TheThe AmericanAmerican

GARDENERGARDENER®

TheThe MagazineMagazine ofof thethe AmericanAmerican HorticulturalHorticultural SocietySociety May / June 2012

Butterfly Versatile Native Vines All-American Herbs Spectacular Summer

contents Volume 91, Number 3 . May / June 2012

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

5 NOTES FROM RIVER FARM

6 MEMBERS’ FORUM

8 NEWS FROM THE AHS Controlled burn of the André Bluemel Meadow at River Farm, AHS represented in workshop on climate and gardening in North Carolina, paperback edition of the AHS’s Homegrown Harvest book available in May, the AHS President’s Council members visit in Arkansas.

11 AHS MEMBERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE Kurt Van Dexter.

4o TRAVELER’S GUIDE TO GARDENS Gardens of Cantigny.

page 30 42 SOLUTIONS Invasion of the stinkbugs.

12 20 YEARS OF YOUTH GARDENING BY AHS STAFF 44 HOMEGROWN HARVEST Preview of the American Horticultural Society’s National Children Refreshing mint. & Youth Gardening Symposium this summer in Washington, D.C. 46 BOOK REVIEWS Natural Companions, Waterwise for 14 NATIVE VINES BY CAROLE OTTESEN Sustainable Gardens, and Heirloom Make use of vertical space in the garden with one or more of Gardening in the South. these North American vines. Special focus: Regional gardening books.

50 ’S NOTEBOOK 20 SUSTAINABLE HARDSCAPING BY BETH O’DONNELL YOUNG USDA turns 150, circadian rhythms trigger Environmentally responsible gardening includes considering eco- self-defense, kudzu bugs threaten friendly choices for the non-plant features of a landscape. , new ornamental cherry tree honors First Lady Helen Taft, breakthroughs in understanding how plants tolerate drought, 24 ALL-AMERICAN HERBS BY DONALD HUMPHREY understanding plant invasiveness, unusual For a non-traditional herb garden, try some of these American winter affects bird count, Logee’s native plants with a long history of medicinal or culinary use. celebrates 120 years, Gibbs Gardens opens in Georgia.

30 BUTTERFLY GARDENING BY KRIS WETHERBEE 54 GREEN GARAGE® No matter the size of your garden, there are many things you can Expanded aggregates solve soil problems. do to attract butterflies and moths to visit. 57 REGIONAL HAPPENINGS

35 SUMMER BULBS BY DAVID J. ELLIS 60 AND HEAT ZONES Add an exotic touch to your garden or patio with these summer- AND PRONUNCIATIONS blooming bulbous plants. 62 PLANT IN THE SPOTLIGHT chamaedrys. ON THE COVER: Exotic-looking lily ( comosa) is a summer-flowering native

to tropical southern Africa. Photograph by Lynne Harrison

May / June 2012 3 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Making America a Nation of , a Land of Gardens

Board of Directors CHAIR Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. Falls Church, Virginia FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN Mary Pat Matheson Atlanta, Georgia SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN Jane Diamantis McDonald, Tennessee SECRETARY Leslie Ariail Alexandria, Virginia TREASURER J. Landon Reeve, IV Woodbine, Maryland IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Susie Usrey Dayton, Oregon EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Henrietta Burke Alexandria, Virginia

Sandra Address Chevy Chase, Maryland ■ Sally Spangler Barnett, Jacksonville, Florida ■ Amy Bolton Falls Church, Virginia Skipp Calvert Alexandria, Virginia ■ Gay Estes Houston, Texas ■ Joel Goldsmith Gilroy, Shirley Nicolai Ft. Washington, Maryland ■ Ed Snodgrass Street, Maryland ■ Marcia Zech, Mercer Island, Washington

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Tom Underwood PRESIDENT EMERITUS Katy Moss Warner

President’s Council The President’s Council is comprised of dedicated members whose annual support makes many of the Society’s programs possible, from youth gardening activities to horticultural awards programs.

CHAMPION’S CIRCLE ($25,000+) Mr. and Mrs. George Diamantis ■ Mr. and Mrs.* Robert E. Kulp, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Rissetto ■ Mr. and Mrs. Klaus Zech

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE ($10,000-$24,999) Anonymous ■ Mrs. Leslie S. Ariail ■ Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Bluemel ■ Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Farrell ■ Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Smith, Jr.

LIBERTY HYDE BAILEY CIRCLE ($5,000-$9,999) Ms. Judy Daniel ■ Mr. and Mrs. Carl Estes ■ Ms. JoAnn Luecke ■ Mrs. Shirley Ann Nicolai ■ Mr. and Mrs. J. Landon Reeve, IV ■ Dr. Erich Veitenheimer and Mr. Andrew Cariaso ■ Ms. Katy Moss Warner

HAUPT CIRCLE ($2,500-$4,999) Mrs. Sandra L. Address ■ Mrs. Lynda A. Bachman ■ Nancy J. Becker, M.D. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Bogle ■ Ms. Amy Bolton ■ Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Burke, III ■ Mr. James R. Cargill, II ■ Mrs. Elisabeth C. Dudley ■ Mr. and Mrs. Don W. Godsey ■ Dr. and Mrs. William O. Hargrove ■ Dr. and Mrs. John A. Floyd, Jr. ■ Mrs. Carole S. Hofley ■ Mr. and Mrs. Bob J. MacLean ■ Mr. David D. Parrish ■ Mr. and Mrs. Tom Underwood ■ Mr. and Mrs. W. Bruce Usrey

COUNCIL MEMBER’S CIRCLE ($1,000-$2,499) Mr. and Mrs. Robert Baillie ■ Mr. and Mrs. Carter Bales ■ Mr. and Mrs. Bill Barnett ■ Mrs. Katherine Belk ■ Mrs. George P. Bissell, Jr. ■ Dr. Sherran Blair ■ Mrs. Elspeth G. Bobbs ■ Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Bradshaw ■ Ms. Petra Burke ■ Mr. Skipp Calvert ■ Mr. and Mrs. Edward N. Dane ■ Mrs. Barbara O. David ■ Mrs. Julie Ernest ■ Mr. Joseph Errington and Mr. William Pullen ■ Ms. Inger Fair ■ Ms. Walter S. Fletcher ■ Ms. Marguerite P. Foster ■ Ms. Anne Galer ■ Mrs. Janet Gebler ■ Mr. and Mrs. Don W. Godsey ■ Ms. Amy Goldman ■ Mr. and Mrs. Joel Goldsmith ■ Mrs. Barbara Grant ■ Ms. LaDawn Griffin ■ Mr. Gerald T. Halpin ■ Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Hanselman ■ Ms. Catherine M. Hayes ■ Mr. Edwin L. Heminger ■ Mr. and Mrs. Paul and Nancy Hess ■ Ms. Nancy Hockstad ■ Mr. and Mrs. Albert Huddleston ■ Mr. Philip Huey ■ Mrs. Marta J. Lawrence ■ Mrs. Carolyn M. Lindsay ■ Ms. Melissa Marshall ■ Mrs. Dorothy Marston ■ Mr. and Mrs. Egon Molbak ■ Mrs. Carol C. Morrison ■ Mr. and Mrs. James R. Moxley, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. James T. Norman ■ Mr. Michael Panas ■ Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Roe ■ Mrs. Deen Day Sanders ■ Mr. R.P. Simmons ■ Mr. Ed Snodgrass ■ Mr. Harold Stahly ■ Mr. Arnold Steiner ■ Dr. and Mrs. Steven M. Still ■ Mr. Howard McK. Tucker and Ms. Megan Evans ■ Mr. Joe Viar ■ Ms. Angela M. Vikesland ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Volk ■ Mrs. Elizabeth M. Wehrle ■ Mr. and Mrs. Dennis White ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. White ■ Mrs. Dudley B. White ■ Mr. and Mrs. John Zoldak

HONORARY PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL Ms. Louise Fruehling* ■ Mrs. Enid Haupt* ■ Mrs. John A. Lutz* ■ Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Miller* *In memoriam

Corporate Members

Bonnie Plants ■ The Care of Trees ■ Chapel Valley Landscape Company ■ The Espoma Company Homestead Gardens ■ Kurt Bluemel, Inc. ■ Monrovia ■ Osmocote

Horticultural Partners

America in Bloom Symposium & Awards Program ■ Bellingrath Gardens and Home Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Garden Symposium ■ Cox MetroPark Garden Centers of America ■ The Gardeners of America/Men’s Garden Clubs of America Great Gardens and Landscaping Symposium ■ The Homestead in the Garden Symposium Inniswood Garden Society ■ Oklahoma & Arboretum

4 the American Gardener NOTES FROM RIVER FARM CONTACTS FOR C AHS PROGRAMS, MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS & DEPARTMENTS

For general information about your membership, call (800) 777-7931. Send change of address notifications to our membership department at 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308. If your magazine is lost or damaged in the mail, call the number above for a replace- ment. Requests for membership information and change of address notification can also be e-mailed to [email protected].

THE AMERICAN GARDENER To submit a letter to the editor of The American Gardener, write to The American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308, or send an e-mail to [email protected].

DEVELOPMENT To make a gift to the American Horticultural Society, or for information about a donation you have already made, call (800) 777-7931 ext. 132 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

E-NEWSLETTER To sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, visit www.ahs.org. E ALL HAVE a few “plants out of place” in the garden (some of you may call them weeds) and usually we can count on enough cold weather dur- INTERNSHIP PROGRAM The AHS offers intern- ing winter to slow them down a little. No such luck in Virginia this year! ships in communications, , and W youth programs. For information, send an Our staff and volunteers have had to scramble to keep up with all the uninvited plants e-mail to [email protected]. Information and that sprang up as the days grew longer. But as we weeded, we could admire the thou- application forms can also be found in the River Farm area of www.ahs.org. sands of blooming bulbs as well as the flowering cherries, redbuds, and dogwoods. In addition to all the garden maintenance, we’ve had a busy spring getting ready NATIONAL CHILDREN & YOUTH GARDEN SYMPOSIUM For information about the Society’s for and hosting our annual Spring Garden Market in April. This much-anticipated annual National Children & Youth Garden Sym- event in the local community gives us a chance to meet our members and potential posium, e-mail [email protected] or visit members who come to shop. It’s also an important fundraiser that supports our edu- the Youth Gardening section of www.ahs.org. cational programs and the maintenance of our River Farm headquarters. RECIPROCAL ADMISSIONS PROGRAM The AHS In the nearly 40 years that the American Horticultural Society has called River Reciprocal Admissions Program offers members free admission and other discounts to more than Farm home, we have created numerous features like our meadow and children’s 250 botanical gardens and other horticultural gardens that add to the property’s charm and appeal as well as its educational value. destinations throughout North America. A list of However, sometimes it is the behind-the-scenes components that require our at- participating gardens can be found in the Mem- bership area of www.ahs.org. For more infor- tention. As most of our members are aware, we are in the midst of upgrading our mation, call (800) 777-7931 ext. 119. infrastructure. While not as appealing as planning new gardens, this water and RIVER FARM The AHS headquarters at River sewer line project is a crucial step to creating a solid foundation for the future of Farm is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays year- River Farm and the AHS. We hope you will consider making an additional dona- round (except Federal holidays), and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from April through September. tion to help us complete this vital improvement. For information about events, rentals, and direc- We also hope we will have the opportunity to welcome you to River Farm soon tions, visit the River Farm section of to see what we’ve been up to here. But no matter where your summer travel plans www.ahs.org. take you, remember to take advantage of the AHS Reciprocal Admissions Program. TRAVEL STUDY PROGRAM Visit spectacular pri- Your AHS membership card can be your “garden passport” as you visit public gar- vate and public gardens around the world through the Society’s acclaimed Travel Study dens, entitling you to free admission and other discounts at the more than 250 par- Program. For information about upcoming ticipating locations across the country. For more details, visit www.ahs.org/rap. trips, call (866) 627-6621, send an e-mail to Another way to explore the world of American horticulture is by turning the [email protected], or visit the Travel Study section of www.ahs.org. page and enjoying another issue of The American Gardener. In this issue you’ll find an information-packed feature on native vines, ideas for creating sustainable hard- WEBSITE: www.ahs.org The AHS website is a valuable source of information about the Soci- scaping, butterfly gardening tips, and a fascinating look at native herbs. ety’s programs and activities. To access the Happy gardening and best wishes from all of us at the AHS, members-only section of the website, the user name is garden and the password is 2012ahs. Harry Rissetto, Chair, AHS Board of Directors Tom Underwood, Executive Director

May / June 2012 5 6 ern California. sowing inthewildcentral andsouth- CHANGE ANDGARDENING plant in thepurplefoliageplantar re-seeding, assuggestedinthearticle. to cuttheflowers offthisplanttocontrol plant. Most gardeners willnotremember seedlings fairdistancesfrom the mother rampantly, andwhatmakesitanobnox- Anne Raver’s on article Tony Avent DIFFERING PERSPECTIVESON CLIMATE Editor’s note: ious re-seeder isthatyou willfind torium rugosum recommended Eup inthesamearticle, moval andherbicidesforthree years. toeliminateitby physicalre- been trying ed neighborsandranrampant.Ihave and spread soaggressively itoutcompet- Wisconsin, where Iwork, manyyears ago Allen CentennialGardens inMadison, the English Garden perennial border at will battleitforyears. It was plantedin not toplantthisinvasive thugorthey strongly enough.Iwouldurgereaders cracker’ beingaggressive wasnotworded ulifolius that Iwouldsuggestare: Physocarpus op- the caveat aboutLysimachia ciliata Pack aPunch” (March/April 2012),Ifelt After reading “Purple-Leaved Perennials PURPLE PLANTBULLIES bia dulcis ta ‘F ulata Phlothe inthearticle), more robust andearlierflowering than ty, wrote towarnreaders thatcastorbean History Museum ofLosAngelesCoun- ne (March/April 2012)wasagreat read until North Campus Gardens at theNatural ried Green Tomatoes’,ried w ‘Britt-Marie Crawford’, andEu Some better-behaved purpleplants I alsohave issueswithanother plant Actaea simplex the American Gardener (Ricinis communis), ‘Lord Clayton’, Lobeliacardinalis Director, Allen Centennial Gardens ‘Donna May’ (LittleDevil ‘Chameleon’. Carol Bornstein,dir ‘Chocolate ‘Chocolate Madison, Wisconsin Ligularia denta- also mentioned E ’. It re-seeds ticle, isself- dward Lyon ’ (whichis x panic- ector of ֠ ‘ phor- ), the Fire- a- been true, butisnotanaccurate repre-been true, causing global warming” mayoncehave now. Atmospheric CO2hasincreased, climate scientistsagree that…humansare but globaltemperatures have not. global warmingforwell over 10years of all,Happer pointedout,isthelackof with mankind.” natural causesthathave nothingtodo ciably—suggests thatwarmingisfrom before CO2levels hadincreased appre- the timingofwarming—muchit lished M creased amountsofcarbondioxide, but warming hasprobably comefrom in- Ice Ageintheearly1800s. Some ofthat sius, sincetheendofso-calledLittle warming, perhapsabout0.8degrees Cel- sity, hasindeed beensome wrote: “There a physicsprofessor atPrinceton Univer- sessment aboutclimatechange. tion Agencyalsoinformedmyown as- Studies andtheEnvironmental Protec- with theCenterforAirEnvironment mally coldwinters.My pastemployment heat oftheDust Bowl years andabnor- moaned thedrought andterribly high 1930s and’40sinwhichtheauthorsbe- reading several gardening booksfrom the but Idecidedtocheckthefactsafter clination tostudythisissueontheirown, global warmingcontroversy. the authorintroduced heropinion onthe climate changeandglobalwarming. has provokednewdiscussionsabout The recentlyrevisedUSDA Hardiness Map Raver’s statementthat“97percent of Perhaps themostinconvenient fact In a Wall a In Street Journal Most peopledon’t have thetimeorin- MEMBERS’ arch 27,2012, William Happer, C FORUM op-ed pub- tion tokeepusgardening successfully. sects andpollination,otherinforma- about changingplantzones, impacts onin- stronger thanformostscientific issues. human-caused globalwarmingismuch ence. The scientificconsensusabout point ofavoiding honestyabout thesci- anyone aboutclimatechange, even tothe toavoid offending seemed tobetrying USDA (andTheA I wasdisappointedtoseehow muchthe Map (March/April 2012), USDAPlantIn aboutthenew thearticle has current scientificopiniononhisside. human activityisnotaffectingclimate, ion today. Tony Avent, whoasserts sentation ofthestatescientificopin- Letters weprintmay beeditedforlengthandclarity. [email protected] (note LettertoEditorinsubjectline). Alexandria, VA22308.Send e-mails to American Gardener, PLEASE WRITEUS! tific vie David J.Ellis,editor,responds: www. ncdc.noaa.gov/faqs/index.html. information aboutclimatechange,visit aturesmore over thelast twodecades.For crease inglobalminimumaverage temper- there hasbeenastatisticallysignificantin- pointthatwasraisedis One important ing andtrackingclimatetrends ofallkinds. ernment agencyresponsible forresearch- Center (NCDC),whichistheU.S.gov- scientists from theNational ClimaticData cle, page8)thatincludedpresentations by (seearti- mate andthegardening industry ities ar change theconclusionthatclimate support the vast majorityoflegitimate scientists politicization. But ifyou setpoliticsaside, fortunately, beenobscured by theissue’s Please focusonwhatwe shouldknow I recently attendedaworkshop oncli- e a primary causative factor.e aprimary wpoint onclimatechangehas,un- is occurring andthathumanactiv- Davidson, North Carolina Address letterstoEditor, 7931 EastBoulevardDrive, merican Gardener) Aspen, ColoradoAspen, Polly Brockway The scien- Lee Cassin The 

GARDENER list oftheVascularFloraUnitedStates,Canada andGreenland Copyright ©2012 bytheAmericanHorticulturalSociety. ©2012 Copyright possible publicationwillbereturnedifaccompanied byaself-addressed, Society A–ZEncyclopediaofGardenPlants, ily thoseoftheSociety.Manuscripts,artwork,andphoto and onthe material. Backissuesareavailableat$8percopy. stamped envelope.Wecannotguaranteethesafereturn ofunsolicited expressed inthearticlesarethoseofauthorsand arenotnecessar- Botanical nomenclatureisbasedon 22308-1300. (703) 768-5700.MembershipintheSocietyincludesasubscrip- tion to Society, 7931EastBoulevardDrive,Alexandria,VA22308-1300, American Gardener, 7931EastBoulevardDrive,Alexandria,VA tional mailingoffices.Postmaster:PleasesendForm3579to tion. PeriodicalspostagepaidatAlexandria,Virginia,andaddi- ber/October, November/December)bytheAmericanHorticultural ly (January/February,March/April,May/June,July/August,Septem- The AmericanGardener dues are$50.$10ofannualgoestowardmagazinesubscrip- 8 h American The ADVERTISING CONTACT US EDITORIAL The AmericanGardener.Annualduesare$35;international the American Gardener Royal HorticulturalSocietyIndexofGardenPlants Royal CHAIR Printed intheU.S.A. Richard E.Bir Richard EDITORIAL ADVISORYBOARD Carole Ottesen CONTRIBUTING WRITER Rita Pelczar CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Helen Thompson Caroline Bentley EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Viveka Neveln ASSOCIATE EDITOR Mary Yee MANAGING EDITORANDARTDIRECTOR David J.Ellis EDITOR E-MAIL: (703) 768-5700 Alexandria, VA22308 7931 EastBoulevardDrive The AmericanGardener E-MAIL: West DesMoines,Iowa Elvin McDonald Kennett Square,Pennsylvania Richard W.Lighty Denver, Colorado Panayoti Kelaidis ,California John E.Bryan Birmingham, Alabama Steve Bender I Nina L.Bassuk Athens, Georgia Allan M.Armitage B thaca, NewYork revard, NorthCarolina (ISSN 1087-9978)ispublishedbimonth- [email protected] [email protected] The American Horticultural on A SynonymizedCheck- graphs sentfor . Opinions The as grassesandwildflowers emerged withrenewed vigor. demonstrating amore sustainablealternative toalawnmonoculture. forRiver Farm’sable wildlifehabitatandeducationalopportunities visitors,while IN MARCH, WORKSHOP ONCLIMATE ANDGARDENING burn ratherthanaraginginferno.” North Carolina Arboretum inAshevillethatexplored theeffectsofclimatechange on Growing Interest 2:ClimateandEconomic Impacts onthePlant Sector, al Society’s River Farm aprescribed inAlexandria,Virginia, headquarters underwent THIS SPRING, FARM’SRIVER MEADOW FLAMES GOESUPIN tored toensure safety. To bemosteffective, thegoalis tosustainaslow andsteady springs, whichalsohelpstocontrol unwantedspecies. plan torepeat twoyears. thetreatment Themeadow every ismowed backinalternate to helpcontrol invasive speciesandreinvigorate thegrowth ofdesired plants,withthe burn forthesecondtime.Thefirstcontrolled burntookplaceinthespringof2010 Farm Manager andHorticulturist Sylvia Schmeichel the diverse businessesandorganizationsinvolved inthegardening industry. sored by thearboretum andthe Institute forGlobal Environmental Strategies, a nonprofit organization focusedonscience education, communication,and out- On aclear,windlessdaythisMarch,controlledburnrejuvenatedRiverFarm’smeadow. Within acoupleofweeks, was carpetedingreen thescorched earth oncemore, The meadow, installedbetween 2003and2008,wasdesignedtoprovide valu- “While thewallsofflamesandcloudssmokelookeddramatic,”saysRiver “While The workshop, afollow-up toaconference that tookplacein2008,wasco-spon- Dir the four-acr ector ofCommunicationsDavid J.Ellis PROGRAMS •EVENTSANNOUNCEMENTS e AndréBluemel Meadow attheAmericanHorticultur- News from the , “itwasallcar May /June2012 represented theAHSatA a wor efully moni- kshop atthe AHS

AHS 2012 NATIONAL EVENTS CALENDAR It only took 12 days

Mark your calendar for these upcoming for Michelle’s pot to events that are sponsored or co-sponsored by the AHS. Visit www.ahs.org or call burst into bloom. (703) 768-5700 for more information. { Plus 83 years of organic expertise. }

JUNE 7. Great American Gardeners Awards Ceremony and Banquet. River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia. JUNE 14–16. The Gardeners of America/Men’s Garden Clubs of America Convention. Boardman, Ohio. JULY 19–21. National Children & Youth Garden Symposium. Washington, D.C. AUG. 17–19. The Homestead’s “In the Garden with the Experts” Symposium. Hot Springs, Virginia. SEPT. 20–22. America in Bloom Symposium and Awards Program. Fayetteville, Arkansas. SEPT. 22. AHS Annual Gala. River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia. DEC. 3–21. Holiday Trees Display. River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia. reach. Participants included scientists from the National Cli- matic Data Center (NCDC), a branch of the National Ocean- ic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), public garden administrators, and representatives of the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA). NCDC experts presented an overview of the latest research and data on climate change, noting not only the continuing rise in global average minimum temperatures, but also the in- crease in the frequency of “severe weather events” such as flood- ing, tornadoes, and drought. This led to a dynamic discussion on the outlook for the different components of the gardening industry and how NOAA’s climate database and sophisticated forecasting technology might be utilized to manage climate change risks and identify potential business opportunities. Another focus of discussion was the potential role of the gar- dening industry in communicating relevant information about climate change to the public. Casey Sclar, interim executive di- rector of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA) and plant health care leader at Longwood Gardens, described a new partnership on climate change education between the APGA and NOAA that debuted with a cell phone tour and display pilot pro- ject at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. A natural in the garden since 1929 “The AHS will continue to work closely with the NCDC and other horticulture and gardening groups to ensure gar- deners have access to resources and updated scientific infor- Watch our soil video at www.espoma.com/AHS mation that will help them understand and adapt to these changing conditions,” says Ellis.

