ive Your Garde A Boosi. Annual Booster™and Perennial BoosterT'1by Pursell are specially formulated with POLYON®timed .. release fertilizer for extended, even feeding. For a beautiful garden - count on POLYON®products for premium, professional results.
INCORPORPURSELLA T E D 1904
For more information about POlYON®~ roducts, visit our website @ www.fertilizer.com or Call Our Customer Hotline 1·800·874·8892 co n t e n t s
Volume 78, Number 3 May/June 1999
DEPARTMENTS An Inside Look 4 North American Irises 26 Members' Forum 5 by C. Colston Burrell (Maria Callas) lily) toxic polzeweed, hellebons. No matte1' when you ga1'den, native species of this 1'egal plant can be found to S'btit. News from AHS 7 1999 AHS Book Award winners) youth ga1'den Native Grasses 32 symposium, flower festival at EPCOT by Rick Darke Focus 10 Create a garden with local cha1'acte1' by Less-toxic cont1'ols for garden 1'oses. using ornamental grasses native to YOU1' region.
Offshoots 16 Andre and Fran~ois Michaux 38 Flowers, rocks) and marriage. by Susan Davis Price Gardeners Information Service 17 These late 18th- and early 19th-century French Cherry fruit flies) planning a period garden, plant explore1's- father and son- helped launch bromeliads, miniature roses. the forest conservation movement in America. Mail-Order Explorer 19 Rain Lilies 43 Wild Earth Native Plants. by John E. Bryan Conservationist's Notebook 20 Brighten your patio or b01,der with these delightful, colorfully flow end subtropical bulbs. Appalachian Mountain Club'; multi-Jaceted mtsswn. English-Style Borders in Texas 47 Urban Gardener 22 by Lana Robinson From barren beach house to buttnfly haven. A Texas couple shows how to achieve the look of English mixed b01,den by combining tough but Book Reviews 52 colorful native and exotic plants. Cottage gardening, attracting butterflies, American women and their gardens, herbal remedies. Regional Happenings 58 Bartram's 300th birthday in Pennsylvania, wildflower sale, fields of blooms in Lompoc. On the cover: 11is virginica, a southern native iris, gro}vs in wetlands from Vi1;ginia to Texas. This cultiva~ Hardiness and Heat Zones 62 (Mysterious Monique', bean rich pU1'ple flowers. Pronunciations 63 Photog1'aph by R oger Foley. American Horticul tural Society 7931 East Boulevard Drive • Alexandria, VA 22308-1300 (703) 768-5700., wJlIw.ahs.org an In side look ~ The American Horticultural Society (AHS) educates and inspires people of all ages to become successful and environmentally responsible udging by the number of new books on orna gardeners by advancing the art mental grasses and by the use of grasses as the and science of horticufture. Jfocal point of designs such as the New American Garden created by Wolfgang Oehme and James Van ~ Sweden at the U.S. National Arboretum, these valu PRESIDENT/CEO able plants are finally coming to the attention of LINDA D. WALLMAN American gardeners. In this issue, Rick Darke, au BOARD OF DIRECTORS thor of a new encyclopedia on ornamental grasses, Officers 1998-1999 writes about native grasses appropriate for gardens KAn MOSSWARNBR, CHAIRMAN Lake Buena Virta, Florida in different regions of the United States. NANCY S. THOMAS,FlRST VICE CHAIRMAN If he were still with us, my grandfather, Patrick Houston, Texas Henry McArthur-we called him Mr. Pat-would PAUL ECKE, JR., SECOND VIGE CHAIRMAN have offered a spirited discussion about native Encinitas, California grasses. Grasses were the enemy of his vast fields of WILLIAM A. PUSEY, SECRETARY Washington, D.G. cotton, tobacco, and soybeans in Wakulla, North CHARLES I'IENRY SMITH JR, T:REASURER Carolina. His field hands spent every summer Middleburg; Virginia cropping weeds out of the fields. In rainy years, the grasses often got ahead of the crops.
SHERMAN ADjyER Along with the cultivated farmland, Mr. Pat also maintained hundreds of acres of vir West palm Beach, Florida gin stands oflong-leaf pine (Pinus palust1ris). Native grasses were a mortal foe of these L.M. BAKER JR. pines because they were part of the successional process that allowed oak seedlings to de Winston-Salem, North G;';rolina velop and eventually shade out the pines. WILLIAM E. BARRIC!!:, PH.D. IMMEDIATE PAST CHAlRMAl"1 So every three or four years, in early winter, the entire area had to be burned to pre Pine Mountain, Ge01:gia serve the long-leaf pine as the dominant species in this landscape. The December ritual KATHERINE MCKAy BELK Charlotte, N01·th Carolina was always the most u'ying of days because the fire had to be carefully controlled to avoid JAMES:J,. CORFIELD damage to farm buildings and the stately trees. Gmeva., Itlinois While Mr. Pat was WOrFying about his fields and pines, my grandmother, Caledonia ARABELLAS. DANE Bost01I, MasS"acbtlsetts McDonald McArthur, was gro",ting beautiful flowers such as rain lilies (Zephyranthesand JOHN ALEX FLOYD JR. Habranthusspecies), irises, and roses. Articles in this issue by John Bryan, C. Colston Birmir¥fham, Alabama Burrell, and Wi.lliam Quarles, respectively, update and extend our knowledge about these DOR,01fH\:' T. IRELAND ;BIrmingham, Alabama popular ornamentals. WILLIM1 R. MARKEN Also in this issue you'll enjoy garden historian Susan Davis Ptice's article on the French us Altos, California naturalists Andre and Frans:ois Micham, whose conuibutions to American plant explo THEODORE R. MARsTON ration are memorialized by many plant and place names. Coincidentally, Frans:ois named [(irklalld, Washi,¥fton the long-leaf pine P australis, which-if it had been ruled a legitimate name-would have EGON MOLBAK Seattle, WashingtMI led my grandfather to believe Frans:ois was confused about which hemisphere he was in. DUDLEY MORGAN Finally, we have a message for those ofyou who garden in the wide-open spaces of Texas Nashville, Tennmee and the surrounding region. Garden writer Lana Robinson describes how the owners of a CAROL C. MORRISON Palatine, Illinois Texas nursery are using a select variety of drought-tolerant natives and adaptable exotics to GEOFFR:EY L. I!,AifJSCH create brightly colored, English-style mL"Xed borders that stand up to the hot, dry climate. Pittsbt>rgh, Pennsylvania Despite Mr. Pat's deep-seated antagonism toward native grasses, he was a practical VALERIE 1.,. THOMAS Alexandria, Virgillia man. I'm sure ifhe were alive today he would have a container nursery on his farm, and HOWARD TUCKER he would be selling native grasses rather than burning them. Ever in green, Washingtoll, D. C. SUSEE USREY Dayton, Oregon ROBERT D. YOLK San Marino, California ~ -H. Marc Cathey, AHS President Emel'itus PRESIDENT EMERITUS DR. H. MARC CATHEY
Marc Cathey's upcoming spealling engagements al'otmd the cotmtry are listed on page 9.
