EDITORIAL Reflections on aur Annual Meeting

he American Horticultural Soci­ together in order to learn from a distin­ flower-A New Frontier," was the ety, as the national organization guished array of speakers and to share their inspirational highlight of the entire meet­ T dedicated to promoting horticul­ own experiences in different regions of the ing. Her gracious hospitality and willing­ ture throughout this great land of ours, country. Although I have personally wit­ ness to encourage this important horti­ makes a conscious effort to achieve a geo­ nessed the steadily growing demand for cultural movement won the hearts and graphical balance when selecting sites for native plants in southwestern landscape inspired the minds of all in attendance. its annual meetings. We do this for a num­ settings, I was both astounded and grati­ Mrs. Johnson was not only deserving of ber of reasons. First, we want to encourage fied by the extent and magnitude of the the Society's First National Achievement as many of our 40,000 members as pos­ response to the theme of this year's meet­ Award for exceptional contributions to the sible to attend an annual meeting at least ing-"Beautiful and Useful: Our Native field of horticulture; it is difficult to imag­ once every several years without undue Plant Heritage." More than 300 people ine anyone ever being so uniquely qualified financial burden to themselves. Second, we from coast to coast (and representing many, for such recognition again. In my view, it want to focus national attention on the many places in between) attended the is now important for all of us to join Mrs. unique or special horticultural resources meeting. This turnout demonstrated the Johnson in encouraging and supporting a in various parts of the country-plants and ever-burgeoning interest in the use of wild­ leadership role for the National Wild­ gardens and people. Third, we want to flowers and other native plants to conserve flower Research Center, which advocates, take advantage of, and highlight, major basic resources, preserve our natural her­ researches and teaches the practical and new developments in American horticul­ itage, and enhance our landscape from both aesthetic uses for native plants in general ture whenever possible. an aesthetic and a functional standpoint. and wildflowers in particular. To me, the meeting served notice that as As is (and probably always will be) the Texas, the site of our 1984 Annual gardeners, we are coming of age, or, if that case with the peoples of so many other Meeting, satisfied all three of these con­ assessment is a bit premature, that we are technologically emerging nations, we have siderations admirably. The Society had at least witnessing the beginning of a new literally taken our natural heritage for never met in the Lone Star State, and the age in American landscape gardening. I granted. It is somewhat satisfying to reflect establishment of the National Wildflower believe the importance of this new age is on the fact that we have benefited from Research Center in 1982 provided the per­ equivalent to, if not greater than, the sig­ the foresight of a few enlightened conser­ fect catalyst for bringing the meeting to nificance of the era during the last century vationists throughout most of our history. San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country. when the naturalistic landscape style swept However, it is even more heartening to The presence of this new organization also through Britain. know that all of us as individuals, as fam­ encouraged us to focus on an important The educational sessions at the Society's ilies, and as a nation are beginning to ap­ issue affecting the lives and welfare of more meeting highlighted the use of native plants preciate the rapidly diminishing natural and more Americans every year: the need in cultivated landscape settings and other world about us. Let us work together in to conserve or improve our increasingly such settings influenced by man. However, the knowledge that even though vast por­ depleted, or polluted, natural resources they could only touch lightly on some of tions of our landscape are forever altered (particularly water), while still enriching the motivations, opportunities and chal­ or gone, we may still surround ourselves our lives through ·gardening. lenges connected with promoting a more with the remnants, understand the richness The meeting accomplished its primary dominant role for native plants in Amer­ and diversity of the plants left to us, and purpose: it provided the opportunity for ican horticulture. Mrs. Lady Bird John­ reconstruct some of nature's beauty in har­ many different native plant groups to come son's presentation, "The American Wild- mony with man's other needs. ft

-Charles Huckins, Executive Director

2 Aprii1985 .. ( ~MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS IN ALL THE WORLD \~' ' ~

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1. •• ~ -======.' . STRANGE RELA TlVES The Barberry Family

he diverse sorts of plants found in ual, bear four to six sepals as well as four pound, and the stems are thornless. the barberry family provide an in­ to six petals. Sepals and petals are often There is a strong resemblance among the T teresting study in contrasts; in fact, similar, and there are as many stamens as 400 species in the genus Berberis, but the they have confounded some botanists and petals, or twice as many. The fruit is a plants vary in size from as low as one foot taxonomists trying to arrive at a reason­ berry. in height to 20 feet tall. Over 50 species able classification. Here in the barberry Members of this family occur mostly in are cultivated in America. All are more or family, Berberidaceae, are the ubiquitous the temperate regions of the Northern less spiny. Barberries have yellow wood thorny shrubs and hedges of that name, Hemisphere, but they also appear, to a and inner bark; all are spring-blooming not to mention Oregon grape, the delicate limited extent, in the Southern Hemi­ and bear yellow flowers in longish clusters. American twinleaf, a "bamboo" that is not sphere. Many species iFl this family are Each flower has six petals and stamens. a bamboo, a versatile ground cover plant, prized ornamental plants; however, in The stamens explosively discharge their and a root that is a source of a compound general, they do not have great economic pollen when touched. The globose or ob­ used in research on some types of tumor importance. long berries, with one to several seeds, may therapy. All are grouped together botan­ Horticulturally, the most important be red, black or blue-black. ically as Berberidaceae because they share genera of the barberry family are Berberis Mamy Berberis species lose their leaves certain characteristics of floral parts and and Mahonia .. Because of their similarities, in the autumn; others are evergreen. All fruit. these two genera were once combined in of the deciduous kinds display fine autumn Members of the barberry family are a single genus. Their foliage is the distin­ coloring. The spines with which they are shrubs or perennial herbs with simple or guishing characteristic: Berberis species armed are often formidable in size and compound leaves. Some of the shrubs are have simple, spiny leaves and thorny stems; strength. Some spines are simple, while evergreen. The flowers, which are bisex- leaves of Mahonia are pinnately com- others are three-parted and often curved.

4 Aprii1985 B. canadensis, Alleghany barberry, is an attractive ornamental that is native from Virginia to Georgia. Like European bar­ berry, it is susceptible to rust and therefore not a desirable pl ant to grow. B. thunbergii, Japanese barberry, is probably the most widely known exotic shrub in the United States. It was discov­ ered in the mountains of Japan and sent to St. Petersburg Botanic Gardens by the Russian botanist Carl Maximowicz in 1864. In about 1875, seeds from St. Petersburg were received at the Arnold Arboretum, and from there, plants were distributed in this country. The species name honors the Swedish professor of botany, Carl P. FAR LEFT: Mahonia aquifolium, commonly Thunberg (1743-1828). called Oregon grape or holly mahonia. LEFT: Hardiness, ease of culture and general Nandina domestica, heavenly bamboo. ABOVE: Berberis julianae, wintergreen attractiveness have made Japanese bar­ barberry. Dick Keen berry one of the most popular shrubs grown in this country. In the spring, a barberry's rust-resistant stock; state agencies are re­ arching branches are strung with hanging sponsible for inspection of the nurseries. yellow blossoms; in the autumn, the flow­ Immune or resistant barberries have few ers are replaced by shining scarlet berries. other insect or disease pests, and make The autumn leaves turn varying shades of good additions to the garden where low orange and red to crimson, and fruits of maintenance is important. glowing red persist through the winter. B. According to botanical sources, Berberis thunbergii is an indispensable barrier hedge vulgaris, European barberry, was present plant, for it is very thorny. in America as far back as 1737. It was There are numerous excellent varieties Pamela Harper undoubtedly brought to the American col­ OF cultivars of Japanese barberry, each one onies by the first settlers. Since that time, of which has special merit. 'Erecta', a pat­ E. H. "Chinese" Wilson, renowned plant it has become naturalized; it is hardy to ented form known as truehedge column­ explorer of the Arnold Arboretum, gath­ USDA Zone 2. This barberry was once berry, is erect and very compact. 'Minor', ered barberries in the region of the Chino­ cultivated for its fruits, which were thought commonly called box barberry, is a dwarf Tibetan border, on mountain peaks in For­ to have antiseptic properties. The colonists that can be clipped to form a border hedge mosa, and in southern India and Equa­ made jams, jellies, pies and drinks from only a few inches high. Other cultivars can torial Africa. In his lifetime he added about the edible fruits, and sour sauce from the be obtained from the many nurseries that 30 new barberry species to Western gar­ leaves. The fine-grained wood is yellow; a handle Japanese barberry, the species most dens. His Oriental plant explorations have yellow dye obtained from under the bark commonly available. greatly enriched our gardens, giving us was used to stain wool and leather. B. thunbergii is one of very f€w bar­ plants well worth growing for beauty of However, B. vulgaris is an alternate host berries that does not generally hybridize habit, foliage display and decorative fruit. to wheat stem rust, and its cultivation has with other species with which it is grown; Although Berberis species are desirable declined. Farmers of China, Europe and usually, seedlings are true to type. This horticulturally, some must be rigorously America kn(lw of the presence of this rust plant has, however, been used by bre€ders excluded from the landscape in wheat­ long before scientists had worked out its as a parent of some very desirable hybrids. producing regions because they serve as life history. The Barberry Law of Massa­ Hardiest of the evergreen barberries is alternate hosts to black stem rust of wheat chusetts, enacted by the provincial gov­ B. julianae, wintergreen barberry, a native and certain other cereal crops. Fortu­ ernment on January 13, 1755, called for of China introduced by Wilson to England nately, some of the most ornamental spe­ "extirpation or destruction on or before in 1900 and then to the Arnold Arboretum cies and varieties are immune or resistant June 13, 1760, of any barberry bushes in 1907. It was named for Princess Juliana, to the rust fungus. In the United States, all standing or growing on public or private who was later queen of the Netherlands. nurseries are regulated and must ship only lands in any towns of the province." Its long, narrow, dark green leaves are pale

American Horticulturist 5 STRANGE RELATIVES

barberries that he discovered and intro­ duced. Donald Wyman, formerly of the Arnold Arboretum, also recommends it as one of the best of the evergreen barberries for ornamental use. B. verruculosa is a three-foot plant of compact habit with overlapping branches. Perfect for the rock­ ery, and hardy from Zone 4 southward, it bears solitary, golden yellow flowers that are larger than those borne by most bar­ berries. The leathery leaves, which are lus­ trous green above and white beneath, have spiny margins. The autumn color of the foliage is bronze. Mahonia is a genus of about 100 species of American and Asian evergreen shrubs. All of these species were once included in Berberis. The genus Mahonia bears the name of Bernard M'Mahon (1775-1816), a famous American botanist and horti­ culturist, and author of The American Gardener's Calendar (circa 1807). All ma­ Achlys triphylla, commonly called vanilla leaf or deerfoot. Joanne Pavia honias are eV(lrgreen, thornless shrubs with beneath and have margins that are toothed are two South American species, B. dar­ compound leaves that have from five to and spiny. Clusters of yellow flowers are winii and B. empetrifolia. It is an impen­ 15 spiny-margined leaflets. The spring­ followed by bluish-black, egg-shaped ber­ etrable evergreen bush with slender inter­ borne terminal flower clusters are yellow ries. This eight-foot shrub is one of the lacing stems densely clothed with narrow and fragrant. Some mahonias are hardy in most popular of the Chinese introductions. black-green leaves. From the mass of northern states with protection. As with A valuable addition to the barberry clan branches every year are produced arching barberries, some species are susceptible to came with the production of the hybrid B. shoots each a foot or more long which in wheat stem rust. x mentorensis, a cross between B. julianae spring are wreathed from end to end with M. aquifolium-Oregon grape, holly and B. thunbergii. It is a vigorous semi­ rich golden yellow flowers; in the autumn mahonia or holly barberry-is a OD(l- to evergreen that withstands hot, dry sum­ they are laden with globose berries which three-foot shrub that is native to the Pacific mers and temperatures as low as - 20° F. are covered with a bluish-white waxy Coast sections of North America. It spreads Best known among barberries native to bloom." by underground stems and bears dense, parts of the Southern Hemisphere are Dar­ This hybrid, known also as rosemary erect clusters of fragrant yellow blossoms win's barberry, B. darwin ii, and Magellan barberry, is a graceful evergreen that is above its lustrous fol iage. Its leaves have barberry, B. buxifolia. Charles Darwin admirable as a specimen plant on the lawn, five to nine leaflets, and the leaflets fre­ discovered B. darwinii on an island off as a covering for steep banks or as a hedge quently have spines on their margins. Glo­ Chile during the voyage of the Beagle in plant. Its lance-shaped leaves are green bose, blue-black berries account for the 1835. A splendid hedge plant that reaches above, pale beneath, and spine-tipped with plant's common names. Oregon grape does a height of 10 feet, Darwin's barberry is rolled margins. It does not prosper in areas well as far north as Montreal and is ha,rdy an evergreen species with small, spiny leaves, north of Washington, D.C., and although from Zone 5 southward. This species has orange flowers and abundant, bluish-pur­ hardy in USDA Zone 6 and southward, it many variants, and a number of its cul­ ple berries. Magellan barberry, B. buxi­ does not thrive in the East. Seedlings from tivars are widely used ornamental shrubs folia, is suited to the South and regions this hybrid have been raised and named, in temperate climates. The famous British west of the Rocky Mountains. This species providing variations in foliage and flower plant collector David Douglas introduced is from southern Chile, where its globose color; the cllitivars are widely used in the species to England from America about blue berries have been used for conserves. England. 1825. An erect, eight-foot evergreen shrub, B. Wilson named one of his introductions M. bealei also bears upright clusters of buxifolia is the first of the true barberries from western China B. wilsoniae to honor fragrant yellow flowers. A seven-foot shrub to open flowers in spring. It is a variable his wife. He described it as "a most charm­ familiar in southern gardens, it is hardy species and is known in a dwarf form, B. ing low-growing species of elegant habit." to Zone 7. This leathery-leaved mahonia buxifolia var. nana, and in another com­ B. wilsoniae is almost prostrate; the arch­ from China is often confused with the Jap­ pact form in which the thorns are longer ing and ground-hugging branches are well anese species, M. japonica, which bears than the leaves. suited for banks and rockeries. Its berries pendent flow(lr clusters. Both are vigorous Wilson lavishly praised the qualities of are coral or salmon-red, and its leaves are shrubs that are well suited to the climate the genus Berberis as a whole, and clearly tipped with prickles. It is semi-evergreen; of California. identified his favorites. "The most beau­ the leaves persist in warm climates. M. repens, creeping barberry or creeping tiful of all barbarries," he wrote, "is the Wilson identified B. verruculosa, warty mahonia, is an excellent evergreen ground hybrid B. x stenophylla, whose parents barberry, as his favorite of the evergreen cover. This native of the American and

6 April1985 C;REER ~.?~jJ.. .~ ~§~jJ...~

" SPECIALIZINC IN - the rare and unique a~~~~~~ ... Rhododendrons, Dwarf Conifers, Canadian Northwest spreads by creeping Japanese Maples, LewiSII·a, companion plants ). underground stems and produces terminal Azaleas, Bonsai Materia -..!< clusters of fragrant yellow flowers. R Flowerin.~ Trees and Shrubs ~tl M. trifoliolata (formerly Berberis tri­ Good selection of ~ foliata) is the plant known as "agarita" of D unusual Horticulture Books Texas and Mexico. This very dense eight­ foot shrub, with its spiny-toothed, thrice­ E Color catalog describes, prices over ~t' 2000 plants. Widely recognized as a divided leaves, is not hardy north of Zone valuable reference book. $2.00. 6. Jelly is sometimes made from its blue­ N World Wide ShJpp~ black fruit. 1280 Goodpasture Island Road C! EUGENE, OREGON 97401 X Mahoberberis is a hybrid genus in­ P ~ :f~jJ.. . ~ ~ .?~p,. . ~ Dept. AH - (503) 686-8266 cluding offspring of three or four crosses between Mahonia and Berberis. The spe­ cies in this genus have either simple or compound leaves on the same plant, and spines are generally lacking. Flowers or fruits are scarce or nonexistent. None of these hybrids are exceptional ornamentals, but they are resistant to stem rust. Nandina domestica is another woody member of the barberry clan. It belongs to a genus with just one species that was cre­ ated by the botanist Carl Thunberg to give identity to this interesting and attractive plant. Thunberg took the Japanese name Nanten for the genus. He gave the species the name domestica because the plant is always grown near the Japanese home. Its aromatic twigs have been used as tooth­ picks or toothbrushes. According to one quaint superstition, dreams must be whis­ pered into the plant's foliage either to pre­ vent or to ensure that they will come true. Originally from northern China and India, Nandina has for many centuries been cher­ Lilypons Water Gardens ished and claimed by the Japanese. Wil­ liam Kerr first brought the plant to Eng­ ~E a itwLL thwu;Jh -.£4pom in JOWl. fQJJO'1.itE. ki'1.. !Do it with land in 1804. Later collections were made a -.£~poni =~;}U£ featU'1.in:J p~E aftE.'1. ~E of CEaUtiful by E. H. Wilson. fo~, fi~, Nandina in no way resembles the bar­ watE.'1.-LJiEi, CO;} planti, itatua.7.J and the EllE.ntiali fO'1. berries, save in structure of flower and fruit. ~Pin:J it ail wod;.in:J to;}Ethe'1.. The grace and featheriness of its leaves remind one of bamboo, so it bears the flo pooL Jet? -.£4pom offE'1.i them in fiCE'lfJLai1, gxv{!, cIt!B~ common name heavenly bamb00. Six- to pfaitw, and uJ;CE'1.. eight-foot canes terminate in elegant, pin­ nately compound foliage. Nandina, a ·------1 handsome landscape plant, bears erect II 0 Begin my stroll now by sending me the new Lilypons catalogue plus trusses of small white flowers that are fol­ infonnative newsletters with seasonal sales. Enclosed is $3.50. lowed by masses of scarlet berries. It thrives I MD and TX reSidents please add 18¢ tax. in shade or sun, but attains its full size 10 1500 Amhort Road o 1500 Lilypons Road only in Zone i and southward. (For more I P.O. Box 10 P.O. Box 188 on the uses and C1!llture of Nandina, see I Lilypons, MD 2171'7-0010 Brookshire, TX 77423-0188 "The Bamboo Alternative" by Gail Gibson I (301) 874-5133 (713) 934-8525 in the October 1982 issue of American I Horticulturist. ) I Epimedium and Vancouveria are both I Name Address genera of low, rhizomatous perennial herbs I in the barberry family. Both of these sim­ LI~ ______S~ ~ ~ ilar species have somewhat woody or wiry stems. Epimediums are natives of the tem­ perate Fegions of Europe and Asia; van-

