Hdp SaveAmerica?s Enda~ered Wdd ers Mark W. Skinner Hummingbirds are the primary pollinators of Lilium bolanderi, which is just one of the spectacular native plants featured in the American Horticultural Society's 1987 Endangered Wildflowers Calendar. Many of America's most treasured wildflowers are threatened with extinction. In fact, experts estimate that 10 percent of the species and varieties native to the United States are in jeopardy. Over 50 taxa have already disappeared. Help save our endangered wildflowers by purchasing the American Horticultural Society's 1987 Endangered Wildflowers Calendar. Funds raised from sales will be used to support conservation projects. To order your calendar, turn to page 42. VOLUME 65 NUMBER 8 President's Page: A Challenge by Edward N. Dane 2 Plants for the Landscape: Astilbes by Mrs. Ralph Cannon 4 The Design Page: Garden Plans by Margaret Hensel 7 Garden Ornament: Sundials by Peter Loewer 10 Herb Gardens at the Washington Cathedral Text by Jeanne Shojaat Photography by Alexandra K. Scott 17 An Art Gallery Garden Text and Photography by Pamel a Harper 20 Ruminations on Kitchen Herbs by Frederick McGourty 24 Book Reviews by Barbara W. Ellis 30 Pronunciation Guide 34 Classifieds 36 Sources 43 On the Cover: Garden sculprures such as this striking terra cotta boy and girl add an air of artistry to an already beautiful garden. In fact, ornamental sculprure and gardens seem to complement each other quite narurally. Tra­ ditional ornaments, such as bird baths and sundials, can do much for an .empty corner, while less traditional pieces can add an element of surprise and delight for the garden visitor. To learn more about how one Ohio A suitabl e home for surplus pl ants when the man combines sculprure with his garden, rurn to "An Art Gallery Garden" Washington Cathedral's Hortulus ("little garden") on page 20. Photograph by Pamela Harper. was redesigned, this tiny triangular garden later became a focal point in its own ri ght. Unlike the nearby Hortulus, this garden has no special design, but both the assorted heights of the pl ants within it and the varying colors and leaf textures contrast delightfully. Behind the triangle is a sundial made from the head of a thirteenth-century pillar. For more on the redesigning of the Washington Cathedral Herb Garden, join Jeanne Shojaat on page 17. And to learn more about sundials, see "Sundials" on page 10. Photograph by Al exandra K. Scott. EDITOR, PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR: Ba rbara W. Ellis. ART DIRECTOR: Rebecca K. McClimans. ASSO OIATE EDITORS: Lynn M. Lynch and A. Brooke Russell. HO RTICU LTURAL CONSULTANTS: Gilbert S. Daniels, Jane Steffey. ASS IST ANT TO THE EDITOR: Martha Palermo. PRODUCTION ASS ISTANT: Lynn M. Lynch. BUSINESS MANAGER: May Lin Roscoe. MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: Sa ll ie Hutcheson. COLOR SEPARATIONS: John Simmons, Chromagraphi", In c. ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE: C. W. Advertising, P.O. Box 138, Mount Vernon, VA 22121, (703) 360-6666. Replacement issues of AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST are avail able 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 th ose of the Society. Manuscripts, 3r.t work and photographs sent fo r possible publication will be returned if they are accompanied by a se lf­ addressed, stamped envelope. We ca nnot guarantee the safe return of unsolicited material. AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST, ISSN 0096·441 7, is the official publication of the American Horticultural Society, 793 1 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22308, (703) 768-5700, and is issued monthly. Membership in the Society includes a subscription to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Membership dues start at $20.00 a year, $12.00 of which is designated for AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Copyright © 1986 by the Ame rican Horticultural Society. Second-class postage paid at Alexandria, Virgi ni a and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send Form 3579 to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121. American Horticulturist PRESIDENT'S PAGE COldGreenhouse Frame Quality Electric he Society's AmlUal Meeting this month in San Francisco marks steinmax the end of my term as President of the Board of Directors and Chipper-Shredder the beginning of Everitt Miller's term as my successor. Everitt • Compare the value T • Most powerful motor. Miller has served on the Society's Board of Directors for four years, 2.3hp on 110v. 1700 watts. • Chipper does 1V,' branches and has held the position of First Vice President for the last two years. • Center blade shreds corn Many of you will also recall that he was awarded the Society's presti­ stalks , prunings, old plants , newspapers and leaves. gious Liberty Hyde Bailey Medal in 1983 and is the former Director • Dulk leal shredding of Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. accessory. Changes in Board composition are, of course, mandated by the Soci­ Imported from England ety's bylaws. Changes in