ardennotes northwestG horticultural society fall 2009 nhs fall sale Friday, September 18, noon to 6:30 pm Saturday, September 19, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

L i s a i r w i n

Cl e a r t h e d e c k s ! Cl e a r t h e b e d s ! Throw out those under-performers (your , not your spouses) and join us for the Fall Plant Sale on September 18 and 19 at Magnuson Park in Seattle. Even if you don’t think you have room for another plant, come see what’s new that you can’t do without. This year we will have more than 30 outstanding specialty growers from around the Puget Sound area to dazzle you with their wide variety of plants. Fall is a great time for planting. As the temperatures lessen and the rains begin, plants have a much easier time developing root growth. When spring finally comes the plants will be well on their way. We expect a good selection Oh la la! Ciscoe Morris is all ready for the NHS fall plant sale. of plants that will not only benefit from See related articles on pages 1-4. (Nita-Jo Rountree) fall planting, but many that will provide an awesome fall display. Far Reaches include Melianthus villosa, of my favorite vendors for fabulous Kelly and Sue of Far Reaches and Bergenia ‘Eric Smith’. epimedium, cyclamen, hosta, and Farm will be bringing some exotic Laine McLauglin of Steamboat polygonatum are Naylor Creek plants from Yunnan. Salvia bulleyana Island Nursery has recently stopped Nursery, Bouquet Banque Nursery, has large broadly deltoid two-tone her retail sales at the nursery to Botanica, and Overland Enterprises. textured and tall flowering stems concentrate on growing, so now the Be sure to check out all of them. with lots of purple tubular in only ways to get her fine plants are at In addition to the growers and June and August. Geranium delavayi’s plant sales like ours and through a few nurseries you have come to love at flowers feature vibrant magenta-purple nurseries. She specializes in unusual previous NHS plant sales, we have reflexed petals subtended by a white plants, many from “Down Under.” several new vendors joining us this year. fuzzy nose. Other plant highlights from I love woodland plants and some Elemental Plants from Seattle has c Northwest Horticultural Society ~ fall 2009

NHS Fall Plant Sale . . . cont. from page 1 Cascade Gardens: Bamboo Chimacum Woods: rhododendrons Country Side Nursery: Variegated foliage plants, , and trees notable for fall color DeGro & Garden: Uncommon perennials and some temperennials Edwards Nursery: Hardy perennials, trees, and shrubs Elemental Plants: Predominantly Northwest native perennials, trees, and shrubs Fairmeadow Nursery: Evergreen oaks, perennials, Northwest native trees, and shrubs Fancy Fronds Nursery: A large selection of both common and rare ferns Far Reaches Farm: Unusual perennials and bulbs, drifting into a few woodies and alpines Barbara Asmervig (left) greets Kelly Dodson (right) Foliage Gardens: Ferns and related plants of Far Reaches Farm at the 2008 NHS Plant Sale Glenwood Gardens: Shrubs, dwarf stuff, conifers, and perennials (Ann LeVasseur) Keeping It Green Nursery: Hardy orchids, unusual woodlanders, and hard-to-find natives predominantly Northwest native plants and specializes in trees Lael’s Moon Garden Nursery: Trees, shrubs, edibles, and and shrubs. Some of their special plants include Rudbeckia selected perennials alpicola, Pinus longaeva, and Cupressus macnabiana. Lael’s Landwave Gardens: Hard-to-find specialty plants Moon Garden Nursery (located in Rochester, WA) features Lee Farm & Nursery: Trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and trees, shrubs, edibles, and select perennials. Samara Nursery hardy fuchsias (Oakville, WA) specializes in Japanese maples. Taking Root Madrona Nursery: Special perennials and some native plants Mount Forest Farm: Hostas, ferns, and shade perennials Nursery (Kenmore, WA) will carry unusual perennials, hostas, MSK Rare Plant Nursery: Native and rare plants adaptable to the ornamental grasses, and ferns. Pacific Northwest The spot to look for real bargains will be at the member Munro’s Nursery: Hardy perennials, trees, shrubs, and shade- donations tables. Plants that have been lovingly divided and tolerant plants nurtured by members will be for sale. If you have some Naylor Creek Nursery: Hostas, epimediums, asarums, cimicifuga, plants to donate, please contact Michelle Scannell at and shade perennials 206-226-9899. Old Goat Farm: Perennials for sun or shade Another returning highlight of the Fall Plant Sale is the Overland Enterprises: Drought-tolerant perennials for sun or shade Great Plant Picks display—a terrific place to get information Pan’s Garden: Sedums, sempervivums, and specialty perennials on top performing plants for our area. Perennial Pleasures: Ferns, sempervivums, ground covers, and Each year it takes many volunteers to run the Fall Plant other perennials Sale. If you haven’t already signed up to help, please contact Ramble on Rose Perennials: Perennials Lois Willman at [email protected]. Robinwood Nursery: Eclectic selection of perennials, grasses, The Fall Plant Sale is NHS’s largest fundraiser of the year. fuchsias, and shrubs The money raised goes to support all of our programs includ- Samara Nursery: Large selection of premium Japanese maples ing lectures, classes, scholarships, grants, and other member Steamboat Island Nursery: Temperennials, uncommon perenni- als, shrubs, vines, and grasses benefits. For further information and directions to Magnuson Swans Trail Gardens: Unusual perennials Park, please see page 10 of this publication or visit our Taking Root Nursery: Unusual perennials, hostas, ornamental website at www.northwesthort.org. grasses, and ferns The Desert Northwest: Cold-hardy desert plants and Southern Hemisphere natives 2009 NHS Fall Plant Sale Vendors The Greenery: Species rhododendrons, woodland natives, and Blue Frog Garden Nursery: Perennials, ground covers, shrubs, companions trees, and azaleas White Picket Gardens: Unusual perennials, drought-tolerant Botanica: Uncommon and underused perennials plants, salvias, and hebes Bouquet Banque Nursery: Fat, juicy, healthy, two-gallon Wind Poppy Farms: Grasses, sedges, rushes, water plants, and perennials perennials

