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Optional: (Sold. separately) Planting tables, heater, thermostat, exhaust fan , thermometer.

------, Manufactured and distributed by Namae ______I Horticulture Division of Please send free literature, specs, and I prices. I am interested in the following: Addressi ______I PRINCESS MODEL #GH873 I 4ris PRODUCTS, INC. D (Nine-Foot Dia.) ...... $345 City' ______State' ____..L.Zip, ___ I 32401 North Avis Drive DUCHESS MODEL #GH1073 I Madison Heights, Michigan 48071 D (Eleven-root Dia.) ...... $595 o Check enclosed Card expiration date I Tel. No. (313) 583-1400 QUEEN MODEL #GH1273 o ~v1astercharge 11,__ - ______I D (Thirteen-Foot Dia.) ...... $795 Copyright Avis Products, Inc. 1973 Plus tax where applicable. Shipped prepaid. o BankAmericard #-______I Covered by U. S. Patent No. 3,333;373 I the supefnatural organic fertilizer! What do we add to Milorganite? Nothing! Everything's already there - naturally! an editorial . . ..

Horticultural Breadth and Depth

Gardeners are ecologists. Th e man, woman, or child that are new, at least, new to us. w ith a hoe makes hi s immediate environment better; better to Have you ever grown Tri cyrtis hirta? It is a charming little look at, more productive. Ga rd eners have a creative bent. lily-like affa ir with w ide, funnel-shaped, speckled w hite Thi s plant lover grows nice beds of flowering ann uals while flowers. It is hard y to -100 F. Seed is li sted in the 1973 hi s neighbor grows bonsai trees and the lady across the way A.H.S. seed distribution li st. O r Gladiolu s tristis, that delicate, has assembled a fine coll ectio n of potted exotics with wh ich flaired floret species from Natal that has to come indoors over she decorates her home. You are reading this magazine be­ winter in the north but which stays out in southern gardens? cause you fit into th at category w hi ch the American Horticu l­ It, too, is an A. H .S. offering. Seed lists and specialty cata logs tural Society intends to serve-advanced amateur gardeners. abound in uncommon or unfamiliar species. Let's look into It is our goal to suppl y you w ith reading material that w ill th ese . make you stretch. American ga rd eners need to expand their What do you do when somebody hands you a packet of ecological range; their creativity needs refining to make it seeds or a living plant of a species you never have grown more meaningful. It's no good read ing more about marigold before? You can 't just stick it in somewhere and hope for the germination or taking geranium cuttings. These are amateur best. Better consult a fi rst rate garden encyclopedia-it st ill is techniques. But wait. What about the refinements of marigold hard to beat L. H . Bailey' s The Standard Cyclopoedia of breeding; the genetics, cytology, and so on? What about Horticulture-and fi nd out about that plant. Sun or shade? Is ca llus formation of cuttings, the chemistry of rooting horm one the best so il humusy or gritty, neutral or acid, moist or fast­ functions, and other aspects of events in the sequence from draining? W hat about w inter hardi ness? The point is, you cutting to new plant? Don' t you w ish to know about these need to know. And in getting to know, you refine your horti­ things? cultural expertise. American horticulture tends to stay at a fairly superfi cial When each of us polishes hi s ga rd en in g know-h ow, leve l, on the average. You would not believe that if you vis­ American horti cu lture benefits. As we demand someth ing in ited horticultural " hot spots" such as the Pacific Northwest or our seed ca talogs beyond forty se lections of marigolds, un­ Lake Cou nty, Ohio; or if you attended conventions of th e common but desirable ornamentals w ill be made avai lable. specia lty plant societies. Nevertheless, it is tru e. Yea r after As members of A. H .S. you and I have something to li ve up to; year one reads in house ho ld magaz in es how to keep the our Society now owns a beautiful eightee nth century house Christmas poinsettia from one season to the next, kalanchoe ca ll ed Wellington sited on the George Washington Ri ve r ditto, and what about that Dieffenbachia that has been dying Farm. One of these days that property w ill be a horticultural in tens of thousands of overheated, ari d livi ng rooms over mecca. Wasn't it Oscar Wilde w ho sa id that he had to live up America fo r decades? Let' s sta rt a new trend. Let's b ri ghten to his fine porcelain dishes? O ne of these days we w ill have o ur envi ronment w ith a plant we never have see n before. to li ve up to the gardens at the River Farm. Let' s put some 2 Let's expand o ur creative palette, adding colors and textures breadth and depth into American horticu lture.-J. P. B. American

HCDrticulturist Volume 52 Number 2 Summer 1973

JOHN PHILIP BAUMGARDT, Editor

The American Horticultural Society, Publisher For United Horticulture . .. the particular Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121 objects and business of Th e America n O. KEISTER EVANS, Executive Director Horticultural Society are to promote and encourage national interest in scientific resea rch and education in horticulture in all of its branches.

AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST is the offi­ cial publication of The Ameri can Horti­ IN THIS ISSUE cultural Soc iety and is iss ued in March, June, September, and December of each 2 Editorial yea r. Thi s magazine is included as a ben­ 26 Twenty-eighth Congress of The American Horticultural Society. efit of membership in Th e American Horti­ 31 A Fine (certified) Summer Afternoon---..iames A. Fanning . c ultural Soc iety. Ind ividual dues are $15.00 a year.

Refer ed itorial matters to: John Philip Baumgardt Education Ameri can Horticulturist 18 People-Plant Interacti on-a new horticultural perspective-Charles A. Lewis P. O. Box 7163 25 A.H.S. Program in People-Plant Interaction Kansas City, Missouri 64113

Refer advertising matters to: Publisher Services, Inc. 62 1 Duke St reet Gardener's Notebook Alexa ndria, Virg inia 223 14 8 Gulf Coast Gardening Notes from The Garden Show WYES TV-Mrs. Lucius Address requests for reprints of Mirabeau Lamar articles to The American Horticultural Society, Mount Vernon , Virginia.

AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST is de­ Gardening Arts voted to the dissemination of knowledge 38 Ground Covers-labor saving plants-Harold Epstein in the science and art of growing orna­ mental plants, fruits, vegetables , and re­ lated subjects. Original papers which in­ c rease knowledge of plant materials of Hort-Science economic and aest heti c importance are 10 Maples of Japan---..i. D. Vertrees invited . For manuscript specificat io ns plea se add ress the Executive Director, Mount Vernon , Virginia 22 121 .

Misunderstood Plants Replacement issues of AMERICAN HOR­ 4 Weed Trees in the City-horticultural derelicts or unsung heroes?-Russell A. TIC U LT URIST are avai lable at a cost of Beatty $2.50 per copy, but not beyond twelve months prior to date of current issue.

The opinions expressed in the articles which appear in AMERICAN HORTICUL­ Research Report TURIST are those of the authors and are 34 Late Summer Injury of Korean Rhododendron-Alfred J. Fordham not necessari ly those of the Society. Th ey are presented as contributions to contem­ porary thought.

Sub-Tropica I 15 Horticulture in New Orleans-Tom E. Pope and Ola Mae Word

Seco nd class postage paid at Alexandria, Virginia and at add itional mailing offices. OUR COVER PHOTO-Sun-dappled walks and avenue bordered by broad-crowned live Copyright © 1973 by The American Horti­ oaks dripping Spanish-moss, these are the key characters of gardens in the deep South. cu ltural Society. This photograph was taken at Rosedown Plantation. 3 shrubs grew undisturbed, lower shade­ loving plants returned, birds brought in seeds from other gardens and neighbor­ hoods and the whole garden developed into a strange mixture of horticultural " roughnecks" . They competed with each other, lived on little nourishment and adapted to the city environment very much like the street gangs of the inner city. Who are some of these" Dead End Kids" of yesterday' s gardens? Of cou rse , the cast varies from region to region, but a few characters stand out clearly. The star (or villain) must surely be the dreaded tree-of-heaven (Ailan­ thus altissima).**Another tree frequently found especially in California is the rugged black locust (Robinia pseudoa­ cacia) defying all to climb its thorny limbs. The white poplar (Populus alba) sends out its sprout-producing roots searching for water, creating new trees along the way. The less invasive rela­ tive, lombardy poplar (Populus nigra 'Italica') occasionally is found. Other frequently found city trees are the silver maple (Acer saccharinum), common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), plum WEED TREES in the CITY seedlings (Prunus sp .), and the vora­ cious siberian elm (Ulmus pumila). In horticultural derelicts or unsung heroes? milder climates such as California we find the black acacia (Acacia melanoxy­ Ion), blue gum (Eucalyptus g/obulus), Rus sell A. Beatty* si Iver wattle (Acacia decurrens ' Deal­ bata') and a number of other imported Mulberry, green ash, soft maple, Have you ever poked through an exotics. Accompanying these trees are box-elder and other weedy species overgrown backyard in an old, dilapi­ a host of shrubs, ground covers and make a jungle among old inner city dated section of town? Life may have herbaceous plants from the many coto­ foundations. gone out of the buildings, but an neasters to periwinkle (Vinca), from amazing thing happens in the long staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) to acan­ neglected garden. A surprisingly abun­ thus. dant, almost luxuriant growth of trees, These are the weed trees and ' Ass istant Professor, Department of shrubs and other plants thrives. At one shrubs. For the most part they are the Landscape Architecture, University of time some sort of a garden was care­ scourge of the plant world, scorned by Ca lifornia, Berkeley. fully pl anted and tended. Neglected, horticulturists and nurserymen. These and finally abandoned, a new type of are the bad guys, never to be used by " In Rur a l Essays, Andre w Jack son Downing garden took over. Many of the original any responsible arborist or landscape wrote condemningly, " Down w ith the ailanthus plants died and fierce c ompetition architect. Who among us would ever ... It 's blossom s sm ell so disagreeably th at m y family are made ill b y it ... The vile tree com es began. A strange ecological niche de­ think of planting an ailanthus! up all o ver m y ga rden . .. For if th e Tartar is not veloped and the strongest and fittest Horticu Itural research and the laid vio lent hands upon, and kept under close plants survived. A system of plant suc­ nursery industry have advanced greatly watch, even after the spirit has gone o ut o f the o ld trunk, and the coroner is sa tis fi ed that he has cession developed very much like plant in recent years and have produced come to a vio lent end-Io, we shall have him succession in a natural plant commu­ many fine new trees for landscape de­ upo n us ten fo ld in th e sh ape o f su ck ers nity. The delicate water-loving plants sign and gardening. Newly d@veloped innumerable-li tt le Tartars that w ill beget a new dynas ty, and overrun Our gro unds and gardens d isappeared during the droughts, the cultivars of old favorites like the ma­ 4 again, with mercy. " vigorous drought-tolerant trees and ples, oaks, honey-locusts, lindens, beech, and ginkgo are highly praise d able uniformity of height, form, growth for their outstanding visual and cultural rate, fo liage co lor and flowerin g char­ characteri sti cs. The land sca pe architect acteri st ics. In th e past, th e sa me street has a greatl y improved palette of trees pi anted with the seed ling species of in a wide variety of forms and co lors b ullbay m agnolia wou ld exhibit as from wh ich to se lect. Th ei r use in new many variations as th ere were trees A forest of siberian elm seedlings urban plantings along streets, in parks planted , d isrupting the desired effect of springs up along an abandoned right­ and in plazas is wide sp read . These uniformity. of-way. Other invasive species com­ trees are the aristocrats and form to­ Time and experi ence has taught us pete and a half-dead copse results. day's ' Hit Parade' of trees-sweetgum, w hich trees are more su itable for c ity Would careful study turn up a non­ tulip tree, red maple, linden, pin oak, conditions th an others. Those trees that seeding, indestructible specimen from sca rl et oak and many oth ers. These are once raised havoc by lifting curbs and this thicket? the trees that are used to replace the i 11- fa ted American elms* and the undesir­ ab le trees th at clog sewers, drop limbs and raise pavement. Horticulturists and landscape ar­ chitects have been searching for the perfect city tree for decades. The objec­ ti ves of this sea rch are low mainte­ nance and safety, as well as superb visua l chara cteri sti cs . The tree must have deep roots not subject to invas ive­ ness; strong trunk and limb st ru cture; drought tolerance; hardin ess; min­ imum leaf, fruit and twig litter; toler­ ance to air pollution; straight trunk and symmetrica l form; long-li ved ; and dis­ ease and pest res ista nce . A SU PER­ TREE! Improved color characteri sti cs and uniformity of size and form are the important visua l chara cteri sti cs so ught for. To date three new cultiva rs of the fa mil i a r Ame ri ca n sweetgu m (Liqu id­ ambar styra ciflua) have bee n devel­ oped in an attempt to achieve varia­ tions in fa ll fo li age color and uniformity within each color range. Similarl y there are so me two hundred species and c ultivars of f lowerin g c rabappl e, paving no longer are pl anted in re­ varying not only in spring flower color, stri c ted situation s by experi en ced but also in form and in fruit color and treemen . As c ities and tow ns have size. Th e common Norway m aple grown, the spa ces allotted to trees have (Acer platanoides) can now be found in d iminished. Street w idening and lack of more than ten different forms. foresight and se nsitive planning have Th ese remarkable improvements in removed many adequately wide street plant se lection have provided the de­ tree planting areas in most cities. Th e sig ner and the gardener alike with a normal street tree is relegated to a ' This author has observed that th e honey-locust great array of superb trees to fit virtually three- or four-foot sq uare cut-out in the cultivars have been widely planted as th e suc­ any type of landscape situation. The sidewalk, or a simil arly-sized planting cessor to th e ameri can elm . Visual similarit y between th e two is non-existent. Th e japanese formerly troublesome lack of uni­ strip sq ueezed between the sidewalk zelkova makes a much better substitute. Wh y is formity in symmetri ca l street plantings and the cu rb. In my own town of it not being used more w idely? due to seed ling variat ion is no longer a Walnut Creek, Ca lifornia there are sev­ problem if a se lected cultivar exists. A eral street plantings of sweetgum in boulevard planting of Magnolia grandi­ eighteen in ch wide planting str ips! ~ flora 'Sam uel Sommer' shows predict- To be su re, this demonstrates badr 5 planning and the lack of commitment trees in parks. This attitude necessarily toward the value of street trees by many limits their choices. It also unneces­ of our planners and politicians. This we sarily limits other types of tree planting. must fight in every possible way. Nev­ If we were to assess critica lly the visual ertheless the urban tree of today has and ecological needs of a typical city, demands placed upon it that tend to we cou ld find a whole new range of prohibit the use of so-called undesir­ planting needs that the outcast weed able species. We are attempting to trees cou ld serve. These areas are what plant trees in situations never dreamed Litton cal ls " the ordinary landscape". of fifty or a hundred years ago. The They might i ncl ude vacant lots, i n­ conflicts of use and the demands for dustrial areas, drainage channels, bits improved aesthetic and horticultural of left-over land in shopping areas, characteristics have eliminated many certain types of parking lots, and per­ of the trees formerly used in great num­ haps children' s play areas where little bers. else can grow. In other words, we Among those trees that have been shou ld look beyond the street tree and black-listed are the weed trees we find refined plantings to another hierarchy in the old, neglected sections of our of planting needs that has fewer main­ cities. Neglected and forgotten , they tenance and horticultural conflicts. nevertheless persist. Many are not na­ These areas have great environmental tive, but have naturalized. While we stresses and shou ld be as maintenance have been busy developing and using free as possible. These pieces of ordi­ el ite new trees, these derel icts have nary landscape are like the neglected been vigorously reproducing and have backyard. These are the areas where persisted agai nst all odds in the most the weed trees are at home and can hostile areas of our urban environ­ serve to bring a measure of amenity to ments. Drought, smoke, dust, heat and otherwise ugly and unhealthy land ­ a host of other adversities seem to scapes. nourish these trees rather than dis­ For example, let's take the typical courage them. urban schoolyard-vast stretches of A unique paradox begins to monotonous asphalt desert, absolutely emerge. The plant climate of our cities treeless and visually steril e. School dis­ has grown steadj Iy worse. Drought, tricts typically are unwilling to integrate heat build-up, increased run-off due to shade trees into the play environment. more paving, w ind channe ling, de­ Those attempts that have been made creased humidity, air pollution and frequently fail because of lack of main­ sma ller, more restrictive planting areas tenance or adequate cu ltural condi­ are the common characteristics found tions for the trees planted (usua lly "de­ in city centers today. These environ­ sirable" trees). Why not plant se lected mental extremes are detrimental to weed trees? Better yet, have the stu­ many of the favored trees used now. dents take on the project as a part of Something will have to give; the side­ Yet these conditions are the very cond i­ their studies and engage a landscape walk, the retaining wall, or, less tions that the weed trees seem to th rive arch itect or horticulturist to assist in the likely, the volunteer elm. Cut back on . Can it be that these rejects of the design decisions to determine w here once, as indicated by multiple trunks, the trees can be most effectively used. it apparently is there to stay. past can have a useful place in our urban lives? Perhaps there are a number of large Wh i Ie I do not advocate pi anti ng areas of asphalt not intensively used the entire city with weed trees, I do that could be sacrificed to planting advocate reconsidering the use of weed clumps or masses of trees . Or perhaps trees for certain situations. We know areas between activity courts could be that most of these horticu Itu ral rejects utilized for rows of individual trees are inappropriate to use as street trees simply planted in holes in the aspha lt. or as major trees in plazas, on roof Student participation tends to engender gardens or in sma ll parks. But where success of planting merely by a sort of and how can these trees be used? pride of ownership. Too often municipalities think of Similar situations exist in industrial 6 urban trees on ly as street trees or shade areas of many cities. Huge tracts of land are given over to vast seas of dustri al sites or railroad lines. Th e envi­ parked ca rs. In summer th e ca rs bake ronment wou ld be greatly improved for all day in the sun, add ing unnecessa ry both traveler and inhab itant alike. Ob­ discomfort to the tired work ers at quit­ vious ly steril e or non-seeding forms of ting time. Extensive plantings of Ken­ weed trees should be used nea r rai l­ tucky coffeetree or ha ckberry, for ex­ ways. Railroad companies have spent ample, could be accompli shed with fortunes fi ghting invas ive spec ies such I ittle loss of usea ble space. As I ittle as as th e ailanthus. fo ur to eight square feet per tree could If our c ities are to be made more be sacrifi ced with a resu lting ben efit far li vab le, more trees and green areas are exceed ing th e relatively minor initial certainly one of th e most important costs. If th e trees are grown from seed in gredients. Th e day of bu il ding large in smal l cut-outs in th e as phalt pro­ city parks planted w ith fine shade trees tected by steel bollard s, the trees could is long gone. We must look for altern a­ conceivabl y survive with li ttle further tive means to incorporate trees into the maintenance except fo r weed contro l. fabric of the c ity. Al l th at is left in most Experiments in the direct seed in g cases are th ese rough sites-the as ph alt of woody plants conducted at the Uni­ sc hool ya rd , parking lots, uti lity ease­ versity of Cal iforn ia have shown that ments, vacant lots and leftover bits of amazing tree growth ca n be achieved land . Both private and public agenc ies in imposs ible planting situati ons. Black should be encouraged to con sider the locust seeded in compacted fill earth planting of such area s. along a freeway in the hot Sa n Joaquin At the same time, horticultural re­ Valley have grown as muc h as three sea rch should be encouraged to look at feet in the first yea r, with less than ten the weed trees as cand id ates for new inches of rainfall and no add itional cu ltivars. In stead of being so concern ed maintenance. This low cost method of w ith th e search for a w hite marigold, planting is parti cularly well adapted to let's offer $10,000 to the person w ho more ar id c limates w here weed control discovers a steri le ail anthu s. Imagine is not as great a problem as in areas the poss ibil ities of a non-seed in g se lec­ w ith significant summer rainfall. Even tion of tree-of-heaven.* Other possibi li­ there, easier weed contro l may be ties for improvement are box -elder, made possibl e by usin g se lected pre­ cata lpa, black locust and white poplar, emergent herbic ides appl ied after the to name a few. seed ling tree has emerged and hard­ In this day of surgi ng envi ron­ ened. mental concern, we need to do all we Industrial areas, airports, and ware­ ca n to re invigorate our cities. As horti­ house facilities tend to ha ve strips of c ulturi sts, land sca pe arc hitects and unused land suitable for planting weed gardeners, we have much to contribute trees. Pop lar trees, ail ant hus, sil ver to the improvement of o ur c ities maple and, in Ca lifornia, euca lyptus through the creative use of plant mate­ trees are large-scaled trees that can ri al s. I do not advocate sprinkling greatly improve the appea rance as well greenery all over the c ity, but I do as the ecologica l cond itions of such advocate planting where necessary and sites. po ss ible in rationa l yet imag in ative Uti I ity easements where trees ways. We need more trees in c ities , would not interfere, abandoned rail­ along st re ets, in plazas, on roofs and in road rights-of-way, and other sim il ar gardens. Clea rl y there are these other strips of land could be planted with poss ibilities to use the ordinary trees in various weed trees. These could be the o(d inary landscape. treated as " urban airbreaks" similar to A weed has been variously defined rural windbreaks or shelterbelts for the as a plant out of place or a plant whose purpose of fi lterin g the sooty urban air virtues h ave ye t to be discovered . as well as screening unsightly urban Weed trees are weeds only if they are sce nes . These buffer zones would be in conflict w ith our needs . Th ey just particu larl y important in c ities where might be the unsun g heroes of our "Th e male-flo wering Ailanthus, w hile not ster­ residential housing is adjacent to in- c iti es.~ ile, sets no seeds. Ed. 7 Gulf Coast Gardening Notes from The Garden Show, WYES TV