4 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May/ J u n e 1999 THE AMERICAN members' GARDENER EDITOR DAVTJ') J. EL-LIS MANAGING EDITOR rum MARYYEE ASSISTANT EDITOR CHRISTINA M. SCOTI
COMJ\IJUNICATIONS ASSISTANT MMK C. MOLLAN DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION JOSEPH YACINSKI DESIGN
~
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD JOHN ALEX FLOYD JR, CHAIR Birmingham, Alabama NINA L. BASSUK Ithaca, New York RICHARD E. BIR Brcpard, North Carolina JOHN E. BRYAN San Francisco, California JOHN L. CREECH HendlPl·sonville, North Carolina The pale pink flowers of Asiatic lily 'Maria Callas'. KEITH. CROTZ Chillicothe, Illinois LlLIUM 'MARIA CALLAS' ics, fonts, variously split layouts, and other PANAYOTI KELAIDIS Asiatic lilies are my favorite plants. I grow tactics that certainly catch the eye and make Denver, Colorado them in pots until I can see exactly what dramatic visual statements. Unfortunately RICHARD W. LIGHTY color tl1ey are. Because I try so many, I de these graphics also often compete with, Greenville, Delaware veloped a strip along the north side of the rather than enhance, content. To me, The ELVIN MCDONALD West Des Moine~ Iowa house-which gets morning sun-for American Gardener layout is like good gar planting lilies. Before planting, I dug in den design-strong but not overwhelming. ~ sand, bonemeal, compost, and greensand, Wy,me A. Lee ADVERTISING AHS ADVERTISING OFFICE then planted the bulbs, labeled them, and Chicago, Illinois 4350 DiPaolo Cente:r, Suite: B topdressed with a little manure and mulch. Glenvie:w, IL 60025 Under these conditions, the bulbs not only PRETTY BUT DEADLY (847) 699-1707 • FAX: (847) 699-1703 bloom well, they increase rapidly. The article by Pam Baggett titled "Bold COLOR SEPARATIONS My current favorite Asiatic illy is 'Maria Plants" (JanuaryjFebruary) featured poke FILM GRAPH'ICS Callas', pictured here with my daughter, weed (Phytolacca americana). Yes, it is an PRINTER Dominique. I love this lily for what impressive plant, but I am Wliting because BANTA r>UBLICATIONS GROUP Gertrude Jekyll called its "tender" color no mention was made of how dangerous ing. The blooms are a pale beige-pink, with The American-Gardener (lSSN 1087-9978) is published this plant is. Many people have died from bimoJ)tI1Iy (Tanuary/february, MarohlApril~May /June, dark spots and a soft raspberry throat. eating pokeweed berries, which are so poi July/ Angust, Septemberj October, November/Decem ber) by the American Horticultural Society, 7931 East Camay Woodall sonous that it takes only three to kill a small Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300, (703) Towson, Maryland child, although-strangely enough-birds 768-5700. Membership in the SOGietyindudes a sub. scrip tie" to The American Gwrd ..t< .. ;t\nrIual dues are who ingest the berries merely become in $25; two years, $45.lntemationalaues are $60. $10 of ON THE RIGHT TRACK toxicated. In addition, the leaves and roots annual dues (foes toward magaziQe subscriptiP1l. Period icals postagepajd att Alexandria, Vl!gipia, and at additional '\s a long-time reader of The American Gar are also poisonous. mailing offices. Postmaster: 'tilease sena Form 3579 to The A./Jeriean Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, dener and other gardening magazines, I'd I suggest that every article in your pub A1exandri., VA 22308-1300. like to say thanks very much for continuing lication that endorses planting a poisonous Botanical nomenclature is based on A Synonymized to publish a magazine with in-depth, fresh, plant include-as with the article on helle Checkliftofthe Vasetdar Flora afthe U;,iud States, C{ma da and Greenland and on the Royal HortiCIIltt.ral Soci and creative articles on a wide range of top bores-information about toxicity so that ety IndexofGwrdmPlants. Opinions expressed in the ics. So many of the other magazines have a gardener can avoid using such a plant in articles are tl\ose of the .udiers anti: are not nocessarily those ef
May/June 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDEN ER 5 Editor's note: We try to point out all poten (%ard to find"collecto1'S' plants, as they we1'e AHS PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL tially poisonous plants that are mentioned in clea1'ly labeled in the article, was intended to AHS HORTICULTURAL PARTNER the magazine, b~tt once in a while one slips by expose new 1teaders to the b1teadth ofthegenus, OKLAHO~L" HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY us. Thanks for setting us straight. as well as to p1'ovide inf01'mation f01' experi MR. & MRS. RICHARD C. A:. GINO enced ga1'dene1'S and h01,ticult1Jt1'ists. MRS. SUZA1\"NE FRUTIG BALES HELLEBORES INSPIRE PASSION DR. WILLL-\M E. BARRICK My initial references to H . orientalis and MRS. JA.MES 1.. BARTLETT I have known Colston Bm-rell for many years its slltbspecies were in a section devoted to dis JOfu'lNE R. BEARB MRS. WILLIAM BECKETT and respect him as a wliter and speaker, but cussion of hellebore species. In this section I MRS. KATHERINE MCKAy BELK I was disappointed when I read his hellebore clea1'ly stated that because these species a1te MR. & MRS. DANIEL BELL Ms. NORMA M. BENTON article in dle JanuaryjFebruary issue. The difficult to find in thei1' pU1'e f01tm, they a1te MR. & MRS. C. WILLlAlvl BLACK DR. SHERR.>\N BLAIR article put too much emphasis on hard-to often listed as H. xhybridus. In the box titled MRS. MARY K'ITH ERINE BLOUNT find species mat are suitable only for me very «Color Waves of the Future/' I then elabo- MR. KURT BLUEMEL MR. BRUCE BORDINE serious collecto r. Lenten roses-correcdy 1'ated on the various selections being made MRS. NANCY H. CALLAWAY called Helleborus xhybridus, not H orientalis from H . xhybridus. In my dealings with both MRS. SUSAl M. CARGILL MS. BARBARA 1.. CARR or Orientalis hybrids, as used in me article n'VtrSe1,), people and amateurgardene1 's, these DR. HENRY MARC CATHEY are me easiest plants to grow and to locate. selections are collectively known as 0 1'iental MR. & MRS. GLEN CHARLES MR. RUSSELL CLARK The Christmas rose (H niger) may be me is hybrids, as H. orientalis is the defining MRS. LAIvlMOT DU PONT COPf,LAND MR. JAJvlES L. CORFIELD best-known hellebore, but it is much more species in most ofthe selections. MRS. MARGERY HALE CRANE sensitive to environmental conditions man Though the Christmas rose (H. niger) MRS. ARA.IlELLA DANE IviS. MAUREEN D E ST. CROIX orner species. Some hellebores, such as me may be a sensitive species for you, in myexpe MR. RON DODD Lenten rose, are easy to grow, but none are rience it is easy and floriferousj it self-sowed MRS. BEVERLEY WHITE DUNN !vIR. PAUL ECKE, JR. quick to establish. Also, both Hfoetidus and freely in my childhood garden in Virginia. ESTATE OF RUTH ALICE WILSON H a1'lfutifolmsare short-lived perennials. It has also been my expe1'ience that lItSU DR. JOHN ALEX FLOYD, JR. MR. JOHN GEBERTN The acaulescent (stemless) hellebore all)1 after a full year in the garden, a plant MRS. KARlN GELOTTE Ms. CHARLOTTE GRA>'1T species hyblidize too freely Lmder cultivation of H. niger or H. xhybridus will show a MRS. MARlON E. GREENE for plants grown from seed collected from dozen 01' more blooms. I feel this is quick for MR. GERALD T. HALPIN MRS. RICHARD W. HAMMING cultivated plants to be sold as "species" a long-lived perennial. MR. & MRS. MAX HARTL seedlings. When I have grown seed or plants The hellebore species and selections offe1ted MRS. ENID A. HAUPT MRS. SmRLEY HEBENTON of the acaulescent species, I have always been by 1teputable nurseries are g1town from wild MRS. ELSIE HTLLlARD HrLLlIilAN disappointed wim the results. collected seed 01tfrom carefully controlled cross MR. CLAUDE HOPE MR. PHILlP RUEY The only way one can be sm-e of a plant's es. I have been pleased with the helleb01'es I have MRS. WILLIAM C. I RELAND Ms. PATRICIA JODSAAS color is to see it in flower. There can even be pU1'Chased, and the next few years p1'omise MRS. ROBERT E. KULP, JR. changes in flower color from year to year and g1teate1' availability ofwort h) I selections. Ms. CAROL LAPORTE WILLIAM & DIANA LYCETTE under differing environmental conditions. MR. JOSJ;PH MARKO We have more man 2,000 mature clumps of Editor's note: When we asked C. Colston MRS. ELlZABETH MARsHALL MR. TED MARsTON H . xhybridus growing at Piccadilly Farm, Bur1'ell to w1'ite about the entire genus Helle MRS. FRANCES B. MCALLlSTER and I have yet to fiDd two plants producing borus, we ensured that there a1'e mail-01'der MR. & MRS. JOHN MCDOUGALL MRS. NORA M. MCGowAN identical flowers. sources f01t nearly all the plants mentioned in MRS. PAUL MELLON MR. EVERITT 1.. MILLER The zone recommendations in the arti the article. We also emphasized that it is im MRS. GENE MILLER cle are incorrect. We sell Lenten roses all over portant to choose hellebore selections in bloom MR. EGON MOLBAK MONROVIA NURSERY COMPANY the eastern United States fi'om New Eng to be sure ofgetting the desired flowe1' color. MRS. D UDLEY MORGAN land to Minnesota and soum to Texas, but I The 1,eference in the text to most helleb01tes MS. CAROL C. MORRISON MR. MICHAEL PANAS would not recommend mem in AHS Heat being suitable to grow into AHS Heat Zones MR. WILLIAlvl G. PM'NILL Zone 10. They are marginal iD Zone 9. 