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GARDENERGARDENERTheThe MagazineMagazine ofof thethe AAmericanmerican HorticulturalHorticultural SocietySociety September / October 2008

Species Offer Perennial Blooms Hardy Orchids for Temperate Regions Letting Drive Garden Design

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© 2006, Scotts-Sierra Products Company. World rights reserved. www.osmocote.com contents Volume 87, Number 5 . September / October 2008

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

5 NOTES FROM RIVER FARM 6 MEMBERS’ FORUM 7 NEWS FROM AHS AHS joins No Child Left Inside Coalition, River Farm gets grant from Dominion Foundation, Denver Garden School celebrates natives, AHS Exchange turns 50, Longwood graduate’s research aids planning for future AHS children’s programs, recipients of 2008 Growing Good Kids children’s book awards, Dr. Cathey Day lecture at River Farm in October.

44 ONE ON ONE WITH… Amy Stewart, maverick garden writer.

page 28 46 GARDENER’S NOTEBOOK Spray-on frost tolerance invented, 14 GROWING FERTILE MINDS BY DENISE COWIE researchers discover Highlights of the 16th annual National Children & Youth plants can recognize kin, USDA releases Garden Symposium in the Greater Philadelphia area. new Tecoma guarume , new online ORCHIDS FOR TEMPERATE GARDENS BY BRIAN F. JORG plant collections 18 page 46 Hardy terrestrial orchids add an exotic touch to any garden. database launched, indoor gardens at ’s Duke Farms close, the cacao 24 TULIPS BY JOAN DE GREY genome to be sequenced, glyphosate Returning year after year, species tulips are elegant additions to overuse poses risk of resistant weeds. the spring display. 50 GREEN GARAGE® Safely feeding 28 PLANTS WITH PRESENCE backyard birds. BY SCOTT OGDEN AND LAUREN SPRINGER OGDEN In the design process, take into account a plant’s cultural needs, 53 BOOK REVIEWS but also its character and how it reflects a sense of place. A Genius for Place, Growing from Seed, and Herbaceous PROFILE: HOLLY SHIMIZU 34 BY CAROLE OTTESEN Perennial Plants. page 50 As executive director of the U.S. Botanic Garden, Holly Shimizu Special focus: is connecting people to plants in the nation’s capital. Gardening for the greater good.

56 REGIONAL HAPPENINGS 38 AMERICA’S MAGNOLIAS BY GIL NELSON Deserving of more attention, native magnolias range from bash- 60 HARDINESS AND HEAT ZONES ful woodland denizens to bold sun-loving giants. AND PRONUNCIATIONS 62 PLANT IN THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE COVER: Bigleaf is big in every way: It produces up to three feet long and Viburnum nudum ‘ Beauty’.

TOP LEFT: SCOTT OGDEN AND LAUREN SPRINGER OGDEN. RIGHT: ALAN W. MEEROW / COURTESY OF USDA-ARS; BOTTOM BACKYARD BIRD COMPANY. up to eight inches across, and it can grow up to 50 feet tall. Photograph by Rob Cardillo

September / October 2008 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’s Council

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Tom Underwood CHAMPION’S CIRCLE Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ariail, Jr. ■ Mr. Franklin Y. Hundley Board of Directors ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Kulp, Jr. ■ Ms. Melissa Marshall ■ MTR Landscape Architects, LLC ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. ■ Mr. Arnold Steiner ■ CHAIRMAN Susie Usrey Dayton, Mr. and Mrs. W. Bruce Usrey ■ Mrs. Pauline E. Vollmer FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN Don E. Riddle, Jr. Davidsonville, SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN Leslie Ariail Alexandria, CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE Mrs. Susan M. Cargill SECRETARY Albin MacDonough Plant Baltimore, Maryland TREASURER Arnold Steiner Birmingham, LIBERTY HYDE BAILEY CIRCLE Mr. Gerald T. Halpin ■ Ms. Minako Henderson

■ Deane H. Hundley ■ Ms. JoAnn Luecke ■ Mr. and Mrs. J. Landon Reeve IV

■ Mr. and Mrs. Klaus Zech Allan M. Armitage Athens, ■ Suzanne Bales Oyster Bay, William E. Barrick, Ph.D. Theodore, Alabama ■ Kurt Bluemel Baldwin, Maryland HAUPT CIRCLE Ms. Lynda A. Bachman ■ Mr. and Mrs. Carter Bales ■ Nancy Carole Hofley Wilson, ■ Margaret Kulp Louisville, ■ Caroline Lewis Coral Gables, J. Becker, M.D. ■ Mr. and Mrs. C. William Black ■ Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Bluemel Melissa R. Marshall Pittsburgh, ■ Shirley Nicolai Fort , Maryland ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Bogle ■ Mr. Richard C. and Mrs. Katherine Stark Bull J. Landon Reeve IV Woodbine, Maryland ■ Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. Falls Church, Virginia ■ Mr. and Mrs. Edward N. Dane ■ Ms. Judy Daniel ■ Mrs. Richard W. Michel Sallin Groveland, Florida ■ Steven Still Hilliard, Hamming ■ Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Hanselman ■ Mrs. Carole S. Hofley ■

Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Matheson, Jr.* ■ Mrs. Rosalyn Milbrandt ■ Dr. and Mrs.

David E. Morrison ■ Mr. and Mrs. James T. Norman ■ Ms. Katy Moss Warner PRESIDENT EMERITUS Katy Moss Warner

COUNCIL MEMBER’S CIRCLE Mrs. Katherine Belk ■ Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Bigos

■ Mrs. George P. Bissell, Jr. ■ Dr. Sherran Blair ■ Count and Countess Peder 2008 Advisory Council Bonde ■ Mr. and Mrs. William L. Carr, III ■ Anne S. Chatham ■ Mr. and Mrs. Beverly Hanselman, Nashville, – Chair Nicholas Demisay ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert Duemling ■ Dr. and Mrs. John A.

Floyd, Jr. ■ Mrs. Carolyn V. Foil ■ Ms. Marguerite Peet Foster ■ Ms. Amy Clarissa Bonde, Washington, D.C . Barbara McClendon, Alexandria, Virginia Goldman ■ Mr. and Mrs. Joel Goldsmith ■ Ms. Ingrid A. Graham ■ Dr. and Walter Bull, Columbia, Stu McMichael, Falls Church, Virginia Mrs. William O. Hargrove ■ Mr. and Mrs. Richard F. Hohlt ■ Mr. Brian Holley Anne Bucher, Silver Spring, Maryland G. Ray Miller, Brandon, Florida Mr. and Mrs. Allan L. Holmstrom ■ Mrs. Elizabeth Hooff ■ Mr. Philip Huey Elaine Burden, Middleburg, Virginia Egon Molbak, Bellevue, Washington ■ Mrs. Deborah Kern ■ Ms. Mary A. Lambert ■ Mrs. Marta Lawrence ■ Mrs. Patty Bush, St. Louis, Dean Norton, Mt. Vernon, Virginia Carolyn M. Lindsay ■ Mrs. Dorothy Marston ■ Mrs. Barbara McClendon ■ Skipp Calvert, Alexandria, Virginia Nancy Keen Palmer, Nashville, Tennessee Mrs. Paul Mellon ■ Mr. and Mrs. Egon Molbak ■ Mr. and Mrs. Ken Dr. H. Marc Cathey, Davidson, Bob Patterson, Washington, D.C. Mountcastle ■ Mrs. Shirley Ann Nicolai ■ Ms. Patricia Painter ■ Mr. and Mrs. Russell Clark, Boston, Dr. Julia W. Rappaport, Santa Ana, Albin MacDonough Plant ■ Dr. Julia Rappaport ■ Mr. and Mrs. James A. Bartie Cole, Owings Mills, Maryland Deen Day Sanders, Norcross, Georgia Runde ■ Mrs. Deen Day Sanders ■ Mrs. Josephine Shanks ■ Mr. and Mrs. Jim Corfield, Geneva, Josephine Shanks, , Emanuel Shemin ■ Jeanne Shields ■ Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Smith, Jr. ■ Mr. Lucinda Crabtree, Falls Church, Virginia Barbara Shea, Owings Mills, Maryland R. P. Simmons ■ Mrs. P.M. Spreuer ■ Dr. and Mrs. George E. Staehle ■ Mr. Ginny Hill Daisey, Dedham, Massachusetts Holly Shimizu, Glen Echo, Maryland Harold Stahly ■ Mr. Donald B. Stott ■ Mr. and Mrs. John B. Strasenburgh ■ Edward N. Dane, Center Harbor, Charles Henry Smith, Jr, Middleburg, Virginia Mr. and Mrs. Russell Terry ■ Dr. Sarah K. Thomson ■ Mr. Howard McK. Ben Griswold, Glyndon, Maryland Tom Szaky, Trenton, New Jersey Tucker and Ms. Megan Evans ■ Mr. Joe Viar ■ Ms. Angela M. Vikesland ■ Mr. Henry Jameson, Kula, Nancy Thomas, Houston, Texas and Mrs. Robert D. Volk ■ Mrs. Enid N. Warner ■ Mr. and Mrs. Dennis White Richard W. Lighty, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Bryan Thomlison, Haddonfield, New Jersey ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. White ■ Mr. and Mrs. John W. White, Sr. Carolyn Marsh Lindsay, Ponte Vedra, Florida Pauline Vollmer, Baltimore, Maryland Mickey Lynch, Dunmore, Pennsylvania Joyce and Harvey White, Nashville, Tennessee HONORARY PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL Mrs. Enid Haupt* ■ Mrs. John A. Lutz* ■ Bob Malesardi, Easton, Maryland Joannah Williams, Sebring, Florida Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Miller* Robert and Joanna Martin, Menlo Park, California Sheryl , Middleburg, Virginia

*In memoriam

Education Sponsor OXO International

Corporate Partners The Care of Trees ■ Chapel Valley Landscape Company Homestead Gardens ■ Monrovia ■ Osmocote ■ TerraCycle, Inc. To access the members-only Horticultural Partners America in Bloom Symposium & Awards Program ■ Bellingrath Gardens and Home ■ Colonial portion of the AHS website at Williamsburg Foundation Garden Symposium ■ Cox MetroPark ■ Epcot International www.ahs.org, the username is & Garden Festival ■ The Gardeners of America/Men’s Garden Clubs of America ■ The ahs and the password is sprout. Homestead in the Garden Symposium ■ Inniswood Garden Society ■ Morris Arboretum Botanical Garden & Arboretum ■ Oklahoma Horticultural Society

4 the American Gardener The American NOTESC FROM RIVER FARM GARDENER

EDITOR David J. Ellis MANAGING EDITOR AND ART DIRECTOR Mary Yee ASSOCIATE EDITOR N OUR GARDENS, the onset of fall offers a wonderful time to take stock of Viveka Neveln our successes, to begin painting a picture in our minds of what we hope to ac- EDITORIAL INTERN Kirsten Winters I complish next year, and to invest time and energy in endeavors that provide CONTRIBUTING EDITOR the greatest rewards in the months and years to come. Rita Pelczar Just as individual gardeners pause to celebrate their achievements and reassess CONTRIBUTING WRITER their direction, so do organizations like the American Horticultural Society. Look- Carole Ottesen ing back at the summer of 2008, we are greatly encouraged by the interest and par- ticipation we are seeing in the Society’s national programs. As just one example, EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD our 16th annual AHS National Children & CHAIR Richard E. Bir Youth Garden Symposium in July attract- Brevard, North Carolina ed record attendance. You’ll find a retro- Allan M. Armitage Athens, Georgia spective on the symposium and all of its Nina L. Bassuk activities starting on page 14. Ithaca, New York The energy we are seeing from programs Steve Bender like this is very encouraging, but we need Birmingham, Alabama your help to keep up the momentum. As John E. Bryan we look to the future, we want to be sure we , California are addressing the interests and expectations John L. Creech of all our members throughout the United Columbus, North Carolina States. For that reason we will be conducting a major AHS member survey this Panayoti Kelaidis fall. We encourage you to take a few minutes to complete this survey and let us Denver, know how we are doing. To find out how you can participate in the survey, please Richard W. Lighty Kennett Square, Pennsylvania turn to the news article on page 7. Elvin McDonald We hear from many gardeners that fall is the time when they start thinking about West Des Moines, new gardens, garden makeovers, and new plantings. Regardless of whether your dreams are big or small, we encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful time of year to demonstrate and share your passion for plants and gardening. If a new land- CONTACT US The American Gardener 7931 East Boulevard Drive scape project or a garden makeover is in your future, you will find inspiration in the Alexandria, VA 22308 movement that is afoot to place renewed emphasis on plants in garden design. In this (703) 768-5700 issue of The American Gardener, we offer an introduction to plant driven design, with an excerpt from the newest book by acclaimed garden designers and writers Scott EDITORIAL E-MAIL: [email protected] Ogden and Lauren Springer Ogden. If your interests run more towards fine tuning ADVERTISING & E-MAIL: [email protected] your garden and plant selection, feature articles on native magnolias, species tulips, CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS and hardy terrestrial orchids will provide valuable information, ideas, and guidance. In addition to spending quality time in your garden this fall, we hope you will take advantage of one of many opportunities to be involved with the AHS. No mat- The American Gardener (ISSN 1087-9978) is published bimonth- ly (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, Septem- ter where you live, there are many ways to do this, including nominating one of your ber/October, November/December) by the American Horticultural heroes for an AHS award in 2009 (the deadline is September 30), participating in Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300, (703) 768-5700. Membership in the Society includes a subscrip- our 50th anniversary Seed Exchange, registering for the next gardening webinar, or tion to The American Gardener. Annual dues are $35; two years, $60. International dues are $50. $10 of annual dues goes toward joining us at River Farm on September 20 for our annual fundraising gala with hon- magazine subscription. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, Vir- ginia, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send orary chair Roger Swain. You’ll find information on these programs and events in Form 3579 to The American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, the “News from AHS” starting on page 7 and on the AHS website. Alexandria, VA 22308-1300. Botanical is based on The American Horticultural Whatever your plans, we hope you enjoy the season. Happy gardening! Society A–Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, on A Synonymized Check- list of the Vascular Flora of the , and Greenland and on the Royal Horticultural Society Index of Garden Plants. Opinions Susie Usrey, Chair, AHS Board of Directors expressed in the articles are those of the authors and are not necessar- ily those of the Society. Manuscripts, artwork, and photographs sent for Tom Underwood, Executive Director 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 ©2008 by the American Horticultural Society. Printed in the U.S.A.

September / October 2008 5 MEMBERSC’ FORUM

SLUG CONTROL TIP STATING HER MIND After reading the article “Understanding I enjoyed reading the article about grow- Slugs is Key to Control” in the July/Au- Membership Services ing cactus in the Pacific Northwest gust issue of the magazine, I thought I We love to hear from our members! If (July/August). However, the editing would offer a tip that I discovered this you have questions about your Amer- pushed one of my buttons. I was born and year. It also provides another use for those ican Horticultural Society member- raised in the state of Washington. I worked “disposable” water bottles. I slice off the ship, would like to become a member, in Washington, D.C. There is no Washing- top of a bottle at its widest point so it cre- renew your membership, give a gift of ton State—just as there is no Massachu- ates a funnel. Then I insert the funnel membership, or update your mailing setts State or State. I understand back into the bottle, so the funnel is or e-mail address with the AHS, that in the eyes of most of the world, pointing downward, and staple the edges please call (800) 777-7931 ext. 119 Washington means the capital of the Unit- together. I put some Sluggo (one of the or e-mail [email protected]. ed States; however, that doesn’t justify iron phosphate-based slug controls) into changing the name of my home state. the bottle and place it on its side under a Kathe Cook hosta. The slugs crawl into the bottle to Sequim, Washington get the bait but they can’t get out, and the Sluggo does not wash away or leach into the . I replace the bottle every few PLEASE WRITE US! Address letters to Editor, The American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, weeks, or when it gets too disgusting. Alexandria, VA 22308. Send e-mails to Linda Bentler [email protected] (note Letter to Editor in subject line). Issaquah, Washington Letters we print may be edited for length and clarity.

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6 the American Gardener News from AHS September / October 2008 PROGRAMS • EVENTS • ANNOUNCEMENTS

AHS Joins No Child Left Inside Coalition

AT THE American Horticultural Society’s National Children & Youth Garden Symposium in July, Executive Director Tom Un- derwood announced the Society’s official registration as a member of the national No Child Left Inside Coalition (NCLIC). The coalition, comprising more than 600 educational, environmental, and other groups across the United States, supports the devel- opment of high quality environmental education programs and outdoor learning activities that would focus on getting children actively engaged with the natural world around them. “While many factors are contributing to the trend of young people becoming increasingly disconnected from nature,” says Underwood, “there’s so much all of us can do to help children experience the wonder and understand the importance of their outdoor environment.” Currently, the NCLIC’s key goal is passage of the Federal No Child Left Inside Act (H.R. 3036 and S. 1981). This legislation would help fund environmental education initiatives in schools as well as informal outdoor educational programs. This bill will likely come to a vote before Congress this September, but if final passage does not occur this year the NCLIC plans to continue lobbying for the bill in 2009. If you would like to voice your support for the No Child Left Inside Act, write or call your representative in Congress. Sample letters and more information on how to get involved are avail- The No Child Left Inside Coalition supports outdoor learning for kids. able at the organization’s website at www.nclicoalition.org.

Dominion Foundation Awards future programs and member benefits. The survey takes ap- Grant for River Farm proximately 15 minutes to complete, and responses will be both anonymous and confidential. DOMINION, ONE OF the nation’s largest producers of ener- If we have your current e-mail address, you will receive a sur- gy, recently awarded the AHS a $25,000 grant through its foun- vey via e-mail. If you’d prefer to receive a copy of the survey by dation to help support the first phase of critical infrastructure mail, please contact the AHS membership department at (800) upgrades being planned at the Society’s River Farm headquar- 777-7931, ext. 119, or e-mail your request to [email protected]. ters in Alexandria, Virginia. “This grant,” says Trish Gibson, River Farm manager, “will help complete the pre-construction and planning phase for the 2008 Gala Celebrates Eating Locally property’s transition from well water and a septic system to Fair- IN YEARS PAST, the Annual Gala, one of the Society’s key fax County domestic water and sanitary sewer.” fundraising events, has been a formal affair that showcased and The Dominion Foundation contributes more than $20 mil- celebrated various garden aspects. With the lion annually to nonprofit organizations in support of educa- theme “Local Harvest, Bountiful Earth,” tional, environmental, cultural, civic, and other services. the 2008 Gala on Saturday, September 20, will embrace the informal style and pas- sionate enthusiasm that characterizes AHS Member Survey today’s renewed focus on sustainability and IN A CONTINUING effort to ensure AHS programs and ben- nutritious, locally grown food. efits are tailored to the interests of the Society’s members across The evening will feature Roger Swain, the country, a major survey is taking place this fall. All mem- former host of PBS TV’s “The Victory bers are invited to participate in the 2008 Member Survey and Garden” and proponent of gardens that

TOP: LINDA MCINTYRE / AHS ARCHIVES. BOTTOM: COURTESY OF ROGER SWAIN ROGER OF COURTESY BOTTOM: ARCHIVES. AHS / MCINTYRE LINDA TOP: provide feedback that will play a critical role in development of Roger Swain “taste as good as they look.” Locally grown

September / October 2008 7 8 more information,visit Garden Schools willfocusonnextyear. For upcoming AHS to light.Thetoursjusttopped offthewholesubject.” Itderful. wasreally agreat topic andthespeakersbrought alot Casper, Wyoming, theGarden Schoolwas,“inaword, won- tendee and toursofDBGothernearby gardens. According toat- are native tothewestern United States through presentations intheworldofplantsthat two-day event immersedparticipants Salman. Hosted by theDenver BotanicGarden (DBG),the Kelaidis, ist, andothernative plantexperts er andauthorScottCalhoun of champions.” These included award-winning garden design- magazine whoattendedtheevent, calledthepresenters a“cast Colorado inJune. Beyers Daryl , aneditorforFine Gardening den School,“Gardening withNative Plants,” heldinDenver, center, givesGardenSchoolparticipants atourofthewildflowergarden. Dan Johnson,curatorofnativeplantsattheDenverBotanicGarden, FORTY-ONE PEOPLE Garden SchoolinDenver mation, [email protected] orcall (703) 768-5700. and theAHS’s educationalprograms. For ticketsandmore infor- duction through composting. company willshare itscomicaltakeonrecycling andwastere- Theatre” by thecelebrated conclude withaspecialperformance other select items that reflect the evening’s theme. The gala will inaraffle ofgardeningmay alsoparticipate goods,books,and cycling beyond thegarden withanarrayofclassicclothing.Guests by Institute studentsfrom theArt ofWashington by theMark LittleBand. Avintagecouture auction, conducted dining throughout River Farm’s gardens andlively acousticmusic of Old Town Alexandria. Guests are invitedtoenjoy casualalfresco produce lightfare willstarinflavorful created by Sustainable gardening practiceswillbeamongthetopics that Proceeds from thestewardship the galasupport of River Farm the American Gardener Donna Cuin of Ithaca, New York. Thisunique, off-the-walltheatre Robert Nold, of theCooperative Extensionin Service from 14statesattendedtheAHS’s Gar- www.ahs.org Janet, and David Rademacher , who served asguesthorticultur- , whoserved John Greenlee or call(703)768-5700. Whole Foods , willtakere- , “Compost Panayoti see the insert between pages8and9ofthis issue. see theinsert in the subject line). For questions, call (703) 768-5700 ext. 115. also [email protected] (pleasetype“Seed Stories” East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, Virginia, 22308. Stories can collecting ,atree from you seed,oracherished started tasty vegetable grown from AHSseeds,anadventure you had seeds received ordonatedthrough theSeed Exchange. toshareAHS invitespastparticipants “Seed Stories” related to around theworld.In celebrationofthisgoldenanniversary, the for memberstoshare seedwithothergardeners nationwideand FOR Seed ExchangeTurns 50 Placid, Florida, one of the world’s largest caladium producers. Darlene PhypersandDanielleDaumofHappinessFarmsinLake this summer. More than 2,000 were generously donated by edged ‘Florida Sweetheart’, brightened up the gardens at River Farm Caladiums ofallcolors,suchasspeckled‘Gingerland’andgreen- Shades ofJoy If inthisyear’s you wouldliketoparticipate Seed Exchange, Stories mayincludedetailsaboutyour familyenjoying a 50 YEARS the AHSAnnualSeed Exchange hasbeenaway Horticultural Society, 7931 to Seed Stories, American send your storiesandpictures American Gardener. selected forpublicationinThe bestwillbe sion, andthevery website dedicated tothisocca- posted inasectionoftheAHS ed stories andimageswillbe ages are alsowelcome. Select- with otherAHSmembers.Im- heirloom you shared Please

LEFT: STEPHANIE JUTILA. TOP AND BOTTOM RIGHT: VIVEKA NEVELN THETHE AMERICANAMERICAN HORTICULTURALHORTICULTURAL SOCIETYSOCIETY TRAVELTRAVEL STUDYSTUDY PROGRAMPROGRAM 20092009 TOURSTOURS

 

Awe-Inspiring Gardens of New Zealand with AHS host Katy Moss Warner, President Emeritus of the American Horticultural Society Tour escorted by Mary Kroening January 10 – 23, 2009 ■ Enjoy the fabulous gardens and spectacular natural scenery of New Zealand. We will explore both the North and South Islands, providing opportunities to see private gardens galore, along with penguins, fjords, snow-capped mountains, and wineries. This is a trip that will be remembered for a lifetime. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TODAY!

