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TheThe MagazineMagazine ofof thethe AAmericanmerican HorticulturalHorticultural SocietySociety September/October 2005

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THE LEADER I N ORGANI C- BASED LAWNCARETM © 2005. NaturaLawn of America, Inc. All rights reserved. Each office independently owned and operated. www.nl-amer.com For permission to reproduce this piece, call 800-989-5444. contents

Volume 84, Number 5 . September / October 2005

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

5 NOTES FROM RIVER FARM

6 MEMBERS’ FORUM

8 NEWS FROM AHS River Farm being transformed for the Eastern Performance Trials, HGI offers new volunteer opportunities for Master Gardeners, new children’s book awards debut in Atlanta.

12 AHS PARTNERS IN PROFILE Monrovia Nursery.

42 GARDENING BY DESIGN The importance of .

44 ONE ON ONE WITH… pagepage 2828 Paul Meyer, director of the Morris Arboretum.

14 YOUTH GARDEN SYMPOSIUM 2005 BY CHARLOTTE ALBERS 46 HABITAT GARDENING Highlights from the annual AHS National Children & Youth The Great Basin Desert. Garden Symposium, which was held in Atlanta in July. 48 GARDENER’S NOTEBOOK 18 GROUND COVERS FOR SHADE BY GENE BUSH Organic cut These attractive plants will reduce maintenance in shady gaining popularity, rare without taking over. wildflower is rediscovered, new Garden Literature page 46 24 FALL CLEANUP RECONSIDERED Index™ now available, BY KRIS WETHERBEE Denver Botanic Gardens A little restraint can go a long way partners with Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower toward keeping the natural ecosys- Center, Connecticut to initiate ban of invasive plants at town level. tem in balance. 52 CONSERVATIONIST’S CORNER 28 SPRING BULBS FOR BORDERS pagepage 2424 Aiding endangered bees and other BY BECKY HEATH pollinators.

Integrating bulbs with herbaceous perennials and can extend 53 BOOK REVIEWS a garden’s flowering season and create new color combinations. Bulbs for Garden Habitats, On Foreign Soil: American Gardeners Abroad, and Dogwoods. 34 SIMPLIFYING THE GARDEN BY CAROLE OTTESEN Special focus: Themed gardening books. Here’s some expert advice for reducing maintenance in a garden. 56 REGIONAL HAPPENINGS 61 38 OUTLANDISH OUTGROWTHS BY KATHRYN LUND JOHNSON HARDINESS AND HEAT ZONES AND PRONUNCIATIONS Exploring the curious world of galls. 62 RIVER FARM SNAPSHOT ON THE COVER: Epimedium ✕versicolor ‘Sulfureum’ makes an attractive spring-blooming ground Sunflowers and azure skies.

TOP LEFT: BRENT AND BECKY HEATH; BOTTOM RICK WETHERBEE; FAR RIGHT: BILL JOHNSON cover for shady gardens. Photograph by Mark Turner

September / October 2005 3 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 7931 East Boulevard Drive Alexandria, VA 22308-1300 (800) 777-7931 fax (703) 768-8700 www.ahs.org Making America a Nation of Gardeners, a Land of Gardens

American Horticultural Society President’s Council

PRESIDENT Katy Moss Warner CHAIRMAN'S CIRCLE Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ariail, Jr. ■ Mr. Bill Barry ■ Mr. Board of Directors and Mrs. Kurt Bluemel ■ Mr. and Mrs. Edward N. Dane ■ Mr. Gerald T. Halpin ■ Mr. and Mrs. James S. Hutchinson ■ Mr. Robert E. Malesardi ■ Ms. CHAIRMAN Arabella S. Dane Center Harbor, New Hampshire Nancy Petersen ■ Ms. Barbara Robinson ■ Mr. Phil Snyder ■ Mr. Robert FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN Brian E. Holley Cleveland, Stohler ■ Mrs. Pauline Vollmer ■ Ms. Claire Watson SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN Don E. Riddle, Jr. Davidsonville, Maryland SECRETARY Albin MacDonough Plant Baltimore, Maryland LIBERTY HYDE BAILEY ASSOCIATES Ms. Sue Dick ■ Mr. A. Michael Gellman TREASURER Christine Perdue Middleburg, Virginia ■ Mr. and Mrs. Mickey Lynch ■ Mr. and Mrs. Ken Mountcastle ■ Mr. and

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Kurt Bluemel Baldwin, Maryland Mrs. Don E. Riddle, Jr. ■ Mr. Timothée Sallin ■ Jeanne Shields ■ Mr. and

Mrs. W. Bruce Usrey ■ Ms. Katy Moss Warner GENERAL COUNSEL William A. Pusey Arlington, Virginia

Leslie Ariail Alexandria, Virginia ■ Allan M. Armitage Athens, Georgia ■ William E. Barrick, Ph.D. Theodore, HAUPT ASSOCIATES Dr. and Mrs. William E. Barrick ■ Mr. and Mrs. C. ■ ■ Alabama ■ Katherine Belk-Cook Charlotte, North Carolina ■ Katherine Stark Bull , D.C. ■ John William Black Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Bogle Mr. Richard C. and Mrs. ■ ■ Alex Floyd, Jr. Trussville, Alabama ■ Joel Goldsmith Gilroy, California ■ Beverly Hanselman Nashville, Katherine Stark Bull Dr. and Mrs. H. Marc Cathey Mrs. Elisabeth C. Dudley ■ Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Hanselman ■ Mrs. Carole S. Hofley ■ Tennessee ■ Carole Hofley Wilson, ■ Natasha Hopkinson New York, New York ■ Margaret Kulp Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Kulp, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Matheson, Jr. ■ Mr. Louisville, Kentucky ■ Melissa R. Marshall Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ■ Carol C. Morrison Palatine, Illinois ■ and Mrs. Harold McClendon, Jr. ■ Ms. Christine Perdue ■ Mr. Paul H. Pusey J. Landon Reeve Woodbine, Maryland ■ Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. Falls Church, Virginia ■ Felder Rushing ■ Ms. Michele Richardson ■ Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. ■ Dr. and Mrs. George E. Jackson, Mississippi ■ William Seale, Jr. Alexandria, Virginia ■ Jeanne Shields Greenville, Delaware ■ Staehle ■ Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Steiner ■ Mr. John Wm. Thomas and Mrs. Arnold Steiner Birmingham, Alabama ■ Steven Still Hilliard, Ohio ■ Howard McK. Tucker Alexandria, Valerie Thomas ■ Mr. Howard McK. Tucker and Ms. Megan Evans ■ Mr. and Virginia ■ Susie Usrey Dayton, ■ Robert D. Volk San Marino, California ■ Mrs. Robert D. Volk Daryl Williams Lake Buena Vista,

PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Angino ■ Nancy J. Becker, 2005 Advisory Council M.D. ■ Mrs. Katherine Belk-Cook ■ Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Benedict ■ Mr. Beverly Hanselman, Nashville, Tennessee – Chair Phillip Bermingham ■ Dr. Joel Birnbaum ■ Mrs. George P. Bissell, Jr. ■ Dr.

Sherran Blair ■ Count and Countess Peder Bonde ■ Mrs. Anne Bucher ■ Mr. Katherine Belk-Cook, Charlotte, North Carolina Robert and Joanna Martin, Menlo Park, and Mrs. Cason Callaway, Jr. ■ Mrs. Susan M. Cargill ■ Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clarissa Bonde, Washington D.C. Mrs. Malcolm Matheson, Mt. Vernon, Virginia E. Carr ■ Mr. and Mrs. James L. Corfield ■ Mr. and Mrs. Edward Daisey ■ Walter Bull, Columbia, South Carolina Egon Molbak, Bellevue, Washington Mr. and Mrs. James F. Delano ■ Ms. Doris Diman ■ William P. G. Dodson, Elaine Burden, Middleburg, Virginia Nancy Keen Palmer, Nashville, Tennessee D.D.S. ■ Mrs. Robert Duemling ■ Mrs. Beverley W. Dunn ■ Dr. and Mrs. Dr. H. Marc Cathey, Silver Spring, Maryland Bob Patterson, Washington D.C. John A. Floyd, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Garcia ■ Mr. John Sward Gleiber ■ Fred Clapp, Alexandria, Virginia Dr. Julia W. Rappaport, Santa Ana, California Mr. and Mrs. Joel Goldsmith ■ Mr. and Mrs. John H. Guy, IV ■ Mrs. Richard Russell Clark, Boston, Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. Falls Church, Virginia W. Hamming ■ Dr. and Mrs. William O. Hargrove ■ Mr. and Mrs. Max Hartl Bartie Cole, Owings Mills, Maryland Deen Day Sanders, Norcross, Georgia ■ Mr. and Mrs. Brent Heath ■ Mr. and Mrs. Richard F. Hohlt ■ Mr. and Mrs. Jim Corfield, Geneva, Illinois Josephine Shanks, Houston, Brian E. Holley ■ Mr. and Mrs. Allan L. Holmstrom ■ Mrs. Elizabeth Hooff Virginia Hill Daisey, Dedham, Massachusetts Barbara Shea, Baltimore, Maryland ■ Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hopkinson ■ Mr. Philip Huey ■ Mr. Henry Jameson ■ Edward N. Dane, Center Harbor, New Hampshire Holly Shimizu, Glen Echo, Maryland Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Lindsay ■ Ms. Joann Luecke ■ Mr. and Mrs. David and Kitty Ferguson, Westwood, Massachusetts Charles Henry Smith, Jr., Middleburg, Virginia Randolph Marshall ■ Mrs. Dorothy Marston ■ Mr. George Cole S. McCray Ben Griswold, Glyndon, Maryland Nancy Thomas, Houston, Texas ■ Mrs. Rachel L. Mellon ■ Mrs. Rosalyn Milbrandt ■ Mr. and Mrs. Egon Sheryl Heckler, Middleburg, Virginia Bryan Thomlison, Haddonfield, New Jersey Molbak ■ Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Moore ■ Dr. and Mrs. David E. Morrison Henry Jameson, East Sound, Washington Pauline Vollmer, Baltimore, Maryland ■ Mr. and Mrs. William J. Moss ■ Mrs. Shirley Ann Nicolai ■ Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Richard W. Lighty, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Joyce and Harvey White, Nashville, Tennessee William G. Pannill ■ Mr. and Mrs. Albin MacDonough Plant ■ Mrs. Charles Carolyn Marsh Lindsay, Ponte Vedra, Florida Joannah and Daryl Williams, Sebring, Florida Price ■ Mr. and Mrs. William A. Pusey ■ Mrs. Deen Day Sanders ■ Mr. and Mickey Lynch, Dunmore, Pennsylvania Mrs. William Seale, Jr. ■ Mrs. Josephine M. Shanks ■ Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stu McMichael and Lucinda Crabtree, Henry Smith, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. William M. Spencer ■ Mrs. Juliet Sproul ■ Falls Church, Virginia Mr. Harold Stahly ■ Ms. Lida M. Stifel ■ Dr. and Mrs. Steven Still ■ Mr. and

Mrs. John B. Strasenburgh ■ Mr. Joe Viar ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. White Corporate Partners ■ Mr. and Mrs. John W. White, Sr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. D. Anderson Williams ■ Mrs. Marilyn B. Wilson The Care of Trees ■ Cherry Lake Tree Farm ■ DK Publishing ■ EarthBox™ ■ Green Industry Yellow Pages ■ Homestead Gardens ■ Kurt Bluemel, Inc. ■ Monrovia ■ HONORARY PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL Mrs. Enid A. Haupt ■ Mrs. John A. Lutz ■ NaturaLawn of America ■ Osmocote ■ Thompson & Morgan Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Miller

Horticultural Partners

America in Bloom ■ Bellingrath Gardens & Home ■ Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Garden Symposium ■ Communities in Bloom ■ Cox Arboretum ■ Epcot International & Garden Festival ■ The Gardeners of America/Men’s Garden Clubs of America ■ Great Southern Tree Conference ■ Greater Gardens of the Washington Area ■ Homestead Resorts Horticultural Symposium The 2005 member passwood for the AHS ■ Horticulture Gardening Institute ■ Leonard Haertter Travel Company ■ Magic of Landscaping Web site (www.ahs.org) is blooms. Symposium ■ Morris Arboretum ■ Oklahoma Horticultural Society

4 the American Gardener The American C GARDENER NOTES FROM RIVER FARM

EDITOR David J. Ellis MANAGING EDITOR AND ART DIRECTOR EOPLE OFTEN ask me, “Who are the members of the American Horticul- Mary Yee tural Society?” There are many different groups of plant and garden lovers in ASSISTANT EDITOR America—from professionals in the green industry to educators and research Viveka Neveln P scientists, from garden writers to garden designers, from serious long term garden- EDITORIAL INTERN William Clattenburg ers to those who have just discovered the joys of gardening. These are all members CONTRIBUTING EDITORS of the AHS. No matter how seriously some pursue their profession or avocation, we Rita Pelczar all meet on the same level as passionate gardeners and caretakers of the earth. Joanne Wolfe This past July, I had the privilege of spending a few days with a number of AHS CONTRIBUTING WRITER members who are dedicated to sharing the hopeful, joyful, critically important mes- Carole Ottesen sage of plants and gardens with young people in America. The venue was the AHS’s

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD annual National Children & Youth Garden Symposium in Atlanta. What a spirited, exciting event! Here were ed- CHAIR John Alex Floyd Jr. Birmingham, Alabama ucators—from those who offer summer camps in gar- Allan M. Armitage dening to those connecting kids to plants in public Athens, Georgia gardens throughout America to those who have set up Nina L. Bassuk gardening programs for large networks of schools. Here Ithaca, New York were designers of children’s gardens and writers who de- Richard E. Bir liver the stories that introduce our youth to the impor- Brevard, North Carolina tance of plants and the environment. John E. Bryan Each of the participants shared remarkable stories of San Francisco, California success in different aspects of youth gardening. National figures on the youth garden John L. Creech scene like Jane L. Taylor and Marcia Eames-Sheavly offered their perspective. Garden Columbus, North Carolina book authors like Felder Rushing and Sharon Lovejoy delighted us with their stories. Keith Crotz Chillicothe, Illinois Designers of children’s gardens, like Cindy Tyler and Ann English, shared their ideas Panayoti Kelaidis and successes. Leaders in public gardens like Mary Pat Matheson and Sheldon Flem- Denver, Colorado ing gave us their personal insights. Educators like Tim O’Keefe, who have developed Richard W. Lighty innovative and effective teaching systems, offered their experience and creativity. Kennett Square, Pennsylvania At the AHS, we are committed to offering these kinds of national forums that Elvin McDonald bring together leaders who can truly make a difference in America—and in our West Des Moines, Iowa world. Each of these youth garden leaders, whether they are doing big projects or Felder Rushing small, are AHS members. If you are an AHS member keenly interested in youth Jackson, Mississippi gardening, be sure to put July 27 to 29 on your calendar for next year, when the symposium will be hosted by the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. ADVERTISING The American Gardener AND CORPORATE 7931 East Boulevard Drive I am looking forward to another exciting opportunity to meet AHS members in PARTNERSHIPS Alexandria, VA 22308 late September. The Garden Centers of America is coordinating the first annual East- (703) 768-5700 ern Performance Trials and our AHS headquarters at George Washington’s River Farm E-MAIL: [email protected] is one of the six featured sites. National green industry leaders Campania Interna- tional, Centerton Nursery, Cherry Lake Tree Farm, Goldsmith , Proven Win- The American Gardener (ISSN 1087-9978) is published bimonth- ly (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, Septem- ners, and Saunders Brothers Nursery will be showcasing their newest varieties of ber/October, November/December) by the American Horticultural annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and containers right here in our beautiful gardens. Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300, (703) 768-5700. Membership in the Society includes a subscrip- Again, the AHS is providing a national forum for sharing information and inspira- tion to The American Gardener. Annual dues are $35; two years, $60. International dues are $50. $10 of annual dues goes toward tion. (For more on the trials, see page 8.) magazine subscription. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, Vir- ginia, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send Please encourage your friends and colleagues to join the AHS so that we can Form 3579 to The American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, continue to offer and expand these important and unique forums for leadership. Alexandria, VA 22308-1300. Botanical nomenclature is based on The American Horticultural Society A–Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, on A Synonymized Check- Happy gardening! list of the Vascular Flora of the , Canada and Greenland and on the Royal Horticultural Society Index of Garden Plants. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and are not necessar- ily those of the Society. Manuscripts, artwork, and photographs sent for possible publication will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We cannot guarantee the safe return of unsolicited material. Back issues are available at $8 per copy. Copyright ©2005 by the American Horticultural Society. —Katy Moss Warner, AHS President Printed in the U.S.A. on recycled paper.

September / October 2005 5 MEMBERSC’ FORUM

SOLD ON SOIL ORGANISMS nianatives.com) and Scott Brothers Nurs- from the assumption that the “Harbour” I just wanted to say that the July/August ery (www.scottbrothersnursery.com). refers to a harbor. Actually, the name com- 2005 issue blew me away. Never have I memorates C.L. Harbour, a North Caroli- seen so much helpful information and all CONCERN OVER NANDINA na nurseryman, who was located between in one issue. The article “Mighty Myc- As a veteran author of gardening articles, Winston-Salem and Greensboro—far orrhizae” by Doreen G. Howard and the I know how hard it is to be comprehen- from the Atlantic shore and any harbor. interview with soil biologist Elaine Ing- sively informed about any particular Donald H. Voss ham were fantastic. Every Extension of- plant. Even so, given the considerable Vienna, Virginia fice should pass these two articles out at notoriety of Nandina domestica, how did the door. it make the “recommended” list in DR. CATHEY TRIBUTE Agnes D. Kling “Compact Shrubs” (July/August 2005)? Your story about AHS President Emeritus Ridgefield, Connecticut For some time the Nature Conservancy, Dr. H. Marc Cathey (July/August 2005) the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Cen- brought back memories of years past when MONARDA FAN ter, and the U.S. Forest Service, among he would ask me to join him in group pan- I very much enjoyed the article on “Must- many other national organizations and els, group lectures and, to my terror, direct Have Monardas” by Jessie Keith in the state agencies, have designated this pret- phone calls during radio programs. July/August issue. They have always been ty Chinese native as a Class I invasive “ac- He has a broad knowledge of the among my favorite garden flowers. tively disrupting plant communities,” world of horticulture, which he shares How interesting that the article’s au- especially in the southern United States. with immense modesty and a great sense thor should teach in a town called Media, AHS has usually been sensitive to the of humor. He gently taught a lot to so because, in the 1968 edition of A Field problem of such invasives, a topic treat- many of us. I am so happy that he is still Guide to Wildflowers: Northeastern/ ed extensively in The American Gardener working at it. Northcentral North America by Roger (March/April 2003). Alfredo F. Siani Tory Peterson and Margaret McKenny, William J. Scheick Consultant/Horticulturist there is listed a Monarda media, aka pur- University of Texas at Austin Oatlands, Loudoun County, Virginia ple beebalm. The description reads “sim- ilar to wild beebalm but red-purple. Editor's response: In identifying plants CORRECTIONS Bracts purplish.” I have never seen this with the potential to be invasive, we walk In “Must-Have Monardas” (July/August species listed in any other wildflower a very fine line. Our philosophy is to take 2005), the term “rhizomes” was incorrect- book and am curious why. a regional approach to invasiveness and ly defined as the result of an editorial error. Vicki Hill Foster flag only the plants that are known to be Rhizomes are horizontal, often under- Fayette, serious problems in the wild. Although ground, stems that send out nodal nandina appears on several invasive plant and shoots. In the same article, the loca- Jessie Keith’s response: Monarda media lists, some southern horticulturists have tion of the Morden Research Centre is definitely a plant veiled in mystery. In challenged whether it should be consid- should have been Winnipeg, Manitoba. 1809, German plantsman and taxono- ered on a par with plants like kudzu, priv- Also in the July/August 2005 issue, in mist Carl Ludwig von Willdenow de- et, and Japanese . Nonetheless, an article announcing the election of scribed this “species” based on a garden breeders are addressing this concern, and Harry Rissetto to the AHS Board of Di- specimen that he found, but he did not some of the newer compact cultivars— rectors, Rissetto’s affiliations with two hor- actually observe any wild populations of such as Gulf Stream™ mentioned in our ar- ticultural groups were misstated. Rissetto them. Years later, populations were ticle—are chosen for attractive foliage and is currently a trustee of the American found, but upon closer inspection, spe- produce little or no . Dahlia Society, of which he is a past presi- cialists believed Monarda media to be a dent. He is a member of the Royal Horti- naturally occurring hybrid between HARBOUR GETS SHORT SHRIFT cultural Society.  Monarda didyma and M. fistulosa. This is In the July/August issue of The American still understood to be the case. Gardener, I noted the misspelling of the PLEASE WRITE US! Letters should be addressed to Despite its uncertain taxomomic sta- cultivar epithet for Nandina ‘Harbour Editor, The American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308, or you can tus, a couple of nurseries carry M. media, Dwarf’ on page 31. The misspelling (“Har- e-mail us at [email protected]. Letters we print may be including Sylvania Natives (www.sylva- bor”) is widespread and possibly arose edited for length and clarity.

