Foreword

For a few weeks this summer, I found it Time helps. But there's nothing like need to impossible to g arden. A tremendous lethargy loosen the grip on sloth. Now with the short crept through me and the simple joys of days of fall upon me, I've begun to pick up working with and the soil ceased for the pace, re-covering the greenhouse, a time. What did remain, though, was the collecting seed, planting those innumerable same sense of wonder on seeing the first pots which seem to gather at the doorstep of bloom on a new or new seedlings in a every collector. Just maybe, I'll be ready to seed pot which has been with me for the 30 move inside when the inevitable winter plus years I've been gardening. During the rains settle in for good. haitus of spirit, I reflected on the continuum This is the last issue of the Bulletin which I which make a gardener, from the first brush will be editing. I would like to thank those with nature as a child to the more sobering of you who have provided very special help awareness that gardens and plants (as well during the past year. as people) need care and nurturing to be at their best. Ted Marston

On the Cover: Calthapalustris, from a copperplate by Abraham Munting first published in 1696

Published quarterly by the AMERICAN ROCK GARDEN SOCIETY, a tax-exempt, non-profit organization incorpo• rated under the laws of the state of New Jersey. You are invited to join. Annual dues (Bulletin included), to be submitted in U.S. funds and International Money Order, are: General Membership, $20.00 (includes domestic or foreign, single or joint — two at same address to receive one Bulletin, one Seed List); Patron. $50.00; Life Member (individual only), over 55, $300; under 55, $350. Membership inquiries and dues should be sent to Buffy Parker. 15Fairmead Rd., Darien, CT. 06820 Address editorial matters pertaining to the Bulletin to the Editor, Ted Marston. 13036 Holmes Point Drive. Kirkland, WA 98034. Address advertising matters to Anita Kistler. 1421 Ship Rd . West Chester. PA 19380. Second Class Postage paid in Darien. CT., and additional offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Bulletin of the American Rock Garden Society (ISSN 0003 0864) 15 Fairmead Rd.. Darien. CT 06820

218 Bulletin of the American Rock Garden Society Contents Vol. 47, No. 4 Fall, 1989

The Rock Garden in Fall. Geoffrey Charlesworth 220 Out of the Seedpot. Judy Glattstein 225 A Southern Rock Garden? Mildred M. Pinnell 227 A Trek in . Audrey Williams 230 The Ups & Downs of Moggy Hollow. Ruby Weinberg 235 Alpine Regions Are a Fragile Ecology. Rob Grail 237 National Awards 242 Ferns on the Fence. Ron Bendixon 252 A Midwest Dwarf Conifer Bed. Elise Felton 256 Deciduous Trees. Robert L. Fincham 263 The Olfactory Consideration. Trevor Cole 267 The Gunus Briggsia. Frances N. Batcheller 269 Dwarf Daylillies in the Rock Garden. Karen Mathews 271 Book Reviews 273

Calendar of Coming Events

Eastern Winter Study Weekend (Piedmont Chapter) Sheraton Imperial Hotel

Western Winter Study Weekend (Northwestern Chapter) Red Lion Inn, Bellevue, WA Feb. 23-25

Annual Meeting (Western Chapter) Cal-Neva Lodge, North LakeTahoe, NV July 12-15, 1990

219 The Rock Garden in Fall

Geoffrey Charlesworth

At the very end of summer through the lactea and C. nipponicum are late bloomers. first half of September the soft orange There are four or five kinds of plant that of Kniphofia galpinii light up the bloom in the garden in the Fall. First there garden. They bloom well into Fall lasting are the leftovers of late summer. An with the lilac and white goblets of Adenophora or an Inul a. Lobelia siphilitica speciosum until a really heavy frost spoils andL. cardinalis, Zauschneria californica the flowers. During September the leaves and a few penstemons might still be in of the trees surrounding the garden are bloom. There are remembrances of things changing color and no modest rock garden past, not always lovely here but further plant can compete effectively against them. south they could be in full beauty. Other Occasional flowers on all kinds of alpines 'leftovers' are annuals. These are more go on and off like Christmas lights in slow satisfactory on the whole than perennials if motion - a primula here, a delphinium there. all you want is a splash of color. Annuals A draba has a flurry of a dozen flowers are having a last fling in their efforts to opening on the sunniest of cold October make seed and close down for good. Phlox days. B ut these are anomal ies - a free bonus, drummondii goes on and on for instance. So unplanned and unplannable. do tagetina, Erysimum The flowers you can depend on for canitatum wheeleri and Machaeranthera September and Fall bloom are the aster bigelowii. Then there are the flowers of family. One really has to discount the Garden Spring - alyssums, saxifrages and primulas Center Chrysanthemums (mums) as that half open a few almost misformed anything but the Fall equivalent of Garden blooms. These are always reassuring but Center petunias. If you use them, it is to fill never spectacular. Also we can count on a a blank spot with strong color. If you are a few of the seedlings we sowed in February Savings Bank or a University, you could to produce their first , and unless make a whole bed of them in the space that they survive the winter it may be their only had tulips in Spring and Marigolds in flower. Townsendias, for instance, are often Summer. There are Chrysanthemums that good for a few Fall flowers. are good perennials and one or two around Finally there are the plants which bloom the garden is a good idea. For instance C. naturally in the Fall. There are enough of rubellum 'Mary Stokes' (peach X ginger) these to design a Fall garden with, but few or C. r. 'Clara Curtiss' (raspberry X lilac). of us have the space to realize such a luxury. The really large 'decorative' Chrysan• Perhaps in North Carolina or Oregon it themums look out of place anywhere in the would be worth the effort. Mostly we are open air. There are some useful too, satisfied with a patch of color here, a well- C. morifolium, some of the plants labeled placed clump there or a section of the C. weyrichii might still be in flower, and C. woodland garden to show off a Cimicifuga

220 simplex or aSanguisorba canadensis. What But in the Compositae is the genus your Fall plant list is depends very much on Aster itself. Apart from the ubiquitous Aster where you live - how long you can fend off novae-angliae forms and hybrids and the the first killing frost - and the second. Two Aster 'dumosus' dwarf hybrids there are four inch high alliums A. thunbergii and A. Aster ericoides, porteri, caeruleus, splendens look good in a raised bed. The oblongifolius (kumleinii), linariifolius, late gentians (Genlianafarreri, sino-ornata, patens,paludosus.ptarmicoides, to name a scabra, andrewsii, crinita) are variable in few of the Fall flowering species. These are first blooming time and there is a limit to all most welcome unless they happen to be how much frost the flowers will withstand. your local weeds and unless they clamor for A large group of heathers, forms of Calluna too much space or forget to flower. Running vulgaris are still flowering in October. These asters are easy to pull up, unfortunately you are worth grouping into a special bed. Some forget which are the wicked ones until you Kniphofia hybrids may want to bloom so notice in October a large green mat with late that they are not worth the trouble of hardly a flower to be seen. Other composites growing even if they are hardy plants, but in bloom in the Fall include most noticeably K. galpinii has always bloomed for me and regrettably Solidago species but also in (Southwestern Massachusetts at 1400 ft., areas with late first frosts there are species zone 5) through the end of S eptember and it of Helianthus (salicifolius) and Helenium only succumbs to the hardest frost. (autumnale forms and hybrids) worth Pysostegia virginiana blooms well into growing. These are all big plants for a November. Cyclamen hederifolium, a border or a prominent clump. Include also glorious standby on Long Island and in Sedum spectabile, Aconites (Aconitum, Southern Connecticut, tries hard in Carmichaelii, uncinatum), Anemone Massachusetts but is hardly worth the effort. japonica and Boltonia asteroides if you NoTisSternbergia lutea. Nor are the autumn have that kind of room. (C. speciosus, ochroleucus and The glory of the Fall is the change of sativus) worthwhile in our part of the color of the leaves; until Columbus Day country. They are buried by leaves in mid flowers have to compete with the oranges, October before they open. By the time you reds and yellows of the maples, oaks and move the leaves to expose the flowers the sumacs while after the fall of the leaves they first hard frost doubles them over. Anyone must be tall enough to be seen through them living south of middle Connecticut should or placed well outside the canopy of every count themselves as blessed to be able to tree and shrub. After cleanup and a few grow a few sweeps of these Fall beauties. frosts, flowers are secondary to evergreens. Colchicum speciosum is a different story. It So, for mid October think about leaf is easier, earlier, tougher, taller and its color associations - Euonymus alatus, and is highly visible among the falling leaves. Rhododendron vaseyi against the yellows Even after heavy rain or frost when the and bronzes of Chamaecyparis pisifera or heads have wilted and sprawl over each obtusa forms.Place a larch where it will other, there is a starting patch of color to shine in November and a Pinus densiflora titillate the senses. And of course Silene oculis-draconis where you can see the schafta may be lingering on. yellow bands on the needles in late

221 November. Use grasses and artemisias to cinder blocks). Some jobs may have to be contribute greys, silvers and subtle browns merely sketched in and left for the merciful in contrasting shapes and textures. Some of snow to obliterate. Some may remain forever the flowers will have to be cut off to keep unrealized, churning in our minds like guilty them respectable. thoughts: Like making a larger bog or a By mid November there have been many below ground irrigation system. Have you light and a few heavy frosts, the first snow ever started on a project after months of flakes have fallen, the first snow to premeditation and bullying yourself into accumulate has melted by noon the same the right frame of mind only to find that the day, heavy rains dispell our obsessive fear hardware store is out of tee joints or angle of drought and we can believe the irons? Even hardware has seasons and if rhododendrons will survive the winter. At you fail to construct at the proper time what least if they don't we can't blame lack of the rest of the U.S. is constructing, you may rain. Daylight starts noticeably later even well never construct it at all. after moving the clocks back and if you get Fall is letter writing time. We can no up at your habitual six o'clock you have to longer postpone those bread and butter let• fill in time indoors until well after sunrise - ters thanking other gardeners for garden the sun, late and low, lacks warmth and it tours, longed-for plants and overnight stays. could be ten o'clock before gardening If you postpone until December no-one will outside seems attractive. These are the days believe your excuse that you 'only just got to rake leaves, pull brambles and goldenrod back'. But the real reason for most mail in at the edges of the woodland, construct a the Fall is seed. Many packets change hands new bed, make a new path, install snow each year. Plants admired in gardens have fence. All the jobs that use energy. The to have their seed harvested and sent to the hideous paraphernalia of winter is dragged admirer. Seedlists have to be supplied. out - gloves caked in March mud, long Widely separated plant friends exchange johns and old sweaters, boots to replace the their own seedlists. It is an easy way to give sneakers which now seem so flimsy. These plants, not a straight forward gift but more garments are reassembled from their like a kit for making a harpsichord instead summer hiding places with reluctance. We of the instrument itself. The pleasure will wish Winter would delay its arrival but cold involve work and care and a two year wait knees and frozen toes demand a change of for the first flower.Seed s are less a gift than costume. Our macho alter ego puts up a an opportunity. And what do you do with struggle, but cold wins. Once dressed for it, seeds you don't w ant? If you do nothing you making araised bed with cinderblocks is an will have a sense of willful waste and un• exciting game instead of an ordeal. The easy feelings of guilt. If you get seed of a gardener looks around for other creative plant you already grow you feel obliged to jobs with a godlike feeling of T can do find another home for it. If seed is choice or anything now I am in Winter underwear if it comes from a famous garden or a dear (provided I can find the hammer and the friend, I sow a little even if I already have staple gun, start the leaf shredder and the the plant. So I usually sow everything I get. chainsaw, and provided I bought in enough My rationalizations are: I want to compare black plastic, roofing nails, burlap and the plant I have with this one; it may be a

222 new form; I can verify the name. My rea• comes it will snow hard and you will have sons are: My plant may die, I want more forgotten what you were doing by the time seedlings coming along; somebody will the snow has gone. Of course the last day want the seedlings; I just can't dump it. concept is an illusion, there are alw ays days I sow seed in fifty percent coarse sand, in mid winter when something seems pos• fifty percent peat based soilless mix and a sible but it is never the unfinished work of handful of slow release fertilizer; cover November. with a sprinkling of sand; place in lattice October and November are animal bottom trays; place the trays outside on months. In October the chipmunks are still tables exposed to the weather except for the storing food, some of it is from your garden. protection of an inverted tray. Since I have As you cut down plant remains you may had no systematic failures, I continue with notice the hole of an animal actually living this method though I am certain there are in the garden - even in a raised bed. You can better methods for other people. I cannot stuff an oily rag into the hole - two attempts claim any success with Cypripedium, Acan- is usually enough to discourage a chipmunk, tholimon, Salix, Soldanella or Rhododen• more for a woodchuck. Equally devastating dron amongst others. One thing you need is are the footprints of deer in newly planted room for the tables. You need tables be• beds. Whole plants can be wrenched out, cause stooping over a coldframe to inspect chewed on and left high and dry. Armerias pots for germination in March and April is are very susceptible to this treatment, but back breaking, and because a table is easy nothing is exempt. So there is a constant to keep clear of snow when you w ant to add rescue operation going on through mid trays in January and February. Also mice November. None of the aromatic deterrents like to inspect cold frames and the height of seem to work satisfactorily and I am now a table is an extra obstacle. covering precious raised beds with spun October and November are not too late polyester 'blanket' or polypropylene to turn the compost heap unless it is already netting. Beds with good drainage suffer unpleasantly wet. My 'compost' is mostly most as the surface is loose sand and stone. sod, green stuff gets absorbed fairly rapidly Woodland suffers less from clumsy hooves so turning aheap is rather like digging a bed than from careful teeth. From mid November once the top layer has been dragged off. By until the ground is frozen hard there are the time you get to the bottom two feet of a hunters around and the damage seems to four foot high heap that has been sitting for decrease. Snow makes the garden even two years, the soil is mellow and crumbly safer so a heavy snowfall has a calming enough to be used to fill a hole in the garden effect on the nerves .There is a lot of anger or to plant a tree in the arboretum (meadow). and anxiety generated by animals but very In November you have to assume that few gardeners actually shoot them. We every day in the garden is the last. It could seem to live at the edge of success - never freeze, snow etc. You could be dead before really free of unpredictable outside agents thenextworkday. So at some point thebarn thatmindlessly arbitrate what will and what must be cleaned out so that each day all the will not succeed. Is there some character tools and carts can be stored there in case it building in all this that compensates for the really is the last day. When the 'last day' tribulations of Fall? Perhaps our pride is

223 subdued and our vanity disciplined while The garden is both clarified and each small success becomes an occasion mysteriously transfigured. As we wander for thanksgiving. But how irritating to have though the woodland garden, paths are to thank a deer for not eating your Dianthus blurred with leaves; where the landmarks in alpinus. summer were lilies they are now sharp Some time in November you have to budded rhododendrons and piles of freshly roll up the hoses and put them away - if you cut logs waiting to be hauled up to the leave it too late you will be stuck with house. The larches have had their brief several yards of intractable hard plastic that fortnight of glory and have shed their bronze would rather break than roll. Empty needles. Pines, spruces and hemlocks now vulnerable water pipes. Don't leave buckets assert themselves through fascinating upright to fill with water and freeze solid variations on the conical theme and bulging the bottoms. Bring in the shovels rhododendrons attempt variations on the from the compost heap, the sand pile and hemisphere. In the raised beds and the woodchip pile. They all freeze solid. containers the buns and mats mutely explain Turn on the greenhouse heat. Close the survival in a hostile climate. The grey and doors and windows at night, open them in silver mats of Artemisia assoana, the day. It will heat up to 80 degrees in Antennaria dioica, Arenaria tetraquetra November on a sunny day. Everything is and anonymous Hieraciums show off and common sense. Everybody knows these Douglasias, Androsaces and Asperulas are things and everybody forgets at some time at their most loveable. Crucifers form soft, to do them. fat, neat pillows after a summer's untidy sprawl. Iberis, Aubrieta and variegated The leaves are down and the sun is Arabis combining into a gleaming gladness about as high in November as it is in of greens. One or two drabas are brash February, but what a difference! November enough to open a few flowers and we grass has a warm ripe look and the lawns are gratefully accept this token that true Spring lush. There is no snow to echo the sky, the will follow in four months or less. earth is still earthy and accepts moisture. And November is blessed and cursed with This piece completes the seasons in the strange and beautiful lights, mists and fogs. rock garden year.