Mrs. Lucius Mirabeau Lamar

The plants are quite ornamental; Crinums from tough rhizomes clusters of four The uinums, relatives of amary­ to six leaves arise. The leaf consists llises and hippeastrums, are amoflg of a glossy blade, pale befleath, my favorite bulbous plants. I particu­ about eight inches long, and borne larly enjoy growing Crinum amabile on a twelve-inch petiole. Clumps of for its grandiose flowers. As many as this bold foliage supply a stroflg twenty buds develop on a three-foot accent to the plaflting. In a large scape. Several flowers open at once, garden Curcuma might be used as a making a grand display. I cut a head sort of groufld cover. In the sm.all of flowers with a short piece of the garden or court yard each clump scape, mount it in a needle holder becomes an important specimen. and center the flowers in an antique Northern gardeners may use white tureen. The flowers arrange Curcuma petiolata as afl ornamental themselves most gracefully. As each "Hidden-lily" in a small tub or large pot. Pot up in blossom fades I snip it off and afl­ From Malaya, afl exotic member a mixture of two parts damp brown other bud opens. The flowers give of the ginger family has come to peat, one part loam and one-half off a delightful lingering perfume. New Orleans gardens. The plant, part fine sand. Curcuma roots are The flowers of C. amabile are white known commonly as " hidden-lily" easi Iy damaged and are touchy with maroon to piflk markings is Curcuma petio/a'ta; its relatives about drainage. Reset plants in early within the funnel, the outside being include species that supply ginger, spring, shaking much of the old soil rosy pink to maroon. East Indian arrowroot, and tumeric, from the rhizomes. To insure good There are more than one so valuable as a stimulant, a dye­ drainage, fill the bottom third of hUfldred species of crinums, natives stuff, and a condiment. ClJrcuma your contaifler with broken crock. of the warmer parts of the world, petiolata is purely ornamental. Water plants sufficiently to keep soi I especially near coastal water. Hardy In subtropical gardens this plant from drying out, but the soil should species need rich soil in a shelten~d thrives in high humus soils in partial never be soggy. Over winter in a south border with plenty of shade. An evergreen plant ifl the quite warm, bright room. drainage. The large bulbs may have tropics, in New Orleans foliage long necks (the neck of C. amabile is fades in late summer to gradually die about twelve inches long). We plant back, and new leaves appear the these in the garden in late May so following spring. When these leaves they may become fully established are parted in June the unusual flower before winter. It is a good idea to spikes are exposed. mulch bulbs deeply over winter. Flower spi kes are about six Northern gardeners may have inches long; the flower bracts vary some success setting out crinums from pale to dark green, or, in select when danger of frost is past, I ifti,ng strains, are pale lavender. Sterile the bulbs to be stored like the bracts are deep violet to purple. The Peruviafl-daffodil over winter. Or flowers, almost invisable as they are grow them in a large pot or in a tl)b. buried deep within the enclosing Mix clumpy bits of com.posted sod, bracts, are pale yellow. Flower coarse browfl peat screenings and spikes of Curcuma make up into wood charcoal for a fast draining 8 exotic arrangements. unusually coarse potting mixture. southern ga rd ens. From April to July frag rant, starry white flowers in sma II c l usters spangle the ri ch green foliage. The type species is a favorite climber; the ' Minima' cultivar, with The strawberry-begon ia, neither very small leaves, is more suitable a strawberry or a begonia, is at home for ground cover use . well into north temperate ga rd ens. But it makes an es peciall y fine dis­ play in coastal areas adjacent the Gulf. O nce w idely kn own as Sax i­ Fraga sa rm entosa, today this plant is c lass ified as saxifraga sto lonifera. Mother-of-thousa nds is a ve ry nice common name for a pl ant as prolific Liriope and Others as this is. With sli ghtly hairy, round, Ground cover and c arpetin g sca ll oped leaves up to four inches plants for bedding and for edging across, the pl ant is show y. The dark shrubberies are important in New green leave s are v eined whiti sh Orleans gardens. Among the be st above and are reddish on th e under are various forms of lily-turf. These surface. From th e crown come long have grass-I i ke to strap-shaped runners bea rin g sm all pl antlet s, I@aves, usually leathery, in dense strawberry-fas hion. In li ght sh ade, in Anemones and Ranunculus clumps. Plants may be only a few moist, ri c h soil , the plants so o n Late winter and early spring visi­ inches high or may send up longer cre ate a den se, low mat with a dap­ tors to New Orleans always are im­ leaves that form foot-high mounds pled appearance. pressed by the drifts of bri II iantly with flower spikes standing well A special bonus are the flowers. colored anemones and ranunculus above the foliage. The flowers are These are born on wiry spikes to two bedded throughout the city. We tiny almost globular affairs, white, feet. Each flower is about an inc h treat these as annuals; some growers lavender, or purple. They may be wide, with two long petals and three su ggest planting the tuberous roots densely crowded on the spike or shorter ones. The flowers float like from mid- to late October, others sparse. The flowers are secondary to small moths over the bed offoliage. recommend planting in November. I the year-round foliage. Leaves of Other favorite southern ground planted mine in mid-October last lily-turf may be dark green, ba J1l ded, cover plants include ajugas of var­ year; in FebrIJary they were up and or stripgd white or yellow. The var­ ious kinds, both green and varie­ the foliage was covered with sleet iegated forms are especially valu­ gated leaf forms of Vinca majm (a and snow duri ng an unexpected able in dark, shady pl antings though bold, more vigorous version of the wintery storm. In March they lily-turf thriv@s in fIJil sU'n as well as Vinca mirwr common il1 northern bloomed beautifully, though not as dense shade. Considerable confu­ ga.rd @ns), and woody plants such as well as in non-sleet years. I like to sion occurs with these lily relatives; the Confederate jasmine, Trachelo­ use these in my annual display beds; two genera sha re the commOA name spermum jasminoides ' Minima'. Bo­ when they have finished the plants, of lily-turf. Spe cies of Liriop@ and of tanically, the latter plant often is roots and all, are discarded to make Ophiopogon ani! very difficult to dis­ callgd Chinese star-jasmi,ne, a name room for the summer-flowering tingl:J"ish. that has never been popularized in annual plants.~ 9 APLE3 o?JAPAH

J. D. Vertrees* What does the term "Japanese Leaves mottled cream and pink-or maple" bring to your mind? Is it a how about finger-like leaves, one­ tree about twenty feet tall of delicate half inch wide like a strap? limb and twig structure, small leaves All of these are types of the five to seven pa.inted, nice gold desirable Japanese maple. Very few color in the fall, but clear green in nonflowering trees have as many the summer? Or perhaps the tree has variations as.does this one species of red leaves? Or is it a rather small, maple. It is certainly prone to seed­ gracefully drooping tree with fan­ I ing variation, for growers over the tastically divided lace-like leaves, a past decades have given us over two beautiful red? Or are these green? hundred named cultivars. Perhaps the tree is more upright with To begin with, we should spend *Mr. Vertrees, an Oregon expert on a moment on nomenclature. I have oriental Acer species, does not sell flaming red fall colors. Or, once japanese Maples. For plants, refer to more, are the leaves crinkled or described above some of the varie­ 10 catalogs of specialty nurseries. puckered on a short shrubby tree? ties of Acer pa/matum, which is Left below: Acer palmatum ' Dissectum Crimson Queen' fall tones. Below: Acer pal­ matum 'Corallinum' (synonyms ' Sango Kako' , 'Senkaki'). Right: Acer palmatum 'Shishiga­ shira'. Right center: Acer palmatum 'Butter­ fly' . Right below: Acer palmatum 'Hogryaku' fall color.

