greer pliant leaves make them easy to which are available in purple, to -25 0 F (U.S.D.A. Zone 5). Gardens. accommodate in windowsills white, red, pink and blue.

American Horticulturist 15 elatum 'Snow Sansevieria trifasciata 'Gold White'. This sturdy, semi-dwarf Hahnii Favorite'. A sport of delphinium does not require 'Gold Hahnii', this low­ staking, yet at 27 inches in growing, bird-nest-type height it is tall enough to Sansevieria never grows more provide stunning, white, Begonia 'Super Curl'. The rapidly growing pot plant, than six inches tall. When the vertical accents in the perennial leaves of this new introduction 'Super Curl' often produces plant is grown in a clump, the border. The blooming portion have a pronounced curl and are pink flowers in winter. It is pattern of its richly striped of the main spike averages 15 banded in brown, coral, silvery available from Logee's leaves gives the impression of a inches in length, and each plant white and red. An excellent, Greenhouses. Scotch plaid. It is available produces from six to eight from Endangered Species. shorter side branches that are also covered with white florets. 'Snow White' has excellent floret retention, so it is attractive in the garden as well as in cut bouquets. Seed for this new cultivar is available from Burpee. U.S.D.A. Zone 3.

SaintpauJia 'Razzberry Frost'. petal sports a band of fuchsia This is a new African violet around its edge. 'Razzberry cultivar with variegated foliage Frost' is available from Lyndon and double pink flowers. Each Lyon Greenhouses.

Nelumbo nucifera 'Shirokunshi'. A Japanese introduction available for the first time in America, this Pleione bulbocodioides miniature lotus bears white 'Blush of Dawn'. This is a blossoms shaped like cottage lovely cultivar of hardy orchid tulips. Its leaves, which that bears three- to four-inch, measure six to eight inches in pale pink and white flowers. diameter, are held about 18 The flowers appear in March inches above the water. The or April before the foliage five-inch blooms are held about emerges. 'Blush of Dawn' is 20 inches above the water. hardy to U.S.D.A. Zone 7 if 'Shirokunshi' can be grown in a covered by a thick layer of dry tub or half barrel and is happy Zinnia 'Border Beauty Rose'. The plants are approximately peat, or the pseudobulbs can be with three or four inches of An All-America Selections 20 inches tall and make lifted in fall, stored dry during water over the soil. It is award winner, 'Border Beauty excellent cut flowers. The the winter and replanted in available from Lilypons Water Rose' bears 3- to 3 V2 -inch, dahlia-type blooms are rose­ spring. It is available from Gardens. semi- ..to fully double flowers. pink, highlighted by salmon. Siskiyou Rare Plant Nursery.

16 February 1984 Paeonia 'Coral and Gold'. A with dark green foliage that new peony from Klehm enhances the lovely single Nursery, 'Coral and Gold' is a flowers. It is hardy to U.S.D.A. 30-inch, early-season bloomer Zone 3.

Hemerocallis 'Song Sparrow'. inches across. 'Song Sparrow' Viburnum 'Eskimo'. An This new miniature daylily is a is a mid-season bloomer that is excellent new release from the Klehm Nursery introduction. Its approximately 14 inches tall. It U.S. National Arboretum, golden orange flowers are 2% is hardy to U.S.D.A. Zone 3. 'Eskimo' combines snowball­ like, V. carlesii-type flowers with a dwarf habit and semi­ evergreen foliage. It is a compact, slow-growing cultivar that is excellent for the home garden. It is hardy to U.S.D.A. Zone 6 and has survived in Zone 5 with only moderate top Injury. 'Princess of Monaco' Hybrid Tea Rose. This new rouge and cream bicolor tea rose, named Magnolia X soulangiana bears 12-inch flowers, each for Princess Grace of Monaco, 'Darrell Dean' and 'Todd with from 9 to 12 broad tepals is from the House of Meilland Gresham'. These are two that are wine-red on the in France. Its classically shaped exciting new cultivars underside. It is a late-blooming buds open into ivory white hybridized by Drury Todd plant that escapes most spring blooms that have a hint of Gresham of Santa Cruz, freeze damage. 'Todd Gresham' Gazania 'Sundance Striped'. pinkish blue around the edges California in the early sixties. (left) bears 10- to 12-inch, A new, tetraploid, F-l hybrid, of the petals. A descendent of Louisiana Nursery is broad-tepaled flowers that are 'Sundance Striped' bears %- to the ever-popular 'Peace' rose, introducing them for the John violet-rose on the undersides. A 4-inch blooms with striped red 'Princess of Monaco' has James Audubon Foundation at blush of pink shows through and yellow petals. This heat­ weather-resistant blooms that Gloster Arboretum in on the white inner surface. This tolerant annual is approxi­ are produced profusely in the Mississippi, where they have fast-growing cultivar is a showy mately 10 to 12 inches tall. It is late summer and fall. It is undergone several years of bloomer and has attractive red available from Geo. W. Park available from Wayside testing. 'Darrell Dean' (right) seed cones each fall. Seed Company. Gardens.

American Horticulturist 17 Hosta 'Blue Mammoth'. An impressive, specimen-size plant, this new hosta from Klehm N ursery is both slug resistant and sun tolerant. It is very floriferous and has attractive, intensely blue foliage. It is hardy to U.S.D.A. Zone 3. Iris 'Perfect Interlude'. This is one of the first fluted and ruffled iris cultivars with white standards and yellow falls. Available from Schreiner's Gardens, it is a mid-season bloomer that bears eight to Snap Pea 'SugarAnn'. A 1984 and shape. 'SugarAnn', nine flowers on each 42-inch All-America Selections winner, however, matures a full two stalk. this new pea bears pods that weeks earlier than 'Sugar Snap' are very similar to its parent and bears its pods on compact, 'Sugar Snap' in quality, size 18-inch bushes. Kalmia latifolia 'Ostbo Red'. This new mountain laurel cultivar from Wayside Gardens bears deep red flower buds that open to light pink. The flowers contrast beautifully with the dark green evergreen foliage. An excellent shrub for partial shade and a cool, well-drained acid soil, 'Ostbo Red' is hardy to U.S.D.A. Zone 4.

X AporopbyJJum 'Oakleigh Conquest'. This cultivar, a cross between Aporocactus (commonly called rat-tail cactus) and an Epiphyllum hybrid, has been available in Europe for some time. It is a day-blooming plant whose Sansevieria trifasciata cactus-type, glowing orange 'Bantel's Sensational Sport'. flowers appear in spring. This lovely-and unique-new 'Oakleigh Conquest' is an Sansevieria has 24- to 36-inch exceptionally heavy bloomer curved, sword-shaped leaves and makes an excellent hanging patterned with dark green 'Sunbright' Hybrid Tea Rose. season-long supply of 4 1/2 - to basket plant. It is being margins and pure white centers. A free-blooming, brilliant Sl/z-inch blooms. The flowers introduced in the United States It is available in commercial yell ow rose from Jackson & hold their color beautifully for the first time this year by quantities for the first time this Perkins, 'Sunbright' provides a once open. Rainbow Gardens. year from Endangered Species.

18 February 1984 Muskmelon 'Limelight'. This honeydew melons. The fruit new honeydew-type muskmelon slips off the stems easily when from Burpee will produce ripe, ripe, and each plant will 7- to 71/z-pound melons 96 produce from six to seven days after sowing. It ripens fruits. 'Limelight' has 11/4-inch­ approximately two weeks thick fruit that has a sweet, earlier than other large delectable honeydew flavor.

Hamamelis mollis 'Pallida'. shrub, which is a Wayside Boltonia asteroides shows little or no insect or An excellent new cultivar of Gardens introduction, will 'Snowbank'. A late-blooming, disease problems. Available Chinese witch hazel, 'Pallida' reach 15 to 20 feet in height. very hardy member of the daisy from Daystar, this 18- to 30- bears intensely fragrant, soft, It has glossy-green foliage, family, 'Snowbank' is an inch cultivar is more compact sulfur-yellow flowers in which turns yellow in the fall. excellent choice for the wild than the species, which can February and March. This large It is hardy to U.S.D.A. Zone 5. garden. The grey-green foliage reach a height of six feet.

Phlomis lanata. A showy, Eustoma grandiflorum. yellow-flowered member of the 'Olympiad' Hybrid Tea lasting, with no off-color fading Commonly called tulip gentian, Labiatae, or mint family, Rose. This is the first red or bluing for two weeks or this stunning plant bears large, Phlomis is an excellent choice hybrid tea to win an All­ more after the buds open. The deep purple, tulip-like flowers. for the herb garden. The one­ America Rose Selections award urn-shaped buds open into It is seldom cultivated, foot-tall plants are capped with in 19 years, and it has been four- to five-inch blooms, each although it makes an excellent whorls of yellow blossoms chosen the Official Rose of the with 30 to 35 petals. This new cut flower. A native of the throughout the summer 1984 Olympic Games. The release from Armstrong southwestern United States, this months. It is available from brilliant red color of the Nurseries has disease-resistant, annual or biennial is available Logee's Greenhouses. flowers is remarkably long- medium green foliage. from Plants of the Southwest. 0

American Horticulturist 19 BY LINDA YANG

n the frantic rush called spring, it's the ground, in a container or tub. that protects the roots from severe cold rather easy for the gardener to forget Winter's special pleasures are not found and tempers the alternate freezing and I the grey scene called winter. This is among the annuals; they are attained by thawing that may rip and destroy them. particularly true for those whose garden taking advantage of the year-round, three­ Also, even in their dormant state, plants is a terrace, balcony, patio, rooftop or tiny dimensional patterns, textures and tonal require small quantities of both nutrients yard in town. Not that there's anything effects of the hardy species of trees, shrubs and water, so the more soil present, the wrong with savoring thoughts of home­ and vines. By growing these plants in con­ greater the area in which these essentials grown tomatoes or petunias overflowing tainers, the terrace, too, will acquire year­ may be stored. a window box. It's just that by the time round interest, and the bleak winter setting Where I garden-in New York City­ the planning and planting for summer is will be no more. the winter air temperatures rarely dip be­ done, memories of the dreary days past When considering terrace plantings, it low O°F, and I've found that containers at have quite disappeared, along with any is imperative to keep in mind the impor­ least 18 inches wide and 18 inches high dreams of improving the view. Since there's tance of using containers that are large are practical for most hardy woody plants, no planting possible now, this is the time enough to sustain life through the cold. although 20 inch~s (or more if there is to spend a few thoughtful-and critical­ The tubs can be of wood, plastic, ceramic room) is even better. In areas subject to moments at the window, studying the area or any other material that withstands the temperatures that are more severe, the and jotting down ideas that may enhance elements. In any case, here is a situation container must be correspondingly larger. next year's scene. This is also the time to where bigger is distinctly better. This is The importance of the availability of study the hardy plants growing in your because the larger the container, the more winter water for container plants, by the locale, because whatever you find surviv­ soil it will hold, and the more soil, the way, cannot be stressed enough. While I ing outside, in the ground, can generally better chance outdoor plants have of sur­ have no statistics on the subject, I have no be counted on to survive outside, above viving the winter. Soil is a natural insulator doubt that hardy plants planted outside in large tubs die during the winter primarily from lack of water, not from cold. If there has been no rain or snow for about a month, and if there is an extended thaw, you must be prepared to ignore the puzzled looks of neighbors and add water to your container plants on the morning of a mild winter's day. Foliage warms up quickly in the win­ ter sun, and the plant is liable to transpire all of the available water in its container in a matter of hours. Gardeners with bal­ conies covered by an overhang that pre­ vents rain or snow from reaching the plants must be especially attentive to water deficiency. Also of primary importance for the win­ ter container garden is the selection of trees, shrubs and vines that are truly hardy in your locale. This means that springtime purchases must be made from a local nurs-

LEFT: Hollies, such as this I1ex crenata, are indispensable to the winter garden. RIGHT: 1!' This snow-dusted terrace provides a welcome ~ sight in winter. Ivy, evergreens, espaliers and i a variety of plants grown in containers :.:l provide a wealth of winter interest.

