TheThe AmericanAmerican GARDENERGARDENER

TheThe MagazineMagazine ofof thethe AAmericanmerican HorticulturalHorticultural SocietySociety January/February 2005

new plants for 2005 Native Fruits for the Edible Landscape Wildlife-Friendly Gardening Chanticleer: A Jewel of a Garden The Do’s andand Don’tsDon’ts ofof Planting Under Trees

contents

Volume 84, Number 1 . January / February 2005

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

5 NOTES FROM RIVER FARM

6 MEMBERS’ FORUM

8 NEWS FROM AHS AHS’s restored White House gates to be centerpiece of Philadelphia Flower Show entrance exhibit, The Growing Connection featured during United Nations World Food Day events, Utah city’s volunteer efforts during America in Bloom competition earned AHS Community Involvement Award, Great Southern Tree Conference is newest AHS partner.

14 AHS PARTNERS IN PROFILE page 22 The Care of Trees brings passion and professionalism to arboriculture.

44 GARDENING BY DESIGN 16 NEW FOR 2005 BY RITA PELCZAR Forget plants—dream of design.

A preview of the exciting and intriguing new plant introductions. 46 GARDENER’S NOTEBOOK Gardening trends in 2005, All-America 22 CHANTICLEER BY CAROLE OTTESEN Selections winners, Lenten rose is perennial of the year, wildlife This Philadephia-area garden is being hailed as one of the finest gardening courses small public gardens in America. online, new Cornell Web site allows rating of 26 NATIVE FRUITS BY LEE REICH vegetable varieties, Add beauty and flavor to your landscape with carefree natives like Florida gardens recover from hurricane damage, page 46 beach plum, persimmon, pawpaw, and clove currant. gardeners can help with national bird count. 31 TURNING A GARDEN INTO A COMMUNITY BY JOANNE WOLFE 50 In this first in a series of articles on habitat gardening, learn how to GROWING THE FUTURE create an environment that benefits both gardener and wildlife. A Colorado greenhouse program connects kids to nature

34 ICE “FLOWERS” BY BRUCE MEANS 52 BOOK REVIEWS A naturalist admires delicate and ephemeral ice sculptures that American Azaleas, IPM for Gardeners, and emerge from the base of certain plants. Botanica North America. Special focus: Books on gardening tools and techniques. 38 PLANTING UNDER TREES BY DAVID OETTINGER 56 Protecting tree roots from damage is important when creating REGIONAL HAPPENINGS new beds under existing trees. 60 ONE ON ONE WITH… David Milarch of the Champion Tree Project

62 HARDINESS AND HEAT ZONES ON THE COVER: Bright Fantasy™, a hybrid snowberry that bears loads of clear white fruit, is one AND PRONUNCIATIONS

TOP LEFT: ROB CARDILLO; RIGHT: COURTESY OF ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS of Monrovia’s new plant introductions for 2005. Photograph courtesy of Monrovia

January / February 2005 3 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 7931 East Boulevard Drive Alexandria, VA 22308-1300 (800) 777-7931 fax (703) 768-8700 www.ahs.org Making America a Nation of Gardeners, a Land of Gardens

American Horticultural Society

PRESIDENT Katy Moss Warner PRESIDENT EMERITUS Dr. H. Marc Cathey AHS President’s Council Board of Directors

CHAIRMAN Arabella S. Dane Center Harbor, New Hampshire CHAIRMAN'S CIRCLE Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ariail, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Kurt FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN Brian E. Holley Cleveland, Ohio Bluemel ■ Ms. Claire Burrows ■ Mr. and Mrs. Edward N. Dane ■ Mr. Mark SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN Don Riddle Davidsonville, Maryland Garrison ■ Ms. Jill Hamilton ■ Mr. and Mrs. James S. Hutchinson ■ Mr. SECRETARY Albin MacDonough Plant Baltimore, Maryland Robert E. Malesardi ■ Ms. Nancy Petersen ■ Mr. Phil Snyder LIBERTY HYDE TREASURER Christine Perdue Middleburg, Virginia BAILEY ASSOCIATES Mr. A. Michael Gelman ■ Mr. and Mrs. Mickey Lynch ■ IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Kurt Bluemel Baldwin, Maryland Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Manson, III ■ Mr. and Mrs. Ken Mountcastle ■ The Honorable Lauralee M. Peters ■ Mr. W. R. Pickering ■ Jeanne Otis Shields ■

GENERAL COUNSEL William A. Pusey Ms. Katy Moss Warner ■ Ms. Donnan C. Wintermute HAUPT ASSOCIATES

Mrs. Lynda A. Bachman ■ Dr. and Mrs. William E. Barrick ■ Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Ariail Alexandria, Virginia ■ Allan M. Armitage Athens, Georgia ■ William E. Barrick, Ph.D. C. William Black ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Bogle ■ Mr. Richard C. and Mrs. Theodore, Alabama ■ Katherine Bull Washington, D.C. ■ Joel Goldsmith Gilroy, California ■ Beverly Katherine Stark Bull ■ Dr. and Mrs. H. Marc Cathey ■ Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hanselman Nashville, Tennessee ■ Natasha Hopkinson New York, New York ■ Margaret Kulp Louisville, Cordia ■ Mrs. Elisabeth C. Dudley ■ Mrs. Richard W. Hanselman ■ Ms. Kentucky ■ Melissa R. Marshall Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ■ Carol C. Morrison Palatine, Illinois ■ Felder Minako Henderson ■ Mrs. Carole S. Hofley ■ Col. and Mrs. Freeman E. Jones Rushing Jackson, Mississippi ■ William Seale Alexandria, Virginia ■ Jeanne Otis Shields Greenville, ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Kulp, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Matheson, Jr. ■ Delaware ■ Arnold Steiner Birmingham, Alabama ■ Steven Still Hilliard, Ohio ■ Howard McK. Tucker Mr. and Mrs. Harold McClendon, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Tom McGlade ■ Mr. ■ ■ Alexandria, Virginia Susie Usrey Dayton, Oregon Robert D. Volk San Marino, California Paul H. Pusey ■ Ms. Michele Richardson ■ Mr. Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. ■ Dr.

and Mrs. George E. Staehle ■ Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Steiner ■ Mr. John Wm.

Thomas and Mrs. Valerie Thomas ■ Mr. Howard McK. Tucker and Ms. 2004 Advisory Council Megan Evans ■ Mr. and Mrs. W. Bruce Usrey ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Volk Bev Hanselman, Nashville, Tennessee – Chair PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Angino ■ Nancy J. Becker, M.D. ■ Mrs. Katherine McKay Belk-Cook ■ Mr. Phillip Bermingham ■ Mrs. Katherine Belk-Cook, Charlotte, North Carolina Robert and Joanna Martin, Menlo Park, Colorado George P. Bissell, Jr. ■ Ms. Sylvia Black ■ Dr. Sherran Blair ■ Count and Clarissa Bonde, Washington D.C. Mrs. Malcolm Matheson, Mt. Vernon, Virginia Countess Peder Bonde ■ Mrs. Anne Bucher ■ Mr. and Mrs. Cason Callaway, Walter Bull, Columbia, South Carolina Egon Molbak, Bellevue, Washington Jr. ■ Mrs. and Mr. Charles E. Carr ■ Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Chandler ■ Mr. Elaine Burden, Middleburg, Virginia Nancy Keen Palmer, Nashville, Tennessee and Mrs. James L. Corfield ■ Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Crawford ■ Mr. and Mrs. Dr. H. Marc Cathey, Silver Spring, Maryland Bob Patterson, Washington D.C. Edward Daisey ■ Mr. and Mrs. James F. Delano ■ Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Fred Clapp, Alexandria, Virginia Dr. Julia W. Rappaport, Santa Ana, California Demisay ■ Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Dubke ■ Mrs. Beverley W. Dunn ■ Mrs. Russell Clark, Boston, Massachusetts Harry Rissetto, Falls Church, Virginia Maureen Ecke ■ Ms. Anita Ellis ■ Mr. and Mrs. John H. Fitzpatrick ■ Dr. Bartie Cole, Owings Mills, Maryland Deen Day Sanders, Norcross, Georgia and Mrs. John A. Floyd, Jr. ■ Ms. Marguerite Peet Foster ■ Mr. Thomas B. Jim Corfield, Geneva, Illinois Josephine Shanks, Houston, Texas Gentry ■ Ms. Dorothy Gillespie ■ Mr. John Sward Gleiber ■ Mr. and Mrs. Virginia Hill Daisey, Dedham, Massachusetts Barbara Shea, Baltimore, Maryland Joel Goldsmith ■ Mr. and Mrs. David B. Gray ■ Mr. and Mrs. John H. Guy, Edward N. Dane, Center Harbor, New Hampshire Holy Shimizu, Glen Echo,Maryland IV ■ Mr. Gerald T. Halpin ■ Mrs. Richard W. Hamming ■ Dr. and Mrs. David and Kitty Ferguson, Westwood, Massachusetts Charles Henry Smith, Middleburg, Virginia William O. Hargrove ■ Mr. and Mrs. Max Hartl ■ Mrs. Enid A. Haupt ■ Mr. Ben Griswold, Glyndon, Maryland Nancy Thomas, Houston, Texas and Mrs. Brent Heath ■ Mr. and Mrs. Richard F. Hohlt ■ Mr. and Mrs. Brian Sheryl Heckler, Middleburg, Virginia Bryan Thomlison, Haddonfield, New Jersey Holley ■ Mr. and Mrs. Allan L. Holmstrom ■ Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Hooff, Henry Jameson, East Sound, Washington Pauline Vollmer, Baltimore, Maryland Jr. ■ Mr. Ross Hotchkiss ■ Mr. Philip Huey ■ Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Hutchins, Dr. Richard W. Lighty, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Joyce and Harvey White, Nashville, Tennessee III ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Lindsay ■ Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Marshall ■ Carolyn Marsh Lindsay, Ponte Vedra, Florida Joannah and Daryl Williams, Sebring, Florida Mrs. Dorothy Marston ■ Mrs. Rachel L. Mellon ■ Mrs. Rosalyn Milbrandt ■ Mickey Lynch, Dunmore, Pennsylvania Mr. and Mrs. Egon Molbak ■ Dr. and Mrs. David E. Morrison ■ Mr. and Mrs. Stu McMichael and Lucinda Crabtree, William J. Moss ■ Mrs. Shirley Ann Nicolai ■ Mr. and Mrs. William G. Pannill Falls Church, Virginia ■ Ms. Christine Perdue ■ Mr. and Mrs. Albin MacDonough Plant ■ Mr. and

Mrs. William A. Pusey ■ Mr. and Mrs. Don E. Riddle, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Corporate Partners G. Rindler ■ Mrs. Diana Carter Samples ■ Mrs. Deen Day Sanders ■ Mrs. Josephine M. Shanks ■ Mr. Bob Sierralta ■ Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henry Smith, ■ ■ ■ ™ ■ The Care of Trees Cherry Lake Tree Farm DK Publishing EarthBox Kurt Bluemel, Inc. Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Turner T. Smith, Jr. ■ Ms. Vandy Solomon ■ Mrs. Juliet ■ ■ ■ Monrovia NaturaLawn of America Osmocote Thompson & Morgan Sproul ■ Mr. Harold Stahly ■ Miss Jane Steffey ■ Ms. Lida M. Stifel ■ Mr.

and Mrs. John B. Strasenburgh ■ Mrs. Benjamin W. Thoron ■ Mrs. Mary Ann

Tucker ■ Dr. and Mrs. Peter Van Dyke ■ Mr. Joe Viar ■ Ms. Angela M. AHS Horticultural Partners Vikesland ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. White ■ Mr. and Mrs. John W. White, Sr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. D. Anderson Williams ■ Mrs. Marilyn B. Wilson America in Bloom ■ Bellingrath Gardens & Home ■ Center for Plant Conservation ■ Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Garden Symposium ■ Communities in Bloom ■ Cox Arboretum ■ Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival ■ The Gardeners of America/Men’s Garden Clubs of America ■ Great Southern Tree Conference ■ Greater Gardens of the Washington Area ■ Homestead Resorts Horticultural Symposium ■ Horticulture Gardening Institute ■ International Master Gardener Conference ■ Leonard Haertter Travel Company ■ Magic of Landscaping Symposium ■ Morris Arboretum ■ Oklahoma Horticultural Society ■ Summer Master Gardener Conference in East Lansing

4 the American Gardener The American C GARDENER NOTES FROM RIVER FARM

EDITOR David J. Ellis OW IS A GREAT TIME to be a member of the American Horticultur- MANAGING EDITOR AND ART DIRECTOR Mary Yee al Society. No matter where you live in this great land of ours, there are so many ways to be educated and inspired. Every two months, you re- ASSOCIATE EDITOR N Carole Ottesen ceive a copy of this magazine, the AHS’s official publication, filled with news from ASSISTANT EDITOR the AHS as well as interesting and important information carefully selected from Viveka Neveln the broader world of horticulture. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS As an AHS member, you can also share seeds from your garden with thousands Rita Pelczar of other gardeners through the annual Seed Exchange program—and in return Joanne Wolfe you have the opportunity to try more than 100 different seed varieties in your own

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD garden—or on your windowsill! Your AHS membership card is a gateway to free or CHAIR John Alex Floyd Jr. Birmingham, Alabama discount admission at nearly 200 public gardens and Allan M. Armitage more than 15 flower shows throughout America. At Athens, Georgia these gardens and events, you can find new ideas for Nina L. Bassuk your own garden while enjoying a respite from our Ithaca, New York hurly burly modern world. You’ll find complete infor- Richard E. Bir mation on the Seed Exchange program and the partic- Brevard, North Carolina ipating gardens and flower shows in the annual AHS John E. Bryan Member Guide bound in the center of this issue. San Francisco, California In addition, your AHS membership entitles you to John L. Creech special member rates on exciting new educational programs such as The Great Amer- Columbus, North Carolina ican Gardeners Conference in Orlando, Florida, the AHS Garden School “The Art Keith Crotz Chillicothe, Illinois & Science of Color” at River Farm, and the National Children & Youth Garden Sym- Panayoti Kelaidis posium in Atlanta. And, of course, if you are member of our President’s Council, you Denver, Colorado have a unique opportunity—a special trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show and the Richard W. Lighty gardens of the Delaware Valley (for more on this, see the box on page 23). Greenville, Delaware Equally as important to the benefits you receive as an AHS member are the ben- Elvin McDonald efits you extend to others as the AHS reaches beyond our members to achieve our West Des Moines, Iowa vision of making America a nation of gardeners, a land of gardens. We are proud Felder Rushing to support the important scientific work of our President Emeritus, Dr. H. Marc Jackson, Mississippi Cathey, as he codes all the garden plants we use in America for their cold hardi- ness and heat tolerance. We work closely with our main publishing partner, Dor- ADVERTISING The American Gardener ling Kindersley, to produce the most beautiful, helpful, and comprehensive garden 7931 East Boulevard Drive reference books, such as the newly revised AHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Alexandria, VA 22308 In addition, the AHS is dedicated to connecting young people to plants. We (703) 768-5700 ext. 120 do this by working with other organizations that have similar missions and by es- E-MAIL: [email protected] tablishing unique programs to fill needed niches. The Growing Connection, a mid- The American Gardener (ISSN 1087-9978) is published bimonth- dle-school program we offer in partnership with the Food and Agricultural ly (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, Septem- ber/October, November/December) by the American Horticultural Organization of the United Nations, is an important step to connecting students Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300, (703) 768-5700. Membership in the Society includes a subscrip- in America with growing food, with the importance of nutrition, and with the tion to The American Gardener. Annual dues are $35; two years, value of sharing that learning experience with students from around the world. $60. International dues are $50. $10 of annual dues goes toward magazine subscription. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, Vir- As we start this new year, please encourage your gardening friends to join the ginia, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send Form 3579 to The American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, AHS…and encourage your non gardening friends to garden! Alexandria, VA 22308-1300. Botanical nomenclature is based on The American Horticultural Society A–Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, on A Synonymized Check- Happy New Year! list of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Canada and Greenland and on the Royal Horticultural Society Index of Garden Plants. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and are not necessar- ily those of the Society. Manuscripts, artwork, and photographs sent for possible publication will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. We cannot guarantee the safe return of unsolicited material. Back issues are available at $8 per copy. Copyright ©2005 by the American Horticultural Society. —Katy Moss Warner, AHS President Printed in the U.S.A. on recycled paper.

January / February 2005 5 6 cles on the theory andpracticeofgarden cles onthetheory and pleasure Tres Fromme’s seriesofarti- I have beenreading withgreat interest APPLAUSE FORDESIGNSERIES unl.edu/greatplants). Plants, visit ourWeb site here. For more informationabout Great- juniper, whichisnolongerrecommended gal problems thatplaguethe‘Skyrocket’ feet wide.‘Taylor’ seemstoresist thefun- has reached 25feet tallandthree tofour the Great Plains region. After12years, it well throughoutbraska andhasperformed lection wasdiscovered centralNe- innorth eastern red virginiana) cedar(Juniperus juniper [shown inthe photoabove]. This green we have released calledthe‘Taylor’ aware ofanotheroutstandinguprightever- Nebraska, Iwantedtomakeyour readers the Great Plains program here inLincoln, selectionstotry.about somenew Plains, soitisalwaysrefreshing toread form well here intherigorsofGreat 2004). Many evergreens vertical don'tper- “Vertical Accents” (November/December I enjoyed reading Carole Ottesen’s article ACCENT ONTHEVERTICAL Assistant DirectorAssistant ofHorticulture Programs As coordinator oftheGreatPlants for the American Gardener Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Lincoln, Nebraska (www.arboretum. Bob Henrickson se- and forests isbeingdestroyed. astating forthefollowing reasons: The impactofdeeronhorticulture isdev- nign approach isdisastrous forgardening. November/December 2004issue.His be- in theGarden,” whichappeared inthe disagree withDr. Cathey’s “Deer article, gardener,As anortheastern Irespectfully AGGRESSIVE DEERCONTROLNEEDED quired todealwith deer. plant replacement, chemicals,etc.—re- not afford thecostlymeasures—fencing, potential gardeners. Many gardeners can- an optionforhundreds ofthousands other gardening magazines.Many thanks! than anythingIhave encountered in ries ismore sophisticated,inmyview, and explainsare seriousindeed.These- amusing, yet theconceptsheproposes sues involved, and thetoneislighthearted those justbeginningtothinkabouttheis- writing makesthediscussionaccessibleto good designisallabout” approach. His at thebeginningandaskourselves what ing tocompare withFromme’s “let’s start and inmyexperiencehave foundnoth- landscape architecture andgarden design, good manyjournalsandmagazineson torian andgardening enthusiast,Iread a you ontheirquality. Asalandscapehis- design, andwouldliketocongratulate market for them. or unusualplantsbecausethere isno exotics few deer resistant plants withvery that remain are forced tostockmostly tion hasbeenseverely reduced. Nurseries business becausethegardening popula- than ashotgun? vehicles. Is thismassacre more humane deer are killedeachyear incollisionswith deer. In New Jersey, more than60,000 sidering thenumberofcollisions with topeopleisfrighteningcon- for injury vehicles isincalculableandthepotential 2. 1. 3. 4. MEMBERS The ecologicalfuture ofourparks The hobby ofgardening isnolonger Nurseries have beenforced outof The amount of property damageto The amountofproperty C ’ Snellville, Georgia Catherine Howett FORUM garden intheMarch/April issue. more onreducing deerdamageinthe lution todeermanagement.Lookfor work togethertofindamore holisticso- andnaturalresource managersto dustry with acalltoactionforthegardening in- dividual gardens, heendedhisarticle ways toreduce theimpactofdeerinin- And whileDr. Catheysuggestedsome intheNortheast.gardening industry deerarehis article, thetopconcernof Editor’s response: (Thank goodnessforsouthernexposure!) (Thank some bloomingoutsidemybackdoor! this attheendofNovember, Istillhave Evenout humanintervention. asIwrite and strong enoughtostaybeautifulwith- flower, such asconeflower, thatisnative are provided support. artificial rains, whichbeatthemdown unlessthey bloom atatimewhenwe oftenhave heavy out, are notnative toourarea. Theyalso onies are lovely, points butasyour article would have likedthefire pinkaswell. Pe- in your November/December issue. “Statein thearticle Flowers, State Pride” the peonytoanotherplant,asdescribed to changetheofficialstateflower from following withinterest theongoingeffort As anavidIndiana gardener, Ihave been NATIVE STATEFLOWERSMAKESENSE lation by anymeansavailable. has tobemadereduce thedeerpopu- large populationsofwildlife.Areal effort out fact thatthedensityofpeoplerules PLEASE WRITEUS! Editor, edited forlengthand clarity. e-mail [email protected]. Lettersweprintmaybe Boulevard Drive,Alexandria,VA22308, oryoucan It seemsmore logicaltohave astate Personally, Ifavored theconeflower but In theNortheast, we mustacceptthe The AmericanGardener, Letters shouldbeaddressedto As Dr. Catheynotedin Mendham, New Jersey Indianapolis, Indiana Susan Sutton Bill Moran 7931 East

COURTESY OF BOB HENRICKSON opportunities awaitopportunities you thisyear! by knowledgeable andexperienced guides.Exciting toprograms exceptional private andpublicgardens led 1985, we have travel offered study extraordinary some oftheworld’s mostbeautifuldestinations.Since J and theLeonard Haertter Travel Company—to America’s with ourney premier travel team—AHS 2005 Society Horticultural American Study Program Travel at (800)942-6666. theLeonardcall Haertter Travel Company brochures, orto make atour reservation, tour For detailedtour information, No member duesareusedto support theTravelStudy Program Wilderness GardensofNicaraguaandCostaRica and Liguria(ItalianRiviera) Summer CoastalGardensofNewZealand of Jersey JANUARY 2005 TOUR SCHEDULE FEBRUARY NOVEMBER OCTOBER OCTOBER SEPTEMBER JUNE JUNE MAY MAY APRIL FEBRUARY Isles ofScilly Gardens ofEngland,Wales,Ireland,andthe of NewZealand The GardensofSouthernSpain along thePoRiveraboardCloudII Gardens ofSanFranciscoBay 14–24 9–19 21– 17–28 16–24 14–28, 2005 2–11 JULY 21– 26 3–17, 2006 5–12 5–15 Gardens andMonumentsofPiedmont 5–13 Gardens ofJapan Gardens ofNormandyandtheIsle Secret GardensandVillas 2 The GardensoftheMoors, Windstar, M.s.y.WindStar– M/V ClipperAdventurer– Gardens ofJapan,FallColors Gardens ofRome Clipper, M/VYorktown