SeptemberMay / October / June 20122011 9 The AHS in Arkansas ֢֦֣֨ ֤֦֧֤֥֠֨֡

In addition to vital support through membership dues, the American Horticultural Society relies on grants, bequests, and other gifts to support its programs. We would like to thank the following donors for gifts received between February 1, 2012, and March 31, 2012.

Ball Horticultural Company Bonnie Plants Mr. and Mrs. Joel Goldsmith National Capital Area Garden Clubs, District II Mr. Ed Snodgrass Mr. Joe Viar, Jr.

In memory of Kae Constandy Ms. Nancy Ford-Kohne

In memory of Bud Korteweg Mrs. Virginia Korteweg The new Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art In memory of Mr. Merritt (Arboretum's Bonsai/Penjing Pavilion) in Bentonville, above, was Mrs. H. W. Merritt one of the sites visited on the AHS President’s In memory of Max DeSilva Council trip to Arkansas Dr. and Mrs. James W. Smith this spring. Left: Cody In honor of Alexander DeSilva George, the museum’s Dr. and Mrs. James W. Smith field horticulturist, took participants on an in - formative walking tour of If you would like to support the American Horticultural the museum’s grounds, Society as part of your estate planning, as a tribute to a loved which include more than one, or as part of your annual charitable giving plan, please contact Scott Lyons at [email protected] or call three miles of pedestrian (703) 768-5700 ext. 127. and bicycle trails.

PAPERBACK EDITION OF HOMEGROWN HARVEST RELEASED ating a pesto garden, and tips for storing fruit. Useful appen- THE HARDCOVER EDITION of the AHS’s Homegrown dices include sowing and harvesting charts tailored to differ- Harvest, released in fall 2010, has been so successful that the ent regions of the country, advice on controlling pests and publisher, Mitchell Beazley/Octopus, is releasing a paperback diseases, and a complete glossary. edition of the book this summer. To purchase the book, visit www.ahs.org or look for it at your Available in stores in May, the book local bookstore. retails for $19.99. Compiled by Editor-in-Chief SAVE THE DATE: AHS 2012 GALA Rita Pelczar, a contributing editor MARK YOUR CALENDAR now to attend this year’s AHS for The American Gardener, the Gala, which will be held at River Farm in Alexandria, Vir- book—filled with informative color ginia, on Saturday, September 22. This elegant evening is an photographs—is a season-by-season opportunity to celebrate the beauty of River Farm while en- guide to growing vegetables, herbs, joying a sit-down dinner, silent auction, and good company. and fruits using sustainable meth- Look for more details about the gala in the next issue of The ods. Special page spreads address in- American Gardener.  triguing topics such as trying fruits native to North America,

growing and using edible , cultivating root crops, cre- News written by AHS Staff.

10 the American Gardener by HelenThompson AHS MEMBERSMAKINGADIFFERENCE: because theywere learningaboutAmer- ican history.” thingtogrowwas themostimportant for ple, fifthgradehadaColonialdye garden children of allages. of providing for similaropportunities passionate advocate fortheimportance After graduation,Van Dexter gotajob THEBUILDING FUTURE the curriculum,”saysVan Dexter. “Each toattendtheAmericanHorti-portunity While studyinghorticulture andlandscape A NEW DIRECTION to thenaturalworld,hehasbecomea Jersey. Influenced by hisearlyexposure on aneight-acre farminsouthernNew L immediately knew “thisimmediately knew was thedirection (NCYGS). He hadthree elementary-school dren &Youth Gardening Symposium youth gardening, now theNational Chil- cultural Society’s (AHS)firstsymposium on land (URI)in1993,Van Dexter hadtheop- architecture attheUniversity ofRhodeIs- and several garden plots. ed atthetime.Theendresult includeda North Kingstonthathischildren attend- schoolin a schoolgarden attheelementary landscapes thatinvolved helpingtocreate pendent studyproject on children’s ber, Van Dexter decidedtodoaninde- in whichIwasgoingtofocusmycareer.” ter attendingtheevent, Van Dexter says,he schools lookedattheiroutdoorspaces.”Af- “wanting tomakechangesintheway age children atthetimeandhadbeen grade level maintainedaplot.For exam- spruced-up naturespruced-up trail,asmallorchard, was used,soIaskedtheteacherswhat with alandscapearchitecture firm,butcon- jects ontheside.Van Dexter’s strategywas tinued consultingonschoolgarden pro- to includestudents andteachersinthede- sign process. “I don’t goinand designthe “I wantedtomakesure thegarden Returning AHS mem- toURIasanew Kingston, RhodeIsland, grew up ar ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT tist Kurt Van Dexter ofNorth and Federal grantthatenabled Van Dexter to dening initiative in2005,fundedby a helped foundtheChildren’s Gardening atahighschool.Heteaching art also gree education,Van inart Dexter started they wantittobe.” then guidethemastheyfigure outwhat and teachershow todesignthespaceand space,” heexplains.“Iteachthestudents fits ofplantsand gardens. To date,hehashelped teachersandstu- create gardens atschoolsacross thestate. schoolgar- establishment ofastatewide zation inRhodeIsland.” This ledtothe schoolandyouth organi- grams atevery grow gardens and garden educationpro- Network (CGN)to“helpcommunities dents at45schools reap themanybene- In 2000,afterearningagraduatede- Kurt V an Dexter G withTheAmerican editorialintern former Freelance writerHelen Thompsonisa many schoolsaspossible.” in reality it’s about having gardens inas tive garden school,but programs inevery Dexter. goal,ofcourse,istohave ac- “The working todevelop theirown.” saysVan initiatives,statewide andothersare now now it’s really caughton.Several stateshave being metwithmuchenthusiasm.“But with schoolsintheearly1990sandnot says Van Dexter. He towork recalls trying administrators perceive schoolgrounds,” huge impactonhow thepublicandschool two decades,andwhattrends hehasseen. enced hisschoolgarden work over thelast influ- the firstsymposiuminparticular al event, hewillgive apresentation onhow the NCYGS, butforthisyear’s 20thannu- Van inseveral Dexter of hasparticipated IMPACT LONG-TERM helped design. prepare abedforgardenthatVanDexter Pawtucket, RhodeIsland,agroupofstudents Above: AtPotterBurnsElementarySchoolin 2010 NCYGSinPasadena,California. Left: KurtVanDexterwasapresenteratthe ardener. The annualsymposium“hashada May / June 2012 /June May  11 12 and Garden-Based Teaching promoting celebrating 20yearsof 2012 AHSNATIONAL CHILDREN&YOUTHGARDENSYMPOSIUM greater Washington, D.C.,area, withthe a forum forpromoting garden-baseda forum teaching andlearning. sium hasremained thesame:toprovide garden educationspecialists—manyof den designers,schoolprincipals,public MoreChevy Chase,Maryland. than500 grams from allareas ofthecountry. people attended—parents, teachers,gar- Gardens: Educational in Opportunities,” and gone,butthepurposeofsympo- Throughout theyears, faceshave come each year, highlighting gardens andpro- first symposiumin1993 An advertisementforthe I campus serving as the headquarters from astheheadquarters campus serving will return towhere inthe itallstarted Tom Underwood, “ University ofMaryland’s CollegePark tional event thatexplores theinfluenceof July 19to21. youth,” says AHS Executive Director gardens inthelives ofchildren and This year, the20thannual Symposium “As theonlynational,annualeduca- sium on“Children, Plants, and al S N the American Gardener 93 theAmericanHorticultur- 1993, ociety (AHS)hostedasympo- Learning the symposium is in adifferent city (NCYGS) isheld Symposium Youth Garden Youth & Children The National an annualevent. transformed into cessful thatitwas sium wassosuc- The firstsympo- minded peers. static tofindlike- whom were ec- Top: TheButterflyGardenisoneof thenewest Farm. Above:HollyShimizu, executive installations intheChildren’sGarden atRiver deliver thesymposium’s openingkeynote. director ofthe U.S. BotanicGarden,will Kirk Brown andhistori- ahorticulturist , Each ofOur Lives.” Andspecialguest The Importance ofPlay andLooseParts in ChildinAllofUs:will talkabout“The dren’s Museum inOxon Hill, Maryland, rector ofeducationfortheNational Chil- Optional!” Later, Wendy B Let’s Tell theWorld ThatPlants Are Not sentation, “We CanMake aDifference— Shimizu willleadthechargewithherpre- ic Garden (USBG)inWashington, D.C. utive director oftheUnited States Botan- symposium willbeHolly S The openingkeynotespeakerforthisyear’s HIGHLIGHTS practices forengagingtoday’s youth.” sional development, andshare best ing advocates cannetwork, gainprofes- where America’s passionate youth garden- BY AHSSTAFF himizu, exec- lackwell, di-

cal re-enactor from Allentown, Pennsylva- veiled at the school. Jointly administered nia, will personify John Bartram, one of by the AHS and the Junior Master Gar- ADDITIONAL LEARNING America’s greatest botanists and explorers, deners, the award program is designed to OPPORTUNITIES as he offers advice for cultivating the next recognize children’s books that effectively generation of gardeners. promote an appreciation for gardening, In concert with the NCYGS, optional There are nearly 70 different educa- plants, and the environment. educational programs are scheduled tional sessions to choose from this year. A There will also be study tours to before and after the main event. few presenters who attended the initial Coolidge High School Gar- On July 18, a pre-symposium work- symposium will share their perspective on den & Outdoor Classroom and several shop at the University of Maryland will the evolution of the youth gardening other D.C. school gardens as well as the focus on the “Science and Technology movement over the last two decades. Oth- USBG, the United States Department of of Green Roofs.” The program will be ers who have attended several symposia (USDA) The People’s Garden, jointly presented by Steve Cohan, a through the years share their firsthand ob- and the Smithsonian Institution National professor in the university’s Plant Sci- servations on the influence gardening can Museum of Natural History. ence & de- have on generations of children. Other Symposium attendees will enjoy an partment, and Ed Snodgrass, an inter- topics range from and but- evening at the AHS’s River Farm head- national green roof consultant and author based in Street, Maryland. Following the symposium on July 22, there will be an excursion to Lewis Gin- ter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Vir-

ginia (www.lewisginter.org). Highlights include its children’s garden, “Butter- flies Live” exhibit, and artist Patrick Dougherty’s acclaimed Diamonds in the Rough stick sculpture, (shown). The day will end with a special “farm-to-table” dinner at the garden. On a visit to Hollin Meadows Science and Math Focus School in Alexandria, Virginia, symposium —AHS staff attendees will learn how teachers have integrated the school’s garden into the curriculum.

terfly gardening to design ideas and inno- quarters in Alexandria, Virginia, featur- environmental choices in the future. It’s vative ways to use plants and gardens to ing a performance by singer-songwriter about celebrating effective ways to plant teach math, science, and other subjects. David Mallett, whose Garden Song those seeds, and it’s about sharing ideas, One day of the symposium will be held (“inch by inch, row by row”) is an Amer- plans, and experiences among like-mind- at Hollin Meadows Science and Math ican folk favorite sung around the world. ed peers. “Many people tell us that they at- Focus School in Alexandria, Virginia. This There will also be time to explore River tend various conferences and symposia school has so effectively integrated gar- Farm’s Children’s Garden, which was in- each year, but ours is the highlight they re- dening in its curriculum that in 2009 it stalled in conjunction with the first sym- ally look forward to,” says Nancy Busick, merited a visit from First Lady Michelle posium and continues to provide a place 2012 NCYGS Coordinator. “There is al- Obama, who has become an advocate for for children to experience plants and na- ways an incredibly supportive atmosphere improving young people’s health through ture in a play-friendly environment. at this event, and most everyone feel- gardening and other outdoor activities. ing rejuvenated and inspired,” she adds. Symposium attendees will tour the school’s AN UNPARALLELED EXPERIENCE For more details about the 20th annu- gardens and the students will be on hand At its core, NCYGS is about planting the al NCYGS, visit www.ahs.org/ncygs.  to give demonstrations. The 2012 Growing seeds of passion for plants and the natural Good Kids–Excellence in Children’s Liter- world during children’s formative years so This article was compiled and written by sev-

ature book award winners will also be un- that they will make healthy lifestyle and eral members of the AHS staff.

May / June 2012 13 14 W association withexotic invasives, aswell asa innocents whosereputations are taintedby afterflowering.bear ediblefruits It includes twiners aswell asdouble-duty vinesthat States. Amongthemare gentleblooming some gardening peersaround theUnited house—or whenshadeisdesperately camouflage—like abig,blankgaragewall there’s somethingunsightlythatneeds estly, buthave meritintherightspot. thathavefew earnedtheirreputations hon- lected from myown experienceandthoseof ishing wildlife. it all.Andnative vinesdoitwhilenour- needed, considerplantingavine!Vines do or atelephonepoleinfront ofthe of theseNorthAmericanvines. the gardenwithoneorseveral Make useofverticalspacein broken stems” thenshearingback the re- maining growth. Bushy andsprawling, erant, itthrives infullsunandisadapt- “after flowering togetridofdeadand control. LeeReich, guru author jessamine’s smallishsize makesiteasyto feet tallandupto10wide,Carolina chain linkfence.Moderately drought tol- this isthevinetocascadeover awall, fes- radically thereafter. Its shiny, lightgreen tinue intoearlysummerandrepeat spo- The fragrantyellow tubularflowers con- bloom, it’s asure signthatwinterisover. official ofSouth to Carolina, starts Zones 7–9,AHSHeat Zones 10–4),the Confederate jasmine,(USDAHardiness When Carolina jessamine,also known as (Gelsemium sempervirens) JESSAMINE CAROLINA Texas, turningpurpleinharshwinters. from easternVirginia andTennessee leaves are evergreen initsnative range of able toawiderange ofsoiltypes. toon aporch railing,orcamouflagea south toFlorida, theGulf Coast,and BY CAROLEOTTESEN Here isasamplingofnative vines,se- A twiningvinethatreaches 10to15 The Pruning Book, the American Gardener where else togobutup, when den isplantedandther HEN EVERY advises pr inch ofthegar- e isno uning tis, lumpedtogether asthe“viorna poster childof agroup ofnative clema- climbs by tendrilsupto13feet.It isthe (Zones 4–9,9–1),thisgentle climber the Midwest andplacesintheRockies, canopy intheAmericanSoutheast to Native tostream banksandunder tree (Clematis viorna) ta’, ahardy selectionthathasbeen a double-flowered form,and‘Margari- ETE FLOWER, LEATHER All parts ofConfederatejasmineareAll parts grown successfullyinUSDA Zone 6. poisonous ifingested. American Gardens Native Vines American Gardens Native Vines Cultivars include‘Pride ofAugusta’, AMERICAN BELLS Clematis morefieldii form showy seedheads. tailsthat produce seedswithlong,hairy foot oftheground.” Leatherflowers stems backtostrong budswithinone Reich—before growth begins,“top all purple. Vines are says easytoprune, in colorfrom palelavender tovividred- base, thatturnupattheirtips,varying sepals,fusedatthe posed ofleathery of theirvines.Theirflowers are com- urn orbell-shaped—andtherestraint the shapesoftheirflowers—typically tingushed from otherclematistypesby group.” Members ofthisgroup are dis- Similar inappearance toleatherflower, Gelsemium sempervirens Gelsemium sempervirens for for (Z ones 6–8,8–1)hails

from limey, rocky places in southern Ten- One of the northernmost in a like very upright wisteria flowers. As pret- nessee and northern Alabama where it will huge tropical genus, maypop is native from ty as the flowers are, this nitrogen-fixing climb to 16 feet and bear pretty pink-and- Virginia to Florida and west to southern legume produces edible beans and has long white bells. Illinois, Kansas, and Texas. It thrives in a been grown for its tuberous roots. Native Native to scattered locations in moist warm, sunny location in the garden and Americans ate them and taught the Pil- woodlands in the Southeast and west to appreciates winter protection at the north- grims how to dig and cook “Indian pota- Oklahoma, C. glaucophylla (Zones 6–8, ern end of its hardiness range. Passion toes.” More nutritious than potatoes, 8–5) has hot pink flowers that are pumped flower dies to the ground each year, but groundnut tubers contain up to 17 percent out nonstop from June to frost, attracting quickly twines up again in spring, achiev- protein. Wisconsin forager Sam Thayer, hummingbirds. The flowers and showy ing 25 feet in a single season on a trellis or author of The Forager’s Harvest (2006), seed heads, which appear simultaneously, other support. Its rambunctious nature wrote: “The flowers are fairly good raw or contrast well with the vine's glaucous, or and wide spreading habit—it can spread cooked, and the seeds are edible... I have

Clematis viorna

blue-hued foliage. It grows to 10 or 15 feet in a single season but can be kept shorter by pruning. Provide part shade and regu- lar water during dry spells. Clematis pitcheri (Zones 5–9, 10–5) grows to 13 feet, bearing pink bells that open to deep cherry from summer into fall. Its native range is from the Midwest to Texas and Arizona where it can be found on limestone outcrops. (For more incarnata on American native clematis, view the web special linked to this article on the AHS website). 20 feet per year laterally by underground eaten the young, whitish shoots in the rhizomes—has earned it the reputation of spring both raw and boiled, and have PASSION FLOWER, MAYPOP a nuisance in many parts of the South. To found them passably good but nothing (Passiflora incarnata) avoid its exuberant spread, grow it in a worth raving about.” The fabulously intricate blooms of our large container. There is a pretty white se- Groundnut vine grows vigorously to native passion flower, or maypop (Zones lection, P. incarnata ‘Alba.’ about 15 feet, climbing over shrubs and 5–10, 12–1) are more than reason enough small trees or sprawling into a dense tan- to grow this vine, but the edible egg-size GROUNDNUT, POTATO BEAN gle on the ground. Although the vine dies fruits put it over the top. American nat- (Apios americana ) back in fall, the long chains of tuberous uralist and preservationist John Muir Groundnut (Zones 4–10, 10–3) is an un- roots can be harvested at any time. Native called passion fruits “the most delicious commonly cultivated vine with gorgeous to the eastern United States, groundnut

fruit I have ever eaten.” and fragrant pink to rusty red blooms— grows in moist sun to part shade.

