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GARDENERGARDENERTheThe MagazineMagazine ofof thethe AAmericanmerican HorticulturalHorticultural SocietySociety November/December 2004

TreesTrees withwith VerticalVertical AppealAppeal HardyHardy AnnualsAnnuals forfor WinterWinter ColorColor FragrantFragrant FoliageFoliage

multi-seasonal $4.95 www.ahs.org.ahs.org 11> mahonias

0173361 64751

American Horticultural Society 2005 GREAT AMERICAN GARDENERS CONFERENCE ORLANDO, FLORIDA APRIL 13-15, 2005 “Sub-Tropical Garden Treasures, Old and New”

Conference Highlights Treat yourself to a gardener’s holiday full of special tours and activities planned just for AHS members like you!

njoy an evening at Orlando’s Harry P. ELeu Gardens and experience the graciousness and beauty of “Old Florida” elebrate outstanding American Chorticulture and meet the winners of the 2005 Great American Gardeners Awards e invite you to join your fellow AHS members for Wthree days of sub-tropical garden delights next spring. Orlando, Florida, will be the site of our 2005 Great American Gardeners Conference and our home base as we explore the rich garden traditions of the region and discover the diversity of contemporary gardens to be found in central Florida.

Anna Ball, center, accepts the AHS National Achievement Award for Ball Horticultural from AHS President Katy Moss Warner and AHS President Emeritus Dr. H. Marc Cathey at the 2004 Great American Gardeners Awards ceremony.

isit private gardens and see amazing Vhorticulture—talk to the people who make it all happen, and learn firsthand about the joys and challenges of gardening in the sub-tropics e on hand for Ball the opening day festivities at the 2005 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, the signature garden event of the season at the Walt Disney World Resort

Visit www.ahs.org or call (703) 768-5700 for more information. contents Volume 83, Number 6 . November / December 2004

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

7 NOTES FROM RIVER FARM 8 MEMBERS’ FORUM 9 NEWS FROM AHS Gala highlights, Eastern Performance Trials at River Farm next fall, River Farm named Horticultural Landmark, AHS sponsors winter lectures at Cleveland Botanical Garden, new demonstration garden for The Growing Connection in Scranton, André Viette “live” from River Farm, Katy Moss Warner to speak at tree conference, 2004 America in Bloom award-winning communities.

pagepage 2828 42 EVERYDAY GARDEN SCIENCE Deer control. FRAGRANT FOLIAGE 14 BY RAND B. LEE 43 CONSERVATIONIST’S CORNER Plants with fragrant leaves make scents throughout the garden. Saving Florida’s endangered plants.

NATURAL CONNECTIONS MAKE WAY FOR MAHONIAS BY DAN HINKLEY 44 19 Garden-friendly bats. These underused evergreen shrubs offer year-round interest, attract wildlife, and are easy to grow. 46 GARDENER’S NOTEBOOK Botanical name change for 24 VERTICAL ACCENTS North American asters, BY CAROLE OTTESEN low-carb potatoes coming soon, emerald ash borer Columnar trees provide a new update, bicentennial Lewis dimension in any garden. and Clark Expedition exhibit, Benghal dayflower COOL-SEASON ANNUALS invades cropland in the pagepage 4646 28 South. BY RITA PELCZAR COURTESY OF THOMAS WRIGHT/ UNIVERSITY FLORIDA New varieties keep gardens bloom- 49 BOOK REVIEWS ing through the fourth season. Gardening the Mediterranean Way, Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates, and 34 STATE FLOWERS, Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls. STATE PRIDE pagepage 2424 Special focus: Gardening books for children. BY DAN RAFTER 52 GARDENER’S GIFTS The history behind the selection of official state flowers is often Holiday gift ideas for gardeners. intriguing and—in a few cases—controversial. 54 REGIONAL HAPPENINGS GETTING THE VISION ON PAPER 40 BY TRES FROMME 59 HARDINESS AND HEAT ZONES Whether you design it yourself or hire a professional, creating a plan AND PRONUNCIATIONS for action will be useful in guiding the development of your garden. 60 2004 MAGAZINE INDEX

ON THE COVER: Native to northwestern North America, creeping mahonia (Mahonia repens) is a 62 PERFECT PLANT COMPANIONS

TOP LEFT: MICHAEL S. THOMPSON; BOTTOM LYNNE HARRISON; FAR RIGHT: low-growing shrub with leaves that turn reddish in winter. Photograph by Jerry Pavia Two of a kind in an Oregon “desert” garden.

November / December 2004 5 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION 7931 East Boulevard Drive Alexandria, VA 22308-1300 For general information about your membership or (800) 777-7931 fax (703) 768-8700 www.ahs.org to report damaged magazines, call (800) 777-7931. Send change of address notifications to our mem- bership department at the address on the left. Mem- Making America a Nation of Gardeners, a Land of Gardens bership questions and change of address notification can also be e-mailed to [email protected].

PRESIDENT Katy Moss Warner THE AMERICAN GARDENER PRESIDENT EMERITUS Dr. H. Marc Cathey To send a letter to the editor, write to the address on the left or e-mail to [email protected]. BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEVELOPMENT CHAIRMAN Arabella S. Dane Center Harbor, New Hampshire To make a gift to the American Horticultural Soci- FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN Brian E. Holley Cleveland, Ohio ety, call (800) 777-7931 ext. 115. SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN Don Riddle Davidsonville, Maryland GARDENER’S INFORMATION SERVICE (GIS) SECRETARY Albin MacDonough Plant Baltimore, Maryland Have a gardening question? E-mail questions to TREASURER Christine Perdue Middleburg, Virginia [email protected]. IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Kurt Bluemel Baldwin, Maryland GREAT AMERICAN GARDENERS CONFERENCE AND GENERAL COUNSEL William A. Pusey AWARDS BANQUET Join us in Orlando, Florida, April 13 to 15, 2005. For Leslie Ariail Alexandria, Virginia ■ Allan M. Armitage Athens, Georgia ■ William E. Barrick, Ph.D. Theodore, more details, see the ad on page 4. Alabama ■ Katherine Bull Washington, D.C. ■ Joel Goldsmith Gilroy, California ■ Beverly Hanselman Nashville, Tennessee ■ Natasha Hopkinson New York, New York ■ Margaret Kulp Louisville, Kentucky ■ Melissa R. Marshall THE GROWING CONNECTION Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ■ Carol C. Morrison Palatine, Illinois ■ Felder Rushing Jackson, Mississippi ■ William Get your kids involved with this innovative educa- Seale Alexandria, Virginia ■ Jeanne Otis Shields Greenville, Delaware ■ Arnold Steiner Birmingham, Alabama ■ tional program where they can learn the science be- Steven Still Hilliard, Ohio ■ Howard McK. Tucker Alexandria, Virginia ■ Susie Usrey Dayton, Oregon ■ Robert hind growing food. Visit www.ahs.org or D. Volk San Marino, California www.thegrowingconnection.org for more information.

CORPORATE PARTNERS INTERN PROGRAMS The Care of Trees ■ Cherry Lake Tree Farm ■ DK Publishing ■ EarthBox™ ■ Kurt Bluemel, Inc. To request an application for the AHS Horticultural Monrovia ■ Thompson & Morgan Intern Program, e-mail [email protected]. For infor- mation about Editorial Internships, e-mail AHS HORTICULTURAL PARTNERS [email protected]. Intern applications can also be down- America in Bloom ■ Bellingrath Gardens & Home ■ Center for Plant Conservation ■ Colonial Williamsburg loaded from the River Farm section of the AHS Web Foundation Garden Symposium ■ Communities in Bloom ■ Cox Arboretum ■ Epcot International Flower site (www.ahs.org). & Garden Festival ■ The Gardeners of America/Men’s Garden Clubs of America ■ Greater Gardens of the NATIONAL CHILDREN AND YOUTH GARDEN Washington Area ■ Homestead Resorts Horticultural Symposium ■ Horticulture Gardening Institute ■ SYMPOSIUM (NCYGS) International Master Gardener Conference ■ Leonard Haertter Travel Company ■ Magic of Landscaping Atlanta will be the site of the 2005 NCYGS, which Symposium ■ Morris Arboretum ■ Oklahoma Horticultural Society ■ Summer Master Gardener Conference will be held July 28–30, 2005. Be sure to save the date in East Lansing THE AHS PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL for this event. For more details, e-mail Nancy Busick at [email protected]. CHAIRMAN'S CIRCLE Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ariail, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Bluemel ■ Ms. Claire Burrows ■ Mr. and Mrs. Edward N. RECIPROCAL ADMISSIONS PROGRAM Dane ■ Mr. Mark Garrison ■ Ms. Jill Hamilton ■ Mr. and Mrs. James S. Hutchinson ■ Mr. Robert E. Malesardi ■ Ms. Nancy Through this program, AHS members receive free Petersen ■ Mr. Phil Snyder LIBERTY HYDE BAILEY ASSOCIATES Mr. A. Michael Gelman ■ Mr. and Mrs. Mickey Lynch ■ Mr. and and discounted admission to botanical gardens Mrs. Joseph L. Manson, III ■ Mr. and Mrs. Ken Mountcastle ■ The Honorable Lauralee M. Peters ■ Mr. W. R. Pickering ■ Jeanne throughout North America. Participating gardens are Otis Shields ■ Ms. Katy Moss Warner ■ Ms. Donnan C. Wintermute HAUPT ASSOCIATES Mrs. Lynda A. Bachman ■ Dr. and Mrs. listed in this year’s AHS Member Guide and also in William E. Barrick ■ Mr. and Mrs. C. William Black ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Bogle ■ Mr. Richard C. and Mrs. Katherine Stark Bull the Membership area of our Web site. To learn how ■ Dr. and Mrs. H. Marc Cathey ■ Mr. and Mrs. Louis Cordia ■ Mrs. Elisabeth C. Dudley ■ Mrs. Richard W. Hanselman ■ Ms. Minako your garden can join this program, call (800) 777-7931 Henderson ■ Mrs. Carole S. Hofley ■ Col. and Mrs. Freeman E. Jones ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Kulp, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm ext. 127. Matheson, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harold McClendon, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Tom McGlade ■ Mr. Paul H. Pusey ■ Ms. Michele Richardson ■ Mr. Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. ■ Dr. and Mrs. George E. Staehle ■ Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Steiner ■ Mr. John Wm. Thomas and Mrs. TRAVEL STUDY PROGRAM Valerie Thomas ■ Mr. Howard McK. Tucker and Ms. Megan Evans ■ Mr. and Mrs. W. Bruce Usrey ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Volk AHS members and friends can visit spectacular gar- PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Angino ■ Nancy J. Becker, M.D. ■ Mrs. Katherine McKay Belk-Cook ■ Mr. Phillip dens around the world through the Society’s exclu- Bermingham ■ Mrs. George P. Bissell, Jr. ■ Ms. Sylvia Black ■ Dr. Sherran Blair ■ Count and Countess Peder Bonde ■ Mrs. Anne sive arrangement with Leonard Haertter Travel. To Bucher ■ Mr. and Mrs. Cason Callaway, Jr. ■ Mrs. and Mr. Charles E. Carr ■ Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Chandler ■ Mr. and Mrs. learn about upcoming trips, call (800) 942-6666 or James L. Corfield ■ Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Crawford ■ Mr. and Mrs. Edward Daisey ■ Mr. and Mrs. James F. Delano ■ Mr. and Mrs. visit the Events section of our Web site. Nicholas Demisay ■ Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Dubke ■ Mrs. Beverley W. Dunn ■ Mrs. Maureen Ecke ■ Ms. Anita Ellis ■ Mr. and WASHINGTON BLOOMS! Mrs. John H. Fitzpatrick ■ Dr. and Mrs. John A. Floyd, Jr. ■ Ms. Marguerite Peet Foster ■ Mr. Thomas B. Gentry ■ Ms. Dorothy AHS’s annual celebration of spring will be held Gillespie ■ Mr. John Sward Gleiber ■ Mr. and Mrs. Joel Goldsmith ■ Mr. and Mrs. David B. Gray ■ Mr. and Mrs. John H. Guy, IV April 1 to 30, 2005, at River Farm. Special events will ■ Mr. Gerald T. Halpin ■ Mrs. Richard W. Hamming ■ Dr. and Mrs. William O. Hargrove ■ Mr. and Mrs. Max Hartl ■ Mrs. Enid include the Friends of River Farm Spring Plant Sale A. Haupt ■ Mr. and Mrs. Brent Heath ■ Mr. and Mrs. Richard F. Hohlt ■ Mr. and Mrs. Brian Holley ■ Mr. and Mrs. Allan L. and a new AHS Garden School: “The Art and Sci- Holmstrom ■ Mrs. Elizabeth Hooff ■ Mr. Ross Hotchkiss ■ Mr. Philip Huey ■ Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Hutchins, III ■ Mr. and Mrs. ence of Color in the Garden.” For more information, Robert B. Lindsay ■ Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Marshall ■ Mrs. Dorothy Marston ■ Mrs. Rachel L. Mellon ■ Mrs. Rosalyn Milbrandt see the ad on page 13. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Egon Molbak ■ Mrs. Carol C. Morrison ■ Mr. and Mrs. William J. Moss ■ Mrs. Shirley Ann Nicolai ■ Mr. and Mrs.

William G. Pannill ■ Ms. Christine Perdue ■ Mr. and Mrs. Albin MacDonough Plant ■ Mr. and Mrs. William A. Pusey ■ Mr. and WEB SITE: www.ahs.org Mrs. Don E. Riddle, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Alfred G. Rindler ■ Mrs. Diana Carter Samples ■ Mrs. Deen Day Sanders ■ Mrs. Josephine The AHS Web site contains information about AHS M. Shanks ■ Mr. Bob Sierralta ■ Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henry Smith, Jr. ■ Ms. Vandy Solomon ■ Mrs. Juliet Sproul ■ Mr. Harold programs and activities, gardening events in your area,

Stahly ■ Miss Jane Steffey ■ Ms. Lida M. Stifel ■ Mr. and Mrs. John B. Strasenburgh ■ Mrs. Benjamin W. Thoron ■ Mrs. Mary Ann and links to other useful Web sites. In 2004, AHS

Tucker ■ Dr. and Mrs. Peter Van Dyke ■ Mr. Joe Viar ■ Ms. Angela M. Vikesland ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. White ■ Mr. and members can reach the member’s-only area of the site Mrs. John W. White, Sr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. D. Anderson Williams ■ Mrs. Marilyn B. Wilson by typing in this year’s password: meadow.

6 the American Gardener The American NOTESC FROM RIVER FARM GARDENER

EDITOR David J. Ellis HE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY headquarters at George MANAGING EDITOR AND ART DIRECTOR Mary Yee Washington’s River Farm is being transformed. Now that the Master Plan is complete, our attention is focused on the most exciting project to date—the ASSOCIATE EDITOR T Carole Ottesen AHS Center for American Horticulture. The dream that began in 1973, when garden CONTRIBUTING EDITOR philanthropist Enid Haupt generously gave 25 of the most beautiful and historic acres Rita Pelczar in America to the AHS, is on the way to becoming reality. EDITORIAL INTERN The excitement this process has generated was palpable during the annual AHS Viveka Neveln Gala this past September (see page 9 for more on the gala), where a set of former White House gates provided a symbolic link between the past, present, and future of the EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD AHS. Guests marveled at these stately wrought-iron gates, which had stood at the CHAIR John Alex Floyd Jr. White House from 1820 to 1934 before ending up at River Birmingham, Alabama Farm. With Virginia Senator John Warner and his wife, Allan M. Armitage Jeanne, in attendance as Honorary Gala Chairs, we cele- Athens, Georgia brated the importance of protecting all our national trea- Nina L. Bassuk sures—from historic artifacts like the White House gates Ithaca, New York to the beauty of the natural landscape. Richard E. Bir Brevard, North Carolina Even though the main focus of our energy is directed John E. Bryan at River Farm, we have been busy setting up a number of San Francisco, California outstanding programs for AHS members around the John L. Creech country. As you start thinking about travel plans for Columbus, North Carolina spring, consider joining us at one of these events—you’ll find a complete list on page Keith Crotz 10. Each is designed to introduce you to great American gardeners, inspire you with Chillicothe, Illinois new information, take you to unforgettable American garden destinations, and en- Panayoti Kelaidis sure you enjoy some relaxation and fun at the same time! Denver, Colorado In early March, join the AHS President’s Council for specially arranged tours Richard W. Lighty of public and private gardens of the Brandywine Valley as well as a preview of the Greenville, Delaware Philadelphia Flower Show—where the restored White House gates will debut in Elvin McDonald West Des Moines, Iowa the show’s entrance exhibit. Felder Rushing From March 31 to April 1, please come to River Farm to meet Dr. H. Marc Jackson, Mississippi Cathey and other garden experts, who will be presenting a new AHS Garden School, “The Art and Science of Color in the Garden.” In mid-April, join us in Orlando, Florida, for the AHS Great American Gar- ADVERTISING The American Gardener deners Conference in partnership with the Epcot International Flower and Gar- 7931 East Boulevard Drive Alexandria, VA 22308 den Festival. This program includes attendance at the grand opening of the Epcot (703) 768-5700 ext. 120 Festival, tours of nearby public and private gardens, and being part of the AHS E-MAIL: [email protected] Great American Gardeners Award Ceremony, where each year we honor an inspi- rational group of men, women, and organizations who have made valuable con- The American Gardener (ISSN 1087-9978) is published bimonth- tributions to American horticulture. ly (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, Septem- ber/October, November/December) by the American Horticultural We have a special treat in store on May 27, which is AHS Member Day at the Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300, (703) 768-5700. Membership in the Society includes a subscrip- Cleveland Flower Show. I will be there with Brian Holley, who is First Vice Chair tion to The American Gardener. Annual dues are $35; two years, of our Board and executive director of the Cleveland Botanical Garden. In addi- $60. International dues are $50. $10 of annual dues goes toward magazine subscription. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, Vir- tion to enjoying the flower show, you can tour the garden’s amazing new glasshouse ginia, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send Form 3579 to The American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, and acclaimed Hershey Children’s Garden. Alexandria, VA 22308-1300. Experience the diversity of American horticulture by treating yourself to a gar- Botanical nomenclature is based on The American Horticultural Society A–Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, on A Synonymized Check- den adventure next year with the AHS. list of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Canada and Greenland and on the Royal Horticultural Society Index of Garden Plants. Opinions Happy Gardening! expressed in the articles are those of the authors and are not necessar- ily those of the Society. Manuscripts, artwork, and photographs sent for possible publication will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We cannot guarantee the safe return of unsolicited material. Back issues are available at $8 per copy. Copyright ©2004 by the American Horticultural Society. —Katy Moss Warner, AHS President Printed in the U.S.A. on recycled paper.

November / December 2004 7 MEMBERSC’ FORUM

KUDOS FOR DESIGN SERIES The curiosity that they have for every- Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’, for I am writing to let you know how much thing, especially plants, is amazing. instance, is anything but “dull” and I am enjoying the “Garden by Design” My main support system locally is “blobby-shaped,” and heathers can as- series. Garden/nature writing isn’t often through the 4-H clubs in Georgia and sume tree form, creep along the ground, or so lively and witty. South Carolina. The children in these even pour over rocks, depending on the se- I’ve never been particularly comfort- programs have taught even old me how lection. Both dwarf conifers and heathers able with garden design, so it has been to look forward to the future and not get also come in a range of foliage colors. helpful to see the series start from “the bogged down in the past. Following the lead of James Thomp- ground up,” giving us beginners a foun- Bill Adams son, who incorporated existing torch lilies dation so that we can participate in the se- North Augusta, South Carolina (Kniphofia spp.) in his world-famous ries’ journey. Keep up the good work. heather garden in Manchester, California, Mike Kerkman STICKING UP FOR HEATHERS I use both torch lilies and dwarf conifers as Pasadena, California In his review of Thomas Hobbs’ book accent plants in my own heather garden. The Jewel Box Garden (September/Octo- Ella May T. Wulff YOUTH PROGRAM SUPPORTER ber 2004), Ian Adams stated that “Hobbs President, North American Heather Society At one time I was thinking about allow- hates heathers and dwarf conifers…and Philomath, Oregon ing my AHS membership to lapse, but prefers the spikes…of foliage plants such after reading about how your organization as Kniphofia.” I sincerely hope most gar- PLEASE WRITE US! Letters should be addressed to supports America’s and the world’s youth, deners don’t adopt Hobbs’ opinions Editor, The American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308, or you can I changed my mind. Although I have no about these plants, because they deni- e-mail us at [email protected]. Letters we print may be children of my own, I have raised several. grate entire groups of very useful shrubs. edited for length and clarity.

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8 the American Gardener TOP: LOUISE KRAFTT/COURTESY OF MT. VERNON GAZETTE. BOTTOM: DAVID J. ELLIS will be installed in a new gardenwill beinstalledinanew atRiver Farm foralltosee. the 2005Philadelphia Flower Show nextMarch. Afterthat,they terpiece oftheentranceexhibitto next publicappearanceasthecen- al restoration, theywillmaketheir plants andflowers. Afterprofession- drop ofwhitesatinandflankedby grandly displayed againstaback- graced River Farm’s entrance,were toric gates,whichuntilrecently D.C., from 1820to1934.Thesehis- tial WhiteHouse inWashington, entrancetothepresiden-northeast wrought-iron gatesthat stoodatthe Farm,” centered onasetof the WhiteHouse Gates toRiver year’s galathebestattendedyet. More than360guestsmadethis to RiverFarm Eastern PerformanceTrials Coming UNLIKE LASTYEAR, ly clearevening withabrightmoonpresiding over thefestivities. Annual Gala, heldonSeptember 25.Instead, itwasabeautiful- 2004 AHSGalaaResoundingSuccess 19 to23willbe 2006. Other hostsitesfortheweeklong event from September perennials, andwoody plantsdeveloped forretail saleinspring plant introductions thatwillofferasneakpeekattheannuals, Trials sponsored by theGarden Centers ofAmerica(GCA). River Farm debutoftheEasternPerformance headquarters—the will share thespotlightwithanexciting event new attheAHS’s similar experience totheEastatadifferent timeoftheyear.” ery Growers NEXT FALL, President successful thespringtimeCalifornia trialshave been,”saysGCA troductions ondisplayatsome25locations. “We have seenhow to theWest springtoseethenewestbeddingplantin- Coastevery which drawmore than1,000growers andgarden center retailers Virginia Beach, Virginia. vania; News PROGRAMS •EVENTSANNOUNCEMENTS The evening’s theme,“Through River Farm isoneofsixhostsitesfortheeasterntrialsnew The EasternTrials are modeled ontheCaliforniaPack Trials, in Chesapeake,Virginia; and Homestead Growers in Richmond,Virginia; Jack Bigej. the annualAHSGala, scheduledforSeptember 24, Conard-Pyle “Now we see thepossibilityofbringinga no hurricanethreatened thisyear’s AHS from in Annapolis, Maryland; in Annapolis,Maryland; nursery inPhiladelphia, Pennsyl-nursery White GreenhouseandNurs- McDonald GardenCenter Warner andhiswife,Jeanne,shareamomentatthepodium. This year’sgalahonoraryco-chairs,VirginiaSenatorJohn AHS Virginia in a shiningexampleofnon-profit organization.President Bush AmericanHorticultural Societytend theevent, stated,“The is grams andmaintenanceofthehistoricRiver Farm headquarters. theAHS’sevent. Themoneyraisedwillsupport nationalpro- Viette RadioShowatRiverFarm a listofstations, visit André’s showiscarriedbymorethan 60stationsineightstates.For HorticulturistPeggyBowers. Dane, shownherewithAndré,and AHS BoardChairArabella on thelivecall-inshowthatday wereAHS the Garden,”fromRiverFarmonSeptember 25.Amongtheguests Nurseryman andauthorAndréViette broadcasthisradioshow,“In Gala HonoraryPatron November/December 2004 www.inthegardenradio.com. Laura Bush, and hiswife, ican gardening.” work topromote thebestofAmer- applaudyour and Iwholeheartedly and live auctionsheldduringthe ly donateditemsforboththesilent nizations, andindividualsgenerous- tested iteminthesilentauction. paintings, whichwasahotlycon- senator alsodonatedoneofhisfloral the mission. Anaccomplishedartist, national educationalprograms and Senator Warner praisedtheSociety’s Chairs.In abriefspeech, orary tended theevent asthisyear’s Hon- Virginia Senator More than100businesses,orga- November /December2004 who wasnotabletoat- Jeanne Warner, John Warner at- 9 A complete list of the major plant and seed companies that will AHS NATIONAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS provide the plants for the Eastern Performance Trials is still being developed, but it is expected that Proven Winners of West Chica- go, Illinois, and Centerton Nursery in Bridgeton, New Jersey, will 2004–2005 be among those supplying the plants for display at River Farm. CALENDAR “This is a very exciting development for the AHS,” says Tom Underwood, AHS director of horticultural programs. “The trials ark your calendar for these upcoming will not only make River Farm a gathering place for industry lead- Mnational AHS events and programs! More ers, but will also give AHS members and local garden clubs a won- details about all these events will be available soon in derful opportunity to preview the latest plant introductions.” The American Gardener and on the AHS Web site (www.ahs.org). River Farm Named Horticultural Landmark THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR HORTICULTURAL SCI- • DEC. 2. Friends of River Farm (FORF) Volunteer ENCE (ASHS) has recognized the AHS headquarters at George Reception, George Washington’s River Farm, Alexandria, Washington’s River Farm in Alexandria, Virginia as an ASHS Virginia. Horticultural Landmark Site. The ASHS, also headquartered IN 2005 in Alexandria, Virginia, bestows this honor based on a site’s “his- • FEB. 19. AHS SMARTGARDEN™ event in Burlington, Ver- torical, scientific, environmental, and aesthetic value.” mont. (Co-sponsored by the Horticultural Gardening Insti- “River Farm, the home of the American Horticultural Soci- tute and Gardener’s Supply Company.) ety, was selected for this prestigious recognition because of its distinguished history and leadership role for American garden- • MAR. 4 & 5. AHS President’s Council Event at the ers,” says Donald Maynard, ASHS Board member and histori- Philadelphia Flower Show, Pennsylvania Convention an. The official presentation ceremony will be held at River Center, Philadelphia, Pennyslvania. Farm on December 3, 2004. • MAR. 31–APR. 1. AHS Garden School: The Art and “We are so thrilled that River Farm’s enduring horticultural Science of Color in the Garden. George Washington’s legacy has been recognized by one of the nation’s most respect- River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia. ed horticultural organizations,” says AHS President Katy Moss • APR. 1–30. Washington Blooms! George Washington’s Warner. “This designation is particularly appropriate at a time River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia. when we are moving ahead with a new Master Plan to make River Farm a national showcase for American horticulture.” • APR. 3–5. Colonial Williamsburg Garden Symposium. Williamsburg, Virginia. Previous sites designated as Horticultural Landmarks include the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, and the • APR. 13–15. AHS Great American Gardeners Confer- Luther Burbank Home and Gardens in Burbank, California. ence and Awards Presentation. Orlando, Florida. • APR. 22 & 23. Friends of River Farm Spring Plant Sale and Flower Show. George Washington’s River Farm, Winter Lecture Series Alexandria, Virginia. NOTE: Members-only preview sale on IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Cleveland Botanical Garden the evening of April 21. (CBG), AHS is sponsoring three exciting lectures by national- • MAY 6. Magic of Landscaping Conference. Orlando, ly recognized gardening experts this winter. Florida. Tres Fromme, planning and design leader at Longwood Gar- dens—and author of the “Gardening By Design” column in • MAY 27. AHS Member Day at Cleveland Botanical Gar- The American Gardener—will give the first lecture, “Salvation den Flower Show. Cleveland, Ohio. by Design,” on January 13. Allan Armitage will talk about “An- • JUNE 2. Taste of River Farm. Alexandria, Virginia. nuals and Perennials for the Northern Garden” on January 26. • JULY 28–30. AHS National Children & Youth Garden Sym- Allan is a professor of horticulture at the University of Georgia posium. Atlanta, Georgia. Hosted by the Atlanta Botanical in Athens and author of several books on annuals and perenni- Garden and Wonderland Gardens. als. On February 26, Holly Shimizu, the executive director of the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., will • SEPT. 19–23. Eastern Performance Trials at George talk about attracting pollinators to the garden in her lecture, Washington’s River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia. “Pollinating Partnership.” • SEPT. 24. AHS Annual Gala, George Washington’s River All lectures will take place in CBG’s Clark Hall from 7 to 9 p.m. Farm, Alexandria, Virginia. Tickets are $25 per lecture; current CBG and AHS members pay only $20. AHS and CBG members can sign up for the entire se- ries at a discounted rate of $55; the non-member rate is $70. Tick- ets are limited, so call (216) 721-1600 soon to reserve a seat.

