The Works® A Superb Daffodil Mixture Blooms for Weeks, Lasts a Lifetime We call our Daffodil mixture 'The Works' because recklessly across a meadow, then pick blooms for in­ that's what it is. 'The Works' is composed of top-sized door bouquets. It's impossible to have too many. bulbs of more than 30 named varieties of Daffodils, You wouldn't expect a premium Daffodil mixture to selected and balanced to provide a wide range of sell for less than $45 a hundred, and it doesn't. But colors and forms plus a long season of bloom. In­ $45 is kss than the price of many inferior mixtures cluded are the familiar Trumpets, which have yellow, whose smaller bulbs and seedling strains simply will golden, bi-color, or pink blossoms; Flatcups in great not produce flowers of similar quantity. We achieve variety; with flaring petals and heavily-ruffled, flat this contradiction of logic by purchasing our bulbs in cups; members of the cheerful Poetaz clan, some of large quantities under early contracts and we're them doubles; Triandrus hybrids with clusters of pleased to pass the savings along. bloom on each stalk; and Cyclamineus Hybrids hav­ 'The Works', #84300, is sold only by the 100. For ing shorter stems holding smaller flowers. There is prepaid handling and delivery, please add 10% east of not a seedling in the lot and these huge bulbs (size the Mississippi, 15% west. Telephone orders to Mas­ varies by variety) will bloom extravagantly their first terCard and Visa accounts are welcome on weekdays year. 'The Works' is a delightfully informal way to at (800) 243-2853.(Ct. residents please call 567-0801 naturalize Daffodils and more effective for small prop­ and add sales tax.) Bulbs will be shipped with full cul­ erties than expensive drifts of a single variety. tural instructions in time for fall planting and charges Daffodils, as you may know, are nearly indestructi­ will be processed on receipt of orders. Purchasers will bk perennials. The first year's show grows more beau­ also receive a one year subscription to our catalogues, tiful in each successive spring, for the bulbs are great known collectively as The Garden Book, plus unlim­ self-propagators in a site they like. All they require is ited access to our staff horticulturist. a half day's sun and good drainage to settle in as per­ Please order now. The Works always sells out early manent and cheerful neighbors. Tuck a few bulbs into and cannot be reshipped from Holland. any comer that needs a spot of color or spread them ~Regi .tered Tradename - Amos Pettingill

White flower farm Plantsmen Litchfield 7719, Connecticut 06759-0050· , VOLUME 63 NUMBER 4 Contents

Guest Editorial: When You Need To Know by Raymond J. Rogers 2 Strange Relatives: The Spurge Family by Jane Steffey 5 Book Reviews by Gilbert S. Daniels 10 A New England Cottage Garden Text and Photography by Pamela Harper 14 In Praise of Common Plants by Frederick McGourty 19 Ladew Topiary Gardens by Francis M. Rackemann, Jr. 24

Epimediums by Mrs. Ralph Cannon 28 Children & Gardening by Gordon Hayward 30 Classifieds 34

Sources 39

Pronunciation Grude 40 Seasonable Reminders: Crown-Imperial by Easter Berryman Martin 42

The Design Page: Fragrance All too often, common plants, such as these Johnny-jump-ups by Margaret Hensel 45 growing amongst lamb's-ears, Stachys byzantina, are taken for granted. Frederick McGourty sings the praises of these ON THE COVER: Apothecary rose, Rosa gallica 'Officinalis', and so-called common plants beginning on page 19. feverfew, Chrysanthemum parthenium, bloom together in a beau­ Photograph by Pamela Harper. tiful cottage garden built around the 2S0-year-old home of Albert and Mildred Van Vlack in northeastern Connecticut. To join writer! photographer Pamela Harper for a tour of this remarkable garden, turn to page 14. ERRATA: The photograph of the tall palms on page 29 of the December issue was incorrectly attributed to Maire Simington; the photo was taken by Joseph Shirley. In the same issue, Hillel Burger is the photographer responsible for the stunning pictures of the glass flowers that appeared courtesy of E. P. Dutton.

EDITOR, PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR: Barbara W. Ellis. ART DIRECTOR: Rebecca K. McClimans. ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Lynn M. Lynch. EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Jane Steffey. HORTICULTURAL CONSULTANT, BOOK EDITOR: Gilbert S. Daniels. PRONUNCIATION GUIDE ADVISOR: Everett Conklin. ASSISTANTS TO THE EDITOR: Louise Baughn, Cindy Weakland. BUSINESS MANAGER: May lin Roscoe. MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: Connie Clark. COLOR SEPARATIONS: John Simmons, Chromagraphics Inc. ADVERTISING . REPRESENTATIVES: C. Lynn Coy Associates, Inc., 55 Forest Street, Stamford, CT 06902, (203) 327-4626.

Replacement issues of AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST are available at a cost of $2.50 per copy. The opinions expressed in the articles that appear in AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Society. They are presented as contributions to contemporary thought. Manuscripts, an work and photographs sent for possible publication will be returned if they are accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST is the official publication of the American Horticultural Sociery, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22308, (703) 768-5700, and is issued monthly. Membership in the Sociery includes a subscription to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Membership dues start at $20.00 a year, $12.00 of which is designated for AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Copyright © 1984 by the American Horticultural Society. ISSN 0096-4417. Second-class postage paid at Alexandria, Virginia and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send Form 3579 to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121.

American Horticulturist GUEST EDITORIAL You Need To

e gardeners are an inquisitive tion(s) as thoroughly as I would like, I refer me, and I'll supply you with names and lot. When we see a new plant you to others more knowledgeable than addresses. (Include your question with your Win a public or private garden, myself. For example, I will direct you to information request; I may be able to an­ we hunt for a label or ask a gardener work­ the American Rose Society, which main­ swer it.) ing nearby. When our prized roses mys­ tains an excellent cadre of consulting ro­ 2. If possible, supply both the common teriously fail to bloom, we share our mis­ sarians, when your questions on roses are and scientific names of your plant in ques­ ery with similarly afflicted neighbors. A beyond my ken. Specialized questions on tion. Common names are notoriously am­ new petunia, parsnip or philodendron hydroponics, education, tissue culture, en­ biguous; tiger lily might be Hemerocallis beckons us, and we anticipate its appear­ dangered wildflower species, Japanese fulva or Lilium tigrinum, for example. ance in full-color splendor in this year's gardens and a hundred other fields all de­ 3. If your question relates to a source catalogues. And often we find ourselves serve answers from experts. Write to me, for a plant, again provide the common and asking, "Who can answer my questions?" and I will gladly locate and refer you to scientific names (if known) and a brief de­ Members of the American Horticultural these specialists, many of whose names are scription of the plant. Also, please tell me Society-a1l40,000 of us-have a place to included in our North American Horti­ the history of your search: where did you turn when questions arise. As coordinator culture: A Reference Guide, the best hor­ originally see it?; where have you looked of the Gardeners' Information Service, I ticultural reference book published in this for your plant?; how long have you await your questions on horticulture and country. searched? Supplying these facts may save related areas. Since I began working at We use a similar procedure to handle a great deal of time while you await a AHS last May, I have answered 750 letters, your Plants Wanted requests. If I cannot source for your special plant. handled 400 phone calls and helped many locate a source in our catalogue files, I 4. Please indicate that you are a mem­ visitors to River Farm with their questions. often suggest the name of a nursery that ber of the Society. As a nationally known But the total served represents a very small offers related plants, or I will provide the organization in the field of horticulture; percentage of our membership. A recent name of a society or institution that spe­ we receive inquiries from many quarters. membership survey indicates that 69 per­ cializes in that particular plant. Plants that While we try to answer their questions as cent of you like the idea of the Gardeners' are particularly hard to locate will be listed well, we make every effort to give pref­ Information Service. Obviously, all 69 per­ in the "Plants Wanted" column of the erential treatment to you, our members. cent of you aren't availing yourselves of newsletter. Also, this will enable us to keep better this service. (This is fortunate in one re­ In any case, all of your questions will records on this service to our members. spect: it would be difficult for me to an­ receive a reply, be it a direct answer, a As the Gardeners' Information Service swer all of the questions of some 28,000 form letter or a suggestion concerning where develops, I plan to add more resources, members!) to look. I encourage you to use this service; including extensive bibliographies on many I would like to explain the Service to it's there for your benefit. topics, local and national speakers' bu­ you briefly. All of your letters are sepa­ Here are a few suggestions to help you reaus and listings of regional horticultural rated into two categories: Gardeners' In­ obtain a prompt answer to your gardening information sources. We also hope to com­ formation Service and Plants Wanted, our questions: puterize our plant catalogue files; even­ increasingly popular plant search column 1. If your question relates to a pest or tually, plant sources will be available at that appears in American Horticulturist disease, first contact your County Agent. the touch of a few keys. Won't you help News Edition. I try to reply to your ques­ (The phone number usually appears under in this expansion? Please send me your tions promptly and in the order received, state or county listings in the telephone comments and suggestions regarding the although some do take longer to research directory.) The excellent Extension Service Gardeners' Information Service and Plants and answer than others. Occasionally, some system is your first line of defense. In ad­ Wanted. I look forward to strengthening of you request printed information, which, dition to the advice of professional pa­ our ties with all of you gardeners out there. unfortunately, we do not always have thologists and others trained in the culture The more we communicate with each other, available. Others ask questions about plants of plants in your state, Extension Services the more we can learn from each other. that are unfamiliar to me. As you might can often provide you with free or rea­ I hope to hear from you soon. imagine, the question list encompasses vir­ sonably priced publications. Local botan­ tually every category in the field . ical gardens, garden centers and other area Our invitation to membership includes, horticultural institutions may also be able among other benefits, expert answers to to answer your question quickly with just your gardening questions. However, I don't a phone call, and you won't need to wait pretend to be an expert in every aspect of for a reply by mail. If you don't know -Raymond J. Rogers horticulture. If I cannot answer your ques- which institutions are near you, write to Gardeners' Information Service

2 April1984 One 0/ the world's most celebrated/asbian ~itgf,~r.:;<' creates her first porcelain sct4~l/JtluY:e(,*, 'S".,'·"·'·:1 1;he ~b/e@ris by Hanae Mori

A distinctive original ... indiVidually crafted with hand-painting ... $120. Issued in limited edition. Advance reservation deadline: April 30, 1984.

© 1984 FP In the exclusive world of haute couture, with rare natural artistry. And as a final ~ --- - ADVANCE RESERVATION APPLICATION --- -, there is one undisputed queen. Her touch of distinction, Madame Mori has name is Hanae MorL At the Paris col­ included her special design motif - a rche CfGb/e @rfs lections ... in fashionable boutiques delicate butterfly. from New York, to Milan, to Tokyo ... her This Hanae Mori original wil l be fash­ Valid only if postmarked by designs are applauded for their elegance ioned with meticulous care by our April 30, 1984. and originality. ski lled porcelain craftsmen ... then Limit: One per person. Now Franklin Porcelain is pleased to painstakingly embellished by hand to Franklin Porcelain announce a major new artistic achieve­ ensure that every subtle nuance of Ma­ Franklin Center, Pennsylvania 19091 ment by the great couturiere. A suite of dame Mori's rich palette is captured to Please enter my subscription for "The limited edition flower sculptures - the perfection. And, as befits a major work of Noble Iris" by Hanae Mori, to be designer's first work in porcelain - cer­ art in porcelain, it will be issued in lim­ crafted for me in fine porcelain. ited edition, reserved exclusively for I need send no money now. I under­ tain to be of special interest to collectors. stand that I will be billed in four equal And inaugurating this important new those who enter valid commissions by monthly installments of $30.·, with collection is a work Hanae Mori calls December 31, 1984. the first payment due in advance of "The Noble Iris." The Noble Iris is being issued at the shipment. ·Plus my stale sales tax and One of the most hauntingly beautiful attractive price of $12G - which may be a 10lal of / 3. for shipping and handling flowers of the Orient, the Japanese Iris is paid in convenient monthly installments. a favorite flower of Hanae MorL And, in A Certificate of Authenticity will accolT' Signa;~r;'.~DE::::.::-s.:-::.7E 7:S U::::"::::EC:::T::::TO=-':-::C::::CE::::;""'::-:'N::::CE::-.-- this exqUisitely detailed sculpture, she pany each sculpture and each will bear Mr. captures a particularly magnificent Iris in Hanae Mori's signature mark on its base. Mrs. all the perfection of full bloom. To acquire this premiere edition Miss ------:cpL"'E."'SECCp::c.'''''NT'''C:c'LEOC.::c.Lc:-y ____ The Iris is portrayed life size. The deep sculpture by Hanae Mori, please return Address ______velvet blue of the gracefully layered pet­ the accompanying application to Frank­ als .. . the glossy green leaves .. . the del­ lin Porcelain, Franklin Center, PA 19091 Ci~ ------icate golden stamens ... all are depicted by April 30, 1984. I : State, Zip ______

IL ______25 ~ FRANKLIN PORCELAIN A FRANKLIN MIN'r COMPANY ABOVE: Codiaeum variegatum, the florist's croton, is grown for its stunning foliagtl; its small flowtlrs are inconspicuows. ABOVE RIGHT: Poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, provides an excdlent example of the unique floral structure of the genws. RIGHT: Euphorbia fulgens, commonly called scarlet-plume, is a small shrub from Mexico.

4 April 1984 , STRANGE RELATIVES/PART I The spurge Family

orne of the most unlikely strange United States; still more occur in Mexico relatives are to be found among the and South America. Farther north, the Sspurges, which are members of the family is better represented in the eastern Euphorbiaceae, a family of cosmopolitan and middle western areas of the United distribution and great economic impor­ States than on the Pacific Coast. tance. Here we encounter poinsettia, cas­ The name spurge relates directly to the tor-oil plant, florists' croton, redbird cac­ purgative properties of the juices of many tus, tapioca and para rubber, all under one species of Euphorbiaceae. A common fea­ botanical roof. The euphorbia family is ture in the family is milky sap (latex), which, one of the four or five largest flowering in some species, is a skin irritant or causes plant families (ranking after the Compos­ poisoning if ingested in quantity. The seeds itae, Orchidaceae and Leguminosae, and and raw roots of certain species are very about equal to the Gramineae), claiming toxic. about 7,000 species organized into about Euphorbiaceae leaves are simple or, if 300 genera. It is a family native in all re­ compound, palmately divided. They are gions where vegetation occurs except the usually alternate on the stem but some­ Arctic. Although the euphorbias are chiefly times opposite or whorled. Some species tropical in distribution, there are some lo­ with spiny, jointed stems are cactus-like. cal concentrations in other regions. In In these and other succulent sorts, the leaves America, most members of this family are are often few in number, greatly reduced found in the warm southern parts of the in size, or vestigial. In such kinds, the

American Horticulturist 5 Get Acquainted STRANGE RELATIVES with a Miniature Lady Palm And Discover stems-green, gray-green or blue-green in of brightly colored glands around its rim. the Secret of the Orient color-perform the functions of photo­ Within are numef0US male flowers sur­ synthesis. rounding a single, central female flower. Flower structur.e varies greatly from ge­ There may be 2.1 very small flowers in one nus to genus, with some highly specialized cyathium. Beneath are whorls or spirals of and complicated types. Flowers usually have small leaves or bracts; the whole aggregate fiv @perianth s@gments (petals and sepals). appears to be a single flower. (~he unique Some have petals; in others, petals and flower structure of the euphorbias can be sepals an;: lacking altogeth@r. Character­ most easily understood by close exami­ istic of some kinds is a close aggregate of nation of a poinsettia bloom.) Cross pol­ tiny, simple flowers in conjunction with linatioN is effected by a species of fly at­ bracts (modified leaves), glands and p ~ tal­ ~racted by the copiol!ls, sweet-scented nectar like appendages, which together produce exuded by the glands. The fruit is a three­

KOBAN an effect akin to a true flower. Glands, lobed capsule from which seeds are dis­ 7" pot which are a noteworthy feature of the fam­ charged explosively when ripe. ily, are generally associated with the flow­ Leaders in horticultural popularity are Palm & Book ers. Fruit is a capsule, and, rarely, a berry. poinsettia, crown-of-thorns, scarlet-plume $19.95 ppd. ($25 value) Th@ spurge family takes its botanical and snow-on-the-mountain, as well as liv­ DWARF RHAPIS EXCELSA 'KOBAN' name from its largest gerlUs, Euphorbia, ing-baseball and other cactus-like species. 5" plastic pot, 16" tall, 3 yrs. old which consists of more than 2,000 of the Poins@ttia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, is best and 7,000 species in the entire family. The name known. Bright red, pink or white petal­ COMPLETE BOOK OF RHAPIS PALMS is believed to be derived from that of Eu­ like bracts surround the true flowers, which 52 pages, fully Illustrated phorbos, physician to King Juba of Maur­ are small and yellow. The poinsettia, whiGh (IimH Dna offar par customarl itania, a district of Africa in Roman times. is native to Central America and tropical offar axpiras 10/B4 paymant with order Book S5 R"'~ Catalog Sl The members of this remarkable genus Mexico, was introduced to cultivation in have a worldwide distribution; they are the United States by our ambassador to Xltapis ~~ (jartielfs abundant in the tropics and subtropics, M exico in 1828. In Zone 9 it is grown out­

P.O.D . 287-A, GREGORY, TEXAS 78359 and are among the most common Old of-doors in hedges or as a specimen plant. World desert succulents. Many species are It is known throughout our country as the native to the United Stat@s; certain others flower of the Christmas s'eason, when it is from Africa and Europe have become nat­ produced in great numbers for the florists' uralized in the United States and Canada. trade. Many improved cultivars hav@ been The diversiry among euphorbias is phe­ developed for this ornamental use. nomenal. There are tree euphorbias of Crown-of-thorns, E. milii, is commonly ~<;;.. Gp..ROENER'S C-4'4 I z I massive size and cactus-like appearance. grown in the greenhouse or as a house x-.0 NEW for 1984 0G' Other types include shrubby, succulent, plant in the North. Where it is hardy (Zone Oregon Trail Bean branching plants of varying stature. Some 10), it is often used as a flowering hedge. Sugar Ann Pea kinds are under a foot tall with widely This very thorny plant from Madagascar Heavyweight Tomato varying growth habits. The species from is an upright, branching bush, its bright dry places are often so like members of the red or yellow blossoms appearing TAM Mild Jalapeno cactus family, Cactaceae, that it is difficult throughout the year. CuItivars having larger Selected Oriental Seeds to tell them apart when they are not in flower size have become popular over the New Ecology Lawn Mix bloom. A simple test shows the difference: years. a pinprick on the euphorbia stem will pro­ Scarlet-plume, E. fulgens, is entirely dif­ Our FREE Seed Catalog duce a trickle of its characteristic white, ferent in appearance from poinsettia and offers over 500 vegetable milky, often poisonous latex, whereas a crown-of-thorns. It is a handsome, wil­ cut cactus stem is bright gr@en and juicy. lowy, branching Mexican shrub with ob­ and herb varieties. We The great, spiny giant euphorbias of the long, alternate leaves and clusters of small, include tips on cooking, South African veldt are the counterparts orange-scarlet flowers along the length of ornamental vegetables, of cacti in America. The euphorbias and each stem. It is a spectacular omamental planting and extending cacti illustra ~ e the biological phenomenon CONservatory plant. the harvest. of convergent evolution, in which unre­ Leaves and bracts margined in white lated groups of organisms subject to the make snow-on-the-mountain, E. margin­ Nichols Garden NurEJery same environmental factors gradually de­ ata, a favorite temperate zone garden plant. 1190 West Pacific velop similar structures. It is native to the eastern United States; its ~~sJ ~ Albany, Oregon The common characteristic of all Eu­ sap is sometimes an irritant to skin. phorbia species, and one of their chief tax­ A number of other annual or perennial ~~~321,b onomic features, is the complex floral ar­ leafy garden spurges have distinct features, rangement called a cyathium, which means in leaf color or shape, or in the profusion ..~ ~ ~1J~[;;J .-.... - , . 'U .... ,. S"c;.';- cup. This small structl!lre bears a number and color of bracts, that make them at-