American Horticulturist 7 STRANGE RELA TIVES

couverias are native to western North twice as many, stamens as petals. May­ America. apple fruit is a fleshy berry. The pulp of The 21 species of epimediums have been the fruit is edible, but not the seed. , frequently confused in cultivation. Three Podophyllum peltatum is native from .--- species, as well as a number of hybrids, Quebec to Florida and Texas. Samuel de 1 are widely cultivated for their fine flowers. Champlain, the first European to see and 1 Depending upon the cultivar, the mounds describe the plant, found it in 1615 in the 1 of thrice-divided leaves range from eight territory of the Huron Indian tribes. In Greenhouse 1 to 22 inches tall. Although individual blos­ early years it was listed as Anapodophyl­ orSunroom? I soms are small, their profusion creates a lum, the wild duck's foot leaf, but this Make the right choice with Janco. 1 fairyland among the heart-shaped leaflets, awkward name was reduced to Podo­ 1 which are borne on wiry stems. The form phyllum by Linnaeus in 1737. The specific We're the only manufacturer to offer 1- of epimedium flowers is difficult to de­ epithet peltatum describes the way in which a complete range of greenhouses and 50larooms to match every lifestyle. 1 scribe. In most cultivars, the petals have the flower and fruit are shielded by the big climate and budget. 1 spurs or nectaries that extend out over the leaves. The plant has received many ver­ So before you make your decision. 1 petaloid sepals. The effect is almost a col­ nacular names but is best known among send $2.00 and receive our informa- umbine in miniature. Epimediums produce English-speaking people as mayapple; its tive 48-page color catalog featuring 1 their red, rose, violet, yellow or white French equivalent, pomme de mai, is used over 100 greenho~uses. 1 50larooms and flowers in the spring before leaves mature. in both France and Frem~h Canada. accessories. . 1 The leaves are almost evergreen; the fo­ The drug podophyllin is obtained from &. GLASS STRUCTURES 1 liage of some species turns a rusty color the rhizomes of both the American P. pel­ Mail to: Building in the sun since 1948. 1 Janco Greenhouses Dept AM-4. 9390 Davis Ave. and persists through the winter. These bar­ tatum and the Asian species, commonly Laurel, MD 20707. (301) 498-5700 1 berry family members are hardy and are called Himalayan mayapple, P. hexan­ I've enclosed $2.00 to cover tirst-<:Iass posta@eand 1 handling of my 48·page color catalog. suited to woodland areas and for use as drum. An extract from this plant is often Name ------1 ground covers. The meaning of the botan­ used in treating certain warts, and some Address ______ical name, derived from the Greek, is un­ cancer specialists use it for other skin City State __ Zip -- 1 Phone ( ) • certain. This herb is sometimes listed as growths. Dr. Jonathan Hartwell of the Na­ L barrenwort, possibly based on its reputed tional Cancer Institute devoted five years ------medicinal use in China in times past. (For of his life to pharmacological investigation more on epimediums, see "Epimediums" of a Penobscot Indian cancer remedy that by Mrs. Ralph Cannon in the April 1984 resulted in production of podophyllin from ';' £ONIf.,S issue of American Horticulturist.) the root of P. peltatum. Vancouveria is the North American In 1981, Barbara Griggs wrote in Green .. ~ IRIS equivalent of Epimedium. Vancouveria has Pharmacy: A History of Herbal Medicine, leaflets that are rounded at the tip and "Apart from the huge antibiotic field, (tW".J:Ibab)'!:}.~~£S flowers with six inner sepals, petals and postwar research initially concentrated on stamens. (Epimedium flowers have only drug plants whose pharmacological activ­ 'roro. W d ns 'Wild's gar e four of each.) The name honors a British ity was already well known-among them explorer, Captain George Vancouver of mayapple. Podophyllum was an obvious -COLOR 00 the Royal Navy (1757-1798). choice for investigation with its long his­ OG $2. American woodlands and wildflower tory in folk and Indian medicine of use A'f AL log order) gardens abound in herbaceous represen­ against skin eancer .... Today the resin of C 01\ first c(1t(1 d ductible tatives of the barberry family. These her­ [Po podophyllum] is still the drug of choice ( e collectiOn baceous wildlings enjoy a prominence of in the treatment of soft warts, and it is also a gorgeOUS today lor their own; they seem strange relatives of being studied for anti-tumor action." select Iro~eauties. sen:ef1satiO~al 01 garden lor catalOg· 00 varieties, the woody and thorny shrubs that are their Umbrella leaf, Diphylleia cymosa, is a 96.page CO more tnan ~3 kin. resident of rich woods of southern moun­ value~ on planting tIPS ' ~\-~BRA:r'1- l One of these is the mayapple, Podo­ tains from western Virginia to north Geor­ pIUS time 'f v~" phyllum peltatum, which is readily rec­ gia. Non-flowering plants produce a single YEARS ognizable because of the pairs of large, umbrella-like leaf with the stem attached lobed, umbrella-like leaves that it bears on at its center. Flowering plants produce a . Please send your value-packed foot-high stems. Mayapples grow in col­ pair of leaves, each deeply cleft and at­ I• catalog.------IJ I enclose $2, deductible I onies that seem to stalk acro~s the wood­ tached to the stem at the margin. Between I on my first catalog order. I land landscape; if they were less rampant, the two, a cluster of small white flowers I Name • we might treasure them more. Some of the arises in April or May; roundish blue ber­ I St.lRFD • largest leaves are a foot across. Mayapples ries follow. I City State---.-Zip_ I produce their leaves singly or in pairs. When Another American wildflower favorite the stem branches, the plants produce two is twinleaf, Jeffersonia diphylla. This little I send to: I I GILBERT H. WILD & SON, INC. I leaves; in the fork hangs a single flower. gem, which was named for Thomas Jef­ ~ AH· 285 Joplin SI. • Sarcoxie . MO 64862 . The flowers have six w'axy sepals and six ferson, grows naturally in the woods from ••••••••••• PM to nine petals, and there are as many, or New York State to the Deep South and

8 April1985 Get Acquainted with a Miniature Lady Palm And Discover westward to Wisconsin. The leaves are so the Secret of the Orient deeply divided they seem to have two blades; hence the name diphylla. At flowering time in April or May, the leaves are only partly developed, and the two halves may be folded together. When mature, the leaves are 'six to eight inches long and two to four inches wide. Blossoms are borne on smooth stalks six to eight inches tall. Each flower is about an inch across, with four sepals, eight white petals and six stamens. In folk and Indian medicine, the root has had some medicinal uses; one common name for the plant is DESERT SUN PLANTER rheumatism root. Rock garden enthusiasts Trya little added sunshine in your home, KOBAN are acquainted with a blue-flowered spe­ with this Cactus Pl anter in a favorite wi n· 7" pot cies,]. dubia, from China. dow, or sunny area . Complete ki t co n­ Blue cohosh, Caulophyllum thalic­ tains: Pl anter as shown, five (5) Live Palm & Book Cacti, potting soi l and co mplete planting $24.95 ppd. ($34 value) troides, is another eastern North American instructions. Postpaid $8.50. (All plants wildflower of the barberry family. Cohosh simi lar to illu st ration.) Current Mail­ DWARF RHAPIS EXCELSA ' KOBAN' is an Algonquin Indian name; the plant is Order Catalog in color and B/W illustra­ 5" plastic pot, 16" tall, 3 yrs. old also known as papooseroot and squaw­ tions $2 .00 , (Complete catalog cost and COMPLETE BOOK OF RHAPIS PALMS root. American Indians used powdered root refundable on your first regular catalog order.) 52 pages, fully Illustrated of blue cohosh to facilitate childbirth. The by Lynn McKamey medical profession later employed it in K & L Cactus Nursery offer expires 10/85 payment with order Dept Book $5 R""~ Catatog $2 treating various disorders, although it is AMS not officially approved for use in the United 127 12 Stockton Boulevard Galt. California 95632 Kltllpis vllrdeHS States. The thrice-divided leaves of cohosh ~~ (209) 745-4756 resemble meadow rue, Thalictrum spp.; p. O. D. 2B7-A, GREGORY, TEXAS 78359 hence the specific epithet. Solitary stems, each bearing a large, almost stalkless, com­ pound leaf near the apex, arise from thick rhizomes. Greenish-purple flowers are produced in terminal clusters from April to May. As the berry-like fruit matures, it opens to reveal a pair of blue seeds. Dolt From the wooded West Coast of upper California to British Columbia comes va­ Our Way nilla leaf, Achlys triphylla. Some people call it sweet leaf and pluck its scented leaves to hang in their homes. This species pro­ duces leaves that are divided into three fan­ Ju st pot or repot our way. Strong, healthy growth and beautiful blooms shaped leaflets. The minute flowers lack will come your wayl .. Year after sepals or petals but have six to 13 stamens year after year. with long filaments. The flowers are borne IT'S BACTI-VATEDI Baccto Pottin~ in a dense spike on a leafless stalk about Soil is teeming with the live , ben­ a foot above the ground. eficial bacteria plants need to utilize fertiluer and water efficiently. Plants Some groups of species in the barberry benefit immediately, and remain family-Mahonia and Berberis, Epime­ healthier longer. dium and Vancouveria, for example-are Everything grows better with Baccto S9 similar they are separated into different Potting Soil. Try it. You 'll see. genera on the basis of only a few diagnostic characteristics. Other members of the fam­ ily, such as mayapples and twinleaf, seem so different from barberries that it seems SOILBUILDING hardly possible that they are even related. Th(l barberri(ls are strange relatives indeed. PRODUCTS FROM MICHIGAN PEAT CO. 8 -Jane Steffey BACcm p. O. Box 66388, Houston, TX 77266

Jane Steffey is an active AHS vohmteer and serves as Editorial Advisor to American Horticulturist. A Portrait of Beatrix Farrand BY MARGARET PARKE

10 Aprii1985 'N 0 one who worked with Beatrix 'Baroness Rothschild', 'Marie Van Houtte' of the nurturing role. Despite the preju­ Farrand could fail to be im­ and 'Bon Silene' roses. Her uncle, John dices against working women, Farrand pressed by her professional at­ Cadwalader, used to take her along on found herself working in the cultural titude to her job. Always the first to be out shooting trips to Scotland, and was among mainstream, and her outstanding artis­ in the morning, she was the last to come the first to observe a strong streak of de­ tic talents brought her to the top of her in at night. Her energy seemed to surmount termination in his young niece. "Whatever profession. any obstacle-even the worst onslaughts she wishes to do, will be done well," he Farrand met Professor Charles Sprague of rain and cold. In her tweeds and Mack­ prophesied. Sargent, the first director of the Arnold intosh, we could see her tall, erect figure When Farrand was about 11 years of Arboretum, through a meeting with Mrs. conversing-in all weathers-with archi­ age, her carefree childhood was shaken by Sargent. It was Sargent who encouraged tects, builders, gardeners, tactfully collab­ her parents' divorce. It seems that her father Farrand to study landscape gardening. orating with them all and slowly winning disappeared from her life after the divorce; Presumably Edith Wharton-herself a force them to her ideas. Not for nothing was at least there is little evidence that he main­ in reviving classical tastes in archi·tecture she known among our friends as Queen tained any influence. Her mother, Phila­ and decoration, and author of Italian Vil­ Elizabeth. Her finely chiseled face and dig­ delphia-born and adept at directing charity las and Their Gardens-also influenced her. nified bearing seemed indeed the person­ organizations, became the literary agent There were no specialized schools that Far­ ification of royalty" (Obituary by Mrs. for her sister-in-law, Edith Wharton, with rand could attend at the time; Harvard Leonard Elmhirst, Dartington Hall News whom friendly relations continued. Far­ opened its school of landscape architec­ of the Day). rand found herself surrounded by artists, ture, to men only, in 1900, and the Low­ The aristocratic woman in Harris tweeds, writers and famous figures of the time, thorpe School of Landscape Architecture, sloshing about in the mud at a construction including John La Farge, Marion Craw­ Gardening and Horticulture, which was site in this scene is not a contemporary, as ford, Henry and BrooksAdams,andHenry for women, was not founded until 1901. one might think. Rather, she was born into James. She was tutored at home; trips to Sargent offered to take her on as a student Philadelphia society in Victorian times, and Europe, sometimes with her Aunt Edith, at the Arnold Arboretum, and she began lived her life during an era when a wom­ rounded out her education. her education under his tutelage in 1893. an's role was greatly restricted by social Little is known about the personal life (Sargent, with Frederick Law Olmsted, was mores. of Beatrix Farrand as a young woman. laying out the grounds of the Arboretum Beatrix Jones Farrand (1872-1959) was Purportedly, there was at least one broken at the time, so he was able to introduce a pre-eminent landscape architect of the engagement in her younger years. In a por­ his student to the practical skills of sur­ "country-place" era in American land­ trait painted of her in 1896 by Sara Choate veying and staking out the land.) scape history. Her career spanned 50 years, Sears, an unhappy-looking young woman Sargent understood that "the plant must and when she died at the age of 87, about gazes at us with sad eyes, but even here fit the ground," not the other way around, 110 of her garden designs, including parts the bearing that earned her the nickname and his young student absorbed this un­ of nine college campuses, had enhanced "Queen Elizabeth" is evident. (Mrs. Lewis derstanding and appreciated the impor­ our landscape. Alas, only a few of these "Amy" Garland, a member of Farrand's tance of the natural characteristics of a site. remain as she designed them; such is the household and garden staff at her Reef Her feel for these characteristics became fragility of landscape architecture. Only a Point home in Maine for 30 years, ob­ the cornerstone on which she planned her few of her major works survive: Dum­ served that Mrs. Farrand hated the paint­ gardens. Farrand shared Sargent's high re­ barton Oaks in Washington, D.C.; the Abby ing and eventually removed it from its spot gard for the value of native plants in the Aldrich Rockefeller Garden on Mount above the fireplace.) landscape, and learned to use them effec­ Desert, Maine; and parts of the campuses Had she followed the traditional route tively in combination with cultivated forms. at Princeton and Yale. of marriage and childbearing, estate and Her use of plant texture and form as strong Beatrix Farrand was born in New York country-place gardens of her time would design elements in and of themselves was in 1872, the only child of Mary Cadwa­ probably never have reflected the vitality to become a hallmark of her designs in lader Rawle and Frederick Rhinelander and elegance of her talents. Apparently she later years. Jones. The genteel world in which she had to work to maintain her accustomed Farrand also studied botany, an interest moved was described by Edith Wharton, standard of living. She was strong-willed that would consume her throughout her the younger sister of Farrand's father, as and resourceful, but at the same time well­ long love affair with plants. Some who one of "leisure and amiable hospitality." bred and conventional, and not the kind knew her said that she possessed an almost (It was also a world that some social critics to flout late-Victorian social values. She psychological understanding of plants. have pronounced as largely affluent, self­ had a fine voice, and for a while considered While still in her early 20's, Farrand vis­ centered and unproductive.) making singing her career, but in the end ited the Columbian Exposition in Chicago As a young girl, Beatrix enjoyed trailing she turned to her love of plants. After all, and witnessed the triumph of the Beaux after her grandmother in her Newport gar­ she would say, she came from "five gen­ Arts over the fading Romantic style. Then, den, cutting off the dead flowers from erations of gardeners." in the spring of 1895, she set out to study Gardening was accepted as a natural pastime for the Victorian gentlewoman, and it was simply a step further for society to accept women landscape architects­ both activities were viewed as extensions