          

Costa Rica: Gardens, Rainforests and Orchids AHS host to be announced Tour escorted by Mary Kroening February 19 – 27, 2009

Art and Gardens of the Netherlands AHS host to be announced Tour escorted by Susie Orso April 24 – May 2, 2009

Gardens of Florence AHS host to be announced Tour escorted by Susie Orso May 22 – 30, 2009

Gardens of Chile AHS host to be announced Tour escorted by Mary Kroening October 8–21, 2009

For more information about the AHS Travel Study Program, visit www.hiddentreasuresbotanicaltours.com or call (573) 881-6316. Longwood Fellow’s Research Aids Dr. Cathey Day Lecture at AHS Plans for Children’s Programs River Farm GRADUATE STUDENT Grace Chapman recently complet- EACH YEAR at River Farm, the AHS celebrates Dr. H. Marc ed her thesis project that focused on educational programming Cathey Day in honor of its former president, who was also a U.S. options for the Family Discovery Garden being planned for Department of Agriculture research scientist. For this year’s fourth AHS’s River Farm headquarters. annual event on October 23, the Society will host a presentation A student in the Longwood Graduate Program in Public on “The Science and Horticulture through the University of , Chapman Magic of Flowers” by used interviews, surveys, and focus groups to assess what kind AHS President Emeritus of children’s programs would be of interest to River Farm visi- Katy Moss Warner. tors and residents of the surrounding community. She also in- Pick up ideas for your terviewed designers and educators from across the United States garden as Warner de- to identify some of the most successful elements of children’s scribes some of the gardens and youth programs. newest and most exciting “Understanding the wants and needs of our visitors is an im- plant selections that have portant part of our planning for future educational programs,” been introduced to the says Stephanie Jutila, the AHS’s education programs manag- horticultural market. er. “Grace’s research will be very valuable as the AHS develops H. Marc Cathey and Katy Moss Warner She will also discuss the the Family Discovery Garden and we start conceptualizing pro- science behind how grams for children, youth, and their families.” breeders create these outstanding new selections that feature The Family Discovery Garden, which is a major element of longer lasting, larger flowers in a full range of colors. the AHS’s master plan for River Farm, will be an innovative The lecture will begin at 7 p.m. and tickets are $12 for AHS space for interactive learning and play. Currently in the design members and $15 for non-members. Call (703) 768-5700 or visit phase, it will include both indoor and outdoor spaces for chil- www.ahs.org for more information about this event and other up-

dren of all ages to explore plants, horticulture, and nature. coming programs at River Farm. STAFF AHS Gifts of Note

In addition to vital support through membership dues, the American Horticultural Society relies on grants, bequests, and other gifts to support its programs. We would like to thank the following donors for gifts received between June 1 and July 31, 2008.

Dominion Power In honor of John Floyd, Jr. Ms. Ingrid A. Graham Mr. Bob Doak Mrs. Wanda Hamming Mr. and Mrs. Norm Hofley In memory of Maita Fisher Mr. Deane H. Hundley Mr. and Mrs. Joel Goldman Kurt Bluemel, Inc. Monrovia Nursery Company In memory of Kevin McNamee Dr. and Mrs. David E. Morrison Ms. Sharon Jones PSE&G Mrs. Philip M. Spreuer Mr. Arnold Steiner Mr. Donald B. Stott If you would like to support the American Horticultural Mr. Howard McK. Tucker and Ms. Megan Evans Society as part of your estate planning, as a tribute to a Mr. and Mrs. W. Bruce Usrey loved one, or as part of your annual commitment to Mr. Joe Viar and Ms. Bonnie Christ charitable giving, please contact: Stephanie Perez, Ms. Angela M. Vikesland (703) 768-5700 ext. 127 or [email protected].

10 the American Gardener Growing Good Kids Children’s AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL Book Award Recipients for 2008 SOCIETY INTERNSHIPS THE FOUR WINNERS OF the 2008 “Growing Good Kids– at River Farm Excellence in Children’s Literature Award” were announced during the AHS’s National Children & Youth Garden Sympo- sium in July. This annual award program, initiated in 2005, rec-

Offering hands-on, practical experience, internships are one of the Society’s most important educational programs. Internship opportunities available in 2009 include positions in publications, horticulture, and education. Deadlines for 2009 internships are Nov. 1 for Winter/Spring; March 1 for Summer; and August 1 for Fall. Visit www.ahs.org or call (703) 768-5700 ext. 121 for more information.

These four children’s books received the 2008 Growing Good Kids–Excellence in Children’s Literature Award.

ognizes children’s books that effectively promote an appreci- ation for gardening, plants, and the environment. Selected from books pub- lished in 2007, this year’s win- ners are: The Old Tree by Ruth Brown; If I Were a Tree by Dar Hosta; The Runaway Garden by Jeffery L. Schatzer and il- lustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler; and Mother Earth and Her Children by Sibylle von Olfers, illustrated by Sieglinde Schoen Smith and translated by Jack Zipes. “The four award winners come from large and very small publishers alike, and we hope this award brings new recogni- tion and a wider audience of young readers to these very de- serving titles,” says Randy Seagraves, national curriculum coordinator for the Junior Master Gardener program, which jointly administers the award program with the American Hor- ticultural Society. Award nominations for books published in 2008 will be ac- cepted until April 24, 2009. For nomination instructions, a list of past winners, and additional information about the “Growing Good Kids” book award program, visit www.jmgkids.us or contact Randy Seagraves at (979) 845-8565 or [email protected].

September / October 2008 11 AHS Webinars Cast Spotlight on During the “Designing with Color and Texture for Visionary Ef- Garden Design fects” webinar, Tracy DiSabato-Aust took questions from her en- NEARLY 200 PEOPLE from 40 states participated in “De- thusiastic audience. Here are a few examples. signing with Color and Texture for Visionary Effects,” an on- line seminar presented exclusively for AHS members by With the strong sunlight What plants have bold designer and author Tracy DiSabato-Aust in July. The event and high humidity in sum- spiky form and will grow included an hour-long slide presentation and a lively question- mer, my garden looks tired in shade? and-answer session. For a taste of what was discussed, see the and washed out. Do you Maggie Raywood sidebar to the right. have suggestions for gar- North Bergen, NJ The next AHS webinar will be “Design and Plants for dening in high summer? That can be a challenge. Woodland Gardens” on October 16, presented by plantsman, Robin Ferguson-Gonzalez However, ti plant (Cordyline author, and landscape designer C. Colston Burrell. Burrell Chapel Hill, NC australis ‘Atropurpurea’) and has twice won the AHS book award: most recently in 2007 To keep the colors fresh, se- sago palm (Cycas revoluta) for Hellebores: A Comprehensive Guide, and in 1998 for A Gar- lect vivid saturated colors will both grow in part shade. dener’s Encyclopedia of Wildflowers. During the webinar, he such as rich yellows, or- will focus on the challenges of designing shaded spaces and anges, reds to peak in mid- Do you know of any partic- discuss the many plants, both native and nonnative, that summer, Heliopsis, ular colors in leaves and thrive in woodland or shade gardens. henryi, Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ flowers that deer avoid? Registration will open on September 17 in the members-only are good choices. Deadleaf- Willis Johnson area of the AHS website at www.ahs.org (see page 4 of this issue ing—removing brown or Greensboro, GA for the current password). Because space for the webinar is limit- tatty foliage in midsum- I’ve never heard of deer ed, early registration is encouraged. A high-speed or broadband mer—will give the garden a avoiding a particular color. Internet connection is also recommended. “face lift.” Wouldn’t that be helpful!

Green Garage at Green Festival THE AHS will participate as a community action exhibitor in the AHS NATIONAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS Green Festival™, which will be held November 8 and 9 at the Washington Convention Center in the nation’s capital. This 2008 CALENDAR event, a joint project of the national nonprofits Global Ex- change and Co-op America, brings together socially responsi- ble businesses and environmental, social justice, and ark your calendar for these national events that are community organizations to celebrate sustainable living. The Msponsored or co-sponsored by the AHS. Visit AHS exhibit will include a model of the Green Garage® to pro- www.ahs.org or call (703) 768-5700 for more information. mote environmentally responsible gardening. For more infor- mation on Green Festivals, visit www.greenfestivals.org. • SEPT. 20. AHS Annual Gala. George Washington’s River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia. Volunteer’s Bequest Supports • OCT. 16. Webinar: Design and Plants for Woodland Gardens by AHS Programs C. Colston Burrell.

JANE STEFFEY, who had been involved with the AHS in var- • OCT. 23. Dr. H. Marc ious capacities for several decades, died April 21. Through her Cathey Day. George estate, she left a $50,000 bequest to the Society. Washington’s River Steffey’s association with the AHS began shortly after World Farm, Alexandria, War II, when she became a member of the organization and vol- Virginia. unteered with the Annual Seed Exchange. In the 1970s, she served • DEC. 1–23. Holiday as an editor and columnist for the American Horticulturist, which Trees Display. George was the former title of The American Gardener. Her assignments Washington’s River included writing a regular column, titled “Strange Relatives,” that Farm, Alexandria, explored the intriguing relationships within plant families. Virginia. Steffey became an AHS President’s Council member in the 1990s • DEC. 11. Annual and in 2001, she donated $50,000 to the Society to be used for staff River Farm Holiday education. Her current gift will be used to support the AHS’s edu- Reception. George Wash- cational programs and the stewardship of River Farm.  ington’s River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia. Holiday Trees Display

News written by Editorial Intern Kirsten Winters. STAFF AHS

12 the American Gardener American Horticultural Society 2008 Annual Gala AMERICA’S GARDEN CELEBRATION Local Harvest, Bountiful Earth S

September 20, 2008 River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia

The 2008 American Horticultural Society Annual Gala will be Sponsored by a true celebration of the bounty of the earth and American gardens. Join us for an elegant evening to savor the seasonal DOMINION flavors of the local harvest. Roger Swain, America’s garden FOUNDATION champion and beloved host of “The Victory Garden,” is serving as Honorary Chair for this extraordinary event. Proceeds from the gala support the stewardship of River Farm and the Society’s educational programs. SProud sponsor of Honorary Gala Chair, For tickets, call (703) 768-5700 ext. 119 AHS Educational Roger Swain SHPrograms 14 lmo nvriya h 08Ntoa hlrn&YouthGarden Symposium. Clemson University atthe2008NationalChildren & Poster sessionparticipants, lefttoright,DavidSimpson, MarianaHaque,andRenee Byrdof and Growing Fertile Minds that baldeagle,shequitasuccessful ca- Garden Symposium in July. Because of Society’s National Children &Youth advocates attheAmericanHorticultural ists, educators,andchildren’s gardening Kirkland told hundreds ofhorticultur- scarcely believe it. flying rightabove herhead!She could soaring highover theparking lot. land O annual National Children & Youth Garden Symposium. Garden visits, educational sessions, and shared experiences motivate participants at the 16th That glanceskyward changed herlife, A baldeagle—America’s symbol— the American Gardener looked upandsawabaldeagle NE DAY, ty, Pennsylvania, Jane Kirk- store inChesterCoun- grocery Communities on a trip to her local er fortheyouth gardening symposium breaks nature toobserve could do. head, shefigured, imaginewhatregular If one glance could reveal bald eagles over- before—because I hadnever lookedup.” soon discovered. “But Ihadnever seenone of ChesterCounty for20years,” Kirkland “Bald eagleshadbeenflying over thatpart theopposite,infact. traordinary—quite in theskiesabove herhometown wassoex- nature, wildlife, and outdoor adventures. began writingforyoung peopleabout reer asawriter of computerbooksand Kirkland, theopeningkeynotespeak- But itwasn’t becausespottinganeagle sessions andfield tripstoseveral out- “looking up.” Three daysof educational symposium for the first time was a bit like raptly toKirkland’s tales,attendingthe Estate in northern Delaware.& Country Philadelphia; andWinterthur Museum sylvania Horticultural Society in Chester County, Pennsylvania; thePenn- New Jersey; in Camden Children’s Garden insouthern andgardensexpertise tothesymposium: U.S. Virgin Islands. Barbados, Canada,New Zealand, andthe bia, andincludedrepresentatives from from 35states plustheDistrict ofColum- grams manager. came Theparticipants Stephanie Jutila, AHSeducationpro- Delaware’s Newark campus,says sium, basedattheUniversity of volve plants,gardening, andnature. for children andyoung peoplethatin- which focusedonpromoting programs ing Fertile Minds andCommunities,” for the16thannualsymposium,“Grow- fit about thenaturalworldwasaperfect Kirkland’s campaigntoexcite children UP LOOK LEARNING TO natural worldaround them. to opentheireyes andreally lookatthe schoolchildren—and numerous adults— decade ago,shehasinspired countless a minutetobeinit.”Since thatdaya programs thaturgeyoung peopleto“take Walk into anaward-winning seriesofTake-a- area from July 24to26,expandedthatidea that washeldintheGreater Philadelphia For someintheaudiencewholistened Four localhostsalsocontributedtheir About 330peopleattended thesympo- ® books aswell asradioandtelevision BY DENISE COWIE

CINDY DYER “I feel very empowered,” Margarita says of her experience. “We will actually be having the children ‘look up’ in our sum- mer nature program at Awbury and Dar Hosta’s book If I Were a Tree will be a lesson for our Tree Jubilee.” SHARING IDEAS AND INSPIRATION All participants sought to share ideas and experiences that have successfully sparked young peo- ple’s interest in gardens and na- ture. And share they did. Nearly Above: Jane Kirkland inspires the audience with an three dozen educational sessions animated keynote presentation. Right: Author and artist Dar were presented over two days, in Hosta speaks about cultivating creativity in young people. addition to interactive poster displays and daily field trips to standing children’s gardens presented pos- in particular, the Nature-Curriculum children’s gardens. sibilities that they might never have con- Connection, gave me a lot of ideas for how Here are some of the highlights from sidered otherwise. my nature center can support teachers in these sessions: Among them was Joelle Morris of their curriculum for getting kids outside.” Bethesda, Maryland, who had only a For another first-timer, Mona Mar- ■ The Children’s Garden vague knowledge of the American Horti- garita, the symposium brought valida- Network team outlined its plan that every cultural Society before she came across a tion that the kind of work she does as an school and youth organization in Rhode postcard promoting the symposium. educator at Philadelphia’s inner-city Aw- Island will have a garden by 2010. Such Morris, a naturalist at Locust Grove Na- bury Arboretum is not only about fun gardens—designed and developed by stu- ture Center in Bethesda, decided to at- but is important as well. dents and the community—are essential tend—and came away with a new Margarita was especially inspired by to grow the next generation of land stew- perspective on her job. Kirkland and by New Jersey author Dar ards, environmentalists, and gardeners, “I had all these things that I wanted to Hosta’s supercharged sessions on creativi- team member Stuart Nunnery said, and try, but just didn’t have the courage to get ty, as well as by the Brooklyn Botanic Gar- to provide a link to careers in horticulture, it together. At the symposium, though, den’s multi-layered strategies for recruiting agriculture, and the environment. everything gelled,” she says. “One session teenage interns. ■ Debbie Greene of the Pilcher Park Na- ture Center in Joliet, Illinois, related how the center’s after-school program cele- brates diversity and imparts American his- tory by using the Underground Railroad from Joliet to Canada to teach lessons on gardening and nature. What seeds might these escaped slaves have carried with them? And what foods would make them healthy enough to survive the trip? ■ Philadelphia teacher Chuck Lafferty showed videos of some of the country’s youngest entrepreneurs—his kindergarten students at Longstreth Elementary School. They held a penny drive to fund a school garden that evolved into an award-winning schoolyard wildlife habitat in inner-city Philadelphia. The students also harvest the seeds and sell them in hand-decorated packs for their Kinder-Garden Seed Company. Lafferty, who acts as CEO, says people shouldn’t underestimate what

CINDY DYER (3) DYER CINDY Stuart Nunnery describes his group’s plans for creating school gardens in Rhode Island. kindergarteners can do.

September / October 2008 15 16 attract an audience to view it. attract anaudiencetoview then designedandprinted invitations to complete withmusicandvoice-overs, movie ofthevarious stagesoftheirgarden, competencies.” Thestudentsmadea isfied ahostofcurriculum“technology a simplesaladgarden intolessonsthatsat- Hedin the earth abetterplace.” the earth power kidswiththeknowledge tomake pristine state,” he says, “but we can em- tal science. “We can’t return to a the earth uses garden settingstoteachenvironmen- versity Extension 4-Hprogram inOgden, Francis, who’s withtheUtah State Uni- Global Positioning System technology. ing biodegradableplasticandusing dents, includesfunactivitiessuchasmak- grab theattentionofmiddle-schoolstu- ence Field Guide. Theguide,designedto on activitiesfrom hisEnvironmental Sci- ■ ■ ■ gardens rangingintheme from dinosaurs stand-alone children’s garden inCamden, tures. Andatthe four-and-a-half-acre, promises magicaloutdooradven- Winterthur, Enchanted thefairy-themed mazes, grottoes, andwaterfeatures. At of classicItalian gardens inchild-scale Garden, forexample,shows theinfluence engaging children’s imaginations. showcased manydifferent approaches for wood, Winterthur, and Camden sions, the children’s gardens at Long- totheeducationalses- As acounterpart ANDFIELDTRIPS VISITS GARDEN for plantsandanimals. dren are helpedtohealby learningtocare County, California,where abusedchil- ciety’s Forget Me Not Farm inSonoma therapeutic program at the Humane So- Jersey. Natalie Cassidy SchoolinSummit,ton Elementary New studentsfrom Washing-the fourth-grade Dave Francis Carol Rathmann Think gardening is low-tech? Not for den fromJuly23 to25. ed bytheClevelandBotanical Gar- den Symposium,whichwillbe host- year’s NationalChildren&Youth Gar- Mark yourcalendarnowfor next Cleveland 2009 Longwood’s Indoor new Children’s the American Gardener detailed how thestudents parlayed shared someofthehands- talked about a special and Cindy workshop. was partofapre-symposium display atLongwoodGardens Right: Thelivingsculpture Winterthur’s EnchantedWoods. explore theFaerieCottagein Above: Symposiumattendees adds now on thecuttingedge of garden design, cause ofthistrend, children’s gardens are held onafieldtriptoLongwood. And be- ticipated inapaneldiscussionabout design ning one,” says have a children’s garden now, they’re plan- ed Woods agrees. “If public gardens don’t are delighted.” any numberofsubjects,andnutritionists ers are realizing thisishow theycanteach agarden.about aschoolstarting Teach- any day of the week, and you’ll read dening movement. “Pick upanewspaper was on the vanguard of the children’s gar- dren’s Garden inEastLansing,, now,” saysJane Taylor, whose 4-H Chil- than ever. are becomingmore popular though, children’s gardens a placetoplayandlearn. plots offerurbanyoungsters Sisters”to “Three vegetable The designerofWinterthur’s Enchant- “Children’s gardens are exploding Whatever theapproach, Tres Fromme W. Smith Gary , whopar- of Mesa Design Group sofas andcows, whichEames-Sheavly has might grabteens’ attention, forexample ing sculptures can be any shape that dren’s gardens toreach. oftenstruggle Liv- high-school-aged youth, agroup thatchil- effective activity forengaging particularly notes thatcreating livingsculpture isa Ithaca, New York, wholedtheworkshop, sion associateatCornellUniversity in Marcia Eames-Sheavly, aseniorExten- circles around three weeping redbud trees. with sodtocreate three largeinterlocking Participants moldedsoilandcovered it living sculpture at LongwoodGardens. provided tohelpbuilda theopportunity the event, apre-symposium workshop signer for Longwood’s indoor garden. in Dallas, Texas, asleadde- whoserved In additiontothegarden visitsduring

TOP: VIVEKA NEVELN; BOTTOM: MARK RICHARDSON / COURTESY OF LONGWOOD GARDENS helped create as part of Cornell’s Garden Based Learning Program. Sod sofas sound like a great idea to PANEL DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON ART IN BLOOM Sandy Livermore, president of the yet-to- open Bookworm Garden in Sheboygan, . Since this stand-alone garden is based on 74 works of children’s literature, Livermore says, “we need a couple of those for kids to sit on and read our books.” CREATING CONNECTIONS But the Symposium wasn’t only about workshops and educational sessions. It was also about relaxing and socializing during an ice cream social at Winterthur, enjoying a ride on the carousel horses at Camden, and dining in the magnificent conservatory at Longwood. “My favorite memory is sitting in the conservatory at Longwood Gardens with like-minded people,” says Joelle Morris. “I learned a lot from them.”

During a panel discussion on “Garden-Based Education: The Philadelphia Story” at the symposium, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) staff members shared their experiences with a traffic-stopping garden built by seventh-grader students of St. Francis Xavier School in Philadelphia. It’s a living work of art—an Art Garden inspired by famous artists whose work hangs in the Museum of Art down the street. Under the guidance of teachers Terri O’Brien and Patty Carr, and religion coordina- tor Brendan Petersen, the stu- dents visited the museum to see the paintings, then planted beds of sunflowers for Vincent van Gogh, poppies for Georgia O’Keefe, and irises for van Gogh and Claude Monet. They mounted colorful frames on the fence surrounding Norm Lownds of Michigan State University the garden—so passersby could comes out of his shell at the Dinosaur view their floral art as though it Garden at Camden Children’s Garden. were in a gallery—along with their poems, essays, and illus- Small wonder, then, that when the 16th trations. Their teachers used the “Framed” poppies, top, grow in an Art Garden created annual symposium concluded with garden for lessons on art, litera- by students at St. Francis Xavier School, above. singer/songwriter Erica Wheeler’s con- ture, , and other sciences. cert of sometimes-funny, sometimes- The project grew out of the students’ participation in the PHS’s Green City Youth poignant songs about our connection to program, which involves young people in schools all over Philadelphia in creating the environment, members of the enthu- green spaces to improve their communities. “This program is a dream come true,” siastic audience lent their voices to the says Larry Stier, a former teacher who now heads up the greening initiative for PHS. rousing chorus: Launched in 2005, Green City Youth led to the creation last year of Green City “Inch by inch, row by row, Teachers, which shows Philadelphia-area educators how to build gardens as well as Gonna make this garden grow. how to incorporate horticulture and environmental education into their curricula. All I need is a rake and a hoe At St. Francis Xavier, participation in the project also showed the students the And a piece of fertile ground…”  meaning of community: While school is closed for the summer, older volunteers from the neighborhood are keeping the Art Garden alive by watering and weeding. Denise Cowie is a former garden columnist —D.C.