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Setting the standard in gardening reference Available wherever books are sold • For more great ideas visit www.dk.com and sign up for our FREE newsletter 8 River FarmSprucesUpforEasternPerformanceTrials portant tradition the green industry will look forward toevery willlookforward traditionthegreenportant industry Moss Warner. “We envisionthatthetrialswillbecomeanim- of thisphenomenalnationalevent,” saysAHSPresident opment companiesatsixlocationsinthemid-Atlantic region. introductions from majornationalandinternationalplantdevel- professionals, thiseventgreen willshowcase industry plant new OVER THESUMMER, ordinated by theGarden CentersofAmericaanddesignedfor Trials from September (EPT),whichwillrun 19through 24.Co- pare forthefirstever AHSheadquarters organizationsworked togethertopre-the AHSandmanypartner promenade infrontoftheestatehouseatRiverFarm. Chapel ValleyLandscapeCompanyduringconstructionofa new ProjectCoordinatorAnnEnglish,right,workswith thecrewof EPT THE HORTICULTUREGARDENINGINSTITUTE fourth HGIonlineprogram andisanactivefourth volunteer. Master Gardener inMarion, Indiana, whoiscompleting her skills,” saysSheri AnnRicherson, ting onlineatnighttowork ontheprograms and enhancemy to learnandshare skillsthrough new itsonline programs. gan, HGIbringsgardeners together from around thecountry tunities forMaster Gardeners. Based inEastLansing,Michi- G. B.Gunlogson Award, isofferinguniquevolunteer oppor- and recipient partner oftheAHS’san AHShorticultural 2005 HGI OffersMasterGardenerVolunteer Opportunities News PROGRAMS •EVENTSANNOUNCEMENTS “The AHSisproud tobeoneofthehostsitesfordebut “The “I aminthegarden allday, soIreally to get- lookforward the American Gardener River Farm wasabuzzwithactivityas from a Bronze Level Advanced Eastern Performance AHS (HGI), Katy the AHSMember Day. 121 [email protected] informationabout als atRiver Farm onSeptember 22.Call(703)768-5700 ext. thetri- AHS isofferingaspecialdayforitsmemberstoview pre-register by goingto tance, anddonationsofplantsothermaterials.” those whohave assis- contributeddesignwork, construction of andthegenerous support operation oftheEPTpartners, event hasrequired theteamwork ofthewholeAHSstaff, co- complexityandscopeofthis saysAnn.“The our partners,” coordinate theon-siteprojects and create thedisplayareas for areas andbeds. ways around thegrounds, andexpansionofvarious garden nade infront oftheestatehouse,creation ofseveral path- prome- ofanew landscape. Theseincludedtheconstruction the individualplantexhibitsseamlesslyintoRiver Farm changes neededtointegrate tural teamtomakethe members ofthehorticul- Bowers Horticulturist worked closelywithAHS EPT project coordinator, Ann English, AHS’s from around thecountry.” our membersandfriends landmark occasionwith day ofthetrials,willprovide forustoshare anopportunity this year from now on.TheannualAHSgala, scheduledforthefinal Science oftheS before volunteering. and Theprogram topics include:TheArt Volunteers review containergarden planssubmittedonline tainer Gardening program’s “Master Gardener Review Team.” from themwhileearningcredits, too,”saysSheri. ternet allows metohelpgardeners andlearn around thecountry ence ofContainerGardening. Shade; Herbaceous Perennials forSun; andSci- andTheArt Green professionals whowishtoattendEPTmust industry “Peggy andIhave hadtomeetmanychallengesinorder to Landscape architect Master Gardeners mustcompleteanHGIonlineprogram One andScienceofCon- volunteer optionistojointheArt “Volunteering hasbeenextremely rewarding becausetheIn- and theother MART September/October 2005 Peggy G www.easternperformancetrials.org. ARDEN Performance PartnersforEastern AHS Saunders BrothersNursery Proven Winners Goldsmith Seeds Cherry LakeTreeFarm Centerton Nursery Campania International ® ; Herbaceous Perennials for Trials The

VIVEKA NEVELN COURTESY OF DISNEY PHOTOGRAPHY (517) 432-1950. for further details. for further at (703)768-7500 [email protected] Contact AHSChildren’s Programs Coordinator Nancy Busick tem (multicolored), (red andBountifulHarvest gold). (blue andwhite),Plants andFlowers (multicolored), Solar Sys- andClarkblue), Lewis (silver andgold), George Washington for thisyear’s holidaytrees are Americana(red, white,and ments thatwilldecorateRiver Farm’s holiday trees. Thethemes viduals, groups, families,clubs,orclassrooms tocreate orna- ONCE AGAIN, Ornaments forHolidayTrees unteer opportunities, visitwww.gardeninginstitute.comunteer opportunities, ensure apositive experience. weeks. HGI volunteers receive trainingandare monitored to quiries, andpostingthought-provoking two messages every involves monitoring thediscussionboard, answering dailyin- tion Coordinator” foroneofthefouronlineprograms. This completed plans.Anotheroptionistobecomea“Conversa- from provide program participants, feedback,andapprove Northwest andtheSanFranciscoFlowerGardenShows. currently chairsSalmonBayEvents,whichproducesthe instrumental indevelopingAHS’svisionforitsfuture.He Boardmember,Kellywas Seattle, Washington.AformerAHS presented theMeritoriousServiceAwardtoDuaneKellyof PresidentKatyMossWarner,right, Arabella Dane,left,andAHS BoardofDirectorsChair Orlando, Florida,thispastApril,AHS During the2005GreatAmericanGardenersConferenceheldin Awards inFlorida Great AmericanGardener For more informationabouttheonlineprograms andvol- the AHSisextendinganinvitationtoindi- or call ( www.charlestongardenfestival.org Visit www Visit sizes andoptionsareavailable. meansmanyModular construction and easytoinstallinsideorout. to maintain,economicalrun, EndlessPool issimple x15' 8' The no crowded pools,noheavy chlorine. aerobics, rehabilitationandfun.Notraveling, to any speedorability. Idealforswimming, water Swim orexercise adjustable againstasmoothcurrent For Free DVD or Video Call Video or DVD Free For 800 The Treadmill forSwimmers! O Swim At Home At Swim A C G T ) R O 843.723.9293 233-0741, A O B W R E  .endlesspools.com/4426 R U O D 2 2 N E 1 1 R - - D N L 2 2 T D 3 3 I T N , , 2 H 2 G 0 0 E 0 0 5 5 Ext. 4426 Ext. September /October2005 Erth Food Hamby Catering Courtney GunterGraphicDesign Bank ofSouthCarolina Lowcountry Garden Designworks Carolina First Bank Sottile Foundation Cypress, Magnolias&Blossom Brittain's ofCharleston SILVER SPONSORS Summer's Bend Total Wine Monrovia and Garden Center Hyams Landscaping Wertimer &Associates The MuhlerCompany Dorchester County GOLD SPONSORS The Post &Courier Garden DesignMagazine PLATINUM SPONSORS PRESENTED BY Club 9 10 the AHSWebsite(www.ahs.org) happy momentforsomeonespecialintheirlives.” children tolearnhowplantbulbsaswellcreatea AHS PresidentKatyMossWarner.“It’sanidealprojectfor birthday ofoneournation’sgreathorticulturists,”says teers onFriday,October21forplantingthe23rd. River Farm,bulbswillbedistributedtostaffandvolun- shape ofX’sandO’sasaspringsurpriseforfriend.At ple bulbssuchascrocusesorreticulatedirisesinthe stages, buttheconceptisforpeopletoplantsmallpur- 23, asDr.H.MarcCatheyDayandcelebrateiteveryyear. Board ofDirectorswastoproclaimhisbirthday,October itus inJune,oneofthetributesapprovedbyAHS When Celebrate Dr. CatheyDaywithBulbs OFFamily Picnic Day FORF Family DayisscheduledforMay 21, 2006. children, storytelling,andarts craftsactivities.ThenextFORF Other activitiesofthedayincluded apicnic,face-paintingfor what it’sliketobeuphighamong theleaveslikeanarborist. some ofRiverFarm’sloftytreesto showdelightedyoungvisitors CorporatePartnerTheCareofTreesused May 15,2005,AHS During theinauguralFriendsofRiverFarm(FORF)FamilyDayon Updates onthebulb-plantingprojectwillbeposted “We encourageeveryonetojoinusincelebratingthe This year’scelebratoryprojectisstillintheplanning the American Gardener Dr. H.MarcCathey retired asAHS’spresidentemer- in earlyOctober. visit phy competition—including imagesofthewinningphotos— hardvery tonarrow themdown.” quality photoswe have tochoosefrom thisyear, it’s goingtobe flect thedifferent monthsoftheyear,” saysJudy. thehigh “With fundraiser forTGOA/MGCA. “We topickphotosthatre- try sidered forpublication inthe2007calendarsoldannuallyasa Some ofthephotographsfrom thisyear’s contestwillbecon- the firsttime.” tries, includingeightAHSmemberswhowere enteringfor TGOA/MGCA. onephotographerssubmitteden- “Thirty Schuck, photographyandcalendarchairmanfor pated inthe2005Photography Competition,”says patula, for“SpiderKansas—who tooksecondrunner-up on ‘Ann’, andMelissa Hanlin who received forherphotographof firstrunner-up their entries. men). www.gardenersofamerica.org. dar maybeordered through theTGOA/MCGA Web siteat 2006 competitionisDecember 21.Copies ofthe2006calen- 278-0295. Thedeadlineforsubmitting photographsforthe of est totalscore forhiscombinedentries(winningphotographs the titleof2005Sweepstakes Winner by achievingthehigh- maderense Hampshire, whowonBest ofShow forherphotographof AHS Board Chair al first-timeAHSentrantshadearnedtophonors,including annual photographycompetitiontoAHSmembersthisyear. in2005,generously openedits partners AHS ashorticultural Clubs ofAmerica(MGCA),agarden clubgroup thatjoined THE GARDENERSOFAMERICA Photography Contest AHS MembersShinein Dodecatheon meadia For more informationabouttheTGOA/MGCA photogra- More than350images,bothslidesanddigital,were entered. “I wouldliketothankallthephotographerswhopartici- Other topwinnersincludedAHSmemberAnneC.Allen, AHS memberDonald Bolak When theawards were announcedearlierthisyear, sever- www.tgoa-mgca.org/photocompet.htm Arabella andDonald alsoreceived Judges Awards for Marigold.” Arabella Dane . ‘Shooting Star,’ —a TGOA memberfrom Olathe, and DonaldBolak’s“Waterlily,”above. Dane’s “Geraniummaderense,”left, Award winnersincludedArabella of Wheeling,Illinois, earned of CenterHarbor, New (TGOA)/Men’s Garden Echeveria, or call(515) and Magnolia Tagetes Cycla- Judy

LEFT: VIVEKA NEVELN; CENTER: ARABELLA DANE; RIGHT: DONALD BOLAK Kids Help Unveil New Book Award in Atlanta AHS NATIONAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS KIDS TOOK center stage at the 2005–2006 2005 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium to help un- CALENDAR veil the first ever “Growing Good ark your calendar for these upcoming national events Kids —Excellence in Children’s Mand programs that are sponsored or cosponsored by Literature Awards.” the American Horticultural Society. The goal of this new award program, co- sponsored by the American Horticultural Society and the Junior Master Gardener Program, is to honor children’s books that • SEPT. 19–24. Eastern Performance Trials. George teach meaningful lessons about gardening and the environment Washington’s River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia. (Thursday, in a well-written, well-illustrated context. During the presenta- September 22, has been designated a special open day for tion, children from Atlanta area Junior Master Gardener programs AHS members to view the trials.) read excerpts from some of this year’s award winning books. AHS Education Programs Manager Stephanie Jutila says • SEPT. 24. AHS Annual Gala. George Washington’s River the excerpts “helped to remind people how prevalent these Farm, Alexandria, Virginia. works of literature are in our lives.” The introductory readings • DEC. 8. Friends of River Farm Holiday Reception, George Washington’s River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia.

2006 • MAR. 5–12. Philadelphia Flower Show. Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

• APRIL 1–30. Washington Blooms! George Washington’s River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia.

• APRIL 20–22. Friends of River Farm Annual Plant Sale. These books were among 40 to receive George Washington’s River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia. awards for “Classic” literature. • MAY 21. Friends of River Farm Family Day. George Wash- also allowed young ington’s River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia. people to take an ac- tive role in the new • JUNE 2. Great American Gardeners Award Ceremony program. Randy Sea- and Banquet. George Washington’s River Farm, Alexan- graves, Junior Master dria, Virginia. Gardener Program na- tional curriculum co- • JULY 27–29. National Children & Youth Garden Sympo- ordinator and the sium. St. Louis, Missouri. master of ceremonies at the award presenta- For more information about these events, call (800) tion, adds, “If you 777-7931 or visit the AHS Web site (www.ahs.org). have ever read a book to a child, you have seen how freely a child can become immersed in a story. Books can shape how young people view the world around them.” “For many children, books are a critically important intro- In the first year of the award program, “garden and ecology- duction to the fascinating world of plants and gardens,” says AHS themed” books published before 2005 were considered in a one- President Katy Moss Warner. “The awards identify the best lit- time “Classics” category for originality and significance to the erature, and help the JMG Program develop a curriculum that genre. The award review committee included members of the will be available to teachers. They also benefit anyone who has a AHS National Children & Youth Garden Symposium Advisory child in their life by providing a list of inspiring books.” Panel, Junior Master Gardener specialists and coordinators, To see a complete list of the 2005 Growing Good Kids award teachers, youth leaders, and children. 40 books were selected to winners, visit www.ahs.org and click on the “Awards” link.  receive the “Classic” award and are eligible to bear the official Growing Good Kids award seal. Next year, children’s gardening News written by Assistant Editor Viveka Neveln and Editorial In- and nature books published in 2005 will be eligible for the award. tern Will Clattenburg.

September / October 2005 11 12 ness zones andAHSheatzones. ing itsplantswithbothUSDAhardi- water recycling, andledthewayincod- soilmixes,state-of-the-art practiced neered theshipmentofplants,created vented thecontainerized plant,pio- leader,industry Monrovia in- virtually ducing andmarketing them.Aplant oping innovative techniquesforpro- healthyplantsanddevel- to nurturing distinguished itselfby itscommitment California,has headquartered inAzusa, plants justtosaythatthey’re new,” says process. “We don’t wanttointroduce new plantsthrough thedevelopmentrushing of thecompany’s values. Anotherisnot dependent garden centersisoneexample centers intheUnited States andCanada. through some5,000independentgarden plants ayear thatare soldexclusively eries nationwideproduce 22million grasses, bamboos,andvines.Its sixnurs- pany alsogrows herbaceousperennials, for itswoodyornamentals,butthecom- Monrovia isbestknown internationally THEPLANTS IT’S ALLABOUT S Gilbert Resendez the pre-existing demand fordrought-tol- sendez. In southernCalifornia,henotes, mand forregional native plants,”saysRe- “One trend we’re seeingisahigherde- ing attentiontowhatitscustomerswant. superior towhat’s inthemarket currently.” marketing. “Our focusisonplantsthatare by William Clattenburg Monrovia Nursery: PROFILE IN PARTNERS AHS Monheim [email protected]. rate Partnershipprogram,contact Eva For informationontheAHS’s Corpo- Monrovia, visitwww.monrovia.com. For more information The decisiontosellplantsonlyin- Monrovia anticipatesdemandby pay- the American Gardener Nursery, thewholesalecompany INCE THE Rosedale , president ofsales and founded Monrovia 1920s, when about Harry PassionforPlants A to nearly 300“exclusive plants.”According Over theyears, Monrovia hasintroduced QUALITY TO COMMITMENT home garden.” tantly—if the plant willholdupinthe plant, attractiveness, and—mostimpor- method, dependabilityasa container look fortherightsoil,fertilizer, ‘bullpens’,” Staddon we explains.“There, locations andputitinwhat we callour been identified,we takeittooneofoursix plants.“Onceplanthas tests fornew a rovia hastakentheinitiative inperfecting ers, andourown craftsmen.” hybridizers, planthunters,great garden- quires of“breeders, thecombined efforts plants,findingsuchplantsre-tor ofnew that are water-conserving,” hesays. that are water-conserving,” plants—inparticular,plementary those the native plantswe grow by addingcom- demand fornatives. “We’re augmenting erant plantsisconverging withthenewer Founded inthe1920s,MonroviaNurseryisheadquarteredAzusa,California. Nicholas Staddon As inotherfacetsoftheindustry, Mon- , Monrovia’s direc- says Staddon. most liketulipsandwine-red incolor,” shapetotheflowers,dinary whichare al- blooms atanearlyage,andhasextraor- cultivar calledBlack Tulip excited aboutisajust released magnolia for William Clattenburgisaneditorial intern garden,” saysResendez. in theirproper locationsintheAmerican sage outaboutthebenefitsofusing plants of ourorganizationswanttoget themes- withAHS,becauseboth our partnership mitment totheAHSmission.“We value says Resendez, illustratesMonrovia’s com- plants thatenhancetheenvironment. role asa major source ofhighquality sary, thecompanycontinues toexpandits As Monrovia approaches its 80thanniver- SHARED VALUES ✕ soulangiana One plantStaddon new isparticularly Becoming anAHSCorporatePartner, The American Gardener. ‘JURmag 1 ’). “Black Tulip ™ (Magnolia 

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www.monrovia.com © Monrovia 2004 04-0752L 14 the American Gardener BY CHARLOTTEALBERS Gardens founder SheldonFlemingrecountsthe garden’s historytothesymposium group. attendee JaneDicus andfeaturedspeakerSharon Lovejoy.Oppositepage,top: Wonderland AHS staffersCharlotteAlbers,left, andNancyBusick,right,with,lefttosymposium the fountaininParterreGarden atABGfeaturesaDaleChihulyglasssculpture.Above: with rabbitearsattheChildren’s GardenattheAtlantaBotanical(ABG);bottomleft: This page,topleft:Symposium attendeescheckoutawhimsicaloversizedwateringcan E to 20educationalpresentations, andbe- lined by keynote speakerSharon Lovejoy, University.the campusofEmory dens. Educational sessionswere heldon Botanical Garden andWonderland Gar- which wasjointlyhostedby Atlanta ries duringthethree-day symposium, overseas shared ideasandinspirationalsto- ipants from around theUnited States and Georgia, this pastJuly. Nearly 200partic- Youth Garden Symposium in Atlanta, at theAHS2005National Children & the spiritofpresenters andattendees From theopeninggeneralsessionhead- Youth Garden Educators andgardeningenthusiastsfoundplentyofideas kind ofadjectives thatcaptured creative, energized—these are the NTHUSIASTIC, PASSIONATE, Georgia, included groups that participated the LifeLabScienceProgram. the National Federation, and the National Gardening Association, cluding theJunior Master Gardeners, were represented atthesymposium,in- have strong youth gardening programs teachingacross allagelevels. disciplinary how tousegardens andnature for inter- there were tolearn ampleopportunities hind-the-scenes toursofregional gardens, thusiasm fortheirsuccessessoselflessly youth gardening inAmericasharingen- ucation consortium. Several nationalorganizationsthat “It wasexciting towitnessleadersin a statewide environmentala statewide ed- EEin- Local

TOP AND BOTTOM LEFT: CHARLOTTE ALBERS; TOP RIGHT: JESSICA ROZMUS Symposium 2005

and inspiration in Atlanta this July. Here are the highlights.

YGS Posters Available

A limited number of the full-color symposium posters featuring a charming illustration by Sharon Lovejoy are still available. The 11-by- 14-inch poster—signed by the artist and so powerfully,” says AHS President 2005. “Children need dream time,” said and suitable for framing—can be Katy Moss Warner. “There are so many Lovejoy. “They need wild places and un- purchased for $10 plus $2 for ship- great programs throughout America, and designed areas: a spot for the wild things.” ping and handling. To order, call so many inspired leaders. It was a proud In his address, O’Keefe shared stories, (703) 768-5700 ext. 121. moment for the AHS.” videos, and classroom strategies that he has successfully used to get children to MAKING CONNECTIONS make connections with the natural world. she said, are lessons that give children a Keynote speakers Sharon Lovejoy, Tim A second-grade teacher at the Center for sense of belonging, make them feel they O’Keefe, and Marcia Eames-Sheavly Inquiry in Columbia, South Carolina, are successful, demonstrate they can in- are involved in very different aspects of O’Keefe and his classroom projects have fluence people and events, show them the youth gardening, but their experience been featured in professional development value of helping others, and are fun and and insight offer universal lessons. videos. He also discussed how to encour- at the same time physically and intellec- Lovejoy, an award-winning author and age budding biologists and botanists to tually stimulating. illustrator of garden books, focused on the develop authentic scientific methods as benefits young people receive from expe- they explore their subject matter. EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS riences with nature. She spoke about the Marcia Eames-Sheavly, recipient of the Diverse educational presentations and calming, restorative aspects of natural ex- 2005 AHS Jane L. Taylor Award for her hands-on workshops during the sympo- periences for children suffering from work as an Extension educator at Cornell sium ranged from the study of medici- ADHD and other maladies. She advocat- University, addressed how garden-based nal plants to instructions on how to ed for un-designed areas that allow chil- educational programs can be designed to make a class herbarium for plant re- dren to explore, noting that American integrate critical life lessons and develop- search, and lessons about the ruby- children in 1981 had, on average, 100 min- mental skills that children and young throated hummingbird. utes per week of unstructured play and people really need. Among the most im- This year’s symposium was particu-

CHARLOTTE ALBERS discovery compared to 50 minutes in portant components of any curriculum, larly rich in presentations relating to the

September / October 2005 15 16 known astheFibonaccinumbersequence. design inspiredbyamathematicalconcept loving trees,shrubs,andperennialsinaspiral garden,whichisplantedwithmoisture- Atlanta pullupweedsandapplymulchintheir Students atCedarShoalsHighSchoolin high schoolstudents.Based onthatfeed- what kindofgarden wouldappealtothe University of Georgia. landscape designclassshetaughtatthe ment forundergraduatestudentsina who usedthesiteasafieldstudyassign- notes landscapearchitect tention .“It wasanuglymudpit,” major eyesore intheformofalargede- Athens, lefta Georgia, construction into anoutdoorclassroom. addressed turninganinnercourtyard creating araingarden andanotherthat creative projects profiled wasoneon nected naturalsystems.Amongthe plore theideaofhabitats,orintercon- school gardens thatallow children toex- creation ofoutdoorclassrooms or English engagedherclassinassessing At CedarShoals High Schoolin the American Gardener Ann English, natural phenomena,includingthespiral- inmany tionship thathasbeenobserved number sequence,amathematicalrela- The designwasinspired by theFibonacci (Taxodium distichum), erate “wet feet,”includingbaldcypress tered onaspiralplantingoftrees that tol- and colleagueLauren Zeichner wascen- back, thefinaldesigncreated by English aquatica), and river birch (Betula nigra). water tupelo (Nyssa swamp milkweedincarnata (Asclepias Virginia sweetspire (Iteaand virginica), (Aroniasuch asred chokeberry arbutifolia), ed moisture andperennials tolerantshrubs clay soilandshovel mulch. wore hipbootstodigplantsintotheheavy scales onpinecones. ing shapeofshellsandthearrangement In additiontothetrees, studentsplant- When work beganlastyear, students ‘Ice

ANN ENGLISH GARDEN EXPLORATIONS Splashing were a welcome sight at the entrance to Katy Moss Warner, and AHS Board Chair Arabella Dane. The the Children’s Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG). highlight of the evening was the debut of the “Growing Good Symposium attendees toured the lushly planted two-acre gar- Kids—Excellence in Children’s Literature” awards (see page den and engaged in a question and answer session with Cindy 11 for more on the book awards). Tyler, a principal with Marshall•Tyler•Rausch Landscape Ar- At nearby Wonderland Gardens, Columbia High School stu- chitects, and Tracy McLendon, ABG’s education director. A dents and Sheldon Fleming, the garden’s founder and execu- special garden railway exhibit—Locomotion in the Garden— tive director, gave tours of the community garden complex, set up outside the Fuqua Conservatory, delighted guests be- which includes a butterfly meadow and pond used for nature fore a banquet dinner that featured opening remarks from study. The student guides, who volunteer at the garden dur- ABG Executive Director Mary Pat Masterson, AHS President ing the year, addressed ecological issues like composting or- ganic waste and recy- cling post-consumer plastic and rubber. An optional field trip to Callaway Gar- dens in nearby Pine offered an opportunity to learn about Lepidoptera in the Cecil B. Day But- terfly Center conserva- Left: A student from Columbia High tory, where hundreds School uses a magnifying glass to show of exotic tropical in- a symposium attendee the diversity of life sects fluttered amid in a sample of pond water at Wonderland languid blooms and Gardens. Above: A group takes an cut-fruit feeding sta- optional tour of Callaway Gardens. tions. Program staff also guided guests through the John A. Sibley Horticultural Center, Mr. Cason’s Veg- etable Garden, and Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, where a final dinner brought the symposium to a close. —C.A.