20 February 1984

eryman who is established and knowl­ and small-leaved rhododendrons. All of leas and evergreen cotoneasters. edgeable. Or, if purchases are made by these plants can be relied upon to curl their Red is also the color of the bare branches mail, it is up to you to check the hardiness leaves tightly as the temperatures plum­ of the shrubby, red-twigged dogwood, zone map to see if the species that intrigue met, a phenomenon which helps some gar­ Cornus alba (its cultivar 'Sibirica' is es­ you are tolerant of your coldest days. The deners to decide their daily dress, but which pecially recommended), and of the jagged, hardiness zone map, which was developed others do not find so appealing. Glossy young branches of the highbush blueberry, at the Arnold Arboretum and subsequently green leaves, prominent seed pods and a Vaccinium corymbosum. Subtle tones are modified by others, including the U.S.D.A., less violent reaction to freezing tempera­ added by trees with exfoliating bark, such is based on Weather Bureau figures for the tures are attributes of mountain laurel, as the paperbark maple, Acer griseum, entire country and parts of Canada. It de­ Kalmia latifolia, as well as Pieris japonica, whose large, peeling flakes of bark reveal picts broad areas within which certain spe­ both of which are well suited to containers. an orange or cinnamon color beneath, or cies will survive and north of which they Extensive hybridizing has resulted in the Japanese stewartia, Stewartia pseudo­ very likely will not. many exquisite hollies from species that camellia, with golden, grey-green bark tones H in doubt, it is best to select a variety include Ilex crenata, the Japanese holly much like those of the sycamore. The birches considered hardy for a region colder than distinguished by its small, smooth, winter reveal white, grey or yellow bark tones. your own. I have noticed, for example, that foliage; the English holly, I. aquifolium; Keep the winter blues in the garden, too, owners of particularly windy rooftops in and the Chinese holly, I. cornuta. Chinese by searching out the silvery needle ever­ New York City often have success with holly tends to have larger, more spiny-edged greens such as the slow-growing globe­ species listed as hardy for New England. leaves than other species, and its cultivars shaped white pine, Pinus strobus 'Nana', The use of locally hardy plants also means bear brilliantly colored winter fruit. Be sure or one of the blue spruces, such as Picea that your winter garden will not be clut­ to plant a male plant for every three or pungens 'Compacra'. One of my favorites tered with burlap, Styrofoam cones or other four females to ensure berry production. is the blue Atlas cedar, Cedrus atlantica eyesores required for protection of tender Red or golden berries that linger until 'Pendula', with its spare architectural out­ species. Possibly these devices are tolerable the spring (if they are not eaten by birds) line and drooping limbs. to country gardeners with space to spare, decorate the evergreen female plants of You'll know that spring is not far off but they are hardly an aesthetic experience Skimma japonica, as well as the semi-ever­ when the brilliant yellow flowers of the for those whose vista is limited to a bal­ green fire thorns (Pyracantha sp.), the Chinese witch hazel, Hamamelis mol/is, cony, terrace, rooftop or small yard. hawthorns and many crabapples. appear despite the late February or early With no lush foliage or splashy summer A hint of color other than green is most March snow. And what better time than color for disguise, the true sculptural form appealing on a grey day, and besides, gar­ just such a snowy day to conjure up some of many plants is revealed during the win­ deners should not live by winter greens fanciful schemes for improving next year's ter months. Those species with especially alone. For this reason, it's wise to include winter garden? 0 interesting forms are the ones to look for at least one plant with bronze or reddish now. I admit to being partial to the small foliage tones, such as the low-growing, Linda Yang is a regular contributor to the Home Section of the New York Times. She is weeping trees, which are so well suited to graceful Leucothoe, whose oval leaves will the author of The Terrace Gardener's tub culture since their height rarely exceeds turn auburn if touched by the winter sun. Handbook, reissued recently by Timber Press. 10 or 15 feet. Attractive species include The same is true for many evergreen aza- (See Sources on page 42.) the gracefully cascading Siberian pea tree, Caragana arborescens 'Pendula'; the weeping Camperdown elm, Ulmus glabra 'Camperdownii', which is often a very broadly spreading tree in outline; and the weeping mulberry, Morus alba 'Pendula'. Weeping outlines are also found among the crabapples and ornamental cherries. Other sculptural forms appropriate for winter gardens include the curled stems of the corkscrew willow, Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa'; the irregular corky growths on the limbs of the winged euonymus, Euonymus alata; and the twisted twigs of contorted European hazel, Corylus avellana 'Contorta'. If it's green you require for winter con­ solation, there is nothing quite like a com­ bination of the broad-leaved evergreen mempers of the Ericaceae, or heath family, which includes countless species of large-

LEFT: Only the large containers in this wintry scene give away the fact that these snow-covered trees and shrubs are growing on a city rooftop. RIGHT: A dusting of snow creates new patterns in a city terrace garden.

American Horticulturist 23 ABOVE: The Kampong, former home of world­ famous plant explorer David Fairchild, has a spectacular view overlooking Biscayne Bay. ABOVE RIGHT: The Kampong's current owner, Mrs. Edward C. Sweeney, has marked the en­ trance to her garden with a small ceramic plaque. BELOW FAR RIGHT: Jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus, bears the largest tree fruits in the world. BELOW RIGHT: An unnamed cycad growing at The Kampong.

24 February 1984 BY LARRY SCHOKMAN & KAREN RONNE TUPEK

There are few places on the earth more favored than this, where a man may surround his house with palms from all over the tropical world and spend his old age wandering about among them, admiring them as he might a collection of beautiful statues, all out under the open sky. -David Fairchild, The World Grows Round My Door

avid Fairchild spent a lifetime ad­ famous botanical garden of Buitenzorg, now I miring tropical plants. As a world­ Bogor. ~ famous horticulturist and plant Fairchild seemed to have an uncanny explorer, he saw countless species during ability to spot potentially useful plants and his travels, and he surrounded his home fruits. He was instrumental in the devel­ on the shores of Florida's Biscayne Bay­ opment of not only the cultivars of dates, The Kampong-with treasured specimens figs, avocados, mangoes and many other from around the world. Today, years once little-known fruits that we grow to­ after his death, rare and unusual specimens day, but also of crop and forage plants still fill The Kampong-mangoes, such as alfalfa, cotton and . While avocados, baobab, loquat, lychee, allspice, working at the U.S.D.A., where he estab­ sapodilla and hibiscus, to name just a few. lished the Division of Seed and Plant In­ These plants create a spectacular living tes­ troduction in 1898, he introduced several tament to Fairchild's love of tropical thousand new and useful vegetables, fruits, plants and his contributions to the world grains, vines, flowering trees and shrubs. of horticulture. His lifelong enthusiasm for introducing new fruits and condiments and his many ac­ Fairchild and The Kampong complishments as a hybridizer have grad­ David Fairchild's expeditions in search ually changed the American diet. of new plant species during the early part It was at The Kampong, his Florida home, of this century took him as far away as that Fairchild hybridized, tasted and ex­ Ceylon, the East and West Indies, India, perimented with his many prized plants. Egypt, Czechoslovakia and Russia, not to The south Florida property held a certain mention the Orient and Latin America. His fascination for him, and he later devoted first introduction to the tropics was in 1894, an entire book, The Worid Grows Round on a trip to Java, where he studied at the My Door, to its life and development.

American Horticulturist 25 Not only were the plants spectacular, am gone." With the purchase of The Kam­ but the site itself had a long and colorful pong by the Sweeneys in 1963, his hope history. The first settler to live there was became reality. Jolly Jack Peacock, who sold his claim for Edward Cleaveland Sweeney, a promi­ $50 to Mr. ]. W. Ewan. Known as the nent attorney in Washington, D. c., and "Duke of Dade," Ewan received the home­ his wife, a devoted horticulturist, took on stead grant in 1883. In 1892 Captain and the task of preserving The Kampong with Dr. A. R. Simmons acquired the land. They enthusiasm. Mr. Sweeney died in 1967, resided in a two-story pine cottage and also just four years after moving into their new constructed a barn of oolitic limestone (a home. Since then, Mrs. Sweeney has re­ rock similar to coral found throughout mained committed as ever to The Kam­ south Florida). Captain Simmons built and pong and to research in tropical horticul­ operated a guava jelly factory on the prop­ ture. "Ninety percent of living plant and erty. Dr. Simmons, his wife, was the only animal species live in the tropics," Mrs. medical doctor between Key West and Sweeney notes, "but only ten percent of Miami. According to Fairchild, "In [the) the total botanical and biological research barn she kept her little pony, and on it she has been done on them. On the other hand, rode about the countryside doctoring the only about ten percent of the total number settlers, and the Seminoles as well, far up of species live in the temperate climate, the coast of Biscayne Bay. Her fame as a while ninety percent of the study covers surgeon made her well known in places them. This is why I have made donations too far away for the pony to carry her, to finance studies in tropical botany and and there she had to go by sailboat." . We need the plant research, David Fairchild and his wife, Marian, we need to stabilize our population, and became the owners of The Kampong in we need more food for those people al­ 1916. So delighted were they with their ready living on this earth." new home that they gave it its distinctive Mrs. Sweeney maintains The Kampong name: "By the time we had finished put­ much as the Fairchilds did: as a private ting up houses and moving shacks about fruit orchard; as a center for horticultural there were so many buildings on the place research; as a valuable germ plasm re­ that it suggested a little village-a Javanese source; and as a testament to Fairchild's Kampong. And 'The Kampong' it be­ work. Mrs. Sweeney continues to expand came." Kampong is the Malay or Javanese and diversify the plant collection at The word for a cluster of houses, a settlement Kampong, which for the most part resem­ or a village. bles an orchard of tropical fruit trees. The barn in which Dr. Simmons had Today, as in Fairchild's time, plants at kept her pony was transformed into a study, The Kampong do not merely duplicate where Fairchild wrote all of his books after specimens found elsewhere; they often have 1916. Today, it is one of the oldest build­ a distinctive history and identity. Near the ings in south Florida. main house, for instance, in the northeast Among the Fairchilds' most famous corner of the patio overlooking Biscayne guests at The Kampong was Fairchild's Bay, is a fig that is 34 feet in circumference. father-in-law, . Bell Planted in 1928 by Fairchild, it was first had invented a simple method of extract­ called Ficus fairchildii, then renamed Ficus ing distilled water from saltwater using subcordata. This majestic specimen is called solar energy, and while at The Kampong the "Wedding Tree," since nim: marriages he tried his method with water from the have taken place under its canopy, the most tropics. The concrete frame from his ex­ recent, in June 1981. An Indonesian stone periment remains in its original location. statue is now partially engulfed in the ad­ Fairchild died in 1954. His wife contin­ ventitious roots of this tree, which is prob­ ued to look after The Kampong until her ably the tallest Ficus in south Florida. Two death in 1962. rocking chairs of oolitic limestone, made especially for the Fairchilds, sit beneath its The Kampong T oday- A Horticultural branches. Treasure Another interesting specimen is a giant In a chapter of The World Grows Round baobab tree, Adansonia digitata, now 20 My Door entitled "What Will Become of feet in circumference. This magnificently The Kampong?," Fairchild wrote, " I would trunked tree, which was grown from seed like to think that some of my trees would sent from Tanzania in 1927, is probably be kept long enough so that plant breeders the only baobab in history ever to have might wander about in the early mornings been transplanted either in America or Af­ getting pollen for their studies, perhaps rica. It had been uprooted and severely making hybrids with new flavors after I damaged by a hurricane at the U.S.D.A.'s

26 February 1984 What has made The Kampong worth while, aside from the hours ofpleasure it has given us, might be said to be the thousands oflittle foreign plants that we have given away, and the knowledge about them that has come with growing them ourselves-the conEdence that sometime in our travels we may meet these plants in other peoples' gardens, grown tall, Dowered perhaps, or fruited there. I like to think that The Kampong has had a part in encouraging others to End enjoyment in playing with plants rather than in pastimes ofa different character. -David Fairchild, The World Grows Round My Door

AB OVE LEFT: A specimen of Ficus hookerana (formerly F. hookeri) growing at The Ka mpong displays the magnificent roots of a jungle-dwell er. BELOW LEFT: Antidesma bunius, commonl y called bignay or Chinese laurel, is sometimes grown as an ornamental in warm regions. Its fr uit can be made into preserves. ABOVE: Mrs. Sweeney on the terrace of her home, which overlooks Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

American Horticulturist 27 ABOVE: Night-blooming cereus, Hylocereus sp. ABOVE RIGHT: Much of The Kampong is a tropical fruit orchard, where David Fairchild experimented with the many plants he intro­ duced and developed. BELOW FAR RIGHT: Colvillea racemosa, a member of the pea family, is a showy, flowering tree that is native to Mad­ agascar. RIGHT: Herons and other water bird~ abound in the mangrove swamp along the Bay.