Summer CoastalGardens

SOLD OUT SOLD SOLD OUT SOLD

NICOLE LEJEUNE / MAISON DE LA FRANCE 8 White HouseGatesMakeGrandEntranceatPhiladelphiaFlowerShow United NationsEventSupports trance display. Burke Brothers haswonnumerous awards for side, Pennsylvania, isdesigningandcreating thedramaticen- were takendown forprotection andrestoration. Board member, uncovered theoriginsofgates,andthey William Seale, property’s formerentrance.In 2002, years theyhunganonymouslyatthe River Farm, where formore than30 the 1930s,gatesendedupat White House duringarenovation in Show.Flower heney, ning flower show,” saysSam Lem- the nation’s firstandlongestrun- FDR, andwillnow greet visitorsto sage ofpresidents from Monroe to 1819, thesegateswitnessedthepas- March 6to13,2005. the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), willbeheld the AmericanHorticultural Society. Theshow, produced by a setofformerWhiteHouse gates,onloantotheshow from with thetheme,thisyear’s entranceexhibitisdesignedaround Beautiful,” butnonemore sothantheentrancedisplay. In tune Flower Show willallreflect thisyear’s theme,“America the THE DISPLAYSANDEXHIBITS News PROGRAMS •EVENTSANNOUNCEMENTS Burke Brothers LandscapeContractors,Inc., After theirremoval from the “Installed attheWhite House in the American Gardener designer ofthePhiladelphia a historianandAHS from at thisyear’s Philadelphia An artist’srenderingofthegatesinshow’sentrance AHS of Glen- The GrowingConnection TGC participants attendWorldFoodDaycelebration attheUN. ment andenthusiasmforthis program as itcontinuestogrow.” Food Day events attheUN,”saysKaty. “There’s alotofexcite- FAO andnow andotherpartners, here oftheWorld itisaspart isaprogram twoyears we agowiththe started bration. “This THE FOODANDAGRICULTUREORGANIZATION gram, Scranton, Pennsylvania whoare oftheAHS/FAO part pro- cluded children from schools inPocantico Hills, New York, and ed Nations Headquarters inNew York City. Participants in- onOctober 18withtheannualcelebrationatUnit-observed Day, thesamedayitwasfoundedin1945.In 2004,thedaywas United Nations (FAO) designatedOctober 16asWorld Food order tickets,visitwww.philadelphiaflowershow.com. generous donationsfrom AHSsupporters. Washington, D.C.Therestoration work wasmadepossible by Solutions, Inc.cialists atConservation (CSI) tor ofhorticulture atMount Vernon EstateandGardens, locat- AHS President Moss Katy Warner be heavilyfeatured intheexhibit. many donatedby Conard-Pyle the AHSEnvironmental Award foritsexhibitlastyear. Roses, its pastdisplaysatthePhiladelphia Flower Show, including AHS President For informationaboutthePhiladelphia Flower Show orto Representing theAHSonShow’s openingdaywillbe The Growing Connection Katy MossKaty Warner January/February 2005 tion of the metal conservation spe- tion ofthemetalconservation original splendorunderthedirec- has beenreturning themtotheir Works Ironthe elements.Flaherty to repair decadesofexposure to have beenundergoingrestoration debut attheflower show, thegates Horticultural Treasures.” will speakon“Saving America’s A LandofGardens,” andDean will give aspeechtitled“America, line withtheShow’s theme,Katy Farm inAlexandria,Virginia. In ed justdown theroad from River Before makingtheirnational (TGC). nursery ofPhiladelphia, will nursery and of Alexandria,Virginia, also attendedthecele- Dean Norton, based in direc- of the

TOP: COURTESY OF ®PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. BOTTOM: COURTESY OF UNITED NATIONS. MARY YEE tary SchoolinWashington,tary D.C.,celebratedUnited Nations growingconnection.org. be viewedaround theworldonTGC’s Web site, iments withgrowing vegetables. Thelive videoconference could Guadalajara, Mexico. Theydiscussedtheirprojects andexper- communicatedwithotherTGCheadquarters in participants River Farm ReceivesLandmarkAward Frederick S.Davies. from ASHSPresident commemorative plaque Marc Catheyacceptsthe President EmeritusDr.H. mark site.Atright,AHS ican HorticulturalLand- headquarters asanAmer- nated AHS’sRiverFarm Science (ASHS)desig- Society forHorticultural ficials oftheAmerican Farm inDecember,topof- ceremony heldatRiver At anoutdoordedication Win! ToEnter In addition,onOctober 21,studentsfrom Seaton Elemen- Through avideoconference, theschoolchildren attheUN •visit www.americainbloom.org tolearn howyour •visit prideinyourcommunity •plant •2005 programregistrationdeadline •2005 in the America inBloom municipality canbenefitbyparticipating is February28,2005 with America inBloom ® contest www.americainbloom.org (614) 487-1117 www.the- ® in Canada,”saysRance,“so Iwasthrilledtoseetheideataking Communities inBloom Bloom inEngland and “I’d heard ofVillages in town thefollowing year. planned toenterthe 2003, heimmediately the competitionlatein Corporation, Bloom Master Planter October. Searle, WhenRance In Bloom Awards Ceremony heldinIndianapolis, Indiana, last sponsored CommunityInvolvement Award atthe2004America THE CITYOF for CommunityInvolvement Vernal, UtahWins FirstAHSAward learn aboutandgrow healthyfood,”saysCharlotte. to the project andwillhelpstudentsstaffintheirefforts Coast, Ghana. “Seaton’s principal, also heldalive Webcast schoolinCape withtheirpartner The children plantednineEarthBoxes ordinator ofTGC; andseveral representatives from theFAO. Lynch, Week inaTGC by participating workshop given by Mickey president ofEarthBox Vernal, Utah, becamethefirstrecipient oftheAHS- learned of ary 28,2005. The deadlinetoenterisFebru- bloom.org 1117 orvisitwww.americain Bloom contest,call(614)487- involved inthe2005AmericaIn To getyourcommunity ™ Vernal resident andpresident of ; Charlotte Albers, Willy Lamb, January / February ™ for moreinformation. with various herbsand has endorsed 2005 AHS co- 9 10 Farm, Alexandria,Virginia. • ington’s RiverFarm,Alexandria,Virginia. • cal GardenandWonderlandGardens. Symposium. • Farm, Alexandria,Virginia. • Flower Show. • Orlando, Florida. • p.m. ontheeveningofApril21.) dria, Virginia.(Note:Members-onlypreviewsalestarts5 and FlowerShow.GeorgeWashington’sRiverFarm,Alexan- • and AwardsPresentation. • Williamsburg, Virginia. • River Farm,Alexandria,Virginia. • Farm, Alexandria,Virginia. ence ofColorintheGarden. • Philadelphia, Pennyslvania. Philadelphia FlowerShow, 7-91o ii h H Web site 777-7931 orvisittheAHS For more information about theseevents, call(800) • M Horticultural Society. sponsored orcosponsored by theAmerican SEPT. 24. SEPT. 19–23. JULY 28–30. JUNE 2. MAY 27. MAY 6. APR. 22&23. APR. 13–15. APR. 3–5.ColonialWilliamsburgGardenSymposium. APR. 1–30. A MAR. 31–APR.1. MAR. 4&5. the American Gardener national events andprograms thatare ark your calendarfortheseupcoming Magic ofLandscapingConference. Taste ofRiverFarm. AHS MemberDayatClevelandBotanicalGarden AHS AnnualGala. Atlanta, Georgia.HostedbytheAtlantaBotani- Cleveland, Ohio. Washington Blooms! AHS President’sCouncilEventatthe 2005 CALENDAR AHS NATIONALEVENTSANDPROGRAMS AHS GreatAmericanGardenersConference AHS NationalChildren&YouthGarden Eastern PerformanceTrials. Friends ofRiverFarmSpringPlantSale HS GardenSchool:TheArtandSci- Orlando, Florida. Pennsylvania ConventionCenter, George Washington’sRiver George Washington’sRiver George Washington’sRiver George Washington’s (www.ahs.org). George Wash- year’s event, whichwill becohostedby the Garden Symposium from July 28to30inAtlanta, Georgia. This held aflower-growing contestamongthemselves. their yards, pickeduplitter, andeven agroup ofminerswho ground,” whoplantedflowers, includingeveryone cleanedup Rance. “It belongstoallthosewholabored quietlyintheback- many volunteers thatoccasionallytheyhave toturnpeopleaway! it’s oftheirnature,” part heexplains.Indeed, Vernal oftenhasso are, theyalwayssticktogetherandare ofotherpeople, supportive commendable communityinvolvement. “That’s how Mormons 1870 andRancecredits thisrichMormon heritageforVernal’s founded thetown in the Mormon pioneer, Rance. Brigham Young, square miles,”says only green spotin100 cated in“probably the aptly namedtown islo- Rocky Mountains, this valley inthe desert cipate in.” communities toparti- thingfor derful cause it’s suchawon- hold inAmericabe- PLAN TOATTEND 2005 Youth Garden Symposium DO YOULIKE Members Photo ContestforAHS [email protected] withquestions orformore information. forms,andjudgingcriteria. entry Visit tion sellsannuallyasafundraiser. each year’s contestare publishedinacalendarthattheorganiza- etables, landscapes,andmuchmore. Selected photographsfrom show. Categoriesincluderoses, annualflowers, wildflowers, veg- phy subjectsare set upintosectionsandclasses,muchlikeaflower contest alsoincludesmembershipinTGOA/MGCA. Photogra- feeforthe ble toenterthe2005competition.The$20entry cial arrangementwiththisorganization,AHSmembersare eligi- photographycontesttoitsmembers.Through aspe- horticultural (TGOA/MGCA), anAHSHorticultural Partner, offersanannual deners ofAmerica/Men’s Garden ClubsofAmerica our communityanditwillcontinuetogrow over theyears.” plans, Rancesays,“America In Bloom isapermanentfixture in intheprogram.” AsforVernal’scommunities toparticipate future explains, “We continuallyspread theword andencourageother it becameapermanentsteward ofAmericaIn Bloom. AsRance involvedvery withurbanbeautification,soitwasonlynaturalthat Rance’s company, Bloom Master “Never hasthere beenanaward says more richlydeserved,” Situated inahigh The deadlineforcontestsubmissionsisFebruary 2,2005. www.tgoa-mgca.org/PhotoCompet.htm photographing flowers andgardens? AHS’s stopped trafficinVernal,Utah. Flower displaysliketheseliterally 2005 National Children &Youth (www.bloommaster.com) Contact Atlanta Gar- Botanical for officialrules, Judy Schuck The Gar- at is

RANCE SEARLE/COURTESY OF BLOOM MASTER Announcing a new AHS Garden School for Spring 2005

The Art & Science of Color in the Garden March 31 & April 1, 2005

mmerse yourself in the intricacies of color in the garden with this exclusive AHS Garden School offering. Sharpen your skills and explore Ithe kaleidoscope of possibilities of color in the garden with this two-day intensive program held in a truly inspirational setting—the Society’s River Farm headquarters overlooking the beautiful Potomac River. • Join guest horticulturist Heather Will-Browne of the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to learn about the art and science of color from a horticultural perspective. Get personal insights from industry pros and horticultural experts. • Spend an evening with garden writer Pamela Harper to learn about “Harmonizing Color in the Garden.” If you have ever wondered, “How do they do that?” —this school is for you. • Hear from other horticultural experts, including Tres Fromme of Longwood Gardens, Dr. H. Marc Cathey, Dr. Allan Armitage, and Katy Moss Warner as they inspire you with color gardening. Find out how an understanding of color and color relationships can transform an average garden into a “knock-your-socks-off” display of horticultural prowess. Through a variety of presentations, demonstrations, and specially planned activities, participants will learn practical tips and techniques for mastering the effective use of color in the landscape. Avid garden enthusiasts and horticultural professionals alike will benefit from this inspirational and informative study of the practical application of color Heather Will-Browne theory and artistry in the garden. The AHS Garden School offers a truly unique environment for life-long learning—intimate, in-depth workshops featuring personal instruction from noted garden authorities; opportunities for practical application and hands-on experiences; and outstanding settings. Visit www.ahs.org or call (703) 768-5700 ext. 121 for more information about how you can be a part of this exciting program. Registration is now open.

The month of April is dedicated to Washington Blooms!, AHS’s celebration of springtime at River Farm and in the nation’s capital. In addition to the AHS Garden School, the scheduled events at River Farm include bulb tours, our annual Pamela Harper plant sale, and a family activity day. To find out more about Washington Blooms!, visit www.ahs.org. Gift of Irises Planted at River Farm

herry Lake Tree CFarm is pleased to announce its corporate partnership with the American Horticultural Society and is committed to helping fulfill the AHS mission by promoting the importance of large trees in the landscape.

AHS staff members came together in the garden at River Farm last November to plant Louisiana irises (Iris giganta- ecaerulea) donated to River Farm by AHS Advisory Council member Josephine Shanks. The planting crew included AHS President Katy Moss Warner, right, and, above, AHS Horticulturist Peggy Bowers, foreground, AHS President Emeritus Dr. H. Marc, center, and Director of Horticulture Programs Tom Underwood, background right.

den and Wonderland Gardens, will feature the theme “Making Connections.” In addition to field trips and exhibits, the sympo- sium will feature a lineup of exceptional speakers. Check the AHS Web site (www.ahs.org) for updates. For more information, please e-mail Nancy Busick at [email protected] or call (703) 768-5700 ext. 132.

Great Southern Tree Conference Becomes New AHS Partner

THE AHS welcomes the Great Southern Tree Conference (GSTC) as a new Horticultural Partner. The Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association developed this cutting edge event in collaboration with the University of Florida in Gainesville to benefit all segments of the nursery and landscape industry. At the fourth annual GSTC conference—held in Gainesville this past December—AHS President Katy Moss Warner made a presentation titled “Trees: The Backbone of American Land- scapes,” and listened to other experts address wide-ranging tree care and management issues. “Arborists, growers, landscape ar- chitects, scientists, city planners—they all come together and share ideas at this amazing conference,” says Katy. To learn more about the GSTC, call (407) 295-7994 or visit www.greatsoutherntreeconference.org. 

News written by Assistant Editor Viveka Neveln. MARY YEE (2)

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

e invite you to join your fellow AHS members for three days of sub-tropical garden delights W this spring. Orlando, Florida, will be the site of our 2005 Great American Gardeners Conference and our home base as we explore the rich garden traditions of the region and discover the diversity of contemporary gardens to be found in central Florida.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS njoy an evening at Orlando’s Harry P. Leu Gardens and Eexperience the graciousness and beauty of “Old Florida” elebrate outstanding American horticulture and meet the isit private gardens and see amazing horticulture—talk to Cwinners of the 2005 Great American Gardeners Awards Vthe people who make it all happen, and learn firsthand about the joys and challenges of gardening in the sub-tropics Anna Ball, center, ake a step behind the scenes at the University of Florida’s accepts the AHS Tstate of the art Mid-Florida Research and Education Center National Achievement where researchers are studying the "art and science of growing Award for Ball plants for food and aesthetics" Horticultural from isit Hermann Englemann Greenhouses, one of the world’s AHS President Katy Vlargest and most innovative growers of exotic foliage Moss Warner and AHS plants with 2.2 million square feet of President Emeritus Dr. glass greenhouses. H. Marc Cathey at the e on hand for all the opening 2004 Great American Bday festivities at the 2005 Epcot Gardeners Awards International Flower & Garden ceremony. Festival, the signature garden event of the season at the Walt Disney World Resort The 2005 Great American Gardeners Conference promises to be an event not to be missed! Registration is now open. Visit www.ahs.org or call (703) 768-5700 ext. 121 for more information. 14 tied totrees,” says historical significance. have sentimentalvalue; othershave when theyare viewed.Some trees ing effectsoreven healingproperties Research shows thattrees have calm- wildlife, andhelptocurbsoilerosion. act aswindbreaks, provide shelterfor T says Jamieson. In additiontothenatural insect anddiseasemanagement. value appraisal, lightningprotection, and treetion, pruning, andstumpremoval, tree Theseincludetreeproperties. preserva- mercial, municipal, andinstitutional borists provide forresidential, com- service TCOT’s ar- highlytrainedandcertified arboriculture companiesinthecountry. come oneofthelargestemployee-owned California, andseveral otherstatestobe- ington, D.C.,Pennsylvania, New York, merged withtree care companiesin Wash- Over theyears, they have acquired or TCOT wasfoundednearly60years ago. Headquartered inWheeling,Illinois, EMPHASIZING TREEEDUCATION their love fortrees.” their slogan,“Our businessispeopleand foundation ofTCOT, asreflected in link between peopleandtrees isthe al arboriculture firm.Thispowerful (TCOT), anaward-winning, nation- president ofTheCare ofTrees by Viveka Neveln The CareofTrees: PROFILE IN PARTNERS AHS ext. 115. ness operations,at(800)777-7931, Joe Lamoglia,AHSdirectorof busi- through acorporatepartnership, call can supporttheAHS’smission To findouthowyourcompany “There are“There oftenalotofemotions “Trees are notastoughtheyappear,” the American Gardener scape. Theyoffercoolingshade, value toaland- and monetary REES ADD Scott Jamieson, more thanaesthetic Bringing aPassionforTrees toArboriculture prunes aJapaneseapricottreeatRiverFarm. ATCOTarborist of treecareservices.Right: TheCareofTreesoffersa wide range Above: them,” saysJamieson. unknowingly doingthingsthatharm and teachthemabouttrees, they’ll keep meetings. “If we don’t connectwith people bers oftenspeakatgarden clubsandother care education.The company’s staffmem- search,” saysJamieson, andemphasizes tree “the cuttingedgeoftechnologyandre- can allaffectanearby tree’s health. neath atree (seerelated onpage38) article sprinkler system,oreven plantingunder- system. Building installinga asidewalk, ofatreethe mostsensitive part isitsroot often causesthegreatest damagebecause activity ly damagethem.Construction and pests,peoplesometimesinadvertent- threats trees face,suchassevere weather ange historic specimens suchasanOsage or- tains thetrees atRiver Farm, including rate partner, thecompanyproudly main- ofit,”says Jamieson.be part Asacorpo- sion hasgottenusexcited andwe wantto Society AHS’s wasanaturalstep. “The vi- nering withtheAmericanHorticultural munity educationandinvolvement, part- Because of TCOT’s dedicationtocom- PARTNERSHIP A NATURAL To itsclients,TCOT bestserve stayson (Maclura pomifera) reputed tohave Flower andGardenShow, Arbor DayFoundation,theChicago collection,” says ic issuesaswell astheculturalneedsofour plan forRiver Farm thataddresses aesthet- mulating along-termtree management arborists atTheCare ofTrees, we are for- andClark.Lewis been grown from seedsbrought backby American Gardener. Viveka Neveln isassistanteditorforThe Care IndustryAssociation(TCIA). its work from suchgroups asthe hands.” pert reassuring toknow thattheyare insuchex- are thebackboneofourgardens, anditis director ofhorticulture programs. “Trees Trees, visit special, interesting project,” saysJamieson. munity benefited,whichmade itareally entirelarge, valuable oaktrees. com- “The acre sitewere preserved,includingmany Lake Forest Openlands, 130 acres ofa200- Lake Forest andanorganizationcalledthe TCIA in2001.Working withthecityof Construction/Tree Preservation from the which TCOT earnedtheGrand Award for LeWa Farm inLakeForest, Illinois, for project Jamieson remembers fondlyis “Working closelywiththeprofessional TCOT haswonnumerous awards for To learnmore aboutTheCare of www.thecareoftrees.com. Tom Underwood, and the National AHS Tree One 

LEFT: COURTESY OF THE CARE OF TREES. RIGHT: AHS ARCHIVES

‘Wisley‘Wisley Magic’Magic’ runnerrunner beanbean ‘Grace’‘Grace’ roserose New for 2005

VERY JANUARY, seed and nurs- or not. Johnny’s Selected Seeds owner Rob ery catalogs brim with enticing de- Here are the plants to look Johnston explains, “Open-pollinated E scriptions of plants, all vying for for in the coming season. (non-hybrid) varieties take at least eight space in your garden. Sorting through generations of breeding. Then we have a them can absorb many off-season hours as BY RITA PELCZAR few seasons for field trials and for building you plan dynamic ornamental combina- up the supply.” Hybrid seed may take tions, non-stop flowering sequences, and longer. “The time for developing new hy- bountiful vegetable harvests. But as much traits to develop stability. The time in- brid varieties varies with the time needed time as you spend selecting your seeds and volved ranges from several years to decades. to breed the parents,” says Johnston. plants, those hours pale by comparison to Andrew Tokley, horticultural manager In the case of ‘Bonbon’, a hybrid but- the years required to breed, trial, select, and for Thompson & Morgan, notes that it tercup squash and a 2005 All-America Se- introduce a new variety into commerce. took 10 years to breed the runner bean lections winner (see separate article on Each new variety begins when a plant ‘Wisley Magic’ (see above, left), an award- page 46) he is introducing this year, John- breeder performs a deliberate cross, or winning 2005 introduction. The process ston says, “Both parents of ‘Bonbon’ have when an attentive gardener or nurseryman “is both labor intensive and expensive in a complicated ancestry that traces back to observes a serendipitous crossing or muta- man hours,” says Tokley. the early years of my breeding program in tion. The new variety must be grown for Breeding time for seed-produced crops the 1970s, so ‘Bonbon’ is the result of over several generations in order for its unique often depends upon whether it is a hybrid 25 years of work.”