Photos by aUlhor.

commonly called japanese maple in .the nursery trade. This is misleading, in a way, for there are about two dozen species of maple, Acer, that occur naturally in japan. Nurseries also include Acer ja­ ponicum in the common term. It, too, has several named types, or cultivars, that are commonly sold. I will deal mainly in this discussion with Acer palma tum, slightly with Acer japonicum, and almost not at all with other equally interesting maples sold sometimes under the lump term japanese maples. r+ Historically, A. palmatum varie­ usually are se lected from seed ling as well as other leaf forms not quite ties have been in cu ltivation a very grown young stock, and are the most as divided as the common laceleaf. long time. Carl Thunberg of Sweden prevalent nursery-grown japanese The upright, stronger-growing, described the species botanically in maples. red leaf selections are always pop­ 1783. One japanese author writes Following closely in popularity ular; to name a few, out of dozens, that the cu lture of A . palmatum are the cultivars probably derived 'Bloodgood ', 'Burgundy Lace', began in the Tokugawa era about from A. palmatum 'Dissectum', also 'Oshio Beni', 'Sanguineum', 'Sher­ 1650 A.D. Certainly, sin ce that time, ca lled lace leafs. These are graceful, wood Flame' and 'Trompenburg'. the japanese enthusiasts have been weeping forms. Old trees are per­ These are thought to be se lections selecting leaf forms with d iscerning haps eight feet high with possibly a from A. palma tum 'Atropurpureum' . taste. How many accepted named fifteen-foot spread . The leaves are They differ from each other in forms now exist may not really be much divided nearly to the base having varying degrees of co lor, known, but a listing will show over (pinnatifid), lacy and green . These from orange red COshio-Beni') to a 200 varieties, forms, and cultivars. usually turn a rich ye ll ow in the fall. black-red, or maroon CBloodgood'), Synonymity abounds in this There is also the red form, A. pal­ and indentation of edges CSherwood group of plants. As the japanese­ matum ' Dissectum Purpureum' that Flame', ' Burgundy Lace') . In full sun, named new forms were introduced turns greenish in midsummer. From the red forms often develop a bronzy in the early days into Europe, then these, then, probably come many hue in mid to late summer. later into America, it can be seen named se lections. One of the most colorfu l in the how the names would become al­ ' Ever-red' has long been a good fall is 'Osakazuki' (you wi ll find this tered. Often this led to a "new varie­ selection of a red laceleaf form. It spelled severa l ways). This cultivar is ty" epithet which actually was a holds its red color longer than seed­ noteable for intense scarlet tones of synonym. Several maple enthusiasts ling forms, but tends to turn bronze the fairly large, lobed leaves. It is an are attempting to untangle the du­ in midsummer. A newer selection upright form, somewhat spread in g, plicity of names. New cu ltivars, from the east coast, 'Crimson but not a large tree. though, are being named every year Queen' is a more brilliant red cu l­ Variegated forms in the uprights here in the United States, as well as tivar which holds its color through all present a delicate, lacy appear­ Europe and japan. the summer. There are a dozen or ance and outline. 'Versicolor' (has The typical japanese maple, A. more other named varieties of A. several names) and ' Asahi-juru' both palma tum, has green leaves, two to palmatum 'Dissectum' . One very have green leaves with " breaks" of four-inches across, with five or noteworthy green form is 'Water­ white or pink, or both. 'Sagara ni­ seven-pointed lobes. The tree ma­ fall' . A great thrill for me was to shiki' has a more mottled spotting of tures usually at twenty to twenty-five stand by the original ' Waterfall' , a cream or pale ye llow. 'Roseo-mar­ feet high . The delicate branches, magnificent spec imen tree, located ginatum' has leaves sl ightly crin­ twiggy, are mainly upright growing. at the Willowwood Arboretum at kled, with white and pink markings A second common form, A. palma­ Gladstone, New jersey. Dr. Ben­ blended with the green. With a little tum, ' Atropurpureum', differs only jamin Blackburn graciously showing age, this is a very twiggy and lacy­ in having red leaves, which usually us around the Arboretum, told us of appearing upright tree. turn a greenish, or bronze-green the discovery of this cultivar, and of 'Corallinum' (synonyms 'Sango later in the summer. The good its description and naming by a Kaku ', ' Senkaki') is becoming quite named red cultivars probably have leading authority on japanese ma­ popular. The outstanding feature is been se lected from th is variant. Both ples, Mr. Henry Hohman, of Kings­ the cora l-red color of twigs and the type species and A. palmatum ville Nursery. small limbs in winter time; a fine ' Atropurpureum' color well in the There also are variegated leaf add ition to deciduous plantings for 12 fall after sharp frosts . These two sorts forms of laceleaf japanese maples, color accent. The small leaves are light gree n in th e fall th en turn a base , o n ve ry sho rt petiol es , th e yielded so me very des irabl e c ulti­ beautiful gold , often with red who le appea rance is quite different vars. Th e normal A. japonicum is a edging. Quite a des irable tree. from any oth er fo rm in cultiva ti on. small tree, maturing at about twenty­ Another outstanding group in­ A c ultivar th at never fa il s to at­ five feet, round topped, and with c ludes the so-ca lled fin ge r-l ea f tract attenti o n i s ' Butterfl y ' . Thi s tw igs coa rse r th an A. palmatum . The forms. The leaves of these are di­ small upright form has irreg ul ar little leaves have seven to eleven lobes vided into strap-like lobes , eac h leaves that are tooth ed, o r notc hed. with.a round outline, simil ar to those finger bein g about on e-half in c h Th e base colo r is dee p green, almost of our northwes tern vine maple, A. wide. ' Scolopendrifolium', ' Lin ea re­ w ith a blue cas t in some lights. Th e circin atum, w hich belongs to the lobum', ' Filiferum' and others are edges are crea m co lored w ith a pink same se ri es. A japonicum also is green forms. A typi cal red is ' Atroli­ tinge . In fall , the w hite edges be­ seedling grown for nurse ry stock. neare' , Japanese name ' Akas hime­ come crimso n. This is a mos t strikin g This spec ies has a good ye llow fa ll no-uchi' . New introduction s in clude and deli ca te appea rin g little tree, colo rati on. red form s, such as 'Villa Taranto' , and is unfortun ately quite rare. Grafted sorts of A. japonicum developed in Ital y, and ' Red Pygmy', ' Hogyuko' also is w orth spec ial show grea t vari ation. One of the developed in Holland. Th ese trees comment. The pale gree n leaves, most outstanding is the famous fern are not as strong and large as those w ith lobes recurved downward, give lea f maple, A. japonicum ' Aconiti­ of the ' Atropurpureum' group, but a ge neral appea rance of a wavey folium' . Th e gree n leaves are three not weeping, as in the ' Dissectum' pattern . In fall the leaves turn a ve ry to fi ve in ches diameter, the lobes are cultivars. ri ch orange. cut into the center, and then recut, Almost in a class by itself is Always in demand , ' Cri spum' pinnatifid in form . Th e fall colors are ' Sh ish i-gash ira' (, Cristata' ). Usually a (' Okushimo') prese nts an unusually brilliant crimson and yellow. dwarf, slow-growing, shrubby tree, shaped tree . An upright gro wer w ith In contrast, the fu ll moon maple, it occasional ly wi ll send out a stron g erect bran c hes m aking a vase A. japonicum ' Aureum' has uncut shoot, and then revert to typi cal sh aped outline, th e branc hes are leaves of yellowish green . Partial short node growth. The leaves are quite twiggy, and broom-like. Ed ges shade allows the color to develop much wrinkled, crinkled, almost of the tiny leaves are rolled inward , best on these round type leaves with puckered; a beautiful green , often involute, and each leaf has a sharp, eleven small points. Fall colors here, with reddish edge. In the fa ll they five-pointed star shape. The pleasant too, are brilliant in reds and ye llows. turn golden blended with red tones. green of summer turns to a ri ch gold Other green-leafed forms of A. This is highly desirable for a spec­ in fall. Inex perienced growers of japonicum vary in size of leaf. All imen plant. some of these unusual leaf forms are eleven pointed, mostly round in ' Reticulatum ' is a shorter­ should note that often the spring genera l outline. ' Junihitoe' nas growing upright form with striking flush of new growth may not have leaves sma ller than the species, two foliage, when planted in part shade. the character of the named form. to three inches across. 'Microphyl­ The green leaves exhibit light ye llow Often new growth has foliage re­ lum ' is a compact grower with color in the areas between veins. In sembling the normal A . pa/matum . leaves sma ller yet, than 'Ju n ih itoe' . some cases, the leaves appear to Slower-growing twigs, but particu­ These are mostly shrubs, or very have "wi ndows" of al most clear larly two-year-old and older wood, small trees. tissue. carries the character for which a Large-leaf forms include ' Itayo', ' Sessi lifolium' ('Koshimino') is cu ltivar is named. Many of the varie­ which has very good fall yellows. completely different. An upright gated and linearelobum forms have 'Vitifolium', as the name suggests, grower, the leaves are three to five­ pa lmate leaves on the new f lush produces grape-like leaves. A ll have divided, each lobe being a separate growth. stiff, heavy twigs, and are upright in ~ " feather". Coming from a common Acer japonicum also has habit. ( 13 Left and below: Acer palmatum 'Crispum' (synonym 'Okushimo') fall tones. Left center: Acer japonicum 'Aureum' new growth. Left below: Acer japonicum 'Aureum' fall color.

The only drooping cultivar of A. japonicum, to my knowledge, is a beautiful form from Arthur Wright of Canby, Oregon. This is a weeping or low spreading selection of a leaf type similar to 'Aconitifolium', but with more finely divided foliage. Some n.ursery catalogs dealing in specialties show forms of other species of maples from Japan . Not only are these sold as species, but besides the typical forms, there are variegated and mottled forms, also. Included in this list of maples, areA . crataegifolium, A. sieboldianum, A. rufinerve, A . mono.<3£> Photo by C. W. Amy, Jr .

Louisiana iris 'Mrs. I. Nelson'.

horticulture in l EW ORLEANS Tom E. Pope and Ola Mae Word *

Plants from the tropical and cated to it and must be severely temperate region s often are pruned. Due to very mild w inters grown as annuals in the coasta l over the past decade many large region of the South. Frost tender spec imens of Philodendron se l­ tropical plants such as Ca ssia loum can be see n growing in Pan Garden, Longue Vue Gardens. alata, Hibiscus chinensis, Ixora coasta l ga rd ens. species, Acalypha spec ies, and Codiaeum variegatum (croto n) Tropical Trees and Shrubs are used extensively for summer Other tropicals that survive and fa ll co lo r. Cassia a lata is winter conditions in the deep propagated by seed planted in South are Persea ameri cana Febru ary. Seedlings are trans­ (avacado,- some are of bearing planted to outdoor locations in age, having made a comeback March or April , where they flower following the 1962 freeze), jacar­ in September and October. anda mimosifolia, Araucaria (A. Woody tropical plants may be excelsa and A. bidwillii), Fi cus carried over in pots or as rooted e lastica , and Bauhinia species cutti ngs , (orchid tree) . A ll of these trees are O ne tropical ornamental cold tender and are considered species that has adapted well to expendable by those who grow Gulf Coast areas is Philodendron them. Of co urse , the ba nana se lloum . While this plant often is grows everywhere, and it comes burned by frost or freezing, it back from the roots after freezes. se ldom is damaged enough by Irv protected locations, it is not *Horticu/turist and Director (respec­ cold to kill it. More often than un common to see banana fruits in tively) of Longue Vue Gardens, New Orleans, La. not, it outgrows the space allo- late summer or early fall. r15 Spring-flowering, (peat, compost, or leaf mold) and New Orleans pink flowers are native soi ls are used in equal Bulbous Perennials most common, but in the acid amounts to prepare soil for raised soils of the sandy pine land, blos­ Perennials from the tem­ planting areas. soms are blue. perate regions, particularly sprin g One way to avoid most of the flowering sorts of bulbs, are problems of poor drainage and louisiana Iris Cultivars treated as annuals in the coastal the additional cu ltural require­ . Louisiana irises gradual ly are areas. Tulips, hyacinths, cro­ ments of sprayi ng as well as cold coming into their just place in cuses, many daffodil varieti es , related problems is the use of loca l gardens. They were late in bulbous iris and most lilies are native plant material. The Gulf arrivi ng on the scene, because it grown for only one season . Long, Coast region is blessed with an took so long for thei r beauty and hot humid summers result in little abundance of native plants to ornamental potential to be real­ reserve food and consequently supplement and enha nce any ized. The late Ira Nelson and his poor bulb production with these landscape. associates at the University of plants. They do come up and Southwestern Louisiana in Lafay­ grow a- second year, but genera ll y Wild Plants for Gardens ette brought these plants a long produce foliage and few flowers. Native evergreen materials, way through inter-specific hybri­ Tulips and hyacinths require including Myrica cerifera, (wax­ dization. Now they are ava ilable artificial chilling before they are myrtle), Pinus species (pines), /lex in a wide color range, with a planted in fall. This is accom­ species (hollies), Quercus virgi­ flower size that is a sharp contrast pi ished by pi aci ng them in the niana (live oak), Cliftonia ligus­ to the drab swamp "flag". Gar­ crisper of the refrigerator for six trina (titi), Illicuim species (star deners of the deep South should weeks prior to planting. If this is bush), Magnolia species, Aucuba no longer bemoan not being able not done, the floweri ng axis does japonica and Prunus laurocerasus to grow bearded iris, since the not elongate and the blossoms (laurels) and Cyrilla racemiflora hybrid Louisiana iri ses rival them appear at or near ground level. make southern winters seem less in color, flower and size as well Artificial c hilling is necessary bleak and the promise of spring as dependable performance. since the Gulf Coast area does not near at hand even in December. While Louisiana irises will receive sufficient natural cold to The elus ive fragrance and grow in wet shaded areas, they cause elongation of the flowering delicate flower colors of native flower better when given some ax is. Tulips, hyacinths and most rhododend rons (R. canescens) (i n sunl ight. Even better results ,are other spring flowering bulbs are pink hues from near white to obtai ned when they are also planted from late November almost red) add magic to any given fairly well drained so il and through December. spr in g garden. Th ey are perfectly a little attention. Not only will at home in shaded poorly drained these plants grow in southern Soil Management soi l, and demand only to be left swamps, but they wi ll thrive in Many rivers flow through the undisturbed. Halesia diptera many areas of the country. Try coastal plains region, and as a (s ilver bell) is a good compan ion them, they wi ll like you and you consequence the water table is plant for native aza leas, and w ill love them . high in many places. In addition, serves as a substitute for the dog­ Sub-tropical fragrances so il may be poorly drained due to wood, since the latter does not soi l structure and to elevations tolerate the wet, alkaline soi l in No visit to the south would near or below sea level. Poor the lower south. Of course, be complete without see ing and drainage makes raised beds nec­ Chionanthus virginica (fringe sme ll i ng some of the fragrant essary if one is to be successful in tree) is perfectly at home in situa­ flowers on plants growing in this growing suc h plants as roses, tions too wet for most introduced region. With the first cool night of bulbs, junipers, Nandina and species. fall, the Osmanthus fragrans other plants that do not tolerate In May the beautiful Hy­ (sweet-oli ve) beckons you to stop wet feet. Raised beds, plant drangea quercifolia (oakleaf hy­ and linger a while as it subd ues boxes, or planting on mounded drangea) finds itself vying for at­ you with its del icate, sweet fra­ terraces make it possible to have tention with its oriental cousin, H. grance. In the spring, Jasminum well drained planting sites. How­ macrophylla. While the former polyanthum and J. sambac (jas­ ever, so il in these must be pre­ bears white flowers, the flowers mine), Michelia fuscata (banana pared of materials that are well of the latter may be either pink or shrub), Gardenia jasminoides, drained, as rainfall in this area blue, depending on the acidity of (garden ia) , Citrus, and Malus approaches sixty inches annually. the soi l in which plants are angustifolia (native crabapple) 16 Builders' sand, organic matter growing. In the alkaline soi l of emit their alluring fragrances. The Louisiana iris' Anne Caradine' .

