H. Marc Cathey (1928–2008)  TheThe AmericanAmerican

®

GARDENERGARDENERThe Magazine of the American Horticultural Society November / December 2008

Striking Stems enliven winter Mysterious Witches’ Brooms California Native Pioneer Lester Rowntree Terrariums Bring Gardening Indoors

contents Volume 87, Number 6 . November / December 2008

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

5 NOTES FROM RIVER FARM 6 MEMBERS’ FORUM 8 NEWS FROM AHS Visiting scholar Norm Lownds focuses on the AHS’s youth programs, gift from Daniel family benefits a garden at River Farm, the AHS helps celebrate a greener Boston, AHS editor is honored by Garden Writers Association.

12 AHS NEWS SPECIAL America in Bloom’s 2008 award winners.

page 24 42 ONE ON ONE WITH… Norm Lownds, children’s garden innovator. 14 INDOOR GARDENS UNDER GLASS BY KRIS WETHERBEE When winter has your yard in hibernation mode, bring the beau- 44 GREEN GARAGE® ty of the botanical world indoors by creating a terrarium. Useful specialty tools page 12 and winterizing tips. DANGEROUS LIVES OF PLANT EXPLORERS 20 BY KEN DRUSE 46 GARDENER’S NOTEBOOK In this excerpt from his new book, Planthropology, Ken Druse Student’s wild onion research yields clues to recounts the exploits of two fabled 19th-century plant hunters. plant diversification; ladybug sleuths sought to assist population study; new online resource for encouraging children to get STRIKING STEMS BY RITA PELCZAR 24 involved with nature; edibles replace City Many and small offer colorful stems, arresting forms, Hall lawn in San Francisco; Savers and textured bark that add interest to winter gardens. Exchange names new executive director; wildflower campaign to honor Lady 30 LESTER ROWNTREE Bird Johnson. BY JUDITH LARNER LOWRY 50 GIFTS FOR THE GARDENER An early champion of Western Ideas for holiday gift-giving. native , Lester Rowntree’s accomplishments in the first half 52 BOOK REVIEWS of the 20th century still inspire Perennial Combinations, Designer Plant California horticulturists. Combinations, The Heirloom Tomato, and Don’t Throw It, Grow It! 36 WITCHES’ BROOMS Special focus: Fascinating . BY KATHRYN LUND JOHNSON 55 REGIONAL HAPPENINGS These strange plant mutations can cause significant damage to 58 HARDINESS AND HEAT ZONES some plants but in others yield page 30 AND PRONUNCIATIONS exciting new . 60 2008 MAGAZINE INDEX

ON THE COVER: The spiny stems of ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) reach to the sky at the Desert 62 PLANT IN THE SPOTLIGHT

TOP LEFT: LYNNE HARRISON. BOTTOM: FROM HARDY CALIFORNIANS, COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA PRESS. RIGHT: AMERICA IN BLOOM Botanical Garden in Phoenix, . Photograph by Michael S. Thompson Chocolate ( lyrata).

November / December 2008 3 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 7931 East Boulevard Drive Alexandria, VA 22308-1300 (800) 777-7931 fax (703) 768-8700 www.ahs.org Making America a Nation of Gardeners, a Land of Gardens

American Horticultural Society President’s Council

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Tom Underwood CHAMPION’S CIRCLE Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ariail, Jr. ■ Mr. Franklin Y. Hundley Board of Directors ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Kulp, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. ■ Mr. Arnold Steiner ■ Mr. and Mrs. W. Bruce Usrey CHAIR Susie Usrey Dayton, Oregon FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN Don E. Riddle, Jr. Davidsonville, Maryland LIBERTY HYDE BAILEY CIRCLE Anderson Family Charitable Foundation ■ Mrs. SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN Leslie Ariail Alexandria, Virginia Susan M. Cargill ■ Mr. Gerald T. Halpin ■ Ms. Minako Henderson ■ Deane SECRETARY Albin MacDonough Plant Baltimore, Maryland H. Hundley ■ Ms. JoAnn Luecke ■ Dr. and Mrs. David E. Morrison ■ Mr. TREASURER Arnold Steiner Birmingham, Alabama and Mrs. J. Landon Reeve IV ■ Mr. and Mrs. Klaus Zech

HAUPT CIRCLE Ms. Lynda A. Bachman ■ Mr. and Mrs. Carter Bales ■ Nancy Allan M. Armitage Athens, Georgia ■ Suzanne Bales Oyster Bay, New York ■ William E. Barrick, Ph.D. Theodore, Alabama J. Becker, M.D. ■ Mr. and Mrs. C. William Black ■ Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Bluemel Kurt Bluemel Baldwin, Maryland ■ Henrietta Burke Alexandria, Virginia ■ Tom Cooper Watertown, Massachusetts ■ Mr. Richard C. and Mrs. Katherine Stark Bull ■ Mr. and Mrs. Edward N. Dane Gay Estes Houston, Texas ■ Anne Garland Farrell Richmond, Virginia ■ Carole Hofley Wilson, Wyoming ■ Ms. Judy Daniel ■ Mrs. Richard W. Hamming ■ Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Margaret Kulp Louisville, Kentucky ■ Caroline Lewis Coral Gables, Florida ■ Jack Lowry Phoenix, Maryland Hanselman ■ Mrs. Carole S. Hofley ■ Mrs. Rosalyn Milbrandt ■ Mrs. Pauline Melissa R. Marshall Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ■ Mary Pat Matheson Atlanta, Georgia E. Vollmer ■ Ms. Katy Moss Warner Shirley Nicolai Ft. Washington, Maryland ■ J. Landon Reeve, IV Woodbine, Maryland Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. Falls Church, Virginia ■ Michel Sallin Groveland, Florida ■ Steven Still Hilliard, Ohio COUNCIL MEMBER’S CIRCLE Mrs. Katherine Belk ■ Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Bigos

■ Mrs. George P. Bissell, Jr. ■ Dr. Sherran Blair ■ Count and Countess Peder PRESIDENT EMERITUS Katy Moss Warner Bonde ■ Mr. and Mrs. William L. Carr, III ■ Anne S. Chatham ■ Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Demisay ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert Duemling ■ Mr. and Mrs. Carl Estes

■ Dr. and Mrs. John A. Floyd, Jr. ■ Mrs. Carolyn V. Foil ■ Ms. Marguerite Peet 2008 Advisory Council Foster ■ Ms. Amy Goldman ■ Mr. and Mrs. Joel Goldsmith ■ Ms. Ingrid A. Beverly Hanselman, Nashville, Tennessee – Chair Graham ■ Ms. Barbara Grant ■ Dr. and Mrs. William O. Hargrove ■ Mr. and

Mrs. Richard F. Hohlt ■ Mr. Brian Holley ■ Mr. and Mrs. Allan L. Holmstrom Clarissa Bonde, Washington, D.C. Stu McMichael, Falls Church, Virginia ■ Mrs. Elizabeth Hooff ■ Mr. Philip Huey ■ Mrs. Deborah Kern ■ Mrs. Marta Walter Bull, Columbia, South Carolina G. Ray Miller, Brandon, Florida Lawrence ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Lindsay ■ Mrs. Dorothy Marston ■ Mrs. Anne Bucher, Silver Spring, Maryland Egon Molbak, Bellevue, Washington Barbara McClendon ■ Mr. and Mrs. Egon Molbak ■ Mr. and Mrs. Ken Elaine Burden, Middleburg, Virginia Dean Norton, Mt. Vernon, Virginia Mountcastle ■ Mrs. Shirley Ann Nicolai ■ Mr. and Mrs. James T. Norman ■ Patty Bush, St. Louis, Missouri Nancy Keen Palmer, Nashville, Tennessee Ms. Patricia Painter ■ Mr. and Mrs. Albin MacDonough Plant ■ Dr. Julia Skipp Calvert, Alexandria, Virginia Bob Patterson, Washington, D.C. Rappaport ■ Mr. and Mrs. James A. Runde ■ Mrs. Deen Day Sanders ■ Mr. Russell Clark, Boston, Massachusetts Dr. Julia W. Rappaport, Santa Ana, California and Mrs. Emanuel Shemin ■ Jeanne Shields ■ Mr. R. P. Simmons ■ Mr. and Bartie Cole, Owings Mills, Maryland Deen Day Sanders, Norcross, Georgia Mrs. Charles H. Smith, Jr. ■ Mrs. P.M. Spreuer ■ Dr. and Mrs. George E. Jim Corfield, Geneva, Illinois Josephine Shanks, Houston, Texas Staehle ■ Mr. Harold Stahly ■ Dr. and Mrs. Steven M. Still ■ Mr. Donald B. Lucinda Crabtree, Falls Church, Virginia Barbara Shea, Owings Mills, Maryland Stott ■ Mr. and Mrs. John B. Strasenburgh ■ Mr. and Mrs. Russell Terry ■ Dr. Ginny Hill Daisey, Dedham, Massachusetts Holly Shimizu, Glen Echo, Maryland Sarah K. Thomson ■ Mr. Howard McK. Tucker and Ms. Megan Evans ■ Mr. Edward N. Dane, Center Harbor, New Hampshire Charles Henry Smith, Jr, Middleburg, Virginia Joe Viar ■ Ms. Angela M. Vikesland ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Volk ■ Mrs. Ben Griswold, Glyndon, Maryland Tom Szaky, Trenton, New Jersey Enid N. Warner ■ Mr. and Mrs. Dennis White ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. White Henry Jameson, Kula, Hawaii Nancy Thomas, Houston, Texas ■ Mr. and Mrs. John W. White, Sr. Richard W. Lighty, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Bryan Thomlison, Haddonfield, New Jersey Carolyn Marsh Lindsay, Ponte Vedra, Florida Pauline Vollmer, Baltimore, Maryland HONORARY PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL Mrs. Enid Haupt* ■ Mrs. John A. Lutz* ■ Mickey Lynch, Dunmore, Pennsylvania Joyce and Harvey White, Nashville, Tennessee Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Miller* Bob Malesardi, Easton, Maryland Joannah Williams, Sebring, Florida Robert and Joanna Martin, Menlo Park, California Sheryl Wood, Middleburg, Virginia *In memoriam Barbara McClendon, Alexandria, Virginia

Education Sponsor OXO International

Corporate Partners The Care of Trees ■ Chapel Valley Landscape Company Homestead Gardens ■ Monrovia ■ MTR Landscape Architects, LLC. Osmocote ■ TerraCycle, Inc. To access the members-only Horticultural Partners portion of the AHS website at America in Bloom Symposium & Awards Program ■ Bellingrath Gardens and Home www.ahs.org, the username is Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Garden Symposium ■ Cox Arboretum MetroPark ahs and the password is sprout. Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival The Gardeners of America/Men’s Garden Clubs of America The Homestead in the Garden Symposium ■ Inniswood Garden Society ■ Morris Arboretum Botanical Garden & Arboretum ■ Oklahoma Horticultural Society

4 the American Gardener The American NOTESC FROM RIVER FARM GARDENER EDITOR “Green is the color of hope.” David J. Ellis MANAGING EDITOR AND ART DIRECTOR —H. Marc Cathey Mary Yee ASSOCIATE EDITOR S THIS ISSUE of The American Gardener was being readied for press, we Viveka Neveln received the sad news that Dr. H. Marc Cathey, retired president emeritus EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Caroline Bentley A of the American Horticultural Society, had passed away at age 79 in his CONTRIBUTING EDITOR home town of Davidson, North Carolina. In addition to serving twice as presi- Rita Pelczar dent and later as president emeritus of the AHS, Marc’s contribution to American CONTRIBUTING WRITER horticulture over the course of his 50-year career is legendary. American gardeners Carole Ottesen and the entire horticulture industry have lost one of their greatest cheerleaders. Marc’s life was a celebration of all things green and EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD growing, of creativity and science, and of family and faith. CHAIR Richard E. Bir He was a remarkable man and an accomplished horticul- Brevard, North Carolina turist. Through his lifetime achievements as a noted re- Allan M. Armitage Athens, Georgia search scientist, a dynamic communicator, and a respected Nina L. Bassuk green-industry champion, millions of Americans have Ithaca, New York been touched in some way by his work. Steve Bender Marc loved being around people. He always had time Birmingham, Alabama for a few words of encouragement or advice for a friend John E. Bryan or colleague wrestling with the challenges of academic San Francisco, California or professional life. To the hundreds of horticultural pro- John L. Creech fessionals across the country who have benefited from Dr. Cathey’s wisdom and Columbus, North Carolina mentoring, he will always be “Uncle Marc.” Panayoti Kelaidis It is only fitting that Marc lived by the passionate belief that “green is the color Denver, of hope, and in the color of plants is our hope for the future.” In light of the tur- Richard W. Lighty Kennett Square, Pennsylvania bulent times we are living in Elvin McDonald today, his words ring true more West Des Moines, Iowa than ever. Plants not only bring hope for solutions to many of the challenges of the world, CONTACT US The American Gardener 7931 East Boulevard Drive they add beauty to our sur- Alexandria, VA 22308 roundings, refresh our spirits, (703) 768-5700 and nourish our bodies. We dedicate this issue of EDITORIAL E-MAIL: [email protected] The American Gardener to ADVERTISING & E-MAIL: [email protected] Marc’s enduring legacy to the CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS American gardening world, to his years of dedicated service to the American Horticultural COURTESY OF FURMAN UNIVERSITY The American Gardener (ISSN 1087-9978) is published bimonth- ly (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, Septem- Society, and to the hope and inspiration he has given us that will live on in our ber/October, November/December) by the American Horticultural hearts forever. Uncle Marc, we will miss you. Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300, (703) 768-5700. Membership in the Society includes a subscrip- tion to The American Gardener. Annual dues are $35; two years, $60. International dues are $50. $10 of annual dues goes toward Susie Usrey, Chair, AHS Board of Directors magazine subscription. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, Vir- ginia, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send Tom Underwood, Executive Director Form 3579 to The American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300. Botanical nomenclature is based on The American Horticultural Society A–Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, on A Synonymized Check- list of the Vascular Flora of the , Canada and Greenland You can read an article about Marc Cathey, view photos of him, read articles written and on the Royal Horticultural Society Index of Garden Plants. Opinions by him, and see tributes from some of his colleagues and friends—including a poem expressed in the articles are those of the authors and are not necessar- ily those of the Society. Manuscripts, artwork, and photographs sent for written by University of Georgia horticulturist Allan Armitage—on the American Horti- possible publication will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We cannot guarantee the safe return of unsolicited cultural Society’s website (www.ahs.org). material. Back issues are available at $8 per copy. Copyright ©2008 by the American Horticultural Society. Printed in the U.S.A.

November / December 2008 5 6 Gil Nelson’sresponse: happened totheothers,likeMichelia? two genera in the family. What was great. It mentioned that there are in the September/October 2008 issue Gil Nelson’s onnative article MISSING MAGNOLIAFAMILYMEMBERS? the garden fence. extra squashforthedeertoenjoy outside end oftheseason,theyhauledaway covered theirhideawaytunnel,andatthe you canseeinthephoto(above). The vines children. They hadgreat success with it,as Italian climbing zucchini with my grand- to mygarden. This year, Idecidedtotry somevarieties new Each year Iliketotry in the annual Seed Exchange program. As anAHSmember, Ienjoy participating SOWING SEEDSOFDELIGHT of morphological features—have distin- grouping plants that share a common set cation systems—basedprimarily on the American Gardener Executive Vice President andDirector Chicago Botanic Garden Traditional classifi- Corvallis, OregonCorvallis, Kris S.Jarantoski Glencoe, Illinois Sandra Willis cluding guished asmanyadozen genera,in- lias (towit,Magnolia figo). Hence, suchplantsasthepopular banana scientific namestoreflect thechanges. Magnolia, nolia family)tosectionsofthegenus eral othertraditionalgeneraofthemag- These findingsreduce and allofitsdescendants—innature. phyletic—composed ofasingleancestor groups thatare considered tobemono- and toassigngenericnamesonly lineages tempt toreflect evolutionary true family. More recent schemes, however, at- Michelia figo, Michelia MEMBERS (Michelia figo) Michelia, giving theaffectedspeciesnew C above, isnow within themagnolia become magno- true ’ FORUM Magnolia figo. Magnolia The classifica- (and sev- PLEASE WRITE US! Letters we print may be edited for length and clarity. [email protected] (note LettertoEditorinsubjectline). Alexandria, VA22308.Send e-mails to American Gardener, American mere “drawing board designers.” out classifyingothersintheprofession as into thehabitatgardens theydesignwith- itively promoting anongoingeducation theirfellowbetter served designers by pos- designers mycolleagues.They wouldhave est movements ingarden design. their awareness and knowledge ofthelat- den designersare interested inheightening ecosystems, etc.Iwould hopethatallgar- viewed theclients,andconsidered thesite, not until sit attheirboards sketchingaplan—but designersitsattheboard…” “The emphasized withinthearticle—was line thatcaughtmyeye—and keptbeing Design ( Springer Ogden’s book, new with Presence” from ScottandLauren and even insultedby theexcerpt “Plants As agarden designer, Iwasdisheartened GIVE DESIGNERSMORECREDIT one followed inthearticle. of thesemoderninterpretations andisthe (www.magnoliasociety.org) national andpresented onitswebsite tion followed by Magnolia Society Inter- or e-mail us at [email protected]. please call(800)777-7931ext.119 or e-mail address with the AHS, membership, or update your mailing renew your membership, give a gift of ship, would like to become a member, ican HorticulturalSocietymember- you have questions aboutyourAmer- We lovetohearfromourmembers!If Member Services I considertheOgdens andothergarden Most designers,includingmyself, do September/October,2008). The they have visitedthesite,inter- Address letterstoEditor, 7931 EastBoulevardDrive, Apex, North Carolina is representative Suzanne Edney Plant Driven The

TOP: COURTESY OF SANDRA WILLIS. BOTTOM: COURTESY OF CHARLES T. BRYSON, USDA AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE, BUGWOOD.ORG THETHE AMERICANAMERICAN HORTICULTURALHORTICULTURAL SOCIETYSOCIETY TRAVELTRAVEL STUDYSTUDY PROGRAMPROGRAM 20092009 TOURSTOURS

 

Costa Rica: Gardens, Rainforests, and Orchids with AHS host Tom Underwood, Executive Director of the American Horticultural Society Tour escorted by Mary Kroening February 19 – 27, 2009 ■ For eight days we will travel through the mountains and along the picturesque Pacific coast visiting private gardens, wildlife and rainforest preserves, botanical gardens, and other local highlights. With more than 500,000 plant growing in this small country, travelers will be able to explore a rich plant palette, including the most diverse orchid flora in all of Central America.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TODAY!

           

Art and Gardens of the Netherlands with AHS Host Kurt Bluemel Tour escorted by Susie Orso April 24 – May 2, 2009

Gardens of Florence with AHS Host Susie Usrey Tour escorted by Susie Orso May 22 – 30, 2009

Gardens of Chile with AHS Host Mac Plant Tour escorted by Mary Kroening October 8–21, 2009

Destinations for domestic tours will be announced in December.

For more information about the AHS Travel Study Program, visit www.hiddentreasuresbotanicaltours.com or call (573) 881-6316. 8 design planswith Daniel. cultural Coordinator JamesGagliardidiscusses renovated Garden Calm. Right: AHS Horti- nieces Kathy McAfee and Susan Muir, enjoy the Above: Andrew and Judy Daniel, along with Gift fromDanielFamilyFundsGardenCalmRenovation Visiting ScholarFocuseson Youth Programs sources thathave proven successfulingettingchildren engagedwithplantsandtheenvironment. Norm Lownds THE CONSTRUCTIONPHASE the courtyard, andinstallationofadrainagesystemtoeliminateperiodic floodingthatplaguedthesite.Agarden benchfeaturing an near thegarden’s easternborder. Thegarden of Judy’s isbeingdedicatedby theDaniels inmemory sister, the late AHS President’s Councilmember of thecool,shadymicroclimate created by theserenely spreading canopy of ahistoricOsage orangetree News PROGRAMS •EVENTS •ANNOUNCEMENTS You canread more about Lownds, whoisfeatured inthe“One on One” profile inthisissue,on page 42. Upgrades tothegarden includedcreation ADAaccessiblebrickpath,theadditionofagranitemillstone waterfeature ofanew the American Gardener is his expertise in combining traditional hands-in-the-dirt programs incombiningtraditionalhands-in-the-dirt with technological toolsandre-is hisexpertise and thenaturalworld.”According toJutila, oneofthestrengths Lownds bringstotheplanningprocess THIS FALL, 2000, heisuniquelyqualifiedtohelpusexamineourrole inconnecting children andfamiliestoplants cause Norm hasbeen chair of the National Children & Youth Garden Symposium Panel Advisory since ily Discovery Garden atRiver Farm,” saysAHSEducation Programs Manager educational programs,programs includingnew beingdeveloped inconjunctionwiththeplannedFam- enhancing theSociety’s youth programs. three monthsofhissabbaticalworking withtheAHSEducation onconceptualizingand Department University in East Lansingandcuratoroftheuniversity’s acclaimed 4-H Children’s Garden, isspending at River Farm. “As oftheAHS’s part Master Plan, we are expandingandre-designing ouroverall youth andfamily from Judy Daniel of amajorrenovation intheGarden CalmatRiver Farm, fundedby agenerous donationfrom the AmericanHorticultural Society staffhasbeenenjoying thepresence ofaspecialguest Norm Lownds AHS Barbara,” saysAHSExecutive Director dums—and thematerialsused tocreate the green roof. house allows of theplants—mostlydifferent visitorsto getagood view varieties ofse- building firmheadquartered inBaltimore, Thecentrallocationofthewell Maryland. Daniel’s mother, Osage orangemotifalsowillbeinstalled.Thebenchbearaplaque honoring which willbeinstalled nextspringusingplants donatedby di and herfamily, wascompletedinSeptember. TheGarden Calmissonamedbecause is working blue-and-white-themed designforthecentralgarden onanew bed, “Through thisgiftofrenovating“Through theGarden Calminremembrance ofJudy’s sister To round out the project, River Farm’s Horticulture Coordinator , anassociateprofessoratMichigan inthehorticulture department State Louise Vanderburgh Wall and installedby theFurbish Company houses irrigationvalves. Thegreen roof wasdonated quaint miniature buildingaboutfive feethighthat attractive green new roof onthe garden’s well house, a largest specimensintheeastern United States. mated tobemore than200years oldandisoneofthe was no damage to the Osage orange , which is esti- monitoredcorporate partners, thesitetoensure there Farm’s officialtree care provider andoneoftheAHS’s grateful fortheir generosity.” by allvisitorstoRiver Farm for decades tocome.We are provided agiftoftranquilgarden thatwillbeenjoyed Another recent addition totheGarden Calmisan During TheCare construction, ofTrees, River November /December2008 Tom Underwood, “the Daniel family has also . (Maclura pomifera) growing Monrovia Stephanie Jutila . “Be- Barbara Wall. Bond James Gagliar- , asustainable nurseries. in