16 the American Gardener Using existing inbred lines in new combinations can reduce breeding time, but when developing a breakthrough product—something really different— like Impatiens ‘Jungle Gold’, Ellen Leue, product group director for PanAmerican Seed, says, “We had to get in germplasm and basically ‘domesticate’ a wild species. This took 11 years, all told.” For many plants that are vegetatively propagated, tissue culture has significant- ly reduced the time needed to ready new varieties for introduction. Dan Heims of Terra Nova Nurseries in Tigard, Wash- ington, explains that with tissue culture, “the introductory period can be as quick as three years. This is down from the ‘old days’ where plants had to be increased in the fields for years.” Before Renee Shepherd, owner of ‘Fusion‘Fusion Glow’Glow’ impatiensimpatiens Renee’s Garden Seeds, decides which new varieties her company will offer, she goes through a multi-year process of conduct- ing regional garden trials to compare can- didates with other available varieties. “And if they’re vegetables,” she says, “we also have to cook with them.” With this appreciation for the time, energy, and attention that goes into pre- senting a new variety to the gardening public, let’s take a look at some of this year’s seed and plant introductions that make the effort worthwhile. ANNUALS AND TENDER PERENNIALS For your early spring garden, keep your eyes out for a new series of stock (Matthi- ola incana, USDA Zone 5–8, AHS Zones 8–5) called Hot Cakes, developed by KongKong™ coleuscoleus Sahin of the Netherlands (www.sahin.nl). These exceptionally fragrant, cool season annuals are available in five different col- The first is an early bloomer that grows six I’ve become a fan of the reliable Profu- ors: white, pink, rose, blue, and red. If you to eight inches tall and spreads 24 inches. sion series of zinnias, so I’m excited about miss them in spring, try them next fall. Its purple flowers are marked with a dark two new color offerings from Sakata Seeds Brighten your summer shade garden eye. Red is a new color for the Easy Wave™ of Japan (www.sakata.com). Zinnia elegans with yellow and orange impatiens (Zones series: These blooms open a dark red and ‘Profusion Fire’ (Zones 0–0, 12–1) bears 10–15, 12–1). The Fusion™ series from Ball mature to a softer tone, on plants that brilliant scarlet-orange blooms, while those Horticultural Company (www.simply spread 30 to 36 inches. of ‘Profusion Apricot’ are a subdued apri- beautifulgardens.com) includes shades Renee’s Seeds obtained seed for their cot-pink. Both varieties grow 18 inches tall. ranging from the soft-hued ‘Glow’, which new larkspur Delphinium consolida Another new zinnia to look for is the has pale yellow blooms marked with an or- ‘Parisian Pink’ (Zones 0–0, 9–1) from a Magellan™ series from Goldsmith Seeds ange center, to the bold orange-red ‘Heat’. grower in France. It grows three to five feet (www.theflowerfields.com). Among the New trailing petunias (Petunia ✕hybri- tall, with strong, well branched stems and eight new colors is ‘Coral’, a 2005 All- da, Zones 11, 12–1) include ‘Avalanche™ lacy foliage. Its double rose-pink blossoms America Selections winner (see page 46). Grape’ from Bodger Seeds, Ltd. (www. open continuously from late spring to To add a tropical touch to annual bodger.com), and ‘Easy Wave™ Red’ from summer and are great for both the mixed beds, consider Thompson & Morgan’s PanAmerican Seed (www.panamseed.com). border and indoor arrangements. Cuphea ignea ‘Matchless’ (Zones 10–11,

January / February 2005 17 12–6), which bears tubular scarlet blooms 4–8, 9–1) from Park Seed called ‘Chianti against dark green foliage on compact, Terracotta’. Its two-and-a-half-to-three- 10- to 12-inch plants. inch flowers are striped, in colors that in- Ball’s colorful and aptly named clude terracotta, violet, and wine red, with Kong™ series of coleus (Solenostemon black markings. Don’t forget to look for it scutellarioides, Zones 11–12, 12–1) will at summer’s end. make a bold statement in your gardens, whether mixed with other annuals or HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS massed. Each of the five varieties in the The popularity of coneflowers still ap- series grows to 22 inches tall, with a pears to be on the rise, if the number of mounding habit and leaves so large they new varieties is any indication. Wayside have to be seen to be believed. Gardens introduces Echinacea ‘Sunrise’ PanAmerican Seed presents Plectran- and ‘Sunset’ (Zones 3–9, 9–1). The fra- thus argentatus ‘Silver Shield’ (Zones grant yellow flowers of ‘Sunrise’ are 10–11, 12–1), a rounded, 24-inch plant huge—four-and-a-half to five inches with soft silver-gray leaves. Both the above across, on plants that grow 18 to 24 inch- AstilbeAstilbe ‘Color‘Color Flash’Flash’ coleus and plectranthus make exception- es tall. ‘Sunset’ produces a spectacular al additions to container plantings. flowering show—a single plant may the Netherlands (www.darwinplants.com) Bred specifically for fall gardens is a flaunt as many as 20 four-inch flowers at is another statuesque selection for the new pansy (Viola ✕wittrockiana, Zones once. The blooms are bright orange with background of your border. Its leaves russet brown cones. emerge brown, turning to green, bronze, Terra Nova (www.terranovanurseries. red, and back to brown. Flowers also un- com) adds three new Echinacea purpurea dergo a color change, opening pale pink, (Zones 3–9, 9–1) selections: ‘Fancy Frills’ then darkening to a deep burgundy-red. produces large, frilly pink flowers with For more chameleonlike foliage, Astilbe multiple rows of petallike ray flowers; ‘Color Flash’™ (Zones 3–8, 8–1)from An- ‘Green Eyes’ bears magenta flowers with thony Tesselaar (www.tesselaar.com) an indented green center that matures to promises a mix of hues on each plant as an orange cone; and the soft pink flowers new leaves emerge bright green, maturing of ‘Hope’ are large and fragrant. to rich burgundy and purple. In fall, leaf Also from Terra Nova comes Thalic- colors become gold, orange, and russet. trum ‘Black Stockings’ (Zones 5–8, 8–5), a For the front of your sunny border or six-foot-tall, back-of-the-border beauty. in containers, you might want to try Its nearly black stems support ferny green Proven Winners’ (www.provenwinners. leaves and fluffy, flat-topped clusters of com) Penstemon hybrid ‘Lilliput Rose’ lavender flowers. (Zones 7–11, 11–5). Its delicate pink, bell- PlectranthusPlectranthus ‘Silver‘Silver Shield’Shield’ Rodgersia pinnata ‘Chocolate Wing’ shaped flowers show off well against (Zones 3–7, 7–1) from Darwin Plants of bright green foliage on the mounding, 10- to 14-inch plants. A new sage from Santa Barbara Botan- ical Gardens (www.sbbg.org) may be just what’s needed for a sunny, dry site. Salvia brandegei ‘Pacific Blue’ (Zones 8–12, 12–5) is a durable plant that grows three to four feet tall and four to six feet wide, bearing gentian blue flowers for several weeks in spring. Its narrow leaves are green above and downy white below. Thought to be extinct, beardtongue red sage (Salvia penstemonoides, Zones 6–10, 12–1) was re-discovered a few years ago in a few isolated locations of south- central Texas. High Country Gardens nursery acquired stock from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in ‘Chianti‘Chianti Terracotta’Terracotta’ pansypansy EchinaceaEchinacea ‘Sunset’‘Sunset’ Austin, Texas, in 1996 and now have a sufficient supply to offer it for sale. The

18 the American Gardener Sources Retail sources for many of the plants and seeds described in this article are listed here. For selections that were only available through wholesale distributors at the time of printing, the name of the distributor and contact information are provided in the article. Contact distributors to ask about retail sources.

David Austin Roses Ltd., Tyler, TX. (800) 328-8893. www.davidaustinroses.com. ‘Grace’, ‘St. Alban’, and ‘Wisley’ English roses

Garden Medicinals and Culinaries, Earlysville, VA. (434) 964-9113. www.gardenmedicinals.com. ‘Brandeva’ tomato

High Country Gardens, Santa Fe, NM. (800) 925-9387. SalviaSalvia penstemonoidespenstemonoides www.highcountrygardens.com. Salvia penstemonoides; Agastache ✕ ‘Ava’; Philadelphus microphyllus ‘June Bride’

Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Albion, ME. (207) 861-3900. www.johnnyseeds. com. ‘Bonbon’ butternut squash; ‘Fireball’ lettuce; ‘Cosmic Purple’ carrot

Native Sons (wholesale), Arroyo Grande, CA. (805) 481-5996. www.nativeson.com. Salvia brandegei 'Pacific Blue'

Park Seed Company, Greenwood, SC. (800) 845-3369. www.parkseed.com. Viola ✕wittrockiana ‘Chianti Terracotta’

Pinetree Garden Seeds, New Gloucester, ME. (888) 52-SEEDS. www.superseeds.com. ‘Lunar’ carrot

Plants by Mail, Loxley, AL. (888) 922-7374. www.plantsbymail.com. Raphi- VerbascumVerbascum ‘Dark‘Dark Eyes’Eyes’ olepis indica Spring Sonata™; Rhododendron ✕ ‘Robled’ and R. ✕ ‘Roblec’ plant forms a mound of glossy, evergreen Renee's Garden Seeds, Felton, CA. (888) 880-7228. www.reneesgarden.com. foliage from which 24- to 30-inch flower Delphinium consolida ‘Parisian Pink’; ‘Gala’ mache stalks arise in summer, displaying showy, dark rose-red blossoms. Thompson & Morgan, Jackson, NJ. (800) 274-7333. High Country Gardens also offers a www.thompson-morgan.com. ‘Wisley Magic’ runner bean; Cuphea ignea new variety of hummingbird mint, Agas- ‘Matchless’; ‘Rainbow’ carrot tache ✕ ‘Ava’ (Zones 5–10, 12–5). A hybrid between A. cana and A. barberi, it has large Wayside Gardens, Hodges, SC. (800) 845-1124. www.waysidegardens.com. spikes of rose-pink flowers subtended by Echinacea ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Sunset’ raspberry-red calyxes. The flowers bloom from midsummer to fall on plants four to five feet tall and two feet wide. Bold, coarse-textured mullein can be bears large ruffled blooms in shades from blue), Rosemoor™ (deep red), and Wis- spectacular when planted in the right spot, soft melon to orange with dark red eyes on ley™ (purple). These large-flowered selec- providing a lovely, long-season display of 18-inch spikes. tions grow up to seven to nine feet tall and flowers. Terra Nova offers several new va- are extremely floriferous and vigorous. rieties for 2005, including Verbascum VINES Evison’s Patio Clematis Collection ‘Dark Eyes’, ‘Lavender Lass’, and ‘Sierra Clematises are back in vogue. Hines Hor- consists of Cezanne™ (violet), Picardy™ Sunset’ (Zones 5–9, 9–5). ‘Dark Eyes’ is a ticulture (www.hineshort.com) in San (pinkish red), and Versailles™ (wine red), dwarf selection, with tight, pyramidal 12- Gabriel, California, is unveiling two series all of which are very compact (to three inch spikes of soft yellow flowers with dark of clematises bred by English nursery feet) and designed to thrive and bloom red centers; the spikes supporting the owner Raymond Evison. The RHS Bi- prolifically in containers. lavender and plum flowers of ‘Lavender centenary Collection includes Hyde Roseville Farms (www.rosevillefarms. Lass’ are nearly twice as tall. ‘Sierra Sunset’ Hall™ (white), Harlow Carr™ (purple- com) in Apopka, Florida, is introducing

January / February 2005 19 JuuliJuuli™ clematisclematis Autumn Chiffon™ azaleaazalea

tall and five feet across with glossy ever- (‘Bokrabright’) bears clear white fruit; green leaves. Charming Fantasy™ (‘Kolcharm’) pro- Also from PDSI (http://plantdevelop duces shell-pink fruit; and those of ‘Scar- ment.com) come two new varieties of En- let Pearl’ are deep pink. Drought tolerant core™ azaleas. Like others in this series, and soil adaptable, all three are compact, Cezanne™ clematisclematis Autumn Chiffon™ (Rhododendron ‘Rob- upright shrubs, three to five feet tall and led’, Zones 5–9, 10–5) and Autumn Car- wide. Their fruits persist well into winter, nation™ (R. ‘Roblec’, Zones 5–9, 10–5) attracting birds and other wildlife. three more clematis selections in its Kivis- bloom in spring, summer, and fall. Au- tik Collection, which are bred to thrive tumn Chiffon™ bears single, light pink and bloom heavily in regions that experi- flowers with a splash of dark pink on ence harsh winters. These are Huvi™ plants that are two-and-a-half feet tall and (wine red), Juuli™ (light blue), and three feet wide—perfect for foundation Sakala™ (lavender), all of which are rated plantings. Autumn Carnation™ produces to grow in Zones 2–8, 8–2. semi-double, medium pink flowers on four and a half-foot plants. SHRUBS AND TREES Monrovia nursery in Azusa, California A bold new hydrangea that is bound to (www.monrovia.com) is introducing three make a big splash in gardens this year is hybrid snowberries (Symphoricarpos spp., Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Lady in Red’ Zones 3–7, 7–1), bred in the Netherlands. (Zones 6–9, 9–5). Developed by horti- All display abundant clusters of exception- culturist Michael Dirr at the University ally large fruit at the end of their semi-pen- of Georgia, this new variety offers inter- dulous branches. Bright Fantasy™ ‘Charming‘Charming Fantasy’Fantasy’ snowberrysnowberry est from spring through fall (www.lady inredhydrangea.com). In spring, the new leaves are ac- Midgee™ dwarf Japanese marlberry cented with red petioles and (Ardisia japonica ‘Moncue’, Zones 6–9, veins, and in fall the foliage be- 9–1), another Monrovia introduction, is a comes a vibrant, reddish-purple. non-aggressive, low-spreading ground Depending on the soil pH, pale cover with leathery, evergreen leaves suit- pink or pale blue lacecap-type ed for the shade garden. It has a more flowerheads appear from late compact habit than the species, growing spring through summer, matur- six to 12 inches tall and two feet wide, and ing to a deep burgundy-rose. bears bright red berries in late summer Plant Development Services that remain attractive into winter. Inc. (PDSI) in Loxley, Alabama, Philadelphus microphyllus ‘June Bride’ debuts a new Indian hawthorn, (Zones 6–9, 9–6), a new release from (Raphiolepis indica Spring Utah’s Choice, a western native plant in- Sonata™, Zones 7–9, 9–7), troduction program, is being introduced which tolerates a wide range of by High Country Gardens. In addition to growing conditions, resists dis- its large, white spring blooms that are de- eases, and blooms later than ‘Lady‘Lady inin Red’Red’ hydrangeahydrangea lightfully fragrant, its dark green leaves are other varieties. It grows four feet shown to advantage against attractive red-

20 the American Gardener The bright red flowers of ‘Wisley Magic’ are followed by straight, slender pods to 14 inches long and are produced from mid-summer to frost. This variety has re- ceived the Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Jeff McCormack of Garden Medicinals and Culinaries crossed two heirloom vari- eties of tomato, ‘OVT Brandywine’ and ‘Eva Purple Ball’ to develop the new inde- terminate variety ‘Brandeva’. The sweet Philadelphus microphyllus ‘June‘June Bride’Bride’ ‘St.‘St. Alban’Alban’ roserose flavored fruit averages six ounces and is dusky red on the outside, rosy pink on the inside. Plants are disease resistant and pro- dish brown exfoliating bark. It grows six selections. ‘Grace’ (Zones 4–9, 9–4) is a ductive over a long season. feet tall and wide. shallow-cupped, fragrant, apricot, repeat For your salads, Johnny’s Selected Monrovia’s Black Tulip™ magnolia bloomer that grows four feet tall and Seeds presents ‘Fireball’ lettuce, with its (Magnolia ✕soulangeana ‘JURmag1’, wide. ‘St. Alban’ (Zones 5–9, 9–4) is a vig- Zones 5–9, 9–4) bears tuliplike, deep orous selection that can be grown as a burgundy flowers even on very young four foot-tall shrub, or as an eight-foot plants. It grows 15 to 20 feet tall with a climber. Its wide yellow flowers have a slender six-to-10-foot spread, making it a fresh scent. For large, deep pink blooms, good choice for a small specimen tree or try ‘Wisley’ (Zones 4–9, 9–4), a free flow- a container. ering selection with a fruity scent that grows four feet tall. ROSES This year’s new rose introductions in- VEGETABLES clude something for everyone. Among Homegrown vegetables promise to be several new cultivars from Meilland Star more colorful, bountiful, and flavorful Roses (www.starroses.com), ‘Queen Mary than ever this year. New carrot varieties 2’™ (Zones 5–9, 9–5) stands out; it is a sporting unusual hues include ‘Cosmic ‘Fireball’‘Fireball’ lettucelettuce white hybrid tea rose with long stems and Purple’, a sweet flavored selection from an intoxicating fragrance. It makes a Seeds by Design (www.seedsbydesign.com) great shrub or cut flower. Another Star that develops a purple exterior, an orange dazzling red outer leaves and creamy yel- introduction, ‘Pink Knock Out’™ (Zones interior, and a yellow core. ‘Lunar’ is a low interior. Its flavor remains mild even 4–9, 9–4), is a good candidate for grow- mild-flavored white carrot that resembles as the days heat up. And for an alterna- ing chemical-free. It resists both insects parsnip from Pinetree Garden Seeds. And tive to lettuce, Renee’s Seeds offers ‘Gala’ and diseases, even in humid climates, Thompson & Morgan offers ‘Rainbow’, a mache, which was found superior in and bears self-cleaning, medium pink hybrid carrot whose long, slender roots their trials with four other varieties. It has blooms over a long season. range in shades from white to orange. a mild, nutty flavor, buttery texture, and David Austin adds to his line of old- Thompson & Morgan’s new runner is faster growing than other varieties, al- fashioned English roses with several new bean is as ornamental as it is productive. though all maches grow more slowly than lettuce. When mature, it forms uni- form, fist-size rosettes of four- to five- inch oval leaves. CELEBRATE DIVERSITY Through the continuing efforts of plant breeders and collectors, our choice of new plants and plant varieties increases each year. By growing new plants in our gar- dens, we continue the process of testing these introductions as we cultivate them under our particular conditions. 

‘Queen‘Queen Mary’Mary roserose ‘Cosmic ‘Cosmic Purple’Purple’ carrotcarrot Rita Pelczar is a contributing editor to The American Gardener.

January / February 2005 21 22 vation ofopenspacetoaesthetic wonder,” the garden made“the move from preser- former Executive Director ChrisWoods, do spendtheirdollarswell.” grows. It isawell-funded garden, butthey turally diminishastheavailable budget tothenotionthatthingshorticul- trary Kingston, Washington. con- runs “This Dan Hinkley ofHeronswood Nursery in public horticulture inthiscountry,” says American gardens; the crown jewelof “is themostvibrantandinnovative of tation now at25,000ayear and rising.It finest gardens intheworld.” has hisway, itwillbecome“one ofthe pointed Executive Director Bill Thomas vative plantings.And, iftherecently ap- boasts someofthecountry’s mostinno- as nearby Longwoodat1,050acres, but by majorbotanicalgardensdwarfed such must-see list.At only35acres, itis gardenbecome avenue onevery tourist’s I In the1990s,underleadershipof It isalready well onitsway, withvisi- N JUSTOVER nia, hasemergedfrom obscurityto cleer Garden inWayne, Pennsylva- the American Gardener a decade,Chanti- company inthe United States. Company, thelargestpharmaceutical ly mergedandmorphedinto Merck & company, Rosengarten &Sons, ultimate- Rosengarten, Jr., whose family’s chemical ofChanticleer’ssupport owner, Adolph work wasmade easierby theunwavering goes toWoods, whoacknowledges thathis garden. Credit forthistransformation wrote Woods inChanticleer, Chanticleer on thevergeofgreatness one ofthefinestsmallpublicgardensinAmerica. This Philadelphia-area“pleasure”gardenis beinghailedas BY CAROLEOTTESEN a guidetothe dogcart went dailytoSt.dogcart Davids forthe Rosengarten. In thosedays,henoted,“a Philadelphia Railroad,” wrote thelate David’s Station ontheMain Lineofthe about amileandhalffrom theSt. sisted of“justover seven acres that lay family home.Theoriginalparcels con- chased twoparcels onwhichtobuildthe 1912, whenRosengarten’s fatherpur- The garden’s datesbackto history

ROB CARDILLO mail” and the family moved the 16 or so miles “to town” in winter. As the years passed and the automobile succeeded horses and dogs, the roads im- proved, and two more houses were con- structed on the property, which grew to its present acreage. In the mid-1970s, Rosengarten established the Chanticleer Foundation, a nonprofit corporation, to maintain the estate as a public garden after his death. And in 1983, he made the fortuitous decision to hire Woods as chief horticulturist. Later, Woods succeeded Howard Holden as the garden’s executive director. TRANSFORMING WITH BOLD STROKES It was certainly under Woods’s inspired leadership that most of the present-day Chanticleer Garden came into being. Born in England, he had trained at Kew and worked at Portmeirion, a fan- tasy village in Wales, at Rudyard Kipling’s Bateman’s garden, and at Cliveden, an old British estate. He brought to Chanticleer solid experience, his passion for plants, and an artist’s eye. Most important, he brought the confi- dence to move away from the status quo. He achieved the transformation of the garden using bold strokes. A hemlock hedge and the tennis court it surrounded were some of the first things to go. They gave way to a garden devoted to herbaceous plants. Today, the tennis- court garden is showy from the garden’s opening day in April until the closing of the gates at the end of October. But it is the spring explosion of white and light pastels that is unforgettable. There are masses of white anemones (A. sylvestris) and pale pink columbines fol- lowed by the pale pink rambling roses, ‘Dr. AHS Chanticleer Tour

Members of the American Horticultur- al Society’s President’s Council will be visiting Chanticleer on March 5 as part of a special tour that also includes a preview party at the Philadelphia Flower Show that evening. For infor- mation on how to join the AHS Presi- Top: In the Teacup Garden, a huge container holding Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ is dent’s Council and be part of this underplanted with purple alternathera and coleus ‘Beach Dragon’. Above: The ponds are spring tour, contact Joe Lamoglia at backed by an exuberant “meadow” of flowering perennials. Opposite: Another view of the (800) 777-7931 ext. 115.

TOP: KAREN BUSSOLINI; BOTTOM: ROB CARDILLO Teacup Garden shows its unusual color scheme of hot red-oranges and cool gray-greens.

January / February 2005 23 24 tuses and black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia ers suchasironweed (Vernonia by ornamentalgrassesandboldwildflow- in the1970s.Thepondsare surrounded garden, alargepondthathadbeenbuilt were toaugmentthewater constructed crinum cathayanum). of gargantuantropical lilies(Cardio- spring. Earlysummerwitnessesthebloom the-pulpits raisetheirexotic hoodsinlate ma sikokianum trees. Ferns carpettheground and dappled shadeofforest splendens, gated formssuchasAsarum of gingers,includingvarie- Asia. Today, thecollection of woodlandplantsfrom come ahomeforcollections tobe- dense underbrush forested area cleared of bloom. low narcissus burstinto 80,000 whiteandpaleyel- house becomesagarden as gardencourt andthemain lawn between thetennis ded withpure whiteblooms. onies, andviburnumsstud- buxom ballsofwhitepe- (Oenethera speciosa),the of pinkevening primrose There isalushground cover Dawn’, festooninganarbor. W. van Fleet’ and‘New When Woods leftChanticleer tojoin NEW HANDATTHE HELM stone works Marcia by artist Donahue. enhancingthe landscape.Itruin features to thePicturesque traditionofaromantic architect Mara Baird, thisstructure bows tions. Designed by Woods and landscape of three rooms, waserected onitsfounda- consisting was razedruin, in 1999.Anew because ofsafetyconcerns,theentire house But ofitasaruin. home, andleave parts Minder House, thelateRosengarten’s nally, dismantle theideawastopartially oftheRuinconstruction Garden. Origi- garden theirhome. host ofbirds andothercreatures makethis In 1996and2000,three smallponds In 1994,Woods hada spring,the And every Perhaps Woods’s boldeststroke wasthe the American Gardener Thalia flourishes inthe and otherAsianjack-in- grow inthewateranda spp.). Lo- spp.), and Arisae- Chanticleer Executive DirectorBillThomas a hugeinstitutiontosmallorganization as well asinprogramming.” gave him“a firmrooting inhorticulture Square, Pennsylvania. Thatexperience at LongwoodGardens innearby Kennett education andhorticulture departments was hired. He hadspent26years inthe Santa Barbara BotanicGarden, Thomas house oncestood. where thelateAdolphRosengartenJr.’s Marcia Donahue,wasbuiltonthespot The RuinGarden,featuringsculpturesby The change from a quarter-century at The changefrom aquarter-century gardeners quicklyresponded totheideaof between jurisdictions.The as aboundary different gardeners.” Thepathfunctioned learned thatthe“area ishandledby two atthepath,hesays stopped abruptly why themeadow garden by theruin set turnaround,” hesays.Whenasked ward ratherthaninward. It takesamind- to lookatthewholegarden…to lookout- tied together. “Iencouragethegardeners Thomas wantstoseethosegarden areas developed asdistinctgarden areas, and more integrated whole. Chanticleerwas garden design.” oftheevolving ting inbeautifullyaspart dener inanarea andstayinthatarea, fit- Thomas. “Containersare doneby thegar- been known forits containers,”says den. “Since Chanticleer opened,ithas ed containersplacedthroughout thegar- staff enjoys isevidentin thediversely plant- tional andpredictable,” saysHinkley. at Chanticleerthattranscendsthetradi- isaspiritandadventurism ticed. “There creative freedom have notgoneunno- input,” saysThomas.Theresults ofthis ing isthatthestaffhassomuchdesign to improve. bigthingthat’s “The work- working really well andwhere itneeded garden andtriedtogetafeelforwhatwas in. Instead, hewalked slowly around the Day 2003,buthisfirstactwasnottorush But it’s agreat officewithagreat view.” sometimes, I’m theonlyoneinoffice. “I’m has beenabigone.“Here,” saysThomas, days, theywere bedto diggingupanew two integration, says Thomas.“Within are available. under 16enterfree.Seasonpasses Admission is$5peradult;children gust areuntil8p.m.onFridays. summer hoursfromMaythroughAu- March 31toOctober30.Extended Wednesdays throughSundaysfrom cleer isopenfrom10a.m.to5p.m. ■ www.chanticleergarden.org (610) 687-4163 Road, Wayne,Pennsylvania Chanticleer Garden, Visiting Chanticleer Thomas’s visionfor the garden isa The creative freedom theChanticleer Thomas tookthejobonApril Fool’s Located nearPhiladelphia,Chanti- the one. Iwritethechecks,and, 786 Church

TOP: ROB CARDILLO; BOTTOM: KAREN BUSSOLINI Horticulturist Dan Benarcik not only arranges the plants in the containers at Chanticleer, he makes the containers. The bromeliad, above, grows in a piece of salvaged post. Echeverias and graptopetalums, right, thrive in conical containers made of perforated steel plate.

have the meadow go across.” In addition to further integration of the garden areas into a cohesive whole, there are plans to clear a large area of woodland and plant it with natives But Thomas is mindful that “when you change anything you have unforeseen consequences,” he is proceeding with thoughtful deliberation. “I don’t want to make changes until I can figure out what they will be.” Chanticleer was named for a castle in England with a garden that was “splendid but for a month in the year,” according to the 19th-century novelist William Thack- ery. Its namesake in Wayne, Pennsylvania, has already lived up to and, perhaps, even exceeded its model in splendor. This, says the enthusiastic new executive director Thomas, is thanks to an “excellent board” and the creativity and labor of a truly ex- traordinary staff. 