2 Garden notes looking for treasures at the nhs fall plant sale

C i s c o e Mo r r i s

Ho w m a n y t i m e s have you heard expert If you’re a fan of the giant Himalayan gardeners advise you to buy a plant lily, then Cardiocrinum giganteum var. only if you know all about it and know yunnanense is a must. It features the exactly where you’re going to put it? That same nine foot tall stems and unbeliev- may be good advice if you have a giant ably fragrant creamy-white, tinted green sequoia in your shopping cart, but for flowers as the species, but this one sports your perennials and small beautifully bronzed leaves that are so shrubs, that’s a sure-fire attractive you won’t mind waiting the five recipe for gardening to seven years to finally see it bloom. boredom. Impulse plant It goes without saying that no one shoppers unite and can live without Arisaemas (cobra lilies) follow the “Ciscoe Rule.” in the garden. The foliage is spec- When you see an exciting tacular, but the exotic spathe-shaped new plant, buy it quickly flowers are equally alluring. The new before someone else gets ‘Himalayan Giant’ variety has huge it, especially if that some- leaves that add a tropical flair. one else is reaching for it! You won’t only find fantastic perenni- The daily surprises are the exciting als, of course. The NHS Fall Plant Sale part of gardening. It’s great to watch is the place to find an incredible selec- your spectacular new plant grow and To p : Tricyrtis macranthopsis tion of unusual trees and shrubs as well. bloom in your garden. When you arrive Le f t : Cardiocrinum giganteum You can’t leave without a Pseudolarix home with your new treasure, I admit var. yunnanense amabilis (golden larch) in your box, or that you’ll end up having to move about Lo w e r : Agapanthus ‘Graskop’ a plant with exotic triangular evergreen 12,942 plants in order to fit it in, but leaves such as Acacia pravissima. That hey, isn’t change what makes gardening brings to mind the incredible selection fun? Not to mention how much more other toad lilies in that it has long, arch- of eucalyptus to choose from. I brought attractive and interesting your garden ing stems adorned with golden yellow, home a spectacular 12 footer last fall will be after you fill it with fantastic spotted red bell-shaped flowers. It looks unheeded by the size of my little Mini rarities. Best of all, your new plants will stunning spilling over the side of a tall Cooper. I did, however, learn a little stump the living tweetle out of everyone container. Another incredible toad lily lesson. Constantly remind yourself who visits your garden, and they’ll beg is Tricyrtis ‘Shining Light’. If you beat that you have oversized plants sticking you to tell them where you found them. me to it, you’ll be one of the only lucky out of your sunroof. As I drove home, Unfortunately, if your visitors can’t make gardeners owning a Tricyrtis with blue I decided to stop at the local drive- it to the NHS Fall Plant Sale, they are flowers. through espresso bar. I forgot about the probably out of luck, because it’s just Speaking of blue, make sure you eight-foot overhang and decapitated my about the only place you can find many snag an Agapanthus ‘Graskop’ before new eucalyptus buddy. The loss was of these rare treasures. they sell out. The buds on this magi- so depressing that I just had to make a You never know what new surprises cal, extremely hardy African native quick u-turn back to the sale resulting in, await you at the sale. Last year I almost appear black, before opening to reveal you guessed it, more plants! broke into tears when I scored the pendulous flowers of shimmering, dark practically impossible to find cascading violet-blue. Ciscoe Morris is on the NHS Advisory toad lily Tricyrtis macranthopsis. This Of course you can’t leave the sale Board. He is also a popular TV and radio magnificent plant is different than the without buying a slew of unusual lilies. gardening personality and garden writer.