The easiest way to tell the difference between young plants and weeds is to pull up everything. If they come up again, they're weeds. Anonymous

I spend half my time praying for sunshine and half my time praying for rain. Why, oh, why didn't I stay with the certainties of the roulette table instead of gambling on plants? Henry M cLemore

224 Out of the Seed Pot and into the Garden

Judy Glattstein

Gardeners are a greedy lot. There is we will not name back home in Connecticut always a new plant to be sought out. Use of had been saying snide things like "Sedan? the singular is perhaps a poor choice as few Maybe you can rent a van. Or a tractor of us restrict such acquisitiveness to "just trailer.") But we (gardeners) rise above such one more". A visit to a friend's garden, a petty comments. So I drove. North Carolina visit to anyone's garden, an image flashed is not as close to Wilmington as I had on the screen in a darkened lecture hall, thought. So I drove some more. And stopped description in a nursery catalog, in a book - at Kurt Bluemel's nursery and stuffed in a any of these can trigger the possessive reflex. few more plants. Then at the meeting a great Not, mind you, that there is a definite place Garden Faire was held. With nurseries in the garden scheme for this plant. Such selling plants. The front passenger's seat covetousness is not the result of a rational was still clear at this point. So I bought some scheme -1 need something apricot with a more. An excellent set of directions to spike-like flower less than two feet tall to gardens and nurseries had been included combine with"X". No indeed, it is more like with the registration packet, so on Monday "Geoffrey, What is that lovely thing?! I traipsed around to three gardens. And Knifophia galpinii? Thank you." and into another nursery. It fit, it all fit, nothing on my memory banks (somewhat faulty, a the roof rack, nothing up my sleeve. I could notebook really works much better) goes even see out the rear view mirror. that name. That plant is now a dormant But once I got home, what then? I did trigger for the Acquire Reflex. Which works not have the foggiest idea where most of as, See It, Grab It. these plants were going to go for a permanent Now it made perfect sense to me that my location. Some of them are rather small to trip to Wilmington, Delaware for the 1989 compete with the weeds that spring up when ARGS Annual Meeting should start in I am off on these jaunts. After all, rain and Durham, North Carolina. My sense of warm weather and weeds seem to grow on geography is rather vague and once I've fast-forward. But this is all taken care of. crossed over the Tappan Zee Bridge into For one of the most important places in my New Jersey, everything between here and garden is the propagation area. Here I have tends to get condensed. A lovely the tool shed = keep-your-junk-out-of-my- few days were spent visiting around - garage, alpine house = walk-in cold frame, Holbrook Farm and Nursery, We-Du, and the propagation beds. Montrose Nursery, private gardens, And the propagation beds are an bookstores, craft shops - but I digress. By extremely important adjunct to my garden. the time I picked up the rental car and got it There are several, in a lightly shaded area loaded, the back seat and back floor were behind the tool shed and alpine house. Each pretty well occupied with plants. (Someone bed is eight feet long by four feet wide. This

225 width means that all parts of the bed can be much better, i.e. fewer of them die. reached from outside without walking into I prefer holding beds to pots for several the bed. They are framed with three railroad reasons. Firstly, there is no need to look for ties, two whole ties for the length and two the proper size pot. The holding beds adjust half-ties for the width. Each tie is sunk part to everything from trees to rock garden way into the ground, raising the surface of plants to bulbs. Secondly, watering is less of each bed approximately five inches. The a concern. Pots dry out quickly while the soil within each bed is the original soil with larger soil mass within the holding beds is the addition of compost, peat moss and subject to more gradual fluctuations. Thirdly, coarse sand to improve texture and drainage winter storage is simpler in that small pots even further. While I do recommend trowels need a coldframe or alpine house to protect and shovels, the soil in these beds is light the roots from freezing. The holding beds enough to dig with your hands. Hard on the are an easier solution. Fourthly, I do not fingernails though. need to worry about plants becoming root- The beds are useful for newly purchased bound in an undersized pot. If a Japanese or donated plants which need some thought maple or rooted azalea cutting stay in the before placement in the garden. They serve holding bed for a couple of years they are in as a growing-on area for seedlings or small fine condition when I finally get around to plants that need a little more help before planting them out. planting out. Often when dividing plants So if you have ever found yourself in there will be a small piece or two that are my situation, walking around the garden worth growing on in a holding area for with a pot in your hand, murmuring "Now, future gifts or trading. I do not like to take now dear, we'll find you a home. Don't bare-root plants which have just arrived worry, you'll get planted." try aholding bed. from overseas and stuff them directly in the It makes life much easier. And, oh yes, the garden. A little more coddling is helpful to Knifophia galpinii? I found them at We- far travelers. Soaking the roots for a couple Du. of hours in a dilute fertilizer solution, dipping in dry sand to coat and separate the roots, Judy Glattstein, Wilton, CT, writes and planted into a holding bed they fare frequently for the ARGS Bulletin. A Southern Rock Garden?

Mildred M. Pinnell

A Rock Garden in the South? Many with a specified soil mixture of sandy loam, purists may gasp, including those who peat, sand, and grit. The mulch used over believe a Rock Garden should only be the entire garden was a coarse, light-colored devoted to growing alpine plants from high, rock particle, 1/8" to 1/4" in diameter, a mountainous regions of the world. But waste product of washing river sand in the denied this opportunity due to hot (average Atlanta area.There are many active members high temperature 88 degrees F.), humid of the ARGS in the south-eastern United summers and relatively low elevation (998 States and we consulted several of them feet), our broader interpretation of "Rock during the planning stages and plant Garden" includes "gardening among rocks" selection process. The only restriction we with choice, unusual dwarf perennials, had for plants was that most should be fairly shrubs, conifers, bulbs, grasses, and sun-tolerant, as only about one-quarter of succulents. The opening of the Dorothy the garden receives about three hours of Chapman Fuqua Conservatory this past early morning shade; the remainder is in full March provided the Atlanta Botanical sun until late afternoon. Dr. Don Jacobs of Garden with the opportunity to expand its Decatur, Georgia provided a wealth of outdoor gardens. Included in this expansion information, as well as a practical example was a Rock Garden. with his own garden. We also visited Sandra Our largest obstacle in establishing a Ladendorf and Nancy Goodwin in the Rock Garden was how to deal with our Chapel Hill, N.C. area, Alan Bush in climate - humidity and relatively high Fletcher, N.C. and communicated with Ev rainfall, including wet, damp winters. Whittemore near Ashville, N.C. All were Compounding the problem is our sticky, very generous with their time, plant moisture-retentive clay soil - a deadly suggestions, as well as enthusiasm. Our combination which can quickly cause plants, plant selection was based on our particularly alpine plants, to rot or "melt" observations, recommendations from fellow into the ground. To overcome these gardeners, and "dwarf relatives of plants problems, we paid careful attention to site which had performed well here at ABG (for selection, soil preparation, irrigation, and instance, Aster 'Alice Haslem', Solidago mulch. The site chosen was an east-facing spathulata 'Nana', and Helichrysum slope, 120' long, 8' wide at its widest point, angustifolium 'Nana'). and 6' high at its highest point. All of the The Rock Garden planting was clay soil was removed to a depth of 3 feet. completed in early April. Spring and early Large granite boulders were placed in the summer have been a success as far as plant site and underground irrigation with drip growth and flowering are concerned. emitters was laid over the entire area of the However, it will take several years of Rock Garden. The area was then back-filled continued experimentation and observation

227 to determine which plants can survive in our There have been many surprises as well area. The woody plants were chosen to (even with record-setting rains in June), provide a framework for the herbaceous mainly with plants which are typically perennials, bulbs, and succulents. The thought of as ' alpine plants'. These include Genistas (aetnensis, dalmatica, Achillea tomentosum and ageratifolia; delphinensis, lydia, and tinctoria) provided Limonium bellidifolium and minutum; color throughout late April and May. Other Lithodora diffusa 'Grace Ward' (of woody plants which have enjoyed a good questionable hardiness, but it bloomed for spring and summer include Leiophyllum the entire month of March); Anagallis buxifolium 'Compactum', Indigofera, monelliii 'Pacific Blue'; Globularia Lonicera nitida, Cornus florida 'Pygmy' cordifolia; Erysimum alpinum; and the Salix (repens argentea, uva-ursi, Acantholimon glumaceum (in bloom for and yezoalpina). Herbaceous plants which three weeks in early spring). The Phlox have proven successful include iheDianthus mesoleuca forms, 'Arroyo' and 'Manzana', (amurensis, gratianopolitanus 'Karlik', have proven to be tough plants, with plumarius 'Ballade', and 'La Bourbille'); 'Arroyo' in continuous bloom from May Erodium (chamaedryoides roseum, through early July. Many of the western cheilanthifolium.petraeum crispum)- all in Penstemon 'Wax Works', cardwelliii bloom for three months; Nierembergia roseus, hallii, menziesii, pinifolius, and scoparia albiflora; Phlox (pilosa, amoena, crandallii procumbens. procumbens, stolonifera 'Pink Ridge', Funding for the Atlanta Botanical subulata 'Millstream Daphne' and Garden's Rock Garden was provided by 'Millstream Jupiter'); Erysimum 'Bowles' Equifax, Inc. Again, our Rock Garden is a Mauve' (in bloom since February); and the large experiment, with only time, trial and creeping Veronicas (' Minuet',' S arabande', error determining the success stories. We 'Waterperry', armena, cinerea, incana are excited by our beginning and anticipate 'Nana', and repens). its continued growth and change. As it A grouping of typical "herbs" has also matures, hopefully the Rock Garden will done quite well. These include Origanum convert the "non-believers" - those that rotundifolium, pulchellum, and think a Rock Garden cannot succeed in the microphyllum; Helichrysum angustifolium South. 'Nana'; Lavandula angustifolia 'Nana'; Teucrium subspinosum; Thymus x 'Peter Davis', camphorata, and serpyllum; and Mildred M. Pinnell is Horticulturist, Marrubium rotundifolium. Atlanta Botanical Garden.

He who plants seed plants life. USD A Yearbook 1961

228

A Trek in Nepal

Audrey Williams

In September of 1987, not long after we Here we had to cross the first of the returned from a trip to Turkey, we learned rushing rivers that barred our way during that we had the opportunity to go to Nepal the trek. With the aid of the Sherpas we to see the high elevation plants in bloom - waded almost thigh deep in places, through - the luck of the draw! We were warned that the murky, warm water. It was not unpleasant it would be wet, as this would be the height to be soaking wet as we plodded gently of the monsoon. We knew that it would be uphill and down towards our first campsite hot and humid at the 1,450 ft. elevation in a school yard; to a world where no wheeled beginning of our trek, but after several days vehiclemoved.no aircraft flew,no telephone walk we would be in the rain shadow of rang and where there were no toilets, no Annapurna and that eventually just below showers and no electric lights. our objective Thorong La (apass at 17,800 Those first three hours remain a ft.) we would be glad to have down jackets. kaleidoscope of impressions: sky light So it was with some trepidation the my reflecting in the watery fields where sari- husband Geoff and I set off for Kathmandu, clad women planted fresh green rice plants; by way of Hong Kong, to join the first disfigured trees, chopped about to provide Alpine Garden Society expedition to the firewood; a water buffalo, huge and black, Marsyandi Valley led by Christopher Grey pulling a plough through thick black mud; - Wilson of Kew. We landed in Kathmandu smiling children asking for pens and above (4,500 ft.) in pouring rain with a few days to all the overwhelming heat and humidity explore the city before our fellow travellers that made me wonder if I would ever reach flew in from England. Somehow we survived camp. I was to have the same fear many the rain, the traffic and the food which we times in the days that followed. were terrified would overcome us before There were some luxuries — early the great expedition started. morning tea in bed, albeit at 5:30 a.m., And an expedition it was! At its greatest followed by warm water to wash in; cooked our entourage included, besides the 21 of meals - breakfast, lunch and supper; tents us, the Sirdar, Chuldum, the young Sherpa erected and packs carried. It all seemed very commander-in-chief of six Sherpas, the head civilized at first, but we quickly realized cook and his six cookboys and 56 porters. that we needed those luxuries to survive the At Dumre, after a hair-raising six hour bus heat. ride, the porters loaded our baggage, It was in the early hours of a misty, provisions, tents, cooking equipment, dining moist morning that we started in earnest on tent, tables and stools, and kitchen stove; the rough jeep-track road to Manang, passing (everything but the kitchen sink) on their the brilliant green ricefields with iridescent backs and the mighty army moved forward dragonflies hovering above. In some fields, - all of a hundred yards! browning cornstalks were still standing.

230 The terraced fields, curving with the contours violet and white flowers over tiny crinkled of the land, reached high up the leaves. Polunin says that it survives the dry mountainsides as far as the eye could see as season, withered and seemingly lifeless on we headed north, up the broad river valley dry rocks. I was feeling cooler and much towards the mist-shrouded peaks of more energetic except of course that the Annapurna which we did not see until several route was more difficult, ascending steeply, days later, and then only briefly and rarely. and it seemed descending just as sharply Wherever it was impossible to grow and just as far. That night were spent in a food, usually on steep banks, native and "Hotel" at Thai, our third night in such introduced plants took over, growing accommodation. For once again there was luxuriantly. As I toiled on in the increasing no flat place that was not under cultivation heat, dripping with perspiration, sloshing for us to camp. I think we all agreed that through creeks, and inching nervously across tents were preferable to the Nepal substitutes flimsy suspension bridges, I was aware of for the Hilton, even with baby frogs for the plants — the ferns and Selaginellas, the bedmates. After we left Thai, our Sirdar, orchids and the gingers that I did not have Childum, ceased to wear his "wellies" the energy to examine properly. Some things (Wellington boots/rubber boots) and it did stand out; the pink fluffy flowers of became obvious that we were entering the Mimosa rubricaulis, a tall prickly native rain shadow. Not that it rained any less shrub and the lower growing similarly frequently, but we saw the first pines and flowered M. pudica, the sensitive plant, a eventually the forest took over and we could native of tropical America. I remember the almost imagine we were walking in the beauty of the leaves and pure white flowers woods near home, except for the monkeys of Begonia picta. Introduced plants from that leaped from branch to branch above us. tropical/semi-tropical regions around the Here were familiar woodland plants, world are well established in Nepal; even some of the same species as at home. Bougainvillea from Brazil, Poinsettia from There was Goodyeara repens, the Mexico and from temperate regions, the rattlesnake plantain, with its beautifully North American milkweed with attendant marked leaves and dowdy off-white orchid butterflies, and even the humble marigold. flowers and Monotropa hypopitys that we But our expedition was not to look at call Indian pipes in B.C., where its ghosdy these "tropicals" of Nepal and many of the white flowers gleam in the deepest shade, questions about the plants we saw in those though here the flowerswer e pale yellow. A first few grueling days remain unanswered. familiar garden plant was Bergenia ciliata On about the sixth day, I recall travelling with clusters of pink flowers, clinging to a steadily uphill in a deep gorge and feeling rocky hillside, near yet another of the myriad almost human again. There were fewer waterfalls. Not far away were the precisely- people about, no audience of small children spaced drooping white bells on arching at our lunch stop and we found a tiny stems of Polygonatum multiflorum. Gesneriad growing amongst mossy wet As the forest became more open the rocks, in the shady cliffs beside the trail. earth more sandy, we saw more familiar Corallodiscus lanuginosus looks like a plants: Androsace strigillosa, its red-backed miniature Haberlea with long stemmed white flowers on tall stems and Anaphalis