6 Aprii1984 ,

tractive for garden use in temperate zone match-me-if-you-can, produces leaves no indoors or out, for the display of long, pen­ gardens. Some others are weeds. The Eu­ two of which are identically patterned. dulous, blood-red spikes of female flowers. ropean E.lathyris, called caper spurge, bears Many cultivars with leaves that combine A creamy white cultivar, 'Alba', is also fruit resembling the flower buds of caper, red, crimson, bronze or creamy white can known. Flowers of copperleafs other than Capparis spinosa, the popular condiment. be seen in landscapes of south Florida and A. hispida are inconspicuous. These fruits are not edible; in fact, they the American tropics, or, less frequently, Pedilanthus species are grown as or­ may be toxic if eaten. Grown as an oddity in southern California. namentals in warm climates. Of the 30- for its columnar form and whorled blue­ Bronze-green leaves with red veins distin­ odd species in the genus, redbird cactus or green leaves, E. lathyris is thought by some guish A. hispida, chenille copperleaf. This devil's-backbone, P. tithymaloides, is best to dispel moles and is therefore known as leading horticultural species is widely grown, known. Several subspecies or cultivars are mole plant. Some of the juicy, fleshy, rather thick succulents are treasured for large and at­ tractive flowers. Occasionally, however, we give prominence to a plant because of its unusual form. One such plant is E. obesa, living-baseball, a rotund, spineless, col­ orful succulent from South Africa. The neat, compact, symmetrical plants usually have eight (sometimes seven to 10) angled ridges «231 TOMATOES, and are gray-green, with numerous trans­ AND IT'S STILL verse purple bands formed of fine lines. FULL OF BWOMS7 The surface is marked with narrow grooves. -c.c. Beckett. Lebanon. Ohio Circular flowering "eyes" are arranged in rows down the center of each ridge. A "And my dwarf zinnias grew one-third larger and as thick young, globose plant looks rather like a as fleas;' M.r Beckett baseball covered with plaid material gath­ continues. These are the ered at the top. It is necessary to have both dramatic results of using male and female plants to produce seed. RA-PID-GRO® Plant Food E. obesa is just one among innumerable in his garden. succulent and cactus-like euphorbias es­ RA-PID-GRO is concen­ trated. Just mix with wateJ.; teemed by collectors. In The Illustrated spray or sprinkle on. and it Reference on Cacti & Other Succulents, goes to work instantly. And Vol. I, Edgar Lamb writes of this species, effectively. That's why M.r "This is perhaps the finest Euphorbia yet Beckett has been using known; its colouring of purple, green, red, RA-PID-GRO for years. and mauve, etc., gives it the appearance of a why he calls it "the best very fine Tartan fabric." fertilizer for the least effort:' The great diversity of Euphorbia species is well described and illustrated in black and white photographs in the New York What it's Botanical Garden Illustrated Encyclope­ named is dia of Horticulture. Lamb's volumes on what it does. cacti and other succulents are also a source of pictures and of cultural notes as well. Besides the many species that are of hor­ ticultural interest, others are commercially important. While the Euphorbia species account for the majority of species within the Eu­ phorbiaceae (and only a few are high­ lighted here), a number of other genera of the family are familiar and popular garden and greenhouse plants. Acalypha species, sometimes called cop­ perleaf, are normally grown for their bright foliage effects. They are mostly conserva­ tory ornamentals but are used extensively for hedges and lawn specimens in the far South. A. wilkesiana, commonly called

American Horticulturist 7 STRANGE RELATIVES

available; one is 'Variegatus', its green leaves variegated white and red. Dolt Codiaeum is the "croton" of florists; it r is also known as variegated laurel. The Our Way cultivated plants belong to one widely var­ iable species, C. variegatum, of which there are over a hundred named forms. The name comes from the Greek word for Just pot or repot our way Strong, codiaeum healthy growth and beautiful blooms head, an allusion to the use of the plant's will come your way' .. Year after leaves for wreaths. These very ornamental year after year. leaves are sometimes lobed and variously IT'S BACTI-VATED' Baccto Potting marked, streaked, blotched or banded with Soil is teeming with the live , ben­ white, red and yellow. Besides the color eficial bacteria plants need to utilize fertilizer and water efficiently. Plants variations, some plants have leaves that benefit immediately, and remain are finely cut, curled or twisted in a spiral. healthier longer. Inconspicuous flowers are borne on a Everything grows better with Baccto drooping inflorescence, male on on€ plant, Potting Soil . Try it. You 'll see . female on another. Codiaeums are native to the Malay peninsula and Pacific Islands. In the United States, they are extensively grown as ornamental garden shrubs or in SOILBUILDING patio tubs in the far South and as tub or PRODUCTS FROM pot plants indoors. Phyllanthus epiphyllanthus is a striking MICHIGAN PIiAT CO. BACcm conservatory plant of commanding ap­ p. O. Box 66388, Houston, TX 77266 pearance. Its red-orange, petalless flowers are borne along the margins of leaf-like, flattened branches called cladophylls, which function as leaves. (The name phyllanthus means flowers on leaves.) P. X elongatus (P. arbuscula X P. epiphyllanthus) is es­ rq-REERqiRDENi1 pecially floriferous. P. acidus, Otaheite I _.}, ,,' I gooseberry, a 30-foot Asian tree, is nat­ uralized in Florida and the West Indies; I I this species and P. emblica are grown in I I warm climates for their edible fruit. Sev­ eral hundred species occur naturally in the I I tropics and sub tropics of both the eastern I Justly Famous For I and western hemispheres. Ricinus communis, castor-oil plant or From the Queen's Seed Merchant : Rhododendrons : castor bean, is a tropical plant of economic -Six carefully selected English importance. It is widely grown as an or­ buttercrunch & cos varieties of I Azaleas I namental garden annual in temperate zones softheading lettuce. Hermetically Japanese Maples for the exotic foliage effects provided by sealed foil packets of the finest I I most delicate of English lettuce Dwarf Conifers its large, shining green or coppery leaves. in successive planting from I Bonsai Materials I Small flowers in branched clusters- males March to September. Late plantings I Flowering Trees & Shrubs I borne below and females above, toward grow through December and I Rock Garden plants I the apex of the tall plant-result in a clus­ sometimes Winter over without protection- ter of bristly seed pods that are also I Good selectien of I ornamental. I unusual Horticulture Books - I A future column will foous on those SIX FOIL PACKETS $6.00 members of the Euphorbiaceae that are of PA RES. ADD SALES TAX I Color catalog describes, prices over I chiefly economic imponance, further re­ 2000 plants. Widely recognized as a I vealing the wide variety of strange relatives I valuable reference book. $2.00. I in this remarkable family. 6 I WORLD WIDE SHIPPING I -Jane Steffey

Dept AH 1280 Goodpasture Is. Rd. I JaNe Steffey recently retired as the Society's I Eugene, Oregon, 97401 I Horticultural Advisor. She is now aN active (503) 68&8266 545 PINE TOP TRAIL, BETHLEHEM, PA 18017 Il i______AHS volunteer and serves as Editorial J Advisor to American Horticulturist.

8 April1984 Great gardens grow from fre,sh ideas ..

PICKANY3 ------...., FOR JUST $3 Club Membership Service Department 250 W. 57th Street, N .Y. , N.Y. 10107 How membership wo rks: You agree to buy four cl ub selecti ons EACH (value up to $81 during your first year of membership. You'll choose books from our club bulletin that offers you a wide selecti on of ga rden books ten times a yea r. When you wa nt the main selection, do nothing and you'll WHEN YOU JOIN THE receive it automaticall y. If yo u wa nt any other book li sted-or none at all- indica te yo ur decision on the repl y ca rd enclosed with the bulletin and return it by the specified date. GARDEN BOOK CLUB Should yo u ever reG:e ive the main selecti on without having had 10 At last there is a special club for 'gardeners that days to return the card, you may return that selecti on at our expense. After fulfilling your initial obliga ti on , yo u ea rn a bonus credit with brings you the most important and useful books in. every book yo u buy. Four credits entirle yo u to a Bonus Book (most of every garden category-selected with the help of them available at no ex tra charge, a few for a nominal sum). Unless you prepay, yo u will be billed on all orders for postage and handling. America's most distinguished authorities on modern Indica te by number the 3 books you wish to reoeive for just $3 each. gardening and landscape d€sign. As a member of The Garden Book Club, you'll' be offered beautifully illustrated books on garden Name history and design, invaluable reference works and encyclopedias, hard-to-find technical and specialty Address books, and how-to books that tackle specific City State Zip problems of gardening in each region in the United o Pay ment enclosed . Please send my introductory books right away. o Charge my credi t card as foll ows: 0 Mas terCard States. Your savings are significant-often as high o Ameri can Express as 30o/o--so you can build a library of elegant and Ca rd #·______indispensable gardening-books to refer to again and again for inspiration and expert assistance. Expiresi______MasterCard Bank # ______Start now by choosing any 3 books on this page Signature' ______for just $3 each-with membership-and you can This offer good for new members onl y. save up to $72 .90 on your introductory purchase I-~~l~ :s~v~ ~ ~g~ ~ ,:,::,~h~ ~~o~ . ____ ~~O~ Book Reviews

GARDENS TO VISIT

STATELY GARDENS OF BRITAIN. Thomas Hinde. W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. New York, New York. 1983. 192 pages; hardcover, $29.95. AHS discount price, $28.45 including postage and handling.

GARDENS OF FRANCE. Anita Pereire and Gabrielle Van Zuylen. Harmony Books. New York, New York. 1983.223 pages; hardcover, $40.00. AHS discount price, $33.50 including postage and handling.

THE GARDENS OF CHINA: HISTORY, ART AND MEANING. Edwin T. Morris. Charles Scribner's Sons. New York, New York. 1983. 273 pages; hardcover, $37.50. AHS discount price, $31.50 including postage and handling. For those fortunate enough to travel, this is the time of year to visit gardens. Each book presents a more formal study of gar­ where applicable. The introduction gives of these books serves as a guide to some den history than the other two books. The a brief history of botany and horticulture of the finest gardens of their respective individual British and French! gardens, some in Ireland and also discusses the influence countries, in addition to providing a his­ of which may have had long histories and of Irish botanists and horticulturists on tory of gardening in each country. some of which are modern, are all de­ plants found in American gardens. For the Stately Gardens of Britain tells the story scribed in terms of their contemporary de­ collector of fine gardening books, this is a of 24 of Britain's best gardens, from their velopment. The Chinese gardens, on the worthwhile addition to the library both history to current maintenance and plans other hand, are all essentially historical. for its content and for its presentation. for the future. Each d<:lscription is accom­ Two final chapters, however, treat Chinese panied by a garden plafl and colored pho­ gardens from a contemporary perspective. ORTHO'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO tographs of some of the gardens' more out­ If you are a gardener planning to travel to SUCCESSFUL GARDENING. standing features. An appendix gives China, this is a book you'll want to read Barbara Ferguson (editor). Ortho Books. visitors' information for each garden and before you go. San Francisco, California. 1983.504 lists other gardens worth visiting throwgh­ pages; hardcover, $29.95. AHS discount out England, Wales and Scotland. AN IRISH FLORILEGIUM. price, $24.00 including postage and Gardens of France deals with 32 of Wendy Walsh (watercolor paintings), handling. France's most outstanding gardens. Unlik<:l Charles Nelson (notes on the plates) and This book would be the first on my list of the British gardens covered in the first book, Isabel Ross (introduction). Thames and recommendations for the new gardefler. many of these intriguing French gardens Hudson. New York, New York. 1983. Unlike the other Ortho books, which pre­ are private. Unfortunately, no mention is 224 pages; hardcover, $125.00. AHS sent do-it-yourself information in great de­ made of the public or private status of the discount price, $111 .00 including tail, this is a well-written and beautifully gardens described, and I consider this a postage and handling. presented work on basic gardening prin­ serious shortcoming of this book. Never­ This sumptuous work is a return to the ciples. All aspects of gardening are in­ theless, the beautiful presentation of a wide tradition of the fine flower book. Forty­ cluded, and the chapters present the usual variety of gardens in many styles makes eight beautiful plates illustrate a broad se­ rang€ of annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, one want to tour the French coufltryside lection of outstanding plants growing in vegetables, house plants and so forth. The and experience these gardens firsthand. Ireland today. Some are natives, while many book stresses the importance of under­ Gardens of China is yet another guide are introduced. A commentary for each standing each type of plant and planning to outstanding gardens in a particular plant outlines the history of the plant in for its proper use in the garden. The rose country-in this case, China. However, this Ireland and provides cultural information chapt€r is a good example: It tells you what

10 April 1984 ,

roses are, how they fit into the garden, what the various classes mean in terms of growth and flowering, and how to care for If~ 1 them. It doesn't mention a single cultivar name, but once you have read this chapter, AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY you'll know what to look for when you are selecting your cultivars in the catalogue MIDSUMMER GARDEN CRUISE FROM or the nursery. The last half of the book presents brief descriptions and concise cul­ FJORDLANDS OF NORWAY THROUGH THE tural instructions for many of the more ISLAND WORLDS OF BRITAIN & IRELAND popular garden plants. July 15 to 30) 1984 Follow the summer course of ancient Vikings from their scenic heartland to islands of Shetland, Orkney, the Hebrides and Highlands of Scotland, Wales, Save time and Ireland and England. These great gardening and island nations have intriguing heritages that are money-order books inseparable from the sea. It eases our way in comfort and style to remote places of exceptional beauty and interest, many new to even the most experienced available at a traveller. discount through the Wild and garden flora will be in full bloom, their beauty harmonizing with historic Society. castles and baronial homes. Expert guidance advances knowledge of horticulture, provides insights into the past and the PEST CONTROL WITH NATURE'S survival of congenial traditions. Unpack and CHEMICALS. repack just twice away from home. Elroy L. Rice. University of Oklahoma For information and reservations: Press. Norman, Oklahoma. 1983. 226 RAYMOND & WHITCOMB CO. pages; hardcover, $28.50. AHS discount 400 Madison Avenue, N.Y, N.Y 10017 price, $26.50 including postage and Telephone: (212) 759-3960 handling. First in 'Fravel Since 1879 TRESCO The subject of natural pest control has prompted many very emotional discus­ sions. In this book Professor Rice presents a very straightforward and objective re­ port on the many ways in which plants ~------~ and animals act upon each other through ch€micals that they naturally produce. The Book Order Form author discusses bol:h the results of mod­ ern laboratory experiments and the long­ Please send me the books I have checked below at the special AHS standing agricultural practices of farmers discount rates. all over the world in relation to pest con­ trol. This is a scientifically impressive D Stately Gardens of Britain $28.45 Enclosed is my check for __ books treatment aimed at the gardener and the D Gardens of France $33.50 for the total amount of $,______farmer as well as the biologist. D The Gardens of China: Please allow six weeks for delivery. GROWING BULBS. History, Art and Meaning $31.50 Discount price includes postage. Virginia residents add 4% sales tax. Martyn Rix. Timber Press. Portland, D An Irish Florilegium $111.00 Oregon. 1983.209 pages; hardcover, Mail to: Deborah Harpster Ortho's Complete Guide to $18.95. AHS discount price, $17.65 D American Horticultural Society including postage and handling. Successful Gardening $24.00 P.O. Box 0105 Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121 Growing Bulbs is a book for the gardener D Pest Control with Nature's with an inquisitive mind. The subject is Chemicals $26.50 Ship to: ______~~ bulbous plants- what they are, how they D Growing Bulbs $17.65 grow and where they originated; the cul­ Street: ______tural requirements of these interesting plants D The Small Garden $11.89 are onlyof secondary importance. The City: ______D Palms $21.50 chapter on "Bulb-Growing Ar€as of the World" is particularly fascinating if you D The Lives of Plants $14.25 State: ______Zip: _____ have an interest in wllecting bulbs your­ self. A lengthy appendix lists alI of the ~------~ American Horticulturist 11 Have a Better Garden BOOK REVIEWS for only $3.50 per year horticulturally imp0rtant bulbous genera, including a brief description of each genus, the numbers and origins of th~ species, and a good s~t of references to the literature.

THE SMALL GARDEN. John Brookes. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. New York, New York . 1978. 256 pages; softcover (paperback edition 1983), $13.50. AHS discount price, $11.89 including postage and handling. This book is a fine source of design ideas for the garden. Many photographs and garden plans illustrate a wid€! variety of The Su€cessful Vegetable Gardener's small gardens in the United States and Eu­ Annual RecGrd Book rope. The Small Garden provides an ex­ This unique r-ecord , book offers a systematic approach to cellent opportlmity to study other gardens improved garden knowledge and r.esults. Imagine a ga~den book in relation to your own, and the many specific to your own needs arid situation. By completing a v01ume details of garden design are a rich source each year, you will be creating an invaluable ga.rden tool, one that of ideas to adapt to your own n~eds. In­ no one else can provide. cluded is a very helpful climatic zone map And it's easy-just making brief notes and checking boxes will that compares the Arnold Arboretum plant give you complete, usable information. The orgaJ"lization of the hardiness map to the countries of Europe. book does the rest. Order at No Risk: Full refund if returned, unused, in 15 days. PALMS. Send,$3.50 per book plus 2H sales tax in MN. Add 75<1: shipping. Alec Blombery and Tony Rodd. Angus Milestext ·Press, 884 Whitney Drive, St. Paul, MN 55124 and Robertson Publishers. London, England. 1982. 199 pages; hardcover, $24.95. AHS discount price, $21.50 including postage and handling. This beautifully produced work about palms for the garden and their use in the landscape is illustrated almost entirely with colored photographs and would look right NOW YOU CAN PRODUCE NEW at home on the coffee ta,ble. A useful ap­ HEALTHY PLANTS FOR LESS pendix lists species that will grow in var­ THAN l¢-NOT 25¢ or 30¢! ious climates and under special conditions. YES-WE DO! Palms is a must for the palm collector and an inspiration for the gardener in the more ,AQ,UAMONITOR GETS THE MAX­ favored climates where palms will grow. IMUM FROM THE SUN. IT AUTO­ MATICALLY SHADES WITH THE LIVES OF PLANTS. NO FOR OUR TIMELY BURSTS OF MIST-RAPID Donis M. Stone. Charles Scribner's Sons. 32 PAGE FULL COLOR GROWTH WITHOUT BURNS. New York, New York. 1983. 304 pages; CATALOG YOU SAVE A "B.JJ'NDLE"-FUEL hardcover, $15.95. AHS discount price, Just $1 .00 (10 co .... er the cost of postage and han­ BILLS DWINDLE. $14.25 including postage and handling. dling) brings you America's most complete water g:!rden .-;ataI09 . It CC:1t;;!ns beautiful faur­ This book about " hGlw plants work" pro­ color phQtos and a super.b listing of hardy and OUTDOORS OR IN YOU SAVE TIME tropical Water Lilies as well as many graceful AND MONEY. vides a good background on botany for ~~uOa~~cCI~~I:S~a ~i~~e;~~~ioOnX~~fn~:~i~~ti~~a~~~ the nOJ"l-botanist. The author covers a broad exotic fish for indoor ·or outdoor pools .. aU NOTHING CAN COMPARE-NOT from America's oldest and largest water garden range of subjects il'lcluding ecology, phys­ specialists EVEN COME CLOSE. All TltICK£R ....""" a .. GUAItAHTUD TO GROW iology and taxonomy, and clearly explains , WATER UUES . . . in every imalinable color FREE B ' ROCHUR~ DESCRIBES them in everyday language. Sihe also pro­ . . . both hardy and tropic.ol . . . AQUATIC PLANTS . .. many !:ypes of shallow THE MARVELOUS PROPAGA­ vides simple experiments you can perform watltr. bot! . and om8NItin, plants from creepinl Parrot Futher to UmbreUa Palms TION EQUIPMENT. illl your own home. As a pla.in-talk intro­ 8nd Taro. ORNAMENTAL FISH ... W. oller a I.... se­ duction to b0tany, this book is unique. 6 lection of Goldfish and unusual Scavenlers. VII ,iN fa ",. office nea,...' you -Gilbert S. Daniels Box 398, Dept. AH84 Saddle River. NJ 07458 Box 7845, Dept. AH84 Gilbert S. Daniels is the Immediate Past President of the AmClrican Horticulttlfal SOCiClty.