Spanish Court, Longue Vue Gardens.

Wall Fountain, Longue Vue Gardens.

PhOfO by C. W. Amy, Jr.

air of summer evening is per­ fumed by magnolias; if you get too close, you wi ll be overpow­ ered by the heavy aroma.

A Pineapple Relative Another botanical experi ­ ence of the coastal area is to view the ghost- like Tillandsia us­ neoides (spanish-moss) swaying on the limbs of live oaks, in the breeze of a moonlight night. This plant can be found growing in most species of trees in the area; however, it seems to prefer bald cypress and live oaks. W hen you visit the coastal area of the South, you w ill see many familiar species that you know and grow. Other plants may be strangers to you. Stranger st i II may be some of the horticu 1- tural practices emp loyed. But these are just adaptations to an environment not always best for the growing of certa in plants. If you give it some thought, you wi ll see just how you have appl ied similar unusual techniques in get­ ting something to grow where it was not at home. $ 17 WhffiPOOPkW~tifti~p~n~t~k~s~s ~e~n~v~~~o~n~m!m!t~b!~!i!n~t~o~;;i;;;~:i~~~~~~~2lll.~ more than -gardening. It is more than pleasure in the plant's beauty. People actually change when they start growing plants. Specialists in mental institutions use gardening as a therapeutic tech­ nique; prison rehabilitation experts use gardening to recreate a socially -sensitive individual. Inner city authorities find that a garden designed and built by residents in the concrete canyon has socio­ logical ,and psychological in;ptications. A.H.S. has begun a pro~am designed to discover people­ ... plant interactions. Why does gardening comfort an injured.:1Ji1illect? What does having his own garden do (Qr the inner city teen-ager that tifts him from gang life and anti-social behavior (we know that it does)? Come to think of it, why does the corporation president or the investment banker leave the office to work in bis garden? Plants say something to people. In the ~ecol}1pany:jng condensation of an article by Ch~u·les Lewis is an introduction to the A.M.S. program that hopes to 18 eavesdrop on people-plant inteFaction. ,For a copy of his original article, write: Mr. Charles A . . Lewis, HorticultuFist, The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, lllinois 60532.

-' .. PEOPLE -PLANT INTERACTION a new horticultural perspective

Charles A. Lewis

M en have been ga rd eners for ronment, w here field and fores t have be used. So me are sta rted from seeds ce nturies, se lecting and growi ng been rep laced by asp halt and brick. or cuttings on the w indowsi ll , others plants for food , shelter, or pleasure. We ca n explore these subj ective are purch ased partially grown in Sin ce green plants have surro unded qualities of plants by look in g at contai ners. The Authority provides a us during the course of our evolu­ examples. fun d of $25.00 per ga rden aga in st tion, it is perhaps their omnipres­ In New York City, a tenant which each group may draw, sub­ ence that has made us focus mainly ,ga rden contest sponso red by the mitting receipts for plants and fe rti­ on their cultural or aesthetic quali­ H ous i ng A uthority, has produced lizers purchased. ti es. We ga rd en, arrange flowers, specific gai ns in terms of human and . Contest gardens are planted in grow windowsill plants, mow the soc ial betterm ent as well as aes­ late sprin g and tended ca refully all lawn, always aware that the plants theti c rewa rd s. Mec hani cs of the summer long. Maintenance includes need our ca re; but what of a reverse contest are simple. Ea ch sp rin g the the normal tasks of watering, weed- flow of benefit from pl ant to ga r­ Housin g Authority accepts ga rd en ing, pruning and fe rtiliz in g, plus the dener? contes t e ntries from am o ng its added responsibi I ity of protecti ng Plants have se rved as a so urce of 600,000 te nants. Parti c ipatin g the plants from va ndalism. In Au­ inspiration for creative artists since groups cover a wide range of age, gust, judges-including garden writ- hi story began, but recent evidence ethnic, and social backgrounds and ers, horticulturists, landscape archi­ indicates the existence of more include se nior citize ns, Girl Scouts, tects an d educators-are ass igned in subtle responses of people to pl ants. Boy Scouts, day-care centers, and teams of three per Borough to se lect When a human being is under stress, le ss structured assoc iations of ten­ the winning entries. Pri zes of sc roll s, it appears that the presence of plants ants. Each group is assigned a max­ silver cups and trays are award ed at and the opportunity for close asso­ imum of 300 sq uare feet at its home a September meeting before an au­ c iation with them can exert a benefi­ project. Th e groundsmen prepare dience of c ivic leaders and tenant cial ps yc hologi ca l effect. Subtle the plot; after that the tenants are on gro ups. Exc item ent run s high as man-plant relationships become their own. Each group works out its slides of th e winning ga rd ens are obvious in the extreme urban envi- own design and selects the plants to flashed on the sc ree n and th e spec- r'9 Lafayette Houses, Brooklyn--411 Gardeners.

Pink Houses, Brooklyn- Picture Garden.

All photos from New York Housing Authority Contests.

Polo Grounds Houses, Manhattan-Cross of Beauty.

Brownsville Houses, Brooklyn- 550 Club Garden. Mermaid Houses, Brooklyn--Senior Citizens Garden.

Edgmere Houses, Queens- Good Neighbor Garden.

20 All photos from Philadelphia Neighborhood Garden Association Window Box Program.

A typical block in Philadelphia.

tators recognize their handiwork. Enthu siastic participants return home looking forward to entering the contest again the following year. Unless one looked closel y, he Planting Day. would see onl y the obvious: gardens in low -income areas, beautification, a cosmetic cov er over so c ial wounds. Th ese were my impressions as I judged for the first time nine years ago. But in talking with con­ testants I began to hear echoes of a much deeper kind of involvement. Remember, th e housing projects are in some of the toughest areas of New York, where crime and vandalism are high and life presents a harsh struggle from cradle to grave. One contestant told me, " This is the first creative thing I have done in my life", and added that she had gone to the library to study books on gardening. In lower Manhattan, a Spanish-speaking woman proudly Exuberant window box gardening. said , " They told me that you couldn't grow flowers on Avenue D, Entrance to garden in a former trash filled lot. but I wanted to try. Now you should see how the old folks come out every day to enjoy the flowers." I particu larly remember an older woman who, with a group of chil­ dren, had produced a garden with flowers, vegetables, and even a cotton plant. She had carefully la­ beled each type of plant because, she explained, it was important for children to know the names of all the plants. In letters to the Authority, tenants said, " . . . what is more important is everyone is getting to know each other, everyone smiles and discusses our garden, they ~ 21 w orry o ver too much rain, not which is the very antithesis of van­ a pupil from another school. enough rain, they' re all so pleased dalism. Tenants began approaching In terms of human values, what that children are interested in caring, the Housing Authority for permis­ is the mean i ng of cleaned streets, not destroying. From early morning sion to help landscape the buildings. painted houses, reduced vandalism till late at night you can see neigh­ In several projects they contributed and new neighborliness? What ef­ bors leaning over the garden fence. their own funds to create spring gar­ fect has gardening had 011 the gar­ It has become the center spot of our dens for bloom before the summer dener to produce these results? Has court where everyone is a friend." contest plantings. Some asked per­ the gardener, interacting with plants, Over the years the contest gar­ mission to install planters which caught a glimpse of new dimensions dens become a focus for social ac­ they would maintain in the lobbies in his life and disclosed them in his tivities, with wedding and gradua­ of their buildings. As a result of the actions? tion pictures being taken at that contest, garden clubs have been There is a thread common to all favored spot. We always found that formed and the Housing Authority is these situ ations previously de­ the gardeners and residents of a pro­ looking for ways to develop indoor scribed: the introduction of gar­ ject were extremely proud of thei r gardening activities through the dening into an ex isting people­ display arid, of course, all thought winter. It seems that the ex perience building environment stimulates a that their entry should win. of gardening can help re sidents change in people who, in turn, im­ In ghetto neighborhoods well achieve a proprietary se nse over prove their physical surroundings. known for vandalism and other acts their buildings and grounds. Mental and physical rehabilita­ of depredation, I was puzzled as to Potency of the technique does tion institutions find horticultural how the fragile gardens were able to not depend on a particular urban therapy a valuable adjunct to occu­ survive. Answers came from the par­ structure. In Philadelphia' s inner pational therapy. The plant given to ticipants themselves. One group city, where dwellings are three-sto­ each patient entering the New York said they know who the trouble­ ried, single-family brick row-houses, University Institute for Rehabilita­ makers were and had assigned to the introduction of gardening has tion Medicine helps redirect his them the job of guarding the plants. produced equally dramatic results. thoughts away from personal phys­ In other projects tenants had joined A window box program started in ical problems. At the Institute's together, taking turns to patrol the 1953 by Louise Bush-Brown led to greenhouse, the tasks of making cut­ gardens and sound the alarm if formation of the Neighborhood tings or growing and potting seed­ anyone tried to destroy them. One Garden Association . Today, over lings are adjusted by a Horticultural woman on the East side said that she 500 blocks participate, and again, as Therapist to each patient' s medical expects no vandalism because "all in New York, the neighborhoods need for retraining mind and the rotten kids are in the contest this reap more than flowers. Streets are muscle. A four-year curriculum in year. " This mutual effort by neigh­ clean, houses painted and curtains Horticultural Therapy is now offered bors to protect the group' s creation hang in the windows. Members of a by Kansas State University in con­ was typical in most projects. block often join together to clean junction with the Menninger Foun­ Probably the most astonishing out debris-fi lied vacant lots and dation, leaders in developing this garden I saw was Japanese-inspired, change them into small gardens or technique. complete with pond, bridge, stones parks. All of these activities are In homes for the elderly it is and walks, constructed of bricks and spontaneous, not part of the contest, thought that the generous use of cinder blocks. It was the entry of a but somehow inspired by the plants and their availability for per­ teenage group, members of a street window boxes. Comments by the sonal contact produces a more har­ gang, who were guided into the participants reveal the human gain : monious atmosphere. Office land­ contest by a social worker. He told " Before, it was just a house; now it scaping, a new concept in office me how d i I igently the boys had looks like home." " I guess I'll wash layout developed in Germany and worked, bringing the building mate­ my windows now." gaining acceptance here, replaces rials from across the city to construct In a devastated section of Chi­ the usual cubicle partitions with the paths and edge the beds . Mainte­ cago, the student garden program of open areas in which separate func- nance was meticulous and their the Benjamin Wright Raymond - tions are delineated by massed pride was obvious. Each of these School has produced manifold ef­ plants and curved screens. The new boys had a police record . fects. It is responsible for improving environment increases productivity After a few years, the Housing the social perception of the children and human satisfaction . Most re­ Authority became aware of unex­ and for decreasing the number of cently correctional institutions have pected benefits emanating from the broken windows in the school each shown interest in using gardening garden contest. Vandalism was re­ year since its inception. I was told for rehabi I itation. duced in areas where there were that last year only one flower was When plants are seen as thera­ 22 gardens; indeed behavior evolved picked from the garden-and that by peutic agents in hospitals, ghettos and pri so ns, we must begin to ex­ pl ore th e nature of people-pl ant re­ lationships. So me sc ientists beli eve man has a primal need for pl ants. Perh aps as lo ng as peopl e lived in the prese nce of trees, fi e lds and flowers, th ey were part of a natural enviro nm ental harm o ny. In rela­ tively recent hi story w e have built new environments, paving over the fi e ld w ith as ph alt, repl ac ing the fores t w ith wa ll s of brick and stone. Social and politica l sys tems operate the complex mac hinery of cities , but th ey have fail ed to meet th e human needs of city res id ents. Today, there is a flight to the suburbs, a fli ght to gree n, whic h depl etes the plantless city ce nter of its middle class. W e mu st see inner c ity ga r­ dening in thi s context. What are the subjecti ve va lues found in a ghetto ga rd en? The life-en hanci ng qual ities of pl ants and ga rd ens are introd uced into a life-negating urban situati on, bringing peopl e togeth er for a joint New York Housing Authoritv photo venture of c rea ti ve bea uty. G ar­ Jamaica Day Nursery. deners work together to plan, tend , and protect the ir ga rden s. They From th ese pe rspecti ves, we ca n come to know each oth er as partners see that there is so meth ing more in an end eavo r th at is w holl y benefi­ than cosmeti c aestheti cs in urba n cial. A ghetto dweller, cut off from horti culture. Bea utifica ti on has two adeq uate mea ns of se lf-express ion faces, th e obvious, outward ph ys ica l and se lf-identifica tion, finds that he improvement of an environment and can grow pl ants for all to see . What pe rh aps more importantl y, th e po­ st arts as a represe ntation of se lf, tential fo r a perso nal, spiritual awak­ becomes a ge nerous gift as others enin g. share in its pl eas ure. In an ambience Gard ening may be an in stru­ of failure, plants offer path s to con­ ment for grea t hea ling in our trou­ spicuous success. bl ed c ities, and perh ap s, in any Sociologists have looked at the human-stress situati on. Horti culture city, trying to understand it in term s may be see n from many different of needs of the city dwell er. Th ey perspecti ves. To so me, pl ants and have found that the city dweller has flowers are objects to be acquired, a need for stimulation, to brea k the arran ged and moved, sa ti sfying indi­ monotony of dail y life; for a se ns e of vidual des ires; to others, they are the . community which arises, not be­ source of subj ecti ve ex pressions of cause people are forced to live to­ form, color, and fra grance; to others, gether, but from some spontaneous flowers and pl ants represent an or­ action ; and for a sense of m as tery of ganization of ce ll s to be studied, their environment, re assuri ng them classified and understood. We are that they have a degree of control now asking for another viewpoint on over what happens, and are not flowers and pl ants : to see .them as helpless cogs in the overwhelming reflections of life-force, the "smile of machinery of living. Does not inner God", expressions of the presence city garden i ng speak to all of these of beauty and harmony in the world, meeds? prehistoric partners with man in his r 23 Garden at the Benjamin Wright Raymond School, Chi­ cago, is maintained by students and provides a learning experience for all grades.