Carole Ottesen is associate editor of The

KAREN BUSSOLINI (2) American Gardener.

January / February 2005 25 26 Native Fruits homegrown &delicious peaches, andmanyothercommonfruits. gardens withlittleornocare, unlikeapples, native plantsare andoftenthrive in rugged ed onlyfrom wildstands. which amere 100years agowasharvest- popularity ofthehighbushblueberry, prominence: Witness themeteoricrisein these natives achieved horticultural Only occasionallyhavebear tastyfruits. S Add beautyandflavortoyourlandscapewiththesecarefreenatives. In additiontotheir distinctive flavors, the American Gardener America grow native plantsthat woodlands andfieldsofNorth CATTERED THROUGH the by humans. overlooked,such, theirtastyfruits atleast ornamental thattheyhave beenplantedas as food.In fact,some oftheseplantsare so landscape plants,providing beautyaswell requiredart anappletree. toprune pared tothecombinationofscienceand late renewal growth, butit’s nothingcom- tostimu- benefit from occasionalpruning andsometreestheir youth, andshrubs will simple; trees mayneedalittleshapingin Pruning isalsocomparatively native fruits Many native fruit-bearers double as Plump berriesform onagardenspecimen. ground withred foliageinautumn.Above: Maine, left,itcoversexpanses ofrocky known ofournativefruits.Growing wildin The lowbushblueberryisthe mostwell LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY LOWBUSH by red winterstems.Planted on18-inch In red, followed autumnleaves turnfiery leaves thatare healthygreen allsummer. covered withwhiteurnlikeflowers, then a footortwoinheightandspringare cans, jams,andpiefillings.Plants reach commercially findingitswayinto fruit, cause itispretty andityieldsadelicious backyard be- plant.Thisisunfortunate cousin, butremains uncommonasa commercial prominence ofitshighbush AHS Heat Zones 8–1)hasachieved the gustifolium, The lowbush blueberry to makethempalatable. ry, theseneednosweetening andcooking andelderber- like theAmericancranberry that are delectablerightofftheplant.Un- The following native plantsbearfruits USDA Hardiness Zones 2–8, BY LEEREICH (Vaccinium an-

LEFT: DAVID CAVAGNARO; RIGHT; LEE REICH centers, the plants spread underground within a couple of years, becoming a solid groundcover. BEACH PLUM PROJECT Lowbush blueberry fruits are smaller The native stands of beach plums in and sweeter. A few named varieties are New York, Massachusetts, and New available, but unselected wildings or Jersey have long supported a local cot- seedlings are more commonly sold; these tage industry for beach plum jams and also make up the bulk of commercial chutneys. In 2001, researchers at plantings. Cornell University initiated a project Lowbush blueberries demand the same to increase production and improve soil conditions as highbush blueberries: crop quality in an effort to increase the very acidic (pH 4 to 5), consistently moist market for this local delicacy. and well aerated, low in fertility, and high The Beach Plum Project, funded in humus. Sulfur can be used to acidify by a Northeast Sustainable Agricul- soils that are too alkaline, and a bucketful ture Research and Education grant, of peat moss in each planting hole pro- Lingonberries produce pea-sized fruits. is led by project manager Rick Uva vides humus that helps maintain that and principal investigator Thomas acidity and keeps the soil moist and well- the fruits are delicious plucked right off the Whitlow, both of Cornell's Horticul- aerated. A two-inch layer of some organic plants. Cranberries, on the other hand, are ture Department. Uva feels that the mulch, such as sawdust or pine needles, virtually inedible raw, and the plants’ leaves fruit is an excellent candidate for a and regular watering the first season com- turn a muddy purple in winter. heritage specialty crop. He sees the plete the recipe for success. beach plum as a viable alternative Maintenance of a lowbush blueberry BEACH PLUM crop for cranberry growers who are planting consists of fertilization, pruning, Along the Atlantic coast from Massa- looking to diversify. With cranberry and annual replenishment of mulch. Soy- chusetts to North Carolina grow thickets prices depressed and the demand for bean meal, at a rate of one pound per hun- of beach plums (Prunus maritima, Zones beach plums outstripping the supply, dred square feet, provides a once-a-year, 3–6, 6–1), and in late summer, their cher- several local cranberry growers have slow feed of nitrogen in a form the plants ry-sized fruits ripen. The first time I put decided to participate in the study. enjoy. Pruning stimulates the growth of a fresh beach plum into my mouth, I spat Bogs where cranberries are grown are new, fruit-bearing stems. Because a plant it out; the second time, I started pluck- often adjacent to upland areas that won’t bear the first year after all its stems ing more fruit, which pretty much de- are well suited to beach plum culti- are cut back, I prune a different one-third scribes their range of flavor. Most vation, but little else. of my planting every year; two-thirds of commonly deep blue, the skins are dust- Goals of the study include devel- the planting, then, bears fruit. ed with a white bloom; some plants, oping beach plum production or- however, bear fruits with purple, red, or chards, maintaining a germplasm LINGONBERRY yellow skins. Beach plum astringency— collection, establishing a quality con- As long as I was preparing a bed for low- which caused me to reject the first fruit I trol program, and developing a Beach bush blueberries along the front of my tasted—is due to tannins, which are Plum Consortium—-a group that in- house, I decided to plant lingonberries much reduced in yellow-fruited clones. cludes nurseries that sell beach (Vaccinium vitis-idaea var. minus, Zone As a general rule, cultivars that mature plums as well as growers, processors, 2–7, 6–1) as well. Both grow as ground- and distributors of beach plum prod- covers and they require the same soil con- ucts. Researchers are selecting fruit ditions. Lingonberries’ glossy, evergreen from both wild and cultivated stands leaves, about the size of mouse ears, are for such traits as superior quality, attractive in themselves, and they provide size, color, and stability of produc- a nice foil for the red blueberry stems as tion—yields can be erratic from year well as the pea-sized, red lingonberries to year—in an effort to improve over- that hang on the plants, still edible, well all crop quality. They are also testing into winter. I prune my lingonberries less various irrigation, fertilization, and drastically than my blueberries. mulching strategies. The Project has Lingonberry, a close relative of our na- developed a Web site that includes tive American cranberry (Vaccinium project contacts, information on crop macrocarpon), outshines it in a number of history, culture, and disease control respects. Both fruits are used in the kitchen (www.beachplum.cornell.edu/). in similar ways, and neither fruit is sweet. —Rita Pelczar, Contributing Editor But lingonberries couple just enough The flavor of beach plums varies from highly

LEE REICH (2) sweetness with a rich, intriguing aroma so astringent to sweet and juicy.

January / February 2005 27 28 O. phaecantha 12–9), species asO.megacantha(Zones 11–12, Southwest andMexico, includingsuch are native toAmerica,mostofthemour the plantsinbounds. ing thicketover onlytokeep time.Iprune The combinationproduces awide-spread- creeping stems. new roots alsosendforth frequently root where theytouchsoiland from whichgrow uprightshoots.Stems ofdecumbentortrailingstems gly shrub tree, theplantismore commonly a scrag- opinion, fortheoccasionalpooryield. blooms eachspringcompensates,inmy other years. Thereliable profusion of for largecrops someyears andsmallcrops As yet, noonehaspinneddown thereason beach plumsare capriciousinbearingfruit. healthy plantsgrowing inmybackyard. challenging, asevidencedby thethree ditions, theythrive insitesthatare less beaches. Althoughtheytoleratethesecon- relatively highinsalts,otherwords, low inmoisture, poorinnutrients,and with salt-ladenwind,andwhere thesoilis that are drenched insunlight,whipped good” flavor. plums are sweet andjuicy, with“plum sence ofastringency, andthebestbeach Taste, ofcourse,ismore thanjustab- alsocontainlesstannin. larger fruits earlier andthoseproducing softerand cactus sandysoilsispricklypear form bestinvery One plantthatreally native fruit doesper- PRICKLY PEARCACTUS Though sometimesgrowing asasmall Whether growing wildorinagarden, In thewild,beachplumsinhabitsites the American Gardener (Opuntia O. robusta (Zones 9–12,12–7). spp). Many ediblespecies (Zones 9–12,12–1),and sweet, juicyinterior andedibleseeds. by theformation of egg-sizefruit,above,with Attractive chicken eggs,oftenred butsometimesyel- eastern United States. plant intothelushvegetation typicalof showy; even so,Ifindithard tomeldthis yellow, appearinspringandare quite Theflowers,for wintersurvival. usually Good drainageisespeciallyimportant well-drained soilandfullsun. in very as Minnesota. asfarnorth try throughout theeasternhalfofourcoun- andisnativebears ediblefruits almost nated Raintree Nursery, One GreenWorld, www.nolinnursery.com. Nolin RiverNutTreeNursery, Hidden SpringsNursery, Edible LandscapingNursery, www.burntridgenursery.com. Burnt RidgeNursery, Sources gon, 2004. Uncommon FruitsforEveryGarden Resources www.sln.potsdam.ny.us. Saint LawrenceNurseries, Prickly are pearfruits aboutthesize of Like othercacti,pricklypearsthrive Opuntia compressa O. humifusa, Opuntia flowers, left,arefollowed Morton, WA.(360)496-6400. Molalla, OR.(877)353-4028. Zones 11–12,12–9) Onalaska, WA.(360)985-2873. (sometimes desig- Cookeville, TN.(931)268-2592. Potsdam, NY.(315)265-6739. Afton, VA.(800)524-4156. Upton, KY.(270)369-8551. by LeeReich,TimberPress,Portland,Ore- contains numerous edibleseeds. strawberry, fig,honeydew, orbananaand a juicypulpthathintsofwatermelon, low, pink,purple,orlime-green. Inside is cultivars now available. among myfavorites ofthe dozen or two merman’ and‘Pennsylvania Golden’ are the following year’s are fruits borne.‘Zim- lates thegrowth shoots onwhich ofnew stimu- nation. Occasional lightpruning and twodifferent cultivars forcross-polli- and autumn. have been called,ripeninlatesummer nanas” or “poor man’s bananas,”asthey pineapple mixed in.These“Hoosier ba- with somevanilla custard, mango,and tain acreamy pulp thattasteslikebanana hang inclusterslikebananas,andcon- clear yellow. looklikemangos, Thefruits autumn arrives andtheyturnabeautiful, tall—suggest atropical appearance,until pyramidal tree—growing 10to20feet States. Long,drooping leaves onasmall throughout mostofeasternUnited out ofplaceinitsnative habitat,whichis ina triloba, ical custard applefamily, pawpaw memberofthetrop- The northernmost PAWPAW Pawpaw requires littleelsethanfullsun www.RaintreeNursery.com. www.onegreenworld.com. Zones 4–8,9–5)seems abit www.eat-it.com. (Asim-

LEFT: DAVID CAVAGNARO; RIGHT: LEE REICH fruit. The flowers have the same beauty and intricacy as other Passiflora species, and, like its tropical cousins, the inside of a maypop fruit is filled with air and seeds surrounded by a tasty gelatinous pulp. To quote 17th-century writer William Stra- chey, maypop has “the bigness of a green apple, and hath manie azurine or blew kernels, like as a pomegranat, a good sum- mer cooling fruit.” Maypop thrives in full sun and with the protection of mulch, can be grown north of its native range. To keep it from The pawpaw, left, is native to much of eastern straying, plant it in an old chimney liner North America. In spring, it bears curious- or a deep plastic food bucket buried in the looking brown flowers before the leaves ground with the rim above the soil line. emerge. Later, elongated clusters of green- skinned fruit appear. Ripe fruits, above, contain large brown seeds surrounded by creamy flesh with a tropical flavor. MAYPOP PERSIMMON Maypop (Passiflora incarnata, Zones Similar in native range to pawpaw is an- 5–10, 12–1) a hardy, herbaceous perenni- other delectable native fruit, American al vine, has sometimes been the object of persimmon (Diospyros virginiana, Zones scorn. In warmer parts of its range— 4–9, 9–1). In contrast to their Asian throughout the east, as far north as Penn- cousins, called kakis, American persim- sylvania—maypop can be an invasive mons are smaller, often the size of large weed that eagerly escapes confines and Maypop is a native cherry tomatoes, and have a richer flavor, “pops” up unexpectedly elsewhere. perennial vine usually something like moist, dried apricots that But the scorn is tempered once you grown for its tropical- have been drizzled in honey along with a look at the maypop’s flower and taste the looking flowers, above. dash of spice. Its seed-filled fruits, Some folks scorn American persim- left, are yellowish mons because they have tasted an unripe green and ripen in late fruit, an admittedly horrible experience. summer. The key to enjoying American persim- mons is to grow those that will ripen in your growing season and refrain from JUNEBERRY eating them until they are thoroughly Unlike some of the previously mentioned ripe—when the skins are translucent and native fruits, Juneberry (Amelanchier the flesh is like jelly. spp.), sometimes called serviceberry or Delicious cultivars for northern areas shadblow, is a well-known plant, but one include ‘Szukis’, ‘Mohler’, ‘Meader’, that is known as an ornamental rather ‘Dooley’, and ‘Yates’. The species is dioe- than for its fruits. With species native to cious—the male and female flowers grow every state in continental United States, on separate plants—but many high qual- Juneberries are valued for their early spring ity cultivars, such as ‘Szukis’, ‘Early show of blossoms, which are white or Golden’, ‘Garretson’, and ‘John Rick’, pink; for their autumn leaf color, in blaz- will bear fruit in isolation. ing shades of purple, orange, and yellow; Growing 30 to 50 feet tall, persim- and for the plant’s neat growth habit. The mons are handsome trees distinguished best fruits are borne on the saskatoon (A. by deeply fissured “alligator-hide” bark. alnifolia, Zones 4–9, 8–3), the Allegheny Their leaves have a slightly bluish cast serviceberry (A. laevis, Zones 5–9, 9–3), and turn rich yellow in autumn. Neither the thicket serviceberry (A. canadensis, pawpaw nor persimmon is particularly Orange globes of persimmon fruits persist on Zones 3–7, 7–1), and the apple serviceber- ✕ CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MARY YEE; LEE REICH (2); HUGH WILSON/COURTESY OF DIGITAL FLORA TEXAS; bothered by any pests, including deer! trees long after the leaves have fallen. ry (A. grandiflora, Zones 3–7, 7–1) a hy-

January / February 2005 29 plant. It is a five- or six-foot-high bush with small, bluish green leaves that turn purplish red in autumn. Floppy branch- es and numerous suckers popping out of the ground give the plant an unkempt air. With rigorous pruning, I have man- aged to train some plants as standards. The bush is native to the varied climates of the Midwest as far north as Minneso- ta and as far south as Texas, so is very tol- erant of cold (to Zone 4, at least), heat, and drought. My plants also are unfazed by insects, diseases, or deer.

Clove currant fruits are good for eating fresh.

The red-tinged yellow trumpet-shaped flowers are two or three inches long and dangle in profusion from the branches like charms on a bracelet. But the visual show is eclipsed by the flowers’ heavy fragrance of clove and vanilla. The fruits ripen un- evenly from mid- to late summer, range in size from one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch across, and are usually smooth, shiny, and blue-black. The flavor is sweet- tart, fruity, and very aromatic—good popped right into your mouth or cooked into jams and tarts. As a melting pot nation, America has Juneberry is a highly ornamental tree native throughout North America. Its spring blooms, top, generally escaped provincialism—except give way to tasty blue and purple summer fruits, above, that have a flavor all their own. when it comes to growing fruits. Apples and most other common fruits reflect our brid of the Allegheny and thicket service- odically renewed, the oldest stems cut back European, especially British, heritage. But berries). The growth habit of all these to the ground or to low, vigorous shoots. there was a strong push in the latter half of species is something between a small tree the 19th century to cultivate native fruits and a large shrub. CLOVE CURRANT and the interest appears to be on the rise Juneberry fruits are blueberry-sized and My final pick for this sampler of the best again today. Let’s give some of our native usually dark blue or purple, but taste noth- uncommon native fruits is clove currant fruits a fair shake once again.  ing like blueberries; they are juicy and (Ribes odoratum, Zones 5–8, 8–5), also sweet, with the richness of sweet cherry called Missouri currant, Crandall cur- Lee Reich is the author, most recently, of and their own unique flavor that carries a rant, or buffalo currant, as is the closely Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden hint of almond. Grown as trees, the plants related R. aureum. Beauty, toughness, (Timber Press, 2004). He gardens in New

need little pruning; shrubs should be peri- and good flavor are married in this one Paltz, New York. LEE REICH (3)

30 the American Gardener HABITAT GARDENING turning the Garden into a Community

In this first in a series of habitat gardening articles, learn how to get started.

BY JOANNE WOLFE

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JERRY PAVIA

N CASE YOU hadn’t noticed, Amer- ican gardens are undergoing a revolu- I tion in philosophy and practice. Slowly but surely people are realizing that gardens can and should be so much more than sterile collections of plants, that they have the potential to be vibrant living and evolving spaces where people and critters of all shapes and sizes can co-exist. One of the most exciting concepts in this new movement is that of habitat gardening. Habitat is the place a plant or animal naturally grows or lives — its native land- scape. Although it may not be possible for you to replicate all the elements of a native landscape in your yard, habitat gardening can enrich your property, create an almost endless source of enjoyment, and provide a welcoming environment for wildlife. In this issue, I’ll introduce some basic habi- tat gardening concepts. In subsequent is- sues, I’ll explain how to implement those ideas in your specific region. TAKING INVENTORY Whether you garden on a standard city lot or on a large country estate, the first step in becoming a habitat gardener is to discover who and what lives on your

This habitat garden in the Midwest features black-eyed Susan and cup plant, species that also grow in that region’s natural landscape.

January / February 2005 31 property. Begin by drawing a rough map of the landscape and mark the position of your house and any prominent fea- tures such as outbuildings, trees, water features, and fences or hedges. Label each lawn area, flower bed and border, and vegetative feature such as a tree or group of shrubs with a letter or number, then make a corresponding list of the plant and animal inhabitants. Don’t forget to include human residents and domestic animals because they, too, will affect your landscaping choices and the wildlife that visits your garden. Continue to add to your list as you observe seasonal patterns. Which birds visit your property and where and when do you see them most frequently? Do chickadees roost in the group of birches at the edge of your yard? Does the cardi- nal prefer the tall, dense shrubbery by the garage? Are those flashes of gold in your garden goldfinches? Has a family of chip- munks colonized your stone wall? If but- terflies and hummingbirds already visit your yard, note which plants they prefer In this garden, a variety of shrubs—including juniper, barberry, and winterberry—offers a pleasing for nectar. backdrop for deckside relaxation, as well as food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. You’ll also need to be aware of how much sunlight your property receives You’ll want to plan your habitat garden search for historical reference books on throughout the year and the direction of so that you can observe its visitors. Mark local native vegetation. prevailing winds. Use a compass to add the placement of water spigots and irri- Based on your bioregion and what’s al- directional information to your map, and gation systems and shade in your chil- ready in your yard, you’ll need to decide take note of the parts of your property dren or grandchildren’s favorite play areas whether a woodland garden, a meadow or that can be seen from inside your house. and paths. Now that you know what you prairie garden, a desert habitat, or a bog have in place, you’re ready to think about garden—which might be soggy or even adding vegetation and other features (see flooded in some seasons and quite dry in sidebar, opposite page) to enhance your others—is right for you. garden’s appeal to wildlife. If, for example, you live in the Eastern Deciduous Forest region of North Amer- BUILDING A COMMUNITY ica and you have large trees that shade The first step in choosing plants for your much of your landscape, the choice of a habitat garden is to identify your biore- woodland garden is fairly obvious. If, gion, which in turn will help you discov- however, you have a newly built home er which plants and animals are unique to that has not yet been landscaped, your your part of the country. The earth’s nat- options are more numerous. In such ural vegetation is grouped into geograph- cases, a meadow garden can be estab- ic areas: desert, forest, grasslands, and so lished quickly, whereas a woodland gar- on. Within those larger regions exist den may take several decades to mature. smaller and more specific plant commu- If you have a large enough property, you nities. To determine what natural vegeta- may even want to consider creating more tion existed in your neighborhood before than one habitat area. the land was farmed or developed, con- After you have a feel for the types of tact your state’s conservation department, woody plants and herbaceous perennials native plant society, agricultural colleges, that originally grew in your area, the eas- or private conservation organizations iest and most productive way to plan such as The Nature Conservancy. Or ask your habitat garden is to think in terms A habitat garden has room for animals. a librarian at your local library to help you of plant communities, or guilds. A guild

32 the American Gardener is a group of plants that prefer to live in proximity to each other; they may even assist one another in some way. More- GETTING STARTED: HABITAT BASICS over, plant guilds tend to attract specific Water, food, and shelter—our survival depends on them. So, too, does the sur- birds, mammals, and insects that com- vival of the wildlife around us. It takes only a few minutes to make your yard or plete the communal interaction. Animals garden friendlier to wildlife by adding these essentials. and insects assist plants with pollination and seed distribution, and the plants WATER. All living things need water. Birdbaths and water features provide places themselves may exchange beneficial bac- to drink and bathe for birds, mammals, insects, and amphibians. You needn’t teria and fungi, produce chemicals that purchase a fancy birdbath or install a pond, however; a shallow dish or old pie discourage competing vegetation, or par- plate filled with water serves the purpose. Scatter a few well-washed pebbles in asitize each other. the bottom of a smooth dish to give birds a secure place to stand. A depression Unless your property has been scraped atop a large rock also makes a handy catch basin for rainwater or the excess clear of topsoil—a common practice, un- moisture from your sprinkler or downspout. Place several containers of water at fortunately, in new construction—your various heights, including one or two at ground level to accommodate thirsty native soil may have the proper pH and mammals and ground-feeding birds. necessary nutrients to support regionally native plants. These, in turn, will offer FOOD. Wildlife enjoys many of the same food, shelter, and breeding places for your foods you and I do. The list of fruits, nuts, local wildlife. grains, and mushrooms that humans and So, before you begin a major campaign wildlife both relish is long. to “improve” your soil by adding compost, If your yard has few edibles for ei- fertilizers, and other amendments, consid- ther wildlife or humans, start by placing er selecting plants that will thrive in the soil several bird and mammal feeding sta- you already have. Besides attracting and tions in strategic locations. Scatter bird- supporting the wildlife native to your area, seed on a scrap of plywood placed in most regionally native plants are water- the fork of a tree or secured between thrifty once they are well established and two branches. Hang cakes of suet from they will give your garden a “sense of place” a bare branch in winter and secure cobs that is in tune with the natural landscape. of dried corn in sheltered locations away from bird feeders to attract the at- THE GARDEN FAMILY tention of squirrels and larger birds. When we think about a habitat garden in Hold off on deadheading at least a few terms of community, we should include its of the seed heads of perennials and human members. As we discuss plant grasses until spring, and then place the guilds in future columns, we’ll include dried seeds (be sure they’re not moldy) This birdhouse is conveniently sited next plants that offer food for people as well as in your bird feeders rather than in the to a fruitful Ilex ✕attenuata ‘Savannah’. wildlife. For example, a guild could be an- compost pile. chored by a hickory nut tree surrounded When you visit the garden center in spring, look for plants that produce seeds, by complementary shrubs and herbaceous fruits, or nectar that wildlife will enjoy. By incorporating these plants in your gar- perennials that help conserve water, reduce den, it will gradually become a cornucopia of wild foods, and you can reduce the root competition, improve soil fertility, amount of supplemental food you provide. and lure beneficial insects to pollinate and help control pests. The insects attract SHELTER. Creating shelter doesn’t require spending a small fortune on birdhouses. birds—as do the fruits produced by the Winter garden cleanup and spring pruning usually result in a pile of branches and tree and shrubs. Small mammals also ben- garden debris. Stack a small pile of woody debris in an out-of-the-way corner or be- efit from the food and cover. hind your garage to create instant shelter for birds, frogs, beneficial insects and but- In a habitat garden, plants, people, and terflies, and small mammals. Cut the branches off your discarded Christmas tree wildlife form an engaging and mutually and add them to the brush pile. Don’t prune the lower branches of an evergreen tree beneficial whole. Our focus in the or shrub; let them sweep the ground and your tree will become a critter hotel. March/April issue will be on creating habi- If you’re lucky enough to have a fallen or standing dead tree (you may need to tats suited to West Coast gardens.  top the latter and secure it so that it doesn’t fall over in a storm), don’t be too quick to haul it away—wildlife will soon colonize it. Fallen trees in shady settings form a Joanne Wolfe is a contributing editor for The wonderful natural centerpiece for fern and moss gardens. —J.W. American Gardener and a key voice in the habitat gardening movement. Her native habitat is the Pacific Coast of Oregon.