12 April1984 I I Grow gardens that burst with life! NEW! THE SMALL GARDEN John Brookes. Take a new look at gardening with this step-by-step guide to garden design and construction. Clear-cut instructions are provided on assessing plots, extending the garden Into the home, and making gardens livable with furniture, decorative containers, and lighting. Over 500 color illustrations highlight individual plants. "An excellent guide ."-Ubrary Journal. $12.95 paper

NEW! EUCALYPTS Volumes I and II Now in paper! D1ustrator: Stan Kell.lI DESIGNING WITH PLANTS G.M. Chippendale and11.o . Johnston. Nearly 450 species of the Richard L. Austin. Find out how you can use plants to create aestheti­ genus Eucalyptus are stunningly illustrated .in color in these two clas­ cally pleasing environments that satisfy clients and achieve a reason­ sic sourcebooks. You 're given the sCientific and popular names of able balance between the site and its user. Richard Austin shows you each. Comprehensive distribution lists help you pinpoint the habitat how to formulate design objectives, analyze site capacities, deter­ of each tree on the Australian continent. $49.50 each mine functional requirements of plant material, and select plant types. $12. 95 paper Now in paper! THE HILUER COLOR DICTIONARY HOW TO GROW WILDFLOWERS OF TREES AND SHRUBS AND WILD SHRUBS AND TREES IN YOUR H.G. Hillier. Crystal-clear descriptions and cultivation tips for 3,500 OWN GARDEN trees and shrubs can now be yours! This full-color dictionary-from Hal Bruce. Step-by-step directions show you how to care for wild­ the world-famous Hillier Arboretum in Hampshire, England-pro­ flowers and wild shrubs in cultivated gardens. Hal Bruce explains the vides over 600 superb photographs that illustrate distinctive plant soil, moisture, and sunlight requirements of a wide variety of native characteristics. It also explains how to use woody plants in garden American plants. He gives you tips on plant selection as well as on design and prune them. $16.95 paper how to best use seeds, seedlings, and cuttings. $9.95 paper

Now in paper! THE SCENTED GARDEN MINIATURE ORCHIDS Rosemary Verey. A celebrated gardening expert explains exactly Rebecca Tyson Northen. Here's the first guide devoted entirely to how to choose, grow, and use plants that will bring fragrance to your raising beautiful miniature orchids. It shows you how to care for them life, home, and table. Coverage of over 1,000 plants includes tech­ in a variety of indoor settings and discusses how they grow In the niques on cultivating a scented garden of any size-from a window wild. Hundreds of photographs-many in vivid color-identify each sill display to several wooded acres of delightful fragrances. $24.95 species. "An important addition to the libraries of all serious orchid hobbyists."-The Florida Orchidist. $19.95 paper MAIL COUPON FOR FREE-EXAMINATION COPIES! NEW! ••••••••••••••••••••••• ORGANIC GARDENING UNDER GLASS • VAN NOSTRAND REINHOLD . • • Mail Order Service • Fruits, Vegetables, and Ornamentals in the 7625 Empire Drive, Florence, KY 41042 • Greenhouse YES! Send me the book(s) checked below for 15 days' FREE EXAMINATION. After 15 • • days. I'll pay the purchase pri ce plus local sales tax and a small handling and delivery • George (Doc) Abraham and Katy Abraham. Two renowned green­ • charge or return the book(s) and OWE NOTHING. • house gardeners give you a headstart on spring by explaining how to grow plants under glass for outdoor gardens. They show how to prop­ • 0 SAVE MONEY! Oheck here if enclosing payment with order and publisher pays post- • agate Mouse plants, grow tropical orchids, and harvest berries in the age and handling . 15-d ay return-refund guarantee. Be sure to add local sal es tax with winter. "Everything you need to know about greenhouse gardening." • payment. • -Publishers Weekly. $10.95 paper • _ 21420-0 The Small Garden ...... paper $12.95 • _24667-6 Eucal ypts, Vol. I...... 49 .50 • • _24668-4 Eucalypts, Vol. II ...... 49 .50 _23652-2 The Hillier Oolor Di ctionary of Trees and Shrubs . . .. paper 16.95 • HILLIER'S MANUAL OF TREES & SHRUBS • _ 26972-2 Miniature Orchids. . . .. paper 19. 95 Fifth Edition • _ 21 035-3 Organic Gard ening Under Glass ...... paper 10.95 • H.G. Hillier. Describing over 8,000 plants from nearly 700 different _ 23663-8 Hillier's Manual of Trees & Shrubs, 5th Ed ...... 19.95 • • genera, this fifth edition of the tree and shrub bible is packed with _ 22343-9 A Guide to Estimating Land scape Oosts . . 23.50 information on horticulture, arboriculture, and botany. Y€) u find essen­ • _24658-7 Designing with Plants. . . .paper 12.95 • _ 21319-0 How to Grow Wildflowers and Wild Shrubs and Trees • tial data on the color, size, and growth habits of virtually all trees and • in Your Own Garden . . .. paper 9.95 shrubs, climbers, conifers, and bamboos. $19.95 • _28175-7 The Scented Garden ...... 24.95 •

A GUIDE TO ESTIMATING • Name • LANDSCAPE COSTS =Addre ss (No orders shipped to P.O. box addresses unless prepaid.) = Gary Robinette. Gain time-saving facts and figures on landscape • Oity ______costs. This is the only guide available to thoroughly cover the costs of State Zip • all landscape operations-from design to installation or construction • 0 MasterCard 0 VISA 0 Americ an Express-Pl ease charge my credit ca rd • through ongoing maintenance activities Over 200 oharts, tables, • (publisher pays postage and handling ) Same 15-day examination offer (charges Will be • lists, and diagrams make It easy to determine the cost of each Item In • canceled if book(s) are return ed). • a landscape project. $23.50 • Card # Exp. _ I_ Signature • ~ VAN NOSTRAND REINHOLD • ,Offer good in U.S. only and subject to credit department approval. A8069 • ~ •...... TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAMELA HARPER

he old house stands by the side of the road, as it has done for nearly 250 years. The Van Vlacks have lived here for half a century, but local folk still know the cottage as "the old Hawley Place." 'Early records were burned, but the cedar­ shingled cottage in the saltbox style (which was used to dodge the Crown tax on two-story buildings) is believed to have been built about 1738. The date 1766 is engraved on the front door latch. Another link with Colonial days is evident in the pine paneling, from which nine coats of paint were removed; it is all less than two fellt in width, except for one cracked plank. At the time of construction, any sound board of greater width was claimed by England for build­ ing ships. When Albert and Mildred Van Vlack first saw the derelict cottage in 1932, it looked forlorn. No one had lived there for 18 years, the outside timbers had rotted away and bushes had growfl up through floors that now display rugs hooked by Mr. Van Vlack during the long winters of northeastern Connecticut. There was no electricity, and water had to be carrilld from a spring across the road. They bought the house, with six-tenths of an acre, for $800. Property tax that first year was $12. Those were "the good old days," reflects Mr. Van Vlack, son of a Dutch farmer from New York state, who at the time was earning $8.00 a week as a derk. He has many a story to relate about the house and its furnishings. Six dozen eggs were bartered for an antique schoolhouse desk-"just junk then," he says. The cottage, trimmed in brown-stained redwood clapboard, stands foursquare to the little-traveled road. Facing south, it is bounded by rocky fields with wooded slopes beyond. Deer, racoons and chipmunks are frequent visitors, and robins- drunk from gorging on the berries from junipers that spatter surround­ ing fields-are a familiar sight. The Van Vlacks own another seven acres across the road, protecting their view, and there, behind an old stone wall, they have made a pond surrounded by mown grass that recedes into woodland. A brown-stained picket fence with a castellated top frames the garden, keeps out cows and serves as a hitching post for some tall perennials in need of staking. Candy tuft, snowy in spring, hems the outside of the fence, and in summer clematis cascade over it, their roots in shade and flowers in sun-exactly what they like. A strip of mown grass beyond the fence lessens damage from salt washed from the road. Along the eastern boundary, a spring-fed brook runs down to the Whiting River. Once, after seven inches of rain had fallen in two hours, the brook carried away part of the fence. Mr. Van Vlack recalls the back for herbs and vegetables. At first, true to cottage garden with satisfaction how he set off in pursuit and recovered most tradition, little was bought. Latllr, some plants were purchased, of it. usually those seen in the gardens of other restored houses, among The garden is divided more or less in half, the front for flowers, them Madonna lilies. Many of the plants were foundlings from abandoned gardens or gifts from friends, sometimes just a slip Sunny yellow and orange marigolds, given to the Van Vlacks as gifts, wink at passers-by from outside the brown-stained picket fence that but more often a sizeable clump; others were grown from seed. borders the garden. Cabbage roses have been in the garden at least 150 years. Lilacs

14 April1984 , Cottage Garden

Mrs. Van Vlack speaks of the snowy day when they first saw the old house: "Snow helped se ll us the place, because it covered a potato patch we thought was level ground." Making virtue out of necessity, the potato patch is now an undulating lawn ("we just mowed what was there"), which is more appealing in this setting than one billiard-table flat. In the northwest corner behind the lawn, blue and white, peach-leaved bellflower has naturalized in a small thicket that hides the garden shed. This old favorite has been known in gardens since the 16th century. Perennials, the quintessence of a cottage garden, have been out of vogue in recent years, but not with the Van Vlacks. Now that flowers are fashionable again, this garden is one of rather few show-and-tell examples of how to grow them well. Long borders following the fence line to the south and west originally came together a bit like homemade soup-not according to a recipe, but starting with what needed "using up," then pausing to savor and consider before making additions. "So much was given," says Mrs. Van Vlack, and so by happenstance she fol­ lowed two sound guidelines for making pleasing borders: use big groupings of one kind, and repeat the same plant in another part of the border. There are no clashing colors in the scheme, which began with pink 'American Pillar' roses and blue del­ phiniums given by a lady for whom Mr. Van Vlack worked for 50¢ a day. The offspring of those first plants are in the garden still, sometimes seeming frozen to death but always coming back. Pink, blue, gray and white remains the color scheme for the south border. Bright pink ya rrow with plate-like heads is.flanked by phlox of softer pink, the white spires of a veronica aptly called 'Icicle', and bronze-crowned, pink-rimmed coneflowers that look like garden party hats. The shape and color of del­ phiniums are repeated on a smaller scale by spikes of blue ve­ ronica, and next to these is a cloud of bright pink coral bells. Also present are claret-colored bee balm, fragrant pinks, the brilliant magenta flowers of rose campion calmed by their own gray-felted leaves, and ferny-leaved white dropwort with sprays of double flowers like tiny roses. Mrs. Van Vlack doesn't like yellow with pink, and there is no yellow in the south border. In the west border yellow has replaced most of the pink, but the beloved old 'Mary Wallace' roses still swathe the fence in pink for a short while in early summer. When the rotted window frames of the cottage were replaced, much of the old glass was saved. Through these old, wavy panes the west border, bright with tulips in spring, has the dreamy, impressionistic IGlok of a painting. In late spring, creamy roses pick up the color of wavy-leaved plantain lilies, a subtle combination given zest by the decisive purplish red of a hardy geranium. Lady's-mantle is grown mainly for its pleated, dew-bedizened leaves. (The botanical name, Alchemilla, be­ speaks the use of this dew by alchemists in preparing the Phi'~ were dug from an aoandoned homestead along the road, and losopher's Stone.) The foamy, chartreuse flowers provide pleas­ so was the intensely fragrant apothecary rose now intermingled ing contrast, in form, to the red and yellGlw wheels of Gaillardia, with self-sown feverfew. A path leads, in the old pre-automobile a sun-loving perennial that is not very long lived in northern way, from road to front door, through a Williamsburg-style gate gardens but is easily grown from seed. with baH and chain closure. The gentian-blue flowers of creeping Then comes Y€lllow yarrow, grouped with white Phlox and plumbago spread oveF the old door slab, whi€h was broken iF) the blue balloOl;)' flower, whose inflated buds one's fingers itch two when unearthed but pieced together again. to pop. In summer the steel blue, chain-mace spheres of globe

American Horticulturist 15 thistle rise above the fence, and at the front of the border catmint tumbles over the lawn. There are white Shasta daisies, blue European meadow geraniums, the dark blue North American knapweed or mountain bluet, and the velvety leaves of lamb's­ ears. The season draws to a close with great patches of orang€ and yellow Helenium, or sneezeweed. Hardpan day lies two feet down, and this keeps the soil moist-heleniums lik€ that. Plants in old cottage gardens probably got the dregs from the . teapot, and quite likely the chamber pot as well, but they weren't

Botanical Names for Cottage Flowers

Apothecary rose Rosa gallica 'Officinalis' Auriculas Primula auricula Balloon flower Platycodon grandiflorus Bee balm Monarda hybrids of M. fistulosa and M. didyma Bible-leaf or Costmary Chrysanthemum balsamita Cabbage ];Qses Rosa centifolia Calla lily Zantedeschia elliottiana Candy tuft Iberis sempervirens Catmint Nepeta faassenii Cone flowers Echinacea purpurea (often catalogued as Rudbeckia purpurea) Coralbells Heuchera sanguinea Dropwort Filipendula vulgaris European meadow Geranium pratense geramums Feverfew Chrysanthemum parthenium Globe thisde Echinops sp. Golden-glow Rudbeckia laciniata 'Hortensia' Hardy geranium Geranium sanguineum Knapweed Centaurea montana Lady's-rnantle Alchemilla mollis Lambs' -ears Stachys byzantina ABOVE: A pink and white perennial border lines the undulating lawn Lavender Lavandula sp. that was once a potaw patch. BELOW: Clematis, delphiHiurns, drop­ Lilacs Syringa vulgaris wort, veronicas, cOFalbells and pink yarrow line the roadside. Lungwort Pulmonaria officinalis pampered. They had to be robust; that's why they've b€en aroutld Mugworr Artemisia vulgaris for so long. Some are almost too eager. The tWo borders in this Peach-leaved bdlflower Campanula persicifolia garden are separated by a king-size bolster of gray Artemisia Pinks Dianthus sp. 'Silver King' billowing over, uncler and a,rmmd a ben.ch, placed across the corner to "hide the mess behind." The ploy must have Plantain lilies Nosta sp. worh~d, for the garden always looks spick-and-span. The ar­ Plumbago Ceratostigma plumbaginoides temisia has to be curbed each year, and a bright pink yarrow~ Rose campion Lychnis coronaria admired by the Van Vlacks and given to them with the warning Shasta daisies Chrysanthemum X superbum that it tends to be invasive-must also be watched. Southemwood Artemisia abrotanum Cottagers' wives traditionally cherished an odd tender plant Tansy Tanacetum vulgare or two, and so does Mrs. Van Vlack. To the east of the house, Tarragon Artemisia dramnculus a short gravded drive runs to the garage and a small attached Thyme Thymus sp. greenhouse. In the narrow bed to the right there's an exotic Veronica 'Icicle' Veronica incana, V. teuerium touch in late spring provided by bright ydlow calla lilies, which Wormwood Artemisia absinthium are wintered indoors. Her husband's approach is more practical, Yarrow Pink: Achillea millefolium summed up in a conversation about the septic tank, of such a 'Roseum' large size that it never needs pumping out. Why so big? "I had Yellow: A. millefolium a big hole to fill," he says. The raised bed to the left of the drive 'Coronation Gold' came about for a similar reason. AU the old mortar and rubble from the house was dumped here during restoration, and "it

16 April 1984 example of a plant whose use was once dictated by the Doctrine of Signatures, in which 16th- and 17th-century physicians put great faith, and which was still given some credence at the ti'me this old house was built. Because lungwort's mottled leaves were thought to resemble diseased lungs, it was used for treating pulmonary disorders; the scientific r.J.ame is Pulmonaria. When this cottage was young, tansy might have been grown for use in spring tonics or for flavoring the tansy pudding that was traditional Easter fare. Perhaps the first owners heeded the advice of apothecary Culpepper, who wrote, "Let those women who desire children love this herb; it is their best companion, their husbands excepted." The Van Vlacks, less credulous, grow it for old time's sake and for its prettily cut leaves and yellow button flowers. The boulders of the herb garden steps change to the flat stones of a path curving catty-cornered across the large vegetable gar­ den. The Van Vlacks grow most of the vegetables they eat, which takes a lot of space, but the vegetable garden isn't devoid of flowers. A New England homestead would hardly be complet€ without golden-glow, and no wonder every cottager had it, for it multiplies so fast that if not given away over the garden fence, Rosa gallica 'Officinalis', commonly called apothecary rose, growing it would certainly find its own way under it. Mrs. Van Vlack with Chrysanthemum parthenium, or feverfew. won't trust it in the borders, but it has a corner of the vegetable was easier to cover it up than to move it." A ribbon of wine­ garden where the washing machine empties out. "It seems to red, yellow-eyed auriculas runs along the base of the lichen­ like the soapsuds," she says. covered, stone retaining wall-all from divisions of just one In an age when man has walked on the moon, there's a measure purchased plant. Stone steps go up from here to the paved rear of nostalgia for simpler, old-fashioned things. Mrs. Van Vlack, terrace, where annuals and such house plants as fuchsias and a talented, self-taught artist whose work reflects her love of ivy-leaf geraniums swing in hanging baskets from the boughs of flowers and the countryside, mentions the demand for sketches a shade tree in summer. and paintings of picturesque privies. The "Hawley place" is Herbs, with all their historic associations, are a natural choice neither museum nor monument to the past, and its present own­ for th€ gardens of old houses. Most often they are grown in ers have always looked forward, not back, moving towards beds of geometric shape, but this herb garden, as befits the attainable goals at a sustainable pace. The outhouse has gone, cottage, is informal. "Every stone has my fingerprints on it," and so has the old, separate summer kitchen. Electric light has says Mr. Van Vlack, looking down on the herbs tucked between replaced the old oil lamps. Sweet spring wat€r still serves the rocks on the bank sloping down from the terrace. Once there cottage, but now it comes at the turn of a tap, and water onG€ was grass here, but "I'd no intention of cutting it," says Mrs. carried in milk cans to the flowers is pumped from the pond Van Vlack, "and I refused," adds her husband. The idea for the across the road. Fiddlehead ferns go into the 20th-century fre€z€r herb garden came from a similar garden displayed at the nearby (Sears 1952 and still going strong) in the cellar ("made for short B€rkshire Garden Center. people"), which was de€pened by a foot. The delicious aroma Some of the herbs are for culinary use, some for fragrance, of baking rhubarb, freshly piGked, comes from a modern stove; but most ar€ "more for to pleas€ the eye than either the nose the old bread oven is still there in the thr€e-fin~ place, 14-foot­ or the belly," as it was put in the days when this was a revo­ square granite chimney breast that has warmed so maflY gen­ lutionary id€a. The colors are calming, with a lot of gray, but erations. Now the oven serves a diff€rent function: its door opens th€re's also rhe artist's touch in an occasional spot of bright each Christmas onto a Nativity scene left permanently in place. color. There are several kiflds of onion: "hives, of course, as Earli€r cottagers who called this place "holIil€" would not pr€tty as th€y are useflal; the early-flowering, yellow Allium recognize the gard€n now. Th€re would have been flowers, many moly; and th€ lat€-flowering, mauve A. senescens var. glaucum of them the same kinds: lilacs, pinks, antique roS€s and wild­ that has no comme>n name (old gray oflion might do), its blue­ flowers from the roadsid€s. But cottage gardens as picturesque gray leaves held in almost horizontal swirls. Then;!'s fragrance as this are a product of our time. F€w, even flOW, have the artistry from pinks, lavender and thyme creepiflg alc)flg cracks and cran­ of Mrs. Van Vlack, or h€r husband's willingnClss to get up at 5 nies, as wdl as from the mint-sGent€d foliage (when squeezed a.m. to spray the flowers with wat€r as protection against threat­ in the fing€rs) of Bible-leaf, so called beGaus€ the long, flat leaves ened late-spring frost. Wer€ e>ften us€d as bookmarks in Bibles. The old house stands by the side of the road and will do so The powers ascFibed to herbs are many and varied and often for many more y€ars, a reassuring symbol of stability in a rran­ highly imaginativ€; artemisias slUch as tarragon, sOll!thClwWOOG, si€nt age; it is for this, not th€ privy, fhat we yearn. A cottage wormwood and mugwort ha¥Cl been credited with just about gard€n cannot be typecast, sinc€ it is less a gard€ning style than eVClrything from chasing away fleas and warding off Iighming the manifestation of a way 0f life-hard-workir.J.g, home-loving, to Gheering the lovelorro. afld restoring hair to balding heads. cr€arive and self-reliant. At th€ Van Vlack place, that hasn't ("Thley don't an work," says Mr. Van Vlack.) Of th@ s@veral change

American Horticulturist 17 ABOVE: Variegated moor grass, Molinia caerulea 'Variegata', Chinese chives, Allium tuberosum, and marigold 'Sparky' make a happy combination of common and uncommon plants near the author's door. RIGHT: Container-grown marigolds surround a well in the author's garden.