28 February 1984 Chapman Field Pl ant Introducti on Station th e bark of this vine in water, then drink south of The Kampong. Fifty-four inches it for its mind-altering effects. in di ameter at the time, it was moved by A few edible members of the Euphor­ a large fl at-bed truck to The Kampong in biaceae, or poinsettia family, which is noted 1964 and was planted in a hole 14 feet for its poisonous species, are also found wide and four feet deep. at The Kampong: Manihot, harvested for A specimen of the miracle fruit, Synse­ cassava or tapioca; Phyllanthus acidus , the palum dulcifi cum, grows in a pot on the Otaheite gooseberry; and Antidesma bun­ fro nt patio. The " miracul ous" properties ius, called bignay in the Philippines and of this fruit from West Afri ca have a unique booni or wooni in Java. Surprisingly, ap­ effect on one's taste buds; after nibbling proximately five to ten percent of those it, everything sour tastes sweet. Recent who eat Antidesma consider it bitter, an pronoun cements about the possible car­ inherited quirk. cinogeni c effects of artificial sweeteners, Several plants mark spots of historical such as cycl amates and saccharin, give this interest at The Kampong. For example, a fr uit tremendous potential for di abeti cs and giant Ficus benghalensis, or banyan tree- people on low-calori e diets. 172 feet in circumference at waist level­ A specimen of the largest tree fruit in stands on the site of the old guava jelly the world, the jack fruit (Artocarpus het­ factory, which was destroyed by a hurri­ erophylius), also resides here. A nati ve of cane in 1926. southeast As ia and a member of the Mo r­ Part of The Kampong's waterfront is a aceae, or mulberry fa mily, its large, al­ mangrove swamp, where at least four na­ buminous white seeds have a low protein ti ve mangrove species still thrive: red man­ co ntent and can be curried; when sauteed, grove (Rhizophora mangle), black man­ they have a chestnutty fl avor. The timber, grove (A v icennia germinans) , white whi ch has an attracti ve grain, is used ex­ mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), and tensivel y in cabinet work. buttonwood or button mangrove (Cono­ In The World Grows Round My Door, carpus erectu s). The Pacific mangrove Fairchild gi ves a clue to the size and scope (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza), a red-flowered of the collection at The Kampong, which bruguiera, was brought by Fairchild in 1940 still applies today: " I had thought that I from the Sangihe Islands, south of the Phil­ could include stories about all my preci ous ippines. The swamp area is also a haven pl ants in this book on The Kampong, but for birds and fi sh. In 1974 a sea cow gave I find I cannot-there are too many . .. . birth to her calf in the boat channel. Were I merely to give a list of my fruits it The future of The Kampong is rich in would make a page like one from a nursery possibilities. This historical and horticul­ catalogue. Sometimes on restless nights I turally important site will no doubt con­ have tried to count them to put myself to tinue to provide scientists and students with sleep but never seemed to get them all. a never-ending array of specimens to study "I believe that more than seventy-five and observe, while horticultural groups and species of fruits, large and small, are now garden clubs will still come to learn more growing on The Kampong, many of them about the fascinating plants growing on still too young to fruit. I mean species, not its grounds. Most importantly, The K'am­ varieties, for to count the varieties would pong will continue to provide pleasure not run the list well over a hundred. Of citrus only to those who are fortunate enough to fruits there are a score; the Kumquats and visit it, but also to gardeners the world Calamondines, Tangerines and Grape­ over who appreciate plants in their own fruits, Pomelos, Limes and Lemons, bit­ gardens that have their origins on The tersweet and various other sorts of Or­ Kampong-the fulfillment of David Fair­ anges. And I must not forget the Alamoen child's dream. from Surinam, the ugliest but one of the The American Horticultural Society will most delicious of the tribe." visit The Kampong during the Spring Sym­ Not every plant at the Kampong flowers posium in Miami, March 14-17. For more and fruits every year. Determining the information see the inside front cover of identity of many of these has to await their this issue. 0 fortuitous flowering. So it was with a mys­ terious vine that finally flowered in 1974, Larry Schokman, a former tea-planter from Banisteriopsis caapi. A member of the Ceylon, has been Superintendent of The Malpighiaceae, or malpighia family, from Kampong for 10 years. the upper Amazon jungle, it is the only Karen Ronne Tupek is an architect with the Historic Preservation Office of the Veterans known flowering specimen in the United Administration. A frequent visitor to The States. It is interesting to note that the caapi Kampong, sh e has proposed it for nomination vine yields a hallucinogen. Natives steep for the National Register of Historic Pl aces.

American Horticulturist 29 Reflections on ue

TEXT BY FREDERICK McGOURTY

ILLUSTRATION BY BARBARA GIBSON

ome 10 or 12 years ago at an an­ changes, some of which he had helped to its helmet-shaped flowers. Somewhere along nual meeting of the American Hor­ bring about, but he was quick to admit the path of my horticultural education I S ticultural Society in New Orleans, that a great deal still had to be learned had read in several books that monkshood I had a chance meeting with L. C. Chad­ about plants and gardening. So much hor­ could not be divided, and my friends stoutly wick, who had long served as head of the ticulture is plain supposition, he remarked. confirmed this, though none had ever tried Department of Horticulture at The Ohio One of his thoughts has stayed with me to to do it. State University. There was a tour of plan­ this day. It was, es·sentially: "All my life I Eventually, a fungal disorder laid to rest tation gardens that day and, having lin­ have heard and read that if you remove our nice little thicket of monkshood, and gered longer than I should have over a the spent flowers of a lilac or some other we went without for a few years. Then a dozen properly iced oysters at the Sazerac shrub, there will be better bloom the next kindly soul down the road called one late Bar, I was a bit tardy getting on the bus year. I think this is true, but in all of the summer day and offered her solitary large at the Fairmont-Roosevelt Hotel. Only one literature issued by the various universities clump; she had young children and feared seat was left and, without noticing my new and botanic gardens, you will not find an they might sample the leaves or roots, which traveling companion, I sat down, out of instance of a controlled study where some­ are deadly poisonous. You see, anoth€r breath but quite happy with the world, as one has actually proved it." In my own species, wolfsbane (A. vuiparia), was used anyone is who has just partaken of that years as an editor I have learned to be to poison the bait for wolves in Europe number of God's finest bivalves. cautious, too. during the Middle Ages, and its roots were I should have recognized my companion A good friend of mine, photographer­ fed to criminals, knaves, wives or hus­ at once, for the evening before he had been author Pamela Harper, reads garden books bands, depending on the occasion. But, in awarded the Liberty Hyde Bailey Medal, and articles more carefully than I do and general, wolfsbane was not regarded as a the highest honor conferred by the Amer­ becomes amused, annoyed or exasperated poison for the upper classes, though a ican Horticultural Society. We introduced (depending on the offense) at conflicting competitor or two of the influential Borgia ourselves and had a delightful conversa­ claims about gardening techniques, cul­ family-presumably high class-may have tion. Professor Chadwick had been an in­ tural recommendations or even plant de­ been done in this way. In any case, Acon­ stitution within an institution at OSU, a scriptions. She summed it up succinctly for itum has made its way into lore. Warlocks Mr. Chips of horticulture revered by two me once when we became involved in a love it. generations of students. I came to under­ discussion about one of the more obscure Mary Ann, my much better half, ven­ stand why. He was in an expansive mood points of "organic" gardening: "Garden­ tured to our friend's garden and carefully that day, and we discussed everything from ing is muck and mysticism." dug the clump, treating it as a shrub and house plants to well-known gardens to his getting a good amount of soil around the particular specialty, the genus Taxus. But Divide and Conquer roots, for I had stressed to her the difficulty mostly the talk was reflective, on changes The first 20 years that I gardened I never of transplanting monkshood. Upon her re­ that had taken place in gardening over the divided a clump of monkshood (Aconitum turn home, she dropped the clump while years. His prime interest was, quite nat­ napellus), a lovely blue-flowered perennial unloading it from the car, and it shattered urally, in horticulture as a science, as op­ with glossy leaves divided like those of the into a hundred little pieces, each with a posed to an art. common buttercup, to which it has a bo­ bulbous root attached. Undaunted by my Professor Chadwick was proud of these tanical family tie () despite dire warnings about the uselessness of this

30 February 1984 /

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effort, Mary Ann planted and cut back the the almost automatic assumption is that it people do. Gardeners want to believe, and foliage of each one, and they all happened was not winter hardy . Yes, sometimes cold that is fine--even beautiful-unless it pushes to live. We have divided monkshood hap­ is the prime factor. But, apart from im­ reality too far off into a dark corner, to pily ever since. Indeed, several species of properly drained soil in winter (which is be tripped over when it is time to put on it. perhaps the mos't frequent cause of death the ,light. Every few years, for example, How does such a story begin, about a for either herbaceous or woody plants), some gardening magazine in the country, plant being hard to divide? True, some fungal or insect problems, drought, too­ with new editor and new writer, carries perennials do not convalesce well after di­ late planting, rodents or some particular a piece on the Himalayan blue poppy, vision or do not divide very easily. (l once cultural condition all could have weakened Meconopsis betonicifolia. This is a haunt­ spent half a morning with a pickax, getting the plant in the previous growing season, ingly beautiful flower but is not a very a dozen divisions from a clump of Mis­ and winter merely provided the coup de good garden plant in the United States, canthus grass.) In the case of monkshood, grace. except in a few areas with cool summers, I suspect the story started this way: Garden One spring day when I was lamenting and then uncommonly. Writer A wrote that it was a shame to the over-winter loss of an unusually at­ The author of the article may have seen , divide an established clump of monks­ tractive anemone, a fellow gardening zealot the blue poppy in a garden in England, hood, because it took awhile for it to as­ consoled me by saying, "Fred, you can't where it performs tolerably well, or even sume a stately grace. A few years later really say you have failed with a plant until in Alberta (which also has cool summers). Garden Writer B came along and, finding you have killed it three times." Later in Perhaps he may even have grown it for a Garden Writer A's prose turgid, said in the the year I reminded him of his sagacious year or two on the coast of Maine or in interest of brevity, "You should not divide words. He paused for a few seconds, then the Pacific Northwest before it croaked. monkshood." A few years later still, Gar­ remarked, "I think I should have said 'five The article is apt to end on a plaintive and den Writer C, a careless copier, came along times'!" Of course, if you are trying to familiar note: "This fine plant should be and said, "You can't divide monkshood." grow a banana in New Jersey and it doesn't more widely available." It once was. In Alas, the ring of authority that comes with make it through the winter, there is a time fact, one of America's large perennial nur­ a simple, quick statement! Editors-and for automatic assumptions. series promoted it with pretty catalogue readers-love it. pictures for years before the outcry about Now let us alter the story a bit. If the Telling It Like It Is the blue poppy's short life span made the clump of monkshood had been given to By the same token, one winter's success firm realize it was engaging in horticultural Mary Ann for division in early July-just does not spell hardiness. Nor two. Nor genocide. as the hottest and driest part of summer three. One of my good friends, Erica, hates descended upon us-the result might have to have me visit her in gardening season, Difficult Plants been quite different, especially if we had because she considers me a harbinger of For many people the joy is in the grow­ been lax about watering and mulching. We doom. I am welcome for tea, or dinner, or ing, not in the end result of a garden. Some once, in fact, lost a few divisions this way, even travelogues on long winter evenings, enjoy a challenge-taming the untamable because our New England summers are but not on a golden summer afternoon. plant, taking pride in raising difficult sorts seldom as cool as they are pictured to be, You see, Erica is a fairly new gardener and to fine specimen stage. They regard "easy" even by New Englanders. If we lived in is still in the flush of great enthusiasm, plants as a bit vulgar, the sort grown by North Carolina, the July division would some of which I hope she will always keep. a neighbor with whom one doesn't get likely have meant death for the plants. She tries everything, including ornamental along. There is usually no harm in this, plantains and hawkweeds. provided the grower doesn't kill too many Why Plants Fail Several years ago after a visit to Scotland lady's-slippers, trailing arbutus and shor­ The corollary point, of course, is that and to gardens in England, Erica decided tia in the process. These are not really gar­ we gardeners are very apt to promulgate to plant an extensive number of heaths and den plants. horticultural laws based on a single in­ heathers. Two mild winters have inter­ True, the vast number of endangered stance. How often have you heard, "As­ vened, and these plants, laden with a thick plant species in this country are endan­ tilbes just won't grow in my garden"? Or, cover of evergreen boughs in the cool gered because of habitat destruction. But "Shasta daisies aren't hardy for me "? In months (when many of the heaths are most some responsibility must be borne by the the case of the astilbe, one wonders if the ornamental), seem to be in thriving con­ horticultural community, since the above sole attempt was made in a sunny, parched dition. The longer-term performance re­ natives-and quite a few others-are usu­ spot of the garden-hardly the ideal place cord for heaths and heathers in non coastal ally dug from the wild, eith~r by the home for these woodland plants from the Orient parts of America is not very auspicious, gardener or by wildflower dealers who then that require a moisture-retentive soil in though, and I have on occasion pointed sell directly to the public or to nurseries. summer. As for the Shasta daisies, poor this out to Erica. Next summer when the Fortunately, there has been an upswing in drainage in winter might have caused their heathers are in full bloom, she plans to nurseries that actually propagate their own demise, and the plants could have pros­ have a garden party and not invite me. I wildflowers, partly as a result of efforts by pered nicely in another, more elevated, lo­ will come another time to admire her the University of North Carolina Botanical cation in the same garden. hawkweeds. Garden and New England Wildflower So­ However, there are many times when Telling it like it is does not always endear ciety in recent years. Many of them are we don't really know why a plant has died, one to gardeners, who live more by dreams easy to grow, but if a wildflower is difficult and if it happens not to come up in spring, and catalogue descriptions than normal in cultivation, it may help keep the species