231 triplinervis silvery-leaved and white mandu Valley. It is a tall plant with large flowered, very MkeAnaphalis margaritacea, pedate leaves and a glaucous green spathe our common pearly everlasting which is which bends forward at right angles, shell• native in Nepal too, though we never saw it. like to protect the spadix within. From the Eventually we came into park-like country spadix, a tapering appendage of deep purple where the Tibetan holy trees, Juniper us curves outwards and then upwards forming squamata and J. recurva were scattered a spire several inches higher than the spathe. among thepines (Pinus wallichiana), spruce, A much smaller and more graceful plant Picea smithiana and hemlock, Tsuga is jacquemontii, its pale green dumosa. and white-striped spathe terminating in a We had seen several species of wild green or purple tail-like tip. The spadix in rose but the commonest now was Rosa contrast has only a short blunt tip that barely sericea. Its creamy-white four petalled protrudes from the mouth of the spathe flowers were liberally sprinkled on branches tube. The of some/4 risaemas are said festooned with Clematis vernayi. The to be used as flour when dried and ground coppery red to orange and even greenish- up. Beyond Pisang, we saw many more of yellow hanging bells and feathery seed heads the choice plants we had come to see. For of the Clematis made a beautiful contrast sometime we had been seeing scattered with the pale roses. plants of Stellera chamaejasme, an herba• At the camping place in the village of ceous Daphne relative with very fragrant Pisang, we knew we were into dry country flow ers, deep red in the bud opening to pure when we found our tents pitched on a carpet white. The tubular flowers form rounded of fragrant Thymus linearis intermingled clusters at the top of leafy stems and fortu• withAstragalus willamsii's lavender flowers nately the plant does not seem to be on the and silver leaves. In the damper places grew menu for the local livestock. I couldn't find the smaWArisaema flava, its yellow flowers anything resembling seed but I hope it will more showy than many of the Jack in-the- get into the seed lists soon. We did see an pulpits we had seen, but not so graceful. occasional yellow-budded form, but this All the have bold foliage was not as attractive to me. with an architectural quality that sets off the Once into higher and drier country, we showy spathe enclosing the spadix of in• spent more time acclimatizing to the alti• conspicuous flowers. Both spathe and spa• tude. A two-night stay beside the Sacred dix have tail-like appendages of varying Lake, a rather small muddy slough by length. These had the purple green or white Canadian standards, allowed us a day to colouring, the snake-like markings and often explore the Sabche Khola to where the foetid smell, which add to the serpentile permanent ice and snow began. A herd of associations of many common names; ser• goats around a primitive hut marked the pent's corn for the fruiting heads of A. highest human habitation, at least for the tortuosum and cobra plant for A. griffithii summer months. On a wonderful hillside, with its snake-like markings. so incredibly steep as to necessitate fre• We first saw A risaema tortuosum grow• quent stops to inhale enough oxygen, we ing on a wooded hillside above the Hindu staggered on through great cushions of temple of Siva at Pashupatinath in the Kath- Saxifraga and Androsace sp. in white and

232 pink, mostly past their best. These were has a rather bluish cast, its circle of bracts difficult to identify and I fear too difficult forming a neat star shape above the tufts of for us to grow. The gem of the day for me grey woolly leaves. Leontopodium was Rhododendron lowndesii which grew himalayanum is larger, its involucre of bracts in crevices of wet rock as well as in the short are rather untidy looking surrounding the turf. The plants were all of four inches tall white flower cluster which turn golden with solitary pale yellow flowers spotted brown as they age. dark red within and held well above the I would like to try the dwarf form of bristle - margined leaves. Anaphalis triplinervis ssp. monocephala in My attention always seems to be drawn the garden. Its solitary pearly everlasting to plants that are not amenable to cultivation flowers are on stems less than four inches - How I wish we could grow the louseworts! tall, the individual yellow florets surrounded We saw Pedicularis bicornuta, a robust by silvery paper bracts. plant about 20" tall with clustered spikes of The words "woolly", "hairy", "silvery' butter-yellow convoluted flowers, and P. seem to appear very frequently in describ• longiflorus var. tubiformis which we found ing the plants we saw and some of the most in damp meadows, its beak-tipped, long- interesting and beautiful can only be de• tubed flowers contrasting with the pale pink scribed in those terms. Onosma bracteatum and white flowers of a common farinose its drooping bells of deep red-purple almost primrose, P. tibetica. I loved the pale cream hidden by long hairy woolly bracts, are very flowers of Pedicularis hoffmeisteri clus• different from another new-to-us Borage tered atop short stems, each nodding hood family member seen earlier. Maharanga enclosing a curving beak. My favorite was emodii reminded me more of Pulmonaria Pedicularis siphonantha which has bright than Onosma (its old name). The leaves are pink flowers with white throats, the whole rather coarse and hairy and the short tubed plant about4" high. The louseworts seem to flowers in drooping clusters, puckered at be shunned by grazing animals and have so the mouth, with pink, blue and purple blos• far defied efforts to bring them into cultiva• soms on the same plant. tion. Maybe like another favorite Another fantastic woolly plant was Scrophulariaceae, the North American Eriophyton wallichii, a dwarf member of Castilleja, they are semi-parasitic. the mint family. Its few flowers, densely Another seemingly ungrowable plant woolly, nestle in whorls around the stem. of high elevations is Cremanthodium. Most The upper lip of each pale purple flower of the species have huge nodding yellow resembling a mushroom cap protecting the daisies and the species intermingle in the interior, is sheltered by toothed leaves cov• highest meadows looking as easy to grow ered with long silky hairs. an any old Helenium or Inula. At 17,000 ft., we found only one flower Among the choicest composites were in bloom, a surprisingly coarse crucifer, the Leontopodiums, brothers of the fabled Christolea crassifolia with vicious magenta edelweiss of the European Alps, and unmis• flowers and coarse unattractive, rough, grey takable with their clustered fabled flowers leaves. According to our leader, it has been surrounded by a ruff of bracts. The smaller recorded at elevations of 22,000 ft. A plant of the two species we saw, L. Ljacotianum, remarkable for its showy bracts was Ajuga

233 lupulina. Its small lavender flowers were original plant here. Did it change colour in hardly noticeable; the main attractions were cultivation, washed out by the rain or does the very large creamy bracts that clothed the it pine for the high mountains? stem, forming a showy spike about 8 inches Primula sikkimensis' drooping pale tall. yellow bells clustered in damp areas often For the first time in the wild, we saw beside cascading streams, though we never several plants we grow in the garden. The saw them as often or in such profusion as we brilliant yellow flowers of Potentilla had expected. The dainty white bells of eriocarpa andP. cuneata are never as bright Primula involucrata were even scarcer, in the garden as they were in a dark, drizzly though we found them growing in crevices canyon at 15,000 ft. where they kept com• of dark rocks running with icy water. We pany with the most beautiful pure turquoise- found a couple of isolated specimens of flowered Meconopsis horridula we have Primula buryana, a smaller and rather ever seen. Here, loose boulders kept cas• similarplant to the endemic,P. wigramiana cading down around us and we beat a hasty that we first mistook it for. retreat. M. horridula, as we grow it, is a Primula wigramiana must be the gem rather dark blue sometimes almost navy; of them all, with pale cream bells nodding and we did see some less desirable colours just enough to display the pinkish lavender in the wild but at its best, M. horridula was calyces, and a sweet perfume. We saw this superb. There is not much to be said for primrose in profusion only once and if we Meconopsis bella; is is small and dainty but had all been of a mind to collect a couple of of a wishy-washy blue that varied very plants, there would have been few left. It little. was a sobering thought, and did not make Cyananthus integer's deep blue flowers the member of our party who dug up carpeted the camp area along with numerous everything is sight, very popular - this, on dwarf pea family members but the more an expedition designated "not a collecting commonly grown C. lobatus was rarer. trip, leave your trowels at home". Polygonum qffine's deep pink, rounded spires were much showier than the pale pink Audrey Williams, North Vancouver BC, form we grow under the name and her husband, Geoff, frequently lecture 'Donald Lowndes', who collected the on plants and plant travel.

234 The Ups and Downs of Moggy Hollow

Ruby Weinberg

An excited Hubert Van Duyne, fine colonized in boggy areas. Wildflowers, some plantsman and owner of Hidden Valley native, but many from other parts of the Nursery in Gillette, N.J., telephoned me world, were established to enhance the over 25 years ago. "I want to take you to a overall interest. With the natural woodland most remarkable garden unlike any other as abackdrop, many ornamental trees, some you have ever seen." We met at the estate of conifers, rhododendrons and azaleas Leonard J. Buck in Far Hills, climbed down completed the plantings. The garden is a narrow path surrounded by heavy connected with grassy plateaus and paths as indigenous woodland, and found ourselves well as bridges crossing the stream that in Moggy Hollow Gorge. Van Duyne was feeds two ponds. right. All about me was an incredible rock Throughout the years, I visited the garden. garden many times, noting the addition of Buck was a mining engineer of rare primulas, native orchids, and many international repute. One of his interests alpine gems. Once, when I wrote to Buck had been the location of mineral deposits by requesting permission to tour the garden I their association with specific flora. He had was amused by his reply. "Donot attemptto also been fascinated with the geological imitate this design," he wrote. (I was then a formations on his own property. Moggy landscape contractor) Could it be that he did Hollow is the lowest part of Buck's 50 acre not fully realize the unique character of the estate. An ancient glacial lake had created site? It was beyond duplication! the floor of this gorge, and had left behind Leonard Buck devoted 40 years of his unusual rock formations. Using dynamite, life to the garden, collecting alpines from Buck had exposed loose trap rock. Some of his travels throughout the world. He was the larger rocks were split to create separate undaunted by the fragility of rock gardens areas. Additional rock from outside was in this part of New Jersey where snowless also used to extend rocky ledges. Then winters, as low as -20 degrees F., sometimes Buck prepared carefully adjusted soil occur; summer droughts, humidity, and mixtures to create habitats for a variety of severe heat are not infrequent; water supplies choice alpines. are usually inconstant; skilled labor is always Together with Zenon Schreiber, a a problem. In fact, Buck usually did a good landscape architect and rock garden part of the work himself, with only one or authority, they planned a series of alpine two gardeners to assist. plantings where each of about 13 outcrops In 1974, Buck died, and the gardens would serve as the focal point for individual began to decline rapidly. Mercifully, two garden areas. Some are in the sun, others in years after his death, his wife Helen deeded the shade. Moisture loving plants were 27 of these acres to the Somerset County

235 Park commission. Preparations began for sprays proved useless as deterrents. In the opening the gardens to the public while summer of '88, Yinger reported that he meantime, park workers tried to save, could not name any choice alpine still restore, and replant to fill the losses that thriving in Moggy Hollow, though he has occurred during the years of neglect. yet to survey spring plantings. A few summer Three succeeding directors were bloomers that have survived are Sedum beginning to make gallant strides in sieboldi, S. nevii, Jeffersonia dubia, transforming the garden to its former glory. Cypripedium parviflorum, Asarum Only recently, in '88, Barry Yinger, (who europaeum, and, in some places, Erica had been Curator of Asian plantings at the hybrids and species. U.S. National Arboretum,) was appointed Happily, funds have, at long last, been as the fourth Supervisor of Horticultural provided for electric fencing which is now Services of the county's park system. In this being installed. It is hoped, and expected, capacity, he is also the Buck Garden's new that the fencing should keep the deer at bay. director. Yinger is faced with enormous The Buck Garden has undergone so many challenges. Throughout this part of N.J., severe problems in the past, problems that once a rural and agricultural enclave, were at least temporarily solved, that the increased housing development has forced visitor can now look forward to a promising marauding herds of deer to flourish in every new era in its history. Leonard Buck open field. Gardens have become their salad provided the idea, the inspiration, and the bowl. At Moggy Hollow, the deer began site. The reestablishment of Moggy Hollow munching on azaleas and trees, and as they as a home for the most choice of alpines, is increased in number, included in their diet a project with exciting prospects. parts of rhododendron, evergreens, and rock plants. According to Barry Yinger, only Ruby Weinberg, Califon, N.J., has most Epimedium, Primula japonica, and ferns recently been chairman of the Watnong were ignored by the deer. A variety of Chapter of ARGS.

236 Alpine Regions Are in A Fragile Ecology

Rob Grail

Is love blind? Perhaps, for the rock temperature, wind, water, exposure to sun, gardener who is in the midstof the mountains and geomorphic processes such as wading through wet high mountain permafrost, frost heaving, needle ice meadows, or scrambling across perilous formation, and solifluction. In almost every scree, or striding over the alpine tundra in case where plants have colonized, a fragile search of those plants that make the heart equilibrium exists between the alpine flora race and that satisfy the botanical cravings and the constructive / destructive forces of the enthusiast and connoisseur alike, which prevail. In order to comprehend the love is blinkered. The senses are tenous nature of this relationship, we have overwhelmed by the clear blue sky, the to understand how these environmental snowy, jagged peaks, the clean, crisp, factors affect the formation of soil and the mountain air, and the tapestry of flowing lives of the plants. mats of color and broken stone. The mind is Low air and soil temperatures busy reeling off Latin names, recording characterize the alpine region; the growing minute variations in form and color, and season is short and cool with the possibility evaluating the conditions which allow such of frost occurring almost any time. Long floral beauty to exist. It is in this silent periods of biologic inactivity in the soil are contemplation that blindness exists. In our the result of low mean annual soil evaluation of the conditions which prevail temperatures. Soil fungi and bacteria which in the alpine environment we do not see decompose organic matter are active for ourselves, even though at that very moment, only short periods of time in extremely we have become one of the most influential restricted areas of the soil which results in factors in the survival of the alpine floral. very little decomposition and the The alpine environment is a place of accumulation of acidic humus only where sublime beauty shaped by the harsh and some vegetation has already become rigorous hands of freezing and thawing, established. subject to the whims of ice and snow; all in Wind is a major erosion factor in an all, it is in a constant state of flux induced by alpine region, and in areas exposed to the forces which grind the mountains down, tearing action of the wind little soil shattering boulders and cliff faces into scree development can occur. Whatever fine and talus slopes, and then pulverizing the particles of organic and mineral matter are fragments into a thin soil. It is under these carried by the wind can only be deposited in conditions that over hundreds and thousands a sheltered area. Cracks, crevices, and the of years alpine plant communities have lee side of boulders provide points of established a tenuous balance with the severe deposition for this material. In areas already elements of their environment. covered by vegetation, any slight disturbance Those factors which are most influential will be immediately taken advantage of by in the development of alpine vegetation are the wind. Its tearing and gouging action can

237 set soil development back hundreds of years. of vegetation. Large areas are kept bare of The increasedevaporation due to wind action plants by the combined action of frost action reduces soil moisture, restricting plant and soil movement because the movement growth, and consequently, humus of rock fragments destroys the root systems accumulation. or disrupts the growth of the plant. Without Precipitation inmountain areas canvary plant growth there can be no humus from a few inches to several feet with two accumulation and no soil development. thirds of this usually being snow. Even if Frost action is most marked in wet areas. snowfall is heavy, in areas where strong Alpine bogs, with their characteristic winds prevail the soil is left bare, thus hummocks, are in a constant state of deprived of thermal insulation, moisture, upheaval and development. Frost and erosion protection. Accumulations of continually raises the hummocks until they snow are mostly beneficial to the alpine are above snowline where the plant cover is flora, but where snow melts rapidly, soil finally torn away and needle ice crumbles washing and sliding occurs. Meltwater the soil which is soon swept away by wind. erosion is generally insignificant where Then, from bare stone to fine mineral grain closed vegetation is present. Trampling of build-up, to the advent of plants and humus alpine plant cover to the degree that it causes accumulation, the frost-hummock cycle the disappearance of plants may open an occurs, a microcosm of the entire alpine soil area up to rapid meltwater erosion. process. Intense solar radiation at high altitudes Solifluction occurs mostly on also restricts thedevelopmentof vegetative impermeable or frozen ground. Extremely cover in many areas. On southern slopes the wet soils which form in poorly drained sun can raise soil temperatures rapidly. The areas become unstable due to a lack of soil resulting higher temperatures are conducive particle cohesion, and then slump downhill. to increased biological activity but the Needle ice is another phenomenon of wet temperature extremes restrict plant soils at high altitudes where freezing colonization to those species specially temperatures are common in the summer. adapted to variable temperatures and intense Slow temperature drops to below the ultraviolet radiation. Coupled with high freezing point favor the development of the winds, the sun accelerates evaporation of ice. It is mos t commonly seen in hummocks soil moisture to such a degree that in order of granulated earth near streams, or in other for plants to survive they must be able to sites with ample moisture, a fine soil, and tolerate desert-like conditions. little or no plant cover. When formed on In those areas where soil moisture is inclined slopes needle ice raises dirt and present intensive frost action becomes a pebbles which roll downslope causing serious disrupter of soil development by considerable soil movement and instability. maintaining an unstable substratum. Ice The soil lifted by needle ice is porous, dries formation in the soil creates a heaving and quickly, and is easily blown away by wind. thrusting of unconsolidated materials and The heaving action of the ice breaks the aids in downslope movement. The soil stems and roots of invading seedlings. instability associated with frost action plays Conversely, needle ice seldom forms where a dominant role in determining the presence there is good plant cover.