8 to 10 was an editorial error--more aCC'J;t MS. PATRICIA L. PIERCE MRS. JOSEPH POETKER Misleading information such as this does rate heat zones f01t individual species were MR. WILLIAM A. PUSEY t DR. JULIA W. R.A.PPAPORT nothing but disappoint gardeners and cause listed in the ha1 diness and heat zone index MR. & MRS. ALFRED G. RINDLER nurseries such as ours to deal with phone in the bade ofthe magazine. MR. HARRy A. RISSETTO, ESQ. MRS. DIANA CARTER SAMPLES calls from people who say they read it in an MRS. LOUISA STUDE SAROFIM article in The Ame1'ican Gardener. MR. & MRS. RICHARD SCHISSLER ANOTHER VIEW MRS. JOSEPHIl'-rE M. SHANKS Carleen Jones MR. EMANUEL SHEMlN Piccadilly Farm, Bishop, Ge01'lfia We would like to thank C. Colston Burrell for MR. CHARLES HENRY SMITH, JR. SOUTHERN PROGR:ESS CORP dle beautiful article on hellebores (Janu MRS. HELEN H. SPALDING MR. WILLIAM M. SPENCER II! Burrell responds: Thanle :you f01t relating aryjFebruary). We have grown thousands of MISS JANE STEFFEY your expel'iences with hellebores in Ge01'lfia. I plants in the nursery, but hellebores are our MRS. Nfu'lCY S . THOMAS t MRS. VALERIE THOMAS truly 1eg1'et that o~w mutually bus)' schedules fuvOlite. We fOLmd Bm-rell's article dlought MRS. BENJAML'I W. THORON p1tevented me from speaking with you before fiu, detailed, and accurate, wim me Lmabashed MRS. HARRY J. VAN DE K/UlilP MR. JAMES VAN SWEDEN the article went to pressj your input wOlltld affection of me aficionado. It is a pleasure to MR. ROBERT D. VOLK certainly have made the article riche1' read articles by people who obviously have ex Ms. KA.TY MOSS WARNER MRS. HARVEY WHITE Since most readers of The Amelican Gar perience wid1 meir subject and are not sin1ply MR. JOHN W. WHITE t MRS. M. WILDER dener a1'e fairly experienced ga1 deners, I was regurgitating me prose of omers. -~ MRS. MARlLLYN B. WILSON asked to write about the enti1'e genus Helle J~tdith Knott Tyler DR. & MRS. WILLIAl\>\ H. WOODHfulilS borus, including the more uncommon and Pine K not Farms Perennials temperamental species. The inclusion of Cla1tlesvitle, Vi1'lfinia
6 THE AMERICAN GARDE NE R )umm "I lit be
xcrd rotic ohorris n news from ahs
1999 AHS BOOK AWARDS Fom gardening books, all by different pub 1999 AHS Book Award Winners lishers, have been chosen to receive the Soci ety's 1999 Annual Book Award (see box on A Celebration of Heirloom Vegetables: R OGE R Y EP SBN light). Awards for the books will be present Growing and Cooking Old-Time Varieties ed to the publishers at the closing banquet of by Roger Yepsen, Artisan. AHS price: $24.50. the AHS Annual Conference in Boston, JW1 e lilustrated by the author, this well-written and 9 to 12. The award-winning books were se visually appealing book was a consensus favorite. lected from books published in 1998. HEI'RLoioM "Tlus book does everytlling right," said Bender. This is the third year of the AHS AlU1U v E GET A B L E S "The cover practically leaps off the shelf and al Book Award program, which was devel shouts, 'Open me! ', while tl1e illustrations of oped in 1997 as part of the celebrations for heirloom vegetables inside are stunningly beau the Society's 75th a.l1luversary. The award tiful. In addition, the accompanying text is in books are chosen by a seven-member com teresting, informative, and as easy to digest as the mittee co-chaired this year by Steve Lor OflOWIHO 4NU COOlClSO OtO·TIMIl V.I'ITI'" dozens of recipes scattered throughout." ton, Northwest correspondent for Sunset • magazine, and Valelie Easton, library man Earth on Her Hands: The American Woman in Her Garden ager at the UIuversity of Wasllington's Elis by Starr Ockenga, Clarkson N. Potter. AHS plice: $40. abeth C. Miller Library. Other committee This collection of profiles of 18 fu11erican 'Nomen who have created outstanding gar members are Suzanne Bales, conuibuting dens over several decades appealed to comlTuttee members because it is a masterfi.t.l com editor of Famil)1Cinle magazine; Stephen bination of sU'ong photography, wliting, and book design. "The women profiled are P. Bender, senior writer for Southel'n Liv all dedicated and knowledgeable gardeners, so there's something to learn from each ingmagazine; Sarah Boasberg, a Washing one," said Easton. "The photographs, mostly by tl1e autllor, are simply still1.l1ing, es ton, D.C., landscape designer and former pecially tlle fi.t.lJ -page black-and-white portraits oftl1e women themselves." Sidebars with chairman of the AHS Board of Directors; each profile focus on a topic of special interest, such as lists of favOlite plants or how to Thomas Cooper, editor of HO l,ticulture build a stone wall. (For more on this book, see tl1e review on page 53.) magazine; and Susan Eubank, seluor li brarian at the Helen Fowler Library of the The Savage Garden: Cultivating Carnivorous Plants Denver Botanic Gardens. Pamela Lord, by Peter D'Amato, Ten Speed Press. founder of the Garden Book Club, serves AHS price: $17.95. as an advisor to the committee. Committee members applauded this i.n-deptll100k at an Books considered for the Annual Book W1Llsual and fascinating group of plants that are diversely Award must be produced by Alllerican au represented in Nortl1 America. Nmsery-propagated selec thors and publishers. To encomage and re tions of some carnivorous plants are just beginning to be ward excellence in garden-book publishing, come available, so tlus book is a timely reference on how the COI11lTuttee looks for books that are well to grow these plants, many ofwluch are endangered in the wlitten and technically accmate, as well as vvild. "I never thought tlus book would end up on my bed im10vative in content, design, and produc side table as compelling reading, but it did. The strange tion quality. ness of tl1e plants and their behavior is fascinating," said Gardening books that receive the AHS Bales. "D'Amato writes with authority, passion, and Al1.l1ual Book Award are distinguished by a humor-a wimling combination." gold seal embossed with the Society's name and a leaf symbol. Look for these books in The Tropical Look: An Encyclopedia ofDramatic Landscape Plants yom local bookstore or order them through by Robert Lee Riffle, Timber Press. AHS price: $45. the AHS Horticultmal Book Service. This comprehensive desCliption of hundreds of plants that offer a tropical look even in temperate gardens is also timely. "There's a trend going on in contemporary Amelican ANNUAL CONFERENCE horticulture tlut I like to call the neo-Gauguin movement," says Lorton. "This book of Presentation of the book awards is only one fers an effective pattern for achieving that look in a home garden." Extensive lists of plants ofthe many exciting events scheduled for this for various garden habitats and landscapes add to tl1e usefi.ilness of this reference. year's AHS Al1.l1ual Conference in Boston,
May / Ju ne 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 7 JWle 9 to 12. If you haven't already signed up to attend, do so soon so you won't miss out on the lectures, workshops, and garden HMMM ... THE tours that highlight this inspirational fom-day SMITHS' FOR AZALEAS AND celebration of American gardening. It's an HOSTAS, OR THE JONESES' opportunity to mingle 'with other avid gar deners and meet some of the nation's best FOR THE ALL YOU CAN known horticulturists, garden wliters, and o EAT BUFFET? landscape designers. To register, or for more o information, call (800) 777-793l. o YOUTH GARDEN SYMPOSIUM It's also not too late to register for the sev enth annual 1999 AHS National Youth Gar den Symposium (YGS) in Denver, July 22 to 24. This year's event features a who's-who of national leaders in youth gardening activ ities and educational programs, including Ed Deer Hume, host of the nationally televised gar Damage a dening show "Gardening in America," and Norm Lownds, curator of the 4-H Chil Problem? dren's Garden at Michigan State University. We Have In addition to the main conference, spe the Solution. cial pre-conference programs include a workshop on growing heirloom flowers and • Virtually invisible,high strength barrier vegetables and toms ofDenver Botanic Gar • Protect garden areas or entire property dens. For teachers of kindergarten through • Easily attaches to trees or posts sixth grade, there is also a pre-conference Benner's Gardens • 1-800-244-3337 Life Lab program that integrates garden p.o. Box 875, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 based science with other subject areas. Website: www.bennersgardens.com To register, or for more information on the conference, call Mary Arm Patterson at (800) 777-7931 ext. 21, or visit the YGS William Tricker, Inc. ® page on om Web site at www.ahs.or,g. America's Oldest Water Garden since 1895 FLOWER POWER AT EPCOT William Tricker, Inc. Tricker's Water 1m Garden Catalog The sixth annual EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, spotlighting * Water Lilies the decade of the '60s, is taking place from * Aquatic Plants April 16 to May 30. Horticultural and agri * Fish, Lotus cultural experts from around the world will * FREE offers present garden workshops, daily demon * Great Prices o Please send me a free catalog. strations, and lecuu·es at a variety ofvenues o Please send me 100 Mammoth Darwin Hybrid throughout Walt Disney World, Lake Thlips for $19.95. (Cf residents add 6% sales tax.) o Payment enclosed: $ ______NEW Book.• o Charge to: 0 Master Card 0 VISA Tricker's Account #: ______1101 Water Gardening Questions and Answers Exp. Date: ______by Biologist Richard Lee, Name: ______President of Historic Wm Tricker. Over Mailing Address: ______1000 Questions and Answers on Water Shipping Address: ______Gardening! Learn from the experts! 335 pages, 36 color photos City: ______and over t 20 drawings. State: _____ Zip code: ____ ONLY $24.95 Phone Number: ______today and receive a FREE color Water Va11 E11Sd~11 l11c. Garden Catalog and FREE shipping! 23 Thlip Drive ...... CALL TODAy! ...... Bantam, Connecticut 06750 Phone: (860) 567-8734 1-800-524-3492 AGX2 Fax: (860) 567-5323 7125 Tanglewood Dr, Independence, OH 44131 Floral extravagance at Disney World.