18 April1984 , Co~~o~Plants

BY FREDERICK McGOURTY of those plants with quiet grace. Quiet grace, of course, is a horticultural euphemism for hree or four times a year I am secondary elegance. The Gaura Cult has dragged, kicking and screaming, to grown. a cocktail party by a wife who ac­ T A Multinational Thistle cuses me of becoming a hermit. I am not very good at such affairs and usually re­ Along with nine or 10 other people in treat to study a bookcase if I think I can America, I am fond of the Scotch thistle, get away with it. No one bothers a bib­ Onopordum acanthium, whose prickly, liophile, especially one who reads books. silver rosettes give rise the second year to Every so often there is no bookcase, and very prickly, eight-foot-tall stalks. As they I have to stand by the brie talking with reach toward the heavens these become someone whose eye reaches beyond my candelabras bearing reddish purple flow­ shoulder as soon as I answer her question ers in July, much like those of the globe about my occupation-a horticulturist. Not artichoke. Scotch thistle isn't really Scot­ surprisingly, the conversation turns to tish at all, and it was probably an Eng­ cheese, and I remark about my fondness lishman who first called it Scotch, as an for brie, even when it is heated and has epithet. It is native from Europe to central almonds on it, which seems increasingly Asia but has moved around in its own the case in the complicated eighties. At the exuberant way. In South America it"is called last bash this brought a swift retort: "But the Argentine thistle, probably by the it's so common. Nobody serves it at the Chileans. better parties anymore. Everyone's into are "in" plants, of course. "Out" plants, Stately biennials such as the Scotch this­ chevre now, with shredded macadamias which may have been "in" at one time, tle are not easy to use in the landscape, on top." I almost spilled my Campari and include cannas, gladiolus (except the spe~ especially ours. My wife expressed her soda. cies, which are "in"), Catalpa, Strelitzia opinion on the subject in no uncertain terms: The same sort of thing happens when I and Kolkwitzia. There are regional vari­ "You'll plant those thistles in my garden attend plant meetings these days, too. Re­ ations, especially in California. In general, over my dead body!" Mary Ann is not one cently one speaker complained about the the number of "out" plants is greater in of the nine or 10 Onopordophiles on this glaring ubiquity of annuals; another railed the Northeast and Northwest than in other side of the Atlantic, and my efforts at plant against hostas as the ornamental cabbages parts of the country. There are not many sensitivity training have not been entirely that are taking over America. The sneers in the Plains states. successful. are uttered with the sort of fervor that turf Occasionally a plant is "in" in one place, Much of the success of a garden has to specialists reserve for lawns that have dan­ "out" in another. An example is crape do with the proper placement of plants, delions in them. I happen to be fond of myrtle, which is as common in the South and I ascertained that there was room for dandelions, and once suggested to a lawn as watermelon but undependably hardy in compromise, or at least maneuvering, since man that the world would be a better place New York, hence valued. I know a person Mary Ann had specifically referred to the if we let the dandelions grow and pulled who grows a Japanese windmill palm garden, not the property. In this give-and­ out the grass, which gets in the way of the (Trachycarpu5 fortunei) on an island off take, I was given the driveway as part of climax lawn. What is the sin of a dandelion the Massachusetts coast. This specimen is the settlement, with the understanding that except commonness? It is a beautiful plant. a far cry from one grown in Ireland or early each August Mary Ann's son would My turf friend realized at once that he was Cornwall or even Norfolk, Virginia, but be allowed to chop down the Scotch this­ in the presence of an unregenerate Amer­ it is treasure in the eye of the owner-be­ tles with an ax before the seeds ripened ican crank. holder. A few advanced plantsmen like fully and spilled over into the next county. The fact is, it's a trendy country, and Gaura lindheimeri, a perennial wildflower Steven spends most of July sharpening the gardening, like any other field, has its share from Texas with white flowers resembling ax. He is not one of the nine or 10 On­ of "in" plants and "out" plants. Paperbark moths who have been through a hailstorm. opordophiles, either. maple, Japanese painted fern, variegated It is not very well known among gardeners, Fortunately, the large driveway of our Solomon's-seal and European wild ginger and it is not intended to be. Gaura is one old farm is unpaved, though the soil has

American Horticulturist 19 been compacted by two centuries of pres­ when Throckmorton, a quintessentially complete to me, and with a guarded tone sure from cows, horses, stagecoaches, wa­ Yankee bachelor friend, dropped by with I asked what annuals she had in mind. I gons, tractors, cars, trucks, backhoes and a couple of flats that had just been given hoped she was planning for next year, and overweight Labrador retrievers. The evi­ to him by an older lady for whom he oc­ for color in the vegetabl€ garden in the dence is covered by an inch or two of bat­ casionally gardened. There were all sorts meadow beyond our house, out of sight. tleship gray pebbles called traprock. of variations in flower color, running the "Love me, love my marigolds!" she ex­ I carefully chose a planting spot away gamut of purple, yellow and white, the claimed. "I want them up front, right by from wheels, human feet, cat runs and po­ three tints that make up the "tricolor" in the door. Orange ones, yellow ones, maybe tential home plates of pre-teen baseball the species name. Throckmorton made a some white ones, too." crazies. As I believe in Scotch thistles going point of picking them over and reserving I took the offensive. "Mary Ann, this is first class, I selected a southerly location the most colorful for himself. In fact, we a quiet residential area. What will the next to our barn, between a garage door were left with the purple ones, pretty enough neighbors think? Besides, there may be that opens to a tool storage area and an­ but not what we had anticipated. zoning regulations. And what do you ex­ other door that leads to an old stable where The Johnny-jump-ups were planted in pect me to tell the president of the Inter­ pots are stored. There is considerable traffic one of our perennial borders, and they national Meconopsis Society when he drops between the two. When wife, young 'uns flowered beautifully all through the sea­ by for lunch?" She replied, "Tell him David and our nursery staff go by, they can all son. I began to wonder why no one gave Burpee is coming for dinner." That settled admire the Scotch thistles, I thought. Well, them prime spots in the garden. The next it. I lost. they at least look at the thistles, though year the reason became abundantly clear. I may have lost the war, but I was de­ not with the kind of warmth these noble They had increased their space to half the termined to win the peace. If marigolds plants deserve. Each person except me looks border, and we realized that something are to be planted, one should at least go forward to early August, and there is an had to be done. One day a visiting rock about it properly. Concessions were ex­ irreverent celebration on the appointed day gardener who thought we should have a acted. In return for limiting the planting of felling. rock garden, too, suggested that the far by the back door to one area and with Growing Scotch thistle in gravel is a bit end of our driveway, away from the Scotch surrounding plants of my choice, I con­ of an art. The improvement of the soil, as thistles, be turned into a scree. Well, water ceded to Mary Ann's color selection, it were, consisted of incorporating several certainly does run through, under and over 'Sunkist' orange. In addition, several win­ shovelsful of peat moss, worked in by pick the driveway in late winter, and there is dow boxes by our old well would be given until the pick broke. Good sendoffs are no shortage of small stones. to marigolds, but they had to be small, vital, so I added some super phosphate and I gathered that the conditions would not yellow, single-flowered French types such lime, too. Actually the sendoff was more have quite met with the approval of F

20 April 1984 The wooly leaves of lamb's-ears, Stachys byzantina, surround the common, but much loved flowers of JohnnY-lump-ups.

American Horticulturist 21 Hosta 'Krossa Regal' is a relatively new cultivar of this much loved plant. It has gray-green foliage and five- to six-foot scapes.

22 April 1984 , beautiful of all perennial grasses and looks plants were th e year before. I simply spend from banal uses. However, as a ground well even in early winter when the leaves a few minutes each spring rearranging them cover under the common, alm ost Qver­ become light buff. Our friend suggested and discarding the excess. powering peegee hydrangea, H. paniculata that we plant the Molinia near the door One of the loveli es t uses of sweet alys­ 'Grandiflora', whose white snowball s of so we would be aware of its presence in sum is simple abandonment. A few yea rs fl owers appear at the same time this hosta winter. ago a landscape designer friend took me is in bloom, the effect is very pleasing. The moor grass has served as the catalys t on a tour of gardens in Beverly Hills. We I also like to have a group planting of for a grouping of low-growing 'S un kist' stopped at a posh hotel where there were Hosta lancifolia in a shaded spot near sev­ orange marigolds we planted in front of fin e, rather elaborate des igns with many eral clumps of Astilbe taquetii 'S uperba', and alongside it. Also, it cools while they plants I knew only from straitjacket cul ­ whi ch grows three to four feet tall and has enhance, and the combination works. For ture in greenhouses. I don't relate to such steeple-shaped clusters of flowers the color a complement, some ornamental onions pl ants very well but was aware that praise, of black raspberry ice cream. Their bloom with gray leaves and soft yellow flowers, or at least gentle comment, was expected. periods overlap, as does that of Astilbe Allium flavum, were planted nearby. Their Then, off to one sid e appeared a brick 'William Buchanan', a lovely, shiny, cut­ flowers open in a fascinating manner near, terrace covered with low white mounds. leaved plant that has eight-inch-tall clus­ but not at the top of, the scape, from a Sometime before, the area between the ters of white flowers. This is one of the long beak that encloses them. They bloom bricks had been given to sweet alyss um most vigorous of the really dwarf astilbes for a number of weeks in midsummer. This instead of the customary mother-of-thyme, and is itself a candidate for ground cover is one of the prettiest alliums, and it almost and it had fill ed th e openings bea utifull y in a small area. takes the minds of curmudgeons off and lav ishl y. My friend was disappointed I have made a fair number of divisions marigolds. that my attention was focused on such of Hosta lancifolia over the years for our common plants, so I made a point of own garden as well as for the nursery. Ever So Sweet Alyssum speaking favorzb ly about some lantanas Toward the end of one spring afternoon There are few banal plants, just banal nearby, which made matters worse. But several years ago, my fingers were almost sites or banal combinations. One annual then, even the cracks of Los Angeles side­ numb from breaking up large clumps of that I have never found banal in any way walks are fasc inating to north easterners this hosta, and the barn floor was littered or location is a low-growing plant from whose plants of red valeri an (Centranthus wi th its fresh young leaves. The telephone the Mediterranean world that most gar­ ruber) or Mexican fl eabane (Erigeron kar­ rang. It was Mary Ann, delayed in a neigh­ deners take for granted-sweet alyssum, vinskianus) have faded away. One man 's boring town and asking me to get dinner Lobularia maritima. There is no need to garden fl ower is another man's weed. started. She said that some spinach was in describe it here except to say that there are the refrigerator. purple- and rosy-pink-flowered va riants of An Old Soldier Among Hostas It was a cold day, and I needed little the usual white-flowered mat, 'Carpet of Much has been written lately concerning prodding to enter the kitchen. Meal prep­ Snow'. As an edging plant, the last has new hostas, often wi th condescension aration went well once my thumbs had bound down many a border that otherwise toward older sorts. Reading the future re­ thawed, but we were short on spinach. Not would have been strident red or yellow quires more tea leaves than reading the long before, a gardening acquaintance clouds floating in space. past, but some of the novelties that have versed in ways Japanese had casually men­ I like sweet alyssum best, however, as foliage of real distinction-among them tioned to me that hostas were used occa­ individual specimens planted among low­ 'Francee' (with silver variegated leaves), sionally in the Orient for cooking. In­ growing foliage plants of patrician but 'Gold Standard' (chartreuse with green spired, I dashed to the barn, picked up the slightly obese form, such as Bergenia or edge) and 'Krossa Regal' (with gray foliage afternoon's leavings, and returned to the the first-year rosettes of the wonderfully and fi ve- or six-foot-tall scapes)-willlikely kitchen. After washing the foliage carefully felty silver sage, Salvia argentea. One be valued for years. A host of others, fairly and removing the pithy midrib, I mixed pleasant use of 'Royal Carpet' sweet alys­ good soldiers though they may be, are apt the hosta leaves with the spinach. sum, which has purple flowers with a bit to fade away. The word " new" has special Cooking was brief, and I was busy chop­ of white, is to intersperse it among plants appeal for gardeners, and in horticultural ping the greens as Mary Ann came into of this superb sage, where the alyssum pro­ parlance it is considered synonymous with the driveway. Dinner was on the table in vides textural change but color compata­ " better," much to the satisfaction of every­ a flash. I surreptitiously watched her as bility. The two, in turn, are guarded as a one but a few mossbacks, curmudgeons she ate the concoction, because she is usu­ distinct garden scenario by a background and blockers of general progress . ally able to detect anything out of the or­ of lavender-blue Stokesia, in turn overseen I suspect that a few of the older hostas dinary, down to the tiniest anchovy or by purple coneflower, Echinacea purpu­ will survive the onslaught. One that I see scungilli I might add to spaghetti sauce. rea. The flanks are safe from invasion if everywhere these days, from plantings of The "spinach" passed muster, or at least there are some grays, pinks and whites other times, is Hosta lancifolia, which makes went without comment, and I eventually defending them. There is no shortage of a serviceable edging or ground cover, al­ took a few bites, too. Hosta greens prob­ choices. These are cool, lingering scenes though the glossy green leaves are small ably don't have much of a future in the for the beadl days of summer. for the genus. It is still one of the best American kitchen, but they're nice to know Sweet alyssum differs from most an­ hostas for flowers, which are rich lavender about if you run short on spin ach or have nuals because it is frost tolerant, and even and borne in the latter part of summer after too many lancifolias in the garden .. .. 4} in our wretched New England climate there most other hostas have ceased blooming. may be some flowers as late as November. Hosta lancifolia is almost indestructible, a Frederick McGourty and his wife, Mary Ann, It also self-sows, and each year there is trait not always appreciated by nursery­ own Hillside Gardens, a nursery in Norfolk, usually a new batch of seedlings near where men. Like marigolds, it has suffered a lot Connecticut specializing in perennials.

American Horticulturist 23 Ladew Topiary Gardens

BY FRANCIS M. RACKEMANN, JR. ne of the finest topiary gardens in about topiary after seeing the clipped hedges the world is located about 20 miles in English gardens. He liked to plant, grow, O north of Baltimore, Maryland. Each prune and shape figures out of yew, hem­ yea r, horticulturists and garden lovers from lock, privet and box, turning them into a around the world visit 22-acre Ladew To­ fantasy world ranging from whimsical to piary Gardens, famous for its topiary hedges stately. He bought his first wire forms and sculptures, and 15 theme gardens. (around which he shaped his topiary fig­ The late Harvey Smith Ladew, for whom ures) in England; later he designed others the estate is named, was a lifelong bachelor to be made locally. In addition to creating born in New York. Fond of fox hunting topiary figures, Ladew laid out and planted and traveling, Ladew was a painter, an 15 different theme gardens on his Mary­ artist and designer, a philanthropist and a land estate. ge ntleman farmer. His love of fox hunting In July 1965 Ladew opened his grounds and the outdoors eventuall y attracted him to the public, explaining, "I'd like to think to the Maryland countrys ide, where, in that these gardens could be preserved as a 1929, he bought an old farm. Over the years, he restored and enlarged the farm­ ABOVE: Ladew Topiary Gardens is famous for its many hedges, which have been clipped house (known as Pleasant Valley House) into a wide variety of shapes and sizes. LEFT: whil e pursuing his interest in topiary and This yew seahorse can be found in the gardening. Sculpture Garden at Ladew. Topiary, which dates back to the first RIGHT: The Yellow Garden at Ladew is filled with yell ow-fl owered iris, Exbury century, is the art of training, cutting and azaleas and golden -chain trees, as well as trimming trees and shrubs into odd or or­ maroon-l eaved Japanese maples and golden­ namental shapes. Ladew became excited foliaged trees and shrubs.

24 April 1984 American Horticulturist 25 park for the enjoyment of people who live cuspidata) topped by the figure of a roos­ Virginia bluebells. Spring bulbs add early in the city and surrounding areas. Oth­ ter, which Ladew brol!ght along with him bloom. Next is the Victorian Garden, with erwise," he warned, "the place will be bull­ from his former residence on Long Island, its concrete furniture, rhododendrons, dozed and made into something else." None still stands by the gardener's cottage at the azaleas, Chinese forget-me-nots and bulbs of the local governments-inch:lding Bal­ entrance to the estate. Ladew "let his fan­ in shades of blue and lavender. Specimens timore city, Harford County or the state­ tasies run rampant," according to Mrs. of Cryptomeria japonica line each side of had sufficient funds to maintain the gar­ George Constable, head of the Ladew the entry gate. dens, so he established the Ladew Topiary committee in charge of overseeing the gar­ The Berry Garden is designed for birds. Gardens Foundation, a non-profit orga­ den's maintenance. Visitors can enjoy yew Plants include Pachysandra terminalis, nization now headed by Mrs. Benjamin H. topiaries in a wide variety of shapes, in­ Cotoneaster divaricatus, Taxus, Skimmia, Griswold, III. Harvey Smith Ladew died cluding a sea horse, a unicorn, a butterfly, Viburnum, crabapples, Pyracantha and in 1976 at the age of 89, 11 years after two Iyrebirds, a large top hat, Churchill's hollies. The Berry Garden leads to the Cro­ bequeathing his estate to the foundation. World War II "V for Victory" sign and a quet Court, with its salmon-colored roses, Today, Ladew's 15 gardens as well as fish. So unique are Ladew's creations that blue Tradescantia and Siberian iris. This the house are listed on the National Reg­ in May 1971, the Garden Club of America area was originally a tennis court that La­ ister of Historic Places. Although Pleasant gave him its distinguished service award dew converted to croquet. Valley House-with its antiques and un­ for "developing and maintaining the most The Pink Garden contains pink azaleas, usual decor-is a major attraction, the to­ outstanding topiary garden in America." fairy roses, Astilbe, rhododendrons, Wei­ piary hedges and flower gardens are what The first-time visitor to the beautiful, geia, crabapples, dogwood, crape myrtle capture the attention of most visitors. well-kept estate is struck immediately by and Wisteria. Next to this garden is the Perhaps the most famous attraction at the contrast between the long, white house Rose Garden, filled with 350 rose bushes Ladew Gardens is a topiary horse and rider and related buildings, the topiary sculp­ underplanted with pansies and boasting a jumping a fence while pursuing hounds, tures and hedges, and the colorful gardens. tall, circular brick wall that is espaliered which are, in turn, chasing a topiary fox. The diversity is especially apparent among with fruit trees. Following the Rose Gar­ All of the characters in this evergreen drama the various theme gardens. The Wild Gar­ den is the Garden of Eden, with its Belgian are scattered across a lawn near the main den, for example, contains ferns and such fence of espaliered fruit trees, and the Key­ entrance to the garden. A 25-foot-high, native wildflowers as Phlox divaricata,jack­ hole Garden, with a red plum tree, pigmy four-tiered topiary in Japanese yew (Taxus in-the-pulpit, Mayapples, bloodroot and barberry (Berberis thunbergii 'Atropur-