3 Northwest Horticultural Society ~ fall 2009

Captivating fall planting combinations

M a r t y Wi n g a t e

I l o v e a p a r a d e , especially when it when it comes to comes to plants. What a delight to see the six-foot stems the seasonal succession of color and of ‘Lemon Queen’, texture marching through the garden which slowly begin month by month. Yet if I had to choose to bend outward a favorite time of the year, mid- to late as the season summer would be my pick—at least progresses, I hit until February— when I’m longing for upon the perfect signs of new life. solution: Three of Late summer must have been a Mary Taylor’s rusted Ab o v e : Helianthus ‘Lemon subconscious motivator when I planted metal trellises Queen’ Le f t : tupa, the low raised brick bed outside our plunged into the (Marty Wingate) kitchen windows to be at its height ground about August through October. Full-sun expo- 30 degrees from sure up against our neighbor’s garage vertical. With a suitably organic look lessoniana, do just what a grass should: wall makes this spot a great heat trap, the stems are reined in, protecting provide movement in the garden. Its but instead of using the area as a passers-by as well as neighboring texture and color create a fabulous foil vegetable garden (shame on me), I’ve plants. Better yet, the sunflower never to the large leaves of the smoke bush planted with a variety of shrubs, bulbs, looks as if it was cinched up. Cotinus ‘Grace’. The foliage of ‘Grace’ and perennials that kick into high gear At its base, and mirroring the sunny changes throughout the day, depend- when other parts of the garden begin yellow flowers, grows Caryopteris x ing on where the sun is: light on the to look tired. clandonensis ‘Worcester Gold’ with leaves make them a matte purple, but At five feet high and wide, Lobelia eye-popping bright foliage. I forgive its when the light comes from behind, the tupa, first to pop out in mid-July, looks habit of leafing out late—looking like leaves glow with a warm coral hue that more than perennial; it’s difficult a little bundle of sticks until May—and matches the lobelia. to believe that the plant dies to nothing appreciate its smart appearance from Rounding out the show, and the at the first good freeze in November. summer into fall. And those whiskery last to appear on the midsummer- Into October, spikes of coral-red, blue flowers complement the scene. to-autumn stage, Chrysanthemum hooked flowers appear like torches and Blue helps to cool things off ‘Single Apricot’ finishes the season are frequently visited by hummingbirds. as summer warms; it comes from with a flowering well worth waiting Just taller than the lobelia, ‘Worcester Gold’ as well as Aster x for. Cultivar names abound for this Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’ begins flow- frikartii ‘Mönch’ which begins bloom- selection, which might be the same as ering slightly later, at the end of July. ing in late July. Beautiful lavender-blue ‘Hillside Sheffield’. Sunny yellow, two-inch-wide flowers flowers and no need for staking, While the flowers of ‘Hillside Select’ just keep coming, and even after it’s ‘Mönch’ is the plant Graham Stuart fade, the autumn garden show begins. finished blooming, chickadees spend Thomas described as “… not only the Other charming combinations appear, the winter pecking at the seed heads. finest perennial aster; it is one of the and my favorite time of year in the I’m not much of a staker, and I six best plants, and should be in every garden changes to fall. We gardeners don’t have time to cut perennials garden.” I hear and obey. are such a fickle lot. down by half so that they bloom on Not just flowers make a good shorter stalks—please, I’m barely able garden. The coppery tones of Marty Wingate is a Seattle-based writer to keep up with the necessities. But pheasant’s tail grass, Anemanthele and speaker about gardens and travel.

4 Garden notes garden wisdom of the ages

S u e Go e t z

Do w e b e c o m e g o o d g a r d e n e r s garden program to aid families in because of the season, our work, wartime. Information on the war or because of what mother taught effort “…food is no less a weapon us? Defining a “good” gardener is than tanks, guns, and planes” not the inference here; the garden (President Franklin Roosevelt) and as a teacher is. A garden makes sketches lay out ultimate edible good observers, patient workers, gardens. The 30 pages of victory and people who have healthy egos garden tips are timeless: “To produce behind successes and a hefty dose good food crops, a soil should be of of humility with failures. Nature has at least average depth, and sweet- the upper hand here after all. More ness, and in good physical condition. often than not, it is simply a lesson Average depth means eight to twelve in getting back to the basics: sun, inches of topsoil.” “Cheap seed soil, and water. The plants merely doesn’t pay.” And “Keep tall growing become the player in the things that Old garden books plants to the north and west sides drive their success. where they will cast less shade on I have a bit of an obsession with others.” collecting old garden books, haunting to plant. Scraps of paper and pressed One mantra we always hear is: fall is the shelves of thrift stores and antique leaves are also a gift of the past tucked for planting. In the book, The Garden of markets. Some of my books were into pages. In 1924, Julia Cummins Experience written in 1919, Marion Cran written in the 1800s and some within tucked an unknown in the pages shares her wisdom. “But the “Awe-time” a generation. When I read through the of Louise Shelton’s book The Seasons (her word play on autumn) has come words of wisdom, I have a bit of déjà in a Flower Garden: A Handbook for to mean to me also the “hope-time” for vu; the same skills and knowledge are the Amateur. Was it for identification I know now, being a gardener, that I there. It is not new technology of the or simply a bookmark? From garden may not linger sentimentally upon the millennium or some new “thingy” to design to the simplicity of weeding, contemplation of picturesque decay, pull weeds. It all goes back to the same every book has tidbits to glean. but must gird my loins and turn to good inherent desire to get back to the earth. An original 1953 handbook from hard work for this is also the planting Early garden writings gave observa- the Brooklyn Botanic Garden titled time of the year. The decline of each tions that became learning tools. Most American Gardens: A Source Book of summer must carry at its core the prom- old books had few photos or even any Ideas shares sound advice on design. ise of hope of next.” ink of vibrant color; they are not the “Probably the commonest error of the Wit, wisdom, and a look into the photographed visuals we have become amateur gardener and horticulturist is past—sometimes the search for some- so reliant on these days. Writers of past his failure to recognize the importance thing new begins with the wisdom of used good descriptive wording that of garden design…the plain hard old. Maybe that is why I love these painted the pictures. Most information work that goes into an unplanned and old musty books. Gardens make us was based on observation and trial and nondescript garden might just as well lifelong learners and the past wisdom error. Well-loved books with handwrit- go into a planned one.” of gardeners reminds us to be willing ten inscriptions of the book owner’s A favorite find in a local thrift store apprentices with nature. name make me imagine what their for two dollars was The New Garden garden looked like. Penciled numbers Encyclopedia: Victory Garden Edition. Sue Goetz, is an NHS board member, or notes written in margins long An addendum to the original dictionary garden designer, speaker, and freelance ago allow me to wonder if it was to shows layouts, notes, and information writer who owns Creative Gardener, calculate compost or how many seeds from a government sponsored victory www.thecreativegardener.com.