238 This intimate causal relation between the parent material beneath. The cold, dark, the soil and the vegetation in the alpine saturated soils of the alpine bog boil with region is an interrelationship that is frost activity, yet are tightly interwoven extremely important when considering the with the roots of hummock plants such as developmental process of either one. The Carex scopulorum and Koenigia islandica high mountain region of the Southern which have established a delicate Rockies provides a good example of how equilibrium with the controlling the plants of this harsh land have achieved environmental factors. In all these locales, a balance with the conditions that exist. plant species act as humus suppliers and soil Where bare rock is crumbled and pulverized stabilizers, contributing to the process of over a long period of time, blown by the soil development and further floral wind to settle in the interstices between the distribution and growth. Disruption of the boulders, Geum rossii, Claytonia balance achieved between plants and the megarrhiza, andSaxifraga caespitosa find rigorous alpine environment by the presence footholds and add their own org anic remains of people opens the soil to the erosive forces to further enriching the soil and capture of wind, water, and frost. moisture dripping down the boulder sides. When we admire the wide range of The rudimentary soil of the fell field is plants that compose alpine communities, dusty and gritty, exposed to wind and sun, and we marvel how they have adapted to the prone to rapid drainage and summer drought, restrictive conditions of the mountains and and dotted here and there with the low arctic regions, we should consider the fact growing cushions and polsters of Phlox that they have developed and survived in condensata, Primula angustifolia, Draba the absence of people. In his book, Rock crassifolia, Silene acaulis, and Trifolium Gardening, Line Foster suggests that "the nanum. The shifting rocks of talus and scree plants we classify as typical rock garden slopes offer little in the way of a secure plants... are relegated to thesebleak aspects footing as they smother the crowns and tear by a constitutional fragility that will not the roots of vegetation attempting to establish permit them to compete with the stronger itself. Dryas octopetala thrives in these vegetation needing better soil." This accu• exposed areas, its elaborate root system rate yet seemingly paradoxical description, eventually stabilizing the "soil" and considering the conditions under which these enrichening it with nitrogen, its sprawling plants exist, can be expanded to include the woody branches catching dirt and plant fact that they evolved mainly in the absence debris which eventually becomes humus of the human presence. Just as better soil that serves as a favorable seed bed for and stronger vegetation are atypical in the grasses which in turn become the center of alpine region, so are we. People are simply tuft formation of the talus. The gentle slopes an unnatural part of the alpine environment. of the alpine meadows which remain As we stroll through the alpine meadow or relatively free of snow accumulation are scramble over rocky slopes, we become an dominated by grasses and sedges such as additional factor in the struggle for sur• Kobresia macrocarpa and Carex elynoides vival, a factor that could tip the scales and whose extensive fibrous root systems ramify adversely affect the very plants we cherish. the upper soil layers and continue to alter Even though the effects of our presence

239 aren't always immediately obvious, our presence that are more severe. What appear passage through plant communities alters to be harmless changes, and more than them in subtle ways. Our footsteps injure likely, they would be inconsequential in a plant tissue, and through the loss of leaves more resilient environment, can actually be or stems, the process of photosynthesis is lethal to plants which have developed highly interrupted or stopped completely. The specialized ways of adapting to the severity resulting growth is slower, resulting in of the alpine region. smaller plants which produce fewer flow• In ericaceous meadows of some north• ers, and consequently, reproduction is western mountain regions, trampling by diminished. Those plants most susceptible people has precipitated what could become to damage become less common, and as an the destruction of vast areas of plants like area is exposed to so much trampling that all Cassiope mertensiana, C. tetragona, Phyl- plants are affected, barren areas develop. In lodoce glanduliflora, P. impetriformis, and an environment where cold temperatures, Arctostaphyllos uva-ursi. Openings appear high winds, and ice prevail, the healing of in the plant cover after a plant is stepped on plant tissue proceeds slowly once damage just a few times, and the plants are unable to occurs. Cold preserves the impact caused close the hole. An irreversible cycle of by people by extending the time required erosion is initiated by needle ice which lifts for recovery. If the extent of impact de• the soil and subjects it to wind and water. As pends on the durability of the environment the shallow roots of these ericaceous plants as well as the time it takes to recover from are torn or exposed, the plants die. What at injury, then the alpine region could possibly first is a small bare spot of exposed soil be the most fragile environment of all. becomes larger, and if occurring in abun• The degree of impact caused by the lone dance, can result in the destruction of the rock gardener strolling through the alpine meadow community. It has been estimated countryside can be minimal or nonexistent. that some of these meadows can be ten However, the greater the number of people, thousand years old. the more serious the damage. Some plants I personally do not advocate abstaining will not survive being stepped on more than from walks above treeline, for I do not a few times and certain unstable soils begin believe that is truly the answer. The beauty eroding even with light use by people. Even that exists among the mountain tops and the as few as fifteen or twenty people walking intellectually stimulating diversity of plant along the same route in a year leave a types and forms scattered in isolated groups noticeable path. Others are attracted by an between the rocks or spreading in sheets of obvious trail, and the effects of human floral splendor through the meadows is for passage in a fragile land are compounded. all humanity to enjoy. But, I do believe that To make matters worse, visitors to the al• people, especially rock gardeners, must pine regions are usually present in the great• accept responsibility for the consequences est numbers at the peak of the growing of their actions regardless of the fact that the season when plants are most vulnerable. In motive is love and admiration. Once we are an environmental sense, human responsi• aware of our effect on the alpine environ• bility in alpine areas is the same as any• ment, we can take steps to eliminate or where else, it is the consequences of our minimize the adverse impact we create.

240 Many places in the alpine region are it in the past. I have great love for the natural resistant to human impact. Bare rock and beauty which we are all so fortunate to snow are the best surfaces on which to experience and it has only been through travel. Dry meadows are also resistant to ignorance that I believe we all cause it harm. impact because the soils are held together My most recent memory is the result of by the matlike, fibrous root systems of participating in the annual meeting in Oregon grasses and sedges. It is still important to this past summer, and in being one of the remember not to step on any one place too many alpine plant admirers that scrambled often and to travel singly or in smallparties, over the rocks of Mount Hood and through being careful to spread out so as not to themoistmeadows which adorn the volcanic follow the paths of others. Follow gentle slopes. It was wonderful to be there with all slopes wherever possible, and if steep slopes those fine people, revelling in the sights of must be traversed, movement should be Lupinus lepidus, Saxifraga tolmeii, slow and cautious. Water saturated soils Eriogonum ovalifolium, Calochortus such as wetmeadows are best avoided, or at subalpinus, and numerous other plants I least treated with care, particularly if the had only seen in books or on slide screens. ground slopes and is covered with low However, there were times when I believe woody plants which lack the resilience of that in being so captivated by what we were grasses and sedges. Wherever possible, seeing and by where we were, we were traveling by trails is preferred over an off- oblivious to what we were doing, and in our trail route. And, although it may mean wet ignorance, caused harm to that which we feet, it is better to cross mudholes and snow• cherished. It is my hope that if we can all banks directly than to attempt to skirt them nurture a growing awareness of our own and in the process enlarge the trail. affect upon the alpine regions we love, and My own concern is the direct result of a develop that insight into an "alpine ethic", still growing awareness of how this world perhaps we will avoid loving our mountain of ours works, and a deep-seated guilt to death. spawned by memories of how I have treated Rob Grail lives in Warren, CT.

241 The Dr. Edgar T. Wherry Award

Dr. Arthur R. Kruckeberg

The presentation of the Dr. Edgar T. such plants has been greatly aided through Wherry Award to Dr. Arthur R. Kruckeberg the MSK Nursery which Mareen operates. seems particularly appropriate when we Another plus added to Art's many-faceted review the many contributions that Dr. reputation was when, in 1966, a western Kruckeberg has made to the study of native fern was named Polystichum kruckebergii. American plants and to his dissemination His professional interest in botany has of information about them. not prevented Art from assisting the His knowledge of plant has AMERICAN ROCK GARDEN SOCIETY earned for him a respected place in the in practical ways. He was Director of the American Society for Plant Taxonomy. Seed Exchange from the fall of 1957 to the His two monographs and related papers on spring of 1960. He was Northwestern Serpentine Flora have brought him Chapter Chairman during 1960 - 61. He international recognition. Two research and his wife graciously give the use of their grants enabled him to pursue this study in garden and yard for countless plant sales, considerable depth. His botanical and picnics and other Northwestern Chapter horticultural background equipped him well activities. These services indicate truly to serve on the Graduate Student generous devotion to our organization. Supervisory Committee for more than The University of Washington twenty candidates for advanced degrees at Arboretum Bulletin has welcomed articles the University of Washington where he is a that Dr. Kruckeberg has written. In addition, Professor of Botany and has taken his turn he has served on its Editorial Board. Hehas as chairman of that department from 1971 given programs for ARGS groups as well through 1977. He has inculcated in many of as for other organizations. In these talks he his undergraduate students a sincere concern offers his audiences practical scientific for native plants and their relation to our concepts of plant taxonomy, physiology, lives. ecology and distribution. His mastery of Art helped found the Washington Native the English language and his skillful Plant Society and is currently editor of its handling of words always increases the newsletterD(9t/GL/4SA4. His new book on pleasure people derive from such Ecology of the Pacific Northwest will soon presentations. be released. His popular 1982 book, It is fitting that we should present the GARDENING WITH NATIVE PLANTS OF Dr. Edgar T. Wherry Award to Dr. Arthur THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, attests to R. Kruckeberg who will add luster to its the keen interest he and his wife, Mareen, esteemed value. have in theeultivation and actual landscape use of native plants. The distribution of Frances Roberson

242

Marcel LePiniec Award Floyd McMullen

The American Rock Garden Society memory for details of location, habit, and has named Floyd McMullen, a founding form of alpine plants is encyclopedic and member of the Columbia-Willamette always at the service of others. He has also Chapter, as the recipient of the prestigious explored and collected in the mountains of Marcel LePiniec Award, for his Spain, the Alps, Greece, northern extraordinary career as a plant explorer and Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, and Romania, and grower. The award has been given annually ranges in Austria, Germany, and northern since 1969; its recipients includemany great Italy. He made many of these European contributors to the rock garden. This is the trips with Dr. David Hale and their wives; first time one of the three national ARGS this year they went to Turkey. awards has been bestowed on a member of Some of the exceptional forms of alpine our chapter. plants that Floyd discovered over the years Floyd was born in 1907 in Iowa and have been introduced through the nursery moved to Oregon at an early age. He worked trade, or through the seed and cuttings he for many years for AT&T, retiring as an has generously provided to other gardeners. administrator and long-range planner. He Among the best known are Cornus nuttallii and his wife Kathleen, a pianist and piano 'Colrigo', Ribes sanguineum 'Elk River teacher, married in 1933 and have two sons. Red', Corydalis aquae-gelidae, Potentilla They built their present home, starting in villosa, Erythronium elegans, Kalmiopsis 1940, a wooded acre in the hills west of leachiana' Umpqua form', a selected form Portland; there Floyd planned and planted of Penstemon cardwellii, Synthyris his remarkable woodland alpine garden. reniformis' Pink form', mdDaphne genkwa. Floyd is a man of the Northwest Floyd has planned, built, and freely mountains, enthusiastic and untiring in his opened to visitors his extraordinary garden search of rare and beautiful forms of alpine in a Douglas fir woodland. It is reputed to plants, and a gracious source of information contain the best form of every species within and advice on the identification, habits, and it, all beautifully grown. There are hundreds cultivation of native plants, shrubs, and of species, including Shortia, Hepatica, trees. With his family and friends - - Anemone, Primula, Penstemon, dwarf including many distinguished plantspeople Mahonia, the beautiful pink vine maple, - - he has discovered, photographed, and Campanulas (including C. piperi), many propagated native plant material extensively. conifers, Stewartias, Rhododendrons, His travels have encompassed all the Kabschia saxifrages, drifts of gentians, mountain ranges of Oregon as well as the meconopsis, and many others. It is a very Northern Rockies, Mt. Borah in , the instructive garden, and an inspiration beyond Kiamath country of Northern California, being enviable; it displays under perfect the Rockies, and the mountains of horticultural conditions, the "best of the southeastern and south central Alaska. His best," on the ground up to 100 feet high.

244 245 Award of Merit Carl A. Gehenio

When one considers rock gardening in saving wildflowers has seen him 'cheat' the Western Pennsylvania the name Carl bulldozers on numerous occasions. Two Gehenio come to mind immediately. His particularly successful rescues resulted in garden and greenhouse are absolute delights, masses of Trillium grandiflorum being filled with innumerable gems of the alpine delivered to Bowman's Hill Wildflower plant world, all grown to perfection in our Preserve in eastern Pennsylvania and at less than ideal climate. least 600 pink ladyslippers being given to Carl is one of the people most the New York Botanical Gardens. He has responsible for the growth and success also been a judge at the Philadelphia flower enjoyed by the Allegheny Chapter of the show several times. ARGS. He is a charter member of the chapter A man with no formal horticulture and the second president of the chapter, training, Carl is an intuitively intelligent serving a five year term. He devotes and inquis itive g ardener whose special talent considerable time and energy creating is the ability to propagate and grow 'difficult' special displays for our annual shows that plants in our environment. His success with always generate a great deal of interest choice, demanding plants, such asAnchusa among visitors, as well as club members. caespitosa, Lewisia cotyledon, many He also, freely and enthusiastically, shares primulas, and the heathers is grand testimony his vast knowledge through talks given at to his skill as a gardener. our club meetings and articles written for For diligently promoting rockgardening our bulletin. At the national level Carl is a and the efforts of the Society at the local and past member of the Board of Directors of national levels the American Rock Garden the ARGS. Society is proud to present to Carl A. But even more, Carl is truly the Gehenio this Award of Merit. consummate gardener. His dedication to -A.W. Deurbrouck

246

Award of Merit

Howard W. Pfeifer

I am very happy to present, on behalf of Some of the talks Howard has given ARGS, this award of merit to my good indicate the breadth of his knowledge: friend—and occasional antagonist—Howard North American Wildflowers Pfeifer. Scientific Names of Plants Howard is a rare creature in our midst: Rhododendrons Suitable for a professional botanist, ssp., taxonomist, the Rock Garden with a sense of humor. He needs it to sit Flora of the Pine Barrens through the constant denunciations of the Flora of Newfoundland ways in which taxonomists make our lives Constructing and Planting of Rock miserable. What's more, Howard is also a Gardens, a new career he embarked on after botanist who has been quoted as saying he taking early retirement from the University wants "to be thought of as a serious of Connecticut. gardener!" and he is, indeed, a serious Howard, who happily corrects my gardener. pronunciation of botanical names, once gave There are several criteria for receiving the show away when he told of asking his an Award of Merit. One is service to the taxonomy professor for guidance on Society. Howard became chairman of the pronunciation. "Say it loudly and firmly Connecticut Chapter almost immediately and you'll be okay." Howard says it all on joining it, was re-elected for another loudly and firmly as he shares his knowledge term and came back years later to serve with us all. (Sometimes surprisingly firmly, again. He has been a member of the Board like the time I proudly showed him a stand of Directors of the National for several of Viola pedata in my garden and his terms where his forthright, direct, outspoken immediate response was "That shows how (O.K., blunt!) speech not only enlivened the poor your soil is.") meetings but, as parliamentarian, kept them The Award of Merit also recognized on track. Memorizing Robert's Rules of those who have made a special study of Order is probably a defense he developed at plants native to the United S tates. Each year endless faculty meetings. Howard leads groups to the Big Homs and Howard knows plants - another criterion other western areas for botanizing and study. for the Award of Merit — and he has shared He also works on his own collection of rare his knowledge at talks to chapters all over and unusual plants, many of which he has the U.S. and Canada as well as Great Britain propagated and distributed. Among them is where the Alpine Garden Society has a dwarf form of Smilacina racemosa v. sponsored his tours. We may wonder what crassa which he discovered on a trip to the British made of him and his ribald Newfoundland, from where he also brought humor but we can be sure he was a fine back a fine form of the yellow lady slipper ambassador. — Cypripedium calceolus pubescense --