TOP: AHS ARCHIVES. BOTTOM (2): VIVEKA NEVELN Celebrating a Greener Boston dents of all ages, ethnicities, incomes, and abilities to green up their own patch of the city. FOR THE SEVENTH consecutive year, the AHS supported At the awards ceremony, held on a perfect balmy August Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s annual Garden Contest evening in Boston’s City Park, top winners in 11 categories rang- by providing one-year AHS memberships to contest winners. ing from window-box gardens to shade gardens, school gardens, The contest, now in its 12th year, draws together Boston resi- and vegetable or herb gardens, received the coveted “Golden Trowel” award presented by Menino, as well as their AHS memberships. The second and third place winners in each cat- egory also received recognition. Director of Communications David J. Ellis represented the AHS at the ceremony. “We are very pleased once again to be in- volved with Mayor Menino’s garden contest, which encourages urban beautification and brings communities together,” said Ellis. “We commend the Mayor for his continuing support of this important program and congratulate all of the passionate gardeners who participated in the contest.” For information on next year’s contest, visit www.cityof boston.gov or call (617) 635-4505. Look for New Webinars Next Year MORE THAN 1,000 AHS members have participated in one or more online seminars since the AHS launched its webinar pro- At the awards ceremony for the 2008 Boston Garden Contest, AHS gram last year. This benefit, exclusively offered to AHS members, representative David Ellis, second from right, joins Boston Mayor is designed to provide online access to top-notch horticultural ex- Thomas Menino, left, and other contest sponsors in congratulating the perts speaking on a range of topics. The most recent one, held in

LEFT: ISABEL LEON / COURTESY OF CITY OF BOSTON OF CITY OF COURTESY / ISABEL LEON LEFT: three winners of the Window Boxes or Tree Pit Garden category. October, featured plantsman, author, and designer C. Colston

November / December 2008 9 10 involved are available at tative in Congress. Sample letters and information on how to get would liketovoice pleasecontactyour your represen- support, continues tolobby forthelegislationinmonthsahead.If you resentatives approved stepastheNCLIC thisbill—animportant proved trainingforteachersinvolved withtheseprograms. fund various environmental im- educationinitiatives andsupport Inside Act (H.R.3036andS.1981).Thislegislationwouldhelp ly, theNCLIC’s keygoalispassageoftheFederal No ChildLeft door environmental education programs for children. Current- thedevelopmentworking ofimproved togethertosupport out- (NCLIC), agrowing allianceofmore than700organizations IN JULY, No ChildLeftInsideUpdate Hinkley dens.” Other speakersthispastyear were William Cullina, Burrell, whospokeabout“Design andPlants forWoodland Gar- American Gardener. www.ahs.org Corporate PartnerHomesteadGardens. the Children’s Garden. The pumpkins were donated by AHS unexpected places,includingcontainers,openwindows,andin Visitors to River Farm this autumn discovered pumpkins in lots of Fun with PumpkinsatRiverFarm The good news isthatinSeptemberThe good news theU.S.House ofRep- Look for more details soon on the AHS website at the American Gardener , andTracy DiSabato-Aust. the AHSjoinedNo ChildLeftInside Coalition and intheJanuary/February 2009issueofThe www.nclicoalition.org. Dan IN SEPTEMBER, AHS EditorHonoredbyGWA earth-friendly products andtechniques. earth-friendly the Green Garage program, which educatesgardeners about and advance theSociety’s environmental initiatives, including years, hehasworked withotherAHSstaffmembers toconceive oversees thewebsite andmediarelations. For thelastseveral nates theAHS’s bookpublishingprogram and horticultural written more for the magazine.He than50articles alsocoordi- 2002. In additiontoediting tions andeditorofThe American Gardener David J.Ellis www.ahs.org M Cleveland, Ohio. • ton’s RiverFarm,Alexandria,Virginia. • burg, Virginia. • sale isThursdayApril16from4p.m.to8p.m.) Farm, Alexandria,Virginia.(Note:AHSMembers-onlypreview • tival. • ington’s RiverFarm,Alexandria,Virginia. • Alexandria, Vir • Washington’s RiverFarm,Alexandria,Virginia. • JULY 23-25. MAY 17. MAY 1. APRIL 17&18.SpringPlantSale. MARCH 18–MAY31. DEC. 11. DEC. 6. DEC. 1–24&JAN.2–16. Lake BuenaVista,Florida. sponsored orco-sponsored by theAHS.Visit ark your calendarforthese national events thatare Colonial WilliamsburgGardenSymposium. Holiday Concert. Friends ofRiverFarmFamilyPicnic. Annual RiverFarmHolidayReception. Annual or call(703)768-5700formore information. ginia. National Children&YouthGardenSymposium. CALENDAR 2008–2009 AHS NATIONALEVENTSANDPROGRAMS David J.Ellis, AHSdirector of communica- tant editorofthemagazine,whichat objectives oftheGWA. sional ethics,anddedicationtothe ceptionally highdegrees ofskill,profes- GWA memberwhohasdemonstrated ex- , Oregon. This honorrecognizes a (GWA) attheorganization’s symposiumin a fellow oftheGarden Writers Association the role of director of communications in He becameeditorin1997and assumed time wasnamedAmerican Horticulturist Ellis joinedtheAHSin1994asassis- Epcot InternationalFlower&GardenFes- George Washington’s River Farm, Holiday TreesDisplay.George The American Gardener , Ellis has George Washington’sRiver magazine, wasnamed George Washing- George Wash- Williams- .

TOP LEFT (2): MARY YEE. BOTTOM LEFT: DAVID ELLIS. RIGHT: COURTESY OF ALAN ROKACH LEFT: VIVEKA NEVELN. RIGHT: COURTESY OF JODY MARSHALL. featured in the Estate House from December into January. winter treedisplayatRiverFarm.Indoorholidaydecorationswillbe Illuminations providedbyHomesteadGardenswillbepartoftheoutdoor it fNote Gifts of on grants, bequests, and other gifts to support itsprograms.on grants, bequests,andothergiftstosupport We wouldliketothankthefollowing In addition to vital support through membership dues, the American HorticulturalIn additiontovital throughrelies membershipdues,theAmerican support Society Mr. and Mrs. Klaus Zech Mr. and Mrs. John W. White, Sr. Dr. Steven M. Still National Capital Area Garden Clubs, District II Mrs. Dorothy Marston Longwood Gardens Mr. and Mrs. Sven E. Hsia Estate of Louise C. Fruehling Mr. and Mrs. Carl Estes Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Bogle Mrs. George P. Bissell, Jr. Dr. William E. Barrick Mrs. Suzanne F. Bales Anderson Family Charitable Foundation donors forgiftsreceived 1,2008andSeptember August 30,2008. between Dr. Steven M. Still In memoryofAndréBluemel Jim Greenwell and Emily Magal In memoryofRalphMinkee Anderson Family Charitable Foundation In honorofKatyMossWarner Jody Marshall the holidaysfrom December 25through January 1. Monday toFriday, andthegrounds andofficeswillbeclosed for (703) 768-5700ext.114. islimited,sopre-registrationcert isrecommended. To register, call $20 forAHSmembers,$25nonmembers.S vocals, and hammered dulcimerandvocals, Andrea Hoag cember 1through 24andJanuary 2through 16.TheEstate RIVER FARM Holiday HappeningsatRiverFarm News writtenby EditorialCaroline Assistant Bentley. (703) 768-5700 ext. charitable giving, please contact: Stephanie Perez, loved one, or as part of your annual commitment to Society as part of your estate planning, as a tribute to a If you would like to support the American Horticultural Please note:River Farm’s winterhoursare from 9a.m.to5p.m. Paul Nahay will bedeckedoutfortheholidaysfrom De- 127 or [email protected] brighten theearlywinterevenings. door trees withlightsto ontheproperty willtrimselectedout- sonville, Maryland, Partner Corporate of themedornaments.AHS iday trees decoratedwithasparkling array grant greens, poinsettias,andhol- colorful House willfeature festive displaysoffra- tunes featuring Jody Marshall vorites andtoe-tappingfolkCeltic ofseasonalfa- AHS foraholidayconcert On December 6at7:30p.m., jointhe on piano. is Thecostfortheconcert Homestead Gardens November /December2008 . pace forthecon- on fiddleand of David- on the  11 12 by CarolineBentley H ESSPECIAL: NEWS AHS friendly lawnandgarden care solutions branch. TheEPA program outlineseco- of the agency’s Washington, D.C., program wasdetailed by Agency’s eco-friendly“Greenscaping” dens. more than130thrivingcommunitygar- beautify thecity’s neighborhoodswith “Growing toGreen” project, whichhelps described Columbus’sConservatory heritage preservation. programs, plantdevelopments, new and hoods, developing backyard conservation gardens changethefaceofneighbor- forestry, greening your community, how select plantsforsite-specificcolor, urban offered take-homeideasincludinghow to Franklin Park Conservatory. Presentations cluding theGovernor’s Residence and bus, Ohio. Thisyear’s “Homecoming” ceremony October 2through 4inColum- (AIB) educationalsymposiumandawards ed theseventh annualAmericainBloom M ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ CRITERIA AWARDWINNERS ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ POPULATION CATEGORYAWARDWINNERS Incline VillageGeneralImprovementDistrict,Nevada Tidiness Award Fayetteville,Arkansas SafeLawns Turf&Groundcover AreasAwardTippCity,Ohio Project EvergreenLandscaped Areas Award Meister MediaWorldwideHeritage PreservationAward J. FrankSchmidt&SonCompany UrbanForestryAwardGreendale,Wisconsin Gardens Alive!EnvironmentalAwareness AwardWestLafayette,Indiana Ball HorticulturalCompanyFloralDisplaysAward American HorticulturalSocietyCommunityInvolvementAward 100,001–300,000 50,001–100,000 25,001–50,000 15,001–25,000 10,001–15,000 5,001–10,000 under 5,000 Bill Dawson the American Gardener The Environmental Protection ORE THAN communities nationwide attend- from theFranklin Park 200 peoplefrom 30 vate gardens, in- of publicandpri- with specialtours AIB’s hometown theme honored Jean Schwab Toledo, Ohio Greendale, Indiana Fayetteville, Arkansas West Lafayette,Indiana Stuart, Florida Greendale, Wisconsin North Manchester,Indiana America inBloom’s2008Award Winners dedicated tobeautificationefforts. spectacular naturalvistasandactivecitizens Improvement District in Nevada, boasts Involvement Award, Incline Village General The winner of the AHS-sponsored Community the Community Involvement Award, with AIB, the Society annually sponsors ing ournaturalresources. that save timeandmoneywhileprotect- Bexley, Ohio As part oftheAHS’sAs part partnership Ironton, Ohio Lafayette, Indiana call (614) 487-1117. contest, visitwww.americainbloom.org or toenteryour communityinnextyear’s shey, Pennsylvania. For more information sium willbeheldOctober 1to3inHer- townevery inAmerica.” recognition and shouldberepeated in vice groups. It isamodelthatdeserves mentation ofcollaborationbetween ser- book ontheirprinciplesandimple- ommended that[thecitizens] develop a volvement. In fact,thejudgeshave rec- sets thestandard for community in- da. According toAIB,“Incline Village General Improvement District, Neva- award recognized the prove theirqualityoflife.Thisyear’s to address critical local issues” to im- non-profit organizationswork together members, government, business,and civic excellence where community This award “encourages andrecognizes one of eight special “criteria” awards. The AmericanGardener. Caroline Bentley isaneditorialassistantwith Next year’s AmericainBloom sympo- Incline Village  or

COURTESY OF AIB (3)

Indoor Gardens BY KRIS WETHERBEE Under Glass PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICK WETHERBEE Winter may have your yard in hibernation mode, but you can still cultivate a garden even when temperatures dip well below freezing. Just bring the beauty of the outdoor botanical world inside by creating a miniature garden enclosed in glass.

HETHER self-contained or slightly ajar, a terrarium pro- W vides a low-maintenance mi- croclimate where many tropical plants and flowers can flourish. A terrarium can be as simple as an orchid growing inside a glass dome, or as grand as a small indoor wood- land or tropical garden complete with fig- urines, bridges, and other accessories that transform a collection of glass-encased plants into a scenic botanical display. WARDIAN CASES, BELL JARS, AND MORE Growing exotic plants in glass containers actually began as early as 500 B.C., when plants were exhibited under bell-shaped glass jars. But terrariums as we know them today evolved in the late 1820s, when a caterpillar experiment by British physician Nathaniel Ward led to the discovery that plants could thrive in glass containers. Ward was studying the developing pupae of moths in a covered glass jar that also contained some soil from the woods. After several months he observed that healthy ferns and mosses were growing, which was an anomaly in London as the ferns in his rockery kept dying due to the fumes from the city’s factories. “No histo- rian has ever been able to say what hap- pened to the pupae, but by July 1833, Ward had built the first of what would come to be known as Wardian cases,” says terrari- um aficionado Elvin McDonald, director of the Des Moines Botanical Center and

A desert-themed terrarium, planted with succulents and cacti, requires soil with sharp drainage and a container with an open top.

14 the American Gardener TERRARIUM THEMES TROPICAL: Slow-growing palms such as Neanthe Bella palm (Chamaedorea ele- gans), little lady palm (Rhapis excelsa), or dwarf papyrus (Cyperus spp.) function as trees. Filler plant options include petite ferns, branch-mounted orchids, pepero- mia, bromeliads, coleus, pothos, bego- nias, Mexican foxglove (Tetranema rose- um), and maranta. Good candidates for groundcovers are Ficus pumila, ivy, Phlox stolonifera, club moss, and dwarf black mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus).

CARNIVOROUS BOG: Carnivorous plants such as Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscip- WOODLAND: Mosses, lichens, miniature COLORFUL: Accent varying shades of ula), sundews (Drosera spp.), pitcher hostas, and small ferns create a wonder- green with plants that add colorful im- plants (Nepenthes spp.), butterworts (Pin- ful woodland effect. Add violets, impa- pact. Options include flowering miniature guicula spp.), and bladderworts (Utricu- tiens, phlox, miniature sinningias, or na- versions of roses, pelargoniums, African laria spp.) require an environment with tive woodland plants for color. You can violets, lobelias, bromeliads, gloxinias, high humidity, so they are naturals for ter- also mix in carnivores such as butterwort oxalis, episcias, orchids, or fuchsias. Mix rariums. Several species can be combined (Pinguicula spp.). Other good options in- in colorful foliage plants, such as crotons, to create a tiny indoor bog garden. To clude life plant (Biophytum sensitivum), coleus, marantas, polka dot plants (Hy- mimic the bog habitat, the soil mixture selaginella, wild strawberry (Fragaria vir- poestes spp.), rex begonias, magic carpet should include lots of sphagnum moss giniana), baby tears (Soleirolia soleirolii), (Saxifraga stolonifera ‘Tricolor’), alu- and to prevent mineral build-up which can cyclamens, wood anemones, and wood minum plant (Pilea cadierei), and paint- harm plants, watering should be done betony (Pedicularis canadensis). ed net (Fittonia verschaffeltii). with distilled water or rainwater. —K.W.

editor at large for Better Homes & Gardens. otic species,” explains Stephanie Hutter, a These virtually air-tight, wood-framed, container specialist with Alice Cooke De- and glass-glazed cases were used to ship sign Associates in Connecticut. Hutter says ferns from England to Australia. The ferns that small nurseries specializing in dwarf lived despite six months of harsh condi- and miniature cultivation, carnivorous tions on the high seas. If ferns could thrive plants, or xeriscaping can be easily found in the protected environment of a glass on the Internet. “All this has led to a grow- case, why not other exotic plants? For the ing sophistication in terrarium design and eight-month voyage back to England, the plant selection.” cases housed Australian native plants that had not previously been able to withstand A MICROCOSM OF CLIMATE long-distance travel. “The experiment was Terrariums provide gardeners with the op- a success,”says McDonald, and the War- portunity to enjoy tiny rainforests and dian case launched the beginning of a new miniature exotic gardens inside an other- era in plant hunting and commerce. wise normally dry home atmosphere. The It took until the 1970s before terrari- ecosystem created inside the magical envi- ums gained real popularity, especially for ronment of these humidity-controlled amateur gardeners, as the basically self- glass houses mimics nature’s water cycle. contained ecosystems didn’t demand Plants take water from the soil and re- green thumb expertise. lease moisture through their into Today the enthusiasm for terrarium the atmosphere in a process known as gardening has gone global. “Tissue-culture transpiration. The moisture or conden- and international chains have led to the Terrarium expert Elvin McDonald shows off a sation collects inside the glass and drips growth of mega-nurseries, which supply single plant terrarium: an African violet back into the soil where it is recycled by

BOTTOM: COURTESY OF ELVIN MCDONALD ELVIN OF COURTESY BOTTOM: stores across the country with formerly ex- growing in a huge brandy snifter. plants. The result is a microclimate

November / December 2008 15 HOW TO PLANT A TERRARIUM IN 10 EASY STEPS

Fill container with soil Plant Tidy up

1. Place a one- to two-inch layer of pea gravel or pebbles in the 6. Firm soil around plant roots. Use a blunt-ended stick for container bottom to provide drainage. containers with narrow openings.

2. Sprinkle a thin layer of activated charcoal on top. 7. Add decorative items and final touches.

3. Fill to proper height with a slightly moist, well-drained pot- 8. Use a syringe or soft-hair paint brush to remove any soil ting soil—from a minimum of one-and-a-half inches to a quar- from glass or plant foliage. ter of the container’s height (including drainage materials). 9. Mist lightly with water from a spray bottle, if needed. 4. Use a long spoon or stick to make planting holes in the soil. 10. Place terrarium in a shaded area for a few days to allow 5. Unpot plants, gently remove excess soil from roots, and set plants to settle into their new environment, then move the plants in holes, leaving room for each to grow. container to its permanent location. —K.W. where many tropical plants can flourish Your container should be roomy tween the container bottom and the base, with minimal maintenance. enough to accommodate your plants with- or by utilizing glass houses equipped with out crowding them. You’ll save yourself a panel that opens at the top. CHOOSING A CONTAINER aggravation and time if you also choose a During the heyday of the 1960s and 70s, container with an opening large enough SELECTING PLANTS terrarium containers consisted of pri- for your hand to enter. Lids work best for The peperomias, pileas, and other typical marily fish tanks, bubble bowls, and large fish aquariums and containers with large plant suspects from the ’70s have evolved brandy snifters. These days a variety of openings, although jars or bottles with nar- into a plethora of miniature wonders that glass containers take on new life as ter- row openings can usually do without. range from indoor houseplants and out- rariums, including glass candy jars, cook- Hutter plants terrariums in glass con- door favorites, to exotic species of tropical ie jars, sun-tea jars, and myriad other jars, tainers of all shapes and sizes. She espe- and carnivorous plants. Cultivars like Be- jugs, or bottles. Actually, any clear or cially loves bell jars and old glass houses, gonia ‘Buttercup’, creeping fig (Ficus near clear glass container will do as long but doesn’t use closed terrariums. “His- pumila ‘Minima’), and trailing spike moss as light can come through and the base is torically, terrariums were closed system,” (Selaginella kraussiana ‘Brownii’) main- watertight. But steer clear of colored or she says. “But closed cases tend to pro- tain their diminutive size for years. heavily tinted glass, which filters out too mote mold, which is of course the While your choices can seem virtual- much light and thereby interferes with enemy.” Instead Hutter allows for air cir- ly endless, there are a few determining plant growth. culation by leaving a quarter-inch gap be- factors that are vital to a low-mainte-

16 the American Gardener Sources Black Jungle Terrarium Supply, Turn- ers Falls, MA. (413) 863-2770. www.blackjungle.com.

Glasshouse Works, Stewart, OH. (740) 662-2142. www.glasshouse works.com.

Logee’s, Danielson, CT. (888) 330- 8038. www.logees.com.

Miles’ To Go, Cortaro, AZ. (520) 682- 7272. www.miles2go.com.

The Violet Barn, Naples, NY. (585) 374-8592. www.robsviolet.com. Resources Both lidded and open glass containers, in a variety of sizes and shapes, are suitable for terrariums. The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual by Barbara Pleasant. Storey nance, long-lasting terrarium: the size of The key is to choose compact plants Publishing, North Adams, Massa- the plant and its requirements for light that play well with each other and are suit- chusetts, 2005. and water. Moisture-loving begonias or able to the size of your container. A petite violets wilt in the drier conditions more Neanthe Bella palm (Chamaedorea elegans) The New Houseplant: Bringing the Gar- suited to mat-forming verbenas and or palm look-alike life plant (Biophytum den Indoors by Elvin McDonald. thymes. And bright light conditions re- sensitivum) will fare much better in the Macmillan Publishing, New York, quired by crotons will scorch delicate confines of a terrarium than a giant reed New York, 1993. ferns and many palms. palm. A miniature African violet is a bet- Suitable plants for bright light include ter fit than the standard, larger size. “Think The New Terrarium by Tovah Martin. those boasting flowers or colorful foliage, about how plants are also going to play Clarkson Potter, New York, New such as bromeliads, fuchsias, begonias, or- with the shape of the container,” Hutter York, 2009. (Available Feb. 24.) chids, impatiens, aphelandras, dracaenas, says. “You don’t want plants embracing the coleus, and crotons. Filtered or indirect glass too quickly as any foliage landing light is best for ferns, palms, ivies, mosses, against the glass will eventually rot.” its lack of drainage holes. But you still fittonias, aucubas, pothos, philodendrons, need to plan a way for the excess water to peperomias, aluminum plants, and prayer POTTING MATERIALS escape. Depending on the size of your plants (Maranta spp.). The success of a terrarium is due in part to container, a one- to two-inch layer of coarse gravel, pea gravel, small pebbles, marble chips, or colored aquarium gravel in the bottom of your container serves as sufficient drainage. Sprinkle a half-inch layer of activated charcoal over the drainage material to keep the soil smelling fresh. Top that with a thin layer of moss, such as sphagnum moss, to prevent soil from filtering into the drainage area. Potting soil comprises the final layer. You can buy potting soil, or make your own by combining one part soil; one part peat moss or coir; and one part vermi- culite, perlite, or soil conditioning grade Miniature orchids are excellent candidates for terrariums, as are many carnivorous plants of bark. For an open-air desert gar-

BOTTOM RIGHT: CAROLE OTTESEN / AHS ARCHIVES AHS / OTTESEN CAROLE RIGHT: BOTTOM such as pitcher plants (shown) and Venus flytraps. den, use one part potting soil with one