8 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May/ju,ne 1999 Buena Vista, FlOlida. Topics range from in novative ways to grow vegetables to design THE NEW ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIE1Y ideas for ornamental gardens. In a joint program "vith Disney and the Home and Garden Television (HGTV) net I" lit H work,AHS's ongoing Great American Gar Dictionary of deners Lecture selies is being presented on ..I Gardenzng Flidays and Saturdays dllling the festival. On May 7 and 8, Kitty Bartholomew, interior Edited by Anthony Huxley and Mark Griffiths designer, author, and host ofHGTV's "Your Home" will offer tips on decorating your "You would need to have access to a first-class home £i'om the garden. On May 21 and 22, horticultztrallibrary in order to come up with a Paul James, host ofHGTV's "Gardening By comparable body ofinformation . " The Yard," will present a program titled HORTICULTURE "Everything You Wanted to Know AboLlt Gardening." Wrapping up tl1e series on May "... the most complete presentation ofplants and 28 and 29, Jim Wilson, former co-host of gardening ever published ... PBS's "The Victory Garden," will show will set the standard. .. " how to create colorful container gardens. $250 SOUTHERN ACCENTS For more information, contact Walt Dis plus shipping* "Informative, up-to-date, and awesome" ney World at (407) 824-4321, or visit its 4-volumes, beautifully sUp cased LINDA YANG , THE NEW YORK TIMES Web site at 117WW. disneyw01rld. com. Illustrated ".. .gardeners would be justified in CLEMATIS SOCIETY BLOSSOMS blowing their entire book budget for the The Soumern California Clematis Society 1-800-221-2123 rest of the centztlJl on it. " has taken on me challenge of expanding to • s&h $15 in US; $30 to Canada PATII HAGEN, WALL STREET JOURNAL reach a national audience. The society re cently changed its name to me American Clematis Society (ACS) and announced its intention to educate gardeners across the C01ll1try on hovv to grow the popular orna mental vine. Editl1 M. Malek, president and fOlU1der of me ACS, which currently has about 120 members, says me society will also focus on clematis breeding programs. "We have not pursued any of me hybridization programs mat other countries have, so one of my goals is to get Americans interested in doing research on tl1is fabulous vine." Annual membership in me ACS is $16 for individuals and includes a newsletter sub scription. For more information, wlite ACS, P.O. Box 17085, Irvine, CA 92623, or visit tl1e society'S Web site at WHJHJ.c!ematis.01;g. ~
Cathey's Lectures
AHS President Emerims H . Marc Camey continues his speaking engage ments about me AHS Heat-Zone map tl1is season at tl1e following locations. For more information call AHS at (800) 777-7931 ext. 21. Escape Weekends , Golf and Spa Packages May 18 Frederik Meijer Garden Grand Rapids, Michigan 1.. 888 .. 32 1.. 37 13 July 8 American Conifer Society Wilcox, Oregon FELICITA Harrisburg , Pennsylvania July 12 Ohio Florists Short Course Golf + Spa + Garden Resort www.FelicitaResort.com Columbus, Ohio
May / J une 1999 THE AMERI CAN GARD ENE R 9 focus may/june carefree roses
ROSES, PERHAPS MORE THAN ANY OTHER ORNAMENTAL PLANTS, have a reputation fo r being difficult to grow without calling on an arsenal of chemical controls to fight off the onslaughts of the many pests and diseases that afflict them. Fungal diseases are among the most damaging) sometimes defoliating an attractive plant into mere canes in a matter of weeks. Commercial rose growers rely on up to 20 applications of chemical fungicides-including some that are highly toxic-each season to con trol powdery mildevv) and some home gardeners are driven by desperation to try similar controls. R epeated applications of fungicides have potential to poison the user-and they may also damage plants. In many cases, researchers are also find ing that where pesticides are used over a long period of time, the targeted pest can develop resistance to the chemicals. This leads to what is known as "the pesticide treadmill," a never-ending cycle of using stronger and stronger pesticides. To avoid such problems, gardeners are urged to con sider a combination of approaches that are safer for gardeners and for the enviromnent, including selecting disease-resistant roses, maintaining proper cultural practices, and using organic or less-toxic pest controls. disease resistance
By William Quarles
oses are among the oldest and most storied ornamental plants, although Rtheir precise origins predate recorded history. Over the centuries some 200 species have been identified; these species, as well as all hyblids produced before 1867, are commonly considered "old roses." The production of the first hybrid tea rose in 1867 launched the era of modern roses. Since that time, roses have been extensive ly hybridized, resulting in the production of at least 20,000 cultivars. Some of the most desirable characteris tics of roses can be traced to just a few an- Disease-resistant 'Scarlet Meidiland' provides a dramatic backdrop for a rustic chair. cestors. For example, the treasured bushy
10 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May / June 1999 shape and recurrent flowering habit prob ably ori ginated with Rosa chinensis) and shoots with clusters of many flowers were Selected Disease-Resistant Roses derived from R. multiflO1'a. The 1920 re discovery of an ancient dwarf cultivar, R. CULTIVAR TYPE FLOWER COLOR RESISTANCE chinensis 'MiniJlla', has led to all the tninia 'AJtissimo' Clirl'tbel' Red Black spot mre roses available today. 'Ballerina' Hybl'id m~tsk shnf,b Pin/l Black spot Old roses are generally disease resistant, 'Bredon' English l'ose Yellow Insect, disease but because modern roses are delived from 'David Thompson' Rugosa Pinle Insect, disease a narrow genetic base-and developed with 'DortJnwld' Shl'ub 01' climbel' Red Insect, disease breeding teclmiques in which 99 percent of 'Etoile de Holland' Hybrid tea Red Mildew, blacle spot seedlings are discarded in order to isolate de 'Fragrant Cloud' Climber 01'ange Insects) disease sirable plants-many genes for disease resis 'Frontenac' Shr~f,b Deeppinle Mildew, tance have been lost. For instance, the blacll spot crossbred yellow rose 'Soleil d'Or', intro 'Gold Medal' Shl'ub Yellow Black spot duced in 1900, is the ancestor ofall modern 'Grallam Thomas' English l'ose Yellow Insect) disease yellow roses. Unfortunately, the genes for 'Henry Kelsey' Shr~tb Red Blaclespot yellow color in 'Soleil d'Or' correlate direct 'Mister Lincoln' Shntb Red Insects, disease ly with a loss of genes that offer resistance to 'New Dawn' Climbel' Pinle Insects, disease powdery n1.ildew and black spot. 'Old Master' Shl'l,tb R ed and white Disease Growing roses successfully and responsi 'Pacesetter' Miniatu1'e White Insect, disease bly today requires that we use the least toxic 'Peace' H)lbl'id tea Gold and white Disease methods for controlling the diseases that in 'Scarlet Meidiland' Shl'ub R ed Disease evitably afflict these beautiful plants. You'll 'Statina' Miniat~f,l'e Red and ol'ange Disease gain an upper hand in the ongoing battle if 'Sunsplite' FlO1'ibunda Yellow Blaclespot YOLl choose disease-resistant roses (see box, 'Sweet Inspiration' FlO1'iblmda Red and yellow Disease right). Since susceptibility to diseases is af 'The Fairy' Polyantha Pinle Disease fected by local conditions, YO Ll should also 'Therese Bugnet' Hybrid ntgosa Pinle Mildew) blacle spot consult your local rose society. The Ameli 'White Meidiland' Gro14,nd cover White Disease can Rose Society (see "Resources," page 12) 'Willi am Baffin ' Sh1'1,tb 01' climbel' Pinle Insect, disease can locate a chapter near you.