LEFT: KIRSTEN WINTERS. TOP AND BOTTOM RIGHT: COURTESY OF PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY HORTICULTURAL PENNSYLVANIA OF COURTESY RIGHT: BOTTOM AND TOP WINTERS. KIRSTEN LEFT: for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

September / October 2008 17 for temperate gardens Terrestrial Orchids 18 American gardens? Theprincipalreason elegant plantsto becomethe“hot” itemin popular additionstotemperate gardens. al varieties are becomingincreasingly sold at supermarkets and hardy terrestri- gardens, buttoday, tropical orchids are limited almostexclusively to collector rooting insoil. their homeatground level, known as terrestials, make other kinds of orchids, from the atmosphere. But sorb moisture and nutrients where theiraerial ab- other plants,typicallytrees, they live on thebranchesof lectors were epiphytic,thatis chids thatsoexcited early col- of theplantsdied. back toEngland, where most could find.Theysentthem varietiesas manynew they to tropical regions and collect were commissioned to travel 19th century. Orchid hunters infamous orchid craze ofthe collectors that it sparked the so intriguedVictorian plant plant kingdom.Theblooms most complexflowers inthe ial rainforests. Arctic Circle totheequator- species thatgrow from the tween 15,000 and 20,000 some 1,000generaandbe- orchid family() includes continentexceptevery Antarctica. The T Add a touch of the exotic to your garden with these hardy orchids. So whyhasittakensolongforthese For years orchids were Most ofthetropical or- Orchids boastsome ofthe the American Gardener chids canactuallybefoundon with lushtropical jungles,or- HOUGH OFTEN associated produced inlargenumbers. orchids arepage 22),certain now being gation (see “Orchid Propagation Today,” ever, propa- withadvances inlaboratory of manynative orchid populations.How- tenable practice that has led to the decline have beencollectedfrom thewild,anun- mercial purposes,manyspeciesoforchids cause thesemethodsare tooslow forcom- to bedoneby seedorclumpdivision.Be- is propagation, which,untilrecently, had bears three-inch-widebloomsinspring. Showy lady’sslipper ( reginae) (Cypripedium Frosch Exclusive Perennials inGermany, years later,” saysMichael Weinert of market fortropical orchids, just50or70 develop inamanner comparabletothe orchids, thelargeyellow lady’s slipper roots, suchas maples. planted neartrees withlotsofsurface root competition,theyshouldnotbe ephemerals. Because orchids do not like ferns, hostas,epimediums,and spring summer. They are lovely combined with “The market forterrestrial orchids“The may Among themost popularoftheslipper distribution. sale market withworldwide slipper orchids forthewhole- which produces hybridlady’s bloom from springtoearly from direct midday sun. sun, butshouldbeprotected and willbenefitfrom morning grown inopen,lightshade summer. Most speciescanbe periods in tion through dry require supplementalirriga- not drought tolerantandmay cording tospecies.Theyare proper pH,whichvaries ac- light and porous andofthe not wet sites, in soil that is species grow bestinmoist,but good orchid forthegarden. , they’re a growing over a wide range of for hardy natives. Found nate thecommercial market (Cypripedium duced, theslipperorchids orchids tobemass-pro- Among thefirsttemperate SLIPPER ORCHIDS Most slipperorchids CypripediumAs arule, BY BRIANF.JORG spp.) domi-

BILL JOHNSON to most cultivated situations. They require a pH near 4.5, so necessitate special con- sideration in most gardens, such as adding pine needles and sphagnum peat to light, sandy soil. I also use low rates of cider vinegar added to rain water to help acidi- fy the growing area. Even with these ex- treme measures, this orchid remains a challenge in my garden, where the natur- al pH is near 7.5. Another of my favorites is the showy lady’s slipper (C. reginae, Zones 2–7, 7–1). In its native habitat, from maritime Cana- da to the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, the plant requires fairly specific site conditions, and is usually found near a bog or fen, where it can form large colonies. In cultivation, it requires moist, well-drained soil. I grow it in an area in the garden that is one-third native garden soil and two-thirds a mixture of perlite and sand. Plants produce a single or, sometimes, double blossom in late May to early June. The large white bloom is tinged with pink. Occasionally, pure white-blooming forms are commercially available. Plants grow from 18 to 30 inch- es tall, depending on growing conditions. The Kentucky lady’s slipper (C. ken- tuckiense, Zones 6–10, 10–6) Above: Spring-blooming ‘Gisela’ is a can produce one of the largest Cypripedium with exceptional vigor. blooms of any Cypripedium Right: The easy-to-grow yellow lady’s slipper species. This robust orchid (C. parviflorum var. pubescens) adds spring grows in alluvial habitats, often color to a bog garden. acidic sand, from Virginia to Texas. With its distinctly south- ( var. pubescens, ern range, it has better heat tol- USDA Hardiness Zones 2–9, AHS Heat erance than other native Zones 9–1) is native to eastern North Cypripedium. The large, cream- America, from and colored bloom appears in mid- to the mountains of North Carolina and May in my garden. This plant eastern Tennessee. One of the easiest na- will often reach 30 inches in tive orchids to grow, it thrives in the open height, and over time will form shade under a high canopy but will also do large clumps that can be divid- well with direct morning sun. Soil should ed and transplanted. be rich, moist—but well drained—with a Several hybrid Cypripedium neutral pH. This species grows two feet have been selected for their tall and produces beautiful two-inch yel- form, color, and vigor. Hybrids low flowers in early May in my Cincin- are often much heartier in cul- nati, Ohio, garden. tivation than their parents, so The pink lady’s slipper (C. acaule, are a good choice for the novice Zones 3–7, 7–1) also occurs over a wide to grow. ‘Gisela’ (Zones 3–6, range of eastern North America, inhabit- cally bears its blooms atop a 10- to 14-inch 7–2) is a vigorous hybrid of C. parviflo- ing hummocks in bogs in the north and stem in June over much of its range. Al- rum and C. macranthos that produces dry pine and oak woods in the Appalachi- though pink lady’s slippers can be found large burgundy-red and creamy yellow ans. Producing a pair of leaves in thriving in a well-suited natural habitat, flowers in spring. Plants grow 16 to 24

TOP: COURTESY OF MICHAEL WEINERT. BOTTOM: SAXON HOLT TOP: COURTESY OF MICHAEL WEINERT. early spring, this acid-loving orchid typi- they are extremely finicky when it comes inches tall. ‘Hilda’ (Zones 4–8, 8–1) is a

September / October 2008 19 20 vanilla-scented flowers infall. lady’s slipper, ‘Chadds Ford’ bears A popular selection of the nodding Above left:Rosepogoniarequiresconstantmoisture.Right: ground orchid A native ofChinaandJapan, theChinese SPECIESOFNOTE OTHER yellow tored andpurple. blooms inJune orJuly thatrangefrom macranthos cross between C.kentuckiense spike. Thevariety along an18-to24-inchflower intricate purpletopinkblossoms in earlysummer, itproduces many advisable. Blooming foruptothree weeks colder areas ofitsrange,alayer ofmulch is shade andmostgoodgarden .In the nial border. It adaptstofullsunorpart additiontotheperen-8–5) isawonderful fragrant pinkflower onastem plant typicallyproduces asingle dense colony. In summer, each able conditions,itwillforma Growing infullsununderfavor- needs acidic,moistsoiltothrive. Florida. Thisdelicateorchid North America,from Canadato areas over the eastern half of found growing inbogsandwet glossoides, mouth orchid (Pogonia ophio- ates drierconditions. until flowering, thisorchid toler- pink. Provided adequatemoisture alba The pogonia orsnake has whiteflowers tingedwith the American Gardener Zones 3–8,8–2),canbe var. (Bletilla striata, ventricosum. B. striata It bearslarge var. Zones 5–8, and C. numerous small,whiteflowers, which veins. Theevergreen foliage outshinesthe green foliagehighlighted withwhite silvery United States, itisprized for itsdistinctive are right.Anothernative oftheeastern forming densecolonieswhenconditions and semi-shadyhabitatsinacidicsoils, pubescens, plants, andcranberries. with lobelia,grasspinkorchids, pitcher grow thisorchid inmyboggarden, along that isusuallylessthannineinchestall.I Downy rattlesnakeplantain(Goodyera Bletilla striata Bletilla Zones 6–9,9–6)grows inshady combines wellwithhostasandSolomon’ssealina in commercial trade.It bloomsinearly 3–10, 9–2)isthemostcommonlyfound grasspink ern half of North America. The tuberous chids pine fines.So far itisthriving. the irrigationwaterandmulchingwith loweredartificially thepHby acidifying plant, so I grow it in an area where I have not conducive tosuchanacidic-soil-loving The limestone-derived soilinmygarden is bloom inlatesummerona12-inchspike. There are five speciesofgrasspinkor- (Calopogon tive toNorth America,butforgar- lady’s tresses (Spiranthes just three years. Calopogon ly from seed;heisabletogrow is grows grasspinkorchids primari- America, , andAsia.Math- trial orchids native to North pany, whichproduces hardy, terres- founder oftheWild Orchid Com- garden,” saysWilliam Mathis, will reproduce prolifically inthe as plantsmature. conditions more adaptable to dry moisture asseedlings, becoming They are most dependent on boggy environments infullsun. chids are typicallyfoundinmoist, the commonname.Grasspink or- stem. Its leaves are grasslike,hence magenta flowers atopan18-inch sionally two,beautifultwo-inch summer, producing one,or, occa- There are some30speciesof “Once established, thisspecies (Calopogon tuberosus, Zones spp.) foundintheeast- from flasktobloomin perennial border. spp.) na-

TOP LEFT: BRIAN F. JORG; TOP RIGHT: SUSAN A. ROTH. BOTTOM: COURTESY OF RICK LEWANDOWSKI / MT. CUBA CENTER OTHER HARDY ORCHIDS Name Height Flower Color/ Cultural Notes Origin USDA, AHS (inches) Bloom Time Zones Bletilla ‘Kate’ 12–18 pale lavender-rose/ full sun to part shade, keep hybrid origin 6–9, 9–6 summer constantly moist until after flowering Calanthe seiboldii 12 yellow/spring humus-rich, moist soil, 7–9, 9–7 part shade () Cypripedium ✕andrewsii 12 white sometimes neutral to alkaline soil, naturally occurring 3–6, 6–2 tinged with rose/ keep damp, not wet; open hybrid early spring shade C. guttatum 4–13 white with pink requires very cool climate, , NE Asia 2–4, 4–2 (Alaska lady’s slipper) markings/late spring slightly acid, humusy soil, to early summer dappled shade C. parviflorum var. 12 yellow with maroon constantly moist, acid to Newfoundland to 2–9, 9–2 parviflorum (small /spring neutral soil, part shade Georgia yellow lady’s slipper) C. ‘Emil’ 14–19 dark purple sepals with open shade, moist, not hybrid origin 4–8, 8–3 yellow pouch/late spring wet soil C. ‘Hank Small’ 12–18 maroon sepals with open shade, moist, not hybrid origin 4–7, 7–4 yellow pouch/late spring wet soil C. ‘Michael’ 10–12 purple and white/late part sun or dappled shade Chinese hybrid 5–7, 7–4 spring moist, slightly alkaline soil

den cultivation the standout is fragrant Brown, an orchid expert and author of tried it in the East have not been suc- nodding ladys’ tresses (S. cernua var. odor- several field guides for native North cessful,” says Brown. When purchasing, ata, Zones 4–8, 8–4). Sometimes listed as American orchids, recommends it only take care to choose sustainably propa- S. odorata, this orchid is native to moist for gardeners in areas of the West where gated plants. For more hardy orchid se- sites in sun to part shade from New Jersey it grows naturally. “Those who have lections, see the chart above. south to Florida, , and Texas. A vigorous selection called ‘Chadds Ford’ is an ideal choice for anyone trying a first terrestrial orchid. From a basal rosette of glossy, evergreen leaves, it sends up a two-foot spike of spiraling, vanilla- scented white flowers that bloom in fall. It spreads by stolons as well as by seed and, if conditions are to its liking, will re- ward the gardener with rapidly expand- ing colonies. It grows best in slightly acidic soil that stays moist throughout the year, but is quite adaptable and will grow in any moisture-retentive soil that supports plants such as hostas or astilbes. A site in part sun or the open shade of a high canopy is ideal. Western gardeners who live in cool climates might consider the western false hellebore (Epipactis gigantea, Zones 3–6, 6–2), found in cooler areas of the west- ern United States. It prefers full sun and constantly moist, acidic soils. In sum- mer, it produces flowers in shades of Under ideal conditions—boggy soil, full sun, and a cool climate—the western false hellebore

SAXON HOLT SAXON brown, yellow, and red. Paul Martin will self seed to form large colonies that bloom from late spring to early summer.

September / October 2008 21 Resources ORCHID PROPAGATION TODAY American Orchid Society, www.aos.org. A great revolution in orchid propagation transpired in the latter third of the 20th century. Today, sustainable laboratory propagation enables growers to produce The Gardener’s Guide to Growing Hardy large numbers of orchids in relatively short periods of time. This advancement re- Perennial Orchids by William Mathis. placed propagation using clump divisions, a method that took quite a long time to The Wild Orchid Company, Carvers- develop large numbers of plants. ville, Pennsylvania, 2005. In the 1980s, propagators started to cultivate orchid seed in the lab. By artificial- ly supplying nutrients to the embryo, growers were able to develop the seed without Growing Hardy Orchids by John Tullock. mycorrhizae, the symbiotic fungi on which Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2005. the plant is dependent for in the wild. This breakthrough modernized orchid Native Orchid Conservation Committee, propagation. Growers found that lab propa- http://newisos.org/Conservation/ gation produced a superior plant to most Native_Orchid_Conservation.htm. specimens collected in the wild. These lab- produced plants helped satiate a growing de- mand—orchids could now be sustainably Sources propagated on a commercial scale, helping to Asiatica, Lewisberry, PA. (717) 938- reduce collecting pressures that were deci- 8677. www.asiaticanursery.com. mating some wild populations. William Cullina, who until recently was Fraser’s Thimble Farm, Salt Spring the director of horticultural research for the Island. B.C. (250) 537-5788. New Wild Flower Society (NEWFS) www.thimblefarms.com. in Framingham, Massachusetts, says that the society began selling clump divisions Plant Delights Nursery, Raleigh, NC. of lady’s slippers from the original planti- Provided with a nutrient-rich medium, (919) 772-4794. www.plantdelights. ngs at the gardens. “By the late ’60s, we orchid embryos grown in test tubes com. had large numbers of mature specimen yel- produce superior plants in a short time. low lady’s slippers. These clumps were in- Raising Rarities, Toledo, OH. (419) formally divided and sold at the spring plant sale,” says Cullina. When Cullina ar- 866-4241. www.raisingrarities.com. rived in 1995, he expanded the propagation beds for slipper orchids. The following year he began purchasing the first seedlings from outside labs. Today, the orchids Vermont Ladyslipper Company, Ltd., at NEWFS are all lab propagated. www.vtladyslipper.com. With commercial, sustainable propagation a reality, it is imperative to make sure you are purchasing plants from an ethical source. Plants collected from the wild still The Wild Orchid Company, abound. I have personally seen orchid colonies decimated by illegal digging. The hope Carversville, PA. (215) 297-5053 for the future is that those who admire and love these plants in their garden will do the www.wildorchidcompany.com. right thing and only purchase plants from sustainable sources. —B.F.J.

ORCHID CULTURE England Wild Flower Society, recom- tions for the beginning orchid grower. By Although orchids grow in a wide range mends the large yellow-flowered lady’s choosing reputable retailers, you can help of habitats, individual species are not slipper, followed closely by the Kentucky reduce the unethical harvesting of these very adaptable. To grow a hardy orchid lady’s slipper, for novice orchid growers, intriguing plants from the wild, which is successfully, you must be able to repli- especially if they have lighter soils. a practice contributing to the decline of cate the growing conditions of its nat- Michael Weinert believes that Cypripedi- native species. ural environment in your garden. um hybrids such as ‘Gisela’, ‘Emil’, and So select an orchid that suits the grow- “Know the soil requirements of the ‘Hank Small’ are the easiest orchids for ing conditions where you live, purchase species in the wild—lime, acid, serpen- the home gardener to grow successfully. a sustainably produced plant, and grow tine, moisture levels, etc.,” says Brown. “There will be some collectors who pre- it in your garden. With just a little effort, For novice orchid growers who have a fer the straight species, but most hobby you will be well rewarded with a true gar- bog garden, “Calopogon tuberosus and growers will enjoy the more rewarding den gem.  Pogonia ophioglossoides are easy to grow and easy-to-grow hybrids,” says Weinert. in most any climate.” Cincinnati resident Brian F. Jorg is a horti- William Cullina, the former director TAKE THE CHALLENGE! culturist and photographer who has been

of horticultural research for the New It is obvious that there are quite a few op- growing native plants for nearly 30 years. F.JORG BRIAN

22 the American Gardener Rare finds… found here.

VISIT THE AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY BOTANICAL Garden and you will discover hundreds of the world’s most exotic and rare orchid species and hybrids. Our orchid greenhouse is always in bloom. You’ll be captivated by the amazing array of colors, shapes, sizes and tantalizing fragrances. Take a stroll through the 3 1/2 acre tropical garden and find orchids blooming in the trees. Come lose yourself in our enchanting garden!

Delray Beach, FL ‡ 561-404-2000 ‡ AOS.org Adjacent to the Morikami Museum

TOUR ORCHID GARDENS ‡ SHOP FOR ORCHID GIFTS ‡ BEAUTIFUL ART EXHIBITS 24 Species Tulips Bottom right: leaves. spring on eight-inch stems with blue-green classic -shaped flowers bloom in early Pearl’ isstunninginrockgardens.Fragrant, (USDA Zones5–8,AHS8–5),‘Persian Top right:Aselectionof to six-inchstemsinearlyspring. blossoms areborneonground-huggingfour- star-shaped, fragrantflowers.Thetwo-inch naturalizes quicklytoformlargeclumpsof A cooler temperatures. Because ofthis,tulips in response todarkness, overcast skies,and sponse tothewarmthofsun, thenclose of colors.Theflowers openwidelyinre- gardeners canselectfrom alusciouspalette species tulipsthathave beenidentified, sun.” summertime habitats, where they love bakinginthe tulips by duplicating thebulbs’ native Also, manyrock gardeners grow species voles have aharder timefindingthem. coming more popular becauseitseems Gloucester, Virginia. “Species tulips are be- Heath ofBrent &Becky’s Bulbs in in thesummer,” Becky saysbulbexpert gardens withgooddrainage thatstaydry perennializing these tulips,especiallyin tainers. “We’ve heard peoplehave success in terraceandpatiogardens, andincon- borders, along pathways, beside doorways, additions torock gardens, atthe front of bloom year afteryear. Theyare wonderful ralize toformlarge,perennial clumpsthat in suitableconditions,speciestulipsnatu- nent, considerspeciestulips.Whengrown you’re lookingforsomethingmore perma- quire fresh bulbstobeplantedeachyear. If these tulipsare one-year wondersthatre- flood ourmailboxes. But themajorityof Returning reliably year after year, species tulips are elegant additions to the spring bulb garden. From amongtheapproximately 100 the American Gardener T THISTIME brid tulipsinthecatalogsthat resist theglossycolorphotosofhy- Tulipa tarda Tulipa of year, it’s hard to (Zones 4–8,8–4) Tulipa pulchella Tulipa BY JOANDEGREY

TOP: DAVID CAVAGNARO. BOTTOM: ALAN AND LINDA DETRICK. with contrasting exterior and interior col- your soil isn’t sandy enough. Since species fodils, leave the leaves in place until they ors often appear to be changing hue as they tulips need space to spread, leave room be- begin to turn yellow and flop over.” open and close. tween them and other perennial plants. As with most spring-flowering bulbs, Species tulips do have slightly more de- autumn is the best time to plant species manding site requirements than the stan- CARING FOR SPECIES TULIPS tulips. The optimum months depend on dard garden tulips. Ideally, the planting “After the flowers bloom, pinch off the where you live in the country: September site should be in full sun and offer free- spent flower so the bulb can channel its en- and October for USDA Hardiness Zones draining soil that dries quickly after rain. ergy to regenerating a bloom for the next 4 and 5, October and November for Heath recommends creating raised beds if year,” says Heath. “As you would for daf- Zones 6 and 7, and November and De- cember for Zone 8. If you live in an area that seldom or never experiences freezing temperatures, most tulips won’t get enough cold conditioning to bloom suc- cessfully outdoors. Whether in containers or in the ground, plant the bulbs four to six inch- es deep, with their roots or basal plate facing downward. Space the bulbs four to six inches apart to provide room for them to naturalize over time. Species tulip bulbs benefit from annu- al amendments of compost or well-rotted

Top left: (Zones 5–8, 5–8) is one of the first taller species to bloom in early spring. It has narrow, blue-green leaves and arching 10-inch stems that bear multiple fragrant cream and yellow flowers.

Bottom left: Tulipa bakeri ‘Lilac Wonder’ (Zones 4–8, 8–4) is a late-season featuring large, fragrant flowers on eight-inch stems. The bulbs require mild winters and warm, dry summers, making it suitable for gardens in southern California.

manure. Alternately, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer such as 10-10-10 in late summer. Protect newly planted bulbs from squirrels and voles by placing wire mesh over the planting site and covering it with a layer of mulch. Some growers mix sharp volcanic stone with the planting soil, which helps deter burrowing animals. The time spent now in selecting and planting your bulbs will pay off in spring, when the flower stalks emerge almost miraculously from the earth and the blooms add their delicate beauty to the awakening garden. 

Joan de Grey is a freelance writer based in Toronto, Ontario. For a chart that provides additional infor- mation about species tulip selections, click on the “Web Special” linked to this article

TOP: JOAN DE GREY. BOTTOM: DAVID CAVAGNARO. DAVID BOTTOM: GREY. DE JOAN TOP: on the AHS website (www.ahs.org).