November / December 2008 17 You can also locate your glass garden vir- tually anywhere in your home or office as TERRARIUM MAINTENANCE TIPS long as it receives from 12 to 16 hours A closed terrarium may never need additional water. Even an open-top terrarium daily of supplemental artificial light. needs less water than a houseplant in open air. Depending on the size of the open- When planning the layout of a terrari- ing, this type of terrarium typically needs about two to four tablespoons a month um, think in terms of your outdoor gar- of added water to thrive. den—only on a much smaller scale. When you do water, do so sparingly and only when the soil surface becomes dry. Combining plants of different shapes, col- Use a light hand when watering, adding just enough to moisten the soil. Never soak ors, and textures adds visual interest to the the soil. Instead, mist lightly with a spray bottle or apply water with a small watering overall design. Taller plants and palms can, eye dropper, or syringe. If heavy condensation forms inside the glass, tem- make effective trees; compact flowering porarily lift the cover to allow excess moisture to evaporate. plants and ferns mimic small bushes and Terrarium plants seldom need fertilizing. You want to keep plants healthy but shrubs; trailing plants work well as vines; growing slowly. Don’t fertilize the first year, then fertilize with a weak solution of and mosses, lichens, and other mat-form- water-soluble houseplant fertilizer or fish and seaweed fertilizer each spring. ing plants grow into groundcovers to fill You’ll need to occasionally prune overgrown or rampant plants, and trim dam- in the open spaces. “Golden spike moss aged or dead leaves. Pinching plant tips can also help keep plants in bounds. Oth- (Selaginella kraussiana ‘Aurea’) with its erwise, your terrarium will seldom need attention. —K.W. lemony-gold color really lights up any plant you put next to it,” Hutter adds. If your terrarium will be viewed from part sand. Soil level will vary depending PLANTING TECHNIQUES all sides, you’ll want to arrange the larger on the size of the container, but should When planting your terrarium, keep in plants near the center. For one-sided view- range from a minimum of one-and-a-half mind where it will be located. Most ter- ing, place taller plants towards the back inches to a maximum of a quarter of the rarium plants prefer diffused light near a with lower plants clustered near the front, terrarium height for both potting soil and bright window—bright enough to read and sculpt the soil so that it slopes from the drainage material. by—but never in direct sunlight as that back of the container towards the front. can scald foliage or bake plants to death. TOOLS OF THE TRADE FINISHING TOUCHES Potting tools that make planting your ter- Turn a terrarium into a scenic display or rarium a less complicated task include a create a natural effect with decorative small funnel, household scissors, long spoon or stones and pine cones, pieces of small sturdy stick, a small paintbrush or syringe, twigs, seed pods, moss-covered tree bark or and an atomizer or spray water bottle. driftwood. Pebbles, rocks, and wood can A plastic funnel, paper funnel, or also be used to fashion dry stream beds, empty cardboard paper towel roll works miniature rock ledges, or cliffs. well for pouring in potting soil and other Search yard sales, pet shops, or aquari- materials into containers with narrow um shops for small stone or ceramic figures openings. This technique also allows you that enhance the natural setting. Think to create “hills and valleys” with the soil. frogs, mushrooms, pagodas, or tiny ar- Bamboo sticks, a long wooden spoon, bors—whatever works with your theme. or an iced-tea spoon taped to a wooden Just be sure not to overcrowd the terrarium stick can be used for digging holes for with too many trinkets. The key is to cre- plantings. And chopsticks really come in ate a wonderland that looks like a mini- handy when setting plants into the holes version found in nature. in terrariums with narrow openings. Use Since its somewhat fortuitous begin- a long stick with a cork secured to the end nings, the art of creating a terrarium has to gently firm soil around plant roots. evolved into many different forms and Once your terrarium is planted, you’ll functions. But it’s never less than what need a small paintbrush or air from a sy- your own imagination can create. “See- ringe or empty spray bottle to clean any ing a microcosm of nature under glass soil from plant leaves and the inside of the has timeless appeal,” McDonald says. glass. That same spray bottle or atomizer “Creating and maintaining such a garden filled with water provides a gentle mist of The generous proportions of this top-venting is Zenlike or meditative, similar to nur- water for plants. But if the opening is re- hurricane lamp provide ample room for turing a bonsai.”  ally small, you may find that a kitchen Mexican foxglove (Tetranema roseum), bulb baster provides more precision when purple shamrock, silver lace fern, golden Kris Wetherbee is a freelance writer based in

watering hard-to-reach areas. spike moss, and Irish moss. Oakland, Oregon. HUTTER STEPHANIE OF COURTESY

18 the American Gardener

tales from the golden age of Plant Exploration

Gripped by the thrill of discovery, adventurous 19th-century plant explorers risked their lives and loves in pursuit of new plants. ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEN DRUSE

NE OF my earliest memories Reginald Farrer succumbed to pneumo- involves walking through the nia in the mountains of Burma; E. F. Leit- O woods with my mother and ner was killed by natives in the Florida happening upon a clearing where a Keys. Jon Lawson walked more than strange creature stood in a pool of dappled 1,000 miles through the Carolinas, with light. This odd thing, half as tall as I was, botanical riches second only to in looked like a little tower with a balcony the temperate world, before he was cap- covered by a striped . My mother tured by Tuscarora Indians and burned at carefully lifted the canopy, and a secret was the stake. And James B. Chambers, a New revealed: there was a tiny person hiding in- Zealand missionary and horticulturist, side! My mother explained that this was was eaten by cannibals. Jack, a clergyman, and the tower was his pulpit, something I am sure I didn’t un- DAREDEVIL DOUGLAS derstand, but certainly never forgot. The search for the next new plant was There in that woodland glen, more than an occupation; it was an ob- were sown; I was destined to become a session with botany, and a passion for ad- man who loves plants. And, with a nod to venture. Take, for example, the eventful that first Jack in the pulpit, or Arisaema, life of Scotsman David Douglas, who it turns out that it’s the extraordinary traveled through North America. Great plants—those with secrets to uncover— Britain has only a handful of native nee- that still capture my attention. These Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema fargesii) dle-leaved evergreens, but Douglas added species typically appear unassuming at dozens more to the landscape, including first, the kind of plants you need to get up lized as botanical curatives and in food America’s popular cut Christmas tree, the close to in order to appreciate. But on fur- preservation, for millennia. But in the 18th Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). ther examination, as with Arisaema, these century, plant exploration became a glob- Covering 7,000 miles in North Amer- subtle creatures often have the most en- al pursuit: plant explorers, in search of an- ica between 1824 and 1827, Douglas some- thralling tales to tell. swers to questions raised by science and how managed to escape death dozens of Plants have been collected and valued spurred by the need to explain the mys- times. He nearly froze to death attempt- as sources of food and fragrance, and uti- teries of the natural world (on the promise ing to find the sugar pine tree described on of financial rewards), set off across the an earlier expedition by his predecessor globe, often finding danger—and adven- Archibald Menzies. As a passenger on a This article is adapted with permission ture—along the way. ship that sank, he survived in a rowboat from PLANTHROPOLOGY: The Myths, Traveling the world to see botanical that was blown 70 miles out into Hudson Mysteries, and Mir- wonders for the first time sounds thrilling, Bay; had several serious run-ins with Na- acles of My Garden but plant hunting was no posy-picking tive Americans; was forced to swim naked Favorites © 2008 party. Explorers often risked life and limb across a freezing river during a hailstorm; by Ken Druse. Pub- to locate a plant, sometimes losing both in and was thrown from his canoe into a lished by Clarkson the process. George Forrest nearly starved whirlpool on the Fraser River, losing all of Potter/Publishers, a to death while being chased by Tibetan his possessions, including his journal and division of Random warrior priests, and on his seventh expe- plant collections. House, Inc. dition, having recorded more than 1,200 With all these near-death experiences, plants, he died of a massive heart attack. it is not surprising that he decided to head

20 the American Gardener David Douglas introduced many familiar U.S. West Coast natives. Two that were named in his honor, meadow foam (Limnanthes douglasii) and Douglas iris (Iris douglasii) are featured in this California meadow, above. Another Douglas find is the iconic California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), left. for Hawaii to recuperate, a place where he had found peace in the past. Douglas’s “busman’s holiday” included a climb up Mauna Kea on July 12, 1834, where he came upon a bullock—one of the natu- ralized cattle that roamed the island—that had fallen into a pit dug in the earth to catch the animals. Douglas surely must have seen the ex- posed hole and recognized what was in it, for he had noted earlier in his journal, “The grassy flanks of the mountain

November / December 2008 21 22 the American Gardener abound with wild cattle, the offspring of Deshima. On this tiny island, he learned cret map of Japan. He also [fell in love the stock left here by Captain Vancou- to speak Japanese, and as word of his skill with] Kusumoto Taki, a beautiful 18-year- ver.” Some accounts claim that he was re- as a physician spread, Japanese students old girl known by the honorific name O- tracing his steps to retrieve a forgotten flocked to him to learn the latest medical taki-san. Because Tokugawa laws did not item and did not remember the pit, or practices. Von Siebold was even allowed allow the two lovers to spend time alone that his curiosity might have gotten the onto the mainland, and while he refused together, let alone marry, O-taki-san best of him and he stepped too close to any money for his services, patients and agreed to register as a prostitute in order the edge and fell in. Whatever the expla- students gave him pottery, scrolls, screens, to move to Deshima and live with von nation, Douglas ended up in the pit with lacquerware, books—and plants, which Siebold on the island, where, in 1827, the the bullock and was trampled and gored he then grew in a garden on the island. couple had a daughter, O-ine. to death. He was 35 years old. As von Siebold’s interest in Japanese In 1828, von Siebold decided to move There were suspicions at the time that plants grew, he employed a Japanese his family and plant collection to Holland, it might not have been an accident. His artist, Keiga Kawahara, to paint the but before their ship could set sail, a ty- guide for the day, an ex-convict who had plants. Only Japanese servants, students, phoon struck Deshima. Von Siebold sur- settled in Hawaii after serving his vived the storm, but the secret map time in an Australian penal colony, was found and he was imprisoned. disappeared after the incident. Forced to make a choice—take his Douglas’s large purse was gone as plants and leave, alone, or be put to well. Some suspected Ned Gurney, death—in December 1829, von another ex-convict from Botany Siebold set sail for Java, taking with Bay who had breakfasted that him 1,200 specimens of 485 species morning with Douglas. Gurney and varieties, but leaving his beloved had also been the one to dig the O-taki-san and O-ine behind. bullock pit in which Douglas met Von Siebold’s name is not on his end. Douglas’s fate remains one the tip of every gardener’s tongue, of the mysteries in the lives and but the names of plants associated deaths of plant explorers. with him are planted in gardens all over the temperate world: Hosta VON SIEBOLD’S ROMANCE sieboldiana, a plant that has par- Adventure, danger, and murder all ented many popular, bold-leaved sound romantic with the of varieties; Primula sieboldii, a time. One young explorer’s jour- woodland primrose with lilac, ney was particularly dramatic, and pink, or white flowers; Magnolia could have served as source mater- sieboldii, the Oyama magnolia, ial for a Puccini opera—a botani- which bears the whitest of all flow- cal Madame Butterfly, perhaps. Dr. ers in the , with a ring of Philipp Franz Balthasar von crimson in the center of Siebold’s story begins in August 1823. As Above: Among the plants named for Philipp the nodding blossoms; the rare Clematis a 24-year-old German doctor and natu- von Siebold is Primula sieboldii, a popular florida ‘Sieboldii’, which has creamy ralist working for the Dutch, von Siebold Japanese primrose species. Opposite page: white flowers with a tuft of purple-black arrived on the Japanese man-made island Another of Siebold’s discoveries was the stamens; and the familiar stonecrop that of Deshima, located in Nagasaki harbor. Oyama magnolia (Magnolia sieboldii), a small might be in your garden right now, For nearly 200 years, following the tree. Shown here is a flower of ‘Colossus’, a Sedum sieboldii, which bears succulent 1636 “Act of Seclusion,” Japan had iso- selection distinguished from the species by silver leaves edged in yellow and red. lated itself from the rest of the world. its larger, more pendulous flowers. Clearly von Siebold made many valu- During this time the Japanese had able contributions to the plant world with formed a rare trade agreement with the merchants, registered prostitutes, and the specimens he collected during his time Dutch, but they were wary of all other artists like Kawahara with official per- in Japan, but some might say that his most outsiders. When von Siebold arrived, he mission were allowed to cross to the is- touching bequest is a selection of Hy- and all the Dutch traders had to live on land and mix with foreigners. drangea macrophylla that he named the small outpost of Deshima, which was Because of von Siebold’s status and ‘Otaksa’ after his beloved.  Japan’s sole connection between the privilege, he was able to travel as a mem- mainland and the rest of the world. ber of the Dutch embassy to Edo (now An award-winning writer and photograph- It was von Siebold’s medical experi- Tokyo) for an audience with the Toku- er, Ken Druse is the author of 16 books, in- ence, and his name and accent—which gawa shogun. He collected 1,000 speci- cluding the groundbreaking Natural Garden the Japanese mistook for being those of a mens during this trip, as well as a series. The host of a garden radio show called Hollander—that allowed him entrance to dangerous possession for a foreigner: a se- “Real Dirt,” he lives in Brooklyn, New York.

November / December 2008 23 24 the American Gardener

SUSAN A. ROTH Striking Stems BY RITA PELCZAR provide winter interest

Kick the appeal of your winter landscape up a notch with shrubs and small trees that offer colorful stems, arresting forms, or exquisitely textured bark.

HE SHORT days and chilly tem- finest qualities of many garden shrubs growth that sports the brightest hues, so peratures of winter have stripped and trees are revealed. for many shrubs with colorful stems it’s T plants of their sum- Winter stem colors vary widely. Be- best to remove the oldest stems each mer and autumn finery, exposing their yond brown, black, and gray they include spring to encourage lots of new shoots. “bare bones” to the world. With this sea- yellow, green, red, pink, orange, and Several selections of the red-osier dog- sonal exposure, however, some of the ghostly white. Often it is the young wood ( stolonifera syn. C. sericea,

Opposite page: After two or three years, stems of black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra, USDA Hardiness Zones 7–11, AHS Heat Zones 12–4) darken from green to black, providing dramatic contrast and a strong vertical element to a snowy landscape. Top: If left unpruned, the redstem willow (Salix alba var. vitellina ‘Britzensis’, Zones 4–9, 9–1) will grow to become a large tree. However, it is most effec-

KAREN BUSSOLINI KAREN tive—and most colorful—if cut back frequently and maintained as a shrub.

November / December 2008 25 26 the browns and greens of the winter garden. to eightfeettall,provideastarkcontrast Its arching,pricklywhitestems,whichgrow known astheghostbrambleforgoodreason. green backdropofHinokicypress advantage againstadark,snow-dustedever- cyparis obtusa obtusa cyparis cockburnianus Rubus ( Right: Thebrightyellow-greenstemsof nus stolonifera nus tostaphylos densiflora boretum, recommends amanzanita,Arc- at theUniversity ofCalifornia–Davis Ar- branching habits. withdramatic ment appliestoshrubs thinningtreat-This samediscretionary hance thewinterdisplayingarden. bark colors orshredding textures willen- gy growth toreveal thepatchwork of show, soremoving low branchesortwig- the olderbranchesthatproduce thebest Books, 1997). and Planting fortheSoutheast Loewer ofTheWinter Garden: Planning olina–Charlotte, andco-authorwithPeter professor at theUniversity ofNorth Car- Mellichamp,that angle,”suggestsLarry a stems, soplantitwhere you seeitfrom only where thewintersunshineson the newestgrowth thatisthereddest, and Zones 6–8,8–2)are brightcoral-red. “It is maple for ushere inthemid-South.” dogwoods, whichoftenare challenging native tothered- andyellow-stem rector Dennis Werner. “It’s agreat alter- says theNorth Carolina arboretum’s di- sponse attheJCRaulston Arboretum,” er never failstoelicitpositive visitorre- 7–1) are vigorous grow- orange-red. “This evergreen background. They are great formassingagainstan spread to12feet,andsuckervigorously. Most cultivars grow to about six feet tall, those of‘Flaviramea’ are brightyellow. range from brilliantred toyellow-orange, not red. Whilethestemsof‘Cardinal’ and despitethecommonname,allare Zones 8–1) display winter colorful stems, USDA Hardiness Zones 3–8,AHSHeat ✕ Cupressocyparis leylandii). Cupressocyparis Ellen Zagory, director ofhorticulture For withexfoliatingbark, shrubs it’s The stems of The shootsofcoralbark Japanese the American Gardener (Acer palmatum ‘Crippsii’) andLeyland cypress ‘Flaviramea’ showofftofine Salix ‘Howard McMinn’ (Zones 6–8,8–6)is ‘Flame’ (Zones 3–8, ‘Sango-kaku’, Below right: (Stackpole (Chamae- Cor-

TOP: SUSAN A. ROTH. BOTTOM: LYNNE HARRISON (Zones 7–9, 9–7), for western gardeners. It has “beautiful, mahogany, muscular branches with age,” says Zagory. Many shrubs and trees with striking forms—from rigidly upright to down- right twisted—are best appreciated in winter. The paper bush, Edgeworthia chrysantha (Zones 7–9, 9–7) is a multi- stemmed shrub that grows five to six feet tall and wide. “Its brownish stems are unique in that they fork in threes,” says Mellichamp. “They have a reddish cast in winter and are stocky and attrac- tive—not finely twiggy—the propor- tions are pleasing.” Suzy Bales, author of The Garden in Winter: Plant for Beauty and Interest in

Top left: The young branches of coral bark Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Sango- kaku’) glow in the winter sun. In spring, new leaves open orange-yellow. Here it is backed by the pinkish tan and white exfoli- ating bark of Chinese paper (Betula al- bosinensis var. septentrionalis, Zones 3–8, 8–3 ). Bottom left: Cornus sanguinea ‘Mid- winter Fire’ is a favorite of Roger Gossler of Gossler Farms Nursery. “We cut it back in mid-March so it never gets over four to five feet tall,” says Gossler. This results in an in- credible display of orange, red, and yellow stems. The plant also withstands fairly dry and very wet conditions, adds Gossler.

the Quiet Season (Rodale Books, 2007), describes Harry Lauder’s walking stick (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’, Zones 3–9, 9–1) as “a living sculpture. It is mesmer- izing for its tangle of corkscrew branch- es, each one squiggling and twisting like a madcap doodle,” says Bales, who gar- dens on Long Island, New York. It usu- ally grows to about 10 feet tall and wide. (For more shrubs with outstanding win- ter stems, see chart on page 28.) Each season has its strong points. So rather than yearning for the warmth and riotous colors of spring, enjoy the variety of winter colors, textures, and forms of your shrubs and trees. They impart a stark beauty to the winter landscape, often fur- ther enhanced by the muted tones of win- ter grass, a backdrop of dark evergreens, or a carpet of fresh snow. 

Rita Pelczar is a contributing editor for The

TOP: MARK TURNER. BOTTOM: LYNNE HARRISON LYNNE BOTTOM: TURNER. MARK TOP: American Gardener.

November / December 2008 27 28 grow 20feettall andareleaflessmostoftheyear. striped, greenstems ofocotillo green stemsof Above: Flowers appear in late winter on the arching, bright MORE SHRUBSTHAT DAZZLEINWINTER Name Vaccinium corymbosum Vaccinium praecox Stachyurus sachalinensis Salix purpurea Salix irrorata Salix Salix japonica Kerria nudiflorum Jasminum quercifolia Hydrangea miconioides Heptacodium splendens Fouquieria sanguinea Cornus alba Cornus (willow ) (highbush blueberry) (fantail willow) (dewystem willow) (Japanese kerriacultivar) (winter jasmine) (oakleaf hydrangea) (seven-sons flower) (ocotillo) (Tatarian dogwood) (bloodtwig dogwoodcultivar) (purple osiercultivar) the American Gardener ‘Erythroflexuosa’ Jasminum nudiflorum. Jasminum ‘Nana’ KnKn 6/8 ‘Kin Kan’ MditrFr’10/8 ‘Midwinter Fire’ Ska 53 twistedreddishstems,usedinflower 15/30 ‘Sekka’ (Fouquieria splendens) (Fouquieria egt/Sra Comments Height /Spread 3/5 01 padacigrdprl tm,pnuosJapan multi-stemmedshrubwitharching upward-archingred-purplestems,pendulous 5–12/5–12 10/10 4–8,8–4 RockyMountains, upright,clumpingshrubwithstemsthatturn 6–20/2–6 China wide-spreadingshrubwithtrailing,bright 3–4/4–10 China 6/8 largeshruborsmalltreehaslighttanbarkthat 15–20/8–10 30/6 winterstemsarecoral-redandcoloris 6–10/5–6 (feet) 51 arching,spirallytwistedbranches, 15/15 Right: Thewhite- can rgtylo rhn tm ihgensrpsJapan bright yellowarchingstemswithgreenstripes young stemsarebrightyellow slender purplestems,adaptstomoist yellow-green toredstemsinwinter flowers inlatewinter arrangements southwesternU.S. lavender infall.Cutstemsbacktokeepbushy green stems 5–9,9–5 southwesternU.S. exfoliating bark stiff brancheshaveattractiveorange-brown, peels torevealdarkbrowninnerbark white-striped greenstems spiny, erectshrubwithcylindrical, best onone-tothree-year-oldwood rgtoag-elwwne tm,go alEurope foliage color bright orange-yellowwinterstems,goodfall locations Japan rgnUSDAHardiness, Origin North America 7–11,12–6 southeastern Asia hybrid hybrid eastern U.S. AHS HeatZones 4–7, 7–1 4–9, 9–1 6–8, 8–6 6–9, 9–6 5–9, 9–4 3–8, 8–1 2–8, 8–1 4–7, 7–1 5–9, 9–5 4–7, 7–1

LEFT: SUSAN A. ROTH, RIGHT: MICHAEL S. THOMPSON TOP: MARK TURNER. BOTTOM : JOSEPH G. STRAUCH JR. lower branches andtwigsof can beusedforindoorarrangements. Left:Byremoving wonderful specimenforthewinter landscape.Cutstems ‘Natchez’ the beautiful exfoliating bark is revealed. walking stick Top: Withitstwistedbranchesexposed, HarryLauder’s (Corylus avellana (Corylus Lagerstroemia indica Lagerstroemia ‘Contorta’) makesa www.waysidegardens.com. Wayside Gardens, www.gosslerfarms.com. Gossler FarmsNursery, Forestfarm, www.avantgardensne.com. Avant Gardens, Sources West Chicago,Illinois,2005. Cold-Weather Garden Wonders oftheWinterLandscape:ShrubsandTreestoBrighten the Massachusetts, 1997. of theYear The WinterGarden:PlantsthatOfferColorandBeautyinEverySeason Pennsylvania, 1997. Loewer and Larry Mellichamp. Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, The WinterGarden:PlanningandPlantingfortheSoutheast by SuzyBales.RodaleBooks,Emmaus,Pennsylvania,2007. The GardeninWinter:PlantforBeautyandInteresttheQuietSeason Resources by RitaBuchanan.HoughtonMifflinCompany,Boston, Williams, OR.(541) 846-7269. Dartmouth, MA. (508)998-8819. Hodges, SC.(800)213-0379. by VincentA.Simeone.BallPublishing, Springfield, OR.(541)746-3922. November /December2008 www.forestfarm.com. by Peter 29 Lester Rowntree Native Californian

An early champion of Western native plants, Lester Rowntree was a prolific author, nursery owner, and plant hunter whose accomplishments still inspire California horticulturists more than 25 years after her death. BY JUDITH LARNER LOWRY

ALIFORNIA NATIVE plants Rowntree lived 100 fruitful years, a life al, humorous, and moving that readers have come of age. With many that intrigued and inspired her contem- were captivated equally by the subject C native plant nurseries through- poraries and continues to do so to this day. matter and by the author. out the state, exploding public interest, As the proprietor of a native plant seed These articles were published in many and an increasing number of important business, she roamed—mostly alone— of the top national magazines of the time, new books on the subject, these plants California’s alpine and other regions, col- including Gardening Illustrated, Atlantic are being woven into the public and pri- lecting seeds and plants and studying Monthly, and House & Garden. She con- vate lives of Californians. How Lester them in their habitats. In two books and tributed more than 20 articles to the Na- Rowntree, (1879–1979), known as “the more than 700 articles, she described her tional Horticultural Magazine, which was duenna of California native plant horti- adventures and the plants she studied in a precursor of The American Gardener. ( To culture” would have rejoiced! prose that was so vivid, eccentric, person- read two of these articles, click on the web

This apparent self-portrait, taken in the late 1930s, shows Lester Rowntree among the wildflowers in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana.