January / February 2005 33 mysterious ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRUCE MEANS Ice “Flowers”

A naturalist admires delicate and ephemeral ice sculptures that emerge from the base of certain plants.

34 the American Gardener HE FLAT-SEED SUNFLOWER (Verbesina virginica) is an ugly duckling sort of plant. During the growing season, it is one of those leggy composite weeds, like dogfennel T (Anthemis cotula), that we tend to overlook. Its small clusters of tiny white flowers are unremarkable, even somewhat unsightly because the composite heads have a non- symmetrical arrangement of ray flowers. Unlike dogfennel, it has large, hairy leaves that have serrated edges and taper to a point. In winter, its bare stems are indistinguishable to the casual eye from those of other slightly woody weeds.

In the early hours before dawn on cold winter nights, however, the flat-seed sunflower turns into a swan. From the bases of the plant’s dead stems delicate and ephemeral ice “flowers” are extrud- ed. Early American botanists, recognizing the association between ice flowers and the flat-seed sunflower, gave the plant another com- mon name: frostweed. I noticed my first ice flowers early one winter morning as I was walking through a rich hardwood bottomland near my home in Tallahassee, Florida. At the time, I only noted occasional white re- flections off what looked like small balls of ice on the brown, leaf- littered ground. A couple of winters later, I observed them again. Unprepossessing during the growing season, above, flat-seed This time I decided that they were not just clumps of frost and sunflower puts on a spectacular ice show on winter nights, as seen seemed worth photographing. By the time I returned with a cam- in the images on these and the following pages. era a couple of hours after sunrise, however, they had all melted. Several years passed and my curiosity continued to grow. Be- to solve the mystery. The cold ground crunched as I walked on it. fore sunup one December morning, in sub-20-degree tempera- After a couple of minutes, my flashlight glanced over something tures—very cold for Florida—I stole out of the house, determined small and white in the distance. When I reached it, I stood trans- fixed, looking down at the delicate loops of a sparkling tiara of ice. I sank carefully to my knees and stared in mute awe at this most exquisite “flower.” Just beyond lay another, and yet another. I raced from one to the next, filling my eyes with their splendor. Each one was a sep- arate creation, sculpted by some magical hand and waiting for someone to finally appreciate them. They were the most beauti- ful, wondrous, and un-icelike works of ice art I had ever seen. EPHEMERAL WONDERS The delicate natural ice sculptures lasted only a few hours that morning, but I lost no time learning everything I could about them before they vanished. It was apparent that these ice “flow- ers” grew out of the bases of the flat-seed sunflower. Upon close inspection, I could see that the icy “petals” seemed to have been squeezed through the dead stems. Apparently the leading edge of the emerging ice freezes to the thin but tough bark of the stems,

January / February 2005 35 and as the ice grows, it is lifted upward by the attached bark, form- species I examined, only flat-seed sunflowers had thick, fleshy- ing delicate, lacy, and curvy ribbons of ice. Ice formations nor- fibrous roots that were large enough to serve as a storage organ mally are angular because of the crystalline nature of ice, but the for all the water needed to produce an ice flower. I transplanted exotic petals of ice flowers form in broad, flowing loops. This may six of these to my home garden and placed six more in buckets actually be governed by flowing water emerging at different rates of water and “grew” beautiful ice flowers in both experiments. between the tops and bottoms of stems. The clinging bark creates an upward torque at the zone of freezing, allowing more water to OTHER ICE FLOWERS escape, and freeze, at the bottom of each petal. After spending some time online and reading wildflower During later freezes in that same winter, I discovered that ice guides, I learned that many people have reported sightings of flowers produced by the same plants took on entirely different ice flowers on the flat-seed sunflower throughout its large na- shapes, often looking more like true flowers. This happened be- tive range from Virginia to Florida and west to Kansas and cause the bark of the woody stems already had been peeled up- Texas. They can be found anytime from fall through winter, as ward by the first freeze and was unavailable to influence their soon as temperatures drop below freezing. later growth. Also, once the vascular bundles of the plants had Similar ice formations have been reported in connection with been broken apart by the first flowers, their sculpting effect on other plants, including the closely related yellow ironweed emerging water was not so delicate. Later-emerging ice flowers (Verbesina alterniflora); frostweed (Helianthemum canadense), were more compact. which ranges north into Canada from Alabama and Georgia; and I spent one morning examining similar-sized woody peren- American dittany or stonemint (Cunila origanoides), which has nials in my woodland ice garden and found that among all the a similar range to flat-seed sunflower. I have also seen pho-

36 the American Gardener tographs of ice flowers on dead plant stems from Ladakh, India, at about 10,000 feet in elevation, although I was not able to iden- tify the plant or even the family in which it might belong. Despite much research, I have yet to find a definitive expla- nation for why these particular plants produce ice flowers, but it likely has to do with a natural “antifreeze.” As sap is forced up- ward into the stem during freezing weather, only the water freezes and exits into the cold night air as a growing ice formation. The electrolytes, left behind, increase in concentration, lower the freezing point of the remaining sap, and may thus protect the shallow roots from freezing. Although cold and lifeless, ice flowers warmly remind me that the beauty of the organic world is derived partly from the innate beauty of the inorganic world. It took me eight years to “see” these fancy fringes as something more than just frost. That makes me wonder: What other miracles am I overlooking every day? 

Ecologist Bruce Means is an adjunct professor in the Department of Biological Science at Florida State University in Tallahassee.

January / February 2005 37 38 planting A roots thing more attractive andeasiertocare for. shadewithsome- come establishedindry tobe- wish toreplace grassstruggling turf mowed andfed.Sometimes itreflects a bed, reducing the area oflawntobe al trees tobebrought togetherinasingle among gardeners. Often thisallows sever- around common existing trees isvery he wasabletoinstallagreat garden. new nials. Thetree’s roots were notharmedand the tree andperen- toincorporateshrubs creating mulchbedaround anunobtrusive would probably killiteventually. house—unstable anddangerous and tree—which wasgrowing closetohis sively, Iexplained,wouldmakethe Cutting intotheroot systemthatexten- might aswell justcutthetree down. roots withanaxe. could clearawaysomeofthesurface ion asapracticingarboristonwhetherhe Heto thesoilsurface. soughtmyopin- ble becausethetree’s roots were soclose the baseoftree, butwashavingtrou- wanted toplantaperennial bedaround how you plant it. Thecloseryou garden sider whatyou plantaround your trees and investment, itiscriticaltocarefully con- pecially mature ones—are avaluable taining atree’s health.Because tr this willincrease your chancesofsus- BY DAVIDOETTINGER creating bedsundertrees. damage isimportantwhen Protecting treerootsfrom Understanding thephysiologyoftree A desire tocreate beds underand new Instead, we accommodatedhiswishby My response wasthatifhedid the American Gardener before CLIENT ONCEASKED large tree inhisbackyard. He examine theroot systemofa you launchintoaproject like ees—es- me to Under Trees adversely affectthetree’s long-term disturbance, or damagetoanyroots will is definedasthearea inwhichtheloss, root zone” ofatree, which,saysJosiah, digging orgradingwithinthe “critical roots. Such damageis usuallyaresult of isdamageto ing landscapeconstruction ka, theleadingcauseoftree deathdur- forester withthe University ofNebras- According toScottJosiah, anExtension OFTHEISSUE THE ROOT potential there is forroot damage. to anexistingtree thegreater trunk, the nolia attheAmericanHorticulturalSociety'sRiverFarmheadquarters inVirginia. Epimediums andstinkinghelleboresthriveinthedryshadebeneath thissouthernmag- about the roots, which serve severalabout theroots, key whichserve structure ofthetree. It’s easytoforget the healthofvisible,above-ground times monthsoreven years later. tack thatusuallykillsthetree—some- disease andinsects.It at- isthissecondary stresses suchas vulnerable tosecondary from defense togrowth. Thisleaves it take, thetree beginstodivertresources to makeupforthelackofnutrientup- rectly killyour tree. More often,inorder stability.health and/orstructural Gardeners naturallytendtofixateon This kindofroot damagemaynotdi-

CAROLE OTTESEN functions—namely: anchorage, absorp- Maples for example, produce a thick, tion of water and mineral nutrients, stor- dense mat of fibrous roots while oaks tend age of food, and synthesis of certain CHEMICAL DEFENSES to have larger, more distinct primary hor- organic materials, including those that reg- A few tree species are allelopathic— izontal roots that can be located and ulate activities in the top of the plant. they produce chemicals that can kill or worked around.” Roots, unlike stems, do not have reg- inhibit the growth of other plants grow- Severely compacting the soil around a ular branching patterns. They grow wher- ing underneath or nearby. The best tree—which often happens when heavy ever moisture and oxygen are available. known example of this are walnuts equipment is used during construction or Paul Cowie, a consulting arborist in New (Juglans spp.), which produce ju- major landscaping—can also jeopardize Jersey, says there’s a common misconcep- glone, a chemical toxic to a wide range tree health because compacting soil re- tion that roots do not grow beyond a tree’s of plants including azaleas, blueber- moves air that roots need for healthy crown—the circumference of the branch ries, and tomatoes. Other trees known growth. If you are planning major con- spread. He notes that under ideal grow- to have allelopathic tendencies are struction for your home or garden, ask the ing conditions, a tree’s root system can ex- sugar maple (Acer saccharum), black contractors to make the root zones of trees tend up to two to three times the width locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), cher- off limits to heavy equipment by roping of the crown. “Roots won’t stop at the ries (Prunus spp.), hackberries (Celtis them off or installing temporary fencing. drip line unless a physical or environ- spp.), some eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Perhaps the biggest dilemma in trying mental barrier prevents them from grow- spp.), and sassafras (Sassafras al- to plant under trees is the same problem ing beyond it,” says Cowie. bidum). So be aware it may be harder my client encountered—finding space to Tree roots are easily damaged because to establish new plants under these plant without damaging roots. Attempt- the roots of most ornamental trees grow in trees than with some others. ing to dig through a series of roots will the first one to two feet of soil. And most test the patience of any gardener—and of the fine feeder roots—the ones that ab- induce considerable stress on the tree. sorb water and nutrients—are located in rooted species may become surface-root- The other main option is to add soil for the upper foot. ed when growing in compacted soil or new beds around the base of a tree, but un- Of course, some trees do tend to send above a hard pan or rock outcrop. less this is done carefully, it can also in- roots deeper than others. Roots are op- “The more important thing for gar- crease the likelihood of root loss over time. portunistic and root depth is as much soil deners to understand,” says Cowie, “is that dependent as species dependent. Ac- some tree species produce a denser root CUT WITH CARE cording to Cowie, even typically deep- mass that is more difficult to work around. The rule of thumb among arborists is

Above, left: Filling in between surface roots with a thin layer of soil and/or mulch is generally fine, but avoid covering them completely.

LEFT: DENCY KANE. RIGHT: MICHAEL S. THOMPSON Above, right: Construction damage within the critical root zone doomed these once majestic white oaks in Oregon.

January / February 2005 39 40 Quercus rubra Quercus prinus Pinus virginiana Pinus banksiana Picea pungens Picea abies Magnolia grandiflora Ilex opaca Gymnocladus dioicus Gleditsia triacanthos Fraxinus pennsylvanica Crataegus phaenopyrum Cercis canadensis Carya glabra Acer rubrum root disturbanceorsoilcompaction. trees haveshownsometoleranceof The followingcommonlandscape DISTURBANCE TOLERANT Sanguinaria canadensis Polystichum acrostichoides Polypodium virginianum Ophiopogon Liriope Helleborus foetidus Hakonechloa macra Epimedium Dennstaedtia punctilobula Convallaria majus Chrysogonum virginianum Carex pensylvanica Aster divaricatus Aster cordifolius Asarum canadense perennials andgrassesfitthebill. great intakeofwater.Thefollowing conditions causedbythetreeroots’ ate shadecastbythecanopyanddry Plants growingundertreesmusttoler- PLANTS FORDRYSHADE (Southern magnolia) (Kentucky coffee-tree) (Washington hawthorn) (Christmas fern) (stinking hellebore) (hay-scented fern) (green andgold) (Pennsylvania sedge) (Canadian hardyginger) the American Gardener spp. (lilyturf) (American holly) (Norway spruce) spp. (barrenwort) spp. (Mondograss) (pignut hickory) (red maple) (red oak) (blue spruce) (chestnut oak) (Virginia pine) (blue woodaster) (Jack pine) (white woodaster) (lily ofthevalley) (eastern redbud) (Hakone grass) (honey locust) (green ash) (bloodroot) (rock fern) were cuttoallowtheplantingoflargeshrubsclosebeneaththem. These matureoaktreesinasuburbanChicagogardenweredamagedwhenmajorroots one andahalffeet ofcriticalroot zone for height (dbh),he recommends allowing for each inchoftree diameterat breast trunk thumb forminimizingroot damage.For tent ofdamage,andtheplant’s health.” of atree dependsonthespecies,ex- without seriouslythreatening thesurvival “Just how closean activity cancome attheUniversityforestry ofMaryland. R.Johnson,Gary aprofessor ofurban mustbebent,”says limited andthisrule the entire root system. root thatwill have aprofound impacton cut, thelesslikelyyou are to cut alarge tolessentheimpact. struction wellsider root inadvance pruning ofcon- you shouldcon- landscape construction, must trimroots radicallytoaccommodate diameter torecover from tornroots. If you takes atree inchintrunk oneyear forevery does notrepair quickly. On average, it cent oftheroot system.Androot damage major root cancausethelossof15to25per- ciety ofArboriculture, severing even one better. According totheInternational So- can create ahazardous situation. unstable,which also makesatree very foregone conclusion.Extensive root loss is lost,theeventual deathofthetree isa that once50percent ofatree's root mass Johnson offersthefollowing of rule “Unfortunately, onmostsites,spaceis the awayfrom thetrunk The further Of course,thefewerroots removed, the ting ofroots. recommend Experts adding cause lessharm thanindiscriminatecut- that addingsomesoilaround atree will nutrients awayfrom roots. tree waterand canalsopotentiallydivert of oxygen. Raisingthegradearound the therootthick alayerzone ofsoilcanstarve its own potentialproblems. Adding too tion thancuttingroots. Thisapproach has vide aplantingarea isprobably abetterop- adding soilaround thebaseofatree topro- For small-scalelandscapingrenovations, THEGRADE RAISING ating a new bedunderayoungerating anew tree. trees, soifyou have achoice,consider cre- erant ofdisturbancethanare younger the left).Older trees are generallylesstol- than othersofroot disturbance(seeliston three (3.14,orpi, ing tapeandthendividingthatnumberby ference ofatree withahousehold measur- this calculationby measuringthecircum- mine tree diameter, butanyone canmake als useaspeciallygraduatedtapetodeter- risk ofmajordamagetothetree. wouldreduceaway from thetrunk the inches, cuttingroots nolessthan15feet bance. So, foratree withadbhof10 garded as“more tolerant” ofroot distur- sensitive trees, oronefootfortrees re- It hasbeenmyexperience,however, Some tree speciesare more tolerant Arboriculture profession- andforestry if you wanttobeprecise).

REX BASTIAN/COURTESY OF THE CARE OF TREES no more than two to four inches of plant- several months in advance of planting. ing medium to the base of any tree at one “Mulching first and installing later pro- time. If you decide to take this route, do vides a couple of advantages,” notes Bast- ESTABLISHING PLANTINGS not to let the soil or mulch come into di- ian. “First, the soil and mulch mix will Remember, once you’ve planted un- rect contact with the trunk because it can have had some time to break down, pro- derneath trees you will now have facilitate fungal and bacterial infections. viding some organic matter to the soil. multiple root systems competing for And, of course, avoid those mulch “volca- Second, the organic layer will also help water and nutrients. Be sure to water noes” that are so popular with landscapers. loosen the soil beneath it, making it easi- your new planting regularly for a cou- If you do add planting medium, use a er to open holes to receive the plants. This ple of months until the plants are “light” blend of soil—or, better yet, com- allows a greater depth over the existing well established. post—and organic mulch such as wood root system with which to work.” After the plants have settled in, chips, shredded bark, or pine needles. As gradually reduce the frequency of it slowly decomposes, this organic matter A BALANCING ACT waterings but soak the entire planti- will condition the soil, moderate soil tem- Landscaping under or around existing ng area thoroughly each time you wa- peratures, maintain moisture, and reduce trees involves balancing the health of the ter. Research shows that deep wa- competition from weeds and grass. tree against the needs of the plants you tering encourages root systems to Rex Bastian, an arborist with The Care want to grow under them. grow deeper, making plants more of Trees in Wheeling, Illinois, strongly rec- When deciding what to plant under drought tolerant and reducing sur- ommends amending the soil around trees your tree, try to match the moisture face rooting that can interfere with your garden. Letting the soil dry be- tween irrigations allows for natural shrinking and swelling that will help improve soil structure. If you are installing an irrigation system in and around a new garden bed that encompasses trees, make sure the nozzles do not spray the trunk of the tree for any prolonged period. Better yet, consider using sprinkler heads with low application rates, or perhaps bubblers or a drip system. Watering the lower trunk near the root collar can lead to fungal problems. Rex Bastian of The Care of Trees also cautions against running irrigation lines across tree roots. “Many system installers will simply cut the roots of a tree when installing irrigation,” he says. “Require the contractor to run the main line outside the drip line, and run the branches toward the trunk of the tree like spokes on a wheel. Install a directional head that waters away from the tree trunk to avoid problems.” Established trees generally don’t need much supplemental fertilizer, but with new roots to feed, you may want to add a balanced slow-release fertilizer (10-10-10 is fine) or compost tea at the time you install your new planting. Once the new planting is es- tablished, you can apply fertilizer a couple of times a growing season or amend the bed annually with compost or other organic matter. —D.O. Small bulbs such as glory of the snow (Chionodoxa spp.), shown here growing under a

JERRY PAVIA river birch, are good choices for planting in shallow soil under trees.

January / February 2005 41 Resources International Society of Arboricul- ture, Champaign,IL. (888) 472- 8733. www.isa-arbor.com

Tree Care Industry Association, Manchester, NH. (800) 733-2622. www.natlarb.com.

Arboriculture Care of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines in the Landscape by Richard Harris. Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1983.

Principles and Practices of Planting Trees and Shrubs by Gary W. Wat- son. International Society of Arbori- culture, Champaign, Illinois, 1997.