Ballet’)—all tough plants that can take pe- needed to get growing. Families made do- ing pumpkins, a woodland edge habitat, riodic flooding. nations to the courtyard garden and helped and a clearing for large group gatherings. Now one year old, the Cedar Shoals build raised planters, install birdfeeders, “The courtyard will function as a field lab- Rain Garden has begun to attract wildlife. and water newly planted shrubs and trees. oratory for the school community,” says Stella Guerrero, a teacher at Cedar Parnall and Sullivan studied the micro- Sullivan. “The structure illustrates the ecol- Shoals, uses the garden and surrounding climates within the courtyard and de- ogy of native plant communities and pro- landscape to help students understand signed the large space to include a vides valuable wildlife habitat.” basic botany in conjunction with an in- wildflower meadow, hilltop grove with log The success of the Glover Elementary teractive Web site (www.discoverlife.org). benches, an arbor, a farm garden for grow- School project has led to an initiative to Janet MacNeil, a parent at Glover Ele- create outdoor learning environments at all mentary School in Milton, Massachusetts, the public schools in Milton. shared the process of transforming an ST. LOUIS will provide the “Encouraging young people to have fre- empty inner courtyard into an outdoor backdrop for the 14th annual quent and positive interactions with gar- classroom. The design for this project was symposium, hosted by the Missouri dens and the natural world is so important developed by Ruth Parnall and Virginia Botanical Garden (MOBOT) July 27 that good ideas and successful lesson plans Sullivan, consultants with Learning by the to 29, 2006. Highlights include a like these should be shared as widely as Yard, a landscape design company special- guided tour of the new children’s possible,” says Stephanie Jutila, AHS Ed- izing in school projects. After the design garden that the MOBOT is unveiling ucation Programs Manager.  was presented to students and staff in 2003, next spring. Look for more details a Giving Tree in the school lobby was hung soon at www.ahs.org. Charlotte Albers is coordinator of AHS’s

LEFT: CHARLOTTE ALBERS; RIGHT: NANCY BUSICK with cards listing items the project team The Growing Connection program.

September / October 2005 17 great Ground Covers These attractive plants reduce maintenance in shady gardens without taking over. for shade

BY GENE BUSH

NE OF THE most common questions I get at my nursery is, O“What do you recommend for ground covers in my shade garden?” Many of these people have had bad expe- riences with overly aggressive spreaders like English ivy and bishop’s weed. For- tunately, woodland gardens lend them- selves to a range of low-growing and spreading flora that reduce weeds and look good. The concept of ground-covering plants implies using plants that have a bit of wan- derlust, but not too much. There’s a differ- ence between assertive plants and aggres- sively spreading plants. Sometimes a plant will fall into the former category in one re- gion or soil type and into the latter catego- ry in another situation. Before I place a ground cover in my garden, I research its growth habits and match its predicted expansion to the size of the area I want covered. It’s also good to know how quickly a plant will grow to its mature dimensions. Some plants spread above ground by send- ing out branches that form roots when they touch the soil; others spread beneath the soil’s surface by roots or rhizomes. Also consider a plant’s size in relation to its companions. Beware of planting ag- gressive ground covers near small, deli- cate, or slow-growing plants. Ideally, garden ground covers should appear to flow smoothly, so that they re- semble a gentle stream that winds around other plants. To me, many mound-form- ing ground covers look like gas bubbles rising to the surface of a still pond; they disrupt the garden’s visual flow and com-

Anemone nemorosa, a woodland ephemeral, produces a veritable carpet of flowers.

18 the American Gardener SPICY AND SHY FLOWERS Native from New Brunswick to North Carolina, Canadian wild ginger (Asarum canadense, Zones 2–8, 8–1) gets its com- mon name from the aroma of culinary gin- ger that arises when its or roots are bruised. In the early years of American set- tlement, pioneers candied the native Asarum roots and used them as a ginger substitute. Its striking leaves are large and heart-shaped with silvery hairs that be- come less silken as the plants mature. In- dividual leaves can reach eight to 10 inches across and stand a bit taller than one foot in height; the fleshy, branched rhizomes extend six inches or more. Canadian wild ginger’s shy blooms hide beneath its foliage and face the ground for easy pollination by beetles. The blooms are quite unique, however, and are worth turn- Wild ginger’s odd-looking ground-level flowers are designed for pollination by beetles. ing the leaves over to enjoy. The flowers form seedpods containing masses of fleshy- pete with, rather than complement, the ers in white, blue, lavender, pink, or com- tailed seeds. These are often dispersed by plants they surround. Plants that have uni- binations thereof. ants, which carry them off for the sugars in form low growth are generally easier to in- Buttercup anemone (Anemone ranun- the tail. As a result, I have wild ginger corporate into a design. culoides, Zone 4–8, 8–1) resembles A. growing in locations where I could never Here are a few of my favorite ground nemorosa but sports yellow blooms. Semi- have transplanted or sown it successfully. covers for a shady spot. Before you plant and fully double forms are available, as well A good option for gardeners in the them in your garden, however, check with as a hybrid between the two species. In Northwest is Asarum caudatum (Zones gardening friends or your local botanical alpine climates, try meadow anemone (A. 5–8, 8–4), which has shiny semi-evergreen garden to make sure they are not a prob- canadensis, Zones 3–7, 7–1), but be aware foliage and burgundy flowers. lem in your region. that it can be invasive in warmer regions. Wild ginger can be quite assertive in All are easily grown in reasonably good gar- good, well-drained garden soil, so give it EPHEMERAL BEAUTY den soil; mulch with a thin layer of plenty of room to grow. It also performs European anemone (Anemone chopped leaves in fall. well in nutrient-poor, rocky soil. nemorosa, Zones 4–8, 8–1) is a spring- blooming ephemeral that goes dormant by midsummer. From mid-March through July, however, it tops my ground cover list. European wood anemone is a collector’s dream, and so variable in nature that many forms have been selected, named, and passed along to fellow enthusiasts. Wood anemone spreads by slender, woody rhizomes that resemble little twigs with eyes. The three-inch-long rhizomes branch outward just below the ground’s surface, gradually forming a mat. Anemone foliage has deeply segmented leaves on six- to eight-inch-tall stems. Flowers of the species are white and some- times have a reddish back. None that I have grown are shy about blooming; they put on quite a show in open shade, clos- ing at night and on cloudy days. You can

THIS PAGE, TOP: DAVID CAVAGNARO; BOTTOM: SAXON HOLT. OPPOSITE: KEN MEYER find cultivars with single or double flow- The adaptable bulblet fern is suitable to both wetlands and drier, rocky sites.

September / October 2005 19 20 fined toaspecificarea. will quicklycover ground, sokeepitcon- na southern ladyfern(Athyrium filix-femi- folia spreading sword fern,Nephrolepis cordi- and intropical regions consideranother (Polystichum munitum, , native Western try sword fern ceives moisture. but itwillgreen upagainwhenitre- too dry, itsfronds turncrispandbrown, ground suitsitsneeds.If theferngets in thegarden. Good garden soilorrocky not demandthoseconditionstothrive seepage. But thisdeciduous ferndoes lands oronlimestonethatismoistfrom States, where itisfoundinwet wood- blet fernisnative totheeasternUnited the midribsturnamahoganycolor. Bul- sun behindthem.Asspringprogresses, Merlot wine,especiallywiththespring emerge, stemsare almostthecolorof 12 to18inchesinlength.Whentheyfirst tipped fronds are lightgreen andreach rocks andotherplants. that, waterlike,flow downward around spring formacascadeofgreen fronds the topofahillorembankment,itsoff- slope. Whentheparent fernisplantedat little ballscanbounceandroll down a gation lendsitselftohillsideswhere the ferns.Thismethodofpropa-form new mature, theydrop totheground and toward thetip. Whenthetinygreen balls (bulblets) ontheundersideoffronds bulbifera, The bulbletorbladderfern(Cystopteris EASY-SPREADING FERNS not unusualto seeamatofrhizomes the windblows leaflittermulchaside, it’s neath, orrightat,thesoil’s When surface. cristata inspired me,andIhave sinceused owed andtrees. by shrubs Thatsighting a largedriftthathadnotbeenovershad- presence. One day, however, Icameupon shade, where I’ve completelyignored its found growing insparsepatches indeep southern United States. Quite oftenitis 4–10, 10–1)isnative totheeasternand crestedDwarf iris NATIVE IRIS From California toAlaskaandeast The bulbletfern’s slender, bent- Dwarf crestedDwarf iriscreeps slightlybe- subsp. the American Gardener (Zones 9–11,12–1). In theSouth, in favored areas ofmygarden. Zones 4–8,8–1)hasgemmae asplenioides, (Iris cristata, Zones 6–9,9–1) Zones 3–8,8–1), Zones I. In lightshade,dwarfcrestediriscreatesvividdriftsofcolorwithitslate-springblooms. with itselegantly scallopedfoliage. Meehan’s mintcarpets awoodlandgarden Growing onlyfourtoeightinches tall, the foliageinshadesofbluishlavender to stemsjustaboveiris blossomsonshort growing conditions.In latespring,this root competitionandless-than-perfect floor. Theplantalsostandsupwell to ed toitslocation,itwillcover aforest to eightinchesinheight;whenwell suit- resemble tree roots. nodules andlightgreen growth tipsthat deep. Thelong,slenderrhizomes have crisscrossing eachotherseveral layers Its swordlike foliagereaches onlysix (Chelone pedium calceolus), galis), competes withroyal fern mint atthebaseofawalnuttree, where it regions, slugscanbeaproblem. from lavender-blue tolightlilac.In some incolor on onesideofthestemandvary liage. Thefloppy, hooded bloomsoccur the endoflaxstemsthatarch above thefo- May andJune, Meehan’s mintbloomsat almost scalloped—alongtheiredges.In anddeeplyveined— their uppersurface plant. Its on leaves are heart-shaped hairy ing stems;eachnodesendsoutanew give itroom tospread. woodlandcarpet,so form awonderful be theplantthateatsyour garden. It will plant. Even inrich,moistsoilitwillnot gardeners topassover thisgreat native mention oftheword “mint” causesmost Meehan’s mintorcreeping mint.Just the carriesthecommonnamesof fortunately Meehania cordata MINT A TRACTABLE cluding awhiteform. freely. Many cultivars are available, in- light, butnotfullsun,crested irisblooms well-drained garden soilwithplenty of purple withwhitecrests. Whengrown in My garden adriftofMeehan’s sports Meehania roots from nodesonitstrail- yellow lady’s slipperorchid spp.). (Zones 4–8,8–4)un- and turtlehead (Osmunda re- (Cypri-

TOP: LYNNE HARRISON; BOTTOM: MARK TURNER MULTISEASON INTEREST TRY NATIVE SPURGE For year-round interest, try partridge Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procum- Sources (Mitchella repens, Zones 4–9, 9–1), bens, Zones 5–9, 9–3) is my favorite a North American native plant that among the spurge species and cultivars Avant Gardens, Dartmouth, MA. shines throughout every season. This available from garden centers and by (508) 998-8819. www.avant evergreen trailer seems unaffected by mail order. There are five species in the gardensne.com. Catalog $3. pests or diseases and remains as fresh in , but only two seem to show up in June as in February. Partridge berry forms nurseries. Of those two, the Asian Big Dipper Farm, Black Diamond, lustrous green mats so flat they appear to species P. terminalis and its cultivars are WA. (360) 886-8133. www.bigdip be painted onto the soil. Like Meehan’s the most readily available, but they can perfarm.com. Catalog free online. mint, this slow-growing perennial spreads be invasive if not well contained. Hold from nodes along its creeping stems. out for our native Allegheny spurge and Bluestone Perennials, Madison, OH. Its dark green, rounded leaves are op- you won’t be disappointed. (800) 852-5243. www.blue posite on the stem and are generally less Pachysandra procumbens has ever- stoneperennials.com. Catalog free. than an inch long. Even if it never green foliage to approximately USDA bloomed, I would use partridge berry Zone 6, or to Zone 5 with protection. In Forestfarm, Williams, OR. (541) near a path where I could enjoy the love- colder zones, it is . Foliage is 846-7269. www.forestfarm.com. ly foliage. It does bloom, however, and al- at the end of lax stems that reach about Catalog $5; free online. ways in pairs. Two tiny, fragrant one foot in height. Its deep green leaves Heronswood Nursery, Kingston, WA. (360) 297-4172. www.herons wood.com. Catalog $5; free online.

Munchkin Nursery & Gardens, Depauw, IN. (812) 633-4858. www.munchkinnursery.com. Catalog $3; free online. Resources The Complete Shade Gardener by George Schenk. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, Oregon, 2003.

The New England Wildflower Society Guide to Growing and Propagating Wildflowers of the United States and Canada by William Cullina. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, Massa- chusetts, 2000. Easy to grow and always tidy, partridge berry lends year-round color to woodland floors.

trumpets of whitish-pink soon become are slightly mottled with brown and with maidenhair fern (Adiantum spp.) scarlet berries, each having two white have silvery veins and toothed margins; for company. eyes. M. repens forma leucocarpa bears they take on a bronze cast with the onset white berries. Sometimes the berries last of cold . In early April, fragrant, SMALL BUT MIGHTY through winter and are still present when shell-pink-and-tan flowers crowd to- More than 30 species of Solomon’s seal fresh blooms arrive in late April. At least gether to fill open spaces between the grow throughout the world and three eight species of birds relish its fruit. leaves. It’s not unusual to see snow on species are native to the eastern United In nature, partridge berry prefers the flowers and newly emerging foliage. States. Of all the available species and cul- moist, acidic humus, but it will do well In the wild, you’ll find Allegheny tivars, dwarf Japanese Solomon’s seal under less optimum conditions. I’ve ob- spurge growing in diverse environ- (Polygonatum humile, Zones 5–8, 8–4) is served that it prefers raised locations so that ments. However, it performs best in my favorite. P. humile grows only six to fallen leaves do not smother it in autumn. good garden soil in open deciduous eight inches in height in a genus that has My soil is neutral to slightly acidic, and I shade. After three years my drift of species reaching three to 12 feet or more. have enjoyed attractive mats of this fine Pachysandra is approximately four feet Most species are quite graceful in form,

JOSEPH G. STRAUCH JR. ground cover for years. wide; it skirts the base of a viburnum arching gently in the top one-third of their

September / October 2005 21 Above: Native to North America, Allegheny spurge is evergreen in USDA Zones 5 or 6 and warmer. Right: Flowers of foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) and creeping (Phlox stolonifera) create a colorful tapestry in this woodland at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. height. P. humile, however, stays stiffly up- In the western United States and in green and has a glossy, almost wet ap- right. Its heavy leaves look like little green alpine environments, plant native false pearance. The leaves also are coarsely and eggs (hold the ham). Blooms are white Solomon’s seal (Smilacina racemosa, sparsely hairy. The rate of spread by root- bells located on one side of each short Zones 4–9, 9–1). This woodland beauty ing trailers varies from hybrid to hybrid. stem, appearing in late spring. grows well in sun or moist shade. Some are relatively slow, whereas others Solomon’s seal spreads primarily by can be downright assertive. Foamflower rhizomes that lie just beneath the surface. TALLER GROUND COVERS grows best in humus-rich soil that has White, fleshy, and covered with scars from A large drift of foamflower (Tiarella cordi- mulch for it to root beneath. the previous year’s stems, the rhizomes folia, Zones 3–9, 7–1) in bloom is to the Another taller ground cover, Uvular- frequently fork to send up additional eyes what a Mozart symphony is to the ia perfoliata (Zones 4–10, 10–4) is one stems that form a colony of slender, up- ears. The slightest breeze stirs the blooms of the five species of bellworts or mer- right soldiers that appear to march in for- into undulating waves of white foam that rybells, all native to the southeastern mation between taller perennials. blow across a sea of bright green foliage. United States. U. perfoliata reaches 14 to Its flowers bloom in racemes carried well 18 inches in height, and its stems remind above the foliage—stems can reach 14 me of pale asparagus tips when they inches in height. The numerous flowers emerge in early spring. Merrybells’ fo- in each raceme are white, occasionally liage looks as though its stems pierce aging to a pinkish flush. each leaf at its base. The blooms are Despite their lovely flowers, most foam- clusters of long, pale yellow, tubular flowers are now bred primarily for their fo- bells. It spreads by creeping rhizomes. liage, and a seemingly unlimited number Although this little merrybells of cultivars are available. The species has blooms in late April in my garden, its been generous with forms that differ from foliage remains until the first hard frost. the norm, and hybridizers often play up Its early blooms make it a good com- the dark markings in the center of the leaf panion to other spring-bloomers. This or the highly variable leaf shapes. Bronze- plant’s upright, somewhat open form leaved varieties also have been developed. fills in between larger perennials such T. cordifolia is native to the southeast- as hellebores, making it an attractive, ern United States but will do well in any multiuse ground cover.  woodland environment, and Tiarella va- Flowers of Polygonatum humile line one side rieties are available to USDA Zone 9. Gene Bush is the owner of Munchkin Nurs-

of each six- to eight-inch stem. Foamflower foliage most often is bright ery & Gardens in Depauw, Indiana. TOP LEFT: JERRY PAVIA; RIGHT: ALAN AND LINDA DETRICK; BOTTOM: GENE BUSH

22 the American Gardener LEFT:ALEKSANDRA SZYWALA; RIGHT: CAROLE OTTESEN MORE SHADE-LOVINGGROUNDCOVERS Name Peacock lilies reigplx461 rmr pih tm rdc aet epcnrlUie tts4–8,8–1 centralUnitedStates uprightstemsproducepaletodeep 2–7,7–1 6–9,9–6 southeastAlpstoRomania 4–6/12ormore Asia,NorthAmerica, greenflowerswithwhite,sometimes white-eyed,brightblueflowers Creeping phlox 6–9,9–6 westernandcentralEurope to8/12ormore to6/indefinite Creeping forget-me-not bell-shapedgreenflowers;self-sows Bunchberry to32/18 (Helleborus foetidus) Bear’s-foot hellebore tabrybgna 12/12 Lenten rose Leadwort Hostas 10/to24 Green andgold Barrenwort ad odgrnu 43/o1 ia-ikt rgtpn lwr; esenNrhAeia4–8,8–1 easternNorthAmerica lilac-pinktobrightpinkflowers;. 24-30/to 18 Hardy woodgeranium (Omphalodes verna) (Cornus canadensis) (Kaempferia (Helleborus plumbaginoides) (Geranium maculatum) (Phlox stolonifera) syn. simplicissima) (Xanthorhiza Yellowroot ( stolonifera) (Ceratostigma (Hosta virginianum) (Chrysogonum (Epimedium H. orientalis) spp.) Epimedium Epimedium ✕ spp.) spp.) hybridus, ✕ ✕ rubrum rubrum g.Wdh(n)OtherFeatures/Culture Hgt./Width (in.) 6/8–18 –01–8cupfrig ihbl,tikAi n atr usa3–9,9–2 westernChina 18/18 AsiaandeasternRussia bearsspikelikeclustersofbrilliant 18/12 inormore clump-forming,withbold,thick 6–30/12–48 –41–4flowersinavarietyofcolors, 3–24/12–24 46 rmr bih re evsboz tfrt esenUie tts3–9,9–1 easternUnitedStates brightgreenleavesbronzeatfirst, 24/60 ormore ikfuhd rcs olwdb andGreenland and acidicsoil bright redfruit;preferscoolsummers pink-flushed, bracts,followedby purple fromspringtoearlysummer in autumn prone todeerandslugdamage prefers moistsoil purple flowers utoia ihwie ik rllctoia sa10–15,12–10 tropicalAsia subtropical withwhite,pink,orlilac cream flowers,turningpinkerwithage acrsae,wieo reih ree uky acss4–8,8–3 Greece,Turkey,Caucasus saucer-shaped, whiteorgreenish tiny, brownishpurpleflowers often yellowandred-purpleinautumn; easternAsia white flowerswithyelloworredspots three-petaled flowers,oftenfragrant blue flowers;red-tintedleaves foliage andwhitetolavenderflowers; 5–9,9–2 easternUnitedStates mild winters;toleratesdryshade yellow flowerheads;evergreenin branched stemsbearstar-shaped nldn elw eg,rd n temperateAsia including yellow,beige,red,and Helleborus foetidus Helleborus foetidus Origin Mediterranean to September /October2005 USDA, AHSZones 5–9, 9–4 7–9, 9–5 5–9, 9–4 23 turning a new leaf on Fall Cleanup

When it comes to tidying up the garden in fall, a little restraint can go a long way toward keeping the natural ecosystem in balance.

BY KRIS WETHERBEE PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICK WETHERBEE

VERY FALL,most gardeners engage in the annual ritual of raking, mowing, pruning, and gen- erally hauling off yards of garden trimmings and grass clippings—all in the name of fall E cleanup. But this last-ditch effort to tidy up the garden wastes a precious amount of resources in the process. In fact, overzealous cleaning actually can be more damaging to the ecological landscape and less fruitful to the outcome of next year’s garden than not doing anything at all.

24 the American Gardener Above: Leave some herbaceous perennials and grasses standing to lend visual interest to the garden in winter and to provide food and shelter for wildlife. Opposite: Disease-free branches and clippings should be recycled in the compost pile or chipped and used as mulch.