DEGREES OF RESISTANCE The term "disease resistant" is often n1.is used when talking about plants. In many cases it is important to understand the dif ference between "resistance" and "toler ance. " A rose is resistant to a disease if it often prevents the gerrnination and growth of a pathogen. A rose is tolerant to a disease ifit shows the u1.itial symptoms, but is able to flower and function despite cosmetic damage. Many old roses are truly resistant to black spot, while some modern roses including 'Mr. Lincoln', 'Fragrant Cloud', 'Double Delight', and 'Pristine'-are more tolerant than resistant. Black spot-resistant modern roses include 'David Thompson', 'Coronado', 'Ernest H . Morse', 'Fortynin er', 'Sphi.tn', 'Tiara', and 'Simplicity'. Gal licas, albas, and non-hybrid tea roses are generally rust resistant. Among the rose cultivars known for disease resistance are 'New Dawn', above left, a climbing rose, growing together here with another climber, scarlet-colored CULTIVATING DISEASE-FREE ROSES clematis, and 'Sredon', right, a golden yellow English rose. Successful cultivation of healthy roses re quires the planting of resistant species in • Good ventilation is critical, especially in • Roses grow best in satldy loatn, wl1.i ch is the right location, then giving them the hun1.id regions. Where hun1.idity is a prob 30 to 50 percent satld and about 20 percent proper care and maintenance to optin1.ize lem, give your roses lots of room atld pnme clay. Soil should be slightly acidic, witll a pH growth and minimize susceptibility to dis them appropliately so air Catl circulate fi.-eely. of about 6.0 to 6.5. Before planting, soil eases. Here are the basics of rose care: • Choose roses adapted to your climate. If should be mL'\ed witll about one-tllird its • Most roses need lots of surilight. If you you live Ul a region with very cold winters, volume of compost or otller orgat1.ic matter have a shady garden, plant miniatures and platlt hardy species; if you live Ul the Deep atld about 1 cup of alfalfa meal per platlt. If climbers, wl1.ich need less light. South, platH black spot-resistatlt selections. tlle soil is too acidic after adding organic
May/June 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 11 greensand. Avoid using large amounts of pathogens is non-specific and therefore is Sources quick-release nitrogen, but mulch liberally unlikely to result in disease resistance. New around plants with compost. growth is not protected, however, so the ANTIQUE ROSE EMPORIUM, 9300 • To combat black spot, water only at the sprays have to be reapplied regularly. Since Lueckemyer Road, Brenham, TX base of the plant-or use drip irrigation these leaf coatings reduce the rate of pho 77833. (409) 836-9051. Catalog $5. to prevent getting the foliage wet. Because tosynthesis by about 5 percent, tl1eir use is HEIRLOOM OLD GARDEN ROSES, 24062 black spot overwinters each year, good probably best suited for SWillY regions. Riverside Drive, NE, St. Paul, OR maintenance can minimize its return next Application: For protection against pow 97137. (503) 538-1576. Catalog $5. season: Strip roses of their leaves in winter, dery mildew, apply a 3 percent solution HERITAGE ROSARIUM, 211 Haviland rake away debris from the base of the approximately 8 tablespoons per gallon of Mill Road, Brookville, MD 20833. plants, and destroy the leaves and debris. water. Black spot requires a 4 percent solu (301) 774-2806. Catalog $1. • Ifyou can't resist the temptation to grow tion-approximately 10 tablespoons per HERITAGE ROSES OF TANGLEWOOD a beautiful, fragrant, but susceptible rose se gallon of water. FARMS, 16831 Mitchell Creek lection, interplant with resistant roses or with Drive, Fort Bragg, CIA 95437. other plants to slow the spread of disease. BAKING SODA (707) 964-3748. Catalog $1. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is non HIGH COUNTRY ROSES, P.O. Box 148, toxic, inexpensive, and-when applied Jensen, UT 84035. (800) 552-2082. weekly--effective against powdery mildew. Catalog free. least-toxic Although using baking soda is general HORTICO, INC., RR 1, i2~ Robson ly very safe for plants, be aware that lU1der Road, Waterdown, ON, Canada certain conditions repeated applications LOR 2H 1. (905) 689-0984. Catalog controls can result in nutrient deficiencies and $3. slower plant growth because sodium bi THE ROSERAIE AT B~YFIELDS, P.O. ungal diseases on roses and other carbonate makes soil alkaline. Be especial Box R(A), Waldoboro, ME 04572- plants can be controlled by a variety of ly careful when spraying in drought-prone 0919. (207) 832-6]30. Catalog free. Fnon-toxic or least-toxic substances, in areas where there is little rain to flush away VINTAGE GARDENS, 2833 Old Graven cluding antitranspi.rants, oils, soap, baking the excess sodium bicarbonate. Build-up stein Highway $., Sebastopol, CA soda, potassium phosphate salts, and gar can also occur when spraying in a small 95472. (707) 829~2035. Catalog $5. lic. Most recently, biological controls such space, or where drip irrigation is used. as beneficial fungi and yeasts have been in Stop using tl1e spray at rue first sign of phy Resources troduced to suppress some rose diseases. totoxicity or lower-quality blooms. Many of the following pest controls Application: The recommended amount is ALL-AMERICA ROSE SELECTIONS, 221 work best as preventives to disease rather about 1 tablespoon baking soda per gallon N. LaSalle Street, Suite 3500, Chica than as cures. Sprays should be applied at ofwater. Add about 1j4to 1j2 teaspoonofa go, IL 60601 . (312) 312-7090. the first sign of disease, or when weather surfactant (liquid soap or detergent) to en www.rose.org. conditions are favorable for disease to de sure that the baking soda spray spreads even AMERICAN ROSE SOCIETY, P.O. Box velop. Before spraying any of these solu ly and adheres to the foliage. 30,000, Shreveport, LA 71119; tions, spot-test to make sure they don't (318) 938-5402. www.ars.org. cause phytotoxicity (damage to plant tis BIOLOGICAL CONTROLS sue). Although most of these pesticides are Control of rose powdery mildew using bio non-toxic or omy mildly toxic, follow the logical controls is relatively new. One of matter, add a natural source of calcium such safety instt'uctions on commercial products these biocontrols, Ampelomyces quisqualir as calcitic limestone. Ifthe soil is too alkaline, and practice general safety procedures with sold as AQI0-is currently available in tl1e add sulfur W1ti.l the pH is near the proper homemade solutions-wear gloves when United States (see "Sources," page 15). A balance. Ifyour soil has poor drainage, plant mixing or spraying them and keep them out beneficial fungus tl1at spreads through rain ing in raised beds may be necessary. of reach of children and pets. splash, A . q~tisqualis infects a variety ofpow • Mulching is one of the secrets of grow dery mildew fungi within 24 hours of con ing healthy roses. Mulches help reduce ANTITRANSPI RANTS tact and kills them within 14 days. To be weeds, conserve moisture, reduce erosion, Antitranspirants are polymer coatings that effective, however, AQ10 requires very high moderate soil temperatures, reduce dis can be sprayed on plant foliage to prevent humidity, thus making it useful mainly in eases, and enrich the soil. Any readily avail water loss. They can also protect some greenhouses and in areas such as Louisiana, able and attractive organic material can be plants against diseases caused by fungi Mississippi, and otl1er Gulf Coast states. used, including grass clippings, compost, such as airborne rust spores-tl1at enter Application: Research has shown that and well-aged wood bark, chips, and shav plants through microscopic leaf pores. In combining biocontrols witl1 a horticultur ings. Mulch about three to four inches studies, such products as Wilt Pruf and al oil can improve tl1eir effectiveness. Using deep around each plant, but keep mulch Vapor Gard protected garden roses from a solution of A. quisqualis with 1 percent from coming into contact with the canes. powdery mildew for about 30 days. Anti (by weight) horticultural oil, for example, • Healthy roses need fertilization. Organic transpirants also provide some protection provides better control ofpowdery mildew possibilities include alfalfa meal, compost, against black spot. on roses than the use ofA . q~tisqualisalone. fish meal or emulsion, manure, guano, soy Antitranspirants are non-toxic, bio bean meal, bloodmeal, bonemeal, kdp, degradable, inexpensive compared to COMPOST TEA limestone, sulfur, rock phosphate, magne chemical fungicides, and are readily avail In addition to supplying nutrients, solu sium sulfate, granite dust, gypsum, and able. Unlike fungicides, tl1eir action against tions of dilute compost-popularly known