View of the "Forest Preserve".

A class works its garden plot in early spring.

evolutionary journey, gu id eposts to standing of the world can begin with the harmonious existence of man an understanding of people and and this planet. plants. All gardeners intuitiV€~ly It is through the latter perspec­ know this; can we bring it to the tive that we begin to see the poten­ forepart of our consciousness and tial for hea ling that exists in the reassess existence from th is perspec­ garden. We can see that there are tive? indeed sociological, psychological We are really talking about and spiritual implications in gar­ ecology of a most vital life-support dening. When fully understood in system: the human sp irit. Walter these terms, it becomes a potent tool Hickel ina recent conference at for human improvement in untold Princeton University on "Ecology areas. This is the new face of horti­ and Politics in America's Environ­ culture, a symbol of order in chaos, mental Crisis" called for a " ... a sign of life in stagnating social personal kind of ecology,-call it systems, a participant in rehabilita­ ecology of the mind and spirit of tion from mental, physical and so­ man." He said, " There is a mystery Room.IOS's "Psychedelic Garden"-a cial problems. This view lifts horti­ attached to the variety and perfec­ class project. cu lture from a decorative amenity to tion of natur.e, a mystery which stirs an essential place in the future of our wonder in a child, and gives a survival. grown man perspective. If we help Through plants, can we and our refresh the inner man, we would children learn respect for the inter­ begin to answer such real problems relationship of biological systems­ as those of the inner city." necessary for survival of this living We of the horticultural world planet? A new world of under­ should answer thi5 challenge with 24 standing and perhaps a true under- " Let us begin". (1i) AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY PROGRAM IN PEOPLE-PLANT INTERACTION

"There is something in the act of inner-city gardening that inspires individuals to per­ ceive themselves and their surroundings in a new and better way. The underlying fac­ tors of this person-plant relationship can be utilized on a broad scale for social and human improvement in diverse areas." (Presentatio n to the A. H . S. Board, 911 172)

The Ameri ca n Horticu ltural Society covering all of th e points outlined at the AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL Board accepted this premise and initi­ end of this article. A. H. S. wi ll contact SOCIETY SURVEY OF PEOPLE-PLANT ated a program aimed at understanding each project to obtain detai led su rvey and utilizi ng the interaction between information. PROGRAMS people and plants. Findin gs of th e pro­ . Before th e stud y is completed we w ill gram shoul d revea l new horticu ltura l seek out potential situations in which the Gardening Program should be an guidelines for understanding man' s fit in technique might be appli ed. Conditions organized group-oriented activity, in the en vi ro nment and improv ing the required for success include not only operation for at least two years. quality of hi s li fe. We are asking for your physical need, but also pre-existing local Please include as much of the participation in achi eving spec ific goals socia l structure-b lock association, following information as possible. of the program. church group, school organ izat ion, or 1. Name and address of person The project falls into four areas of other-to act as sponso r. Ideally the sending information. action: program is presented to leaders of the 2. Description of gardening project local organization as a possibi li ty for or potential project situation in ­ implementation by their group. At that cluding: 1. A survey of projects utilizing the point th e leader takes charge, devel­ A. Location of project. people-plant interaction. oping and executing the program with B. Sponsorship of project. hi s group, whi le the horticulturist serves Name and address of organiza­ 2. A unive rsity-based investigation by as adviso r, and does not become too tion operating the gardening psychologists, sociologists, phys­ intimately involved with daily activity. project. ical planners, horticulturists, and Thi s is most import ant: each ga rden is a Name and address of person in others, of the factors involved in perso nal expression and must be re­ charge, or person to contact. peo pl e-pl ant interacti ons. spected as such. Vandali sm and fa ilure C. Affiliation with any institution, are almost certain when this type of school, housing authority, 3. En couragement of new urban hor­ program is imposed on a neighborhood church group, or other. ti culture and other people-plant from outside by well meaning individ­ D. Type of gardening- window­ programs, with A. H . S. developing uals o r groups. box, plots, horticultural ther­ operationa l and h ortic ul t ural If you find si tu ati ons fitting these re­ apy, windowsill gardening, or gu idelines. quirements, please send a descripti on, other. add ress, and , if possible, th e leader's E. Approximate number of people name and add ress to A. H. S. Each involved. 4. Distribution of su rvey and research situation wil l req uire th e participati on of F. Age groups represented. findings to individuals and age n­ an adviso ry horti cultural group such as G. Estimate of years activity has cies concerned with physica l plan­ ga rd en club, horticultural society, botan­ been in existence 19 -19 nin g, socia l development and ica l ga rden, or other to supply th e exper­ human rehabi I itation for their use. ti se needed. When sending information of potential recipient situ ation s, include Se nd all information to: W e in vite you to se nd information on suggestions for horticultural reso urce any organized group garden ing projects o rga nizations in the area that m ight be PEOPLE-PLANT SURVEY you know of, large or small, urban, w illing to serve as advisors. The American Horticultural Society suburban, or rural, which ha s functioned Th is is a new program, in (ts forma­ for at leas t two years. It would be espe­ tive stages, A. H . S. welcomes your Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121 cially helpful if you could provide data suggestions and participation.

25 ·. .. ~ty-eighth '~O~9 JJ ~i of the . ;.: IP!,: t Ci '11i t;iiii;ii11t October 3-7, 1973 Fairmont-Roosevelt Hotel Newntnl~ Orleans, La. . 'Highlights of Tentative Program Saturday, Oct. 6th YOUR INDOOR EDEN SYMPOSIUM Gardening in Greenhouses: A Flowering Green­ Monday, Oct. 1 st to Wednesday, Oct. 3rd­ house Month by Month, A Hobby House Story, Pre-Congress tour, Shreveport to New Orleans An Overall View of Growth Chambers Inside Your Home: The Latest in Fluorescent Light, Decorating with Foliage Plants, Guide­ Wednesday, Oct. 3rd lines in Assembling Home Horticultural Li­ Garden Writers Association of America tours, meet­ braries ings "Louisiana Horticulture C'est Bon " luncheon Plant Sale and Rare Plant Auction Thursday, Oct. 4th Tours to points of horticultural interest Walking tours . .. Opening luncheon The President's Banquet, with the B. Y. Morrison GARDENS ARE FOR PEOPLE SYMPOSIUM Lecture Gardening for a Better Society: Urban Horticul­ The Liberty Hyde Bailey Award ture, Gardening Plans for Children Gardening for Your Own Satisfactions: Your Visual Rewards, A Comfortable Garden for Your Private Enjoyment Sunday, Oct. 7th Film Festival . .. A. H. S. Awards All Day Tour to Plantation Gardens, including Rose­ down. A Post-Congress Tour of two days repeating points Friday, Oct. 5th in pre-Congress tour, concluding in Shreveport. YOUR GARDEN OUTDOORS SYMPOSIUM Plants and Methods: Garden of Herbs, Louisiana Irises in Your Future, Propagation Miracles in Your Future Ra chel Snyder, A. H. S. Congress Chairman Design Considerations: Space Planning in Your Dr. A. J. Foret, Host Committee Chairman Home Yard , Matching Plant to Place Estheti­ Ola Mae Word, New Orleans Coordinator cally, Importance of Studying and Saving Old Mrs. Erastus Corning II , tours Gardens Mrs. Barbara Emerson, publicity Getting the Word Out: Ed ucational Program Work- Fred Galle, program shop for Organizations Robert Wintz, finance National Center for Horticulture Luncheon Eliot Paine Tours of New Orleans Town Gardens Charles Lewis Evening Entertainment Options .. ' I.r """,,,,,,r Evans .... ~.~ .::... .. ~,.; ;. .- .<

26 IES

Louis Smirnow*

Most common garden peonies, cultivars such as ' Festiva Maxima', ' Nick Shay lor', ' M . Jules Elie', ' Philippe Rivoire', 'M ikado', and ' Sea She ll ' freeze to the ground each fa ll. The fo llowin g sprin g new shoots rise from the tough perennial roots for the annua l show of flowers and fo liage. These are all cal led herbaceous peonies. Quite a d ifferent group of peonies develop hardy wood; they are shrubby, and the woody stems persist year after year. They shed their leaves in the fal l but the fo llowing sprin g new shoots break from the o ld wood, and these bear flowers and foliage. These woody peonies are ca lled tree peonies. Ju st as the herbaceous ga rd en peonies have come from a long line of interbreedi ng of herbaceous species and cultivars, so the modern garden tree peonies probably result from crosses of a few woody species. One group of tree peonies is espe­ ciall y notable because the flowers of these " Luteas" are yel low. W ith the char­ acteri st ic si lke n texture and quality of other tree peonies, blossoms of the ye ll ow­ fl owerin g tree peonies are exceptionally handsome. To date, there has been no comparable color in herbaceous peonies common ly ava il able for garden use . The sea rc h for a ye ll ow herbaceous peony has been on for over fifty years. Every hybridizer of note has been breeding in the hope of produc in g this el usive and desirable co lor. When I had the good fortune to introduce 'Oriental Gold' abo ut ten yea rs ago it was generally agreed that the first true yellow herbaceous peony had been found. There had been c laims of other ye llow peonies, but all of them were, in rea lity, crea m colored and not a pure yellow. Unfortunately 'Oriental Gold' produces a small, double flower, beautiful, but not of exhibition size. Furthermore, for hybridizing purposes it ha s questionable value because of its peculiar petal-shedding behavior. Now it is my great p leas ure to w rite of the almost unbelievable discovery of seve ral new fully double herbaceous peonies-large flowered, true yellow blos­ so m s. Here is the story of their origin. In 1948, Mr. Toichi Ito, a Japanese nurseryman, decided to use tree peony ~

*85 Linden Lane, G len H ead Post Of­ fi ce, Brookville, L. I., N. Y. 11545 27 NEW RACE FAMILY TREE

x 9

'Kinko' ('Alice Harding'). ' Kokoden'.

'Yellow Emperor'. 'Yellow Crown'.

'Yellow Dream'.

'Yellow Heaven'.

28 Ph otos by author. 'Fairy Tale'.

TREE PEONIES

'Age of Gold'.

'Howraisan' .

'Stolen Heaven'.

'Golden Hind'.

~29 pollen to fertilize the ovaries of a white herbaceous peony. He was not aware of the peculiarity of the chromosome count of the 'Alice Harding' tree peony (called ' Kinko' in japan), but he felt that such a cross should be successful. Be­ cause of the lateness of the season in Tokyo, he sent his assistant to Niigate Pre­ fecture for the 'Alice Harding' pollen. The cross was made with several hundred plants, using pollen of the tree peony on the herbaceous peony, as planned. The herbaceous parent was a white, semidouble cultivar called 'Kakoden' . Only a few fertile seeds were produced from the cross. Nine of the seedlings were almost tree peony-like in appearance and the others more resembled a herbaceous sort. That is, they resembled a common garden peony in foliage. The seedlings produced buds in 1956 for the first time but the buds died immaturely. In the same year, Mr. Ito died and his assistant was left with the care and development of the plants. In 1963, these plants bloomed for the first time and the flowers created great excitement. They were yellow, pure and bright; the blossoms were carried upright on strong, straight stems. The foliage was almost tree peony-like, but the tops of these plants died to the ground each winter. Here were herbaceous peonies with bright yellow flowers. They were a new race of peonies; and that gave a name to the group. Some peony experts refer to them as New Race peonies, others call them the Ito Hybrids. It is my hope that these new peonies will find their way into the hands of capable American hybridizers. I am confident that the New Race can be ex­ panded, giving our gardens a whole new color spectrum of peony blossoms. In june, 1969, at the National Peony Show in Mansfield, Ohio, three of these new cultivars were introduced. Miss Silvia Saunders, reporting the event, wrote: My impression was that ' Yellow Heaven' has the deepest and largest red flares. ' Yellow Emperor' is the most regular flower, and ' Yellow Dream' the largest, and the least flared of the three. The blooms could well be taken for our usual " Luteal! hybrids, although they have no hanging or bending of the stems, but stand straight upright, but the foliage shows characteristics of both families. At the show the peonies won the complete admiration of all peony lovers. Subsequently, we have made interesting discoveries regarding them. For exam­ ple, they are easily divided. Today these are available on the American market because of ease of reproduction. How did they get here? We arranged with Mrs. Ito to let us handle the stock in America. Presently they are being patented under the names ' Yellow Heaven', ' Yellow Dream', ' Yellow Crown', and 'Yellow Emperor'. More will be introduced later as stock builds up. It is almost universally believed that tree peonies cannot be crossed su ccess­ fully with herbaceous sorts. Crosses had been tried many times with no success. But Mr. Ito persisted with his experimentation, selecting his pollen sources and seed parents carefully. Following the achievement of seed from the ' Kinko' x ' Kakoden' cross, he next crossed a fine pink tree peony, ' Kagura jishi', with a white herbaceous cultivar, ' Kakoden' . Soon offspring from this cross will be available; already we have obtained two of them, herbaceous cultivars called ' Pink Perfection' and ' Pink Purity' . 'Pink Perfection' bears twelve-inch across flowers, fully double, with no stamens showing, bright pink with deeper pink toward the center, and with free-blooming quality. 'Pink Purity' produces blooms almost as large. Both plants grow to thirty-six inches, with strong stems . We have come to call these the Newer Race. It will be some years before prices drop on these rare new peony cultivars; just now they are for the breeder and the connoisseur. But they look fine in any garden . ~