30 the American Gardener special linked to this article on the AHS website, www.ahs.org.) Working tirelessly for the preservation of California’s flora and its incorporation into gardens, she also covered a range of topics of interest to gar- deners throughout the country. It would be hard to find a profession- al prominent in the field of California na- tive plant horticulture today who does not feel a debt to Rowntree. Bart O’Brien, senior staff research associate at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden; Warren G. Roberts, superintendent of the Universi- ty of California–Davis Arboretum; Steve Edwards, director of the botanic garden of the East Bay Regional Park District; Dave Fross, owner of Native Sons Nurs- ery; and many, many others credit Rown- tree with an important role in their With her trusty burro, Skimpy, Rowntree poses during a seed collecting trip in the High discovery of their chosen field. Sierra region of east-central California, sometime in the late 1930s. Roberts met Rowntree when she gave an outdoor talk about wild California United States. She spent the remainder storms are blowing and the winter rains plants to students at the University of of her childhood years in and pouring. In March and April I have long California–Davis in 1962. He remembers California before moving to Pennsylva- shining days on the desert, in May happy her “absolute enthusiasm for California nia, where she worked as a governess and weeks in the foothills, where a chorus of native plants and her important role in completed her schooling. robins wakes me and my morning bath is getting the word out. She was a vibrant, In 1908, she married Bernard Rown- in a rushing stream of just-melted snow. sparkling person, vibrating with enthusi- tree, an electrical engineer, with whom she In June I am in the northern counties asm. When I think of her, which is often, had a son, Cedric. At that time she for- scented with new-mown hay and wild she inspires me still.” mally adopted her family name, Lester, as strawberries. In July in the higher moun- her given name. For more than a decade, RISING TO LIFE’S CHALLENGES the family lived in Oradell, New Jersey, “If I was to die, I wanted to Rowntree was named Gertrude Ellen where Rowntree created a showplace gar- Lester when she was born in the Lake den that was an early indicator of her hor- expire amidst the splendid wild- District region of England. In 1889, when ticultural talent. flowers of southern California.” she was 10, her family emigrated to the Diagnosed in 1921 with a terminal ill- ness, Rowntree convinced her husband to tains, and in August and September up in move back to California, where she had the alpine zone with mule or burro.” lived as a young girl. “If I was to die, I In a typical day in her seed-gathering wanted to expire amidst the splendid wild- life, she spent the night at her base camp, flowers of southern California,” she later reached by burro or packtrain, and woke wrote. In California, the doctors proved to at sunrise to walk to the places where cars be wrong, and Lester soon recovered a vi- and burros couldn’t go, there to spend brant health that was to serve her well for the day with the plants. Sometimes it was many years of rugged plant exploration. a return to an old friend, sometimes a Ever after, she was a firm believer in the new discovery. healing power of time spent with plants. “To the conversant the procedure of In 1931, Rowntree and her husband di- tracking down flowers is natural and plau- vorced. At 52, Rowntree, with friend and sible. After the eager encounter must business partner Lila Clevenger, opened a come a sojourn long enough to learn the mail-order seed company called Lester day and night habits of the plants, to pho- Rowntree & Company. As she described tograph, to press a specimen and perhaps in an essay called “Lone Hunter,” every take some seed, to study the symbiotic re- spring would find her on the road collect- lationship between vegetation and its at- ing seeds for more than 4,000 customers: tending insects. Not until intimacy has Rowntree with husband, Bernard, and son, “I inhabit my hillside only from No- been established can a move be made to

PHOTOGRAPHS ON THIS AND OPPOSITE PAGE: FROM HARDY CALIFORNIANS, COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS. CALIFORNIA OF UNIVERSITY THE OF COURTESY CALIFORNIANS, HARDY FROM PAGE: OPPOSITE AND THIS ON PHOTOGRAPHS Cedric, in New Jersey around 1918. vember to February, while the winter the next stand,” she wrote.

November / December 2008 31 32 sonal interviews.” have toldmeinper- the thingsthatshrubs from myown notes,takenonthespot,of lowed ofwritingonly myinvariable rule the last12years. In compilingitIhave fol- which Ihave grown inCaliforniaduring the behaviorundercultivation ofthose habits of these in shrubs the wild and of of gleaned the from personal observation describes hermethod: one elsecouldhave writtenit.” is nothing to compete with it; “There no Society, remarked ofthesecondbook: president oftheCaliforniaHorticultural way tolove.” Sydney B.Mitchell, then Rowntree describedas“infatuationgiving books, aclearshifttakesplace,which Value to the Gardener. Flowering Shrubs andTheir of California 1939, Stanford University Press published her firstbook,Hardy Californians. her writing. In 1936, Macmillan published drive towards sharingexperiencefuelled business person’s practicality, andauthor’s purpose, a naturalist’s unlimited curiosity, and thenfinally toppledover, acliff. from hercarasitteetered ontheedgeof, vapor lock,and onceeven barely escaped self outofcars,experiencedflat tires and cles andbooks. She frequently lockedher- handled asamusinganecdotes inherarti- in reality, musthave beenalarming,were bouts ofcartrouble inremote areas, which, teens, tools,andseedbags.”Her many presses, books,photographic gadgets,can- removed seatstomakeroom for“flower were customized forheroccupation—she of theautomobile.Theinteriorshercars tions, she resigned herself to the necessity best companions for plant-finding expedi- hung around tohearhersing. bears invaded her camps, and lizards once turning up in her sleeping bag, tlesnakes were challenging companions, those whooverly romanticized it.Rat- beer andskittles,”shesaidinresponse to sometimes stoicallyendured. “It’s notall rigors ofthelifesheusuallyrelished and couldhandlethe but shefoundthatfew ing forsomeonetoshare herjourneys, Rowntree confessedtooccasionallylong- HUNTING RIGORS OFPLANT “…I have putdown whatIhave In thebook’s introduction, Rowntree The interplaybetween horticultural Though she considered burros to be the the American Gardener Between thetwo In just fallen…Or thatawholestandof find that the bloom is just spent or the seed more plantonlyto insearch ofacertain two…You maygofive hundred milesor seed or flower missed by just a day or onizing disappointmentofsomeprecious required stoicism. Western blue-eyedgrass( forgiving plants that does not resent the encroachments of civilization.” Press, Berkeley &LosAngeles,California,2007. The LandscapingIdeasofJays sity of California Press, Berkeley & Los Angeles, California, 1993. The JepsonManual:HigherPlants ofCalifornia Los Angeles,California,2006(originaledition1936,Macmillan). Hardy Californians O’Brien. CachumaPress,LosOlivos,California,2005. California NativePlantsfortheGarden Resources Yerba BuenaNursery, in Escondido,CA.(760)749-5830. Las PilitasNursery, Larner Seeds, Forestfarm, Sources nursery.com. nursery.com. “You must steel yourself to bear the ag- The vagaries ofthenatural world also Williams, OR.(541) 846-7269. (Not mail-order—plantsmustbepickedupatnursery.) Bolinas, CA.(415) 868-9407. by LesterRowntree.UniversityofCaliforniaPress,Berkeley & Santa Margarita,CA.(805)438-5992.Asecondlocationis Woodside, CA.(650) 851-1668. Sisyrinchium bellum), Sisyrinchium by JudithLarnerLowry.University ofCalifornia Lupi- by CarolBornstein,DavidFross,andBart www.laspilitas.com. www.laspilitas.com. nus confertus occupations ofthecityfor the calm and change confusion forpeace;the feverish being whichaddstothelargerlife.You ex- awareness andasenseofwell- ofearth ings andinhertalks,were many: off totheburrows ofground squirrels.” edited by James C. Hickman. Univer- www.forestfarm.com. “A collectingtripbringswithitan But therewards, described inherwrit- www.larnerseeds.com. Rowntree wrote,“isoneofthose or www.yerbabuena L. lyallii has beencarried

FROM HARDY CALIFORNIANS, COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS. quiet business of stalking plants in Nature’s planless plantings…Although men do not know it, it is the inspiration coming from SOME OF LESTER ROWNTREE’S FAVORITES experiences like this which they live by.” Rowntree’s evocative plant descriptions make native plant fans like me itch to try some of the species she encountered. But be forewarned that many of the plants A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Rowntree wrote about are still unavailable or are not suited for cultivation much In Hardy Californians, one of Lester’s stat- out of their native range. The ones I describe below are generally available through ed goals is to demonstrate to East Coast nurseries and worth trying. gardeners that the alpine plants of Califor- Early in Rowntree’s career, she held out hope that gardeners east of the Rock- nia might thrive in their gardens, and that ies could learn how to successfully grow Western plants, but with experience she they are compelling enough to be worth a came to understand that most natives were best suited to their regional habitats. try. She wrote, “American horticulture One exception to this is California annual wildflowers, which can be treated just would take longer strides if plantsmen in like any garden annuals. the East knew the Pacific Coast material better and if we on the Pacific Coast were ANNUALS more familiar with the plants and growing Tufted or foothill poppy (Eschscholzia lobbii) is an unusual relative of the well- conditions in the East.” known California poppy. Rowntree describes it as “a low tuft of very pretty cut When gardening in New Jersey, she leaves and has light yellow flowers on upright seven longed to try out California’s flora, bring- inch stems.” It blooms in early to midsummer and ing back her own seed collections for trials. pairs well with Phacelia californica. Each stage of her life brought a different Of five-spot ( maculata), Rowntree wrote, focus. In her younger years, she thrilled to “in its native haunts [it] makes a lovely picture.” Its see in nature “…floods of blossoms I used large, spring-blooming flowers are white with very fine to cultivate in an English garden, those purple veinings and a big striking blotch of dark purple baby blue eyes and poppies which in Cal- Nemophila maculata in the top center of each . Growing less than a foot ifornia spill across the grass….” In the gar- tall, it’s excellent in containers, in sun or part shade. den, she treasured the plants that stimulated for her what close friend James PERENNIALS AND SUBSHRUBS Roof, the first director of Tilden Botanic Rowntree was fond of penstemons, a large genus of herbaceous perennials dis- Garden, called “field memories.” tributed widely in the western United States. One she wrote about was Penstemon In 1949, a series of fires destroyed heterophyllus, a California native that bears a pointed spike of purple, pink, blue, Rowntree’s seed room, writing studio, and or lavender flowers in early summer. It has narrow, gray-green leaves with reddish greenhouses, after which Rowntree closed stems, and thrives on hot, dry, gravelly slopes. Among California’s interesting semi-woody subshrubs are the “buckwheats” “American horticulture would (Eriogonum spp.). “People who travel the California roads fall, sooner or later, un- take longer strides if plantsmen der the spell of the Eriogonums and become champions of their beauty,” wrote in the East knew the Pacific Rowntree. In Hardy Californians, she praised “the architectural value of E. gigan- teum,” which grows to seven feet tall, with gray-green leaves that are white below. Coast material better and if we In zones with freezing winters, it can be grown as an annual. on the Pacific Coast were more familiar with the plants and EVERGREEN SHRUBS Though endemic to one small area of California, growing conditions in the East.” bush anemone (Carpenteria californica) has proven to be not only lovely but adaptable as well. A mod- her seed business. Though devastated by erate-growing evergreen shrub three to 10 feet tall, the loss of her notes for two more books, it bears fragrant white flowers from May to August. Rowntree continued to write an astonish- It thrives in sun or part shade with average to low ing number of articles after the fire. Some, water. Pinch branches to keep it bushy. like “A Trail of Beauty” and “The Lone Rowntree is credited with introducing a culti- Hunter,” were deeply thought-out essays, var of wild lilac (Ceanothus cuneatus var. rigidus) others were more casual plant descriptions called ‘Snowball’. This shrub has stiff branches or gardening recommendations, the vast and leathery leaves, decorated by clusters of majority as yet unanthologized or collect- small, pure white flowers in spring. Growing to ed. Intriguing snippets of unpublished ma- four feet tall and wide, it thrives in full sun in terials are still to be found in the Rowntree summer dry climates and is a good choice for Ceanothus ‘Snowball’ archives, residing at the California Acade- tough, rocky slopes. —J.L.L.

TOP: COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER CHRISTIE / CALPHOTOS. BOTTOM: JERRY PAVIA JERRY BOTTOM: CALPHOTOS. / CHRISTIE CHRISTOPHER OF COURTESY TOP: my of Science in San Francisco.

November / December 2008 33 Her humorous asides on the nature of gardeners and various horticultural con- troversies are treasures. On the proper cul- ture of lupines, she says: “The question of lime or acid soil for Lupins is one to be approached with trep- idation, for with some gardeners it has taken on the seriousness and sanctity of a religious issue. After all the heated discus- sions on the reaction of the genus Lupin [sic] to lime which have enlivened (not to say embittered) our horticultural maga- zines for the past few years, we seem not much nearer the solution of the matter.” The pastime of gardening requires a certain callousness to plant death. In an unpublished manuscript, “My Hillside Garden,” Rowntree describes her atti- tude: “The disappointment of a plant’s Rowntree shares her knowledge with students at the University of California–Davis in 1962. death is always tempered by the realiza- tion that here is an empty spot in which den in nearby Carmel is still maintained in ety honored her for her work in preserv- to try a new plant.” her honor today. ing California native plants. But gardeners must also learn when to Her love of children also expressed itself But it’s her books that are her ultimate give up. In Flowering Shrubs of Califor- in four children’s books, Ronnie; Ronnie legacy. One can return to Hardy Califor- nia, Rowntree shares her experience of try- and Don; Little Turkey; and Denny and the nians or Rowntree’s other writings year ing to grow mahala mat (Ceanothus Indian Magic. When asked where her ideas after year, and still find new gems missed prostratus), a shrub that is exuberant in the for those books in previous readings. In her 100 years of wild, yet recalcitrant in the garden. came from, she life, Rowntree gathered field memories “I have tried it in sandy soil and in red said: “I picked from many different Californian ecosys- clay-like soil, in humus and grit, and in those ideas up from tems, from the coast to the desert to the kids all around redwoods and the chaparral to the Sier- “The disappointment of a when I was collect- ras and the foothills and back again. Her plant’s death is always tempered ing. Kids are full of plant descriptions can bring plants to life, by the realization that here is good stories.” her tales of high adventure astound, and In the last two her eloquence still sends out an irre- an empty spot in which to try a decades of her life, sistible call—the call to explore Califor- new plant.” when decreasing nia and its plants. mobility forced “There soon comes that feeling of eager loam. And I have decided that the secret of her to hang up her traveling shoes, anticipation, of being quite sure that just its culture rests in the laps of the gods and Rowntree turned her focus back to her around the next curve, over the crest of that they are keeping it there. Let those garden, putting into it the energy and de- that hill, on the other side of that rockspire who dream bright dreams of garden banks votion her field trips formerly absorbed. or bit of wood which hides the immediate smothered in the airy lavender of Cean- On her 100th birthday, Rowntree re- view, something exciting will be found.” othus prostratus, dream on. I wish them joy ceived congratulatory telegrams from In this sentiment, she echoes that of their visions.” For herself, she concludes, both U.S. President Jimmy Carter and the printed on the bookplate of the es- “I refuse to suffer any more over it.” United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth. She teemed Willis Linn Jepson, the botanist died five days later. for whom The Jepson Manual: Higher ENCOURAGING FUTURE GENERATIONS Plants of California is named, and whom Lester Rowntree was devoted to exposing AN ENDURING LEGACY Rowntree revered: children, including her grandsons, to the During her long life, Rowntree received “Something lost beyond the ranges wonders of the natural world at an early numerous honors. In 1965, when the over yonder. Go you there.”  age. She took young people to wild places California Native Plant Society was in her car, gave lectures at colleges and uni- formed, Rowntree was appointed life- Judith Larner Lowry has been the proprietor versities, and received them in her home. time honorary president. The American of Larner Seeds, specialists in California na- Rowntree’s Carmel Highlands cottage and Horticultural Society gave Rowntree an tive plants and seeds, for the last 30 years. garden became a legendary destination, award for horticultural writing in 1971. In The author of two books and numerous ar-

and the Lester Rowntree Native Plant Gar- 1974, the California Horticultural Soci- ticles, she lives in Bolinas, California. PHOTO. FAMILY ROWNTREE BOTTOM: PRESS. CALIFORNIA OF UNIVERSITY THE OF COURTESY CALIFORNIANS, HARDY FROM TOP:

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TOUR ORCHID GARDENS ‡ SHOP FOR ORCHID GIFTS ‡ BEAUTIFUL ART EXHIBITS 36 the tissueisextremely susceptible todam- divisions are occurringingrowing tissues, sent allaround us.At thetimecell duced by thebackground radiationpre- “Witches’ broom mutationscan be in- Nursery inEatonville,Washington, says, Bob Fincham, owner ofCoenosium volves theeffectsofradiationexposure. vironmental causes. gest thatsomemaybetriggered by en- causal factors—are unclear. Studies sug- the interrelationship ofavariety of cases, theetiologies—specificcausesor others by a complex of agents. In some es’ brooms are causedby asingleagent, linked tothedeformities.Some witch- bacteria, andphytoplasmas—have been mites,aphids, mistletoes, fungi,viruses, host-specific causes—including dwarf well asherbaceousplants.Avariety of uous andconiferous trees as andshrubs phenomenon thatmayoccurondecid- attributed towitchcraft. when unexplained happenings were often The phraseoriginatedinmedieval times, meaning “to abundleoftwigs.” bewitch rived from theGerman word, ent.” Theterm“witches’ broom” isde- different genetic makeupfrom thepar- sue growing onaparent plantthathasa broom is“a congestedclumpofplanttis- Michigan. AsGee explainsit,awitches’ Gee, owner ofGee Farms inStockbridge, sponse Ireceived Gary from nurseryman you’ll hearsomethingsimilartothere- loween ortheWizard ofOz. Instead, A One ofthe more intriguingtheoriesin- Witches’ brooms are awidespread Scientists are still unraveling the mysteries of these strange plant mutations, which cause significant damage to some plants but in other cases have yielded exciting new cultivars. the American Gardener will have nothingtodowithHal- “witches’ broom” andtheanswer SK ABOTANIST Witches’ Brooms wicked and wonderful hexenbesen, to define at Tahquamenon FallsStateParkinMichigan's Upper Peninsula. A witches'broom encirclesthetrunkofaredpine BY KATHRYNLUNDJOHNSON (Pinus resinosa) (Pinus growing beside a lake

KATHRYN LUND JOHNSON age by radiation. If the damage occurs at that produce some chlorophyll, but main- the host plant. Chemical control is not the right time and place, a mutation may ly derive their nutrients, physical support, practical, and although removing and de- result.” Indeed, the 1986 Chernobyl radi- and water from the vascular systems of host stroying infected plants is an effective mea- ation disaster in the former Soviet Union plants. They can cause witches’ brooms in sure, it is time-consuming and expensive. spawned scores of conifer brooms. Mete- several species of pine (Pinus spp.) and Attempts to develop resistant cultivars are or showers, too, with their inherent radi- spruce (Picea spp.), as well as Douglas fir ongoing, and biological control holds ation, may contribute to the appearance (Pseudotsuga menziesii), balsam (Abies bal- promise in the form of a fungus, Tricho- of witches’ brooms. “This might explain samea), western and mountain hemlock derma stromaticum, which parasitizes the the appearance of multiple brooms in a (Tsuga heterophylla and T. mertensiana), broom-causing fungus. concentrated area,” says Gee. and western larch (Larix occidentalis). Some witches’ brooms are caused by Whatever the reason, it’s generally ac- Brooms appear once the mistletoe is es- rust fungi that require an alternate host cepted that an event occurs at a cellular tablished and the resulting diminished to complete the fungus life cycle. By re- level that alters the activity of the growth quality of the wood may render it unmar- moving the alternate host, the disease can hormones cytokinin and gibberellin, stim- ulating cell division and encouraging shoot elongation. The effect of the resulting mu- tation, or witches’ broom, ranges from minor cosmetic blemishes to significant deformities that may cause loss of vigor or potentially threaten the life of the host. A PHENOMENON WITH MANY CAUSES From the perspective of foresters, nurs- ery owners, and gardeners, most witches’ brooms are undesirable. Because several different types of causal agents are in- volved, measures for prevention and con- trol vary from genus to genus and even species to species. While some are rela- tively easy to dispatch by pruning out brooms or culling infected plants, others are more effectively avoided by eliminat- ing an insect or mite vector. For some, there is no practical control and garden- ers are simply advised to avoid planting potential host plants in areas where cer- tain witches’ brooms are likely to occur. In some parts of the Midwest, for ex- ample, the prevalence of hackberry witch- Above left: Multiple witches’ brooms have disfigured this hackberry, a tree that is especially es’ broom, a disfiguring disease of susceptible to the disease in the Midwest. Above right: A witches’ broom appears as a tangled common hackberry ( occidentalis) mass of twigs on this otherwise stately catalpa. and sugarberry (C. laevigata), has reduced the value of these species in the landscape. ketable, creating a significant impact on be avoided. Spruce broom rust attacks Caused by a combined attack of an erio- commercial timber production. Control white, black, and Sitka spruces that grow phyid mite and a powdery mildew fungus, of dwarf mistletoe requires its removal in the vicinity of the fungus’s alternate the brooms often die back during the dor- from the host by pruning. host, bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). mant season, leaving brown clumps of The cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), Although many spruces are not adverse- stems. Because there are no methods for from which the world gets its chocolate, is ly affected by broom rust, others display avoiding or controlling this disease, where the host of another economically damag- a decrease in growth, top kill, and subse- the disease is common, some horticultur- ing witches’ broom. Caused by the fungus quent attacks by wood-decaying fungi ists recommend planting resistant species, Crinipellis perniciosa, cocoa-bean witches’ that affect lumber quality. In timber lots, such as Jesso hackberry (C. jessoensis) or broom is having a devastating effect on this disease can be avoided by eliminat- Chinese hackberry (C. sinensis). cocoa production in Africa, Asia, South ing bearberry within 1,000 feet of a Witches’ brooms can be responsible for America, and Central America. Fungal spruce tree. For the home gardener, who significant economic losses of infected spores penetrate young tissue in vegetative is likely to have an attachment to bear- crops. Dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobium and flower buds, causing mutations and berry, pruning out the brooms is the best

LEFT: WILLIAM M. CIESLA, FOREST HEALTH MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL, BUGWOOD.ORG; RIGHT: GUY STERNBERG GUY RIGHT: BUGWOOD.ORG; INTERNATIONAL, MANAGEMENT HEALTH FOREST CIESLA, M. WILLIAM LEFT: spp.) are semi-parasitic evergreen plants profuse branching that divert energy from method of control.

November / December 2008 37 38 ply prune outunsightly brooms. ply prune fect onthelifeoftree. To control, sim- branches, overall thediseasehaslittle ef- stems. Whilevigorisreduced inaffected brooms form asclumpingclustersof come coated with the black fungus, and dersides oftheleaves ofdiseasedtrees be- the fungusApiosporina collinsii. serviceberry plants; donotcompost them. If symptoms appear, destroy infected and preemptively controlling leafhoppers. infections by propagating plantsby seed rot, wide-leafplantain,andthistle.Avoid ashostsincludedandelion, wildcar- serve the disease-causingorganism;weeds that eliminating nearby weeds thatmayharbor early detectionare for control, crucial asis loss ofvigortheplant.Monitoring and the leaves, a reduction in size of leaves, and symptoms are yellowing orreddening of indicatorofthedisease.Other is aprimary a bushyclusterof leaves insteadofflowers mitted by leafhoppers.Theappearanceof ic, single-celledorganismsthatare trans- caused by phytoplasmas—submicroscop- 200 herbaceousplantsworldwide,is appear onconifers inquiteapositive Gee, witches’ infact,views brooms that Not allwitches’ brooms are bad.Gary SPAWNING NEW CULTIVARS in Crestwood, Kentucky, columnar sugarmapleatYewDellGardens broom discoveredbyTheodoreKlein. 'Powhattan', was derived from a witches' cultivar brooms thatsproutedfromthebroom Gary Gee displays one of four witches' Black witches’ broom isaninfectionof Aster yellows, whichinfectsmore than the American Gardener Pinus mugo Pinus (Amelanchier 'Mops'. Right: This Acer saccharum Acer spp.) causedby The un- necticut atStorrs, wasapioneeringde- of plantscienceattheUniversity ofCon- plantstandsinitsplace. and anew The understockgrowth isthenremoved ing, thewoundisgiven ayear toheal. asthe“understock.”serve Whengraft- rectly orgraftedtoyoung conifersthat ferred toasa“scion,” iseitherrooted di- from theoriginalbroom. Thecutting,re- ferred. Thefirststepistotakeacutting by seeds, asexual propagation is pre- exciting conifercultivars. new these brooms have thepotentialtoyield around theworldknow of thatcertain light. He andotherconiferdevotees The lateSidney Waxman, aprofessor Though brooms maybepropagated Sparkler’ tamarack(Larixlaricina). siflora) Shadow’, aJapanese red pine ‘UConn Gold’, ‘Sea Urchin’, and‘Green ern whitepine Waxman introduced are selectionsofeast- tant. Amongthewell-known cultivars asWaxman’swho served technicalassis- culturist attheUniversity ofConnecticut seedlings,” saysGregory Tormey, ahorti- witches’ broomsand his career tofindingandcollecting from witches’ brooms. “Sidney devoted trade—mostofthemderived the nursery duced approximately cultivars 40 new to the courseofhiscareer, Waxman intro- veloper ofwitches’ broom cultivars. Over called ‘Low Glow’, and‘Blue (Pinus strobus) propagating (Pinus den- such as their

LEFT: KATHRYN LUND JOHNSON; RIGHT: COURTESY OF YEW DELL GARDENS SOME RECOMMENDED WITCHES’ BROOM CULTIVARS

Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Sungold’ (USDA Hardiness Zones 4–8, AHS Heat Zones 8–1) is a golden yel- low, mound-shaped cultivar that matures to lime green. Planting in full sun is recommended for best color. Maximum growth is about three feet.