May / June 2012 15 16 ‘Roger’s Red’, ahybridbetween Califor- mestication by western gardeners. 8–10, 10–8) is considered suitablefordo- The aggr (Vitis where it’s beengrown—from thecoastto has brilliantred every- fallcolorvirtually nia grapeandaEuropean winegrape.“It Claremont, California,recommend Rancho Santa AnaBotanicGarden in fornia grape(Vitis califor away from native grapevines,butCali- of wildgrapemaycausegardeners toshy A BookofSalvias, ‘R light shadeandhasneedlittlewater. fences, itreaches sunand 30feetinpart O’Brien. “It produces anabundanceof tosouth,”says andfrom north the deserts, small grapesfavored by manybirds.” RED’ OGER’S Californians Betsy Clebsch,authorof Great on walls,arbors,andchainlink the American Gardener spp.) essive spread andrapidgrowth C LFRI GRAPE ALIFORNIA and B art O’Brienart of nica, Zones has ahostofcultivars, including ‘Alba,’ blooming intoJune. Coralhoneysuckle flower asearlyFebruary andkeepon In thewarmerzones, fullyevergreen vines Texas, itissemi-evergreen inmostregions. by finchesandrobins. Later,butterflies. red berriesare cherished lar coralflowers attracthummingbirds and Best infullsun,whorledclustersoftubu- twines counterclockwise around asupport. and theyappearona10-footvinethat posite leaves are fusedaround thestem— are basesofeachpairop- perfoliate—the mailbox adornment.Thegray-green leaves honeysuckle (Zones 4–9,9–1)istheclassic ing likeitsaggressive relative, politecoral dreaded invasive Lonicer ers thefirstplantthatcomestomindis Say “honeysuckle” andformanygarden- (Lonicera sempervirens) C RLO RME HONEYSUCKLE TRUMPET OR ORAL Native from theEastCoastwest to Vitis Vitis ‘Roger’s Red’ a japonica.Noth- ‘Roger’s Red’ at twotothree years old. early,ly scentedand tends tobloomvery reach onefootlong.‘Blue Moon’ issweet- with fragrantwhiteflower clustersthat the mostrestrained ofthenative wisterias, Among themis‘ClaraMack,’ considered also produced someshowy cultivars. from thesouthcentralUnited States has are repeat bloomers. ‘Nivea’ withlongwhiteracemes. Allthree ple,’ withdeeperpurpleflowers, and grant lavender flowers, ‘LongwoodPur- which isconsidered withfra- tobeadwarf about 25feetinfullsunorlightshade. tucky andAmericanwisteriasgrow to ond flushofbloomsinsummer. Ken- shootswillproducelightly andnew asec- growth begins.Afterflowering, trim growth inearlyspringbefore thisyear’s your vinetofourbudsoflast year’s new Trimwisterias) quitestraightforward: practicewithexotic ous andfrustrating (amysteri- the season,makingpruning growthbest ofall,itbloomsonnew of cluding thelong-tailedskipper. Perhaps, in- wildlife asahostplantforbutterflies, summer. and bloomsrecur sporadicallythrough last longer—uptoamonthormore— thereby escapinglatefrosts. Andflowers later intheseason,May andJune, also flower reliably becauseitblooms or five, butasearlyatone year. It will wisteria bloomsearlier—typicallyatfour ers at10years ofageormore, American ever, insteadofproducing itsfirstflow- nor asfragranttheAsianspecies.How- wisteria grow neitheraslongandloose vasive Japanese andChinesewisterias. into thefront yard asyou mightwithin- snaking around from thesideofhouse of Americanwisteria(Zones 5–9,9–6) You willnever discover a25-foot-longstem (W. macrostachys) frutescens) MRCNWISTERIA AMERICAN putedly mildew-free foliage. extremely floriferous coralflowers andre- the highlyregarded ‘Major Wheeler,’ with leaves; yellow-flowered ‘John Clayton’ and d with whiteflowers; ‘CedarLane,’sporting eep red flowers andnarrow, blue-green Kentucky wisteria(Zones 6–9, 9–6) Cultivars include‘Amethyst Falls’, American wisteriaalsosupports True, theflower clustersofAmerican and K NUK WISTERIA ENTUCKY (W isteria

HOW VINES CLIMB Vines have different ways of supporting themselves, so it’s important to know what kind of surface or supporting structure is appropriate when choosing or planting them. Twining vines coil around their supports in a clockwise or counter-clockwise di- rection; these vines need a sturdy trellis or network of wires or cables for support. Examples of twiners include groundnut (Apios americana), Dutchman’s pipe (Aris- tolochia spp.), Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.), and wisterias. Tendril climbers develop specialized stalks that coil where and when nec- essary. Train tendril climbers such as cross vine (Bignonia spp.), clematis, passion flowers (Passiflora spp.), and grapes (Vitis spp.) to climb on a trellis or arbor. Self-clinging vines such as Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and wood vamp (Decumaria barbara) have adhesive pads at the end of tendrils, allowing them to climb on the surface of most structures without support. While they won’t dam- age brick or stone, the pads may leave marks on painted wood surfaces. Clinging stem vines have short, but vigorous adventitious rootlets that can burrow into supports and loop through older stems—they may need initial training to ensure they grow where you intend them to. Provide sturdy support such as a tree trunk or utility pole for these vines, which include trumpet vine (Campsis spp.) and climbing euonymus (Euonymus spp.). —C.O. Dutchman’s pipe has twining stems.

bower reaches 20 feet tall. Cut it back to the ground each year and grow it up ar- bors, lamp posts, and pergolas.

AMERICAN BITTERSWEET (Celastrus scandens) American bittersweet (Zones 3–8, 8–1) is another vine with an invasive relative, Asian bittersweet (C. orbiculatus). Native to a broad range encompassing most of eastern North America, American bitter- sweet is attractive to songbirds because of its decorative fall fruits. “The leaves fall off with the first hard frosts, leaving the tawny stems adorned with the brilliant red-orange, pea-sized seeds,” says Diboll. He advises cutting the vines in long sec- tions when the seeds are ripe and using them to make decorations for Thanks- giving and Christmas. Because American bittersweet is dioe- cious, meaning male and female flowers Wisteria frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls’ are borne on separate plants, it’s important to plant several vines if you want to ensure a supply of the fruits. Plant it in part shade VIRGIN’S BOWER, WOODBINE of Prairie Nursery in Westfield, Wis- to full sun with support of a trellis, or (Clematis virginiana) consin. According to Diboll, the vine is allow it to clamber over early-blooming Often mistaken for the highly invasive “notable for its seeds rather than its shrubs. Diboll says that although the vine sweet autumn clematis (C. terniflora), flowers. Profuse clusters of white can sometimes produce a dense cover on the native virgin’s bower (Zones 3–8, blooms are upstaged by the silky silver shrubs, it does not smother them. 8–3) “adapts beautifully to garden con- seed heads in early fall.” The deep green ditions in almost any situation, provid- foliage looks great all season. PIPEVINES (Aristolochia spp.) ed it has sufficient moisture and light,” Native to most of eastern North Amer- Butterfly gardeners count on pipevine or - says Neil Diboll, chief executive officer ica west of the Rocky Mountains, virgin’s Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia macrophyl

May / June 2012 17 Celastrus scandens la, Zones 5–8, 8–4) and its fuzzy-leaved foul), it is the huge, overlapping heart- CROSS VINE cousin woolly pipevine (A. tomentosa, shaped leaves—eight inches or more (Bignonia capreolata syn. Zones 5–9, 9–3) as larval food sources for across—that endear this vine to gardeners. Anisostichus capreolata) the pipevine swallowtail butterfly. Dutch- Because pipevines grow from fleshy roots Cross vine (Zones 6–9, 9–5) is a favorite of man’s pipe is a hardy, vigorous, East Coast or rhizomes, they are best transplanted garden writer Jan Midgley of Birmingham, native which when given a site in sun or while dormant. Alabama. Midgley, author of Southern part shade and moist soil, will quickly grow Woolly pipevine is native from the Wildflowers, especially appreciates its ac- to 30 feet. Its small, purplish brown flow- Midwest, south to Texas and Florida. It commodating nature. “It will grow in part ers—which bear a resemblance to the has slightly larger flowers than Dutch- shade or full sun, in average moisture or on curved, Calabash-style pipes that fictional man’s pipe but also grows up to 30 feet. a rock outcrop. It is great for covering ugly sleuth Sherlock Holmes is often portrayed Western gardeners can try California or cement walls. If shade grown, it should with—appear in early to midsummer. Sierra pipevine (A. californica, Zones have a half day of sun in order to get bloom They are carried on old growth, so do not 7–9, 8–4), a northern California native at a level where one can enjoy the show.” cut the vine back in fall. that grows 10 to 12 feet tall. Its creamy, The showy, fragrant flowers—stun- While the flowers are enchanting (al- two-inch diameter flowers are highlight- ning two-tone red and yellow trumpets though some people consider their odor ed by bright red markings. that attract hummingbirds—appear in May and June. Cross vine’s native range is Sources southern Ontario and the entire eastern United States. Its compound leaves are Forestfarm, Williams, OR. (541) 846-7269. www.forestfarm.com. fully evergreen in the southern part of its Nearly Native Nursery, Fayettville, GA. (770) 460-6284. range, but the vine may die to the ground www.nearlynativenursery.com. over winter in the north. Oikos Tree Crops, Kalamazoo, MI. (269) 624-6233. www.oikostreecrops.com. Midgley has seen cross vine used “ef- Sunlight Gardens, Andersonville, TN. (800) 272-7396. www.sunlightgardens.com. fectively around light poles in an upscale Wilkerson Mill Gardens, Chattahoochee Hills, GA. (770) 463-2400. shopping center in Birmingham.” Let www.hydrangea.com. “light poles” serve as the caveat here. Woodlanders, Inc., Aiken, SC. (803) 648-7522. www.woodlanders.net. Cross vine can climb by tendrils to 50 feet if given half a chance, and it is known to Resources spread underground where conditions Armitage’s Vines and Climbers by Allan M. Armitage. Timber Press, Portland, are to its liking. Give it something to Oregon, 2010. hold onto to get it started and then stand Flowering Vines: Beautiful Climbers edited by Karan Davis Cutler. Part of the back; it can be cut back hard if it out- 21st-Century Gardening Series from Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York, grows its support structure. The New York, 1999. ‘Tangerine Beauty’ is orange-red with a

golden throat.

18 the American Gardener MORE NATIVE VINES TO CONSIDER Botanical name Type Height/Spread Ornamental features/ Native range USDA Hardiness, (Common name) (feet) Site requirements AHS Heat Zones Adlumia fungosa biennial 8–12/2–3 Clusters of pink flowers in late Canada south to 3–7, 7–3 (Allegheny fleece vine) twiner summer/shady site with support North Carolina Asarina antirrhiniflora annual 6–8/2–3 Tubular pink to purple flowers in Texas, Southwest 9–12, 12–1 (climbing snapdragon) twiner summer/full sun, trellis or fencing Cocculus carolinus perennial 12/2-3 Pale green flowers in summer, eastern U.S. 5–9, 9–5 (moralbeads) twiner red fruits in fall/part shade to shade Decumaria barbara perennial 15–25/2–4 Glossy green foliage, creamy southeastern U.S. 6–9, 9–6 (wood vamp) self-clinger white flowers in late spring/site in part shade, provide support Lonicera ciliosa perennial 5–15/2–4 blue-green foliage and orange British Columbia 5–8, 8–5 (orange honeysuckle) twiner flowers late spring into summer/ south to northern part shade, water in dry periods California Menispermum perennial 10–15/2–5 pale green flowers in mid- to late eastern U.S. 5–8, 8–5 canadense twiner summer, followed by black fruits*/ (moonseed) part shade to shade

*The clustered fruits, which resemble grapes, are poisonous, so this is not a good choice for a garden frequented by children.

hummingbirds that visit them; others con- sider this vine an invasive thug. No matter which view you hold, keeping this south- eastern United States native from becom- ing a 40-foot monster takes tough love. Rather than pruning the vigorous stems, cloaked in dark green compound leaves, Reich suggests just “whacking it back.” Because it tends to send up root suck- ers in all directions, plant it where it can- not reach what you don’t want engulfed. Some possible locations for trumpet vine are at the base of a very large, dead tree sur- rounded by mowed or on a chain link fence in an area where its spread will be limited by hardscaping. Its spectacular show of midsummer tubular flowers attract swarms of hum- Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine‘Tangerine Beauty’Beauty’ mingbirds. Cultivars provide a range of flower colors: ‘Jersey Peach’ is a lovely pale peach, ‘Atropurpurea’ is a wonderful deep VIRGINIA CREEPER Insignificant greenish-white summer flow- , and ‘Flava’ is a soft yellow. (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) ers give way to clusters of dark berries that Virginia creeper (Zones 3–10, 9–1) is a de- are eagerly eaten by many birds. Every garden has at least one unsightly ciduous vine that grows in the wild While some gardeners will shudder at problem spot. If you camouflage it with a throughout the eastern United States and the idea of planting Virginia creeper, it has native vine, enjoying more wildlife will be south to Mexico, It usually grows to merit in the shady part of a naturalistic gar- part of the bargain. Just be sure to match about 25 feet, but has been known to den where few other vines will flourish. the vigor of the vine you choose to the lo- reach as much as 75 feet. Leaves of the cultivar ‘Monham’ (Star cation and the size of the problem.  It climbs and holds on by little disks at Showers®) sport irregular splashes of white, the end of short tendrils. These holdfasts, and in cool weather, a lovely pink blush. A contributing writer for The American unlike those of trumpet vine and ivy (Hed- Gardener, Carole Ottesen gardens in Mary- era spp.), are not harmful to masonry but TRUMPET VINE (Campsis radicans) land and Nova Scotia. Her latest book, Dy- will disfigure the finish of painted wood. Some admire the red-orange flowers of ing for the Christmas Rose, a garden mys-

Its green palmate leaves turn red in the fall. trumpet vine (Zones 3–9, 9–3) and the tery, was published this spring.

May / June 2012 19 Sustainable Hardscaping for an Earth-Wise Garden

When it comes to environmental responsibility, many gardeners are aware of the need to make wise plant selections and practice gardening techniques that conserve water and don’t harm the ecosystem. But to be truly earth-friendly, it makes sense to think the same way about the other parts of a garden, such as pathways, fences, and outdoor furniture.

BY BETH O’DONNELL YOUNG

HE CHOICES you make about materials for your hardscape (the T structural, usually nonliving, el- ements of the landscape) have an impact on this world, for better or for worse. It takes an awareness of the consequences of your decisions as well as a willingness to go beyond the norm (that is, tradi- tional landscaping materials) to make earth-wise choices. To be conscientious about landscape materials, you must question everything about traditional landscape materials, the things that you can purchase at your gar- den center, your local big-box store’s gar- dening department, your lumberyard, even your stoneyard. Because, as with a lot of current landscape practices, the status quo is damaging our earth. What follows are the things to think about before you buy something new. These are guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules. Your best bet is to consider the full range of options, throw out what doesn’t work for you, and weigh the rest. Making conscious choices—rather than buying what the commercials tell us to buy—is the best we can do.

This article is an excerpt from The Naturescap- ing Workbook© Copyright 2011 by Beth O’Donnell Young with photographs by Karen Bussolini. Published by Timber Press, Portland, Oregon. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

20 the American Gardener TO PURCHASE OR NOT TO PURCHASE and buy prefabricated landscape materi- Do you really need to buy it? Or can you als and install them in a weekend. What GIVE OLD STUFF NEW LIFE beg, borrow, or share it? Perhaps you could did they do? Here are some ideas for jump-starting rethink purchasing that fancy play struc- They used what was at hand. Boards, your own creative musings about how ture—after all, all the kids in the neigh- yes, but also branches, grasses, bamboo to repurpose rather than purchase. borhood need only one. Does every home canes, straw, dried manure, crushed rock, need a patio set big enough for parties? chalk dust, hide, hair, and hay. Twigs ■ Urbanite is an increasingly popular What if all the neighbors chipped in for an were soaked to make them pliable and material for making steps, retaining extra patio set that anyone could borrow? then bent and tied or glued into trellises, walls, raised beds, and patios. It’s sim- Rethinking our natural tendency as Amer- arbors, and furniture. Thin branches ply broken-up concrete, repurposed. It’s icans to be independent might lead to were woven between stakes to make free and can usually be had for the ask- some good neighborly relations (or at least fences or daubed with gypsum to make ing if you see a pile of it at a construc- you might meet the neighbors). durable walls. Bamboo canes were used tion site. You haul and it’s yours. for fences as well as paving and orna- ■ Wire can be used to string together INDIGENOUS, INGENIOUS mentation. Mud and straw were com- cans, bottles, or found objects such as If you decide you need it, you can still bined to make bricks and roof tiles. beads or keys from a secondhand stretch your thinking process to go be- Stains were created from berries and veg- store to create rain chains or partitions yond the standard materials. Think back etable extracts. Structures were weather- to divide outdoor rooms. to the time when folks could not go out proofed with gypsum, mud, and/or ■ Old toolboxes make intriguing straw. Stone was broken and carried to planters. make paving, walls, and water features ■ Old toilet tank lids can be painted that stand centuries after being built. and used as stepping-stones. Just be To find out what techniques were used sure to put strips of nonskid tape in your region, you may have to do some across lengthwise to prevent slipping sleuthing. Your local historical museum and sliding on a rainy day. would be a good place to start; it may have ■ Wire cages picked up at a home sal- information on how local people lived be- vage or used-building-material store can fore industrialization, what materials were be filled with objects like cut branches abundant, and how they were used. An- or glass bottles to create gabions, which other source of ideas is to look toward an- can be used as tables or walls. cient (or just preindustrial) cultures with ■ Old sheets can be transformed into similar climates to yours: if you live in the flags or canopies. coastal Northeast, you could borrow ideas from England and Japan; in the arid West, you could look toward the Middle East have hazelnut groves, and the cracked and North Africa, and so on. Researching shells make a lovely path material that is the old ways of making paths, fences, walls, long-lasting and that ties in visually with and overhead structures around the world nearby trunks and branches; walking on might inspire you to start an entirely “new” this material generates a sharp crunch that way of hardscaping in your area—one that is somehow restful. Farms are usually eager is gentle on the land as well as your wallet. to give you by-products that are useless to them, but you will have to haul these gifts BY-PRODUCTS, NOT PRODUCTS TO BUY away yourself. You’d be surprised what you Thinking in terms of using materials at might glean—anything from aged manure hand, particularly free materials that are to mint hay to used tools. the by-product of some form of local pro- Don’t forget local manufacturers. Ask- duction, can save you a lot of money. Find ing friends what their company’s (or de- out what the local farms grow and what partment’s) waste products are might get their by-products are. Here in Oregon we you thinking: maybe I can make a fence of that, or stack it into a wall, or lash it to- This fence was built using scrap lumber and gether to make a trellis. Shipping pallets, branches cut from juniper trees on the prop- for instance, can easily be recycled into erty. It serves the purpose of creating a bins. Stone scrap from the man- boundary between a densely planted area ufacture of kitchen counters can be turned of the garden and a more open, casual area, rough side up to serve as stepping-stones. and it adds texture and local character to Another source of materials is our pub-

the scene. Design by Betsy Arriola. lic lands. If you ask the appropriate local

May / June 2012 21 22 Reused bricksareagoodchoicefornaturescapepathbecausetheyhintofthearea’shistoryandsaveresources.DesignbyBe tsy Arriola. Every culture sincethedawnoftime has REIMAGINE AND REPURPOSE authority forpermission,you mightbe mind whatyou want,how muchyou anabundant self to(asmallamountof) surprised tofindthatyou can helpyour- want, whenyou wouldliketoremove it, ing forpermission,besure tohave in gravel orcobble,fallleaves. Before ask- natural resource, suchasbeachsand,river and how you propose tohaulit. used whatisabundanttomakeshelterand world alsohasthingsinabundance.Sadly, landscape structures. Our 21st-century and fixes itup soitcanhavelifeas anew usually discarded item, sayanolddoor, our abundancecanbefoundinland- more. Enter repurposing, whichtakesa or stylishness,simplydon’t work any- something else, sayapicnictable. goods thathave outlived their usefulness fills, where we have discarded household the American Gardener alternative. Purchasing canbeguilt- new In isyour somecases, buyingnew only BUYNEW… YOUIF MUST make beautiful,usefulgarden piecesand can’t quitebeplaced.It willaddatouchof elements thatlookvaguely familiarbut identifiable asitsformerself. Better to the repurposed shouldnotbeeasily part was butwhatitcouldbe. eyes;places withnew don’t seewhatit great Walk placestostart. around these vage shopsandsecondhandstores are rainchain.Houseand-yogurt-cup sal- look likefootsteps;andeven astring- sneaker solesplacedinaconcrete pathto bench withabuilt-insoilfunnel;cut-off ondhand sinktomakeahandypotting gardens: anolddeskfittedwithasec- visitors solve theriddle. intrigue toyour yard, andhumorasyour One caveat, though:toavoid tackiness, I’ve seengreat repurposed itemsin posite decking, andfurniture. There is as rainbarrels, composters, hoses,com- high insomeplasticlandscape itemssuch high recycled content.Recycled content is where you live. even rethink woodifitdecaysquickly away from anytreated wood;perhaps as landscapetimbersformanyyears. Stay in oldrailroad ties,whichhave beensold wood preservatives inthepastandfound avoid arsenicandcreosote, oftenusedas to smogandgroundwater pollution.Also compounds orVOCs, whichcontribute paints andcoatingswithvolatile organic make informeddecisions. thinking inthesetermswillhelpyou product withalloftheseattributes, but modular. It wouldbedifficulttofindone cally produced, are durable,and are toxic, have highrecycled content,are lo- free ifyou chooseproducts thatare non- More andmore products new have Toxic substancestoavoid include

PLANT YOUR HARDSCAPE Although hardscape is conventionally understood to be nonliving, there’s no reason why plants can’t serve as struc- tures that are incorporated into the landscape. Here are a few ideas:

■ For a security wall, try planting a hedge of cactus, barberry, pyracantha, or holly. ■ For a fence, why not use a thin hedge of upright shrubs or trees like hornbeam or arborvitae, or a cordon (a freestanding tree or shrub that has been trained to grow flat)? ■ For latticework, an espaliered tree or shrub (one trained to grow flat against a structure) will work just fine. ■ For a patio, let an organic lawn or a walk-on groundcover be the pavement. ■ Instead of building an arbor, plant a tree to provide shade and something for your clematis to twine on.

of landscape fashion change (they do, but slowly) you can give away, resell, or reset the pieces as you please—with no waste generated in the process. THE AFTERLIFE Regardless of whether your landscape materials are shared, natural, by-prod- ucts, repurposed, or new, there’s one last (and lasting) thing to think about: what happens when they are no longer need- Old stuff can have a new life in your garden—and bring your garden to life. This rose- ed? Will they take a lot of energy to break themed path makes creative use of old tiles and manhole covers gleaned from an urban up and remove? Will they fall apart, leav- renewal project in Portland, Oregon (the Rose City). ing an unsightly, even toxic, mess? The best choice, in respect to the af- even recycled wood mulch, made from portant to consumers. When given a terlife, are the biodegradable items. Na- old pallets rather than virgin wood. choice, choose durable. For example, if ture knows what it is doing. Natural Taking a cue from locavores, who you have decided on plastic lawn edging materials do not need to be removed; make a good effort to eat only locally (to keep the grass roots from spreading to when they are done, they revert to their grown food, you can make a good effort the adjacent flower beds), choose the elements and regroup into something to purchase only locally manufactured more durable plastic. But also consider cool like food for a termite or mealybug. landscape materials. You might find that the bigger picture: What else can keep And rather than requiring energy to this is harder than it sounds. But it can the roots at bay? Perhaps the answer is break down, they generate energy for the be done with a bit of sleuthing. Start at deep-set concrete blocks or natural stone. garden as they all but magically disap- your garden center—ask where the item And last, when buying new, choose pear. Espaliered trees, walkable ground was made. If they don’t know, ask for the modular over built-in. For example, if cover, even cacti can make excellent hard- name of the distributor, who can tell you you want a patio, consider setting con- scape stand-ins; we just need to expand where it was manufactured. You may crete blocks or natural stone in tamped our definition of hardscape.  find that the product is not made nearby sand rather than poured concrete (but do at all, but by asking around you are rais- it accurately so it lasts for years without Beth O’Donnell Young owns a residential

ing retailers’ awareness that this is im- becoming uneven). That way, as the tides landscape design firm in Corvallis, Oregon.