10 the American Gardener COURTESY OF MOLLY PHILBIN vania. AHSPresident demonstrationgardencently gainedanew inScranton,Pennsyl- the garden justloved herbubblingenergy,” says some ofitsyoung caretakers inJuly. children whowork in “The through acollaborationbetween theAHS, organizes avariety ofafter-schoolactivities. BEST (Building Educational Success Together) program, which Scranton schooldistrictproject director forthefederallyfunded THE AHSPROGRAM, The GrowingConnection New DemonstrationGardenfor in arowofEarthBoxes Students inScrantontendtomatoesgrowing Connection The Growing Connection

NEW

NEW Demonstration Garden. ™ , partofTheGrowing Katy MossWarner h rwn oncin(TGC), The Growing Connection is aninnovative program created visited thesiteandmet middle-school chil- food plants. behind growing about thescience world astheylearn children around the pose istoconnect businesses. Its pur- ing organizationsand several otherpartner- United Nations, and tion cultural Organiza- In Scranton,local Food andAgri- Molly Philbin, (FAO) ofthe re- quired toattendtheconference. Greenhouse. dren tend150EarthBoxes AHS PRESIDENT Warner toSpeakatTree Conference Editorial Intern Viveka Neveln inthissection. wrote thearticles or visitwww.greatsoutherntreeconference.org. ica’s Landscapes” onDecember 2. management issuesinthesouthernUnited States. developments, products, and attendees abreast industry ofnew University ofFlorida jointlydeveloped thispremier event tokeep The Florida Nursery, Growers andLandscapeAssociationthe (GSTC) tobeheldinGainesville, Florida, onDecember 2and3. speakers attheFourth AnnualGreat Southern Tree Conference their Mother asaresult Earth ofTheGrowing Connection.” their lives,” saysMolly. willbecomebetterstewards of “They gardening, somethingthatwillstaywiththemfortherest of flowers inthem. as theyexperimentwithgrowing herbs,and vegetables, fruits, dardized plantingmediumfor specially designedcontainers,whichprovide andstan- aportable For more informationabouttheGSTC, call(407)295-7994 Katy isscheduledtospeakon“Trees: TheBackbone ofAmer- “The children are“The learninghow togarden andhow tolove Mickey Lynch, Katy MossWarner ™ a Scrantonnative, co-invented these they plantedattheNay Aug Park TGC November /December2004 participants around theworld participants in thelandscape. importance oflargetrees mission bypromotingthe to helpingfulfilltheAHS Society andiscommitted American Horticultural partnership withthe announce itscorporate C will beamongtheexpert Farm ispleasedto herry LakeTree Registration isre-  11 AHS NEWS SPECIAL: America In Bloom’s 2004 Award Winners by Viveka Neveln

NDIANAPOLIS hosted the third annual America in Bloom (AIB) I Awards Ceremony and Educational Symposium, held October 7 to 9. Last year, Indianapolis won the AIB award in the 500,001 to 1 million population cat- egory. More than 30 communities from all regions of the United States celebrat- ed their beautification efforts at this year’s AIB event. America in Bloom, a partner of the AHS, is a volunteer non-profit organiza- tion whose mission is “planting pride in our communities.” Each year, AIB orga- nizes a friendly competition between communities working to improve their parks, streets, and other green spaces. Sandusky, Ohio Judges evaluate the communities in eight specific categories: floral, urban forestry, landscape, environment, tidiness, turf and ground covers, heritage, and com- munity involvement. AHS President Katy Moss Warner was the keynote speaker at this year’s sympo- sium, which also featured the debut of the AHS sponsored “Community Involve- ment Award.” The city of Vernal, Utah, earned the inaugural award based on the strong volunteering tradition in the com- Rancho Santa Fe, California Naperville, Illinois munity. A complete list of the 2004 award winners for both population levels and 2004 AIB AWARD-WINNING COMMUNITIES special categories is shown at right. ■ 5,000 or less Rancho Santa Fe, California “This was the best educational sympo- ■ 5,001–10,000 Goshen, New York sium and awards ceremony yet,” says AIB ■ 10,001–15,000 Greenfield, Indiana Administrator Laura Kunkle. “During the ■ 15,001–25,000 Hershey-Derry Township, Pennsylvania three-day event, AIB participants from all ■ 25,001–50,000 Sandusky, Ohio over the United States had a chance to net- ■ 50,001–100,000 Fayetteville, Arkansas work with other communities and share ■ 100,001–300,000 Naperville, Illinois similar challenges, opportunities, and so- ■ University Campus Utah State University, Logan, Utah lutions. Even though it’s great for the in- dividual cities that won their population 2004 CRITERIA AWARD WINNERS categories, everyone wins by planting ■ Gardens Alive! Environmental Effort Award Kalamazoo County, Michigan pride in their communities.” ■ Proven Winners Landscaped Areas Award Rancho Santa Fe, California To find out how you can get your ■ Ball Horticultural Company Floral Displays Award community involved with next year’s Newburyport, Massachusetts AIB competition, contact Laura Kunkle ■ American Horticultural Society Community Involvement Award at (614) 487-1117 or visit www.america Vernal, Utah inbloom.org.  ■ Scotts Company Turf & Groundcover Award Hershey-Derry Township, Pennsylvania Viveka Neveln is editorial intern for The ■ Hirons & Company Heritage Conservation Award Goshen, New York American Gardener. COURTESY OF AMERICA IN BLOOM (3)

12 the American Gardener American Horticultural Society AHS Garden School ashington New! “The Art & Science of Color in the Garden” March 31 & April 1, 2005 W looms! mmerse yourself in the intricacies of April 1 – 30, 2005 color in the garden with this exclusive B IAHS Garden School offering. Whether you’re an avid gardener or a horticultural professional, you can sharpen your skills and explore the kaleidoscope of Celebrate Spring with AHS possibilities of color in the garden with this two-day intensive program held at oin us this April for Washington Blooms! at River the Society’s River Farm headquarters in Farm. Nothing compares with the beauty of the early Alexandria, Virginia. J spring blooms in the National Capital area. Cherry blossoms, daffodils, and tulips herald the coming of spring in an explosion of color. Mark your calendar and plan to visit River Farm and the National Capital area this April—you’ll find a variety of spring delights with something for every gardener and garden enthusiast, no matter what your passion! • Learn about the art and science of color 2005 Washington Blooms! Events at River Farm from a horticultural perspective. • Get personal insights from industry pros April 2 Spring Garden & Bulb Tour and horticultural experts. If you have ever SMARTGARDEN™ Tip of the Week looked at a perfectly colored border and April 9 Spring Garden & Bulb Tour wondered, “How do they do that?”—this SMARTGARDEN™ Tip of the Week school is for you. April 16 Virginia Historic Garden Week • Find out how an understanding of color Alexandria House & Garden Tour and color relationships can transform an Spring Garden & Bulb Tour average garden into a “knock-your-socks- SMARTGARDEN™ Tip of the Week off” display of horticultural prowess. April 21 Members-Only Preview Night Friends of River Farm Plant Sale Through a variety of presentations, April 22 & 23 demonstrations, and specially planned Friends of River Farm Plant Sale activities, participants will learn practical April 23 Spring Garden & Bulb Tour tips and techniques for mastering the effective use of color in the landscape. SMARTGARDEN™ Tip of the Week April 30 Family Day at River Farm The AHS Garden School offers a truly Spring Garden & Bulb Tour Ongoing for the month of April at River Farm unique environment for life-long SMARTGARDEN™ Tip of the Week • Thousands of spring blooms! learning—intimate, in-depth workshops • AHS Green Garage™ Display featuring personal instruction from noted • River Farm Cottage Shop garden authorities; opportunities for • Botanical and Garden Art Exhibit practical application and hands-on experiences—all this in a truly inspirational More Reasons to Visit the National setting—historic River Farm, overlooking Capital Area in April the beautiful Potomac River. • National Cherry Blossom Festival (through April 11) Visit www.ahs.org or call (703) 768-5700 • Historic Garden Week in Virginia for more information about how you can (April 16–24) be a part of this exciting program.

Visit www.ahs.org or call (703) 768-5700 for more information. 14 Plants withfragrantleavesmakescentsthroughoutthegarden. M touched torelease theirscent. Allthis you, whilemostfragrantfoliage mustbe fling theirfragranceacross thegarden at scented-leaf plants. buckwith lot more bangforyour olfactory leaves thanflowers, whichmeansyou geta Most plants,afterall,produce farmore flowers, butalsoby wayofscentedfoliage. sense ofsmell,notonlywithperfumed favorite gardens are thosethatdazzlemy and popintomymouth.But above all,my if thebirds don’t beatmetoit,Icanpluck liage; thetasteofsomemagicalmorselthat, song, tricklingwater, fo- andwind-rustled wood, stone,andsoil;thesoundofbird- Fragrant Foliage Now thatmanyflowers itistrue will the American Gardener Y FAVORITEGARDENS senses: thetactileappealofleaf, those thatengageallofmy are well-drained siteandregular watering. late springtomidsummer. Theyprefer a creeping thymes,allofwhichbloomin the fragrantlawn,path,orseat are the Perhaps themostwidelyusedplantsfor SCENT UNDERFOOT path, orseat,seesidebaronpage16.) ways. (For how toplant ascentedlawn, lawns andaround steppingstonesinpath- porated scentedplantsingarden seatsand lises, hangingbaskets,andwindow boxes. tween paving stones,ordanglingfrom trel- alongpaths,inpatiotubs,be- entryways, kitchen window, inthesunroom, flanking or pinchtheminpassing:outsidethe can tread upagainstthem, onthem, brush means isyou mustsitethelatterwhere you The Elizabethans thisandincor- knew drought-tolerant ofthecreeping thymes, It appearstobethemost sun-,heat-,and mer. Its fragranceisslightbutperceptible. two-lipped, lilac-pinkflowers inearlysum- ion—delightful totouch—and bearstiny nosus’. It makesasoft,hairy, gray cush- under thenameT. praecox inosus, plant woollythyme Zones 9to6. ates summertemperatures inAHSHeat USDA Hardiness Zones 6to9,andtoler- It bearslilac-pinkflowers, ishardy from green leaves are intenselylemonscented. a footwide.Its shiny, gold-splattered dark matfive inchestalland makes amarvelous thyme, In Santa Fe, where Ilive, lotsoffolks My favorite isthecreeping lemon Zones 5–9,9–5),whichisoftensold Thymus ‘Doone Valley’, which (Thymus pseudolanug- BY RANDB.LEE ‘Pseudolanugi-

MARK TURNER Resources The Botanical Garden (Vols. I and II) by Roger Phillips and Martyn Rix. Firefly Books, Buffalo, New York, 2002.

A Garden of Fragrance by Suzy Bales. ReganBooks, New York, New York, 2002.

Scented Plants by David Squire and Lucy Huntington. Sterling Publish- ing, New York, New York, 2000.

Sources Forestfarm, Williams, OR. (541) 846-7269. www.forestfarm.com. Catalog $5; free online.

Richters Herbs, Goodwood, Ontario. (905) 640-6677. www.richters.com. Catalog online.

Well-Sweep Herb Farm, Above: Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ flanks the Port Murray, NJ. (908) 852-5390. flagstone steps in this woodland garden. Left: www.wellsweep.com. Catalog online. Perennial chamomile bears apple-scented leaves and loads of small white blossoms. Woodlanders, Aiken, SC. Opposite: A scented lawn of thymes (Thymus (803) 648-7522. citriodorus, T. pseudolanuginosis, and T. ww.woodlanders.net. Catalog $4. praecox subsp. arcticus) and lavender make a sweet welcome mat for this bungalow.

catmints are favorites of mine, and are tall by two feet wide or more. fairly widely adapted across the country. Most catmints like a relatively dry, Common catnip (Nepeta cataria, Zones well-drained, neutral to alkaline site in full 3–7, 7–1) grows three feet tall by about a sun. One that doesn’t, however, is Siber- and it grows only two inches tall. foot and a half wide; its gray-green leaves ian catmint (N. sibirica, Zones 3–8, 8–1), Perennial chamomile (Chamaemelum have furry undersides and bear an in- which has an upright form, grows to three nobile, formerly Anthemis nobilis, Zones censelike fragrance that humans find re- feet tall by 18 inches or more wide, and 6–9, 9–6) is another traditional perfumed laxing and most cats find intoxicating. bears toothed, oval, dark green leaves on ground cover. It bears apple-scented, feath- There is also a lemon-scented form. branched stems. Its blossoms are bigger ery foliage and adorable yellow-centered Of greater ornamental value, but no and darker blue than those of most cat- white daisies. Because it gets a foot tall by less fragrant, are the many forms of garden mints. The whole plant bears a strong a foot and a half wide in bloom, it’s more catmint (Nepeta ✕faassenii, syn. N. minty–fruity perfume. It requires part suited to lawns than to paths or seats. For mussinii, Zones 4–8, 8–1). The most com- shade in hot climates and regular mois- those you’ll want the cultivar ‘Treneague’, mon cultivar is probably ‘Dropmore’, ture, and where it gets it, it can spread like a strongly perfumed, non-flowering clone which makes a soft gray mound 18 to 24 wildfire, so be forewarned. that only grows about four inches tall. inches tall by 18 inches wide, frosted in While lavenders are usually grown for summer with lavender blossoms. But I their fragrant blossoms, their foliage is SUB-SHRUBS AND PERENNIALS like Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ better. A hy- scented, too. The kind with the sweetest There are quite a few aromatic members brid, it is just as hardy and just as fragrant scented leaves is the fringed lavender (La-

TOP: JERRY PAVIA; BOTTOM: ALEKSANDRA SZYWALA of the dead nettle family (Lamiaceae); the as ‘Dropmore’, but is bigger—three feet vandula dentata, Zones 5–9, 9–4), native

November / December 2004 15 16 fragrance whenbrushed. and thymeedgeastonepath,releasingtheir in thegarden.Right: be placedwheretheyaremosteasilyenjoyed containers, likethelemongrassshown,can Above: Fragrant-leavedplantsgrownin mental. My favorites are ‘Berggarten’, richly scented; many are strikingly orna- Zones 5–8,8–5). All ofitscultivars are sage good oldculinary where Icanenjoy themupclose. citratus) nials suchaslemongrass(Cymbopogon salvias—and otherfragranttenderperen- siana magenta-blossomed Honduran fruit-scented, the glorious,furry-leafed, (Zones 8–11,12–1),and—myfavorite— 8–10, 10–1),pineapple-scentedS.elegans balsam-scented sages are nothardy inSanta Fe, suchas purple flowers insummer. delightfully scentedfoliage,withdeep three-foot hedgehoglikehemisphere of merce. It makesastunning,two-foot-by oldest lavenders stillavailable incom- my favorite is‘Twickel Purple’, oneofthe ‘Sharon Roberts’, bloomtwiceayear. But spring;someofthem,like market every Zones 5–8,8–5)cultivars appearonthe are thechubby violetflower spikes. more sweetly andpersistentlyscentedthan all ofthemthefinelytoothedfoliageisfar leaf peninsula. There are dark green andgray- to theMediterranean andtheArabian In thegarden, however, Icanrely on A depressing number ofaromatic More English lavender (L. dentata the American Gardener (Zones 9–10,10–9).Igrow these —in containersonmypatio, ‘Candicans’) forms,andin Salvia clevelandii Salvia officinalis (L. angustifolia, (S. officinalis S. dori- (Zones ‘Aurea’ pink, orred. green butcanalsobemarked withwhite, that are mainlygray-green and yellow- purascens’, and‘Tricolor’, withleaves only toZone 7:purple-gray leafed‘Pur- dark blueflowers, andtwothatare hardy large,ovalwhich hasvery grayleaves and or woodplantersmakegoodscented seats,too. time, theplantswillspreadout overthesurface,formingafragrantcushion.Stone with thesamesortsoflow-growing aromaticsyou’dputbetweenpavingstones.In openings withafree-draining soilmix,watersothatthemixsettles,thenplant with thesolidsidesfacingoutward andtheopenendspointingskyward.Fill Stack somecinderblocksintoacubethatreachestocomfortable sittingheight, pop upduringthistime;theyneedtobeuprootedassoon possible. ping stonesinterspersedwithfragrantgroundcovers. approximately thesameprocedurewhenconstructingapath composedofstep- useful torigashadeclothoverthesitewhileplantsadjust totheirsite.Follow you mightwanttoconsiderinstallingadripirrigationsystem; itmightalsobe evenly moistuntiltheplantsareestablished.Ifyoulivein ahot,dryclimate, along withanyfertilizersdeemednecessarybyasoiltest.Rake theareasmooth. compost, coarsebuilder’ssand,orfinegravel.Incorporatetheseamendments inches, removingweedsandstones,ifnecessary,lighteningitbyadding paths arelabor-intensive.Preparethesitebydiggingittodepthofseveral Unless youareluckyenoughtohavewell-drainedsoilstart,fragrantlawnsand THE FRAGRANTLAWN, PATH, ANDSEAT If alawnseemsliketoomuchwork,considerstartingsmallwith afragrantseat. Don’t subjectyourlawntomuchfoottrafficthefirstyear.All sortsofweedswill Whether youstartwithseedortransplants,willhave tokeepthebed purple gianthyssop(A.scrophulariifolia, foeniculum, probably theanisehyssop lar rainfall,thebestagastachestogrow are For gardeners inclimes thatreceive regu- genus All membersoftheNorth American Agastache Zones 4–11,12–5)and the are fragrant-leafedtreats. —R.B.L. (Agastache

LEFT: DAVID CAVAGNARO; RIGHT: JERRY PAVIA MORE PLANTS WITH FRAGRANT FOLIAGE

Plant name Height/Spread Comments USDA Hardiness, (inches) AHS Heat Zones FOR LAWNS, PATHS, OR SEATS Corsican mint (Mentha requienii) 1/indefinite tiny oval leaves, shade loving 6–9, 9–6 Dwarf silvermound 3/12 evergreen, feathery silver leaves 5–8, 8–3 (Artemisia schmidtiana 'Nana') Feverfew 4/12 yellow-green leaves, mat-forming 4–9, 9–1 (Tanacetum parthenium 'Golden Moss') Herb baron (Thymus herba-barona) 4/8 dark green leaves with caraway seed scent 6–9, 9–6 Lemon thyme (Thymus ✕citriodorus) 6–12/10 tiny, medium-green, lemon-scented leaves 6–9, 9–6 Phuopsis stylosa 6/20 light green, musk-scented leaves, 5–8, 8–5 rounded pink flower heads

FOR BEDS, BORDERS, AND CONTAINERS Beebalm 30–36/24 aromatic light green leaves, pink 3–9, 9–1 (Monarda didyma 'Marshall's Delight') flowers, resistant to powdery mildew Borage (Borago officinalis) 24/18 dull green, cucumber-scented leaves, 0–0, 12–1 pale blue flowers Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) 24–48/18 wrinkled, light green leaves, minty-lemon scent 4–9, 12–1 Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla) 10 ft./10 ft. bright green, intensely lemon-scented 8–11, 12–8 leaves, good for containers Pineapple mint 36/indefinite spreading habit, leaves variegated white 6–9, 9–6 (Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata') and bright green, fruity fragrance Rosemary 60/60 pungent, evergreen, needlelike leaves, 7–10, 10–8 (Rosmarinus officinalis 'Arp' ) (often less) prefers alkaline soil Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) 32/18 soft, oval gray-green leaves 4–9, 10–2

Zones 4–9, 9–1). Both produce distinctly es wide, with slim gray leaves and thin licorice-scented leaves. frangible stalks, scented of anise and mint; Anise hyssop grows three to five feet it bears loose clusters of thin orange trum- tall and a foot wide and bears dense spikes pets in summer. Easy to grow from either of bluish blossoms from midsummer to cuttings or seeds, it can be coaxed to sur- frost. It reseeds prolifically but is not a vive Zone 6 winters with the help of a menace. The purple giant hyssop, despite warm wall, well-drained soil, and protec- its name, rarely tops four feet. Cultivars tion from wind. ‘Apricot Sunrise’ is a se- include ‘Liquorice Blue’, which bears the lection with purplish calyxes and stems and usual species flower color, and ‘Liquorice pale orange trumpets. White’, an albino variant. One fragrant plant I ache to grow is These hyssops are dullards compared to bastard balm (Melittis melissophyllum, their dry-climate relatives, the humming- Zones 6–9, 9–6), but I am still seeking a bird mints, which I can grow to perfection source for it. This European woodland in my sun-baked alkaline Santa Fe soil. native makes smallish clumps eight to 28 Hummingbird mint (Agastache cana, inches tall by 20 inches wide; its stalks are Zones 6–11, 12–1), also called wild hyssop, topped with whorls of attractive, white native to New Mexico and West Texas, is or pink, two-lipped blossoms, each an upright, gray-leafed, rather airy plant marked distinctly in pink or purple on two to three feet tall by about two feet their lower lips. It’s a magnet for bees. wide; all its parts smell like a wonderful The bastard balm’s lightly toothed green mix of bubble gum and camphor. leaves are the real treat, however: They Agastache aurantiaca (Zones 7–10, are distinctly scented of honey, as you Anise hyssop has licorice-scented leaves

ALEKSANDRA SZYWALA 10–7) grows 18 to 30 inches tall by 24 inch- may have guessed from its Latin name. and self sows with abandon.