American Horticulturist 11 the important gardens on the Continent rable from the creative mind." and in England with Sargent's blessing. Farrand's work expanded to include The journals she kept during her travels college campuses. In 1912 she was asked could be dubbed "the education of a land­ to help with the layout of the Graduate scape architect." She visited the Villa Al­ College being built at Princeton University. dobrandini and pondered the view of the This project led to work on campuses at Campagna near Rome. She recorded her Yale, Oberlin, the University of Chicago, impressions of the Villa Lante, the Boboli the California Institute of Technology and and other gardens in France, Holland and others. Her landscape plans for colleges Germany. She viewed all of these marvel­ were marked by practicality, simplicity and ous landscapes with the sophisticated, crit­ an eye for economic maintenance. Com­ ical eye that was developed during her ear­ mon sense prevailed: "Windows should lier travels with Edith Wharton and honed not be shaded, as light and air are vitally under Sargent. important for the students and Faculty," Although her experiences on the Con­ she wrote in the Princeton Alumni Weekly tinent would enrich her work, her affinity in 1926. She resorted to her skill in using for the landscape and gardens of England native species of trees and shrubs for eco­ proved to be the strongest and most last­ nomic plantings, and was a strong pro­ ing. (She even preferred the English ap­ moter of maintaining campus nurseries so pellation "landscape gardener" to "land­ that plantations could be renewed or ex­ scape architect.") She visited Kew, Hampton panded at minimal expense. As in all her Court, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and Dumbarton Oaks, Trustees for Harvard University work, she insisted on topnotch mainte­ Penshurst, and she met the great English presenting four alternate drawings for each nance-an unyielding requirement that landscape theoretition and practitioner, design. She never forgot that a garden later, at her own garden at Reef Point, Gertrude Jekyll, whom she admired. Later, should reflect the owner's tastes. (One sus­ proved to be her nemesis. as Farrand's work matured, her own unique pects, however, that she was not above While working at Yale, she met Max style synthesized many "Jekyllean" ele­ changing their minds if she felt that artistic Farrand, who was at that time head of the ments; her informal gardeN designs linked appropriateness was at stake.) Often she history department. To those who have garden to countryside, and used master­ had life-size Jl10ckups made of architec­ only appearances to weigh, it seems that fully blended color schemes as well as wild tural details in a ga·rden-a gate, ironwork an attraction of opposites took place. In and native plants. pattern or bench-so that expensive de­ any case, the retiring, scholarly professor When Farrand returned to New York in cisions could be made confidently on site. was by no means cowed by the imperious, September 1895, she set up shop in her She never mastered some of the more yet impeccably courteous landscape de­ mother's house in New York City. Women technical skills of surveying or drawing signer. They were married in 1916 when in landscape architecture at that time were perspectives and elevations of sites, al­ she was 44 years of age. Three years before not offered the opportunity to work on though those who worked with her said her death, Farrand wrote an "obituary" in large-scale public or civic projects, as were that she could "sketch well enough." She which she alludes to their relationship: their male counterparts, such as the Olmsted preferred to delegate these tasks to others "They were neither of them young and brothers, or the large firms of Charles Eliot and to spend her energies on design con­ each had attained some distinction in their and Hare and Hare. The only work avail­ cepts, meetings and correspondence with work, consequently they agreed to go ahead able to women was in designing estate gar­ clients, and supervising the work. Her ca­ with their professional careers and the dens and large country places. pacity for hard work could only have been marriage enriched both their lives." "They The social contacts of Farrand's mother possible for someone committed to excel­ understood each other," Mrs. Garland said helped at first. In 1896 Farrand was com­ lence and with great reserves of physical of the Farrands. missioned to design a garden at Tuxedo, and emotional energy. Amy Garland re­ The '20's offered women new oppor­ New York; other commissions in New York called that when she would come in for tunities in landscape architecture. Annette and in Newport, Rhode Island followed. breakfast at 6:30 a.m., she would often Hoyt Flanders, for example, operated a Within three years she was prominent notice Farrand "fully dressed and busy at successful New York office with a large enough to be chosen one of 11 charter her desk-she had already been working staff of women; her practice included res­ members (and the only woman) of the for some time. Then she would take a few idential subdivisions, commercial devel­ American Society of Landscape Architects. cookies from the cookie jar, and that would opments, parks and exhibition gardens in Her reputation spread, her practice ex­ be her lunch because she wouldn't come addition to large estates, which still com­ panded, and she opened an office at 124 home again until evening." Farrand was prised the greater part of her practice. Dur­ East 40th Street in New York City. known to collapse from exhaustion after ing the Depression, however, only a small Farrand was "cut of the same cloth" as a strenuous round of field trips, prompting number of the most successful women were many of her wealthy clients, and looked Edith WhaFton to comment, "She seems able to continue their practices, and Far­ at their world with a shared frame of rd­ to slave at her work in a way that ought rand was pre-eminent among them. Most erence. No wonder she excelled at creating to belong only to the beginnings. The im­ of the work available was in private com­ their gardens, which were backdrops for pulse to accept more work when one al­ missions. Besides the Blisses (owners of their social activities. ready has too much is probably insepa- Dumbarton Oaks) and Mr. and Mrs. John In her work style, she was uncompro­ ~ D. Rockefeller, Jr., Farrand's clients in­ mising in her efforts to provide the best cluded Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt, Mrs. for her clients; she developed a pattern of Woodrow Wilson and]. P. Morgan. Many

12 Aprii1985 of her commissions turned into long-term There were also species rose gardens and As if these treasures were not already associations lasting 20 years or more. This bog plantings, a "domestic" planting and overwhelming, there was the Gertrude enabled her to oversee the maintenance a British group. The grounds were ac­ Jekyll Collection-the original plans, and to follow the gardens as they matured, cented with plantings of maples, oaks and drawings, letters and other documents of making adjustments in keeping with her pine, and an intricate path and road system Jekyll's entire life's work. Farrand had original vision of them. connected garden with garden, and gar­ bought the collection "for a moderate sum" Farrand often formed warm and lasting dens to buildings. from a dealer in London during the war. relationships with her clients. Her intense In 1927 Max Farrand became director In 1955, after consulting with various 11-year collaboration with Mrs. Mildred of the Huntington Library, and the Far­ experts, Farrand dismantled the house and Bliss, wife of Ambassador Robert Woods rands divided their time between San Ma­ garden at Reef Point. The world had Bliss, in creating the garden at Dumbarton rino, California, and Reef Point in Maine. changed from those almost halcyon days Oaks is now legendary, as is their lifelong The landscape of California presented a at the beginning of the century when she friendship. Farrand considered Dumbar­ new challenge to Farrand. She accom­ created gardens (almost 50 on Mount Des­ ton Oaks, the 16-acre garden show place plished some notable works there; outside ert Island alone) for the affluent. The Great in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., the of landscaping their own grounds at the Depression, and a disastrous fire on the "most deeply felt and best of 50 years' director's house, her work at the Santa Island in 1947, had changed the fabric of practice. " Barbara Botanic Garden proved to be the life. Costs had increased and capital, di­ The only landscape work Farrand did most satisfying. However, she was not able minished, and there were uncertainties re­ outside the United States was at Darting­ to expand her practice significantly, and garding taxation. Reef Point was not near ton Hall, a historic medieval manor owned most of her major work continued to be other educational centers, and it was dif­ by the Elmhirsts of Devonshire, England, in the Northeast. ficult to attract teaching staff. Good gar­ and converted into a private boarding The Farrands had dreams of making Reef deners were also hard to find. There was school. (Mrs. Leonard Elmhirst was the Point an educational center for horticul­ no assurance that the rigorous mainte­ widow of Willard Straight, whose Long ture, as well as a regional institution to nance standards of its owner could con­ Island garden was designed earlier by Far­ encourage the appreciation of outdoor tinue, a point that was crucial. rand.) Farrand, 60 years old when she be­ beauty, especially of plant and bird life. One can only guess at the agony behind gan the project, crisscrossed the Atlantic Reef Point Gardens was incorporated in Farrand's words when she announced her annually from 1933 to 1939 to direct the 1939, with officers and directors and ar­ decision: "It has taken all the courage the work. When World War II intervened, most rangements for future endowment. In ad­ present owner of Reef Point can muster to of the basic problems were solved. In a dition to the grounds, there was a library have arrived at this decision ...." One can letter to the Elmhirsts in 1956, Farrand "to help all those who needed horticultural only marvel at her spirit when she writes, wrote: "Probably, it is unlikely that it will aid, and to contribute its mite to the art " It is better to be of good courage and be my good fortune to see [Darrington Hall) of living as expressed in gardening." The arise and do it, than to have to face de­ again, but in memory, the lovely hills, the gardens were open throughout the grow­ terioration of the gardens and waste the distant views, the quiet valleys and the great ing season, and many garden lovers visited resources of the library and collections." trees are all vividly with me . . . . Such happy the place. The library and collections-together days they were for me, with you both, When Max died in 1945, many of the with her personal office files of corre­ perhaps the happiest of a long working Farrands' goals were already fulfilled, but spondence, original plans and drawings­ life." Beatrix was to miss "his steadying hand." were offered to the University of California Wherever her work took her, whatever She established the Max Farrand Memo­ at Berkeley. (This treasure-trove is used responsibilities she accepted, the center­ rial Fund, and books were purchased with today by students in the plant sciences.) indeed the very heart and soul-of her life the income from this fund. She remodeled The garden was dismantled, and some of remained at Reef Point. Her parents built the interior of the house, at considerable the plants were given to Asticou Gardens Reef Point on two acres at Bar Harbor, expense, in oJ;'der to make it more func­ in Northeast Harbor on Mount Desert. Mount Desert, Maine when she was eight. tional for students. By the mid-1950's, all Other favorite plants-azaleas, a stewar­ Originally a summer home, it was a place the plants in the display and test gardens tia, akebia and heathers-were taken to where "intimate contact with growing were labeled and recorded. Many uncom­ Garland Farm in Salisbury, also on Mount things, observation of passing seasons and mon and lovely plants were included, and Desert Island, where she built her last changes give flavor to' each day." Even' all were giveFl the finest care possible. There garden leading out from the French doors tually, it grew to become six acres of dis­ was a herbarium of dried specimens of of her bedroom. As Amy Garland said, play and test gardens where Farrand, as every plant in the garden, which comprised "She couldn't live without the beauty of a owner and designer, had no one to please 2,000 specimen sheets. The reference li­ garden." but herself. Here she studied and experi­ brary-a comprehensive collection of so­ Farrand died in 1959. Toward the end mented with various plants, both native ciety journals, standard works on plants of her life, the night table next to her sickbed and cultivated species. The general plan and horticultural practice, and classics in was extended to hold dozens of bud vases, shows neath, heather and azalea planta­ garden literature and the history of garden each containing one of the single roses that tions, and large groves of northern hard­ design-contained 2,700 volumes. It also she loved. 0 woods, spruce, hemlock and arborvitae. contained her lifelong collections of rare -Margaret Parke There was also a small vegetable garden books, botanical prints and drawings of and an orchard of dwarf fruit trees. Flow­ historic gardens. Margaret Parke is a free-lance writer and photographer whose articles have appeared in ers were grown near the house, and per­ American Horticulturist, Organic Gardening, ennials, in a special garden. Indigenous Horticulture and Westchester magazines, as plants of all kinds were encouraged to grow. well as the New York Times.

American Horticulturist 13 ROCK GARDEN IN THE ROC ES

BY JOSEPHINE ROBERTSON

very year hundreds of people visit the rock garden of the late Dr. T. Paul Maslin in Boulder, Colorado. Dr. Maslin, a profes­ sor of biology at the University of Colo­ rado for many years, became interested in botany during his childhood in China, where his parents were missionaries. Throughout his life, he gardened wherever he lived; by the time he began his project in Boulder, he had had experience with six previous gardens. As a Colorado gardener, Dr. Maslin felt strongly that the Rocky Mountain area has much to offer. It was his belief that al­ though flower growing in the area is in many ways more difficult than in parts of the country with loamy soil and plenty of moisture, gardeners in the Rocky Moun­ tains who want to have a rock garden have a decided advantage. Obviously, there is no shortage of rocks; try to sink a spade anywhere, and it will hit one! And while the mile-high Boulder Valley is at least 5,000 feet lower in altitude than the tundra, it is still high and dry enough to permit the growth of mountain plants that could not survive in warmer, more humid areas. When the Maslins built their home in 1954, the excavation turned up great blocks of red sandstone. Instead of having these trucked away to make way for a lawn, Dr.

RIGHT: 'Picardy' tulips and the dwarf rhododendron 'Ramapo' thrive among the rocks in the garden of the late Dr. T. Paul Maslin. ABOVE: Showy pink and white primroses fill a corner of the garden.

14 April 1985 American Horticulturist 15 Maslin kept them for use in his landscape. included redbud, golden-rain tree, several He sat down with pencil and paper to de­ crabapples and a weeping mulberry. These sign his rock garden, pool and other beds, small trees now provide some shade, but and made a model with little stones and leave enough light for underplanting. To tiny plants, using twigs for trees. Along make certain the soil (which tested neutral, one border of the lOO-by-40-foot lot (which pH 7) was acid enough for rhododen­ includes the house), he planned a sloping drons, cypress and heathers, he added mass of irregular boulders with a stone peatmoss and sawdust. For plants needing path that would lead to the plantings. There a more alkaline soil, he incorporated lime­ would be a rock-rimmed pond for water­ stone and builder's rubble. and moisture-loving specimens, and trees Today, the garden contains hundreds of to give some protection to the shade lovers. small plants. Some are mountain natives, A bulldozer was necessary to position while others were purchased from nurser­ the heavy rocks, and it took many hours ies or acquired by gift or exchange. Tme to orient them just as he wanted. Aside galiden also includes plants raised from seeds from this initial assistance, however, he did or cuttings. Although Dr. Maslin did not all the work himself. have a greenhouse or cold frame, he prop­ The first step was to plant the slow­ agated a great many of his own plants. He growing things: low yew, juniper, dwarf started seeds in two-inch pots filled with rhododendrons, and small shrubs such as Redi-earth or another type of mix with an woody penstemon and cypress. The trees equal amount of sand. In winter, he would LEFT: Dwarf coreopsis shares space transfer the seedlings to three- or four-inch believed that heaths and heathers have been with iris and a variety of other rock pots, put them close together, and instead neglected by Rocky Mountain gardeners, plants. TOP LEFT: This phlox, of covering them for protection, let the and was particularly pleased with Erica thought to be a cross between Phlox lutea and P. purpurea, was leaves drift down on them gradually. He carnea, commonly called snow heather. E. discovered by the Maslins on a took cuttings from woody stems in late carnea is valued for its long season of red collecting trip to Mexico. TOP summer, then dipped them in plant hor­ or pink bloom (depending on the cultivar RIGHT: 'Brazil', an Exbury hybrid mones and planted them in plastic chosen) and attractive, glossy foliage. He azalea, provides glowing color among the rocks. ABOVE: Water sweater boxes. Once the plants were rooted, experimented with many bulbs, as well as lilies, and the ever-changing display he replanted them in four- or six-inch pots gentians, bluebells and saxifrages. The at the edge of the pool, provide until they were ready to set out. snowdrops and species tulips that he pur­ summer beauty in the garden. Among Dr. Maslin's many purchases chased now add charm to the spring gar­ were lavender-flowered rock jasmine (An­ den, while Crocus speciosus gives welcome drosace sp.), blue-flowered Brimeura ame­ color in the autumn. thystina (formerly Hyacinthus amethy­ Dr. Maslin planted many mountain stinus), and several cultivars of heather and flowers-some alpine, some from the lower broom, including Cytisus decumbens. He slopes-in the garden. Four species of col-

American Horticulturist 17 umbine are represented: Aquilegia caeru­ herbaria, the plant had been lost and for­ lea, A. elegantula and A. saximontana, as gotten for almost a century. Maslin was well as the minute A. jonesii. Well-known determined to go and look for it. pasque flower, Anemone patens, and its In September 1978, he and his wife Mary relative A. narcissiflora share space with set out in their van and drove 1,000 miles Chionophilajamesii (commonly known as to the reputed site of the first discovery in snow-lover) and yellow-flowered alpine Chihuahua, Mexico. After adventures, ill­ avens, Geum rossii (formerly Acomastylis ness and disappointments, they started back rossii). Two speci~s of bluebells-four-foot empty-handed. Fortunately, on the way Mertensia ciliata, which is commonly back they came across a stand of multi­ known as chiming bells, and its tiny, eight­ colored phlox, and two or three of the inch relative, M. alpina-are also repre­ plants bore pure yellow flowers. It was sented. Other mountain natives found in difficult to dig up the plants, as the ground the Maslin garden include Draba strep­ was baked hard, and there were only a few tocarpaj Androsace chamaejasme, a tiny mature seeds, which they brought home plant referred to as rock jasmine; rosy with great care. queen's crown, Sedum rhodanthum (for­ Later that year, Dr. Maslil'l returned with merly Clementsia rhodantha); Silene acau­ another botanist, Panayoti Kelaidis, who lis, commonly called cushion pink or moss was curator of the Rock Alpine Section of campion; alpine meadow rue, Thalictrum the Denver Botanic Gardens. When they alpinum; Telesonix jamesii, with its red­ showed a color photograph of the yellow dish-purple flowers and nearly evergreel'l phlox to a young Mexican, he led them to ABOVE: This dwarf Canada foliage; and Viola adunca, a small alpine a fine patch of pure yellow-flowered plants. hemlock, Tsuga canadensis 'Cole's species commonly called hook-spur violet. This time there were plenty of plants and Prostrate', is over 20 years old. TOP For all their charm, the mountain flowers seeds to bring home. These plants, which RIGHT: The bright white flowers of seem to need replacing after a few seasons, are thought to be a natural cross between candytuft, Iberis sempervirens, as though they were homesick for the more Phlox lutea and P. purpurea, were planted highlight a group of boulders. RIGHT: A smooth grass path rigorous conditions of the high country. in the Maslin garden. Others went to the contrasts with rocky areas. Since most blooming periods are brief, Del'lver Botanic Gardens and Siskiyou Rare Dr. Maslin was attracted to plants with Plant Nursery (2825 Cummings Road, interesting foliage. Many such plants are Medford, OR 97501, catalogue $1.50), now found throughout the garden. Leaves which now sells several cultivars, including that are lustrous, sometimes evergreen, add P. 'Mary Maslil'l'. to the winter beauty of the rugged boul­ Few people have the time, devotion, ders, which range in color from golden ' strength and scientific knowledge to de­ bl'own to dark bronze. velop=-single-handedly-such a b@autiful Norman Taylor's Encyclopedia of Gar­ garden. During the growing season, Dr. dening states that rock gardens should be Maslin averaged about six hours a day planted only with alpines and other plams among his rocks, dividing and replacing of similar dwarf or compact growth habits. clumps, and rearranging other plants for According to this view, plants that thrive better effect, not to mention planting and in flower borders are generally not suitable propagating. for rock gardening, while bedding plants Although Dr. Maslin died in February such as begonias, geraniums, petunias and 1984, his garden is still being tended by a lantana are absolutely taboo. Further­ dedicated group of volunteers who are as­ more, such commonplace plants as por­ sociated with the Rocky Mountain Chap­ tulaca and alyssum should be resolutely ter of the American Rock Garden Society. avoided. However, Dr. Maslin did not al­ The group hopes to preserve and maintain ways follow these rules as would a strict the garden as a showpiece for the upcom­ constructionist. In his youth, he wanted to ing meeting of the International Rock Gar­ become an artist, and this artistic tendency den Society, which will be held in Denv@r is evident throughout the garden. If he saw in 1986. (See "Sources" for details.) a spot among the boulders that cried for Dr. Maslin once said, "When I go out color, he had no qualms about filling it some summer morning and see a bloom with a common plant such as a basket-of­ on a little plant I have tended for months, gold, Aurinia saxatilis (formerly Alyssum even years, that is my reward." Today, saxatile). visitors to the Maslin garden are fortunate Many of the plants in the garden have to enjoy the fruits of his hard, yet gratifying interesting histories, particularly a small labor. 0 phlox named for Maslin's wife. The story of this plant began when Dr. Maslin read Josephine Robertson is a writer who lives about a yellow-flowered phlox that had in Boulder, Colorado. Her last article in been discovered in Mexico. Although some American Horticulturist, "The Tradescant dried specimens remained in Kew and other Trust," appeared in February 1983.