248 which he distributed widely. He has also native flora, for his devoted service to ARGS, distributed a low form of our native Aster we are pleased to present this Award of linariifolius. Merit to Howard Pfeifer. So, for his outstanding plantsmanship, for his contributions to the study of our Norman Singer Carlton R. Worth Award

Mabel Gleason Harkness

ThcCarlton R. Worth Award recognizes A fortuitous meeting with Deborah the accomplishment of Mabel Gleason D'Angelo brought the assistance of a Harkness as author of The Bernard E. reference librarian with an exceptionally Harkness Seedlist 11 andbook, as publ ished perceptive eye. A work schedule was set up in its fourth edition by Timber Press. and rigorously held to in time to accept the With entries ranging from the one contract with Timber Press for publication hundred and fifty-foot Abies procera to the with distribution at the end of 1986. minute creeping Mentha requienii, the A native of Oil City, Pennsylvania, Seedlist Handbook is recognized as an Mabel fondly recalls her introduction to indispensable reference for serious botany: As a small child she walked with gardeners of all persuasions. Since the her Aunt Carrie around the yard, her aunt publication of the first edition in 1974, sales giving each plant its name. abroad have been most gratifying, thus Later as a student at the University of establishing a base for communication Rochester Mabel studied general botany among rock gardeners world-wide. and taxonomy, receiving an AB degree in After the death of Bernard Harkness in biology in 1935. During the years 1936 - 38 1980 Mabel continued to fill orders for the she did graduate work in the department of third edition through the tiny Bellona post botany at the University of Michigan. Her office. No one could be more aware than she course work included plant anatomy, plant of the value of the publication, and also of physiology, paleobotany, and the rugged the size of the task of keeping the Handbook study of the family Gramineae. In 1962 she current. was awarded an MS degree in Canadian- In 1983 Mabel began updating entries, American history from the University of more time-consuming each year with the Rochester. ever-lengthening lists from the three In the 1940s Mabel worked as a research societies. Working with Bernard's library, librarian in the engineering division at she has been diligent in searching out Stromberg-Carlson in Rochester. She also additional references to aid in documenting edited a technical magazine for the elusives of the lists. She early began to engineering division. She married Benjamin investigate computerization; again it took Olney, acoustical engineer, who died in persistent pursuing to find whatwould work 1963. From 1953-66 she served as library for such specialized documentation. Many director, The Garden Center of Rochester, frustrating dead ends were encountered. A and as editor of the Garden Center "Bulletin" less dedicated and resourceful person would from 1964 to 1966. have given up, but not Mabel. When Bernard and Mabel were married

250 in 1964 the seed sorting and packaging of year Bernard planted the rock garden at 5 the ARGS seed exchange moved to Mabel's Castle Park, Rochester, Mabel was asked to work table, a collaborative effort which develop a horticultural library at the continued for several years. A common Rochester Garden Center. It is precisely interest in the history of horticulture led to this combination of the librarian's skills in a joint Harkness - Olney research paper on research and documentation plus extensive artist John Walton in Huntia of October, botanical knowledge that make Mabel's 1965. With Bernard's retirement and the contribution of the fourth edition of the move to Pre-Emption Road in 1967, the Harkness Seedlist Handbook so valuable. collaboration centered on gardening, with Another ingredient in this accomplishment Mabel's special interests a productive should be sited: Mabel's dedication to vegetable garden, a fruit orchard, and a continuing a publication welcomed by treasured peony collection. gardeners around the world. It is interesting to note that in 1953, the Audrey O'Connor

251 Ferns on the Fence

Ron Bendixen

When I moved to my current address In the early years there was enough some fifteen years ago, our back yard space to work with and every spring would certainly looked different than it does find me digging up a new corner of lawn to today .Way back in the olden days there expand my gardening spaces. The years were still a few spots here and there that passed and the field trips and the orders actually got a couple of hours of scattered from various wildflower nurseries kept sun. That was before our "umbrella tree" adding new varieties to the garden.While (Norway Maple) was forty feet tall and the the earlier plantings established themselves seven other trees, in this relatively small and spread from single plants into clumps or backyard, were still seedlings. To complicate colonies,I was faced with the problem most matters even more, the yard was surrounded city gardeners face sooner or later - lack of by a six-foot redwood privacy fence done in space. a basket-weave design. What we have now, On one early trip to the North Shore of fifteen years later, is a back yard that is so Lake Superior, I noticed that Warren was intensely shady we have had to turn about collecting a small sod of polypod ferns with 30% of it into patio because we cannot even its associated mosses from a cliff that was grow grass in the shadiest areas. literally encrusted with them. This was one Fortunately, I recognized the potential plant we had not had a great deal of success of this shade-intense area from the very with as we were trying to grow it as a border beginning. That was back in 1974 and plant. When we returned from our trip, he Bicentennial was a big issue with everyone mounted the entire sod, including the humus at the time. People were planning their and the moss that was completely covering bicentennial gardens and I'm sure that 95% the rhizomes, on a flat board, tied it securely of them were red, white, and blue. I decided in place with monofilament fishing line, my personal bicentennial theme would be a and hung it on the fence. The idea was a native American garden. If it wasn't a native spin-off from our house plant collection of American plant, it wasn't welcome in my staghorn ferns which were comparably garden: in other words, I would grow mounted. wildflowers. To compliment these The result was quite impressive. The wildflowers, what better shade-loving ferns were very lush, hanging there several companions thanournative American ferns. feet above the tops of the border plants. That began my love affair with ferns. They gave the redwood fence a new Somewhere along the line I slackened my perspective; it suddenly became part of the rigid requirements and let a few non-native garden rather that a geographic boundary. hardy ferns move into my garden. I now Most important, the ferns looked much more have more than seventy varieties of hardy natural than they did on the ground. This ferns in my Minneapolis garden. was avariety thatwe always found growing

252 on cliffs and out of crevices; in nature they dozen fern boxes that adorn our fence were nearly always on a vertical surface consists of a shallow wooden box with sides rather than a horizontal one. two to three inches deep andmitered, closed This started as an experiment and, as corners. For cosmetic purposes only, we with so many successful experiments, once add a facade of finishing molding around the initial model was completed, we could the outside and paint the whole unit with immediately see the areas that needed redwood stain so it is more in harmony with improvements, the first "fem plaque", as the fence. After the unit is painted, I drive we began calling them, had a major flaw brass brads (brass doesn'trust) into the front that was apparent from the start; it required lip of the box about one inch intervals. watering daily and on hot, windy summer When it is time to plant the box, I soak days, sometimes twice a day. Even though long-fiber sphagnum moss in a bucket of I am an avid gardener, I don't have the time water until is is completely saturated, thenl to give each plant that kind of attention. wring out as much of the water as I possibly The next unit we made w as also mounted can, and pack the damp sphagnum into the on a flat board, but this time we placed a box. I start packing the moss at the bottom flattened mound of long-fibered sphagnum and work my way up. I pack the sphagnum moss on the board and placed the fern to the depth of the molding as tightly as I rhizomes on top of that before tying it can, incorporating the plants into the growing securely to the backing. This improvement medium as I work my way up. meant that we could go for two or three days When I am finished and completely between waterings - a definite step in the satisfied with the placement of plants, I right direction. begin tying the whole unit together with The following year we tried a couple of monofilament line. I attach one end to a diverse designs. One attempt was to .mount brass brad, draw the line across the an arched piece of hardware cloth convexly sphagnum surface where the roots are over the board and fill the resulting "cage" imbedded (sometimes actually weaving with long fiber sphagnum, cut openings in through the fronds) and tie the line to a brad the wire for the ferns and plant them. The on the opposite side. At that point, knot the result was an ugly wire cage that still dried line securely, cut it, and start all over again. out in about three days. The other design After the box is tied horizontally, I make involved adding strips of wood to the bottom three or four vertical ties from top to bottom and sides of the initial backing board while so the sphagnum is secured from all angles, leaving the top open to catch rain water and in early attempts, I used to try to tie the the corners open to facilitate drainage. This entire unit with a single length of line, design gave us small ledges enabling us to simply twisting the line around the brad use more sphagnum moss and, more four or five times and then crossing back importantly, to pack the sphagnum to a over with the same line. That proved to be a uniform depth, thus holding moisture for a disaster. In the first place, it is extremely longer time. We decided that this was the difficult to maintain uniform tension on the design concept which we wished to pursue, line and secondly, when a curious squirrel but even this design could be improved. chews through the line, you will have to The design which we now use for the restring the entire unit rather than simply

253 replace one length of line. trough face-up, as it doesn't float. Watering is now relatively easy despite The summer of 1988 was a cruel one, as the number of boxes we have to take care of. youmay remember. Not only were we setting I have two heavy plastic troughs (the type temperature records and battling one of the construction workers use for mixing worstdroughts in memory, but my interests concrete in small batches) and I simply fill and energies were not being concentrated these with water and immerse the boxes on my woodland gardens, three years earlier (face-down because they float) for ten to I had contracted that infectious disease fifteen minutes. I can get two boxes into commonly known as Rock Garden Fever, each trough, so that conserves time. I use so I spent one of the hottest summers of the my Woodsia ilvensis box as an indicator: century moving boulders from Lake Pepin when that plant begins to curl around the to my front yard. By the end of summer, the edges, every one gets watered. entire bank in front of our house had been In the autumn, when I am putting my terraced and planted. Unfortunately, nothing garden to sleep for the winter, I simply fared worse than the fern boxes. remove the boxes from the fence and lay By the end of the summer, two of the them flat on the ground, facing up, and twelve were still showing signs of life, the cover them with leaves as I do the rest of the others were completely gone. An "autopsy" garden. The biggest thrill of uncovering the relieved some of the guilt. Upon examination gardens in the spring is finding the incredibly of the desiccated remains, I discovered that lush green of the polypods emerging as I the long-fiber fresh sphagnum moss had remove the covering of dead leaves. broken down and deteriorated to a greater One thing that has amazed me is that extent than met the eye. It's strange how many of the so-called limestone ferns do easily one can lose track of time; most of very well growing in pure sphagnum. We those boxes had been hanging there through often have had much better results with five or six summers with little or no Asplenium platyneuron, Camptosorus maintenance other than watering. rhizophyllus, and Asplenium trichomanes We'll learn from experience and we all under this method of cultivation than we do learn that no matter how effective a concept trying to grow them in limestone crevices. or technique is, it can always be improved. We are still experimenting and our The fact that I lost ten of my twelve fern design is till evolving. My favorite box at boxes during the hottest summer in recent the moment is one that we have modified by memory doesn't mean the idea was not a placing small ledges of limestone into a thin success. After all, we have had ferns on the veneer of concrete on the back of the box. fence, in one form or another, for a dozen When the concrete had thoroughly hardened, years. we packed long-fiber sphagnum between Replacing these boxes will be my top the emerging stone ledges and planted it priority for spring. I will use the same basic withPellaeaglabella and Cheilanthes Feei. technique I have used in the past. I will limit These plants are also much happier on the my varieties to the miniature ferns I have fence than they were in my fern cobble. This worked with in the past: Woodsia ilvensis, particular box is very heavy to move and Polypodium virginianum, Asplenium when it is watered, it goes into the watering trichomanes, A. platyneuron, A.

254 pinnatifidum, Camptosorus rhizophyllus, for growing has to be limited to ferns. At Cheilanthes tomentosa, A diantum pedatum various times our ferns have hosted uninvited var. subpumilum, Pellaea giabella, and guests, including Aquilegia canadensis, others. I will also make a point of checking Corydalis sempervirens, and a common old the condition of the growing medium after gooseberry bush. I think a box of miniature the second year. When it starts to appear iris would be very attractive, especially crumbly, I will dismantle the box and replace when in bloom. We had a couple of boxes of it. I will soak the boxes in a mild solution of semps and sedums early on when we still fish emulsion in late May or early June and had a few sunny spots and they were perhaps again in early September. marvelous. If anyone decides to try this We have discovered that plants grown with any other plant materials, I would be from spore are more adaptable to these interested in hearing about your results and boxes than nursery stock or collected anything you might have done to improve material. Sporelings can be planted directly upon my methods. In the meantime, I will into the sphagnum when they are about an continue to grow ferns on the fence. inch high. The box can then be left under (The author has provided a video-tape lights in a horizontal position until theplants demonstrating the method of constructing are sufficiently developed and hardened off and planting these boxes. It is available to go outside. We have had fantastic success through the ARGS Slide Library.) wilhpellaeas and hope to try other varieties in the near future. Reprinted from the March 1989 There is no reason that this technique Newsletter of the Minnesota Chapter.

So'

Elise Felton

Why plant dwarf conifers? Because they spaced plant to stand out as a specimen. are unusual, evergreen, colorful and The only real problem comes from interesting during all seasons, while winter winds which drive through a channel requiring little maintenance. For color, there between the fence and our house near where is nothing more vivid than the new, brilliant the bed is located. If we have enough snow growth of the Dwarf Alberta Spruces. Then to cover the plants, there are no worries. I there is the yellow to the Rheingold refuse to use burlap or plastic cones to Arborvitae which turns a soft copper-brown prevent browning as I find them unsightly. in the winter, and the blue of the junipers I do remove Chamaecyparis lawsoniana. and Colorado Spruces. The leaf textures Thuja plicata 'Stoneham Gold,' and vary from scalelike to threadlike, from fine Chamaecyparis thyroides 'Ericoides' which to needlelike. The forms vary from the are in clay pots set into the soil. They go into pyramid of the Dwarf Alberta Spruce to the our garage about the middle of December globular and flattened shape of the Dwarf for the winter. About May 1,1 plant them Hinoki False Cypress. The Dwarf Blue back into the bed, repotting them in a one Spruce is round with a flat top, while size larger container, if necessary. Juniperus Virginia really looks like its name This year I will Wilt Pruf all the plants. "Sky Rocket." Last winter's winds dehydrated and In October of 1981, we planted 24 dwarf consequently denuded one side of the conifers in a bed measuring 6 by 18 feet Alberta Spruce, the two Juniperus communis where, during summer, they receive seven 'Compressa,' and portions of some of the hours of sun a day. We situated them on the other conifers. lake-side of the house under the dining For those unfamiliar with Wilt Pruf, it is room windows as they are so pleasurable to an anti-transpirant, slowing down look down on. On the north side of the bed evaporation rates from leaves by as much as is our neighbor's grey board fence which 80%. It should be sprayed on in late fall, in doubles as a fine background and protection January, and early March when the air from the north wind that can blow down temperature is above 40 degrees F. Lake Michigan unobstructed for 500 miles. Each fall I send away for three or four In planting we addedbales of sphagnum more plants. As a result the bed now peat, 5-10-5, and superphosphate to our measures 44 by a curvy 7 feet. It has been sandy loam soil, which drains very well. extended in an easterly direction, toward The smaller plants are planted in front on the lake, with an iron fence extension to the the southern edge, which is covered. The board fence as background. We now have taller, bulkier ones are in the rear, up against 54 dwarf conifers. the fence. We have mulched only once with When the new plants arrive, I pot them redwood bark, allowing each proportionally up in a light soil having equal parts of peat,