32 February 1984 going in the wild if we ask ourselves why we really want to grow it. Ego may play a larger part than we ca re to admit. Dolt " Difficult" pl ants fail for a variety of reasons. For example, they may be fuss­ Our Way budgets about location, there may be soil mycorrhiza associati ons, or their soil pH requirements may be exacting. I reca ll a Just pot or repot our way. Strong . story told me some time ago by a conser­ healthy growth and beautiful blooms vation-minded nurseryman, Andre Viette, wi ll come yo ur way' . Year aft er who feels th at the best way to conserve a year after year. plant is to grow it. He obtained Shortia ITS BACTI-VATEO' Baccto Potting galacifolia, a delightful and increasingly Soil is teeming with the live , ben­ eficial bacteria plants need to utilize rare-i n-the-wild southern wildflower fertilizer and water efficiently, Plants sometimes called Oconee-bells. The plants, benefit immediate ly, and remain A~ PlAHTlNG MIX which he obtained from North Carolina, hea lthi er long p, r, READY TO USE arrived in soil with a quite low pH, 4.2 to Everything grows better with Baccto 4. 7. They had to be potted on, and to Potting Soi l. Try it. You 'll see . BACCTa POT11NQ SOIL increase the acidity of the moderately acid soil he customarily used, Mr. Viette added a large amount of mold, mostly red oak. Don't many garden books report that oak leaf mold has an acidic reaction? The shortias languished and, on a hunch, he took a pH test and discovered that the new P.O. Box 66388, Houston, TX 77266 medium was close to neutral. The pH was adjusted downward, and the shortias be­ gan to thrive again, along wi th partridge­ berry (Mitchella repens ), coltsfoot (Galax urceolata) and wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)- other distinctly acid-loving plants potted in the same mix. As an ad­ dendum, Mr. Viette pointed out that he USE THIS COUPON had tested peat, too. Canadian peat was usually in the 5 to 6 range (German peat, FOR FREE INFORMATION ON usually lower), so the addition of this com­ mon material would not have solved the problem. NUTRIPONICS® Limelight New Hi-Tech Indoor Gardening Luckily, not many of our garden plants are as demanding about soil pH as shortia, Please send free information on Nutriponics to: or else we would be driving our land-grant Name ______universities wild with requests for pH tests of garden soil. (Many perform this func­ Address ______tion for a nominal fee.) In general, garden plants are tolerant of a fairly wide range of soil pH levels, although there are op­ tim urns known for certain ones, especially Inexpensive kits available. 50-page color-illustrated vegetables. In high-rainfall areas soils are instruction book included in all kits. With this simple as a rule distinctly acidic, and the majority method, you can grow Tomatoes, African Violets, Ge­ of plants perform satisfactorily with small or no additions of dolomitic limestone. The raniums, etc. Planters are self-watering. This unique matter of soil pH is usually overempha­ discovery is better than hydroponics-developed pri­ sized, unless one happens to live on a bog marily for indoor plants. or on top of a lime pit. I do know from quite personal experience that generous use of limestone on moderately acid soil can WINDOWSILL GARDENS do more harm than good to a lot of her­ Grafton, New Hampshire 03240 baceous perennials, especially the shade-

American Horticulturist 33 REFLECTIONS tolerant sorts such as Hosta, Epimedium and composted pine bark, adding major tles this year. and Astilbe, as well as summer phlox (P. nutrients and trace elements. The nadir of muck and mysticism was paniculata) and Japanese iris (1. kaemp­ reached in our garden several years ago, feri ). (The wet-soil requirement for this iris Beetlemania and it had to do with Japanese beetles. One is an old wives' tale.) Dianthus, Gypso­ But we shouldn't be too quick to take of the gardening magazines carried a piece phila and Scabiosa are among the few that our bags of limestone to the dump, par­ on beetle control, which sounded very lime distinctly helps if soil acidity is low. ticularly if there are Japanese beetles around. promising to Mary Ann. The author said For years there was an unchallenged as­ At the Ohio Agricultural Research and De­ that the beetles in her garden were not a sumption that the optimum pH range for velopment Center in Wooster, some recent problem anymore and, what's more, her mineral soils was 6.5 to 6.8. This may be experiments have shown that beetle larvae remedy was "organic." The recipe in­ true for many of the traditional sun lovers, decrease in number after ground limestone volved grinding up Japanese beetles, with including vegetables, but the shade plants is spread on a lawn. In one test on a lawn a little soap and water, and spraying this or woodlanders so common in today's gar­ whose soil had a very low pH, 100 pounds mixture on roses, hollyhocks, lythrum and dens are usually from parts of the world of dolomitic limestone were applied to other plants they favor. Mary Ann duti­ with substantial rainfall and benefit from 1,000 square feet of land. As a result, there fully did this, and after a few days, there a lower pH. But what about the popular was little grub damage, whereas a sur­ were still no results. If anything, the beetles soilless mixes? Some recent experiments by rounding area that was untreated was badly proliferated. I asked her how she ground Professor John C. Peterson of The Ohio infested. The report also mentioned that up the beetles. In the kitchen blender, she State University show that 5.2 to 5.5 on if a lawn needs dethatching, this aeration replied. It cured me of milk shakes for six the pH scale is best for such a medium. procedure should be done before lime is months, and I lost five pounds. So muck He observed that the availability of phos­ applied, lest the lime "barrier" be broken. and mysticism aren't all bad." phorus, an element important for root Since w€ had been greatly bothered by Jap­ growth and flowering, increased more than anese beetles in recent years, we decided Frederick McGourty is a nurseryman, 10 times as the pH was lowered from 6.5 to lime the lawn last autumn. (The most designer of perennial gardens and lecrurer. He served as editor of the Brooklyn Botanic to 5.2. For his studies, Professor Peterson recent application had been five years €ar• Garden Handbook series for 14 years and is used a commercial mix containing sphag­ lier.) The happy result-probably not a now owner of Hillside Gardens in Norfolk, num peat, perlite, vermiculite, granite sand coincidence-was a sharp decline in bee- .

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34 February 1984 Pronunciation Guide

The accent, or emphasis, falls on the syllable erateva adansonii Paeonia pee-OWN-ee-ah that appears in capital letters. The vowels CRA Y-tev-ah ad-an-SONE-ee-eye Phlomis lanata FLOW-miss la-NA Y-ta that you see standing alone are pronounced C. religiosa c. ree-lidge-ee-O-sa Phlox paniculata as follows: Crocus ochroleucus FLOCKS pan-ick-yew-LA Y-ta i-short sound; sounds like i in "hit" CROW-cuss oak-row-LEU-cus Phyllanthus acidus o-Iong sound; sounds like 0 in "snow" C. speciosus c. spee-see-OH-sus phy-LAN-thuss ah-CID-uss a-long sound; sounds like a in "hay" Delphinium elatum Picea pungens PY-see-ah PUN-jim Acer griseum A Y-ser GRI-see-um del-FIN-ee-um ee-LA Y-tum Pieris japonica pee-AIR-iss ja-PON-i-ka Aconitum napellus Epimedium ep-i-MEAD-ee-um Pinus strobus PY-nus STRO-bus ak-o-NY-tum na-PELL-us Epiphyllum ep-i-FILL-um Pleione bulbocodioides A. vulparia a. vul -PARE-ee-ah Euonymus alata yew-ON-i-mus al-A Y-ta PLEE-o-nee bul-bo-co-dee-oh-EYE-deez Adansonia digitata Eustoma grandif/orum Polansia po-Ian-ISS-ee-ah ad-an-SONE-ee-ah dij-i-TA Y-ta you-STOW-mah grand-i-FLOOR-um Pyracantha py-ra-KAN-tha Allium tuberosum Fagus sylvatica FAY-gus sil-VAT-i-ka Rhizophora mangle rhizo-FOR-ah MANG-Iee AL-ee-um too-bur-O-sum Ficus benghalensis FY-kus ben-gal-EN-sis Rhododendron ro-do-DEN-dron Antidesma bun ius F. fairchildii f. FAIR-child-ee-eye Saintpaulia saint-PAUL-ee-ah an-ti-DES-ma boo-NEE-us F. hookerana f. hook-er-A Y-na Salix matsudana SAY-licks mat-sue-DAN-ah Aporocactus ah-poor-oh-CAC-tus F. hookeri f. HOOK-er-eye pratensis SAL-vee-ah pray-TEN-sis Aporophyllum ah-poor-o-PHYLL-um F. subcordata f. sub-cor-DA Y-ta Sansevieria trifasciata Artocarpus heterophyllus Fritillaria carduchorum san-see-VEER -ee-ah tri -fas-ee-A Y-ta ar-toe-CARP-us het-er-o-FILL-us frit-ill-A Y -ree-ah car-duh-CORE-um Scabiosa scab-ee-O-sa Astilbe ah-STILL-be Galax urceolata Shortia galacifolia Avicennia germinans GA Y-Iax your-see-oh-LA Y-ta SHORT-ee-ah ga-Iace-e-FOL-ee-ah av-i-CENN-ee-ah JERM-i-nans Gaultheria procumbens japonica SKIM-ee-ah ja-PON-i-ka Banisteriopsis caapi gaul-THEER-ee-ah pro-KUM-benz Steriphoma paradoxum BAN-iss-ter-ee-OP-sis ca-AH-pi Gazania ga-ZANE-ee-ah stair-i-PHO-ma para-DOX-um Begonia be-GOAN-ee-ahlbe-GOAN-yah manicata Stewartia pseudocamellia Boltonia asteroides GUN-er-ah man-i-CA Y-ta stew-ART-ee-ah SUE-do-ka -MEAL-ya bol-TONE-ee-ah ass-ter-oh-EYE-deez Gynandropsis speciosa Streptocarpus strep-toe-CARP-us Brassica BRASS-i-ka guy-nan-DROP-sis spee-see-O-sa Synsepalum dulcificum Bruguiera gymnorrhiza Gypsophila jyp-SOF-i-Ia syn-SEP-ah-Ium dul-CIFF-eh-cum brew-gee-ER-ah gym-more-RHI-za Hamamelis mollis Taxus TAX-us Capparis arborea cap-PAR-iss ar-BOR-ee-ah ham-ah-MEE-Iis MOLL-iss Trillium TRILL-ee-um C. cynophallophora Hemerocallis hcm-er-o-KAL-iss Tulipa marjolettii c. CY-no-phall-oh-FOR-ah Hibiscus hy-BISS-kuss TOO-lip-ah mar-jo-LET-tee-eye C. lasiantha c. las-ee-AN-tha Hosta HOSS-ta Ulmus glabra ULL-mus GLA Y-bra C. mitchellii c. MITCH-ell-ee-eye Hylocereus hi-Iow-SEAR-ee-us Vaccinium corymbosum C. sandwichiana c. SAND-wich-ee-ay-na I1ex aquifolium EYE-lex ak-qui-FOL-ee-um vack-SIN-ee-um cor-im-BO-sum C. spinosa var. nummularia I. cornuta i. kor-NEW-ta Verbascum ver-BASS-kum c. spin-OSS-ah numm-u-LAIR-ee-ah I. crenata i. kren-A Y -ta Viburnum carlesii Caragana arborescens Iris kaempferi EYE-riss KEMP-fare-eye vy-BUR-num KARLS-ee-eye kar-a-JAN-ah ar-bor-ESS-ens Kalmia latifolia CALM-ee-ah lat-i-FOL-ee-ah Wislizenia refracta Cardiocrinum giganteum Laguncularia racemosa wis-liz-EN-ee-ah re-FRACK-ta car-dee-oh-CRY -num ji-GAN-tee-um la-gun-CUE-Iair-ee-ah ray-si-MOS-ah Zinnia ZIN-ee-ah/ZIN-ya Carex conica CARE-ex CON-i-ka Leucothoe lew-KO-tho-ee Cedrus atlantica SEE-drus at-LAN-ti-ka Lilium LIL-ee-um Cleome gigantea clay-O-me ji-GAN-tee-ah Liquidambar styracif/ua C. grandis c. GRAND-iss Iick-quid-AM-ber sty-rass-i-FLEW-ah C. hasslerana c. hass-Ier-A Y-na Magnolia X soulangiana C. integrifolia c. in-teg-ri-FO-Iee-ah mag-NOL-ya sue-Ian-gee-A Y-na C. lutea c. LOO-tee-ah Manihot MAN-i-hot C. serrulata c. ser-rew-LA Y-ta Meconopsis betonicifolia C. speciosa c. spee-see-O-sa mek-i-NOP-sis bet-on-iss-i-FO-Iee-ah Cleomella obtusifolia Mesembryanthemum cleo-MEL-ah ob-toose-i-FOL-ee-ab mess-em-bry-AN-thee-mum Conocarpus erectus Miscanthus mis-CAN-thus cono-CARP-us er-ECK-tuss Mitchellia repens Cornus alba KOR-nus AL-ba MITCH-el-ee-ah REE-penz Corylus avellana COR-ee-Ius av-e1-LA Y-nah Morus alba MOR-us AL-ba Colvillea racemosa Nelumbo nucifera col-VILL-ee-ah race-si-MO-sah nel-UM-bo new-SIFF-er-ah