5 Northwest Horticultural Society ~ fall 2009

Volunteer Profile: Lee Neff

D a n i e l Sp a r l e r De v o t e d grandmother and wife, adventures we shared together over accomplished academic administra- the years! Then, in 2007, she and tor, gifted writer and editor, beloved John sold their spectacular estate and teacher, skilled mediator and diplo- absconded to the wilds of Eglon on mat, tireless community organizer, the Kitsap Peninsula. loyal friend—this is but a partial All right! What you’ve all been list of avatars of the inimitable, the waiting for: Three things you may indefatigable Lee Neff. not know about Lee Neff. Let it be noted that this article will 1. She shares a birthday with Fidel not be a puff piece prancing along Castro. a primrose path. Brace yourselves 2. She has a shameless, helpless for some shocking truths. Yes, the addiction to the Seattle Mariners. sainted Lee Neff has a dark side, one 3. (Take a deep breath for this that will be revealed shortly, dear one, gentle readers.) She is prone readers. to slipping the innocent, novice But first things first: Lee is gardener gifts that keep on giving. currently finishing a term as record- Lee Neff (left) and Daniel Sparler With a sweet smile she bestowed on ing secretary of NHS having served on me not one, but two pretty but treach- its board since 2006. You may have met Sue Buckles who was gardening erous Trojan horses: Allium triquetrum assumed she comes from a long line of at Children’s Hospital” (where Lee’s and Geranium nodosum. More than a accomplished horticulturists; however, husband John served as medical direc- decade later I’m still trying to eradicate this is not the case. Lee admits that her tor for many years). these thugs. mother was a self-described “member And the rest is history. She discov- Lee’s current project on her two of the asphalt bloc,” whatever that ered Wells-Medina Nursery. “I still have acres north of Kingston is inventing a means, “although she paid me 25 cents the bill of sale from the first plants Northwest hedgerow, employing not an hour in high school for weeding.” I ever bought there from Bob Lilly.” only native plants, but also exotics that Lee’s interest in things green was What was on that ticket? Rhododendron grow well here. It will be 10 feet deep briefly piqued in the summer of 1975 ‘Unique’, Hemerocallis ‘Hyperion’, and and 200 feet long. The plant population when she spent a summer in Lebanon. some Russell hybrid lupines. is now 250 and growing. Her kitchen “I saw a caper bush (Capparis spinosa), In 1992, she began to construct garden, with the notable assistance of which was very exciting.” Yet it wasn’t her iconic garden in the Seward Park Nancy Heckler, is also garnering great until a move to Seattle in 1981 that neighborhood of Seattle. At this point fame. the gardening dragon within her was your humble author enters the picture, aroused. “The next spring I opened my having moved to Lee’s neighborhood Daniel Sparler is an NHS board eyes to the beauty around me. Then I at the same time. Ah, the gardening member.

~ Welcome new members ~ NHS wishes to thank C. Andrew Barker Glenda Jackson Jane Orvis Wells Medina Nursery Amandalei Bennett Colleen James Sonchen & Jock Patton and Monrovia Jayne Bray Judy Katri Tahra Smith for co-sponsoring the Margaret G. Brooks Rosina McIvor Debra Sobelson Sally Brunette Donald Meyer Jennifer Stock Windcliff—Roy Lancaster Mary Emel Judy Montoure Sharon Sylvester-Smith event coming up on Laurie Feetham Lisa Nowak Jane Thomas Susan Gandee Andria Orejuela September 5, 2009.