Making a few changes in your autumn be turned into nutrient-rich compost, the flowers of many plants can be left to routine benefits the soil and, ultimately, used for mulch, put in piles to provide mature so they will produce seeds. The at- the health of your plants. Keeping fallen winter habitat for wildlife, or left to de- tractive seed heads that remain will not leaves and trimmings in the garden adds compose naturally. only add a dimension of winter interest in essential organic matter to the soil. This, in the garden, they also serve as an important turn, provides food for worms and a host LEAVE THEM STANDING food source for seed-eating birds like finch- of other beneficial soil-dwelling creatures Removing spent flowers during the grow- es, sparrows, grosbeaks, and siskins. And, that break down the material, improving ing season will help keep plants blooming letting seedpods form on desired self-sow- soil structure and delivering valuable nu- longer. However, once fall has arrived and ing annuals—nasturtiums, poppies, nico- trients to plants. In addition, leaving a few plants near the end of their flowering cycle, tianas, and cosmos, for example—provides things undone—allowing spent flowers to a welcome source for next year’s blooms. remain or leaving a patch of tall grasses to Just be sure to remove the seedpods of any linger in a corner of your yard, for in- plants that you don’t want to reseed. stance—creates a hospitable place for Use a light hand with the pruners and wildlife to spend the winter. leave at least a few dead stalks of disease- In regards to removing garden debris or free perennials and vines in the garden to leaving it be, there are a multitude of rea- serve as protection for the plant’s crown sons why gardeners should forego the tra- and roots. By leaving some garden trim- ditional course of action in favor of a more mings in planting beds, you’ll be creating relaxed approach. For starters, how about a natural habitat of protective cover for a conserving resources—including your host of birds as well as a variety of over- time, energy, and the it takes to haul wintering wildlife, such as adult ladybee- leaves, sticks, and other yard trimmings tles, pollinating bees, praying mantids, away? Rather than sending valuable or- and other insects. ganic matter to the local landfill, why not Sunflowers left in the garden provide a Insects, too, need protection from win-

TOP: CAROLE OTTESEN recycle it? The leftover organic matter can nutritious food source for a variety of birds. ter cold, and in warmer climates they also

September / October 2005 25 SIMPLE FALL TASKS ■ Prune out or rake up any diseased plant stems or leaves. Discard these in the trash or burn them if your community allows it. ■ Apply a two- to four-inch-thick lay- er of organic mulch to tender shrubs and perennials, leaving a mulch-free zone of a foot or so around the base of deciduous trees, and several inches away from hardy shrubs and crowns of herbaceous perennial plants. If you live in a cold winter region, horticul- turists advise waiting till the first frost before applying mulch. ■ If you have a chipper, convert your yard trimmings into wood chips that can be used as mulch. Chips made from freshly trimmed branches should be allowed to decompose for a few months before they are spread on Fallen leaves and other plant debris create a protective environment for overwintering insects. planted beds because they would oth- erwise use up soil nitrogen as they need protection from winter elements, turns a natural source of nitrogen back to break down. like moisture, as well as their enemies. At the soil. This can add up to two pounds ■ Instead of focusing on clearing summer’s end, insects take refuge in gar- of elemental nitrogen per 1,000 square things out of the garden, think of ear- den debris and in dry stems. “Insects, feet each season. If you have a mulching ly fall as a time to add plants and whether they be beneficial or pest, need mower and mow your grass frequently, other elements that support winter overwinter protection,” says Jack Schultz, the clippings should be the perfect size to wildlife. Consider trees and shrubs a professor of entomology at Penn State leave on the lawn. that offer winter berries for birds; University in State College, Pennsylvania. A heavy fall of leaves on the lawn cover crops that shelter amphibians, “Without it they’re sitting ducks for every- should be raked up to avoid smothering nourish soil microorganisms, and re- thing from having their blood freeze to the grass or encouraging fungal diseases. duce erosion; add bird feeders and being eaten by their enemies.” But those that fall into garden beds can baths for resident songbirds. On the flip side, removing all this gar- be left in place. As long as the layer of den debris in fall can actually upset the leaves isn’t too thick, it will form an in- balance of nature. Insects are a necessary sulating mat around trees and shrubs that component to plant pollination, benefi- conserves soil moisture, modulates soil cial insects help keep bad bugs under temperatures, reduces erosion, encour- control, and insects and other inverte- ages beneficial soil organisms, and natu- brates serve as an essential food source for rally breaks down to improve soil many birds and other animals. It’s a nat- structure. Some leaves may need to be re- ural synergy that makes for a healthy moved from perennial beds where win- ecosystem and lively garden. ter moisture can promote crown rot. If you can’t bear to leave your leaves LET IT LAY naturally strewn in beds, then gently rake One of the most labor-saving, cost-effec- them out and add them to the compost tive, and environmentally-friendly things bin. Consider leaving a few small piles ■ Divide and replant mature orna- you can do—or in this case, not do—is tucked away for hibernating insects as mental grasses and herbaceous to leave your grass clippings on the lawn. well as lizards, frogs, and toads that seek perennials that have developed vig- Since grass clippings are mostly water, winter cover. orous clumps, show barren and dead they decompose rapidly so there is no Unless your garden is huge, consider centers, or whose flowers have be- thatch buildup. raking your leaves rather than using a come less abundant. —K.W. Grasscycling also adds organic matter, blower or vacuum. Raking does not pro- stimulates the activity of earthworms, duce the noise or air pollution of machin- which act as nature’s soil aerators, and re- ery, and it is a healthy form of exercise.

26 the American Gardener BREAKING AN UNHEALTHY CYCLE Debbie Hillman, a professional gardener in the northern sub- ground cover or rake them from the lawn into the urbs of Chicago, says the ritual of fall cleanup—part of what beds), but it didn’t work,” says Hillman. “If I was success- she calls an overall “neatness aesthetic” in landscape care— ful in getting the leaves left in the fall, at the first sign of has led many American homeowners to unwittingly support spring they would be vacuumed up. Now I make it simple “scraped earth” tactics. “Every fall, homeowners rake up for homeowners and landscape crews alike: I tell them to every leaf from their yards…lawn- stay out of the beds!” service crews cut down every The benefit to retaining or- seed stalk and vacuum up every ganic debris, says Hillman, is last crumb of loose organic mat- both environmental and eco- ter, serving more as outdoor nomic. Those gardens where cleaning services than as horti- fallen leaves were allowed to re- cultural stewards,” she says. main, she says, “were the ones “In the name of neatness, we that survived the last two dry pay to throw this resource away, Chicago winters with little or no compounding this by the in- plant loss; the yards scraped jurious techniques we use,” she clean lost mature trees, shrubs, adds. “By using leafblowers, ground covers, etc. on an enor- we’ve given ourselves excruciat- mous scale, with equally enor- ing noise and air pollution. By mous replacement costs.” having to truck this ‘waste mate- Hillman’s strong feelings on rial’ ever further away, we use up nonrenewable and this topic led her to write an essay that was originally published create more air pollution.” in HortIdeas, an informative gardening newsletter published Hillman urges homeowners who hire landscape crews to by Greg and Pat Williams of Gravel Switch, Kentucky (for in- carefully monitor how they do the fall cleanup. “For sever- formation on HortIdeas, visit www.users.mis.net/~gwill). You al years, I tried making suggestions to clients or their lawn can read Hillman’s full essay by clicking on the special link to crews about how to deal with fallen leaves (leave some in this article on the AHS Web site (www.ahs.org). —K.W.

If you have a leaf shredder, put your chop up leaf piles by running over them and cover them with grass clippings or leaves through it so they will decompose several times with a mulching mower. leaves. You can also create loosely stacked faster. Those shredded leaves can be added Don’t know what to do with your brush piles in out-of-the-way spots in your back to beds or put in the compost pile. branches and other yard trimmings? Use yard. Use a mix of thinner and thicker Even if you don’t have a shredder, you can them as a base layer to start a compost pile branches and twigs to create different- sized spaces that will accommodate a vari- ety of backyard creatures from reptiles and amphibians to birds, bees, and other winged wildlife. Top it off with a layer of evergreen branches for added protection in colder climates. Fall cleanup needn’t be a complicated chore. Just remember that less is more in the grand scheme of things—our envi- ronment, our resources, and our day-to- day lives as well as the ecosystem of our garden. After all, wouldn’t you rather spend a little less time working in your garden and more time enjoying it? 

Kris Wetherbee and her husband, Rick, a photographer, are regular contributors to The American Gardener. Their most recent book is Attracting Birds, Butterflies & Other Wonders to Your Backyard (Lark

TOP: CAROLE OTTESEN Leaves not used as mulch should be added to the compost pile along with twigs and branches. Books, 2005).

September / October 2005 27 28 the American Gardener Adding Bulbs to

Fill in Borders BY BECKY HEATH

Integrating bulbs with herbaceous perennials and shrubs can extend a garden’s flowering season and create new color combinations.

S FALL APPROACHES, the siren But even if your garden, like mine, is al- to new trends, changing conditions, and call of bulb catalogs accumulat- ready well established, you can always find an ever expanding plant palette. A ed over the summer comes to a a little more space to tuck some bulbs with- crescendo. If you have a new garden in, among, around, or under other plants FINDING SPACE with oodles of space to fill, then you to create a complementary effect and that So how do you add bulbs to an already ex- have the luxury of crafting a plan to amazing spring payoff. Gardens are not isting garden? The best answer is: carefully. blend bulbs with herbaceous perennials static, after all; they are constantly evolving But it isn’t impossible, and it’s actually fun and shrubs to create a harmonious, sea- as plants outgrow their space or die and to test out new color combinations and sonally changing symphony of colors, have to be replaced. Gardeners’ tastes and even create changing color displays from textures, and shapes. interests change over time, too, in response year to year.

Opposite: Planting tulips that bloom at the same time as flowering shrubs like this rhododendron produces a multilayered show. Above: Spring

OPPOSITE: JERRY PAVIA. THIS PAGE: KAREN BUSSOLINI bulbs can be strategically woven among herbaceous perennials and shrubs to create a long lasting and texturally satisfying display.

September / October 2005 29 30 may have topre-chill your bulbs. If you live inawarm-weather region, you are hardy andheattolerantinyour region. kalinity. And,ofcourse,besure your bulbs itstaysaswell asitsacidityoral- wet ordry shade, andcheckthesoiltodeterminehow assess your siteforexposure tosunor ish, thenyou won’t getmuchofashow. So needs. Afterall,ifyour bulbsdon’t flour- bulbs andplantswithsimilarcultural tant, butit’s even more criticaltomatch is inbloomtheentire season. you cancreate adisplaywhere something the longesttime.With careful selection, er, keepsagarden pleasingtotheeye for sequentially withaslightoverlap, howev- play. Combiningplantssothattheybloom impact, likethefinaleofafireworks dis- bloom atthesametimecreates thebiggest andtrees.shrubs, bining bulbswithherbaceousperennials, bulbs afterthey have flowered. Thecolors to maskthematuring foliageofthespring nials andlow-growing isagreat shrubs way Combining bulbswithherbaceous peren- PERENNIALS HERBACEOUS potash (10–10–20). that islowinnitrogenandhigh compost oraslow-releasefertilizer ter planting,addatopdressingof bulbs emergeintheautumn,so,af- them eightto10inchesdeep. even deeper—Ioftensuggestplacing cool soil,benefitfrombeingplanted Tulips andlilies,whichpreferreally should beaboutsixinchesdeep. tall, thenthebottomofhole the bulb.Soifbulbistwoinches ing depthisthreetimestheheightof to rot. newly planted,non-establishedbulbs and earlyautumnrainsmaycause mains warmfromthesummerheat, Before then,thesoilnormallyre- ing bulbsisafterthefirsthardfrost. The besttimetoplantspring-flower- PLANTING TIPS Planting for maximumeffectisimpor- Choosing combinationsthatwill There are several approaches tocom- The rootsofspring-flowering The basicruleofthumbforplant- the American Gardener —B.H. eight weeks ofsunlightto help replenish flowers have faded,thefoliage needssixto foliage tooearly. Remember, afterbulb you’ll belesstemptedto cutdown thebulb attract your attention—andthatmeans of theearly-bloomingperennials are what Dark pinkpeoniesanddeeppurple-blueDutchirisesmakean attractivecombination. Top: Variegatedhostasemergeattheperfecttimetohidegrape hyacinthfoliage.Above: catmint (Hemerocallis liage ofspringbulbsinclude daylilies als tohelpcamouflagethematuring fo- the energyforfollowing year’s bloom. Some ofthebestherbaceousperenni- (Nepeta spp.), peonies, hellebores, ✕ faasinii), and hostas.

TOP: DENCY KANE; BOTTOM: BRENT AND BECKY HEATH Using bulbs to echo the color of spring-blooming perennials and shrubs can create a dramatic effect. Above: Upright tulips harmonize with the dangling flowers of bleeding heart. Top right: Yellow daffodils provide a horizontal swath of color at the feet of white-barked Himalayan birches and yellow-twig dogwood. Right: ‘Renown’ tulips and heather bloom simultaneously.

For example, in our Gloucester, Vir- moisture from the summer thunderstorms ginia, garden, my husband Brent and I as well as shading the bulbs during the have a two-square-foot area that has white hottest summer months. That is just one daffodils emerging through the dark bur- more reason for mixing bulbs, perennials, gundy foliage of a peony in mid-spring. and annuals in the same border. then above them place daffodils, hyacinths, Later, when that peony matures, masking As perennials grow, their branches and or alliums at about six inches. Smaller the daffodil foliage, its dark green leaves foliage often spread out, covering part of early-blooming bulbs—such as crocuses, and rose-pink flowers look beautiful with the bed’s surface, even though their actu- anemones, and dwarf irises—can even be blue Dutch irises coming right up through al root bases cover much less territory. planted in the top three inches. them, blooming at the same time. Actual- Often you can carefully lift the foliage of ly, this combination was quite serendipi- a perennial to make space to dig a hole for AROUND TREES AND SHRUBS tous. We planted the daffodils and Dutch some bulbs. In most cases, the bulbs will Flowering trees are one of the most ef- irises one year, and the next season we have no problem coming up through or fective companions for bulbs. For exam- planted a peony on top of the bulbs, for- around the perennial—or may even ple, planting bulbs in front of a weeping getting they were there. bloom while it is still dormant. cherry or a flowering plum helps the gar- Most spring-flowering bulbs prefer to Where there is very limited garden den to be seen from great distances and be dry and cool in the summer, when they space, you can still have a long-lasting bulb is well worth the effort. Choosing bulbs are dormant. The perennials planted in the display if you think “vertical” and take ad- with flowers that echo the color of the same bed as the bulbs make useful neigh- vantage of staggered bloom times. You can tree’s flowers is one attractive design idea.

LEFT: JERRY PAVIA; TOP RIGHT: KEN MEYER; BOTTOM BRENT AND BECKY HEATH bors to the bulbs by helping to soak up the plant tulips or lilies eight to 10 inches deep, For a different visual effect, try bulbs

September / October 2005 31 blooming bulbs to coincide with the bloom of the shrubs, it makes an eye- popping sight! A nearby shrub that picks up the bulb’s color is even better. In our garden, we have the tulip ‘Juan’ growing up through a ground cover of Vinca minor. A nearby variegated euonymus echoes the tulip’s yellow heart, making for an incredibly beautiful display. Another successful combination in our garden is the tulip ‘China Pink’ planted with fothergilla. Other decidu- ous shrubs suitable for this situation in- clude azaleas, forsythias, viburnums, and witch hazels (Hamamelis spp.). UNDERPLANTING GROUND COVERS An area of established ground cover is a perfect spot for adding strong, sturdy bulbs to extend seasonal interest. Ground covers suited to this process in- White-flowered bulbs like these tulips show up particularly well against evergreen shrubs. clude evergreens such as periwinkle (Vinca minor), pachysandra, lysimachia, whose flowers offer an appealing contrast White daffodils and tulips are so lovely, sedums, lamium—and even prostrate to those of the tree. but if planted in the wrong place, they conifers like creeping juniper—and de- The area around the base of a tree is the may not be noticed. When white flowers ciduous ones such as leadwort (Cer- perfect place to plant small bulbs such as are planted in front of dark-leaved atostigma plumbaginoides) and certain St. crocuses, grape hyacinths (Muscari spp.), shrubs, they really stand out and shine. Johnsworts (Hypericum spp.). squills (Scilla spp.), or miniature daffodils. Later in the spring, the blooming shrubs The dark backdrop provided by ever- The tree offers the bulbs some added pro- shift attention away from the spent fo- greens shows off the bulb flower’s face tection from severe weather during the liage of the bulbs. If you plant later- and coloration to its best advantage. winter and early spring, and the The foliage over the bulbs during bulbs can be planted shallowly so the winter can also serve as a liv- they won’t damage tree roots. It’s a ing mulch, providing insulation great symbiotic relationship and at- to help bulbs survive in areas tractive to boot. Some other effec- where their winter hardiness is tive small flowering trees for this questionable. purpose are crabapples, pears, dog- With most of these plants, , redbuds, magnolias, and small bulbs can be planted direct- serviceberries (Amelanchier spp.)— ly through the ground cover by or shadbushes, as we call them here digging small slots with a sharp, in coastal Virginia. narrow bladed trowel. For larger Very early-blooming small bulbs, you will need to carefully spring bulbs such as crocuses, make slots with a narrow spade or dwarf irises, and snowdrops larger bulb planting tool, taking (Galanthus spp.) are also very care to avoid cutting major roots. complimentary to deciduous shrubs. Plant them around the SELECTING BULBS base of red- and yellow-twig dog- When you get to the exciting woods (Cornus sericea cultivars), point of choosing what bulbs to winter hazels (Corylopsis spp.), integrate into your garden, there and deutzias. are several things to keep in mind. Evergreen shrubs such as For instance, if you want some- rhododendrons, skimmias, and heathers Crocuses and other small, shallowly planted thing perennial that will come back reli- provide a dark backdrop against which to bulbs are very effective growing up through ably year after year, think about daffodils,

display pale-flowered early spring bulbs. ground covers like this cyclamen. snowflakes (Leucojum spp.), grape hy- TOP: MARK TURNER; BOTTOM: MICHAEL S. THOMPSON

32 the American Gardener KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR TREASURES Resources All of us have occasionally stabbed a bulb or the crown of a dormant perennial Bulbs by John E. Bryan. Timber when planting in an established flower bed. Before I start digging in a spot where Press, Portland, Oregon, 2002. I’m not sure what is below, I usually gently explore with my fingers to see if some- thing that I had forgotten is on the verge of trying to emerge. I also keep a map or Daffodils for North American Gardens drawing of our garden that shows approximate placement of bulbs and perenni- by Brent and Becky Heath. Bright als in relationship to woody shrubs that remain above ground. Sky Press, Albany, Texas, 2001. Sydney Eddison, a garden writer who lives in Connecticut, has established a simple but effective system for marking where her bulbs and perennials are in a Taylor's Guide to Bulbs by Barbara mixed border. She places sturdy metal planting labels at the back center of each W. Ellis. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, clump. “It doesn’t really matter whether you put them at the back or the front,” Massachusetts, 2001. Eddison says, “as long as you are consistent.” Tulips for North American Gardens by Marking bulbs with Brent and Becky Heath. Bright Sky labels not only helps in Press, Albany, Texas, 2001. keeping them from be- ing damaged, but is also Sources an aid for remembering which color scheme was Brent and Becky's Bulbs, Gloucester, VA. (804) 693-3966. www.brent In early spring, Sydney andbeckysbulbs.com. Catalog free. Eddison's daffodils bloom in just as the foliage of Charles H. Mueller Co., New Hope, herbaceous perennials PA. (215) 862-2033. emerges. As the daffodils www.chmuellerco.com. Catalog free. decline, the perennials reach full stature and put Dutch Gardens, Burlington, VT. (800) on their summer show. 950-4470. www.dutchgardens.com. Catalog free and online. used in a particular spot—this is especially John Scheepers, Inc., Bantam, CT. helpful as you plan for (860) 657-0838. www.kitchen future additions. gardenseeds.com. Catalog free. Eddison says one of her initial mistakes was planting bulbs near the your area, then certain bulbs, such as front of her mixed bor- tulips, require some form of protection. der, because without If this is the case, planting daffodils, anything to hide the dy- snowflakes, and colchicums would be a ing foliage they become an eyesore. “What I subsequently discovered was to look better strategy. for holes or spaces among leafy perennials like daylilies,” she says. Eddison re- lies heavily on daylilies and daffodils, which, she says “are truly a match made in TAKE THE FIRST STEP—AND ENJOY heaven because daylily foliage comes up at the perfect time to cover the sins of Adding new bulbs to an existing garden the declining daffodils.” —B.H. can be a bit daunting. However, once you take the first step and see some successes, you’ll find yourself digging bulbs and di- acinths (Muscari spp.), colchicums hail from warmer climates. Jonquilla- viding perennials and passing them on to (Colchicum spp.), and perennial tulips. and Tazettas-type daffodils are an ex- your friends. To me, one of the best Non-perennial tulips make relatively in- ample of this type of bulb, but there are things in life is sharing happy gardening expensive annuals. many more. Check with your bulb sup- experiences with friends!  Another consideration is your cli- plier, local Extension agent, or garden- mate. If you live south of USDA Zone ing friend if you’re not sure which bulbs Becky Heath and her husband, Brent, are 8 or where there is not a discernible win- will thrive in your garden. co-owners of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, a ter, you may need to order pre-chilled And, of course, there are critter issues. nursery in Gloucester, Virginia, that spe-

KAREN BUSSOLINI (2) bulbs or specific types whose ancestors If deer, voles, or rabbits are a problem in cializes in bulbous plants for all seasons.