18 April1985 American Horticulturist 19 20 Aprii1985 TEXT AND ILLUSTRATION BY MARTHA PRINCE

nce upon a time, when I was four but on his flowers, no doubt to the surprise and weeding. He noted the "darling buds or five years old, I sometimes lived and distress of my rather stuffy English of May," untimely frosts and thorns that () in a make-believe world rather dif­ professor. prick. To him, the "royal family" of Eng­ ferent from the fairy-tale one of most little On a recent springtime visit to England, land consisted of roots, trunks, branches, girls. I had discovered a very special treas­ I glimpsed my first cowslip, and it proved leaves and flowers. He was attuned to sub­ ure on a low shelf in the living room. There quite irresistible. I have burrowed into all tleties of color and fragrance, and to habits sat a long row of small, red-bound books the plays and poems once more, and read of plant growth. All this is expressed in stamped in gold-the complete works of up on such esoteric topics as Elizabethan Shakespeare's apt and sensitive simile and Shakespeare, in the University Society of furniture, the Warwickshire landowners of metaphor. His mastery and care were as New York edition of 1903. I was far too Shakespeare's day and, of course, the gar­ deftly used in describing cowslips in a fairy young to read them, but I quickly learned dening of the time. Shakespeare and flow­ dell as in portraying the brooding Hamlet to find my favorite, Hamlet. Neither the ers are forever intertwined for me. at Elsinore. plot nor the poetry lured me, but each England was a rural land in the sixteenth While exploring the poetry anew, I de­ volume had a colored frontispiece, and this century; all of England held fewer people cided to paint a bouquet. I found, though, one had a photograph of a young woman than does London today. Shakespeare was that choosing among Shakespeare's flow­ with long, dark hair, wearing a flowing a country person. He knew the fields, the ers was not easy! His most beloved flower, robe of a pale pink material. One arm was flowered meadows, the fruited orchards, if times mentioned can be used as the meas­ upraised, with multicolored flowers cas­ the neat village gardens of his native Strat­ ure, was the rose. The old garden roses cading from one hand to the other in a ford. He also knew the gardens of London; from his day are indeed lovely, and were long loop-Ophelia and her fantastic gar­ the marvelous "rose scene" in Henry VI a temptation for my brush, as were herbs­ lands, of course. On many a rainy after­ is set in the Inner Temple garden, a real rosemary, thyme, fennel and many more. noon I sat, fascinated, on the floor with place. Quite possibly he knew the great A pretty page might evoke a fragrant coun­ the open book in my lap. I doubt that the herbalist John Gerard, whose garden was try kitchen. I even considered doing fruits pictured flowers were really the "crow­ not too far from the poet's lodgings. rather than flowers, for Shakespeare wrote flowers, nettles, daisies and long purples" Shakespeare once called England "our some enticingly delicious lines, such as these of Shakespeare's lines, but they lit my sea-walled garden." He thought easily and for Titania: Feed him with apricocks and imagination. Years later, in college, I wrote naturally, as a gardener thinks, of growth dewberries, / With purple grapes, green a long paper not on Shakespeare's poetry and decay, pruning and grafting, tending figs and mulberries (A Midsummer-Night's Dream ACT III: SC IJ. And, of course, there are garden flowers, pretty possibil­ ities-marigolds, carnations, crown im­ perial, "lillies of all kinds" .... English wildflowers, however, appealed to me most, for I am essentially a wild­ flower person. Since Shakespeare men­ tions too many to crowd into one painting, I chose only 10 of my favorites. I also sifted among the prettiest quotations. For ex­ ample, When daisies pied and violets blue / And lady-smocks all silver-white / And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue / Do paint the Continued on page 36

American Horticulturist 21 have been interested in annuals for years, ever since my mother gave me I some cosmos to plant on Easter Day, 1946. Although I am aware that everyone is into perennials these days-they seem to represent permanence, something that e- is missing in today's world-I've gotten tired of some of them. For a change, I decided to grow an occasional annual again-mostly in containers, so if a plant­ ing doesn't work out I can dispose of the evidence, so to speak. Also, if the chief horticulturist of Wayside Gardens comes for a visit, I can hide the plants behind the barn, and he'll never know. Besides, I'm growing just a few annuals. Of course, that is not the way my wife tells it. She says I have to send for a re­ placement of the Burpee catalogue three days after it arrives because the first copy is so badly dog-eared. Well, Mary Ann exaggerates, and in any case, Burpee lists BY FREDERICK McGOURTY some perennials, too. Besides, she has hid­ den the Thompson and Morgan catalogue. I realize that some people think I'm crazy to grow annuals, since perennials provide the basis for low-maintenance gardening, and I have to plant my annuals every year and then take them up later. But is the aim of gardening low maintenance, or is it the creation of beauty?

Fashions Actually, annuals are not quite as "out" these days-nor are perennials quite as "in"-as some would think. My favorite annual changes from year to year. It has never been a cockscomb, zinnia, petunia or scarlet sage, although my wife claims to have seen a shot of the latter in my slide file, growing in the garden before we were married. The color red is often difficult to capture accurately on film, and I have almost convinced Mary Ann that the slide in question was not of scarlet sage but of an overexposed cardinal flower whose red everyone seems to adore. She protests that the sage red is not at all the same, and that the identification could be cleared up if I were to show her the slide again. Too bad I have misplaced it. In re­ cent years, seed companies have attempted to inject softer tints into scarlet sage, but these sages come across as effectively as do pastel fire engines. An annual salvia that I prefer is Joseph sage, Salvia viridis, which has purple, dusty­ pink or white bracts, depending on the ABOVE: Purplt:-flowered Salvia farinacea luck of the draw or the cultivar you buy. combines nicely with colt:us. RIGHT: The These muted colors look very pleasing with purple foliage of Perilla frutescens, an annual, complements two pert:nnials grown for their gray foliage plants such as lavender, kitchen foliage: woolly-leaved Salvia argentea and sage (especially Salvia officinalis 'Purpura­ Artemesia splendens. scens'), chamomile (Anthemis cupaniana)

22 April 1985 American Horticulturist 23 24 April1985 or Artemisia canescens (probably A. lings are scooped up in spring and re­ Depending on the soil, this perilla grows versicolor of American nurseries). arranged. from three to five feet tall (it can be kept Joseph sage is not everyone's cup of tea, lower by one or two pinchings in late spring) and one of my friends referred to it as and almost as wide, giving the impression having an uncanny ability to evoke the Color It Purple of a shrub. Its outline and leaf shape re­ mood of a clammy August afternoon in semble H ydrangea macrophylla, but its England between showers and before tea. The above is a fairly monochromatic brownish-maroon foliage and second-rate I rather like it because I am not used to scheme, one annual blending with several spikes of lavender-mint flowers, which are rain or coolness in that month. The com­ perennials of similar hue. But what if we borne in late summer, set it apart. It is a binations of purples, soft pinks and gray wish to broaden the monochrome with great foil for other plants, and I enjoy it foliage one often sees in England have a other uncommon annuals? There are many particularly with perennials such as globe cooling effect. It seems to me these colors of these, if only we open our eyes and not thistl e (Echinops), white or pink lilies, and are more appropriate in a land of hot sum­ think of annuals as consistently having that wonderful knock-your-socks-off mers such as ours. In England, they reflect; psychedelic colors. In fact, some soft hues summer phlox, 'S tarfire', whose deep here, they temper. are more common in annuals than per­ cherry-red flo wers could probably be seen We grow Joseph sage one year, then skip ennials, and I am very pleased to have ac­ from a Boeing 747 flying over our garden. two or three years before planting it again. cess to them when designing a border. For There is also a cut-and-puckered purple About 15 inches tall at maturity, it com­ example, purple-leaved plants, which are leaf form of perilla ('Laciniata' of the trade), bines nicely toward the front of the border usually brownish-maroon, are rare among bu t it gi ves a diseased appearance and with betony (Stachys officinalis), which is perennials but not all that uncommon doesn't have much place in a border scheme. taller and has purple-pink flowers. In the among annuals. There are some fine ones, In really deep borders-more than seven background, Monarda 'Croftway Pink' and and one doesn't have to resort to the ba­ or eight feet deep-there may be a need Lilium 'Black Dragon' help complete the nali ty of coleus. for annuals with larger and bolder foliage scene. Individual plants of Joseph sage are Purple-leaf perilla, Perilla frutescens than that of purple-leaf perilla. Fortu­ not showy, but a dozen or so together can 'Atropurpurea ', is a favorite annual of mine nately, there is an excellent mallow for fo li age, Hibiscus acetosella 'Red Shield', FAR LEFT: Salvia azurea var. which grows about five feet tall and has grandif/ora is a maroon leaves that remind one more of a short-lived perennial lush tropical maple than a hibiscus. The rh ar blooms in species itself is African, and the growing Seprember OJ season in most parts of the United States crober LE T Silybum maT/anum IS not long enough for the red and yellow IS commonl} called fl owers of this selection to form. On a Sr. Mary's rhisrle or p lant like this they are almost after­ blessed rhisrle. thoughts of nature. Be sure to start seeds indoors ea rly, because a long growing sea­ son, plus heat, brings out the best in Hi­ biscus 'Red Shield'. Its boldness and the color it provides in the garden can be ex­ ceeded only by bronze-leaf forms of the castor bean, Ricinus communis, but these are usually out of scale even in the deepest borders, and are best used as exclamation points. Regardless of which of these plants you use, it is important to remember that vi rtually all of the maroon variants assume their best foliage coloration in sun.

The Blues The percentage of plants with good blue flowers has always struck me as higher among annuals, or plants used as annuals, than among perennials. Blue is usually a Jerry Pavia good softener or enhancer of other colors, be a refreshing change from bright-colored for broadening pink and mauve color depending on its use, and borders seldom annuals. They are also fine in tubs mixed schemes in sunny areas. We bought a few have enough of it. Of course, there are with dusty-miller and Nierembergia 'Pur­ seedlings seven or eight years ago but none well-known examples in annualdom­ ple Robe', an annual that grows about eight since, because perilla self-sows, and there lobelias, china asters, some petunias, bro­ inches tall and has bell-shaped flowers. is usually a good crop from which to select wallia and ageratum-but I thank nature Germination of Joseph sage is good; we offspring for resetting each year. It is a for a less common one, the mealy-cup sage, either sow seeds on the spot in May, or prolific plant, particularly in mild climates, Salvia farinacea. This is a perennial in very start them indoors under artificial lights. and one is well advised to spend a few mild climates but is treated as an annual Plants usually self-sow, and there may be minutes in May guillotining excess seed­ in most of the United States. It is apt to a respectable display the next year if seed- lings in the border. be scorned by new gardeners because the

American Horticulturist 25 species and older strains, such as 'Blue or six summers we have grown the dwarf that includes the snapdragon. It is usually Bedder', have a high proportion of leaf to morning-glory, we have not noticed any less than a foot tall in gardens and, like flower, and the flower is nothing to send chance seedlings. Still, we have no diffi­ delphinium, performs best in areas with telegrams to Wisley about. culty germinating store-bought seeds, which cool summers. In mild climates, it is better Yet plants with pronounced spikes have we start indoors ab0ut six weeks before to grow it as a spring or autumn annual. a special value in the garden, since they planting out. 'Dwarf Royal Ensign' makes We estimate €ight or 10 weeks from seed are usually outnumbered by plants with a lovely tub plant when combined with to flower. Sometimes nemesia can be found rounded flower forms. There are a few dusty-miller or creeping zinnia (Sanvitalia in garden centers, but such uncommon spiky perennials to relieve the possible mo­ procumbens) on a sunny terrace, but there charmers are sddom found on the increas­ notony- Liatris, Cimicifuga, Lythrum, are many possible companions for this ingly scrawny lists of the huge bedding­ Delphinium, violet sage (Salvia x su­ agreeable annual from southern Europe. plant growers who dominate the market perba ) and the summer veronicas-but not I suppose most gardeners have a soft today. Economics wins, and gardens are many others that are particularly useful in spot for the annual bachelor's-button, the poorer in variety as a result. the garden. Salvia farinacea is helpful in Centaurea cyanus. My objection is that it this connection because it not only looks has tall, floppy stems and needs more than Reds, Yellows and Oranges like a perennial, but is one technically. My the usual deadheading to look well. Still, The reddish-orange seen in Maltese-cross favorite selection, 'Victoria', grows about bachelor's-button is a rough-and-tumble (Lychnis chalcedonica ), a couple of other 18 inches tall and has a wealth of spikes plant, an.d I wouldn't b€ without it for too Lychnis species and some daylilies is a dif­ of deep blue flowers that appear from mid­ many summers. Although it may not be ficult hue to find in perennials, so we turn summer to frost, which is a considerably considered prime boutonniere material mainly to annuals when it is required. longer bloom period than most perennials anymore, it still makes a fine cut flower, However, most annuals with this ti~t have have. We usually buy young plants in trays and it tolerates poor soil better than do large flowers of electric intensity that over­ at a garden cent€r in spring, since it takes most other annuals. 'Jubilee Gem', a dwarf whelm other plants. Shook waves aren't three or four months for seedlings to come IS-inch cultivar, is relatively tidy and a usually necessary for garden effect, except to flowering size- a long time for an an­ true blue. The bloom period, shorter than conceivably in parks or very large borders, nual. As with ot.her sages, full or nearly that of many annuals, can be extended by but the restrained use of reddish-orange full sun brings out the best in these plants. a second sowing of se€d directly in the can sometimes save a dull border from It is ironic that when most gardeners garden in early summer. Germination is tromping by somnambulists. A little-known think of the genus Salvia, they think of high, and young plants grow to flowering annual from South America called mask scarlet sage, for most salvias have blue stage in about six weeks. 'Jubilee Gem' flower (Alonsoa warscewiczii ' Com­ flowers. Some of the finest blues can be also makes a pleasing, unusual tub plant pacta'), which grows 10 to 12 inches tall, found in this group, including the short­ in a sunny spot. solves the problem for small borders and lived perennial Salvia azurea var. grandi­ We are also fond of an annual woodruff is a topnotch container plant for sunny flora (sometimes listed as S. pitcheri), which with small, but generously borne heads of areas, particularly with white sweet alys­ may flower the first year from seed if started light blue flowers-Asperula orientalis. It sum or the smaller singl€-flowered sorts of indoors sufficiently early in winter. Blooms, grows a foot tall and has an informal (but yellow marigolds. which appear in September or October, not lax) habit, unless it is overwatered. Mask flower, also a member of the Scro­ are a good clear blue amid a tangle of gray­ Plants perform well in sun or partial shade. phulariaceae, was somewhat popular in green leaves. The four- or five-foot stems They do not flower all summer, but when gardens of the 1920's and '30's, and was are lax; to avoid staking, we shear plants they start to fade in five or six weeks, we included in Alfred C. Hottes's The Book twice early in the growing season to make shear them halfway back and fertilize them of Annuals, which was the standard work them relatively compact and full of flow­ for another round. There is no harm if you on the subject in those days. In this coun­ ers. Another fine, no-nonsense blue is that forget to do this, for the seed heads, re­ try, the less common sort of plant has be­ of gentian sage, Salvia patens, a Mexican sembling the fruits of a small clematis, have come scarce over the years, and this is one perennial treated as an annual. It grows ornamental value, too. A grouping of an­ example. We saw this speci€s for the first from 18 inches to three feet in height. We nual woodruff makes a fine, out-of-the­ time a few years ago at Great Dixter, the shear this plant early in the season, too. ordinary display in a container or tub. Seed garden of Christopher Lloyd, in England, Mary Ann and I disagr€e about the mer­ sown outdoors directly in the container, and were so taken with mask flower's fe­ its of a number of plants, but the bush or indoors for an early start, germinates licitous combination of bright color and morning-glory, Convolvulus tricolor 'Dwarf readily. It takes sev€n or eight weeks for refinement that we sought it out and have Royal Ensign', which has erect stems about the initial flowers to appear. grown it with pleasur€ since then. The in­ a foot tall, is not one of them. When gar­ One selection of nemesia, Nemesia stru­ dividual flowers, just over a half-inch wide, deners see its pristine blue flowers, ac­ mosa 'Blue Gem', has blue flowers, but project themselves considerably further than cented by yellow and white throats, for most American gardeners know this South other annuals with flowers of a similar size the first time, they realize that although African wildflower only in mixed colors, but a more delicate hue. As with a number the word "blue" has been used with ut­ usually shades of yellow, orange and red, of uncommon annuals, one must turn to most license for all sorts of plants, this is plus white. Normally we refrain from mixed overseas sources for Alonsoa seed. Al­ the real thing. Because I have spent a fair colors because they give a spotty effect in though some packets are incorrectly sold portion of my horticultural life doing in­ the garden. Still, perhaps because the ne­ as the compact form, and contain seed that or attempting to do in-another Convol­ mesia tints (except for an occasional cherry­ results in much taller and less graceful vulus, the field bindweed (e. arvensis), pink) are all compatible, the garden €ifect whose roots can be embedded nine feet can be winning. Convolvulus tricolor 'Royal Ensign', deep in the soil, I had considerable prej­ Nemesia is a sun-worshiper belonging commonly called bush morning-glory, makes udice to overcome. Fortunately, in the five to the Scrophulariaceae, the botanical family an excellent tub plant.