American Horticulturist 35 Gardeners·MarketpIace

ALPINE & ROCK GARDEN PLANTS Add $1.00 shipping or both books $12.90 ppd. CARNIVOROUS PLANTS FREE newsletter, send stamp. ROBERTA AN EVERGROWING AND CHANGING MOFFITT, Box 3597, Wilmington, DE 19807. Carnivorous, woodland terrarium plants and CATALOG. Over 1,000 cold-hardy varieties supplies. Book, The World of Carnivorous Plants, described with cultural advice. The finest dwarf Try Us for evasive Horticultural, Botanical, $6.95 postpaid. Catalog FREE. PETER PAULS perennials, shrubs, conifers, wildflowers, Pomological Books, any age, worldwide. Cat­ NURSERIES, Canandaigua, NY 14424. alogue, 1,000 Titles, $1. POMONA BOOKS, groundcovers, ferns, woodland plants and more. COMPUTER GARDENING Catalog and Fall Supplement, $1.50. SISKIYOU Rockton, Canada LOR lXO. RARE PLANT NURSERY, Dept. 44, 2825 RARE AND UNUSUAL BOOKS OF THE COMI?UGARDEN: The blueprint for your green thumb. Let our, computer help plan your wide­ Cummings Road, Medford, OR 97501. (U.S. GARDEN-BOOKS one of a kind and out-of­ shipping only.) print. Write for a FREE catalog now and be bed vegetable garden. For FREE brochure write COMPUGARDEN, INC., 725 Richmond Ave., APPLE TREES ready for Spring. SWEETGRASS & CO., Book­ sellers, PO Box 711, Alhambra, CA 91802. Silver Spring, MD 20910. Granny Smith, Ozark Gold, Yates, Fuji, all CROWNVETCH adapted to the South. We guarantee our trees EXOTICA 4, enlarged to 16,300 photos, by Dr. Seed, bare root Crownvetch crowns or plants, to be clean, healthy stock, 4 ft. tall, semi-dwarf. A.B. Graf; 2,590 pages in 2 volumes, $175. shipped promptly, also other soil conserving The rootstock mmlll is tolerant of a wide range TROPICA~ 7,000 color photos of exotic plants plants and seeds. (814) 425-7276. ERNST of growing conditions. $1 O.(!)O ea. Ppd. Minimum and trees, $115. EXOTIC PLANT MANUAL- CROWNVETCH FARMS, R. 5, Meadville, PA TWO per order. FRUITWOOD NURSER Y, Box 4,200 photos, $37.50. EXOTIC HOUSE 303A, Molena, GA 30258. ATTN: Paul Vignos. PLANTS-l,200 photos, $8.95. Circulars gladly 16335. Order 9 get 1 FREE. sent. ROEHRS, Box 125, E. Rutherford, NJ DWARF CONIFERS THE AVANT GARDENER 07073. Over 170 types of dwarf conifers described by BRITISH TEAK GARDEN SEATS "DIFFERENT, EXCITING, GREAT FUN TO size, shape, color and texture. Many types suit­ READ-for the gardener who wants to get more Solid Teakwood GardeN Seats-featured in the able for Bonsai. 50 page catalog $1.00 (refund­ out of ga'rdening!" Subscribe to THE AVANT arboretums & gardens of England. The perfect able). Botanic Plant List FREE. WASHING­ GARDENER,. the most useful, most quoted of heirloom gift for church, park or private garden. TON EVERGREEN NURSERY, Box 388AH, all gardening publications. Every month this Country Casual's newest catalog of "HORTI­ Leicester, NC 28748. (704) 683-4518. CULTURAL TREASURES" offers juried gifts unique news service brings you the newest and FLOWER ARRANGING SUPPLIES most practical on-going gardening informa­ for men & women who- garden. We introduce tion-new plants, products, techniques, with the stunning British Collection of Chippendale Carefully selected supplies, equipment and ac­ sources for every item, plus feature articles, spe­ style seating. Two of these Chinese lattice pat­ cessories for Hower arranging, corsages, house­ cial issues. Now in its 14th year. Awarded the tern solid teakwo0d benches were presented as plants. Illustrated catalog 25 It. Retailers use let­ Garden Club of America Medal for outstanding wedding gifts to Prince Charles & Lady Diana. terhead. DOROTHY BIDDLE SERVICE, GMl, achievement in horticulture. Special to new sub­ Choose from other gifts for gardeners: spe­ Greeley, PA 18425-9799. cialty hand tools, lace impressed stoneware wall scribers, $10 for a full year. Sample copy $.1'. FRAGRANCE THE AVANT GARDENER, Box 489M, New baskets with Williamsburg floral bouquets, gold York, NY 10028. floral jewelr-y-including herb pins & p.endants, SEEDS FOR fRAGRANCE, herbs, and the floral magnets, traditional egg baskets, Colonial English Fl0wer Garden. Catalogue $1. THE AZALEAS & RHODODENDRONS oak hayforks & shepherds crook and, ami que FRAGRANT PATH, Box 328, Fort Calhoun, LARGEST SELECTION of RHODODEN­ doll omaments reproduced in pressed wood and NE 68023. DRONS and AZALEAS on the EAST COAST. resin. For a ca~alogue send $1 .00 to COUN­ GALA HERB WEEKEND Mail order catalog $1.00. ROSLYN NURS­ TRY CASUAL "Horticultural Treasures," 17317 ERY, Dept. AH, Box 69, Rosl,yn, NY 11576. Germantown Rd., Germantown, MD 20874. BITTERSWEET HILL NURSERIES, Rt. 424 & LANDSCAPE SIZE AZALEAS: "For gardeners (3 01 ) 428-3434. Governor's Bridge Road, Davidsonville, Mary­ who care"~Exbury, Windsor, Robin Hill, North BROMELIADS land is presenting a Gala Herb Weekend inside Tisbury, Glenn Dale, Gable, Natives and FRA­ our warm Greenhouses. April 7-8, 9 a.m. to 5 DEC0RATIVE BROMELIAD PLANTS. 21 GRANT YELLOWS. Mailorder Catalog $2.00 p.m. FREE Herb Garden Designs, exhibits, page DESCRIPTIVE LIST with prices, $1.50. (deductible). CARLSON'S GARDENS, Box 305- , demonstrations, Display Herb .. Garden tours, Also 80 page BROMELIADS FOR MODERN AH60, South' Salem, NY 10590. Door Prizes, special sale on favorite herb J'llants. LIVING with 135 color photos, $5.00 for- bo~h . PuIDlic invited! (301) 798-0231. BONSAI THE BROMELIAD TREASURY, 639 Bend Bonsai books, plants, pots, soil components, Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. GRAPES-AMERICAN HYBRID VINES tools, annealed copper wire. Catalog $1.00, re­ CACTI & SUCCULENTS GRAPES - HARDY - Grown Southern Ohio fundable. BONSAI ASSOCIATES,. INC., Dept. Cacti/Succulent plant and seed catalog. $1.00. - CONC.ORD, Purple - NIAGARA, White HH, 8510 Stevenswood Rd., Baltimore, MD MESA FLORA NURSERY, N.B.U. 1002, Yucca - CATAWBA, Red - FREDONIA, Early Blue- 21207 VaHey, CA 92284. I-year Strong Vines: 2 fer $;>2.75 - Any 8 for BOOK SEARCH SERVICE FANTASTIC 1984 FULL-COLOR plant/book­ $10.00. Ask Quantity Prices. ROCKNOLL Send your list of wanted gardening books. I'll shop catalogs now available. Hundreds of va­ NURSERY, 9210 U.S. 50, Hillsboro, OH 45133, try to find them. No obligation. (Out-of-print, rieties of Orchid Cactus ( Epiph ~"lums ) , Rhip­ (5 13 ) 393-1278. hard-to-find, antiquarian.) EDWARD F. SMI­ salis, Hoyas, Rattail Cactus, Holiday Cactus (13 LEY, BOOKSELLER, RFD 5, 43 Liberty Hill kinds). Includes $3.00-disC0unt winter coupon, GREENHOUSE ACCESSORIES Road, Bedford, NH 03102. separate Cactus. Bookshop Catalogue. AH only COMPLETE MIST PROPAGATION SYS­ BOOKS $1.00. RAINBOW GARDENS, Box 721-AH24, TEMS. Get phenomenal propagation results­ DRIED FLOWERS SO NATURAL THEY La Habra. CA 90633. Greater financial yield! Unequalled-inexpen­ LOOK FRESH! Show & Tell Books: "STEP BY "CATALOG OF UNUSUAL SUCCULENTS" sive-FREE BROCHURE. AQUAMONITOR, STEPBOOKOFPRESERVEDFLOWERS," 3rd. Discover the largest selection of weird and un­ Box 327-B Huntington, NY 11 743. Ed. 48 pg. includes Microwave and·3 other drying usual succulents-over 150 photographs of suc­ Seedling Starter Kits! Useful tools, supplies, and methods for 100 flowers, $2.95. "STEP BY STEP culent crests, variegates, living stones, and odd­ information for greenhouses, solariums and in­ BOOK OF DRIED BOUQUETS" 2nd Ed. 136 balls. Send $1.00 today. "CATALOG OF door gar.deNs. Prompt service. Catalog 501t. pg.; Williamsburg, Modem, €:enterpieces--over UNUSUAL SUCCULENTS" Dept. A2, 553 GRO-TEK, RPD 1, Box518AA,South Berwi.:k, 285 photos, color & black and white, $8.95. Buena Creek Road, San Marcos, CA 92069. ME 03908.