30 James Fanning*

It is a fine summer aftern oon weight materi al- no wo nder it and Mr. Gab les , the rea l estate fades." age nt, a rrives at two- j ust the ti me "All right, all ri ght", sa ys Ga­ he had sa id he wou ld pick us up. My bles, and w rites in hi s notebook. w ife, Violet, and I are ready, since Looking past the end of hi s pen I ca n we believe in promptness, too, and see that he w ri tes " Heavy duty have already se nt the children off to plants" and un derl ines the words. spend the afternoon at the municipal " What about co lor" he goes on, pool. As we arrange ourse lves in hi s "Different shade of green to fit your ca r, Mr. Gables says: " Nice li ttle co lor sc heme?" house you've got here. I ca n see " We ll , yes", says Violet , where you ' d find it cramped , looking at me , " What color is o ur though . Anyway, I know I can get co uch, dear-Empire gree n?" you a good price for it, and, frank ly, Of course, I don't know one I'd advise you to make the trade color from another-not by name, now, while the market is right." anyway, but I say " Isn't it Colonial ?" Being cautious at this stage of " Oh, yes, of co urse" says Vi­ the game I an swer: "Well, we really olet, and I ca n see M r. Gables make don' t know w hether we want to another note . " Now", he says, " let's make the switch ri ght now." Gables have a look at the outsi de". We step sm il es at this, and begins talking out onto the patio and immediately about the advantages of the house a question sp rin gs into my mind so I he is about to show us. This goes on turn to Gables: " What about thi s until we arrive at th e house itse lf­ paving? Is it rea l Simu-Slate?" just the other side of town but con­ Without a word the rea l estate siderably closer to the mountains man st rikes a match and drops it on than the place we are about to leave . the pavement. The match flares for a The house is pretty enough; not too few seconds and goes out. Glancing c lose to the neighbors on either side. triumphantly at me, Gables bends, Of course, what I want to do first off picks up the burned match, and is inspect the plumbing. My w ife , for brushes hi s fingers across the spot her part, has to check everything in where it had burned. " See , not even the k it c h ~n, so we are both occu­ sco rched! With the materials some pied for a w hile, w ith Gables shut­ builders are using these days that t ling back and forth between us, would have burned a hole as big as answerin g questions before we ca n a dinner plate!" Having see n that ask them and all that so rt of thing. very thing happen at a friend's house When the three of us finall y get j ust a few days ea rlier, I know ex­ together in the li ving room, my w ife actly what he means, but I don't do goes st raight to the planter in front of anything but nod. the picture w indow and looks down Mr. Gables gestures out over the at the plants, snee rin g sli ghtl y . lawn. " Look at that ya rd! Ever see " They're so rt of faded " she says. anything prettier? All top-grade ma­ Gables bends over for a close look terial , too-trees, shrubs, grass­ and sm iles condescend in gly. " Well, everything!" I guess you' re entitled to a fresh " Any guarantee?" I ca n't resist batch ." as king. Violet, not so easily pac ified, " Two years- absolutely uncon­ ru bs one of the leaves between her ditional!" * Landscape Architect finge rs and snee rs aga in . " Li ght I have to admit that I' m im-r3 1 to take ca re of that! Once over with look she ha s once in a while. " But I a so lvent sp ray. will fix it all right." like plush so much better!" He makes another note but I feel I "Oh!" Gables looks startled but have to rub it in a little: " Be ca reful makes a quick recovery. " I'm sure now, we wouldn't want the grass all we ca n find you a plush dog if you matted down and melted looking" . really want one." Backing Violet up, " No, no- we have people who I say to the rea l estate man : "My know how to take ca re of these wife was brought up on pi ush dogs, things. Now, let me introd uce and she sti ll thinks they're the only Pupsy." Kneeling at the edge of the kind to have. " pavement, Mr. Gables c laps his " Sure, we ca n take care of that! hands. Th ere is a st ir behind one of But now, look! I' ve been sav ing the the bushes and a dog appea rs. Don't best thing of all! Take a look at that ask me w hat kind of dog. I' m not up view, wi ll you! " We follow his on dogs either. Anyway, it's a pointing f in ge r. Out beyond the pressed but I just say, tryi ng to sound medi um-sized dog, sort of brownish, shrubs edging the lawn are moun­ noncommittal : " Th at so unds O.K." and it comes trotting across the lawn tains with a lot of sky and, off to one Violet lets out an exclamation . with its tail wagging, right up to my side, a clump of trees so big they She ha s been crouching at the edge w ife. Violet places her un wounded must be rea l. It all looks pretty empty of the pavement feeling the grass, hand on the dog' s head and strokes and desolate to me, but I don't say and as she raises one hand I ca n see it ge ntly. She turns to Mr. Gables, anythin g . Violet doesn' t hes itate, a drop of blood on a fingertip. " This so unding a bit puzzled: " It feels like though : "Pretty empty and barren, if grass is too sharp!" she mutters, fu r! " you ask me! No houses , no people stickin g the wounded finger in her He grin s at her: "You bet! Only -not even a little bit of smoke any­ mouth. "Oh my!" Gables see m s the best for us! " "But ... " She looks w here!" 32 genuinely embarrassed. "We' ll have at me with that appea ling little gi rl Gables sm irks triumphantly. He COCH~'~U~!----'------4~

flips open hi s looseleaf notebook a pen fa lling on Simu-Slate. I turn pu ll up the cuff on hi s left sleeve to and holds a page under o ur noses. just inti me to see the notebook fall see the emergency number ste nciled " Just look at that, now!" At the top from Gable' s hand and li e beside the on hi s w ri st and begin to dial on my of th e page is a photograph and it pen on the pavement. He stands as own rap-box. I must be a little nerv­ doesn't take more th an a second or he had been , but with h ands ous, though , because at the third two for us both to realize that it is the hanging limply at hi s sides . His eyes digit the dial goes flying off the box identical scene we are looking at. are c losed and his mo uth hangs and lands with a cl atter on the pave­ Same mountains, sa me trees-a few slightly open. ment bes ide the re al estate man's more c louds in the sky, perh aps, but "What's the matter w ith him ?" notebook. there's no question-it's the v iew mutters my wife. " Let me dial it" says Violet, from ri ght where we're sta nding. As I step over to the motion less always a cool one in an emergency if we couldn't see it for ourselves, figure and, remembering my Red - " let me see th at number." So I Gables points to the sta mp at the Cross emerge ncy training, lift the lid hold up the man' s arm for her to see bottom of the picture: U .S.D.A. of one of his eyes .. The pupil is fixed, the number and she begins manipu­ Pri me . On the lower half of the page but not dil ated, so I release the lid latin g the dial on her own rap-box. is a graph with a zigzag line showing and the eye closes, rather slowly. After the second digit, though, her the computer ana lys is of the sce ne. The re is no questi o n what the fin ge rs hesitate , then stop, and be­ "See what you've got here!" trouble is but so methin g e lse fore I ca n even move the rap-box chortles Gables-"The U .S. D.A. preempts my attention. The man's ha s fallen out of her limp hands onto rates it prime ! What about that! " We sk in fe lt pec uliar, so I quickly run the the pavement. A ll of a flash I re­ look at the mountains again and, tips of my fingers acro ss hi s cheek member: Last night I forgot to plug again, Violet is the first to speak: and cannot re sist an exclamation: in her battery charger! Boy, will she " Why didn't you tell us before! Of " It's Lu xo-Derm! The guy's got a be mad when she gets charged up course, it's beautiful! Oh, my, what Lu xo-Derm skin!" again! Right now, though, I'd better a lovely place!" She sq ueezes my " What! " Violet so unds really get busy. Best thing to do is get hand ever so sli ghtly and I know incredulous but she stretches out her Gable's headquarters on his car what that means, so I turn to Gables : hand and touches the cheek nearest radio. His car is right in front of the " Well , Mr. Gables, it looks as her. " It is! It's Lu xo-Derm! I never house, so no problem. But my feet! though this is what we want. What thought I'd meet anyone who cou ld They won't move! Good God ... I kind of a contract have you got for afford that ki nd of ski n! See!" She forgot to charge my own ba ... * us ?" looks at me w ith a note of accusa­ But the rea l estate man is al­ tion : " I always told you there was *Author's Note: Th e foregoing dream ready at work filling in the blanks on big money in real estate!" occurred after reading Un ited States the contract form at the back of his Changing the subject quickly, I Department of Agriculture Forest Service notebook . Violet and I, hand in say: " But we've got to take care of Research Paper No. N E-1 62, titled " It hand, stand drinking in the view. the poor guy! There's nothing wrong seems Possible to Q uantify Scenic Behind us there is the li ght clatter of really, just a run-down battery." I Beauty in Photographs." 33 R. mucronulatum blooming in spring at the Arnold Arboretum. LATE ·SUMMER INJURY OF KOREAN RHODODENDRON a report of microclimates, frost pockets and cold air movement

Alfred}. Fordham *

Gardeners often assume that woody plants which fail to grow in spring have been winter-killed. The damage, however, actually may have taken place during a freeze in late summer or early autumn when the plants had not yet acclimated and were unprepared for even a light frost. Injury of this sort is characterized by rupturing of the bark and its separation from the wood. It usually occurs near the bases of plants and has been termed splitting. At the Arnold Arboretum a rectangular bed of Rhododendron mucronulatum (Korean rhododendron) lies on a slope that pitches at the rate of twenty-nine inches in twenty-four feet. It is located at the edge of the meadow opposite the administration building. At fifty feet above mean sea level, the meadow is one of the lowest areas in the Arboretum . In spring of 1971 , a line of plants at the lower part of the Rhododendron mucronulatum bed failed to grow. (Figure 1). Inspection revealed that death had been caused by splitting of the stems near ground level. (Figure 2). In Rehder' s Manual this species is rated as being hardy in zone IV. Why had this lethal "Ho rticulturist at The Arno ld Arbo re- damage occurred to plants growing in zone V? An explanation can be found in a 34 tum, Harvard University. study of microclimates at the Arboretum . Microclimates The Arboretum includes a wide variety of topographical features within the bo unds of its 265 acre area. Elevations range from fifty to 233 feet and the ter­ rain is comprised of summ its, ridges, val leys, slopes of varying degrees, plateaus, and so on. These features create an assortment of exposures facing all points of the compass. With such extensive geographica l variation, there is also a wide range of microc li mates. In November, 1934, Dr. Hugh M . Raup, then a member of the Arboretum staff, demonstrated the existence of these m icro cl i mates, by choos i ng eight loca­ tions in the Arboretum and se tting up a station at each where temperatures could be recorded. Each morning during the winter of 1934-35, observations per­ taining to the previous night's minimum temperatures were noted at about 9:00 A .M . Some interesting conclusions about microclimates in the Arboretum have been drawn from Dr. Raup' s record s. After nights of radiational cooling extreme variations in temperature between stations were noted .

Radiational Cooling Table 1, composed of data se lected from the Raup records, illustrates the phenomenon of radiational coolin g. Radiational cooling is typical of ca lm, c lea r nights, during which the atmosphere loses heat to outer space through radi ation. In the absence of wind, cold air settl es to the ground and drains from higher ele­ vations to lower levels, producing frost or cold pockets. Temperature drop is often greater during winter than at other seasons because the longe r nights allow radiation to take place over a greater period of time.

Table 1. Minima Under Clear Conditions, Winds Light to Very Light Station 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 -1 6.0 - 26.0 - 16.9 - 20.7 -25.1 -1 7. 8 - 7. 5 - 6.9 -15.4 - 8.3 - 9.2 -19.4 - 6.8 - 5.3 - 3.7 - 14.3 - 2.9 - 7.0 - 12.0 - 3.8 - 6.0 16.7 8.0 17.8 15.0 9.6 18.0 18.0 ' At Station 7, in th e iso lated Pe ters Hill area . observations were recorded lor about a month when they were discontinued with the notation " thermometer stolen". The data in Table 1 were re corded following winter nights that were ca lm and clear. A comparison of the figures noted at Station 2 w ith those at Station 8, show the effect of radiational cooli ng at the two location s. Station 2 of the Raup project was situated on flat land in the shrub coll ection, one of the lowest areas of the Arboretum. The land slopes toward it from al l d irections making it an r

A planting of R. mucronulatum showing a row of dead plants (sprayed white for visibility). 35 ideal location fo r a co ld pocket. A low point within this bowl shaped cold pocket is the pond near the forsyth ia collection. Through the years, I have fre­ quently observed frost damage at this pond in both june and August. Ev idental ly a frost pocket forms w ithin the cold pocket and july seems to be its only re liably frost free month. Station 8 was near the Arboretum greenhouses, then located off South Street on property of the Bussey Institution. The site was a smal l plateau above the sh rub col lection where the land fe ll away on al l sides. It proved to be one of the most favorable microclimates in the Arboretum . D ifferences as great as eighteen and one-half degrees were recorded between Stations 2 and 8 on a night of ra ­ diational cooling d uring the winter of 1934-35. (See Table #1). The figures re­ flect the flow of cold air from surround ing higher areas into the lower level be­ neath. Table 2. Minima Under Clear Conditions, Estimated Wind Velocity Medium to Brisk

Station 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8.0 7.1 6.9 7.2 6.4 7.3 6.1 11.7 11.2 10.5 11 .3 10.3 11 .5 10.2 11 .2 11.0 10.1 11 .0 10.1 11 .5 10.8 17.8 17.0 16.2 17.0 16 .1 17.4 16.1 Table 2, also extracted from Raup's data, shows m inimum temperatures under clear conditions but with w ind velocity med ium to brisk. The brisk winds led to a mixing and stirring of the atmosphere. Therefore, temperatures were quite simi lar at all stations with a max imum difference of on ly one degree be­ tween stations 2 and 8.