26 Apri/1984 , as for weddings and other social functions. Behind the hedge with the swans is the Iris Garden, which boasts a Chinese junk and a Buddha of clipped yew at the end. The iris developed a rust seven years ago and had to be removed. The garden was subsequently closed to the public, then re­ planted. The stream bed was also reno­ vated and rocks added, along with mounds of soil. "We even built two bridges across the stream to get ladies across," said Mrs. Constable, noting that lilacs, crabapples, evergreens and berry bushes line the sides of the Oriental Garden. More topiary hedges and sculptured evergreen objects-shaped like obelisks, pyramids or hemlock garlands with win­ dow-like openings-are located between FAR LEFf ABOVE: The Croquet Court is surrounded by clipped hedges, roses and deep the bowl and the house. Four old locust blue iris. FAR LEFf BELOW: In spring, trees, located on the rear lawn of the house, azaleas and white tulips are predominant in are covered with Wisteria and climbing the White Garden. CENTER: Trimming the hydrangea, Hydrangea anomala subsp. hemlock hedges requires expertise and skill in petiolaris. Foundation plants include roses, handling the heavy equipment. ABOVE: Twelve swans swim along an undulating Andromeda, Leucothoe, azaleas, crape topiary hedge that borders the huge bowl in myrtle, candytuft, geraniums and chrysan­ the center of the garden. LEFf: A topiary themums. Water lily pools add accent, while Buddah sits atop a small rise in the Iris hanging baskets of burrow's-tail sedum and Garden. geraniums add interest under the roof of the porches during the summer. Lena Caron, a native of Virginia, has been executive director of Ladew Topiary Gardens since January 1981. She has a full­ time gardening staff of four who work with part-time helpers and the volunteers. Out­ side professional services are called on for purea'), rhododendrons and red volcano ica, golden-chain trees (Laburnum X wa­ some lawn maintenance and tree work. coleus. tereri) , Taxus and golden-foliaged culti­ Gardens are watered by soaker hoses Harvey Ladew's plans for the Water Lily vars of arborvitae, as well as dogwoods and sometimes by overhead sprinklers. Garden had to be modified, since the area with golden variegation, Japanese maples Winterizing such property requires mulch­ became too shady. It is now planted with and all kinds of semi-dwarf, yellow-foli­ ing flower gardens, adding leaves to the a collection of rare hostas as well as Lam­ aged plants. Daylilies bordering a man­ compost, checking garden and lawn fur­ ium, Vinca, Pachysandra, Liriope, Sar­ made stream, and potentilla ("which doesn't niture, draining water pipes, adding logs cococca and Hydrangea standards. This is do very well," according to Mrs. Con­ to pools and lifting plants that are not the only instance in which the Ladew stable) complete the picture. winter hardy. Many of Ladew's flowers Committee has not followed Ladew's orig­ Also on the Ladew estate are the Ter­ are started in the small greenhouse on the inal plans. race, Portico, Herb and Gardener's Cot­ property. Gardens are mulched with hard­ Many truckloads of old brush were re­ tage Gardens, each of which has its own wood bark to keep down weeds and con­ moved from the White Garden; Ladew's distinct characteristics. Near the Temple serve moisture. Tools are kept clean, which enthusiasm for building new gardens out­ of Venus and Tivoli Teahouse is the Sculp­ helps reduce the spread of disease. ran his capacity for upkeep, and the White ture Garden, with its topiaries and large While Ladew's board of directors makes Garden was in poor shape at the time of beds of colorful perennials and ahnuals. every effort to follow Harvey Ladew's his death. In went Chinese and flowering This garden is also named the "gun range," original ideas, the garden committee is dogwoods as well as Stewartia, all in ac­ because Ladew had originally used the area constantly introducing new varieties that cordance with Ladew's original ideas. The for skeet shooting. are more colorful, more disease resistant trees blend with the white mums, impa­ The huge bowl in the center of the gar­ and easier to maintain. "This is Harvey's tiens, tulips, Nicotiana, Cimicifuga, lily­ den, with its manicured lawn and center garden, and we are keeping faithfully to of-the-valley, white-flowered Hosta plan­ pool, is backed by a tall, topiary hedge of his original aims," Mrs. Constable said. taginea 'Grandiflora', snowdrops and nar­ Canadian hemlock, Tsuga canadensis. One Even when plants must be replaced, the cissus-all against a background of lilacs, side of the bowl is bordered by a yew hedge staff tries "new and unusual varieties of Clethra, snowball viburnum and mock or­ with a dozen topiary swans swimming in the same plant." 4} ange (Philadelphus sp.). topiary waves. It takes five men 10 days Francis M. Rackemann, Jr., is the Garden Ladew's Yellow Garden is planted with to trim these hedges. The bowl is used for Editor for the Evening Sun in Baltimore, yellow iris, Exbury azaleas, Kerria japon- concerts, ballet and drama events, as well Maryland.

American Horticulturist 27

, pimediums are probably among the they can be returned to the garden. (Larger most tolerant plants that a gardener divisions can be planted directly into the can grow. They are becoming de­ garden.) Epimediums produce very li ttl e servedly popular not only as ground covers seed that could be used for propagation. but also as accent plants in the rock garden However, young volunteer plants, whi ch or low-growing plants in the border. are sometimes found in a planting, prove These attractive plants are members of that there is some self-sown seed. the Berberidaceae, or barberry fami ly, and, Although epimediums are not indige­ although native to Europe and Asia, are nous to my Chicago woodland, I have nat­ good-natured, tolerant plants for Ameri­ uralized many of these lovely plants. I first can gardens. They offer their beautiful fo­ planted three selections- Epimedium X li age and spring flowers in odd corners, rubrum, E. X versicolor 'Sulphureum' on banks, in waste places, in shady or sunny (formerly E. sulphureum) and E. grandi­ places, or in wet or dry areas. If epime­ {lorum-in groups of three plants each. diums were not 0 accommodating, per­ E. X rubrum, a colonizer, is semi-ever­ haps they would be more appreciated. green and has rhizomatous roots. Its wiry If given the opportunity and if properly stems are about nine inches in height, and treated, epimediums wi ll provide a fine they carry heart-shaped, bronze-green, display throughout their entite growing leathery leaves that are margined in red. season. They are a perfect choice for a The small flowers are ruby red. The old shady, naturalized woodland area where leaves of the plants have to be removed minimal labor is the object. Although nat­ each spring; otherwise, the red flowers, uralization will not produce a labor-free which are borne on short stems, will not garden, it will help reduce necessary work; be seen. E. X versicolor 'Sulphureum' pro­ if you clothe the ground with plants of duces soft yel low- or sulphur-colored your own liking, nature will not have to flowers in May and June. The flowers are step in and cover areas with plants that followed by cordate, shiny green leaves. you would not choose to grow. E. grandi{lorum bears white flowers that Epimediums wi ll grow in any kind of are followed by heart-shaped, shiny, leath­ soil-acid, neutral or limy. They like dap­ ery leaves of li ght green. These plants have pled shade created by over-hanging trees, been very successful in my woodland. but they wi ll grow and succeed in a sunless Other species and hybrids of this genus place as well. If they must grow in full are also worth seeking and wi ll make ex­ sunshine, provide them with light soil con­ cellent inhabitants in a garden. E. pinna­ taining humus, leaf mold, peat and plenty tum, for example, is a strong grower with of moisture. Just before spring arrives clip large, leathery leaves borne on stiff, 12- off all of the old leaves to prevent the old inch stems. In spring, a display of short­ foliage from obscuring the beauty of the spurred, yellow flowers appears. This is a dainty spring flowers. In my Chicago-area fine plant for edging or for use as a ground garden, few of these dead leaves seem to cover. E. X youngianum 'Niveum' is a persist on the plants until spring. Epime­ dainty cultivar that has large white fl ow­ diums are shallow-rooted, so do not dis­ ers. E. ' Rose Queen' is a most delightful rurb them by cultivating around their roots. cultivar with crimson blossoms. The spurs Epimediums produce spurred blossoms of each flower are tipped with white. E. resembling small columbines. The blooms perralderanum is a tough, vigorous plant are borne in loose sprays of about nine to that makes an excell ent ground cover. It 10 inches in height. After the spring bloom has yellow-brown flowers and bright green the new leaves, which are light green, heart­ leaves tinted with red and brown. Swards shaped, shiny and leathery, appear on stiff of this plant will conquer a weed problem. stems. In the fall the leaves turn reddish There is always sotnething exciting about brown for their autumn dress. growing plants that are not indigenous to Division is the best method for propa­ your garden. In my case, by growing epi­ gation. Divide clumps just before the plants mediums in my woodland, I have learned break dormancy in the spring or just after just how strong and adaptable they are; the bloom period. Use a sharp knife to cut only time will tell how well they will nat­ divisions away from the plant, since the uralize. Should you decide to try epime­ roots are tough and wiry. Plant the divi­ diums yourself, either as ground covers or sions in individual pots containing an equal as low-growing plants, you will be re­ mixture of sand, leaf mold and vermiculite. warded in full measure. 0 Once they have grown into small plants, OJ Mrs. Ralph Cannon received her doctorate ~ ~ Epimediums provide a lovely ground cover to from the University of Chicago and is now ~ offset the brilliant colors of spring tulips and retired as Professor Emeritus from that '" Geranium sp. at River Farm. institution.

American Horticulturist 29 30 April 1984 ,

BY GORDON HAYWARD

hey race through the soil I just ro­ though they take the full growing season responsibility; pride; a respect for life; an totilled and planted; they bulldoze to mature, they are so dramatic in size that awareness that plants are Ji ving, changing T the lettuce with thei r Tonka toys; children enjoy watching them grow higher and beautiful things with special needs and they come into the house beaming with and higher. You might also consider ca­ preferences .... pride to present us with 108 green to­ lendula, white alyssum, cosmos, nicotiana Once you have decided what seeds and matoes they just picked. Children in the or morning-glories. plants to buy, you can begin to la yout the garden? Tell me how to keep them out. Many plants can be grown satisfactoril y design of your child's garden with him. If While our five-year-old son Nathaniel fro m seed, but others should be purchased at all possible, open up a new garden area has done his share of picking the wrong as established plants. Children enj oy cherry that is close to, but separate from, your tomatoes, plowing under the freshly planted tomatoes, for instance; but, if started from garden. If that is not possible, mark off a seedlings and walking on the rows, we have seeds indoors six to eight weeks before section of your vegetable garden with step­ managed to introduce him to the wonder planting out in the garden, a child may pingstones, an informal fence or a mari­ of growing things. Now, with two gar­ lose interest and stop caring for the seed­ gold border. A child needs to know just dening seasons under his wheelbarrow, he lings. During the first yea r or two of your what space is his. is eager to begin a third. We are convinced child's gardening experience, it is espe­ You do not have to be rigid about the that with careful planning, good gardening cially important to do everything possible shape of the garden. Friends of ours have techniques and lots of encouragement, to help him succeed. three daughters, and when their gi rls were anyone and his or her child can experience If you live in the ciry and can only garden all under 10 years of age, they prepared the pleasures of gardening together. in pots on the balcony, introduce your child three, 4-by-12-foot gardens th at were sep­ The first thing you can do with your to plants that have been specially hybrid­ arated by strips of lawn. Each garden had child is to ask him if he would like to have ized for their small, compact growth hab­ an arched or semicircular end that ap­ his own garden. If he responds with en­ its. If you would like to plant cherry to­ proximated the shape of a stained-glass thusiasm, involve him in the selection of matoes, consider Harris's ' Pres to' or window. The gardens were planted with vegetable and flower seeds as well as tools. Burpee's 'Tiny Tim' or 'Basket King'. Cu­ flowers and vegetables in blocks rather than Grandparents who live at a distance, but cumbers, particularly the new bush rypes rows, so they indeed resembled stained­ who would like to encourage their grand­ that do not send out lengthy vines, are also glass windows when surveyed from the children, could send seeds from their area; good for balcony gardens. You could also limb of a nearby apple tree. or, during a spring visit, they could provide encourage your child to grow herbs or nas­ Be inventive in your design, and en­ ported plants or starter packs with seed­ turtiums in pots. If your balcony is shady, courage your child to come up with ideas, lings already established. impatiens is a good shade-loving plant. too. Try curvilinear shapes, or a circle 10 ' When selecting vegetable seeds with and The greater the variety, the berter. One feet in diameter that could have a small for your child or grandchild, keep three never knows what will attract a child's herb garden in the center. (You can outline things in mind: What vegetables does he interest. Last year it was Nathaniel's bean the shape with your garden hose.) Con­ enjoy eating? What plants mature rela­ house; this year it was one single petunia sider including a fence somewhere in the tively quickly? Which plants can be cared plant. He and his schoolmates visited a design that can be used to support trailing for easily? Our son, for example, enjoys nursery where the nurseryman gave each plants like cucumbers or morning-glories. picking edible-podded peas, carrots, let­ of them a single petunia plant. We set our Once you have chosen specific seeds and tuce, beans, cucumbers and sometimes a son's plant into one of our perennial bor­ have plants and a design in mind, your tiny zucchini. These vegetables also reach ders, and there wasn't a day that went by child will need some tools. (Here is another maturiry quickly and have few pests or that Nathaniel didn't check his plant. When way grandparents can help in encouraging diseases. I watered the rudbeckia and coreopsis, he their grandchildren to garden.) The Smith If your child would like flowers as well watered his petunia; when I deadheaded and Hawken catalogue is an excellent source as vegetables in his garden, nasturtiums the lavender or marigolds, he took the seed for children's gardening tools. According are a particularly good choice. They grow pods off his petunia. It was a theme for to their catalogue, " One of the frustrations quickly from seed sown directly into the the entire summer. for. children in beginning gardening is that soil and rapidly develop into luxuriant If you are a neighbor with no children, no one has taken seriously the making of mounds of flowers and foliage. The flower give the child next door a plant, and you children's tools. Tools are either cheap or is also edible, a fact that often intrigues a may have a friend for life. The things you inadequate, or children are left to use adult's child. Sunflowers are also wonderful. Al- could teach that child are almost limitless: tools which are large and ungainly." The

American Horticulturist 31 Nima Hunter Celebrates CHILDREN & GARDENING

SPRING catalogue goes on to say that "down-scale feet. Once the poles were in place, I tied tools give the child an immediate sense of another long pole across the tops of the ,------, purpose and effect of normal tools. , , . The two outermost poles, and then tied baling T-handles permit small hands a good two­ twine from that crosspiece to the top of handed grip. Their durability allows years each pole, thus forming a latticework of use and wear." "roof." We then planted six 'Kentucky Whether you buy a fine spade, fork or Wonder' pole beans at the base of each iron rake from Smith and Hawken, or an pole. I onion hoe, a hand trowel or "ladies' gar­ I dening tools" from the local hardware store, I take the tools you give your child seriously. One never knows I If you think he will need a cart, for ex­ what will attract a I ample, get a two-wheeled bucket type rather L______~ than a wheelbarrow; it will be easier for child's interest. Last him to manage alone. Look carefully at year it was with a portfolio of the tool with respect to your child's strength and size. He will need good implements to Nathaniel's bean six elegant lithographs. work with, just as you do. Give your child the best tools now, show him how to use house; this year it Send now for and maintain them properly, and his gar­ dening experience will be much enhanced. was one single a free color catalog. And years later he will have a set of tools to give his own children, or maybe he will petunia plant. Nima Hunter Inc. give them back to you when you are older. Your child's tools will also be useful to Weeks later the bean vines had climbed 318 Lexington Avenue grandparents or anyone in the family who, to the top of each pole and onto the lat­ NY, NY 10016 because of a handicap, cannot use adult­ ticework at the top, and they were in full (212) 532-0628 scale tools. If you garden on a balcony or bloom; his house was complete. On more patio, you will also find these tools useful. than one hot summer day, he sat in the When the soil is dry enough in the spring shade of his bean house on a stump of to be tilled, prepare it for planting with wood I had placed there for a seat. There your child. After the soil is turned, show he could pluck and eat beans to his heart's him how to enrich it so that his plants will content. grow well; add generous amounts of de­ To help your child distinguish young composed compost or cow manure. This weeds from young vegetable seedlings, you is an important step, because nothing will might have him plant a few seeds in care­ discourage a child more than to put a lot fully labeled flats a few days before he ' of time and effort into a garden, only to plants seeds in the garden. That way, when end up with poor results. seeds come up in the garden, he will be When it comes time to plant, show your able to look at 'the labeled seedlings in the child how to mark out the rows or planting flats and know what he is looking for in blocks and how deep and far apart each the garden. variety of seed or plant should be set, but Transplanting from flats also has its let him do the planting. With his nimble tricks. When transplanting tomatoes, pe­ Show the world you 've a personal flair - tunias, marigolds or even cucumber seed­ Don't buy any old plant anywhere. little fingers and the very real patience a When you pick. be specific child has when truly involved, he can do lings, mulch the young plants after setting Where your choice is terrific - a good job of planting. Consider planting them in the ground. Use two to three inches Join the ranks 0f the gardeners who care I in blocks rather than in rows; such dense of pine needles to retain moisture and, at planting, where the leaves of individual the same time, allow for aeration of the America's largest mailorder selection of superhardy, landscape size azaleas. plants touch each other, creates shade suf­ soil's surface. Leaves or lawn clippings will ficient to discourage many weeds. prevent aeration and also attract slugs. If Catalog $2 .00 (deductible from order) You might also try planting seeds so that you are concerned about making your soil plants come up in interesting new ways. too acidic with pine needles, rake them For example, last summer Nathaniel and up from the garden after the plants are O1RLSONs I made a bean house that even Jack would established. have admired. We set five beanpoles into If your child plants in blocks rather than Box 305-A G4RDE~ the soil perpendicularly, in the shape of a rows, and uses mulch throughout the South Salem, Cfv'~J New Vorl< 10590 semicircle. The open side faced north; the growing season, there will be fewer weeds back faced south. The distance between for him to eradicate. Like adults, a child the two outermost poles was about eight will become discouraged if weeds persist

32 April 1984 ,

and eventually overrun the garden . Don't Its ~rmaj't for expect your child, in this first gardening the Very Finest in experience, to take sole responsibility for Miniature Roses keeping weeds out. H elp him, but don't take full responsibility yourself, either. Too many people plant th eir gardens in We carry the best early spring and then fa il to take advantage selection, featur­ of planting times later in the season. July and early August are still good times to ing the very best sow seeds of bolt-resistant lettuce, carrots of the older and and cucumbers as well as a second planting of peas and radishes-any vegetable, in the very newest fact, that will mature before the ea rl y au­ varieties. tumn frosts in y.o ur area. Take up the old pea vines and put in the new lettuce.

My own inclination regarding chemicals ------I , and commercial fertilizers (other than those that are wholly organic) is to stay away D Send My Free Color from them completely. Use compost or de­ Catalog Today! composed cow manure to build the soil or Please send your value·packed IlJ catalog. I enclose $2, deductible I to side-dress established plants. To control Name insects, show yo ur child what beetles and on my first catalog order. I bugs to look for and how he ca n kill them Address Name II by hand. This approach can work in a City , St.lRFD ______small garden. ~S~t-at-e------~z~ip------i City ___State~ip-- There is an interesting project your child se nd to: might want to use for insect control. Some ,forYEa.,rt Miniature Roses, Inc. i GILBERT H. WILD & SON, INC. companies sell praying mantis egg sacs 58 Hammond Street : through the mail. If you order them in late L______~_ ~~ ~~~ ,__ ~~_~~~_~~_~~:_~~~_9 _~ ?_~?______j winter, they will arrive in time for incu­ bation. The maturing creatures can then be set loose at-the appropri ate time in your child's garden. While the praying mantis USE THIS COUPON may not entirely rid ~he garden of insects, it will certainly help, and it will also add FOR FREE INFORMATION ON another interesting facet to your child's gardening knowledge. Ol'lce -the peas and beans and carrots are NUTRIPONICS® ready for harvesting, show yo ur child how to gather the vegetables, and then show New Hi-Tech Indoor Gardening him how to cook them. Together, we har­ vested, blanched and then froze many of Please send free information on Nutriponics to: Nathaniel's beans. On more than one win­ Name ______--- try evening we sat down to a meal, part of which was made up of his beans; he got Address ______--- more than a little pleasure out of that fact, and, of course, so did we. You may not keep your child's Tonka te>ys oU.t of your spinach, and he may still Inexpensive kits available. 50-page color-illustrated run amuck in that soft, newly turned earth, instruction book included in all kits. With this simple but with his own garden, YOl!l are helping method, you can grow Tomatoes, African Violets, Ge­ him make a step in the right direction­ toward respectiNg nature, the soil and the raniums, etc. Planters are self-watering. This unique plants that give us food. Show your child discovery is better than hydroponics-developed pri­ the joys of gardening, and you ha·ve given marily for indoor plants. him a gift for life. 6 Gord0n Hayward, a fr(;\quent contributor to WINDOWSILL GARDENS Horticulture, has a one-man gar.den restoration ami landscaping business ·in Grafton, New Hampshire 03240 somheasrern Vermont.