November / December 2004 17 MAKING SENSE OF SCENTS Scent in plants is a serious matter— it is a stimulus for considerable inter- action between plants and animals. The most common interactions in- volving scent are pollination and her- bivory, or consumption of the plant. We all know that scented flowers attract pollinators, but biologists have found that fragrance emitted from other parts of the plant—including leaves—also lure pollinating insects. This plant–pollinator interaction is of- ten very specific. Such relationships suggest that fragrance has played a Native to the southeastern United States, the evergreen purple anise (Illicium floridanum) significant role in the co-evolution of contributes year-round scent to gardens in warm climates. many insect and plant species. Scented fruits attract animals that NOSING AMONG THE SHRUBS Both bear deliciously fragrant foliage, consume them, and, passing the If you’re looking for a larger plant with fra- bright green in L. benzoin, which grows 10 seeds through their digestive tracts, grant foliage, there are plenty of winter- feet tall by 10 feet wide, and dark green in disseminate them abroad. Scented hardy aromatic shrubs that you can plant L. obtusiloba, which grows twice as large. bark and roots repel certain above- or along a pathway or behind a favored Purple anise (Illicium floridanum, below-ground predators. bench. I always associate the sweet shrub Zones 7–9, 9–4) grows eight feet tall and Scented leaves also repel or kill or Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus, wide. Its leathery evergreen leaves emit a certain predators. Plants that are poi- Zones 5–9, 9–1) with the Deep South, but spicy fragrance when touched. Star-shaped sonous to indigenous herbivores have it is surprisingly hardy; it can get eight feet red flowers are a bonus. a distinct survival advantage over tall by 10 feet wide. It is usually grown for There are a number of species roses those that are not. Extracting these its spice-scented, reddish-brown summer with scented foliage. Highly aromatic are volatile oils has led to the develop- flowers, but its dark green leaves have a the fernlike leaves of the incense rose (Rosa ment of several botanical insecti- strong, pleasant camphor scent, and its primula, Zones 5–9, 9–5), a Central Asian cides. Thyme oil has been used in flea bark smells like cinnamon. The 10-foot- native that bears single yellow blossoms. collars for pets to repel fleas; prod- by-12-foot California allspice (Calycanthus The leaves of my seed-raised eglantine ucts that include oil from the neem occidentalis, Zones 6–9, 9–6) also bears roses (Rosa eglanteria syn. R. rubiginosa, tree (Azadirachta indica) can be ap- sweetly scented leaves. Both grow best in Zones 4–9, 9–1) already give off the apple plied to many ornamental plants to moist, deep soil in sun or part shade. scent for which this ancient plant is fa- protect them against a variety of in- Similar conditions are favored by the mous. The slightly less hardy R. villosa sect pests. North American native spice bush (Lin- (Zones 5–12, 12–1) bears apple-scented The volatile compounds that are dera benzoin, Zones 4–9, 8–1) and its leaves, too. responsible for scent in leaves also slightly less hardy relative, the Japanese protect certain plants from drought spicebush (L. obtusiloba, Zones 6–9, 8–1). SCENTS ALL AROUND and desiccation. Bright sun stimu- The relationship between plants with fra- lates the release of oils as a vapor, grant leaves and the gardener who tends providing a buffer that keeps the leaf them is an intimate one, because the scent surface significantly cooler. Observa- is released only when they come in contact tion of this phenomenon led to the old with each other. These plants offer such English custom of using branches of intoxicating rewards that any chore you rosemary to cool walls that stood in can come up with that puts you in their full sun. In addition to rosemary, reach becomes a delight. There are so studies have shown that the volatile many more of these aromatic wonders, oils in thyme and lavender plants and I love them all. You will too, when demonstrate similar cooling qualities. you start collecting them. So get to it. 

Rita Pelczar, Contributing Editor Writer and lecturer Rand B. Lee is president Roses are known for fragrant flowers, but and founder of the North American Cottage

eglantine roses have apple-scented leaves. Garden Society. TOP: CAROL NOURSE; BOTTOM: MICHAEL S. THOMPSON

18 the American Gardener These underused evergreen shrubs offer year-round interest and attract wildlife.

RITING ABOUT the genus Mahonia can be, in these con- W troversial times, quite contro- versial. In the hallowed halls of academia, there is little justification to keep the genus independent from its close barbarian cousins in the genus Berberis. I can accept the argument for abandoning Mahonia in favor of Berberis on an intellectual level, but physically they appear very distinctive (for more on this, see sidebar, page 20). I am treating them as separate entities, as do most current gardening references. Under any name, the genus of ever- green shrubs known as Mahonia—the name commemorates 19th-century Amer- ican horticulturist Bernard McMahon— offers a surfeit of species and hybrids that lend handsome textural foliage, off-season flowers, and colorful crops of fruit for year- round interest in the American garden. No fewer than 15 Mahonia taxa exist, though numerous intergrades occur be- tween species where their ranges overlap. In the New World, the genus Mahonia occurs naturally along the western coast only, from British Columbia to Central America, and only as far east as the Great Basin, where the common name of Ore- BY DAN HINKLEY gon grape still adheres. Although the make way for species in northeastern Mexico have gar- nered considerable taxonomic study, very little is known of those further south in the higher elevations of Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Another cen- ter of distribution of the genus exists from Mahonias the Himalayan region into eastern China and Japan and as far south as Indonesia. ily at Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota, I stems rise no taller than a foot in height, Along with my talented staff at Herons- excitedly came upon my first mahonia. It and the leathery evergreen foliage assumes wood Nursery and its associated five-acre was the so-called creeping mahonia (Ma- bronze and red tints when grown in full garden, I am growing most of the species I honia repens, USDA Zones 4–9, AHS sun, becoming especially intense during cover in this article on the northern end of Zones 9–1), although at that time I be- the winter. I have seen this grown as a su- the Kitsap Peninsula in Kingston, Wash- lieved I was seeing my first holly in the perlative ground cover at the Denver ington, and have observed others growing wild. Creeping mahonia is certainly the Botanic Garden; it is also effectively em- in gardens throughout the United States most rugged of the clan and naturally in- ployed in the more benign climate of the and in the United Kingdom. habits the climatically brutal western in- Pacific Northwest as a drought-tolerant terior of North America. The suckering garden subject. EARLY INFLUENCE

MICHAEL S. THOMPSON As a youngster on vacation with my fam- A late-winter bloomer, Mahonia japonica ‘Bealei’ bears powdery blue berries as early as March.

November / December 2004 19 COUSINS IN NAME ONLY Taxonomists recently decided that mahonias should be lumped into the genus Berberis, but gardeners have not yet embraced this decision. Both genera are members of the barberry family (Berberidaceae), but where- as barberries (Berberis spp.) possess both evergreen and deciduous species, mahonias are unconditionally evergreen; their foliage is pinnately compound, with leaflets arranged along opposite sides of a central stalk or rachis in an al- ternate fashion. Close observation of the anatomy of barberries reveals that their leaves are also compound, though the leaf rachis is so compressed they appear to possess multiple simple leaves at each node. Mahonias lack the nodal thorns found in barberries; however, their stiff barbed leaves will bite if provoked. The flowers of both Berberis and Mahonia are anatomically identical and, de- pending upon the species, offered in tones of yellow, white, orange, or, rarely, red; and both possess what are known as irritable anthers. These abruptly contract to- wards the stigma when stimulated at the base and, in the process, dab any nectar- seeking insect with pollen. The flowers of most mahonias are presented in terminal fasicles—dense clusters—of erect simple racemes, whereas the prototypic inflo- rescence of the barberry is produced in leaf axils by way of solitary racemes. Another reason to think of these two genera separately is that some barber- ries are alternate hosts for wheat black stem rust, a fungal disease that plagues wheat and other grains. Several barberries particularly susceptible to this dis- ease—including B. canadensis, B. fendleri, and B. vulgaris—are now illegal to sell or transport in the United States and Canada. —D.H.

1823, setting back the typical obsessive- more widely used in American horticul- compulsive gardener of the time by some ture. Another worthy selection is ‘Or- 10 quid. It is a plastic species in nature, ange King’, which I received in the early making certain identification difficult, as ’90s from J.C. Raulston, who was direc- it readily unites with both M. repens and tor of what was then the North Carolina California holly grape (M. pinnata) where State University Arboretum. This plant A North American native, low-growing their natural digs overlap. Found (infre- remains quite compact in growth, to Mahonia repens, top, serves as a ground quently) growing on the Kitsap and three and a half feet tall and wide, and cover with small leaves that burnish red to Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, has more deeply saturated flowers of rich purple in winter. Another native, M. nervosa, it forms a vigorous, suckering shrub eight yellow-orange than the species. above, features much longer leaves. feet or taller, with glossy, pinnate, spiny- edged leaves. In late winter, short, erect OTHER NATIVE MAHONIAS The natural range of M. nervosa (Zones racemes of butterscotch flowers result in Closely allied to Oregon grape is Califor- 5–7, 7–5) extends from northern Califor- later sets of blackish blue fruit. nia holly grape (M. pinnata, Zones 5–9, nia to British Columbia. Commonly There are a handful of handsome selec- 9–1), with a natural range that extends known as longleaf mahonia, it possesses a tions based, at least primarily, on M. from Baja to British Columbia. Because it much longer, compound leaf than M. aquifolium. ‘Atropurpurea’ is sensational so readily hybridizes with M. aquifolium, repens, with seven to 23 leaflets. These take and should be available much more than it its past is checkered in regard to both its on a striking deep purple winter color currently is. The glistening purple suffu- taxonomy as well as its horticultural appli- when grown in full sun, although this sion of its evergreen foliage does not ripen cation. Cultivated hybrids between the species is typically and commonly found until the onslaught of low winter temper- two, which are perhaps more plentiful growing in moderately moist, shaded po- atures, adding a delicious and rich gleam- than first imagined, have been provided sitions at low elevations. Terminal racemes ing presence to the off-season landscape. the umbrella epithet of M. ✕wagneri. of yellow flowers bloom in late winter and In February 2001, while walking True California holly grape, with seven result in comely crops of blue fruit. through the garden of renowned English to 11 leaflets per leaf, possesses generally plantsman Graham Stuart Thomas, I ad- more than M. aquifolium’s five to nine. OREGON GRAPE mired the cultivar ‘Moseri’, which devel- The leaflets of the former are finer textured The tall Oregon grape (M. aquifolium, ops rich tones of burgundy in its winter and appear more spined. At Heronswood Zones 5–9, 9–3) caused some horticultur- foliage. I am perplexed as to why this Nursery as well as in my new garden in In-

al twitter when introduced in Britain in handsome and durable shrub, too, is not dianola, Washington, I grow M. pinnata TOP: JERRY PAVIA; BOTTOM: KEN MEYER.

20 the American Gardener The grapelike clusters of blue berries, above, that follow the yellow blossoms of Mahonia aquifolium, right, inspired its common name, Oregon grape. Its southwestern relative, M. fremontii, bottom, sports striking bluish- green foliage and is very drought tolerant.

‘Ken Hartman’, a fine garden plant that has medium-textured glossy green foliage emerging in rich tones of copper, densely held along stems that grow up to five feet tall with an equal width. It bears erect clus- ters of yellow flowers in late winter, but it is for its superb foliage, providing good ef- fects year round, that we grow this plant. In the greater Southwest, extending into northern Mexico and Baja, the desert mahonias come into play. Although I be- lieve them to be quite muddled taxonom- ically in the trade, M. fremontii, M. nevinii, and M. trifoliata (and other much rarer species) possess, on the whole, small, very spiny leaves, generally with an excellent bluish cast. The yellow or orange flowers are borne in short, somewhat lax panicles in late winter and early spring. These can make sensational wildlife-attracting garden subjects for arid climates if grown in sharp-draining soil and full sun. ASIAN MAHONIAS Our American mahonias tend to bloom in late winter to early spring; for true winter- blossoming mahonias, one must travel to Asia. At the earliest end of the bloom spec- trum are M. gracilipes (Zones 8–9, 9–8)

TOP LEFT: MICHAEL S. THOMPSON; RIGHT: MARK TURNER; BOTTOM KAREN BUSSOLINI and M. confusa (Zones 8–9, 9–8), which

November / December 2004 21 The dainty coral-red and yellow flowers of M. gracilipes, above left, belie the shrub’s substantial, leathery leaves. The blue-green leaves of M. lomariifolia, above right, are fernlike and contrast smartly with the bright yellow flowers. Both species hail from Asia. grow side by side in the mountains of the the thousands throughout city landscapes. across much of the Puget Sound, as well as southwestern provinces of China. These A dense, rather low-growing species that Portland, were cut to the ground. two relatively new additions to our land- grows four feet tall or slightly more, it pro- Mahonia mairei (Zones 8–9, 9–5) pos- scapes might more appropriately be con- duces lax racemes of fragrant, pale yellow sesses the longest and most elegant foliage sidered autumn blossoming. flowers from January to March. of all the species we cultivate at Herons- The former offers coral-red and yellow A cultivar of this species (in truth, this wood, with sharply textured pinnate flowers held in spidery sprays atop stems is produced by seed, so some references fronds up to three feet in length. In late up to four feet or slightly more. In addi- describe it as a seed strain or “group”), winter, substantial sprays of magnificent, tion, M. gracilipes possesses astonishing ‘Bealei’, is the mahonia most frequently orange-yellow flowers appear in spidery, leathery textured leaves sporting an un- encountered in North America. Here in 15-inch terminal racemes. This species, dersurface of brilliant, chalky white. the Pacific Northwest, it grows rather lax which does not appear in literature, is on M. confusa, which blossoms slightly and gangly, but it stays compact and per- the cusp of hardiness in the Pacific North- later, features upright and dense racemes of forms superbly in the sultry climate of the west and benefits from the overhead pro- red and white flowers. Its elegant foliage lower mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Other tection found in our woodland garden. displays arresting tones of bluish gray. A named forms of M. japonica are starting Our sole garden specimen of M. veit- naturally occurring hybrid between these to appear in nurseries. chiorum (Zones 4–9, 9–5), grown from two, M. ✕savillii, commemorates Savill Mahonia lomariifolia (Zones 8–9, 9–5) seed received from China years ago, is very Garden, the Queen’s garden in Great on the other hand, is Chinese in origin and distinctive in foliage, offering notably Windsor Park, England, where this union offers a remarkable texture to Northwest glossy leaflets of light green accentuated by was first observed. landscapes. Its narrow, pinnate leaves are a bright yellow leaf axis. The stubby ter- These species, while of exciting horti- two feet or longer, and are densely arranged minal racemes of bright yellow flowers are cultural potential, do not command the along upright stems up to six feet tall; its produced in February and March. presence of numerous hybrid selections texture is almost fernlike. In mid-winter, Curiously, M. fortunei (Zones 8–9, 9–4) between two other Asiatic species, M. stunningly beautiful erect racemes of clear has a rather long history of use in gardens japonica and M. lomariifolia. yellow flowers bloom atop each stem. The of the Pacific Northwest and has, from Mahonia japonica (Zones 7–9, 9–7) is caveat for this species is tenderness; during time to time, been readily available on a

a mainstay in Japan, where it is massed by the notorious 1990-1991 freeze, specimens commercial basis. It has dull bluish green DAN HINKLEY (2)

22 the American Gardener pinnate leaves comprised of numerous nar- lovely jasminelike fragrance. Flowering is row leaflets that are, sadly, extremely sus- often in full swing by Christmas—or ceptible to powdery mildew. The wimpy much earlier during mild autumns. Resources racemes of yellow flowers, which open in English gardener Lionel Fortescue A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants late autumn, are among the least effective made other crosses between the same par- edited by Christopher Brickell and of the genus. ents, and the best of the lot bears his name. Dr. H. Marc Cathey. DK Publishing, M. ✕media ‘Lionel Fortescue’ thrives on Inc., New York, New York, 2004. HYBRIDS the north side of our home. There it en- Obviously, there are many fine mahonia tertains for several weeks each winter, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants species to consider, but it is to the hybrid blooming dependably by Thanksgiving by Michael A. Dirr. Stipes Publish- progeny between M. japonica and M. lo- Day. Deep green pinnate leaves up to 18 ing, Champaign, Illinois, 1998. mariifolia that I think gardeners of the inches long are produced along a narrow western coast and mid-Atlantic states upright framework up to eight feet in Western Garden Book edited by should turn their attention. This group of height while the bright yellow flowers form Kathleen Norris Brenzel. Sunset plants, known collectively as M. ✕media dense 14-inch clusters of terminal racemes; Publishing, Menlo Park, California, (Zones 7–9, 9–8), exemplifies the best of as many as 50 racemes in each cluster may 2001. all winter-flowering shrubs for our climate. crowd the top of each stem. The pairing of these two species oc- An unusually harsh winter in Seattle in curred spontaneously at the legendary, but the late 1950s selected a hybrid from a flat Sources unfortunately no longer existing, nursery of M. lomariifolia seedlings accidentally Fairweather Gardens, Greenwich, NJ. of Slieve Donard in Ireland. From a thou- left outdoors at Washington Park Ar- (856) 451-6261. www.fairweather sand potted plants resulting from seed of boretum. All but a single plant perished; gardens.com. Catalog $4; M. lomariifolia, three distinct and obvi- the survivor was named ‘Arthur Menzies’, free online. ous hybrids were noted and selected by the in honor of the assistant director of Stry- King’s gardener, Sir Eric Savill. bing Arboretum in San Francisco, who Forestfarm, Williams, OR. (541) The best of these, christened M. had provided the seed. This apparent hy- 846-7269. www.forestfarm.com. ✕media ‘Charity’, still grows as a magnifi- brid between M. lomariifolia and M. Catalog $5; free online. cent specimen at the aforementioned Sav- japonica ‘Bealei’ has developed into a sen- ill Garden. I have paid homage to this sational, broad, bold-foliaged specimen Heronswood Nursery, Ltd., Kingston, celebrated plant—a deep green globe, 15 that is 15 feet tall by 10 feet wide. The WA. (360) 297-4172. feet in diameter, with toothsome textural bright yellow flowers—borne in dense, www.heronswood.com. Catalog $5. qualities—on numerous occasions. The upright trusses—are generally open by clear yellow flowers of ‘Charity’ carry a New Year’s Day. Unfortunately, the frigid temperatures we sometimes experience in mates. In the Pacific Northwest, species early January in the Pacific Northwest can and selections of mahonia can be grown ruin the floral display. in a range of exposures from full sun to very dense shade. SIDE BENEFITS AND CARE For the taller species and hybrids, I Besides providing year-round garden in- strongly suggest heavy pruning at a young terest, mahonias attract a wide variety of age to encourage branching from the base. birds and insects that feed upon their nec- This will sacrifice flowers for the first year tar and fruit. Our colonies of honeybees as or two after planting, but the shrubs will well as numerous wild bees and wasps feast become much fuller and well balanced. on these flowers. We have also seen Anna’s For a full spectrum of garden sites, hummingbirds and numerous species of mahonias will lend a year-round ever- migrating warblers sipping from the flow- green presence and a beguiling display of ers. These beguiling visitors engender a flowers at a time of the year when we second season of interest in the form of most need it. They represent a vast con- magnificent crops of large purple-blue tingent of underused trees, shrubs, vines, berries coated with a powdery white bloom and perennials that can contribute four- that turn to bright pink as they ripen. season interest to our landscapes Mahonias have few pest and disease through flower, foliage, and fruit.  problems and are far from troublesome garden plants. They respond to any soil Author, lecturer, and plant explorer Dan with good drainage if provided even Hinkley is co-founder, with Robert Jones, M. ✕media ‘Lionel Fortescue’ may prove to moisture until fully established. Over- of Heronswood Nursery in Kingston,

DAN HINKLEY be the hardiest M. lomariifolia offspring. story protection is advisable in colder cli- Washington.

November / December 2004 23 24 the American Gardener Vertical Accents Columnar treesaddanewdimensiontoanygarden. but makesacolorfulspecimenplant. the Austin,Texas,gardenofJennifer Myers.Left: Above: AnalléeofYauponholly (Ilexvomitoria Juniperus communis so theycanbeusedtoaddstructureandtexturesunnyperennial borders.Topleft: are particularlyusefulasdesignelementsinsmallgardens.They alsocreatelittleshade, Because theytakeuplessspacethantheirmoreexpansivecounterparts, columnartrees ‘Pencil Point’canframeavieworleadvisitorthroughthegarden. ‘Will Fleming’)deepensapparent spacein Pinus contorta BY CAROLEOTTESEN ‘Taylor’s Sunburst’issmall

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MICHAEL S. THOMPSON; KAREN BUSSOLINI; JOSEPH G. STRAUCH JR. Above: As this row of columnar ‘Dawyck’ beeches matures, it will provide an effective screen in this landscape designed by Richard Bergmann. Left: Cupressus sempervirens ‘Swain’s Golden’ echoes the yellow in a perennial bed designed by Glenn Withey and Charles Price. Below: With its extremely narrow silhouette, Picea glauca ‘Pendula’ would look right at home in the cartoon world of Dr. Seuss.

OME PLANTS always manage to look like happy accidents—as if they were deposited by the S birds and grew charmingly into place; others grow into an aspect of easy spontaneity only after many sum- mers in the garden. But vertical accents are plants that never relax. They are punctuation marks in the garden, sig- naling the designer’s intent. Their placement affects the garden from every angle and in every season. Cindy Brown, education coordinator and horticulturist at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, Virginia, likens vertical evergreens to statues she saw at the Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Garden located on the 144-acre property of the PepsiCo world head- quarters in Purchase, New York. “I photographed three gigantic statues from different angles,” says Brown, “and each time the angle changed, the way the three looked was different and the emotional content changed.” Especially if it is evergreen, a vertical element influences your perception of space. Site it just so in the foreground and it forces perspective, deepening apparent space. Site it in the background and it rivets the eye, becoming a focal point. Brown suggests using a pair of verticals to “frame a view of your house or your garden, just like you do with your pictures.” To prevent the common problem of plants placed too close to build-

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: LYNNE HARRISON; KAREN BUSSOLINI; RICK WETHERBEE. ings, she advises, “pull them away from the house.”

November / December 2004 25 26 Catalog $3. 643-9347. Roslyn Nursery, Catalog free. 686-8266. Greer Gardens, Catalog $5;freeonline. 846-7269. Forestfarm, Sources ing, Champaign,Illinois,1998. by MichaelA.Dirr.StipesPublish- Manual ofWoodyLandscapePlants Press, Portland,Oregon, dia Conifers: TheIllustratedEncyclope- Resources the American Gardener by D.M.vanGelderen.Timber Williams, OR.(541) www.roslynnursery.com. www.greergardens.com. www.forestfarm.com. Eugene, OR.(541) Dix Hills,NY.(631) 1996. lems inourhot, humidsummers.” seven years, andthenitgetsfungal prob- Atlantic, ittendstodowell forfive to where well. “Here itperforms in theMid- evergreen native totheMidwest andWest, ulorum no longerrecommending ferent areas. For instance,shesays, “We are tions thatplantsbehave differently indif- Arboretum inWashington, D.C.,cau- Conifer CollectionattheU.S.National Susan Martin, curatoroftheGotelli healthy inyour garden’s microclimate. carefully selectthose thatthrive andstay year-round designelements,it’s to crucial points.” of vertical garden. “You follow theyellow brickroad the bedstodrawvisitorthrough the pyramidal yellow evergreen, repeated in Zones 4–8,AHSZones 8–3),abroadly Chamaecyparis obtusa mond, Virginia, Brown recalls seeing GinterLewis BotanicalGarden inRich- hedge. Verticals caneven direct traffic.At can bemultipliedforuseasascreening to spotscreen anundesirableview, orit fastigiate Englishoak(Quercusrobur Above, left: Because vertical evergreens are strong, evergreenA vertical canbepositioned ‘Skyrocket’,” abeautifulcolumnar Thuja occidentalis ‘Crippsii’ (USDA Juniperus scop- ‘Smaragd’ staysfreshgreeninwinter.Above,right:Amature forma fastigiata) upright yewsare “an overlooked group.” browse canbeaproblem,” Martin saysthat tin advisestrainingthemtoasingle trunk. greens from snow splittinginwinter, Mar- by three feetwide.To prevent ever- vertical color,” she says.It grows about15feettall because itdoesn’t have muddywinter ed as‘Emerald’). “It’s thenicestarborvitae ‘Smaragd’ (Zones 2–7, 7–1;sometimeslist- she recommends is three tofourfeet wide. Anotherevergreen hard tofind.It grows about30feet tallby 8–1), althoughMartin notesthatitcanbe cedar grass-green, fanlike foliage” istheincense readily perceptible. One thathas“bright and thesubtledifferences intheircolorsare low withsoftsulfur overtones.” where; instead,itdevelops “a paleyel- very scream yellow inourarea” asitdoeselse- drought andfullsun,saysMartin, “doesn’t foot-wide, cigar-shapedplantthattakes (Zones 2–7,7–1),a 10-foot-tall-by-two- ple, can affectaplant’s appearance.For exam- While acknowledging that“deer In winter, evergreens gainprominence Not onlydoesclimateaffecthealth,it stands sentryatthecornerofthishouse. Juniperus communis‘Gold Cone’ (Calocedrus decurrens,(Calocedrus Zones 5–8, Thuja occidentalis

LEFT: JERRY PAVIA; RIGHT: JOSEPH G. STRAUCH JR. OTHER TREES FOR VERTICAL ACCENTS USDA Hardiness, Name Height/Width (ft.) Appearance/culture AHS Heat Zones

Buxus sempervirens ‘Graham Blandy’ 9/1–2 deep green leaves bronze in winter; 6–8, 8–6 Boxwood rich, well-drained soil Chamaecyparis thyoides ‘Rubicon’ 15–25/3–5 blue-green foliage turns purple in winter; 3–8, 8–1 Atlantic white cedar moist, sandy soil Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ 10/2–3 dark green foliage needs no pruning; 5–7, 7–5 Japanese holly moist, slightly acid soil Ilex opaca ‘Slim Jim’ 30–50/10–15 slow-growing, symmetrical; breakage 5–9, 9–5 American holly resistant; acid soil, part shade Ilex vomitoria ‘Will Fleming’ 15/1–2 male cultivar, best in snow-free areas 7–11, 12–7 Yaupon holly Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’ 20/3–4 fast, dense growth; full sun; 5–9, 9–5 Chinese juniper (also ‘Obelisk’, ‘Spearmint’) tolerates drought, alkaline soils Juniperus virginiana ‘Emerald Sentinel’ 15–20/6–8 dark green foliage; sun, 3–9, 9–1 Eastern juniper good air circulation Picea pungens ‘Iseli Fastigiate’ 10/3 narrow, upright, blue-gray; 3–8, 8–1 Colorado spruce sun, cool climate

Buxus sempervirens ‘Graham Blandy’ Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ Juniperus chinensis ‘Spearmint’

To protect them from deer at the Nation- Deciduous columnar trees don’t pro- columnar beech are also available. al Arboretum, she says, “we use black net- vide the year-round color of evergreens, Whether it is a focal point or an eye- ting. You can’t see it against the green but their upright framework of branch- stopper that blocks an undesirable view, foliage color.” A yew she especially likes is es can provide another kind of winter in- whether it raises the garden up out of the Taxus ✕media ‘Flushing’, a female selection terest. Two good landscape choices are ground plane or is used to frame a view, that bears red fruits (technically arils) and the columnar English oak (Quercus robur a vertical accent provides drama in the blackish green foliage. It grows 12 feet tall forma fastigiata, Zones 5–8, 8–3) and the garden. No matter how it is used, its by 18 to 24 inches wide. Another good se- columnar English beech (Fagus sylvatica strong presence draws the eye, so choose lection is ‘Beanpole’, which grows six to ‘Dawyck’ or ‘Fastigiata’, Zones 4–7, one that thrives in your region. And be- eight feet tall and one foot wide and bears 9–4). All are slow-growing; at maturity fore placing it, rework that old carpen- bright red fruit. “Yews are easy to maintain the oak will reach 50 feet tall and 10 to 12 ter’s adage about measuring and cutting if people like to prune,” says Martin. And feet in diameter, while the beeches can to: “Think twice and plant once.”  a little pruning can work magic on many attain 80 feet tall and 10 feet in diameter. other evergreens, giving them a narrower, Golden- (‘Dawyck Gold’) and purple- Carole Ottesen is associate editor of The

LEFT AND RIGHT: MICHAEL S. THOMPSON; CENTER: RICK WETHERBEE. more dramatic profile. leaved (‘Dawyck Purple’) cultivars of the American Gardener.