Larix laricina ‘Blue Sparkler’ (Zones 1–5, 5–1) was introduced by Sidney Waxman in 1993. This dwarf deciduous conifer has a dense habit that is remi- niscent of miniature fireworks. Its blue-green nee- dles turn gold in autumn, then drop. In 10 years, it can grow three feet high and two-and-a-half feet wide.

Picea glauca ‘Cecilia’ (Zones 2–6, 6–1) has a com- Larix laricina ‘Blue‘Blue Sparkler’Sparkler’ pact growing habit, globose form, and blue-gray needles. It grows three to six inches per year.

Picea omorika ‘Nana’ (Zones 4–8, 8–1) is a dense, bluish green, dwarf cultivar of Siberian spruce with a silvery glow. It matures from a round form to pyra- midal. It grows three to six inches per year.

Picea pungens ‘Globosa’ (Zones 2–8, 8–1) is a dwarf cultivar characterized by prickly steel-gray needles and a dense, compact, globose shape. It grows three to five inches per year. Prune to retain shape. It makes a nice specimen plant when grafted to a tall standard.

Picea pungens ‘St. Mary’s Broom’ (Zones 2–8, 8–1) is a globose, tightly compact dwarf with blue-gray needles. It grows one to two inches per year with- Picea pungens ‘St. Mary’s Broom’ out developing a central leader.

Pinus densiflora ‘Jane Kluis’ (Zones 4–7, 7–1) is a compact, globose, green-needled dwarf distin- guished by light tan buds. It is deer-browse resis- tant, grows three to six inches per year, and adapts to full sun or part shade.

Pinus mugo ‘Mitsch Mini’ (Zones 3–7, 7–1) is an ex- ceptionally slow-growing, bun-shaped, miniature cultivar with green needles. One of the smallest mugos, it grows approximately one inch per year.

Pinus mugo ‘Mops’ (Zones 3–7, 7–1) is a bright green, dome-shaped dwarf that retains its compact form without pruning. Its foliage changes to gold in late autumn. It grows less than three to five inch- Pinus densiflora ‘Jane Kluis’ es per year. TOP AND BOTTOM:AND TOP PAVIA JERRY CENTER: JOHNSON. LUND KATHRYN

November / December 2008 39 How stable are such new cultivars? “Ex- tremely,” says Gee. “Reversions do happen, Sources though, from time to time, when a reces- The following mail-order sources offer witches’ broom conifer cultivars. sive gene reverts to the parental genetic makeup. It’s usually possible for the growth Broken Arrow Nursery, Hamden, CT. (203) 288-1026. www.broken to be removed by simple pruning,” he says. arrownursery.com. Occasionally witches’ broom cultivars pro- duce their own brooms. The popular cul- Coenosium Gardens, Eatonville, WA. (360) 832-8655. www.coenosium.com. tivar Picea abies ‘Little Gem’ has its origins in P. abies ‘Nidiformis’, also a broom. In Gee Farms, Stockbridge, MI. (517) 769-6772. www.geefarms.com. Gee’s extensive arboretum, he points out a (Not mail-order—plants must be picked up at nursery.) dwarf mugo pine, Pinus mugo ‘Mops’, that has spawned four genetically dissimilar Rich’s Foxwillow Nursery, Woodstock, IL. (815) 338-7442. brooms. Because brooms are mutations, www.richsfoxwillowpines.com. no two have identical DNA—even when they are produced on the same plant. Broom conifer cultivars do not stay Resources small forever, but their growth is consid- American Conifer Society, Lewisville, NC. (336) 945-0483. erably slower than that of the parent plant, www.conifersociety.org. allowing for placement in locations where other, more typical, trees or shrubs would crowd the landscape. The great variety of sizes, shapes, and colors provides garden- ers with countless opportunities to express their creativity. Sometimes scions are grafted on top of a tall understock, adding a sprightly upside-down exclamation point to the landscape. “If ‘different’ is what you’re looking for, I guarantee you’ll find it in a witches’ broom cultivar. The combinations of shapes and colors avail- able are almost endless,” says Gee. Evergreen conifers account for the vast majority of witches’ brooms that have led to ornamental plant selections but a few cultivars of deciduous trees, including a de- ciduous conifer, are derived from brooms. The late Theodore Klein of Kentucky in- troduced three sugar maples that originat- ed as witches’ brooms: Acer saccharum ‘Powhattan’, ‘Natchez’, and ‘Shawnee’. And Ginkgo biloba ‘Spring Grove’, found as a witches’ broom in Ohio, retains a com- pact habit, achieving a maximum height of five feet in 10 to 15 years. Learning more about the origins of these intriguing mutations will not only help you manage brooms that may arise unwanted in your home garden, but add to your appreciation for the eye-catching cultivars that have derived from these botanical curiosities. 

Kathryn Lund Johnson is a freelance writer and photographer from Middleville, Michi- Growing to only about five feet tall at maturity, Ginkgo biloba ‘Spring Grove’ is derived from a gan. Her most recent article for The Amer-

broom on a large ginkgo tree in Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum in Cincinnati, Ohio. ican Gardener was on slugs. CO. NURSERY HANDY OF COURTESY / HANDY GARY

40 the American Gardener

42 by KirstenWinters Norm Lownds:Children’s Garden Innovator late children’s interest innature. plants canbecombinedtostimu- Lownds abouthow technologyand Kirsten Winters talkedwith grams atRiver Farm. Garden writer Panel,visory andnow, while on asabbatical from theuniversity, consultanttotheAHS’s educationalpro- moderated communicationsspacewhere studentscanaskquestionsaboutplants. These includeakid-friendlyinteractive website filledwithfuneducationalgamesandtheWonder Wall, a Lab), ofwhichheisaprincipalinvestigator, now the4-HChildren’s Garden alsooffersonlinelearningtools. Under hisleadershipandwiththehelpofMSU’s CommunicationTechnology (CommTech Laboratory nology asatoolforlearning,”saysLownds, “and itneedsthegarden even more thanprevious generations.” As curatoroftheacclaimedMichigan 4-HChildren’s Garden atMichigan State University (MSU)inEast U tive toCentralAmericaand usedinHis- American Garden, they can see plants na- growing in front of them. In the Hispanic colors have beennamedaftertheplants Color Garden, kidsfind outsomecrayon interest. Inthing forevery theCrayon over 80 different theme gardens—some- life.Thereconnect themtoeveryday are a garden. Plants are andwe everywhere Norm Lownds: What isthesecret ofitssuccess? for othergardens around theworld. Children’s Garden hasbecomeamodel Winters:Kirsten In additiontohiswork atMSU,Lownds ischairoftheAHS’s National Children &Youth Garden Ad- the American Gardener and somewhat contradictory task,butit’s contradictory and somewhat onethathorticulture professor Norm Lownds embraces. SING TECHNOLOGY We are first and foremost The Michigan 4-H saw an opportunity tobringbothworldstogether.saw anopportunity is agenerationthatusestech- “This more timeoutdoorsexperiencingnature. WhenLownds becamecuratorin1997,he encourage children tospendlesstimeindoorsoccupiedby technologicaldiversions and designing gardens expressly forchildren wasgroundbreaking. It beganamovement to even more children visits. (andadults)canmakevirtual world. About 200,000 children visit the garden each year, and, thanks to technology, of indoorspacedevoted toengagingkidslearnaboutandappreciate thenatural Lansing, Lownds oversees two-thirds ofanacre ofoutdoorspaceand1,500square feet When thegarden wasfoundedin1993by itsfirstcurator, Jane Taylor, theideaof to get children interested in plants and gardens might appear to be a tough fcide iiigteMcia - Children’sGarden. of childrenvisiting theMichigan4-H Norm Lowndsshows andexplainsthedifferentparts ofaplant—herethestem—to agroup N NOEWITH ONE ON ONE C …

TOP: KIRSTEN WINTERS. BOTTOM: COURTESY OF MICHIGAN 4-H CHILDREN’S GARDEN panic cooking, such as tomatoes, tomatil- ask questions (Wonder Wall), and make use a hand-held electronic device called a los, and chile peppers. In addition, we en- virtual garden visits through our web PSA to discover things about the plant that courage kids and their adults to touch and cams. We’re looking at using online col- may not be obvious right there in the gar- interact with plants and really experience laboration spaces and tools to help kids den. When a kid passes the device over a the garden. In the Sense-Ational Herb write up experiments and discoveries. special plant tag, additional information Garden, for example, we ask visitors to on the plant comes up on the PSA, in- smell the plants and find those that remind The Wonder Wall is a popular feature. cluding photos and descriptions of all the them of foods in a Thanksgiving meal. Could you tell us a bit about it? plant parts, how the plant is used, how the The two most important things we The original Wonder Wall is a large blank plant looks in each season. focus on in our educational programs are sheet of paper in the garden on which vis- Kids love using the PSA and making curiosity and wonder—because without itors write anything they wonder about, interesting discoveries. More important, them, a person won’t learn anything. such as: “Why do plants lose their leaves in they end up examining the plants much Kids are naturally full of both, and it’s the fall?” and “Why do we have aphids?” more closely. I hear them say things like, magical for them to be able to ask ques- The staff and I answer the questions while “I didn’t know tomatoes had yellow flow- tions and discover the answers in a ers,” or “I never saw the seeds of a beautiful garden. The Internet pansy before, but look, they are all might be their first source of infor- over these plants!” mation, but they still love the free- dom to explore outdoors. What will be the scope of your project during your tenure with How do you decide what to grow the AHS at River Farm? in the garden, and which plants The AHS staff and I will be looking are most popular with kids? at the big picture—a national model The plants in each garden need to fit or initiative—and devising what a theme. The ideas come from watch- that might look like and how we ing which plants kids interact with might get there. One aspect is ex- and also from thinking like a kid (in my panding the Cool Kid Plants evaluation case, a seven-and-a-half-year-old). We program to a national level by extending grow the plants and ask kids to evaluate the testing and selection to school gardens them during the season to pick the very around the country through the AHS and best, which get on a list called “Cool Kid developing a children and youth garden Plants” that we compile each year. certification program. We are also identi- The number-one Cool Kid Plant is fying the components of a national Chil- sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica), which dren, Youth & Gardens Network. folds its leaves when touched. Others in- clude snapdragon, lamb’s ears, chocolate The Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden offers a What can parents and teachers do to mint, ‘Teddy Bear’ sunflower, and ‘Pur- virtual tour, top, and, above, games designed get children interested in the outdoor ple Haze’ carrot. to entertain and teach children about the world and gardening? fascinating world of plants. Start your kids with plants that are fun, What went into creating the Michigan such as the Cool Kid Plants—mint that 4-H Children’s Garden kidstour website the kids are at the garden or write the an- smells like chocolate or purple carrots. In- (http://4hgarden.msu.edu/kidstour) to swers and send them to their teachers. volve them in all aspects of the garden— make it fun and educational for kids? The online Wonder Wall (http://won- from planning to harvest—and let them Faculty, staff, and students in the Comm der wall.msu.edu) follows the same decide what and where to plant. Let the Tech Lab were encouraged to let their premise, except that it has a much wider garden be theirs. Get excited about and cel- imaginations run wild in creating fun and audience. Users such as members of a ebrate all the stages of growth. engaging online experiences. They came youth club can sign up for a Wonder Adults can also visit a children’s garden up with imaginary characters such as Wall so they can interact with targeted with their kids; besides the Michigan 4-H Shakey the Caterpillar and activities such groups—such as teachers—and with Children’s Garden, there are dozens of as Garden Pizza Place Game, where kids each other in a fun, colorful, visual com- great ones around the country now. And, can learn the best conditions for growing munications space. Users who are logged of course, I encourage folks to attend the tomatoes and wheat for making a pizza. on at the same time can live chat. next AHS National Children & Youth We are also working on integrating Garden Symposium from July 23 to 25, Web 2.0 aspects into our site—things The Personal Science Assistant (PSA) is 2009, in Cleveland, Ohio.  like ways for visitors to share their garden a tool you are currently evaluating for photos and videos (YouTube), their ex- kids in the garden. How does it work? Kirsten Winters is a freelance writer who lives

COURTESY OF MICHIGAN 4-H CHILDREN’S GARDEN CHILDREN’S 4-H MICHIGAN OF COURTESY periences and stories (blogs and wikis), This technology application allows kids to in Corvallis, Oregon.

November / December 2008 43 GREENC GARAGE®

A Selection of Useful Specialty Tools by Rita Pelczar

HROUGHOUT THE YEAR I have the opportunity to test many gardening products—some are T new, others are just new to me. As we wrap up another year of Green Garage reports, I’d like to high- light a few cool tools that I’ve found particularly useful, innovative, or just nifty. Sometimes an abundance of or lot of it and your digging hand or wrist nuts from the trees in your yard—acorns, tends to get tired. It resembles the wedge apples, walnuts, etc.—can create a litter we use to split wood, but it’s solid plastic Sources problem. On a visit to Michigan in Au- and it has a comfortable, rounded grip. Alligator® Lopper, gust, my sister-in-law introduced me to And it’s bright www.BlackandDecker.com. a tool designed to dispatch that litter yellow, so you’re without the need to bend over. The Nut not likely to Crescent Gardens Pot Level, Wizard consists of a pliable wire cage misplace it in www.crescentgarden.com. that rotates at the end of a pole. It’s sim- your garden. If you use Double Play Bow Rake, Ames True containers in Temper, Carlisle, PA. your outdoor www.amestruetemper.com. gardens, you are probably famil- Nut Wizard, Bedford, IN. iar with the diffi- www.nutwizard.com. culties of proper placement. Just ThemaCELL® Patio Lantern, The when you decide The Wedgie® Schawbel Corporation, Bedford, MA. on the perfect www.thermacell.com. spot, you realize that the surface is far from level. Rather than spending time excavat- Wedgie®‚ Wherry Enterprises of ing or shimming, Crescent Garden pro- Illinois Inc., Chicago, IL. vides a simple solution with their Pot www.wedgie.biz. Level—two rounded discs that rotate to

clamps down on a branch with its “jaws” The Nut Wizard to hold it securely while it cuts branches up to four inches in diameter—great for ple, easy to use, and it really works. Just those jobs that are just a bit too big for roll the cage over fruit or nuts and the lit- ter is collected. It’s available in four sizes The Pot Level from Crescent Gardens to accommodate fruit with diameters from three-eighths to four inches. My sis- accommodate the slope of any surface. ter-in-law uses the largest size to harvest Twist them around to get the proper walnuts and pears. The collected fruit or angle, set your planter on top, and it’s no nuts unload easily into a bucket or bas- longer lopsided. The plastic disks come in ket, or your compost pile. three colors: terracotta, stone, and con- For transplanting tiny seedlings, I fre- crete. The Pot Level works equally well for quently use a dibble, but now a similar that tipsy birdbath. tool is available for larger transplants. Black & Decker’s rechargeable 18-volt, The Wedgie® looks like a dibble on battery-powered Alligator® Lopper is steroids, and it makes transplanting a my favorite new power tool. It’s a cross breeze—especially if, like me, you do a between a chainsaw and pruners. It The Alligator® Lopper

44 the American Gardener WINTERIZING YOUR GARDEN TOOLS WORLD’S #1 TOP ■ Remove and drain hoses and connection adapters from outside water lines. Repair leaks PLANT SUPPLY and damaged fittings with a hose repair kit. Coil hoses loosely, making sure to avoid kinks, PLANT and do not hang from a nail which can cause kinking. Store them in a dry location. #1HEALTH EXTRA LIFE ■ Shovels, spades, hoes, forks, trowels, and other tools that come in direct contact with Greatest Guarantee-Offer PROOF Ever 65YEARS, unchallenged, $5,000. GUARANTEED to be soil should be cleaned—a steel brush works well to remove caked-on dirt. Wash and dry World CHAMPION thoroughly. Rust spots should be cleaned with sandpaper or steel wool. Use a file or whet- #1 Activator, #1 Trans/ #1 Extra #1 REVIVER, PLANTER, GROWER, stone to sharpen dull edges, then lightly oil the blades and wipe off any excess. WORLD’S FAIR SCIENCE-MEDAL-WINNING #1 Perfecter VI TMs ■ Repair or replace broken or rough handles of hand tools. Apply linseed oil to wooden 50 IN handles to prevent cracking. Or if you have a tendency to lose track of where you’ve ONE placed your tools, consider painting all their handles red, orange, or bright yellow. VITAMINS-HORMONES USED BY U.S. –– FERTILIZER GUARANTEED Departments of –– PESTICIDE As Advertised in ■ –– POLLUTING BioUSABLES Clean and sharpen blades of pruners, loppers, and saws. Oil the blades and lubricate AGRICULTURE, ARMY, NON TM Better Homes & Gardens NAVY, AIR. Etc. TO ADD TO FERTILIZING for growing Landscape Architecture ALSO BY STATES, Horticulture CITIES, COUNTIES, DOUBLE MONEY-BACK pivot points and springs. UNIVERSITIES RECOMMENDED TOP VALUE BY EXPERTS OF ■ TV, RADIO, BOOKS, EXTREME Concentration Wash and rinse sprayers (rinse several times). Clean nozzles and screens. If you use MAGAZINES, Drop-A-CupTM or CONFERENCES Dozens Drop-A-GalTM OF THE a sprayer for herbicides, be sure to label it with permanent marker so you don’t inad- WORLD’S vertently damage desirable plants next year by using it to apply other pesticides. Store SCIENCE & INDUSTRY ONLY GOLD MEDAL WORLD’S FAIR 1940 science tank upside down. Follow directions in your owner’s manual for other recommended ADD to any fertilizingTM • 50 INSTANT BioUSABLES NORMAL PURE COMPLEXES • From Carbon-Hydrogen-Oxygen MIRACLES maintenance procedures. natural organic crystals • Save plants from waiting while IN EACH trying to make them ■ • Unique. Nothing is “like” it. DROP! Wash wheelbarrows and carts and dry thoroughly. Remove rust spots with steel wool SEE TO BELIEVE–– HEALTHIER, FASTER plants and paint to protect from further damage. Grease wheel axles. BEAUTY and CROP yieldADDED TO 21 FERTILIZERS by 21 Growers YOU CAN ■ For lawn mowers and other power equipment, drain gasoline or gasoline/oil mixture. ORDER PINT, QUART, Wipe all surfaces clean and sharpen cutting edges. Clean or replace spark plugs. Re- GALLON, Billions–PROVEN or DRUM B A L A N C E D fer to your owner’s manual for further maintenance procedures. —R.P. ORIGINAL ADDED TO 18 FERTILIZERS, by 18 Growers hand snips or loppers to handle easily. I have really come to appreciate the Metal guards provide protection from rugged construction of my Double Play the cutting chain. It’s easy to start, and Bow Rake from Ames True Temper as NEARLY 1000 BOOKS, CONFERENCES, because it’s powered by a rechargeable I’ve worked the clay soil in my new yard. RECOMMENDED BY MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPERS,TVs, RADIOS USED BY battery rather than gasoline, it’s light- The short teeth FIVE U.S. DEPARTMENTS TO HELP WIN WORLD WAR II weight and relatively quiet. on one side are OF GOVERNMENTS, STATE UNIVERSITIES, LEADING THOUSANDS ARBORETUMS, BOTANICAL GARDENS, PARKS SYSTEMS If you enjoy spending time in your gar- well designed for U.S. STATES and CITIES IN MULTIPLE-DRUMS LOTS FLOWERING PLANTS SHOW WINNERS – “everywhere” den in the evening but are bothered by breaking up HEALTHY, TOXICS-FREE FOODS GROWERS UNIQUE. Far easier plant success mosquitoes, you might want to try the clumps of clay as ThermaCELL® Mosquito Repellent I prepare new Patio Lantern. This battery-operated beds, while the lamp is designed longer teeth help for outdoor use smooth the soil only and it works surface. Rather best where air than having to movement is min- put down one imal. It is cordless tool and pick Double Play Bow Rake and odorless and up another, I includes replace- can simply flip sides of the rake.

able heat-activated No matter what tools you use in the 11 XMAS TREES 17 HYDROSEEDING 22 12 REFORESTATION 18 LANDSCAPING COMPETITIONS repellent mats that garden, it’s important to take care of 13 HYDROPONICS 19 PROPAGATION 23 INTERIORSCAPING 14 FIELD CROPS 20 ANTI-EROSION 24 CUT FLOWERS 15 BONSAI 21 ENVIRONMENTAL 25 WEATHER DAMAGE become effective them so that they provide you with years 16 TISSUE CULTURE IMPROVEMENT 26 WATER GARDENS Mosquito Repellent about 20 to 30 of dependable service. Winter is a great AT CONSCIENTIOUS PLANT DEALERS WORLDWIDE Patio Lantern from minutes after you time to examine, clean, and repair your Used, tipped to, and supplied by thousands of conscientious plant-selling firms. On every continent, without salesmen. ThermaCELL® turn it on; the re- tools before you put them away. That pellent mat can be way they’ll be in top shape for tackling REFUSE “just as good,” false, cheaply made, unbalancing substitutes – often 991/2% water. operated with or without the light. Each next season’s gardening endeavors when NOTHING IS AT ALL “LIKE”  mat lasts up to four hours and covers an spring finally rolls around. 50 VITAMINS-HORMONES area of 15 by 15 feet, providing up to 98 per- V Made in U.S.A. by VITAMIN INSTITUTE I cent protection from mosquitoes and Rita Pelczar is a contributing editor of The 12610 Saticoy Street South, North Hollywood, CA 91605 other biting insects. American Gardener. Website www.superthrive.com