256 perlite, and compost. I transfer the conifers destructive winds. These retain their dwarf to the bed carefully, minimizing disturbance habit even when grown in our gardens (e.g., to new roots. Usually with new Pinus mugo pumilo). introductions, some established conifers I enthusiastically recommend these have to be moved around to achieve balance, dwarf plants for attracting interest in all contrasts of sizes and shapes, textures and seasons, and especially as foundation colors, and an overall pleasing arrangement. plantings under picture windows, allowing All this is best done, in the Midwest, the first a view to the outside and more light inside week in October. Ground freezing usually the house. They are small and slow growing. occurs a week before Christmas so the They are also appropriate plants for raised transplants have about 10 weeks to become beds, rock gardens, troughs, andlow hedges, established. they are most suitable for providing interest "Conifer" comes from the Latin meaning among low ground covers. Dwarf deciduous "conebearing."Three main groups prevail: shrubs, such as Berberis thunbergii Large - those which grow 3 meters in 10 'Crimson Pigmy,' a lovely contrasting red, years and ultimately over 12meters.Medium make fine contrasts as complementary - those which grow between 1.5 to 3 meters plantings, as do the smaller ornamental in 10-years with ultimate heights of up to 12 grasses. meters, Dwarf- those which grow less than When selecting, buy from a nursery 1.5 meters in 10 years. In addition, there are which knows the source of propagation and prostrate and semi-prostrate forms which in the ultimate size of theseplants. You should a 10 year growth span can also be measured. know the scale, proportion, and growth rate Dwarf conifers have several origins. of each plant selected. Keeping detailed They are made from cuttings from witches'- records about these special plants is a fun brooms, i.e., a mass of abnormal tightly project. If you live in areas of the U.S. where compact twigs on an older tree resulting there are no dwarf conifers available, do not from the irregular growth on one bud or of hesitate to use the phone. There are anumber a bud mutation. They can come from a of specialized dwarf plant nurserymen who nurseryman's seed bed where one seedling are very knowledgeable and keen. Almost in thous ands does not respond to the norm al all of my collection has come by United growth pattern and remains dwarf. Perhaps Parcel Service. The plants I buy are small a normally vigorous tree grows a weak side and young, and therefore not expensive. branch. The resulting propagations could You, the collector ordering from nurseries, be prostrate and permanently slow growing will only receive small plants, The larger plants. In some Spruces a virus disease can ones are already in collections. cause permanent dwarfing. Dwarf I look upon these dwarf conifers as a chamaecyparus and juniperus can be the lifetime investment and eagerly await each result of juvenile foliage fixations, meaning fall for creating new artistic arrangements. that some of these plants have mysteriously Elise Felton lives in EvanstonJL. retained their juvenile foliage, which is quite different from adult foliage. Lastly, dwarf conifers can originate as alpine or mountain forms which exist despite harsh climate and

257 FURTHER READING

Conifers. D.M. van Gelderen and J.R.P Ornamental Conifers. Charles R. van Hoey Smith, Timber Press, 1986. Harrison, (edited by Julie Grace), Timber Press, 1983. Dwarf Conifers. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Volume 21, No. 1,1980. DWARF CONIFER SOURCES

Dwarf Conifers. Joseph Hudak, Horticul• Coenosium Gardens ture, April, 1986. 6642 S. Lone Elder road Aurora, OR 97002 Gardening with DwarfTrees and Shrubs. Andreas Bartels, Timber Press, 1986. Fort Washington Garden Mart 488 Bethlehem Pike Fort Washington, PA 10934 Ground Covers for the Midwest. Keith and Giles, University of Illinois Press, Foxborough Nursery 1980. W. David Thompson Street, MD 21154 Incredible Shrinking Trees. Jack Ruttle, National Gardening, December, 1988. Greer Gardens 1280 Goodpasture Island Road Manual of Cultivated Conifers. Gerd Eugene, OR 97401-1794 Krussman, Timber Press, 1985. Siskiyou Rare Plant Nursery Manual of Dwarf Conifers. Humphrey J. 2825 Cummings Road Welch, Theophrastus, 1979. Medford, OR 97501

258 DWARF CONIFER COMPANIONS IN THE MIDWEST

These are complementary plants for a dwarf conifer bed. The provide more contrast in color, texture, form, line and space, which are the primary elements of design.

Arrhenatherum elatius 'Variegatum' Oat Grass Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry Berber is thuribergii 'AtropurpureaNana' Crimson Pygmy Barberry Carexmorrowii 'Albomarginata' Japanese Sedge Grass Cotoneaster apiculatus Cranberry Cotoneaster Euonymusjaponica 'Aureo-marginata' Spindle Tree Festua ovina 'Glauca' Blue Fescue Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' No common name Hyper icum yakusimanum St. John's Wort (annual) Mentha pulegium Pennyroyal (annual) Potentillafruticosa 'Goldfinger' Shrubby Cinquefoil Salix x morrei Morrei Willow Salix repens Creeping Willow Thymus serpyllum Lemon Thyme

259 tv 0\ 0 Elise Felton Dwarf Conifer Collection Dwarf Conifer Fall 1985 Size Fall1988 Size Color Origin Date Plant~g Height Width Height Width

Abies ba/samea 'Nana' 1/2' 1/2' 3/4' 1' bright green Greer 4/83 Chamaecyparis /awsoniana 2' 1' 2-1/2' 1' silver 6/81 "Elwood Improved' C. nootkatensis 'Compacta' 3/4' 1/2' blue-green Siskiyou 4/87 5/88 C. obtusa 'Ericoides' 1/2' 1/2' yellow-green Wildwood Gardens 5/88 10/87 C.o. 'Kosteri' 1/2' 2/3' green Siskiyou 4/87 5/88 C.o. 'Coraliformis' 1I 2' 1-2/3' 2-2/3' dark green 6/81 C.o. 'Mariesii' 1' 1-1 /2' 1' 1-1 /2' yellow, white, 6/81 green C.o. 'Nana' 1I 1I 2' 2' dark green Berd 6/81 C.o. 'Nana' 1/2' 1/2' 3/4' 3/4' dark green brought from east '79 4/81 C.o. 'Pygmaea Aurescens' 1/2' 1/2' brown-green Siskiyou 4/87 5/88 C.o. unlabeled - 1' 2' 2' 2-1/3' dark green Chalet Nursery 6/84 'Gracilis Compacta?' C. pisifera 'Filifera Aurea' 2' 4' 5' 5-1/2' gold Berd 4/81 C.p. 'Minima Silvernode' 3/4' 1' green, splashes Siskiyou 4/87 5/88 & silver to cream C.p. 'Minima Variegata' 1-1/2' 2-3/4' 2' 3' green, yellow tips Greer 6/8 C.p. 'Piumosa Compacta Aurea' 1-1 /2' 2-114' 2-1/3' 2-1/2' green to gold brought from east '79 4/81 C.p. 'Piumosa Compacta Aurea' 1I 1I 1-1 /2' 1-1 /2' green to gold Calf. as a bonsai 8/85 C.p. 'Piumosa Flavescens' 112' 1I 4' 3-113' green GCA plant xchg 6/82 C.p. 'Piumosa Juniperoides Aurea' 2-1/4' 3' 4' 3-113' yellow & green Greer 6/81 Dwarf Conifer Fall 1985 Size Fall1988 Size Color Origin Date Plantgd Height Width Height Width

C.p. 'Taukom' 1/2' 1-1/2' 1/2' 3/4' bright green Siskiyou 4/81 C.p. unknown sport 1' 1' 1' 1' blue Swathmore College 8/85 from cutting made 10/74 C. thyoidea 'Ericoides' 1-1 /4' 1' 2' 1-1/2' blue-gray Greer 6/81 Cryptomeria japonica 2' 3-1/2' blue-gray brought from east died '86 'Eiegans Nana' C.j. 'Tanyu' 3/4' 1/2' green to bronze Wildwood Gardens 5/88 10/87 Juniperus communis 'Compressa' . 2' 113' gray-green Greer 9/85 10/87 Juniperus communis 'Compressa' . 2-1/4' 1/3' gray-green Greer 9/85 10/87 Juniperus communis 'Compressa' . 1' 1/4' gray-green cutting made 11 /86 6/88 Juniperus communis 'Repanda' 112' 1' silver-green Midwest Gr. Covers 5/88 10/87 J. horizontalis 'Wiltonii' 2/3' 3' 2/3' 5' blue Berthold Nursery 5/81 J. x media 'Shimpaku' 2' 3' 3' 3-1/4' dull green Greer 5/83 J. procumbens 'Green Mound' 3/4' 4' 1' 6-112' bright green Chalet Nursery 6/81 J. squamata 'Blue Star' 3/4' 1-112' 1' 2-1/4' steel blue Siskiyou 4/81 (3 planted together) J. virginiana 'Sky Rocket' 7' 1' 9-1/4' 2' blue-silver Berd 4/81 Microbiota decussata 1/2' 2/3' blue-green Siskiyou 4/8 5/88 to bronze Microbiota decussata 1/4' 1-1/4' blue-green Midwest Gr. Covers 5/88 to bronze 10/87 Picea abies 'Nidiformis' 1-1 /4' 1-112' 2-1/4' 2-1/2' dark green Berd 4/91 P.a. 'Echiniformis' 3/4' 3/4' 1-1/2' 1-1/4' gray-blue Siskiyou 4/81 P. glauca 'Echiniformis' 1' 1-114' 2' 2-1/3' gray-blue Berd 4/81 tv 0\- N 0\ N Dwarf Conifer Fall1985 Size Fall1988 Size Color Origin Date Planted Height Width Height Width

P.g. 'Albertina Conica' 4-3/4' 2-1/2' 5' 3-1/2' bright green Wibbard Rd. Gard. 4/81 P.g. 'Conica Sanders Blue' 1-114' 3/4' green-blue Wayside 4/85 P. mariana 'Nana' 1' 1-1 /2' 2' 2-1/4' gray Berd 4/81 P. omorika 'Nana' 2' 2' 2-1/4' 3' grayish-green Greer 10/84 P. pungens 'Giauca Compata' 1-1/2' 2-1/4' 2-1/3' 3-2/3" blue-gray Berd 4/81 P.p. 'R.H. Montgomery' 2' 3' 3' 4-1/4' blue-silver Greer 6/81 P. sitchensia 'Tenas' 1/2' 112' green-silver Siskiyou 4/87 5/88 P. aristata 3/4' 1/2' blue-green GCA plant xchg 6/82 P. parviflora 'Nana' 2' 3/4' 2-1/2' 3/4' bright green Greer 10/84 P. strobus 'Contorta' 2-3/4' 1' 2-2/3' 2' medium green Greer 10/84 P.s. 'Umbraculifera' 1-1/2' 2' green Berd 4/81 died '88 Thuja occidentalis 1-1 /2' 1-1 /2' 1-1 /2' 2' dark green Berd 4/81 'Hetz Midget' T.o. 'Lutea Nana' 1-1/2' 3/4' 2-2/3' 2-1/3' dull green Greer 10/85 T.o. 'Rheingold' 2' 1-3/4' 2-1/4' 2-1/2' orange-gold brought from East '79 4/81 T.o. 'Rheingold' 3/4' 3/4' 2' 2-1/3' orange-gold cutting made 7/81 10/82 T.o. 'Tiny Tim' 1/2' 3/4' 1' 1' dull green Greer 10/85 T. plicate 'Stoneham Gold' 2' 1' 3' 1-1 /2' bright green-gold Greer 10/84 Tsuga canadensis 1/2' 4' 1/2' 2-1/2' dull green Don Smith '76 4/81 'Cole's Prostrate' T.c. 'Jeddeloh' 1/2' 3/4' bright green Siskiyou 5/86 T.c. 'Curly' 2/3' 2' dull green Siskiyou 5/86 Deciduous Trees for the Rock Garden

Robert L. Fincham

A rock garden needs more than an and extensive, presenting problems for sub- assortment of alpine plants and slow- canopy plantings. growing conifers. There are many accessory Acer saccharinum (silver maple), one plants which can add variety, form focal of the fastest growing maples, has several points, and create microclimates for agarden glaring deficiencies. Its rapid growth results of any size. Deciduous trees make fine in the development of soft, weak wood, accessory plants with many forms, sizes, which.when added to its proficiency for and colors available to the rock gardener. developing crotches, resulting in a tree that Some rock gardeners are blessed with a suffers severely in ice storms. The root variety of biomes which create idyllic system is also extremely shallow and wide settings. Many plantspeople, however, spreading. possess a section of property with no suitable Salix babylonica (weeping willow) is a habitations for alpines and must start from nicely pendulous form that belongs near scratch. For example, to develop shady streams and in swamps far away from human nooks on an open hillside, a person must habitations and gardens. Because the root often plant his own shade trees. Choosing system is fibrous and shallow, weeping these trees is a major decision. The wrong willows often topple during wind storms. choice could be disastrous and destroy a The soft wood of this tree makes it very promising garden. An individual must untidy and completely unsuitable for the consider a variety of factors when choosing rock garden. any trees for the rock garden. What are the Juglans nigra (black walnut) is an height and spread of the tree at maturity? attractive tree noted for its valuable Would a flowering tree accent the planting? hardwood. Its foliage creates a pleasing, Would the garden benefit from a tree with light shade pattern. The major drawback of colorful foliage? Which form would add this tree is its toxicity. Its roots kill almost interest: a rounded crown, narrowly any other plant they touch. At one time the ascending branches, or perhaps a low- hulls of the nuts were boiled and used to growing form with pendulous branches? poison fish in ponds for the restaurant trade. Whatever one decides, several readily Robiniapseudacacia (black locust) is a available trees mustbeavoided.notonly for very large tree with an attractive foliage that their large size but for other reasons I will forms a light shade pattern. Since it will mention in their descriptions. sucker from its roots and seed itself Unsatisfactory Trees prolifically, the black locust will eventually Acerplatanoides (Norway maple) is an take over the entire garden. extremely dense shade tree that becomes Populus nigra 'Italica' (Lombardy quite tall and broad at maturity. As is typical poplar) is very common in the landscape of many maples, its root system is shallow and rapidly develops into a tall, attractive,

263 narrowly ascending tree with foliage that green color. During the winter, these shimmers in the wind. Its major drawback is branchlets create a picturesque pattern. The a short life span that results in the death of mature height is about 20 meters. Recently, many specimens shortly after they attain a a gold-leafed form and a purple-leafed form large size. originated at the Trompenburg Arboretum. I have discussed only six of the most When they become available in this country, common trees one should avoid. When the supply will not be able to meet the purchasing trees from a retail source, a demand for many years. person should research each selection to see Ginkgo biloba 'Fastigiata,' is a that each tree contains none of the negative columnar form of a living fossil whose qualities mentioned. unique, fan-shaped leaves have been found Any of the following deciduous trees as fossils in ancient rock formations. It is are suitable for the rock garden. This listing thought to be a link between the conifers reflects my preferences and is by no means and the more primitive tree-ferns and cycads. comprehensive. This conifer has a mature height in excess of 20 meters. Many people are surprised to see Narrowly Columnar what they at first think is a giant geranium. (Fastigiate) Forms Quercus robur 'Fastigiata,' the Fastigiate trees are useful for their columnar English oak, has a very narrow aesthetic values rather than their shade habit and is a rapid grower in rich, acid soil. production. They grow with a very narrow Both of my specimens grow up to 2 meters habit, and all of the branches ascend along per year. The leaves are a dark, rich green the trunk. When planted in the upper portions with rounded lobes and often persist on the of a rock garden, they tend to break up branches through the winter, though then of horizontal lines. In a more formal setting, a light brown color. At maturity this tree has they may serve as a natural fence or a a height of 25 meters. privacy screen when planted in arow around portions of the garden. Pendulous Growth Habit This group Acer saccharum 'Monumentale,' is possesses a pleasing shape and provides the most fastigiate sugar maple available. some summer shade for low -growing plants. This tree looks like a utility pole covered These small trees, with branches that curve with ivy. It is a fairly rapid grower, reaching downward to varying degrees, grow broader a mature height of about 20 meters. than high and generally must be staked to Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata,' the attain any height. In addition to a pleasing columnar hornbeam, is an ascending form shape, they also provide various colors for with a light green leaf color and a very dense the garden with their different barks, leaves, habit. It tends to be a bit broader than the and flowers. Pendulous plants are quite other trees in this section, but is still quite attractive next to water at the top of a wall, narrow with a height of about 15 meters at or directly above a large rock in the rock maturity. garden. Fagussylvatica 'Dawyck,' the fastigiate Acer palmatum 'Dissectum,' is a European beech, has branchlets which are group name for a variety of cutleaf Japanese somewhat contorted and leaves of a dark maples. All, except A. palmatum 'Seiryu',