26 Apri/1985 plants, the chase for this engaging pixie is them. calliopsis, try a second sowing in the latter worth it. Calliopsis grows well in a variety of soils, part of July (later in areas with long, hot Perennials with yellow daisies for flow­ including those that are relatively poor and summers). Fresh, young plants are usually ers are about as rare as wasps at a Labor dry. A more important requirement is a more attractive in bloom than older ones Day picnic, and the same may be said for bright, sunny exposure. If the spent flow­ that have been rehabilitated. annuals. However, there is one of the latter ers are not removed, the bloom period won't that Mary Ann particularly esteems, and extend all summer. Deadheading is a te­ The Art of Compromise I had better mention it if I am going to dious task because of the numerous small persuade her to start our Alonsoa seed in­ flowers, so we shear plants lightly after the Gardening with spouses is a horticul­ doors under artificial light this season. This first wave of flowers, then apply a mild tural give-and-take that may lead to his­ is calliopsis, Coreopsis tinctoria, a native dose of water-soluble fertilizer. and-her gardens. One of our gardens is, of wildflower in many parts of the United A good way to grow the dwarf forms, course, dominated by calliopsis and sim­ States. The species itself, which grows up which reach 10 inches or so in height, is ilar yellow daisies of modest account­ to four feet tall, is a little unkempt and in containers; after shearing the plants, we Baileya, Dyssodia, Layia and their ilk­ would benefit from an injection of laundry whisk the containers out of sight to a sunny and the other will, perhaps, ultimately be starch in the lax stems, but there are dwarf rehabilitation area for a couple of weeks, the same, but we have not quite reached strains in mixed colors that have well-be­ then bring them back on stage. Seed ger­ that point. There are always bargaining haved growth habits. The flowers tell the mination is fast and good, and there isn't cards; my diamond is St. Mary's thistle story, though-profuse little daisies, often much point in starting calliopsis indoors. (Silybum marianum), also known as holy less than an inch across, in bicolor shades We start seeds in the ground or in planters thistle or blessed thistle. Regrettably, Mary of yellow, bronze and mahogany, or some­ in early May (thinning them as if they were Ann chooses to call it by its genus name, times all one color or the other. It is dif­ radishes) and can usually expect flowers accenting each syllable in a delibenitely ficult even for a curmudgeon to dislike toward the end of June. If you really like slow manner. The bold and clasping, bright green leaves of this "divine" plant have conspicuous white veins, as if marbled with milk, or even silver. In midsummer, sturdy stalks rise ethereally to four feet and bear classic white- to rose-purple thistles, rep­ resenting pure elegance when planted among the summer phloxes of similar tint. Despite my fondness for the plant, old silly-bum is not allowed to cross the border into California because it is a thistle, and my wife would like to see it banned in our state, too. This is because of an unfortu­ nate incident that took place in our garden. Once, during a temporary absence on my part, Mary Ann decided to tidy the bor­ ders, throwing all sorts of plant refuse, including the spent flower stalks of the thistle, onto the compost heap. The next year, some 2,000 seedlings germinated on the heap; another 2,000 germinated around the garden because of a spring top-dressing of compost we had given to several bor­ ders. She ultimately rogued all of them, except for a few seedlings over which I stood, saying, delicately but firmly, "If these go, so do the calliopsis." Marriage is a series of compromises, and I won that one. Many people have tried to talk me out of my fascination with annuals. To those who are skeptical, beware. Someday you may find yourself fascinated with Phacelia, Nigella and Didiscus, and before long, Oxypetalum. You may even find the Park, Stokes and Harris catalogues to be good reading. May you have sweet dreams of mignonette. n

Frederick McGourty and his wife, Mary Ann, own Hillside Gardens in Norfolk, Connecticut. He is co-author, with Pamela Harper, of Perennials, to be published by HP Books this spring.

American Horticulturist 27 28 Aprii 1985 ------~ ------• ~

BY CHARLES B. HEISER, JR.

n July 1962, when my friend Jaime zone found above the tree line in the An­ D{az and I were traveling north along des. These highland plains are often I the Pan American Highway toward shrouded in fog, and are usually domi­ the small Ecuadorian city of Tulcan, he nated by grasses. Here, however, one of remarked that the only thing worth seeing the dominant plants is a shrub, Espeletia there was the cemetery. This rather un­ hartwegiana. This striking member of the usual statement was the first indication Compositae, or daisy family, called frai­ that I was about to see one of the world's lej6n in Spanish (from fraile meaning friar most memorable gardens. or monk), was well worth seeing. This was my first visit to Ecuador, a We finally arrived in Tulcan. The next small South American country located on day, after Jaime had finished his work, we the equator, whose remarkably diverse ter­ went to the cemetery. I had never seen rain stretches from the Pacific Ocean, over anything like it; all the trees and shrubs the Andes to the tropical rain forests at were trimmed into ornamental shapes­ the headwaters of the Amazon. I was there geometrical designs, figures of animals and to study the domesticated plants of the human faces. Such verdant sculptures, as highlands, and my first impression of this they are sometimes called (escultura en verde beautiful country was formed when in Spanish), are more properly known as I stepped off the plane in Quito and saw topiary. I had seen photographs of topiary the majestic, snow-covered volcano, before, but nothing as spectacular as this, Cotopaxi. and I was certainly surprised to find it in Jaime, a plant pathologist with the such an out-of-the-way place as Tulcan. Ecuadorian M.inistry of Agriculture, helped Jaime introduced me to the artist who me a great deal with my studies while I created all this sculptured greenery, Azael was in the country. One day in July he Franco. Unfortunately, however, my called to invite me to join him on a trip to Spanish at the time was hardly adequate Tulcan, a city in the highlands of northern to carryon much of a conversation, so I Ecuador a few kilometers from the Co­ learned little about the topiary or its cre­ lombian border. He was making the trip ator during my first visit. to examine a disease of the potato, the When I returned to the States, I sent my principal crop in the region. The next day photographs of the topiary at the cemetery I found myself in a jeep with Jaime and to Dr. Edgar Anderson, one of my former his assistant, headed north on the Pan teachers and the director of the Missouri American Highway. Botanical Garden at the time. I knew that Our trip took us up through the paramo he would be interested in seeing them, as of El Angel, not far from Tulcan, which he was an authority on horticulture and is located at an altitude of 10,000 feet. landscaping. He wrote back to say that Paramo is the name for the vegetational they were the most extreme examples of The spectacular cemetery in Tulcan, Ecuador topiary work that he had ever seen from lies at an altitude of 10,000 feet near the the Americas. Colombian border. From talking with Dr. Anderson and

Charles B. Heiser, Jr.

American Horticulturist 29 from reading, I soon learned a great deal about topiary. Our earliest record of this practice dates back to Roman times. In the first century A.D., Pliny the Younger wrote a good description in one of his letters of the topiary gardens at his Tuscan villa. Later, topiary spread to other parts of Eu­ rope, eventually reaching England, where it became very popular in Elizabethan times. However, it soon had its critics. In an essay on gardens in 1625, Francis Bacon wrote: "For the Ordering of the Ground, within the Great Hedge, I leave it to a Variety of Device; Advising neverthelesse, that what­ soever forme you cast it into, first it be not to Busie or full of Worke [which topiary is]. Wherein I, for my part, doe not like Images Cut out in Juniper, or other Gar­ den Stuffe: They be for Children." Then, in 1712, Joseph Addison in the Spectator commented: "Our British Gar­ deners ... instead of humoring Nature, love to deviate from it as much as possible. Our trees rise in Cones, Globes, and Pyr­ amids. We see the Marks of the Scissars upon every Plant and Bush. I do not know whether I am singular in my Opinion, but, for my own part, I would rather look upon a Tree in all its Luxuriancy and Diffusion of Boughs and Branches, than when it is thus cut and trimmed into a Mathematical Figure . ... " A year later, in a satire in the Guardian, Alexander Pope ridiculed topiary. Among other things, he wrote: "We seem to make it our Study to recede from Nature, not only in the various Tonsure of Greens into the most regular and formal Shapes, but even in monstrous Attempts beyond the reach of the Art it self: We run into Sculp­ ture, and are yet better pleas'd to have our TOP: Topiary in Trees in the most awkward Figures of Men Mr. Franco's and Animals, than in the most regular of "French Style." The their own .... A Citizen is no sooner Pro­ plants in the prietor of a couple of Yews, but he enter­ foreground are in tains Thoughts of erecting them into Giants, need of trimming. ABOVE: Mr. like those of Guild-hall. I know of an em­ Franco, the artist, inent Cook, who beautified his Country standing between Seat with a Coronation Dinner in Greens, two of his creations. where you see the Champion flourishing RIGHT: Another view of the on Horseback at one end of the Table, and remarkable topiary the Queen in perpetual Youth at the other." at the cemetery. According to Richardson Wright in The Story of Gardening (1934), Pope's criti­ cism "definitely killed topiary work." This is an exaggeration, for although the nat­ ural gardens advocated by Pope and others began to replace the more formal ones, and topiary began to decline drastically, it did not disappear entirely. In the late nine-

Dorothy Heiser

30 April 1985 teenth century, there was a revival of in­ cemetery and taking photographs. Nearly of his inspiration for the topiary from pic­ terest in topiary. Today, topiary gardens all of the topiary specimens were shaped tures he had seen in books.) In 1936 Mr. can be found in England as well as on the from Italian cypress, Cupressus semper­ Franco was hired by the city of Tulcan to Continent. Although topiary has never been virens. A few pines and specimens of Po­ manage the parks. He proposed something popular in gardens in the United States, a docarpus had also been trimmed, though grand for the city; the topiary at the cem­ few examples may be seen today, such as they do not lend themselves to the detailed etery, begun that year, was the result. Over at Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square, work that is possible with the cypress. There the years, the city has provided his salary, Pennsylvania), Green Animals (Ports­ were arches, pyramids and columns of var­ as well as laborers who keep the trees mouth, Rhode Island) and Ladew Topiary ious shapes, as well as human heads and trimmed. The Ecuadorian government has Gardens (Monkton, Maryland). figures. Figures of animals included an el­ also given financial support, for in Ecua­ The plants usually employed for topiary ephant, a monkey and a swan. Many of dor the cemetery is considered something are evergreens, particularly gymnosperms. the works I saw appeared to be almost the of a national monument. Cypress, yew and juniper are the best, al­ same as they had years earlier. I didn't We were soon joined by Mr. Franco's though one flowering plant, boxwood, also recall the mother with child, which must son, one of two whom he has trained to yields satisfactory results. Privet is some­ have been created in the interim. take over his work. Although it was still times used as well. As we walked through the area, we noted morning, we were served small drinks of Most recent garden and landscaping different topiary styles in different sections Scotch whiskey, which seems to be a tra­ books that I have seen offer little or no of the cemetery. Later, I found that Mr. dition with visitors at any time of the day information on topiary. If one is interested Franco referred to these as his Arabian, in Ecuador. We continued to talk about in learning more about the technique, it Egyptian, French, Oriental and prehistoric the topiary. According to Mr. Franco, the will probably be necessary to consult the American Indian styles. Much of the to­ trees that had been planted in the cemetery classics on the subject- Charles W. Curtis piary in the Old World style looked some­ nearly 50 years earlier were, for the most and W. Gibson's The Book of Topiary thing like the European topiary I had seen part, still in good shape, although a few Oohn Lane, London, 1904) and Nathaniel in photographs, but his American style was of them had some dead branches, perhaps Lloyd's Garden Craftsmanship in Yew and unique, and I found it the most interesting caused by the unusually dry summers in Box (Ernest Benn, London, 1925)-if he by far. I later learned that th~ artist in­ recent years. He told me that he hoped to or she is fortunate enough to find a library tended the topiary to be symbolic as well restore these trees by judicious pruning, that has them. as beautiful. For example, the expressions and that he expected them to last for 500 Since 1962, I had made several trips to on the Inca heads were meant to evoke the years. Ecuador in connection with my botanical joy, sadness and suffering associated with Shortly after we left his house (around studies. However, it wasn't until 1983 that life in ancient Cuzco, the capital of the Inca noon), I thought of questions that I had I was able to return to T ulcan. I made this Empire. failed to ask. Fortunately, he had given me trip especially to see the cemetery, for I Interspersed with the topiary were flower a brochure published by the National wanted to know if it was still as beautiful beds and plots of grass. Most of the ground Tourist Office of Ecuador that could an­ as I had remembered it, and I wanted to immediately surrounding the topiary and swer some of them, but it didn't give me learn more about it. My wife accompanied the paths, however, was covered with white any information about his technique. All me this time. sand or pebbles to provide a contrast with that I had learned is that when a cypress As our taxi took us through the city, I the green of the cypress. plant is about five years old, he observes noticed that it had grown considerably, It was a Sunday morning and Father's it carefully to see what form it might take, and it was not nearly as dismal as I had Day, and Azael Franco was not at the cem­ and then gives the plant its first peludo remembered it. The cemetery, which was etery. I had particularly wanted to talk to (haircut). outside Tulcan before, now had residential him, and after asking five different people After lunch, we went back to the cem­ areas approaching it on three sides. As we and with considerable difficulty, we finally etery for a final look at the topiary. Upon entered, I could see that it was as well found his house, which was not far from our arrival back in the States, I looked up maintained and as attractive as before. My the cemetery. While we waited for him in Ecuador in several travel books on Latin wife, who had heard me speak of the cem­ the living room, I saw that the walls were America; in only one of them, Rand etery often and had s€en my photographs, decorated with a number of awards that McNally's The Handbook of South Amer­ was not disappointed. It was larger than he had received. From one of these I learned ica, did I find any mention of Tulcan. Ac­ I had recalled, but I suppose the fate of that his full name was Jose Maria Azael cording to the Handbook, the city is "not most cemeteries is to increase in size with Franco Guerrero. particularly interesting for the tourist ex­ time. The area filled with the topiary and He received us most graciously. Al­ cept for the famous cemetery, where the mausolea covered about three acres. Here, though he was 84 years old when we vis­ topiarist's art reaches its apogee." The book all of the tombs were above ground, but ited, he was still doing some topiary work. was right, and so was Jaime. a behind this area was another area of about He had been born at El Angel, a small an 'acre in which the tombs were in the village near the paramo of the same name. Charles B. Heiser, Jr., Distinguished Professor ground. The graves in the latter area were In his youth, he had received some prac­ of Botany at Indiana University, has made very simply marked, and the .general ap­ tical training in horticulture from Don Jose many trips to Latin America to study the origin of American domesticated plants. His pearance led us to the conclusion that this Tamayo, a man who had spent some time fifth book, Of Plants and People, will be was where the poorer people were buried. in the United States. (I already knew from published by the University of Oklahoma We spent over two hours examining the my rriendJaime that he had received much Press this spring.

American Horticulturist 31 Classifieds

unique news service brings you the newest and most practical on-going information- new BRITISH GARDEN SEATS plants, products, techniques, with sources, plus Traditional English designs for the discerning feature articlt::s, special issues, 16th year. Awarded gardener-pegged mortise & tenon or tusk tenon Garden Club of America and Massachusetts wedge lock joinery ex~euted in solid teakwood Horticultural Society Medals for outstanding and West African iroko hardwoods by British contributions to horticulture. Curious? Sample craftsmen. Country Casual Garden & Leisure CLASSIFIED AD RATES: copy $1. Serious? $10 full year (reg. $15). THE Furniture Catalogue 1985 introductions from AVANT GARDENER, Box 489M, New York, England-an impressive Cathedral deacon's 60¢ per word; $10.00 minimum per insertion. 10% NY 10028. bench, charming Cottage Garden Suites, main- discount for three consecutive insertions using same stay of English residential gardens, and a dassic copy. 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Koi. etc. Box 150, LaJollay CA 92038. CA~OROUSPLANTS Out-of-Print Books: Horticulture, Botany, Po- Carnivorous, woodland terrarium plants and supplies. Book, The Warld of Carnivorous Plants, 2331 Goodloe mology, Landscaping, Herbology, Floral Arts. Houston, Texas 77093 Catalogue $1.00. POMONA BOOKS, Rock- $6.95 postpaid. Catalog FREE. PETER PAULS ton Ontario Canada LOR lXO. NURSERIES Canandai gua , NY 14424.

32 April1985 ments. Send $4.00 for catalogue. ERKINS STU­ DAFFODIL BULBS FALL-FLOWERING CROCUS DIOS, 604 Thames Street, Newport, RI 02840. Mixture (8 + colors) Bushel $75.00; Peck $25.00. 17 VARIETIES of fall-flowering Crocuses, Col­ King Alfred Bushel $60.00; Peck $20.00. -10% chi cums, and Sternbergia! Write for yo ur FREE GRAPE VINES before June 15. + 10% postage West of Mis­ copy of our 1985 Fall Bu lb Catalog and Planting FREE Catalog. Seedless, Dessert, Wine. 34 Va­ sissippi. FREE folder. RIVER'S EDGE, RFD 4, Guide: McCLURE & ZIMMERMAN, QUAL­ rieties. SQUARE ROOT NURSERY, The Grape Box 228A, Gloucester, VA 23061. ITY BULB BROKERS, Dept. HA, 1422 W. People, 4764 Deuel Rd. , Dept. X, Canandaigua, Thorndale, Chi cago, IL 60660. NY 14424. DAYLILIES 100% ORGANIC FERTILIZER GREENHOUSE ACCESSORIES ANNIVERSAR Y SPECIAL. Our 40th year seIl­ COMPLETE MIST PROPAGATION SYS­ ing choice daylilies. Five bl ooming size day lilies: Peruvian Bird Guano is 13-8-2 and has many TEMS. Get phenomenal propagation results­ $9.00. Postage $1.50. (Value $18.00) Catalog trace elements. 26 oz. fo r $10.00, 15 lb. for $50.00, 40 lb. for $90.00. Dealer inquiries in ­ Greater financial yield! Unequalled-inexpen­ 25 ¢. SAXTON GARDENS, First Street, Sara­ sive-FREE brochure. AQUAMONITOR, Box toga, NY 12866. vited. PLANTJOY, 3562 E. 80th Street, Cleve­ land, OH 44105. (216) 641-1200. 327, Dept. B, Huntington, NY 11743. MANY COLORS DA YLILIES-tetraploids, GREENHOUSE BOOKS diploids, miniatures. Spuria, Louisiana IRISES. FLOWER ARRANGING SUPPLIES Catalog $1.00. CORDON BLEU FARMS, Box Carefully se lected supplies, equipment and ac­ G REEN HOUSE MANAGEMENT-SEC­ 2033, San Marcos, CA 92069. cessories fo r flower arrangi ng, corsages, house­ OND EDITION by Robert W. Langhans, Cor­ plants. Illustrated catalog 25 ¢. Retail ers use let­ nell University Professor. A book to help you DRIP IRRIGATION terhead. DOROTHY BIDDLE SERVICE, GM4, manage and understand the equipment and sys­ DRIP IRRIGATION-ideal for flowers, vege­ Greeley, PA 18425-9799. tems of yo ur greenhouse. Facts on structures, soil s, temperature, light, humidity and biolog­ tables. Save water, redu ce disease, increase yields, FORTIFY AND PROTECT YOUR PLANTS durable. Free information. MISER IRRIGA­ ical pest control are included. 270 pages, 209 NOW! WITH 2-20-10 illustrations. Send $21.00 postpaid to TION, Box 94616 AH, Lincoln, NE 68509- Green Cross Wintercare is Fortified with Cal­ 4616. HALCYON PRESS OF ITHACA, 111 Halcyon cium & Magnesium fo r strong, resistant plants Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. DWARF CONIFERS th at survive ! 1.5 Ib s. $4.98, 5.0 Ibs. $12.98, 25 Ibs. $24.99. Postpaid (USA ). Send check to: HARPER HORTICULruRAL SLIDE Over 180 types of dwarf conifers, small leaf GREEN CROSS, PO Box 195, Oyster Bay, NY LIBRARY (PAMELA HARPER) rhodies, andromeda & hollies. Many suitable 11 771. (516) 922-9176. 60,000 slides of plants and gardens. Lecture sets for bonsai. Described by size, shape, color and for rent or purchase, including six different sets texture. 50-page ca talog $2.00 (refundable). GARDEN ORNAMENTS on PERENNIALS, with lecture notes. Catalog WASHINGTON EVERGREEN NURSERY, ERKINS-Since 1910 importer of finest lead, $1.50.219 Robanna Shores, Seaford, VA 23696. Box 388AH, Leicester, NC 28748. stone, iron, terra cotta and teak garden orna- (804) 898-6453. A Gardener Touched -AIlS Binders ~ with Genius The Life of Luther Burbank, How does your gar­ Revised Edition den grow? Ameri­ by Peter Dreyer can Horticulturist is Luther Burbank exerted an incalculable influence not only filled with on his time. Not only did he introduce some eight beautiful pictures, hundred new varieties of plants, but he, for the but also with help­ first time, awakened the general public to the great ful gardening infor­ potential for plant breeding. This new, extensively revised, volume incorporates information previously mation. unavailable and sets the record straight, giving Now you can Burbank the credit due him while offering a fascinat­ keep your issues of ing " warts and all" portrait of the man. It remains American Horticul­ the definitive biography of this great horticulturist. turist all in one $28.50 place for quick, handy reference. Flowering Plants in the These attractive binders will hold 18 issues. Landscape That's three years' worth of gardening know­ how. Edited by Mildred E. Mathias New in paperback. "A beautiful book designed for Our magazine title is attractively embossed the amateur gardener but useful to the professional in gold on a rich, leatherlike green spine. Eas­ horticulturist." -Agricultural Books. $10.95, color ily applied gold numbers are included to help illustrations throughout. you add dates and volume numbers. Three or more binders for $6.50 each or At bookstores or order from $7.50 for one binder postpaid. Send your University of check to Binders, The American Horticultural California Press Society, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121 and Berkeley 94720 we will fill your order promptly.