November / December 2008 45 46 Allium has managedtocollectamajorityofthe87 Research, over thelasttwoyears Wheeler and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field ofafellowshipport grantfrom theLewis onions across the country. With the sup- versity ofMissouri, asshehuntsforwild Interdisciplinary Plant Group at the Uni- Erica Wheeler, agraduatestudentwiththe snakes. These are allinaday’s work for while keepinganeye outforvenomous sun orsloggingthrough thewilderness Imagine longhours underthehotdesert DIVERSIFICATION PLANT UNDERSTAND WILDONIONSTO INVESTIGATING other plantgroups inNorth America and patternhasbeenseenin she says.“This may behigherthanintheeastern one,” “rate ofspeciationinthewestern lineage work confirms this and suggests that the eage diversified to the east. Wheeler’s the Rocky Mountains andanother lin- American wildalliumsdiversified west of of these plants, one lineage of North history that earlyonintheevolutionary diversification. Previous research suggests tigating factorsthatpromote plant tion, makingwildonionsidealforinves- Horticultural NewsandResearch ImportanttoAmericanGardeners These species have a wide distribu- the American Gardener species native toNorth America. sions toprevent extinction of rare plants. deci- managers makebetterconservation could ultimatelyhelpscientistsandland are common,”shesays.Thisresearch why someplantspeciesare rare and others come rare. “We don’t know a lotabout of factorsthatcausesomespeciestobe- also hopestogainabetterunderstanding er the evolutionarytree of wild onions, she geological diversity inthewest.” may betheresult ofthetopographicand collects wildonionspecies,such as Allium adventuress Erica Wheeler, above, stand plantdiversification. abramsii, GARDENER As Wheelercontinues topiecetogeth- top, in an effort to better under- C ’ NOTEBOOK S Allium friendly ladybugactivities. ing theseinsects,alongwithotherkid- also provides tips for locating and collect- finds are posted onthewebsite, which different species across thecountry. All the help scientistsidentifyandinventory and when the beetles were seen. This will bug.org, nell through thewebsite they comeacross andsendthemtoCor- aged totakephotographsofanyladybugs transverse ladybeetles. include thenine-spotted,two-spotted,and because theyhave becomesorare. These the United States are of particular interest ly, lady beetles), species certain native to all speciesofladybugs(or, more accurate- though thisresearch project encompasses Dakota State University inBrookings. Al- sity inIthaca, New York, andSouth cultural Research CornellUniver- Service, ofAgriculture’sthe U.S.Department Agri- Ladybug Project, of acollaborative effort last 20years. Scientistssuspectthaten- have beendeclininginnumbersover the the garden’s quintessentialgoodguys— speciesCertain of the ladybug—one of FORLADYBUGS LOOKING Show winner, a cultivar of looking-glass August. Among themwastheBest of west Show inPortland, Oregon, in rieties Showcase held duringthe2008Far- Several plantsmadewaves attheNew Va- OF THEYEAR PLANTS SHOW’S BEST FARWEST (Adalia bipunctata) (Adalia Two-spotted ladybug Both adultsandchildren are encour- along withdetailsaboutwhere as part of the Lost as part theseinsects survey derstand thistrend. data tobetterun- but they need more tributing factors, pesticides are con- habitat loss,and non-native species, croachment by You canhelpto www.lostlady-

TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF ERICA WHEELER. BOTTOM: COURTESY OF ANNE WHEELER. TOP RIGHT: COURTESY OF KARL VOLKMAN. plant ( repens) called ‘Tequila To qualify for the showcase, selec- NEW ONLINE RESOURCE FOR ENGAGING Sunrise’ introduced by Ball Ornamentals. tions must be either new to the market KIDS WITH NATURE Also named best of the shrub/vine cate- or previously available only in limited Teachers and others looking for fun ways gory, this compact evergreen shrub has quantities. The plants also must have to engage children and youth in the nat- characteristics that clear- ural world may want to visit to the Bulb ly distinguish them from Project (www.thebulbproject.org). Spon- other introductions. sored by the Netherlands Flower Bulb In- Among the 40 other formation Center (NFBIC) in Danby, standout varieties entered Vermont, this new online resource con- in this year’s event were tains a wide range of activities focusing on Agave ‘Sharkskin’ from Eu- bulbs for a variety of age levels. roAmerican Propagators, “We need to help reconnect our chil- named best tropical/tender dren and youth with the natural world,” perennial; Carex trifida says Marcia Eames-Sheavly, educational ‘Rekohu Sunrise’ from Sk- coordinator for the site. “Flower bulbs are agit Gardens, judged best a great gateway to help get them interest- in the perennial/grass cate- ed in gardening and growing things, while gory; and Styrax japonicus learning lessons in art, science, math, his- ‘Fragrant Mountain’ from tory, and more along the way.” Crispin’s Creations Nurs- In addition to a blog where educators Coprosma repens ‘Tequila Sunrise’ ery, which was named best tree. can share ideas, the site offers tips for Visit www.farwestshow.com/vvarieties. planning community beautification pro- glossy red, yellow, and green variegated fo- shtml for a list of all the new plants dis- jects, involving children and youth in liage. The colors intensify in cooler tem- played at the Farwest Show, which is a project planning and execution, and peratures. Growing to about three feet, it nursery and greenhouse industry trade forging partnerships with local retailers is hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 10 and heat show supported by the Oregon Associa- and bulb suppliers as sponsors of school COURTESY OF BALL HORTICULTURAL COMPANY HORTICULTURAL BALL OF COURTESY tolerant in AHS Heat Zones 10 to 7. tion of Nurseries. or community flower bulb projects.

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November / December 2008 47 48 participants from 42 states. What has end andattracted anestimated60,000 Nation took place over Labor Day week- San Francisco, California,Slow Food American soil this past summer. Held in growing sustainablefoodmovement” on “collaborative gathering to unite the food anditslocalsources, helditsfirst that works toreconnect people withtheir Slow Food, an international organization FOODGATHERING SLOW AMERICAN FIRST HOSTS FRANCISCO SAN LILY THE LOVELIEST www.safnow.org. winners, visit the society’s website at for acompletelistingofthisyear’s award wholesalers, growers, andretailers—and that includes thefloralindustry serving of AmericanFlorists—an association competition inthepastfive years. varieties have won other awards at the SAF though manyofthiscutflower grower’s fornia, toearnSAF’s highestdistinction, from Green Valley Floral ofSalinas, Cali- companies. ‘Robina’ isthefirstcultivar Show from 331entriessubmittedby 36 Class forcutbulbs,butwaschosenBest in white center. It notonlyearnedBest in large, rosy pinkflowers highlightedby a na’ grows three tofourfeettallandbears tween lilies—‘Robi- Oriental andtrumpet Orienpet lily—derived from across be- Palm Beach, Florida, in September. An Florists (SAF)annualconvention, held in petition duringtheSociety ofAmerican honors attheOutstanding Varieties Com- Zones 3–8,AHSZones 8–1),tooktop Lilium A hybridlily, For more information on the Society the American Gardener ‘Robina’ makes an excellent cut flower. Lilium ‘Robina’ (USDA production, even in urbanenvironments. strate the benefits of sustainable food event’s centerpieceandhelpedtodemon- different edible plants, as the served filled withnearly4,000plantsofmany lawn atCityHall. Thisorganicgarden, Nation Garden Victory thatreplaced the stilltalkingistheSloweveryone Food Victory Garden, which replaced the San Francisco City Hall’s lawn this summer. Scores ofvolunteers helpedplantthousandsofvegetable seedlings intheSlowFoodNation 5990 orvisit more than25,000rarefruit,vegetable,andotherplantvarieties. Call (563)382- organization operatesHeritageFarm,an890-acrecertifiedorganicfarmthatgrows seeds witheachotherandgardenerssinceSSE’sfounding.Additionally,the and conserveheirlooms,havesharedanestimatedonemillionsamplesof rare public aboutthevalue ofagriculturaldiversity.Itsmembersactively helptocollect non-profit organization workstopreserveheirloomplantvarietiesand educatethe Seed SaversExchange(SSE),basedinDecorah,Iowa,recentlynamedGeorgeDon- Seed SaversExchangeNamesNewExecutiveDirector PLACESintheNEWS PEOPLE and Donald DeVault “The Slow“The Food Nation Gar- Victory www.seedsavers.org our foodfuture.” den heritage.Itissafeguardingourfuturefoodand doing morethanpreservingandpassingalongourgar- farmer, andgardener,”saysDeVault.“SeedSaversis have workedforallofmylifeasajournalist,organic with hiswifeatthetime,DianeOttWhealy. tor KentWhealy,whoco-founded SeedSaversin1975 publications. DeVaultsucceedsformerexecutive direc- ten aboutsustainableagriculturetopicsforavarietyof an editoratRodale,Inc.fornearly25yearsandhaswrit- running hisownorganicfarmfor35years,DeVaultwas ald DeVaultasitsnewexecutivedirector. Inadditionto With approximately 7,500 membersworldwide, the “Seed SaverscombinesthebestofeverythingI for moreinformation. ond World War.” nowimportant asitwasduringtheSec- cess tohealthyandnutritiousfoodisas Newsom. “For manyurbanresidents, ac- times,” saysSan Francisco Mayor Gavin of the most challenging issues of our ability and, as in the past, confront some City’s tangiblecommitmenttosustain- den is one more way to showcase the

TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FLORISTS. TOP RIGHT: COURTESY OF SEED SAVERS EXCHANGE. BOTTOM: COURTESY OF SLOW FOOD NATION. According to the garden’s creators, Victory Gardens of the World War II era inspired the project, but it is part of an effort to redefine “victory” in terms of achieving sustainability in today’s urban areas. The garden will remain in produc- tion into November, and according to Slow Food Nation’s blog, many visitors have expressed a desire for it to become a permanent fixture. For more informa- tion, visit www.sfvictorygardens.org. WILDFLOWER CAMPAIGN TO HONOR LADY BIRD JOHNSON Lady Bird Johnson, a former First Lady who died at the age of 94 last year, cham- pioned the conservation of America’s na- tive plants for much of her life. To honor As shown in this artist’s rendering, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ new Center her legacy, the Austin American-States- for Sustainable Landscapes will feature a green roof and other energy-efficient components. man newspaper, in partnership with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Donations to the campaign will be all of its own energy with renewable re- used to buy seeds that will be planted in sources as well as capture and treat all of its parks and along highway rights-of-way. water on site. It will house Phipps’s educa- Part of the funds also will be used to give tion, research, and administration offices packets of a special wildflower seed mix to when it is completed in 2010. Texas schoolchildren. Created by LBJWC For more information, call (412) 622- and Native American Seed, a wildflower 6914 or visit www.phipps.conservatory.org. seed company based in Junction, Texas, the mix includes many of Lady Bird’s fa- GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT vorite annuals and perennials such as pur- You can contribute to the conservation ple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), of biodiversity by joining the Great Back- black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), and yard Bird Count (GBBC) from February Texas bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis). 13 to 16, 2009. In For more information on this project, its 12th year, the visit www.statesman.com/wildflowers. GBBC is a joint project of the Cor- PHIPPS CONSERVATORY BREAKS GROUND nell Lab of Or- Lady Bird Johnson FOR NEW GREEN BUILDING nithology and the The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical National Audubon (LBJWC) at the University of Texas in Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has Society. Its objec- Austin, has begun a five-year campaign firmly established itself as a leader in sus- tive is to create a comprehensive picture to plant wildflowers in central Texas. The tainable building. In 2005, Phipps of where all kinds of birds are spotted dur- campaign, which launched on August opened the first LEED (Leadership in ing late winter and to compare this infor- 27—to honor President Lyndon B. John- Energy and Environmental Design) cer- mation to data from past years. son’s 100th birthday—has already raised tified visitor center in a public garden, To participate in this free event, sim- thousands of dollars. It will end in 2012 and in 2006, it completed the world’s ply count the birds you see for as little as on Lady Bird’s 100th birthday. most energy-efficient conservatory. 15 minutes in your yard, neighborhood, “Lady Bird Johnson recognized the Now this September, Phipps broke or at a park, and report your sightings value of preserving wildflowers and native ground for its Center for Sustainable Land- online at www.birdcount.org. The web- plants that showcase the unique identity scapes, which “will set the standard for site includes instructions for participa- of different regions,” says Susan Rieff, green building practices and operations, tion, as well as a large menu of resources LBJWC executive director. “The Wild- and will bring international recognition to for learning more about bird populations flower Center is excited to work with the the region,” says Phipps’s Executive Direc- in America. Submission of photos and Austin American-Statesman to seed wild- tor Richard V. Piacentini. Supported by a videos is also encouraged.  flowers in central Texas so future genera- $2.5 million grant from the Heinz En- tions can understand and experience Lady dowments, the Center is designed to be a News written by Associate Editor Viveka

LEFT: FRANK WOLFE / COURTESY OF LBJOF COURTESY / WOLFE FRANK LEFT: BUGWOOD.ORG UNIVERSITY, NORTHEASTERN VIOLA, ALFRED OF COURTESY RIGHT: GARDENS. BOTANICAL AND CONSERVATORY PHIPPS OF COURTESY RIGHT: TOP LIBRARY. Bird’s delight in their presence.” zero net energy building that will generate Neveln and freelance writer Kirsten Winters.

November / December 2008 49 GIFTS FORC THE GARDENER

Winter is filled with occasions for remembering others with gift-giving. Here is a selection of items sure to be appreciated by those who garden.

Plow & Hearth Cast Iron Hose Holder Keep your garden hose neatly coiled on this attractive and sturdy cast iron hose holder. Select from pine cone, oak leaf, or tools motif. Mounting hardware included. $49.95 from Plow & Hearth. (800) 494-7544. www.plowhearth.com.

American Horticultural Society Membership AHS memberships make great gifts for the gardeners and garden lovers on your list. And for a limited time, give a gift membership for $35/Individual or $50/Sustaining (Dual), and we’ll give you a free membership, too! Membership benefits include six issues of The American Gardener, complimentary or reduced-priced admissions to more than 220 public gardens and arboreta throughout North America, as well as discounts to flower shows and participation in our 50th Annual Seed Exchange. The AHS is a (501)(c)(3) non-profit organization. Planet Natural Seed-Starting Kit Offer ends on December 12, so call (800) 777-7931 ext. 140 today! www.ahs.org. Approved for organic production, this kit features a waterproof heat mat, watertight growing tray with humidity dome, 72-cell seedling insert, 72 coconut-fiber starter plugs, and an instruction manual with growing tips. Available for $49.95 at Planet Natural. (800) 289-6656. www.planetnatural.com.

50 the American Gardener Johnny’s Selected Seeds Garden Hod Gift Basket Solar-Powered Mosaic Globe

Day or night, this colorful globe will bring color to any garden. Tiny panes of green, red, gold, and purple glass shine in day- light, while a clever solar panel mounted on the stake powers an LED for nighttime illumina- tion. $29.95 from Gardener’s Supply. (888) 833-1412. www.gardeners.com.

Contained within the reusable Maine Garden Hod is a shock-proof rain gauge, a hand seed sower, 12 garden la- bels, one pair of green gardening gloves (indicate small, Wingscapes BirdCam medium, or large), all natural insect repellent, three packs Take birdwatching to a new level of vegetable seeds, and the Four-Season Harvest book by with this weatherproof, Eliot Coleman. $99 from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. (877) motion-activated camera. 564-6697. www.johnnyseeds.com. Point it at your feeders to capture digital photos and videos of birds that visit while you’re away. The images can be viewed on a TV or downloaded to a com- puter. Available for $249 at www.wingscapes.com or call (888) 811-9464.

Ethel Gloves Thirsty Light Designed to fit the contours of women’s hands, these gloves feature Save water and your houseplants at the same reinforced fingertips, extended elasti- time. This handy digital moisture sensor cized cuffs, and are available in five monitors soil moisture levels so you can water patterns and colors in small, medium, your houseplants only when they need it. It and large. Machine-washable fabric senses five different levels of dryness, with a offers breathability and four-way green LED that blinks faster as the soil gets stretch for added comfort. $18 at drier. Available for $9.99 from Trident Design. www.ethelgloves.com. (614) 291-2435. www.thirstylight.com.

Products profiled are chosen based on qualities such as innovative design, horticultural utility, and environmental responsibility; they have not necessarily been tested by the American Horticultural Society. Listed prices are subject to change.

November / December 2008 51 BOOKC REVIEWS

Recommendations for Your Gardening Library

Perennial Combinations ground pages of a different color, making it very easy to find C. Colston Burrell. Rodale Books, Emmaus, Pennsylvania, 2008. 384 your way around the book. All of the photo vignettes feature pages. Publisher’s price, softcover: $22.95. six plants or less, with a profile of each plant and a “designer tip” that tells the reader how to achieve the same effect. These Designer Plant Combinations tips include how to work with plants from a painter’s per- Scott Calhoun. Storey Publishing, North Adams, Massachusetts, 2008. spective, “celebrate the seed head,” grow vines through trees, 240 pages. Publisher’s price, softcover: $18.95. design with weeping trees, plant pathways, and rein in “speed- sters,” or fast-growing trees and shrubs. GARDENERS AND designers looking for new plant ideas will If you’re more interested in plants, Perennial Combinations find more than they can use in these two books, both packed might be your choice, and if you’re bent on terrific design, you’d with information on plant combi- be better off with Designer Plant Combinations. My advice is to nations for small and large gardens pick up a copy of each. They will open your mind to limitless alike. The books are published in new possibilities that can make any garden a unique and cre- essentially the same format: they ative outdoor refuge. are about the same size, with lovely —Jane Berger photographs of eye-catching plant combinations, short and simple text Jane Berger is a landscape designer based in Washington, D.C. and the to explain the planting concepts, publisher of www.gardendesignonline.com. and special tips and techniques to achieve spectacular results. But the The Heirloom Tomato books are also quite different: C. Amy Goldman. Bloomsbury USA, New York, New York, 2008. 272 Colston Burrell takes a plantsman’s approach to perennial pages. Publisher’s price, hardcover: $35. combinations, while Scott Calhoun concentrates on combi- nations with design impact and includes trees and shrubs as IF THE 16th-century Flemish botanist Rembert Dodoens had well as perennials and annuals. read The Heirloom Tomato, he wouldn’t have claimed that Perennial Combinations is a 1999 hardcover book that has America’s favorite vegetable “be of two been expanded and updated, with a new chapter on big, bold sortes, one red and the other yellowe, plants that in recent years have but in all other poyntes they be lyke.” zoomed in popularity. Burrell’s Author Amy Goldman establishes that book is divided into chapters that tomatoes—which technically are let you choose what suits your despite the U.S. Supreme property. These include combina- Court’s 1887 ruling in Nix v. Hedden tions for color, seasonal interest, that they were vegetables—are of and for special sites (sunny, shady, many sortes and far from lyke. sandy, etc); for wild areas (wood- Coffee-table books, and this vol- lands, meadows) and for fun (but- ume is pure Lycopersicon eye candy terflies and fragrance). Each entry thanks to Victor Schrager’s gorgeous photographs, are rarely as in Perennial Combinations includes a color photo with a key informative, interesting, and well written as is The Heirloom to the plants, plus special tips that will allow you to create Tomato. In addition to a brief but first-rate guide to cultivating similar combinations using the perennials that are best for tomatoes, it details 200 heirloom, open-pollinated (OP) vari- your particular region. Burrell also includes schematic draw- eties, most of which have been around for decades, lovingly ings of garden designs featuring combinations for sunny sites, handed down from one generation to the next. wet sites, bold foliage, bold accents, and a variety of other ef- There are some entries—‘Oregon Spring’, a 1984 creation fects and situations. from Jim Baggett, is an example—that minimally qualify as In Designer Plant Combinations, Scott Calhoun’s chapters true heirlooms (which purists would say are pre-1945 varieties delve into combinations for different classes of plants: peren- maintained in a particular region or within a family). The John- nial partners, masses of grasses, accent plant associates, ny-come-lately tomatoes, usually termed “created heirlooms,” groundcover groupies, and more. Each section has back- also are stable OPs and often are bred from heirlooms such as

52 the American Gardener ‘Tidwell German’, which was grown for 100 years by the same Tennessee family. Gardens from Garbage Goldman, who is board chair of the noteworthy Seed Savers Take a quick trip through this charming book and you’ll nev- Exchange, trialed all 200 tomatoes (and hundreds more) over er look at a turnip or pomegranate the same again. As its ti- five seasons in her Hudson Valley garden in New York. For each tle implies, Don’t Throw It, Grow It! by Deborah Peterson & variety she specifies size and weight, shape, color, soluble solids Millicent Selsam (Storey Pub- (a measure of sweetness), flavor, texture, best uses, plant habit, lishing, 2008, $10.95) is an en- leaf type, yield, maturity, origin, synonyms, and seed sources. chanting advocacy lesson in Each entry also is accompanied by lively comments and histo- growing your own houseplants ry. Did you know that seeds for ‘Nebraska Wedding’ are still from your edible leftovers. given to a few brides in the cornhusker state? Or that the ‘De- First published 30 years ago, licious’ tomato that weighed seven pounds, 12 ounces holds a this updated version retains its Guinness World Record? fresh step-by-step conversation- One thing we also learn is that “heirloom” doesn’t always al-style instructions for starting mean better. Twenty-seven tomatoes are judged “poor” in fla- plants from seeds, pits, roots, vor, with ‘Schimmeig Creg’ receiving a “nonexistent” flavor rat- shoots, and tubers. These cre- ing. Its firm texture, however, makes it valuable “breeding ative cultivation techniques are easier than ever these days, material” and worth preserving. At the other end of the scale is now that good soil mixes are widely available (the original ‘Red Brandywine’. Goldman describes the flavor of this beef- book stressed creating your own). And some edibles former- steak, which has been around since 1889, as “perfection.” Try it ly considered “exotic” and found only at ethnic shops—man- in one of the four dozen recipes that are included—it’s heaven gos, lichees, and papayas, for example—are now carried at sent for the Tomato and Fontine Panini.  many supermarkets. Thanks to globalization, it’s easy to be —Karan Davis Cutler a “pit” gardener and boast a sill of unusual species.

Karan Davis Cutler lives in Vermont, where she wrestles with heavy —Linda Yang, author of four books including The City Gar- clay soil and cold, windy winters. Her most recent book is Burpee- dener’s Handbook (Storey Publishing, 2002). The Complete Flower Gardener (Wiley, 2006).

AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY INTERNSHIPS at River Farm

Offering hands-on, practical experience, internships are one of the Society’s most important educational programs. Internship opportunities available in 2009 include positions in publications, horticulture, and education. Deadlines for 2009 internships are Nov. 1 for Winter/Spring; March 1 for Summer; and August 1 for Fall. Visit www.ahs.org or call (703) 768-5700 ext. 121 for more information.