November / December 2004 27 28 persist, poisedtoburstintobloom withthefirstbreath ofspring. willbloomthroughoutfill thosegaps.Afew winter;otherswill long sincesuccumbed,butthere are beddingplantsavailable to flowerbed displays.Heat-loving zinniasandtenderimpatienshave blooming schedule varies significantlyfrom oneregion toan- Of course,theselection of cool-seasonannualsaswell astheir OFLATITUDE LIMITS I change; therealist adjuststhesails.” pessimistcomplainsaboutthewind;optimistexpectsitto “The Cool-Season Annuals returns. But coldweather needn’t signaltheendofyour ter’s coming,andit’s boundtogetalotcolderbefore spring T’S SAIL-ADJUSTINGTIME, the American Gardener New varietieskeepgardensbloomingthroughthefourthseason. gardeners! Fall ishere, win- —William Ward Arthur BY RITAPELCZAR of the plants lumped into this category are biennials(living of theplantslumped intothiscategory never happenhere—it’s twocompletelydifferent seasons forus.” she saw. “Petunias would “That shemarvels. withportulaca!” shewasamazed attheplantcombinations summer tripnorth, cialist atWalt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. On arecent and summer,” notesHeather Will-Browne, bedding plantspe- mates. “Our plantpaletteiscompletelydifferent inthewinter and geraniums,are grown as“winter annuals” inwarmercli- staples oftheirsummerbedsandwindow boxes, likepetunias son, there are plentyofchoicesforeach. in June, andwhiledifferent speciesare appropriate foreachsea- little ornofreezing weather, January annualdisplaysrival those other (see“Western Winter Favorites,” page32).In regions with The term“winter annuals” is notstrictlyaccurate,sincesome In gardeners fact,manyoftheplants thatnorthern consider

MICHAEL S. THOMPSON THE “BIG FIVE” WINTER ANNUALS The most popular winter annuals—and, not surprisingly, some of the most cold tolerant—are pansies, violas, dianthus, snap- dragons, and ornamental kale. University of Georgia horticulture professor Allan Armitage, an American Horticultural Society Board member and author of several books on annuals and peren- nials (see “Resources,” page 30), calls these plants “the big five.” All persist through some frost and freezing temperatures, al- though varieties differ in their ability to handle the cold. It should be noted that surviving low temperatures is not the only objec- tive. In order for them to warrant a place in your garden, they must not only survive, but remain attractive, at least far enough into the cold season to put on a good show.

■ PANSIES AND VIOLAS It’s easy to understand why pan- sies (Viola ✕wittrockiana and hybrids) are referred to as the king of winter annuals. They bear their distinctive and cheerful five- petaled flowers late into fall, sometimes through winter, and then burst into full glorious bloom very early in spring. Pansies can flower when the thermometer dips into the 20s and will tolerate even colder temperatures, surviving winter as far north as USDA Hardiness Zone 6 or even 5, with some protection. “Nothing comes close for winter and early spring bloom,” says Armitage. Bob Lyons, director of the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, North Carolina, concurs. “The best flowering annu- als for our winters are pansies and violas, with my favorite being the latter.” Most varieties flower all winter in Raleigh, experi- encing only “an occasional decline when it gets its coldest here in January and February,” says Lyons. This chilly persuasion isn’t surprising, given their lineage; pan- Above: Stock grows best in a cool garden, making it a good choice as sies were named for the Swedish botanist V.B. Wittrock, who did a winter annual in mild climates. Below, right: ‘Icicle’ pansies, bred for extensive breeding work on them in the late 19th and early 20th northern climates, may bloom with snow on the ground. Opposite: Pot centuries, crossing and backcrossing several viola species, all marigolds reliably brighten winter gardens in USDA Zones 8 to 10. alpine natives. Pansies are actually biennials or short-lived peren- nials, but they are commonly grown as annuals. through two growing seasons) or short-lived perennials. But they generally are treated as annuals, and like true annuals, they bloom the first year from seed. When their performance goes downhill as temperatures rise in late spring and summer, they are removed and replaced by heat-loving species until fall, when they are re- planted for another cool season. The selection of winter annuals for areas that experience fair- ly mild winter weather goes well beyond the ubiquitous pansies and ornamental kale. Stock (Matthiola incana) bears flowers in a wide range of colors, all of which impart their spicy-sweet fra- grance to the cool-season garden. Flowers of the pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) are limited to yellow and orange hues and tolerate frost and even a light snow. Other potential season ex- tenders for regions with mild winters are osteospermums, toad- flax (Linaria spp.), felicias, and wallflowers (Erysimum spp.). As you head northward into cooler climes, the selection of winter annuals is more limited. But even where freezing temper- atures and snow cover are regular players on the winter stage, there are a few bedding plants that will add color to gardens through much of the cool season. Some will extend the fall flower display until Thanksgiving or later, and some will jump-start next ‘Icicle’‘Icicle’ pansypansy

TOP: HUGH AND CAROL NOURSE. BOTTOM: KAREN BUSSOLINI year’s garden come spring.

November / December 2004 29 30 Daylength Factor,” page32). older pansiesvarieties tendtoremain vegetative (see“The plants, whichflower daysofwinterwhen through theshort bridization isthedevelopment ofnon-daylength-sensitive tolerance andvigorhave alsobeenenhanced. blotched withmarkings thatgive themthatfamiliar“face.” Heat scheme. Additionally, flowers maybesolid, multicolored, or reds, tosubduedpasteltones,soit’s easytofindafitforanycolor nearly black,from vibrantpurples,yellows, oranges,blues,and size, colors,andcolorcombinations.Colorsrangefrom whiteto olas thatproduce more andearlierflowers withagreater rangeof years,pansies inthelastfew manyare difficulttodistinguish. hybridizing andintroductionvarieties ofnew bothviolasand selves, returning from oneyear tothenext.That said,withallthe often more heattolerant,andare more likelytore-seed them- plants thatbearsmallerflowers ingreater quantities; theyare to pansies.Compared topansies,violasgenerallyare smaller 2002–2003. University ofGeorgiaTrialGardens. http://floriculture.osu.edu/Pansy04.html. den’s Pansy/ViolaCultivarTrial2003-2004. Ohio StateUniversityExtensionService. Oregon, 2001. Perennials Armitage’s ManualofAnnuals,Biennials,andHalf-Hardy 2004. Wayne Winterrowd,RandomHouse,NewYork, Annuals andTenderPlantsforNorthAmericanGardens Resources Although extendingflowering daysoffall through theshorter One ofthemostsignificantachievements inpansyhy- Plant breeders have developed varieties ofbothpansiesandvi- Violas the American Gardener (V. V. cornuta, tricolor, by AllanM.Armitage.TimberPress,Portland, http://ugatrial.hort.uga.edu/WinterTrials/. ‘Sorbet LemonSwirl’ viola ‘Sorbet LemonSwirl’ viola and hybrids)are closelyrelated OSU LearningGar- Winter Trials by able online(see“Resources,” above). olet Flare’ gave thebestshow. ‘Sorbet Cream’, Blackberry ‘Sorbet Plum Velvet’, and‘Penny Vi- pho’. Andamongviolas, ‘Sorbet Beaconsfield’, ‘Gem Yellow’, include ‘Nature Blue’, ‘DynamiteLavender’, and‘Ultima Mor- last winter(2003–2004).Top-rated pansiesamongthosetrialed Ohio State University inColumbus(USDAHardiness Zone 5) bet Yellow Delight’. were ‘Sorbet CoconutSwirl’, ‘Hobbit Bilbo Baggins’, and‘Sor- ‘Iona Frosty Lemon’, and‘Nature Beacon’. Amongthetopviolas formed others,including‘Bingo Blue Blotch’, ‘DynamiteOcean’, nuals. Despite thecold,theynotedseveral pansiesthatoutper- out tocompare ofabroad selectionofwinteran- theperformance gia (USDAHardiness Zone 7),where Armitageandhisteamset doesn’t really matter. Thecoldoverrides anythingelse.” greenhouse thaninthegarden,” saysArmitage.“If it’s cold,it straint toflower production inwinter“ismore anissueinthe and springisanimprovement, removing daylengthasacon- www.thompson-morgan.com. Thompson &Morgan, www.plantsofthesouthwest.com. Plants oftheSouthwest, www.johnnyseeds.com. Johnny’s SelectedSeeds, www.burpee.com. Burpee, garden centersorgrowthemfromseednextsummer. Look formanyofthesecool-seasonannualsatyourlocal Sources Complete results ofboththeGeorgia andOhio trialsare avail- Similar comparisons ofpansyandviolacultivars were at run The winterof2002–2003wasunusuallycoldinAthens, Geor- Warminster, PA.(800)888-1447. Catalog free. Jackson, NJ.(800)274-7333. Santa Fe,NM.(800)788-7333. Catalog free. Winslow, ME.(800)854-2580. Catalog free. ‘D ‘Dynasty’ dianthus Catalog free. ynasty’ dianthus

COURTESY OF BALL HORTICULTURAL (2) WESTERN WINTER FAVORITES “There is a lot more to pansies than just the common Charlie Chaplin-faced ones. More and more violas and miniatures are being used,” says Panayoti Ke- laidis, curator of plant collections at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Adds Ke- laidis, “The second best autumn bedding plant is Iceland poppy.” But Kelaidis’s favorite winter annual is Phacelia campanularia, “which forms a wonderful rugose mat of deeply purple stained leaves when sown in midwinter… it can produce its intense blue flowers all spring and well into summer.” Other seed-sown selections for Colorado include Salvia carduacea and Clarkia species. Don Mahoney, horticultural manager at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, says two of his favorite winter annuals are natives: meadowfoam (Limnanthes dou- glasii) and baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii). One of his favorite combina- tions is “a lawn of meadowfoam underplanted with yellow daffodils and blue anemones…It only lasts for February and March, but is quite showy.” Mahoney also uses several South African species in his winter gardens, including selections of Dimorphotheca, Heliophila, Arctotis, and Ursinia. At the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, director of living collections and nurs- Among the best winter annuals for western ery Carol Bornstein says, “We grow quite an array of annual wildflowers here for gardeners are Clarkia amoena, above left; late winter and spring color, including meadowfoam (Limanthes douglasii), tansy- tansy-leafed phacelia (Phacelia tanaceti- leaf phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), punch-blow godetia (Clarkia bottae), Chi- folia), top; and Iceland poppy (Papaver nese houses (Collinsia bicolor, syn. C. heterophylla), and tidytips (Layia croceum, formerly P. nudicaule), above. platyglossa). Several of these species reliably re-seed themselves.” —R.P.

■ HYBRID PINKS (DIANTHUS HYBRIDS) “Fall, win- ble miniature carnations on 16-to-20-inch stems. “I love the ter, and spring are the perfect seasons for dianthus in central Flori- taller Dianthus ‘First Love’ and ‘Melody Blush Pink’—always da,” says Will-Browne of Disney World. “They look good— covered with blooms ranging from pure white to dark rose on blooms and all—right after a frost or freeze.” the same plant,” reports Will-Browne. “They are perfect for a Crosses between China pinks (D. chinensis) and sweet William wildflower look or background planting.” Like other members (D. barbatus) have given rise to a tough group of hybrids that have of the genus, these hybrids grow best in a well-drained, neutral been labeled Dianthus hybridus, Dianthus ✕heddewiggii, or sim- to slightly alkaline soil in full sun. ply Dianthus hybrids. Whatever you call them, they are more cold The terraces at Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, North and heat tolerant than the China pinks, freer flowering than sweet Carolina, are planted extensively in the fall with a mixture of William, and combine well with many other winter plants. spring-flowering bulbs and winter annuals. Several varieties of di- Flowers of the hybrid pinks have fringed—or “pinked”— anthus, including selections of the Telstar and Floral Lace series petals and appear in terminal clusters. Colors include white, all team up with ornamental onions (Allium spp.) and Or- shades of red and pink, and bicolors. The Ideal, Telstar, nithogalum spp. for a dramatic spring display. Harry Jenkins, su- Princess, Melody, Floral Lace, and Diamond series are widely perintendent and horticulturist at the Duke Gardens, explains

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: DAVID CAVAGNARO; MICHAEL S. THOMPSON; KEN MEYER available. The Dynasty series offers double flowers that resem- that planting winter annuals “begins in mid-October, and we try

November / December 2004 31 THE DAYLENGTH FACTOR Plants flower at different times of the year, but each species is more or less consistent. One of the major factors respon- sible for determining flowering season is a phenomenon known as photoperiodism: Many plants are stimulated to initiate flowers by seasonal changes in daylength. Studies conducted in the 1920s by USDA scientists W.W. Garner and H. A. Allard determined that the length of time a plant is exposed to light has an effect on when it flowers. Some plants—pansies, petunias, and calen- dulas, for example—bloom when they are exposed to long days, and thus are referred to as long-day plants. Short-day plants such as hyacinth bean, moonflower, and chrysanthemum bloom when days shorten in late summer and fall. Further research revealed that it is not the length of ex- posure to light that is critical, but rather the length of the dark period. Extending the light period or interrupting the dark period with artificial lights will prevent short-day plants from inducing flowers. Poinsettia growers take ad- vantage of this phenomenon to delay flowering of the short-day poinsettia until the holiday season. Short- or long-day sensitive plants can be further cat- egorized as facultative—those which will flower more ‘Best‘Best Mix’Mix’ snapdragonsnapdragon readily when exposed to a certain length of darkness—or obligate—those that require a specific minimum dark pe- riod before flower induction will occur. to have all the beds planted by the end of November.” In addi- Adding one more layer of complexity, many plants—in- tion to dianthus, the beds feature pansies, violas, snapdragons, cluding older pansy varieties—must have a cool period be- mustard, and phlox. Peak flowering is late March through mid- fore they can be stimulated by daylength to induce flowers. April; by mid-May, the replanting begins for summer. Other plants—including stock, geraniums, and impa- tiens—are termed day-neutral; their flowering time-table ■ SNAPDRAGONS (Antirrhinum majus) Snapdragons flower is not determined by the length of darkness but by other best in cool weather, are quite frost tolerant, and their roots are factors such as maturity. Most flowering annuals fall into hardy to Zone 8; with some protection, they will often make it this category. through the winter in Zone 7. For these and warmer zones, plants New varieties of many long- and short-day plants that get can be set in the garden in mid-fall. Flowering times vary with lo- around the limitations of flowering during a specific season cation. In northeast Texas, at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens have been developed by crossing daylength-sensitive plants (USDA Hardiness Zone 7–8), senior horticulturist Steve Hud- with less-daylength-sensitive types. Pansies are an example. dleston observes, “snaps bloom a little in the fall, keep their green The pansy was originally developed from perennial foliage during the winter, and then bloom again in spring.” Viola species native to the Swiss Alps. “These perennials In central Florida, “we use a lot of the smaller snapdragons passed through a cold winter and began flowering as the en masse in beds from October through the first of April,” says days grew longer in spring. Modern pansies retained some Will-Browne, who prefers the diminutive Montego and Floral of their ancestral traits, flowering best after receiving suf- Showers series. “The little guys seem to bloom more and re- ficient chilling, under increasing daylength,” explains Bob quire less maintenance than the taller varieties,” says Wille- Croft, technical manager for Sakata Seeds America. By Browne. “They go a little green in mid-winter, but once spring cross-breeding with less daylength-sensitive types, breed- hits, you just can’t stop them from blooming.” ers have developed new varieties that “are not dependent North of Zone 7, snaps can be planted after danger of hard on temperature or daylength to flower,” says Croft. freezes are past for an early spring splash of color. Where sum- Non-daylength-sensitive pansies include the Majestic mers are mild, full sun is best; where summers are hot, plant in Giant, Majestic Giant II, Dynamite, Dynasty, and Supreme part shade. Blooming may lapse during summer’s heat, but will series. Among violas, ‘Gemini’ and the Angel series are resume with the onset of cooler weather in fall. non-daylength sensitive. —R.P. ■ ORNAMENTAL KALE AND CABBAGE (Brassica ol-

eracea) These non-flowering ornamental edibles have been sta- MICHAEL S. THOMPSON

32 the American Gardener ‘Red‘Red Chidori’Chidori’ kalekale andand ‘Fiesta’‘Fiesta’ cabbagecabbage

ples of the fall garden for a long time—and for good reason. They are easy to grow, remain attractive for months, and can be grown at least as far north as Chicago; plants tolerate temperatures well below freezing. Smooth and feathered leaf selections can be jux- taposed for a colorful and texture-rich display. The somewhat arbitrary basis for distinguishing between or- namental cabbage and kale comes down to their leaf margins: A smooth leaf margin earns the handle of cabbage, while a fringed or feathered margin is considered a kale. There are white, pink, and red varieties. Exceptional smooth-leaf types include ‘Tokyo’ and the petite Pigeon series. For feathery leaves, the Peacock and Coral series are good choices. ‘Redbor’ kale with its ruffled, deep ‘‘TokyoTokyo Pink’ cabbage burgundy leaves, and its white counterpart, ‘Winterbor’, make at- tractive foils for colorful pansies and snapdragons. These plants develop their best color after several frosts and when temperatures at night remain below 50 degrees Fahren- heit. In Georgia’s mild climate, reports Allan Armitage, cab- bages and kales look good “at least into December or January.” Other colorful edible plants that work well as winter annu- als include ‘Red Giant’ mustard and Swiss chard varieties ‘Pink Passion’, ‘Ruby Red’, and ‘Bright Lights’. These provide bold textural contrast for the usual flowers in cool-season gardens. Rob Johnston, founder of Johnny’s Selected Seeds in Albion, Maine, says that ‘Bright Lights’, with its vivid red, orange, and yellow stalks, is “planted as much ornamentally as it is as a veg- etable.” The roots, he adds, will usually survive winters in USDA Zones 6 or 7 and warmer.  ‘Bright‘Bright Lights’Lights’ SwissSwiss chardchard

TOP TO BOTTOM: DAVID CAVAGNARO; KAREN BUSSOLINI; COURTESY OF JOHNNY’S SELECTED SEEDS Rita Pelczar is a contributing editor to The American Gardener.

November / December 2004 33 34 State Flowers, a true flower.a true Similarly, the officialstateflower ofOklahoma is state flower, glossingover thetechnicalitythatpineconeisn’t Maine, afterall,namedthewhitepineconeand tasselastheir were thinkingwhennaminganofficialflower. Lawmakersin Jenkins isfarfrom aloneinwondering whatherstatelegislators FORNATIVES LOBBYING L don’t seem toappreciate thebeautifulwildflowers theyhave.” wildlife. It’s ashamethatAmericans ural resources, ournative plants,our thingsinthisstate:ournat- wonderful Society (INPAWS). are “There somany the Indiana Native Plant andWildflower itage,” saysJenkins, anactive memberof asthestateflower.qualify itfrom serving way Jenkins seesit,thataloneshoulddis- or even to theUnited States. Andthe Midwest statefrom itsneighbors. landmarks thathelpdistinguishthis course, theWabash River—all natural fields, woodlands,sycamores, and,of sembly backin1913,rhapsodizes ofcorn- Away,” adoptedby thestateGeneral As- “On theBanks oftheWabash, Far tom ofthestate.Even thestate’s officialsong, atthebot- the waytorolling hillcountry the sandydunesarea Indiana ofnorthwest all is thetuliptree, whichshadesfront lawnsfrom in Hoosier backyards allyear long.Its statetree red birds canbefoundflittingfrom tree totree meets thiscriteria.It isthecardinal, andthese about thestate.Indiana’s statebird, afterall, symbol, shesays,shouldtellvisitorssomething of Indiana, adesignation ithasheldsince1957. beauty, astheofficialstateflower shouldserve ana, doesn’t thinkthattheplant,despiteits other perennials burstintolife. splashes ofcolorearlyintheseasonbefore her den, thered, white,androse flowers provide few cases—controversial. The historybehindtheselectionofofficialstateflowersisoftenintriguingand—ina “We shouldhave prideinourher- But thepeonyisn’t native toIndiana Jenkins’ reasoning issimple.Anofficial But Jenkins, aresident ofZionsville, Indi- the American Gardener long grown theflower inherown gar- known asanenemyofthepeony. She’s YNN JENKINS doesn’t wanttobe Kentucky’s stateflower. native plant,prevailed, andin1926,goldenrod was named Kentucky Federation ofWomen’s the Clubs,whosupported tive species,butisindigenoustoEurope andAsia.The tia. Despite itscommonname,Kentucky bluegrass isnotana- bluegrass bied strongly infavor ofthespikyinflorescences ofKentucky ians, aswell asofficialsfrom theU.S.War lob- Department, (Poa pratensis), ed States butinAsia. like thepeony, originatednotintheUnit- flower in1916,even thoughthatspecies, Cherokee rose General Assembly inGeorgia selectedthe own right(seesidebar, page37).And the mistletoe—although that’s inits astory but notwithoutafight.Many Kentuck- tion tobecomethatstate’s officialflower, tucky native, overcame foreign competi- see firepink,left,namedthestateflower. and LynnJenkins,aboveright,wouldliketo Indianans JoEllenMeyersSharp,aboveleft, Goldenrod which isthesymbolofstate’s mili- (Solidago serotina), (Rosa laevigata) asitsstate BY DANRAFTER a Ken-

TOP: COURTESY OF JENI JENKINS; BOTTOM: JOSEPH G. STRAUCH JR. VIOLET AND ROSE WIN POPULARITY CONTEST Pride When it comes to the honor of being the most popular state flower, violets and ros- es are neck and neck. Four states have chosen a version of those flowers as their official floral symbol. Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin are in the violet camp, while Georgia, Iowa, New York, and North Dakota have championed A majority of states have selected native the rose (for a complete list of state flowers, see page 38). The rose does hold one plants—or plant genera that include both big advantage over its rival, however; it is also the official national flower. natives and exotics—as their official state While it’s easy to understand the appeal of the rose as a symbol, the violet’s flowers, but there are still a few states like popularity is less obvious. Gary Sherwin, president of the American Violet Soci- Indiana and Georgia that for one reason ety, cites several reasons for this. First, it was the earliest commercial cut flower. or another have bucked the trend. Native Secondly, it was associated with love long before the rose became the flower of plant advocates in these states have lob- choice for Valentine’s Day. But children and their flower-gathering habits may be bied their legislators to either change their the biggest reason for favoring the violet as a state flower, Sherwin says, alluding state flowers to native species or at least to a bygone time when schoolchildren voted on state emblems. create a second official designation of a “If you live in an area where violets grow, there are two flowers that you picked state wildflower. for your mother and teacher when you were a child: the violet and the dandelion,” Sometimes these efforts succeed, such as Sherwin says. “And no one is going to name the in 1998, when members of the Michigan dandelion a state flower.” —D.R. Botanical Club successfully convinced the state’s legislators to name the dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris) the official state wildflower. This tiny plant with showy blue flowers is actually endangered because of the loss of its shoreline habitat. In other cases, though, such campaigns have fallen short. The members of Jenkins’ group, unfortunately, have long been on the losing side of this issue. INPAWS mem- bers spent more than three years trying to convince the state General Assembly to re- The common violet (Viola papilionacea, also listed as Viola soraria), above place the peony with the fire pink (Silene right, is depicted as a token of love in a vintage Valentine greeting card, left. virginica), a wildflower native to Indiana that features distinctive bright-red flowers shaped like stars. But legislators never allowed a bill approving Despite this setback, Jenkins and her fellow INPAWS the change in state flower designation to come to a vote. Last year, members are not yet ready to give up. They are now consid- INPAWS members officially gave up that effort, posting a somber ering new tactics that might fare better in a state where pe- announcement on their Web site: “The fire pink bill is now dead. onies have long been loved by gardeners, and where many Long live the fire pink!” residents use them to decorate the graves of U.S. servicemen and women on Memorial Day. Rather than continuing to battle the peony lobby, INPAWS members decided to take a cue from their neighbors in Michi- gan and try to establish a separate designation for an official state wildflower. They are still debating which plant to pro- mote as the wildflower, but an early favorite is the hardy and colorful purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), a plant with a broad native range that encompasses Indiana and graces countless gardens throughout the state. “I know there are still some people out there who would love to replace the peony with a native plant,” says Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, an advanced Master Gardener and INPAWS member who is working with Jenkins to develop the new native flower strate- gy. “But we gave that three passes, and none of them have worked. I guess in my mind it’s now about being more pragmat- The purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a leading contender ic. Just getting the state to name an official native flower, I think,

TOP LEFT:INDIANA HISTORICAL SCCIETY; RIGHT: COURTESY OF THOMAS G. BARNES@ USDA-NRCS PLANTS DATABASE; BOTTOM: CAROLE OTTESEN to become Indiana’s native state wildflower. would be a big improvement over what we have now.”