12 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May/ Jun e 1999 as compost teas-have been shown to sup press powdery mildew. The effectiveness of The Most Common Fungal Diseases of Roses this conu'ol, however, is related to the bac tetial content of the exu'act, which can vary he major rose diseases ofdle home garden are powdery mildew, rust, and from batch to batch. black spot. Though dlese diseases occur d1foughout dle United States, dleir Application: To make compost tea, mix 1 Tseverity varies widl10cation. Powdery mildew is a problem everywhere, but part finished compost with 6 parts water, may be worse on the West Coast; it is also a problem with hybrid teas and some and let the compost soak for at least 10 floribundas during dle late summer on dle East Coast. In the South, black spot is a days. Then sU'ain the solution with cheese universal problem, and roses grown dlere should be chosen for resistance to this dis cloth and reserve dle liquid. To use, dilute ease. Rust is more prevalent on the West Coast dlan in the Northeast or Southeast. the liquid until it has a tealike color and - spray or drench foliage. Powdery Mildew Powdery mildew, caused by dle fungus Sphaerotheca GARLIC pannosa var. 1rosa, forms a white, powdery coating on Aqueous garlic exnacts have been shown dle tops ofleaves and, sometimes, on buds, flowers, to suppress or conu'ol powdery mildew and and canes. Roses are most susceptible to this disease black spot in some plants. Researchers SLlS when rainfall is low or absent, and when cool tempera pect the fungicidal effects may be due to tures and high hwnidity at night are followed by high sulfur-containing compounds such as temperatures and low humidity during the day. The ajoene or allicin that are fOlmd in garlic. fungus flowishes only on new growth, so connol mea Application: A stock solution of garlic spray sures should focus on mese vulnerable parts. Because can be made by processing 2 bulbs of garlic the disease overwinters in plant tissue, remove and de (about 1j4 powld) in a blender widl a quart snoy infected leaves and canes. of water and a few drops of liquid soap for 5 Spraying roses widl water lmder high pressure dis to 10 minutes. Snain dle sol'ution through cOlu'ages powdery mildew, but encourages odler pathogens, such as black spot. Be cheeseclodl to remove solids, dlen refiiger cause there are several types of powdery mildew in me United States, roses that are ate. For mildew prevention, dilute the stock resistant in one part of the country may be susceptible in odler areas. Thus, non-toxic solution with 10 times its volume in water or least-toxic sprays are often needed in areas where powdery mildew is prevalent. before spraying. Use a more concenu'ated spray to cure established mildew. Black Spot Black spot, caused by me fungus Diplocarpon HORTICULTURAL AND rosae, is characterized by irregularly shaped VEGETABLE OILS dark patches--colonies of the fungus-on Penolewn-based horticultural oils and veg leaves. The affected leaves men turn yellow etable oils, both of which are inexpensive and fall off. Young leaves are most susceptible. and readily available, can also be used to The disease, which thrives in persistendy connol some padl0genic fungi. You can warm, wet environments, is caused by air either buy a ready-mixed commercial hor borne spores landing on a wet leaf and can be ticultural oil or make your own, less ex spread by splashing water, insects, and direct pensive, version (see insnuctions below). contact with infected leaves and tools. The fungus does not smvive in soil; contatni Commercial horticultural oils, which nated tools are infective for no longer than a mondl. When pruning infected roses, can be either petroleum- or vegetable sterilize your pruners in an alcohol solution after each use. based, are already mixed-emulsified To combat black spot, plant resistant roses and remove and desu'oy diseased and with water for spraying. Oil sprays are fallen leaves. In the South, use preventive spraying. In an experiment in Alabama, highly effective in protecting roses against mulching with oat snaw, pine sU'a'"v, or pine bark and also spraying with oils and bal<: powdery mildew, but only slighdy effective ing soda helped deter the disease. Good ventilation discomages the fungus. against rust. While oils are effective, dley may leave Rust a greasy feeling on dle leaves. Avoid spray Nine species of me rust fungus Phragmidium are ing flowers, and be aware that repeated fOlmd on roses, but two species are the most com spraying in the same area may cause oil to mon on cultivated roses: P mucronat-um and P tu build up in the soil; this can be denimen berculatum. The disease appears as yellow dots and tal to plants. mottling-mainly on upper leaf surfaces, but canes Application: To emulsify mineral oil for can also be affected. Rust-colored pustules eventually spraying, add 0.5 percent by volume of develop on the undersides ofleaves; late in the season liquid detergent to the oil-about 1 table affected leaves may also exhibit black pustules. Rust is spoon per gallon of oil or 1/2 teaspoon per spread by the wind and overwinters on fallen leaves. pint. When using penoleum-based horti To connol rust, remove and desnoy infected leaves. cultmal oils or mineral oil on roses, do not Winter prW1ing also helps to reduce the problem. spray at concennations exceeding 1 percent Rust favors the cool, moist conditions found on the by weight. To make a spraying solution, Pacific Coast. High temperatures discourage its development, so preventive sprays add about 3 tablespoons of emulsified oil should not be necessary in the SOUdl. - WQ to 1 gallon of water.
Ma y/J u n e 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 13 To emulsify vegetable oil, add about 3 ous neem oil spray, mix 2 1/ 2 tablespoons make your own using liquid dishwashing tablespoons of oil to 1 gallon of water con per gallon of water. Apply every 7 to 14 detergent or household soap. Aqeuous so taining Y4 to \12 teaspoon of liquid soap or days for best results. lutions of about 1 percent liquid soap pro detergent to make a 1 percent spray. vide effective conu"ol, but may cause some POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE SALTS damage to foliage . Some soap formula NEEM OIL Potassium phosphate salts will acmally cure tions are more effective than others. FLmgicidal oils derived from the seeds of the as well as prevent powdery mildew. About Application: To make a soap spray, add neem tree, native to India, are now com 99 percent of the mildew lesions should 2Y2 tablespoons of liquid soap per gallon monly available. Commercial fonTIulations in disappear as little as two days after begin of water. Be sure to test a few leaves for the clude Triact and Rose Defense. Both are ning fo liar spraying, and the effects of each degree of phytotoxicity before general use. labeled for control of powdery mildew, rust, spray last 12 to 15 days. The salts appear to and black spot. Neem oil fungicides contain work by stimulating plant metabolism, TREATMENT SCHEDULES natural sulfur compounds, which may malce thereby increasing resistance to diseases. Combining several types of treatment can them slightly more effective than other hor Sprays ofpotassium phosphate salts are just sometimes offer better results in controlling ticulmral and vegetable oils, but they are as effective as tl1e fungicide dodemorph for disease than using a single treatment. Com much more expensive. controlling powdery mildew in roses. The bined U"eatments can be applied simultane For rust, neem sprays may work better salts can be obtained from chemical supply ously or sequentially in a platmed rotation. as a preventive than a cure. In roses, some companies and from some stores that sell Since weeldy sprays may be needed to con experiments have shown that 1 percent fertilizers. They are inexpensive, environ u"ol disease, spray rotations also help reduce aqueous neem extract was only about 15 mentally safe, and have low toxicity. tl1e development of disease resistat1Ce. percent effective in suppressing rust on the Application: For tl1e home garden, add 1 For powdery mildew, smdies have shown susceptible cultivar 'Mary de Vor'. To pre tablespoon of tl1e phosphate salt to 1 gal tl1at a ,"veekly rotation of0 .5 percent potassi vent rust on roses, neem sprays should be lon ofwater containing about Y4 to Y2 tea um phosphate, tl1e fungicide dodemorph, combined with the selection of a rust-re spoon of liquid soap or detergent. the biocontrol agent A. quisqualis, at1d 0.75 sistant species and cultivars (see page 11 ). percent horticultural oil gave an average effi But on powdery mildew, a 1 percent SOAPS cacy of82 percent-compared to 73 percent neem extract proved about 75 percent ef Insecticidal soaps are made of fatty acids for the fimgicide alone. Mixmres of oil and fective in suppressing visual signs oftl1e dis from plants and/ or animals and have been baking soda are more effective than each ease, malcing it as effective as the fungicide shown to reduce powdery mildew on roses. used sepat"ately. Roses treated weekly with myclobutanil (Rally) 40 W. You can purchase products labeled insecti sprays containing about 1 tablespoon balcing Application: To malce a 1 percent aque- cidal soaps in any garden center, or you can soda per gallon of water and 3 tablespoons
Q uebec's gardens are born of a passionate nature-secreti ve in winter, bounteous and benevolent in summer, uibec when our glori ous gardens and fl ower-filled parks burst into bl oom. Excursiana splendida Our cultural roots have created a 'Northern Paradise' fabulous hybrid of French and Eng li sh garden traditions, from refin ed, class ic formality to joyful abandon and abundance. So come share our pass ion. Especi all y now with the potent U.S. doll a r, a visit just might smell th at much sweeter!