264 have a spreading to pendulous habit. These main branch will lift itself and m ake another trees possess a wide variety of leaf colors, section for more horizontal branches to which often vary with the seasons and put originate and drop. A purple-leafed form, on an impressive seasonal display. During which is slower growing than the green- the winter, the branch structure of the tree leafed form, is also quite attractive but must provides another type of beauty. Two be staked to a desired height as it does not personal favorites are A. palmatum grow upward at all. A golden form of weep• 'Dissectum Everred', a dark red form with ing European beech will soon be available silvery pubescent newly opening leaves. in this country. It develops a leader, from These plants are generally as broad as high, which the branches droop. However it must attaining heights up to 3 meters. An excellent be protected from the sun since the gold reference book for this group of plants is leaves will burn. The variety of leaf colors Japanese Maplesby J.D. Vertrees, published and growing habits allow this tree to be used by Timber Press. in a wide variety of situations. Prunus serrulata 'Pendula,' the weeping cherry, is a strongly pendulous Flowering Trees form which grows very fast and becomes Flowering trees, which are suitable for quite attractive in the spring when covered gardens of a variety of sizes, make up the with pink flowers. The branches will reach last group of trees. They provide outstand• the ground if not kept pruned. If so desired, ing color for the rock garden as well as areas the tree may be maintained as a canopy over of light to moderate shade. Several of these plants needing light shade. Themature height trees also provide outstanding foliage color is 4 to 5 meters. Please note that the grafted from spring through fall. form of this tree will develop a large knot at Cornus florida, the eastern flowering the union and has a tendency to sucker from dogwood, has several varieties that provide the trunk. Trees from rooted cuttings will color, form, berries, and light shade for the not have these problems. garden. They eventually attain a height of Betula pendula 'Youngii,' thecontorted about 6 meters. European beech, has strongly twisted Cornusflorida' Hohman's Gold' does branches and grows wider than high, with not exhibit a prolific flowering habit but is an irregular habit. It has dark green foliage noted for its outstanding yellow-variegated and is most outstanding in the winter with green leaves. The variegation involves the its twisted branches. In the future, a purple- complete margin of each leaf and often leafed variety will be available in this coun• reaches completely to the mid-vein. The try. This tree makes a nice alternative to Co- autumn coloring of each leaf consists of rylus avellana 'COntorta' since it does not varying shades of pink and red. grow nearly as fast. Cornus florida 'Welchii', the tricolor Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula,' the com• dogwood, exhibits a limited flowering mon weeping European beech, has been capability, but has the most attractive leaf available in this country for many years, coloration of any plant on my list. Each and becomes quite large. The branches start green leaf has a white margin and becomes horizontally and then drop, as if they can no suffused with varying shades of pink during longer support their own weight. Then one the summer. The fall coloration contains

265 many shades of red and pink. meters in height at maturity. Sorbus acuparia, the European moun• tain ash, possesses a soft-appearing foliage Crataegus oxyacantha 'Superba', the and produces light shade. It attains a height crimson cloud hawthorn, is a sm all tree with in excess of 10 meters but is not excessively a fairly narrow habit. It possesses smaller wide. It is best known for its dense clusters needles than the species and will not impale of orange berries in the late summer. passersby. The foliage of this plant is Frankliniaalatamaha, is an attractive uniquely shaped with somewhat dissected, tree for the garden because it produces rounded lobes. Each tiny flower is red with large, showy, fragrant white flowers during a white center and is part of a mass of the summer and keeps flowering until frost. flowers enshrouding each branch. It is a small tree growing to 7 meters in One very large group of flowering trees height. It is not cold hardy north of Zone VI. with new varieties being added yearly is a Prunus serrulate. 'Kwanzan', is a crabapple. Crabapples generally attain a cherry with deep pink, double blossoms height of about 7 meters and come in flower which contras t nicely with the reddish-green, colors from deep pink to white, both single unfolding leaves. It produces light to me• and double, as well as in a variety of leaf dium shade while reaching a height of 15 colors . Some varieties are even quite meters. For many rock gardens, several of pendulous. This plant group has fine flow• these trees would create aniceborderplant- ering trees for the large rock garden. The ing. fruit is quite small on the newer varieties Prunus cerasifera 'Pissardii', the thun• and gives summer and fall coloration as dercloud plum, is prized for its dark purple well as wildlife food. One should research foliage. In the spring, tiny pink flowers this group before making a purchase since cover the branches and are nicely compli- not all varieties are disease resistant and mented by the dark purple leaves. The leaves will defoliate each summer if they are af• maintain their color throughout the sum• fected. mer season. This tree will reach up to 6 Robert Fine ham is from Boring, OR.

There is a fascination and satisfaction about producing plants from seed which gives the grower a felling of omnipotence at having set in motion a train of events which will have an inevitable conclusion. T.C. Mansfield ALPINES IN COLOUR AND CULTIVATION

266 The Olfactory Consideration

Trevor Cole

People build rock gardens for many that which is given off by flowers, as a reasons; because of a love of the miniature, pollinator attractant, and foliage scent, to keep up with the neighbors, to use up a which presumably tastes bad and deters pile of soil left from top-dressing the lawn herbivores. In the first case we either need ("I didnotrealize that eight cubic yards was very calm weather, so that the scent lingers so endless"), or because their garden is so or we have to get down on hands and knees rocky they cannot grow anything else (the to appreciate it. Foliage on the other hand "if you can't beat them, join 'em syndrome''). can be rubbed, stroked or crushed underfoot I have yet to hear of anyone who built a rock to release its odours which often persist on garden purely for the olfactory the skin for a long time. consideration. Floral scent is always ephemeral and I haverecently been designing afragrant subject to the capriciousness of nature. Most border for the display gardens at the Central flowers have stronger perfume in the Experimental Farm in Ottawa. While morning or evening than at midday, some researching the possible plants that could of course reserve their scent purely for the be used for this border - and which are evening. Hot, dry weather is also more hardy in Ottawa - I was intrigued by the conducive to the production of perfume. number of perfumed alpines, and therein The scent-bearing oils get diluted and lies the inspiration of this article. washed away in rainy periods. Foliage scents Tomostofus.thefactthatmany alpines are rarely affected in the same way. They are scented may come as a surprise. I can are not usually released until the leaf is only put this down to our reluctance to "eat bruised. dirt" as it were. While we are used to Before I started digging through books, bending and stooping to plant, weed, collect looking for potential residents in my bed. I seed, take photographs; in all of these could have named only a few rock plants operations it is our hands that actually come which wouldhave qualified. Some Jonquils close to the plant, not our noses. To test a andminiaturenarcissi.PjAyc/i/ama, Siberian plant for perfume we must bend much wall flower, some of the Aquilegia species, further. It is our chin that must come almost Dianthus of course, and Oenothera to ground level - a difficult feat for many caespitosa all have scented flowers, plus, people whose tummies get in the way. We we must not iorg&lLobularia maritima, the will have to crawl through our plants to annual sweet alyssum. For foliar fragrance enjoy their odours. I could only think of thyme and the Corsican We can look upon scent in two ways, mint. A quick look through a few books

267 soon expanded this listing. flowers that are sweet scented".2 I wonder I was surprised how many of the small if it would survive here. Anyone tried it? bulbs turned out to be fragrant. One thinks Both the snowflakes, spring and of bulbs being the harbingers of spring, summer, are said to be fragrant. I must bursting through the last crusts of snow to admit I have never had great success with greet the new season. This is a time when Leucojum. I had ordered more for planting few insects are awake and thus the need last fall but they arrived so late, I sent them should be minimal. A little thought reminds back. me that even on cold days in April there are The early flowering bulbous iris have a always bees on the Scilla sibirica. So much perfume... faintly violet-like, but with a for that theory. dash of tulip. Iris reticulata is also sweet, Gertrude Jekyll says of jonquils "The with a still stronger perfume of the violet scent of the Jonquill (is) perhaps the best of character', while /. cristata has "crab- all, for it is without the rather coarse scent scented blossoms early in April." 2 of the Trumpets, and also escapes the (hopefully this is crab-apple not crab-meat). penetrating lusciousness of poeticus and The miniature bearded iris also have a Tazetta."1 perfume, but different from that of the Several of the alliums are, according to bulbous types. others, scented, but no one seems two write That most prolific alpine Arabis is, from firsthand knowledge. Certainly - other according to Wilder "very sweet in early than a slight garlic trace -1 have not been spring. A. albida flore pleno has spike of aware of "perfume". double stock-like flowers that smell of Crocus is another bulb that never brings Heliotrope". 21 have never noticed a scent to mind scent, and I have grown enough of to Arabis, neither has the person in charge them in pots thatl would have expected it to of the rock garden here. Reginald Farrer register. According to LouiseBeebe Wilder says "Arabis, as a rule is a race neither (my prime source on matters olfactory) elegantinappearancenorpleasing in smell... "Crocus versicolor and C. sataivus are the double form is curiously beautiful and sweet scented and bloom before the Dutch recommendable, giving an unanalysable varieties, and C. biflorus, called the Scotch suggestion of Lily-of-the-valley spires, crocus, has a delicate honey-scent." 2 especially when cut. (The whole plant has a Snowdrops also have a sweet scent it coarse smell if bruised." 3 seems. Personally I won't buy even the It would seem that the correct name for double form because you cannot see the the plant that I have known all my life as extra whorl of petals without picking the Diantus caesius is now D. gratinopolitanus. flower. I certainly never dreamed of "Ah well !! A Cheddar pink by any other crawling around in the snowmelt smelling name with its sheets of blue leafage them. overshadowed in June by fragrant flights of We all know of the skunky odour of fringed rose-pink flowers, in numbers as crown imperial, both from the bulb and the the stars of the sky." 3 foliage. While this hardly classes as an Most of the pinks are fragrant to some alpine, the western species Fritillariap udica degree, and, when selecting seedlings it is grows about 10 cm tall" withnodding yellow as important to take this into consideration

268 as it is the colour and form of the flowers. easiest of all plants, and thrive despite our A few of the named forms are also climate. Others can be the most frustrating outstanding,"'Tiny Rubies'form a dense, of plants to grow, suddenly dying off for no slowly-spreading mat of tiny blue-green apparent reason (if you can get them to leaves, about an inch high, with literally germinate in the firstplace). Luckily, some hundreds of tiny fully-double deep-pink, of the easy ones are also the best perfumed. very fragrant flowers on 3-inch stems, in "All the scented flowers of the Prim• May and June." 4 rose tribe are delightful - Primrose, Poly- One tends to associate smell with anythus, Auricula, Cowslip. The actual flowers and leaves rather than with roots sweetness is most apparent in the Cowslip; (although I must admit peeling Jerusalem in the Auricula it has a pungency, that artichokes in mid-winter always makes me accords with the clouded and curiously think of wet soil). This is particularly so blended colourings of many of the flow• with small plants that don't have fleshy ers." 1 Primula auricula ciliata "is a mag• roots, but according to Jekyll "I always nificent small form, with broad foliage, enjoy digging up, dividing, and replanting powerless, glandular, densely hemmed with Asarums, both the common European and hairs. The flowers of this type should be the American kinds; there roots have a sweet-scented" While P. a. moschata has pleasant and most interesting smell, a good "glands emitting a violent odor of musk."3 deal like mild pepper and ginger mixed, but Scent is indeed a varied thing, even within more strongly aromatic".1 the same species. Oenothera caespitosa has never been One other plant with scented foliage is been long-lived here. Although caespitosa also a very good addition to any rock gar• means tufted, all the plants that I have den. The creeping winter savory, Satureja grown have been procumbens or repens montana 'Prostrata', makes a waterfall of and cascade nicely over a rock face. I wish small white flowers in summer and, as a I could find the secret to successful germi• bonus, has aromatic foliage that can be used nation, since I only ever get two or three in cooking. While it is native to the Medi• seedlings from every batch of seed. I would terranean, it survived many winters in Ot• like to plant an entire ledge and have it tawa - although -39.5 degrees finally killed covered in the 8 cm, pure-white, deliciously it. fragrant flowers. I am sure we are growing many other Although Wilder gives a list of plants plants with scented flowers and fragrant seven pages long, many of these are better leaves if we can only get down to them. suited to the woodland than the rock gar• Certainly some noses are more sensitive den. Many others are so obscure that we can than others (my wife will remark on a ignore them. When was the last time you fragrance I cannot detect), and, like the saw yellow flowered Erinus fragrans in a closely allied sense of taste, not everyone seed list? perceives scent in the same way. Hope• However, I cannot close without apara- fully, these few notes will make you aware graph about the simplest and most frustrat• of another aspect of your garden and en• ing genus, Primula, I call it the simplest courage you to grow plants purely for their because some of its members are among the Olfactory Consideration.

269 Trevor Cole is from Kinburn, Ont This 2 Wilder, Louise Beebe: The Fra• piece is reprinted from the March, 1988 grant Path, 1932, reprinted as The Fragrant Journal of the Ontario Rock Garden Soci• Garden, Dover 1974 ety. 3 Farrer, Reginald: The English Rock Garden. 1919, Theophrastus 1980 References: 4 Kolaga, Walter: A11 About Rock 1 Jekyll, Gertrude: Wood and Gardens and Plant, doubleday 1966 Garden, 1989, Ayer 1983

The Genus Briggsia Frances N. Batcheller One of the rare genera of the long, narrow at the base, then inflated with Gesneriaceaeis Briggsia. This was offered an open throat. this year by the ARGS seed fund. The habitat is on open rock faces on Most gesneriads are tropical plants, damp shady gorges or on mossy pine trunks occurring mainly in the rain forests of in deep forest. The plants are sometimes Central and South America and Southeast found at elevations of 14,000 feet. Growth Asia. Two of the most popular genera - habit is similar to Ramonda. The caudex or Saintpaulia andStreptocarpus--come from rhizomemay become quite thick and woody Africa. However, there are alpine members on older plants. of the family, notably the very hardy I was fortunate enough to obtain seeds European ones, Ramonda and Haberlea. of Briggsia musicola from the ARGS seed There are also others from Japan and the fund this year. I planted the seed immediately Himalayan region. Briggsia is one of these. in vermiculite, not covering the tiny seeds. Briggsia is a genus of several similar I placed the small container in a clear plastic species from , Tibet, and box on the light bench with a 14-hour light Burma. The plants form a basal rosette, 15 cycle. The temperature was maintained at cm. to 20 cm. in diameter. The leaves are 65 - 68 degrees F. Good germination about 12 cm. long by 5 cm. wide, elliptic or occurred in about a week. strap-like in shape. The margin is dentate. The alpine gesneriads do not seem to The flower color is in the yellow to orange require chilling for germination. Seeds of range, usually spotted or striped with brown Haberlea and Ramonda from the same or dull purple. The corolla is about 2 cm. source are germination under the same

270 conditions. There is also an inter-generic hybrid, x As this is my first opportunity to grow Brigandra calliantha, between Briggsia Briggsia, I cannot predict what success I auriantica and Opithandra orimuloides, the will have in growing the seedlings on. British Japanese alpine. This was produced in publications say Briggsia is quite apt to Germany some years ago. The corolla tube damp off in cultivation. General is straight, ivory to pale pink in color and recommendations are dry winters and damp striped with purple. It is reported to be summers, keeping moist from March to easier to grow than Briggsia. November. I am most grateful to the ARGS seed Whether Briggsia would be hardy fund for the opportunity to try growing this outdoors in New England is a question. It rare gesneriad. would probably do better in an alpine house. In any case, cool growing conditions are FrancesN. Batcheller, Durham, NH, is needed and somewhat shady situations. a student of gesneriads of all kinds.