November / December 2004 35 36 chusetts’ stateflower. flower, while11yearslaterthe mayflowerbecameMassa- In 1907,Connecticutnamed themountainlaurelitsstate began askinglegislaturesto adopt officialstateflowers. ground. Aspartoftheeducational effort,societiesalso trailing arbutuswithoutrippingtheirrootsfromthe residents abouttheproperwaytoharvestplantssuchas societies adoptedseveraltactics.Onewastoeducatestate gather fernsandothernativeplants,”DeKingsays. “There wasawholesalerapeofthecountrysidegoingonto spring toearlysummerdecoratehospitalsandchurches. tain laurel(Kalmialatifolia) In Connecticut,theblossomsandevergreenleavesofmoun- of anycity,”DeKingsays. “It gottothepointwhereitwasalmostextinctwithinmiles fortunately, notesDeKing,thepickersweretooefficient. the plant’severgreenleavesforgarlandsandwreaths.Un- the mayflowerortrailingarbutus.Andinwintertheyused gather bushelsoffragrant ing thespringinMassachusetts,forexample,peoplewould plants theygatheredvarieddependingontheseason.Dur- as freshflowersorholidaydecorations,DeKingsays.The often earnmoneybygatheringplantsfromthewildforsale state’s nativeplantsfromover-collection. sons fornamingastateflower,hesays,wastoprotect studied thehistoryofstateflowers.Onehistoricrea- Wild FlowerSocietyinFramingham,Massachusetts,has official stateflowerssincetheearly1900s. been pushingstatelegislatorstonameonlynativeplantsas from anewone.Supportersoftheconcept,infact,have The movementtonamenativeplantsasstateflowersisfar ROOTS OFNAMINGSTATE FLOWERS Trailing arbutus,Massachusetts’stateflowersince1918. To reducethedamage,newlyformedstatewildflower Other statesexperiencedsimilarproblems,DeKingsays. In the1900s,immigrantstoUnitedStateswould David DeKing,executivedirectoroftheNewEngland the American Gardener Epigaea repens, were heavilyharvestedinlate better knownas — D.R. that there’s noguaranteetheywillever succeed. going toswallow largechunksoftheirtime.Andtheyrealize, too, meetings across thestate.Theybothrecognize is thattheeffort of writinggardening clubs,lobbying lawmakers,andorganizing Massachusetts, group inthecoun- theoldestplantconservation tor withtheNew England Wild Flower Society inFramingham, native,” paid tonative flowers, thebetter, saythesewildflower advocates. groups suchastheHoosier contingent.Themore recognition amazed by thevariety foundinthe50states—are cheeringon um; andTennessee withthemaypop. shire withthepinklady’s slipper;Ohio withthelargewhitetrilli- with theazalea;Louisianairis;New Hamp- with officialwildflowers are Florida withthecoreopsis; Georgia do so. In additiontoMichigan lakeiris,otherstates anditsdwarf lish astatewildflower, theHoosier state will becometheeighthto flowers oftheUnited States. ciety, are ofagrowing part tohonorthenative effort wild- Jenkins, andtheothermembersofHoosier wildflower so- country. Folks suchasher, nottomentionMeyers Sharp, as your symbol,”saysHarstad. of your statetoselectsomethingthatisactuallyfrom ittoserve INPAWS memberbefore sheleft.“You shouldbeproud enough Indianapolis toLakeville,Minnesota, but wasnamedalifelong led theunsuccessfulfire Harstad recently pinkeffort. moved from they’re bills. goingtopaytheirproperty-tax taxesof property thathasscores ofhomeowners wonderinghow stream reassessment oflostmanufacturingjobs,andastatewide seriousproblemsreal, ofasluggisheconomy, very asteady won’t have muchimpactonastatethatisdealingwiththevery fight forsomethingthat’s purely symbolic?It’s somethingthat This begsthequestion:Whygothrough somuchtrouble to WHY GONATIVE? So Meyers Sharp andJenkins are gearingupforanotherround “It isbizarre thatanyofourstateflowers shouldbenon- Gardeners wholove native Americanwildflowers—and are If theysucceedandconvincetheIndiana legislature toestab- Harstad’s sentimentisechoedby gardeners across the “To meit’s amatterofstatepride,”saysCarolyn Harstad, who says Debra Strick, marketing andpublicrelations direc- Wyoming’s state flower. Indian paintbrush is as muchdoesanarea’s give you asenseofplace through it.Thesethings when you’re walking smell anditsown sound character. It hasitsown definiteflavor and very hasa gion ofourcountry wouldn’t it be?’Eachre- It shouldbe,‘Why flower beanative plant?’ should anofficialstate shouldn’t be, ‘Why try. “Really, thequestion

FAR LEFT: BILL JOHNSON; LEFT: MARK TURNER But Indian paintbrush fans weren’t totally left out in the cold. They had only to look to Wyoming, which se- lected Castilleja linariaefolia as its state flower in 1917. Lawmakers in Louisiana named the Southern magno- lia (Magnolia grandiflora) their state flower in 1900. In the 1950s, though, members of the Society for Louisiana Irises (SLI) asked the legisla- Left: The native Southern magnolia ture to replace the magnolia is the state flower of Mississippi with the blue iris, arguing that and Louisiana. Louisiana has also the iris made a better choice adopted a state wildflower, Iris because it grew primarily in gigantaecaerulea, above. Louisiana, while magnolias grew throughout the South. architecture or the accents its residents have. By not honoring The magnolia won out after its supporters used the counter ar- these things, we’ve allowed quite a bit of sameness in our culture.” gument that the blue iris often grew in unattractive swamps. Mag- nolia loyalists also pointed out the stately rows of bronze magnolias NATIVE VERSUS NATIVE that grew outside the state capitol building, which the lawmakers Campaigns to change state flower designations don’t always in- could not ignore when they looked out their windows. volve replacing exotics with natives. In many cases, the battle has But because of the tenacity of the SLI, that’s not the end of the pitted one native against another. Pity the Indian paintbrush story. After further lobbying efforts, the Louisiana legislature (Castilleja spp.). When the Arizona legislature voted to name a named the Louisiana iris the official state wildflower in 1990. state flower in 1931, many state residents lobbied for this flower, This move pleased Tom Dillard, an Arkansas resident and but lawmakers instead chose the blossom of the saguaro cactus. secretary of the SLI. “It’s nice of them to honor the iris in that What happened to the Indian paintbrush? Reportedly, it was way,” Dillard says. “It’s a magnificent flower.” Dillard can ap- the victim of a smear campaign by saguaro supporters, who preciate the sometimes odd logic behind the state flower nam- claimed the saguaro made a better choice because the paintbrush ing process. After all, the state flower in his home state is the is a parasite that lives off other vegetation. Lawmakers agreed. apple blossom. Lawmakers selected it in 1901, when Arkansas

INTERESTING LEGENDS The reasoning behind the selection of many state flowers has been lost to time. But the legends associated with some flowers have managed to survive. In her children’s book State Flowers (Franklin Watts Pub- lishing, 1992) author Elaine Landau recounts the story of how mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum, syn. P. serotinum) came to be the state flower of Oklahoma. The legend states that a New York woman, who was one of the first settlers of what was then the territory of Oklahoma, became ill as she was expect- ing her first child. She was advised to return East for better care but refused to leave the territory without her husband, who wasn’t able to accompany her. Sadly, both the mother and child died during birth. Because it was close to the Christ- mas holidays, and fresh flowers and greenery were unavailable, mourners placed sprigs of mistletoe leaves and berries on the coffin. Later, as the story goes, family friends in the legislature introduced a bill to name mistletoe the state flower, which it officially became in 1893. Landau also explains that Ohioans chose the scarlet carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) as the state flower to honor a home-state hero. President William McKinley, who was born in the town of Niles, Ohio, was a fan of the scarlet carna- tion and was often seen in public with the flower pinned to the lapel of his jacket. McKinley, of course, was assassinat- ed in 1901, at the start of his second term. In 1904, the Ohio General Assembly voted to honor McKinley by naming his favorite flower as the state’s official one. —D.R. LEFT: MICHAEL S. THOMPSON; RIGHT: COURTESY OF LARRY ALLAIN @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS DATABASE

November / December 2004 37 OFFICIAL FLOWERS OF THE 50 STATES Here are the official state flowers, listed alphabetically by state. Plants marked with asterisks indicate species not native to North America. State wildflowers are listed for states that have designated such a plant.

Alabama Camellia (Camellia japonica)* Massachusetts Mayflower (Epigaea repens) Oregon Oregon grape Alaska Forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris) Michigan Apple (Malus coronaria) (Mahonia aquifolium) Arizona Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) Wildflower Dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris) Pennsylvania Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) Arkansas Apple (Malus coronaria) Minnesota Showy lady’s slipper Violet (Viola palmata) California California poppy (Cypripedium reginae) Rhode Island (Eschscholzia californica) Mississippi Southern magnolia South Carolina Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) Colorado Rocky Mountain columbine (Magnolia grandiflora) (Aquilegia caerulea) Missouri White hawthorn South Dakota Pasque flower (Pulsatilla hirsutissima) Connecticut Mountain laurel (Crataegus spp.) (Kalmia latifolia) Montana Bitterroot Tennessee Iris (Iris spp.) Maypop Delaware Peach (Prunus persica)* (Lewisia rediviva) Wildflower (Passiflora incarnata) Florida Orange (Citrus sinensis)* Nebraska Bluebonnet Wildflower Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) Goldenrod Texas Solidago gigantea) (Lupinus subcarnosus and Cherokee rose (Rosa laevigata)* Georgia Lupinus texensis) Wildflower Azalea (Rhododendron spp.) Nevada Sagebrush (Artemisia Utah Sego lily Hawaii Native yellow hibiscus tridentata) (Calochortus (Hibiscus brackenridgei) Montana New Hampshire nuttallii) Idaho Wild mock orange Purple lilac (Syringa vulgaris)* Vermont (Philadelphus lewisii) Wildflower Pink lady’s slipper Red clover Illinois Native violet (Viola spp.) (Cypripedium acaule) (Trifolium Indiana Peony (Paeonia spp.)* New Jersey Woolly blue violet pratense)* Iowa Wild rose (Rosa spp.) (Viola sororia) Virginia Kansas Native sunflower New Mexico Yucca (Yucca glauca) Flowering dogwood (Helianthus annuus) New York Rose (Rosa spp.) (Cornus florida) Kentucky Goldenrod (Solidago altissima) North Carolina Flowering dogwood Louisiana Southern magnolia (Cornus florida) Washington Pacific (Magnolia Wild prairie rose North Dakota rhododendron TexasTexas grandiflora) (Rosa arkansana) Wildflower (Rhododendron Ohio Scarlet carnation Louisiana iris macrophyllum) (Dianthus caryophyllus)* (Iris giganti- West Virginia Rosebay rhododendron Wildflower Large white trillium caerulea) (Rhododendron maximum) (Trillium grandiflorum) Maine White pine Wisconsin Woolly blue violet Oklahoma American mistletoe cone and tassel Maine (Viola sororia) (Phoradendron leucarpum) (Pinus strobus) Indian paintbrush Wildflower Indian blanket Wyoming Maryland Black-eyed Susan (Gaillardia pulchella) (Castilleja linariaefolia) (Rudbeckia hirta)

was more widely known as an apple-growing state. Today, few their lawmakers to elevate the purple coneflower—or some people associate the state with the fruit. “If they were naming other native wildflower—to the same level of official esteem. a state flower today, you can bet they wouldn’t pick the apple “We have put so much time and energy into the process blossom,” Dillard says. and have achieved no results, so it has been extremely frus- Intriguingly, the botanical name given for the official apple trating,” says Ellen Jacquart, vice president of INPAWS. species designated by the Arkansas legislature, Malus coronaria, “Now I can see how groups in other states, like in Michigan, refers not to the orchard apple tree but rather to a wild native gave up on the state flower process and went with the nam- crabapple. Both “apples,” however, have similar, fragrant blossoms. ing of a state wildflower. They recognize that the state flower is something that, for whatever reason, legislators agreed on HOPE FOR HAPPY ENDINGS years ago, and that’s it—it’s not going to change.”  The successful conclusion to the Louisiana iris story gives mem-

bers of the INPAWS hope that they can eventually convince Free-lance writer Dan Rafter gardens in Chesterton, Indiana. PLANTS DATABASE LEFT TO RIGHT: DAVID CAVAGNARO; COURTESY OF MARGARET WILLIAMS@ USDA-NRCS PLANTS DATABASE; THOMAS G. BARNES @

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www.monrovia.com © Monrovia 2004 04-0752L 40 with aguiding spiritaswell asablueprintfor a singlesoul,purposeforbeing. result becomes,itstilllacksabasicnecessity— various sources. No matterhow energized the from together abodyofill-matched parts der. Gardeners oftenjumpintostitching ilar toDr. Frankenstein’s infamousblun- grave error inherent inthisstrategysim- piles, andthelike.However, there isa perennial borders, patios,compost den tocontain,suchasgazebos, ponds, components theywouldlikethegar- sign process by discussingphysical the formofalandscapeplan. precursor toputting thoseideasinto den tobeanddoforyou—and a of ideaswhatyou wantyour gar- but ahighfalutin’ nameforalisting off by theterm—itisreally nothing “program statements.”Don’t beput signers oftencallthesedocuments tling thegarden onceandforall.De- rather thanaproscriptive edictset- ing frameworkguidingcreativity This writtenvisionisanopen,evolv- scription thanfrom strictdefinition. sign benefitsmore from creative de- vision forthegarden. At thisstage, ade- people involved toframe anoverarching bial “bigpicture.” begin by thinkingonthescaleofprover- nearly asoverwhelming asitmayseemifyou decide whatyou wantyour garden tobe.Thisisnot The initialandillusively facilestepindesigningagarden isto MIND OVER BODY S ideas down onpaper. use ofdynamicmetaphors.Now it’s timeforgettingsome we have reflected, andwe have hadalittlefunexploringthe spaces tobefilledwithplantsandfeatures. We have paused, Getting theVision onPaper This is the sixth article ofanongoingseriesongardenThis isthesixtharticle design. Gardening byDesign A program statementprovides the garden Many thede- peoplewanttostart When Idesign,firstwork withthe the American Gardener O FARINTHISSERIES We have lookedatgardens asmuchmore thanmere stract meaningsofgardens andtheprocess ofdesign. we have contemplatedtheab- BY TRESFROMME those involved. tocapture theimaginationandenthusiasmof senting astory statement mayeven becomposedinanarrative style,pre- ideas andconceptsforthedesigntoturnintoreality. The a body. It presents acompellingvisionforthefuture; outlines gram statementistowalkwithapersonthrough hisorher One ofthemosteffective waysIhave foundtogenerateapro- WALK THETALK

TOM CLIFTON property and listen to them spin a tale about what the garden should be like and what they want to do in it. If you want to PROGRAM WITH A PURPOSE try this process yourself, recruit a friend or family member will- ing to listen to you and take some notes. You can even record your A thoughtful and well-crafted program statement offers a own thoughts using a tape recorder, although I find dialogue with gardener several critical benefits for the design process. another person helps stimulate all kinds of connections and ideas that might not have been previously vocalized! The im- Vision portant thing is to let yourself babble without censoring your- The program statement often inspires enthusiasm and ex- self or trying to make “perfect sense.” citement for a project. Seeing critical ideas and future el- When I work with a client (or design my own garden), I pay ements of your garden in a concise format may also make close attention to the way a person begins to subdivide the prop- the project seem more achievable. erty into areas of unique identity or “theme,” the paths they take through and between the sub-areas, and the descriptions and Finances emotions evoked specifically for each. I listen and probe for what Deciding what you want and how it all fits together can functional uses the person assigns the sub-areas, what mainte- save you money in the long run. Since designers often nance issues might emerge, and what aesthetic qualities are charge hourly for consultations, knowing what you want brought up. I listen for both what a person overtly says, as well as saves design fees and the embarrassment of paying a for what is subtly suggested. stranger to watch you and your significant other argue over where the dog run should go. FINDING PATTERNS Most importantly, I try to see the patterns connecting—or Communication possibly connecting—all the discrete components into a holis- A well-written program statement allows everyone involved tic vision for the garden. Once you have your notes, take some to review and to discuss the project “on the same page.” time to contemplate and digest the information. Then I sug- The document also jump starts the design process if you gest you put the notes aside for a week or so to gain some per- decide to hire a professional designer. spective before reviewing them again. Look for consistent ideas, needs, and issues that repeatedly Designer Selection emerge and try to group specific items into larger categories to The statement is an excellent interviewing tool should you review their interrelationships. For example, relocating the dri- choose to hire a professional designer. You can use it to veway, adding a woodland path, and paving the walk to the front evaluate whether the designer is in sync with your own vi- door are all items related to “circulation enhancements.” They sion and will be able to collaborate with you to achieve it. also probably relate to each other in terms of materials, cost, con- struction timing, and similar logistical factors. Prioritization and Evolution During this process, names for the various sub-areas of the gar- The program statement is a standard against which to judge den may emerge. These can help create a rough “map” in words. and prioritize conflicting goals and ideas, answering the ques- An “entry area” might lead to the “breakfast garden” off the tion “does (blank) support the program?” Also, since gardens kitchen, itself communicating with the "party terrace, " sur- do not mature in a day or even a season, a statement can out- rounded by “the buffer zone.” line a course for future plantings, construction, etc. Names can capture the initial essence of how function and form may meld into a garden. I then try to assign key phrases and ideas from the site walk to describe the functions, moods, con- tents, and purposes of each area. BE FLEXIBLE No one is able to predict, and therefore control, every aspect of ADDRESSING CHALLENGES a garden—not even on paper. Deciding irrevocably at this point The other patterns for which I listen are overarching and re- what you want your garden to be generates a myopic focus, peating major issues that affect the design process and the gar- negating your ability to test almost infinite possibilities. So, se- den. The term “issues” in this case includes both positive and riously consider what you want, but be open to ideas that may challenging aspects of the project. I find it best to identify these not have occurred to you before. issues early on in the design process and then begin to deal with What you should derive from a program statement is an ever- them in a creative and constructive manner, hence their inclu- clarifying vision for what you want in your garden and how the sion in the program statement. components, functions, and other factors relate holistically to Common issues include circulation (how to move people and each other and your life (see sidebar for some benefits). In the materials through the garden), screening and directing views, cre- next issue I will discuss how to begin translating the vision of the ating spaces to support outdoor living, cultural conditions for program statement into a more concrete form.  plants, and making spaces for children and pets. Although cer- tain issues may intensify in one sub-area, overarching issues usu- Tres Fromme is a landscape designer at Longwood Gardens in Ken- ally touch upon the entire garden in some way. nett Square, Pennsylvania.

November / December 2004 41 42 by Dr. H.MarcCathey Deer intheGarden M America ishow tocontrol deer. one concernofgardeners across for gardeners. Andthenumber iarized mewiththetoppriorities in garden radioshows hasfamil- predator urine,forinstance—seem tobe continue tomystify me.Some—such as products thatare offered toward off deer form andfairnationalhealth plan. deer asthere are suggestionsforauni- ent products andideasforcontrolling deer damage—there are asmanydiffer- available to gardeners tohelpprevent enough tobeaware ofthemanyproducts ous deer-related vehicle crashes. disease andagreater incidenceofdanger- problems, includingthespread ofLyme ing, thishascreated muchmore serious addition totheannoyance ofgarden graz- habitat.Inways—are oftheirnew part gardens andparks—as well asourroad- in ever-decreasing green space.Hence our more deerare beingforced toexist duced by development, more and same timeframebeengreatly re- colonists firstarrived inthe1600s. than itwaswhenEuropean region isbelieved tobelargernow In fact,thedeerpopulation inthis imal intheeasternUnited States. to becomethedominantwildan- decades,wefew have allowed deer seem tofeelfordeer. Over thelast tional attachmentthatpeople and squirrels justdon’t generatetheemo- Garden pestssuchasmoles,rabbits, voles, come aformofsacred cow inoursociety. resolve? Theanswer isthatdeerhave be- The typeandvariety ofchemical I’ve beenaround gardening long Because deerhabitathasinthe Why isthissuchadifficultsituationto the American Gardener Y YEARSOF as ahostorguestoncall- experience VRDYGRE SCIENCE GARDEN EVERYDAY change theplacement ofthefencing intoit. Yousensation ofrunning can can’t seethisfencinganddon’t likethe know deercomeintoyour garden—deer mesh deerfencinginplaces where you the sametime,putupsections ofblack have timetobecomeusedthem.At then rotate theirusesothedeerdon’t find theonesthatseemtowork best,and terring deer. Test arangeofproducts to a numberofdifferent approaches tode- versal application oreffectiveness. that nooneformulationcanhave uni- andtextures,forms, surfaces, it’s evident applied toplantswithawiderangeof able. Given thatsuchproducts mustbe tainability forlong-termuseisquestion- so exotic thattheirefficiencyandsus- The bestadviceIcangive istoapply C better forthedeerandgardeners. population. In theend,itwillmakelife up withhumanewaystoreduce thedeer and naturalresource managerscancome now there are slimpickin’s forthem. that theylike—suchashostas—so duced theamountandvariety ofplants winters,Ihavein thelastfew greatly re- offices orMaster Gardener groups. usually available through localExtension deer—lists ofplantsforyour region are plants inyour garden thatare nottastyto honest. And,ofcourse,besure toinclude from timetoaswell tokeepthedeer the American Horticultural Society. Dr. H.Marc Cathey ispresident emeritusof such ashellebores,left. select plantstheyusuallyfindunpalatable, ornamental plants.Onecontrolstrategyisto States, wheretheyfeastonavarietyof visitors togardensintheeasternUnited White-tailed deerarecommonunwanted In themeantime,Ihopeourscientists After seeingthedamagetomygarden 

TOP: COURTESY OF U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE. BOTTOM: CAROLE OTTESEN KRISTIE WENDELBERGER/COURTESY OF FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN by ElizabethGarcia-Dominguez Protecting Rare Habitats,Rare Plants,inFlorida glades tothewest. Even so,it’s east andtheswampsofEver- marshes oftheAtlantic tothe level, risingabove thecoastal T Fairchild’s Joyce ises- Maschinski. “What tive speciesthancontrol plots,”reports plots thinnedmechanicallyhad more na- up inthewakeofbushandtree removal. the overall diversity ofspeciesthatspring ground theycovered. Theyalsoanalyzed plants andmeasured theamountof counted thetotalnumberofpolygala in fourexperimentalplots.Researchers other endangered wildflowers. oftinypolygalaand to aidthesurvival bushes canbeusedasasurrogate forfire whether mechanicalremoval oftrees and Fairchild scientistsare now testing a biennialwithyellowish green flowers. dangered tinypolygala species,includingthefederally en- story are encroaching andshadingoutunder- urban areas meansthattrees and shrubs current policytosuppress fire inmany ject tonaturallyoccurringfires, butthe (CPC). Plant Conservation of gardens affiliatedwiththeCenterfor ofanetworkCoral Gables, whichispart Fairchild Tropical BotanicGarden in ting helpfrom ateamofresearchers at da habitatslikethepinerocklands are get- habitat area consistsofnaturalvegetation. now lessthan10percent oftheoriginal location forcities,farms,andorchards, and Unfortunately, thishabitatisalsoaprime flourished inthepinerockland habitat. ty ofrare andendemicplantspeciesonce low-lying South Florida. There, adiversi- high enoughtopassfor“highground” in “The preliminary results preliminary indicatethat “The In 2002,trees were andshrubs thinned Historically, therocklands were sub- Imperiled native plantsofat-riskFlori- is onlyafewfeetabove sea HE MIAMIROCKRIDGE (Polygala smallii), CONSERVATIONIST what we thinkwere marsh rabbits.” from theoceanwereones further eaten by ricane andgotburiedby sand,andthe closest totheoceanwere affectedby ahur- reports Maschinski.est survival,” “Those tance, behindtheforedune, hadthegreat- chance tosurvive. ditions give thissprawlingvinethebest Researchers aimedtodiscover whatcon- high tidelineandmoving inland. further atthe spaced outalongatransectstarting In oneoftheseexperiments,plantswere jacquemontia (Jacquemontiareclinata). experimental reintroductions ofbeach Fairchild’s CPCbotanistsare conducting ment andfire suppression. There, da’s coastaldunessufferfrom develop- chanical treatment.” “we cancompare theresults totheme- burn onanearby site,saysMaschinski, so team isseekingpermissiontoconducta thinning treatment.” Now theresearch increase inexotic speciesinresponse tothe isthattherepecially important wasnotan Fairchild botanistsarere-introducingbeachjacquemontiasonthiscoastalFloridadune. “It turnsout theplantsthatare mid-dis- As inthepinerockland habitat,Flori- C ’ CORNER S serve thespecies.” serve field, tohelplandmanagers bestcon- both inthegreenhouse andoutinthe work withplantsfrom several habitats, “Less andlessremain. We’re to trying being developed,” Maschinski says. efforts. future conservation the National Park willhelpguide Service, closely related. This research, fundedby covered thatthetwopopulationsare very researchers usingDNAfingerprintingdis- University/Fairchild molecularlaboratory, another key. In theFlorida International 600 plantshasrecently beendiscovered on dividuals. Luckily, asecondpopulationof from onlyasinglepopulationofeightin- tia corallicola), last year, Florida semaphore cactus(Opun- duced moththreaten native flora.Until where risingsalinitylevels andanintro- Florida Keys, low-elevation reef islands communications coordinator fortheCPC. Elizabeth Garcia-Dominguez isthe “Habitats throughout Florida are A different setofproblems plaguesthe November /December2004 a Keys native, wasknown  43 by JoAnnAbell Bats SolveInsectProblems intheGarden 44 agencies, batsare beingseeninadifferent lightforthevaluable role theyplayintheecosystem. groups andfederalstatewildlife But ofconservation inthelastdecade orso,thankstotheefforts F ing thebattonavigateindark. objects andsendbacka“picture,” help- Sound waves bounceoffinsects andsolid through the darkness inalan- out through the world,crying they literallyheartheirway sonar known asecholocation, set andsunrise.Using aformof in thedimhoursbetween sun- various timesoftheyear. call theLoneStar State homeat in theunion—32speciesofbats holds thetitleof“battiest” state on nectarandpollen.Texas California, andTexas thatfeed three speciesfoundinArizona, eaters, withtheexception of 46 batspecies.Most are insect- sential tothebalanceofnature.” night-flying insects,batsare es- (BCI), “As predators of primary Bat International Conservation French, officerat conservation summer. According toBarbara the funoutofbeingoutdoorsin mosquitoes thattakesomeof tions, includingthosepesky ing toreduce insectpestpopula- should appreciate batsforhelp- averages between fourandfive inchesin Russet todark brown incolor, thisbat ofFloridathe southernparts andTexas. except ofthecountry part found inevery American bats,thebigbrown bat, The mostcommonofthenative North BROWN ANDREDBATS es andlisteningfortheechoestoreturn. guage ofhigh-pitched(ultrasonic)nois- Bats are nocturnal,hunting North Americaishometo Gardeners inparticular the American Gardener flying mammalshave beenassociatedwithevilanddeath,regarded by someascarriersofdisease. EW ANIMALSHAVE BEEN is so burdened withmythandsuperstitionasbats.For centuries,these throughout theeasternhalfofNorthAmerica. The redbatcanbefoundinwoodedareas mon throughout most oftheUnited and fourinches long,andare also com- browns, butsmaller, onlybetween three cucumber beetles. stinkbugs, mosquitoes,leafhoppers, and efficient feedersprey onJune bugs, ters, andinmanmadebathouses.These barns, belltowers, behindwindow shut- es. Theirfavorite roosts includeattics, length withawingspanofabout13inch- AUA CONNECTIONS NATURAL Little brown bats C look alotlikebig olina. Theircolonies are thelargest con- through Florida andover toSouth Car- United States from Mississippi down found throughout thesoutheastern ofOklahoma.parts Coloniesare also Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and across southernNevada, andsouthern lower elevations throughout California, The BATS ANDLONG-NOSED FREE-TAILED semble deadleaves orpinecones. Florida, roosting intrees where theyre- Mexican free-tailed bat Canada toasfarsouthcentral the Rocky Mountains from found inwoodedareas eastof light offarmers.Red batsare grain moths,muchtothede- corncribs, where theyfeaston known tocongregate around beetles, andcicadas.Theyare as itforagesforcrickets,flies, flight atlow levels mark thisbat Long, pointedwingsandswift bright orangetoyellow-brown. red bat, most beautifulbats,the trees, andinrock outcroppings. eaves ofbuildings,loosebark of males roost undershingles,the areas. Males andunmatedfe- rock crevices, orsimilarwarm doned buildings,hollow trees, maternity coloniesinsideaban- an hour!Mated females form 1,200 mosquito-sized insectsin one outing,eatingasmany consume thousandsofinsectsin ratic flight.Theyvoraciously on thewingby theirswift,er- States. Theycanbeidentified One ofNorth America’s ranges incolorfrom is foundat eastern