September / October 2005 33 34 F from anoverbusy schedule. gets bumped—at leasttemporarily— are few. Sometimes, itisthegarden that and, suddenly, findthat ourfree hours have grandchildren, buyavacation home We volunteering, maychangejobs,start ed, notalwayswelcome, butcontinual. sons oflife. with oneself, adjustgracefullytothesea- there istimetoletone’s garden, along finally, tohangupthehoe.Until then, For gardener every thetimewillcome, time tofine-tunewhatisalready there. move projects withnew anda forward ing ground cover. There isatimeto at leastsomeofthebedswithlabor-sav- time toexpandborders andatimetofill long-lived andwell-behaved. There isa perennialsnew andatimetorely onthe it. There isatimetoexperimentwith Life bringschange—oftenunexpect- the American Gardener OR EVERYTHING the garden andatimetosimplify son. There isatimetoexpand At onetimeoranother, allgardenerslookforwaystoreducemaintenance. the Garden Simplifying the Garden Simplifying Here’s some expertadvicefordoingthisinyourgarden. there isasea- who wanttosave theirbacksfrombending. Creating raisedbeds isaboonforgardeners planted bedsofperennialsandshrubs. Above: Top: Widepathsalloweasyaccess todensely BY CAROLEOTTESEN onies thatgradually cameundertheshade get moved—again—this year. Thepe- for thebackofborder somehow didn’t als attheedgeofbedthatwere meant growing ever larger. Thetoo-tallperenni- mind isstillasill-placed it wasand allwinter inyourbranch you pruned anchored themselves totheground. The grown through theholesintheirpotsand those perennials you boughtinMay have get around toit,itissuddenlyAugust and gins tolagbehindintentions.Before you longer periodsofrest. bursts spannedby theneedforlongerand ergy tricklesdown andshorter toshorter years ago—a seeminglyendlessflow ofen- short and fatigue.Whatwas—onlyafew a littlestiffnessinthejoints,fallibleknees, that youth is,afterall,finite:asore back, year. Nature beginstodrop discreet hints mulch seemheavierwitheachpassing chores becomemore onerous. Thebagsof Somewhere alongthewayenergybe- In anycase,aswe getolder, garden

TOP: SAXON HOLT; BOTTOM: RICK WETHERBEE of an extending canopy are still yearning new garden, I’m creating one that is less for lost . Resources ambitious. It’s a simpler layout and there will be a lot less to take care of.” GARDENING SMARTER The Garden Reborn by Ruby Weinberg Instead of replicating the large bed of The way to offset diminishing energy and is available from Green Valley Press, annuals at his former house, he has all but time is to garden smarter. Mike Zajic, for- Box 542, Califon, NJ 07830 for ruled them out except to fill some holes mer horticulturist at Brookside Gardens $24.95 plus $3 shipping & handling. and “a few tubs on the deck.” Instead of the in Wheaton, Maryland, believes that “one 1,000 tulips he planted and dug up every gets smarter as one gets older in ways to The Well Designed Mixed Garden by year, he says, “I’m using bulbs that come save effort.” Zajic’s former Washington, Tracy DiSabato-Aust. Timber Press, back every year.” He concludes, “in vigor- D.C., garden was a spacious quarter-acre- Portland, Oregon, 2003. ous youth many of us create fantastic gar- plus showplace that included annual dens, but they’re too labor intensive.” beds, flowering trees, a mossy-floored gar- Unlike Zajic, who started over with a den room, a stream, and a pond with a “I got tired of Harry Homeowner stuff. clean slate, most people have to deal with covered outdoor room where he and his I had done all of the work of establishing the same garden in which they have spent wife, Elizabeth, entertained in sylvan the garden, it was just the maintenance decades adding more and more labor-in- splendor. Typically Zajic planted 1,000 that was getting to me,” says Zajic. “You tensive features. white tulips every autumn for a spectacu- start to get a little creaky. That wasn’t the “All too often, the aging gardener, or lar spring show of color. Friends wan- main reason, but it was pinching at me.” the all-too-busy gardener, is confronted dered through the garden, open-mouthed After moving to an apartment for a few with a landscape that needs more time and at the impeccably maintained status of years and taking a nearly complete break attention than he or she now has the time thousands of plants. from gardening, Zajic is now developing or strength to summon,” says Ruby Wein- And then one day, Zajic decided he’d a new garden at a beach house. “I’ve defi- berg, author of The Garden Reborn, a had enough of his labor-intensive garden. nitely scaled back,” he says. “In picking a book that tackles the problem of dealing

Mike Zajic’s showplace garden in Washington, D.C., included a pond and waterfall, sunny and shady borders, and seasonal displays of bulbs

ROGER FOLEY and annuals. After years of taking care of the landscaping, he is moving on to a new garden with a simpler, less labor-intensive design.

September / October 2005 35 36 WAYS TO REDUCE GARDENCHORES Reborn Some ofthesetipsareadaptedfromideasinRubyWeinberg’sbook coelestinum). ageratum podagraria), bishop’s weed (Aegopodium English ivy(Hedera helix), the worstoffendersinclude aggressive subjects.Someof don’t competewithless peripheral areas where they least,relegatethe very theseto rambunctious plants,or, at maintenance. Replace themwithselectionsthatrequire lesscare. thatlinepathways,liketheonesshownplantings orshrubs above. have attractive natural ofovergrown shapes.Thisisespeciallytrue foundation ■ ■ ■ ■ Sedum grasses,ornamental and coneflowers thus such asbear’s breeches well-behaved andlong-lived, perennials withthosethatare Rid thegarden ofoverly Remove trees thatare diseasedorrequire watering,orother constantpruning, Eliminate hedgesandtopiariesreplace pruned that formally themwithshrubs Replace high-maintenance the American Gardener spp.), hardy , ‘Autumn Joy’. (see “Resources”onpage35). (Eupatorium (Echinacea and hardy (Acan- spp.), The Garden for alistofwork-saving tips.) maintenance.” (See thispageandopposite ifications tosimplifyandeasegarden taking upvast amountsofreal estate.” arelieved thatshrubs gettinghugeand scale.” Nevertheless, sheadds,is“re- working onasmallandmanageable and hergarden because,shesays,“I’m to keepupwithademandingschedule Portland, Oregon. So far, she’s beenable bought ahousewith“a tinygarden” in as yet,” saysLevine,whoprudently isanexception.dirt,” Ketzelguru Levine,aka“the doyenne of scale. National Public Radio’s garden have thegoodsensetodosoonasmall of thosewhogarden passionatelyseemto swiftly—especially inlargegardens. Few Weinberg. Problems getoutofhand The timetomodifyis“NOW,” counsels DOWNSIZING and ofthevision.Forshort them,Weinberg look. Theysufferwhenthereality falls dards andaclearideaofhow thingsshould been dedicatedgardeners.” dilemma forthoseofuswhohave long limited timeandenergy. isaspecial “This with ademandinggarden inthefaceof lower expectations. Sometimes, itisne- other waytoreduce maintenance isto It sounds ridiculously simple,butan- SWEET DISORDER wise protecting themfrom deer. the chores ofspraying, netting,orother- and clumpingbamboos.Thiswillobviate cothoes, plumyews(Cephalotaxus generally avoid, suchasmahonias,leu- sect-resistant andthosethatdeer shrubs search. Add onlyslow-growing, tough,in- another, it’s agoodideato doalittlere- maintenance andsatisfyplantlust. require frequent reduce pruning general ting back.Slow-growing thatdon’t shrubs perennials—dividing, dead-heading,cut- on themanychores thataccompany and otherbooks,isagoodwaytoeaseup thor of says RickDarke, AHS award-winning au- “Replacing someperennials withshrubs,” TALENTED REPLACEMENTS “No modificationshave beenneeded Dedicated gardeners have highstan- To avoid tradingonesetofchores for The Garden Reborn The American Woodland Garden offer some“mod- spp.),

TOP: ALAN AND LINDA DETRICK; BOTTOM: JERRY PAVIA cessity that forces even the most dedicat- dle. But there are some gardens that will MORE CHORE-SAVING ed of gardeners to lower standards and not allow for modification. They have tolerate more disorder. taken their owners beyond the point of no TIPS “Unfortunately, I don’t get to my gar- return. They demand perfection. den until June,” says Alabama nursery- Les Quatre Vents, Frank Cabot’s mas- owner Jan Midgley, author of Southeastern terpiece in Quebec, is one of these. Cabot Wildflowers. Her nursery keeps her busy is the author of The Greater Perfection, the through the spring months. “And by June, tale of Les Quatre Vents that won a 2002 all I manage to do is snatch the most vi- AHS book award. When Cabot was asked cious seed-bearing weeds. Luckily,” she if he had any plans to simplify this 20- adds, “we are fond of a wild look and our plus-acre garden, he replied, “Wish I had, front meadow looks great to our aging but just the reverse, alas.” Yet Cabot is san- eyes. It does have weeds but the native guine about his future. grasses are gradually pushing them out.” “You know the story of the elderly lady As with housecleaning, there are main- who was felled by a stroke in her perenni- tenance shortcuts that work, in a pinch, in al bed?” asks Cabot. “When they rescued the garden. Generally, this involves doing her, they found her quietly weeding away

■ Expand shady areas under trees and plant shade-loving shrubs and perennial ground covers such as skimmias, hellebores, barrenworts (Epimedium spp.), creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera), hostas, and various ferns (see also the article on ground covers, page 18).

■ Plant spreading shrubs to mix with or replace large beds of sun-loving perennials. Look for low-maintenance shrubs such as Knockout roses, which are disease tolerant and don’t require deadheading for continuous bloom.

Keeping the edges of beds and borders neat-looking can hide a bit of neglect elsewhere.

only the barest minimum of what makes to the extent she could reach. My philoso- it look like the job is done. phy is to keep weeding as long as possible.” Every garden designer will tell you Here’s hoping the time for us to stop that people “read the edges” of a garden, weeding and hang up the hoe is still a such as the walks or the edge where a long way off. Until then, most of us will ■ Apply a two- to three-inch layer of perennial bed meets the lawn. Thus, if find that simplifying our landscape will weed-free organic mulch on all garden you weed the first foot or two of a bed give us more time to actually sit in and beds in early spring to discourage the and the path beside it, presto, it will look enjoy the garden.  yearly appearance of weed seedlings. neat. And only you will know the extent of the weeds hobnobbing with the plants A contributing writer for The American ■ Consider hiring an assistant to rightfully in that bed. Gardener, Carole Ottesen is simplifying her relieve you of some of your most On the continuum between immacu- Potomac, Maryland, garden so she can time-consuming or labor-intensive late and slovenly most of us can find a spend more time at her new summer home garden tasks.

LEFT AND TOP RIGHT: CAROLE OTTESEN; BOTTOM RICK WETHERBEE comfortable place somewhere in the mid- in Nova Scotia.

September / October 2005 37 Outlandish Outgrowths the curious world of plant galls

These defects on many garden plants are caused by various insects and pathogens.

BY KATHRYN LUND JOHNSON

38 the American Gardener ALLS—those odd growths that appear on many plants—have THE USES OF GALLS—PAST AND PRESENT Gintrigued people throughout the ages. They probably have been Believe it or not, galls have played an important part in human history—and in its around since the first plants appeared— recording. The Romans made iron gall ink from crushed oak and pistachio galls. As there is evidence of galls in fossils dating it was almost impossible to erase, the ink was used in manuscripts, including Leonar- back more than 300 million years. But do da Vinci’s notebooks. Artists such as Rembrandt and Van Gogh used iron gall ink where do they come from and what ex- in their drawings. Here are some other ways galls have affected civilization: actly are they? Broadly defined, galls are abnormal Industrial Uses plant tissue growths that form in response Since the 5th century, galls have been valued as important sources of tannic acid, to chemical or mechanical stimuli by as some are comprised of 60 percent of the substance. Tannic acid was used as fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, mites, an ingredient in both wool and hair dyes during the age of the Greek Empire, and or insects. Collectively, these organisms continues to be used by the leather industry for tanning and dyeing skins. that cause galls are called cecidozoa, but Most of the tannic acid produced until the mid-1900s was harvested from we’ll refer to them here as “gallers.” Aleppo galls, also referred to as Smyrna galls or “galls of commerce,” that are cre- “Galls are abnormal for a plant in the ated by tiny gall wasps on the leaves of an oak tree, Quercus infectoria, native to sense that cancer is abnormal in humans. Asia Minor. Gallic acid, isolated from tannic acid, is currently used in photo- Both are common in populations of their graphic development processes and antioxidants. hosts, but are not part of the hosts’ in- tended development,” explains Graham Gall Cuisine N. Stone, of the Institute of Evolutionary Some galls are edible. The airborne Biology at the University of Edinburgh, fungus Ustilago zeae, known as corn Scotland. “The gall is necessary for the smut in the United States, causes survival of the galler but, for the plant, it the formation of galls on ears of corn. represents hijacked development.” Considered a delicacy in Mexico— Exactly how this hijacking is accom- where it is more appealingly referred plished is not thoroughly understood, but to as Mexican truffle, maize mush- it is generally accepted that the galler room, and huitlacoche—smut is a somehow stimulates the growth of plant desired crop. Many Mexican farmers tissue in the affected area. It may be the inoculate their corn with the causal injection of fluid into the plant tissue, a re- fungus and harvest the growths. action to excretions from the galler, or Azalea leaf galls, also caused by simply a response to the galler’s presence. a fungal infection, are commonly referred to as “pinkster apples,” INSECT GALLS and are reported to be light, deli- An estimated 13,000 species of insects in- cious, and thirst-quenching. In duce plant galls worldwide; approxim- Greece, galls known as the “galls ately 1,500 of these are found in the of sage” that grow on apple sage United States. Gall-making insects in- (Salvia pomifera) are made into a It may not look very appetizing, but corn smut clude flies, wasps, beetles, aphids and conserve. Aphid galls on sumac is considered a gourmet food by many. phylloxerans, butterflies and moths, and leaves are a cultivated crop in Chi- thrips. An insect gall may form on any na. The “gall nuts” are dried and used in traditional Chinese medicines. part of a plant—fruit, bud, root, leaf, stem, twig, or flower head—depending The Great Wine Blight on the insect creating it. Although some The gall-forming behavior of the phylloxeran, an insect closely related to aphids, insect gallers inflict fatal damage, most do was responsible for wreaking havoc on European wine industries in the 1800s, an not permanently harm their hosts. Typi- event referred to as “The Great Wine Blight.” Inadvertently introduced from the cally, the survival of the galler is depen- United States in the late 1850s, the organism, which can remain on the roots of dent on the survival of the host plant. the grape vine for many years, caused a near collapse of the French economy. The shapes and textures of galls are re- “Vines started to wither and die,” says Brian Rehill, a biologist at the U.S. liable diagnostic indicators of the galler. In- Naval Academy. “By the time people figured out what was causing the problem sect galls are described as either open or —a miniscule gall-forming insect—nearly half of France’s vineyards were wiped out.” Ultimately, resistant rootstock from the United States was grafted onto the Opposite, clockwise from top left: willow French vines and a worse crisis was averted. —K.L.J. cone gall, willow leaf gall, mossy rose gall,

THIS PAGE: DAVID CAVAGNARO. OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP LEFT: JOSEPH G. STRAUCH JR., RIGHT AND BOTTOM LEFT: KATHRYN LUND JOHNSON, RIGHT: BILL JOHNSON and goldenrod ball gall.

September / October 2005 39 40 pares tolayeggsinadormantbud. A femaleoakroughbulletgallwasppre- disfiguring “tumors” onhostplants. tracting theprotein-rich larvae. peckingatgoldenrod galls,ex- be observed chickadees anddowny woodpeckerscan galler mortality. In winter, black-capped exist peacefullywiththem.Birds alsocause food; someprey on thegallers,othersco- the galltissueasshelterand/orasource of called inquilinesenterinsectgallsanduse organisms Opportunistic on thelarvae. Other parasitoids enterthegallsanddine vae feedon thegallersorgalltissue. eggs withingalls,andtheirdeveloping lar- isms calledparasitoidssometimeslaytheir sure completesafety foritscreator. Organ- from attack by predators. tion; 3)gallsmayprovide protection ronmental conditions,especiallydessica- protect thegallerfrom unfavorable envi- nutrition forthegaller;2)galltissuesmay boydrates, theymayprovide enhanced ses: 1)Asgallsare richinprotein andcar- Dorset, England, offerpossiblehypothe- the Centre forEcology andHydrology in Stone, alongwithKarstenSchonrogge of of anumberchambers. bered, withoneinhabitantoccupyingeach ormulti-cham- larva, containing asolitary flies, sawflies,wasps,andbeetles. moths, includingbutterflies, mouthparts, galls are created withchewing by larvae leaf tissuetofoldandgrow inward. Closed stimulatingthe which feedonleafsurfaces, such aspsyllids,coccids,aphids,andmites, isms withpiercing, suckingmouthparts, closed. Open gallsare produced by organ- Gardeners are oftenalarmedby the Living inagall,however, doesnoten- Why doinsectscreate galls?Graham Insect gallsmaybesingle-chambered, the American Gardener the upperleafsurfaces ofsugarmaples,butmay alsobefoundonsilverandred maples. The unsightlyspindle gallsonthismapleleafare causedbymites.Theseusually appearon aphid galls. inthecaseof be helpful,particularly to thegalls’ appearancesinthespringcan sists, theapplicationofdormantoilprior pick thegalledareas. If aproblem per- orhand- control insectgallsistoprune galls’ detrimentalaffects.Thebestwayto tilizing, andwateringwillminimize the stressed, fer- attentiontoproper pruning, ously affectedthanthosethatare growth, vigor, development. andfruit ing onlyslighttomoderatedecreases in host plantsare notlife-threatening, caus- “damage” isdone.Andmostinjuriesto Once aninsectgallisvisiblehowever, the swellings ontheleaves ofbutternutand hundred mites.Blister gallsare blisterlike multi-chambered, eachhousinguptoa der galls,foundonmapletrees, are downward orupward. Spindle andblad- gall, inwhichtheleafmarginisrolled pecan tree istheappearanceofaleafroll maple, andaldertrees. faces oftheleaves ofbeech,poplar, hairs, usuallyfoundontheundersur- erinium galls,densepatchesofplant legs. Some eriophyoid mitesproduce have elongatedbodiesandtwopairsof one one-hundredth ofaninchlong, most mitegalls.Theseorganisms,about Eriophyoid mites are responsible for MITE GALLS Because healthyplantsare lessseri- An indicationofamitegalleron be pruned. be pruned. verse affect.If desired, affectedareas may ulations oftheorganismswithoutanad- host plantsare abletotoleratelargepop- seem unattractive tosomegardeners, walnut trees. Whilemitedamagemay parasites findandattackthegallers. may havegallsforatimebeforegaller are notsusceptibletogall-makers. to promoteoverallplanthealth. research beforeacting. unwarranted andineffective.Doyour times available,itsuseisgenerally ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Mites.pdf): edu/IPM/GallMakingInsectsand Extension the WebsiteofTexasCooperative been taken,inmodifiedform,from the gardener-gallrelationshiphave The followingsuggestionsregarding DEALING WITHGALLS ■ wasps, whichpreyonpotentialgallers. around you! them. Enjoytheamazingnaturalworld and theorganismsresponsiblefor Be patient.Newsusceptibleplants Don’t useinsecticidesonbeneficial Learn torecognizethevariousgalls To avoidgalls,chooseplantsthat Use properhorticulturalpractices While chemicalcontrolissome- (http://williamson-tx.tamu.

LEFT: COURTESY OF WHITNEY CRANSHAW, COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY, WWW.FORESTRYIMAGES.ORG; RIGHT: BILL JOHNSON infested plants—including the roots—im- mediately after the final harvest. Current- ly, research is being done with nematode-eating soil fungi. Contact your local cooperative Extension office for more information on nematode control. FUNGAL GALLS Some fungal galls result in serious damage, others are considered gourmet fare (see “Gall Uses—Past and Present,” page 39). Those caused by the fungus Phomopsis ap- pear as clusters of compressed nodules on certain trees and shrubs, including hicko- ry, maple, oak, privet, forsythia, and vibur- Above: Crown gall on Euonymus fortunei. num. Phomopsis fungal galls can be fatal to Right: Cedar apple rust gall on juniper, one the host if the fungus girdles the affected of its alternate hosts. stems. Maintaining healthy, vigorous plants and removing suspicious-looking BACTERIAL GALLS branches help stave off infection. Most rose gardeners are familiar with The fungus Gymnosporangium, the crown gall. Agrobacterium tumefaciens, cause of cedar rusts, requires two distinct the bacterium which causes crown gall, hosts to complete its life cycle. Gymnospo- can infect most plant species, with the ex- rangium juniperi-virginianae, which caus- ception of grasses. Another bacterium, A. es cedar apple rust, alternates between rubi, is responsible for cane and stem many crop plants, including onions, beans, eastern juniper and, usually, apple or galls on stone fruit, grapes, apples, pears, tomatoes, peanuts, and cotton. Their pres- crabapple trees. G. globosum, the cause of blueberries, and brambles, including ence impairs the plants’ ability to take up cedar hawthorn rust, alternates between raspberries and blackberries. water and critical nutrients, causing stunt- junipers and apples, crabapple trees, Both bacteria live in the soil and are able ed growth, loss of vigor, and yellowing. hawthorns, and other members of the rose to tolerate broad temperature fluctuations Several strategies are recommended by family. G. clavipes requires junipers to be and other adverse conditions. They enter the Mississippi State University Extension in the proximity of hawthorns or certain plants through wounds, appearing first as Service (www.msucares.com) to reduce the other rosaceous hosts. tiny growths on canes, roots, trunks, or number of damaging nematodes in soil to These pathogens generally do not cause crowns. Stimulating the plant to produce a tolerable level, including using nema- severe damage to the junipers, but fruit compounds that provide food for them, tode-resistant varieties; leaving the area fal- yields on the alternate host can be adverse- the bacteria exact their toll by interfering low to deprive nematodes of food; ly affected. Infection can be avoided by en- with the flow of nutrients and water, lead- cultivating frequently to expose nematodes suring that members of the juniper and the ing first to stunting, then death. Preven- to the sun; crop rotation; solarizing with rose families are not grown within one to tion is the only means of control of clear plastic on moist, tilled soil; and re- two miles of each other—impractical for bacterial galls. moving and burning root-knot nematode- home gardeners, but important in or- Not all bacterial galls are undesirable. chards, nurseries, and landscape business- Those found on the roots of clover, alfalfa, es. Fungicides are available to combat rusts, and other legumes may be those of Rhizo- but they must be applied proactively. Once bium species, nitrogen-fixing bacteria that the fungus has been detected on a host make nitrogen available for plant uptake. plant, galls may be removed manually. Re- These galls can be distinguished from sistant plants are available in most areas of similar-looking but detrimental root-knot the country and their use is encouraged. nematode galls by examination of the For more information about galls in nodules. If they appear loosely attached to your garden and how you can contribute the roots and have a milky liquid inside, to gall research, check the online version of they are most likely “good” bacterial galls. this issue by visiting the AHS Web site (www.ahs.org).  NEMATODE GALLS Microscopic wormlike organisms called Kathryn Lund Johnson is a free-lance nematodes, which live in soil and plant tis- This bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis) writer and photographer living in Mid-

TOP AND BOTTOM: JOSEPH G. STRAUCH JR.; CENTER: KATHRYN LUND JOHNSON sue, sometimes create galls on the roots of stem has been girdled by a Phomopsis gall. dleville, Michigan.