6 Garden notes exhibits at the ~ THANKS TO OUR 2009 PATRONS ~ The Wednesday Evening Lecture Series would not be possible Miller Library without the tremendous support of our patrons. Their generosity helps NHS provide a world-class educational B r i a n Th o m p s o n program for Northwest gardeners. Thank you, patrons! Mr. & Mrs. Don G. Abel John MacKean “To l i f e ” features images Phoebe Andrew Theresa Malmanger from the Elisabeth Carey Miller Lois Andrews Hans & Tina Mandt Botanical Garden by photog- Alison Andrews James K. Marshall Barbara Asmervig Judy Massong rapher Shirley Pinchev Sidell. Charlotte Behnke Bruce & Coco McDougall Using giclée printing (the Jim & Suzette Birrell Shirley McEvoy process of making fine art prints Constance Bollen Irene & Robert Mills from a digital source using ink- Elisabeth Bottler Renee Montgelas G. Maria Carlos Ciscoe Morris jet printing) on European etching Barbara Carman Maureen Morris paper, the artist skillfully brings Patricia L. Church Sue Moss out the sculptural quality her Marianna Clark John & Lee Neff Michael Coie Charles Ogburn subjects, which include ferns, Stacie Crooks Mary Palmer camellias, and fruit from other Lynn & Ralph Davis T. Keith & Janet L. Patrick gardens. Craig Delphey Peg Pearson Tanya DeMarsh-Dodson Rose Peck This exhibit is now on display Sue Dickson Lois Pendleton Giclée print from Shirley at the Miller Library through the Tina Dixon Susan Picquelle Pinchev Sidell is now on end of September, and the artist Anita Dunn Phyllis Pierce display at the Miller Library Mrs. Phil Duryee Dianne Polson will be hosting a free public Janet & Michael Endsley Suzanne Ragen reception on September 14 Dave & Cindy Fairbrook Sashi Raghupathy from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Prints and note cards are available for Carolyn Fisher Ravenna Gardens Betsy Fitzgerald Judy Redmond sale, with a percentage of proceeds benefitting the Miller Library. Kathy Fries Pat Riehl Next up, “Marvels of Modernism” on exhibit from October Maren Gilliland Elsa C. Rosenkrantz 1–30 celebrates post World War II garden and landscape design Marilyn Glenn Nita-Jo Rountree Greg Graves Marilou Rush with photographs of a dozen innovative—at their time—sites Pam & Jay Green Liz Sanborn throughout the country, including the courtyard of the Pacific Mary Louise Griffin Michelle Scannell Science Center in Seattle. David B. Grimes, Gale & Marcel Schwarb Yardworks Etc. Stephanie Smith Jean Hanson Leah Soltar Elisabeth Carey Miller Memorial Lecture Richard W. Hartlage Richie Steffen Roy Lancaster will share how his life as a renowned plant Joyce Hawkins Philip R. Stoller explorer has impacted his home garden in Hampshire, England, Deborah Heg Nancy Strahle Jackie Hightower Sunnyside Nursery in “Mad About Plants—A Plantsman’s Garden,” the 2009 Miller Catherine Hillenbrand Bernadette Swensson Memorial Lecture. The date is September 17 at Meany Hall on Martha Holschen Brian Thompson & the University of Washington campus at 7:30 pm. The lecture and Gail & Ty Hongladarom Jack Henry Jocelyn Horder Lois Vania reception are free courtesy of the Miller Charitable Foundation, but Deborah Horn Marie Weiler you must RSVP to the Miller Library either by calling 206-543-0415 Darlene & Dan Huntington Beth Weir or by sending an e-mail to [email protected] with “Miller Lecture” Lisa Irwin Wendy Welch Becky Johnson Joanne White in the subject line. Be sure to say how many are in your party and Ann Keller Carolyn Whittlesey please note we will not be mailing tickets this year. This event is Katherine King Madeleine Wilde co-sponsored by the Miller Library, NHS, and the Miller Garden. Karin Kravitz Lois Willman Kurt Laidlaw Sherri Wilson A big thank you goes to NHS for the Dan Hinkley book Denise Lane Glenn Withey & launch fundraiser on May 27. It was wonderful for the staff and Raymond J. Larson Charles Price the many users of the Miller Library to experience such a strong Barry & Susan Latter Martha Woodman Julie Lawrence John A. Wott outpouring of support! Jeanne Marie Lee Jennifer Wyatt Brian Thompson is the manager and curator of horticultural Ann LeVasseur Kathy Yerke Janet Lewinsohn Zenith Holland Gardens literature for the Elisabeth C. Miller Library. Kiki & Dave Lewis Marlene & Lee Zuker