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Greger: A step-by-step guide to the art of flower BOOKS AVAILABLE. SEND two international arranging. Hard cover copy $7.50 plus $1.00 This catalog can be yours FREE. postal reply coupons or $1.00 for descriptive postage. Quantity rates available. Mrs. Ine Gre­ Send or Call Todayl li sts. BUSHLAND FLORA, Box 118 Scarbor­ ger, 12025 Edgepark Ct., Potomac, MD 20854. oughJ 6019 Western Australia. RARE AND UNUSUAL BOOKS OF THE (f~~M;B; THE AVANT GARDENER GARDEN. Books one of a kind and out-of­ ~!Ilggl:@) "DIFFERENT, EXCITING, GREAT FUN TO print. Write for FREE catalog. SWEETGRASS READ-for the gardener who wants to get more & CO., Booksellers, PO Box 711 , Alhambra ~fl~(617) 244-7900 out of gardening!" Subscribe to THE AVANT CA 91802. Dept. AH44. 1121 Washington St. GARDENER, the most useful, most quoted of EXOTICA 4, enlarged to 16,300 photos, by Dr. West Newton. MA 02165 all gardening publications. Every month this A.B. Graf; 2,590 pages in 2 volumes, $175. unique news service brings you the newest and TROPICA-7,000 color photos of exotic plants most practical on-going gardening informa­ and trees, $115. EXOTIC PLANT MANUAL- tion-new plants, products, techniques, with 4,200 photos, $37.50. EXOTIC HOUSE sources for ~very item, plus feature articles, spe­ PLANTS-1 ,200 photos, $8.95. Circulars gladly cial issues. Now in its 14th yea!. Awarded the sent. ROEHRS, Box 125, E. Rutherford, NJ RARE {/ EXOTIC Garden Club of America Medal for outstanding 07073 . achievement in ho-rticulture. Special to new sub­ GARDENING BOOKS: New and out-of-print EUPHORBIA scribers, $10 for a full year. Sample copy $1. titles; many British imports; large selection in THE AVANT GARDENER, Box 489M, New areas including garden history, garden design, ECHEVERIA York, NY 10028. roses, rock gardening, herbaceous plants, bulbs, AZALEAS & RHODODENDRONS trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, etc. Send $1.00 KALANCHOE LARGEST SELECTION of RHODODEN­ for catalogs. WARREN BRODERICK, 695 4th DRONS and AZALEAS on the EAST COAST. Avenue (PO Box 124), Lansingburg, NY 12182. JATROPHA Mail order catalog $1.00. ROSLYN NURS­ Try Us for evasive Horticultural, Botanical, ERY Dept. AH, Box 69, Roslyn, NY 11576. Pomological Books, any age, worldwide. Cat­ PERESKIA J LANDSCAPE SIZE AZALEAS: "For gardeners alogue, 1,000 Titles, $1. POMONA BOOKS, YUCCA who care"-Exbury, Windsor, Robin Hill, North Rockton, Canada LOR 1XO. AGAVE Tisbury, Glenn Dale, Gable, Natives and FRA­ BRITISH TEAK GARDEN SEATS GRANT YELLOWS. Mailorder Catalog $2.00 Solid Teakwood Garden Seats-featured in the (deductible). CARLSON'S GARDENS, Box 305- arboretums & gardens of England. The perfect AH62, South Salem, NY 10590. heirloom gift for church, park or priva te garden. BEARDED IRISES Country Casual's newest catalog of "HORTI­ CULTURAL TREASURES" offers juried gifts Quality rhizomes of the finest bearded irises. for men & women who garden. We introduce Descriptive catalog of largest selection in South­ the stunning British Collection of Chippendale ern California $1.00. CAL-DIXIE IRIS GAR­ style seating. Two of these Chinese lattice pat­ DENS, 14115 Pear Street, Riverside, CA 92504. tern solid teakwood benches were presented as AND MANY OTHER BEGONIAS wedding gifts to Prince Charles & Lady Diana. BEGONIAS: THE COMPLETE REFER­ Choose from other gifts for garden~rs: spe­ CACTUSANDSUCCULENT~ ENCE GUIDE, by Mildred L. and Edward J. cialty hand tools, lace impressed stoneware wall 1984 CATALOG $2.00 Thompson. 384 pages, 850 illustrations (165 in baskets with Williamsburg floral bouquets, gold color). Culture, classification aDd history. $25.00 floral jewelry-including herb pins & pendants, for a limited time only (jacket price is $37.50). floral magnets, traditional egg baskets, Colonial LOUISIANA NURSERY Shipping included in U.S. To order autographed oak hayforks & shepherds crook and, antique ROUTE 7 BOX 4J Aft copies, w.rite THE THOMPSONS, PO Drawer doll ornaments reproduced in pressed wood and OPELOUSAS, LA 70570 PP, Southampton, NY 11968. Enclose check for resin. For a catalogu~ send $1.00 to COUN­ $25.00 or use your Master Charge or Visa card. TRY CASUAL "Horticultural Treasures," 17317

34 April 1984 , Delphiniums Germantown Rd ., Germantown, MD 20874. (301 ) 428-3434. You'll love "The BROMELIADS Magnificent Seven," DECORATIVE BROMELIADS reasonabl y a wonderful collection priced. 21 page ca talogue ($ 1.50) with prices of seven named and full descriptions of 200 varieties we sell. varieties of the famous Also 80 page publication BROMELIADS FOR Round Table Series MODERN LIVING with 135 color photos (not of Delphiniums. Just sold separately) $5.00 for both . THE BRO­ 13.99 postage MELIAD TREASURY, 639 Bend Drive, Sun ­ included. Individually nyvale, CA 9408 7. Make every day labeled and shipped BULBS at planting time. SCHIZOSTYLIS (KI\FFIR LILY), easil y grown a SUN day. three for $10. postpaid with growing hints. Rare With a Janco greenhouse Order before bulb list $1, deductible wi th order. WILLETTS, that'sjust right for your home February 15th and PO Box 446, Fremont, CA 94536. or business. Free-standing or receive, FREE. the If you 're looking for top-quali ty flower bulbs lean-to, Janco greenhouses are enchanting dwarf in larger quantities at affordable prices, write all-aluminum for easy care and delphinium Blue for our FREE catalog: McCLURE & Z IM­ come with regular or factory­ Fountains. MERMAN, QUALITY FLOWER BULB BRO­ KERS, 1422 Thorndale, Chicago, IL 60660. sealed insulated glass. A choice BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES of attractive finishes, tool Start with a Janco and you'll enjoy $40,000 on ACRE! New Hydroponics-in­ Y3 Our "1984 Perennial Wishbook" expensive, practical. Booklet details co mmercia l years of growing success . Send $2.00 for our 48-page is brimming with hundreds of varie­ possibilities. FREE information. CARDI­ ties of perennials and garden de­ GAN'S, Box 1657, Brenham, TX 77833. color catalog featuring the sign ideas. Send '1.00 today for THE BUSINESS OF HERBS largest selection of greenhouses your copy. THE BU$INESS OF HERBS. The only NEWS­ and accessories. Allow (Free copy with plant order.) LETTER catering to herb business needs. Trade news, marketing, techniques, suppli es. Sample copy $1.00. Dept 3, PO Box 559, Madison, VA 22727. CACTI & SUCCULENTS Dept AM4 , 9390 Davis Avenue 4838 Douglas Ave. Racine, Wi. 53402 Cacti/Succulent plant and seed ca talog. $1.00. Laurel. MD 20707 (301 )498-5700 MESA FLORA NURSERY, N.B.U. 1002, Yucca Valley, CA 92284. "CATALOG OF UNUSUAL SUCCULENTS" Discover the largest selection of we ird and un­ usual succulents-over 150 photographs of suc­ WATER-LILIES culent crests, variegates, living stones, and odd­ balls. Send $1.00 today. "CATALOG OF in your garden UNUSUAL SUCCULENTS" Dept. A-4, 553 Buena Creek Road, San M arcos, CA 92069. Lilypons catalogue EPIPHYLLUMS (ORCHID CACTUS), Rhip­ salis, Rattail Cacti, Hoyas, Christmas/Easter features everything Cactus. Hundreds available in our full-color 37- needed for your page plant/bookshop catalogs. Only $1.00. RAINBOW GARDENS, Box 721-AH44, La gardenpoo~ Habra, CA 90633. NOTE: We specialize in cac­ including the pool tus books (147), Ferns, Bromeliads, Iris, Green­ house books). EPIPHYLLUMS (ORCHID CACTUS), RHIP­ SALIS, HOYAS. We sell high quality cuttings at reasonable prices. Special offer J rooted epi­ Lilypons Water Gardens phyllum cuttings (our choice) $7.00. Family run business for 60 years. analog 50¢. BEAHM Water-lilies, Lotus, Aquatic plants, Goldfish, Scavengers, EPIPHYLLUM GARDENS, Dept. AH 84, 2686 Paloma, Pasadena, CA 91107. KOi, Fiberglass garden pools, PVC pool liners, Sweeps, CARNIVOROUS PLANTS Filters, Pumps, Lights, Statuary, Books and much more. Carnivorous, woodland terrarium plants and supplies. Elook, The World of Carnivorous Plants, New colorful Lilypons catalogue and seasonal mini catalogs, S3.50. $6.95 postpaid. Catalog FREE. PETER PAULS NURSERIES, Canandaig~ NY 14424. COMPOST BAGS Name'___ --,-::,,-- __.,.- ____ LILYPONS WATER GARDENS I ( Please print) 1500 Amhort Road 1500 LUypons Road I 'POST HASTE composting bags let you have Address...s ______P.O. Box 10 P.O. Box 188 I us~able compost in two weeks. Made from LUypons, MD 21717-00;0 Brookshire, TX 77423-0188 DuPont's "Tyvek," 'POST HASTE bags hold City (301) 874-5133 (713) 934-8525 I in heat but let air circulate and excess moisture State. YES, Please send me the new color- I escape. 1 bag, $2.95; 5 bags, $9.95; 10 for ful Lilypons catalogue and seasonal I $17.95, from FORENCO, Dept. A, PO Box I Zip mini catalogs. I enclose 83.50. 9088, Wilmington, DE 19809. I______.J

American Horticulturist 35 CLASSIFIEDS CLASSrFIED AD RATES: EDUCATION 60c per word; $ 10.00 minimum per insertion. 10% discount FLOWER VASE LAPEL PIN JEWELRY THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN for three consecutive Insertions using same CO p ),. CO P)' must SILVER/GOLD Designer Handcrafted Flower be received twO months prior ro publication dare. SCHOOL OF HORTICULTURE. A program Vase Pins. Hold FlowerslWater Securely. Send designed to train professional horticulturists CONNOISSEUR PLANTS Legal-size SASE: FLOWER JEWELRY, Dept. through a combination of academic work and 4AH4, Box 86, Buffalo, NY 14213-0086. Dwarf and rare conifers and broad lea ves. practical field experience. Curriculum includes Grafred, rooted cuttings and tissue cu ltured. Send botany, horticulture and landscape design, with FRAGRANCE $2.00 (deductible) for catalog with list and de­ work experience at both the Botanical Garden SEEDS FOR FRAGRANCE, herbs, and the scriptions. 413 conifers and 118 broad leaves in the Bronx and at the Cary Arboretum in English Flower Garden. Catalogue $1. THE including 58 dwarf Japanese maples. Collectors Millbrook, NY. Full-time and part-time pro­ FRAGRANT PATH, Box 328, Fort Calhoun, items and for "growing on." New introductions grams available. Licensed by the New York State NE 68023. including dwarf vetula " trost" (miniature di s­ Education Department. For catalogue write: FREE CATALOG sected lace kaf birch). CLASSIC PLANTS, PO School of Horticulture, Education Building, THE BOX 776, Lavalette, WV 25535. NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN, Bronx, FREE HORTICULTURE CATALOG, 112 pages of quality. Biological pest controls, Pots, Books, DAFFODIL BULBS New York 10458, or call: (212) 220-8739. Trees, Shrubs, Seeds, Bulbs. MELLINGERS Naturalizing Mixture (8 + mixed co lors) BlIshel FALL FLOWERING CROCUS AHM, North Lima, OH 44452-9731. $75.; Peck $25. King Alfred Bushel $60.; Peck Crocus, Colchicum and Sternbergia to bloom $20. 10% discount before June 15. FREE Folder. this fall-top quality, 11 varieties-write for GALA HERB WEEKEND RIVER 'S EDGE FARM, RFD 4, Box 228A, our FREE catalog: McCLURE & ZIMMER­ BITTERSWEET HILL NURSERIES, Rt. 424 & Gloucester, VA 23061. MAN, QUALITY FLOWER BULB BROKERS, Governor's Bridge Road, Davidsonville, Mary­ DAYLILIES 1422 Thorndale, Chicago, IL 60660. land is presenting a Gala Herb Weekend inside our warm Greenhouses. April 7-8, 9 a.m. to 5 DA YLILIES GALORE! All named hybrids. FERNS p.m. FREE Herb Garden Designs, exhibits, Quantity Discounts. FREE Catalog for SASE. Hardy Ferns: American, English, Japanese. Send demonstrations, Display Herb Garden tours, LEE BRISTOL NURSERY, Rt. 55A, Sherman, stamp for listing. FRONDS, INC., Box 20026, Door Prizes, special sale on favorite herb plants. CT 06784. Cincinnati, OH 45220. Public invited! (301) 798-0231. DRIP IRRIGATION FLOWER ARRANGING SUPPLIES GREENHOUSE ACCESSORIES DRIP IRRIGATION-ideal for flowers, vege­ Carefully selected supplies, equipment and ac­ tables, etc. Save water, reduce disease, increase cessorjes for flower arranging, corsages, hOl!lse­ COMPLETE MIST PROPAGATION SYS­ yields, durable. FREE information. MISER IR­ plants. Illustrated catalog 25 ¢.. Retailers use let­ TEMS. Get phenomenal propagation results­ RIGATION, Box 94616 AH, Lincoln, NE terhead. DOROTHY BIDDLE SERVICE, GM2, Greater financial yield! Unequal'led-inexpen­ 68509-4616. Greeley, PA 18425-9799. sive-FREE BROCHURE. AQUAMONITOR, Box 327-B Huntington, NY 11743. DWARF CONIFERS FLOWER NEWSLETTER Seedling Starter Kits! Useful tools, supplies, and Over 170 types of dwarf conifers described by Attention Flower Lovers! Finally there is a information for greenhouses, solariums and in ~ size, shape, color and texture. Many types suit­ newsletter for you. Sunny O'Neil's Flowerletter door gardens. Prompt service. Catalog 50¢.. able for Bonsai. 50 page catalog $1.00 (Fefund­ is for all who are interested in the floral arts. GRO-TEK, RFD 1, Box 518AA, South Berwick, ab le). Botanic Plant List FREE. WASHING­ Published quarterly by the FLOWER PRESS, ME 03908. TON EVERGREEN NURSERY, Box 388AH, PO Box 137, Glen EGho, MD 20812. $10.00 a Leicester, NC 28748. (704) 683-4518. year. Order Now! GREENHOUSE BOOKS GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT, SECOND EDITION by Robert W. Langhans, Cornell University Professor for 25 years. 270 pages with over 100 illustrations inform you on heat­ ing, cooling, fertilizing, watering, lighting and pest control. Send $21.0Q postpaid to HAL­ CYON PRESS OF ITHACA, 111 Halcyon Hill, Ithaca, NY 14850. GREENHOUSES & ACCESSORIES GREENHOUSES, 8' long, 41/2 wide, 61/2 high, $69.95. Larger model available. Earthworm castings and other accessories available. FREE information write: SOLARLITE GREEN­ HOUSE, 6938R Foothill Blvd. Tujunga, CA 91042. HARPER HORTICULTURAL SLIDE LIBRARY (PAMELA HARPER) We supply many of the pictures i.n American Horticulturist. Over 50,000 slides of plants and gardens available. DupliGates $2.00. Lecture sets on many topics $25.00 rental. 1983 catalogue $1.50.219 Robanna Shores, Seaford, VA 23696 (8 04-898-6453). HEATHS & HEATHERS Fine Tools Better for your garden, easier on you Colorful low-cost HEATHER COLLECTIONS ~ ~ . shipped UPS. Send SASE for 100-cultivar list. Ideal permanent evergreen ground cover plants. Thrive in most soils, in sun or shade. Grows to an even height of HEATHER GROWERS, Box 850, Elma, WA Our tools for garden. field and fOrest do a bener job with less effon. 8 inches. Plant 6 inches apart. Sturdy, well·rooted plants, and no Sl raining or stooping. Choose the best hom Europe and the postp.;d, 50 - 513.50, 100 ~ 522.95, 500 - S89.95 98541. U.S. - man)' hard·to·find - all superb quality. all in our FREE 1000 - $155.00. Prompt shipments. Finest Qlfality Stock. CATALOG . Send fo r iltoday. Guaranteed to live or we'll replace free up to 1 year. Folder I'I,ERB-GROUND COVER-ROCKERY on request . (N .V. residents please add sales tax.) Green" ~.e""'-'-":::' Dept. 0544, Box 1919 Wide selection of HERBS, super hardy ~Y' a: Auua3 Branleboro. VTOSJOI PEEKSKILL NURSERIES. Box H, Shmb O.k. N .Y . 10588 GROUND COVER and ROCKERY plants.

36 April 1984 NEW. .. BYMAIL HARD·TO.FIND BONSAI, Catalog gives culinary and medicinal uses and FLOWER growing instructions. Special section on creat­ ARRANGING ing ground cover and rock gardens. Catalog $2, & refundable on first order. Reasonable prices. LOST PRAIRIE HERB FARM, Marion, MT GARDEN TOOLS 59925. SPECIAL OFFER HERB PLANTS 10 Herb plants-$8.00. State inspected, UPS TheOri~al paid. Send 25 ¢ for list. ABC HERB NURSER Y, Stem Stnpper A unique tool for removing Rte. 1, Lecoma_. MO 65540. thorns and leaves from stems. SCENTED GERANIUMS Leaves used for herbs, teas. Catalog of 800 Geraniums, $1.00 refund­ able. SHADY HILL GARDENS, 833 Walnut, Models for GREENHOUSES. COLOFRAMES and Batavia, IL 60510. Please se nd SASE for your FREE now SKYLIGHTS & SOLAR INSTALLATIONS. Complete list of Tools. HOSTAS & HELLEBOROUS FEATURES Hostas & Helleborous. Send stamped, self-ad­ • Fits most greenhouses Unique Giles For All Occasions' dressed envelope for price list. PICCADILLY • Vertical or Horizontal vents FARM, Rt. 1, Box 56D1, Bishop, GA 30621. • No electricity. SOLAR POWEREO HOSTAS FOR SHADE • You select Opening Temperature The Keth Company Many choice varieties. Descriptive catalog 50 \1. • Corrosion resistant materials P.O. Box 645 SAVOR Y'S GREENHOUSES AND GAR­ • Ourable . Sample tested to 50 years of Corona del Mar, CA 92625 DENS, Hosta Specialist, (612) 941-8755 , 5300 normal use. Pl ease send me __Original Stem Stripper(s) at $9.95 Whiting Ave., Edina, MN 55435. ---OUR GUARANTEE --­ each including postage and handling. Enclosed is my 0 check or 0 money order. (Sorry, no C OD.s CA res. add 60( ea. HOUSE PLANTS Our openers will open wider. faster. smoother. tax.) FANTASTIC HOUSEPLANTS-Rare, beauti­ and more firmly while lifting 1111 to 4 times the o Please send your FREE Complete Ust of Floral Supplies. ful, durable Sa nsevierias (150 varieties), Pa lms actual loads of other similar products. PLEASE PRiNT: (80 varieties), Hoyas for foliage and flowers, Name ______or Bu lbs, Cycads, Exotics, Ferns, Grasses, Phor­ FREE INFORMATION Address ______miums, Succulents, Trees, Bamboo (90 vari­ dealer inquiries welcomed. eti~s ) -Hardy and tropical giants, mediums, a~ ------dwarfs, green or variegated leaves and canes. Superiorc;JJ..utovents SUIte. Zip ______Many other variegated, miniature, and bizarre 17422 La Mesa Lane foliage types. Many gardening books, including Huntington Beach. Ca . 92647 Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Backl "The Bamboo Book" and " The Sansevieria Book," both with lots of large photos $16 each postpaid. Four catalogs per yea r $5 . ENDAN­ GERED SPECIES, 12571(A) Redhill, Tustin, CA 92680-2832. ORCHIDS, GESNERIADS, BEGONIAS, CACTI HERE'S THE 0 I HT & SUCCULENTS. Visitors welcome. 1984 Cat­ alog $1.25. LAURAY OF SALISBURY, Rt. 41 (Undermountain Rd .), Salisbury, CT 06068 (203 ) Gardening for beginners 435-2263. and those who think they RARE FLOWERING TROPICALS, begonias, know it all: gesneriads, African violets, miniatures, terrar­ from ium plants. Illustrated catalog $1.00. KAR­ TUZGREENHOUSES, 1408-AH Sunset Drive, Asparagus to Zucchini Vista, CA 92083. RARE-REASONABLE-GUARANTEED: Aroids, B!omeliads, Cycads, Unusual Foliage, Platycer­ Why soil conservation begins in your own backyard . . . An orderly, iums, Epiphytic Ferns, Palms, etc. List for stamp. organized guide to successful gardening based on a lifetime of seeking JERRY HORNE, 10195 Southwest 70 Street, the better way ... presented with a light touch as well as a sense of Miami, FL 33173. humus. Gossip is limited to the soil community thriving in a small corner HOUSEPLANTS-many unusual and rare va­ of what once was George Washington's River Farm. By George Boggs rieties. Catalog with photographs $1.00. Roscoe; illustrated by Earl C. Charnock. SHADOW LAWN NURSERY, 637 Holly Lane, Plantation, FL 33317. HOYA SPECIAL Sense Publications, Inc. Box 330 What's a hoya: six each different hoya cuttings. $14.95 postpaid, $1.00 for descriptive list and Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121 growing instructions. Satisfaction guaranteed. LIMITED SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER SAN LUIS GARDENS, 4816 Bridgecreek, San 1------Luis Obispo, CA 93401. INDOOR-OUTDOOR GARDENING I Sense Publications, Inc. SUPPLIES I Box 330, Mount Vernon, Va. 22121 I Please send me postpaid copy(ies) of " Here's the Dirt" at your special introductory offer of "FREE CATALOGUE" .. . LOWEST PRICES $14.95 on prepaid orders received by July 1, 1984. Amount enclosed $ . . EVER-TOP QUALITY SUPPLIES .-.. Plastic Name: pots, hanging ba s k~ts, vermiculite, perlite, i I markers, etc. SAVEl Send 2 stamps for postage. I Street: I PLANT COLLECTIBLES, 103E Kenview Ave., LC1ty: State: Zip: I Buffalo. NY 14217. ------~