Trees and Development: A Technical Guide to Preservation of Trees During Development by James R. Clark and Johnny jump-ups add fresh color to a bed beneath these quaking aspens in an Oregon garden. Nelda Matheny. International Soci- ety of Arboriculture, Champaign, tions are to limb the tree up (remove some Two to four inches of soil is not deep Illinois, 1998. of the lowest branches) or have its canopy enough to successfully plant shrubs with “thinned” by a certified arborist. larger root balls. “There is no good way to Trees in the Urban Landscape by incorporate a lot of large plants close under Peter Trowbridge and Nina Bassuk. PLANT SELECTION a tree without doing long-term damage to Wiley, New York, New York, 2004. In general, shallow-rooted herbaceous the tree,” says Nina Bassuk, a horticulture perennials, bulbs, and ground covers are professor at Cornell University. best suited to sharing soil space with ex- If you are set on planting shrubs un- needs of the new plants with those of the isting tree roots because they need less derneath a tree, your best bet is to plant tree or trees they are going to accent. This growing medium and will not require the them in phases over several growing sea- is important because as you try to get digging of large holes around the tree. sons. This provides the tree with some re- your new garden established, you might Small bulbs such as crocuses, snow- covery time from root disturbance. wind up overwatering an existing tree drops (Galanthus spp.), Iris reticulata, and If you are planting a bed of mixed that does not like wet soils. Trees such as hardy cyclamen (Cyclamen spp.) only shrubs and perennials , consider planting birches, alders, bald cypresses, and some need to be planted a couple of inches deep perennials closest to the tree trunk, then maples will thrive in moist soils, but most (or covered to that depth with new soil) gradually integrating shrubs as you get fur- others do not. and can be easily integrated between roots. ther away from the tree’s major roots. Thirsty trees tend to quickly absorb Rhizomatous or shallow-rooted ground Remember, arboriculture, like garden- water in their root zone, leading to the covers like hardy gingers (Asarum spp.), ing, is both an art and science, so there’s no dreaded gardening challenge known as Allegheny spurge (Pachysandra procum- magic-bullet solution or rule of thumb that “dry shade” (see the list of plants adapted bens), crested iris (Iris cristata), foamflow- covers every situation. But you’ll have bet- to dry shade on page 40). Soil moisture ers (Tiarella spp.), and some ferns are also ter results with both your trees and garden levels are also affected by the “rain shad- ideal for such sites as long as the soil re- plants if you take tree-root health into ac- ow” cast by different trees; dense-canopied mains somewhat moist. count before putting shovel to earth. trees such as maple, beech, pear, pine, and Because they need to be replaced fre- When in doubt, consult a professional ar- spruce tend to divert water toward their quently, annuals are not the best choice borist rather than make a costly mistake or drip lines. under shallow-rooted trees, notes Bonnie risk the loss of a treasured tree.  Dense-canopied trees also cast heavier Appleton, an Extension horticulturist at shade than open-canopied trees, which Virginia Polytechnic and State University David Oettinger is the senior urban forester means you have a narrower choice of in Blacksburg. Digging fresh planting with Paul Cowie & Associates, an arbori- plants adapted to grow underneath them. holes every year has the potential to cause culture and urban forestry consulting firm

To let through more light, , your main op- ongoing root damage to the tree. in Montville, New Jersey. MICHAEL S. THOMPSON

42 the American Gardener Join us now to take advantage of the many benefits of membership in the American Horticultural Society

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

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

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

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

Online Gardening Courses Enroll in state-of-the-art online garden classes through To become a member, call (703) 768-5700 AHS's partnership with the Horticultural Gardening Institute of Michigan State University. or visit us at www.ahs.org 44 in thevain hopeoffindingsalvation. dener’s moraleand enthusiasmasheorshefollows fadaftertrend find themuselessoroutofplace. Worse, itunderminesthegar- gardener continuously buys more plants,paving,orpotsonlyto in thehopesoflocating“right” spot.It wastesmoneyasthe the gardener repeatedly moves plantsintoever “better” locations fails tocreate acompelling garden. It as absorbstimeandeffort based onmere hints thepiecesmight(ornot)suggest. ofwhole, pieces andattemptingtomoldthemintosomesort ing inareverse manner. Thegardener withdisparate isstarting of aestheticandfunctionalpurpose.Thisisbecausetheyare evolv- al components,buttheyoftenlackcohesionandanoverall unity you could not live? Many impulse-basedgardens have exception- what-notswithoutwhichyou oncethought fantastic horticultural den becomesomethingofaslightlyhaphazard agglomerationof (Compulsive Horticultural Acquisition Disorder)? Has your gar- tance aswell asconceptfrom theirown gardens. farindis- sions intheheatofpassion,oftenatanursery gardeners aestheticdeci- unwiselymakeimportant bordering fervor onmania, with ahorticultural to, muchlessrealize, thegarden design.Filled want toputthemorhow theplantswillrelate PLANTS! Theymayhave noideawhere they ging, andborrowing PLANTS, buying,beg- program statementandstart diately abandontheideasgeneratedin ed withanemptyexpanseofspace,imme- into thespecific.Many gardeners, confront- focus ontheBig Picture delving andstart planning thegarden, itisalltooeasytolose cause, havingputallthiscreative energyinto them intoreality? your vision—andturn and budget—inshort, next? How doyou takeyour needs,dreams, your hopesforyour garden, whatdoyou do cessfully collected,compiled,andsummarized wards you forthetime you spent initsdevelopment. ThePro- Here’s where theprogram statementproves andre- itsworth THEPROGRAM TO BACK I Forget Plants—DreamofDesign This is the seventh article ofanongoingseriesongardenThis istheseventh article design. Gardening byDesign The difficultywiththeCHAD-affectedapproach isitoften Does thissoundfamiliar? Be honest.Do you have CHAD The nextstepintheprocess iscritical,be- for thegarden. Assumingyou have now suc- asablueprint ing aprogram statementcanserve N THELASTISSUE the American Gardener we discussedhow creat- BY TRESFROMME quences you wantyour garden tocontain. Instead, thinkabouthow torealize thespacesandspatialse- the gardener overcome CHADandgetonwithcreating agarden. statement focusesonspaceandfunctionthusisabletohelp whoyouand your are life, inshort andwhatyou do. Aprogram assemblage ofplants,itistheconcrete manifestationofyour ideas stages ofdesigning.Agarden ismuchmore thanacollectionor process down by jumpingtothespecifictoorapidly. The trickistoleave thepossibilitiesopen,nottoshut ortoplantindifferentspecifically whattoconstruct locations. gram outlinestheBig Picture, butdoesnotdirectly explain the purple.This seemssimple,bold,and“right” intermsofthe You mightalsowanta flashofyellow foliagetocontrastagainst overall rounded outlines highlightedagainstapurplebackdrop. sign intentcallsfor, suchasamassofspikytextured formswith and texture, amongothersensualfactors.Consider whatthede- prehend itscore designcharacteristics—itsform,line,color, scent, nottoseetheplantitself,When you buttocom- lookatplants,try FORMS VISUALIZING PLANT So, toforgettheplantsalittlelonger. hard asitmayseem,try Plants, ironically, are animpedimentduringthebeginning

TOM CLIFTON overall garden, so only now should you consider specific plants. You might achieve the spiky, mounded, yellow mass with any Help Us Recover America’s of the following: Yucca flaccida ‘Golden Sword’ or ‘Color Guard’, Yucca gloriosa ‘Variegata’, Iris pallida ‘Aurea Variegata’, or even a Vanishing Flora Phormium cultivar kept outside for the summer and overwintered in a sunny room. At this point, it really does not matter. The pur- ple background might be a clipped hedge of Fagus sylvatica ‘At- ropunicea,’ a line of Berberis thunbergii ‘Atropurpurea’, or a casual mass of Weigela florida ‘Wine and Roses’. The point is: Several or even many different plants are able to support a specific aesthetic goal. You just need to keep an open mind and follow the program. Your final selection depends on many factors. Additional aes- thetic considerations might suggest the spiky mass should be ever- green, thus weighing in favor of the yuccas. Low maintenance needs would point you to barberries (Berberis spp.) or weigelas for the background. If the background should be both purple and evergreen, you may have to rethink the design intent and select the more important characteristic of the two. However, if you are lucky enough to live in the Deep South, you could have both in Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum ‘Zhuzhou Fuchsia’. Again, the design intent is more important than—and guides the selection of—the individual plants. ENCLOSING SPACES You also want to contemplate how to shape and enclose spaces and subspaces. Again, plants are a vital means to the end of gar- www.centerforplantconservation.org den making, not precious objects unto themselves. You may de- (314) 577-9540 • [email protected] cide to wrap a private seating garden in a six- to seven-foot evergreen mass, tall enough to provide all-season screening, but not tall enough to seem claustrophobic. A fine to medium tex- ture seems appropriate to the intimate scale of the space; bold AHS President's Council Philadelphia foliage might seem overwhelming and a dark green color, es- Flower Show and Gardens Tour pecially in the winter, is very desirable. Selections of false cy- March 3–5, 2005 press (Chamaecyparis spp.), hollies (Ilex spp.), false hollies (Osmanthus spp.), yews (Taxus spp.), and arborvitae (Thuja spp.) are all evergreen and fine to medium in leaf texture. A shaded garden site greatly limits—but also, mercifully, fo- cuses—plant selection. Suitable choices might include Taxus ✕media ‘Hicksii’ or perhaps American holly (Ilex opaca). The yew is easy to keep at a six- to seven-foot height and responds well to pruning, even shearing. The American holly may not be as amenable as the yew, so yew is the first choice. If, for some rea- son, the yew fails, you can substitute the holly if the evergreen en- closure is key to the design. Or you may change your design intent. Either way, the yew is dead; long live the design intent! xclusively for AHS President’s Council Members, this A strong program statement allows for flexibility within the Eexcursion will include special tours of the must-see gardens in overall design and allows the garden to evolve with time and the Philadelphia area as well as a chance to attend the pre-opening changing conditions, functions, and needs. It forces the plants to party at the Philadelphia support the designed garden instead of having the garden follow Flower Show. AHS has partnered with the Show on the the eccentric whims of ongoing plant acquisition. Design, in entrance exhibit featuring short, provides plants with a purpose. restored historic White House In the next issue, we will explore how relying too heavily on gates on loan from AHS—the particular garden styles can have a severely limiting effect on the theme “America the Beautiful” realization of your unique design intent.  says it all. For more information on this tour, or to find out how to join the President’s Council, call Joe Lamoglia at (703) 768-5700 ext. 115. Tres Fromme is a landscape designer at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

January / February 2005 45 46 expected tostay“ontrend”for2005. Bold-leaved plants,likecannas(above),are den tal space,”saysMcCoy, “our needtogar- in theUnited States. lesshorizon- “With den Media Group garden surveys trends McCoy, whosePhiladelphia-based Gar- thoughts ongardening trends. togettheir around thecountry dustry eral movers andshakersinthegarden in- with theJoneses thisyear, we polledsev- In caseyou’re wonderinghow tokeepup TRENDSIN2005 GARDEN National Herb Garden. plants,” agrees Jim Adams, curator ofthe is gettingintohuge,bold tropical “glamorous foliageplants.”“Everybody achieving season-longinterest with gon. He addsthatgardeners are also editor atTimber Press inPortland, Ore- Spirit’, notesTom Fischer, acquisitions folius age,” onsuchplantsasPhysocarpus opuli- offer “colorful bark and leaftexture.” flowers andinsteadlookingfor plantsthat that gardeners are puttinglessemphasison Oregon AssociationofNurseries. She adds Ann Murphy, director ofmarketing forthe columnar orstayamore modestsize,” says Horticultural NewsandResearch ImportanttoAmericanGardeners The garden isshrinking,saysSusan Not tomention“foliage, foliage,foli- “Small yards require plantsthatare up the American Gardener ‘Diablo’ andCotinus is growing.” ‘Golden says Ogden, through theInternet. to findunusualnatives andotherrarities, North Carolina. It isalsobecomingeasier of Plant Delights Nursery inRaleigh, on selectedcultivars,” agrees Tony Avent creased interest innative plants.” er. reaction tothishasbeenanin- “The throughout North America,”notesFisch- damage thatinvasive speciesare causing informed gardeners whoare aware of“the and specific.” tion becomingmore regionally attuned she finds“advanced gardening informa- out speciesnames.”On thepositive side, “trademarked, tissue-cultured plantswith- ucts endlessly” andfloodthemarket with trend ingrowers who“homogenize prod- Springer Ogden seesanegative industry have been grown inAAStrialgardens varietiesof new flowers and vegetables trialsinNorthimpartial America.” superior garden judgedin performance promote garden new seedvarieties with from seed.Theirstatedmissionis:“To tion forflowers andvegetables grown national, independenttestingorganiza- All-America Selections (AAS)isaninter- THE ALLAMERICANS ‘Bonbon’ squash and‘MagellanCoral’zinniaare amongtheAASbestpicksfor 2005. GARDENER “Native plantsare stillbig,withafocus Better informationmakesforbetter- Colorado garden writerLauren Since itsfoundingin1932,hundreds C ’ NOTEBOOK S Zinna elegans pact plants. blue flowers withadarker eye oncom- flowered vinca,itbearstwo-inch,violet- berry’ Catharanthus roseus yellow tips. inch-wide, mahogany-red flowers with from seed,thisperennial produces three- (Zones 3–8,8–1).Blooming thefirstyear Gaillardia aristata withsweet, thickorangeflesh. fruit eties, producing dark green silver-striped squash requires lessroom thanoldervari- 7–1). Its semi-bushhabitmeansthatthis Winter squash‘Bonbon’ sweet-flavored thatresists fruit cracking. abundant small,dark pink,extremely This indeterminatetomatoproduces Tomato ‘Sugary’ white withviolet-purplestripes. ture, sweetly flavored eggplantsthatare diminutive plantthatproduces minia- Eggplant ‘Fairy Tale’ Winners. Here are thisyear’s winners: selectedasAAS with superiorperformers dependent judgesevaluate eachvariety, across theUnited States andCanada.In- early andcontinuesallgrowing season. ers withcoralpetals.Flowering begins produces five- tosix-inch,doubleflow- 0–0, 12–1).Thisundemandingplant (Zones 12–15,12–1). Thefirstblue ‘Magellan Coral’ (Zones 11–15,12–1). (Zones 11,12–1).A ‘First Blue- Kiss ‘Arizona Sun’ (Zones 8–11, (Zones

FAR LEFT: CAROLE OTTESEN. BOTTOM(2): COURTESY OF ASA COURTESY OF EOBWERT E. BOWDEN protection from harsh sunlight. AHS Zones 9–5),it asksonlyforalittle extremely adaptable(USDAZones 5–9, evergreen foliage.Unfussy aboutsoiland handsome, 18-inchtallbushelbasketof pods thatpersistintosummeranda spring, theLentenrose hasshowy seed- agated, andshowy inseveral seasons. adaptable, low-maintenance, easilyprop- ments forselection—thatitbewidely that more fulfilltherequire- perfectly a nicerplantortoonewithattributes mended activities. downloadable studyguides,andrecom- course containsonlinepresentations, yard, oranarea ofthecommunity. Each variety ofwildlifetoabackyard, a school- courses thatteacheshow toattractawide Places forWildlife,” aseriesofseven ing credits paya$75percredit hour fee. education units(CEUs), learn- orservice graduate ordegree, continuing Those wishingcredit toward anunder- for personalenrichmentfree ofcharge. lifeuniversity). Wildlife University fering onlinecoursesthrough itsWeb site The National Wildlife Federation isof- WILDLIFEUNIVERSITY VIRTUAL ✕ bers voted intheLentenrose rowing candidatesdown tofour, mem- the honorofPlant oftheYear. Afternar- (PPA) membersnominateperennials for Every year Perennial Plant Association LENTEN ROSEISPERENNIALWINNER ners, visitwww.allamericaselections.org. To findretail sources fortheseAASwin- point systemfor taste,yield,ease/reliability, ter andrateeach variety based onafive- days tomaturity, andlinks toseedsources. Variety profiles includebriefdescriptions, best suitedtotheirneedsand conditions. vegetable varieties anddeterminewhichis which allows userstocompare over 2,000 Gardeners” launched Web site,“Vegetable Varieties for deners isCornellUniversity’s recently An innovative toolforvegetable new gar- NEW WEBSITEFORVEGETABLEVARIETIES hybridus) Flowering inlatewintertoearly The recognition couldn’t have goneto Among theofferingsis“Creating Visitors tothesiteare invitedtoregis- as the2005winner. (www.cce.cornell.edu/veg), Students maytakecourses (www.nwf.org/wild (Helleborus Hurricanes HitFlorida GardensHurricanes diversify ourcollection,”says Bowden. portunities,” saysWalker.“It’s agreatresearchopportunityandallowsusto Turner. “Innature,disturbance isnaturalandnecessarytoopenupnewop- were averyshadedgardenand ourplantpalettecouldnotbeasdiverse,”says Web site(www.leugardens.org). Bowden. Thegardenhaspublishedalistofhurricane-resistant plantsonits about treessuchasMagnoliagrandiflora Gardens istakingwhatithaslearnedtothecommunity. “We’ve beentalking botanical gardensasfarawayCheekwoodinTennessee.” tion tostaffandcommunityvolunteers,”saysBowden,“help camefromother was anarmyofvolunteerswhogavefreelytheirtimeand efforts.“Inaddi- ing branches,waslefttothemercyofFloridasun. with it.Andthebromeliadcollection,onceprotectedin shadeofitsspread- says DirectorLaurieWalker.Whenitwentdown,tooksixcycadsandpalms 40 footbunya-bunya(Araucariabidwillii) were blownoverordrownedwhenlakewaterrose.Inaddition,“aspreading, Robert E.Bowden.“Thecostofdisaster-debrisremovalwas$232,00.” 130,” saysDirector number oftreeslostwas Leu Gardens,“thetotal Orlando, attheHarryP. den inVeroBeach.In McKee BotanicalGar- ed andaredownatthe pion treeswereuproot- by itsroots. year-old oak,wastornup in thegarden,a100- gardens. Thelargesttree strewn throughoutthe average, fourfeetdeep left organicdebris,on worst wasCharley,which rains fromIvan.”The Jeanne andevengotthe Charley, Frances,and “was atthecrossroadsof marketing CindyTurner, Wales,” saysdirectorof Lake Wales.“Lake was BokSanctuaryin age andmakingplansforthefuture. dens. Withcleanupwellunderway,thegardensaretakingstockofdam- August andSeptember,theywreakedhavoconsomeofFlorida’sbotanicalgar- When HurricanesCharley,Frances,Ivan,andJeannesweptacrossFloridalast There isalsothesensethatlosses have,literally,openedupoptions.“We Perhaps thatiswhythere’satendencytolookattheglass ashalffull.Leu Helping thegardensmoveforwardthroughaftermath ofthesestorms Some smallertreesatTampa’sUniversityofSouthFloridaBotanicGarden Several StateCham- One ofthehardesthit was oneofmanyfelledbythehurricanes. This treeneartheSouthGazeboatLeuGardensinOrlando that canwithstandhurricanes,”says with athree-foottrunkcamedown,” January / February 2005 47 48 explains, “If you’re lookingforapaste University’s ofHorticulture, Department ly, seniorextensionassociateinCornell locate sources. AsMarcia Eames-Sheav- vegetable growers compare varieties and pool, itsutilitywillgrow. contribute theirinputtotheinformation But asmore peoplelearnaboutthesiteand presentlyfew have more thanfourreviews. not allvarieties have beenreviewed, and pick winnersfortheirgarden.” ilar growing conditionstohelpthem their neighborsandotherswhohave sim- Bushway, “istoconnectgardeners with yard vegetable growers. “Our goal,”says for sharingtheexperiencesofmanyback- Project. TheWeb siteprovides aforum the Vegetable Variety Citizen Science eties,” saysLoriBushway, coordinator of dations. But we can’t testallthesevari- gardeners. then incorporatedforthebenefitofother Thisinputis comments andobservations. and overall quality, andtoofferadditional In themeantime, profiles willhelp launch, As onemightexpectwithanew “Gardeners looktousforrecommen- © 2004 The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation the American Gardener 59 59 H I pi –,2005 April 3–5, NSPIRING S OME TH YMPOSIUM O THE FOR G G ARDENER ARDEN th I DEAS tional Audubon Society, andstoreowners The CornellLabofOrnithology, theNa- NEEDEDFORBIRDCOUNT GARDENERS red toyellow togoldpink.” brids—in arangeofsizes andcolorsfrom ditional heirloomsandthelatesthy- tomato, thesitelistsmore than25—tra- pected tobecompletedby2006. Veneman ofthegarden,whichisex- mer AgricultureSecretaryAnnM. Chinese plantsandflowers,”saysfor- vide researchopportunitiestostudy of Chinesegardencultureandpro- the Americanpeople’sunderstanding D.C. “Thenewgardenwilldeepen National Arboretum PLACES PEOPLE and garden isplannedatthe States, a12-acreclassicalChinese the peopleofChinaandUnited As asymboloffriendshipbetween in theNEWS email: dchapman call: For program information, email: dchapman call: For program information, email: dchapman call: For program information, 800-603-0948 800-603-0948 1-800-603-0948 @ @ @ cwf.org cwf.org cwf.org in Washington, United States  and ContributingEditor RitaPelczar Written byEditor Associate Carole Ottesen www.birdsource.org. that maybetheresult ofWest Nile virus. of theAmericancrow insomeregions species. Thecountdocumentedadecline taling more thanfourmillionbirds of512 submitted almost50,000checkliststo- Wild Birds Unlimited stores. locallibraries,orto ternet, toparticipating overand report theirobservations theIn- bird speciestheysee numbers ofeach asked tonotethe Participants are birds canbeseen. parks—anywhere schoolyards, local to 21inbackyards, end ofFebruary 18 Backyard Bird Count. inthe8thAnnualGreatto participate of Wild Birds Unlimited invitegardeners To inthebird participate count, visit Last year’s peopleacross thecountry The bird countwillbeheldtheweek- garden designandrecommend garden designandrecommend to start plantingnextspring. to start to start plantingnextspring. to start professionals astheydiscuss professionals astheydiscuss plants thatwillinspire you CO-SPONSORED BY CO-SPONSORED plants thatwillinspire you CO-SPONSORED BY CO-SPONSORED Join horticulturists, expert Join horticulturists, expert W Williamsburg landscape designers andColonial designers andColonial illiamsburg landscape & & 

COURTESY OF FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

by JodiTorpey The LittleGreenhouse intheMountains 50 signed greenhouse helpschildren likeJeffrey makeconnectionswiththenaturalworld. dens greenhouse inEvergreen, Colorado. Situated ontheedgeofa1,000-acre forest, thisuniquelyde- These seedshadsprouted andgrown upontotrellises attheentranceofinitialGlobal Children’s Gar- A children iskey. seeds, ideas,andotherresources among of naturalgardening,” thesharingof the wonders,wisdom,andnourishment among thechildren through oftheEarth and mutuallybeneficialrelationships dens (GCG)is“to cultivate harmonious As themissionofGlobal Children’s Gar- enough seedstoshare withotherschools. ing, themorninggloriesproduced did alltheplanting, maintenance,andhar- nity andtheEvergreen Montessori school fall, nearly30children from thecommu- 2004 growing season.From springuntil back, Gebo wasrebuilt intimeforthe thegreenhouse.crushing Despite thisset- munity, dropping 87inchesofsnow and 2003, ablizzard hitthe mountaincom- name forthegreenhouse’s purpose. of harmoniousrelationships,” afitting the site.Gebo symboltheyfoundat after anancientrune years. They namedthegreenhouse Gebo, on thegreenhouse onedayaweek forfour er oftheoriginalgreenhouse. Theyworked ship witharchitect Richard Laws,design- deeper withtheexperience,”Werthan says. some point,Irecognized theneedtogo overnight tripstoexplore theforest. “At kids aged10to12,providing dayhikesand nature. He hadexperience working with children cultivate adeeperappreciation for nonprofit organization,wantedtohelp Werthan, thefounderanddirector ofthis asa dreamGCG started in1999.Allan FULFILLING ADREAM After aseasonofcontinuousbloom- Just before thespringplantingseasonin afive-yearThat visionstarted partner- the American Gardener about the“miracle ofabundance”—a seeds. lessonhelearned from ahandfulofmorningglory T THEBEGINNING means “the giftandsacrifice of theschoolyear, Jeffrey stoodinfront ofhisseventh gradeclassandtalked were onlylimited by their imagination. tices, thechildren learnedlessons that beets, cucumbers,andbeans. toes, tomatoes,sugarsnappeas, lettuces, and perennial flowers, theyplantedpota- vesting. In additiontoavariety ofannual RWN H FUTURE THE GROWING In additiontogoodgardening prac- C tomato theyhelpedtogrowinthegreenhouse. Children fromthecommunity,left,picka of raisedgrowingbedsandasmallpond. Global Children’sGardens,featuresalabyrinth Gebo,thefirstgreenhouse builtby Above: house. To achieve thisobjective, seedsand deners helpanother group buildagreen- cycle by havingeachgroup ofyoung gar- A maintenetofGCGistocontinue the THECYCLE COMPLETING best theycanallthetime.” whining orcomplaining.Theydothe they’re given to work withandwithout absolute besttheycannomatterwhat impressed shewas by plants“doing the the greenhouse, Claire toldherclasshow For example,afteraseasonworking in

GLEN MILLER/DENVER POST (2) plants grown in Gebo were sold at farmer’s The schools are planning to exchange markets over the summer to help raise ideas, correspond by e-mail, and conduct For more information on funds for the next two greenhouse pro- student visits this spring and fall. Students Global Children’s Gardens, visit jects—one at the Southern Ute Indian will be involved in the entire process of the www.globalchildrensgardens.com. Academy in Ignacio, Colorado, and one project, from site selection to design and construction. It will be their responsibility to plant, care for, and harvest their crops. valuable teaching tool across a variety of SEEDS OF THE FUTURE disciplines. “The Global Children’s Gardens name SOURCES OF INSPIRATION seems presumptuous now with only one Werthan discovered a host of kindred spir- greenhouse built and two in the plan- its when he attended the AHS National ning stages,” Werthan says. “But our in- Children & Youth Garden Symposium in tention is that the greenhouses will grow Ithaca, New York, last July. “It was most exponentially.” enlightening to find out I wasn’t a lone The nonprofit will act as a grantor or- wolf, but part of a growing movement in ganization, providing funding and support children’s gardens,” says Werthan. “Any for other children’s organizations to devel- time that people come together to focus on op similar greenhouses and gardening pro- children and gardening, it is inspiring.” Allan Werthan, founder and director of GCG, grams. “We frequently receive requests for In Evergreen, Gebo waits out the long helps a child see the wonders of plants. support from children’s groups and help as Colorado winter to teach the next group of much as we can,” says Werthan. “Addi- students respect for nature, creative uses for on the Evergreen Montessori School tional resources will accelerate the work we the fruits of their labor, and many other grounds. “The children are excited to leave do, so donations are much appreciated.” important lessons.  a legacy in the form of an ongoing green- Werthan would like to see gardening house and gardening program at their integrated into as many school curricu- Jodi Torpey is a free-lance garden writer

COURTESY OF ASHLEY SPICER school,” says Werthan. lums as possible because it can serve as a based in Denver, Colorado.