September / October 2008 25 26 nary Passions It Aroused It Passions nary Most Coveted Flower & the Extraordi- the & Flower Coveted Most Tulipomania: The Story of the World's the of Story The Tulipomania: Anna Pavord’s count thedramatichistoryoftulips: and coldwinters.Tworecentbooksre- East, andAsiathathavedrysummers perate southernEurope, the Middle tulips originatedinareassuchastem- course, theancestorsofcultivated try issoestablishedthere,butof Netherlands becausethebulbindus- We tendtoconnecttulipswiththe THE TAMING OF WILD TULIPS as easily. the bulbsothatoffsetsarenotproduced ers werecausedbyavirusthat weakens predictable colorpatternsontulip flow- tury didscientistsdiscoverthat theun- on tulipbulbs. passed alawforbiddingspeculation ins. TheDutchgovernmentlater leaving theDutcheconomyclosetoru- market abruptlycrashed in1637, colors thefollowingspring.Thetulip produce thehighlydesirablebroken lation that an individual bulb would winter, peoplegambledonthespecu- flowers, knownas“brokencolor.”In with variegated,striped,orstreaked The mostvaluabletulipswerethose tate andlivestockfortheprizedbulbs. bartered commoditiessuchasreales- started payingvastsumsofmoneyor Dutch citizensfromallincomegroups occurred inHollandduringthe1630s. lic craze dubbed ‘Tulipomania’ that the tulip’sriseinpopularityisapub- the richthroughoutEurope. came a status symbol in gardens of like ajewel.”Quickly,thetulipbe- rare andcherishedflowerexhibited cultural ‘curiosities’ tobedisplayedinhorti- the ageandprevailingcrazefor ers fitted admirably with the spirit of cording to Pavord’s book, “The flow- to Europeinthe16thcentury.Ac- Press, 2001). lishing, 1999)andMikeDash’s Interestingly, notuntilthe20thcen- The mostinfamousperiodduring Essentially, thetulipmadeitsway the American Gardener Wunderkammer, Tulip (Bloomsbury Pub- (Three Rivers —J. deGrey with each grown aloneormixed withotherspringbloomers. purple-black base, oftenwithyellowmarginalmarks. Thisspeciesisspectacular whether shaped flowers on six- to eight-inch stems in mid-spring. The flowers open widely and have a Tulipa linifolia Tulipa opening upalmostflatinearlyspring. larger andbrighterastheymature,eventually contrasting basalmarkings.Flowersgrow outside; orpink,,redoftenwith colors: creamoryellow;pinkgreenish ‘Ancilla’, shown—areavailableinarangeof to obtain,butnumerouscultivars—suchas the shapeofitsflowers,speciesisdifficult gardens. Alsocalledthewaterlilytulipfor early tobloomandespeciallysuitedrock Tulipa kaufmanniana Tulipa (Zones 4–7,7–4)producesnarrow, straplikeleavesandlong-lasting,bowl- (Zones 4–8,8–4)is In latespring, slightly palerthanthespecies. adaptable cultivar‘LadyJane’,whichis in Gloucester,Virginia,recommendsthe Becky’sBulbs . BrentHeathof& stripes showbetweenthemid-roseexterior When thebloomsareclosed,onlythinwhite on theoutersegments12-inchstems. white innerpetals,andbandsofpinkishred boasting deep-purple centers, yellowish- 8–4) hasanabundanceoffragrantflowers Tulipa clusiana Tulipa (Zones 4–8,

TOP LEFT: MARK TURNER; TOP RIGHT: JOAN DE GREY. BOTTOM: MICHAEL S. THOMPSON. TOP: DAVID CAVAGNARO. BOTTOM: ALEKSANDRA SZYWALA. Tulipa acuminata Tulipa white filaments. red, usuallystreakedwithredorgreen.Thestamenshavered-brownanthersandyellow long petalsthattwistandcurl,reminiscentofabadhairday.Theflowersareyelloworpale is unknowninthewild.Stemsgrow14to16inchestall.Theflowershavenarrow,four-inch- (Zones 4–8,8–4)hasbeengrowningardenssincethe16thcenturybut well ingrassforameadowgarden. sylvestris spring andgrowuptothreeinches across. bloom singlyorinpairsfrommid- tolate inches long. The sweetly scented flowers features lightgreenleavesthatgrowtoeight climates, Recommended formilderandsouthern 2852. Virginia Beach,VA.(800)248- Van Dyck’sFlowerbulbs&Perennials, www.odysseybulbs.com. MA. (800)517-5152. Odyssey Bulbs, www.mzbulb.com. Friesland, WI.(800) 546-4053. McClure andZimmerman, www.johnscheepers.com. (860) 567-0838. John Scheepers,Inc., www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com. Gloucester, VA.(804)693-3966. Brent andBecky’sBulbs, Sources 1999. bury Publishing,London,England, The Tulip York, New2001. Dash. ThreeRiversPress,New nary PassionsItAroused Most CovetedFlower&theExtraordi- Tulipomania: TheStoryoftheWorld's Portland, Oregon,2002. Bulbs Resources by JohnBryan.TimberPress, www.vandycks.com. Tulipa spreads rapidlyandwillnaturalize by AnnaPavord.Blooms- September /October2008 South Lancaster, Bantam, CT. (Zones 4–8,8–4) by Mike 27 T. OW DO PLANTS end up where they do in a garden? Two H scenarios present opposite ex- tremes. The designer sits at the drawing board, sketching out a plan on paper and eyeing a particular space. Mind connects with page as well as a mental image of the site. Visual possibilities begin to spill forth . . . something tall and columnar will look good here, some fuzzy low shapes are called for over here, and definitely some- thing with red foliage there. Now to find plants that fit those descriptions. Then there’s the plant-collecting gar- dener visiting the nursery, stalking down the aisles and eyeing a particular plant. A narrow ‘Sutherland’ tree caragana gets pulled from the pack. What’s that fuzzy asparagus species over there? Wow, look at the red leaves on that dahlia! While the gardener is unloading the new acquisi- tions at home the conundrum arises, now to find places for these plants. Both these approaches have their mer- its and their pitfalls. The best way to bring plants into a garden combines some of each. A designer’s visualization of the site is a way to discover and explore what it of- fers in terms of plant opportunities, and the collector-gardener’s attraction to cer- tain plants and insistence on giving them a home ensures ongoing interaction and personal response. So ideally when a plant is invited into a garden, the person mak- ing that decision has been both designer and plant collector in the process. What the extreme scenarios miss en- tirely is that plant and site are inextricable. They influence each other continually— how the plant grows there, how the site changes by its presence. Neither should be considered before the other; rather, they ought to occur simultaneously. By select- Plants with ing plants with an understanding of their needs and character, and by placing plants with regard to matching their cultural re- quirements and intrinsic qualities to a well-understood and well-explored exist- Presence ing site or creating a new site that meets these needs and respects these qualities, In the design process, take into account a plant’s needs, but one combines the best of both designer and collector approaches. also its character and how it reflects a sense of place. Truly transcendent gardens are made from a starting point of attraction to and ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS at least a budding familiarity with plants. BY SCOTT OGDEN AND LAUREN SPRINGER OGDEN Having an understanding of a plant refers

28 the American Gardener spirit of a plant, ask what makes this par- ticular plant different from other plants, and what attracts you personally to it. Sometimes this characteristic or set of qualities may seem obvious, but there’s still much to be explored. For example, many people will probably concur that if indeed they like lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina), it’s because they are attracted to their soft countenance. Knowing this isn’t enough to translate into ideal garden placement. What makes this plant seem soft? The hair on its foliage feels soft to the touch. And the shimmer of this hair gives the plant an indistinct outline when light washes over it. Also, the gray color mixes and blends so well with other plants. These diverse attributes of softness all call for different approaches to placement. To touch lamb’s ears, place them along an edge of a planting where people pass by. To create a shimmering halo, orient the plant to either an eastern or western exposure so that the low light of morning or evening can pass over it. To intensify its softening color effect, repeat and thread it through- out a planting so it can join with many companions. But there may be other rea- sons for liking the plant. In many of the dry, sunny gardens we are asked to design, we choose lamb’s ears as a favorite to min- gle among others because it has a larger- textured, more settled form than most drought-tolerant plants, especially silver ones, which tend toward fine textures and sometimes scraggly or spindly shapes. A PLANT FOR THE SITE, A SITE FOR THE PLANT Above: In the authors’ garden in Austin, Texas, temperate maritime and subtropical climates Once plants’ intrinsic qualities are dis- sustain innumerable plants with strong presence. Combining them to show off their power covered and the gardenmaker has a mind while still allowing other plants and aspects of the garden their due play takes sensitivity and jammed full of favorites, it becomes nat- understanding. Opposite page: Garden-making in a natural setting is more challenging than ural not only to find the right place for most other design scenarios. Site and plants are inextricable, a truth that applies anywhere. them on a given site but also to follow the Penstemon pinifolius and crack-filling Gazania linearis, Veronica pectinata, and Thymus opposite process: approach a particular pseudolanuginosus mingle in this Ogden-designed northern Colorado garden. spot on a site and consider which plants would enhance the space. Much of our most obviously to cultural requirements. to the obvious: their physical attributes and home garden in northern Colorado—the A plant must have its climatic tolerance, what is particularly striking or unique entire backyard—faces west to a private soil predilection, and growth habit ac- about them, such as size, shape and growth commodated, and its moisture and light habit, color, texture, scent, flower or fo- demands met. But understanding also in- liage, and the like. It also relates to things This excerpt is from Plant-Driven De- volves what the gardenmaker can do to more subtle and subjective: emotional, sign: Creating Gardens That Honor honor the plant’s spirit. often highly personal responses to them, Plants, Place, and Spirit by Scott Og- which can be an experience of magnifi- den and Lauren Springer Ogden, sched- CAPTURING A PLANT’S SPIRIT cence, sweetness, sensuality, exuberance, uled to be published in October 2008 All plants have presence; as individuals and such, or linked to a particular associa- by Timber Press, Portland, Oregon. each offer something special. This relates tion or memory. To discover the unique

September / October 2008 29 Backlighting effects through the seasons in what fits with the garden’s character—a the authors’ garden in Fort Collins, Colorado. subtropical, small urban Texan oasis— Above: Early spring sun catches Tulipa makes for a palette distinct from that sug- vvedenskyi, T. sylvestris, T. humilis, gested by the wide-open natural model vulgaris in seed, and Phlox bifida ‘Betty that inspires our Colorado meadow and Blake’. Right: In the steppe garden in October: steppe garden. Liatris punctata (prairie gayfeather), Gutierrezia sarothrae (broomweed), Boute- REGIONAL INTERPRETATIONS loua gracilis (blue grama). Such contrasts in the spirit and character of a place and how they affect plant view of the foothills. Early on we noticed choices highlight the main limitation on that afternoon light transforms the space. giving specifics about anything to do In the morning, a walk around the back with gardens: obviously the medium— reveals what the day’s chores might in- plants—varies from region to region. clude—the strong, flat, clinical light More and more, regional information is from the east exposes overlooked weeds, rising to the forefront to assist in plant se- sagging transplants, and tattered flower lection. However, design information stalks gone over, motivating the day’s lags sorely behind in this regard. Most work. By contrast, our favorite late after- people who entitle themselves to giving noon strolls following the same route, opinions on designing gardens seem to drink rather than weed bucket in hand, believe there are universal rules, princi- feel entirely different. As the light most notably in late fall, winter, and early ples, and ideals that need no translation changes and comes from behind, it illu- spring, as the back garden has a southern or revision, no matter what the region. minates colors and highlights textures, orientation that basks in the low angle of We believe this is wrong and one of the meanwhile casting a shimmering haze the sun during those times of the year. biggest shortfalls of garden design today. that diminishes contrast, unifying the The plants we choose for rewarding effects Certainly there are universal concepts, space. Knowing this, we now conscious- are in many ways different from those but these must be explored regionally be- ly seek out and add plants to this part of we’ve chosen in Colorado. Not only do in- fore anything close to a rule, principle, or the garden that respond especially favor- dividual species vary in response to cli- ideal can be discussed. ably to backlighting—those with mate, but what’s looking good during Once again, plants are key. Observing translucent petals, foliage, or , and those seasons when the sun tracks lower in not only the individual species that make with hairy or spiny stems and leaves, the sky—glittering broadleaf , up the core of a region’s natural and hor- fuzzy seeds, fine linearity, and such. translucent paperwhite narcissi, and glow- ticultural identity but also how plants in Our home garden in central Texas also ing aloe blossoms—is distinct from what’s general in a given locality differ from those affords an area to play with backlighting, full on during high season up north. Also, in other places in the way they grow and

30 the American Gardener look invites discovery that enables the gar- same psychology of comfort applies today contrived and claustrophobic in these re- denmaker to create spaces that acknowl- to creating enclosures. In urban settings, gions, especially for local people who have edge and celebrate regionality. This garden rooms function as oases to block grown up far from the sheltering, enclos- immediately grounds a garden, places it in noise and unattractive views; in suburbia ing spirit of a . What’s more, the dis- a locally resonant context, and gives it that they afford a chance to create intimacy tinctive plant choices of these regions elusive sense of place. and privacy for personal expression that is offer much less in the way of good-look- Take for instance a very specific exam- often otherwise lacking. ing, hardy, dependable hedge-making ple, that of large trees. Most material than more temper- gardens, even the smallest, ate maritime palettes do, have some need for at least and one is often left with one or two shade trees. De- only walls and fences as op- signers and gardeners often tions for enclosure. spend a lot of time thinking The openness intrinsic to about this selection, and the interior of the North rightly so as a large tree is a American continent is actu- big investment, both up ally defined by plants, or in front in terms of cost and ef- the case of drier regions, by a fort of installation, and also lack of them. The ratio of in terms of time as it will be plants to nonplant ele- several years before the tree ments—sky, stone, and settles in and begins to create soil—is different in the inte- the desired effect. Obvious- rior, resulting in a peculiar ly, a good choice marries the prairie, western, or desert conditions on site with the feel. Roughly west of the tree’s character and cultural 98th meridian, where less needs, and joins the aesthet- than 25 inches of rain falls an- ic prejudices of the person nually, trees recede altogeth- who will live with the tree er except near water or at with what’s possible in terms high elevation, and short of plant options. Tree grasses and low scrub take palettes and purposes vary over. Much of this half of the from region to region, as is to continent isn’t covered by be expected. But there’s sur- plants at all: bare earth and prising overlap, and the same rock define the strong out- overused, generic choices lines and forms characteristic and placements show up in of these western landscapes, the most far-flung places. and paint that starkly scenic Beyond overcoming world in brown, tan, buff, timidity regarding trying the red, and ochre. more unusual tree, there’s When gardens reflect more to expressing regionality with tree se- Gardens comfortable with their climate and these differences in plant stature, texture, lection. Trees mature differently in differ- conditions have a grace no overworked and density, and in the overall domi- ent climates. What grows straight and tall design can match. At Mercer Arboretum and nance of green, a sense of place emerges. in temperate and northern regions grows Botanic Gardens, in Humble, Texas, palms Here again the universality of design crooked, gnarly, and picturesque or even (✕Butiagrus nabonnandii, Syagrus romanzof- ideals comes into question. The vast picaresque in hotter and/or drier climates. fiana), gingers (Costus speciosus ‘Varie- swaths of greenery composed of lawns, It makes all the difference to find a tree gatus’, Hedychium sp.), and bamboos shade trees, and plantings tradi- that gives the right sense of place, and then celebrate their subtropical Gulf Coast home tionally used to create repose need to be plant it where it can grow comfortably and with unbridled ebullience. questioned in these regions, not only cul- show off its special qualities. turally but also aesthetically. Serenity can The well-worn design concept of the Transposing the garden room to any be interpreted as panels of tawny grasses garden room illustrates another hazard of site or region will not always work, how- interwoven with perennials, or water- applying a principle universally. While the ever. In much of this continent—the thrifty plants more silver and blue than European tradition of enclosing an out- Midwest, Plains states, interior West, and green in color, combined with stone or door space has its roots in walled gardens the Southwest—a feeling of expansive gravel. Beds and borders usually expect- developed during times in human history openness pervades the natural landscape. ed to be filled to the gills with lush, leafy when safety was a pressing concern, the More often than not, garden rooms feel plants can in turn make use of wider

September / October 2008 31 spacing with rocks or grasses or architec- tural succulent and fiber plants inter- spersed amid the floral melee, whether in a formal pattern or naturalistically. Here and there gardeners and designers are ex- perimenting along these lines, but the majority still adhere to design tenets cre- ated in and for other regions. Regional design interpretation deserves consideration also in relation to the oft- touted ideal of continuous bloom. It was a breath of fresh air for us to hear a client, unlike most, say that she actually did not want flowers all season, that she longed for the tranquility of greens and tans and tex- tures. Most parts of the world experience times of floral extravagance punctuated by partial quiescence or complete dormancy. In cold regions this follows the calendar seasons; in warm climates it is in rhythm with the rains. Following this in the gar- den with plants that respond as do those in the surrounding natural landscape would be a much more intelligent design ideal than continual bloom. Not only is it environmentally more feasible—requiring less water, fertilizer, and rotation of plants—but it also gives a sense of con- nection with the rhythm of nature and provides anticipation and the excitement of special floral events. The ebb and flow of floral versus tex- tural emphasis makes for a dynamic gar- den, one that mirrors the surge in popularity of perennials and plants with foliar interest over flowering annuals dur- ing the last three decades. People like gar- dens that look different throughout the Western North American natives Fallugia paradoxa, Pinus edulis, and Gaillardia aristata blend year, and they like plants that look good into this arid, distinctively western site at the Arlen Bemer garden in Grand Junction, Colorado. out of bloom. Where we work and gar- den, flowers are often fleeting and many on end in a brilliance of color display ultimate outcome and continue to affect herbaceous perennials look tawdry for matched only by its opposite, the depths and change it over time. If an outdoor much of the year. As a starting point in our of gray, brown, and white that the other space is to be a garden, not merely an ex- design process, we give overall plant tex- side of the year endures. Warm and hot cli- tension of an indoor space or a landscape ture priority over floral choices. We see mates have floral sputterings over most of installation, both choosing plants and se- flowers as the much-anticipated and ex- the year, accentuated by rain. Trying to lecting the best places for them on the site pected dessert that we provide with have flowers most of the year while forcing have a more powerful effect than opting panache, but not as the main course. enthusiasm about so-called winter interest for any particular style, color scheme, or ar- Still, for most people flowers remain the in the North, or trying to have a summer- tifact. Those latter dimensions should be most cherished happenings in the garden. long “florgasm” in the South amount to a developed in tandem with plant selection Finding plants that present them at differ- futile battle against these climates and an or subordinate to it, not prior to choosing ent times of the year, marking floral time, insensitivity to plants adapted to them, but plants as is frequently the case.  is something most gardeners will continue that is exactly what most gardeners in those to try to achieve. Some climates have a sea- regions long for and attempt. Scott Ogden and Lauren Springer Ogden are son of floral explosion—high-elevation It all comes back to plants as the start- garden designers, authors, and lecturers. In and far northern gardens show this off, ing point for design. More than any other their spare time, they tend acclaimed gardens where perennials bloom for several months element in a garden, plants determine the in Fort Collins, Colorado, and Austin, Texas.

32 the American Gardener

34 Holly Shimizu,center, istheexecutivedirector of theU.S.BotanicGarden,which includestheNationalGarden, top. H as part of the AHS’sas part Great American Gar- Professional Award earlierthisyear, given her theAmericanHorticultural Society’s only inWashington but nationally.” she isassociated withfinegardening not Administrative Officer Betty Spar, “and by themedia andCongress,” saysUSBG andtheworld.” throughout thecountry sustainability, andbeautytoAmericans cal messagesaboutpollinators,food, hibits attheUSBG,sheisbringingcriti- and thoughtful,timely, andinnovative ex- Warner. strategicpartnerships “Through ciety President Emeritus Katy Moss beyond,” saysAmericanHorticultural So- leadership tothepublicgarden world,and on theMall inWashington, D.C. stallation ofathree-acre National Garden andthein- conservatory tion ofthenew involved withthe $33.5millionrenova- Botanic Garden (USBG),shehas been As executive director oftheUnited States Garden.” Victory television series,“The United States andabroad, andhostedthe to hundreds ofgarden groups inthe andbooks,spoken world, writtenarticles worked inbotanicgardens around the horticulture. In thattime,shehas transforming public horticulture Holly Shimizu transforming public horticulture Holly Shimizu Indeed, herachievements have earned “She isthespokespersonmostknown “Holly Shimizu isproviding inspired the American Gardener tally immersedinthefieldof has spent36ofher53years to- OLLY HARMARSHIMIZU lightened leadership—would have hap- and thepromotion ofgardening withen- this—the awards, thebooks, thelectures, deners Awards program. Yet noneof profoundly change lives. that plants have the power to Holly Shimizu is living proof Garden ExecutiveDirector in life, United States Botanic Once unsureofherdirection BY CAROLEOTTESEN area forwomen.”She enrolled atTemple a career choiceandwasarelatively new wasn’t oneofthetopicsever discussedas living by studyingplants,” she says.“It “I couldn’t getover thatIcouldmakea working with plantsanditamazed her. culture, shesaw studentsstudyingand There, intheprogram forappliedhorti- mother tookhertoTemple University. eating parsleydown tothestubs,”Holly’s sun-warmed raspberriesandpears grandfather inRhodeIsland “picking doors from summersspentwithher Knowing Holly’s affinityfortheout- out real direction…and fund!” no trust she putsit,was“truly alostsoul with- ed anyplanswhatsoever forthefuture. As any collegesor, forthatmatter, formulat- of highschool,Shimizu hadn’t appliedto Krishnas inthehall.”But toward theend tracted diverse students.There were Hare town. It wasthekindofplace“that at- switched toanalternative schooldown- bers. Restless ather prep school,she to makeanythingofmylife,”sheremem- “In mywholeschool, I was the least likely Shimizu didnotfeel anystrong ambitions. As ayouth growing upinPhiladelphia, PROVIDE TURNINGPOINT PLANTS ments inheryoung life. mo- tunity towork withplantsatcrucial pened if Shimizu had not had the oppor- That’s whenhermothersteppedin.

TOP: CAROLE OTTESEN. CENTER: COURTESY OF USBG go to Jamaica and help people grow veg- etables,” she got a letter from Sir Harold Hillier from the Hillier Arboretum. “How soon can you get here?” he asked. NEW OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD Immediately after graduation, Shimizu made haste to England. There, thrilled to be working abroad in an outstanding gar- den, she was euphoric. “I cannot tell you how lucky I felt, even sweeping the walk- ways or picking up trash.” Her experi- ence at Hillier also helped her to discover that “horticulture was this huge world and the people in it were characters.” And it was at Hillier that she first Above: As a student at Temple University, met Osamu Shimizu, a young land- Shimizu began to explore the field of scape designer from Okayama, Japan. horticulture. Right: At Hillier Arboretum in “I didn’t like him and he didn’t like England, Shimizu gained hands-on training. me,” she says of their first impressions of each other. But as their paths kept University, Ambler School of Horticul- experience at Hillier Arboretum in crossing in Europe, these initial atti- ture in 1972. Hampshire, England, Meyer says, “I was tudes were to change. “At Temple, I wasn’t a good student,” very enthusiastic about my time there be- From Hillier, she went on to the Hatt Shimizu says. “My focus was on having cause, though the wages were low, oppor- Nursery in Munster, West Germany. fun, friends, and relationships.” Nonethe- tunities were high for experiencing a new Then, she worked at Kalmthout Arbore- less, she graduated in 1974 with an Associ- culture, meeting other students from tum in Belgium, noted for its collections ate of Science degree. Just as before, she around the world, and working with of heritage and rare plants from approached graduation without any firm amazing plant collections.” around the world. As fate would have it, plans for the future. At the time, she was In her senior year at Penn State, Osamu Shimizu worked at Kalmthout, working part-time at a nursery transplant- Shimizu began investigating internships at too. There, the two revised their first im- ing seedlings. Bored with the repetition, gardens abroad. She sent out 20 letters pressions of each other—at lightning she applied to Penn State for a four-year without success. Just as she was ready to speed. In just over three months, they degree program in horticulture. give up and “sign on to the Peace Corps to were engaged. At Penn State, she finally started “to study and focus.” Then she received an offer that opened her eyes to the opportu- nities available in the world of horticulture: “My advisor asked me if I would like to be a summer student at Longwood.” She ap- plied and was accepted for the summer of 1975, between her junior and senior years. “It was heaven, and life changing,” Shimizu says of her experience at Long- wood Gardens in Kennett Square, Penn- sylvania. There, she came in contact with people who “were really into plants” such as the late Judy Zuk, who became presi- dent of Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York, and Paul Meyer, a founding mem- ber of the North American Plant Collec- tions Consortium, who become director of the Morris Arboretum of the Universi- ty of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. These role models helped to widen her horizons. “Meyer had worked in England. That As curator of the herb garden at the National Arboretum, Shimizu often made guest

COURTESY OF HOLLY SHIMIZU (3) SHIMIZU HOLLY OF COURTESY planted a seed,” Shimizu recalls. About his appearances on “The Victory Garden” television show with its host, Bob Thompson, right.