American Horticulturist 37 CLASSIFIEDS

HELP WANTED Daylilies, Hosta, Japanese .Iris, Peonies. FREE Asian greens, Italian chicories, European let­ tuces, American heirlooms including the White PART TIME plant enthusiast needed to care for catalog! CAPRICE FARM NURSERY, 15425 Cheesquake pumpkin. These and many more in plants in house and greenhouse regularly one S.W. Pleasant Hill Rd., Sherwood, OR 97140. our 1984 catalog which is richly illustrated with day a week. Write: LINCOLN STEVENSON, Spring is for planting; Kelway's Daisy (An­ line art, and packed full of cultural tips, his­ Pine Island, Rye, NY 10580. themis tinctoria 'Kelwayi'), Lime Scented Mint (Mentha cv. ), Seaside Speedwell (Veronica mar­ torical anecdotes, and over 30 culinary pro­ POSITION WANTED itima), Rock Cress (Aubrieta deltoiclea), Cha­ cesses and recipes. Send $2.00 to LE MARCHE Expert property care. Land, flora, structures, momile (Chamaemelon nobile), Hardy Fuchsia SEEDS INTERNATIONAL, DeJ'lt. Y, PO Box administration, capably handled. Permanent (Fuchsia magellanica 'Senorita'), Silver-Edged 566, Dixon, CA 95620. position sought with on-site housing. L.S., P.O. Thyme (Thymus vwlgaris 'Argenteus'), Greek SUN ROSES Box 761) Ojai, CA 93023. Oregano (Origanum cv. ), Silver Dead Nettle Sun Roses (Helianthemum) are evergreen, sum­ (Lamium 'Beacon Silver') and Pink Cinquefoil mer flowering, perennials for sunny locations INTERESTED IN A SHADY DEAL? (Potentilla nepalensis 'Miss Wilmott'). All plants and rocky soil. Hardy U.S.D.A. Zones: 6-9. Protect your plarits from blistering sun with are well established in pint perennial cans at Choose from H. 'Flame'-cerise, H. 'St. Mar­ SHADE CLOTH. Write or call (collect (404) $2.25 ppd. each or three of the same variety at y's'-white, H. 'Pumpkin', H. 'Peach', or H. 778-8654) 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. e.s.t. weekdays $6.60 ppd. One each of the above ten perennials 'Double Apriwt'. All well established in pots. for FREE informational kit. Your custom fab­ for $20.00 ppd. Listing. WRENWOOD, Rt 4., $2.10 each ppd., 3 of the same variety-$6.00 ricated order, complete with reinforced binding Box 361, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411. ppd. or one each of the above $9.75 ppd. Write and brass grommets, is normally shipped within HARDY PERENNIALS, herbs, wildflowers. for FREE listing. WRENWOOD, Rt 4, Box 361, 10 days. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. Strong plants, reasonable prices. Descriptive Berkeley S£ti!!gsJ WV 25411. Economical, effective, long lasting, practical, and catalog $1.00. SEXTON NURSERY, 23340 TETRAPLOID DAYLILIES a proven way to create a more beautiful, healthy, Doane Cr. Rd. At!, Sheridan, OR 97378. Over 450 hybrids; exotic new Tettaploid In­ and efficient greenhouse. Used also as patio shade, PHALAENOPSIS (MOTH) ORCHIDS troductions. Catalog $1.00, deductible with or­ protective bird netting, tarpaulin and swimming Blooming size, values to $20.00. Minimum or­ der for plants. SEAWRIGHT GARDENS, 134 pool cover. Mastercard and Visa. YONAH der 3 plants, $9.50 each, postpaid. Catalog $1.00, Indian Hill, Carlisle, MA 01141, (617) 369- MANUFACTURING COMPANY, Box 280 creclited on first order. GREEN VALLEY OR­ 2172. Visitors welcome! AH, Cornelia, GA 30531. CHIDS, RT 1) Box 233S, FolsomJ LA 70437. TREE LABELS JASMINES PLANTS-RARE BUT AFFORDABLE Ctlstom-engraved outdoor 3-ply plastic labels Rooted camellia cuttings, named and labelled, Extensive selection: ,oAmerican Natives " Out­ available for trees & shrubs. Staked labels for 10 for $7.50. Grand Duke or sambac jasmine, perennials & vegetables. Prices range -from $3 .00 4 for $6.00. List 25 ¢. Mrs. R. C. Welsh, Route standing Ornamentals * Uncommon Conifers * Wild Fruit * Hardiest Eucalyptus '0 Wildlife to $6.00, plus postage. Call for details (212) 3 Box 1700, Madison, FL 32340. J Plants *. Affordable containerized starter-plants. 566-0990 or write CENYC Tree Labels, 51 MAPLES Informative catalog- $1.50. FORESTFARM, Chambers St., RID. 228, New Yorls NY 10007. Rare and Unusual Japanese Maples and Pines. 990 Tetherah, WilliamsJ OR 97544. TREE PROBLEMS-BOTANICAL OR Now shipping oldet plant material. Catalog PLUMERIAS LEGAL $1.00. MATSU-MOMIJI NURSERY, PO Box SENSATIONAL OFFER! Over 45 Different va­ 11414) Philadelphia, PA 19111. (215) 722-6286. For Directory of members of the American So­ rieties of Plumeria cuttings guaranteed true to ciety of Consulting Arborists-the experts in MISCELLANEOUS name, many rare, some dwarf! Also hybrid seeds, tree care and appraisals for legal matters, write: STICK IN THE MUD Handcrafted COPPER book on culture. Send SASE for FREE descrip­ ASCA, 315{AH) Franklin Road, North Bruns­ Hummingbirds, Quail, Ducks, Butterflies, etc., tive price list. THE PLUMERIA PEOPLE, PO wick, NJ 08902. will add a touch of elegance to your house and Box 720291, Houston, TX 77272. UNUSUAL INDOOR PLANTS garden. Catalog: 50¢. HILLSEIT, AH-12, 3821 PUBLICATIONS Camino Blanco, PO Box 13283, Tucson, AZ NEW! Color catalog, 1984-86-$3.00, now lists 85732. EXOTIC FRUIT and VEGETABLES! Grow your 2,000 unusual Indoor Plants-Begonias, Ex­ own! LIVING OFF THE LAND, Subtropic otics, Geraniums, Jasmines, Herbs. LOGEE'S NURSERY STOCK Newsletter. Sample $1.00-MARIAN VAN GREENHOUSES, AH, 55 North Street, Dan­ MILLIONS OF SEEDLINGS: High quality at AITA, PO Box 2131AH, Melbourne, FL 32902- ielson, CT 06239. reasonable prices. Over 100 selections for 2131. Christmas trees, ornamentals, windbreaks, con­ VEGETABLE PLANTS ROCK GARDEN PLANTS servation, wildlife food and cover, etc. FREE GROW YOUR OWN SWEET ONIONS-Best catalog, CARINO NURSERIES, Box 538J, In­ Rare Alpines, Wildflowers, Dwarf Conifers, varieties. FREE instructions and recipes with diana, PA 15701. , Groundcovers, colorful Rock Plants, Books. each order. Onion Plants are hardy-PLANT Catalog $1 (deductible). RICE CREEK GAR­ GROW EVERYGREENS FROM SEED. Ever­ EARLY! 500 plants-$12.50; 250 plants­ DENS, 1315 66th Ave. N.E., Minneapolis, MN green seeds and seedlings; also strawberries, fruit $9.50. Write for C0mplete listing. TEXAS ON­ 55432 (612) 574-1197. trees and small fruit. FREE catalog. RECOR'S ION. PLANT CO., Box 871 HS; Farmersville, TREE SEED, A640 El Paso, Denver, CO 80221. SEEDS TX 75031 ... "Home of the Sweet Onion." ORCHIDS Rare seeds of Southwestern Mountains and De­ WILDFLOWERS serts. FREE Catalog. WEDDLE NATIVE GAR­ ORCHIDS! ORCHIDS! ORCHIDS! Brome­ PAINTED MEADOWS WILDFLOWER MIX­ DENS, Seed Dept., 3589 G. Rd., Palisade, CO liads, Staghorn Ferns, Books, Peters Fertilizer, TURE for eastern United States, now available 81526. Potting Mixes, Supplies for indoor and green­ to private homeowners. One pound will color house cu lture. REQUEST CATALOG. FOX WORLD'S LARGEST SELECTION of quality 2,500 sq. ft. at one penny/sq. ft. Send for FREE ORCHIDS, INC., 6615 West Markham, Little rare seeds from every continent. Thousands of brochure. PAINTED MEADOWS SEED CO., Rock) AR 72205. hard-to-find exotics, tropicals, houseplants, Box 1494, Dept. AH-4, Charlottesville, VA J'lalms, flowers, bulbs, hardy perennials, trees, 22902. PERENNIALS ferns, alpines, etc. Rare herbs, medicinal, edible WOODY PLANTS Specialist Listings of LILIES, DA YLILIES, SI­ plants, European and Oriental vegetable vari­ BERIAN IRIS, SDB IRIS and DAFFODILS. Send eties. Hundreds of exclusives, all at reasonable BABY EVERGREENS, seeds, seedlings, rho­ $3.00 for a full color catalog with complete prices. The world's most informative catalog, dodendron, azaleas, flowering shrubs, shade plant descriptions to: BORBELETA GAR­ packed with illustrations, cultural and historical trees, large assortment of rare and standard DENS, 10078 154th Avenue, Elk River, MN information, $1.00. WORLD SEED SERVICE, plants. Catalog FREE. GIRARD NURSERIES, 55330-6233. Box 1058-AT, Redwood City, CA 94064. Box 428, Geneva, OH 44041.

38 April 1984 , Sources

IN PRAISE OF COMMON PLANTS/ CHILDREN & GARDENING CROWN-IMPERIAL A NEW ENGLAND corrAGE The Youth Gardening Book, a publication Bulbs GARDEN from Gardens for All/The National As­ Breck's, 6523 North Galena Road, Peoria, Fred McGourty's common plants and the sociation for Gardening, is an excellent IL 61632, catalogue free. cottage flowers mentioned in Pamela Har­ resource for teachers, parents and grand­ W. Atlee Burpee Company, Warminster, per's article should be available from well­ parents wishing to instill a love of gar­ PA 18991, catalogue free. stocked nurseries and garden centers. They dening in a child. In addition to idea- and C. A. Cruickshank, Ltd., 1015 Mount are also available from the mail-order information-filled chapters on planning, Pleasant Road, Toronto, Ontario, M4P sources listed for epimediums. site development, design and indoor gar­ 2M1 Canada, catalogue free. dening, the book includes a chapter with Dutch Gardens, PO Box 400, Montvale, LADEW GARDENS over 50 specific activities and projects de­ NJ 07645, catalogue free. Visitors to Ladew may take a self-guided signed to introduce children and young Geo. W. Park Seed Company, Inc., PO Box tour of the grounds using a map and guide adults to gardening. The 145-page book 31, Greenwood, SC 29647, catalogue to the various gardens and topiary sculp­ also includes an excellent resource li st with free. tures on the property. The gardens are open books for yo ung gardeners, teachers and Royal Gardens, Royal Gardens USA Re­ from mid-April to the end of October. parents, as well as general sources for in­ ceiving Office, PO Box 588, Farming­ Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 formation. dale, NJ 07727, catalogue free. a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 :00 The Youth Gardening Book is available John Scheepers, Inc., Flower Bulb Spe­ p.m.; closed Mondays. The house is open from the Society for $8.95, including post­ cialist, 63 Wall Street, New York, NY on Wednesdays and Sundays only, during age and handling. To order a copy write 10005, catalogue free. garden hours. Special tours for groups of Deborah Harpster, American Horticul­ Seed 15 and over can be arranged at other times. tural Society, PO Box 0105, Mount Ver­ Thompson and Morgan, PO Box 100, Far­ Admission fees: Garden only: adults non, VA 22121. mingdale, NJ 07727, catalogue free. $2.00, students and senior citizens $1.50, Children's Gardening Tools J. L. Hudson, Seedsman, PO Box 1058, children under 12 $.50. House and gar­ Children's gardening tools are available Redwood City, CA 94064, catalogue den: adults $3.50, students and senior cit­ from Smith & Hawken, 25 Corte Madera, $1.00. izens $2.50, children under 12 $1.00. For Mill Valley, CA 94941. Their catalogue is more information write Ladew Topiary free. Gardens Foundation, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD 21111, (3 01 ) 557- THE SPURGE FAMILY 9466. Members of the euphorbia family men­ tioned in this month's "Strange Relatives" EPIMEDIUMS are available from the following nurseries. The following companies offer a good se­ Plants lection of species and cultivars of Altman Specialty Plants, 26963 Sea Vista ESPALIER Epimedium. Drive, Malibu, CA 90265, catalogue Trained Fruit Ttees Carroll Gardens, PO Box 310, 444 East $1.00. Gracefully.shaped trees that Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157, Country Hills Greenhouse, Route 2, Corn­ bear delicious, extra-large frUit -apples, pears , peaches, many catalogue free. ing, OH 43730, catalogue $2.50. others. Easy to care for. I spe­ Daystar (formerly The Rock Garden), Grigsby Cactus Gardens, 2354 Bella Vista cial ize in garden frUit, including Litchfield-Hallowell Road, R.F.D. 2, Drive, Vista, CA 92083, catalogue $1.00. grapes, berries, and of course DWARF AND SEMI·DWARF Litchfield, ME 04350, catalogue $1.00. Logee's Greenhouses, 55 North Street, FRUIT TREES Russell Graham, 4030 Eagle Crest Road, Danielson, CT 06239, catalogue $2.50. N.W., Salem, OR 97304, catalogue Louisiana Nursery, Route 7, Box 43, Ope­ $2.00. lousas, LA 70570, catalogue $2.00. Milaeger's Gardens, 4338 Douglas Ave­ Singers' Growing Things, 17806 Plummer nue, Racine, WI 53402, catalogue $1.00. Street, Northridge, CA 91324, cata­ Andre Viette Farm and Nursery, Route 1, logue $1.50. Box 16, Fishersville, VA 22939, cata­ Seed logue $1.00. Thompson and Morgan, PO Box 100, Far­ The Wayside Gardens Company, Hodges, mingdale, NJ 07727, catalogue free. SC 29695, catalogue $1.00. J. L. Hudson, Seedsman, PO Box 1058, White Flower Farm, Litchfield, CT 06759, Redwood City, CA 94064, catalogue Box 66-A East Moriches catalogue $5.00. $1.00. NY 11940