November / December 2008 53 GARDENERC’S BOOKS

Fascinating Flowers

ICTURE A FLOWER in your mind. What do you see? Martha Stewart who wrote the book’s foreword—shares tips Ask a thousand gardeners and you would probably get and techniques garnered from a lifetime of working with flow- P different answers from them all. A fragrant rose. A bril- ers. “In my philosophy, I attempt to arrange them as they are liant sunflower. A spray of tiny forget-me-nots. Though flow- in nature, which is already perfect,” he says of his modern, ers may be composed of similar basic parts, what’s fascinating monochromatic style. The first section of the book brims with is their sheer diversity. We can’t get enough of their kaleido- advice ranging from what to look for when buying flowers and scopic colors, seductive scents, myriad forms, and varied tex- how to maximize their vase-life to setting up an effective work- tures. So now that winter is setting in, if you find yourself space with the appropriate tools. Part two takes a seasonal ap- missing summer’s profusion of blooms, these books may alle- proach, suggesting arrangements to make when various flowers viate your floral withdrawal. are typically in bloom. Many of the book’s luscious color photo- In Pink Ladies and Crimson Gents (Clarkson Potter, $22.50, graphs are as artistic as the arrangements themselves, and how- 2008) Molly Glentzer provides a decadent dose of rose lore as she to instructions are amply illustrated. explores how 50 old-fashioned varieties got For another take on flower arranging, there’s Ikebana by their names. Lifestyle editor for the Hous- Shozo Sato (Tuttle Publishing, $49.95, 2008). “Ikebana ton Chronicle, Glentzer delves into the arrangements,” writes Sato, “are ex- “fascinating but relatively uncharted terri- pected not only to establish a link be- tory where horticulture and human culture tween man and nature but also to create collide,” by examining the connections be- a mood or atmosphere appropriate to tween roses and the intriguing personali- the season, and even to the occasion— ties for which they are named. From a tradition in keeping with the Japanese ‘Mozart’, a pink and white hybrid musk focus on the ephemeral nature of life, as introduced in 1937, to ‘Mrs. Pierre S. well.” The book begins with an duPont’, a yellow hybrid tea introduced in overview of Ikebana’s history in Japan. 1929, Glentzer paints a compelling picture of why each rose is a Subsequent sections explain the differ- fitting tribute to its namesake. Every essay is accompanied by a ent styles—from the classic Rikka to the more contemporary rose portrait, modeled after classic botanical illustrations. forms—and cover the basic tools and techniques for creating The beauty of flowers has inspired art of all kinds, and Mr. each of these. Striking color photographs and line drawings Marshal’s Flower Book (Viking Studio, $26.95, 2008) is a won- provide further guidance for creating Ikebana arrangements derful example of the art of botanical il- of your own. You’ll also find a list of plants that lend them- lustration. It features selections from selves well to this art form, along with the symbolic meanings Florilegium—the only surviving collection they have in Japanese culture. of flower watercolors from 17th-century On the practical side, The Flower Farmer (Chelsea Green England—containing paintings by horti- Publishing, $35, 2008) by Lynn Byczynski, is a guide to grow- culturist, entomologist, and self-taught ing and selling organic cut flowers. artist Alexander Marshal. After a brief in- Originally published in 1997, this up- troduction that contains a biographical dated and expanded edition takes sketch of Marshal, this book showcases into account the effects of a changing 140 of his illustrations organized by their climate, new flower selections that season of bloom. These richly rendered paintings provide a cap- have been introduced, and changes in tivating glimpse of the era’s most fashionable flowers such as tulips, the flower marketplace that have oc- carnations, and primroses as well as na- curred in the last decade. Along with tive English wildflowers. everything from bed preparation and Creating arrangements with cut seed starting to harvesting, arranging, flowers is another popular floral art and marketing flowers, Byczynski has form. In Simply Elegant Flowers added a new chapter on strategies for extending the growing (North Light Books, $30, 2008), season. The book concludes with an appendix of nearly 100 rec- Michael George—florist for big ommended genera for fresh or dried cut flowers, as well as a name designers such as Vera Wang helpful list of sources and resources.  and Giorgio Armani, not to mention —Viveka Neveln, Associate Editor

54 the American Gardener COURTESY OF OMAHA COUNCIL OF GARDEN CLUBS ham, Massachusetts. (508) 877-7639. Flower Society.ConwaySchool.Framing- Our Gardens.Lecture.NewEnglandWild Tree Identification. RAP (716) 827-1584. Botanical Gardens.Buffalo,NewYork. tion. RAP www.berkshirebotanical.org. RAP www.newfs.org. DEC. 1. RAP bridge, Massachusetts. (413) 298-3926. shop. BerkshireBotanicalGarden.Stock- 255-2400. Cornell Plantations. Ithaca, New York. (607) dents/seniors, andfree forchildrenunderfive. carrying acurrentmembership card;otherwise,thecostis$4foradults,$2stu- settings—and 14acresofoutdoor displaygardens.AdmissionisfreeforAHSmembers DMBC alsofeaturesanindoor Dome—planted withtropicalsandsucculentsinnatural rare plantsinantiqueglass jars. simple glassurnsandmovingintomore gets—starting withcommonfernsin to gardenersofallskilllevelsandbud- aims topresentterrariumsasaccessible rector, ElvinMcDonald.Theexhibit fern” saystheDMBC’sexecutivedi- ningias, andtheminiatureBoston miniature begonias,sin- eries aswellrare plants, including found atlocal gardencenters andnurs- suited toterrariumculturethatcanbe the terrariums feature“ordinaryplants versity PolkCounty MasterGardeners, ruary. CreatedbytheIowaStateUni- Gardeners ShowHousethroughFeb- (DMBC) thiswinter.Thiscollectionofgardensunder glass is on display in the DMBC’s EXPLORE THE Gardens UnderGlassinIowa For moreinformation,call(515) 323-9290orvisit Now enteringits30thyear,the Workshop. BuffaloandErieCounty DEC. 6. DEC. 6. DEC. 3. NOV. 19. How PlantsAdaptintheWildand www.plantations.cornell.edu. CT, MA,ME,NH,NY,RI,VT Introduction toWinter Fresh BoxwoodTreeConstruc- Wreaths fromthe Wild. Gardens of the Gods. NORTHEAST www.buffalogardens.com. Class. Arnold Horticultural Events from Around the Country tabletop worldofterrariumsattheDesMoinesBotanicalCenter Lecture. Work- display attheDesMoinesBotanicalCenter. Terrariums of all sizes and shapes are on RAP www.arboretum.harvard.edu. Massachusetts. (617) 524-1718. Arboretum ofHarvardUniversity.Boston, 2239. Nature Center.Camden,Maine.(207)236- greens, andwreathsonsale.Merryspring contact the host site for details or visit benefits. Specialeventsmaynotbeincluded; discounted admissiontothegardenorother valid membershipcardareeligibleforfreeor Admissions Programareidentifiedwiththe arboreta thatparticipateinAHS’sReciprocal Events hostedbybotanicalgardensand www.ahs.org/events/reciprocal_events.htm. RAP are identifiedwiththe participation by AHS or AHS staff members Events sponsored by or including official EINLHAPPENINGS REGIONAL —Caroline Bentley, EditorialAssistant DEC. 6&7. symbol. CurrentAHSmembersshowinga www.merryspring.org. www.botanicalcenter.com. C Holiday Bazaar. AHS symbol. Plants, 1000 ext.100. Kennett Square,Pennsylvania.(610)388- mas. Garden. Washington,D.C.(202)226-4082. Holiday exhibit.UnitedStatesBotanic (202) 245-5898. National Arboretum.Washington,D.C. Bonsai andPenjingExhibit. Camden, NewJersey.(856)365-8733. Lights. Maryland. (301) 962-1400. Sale. www.mainegardens.org. RAP www.bbg.org. RAP www.ladewgardens.com. DEC. 12–14. www.mtcubacenter.org. DEC. 10. www.scottarboretum.org. DEC. 9. RAP www.lewisginter.org. RAP www.brooksidegardens.org. DEC. 5&6. www.camdenchildrensgarden.org. RAP NOV. 27–JAN.11. www.usbg.gov. Boothbay, Maine.(207)633-4333. Coastal MaineBotanicalGardens. Brooklyn, NewYork.(718)623-7200. Family workshop.BrooklynBotanicGarden. Delaware. (302)239-4244. Workshop. Mt.CubaCenter.Greenville, dens. Richmond,Virginia.(804)262-9887. Class andsale.LewisGinterBotanicalGar- Pennsylvania. (610) 328-8025. Swarthmore College.Swarthmore, Monkton, Maryland. (410) 557-9570. Greens Sale. NOV. 27–JAN.4. Holiday display.LongwoodGardens. Brookside Gardens.Wheaton, DEC. 19. DEC. 7. DEC. 6–14. DEC. 6. DEC. 1–31. Greens Sale. Camden Children’sGarden. Native HolidayCenterpiece. Holiday WreathandCenterpiece Christmas OpenHouseand PA, NJ,VA,MD,DE,WV,DC November /December2008 Ladew TopiaryGardens. Wonderful WinterGreens. Arranging withGardenGreens. MID-ATLANTIC Windows toWonderland. Holiday BonfireParty. Longwood GardensChrist- www.longwoodgardens.org. Winter Silhouettes: Holiday Festivalof www.usna.usda.gov. Scott Arboretum of United States 55 56 Pierce, Florida. (772)464-4672. sale. HeathcoteBotanicalGardens.Fort Gainesville, Florida. (407) 295-7994. Association andUniversityofFlorida. Florida Nursery,GrowersandLandscape DEC. 9–11. 682-8019. Aldridge Gardens.Hoover,Alabama.(205) RAP www.greatsoutherntreeconference.org. DEC. 4&5. www.efwefla.org. RAP www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org. RAP Fort Myers,Florida. (239) 334-7419. Plant sale.EdisonandFordWinterEstates. The NatureConservancyandtheUniversity Florida’s UniqueLandscapes. iting orreservingthegardens,call (360)592-5380orvisitwww.glenechogarden.com. Also, asunken gardenwithfernsandmossesaJapanese gardenwill becreated. um tohouserelicsleftbythe previous owners,theGoodingLumberandShingleMill. remains ofthecenturies-oldtreesthatwereloggeddecadesago. den, andaGiganticStumpGardenthatcontainsplantingssurrounding thetruncated rose garden, a “blue” gar- den, anEnglishgarden,a begonia andfuchsiagar- theme gardensincludea Currently, theestablished in progress,saysBosch. Echo Gardenisstillawork come home.”TheGlen two sons,wheneverthey and theirchildren,my well asmytwodaughters helps meagreatdeal,as ly project.MywifeJennie ployee, butit’salsoafami- have onepart-timeem- den, Boschexplains,“We the stumps.” growing outofthetop stumps thathavetrees “the verylargeoldcedar the acreagein1971foritsgoodsoil, year-round salmon-spawningcreek,and,especially, Dick Bosch.Aretiredlandscaperandnurseryowner,Bosch,69,originallypurchased ham, Washington,isadreamthatwasfourdecadesinthemakingforcreatorandowner NEWLY OPENED Dream Come True A Glen Echo Garden: the American Gardener Admission is$7.50foradultsand $6forseniors.Formoreinformationaboutvis- Plans for expanding the landscape include a forest garden with a lumber mill muse- To maintainthegar- DEC. 6. NOV. 28–30. NOV. 22&23. Managing forDiversityAcross Great SouthernTreeConference. www.aldridgegardens.com. AL, FL,GA,KY,NC,SC,TN Holiday GreenerySale. SOUTHEAST Edison GardenMarket. Garden Festival. to thepublicin2007, the16-acreGlenEchoGardeninBelling- Workshop. colorful plantingsamonglargecedartreestumps. Glen EchoGardensinBellingham,Washington,features Plant —Kirsten Winters, specialfromCorvallis,Oregon Beach, Florida.(772)794-0601. Festival. McKeeBotanicalGarden.Vero 1244. of Georgia.Athens,(706)542- Plants. Kissimmee, Florida. (352)392-3210. of Florida.DisneyWildernessPreserve. www.flowershow.org. AHS RAP Looking ahead www.mckeegarden.org. RAP www.callawaygardens.org. DEC. 13. http://nata.snre.ufl.edu. Mountain, Georgia.(800)225-5292. Workshop. Atlanta, Georgia.(404)351-1074. Society. CobbGalleriaCentre. Flower Show.SoutheasternHorticultural JAN. 28–FEB.1. JAN. 10. DEC. 18–21. www.uga.edu/botgarden. Lecture. TheStateBotanicalGarden Holiday TopiaryorCenterpiece Callaway Gardens.Pine Natural HistoryofGeorgia Celebrate theHolidays. Southeastern Oklahoma. (405)744-7361. University BotanicalGarden.Stillwater, Landscape Architecture.OklahomaState Workshop. DepartmentofHorticultureand ry. Columbus, Ohio. (800) 214-7275. servatory. Ohio. (216)721-1600. Cleveland BotanicalGarden.Cleveland, arboretum.org. Minnesota. (651) 487-8200. Conservatory. SunkenGarden.St.Paul, Show. New Orleans,Louisiana.(504)488-5488. Display. LongueVueHouse&Gardens. Center. Austin, Texas.(512)292-4200. celebration. LadyBirdJohnsonWildflower 9457. den. GreenBay,Wisconsin.(920)490- Lights. Park, Arkansas.(800)366-4664. Woodland Gardens.HotSpringsNational Lights ontheLandscape. Picayune, Mississippi. (601) 799-2311. Hillside Bog. www.comozooconservatory.org. RAP www.chicagobotanicgarden.org. RAP www.fpconservatory.org. RAP RAP RAP www.wildflower.org. RAP www.fwbg.org. RAP www.osubotanicalgarden.okstate.edu. DEC. 4. www.longuevue.com. RAP www.garvangardens.org. RAP www.crosbyarboretum.msstate.edu. RAP RAP Glencoe, Illinois.(847)835-5440. Garden. den. FortWorth, Texas. (817)871-7686. dren’s workshop.FortWorthBotanicGar- Iowa. (515)992-4211. The BrentonArboretum.DallasCenter, Como ZooandMarjorieMcNeely DEC. 6–JAN.18. DEC. 4. NOV. 28–JAN.4. NOV. 28–DEC.28. NOV. 22–JAN.4. DEC. 13&14. DEC. 6. DEC. 1–31. NOV. 22–DEC.31. NOV. 22. DEC. 6. www.gbbg.org. Water IssuesinHorticulture. Festival. GreenBayBotanicalGar- IA, IL,IN,MI,MN,ND,NE,OH,SD,WI Tour. ChicagoBotanicGarden. Display. FranklinParkConservato- AR, KS,LA,MO,MS,OK,TX NORTH CENTRAL SOUTH CENTRAL Tour. CrosbyArboretum. Winter Containersatthe Bird’s ChristmasTree. Identifying Conifers. Natural AreaFieldTrip– Holiday Decorations. Luminations. Holiday Flower Holidays attheCon- WinterShow. WPS Gardenof Holiday Lights— www.thebrenton www.cbgarden.org. Display. Garvan Garden Class. Display. Chil-

COURTESY OF GLEN ECHO GARDEN SOUTHWEST California. (714) 278-3407. www.fullerton Boise, Idaho. (208) 343-8649. AZ, NM, CO, UT arboretum.org. www.idahobotanicalgarden.org. RAP NOV. 22. Holiday Floral Arranging Workshop. Red Butte Garden and Arbore- DEC. 8. Backyard Vineyards in San Diego RAP NOV. 29–JAN. 3. Garden d’Lights. tum. University of Utah. Salt Lake City, County. Lecture. San Diego Horticultural Holiday display. Bellevue Botanical Garden. Utah. (801) 581-4747. www.redbutte Society. Del Mar Fairgrounds. San Diego, Bellevue, Washington. (435) 451-3755. garden.org. California. (760) 295-7089. www.bellevuebotanical.org. www.sdhortsoc.org. RAP NOV. 28–DEC. 23. Luminaria. Display. Looking ahead Desert Botanical Garden. Phoenix, Arizona. RAP DEC. 13. Old-Fashioned Wreath Work- AHS JAN. 28–FEB. 1. Tacoma Home & Gar- (480) 941-1225. www.dbg.org. shop. Los Angeles County Arboretum and den Show. Tacoma Dome. Tacoma, Washing- Botanic Garden. Arcadia, California. (626) ton. (253) 756-2121. www.otshows.com. RAP DEC. 7. Landscape Design Theory. 821-3222. www.arboretum.org. Class. Denver Botanic Gardens. Denver, CANADA Colorado. (720) 865-3500. Looking ahead www.botanicgardens.org. JAN. 17–19. Conservation Conference. Califor- NOV. 22 & 23. Winter Trees. Class. nia Native Plant Society. Sacramento, Cali- The Arboretum at University of Guelph. RAP DEC. 12–14. Luminaria Lights. fornia. (916) 447-2677. www.cnps.org. Guelph, Ontario. (519) 824-4120. Holiday display. Tucson Botanical Gardens. www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum. Tucson, Arizona. (520) 326-9686. MAR. 22–26. International Master Gardener www.tucsonbotanical.org. Conference. Las Vegas, Nevada. (702) 257- RAP NOV. 29. Decorating with Natural 5587. www.unce.unr.edu/imgc. Greens. Workshop. Glendale Gardens & Looking ahead Woodland. Victoria, British Columbia. (250) AHS JAN. 16–18. Maricopa County Home & 479-6162. www.hcp.bc.ca. NORTHWEST Garden Show. Arizona State Fairgrounds. AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY Phoenix, Arizona. (602) 485-1691. DEC. 1–JAN. 6. Magic of Christmas. Festival. www.maricopacountyhomeshows.com. NOV. 15–30. Dream Weaver: The Bamboo Art Butchart Gardens. Victoria, British Columbia. of Jiro Yonezawa. Exhibit. Portland Japanese (866) 652-4422. www.butchartgardens.com. Garden. Portland, Oregon. (503) 223-1321. WEST COAST www.japanesegarden.com. DEC. 5–JAN. 4. Festival of Lights. CA, NV, HI Van Dusen Botanical Garden. Vancouver, RAP DEC. 5–7. Cactus and Succulent Show RAP NOV. 27–JAN. 3. Winter Gardens British Columbia. (604) 231-7535. and Sale. Fullerton Arboretum. Fullerton, aGlow. Display. Idaho Botanical Garden. www.vandusengarden.org.  PHOTO BY ANNE C. ALLEN FROM 2008 GARDENER’S CALENDAR 2009 “Gardener’s” Calendar There are 13 prize-winning color photos taken by TGOA/MGCA members, including AHS members who are also members of TGOA/MGCA $6.95 ($59.00 for 10) Postpaid To order: call 515-278-0295 or e-mail [email protected] The Gardeners of America/ Men’s Garden Clubs of America Box 241, Johnston, Iowa 50121-0241 (515) 278-0295 www.tgoa-mgca.org

November / December 2008 57 PRONUNCIATIONSC AND PLANTING ZONES

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

A–C Eriogonum giganteum air-ee-OG-o-num P. glauca P. GLAW-kuh (2–7, 7–2) jy-GAN-tee-um (8–10, 10–7) P. omorika P. o-MOR-ih-kuh (4–8, 8–1) Abies balsamea AY-beez ball-SAY-mee-uh Eschscholzia lobbii es-SHOLTZ-zee-uh P. pungens P. PUN-jenz (3–8, 8–1) (USDA Zones 3–6, AHS Heat Zones 6–1) LOB-ee-eye (0–0, 9–1) Pilea cadierei PIL-ee-uh kad-ee-AIR-ee-eye Acer palmatum AY-ser pal-MAY-tum (6–8, 8–2) Ficus pumila FIE-kus PYEW-mih-luh (11–11, 12–1) A. saccharum A. sak-AH-rum (4–8, 8–1) (9–11, 12–1) Pinus densiflora PY-nus dens-ih-FLOR-uh Arctostaphylos densiflora ark-toh-STAFF-ih-loss Fittonia verschaffeltii fih-TOH-nee-uh (4–7, 7–1) dens-ih-FLOR-uh (7–9, 9–7) vur-shuh-FELT-ee-eye P. mugo P. MYEW-go (3–7, 7–1) A. uva-ursi A. YOO-vuh-UR-sy (2–6, 6–1) (minimum 60 degrees F, 12–1) P. resinosa P. rez-ih-NO-suh (3–7, 7–1) Berlandiera lyrata bair-lan-DEER-uh Fouquieria splendens foo-kee-AIR-ee-uh P. strobus P. STRO-bus (4–9, 9–1) ly-RAY-tuh (5–9, 9–4) SPLEN-denz (7–11, 12–6) Pseudotsuga menziesii soo-doh-SOO-guh Betula albosinensis var. septentrionalis Fragaria virginiana frah-GAY-ree-uh men-ZEES-ee-eye (5–7, 7–5) BET-yew-luh al-bo-sy-NEN-siss var. vir-jin-ee-AN-uh (5–8, 8–4) Rhapis exelsa RAY-pis ek-SEL-suh sep-ten-tree-o-NAL-iss (3–8, 8–3) Ginkgo biloba GINK-go by-LO-buh (5–9, 9–5) (minimum 60 degrees F, 12–10) Biophytum sensitivum by-o-FY-tum Heptacodium miconioides hep-tuh-KO-dee-um Rubus cockburnianus ROO-bus sen-sih-TY-vum (10–11, 12–1) my-kon-ee-OY-deez (5–9, 9–4) cock-bur-nee-AN-us (6–8, 8–6) Carpenteria californica kar-pen-TAIR-ee-uh Hydrangea quercifolia hy-DRAN-juh kal-ih-FORN-ih-kuh (8–9, 9–8) kwer-sih-FO-lee-uh (5–9, 9–5) S–Z Ceanothus cuneatus var. rigidus see-uh-NO-thus Jasminum nudiflorum jaz-MIN-um koon-ee-AY-tus var. RIH-jih-dus (7–9, 9–6) Salix alba var. vitellina SAY-liks AL-buh var. new-dih-FLOR-um (6–9, 9–6) Celtis jessoensis SEL-tiss jes-so-EN-siss vy-tel-LEE-nuh (4–9, 9–1) Kerria japonica KAIR-ee-uh jah-PON-ih-kuh (5–7, 7–5) S. irrorata S. ih-ro-RAY-tuh (4–8, 8–4) (4–9, 9–1) C. laevigata C. lee-vih-GAY-tuh (5–9, 9–3) S. purpurea S. pur-PUR-ee-uh (4–7, 7–1) C. occidentalis C. ahk-sih-den-TAL-iss S. sachalinensis S. sah-kah-lih-NEN-sis L–R (2–9, 9–1) (4–7, 7–1) C. sinensis C. sy-NEN-siss (7-9, 9-7) Lagerstroemia indica lag-ur-STRO-me-uh Saxifraga stolonifera sak-sih-FRAY-guh Chamaecyparis obtusa kam-ee-SIP-uh-riss IN-dih-kuh (7–9, 9–7) sto-lon-IF-ur-uh (7–9, 9–5) ahb-TOO-suh (4–8, 8–3) Larix laricina LAY-riks lah-rih-SY-nuh (2–6, 6–1) Selaginella kraussiana sel-ah-jih-NEL-luh C. pisifera C. pih-SIF-ur-uh (4–8, 8–3) L. occidentalis L. ahk-sih-den-TAL-iss (4–8, 8–1) krow-see-AN-uh (7–10, 12–1) Chamaedorea elegans kam-ee-DOR-ee-uh Magnolia figo mag-NOLE-yuh FEE-go Sisyrinchium bellum siss-ih-RING-kee-um EL-ih-ganz (minimum 60 degrees F, 12–1) (8–10, 12–7) BEL-lum (7–9, 9–7) Cornus alba KOR-nus AL-buh (2–8, 8–1) Nemophila maculata nee-MOF-ih-luh Soleirolia soleirolii sol-ay-ROL-ee-uh C. sanguinea C. sang-GWIN-ee-uh (4–7, 7–1) mak-YEW-lay-tuh (0–0, 8–1) sol-ay-ROL-ee-eye (10–11, 12–10) C. stolonifera C. sto-lon-IF-ur-uh (3–8, 8–1) Ophiopogon japonicus o-fee-o-PO-gon Stachyurus praecox stah-kee-YEW-rus Corylus avellana COR-ih-lus ah-vel-LAN-uh jah-PON-ih-kus (7–10, 12–1) PREE-cox (6–8, 8–6) (3–9, 9–1) Pedicularis canadensis ped-ik-yew-LAIR-iss Tetranema roseum teh-truh-NEE-muh ✕Cupressocyparis leylandii kyew-press-o-SIP-ar- kan-uh-DEN-siss (4–9, 9–1) ro-ZAY-um (10–11, 12–1) iss lay-LAND-ee-eye (6–9, 9–3) Penstemon heterophyllus PEN-steh-mon Theobroma cacao thee-o-BRO-muh kuh-KAY-o het-ur-ah-FIL-lus (8–10, 10–7) (minimum 60 degrees F, 12–11) D–K Phlox stolonifera FLOX sto-lon-IF-ur-uh Tsuga heterophylla SOO-gah het-ur-ah-FIL-luh (4–8, 8–1) (6–8, 8–6) Dionaea muscipula dy-o-NEE-uh Phyllostachys nigra fil-lo-STAY-kiss T. mertensiana T. mer-ten-see-AN-uh (6–8, 8–6) mus-KIP-yew-luh (8–10, 12–1) NY-gruh (7–11, 12–4) Vaccinium corymbosum vak-SIN-ee-um Edgeworthia chrysantha edj-WORTH-ee-uh Picea abies PY-see-uh AY-beez (3–8, 8–1) ko-rim-BO-sum (3–8, 8–1) krih-SAN-thuh (7–9, 9–7)