September / October 2008 35 36 public horticulture. my path.”She sethersightsonacareer in changed mydirection. Europe cemented profound impression onher. “Longwood Wisley, much like Longwood, made a herbgarden.as theinstallationofanew major changestotherose gardens, aswell the renovation ofherbaceousborders and cultural Society, where shewasinvolved in the renowned garden oftheRoyal Horti- cluded herEuropean trainingatWisley, propagation techniques.She thencon- inHollandat anursery where shelearned skills. Shimizu leftKalmthoutforastint tinued toenhancetheirhorticultural many ofEurope’s great gardens andcon- West. “Plants,” shesays,“are what brought mixtureriage, isacomfortable of Eastand began theirgarden, which, liketheirmar- for herMasters degree in1984.Andthey first childdaysaftercompleting oralexams Alexa—in fact,Holly totheir gave birth parents oftwochildren, Bevan and Glen Echo, Theybecamethe Maryland. They acquired a 100-year-old cottagein sonal lives astheywere intheircareers. went tosomeamazinggardens.” traveled to several different countries and spondent, covering avariety ofstories.I asaspecial corre- Istarted she says.“Then ly todosegments iftheyrelated toherbs,” Garden. wouldcallmeoccasional- “They son, didasegmentontheNational Herb when then-hostoftheshow, BobThomp- Garden” Victory came involved with“The find,” shesays. well asgrow herbalIcould everything desire to learn and teach about plants as assembling thecollection.“It fulfilledmy joyed creative wonderful freedom in boretum inWashington, D.C.,sheen- Herb Garden attheU.S.National Ar- job: working withherbs. ty and of byMaryland landing her dream ters degree inhorticulture attheUniversi- Corporation; she,by studyingforherMas- by establishingtheShimizu Landscape weds pursued careers in horticulture—he, were marriedthesameyear. Thenewly- turned totheUnited States in1979and Holly Harmar andOsamu Shimizu re- CAREER BUILDING APLANT-CENTERED Before marrying, thecoupletouredBefore marrying, The Shimizus were as busy in their per- Also, beginningin1981,Shimizu be- As thefirstcuratorofNational the American Gardener Green Garage outdoors gardens,discussdetailsoftheAHS Pritchard, gardenersupervisorfortheUSBG’s conservatory. Top:ShimizuandRobert Shimizu gives a tour of the USBG Above: Planet—Ours” exhibit. arboretum tobecomepublicprograms of- thriving aftereight years, Shimizu leftthe Shimizus’ Home Garden” on page 37.) a plant.(For more details,see“The agree over thechoice,placement, orcare of about.” And,sometimes,theymay stilldis- us together. Plants were whatwe fought With the herb garden complete and ® installation, partofthe“One Control andPrevention, andtheEnvi- the CoastGuard, theCenters forDisease into acommandcenterforFEMA, vatory turn theWest conser- ofthenew Gallery Capitol atthetime,directed Shimizu to Alan M.Hantman, theArchitect ofthe followed by theanthraxmailingsscare. came theSeptember 11terrorist attack, vember grand openingdeadline.Then working at fullthrottle tomeetaNo- infrastructure. TheUSBGstaffwas art molished in1992,butwithstate-of-the- Deco glasshousethatwasde- grand Art structure wouldlookliketheformer was slated to open. The new conservatory planned. Ayear afterherreturn, anew speaking. citing, horticulturally it hasmorphedintooneofthemostex- the quietestplacesonNational Mall, monumental changes.From beingoneof her leadership, theUSBGhaswitnessed to theUSBGasexecutive director. Under garden’s educational programs. ularly helpful to us.” She also oversaw the tensive horticultural expertisewas partic- Director Frank Robinson, “so Holly’s ex- gardens,” says Ginter’s Lewis Executive Richmond, Virginia. at the Ginter Lewis Botanical Garden in tant executive director. ficer oftheUSBG,then,eventually, assis- And theexcitement isnotalways In November 2000,Shimizu returned “At thetime, we were actively building In 1996,shebecame managingdirector

TOP: COURTESY OF USBG. BOTTOM: K.K.OTTESEN / AHS ARCHIVES ronmental Protection Agency. She and her staff coped, working around the agen- cies investigating the anthrax incidents. THE SHIMIZUS’ HOME GARDEN Amid the chaos, they received, installed, In her garden in Maryland, Holly Shimizu is “really interested in plants that attract and cared for plants, managing to open pollinators.” She makes sure to include both nectar providers and plants that larvae only a month behind schedule. like to feed on. She selects plants so that there is a long season of bloom and plen- The grand opening was December 11, ty of diversity, which are key factors for attracting pollinators. “Learning about pol- 2001, three months to the day after Sep- linators and experiencing the richness they bring to gardens is important to me,” tember 11. That particular date was not a she says. “They are the way I measure the success of my garden.” conscious plan, but in those uncertain And though she still days after the terrorist attack, a garden loves herbs, much of her garden is shady, so she grows them with vegeta- bles in her roof garden. Some of her favorites in- clude lemon grass (Cym- bopogon citratus), lemon verbena (Aloysia triphyl- la), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), basil (Ocimum spp.), and lavender (La- vandula spp.). The shady heart of the garden is a sylvan retreat Holly Shimizu and her husband Osamu share her husband created be- a laugh at their Maryland home. hind the house. A stream tumbles over boulders, opening “represented solace and heal- falling first into a small, ing,” says Shimizu. and then into a larger, deeper pool. Shimizu SETTING AN EXAMPLE finds the sound of the wa- When the three-acre National Garden terfalls has a calming ef- The Shimizus’ backyard garden, designed by Osamu, that adjoins the conservatory opened on fect, something she features a series of waterfalls that flow into a serene pool. October 1, 2006, USBG attendance appreciates when she re- soared to unprecedented numbers. turns home from a day at her demanding job at the U.S. Botanic Garden. Shimizu estimates visitation at “close to “I don’t think it is ever complete,” Shimizu says of her garden, “because it a million per year,” but she concedes the keeps changing and problem areas arise where you need to divide plants, or im- figure “includes those that don’t even prove soil, and Osamu is always .” She also admits that “whenever I know they’re there and many who are travel I always come home with interesting plants.” —C.O. just looking for a bathroom.” No matter why they get there, those who wander into the National Garden tance of plants and the environment to us visitors enjoy these exhibits but can also often leave with a better appreciation for all,” says Shimizu. draw their own conclusions about how to plants and their importance to the earth. The current exhibit, “One Planet— make environmentally friendly choices. “We try to instruct by example by not Ours! Sustainability for the 22nd Centu- “People want to do the right thing,” she using toxic chemicals,” says Shimizu. “We ry,” running until October 13, is geared concludes, “but they need guidelines.” select plants that grow well for us, rather toward greener living. Among the nearly Shimizu sees her mandate as “bringing than those that don’t.” 40 partnering organizations of the exhibit, people and plants together.” If people re- In addition to the plants, extensive ex- the American Horticultural Society is par- spond to plants, they will respect the green hibits around the conservatory enhance ticipating with its Green Garage® display world, care about it, and, ultimately, want the overall learning experience at the showcasing environmentally friendly gar- to save it. Her bedrock belief is that plants USBG. These exhibits, created through dening tools and techniques. are good for people. They are beautiful and partnerships with other organizations from “We have the perfect location to reach necessary. And they have the power to around the country, also provide a way for a lot of people,” says Shimizu. The trick is change people’s lives—as they did hers. the USBG to increase its national scope. to make important topics, such as alterna- “We are always open to celebrating the tive energy sources and using plants to Carole Ottesen is a contributing writer for

CAROLE OTTESEN (2) OTTESEN CAROLE work of others that promotes the impor- clean polluted water, compelling so that The American Gardener.

September / October 2008 37 38 the American Gardener magnolias offer plenty of interest for any garden. Ranging frombashfulwoodlanddenizenstoboldsun-lovinggiants,America’s native magnolias offer plenty of interest for any garden. Ranging from bashful woodland denizens to bold sun-loving giants, America’s native BY GILNELSON BY GILNELSON Magnolias America’s Magnolias America’s

JOSEPH G. STRAUCH JR. AGNOLIAS ARE the aristo- green above and silvery white beneath, Schmidt and Son tree nursery in Boring, crats of America’s native trees, causing well-exposed trees to shimmer be- Oregon, likes ‘Jim Wilson’, which is sold Mprimordial relicts thousands of tween these colors in the slightest breeze. under the trademark name Moonglow. millennia in the making and little more ad- Sweetbay is quite variable in nature, and Named after a well-known garden writer, vanced today than at the time of their ori- two primary varieties have been identified. it has an upright habit, tends to be ever- gin, when dinosaurs still rumbled the The northern one (variety virginiana) is green, and is hardy to USDA Zone 4 or 5, earth. Based on the record, they date typically a large multi-stemmed shrub that according to Buley. from at least the Cretaceous Period—135 to usually doesn’t exceed 20 feet in height. It The other native evergreen species is 100 million years ago—and some experts is slightly hardier than its southern cousin, southern magnolia (M. grandiflora, Zones believe they may be even older than that. to USDA Zone 4 or 5, but may lose its 7–9, 9–6), which is much larger than the The Magnolia is one of only two leaves in winter in cooler zones. The south- sweetbay, with thick, leathery, dark green genera in the magnolia family (Magnoli- ern form (variety australis) can reach foliage. Its attractive form and popularity aceae). Two species of tulip poplar (Lirio- heights of 50 feet or more in the garden with gardeners and landscape designers dendron)—one in North America, the (nearly 100 feet in the wild) with an open have resulted in the selection of more than other in —round out the family. crown and attractive smooth grayish 125 cultivars. There are about 220 species of magnolias worldwide—not including the numerous selections, cultivars, and hybrids—nearly all of which have been successfully intro- duced into horticulture. About two-thirds are indigenous to Asia, ranging from India to China, Korea, and Japan. The remain- ing species are centered in the , Mexico, and the Americas. Nine species are native to North Amer- ica, one of which is found only in the cloud of Mexico. The other eight—two evergreen and six decidu- ous—range from New York to Florida and west to Texas, placing the eastern United States at the center of North American dis- tribution. But the native species, particu- Sweetbay magnolia, left, is larly the evergreen ones, have proven quite prized for its silvery-green adaptable outside their natural range and leaves—evergreen in warmer many adorn gardens from the Midwest to regions—which seem to the West Coast and Pacific Northwest. shimmer in a breeze. It also bears deliciously fragrant early EVERGREEN NATIVES summer flowers, such as this Two evergreen magnolias occur in the one, above, from the cultivar eastern United States, both of which are ‘Henry Hicks’. southern in distribution and restricted in nature mostly to the broad coastal plains trunk. It performs best in USDA Zones 7 Standard southern magnolias tend to that stretch away east and south from the to 10. Although both varieties are get so large at maturity that they can grow Piedmont’s rolling hills. plants in nature, they do not require wet out of scale with residential landscapes. Sweetbay (M. virginiana, USDA Har- soils in the garden and surprisingly will This has driven breeders to seek out small- diness Zones 6–9, AHS Heat Zones 9–6), thrive in dry, sunny locations. er selections with compact, columnar sometimes called swamp magnolia, is the A few cultivars of sweetbay are avail- forms. Three of the more popular are ‘Lit- smaller of the two. Its fragrant flowers are able. Andrew Bunting, curator of the tle Gem’, ‘D. D. Blanchard’, and ‘Brack- smaller than other native magnolias—usu- Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College, en’s Brown Beauty’. All have shorter leaves ally measuring less than three inches wide says, “One of our favorites is M. virgini- than the species—often less than six inch- when fully open—but they bloom in ana var. australis ‘Henry Hicks’, which is es long—with a covering of attractive rusty showy abundance in late spring and early a selection made here at the Scott Arbore- or dark brown hairs on the undersides. summer. The two-toned leaves are pale tum. In our climate it is semi-evergreen. ‘D. D. Blanchard’ is one of the most We also grow ‘Santa Rosa’ which has large popular tree-sized selections, reaching 50 Opposite: Rare in the wild, bigleaf magnolia glossy, dark green leaves.” feet tall and 35 feet wide. is a striking tree with leaves up to three feet Nancy Buley, director of marketing ‘Little Gem’ is perhaps the best com-

LEFT: SUSAN A .ROTH. RIGHT: BILL JOHNSON BILL RIGHT: .ROTH. A SUSAN LEFT: long and eight-inch-wide fragrant flowers. and communications for J. Frank pact form, often growing as a large, dense-

September / October 2008 39 40 Beauty’ andshould alsobetriedinnorth- 9–6) are similarinsize to‘Bracken’s Brown selections of choiceforcolderclimates. pletely insevere winters,but isamongthe may sufferleafburnoreven defoliatecom- gardens asNew asfarnorth England. It ‘Little Gem’ andhasbecomepopularin feet talland30wide,ishardier than 10–4), whichusuallytopsoutat30to50 ther north. and maysufferduringsevere winters far- is excellent for gardens inwarmerclimates specimen orscreening plant.‘LittleGem’ tall, abouthalfaswide,andisusefula a smalltree. It istypicallylessthan30feet ly foliagedshrub, butsometimesforming Blanchard’, right,whichfeaturesattractivefoliageandapyramidalshape. striking creamywhiteflowersfromlatespringtomidsummer,and‘D.D. Many selectionsareavailable,including‘KayParris’,topright,whichbears headquarters inVirginia,above,makeagrandstatementthelandscape. Southern magnolias,liketheonegrowingatAmericanHorticulturalSociety’s ‘Kay Parris’ and‘Edith Bogue’ (6–9, ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’(Zones 6–9, the American Gardener diflora hardiness intothisspecies, columnar habit. togrowported to 40or50feetwitha troduction namedAlta that of‘LittleGem’. Arelatively in- new gests, anditsformmaybeeven betterthan hardier than its USDA Zone 7 rating sug- nearly orangebeneath.It mayprove tobe soms, andglossygreen leaves thatare longed flowering period,striking blos- ern gardens. ‘KayParris’ features apro- species shouldnotbeover- most popular of the native magnolias, the While theevergreen species are by farthe DECIDUOUS NATIVES Regardless ofattemptstobreed cold is essentiallyasouthern plant. ® (‘TMGH’) isre- (‘TMGH’) Magnolia gran- variety, yellow magnolia(M. nolia clude thesmaller-leaved cucumbermag- other widelyuseddeciduous natives in- two feet in umbrella magnolia. The only the bigleafandAshemagnolias, andupto potentially tomore thanthree feet long in leaves ofall three are exceptionally large, the size of itslarge-leaved relatives. The brella magnoliaare allwhiteandabouthalf ple blotchatthebase.Theflowers ofum- creamy alarge pur- whitetepals thatsport two feetwidewhenfullyopen,with Ashe andbigleafmagnoliascanbenearly flowers andgracefulforms. The flowers of spectacular inthegarden, featuringhuge Ashe, bigleaf, and umbrella magnolias are looked—especially thebigleafforms.The (M. acuminata) and itsdiminutive

LEFT: MARY YEE. TOP RIGHT: GIL NELSON; BOTTOM RIGHT: SUSAN A. ROTH woods between Tallahassee and Pensacola. bigleaf magnolia (M. macrophylla, Zones Yet, it has proven cold hardy in trials to 6–9, 9–6); indeed, some experts consid- USDA Zone 4 and is comfortably rated er it a variety of its slightly larger-leaved hardy to at least USDA Zone 6. In fact, the cousin. The two are well separated in largest Ashe magnolia on record grows at natural range, but are very attractive the Henry Botanic Garden in Gladwyne, when planted near one another in the Pennsylvania, about 1,000 miles north of garden. Bigleaf becomes much larger— its current natural range. to at least 50 feet tall—and is more tree- Its popularity with gardeners is due to like at maturity. However, it takes much its manageable size in residential land- longer to reach flowering age. Reports of scapes, coupled with its tendency for flow- 10 to 15 years from seed to first flower are ering at a young age. Garden plants common. When grown in sun, it takes average well under 30 feet in height and on a full form with a wide, attractive width at maturity, and may express them- crown. Phil Normandy, plant curator at selves as gangly, single-trunked or Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Mary- Precocious ashe magnolias start blooming small trees. The long, thick, often con- land, is particularly fond of a grouping of when they are only two or three years of age. torted branches are highly attractive in three bigleaf magnolias at a satellite gar- both winter and summer, and the large den of Brookside. “Originally these trees acuminata var. subcordata). leaves add tropical flair to temperate gar- Ashe magnolia (M. ashei, Zones 6–9, dens. Ashe magnolias produce their first 9–6) is, at once, the rarest of the deciduous flowers in as little as two years from seed. natives in the wild and one of the most Ashe magnolia occurs in nature in the un- Sources popular with gardeners. Named for W. W. derstory of shady woodlands, but it per- Broken Arrow Nursery, Hamden, CT. Ashe, an early 20th century botanist who forms very well in sunny openings and is (203) 288-1026. www.broken first collected the plant in the Florida pan- most enjoyed as a specimen tree to show- arrownursery.com. handle, its natural habitat is restricted to case its large leaves and oversized flowers. bluffs, ravine slopes, and a few upland Ashe magnolia is closely related to Greer Gardens, Eugene, OR. (541) 686-8266. www.greergardens.com.

Mail Order Natives, Lee, FL. (850) 973-4688. www.mailordernatives. com.

Nearly Native Nursery, Fayetteville, GA. (770) 460-6284. www.nearlynativenursery.com.

Rare Find Nursery, Jackson, NJ. (732) 833-0613. www.rarefind nursery.com.

Woodlanders, Inc., Aiken, SC. (803) 648-7522. www.woodlanders.net. Resources Magnolias: A Gardener’s Guide by Jim Gardiner, Timber Press, Port- land, Oregon, 2000.

The Magnolia Society International, www.magnoliasociety.org.

The World of Magnolias by Dorothy J. Callaway, Timber Press, Portland, The bold, dramatic foliage on this bigleaf magnolia, growing at Daniel Stowe Botanical Oregon, 1994.

GIL NELSON (2) NELSON GIL Garden in North Carolina, makes it a standout in the landscape.

September / October 2008 41 FLOWERS, , AND POLLINATORS The magnolias’ ancient affinities are most evident in the struc- the thick fleshy tissue to get to the stigmas and . In ture of their flowers and fruit. Unlike many perfect flowers, which smaller-flowered species, the flowers open only partly during the feature clear division of sepals, stamens, and pistils, magnolia first day, close during the evening, and reopen the second day flowers consist of various parts that are often difficult to tell to shed and drop their stamens. The larger-flowered forms apart. Numerous stamens and pistils spiral around an erect cen- often remain at least partially open throughout . tral axis subtended by a of creamy Magnolia fruits are often described white petallike structures. In most species as cones, which is not technically ac- the petals and sepals are so similar that curate. True cones, with unprotected experts refer to them as “,” a botan- ovaries and overlapping scales, are the ical catchall term that serves where pre- purview of the conifers. The magnolia cise morphological language fails. fruit, on the other hand, is a —a Magnolia flowers are protogynous, capsulelike pod that derives from a sin- which means that the pistil of an individ- gle ovary and splits at maturity along a ual flower becomes receptive (matures) single seam. Since each magnolia before that flower’s stamens release their flower has many ovaries, it produces pollen. Their primary pollinators are bee- multiple follicles that are clustered to tles, which apparently co-evolved with the form attractive conelike structures. At genus in an intriguing pollination mecha- Southern magnolia’s decorative red seeds maturity the follicles open to expose nism. In bud, magnolia flowers are cov- showy red seeds that dangle on thin col- ered by a fuzzy that encircles and protects the developing orful threads reminiscent in function and structure to an um- bloom. The stigmas become receptive just before the flower bilical cord. The colorful seed coat—technically an aril—en- opens, requiring the to squeeze or chew their way through cases and protects the developing embryo. —G.N. were planted in partial shade, but now coves and rich woods of the southern Ap- ciduous magnolias, it grows best in moist, they are growing in more or less full sun,” palachians, has moderately large leaves and acid soils and thrives alongside streams. says Normandy. At more than 30 feet tall, elegant, fragrant white flowers. Its native The pyramid magnolia (M. pyramidata, they offer a very dramatic look.” range is from into eastern Zones 7–9, 9–7), considered by some to be Umbrella magnolia (M. tripetala, Kentucky and Tennessee, and southward a variety of mountain magnolia, is a coastal Zones 4–9, 9–5) also has large leaves—up to northern Georgia. Reported to be more plains counterpart ranging mostly east and to at least 20 inches long and 10 inches demanding to grow than other native de- south of the Piedmont. wide that taper to a point at the base, un- like the slightly lobed base of bigleaf and Ashe magnolia. The flowers have six to 12 tepals and are about eight inches wide. Most umbrella trees top out at less than 50 feet tall and may form erect, sin- gle-trunked trees or very large multi- stemmed shrubs. The common name stems from the spreading leaves, which tend to radiate laterally from the branch tips, creating an umbrellalike canopy. Um- brella magnolia grows naturally from southeastern New York southward to the Florida panhandle (where only a few pop- ulations are known), and west to . It is adaptable and easy to grow in the gar- den and flowers best in light shade to full sun in rich, moist soils. It is most at home in a naturalistic woodland garden, but sin- gle-trunked forms serve well as specimen trees in more open landscapes. Mountain magnolia (M. fraseri, Zones

4–9, 9–6), an endemic species of mountain The cone-shaped fruits of umbrella magnolia turn pinkish red in autumn. SZYWALA ALEKSANDRA BOTTOM: ROTH. A. SUSAN TOP:

42 the American Gardener Yellow cucumber magnolia has been used by breeders to develop popular yellow- flowered magnolia hybrids such as ‘Gold Star’, left, and ‘Butterflies’, above.

Yellow flowers on trees are one of the It fits well into residential landscapes as a the tree. They also have thin bark, so avoid “holy grails” of horticulture, so it’s not sur- small tree or large shrub that usually does mechanical weed trimming or other ac- prising that the cucumber magnolia (M. not exceed about 30 feet tall. The best tivities that might injure the bark, provid- acuminata, Zones 4–9, 9–2), with its specimens have distinctly yellow tepals ing an entry point for pathogens. greenish yellow flowers, has been of par- with flowers that appear in spring before Water newly planted trees regularly ticular interest to plant breeders. Named the new leaves expand. until they are well established, but aside for the shape of its young fruiting “cones,” Cucumber magnolia has given rise to from that, little supplemental irrigation cucumber magnolia is the hardiest and numerous cultivars, including the popu- should be needed except during droughts. most widespread of the American magno- lar M. ✕ ‘Butterflies’, a cross between M. Avoid overwatering because most magno- lias, ranging from a small population in the acuminata and the Chinese M. denudata lias are prone to root rot. Florida panhandle north to the Canadian ‘Sawada’s Cream’. ‘Butterflies’ is the best Magnolias generally need little pruning side of Lake Erie. It can grow to more than and most widely grown of the yellow- other than to remove crossed branches or 100 feet high, making it one of the tallest flowered magnolias and extends the har- for other cosmetic purposes. (For infor- deciduous native magnolias. Its leaves grow diness range for yellow-flowered forms mation on propagating native magnolias, to eight inches long, tapering to a point. northward to USDA Zone 4. click on a web special linked to this article The best yellows are produced by the on the AHS website at www.ahs.org). smaller, less widespread, and less hardy CARING FOR NATIVE MAGNOLIAS yellow cucumber magnolia (M. acumi- Most magnolias thrive in slightly acidic, LONG-LASTING BEAUTY nata subsp. subcordata, Zones 7–9, 9–7). well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Regardless of which species you choose, Evergreen species usually grow best in native magnolias add a distinctive charm full sun, while the deciduous species are to gardens through all four seasons and, in better suited to part shade, especially in most cases, over a long lifespan. The leaves warmer regions. range from lush and tropical-looking on Early fall is the best time to plant mag- the deciduous species to glossy and two- nolias. Dig a hole about twice the width of toned on the evergreen magnolias. Their the rootball but not much deeper. Gently attractive forms and showy, fragrant flow- agitate and spread the roots along the edges ers are, in my opinion, unsurpassed among of the container ball; magnolias have ten- America’s native trees. And in late summer der roots but it helps to spread them a lit- and fall the sculptural fruits and bright red tle before planting. Leave the top of the seeds add their own decorative touch.  root ball about an inch above ground level and fill the remaining void with the rest of Gil Nelson is an author, photographer, and the excavated soil. botanist based in Georgia. His next book, a Mountain magnolia, native to the southern Magnolias have shallow root systems, guide to native plants for southern gardens, is

TOP LEFT:TOP CARDILLO ROB BOTTOM: AND RIGHT TOP PAVIA. JERRY Appalachians, blooms in spring. so add a layer of mulch around the base of scheduled for release in 2010.