American Horticulturist 39 Pronunciation Guide

The accent, or emphasis, falls on the syllable Dianthus dy-AN-thuss Molinia caerulea mo-LlN-ee-ah see-REW-Iee-ah that appears in capital letters. The vowels Echinacea purpurea Monarda didyma mo-NARD-ah DID-i-ma that you see standing alone are pronounced eck-in-A Y-see-ah pur-pur-EE-ah M. fistulosa m. fist-you-LO-sa as follows: Echinops ECK-i-nops Nepeta faassenii ne-PEE-ta fa-as-SEN-ee-eye i-short sound; sounds like i in "hit" Epimedium X rubrum Nicotiana ni-ko-ti-A Y -na o-Iong sound; sounds like 0 in "snow" a-long sound; sounds like a in "hay" ep-i-MEAD-ee-um REW-brum Nierembergia near-em-BER-gee-ah E. grandiflorum e. grand-i-FLOOR-um Onopordum acanthium Acalypha hispida E. perralderanum e. per-ral-der-A Y-num on-o-POR-dum ah-CAN-thee-um ack-ah-LlFF-ah HISS-pid-ah E. pinnatum e. pin-NAY-tum Pachysandra terminalis A. wilkesiana a. WILK-see-ay-nah E. sulphureum e. sul-FUR-ee-um pak-i-SAN-dra ter-min-A Y-liss Acanthophyllum gypsophiloides E. X versicolor e. ver-si-KOL-or Pedilanthus tithymaloides ah·can-tho-PHYLL-um E. X youngianum e. yung-ee-A Y-num ped-ill-LAN-thuss ti-thy-mal-oh-EYE-deez gyp-so-phil-oh-EYE-deez Erigeron karvinskianus Philadelphus fill-i-DELL-fuss Achillea millefolium er-IJ-er-on kar-vin-ski-A Y-nuss Phlox divaricata FLOCKS dy-vair-i-KA Y-ta a-KILL-ee-ah mil-eh-FO-Iee-um Eschscholzia ess-KOLTZ-ee-ah Phyllanthus acidus phy-LAN-thuss ah-CID-uss Alchemilla mollis al-che-MILL-ah MOLL-iss Euphorbia fulgens yew-FOR-bee-ah FUL-jens P. arbuscula p. are-BUS-kew-Ia Allium flavum AL-ee-um FLA Y-vum E. lathyris e. la-THY-rus P. X elongatus. p. e-Ion-GA Y-tuss A. moly a. MOLL-ee E. marginata e. mar-gin-A Y-ta P. emblica p. EMB-li-cah A. senescens var. glaucum E. milii e. MILL-ee-eye P. epiphyllanthus p. ep-i-phyll-AN-thuss a. se-NESS-senz GLAW-cum E. obesa e. oh-BEE-sah Platycodon grandiflorus Andromeda an-DRO-me-da E. pulcherrima e. pull-KER-rim-ah plat-ee-CO-don grand-i-FLOOR-us Artemisia abrotanum Filipendula vulgaris Primula auricula ar-tem-EES-ee-ah ab-ro-T A Y-num fill-i-PEND-you-Ia vul-GA Y-riss PRIM-yew-Ia aw-RICK-you-Ia A. absinthium a. ab-SIN-thee-um Fritillaria imperialis Pulmonaria officinalis A. dracunculus a. dra-KUN-kew-Iuss frit-ill-A Y-ree-ah im-peer-ee-A Y-liss pull-mon-AIR-ee-ah o-fiss-i-NAL-iss A. vulgaris a. vul-GA Y-riss F. maxima f. MAX-i-ma Pyracantha py-ra-KAN-tha Asclepias tuberosa Gaillardia ga-LAR-dee-ah Rhododendron viscosum ass-KLEE-pee-us too-bur-O-sa Gaura Iindheimeri GAU-ra lind-HEIM-er-eye ro-do-DEN-dron vis-KO-sum Astilbe taquetii ah-STILL-be ta-QUET-ee-eye Geranium pratense Ricinus communis ri-SIN-us co-MUNE-iss Berberis thunbergii jer-A Y-nee-um pray-TEN-see Rosa centifolia RO-sa cent-i-FOL-ee-ah BER-ber-iss thun-BERG-ee-eye G. sanguineum g. san-GWIN-ee-um R. gallica r. GAL-i-ka Bergenia ber-GEN-ee-ah Hamamelis ham-ah-ME-lis Rudbeckia laciniata Campanula persicifolia Helenium hell-EN-ee-um rood-BECK-ee-ah la-sin-ee-A Y-ta kam-PAN-yew-Ia per-si-ci-FOL-ee-ah Heuchera sanguinea Salvia argentea SAL-vee-ah ar-JEN-te-ah Capparis spinosa cap-PAR-iss spin-OSS-ah HEWK-er-ah san-GWIN-ee-ah Sarcococca sar-ko-KOKE-ah Catalpa ka-TAL-pa Hosta lancifolia HOSS-ta lan-ci-FO-Iee-ah Skimmia SKIM-ee-ah Centaurea montana H. paniculata h. pan-ick-yew-LAY-ta Stachys byzantina STACK-iss bi-zan-TY -na cen-TAW-ree-ah mon-T AN-ah H. plantaginea h. plan-tadge-i-NEE-ah Stewartia stew-ART-ee-ah Centranthus ruber cen-TRAN-thuss REW-ber Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris Stokesia STOKES-ee-ah Ceratostigma plumbaginoides hy-DRAN-gee-ah ah-NOM-ah-Ia Strelitzia stre-LITZ-ee-ah cer-at-oh-STIG-ma pet-ee-o-LAIR-iss Syringa vulgaris sa-RING-ga vul-GA Y-ris plume-bag-in-oh-EYE-deez Iberis sempervirens Tagetes filifolia ta-GEE-teez fill-i-FOL-ee-ah Chrysanthemum balsamita EYE-ber-iss sem-per-VEER-enz T anacelum vulgare kris-AN-thee-mum bal-SAM-it-ah Iris germanica EYE-riss jer-MAN-i-ka tan-ah-CET-um vul-GARE-ee C. parthenium c. par-THEN-ee-um Kerria japonica CARE-ee-ah ja-PON-i-ka Taxus cuspidata TAX-us cuss-pid-A Y-ta C. X superbum c. sue-PER-bum Kniphofia knip-HO-fee-ah Thymus THY-musfTY-mus Cimicifuga sim-i-si-FOO-ga Kolkwitzia Kolk-WIT-zee-ah Trachycarpus fortunei Clethra alnifolia KLETH-ra all-ni-FOE-Iee-ah Laburnum X watereri tray-chy-CAR-pus FORTUNE-eye Codiaeum variegatum la-BUR-num WA-ter-er-eye Tradescantia tray-des-KAN-tee-ah co-DI-ee-um var-i-GA Y-tum Lamium LA Y -me-urn Tsuga canadensis SUE-ga can-ah-DEN-sis Convallaria majalis Lavandula la-VAN-du-Ia Veronica incana ver-ON-i-ka in-CAN-ah con-va-LAIR-ee-ah ma-JA Y-liss Leucothoe lew-KO-tho-ee V. teucrium v. teu-CREE-um Cotoneaster divaricatus Liriope Iy-RY-o-pee Viburnum carlesii vy-BUR-num KARLS-ee-eye ko-TOE-nee-ass-ter di-var-i-CAT-us Lobularia maritima Vinca VIN-ka Crataegus laevigata lob-yew-LAIR-ee-ah ma-RIT-i-ma Viola tricolor vy-O-Ia/vee-O-Ia TRI-color cra-TEE-gus lee-vi-GA Y-ta Lonicera syringantha Weigela wy-JELL-ah C. oxyacantha c. ox-ya-CAN-tha lo-NISS-er-ah sy-ring-GAN-tha Wisteria sinensis wiss-TEER-ee-ah sy-NEN-sis Cryptomeria japonica Lychnis coronaria Zantedeschia elliottiana krip-toe-MEER-ee-ah ja-PON-i-ka LlCK-niss cor·o-NAIR-ee-ah zan-ta-DES-kee-ah ELLlOT-ti-ay-nah

40 AfKjl 1984 , Enjoy a constantly changing Iex~losion of color I in your own wildflower meadow .. . simply by opening a can.

Sudd enly , your can opener is th e most import ant garde n­ Each can plants up ing tool you ow n. In sid e Norm to 1, 000 square feet. Th ompso n's " Meadow in a Enjoy your meadow in Ca n® " you 'll find the making s of your back garden, a 1,000 squ are foot wildflower along your drive- meadow ... a natura l ca rpet of co n­ way .. . anywhere stantly changin g co lor that makes every you want a day like going for a ride in the country beautiful ... without eve r leavin g yo ur back yard . explosion of color. A special mix developed by wildflower experts .. . literally thousands of blossoms . Together with the Clyde Rob in Seed Co . (t he nat ion 's leadin g authority on wild ­ flowers) Norm Thompson is proud to of fer a pro du ct th at wi ll make yo ur yard the show­ place of the neighborhood . Seventeen diffe rent kind s of wildflowers are included in the mix to gi ve you an explosion of color and fragrance that changes con stantl y throughout the ye ar. Your meadow will welcome spring with bright Shasta Daisies, then grad - uall y change into a sea of Bachelor Buttons and vivid Cosmos . A blend of annuals and perennials ensures ex­ traordinary color from early spring to late fall ... year after year . You 'll be able to harvest thousands of blossoms during the life of your meadow ... many of which are simply unavailable through normal channels. Easy to plant.. . practically no care required. " Meadow in a Can® " can be planted any time of the year (easy-to-follow instructions included) simply by sprinkling the contents into your soil. You can water it if you like , or let Mother Nature take care of it. The only thing we suggest you do is mow it once a year . Your satisfaction is guaranteed . " Meadow in a Can® " is a terrific answer to colorful planting around the yard .. .or for beautifying that vacant lot next door. And for people with larger planting problems , we offer a special Acre -Pak . .40 cans for $750.00 . As with everything you buy from Norm Thompson , your satisfac­ tion is guaranteed 0r your money back . " Meadow in a Can® " makes a great gift, too , so you may want to order more than one . Meadow in a Can'" is a registered No. 9645F ...... $19 .95 ppd. trademarlc 01 the Clyde Robin Seed Company, Incorporated. r------, 17 different kinds of wildflowers ___ 8achelor Button • Purple Prairie Cone Flower. Shasta Daisy • ~ Nonn Thompson I ~~:;?~;; Blue Flax • Cosmos • California Poppy. Lupine • Primrose. I. . Oregon 97208 Baby Blue Eyes. Black-eyed Susan • Shirley Poppy • Indian Blanket • Yarrow. Bright Cone Flower • Chicory • Chinese ORDER TOLL FREE 1-800-547-1160 lciouses • Bouncing Bet "Meadow in a Can TM " No,9645F Qty __ $ ____ D Check 0 VISA 0 MC 0 AE oDC/CB Exp. __ Card # Sig. X _____--

Name ______~ ______

Address ______~ ______City _---~---State~ip----- L ______~ DSer;Jd FREE ~1nJJ:D1b~ catalog SEASONABLE REMINDERS Crown-Imperial

ritillaria imperialis, commonly called crown-imperial, has the dis­ F tinction of being considered the "lily of the Bible" by some writers. While there is no proof that this hardy species once grew in Palestine (though other members of the genus are found there), its existence and popularity in other parts of the world have been well documented throughout history. Crown-imperial was introduced into western Europe by D. l'Ecluse, who sent it to Vienna in 1576. Gerard described it in his Herbal in 1597: "This rare and strange Plant is called in Latine, Corona Imperi­ alis, and Lilium Byzantimum. The vertue of this admirable plant is not yet knowne, neither his facilities or temperature in working." John Parkinson thought so highly of crown-imperial that he mentioned it in his first chapter of Paradisi in Sol (1629 ): "The Crown Imperiall for his stately beau­ tifulnesse deserveth the first place in this our Garden of delight." Shakespeare was undoubtedly interested in this flower, too; in The Winter's Tale, crown-imperial is among Perdita's flowers. During Shake­ speare's time the plant was imported to

ABOVE: Fritillaria imperiaiis, crown-imperial. LEFT: F. imperialis 'Lutea'.

England from Persia, where it grew wild. was one of the first books to deal with In the New World, crown-imperial was gardening in this country.) Jefferson wrote probably first grown by the Dutch settlers to MacMahan several times over the course in New Amsterdam; Dutch housewives in­ of five years, requesting that a bulb of cluded it in a list of flowers grown in the crown-imperial be sent along with other settlement. George Washington had a spe­ roots and bulbs. In one letter he wrote, "I cial area set aside in his garden for exotics, have an extensive flower border, in which including crown-imperial, according to the I am fond of placing handsome plants or Fritillaria imperialis L. CROWN-IMPERIAL. Bulb to 6 Mount Vernon domestic records. fragrant." in. across, scales several, st. 2-4 ft. , leafy, plant with skunklike odor; lvs. alt., lanceolate, to 6 in. long; fls. Thomas Jefferson was obviously much Unfortunately, Mr. Jefferson seemed to red-orange, to 21'. in. long, pendent on curved pedicels, taken with this bulb as well; it is mentioned have a talent for requesting the plant at in a whorl below a tuft of lvs., at the end of a naked, ~o 11 times in his Garden Book. It also ap­ the wrong time of the year. In 1809, U terminal peduncle, filaments glabrous, style 3-parred. N. ,:: MacMahan wrote, "The Crown Imperial .c pears in 1786 in a list of plants he sent to India, Afgh ani stan, Iran. Cvs. include: 'Aurea', fl s. red­ Q. ~ Francis Eppes from Paris. In 1806 Bernard roots, as well as all my hardy bulbs, I planted orange; 'Chitralensis', less vigorous, fl s. burrer-yellow; 01) 8 'Lutea', fl s. yellow; 'Maxima' (F. maxima Hort.), strong­ o MacMahan, a seedsman and florist from in the fall, and taking them up before their . .c growing form with orange-red fl s; 'Rubra', fl s. very "- Philadelphia, sent a copy of the American bloom and subsequent decay of foliage '"§ large, red ; 'Sulphurea', fl s. sulphur- yellow. An interest­ Gardener's Calendar with his compli­ would ruin them. In July or August I can ing, old-fashioned plant, persisting for years. '8 ments to Jefferson, thus initiating a long furnish you with a great variety." Finally, -Hortus Third '"e ~ ______~x o correspondence. (MacMahan's Calendar in September of 1812, MacMahan wrote,

42 April 1984 , Horticultural "I do myself the pleasure of sending you ture. Available in red, orange and yellow, Explorations by this mail a small box of 3 roots of it thrives in rich soil. The plant is propa­ Crown Imperial which carry two tiers of gated by offsets, and, rarely, by seeds. flowers when in very luxuriant growth. Planted in the fall at a depth of six inches, Please to have them planted as soon as the plants may be left undisturbed for sev­ possible." One month later, MacMahan eral years. When they become crowded, reported, "I am sending you a small box they should be lifted after the foliage has containing bulbs and one root of silver ripened, divided and reset in fresh soil. In striped Crown Imperial." By 1816 Jeffer­ Zone 7, they bloom from mid-April to May son finally had enough crown-imperial and are hardy from Zone 5 south. plants to divide his clump; he sent one bulb When planting crown-imperial, prepare to his sister. the bed at least one week before planting NEW ZEALAND (O.:t. 16-Nov. From a rare plant appearing in gentle­ time in the fall. Plant the bulbs as soon as 1) Enjoy the horticultural wonders men's gardens, crown-imperial worked its they arrive (you will have ordered them of New Zealand at the peak of way down the social ladder to the cottage early!), choosing a spot in sun or partial springtime. Visit the Pukeiti Rho­ garden. In 1883 William Robinson wrote in shade. Dig a hole 12 inches wide and 12 dodendron Trust and the Otari Na­ The English Flower Garden, "It is a valuable inches deep for each bulb. Properly planted, ture Plant Museum, and see lush public gardens and the wildflowers plant, being stately, curiously interesting and crown-imperial will grow to be 18 to 28 in Milford Sound. Also explore the a fine plant for the mixed border and the inches tall, so select a site in the middle or famous cities of Auckland, Welling­ shrubberry. Its best place, perhaps, is in a back of the border. To the soil add com­ ton, Christchurch and Dunedin. group on the fringe of the shrub berry or a post or leaf mold, one cup of sand and See native Maori crafts and danc­ group of American plants. This is essentially one-half cup of bone meal. (In place of ing. a garden plant, their strong odour being compost or leaf mold, you may use well­ EXOTIC OmElVI' (Nov. 1-26) against them when gathered." By 1897, when rotted sawdust or peat moss.) The goal is This new itinerary includes 13 Mrs. C. W. Earle wrote her first Pot Pourri a soft, friable and spongy bed. No amount nights in Japan. Also see the exotic From a Surrey Garden, the crown-imperial of subsequent care is as important as this orchids of cosmopolitan Singapore, had become commonplace: "In my youth preparation. Spread the roots around and the unusual culture of Bali in Indo­ these were rather sniffed at and called a cover them with six inches of soil. Mound china, and bustling Hong Kong. In cottage plant. I wonder if anyone who thought the soil up (it will settle) and water well. Japan, highlights include visits to private homes, the famous temple them vulgar ever took the trouble to pick After the ground freezes, mulch with old gardens of Kyoto and Nara, beauti­ off one of the down-hanging bells and turn and well-rotted manure or any other or­ ful Hakone National Park and Lake it up to see the six drops of clear water in ganic mulch. Remove the flower stalk when Toba. the six white cups?" A reader, objecting to the blossoms fade, and allow the foliage All horticultural explorations are Mrs. Earle's reference to the beads of liquid to ripen. Label each bulb, since the foliage planned by horticulturists and in­ in the hanging flowers as "water" and not will disappear. Bulbs may be overplanted clude the best of both private and "honey," recounted the following legend: with annuals. public gardens, deluxe and first­ "When our Lord in his agony was walking You may also want to plant bulbs where class hotels, and many meals and in the Garden of Gethsemane, all the flowers you have been troubled by moles and mice. tips. save this one bowed their heads in sympa­ Crown-imperial is often called the mole For either of these programs, please thetic sorrow. It held its head aloft in su­ plant, because its skunk-like odor (de­ write for your free brochure to the preme disdain, whereupon our Lord gently scribed as "foxy" by the British) discour­ Education Department, American Horticultural Society, Mount Ver­ rebuked it. Smitten with shame, at last it ages moles as well as mice who use the non, VA 22121. Or telephone hung its head, and since then has never been mole runs. This bulb is poisonous and pro­ (703) 768-5700. able to raise it and those who care to turn vides a contrast to sweet-smelling spring its face upwards always find tears in its eyes." bulbs. While it is largely the bulb that has According to Persian legend, a queen's fi­ the strong odor, the flowers may also have delity was unjustly doubted by her husband, this scent to a certain degree, depending much to her sorrow and anguish. An angel on sun and wind conditions. took pity on her and changed her into the For a beautiful and unusual display of crown-imperial. Until restored to her hus­ spring flowers, consider growing crown­ band her tears will remain. imperial, a plant rich not only in beauty Perhaps no one has been as ardent an but also in history and tradition . ., admirer of crown-imperial over the years -Easter Berryman Martin as Mrs. Francis King, who, in her 1925 Chronicles of the Garden, wrote, " ... Easter Berryman Martin has gardened on magnificent ... gorgeous ... flowers light three continents and in five countries. She the borders like torches. Gives a glow, such now lives in Orange County, Virgin'ia on the a light as I never saw equalled .... " Rapidan River. Her articles have appeared in the journals of the Herb Society of America, Though seldom seen in gardens today, The Garden Club of Virginia and the Garden crown-imperial is a hardy bulb of easy cul- Club of America.

American Horticulturist 43

, mE DESIGN PAGE Fragrance

rifting with the wind, changing with FAR LEFT: The the seasons and the hours, fra­ flowers and grance is impossible to see or touch fragrance of D Wisteria can be and almost as difficult to describe. Oddly used to tempt the enough, despite its mercurial and amor­ garden visitor to phous nature, the fragrance of plants can stop and rest divide and define a garden'S spaces. Whether beneath a vine­ covered arbor. the garden area is a corner redolent with LEFT: Pungent musky Phlox or a woodland path turning Nepeta surrounding toward the enveloping fragrance of Vi­ a stone bench at burnum carles ii, its boundaries are as tan­ Nymans in England. gible as walls or hedges. Like a change in paving or the intro­ duction of stairs, fragrant plants can alter the rhythm of your progress through a gar­ den-for example, Iris germanica calling for a pause along a path, or Wisteria si­ nensis, for a prolonged sojourn beneath an arbor. Fragrant plants can be planted to lure one down paths, around corners and into alcoves, as well as to provide a reason to linger. One country garden I know uses broad sweeps of fragrance to embrace, sur­ influence placement of fragrant plants. Some Using fragrance in the garden-from prise and entice, in a pleasant play upon people, for example, find honeysuckle of­ finding the right corner along a path for the emotions. In May, a path leading from fensive, some enjoy it from a distance, while the haunting fragrance of witch hazel, the house between hedgerows is practically others prefer it wrapped around doorways Hamamelis sp., to edging walks with lav­ enveloped with the airy sweetness of apple so they can bury their noses in it when ender-can nurture memories for the fu­ and lilac honeysuckle, Lonicera syringan­ they pass. ture and breathe life into the past. Of all tha. While there are other ways to enter Other fragrances, like the almost uni­ the senses, fragrance is the most memory the garden, few visitors in May take them. versally appreciated lily-of-the-valley, evoking, like some strong elixir conjuring Passing through the apple trees, the path Convallaria majalis, are quiet. Like the fra­ up even the most obscure of life's moments. curves around the balsamic darkness of a grance, neither the flower nor the foliage "All it takes is one whiff of lilac, and I small pine grove, and a fragrance almost of lily-of-the-valley jump out at you; in­ can hear that wooden screen door slam as like a sorbet emerges to refresh the senses stead, both await discovery, perhaps around if it were yesterday," a city-bound friend for the next fragrant onslaught-a cluster a rock in a turn in the path or nestled beside once said wistfully as he reminisced about of Syringa vulgaris around a diminutive a clump of ferns that will hide their often his childhood home in the country with its wildflower meadow. disreputable foliage toward summer's end. lilac-shaded porch. Those visitors who linger on the mead­ When planning a garden for fragrance Along with this rich imagery of the mind, ow's stone bench can inhale the honey­ or when incorporating fragrance into an there are the inevitable associations of fra­ almond scent of English hawthorn, Cra­ existing garden, it is a frequent temptation grant plants with their natural habitats. taegus laevigata (formerly c.oxyacantha), to add as many fragrant plants as space For many people, the scent of Clethra, for from deep within the woods; in July, this will allow. While this approach works fine example, is practically synonymous with pleasant odor is replaced with the clove­ for areas such as rose and herb',gardens, streams and woods. Plant this common like fragrance of Rhododendron viscosum where the melding of many compatible shrub in a border and, on a summer eve­ and the sweet, woodsy smell of Clethra fragrances in the noonday sun is part of ning, with a free imagination, even a neigh­ alnifolia. In July and August, the fragrance their charm, some plants cancel each other bor's vegetable garden could become a fa­ of C. alnifolia is carried from the woods out or dominate (characteristics for which vorite woods from childhood. n as far as the house. Over the years, it has some of the Philadelphus clan are noto­ -Margaret Hensel lured many an unsuspecting guest down rious). In a small garden, the more closely moonlit paths to search out its source. held fragrances of some lilies and iris can Margaret Hensel is a landscape designer and How far a fragrance carries, along with be all but lost to the heady fragrance of writer who is a regular contributor to personal preference (or abhorrence), will 'Conquette' or 'Innocence'. American Horticulturist.

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