“That’s one smart garden!” - Carol F., Greenwood IN Join the 1000’s of gardeners who praise the EarthBox “It’s simply the Easiest Garden Ever Developed!” - Gil Whitton, Host The National Lawn and Garden Show

SO SIMPLE There’s no digging, weeding, or guessing. The EarthBox grows automatically - year after year. WORKS ANYWHERE Your deck or patio - even the back forty! all you need is sunlight for fresh vegetables and herbs. MORE PRODUCTIVE The EarthBox out produces any gardening method - with less “62 pounds of tomatoes water, less fertilizer and less care. right from our patio!” 100% NATURAL No chemicals or expensive “My brother has 14 tomato plants, I out produce hydroponics. The EarthBox grows him with just three.” - Jim N., Scranton PA healthy produce, the way nature intended. “My EarthBox garden made me feel like a pro!” - Elizabeth H., Passaic NJ ONLY $29.9$29.95 + $6.95 S&H

TM Call NOW To Order 1-888-502-73361-888-502-7336 Or mail your check to: Dept P-AH153 P.O. Box 1966, St. Petersburg, FL 33731

January / February 2005 51 BOOKC REVIEWS

Recommendations for Your Gardening Library

American Azaleas. IPM for Gardeners: A Guide to Integrated Pest Management. L. Clarence Towe. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2004. 188 pages. Raymond A. Cloyd, Philip L. Nixon, and Nancy R. Pataky. Timber Publisher’s price, hardcover: $39.95. Press, Portland, Oregon, 2004. 204 pages. Publisher’s price, hard- cover: $27.95. I HAVE RESEARCHED, grown, propagated, written, and spo- ken about North American native azaleas professionally for INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM), a buzzword in nearly three decades. During that time, I think I have read most the horticultural world, involves studying not only the pest, but of what has been written on the subject. L. Clarence Towe’s also signs and symptoms of the pest. It is a landscape maintenance book, American Azaleas, taught me things I did not yet know. philosophy and practice that enhances plant health while reduc- The reader does not have to be ing pesticide use. This book de- botanically adept to understand scribes how to manage garden this book and the technical infor- pests at home using the same IPM mation is current and useful. techniques that professionals do. Towe’s species descriptions—a The authors, all professors at subject that can be quite confus- the University of Illinois, explain ing—are the most straightfor- scientific principles in a succinct ward and most complete that I yet academic style. While the tech- have seen in any book. His taxo- nical information may seem nomic groupings make excellent daunting at first, the authors do an sense and his explanations of how excellent job of defining terms— to tell the species apart are clear in fact, the appendices include a and concise. glossary. The book clearly conveys “Rhodoholics” and novices the core IPM approach, which is to minimize pest problems “by alike will appreciate the chapter on where to find these native assessing the needs of plants, pests, and organisms in the land- plants growing in the wild and which ones are likely to be nat- scape.” The focus is on pest prevention, early diagnosis, monitor- urally occurring hybrids. The sections on landscaping with aza- ing (“scouting”), and a combination of control strategies. leas, azalea culture, and propagation contain good information. Beginning with the premise that “healthy plant growth…is one The section on hybridization is the best and most succinct han- deterrent to plant problems,” the authors address genetics, nutri- dling of the subject I have seen. Towe’s discussion on human- tion, water, and environmental stress. Nearly 150 color plates re- directed evolution of these species offers interesting fodder for inforce pest and symptom recognition. Armed with this even the most knowledgeable azalea enthusiast. The book in- knowledge, the reader becomes a “better judge on whether the po- cludes valuable resources such as a list of existing cultivars as tential damage justifies management.” As the authors note, some- well as sources of plants. times “doing nothing” is a viable control option. Towe’s relaxed and often humorous style makes for easy The second half of the book discusses the major pest control reading. An acknowledged azaleaphile for more than 25 years, strategies used in IPM: cultural, physical, biological, and chemi- he writes from both his experience and that of others. He ob- cal. The authors advocate the use of pest-resistant varieties, prop- viously knows the giants and legends in this field personally er plant placement, sanitation, and promoting naturally occurring such as Dr. August (Augie) Kehr, a renowned plant breeder, and beneficial organisms. Handy sidebars explain specific tactics for Tom Dodd, III (also known as T3), notorious in rhododendron managing various pests and problems. and nursery circles. His priceless anecdotes reflect their idio- This book describes how to care for the landscape in a holis- syncrasies down to Augie’s “curtain-back” propagation and T3’s tic fashion, with reduced impact on the environment. It will references to the Civil War as “the recent unpleasantness.” Such empower any gardener who desires to use IPM techniques suc- insights are rare and to be savored, as is American Azaleas. cessfully at home. —Dick Bir —Deborah Smith-Fiola

Dick Bir is the author of Growing and Propagating Showy Na- An IPM consultant in Maryland, Deborah Smith-Fiola has tive Woody Plants. He recently retired after exactly 25 years on the worked in the landscape industry for 15 years. She is the author of horticulture faculty at North Carolina State University. Pest Resistant Ornamental Plants.

52 the American Gardener Theindispensable Best Tools tools of the Tradfor eevery for Your garden Garden Your perfect garden is only 3 steps away:

Step 1: Identify the best plants for your garden A revised and updated edition with complete profiles of 15,000 plants and shrubs, their growth habits, height and spread, and geographical origin. Coming in October 2004.

NEW!

Step 2: Improve your gardening techniques to obtain the best results More than 400 step-by-step sequences to troubleshoot any problem, from preparation and landscaping to frost control and water conservation.

Step 3: Expand and add color and variety More than 8,000 plants and flowers, along with expert advice on cultivation, pests, and diseases.

Setting the standard in gardening reference Available wherever books are sold • For more great ideas visit www.dk.com and sign up for our FREE newsletter OR AN ESCAPE from the winter doldrums, The Cloud Gar- Fden: A True Story of Adventure, Survival, and Extreme Horti- culture by Tom Hart Dyke and Paul Winder (The Lyons Press, 2004, 336 pages, hardcover, $22.95) will transport readers into the steamy and dangerous jungles of Central America. A journey that starts out as a cock-eyed quest to see rare orchids be- comes far more of an adventure—or rather, misadventure—than English- men Dyke or Winder anticipated when gun-toting guerillas take them hostage. Told with pure British panache, this riveting tale details their nine-month ordeal with a mixture of humor and suspense sure to keep readers breathlessly turning pages to the end. —Viveka Neveln, Assistant Editor

Botanica North America: The Illustrated Guide to Our Native Plants, Their Botany, History, and the Way They Have Shaped Our World. Marjorie Harris. HarperCollins Publishers Inc., New York, New York, 2003. 665 pages. Publisher’s price, hardcover: $59.95.

THOSE WHO ARE fascinated by the historical and ethnob- otanical uses of native plants will enjoy this well-researched ency- clopedic tome, which covers more than 400 North American plants. In the introduction, author Marjorie Harris avoids any possible confusion by explaining that she is defining a native plant as one “documented to have been in North America before Eu- ropean contact—about A.D. 1450.” The book is organized into sec- tions by 10 major North American plant communities, including “East- ern Forests,” “Swamps and Wet- lands,” “The Prairie,” and “The Desert.” A chapter on “The Three Sisters: Agriculture”covers crops do- mesticated by Native Americans. Each region’s ecologically and his- 2005 “Gardener’s” Calendar torically significant native plants are $6.95 ($59.00 for 10) Postpaid described in detail. Individual entries 2004 Computer Screen Saver include the plant’s botanical information, ethnobotanical lore, natural history, and uses today. Harris integrates passages from $10.00 Postpaid other works—even poetry—to highlight important facts and 13 prize color photos in both items show historical perspective. More than 250 color photographs de- pict many of the described plants growing in their native habitat. The Gardeners of America Although its size and weight make for cumbersome bedtime reading, this informative book is worth adding to the reference Men’s Garden Club of America library for naturalists and gardeners interested in the history Box 241 and lore connected with native plants.  Johnston, IA 50131-0241 —Bruce K. Riggs Phone: 515-278-0295 www.GardenersOfAmerica.org Bruce K. Riggs is president of the Mountain Top Arboretum in Tan- nersville, New York, and a volunteer judge for America in Bloom.

54 the American Gardener GARDENERC’S BOOKS

Tools and Techniques

OST GARDENERS know what to do with tools such er, $9.95). “Even if you’re not interested in becoming a prun- as trowels, hoses, and pruners—or at least think they ing virtuoso, you don’t want to be a botanical butcher,” writes Mknow. The techniques used when wielding these and Cutler. This slim volume covers the basics of “making the cut,” other tools can greatly affect the success of a garden. Here are a instructing readers how to do more good than harm. few books designed to acquaint gardeners with a variety of tools Speaking of pruning, many cutting implements exist to ac- and the techniques for maximizing their usefulness. complish this task. To help gardeners decide which to choose, there’s Essential Tools: Equipment and Supplies for Home As Susan Berry points out in her book, The Essential Guide Gardeners (BBG, 2002, softcover, $9.95). Since the word “tool” to Gardening Techniques (Thunder Bay Press, 2002, hardcov- can have a broad definition, you’ll find practical information not er, $24.98), gardeners have a lot to figure out, such as “coming to grips with Latin plant names, dis- covering the best plants to choose for different types of soil and situ- ations, and learning the seasonal maintenance requirements of the garden.” That’s why Berry created this comprehensive reference—to “make these tasks both pleasurable and inspirational, as well as simple to master.” Easy-to-understand in- structions, colorful photos, and helpful illustrations guide readers through everything from pollina- only on tools like pruners, but also on ornaments, clothing, tion and propagation to performing a soil test and planning a gar- books, and plenty of other not-so-obvious items. There’s even an den. There’s even a plant directory, which lists both botanical and interesting section in which several well-known gardeners divulge common names, sizes, cultural requirements, and includes a brief the six tools they couldn’t live without and why. Both books are description of each plant. available on the Brooklyn Botanical Garden Web site at One technique that deserves more in-depth study is pruning. www.bbg.org, or by calling (718) 623-7826. When it comes to whacking up their woodies, many gardeners— For the do-it-yourselfer, there’s Outdoor Projects: Step-By- even those with experience—could benefit from Cass Turnbull’s Step by Penny Swift and Janek Szymanowski (The Lyons Press, Guide to Pruning: What, 2003, softcover, $19.95). This When, Where & How to Prune book explains the techniques for for a More Beautiful Garden building a variety of garden fea- (Sasquatch Books, 2004, softcov- tures with stone, wood, and er, $17.95). The author is the brick. According to the authors, founder of PlantAmnesty, a “the options are endless and the somewhat tongue-in-cheek orga- materials diverse.” Regardless of nization whose mission is to re- your skill level in carpentry and duce and prevent “plant abuses” masonry, there’s a project here to such as tree topping and other suit you. Clearly written step-by- forms of “mal-pruning”—a term step instructions accompanied she coined for badly done prun- by color photographs guide you ing. This well-written book explains all you ever wanted to in creating everything from a know about pruning and includes helpful diagrams to illus- stone slab patio and simple bog trate various techniques. Part I covers the basics, while Part II garden to a trellis arbor and treehouse. Each project includes a offers a plant-by-plant guide to proper pruning. list of the tools and materials needed to get the job done. Handy The Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) also offers some help- tips that help save time and ensure success are included with ful advice on pruning in their handbook, Pruning Trees, most projects.  Shrubs & Vines by Karan Davis Cutler (BBG, 2003, softcov- —Viveka Neveln, Assistant Editor

January / February 2005 55 REGIONALC HAPPENINGS

Horticultural Events from Around the Country

831-2517. www.udel.edu/LongwoodGrad. NORTHEAST CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT Events sponsored by or including official participation by AHS or AHS staff members MAR. 12. Residential Landscaping Workshop. JAN. 20–APR. 17. Contemporary Photography are identified with the AHS symbol. Maryland Cooperative Extension. College of and the Garden. Exhibition. American Feder- Southern Maryland. La Plata, Maryland. ation of Arts. The Middlebury College Muse- (301) 934-5403. www.agnr.umd.edu/users/ um of Art. Middlebury, Vermont. (802) 443- Events hosted by botanical gardens and charlesmg/. (Pre-register by February 28.) 5007. www.middlebury.edu/arts/museum. arboreta that participate in AHS’s Reciprocal Admissions Program are identified with the SOUTHEAST RAP JAN. 25. Plant-o-rama. Trade show and RAP symbol. Current AHS members showing a AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN symposium. Co-hosted by Metro Hort Group. valid membership card are eligible for free or Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Brooklyn, New discounted admission to the garden or other JAN. 21–23. Southern Gardening Symposium. York. (718) 623-7200. www.bbg.org. benefits. Special events may not be included; Callaway Gardens. Pine Mountain, Georgia. contact the host site for details or visit (800) 225-5292. www.callawayonline.com. RAP JAN. 26. The Balance Between Control ww.ahs.org/events/reciprocal_events.htm. and Release. Garden design lecture. Wave RAP JAN. 26. Native Plant Symposium. The Hill. Bronx, New York. (718) 549-3200. State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Athens, www.wavehill.org. Short Course. Oceanfront Ramada Plaza Re- Georgia. (706) 542-1244. sort Conference Center. Virginia Beach, Vir- www.uga.edu/botgarden. JAN. 31–FEB. 26. Camellia Blooming Days. ginia. (757) 523-4734. www.mahsc.org. Society for the Preservation of New England JAN. 29. Camellia Show & Sale. Lakeland Antiquities. Lyman Estate. Waltham, RAP FEB. 10. Tree Care Symposium. Lewis Camellia Society. Florida Southern College. Massachusetts. (781) 891-4882. Ginter Botanical Garden. Richmond, Virginia. Lakeland, Florida. (863) 640-3381. www.historicnewengland.org. (804) 262-9887. www.lewisginter.org. RAP FEB. 5. Annual Spring Perennial Sym- RAP FEB. 6. Understanding Botanical and FEB. 11. Pruning: A Basic Primer. Demonstra- posium. Co-sponsored by the Georgia Peren- Horticultural Names. Class. Arnold Arbore- tion. United States Botanic Garden. Washing- nial Plant Association. Atlanta Botanical tum. Harvard University. Jamaica Plain, ton, DC. (202) 226-4082. www.usbg.gov. Garden. Atlanta, Georgia. (404) 591-1551. Massachusetts. (617) 524-1718. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org. www.arboretum.harvard.edu. FEB. 12. Orchid Festival Day. Smithsonian’s Na- tional Museum of Natural History. Washington, FEB. 11–13. Camellia Show. Birmingham RAP FEB. 12. Boundless Alpines. Slide talk DC. (202) 357-2627. www.mnh.si.edu. Botanical Gardens. Birmingham, Alabama. and garden walk. Wave Hill. Bronx, New (205) 414-3900. www.bbgardens.org. York. (718) 549-3200. www.wavehill.org. FEB. 17. Land Ethics Symposium: Creative Approaches to Ecological Landscaping. RAP FEB. 19. Winter Tree Identification. FEB. 17. The Pollinator Partnership: Design & Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. New Lecture and tree walk. The State Botanical Plants for Pollinator Gardens. Lecture by Holly Hope, Pennsylvania. (215) 862-2924. Garden of Georgia. Athens, Georgia. Shimizu. New England Wild Flower Society. www.bhwp.org. (706) 542-1244. www.uga.edu/botgarden. Garden in the Woods. Framingham, Massa- chusetts. (508) 877-7630. www.newfs.org. FEB. 24–27. Maymont Flower & Garden Show. FEB. 25–27. Landscape Design Mini-Certifi- Greater Richmond Convention Center. Rich- cate. Callaway Gardens. Pine Mountain, mond, Virginia. (804) 358-7166 ext. 314. Georgia. (800) 225-5292. MID-ATLANTIC www.maymont.org. www.callawayonline.com. PA, NJ, VA, MD, DE, WV, DC

JAN. 15–MAR. 18. Welcome Spring Display. Long- RAP FEB. 26. Eco Savvy Gardening. Sympo- FEB. 28–MAR. 1. Davidson Horticultural wood Gardens. Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. sium. Green Spring Gardens. Alexandria, Vir- Symposium. Davidson Garden Club. (610) 388-1000. www.longwoodgardens.org. ginia. (703) 642-5173. www.greenspring.org. Davidson College. Davidson, North Carolina. (704) 892-6281. E-mail: [email protected]. RAP JAN. 21. Spice It Up! Herb workshop. Looking ahead Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College. AHS MAR. 6–13. Philadelphia Flower Show. Looking ahead Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. (610) 328- Pennsylvania Convention Center. Philadel- MAR. 3–6. Nashville Lawn & Garden Show. 8025. www.scottarboretum.org. phia, Pennsylvania. (215) 988-8800. Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Nashville, www.theflowershow.com. Tennessee. (615) 876-7680. RAP JAN. 25. Full Moon Hike. U.S. National www.nashvillelawnandgardenshow.com. Arboretum. Washington, DC. (202) 245- MAR. 10 & 11. Enhancing Your Visitor’s Expe- 2726. www.usna.usda.gov. rience. Symposium. Longwood Graduate MAR. 4 & 5. Hellebore Days. Piccadilly Farm. Program. Longwood Gardens, Chanticleer, Bishop, Georgia. (706) 769-6516. JAN. 31–FEB. 3. Mid-Atlantic Horticulture and Winterthur. Winterthur, Delaware. (302)

56 the American Gardener “Orchid Daze” at Atlanta Botanical Garden Cultivate Your Checkbook

AT THE perfect time for winter-weary gardeners, the Fuqua Orchid Center at the At- Now you can support the lanta Botanical Garden (ABG) is showcasing beautiful, rare, and fragrant orchids from American Horticultural Society around the world in a unique exhibit known as “Orchid Daze.” The event will run from with every check you write. February 5 to April 3 to take advantage of the peak orchid-blooming season. ABG in- vites visitors to immerse themselves in the lush environment of the Orchid Center, and FREE Shipping & to be “enveloped by the dizzyingly floral and spicy scents of orchids, with their dazzlingly Handling colorful and romantic flowers.” ABG Orchid Curator and Exhib- it Designer Becky Brinkman says, “This year’s ‘Orchid Daze: Hypnot- ic Exotics’ is all about color and fra- grance. I drew on orchids from our American Horticultural Society Checks collection of more than 1,000 differ- ent species.” Through the AHS Rec- AHS Address Labels

iprocal Admissions Program, AHS CHRIS B. WALKER 123 FOREST LANE members get free entrance to ABG if ANYWHERE, USA 54321 they show a current member card. In addition, three “Orchid Nights” are scheduled for February 23, March 9, and March 23. These Trichopilia suavis from South America will be candlelit evening events will feature among the orchids at the Fuqua Orchid Center. live music and culinary fare from AHS Cotton Checkbook Cover Atlanta’s celebrity chefs. Admission is $20 for individuals or two for $35, but AHS members qualify for a discounted individual rate of $15 and $30 for two. • 10% from each purchase goes directly to AHS. For a unique Valentine’s Day, the Fuqua Orchid Center will host a special cele- • Our checks meet all U.S. bank standards and are guaranteed to work with your bank. bration on Saturday, February 12. Music, champagne, and an extravaganza of choco- lates will enhance the romantic surroundings of fragrant and colorful orchids. • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. Admission to Valentine’s Orchid Night is the same as for the other Orchid Nights. Order Form To make reservations for any of the four evenings, call (404) 876-5859 ext. 1721. Name Visit www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org for more information about “Orchid Daze” and Address the Fuqua Orchid Center. E-mail Confidential. For shipment verification. —Viveka Neveln, Assistant Editor Phone ( ) Check Start #______(If no start number is given, #1001 will be used.)