September / October 2008 43 44 by LindaMcIntyre Amy Stewart:MaverickGarden Writer H says. Published lastyear, hermostrecent book,Flower(Algonquin Books),delves Confidential intothehuge, larger human enterprise, a connection that reveals much about our history andcharacter.larger humanenterprise,aconnectionthatreveals muchaboutourhistory andaboutherstyleofwritingthatexplores gardening’sworkings of thefloralindustry connectiontothe aboutallaspectsofgardening.offering opinionatedviews site, all theelements ofgoodfiction,suchas I thinkreally goodnonfiction should have read forpleasure, Iread fiction exclusively. It’s interesting you notice that. When I an aspiringnovelist? niques inyour books.Were you ever There are alotoffiction-writingtech- to mydayjob. first two books were written as side projects 30s, writing I started part-time; in fact, my grant writerforahousingagency. In my gree incityplanning andworking asa English, IendedupgettingaMasters de- make alivingatit,soinsteadofstudying a writer, butIwasn’t sure how Iwould Amy Stewart: a writer. Tell usaboutyour background. Linda McIntyre: Freelance writerLindaMcIntyre spokewithStewart recently aboutsomeofherrevelations ontheinner the American Gardener www.amystewart.com. WMN GARDENWRITERS OW MANY seller? AmyStewart can,butshedoesn’t seeherselfasagarden writer. “I’m awriterwhogardens,” she I hadalwayswantedtobe You didn’t outas start She also blogs on lications, travels thelecture circuit, andmaintainsablogonherown web- book wasThe Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms. band from theirnative Texas in1992afterfinishinggraduateschool.Her second perience creating herfirstgarden inCalifornia,where shemoved withher hus- a garden-related subject.Her firstbook, strong narrative styletopresent amulti-faceted,thoroughly researched look at says Stewart. Whatsetshergarden from othersistheuseofa writingapart be released nextspring,andthere are planstodoaFrench edition. non-gardeners alike.She iscurrently finishingaBritish editionofthebookto complex, globalcut-flowerandwasahitwithreaders—gardeners industry and In additiontowritingbooks,Stewart tomanypub- contributesarticles “Garden writingissometimesseen asastep-cousin tohomedecorating,” Stewart’s compellingsecondbook. Earthworms werethesubjectofAmy few—the most colorful or memorable most colorful few—the industry, andIendedupchoosingjust a 100 peoplefromofthe cut-flower allparts Flower Confidential, good charactersandplotdevelopment. For N NOEWITH ONE ON ONE can saythey’ve writtenacriticallyacclaimed C www.gardenrant.com, I interviewed overI interviewed … From the Ground Up, isaboutherex- where she is one of four gardeners Flower Confidential. searching, writing,and touringfor yearsa few toit.Ispentfour years re- ject hastointerest meenoughtodevote cide whatwouldwork forabook.Asub- and Ibounceideasoffeachother tode- interests me, and myagent,publisher, read. Ilookaround forsomething that I try towritethebooksthatIwant I try How doyou decidewhattowriteabout? study earthworms are fascinating people. andthescientistswho Charles Darwin Earth Moved, whenthetopicwasworms! human interest, even, inthecaseofThe My subjects always come down to ment ofthemuchlarger industry. characters—to represent seg- aparticular Just writingaboutplantscanbedull. New York Times best-

TOP: RONI MOCAN ; BOTTOM: SCOTT BROWN. BOTH COURTESY OF WWW.AMYSTEWART.COM What led you to write about the cut- and I think it’s because when people Of the many memorable events, visit- flower industry? know more about something, they start ing the giant flower auction in Aalsmeer The biggest grower of cut flowers in the becoming connoisseurs—they know in Holland was the most astonishing. I country, Sun Valley Floral Farm, is near how to look for the best. was so fascinated by how large it was and where I live in northern California. It has The people in the flower industry, the fact that about half the world’s sup- an open house every year, and one year I though, aren’t in the habit of letting out- ply of cut flowers pass through there. It went, not knowing anything about the in- siders in to see how things work, so some was like the Wall Street for flowers. dustry. Then I found out that Leslie of them were fearful the book would elicit Woodriff, the eccentric breeder of the ‘Star a negative response. One natural foods gro- You’ve been criticized for expressing strong views on the GardenRant blog, like the time you wrote about how fed or the first time, I up you were with people writing and “F would see flowers talking virtuously about their eating- as the factory-produced local-foods lifestyle. What do you make merchandise they have of these criticisms? become. This is business, The world of garden writing tends to take big business. I could pre- itself too seriously. For me, gardening is tend that the flowers I about going outside and interacting with buy to cheer myself up or the plant kingdom. The garden is a place congratulate a friend on to have fun. We want to be opinionated her new baby are some- and irreverent on GardenRant and get how unique, fragile, and away from plant lists and “how-to” arti- connected to nature and cles. We won’t please everyone; sometimes gardens and plant life, we even write about plants we hate! but here there is no deny- ing that each blossom is What is your own garden like? a unit of profit. What I I grow more flowering perennials than do with it, what mean- anything else. I’m a huge salvia fan; I ings I impose upon it, is have at least 30 or 40 varieties. I used to my own business. But grow more vegetables, but I travel so while it’s in the green- much now that it’s too hard to keep up house, it’s a product, pure with them. I grow berries and artichokes, and simple.” and before I got my four pet chickens, I In this Dutch factory assembly line, flowers are grew lettuce. The chickens are great at —from Flower Confidential being dyed different colors before going to market. scratching out weeds, but they’re also good at getting to the seeds of everything I try to plant!

Gazer’ lily, had lived here, too. Learning cery chain that also sells flowers, for exam- Are you working on any new projects? the story of how that flower came to be one ple, turned me down flat when I called for I have a new book coming out next spring of the most popular cut flowers was like an interview. There are sections of the called Wicked Plants. It will be about “bad” reading a mystery novel. The records were book—such as when I write about how plants—poisonous plants, plants that have right here at my county courthouse, and post-harvest roses are routinely dipped in been outlawed. There are short sections for the story had never been told. fungicide—that upset people in the in- each of the plants, with human stories, of When I started, I was also thinking dustry, but I tried to be even-handed in course—for example, one of the plants about the globalization of the industry; how I presented all the information. killed Abraham Lincoln’s mother. the flowers we buy can come from Cali- fornia, Ecuador, Kenya, and China. We What was the most surprising thing Do you ever plan to write a non-gar- think about buying local a lot these days you learned while researching Flower dening book? when it comes to food, but not with the Confidential, and is there a most- Yes, definitely! In the publishing world, flowers we buy. memorable moment during all your there is a tendency to pigeonhole a writer travels for the book? into just doing one type of work. I’m in- What kind of response has Flower The most surprising thing was how terested in so many things.  Confidential gotten from readers? durable cut flowers are. We think of them My readers—people who garden, plant as delicate, but they’re pretty tough—they Linda McIntyre is a freelance writer living in lovers, and lovers of literature—have told travel all over the world, going without Washington, D.C. Managing Editor and Art

AMY STEWART / COURTESY OF WWW.AMYSTEWART.COM OF COURTESY / STEWART AMY me, “I buy more flowers now than ever,” water for long stretches of time. Director Mary Yee assisted with this article.

September / October 2008 45 46 gins oftherange.” growerssignificant for citrus atthemar- only twotothree degrees, buteven thatis the onlyexception—there thebenefitsare temperature causingmortality. was Citrus andthe perature causinginjury heit improvement in“boththefirsttem- they foundafourtoninedegree Fahren- professor at theUniversity ofAlabama, spray’s co-developers who is now a botany cording toDavid Francko, oneof the Ac-ering plants,tomatoes,andcitrus. palms, bananas, tropical foliage andflow- uct onawidevariety ofplantssuchas peratures. Theresearchers testedtheprod- plant’s coldtem- naturalabilitytosurvive mixture offive ingredients, enhancesa searchers atMiami University inOhio. developed by agroup ofre- “Freeze-Pruf” spray-onformulacalled thanks toanew weeks longer?Now there justmightbe, blow daysor andextendtheseasonafew there was a way to stave off that icy death when thefirstfrost willoccur. But whatif er regions begintheguessinggameof As fallturnsintowinter, gardeners incold- INABOTTLE TOLERANCE FROST killed after30minutes. damage. Thecontrolplantontherightwas banana plant on the left suffered minimal and 27 degrees Fahrenheit, the treated When exposedtotemperaturesbetween26 Horticultural NewsandResearch ImportanttoAmericanGardeners The water-basedspray, anon-toxic the American Gardener Studies showlambsquarters canrecognizekin. for commercial andhomegarden use. product maybeavailable by nextwinter in native wild have revealed similarinteractions studies is notyet well understood, butfurther lings, root growth was more restrained. nutrients. However, whengrown withsib- of root masstocompeteaggressively for ed, the plants produced a greater amount from the same population—were detect- rockets with a different mother plant but non-related plants.If strangers—othersea- when siblingswere present asopposedto of North America’s coastalregions, differed plant that grows in beach habitats in many ile edentula), noted thatroot growth ofsearocket Master University inHamilton, Ontario, Letters, journal Biology lastyear intheUnitedported Kingdom’s only occur intheanimal kingdom.Asre- behavior thatwaspreviously believed to some plantscanrecognize theirsiblings,a Scientists have recently discovered that KIN RECOGNIZE CAN PLANTS they are likelytointeract withrelatives.” gle speciesstands,”Dudley explains,“so localdispersal,andoftenfoundinsin- very Amanda L.File. are allspecieswith “These ed thestudieswithgraduatestudent plantecologistwhoconduct- evolutionary bidopsis, (Chenopodiumalbum), quarters GARDENER Currently inthepatentprocess, the How plantsare abletorecognize kin according toSusan A.Dudley, an C an unassuming, fleshy-leaved Impatiens, ’ NOTEBOOK S researchers atMc- common lambs- and (Cak- Ara- Tecoma guarume Tecoma new cultivars developed by USDA scientists. quire full sunandwell-drained soil. plants, reaching about10feetinheight,re- hardy toZone 8.Thesefast-growing USDA Zones 9to11,andpossiblyroot set,’ and‘Tangelo’ are reportedly hardy in pet creeper. ‘Miami Sunrise,’ ‘Miami Sun- tropical flowering related shrub totrum- guarume, veloped three cultivars new of tural Research Service in Florida have de- Horticulturists withtheUSDA’s Agricul- CULTIVARSNEW TECOMA in thenextcoupleofyears. are expectedtobe released forretail sale for evaluation purposes,thesecultivars ange. ‘Tangelo’ produces orangeflowers. red toorange-red andfadetoreddish-or- set’ hascrimson-colored budsthatopen ers thatfadetoyellow while‘Miami Sun- fields suchasscientific name,common database can be searched by selecting boreta. Free andaccessibleby anyone, the at international botanic gardens andar- online database of living plant collections zations, launchedPlantCollections.org, organi- conjunction with29partnering In June, theChicago BotanicGarden, in ONLINEDATABASE COLLECTIONS NEW PLANT Currently produced insmallnumbers ‘Miami Sunrise’ features orangeflow- a semi-deciduoussubtropical to ‘Tangelo’ isone of three Tecoma an

LEFT TO RIGHT: COURTESY OF DAVID FRANCKO; WWW.VEGGIEGARDENINGTIPS.COM; ALAN W. MEEROW / COURTESY OF USDA-ARS name, genus, and family, then inputting keywords to find plants of interest, com- Herbicide Overuse Poses Risk of Resistant Weeds plete with images. “The data for the project,” says Boyce rowing crops, managing roadsides, and even creating backyard gardens have Tankersley, PlantCollection’s project di- Gall been made easier with the use of synthetic herbicides. However, the rector and director of living plant docu- overuse of one particular chemical is causing the development of resistant weeds, mentation at the Chicago Botanic Garden, cautions the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA). In a recent report, the “come from leading botanic garden and ar- organization stated that glyphosate’s “widespread, repeated, and often sole use boretum plant record databases, herbaria, for weed management has selected weeds that have become glyphosate resis- seed repositories, DNA banks, and image tant and are thus not controlled by this herbicide.” repositories from around the world.” Glyphosate is the active ingredient in broad-spectrum herbicides such as Still under development, the database Roundup® and Touchdown®. Since its introduction in 1974 by Monsanto, it “is used will eventually provide access to the plant on more area of field crops and horticultural crops than records of more than 50,000 taxa. In ad- any other active ingredient and has been very important dition to being useful to gardeners, stu- in agricultural production,” says Stefan Seiter, an agri- dents, and educators, this new resource cultural ecologist with the Linn-Benton Community Col- is designed to provide a tool for scientists lege in Albany, Oregon. According to the Environmental to better understand the global genetic Protection Agency, in recent years, between 13 and 20 diversity of plants and to assist with plant million acres in the United States have been treated with conservation efforts. 18.7 million pounds of glyphosate annually. Future developments will allow users Indeed, weeds like Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus to download data to a spreadsheet, locate palmeri) and giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) have de- experts on particular plant groups or veloped glyphosate resistance, according to Chris techniques, create maps showing botan- Boerboom, a University of Wisconsin Extension weed ic gardens and arboreta that grow various scientist and WSSA member. “Over the past several species and cultivars, and locate com- years, we have seen the list of glyphosate-resistant mercial sources for plants. Overuse of glyphosate- weeds grow to nine species, which are scattered across based herbicides can at least 20 states,” Boerner says. INDOOR GARDENS AT DUKE FARMS CLOSE result in resistant weeds. While the presence of glyphosate-resistant weeds After being open to the public for nearly may not yet be a major issue for home gardeners, it is 50 years, the elaborate indoor gardens en- becoming a concern at botanic gardens. Scott Starr, operations director of the cased in one of America’s largest glass Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, Arkansas, says that although houses and created by the late tobacco glyphosate use is minimal at the garden, it has become necessary to apply in- creasingly stronger doses of the herbicide to control certain weeds. To slow the prevalence of resistant weeds, the WSSA advises rotating between herbicides with different active ingredients and using non-chemical controls such as tilling and mowing. However, these alternatives may create other issues. “Many times, a number of changes are needed in how plants are grown if a grower switches from chemical to non-chemical control,” Seiter notes. If growers switch to herbicides with different active ingredients, “often these active ingredients are more damaging for the environment,” he says. “Kochia and Russian thistle are resistant to many other herbicides as well,” says Paul Walvatne, roadside vegetation management unit supervisor for the Min- nesota Department of Transportation. Economic factors can also affect weed The recently closed indoor gardens at Duke management practices. “Our spraying acreage has gone up over the years due to Farms are contained in one of America’s less mowing because of energy costs and wildlife concerns,” says Walvatne. “But largest glass houses, above. one spraying typically lasts much longer than one mowing because the perenni- al weeds and brush sprout back from mowing with a vengeance.” heiress Doris Duke closed in June. Lo- Another concern is that “nothing will be done until the problems develop more cated on the 2,740-acre estate in Somer- widely,” says Micheal Owen, professor of Agronomy at Iowa State University in Ames. set County, New Jersey, known as Duke He cautions that, because weed seeds can remain dormant for long periods of time, Farms, the gardens comprise 11 unique a weed’s resistance may not be immediately recognized. While Owen acknowledges “rooms” that represent garden styles from there may be no easy solution to the problem of herbicide-resistant weeds, he says, England, , , China, Japan, and “anything that diversifies the system [of management practices]” will help. the Indo-Persia region. For more information, visit www.wssa.net. The board of the Doris Duke Charita- —Kirsten Winters, Editorial Intern

LEFT: COURTESY OF N. SIEMERS. RIGHT: VIVEKA NEVELN VIVEKA RIGHT: SIEMERS. N. OF COURTESY LEFT: ble Trust, which now manages the estate,

September / October 2008 47 48 bulbs u 8pg oo aao n est specials! website and catalog color 88-page our EUYFO BULBS FROM BEAUTY adnVstu twwjhsheescmfor www.johnscheepers.com at us garden.Visit eetfo 0 aite ftefns Dutch finest the of varieties 800 from Select evn mrc’ ietgresfr10years! 100 for gardens finest America’s Serving the American Gardener and en dnsPrue#8922 Perfume Eden’s ebcospoisfryu family’s your for herbaceous 80 567-0838 (860) 06750 CT Bantam, Drive•POBox638 Tulip 23 Scheepers John www.johnscheepers.com AG10 will be converted intoaproductionwill beconverted fa- intheearly 1900s, houses, constructed anditsfive attachedgreen- conservatory tories andgardens. Theoriginal tion willbedonatedtoother conserva- Duke designed.The rest ofthe collec- rate someoftheplantsfrom thegardens indoorgarden,new whichwillincorpo- System. Thisbuildingwillbeusedfora mental Design Green Building Rating the LeadershipinEnergy andEnviron- achieve “gold” fromlevel certification to ontheproperty smaller conservatory chosen by the trust’s board. dens.org, through the website www.savedukegar- letter-writing campaignsandotheractions with thousandsofnamesand encouraged plans. Supporters have presented petitions should be able to co-exist with the new whoarguethatthesegardensporters, the gardens’ longtimevisitorsandsup- move hasnotbeenpopularwithsomeof tal showcase and learning center.” This Duke Farms to“become an environmen- of“adens aspart vision” boldnew for made thedecisiontocloseindoorgar- Bailey AwardfromtheAmericanHorticulturalSocietyin1984. Scott Medal from the Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore in 1981 and the Liberty Hyde mittees for several botanic gardens. Other accolades she has earned include the Association (APGA)inJune.Awardedtoonly15recipientsthe68-yearhistory York, received an Honorary Life Member Award from the American Public Gardens Elizabeth Scholtz,directoremeritusofBrooklynBotanicGarden(BBG)inNew Brooklyn BotanicGarden’sElizabethScholtzHonoredforLifetimeAchievements PLACESintheNEWS PEOPLE and commitment to public horticulture. honored inJuneforherlifetime PresidentScotMedbury,left,was BBG Executive DirectorDanStark,center,and Elizabeth Scholtz,shownherewithAPGA Plans includetherenovation ofa but this has not swayed the course president ofBBG.“Theworldpublicgar- throughout theworld,” saysScotMedbury, cate forgardensandgardeneducation has beenapeerlessambassadorandadvo- spanned nearly50years,ElizabethScholtz of publichorticulture. strated exceptionaldedicationtothefield vice to the organization and have demon- who havegivenlongtermmeritoriousser- of theAPGA,thishonorrecognizesthose late 1970sandalsohasservedonthecom- to 1980.ShesatontheAPGAboardin served asthegarden’s directorfrom1972 American publicgardenprofessionals.” mentor toseveralgenerationsofNorth dens hasbenefittedgreatlyfromherroleas “During abotanicgardencareerthathas Joining theBBGstaffin1960,Scholtz farms.org cility fornative plantsforthegrounds. and Editorial Intern Kirsten Winters. Written byEditor Associate Viveka Neveln ofthegenome. parts er toanalyze themore than400million and IBMiscontributingasupercomput- the project withmore than$10million, ducer ofchocolate-basedcandy, willfund ucts. Mars, Inc., theworld’s largestpro- and raisinsare used inchocolateprod- mestically produced crops such as nuts terest inthisresearch becausemanydo- the United States, theUSDAhasanin- flavor, andotherdesirabletraits. vide better disease-resistance, yield, entists totargettheplant’s genesthatpro- The resulting genetic datawillallow sci- (Theobroma cacao), sequence thegenomeofcacaotree (USDA) hasbegunafive-year project to ofAgriculturethe U.S.Department Chocolate lovers canrest easynow that GENOME SEQUENCING THECACAO For more information,visitwww.duke- Though almostnocacaoisgrown in or call(908)722-3700. the source of cocoa. 

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Available at fine garden centers nationwide. 2006 ©Monrovia ©Monrovia 50 by RitaPelczar Backyard Bird Feeders B quality ofyour offerings—well-stocked bird feederswillfillthebill. But upsufficientfodder—orifyou whenyour wanttoboostthequantity and plantsare notserving of seedandotherfood. keep itwell stockedwiththerightkinds birds) andhandy(foryou) location,and sturdy feeder, locateitinasafe(forthe you willwanttogetagood ing efforts, page 52). feeders duringwinter(see“Resources,” program that tracksthebirds thatvisit Ornithology Lab’s Project FeederWatch, a inCornell you maywant toparticipate hooked onwatchingyour wingedvisitors, tics ofavianwildlife.If you really get get anup-closelookatthefascinatingan- sinceitallowslot of entertainment you to tray forholding birdseed—is suitable for birds. The Different typesoffeedersfavor different OFFEEDERS TYPES To makethemostof your bird feed- Feeding backyard birds canprovide a the American Gardener IRD WATCHING yard by growing thatbirds plantswithseedsorfruit favor andthatprovide cover andnestingsites. platform feeder —simply aflat and gardening gohandinhand.You canencourageavariety ofbirds tovisityour Above: Hummingbirdfeedersholdnectar. keep squirrelsfromgettingtheseeds. Thisfeederfeaturesaroofdesignedto Left: wind andrain. and theybetterprotect theseedfrom seed, whichmeanslessfrequent refilling, Hopper feedersgenerallycan holdmore pensed as the seed in the tray is consumed. but addsabox fortheseed,whichisdis- Similarly, a seed doesn’t soakinwaterandgetmoldy. equipped withdrainageholessothatthe most seed-eatingbirds. Be sure thetrayis a favorite of finches. Nyjer feeders have feeders are designedfortinynyjer seed, such as jaysandgrackles. Some tube es to feed but will discourage larger birds perches allow smallbirds suchasfinch- feeders may include perches. Short well protected from moisture. Tube access it.Theseedinthetubeisusually the seedandholesthrough whichbirds they consistofacentraltubethatholds Tube feeders RE GARAGE GREEN C hopper feeder come in manysizes; features a tray ® proximately twoweeks inmild, every advises thatyou washyour feeders ap- droppings. Cornell’s Project FeederWatch weather, and diseases can be spread in bird and moldcandevelop, especiallyindamp use, besure tokeep themclean. Bacteria “Suet” Cakes,page51). (see recipe for Vegetable Shortening your feeder or you can make your own cakes orballsthatare ready topopinto ment. You can purchase processed suet sive) from your grocer’s meat depart- which is often available (and inexpen- peckers, ismadeoutofbeefkidneyfat, sect-eaters such as nuthatches and wood- food mixture that is a good choice for in- can nibble on it. Most suet, a high-fat thatholdsuetinplacesobirdssupports mesh cages, bags, or ornamental metal consider whenselectingone. and cleaningare features important to three tofive days—easeofdisassembly timeyou replaceevery thenectar, orevery feeders needtobecleanedregularly— a week ifneedbe.Since hummingbird can store extranectar intherefrigerator for to coolbefore offeringittoyour birds. You sugar.water toonepart Allow thesolution it dissolves, usingaratiooffourparts ply boilwaterandstirinwhitesugaruntil a mix,butit’s easytomakeyourself. Sim- Hummingbird nectarcanbepurchased as bottle verted style or a basin style. tar iscontainedinareservoir, eitheran in- through smalltubesoropenings.Thenec- dispense nectar(asugar-watersolution) perches above theopening. smaller openings and often include Regardless of which typefeedersyou Suet feeders Hummingbird feeders are suspended wire are designedto

LEFT: COURTESY OF BACKYARD BIRD COMPANY. RIGHT: COURTESY OF USDA-NCRS. Vegetable Shortening “Suet” Cakes WORLD’S #1 TOP This is a great project to do with kids, PLANT SUPPLY and birds love it as a winter treat! I have PLANT square wire suet cages to hang the #1HEALTH EXTRA LIFE cakes, so I use square, half-pint plastic Greatest Guarantee-Offer PROOF Ever 65YEARS, unchallenged, $5,000. GUARANTEED to be containers for the molds, filled to about World CHAMPION one inch. They fit just right. #1 Activator, #1 Trans/ #1 Extra #1 REVIVER, PLANTER, GROWER, WORLD’S FAIR SCIENCE-MEDAL-WINNING #1 Perfecter VI TMs 1 cup solid vegetable shortening 50 IN 1 cup peanut butter ONE 2 1/2 cups yellow corn meal VITAMINS-HORMONES USED BY U.S. –– FERTILIZER GUARANTEED Departments of –– PESTICIDE –– POLLUTING BioUSABLES As Advertised in 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour AGRICULTURE, ARMY, NON TM Better Homes & Gardens NAVY, AIR. Etc. TO ADD TO FERTILIZING for growing Landscape Architecture ALSO BY STATES, Horticulture CITIES, COUNTIES, DOUBLE MONEY-BACK 1 cup cracked corn UNIVERSITIES RECOMMENDED TOP VALUE BY EXPERTS OF TV, RADIO, BOOKS, EXTREME Concentration A wire wreath for holding suet balls also MAGAZINES, Drop-A-CupTM or CONFERENCES Dozens Drop-A-GalTM OF THE serves as an outdoor decoration. Melt shortening, then remove from heat. WORLD’S Add peanut butter and blend well. Mix in SCIENCE & INDUSTRY ONLY GOLD MEDAL WORLD’S FAIR 1940 science the remaining ingredients. Spoon into ADD to any fertilizingTM soapy water, then rinse them in a 10 per- • 50 INSTANT BioUSABLES NORMAL PURE COMPLEXES • From Carbon-Hydrogen-Oxygen MIRACLES cent bleach solution (one part bleach to plastic tubs or molds and chill. When natural organic crystals • Save plants from waiting while IN EACH trying to make them • Unique. Nothing is “like” it. DROP! nine parts water). Allow feeders to dry firm, remove molds and hang the cakes SEE TO BELIEVE–– HEALTHIER, FASTER plants thoroughly before refilling them. outside immediately, or place in individ- BEAUTY and CROP yieldADDED TO 21 FERTILIZERS by 21 Growers YOU CAN ual plastic bags to freeze for later. —R.P. ORDER PINT, CHOOSING THE RIGHT SEEDS QUART, GALLON, Billions–PROVEN While there are lots of different kinds of or DRUM B A L A N C E D ORIGINAL ADDED TO 18 FERTILIZERS, by 18 Growers bird seed on the market, Project Feeder- Ground-foraging birds such as juncos Watch has determined that black-oil sun- favor millet, a small round grain. Sprin- flower seed is the best all-around seed for kling millet beneath your feeders will add attracting a wide range of birds to feeders. another dimension of feeding activity.