May / June 2012 23 24 All-American Herbs All-American Herbs the American Gardener

ISTORICALLY, people have relied on herbs indigenous to Htheir part of the world to im- prove their quality of life. Their many ap- plications include medicines, dyes, fragrances, teas, and flavorings. Howev- er, the majority of herbs—such as laven- der, thyme, and rosemary—grown in American gardens today originated in the region around the Mediterranean Sea, the Near East, and Asia. While these herbs certainly earn their keep in our gardens, there are many herbs native to North America with plenty to offer. In fact, several have become popular

For a non-traditional herb garden, try some of these attractive and intriguing American native plants that have a long history of medicinal or culinary use.

BY DONALD HUMPHREY

ornamental plants that many gardeners grow without any awareness of their his- toric herbal properties. Others are more obscure native plants that deserve to be more widely known and grown. Please keep in mind that although the plants in this article are generally regarded as safe to grow, the descriptions of tradi- tional herbal or medicinal uses of these plants are included purely for informa- tional purposes and should not be con- Opposite page: Beebalm and purple coneflowers, growing here in the West Virginia garden strued as a guide or recommendation for of John and Clara Thomas, have long histories of medicinal and herbal use. Statuesque treating any medical conditions. Culver’s root, above, is a good back-of-the-border perennial.

ORNAMENTALS WITH A MEDICINAL PAST from the Great Plains and pale purple tem. More to the point for gardeners, the If you have perused the herbal medicine coneflower (E. pallida, Zones 4–8, 8–1), attractive, long-lasting, lavender-pink aisle at a supermarket or pharmacy re- which is native primarily in the central summer flowers lend themselves well to cently, it will come as no surprise that and upper Midwest. sunny borders and draw an array of polli- America’s native coneflowers (Echinacea Documented pharmaceutical uses of nators and other beneficial wildlife. spp.) have a long history of medicinal coneflowers date back to the 1880s, and Native Americans utilized the roots of use. Most gardeners are familiar with Native Americans used roots, stems, black cohosh (Actaea racemosa, Zones purple coneflower (, leaves, and flowers to treat conditions 3–8, 12–1) as a diuretic and to treat USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4–9, AHS ranging from burns, colds, and toothaches women’s reproductive disorders. Native to Heat Zones 9–1), but two other species to snakebites. Studies have shown that the most of eastern North America, it grows worth planting are black Samson cone- plant contains compounds that reduce in- best in cool, moist locations. Its tall white

flower (E. angustifolia, Zones 4–9, 9–1) flammation and boost the immune sys- spires of fuzzy spring and summer flowers

May / June 2012 25 26 the 18th century fordengueorbreak-bone the 18thcentury name ofwormgrass becauseofitshistoric pr ly becauseitwasahouseholdremedy in full sunandmoisttowet soils. use asatreatment forintestinal worms. 9–2), whichalsogoesby thelessappealing fever, whichcancausepainsinlimbs. patorium per root common nameisthoughttorefer toits use forhealingbroken bonesormore like- eastern North America,itgrows bestin and richgreen foliagemakeitanattractive mer thatattractpollinators.Native to ops largepaniclesofpinkflowers insum- to seven feettallandhalfaswide,itdevel- tractinfections.Growingand urinary five 9–1) hasbeenusedtotreat burns,gout, for itspowerful andemeticprop- cathartic globe-shaped flowers insummer. Native long andgreenish-white, honey-scented, gray, sword-shaped leaves uptothree feet feet tallandhalfaswide,itfeatures blue- treatment forsnakebites.Growing tofour pean settlerstotreat awiderangeofail- was usedby Native AmericansandEuro- ( b syn. used b virginicum, icastrum sun or part shade. sun orpart easily grown inwell-drained soilinfull central andeasternNorth America,itis nial ormixed borders. shrub Native to creates accentinperen- adistinctvertical white orpalepinklatesummerflowers, it to three feetwidewitherect racemesof Growingerties. uptosixfeettallandtwo and and fevers, toassistwithchildbirth, sun inwell-drained, sandysoil. and southtoFlorida, itgrows bestinfull from theGreat Plains easttoConnecticut ments, itwasperhapsbestknown asa right, toleratesmoistsites. relative withwhiteflowers,boneset,below tolerant pairing,aboveright.AJoe-Pye Adder’ makeanattractiveanddrought- Rattlesnake-master andAgastache Eryngium yuccifolium, Eryngium ack-of-the-border addition. oduces whiteflowers inlatesummer. Its Similar insize andrange,boneset (Eu- One ofmyfavorite wildflowers ispink- Though theroot ofrattlesnake-master Joe-Pye weed (E The blackroot ofCulver’s root (V Eupatorium purpureum, the American Gardener (Spigelia marilandica, y Native Americanstotreat coughs foliatum, utrochium purpureum, Zones 4–8,8–3),was Z Zones 3–8,8–1) ones 4–9,12–1) Z Z ones 5–9, ones 3–9, ‘Black eron-

Once used to treat intestinal worms, pinkroot, above, has a more appealing role in a partly shaded garden site. Lemon beebalm, left, can be used to make tea that has a citrusy flavor.

Native to the southeastern United States, New York. I enjoy a few leaves of it in my it prefers part shade and acidic soil. It regular tea—the fragrance resembles that grows to one-and-a-half feet tall and wide, of the citrus bergamot orange, the oil of so it works well at the front of a perennial which is used to flavor Earl Grey tea. The border or at the edge of a path where its species has bright red summer flowers, two-inch-long, red, trumpet-shaped flow- which are magnets for bees, butterflies, ers—and the hummingbirds it may at- and hummingbirds, but cultivars are avail- tract—can be easily viewed. able in an array of colors. Because it suck- ers freely, it may need containment in a AROMATIC HERBS small garden. Mildew also can be a prob- Several of the 17 species in the genus lem, especially in the South, but resistant Monarda are known both for their herbal cultivars are available. and ornamental qualities. Perhaps the Native to most of the United States and most familiar to gardeners is M. didyma Canada, M. fistulosa (Zones 3–9, 9–1) has (Zones 4–10, 10–1)—commonly referred pale lavender flowers, mint-scented foliage, to as Oswego tea, beebalm, or berg- and is known variously as horse mint or amot—which is native to wooded areas in wild bergamot. The Spanish name oregana eastern North America, so it prefers moist, de la sierra suggests its use in the kitchen rich soil and tolerates some shade. The garden. Unlike M. didyma, it is drought re- name “Oswego tea” refers to the use of the sistant. Less ornamental than the preced-

leaves for tea by early settlers in Upstate ing species are mint-leaf bergamot (M.

May / June 2012 27 Resources Though traditionally used in medicinal and culinary teas, I have used the leaves in The Encyclopedia of Herbs by Arthur O. Tucker and Thomas DeBaggio. Timber cooking in the same manner as oregano Press, Portland, Oregon, 2009. and find the scent very pleasant. It may be A Field Guide to Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs by Steven Foster and Christo- short-lived, so saving seeds is suggested. pher Hobbs. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts, 2002. Native to the Southwest, threadleaf Herb Society of America, www.herbsociety.org. giant hyssop (Agastache rupestris, Zones The History and Folklore of North American Wildflowers by Timothy Coffey. 5–9, 9–5) is a real jewel. It is a subshrub that Houghton Mifflin Co, Boston, Massachusetts, 1993. grows up to three feet tall and nearly as National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs by Rebecca L. Johnson, Steven wide. The soft gray-green leaves have a root Foster, Tieraona Low Dog & David Kiefer. National Geographic Society, Wash- beer aroma. The one-inch, tubular, pink- ington, D.C., 2010. and-orange flowers, which attract hum- North American Native Plant Society, www.nanps.org. mingbirds, appear by midsummer and continue until a hard frost. It prefers full sun and sharply drained soil. Since it flow- Sources ers the first year if started early, it may be Mountain Valley Growers, Inc., Squaw Valley, CA. (559) 338-2775. grown as an annual in colder climates. www.mountainvalleygrowers.com. Yerba buena or Oregon tea (Clinopodi- Plants of the Southwest, Santa Fe, NM. (800) 788-7333. um douglasii, syn. Satureja douglasii, www.plantsofthesouthwest.com. Zones 6–9, 8–6) is a low-growing, creep- Prairie Nursery, Westfield, WI. (800) 476-9453. www.prairienursery.com. ing perennial native primarily along the Richters, Goodwood, Ontario, Canada. (905) 640-6677. www.richters.com. Pacific Coast from British Columbia The Sandy Mush Herb Nursery, Leicester, NC. (828) 683-2014. south to southern California. Its rounded www.sandymushherbs.com. green leaves have a mintlike scent and can Woodlanders, Inc., Aiken, SC. (803) 648-7522. www.woodlanders.net. be dried and used to make a tea. Tiny white or pinkish flowers bloom off and on from late spring into summer. It’s suitable fistulosa ssp. fistulosa var. menthifolia, New York to South Carolina and west to as a groundcover in shade or part shade, Zones 3–9, 9–1) and the annual lemon bee- Oklahoma in dry woodlands. It has a pen- slowly spreading to three or four feet in di- balm (M. citriodora, Zones 6–10, 10–2). chant for sloping, well-drained sites. It has ameter. It thrives in moist soils but is Both are native to the central United small, delicate leaves, and its branches di- drought tolerant, sometimes going dor- States, have aromatic leaves, and have tra- vide again and again, giving it a light, airy mant during dry periods. ditionally been used in teas. appearance. Growing to a foot or so in Stone mint or dittany (Cunila orig- both height and width, it is covered with LESSER-KNOWN SPECIES anoides, Zones 6–8, 8–6) is found from small lavender flowers in late summer. Related to yerba buena is Georgia calamint

Both threadleaf giant hyssop, above, and Lemmon's marigold, shown right growing at Cistus Nursery in Oregon, have fragrant foliage

and are native to the American Southwest.

28 the American Gardener A compact selection of California blue sage, ‘Winnifred Gilman’ bears fragrant deep violet flowers at the end of thin, reddish stems.

(Clinopodium georgianum, Zones 7–8, unique scent that I find both warm and of California blue sage ( clevelandii, 8–7), which occurs from North Carolina sweet. It flourishes in high summer heat, Zones 8–10, 10–1). It resembles garden sage to Mississippi. This upright shrub grows making it a practical substitute for French with its gray, puckered foliage, but because about 20 inches high, and is clothed in nar- tarragon, which does not. The plant bears it grows three to four feet tall and twice as row, green, mint-scented leaves that are little resemblance to typical marigolds in wide, it appears more shrublike. Its whorls used in teas. The numerous half-inch that its leaves are entire and untoothed, of blue-purple flowers open from late lavender flowers appear on the upper part but its late autumn flowers, though small spring through summer and attract bees. of the stems in autumn. and insignificant, give it away. The fragrant leaves are used in sachets and Lemmon’s marigold ( lemmonii, The modest little plants of the Amer- potpourri. It grows best in full sun and Zones 8–9, 12–1) is a slightly woody peren- ican genus Hedeoma bear a superficial re- well-drained soil. In cooler regions, it nial, endemic to the mountains of south- semblance to the Old World thymes. makes an attractive container plant for a eastern Arizona where it grows in rich, Most of the 20 or so species are found sunny terrace. moist canyon soils. It is a bushy plant with from Texas to Arizona, but a couple hail Many fine native plants with herbal finely divided, aromatic, deep green leaves from the eastern United States. The only properties exist in every region of the sometimes used to flavor Tex-Mex cuisine. species I have grown is aromatic false country. While a good number of them It grows to two feet or more in height and pennyroyal (H. hyssopifolia, Zones 7–9, are already well known, others are excit- width. The abundant, inch-wide, soft yel- 12–6), native to Arizona and New Mexi- ing, little-known plants that will add low flowers are also fragrant, but with a co. The flowering stems grow to a foot or beauty and intrigue to your garden.  warmer, subtler scent. Because the blooms more and bear tiny lavender-pink flow- appear in late fall, an early cold snap may ers in summer. The evergreen winter Donald Humphrey is former garden manag- kill the flowers in northern gardens. growth is composed of numerous, erect er of Green Springs Garden Park in Alexan- A somewhat better-known marigold stems with tiny, fragrant leaves said to dria, Virginia. Now retired, he lives in Wor- native from Sonora southward is Mexican contain oils that repel insects. thington, Ohio. This article is a revised and tarragon or sweet-scented marigold (T. lu- The chaparral of San Diego County adapted version of one published in the

cida, Zones 8–11, 12–1), which releases a and adjacent Baja California is the home July/August 2002 The American Gardener.

May / June 2012 29 30 moths tovisityourgarden. No matterwhereyouliveor encourage butterfliesand are manythingsyoucandoto what sizeyourgarden,there and thesedon’t alwaysoverlap. More im- feed from awidevariety ofnectarflowers, portant, butterflies only laytheireggson butterflies portant, you don’t know reside whichbutterflies in den designscanlackmagneticpotentialif young cangrow. But even thebestofgar- food, water, shelter, andplaceswhere their garden isby enticingthemwiththecrea- tion over 10,000mothspecies).Thebest inNorthbutterflies America(nottomen- visit andlingerinthegarden. thatcometo generations ofbutterflies ladies, Californiasisters,andmychild- garden isfrequented by many species,in- motion.The magnet alive withcolorful will helpinselectingappropriate plantsto fly speciesthatare commontoyour region your area orvisitduringmigration. ture we allneedforsurvival: comforts way tolure thesewingedwonderstoyour year withoutfailweAnd every have new hood favorite, theever sociableskipper. cluding swallowtails, blues,painted F but eachspeciesdoeshave theirfavorites ifspaceislimited.Butterflies important grow toattractthem,which isespecially the specific host plants for the larval stage the specifichostplantsforlarval of theirlifecycle becausecaterpillarsoften require specialized diets. very butterflies andotherpollinators (see“Re-butterflies organizations thatofferinformation about vation groups inyour area, andspecific sources,” page 33). species, includingyour cooperative exten- help you learnaboutlocalbutterfly sion office,regional guidebooks,conser- BY KRISWETHERBEE There are more than800 species of Familiarizing yourself with thebutter- Many resources are available thatcan the American Gardener gon homebecomesabutterfly f ROM SPRINGTOFALL, ront courtyard garden atmyOre- the A swallowtailbutterfly sipsnectarfromscarlet beebalm (Monarda didyma). Butterflies bring onthe Butterflies bring onthe

from abutterfly’s perspective. Theflower’s ty andaccessibilityofthenectariswhat degrees, butthequanti- tovarying terflies color, shape,andfragrancewillattractbut- ers are created equal,however, atleast tovisit.Notvariety ofbutterflies allflow- laden withsweet nectarwillenticeawide A NECT will causethemtostayandfeed. sweetness. Whenthosereceptors finda are equippedwithspecialreceptors for boscises) andusethemlikestraws.Once a coil theirtubulartongues(calledpro- nectar-laden treasure, theseinsectswillun- will return tothatlocationagainandagain. discoversbutterfly itsfavorite flowers, it cosmopolitan tastes,which are best served withasmorgasbordserved ofnectar-rich flowers withavariety offloral shapes.Re- these are evolved theplantsbutterflies gionally native plantsare idealbecause garden flowers withdriftsofcolorful Butterflies tastewiththeirfeet,which Adult typicallyhave very butterflies AR SOURCES (A (M the hotsummermonthswith beebalm (Syringa blooming plantssuchasdianthus, lilacs bloom atdifferent timesoftheyear. For example, you mightincludespring- garden allseasonlong,includeplantsthat the garden. tubular flowers alsolure into butterflies small flowers, bell-shapedflowers, and (Echinacea coneflowersmos, chrysanthemums, Asters,cos- source formanybutterflies. providing anexcellent all-around nectar like flowers—are great forthemasses, are alsosuitable. with, butmanynon-native nectarplants bear composedofmany of nectar-richcomposites.Plants that spp.), andzinniasare examples justafew (Rudbeckia sclepias To comingtoyour keepbutterflies Composites—plants thathave daisy- onarda spp.), lupines, andphlox; span spp.), coneflowers, milkweeds spp.), lavenders ( spp spp .), sunflowers ( .), black-eyed Susans plants to keep butterflies well fed,the plants tokeep butterflies With aseason-longbuffet offlowering FEEDING CATERPILLARS spotted purples,tawnyemperors, anda sources offood.Mourning cloaks,red- flowers, sodon’t neglectsupplyingother do thisinsmallgardens. ing vinesare efficientwayto aparticularly that goesunusedinmanyyards. Flower- this takesadvantage space ofthevertical plants thatflower atdifferent heights— appeal topollinatorsisincludelayers of pealing it is to these butterfly species. pealing itistothesebutterfly themorestage—the riperthefruit, ap- fresh toreach fruit thebutterfly-attracting easy todo. It maytakeadayortwofor inasaucerorbirdoffering fruit feederis with thebird droppings andsapflows, but watermelon rinds. (mashed), past-their-primepeaches,and tongues intothingslikeoverripe bananas archs have beenknown todiptheir species suchaspaintedladiesandmon- Evendung, androtting fruit. nectar-loving trees,from certain bird droppings, animal otherspeciespreferfew thesapthatexudes spp (Solidago , mums,sedums,andgoldenrods w feed onnectar,includingthis owl butterfly. fruit, above,willattractb (Achillea goldenrod such asblack-eyedSusan(Rudbeckia hirta), plants withavarietyofflowershapes,left, Cater tobutterfliesofallkindsbycombining ith fall-bloomingplantssuchasasters, Another waytoenhancey Not seekoutnectarfrom allbutterflies You canletnature doitsown thing .), andpenstemons;thenwrapup sp.). Leavingoutaplateofcut-up (Solidago canadensis),andyarrow spp.). May / June 2012 /June May utterflies that don’t that utterflies our garden’s 31 32 right, sipsnectarfromaverbenaflower. butterflies, aboveright.Anadultmonarch, plant forthestripedlarvaofmonarch Milkweed, shownflowering,above,isahost marily onasters.Tiger swallowtails seek other plantings, hidetheminthebackof noticeable ifyou minglethemamong while pearlcrescent caterpillarsdinepri- the femaleofeachspeciesseeksoutaspe- as longtheappropriate host plantsare adult femalesmaylingertolaytheireggs exclusively onmilkweed (A in handy. species commontoyour area really comes eggs. Thisiswhere knowing thebutterfly cific plantorplantsonwhichtolayits pickyeaters.Asaresult,caterpillars are very throughout theseasons. flutteringaround thegardenterflies growing hostplantsleadstomore but- available. Andcateringtocaterpillars by and defoliated.Thenibblesmight beless its weight intwoweeks orless. Asaresult, adore violets,red admiralsfeastmainlyon trees, while out tulippoplarandcherry larva, forexample,gainsabout2,000 times larva, black andaniseswallowtail caterpillarsdine host plants may look somewhat ragged host plantsmaylooksomewhat hocks andthistles. champion eaters.Amonarch butterfly nettles, andpaintedladiesprefer holly- on dill,fennel,andparsley. Fritillaries Monarch caterpillars,forexample,feed Unlike theirmore generalized parents, Keep inmindthatcaterpillarsare the American Gardener sclepias spp.), nutrients that butterflies need.Butterflies nutrients thatbutterflies Nectar alonedoesnotprovide for allthe WATER WORKS ner oftheyard. Anycosmeticdeficiencies the border, orconfinethemtoabackcor- butterfly-friendly waterstation by placing butterfly-friendly in garden beds,can provide aplacefor simple watersource, suchassoakerhoses minerals.Evenseek waterforcertain a emergedbutterflies. seeing allthenewly onceyouwill seemwell start worthwhile butterflies to drink. butterflies You caneasilymake anybird batha posed tofresh), theybecome even more (asop- centrated nutrients indriedfruit female’s eggs. Much likethehighlycon- breeding, andimprove theviabilityof strengthen themale’s sperm,encourage known as“puddling.” Thenutrients around thesewet spots—a behavior able nutrients.Mostly adultmalesgather have asafeplacetoperch.butterflies stones are slightlyabove waterlevel sothe or islands,makingsure thetopsof ply positionthemtocreate aseriesofsteps small stonesinonesideofthesaucer. Sim- Puddles are anotherwaytooffervalu-

Resources BOOKS Attracting Birds, Butterflies & Other Winged Wonders to Your Backyard by Kris Wetherbee. Lark Books, New York, New York, 2004. Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens (revised edition) by Douglas W. Tal- lamy. Timber Press, Portland, Ore- gon, 2009. The Xerces Society Guide to Attracting Native Pollinators by Eric Mader, Matthew Shepherd, Mace Vaughan, Scott Hoffman Black, and Gretchen LeBuhn. Storey Publishing, North Adams, Massachusetts. 2011.