Dwarf Daylilies in the Rock Garden

Karen Mathews

Last spring I had the pleasure of visiting The wonderful little gems tucked away the garden of Betty Dzworkoski who is a among the alpines did look somewhat member of the ARGS and in the B erkshire familiar, though. Then it hit me they looked Chapter. She is a devoted rock gardener. In like daylilies. It turned out that the fact, when B etty needed major surgery last remarkable resemblance was due to the year she scheduled the operation around fact that they actually were daylilies. her gardening, putting it off until a new For a second I wondered if the rock section of her rock garden was finished. garden connoisseurs would approve of this. (And I thought that people only joked But there was no doubt about the fact that about things like that!!) This dedication is they looked great!!! The miniature, dwarf apparent in her exquisite gardens. daylilies were in aperfect scale for the rock As I toured the garden, completely garden. The lilting foliage sprays sprang enthralled by her wonderful sense of design up like tiny green fountains among the and the artistic arrangement of the plan tings, rocks. They looked like they simply I saw some plants that I couldn't identify. belonged there. It provided interesting

271 foliage contrast and a refreshing splash of there were many other miniatures and also color in July and August when few of the some slightly taller (12-15") daylilies in traditional rockery plants were in bloom. the background of the rock garden. Betty Even when hemerocallis are not blooming also uses taller equally effectively the handsome green leaves against the rocks as striking specimen plants in the borders beautifully complement the other plantings. gardens. The small tufts break up the flatness of the If the aesthetics benefits arenotenough, standard rock garden arrangement and these plants are also very hardy, easy to greatly enhance the overall garden design. maintain and will grow almost anywhere. Since they don't bloom when the alpines I had to have some for my garden. Luckily do, the colors don't compete and the foliage forme, Betty sells her surplus daylilies out sets off the other rock garden blooms, of her back yard. I went home with making them look even better. The 'Popover' a lovely lavender only 8-12 plantings of dwarf daylilies in arockgarden inches tall and 'Bonanza' a yellow one is like finding the perfect tie or necklace to with ared eye zone. They made themselves go with an outfit, they make everything right athome inmy rock garden just as they look better. have in Betty's. Since then I have perused As it turned out, Betty had been using the day lily catalogues for dwarf miniatures miniature daylilies in her rock garden for and have found that a lot more than I had about ten years now. she is also a member expected are available that are 12 inches of the American Hemerocallis Society. Her tall or even less. Every major day lily nursery rock garden features daylilies as specimen catalogue has at least a few of the gems to plants in a wide range of colors and forms offer. that are under 12" tall. Among the miniature 'Eenie Weenie' is a common one that daylilies Bitty uses is 'Pywacket', a pretty can even be found at may local nurseries; it cream with a bright contrasting eye zone. is 10 inches tall with tiny 1-1/2 inch yellow 'Double Cutie' is a double yellow that flowers and reblooms. 'Stella De Oro' is looks like a little double daffodil. also easy to find. It is 12 inches tall with 'Thumbelina' is a glowing golden orange almost everblooming fragrant yellow bell which was still blooming in late August. shaped flowers. 'Simple Gifts' is a delicious melon pink So, if as I had, you have always thought and' Little Raindrop'is a lovely pale yellow. of daylilies as strictly border perennials, 'Meadow Sprite' is a darling little rosy you may want to reconsider. If you have purple gem and 'Raspberry Pixie' is a some extra room or a difficult spot, or if raspberry color with a delightful fragrance. you're looking for something to give you Many of the daylilies have the added bonus color in lateJuly try some of these miniature of being wonderfully fragrant. One of my dwarf daylilies. However, I feel thatl should favorites is 'Little Luke' which is a bright give you one last word of caution. red. There are also several of the 'Siloam' Collecting daylilies in every bit as addictive series that feature striking eye zones and as collecting alpines. halos in Betty's garden. In addition to the sampling mentioned, Karen Mathews lives in Adams, MA.

272 Book Review The Genus Cyclamen by Christopher for gardeners especially in the difficult Grey-Wilson is a Kew Magazine matter of watering. monograph published by The Royal Botanic The bulk of the book consists of a Gardens, Kew in association with fascinating and thorough discussion of each Christopher Helm in England and Timber species giving its natural distribution and Press in the U.S. This is a long-awaited precise botanical description. The key to book which has lived up to its promise. It is the species is an excellent aid for a first rate treatment of all aspects of this identification. The book includes a extraordinary group of plants. Until 1988 discussion of the natural range of the plants, when this book was published, the best detailed descriptions of them including available material on cyclamen was to be recognizable forms in cultivation, and, most found in three separate sources: a small important, detailed advice on the important handbook by D.E. Saunders published by differences required in cultivation for each The Alpine Garden Society, Growing species. The detailed and beautiful Cyclamen by Gay Nightingale, and the illustrations by Mary Grierson and Judith journal of the Cyclamen Society. Now Mr. Gauden are a valuable aid in the Grey-Wilson has covered much of the identification of the species. All of the material in these earlier works and made people directly involved in producing this important advances on them. book understand the genus as well as the Mr. Grey-Wilson begins with a concise problems in growing it. We are in their history of what has been known about the debt. genus from the time of Theophrastus to the I recommend this book without present. He discusses the taxonomic reservation to anyone interested in these problems endemic to a genus in which there plants. It is a joy to read straight through all are enormous variations within each species. at once, and after will take an honored He presents a clear account of the botanical position on the reference shelf. It contains characteristics beginning with seed material for both amateurs and experts and germination, and he discusses the will long remain the standard work for distinctions by shape of tubers, leaves and these plants. flowers. There is a detailed list of the Nancy Goodwin, Hillsborough, NC. chromosome counts of each species with suggestions of interspecific compatibility. His chapter on conservation reports the terrible deprivations caused by "systematic A Manual of Alpine and Rock Garden exploitation of wild 'bulbs' for the greedy European market", and he emphasized the Plants importance of resisting the purchase of Christopher Grey-Wilson (ed.) and 11 wild-collected material. The section on contributors. cultivation was provided by Alisdair Aird Inside the jacket of this handsome book and Peter Moore and has excellent advice is the statement that it is intended primarily

273 as a beginner's manual. At first glance it is Japanese one? No explanation offered. obviously both that and, as well, designed Claytoniahas bare mention with nothing on to intrigue the more advanced in the field of our Spring Beauties so great in the peat rockgardening. There are very well written beds. It is both understandable and abbreviated discussions on many related forgivable that within such as Draba, subjects, several sorts of cultivation, soils, Gentiana and Primula all the honors go the propagation. Blessedly there are no the Old World representatives, but Iris has directions forlaying down a simulated stone no entry, presumably on the strength of quarry. Midsection of the book are 32 color rhizomes considered as being "bulbs". Thus plates illustrating the scope of the plants no cristata nor innominata? Lewisia gets one may grow, and the fifty b&w line thorough coverage in a most exemplary drawings constitute further elucidation as concise treatment of 13 species plus various well as aiding the imagination of the novice. forms and hybrids. Heuchera gets a single Not surprisingly the body of the work is mention and that not a proper one but an made up of an A-Z encyclopedia, and its Elmera; do the Brits NOT like nor value 260 pages bravely attempt the capsular such foliage through the winter? condensation so nearly impossible to Holy-Moly! Limnanthes douglasii, a achieve satisfactorily. Each of the genera California winter annual made the list! entered has at least one representative Down into the P's now: Penstemon made it detailed to adegree, presumably all of them with 6 mentions; all of them them the sub- available in British horticulture. The shrubby species, plus to British garden beginner is warned about the possible hybrids. Wait a minute; something is surely introduction of weeds in such as Oxalis and amiss — check the index. Believe it or not - Convolvulus, and warned too about some - NO PHLOXES! That's right, NONE. of the less than easy species that really Farrer had upheld the genus Phlox while require special conditions or some special scarcely paying attention to the majority of skill, but the old question of what is suitable other American plants when he declared is still there. One time years ago someone that "the day that saw the introduction of wrote that it was far easier to define what is Phlox subulate ought indeed be kept as a NOT appropriate. Wasn't it Farrer himself? horticultural festival." And that is saying Does a three-foot Aconitum belong here? nothing of the many other superb species. Another editorial prerogative is that of No phloxes indeed! Not even an apology? nomenclature; there is a fair accounting of Although this book has a great deal to outright synonymy as well as of alternate offer, me beginning American rock gardener choices of the "currently right name". could do no better than commencing with Now as to some North American entries; Line and Timmy Foster's book available Douglasia for example is, we are pleased to from the ARGS bookstore, and then perhaps note, not submerged in Andorosace, nor is going on to consult British opinion. But NO Vitalliana annexed to it. Cheiranthus = see phloxes? That is hard to forgive. Beginners Erysimum. Maianthemum Kew apparently NEED phloxes; we all do. regards as monotypic with the western species spirited away, but what of the B. Roy Davidson, Bellevue, WA.

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WILD FLOWERS of Forest Floors * * * Mountain Meadows WOODLAND ROCKERY 6210 Klam Road Otter Lake, MI 48464 MAIL ORDER CATALOG $1.00 ALL WILD IN GS MJRSEKT PROPAGATED RARE ALPINE PLANT SEED FOR SALE FIELD COLLECTED IN AUSTRALIA AND NORTH-EAST CHINA Includes a wide range of Australian Alpine herbs and shrubs and many Chinese species collected from the Sino-Korean border area. For full details, send for our free seed list: Alastair Lockey, 40 Jeeves Avenue, Kalorama, Victoria 3766. Australia.

foN DWARF AND PYGMY CONIFKRS CO T- (Mail or Pick-up) CHOICF ROCK PLANTS (Pick-up Only)

Send S.A.S.E. for List. Visits by Appointment Only. For over 20 years we have special• EHie & Joel Spingarn y ized in dwarf Rhododendrons, P.O. Box 782 Azaleas and dwarf conifers. We Georgetown, CT 06829 also have one of New England's Phone 203-544-8194 largest selections of rare specialty Alpines, perfect for the trough or rock garden. Free 120-page catalog when you visit us. WOODLANDERS (Sorry, wc do nol mail order.) NURSERY GROWN TREES, SHRUBS & PERENNIALS, SOUTHERN NATIVES & EXOTICS Please send Self-addressed 50^ stamped envelope for free mail-order list or SI .50 (X to include Descriptive Catalog #2 NURSERIES, INC. WOODLANDERS, DEPT RG 1159 Branson Road, Fairheld, CT06430 1128 COLLETON AVENUE (203)259-5609 AIKEN, SC 29801 To send for catalog, include $3.00. Cut Your Own Labels! A package of "AE Plastilabels" contains ~ \M skip afrn&t forty lengths — 30" long x 9/16* wide anywfora! x 1/32" thick — In white PVC. Very Send 30c long-lived. Reusable. Does not get for NEW 100-cultivar descriptive brittle. list of hardy heaths and heathers. Send $13.75 + $1.75 shipping per package to: ^ ytoaths StCjAtfUrs 45 Burr Farms Rd. Sot, 650, C(mz.^. 985*1 Westport, CT 06880 (2D<*) 182-3255 (Conn, residents add Conn, sales tax)

WlLDFLOWERS CAMELLIA FOREST NURSERY Of the Southern Appalachians Camellias - Satsuki Azaleas Choice, hardy, reliable, showy. Dwarf Conifers FROM OUR NURSERY TO YOUR A Wide Selection of Rare GARDEN be it woodland, rock, moist Trees and Shrubs Newly or dry. Send $2.00 for 40 page Imported from China descriptive catalog or SASE for list of and Japan wildflowers, hardy ferns and perennials Send 45c In Stamps for List SUNLIGHT GARDENS 125 CAROLINA FOREST ROAD Rt 1 Box600-Rl CHAPEL HILL, NC 27514 Andersonville, Tenn. 37705 919-967-5529

Unusual Alpines & Hardy Plants Nursery established 1927 ROCKNOLL OUR 61ST YEAR From our extensive plant collection Unusual Rock Plants, Shade Plants, Hosta, we can offer an interesting range of Perennials, Hemerocallis, Semperviuums, Alpines, Primulas, Saxifrages, Hardy Wild Flowers, Shrubs, Dwarf Evergreens, Perennials, Shrubs, and Dwarf Conifers. Dwarf, Siberian & Japanese Iris. All are fully Described in our current 40 Varieties - Phlox Subulata & Species catalogue, (Please send $2.00 in notes, 20 Varieties - Hardy Geraniums not cheques.) Seed List also available 14 Varieties - Dianthus (2 reply coupons please). Orders dis• patched worldwide by AIRMAIL care• 24 PAGE CATALOG fully packed. Please send 50c in Stamps We Ship Attention: Eleanor Saur or Dorothy Parker Holden Clough Nursery ROCKNOLL NURSERY Dept. ARGS, Holden, Bolton-by-Bowland Dept. 28 Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 4PF England 9210 US 50, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133-8546 Telephone: 2007 615 1-513-393-1278 AMERICAN ROCK GARDEN SOCIETY DIRECTORATE OFFICERS President Lee M. Raden, Alpineflora, 1 Alpine Way, Phoenixville, PA 19460 Vice President Sandra Ladendorf, 123 High Hickory Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Secretary Buffy Parker, 15 Fairmead Road, Darien, CT 06820 Treasurer Diane D. Kern, P.O. Box 53, Spencertown, NY 12165 President Emeritus Harold Epstein, 5 Forest Court, Larchmont, NY 10538 DIRECTORS Term expires 1990 Nan Ballard, Pat Bender, Andrew Osyany Term expires 1991 Muriel Milsted, Nickolas Nickou, Ramona Osburn Term expires 1992 Nancy V. Goodwin, Joan Means, Sandra Snyder MANAGERS Advertising Anita H. Kistler, 1421 Ship Road, West Chester, PA 19380 Archivist Mamie Flook, Rd 3, Box 278-A, Chestertown, MD 21620 Awards Bodil Leamy, #106, 8840 The Firlands, #1 Road, Richmond, BC, V7C 4C1 Bookstore Jean Stevens, 3923 Rolling Hills Road, Arden Hills, MN 55112 Bulletin Ted Marston, 13036 Holmes Point Drive, Kirkland, WA 98034 Library Service PHS Library, 325 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 Seed Exchange Carole Wilder, 221 West 9th Street, Hastings, MN 55033 Slide Collection William Plummer, 10 Fox Lane East, Painted Post, NY 14870 CHAPTER CHAIRPERSONS Adirondack William Dress, 716 Elm Street Extension, Ithaca, NY 14850 Allegheny Walter C. Betzold, 131 Rochester Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15229 Sonia Lowzow Collins, R.R. 3, Box M365, Lakeside, AZ 85929 Berkshire Anne Spiegel, 73 Maloney Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 Columbia-Willamette Diana Reeck, 1602 NE 162 Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98684 Connecticut Joan Lee Faust, 11 Field Road, Riverside, CT 06878 Esther LeGeyt Bailey, 157 Douglas Street, Hartford, CT 06114 Delaware Valley Joyce Fingerut, 2106 Pennsylvania Ave, Fort Washington, PA 19034 Emerald Ernest O'Byme, 86813 Central Road, Eugene, OR 97402 Great Lakes Jim Briggs, 3270 E Lansing Road, Bancroft, MI 48414 Hudson Valley Edith Young, Box 332, RFD 3, McDougal Lane, Peekskill, NY 10566 Long Island Shelley Herlich, 43 Greenfield Lane, Commack, NY 11725 Lillabeth Wies, Box 233, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 Manhattan Lawrence Thomas, 340 E 74th. Street, New York, NY 10021 Minnesota Jean Stevens, 3923 Rolling Hills Road, Arden Hills, MN 55112 New England Faith Magoun, 6 Spy Rock Hill, Manchester, MA 01944 Newfoundland Bodil Larsen, Site 78, Box 36, St John's, NF, A1C 5H4 Northwestern Art Dome, 4832 54th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98118 Ohio Valley Dorothy Parker, 3 West Page Avenue, Trenton, OH 45067 Ontario RGS Cyril Baker, 258 West Street, Brantford, ON, N3R 6N1 Piedmont Paul Jones, 148 Stagg Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Pike's Peak Gary Mueller, 2103 Essex Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Potomac Valley Don Humphrey, 6540 Oakwood Drive, Falls Church, VA 22041 Rocky Mountain Bob Heapes, 7588 Deertrail Drive, Parker, CO 80134 Siskiyou Joe Shelton, P.O. Box 8311, Medford, OR 97504 Southern Appalachian Ev Whittemore, P.O. Box 74, Penrose, NC 28766 Southwestern Laura Jezik, 9711 Isis Avenue, #205, Los Angeles, CA 90045 Tacoma Candy Strickland, 2722 East 84th, Tacoma, WA 98445 Watnong Ruby Weinberg, Beavers Road, RR3, Box 69, Califon, NJ 07830 Western Margery Edgren, 50 Oakhaven Way, Woodside, CA 94062 Wisconsin - Illinois Douglas Macdonald, 1214 Grant Street, Evanston, IL 60201 285