American Horticulturist 33 CLASSIHEDS

MAPLES MATSU-MOMIJI NURSERY-We specialize in the finest varieties of Japanese Maples and Japanese Black Pines. Introducing a selection of BONSAI containers. Catalog $1.00, PO Box 11414, Philadelphia, PA 19111. NURSERY STOCK MILLIONS OF SEEDLINGS: High Quality, Reasonable Prices. Over 100 Selections­ Christmas Trees, Ornamentals, Windbreaks, Conservation, Wildlife Food and Cover, etc. FREE catalog. CARINO NURSERIES, Box 538J, Indiana, PA 15701. BABY EVERGREENS, seeds, seedlings, rhodo­ dendrons, azaleas, flowering shrubs, shade trees, large assortment of rare and standard plants. Catalog $1.00. GIRARD NURSERIES, Box 428, Geneva, OH 44041.

ORCHID CACTUS BEAUTIFUL ORCHID CACTUS (Epiphyl­ lums), ChristmaslEaster Cactus, Moyas, hundreds others. Largest CactuslEpiphyllum Bookshop in HEATHS & HEATHERS HOUSE PLANTS USA-200 + new books. Full color 1985 Plant! Enjoy a colorful all-year HEATHER GARDEN! ORCHIDS, GESNERIADS, BEGONIAS, CACTI Bookshop Catalogs now available for only $1.00. Send SASE for descriptive 100-cultivar list. & SUCCULENTS. Visitors welcome. 1984-85 $3.00 discount coupon elxpires April 1st. RAIN­ HEATHER GROWERS, Box 850, Elma, WA Catalog $1.50. LAURA Y OF SALISBURY, Rt. BOW GARDENS, Box 721-AH45, La Habra, 98541. 41 (Undermountain Rd.), Salisbury, CT 06068 CA 90633. (203) 435-2263. HERB-GROUND COVER-ROCKERY ORCHIDS TROPICALS delivered to your door courtesy Wide selection of HERBS, super hardy of Logee's. Our 1985-86 catalog lists 2,000 ORCHIDS! ORCHIDS! ORCHIDS! Brome­ GROUND COVER and ROCKER Y plants. Indoor Plants including Begonias, Geraniums, Ii ads, Staghorn Ferns, Books, Peters Fertilizer, Catalog gives culinary and medicinal uses and Jasmines, Citrus, Herbs. Beautiful color illustra­ Potting Mixes, Supplies for indoor and green­ growing instructi(:ms. Special section on creat­ tions throughout-$3.00. LOGEE'S GREEN­ house culture. REQUEST CATALOG. FOX ing ground cover and rock gardens. Reasonable HOUSES, AH, 55 North Street, Danielson, CT ORCHIDS, INC., 6615 West Markham, Little prices. LOST PRAIRIE HERB FARM, Marion, 06239. Rock, AR 72205. MT 59925 HOYA SPECIAL BEGINNER'S ORCHID COLLECTION!- One HERB SEEDS WHAT'S A HOYA? 6 ea. different Hoya cut­ each, mature Cattleya, Phalaenopsis and So­ 120 varieties quality seed. Packets at 751/., or tings. $14.95 Postpaid. FREE descriptive list & phronitis, plus two phalaenopsis seedlings. $7.50/dozen. Include $1.00 for postage. In­ growing instructions. Satisfaction guaranteed. Choice varieties. Regularly $63.50-0nly formative plant & seed list, $1.00. Herb prod­ SLO GARDENS, 4816B Bridgecreek, San Luis $45.00. Visit our nursery. JUNGLE-GEMS, 300 uct catalog, $1.00. MEADOWBROOK HERB Obispo, CA 93401. Edgewood Road, Edgewood, MD 21040. GARDEN, Wyoming, RI 02898. INDOOR-OUTDOOR GARDENING HERBS ORCHIDS, PHALAENOPSIS, ETC. SUPPLIES 125 Herbs, 50 scented Geraniums, 500 House­ Minimum order three blooming size plants, $9.50 "FREE CATALOGUE" ... "LOWEST plants, Fuchsias, Ivies, Cacti and Succulents. each, postpaid. SPECIAL: Ten 3" pot seedlings PRICES-TOP QUALITY SUPPLIES" ... Plas- Catalog, Newsletters-$1.00. MERRY GAR­ $35.00! List $1.00 (deductible). GREEN VAL­ tic pots, hanging baskets, peat pots, etc .... 2 DENS, Camden, ME 04843. LEY ORCHIDS, Rte. 1, Box 233S, Folsom, LA Stamps ... Postage . .. PLANT COLLECT­ 70437. Herbs and other useful plants, seeds. Common IBLES, 103E Kenview Ave., Buffalo, NY 14217. and exotic. 360 Varieties. Descriptive, inform­ FREE GROWING SUPPLIES CAT ALOG­ PERENNIALS ative catalog-$1.50 (refundable). COMPAN­ Wholesale Prices! Pots, flats, fertilizer, Pro-Mix, ION PLANTS, Rt. 6, Box 88AH, Athens, OH We offer a good selection of sturdy plants. Send il'lsecticides, more! FPI, Dept. H, 2242 Palmer, $1.00 for Plant List (refundable). CAMELOT 45701. Schaumburg, IL 60195. NORTH, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472. HORTIDEAS-GARDEN NEWS YOU IRIS CAN USE Delphinium, Blue Fountain-$1.95 each. 'Spring Unique Iris Catalog. Featuring the newest of the Song'-Columbine, mixed-$1.95 each. Bleed­ "BEST GARDENING NEWSLETTER" say both new and the best of the old. 3,000 varietiels ing heart-red, pink-$3.50 each. Grenadin car­ amateur and professional horticulturists. Why? listed. Color Catalog $1.00. IRIS RANCH, Box nations, mixed- $1.95 each. $12.50 minimum. More pages, more articles, more useful infor­ 227A, Cerrillos, NM 87010. HANCOCK'S, Rte. 4, Box 4788, Manchester, mation. Facts, not fluff! Enjoyable, authorita­ TN 37355. tive monthly coverage of new/overlooked meth­ JASMINES ods, plants, products, publications, technical Jasminum Polyanthum al'ld Miniature holly HARDY PERENNIALS. Finel plants, reason­ developments. Fully referenced and indexed. One (malpigha)-four for $6.00. List 251/.. SPRING­ able prices. Descriptive mail-order catalog $1.00. year, $10. Sample, $1. Satisfaction guaranteed! HEAD GARDENS, Rte. 3, Box 1700, Madison, SEXTON NURSERY, 23340AH Doane Creek HORTIDEAS, A, Gravel Switch, KY 40328. FL 32340. Road, Sheridan, OR 97378. HOSTAS FOR SHADE KOI Unusual Rock and Shade Plants, Hosta, Hem­ Wide selection. Descriptive catalog $1.00. SA­ Japanese Fish; colorful. Have Oxygen will ship. erocallis, Sempervivum, Shrubs, Iris and Native VORY'S GREENHOUSES AND GARDENS, Approximately 8"; $25.00, plus C.O.D. charges. Americans, and Perennial Seed. 24 Page Cata­ Hybridizers and Growers, (612) 941-8755, 5300 11803 Hickory DriVel, Fort Washington, MD log. Please send 401/. in stamps. ROCKNOLL Whiting Ave., Edina, MN 55435. 20744. (301) 292-1549. LINDSAY'S KO!. NURSERY, 9210 U.S . 50, Hillsboro, OH45133.

34 April1985 Hosta, Daylilies, Peonies, Siberian Irises, Native ROCK GARDEN PLANTS Sucker Pluckers! fo r African Vi olets & other Plants, Specialty Perennials. Catalog $1.00, de­ Rare Alpines, Wildflowers, Dwarf Conifers, plants $2.49. Leaf Duster Brush $2.99. Whole­ ductible. BUSSE GARDENS, Route 2, Box 13, Groundcovers, colorful Rock Plants, Books. sale inquiries invited. Please add $.50 per order Cokato, MN 55321. Catalog $1 (c;leductible). RICE CREEK GAR­ for handling. NATIONWIDE CRAFT & PLANT SYMPOSIUM DENS, 1315 66th Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN HOBBY SUPPLY, INC., PO Box 411, Dept. 55432. (6 12) 574-1197. AH, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Plants for the Connoisseur, a symposium for home gardeners and landscape professionals. ROCK PLANTS-UNUSUAL TOPIARY Presentations include: shrubs for small land­ Over 300 va ri eties for Sun & Shade. H ardy in Topiary Frames, animal shapes, geometrics. scapes, herbaceous plant combinations, Amer­ southern Ohio. 24 page catalog. Please send 40¢ Write for brochure. W holesale. Reta il. ican wildflowers, new plant introductions. in stamps. ROCKNOLL NURSERY, 9210 U.S. TOPIARY, INC., 41 Bering, Tampa, FL 33606. Speakers from the Arnold Arboretum, Winter­ 50, Hillsboro, OH 45133. UNUSUAL PLANTS thur Gardens, Royal Botanical Gardens, H am­ SEEDS Baobabs, rare succulents, caudiciforms, Sansev­ ilton, Ontario and the University of British Co­ WORLD'S LARGEST SELECTION of quali ty ierias, low light plants, bamboo, other exotics. lumbia Botani cal Garden. Foll owed by the rare seeds from every continent. Thousands of Illustrated ca talog, periodic newsletters. $1.50, Council Flower Market, featuring hard-to-find hard-to-find exoti cs, fl owers, bulbs, ho use­ deductible from first order. SINGERS', 17806 plants. Saturday, May 11, 1985. For brochure, plants, hardy perennials, trees, ferns , alpines. Plummer St. AH, Northridge, CA 91325. write: Education Department, The New York Rare herbs, medi cin al, edi bl e plants. European Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458 or call: and Oriental vegetables. Hundreds of exclu­ WILDFLOWERS (21 2) 220-8747. sives. Reasonable prices. World's most informa­ PAINTED MEADOWS WILDFLOWER MIX­ PLANTSIHERBS/SEEDS ti ve catalog, packed with illustrations, cultural TURE for eastern United States, now available RARE PETER PEPPER realistic shape, hot­ and historical information, $1.00. WORLD to private homeowners. One pound will co lor delicious. Only source for seed $3.00 plus SEED SERVICE, J.L. Hudson, Seedsman, Box 2,500 sq. ft. at one penny/sq. ft. Send for FREE stamped envelope. ALFREY, Box 415, Knox­ 1058-AT, Redwood City, CA 94064. broch ure. PAINTED MEADOWS SEED CO., ville, TN 37901. SEEDS FOR WATERMELONS weighing 250 Dept. AH, P.O. Box 1865, Kingston, PA 18704. pounds. Long, Striped $1.50 per dozen. Round PLANTS-RARE BUT AFFORDABLE green $1.50 per dozen. Growers gui de $3. 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N.Y. 10588' SENSATIONAL OFFER! Over 45 named va­ deners in over 100 countries. Vegetables, pot rieties of Plumeria (Frangipani) cuttings, rare plants, exotics, perennials, alpines, rockery, lat­ bulbs, named Bougainvilleas orchids. FREE est and best annuals, trees, shrubs, bulbs from plumeria seeds with order. Catalog $1.00. THE seed with rare items unobtain abl e elsewhere. PLUMERIA PEOPLE, PO Box 720291, Hous­ Write for FREE copy, all owing three weeks or ton, TX 77272. Attn: Richard. encl ose $2.00 for First Class mail: THOMP­ SON & MORGAN, INC., Dept. AHC5, PO PUBLICATIONS Box 1308, Jackson, NJ 08527. PROFESSIONAL NOTEBOOK PAGES for SEMPERVIVUM & SEDUM window, fluorescent, greenhouse and weekend gardeners. Sample subscription $5 .00. Mc­ A rainbow of colors. Interesting forms and easy DONALD'S PLANTER, 225 E. 57th, New York, to care for. Trial selection 12 for $10.45. Cat­ NY 10022. alogue 50¢, FREE with order. ALPINE GAR­ DENS, 15920A S.W. 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American Horticulturist 35 Continued from pg 21 never seen a cowslip. Like unicorns, for sure, he writes " harebell," but Gerard also m eadows with delight . . .. (Love's La­ me they lived only in books. Then we vis­ uses this name. In Gerard's Herball (pub­ bour's Lost ACT V: SC II). I chose four ited our friend Leslie Greenwood (the Eng­ lished in 1597), the listing is English Ja­ flowers from this bright and sunny verse. lish flower painter who so beautifully il­ cinth, or Hare-bells. I like his quaint and First, I chose daisies. I fell in love with lustrated Frances Perry's Flowers of the unpoetic description of the fragrance: " Of English daisies, the tiny Bellis perennis. World) and his wife, Vera, in a village near a strong sweet smell somewhat stuffing the They are everywhere! Lawns are spangled Oxford. The charming brick cottage had head." Among the old names I found with them; even the most meticulously an apple tree in bloom next to Leslie's crowtoes and cuckoo's shoes (in Gaelic, manicured ones seem to welcome the wee studio, and all kinds of interesting flowers brog na cubnaig, in case you need to know). white stars. Now that I have found seeds were scattered about waiting to pose for For me, the sheets of bluebells in the woods to be available, I am sprinkling the pretty his brush. Among all the splendid exotica, make the single loveliest picture-memory things in our grass, too. Another of Shake­ what beckoned most to me was a clump of the English countryside, and I had to speare's allusions that I like is this: With­ of cowslips hiding under a hedge. Now I paint them. out the bed her other fair hand was, / On have cowslips in my own garden, and they Eglantine, in the last quotation, is Rosa the green coverlet; whose perfect white / seem magical still. eglanteria, a lovely, bright pink single rose, Show'd like an April daisy on the grass Cowslips are Primula veris. Clusters of about two inches across. It grows wild in (The Rape of Lucrece Line 393). "April softly yellow flowers are set above rosettes much of England even now. The fragrance daisy on the grass" is a very simple phrase, of pale green leaves, crinkled in texture of the lea ves, which Shakespeare mentions, but it is perfect. but velvet to the touch. They are becoming is that of a ripe pippin apple warmed by Next, violets! Shakespeare writes of vi­ rather rare nowadays, but a common the sun. olets at least 18 times. In most of the al­ country wine was once made from the pet­ Shakespeare has several names for the lusions, he obviously means the only fra­ als. Supposedly, it was light in taste and little pansy I have always known as Johnny­ grant violet among those growing wild in of a pale golden color. Country children jump-up, Viola tricolor. We had these England, Viola odorata: 0, it came o'er long ago had a special ritual of spring, cheerftll little plants in a former garden, my ear like the sweet sound / That breathes picking and tying fat bunches of cowslips but for painting this time, I fOtlnd a nice upon a bank of violets, / Stealing and giv­ into balls called "tisty-tosties." bed of them in the herb garden of Planting ing odour! (Twelfth Night ACT I: SC I) . Primroses, Primula vulgaris, are perhaps Fields, labeled as heartsease. They posed There's a subtle meaning in this quotation the most English of wildflowers. Shake­ charmingly for me; I can understand Ge­ from Ophelia: There's a daisy: I would speare called them "merry springtime's rard's praising the "beauty and braverie" give you some violets, but they withered harbinger." Other names were butter rose of the colors. In my favorite lines of Shake­ all when my father died . . . . (Hamlet ACT and golden star; both fit nicely. Last spring speare, Oberon is planI'ling to put a love IV: SC V) . In the language of flowers, dai­ they brightened our shady garden for the spell on Titania, with the flower-juice sies stood for faithlessness; violets, for quite first time. They grew bounteously in touched on her eyelids while she sleeps: the opposite. And here are some lovely Shakespeare's day, and he typically de­ Yet mark'd I where the bolt of Cupid fell: lines: Who are the violets now / That strew scribes them in masses of bloom: And in / It fell upon a little western flower, / Before the green lap of the new come spring? the wood, where often you and I / Upon milk-white, now purple with love's wound, (Richard the Second ACT V: SC II). faint primrose-beds were wont to lie (A / And maidens call it love-in-idleness (A Lady's-smocks are Cardamine praten­ Midsummer-Night's Dream ACT I: SC I). Midsummer-Night's Dream ACT II: SC I). sis, now more often called cuckooflowers. They were so plentiful that herbalist Ge­ The last of my 10 flowers is honey­ They are not exactly the bright white you rard called them "common . . . needing no suckle, Lonicera periclymenum, which might imagine from Shakespeare's lines. description." Housewives once made Shakespeare also calls woodbine: And bid There is a decided tinge of lavender-pink, primrose puddings from the flowers, mixed her steal into the pleached bower, / Where which does seem to bleach in the sun. Dur­ with honey, almonds and other good things. honeysuckles, ripen'd by the sun, / Forbid ing our visit, we stopped often along the Frances Perry has a fifteenth-century rec­ the sun to enter (Much Ado About Noth­ twisting lanes of southern England to ad­ ipe for Prymerose Potage. I'm sure I will ing ACT III: SC I). mire them in the company of lady's lace never have enough flowers to try it, but As you read these words it is April once (Anthriscus sylvestris) and white campion I'd love to know how it tastes. The fol­ again. At this time of year I am often found (Silene alba), which together made a lovely lowing are some lovely lines on the color sitting on a bench in a shaded corner of white edging. and early blossoming from The Winter's my garden, under a hickory tree. At my The "cuckoo buds of yellow hue" are Tale: ... pale primroses / That die un­ feet, to the left, are yellow primroses, and assumed to be Ranunculus acris, the com­ married ere they can behold / Bright Phoe­ to the right are Titania's cowslip pension­ mon meadow buttercup. This assumption bus in his strength . . .. (The Winter's Tale ers. I can see the drifts of blue Endymion makes sense, and the bright petals almost ACT IV: SC IV). non-scriptus we planted last fall, in among glitter in the sunl,ight. Old English names In early May we found the winding Eng­ the ferns. I'm sure to have my volume of for them include gold knobs and butter lish lanes lined with sheets of sky-lit Eng­ Shakespeare, too, open on my lap. Would flowers. In Warwickshire, they were also, lish bluebells (Endymion non-scriptus) un­ you like to join me? If we are very quiet, inexplicably, called "crazies." der beech trees. These are the most graceful perhaps Oberon and Titania will come to These next lines gave me the cowslip in of the scil'ias, slender and nodding. Sur­ inspect the flowers. Magic often happens my painting: The cowslips tall her pen­ prisingly, Shakespeare notices them only in gardens. 0 sioners be: / In their gold coats spots you once, in Cymbeline: . . . thou shalt not lack see; / Those be rubies, fairy favours, / In / The flower that's like thy face, pale prim­ Martha Prince, an artist and writer from those freckles live their savours: / I must rose, nor / The azured harebell, like thy LODg Island, has written numerous articles for American Horticulturist. Her wildflower go seek some dewdrops here / And hang veins, no, nor / The leaf ofeglantine, whom paintings have been on exhibit at many a pearl in every cowslip's ear (A Midsum­ not to slander, / Out-sweeten'd not thy places, including the National ArbOIetum and mer-Night's Dream ACT I: SC II). I had breath (Cymbeline ACT IV: SC II). To be the Hlmt Institute.