Another way to enhance your garden’s appeal to butterflies is to provide a moist “puddling” ORGANIZATIONS site like this one, where they can gather to drink up needed nutrients. Butterflies and Moths of North Ameri- ca, www.butterfliesandmoths.org. concentrated as the water evaporates from light and warmth in order to fly. At 60 The North American Butterfly Associa- the puddle. As a result, butterflies often degrees Fahrenheit they begin to flutter tion, www.naba.org. continue visiting these puddling sites until and launch their colorful flight. Their The Xerces Society, www.xerces.org. they’re nearly dry. flight improves as temperatures rise and You can create an artificial puddle by the sun dries their wings burying an old pail or plastic container Butterflies also bask in the sun to absorb ciduous trees serve as good shelter sites. filled with wet sand or soil. Create places heat so they can fly when temperatures are Leave a few fallen leaves, pieces of tree for butterflies to perch by positioning a few lower. Help them out by placing flattish bark, and other natural detritus where they sticks or rocks on top of the sand, and be rocks, paving stones, or other heat-absorb- fall so butterflies will have places to crawl sure to refill the bucket before it runs dry. ing material in the sunnier areas of your underneath for shelter. A loosely stacked garden. If the location is right, this may be- log or rock pile also creates a safe haven SUNSHINE AND SHELTER come a butterfly sunbathing station. with its many open nooks and crannies. Situate your butterfly garden in a shel- A windbreak of trees or shrubs will give tered area that receives at least six hours butterflies a place to hide from the ele- AVOIDING INSECTICIDES of direct sunlight daily. Being cold- ments and roost at night. An open shed or Most —including the ones la- blooded creatures, butterflies need sun- any nearby evergreen or broad-leaved de- beled organic—are just as lethal to benefi- cial wildlife as they are to their target pests. So if you want butterflies and other polli- nators, avoid using pesticides or restrict their use to small areas of your garden. Instead of relying on pesticides, try giv- ing nature a chance. A few weeds and pest insects are a natural and essential part of any healthy habitat. It’s when ecosystems get out of balance—a condition that can be triggered by persistent use— that pest insects are likely to become abun- dant enough to cause significant damage. You are off to a good start by growing the nectar plants and host plants butter- flies seek, because this will also encourage other beneficials—including predatory in- sects such as lady beetles and lacewings— to take up residence in your garden, which

Flattish rocks in a sunny part of the garden offer butterflies a site to bask on cool days. will help keep pest populations in check.

May / June 2012 33 PROVEN PERFORMERS FOR BUTTERFLIES The following plant genera are easy to grow and broadly adaptable in North America. Most include a range of species that are native to different regions; consult regional guides or the resources listed on page 33 to identify species that do best in your area. Note, the butterflies listed with each plant group are just the ones most commonly associated with the genus; other types of butterflies may also visit these plants.

Common name Height/Spread Ornamental features Butterflies USDA, AHS Zones (Botanical name) (feet) Asters (/ 2–5/1–3 Clusters of white to purple flowers late bf, bl, cp, mo, Zones vary Symphyotrichum spp.). summer to fall pl, sk, su, wh Beebalms 1–4/1–4 Annuals and perennials with aromatic bl, wh Zones vary (Monarda spp.) foliage and summer flowers Milkweeds 2–6/1–3 Easy-care perennials with clusters of tubular bf, bl, cp, hs, mo, Zones vary ( spp.) flowers in summer pl, sk, su, st *Chrysanthemums 1–4/1–3 Perennials and annuals with colorful flowers bf, mo, sk, su, st Zones vary (Chrysanthemum spp.) in late summer Coneflowers 1–4/1–3 Easy-care perennials with daisylike white to bf, pl, sk, su, st, wh 4–9, 9–1 (Echinacea spp.) purple flowers in summer , tickseeds 2–4/1–2 Easy-care perennials and annuals with yellow bf, mo, pl, sk, su Zones vary (Coreopsis spp.) flowers in spring to summer * 2–8/2–6 Fast-growing annuals or warm-climate shrubs bf, hs, mo, sk, 7–12, 12–1 ( spp.) with colorful summer flowers su, st, wh *Lavenders 1–4/2–4 Drought-tolerant perennials or shrubs with bf, hs, pl, sk, su, st Zones vary (Lavandula spp.) spikes of white to purple summer flowers *Salvias 1–5/1–3 Annuals and perennials with spikes of colorful bf, hs, pl, su, Zones vary (Salvia spp.) tubular flowers in summer sk, wh, st * 1–4/1–2 Heat-loving annuals that bloom from summer bf, mo, pl, sk, 9–11, 12–1 ( spp.) until frost su, st, wh

bf = brushfoots; bl = blues; cp = coppers; hs = hairstreaks; mo = monarchs; pl = painted ladies; sk = skippers; su = sulphurs; st = swallowtails; wh = whites *Good for containers

CONTAINER BUTTERFLY PLANTS to dish up a portable feast for butterflies, bricks, pedestals, upside-down pots, or Whether in the form of planters, hanging especially where space is limited. plant stands. baskets, or window box gardens, contain- The key to creating an attractive dis- To get the most out of your butterfly er plantings are a quick and compact way play that both people and butterflies can container gardens, place them in areas you enjoy is to have some of the spend a lot of time in or can view from in- same color themes and plant side the house, such as a patio, deck, court- types in a container while yard, or entrance area. You can also use varying the heights, textures, potted plants to fill in bare spaces in a and bloom times. You can newly planted perennial bed or garden achieve this by combining border. Stagger them on steps, encircle a trailing, bushy, and upright tree, or use them to line a walkway or path. plants—either by grouping Whether your butterfly attraction of pots, each containing a sin- choice is a , a small bed, gle species, or by planting or an entire garden or meadow, one thing several species in one con- is for certain: With a little planning and tainer. You can also arrange the right selection of plants, it’s easy to your containers at varying provide an enticing habitat for butter- heights by putting them on flies—not to mention other pollinators and hummingbirds—and a beautiful Where garden space is limited, oasis for yourself.  you can grow nectar-rich plants like in containers to Kris Wetherbee’s garden in Oakland, Oregon,

attract butterflies. is a haven for butterflies.

34 the American Gardener the Bulbs of Summer

Add an exotic touch to your garden with an alphabet’s worth of summer-blooming bulbous plants

from Agapanthus to Zephyranthes. BY DAVID J. ELLIS

OST OF US have an estab- lished design or theme in our M gardens, but even the most conservative gardener enjoys trying some- thing slightly exotic or unusual to add a splash of color in a bed or container. One easy way to accomplish this is with tropi- cal or subtropical bulbous plants that bloom in summer. The plants profiled in this article are selected from those I have tried over the last decade in my Maryland garden along with others recommended by experts in different regions of the United States. Many of these plants are hardy only in the warmest regions of the country but can be grown as annuals or container plants in most gardens, while others may perennialize in moderately temperate gar- dens—or can be dug in fall and stored in- doors during winter. With the increased minimum average temperatures American gardeners have experienced over the last few decades, it’s worth experimenting with some of these plants in areas where they were not previously successful. Crinum ✕powellii

AFRICAN LILY, AGAPANTHUS (Agapan- lections to consider include ‘Ellamae’ thus ✕hybridus, USDA Zones 7/8–11, (Royal Ama) (dark blue flowers on four- AHS Zones 12–5) foot stalks) and ‘Storm Cloud’ (dark blue Native to southern Africa, African lilies are flowers on three- to four-foot stems). Short rhizomatous bulbs in the onion family. selections suited for containers include Clumps of elegant, straplike foliage emerge ‘Peter Pan’ (blue flowers on one- to two- in midsummer, followed by globular clus- foot stems) and ‘Snow Storm’ (white flow- ters of purple, blue, or white flowers on ers on two- to three-foot stems). long stems. There are both evergreen and Planting and care Plant the bulbous deciduous varieties. Some hybrids are rootstock so the crown is just below soil hardy to USDA Zone 7 (possibly 6), but level in free draining, loamy soil. They will the limiting factor for success in temperate thrive in full sun or part shade; afternoon gardens is their aversion to winter mois- shade is advisable in regions with hot sum- ture. “It’s a great plant for Mediterranean mers. Once established, they are fairly climates like California, but difficult for drought tolerant. the rest of us,” says Brent Heath, co-owner of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs in Gloucester, CRINUMS, SWAMP LILIES (Crinum spp., Virginia. “However, it can be grown suc- zones vary by species) cessfully in containers if you can give it a Agapanthus ‘Ellamae’ Members of the amaryllis family, crinums

warm, dry dormant period in winter.” Se- are found in tropical regions around the

May / June 2012 35 36 CROCOSMIAS drawing hummingbirds. Dozens ofculti- ers unfurlattheendofarching spikes, shaped, brightred, orange,oryellow flow- Soon thereafter, tidyclustersoffunnel- feet tallinlatespringorearlysummer. clumps ofrapier-thinfoliagetwotothree from subtropical Africasenduptight from ,theseirisfamily members have rivals few otherthanlilies. Growing perennials forsummerbloom,crocosmias ofeasy-to-growIn thecategory bulbous Zones 6/7–9,9–3) ones 6–9,9–5),ahardy hybrid ✕ bloom onuprightstemsinlatespringor mates. Striking clustersoflilylikeflowers that are evergreen inregions withmildcli- crinums develop clumpsofbroad leaves h globe, usuallyinmarshyorseasonallywet Z on two-footstems,andfragrantwhite- with fragrantpalepinkorwhiteflowers 8–10, 10–7),aclassicsouthernpassalong clude thehybrid‘Ellen Bosanquet’ (Zones early summer. Recommended crinumsin- extra deep—asmuchasafoot. growers adviseplantingthelargebulbs the upperlimitoftheirhardiness range, drought whennotinactive growth. At able toarangeofsoilsandwilltolerate Planting andcare lands inthesouthernUnited States. flowered americanum, swamplily(C. pretty long-blooming foracrinumand flowers onthree- orfour-footstems.“It’s plant withlarge,deeppinktoburgundy choices toconsiderare Powell’s crinum(C. in CedarGrove, North Carolina. Other ownera garden writerandformernursery has asweet fragrance,”saysPam Baggett, vars are available, includingtime-tested More compactselectionsinclude‘Solftare’ (yellow flowers andbronze-tinted foliage) and vigorous ‘Lucifer’ (brightred flowers). with red bases). and ‘Emily McKenzie’ (orange flowers erately fertile soilinfullsun.Theyareerately fertile Planting andcare four inchesdeepinfr fairly drought tolerantbutshouldbewa- years tomaintain vigor. twotofour and shouldbe divided every tered duringprolonged springorsum- (they canspread soil) rapidlyinfertile mer dry periods.Clumpsspread slowlymer dry powellii, abitats. Growing from largebulbs, ones 8–11,12–8),whichisnative towet- the American Gardener Z (C rocosmia Crinums ar Plant cormstwoto ee-draining, mod- hybrids, e adapt- pineapple lily’s coloring.‘Sparkling Bur- purple euphorbiasthatmirror the companions suchasbronze fenneland grows theminaperennial bedwith look likethetopsofpineapples.Baggett spike iscrowned withleafybractsthat bloom inmid-tolatesummer. Each flowers withpinkorpurplehighlights of denselyclustered, greenish white early summer. Two- tothree-foot spikes forms arosette ofstraplikeleaves in ics ofsouthernAfrica,thislilyrelative conversation starter. Native tothetrop- container, pineapplelilyisasurefire Whether plantedintheground orina 7–10, 10–6) P NAPELILY INEAPPLE Crocosmia Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ ‘Lucifer’ (E ucomis comosa, Zones inches deep(mor followed by four-footspikesoffragrant, straplike leaves emergeinearlysummer, hyacinths onsteroids. Largeclumpsof South Africa,looklikespring-blooming These lilyfamilymembers,nativ cans, HYACINTH SUMMER to ensure continuedvigor. growth. Dividefive years bulbsevery orso ing soil.Water regularly whileinactive free-drain-in asunnyspotfairlyfertile, Planting andcare back reliably,” saysBaggett. l gundy’, aselectionwithdeep purplefo- iage, “isareal toughplantthatcomes Zones 6–9,9–5) e shallowly incontainers) Plant bulbssixtoeight (G altonia candi- e to

murielae

Eucomis comosa ‘Sparkling‘Sparkling Burgundy’Burgundy’

drooping, creamy white flowers that eastern Africa, this iris family member open in mid- to late summer, drawing grows from corms to form clumps of up- pollinators of all kinds. The foliage can right foliage two to three feet tall. Its look a bit unruly late in the season. white flowers, graced with a maroon or “They tend to bloom around the time chocolate-colored splotch around the daylilies peter out,” says Jim Shields, the base of the petals, bloom in late summer now retired owner of Shields Gardens, a to early fall. “The longer you garden, the mail-order nursery in Westfield, Indiana. more you appreciate plants like this,” says Shields grows his galtonias in a raised bed Scott Kunst, owner of Old House Gar- that also holds daylilies and daffodils. dens nursery in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Planting and care Plant bulbs six to eight “They are beautiful from when they first inches deep and at least a foot apart in a start forming flower spikes.” According sunny site with free-draining, moderately to Kunst, they are well suited to coastal fertile soil. Watch for slug or snail damage. regions. “We grow them as annuals, but you can dig them and store them over ABYSSINIAN GLADIOLUS (Gladiolus winter very easily,” he says. murielae, syn. Acidanthera bicolor, Zones Planting and care Plant corms two to 8–11, 11–5) three inches deep in free-draining, mod- Prized for its fragrant, evening blooming erately fertile soil. They do best in full flowers, Abyssinian gladiolus is easy to sun except in warmer regions, where af- candicans

grow in borders or containers. Native to ternoon shade would be beneficial.

May / June 2012 37 Gloriosa superba

GLORIOSA LILY, FLAME LILY (Gloriosa GIANT CHINCHERINCHEE (Ornitho - three- to five-foot spikes. “It provides ex- superba, Zones 8–11, 11–7) galum saundersiae, Zones 7–10, 10–5) tremely long lasting flowers in the garden Native to open woodlands of southern Another little-known garden showstopper and in the vase,” says Heath, who grows it Africa, this sprawling climber grows from with a mouthful of a name (it is sometimes at the back of the border in his tropical gar- a fleshy tuberous rootstock. Its wiry four- called star-of-Bethlehem, but that name is den. These South African natives tend to to six-foot stems are cloaked in sparse, used more for its seedy relative O. umbel- be a one-year wonder in the garden, but lilylike leaves featuring twining tendrils. latum), this plant announces its presence can be dug and stored overwinter or plant- The striking red-and-yellow flowers, with a clump of straplike leaves in early ed in containers. Although fairly easy to composed of six curling with crin- summer. In mid- to late summer, large grow from seed, they do not exhibit the kled edges, bloom on side shoots in mid- clusters of star-shaped, creamy white flow- self-seeding tendency of O. umbellatum. to late summer. It can be trained on a ers with greenish black eyes bloom atop Planting and care Plant bulbs two to mailbox or trellis, grown up through a shrub, or allowed to sprawl out of a con- tainer. Brent Heath says gloriosa lilies are TIPS FOR SUCCESS “a cut-and-come-again plant—you take Because a number of the plants in this article are from the Southern Hemisphere and old flowers off and new ones develop” require a dry, dormant period in winter, planting them in sites with free-draining soil that make excellent cut flowers. ‘Roth- is vital. Amend garden or container soil if needed with a combination of either coarse schildiana’ is a vigorous selection with sand or fine gravel and organic matter such as compost or leaf mold. large flowers. Note: All parts of gloriosa In regions where bulbs are borderline hardy, look for planting sites in warm lily are poisonous. micro climates, such as at the base of south- or east-facing walls or foundations. Planting and care Plant rootstocks hor- Avoid planting summer bulbs too early. “Most summer-flowering bulbs should not izontally in free-draining, moderately fer- be planted outdoors until the soil temperature is above 60 degrees or they become more tile soil (a blend of coarse sand and organic susceptible to fungal diseases,” says Brent Heath. To give bulbs a head start, plant matter is ideal). Full sun is best except in them so their crowns are just above the soil level in a container and place them under very hot regions, where they appreciate a growing light. Move them outdoors once the soil is warm enough. —D.J.E.

some afternoon shade.

38 the American Gardener Resources Bulbs (revised edition) by John E. Bryan. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2002. Garden Bulbs for the South (2nd edi- tion) by Scott Ogden. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2007. Herbaceous Perennial Plants (3rd edition) by Allan M. Armitage. Stipes Publishing, Champaign, Illi- nois, 2008 Sunset Western Garden Book (9th edition), edited by Kathleen Norris Brenzel. Sunset Publishing, Menlo, California, 2012. Sources Brent & Becky’s Bulbs, Gloucester, VA. (877) 661-2852. www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com. Forestfarm, Williams, OR. (541) 846- 7269. www.forestfarm.com. Old House Gardens, Ann Arbor, MI. (734)995-1486. www.oldhousegardens.com. The Southern Bulb Co., Golden, TX. (888) 285-2486. www.southernbulbs.com. Zephyranthes candida

four inches deep and four to six inches and then all of sudden it rains and they apart in free-draining, loamy soil in full pop back into your life.” sun. Once established, they are relatively Unlike most rain lilies, white rain lily drought tolerant. (Z. candida, Zones 8–10, 11–6) thrives in seasonally moist sites. Wiesinger plants RAIN LILIES (Zephyranthes spp., Zones them in pots submerged in water, but says vary by species) they also do well in bog gardens. Bloom- Rain lilies, sometimes called zephyr lilies, ing in late summer to fall, they have provide serendipitous delight with their creamy white flowers that are smaller and tendency to magically bloom after summer more star-shaped than Z. grandiflora. Ata- showers. Native primarily in the southern masco lily (Z. atamasco, Zones 7–10, 10–5), United States and Central and South native to the American Southeast, is an- America, these diminutive amaryllis fami- other species for bog gardens. It grows two ly members tend to do best in containers to three feet tall with narrow, rounded for most American gardeners, but a few saundersiae leaves and fragrant white spring flowers. species thrive outdoors in free-draining Planting and care Plant rain lilies only sites in Texas and the Gulf Coast states. Central American native that has lax, an inch or so deep and leave little space “Rain lilies are one of the most en- foot-long, grasslike foliage and two- to between bulbs. In containers, they are re- dearing summer bulbs for southern gar- four-inch-wide, trumpet-shaped, rosy- puted to bloom more vigorously when dens,” says Chris Wiesinger, owner of pink flowers. Wiesinger sometimes mixes crowded. They grow best in full sun or Southern Bulbs Co., a mail-order nurs- rain lilies in with low groundcovers such part shade and, with the exception of the ery in northeastern Texas. “They provide as liriope, but prefers growing them in two species mentioned above, require a lot of bloom for little bulbs and are pots. “The nice thing about having them free-draining soils.  easy-to-work-with, versatile plants.” in pots is you can keep them close to the Wiesinger mostly grows Z. grandiflora house to enjoy them in the heat of sum- David J. Ellis is editor of The American

(syn. Z. carinata, Zones 9–11, 11–5), a mer,” he says. “You forget about them Gardener.