BAT CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL HOW YOU CAN HELP BATS Like many other animals in our increasingly urban environment, bats are often the vic- Resources tims of diminishing natural habitats. Gardeners can help provide these useful creatures America’s Neighborhood Bats: Under- with places to feed and live by making a few adaptations to the landscape. standing and Learning to Live in Harmo- ny with Them by Merlin Tuttle. Univer- ■ Bats can be encouraged to live in manmade bat houses if the houses are properly con- sity of Texas Press, Austin, 1997. structed and sited where they will get adequate sunlight and be protected from preda- tors. Bat houses can be purchased, or you can make your own—see “Resources,” right. The Bat: Wings In The Night Sky by M. Brock Fenton. Firefly Books, New ■ Bats prefer habitats with different types of cover, such as a mix of agricultural fields York, New York, 1998. and wooded areas. Plant a variety of perennials, herbs, and night-blooming flowers to lure the insects that will, in turn, attract bats. Bats of the World by Gary L. Graham. Golden Guide, St. Martin Press, New ■ Bats are drawn to aquatic areas, where insect populations tend to be greater. Add a York, New York, 2001. pond or other water feature to your landscape to ensure lucrative foraging for bats. Building Homes for Bats, a 33-minute ■ Avoid using chemical pesticides that can harm non-target organisms such as bats video that includes a complete set of and other wildlife. plans is available for $12.95 on the Web site of Bat Conservation Interna- tional (see below). gregations of mammals in the world. Be- codling and corn borer moths, locusts, sides caves, free-tail bats like to roost in and leafhoppers. Bat Conservation International, (800) culverts, old buildings, tunnels, and Long-nosed bats are a keystone 538-2287. www.batcon.org. This non- under bridges. species in the ecosystems of the Sonoran profit organization is dedicated to pro- When hungry free-tails come out at Desert in the southwestern United tecting and restoring bats and their sundown, humans reap the benefit. In States. These pollinators have long habitats worldwide. central Texas, for example, 100 million tongues that can reach deep into flow- Mexican free-tailed bats cruise over ers for nectar. Bees, moths, lizards, and lawns, gardens, farm fields, and orchards, many birds depend on plants pollinated adept at adjusting to environmental gobbling up some two million pounds of by long-nosed bats, either for food or change. Most produce only one offspring insects every night. This bat is truly the shelter. Without the bats, there would per year and often live in large colonies farmer’s best friend—one of its favorite be serious disruptions to the ecosystem. that can easily be wiped out in a single foods is the number one-ranked agricul- catastrophe. These traits leave bats ex- tural pest in America, the corn earworm SPECIAL NEEDS tremely vulnerable to extinction. With moth. Other crop-damaging pests on the Because they have highly specialized many species suffering population de- bat’s menu include armyworm moths, habitat requirements, bats have not been clines due to loss of roosting habitat, loss of wetlands (which serve as insect-breed- ing grounds), and pesticide poisoning, gardeners can do their part to help stem the tide by making the home landscape more bat-friendly (see the sidebar on this page for how to get started). Welcoming bats to the garden will pay dividends. These winged wonders have long played an important role in nature’s systems of checks and balances. In a healthy ecosystem, for every insect pest we might find, there is a natural predator. One of these is the silent hunter of the night, the under-appreciated bat. 

Jo Ann Abell writes and gardens in Middletown, Maryland. Her article on attracting pollinators to the garden appeared Voracious insect-eaters, bats can consume thousands of mosquitoes, cucumber beetles, and in the September/October 2003 issue of The

BAT CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL other garden pests in a single night. This big brown bat swoops in on a hapless moth. American Gardener.

November / December 2004 45 46 expected tohitsupermarketsnextyear. shows offsomeofthelow-carbpotatoes Chad HutchinsonoftheUniversityFlorida crop,” saysHutchinson, thispotatowon’t Though “it’s notagenetically-engineered carbs aswell as25percent fewercalories. Gainesville. Thatis30percent fewer at theUniversity ofFlorida in son, anassistantprofessor ofhorticulture ChadHutchin-grams, sayspotatoexpert low-carb potatowilldeliver only13 oftheas-yet-unnamed same size serving at about19gramsofcarbohydrates, the Russet Burbank bakingpotatoweighs in grocery stores earlynextyear.grocery the gourmetproduce aislesofAmerica’s pany HZPCandisexpectedtoappearin been developed by the Dutch seedcom- mushrooms. Now, alow-carb potatohas popping uponsupermarket shelves like soup, softdrinks,andeven candyare claimed low-carb versions oficecream, plethora oflow-carb products. Self-pro- take forweight loss,hasgenerateda cating low carbohydrate/high protein in- The popularityoftheAtkins diet,advo- CARB SPUDS GOLOW Horticultural NewsandResearch ImportanttoAmericanGardeners While a 3.5 ounce serving ofatypical While a3.5ounceserving the American Gardener for months,the low-carb spudismeant Unlike storagepotatoes thatmaybeheld for itinthegourmetvegetable section. in supermarkets by January 2005;look cense togrow thispotatoplanstohave it purchased theonlyNorth Americanli- healthful carotenoid content. skin andyellow fleshthat hints ata scribed ashavingexceptionally smooth market.” Superb forbaking,itisde- “look likeanythingthat’s now onthe GARDENER white woodaster aster “the majoritybelongin ception istheArctic-alpine a professorofbiologyattheUniversityWaterloo,Ontario,Canada.“Theoneex- Aster DNA technology,otherresearcherssubsequentlyconfirmedNesom’sconclusions. World species.Using South AmericanandOld that originatedfrom distinct, naturalgroup ican astersarepartofa to showthatNorthAmer- Texas, usedmorphology Research Instituteof search attheBotanical Nesom, nowheadofre- duck. In1994,GuyL. was asplitter’ssitting species-rich genusAster asters. That’sifwecaretobe“BC”—botanicallycorrect. tually changethewaywerefertoacommongenusofflowers—namely, Rumblings intheworldofplanttaxonomythatbeganadecadeagomayeven- Aster LaVista? For now,we’regoingtocontinuethepracticeofcallingthem asters. sents theimpositionofnewname,eventhoughitisscientifically necessary.” are “oftenunpopular,foreveryonehaslearnedthe‘popularusage’ concept,andre- changes, saysRonPetersen,aprofessorofbotanyattheUniversity ofTennessee, some timeforgardeners,horticulturists,andreferencebookstofollowsuit.Name The Florida growers cooperative that Of themanyNorthAmericanspeciesformerlyingenus “Molecular evidencestronglyshowsthattherearenotruemembersofthegenus In adisciplineinwhichgeneraaregenerallyeitherlumpedorsplit,the306 While botanistshavealreadyadoptedthesenomenclaturalchanges,itmaytake (Aster novae-angliae) in NorthAmerica,”saysJohnC.Semple,directoroftheWATHerbariumand C ’ (Aster divaricatus) NOTEBOOK S Eurybia is nowconsidered and NewEnglandaster,right,inthegenusSymphyotrichum. Botanists nowclassifybigleafaster,left,inthegenus Aster culminis.” and Symphyotrichum.” is now sumers within days of harvest. sumers withindaysofharvest. to beeatenfresh andwillreach con- EABs were found in13counties2002. million ashtrees inMichigan, where three years. So far, theyhave destroyed 16 aggressive, theycankillatree intwoto conduct waterandnutrients.They are so ash trees by destroying the vessels that pests from Asiathatattackallspeciesof Emerald ash borers (EAB)are serious UPDATE ASHBORER EMERALD Eurybia divaricata. Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, For example,NewEngland Aster, says Semple, Eurybia, and

FAR LEFT: COURTESY OF THOMAS WRIGHT/ UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA. LEFT: COURTESY OF THOMAS G. BARNES @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS DATABASE (2) TOP: COURTESY OF AL ZELAYA. Lake CountyForestPreserveDistrict. create atrapforemeraldashborersinIllinois’s Kotora securesaplasticstripontreeto Morton ArboretumresearchassistantEric ahead ofthegame.” you’re you’re monitoringandsurveying, yet,” saysMakra, whoaddshopefully, “if check forthepresence oftheinsects. conducting follow-up to observations trees, identifyingstressed specimens,and eling throughout theregion inspecting intheteamareIllinois. EAB experts trav- tor theincidenceofEABinnortheastern agencies inamere eightmonthstomoni- green organizations, andstatefederal assembled ateamof40area communities, ofAgriculture,thepartment arboretum has Makra. With agrantfrom theIllinois De- they are takingaproactive approach. tum aren’t waitingfortheinsect toappear; miles,” addsMakra. six one inawindtunnelanditflew put Arboretum inLisle,Illinois. “They community trees advocate attheMorton tier thanexpected,”saysEdith Makra, covered intwoIndiana counties. nursery. In spring2004,theEABwasdis- Mid-Atlantic—in ashtrees ataMaryland August 2003,theinsectappeared inthe ofNorthing tootherparts America.In mains aseriouspest,infestationisspread- where theEABhasalsoappeared andre- Ohio counties,andinWindsor, Canada, In spiteofquarantinesinMichigan, in “So far, we’re clean,butit’s not over “It’s allaboutpreparedness,” says Horticulturists attheMorton Arbore- threat isenormous.EABnas- “The Web siteat For more informationvisittheacademy’s at theacademythrough March 20,2005. al Bicentennial Exhibition, whichwillbe thatare oftheNation-tion artifacts part will bedisplayed alongwiththeexpedi- Clark Herbarium. and mens collectedbyinitsLewis Lewis my already housessome226driedspeci- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. TheAcade- the Academy ofNatural Sciencesin bition,” opensonNovember 6,2004,at Clark: TheNational Bicentennial Exhi- ebrations, atravelingand exhibit,“Lewis of Discovery expedition. celebrating thebicentennialofCorps Dakota, Oregon, andWashington—are tana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Idaho, Illinois, Kansas,Missouri, Mon- along theirroute tothePacific—in Iowa, and continuinginto2005,placesall nois onMay 14,1804.Beginning in2003 from whatwouldbecomeIlli-departing bled voyage ofdiscovery tothePacific, andWilliamLewis Clark begantheirfa- Two hundred years ago,Meriwether LEWISANDCLARK CELEBRATING Web site,www.kitchengardeners.org. growing vegetables andrecipes, visitKGI’s around theworldalongwiththeirtipsfor featuring profiles ofgardeners from environment. “big picture” issuessuchashealthand the connectionbetween foodandthe erful zation whenherealized there wasapow- Roger Doiron, whofoundedtheorgani- theirownserve day,” saysKGI president Month’, homegardeners andcooksde- month ofFebruary as‘Snack Food companies canestablishtheentire 2004. rated KitchenGarden Day onAugust 22, literally andfiguratively,” KGI inaugu- foods…from ourown backyards, both celebrate the“diversity ofdelicious and more pleasurablefoodsystem.To duced inahealthier, more sustainable, home-grown, home-cookedfoodspro- ganization dedicatedtocelebrating with membersin35countries,isanor- Kitchen Gardeners International (KGI), CELEBRATE GARDENERS KITCHEN Some oftheseherbariumspecimens In additiontothemanyregional cel- To signupforafree e-mailnewsletter “If some of theworld’s largestfood www.acnatsci.org. brand,” saysGilbert. to reallygrowtheSmith&Hawken pany resources,whichwillenable us thrilled wenowhavetheScotts Com- Hawken CEOBarryGilbert.“We are tered inCaliforniasaysSmith & The companywillremainheadquar- opened itsfirstretailstorein1985. plants andupscalegardengoodsthat Hawken, awell-knownpurveyorof Roundup, hasacquiredSmith& such asMiracle-Gro,Ortho,and of fertilizerandpesticideproducts giant ScottsCompany,manufacturer The Ohio-basedlawnandgarden Hawken Scotts AcquiresSmith& 98368. ALSF, Box772,PortTownsend,WA search programsmaybesentto: Seed Fundandtheeducationre- donations forrebuildingtheWorld inventory werelost.Tax-deductible inventory andWorldSeedFundseed erations. Thegroup’scatalogseed ards seedgermplasmforfuturegen- via theWorldSeedFund,andstew- culture, distributesseedtotheneedy pollinated varietiesfororganicagri- Foundation makesavailableopen- Port Townsend,Washington.The Abundant LifeSeedFoundationin to bearson,destroyedtheofficesof On August4,afire,laterdetermined Arson DestroysSeedBank held thispastSeptember. Oved ShifrissFieldatadedication town, Pennsylvania,wererenamed Tomato TrialGardensinDoyles- crop. InShifriss’honor,theBurpee at growingwhathadbeenafinicky abling homegardenerstosucceed olutionized tomatoculturebyen- 1949 afteryearsofbreeding.Itrev- developed the‘BigBoy’tomatoin the BurpeeSeedCompany,Shifriss As DirectorofVegetableResearchat bank award,diedattheageof89. ient ofthe1993AHSLutherBur- plant breeder,geneticist,andrecip- On June25,2004,OvedShifriss, ‘Big Boy’BreederDies PLACES PEOPLE and in theNEWS November /December2004  47 48 55 percent control.” than less offering tropicalspiderwort, on pesticides,” he says, “are not effectivevery abetting theincrease. “Glyphosate-based quate pestmanagementstrategiesare also says Webster. He speculates that inade- ness of this weed has definitely increased,” spread, “the importance and troublesome- apparent the of some for account may Carolina. Northspreadto has Floridaand in pest Georgia. It is also considered a serious USDA Tifton,in Research Service Agricultural the with agronomist search ties,” says Theodore M. Webster, a re- and occurred inover 50Georgia coun- Georgia in counties 29 severein to pest moderate a was it 2003 “by 1999, in ties smothering fields of cotton and peanuts. exploded, recently has population its the Federal Noxious Weed List since 1983, the United States for seven decades and on South.PresentAmerican the invading in halensis), also called tropical spiderwort, is dayflower Benghal BENGHAL DAYFLOWER INVADES THE SOUTH Observed in only five Georgia coun- Georgiafive only in Observed While increasing awareness of the weed the American Gardener (Commelina beng- leaving onlyafewcornstalkstostand. that hasbeenentirelyovertakenbytheplant, Theodore WebsterstandsamidaGeorgiacornfield In thephotoabove,USDAresearchagronomist Benghal dayflower,left,looksdeceptivelybenign.

TOP: COURTESY OF A. STANLEY CULPEPPER, UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA–TIFTON. BOTTOM: HERB PILCHER/COURTESY OF USDA-ARS BOOKC REVIEWS

Recommendations for Your Gardening Library

Gardening the Mediterranean Way: The goal is an artistic, harmonious, and peaceful garden that How to Create a Waterwise, Drought-Tolerant Garden. extends the beauty of surrounding nature. Heidi Gildemeister. Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, New York, 2004. For those of us who live in the coastal zones of California, 222 pages. Publisher’s price, hardcover: $35. Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates, edited by Nora Harlow, provides instant practical help. It is one of the best Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates. books on Mediterranean gardening I have yet encountered be- Nora Harlow, editor. East Bay Municipal Utility District, Oakland, Cal- cause it’s well organized, highly informative, and gallops along ifornia, 2004. 336 pages. Publisher’s price, hardcover: $49.95. in an entertaining manner. Though this book is aimed at Bay Area gardeners and incorporates the views of a number of dis- MEDITERRANEAN GARDENING looks easy but is not. tinguished northern California experts, most of the plants il- Those of us who live in these challenging zones need all the help lustrated in the 547 color photographs grow equally well in we can get to make our gardens interesting, practical, and beau- southern California. tiful while at the same time conserving water. The two books Almost without exception, the reviewed here offer gardeners ample plants discussed in this book are help towards achieving these goals, colorful. They bring contrast and, but they differ in approach. yes—willy-nilly—excitement to Heidi Gildemeister, a founder any garden. The photographs in and past president of the Mediter- the opening chapters show ranean Garden Society, preaches drought-resistant plants in various restraint in Gardening the Mediter- landscape situations. The illustrat- ranean Way. It is easy to understand ed plant catalog identifies 650 trees, why she states it is not necessary to shrubs, perennials, and climbers “splash contrasting colors around,” to adapted to our dry summers. A sec- use plants with contrasting shapes, or tion called “Plants for Special Places” helps gardeners choose to strive for “constant display” and “excitement.” Where she lives, plants for specific needs. nature alone provides the excitement. These two books offer readers a stimulating choice of gar- A few years ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Gildemeister’s dening styles. Gildemeister’s garden philosophy brings about a garden, nestled in a dramatic setting on the island of Majorca. distinctive Mediterranean look of mounded shrubs and simple The narrow road to the house plunged steeply past a romantic planting, while the book edited by Harlow definitely leans more sheep field studded with immense limestone rocks and cliffs, to the wild side of summer-dry gardening. sculpted by wind and rain. These rocks are shown in some of —Pat Welsh the author’s stunning, 200-plus photographs, which will appeal to artists and gardeners alike. As I followed a gently curving Pat Welsh is the author of Pat Welsh’s Southern California Gar- path edged with well-groomed shrubs and enjoyed vistas of the dening: A Month-by-Month Guide (Chronicle Books, 1999) azure Mediterranean framed by ancient trees, I realized her and The AHS Southwest SMARTGARDEN™ Regional Guide techniques had resulted in a uniquely beautiful landscape using (DK Publishing, 2004). She lives and gardens in Del Mar, Cali- far less irrigation than most Californians would apply to a gar- fornia. den of similar size. There are some familiar themes in this book, such as using Planting Green Roofs And Living Walls. trees to frame views, planting bulbs that can survive on rainfall Nigel Dunnett and Noël Kingsbury. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, alone, and using borrowed scenery. But, instead of planting for 2004. 256 pages. Publisher’s price, hardcover: $34.95. shock and surprise as advised in some garden books, Gilde- meister suggests creating peacefulness by pruning shrubs into THIS BOOK COULD NOT have come at a better time. With low, rounded shapes, and using repetition in place of variety. the emerging green roof market gathering steam but lacking Rather than amassing “vast numbers of species,” she counsels written resources, Nigel Dunnett, senior lecturer at the Uni- gardeners to stay with the few tried and true. versity of Sheffield, England, and Noël Kingsbury, a well- Overall, the book tells Mediterranean gardeners how to co- known British garden writer, have given this growing operate with their environment and the long summer drought. landscape sector its first reference with broad appeal.

November / December 2004 49 Combining an attractive, well-organized format with a formi- dable wealth of information, Dunnett and Kingsbury start off ARDENS are not just for the eyes. They can be for the with the history and evolution of G nose, too, as Anne Lovejoy points out in her book, Fra- green roofs and mention many fasci- grance in Bloom: The Scented Gar- nating examples of contemporary den Throughout the Year green roofs from around the world. (Sasquatch Books, 2004, 212 They explore in depth the economic, pages, softcover, $19.95). As aesthetic, environmental, and other Lovejoy explains, “This book will benefits behind their popularity today. help to guide you through the se- Better still, they explain in layman’s lection process so that you end up terms how these landscapes can exist with plants that are regionally ap- in less than six inches of medium and propriate and beautiful as well as why, because of this, all green roof marvelously scented.” She em- components have to be carefully considered and planned. phasizes using plants in concert The authors also delve into the related concept and practice of and orchestrating the garden to provide a symphony of scents creating living walls—technically known as “façade greening.” throughout the year. Lovejoy’s writing is so vivid, the reader Plentiful photographs illustrate the geographic and design range can almost smell what she’s describing. Beautiful photographs of these innovative ways to green up the sides of buildings. For by Lynne Harrison further enhance this feast for the senses. both façades and roofs, the book’s photographs, tables, and —Viveka Neveln, Editorial Intern schematics are helpful for novice and professional gardeners alike. Most of the information and examples used in the book are derived from Europe, which leads the way in green roofs and liv- I highly recommend this book and look forward to many ing walls, so specific choices relative to plant selections will have more on this subject as the industry grows. I say to the authors, to be tempered against regional requirements in North America. in my best British accent, “Well done, indeed.”  Having noted that, Dunnett and Kingsbury offer plant sugges- —Ed Snodgrass tions throughout the book, as well as convenient plant directo- ries at the end of the book. These plants are excellent starting Ed Snodgrass is the owner and president of Emory Knoll Farms and points for anyone interested in installing a green roof or wall in Green Roof Plants in Street, Maryland. He lectures widely on green the United States or Canada. roofs at regional, national, and international conferences.

Join expert horticulturists, designers and Colonial WWilliamsburgilliamsburg landscape professionals as they discuss garden design and recommend plants that will inspire you to start planting next spring. 59TH G ARDEN 59S YMPOSIUMth I NSPIRING I DEAS FOR THE H OME G ARDENER For program information, call: 800-603-09481-800-603-0948 April 3–5, 2005 email: [email protected] CO-SPONSORED BY

© 2004 The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation &

50 the American Gardener GARDENERC’S BOOKS

Books for Young Gardeners

Y NEPHEWS, eight-year-old Thomas and by Eileen Spinelli with illustrations by Marcy Ramsey (Simon M five-year-old Jack, love books and also love & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2004, hardcover, $15.95). growing things and being outdoors, so I often try Recommended for ages four to eight, this book features easy- to-read poems and lively pictures about one family’s backyard to find books for them that will encourage their adventures through the seasons. penchant for gardening. However, with scads of Children from four to eight will find inspiration as well as children’s literature on the market, selecting just the instructions for starting their own gardens in Eddie’s Garden and How to Make Things Grow by Sarah Garland (Frances right book becomes a real challenge. Of the garden- Lincoln, 2004, hardcover, $15.95). related books for children published this year, here Young readers follow Eddie, his lit- are some our editorial staff particularly enjoyed. tle sister Lily, and his mother as they buy supplies, dig the earth, plant One of the sweetest joys of gardening is, quite literally, en- and water the seeds, and watch joying the fruits of your labor. Lois Ehlert weaves this theme everything grow. The colorful, into her new book, Pie in the Sky (Harcourt, Inc., 2004, botanically accurate illustrations hardcover, $16) for ages three to seven. Told from the point of bring the story to life. There’s a view of a child, the story cen- handy how-to section at the end for ters around a tree that the fa- growing plants mentioned in the ther calls a pie tree. The story. skeptical child watches the tree Dig, Plant, Grow by Felder through the seasons but sees no Rushing (Cool Springs Press, 2004, pie. At last, the tree yields cher- softcover, $16.99) is packed with fun ries, which they make into a projects that encourage kids aged six to tasty pie (recipe included). Col- 10 to get creative, experiment, and learn orful collage illustrations en- about plants and the outdoors. The hance the book’s appeal. book also includes a list of easy plants A variety of creatures appear in Whose Garden Is It? by Mary for kids to get to know and grow from Ann Hoberman and illustrated by Jane Dyer (Harcourt, 2004, “Awesome Annuals” to “Super Shrubs.” hardcover, $16). Rhyming verses and whimsical illustrations in- Adults can check out the special section for teachers and parents. It has ideas for how they can help kids learn even more from the projects and plants. Kids age eight and up will enjoy the picture book biography, The Flower Hunter: William Bartram, America’s First Naturalist by Deborah Kogan Ray (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Inc., 2004, hardcover, $17). Starting as an eight-year- old, Bartram tells the story through journal entries as he grows up in the 1700s. As a boy, he accompa- nies his botanist father, John, on col- lecting expeditions. Then, as an adult, he explores wild parts of America on his own and describes troduce kids from three to seven to all the characters that might his adventures while discovering “own” a garden. In addition to the gardener himself, rabbits, new plants and peoples. Beautiful worms, insects, plants, and other denizens all stake a claim. Even paintings and maps by the author the soil, sun, and rain explain their important role in the garden. accompany the story.  For a look at the sweet and often humorous memories a fam- ily can create in their garden, there’s In Our Backyard Garden Viveka Neveln, Editorial Intern

November / December 2004 51 GIFTS FORC THE GARDENER

or the gardeners on your list—or to treat yourself— here are F some nifty gift ideas for green thumbs young and old.