7 Northwest Horticultural Society ~ fall 2009

THANKS TO OUR The Story of Plants: 2009 donors ~ crabapple We wish to thank our donor members for their D a n i e l Mo u n t generous support. Th r e e c r i p p l e d , o l d , e a s y -t o -c l i m b c r a b a p p l e s huddled beneath the statuesque oaks in CONTRIBUTING Luther Burbank Park. They were loaded with ammunition for the wars we’d wage on the MEMBERS way home from grade school. They supplied fruit each fall for ruby-red, tart jelly. But it is Nancy Alvord when they bloomed like billowy low slung clouds each spring droning with thousands of Joanna Beitel honey bees that I loved them the best. Ralph & Lynn Davis Mr. & Mrs. Philip R. Stoller Arriving in Seattle 20 years ago I was distressed to find the leading flowering tree in Wells-Medina Nursery the U.S. was snubbed by Northwest gardeners. Arthur Lee Jacobson barely mentioned crabapples in the first edition of Trees of Seattle. I don’t think of myself as a chameleon, but SUPPORTING MEMBERS I quickly adopted this prejudice adding crabapples, along with thunderstorms and fireflies, Phoebe Andrew to the list of things I would miss. Alison Andrews When I talk of crabapples I am referring to the 30 or so ornamental and culinary species Barbara Asmervig & in the Malus. Crabapples are any member of this genus with fruits less than two Michael Thanem inches in diameter whether a species, a cultivar, or a multibrid (a plant with many species Charlotte Behnke in its makeup). I will waste no time on their confusing nomenclature which befuddles Ginny Brewer John & Kathleen Bullivant even the hybridizers. The common name is so old as to have left no trace of its origin, Clinton Inc. though it probably comes from the Old English “crabbed” meaning disagreeable, contrary, Paige Embry or crooked. Whether this meaning was indicating the rather twisted branching habit of the Sue Ewens tree or the unpleasant flavor of the fruit is unclear. Susan Goetz Consider the evidence of Neolithic man’s drying and storing of these sour vitamin C rich Mike Hayes fruits. Just as Northwest tribes dried and stored the fruits of our native wetland-loving Malus Raymond Larson fusca for winter use, it is hard to believe these miniature apples once used extensively in Jeanne Marie Lee cider and jelly production would have a bad reputation. Now the fruits seem as out of date as Dorothy Lennard the 1960s supper clubs that garnished steaks with crabapples pickled and dyed red. Karen Long Being in Rosaceae, or the rose family, crabapples can be as problematic as their kindred Susan Maki roses, apples, and cherries. I would say they have been rightly overlooked. But this Maureen Morris prejudice is based on older cultivars. Since the 1950s, ornamental crabapple hybridizers Daniel Mount Gardens Lee C. Neff have given up on finding the prettiest trees and have made disease resistance and size their Ann S. Ormsby highest priority. There are now small, upright, disease-resistant, and pretty trees suitable for Linda Park urban gardens. Surprisingly, it is hard to find many of the nearly 900 crabapples in exis- Barbara Peterson tence for sale, especially the newer commendable cultivars. Elsa C. Rosenkrantz It is difficult to maintain my learned prejudice standing in the blousy grace of a flower- Marilou Rush ing crab. They make lovely companions to the garish rhodies of May. So I have planted Meredith P. Smith trees like the time tested M. x zumi ‘Calocarpa’ and admired the Seattle City Light recom- Daniel Sparler & Jeff Schouten mendation, the pert M. ‘Adirondack’. I ordered M. ‘Satin Cloud’ (available from Song Richie Steffen Sparrow Nursery, www.songsparrow.com) one of the star new cultivars, with cinnamon Nancy Strahle scented flowers, red fall foliage, and a height of only six feet to plant in a large container Carolyn C. Temple this fall. And because I have the space I am also growing the edible and disease-free Pamela J. Trojanoski Dennis & Dorene Tully M. ‘Chestnut’ for its use as a pollenizer and for the nutty tasting fruits. Ralene Walls Thunderstorms have increased here in the past 20 years. In the second edition of Trees Maro Walsh of Seattle Arthur Lee Jacobson has expanded his entry on crabapples, noting more than Marie Weiler 140 different kinds. I, myself, am following the advice of Luther Burbank, who said, “For Wendy Weyerhaeuser those who do not think, it is best to rearrange their prejudices once in a while.” Joanne White Glenn Withey & Charles Price Read more of Daniel’s thoughts on plants and gardening on his blog www.danielmountgar- Woodinville Garden Club dens.blogspot.com.