May / June 2012 39 40 by Jo Ellen Meyersby Sharp Jo Gardens ofCantigny E which supports Cantignyandotherchar- which supports wasinvested inthe substantial fortune Cantignyafterthe named theproperty a U.S.ArmycolonelinWorld War I,re- in1920andcultivatedited theproperty it Cormick, alsoa bune. owned andpublishedtheChicago T Medill, an1870sChicagomayor who was foundedasFair Oaks Farm by Joseph Cantigny (pronounced can-TEE-knee) ORIGINS AGRICULTURAL Wheaton, Illinois, about25mileswest of Chicago BotanicGarden andMorton Ar- create thegardens inthe1960s.Lipp’s de- hired landscapearchitect Franz Lipp to itable organizations.Thefoundation Robert R.McCormick Foundation, village ofthesamename. May 1918battlehefoughtintheFrench modern farmingmethods.McCormick, columnabout der foradailynewspaper as anexperimentalfarmtoprovide fod- sorts—Cantigny Park.sorts—Cantigny downtown Chicago,isasecret garden of boretum. Abitoffthebeatenpathin www.cantigny.org. Cantigny Park, Additional Information ■ ■ ■ parking. Regularadmission:$5 per car($2attwilight).Hoursvarybyseason. lived inthe1930sto1950s,andFirstDivisionMuseumdocuments militaryhistory. Chicago BotanicGarden, Other sitesworthvisitingwhilein theChicagoarea: Millennium Park, Morton Arboretum, When McCormick diedin1955,his For historybuffs,Cantigny’sMcCormickMuseumshowshowthe McCormickfamily Cantigny featuresa27-holegolfcourse,gardens,prairie,andhiking trails. As partoftheReciprocalAdmissionsProgram(RAP),AHSmembers receivefree the American Gardener His grandson,Robert R.Mc- area’s bestknown sitessuchas lovers flocktothegreater Chicago ACH YEAR, 1S151 WinfieldRoad,Wheaton,IL60189.(630)668-5161. Tribune Chicago, IL. Lisle, IL. thousands ofgar Glencoe, IL. publisher www.mortonarb.org. www.millenniumpark.org. , inher- http://chicagobotanic.org. den ri- GUIDE TRAVELER’S The newlydevelopedReflectionPointatCantignyincludestheSpiritofCommitmentsculpture. I recommend visitorstoCantignygetan THE GARDENS hills, andmeadows. natural beauty, incorporatingitscreeks, signs takeadvantage ofthe property’s acres. Highlights ofthegardens include gardens ofCantignyoccupynearly30 150-acr Center. Within thelargerconfinesof orientation totheestateatVisitor e park, the22formalandinformal C OGARDENS TO ’s large waterfountain,the discovered atCantigny. ofthefamous‘Peace’sport rose—was Peace’ rose—a fragrant,pinkandyellow introductions. In 1962,the‘Chicago holds 1,200roses, including manynew herb garden of usefulgarden structures. There’s alsoan vegetables andannuals,aswell asexamples Meyers Sharp lives inIndianapolis, Indiana. Garden columnistandauthor Jo Ellen plore andenjoy year round. seasons, offeringvisitorssomething toex- grounds embracenature throughout the brates thepioneerspirit. of Commitment forbs. Here, theSpirit visitorscanview tion P per Garden, prairie plantedwithnativ the The Cantigny’s gardens andtheparklike Cantigny’s newestadditionisReflec- The recently expandedrose gar ennial beds. Formal Garden, whichcontainsa , whichsitsamidatwo-acreoint, Idea Garden and denselyplantedannual and childr sculptur featur en’s garden. Eur e, whichcele- e grassesand es thelatest opean Tree den 

Legacies assume many forms

Whether making estate plans, considering year-end giving, honoring a loved one or planting a tree, the legacies of tomorrow are created today.

Please remember the American Horticultural Society when making your estate and charitable giving plans. Together we can leave a legacy of a greener, healthier, more beautiful America.

For more information on including the AHS in your estate planning and charitable giving, or to make a gift to honor or remember a loved one, please contact Scott Lyons at [email protected] or call (703) 768-5700 ext. 127.

Making America a Nation of Gardeners, a Land of Gardens by Scott Aker 42 Invasion oftheStinkbugs with itinalltheplacescanlive. the front wings. There are alsowhite bands trol, sinceitisimpossibletodobattle shaped insectismarmorated,ormarbled, M the edgeof membranous outeredgeof contrasting whiteanddark bandsaround brown marmoratedstinkbug welcomed visitorstotheirgardens. The guish thebrown marmoratedstinkbug As itsnameindicates,theskinofthisshield- KNOW THYENEMY difficulttocon- appetites makesitvery tions have notbeenreported there sofar. oftheUnitedquarter States. It hasalso now spread tomostofthenortheastern P pha halys), mental plants,andeven weeds. Its broad cerned thatitwillfindthewarmerclimate areas oftheSoutheast. Researchers are con- sightings inGeorgia, Florida, andother Most recently, there have beenreports of the Southwest, thoughbreeding popula- oftheGreatbeen seeninparts Plains and adult from otherstinkbugsby lookingfor es, andtomatoes.Even asmallamountof raspberries, strawberries,apples,peach- andberriesofallkinds,including fruits mate similartoourcountry’s easternhalf. Korea, andTaiwan, areas thathave acli- sive species,itisnative toChina,Japan, itsliking. try—to andvegetabletensive growing fruit indus- of thesouthernstates—andregion’s ex- effective camouflage.You caneasilydistin- sect alsoconsumescorn,soybeans, orna- perishable. In thein- additiontofruits, that diminishitsvalue andmakeitmore feeding results incorky dimplesinfruit nightmare, preferentially feedingon It’s anorchardist’s grower’s andfruit with specklesofbrown andtanthatprovide ennsylvania, inthelate1990s,andhas As withmanyofourworstalieninva- the American Gardener another pesttothelistofun- cannow add out thecountry OST GARDENERS first appeared nearAllentown, (H th alyomor- rough- tential predators. enough todetermanybirds andotherpo- astrong cilantroport fragrance.Thescentis odor asthatofgreen apples,whileothersre- when itisdisturbed.Some describethe it hasglandsthatrelease odiferous chemicals on thelegsandantennae.Likeallstinkbugs, be foundclustered ontheundersideofleaves. edging theirwings. Stinkbugeggs,right,can can beidentifiedbywhiteand dark bands An adultbrownmarmoratedstinkbug, above, stinkbugs. Theyalsoattackothereconomicallyimportantcrops,includingcornandsoybeans. Soft-skinned fruitssuchaspeachesareeasilydamagedbythefeedingofbrownmarmorated G ARDEN C S OLUTIONS are initiallyorangeandblack;aftertheir spherical. Thesehatchintonymphsthat leaves andare clearorlightgreen and Eggs appearinJune ontheundersideof generations peryear insubtropical regions. cool areas, butthere maybeasmanysix It bearsonlyonegenerationperyear in

first molt they are black and ticklike. They azadarachtin, a pesticide that comes from shed their skin five times as they grow to the neem tree, has also had its label ex- Gardening Q&A adults. The speed of their growth is relat- panded to offer a solution for organic with Scott Aker ed to temperature, and they grow to ma- growers. But be aware that this organic turity more rapidly at high temperatures. control may also harm beneficial insects. SPARSELY FLOWERING WITCH HAZEL In October, they invade homes looking for Floating row covers offer another way I have a witch hazel well over six feet sheltered locations to spend the winter. to protect crops, particularly raspberries, tall that I transplanted in the spring Like all true bugs, these hemipterans strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, and green of 2010. It bloomed beautifully in have a front set of wings that are half beans. Keep in mind that you may also be February 2011, but this year it had membranous and half leathery, and they excluding bees that are needed to pollinate very few flowers. What can I do to en- feed by piercing plant tissues with their your vegetables and berries, so leave the courage more flowers? mouthparts and sucking out the sap. The covers off during the peak bloom season to —C.A., Long Island, New York damage often appears as corky sunken allow the bees to do their job. Inspect thor- spots on fruits, sometimes concentrated oughly for eggs, nymphs, and adults before Excessive blooming is sometimes a sign at the stem end. Damaged leaves bear you put the row cover back on. of decline, which might explain the scattered yellow or white spots where the Entomologists have been working heavy bloom the year after you moved the bugs have sucked out all the chlorophyll- with a tiny wasp that lays eggs in plant. Starting at the tip of a branch, look laden cell contents. Succulent stems of stinkbug eggs. The wasp larva hatches for the closely spaced bud scale scars some plants may be distorted or wilted. and feeds on the developing stinkbug that mark the end of the previous sea- larva, killing it. Although this wasp son’s growth and record the length of the PREVENTION AND CONTROL METHODS species only feeds on the eggs of brown growth that took place last year. Contin- In the garden, one of the best ways to con- marmorated stinkbugs, further research ue down the twig, looking for the same trol stinkbugs is to knock them into a is needed to confirm that it will not harm bud scale scars on the twig that mark the end of each year’s growth. You should be able to measure the growth of the shrub for each of the past three or four years. If it is progressively less with each passing year, it is suffering from the move and may just need more time to recover. If you moved it to a much shadier location, that might also explain the lack of blooms. Witch hazels need at least four hours of direct sun to bloom well.

DECLINING SPRUCE My Colorado blue spruce is gradually dying from the top down. What is causing this and can the tree be saved? —L.R., Kansas City, Missouri

In the garden, use floating row covers to protect vulnerable crops such as strawberries, If the tree put on a respectable amount peppers, and green beans from stinkbugs and other flying pests. of growth last year, it is likely that the problem stemmed from an attack of bucket of soapy water. In the fall, when native ecosystems. Trial releases of the white pine weevils, Ips bark beetles, or they congregate on buildings, they can be wasps may come as early as 2013. perhaps a canker fungus. At any rate, vacuumed up with a shop vac. In June, Until then, arm yourself with a buck- the damage has been done. If the tree check the underside of leaves and destroy et of soapy water and a shop vac that can otherwise appears to be healthy, even- the eggs before they can hatch. Continue be aired out for several days after use. Un- tually one or more of the branches just to monitor weekly, and kill any nymphs fortunately, it seems this is a very adapt- below the damaged portion will turn up- that you find on your plants. able insect, so if you aren’t coping with it ward to replace the lost top of the tree. Pesticides don’t appear to be a good yet, you may be soon.  If the tree develops multiple leaders, re- control option. The Environmental Pro- move all but one. tection Agency is allowing fruit growers Scott Aker is a Washington, D.C.-based —S.A. to use dinotefuran on an emergency horticulturist who wrote the “Digging In” E-mail your gardening questions to Scott basis, due to the huge potential for gardening column for The Washington Aker at [email protected].

losses. A combination of pyrethrum and Post for a decade.

May / June 2012 43 by Tammie Painter 44 Refreshing Mint than thatofpeppermint. ers. Theflavor ofspearmintismilder tall withmediumgreen leaves andstems, and itbearseitherlavender orwhiteflow- dark green. Spearmint grows totwofeet that are tingedwithred; itsleaves are flowers ontwo-tothree-foot-tall stems M. aquatica) ta, posite andoftenaromatic leaves, andclus- grow inalmostanyregion. Although Mints are easytogrow. So easy, infact, GROWING TIPS T grown mintsare peppermint(M. ters oftinyflowers. Themostcommonly mint thrives withmorningsun,partly moist andoutofstrong sun,mintwill you mayneedtocontainthem.If kept shaded areas are bestsinceintense after- noon suncan burn theoil-richleaves. Peppermint produces palelavender a sterilecross between M.spicata the American Gardener characterized by square stems,op- mint HERE ARE and spearmint (Mentha), some 25speciesof all ofwhichar (M. spicata). ✕ piperi- and e

stems—and canquicklytakeover agar- spreads viarhizomes—underground Zones 5–9,AHSHeat Zones 9–5)that the soilmoistbutnotwet. Throughout thegrowing season,keep Peppermint produces pale lavender flowers. lavender pale produces Peppermint OERW HARVEST HOMEGROWN Mint isaperennial (USDAHardiness C In mosthome gardens, mintisa trouble- ANDDISEASES PESTS ting Started,” above). rhizome cuttingsordivisions(see“Get- threerenew tofouryears itevery using after year, mintproduces bestifyou cient. Althoughitwillcomebackyear manure inthespringshouldbesuffi- in thewinter. Mint needslittlefertilizer; layer ofmulchwhentheplantsdieback courage lateralgrowth, and aprotective an inchabove thesoillevel. themsotherimofpotisabout bury shadedpatioor Place thepotsonapartly wild, however, plantmintincontainers. lovely scent.If you don’t wantittorun area where littleelsewillgrow. AsIwalk the spacesbetween steppingstones inan my advantage by allowing minttofillin den bed.Iusethisrambunctiousnessto a topdressing ofcompostorwell aged regular water, anoccasionaltrimtoen- by, theleaves torelease mylegsbrush a fresh withextratodryorfreeze. should provideenoughleavestouse in agardenbed.Twoorthreeplants or spaceplantsatleastonefootapart tainer. Plantonemintper12-inchpot planted intoyourgardenoralargercon- will emergeandthencanbetrans- not wet.Afterafewweeks,newshoot early springandkeepthesoilmoistbut a potoneinchdeepinpottingsoil formed smallroots).Planttherunnerin center (preferablyonethathasalready piece ofarhizomewithnodeinthe start anewmintplant,taketwo-inch ting fromestablishedhealthyplants.To stead, startmintusingarhizomecut- mint israrelypropagatedbyseed.In- Because itoftendoesn’tbreedtrue, Getting Started Mint requires little care other than —T.P.

BOOKC REVIEWS

Recommendations for Your Gardening Library

Natural Companions Waterwise Plants for Sustainable Gardens: Ken Druse and Ellen Hoverkamp. Stewart, Tabori & Chang, New York, 200 Drought-Tolerant Choices for All Climates New York, 2012. 256 pages. Publisher’s price, hardcover: $40. Lauren Springer Ogden and Scott Ogden. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2011. 248 pages. Publisher’s price, softcover: $24.95. THERE IS AN art to combining plants in aesthetically pleasing ways, and Natural Companions offers a refreshingly original ap- DROUGHT CYCLES and increased public water demands are proach. Ken Druse, a horticulturist par straining gardeners’ water budgets, particularly in the Mountain excellence, and Ellen Hoverkamp, a West and other naturally arid regions. non-traditional plant photographer, Coping strategy number one? Grow teamed up to create and photograph plants that thrive on less water. But incredible arrangements of flowers and how, given the bewildering array of foliage that “hit their high points si- plants available, does one zero in on multaneously.” Each of the more than which plants will do best? 200 images in the book is like a still-life “If a plant is beautiful, well adapt- work of art—capturing a moment in ed to the site and region, and not over- time—accompanied by a fascinating ly aggressive or invasive, it deserves discussion of why the parts of the com- consideration,” opine the authors, position work well together. Lauren Springer Ogden and Scott The combinations are organized to illustrate five themes: Sea- Ogden. “If it needs little input in terms of soil amendment, fer- sons, Families, Form Follows Function, Color, and Spirit of Place. tilizer, or ongoing care, better yet. If it supports a range of crea- Most of the arrangements feature foliage, flowers, fruits, and seeds tures with food, cover, or nesting places, it’s a win-win for all.” of temperate plants, but there are also some from warmer climates. These are the criteria the authors considered when selecting Every combination is instructive to gardeners anywhere, howev- 200 plants for their latest book, Waterwise Plants for Sustainable er, because the design concepts remain the same, allowing for sub- Gardens, which they describe as a “distillation of our three decades stitutions of similar but regionally appropriate plants if need be. of experience designing and tending gardens in [USDA] zones 4 And frequently, the arrangements include plants that have the through 10.” This practical handbook offers detailed, illustrated same requirements for light, soil, and moisture, so they can easi- descriptions of water-thrifty trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, perenni- ly be grown together. Because designers tend to concentrate on als, annuals, succulents, and other plants suited to a wide range of trees and shrubs and forget the rest, I loved the fact that Druse and climates and humidity levels, many of which are natives. Hoverkamp included a more varied plant palette: trees, shrubs, The selected plants all have conservative moisture needs: one vines, perennials, annuals, and bulbs. inch of rain or irrigation weekly during their first growing sea- My only criticism is a nitpicking one—while the botanical son, trees sometimes for a second season; and, once established, names in the text were uniformly correct, some of the ones list- one inch every two weeks during the hottest part of the year. As ed in the captions identifying the plants in the photographs an added benefit, the authors claim that none of the plants in this were misspelled. For one of the images, the names in the cap- book require any fertilizer in order to thrive in garden situations. tion don’t match the plants depicted, which could be mislead- To my mind, the book has a couple of minor drawbacks. ing to someone unfamiliar with those plants. First, the authors fail to list which plants are adapted to heavy Having been a plantaholic for 43 years and a landscape de- soils—an important consideration for those who garden in clay signer for 35, I was happy to find myself making notes of plants soils. Second, the copious photo graphs, though beautifully and combinations to try. Natural Companions itself is beauti- composed, have a slightly dulled, washed-out quality that fully produced, but it is much more than a coffee table book; it doesn’t do justice to the full beauty of their subjects. Those is an inspiration. quibbles aside, Waterwise Plants for Sustainable Gardens is a use- —Bobbie Schwartz ful and authoritative guide to some of the most drought-toler- ant options available. Bobbie Schwartz is a certified, award-winning landscape designer, a —Rand B. Lee past president of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, and author of The Design Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together. Her Rand B. Lee gardens in Aurora, Colorado, as much as the bionic designs emphasize four-season interest, sustainability, and habitat. squirrels will let him.

46 the American Gardener Heirloom Gardening in the South: Yesterday’s Plants plains how he brought the foundling ‘Maggie’ rose into culti- for Today’s Gardens vation, and Grant details how he developed the salmon-pink William C. Welch and Greg Grant, with Cynthia W. Mueller and Jason ‘Pam Puryear’ Turk’s cap mallow by making careful crosses. Powell. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, Texas, 2011. Among chapters on naturalizing bulbs, gardening for wildlife, 537 pages. Publisher’s price, softcover: $29.95. and edibles, the book includes a couple of new guest-written chap- ters. One satisfies the renewed interest in homegrown fruit, con- WHEN FIRST published in 1995, The Southern Heirloom Gar- tributed by Jason Powell, co-founder of Petals from the Past den by William Welch and Greg Grant transported me back nursery. And Master Gardener Cynthia W. Mueller penned a in time to the origins of many chapter on propagation with slips, starts, woody cuttings, and plants I enjoy in my own Texas gar- seeds, which I found really instructional. Another great addition den. The authors have collaborat- is Welch’s discussion of designing with heirlooms. It’s one thing ed once again to write Heirloom to fall in love with a plant; quite another to give it a visually pleas- Gardening in the South, which is es- ing residence among its companions. sentially an expanded and updated The bulk of the book is dedicated to expanded plant de- version of their first book. This scriptions that explain the origins, useful properties (medicinal, new tome retains the same conver- food, wildlife), and cultivation practicalities of the “most com- sational style, but includes even monly cultivated plants in early Southern garden,” accompa- more stories that illuminate our nied by the authors’ photographs. I especially enjoyed how garden heritage. Integrating histor- Welch and Grant turn plant names into stories that stick. ical background, their experiences, and recollections from di- Even readers prone to “skimming” books may find themselves aries and letters, Welch and Grant take readers on a drawn in by the larger color photos, sidebars, and plant lists. Not fascinating journey into the past that allows us to better un- just for Southerners, this one’s for any gardener who values per- derstand and appreciate the gardens of today. sonal experience and the backstory on heirloom gardening.  The book starts off describing the various influences upon —Linda Lehmusvirta southern gardening, melded from Native American, European, African, and Asian contributions to everything from design and Linda Lehmusvirta is producer of Central Texas Gardener, KLRU- art to the plants themselves. The authors have directly con- TV, Austin, PBS. Watch online and follow her blog that chronicles tributed to our garden beds as well. For example, Welch ex- the survivors in her Austin, Texas, garden at www.klru.org/ctg.



2012 “Gardener’s” Calendar One of the benefits that TGOA/MGCA offers its members is the opportunity for TGOA/MGCA and AHS members to participate in our annual photography contest. From these entries, photos are chosen for our annual calendar. We encourage all men and women to become a member of TGOA/MGCA and enjoy the benefits of a worthwhile organization. For more information about TGOA/MGCA or to order calendars for $6.95 postpaid, please call or e-mail: ְֱֲֳֳֳִ֢֧֪֧֤֦֭֮֫֩֡֠֬֠֫֫֠֫ ְֱֱֲֳֳִִֵֶ֢֧֣֪֧֤֥֮֫֩֠֬֠֨֯֠֫֠֫ Box 241, Johnston, IA 50121-0241 (515) 278-0295 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.tgoa-mgca.org

May / June 2012 47 GARDENERC’S BOOKS

Regional Gardening Guides

ACH YEAR, there’s a fresh crop of books on gardening in various regions of the United States. Some E aim to give a general overview of best practices for a particular state or region, while others focus on a particular plant group such as natives or edibles, or specific aspects of gardening such as design or sus- tainability. Here’s a sampling of some that have recently crossed our desks.