Call 1 800 363-7777 (o perator 023 ) for your free guide, Gardens in Quebec: Paradise in Bloom, or co nsult your travel agent or A AA club.
www.tourisme.gouv.qc.ca/gardens
Quebec :;:;
14 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May /J ~l ne 1999 horticultural oil per gallon ofwater were pro tected against rose powdery mildew. Black spot and rust require preventive sprays. Because cliseases and their severity vary with location, each gardener must experi ment to find the most effective combina tions. With all these least-toxic options, To Laura there shOLtld never be a need to lise toxic sprays, especially when resistant roses and Johnson, good cultw-al practices are used to help pre vent problems. -~ the really
William O~taltles is managing editol' oj Com mon Sense Pest Control Quarterly, p~tblished beautiful by Bio-Integral Reso~wce Cmte1t (BIR C). This altticle was adapted with permission from an thing article in the SpIting 1998 issue. F01' injol'lna tion about BIRC) see (~esOUltCes) )) below. about Preen is Sources
AMPELOMYCES QUISQUALIS ""hat she ECOGEN INC., 2005 Cabot Boule vard West, Langhorne, PA 19047. doesn't see. (800) 220-2135; (215) 757-1590. ANTITRANSPIRANTS Like most gardeners, Laura hates weeds. Which is why she loves MILLER CHEMICAL AND FERTILIZER CO., Preel'l. With Preen, she never eVel'l sees them- Preen prevents P.O. Box 333, Hanover, PA 17331. weeds, before they even start, around nearly 200 bulbs, flowers, (800) 233-2040. (Vapor Gard) roses, shrubs, trees and vegetables. WILT PRUF PRODUCTS, P.O . Box 469, Essex, CT 06426. (860) 767-7033. And there's Preen'n Green, which prevents weeds and fertihzes GENERAL ORGANIC SUPPLIES your existing plants. There's also l'lew Preen for Ground Covers, GARDENS ALIVE! 5100 Schenley Place, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025. a unique weed preventer created specifically for use with ground (812) 537-8651 . Neem oil, fungicidal covers, like daylili es, pansies, ice plant and pachysaJ'ldra. soaps and oils. Free catalog. They couldn't be easier to Lise-just sprinkle the granules into the PLANET NATURAL, 1612 Gold Ave nue, Bozeman, MT 59715. (800) soil or mulch, then gently water-in No mess, no mixing, and 110 289-6656. www.planetnatural.comi. weeds for up to three months-guaranteed! And if you already have Neem oil, fungicidal soaps and oils. weeds, it's not too late-Simply get rid of your existing weeds and Free catalog. thel'l apply Preen. HORTICULTURAL OILS JMS FLOWER FARMS, 1105 25th So if like Laura, your idea of a Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960. beautiful garden (561) 567-9241. view doesn't SUN OIL, 1801 Market Street, Phila delphia, PA 19103. (800) 345-1142. include weeds, NEEM OIL look for Preen GREENLIGHT COMPANY, P.O. Box products at your 17985, San Antonio, TX 78217. local gardening (210) 494-3481. (Rose Defense) retailer. And THERMO TRILOGY, 7500 Grace Drive, Columbia, MD 21044. discover the (800) 847-5620. (Triad) joys of weed-free gardening. Resources
1999 DIRECTORY OF LEAST-TOXIC PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS by BIRC, P.O . Box 7414, Berkeley, CA 94707. (510) 524-2567.
©1999 Greenview Lebanon PA www. preen.com
May /J~tne 1 999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 15 ROCKS AND FLOWERS "You know the delphiniums ... ?" I would begin. "Hmm," he might respond, "are they the new neighbors by Deborah Ferber down the street?" At this point I realized that our priorities were diverging. I need ne crucial lesson to learn-in gardening as well as in ed to find people who would lUlderstand what I meant when I said, marriage-is that there is a long stretch between the "I just put the corms of that new cultivar of crocosmia in the Ofirst romantic visions and what you wind up with in grolUld." And, more important, they would care. So I called the local the end. This long stretch is called life. Early in our married garden club chapter one day. In an unusually dramatic display ofsar life, my husband and I searched for our first house. At the casm, my spouse grabbed the phone out of my hands. "Quick," he time, I assumed that our visions were identical, or-at least said, "can you send someone over right away? My wife needs some entirely negotiable on his end. After looking high and low one to talk to about her plants. It's an emergency!" for just the right yard-as well as a suitable house-we dis As is often the case in a long-term partnership, I wasn't the only covered the ideal lot: a quarter acre of undeveloped lawn. one with an obsession. One day, upon returning from a road trip, Rolling up sod, building raised beds, amending the soil-and my husband began unloading a carful of rocks: rounded river walking doubled over the next rocks, columns of basalt, day with strained backs-we monoliths of granite. met our challenges side by "Where did you get those?" side. I felt like a heroine from I asked with some trepidation. a Willa Cather novel, the wind "Don't worry, it was per in my hair as I turned lawn-lib fectly legal-I picked them up erated earth beneath the corn from the side of the road. flower-blue sky. When the Aren't they magnificent?" time for planting came, my "Well, they're nice," I said, wise choice in a partner while thinking to myself, seemed confirmed when I "They'll make a good back heard him say, "Plants that drop for the flowers." It was an come back every year are a innocent hobby, I hoped. Lit good investment." For me, tle did I imagine that he was these words meant, irrevoca perceiving myflowersas a back bly, that I could buy any drop for his rocks. Not so slow perennial that I ever wanted. ly, the yard began to fill up with Later, we would have to come giant nuggets from the eartl1. A to terms about the risks versus full-blown conflict of interest the benefits of holding a revealed itself after I discovered spouse to a literal interpreta a boulder the size of a bulldoz tion of a half-formed thought er sitting on the spot where my that had been put into words. oriental lily shoots were just For the time being, though, I procured plants at a rate that about to emerge. Where and when was all of this going to end? quickly brought into question the necessity of buying dental in We had a long talk. We had a serious discussion. After we ban surance. Everything-except flowers-was negotiable. daged our wounds, we came back to tl1e table and compromised. After a year of planning and planting, my husband and I took The outcome was a bitter pill to swallow: We decided to divide a stroll around the "back forty" to savor the fruits of our labor. the landscaping-our garden would be half rocks, half flowers. "Look!" I gasped. "My first rose in bloom! " I scrambled to my A good marriage, like a garden, teaches us to grow beyond our knees, inhaled the perfume, and felt a rapture that could hardly unrealistic ideals. In exchange for the romantic notions I once be communicated. My spouse responded with, "That's nice," as held, I've gained a whole new view outside my window-the if he were looking at an ordinary flower. The significance of his beauty of t"vo visions combined. Flexibility is the key, I remind reaction did not immediately become apparent to me, however. myself, as I observe the lady's mantle adorning-well, actually As my passion progressed into its more advanced stages, I overgrowing-the inflexible rock anchored at its feet . ...., found myself talking about plants to anyone who would listen. Often, this important listening task fell to my husband. Deborah Ferbe1' is a free-lance writel' in Seattle, Washington.