Solar Lantern Bird Feeder This elegant and unique state-of-the-art feeder holds 21/2 pounds of birdseed. Six solar-powered LEDs turn the TM feeder into a lantern at Ladybug Clogs night. Available from Made especially for women, these AHS A-Z Encyclopedia Gardener’s Supply Company durable, waterproof garden clogs come for $125. (800) 427-3363. in a variety of colors as well as some of Garden Plants www.gardeners.com zany new designs such as “butterfly” Newly revised and updated, this (shown) and “daisybug.” They range in indispensable gardening reference book price from $20 to $25, depending on features 15,000 plants and thousands of the retailer, and come in whole sizes color photographs. To order, visit from 5 to 11. You’ll find them for www.ahs.org and click on the “Books” link $19.95 from Greenshoes. to order from amazon.com for $54.40. (877) 499-4768. www.greenshoes.com.

Hedgehog Thumbpot Waterer Add whimsy to watering with this terracotta critter. Sub- merge it in water to fill it, then place a thumb over the hole on the top. Water comes out the fine holes at the bottom when you remove your TM thumb. Available from Poetry Stones Kit Kinsman Company for Make one-of-a-kind concrete plant markers, path pavers, or $10.95. (800) 733-4146. flower bed poem plaques with these do-it-yourself kits. Four www.kinsmangarden.com. different versions are available: Marker Stones, Creative Step- ping Stones, Words In Stone, and Poetry Stones Deluxe. Kits contain everything you need to complete each project. Priced from $24.95 to $49.95. To order, call (800) 370-7697 or visit www.magneticpoetry.com.

52 the American Gardener Gilded Leaf Ornaments

These unique ornaments will add glittering beauty to the holiday tree. Real maple, redwood, and oak leaves are dipped in copper, nickel, and then gold. A gilded seed accompanies each leaf. Gardener’s Supply Company sells them for $18.95 each or $17.50 for two or more. Radiant Sun Wall Art (800) 427-3363. www.gardeners.com. Brighten up the indoors or outdoors with this unique wall sculpture by artist Michael Nathan. Made from barrel lids of 16-gauge steel and painted with a copper Raku finish, Kid-sized Tools each one measures 231/2 inches in diame- Made with forged steel and ter. Available from Garden Artisans for $85. hard wood, these tools (410) 721-6185. www.gardenartisans.com. allow little hands and arms to get a grip on gardening. A six-piece set sells for $44.95, with mix-and- match options, from the National Gardening Associ- ation. (800) 538-7476. www.kidsgardening.com.

Macroscope Get up close and per- sonal with flowers, in- sects, and more with this magnifying gadget. It can focus on a subject as close as 18 inch- Maine Garden Hods es, allowing you to see tiny details Modeled on traditional clam-collecting baskets known clearly. Available for $149 from as hods, these wood-framed harvesting baskets are Rittenhouse at (877) 488-1914 and both practical and attractive. The open wire body www.rittenhouse.ca or from Close To makes hosing your vegetables clean in the garden a Infinity at (907) 258-1505 and snap. Lee Valley offers a medium size for $31.50 www.closetoinfinity.com. and a large size for $38.50. (800) 871-8158. www.leevalley.com.

Products profiled are chosen based on qualities such as innovative design, horticultural utility, and environmental responsibility; they have not been tested by the American Horticultural Society. Listed prices are subject to change. Send new product information to New Products, The American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308, or e-mail to [email protected]..

November / December 2004 53 54 RAP 3926. Stockbridge, Massachusetts.(413)298- bition andsale.BerkshireBotanicalGarden. NOV. 25–JAN2. NOV. 20–JAN.9. NOV. 20&21. RAP RAP 295-1107. mory. EastGreenwich,RhodeIsland.(401) 3rd AnnualOrchidShow&Sale. (207) 633-4333.www.mainegardens.org. Maine BotanicalGardens.Boothbay,Maine. York. (718)817-8700. The NewYorkBotanicalGarden.Bronx, RAP York. (718)623-7200. Brooklyn BotanicGarden.Brooklyn,New culture Exhibit. Gardens. KennettSquare,Pennsylvania. Longwood Gardens.Display. RAP www.wavehill.org. Hill. Bronx,NewYork.(718)549-3200. made Cider. (301) 962-1453. Gardens. Wheaton,Maryland. Admissions Programareidentifiedwiththe arboreta thatparticipateinAHS’sReciprocal Events hostedbybotanicalgardensand RAP are identifiedwiththe participation byAHSorstaffmembers Events sponsoredbyorincludingofficial ww.ahs.org/events/reciprocal_events.htm. contact thehostsitefordetails orvisit benefits. Specialeventsmaynotbe included; discounted admissiontothegarden orother valid membershipcardareeligible for freeor the American Gardener DEC 12. DEC. 4&5. NOV. 21. NOV. 20–JAN.9. NOV. 19–JAN.9. symbol. CurrentAHSmembersshowing a www.berkshirebotanical.org. PA, NJ,VA,MD,DE,WV,DC www.oceanstateorchidsociety.org. CT, MA,ME,NH,NY,RI,VT Garden demonstration.Wave Ocean StateOrchidSociety’s Holiday HouseTour. MID-ATLANTIC Heirloom ApplesandHome- Christmas Bloomsat Garden ofLights. NORTHEAST Steinhardt Conservatory. Holiday Marketplace.Exhi- www.brooksidegardens.org. Horticultural EventsfromAroundtheCountry Holiday TrainShow. Winter HolidayHorti- AHS www.nybg.org. www.bbg.org. symbol. Varnum Ar- Brookside Coastal AHS www.lewisginter.org. Virginia. (804)262-9887. Lewis GinterBotanicalGarden.Richmond, (703) 768-5700.www.ahs.org. River Farm.Alexandria,Virginia. Farm. DEC. 1&8. www.hillwoodmuseum.org. dens. Washington, DC.(202)686-5807. Demonstration. RAP gardens.org. (610) 388-1000.www.longwood (703) 777-3174.Formoreinformation,gotowww.oatlands.org. shop, whichofferalargeanduniqueselectionofholidaygifts.Toarrangetour,call cent discountonpurchasesfromtheCarriageHouseGiftShopandPottingShed bers receivefreeadmissiontothegardensandgrounds.Membersalsoa10per- 31 untilMarch28toprepareforthe2005springseason. of November27,December11,and18.Oatlandswillclosefrom Sundays from1p.m.to4Specialcandlelighttourswillbeofferedontheevenings from 10a.m.to4p.m.andon ed MondaythroughSaturday operation,” saysBoyce. ues toserveasasuccessfulretail the PottingShedportioncontin- now propagatingoutofit,while centennial. “Ourgardenstaffis year, justintimeforOatlands’bi- restoration wascompletedthis which wasbuiltin1810.Its stored greenhouseinthecountry, mal gardensandtheoldestre- plants. Itfeaturesfouracresoffor- collection ofraretreesandother Carter, includesanextraordinary according toDavidBoyce,theexecutivedirector. County.” Thedecorationsareguaranteedto“catapultyouintotheyuletidespirit,” “Christmas atOatlands”festival.Thisyear’sthemeis“Child’sChristmasinLoudoun vation locatedinLeesburg,Virginia,willwrapupitsbicentennialyearwithannual OATLANDS PLANTATION Oatlands CelebratesBicentennialYear EINLHAPPENINGS REGIONAL As OatlandsisaReciprocalAdmissionsProgram(RAP)participant,AHSmem- Holiday tourswillbeconduct- This historic360-acreproperty,oncethehomeofVirginiagentrymanGeorge DEC. 1–23. NOV. 26–JAN.2. American HorticulturalSociety. Holiday PlantDisplaysandCare C Hillwood Museum&Gar- Holiday DisplayatRiver GardenFest ofLights. , apropertyoftheNationalTrustforHistoricPreser- will beopenforthreecandlelighttours. The houseatOatlands,decoratedfortheholidays, spring.org. Virginia. (703)642-5173. shops. GreenSpringGardens.Alexandria, JAN. 21–23. DEC. 7. RAP www.scottarboretum.org. Pennsylvania. (610)328-8025. of SwarthmoreCollege.Swarthmore, Gardening. RAP Looking ahead DC. (202)245-2726. hibit. U.S.NationalArboretum.Washington, JAN. 1–9. DEC. 4. —Viveka Neveln,EditorialInter Separate Beds:StoriesofSuccessful Virginia Flower& GardenShow. Free lecture.ScottArboretum Gardeners’ Holiday. Bonsai WinterSilhouettes. www.usna.usda.gov. www.green Work- n Ex-

COURTESY OF OATLANDS The Virginia Horticultural Foundation. Vir- Looking ahead Holiday display. Stan Hywet Hall and Gar- ginia Beach Pavilion. Virginia Beach, Vir- JAN. 20–22. The Tampa Bay Flower Show. dens. Akron, Ohio. (888) 836-5533. ginia. (877) 882-0057. www.vafgs.org. Tropicana Field. St. Petersburg, Florida. www.hallandgardens.com. (727) 596-1204. www.flowershow.com. RAP NOV. 26–JAN. 2. Celebrations! A Festival SOUTHEAST JAN. 21–23. 19th Annual Southern Gardening of Flowers, Lights & Music. Chicago Botanic AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN Symposium. Callaway Gardens. Pine Moun- Garden. Glencoe, Illinois. (847) 835-5440. RAP NOV. 19–21. Deerfield Orchid Society tain, Georgia. (800) 225-5292. www.chicagobotanic.org. Show. American Orchid Society Visitor Cen- www.callawayonline.com. ter and Botanical Garden. Delray Beach, RAP NOV. 26–JAN. 2. Wintershow. Holiday Florida. (561) 404-2000. www.aos.org. JAN. 22. Garden Gurus VII. Plant sale, auc- display. Cleveland Botanical Garden. tion, and workshops plus speaker P. Allen Cleveland, Ohio. (216) 721-1600. RAP NOV. 20. Southern Medicinal Plants, A Smith. Purchase Area Master Gardener www.cbgarden.org. Living Tradition. Symposium. Atlanta Botan- Association. Paducah, Kentucky. ical Garden. Atlanta, Georgia. (404) 591- (270) 554-9520. http://ces.ca.uky.edu/ NOV. 27 & 28. Saginaw Valley Orchid Society 1551. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org. mccracken/horticulture/gardengurus.htm. Show. Saginaw Valley Orchid Society. Midland, Michigan. (989) 465-1634. AHS DEC. 3 & 4. Great Southern Tree NORTH CENTRAL Conference. AHS President Katy Moss RAP DEC. 4–31. Holiday Express—Flower IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI Warner will speak at this event. Hilton and Model Train Show. Olbrich Botanical University of Florida Conference Center NOV. 22–JAN 2. A Victorian Christmas Conser- Gardens. Madison, Wisconsin. (608) 246- and the GSTC Demonstration Site. vatory Display. Holiday display. Reiman 4550. www.olbrich.org. Gainesville, Florida. (800) 375-3642. Gardens. Iowa State University. Ames, Iowa. www.greatsoutherntreeconference.org. (515) 294-2710. www.reimangardens. DEC. 8 & 9. Pesticide Resistance Manage- iastate.edu. ment. Online workshop. University of DEC. 5. 36th Annual Christmas Tour of Nebraska–Lincoln. Lincoln, Nebraska. Homes. The Garden Club of Saint Augustine. RAP NOV. 25–JAN 2. Christmas Around the (402) 472-3030. www.unl.edu. St. Augustine, Florida. (904) 471-2165. World & Holiday Traditions. Holiday display and festival. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Looking ahead RAP DEC. 5. Holiday in the Garden. Sculpture Park. Grand Rapids, Michigan. AHS JAN. 13. Salvation by Design. Lecture Festival. Atlanta Botanical Garden. (616) 957-1580. www.meijergardens.org. by Tres Fromme. Cleveland Botanical Gar- Atlanta, Georgia. (404) 591-1551. den. Cleveland, Ohio. (216) 721-1600. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org. RAP NOV. 26–DEC. 30. Deck the Hall! www.cbgarden.org.

AHS President's Council Philadelphia Flower Show and Gardens Tour March 3–5, 2005

2005 “Gardener’s” Calendar $6.95 ($59.00 for 10) Postpaid

xclusively for AHS President’s Council Members, this 2004 Computer Screen Saver Eexcursion will include special tours of the must-see gardens in $10.00 Postpaid the Philadelphia area as well as a chance to attend the pre-opening party at the Philadelphia 13 prize color photos in both items Flower Show. AHS has partnered with the Show on the entrance exhibit featuring The Gardeners of America restored historic White House Men’s Garden Club of America gates on loan from AHS—the theme “America the Beautiful” Box 241 says it all. Johnston, IA 50131-0241 Phone: 515-278-0295 For more information on this tour, or to find out how to join the President’s Council, call Joe Lamoglia at (703) 768-5700 ext. 115. www.GardenersOfAmerica.org

November / December 2004 55 56 RAP www.descansogardens.org. Flintridge, California.(818)949-4200. tions. RAP Missouri. (314)577-9400. Show. 661-1316. Garden. SanFrancisco,California. (415) Gate. RAP www.redbuttegarden.org. Lake City,Utah.(801)581-4747. Butte Garden.UniversityofUtah.Salt RAP JAN. 7–9. RAP JAN. 14–16. RAP RAP www.phoenixhomeshow.com. Phoenix, Arizona.(800)995-1295. den Show. (214) 515-6500.www.dallasarboretum.org. tum. RAP 366-4664. Springs NationalPark,Arkansas.(800) play. RAP Looking ahead www.southbayhomeshow.com. Clara, California.(800)765-3976. Show. (818) 949-4200.www.descansogardens.org. Gardens. LaCañadaFlintridge,California. RAP www.tucsonbotanical.org. Tucson, Arizona.(520)326-9686. Holiday display.TucsonBotanicalGarden. Looking ahead www.wcbotanic.org. tion, Colorado.(970)245-3288. Colorado BotanicalGardens.GrandJunc- Open House. Dallas Arboretum.Dallas,Texas. the American Gardener Garvan WoodlandGardens.Hot Symposium. SanFranciscoBotanical DEC. 10&17. DEC. 4–12. DEC. 4&5. NOV. 26–DEC.31. NOV. 24–JAN.2. NOV. 20–DEC.30. NOV. 27–JAN.1. JAN 28&29. DEC. 10–27. DEC. 4&5. Descanso Gardens.LaCañada Missouri BotanicalGarden.St.Louis, Santa ClaraConventionCenter. South BaySpringHome&Garden Arizona StateFairgrounds. Maricopa CountyHome&Gar- AR, KS,LA,MO,MS,OK,TX www.sfbotanicalgarden.org. www.garvangardens.org. SOUTH CENTRAL AK, ID,MT,OR,WA,WY Holiday display.Western WEST COAST NORTHWEST SOUTHWEST Luminaria Lights. AZ, NM,CO,UT Wreath-making demonstra- Wreath Workshops. Holiday Festival. Beyond theGarden CA, NV,HI Annual Holiday Holiday FlowerandTrain Garden d’Lights. Holiday attheArbore- Holiday LightsDis- www.mobot.org. Descanso Red Holi- gardenshow.com. (253) 756-2121.www.tacomahomeand Tacoma Dome.Tacoma,Washington. Looking ahead www.bellevuebotanical.org. Bellevue, Washington.(425)451-3755. day display.BellevueBotanicalGarden. JAN. 26–30. botanic.org/education.html. workshop isonDecember14.Toregister,call(847)835-8261orvisit uary 8.Forthosewishingtogetintotheholidayspirit,“Merry,BerryWreath” on December7and“GardeningTechniques:WinterPlantsinPerspective”Jan- able. Choosefromseveralseasonalclassessuchas“WinterWindowBoxWorkshop” classes onplants,gardendesign,botany,landscaping,andmanyothertopicsareavail- www.nybg.org/edu. formation, call(800)322-6924orvisit uary 26.Forregistrationandotherin- every WednesdayfromJanuary5toJan- Maintenance,” whichwilltakeplace such as“AdvancedLandscapeCareand enced gardeners,thereareprograms plant selectionandcare.Forexperi- on January15.Bothclasseswillcover tive TreesandShrubsforLandscaping” Perennials.” Roellerwillalsoteach“Na- ies, willteachaclasson“Native dens attheInstituteofEcosystemStud- Brad Roeller,managerofdisplaygar- tive plantsinthegarden.OnJanuary8, area ofgrowinginterestistheusena- classes tomorein-depthcourses.One offers everythingfromshorthow-to available atthreegardensindifferentregionsofthecountry. professionals busyduringthedormantseason.Here’salookatsomeofprograms offer avarietyofcourses,lectures,andworkshopstokeepbothhomegardeners come indoorsandbrushuponyourhorticulturalknowledge.Manybotanicgardens AS GARDENSSLOWDOWN Winter ClassesforGardeners like thisoneonbonsai,oftendrawacrowd. Workshops atSanFranciscoBotanicalGarden, At Through theSchoolofChicagoBotanicGarden, The San FranciscoBotanicalGarden New YorkBotanicalGarden Tacoma HomeandGardenShow. during thecoldermonths,it’sperfecttimeto at StrybingArboretum,studentsmaychoose Botanical Gardenarealwayspopular. Flower-arranging classesatTheNewYork www.butchartgardens.com. British Columbia.(866)652-4422. iday display.TheButchartGardens. Victoria, DEC. 2. DEC. 1–JAN.6. 878-9274. Garden. Vancouver, BritishColumbia.(604) dens ofIreland. more information. visit grams. Call(415)661-1316ext.354or Registration isrequiredforallpro- classes andtwoSundayfieldtrips. cation duringsixTuesdayevening such asplantphysiologyandclassifi- tion toBotany”willexploretopics 10. StartingonJanuary11,“Introduc- Natives inContainers”onDecember cember 6,12,and13,“Growing clude “FernsintheGarden”onDe- from acornucopiaofclasses.Thesein- —Viveka Neveln,EditorialIntern A GulfIslandGardenerintheGar- www.sfbotanicalgarden.org www.vandusengarden.org. Christmas attheGardens. introductory toadvanced Lecture. VanDusenBotanical CANADA www.chicago for  Hol-

TOP: COURTESY OF THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN. BOTTOM: COURTESY OF SAN FRANCISCO BOTANICAL GARDEN Join us now to take advantage of the many benefits of membership in the American Horticultural Society

As an AHS member, you get The American Gardener Our beautiful full-color bi-monthly magazine offers in- Heat Tolerance Map In 1997, AHS introduced the AHS depth articles written by plant and gardening experts and enthusiasts. Plant Heat Zone Map, which has revolutionized the way American gardeners select region-appropriate plants. Free Admission or special discounts to 170 public gardens and flower and garden shows across the United States and Canada. Book Program AHS and DK Publishing, Inc., have teamed up to create a definitive horticultural Free Seed Exchange Program AHS’s annual seed exchange program enables reference library for the 21st century. members to obtain hundreds of uncommon varieties of seeds. SMARTGARDEN™ Launched in 2000, this AHS program uses Travel Study Program AHS and the Leonard Haertter Travel Company offer existing tools, such as the USDA Plant Hardiness and AHS Plant Heat Zone codes, superb national and international garden-based, educational tours to beautiful and considers new criteria to develop guidelines that best reinforce our private and public gardens in the United States and abroad. stewardship of the earth.

Special invitations to educational programs such as the AHS Garden Schools and Horticultural Intern Program Horticulture students from around the country get AHS partner events that include the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival hand's-on experience in garden maintenance and design and an opportunity to and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Garden Symposium. work with leading gardening experts.

AHS Online Our Web site (www.ahs.org) contains a wealth of information, National Awards Program The Great American Gardeners Awards recognizes including articles from The American Gardener, members-only pages with special individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to information and updates, and links to other prominent gardening sites. horticulture. The Flower Show Awards spotlight earth-friendly garden displays at flower shows. Noteworthy garden books are the focus for our Book Awards program. Your membership also supports our many national programs Annual Membership Levels George Washington's River Farm The AHS's National Headquarters is located on a Annual membership in the American Horticultural Society, including six issues of The scenic 25-acre site overlooking the Potomac River. Formerly one of our First American Gardener magazine and all the benefits described on this page, is available President's farms, the property now features an artful blend of naturalistic and at the following levels: formal gardens that offer year-round delight to visitors of all ages. • $35 Individual • $1,000 President's Council National Children and Youth Garden Symposium Since 1993, this annual program • $50 Family • Corporate Membership (contact our office) has led the way in promoting the value of children's gardens and garden-based • $50 International • Horticultural Partner (contact our office) education.

The Growing Connection This innovative educational program teaches children about the science of growing food plants and their role in a healthy diet. Please join the AHS family.

Online Gardening Courses Enroll in state-of-the-art online garden classes through To become a member, call (703) 768-5700 AHS's partnership with the Horticultural Gardening Institute of Michigan State University. or visit us at www.ahs.org GARDENC MARKET

CLASSIFIED AD RATES: All classified advertising must be prepaid. $2.50 per word; mini- mum $60 per insertion. Copy and prepayment must be received on the 20th of the month three months prior to publication date. To place an advertisement, call (703) 768-5700.

BOOKSPLANT LABELS PLANT LABELS

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ROEHRS CO., 1230 Hwy 33, Farmingdale, NJ 07727. (732) 938-5111. fax (732) 938-3075. www.roehrsco.com. LET OUR READERS KNOW ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS. GIFTS To place your ad here or to request a media kit, call The American Gardener Fine Art Photo Notecards, Calendars, Notepads Dramatic Hosta and Perennial Images by advertising office at Photographer / Adv. Master Gardener / AHS Member Bobbe A. Luce (703) 768-5700 ext. 120. Visit us at WildWood-Collections.com

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58 the American Gardener PRONUNCIATIONSC AND PLANTING ZONES

Most of the cultivated plants described in this issue are listed here with their pronunciations, USDA Plant Hardiness Zones—based on the 2003 revised hardiness map, which is currently under review by the USDA—and AHS Plant Heat Zones. These zones suggest a range of locations where temperatures are appropriate—both in winter and summer—for growing each plant. While the zones are a good place to start in determining plant adaptability in your region, factors such as exposure, moisture, snow cover, and humidity also play an impor- tant role in plant survival. The codes tend to be conservative; plants may grow outside the ranges indicated. A USDA zone rating of 0–0 means that the plant is a true annual and completes its life cycle in

AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 7931 East Boulevard Drive a year or less. To purchase a two-by-three-foot glossy AHS Plant Heat Alexandria, VA 22308 U.S.A. (703) 768-5700 Fax (703) 768-8700

Coordinated by: Zone Map for $9.95, call (800) 777-7931 or visit www.ahs.org. Har- Dr. H. Marc Cathey, President Emeritus Compiled by: diness and Heat zone codes are generated by AHS and documented Meteorological Evaluation Services Co., Inc. Underwriting by: American Horticultural Society Goldsmith Seed Company Horticultural Research Institute of the © American Nursery and Landscape Association in the Showtime database, owned by Arabella Dane. Monrovia Time Life Inc.