A Time to Plant (Gibbs Smith, 2011, Cool Springs Press produces numerous $40) is a guide to garden living, South- books that focus on gardening in vari- ern-style. Landscape designer James T. ous states or regions. This spring, it Farmer III invites readers into his world launched a new “Fruit & Vegetable of “all things Southern, a culture heavi- Gardening” series with the release of ly influenced by gardening and the the Northeast, Texas, and California land,” through colorful photographs editions. Priced at $22.99, these guides and prose. While the author draws from are written by experts in their respec- his own experiences growing up in the tive locations, who provide insider ad- Deep South, many of the ideas for plan- vice about soil, climate, plants, and ning, planting, harvesting, and decorat- more. Inspirational and informative ing are applicable anywhere. color photographs, graphs, charts, and sidebars complete the package. Creative Homeowner offers a line of re- gional books on the practical aspects of Native plants have been receiving a lot of landscaping. The newest addition is interest these days. The Midwestern Southern Coastal Home Landscaping Native Garden (Ohio University Press, (2011, $16.95) by Stephen and Kristin 2011, $26.95) by Charlotte Adelman and Pategas. Covering the Gulf states from Bernard L. Schwartz takes an encyclo- Texas to Florida on up the coast to South pedic approach to providing native al- Carolina, it includes designs, plant pro- ternatives to non-native plants that are files, and a “how-to” section for projects commonly grown in the region. Cali- such as laying a patio, soil preparation, fornia Native Gardening (University of and problem-solving. In 2011, third edi- California Press, 2012, $29.95) by Helen tions of the Northwest and Texas ver- Popper guides the reader month-by- sions also were released. month through caring for and enjoying species native to the Golden State. On the edible gardening front are sev- eral new books, including Organic Love but wish they weren’t so Gardener’s Companion: Growing high-maintenance and resource-hog- Vegetables in the West (Fulcrum, 2012, ging? Reimagining the California $24.95) by Jane Shellenberger, aimed at Lawn (Cachuma Press, 2011, $27.95) the semiarid, high-altitude regions of the by Carol Bornstein, David Fross, and Rocky Mountains and West. Backyard Bart O’Brien offers a solution in the Bounty (New Society Publishers, 2011, form of water-conserving plants, de- $24.95) by Linda Gilkeson is the “com- signs, and practices that provide more plete guide to year-round organic gar- sustainable alternatives to the tradi- dening in the Pacific Northwest.” And tional turfgrass lawn. Plenty of color for those living in the Great Plains or the photographs illustrate design concepts Canadian prairies, there’s Edible Plants and show off suggested plants.  for Prairie Gardens by June Flanagan (Fifth House Publishers, 2011, $19.95). —Viveka Neveln, Associate Editor

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' - - - $ ------* ------*֤+"ֻ------$))ּֿ֠"-- -- *- -- *-- -֠'ֻ------50 events takingplace throughout theyear, strengthen USDAinthefuture toad- Secretary Tom Vilsack. “As we com- memorate 150years, we will lookfor and rural America.” and rural lessons from thepastthatcanhelpus ment’—touching thelives ofevery American, every day,”American, every saysAgriculture dress thechangingneedsofagriculture of issues,USDAstillfulfillsPresident Lincoln’s People’s visionas‘The Depart- ture, economicdevelopment, science, veloping crop new varieties orcombating deners andfarmersalike,whetherit’s de- andtheworld.Today,to thecountry the provide a“safe andamplefoodsupply” American ranchersandfarmersto has aimedtoprotect theinterests of by Abraham Lincolnin1862,theUSDA natural resource andahost conservation invasive exotic species. roles inthelivesand regulatory ofgar- research stillplaysimportant department 150th anniversary. Since itsestablishment of Agriculture (USDA)celebratesits This year, theUnited States Department USDA TURNS150 the groundsofU.S.Department Agriculture inWashington,D.C. A 1908photographshowsgreenhouseson Horticultural News andResearch Important to American Gardeners In addition to alistofcelebratory “Through ourwork onfood, agricul- “Through the American Gardener ing atwww.usda.gov. Leaders, 150Years,” isavailable forview- tory, “Secretaries ofAgriculture—30 filmrecountinga short theUSDA’s his- TRI that theplantswhoseclockswere inphase simple genetics—andtheirpredators, cab- ology experimentsbecauseofitsrelatively plants—commonly usedforplantphysi- alter thecircadian rhythmsof Ar ton, Texas, usedalightsysteminthelabto of theNational Academy ofSciences. the February 2012issueofthePro active, according toastudypublishedin attacks duringthetimepredators are most plants are actuallybetterabletofendoff occur then.Whatissurprisingthat that themajorityofplantdamagewould tive duringtheday, itwouldmakesense Given thatinsectpeststendtobemostac- leaf ofanArabidopsis A cabbageloopercaterpillarfeedsonthe feeding onthem,”saysDanielle Good- whereas theplantswhoseclockswere out with theinsectswere relatively resistant, normal circadian rhythms,“we found trol group ofplantsandcaterpillarswith longer insync.Whencompared toacon- bage loopercaterpillars,sotheywere no rhythm stimulated themtoproduce more ence? TheArabidopsis the experiment. speed, thegraduatestudentwho devised of phasewere decimatedby theinsects NOTEBOOK GARDENER’S GGERING PLANT SELF-DEFENSE SELF-DEFENSE GGERING PLANT Biologists atRiceUniversity inHous- The explanationforthisdistinct differ- C plant. plants ’ circadian abidopsis ceedings nation inplaguelikenumbersthisy that, inadditiontokudzu,theseinsects lease anunpleasantodorwhencrushed. who standsstilltoolong.Theyalsore- homes, cars,plants,andeven someone ple, theyhave atendencytoswarmon While theinsectsdon’t biteorstingpeo- (Megacopta cribaria) troduced from Asiain2009,kudzubugs residents inthesoutheasternstates.In- beetles were notmetwithmuchjoy by this springthesebrown-speckled little thing tocelebrateratherthandread, but down oninvasive kudzuwouldbea One mightthinkthatinsects thatchow CONSTERNATION KUDZU BUGSCAUSE gies forinsectresistance,” headds. strate- ers, anditcouldhelpsuggestnew some pestsare more damagingthanoth- forunderstandingwhy be important out whatcontrols thesedefenses “could andCellBiology.Biochemistry Figuring faculty fellow inRice’s of Department and corn,”explainsWassim Chehab, a tually allplants,includingtomatoes,rice, Current Biology. cording toarecently publishedstudyin also triggerincreased chemicaldefenses,ac- tion ofjasmonaterevealed thattouchcan searchers intowhatstimulatestheproduc- occur. Further investigation by theRicere- when caterpillarfeedingwasmostlikelyto ous chemicaldefenses,duringtheday jasmonate, ahormonethatactivates vari- Kudzu bugsswarm onakudzuvine. Perhaps ofgreater concernisthefact Such defensesare “employed by vir- came outofhiber- ear.

‘Helen Taft’ isacross between Yoshino tional Arboretum hasbeenreleased. selectiondevelopeda new by theU.S.Na- that Washington, D.C.,isnow famousfor, In ofthe honorofthe100thanniversary LADY HONORS FORMERFIRST TREEVARIETY CHERRY NEW ORNAMENTAL todetermine crops, whiletrying portant the threat thekudzubugsposetoim- b feed onotherlegumes,includingso cherry (Prunus ×yedoensis)cherry Japanese trees giftofornamental cherry ways tocontrol theirrampantspread. a seriesofornamentalcherriesthearbor cherry tum iscreating andnaminginhonorof America’s First Ladies.Helen Taft, wifeof bassador, plantedthefirsttwoofcher- along withthewifeofJapanese am- 27th President William Howard Taft, ry trees attheTidalry Basin inMarch 1912. wide atmaturity, ‘Helen Taft’ haslarge, pale pink,singleflowers thatturndarker dark pink,single, semi-pendulousflowers. Lady,’ isa25-foot-tall,upright tree with in thecenterwithage.Whilemost Yoshi- pink. Theinitialvariety intheseries,‘First blossomsare whiteorfadeto no cherry white, the‘Helen Taft’ flowers remain eans. Scientistsare closelymonitoring Growing upto35feettall and35feet (P. campanulata).It isthesecondin Washington, D.C. at theTidalBasinin the firstcherrytrees who plantedoneof photograph, 1909 left ina shown the FirstLady, is namedinhonorof cherry tree,above, The new‘HelenTaft’ and aT aiwan y- e- of U.S.Forest researchers Service deter- terns thatinfluenceinvasiveness, ateam inthefaceofcli- gies fortheirconservation primary factorbehind theintroduction primary mined thathumanpopulations are the tive ecologies.Wheninvestigating pat- invasive, takingadevastating tollonna- ous ways.Unfortunately, somebecome way across United States borders invari- Non-native orexotic plants findtheir INVASIVENESS UNDERSTANDING mate change.” she adds,inorder “to develop betterstrate- “across entire ecosystemsorplant families,” possible topredict drought tolerance understandingwill makeit says. Thisnew bivores wear andeveryday tear,” she leaves are alsogoodprotection againsther- have thickcellwallsbecause thetough flip side,“drought-sensitive plantsoften line inthejournalEcolog studypublishedon- author oftheUCLA cell walls,”explainsMegan Bartlett, lead tolerant plantswithlotsofsaltalsohadstiff ness ofthecellsap. between drought toleranceandthesalti- foundastrong correlationgeles (UCLA) at theUniversity ofCalifornia–LosAn- data forplantspeciesworldwide,ateam When analyzingdrought tolerance trait tolerance across speciesand ecosystems. bated whichstrategyexplainsdrought main functional,butbiologistshave de- salts intheircellstoavoid wilting andre- make theircellwallsstifferorincrease spell,plantscaneither During adry tolerant thanothersinthefirstplace. with whysomeplantsare more drought drought-resistant plants. will leadtothedevelopment ofmore study, butthescientistshopetheirwork and modifiedresponses willrequire further mechanisms thatcontrol these“memories” with subsequentdroughts. Unraveling the experience, enablingthemtocopebetter member” and“learn” from adrought ered thatArabadopisis at theUniversity ofNebraska have discov- appliestoplants.Researchersthat certainly stronger, andwhenitcomestodrought, They saywhatdoesn’t killyou makesyou DROUGHT TOLERATE PLANTS HOW UNDERSTANDING IN BREAKTHROUGHS and spread ofinvasive species. Thiscon- The datarevealed that“many drought- Another pieceofthepuzzlehastodo plants appearto“ y Letters. On the On re- May / June 2012 /June May 51

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expanded aggregates inthehomegarden.

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a te to w estern E-Soil andgradedby size.then crushed Utelite ed toover 2,000degrees Fahrenheit. It is Perfector wide usageinhorticulture. ofthebrandsthathavejust afew found are nationallyavailable. Thefollowing are gionally distributed,althoughsomebrands a variety ofbrandnames,many are re- tect plantsfrom vole damage.Sold under They alsoprovide aphysicalbarriertopro- retaining walls;andforporous walkways. roots; alightweight optionforbackfilling rain gardens; root bridgestoprotect tree container gardens; aporous mediumfor growing mixes forrooftop gardens and other landscapeuses:acomponentinthe ty, andpreventing root compaction. to openingupheavysoils,addingporosi- plant growth, offeringalong-termsolution forhealthy the airandwaternecessary

Utilite E-Soil, TXI TruGro, Aggregates, Stalite PermaTillHorticultural www.4hydroponics.com. Growco IndoorGardenSupply, www.espoma.com. Espoma SoilPerfector, Sources

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www.uteliteesoil.com. te and Espoma’s Soi ar e derived ® l some agaves and yuccasplantedin80 potting soilbased ontheplant.“Ihave tainers. He adjuststheratioofshaleto drainage andreduce weight inlargecon- panded shalewithpottingsoil toincrease the miraclecure.” provement regimen…if you have clayit’s able componentofourstandard soilim- considers expandedshale“an indispens- Jimmy Turner, seniordirector ofgardens, ture, allowing forroots tobreathe.” expanded aggregates improve soilstruc- non’s director ofhorticulture. “The maTill,” saysDean Norton, Mount Ver- formal plantingstothebenefitsofPer- plant. Icredit muchofthesuccessinthese for13years withoutlosinga survived “Our flourishingboxwood have res, where excellent drainageisessential. areas, includingthelargeboxwood parter- maTill hasbeenusedinseveral garden Gardens inAlexandria,Virginia, Per- At Mount Vernon Estate,Museum, & REQUIRED EXCELLENT DRAINAGE ums andhydroponic systems. and bonsai.Theyare alsousedinterrari- in growing mediaforplantssuchasorchids ticles are round. Theyare commonlyused from clayandtheresulting expandedpar-

brands ofexpandedslateandshale. from shale.There are several other

C la Turner alsorecommends mixingex- At theDallas Arboretum inTexas,

Hydroton

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for plants requiring very sharp drainage,” says Clara Curtis, director for design and exhibit assets at the Arboretum. SCREE GARDEN Sharp drainage is a necessity for the Scree Garden that was developed in 2006 at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, North Carolina. “We tilled about six inches of PermaTill into the beds,”explains assistant director and curator of collections, Mark Weathington, “then built berms composed of one third PermaTill and two thirds good sifted topsoil.” A PermaTill mulch pre- vents soil splashing onto plant foliage. During the severe drought of 2007, the scree beds actually retained more Soil aggregates have been added to the soil underlying Mt. Vernon’s boxwood . moisture than other gardens at the ar- boretum. “This was presumably due to percent shale; for most plantings though, in Asheville, which was designed to capture the capillary space in the slate particles,” I do 30 percent,” says Turner. stormwater runoff. Downspouts and un- says Weathington. At the Gardens at Post Hill in Morris, derground pipes direct runoff from a por- Based on the positive results in the Connecticut, Ron Burch propagates, dis- tion of the Exhibit Center roof to the Scree Garden, expanded aggregates have plays, and sells orchids. He uses a combi- adjacent Events Lawn. The storm- been used as a soil amendment in other nation of Soil Perfector and Turface for water fills perforated culverts below the projects at the arboretum including the some tropical orchids grown in pots and surface of the lawn, which are supported expanded Xeric Garden, the Asian Valley temperate terrestrial orchids in the garden. by bioretention media composed of Per- Garden, and the Rooftop Garden. “We use these materials for orchids that maTill and recycled brick chips. Water require high moisture: Phragmipedium then drains into the nearby, ROOFTOP GARDENS and Maxillaria in pots, and Cypripedium which also collects runoff from the sur- Expanded aggregates are a good fit for roof in the garden,” says Burch. “These orchids rounding parking area. In addition to its gardens. “Being one-third to one-half the require consistent moisture but they must function as a sub-grade filtering material, weight of regular sand, soil, or rock, ex- always have excellent air capacity around PermaTill, combined in this garden with panded shale reduces the weight load re- the roots. Use of expanded aggregates al- composted leaf mold, provides a porous quirements,” says Scott Jensen, landscape lows for both conditions.” growing medium. and horticulture sales manager for “PermaTill has been incorporated into Utilite Corporation. In Salt Lake City, RAIN GARDEN several other projects at the Arboretum, in- Utah, Utilite E-Soil—expanded shale In 2003, PermaTill was used in the con- cluding an undersurface layer in sod re- mixed with compost and topsoil—was struction of the Baker Exhibit Center Rain placement areas, incorporated into soil used to create a five-acre, low-maintenance Garden at the North Carolina Arboretum in landscape beds, and as a planting media rooftop garden at the Latter-Day Saint’s

Left: The Baker Exhibit Center Rain Garden at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville supports a variety of plants. Above: During the garden’s construction in 2007, slate aggre-

gate was a component of its foundation soil.

May / June 2012 55 Conference Center. It was also used for an For heavy or compacted soils, Turner intensive rooftop garden at the Salt Lake suggests applying a two- to three-inch layer City Main Library, where it supports a va- of the aggregates over the intended plant - riety of small trees, shrubs, and grasses. ing area, tilling it in six to eight inches “Expanded shale will not degrade, decom- deep, then working in three more inches of pose or break down over time—even in composted organic matter. The resulting freeze-thaw climates,” says Jensen. “It bed will be slightly raised, further improv- maintains its porosity and drainage prop- ing drainage. erties, is consistent and predictable.” Their light weight means that contain- At the Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG) er plants grown in a medium that contains in Georgia, nearly 50 percent of the roof significant amounts of aggregates will be area of the Visitor Center is a garden, and easier to move. I also found that mulching PermaTill is an important component of with Soil Perfector prevents wind from the growing medium. “The engineered soil drying out and blowing away loose soil has held up very well since it was installed,” A worker shovels a shale-aggregate soil mix from the surface of large containers. says Amanda Campbell, ABG’s manager on the of the Latter-Day Saint’s Last year I gave PermaTill a try in my of display gardens. PermaTill has been em- Conference Center during its installation. red clay. I incorporated it along with ployed in other areas of the garden, in- composted manure into a new bed near cluding the conservatory, as a component the tree roots, ensuring water and nutrient my driveway. So far, the results are of various container mixes. It is also being availability because it resists compaction.” good—sinking a shovel in the prepared used as a root bridge to protect large tree bed was a breeze. And despite a very wet roots. “In the Camellia Walk, the best lo- FOR HOME GARDENS spring, the bed has handled the moisture cation was chosen for the sidewalk but that Expanded aggregates work as well in home easily, drainage is good, and my winter still meant getting closer than we’d like to gardens as they do in public gardens. By jasmine is growing well.  a couple of large trees,” says Campbell. combining them with other ingredients, “The sidewalks are actually built on a mix such as compost and good topsoil, design- Rita Pelczar is contributing editor for The that includes PermaTill in order to protect er soils can be created to suit specific plants. American Gardener.

56 the American Gardener REGIONALCHAPPENINGS

Horticultural Events from Around the Country

NORTHEAST Botanical gardens and arboreta that participate ֢ JUNE 9. Herb Symposium. Memphis CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT č in AHS’s Reciprocal Admissions Program are Botanic Garden. Memphis, Tennessee. JUNE 1. Perennial Sale. Plant sale. Historic identified with the ֢č symbol. AHS members (901) 636-4116. www.memphisbotanic New England. Lyman Estate Greenhouses. showing a valid membership card are eligible garden.com. Waltham, Massachusetts. (781) 891-1985. for free admission to the garden or other .www.historicnewengland.org. benefits. Special events may not be included; ֢č JUNE 22–30. Dazzling Daylilies 2012 Exhibit, activities. Western Kentucky Botani- contact the host site for details or visit JUNE 7. Grandiflora Garden Tour: Glamour in cal Garden. Owensboro, Kentucky. (270) www.ahs.org/rap. the Garden. Garden Education Center of 852-8925. www.wkbg.org. Greenwich. Cos Cobb, Connecticut. (203) 869-9242. www.gecgreenwich.org. Looking ahead JULY 18–21. Cullowhee Native Plants Confer- -JUNE 10. Pathways & Blooms. Garden tour, ֢č JUNE 1. Shade Gardening. Class. Green ence. Western Carolina University. Cul plant sale. Down To Earth Garden Club. Spring Gardens. Alexandria, Virginia. (703) lowhee, North Carolina. (800) 928-4968. South Windsor, Connecticut. (860) 289- 642-5173. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/gsgp. www.wcu.edu. 1783. www.swgardenclub.org. JUNE 6. Pitcher Plant Dish Garden. Workshop. NORTH CENTRAL JUNE 14. Ethnobotany at Strawberry Banke. Mt. Cuba Center. Hockessin, Delaware. (302) IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI Course. New England Wild Flower Society. 239-4244. www.mtcubacenter.org. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. (508) 877- THROUGH OCT. 28. Vanishing Acts: Trees Un- 7630. www.newfs.org. JUNE 7– 9. 2012 Native Plants in the Land- der Threat. Exhibition. The Holden Arbore- scape Conference. Millersville University. tum. Kirtland, Ohio. (440) 946-4400. .֢č JUNE 16–AUG. 5. Celebration of Color. Millersville, Pennsylvania. (717) 871-2189. www.holdenarb.org Garden display. Buffalo & Erie County www.millersvillenativeplants.org. .Botanical Gardens. Buffalo, New York. ֢č MAY 26. Young Tree Development. Class (716) 827-1584. www.buffalogardens.org. JUNE 10–22. Historic Landscape Institute: The Dawes Arboretum. Newark, Ohio. (740) “Preserving Jefferson’s Gardens and Land- 323-2355 Ext. 1217. www.dawesarb.org. JUNE 23–JULY 29. National Garden Festival. scapes.” Short course—lectures, workshops, Buffalo, New York. (800) 283-3256. field trips, and practical working experi- ֢č JUNE 2 & 3. Garden Fair. Workshops www.nationalgardenfestival.com. ences. Monticello. Charlottesville, Virginia. and plant sale. Minnetrista. Muncie, Indi- (434) 984-9816. www.monticello.org/hli. ana. (765) 282-4848. www.minnetrista.net. JUNE 30 & JULY 1. Lake Sunapee Garden Tour. Tour of private gardens. The Fells Historic Es- JUNE 16. Richmond Area Daylily Society ֢č JUNE 3. Iris Show. Madison Area Iris tate and Gardens. Newbury, New Hampshire. Show and Sale. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gar- Society. Olbrich Botanical Gardens. (603) 763-4789 ext. 3. www.thefells.org. den. Richmond, Virginia. (804) 262-9887. Madison, Wisconsin. (608) 246-4550. www.lewisginter.org. www.olbrich.org. Looking ahead JULY 4–10. Perennial Plant Symposium. JUNE 16. Through the Garden Gate. Tour of SOUTHEAST Perennial Plant Association. Boston, private gardens, Bridge Communities. Glen AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN Massachusetts. (614) 771-8431. Ellyn , Indiana. (630) 545-0610 x19. .www.perennialplant.org. ֢č MAY 26. Hydrangea Propagation www.bridgecommunities.org Workshop. Aldridge Gardens. Hoover, ֢č JULY 27. Natural Communities of Alabama. (205) 682-8019. JUNE 19–23. 2012 American Public Garden Maine. Course. Coastal Maine Botanical www.aldridgegardens.com. Conference (APGA) and Garden Tours. Hy- Gardens. Boothbay, Maine. (207) 633- att Regency. Columbus, Ohio. (610) 708- 4333. www.mainegardens.org. JUNE 2. Native . Class. 3010. www.publicgardens.org. North Carolina Botanical Garden. University of North Carolina. Chapel Hill, North Caroli- JUNE 21. Small Space Kitchen Gardens. MID-ATLANTIC na. (919) 962-0522. www.ncbg.unc.edu. Lecture. Rochester Garden & Flower Club. DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA, WV Rochester, Minnesota. www.rgfc.org. -MAY 25. Spring Iris Show. Chesapeake & ֢č JUNE 2. Orchids 101. Class. Marie Sel Potomac Iris Society. Winchester, Virginia. by Botanical Gardens. Sarasota, Florida. JUNE 23. Annual Garden Walk. Gardeners of (540) 678-8822. www.irises.org. (941) 366-5731. www.selby.org. Central Lake County. Libertyville, Illinois. (847) 204-6720. www.gclcil.com. MAY 29 & 30. Miniature . JUNE 9. Blooming Bardstown Garden Tour Workshop. Brookside Gardens. Wheaton, and Market. Nelson County Extension Ser- JUNE 23. The Perennial Plant Peddler. Plant Maryland. (301) 962-1400. vice. Bardstown, Kentucky. (502) 348- sale, garden tour, activities. Findlay, Ohio. www.brooksidegardens.org. 9204. E-mail: [email protected]. (419) 387-7230. www.pplantpeddler.com.