It has lots of meat for its size, is high in Whole corn is an inexpensive feed that NEARLY 1000 BOOKS, CONFERENCES, fat, and the shell is thin so even small birds wild turkeys and ducks enjoy, while RECOMMENDED BY MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPERS,TVs, RADIOS USED BY are able to crack it. Finches, chickadees, cracked corn is a favorite of doves, quail, FIVE U.S. DEPARTMENTS TO HELP WIN WORLD WAR II jays, and sparrows (for more about seed fa- OF GOVERNMENTS, STATE UNIVERSITIES, LEADING THOUSANDS , BOTANICAL GARDENS, PARKS SYSTEMS vored by birds, see “Seed and Food Prefer- U.S. STATES and CITIES IN MULTIPLE-DRUMS LOTS FLOWERING PLANTS SHOW WINNERS – “everywhere” ences of Common Feeder Birds,” page 52). HEALTHY, TOXICS-FREE FOODS GROWERS UNIQUE. Far easier plant success Be sure to store bird seed in a cool, dry place to prevent mold. Do not use seed if it becomes moldy. SITING YOUR FEEDERS Placement of feeders is an important con- sideration. To be able to watch your birds as they feed, put the feeders where you are likely to enjoy them—a porch, deck, or in front of a window in the kitchen or Sunflower seeds attract a variety of birds. family room, for example.

Locate your feeder in a somewhat 11 XMAS TREES 17 HYDROSEEDING 22 12 REFORESTATION 18 LANDSCAPING COMPETITIONS titmice, cardinals, and sparrows are par- sheltered spot near some natural cover, 13 HYDROPONICS 19 PROPAGATION 23 INTERIORSCAPING 14 FIELD CROPS 20 ANTI-EROSION 24 CUT FLOWERS 15 BONSAI 21 ENVIRONMENTAL 25 WEATHER DAMAGE ticularly fond of it. ideally some evergreen trees and shrubs, 16 TISSUE CULTURE IMPROVEMENT 26 WATER GARDENS Safflower looks like a white sunflower which provide your avian visitors a spot AT CONSCIENTIOUS PLANT DEALERS WORLDWIDE seed. It will attract many of the same birds to wait their turn as well as some pro- Used, tipped to, and supplied by thousands of conscientious as black-oil sunflower seeds, although tection from predators and harsh weath- plant-selling firms. On every continent, without salesmen. given a choice, they’ll usually go for the er. On the other hand, siting your feeder REFUSE “just as good,” false, cheaply made, unbalancing substitutes – often 991/2% water. sunflower seeds first. Nyjer (sometimes too close to trees and shrubs provides NOTHING IS AT ALL “LIKE” called thistle, although it is not related to hiding places for hungry cats and com- 50 VITAMINS-HORMONES North American thistle) is favored by petitive squirrels. A distance of about 10 V Made in U.S.A. by VITAMIN INSTITUTE I finches, so is a good choice if you want feet from natural cover is generally con- 12610 Saticoy Street South, North Hollywood, CA 91605 Website www.superthrive.com TOP: COURTESY OF GARDENER’S SUPPLY. BOTTOM: KIRSTEN WINTERS KIRSTEN BOTTOM: SUPPLY. GARDENER’S OF COURTESY TOP: finches exclusively at a particular feeder. sidered a good compromise.

September / October 2008 51 SEED AND FOOD PREFERENCES OF COMMON FEEDER BIRDS Chickadees Nuthatches Finches Cardinals & Sparrows & Jays Woodpeckers Titmice Pigeons & Grosbeaks Blackbirds Doves Sunflower X X X X XXX X Safflower X X X X Corn XX X Millet X X Milo XX Nyjer X (Thistle) Suet X X XX X

Chart adapted from Project FeederWatch of Cornell Lab of Ornithology (www.feederwatch.org), used with permission.

Many birds—perhaps millions each they aren’t likely to gain enough momen- Other bird feeders are weight activat- year—are killed when they mistake the re- tum to injure themselves—or more than ed: feeding ports remain open for light- flection of a window as a pathway to an- 30 feet away from the window—where the weight birds, but close in response to the other area of your yard. To prevent birds reflection will be less inviting. heft of a squirrel on the feeding platform. from flying into windows, keep feeders ei- And some feeders employ a mild electric ther within three feet of the window—so BIRDS GET THIRSTY, TOO shock or can be mounted on a device that In addition to feeders, be sure to supply birds with clean water throughout the year. Birdbaths can add ornamental interest to Resources the garden as well as supply the water needs Birds at Your Feeder by Erica H. Dunn of your birds, but simple shallow bowls of and Diane L. Tessaglia-Hymes. W.W. water placed near feeders work well, too. Norton Co., New York, 2001. Change the water and clean the bowls fre- quently, and if you live in an area with cold The FeederWatcher’s Guide to Bird winters, consider a birdbath heater to pre- Feeding by Margaret Barker and Jack vent ice from forming. Griggs. Harper-Collins, New York, 2000. OUTFOXING SQUIRRELS One of the most common bird feeding The Audubon Backyard Birdwatcher: problems is squirrels that scare away birds, Birdfeeders and Bird Gardens by Robert eat all the seeds, and destroy the feeders. Burton and Stephen Kress. Thunder Squirrels have demonstrated amazing skill Bay Press, Berkeley, California, 2002. at scaling poles, leaping from nearby structures, and suspending themselves Project FeederWatch, Cornell Ornithol- from all sorts of wires or chains used to This feeder is enclosed in a wire cage to ogy Lab, www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/. support bird feeders in their attempt to prevent squirrels from getting to the seeds. devour the contents. There are strategies that can help prevent or at least minimize spins the whole feeder until the squirrel Sources squirrels’ ravaging your feeders. is dislodged. Backyard Bird Company, Baffles are fairly effective—at least A different strategy is to feed squirrels www.backyardbird.com. until the squirrels figure out another way their own repast in a separate part of the to the feeder. These dome-shaped or yard. Squirrel feeders are usually built to Droll Yankees, www.drollyankees.com. cylindrical devices suspended above hold peanuts or dried ears of corn—some hanging feeders or attached below feed- of their favorite foods. Duncraft, www.duncraft.com. ers mounted on poles create a physical So as winter approaches and seeds and barrier for the squirrels. berries become more scarce, welcome Gardener’s Supply, Some tube feeders include a cage sur- bird life into your backyard with a well- www.gardeners.com. rounding the tube that allows small birds stocked bird feeder, then sit back and to enter the feeding area while keeping enjoy the show.  Outdoor Birdfeeders, Inc., squirrels outside of it. Be sure the cage www.outdoorbirdfeeders.com. has sufficiently small openings, otherwise Rita Pelczar is a contributing editor for The

squirrels will find their way inside. American Gardener. SUPPLY GARDENER’S OF COURTESY

52 the American Gardener BOOKC REVIEWS

Recommendations for Your Gardening Library

Growing Trees from Seed Herbaceous Perennial Plants Henry Kock, et al. Firefly Books, Richmond Hill, Ontario, 2008. 280 Allan M. Armitage. Stipes Publishing, Champaign, Illinois, 2008. 1224 pages. Publisher’s price, hardcover: $45. pages. Publisher’s price, softcover: $68.80.

I HAVE BEEN growing trees from seed since 1952, the year ELEVEN YEARS after the previous edition, the much antici- Canadian author Henry Kock was born. I wish this book had pated third edition of Allan Armitage’s guide to herbaceous peren- been available to me when I began, so nials is here at last. Updated and upsized, that I could have avoided making all this new edition includes more than 1,000 my own mistakes! pages of nomenclature, descriptions, cul- Growing Trees from Seed is organized ture, philosophy, opinions, new plants, into introductory material about trees line drawings, and illuminating stories. and their place in the forest, how to find Despite its dry title and drier subtitle, and collect their seeds, and how to ger- “A Treatise on their Identification, Culture minate and grow them, followed by an and Garden Attributes,” this is no austere entire chapter devoted to the conserva- textbook. It celebrates gardening’s gifts of tion of our natural world. The body of “therapy, creativity, and excitement.” If the book profiles more than 200 species you’ve heard the author speak, you’ll rec- of trees and other woody plants, giving ecological observations ognize the passion and wit that make him one of the most sought- and details about seed collection and propagation. after speakers on the horticultural lecture circuit. Throughout the book, Kock shows an acute awareness of the Armitage’s most inspirational message is “try it!” Grudgingly virtues of native trees and an equally strong grasp of the potential calling U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone ratings problems associated with some exotics. That said, he still describes “the best we have...to evaluate limits,” he gleefully notes, “plants how to grow a variety of exotics, offering caveats where appropri- don’t read,” so gardeners should try plants that shouldn’t work. ate. He manages to convey a sense of which ones should be passed A native Canadian transplanted to Georgia, where he is a hor- over because they have invasive tendencies and which ones should ticulture professor, Armitage grasps the obvious differences and be attempted even if their cultural requirements are challenging. surprising similarities among various climate zones. The Athens The pages’ wide margins are annotated, as an author might do Select plant evaluation program that he oversees at the Universi- while organizing his thoughts, with sketches and notes pertaining ty of Georgia gives him perspective on the horticulture industry’s to the text. Some of this material is artistic, some is insightful, and mercenary realities. Straddling disparate worlds, he is well placed a few pieces are cautionary and interestingly contradictory. For ex- to offer refreshing insights about the connections between acade- ample, “The nine lives of a woody plant” is, in truth, a thought- mia, the nursery industry, and gardeners. provoking list of nine ways humans inadvertently kill plants. About the only things I could fault are the line drawings in the The front matter (preface, introduction, etc.) of a book is book. With nothing distracting the eye, good botanical art should often a window into the mind of its author. In this case, I came communicate plant characteristics better than photographs. In my away with the impression that Kock was a true naturalist. Grow- opinion, these don’t. Also, quality seems hit and miss. For exam- ing Trees From Seed is not merely a how-to reference; for that, see ple, Heuchera and Paeonia are splendidly rendered while others, the substantial appendices. It gives the reader a context, philoso- such as Lysimachia, are blotchy. phy, and background that I have not often seen elsewhere. Sadly, As compensation, the photographs, clustered in a discrete sec- Kock died before completing this manuscript. Fortunately for us, tion, are excellent. They’d be even better larger, but then this ref- his friends, also knowledgeable and passionate tree folks, took the erence might become dangerously close to coffee-table size. That initiative to finish his book so that we can all benefit from his wouldn’t work for this book, which is designed to be used regu- knowledge and insightful views about trees. larly—in classrooms, potting sheds, and Master Gardener offices —Guy Sternberg throughout America—until it is dog-eared and tattered. —John Friel Guy Sternberg is the founder of Starhill Forest Arboretum in Petersburg, Illinois. He is also the award-winning author and John Friel is technical marketing manager for Yoder Perennials in photographer of Native Trees for North American Landscapes and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and a board member of the Perennial Plant Landscaping with Native Trees. Association, based in Columbus, Ohio.

September / October 2008 53 A Genius for Place tect had yet to come into being). This is followed by three sec- Robin Karson, with photographs by Carol Betsch. University of Mass- tions detailing the creation of seven estate gardens, spanning achusetts Press, Amherst, Massachusetts, 2007. 428 pages. Pub- from Massachusetts to California. The chapters within each lisher’s price, hardcover: $65. section provide fascinating details about both the garden own- ers and the designers. YET AGAIN Robin Karson has hit the ball out of the park. This The gardens include Gwinn and Stan Hywet Hall in Ohio, is, after all, the American landscape historian who has received Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C., Delaware’s Winterthur, much critical acclaim for her previous the Edsel Ford Grosse Pointe Shores estate in Michigan, Val books. Her latest opus is an edge-of- Verde in California, and Naumkeag in Massachusetts. Their the-seat discourse on seven sublime eight designers include five men—Warren H. Manning, Charles American gardens, their extraordinary A. Platt, Jens Jensen, Lockwood de Forest Jr., and Fletcher owners, and their exceptional designers. Steele—and three women—Ellen Shipman, Beatrix Farrand, A Genius for Place covers a period and Marian Cruger Coffin. The rising influence of women as that begins in the late 19th century and landscape professionals is a fascinating subtext indeed. ends as World War II threatens—a time The book is generously illustrated with historic pho- of unprecedented expansion of wealth tographs. These are complemented by the superb modern black and seismic sociological changes. This and white pictures of Carol Betsh, which exquisitely capture coffee-table sized book explores a wide the spirit of each site. range of design challenges and solutions, along with mesmerizing Too often, Americans prefer to focus on gardens on the other portraits of the patrons who paid handsomely for, and worked so side of the pond, from England to Japan. In this book, as in her closely with, the artists. As a result, Karson restores the luster of previous works, Karson redirects us towards our own homegrown a romantic landscape style which, by the latter part of the 20th antecedents. And we are that much richer for it.  century, had fallen into disrepute as sleeker designs triumphed and —Linda Yang the idea of “Nature as Guide” faded. The book opens with an overview of the approach of such A former garden columnist for The New York Times, Linda Yang 19th-century giants as Frederick Law Olmsted and its influence is the author of four books, including The City Gardener’s on landscape gardeners of the day (the term landscape archi- Handbook (Storey Publishing, 2002). PHOTO BY ANNE C. ALLEN FROM 2008 GARDENER’S CALENDAR 2009 “Gardener’s” Calendar There are 13 prize-winning color photos taken by TGOA/MGCA members, including AHS members who are also members of TGOA/MGCA $6.95 ($59.00 for 10) Postpaid To order: call 515-278-0295 or e-mail [email protected] The Gardeners of America/ Men’s Garden Clubs of America Box 241, Johnston, Iowa 50121-0241 (515) 278-0295 www.tgoa-mgca.org

54 the American Gardener GARDENERC’S BOOKS

Gardening for the Greater Good

HE CURRENT movement toward more ecologically a practice is good or bad because it is or- sound practices has created greater awareness about the ganic or non-organic is a surefire way to T effect our everyday actions have on the environment. get yourself into all kinds of trouble.” Arguments over what it means to be sustainable, organic, and For example, he points out that natural natural aside, gardeners have been applying practices meant to options for pest control, such as “green” their worlds for centuries. In my own quest to tend a rotenone, can sometimes be more toxic healthier, more productive garden, I am always seeking out than synthetic ones. The book explores publications describing how to protect habitats, soil, and water strategies for dealing with various gar- resources. This handful of recently published books offers plen- den pests such as weeds, insects, dis- ty of advice and inspiration for anyone who believes in gar- eases, and wildlife, as well as soil dening for the greater—and greener—good. enrichment and fertilization. For each, Often, having a basic understanding of the science behind Gillman explains the benefits and drawbacks of both organic recommended practices helps us make better gardening deci- and synthetic options. At the end of each chapter he gives a sions. The Informed Gardener (Univer- summary of important considerations to keep in mind in order sity of Washington Press, 2008, $18.95) by to make the best choices possible. Linda Chalker-Scott explores the myths Composting is one activity that not only reduces landfill and realities of these practices and identi- waste, but also helps to build healthy soil, the foundation of suc- fies whether they are scientifically tested cessful gardening. The Complete Com- and true. Based on a series of columns post Gardening Guide (Storey published since 2000, this well-written Publishing, 2008, $19.95) by Barbara book covers topics such as plant physiolo- Pleasant and Deborah L. Martin offers gy, soil amendments and additives, plant new information for even the most expe- choices, and mulches, to name a few. rienced composter. Moving well beyond “This book will help you develop a sense the familiar piling of yard debris and of how garden and landscape plants respond to their environ- kitchen scraps in a heap or bin, the book ments,” writes Chalker-Scott, so that you can become “part of also describes more unusual methods a sustainable, natural system rather than its adversary.” such as composting in trenches or holes, “As gardeners we have a tremendous opportunity to affect vermicomposting, and brewing compost tea. Sidebars with sci- and improve the health of our environment at home and be- entific tidbits, composting trivia, and neighborly advice from the yond,” writes Joe Lamp’l in The authors, along with clear color photographs, supplement the Green Gardener’s Guide (Cool easy-to-read, often entertaining text. A glossary and list of help- Springs Press, 2007, $16.95). To those ful resources for further exploration complete the guide. ends, this book provides helpful tips “The most basic gardening rule is to always take your gar- and the most up-to-date, ecologically dening cues from the natural world” is Marlene Condon’s ad- sound gardening techniques. Divided vice in Nature-Friendly Garden: into one- to two-page sections, the Creating a Backyard Haven for book succinctly describes planet-pre- Plants, Wildlife, and People (Stack- serving recommendations and activi- pole Books, 2006, $19.95). That’s not ties, complete with numerous sidebars to say one must turn the garden into containing statistics, definitions, and an unkempt wilderness in order to co- fascinating facts. Chapters cover top- exist with and enjoy nature. Rather, ics such as water conservation, reducing synthetic chemical Condon explains techniques for use, recycling or composting waste, using less energy, and pro- achieving a balance that benefits both tecting the ecosystem. This accessible book includes plenty of gardeners and wildlife. The author’s checkpoints for measuring the impact of various gardening color photographs of creatures found activities “to help you understand just what you can accom- in her garden enhance the text, which plish by taking a stand and acting.” describes how to attract wildlife such as mammals, birds, and In The Truth About Organic Gardening (Timber Press, butterflies with plants and other garden elements.  2008, $12.95), Jeff Gillman asserts that “simply assuming that —Kirsten Winters, Editorial Intern

September / October 2008 55 REGIONALC HAPPENINGS

Horticultural Events from Around the Country

RAP OCT. 5. Fall Festival. Morris Arbore- NORTHEAST Events sponsored by or including official tum. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (215) CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT participation by AHS or AHS staff members 247-5777. www.morrisarboretum.org. RAP SEPT. 27. Chile Pepper Fiesta. are identified with the AHS symbol. Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Brooklyn, New OCT. 17. Perennial Plant Conference. Scott York. (718) 623-7200. www.bbg.org. Events hosted by botanical gardens and Arboretum of Swarthmore College. Swarth- arboreta that participate in AHS’s Reciprocal more, Pennsylvania. (610) 388-1000 ext. SEPT. 28–OCT. 1. Invasive and Exotic Plant Admissions Program are identified with the 507. www.perennialplantconference.org. Eradication and Plant Community Restora- RAP symbol. Current AHS members showing a tion. Seminar. Humboldt Field Research In- OCT. 17–19. Maryland Home & Garden valid membership card are eligible for free or stitute. Steuben, . (207) 546-3042. Show. Maryland State Fairgrounds. discounted admission to the garden or other www.eaglehill.us. Timonium, Maryland. (410) 863-1180. benefits. Special events may not be included; www.mdhomeandgarden.com. OCT. 1. Cherish Our Natural Heritage: Manag- contact the host site for details or visit ing Invasives to Promote Native Diversity. ww.ahs.org/events/reciprocal_events.htm. OCT. 18. Eco-gardens with Native Plants. Symposium. Invasive Plant Class. Maymont Nature Center. Richmond, Working Group. University of Connecticut. Virginia. (804) 358-7166 ext. 310. Storrs, Connecticut. (860) 871-4066. www.maymont.org. www.hort.uconn.edu/cipwg. RAP SEPT. 19. On Bringing Nature Home. Lecture. Brookside Gardens. RAP OCT. 31. Mutations and Freaks: RAP OCT. 3–5. Foliage Art & Craft Festival. Wheaton, Maryland. (301) 962-1400. Plants with Skeletons in the Closet. Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home. Man- www.brooksidegardens.org. Walk and lecture. Brookside Gardens. chester, Vermont. (800) 362-1788. Wheaton, Maryland. (301) 962-1427. www.hildene.org. RAP SEPT. 19 & 20. Fall Plant Sale. www.brooksidegardens.org. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. RAP OCT. 4 & 18. Shrub and Tree Pruning. Richmond, Virginia. (804) 262-9887. Looking ahead Workshop. Tower Hill Botanic Garden. www.lewisginter.org. NOV. 8. Lawn Alternatives for the Real World. Boylston, Maine. (508) 869-6111. Lecture. Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore www.towerhillbg.org. SEPT. 20. Seed Saving Workshop. Garden College. Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. (610) Shop. Monticello. Charlottesville, Virginia. 328-8024. www.scottarboretum.org. RAP OCT. 7 & 14. Hypertufa Trough Work- (434) 984-9822. www.monticello.org. shop. Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Ar- SOUTHEAST boretum. Bristol, Rhode Island. (401) 253- SEPT. 25. Fall Flurry in a Country Garden. AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN 2707. www.blithewold.org. Lecture. The Cross Estate Gardens. Bernardsville, New Jersey. (973) 376-0348. RAP SEPT. 20 & 21. Fall Open House and OCT. 11. The Brine Design: Landscape www.crossestategardens.org. Plant Sale. Reflection Riding Arboretum and and Garden Principles in Practice. Work- Botanical Garden. Chattanooga, Tennessee. shop. Brine Garden. Pawling, New York. SEPT. 26. Maryland Regional Conservation (423) 821-9582. www.reflectionriding.org. (845) 855-9023. www.gardenlarge.com/ Landscaping Field Day and Tour. Chesa- duncan-brine/newfs. peake Conservation Landscaping Council. RAP SEPT. 26–28. Surround Yourself with Annapolis, Maryland. (410) 531-5973. Shady Characters. Symposium. JC Raulston RAP OCT. 18–NOV. 16. Kiku Exhibition and www.chesapeakelandscape.org. Arboretum. Raleigh, North Carolina. Flower Show. The New York Botanical Gar- (919) 513-7005. www.ncsu.edu/jcraulston den. Bronx, New York. (718) 817-8616. RAP SEPT. 26–28. GardenFair at Winterthur. arboretum. www.nybg.org. Garden festival. Winterthur, Delaware. (302) 888-6400. www.winterthur.org. SEPT. 26–28. Kentucky Orchid Society RAP OCT. 25. Fall Workfest. Volunteer Show. Executive Inn. Louisville, Kentucky. cleanup day. Landis Arboretum. Esperance, OCT. 3–7. Green Infrastructure: Linking Land- (561) 404-2000. www.kyorchidsociety.org. New York. (518) 875-6935. scapes and Communities. Annual meeting www.landisarboretum.org. and expo. American Society of Landscape RAP SEPT. 30. Florida Top Ten Garden Architects. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Guide. Class. Harry P. Leu Gardens. (202) 898-2444. www.asla.org. Orlando, Florida. (407) 246-2620. MID-ATLANTIC www.leugardens.org. PA, NJ, VA, MD, DE, WV, DC OCT. 4. National Capital Dahlia Society SEPT. 18–21. American Dahlia Society’s Bloom Sale. Trial Garden. Derwood, RAP OCT. 1. Seed Workshop. Yew Dell Gar- National Show. Longwood Gardens. Kennett Maryland. (703) 241-0442. www.national dens. Crestwood, Kentucky. (502) 241- Square, Pennsylvania. (610) 388-1000. capitaldahlia.org. 4788. www.yewdellgardens.org. www.longwoodgardens.org.