36 February 1984 Hard-to-find equipment, tools and propagating HELP WANTED MINIATURE ROSES supplies. Unique catalog $2.00. CHARLEY'S PERENNIAL GROWER. Experienced grower Like Roses? Grow Minatures---on your win­ GREENHOUSE SUPPLY, 12815(AH) - N.E. for developing and expanding containerized dowsill , balcony, under lights. Flowers year 124th Street, Kirland, WA 98033. perennial nursery. Responsible for production 'round! FREE Brochure. MINIATURES, Box HARPER HORTICULTURAL SLIDE and distribution of perennials for sales to retail 7 A, Sardis, B.C Canada VOX 1 YO. LIBRARY (PAMELA HARPER) stores in greater New York. Send resume to Director of Education, FLOWER TIME, INC, Grow indoors or out. Award winning miniature We supply many of the pictures in American 1178 Route 109, Lindenhurst, NY 11 757. rose nursery offers FREE ca talogue. Wholesale/ Horticulturist. Over 50,000 slides of pl ants and Retai l. Shipped yea r round. ROSEHILL FARM, gardens available. Duplicates $2.00. Lecture sets Manager for three yea r old greenhouse/peren­ Box 4060, Galena, MD 21635. nial/nursery retail business with emphasis on on many topics $25.00 rental. 1983 catalogue NERINES $1.50.219 Robanna Shores, Seaford, VA 23696 growing and propagation. Qualiry extremely (804-898-6453). important. Rapidl y expanding business with The Autumn Flowering Diamond Lily, New ca t­ knowledgeable customers. Seeking knowledge­ alogue-80 descriptions- $2.00. 20 bulbs­ HEATHS & HEATHERS able energetic employee with some working ex­ stunning colours-$30, includes post and pack­ Colorful low-cost HEATHER COLLECTIONS perience, willing to grow with us. For more ing. NERINE NURSERIES, Well and, Malvern, shipped UPS. Send SASE for 100-cultivar list. particulars : DEER MEADOW, Star Route AH- Wocester, WR13 6LN England. HEATHER GROWERS, Box 850, Elm a, WA 11A, Manset, ME 04656. NEW PERENNIAL POPPIES 98541. POSITION WANTED Far Superior to existing Oriental Poppy vari­ HERB-GROUND COVER-ROCKERY Gardener seeking wholesale nursery employ­ eties. FREE ca talog. MOHNS, INC, Box 2301, Wide selection of H ERBS , super hardy ment-willing to supply references upon re­ Atascadero, CA 93423. quest. ROBERT BENSON 4211 Ard more Pl ace, GROUND COVER and ROCKER Y plants. NURSER Y STOCK Ca talog gives culinary and medicinal uses and Fairfax, VA 22030. growing instructions. Special secti on on creat­ Expert properry ca re. Land, fl ora, structures, MILLIONS OF SEED LI NGS: High qualiry at ing ground cover and rock gardens. Catalog $2, administration, capabl y handled. Permanent reasonable prices. Over 100 selecti ons for refundable on first order. Reasonable prices. position sought with on-si te housing. L.S., P.O. Christmas trees, ornamentals, wi ndbreaks, con­ LOST PRAIRIE HERB FARM, Marion, MT Box 761, Ojai, CA 93023. servation, wildlife food and cover, etc. FREE 59925. catalog, CARINO NURSERIES, Box 538J, In­ HOUSE PLANT ACCESSORIES AND diana, PA 15701. HERB PLANTS SUPPLIES GROW EVER YGREENS FROM SEED. Ever­ SCENTED GERANIUMS Leaves used fo r herbs, Send lega l size stamped envelope fo r catalog. green seeds and seedlings; also strawberries, fruit teas. Catalog of 800 Geraniums, $1.00 refund­ FLORA AD ASTRA, Route 1, Box 333-A-2, trees and small fruit. FREE catalog. RECOR'S able. SHADY HILL GARDENS, 833 Walnut, Monticello, GA 31064. TREE SEED, A640 El Paso, Denver, CO 80221. Batavia, IL 60510. HOUSE PLANTS NURSERY STOCK BY MAIL FIRST QUALITY HERB & Spice plants. Rare ORCHIDS, GESNERIADS, BEGONIAS, CACTI fruit plants. Unusual vegetable Headstarts. In­ ANTIQUE APPLES, NUTS, PEARS cold and & SUCCULENTS. Visitors welcome. 1984 Cat­ drought hardy trees and shrubs for food, feed, formative catalog also includes growing instruc­ alog $1.25. LAURA Y OF SALISBURY, Rt. 41 tions, history, recipes, formulas, crafts, $1.00 windbreaks, wildlife, rootstocks. Retail and (Undermountain Rd. ), Salisbury, CT 06068 (203) wholesale. SASE for catalog. BEAR CREEK (refundable) Order Today! DORIS MAN­ 435-2263. NING, 495 42nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL FARMS, Box 411-A, Northport, WA 99157. 33703. RARE FLOWERING TROPICALS, begonias, ORCHID BEGONIA HOUSEPLANT SHOW gesneriads, African violets, miniatures, terrar­ HERBS ium plants. Illustrated catalog, $1.00. KARTUZ BITTERSWEET HILL NURSERIES, Rt. 424 & Herb Collection: One sage, one Mint (our choice GREENHOUSES, 1408-AH Sunset Drive, Vista, Governor's Bridge Rd, Davidsonville, Mary­ of varieties), one Burnet, one Italian Oregano CA 92083. land is hosting an Orchid-Begonia-Houseplant Show inside our warm Greenhouses February and one Lemon Balm; well established in pint Many unusual and rare varieties. Catalog with perennial cans for $9.75 ppd. To be shipped in 25-26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Over 200 varieties fea­ photographs $1.00. SHADOW LAWN NURS­ tured in exhibits and demonstrations. Special spring. WRENWOOD, Rt 4, Box 361, Berkeley ERY, 637 Holly Lane, Plantation, FL 33317. S£!i!!gs, WV 25411. plant sale, Door Prizes. Public Invited! (3 01 ) INDOOR GARDENING 798-0231. . HERB PLANTS-Over 100 different kinds. Also Rare Sansevierias-Beautiful, Durable (150 va­ ORCHIDS extensive collections of unusual Houseplants, rieties), Dwarf Palms small as 6" (80 varieties). Ivies, Fuchsias, Cacti & Succulents. Catalog Hoyas for exotic foliage, flowers. Many other ORCHIDS! ORCHIDS! ORCHIDS! Brome­ $1.00. MERRY GARDENS, Box 595, Camden, variegated, miniature, bizarre foliage types. liads, Staghorn Ferns, Books, Peters Fertilizer, ME 04843. Catalog and newsletters $5. ENDANGERED Potting Mixes, Supplies for indoor and green­ HORTIDEAS SPECIES, 12571(A) Redhill, Tustin, CA 92680. house culture. REQUEST CATALOG. FOX ORCHIDS, INC, 6615 West Markham, Little INDOOR-OUTDOOR GARDENING GARDEN NEWS YOU CAN USE: Hortldeas, Rock, AR 72205. monthly newsletter reporting on research, SUPPLIES methods, tools and publications for serious gar­ " FREE CATALOGUE" ... LOWEST PRICES PALM SOCIETY deners, gleaned from hundreds of popular and EVER-TOP QUALITY SUPPLIES .. . Plastic THE INTERNATIONAL PALM SOCIETY technical sources. Detailed articles, complete pots, hanging baskets, vermiculite, perlite, members receive the quarterly journal "Prin­ references. Annually indexed, no advertising. markers, etc. SAVE! Send 2 stamps for postage. cipes," and have access to a seed bank which One year, $10. Sample, $1. Satisfaction guar­ PLANT COLLECTIBLES, 103E Kenview Ave., distributes seeds of rare palms collected world­ anteed. HORTIDEAS A, Gravel Switch, KY Buffalo, NY 14217. wide. Exciting 1984 Biennial meeting in San 40328. INVENTIONS WANTED Francisco, followed by a tour of Australia. Membership $15 per year. THE INTERNA­ HOSTAS Inventions, ideas, new products wanted for presentation to industry and exhibition at na­ TIONAL PALM SOCIETY, Box 368, Law­ Also peonies, daylilies and Japanese Iris. FREE rence, KS 66044. Catalog! CAPRICE FARM NURSERY, 15425 tional technology exposition. Call 1-800-528- SW Pleasant Hill Rd., Sherwood, OR 97140. 6050. Arizona 1-800-352-0458. X831. PERENNIALS MAPLES UNUSUAL ROCK and SHADE PLANTS, Hosta, HOSTAS FOR SHADE MATSU-MOMIJI NURSERY-rare and un­ Hemerocallis, Sempervivums, Shrubs, Iris, Na­ Many choice varieties. Descriptive catalog 50¢. usual maples and pine. Descriptive catalog ($ 1 tive Americans, Seed, Dwarf Evergreens, Grapes. SAVORY'S GREENHOUSES AND GAR­ refundable) now featuring older plant material. 24 Page Catalog. Please send 40 11 in stamps. DENS, Hosta Specialist, (612) 941-8755,5300 PO Box 11414, Philadelphia, PA 19111 (215 ) ROCKNOLL NURSERY, 9210 U.S. 50, East, Whiting Ave., Edina, MN 55435. 722-6286. Hillsboro, OH 45133.