36 April1985 NOW . .. BY MAIL! UNUSUAL, HARD­ TO-FIND FLOWER Book Reviews ARRANGING SUPPLIES: Special Rose Kit is sure to become the ultimate reference MANUAL OF CULTIVATED To add longer life to roses, BROAD-LEAVED TREES AND work in the field for the serious amateur, we have put together a Deluxe SHRUBS, VOLUME I. the professional nurseryman and the land­ Rose Kit which includes: Gerd Krussmann. (Translator, Michael scape architect. Epp; Technical Editor, Gilbert Daniels.) -Charles Huckins 1 Stem Stripper 1 Flower Gatherer Timber Press. Portland, Oregon. 1984. Charles Huckins is the Executive Director of 498 pages; hardcover, $65.00. AHS the American Horticultural Society. 1 Dozen Florever Rose price, $55.25. Preservatives First published in 1960 and revised and $22 95inc!udes shipping extensively updated in 1976, Kriissmann's only Calif. residents add 6.,.. tax Manual of Cultivated Broad-Leaved Trees New Catalog ... $1 .00 and Shrubs has long been a standard ref­ Refundable with FIRST ORDER erence for European gardeners and nurs­ erymen. The difficulties of translating a The Keth Company manual of this kind from German to Eng­ P.O. Box 645 lish have kept this unequaled guide to the Corona del Mar, California 92625 cultivated species and cultivars of broad­ leaved woody plants from being widely available in this country. Fortunately, Timber Press, in cooperation with the American Horticultural Society, is making Kriissmann's manual available for the first time in English translation. The first of three volumes is now available, and the remaining two are scheduled for publi­ cation within the next 18 months. The plants described in Kriissmann's GARDEN DESIGN. Its ~rma.rt for work are arranged alphabetically, first by William Lake Douglas (and others in the Very Finest in genus, then by species. Although the de­ association with the Publication Board Miniature Roses scriptions of individual species and culti­ of the American Society of Landscape vars are technical, all of the terminology Architects). Simon & Schuster. New used is carefully explained in a lengthy and York, New York. 1984. 224 pages; hardcover, $35.00. AHS price, $28.00. well-illustrated introductory chapter. Of selection, featur­ particular significance in this work is The complete title of this sumptuous work­ Kriissmann's effort to assign each cultivar Garden Design: History, Principles, Ele­ ing the very best to the correct species from which it was ments, Practice-provides a brief sum­ of the older and derived. In addition, the author has in­ mary of what the book contains. The the very newest cluded dates of introduction into cultiva­ opening chapter provides a history of gar­ tion for each species, as well as the name dens and garden design from Ancient Egypt varieties. of the originator or distributor of each cul­ to the present. Following this discussion, tivar. Also, while the original German edi­ the reader i·s led directly into an overview tlons made only gtmeral references to har­ of garden styles (for example, the Country diness, fm this editi0n the translator has Cottage, the Parterre, the Outdoor Room :--D---~-~-~~--~;--;~::--~-~~~~----- added a reference to U.S.D.A. hardiness and the Wild Garden) aimed at helping zones for each species, a feature that should him or her choose a personal style that is i Catalog Today! be of particular value to the American appropriate. This beautifully illustrated reader. Although it was not possible to book also includes a discussion of specific Name illustrate all of the thousands of taxa that elements of the landscape (landings, en­ are included in this volume, the book in­ tries, vertical changes and play space, for Address cludes extensive illustrations (both line example) and how they should be ap­ City drawings and photographs) to show the proached in terms of design, as well as a State Zip differences between species. The extensive look at such specific landscape elements references made to illustrations in other as paving, steps, water and light. Finally, for~t Miniature Roses, Inc. works are also very valuable. This is not Garden Design includes a look at the work 58 Hammond Street, Dept. AH Row ley, Massachusetts 01969 a book for the beginning gardtmer, but it of specific designers and an overview of - --______------~ ------~ -- __ I

American Horticulturist 37 HORTICULTURAL BOOK REVIEWS EXPLORATION how to plan and plant a garden. The text OF is aimed at the do-it-yourself gardener as well as the individual seeking a landscape ROMANTIC FRANCE architect, and the excellent color photog­ Jun@ 7 - 20, 1985 raphy should inspire any reader.

An exciting new itinerary takes us to the fine gardens of France. Visits to the romantic chateau area of the Loire Valley include Chenonceaux Castle pictured here with its formal gardens, which were planned by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. The unique gardens at Chateau de Villandry are important as examples of early 17th century garden plans. Built on four levels, these gardens have remarkable charm. Other public gardens to be visited include Monet's Givetny, the Bagatelle and Municipal Garden in Paris, and the arboretum in Rennes. In the area of Dieppe, we have planned trips to several private gardens and a beautiful orchard.

Since northern France has such a fascinating history and culture, we will also see famed Mont St. Michel, the Bayeux tapestries and Normandy landing beaches, the famous sites of Paris. Extensions can be planned for additional time in Paris or other parts of Eu rope. For your free brochure en this Exploration please write to American Horti­ cultural Society, Box 0105, Mt. Vernon, VA 22121. Or telephone collect to (513) 281-7000. HOW FLOWERS WORK-A GUIDE Other Horti<::ultural Explo~ations you may request broc;:hures for are: Mediter­ TO PLANT BIOLOGY. ranean Cruise (April 8 - 24), China Oune 6 - 23), Spring Englafld (May !1J - 24), Bob Gibbons. Sterling Publishitlg Fall England (September 11 - 26) , Fall Orient (November 1 - 25) . Company. New York, New York. 1984. 158 pages; hardcover, $15.95. AHS price, $12.30. Although the title of this book suggests a botany textbook or a children's book, this ==AIIS=~ is a well-written, wdl-illustrated review of the many facets of botany. The text is writ­ Travel Program ten for the inquiring adult, and the reader England and the Chelsea participants will spend four days ex­ need not have any technical background Flower Show (May 16-30) Join ploring Paris. John Clayton, Retired Curator of in order to understand the principles pre­ Horticulture, Royal Horticultural So­ Fabled Gardens of China (June sented. The author has done an excellent ciety, and tour public and private gar­ 6 -23) Explore the famed Chinese job of presenting what plants are, how they dens in England during the spring garden cities of Suzhou and Hang­ work, and their importance to man. This blooming season. A visit to the zhou, and visit Beijing (Peking) to enjoyable book will both broaden your see the Ming Tombs and the Great famed Chelsea Flower Show is also knowledge and entertain you. scheduled. Plan to join AHS mem­ Wall. The itinerary also includes vis­ bers for one of our most popular tours. its to gardens in Hong Kong, as well as Guilin, the Grand Canal of Wuxi Waterways of Western Europe and Shanghai. The tour will be con­ FERNS TO KNOW AND GROW. (May 26-June 11) Join White House ducted by Edwin T. Morris, noted F. Gordon Foster. Timber Press. Floral Designer Dorothy Temple for a authority on China and author of Portland, Oregon. 1984. 239 pages; tour of France, Portugal, Spain and Gardens of China hardcover, $29.95. AHS price, $25.45. England aboard thEt yacht Argonaut From Lisbon, participants will cruise YES! Please send me more information on This is a new edition of a classic work on along the coast of the Galicia region the tours I have checked below: ferns and their culture. The book includes in northern Spain and through the o Englll11d and the Chelsea Flower Show introductory chapters on the biology of Bay of Biscay to Bordeaux. Other o Waterways of Western Europe ferns, their identification, propagation, and o Romantic France use in the hme and the garden. The ma­ stops include Guernsey, Sark, Giv­ o Fabled Gardens of China erny, Rouen, Southampton, Brighton jority of the book, however, is devoted to and London. Name ______descriptions of individual species. Each Romantie Franee (June 7 -20) species is described in detail and is illus­ Visit the romantic gardens of France, Address ______trated with a series of line drawings that

including the gardens of Princess City ______State __ Zip __~ show a complete frond and any additional Sturdza and the Comte de Bogue's Mail to: Robin Williams, American details that are applicable to the idcmtifi­ chateau in Normandy. After touring H orticultural Society, PO Box 0105, Mount cation of the individual species. In addi­ Monet's garden and house in Giverny Vernon, VA 22121. tion, the author provides cultural infor-

38 Aprii1985 mation and a description of the natural range of the species. The author has added Wild and wondrous. Now one of today's foremost botanists presents a stunning descriptions of ferns native to western North ,America, so this new edition is compre­ vision of the reach of the world's plant life into our lives. With hensive, and even more useful to gardeners over 250 paintings, photographs, maps and diagrams-most in than the last. All of the information is sum­ full color-GREEN INHERITANCE is an important book for every marized in tables at the end of the book. horticulturist, naturalist, and layperson concerned about Earth's Ferns to Know and Grow is an essential resources. "What it book for any gardener who would like to makes marvelously and identify wild species in his or her area. soberingly clear is the extent of our depend­ THE GARDENS OF JAPAN. ence upon plants. This Teiji Itoh. Kodansha International book is a major element U.S.A .lLtd. New York, New York. in the World Wildlife 1984. 228 pages; hardcover, $85.00. Fund's world-wide cam­ AHS price, $72 .25. paign to save the plants This latest work on the gardens of japan that save us:' is as much a work of perfection as the gardens it describes. In addition to a his­ -David Attenborough tory of Japanese gardens, the author pre­ sents an explanation of and a guide to some of]apan's most outstanding gardens. All .of the gardens are illustrated with breathtaking photographs. For the gar­ dener who has had the opportunity to visit japan, this oversize book will make you ANCHOR PRESS/DOUBLEDAY feel that you are once again standing in the middle of these inspiring gardens. For the traveler who is planning a visit, the ~------~ author offers not only a lesson in japanese gardening, but also an up-to-date guide to the locations, visiting hours and virtues of some ofthe best gardens japan has to offer. Book Order Form Please send me the books I have checked below at the special AHS THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF member prices. SUCCULENTS. Manual of Cultivated Broad-Leaved Trees 0 Garden Design ...... $28.00 Werner Rauh. Smithsonian Institution o and Shrubs, Volume 1...... $55.25 51MON-07510 Press. Washington, D.C. 1984. 164 15B5-0741O pages; hardcover, $49.50. AHS price, o The Wonderful World of I would like to order books. (Please $44.55. Succulents ...... $44.55 add $1.75 per book for postage and handling. 5MITH-07470 Virginia residents, also add 4% sales tax.) This guide to the succulent plants of the Ferns To Know and Grow ...... $25.45 o Enclosed is my check for $ ____ world was originally published in German. 15B5-07400 The author, a professor of botany in Hei­ o The Gardens of Japan ...... $72.25 delberg, Germany, is known throughout KODAN-07490 Please allow six weeks for delivery. the world for his knowledge of and love o How Flowers Work-A Guide to Plant Mail to: Jeanne Eggeman, American Horticul­ Biology ...... $12.30 tural Society, P.O. Box 0105, Mount Vernon, for these strange plants. The book is il­ STERL-07170 Virginia 22121. lustrated with hundreds of Rauh's pho­ tographs, both black-and-white and color, and the al:lthor pFovides descriptions of the Ship to, ______------plants and their habitats from firsthand experience. Whether you grow a few suc­ culents for your windowsill or maintain a Street, ______vast collection of them in your grc;~enhouse, this book will make a welcome addition to your library. 8 City, ______-Gilbert S. Daniels Gilbert S. Daniels is the Immediate Past L ______5tate' ______Zip, ______~ President of the American Horticultural Society.

American Horticulturist 39 Pronunciation Guide

Achlys triphylla ACK-liss try-FILL-ah ass-PER-yew-lah or-ee-en-TAY-liss cen-TAW-ree-ah sigh-AN-us Acomastylis rossii Aurinia saxatilis Chionophila jamesii ah-ko-mah-STY-liss ROSS-ee-eye aw-RIN-ee-ah sacks-ah-TILL-iss ky-on-oh-FILL-ah JAMES-ee-eye Alonsoa warscewiczii Baileya BAIL-ee-yah Cimicifuga simplex ah-LON-so-ah war-ski-WICK-zee-eye Bellis perennis BELL-iss per-EN-iss sim-i-si-FOO-gah SIM-plecks Alyssum saxatile ah-LISS-um Berberis buxifolia var. nana Clementsia rhodantha sacks-ah-TILL-ee BEAR-bear-iss bucks-i-FOE-lee-ah NA-nah klem-ENT-see-ah row-DAN-thah Anapodophyllum an-ah-l"oe-doe-FILL-urn B. canadensis b. can-ah-pEN-siss Clethra alnifolia Androsace chamaejasme B. darwinii b. dar-WIN-ee-eye KLETH-rah all-ni-FOE-lee-ah an-dro-SA Y-see kam-ee-J AZZ-mee B. empetrifolia b. em-pet-ri-FOE-lee-ah Convolvulus arvensis Anemone narcissiflora B. julianae b. jew-lee-AN-ee con-VOL-vew-luss ar-VEN-siss ah-NEM-oh-nee nar-siss-i-FLOR-ah B. x mentorensis b. men-tor-EN-siss C. tricolor c. TRY-color A. patens a. PA Y-tenz B. x stenophylla b. sten-oh-FILL-ah Coreopsis tinctoria Anthemis cupaniana _ B. thunbergii b. thun-BERG-ee-eye kor-ee-OP-siss tink-TORE-ee-ah AN-them-iss coo-pah-nee-A Y-nah B. trifoliata b. try-foe-lee-A Y-tah Crocus speciosus Anthriscus sylvestris B. verruculosa b. ver-rew-koo-LOW-sah CROW-cuss spee-see-OH-sus an-THRISS-kus sil-VESS-triss B. vulgaris b. vul-GAIR-iss Cupressus sempervirens Aquilegia caerulea B. wilsoniae b. wil-SONE-ee-ee kew-PRESS-us sem-per-VEER-enz ak-qui-LEE-jee-ah see-REW-lee-ah Brimeura amethystina Cytisus decumbens A. elegantula a. el-eh-gan-TO-lah brim-ee-YOUR-ah am-eh-thy-STY-nah sigh-TISS-suss dee-CO ME-benz A. jonesii a. JONES-ee-eye Campanula kam-PAN-yew-lah Delphinium del-FIN-ee-um A. saximontana a. sacks-i-mon-TAN-ah Cardamine pratensis Didiscus did-ISS-kus Artemisia canescens CAR-dah-mine pray-TEN-siss Diphylleia cymosa ar-tem-EASE-ee-ah kah-NESS-enz Caulophyllum thalictroides die-FILL-ee-ah sigh-MOE-sah A. versicolor a. ver-si-KOL-or call-oh-FILL-um thah-lick-tro-EYE-deez Draba streptocarpa DRAB-ah Asperula orientalis Centaurea cyanus strep-toe-CAR-pah Dyssodia die-SO-dee-ah Echinops ECK-i-nops Endymion non-scriptus en-DIE-mee-on non-SCRlPT-tuss Epimedium ep-i-MEE-dee-um Erica carnea AIR-i-kah CAR-nee-ah LETITGROW. Espeletia hartwegiana ess-pell-EE-tee-ah hart-weg-ee-AN-ah Fothergilla gardenii igh Country Micro-Climates are automatically controlled, balanced foth-er-GILL-ah gar-DEN-ee-eye Hthe affordable ideal indoor grow­ environments and are designed for F. monticola f. mon-ti-KOH-lah ing chambers. maximum space efficiency. Geum rossii JEE-um ROSS-ee-eye Faster growth. Micro-Climates are ideal for Hibiscus acetosella Higher yields. establishing clones or high-BISS-kuss ah-see-toe-SELL-ah Improved qual­ cuttings permitting you Hyacinthus amethystinus ity. The High to geometrically high-ah-SIN-thuss am-eh-thah-STY -nus Country Micro­ increase your inven­ Hydrangea macrophylla Climates does tory of even the most high-DRAN-gee-ah mack-row-FILL-ah it all. expensive and hard­ Jeffersonia diphylla to-get plants. Finally, here is jeff-er-SONE-ee-ah die-FILL-ah the ideal grow­ For more information J. dubia j. DO-bee-ah ing environ­ and our complete price Lamium macula tum ment for the list call our toll free number LA Y-mee-um mack-yew-LA Y-tum science commu­ 800-824-9263 or write to: Layia LA Y-ee-ah nity, as well as the High Country Micro­ Liatris lie-AT-riss amateur and professional Climates, P.O. Box 1327, Salt Lake Lilium LIL-ee-um horticulturist. City, Utah 84101. Telephone (801) Lonicera periclymenum 261-0582. We accept MasterCard and The four models of modular, self­ low-NISS-er-ah pair-ee-KL Y-men-um Visa. Patent Pending. contained Mkro-Climates provide Lychnis chalcedonica LICK-niss kal-see-DON-i-kah Lythrum LITH-rum x Mahoberberis mah-hoe-bear-BEAR-iss Mahonia aquifolium HIGH COUNTRY MICRO CLIMATES mah-HONE-e€-ah ak-qui-FOE-lee-um M. bealei m. BEEL-ee-eye