8 Garden notes Wonderful Willow

Debra Prinzing

Th e r e ’s s o m e t h i n g m a g i c a l about Twisted branches formed walls a plant that keeps growing even more than four inches thick. after you think it’s a goner. My We walked inside and peered textile background and my love through “windows” to notice the for any material that can be landscape beyond. At the time, woven like fabric, combined Toad Hall was more than a year with my penchant for gardening, old, yet the willow rooted in the has drawn me to supple ingredi- field and began sprouting leaves. ents like willow. Patrick Dougherty is based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Willow Animals but he has a worldwide reputa- On a pleasant June evening tion for creating on-site twig in 2002, I was invited to join Wonderment and mystery are woven together in sculptures. Commissions have members of the Woodinville “Childhood Dreams,” a Patrick Doughtery installation taken him to Japan, England, Garden Club for a willow work- that the author viewed at Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Denmark, and countless American shop in Carol Ager’s garden. Garden in December 2007. (Prinzing) cities. Some of his projects look The class was led by two British like tornado-blown tumbleweed, artisans, Pat Hutchinson and with more wire. Playful and perfect for slightly askew, oddly tilted as if Jacky Barber. Known as “The Willow the flower bed, my completed willow they survived the “big one.” Others take Weavers,” the duo’s artistic efforts goose stood around five feet tall. I advantage of permanent architecture, in 2001 won them the coveted Gold planted her twig “legs” into the soil and climbing up the face of a building or Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show. enjoyed watching the garden grow in weaving in and out of columns. We used fresh willow twigs and around her body. In 2007, I visited Phoenix’s Desert from Judy Zugish of Marysville’s Botanical Garden. As I walked through Bouquet Banque Nursery. Cut when Willow as Architecture the grounds, a willow shape emerged dormant, the five-foot and seven-foot Inevitably, willow creations are on the horizon. WOW! Of course, it lengths of Salix alba ‘Polish Purple’ short-lived. Subject to exposure was another Patrick Dougherty instal- soaked in water for five days to make and the vagaries of time, there is a lation. Called “Childhood Dreams,” the them workable. temporal nature to anything fabricated spherical piece was woven as a series We teamed up to create a larger-than- from twigs and stems. That’s why I of interconnecting rooms. Dougherty life goose, heron, or swan (my partner was blown away when I saw Patrick said the form of the garden’s gold was Gary Waller). The instructors Dougherty’s woven twig sculptures. barrel cacti inspired his design. showed us how to manipulate willows (See www.stickwork.net). It’s so easy to be drawn to these into animal shapes using tools and four Dougherty’s playful piece called willow sculptures because they are to six inch wire fasteners, the type with “Toad Hall” resembled a whimsical, living and organic. It’s quite humbling a loop at each end, used for securing storybook abode (perhaps an ambitious to see how something so simple, so rebar (available at home centers). version of the first Little Pig’s house ordinary (otherwise destined for the Called the “twisler” or “twister,” the of sticks). He created it for the Santa compost heap) can be reinterpreted as hand-held tool tightens wire around Barbara Botanic Garden in 2005. architecture. the twig bunch. Pruners, wire cutters, Along with fellow NHS members on string, and measuring tape are also the Los Angeles-Santa Barbara tour, I Debra Prinzing is a Southern essential tools. was mesmerized by how the fanciful, California-based garden and design After making the head, neck, body, turret-shaped roofline looked beauti- writer. You can read her design blog at and legs, we connected the pieces ful against the blue September sky. www.shedstyle.com.

9 NHS BULLETIN BOARD

~ 2009 fall classes ~ directions to the nhs plant sale at Magnuson Park Wednesday, September 9, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Great Plant Picks with Lynne Thompson From I-5 Northbound • Exit at NE 65th St. (Exit #170). To u r t h e El i s a b e t h C. Mi l l e r Bo t a n i c a l Ga r d e n with GPP Program Manager Lynne Thompson. This is a wonderful oppor- • At the stop sign, go straight (across Ravenna Blvd.) tunity to learn about the Great Plant Picks educational program. onto 8th Ave. NE to NE 65th St. Lynne will show you the Great Plant Picks plants in the land- • Turn right at NE 65th St. scape in ideal conditions and combined beautifully with other • Go east on NE 65th St. for about 2 miles. At NE 49th St. the plants and give you tips on how to use them in your garden. arterial bears right onto Princeton Way NE and curves back around to the left and onto NE 65th St. Continue on to Sand Lo c a t i o n : Mi ll e r Ga r d e n /Se a t t l e Point Way NE. Fe e : Me mb e r s : $25.00 No n -m e mb e r s : $35.00 Li m i t : 15 • Turn left onto Sand Point Way NE and go about 2-3 blocks. • The park is on your right. Thursday, October 1, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm • Turn right into the park at the main gate. Look for signs to Containers for Fall and Winter the plant sale. The sale will be in a large hangar on your with Lisa Freed left. There is a large parking lot just beyond it on the right.

Ma n y o f y o u h a v e u s e d the containers at Wells-Medina From I-5 Southbound Nursery as ideas for container plantings as well as plant • Take exit #171 for NE 71st/NE 65th Streets. combinations for your garden beds. Join Lisa Freed, co-owner • At the stop sign at the end of the exit ramp turn left of Wells-Medina, for a demonstration of how these wonder- onto NE 71st St. and cross over I-5. ful containers are created. You will come away with ideas for • You are now on NE 70th St. Go to Roosevelt Way NE your containers and gardens that will extend your enjoyment (one way street going south). into the winter season. • Turn right onto Roosevelt Way NE and go five blocks to Lo c a t i o n : We ll s -Me d i n a Nu r s e r y /Me d i n a NE 65th St. Fe e : Me mb e r s : $25.00 No n -m e mb e r s : $35.00 Li m i t : 18 • Turn left (east) onto NE 65th St. and follow directions above to Magnuson Park. Wednesday, December 16, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Westbound on SR 520 from the Eastside Christmas at the Old Goat Farm • As you approach I-5, get in the right lane and take the Jo i n f l o r a l d e s i g n e r Ga r y Wa l l e r at the Old Goat Farm and exit for I-5 Northbound. learn how he decorates multiple Christmas trees to create a • From I-5 Northbound, exit at NE 65th St. spectacular Christmas display. Christmas at the Old Goat Farm • Follow directions above for I-5 Northbound to was featured in Val Easton’s column last December. After Gary Magnuson Park. shows how these beautiful trees are decorated you will join Gary and Greg for a splendid Christmas tea party. Lo c a t i o n : Old Go a t Fa r m /Or t i n g For class reservations e-mail [email protected] Fe e : Me mb e r s : $25.00 No n -m e mb e r s : $35.00 Li m i t : 15 or call Karin Kravitz at 206-780-8172