❑ n (8M33U) AHS Checks ...... $ ______F8M320 ❑ $14.95 (150 Singles) ❑ $16.95 (150 Duplicates) NORTH CENTRAL ❑ Check Custom Lettering ...... add $2.50 $ ______RAP FEB. 11–MAR. 20. Orchid Mania. ❑ Cursive ❑ Modern ❑ Olde English IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI Display and workshops. Cleveland Botanical ❑ (8M33C) Cotton Checkbook Cover . . add $11.95 $ ______RAP JAN. 15–FEB. 6. WinterBlooms. Orchid Garden. Cleveland, Ohio. (216) 721-1600. ❑ (8ML33) 240 Address Labels ...... add $9.95 $ ______show and sale. Holden Arboretum. Kirtland, www.cbgarden.org. ❑ Label Custom Lettering ...... add $2.50 $ ______❑ Cursive ❑ Modern ❑ Olde English Ohio. (440) 946-4400. www.holdenarb.org. Shipping & Handling ...... add $1.95 per item $ ______FREE RAP FEB. 13. How to Plant Perennials to Rush Delivery ...... add $4.95 per item $ ______JAN. 19–21. Mid-America Horticultural Highlight Your Lilies. Lecture. Chicago EZShield Check Fraud Protection ProgramSM: add $1.00 for EACH box of checks you order . . . . $ ______Trade Show. Lakeside Center at McCormick Botanic Garden. Glencoe, Illinois. (847) 8MG078 SUBTOTAL $ ______Place. Chicago, Illinois. (800) 462-4769. 835-5440. www.chicagobotanic.org. OFFER CODE: www.midam.org. Sales Tax only AR (7.5%); MD (5%) ...... $ ______FEB. 16. The Art and Science of Container TOTAL $ ______IMPORTANT! Include the following with this order form: JAN. 22. Toward Harmony With Nature Confer- Gardening. The Horticulture Gardening In- ❑ Voided check or reorder form with changes indicated. ence. Fox Valley Area Chapter of Wild Ones. stitute. Traverse City, Michigan. (517) 353- ❑ Deposit ticket from the same account. Oshkosh, Wisconsin. (920) 987-5587. 3123. www.gardeninginstitute.com. ❑ Three lines of personalization for address labels. (Max. 32 letters/spaces per line.) www.for-wild.org. ❑ Payment choice: ❑ Check made payable to Message!Products® FEB. 24–27. Ford Field Home & Garden ❑ Charge to: ❑ Visa® ❑ MasterCard® RAP JAN. 22 & 23. The Orchid Show. Grand Show. Detroit, Michigan. (800) 328-6550. Acct#______Exp. Date _ __/_ _ _ Valley Orchid Society. Frederik Meijer Gardens www.fordfieldhomeshow.com. Sig. ______& Sculpture Park. Grand Rapids, Michigan. ❑ Automatically debit my checking account (for Auto Debit option, orders must include checks) (616) 957-1580. www.meijergardens.org. AHS / RAP FEB. 26. Dynamic Duos: Plants MAIL COMPLETE ORDER TO: and Pollinators. Lecture by Holly Shimizu. Message!Products® • PO Box 700 • Edgewood, MD 21040-0700 AHS / RAP JAN. 26. Annuals and Perennials Cleveland Botanical Garden. Cleveland, Order Online! www.messageproducts.com or call toll free 1-800-243-2565 To redeem this offer, use OFFER CODE 8MG078 during online checkout. for the Northern Garden. Lecture by Allan M. Ohio. (216) 721-1600. www.cbgarden.org. Allow 2-3 weeks for regular delivery. Alaska and Hawaii delivery may take longer. Items shipped separately. Armitage. Cleveland Botanical Garden. Offer expires 12/31/06. Cleveland, Ohio. (216) 721-1600. FEB. 26–MAR. 6. The Central Ohio Home & Gar- EZShield Check Fraud Protection ProgramSM (Pat. Pend.): Guard your checks from unauthorized use of up to $25,000 www.cbgarden.org. den Show. Ohio Expo Center. Columbus, Ohio. for only $1.00 per box. Underwritten by Lloyd’s of London. (614) 461-5257. www.dispatchevents.com. See Order Form. To learn more, visit www.ezshield.org. BECKY BRINKMAN/COURTESY OF ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN

January / February 2005 57 58 RAP 2100. Center. CorpusChristi,Texas.(361)852- Corpus ChristiBotanicalGardens&Nature 326-9686. Botanical Garden.Tucson,Arizona. (520) RAP Looking ahead www.powellgardens.org. Kingsville, Missouri.(816)697-2600. Garden Design. (214) 515-6500.www.dallasarboretum.org. festival. DallasArboretum.Dallas,Texas. RAP Texas. (800)752-4769. Show. 2723. son Arboretum.Superior, Arizona(520)689- www.riveroaksgardenclub.org. Houston, Texas.(713)523-2483. and gardenwalk.RiverOaksGardenClub. sin. (608)246-4550. brich BotanicalGardens.Madison,Wiscon- MAR. 12–27. MAR. 12&13. FEB. 26. RAP MAR. 5&6,1213. FEB. 25–27. RAP MAR. 3–6. Looking ahead 1442. Flagstaff. Flagstaff,Arizona(928)774- RAP Arizona. (480)481-8144. Trees. RAP 5488 ext.920. dens. NewOrleans,Louisiana.(504)488- ums. RAP 322-0931. and FlowerShow. Looking ahead 2723. Arboretum. Superior,Arizona(520)689- Missouri. (314)577-9400. play. MissouriBotanicalGarden.St.Louis, the American Gardener Workshop. LongueVueHouse&Gar- MAR. 5–APR.10. FEB. 27. JAN. 29–MAR.13. JAN. 29. JAN. 22. MAR. 5–20. FEB. 7. JAN. 29. Arlington ConventionCenter.Arlington, Desert BotanicalGarden.Phoenix, http://arboretum.ag.arizona.edu. www.ccbotanicalgardens.org. www.thearb.org. http://arboretum.ag.arizona.edu. World DesertFair. Midwest RegionalLawn,Garden Neil Sperry’sAllTexasGarden Spring PlantSale. AR, KS,LA,MO,MS,OK,TX www.tucsonbotanical.org. www.symphonyinbloom.com. SOUTH CENTRAL Winterfest. Spring PlantSale. Tips &TricksofSmallSpace Artistic PruningofDesert Rose BedtoBud. Life inaTwoLitre:Terrari- Class. PowellGardens. SOUTHWEST www.longuevue.com. AZ, NM,CO,UT Spring FlowerShow. Davenport, Iowa.(563) Dallas Blooms. Orchid Island. www.olbrich.org. Azalea Trail. www.neilsperry.com. The Arboretumat Boyce Thompson www.dbg.org. www.mobot.org. Boyce Thomp- Tucson Floral Dis- House Class. Ol- www.descansogardens.org. California. (818)949-4200. Descanso Gardens.LaCañadaFlintridge, tal, California.(707)874-1557ext.201. cidental ArtsandEcologyCenter.Occiden- Looking ahead (858) 538-5946. Public Library.SanDiego,California. Mesa GardenClub.ScrippsMiramarRanch Talk andbooksigningbyPatWelsh.Scripps www.sborchidshow.com. bara, California. (805) 967-6331. Show. MAR. 4–6. FEB. 28. FEB. 5–18. RAP RAP 1316. den. SanFrancisco,California.(415)661- Symposium. SanFranciscoBotanicalGar- or [email protected]. as welltheexhibitionhall—willbeavailableatnocharge. irrigation, useoftreesinthelandscape,graywatersystems,andotherrelatedtopics— to thepublic”dayonFebruary26.Severalseminarscoveringdesign,plantselection, Kelaidis, curatorofplantcollectionsattheDenverBotanicGardens. Peddie, professoremeritusatNewMexicoStateUniversityandauthor;Panayoti tor oftheCenterforSustainableEnvironmentsinFlagstaff,Arizona;WilliamDick- landscape architectsofthistime.”OthernotablespeakersincludeGaryNabhan,direc- is probablyoneofthemostprominent architect fromIsrael,”saysVarner.“He Berkeley/Harvard educatedlandscape ence willbeShlomoAronson,the New Mexico. director oftheXeriscapeCouncil ference,” saysScottVarner,executive “It willreallybeaninternationalcon- sity ofMexicoinChihuahua,Mexico. eight representativesfromtheUniver- Design AssociationfromTokyoand delegation fromtheJapanXeriscape year’s conferencewillalsowelcomea from thesouthwesternstates,this explore thepast,present,andfutureofxeriscaping. New Mexico.Thisyear’seventistitled“AdaptingtoOurChangingReality”andwill the AlbuquerqueConventionCenterfromFebruary24through26inAlbuquerque, hibitors areexpectedtoattendthe10thXeriscapeConference,whichwillbeheldat HUNDREDS OF Xeriscape Conference CelebratesaDecade For moreinformationortoregister,visit The mainconferencewillbeheldonFebruary24and25,buttherea“free “One realhighlightofthisconfer- While participantsmostlyhail JAN. 30. JAN. 28&29. Earl WarrenShowgrounds.Santa Bar- www.sfbotanicalgarden.org. Ten TipsforaS Santa BarbaraInternationalOrchid Permaculture DesignCourse. Camellia ForestWalk. WEST COAST CA, NV,HI Beyond theGardenGate. professionals, thousandsofhomeowners,andmorethan100ex- MART G ARDEN ™ . Oc- not precludehavingacolorful,thrivinggarden. This beddemonstrateshowlackofwaterdoes www.xeriscapenm.com, 295-2489. Mar Fairgrounds.DelMar,California.(619) at SanDiegoSpringHome/GardenShow.Del Perennials. FEB. 16. MAR. 5. FEB. 9–20. www.portlandchinesegarden.org. den. Portland,Oregon.(503)228-8131. the Garden. www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum. Ontario. (519)824-4120ext.52113. tum attheUniversityofGuelph. Guelph, Perspective. RAP (613) 796-5156.www.greentrade.ca. show. OttawaCivicCentre.Ottawa,Ontario. FEB. 24. —Viveka Neveln,AssistantEditor Fertilizing, Pruning,andDividing Green TradeExpo2005. Chinese NewYearCelebrationin Talk andbooksigningbyPatWelsh www.springhomegardenshow.com. Portland ClassicalChineseGar- Lecture andtour.TheArbore- AK, ID,MT,OR,WA,WY Gardening FromaNatural NORTHWEST CANADA call (505)468-1021,  Trade

COURTESY OF XERISCAPE COUNCIL GARDENC MARKET

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

BOOKSPLANT LABELS PLANT LABELS

Hortica: Color Cyclopedia of Garden Flora ENGRAVED BOTANICAL with Hardiness Zones and Indoor Plants, PLANT LABELS 8,100 color photos by Dr. A. B. Graf, $195 PLANT IDENTIFICATION FOR EVERY GARDEN Tropica 5th ed: 7,000 color photos of plants FAMILY - GENUS - SPECIES - COMMON NAME and trees for warm environments, $185 Order @ www.gardenmarkers.com Exotic House Plants: 1,200 photos, 150 in FAX: 434-975-1627 color, with keys to care, $8.95 PLANT LABELS – STAKES – TREE TACKS Shipping additional. Circulars gladly sent.

ROEHRS CO., 1230 Hwy 33, Farmingdale, NJ 07727. (732) 938-5111. fax (732) 938-3075. www.roehrsco.com.

GIFTS

TM

Fine Art Photo Notecards, Calendars, Notepads Full Color Offset Lithography Photos by Bobbe A. Luce Visit us at WildWood-Collections.com

NURSERY STOCK

BOTANYSHOP.COM MAIL ORDER—Princeton & Valley Forge American Elm; Allée Lacebark Elm; Thuja ✕ Green Giant; Pink, Blushing & Red Knock Out Roses; Endless Summer Hydrangea; Dawn Redwood; Autumn Blaze Maple; Butterfly Bushes in Bicolor, Honey- comb,Guinevere; Golden Glory Dogwood; Ann & Centennial Magnolia; Avondale Redbud. Botany Shop Inc., 710 Minnesota, Joplin, MO 64801. 1-888-855-3300. [email protected]. www.botanyshop.com. PlantPlant Trees!

LET OUR READERS KNOW ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS. To place your ad here or to request a media kit, call The American Gardener advertising office at (703) 768-5700 ext. 120.

January / February 2005 59 60 mental future. andprotect ourenviron- history work American tohelppreserve Champion Tree Project, abouthis before Milarch realized itwasthelegacyofChampionTrees themselves thatneededsaving. I N NOEWITH ONE ON ONE Lewis andClark.Lewis pion Tree tissuefrom alongtheroute of completed ourfirstcollection ofCham- buttonwood trees. Out West, we just pion silver buttonwoodandgreen ical trees, includingtheNational Cham- and Eleanor Ford House inMichigan. grounds of Mount Vernon andattheEdsel American hollies,were plantedonthe ginia. Thosetrees, whichincludeseven Washington’s homeinAlexandria,Vir- trees atMountcentury Vernon, George 18th- g We’ve n clonedthe13remaini propagate America’s tree giants. Tell to meaboutsome other efforts enough toattemptthegraftingprocedure. now; hopefully, theywillsoonbelarge grafting. Allare aboutthree inches tall seedlings are grown asrootstock forfuture with otherplantingpartners. tosharecussions are seedlings underway inTraverseairport City, Michigan. Dis- Francisco; andoneisondisplayatthenew was senttotheStrybing Arboretum inSan Botanic Garden inWashington D.C.;one a non-publicgreenhouse oftheU.S. bristlecone seedlingspropagated, oneisin David Milarch: Lynda DeWitt: How are theseseedlingsdoing? year-old bristleconepineinCalifornia. clone theworld’s oldesttree, a4,768- year andahalfagowhenyou setoutto Z Garden writerLynda DeWitt recently talkedwithMilarch, co-founderwithhisson,Jared, ofthe In Florida, we clonednumerous trop- In cloningprocess, the thisparticular each tree species—mighthelphimsave hisfamilytree Michigan. farminnorthern But itwasn’t long N the American Gardener 96 David Milarch thoughtthatcloningChampionTrees—the biggestand oftentheoldestof 1996, Of thedozen orsohealthy You madeheadlinesa … David andJared MilarchwithclonesoftheNational ChampionredashatthePentagon. David Milarch by Lynda DeWitt

COURTESY OF CHAMPION TREE PROJECT INTERNATIONAL Resources

■ Learn more about David Milarch and the Champion Tree Project at www.championtreeproject.org.

■ Visit www.championtrees.org/ champions/StateBigTreeLists.htm to find out about the Champion Trees in your state.

■ Become a Champion Tree™ supporter and receive free periodic e-mail updates on the Champion Tree Project by e-mailing Executive Director Terry Mock at [email protected].

■ Contact Alliance for Community Trees, www.actrees.org, to get in- volved with a nearby state or local organization dedicated to tree David Milarch, center, demonstrates the tree cloning procedure for the benefit of Senator planting, care, and conservation. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and a national television audience. ■ Learn more about national At the Pentagon, just outside of Wash- ics enable trees to better cope with the urban and community forestry ington, D.C., we’ve planted nine red ash environments in which we place them. at www.treelink.org. trees, all clones of the 400-year-old Na- tional Champion red ash, as a living When will the ChampTree® clones be memorial to the victims of the Septem- available to gardeners? The Champion Tree Project has gone ber 11 attack. Dozens of different ChampTree® clones international. Tell us about your efforts We definitely have our work cut out are now in the pipeline, and we expect abroad. for us. There are about 800 native tree the first ones will be available at the retail We’ve been invited to clone the oldest species in the United States—and each level later in 2005. Bringing a new tree known tree in Africa, a leadwood tree in one has a “National Champion.” Our cultivar to market is a time-consuming central Namibia. Additionally, we’re mission, however, is not solely to clone and costly process. It takes about five to planning expeditions to China to clone the champions. We want to use the ge- seven years and averages about $250,000. Ming Dynasty trees for the 2008 Beijing netic heritage of these giants to strength- Olympics and to Europe to work with en America’s urban landscapes. Genetics is only one factor that deter- remnant old-growth forest trees. mines how big a tree grows or how How do you plan to do this? long it lives. Can you guarantee that With all this going on, how is the fami- Many nursery-grown trees that are plant- ChampTree® clones will outperform ly tree business faring? ed in urban areas die or perform poorly. other trees? We’re beginning to include some Cham- To achieve environmental sustainability, Environmental factors play a huge part pion Tree clones in our own landscape we need trees that are more tolerant of in the survival of any tree, and we can’t projects, and we look forward to the day the stresses of urban environments, such stress enough the importance of sound when a full line of ChampTree® clones as soil compaction, drought, air pollu- management practices, such as planting are commercially available across the tion and disease infestations. a species where it receives adequate light. country. When that happens, we hope to That’s where the clones of the cham- However, every living thing starts put a small royalty from each tree sale to- pions and old-growth forest giants come with a unique genetic code, which dic- ward funding the Champion Tree Pro- in. We’re working now with large-scale tates the potential for that organism. A ject’s research, genetic archiving, and nurseries and professional arborists to ChampTree® clone will have the genet- other programs.  produce, archive, and market genetic du- ic potential of the parent tree, which has plicates of champion trees, called demonstrated the ability to withstand Formerly editor of the Mid-Atlantic edition ChampTree® clones. Research on these stress over long periods of time in order of People, Places, & Plants, Lynda DeWitt

COURTESY OF CHAMPION TREE PROJECT INTERNATIONAL trees will help us understand how genet- to attain great size. lives in Bethesda, Maryland.

January / February 2005 61 PRONUNCIATIONSC AND PLANTING ZONES

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

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

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

Copyright © 1997 by the American Horticultural Society

A–C Crataegus phaenopyrum krah-TEE- Matthiola incana math-EYE-o-luh Ribes aureum RY-beez AW-ree-um gus fee-no-PY-rum (4–8, 8–1) in-KAN-uh (5–8, 8–5) (5–8, 8–5) Acer rubrum AY-ser ROO-brum Convallaria majus kon-val-LAIR-ree- Oenothera speciosa ee-no-THEE- R. odoratum R. o-doh-RAY-tum (USDA 3–9, AHS 9–1) uh MAY-jus (2–7, 7–1) ruh spee-see-O-suh (5–8, 8–1) (5–8, 8–5) A. saccharum A. sak-AH-rum Cuphea ignea KOO-fee-uh IG-nee- Opuntia compressa o-PUN-shuh Robinia pseudoacacia ro-BIN-ee-uh (4–8, 8–1) uh (10–11, 12–6) kum-PRES-uh (11–12, 12–9) soo-doh-uh-KAY-shuh (4–9, 9–3) Amelanchier alnifolia am-eh-LANG- O. megacantha O. meh-guh-KAN- Rodgersia pinnata rah-JERZ-ee-uh kee-ur al-nih-FO-lee-uh (4–9, 8–3) D–O thuh (11–12, 12–9) pin-NAY-tuh (3–7, 7–1) A. canadensis A. kan-uh-DEN-sis O. phaeacantha O. fee-uh-KAN- (3–7, 7–1) Delphinium consolida del-FIN-ee- thuh (9–12, 12–7) S–Z A. ✕grandiflora A. gran-dih-FLOR- um kon-SOL-ih-duh (0–0, 9–1) O. robusta O. ro-BUS-tuh uh (3–7, 7–1) Dennstaedtia punctilobula den- Salvia brandegei SAL-vee-ah bran- (9–12, 12–1) A. laevis A. LEE-vis (5–9, 9–3) STET-ee-uh punk-tih-LO-bew-luh DEE-jee-eye (8–12,12–5) Anemone sylvestris uh-NEM-o-nee (3–8, 8–1) S. penstemonoides S. pen-stuh- P–R sil-VES-triss (3–9, 9–1) Diospyros virginiana dy-OS-pih-ros mon-OY-deez (6–10, 12–1) Ardisia japonica ar-DIZ-ee-yuh vir-jin-ee-AN-uh (4–9, 9–1) Pachysandra procumbens pak-ih- Sanguinaria canadensis san-gwi- jah-PON-ih-kuh (6–9, 9–1) Echinacea purpurea ek-ih-NAY-see- SAN-druh pro-KUM-benz (5–9, 8–3) NAIR-ee-uh kan-uh-DEN-sis Arisaema sikokianum air-ih-SEE- uh pur-PUR-ee-uh (3–9, 9–1) Passiflora incarnata pass-ih-FLOR- (3–9, 9–1) muh sih-ko-kee-AN-um (4–9, 9–3) Fagus sylvatica FAY-gus sil-VAT-ih- uh in-kar-NAY-tuh (5–10, 12–1) Sassafras albidum SASS-uh-frass ✕ Asarum canadense uh-SAR-um kuh (4–7, 9–4) Petunia hybrida peh-TOON-yuh AL-bih-dum (4–8, 8–3) kan-ah-DEN-see (3–8, 8–2) Fraxinus pennsylvanica frak-SIH- HY-brih-duh (11, 12–1) Scilla sibirica SIL-luh sy-BEER-ih- A. splendens A. SPLEN-denz nus pen-sil-VAN-ih-kuh (4–9, 9–1) Philadelphus microphyllus fil-uh- kuh (5–8, 8–5) (7–9, 9–7) Gleditsia triacanthos gleh-DIT-see- DEL-fus my-kro-FIL-lus (6–9, 9–6) Solenostemon scuttellarioides Asimina triloba uh-SIH-mih-nuh uh try-uh-KAN-thos (3–7, 7–1) Picea abies PY-see-uh AY-beez so-len-O-steh-mon skoo-tuh-LAIR- try-LO-buh (4–8, 9–5) Gymnocladus dioicus jim-NOK-luh- (3–8, 8–1) ee-OY-deez (11–12, 12–1) ✕ Aster cordifolius ASS-tur kor-dih- dus dy-o-EE-kus (5–9, 9–5) P. pungens P. PUN-jenz (3–8, 8–1) Taxus media TAK-suss MEE-dee- FO-lee-us (5–8, 8–1) Hakonechloa macra ha-kon-ee- Pinus banksiana PY-nus bank-see- uh (4–7, 7–1) A. divaricatus A. dih-vair-ih-KAY- KLOH-uh MAK-ruh (5–9, 9–2) AN-uh (3–8, 8–1) Vaccinium angustifolium vak-SIN- tus (3–9, 9–1) Hydrangea macrophylla hy-DRAN- P. virginiana P. vir-jin-ee-AN-uh ee-um ang-gus-tih-FO-lee-um Berberis thunbergii BUR-bur-iss juh mak-ro-FIL-uh (6–9, 9–3) (5–8, 8–5) (2–8, 8–1) thun-BUR-jee-eye (5–8, 8–5) Ilex opaca EYE-leks o-PAH-kuh Plectranthus argentatus plek-TRAN- V. macrocarpon V. mak-ro-KAR- Berlandiera lyrata bair-lan-DEER- (5–9, 9–5) thus ar-jen-TAY-tuss (10–11, 12–1) pon (2–7, 7–1) uh ly-RAY-tuh (7–9, 9–7) Iris cristata EYE-riss kris-TAY-tuh Polypodium virginianum pawl-ee-PO- V. vitis-idaea var. minus V. VY-tis- Cardiocrinum cathayanum (4–8, 8–1) dee-um vir-jin-ee-AN-um (5–8, 8–5) eye-DEE-uh var. MY-nus (2–7, 6–1) ✕ kar-dee-o-KRY-num kath-ay-AN- I. pallida I. PAL-lih-duh (1–9, 9–1) Polystichum acrostichoides pah- Viola wittrockiana VY-o-luh wih- um (7–9, 9–7) I. reticulata I. reh-tik-yew-LAY-tuh LIS-tih-kum uh-kro-stih-CHOY- trah-kee-AN-nuh (4–8, 9–1) Carex pensylvanica KAIR-eks (5–8, 8–5) deez (3–8, 8–1) Weigela florida wy-JEEL-yuh pen-sil-VAN-ih-kuh (4–8, 8–1) Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum Prunus maritima PROO-nus muh- FLOR-ih-duh (5–8, 8–4) Carya glabra KEH-ree-uh GLAB- lor-o-PEH-tal-um chy-NEN-see RIT-ih-muh (3–6, 6–1) Yucca flaccida YUK-uh FLAS-sih- ruh (5–8, 8–1) var. ROO-brum (8–9, 9–8) Quercus prinus KWER-kus PRY-nus duh (5–9, 9–5) Cercis canadensis SUR-siss kan- Magnolia grandiflora mag-NOLE-yuh (4–8, 8–3) Y. gloriosa Y. glor-ee-O-suh uh-DEN-siss (4–9, 9–2) gran-dih-FLOR-uh (7–9, 10–7) Q. rubra Q. ROO-bruh (4–9, 9–5) (7–11, 12–7) ✕ Chrysogonum virginianum krih-SOG- M. soulangeana M. soo-lan-jee- Raphiolepis indica ra-fee-o-LEP-iss Zinnia elegans ZIN-ee-uh EL-ih- on-um vir-jin-ee-AN-um (5–9, 9–2) AN-uh (5–9, 9–5) IN-dih-kuh (7–9, 9–7) ganz (0–0, 12–1)

62 the American Gardener high-bred, well-fed, loving-care...

Nuccio’s Bella Rossa Camellia Camellia japonica ‘Nuccio’s Bella Rossa’ P.P. #13023 MonroviaR

Only from Monrovia... • Genetically superior specimens exceed industry norm • 42 exclusive soil blends ensure stronger root systems and disease resistance • Each plant is nurtured and cared for by specially trained Horticultural Craftsmen Distinctively Better® Plants...from the Ground Up

Available at fine garden centers. For the location nearest you, call 1-888-Plant It!

MonroviaR

Horticultural Craftsmen® since 1926

www.monrovia.com © Monrovia 2004 04-0752L