56 the American Gardener boretum. Chaska, . (952) 443- Central South Native Plant Conference 1400. www.arboretum.umn.edu. AHS OCT. 2–4. America in Bloom Sympo- “TOUGH NATIVE HABITATS” is the theme for the Central South Native Plant sium and Awards Program. Columbus, Ohio. Conference to be held October 17 and 18 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Al- (614) 487-1117. www.americainbloom.org. abama. The conference offers something for everyone, including lectures, tours, and book and plant sales. RAP OCT. 4. Fall Foliage Festival. Hidden Participants can choose from an array of concurrent sessions on topics such as drought Lake Gardens. Tipton, Michigan. (517) tolerant native species, the impact of in- 431-2060. hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu. vasives, river restoration, waterwise gar- dening, and rare plants. Sessions feature RAP OCT. 7. The Art & Business of Garden specialists with extensive experience. For Design. Symposium. Chicago Botanic Gar- example, Jim Lacefield, speaking on den. Glencoe, Illinois. (847) 835-5440. www.chicagobotanic.org. “The Geologic Basis for Alabama’s Mo- saic of Landscapes and Life,” is a retired RAP OCT. 7 & 14. Hypertufa Trough Work- professor who writes about geology, ge- shop. Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Ar- ologic history, and other aspects of Al- boretum. Bristol, Rhode Island. (401) 253- abama’s natural environment. Sara 2707. www.blithewold.org. Bright, photographer and butterfly chaser, will join with Paulette Haywood RAP OCT. 11. Earth Tones: Gardening in Ogard to discuss their research on the Tune with Nature. Symposium. Boerner life cycles of more than 100 species of Botanical Gardens. Hales, Wisconsin. (414) Birmingham Botanical Gardens is hosting a butterflies and these insects’ relation- 525-5675. www.boernerbotanicalgardens.org. fall Native Plant Conference. ships to native plants. RAP OCT. 11 & 12. African Violet Show and Field trips include a visit to the Sale. Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Madison, Kathy Stiles Freeland Bibb County Glades Preserve where nine new plant species en- Wisconsin. (608) 833-4583. demic to these unique dolomite glades have been discovered and named by naturalist www.olbrich.org. Jim Allison, who will be on hand to answer questions. Participants will also have the opportunity to tour Hind’s Rock, Homewood Forest Preserve, Moss Rock Preserve, OCT. 18. Natural Landscaping with Native Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, Talledega National Forest, Shoal Creek District, Plants Symposium. Cardinal Stritch Univer- and Creek Preserve. For more information, visit www.bbgardens.org/central- sity. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (414) 299- south.php or call (205) 414-3900. —Kirsten Winters, Editorial Intern 9888. www.for-wild.com/chapters/Conf.

RAP OCT. 21. Gourmet Soil. Class. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Glencoe, OCT. 3 & 4. Trade Show 2008. Middle Ten- OCT. 17–19. Charleston Garden Festival at Illinois. (847) 835-8261. www.chicago nessee Nursery Association. McMinnville, Middleton Place. Charleston, South botanic.org/school. Tennessee. (931) 668-7322. Carolina. (843) 556-6020. www.charleston www.mtna.com. gardenfestival.org. SOUTH CENTRAL AR, KS, LA, MO, MS, OK, TX OCT. 6–8. 2008 State Master Gardener Looking ahead Conference. Sea Trail Resort and Confer- NOV. 1. Fall Family Festival Fun Day. SEPT. 17–20. Texas Plant Conservation ence Center. Sunset, North Carolina. (910) Bellingrath Gardens. Theodore, Alabama. Conference. Texas A&M University. Corpus 754-4148. www.ncmastergardeners.org. (800) 247-8420. www.bellingrath.org. Christi, Texas. (512) 292-4200. www.wildflower.org. OCT. 7–10. Eastern Native Grass Symposium. NOV. 8. The World of Soils with Tony Avent. Radisson Hotel and Conference Center. Class. Plant Delights Nursery, Inc. Raleigh, RAP SEPT. 20–NOV. 2. The Great Pumpkin Columbia, South Carolina. (864) 656- North Carolina. (919) 772-4794. Festival. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical 3527. www.clemson.edu/~bstrngr/E_ www.plantdelights.com. Garden. Dallas, Texas. (214) 515-6500. Native_Grass. www.dallasarboretum.org. NORTH CENTRAL OCT. 14–17. Tuning Into a Changing Climate RAP OCT. 2–4. Orchids in October. Plant IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI and Biological Invasion. Conference. Natural sale. Myriad Botanical Gardens. Oklahoma Areas Association. Nashville, Tennessee. RAP SEPT. 20. Tour of Toledo Botanical City, Oklahoma. (405) 297-3995. myriadb- (541) 317-0199. www.naturalarea.org. Gardens. The Gardeners of America/Men’s otanicalgardens.org. Garden Club of America. Fort Wayne, Indi- RAP OCT. 15. Medicinal Plant Symposium. ana. (260) 854-2988. www.tgoa-mgca.org. RAP OCT. 18 & 19. Mid-American Regional The State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Lily Society Sale. Missouri Botanical Gar- Athens, Georgia. (706) 542-6156. SEPT. 27. Second Biennial Native Plant den. St. Louis, Missouri. (314) 577-5100. www.uga.edu/botgarden. Symposium. Purdue University. www.mobot.org. Hammond, . (219) 844-3188. RAP OCT. 16–19. Plantasia! Fall plant sale. www.for-wild.com/chapters/Conf/. RAP OCT. 21. Birding at Botanica. Hike and Mobile Botanical Gardens. Mobile, Alabama. class. Botanica, The Wichita Gardens. Wi- (251) 342-0555. www.mobilebotanical RAP SEPT. 27 & 28. Auxillary Harvest Sale chita, . (316) 264-0448. gardens.org. and Quilt Raffle. Minnesota Landscape Ar- www.botanica.org. ANDREW KREBBS / COURTESY OF BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS BOTANICAL BIRMINGHAM OF COURTESY / KREBBS ANDREW

September / October 2008 57 58 gardens.org. homeshows.com. 5281. Gardens. Monroe,Louisiana.(318)387- den. (602) 485-1691. StateFairgrounds.Phoenix,Arizona. RAP RAP www.tucsonbotanical.org. OCT. 4. www.dbg.org. RAP RAP SEPT. 26–28. RAP RAP Garden. Phoenix, Arizona. (480) 941-1225. Succulent Society Meeting. (928) 774-1442. boretum at Flagstaff. Flagstaff, Arizona. (720) 865-3500. Denver Botanic Gardens. Denver, Colorado. (480) 941-1225. Desert BotanicalGarden.Phoenix, Arizona. Gardens. Tucson,Arizona.(520)326-9686. (720) 865-3500. Denver BotanicGardens.Denver, Colorado. www.ahta.org Ashland-The HenryClayEstate.Tolearnmoreabouttheeventortoregister,visit facilities; andtherapeuticgardendesign. PROMOTING THE GARDEN Therapy Association(AHTA)willholditsannualconvention,withthetheme“Con- Annual Convention in Kentucky American HorticulturalTherapyAssociation’s a keynotespeaker. Nilda Coscowillbe Included intheconventionwillbetoursofShakerVillagePleasantHilland Lecture. TheBiedenharnMuseum& the American Gardener OCT. 23. OCT. 17–19. SEPT. 28. SEPT. 27. SEPT. 20. OCT. 21. Fall PlantSale. www.bmuseum.org. Home &LandscapeShow. Plant-Driven Design. Heirloom PlantsintheGar- SOUTHWEST Central Arizona Cactus and Wildflower Walk. Fall Plant and Bulb Sale. AZ, NM,CO,UT or call(859)514-9177. Fall PlantSaleFestival. www.botanic www.dbg.org. www.thearb.org. www.maricopacounty www.botanicgardens.org. Tucson Botanical cuss thepracticalapplicationofresearchinconnectingyoung Design atNorthCarolinaStateUniversityinRaleigh,will dis- founder oftheNatural Learning InitiativeintheCollegeof from aroundthecountryandabroad.” therapy. Wehavetwodaysofconferencesessionsforattendees learn about the latest developments in the field of horticulture Association Director, “Our conference is the premier event to in Lexington, Kentucky. According to Gaye Horton, AHTA necting PeoplewithNature,”fromOctober30toNovember1 wellness; horticulturaltherapyservicesinacutecarepediatric uals withdevelopmentaldisabilities;theimpactofflowerson range oftopicsincludingsupportedemploymentforindivid- children to nature. Other presentations will address a wide Desert Botanical Keynote speakerNildaCosco,researcher,author,andco- The Ar- Lecture. as a healing place, the American Horticultural columbiagazette.com/poison.html. (831) 459-5476. able FoodSystems.SantaCruz,California. UCSC CenterforAgroecologyandSustain- workshop. LifeLabGardenClassroomat Programs atthe Santa BarbaraBotanic Flintridge, California. (818) 985-4200. Tour. Del Mar, California. (760) 295-7089. Lecture. SanDiegoHorticulturalSociety. Peninsula, California. (310) 544-6815. SEPT. 27. Fullerton, California. (714) 278-3407. and FallPlantSale. Flintridge, California. (818) 985-4200. Class. DescansoGardens.LaCañada RAP www.descansogardens.org. RAP www.sdhort.soc.org. OCT. 13. www.arboretum.fullerton.edu. RAP www.descansogardens.org. RAP www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org. RAP OCT. 2&3. bia, California. (209)532-6604. Descanso Gardens.LaCañada OCT. 18. OCT. 18. OCT. 11&12. OCT. 7&14. OCT. 4. —Kirsten Winters,EditorialIntern Bamboo, TheEarthandUs. Annual Poison Oak Show. The GardenClassroom. Fall PlantSale. Research andBuilding Los AngelesFlowerDistrict WEST COAST CA, NV,HI www.lifelab.org. Starting FromSeeds. California Native Fullerton Arboretum. Palos Verdes www. Educator Colum- Jefferson City,.(866)933-8789. Columbia. (604) 257-8666. Botanical Garden. Vancouver, British Garden. Barbara, California. (510) 643-7008. ture. SantaBarbaraBotanicGarden. nia. Horticultural Society.LosAngeles,Califor- and Legends. www.tizergardens.com. SEPT. 28. www.berrybot.org. SEPT. 27. RAP NOV. 13. Looking ahead www.calbotsoc.org. RAP OCT. 21&22. OCT. 10. SEPT. 27. www.oregongarden.org. OCT. 25&26. www.arboretumfoundation.org. RAP OCT. 2–5. SEPT. 29. RAP ho. (208)343-8649. concert. IdahoBotanicalGarden.Boise,Ida- den. Portland, Oregon. (503) 636-4112. (406) 837-0783. Society. GlacierNationalPark,Montana. Glacier Park.MontanaNativePlant International Birds in Flight. garden.org. lumbia. (250)479-6162. dale Gardens&Woodland. Victoria,BritishCo- Washington. (206) 325-4510. Washington ParkArboretum.Seattle, gon. (503)246-8291. Show. garden.org. Ontario. Silverton, Oregon. (503) 874-8100. ka. (928) 770-3692. Alaska Botanical Garden. Anchorage, Alas- 52113. Guelph, Ontario.(519)824-4120ext. Arboretum attheUniversityofGuelph. www.socalhort.org. SEPT. 28. Portland ExpoCenter.Portland,Ore- SEPT. 20. OCT. 25. OCT. 5. Tree Identification. Native PlantHorticulture: Myths www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum. California BotanicalSocietyLec- www.gardenexpo.ca. Portland FallHomeandGarden Scarecrow Festival. Fall Plant Sale. Compost & Bulb Sale. Fall Plant Identification and Garden &FloristExpo. Fall Festival. AK, ID,MT,OR,WA,WY Fall Bulb&PlantSale. Lecture. SouthernCalifornia Sunscaping. NORTHWEST Touch the Earth. Plastic Pot Recycling Day. CANADA www.umt.edu/mnps. www.alaskabg.org. www.idahobotanical www.otshows.com. Berry Botanic Gar- www.hcp.bc.ca Oregon Gardens. Workshop. The Workshop. Glen- Walk. Tizer Gardens. www.vandusen Van Dusen Benefit Toronto, . 

COURTESY OF NILDA COSCO

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 hu- midity 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. To purchase a two-by-three-foot glossy AHS Plant Heat Zone Map for $9.95, call (800) 777-7931 or visit www.ahs.org.

A–E M–R Aloysia triphylla uh-LOY-zee-uh try-FIL-luh (USDA Zones 8–11, mag-NOLE-yuh ak-yew-min-AY-tuh (4–9, 9–2) AHS Zones 12–8) M. ashei M. ASH-ee-eye (6–9, 9–6) Bletilla striata bleh-TIL-luh stry-AY-tuh (5–8, 8–5) M. denudata M. deh-new-DAY-tuh (4–9, 9–6) Bouteloua gracilis boo-teh-LOO-uh GRASS-ih-liss (5–9, 9–5) M. fraseri M. FRAYZ-yer-eye (4–9, 9–6) ✕Butiagrus nabonnandii byew-tee-AG-rus nah-bo-NAN-dee-eye M. grandiflora M. gran-dih-FLOR-uh (7–9, 9–6) (8–11, 12–8) M. macrophylla M. mak-ro-FIL-luh (6–9, 9–6) Calanthe seiboldii kah-LAN-thee see-BOL-dee-eye (7–9, 9–7) M. pyramidata M. pih-ruh-mih-DAY-tuh (7–9, 9–7) Calopogon tuberosus kal-o-PO-gon too-buh-RO-sus (3–10, 9–2) M. tripetala M. try-PET-uh-luh (4–9, 9–5) Costus speciosus KOSS-tus spee-see-O-sus (8–11, 12–8) M. virginiana M. vir-jin-ee-AN-uh (6–9, 9–6) Cymbopogon citratus sim-bo-PO-gon sih-TRAY-tuss (9–11, 12–1) Penstemon pinifolius PEN-steh-mon pin-ih-FO-lee-us (4–10, 10–1) sip-rih-PEE-dee-um uh-KAWL-ee (3–7, 7–1) Phlox bifida FLOKS BIF-ih-duh (4–8, 8–1) C. ✕andrewsii C. an-DREW-zee-eye (3–6, 6–2) Pinus edulis PIE-nus ed-YEW-liss (5–8, 8–5) C. guttatum C. gyew-TAY-tum (2–4, 4–2) Pogonia ophioglossoides po-GO-nee-uh o-fee-o-gloss-OY-deez C. kentuckiense C. ken-tuh-kee-EN-see (6–10, 10–6) (3–8, 8–2) C. macranthos var. ventricosum C. muh-CRAN-thos var. ven-trih-KO-sum pull-suh-TIL-uh vul-GAIR-iss (5–7, 7–5) (3–7, 7–1) C. parviflorum var. parviflorum C. par-vih-FLOR-um var. par-vih-FLOR-um S–Z (2–9, 9–2) Spiranthes cernua var. odorata spy-RAN-theez SAIR-new-uh var. C. parviflorum var. pubescens C. par-vih-FLOR-um var. pyew-BESS-enz o-doh-RAY-tuh (4-8, 8-4) (2–9, 9–1) Stachys byzantina STAY-kiss bih-zan-TY-nuh (4–8, 8–1) C. reginae C. reh-JEE-nee (2–7, 7–1) Syagrus romanzoffiana sy-AY-grus rom-an-zof-ee-AN-uh (8–11, 12–8) Epipactis gigantea eh-pih-PAK-tiss jy-GAN-tee-uh (3–6, 6–2) Thymus pseudolanuginosus TY-muss soo-doh-lan-oo-jih-NO-sus (5–9, 9–5) Tulipa acuminata TOO-lip-uh ak-yew-min-AY-tuh (4–8, 8–4) F–L T. bakeri T. BAY-ker-eye (4–8, 8–4) Fallugia paradoxa fah-LEW-gee-uh pair-uh-DOK-suh (7–11, 12–7) T. clusiana T. kloo-see-AN-uh (4–8, 8–4) Foeniculum vulgare fee-NICK-yew-lum vul-GAY-ree (4–9, 9–1) T. humilis T. HEW-mih-lys (4–8, 8–4) Gaillardia aristata gay-LARD-ee-uh ahr-iss-TAY-tuh (3–8, 8–1) T. kaufmanniana T. kawf-man-ee-AN-uh (4–8, 8–4) Gazania linearis guh-ZAY-nee-uh lin-ee-YAR-iss (8–10, 10–8) T. linifolia T. lih-nih-FO-lee-uh (4–7, 7–4) Goodyera pubescens good-YAIR-uh pyew-BESS-enz (6–9, 9–6) T. pulchella T. pul-KEL-uh (5–8, 8–5) Gutierrezia sarothrae gyew-tee-air-REZ-ee-uh suh-RO-three (5–11, 12–5) T. sylvestris T. sil-VES-triss (4–8, 8–4) Liatris punctata ly-AY-triss punk-TAY-tuh (4–9, 9–1) T. tarda T. TAR-duh (4–8, 8–4) T. turkestanica T. tur-keh-STAN-ih-kuh (5–8, 8–5) T. vvedenskyi T. veh-den-SKEE-eye (5–8, 8–5) Veronica pectinata ver-ON-ih-kuh pek-tih-NAY-tuh (2–7, 7–1) Viburnum nudum vy-BUR-num NEW-dum (5–9, 9–5)

60 the American Gardener GARDENC MARKET

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SM © 2008 Ball Horticultural Company BHC08277

www.bio-organics.com 1-888-332-7676 Michael H. C. Devlin, Esq. and Valerie R. Frick

September / October 2008 61 62 by MichaelA.Dirr Viburnum nudum I to wet sitesandmoderatedrought. Its formisplumpestin fullsun,more openinshade(where Ihave Brandywine ed clonestochoosefrom, including of looking forsuperiorselections. In thecase outthereof sharp-eyed horticulturists hard pressed tolove. even adie-hard viburnophilewould be and scragglyspecimensofV. nudum my travels,open,lanky, Ihave observed variability amongplantsinthewild.In voured by birds. ripen topinkandblue butare usuallyde- summer. In autumn,theraisinlikefruits bloom prolifically inflatclusters inmid- The muskyormalodorous whiteflowers cases—a potentred tored-purple infall. green andglossyinsummer, and—inmost spring foliageisbronzy, turningbright typically seenitinthewild).Theemerging bronzy leaves were There pushingforth. sistent in early April even as the new foliage, relatively per- compacthabit,fruits affair wasinstantaneous:Mirror-reflective tered boretum in England, when I first encoun- came in1999attheSir Harold Hillier Ar- splaying plantsofthisselection. creasing frequency, large,open, Iobserve cent pink to blue However, fruits. with in- superb red-purple fall color, and magnifi- asthebestwithitsshinyfoliage, surfaced and ‘Winterthur’. Originally, ‘Winterthur’ Shade’,‘Earth ‘Moonshine’, ‘Pink Beauty’, www.hydrangea.com. Palmetto, GA.(770)463-2400. Wilkerson MillGardens, Source V. nudum, there are several highly tout- N THEHIERARCHY tier. Native from Florida to coastal New and Louisiana north York and Connecticut, it is adaptable Fortunately forgardeners, there are lots As withmanyspecies,there isgreat A transformationalmomentforme the American Gardener V. nudum ™ (‘Bulk’), ‘CountPulaski’, ‘Pink Beauty’. The love ‘Pink Beauty’ of Viburnum that The fruitsof different seedlingorclonetofacilitate fruit still persisted.Many viburnumsrequire a Brilliantwithout anypruning. bluefruits plant measured fourfeethighandwide I walkedinhergarden and notedthatthe North Carolina. On February 11,thisyear, daughter Susy’s garden inChapelHill, Concord grape-blue,in winter. nally becomingdarker, almostwaxy egg blueinSeptember to October, andfi- are green, transitioningpink,thenrobin’s- V. nudum then, now rate‘Pink Beauty’ thebestof gia and,basedoncontinuedtestingsince root cuttings. Ibrought theplantstoGeor- fin, thencuratoratHillier, allowed meto gin oftheplantoritsname,butMike Buf- were noclearrecords documentingtheori- LN NTESPOTLIGHT THE IN PLANT In 2003,Iplanteda‘Pink Beauty’ inmy species, smooth witherod cultivars. The immature fruits C Viburnum nudum Viburnum ‘Pinky Beauty’turnfromgreentopink,thenblue. (V. nudum) and ‘Pink Beauty’ isa great first choice. period. Every garden needs aviburnum the resiliency of this cultivar during that worst onrecord, yet Iwasimpressed with Durham-Raleigh trianglewasoneofthe drought of 2007intheChapelHill- able inUSDAZones 5to9.The heat and buttheseedling had none. fruit day,ruary ‘Pink Beauty’ wasdrippingwith been added to Susy’s garden. On that Feb- caution, awildV. nudum Beauty’ Asapre- appearstobeself-fertile. ‘Pinkset, but,basedonmyobservations, inAthens. horticultureis aformer professor atthe Plants, The authorofManual ofWoody Landscape ‘Pink Beauty’ hasproven quiteadapt- among otherbooks,Michael A.Dirr usually ranks in the top seedling had 

MICHAEL A. DIRR