~ 2010 tour ~

Tour the Tibetan Plateau with NHS and Pacific Horticulture A Journey in Western Sichuan & Tibet for Plant Enthusiasts June 27-July 13, 2010

Ri c h a r d Tu r n e r , e d i t o r o f Pacific Horticulture and Greg Graves of the Miller Botanical Garden will conduct this tour with special emphasis on the flora of Tibet. The tour will visit Chengdu, including the giant panda breeding center and the spectacular Jiuzhaigou National Park. On the Tibetan Plateau you will visit Lhasa and its many sacred sites. See some of the most diverse alpine flora on earth—many of these species will be in flower at this time of year. The region crossed is the center of diversity for genera such as Primula, Pedicularis, and Mecanopsis. Hill slopes of the eastern river valleys support many rhododendron species, and smaller alpine rhododendron are in the high meadows. Fo r a b r o c h u r e e-m a i l n w h o r t @a o l .c o m o r c a ll Ka r i n Kr a v i t z 206-780-8172

10 President’sGarden Mnoessagetes

H a n s Ma n d t EDITOR Judy Redmond [email protected] In m i d Ma y , w e w e r e d e a l i n g with extended cool, wet weather that had lasted for more than two months. Now we’re in the longest heat wave in Seattle, with DESIGNERS record high temperatures and no rain. This has become a really tough gardening year. As to winter Judy Redmond and Constance Bollen, damage in our garden, two tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica and D. squarrosa) survived and have cb graphics, both put out new fronds, while Cyathea cooperi bit the dust. Our Arisaema taiwanense have failed [email protected] to make an appearance. We have about six of them and they may just be cantankerous enough to CONTRIBUTING take a season off, which occurs occasionally with Arisaema. I’m glad I gave Greg Graves the seeds TO THIS ISSUE: they produced the last two seasons so he could propagate them. I’m looking forward to the NHS Fall Sue Dickson Plant Sale to restock some losses. One benefit of going to a plant sale featuring small local growers Sue Goetz is that they raise their own plants. This means you can get cultivation advice for dealing with difficult Lisa Irwin weather, based on their actual growing experience. An invaluable resource, I think. Karin Kravitz I recall June last year, working feverishly to get the garden ready for visitors. We had a request from Ann LeVasseur Hans Mandt a group of New Zealand gardeners wanting to visit our small patch. The front garden, designed by Ciscoe Morris my friend Richard Hartlage, always shows well, but what about the rest of the garden? The woodland Daniel Mount shows best in late winter and spring, the hillside garden is designed for late summer, so what would Debra Prinzing be of interest in early July? Since Tina and I had visited these women’s gardens in New Zealand, Nita-Jo Rountree we could hardly decline. These were some of the finest gardeners in that country who had gardens Daniel Sparler measured in acres not square feet. What saved the day was a collection of Japanese mountain hydran- Richie Steffen Brian Thompson geas (Hydrangea serrata) planted throughout the woodland that I had acquired from Heronswood Marty Wingate and a collection of species lilies, especially Lilium nepalense, which were in full bloom. Everything worked out, our visitors took lots of photos of hydrangeas and lilies, and wrote lots of notes. I think PRINTER Mike Klinke, the fact that Tina set out a beautiful brunch was the real reason everyone left happy. Impression Printing The launch party for Dan Hinkley’s new book The Explorer’s Garden: Shrubs and Vines from the Four Corners of the World was a wonderful event at CUH. Dan’s lecture took us around the Pacific Rim on his collecting trips to find the plants he writes about in the book. Thanks to the efforts of the library committee, the volunteers, and a large number of generous donors, we raised over $13,000 for the Miller Library. My personal thanks to all. If you missed that event, we are planning another new book party featuring Val Easton’s new book, The New Low-Maintenance Garden: How to Have a Beautiful, Productive Garden and the Time to Enjoy It. The party and lecture will be on Monday evening, November 16. Hans Mandt is the president of NHS.

2009 NHS events

Ab o v e : Lee Neff class (LeVa s s e u r )

To p l e f t : Spring ephemerals sale (LeVa s s e u r ) Bo t t o m l e f t : Whidbey Island gardens tour (Ma t h e w s )

Ce n t e r : Dan Hinkley book signing (LeVa s s e u r )

11 R i ch ie steffen / great P lant i ck s

Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ and autumn leaves “Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower.” Albert Camus, 1913 –1960, French novelist, essayist, and playwright. i Telephone: 206-527-1794 i Web: www.northwesthort.org i E-mail: [email protected]

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