Copyright © 1997 by the American Horticultural Society

A–D E–L M. gracilipes M. gruh-SIL-ih-pees Phacelia campanularia fuh-SEE- (8–9, 9–8) lee-uh kam-pan-yew-LAIR-ee-uh Agastache aurantiaca Echinacea purpurea ek-ih-NAY-see- M. japonica M. jah-PON-ih-kuh (0–0, 9–1) ah-guh-STAH-she ar-an-tih-AY-kuh uh pur-PUR-ee-uh (3–9, 9–1) (7–9, 9–7) P. tanacetifolia P. tan-uh-see-tih- (USDA 7–10, AHS 10–7) Epigaea repens ep-ih-GEE-uh M. lomariifolia M. lom-ar-ee-ih-FO- FO-lee-uh (0–0, 9–1) A. cana A. KAN-uh (6–11, 12–1) REP-enz (3–9, 9–1) lee-uh (8–9, 9–5) Picea pungens PY-see-uh A. foeniculum A. fee-NIK-yew-lum Fagus sylvatica FAY-gus sil-VAT-ih- M. mairei M. MARE-ee-eye PUN-jenz (3–8, 8–1) (4–11, 12–5) kuh (4–7, 9–4) (8–9, 9–5) A. scrophulariifolia A. skrof-yew-lar- Ilex crenata EYE-leks kreh-NAY- M. ✕media M. MEE-dee-uh Q–Z ee-ih-FO-lee-ah (4–9, 9–1) tuh (5–7, 7–5) (7–9, 9–5) Antirrhinum majus an-tihr-RYE-num I. opaca I. o-PAH-kuh (5–9, 9–5) Quercus robur KWER-kus RO-bur M. nervosa M. ner-VO-suh MAY-juss (7–9, 9–1) I. vomitoria I. vom-ih-TOR-ee-uh (5–8, 8–3) (5–7, 7–5) Brassica oleracea BRASS-ih-kuh (7–11, 12–7) Rosa eglanteria RO-zuh egg-lan- M. nevinii M. neh-VIN-ee-eye o-luh-RAY-see-uh (0–0, 8–1) Illicium floridanum ih-LISS-ee-um TER-ee-uh (4–9, 9–1) (7–10, 10–7) Calendula officinalis kuh-LEN-djew- flor-ih-DAN-um (7–9, 9–4) R. primula R. PRIM-yew-luh M. pinnata M. pin-NAY-tuh lah o-fiss-ih-NAL-iss (0–0, 6–1) Juniperus chinensis joo-NIP-er-iss (5–9, 9–5) (5–9, 9–1) Calocedrus decurrens kal-o-SEED- chy-NEN-sis (5–9, 9–5) R. villosa R. vih-LO-suh M. repens M. REP-enz (4–9, 9–1) rus deh-KUR-renz (5–8, 8–1) J. communis J. com-YEW-niss (5–12, 12-1) M. ✕savillii M. sah-VIL-ee-eye Calycanthus floridus kal-ee-KAN- (2–7, 7–1) Salvia carduacea SAL-vee-uh (8–9, 9–8) thus FLOR-ih-dus (5–9, 9–1) J. scopulorum J. skop-yew-LOR-um kar-dyew-AY-see-uh (8–10, 10–8) M. trifoliata M. tri-fo-lee-AY-tuh C. occidentalis C. ahk-sih-den-TAL- (4–7, 7–1) S. clevelandii S. cleev-LAND-ee- (8–10, 10–8) iss (6–9, 9–6) Lavandula angustifolia lah-VAN- eye (8–10, 10–1) M. veitchiorum M. vee-CHEE-or-um Chamaecyparis obtusa kam-ee- dyew-luh ang-gus-tih-FO-lee-uh S. dorisiana S. dor-ih-SEE-ay-nuh (4–9, 9–5) SIP-uh-riss ahb-TOO-suh (5–8, 8–5) (9–10, 10–9) M. ✕wagneri M. wag-NUR-eye (4–8, 8–3) L. dentata L. den-TAY-tuh (5–9, 9–4) S. elegans S. EL-ih-ganz (7–9, 9–7) Chamaemelum nobile kam-may- Layia platyglossa LAY-ee-uh (8–11, 12–1) Matthiola incana mah-tee-O-luh in- ME-lum NO-bil-ee (6–9, 9–6) plat-ih-GLOSS-uh (0–0, 10–9) S. officinalis S. o-fiss-ih-NAL-iss KAN-uh (5–8, 8–5) Clarkia amoena KLARK-ee-uh Limnanthes douglasii lim-NAN- (5–8, 8–5) Melittis melissophyllum mel-LIT- a-MEE-nuh (0–0, 9–1) theez dug-LASS-ee-eye (0–0, 9–1) Silene virginica SY-lean vir-JIN-ih- tiss-mel-lis-o-FIL-um (6–9, 9–6) C. bottae C. BOT-ee (0–0, 9–1) Lindera benzoin lin-DAIR-uh kuh (4–8, 9–3) Nemophila menziesii nee-MAF-ih- ✕ Collinsia bicolor col-IN-see-uh BEN-zo-in (4–9, 8–1) Taxus media TAK-suss MEE-dee- luh men-ZEES-ee-eye BY-kul-ur (10–11, 12–9) L. obtusiloba L. ahb-TOO-sih-lo- uh (4–7, 7–1) (0–0, 12–2) Cylindropuntia echinocarpa sih-lin- buh (6–9, 8–1) Thuja occidentalis THEW-yuh ahk- Nepeta cataria NEP-eh-tuh dro-PUN-shuh ee-kine-o-KAR-puh sih-den-TAL-iss (2–7, 7–1) cat-AH-ree-uh (3–7, 7–1) (9–11, 12–1) M–P Thymus pseudolanuginosus N. ✕faassenii N. fah-SEN-ee-eye TY-mus soo-doh-lan-oo-jih-NO-sus Cymbopogon citratus sim-bo-PO- Mahonia aquifolium mah-HONE-ee- (4–8, 8–1) (5–9, 9–5) gon sih-TRAY-tuss (6–11, 9–1) uh ah-kwi-FO-lee-um (5–9, 9–3) N. sibirica N. sy-BEER-ih-kuh Viola cornuta VY-o-luh kor-NEW- Dianthus barbatus dy-AN-thus M. confusa M. kon-FEW-suh (3–8, 8–1) tuh (6–9, 9–1) bar-BAY-tus (3–8, 9–1) (8–9, 9–8) Opuntia phaeacantha o-PUN-shuh V. tricolor V. TRY-kul-ur D. chinensis D. chy-NEN-sis M. fremontii M. free-MON-tee-eye fee-uh-KAN-thuh (9–12, 12–7) (3–9, 12–1) (9–11, 12–1) (7–10, 10–7) Papaver croceum puh-PAH-vur V. ✕wittrockiana V. wih-trah-kee- D. hybridus D. HY-brih-dus M. fortunei M. for-TEW-nee-eye KRO-see-um (2–8, 8–1) AN-nuh (4–8, 9–1) (9–11, 12–1) (8–9, 9–4)

November / December 2004 59 2004C MAGAZINE INDEX

AUTHOR Hawks, Kim. "Coneflowers: An Bloomers," S/O, 26. "Saving SUBJECT American Classic," M/J, 28. Seeds," S/O, 16. "Summer Abell, Jo Ann. "Bats Solve Insect Accessible Gardening: See Raised Hayward, Pat. "Garden Railroads," Brights in a Container," J/A, 62. Problems in the Garden," N/D, Beds. M/J, 39. "Two of a Kind in a Desert Gar- 44. AHS: "2004 Book Award Winners," Hinkley, Dan. "Make Way for Ma- den," N/D, 62. "Vertical Accents," Acton, Patricia. "Grassy Ornamen- M/J, 11. "2004 Youth Gardening honias," N/D, 19. Nov./Dec, 24. "Wild Greens," J/F, tals for Shady Gardens," J/A, 30. Symposium at Cornell University," Hulse, Charles. Review: Restoring 20. Adams, Ian. Review: The Jewel Box M/J, 8. "2004 Gala," N/D, 9. "Ad- American Gardens: An Encyclope- Palanjian, Katie. "African Art at Garden, S/O, 50. vancing the Cause of Youth Gar- dia of Heirloom Ornamental Plants Denver Botanic Gardens," J/A, Askey, Linda. "Gardening Raised dening in America," M/J, 10. 1640-1940, M/J, 54. 59. "Cornerstone Festival of Gar- to New Heights," J/A, 20. "2004 Great American Gardeners Keith, Jessie. "Books for Natural dens," S/O, 56. "Florida’s Gold- Baggett, Pam. " Tasteful Award Winners," M/A, 10. "AHS Gardens and Garden Naturalists," en Age," S/O, 55. "Topiaries with Legumes," M/J, 12. Assists Ithaca Children’s Garden S/O, 53. "Books of Regional Inter- an International Twist at Bilt- Bussolini, Karen. "Artful Borders," Workshop," J/F 7. "AHS Welcomes est," M/J, 56. "The Cicadas Are more," J/A, 58. M/J, 18. New Horticultural Partner," J/A, Coming," M/J, 47. "Grand Chil- Pelczar, Rita. "Choosing Plant La- Cassidy, Patti. "The Prodigal Gar- 11. "America In Bloom’s 2004 dren’s Gardens," J/A, 57. "Green bels," S/O, 58. "Cool-Season An- dener," M/J, 52. Award Winners," N/D, 12. "André Rooftops and Roses in Portland," nuals," N/D, 28. "New Plants for Cathey, H. Marc. Everyday Garden M. Bluemel Meadow," J/A, 8. "Ara- M/J, 58. "Making a Difference," 2004," J/F, 10. Review: Uncom- Science: "Deer in the Garden," bella Dane is New Board Chair," J/A, 46. "Regional Arbor Day Cele- mon Fruits for Every Garden, J/A, N/D, 42. "Elements of Garden- J/A, 10. "As New AHS Board brations," M/A, 59. "Weird Plants 54. ing," M/A, 50. "How Climate Af- Chair, Arabella Dane Brings High Invade Tucson," M/J, 59. Rafter, Dan. "State Flowers, State fects Biological Cycles," S/O, 44. Energy, Accomplishment," S/O, Kennedy, Liam. Review: Plant Dis- Pride," N/D, 34. "In the Eye of the Beholder," J/F, 13. "Cherry Lake Tree Farm is new coveries: A Botanist’s Voyage Reich , Lee. "Summer Berries," 38. "Preserving Cut Flowers," J/A, AHS Partner," S/O, 12. "Chicago Through Plant Exploration, M/A, J/A, 14. 45. "Unlocking the Secrets of Embraces The Growing Connec- 52. Rozen, Daphne. "Celebrating the Plant Dormancy," M/J, 51. tion," J/F, 7. "Children’s Orna- Kimmelman, Gay. "Peonyland: A Tomato," J/A, 24. Chalmers, Carrie. Review: Annuals ments Deck Holiday Trees," J/F, 8. Dream Come True," M/A, 36. Snodgrass, Ed. Review: Planting and Tender Plants for North Amer- "Eastern Performance Trials Com- Lee, Rand B. "Fragrant Foliage," Green Roofs and Living Walls, ican Gardens, M/J, 55. ing to River Farm," N/D, 9. "Girl N/D, 14. N/D, 49. Chase, Nan. "Bonsai–Appalachian Scout Spells Relief for Alphabet Lerner, B. Rosie. Review: The Pas- Sternberg, Ilene. "The Allure of Lo- Style," S/O, 20. Garden," S/O, 12. "The Growing sion for Gardening, J/A, 52. tus," M/J, 24. Erler, Catriona Tudor. Review: Ros- Connection," J/A, 12. "Help Deco- Levine, Adam and Ray Rogers. Taaffe, Gerald. "Delectable es: A Celebration, J/F, 39. rate our Holiday Trees," S/O, 10. "The Philadelphia Flower Show," Daphnes," J/F, 26. Fisher, Kathleen. Review: Native "Indoor Plant Experts at Washing- J/F, 16. Taylor, Angela. "Davidson Sympo- Trees for North American Land- ton Blooms!" M/J, 8. "Join The Lopat, Rommy. Review: So You sium Celebrates 20 Years," J/F, scapes, J/F, 39. Growing Connection," M/A, 8. Want to Start a Nursery, M/A, 53. 43. Fromme, Tres. "Anywhere But "Magic of Landscaping," Mar./Apr, Lund, Kathryn. Review: The Earth Thomas, Charles B. Review: Ency- Eden," J/F, 32; "Applying 7. "National Garden Month," M/A, Moved: On the Remarkable clopedia of Water Garden Plants, Metaphors," S/O, 42; "Getting 7. "New Demonstration Garden for Achievements of Earthworms, S/O, 50. the Vision on Paper," N/D, 40. The Growing Connection," N/D, M/J, 54. Thomas, R. William. Review: Hy- "Think You Have Design Prob- 11. "New Edition of AHS A-Z En- Neveln, Viveka. "America In drangeas for American Gardens, lems?" M/A 42. "Seeing cyclopedia," S/O, 8. "New Gardens Bloom’s 2004 Award Winners," S/O, 51. Metaphors in Gardens," J/A, 42. Join RAP Program," J/F, 9. "New N/D, 12. "Books for Young Gar- Warner, Katy Moss. "Notes From "What is a Garden?" M/J, 44. Master Plan for River Farm Ap- deners," N/D, 51. "Oatlands Cel- River Farm," J/F, 5; M/A, 5; M/J, Garcia-Dominguez, Elizabeth. "Col- proved ," J/A, 6. "New Online Gar- ebrates Bicentennial Year," N/D, 5; J/A, 5; S/O, 5; N/D, 7. laborative Conservation in the dening Courses Launched," J/A, 54. "Winter Classes for Garden- Welsh, Pat. Review: Gardening the Texas Hill Country," M/A 44. 11. "New SMARTGARDEN™‘ Book ers," N/D, 56. Mediterranean Way and Plants "Havens for Endangered Plants," Out," J/A, 12. "Online Gardening Nold, Robert. "Hooked on and Landscapes for Summer-Dry J/A, 44. "Protecting Rare Habi- Course Goes on Trial," S/O, 10. Columbines," M/A, 14. Climates, N/D, 49. tats, Rare Plants, in Florida," "Online SMARTGARDEN™ Course Ottesen, Carole. "As New AHS Wetherbee, Kris. "Cover Crops in N/D, 43. to Debut," M/A, 7. "Restoring the Board Chair, Arabella Dane Brings the Garden," S/O, 32. "Kitchen Glick, Barry. Review: Rock Garden: White House Gates," J/A, 8. High Energy, Accomplishment," Gardens–American Style," M/A, Design and Construction, M/A, "George Harding Memorial Azalea S/O, 13. "Autumn Medley of 30. 52. Garden," J/A, 9. "River Farm Shrubs," Sept./Oct, 62. "Coast Woodyard, Adele. "Fall Plant Sale Goho, Alexandra. "Gardeners An- Named Horticultural Landmark," Silk Tassel and Hardy Cyclamen," at Kanapaha," S/O, 55. ticipate Climate Change," J/A, N/D, 10. "Seed Exchange Success J/F, 46. "Cottage-Garden Combi- Yee, Mary. "Landscaping With 36. Story," S/O, 11. "Spring Bulbs nation," M/A, 62. "Creative Prun- Roses," M/A, 24. "Winter Plea- Hahn, Jeffrey. Review: Garden In- Light Up River Farm," M/J, 9. ing," M/A, 20. "Grounds for sures from Summer Borders," sects of North America, J/A, 52. "Spring Kid’s Gardening Pro- Sculpture," M/J, 34. "Late S/O, 37.

60 the American Gardener grams," M/J, 10. "Spring Plant for Children," S/O, 14. "Grand Chil- • In Memoriam: "‘Oved Shifriss," Mahonias: "Make Way for Maho- Sale at River Farm," M/A, 8. "Viette dren’s Gardens," J/A, 57. "Making N/D, 47; "Charles Lewis," M/A, nias," N/D, 19. Radio Show at River Farm," N/D, a Difference," J/A, 46. 49; "Currier McEwen," J/F, 36; New Plants: "New Plants for 9. "Warner to Speak at America in Climate: "Gardeners Anticipate "Dirck Brown," M/J, 49; "Richard 2004," J/F, 10. Bloom Symposium," S/O, 8. Climate Change," J/A, 36. "How J. (Dick) Hutton," M/A, 49. Native Plants: "Bonsai–Appalachian "Warner to Speak at Tree Confer- Climate Affects Biological Cy- • Invasive Plants: "Benghal Style," S/O, 20. "Coneflowers: An ence," N/D, 11. "Winter Lecture cles," S/O, 44. Dayflower Invades the South," American Classic," M/J, 28. Series," N/D, 10. Columbines: "Hooked on N/D, 48; "Toward Non-Invasive "Hooked on Columbines," M/A, 14. Animals: "Bats Solve Insect Prob- Columbines," M/A, 14. Butterfly Bushes," S/O, 46. Nelumbo: See Lotus. lems in the Garden," N/D, 44. Community Beautification: "2004 • Miscellaneous: "Amending Tree- Notes from River Farm: See under Annuals: "Cool-Season Annuals," America in Bloom Awards," Planting Research," M/A, 48; "A Warner in author index. N/D, 28. Nov.Dec., 13. Place in the Sun," M/A, 48; "Ar- Peonies: "Peonyland: A Dream Aquilegia: See Columbines. Coneflowers: "Coneflowers: An son Destroys Seed Bank," N/D, Come True," M/A, 36. Berries: "Summer Berries," American Classic," M/J, 28. 47; "Aster La Vista?" N/D, 46; Perennials (herbaceous): "Artful July/Aug, 14. Conservationist’s Corner: "Collabo- "The Beauty of Preplanned Gar- Borders," M/J, 18. "Coneflowers: Bonsai: "Bonsai–Appalachian rative Conservation in the Texas dens," M/J, 48; "Celebrating An American Classic," M/J, 28. Style," S/O, 20. Hill Country," M/A, 44. "Havens Lewis and Clark," N/D, 47; "Cold- "Creative Pruning," M/A, 20. Book Reviews: Annuals and Ten- for Endangered Plants," J/A, 44. Hardy Clematis," S/O, 49; "Con- "Hooked on Columbines," M/A, der Plants for North American "Protecting Rare Habitats, Rare servancy Open Days Directories," 14. "Late Bloomers," S/O, 26. Gardens, M/J, 55. Common to Plants, in Florida," N/D, 43. M/J, 50; "Epimediums for Mid- "Peonyland: A Dream Come this Country: Botanical Discover- Cover Crops: "Cover Crops in the west Gardens," M/A, 47; "Forcing True," M/A, 36. ies of Lewis & Clark, J/F 41. The Garden," S/O, 32. Winter Flowers," J/F, 34; "Gar- Perfect Plant Companions: "A Compleat Squash, S/O, 51. The Daphnes: "Delectable Daphnes," dens of Alcatraz," S/O, 47; "Geog- Ground-Cover Tapestry," M/J, 62. Earth Moved: On the Remark- J/F, 26. raphy Affects How We Garden," "Autumn Medley of Shrubs," S/O, able Achievements of Earth- Echinacea: See Coneflowers. S/O, 48; "Kitchen Gardeners Cel- 62. "Coast Silk Tassel and Hardy worms, M/J, 54. Encyclopedia of Edible Gardening: "Celebrating the ebrate," N/D, 47; "Plant Locator Cyclamen," J/F, 46. "Cottage-Gar- Water Garden Plants, S/O, 50. Tomato," J/A, 24. "Kitchen Gar- for the West," M/J, 50; "Scotts den Combination," M/A, 62. "Sum- Fragrance in Bloom, N/D 50. dens–American Style," M/A, 30. Acquires Smith & Hawken," N/D, mer Brights in a Container," J/A, Gardening the Mediterranean "Summer Berries," J/A, 14. "Wild 47; "Taking the Heat in Southern 62. "Two of a Kind in an Oregon Way, N/D, 49. Garden Insects of Greens," J/F, 20. California," M/J, 49. "Tetanus "Desert" Garden," N/D, 62. North America, J/A, 52. Hy- Everlastings: "Winter Pleasures Booster," J/A, 49; "Water Garden Pruning: "Creative Pruning," M/A, drangeas for American Gardens, from Summer Borders," S/O, 37. Society Formed," J/F, 35; "Where 20. S/O, 51. The Jewel Box Garden, Everyday Garden Science: See un- There’s Smoke, There’s…Germi- Railroads, Garden: "Garden Rail- S/O, 50. Native Trees for North der Cathey in author index. nation," S/O, 46; "Win-Win Organ- roads," M/J, 39. American Landscapes, J/F, 39. Fall Gardening: "Late Bloomers," ic Research," J/F, 34; "Wild Ones Raised Beds: "Gardening Raised to The Passion for Gardening, J/A, S/O, 26. Turns 25!" M/A, 48. New Heights," J/A, 20. 52. Plant Discoveries, M/A, 52. Flower Shows: "The Philadelphia • New Plants: "New Orchid Roses: "Landscaping With Roses," Planting Green Roofs and Living Flower Show," J/F, 16. Species Discovered," J/A, 49; M/A, 24. Walls, N/D, 49. Plants and Land- Fragrant Plants: "Delectable "Spuds Go Low Carb, N/D, 46; Seeds: "Saving Seeds," S/O, 16. scapes for Summer-Dry Cli- Daphnes," J/F, 26. "Fragrant Fo- "Stewartia ‘Scarlet Sentinel’," Shade Gardening: "Grassy Orna- mates, N/D, 49. Restoring Amer- liage," N/D, 14. J/A, 48; "Franklinia Cross Yields mentals for Shady Gardens," J/A, ican Gardens: An Encyclopedia Garden Art: "Grounds for Sculp- New Hybrid," M/J, 48. 30. "Hooked on Columbines," of Heirloom Ornamental Plants ture," M/J, 34. • Pesticides: "Dirty Dozen," J/F, 35; M/A, 14. 1640-1940, M/J, 54. Rock Gar- Garden Design: "Artful Borders," "Dangers of Pesticide Exposure," Shrubs: "Delectable Daphnes," den: Design and Construction, M/J, 18. "Grounds for Sculputure," J/A, 50. J/F, 26. "Make Way for Maho- M/A, 52. Roses: A Celebration, M/J, 34. "Kitchen Gardens–Ameri- • Pests and Diseases: "Emerald Ash nias," N/D, 19. "Tasteful J/F, 39. Southern Living Garden can Style," M/A, 30. "Landscaping Borer Update," N/D, 46; "Immu- Legumes," M/J, 12. See also Book, J/A, 54. So You Want to With Roses," M/A, 24. "Vertical Ac- nization For Plants?" M/A, 47, New Plants. Start A Nursery, M/A, 53. Tay- cents," N/D, 24. Also, see under "Rust-Resistant Daylilies Shine," State Flowers: "State Flowers, lor’s Encyclopedia of Garden Fromme in author index. M/J, 49; "Milk Versus Mildew," State Pride," N/D, 34. Plants, M/A, 53. Uncommon Gardener’s Notebook: M/J, 50; "Sudden Oak Death Quar- Stryker, Kristen: "Making a Differ- Fruits for Every Garden, J/A, 54. • Awards: "2005 PHS Gold Medal antine," J/A, 48. ence," J/A, 46. Books (Special Focus): "Books for Plants," S/O, 48; "Award-Win- Grasses: "Grassy Ornamentals for Tomato Festivals: "Celebrating the Natural Gardens and Garden Nat- ning Plants," Mar/Apr., 48; Shady Gardens," J/A, 30. Tomato," J/A, 24. uralists," S/O, 52. "Books for "Japanese Painted Fern is PPA Insects: "The Cicadas Are Com- Trees: "Tasteful Legumes," M/J, Young Gardeners," N/D, 51. Plant of the Year," J/F, 34; "Pe- ing," M/J, 47. 12. "Vertical Accents," N/D, 24. "Books of Regional Interest," M/J, ter Raven to Receive RHS Veitch Irwin Perennial Garden: "Artful Bor- Vegetables: "New Plants for 56. "Plant References," Mar/Apr., Medal," M/J, 49; "‘Princeton’ ders," M/J, 18. 2004," J/F, 10. See also Edible 54. "Summer Reading," J/A, 55. Elm Recognized," J/A, 50; Kitchen Gardens: "Kitchen Gar- Gardening. "Tomes About Trees," J/F, 40. "Voodoo Lily Wins Foliage dens–American Style," M/A, 30. Water Gardening: "The Allure of Lo- Children’s Gardening: "2004 Youth Award," S/O, 48. Labels for Plants: "Choosing Plant tus," M/J, 24. Gardening Symposium at Cornell," • Conservation: "Eat Chocolate, Labels," S/O, 58. Weeds, Edible: "Wild Greens," J/F, M/J, 8. "Advancing the Cause of Rescue a Rainforest" M/J, 49; Legumes: "Tasteful Legumes," 20. Youth Gardening in America," M/J, "Saving the Box Huckleberry," M/J, 12. Index compiled by Elaine Lee and 10. "AHS Assists Ithaca Children’s M/J, 49; "Violets for Butterflies," Lotus: "The Allure of Lotus," M/J, Petra Fisher. Garden Workshop," J/F 7. "Gardens J/F, 35. 24.

November / December 2004 61 by CaroleOttesen Two ofaKindinanOregon “Desert”Garden 62 background, isanarresting mixofcontrastinghabitsand textures. spines. Subtly colored, this combination,alongwiththejuniperandagave inthe painfully sharpglochids—the technicaltermforthesmall,easilydetachable pads, addingrich,dark texture augmentedby tuftsoftinybut thatisfurther moss andgraylichen.Red from from itsflat,spiny theprickly pearobtrude fruits cantha) Carole Ottesen is associateeditorof N cholla’s gon rock garden light,thesilver literally shines.Haloed instarry Despite thewinterweather, theplantcombinationinthisOre- with spinesthatare covered sheaths. withpapery At thefeetofsilver cholla,aMojave pricklypearcactus the American Gardener EEDLE EVERGREENS that keepagarden interesting throughout thecoldseason. flows over surprisingpatchesofdeepgreen, rocks thatsupport velvety (Cylindropuntia echinocarpa) The AmericanGardener. are nottheonlygarden subjects EFC LN COMPANIONS PLANT PERFECT humanlike figure iscoated C (Opuntia phaea-  syn. Silver cholla fruits. (Zones9–12, 12–7) Yellow flowersarefollowedby edible, red to oblongpadsgrowfive10inches long. cantha) Mojave pricklypearcactus AHS Zones12–1) followed bygreenfruit.(USDAZones9–11, under 5,000feet.Yellow-greenflowersare It thrivesinsandy,gravellysoilatelevations “joints,” areayellowish-greenoblongshape. grows uptofivefeettall.Itsbranches,called ern Nevada,andsoutheasternCalifornia Sonoran DesertofwesternArizona,south- Opuntia echinocarpa) grows twotofourfeettall.Itsround (Cylindropuntia echinocarpa, is anativeofthe (Opuntia phaea-

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