American Horticulturist 37 GARDENER'S MARKETPLACE HARDY PERENNIALS, herbs, wildflowers. NEW 1984 CATALOG, $2.00, over 50 pages, CLASSIFIED AD Strong plants, reasonable prices. Descriptive many helpful lists, pictures. Do you have special RATES: catalog $1.00. SEXTON NURSERY, 23340 needs, a collector's taste? Personalized attention Doane Cr. Rd. AH, Sheridan, OR 97378. to your order, Superior plant quality guaran­ PHALAENOPSIS (MOTH) ORCHIDS teed. THE BOVEES NURSERY, 1737ASWCo ronado, Portland, OR 97219. Blooming size, values to $20.00. Minimum or­ der 3 plants, $9.50 each, postpaid. Catalog $1.00, ROCK GARDEN PLANTS 60rt per word; $10.00 minimum per in sertion. 10% discount credited on first order, GREEN VALLEY OR­ for three consecutive inse rtions using same copy. Copy must Rare Alpines, Wildflowers, Dwarf Conifers, be recei ved two months prior to publication date. Send orders CHIDS, RT 1, Box 233S, Folsome, LA 70437. Groundcovers, colorful Rock Plants, Books. to the attention of Cindy Weakland, American Horticultural (504) 796-5785. Society, Mount Vernon, Virginia 221 2 1. Or call (703 ) 768- Catalog $1 (deductible). RICE CREEK GAR­ 5700. PLANTS-RARE BUT AFFORDABLE DENS, 1315 66th Ave. N.E., Minneapolis, MN Extensive selection: * American Natives * Out­ 55432 (612) 574-1197. Specialist Listings of LILIES, DA YLILIES, SI­ standing Ornamentals * Uncommon Conifers BERIAN IRIS, SDB IRIS and DAFFODILS. Send * Wild Fruit * Hardiest Eucalyptus * Wildlife ROCK PLANTS-UNUSUAL $3.00 for a full color catalog with complete Plants *. Affordable containerized starter-plants. Over 300 varieties for Sun & Shade. Dwarf plant descriptions to: BORBELET A GAR­ Informative catalog-$1.50. FORESTFARM, Evergreens, Seed. 24 Page Catalog. Please send DENS, 10078 154th Avenue, Elk River, MN 990 Tetherah, Williams, OR 97544. 40¢ in stamps. ROCKNOLL NURSERY, 9210 55330-6233. RARE NATIVE PLANTS U.S. 50, East, Hillsboro, OH 45133. PERENNIAL GARDEN DESIGNS. Choose from 10 designs for selected locations in your Rhododendron chapmannii, R. austrinum, R. SEEDS speciosum, R. serralatum, R. prunifolia, Mag­ home landscape. Custom designs, also. Infor­ THE WORLD'S LARGEST and most famous nolia ashei (Weatherby), Magnolia pyramidata, mation, order form: LANDSCAPES UNLIM­ seed catalog. 200 pages, 4,000 varieties, 1,000 Stewartia malacrodondron. Grown from native ITED, Box 236-A2, Harrods Creek, KY 40027. color pictures. A major book of reference. The seed or cuttings. Write for prices and shipping Stamp appreciated. Encyclopedia of how and what to grow from dates. SALTER TREE FARM, Rt. 2, Box 1332, NEW, INEXPENSIVE way to buy perennials. seed. The Bible of seed catalogs to gardeners in Madison, FL 32340. Specialists in growing and~ improving perennials over 100 countries. Vegetables, pot plants, ex­ guarantee you the finest plants ever offered­ RHODODENDRONS & AZALEAS otics, perennials, alpines, rockety, latest and best same as used by professional nurserymen. Send Yellows, Reds, All colors and si zes. Rare and annuals, trees, shrubs and bulbs from seed with for FREE Bluestone catalog, lists more than 300 unusual Rhododendrons, Dwarf Conifers, rare items unobtainable elsewhere. Write for varieties, plus information on care and growing. Companion Plants. Catalog $2.00 ($4 deduct­ FREE copy: THOMPSON & MORGAN, INC., BLUESTONE, 7201 Middle Ridge, Madison, ible). THE SWEETBRIAR, PO Box 25N, Dept., A.H.S. F4, PO Box 531, Pittston, PA OH 44057. Woodinville, WA 98072. 18640.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE POMOLOGICAL WATERCOLORS

~~~ _ . .. 1" ,,- ~: INTRODUCTION... A great number of arti sts were utilized by th e United States Department of Agri culture in th e beginning of th e twe ntieth cen­ tury to produce watercolors of new fruit introducti ons. 7177 paintings for 38 pl ant famili es have survi ved and are housed in th e herbarium of th e U.S. Nati on al Arboretum. Many of the paintings. about 40%. are designated types. It is fairl y ce r­ ta in th at so me of th e paintings may be the onl y illustrati ons of culti vars they represe nt (Huntia . 4(2 ). 1982. p. 103). Some of th e artists in th e pomological co ll ecti on in clude Mary Dai sy Arnold. J. S. Bruce . Arthur M. Fitzpatrick. Bertha Heiges. Loui s C. C. Kriege r. Elsie I' Lower. Am and a A. Newton. Deborah C. Passmore. Willi am Henry Prestele. Ellen I. Schutt. James M. Shull . Royal C. Steadman. and Harriet L. Thompson. INDEXING The color microfich e coll ecti on is accompanied by a printed index. It lists each painting and keys it to the relevant fi che nurnber and grid references (frame and row numbers). MICROFICHE FACTS The color microfiche are of standard size (I05mm x 148.75mm - about 4" x 6") archi val·quality silver halide film . Th ey co ntain approximately 60 paintings per fi che. AVAILABILITY AND PRICING The Collection will be available June. 1984. The 7177 paintings. and two copies of index are available for $ 2595.00. Families and genera can be purchased separatel y. Please write for a quotation(s). :Dwar/ Varietks Xltapis exec/sa ~ Meckler Publishing (1/ I.. ~ ~ 654 Madison Avc;nue II ~ ~ ~ New York, NY 1002 ) CATALOG $1 RHAPIS BOOK $5 ppd. ~ Te)ephone: (2 12) 980·9640 Xltapis vardcRs P. o. BOX 287-A, GREGORY, TEXAS 78359 (512) 643-2061

38 February 1984 Horticultural ROCKNOLL'S FRESH SEED-Over 75 vari ­ eti es ROCK PLANTS, Perennials, American Natives, HOSTA, Siberian Iris. Large Stamped Explorations Envelope for Li st. ROCKNOLL NURSERY, 9210 U.S. 50, Hillsboro, OH 45133. All members of the American Horticultural Asian greens, Italian chi cories, Europea n let­ Society are eligible to participate in these tuces, America n heirlooms including the White exclusively planned explorations. The Cheesquake pumpkin. These and many more in arrangements are high-quality, with first­ our 1984 catalog which is richly illustrated with class hotels, most meals and tips included. line art, and packed fu ll of cultural tips, his­ Besides public and private gardens, visits to tori cal anecdotes, and over 30 cu linary pro­ cesses and recipes. Send $2.00 to LE MARCHE diversified nurseries are included. SEEDS INTERNATIONAL, Dept. Y, PO Box Japan Cruise Ou ly 19-August 7) See a different view of Japan . Fly to bustling 566, Dixon, CA 95620. Tokyo, then board our Pearl of Sca ndinavia (Norwegian registry) to travel from the FREE CATALOG: Unusual Seed Varieties: plus subtropica l island of Kyushu to the northern island of Hokkaido. Visits to the vast wide selecti on of tomatoes. GROW: Purple Pep­ national parks and the temple gardens of Kyoto are also scheduled. pers, Purple Broccoli, Pinky Eggplant, Green Ripe Tomatoes and More. GLECKLER'S AutuDln in the Orient (November) Visit private homes and gardens in Japan as SEEDMEN, Metamora, OH 43540. well as selected nurseries, public botanica l and temple gardens, Mount Fuj i, Nikko SEMINARS National Park and also travel on the famed Bullet Train. We w ill also travel to the Bulbs in the Residential Garden. Saturday, March garden City of Singapore, which is famous for orchids, and see th e cultural 31, 1984, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This sym­ attractions of Kyoto, Tokyo and Hong Kong. posium, designed for the knowledgeable gar­ Morocco, Canary and Madeira Islands (May 21-June 4) Tour Morocco, dener, will explore the principles of using bulbs " nearest of far-off places," to visit gardens of th e sultans, palaces of the Moors and in the landscape. Topics . Usin g Bulbs in the animated souks in the casbah of Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Marrakech and Taroudant Landscape . • Bu lbs in the Garden Pl an . • Spe­ on the far side of the Atlas Mountains. Then board th e yacht Argonaut for a cruise cialized Uses of Bulbs: Perennial Beds, Natu­ to Madeira and three of the Ca nary Islands, w here gardens are always in the full ralized Areas, Rock Gardens, Containerized Cut Flowers. Write or ca ll : The Education Depart­ flower of spring. There will be a stop in London for opening day of the Chelsea ment, THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GAR­ Flower Show. DEN, Bronx, NY 10458, (212) 220-8747. For any of these programs, please w rite for your free brochure to the Education SUN ROSES Department, America n Horticultural Society, Mt. Vernon, VA 221 21. Or telephone Sun Roses (Helianthemum) are evergreen, sum­ (703) 768-5700 mer fl owering, perennials for sunn y locations and rocky soil. Hardy U.S.D.A. Zones: 6-9. Choose from H . 'Flame'--cerise, H. 'St. Mar­ y's'-white, H . 'Pumpkin ', H. '', or H. 'Double Apricot'. All well establi shed in pots. BLUESTONE $2.10 each ppd., 3 of the same variety-$6.00 ppd. or one each of the above $9.75 ppd. Write for FREE listing. WRENWOOD, Rt 4, Box 361, ~PERENNIALS Berkeley Springs, WV 25411. TREE LABELS Custom-engraved outdoor 3-ply plastic labels available for trees & shrubs. Staked labels for perennials & vegetables. Prices range from $3 .00 to $6.00, plus postage. Call for details (212) ••• We grow beautifuL 566-0990 or write CENYC Tree Labels, 51 Chambers St., Rm. 228, New York, NY 10007. perennials at a price UNUSUAL INDOOR PLANTS you will like!!! NEW! Col0r catalog, 1984-8 6- $3.00, now lists 2,000 unusual Indoor Plants-Begonias, Ex­ otics, Geraniums, Jasmines, Herbs. LOGEE'S The plants that return to bloom season after season giving old and new GREENHOUSES, AH, 55 North Street, Dan­ gardeners years of pleasure are our specialty . .. perennials. ielso!!, CT 06239. From the early spring mound of white [beris. summer's perky Shasta VEGETABLE PLANTS to Daisies. to the late fall blooming chrysanthemums, perennials delight the GROW YOUR OWN SWEET ONIONS-Best eye. varieties. FREE instructions and recipes wi th each order. Onion Pl ants are hardy-PLANT Bluestone grows 300 varieties of perennials under controlled conditions. EARLY! 500 plants-$12.50; 250 plants­ These sturdy small plants are ready to be shipped to you in the spring. $9.50. Write for complete listing. TEXAS ON­ healthy and well rooted - each plant guaranteed. ION PLANT CO., Box 871 HS; Farmersville, TX 75031 ... "Home of the Sweet Onion." WILDFLOWERS Please send for our free catalog. We will be pleased hear from you. PAINTED MEADOWS WILDFLOWER MIX­ Name TURE for eastern United States, now avail able Address ______to private homc:owners. One pound will co lor 2,500 sq. ft. at one penny/sq . ft. Send for FREE BLUESTONE City, State, Zip ______broohure. PAINTED MEADOWS SEED CO., PERENNIALS Box 1494, Dept. AH-2, Charlottesville, VA 7223 MIDDLE RIDGE RD., MADISON, OHIO 44057 22902.

American Horticulturist 39 THE INDOOR GARDENER Florist Azaleas: Tips far Befarcing

ou can do it! You can make your y azalea-that one that is gracing your February windowsill-bloom again, winter after winter after winter. Potted azaleas, which generally cost be­ tween $15 and $20, are frequently left to freeze upon the back doorstep when their last petals fade. This is because many of us have believed that only the florist work­ ing in his greenhouse can turn potted aza­ leas into the frilly, flower-smothered plants with which we are familiar. Nonsense! With proper care, you can turn your plant into a long-term investment. My azalea arrived the Christmas of 1967, bundled securely to protect it from incle­ ment weather. The beauty of its three-inch, single blossoms of deep peach was en­ hanced by black-tipped stamens. Over­ joyed with its beauty yet fearful of giving it the wrong care, I did some research on the plant. One thing I learned was that the azaleas we receive as gifts are generally three to four years old. The florist-grown and out the drainage hole, giving the il­ denias (such as Miracid), I apply one tea­ cuhivars of these round-topped, miniature lusion of a well-watered plant without ad­ spoon of aluminum sulphate to a six-inch trees are grouped according to recom­ equately moistened roots. Azaleas do not pot on the first day of April and again on mended forcing times. The early cultivars tolerate alternately wet and dry conditions the first of October. Aluminum sulphate are groomed for Christmas and midwinter, as do most other plants. A soggy soil will will lower the pH of the soil, creating the while the late-blooming plants are forced result in blackened and limp foliage that soil conditions azaleas require. Sprinkle it for Easter and early spring. I also learned cannot recover. Drought encourages leaves over the surface of the soil when the peat that newly arrived azalea plants must have to drop and blossoms to wilt; wilting for is moist, then water it in. Magnesium sul­ bright light (but not direct sun), moderate even half a day can be fatal to the flowers. phate and Epsom salts will also serve to daytime temperatures from 65° to 70°F When your azalea stops blooming, it is lower soil pH. (cooler at night) and generous watering to time to move it away from the warm tem­ The first step in preparing your azalea thrive. The life expectancy of the flowers peratures of the living room, where it has to bloom again next season is to give it a is about one month. resided while you have enjoyed its blooms. complete manicure, snipping off each faded, Azaleas require faithful daily watering, Find a cool, bright room where your azalea short-stemmed flower separately at its base as their root mass must be constantly and can stay until the warmth of springtime and shaking free the dried and discolored moderately moist. When surface soil ap­ arrives. leaves. Grooming gives the plant a neat, pears or feels dry to the touch, the plant This is also the time to start a regular clean appearance. Behind the dried petals needs water. One method of watering is feeding program that will build up the plant you will discover green shoots, harbingers to immerse the container just below its rim as the new growth appears and will con­ of continued growth. and leave it soaking until moisture darkens tinue on through the entire growing sea­ As new growth appears you must decide the peat. Another, perhaps less trouble­ son. Fertilize every four weeks, continuing whether your azalea is to be compact and some, way is to simply pour water directly until October when the plant's rest period bushy or of a more loose, free-form style. in at the trunk of the plant, permitting it approaches. I use a balanced, all-purpose, To maintain a dense look, nip out the ter­ to seep through thoroughly to the roots. water-soluble plant food. In addition, since minal growing point of each shoot. For a Water must be applied slowly; otherwise, I do not use an acid-reaction fertilizer spe­ looser look, trim away only twigs or it may flow quickly to the pot's bottom cifically recommended for azaleas or gar- branches that have grown beyond the de-