May / June 2012 57 58 continent Pangea. Thenit proceeds chronologically totheJurassic Period, during which lushgreen plantscontinuedtothrive andtropical ecosystemsandswamps began toformasPangea broke upandbothherbivorous andcarnivorous dinosaurs ago, whencycads, conifers,ferns,horsetails,andgiantinsectscovered the super- and organizationsthatare working native topreserve plantcommunities. THIS SUMMER, Prehistoric Goes Conservatory California emerged. TheexhibitendsintheCretaceous Period whenangiosperms—flowering product market willbeavailable, projects withproceeds goingtoconservation for itsannualconference inDayton, Ohio, tocelebrateandraiseawareness about THE MIDWESTNATIVEPLANTSOCIETY Conference Plant Native inOhio and emphasize theco-evolution offloraandfaunafrom theMesozoic Era, whenflow- 21.Thelivingdisplayswillfeature modelsofdinosaurs October until runs which take atripbackintimewithitsprehistoric Rex,” plantexhibition,“Plantosaurus can selectfrom breakout sessionsonpollinators,edibles,conifers,coexistingwith turing aboutcaterpillarsandtheirrelationship withnative plants.Attendees also landscapes, forests, wetlands, andprairiesthroughout thearea. tures aswell and workshops asguidedtoursandfieldtripstonative withexperts ofnative plantstonaturalecosystems.Theeventthe importance willfeature lec- ering plantsfirstappeared onEarth. wildlife, andmanyothertopics.Asilentauction,native plantsale,andgarden landscape designinurbanenvironments, andentomologistDavid Wagner lec- ecologist Marielle Anzelone andnative talkingabouthabitatpreservation plant a presentation ondragonfliesanddamselflies,New York City-basedurbanplant more information,visitwww artifacts throughout thesummer,artifacts as well asactivitiesforyounger audiences.For features alife-size Tyr plants suchasmagnolias,orchids, andwaterlilies—tookroot. Thislastperiodalso A modelofaplant-eatingStegosaurus the American Gardener For more information,visitwww Keynote speakerswillincludeenvironmental photographer Ian Adams giving The exhibitionbeginswiththeTriassic Period, about200to250millionyears The exhibitionincludestours, talks,anddemonstrationsonfossilsother the Conser annosaurus rexannosaurus .conservatoryofflowers.org. vatory ofFlowersvatory inSan Francisco, California,will and flyingpterodactyl models. .midwestnativeplants.org. is partofthe“PlantosaurusRex”exhibit. —Helen Thompson,Editorial Assistant will conv ene July 27through 29  E-mail: [email protected]. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.(414)771-7979. JULY 21. 1241. Association. Chicago,Illinois.(312)632- Tour ofprivategardens.NorthDearborn J 487-1117. Convention Center,Columbus,Ohio.(614) Ohio FloristsAssociation.GreaterColumbus JULY 14–17. 948-8234. E-mail:[email protected]. Garden Club.Hastings,Michigan.(269) Thyme Market. JULY 14. 945-0483. National Meeting. J www.columbusdaylilies.org. (614) 475-7551. Hemerocallis Society.Columbus,Ohio. ֢č J www.botanyconference.org. ter. Columbus,Ohio.(740)927-8501. America. GreaterColumbusConventionCen- tion. Course. DallasArboretum.Dallas,Texas. ֢č .515-6500 (214) .www.burdenhorticulturesociety.org. Rouge, Louisiana.(225)763-3990. Festival. ֢ (816) 697-2600. Powell Gardens.Kingsville,Missouri. ֢ homa. (405)943-0827. Exhibition Center.OklahomaCity,Okla- JUNE 19. www.garvangardens.com. Hot Springs,Arkansas.(501)262-9300. Woodland Gardens.UniversityofArkansas. ֢ AdultEducation/Gardening&Design.htm www.dbg.org. Garden. Phoenix, Arizona.(480)941-1225. Succulent SocietyMeeting. J Looking ahead ULY 15. ULY 12–14. ULY 11–14. ULY 7–11. č č č Conference. BotanicalSocietyof MAY 20. JUNE 2. JUNE 30. JUNE 30. JUNE 9. www.dearborngardenwalk.com. Chicago’s DearbornGardenWalk. Tour leJardin. A WalkintheGardenand Daylily Show. Daylily Burden HorticultureSociety.Baton 2012:TheNextGenera- AR, KS,LA,MO,MS,OK,TX American ConiferSociety30th N OFA ShortCourse. www.ofashortcourse.org. www.conifersociety.org. SOUTH CENTRAL ational Convention. English GardensTexasStyle. Herbs. Central ArizonaCactusand Burden CenterGarden Booms &BloomsFestival. SOUTHWEST Garden tour.Thornapple AZ, CO,NM,UT www.powellgardens.org. www.dallasarboretum.org/ Ann Arbor,MI.(336) Workshop. Garvan Will RogersGarden Garden walk. www.okc.gov/parks. Desert Botanical Conference. American

֢č MAY 23. Follow the Wildflowers. JUNE 29. Establishing Your Own Backyard Lecture and hike. Red Butte Garden and . Class. Master Gardeners of Arboretum. Salt Lake City, Utah. Santa Clara County. Saratoga Library. (801) 585-0556. www.redbuttegarden.org. Santa Clara, California. (408) 282-3131. www.mastergardeners.org/events. ֢č JUNE 2. Connecting Plants with People. Guided tour. Tohono Chul Park. NORTHWEST Tucson, Arizona. (520) 742-6455. AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY www.tohonochulpark.org. .֢č JUNE 9. Dirt Cheap Gardening. Class .֢č JUNE 3 & 10. 2012 Garden Tour. The Oregon Garden. Silverton, Oregon Santa Fe Botanical Garden. Santa Fe, (503) 874-8100. www.oregongarden.org. New Mexico. (505) 471-9103. ,www.santafebotanicalgarden.org. ֢č JUNE 13. Hydrangeas: What, How WOW. Lecture. Northwest Horticultural .֢č JUNE 7. Alpine Tour. Betty Ford Alpine Society. Center for Gardens. Vail, Colorado. (970) 476-0103. Seattle, Washington. (206) 780-8172. www.bettyfordalpinegardens.org. www.northwesthort.org. ONLY YOU CAN JUNE 14. Bonsai Lecture and JUNE 16 & 17. Garden Fair. Alaska .֢č ֢č PREVENT WILDFIRES Tour Shofusen Japenese Garden. Denver Botanical Garden. Anchorage, Alaska. Botanical Garden. Denver, Colorado. (928) 770-3692. www.alaskabg.org. (720) 865-3500. www.botanicgardens.org. JUNE 24. Annual Garden Tour & Faire. Plant Looking ahead sale, tours. McMinnville Garden Club. .֢č JULY 13 & 14. Summer Plant Sale & McMinnville, Oregon. (503) 434-4344 Penstemon Festival. The Arboretum at www.mcminnvillegardenclub.org. Flagstaff. Flagstaff, Arizona. (928) 774- www.thearb.org. ֢č JUNE 24. Garden Tour. Tour of local .1442 private gardens. Idaho Botanical Garden. Boise, Idaho. (208) 343-8649. WEST COAST www.idahobotanicalgarden.org. CA, HI, NV

MAY 27. Tropical American Trees. Guided tour. JUNE 29–JULY 1. Montana Native Plant Society Foster Botanical Garden. Honolulu Botanical Annual Meeting. Lubrecht Experimental Gardens. Honolulu, Hawaii. (808) 522-7066. Forest. Greenough, Montana. E-mail: www.honolulu.gov/parks/hbg/calendar.htm. [email protected]. www.mtnativeplants.org. 9 out of 10 wildfires are .֢č JUNE 2. 25th Anniversary Spring Looking ahead caused by humans Celebration. Lecture, plant sale, tours, JULY 11. Healing Garden. Lecture. Portland 9 out of 10 wildfires can auction. Quarryhill Botanical Garden. . Portland, Oregon. (503) be prevented. Glen Ellen, California. (707) 996-3166. 223-1321. www.japanesegarden.com. www.quarryhillbg.org. JULY 15. West Seattle Garden Tour. JUNE 7. Vanilla Orchids. Class. Foster Botan- Seattle, Washington. (206) 324-2061. SMOKEYBEAR.COM ical Garden. Honolulu Botanical Gardens. www.westseattlegardentour.com. Honolulu, Hawaii. (808) 522-7060. www.honolulu.gov/parks/hbg/calendar.htm. JULY 20. Sequim Lavender Farm Faire. Sequim, Washington. (360) 452-6300. .֢č JUNE 9. California’s Flowering Perennial www.sequimlavenderfarmers.org and Shrub Borders: How to Design Your Own. Class. San Francisco Botanical Garden at Stry- CANADA bing Arboretum. San Francisco, California. (415) 661-1316. www.sfbotanicalgarden JUNE 9. June Blooms Garden Party. society.org. Plant sale, garden tour, seminar. Plant Paradise Country Gardens. JUNE 9. Low Water Use Flowering Plants. Caledon, Ontario. (905) 880-9090. Walk and talk. South Bay Botanic Garden. www.plantparadise.ca/Events.html. Claremont, California. (619) 421-6700 ext .E-mail: [email protected]. ֢č JUNE 9. Native Bees at HCP. Lecture .5371 www.swccd.edu/5thLevel/index.asp?L4=574. Horticulture Center of the Pacific. Victoria, British Columbia. (250) 479-6162. .֢č JUNE 15. Life After Lawn: Toward a www.hcp.ca New American Front Lawn. Class. University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley. JUNE 16 & 17. Desert Plant Society of Van- Berkeley, California. (510) 643-2755. couver Show & Sale. Van Dusen Botanical http://events.berkeley.edu. Garden. Vancouver, British Columbia. (604) 257-8335. www.vandusen.org. 

MAY / June 2012 59 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. Zones listed refer to the 1990 version of the USDA’s map. 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 zones 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.

A–G H–O Actaea racemosa ack-TEE-uh ras-eh-MO-suh (USDA Zones 3–8, Hedeoma hyssopifolia heh-dee-O-muh hiss-op-ih-FO-lee-uh AHS Zones 12–1) (7–9, 12–6) Agapanthus ✕hybridus ag-uh-PAN-thus HY-brih-dus Lonicera sempervirens lah-NISS-er-uh sem-pur-VY-renz (7/8–11, 12–5) (4–9, 9–1) Agastache rupestris ah-guh-STAH-she roo-PES-triss (5–9, 9–5) Mentha ✕gracilis MEN-thuh x GRUH-sih-liss (5–9, 9–5) Apios americana AY-pee-oss uh-mair-ih-KAN-uh (4–10, 10–3) M. ✕piperita M. x pih-pur-EE-tuh (5–9, 9–5) Aristolochia californica uh-ris-toh-LO-kee-uh kal-ih-FORN-ih-kuh M. spicata M. spy-KAY-tuh (5–9, 9–5) (7–9, 8–4) M. suaveolens M. swa-vee-O-lenz (5–9, 9–5) A. macrophylla A. mak-ro-FIL-luh (5–8, 8–4) M. suaveolens var. suaveolens M. swa-vee-O-lenz var. A. tomentosa A. toh-men-TOH-suh (5–9, 9–3) swa-vee-O-lenz (5–9, 9–5) Bignonia capreolata big-NO-nee-uh kap-ree-o-LAY-tuh (6–9, 9–5) Monarda citriodora muh-NAR-duh sih-tree-o-DOR-uh Campsis radicans KAMP-siss RAD-ih-kanz (3–9, 9–3) (6–10, 10–2) Celastrus scandens seh-LAS-trus SKAN-denz (3–8, 8–1) M. didyma M. DID-ih-muh (4–10, 10–1) Clematis glaucophylla KLEM-uh-tiss glaw-ko-FIL-uh (6–8, 8–5) M. fistulosa M. fis-tyew-LO-suh (3–9, 9–1) C. morefieldii C. mor-FEELD-ee-eye (6–8, 8–1) M. fistulosa ssp. fistulosa var. menthifolia M. fis-tyew-LO-suh ssp. C. pitcheri C. PITCH-ur-eye (5–9, 10–5) fis-tyew-LO-suh var. men-thih-FO-lee-uh (3–9, 9–1) C. texensis C. teks-SEN-sis (4–10, 9–1) Ornithogalum saundersiae or-nih-THO-guh-lum sawn-DURZ-ee-ay C. viorna C. vy-OR-nuh (4–9, 9–1) (7–10, 10–5) C. virginiana C. vir-jin-ee-AN-uh (3–8, 8–3) Clinopodium georgianum klih-no-PO-dee-um jor-jee-AN-um (7–8, 8–7) P–Z Crinum americanum KRY-num uh-mair-ih-KAN-um (8–11, 12–8) Parthenocissus quinquefolia par-then-o-SISS-us kwin-kweh-FO- C. ✕powelii C. pow-ELL-ee-eye (6–9, 9–5) lee-uh (3–10, 9–1) Cunila origanoides ku-NIL-uh o-rig-uh-NOY-deez (6–8, 8–6) Passiflora incarnata pass-ih-FLOR-uh in-kar-NAY-tuh Echinacea angustifolia ek-ih-NAY-see-uh ang-gus-tih-FO-lee-uh (5–10, 12–1) (4–9, 9–1) Salvia clevelandii SAL-vee-uh cleev-LAND-ee-eye (8–10, 10–1) E. pallida E. PAL-lih-duh (4–8, 8–1) Spigelia marilandica spy-JEE-lee-uh mair-ih-LAN-dih-kuh E. purpurea E. pur-PUR-ee-uh (4–9, 9–1) (5–9, 9–2) Eryngium yuccifolium ee-RIN-jee- yuk-ih-FO-lee-um (4–9, 12–1) Tagetes lemmonii tah-JEE-teez leh-MO-nee-eye (8–9, 12–1) Eucomis comosa YOO-kah-miss kuh-MO-suh (7–10, 10–6) T. lucida T. LOO-sih-duh (8–11, 12–1) Eupatorium perfoliatum yew-puh-TOR-ee-um per-fo-lee-AY-tum Teucrium chamaedrys TOO-kree-um KAM-ee-drees (4–9, 12–4) (3–8, 8–1) Veronicastrum virginicum ver-on-ih-KASS-trum vir-JIN-ih-kum Eutrochium purpureum yoo-TROK-ee-um pur-PUR-ee-um (4–8, 8–3) (3–9, 9–1) Vitis californica VY-tiss kal-ih-FORN-ih-kuh (8–10, 10–8) Galtonia candicans gal-TOH-nee-uh KAN-dih-kanz (6–9, 9–5) Wisteria frutescens wis-TEER-ee-uh froo-TESS-enz (5–9, 9–5) Gelsemium sempervirens jel-SEE-me-um sem-pur-VY-renz W. macrostachya W. mak-ro-STAY-kee-yuh (6–9, 9–6) (7–9, 10–4) Zephyranthes candida zef-ih-RAN-theez KAN-dih-duh Gladiolus murielae glad-dee-O-lus myur-ee-EL-ee (8–11, 11–5) (8–10, 11–6) Gloriosa superba glor-ee-O-suh soo-PUR-buh (8–11, 11–7) Z. grandiflora Z. gran-dih-FLOR-uh (8–11, 12–9)

60 the American Gardener GARDEN MARKET C Veggies And Herbs In Biodegradable Pots CLASSIFIED AD RATES: All classified advertising must be prepaid. $2.75 per word; min- imum $66 per insertion. Copy and prepayment must be received by the 20th of the month three months prior to publication date. Display ad space is also available. To place an ad, call (703) 768-5700 ext. 120 or e-mail [email protected].

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May / June 2012 61 b 62 Wall AWell-Behaved Germander: Relative Mint While grownmainlyforitsfoliage,wallgermanderhasattractivepurplish-pinkflowers. spreads by rhizomes andreaches onefoot ✕ they’re notwanted.However, wallger- up throughout thegarden, oftenwhere A moderatetofastgrower, wallgermander APPEALING ATTRIBUTES member withaclump-forminghabitand AHS Heat Zones 12–4)isawell-behaved M mander a no-frillsmaintenanceregime, makingit tall by twofeetwide.Native toEurope and a welcome additiontoanysunnygarden. southeast Asia,thislow-mounding, most- leaves—hence theplant’s specificepithet examination, theyresemble tinyoak woody-based stemsisprimarily grown for arranged withtoothedmargins. On close ly evergreen perennial withupright chamaedrys, glossy dark-green leaves are oppositely its foliage.Thesmallovate tooblong, y Paul Lee Cannon Lee y Paul lucidrys, the American Gardener (Teucrium chamaedrys, USDA H zomatous wanderers thatpop family ANY MEMBERS which isderiv () are rhi- ardiness Zones 4–9, of themint ed from syn. T. B bees andotherbeneficialinsects. mint bloomonloosespikes,attracting orcat- ers resembling thoseofrosemary whorls ofpinkish-purpleorwhiteflow- Inliclike odorwhencrushed. summer, (Blike smallboxwood shrubs —oak. chamae—on theground, and drys scenarios. Planted enmasse soil, andworks well inanumberofdesign way leadingtoafront door. With regular tively toedgeandsoftentheentire walk- slow soilerosion. I’ve seenitusedeffec- cover on aslope,itfillsinquicklytohelp LN NTESPOTLIGHT THE IN PLANT www.mountainvalleygrowers.com Valley, CA.(559)338-2775. Mountain ValleyGrowers, 846-7269. Forestfarm, Sources ut, from adistance,theplants look more It gardens thrives withpoor inhot,dry Wall germander’s leaves release agar- C Williams, OR.(541) www.forestfarm.com. Squaw as agr uxus spp.). ound- . Salon, Salon, Cannon has writtenforPacific H A resident ofOakland, Paul California, Lee addingtoyour garden.nitely worth much torecommend it,thisplantisdefi- truck’s swingingpassengerdoor. With so dured countlessclobberingsfrom my ev Teucrium littleirrigation,the heavy claysoilandvery (Tagetes lemmonii). ‘Constance’ andMexican marigold come lovely companionsforGr years agoinmyCaliforniagarden have be- tings insummertoroot forfallplanting. agate, divideplantsinspringortakecut- reemerge more vibrantthanever. To prop- the ground,weeks andinafew theywill inthefall,cutthemto plants getunruly blooming toencouragesidegrowth. If year forneatnessandespecially after andcrownrusts, orroot rots. lead todiseasesincludingpowderymildew, bothered by seriouspests,overwatering can higher levels ofirrigation.Though not Bay Area, whichsuggestsitcanhandle oftheSanlawns inhotterparts Francisco has beenspiedalongsidedayliliesand sun onasteepslopeinAustin, Texas; and asUSDAZonefar north 5;toleratespart in otherregions. It staysgreen allwinteras onhowdeners acrossitfares thecountry air, andwind.It’s alsodeerresistant. but cantoleratedrought, heat,poor soil,salt drained soil,andaverage amounts ofwater, Wall germanderprefers fullsun,well- PLEASE TO EASY and annuals. hedge, orplantedinacontainerwithherbs perennial border orrock garden, asalow flair toaknotgarden. It’s alsoathomeina shearing, wallgermanderaddsanelegant en the unfortunate specimenthat’sen theunfortunate en- The fourwallgermandersIplantedfive Shear wallgermanderonceortwicea I’ve received favorable reports from gar- and theSan Francisco Chronicle. haven’t complainedonebit— With theirr orticulture, oots in evillea