40 April1985 M. japonica m. jah-PON-i-kah M. repens m. REE-penz M. trifoliolata m. try-foe-lee-oh-A Y-tah Mertensia alpina NOW YOU CAN PRODUCE NEW mer-TEN-see-ah al-PINE-ah HEALTHY PLANTS FOR LESS M. ciliata m. sil-ee-AH-tah THAN 1¢-NOT 25¢ or 30¢! Monarda moh-NARD-ah Muscari mew-SCARE-ee YES-WE DO! Nandina domestica I The ONLY specialty liquid plant I nan-DEE-nah doe-MESS-ti-kah AQUAMONITOR GETS THE MAX­ I foods in the industry. Made for I Nanten NAN-ten IMUM FROM THE SUN. IT AUTO­ safety, accuracy and results. I Narcissus nar-SISS-us MATICALLY SHADES WITH I JUNGLE JUICE (2-5-4) for fantastic Nemesia strumosa TIMELY BURSTS OF MIST-RAPID I foliage growth and super green. I nem-EE-see-ah strew-MOH-sah GROWTH WITHOUT BURNS. GRANNY'S BLOOMERS (0-6-5) Nierembergia near-em-BURR-gee-ah I I YOU SAVE A "BUNDLE"-FUEL ZERO nitrogen and special trace I Nigella ny-JELL-ah for abundant african violet BILLS DWINDLE. I Oxypetalum ocks-ee-PET-al-um I blooms, you won't believe your I Perilla frutescens OUTDOORS OR IN YOU SAVE TIME eyes. pear-ILL-ah fru-TESS-enz AND MONEY. I CACTUS JUICE (1-7-6) For I Phacelia fah-SEE-lee-ah I outstanding specimens and helps I Phlox lutea FLOCKS LOO-tee-ah NOTHING CAN COMPARE-NOT promote flowering. I P. purpurea p. pur-pur-EE-ah EVEN COME CLOSE. I FlOWER CRACKER (1-6-5) For Platycodon plat-ee-COH-don FREE BROCHURE DESCRIBES I Impatiens, Orchids, Bromeliads, I Podocarpus poe-doe-CAR-puss I Geraniums, all flowering plants. I Podophyllum hexandrum THE MARVELOUS PROPAGA­ 6 oz. bottle makes 12 gals. capful poe-doe-FILL-um hecks-AN-drum TION EQUIPMENT. I measure. $3.85 ppd. P. peltatum p. pel-TAY-tum I I Any 4·6 oz. btls. $11.85 ppd. Free I Primula veris PRIM-yew-lah VER-iss • catalog. P. vulgaris p. vul-GA Y-riss • Ranunculus acris rah-NUN-kew-Ius A Y-kriss DeerfIeld. Il 60015 n Clarel L , il HH, ll( HIt ·,> l ilt Rhododendron viscosum III row-doe-DEN-dron vis-KOH-sum Ricinus communis ry-SIN-us com-MOON-iss Rosa eglanteria The Teakwood Collection ROW-sah egg-lan-TEAR-ee-ah of Classic English Garden Salvia azurea var. grandiflora SAL-vee-ah az-ur-EE-ah grand-i-FLOR-ah Furniture Superbly Crafted S. farinacea s. far-in-A Y-see-ah for Garden, Patio and S. officinalis s. oh-fiss-i-NAL-iss Breezeway S. patens s. PA Y-tenz S. pitcheria s. PITCH-er-eye S. x superba s. sue-PUR-bah S. viridis s. VEER-i-diss Sanvitalia procumbens san-vi-TAL-ee-ah pro-COME-benz Sedum rhodanthum SEE-dum row-DAN-thum Silene acaulis sigh-lEE-nee ah-CALL-iss S. alba s. AL-bah Silybum marianum SIL-ee-bum mare-ee-AN-um Stachys officinalis STACK-iss oh-fiss-i-NAL-iss Taxus TACKS-us Telesonix jamesii tel-ee-SONE-icks JAMES-ee-eye Thalictrum alpinum thah-LICK-trum ai-PINE-urn Tiarella cordifolia tee-ah-RELL-ah core-di-FOE-Iee-ah Vancouveria van-koo-VER-ee-ah Viola adunca SEND FOR FREE CATALOG vy-OH-Iahlvee-OH-Iah ah-DUN-kah Dept. AH45 , 1121 Washington St. V. odorata v. oh-door-AY-tah West Newton, MA 02165 V. tricolor v. TRY-color (617) 244-7900 Wisteria wis-TEER-ee-ah

American Horticulturist 41 THE DESIGN PAGE · Doors &Doaryards

n the small New England town where FAR RIGHT: The I grew up, the color of each front door colors of the steps seemed set by an unwritten code. Dark and doorway in this I house in green, pewter gray, white and acceptable Cambridge, shades of blue or red, these doors were Massachusetts are excruciatingly predictable. repeated in the lilacs This conformity was not confined to the and the wisteria. CENTER: An front doors, for invariably on either side effusive dooryard stood small forests of overgrown Rho­ garden in England dodendron, mounds of tortured Taxus or filled with gangling hemlocks. From house to house, containers of roses this mood of forested gloom continued and pansies. RIGHT: A more unrelieved, except for one doorway. Even conventional now, years later, that narcissus-yellow door English doorway remains one of those brilliant memories of garden decorated childhood. with a bench and daisies. That yellow door, against a Cape Cod­ style cottage, set the theme for a tiny, but effusive dooryard garden. Instead of the requisite piece of sod, religiously referred to as "the lawn," the daring owners had plowed this sacred ground and planted great sweeps of Narcissus and crowds of Mus­ cari. These blooms were followed in May and June by hundreds of soft gold and yellow bearded iris, blue Siberian iris and Aquilegia caerulea. A succession of yellow and white lilies interspersed with clumps of various blue cultivars of Campanula and Platycodon, underplanted with Stachys and strategically placed clumps of Salvia offi­ cinalis, continued the color theme through In order to be effective, the transition this display may be part of its charm, the the summer. between a house and its immediate sur­ season-of-bloom-and-color theme could This cottage-style garden, its fence over­ roundings needn't be horticulturally am­ easily be extended with the ground cover grown with yellow roses, was one of oUT bitious, as with the yellow dooryard gar­ Lamium. maculatum 'Beacon Silver', with favorite stops on summer bicycle rides. But den. The dooryard, a term that simply its silver leaves and pink flower clusters it is only now, looking back, that I see the means the area where garden and house from April until autumn, along with plant­ method to the seemingly mad scramble of are brought together, can vary from a brick ings of pink and/or white Clethra alnifolia flowers and that bright yellow door. The or slate terrace crowded with clay urns of and Rhododendron viscosum for mid- and repetition of the door color in the imme­ lobelia and white petunias, to a few care­ late-summer bloom. diate landscape established a strong visual fully selected vines and shrubs. The dappled shade of a dooryard garden link between the house and its surround­ For example, a roughly lO-by-40-foot can be linked to a woodland setting with ings. The result was a kind of organic unity front garden in Cambridge, Massachu­ bits of forest understory-shrubs like of architecture and land, with the house setts, uses color and a very limited plant Fothergilla gardenii and/or F. monticola, an outgrowth of the garden, and vice versa. palette to link house and land. Here, the planted with evergreens of restrained The problem with so many foundation front door is painted a kind of lavender­ growth. When brought right up to the door, plantings, and the plantings immediately pink, wooden steps are slate-gray, and ves­ these plants become a natural link between surrounding the house, is that they create tibule and railings, white. Wisteria and pink the dooryard and the surrounding land. a barrier, a netherworld between archi­ lilacs are planted on either side of the door. The bottle-brush-shaped flowers of F. gar­ tecture and landscape. With a viewpoint This color scheme is only effective for denii, a three-foot dwarf, and F. monti­ that denies the very nature of plants, many about two to three weeks each spring; the cola, a spreading six-foot shrub, are fra­ people see these plantings as a static ex­ ephemeral color relationship goes a step grant in spring. Fothergillas are effective tension of the house, as solid and unchang­ further when the Wisteria petals scatter with the white-flowered ground cover Ti­ ing as the foundations they hide. across the gray stairs. While the brevity of arella cordifolia in spring; in autumn, their

42 Aprii1985 usefulness as dooryard shrubs is extended when their leaves turn a brilliant yellow­ scarlet; foliage color is more pronoun­ ced when the plants are grown in full sun. In this same woodland setting, native shrubs like the aln;ady-mentioned Rho­ dodendron viscosum, with its fragrant white blooms in July and reddish-orange autumn leaves, are very versatile. Shade-loving lil­ ies and Cimicifuga simplex, Rhododen­ dron viscosum or Clethra spp. can help draw an even finer line between garden and surrounding woodland when under­ planted with cream- or white-edged hos­ tas, such as 'Green Gold'. Like the yellow dooryard garden, here is a place where the evergreen sameness of yews and over­ grown hemlo(;ks has given way to welcome fragrance and colors changing through the seasons. 4) -Margaret Hensel Margaret Hensel is a landscape designer and writer living in western Massachusetts.

American Horticulturist 43 Sources

A PORTRAIT OF BEATRIX FARRAND cover), $10.00 (softcover); AHS price (P.O. Box 1058, Redwood City, CA 94064, Readers who would like to learn more about $19.75 (hardcover), $10.75 (softcover), catalogue $1.00) and Thompson and Mor­ Beatrix Farrand may want to read one or including postage and handling. gan (P.O. Box 100, Farmingdale, NJ 07727, both of the following books recommended Readers who are going to be in the New catalogue free). York area this spring may want to visit by the author. Both are available through ROCK GARDEN IN THE ROCKIES the Society's Book Service. Send orders to the exhibition on Beatrix Farrand that will For information on the International Rock Jeanne Eggeman, American Horticultural open at Wave Hill on April 20. For more Garden Society meeting, to be held in Den­ Society, P.O. Box 0105, Mount Vernon, information, write Wave Hill, 675 West ver, Colorado in 1986, write Denver Bo­ VA 22121. (Virginia residents, please add 252 Street, Bronx, NY 10471. tanic Gardens, Att: Andrew Pierce, 909 4 % sales tax.) THE BARBERRY FAMILY York Street, Denver, CO 80206. Beatrix Jones Farrand (1872-1959), Fifty Most garden centers and nurseries carry a SHAKESPEAREAN BOUQUET Years of American Landscape Architec­ variety of barberry family members. These For readers who would like to learn more ture, Volume 8. Dumbarton Oaks, plants are also widely available through about Shakespeare's flowers, Martha Prince Washington, D.C., 1982. This book mail-order firms, including Carroll Gar­ suggests the following books. contains papers presented by a variety dens (Box 310, 444 East Main Street, Blarney, Marjorie. Flowers of the Coun­ of authors at the Dumbarton Oaks Col­ Westminster, MD 21157, catalogue $1.50) tryside. London: William Collins and loquium. Retail price $24.00; AHS price and Wayside Gardens Company (Hodges, Sons, 1980. $23.35, including postage and handling. SC 29695, catalogue $1.00). deBray, Lys. Fantastic Garlands. Dorset, Beatrix Farrand's Plant Book for Dum­ England: Blandford Press, 1982. barton Oaks. Diane Kostial McGuire, OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY ANNUALS Gerard, John. Gerard's Herbal!. London: Editor. Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, Seed for out-of-the-ordinary annuals is The Minerva Press, 1974. D.C., 1980. Retail price $20.00 (hard- available from J. L. Hudson, Seedsman Kerr, Jessica, and Dowden, Anne Ophelia. Shakespeare's Flowers. Thomas Y. Crowell, 1969. Martin, W. Keble. The Concise British Flora ORIGINAdI/L in Colour. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, -iYmuttll 1965. FERNWOOD POTS Rohde, Eleanour Sinclair. Shakespeare's Wild Flowers. London: The Medici So­ Imported from the Pampas of ciety,1935. South America. Horticulturists Rohde, Eleanour Sinclair. The Old English around the world are raising their Herbals. London: The Minerva Press, house plants in pots of wood, cut 1974. from fernwood trees. Just Savage, F. G. The Flora and Folklore of place your plant in this Shakespeare. London: Burrow and Co., Natural Fernwood 1923. container on a water­ Spur-geon, Caroline. Shakespeare's Im­ ing dish. The water agery and What It Means. Cambridge will be absorbed by University Press, 1971. the pot and will keep Many of Shakespeare's flowers are avail­ your plants moist for able from nurseries and garden centers, or days. Great for all from mail-order perennial firms. Bellis potted plants. perennis seed is available from J. L. Hud­ son, Seedsman, and Thompson and Mor­ gan. See sources for "Out-of-the-Ordinary Annuals" for the addresses. .1------.... ------Rosa eglanteria is available from Har­ Please send more information and price list to: Distributed by rison's Antique & Modem Roses, Inc. (P.O. Name ______Box 527, Canton, MS 39046, catalogue Liberty Imparts free) and Roses of Yesterday and Today Address (802 Brown's Valley Road, Watsonville, 1818 Grammes Rd. CA 95076, catalogue free). McClure & Allentown, PA 18103 City (215) 791-2395 Zimmerman (1422 W. Thorndale, Chi­ State Zip cago, IL 60660, catalogue free) lists Eng­ lish bluebells, Endymion non-scriptus.

44 Aprii1985 Now only the s ed to feel contrary.

It took something special to make Mary not so But even with MARLATE 's low toxicity, conve­ contrary. After all , you 'd have to agree , it's pretty nience , and gentleness to plants, Mary wouldn 't be frustrating to find bugs eating at your beautiful happy if MARLATE didn 't control the bugs that were flowers , fruits and veQetables . eating at her garden . MARLATE is incredibly ver­ But Mary found MARLATE Methoxychlor Insec­ satile . Its fast residual action controls over 300 vari­ ticide. For years it has been used professionally for eties of insects , including cabbageworms , Japanese grain , cattle and produce . Now it's available in a beetle , leafhoppers, tent caterpillars , flower thrips , convenient 16 oz can as wettable powder. and gypsy moths .~~;-,;_.... ______What makes Mary so happy about MARLATE is its low toxicity: nme-Tested it's 15 times less toxic than Diazinon, for example , and 6 times less toxic MARLATE ® than Malathion . That's important in Methoxychlor an insecticide . Especially if you want to feel comfortable using it in ~~ Insecticide a garden that is enjoyed by kids , and pets . MARLATE 's bio-degrad­ Let the bugs feel contrary while able formulation will not affect the your garden grows . Ask for MARLATE environment. MARLATE is gentle. at your local garden supply dealer. It's non-phytotoxic to most veg­ etables, fruits, flowers and shrubs , KINCAID ENTERPRISES, INC . even the most delicate roses and 10. P.o. Box 671 Nitro . WV 25143 annuals . ,. MakeYour WmdowsWork for You

ut your plants in Nutriponics® planters our research laboratories. Write us for more in­ and your windows will work for you. You formation or use the coupon below. P can grow African Violets, Geraniums, €ven Tomatoes or Lettuce and all kinds of plants in our planters. WINDOWSILL GARDENS The lower half of the Nutriponics® planter shown above is transparent so you can see the Dept. AHA Grafton, NH 03240 water level. The roots grow down into the liquid and pull up water and nutrients as needed. You o Send Inf('mnation need add water only every two to four weeks for Send $9.95 kit 0 Send $19.80 kit slow-growing plants like African Violets. o Includes planter shown above Nutriponics®is a suitable hobby for both adults and children. All you need is a window, with or Narne ______without sun. Nutriponic®kits make excellent gifts. Street ______~~ ______You will be thrilled at how easy it is to grow City ______~ State _____ Zip ______your favorite plants using this new technique. We do not grow plants for sale, but we have Include $2.50 for shipping hundreds of different kinds of plants growing in