40 February 1984 sired boundaries you have set. Do not prune ion, good for azaleas' growth, growing a after May when small, cone-shaped growths plant under these conditions will require G~ROENER'S C I have appeared at the center of each branch a commitment from yo u. Watering must ~~ -4~<. tip; these are the starting points of flower be constantly monitored, even more strictly I~O NEW for 1984 0c buds for next season. than during the winter indoors. The nat­ Oregon Trail Bean Azaleas can be taken outdoors from their ural elements of sunshine and summer Sugar Ann Pea winter barracks when spring temperatures breezes have a parti cularly drying effect. Heavyweight Tomato have stabilized. Water your plant dai ly, twice a day during As the plant grows, repot to a succes­ hot weather. Mist the foliage to ai d in tran­ TAM Mild Jalapeno sively wider container. Because azaleas are spirati on loss through the leaves and add Selected Oriental Seeds shallow rooted and slow growing, they need moisture to surrounding air. New Ecology Lawn Mix only a few inches' increase in pot di ameter with the passing of several yea rs and little, Azaleas do not Our FREE Seed Catalog if any, increase in depth. Shallow, wide­ offers over 500 vegetable mouthed "azalea pots" are made espe­ tolerate alternately cially for this purpose. and herb varieties. We Grow azaleas in peaty soil-a mix of wet and dry include tips on cooking, one-half commercial potting medium and conditions . .. ornamental vegetables, one-half sphagnum peat. The peaty nature planting and extending of the growing medium may determine the Drought encourages the harvest. type of container you will choose. The soil tends to dry out quite quickly, causing it leaves to drop and Nichols Garden NUr~ery to shrink away from the walls of th e pot. blossoms to wilt. 1190 West Pacific This, in turn, allows water to follow paths ~~~J' :::::::--,. Albany, Oregon of least resistance, leaving the root mass Potted azaleas must not be left outdoors unmoistened as water rushes down be­ below 42°F. When autumn temperatures ~t:.~321,h tween the soil and the pot walls. This prob­ begin to drop, you must keep a watchful lem is most severe in clay pots due to the eye on the thermometer and be ready to ~vv,~ &~~· ';-ro'> -, . drying out of the clay. It is less of a problem move your plant into a shelter. This is th e with plastic pots. A glazed container, it time of year my father groans loudest. Ma­ seems to me, is better suited to the azalea's neuve ring a IS-year-old azalea with a sculptured form and adds decorative value. measured breadth of 40 inches in diameter My plant resides in a large, glazed, ce­ and a height of 28 inches, through porch ramic jardiniere whose dark green color doorways without losing branch or leaf, NEW blends with the azalea foliage and does not requires a certain amount of skill. The next CATALOG detract from colorful, summer blooming morning, when temperatures rise again FOR plants with which it shares the patio. A above the 42° mark, the plant must be hole was drilled in the bottom for proper carried back outdoors. This nightly vigil SERIOUS drainage. Should you leave your azalea in continues until fall days stay cool. The NERS its plastic or porous clay pot, it may be azalea must then be brought into its winter buried rim-high in the garden border. Wood quarters. The exposure to cool tempera­ Enjoy the romance of a well designed ash sprinkled where the drainage hole comes tures, in addition to a sunny summer, is and maintained garden. 65 years of ex­ into contact with the earth will apparently crucial to bud formation. Indoors again, perience and service to professional prevent worms from entering. I have found keep the plant in a cool, brightly lighted landscapees enable us to bring the same that a swatch of nylon stocking, stretched location until the buds show color. Main­ high quality supplies to you. Our new catalog includes Classic English Garden across the base of the pot and tied securely, tain watering and misting. As its buds swell, furniture of solid teakwood. trowels. does the job well. opening in a great mound of peachy-rose, spades. forks, rakes. digging tools of all According to some experts, florist aza­ my azalea is again on the move-this time kinds, pruners and cutting tools. leas taken outdoors in summer should re­ to the living room window, where its beauty spreaders and sprayers, sprinkling and watering systems. power tools, a com­ ceive morning or late afternoon sun but can be enjoyed by all. Now my dad does plete line of landscaping products pro­ should be protected from the burning rays not groan, but with a broad sweep of his ducts. patio products such as wind at midday. This is probably good advice hand he proudly points the plant out to chimes, watering cans and sundials, and for those gardening in southern parts of visitors. a large selection of beautiful and infor­ the country. However, following a sum­ And so another cycle begins. I did it! So mative books. mer shaded from noonday sun, my plant can you! 0 -Judith Hillstrom This catalog can be yours FREE. failed to form buds as usual and flowered Send or Call Today' sparsely that winter. Here in Minnesota Judith Hillstrom is a free-lance writer whose my azalea thrives during the hottest spells articles have appeared in American Horticulturist, Garden, Better Homes and of summer in a spot that has day-long sun. Gardens Houseplants, Family Food Garden ~ While baking in the sun is, in my opin- and Minnesota Horticulturist. Dept. AH24, 1121 Washington St. West Newton, MA 02165 (617) 244-7900

American Horticulturist 41 TRICKER'S, ~\ Sources ~~..w.' M · '~ Plants of the Southwest, 1570 Pacheco ~".,~ NEW INTRODUCTIONS FOR 1984 Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501, catalogue WATER 'Many of the plants we selected are avail­ free. able only from the single source mentioned Rainbow Gardens, PO Box 721, La Ha­ in the descriptions. Write to these com­ bra, CA 90631, catalogue free. LILIES panies at the addresses below. Schreiner's Gardens, 3625 Quinaby Road, - --- S FOR OUR NEW Snap pea 'Sugar Ann' and Zinnia 'Bor­ Salem OR 97303, catalogue $2.50. 32 PAGe FULL COLOR der Beauty Rose' will be available from Siskiyou Rare Plant Nursery, 2825 Cum­ most major seed companies this year. Ask mings Road, Medford, OR 97501, cat­ CATALOG your local nurseryman for Viburnum 'Es­ alogue $1.50. Just $1 .00 (to cover the cost of postage and han­ dling) brings you America's most complete kimo' and your local florist or nurseryman Wayside Gardens, Hodges, SC 29695, cat­ water g:!:rden t::atalog. It cortt~ins beautiful laur­ color photos and a superb listing of hardy and for the F-1 Streptocarpus hybrids. alogue $1.00. tropical Water lilies as well as many graceful ~~Oa~~~I~~I~Sa ~ig~eS~~~~joOnX~?r~:~i~;ti~~a~~~ exotic fish for indoor or outdoor pools . . all Armstrong Nurseries, Inc., PO Box 4060, from America's oldest and largest water garden specialists. Ontario, CA 91761, catalogue free. We would like to thank all of the com­ All TRICKER ....nta ... GUARANTEED TO GROW Borbeleta Gardens, 10078 154th Avenue, panies who helped us prepare our New WATER UUES ... in every imaginable color . both hardy and tropical . . . Elk River, MN 55330-6233, catalogue Introductions feature. The photographs for AQUATIC PlANTS .. . many types of shallow water, bog and oJ

42 February 1984 BETTER BOOKS for BETTER GARDENERS From TIMBER PRESS and THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

GROWING CHRYSANTHEMUMS GROWING DAHLIAS GROWING HARDY PERENNIALS Harry Randall and Alan Wren Philip Damp Kenneth A Beckett

From step-by-step instruc­ Drawing on over 30 years of This bock provides an up­ tions for getting the begin­ sCientific and gardening to-date and unique diction­ ner started. to valuable experience the author not ary of all the major genera guidance for the more ex­ only traces the dahlia from and species grown - over perienced gardener who ItS arigins to its outstanding 300 plants are described. wants to grow show­ position in today's horticul­ Each description provides quality flowers. the authors tural world. but also pro­ in addition notes on history. have included all they vides invaluable informa­ hybridization. cultural re ­ have learned in years of hon and advice on all as­ quirements and suggested amateur and profeSSional pects of dahlia cultivahon. uses In the landscape. c hrysanthemum growing. propagation and uses. hybridizing and showing.

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GROWING FUCHSIAS WATERLILIES CLIMBING PLANTS K. Jennings and V. Miller Ph ilip Swindells Kenneth A Beckett

To help the gardener Here. at long last. IS a trul y For a new d imenSion in achieve the full potential comprehensive gUide to gardening thiS bock offers a from his plants. the authors growing the most beauhful comprehensive lock at the cover every aspect of fuch­ of the waterplants. from climbers and trailers. Every­ sia culture - propagation. construchon of sUitable thing IS covered, from the I[ growing techniques and waterways to plant selec­ adaptation to their natural training for showing. plus hon. Includes complete habitat through use in the descriptions and lists of cultural requirements. for all garden and greenhouse to species and cultivars. Parti­ waterlily genera. from the complete c ultural informa­ cularly useful is the list of tropical to the hardy spe­ tion for all the varieties. hardy cultivars - probably cies. the most up-to-date avail­ able.

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GROWING BULBS GROWING IRISES GROWING CYCLAMEN Martyn Rix G.E. Cassidy and S. Linnegar Gay Nightingale

A truly comprehensive book From history. lore and devel­ The cyclamen is both ver­ which takes the gardener opment of the iris through satile. being botl'\' an indocr from the botany of bulbs tips on propagation and and outdocr plant. and through the development of breeding for the advanced spectacularly beautiful. natural bulb populations to gardener. this bock deals From the history of the plant. the introduction of bulbs in­ with all the aspects of g row­ through cultivation and pro­ to our gardens. Following ing these beautiful plants pagation. to using the this is a complete guide to successfully. Learn how to plants to the best advan­ the cultivation and p ropa­ have irises in bloom 8 or tage. no aspect of this gation of the b ulbous plants. more months each year. splendid pla nt is neglected. suitable for the beginner and exp ert alike.

Hardbound. 20 colar photos. 176 pp. Hardbound. 20 color photos. 40 b w illus .. 160 pp. Hardbound. 20 color photos. 30 b / w illus.. 148 pp . 518.95 retail 516.95 retail 517 .95 retail AHS discount price' 517.61 AHS discount price' 515.91 AHS discount p rice' 516.76

To Order Your Copy Mail To : DEBORAH HARPSTER Americ an Horti cultural Society P.O. Box 0105 Mount Vernon. VA 22121 Plea5e Send: Please 5end to: _ c opy(ie5j of ______@ Name ______copy(ie5 j of ______@ Addre5s ______copy( iesj of @ City______State ______Zip ____ _ c opy(ie5j of @ Please allow 5ix weeks for delivery. Tolal enclosed ______• Discount pric e includes postage and handling. mE DESIGN PAGE Symmetry &Balance

ne evening this past summer, I was evergreens in varied shades of green and walking through a perennial bor­ yellow-green an~ balanced and contrasted Oder in a friend's garden in England. with perennials. The vertical forms of Del­ In the deep, golden light that saturates phinium balance the more horizontal forms everything at that time of day, the colors of evergreero. shrubs, and the sparseness of were particularly alive. As my eyes glanced single mullein (Verbascum), while lacking from soft, grey-blue Salvia pratensis to a the density of the Delphinium mass, is an corresponding group opposite, then on to effective balance. a clump of tawny Hemerocallis and its In what might have remained a merely counterpart, I became aware of one reason clever juxtaposition of color, texture and why this form of garden art is so pleasing. mass, the symmetry of a pair of columnar In a well thought out perennial border, evergreens marking the entrance to the pool the fundamental balance of height, color, area helps focus the scene and reinforce shape, texture and mass stimulates both the purpose and direction already indi­ the senses and intellect; the mind appre­ cated by the gate. ciates (almost unconsciously, at times) the Interestingly, despite the sense of sta­ thought behind the various relationships. bility symmetry can contribute to a land­ Fundamental to any landscape, balance scape, movement frequently results. In this is difficult to define in the abstract-in case, the eye is dr0.wn to and through the part, because in practice it can be arrived gates to the temple. at in so many ways. Described as con­ Because, in large part, the pool was so trasting or juxtaposing various parts to densely packed with water plants, full use create aesthetic equilibrium, balance can was not made of the water's reflective result, for example, from the formal sym­ on a cross axis leads to Linden Walks on qualities. While this decision may have been metry of clipped box hedges, the forms either side. At the very edge of her famed entirely appropriate at Barnsley, water­ repeated in mirror images on either side borders, large clumps of lamb's ears echo with its reflections of trees and architec­ of a path. the form of a church spire beyond the garden. ture-can be a powerful yet subtle way of Or balance can result from exceedingly The lamb's ears capture the church spire, creating garden symmetry. diverse plantings, where the weight and and the dramatic tension it creates, as part Symmetry and balance are both pleasing mass of one part of the landscape is an­ of the garden-certainly one of the most and important; without them, our gardens swered in another, thus establishing equi­ brilliant uses I've seen for this frequently would be lopsided. While that sounds like librium. This type of balance is beautifully mundane plant. The delicate balance of a very blithe observation, I think it con­ executed at Stourhead in Wiltshire, Eng­ these strangely sympathetic, vertical tains a clue to the essential importance of land. Considered by many as the "classic" forms-the paired urns, rows of Irish yews these design principles. eighteenth-century naturalistic English forming the background of the borders, While symmetry and balance don't landscape, this scale is certairriy not some­ and the double border-are all framed by guarantee unity in a garden, awareness of thing we all have access to but clearly il­ the symmetry of the lime walks. their role in relation to the whole can be lustrates the point. Balance can result from a variety of ele­ a large step forward. Any garden is the Along a section of shoreline (see the ments set in equilibrium. Symmetry, on the sum total of its parts. All of us have walked photograph at right), the weight and mass other hand, implies a more formalized ar­ through gardens where the individual ele­ of columnar evergreens and beech find their rangement, where the correspondence of ments remain isolated, never adding up to counterpoint in a single willow and the similar shapes or features is arranged on a cohesive experience. Whether it is a per­ broad horizontal massing of Gunnera either side of a dividing line that can be ennial border stranded in a field or a stream manicata. Offsetting this foreground anything from a lawn or walk to a drive­ that springs nonsensically from a grassy planting and a stone bridge, a temple across way. hillside, we experience this lack of unity the lake provides balance for the landscape At Barnsley House, also in Glouster­ and remain somehow dissatisfied. But when as a whole. shire, the idea of balance is explored in a we come upon a garden that has succeeded Balance can also be the result of a com­ garden with a highly symmetrical layout in establishing a balance between its parts plex series of symmetrical relationships, as using informal, frequently eclectic plant­ and the whole, we, too, feel complete. 4) at Bampton Manor, Gloustershire, the for­ ings (above right). -Margaret Hensel mer gardens of the late Countess Munster In a mixed border leading to and sur­ Margaret Hensel, a landscape designer and (above). There, a pair of garden urns marks rounding a pair of gates, which opens into garden writer, is a regular contributor to the entrance to one garden; beyond, a path a pond area with a "temple," low-growing American Horticulturist.

44 February 1984 FA R LEFT: At Ba mpton Manor in Gloustershire, balance is created by a series of symmetrical re­ lationships; repeated ver­ tical fo rms such as yews, paired urns and plants in the perennial border echo the shape of the church spire in the distance. ABOVE: At Barnsley H ouse, balance is achieved through a highly symmetrical de­ sign; an info rmal coll ec­ tion of perennials and low-growing evergreens leads to a pai r of colum­ nar ev.ergreens that mark the entrance to a pool area with a temple. LEFT: This waterside planting at Stourhead in Wiltshire, England, which fea tures masses of Gunnera manicata and a si ngle willow, is an ex­ ample of balance achieved by exceedingly diverse pl antings. The fo reground planting and the stone bridge are off­ set by the temple and plantings across the lake.

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