Gradation of Cold Si nce August 15, 1962, the Arnold Arboretum has operated a simple weather station in coll aboration w ith the U.S. Weather Bureau. The equ ipment, located near the Dana Greenhouses, cons ists of a maximum and m inimum re­ cording thermometer and a non-record ing precipitation gauge. Dai ly at 8:00 A .M . observations of temperature and precipitation are recorded , and some in­ teresting data have been accumu lated. That temperatures vary at different heights from the ground has long been known, so it was decided to see what was tak ing place at our weather station. In early autumn of 1966, a recording thermometer was placed on the ground, five feet below the official thermometer. Ea ch day when official observations were made, the temperature at ground level was also recorded. During ca lm nights w ith radiational cooling, temperature differences as great as seventeen degrees were found to prevai l between the two levels. Table 3 ill ustrates differences in min ima wh ich occurred between ground and official thermometer levels throughout the year.

Table 3. Some Extreme Differences in Temperature Between Official Thermometer level and at the Ground After Nights of Radiational Cooli ng April May Ju ne July Aug Sept Official 27 38 48 50 52 41 Ground 14 23 37 36 36 29 Oct Nov DeC Jan Feb March Official 31 26 29 - 9 - 9 o Summer frost-killed plant of R . mu­ Ground 15 14 12 -19 -22 -16 cronulatum showing splitting and other symptoms of injury. In jan uary, 1968, add itional thermometers were placed at our weather sta­ tion so that temperatures at the ground and at one and two foot levels could be recorded . (Table 4) With the figures accumulated, we ca n predict the probability of damage to flowering plants such as forsyth ia, after a give n winter. We can also draw conclusions about w hen the damage to the lower row of Rhododen­ 36 dron mucronulatum plants occurred. Table 4. Some Temperatures at Varying levels in January, 1971 January Ground 1 Foot 2 Feet 5 Feet 17 - 5* - 16 - 11 -7 18 - 3* - 8 - 5 -2 19 -19t - 15 - 12 - 9 20 - 12 t -9 -6 -5

'Thermometer in path dug in snow a t ba se of th ermometer stand. tThermometer removed from path and placed on snow nea r base of stand. When Rhododendron mucronulatum plants were killed Temperature records for September 3, 1970 (Table 5) show minima of forty­ four degrees at official thermometer leve l and thirty-s ix degrees at the ground . This variation indicates a night of radiational cooling. Since the Rhododendron mucronu/atum bed is located fifty feet lower in elevation than the Arboretum weather station, lower temperatures th an those officially recorded wou ld be expected there. It is reasonable to suppose that the temperature in the lower part of the R. mucronu/atum bed was much colder than the 36° F. shown at ground level at the weather station .

Table 5. Minima at Official and Ground levels, 1970 September 3 October 18 October 20 Official 44° F. 31° F. 2r F. Ground 36° F. 23 ° F. 1r F.

Next to the adm inistration building and opposite the Rhododendron mu­ cronu/atum bed there is an abrupt slope the crest of which is forty feet above the meadow. Cold air drains down this slope during nights of radiational cooling. Below the slope, the land pitches gradually toward the meadow. The water table in the meadow is about one foot below ground level and the vegetation is lush, forming a dense barrier. In summer, a path is mowed between the meadow and the bed of R. mucronu/atum. Cold air, flowing down the slope, would meet this dam and build up in the space made by the path. On September 3, 1970, the cold air evidentally reached a depth that led to freezing of the ste ms in the lower row of R. mucronu/atum plants. The plants at this time had not yet acclimated and were unprepared for even a few degrees of frost and their stems froze and ruptured . One plant in the row survived. This cou ld be explained by the fact that Rho­ dodendron mucronu/atum is normally propagated by seeds and, therefore, this one plant was a genetic individual capable of surviving the temperature which led to the destruction of others in the row. In the next row of plants seven inches higher in the bed , one plant failed and all others survived. Again, the dead plant was a genetic individual, vulnerable to temperatures which the other plants could endure. Temperatures did not fall to below freezing at official thermometer level until the nights of October 18th and 20th, when temperatures of 31 ° F. and 27° F. were recorded (See Table 5). Radiational cooling prevailed during both nights and therefore, temperatures at the R. mucronu/atum bed would have been much lower. However, the plants which were still alive at this time did not suffer, for they had undergone enough acclimation and were no longer vulnerable.

A detrimental aspect of mulching

The many benefits derived from mulching plants have long been recog­ nized. However, what happened to the lower row of Rhododendron mucronu­ /atum plants provides an excellent example of how a mulch can be highly detri­ mental. Wood chips about three inches deep had been applied to the bed and during the night of September 3, 1970 this layer would intercept heat emanating from the soil. If the mulch had not been present, heat from the soil would raise the temperature near the base of the plants a few degrees and thereby forestall the freezing and splitting which led to failure . ~ 37

Have you ever visited a garden which left an enviable and indelible impression upon you? Almost twenty-four years ago this exact experience occurred when we met Mr. Arthur T. Johnson and his wife at their beautiful and distinctive garden in North Wales. Based upon British standards theirs was a small garden, only three acres, and filled with treasures from all the continents. Mr. Johnson had been a schoolmaster who became a horticul­ tural journalist. His pre-war garden books and writings in British garden publications brought him to our attention. His vivid description of plants and garden plus his horticultural philos­ ophy made us wish to visit his garden. It was an unforgettable experience -not only for the unusual collection of plants, but the entire garden design and the extraordinary use of ground cover planting. The latter approach Harold Epstein * was most appealing for it could be easily applied at home. After the war Mr. Johnson wrote a booklet "Labour Saving Plants and How to Use Them." His expressions are applicable today and cannot be improved on. " Garden economy is a matter that deeply concerns us all. For a quarter-century and more most of us have been faced by the problem as to how to reduce the rising expenses of maintenance, and this problem has now become an acute necessity. Everything we handle has increased in price, but the biggest bogey of all is labour. The wages that have to be paid for any sort of help have advanced several hundred percent, and, realizing with every justification that our garden, if it is to fulfil its destiny, must not be a drain on our resources and a disturber of our peace, we are con­ fronted with the cold truth that it wi II have to be run on less money or given up. It may, of course, be argued that to do without paid labour is possible in a small garden. Very true, .but, even so, one' s own labour has to be considered. Our lives are so much fuller these days than they were, that the time available for the tending of even the most modest garden is too often wholly insufficient, and physical capacity has to be taken into ac­ count. Most garden folk are on the wrong side of middle age, and they dis­ cover soon enough, especially if they have been caught up by the pace of horticultural advance today, that their garden, instead of being a recreation and comfort, has become an anxiety and care." How familiar these thoughts are today? Personal experience has since demonstrated that the proper use of selected plants for ground covers is the most efficient means of discouraging weeds and reducing labor to a min­ imum. As a result of my experiments over many years, desirable plants for varying sites and conditions are being recommended. The ubiquitous pachysandra, vinca and ivy are not included for they are all too familiar. An equal list of rampageous weeds commercially available could also be listed, but that is another subject. The recommended ground covers have been classified in the following four groups: (a) shrubs, (b) conifers, (c) herbaceous plants that spread by surface runners and (d) herbaceous plants that spread by underground runners. This is far from an inclusive list for there are dozens of other worthy plants, but those listed are my personal favorites.

SHRUBS AS GROUND COVERS Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, (Ericaceae), bearberry is the hardiest member of a genus of evergreens that are confined to western North American and Opposite: Epimediums are ground Mexico. A. uva-ursi is th~ exception, ranging widely over the cooler tem­ cover plants for a woodland setting. perate areas of the northern hemisphere. It is a trailing prostrate shrub with slender evergreen branches bearing oval shiny leathery leaves. The April to *5 Forest Court, Larchmont, New May flowers are small, urn-shaped, pink or white. The small globular fruits ~ York,10538. are brilliant red and smooth. It is an excellent carpeter in gardens in-{ 39 creasing by rooting at the nodes of the prostrate ste ms . It will grow in full or partial su n and gracefully drape a slope or ro ck face. Its cultural requirements are perfect drainage and lean soil. It can be found in mountain screes, the edge of dry conifer forests or in sandy coastal areas. The collection and establishing of wild plants is difficult; pot grown nurse ry stock is more dependable for establishing this excellent ground cover in many difficult situations. Tip cuttings from wild plants may be propagated . There are a number of selected "superior" forms being propagated in the western United States, all designated as A. uva-ursi . Many are shipped to the colder climates of the East and invariably th ey have been found to be not hardy or not adaptable to this climate. These plants are actually hybrids of western parents one of which may have been A. urva-ursi .

Bruckenthalia spiculifolia, (Eri caceae), is monotypic, related to Erica, and occasionally known as spike-heath. It is a native of the mountains of East Europe and Asia Minor. A dwarf evergreen shrub rarely exceeding nine inches high, it is heath-like and forms close mats with short spikes of small pink to purple open bell-shaped flowers. It blooms in early June con­ tinuing for about a month. It is a pleasant evergreen ground cover which should be pruned immediately after flowering in order to eliminate the per­ sistent dead dry flower heads and also to encourage a dense compact Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Photo by Roy Elliott. carpet. It will accept full or partial sun in a variety of soils and peat without any other requirements. It has persisted in my garden long beyond the life of many ericas, callunas and daboecias which were adjacent under iden­ tical conditions. It is useful as a ground cover on slopes, and as the fore­ ground planting of shrub borders.

Gaultheria procumbens (Ericaceae)-Creeping wintergreen is selected from a genus of over 100 species which are spread over all continents ex­ cept Europe and Africa. While there are many prostrate or dwarf species of neat habit, attractive foliage, charming flowers and showy berries, they have not proved hardy and dependable in the eastern United States where snow cover is seldom persistent. The se lected species is native to a large area of the eastern United States. It is a slow growing evergreen shrub of three to six inches, spreading by creeping roots which produce upright shoots ca rryi ng a cluster of dark showy oval leaves about an inch in length. Gaultheria s have a strong aromatic odor and taste; leaves turn reddish in winter. The summer flowers are nodding and pinkish, followed by bright red globose fruits. This native is adaptable to sunny as well as shady areas and is an excellent foreground cover for larger shrubs. Its soil requirement is merely a woodland or peaty condition. Again, pot grown nurse ry plants are recommended in order to assure a dependable introduction to the garden.

Mahonia aquifolium-dwarf variety, (Berberidaceae), Oregon-grape is one of the very few shrubs native to the western area of the Pac ific States that is dependably hardy in the eastern United States. It is known from British Columbia south to Oregon and is the Oregon state flower. Of about fifty known evergreen spec ies of Mahonia, the dwarf variety of M. aqui­ folium ha s been chosen as an excellent ground cover. Its height se ldom exceeds fifteen to eighteen inches compared to the type species which 40 easily rea ches six feet, the lower portion usually being bare-stemmed. The selected dwarf form grown here for thirty-five years has proven an excel­ lent ground cover in deep shade as well as a dry condition. It forms thickets by spreading underground roots which produce upright shoots bearing glossy holly-like foliage. Unfortunate ly, it is partially browned by severe winter weather, but new foliage rapidly replaces much of this damage. The plant is in its glory in April with its fragrant, ri ch ye llow flowers in dense terminal sp rays. Occasionally blue-black berries are later produced which accounts for the common name, Oregon-grape. It is tol­ erant of a variety of conditions and exposures. When raised from seed it will vary considerably and many of the res ulting plants will have the less desirable dull foli age. Other western dwarf species, M. nervosa, M. repens and M . pumila are too slow growing to be classified as dense ground covers , but they ca n be very attractive for limited use.

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 'M inus' , (Ericaceae); w hile the type species is a circumpolar plant, this dwarf miniature form (known as mountain cran­ berry) may be restri cted to northern United States and Ca nada and also may be in Asia and Europe. It is on ly two to four inches in height, forming evergreen spread ing mats by means of underground sto lons. The arching stems bear many oval glossy dark green leaves and about May produce terminal c lu ste rs of pink-tinged, w hite, urn-shaped flowers. These are later followed by round, dark red fruits w hi ch are prominently displayed above the foliage. The berries, ac id to taste, are useful fo r jellies and preserves. It is a superior evergreen ground cover fo r peaty areas, displaying all its vir­ tues best in full sun , but is also adaptable for partial shade w here there may be a diminution of flower and fruit. Nursery pot grown plants are the most practical method of establi shing th is first rate ca rpeter.

Rhododendron indicum cultiva rs, (Erica ceae); this group of late­ blooming evergreen azaleas deserves more attenti on for ground cover planting. The species is nat ive to Japa n and the va ri eties described have proven hardy for over thirty yea rs in the United States coasta l area. Further Convallaria majalis. Photo by M . Jean Cox. into the interior in more severe winter climates (pa rti cul arl y where there is no dependable snow covering) there is a question of plant and bud hardi­ ness. Actual hardiness can only be ascertained by experimenting with a test plants no less than three to five years of age since younger plants usually are more tender. These aza leas all are late bloomers-June into July-usually after the earlier Kurume and Kiusianum species and hybrid s. They coincide with the flowering of Comus kousa and Kalmia latifolia thus providing a fine combination for a second spring in the garden. This is an effective means of prolonging the flowering season. Most of the varieties are dwarf, but if spaced over an area wi II provide a comparative quick and extensive ground cover. My experience has indi­ cated a need to periodically lift and respace as the plants increase in diam­ eter. Otherwise crowding will force more upward growth. In modern gardens in Japan very large areas and slopes have been covered with these dwarf azaleas, with other taller shrubs occasionally protruding. But with the severe pruning practiced in Japan , the azaleas are continuously maintained at a dwarf height. This same general effect of mass planting is also practiced with Enkianthus perulatus either as a cover on a slope or pruned into hedges of differing heights. Dwarf evergreen vari­ etie£ that have been utilized and which are available at domestic nurseries ".. are as follows: ( 41 Rhododendron indicum ' Balsaminaeflorum' (Azalea rosaeflora) has been available in this country for many years. It is low and compact, blooming mid-June into July. The two-and-one-half-inch salmon pink flowers are double (about forty petals) without pistil or stamens. It is a comparatively slow grower and a charming, desirable shrub.