September / October 2005 41 clumping solidly, and generally thriving in diverse situations are I do refrain from using plants that are clearly invasive in my perfect. I would rather mediate between overly enthusiastic area. In southern Pennsylvania, these include Norway maple (Acer players than coddle temperamental sulkers. A yank and a heave platanoides), winged euonymus (Euonymus alatus), and purple should have the plants maintaining their designated bound- loosestrife (Lythrum virgatum). Maiden grass (Miscanthus sinen- aries. The removed offenders may then populate new sections sis) is also becoming a problem so I avoid it as well. There are plen- of the garden or be “passed along” to other gardens. ty of aesthetically appealing substitutes, anyway, so it’s no big loss. Returning to the winter interest candidates, I find three am- So, what about Hedera helix ‘Gold Heart’? Some people icable thugs: Acorus gramineus, Helleborus foetidus, and Vinca consider English ivy to be the foliar font of all evil. However, minor. (I will come to the case of English ivy shortly.) The if a gardener is willing to prune it off of trees and keep it from sweetflag clumps quickly and looks good all winter. It seems to becoming arborescent and reaching its flowering stage, it will tolerate normal soil as well as complete saturation. The bear’s- not set seed. The shining, evergreen, yellow-centered foliage, foot hellebore is an indestructible horticultural wonder with in my opinion, is worth that effort. dark green, fine-textured foliage. It thrives in dry shade and seeds itself, forming a dense ground cover. Periwinkle is also a PLANT SMALL, PLANT CHEAP tough plant. The three together will offer a tapestry with all- A final consideration is the price and availability of plants. My season interest, the perfect backdrop for seasonal bursts of color garden budget and aspirations mandate using plants in small, offered by shrubs, bulbs, and other herbaceous perennials. affordable sizes. I shop anywhere I am able to locate healthy plants at a decent price—mostly “big box” stores (gasp!) and A NATURAL SELECTION local nurseries’ bargain bins. I also beg and borrow plants from I digress here to add my opinion to the current debate over the friends. These sources offer a basic range of horticultural fare, use of native versus non-native plants that rages through our often nothing rare or fancy, which is fine with me. gardens, magazines, and listserves. I generally ignore the melo- Planting small, readily available, and affordable stock requires dramatic posturing and pseudo-religious zeal exhibited by peo- some patience over the long term, but the benefit if you are on a ple at either extreme of the debate, preferring to take a catholic budget is that you can install large parts of the garden design at and cosmopolitan approach to plant selection. If a plant is right one time. This is important when establishing the bones of the for the design and for the conditions, I use it regardless of its design such as groves, screens, , and masses that define the country of origin. Some of the non-natives are tougher and bet- major spaces and experiences. Once the bulk of the basic garden ter behaved than the locals, anyway. is in place, you can spend money adding rare and choice plants as accents while the major components mature. ORDINARY PLANTS, EXTRAORDINARY GARDENS Pierre du Pont (1870–1954), Longwood Gar- dens’ designer and founder, said he was in- terested in growing and using ordinary plants in extraordinary ways. Rare and ex- pensive plants do not necessarily make a strong or even attractive garden. They may impress the horticultural intelligentsia, but how many of us garden for that reason? Common plants are often common for a reason—they grow well and survive. The trick is to use them in creative ways outside the cliché foundation and parking lot plantings. Plants such as boxwoods, forsythias, panicled hydrangeas, mock orange, spireas, yews, and weigelias—many of which are now derided as “old-fashioned”—can be the backbone of any garden and provide low-maintenance interest in sequence throughout the year. Remember, plants do not make bad gar- dens; people make bad gardens. In the next issue, we will explore a tech- nique I often use to sequence and choreo- graph horticultural interest in the garden. 

Tres Fromme is a landscape designer at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

September / October 2005 43 44 Paul Meyer,Director oftheMorrisArboretum his latestplantexpedition,thoughtsonurbangreening, andwhat’s onthehorizon atthearboretum. stitution. Thedirector ofthearboretum since1991,Meyer talkswithgarden writerLynda DeWitt about United States formore thanacentury, but heat tolerantfirs. It hasbeen grown inthe green andglossy, anditisoneofthemost andmidwest. Itsnortheast foliageisdark oftheUnitedparts States, includingthe ana). get wasNordmann fir relatively widelyknown andgrown species. geneticmaterialofsome was tocollectnew 2004 totheRepublic ofGeorgia. Our goal My latestexpeditionwasintheautumnof your latestexpedition? on adozen tripssincethen.Whatwas was in1979toKorea, andyou’ve been Your firstplant-collectingexpedition love ofthenaturalworld. covered thejoys ofteachingandsharinga younger scoutswhatIhadlearnedanddis- natural environment. Eventually, Itaught built onmyknowledge oftrees andthe Later, Ibecameactive inscouting,where I the creeks, buildingtree housesand forts. spent manyhoursinthewoods,playing cial pleasure ingrowing vegetables. Ialso own tomatoes,and to thisdayIgetaspe- grandparents. WhenIwassix,hadmy years, Igardened withmyparents and are formedinchildhood.From myearliest Paul Meyer: the source ofyour passionforplants? Lynda DeWitt: by Lynda DeWitt Among landscapeplants,aprioritytar- the American Gardener This isoneofthebestfirsfor many Our fundamentalpassions What was—andis— (Abies nordmanni- this onceneglectedlandscapeintoaworld-classhistoricgarden andeducationalin- garden styles—Victorian, English Romantic, Italian Renaissance, andJapanese. largest trees are foundthere. Visitors willalsofindaninternationalsmorgasbord of sylvania spreads across 92acres inPhiladelphia, andsomeofthecity’s oldestand plants from around theworld.TheMorris Arboretum oftheUniversity ofPenn- W For 30years, Paul Meyer hasbeenadrivingforce behindthetransformationof Pennsylvania’s officialarboretum, alivingmuseumofthousandswoody HAT BEGANIN (Cercidiphyllum japonicum).Atover65feethigh,itisaPennsylvaniaStateChampiontree. The MorrisArboretumhasalargecollectionofnon-nativetrees,which includesthiskatsuratree planted evergreen is marginally shrub cherry for themid-Atlantic region. (Picea orientalis), ed. Similarly, we collectedOriental spruce the geneticrepresentation hasbeenlimit- We were delightedtoalsocollectlaurel N NOEWITH ONE ON ONE (Prunus laurocerasus). C the 1880sasaprivate estateonbarren landhasgrown into arguably thebestspruce This widely … forms already incultivation. prove tobemore winter hardy thanother is thatselectionsfrom thispopulationwill on awindswept mountainpass.Our hope collected wasfrom apopulationgrowing damaged inhard winters.Theformwe hardy inUSDAZone 6,where itcanbe

LEFT: COURTEY OF NICK KELSH; RIGHT: COURTEY OF PAUL MEYER You’ve been involved in efforts to re- For More Information I am also enthusiastic about using green our cities. Why do you feel this Morris Arboretum, 100 Northwestern bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) as an is important? Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118. urban tree. This tree will grow in stand- Planting trees is the most cost-effective (215) 247-5777. ing water and yet is also drought tolerant. way to improve a neighborhood— www.morrisarboretum.org. Its upright form and fine texture make it whether urban or suburban. On an oth- ■ The Arboretum participates in the especially useful on narrow streets. erwise barren street, even one thriving tree AHS Reciprocal Admissions Program, can make a big difference. so AHS members showing a current What plans do you have for changes at In the United States, we tend to trash membership card receive free admis- Morris Arboretum in the near future? our existing neighborhoods with uncon- sion on weekdays and a 10 percent We are just now building the Alice and trolled development. People then escape discount on purchases in the gift shop. Liddon Pennock Flower Walk, which the resulting mess by moving out to the will consist of a series of mixed flower countryside. This option is unsustainable; neighborhood. Diversity helps protect our borders surrounded by an ornamental we have to learn to make our old commu- urban forests from devastating disease and arbor with climbing plants, such as roses nities more livable and more desirable. insect plagues, such as the incidence of and . The arbor will serve as a I don’t want to oversimplify the solu- Dutch elm disease in the 20th century. beautiful deer fence, allowing us to grow tion, but certainly parks, gardens, and One stress-tolerant tree that is under- plants deer would otherwise devour. street trees go a long way toward turning used in urban plantings is the Amur Also, we are planning a new tree canopy around a community. maackia (Maackia amurensis). It is a walk that will take visitors high into the legume, so its roots support nitrogen-fix- trees, where there will be exhibits illustrat- What are some plants that you’ve iden- ing bacteria. It is also tolerant of poor ing what trees do for us and, in turn, what tified as candidates for the tough soils, drought, and even periodic flood- we must do for trees. Our relationship with urban landscape? ing. I have seen this species growing on trees is truly symbiotic, especially in urban First, the most important principle of a rocky lava flow in a flood plain in and suburban environments.  urban planting is diversity. No one species, China. The trees were stunted but still no matter how suitable, should make up surviving in the seemingly impossible Free-lance writer Lynda DeWitt lives in more than five percent of the trees in a natural conditions. Bethesda, Maryland.

September / October 2005 45 46 Great BasinDesert the Great Basin Desert. that shoulddowell throughout muchof well assuggestionsforahandfulofplants guidelines tohelpyou planyour garden, as for your habitatgarden. Here are general tolearnaboutthebestplants plant experts communities, socheckwithlocalnative tremendous diversity ofplantandanimal Mount WheelerineasternNevada. 6,000 feetandtopoutat13,000-foot higher elevations, whichaverage 3,000to latitudeand becauseofitsnorthern desert Basin isconsidered acool,oreven cold, ing, too. doagree Experts thattheGreat California, Oregon, and,somesay, Wyom- region extendstosectionsofUtah, , desert’s core isthestateofNevada, butthe offourorsixstates.The passes parts about whethertheGreat Basin encom- plant communities. diverse microclimates, altitudes,and however,Desert, know itasalandof the region known astheGreat Basin and pricklycacti.Gardeners wholive in Zones 2–9,11–3)isanexceptionally shelter forbirds andotherwildlife. season interest andare sources offoodand winds.Shrubs also offermulti- desert mer drought, wintercold,andstrong sum- deep root systemshelpthemsurvive with groups ofhardy whose native shrubs, best betistoanchoryour habitatgarden ground-hugging andhomogeneous.Your climate,native vegetation tendstobe dry alpine ratherthansubtropical. In thiscold, Great Basin’s dominantplant lifeissemi- Unlike otherNorth the Americandeserts, SHRUBS FORDROUGHTANDCOLD F AIA GARDENING HABITAT Despite challenges,desertwildlifegardens canbecolorfulandinteresting yearround. This largeregion encompassesa There’s somedifference ofopinion Four-wing saltbush the American Gardener ing heat,hardpan alkalinesoil, “desert” conjures visionsofbak- OR MANY the gardeners, theword (Atriplex canescens, A shrubbyperennial,desertglobemallowprovideswelcomecolortogardensinsummer. it withannualautumn sage(Salvia greggii, mant. For agreat colorcombination, plant mer toearlyfallwhenmanyplants are dor- offers brilliantgoldenflowers inlatesum- to sixfeettallandaswideeight feetand plant forWestern bluebirds. It grows three blue foliage andisapreferredvery habitat 4–9, 9–4)hasattractive narrow-leaved, sil- brush brush brackish water. kaline andsaltysoils,doesfinewith . It isfire retardant, willgrow inal- Saltbush alsocanbesheared tomake a giving theplantstrong texturalinterest. wings, seeds thatresemble large,papery develops fourexternal spring. Eachfruit mature infalland hangonalmostuntil tive inwinter. Popcornlike, ediblefruits drought-tolerant plantthatisquiteattrac- Another hardy shrub, goldenrabbit- (Chrysothamnus nauseous, (Chrysothamnus Zones Golden currantattracts manypollinators. sage Zones 7–9,9–4)or purple Mexican bush tive totheGreat Basin, and goldencurrant will attracthummingbirds. Many currantsandgooseberriesare na- (S. leucantha, Zones 9–11,12–4).Both BY JOANNEWOLFE

TOP: DAVID CAVAGNARO; BOTTOM: BILL JOHNSON MICHAEL S. THOMPSON penstemon gler wrong withlocallynative penstemons. is daunting,butforwildlifeyou can’t go The largeselectionofnative wildflowers CHOICES BLOOMING some wintersnow cover. den. It grows bestinareas thatreceive make thisplantaplusforanyhabitatgar- summer flowers, andediblered berries Dark green foliageonred stems,white foot tallandspreads toeightfeetacross. interest. grows Thismat-forming shrub a best alpineground covers formulti-season nevadensis, and pine-matmanzanita(Arctostaphylos linate theshowy flowers. Hummingbirds, pol- bees,andbutterflies spring. Yellow, red, orpurpleberriesfollow. glows withscentedyellow flowers inlate growsshrub from three tosixfeettalland and wildlifeenjoy Thedeciduous its . attracts avariety ofpollinators—humans (Ribes aureum, stemon mant duringdrought. water ispresentandgodor- instead, theygrowwhen of ustypicallyusetheword; perennial inthewaymost brings themtolife. next cycleofmoisture mant inthesoiluntil tant seedsremaindor- heat- anddrought-resis- lifecycles quickly.Their heavily, ly afteraheavyrain,bloom als) germinateandgrowon- which allowthemtoretrievemoisturefromnearoratthewatertable. ■ ■ ■ spiration (moistureevaporation). cal structuretostoreandconservewater.Theyhavefewornoleavesreducetran- ■ ful toknowifyouareselectingplantsforadesertgarden. ensure theirsurvivalinaharshenvironment.Herearesometermsthathelp- Native desertplantshavedevelopedphysicalandbehavioralmechanismsthat DESERT PLANTADAPTATIONS Species to consider includescarletbu- Ground covers moisture, helpconserve Desert annuals(ephemer- Xerophytes Desert perennials Phreatophytes (Penstemon barbatus), (P. eatonii), and completetheir Zones 7–9,9-7)isoneofthe (P. grandiflorus), are plants,suchascacti,thathaveadaptedbyalteringtheirphysi- Zones 6–8,8–6)not only are plantsthathaveadaptedbygrowingextremelylongroots, are not or large-flowered Eaton’s pen- all ofwhich Four-wing saltbushhasadaptedwelltodesertlife. Mountain beeplant lianthus annuus, 5–10, 10–5),annualsunflower prince’s plume palette, addsummer-blooming desert Todrums. jazzupyour hot-weather color leaving your garden inthesummerdol- ameter, covered withmagentaflowers. several feetindi- ing moundofgreenery Zones 7–10,10–7),whichformsaspread- four-o’clockdesert (Mirabilis multiflora, Zones 6–10,10–2). daisies ofbutterweed Zones 4–9,9–2),ortheprolific yellow evening primrose (Oenothera caespitosa, Zones 5–8,7–1),night-bloomingtufted flowered spreading phlox ( enjoy theshow. orpatiowhere younear adoorway can protection, however, soitisbestplanted 9–1). It needsfrequent wateringandsun honeysuckle heat toleranttoAHSZone 9. are hardy toatleastUSDAZone 4and Many plantsbloominspring, desert For aneye-popping ground cover, try In arock garden, considerwhite- To orange attracthummingbirds, try (Lonicera ciliosa, (Stanleya pinnata, Zones 0–0,12–1),Rocky (Cleome serrulata, (Senecio douglasii, Phlox diffusa, Zones 6–9, Zones (He- bigua, globemallowdesert mone munita, Zones 0–0,12–1),pricklypoppy habitat gardening movement. American Gardener Joanne Wolfe isacontributingeditorfor will helptoreflect heat. mulches. Choosinglight-colored rocks rock asmulchratherthanorganic ture, usegravel orotherformsofcrushed soilmois- good drainageandtoconserve more attentionclosest tothehouse.For species togetherandplacethosethatneed onrainfall. survive root systems. Afterthat,theyshould year until theyhave establishedstrong forthefirst your native plantnursery compost. Water asrecommended by thrive on twice yearly topdressings of tilizers ororganicmatter. will Afew soil thathasnotbeenamendedwithfer- gion grow bestinalean,well-drained Most native plantsoftheGreat Basin re- CARE PLANT www.laspilitis.com. (San LuisObispoCounty). County) or(805)438-5992 (760) 749-5930(SanDiego Las PilitasNursery, gardens.com. (800) 925-9387. High CountryGardens, natives.com. (435) 795-2303. Great BasinNatives, Sources ing, MenloPark,California,2001. leen NorrisBrenzel.SunsetPublish- Western GardenBook the GreatBasinDesertregion. on plantsandnaturalresourcesin com/du_basin.html) DesertUSA.com. Resources Group themostdrought-tolerant Zones 4–10,10–4). September /October2005 Catalog online. Zones 5–10,10–5), and Catalog online. (www.desertusa. and akeyvoice inthe www.highcountry www.greatbasin Escondido, CA. Holden, UT. Catalog online. edited byKath- has asection (Sphaeralcea am- Santa Fe,MN. (Arge- The  47 48 markedly years. inthelastfew posies withoutpoisonshasescalated the cutflower industry, thedemandfor of increased awareness ofpesticide usein growing trend andbuyorganic.Because yourself, you mightwanttotuneina bouquet foraspecialsomeoneormaybe Next timeyou’re thinkingofbuyinga WITHENVIRONMENTALAPPEAL FLOWERS cording toUSAToday. ganic flower growers in theworld,ac- production continuestorise.” and environmental issuesrelating tofloral especially asconsumerawareness ofsocial growthmeans new forthefloralindustry, ic florist,believes that“organic production bills itselfastheworld’s firstonlineorgan- CEO ofOrganic BouquetInc., which thy market contender. through 2008,makingthemanotewor- ence a13percent revenue increase ed thatorganicflowers willlikely experi- alsostat- from 2002 to2003.Thearticle that thesaleoforganicflowers doubled Horticultural NewsandResearch ImportanttoAmericanGardeners A recent in article However, there are lessthan 100or- Gerald Prolman, thefounderand the American Gardener USA Today With fewer notes of therareMount Diablobuckwheat. front ofthetinyflowers (showncloseup,above) University ofCalifornia–Berkeley, posesin Top: MichaelPark,agraduatestudent atthe up hopeoffindingitagain.Anannual extinct, thoughlocalbotanistsnever gave most 70years, theplantwaspresumed buckwheat Since noonehad seen Mount Diablo REDISCOVERED PLANT CALIFORNIA NATIVE ers continues. if thecurrent demandfororganicflow- total numberoforganicflower growers, This couldwell change,alongwiththe such asroses, orchids, andcarnations. of thewell-known cutflower favorites growers aren’t yet abletoproduce many resources andsmallerfacilities,these GARDENER C (Eriogonum truncatum) ’ NOTEBOOK S in al- that resemble baby’s breath height, bearingsmall,pinkishflowers grow between three andeightinchesin once you seeitinthefield.”Theplants wheat. “It’s asurprisinglydaintyplant my imagination,”saysPark ofthebuck- botanical community, ithadgrown in inthearea. survey nia, Berkeley, asheconductedaplant uate studentattheUniversity ofCalifor- this pastspringby Michael Park, agrad- sive buckwheatspecieswasrediscovered the EastBay area ofCalifornia,theelu- wildflower endemictoMount Diablo in ue tomonitorthe populationinthewild. species declines further, andwillcontin- produce ofseedsincase the areserve network. Botanistshopeto Conservation of theCenterforPlant which ispart buckwheat attheUCBotanical Garden, bits thinthoseplants.” nate California’s landscapeandtherab- of Eurasian annualgrassesthatdomi- bly can’t compete well againsttheflood Jepson Herbarium.plantproba- “The North AmericanFlora atUCBerkeley’s Barbara Ertter, curatorofWestern may beamainpositive factor,” explains “Because it’s socelebratedinthe Efforts are underway to propagateEfforts the are underway rabbit browsing seems asthough to playaswell. “It role an important bits mayhave had Interestingly, rab- under preservation. plant wasfound the landwhere the had recently placed ist organization, local conservation- Mount Diablo, a One isthatSave native buckwheat. reappearance ofthe may explainthe Several factors Several (Gypsophila).

LEFT: MARY YEE; RIGHT TOP AND BOTTOM: COURTESY OF SCOTT HEIN/SAVE MOUNT DIABLO BUY LOW, PLANT HIGH comes without soil and usually in a dor- GARDEN TRENDS If you’re planning to do some planting mant or semi-dormant state. Many gar- this fall, you may do well to heed the ad- deners know that buying bare-root plants A recent poll of over 1,000 house- vice of horticulture researchers at Cornell from mail order nurseries can be a more holds throughout the continental University, particularly if you’ve pur- economical option as the lack of heavy United States found that three-quar- chased bare-root perennials. During a soil keeps shipping costs down. Some ters of them have some form of lawn two-year study, they discovered that perennials commonly sold bare-root in- or garden. Of these households, planting depth can have a dramatic im- clude peonies, daylilies, irises, and hostas. pact on the performance and even sur- ■ 39% planned to water with mov- vival of bare-root perennials. NEW RESOURCE FOR GARDENERS able sprinklers or soaker hoses. The standard advice when planting Garden Literature Index™ by EBSCO ■ 26% expected to rely on rainfall perennials already growing in containers is Publishing may be coming to a library only. to place them at the same level they were near you. Designed for gardening enthu- ■ 38% had no plans for conserving planted in the container. While this still siasts, students, and professionals, this water. holds true, with bare-root perennials, it can new database allows users to research ar- ■ 24% practice backyard be impossible to tell where that point was. ticles pertaining to plants and gardens composting. “Our advice would be to plant so that any from more than 300 core titles, going ■ 91% noted having insect young developing buds would be fully ex- back more than a decade. This includes problems. posed to light, and the crown is at or slight- The American Gardener from the ■ 32% planned to use a combina- ly above the soil line,” says William B. May/June 1996 issue to present, with se- tion of organic and chemical prod- Miller of the Horticulture Department at lected articles to 1992. ucts to deal with pests. Cornell. For a pictorial guide to planting The tool lists serial titles as well as spe- ■ 32% planned to do nothing bare-root perennials on the high side, log cialty publications. With a special focus about pest problems. on to www.hort.cornell.edu/miller/Plant on environmentally sustainable horticul- ing_Perennials_High.pdf. ture and design practices, topics in the (From the 2005 Summer Gardening Trends For those unfamiliar with the term, database include botany, ecology, plant Research Report issued by the Garden Writ- ers Association Foundation.) “bare-root” indicates that the plant conservation, garden history, and land-