our organization's outlook and the ways we serve our members are not governed by such clear-cut rules, and there watering is always a tendency to cling to the old adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." But if the American Horticultural Society is going to continue --, Cans to serve AmeFican gardeners from all walks of life, it must continue to Regular & examine and improve its existing programs as well as plan and imple­ Long Reach Models ment new ones. One of the things that differentiates a Society membership from This range of 6 merely a subscription to a gardening magazine is the opportunity for cans handles every watering job in the greenhouse, garden or members' active participation. Clearly, not all of the Society's diverse home. Good looking , strong green plastic and and geographically separated members can be expected to participate built to last . Brass·faced rose attachments pro· vide gentle rain for seed beds and delicate seed· in the many Society-sponsored events, including tours, meetings and lings. All priced under $10. symposia. Nevertheless, there is a need for better communication Sliding-panel among the Society's members, board and staff. We must design more outreach programs that will not only promote greater cooperation compost Bins with sister societies and clubs, but will also encourage thoughtful re­ Garden and kitchen wastes become rich sponse from our membership and help the Society face the challenges compost in weeks. in the years to come. Scientifically designed English bins hold in The need to balance the traditional and proven activities of an en­ warmth and moistu re during institution like the American Horticultural Society with the for accelerated decomposition yet changing lifestyles of its members is one of those challenges. To ventilate correctly. achieve the goal of providing the most useful horticultural information Add materials anytime . 3 sizes in steel or to its many diverse members, the Society needs to encourage open plastic . communication among its membership. Although all members receive & the Society's publications, it is unfortunate that few members realize Rose Arbors the value their feedback could have in maintaining the health and Carden Arches well-being of the organization. With these classic The Society needs to know when it is doing a good job and when it English arches you can build a wide variety is not. If members don't exercise their right to communicate their of garden structures opinions, there will be a natural tendency among the policy-setting for climbing roses , grapes , wisteria , committees to assume that changes are not needed. clematis, etc. Strong In short, members who participate actively can only strengthen tb;l steel tubing sealed in weatherproof green Society. I believe the greatest challenge I can leave my successor is to plastic. Easily assembled . 8' tall find and promote ways to improve the channels of communication x 5' wide. amOiag us all. Call or write for FREE INFORMATION PACKAGE Kinsman• The company River Road (Dept. 911) Point Pleasant , PA 18950 (215) 297·5613 -Edward N. Dane 2 August 1986 Butterflies of the World PORCELAIN SCULPTURE COLLECTION Fine porcelain with delicate hand-painting. $29.50 per sculpture. Available on a convenient rrwnthly basis. So exceptional an artist is Brian Har­ greaves of Great Britain that he was commissioned to portray the gardens and butterflies of Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth II. Now he brings his talent to the design of an exclusive collection of porcelain sculptures: The Butterflies of the World. This intriguing new collection makes it possible for you to have a garden of butterflies and flowers in your home all year long! Fifteen delightful butterflies in their own natural floral settings­ representing all fIfteen butterfly fami­ lies in nature's kingdom. You'll be able to display this collec­ tion attractively in your home. For you will receive a beautifully designed eta­ gere of brass and glass to hold all of the imported sculptures. Brian Hargreaves' designs are so fInely detailed that each delicate wing of a butterfly and each petal of a flower is precisely as you see it in nature. From the Monarch Butterfly with its bright or­ ange coloring ... to the boldly-striped Zebra Longwing . .. to the spectacular Malachite with emerald-shaped wings. The variety of colors is astonishing too - every shade and tone nature has given these charming creatures of flight. To acquire the collection, please mail the accompanying Subscription Appli­ Brass and glass stagere provided at no additional charge. cation by August 31, 1986. @) 1986 FM Ir-----------------------------------------------~-------------, SUBSCRIPTION APPLICATION t I I 1 The Franklin Mint Please mail by August 31, 1986. : : Franklin Center, Pennsylvania 1~091 Limit of one collection per person. : : Please enter my subscription for The Butterflies of the World Porcelain Sculpture Col- : I lection by Brian Hargreaves, consisting of fifteen miniature sculptures to be crafted in fine I 1 porcelain with delicate hand-painting.