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November / December 2008 59 2008C MAGAZINE INDEX

AUTHOR J/A, 14. A Sweet Spot for Wetherbee, Kris. Flavors from the Mall, J/F, 8; M/J, 7. Historic Gar- Chocolate Flower, N/D, 62. Past: Heirloom Tomatoes, J/F, den Week in Virginia, M/A, 9. Hol- Armitage, Allan M. Starflowers, Lowry, Judith L. Lester Rowntree: 32. Indoor Gardens Under iday Happenings at River Farm, M/A, 62. Native Californian, N/D, 30. Glass, N/D, 14. N/D, 11. Homestead Resort Gar- Baggett. Pam. Wonderful Walk- Martin, Deborah. See Pleasant, Wingate, Marty. From Passion to den Weekend, J/A, 12. Magic of ways, J/F, 37. Barbara. Purpose: The Rogerson Clematis Landscapes Symposium, M/A, Bell, Bryan. Lilies, Glorious Lilies, McIntyre, Linda. One on One With: Collection, M/A, 40. 12. Meadow Completed, J/A, 7. M/J, 32. Ketzel Levine, M/A, 46. One on Winters, Kirsten. AHTA Annual Member Survey, S/O, 7. New Bentley, Caroline. America in One With: Amy Stewart, S/O, 44. Convention in Kentucky, S/O, Meadow Overlook at River Farm, Bloom’s 2008 Award Winners, Monheim, Eva. American Smoke- 58. Central South Native Plant J/F, 10. No Child Left Inside Up- N/D, 12. Chapel Valley: Land- tree, J/A, 62. Conference, S/O, 57. Gardening date, N/D, 10. President’s Coun- scaping the Mid-Atlantic Region, Munts, Pat. Desert Bloom in the for the Greater Good, S/O, 55. cil Trip in Washington, DC, J/A, J/F, 14. Gardens Under Glass in Northwest, J/A, 30. Glen Echo Garden, N/D, 58. 10. Saturday Lecture Series at Iowa, N/D, 57. New Children’s Nelson, Gil. America’s Magnolias, Herbicide Overuse Poses Risk of River Farm: M/J, 10; J/A, 10. Garden at Longwood, J/F, 57. S/O, 38. Resistant Weeds, S/O, 47. Mile- Seed Exchange Turns 50, S/O, 8. Burrell, C. Colston. Spiking Inter- Nelson, Sonja. Rhododendron stones in Minnesota, J/A, 58. Summer Exhibit of Local Artists, est, M/A, 24. occidentale, M/J, 60. One on One With: Norm Lownds, M/J, 11. Visiting Scholar Focuses Bush, Gene. Bizarre and Beautiful Neveln, Viveka. 50 Years Ago in N/D, 44. Portland a Fall Desti- on Youth Programs, N/D, 8. Hardy Aroids, J/A, 20. AHS History: The Azalea Book, nation for Garden Industry, J/A, Williamsburg Garden Symposium, Capstack, Courtney. The Matheson J/F, 47. Fascinating Flowers, 59. Summer Reading, J/A, 56. J/F, 13. Legacy at River Farm, M/A, 13. N/D, 54. Gardener’s Notebook: Yang, Linda. Winterthur Hosts Tril- AHS Awards: 2008 AHS Book Cowie, Denise. Growing Fertile J/F, 44; M/A, 48; M/J, 46; J/A, lium Symposium, M/A, 57. Award Winners, M/A, 17. 2008 Minds and Communities, S/O, 46; S/O, 48; N/D, 46. Regional Yee, Mary. One on One With: Great American Gardeners 14. Youth Garden Movement Gardening Books, M/J, 54. A Harold Koopowitz, J/F, 42. One Award Winners, M/A, 14. AHS Finds Fertile Ground in Philadel- Salute to Succulents, J/F, 54. on One With: Roger Doiron, J/A, Celebrates Award Winners, J/A, phia, M/J, 12. Ogden, Scott and Lauren Springer. 42. One on One With: Amy 7. Growing Good Kids Children’s De Grey, Joan. Species Tulips, Plants with Presence, S/O, 28. Stewart, S/O, 44. Book Award Recipients for S/O, 24. Woodland Beauties, Ottesen, Carole. Holly Shimizu: 2008, S/O, 11. M/A, 18. Transforming Public Horticul- SUBJECT America in Bloom (AIB): Homecom- Dirr, Michael A. Viburnum nudum ture, S/O, 34. Tough-as-Nails AHS: 2008 Gala: M/J, 10; S/O, 7. ing for AIB, J/A, 13. AIB’s 2008 ‘Pink Beauty’, S/O, 62. Perennials, J/A, 24. 2008 National Children & Youth Award Winners, N/D, 12. Druse, Ken. Tales from the Golden Pelczar, Rita. Green Garage® se- Garden Symposium, J/F, 13. AHS Aroids: Bizarre and Beautiful Age of Plant Exploration, N/D, 20. ries: Solving the Container Conun- Award Renamed for Morrison, J/F, Hardy Aroids, J/A, 20. Ellis, Barbara. Lighting up the drum, J/F, 48; Comparing Natural 13. AHS Editor Honored by GWA, Annuals: Coleus’s Comeback, J/F, Summer Shade Garden, J/A, 36. and Synthetic Fertilizers, M/A, N/D, 10. AHS Receives Donation 22. (See also Impatiens, Lobelias, Fiege, John. Garfield Park Conser- 51; Protecting Yourself from Mos- of Lewis and Clark Plant Images, and New Plants.) vatory’s Centennial Celebrations, quitoes and Ticks, M/J, 50; Envi- J/F, 8. AHS Webinars: J/F, 11; Birds: Backyard Bird Feeders, M/A, 58. Kinetic Sculptures at ronmentally-Friendly Mowers, J/A, M/J, 9; J/A, 10; S/O, 12; N/D, 8. S/O, 50. Atlanta Botanical Garden, M/J, 50; Backyard Bird Feeders, S/O, AHS at West Coast Flower Shows, Book Reviews: American Chest- 57. One on One With: Harold 50; A Selection of Useful Special- J/F, 10. America in Bloom Regis- nut, J/A, 56. Authentic Garden, Pellet, M/J, 44. Santa Fe Gar- ty Tools, N/D, 44. Plants with tration, J/F, 10. Amy Stewart Lec- M/A, 54. Big Book of Garden De- den Tours, M/J, 58. Promise, J/F, 16. Striking Stems ture at River Farm, J/F, 12. signs, M/J, 52. Bringing Nature Gardner, Jo Ann. Impatiens: Be- Provide Winter Interest, N/D, 25. Award-Winning Article in The Home, J/F, 52. Complete Com- yond Busy Lizzies, M/J, 38. Pleasant, Barbara and Martin, American Gardener, J/A, 9. Cele- post Gardening Guide, S/O, 55. Hawke, Richard. Carefree Cranes- Deborah. Composting Down brating a Greener Boston, N/D, 9. Covering Ground, J/F, 52. De- bills, M/J, 16. Under, M/A, 36. Colonial Williamsburg Sympo- signer Plant Combinations, N/D, Howard, Doreen G. Fruit Trees for Refi, Paula. Designing with Vines, sium, M/A, 12. Dominion Foun- 52. Encyclopedia of Exotic Your Backyard, M/J, 22. M/J, 27. dation Awards Grant for River Plants for Temperate Climates, Hundley, Deane H. Notes from Riv- Rice, Graham. Skunk Cabbage, Farm, S/O, 7. Dr. Cathey Day: J/F, M/A, 55. Flower Farmer, N/D, er Farm, J/F, 5. J/F, 62. 12; S/O, 10. Flower Shows Re- 54. Fruits and Plains: the Horti- Johnson, Kathryn Lund. Under- Rogers, Ray. Coleus’s Comeback, ceive AHS Environmental Award, cultural Transformation of Ameri- standing Slugs is Key to Control, J/F, 22. M/J, 8. Garden Photography Con- ca, J/A, 56. Gardener’s Bedside J/A, 44. Wicked and Wonderful Ross, Marty. Conifer Heaven in test (TGOA/MGCA winners), J/A, Reader, J/A, 56. Gardens from Witches’ Brooms, N/D, 36. the Heartland, J/F, 26. 13. Garden Schools: J/F, 9; M/A, Garbage, N/D, 53. Gardens: A Jorg, Brian F. Terrestrial Orchids Roth, Susan. A Penchant for Pe- 9; M/J, 7; S/O, 8. Garden Travel Literary Companion, J/A, 56. Gar- for Temperate Gardens, S/O, 18. onies, M/A, 30. Destinations for 2008, J/F, 11. den to Vase, M/J, 53. Gardening Joyce, Alice. California’s First Chi- Usrey, Susie and Underwood, Tom. Gift from Daniel Family Funds with Children, J/A, 54. A Genius nese Garden, J/F, 58. Notes from River Farm: M/A, 5; Garden Calm Renovation, N/D, 8. for Place, S/O, 54. Green Gar- Lee, Rand B. Lovable Lobelias, M/J, 5; J/A, 5; S/O, 5; N/D, 5. Green Garage® on the National dener’s Guide, S/O, 55. Growing

60 the American Gardener Trees from Seed, S/O, 53. Heir- Foliage Plants: Coleus’s Come- ecutive Director, N/D, 49. Se- Dennis, Brent, J/F, 45. Douglas, loom Tomato, N/D, 52. Herba- back, J/F, 22. Spiking Interest, quencing the Cacao Genome, S/O, David, N/D, 20. Gee, Gail, M/A, ceous Perennial Plants, S/O, 53. M/A, 24. 48. Southern Living Plant Collec- 30. Hamilton, Clement, M/A, 50. Herb Society of America’s Essen- Fruit Trees: Fruit Trees for Your tion Debuts this Spring, M/A, 48. Matheson, Emma and Malcolm tial Guide to Growing and Cooking Backyard, M/J, 22. Spud Sleuths Rewrite History, Jr., M/A, 13. Poetker, Frances with Herbs, J/F, 53. Homeowner’s Garden Design: Designing with M/J, 46. Surveys Reveal Edible Jones, M/J, 10. Reeve, J. Landon, Complete Tree & Shrub Hand- Vines, M/J, 27. Lighting up the Gardening Revival, M/J, 48. J/F, 14. Rogerson, Brewster, M/A, book, M/A, 55. Ikebana, N/D, 54. Summer Shade Garden, J/A, 36. Tough Trees for Urban Environ- 40. Scholtz, Elizabeth, S/O, 48. Informed Gardener, S/O, 55. Life Plants with Presence, S/O, 28. ments, J/F, 46. What’s in a Sims, David, M/J, 32. Snyder, in the Soil, J/A, 54. Mr. Marshal’s Spiking Interest, M/A, 24. Strik- Name? J/A, 48. Wildflower Cam- Marvin, J/F, 26. Steffey, Jane, Flower Book, N/D, 54. Native ing Stems Provide Winter Inter- paign to Honor Lady Bird John- S/O, 12. Underwood, Tom, M/A, Ferns, Moss & Grasses, M/A, 54. est, N/D, 25. Wonderful Walk- son, N/D, 46. 8. Von Siebold, Philipp, N/D, 23. Nature-Friendly Garden, S/O, 55. ways, J/F, 37. Gardening Organizations: American (See also One on One With.) Perennial Combinations, N/D, 52. Garden Tools and Products: See un- Phytopathological Society Cen- Perennials: Bizarre and Beautiful Pink Ladies and Crimson Gents, der Green Garage®. tennial, M/J, 48. Center for Hardy Aroids, J/A, 20. Carefree N/D, 54. Professional Planting Gardener’s Notebook: 2008 Green Public Horticulture, M/J, 48. Cranesbills, M/J, 16. Impatiens, Design, M/J, 52. Recipes from Thumb Awards, J/F, 44. All-Amer- Garden Club of America 2008 Beyond Busy Lizzies, M/J, 38. the Garden, J/A, 55. Simply Ele- ica Rose Selections for 2008, Medalists, J/A, 48. (See also Lilies, Glorious Lilies, M/J, 32. gant Flowers, N/D, 54. Strange M/J, 47. Beyond Beer: Hops for America in Bloom). Lovable Lobelias, J/A, 14. A Pen- Blooms: the Curious Lives and Health, M/A, 48. Conifers for Col- Geraniums: Carefree Cranesbills, chant for Peonies, M/A, 30. Spik- Adventures of the John Trades- lectors, M/A, 50. Cornell Patents M/J, 16. ing Interest, M/A, 24. Terrestrial cants, J/A, 56. The Truth About New Inca Lily Hybrid, M/A, 49. Green Garage®: Backyard Bird Orchids for Temperate Gardens, Organic Gardening, S/O, 55. Dandy Daisies for Northern Gar- Feeders, S/O, 50. Comparing S/O, 18. Tough-as-Nails Perenni- Viburnums, M/J, 52. dens, M/J, 46. Dial Before You Natural and Synthetic Fertilizers, als, J/A, 24. Woodland Beauties, Botanical and Public Gardens: Dig, M/J, 48. EPA Recall for Mis- M/A, 51. Earth Friendly Lawn- M/A, 18. (See also Plant in the Blithewold Celebrates Centenni- labeled Scotts Miracle-Gro Prod- mowers, J/A, 50. Green Garage Spotlight.) al, J/A, 57. California’s First Chi- ucts, J/A, 46. Farwest Show’s at Green Festival, S/O, 12. Green Plant Exploration: Tales from the nese Garden, J/F, 58. Gardens Best Plants of the Year, N/D, 47. Garage on the National Mall: J/F, Golden Age of Plant Exploration, Under Glass in Iowa, N/D, 57. Frost Tolerance in a Bottle, S/O, 8; M/J, 7. Mosquito and Tick N/D, 20. Glen Echo Garden, N/D, 58. Ki- 46. Global Warming Could Mean Protection, M/J, 50. A Selection Plant in the Spotlight: American netic Sculptures at Atlanta More Pests for Plants, M/A, 49. of Useful Specialty Tools, N/D, Smoketree, J/A, 62. Chocolate Botanical Garden, M/J, 57. Mile- Grant to Fund New Native Plant 44. Solving the Container Co- Flower, N/D, 62. Rhododendron stones in Minnesota, J/A, 58. Garden, J/A, 46. Great Backyard nundrum, J/F, 48. occidentale, M/J, 60. Skunk Cab- New Exhibit Part of Garfield Park Bird Count, N/D, 48. Horticultural Impatiens: Impatiens, Beyond bage, J/F, 62. Starflowers Conservatory’s Centennial Cele- Research Institute Awards Grants Busy Lizzies, M/J, 38. (Ipheion), M/A, 62. Viburnum brations, M/A, 58. New Indoor for 2008, M/J, 48. How Plants Lilies: Lilies, Glorious Lilies, M/J, nudum ‘Pink Beauty’, S/O, 62. Children’s Garden at Longwood, Avoid Sunburn, J/F, 46. Indoor 32. Rowntree, Lester: Lester Rowntree: J/F, 57. Winterthur Hosts Trilli- Gardens at Duke Farms Close, Lobelias: Lovable Lobelias, J/A, Native Californian, N/D, 30. um Symposium, M/A, 57. S/O, 47. Investigating Wild Onions 14. Shade Gardens: Lighting up the Bulbous Plants: Starflowers to Understand Plant Diversifica- Magnolias. America’s Magnolias, Summer Shade Garden, J/A, 36. (Ipheion), M/A, 62. Species tion, N/D, 48. Looking for Lady- S/O, 38. Woodland Beauties, M/A, 18. Tulips, S/O, 24. bugs, N/D, 46. The Loveliest Lily, Native Plants: American Smoke- Shimizu, Holly: Holly Shimizu: Cacti and Succulents: Desert Bloom N/D, 48. National Arboretum tree, J/A, 62. America’s Magno- Transforming Public Horticul- in the Northwest, J/A, 30. Budget Faces Cuts, J/A, 46. New lias, S/O, 38. Chocolate Flower, ture, S/O, 34. Children and Youth Gardening: 2008 Online Gardening Resource, M/J, N/D, 62. Lester Rowntree: Na- Slugs: Understanding Slugs is AHS National Children & Youth 47. New Palm Genus Discovered, tive Californian, N/D, 30. Rhodo- Key to Control, J/A, 44. Garden Symposium, M/J, 12. M/A, 48. New Plant Collections dendron occidentale, M/J, 60. Terrariums: Indoor Gardens Under AHS Joins No Child Left Inside Online Database, S/O, 46. New Skunk Cabbage, J/F, 62. Wood- Glass, N/D, 14. Coalition, S/O, 7. Growing Fertile Program Connects Kids with Na- land Beauties, M/A, 18. Trilliums: Woodland Beauties, Minds and Communities, S/O, ture, J/F, 44. New Tecoma Culti- New Plants: Plants with Promise, M/A, 18. 14. Longwood Fellow’s Research vars, S/O, 46. Phipps Conservato- J/F, 16. Tulips: Species Tulips, S/O, 24. Aids AHS Plans for Children’s ry Breaks Ground for New Green Notes from River Farm: See under Vegetables: Flavors from the Past, Programs, S/O, 10. Youth Gar- Building, N/D, 49. Plants Can Hundley, Usrey and Underwood in Heirloom Tomatoes, J/F, 32. den Movement Finds Fertile Recognize Kin, S/O, 46. Plant author index. Vines: Designing with Vines, M/J, Ground in Philadelphia, M/J, 12. Conservation and Climate Change, One on One With: Roger Doiron J/A, 27. The Rogerson Clematis Col- Clematis: From Passion to Pur- J/A, 47. Plants Increase Work- 42. Harold Koopowitz, J/F, 42. lection, M/A, 40. pose: The Rogerson Clematis place Satisfaction, J/A, 49. Pollu- Ketzel Levine, M/A, 46. Norm Witches’ Brooms: Wicked and Collection, M/A, 40. tion and Pollination Don’t Mix, Lownds, N/D, 44. Harold Pellett, Wonderful Witches’ Brooms, Coleus: Coleus’s Comeback, J/F, J/A, 47. Register Your Community M/J, 44. Amy Stewart, S/O, 44. N/D, 36. 22. Garden, M/A, 49. San Francisco Orchids: Terrestrial Orchids for Woody Plants: America’s Magno- Compost: Composting Down Hosts First American Slow Food Temperate Gardens, S/O, 18. lias, S/O, 38. Conifer Heaven in Under, M/A, 36. Gathering, N/D, 49. Scotts Fined Paths: Wonderful Walkways, J/F, the Heartland, J/F, 26. Striking Conifers, Dwarf: Conifer Heaven in for Escaped Genetically Modified 37. Stems Provide Winter Interest, the Heartland, J/F, 26. Grass, J/F, 44. Screening System Peonies: A Penchant for Peonies, N/D, 25. Cranesbills: Carefree Cranesbills, for Invasives Urged, M/J, 46. Seed M/A, 30. Index compiled by AHS Volunteer M/J, 16. Savers Exchange Names New Ex- People: Bassuk, Nina, M/A, 50. Barbara Lockett.

November / December 2008 61 62 by RandB.Lee SweetSpotforChocolateFlower A I stripedmaroon ontheirundersides. morning, from May through October, itopensinch-wide, maroon-eyed littledaisieswithyellow ray Boundary Commission tohelpdefine Boundary then laterworked withthe International U.S.– border warsinthe 1840s, botanist. He foughtforMexico inthe physician, cartographer, pharmacist,and Berlandier (ca.1805–1851),aFrench-Swiss Berlandiera, the five to seven species in the genus Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma. and Arizona easttoTexas to andnorth Zone 4.Its nativefrom rangeruns Mexico ofportion USDA Zone 5 and perhaps to it isaperennial hardy toatleastthewarmer chocolate flower isnotanannual. Rather, them. have notbeen brave enoughtotry taste, aswell assmell,ofchocolate,butI is its raison d’être. The stamens are said to and simply as chocolate flower, for that however. We know itpurely calls it“lyreleaf greeneyes,” greeneyes. Nobody inSanta Fe ficial commonname,lyreleaf calyces thatgive theplantitsof- revealing theround, flat,green afternoon theraypetalsdrop, ing brown stamens. By mid- that emanatesfrom itsglisten- finest Belgian dark chocolate— aroma—reminiscent ofthe from theherdplant apart isthe low jobbies). What sets this contemptuously, LYJs (little yel- call, half-affectionately, half- flower thatthelocalnurseryfolk B. incisa)isof thewild- sort Mexico, Newwaste fieldsofnorthern highway verges, backlots,and like compositesthatlimnthe Chocolate flower isthebestknown of Despite what some references say, One ofcountlessgolddaisy- a clumping,semi-erect, eight-to18-inch-tall,lollingplantwithnondescriptgray-green foliage.Each N THE the American Gardener Berlandiera lyrata heavy clayattheedgeofasun-bakedborder inmyfront yard inSanta Fe, , Igrow named forJean-Louis (syn. flower The short-livedyellowpetalsofchocolate its othercommonname,greeneyes. leaving behindthecalycesthatgiveplant Florida greeneyes United States, botanizingalongtheway. the border between Mexico and the LN NTESPOTLIGHT THE IN PLANT www.plantsofthesouthwest.com. NM. (800)788-7333. Plants oftheSouthwest, (800) 925-9387. High CountryGardens, Sources gardens.com. Among theothersare thecommonor (Berlandiera lyrata) (Berlandiera C (B. subacaulis), www.highcountry Santa Fe,NM. drop atday’send, Santa Fe, native find no effort too great.find noeffort container. will chocohortiholic A true only kind of site you have, grow it in a soifthat’sthat iswet inwintertime, the The onethingitwillnottolerateisasite ple oftimesaweek duringthesummer. sites, itwillbenefitfrom wateringacou- growing clay. indry Inhotordry very is oneofthebestwestern wildingsfor plant forsandysites,butchocolateflower in your area. Catalogsoftenclaimitisa four tosixweeks before thelastfrost date which shouldbesown, barely covered, below), anditiseasytogrow from seed, some specialtynurseries(see“Sources,” based inSanta Fe, New Mexico. Gardener, A frequent contributor to Chocolate flower isavailable from ana; Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisi- well-drained sitesinArizona, vember bloomernative to tonicifolia), year; Texas greeneyes where itbloomsmuchofthe to—you guessedit—Florida, unknown incultivation. for chocolate flower, virtually drought tolerant,and,except poor soils,very extremely plain. Allare hardy, adaptedto eastern andsoutherncoastal sand dunes along the south- April to October on shady three-inch-wide flowers bloom whose ratherlarge,one-to soft greeneyes da, andSouth Carolina; and brid foundinAlabama,Flori- called simplygreeneyes, ahy- Rand B.Leeis afreelanceRand writer Berlandiera an April-to-No- The American (B. pumila), ✕ humilis, (B. be- 

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