September / October 2005 49 50 researched and cared fornative plantsfor gardens in theUnited States, DBGhas officer atDBG. plants,” saysJohn Scully, chiefexecutive value, andnaturalbeautyofnative the environmental necessity, economic tive plants andeducatingpeopleabout Wildflower Centerare dedicatedtona- Chatfield andTheLadyBird Johnson based onashared vision. for theformerFirst Lady, inapartnership terway, totheWildflower Center, named nature alongtheDeer preserve Creek wa- links theDBGatChatfield,a750-acre plants andtheirhabitats.Thisaffiliation tion’s mostprominent promoter ofnative flower CenterinAustin, Texas, thena- affiliate oftheLadyBird Johnson Wild- native plantsbypreserving becomingan (DBG) reaffirmed itscommitmentto Last May, Denver BotanicGardens PLANTS FORNATIVE TOGETHER BANDING www.epnet.com/public/gardenlit.asp. scape design.For more information,visit first twoparagraphsareexcerptedhere.Thefullversionof regeneration inthemidstofturbulenceandchange.(The through theCivilWar,twoWorldWars,GreatDepression, United Statesandworldhistory.Bornin1858,helived through oneofthemostturbulentanddevastatingperiodsin Liberty HydeBailey,aniconofAmericanhorticulture,lived AHS awardmedalnamedinhishonor. Liberty HydeBaileyasportrayedonthe HORTICULTURAL HISTORY: ALOOKBACK Considered oneofthetopbotanic “Both Denver BotanicGardens at the American Gardener Growing Plants”that titled “TheJoyof republished anessay Gardener, became Magazine, tional Horticultural 1955 issueoftheNa- sense ofrenewal. ability toprovidea love ofplantsandtheir ing couldshakehis Through allthis,noth- and theatomicbomb. ural worldandinits ley’s faithinthenat- 1946. ItreflectsBai- Bailey hadwrittenin In theOctober Gardens atChatfield, whichworkstopreservenative plantsandtheirecosystems. provide abackdropforanantiquetractor rideforvisitorstotheDenver Botanic ilies, andthegarden provides animpres- popular drawforchildren andtheirfam- educational exhibitsalready makeita its picturesque locationandhands-on location isoneofthree satellitegardens; more thanhalfacentury. TheChatfield The American which later the editors plants toprovidethemwithjoywherevertheygarden. world—since Baileypennedthisessay,gardenersstilllookto croscope andretort. amazing becausewearenowsoinquisitiveaboutitwithmi- ly strangetoit.Thisisaperpetualmiracle,nonetheless from theplaceofitsoriginandinsoilsclimateswhol- relationship eventhoughplantedhalfwayaroundtheworld come anaspiringorganismtrueexactlytoitsownkindand an inertitemcalledaseedcanspringintolifeandfromit growing them.Thewonderofitgrowswiththeyears—how lands; andtheyaresilent. in theircolors,bringingmemoriesandmementoesofother gage thepeople.Yetmyplantsremain,fullofvigor,bright life, accustomedideashavevanished,andnewsubjectsen- friends havedied,newnamescomeonthestageof difficult discussionsofpeacespreadtheiralarms,old ful andconfusingyears.Greatwarshavebeenfought,the The shadowsoflifegrowlong.Theystretchbackoverevent- azine atwww.ahs.org.) Bailey’s essaymaybereadintheonlineversionofmag- Though muchhaschanged—bothinhorticultureandthe These plantsaredesiredfortheirjoyandthesurpriseof plants throughout thecountry. programs, whilepromoting native tinue toofferresearch andeducational ter’s help, DBGatChatfieldwillcon- forscientists,too.sive livinglaboratory —William Clattenburg,EditorialIntern With theLadyBird Wildflower Cen-

COURTESY OF DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS AT CHATFIELD COURTESY OF DESIGN PHOTOGRAPHY native plantconservation.” pooling resources tospread themessageof tionwide. “It’s aboutbandingtogetherand with acurrent totalofeightaffiliatesna- Wildflower Center’s affiliateprogram, ality,” saysDamon Waitt, whoheadsthe one thatwehavenowinCleveland.” den inNaplesandtocontinuegrowthegreat of bothgardenstodevelopagreatbotanicalgar- “It ismyhopethatwecanleveragetheresources an industryleaderandrolemodel,”Holleysays. Naples asyetanotheriterationofCBG’srole addition tohisCBGpost.“Iseethealliancewith executive directorofNaplesBotanicalGardenin and theexecutivedirectorofCBG,nowservesas Holley, amemberoftheAHSBoardDirectors sonnel andideas.Undertheaffiliation,Brian Ohio, haveformedanewaffiliationtoshareper- Cleveland BotanicalGarden(CBG)inCleveland, Naples BotanicalGardeninNaples,Florida,and Two Gardens,OneDirector PLACESintheNEWS PEOPLE and “Each affiliatetakesonitsown person- in thelandscape. importance oflargetrees mission bypromotingthe to helpingfulfilltheAHS Society andiscommitted American Horticultural partnership withthe announce itscorporate C Farm ispleasedto herry LakeTree invasives willmove from thestatetoin- plant-banning bill,theauthoritytoban tive stallingonthepassageofold invasive plants.Now, becauseoflegisla- the nationtohave implementedabanon Connecticut isoneofonlyfive statesin NEWLEVEL REACHES BANNING PLANT “That’s one “That’s “ “That’s one “That’s “My brotherhas14tomatoplants,Ioutproduce - ElizabethH.,PassaicNJ “My EarthBoxgardenmademefeellikeapro!” him withjustthree.” “62 poundsoftomatoes It’s simplythe “62 poundsoftomatoes Join the1000’s ofgardenerswhopraisethe right fromourpatio!” right fromourpatio!” TM ais adnEverDeveloped!” Garden Easiest Call NOWTo Order1-888-502-7336 - JimN.,ScrantonPA P.O. Box1966, St.Petersburg,FL33731 Or mailyourcheckto:DeptP-AH153 - CarolF., GreenwoodIN and Editorial Intern William Clattenburg. Written byEditor Assistant Viveka Neveln just gotothenexttown over.” they can’t buyplantsinonetown, they’ll would betoenforce. If peopleare told knows how complicatedlocalbans on invasives, says,“Idon’t thinkanyone necticut andprovides significantinput affiliated withtheUniversity ofCon- vasive Plant Working Group, whichis tension educatorandco-chairoftheIn- billaswell.a statewide Donna Ellis, ex- billlimitingtownstatewide power. tional Audubon Society todraftanew with theNature andtheNa- Conservancy level.” Heffernan andcolleagueshave met vasive plantpolicyhaskeptitonthestate says. “And statethathastackledin- every state hasgoneasfarConnecticut,”he towns won’t addanyplantstothelist.“No Connecticut Green Industries, hopes preexisting listofinvasives. towns willbeabletoaddplantsthe dividual towns. Beginning October 1, Many scientistsandresearchers favor Bob Heffernan, executive director of smart smart - GilWhitton,Host ONL September /October2005 ONL S for freshvegetablesandherbs. back forty!allyouneedissunlight Your deckorpatio-eventhe M nature intended. healthy produce,theway hydroponics. TheEarthBoxgrows No chemicalsorexpensive water, lessfertilizerandcare. -withless gardening method The EarthBoxoutproducesany The NationalLawnandGardenShow 100% N automatically -yearafteryear. guessing. TheEarthBoxgrows There’s nodigging,weeding,or W O ORE ORKS S IMPLE Y Y P $29.9 $29.9 garden!” garden!” RODUCTIVE A ATURAL 1-888-502-7336 NYWHERE 5 5 EarthBox + $6.95 S&H  51 52 Gardeners CanAidBeesandOtherPollinators toll onnative bees. hance crop production—also taketheir nurseries, farms,andorchards usetoen- mercial bee colonies,whichmany ganisms—in somecasesspread by com- diseases, competitors,andparasiticor- loss andtheuseofpesticides.Nonnative ecosystem, beesare threatened by habitat flowers andgarden plants. nate thenation’s crops aswell aswild- species ofnative beesthathelptopolli- States alone,there are around 4,000 ducing theirfamiliarbuzz.In theUnited ticeable pollinatorsinthegarden, pro- pollination. Theyare oneofthemostno- distribution, threats, andconservation informationonlife history,vides further or simply“data deficient.”Thelistpro- one endto“possibly extinct” ontheother, with itscurrent statusfrom “vulnerable” on Each oftheinsectsonlist ismarked andtwomoths. of bees,57butterflies, The listincludes56speciesandsubspecies America’s Most Vulnerable Pollinators. cently compiledaRed ListofNorth Oregon, re- basedinPortland, servation, The Xerces Society forInvertebrate Con- TAKING STOCK W including crop plants. of theflowers growing outdoors, sects pollinatearound 80percent and bearseeds.Worldwide, in- notbeabletosetfruit otherwise plantsthatwould help tofertilize are pollinators,creatures that along withmanyotherinsects— the jobdoneby bees.Bees— ticultural innovation canoutdo successes, butnoamountofhor- by William Clattenburg Despite theirsignificantroles inthe Bees accountforthemajorityofinsect the American Gardener E HUMANS credit forourgardening take alotof CONSERVATIONIST Franklin’s According toscientists,thispollen-foraging decline,’ andthatthiswillstimulate debate will say‘Hey, is in thisbeeorbutterfly discussed,” heexplains.“We hopepeople animals thatare not really considered or cessible format,covering ahugegroup of formation inwhatwe hopeisaneasilyac- “We wantedtoestablishsomebaseline in- Programservation attheXerces Society. Shepherd, director ofthePollinator Con- information together,” saysMatthew still alotofinformationgaps. most up-to-dateinsectdatabase,there are yet itisalsoareminder that,even inthe classifying native insectsandtheirneeds, step towards bothlearningaboutand other informationalWeb sites. needs, aswell asbookcitationsandlinksto For more information gered Pollinators, visit Society andtheRedListofEndan- “No one’s really attemptedtopullthis A work inprogress, thelistisamajor bumblebee maybeextinct. C www.xerces.org. on theXerces ’ CORNER S more research.” andspur more emphasisonconservation, in policycircles, helplandmanagersput cation,” Shepherd adds. to beesforsixoreighthours after appli- there are somethatwillonlybeharmful “Not allpesticides are thesame,and applied atthecorrect timeinitslifecycle. signed specificallyforthetargetpestand to applythem,makesure theyare de- good guysaswell aspests.If you choose um thatkillscaterpillars)candestroy the like Bt such aspyrethroids orbiologicalcontrols own,” saysShepherd. predators willtake care ofpestsontheir have adiverse garden, manynatural use themsparinglyornotatall.“If you available tobeesandotherinsects. will expandthepollenandnectarbuffet native plantsthatbloomsuccessively, you and twigs.Also,ifyou plantavariety of protected areas underthecover ofleaves mud andsometimesbuildtheirnestsin bees andotherpollinators.Bees favor potentialnestingsitesfor will preserve onfallcleanup onpage24),youarticle den (formore onhow todothis,seethe herd says. bees thatlive inthesehabitats,”Shep- er landscapeseliminatesnestingsitesfor trendor inbare towards soil.“The tidi- bees nestandlaytheireggsindeadtrees live andgatherfoodontheirown. These known as“solitary bees,”meaningthey bees native totheUnited States are a queenbee,themajorityofpollinating live ingroups inhives structured around Although somenative beesare socialand DO CAN WHAT GARDENERS for William Clattenburg isaneditorialintern Even theso-callednaturalpesticides As forpesticides,thebestadviceisto By leavingalittledisorder inyour gar- The AmericanGardener. (Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacteri- 

COURTESY OF BRENDAN WHITE BOOKC REVIEWS

Recommendations for Your Gardening Library

Bulbs for Garden Habitats On Foreign Soil: American Gardeners Abroad Judy Glattstein. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2005. 256 pages. May Brawley Hill. Harry N. Abrams Inc, New York, New York, 2005. Publisher’s price, hardcover: $29.95. 160 pages. Publisher’s price, hardcover: $40.

EVERYONE LOVES BULBS—they are familiar, easy to grow, ELEGANT WOMEN strolling in sun-dappled gardens in Italy and so colorful. If you think you know all about bulbs, however, and France were a recurring theme among Impressionist think again. Veteran and neophyte gardeners alike are sure to painters, but the focus has always been on the artists who paint- benefit from the breadth and depth of ed the pictures rather than on knowledge and experience contained the gardens themselves. From in Bulbs for Garden Habitats. the French Riviera to the Tus- Author Judy Glattstein moves far can hills and the Weald of Sus- beyond familiar tulips and daffodils to sex, a privileged group of acquaint readers with the full range of American expatriate artists and geophytes (a catch-all term for bulbs, literary figures brought prac- corms, tubers, tuberous roots, and rhi- tices and ideals from home to zomes) that thrive across the ecologi- their gardens abroad. cally diverse North American Art historian May Hill’s new continent. In addition to familiar book takes us on a whirlwind Dutch export bulbs, the author intro- tour of gardens created by duces us to a full range of native Amer- Americans in England, France, ican bulbs, as well as South African and tropical species. Readers and Italy. Among them, Isabella Stewart Gardner, Edith Whar- will be pleased to learn about the myriad hardy and tender bulbs ton, and Peggy Guggenheim will be familiar, but other, more elu- for wet spots, and that a host of bulbs bloom in autumn, when sive, individuals also shared their passion for making gardens. most plants are shutting down for the season. As the book explains, in the 19th century, Italy attracted Glattstein innovates further by placing bulbs in natural, wealthy businessmen, artists, and those escaping failed marriages complimentary associations based on what she calls “garden or adjusting to widowhood. As a result, American dollars were habitats.” Though the chapter titles alternate between region- often used to aid the restoration of historic gardens. For example, al (“Bulbs for the Southeast”) and habitat (“Bulbs for the the inheritance of Mrs. Arthur Acton, an American married to an Mediterranean Garden”), the message is clear: Choose the right English painter, helped to transform La Pietra in Tuscany into a bulbs for your climate, light, soil, and moisture. magnificent Renaissance-style garden, renowned today as a pre- The excellent chapter, “Geophyte Care and Cultivation,” thor- mier Anglo-Italian garden. oughly covers planting, aftercare, and propagation. Deer-resistant Transatlantic marriages, career changes, and family ties still pro- bulbs are amply discussed, as the author gardens on nine acres with vide impetus for gardening abroad, a topic the book’s final chap- a thriving deer herd. Appendices cover invasive bulbs, sources, and ter explores. One example is Mississippi-born Carla Carlisle, who “Quick Picks,” a set of short lists arranged by garden situations married an English squire in the 1980s and gave her husband’s an- and ornamental attributes. Line drawings clearly show the dis- cestral home a dose of American enterprise. Today, Wyken Hall tinctions between different geophyte life cycles. Many of the pho- produces award-wining wine and boasts a splendid formal garden. tos are also instructive, but overall the quality is uneven. Beautifully illustrated with period paintings and photographs, Glattstein, a veteran gardener, skillfully instructs and educates this delightful chronicle is more about the luxury of living abroad in a friendly, accessible style. She weaves stories of her experiences than the finer points of garden-making and horticulture. The into the narrative as well as those of gardeners around the world book’s appeal will be to art historians, literary buffs, armchair trav- who love geophytes. Bulbs for Garden Habitats will inspire anyone elers, and those interested in historic gardens. who has an appreciation for beauty and a mind for ecology. —Judith B. Tankard —C. Colston Burrell Judith B. Tankard is a garden historian and writer based in Mass- C. Colston Burrell is a plantsman, garden designer, and author of achusetts. Her most recent book, Gardens of the Arts and Crafts Perennial Combinations and the forthcoming Hellebores: A Movement: Reality and Imagination, was published by Abrams Comprehensive Guide (Timber Press, 2006). in 2004.

September / October 2005 53 Dogwoods mas. Within these groupings, we are taken from ground cover Paul Cappiello and Don Shadow. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, dogwoods to large trees with spectacular beauty, often shown 2005. 224 pages. Publisher’s price, hardcover: $39.95. in gorgeous photographs taken mostly by Cappiello. The information about cultivars of Cornus florida and Cornus THIS IS THE FIRST book on the genus Cornus directed at gar- kousa, in particular, is unparalleled. In fact, this book has changed deners. As co-author Paul Cappiello writes, “The taxonomists some of what I thought I had accurately known for decades. have scores of textbooks and journals that treat the genus as However, the greatest asset in Dogwoods is the honesty and their realm. To date, this is the thoroughness of certain discussions. The authors tell readers only work on Cornus devoted which cultivars are thought to be the same as something by an- entirely to the gardening use of other name. They candidly tell us about the confusion that ex- the genus.” ists regarding dogwood nomenclature. They tell us which Through experience and dogwoods belong in our gardens when there is only space for thorough research, the authors one or two new plants and which ones should only be consid- know their subject well. The ered by those with plenty of time, space, and a willingness to voice of the book is Cappiello’s— deal with ugly, struggling plants. informative, enthusiastic, and The genus Cornus contains some of the most beautiful gar- often self-deprecating or cyni- den specimens in the world as well as species that have no place cal—resulting in a humorous as in most gardens. Sharing this information in a beautiful book well as enlightening read. and telling readers the truth with humor is part of what makes Organized into six chapters, Dogwoods a ground-breaking and worthy text.  the book begins with a general —Dick Bir discussion on the dogwood family. The next five chapters focus on specific groups of dogwoods that should logically be Dick Bir is the author of Growing and Propagating Showy Na- treated in common by serious gardeners: Cornus canadensis, tive Woody Plants. He recently retired after exactly 25 years on the Cornus alba, Cornus alternifolia, Cornus florida, and Cornus horticulture faculty at North Carolina State University.

EORGE LITTLE and David Lewis have knocked down F YOU HAVE questions about pruning, look no further than Gthe walls of convention and taken risks that have made IThe Pruner’s Bible, A Step-By-Step Guide to Pruning Every them world-renowned artist-gardeners. In their debut book, Plant In Your Garden (Rodale Inc., 2005, $21.95) by Steve A Garden Gallery: The Bradley. The author lets his clip- Plants, Art, and Hard- pers do the talking, so to speak, scape of Little and Lewis, with a to-the-point introduction they invite the reader into on the particulars of pruning. their garden located on The opening pages cover tools, Bainbridge Island, Wash- safety, and basic pruning tech- ington. “Although our col- niques, setting the stage for the orful, diverse style may heart of the book, which looks at not appeal to the faint of 70 common garden plants and heart,” Lewis writes, “our how best to prune them. garden and our work are Pruning, as Bradley ex- meant to awaken the creativity and adventure within us.” plains, is about much more Their inspirational approach to gardening as a whimsical ad- than making a plant look nice— venture is captured in the bold clarity of the photographs by in many cases it is necessary for a plant’s life and health. Barbara Denk. Bradley discusses formative pruning, routine pruning, and re- This book reveals the secrets Little and Lewis skillfully use to medial pruning in the context of all 70 plant species so that pull their visitors into a labyrinth of color and design, often of gardeners can take care of plants in all stages of their growth. Mediterranean inspiration. Tantalizing fragrances, sounds of Color photographs are juxtaposed with helpful diagrams. fountains and nature, transcendence of light, and homemade Most of the plants covered are roses, shrubs, and specimen sculptures pique the senses and guide the way through this gar- trees but a “Special Features” section at the end of the book den. Whether it’s a hidden so that you hear but do not takes an in-depth look at ground covers, conifers, and see the water, or a vibrant blue wall in the backdrop, or even a climbers, too. This section also explains how to prune hedges, giant pomegranate sculpture nestled among fuchsias, each ele- and discusses specialized techniques such as pollarding, ment pushes the boundaries of tradition. pleaching, and root pruning. —Jessica Rozmus, Horticultural Intern —William Clattenburg, Editorial Intern

54 the American Gardener GARDENERC’S BOOKS

Garden Themes

HETHER A THEME IS dictated by your garden’s scape is hard to match. If you are interested in learning to grow conditions or your own sensibilities, following one alpines well in a small rock garden or containers, this book is for W can help to give focus and direction to a garden space. you.” The co-author of Creating and A theme can also help to narrow down which plants you choose Planting Garden Troughs, which re- to grow. Perhaps they are plants that suit your particular site—an ceived an AHS Book Award in 2000, alpine location, dry soil, or shade, for example—or plants that Murfitt delves into the art of building work well for their intended purpose, such as those that belong in rock gardens, from design and site kitchen gardens or perform well in containers. Here are some preparation to planting and mainte- books that not only suggest plants for various themes but explain nance. Diagrams and black-and-white how to use them to create beautiful and successful gardens. photographs accompany the text, and a Because demands on fresh water supplies are ever increasing small collection of color photographs and weather patterns often bring dry spells, following a “drought depicts some of the alpine species the tolerance” theme often makes good sense. Whether you garden author describes. in a dry region or just have a periodically dry corner of the yard, Those interested in gardens with an Dryland Gardening: Plants That edible theme may enjoy The Moosewood Restaurant Kitchen Survive and Thrive in Tough Con- Garden: Creative Gardening for the Adventurous Cook by ditions by Jennifer Bennett (Firefly David Hirsch (revised edition, Ten Speed Press, 2005, $19.95). Books LTD, 2005, softcover, $24.95) Known for its innovative restaurant in Ithaca, New York, the has plenty to offer. It begins with a dis- Moosewood Collective also has pub- cussion of water management strate- lished a popular line of cookbooks. While gies as well as design considerations. this particular title does contain recipes, The remainder of the book covers it focuses more on how to grow the herbs, drought-tolerant plants organized by vegetables, and edible flowers used in categories such as ground covers, them. In the plant section, each entry in- bulbs, and shrubs—many shown in cludes cultural requirements from sowing color photographs. As the author writes, “Using the techniques to harvesting as well as tips on their culi- in this book and growing these plants, you will not only have a nary uses. Chapters on design considera- garden better able to survive extreme weather but a garden that tions and growing techniques outline conserves water and is easier to mind and manage.” other important elements of an edible For a different take on a low-maintenance and drought toler- garden. And since, according to the author, “properly cooked, fla- ant form of gardening, there’s Sharp Gardening by Christopher vorful, and attractively presented vegetables are the happy ending Holliday (Timber Press, 2005, $29.95). Organized into chapters to this story,” the final section is devoted to cooking techniques, such as “Swords and Lances” and “Spiky Flowers, Spires, and complete with recipes for everything from soup to dessert. Straps,” the book focuses on plants If you enjoy growing a wide variety of plants, be they edible, that fit a spiky, spiny, pointy theme. alpine, spiky, or other, containers can help to enhance a garden Many of the plants described, such as theme or can become a theme of their members of the cactus family, “are own. Can’t Miss Container Garden- low maintenance because they are not ing by Felder Rushing and Teri Dunn rich feeders and do not require mol- (Cool Springs Press, 2005, $18.99) pro- lycoddling in the form of staking or vides plenty of ideas for doing both. As need excessive cutting back,” explains the authors advise, “Whether you like Holliday. They do, however, provide formal or informal, flowers or foliage, a dramatic architectural impact in food or fun, use container plants to gardens large or small, as nearly 200 complement your home and garden, stunning photographs by Jerry Harpur illustrate. and your life.” Color photographs sup- Many drought-tolerant and even “sharp” plants fall under an plement chapters on container selec- alpine theme. In Creating and Planting Alpine Gardens (B.B. tion, cultural requirements, and design. The directory of “can’t Mackey Books, 2005, $22.50) author Rex Murfitt writes, “The miss” plants also features helpful photographs of each listing. charm of small plants artfully arranged in a mountainlike land- —Viveka Neveln, Assistant Editor

September / October 2005 55 REGIONALC HAPPENINGS

Horticultural Events from Around the Country

house. Waltham, Massachusetts. (781) NORTHEAST 891-4882. www.HistoricNewEngland.org. Events sponsored by or including official CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT participation by AHS or AHS staff members SEPT. 23–25. Common Ground Country Fair. are identified with the AHS symbol. MID-ATLANTIC Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Asso- PA, NJ, VA, MD, DE, WV, DC ciation. Unity, Maine. (207) 568-4142. Events hosted by botanical gardens and www.mofga.org. RAP SEPT. 15–OCT. 15. Herbs Used In His- arboreta that participate in AHS’s Reciprocal panic Cultures. Walking tour. U.S. National Admissions Program are identified with the RAP SEPT. 24. Edible Landscaping with Un- Arboretum. Washington, D.C. (202) 544- RAP symbol. Current AHS members showing a common Fruits. Demonstration. Wave Hill. 8733. www.usna.usda.gov. valid membership card are eligible for free or Bronx, New York. (718) 549-3200. discounted admission to the garden or other www.wavehill.org. RAP SEPT. 24. Children’s Garden Grand Opening. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. benefits. Special events may not be included; RAP OCT. 2. Chili Pepper Fiesta. Brooklyn Richmond, Virginia. (804) 262-9887. contact the host site for details or visit Botanical Garden. Brooklyn, New York. www.lewisginter.org. ww.ahs.org/events/reciprocal_events.htm. (718) 623-7200. www.bbg.org. OCT. 1. Azalea Auction. Brookside Gardens. OCT. 16. Fall Family Festival. New England Wheaton, Maryland. (301) 962-1400. OCT. 8. Tufton Fern Walk. Thomas Jefferson Wildflower Society. Framingham, Massachu- www.brooksidegardens.org. Monticello Foundation, Inc. Charlottesville, Vir- setts. (508) 877-7630. www.newfs.org. ginia. (434) 984-9822. www.monticello.org. OCT. 7. Green Roof Gardening. Lecture. U.S. Looking ahead Botanic Garden. Washington, D.C. (202) OCT. 14. 2005 Conference. NOV. 4–6. Orchid Sale. Lyman Estate Green- 225-8333. www.usbg.org. The Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College.