Rhododendron indicum ' Kok-in-shita', presumably is synonymous with the plant offered as ' Flame Creeper'. It has a habit similar to the pre­ ceeding azalea but is more prostrate with large, single salmon-rose flowers, also blooming in June and July. This is another excellent dwarf carpeter.

Rhododendron indicum 'Kin-no-zai'-(syn. ' Laciniatum') is taller in habit than the two previous azaleas and is a curiosity. The five reddish, narrow, strap-shaped petals are widely separated. Occasionally some will revert to full size petals. It is an interesting novelty.

Rhododendron indicum 'Crispiflorum' (syn. Azalea macrantha) is a very hardy plant introduced over 100 years ago by Fortune. It has large bright pink flowers with slightly waved edges and blooms in late June into July.

Rhododendron indicum ' Eriocarpum Gumpo'-is a slow growing, dwarf form of dense compact habit. There are at least three color forms, white, pink and rose, all large and frilled blooming June into July. Having excellent shiny foliage, it has proven to be a superb ground cover when used in mass in partial shade.

CONIFERS AS GROUND COVERS

In the maize of conifers now available, the junipers provide some of the most desirable forms of ground covers. They are extremely valuable both aesthetically and practically and are useful in various situations. Some maintain neat, prostrate growth and thus are suitable for formal as well as informal sites . Juniper foliage varies through shades of green, with many textures. Junipers are effective, long enduring covers for many difficult situ­ ations. The following varieties have been useful for problem areas in either Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltoni'. Photo courtesy of Stern 's Nursery . full or partial sun.

juniperus conferta-the shore juniper is a native of the sea coasts of Japan. It is prostrate with short, ascending, bright green branches which contrast with other blue, grey or dark green junipers. It is an invaluable undemanding carpet for many difficult areas.

juniperus horizontalis is a North American prostrate shrub rapidly ex­ tending its long branches over many yards. Several named forms have been introduced, each slightly varied in color and growth habit. Selected favorites include: ' Bar Harbor', one of the oldest varieties which closely hugs the ground spreading in all directions. The very short ascending bran­ chlets are glaucous, grey-green; annual growth may reach eighteen inches or more. }. horizontalis ' Wiltoni' later was renamed 'Blue Rug' and is one of the best forms, more compact than 'Bar Harbor', forming a glaucous­ 42 bl ue carpet. Juniperus squamata 'Prostrata' is a slow growing, prostrate, billowy Chinese pl ant of excellent blue grey color throughout th e yea r. It ca n even­ tu ally produce a w ide-spread ing spec imen as evidenced by my six- in ch plant in se rt ed in a pocket in a huge horizontal granite outcrop. After twenty-five yea rs of unrestri cted growth the octopus-like mass now spreads about twenty-four feet.

Juniperus procumbens ' Nana'-the type species from Japan is a pro­ cumbent, billowy plant. But th is se lected compact form has shorter branches and is a much slower- growing type. Th e two plants have become confused in the nursery trade; the majority being offered under this name rea lly are the species, a fast-grower. Ajuga replans. PhOIO by M. Jea n Cox.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS THAT SPREAD BY SURFACE RUNNERS

Ajuga reptans, (Labiatae); of all the stolon iferous ground covers I reco­ mend, th is Europea n plant is the most invasive, particul arly under id ea l conditions of sun and moisture. But it ca n be effective and useful in wi ld, unrest ri cted areas . It is not demanding and also will do well in shady and dry conditions. It ca n be controll ed eas il y, or even eradi ca ted w hen de­ sired. There are several va ri eti es of this species; ' Atropurpurea' has the best color effect providing a shining meta llic purple ca rpet of flat foliage. It bears five-inch blue flower spikes. ' Pink Sp ire' is sim il ar to th e type species but w ith pink flowers instea d of blue. There also are at least two blue­ flowering, va riegated va ri eties, one w ith w hite, grey and gree n foliage and another with more brilliant variega ti on having so me rose color added. These two require pa rti al shade to develop fu ll co lo r. Two other Ajuga species available are A. genevensis and A. p yrami­ da lis neither of w hi ch have effecti ve stoloniferou s ground cover ability, but form onl y individual clumps.

Phlox stolonifera ' Blue Ridge', (Po /em oniaceae); the spec ies is native to the ce ntral Eastern States, its usual flower color is lavend er to purple. The cultivar 'B lue Ridge', with li ght bluish blooms, was se lected in the wild by Mrs. M ary C. Henry (a beautiful albino also ha s recently been in­ troduced. ) Thi s is a creeping pl ant producing runners which quickl y se nd down roots from the nodes. It is a rapid and w ide-spread ing ca rpeter w hi ch prefers woodland conditions. Its sp rin g flowers, on six to ten-inch stems last longer in shade. All the forms are long-I ived w ith considerable charm and are useful as ground covers among rhododendrons and other shrub­ bery. Propagation is si mple, merely remove rooted stolons and replant. The carpet of broad oval leaves is not too dense; snowdrops and other vigorous bulbs may be planted beneath.

Potentilla alba, (Rosaceae) , native to central and so uthern Europe, is a vigorous sp read ing perennial w ith smooth grey-green leaves and w ith w hite, ora nge-eyed, one-inch flowers from spri ng into autumn w here ex- Phloxstolonifera 'Blue Ridge'. Pholocourle,yofJ.E, Downward. posed to su n. Being very adaptable it will provide an excell ent five-inch high sp read ing ca rpet in the shade. The palmate leaves are silky-si lver on the unders ide creating a glistening effect. It is excellent as an edgi ng for a shrub border or intermingled in a woodland setting or in rock garden ledges or retai ning walls. Propagation is eas ily accompli shed by dividing the clumps. r 43 H oustonia serpyllifolia (Rubiaceae) is one of the daintier moss- like cove rs fo r moist but well-drained areas. This species, commonl y known as bluet, has tiny ro und leaves or stems that cree p and form dense mats. In May it is covered w ith blue flowers and is an excellent cover for spring flowering bulbs th at ca n eas ily penetrate it. It also may be used betwee n parti all y shaded stepping stones but should be sli ghtly re cessed to avoid abuse by traffi c. The more common species, H. cae rulea , requires similar cultural co n­ ditions but merely forms small mounds without the ability to cree p and spread. It is a shorter-li ved pl ant but usuall y se lf-so w s. Both are easy to propagate by division of the mats or clumps.

Saxifraga stolonifera, (S axifragaceae), previously known as S. sa rmen­ tosa, usually has been used as a house pl ant under names of mother-of­ thousa nds, aa ron's bea rd , roving sa il or o r strawberry-geranium . This sto­ loniferous species from China and Japan has endured for more than a sco re of winters in my ga rd en and is invaluabl e as a cover for shady, damp areas. It is perfect along moss covered rock outcrops or slopes where th e sto lons bea ring young pl ants root readily. The fles hy, pale-marbled leaves have brownish red hairs. In summer flower stems nine to twelve-inches high appear bea ring pink and w hite fl owers. A cl osely related species in the same Diptera group is S. ve itchiana (from China) w hich ha s small er dee p green foli age, but with the sa me stoloniferous habit. It is an even hardier Tiarella cordi/olia . plant and ca n be used in similar situati ons.

Ti arella cordifolia (Saxifragaceae)-the foa m flower of th e eastern United States is a bea utiful, easy, woodland pl ant. It spread s rapidly by sur­ face runners, forming large mats w hi ch ca n overrun smaller neighbor pl ants. Its aggress ive nature does not make it a weed, but in average wood­ land conditions it should be given suffic ient area to become a feature ground cover. A sea of foa my w hite, twelve-inch high fl ower spi kes appea r during M ay . This can be utilized in many ga rdens for slopes, bulb cover, underplanting rose beds and among rh ododend ron collecti ons. It is a plant not sufficientl y appreciated in its nati ve country.

HERBACEOUS PLANTS THAT SPREAD BY UNDERGROUND RUNNERS

Asarum europeum, (Aristolochiaceae), Europea n ginger is a useful compact ground cover for dense shade, even under shrubs, trees, and coni­ fers. The leathery foliage is roundish, kidney-shaped, shining and dark green . The dull brown, inconspi cuous fl ow ers are set at the ba se of the fo­ li age and have no decorative va lue. Under moist, favorable conditions, self-sown seedlings will appea r, a simple mea ns of increase. Division of plants is easy. If pl anted in a bright situati on the foli age will lose its dark green, I ustro us appea rance.

As perula odorata, (R ubiaceae); sweet woodruff is another Europea n native and is known for its use in fl avoring " M ay Wine" . It is undemanding and w hile esse ntiall y a woodland pl ant w ill also accept more open situa­ ti ons if not too dry. It ca n become invas ive under idea l cond iti ons and thus should be allotted suffic ient space to ramp. The six inch high foli age has leaves in w ho rl s or eight, w ith pure w hite, frag rant starry fl ow ers. It is 44 eas il y propagated by division. Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, (Plumbagin aceae); the requirements of this native of China (previously known as Plumbago larpentae) are the opposite of the two previous species. Idea l cultural conditions are full sun, lean, well drained so il, and as a ca utionary meas ure, a re stri cted area for controlled growth. It spreads rapidly by underground runners, forming masses of dark green, round foliage on wiry twelve to fifteen-inch stem s. In late summer the terminal clusters of indigo-blue flowers are profusely pro­ duced and continue into the autumn. Meanwhile the leaves take on a bright red autumn tint, adding to its decorative value. This species is easy to propagate; divide clumps as growth sta rts in the sp rin g.

Convallaria m ajalis, (Liliaceae); lily-of-the-va ll ey is too well known to require detailed description. It ca n become a nuisa nce when encroaching on neighboring plants, but there are desirable features which warrant its use in the proper setting. There are few ground covers that ca n provide bouquets of such delightful fragrant flowers for a month or more in spri ng. If some are planted in sun and others in shade the blooming seaso n can be extended. A superior named form, 'Fortin's Giant', with large r flowers pro­ duced about two weeks later also extends the seaso n. Th ere are situations where convallaria' s robust root growth will overcome hards hips that cannot be endured by weaker plants.

Epimedium, (Berberida ceae), there are several species and hybrids of barrenworts in cultivation, but they are genera ll y confused and improperl y named in the nurse ry trade. Only occas ionally are the correct names af­ fixed; accordingly, personal se lection when the plants are in the bloom is the ideal method of procuring the desired va ri ety or color. The species are distributed over the north temperate areas of Europe, Asia, North Africa, with the best from China and Japan. They all will grow well in su n or shade, in any fertile loam, sa ndy or heavy. When established, the roots spread moderately so that the clumps become enlarged and plants then can be divided for increase. These are delightful and unusual plants for Asperula odorata. Photo by M . lean Cox. ground covers; the ideal position is in semi-woodland. The foliage is borne on wiry stems from ten to eighteen inches high, usually with three leaflets which are pleasantly tinted in spring and autumn. The spring blooms vary in size and shape and range in color from white, cream, yellow, orange­ red, lavender, violet to almost red . Shear the old foliage in late winter to expose the flowers as they emerge in spring. Under whatever name you acquire an epimedium the cultural suggestions are applicable. They are all easy and almost of indestructable temperament in any cool situation. Why is a plant with such admirable attributes so seldom available and so lacking in fine gardens?

Shortia galacifolia, (Oiapensiaceae), oconee-bells is native to the Southern Appalachian Mountains and is one of the finest native American evergreen plants. In nature this is found in the shade of massive rhododen­ drons in spongy leaf mold. Nursery established plants in containers are the most dependable means of introducing this choice hardy plant to the shady garden. Its preference is for soi I well supplied with peat and or acid leaf­ mold to retain moisture. Established plants will slowly enlarge, producing large mats which may be divided for replanting. The attractive leaves about three inches in diameter, are dark green, shiny, turning to bronze and dark maroon during the winter. The spring flowers are solitary one-inch white to pink fringed bells on about five-inch stems. The entire plant is durable and hardy and a most pleasing ground cover throughout the year.~ 45 Make your lawn feed itself! Use slow-release Nitroform@

Your lawn can feed itself when Nitroform® nitrogen is used. It's the concentrated, long-lasting organic that releases nitrogen safely and evenly to your grass for months. Nitroform nitrogen doesn't burn, doesn't smell, doesn't leach. Ask your garden center for the lawn fertilizer con­ taining blue Nitroform. If the bag says Blue Chip or Nitroform, you can be sure it's a Slue Chip® quality fertilizer using Nitroform. Hercules Incor­ porated, Turf & Horticultural Products, Wilmington, Delaware 19899.

~e laWii~eper -I&- HERGULES

NEW AMERICAN HOLLY CHECKLIST International Checklist of Cultivated Ilex, Part 1, Ilex Gpaca is an exhaustive research publication that will be of inestimable value to plantsmen the world over. American holly, Ilex opaca, in the trade . is in a state of confusion, not surprising, consid­ ering the great number of named selections offered for sale. The Checklist supplies descriptions, origin, sources, and, occasionally, hardiness ratings for every known cultivar. Synonomy is also given. De­ scriptions of various cultivars are clear enough that a capable amateur gardener can check out his named cultivar against a description of the plant to which the name is properly assigned. This small, paperback volume belongs in all reference libraries, in nursery offices, and on the bookshelves of ama­ teur gardeners interested in American holly.

Of "G~,(\l\.·\\l~i \l .S Olt'JoJl,,,,,Hf\ Issued in March, 1973 by the Agricultural Research Service of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, it is listed as the National Arboretum Contribution No . 3. rt is available fr~m the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington D. C. 20402, for 70c. The Stock Number is 0111-0130. 46 "My orchids are doing things that people said would be impossible:' That' s what a customer in Indiana said about his $429 Gothic Arch Greenhouse. Beautifully designed of Cal iforn ia Heart Red wood and translucent fiberglass panels, a Gothic Arch Greenhouse will stand up to the PAoI06,R.d. byGMayjair... severest exlremes of wind and weather. Best of all , it's incredibly economical, be ­ ca use you buy direct from the manufacturer. And "There is nothing more beautiful . .. " you put it tog ether yourself. following our clear, every-step-of-the-way directi ons. No foundation A long-lived winter hardy, low g l'o wlng evergreen s hrub that produces thousands o f s howy b lossom s in lovely is necessary. s h ades o f pink, white, lavender ~md purple In July. August tInd SeptcmbCI'. Send for our Free Catalogue today. Spcocial Money Saving Collections of Scotch Hcalhcrs and Heaths- OUR SELECTION of named vnrlcLlcs:

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