2006 “Gardener’s” Calendar $6.95 ($59.00 for 10) Postpaid 2004 Computer Screen Saver $5.00 Postpaid 13 prize color photos in both items

The Gardeners of America Men’s Garden Club of America Box 241 Johnston, IA 50131-0241 Phone: 515-278-0295 www.tgoa-mgca.org

56 the American Gardener Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. (610) 328- 8025. www.scottarboretum.org. Fall Festival in New York

RAP OCT. 15. Fall Family Fun Fest at AUTUMN’S HARVEST and autumn’s planting will grace the 6th annual Cincin- Hershey Gardens. Hershey Gardens. nati Flower & Farm Fest, held in Coney Island, New York, on the weekends of Oc- Hershey, Pennsylvania. (717) 534-3492. tober 1 and 2 and October 8 and 9. The event, which last year famously broke the www.hersheygardens.org. world record for the largest number of scarecrows ever as- OCT. 29. A Bartram Trail Tour through Hawk Mountain, Conrad Weiser House and Mons sembled in one place, features Jones House. Bartram’s Garden. Philadel- exhibits, displays, treats, and phia, Pennsylvania. (215) 729-5281. rides for all ages. www.bartramsgarden.org. For gardeners and decorators fascinated by the colors and fra- SOUTHEAST grances of autumn, three differ- AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN ent “markets” will be on offer: the Autumn Décor, Harvest, and SEPT. 29. American Rose Society National Fall Planting Picks. Each market Convention 2005. Memphis Rose Society. Memphis, Tennessee. (901) 755-1273. will specialize in seasonal items, www.sw-.com/rosesocieties/ with Autumn Décor offering memphisrosesociety. handcrafts and cut and dried flowers, Harvest offering gourds, OCT. 1. Southeastern Forests Symposium. pumpkins, squash, heirloom apples, mustards, and honeys, and Fall Planting Picks of- Georgia Native Plant Society. Acworth, Geor- fering perennials, cool-weather annuals, grasses, chrysanthemums, and spring bulbs. gia. (707) 343-6000. www.gnps.org. Not all flowers at the show will be for sale, however. The festival’s “larger than life” giant peacock, with several hundred mums in its tail, will make an appearance. And OCT. 7–10. ASLA 2005 Annual Meeting the “First Thanksgiving” floral display, a centerpiece of the show, will recreate the leg- & Expo. American Society of Landscape endary meal shared by pilgrims and Native Americans. Architects. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (202) 898-2444. www.asla.org/meetings/ As for the scarecrows that stole the show last year? “We’ll probably bring back a few am2005. of the scarecrows too,” says Jeanne Elliott, marketing director for the Cincinnati Horti- cultural Society, adding that there will be vignettes of several memorable straw people. OCT. 21–23. Charleston Garden Festival. For more information or for advance ticket purchase call (518) 872-5194 or (800) Charleston Horticultural Society. Charleston, 670-6808 or visit www.cincyflowershow.com. South Carolina. (843) 579-9922. www.charlestonhorticulturalsociety.org. New Conference for Independent Plant Breeders

OCT. 22. Bromeliad Extravaganza. Florida THOSE INTERESTED IN creating hybrid plants will have plenty of reason to head Council of Bromeliad Societies. Sarasota, Florida. (941) 388-2181. www.fcbs.org. to the first ever Independent Plant Breeder’s Conference from November 18 to 20 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The conference, organized by the University of Florida, is open to all and is specially designed for “anyone interested in taking their plant breed- NORTH CENTRAL ing further,” says Mandy Stage, the conference coordinator. IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI Plant breeders involved with every variety of plant are encouraged to participate, SEPT. 23–OCT. 1. Scarecrows in the whether they have a passion for orchids, roses, trees, or even turf. “The conference Gardens. Children’s contest. Friends will help bring communication closer so plant patenters will know what the industry of Boerner Botanical Gardens. Hales is looking for,” Stage says. She believes the conference will “help alleviate delays be- Corner, Wisconsin. (414) 525-5657. fore patenting” and allow the patenting process to run smoother. www.boernerbotanicalgardens.org. Conference participants may choose from a series of lectures by experts in the plant-breeding field. These will cover every aspect from plant selection to under- RAP SEPT. 24. An Introduction to Micro- propagation. Lecture. Klehm Arboretum. standing the legalities of the patenting process. In addition, a “breeder showcase” will Rockford, Illinois. (815) 965-8146. give attendees the opportunity to discuss their work with professional breeders as well www.klehm.org. as get a glimpse of what others are developing. “Independent breeders have the vision of what kind of new plants we need—plants RAP OCT. 8. The Western Reserve Herb that can thrive in areas of sun and shade complete with features that consumers love,” Society Herb Fair. Cleveland Botanical says Terril Nell, program organizer for the conference and chair of the University of Garden. Cleveland, Ohio. (216) 721-1600. Florida Environmental Horticulture Department. “The conference will link [these www.cbgarden.org. breeders] with people doing breeding on an international level, so that they can be recognized and finally get their plants to gardeners.” RAP OCT. 15 & 16. State African Violet Show and Sale. Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Early registration ends October 21. Attendees may register on site at the conference Madison, Wisconsin. (608) 246-4550. for an additional fee. For more information, call (352) 392-5930 or log on to http:// www.olbrich.org. conference.ifas.ufl.edu/IPBC. —William Clattenburg, Editorial Intern RAP OCT. 21. Janet Meakin Poor Research Symposium. Chicago Botanic Garden. Glen- COURTESY OF CINCINNATI HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

September / October 2005 57 coe, Illinois. (847) 835-6829. www.chicago California. (510) 643-2755. www.botanical Cultivate Your Checkbook botanic.org. garden.berkeley.edu.

Now you can support the Looking ahead SEPT. 28–OCT. 1. Society of American American Horticultural Society RAP NOV. 12. Herb Fair. Olbrich Botanical Florists Annual Convention. Society of with every check you write. Gardens. Madison, Wisconsin. (608) 246- American Florists. Las Vegas, . 4550. www.olbrich.org. (703) 836-8700. www.safnow.org/ FREE meetings/index.cfm. Shipping & Handling SOUTH CENTRAL OCT. 1 & 2. OrchidFest. San Francisco Orchid AR, KS, LA, MO, MS, OK, TX Society. San Francisco, California. (415) OCT. 7. Using Native Plants in the Residen- 990-1314. www.orchidsanfrancisco.org. tial Landscape. Seminar. Oklahoma Horti- cultural Society. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. OCT. 14. Practical Pruning: A Workshop for (405) 943-0827. www.okhort.org. Arborists. University of California–Davis Ex- American Horticultural Society Checks tension. Davis, California. (800) 752-0881. OCT. 7 & 8. Exploring Southern Gardens. www.extension.ucdavis.edu/agriculture. AHS Address Labels Southern Garden Symposium. St. Fran- cisville, Louisiana. (225) 635-3738. OCT. 22 & 23. Gathering of Gardeners. Festi- CHRIS B. WALKER 123 FOREST LANE val. Cambria Nursery & Florist. Cambria, ANYWHERE, USA 54321 RAP OCT. 15. Daffodil Sale. Botanica, The California. (800) 414-6915. www.cambria Wichita Gardens. Wichita, Kansas. (316) nursery.com/events.htm. 264-0448. www.botanica.org. Looking ahead RAP OCT. 15. Opening of George Washing- NOV. 4–6. Grow Biointensive, Sustainable ton Carver Garden. Missouri Botanical Gar- Mini-Farming Workshop. Ecology Action. AHS Cotton Checkbook Cover den. Saint Louis, Missouri. (314) 577- Willits, California. (707) 459-0150. 5100. www.mobot.org. www.growbiointensive.org. • 10% from each purchase goes directly to AHS. RAP OCT. 15 & 16. Cacti Show & Sale. Tulsa • Our checks meet all U.S. bank standards NORTHWEST and are guaranteed to work with your bank. Garden Center. Tulsa, Oklahoma. (918) AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. 746-5125. www.tulsagardencenter.com. RAP Order Form OCT. 2. Fall Bulb & Plant Sale. OCT. 20–23. The Native Plant Society of Washington Park Arboretum. Seattle, Name Texas 2005 Symposium. Fort Davis, Texas. Washington. (206) 325-4510. Address (512) 868-8799. www.npsot.org. www.arboretumfoundation.org. E-mail Confidential. For shipment verification. Phone ( ) RAP OCT. 22. Arboretum Scavenger Hunt. OCT. 6–9. Fall Home & Garden Show. Check Start #______(If no start number is given, #1001 will be used.) Crosby Arboretum. Picayune, Mississippi. O’Loughlin Trade Shows. Portland Expo ❑ n (8M33U) AHS Checks ...... $ ______F8M320 (601) 799-2311. www.msstate.edu/dept/ Center. Portland, Oregon. (253) 756-2121. ❑ $14.95 (150 Singles) ❑ $16.95 (150 Duplicates) crec/camain.html. www.portlandhomeshow.com. ❑ Check Custom Lettering ...... add $2.50 $ ______❑ Cursive ❑ Modern ❑ Olde English ❑ (8M33C) Cotton Checkbook Cover . . add $11.95 $ ______OCT. 8. Autumn Hybrid Test Garden Sale. SOUTHWEST ❑ (8ML33) 240 Address Labels ...... add $9.95 $ ______Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens. Whidbey AZ, NM, CO, UT ❑ Label Custom Lettering ...... add $2.50 $ ______Island, Washington. (360) 678-1912. ❑ Cursive ❑ Modern ❑ Olde English Shipping & Handling ...... add $1.95 per item $ ______FREE OCT. 1. Fall Plant Sale. Tucson Botanical www.meerkerkgardens.org. Rush Delivery ...... add $4.95 per item $ ______Gardens. Tucson, . (520) 326- EZShield Check Fraud Protection ProgramSM: 9686. www.tucsonbotanical.org. RAP OCT. 15. Oktoberfest! Idaho Botanical add $1.00 for EACH box of checks you order . . . . $ ______Garden. Boise, Idaho. (208) 343-8649. OFFER CODE: 8MG078 SUBTOTAL $ ______RAP OCT 7–9. Fall Plant Sale Festival. www.idahobotanicalgarden.org. Sales Tax only AR (7.5%); MD (5%) ...... $ ______Desert Botanical Garden. Phoenix, Arizona. TOTAL $ ______(480) 941-1225. www.dbg.org. IMPORTANT! Include the following with this order form: ❑ Voided check or reorder form with changes indicated. CANADA ❑ Deposit ticket from the same account. RAP OCT. 8. Pumpkin Festival. Denver Botan- ❑ Three lines of personalization for address labels. (Max. 32 letters/spaces per line.) ic Gardens at Chatfield. Littleton, Colorado. RAP OCT. 16. Connoisseur Herbs. Class. ❑ Payment choice: (720) 865-3500. www.botanicgardens.org. Horticulture Centre of the Pacific. Victoria, ❑ Check made payable to Message!Products® ❑ Charge to: ❑ Visa® ❑ MasterCard® . (250) 479-6162. Acct#______Exp. Date _ __/_ _ _ Looking ahead www.hcp.bc.ca. NOV. 6–8. Irrigation Show: Caliente! The Sig. ______Irrigation Association. Phoenix, Arizona. OCT. 18. Green Roofs and Sustainable ❑ Automatically debit my checking account (for Auto Debit option, orders must include checks) (703) 536-7080. E-mail: exporegistration Garden Design. Lecture. Toronto Botanical MAIL COMPLETE ORDER TO: Message!Products® • PO Box 700 • Edgewood, MD 21040-0700 @irrigation.org. Garden. Toronto, Ontario. (416) 387-1340. Order Online! www.messageproducts.com or call toll free 1-800-243-2565 www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca. To redeem this offer, use OFFER CODE 8MG078 during online checkout. Allow 2-3 weeks for regular delivery. Alaska and Hawaii delivery may take longer. Items shipped separately. WEST COAST Offer expires 12/31/06. RAP OCT. 20. Tree Identification. Work- CA, NV, HI EZShield Check Fraud Protection ProgramSM (Pat. Pend.): shop. The Arboretum at the University of Guard your checks from unauthorized use of up to $25,000 RAP for only $1.00 per box. Underwritten by Lloyd’s of London. SEPT. 25. Fall Plant Sale. University of Guelph. Geulph, Ontario. (519) 824-4120. See Order Form. To learn more, visit www.ezshield.org. California Botanical Garden. Berkeley, www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum. 

58 the American Gardener Join us now to take advantage of the many benefits of membership in the American Horticultural Society

As an AHS member, you get The American Gardener Our beautiful full-color bi-monthly magazine offers in- Heat Tolerance Map In 1997, AHS introduced the AHS depth articles written by plant and gardening experts and enthusiasts. Plant Heat Zone Map, which has revolutionized the way American gardeners select region-appropriate plants. Free Admission or special discounts to 170 public gardens and flower and garden shows across the United States and Canada. Book Program AHS and DK Publishing, Inc., have teamed up to create a definitive horticultural Free Seed Exchange Program AHS’s annual seed exchange program enables reference library for the 21st century. members to obtain hundreds of uncommon varieties of seeds. SMARTGARDEN™ Launched in 2000, this AHS program uses Travel Study Program AHS and the Leonard Haertter Travel Company offer existing tools, such as the USDA Plant Hardiness and AHS Plant Heat Zone codes, superb national and international garden-based, educational tours to beautiful and considers new criteria to develop guidelines that best reinforce our private and public gardens in the United States and abroad. stewardship of the earth.

Special invitations to educational programs such as the AHS Garden Schools and Horticultural Intern Program Horticulture students from around the country get AHS partner events that include the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival hand's-on experience in garden maintenance and design and an opportunity to and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Garden Symposium. work with leading gardening experts.

AHS Online Our Web site (www.ahs.org) contains a wealth of information, National Awards Program The Great American Gardeners Awards recognizes including articles from The American Gardener, members-only pages with special individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to information and updates, and links to other prominent gardening sites. horticulture. The Flower Show Awards spotlight earth-friendly garden displays at flower shows. Noteworthy garden books are the focus for our Book Awards program. Your membership also supports our many national programs Annual Membership Levels Annual membership in the American Horticultural Society, George Washington's River Farm The AHS's National Headquarters is located on a including six issues of The American Gardener magazine and all the scenic 25-acre site overlooking the Potomac River. Formerly one of our First benefits described on this page, is available at the following basic President's farms, the property now features an artful blend of naturalistic and levels (for additional levels, visit www.ahs.org): formal gardens that offer year-round delight to visitors of all ages. • $35 Individual • $1,000 President's Council National Children and Youth Garden Symposium Since 1993, this annual program • $100 Family* • Corporate Membership (contact our office) has led the way in promoting the value of children's gardens and garden-based • $50 International • Horticultural Partner (contact our office) education. • $50 Couple *Up to four membership cards per household The Growing Connection This innovative educational program teaches children about the science of growing food plants and their role in a healthy diet. Online Gardening Courses Enroll in state-of-the-art online garden classes through To become an AHS member, call (703) 768-5700 AHS's partnership with the Horticultural Gardening Institute of Michigan State University. or visit us at www.ahs.org GARDENC MARKET

CLASSIFIED AD RATES: All classified advertising must be prepaid. $2.75 per word; mini- mum $66 per insertion. Copy and prepayment must be received by the 20th of the month three months prior to publication date. To place an ad, call (703) 768-5700 ext. 120.

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60 the American Gardener PRONUNCIATIONSC AND PLANTING ZONES

Most of the cultivated plants described in this issue are listed here with their pronunciations, USDA Plant Hardiness Zones and AHS Plant Heat Zones. These zones suggest a range of locations where temperatures are appropriate—both in winter and summer—for growing each plant. While the zones are a good place to start in determining plant adaptability in your region, factors such as exposure, moisture, snow cover, and humidity also play an important role in plant survival. The codes tend to be conservative; plants may grow outside the ranges indicated. A USDA zone rating of 0–0 means that the plant is a true annual and completes its life cycle in a year or less. To purchase a two-by-three-foot glossy AHS Plant Heat Zone Map for $9.95, call (800) 777-7931 or visit www.ahs.org. Hardi- ness and Heat zone codes are generated by AHS and documented in the Showtime© database, owned by Arabella Dane.

A–H Meehania cordata me-HAY-nee-uh kor-DAH-tuh (4–8, 8–4) Anemone canadensis uh-NEM-o-nee kan-uh-DEN-siss Mirabilis multiflora mih-RAB-ih-liss mul-tih-FLOR-uh (USDA 3–7, AHS 7–1) (7–10, 10–7) A. nemorosa A. neh-mor-O-suh (4–8, 8–1) Mitchella repens mih-CHEL-luh REP-enz (4–9, 9–1) A. ranunculoides A. ruh-nung-kyew-LOY-deez (4–8, 8–1) Nepeta ✕faasenii NEP-eh-tuh fas-SEN-ee-eye (4–8, 8–1) Arctostaphylos nevadensis ark-toh-STAFF-ih-loss Nephrolepis cordifolia neh-FRO-lep-is kor-dih-FO-lee-uh neh-vah-DEN-siss (7–9, 9–7) (9–11, 12–1) Argemone munita ar-JEM-o-nee mew-NYE-tuh (5–10- 10–5) Nyssa aquatica NISS-uh uh-KWAT-ih-kah (6–9, 9–6) Aronia arbutifolia uh-RO-nee-uh ar-byew-tih-FO-lee-uh Oenothera caespitosa ee-NOTH-ur-uh sez-pih-TOH-suh (5–9, 8–4) (4–9, 9–2) Asarum canadense uh-SAR-um kan-uh-DEN-see (2–8, 8–1) Osmunda regalis ahz-MUN-duh ree-GAL-iss (2–10, 9–1) A. caudatum A. kaw-DAY-tum (5–8, 8–4) Pachysandra procumbens pak-ih-SAN-druh pro-KUM-benz Asclepias incarnata as-KLEE-pee-us in-kar-NAY-tuh (3–9, 9–2) (5–9, 9–3) Athyrium filix-femina var. asplenoides uh-THIH-ree-um Penstemon barbatus PEN-steh-mon bar-BAY-tus (4–9, 9–2) FIL-iks-FEM-ih-nuh var. uh-splee-NOY-deez (6–9, 9–1) P. eatonii P. ee-TONE-ee-eye (4–9, 9–1) Atriplex canescens AT-rih-pleks kuh-NES-senz (2–9, 11–3) P. grandiflorus P. gran-dih-FLOR-us (3–9, 9–1) Betula nigra BET-yew-luh NY-gruh (4–9, 9–1) Phlox diffusa FLOKS dih-FEW-suh (5–8, 7–1) Ceratostigma plumbaginoides sur-at-o-STIG-muh P. stolonifera P. sto-lon-IF-ur-uh (4–8, 8–1) plum-baj-ih-NOY-deez (5–9, 9–4) Polygonatum humile pah-lih-GO-nay-tum HYEW-mih-lee Chrysothamnus nauseosus kris-o-THAM-nus naw-zee-O-suss (5–8, 8–4) (4–9, 9–4) Polystichum munitum pah-LISS-tih-kum mew-NY-tum (3–8, 8–1) Cleome serrulata klee-O-mee sur-yew-LAY-tuh (0–0, 12–1) Ribes aureum RY-beez AW-ree-um (6–8, 8–6) Cornus sericea KOR-nus seh-RISS-ee-uh (3–8, 8–1) S–Z Cypripedium calceolus sip-rih-PEE-dee-um kal-see-OH-lus (3–7, 7–1) Salvia greggii SAL-vee-uh GREG-ee-eye (7–9, 9–4) Cystopteris bulbifera sis-TOP-tur-iss buhl-BIFF-air-uh (4–8, 8–1) S. leucantha S. loo-KAN-thuh (9–11, 12–4) Dodecatheon meadia doh-deh-KATH-ee-on MEE-dee-uh Senecio douglasii seh-NEE-see-o dug-LASS-ee-eye (6–10, 10–2) (4–8, 8–1) Smilacina racemosa smy-lah-SY-nuh rass-eh-MO-suh (4–9, 9–1) Helianthus angustifolius hee-lee-AN-thus ang-gus-tih-FO-lee-us Sphaeralcea ambigua sfeer-AL-see-uh am-BIG-yew-uh (6–9, 9–4) (4–10, 10–4) H. annuus H. AN-yoo-us (0–0, 12–1) Stanleya pinnata STAN-lee-uh pin-NAY-tuh (5–10, 10–5) Taxodium distichum taks-O-dee-um DIS-tih-kum (5–11, 12–5) I–R Tiarella cordifolia tee-uh-REL-luh kor-dih-FO-lee-uh (3–9, 7–1) Iris cristata EYE-riss kris-TAY-tuh (4–10, 10–1) Uvularia perfoliata yoo-view-LAR-ee-uh per-fo-lee-AY-tuh Itea virginica eye-TEE-uh vir-JIN-ih-kuh (6–9, 10–7) (4–10, 10–4) Lonicera ciliosa lah-NISS-er-uh sil-ee-O-suh (6–9, 9–1) Vinca minor VING-kuh MY-nor (4–9, 9–1) Magnolia ✕soulangia mag-NOLE-yuh soo-lan-jee-AN-uh (6–9, 9–5)

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