16 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May/June 1999 jI, gardeners information service
I have two seven-year-old cherry trees in my yard that issues of The American Gardener provides an excellent overview of fruit abundanto/ each year, but when the cherries ripen, ma~ inunigrant influences on American garden plants and design. contain small white maggots. How can I eliminate this pest Your town's historical society may maintain an archive of Civil without using chemical sprays, which may kiU honeybees? War diaries and local newspaper clippings. These may provide ref -So N., Alexandria, Viwinia erences to the vegetables that were grown in your area. The quarter-inch-Iong maggot inside your cherries is probably the The Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants collects, pre larvae of the cherry fruit fly, which looks much like a small house serves, and distributes plants documented to have been grown in fly but has bold diagonal markings on its wings. This fly pupates American gardens before 1900. The center offers historic seeds for in the soil beneath cherry trees, emerging in late spring to lay sale in its catalog. Write to TwinleafCatalog, P.O . Box 316, Char eggs in the fruit. After hatching, the maggots feed and pen- lottesville, VA 22902, or visit its Web site at www.monticello.org/shop. etrate to the pits, causing fruit rot. Finally, the maggots You may also want to consult The Field and Gal'den Vegetables drop to the ground and bury themselves ofAmerica by Fearing Burr, first issued in 1863 and reprinted in below the surface. Because cherry paperback by The American Botanist, Booksellers (agbook fruit flies leave little evidence of their @mtco.com) in Chillicothe, Illinois, in 1998. Other worthy re egg-laying, it is difficult for d1e sources include H eirloom Vegetable Gardening by William Woys home gardener to detect their Weaver (Hemy Holt and Co., 1997); BeautifulAmerican Veg presence until it is too late. etable Gardens by Mary Tonetti DOlTa (Clarkson N. Potter, 1997); To control the fruit fly, try and A Celebration ofH eirloom Vegetables by Roger Yepsen (for de trapping adults in the spring be tails on Yepsen's book, see page 7). These books can be ordered fore they lay their eggs. In late through AHS's Book Service at (703) 768-5700 ext. 36. May-or whenever cherry fruits begin to form in your area-hang My indoorgarden contains several bromeliads that four to eight red sticky spheres or yel- dun't look happy, but standard houseplant books dun't cover these low cards on the branches of each cherry plants in depth. Canyouhelp? -D.M., Stonybrook, New York tree. Hang the traps at eye level, about two to The bromeliad fanlliy is made up of2,700 species and thousands three feet from the tips of the branches. Clean off the trapped flies of hybrids. Most bromeliads are native to the tropics of Central every few days and reapply the sticky coating if necessary. and SOUd1 America. Some are grown for their attractive foliage, To reduce future infestations, clean up fallen fruits under the others for their exotic flower heads. Most bromeliads flourish in tree daily and destroy them. For severe infestations, you may bright, indirect sunlight and a humid environment where tem choose to try botanical insecticides such as rotenone or neem, peratures remain between 50 and 90 degrees Fal1renheit. but as with all pesticides, be sure to follow the manufacturers' Proper watering is essential. Pour water into the central cup or instructions for safe use. Many of these organic controls, hollow created where the leaves join the stem; the water will grad including the sticky traps, can be found at your local garden ually drain into the soil. Keep the soil moist, but never allow it to center. Two mail-order sources are Gardens Alive! 5100 get soggy. It's also important to keep the water in the cup fresh, Schenley Place, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025; (812) 537-8651; so flush the plant frequently to prevent stagnation and build-up wwwgardens-alive.com; and Planet Natural, 1612 Gold Avenue, of mineral salts-using distilled water will help. Bozeman, MT 59715; (800) 289-6656; www.planetnatural.com. Bromeliads are relatively pest-free, but occasionally they can be attacked by scale or mealy bugs. Most problems are caused by dry I am planning a periodgarden for our town's sesqui air, sun scorch, overwatering, or watering witl1 hard water. centennial and am trying to find out what vegetables grew in The Bromeliad Society International offers a free brochure ti a typicalAmericangarden around 1849. Where canIfind this tled "Bromeliad Culture." To order, send a self-addressed stamped information? -J.D., Pioneer, Ohio envelope to BSI at P.O. Box 12981, Gainesville, FL 32604-098l. There have been so many regional and cultural influences on gar Or visit BSI's Web site at www.bsi.oWfor more information. dening in America that it is difficult to define a "typical" American garden in the mid-19th century. "The Melting Plot," a two-part ar I have been given an umbrella plant. It has leafoss ticle by Susan Davis Price in the March/April and MayIJune 1998 stems up to about three feet taU, with straplike foUlltfegrowing
For answers to your gardening questions, call Gardeners Information Service at (800) 777-7931 ext. 31 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time, or e-mail us anytime at [email protected].
May/June 1999 THE AMERI CAN GARDENER 17 in aU directimu at the top ofeach stem. Can you teU me the cul tural requirementsfor this plant? -R. L., Albany, Geor,gia A member of the sedge family, umbrella plant (Cyperus alterni folius) is native to moist habitats in Madagascar. This clump-form ing tender perennial produces clusters of three-foot-tall stems topped by spokelike rings of dangling, green, leaflike bracts that gave rise to its common name. Umbrella plant is marginally hardy in USDA Zone 9, but as a full-time outdoor plant it is more reliable in Zones 10 or II. Grow yours in a container of soil-based potting mix. If you have a pond in your garden, you can keep the pot immersed in shal low water in the summer; add a thin layer of gravel on top of the soil to prevent it from floating away. You can also grow it out side during the summer, or as a house plant year round. Because umbrella plant requires constantly moist soil, make sure to keep the base of the container immersed in a tray of water at all times. Place it where it will get bright, filtered light and mist the leaves occasionally to maintain high humidity. In the summer, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly. Umbrella plant is easy to propagate-divide and repot plants each spring-and pests are rarely a problem.
Last summer I purchased two miniature roses) ap proximateo/ the same size~ and put them in a planter on the patio. The yeUow rose {YeUow Jor) did notgruw much t~
Fiesta Impatiens: 1999 Nationol Annual Selection but it didget wider and bushier. The red rose (CDeep Velver) ~ huwever, is now 21/2 feet taU and stiUgruwing! Its older leaves are stiU smaU to medium~ but its new leaves are the size ofa standard tea rose. I live in Houston (USDA Zone 9)~ and I was reluctant to prune back the roses because they continued to Great gardens gruw and bloom aU winter. Is it common for miniatures to get that big~ or is this an aberration? -A.D., Houston, Texas start here ... Welcome to the confusing world of roses. Contrary to popular Our easy-to-grow, easy-to-maintain Garden Gems belief, "miniature" does not necessarily indicate a rose's height. are chosen for their beauty, originality and According to Stephen Scanniello, rosarian at Brooklyn Botanic hardiness. We'll be announcing new Gems as Garden, "A miniature rose is one that has smaller flowers and fo they are discovered, so make space for them in liage than those found on standard-sized roses. While many your garden and enjoy! miniatures grow eight to 18 inches, some-especially climbers can grow much taller." Frank Lara, rose propagator and grower Perennial Selection of Rosa 'Deep Velvet' at Chamblee's Rose Nursery in Tyler, North ... Hosta "Francis Williams" South ... Daylily "Eenie Weenie" Texas, concurs: "'Deep Velvet' grows up to four feet tall, but its flowers still remain small, or miniature. The leaves of this rose are House Plant Selection going to be larger than some of the other two-foot and smaller National ... Spathiphyllum "Emerald Swirl" varieties, but there is no need to be alarmed that the rose is going to 'forget' that it's a mini." However, Scanniello says that because Flowering Shrub Selection of complex and intensive rose hybridization, it is possible that North ... 1iIac "Sensation" South ... Spirea "Neon Flash" some miniature plants may later begin to exhibit characteristics of their standard -sized ancestors. Tree Selection Although your roses continue to grow through your Zone 9 North ... Flowering Crab "Coral Burst" South ... Magnolia "Little Gem" winters, Scanniello highly recommends that you prune them. This should be done in late winter-say, February. "Miniatures are very responsive to pruning," Scanniello explains. "Because they are miniature, the plants can become very crowded. You definitely
H OME & GARDEN need to prune to promote good growth." SHOWPLACE Prune miniature roses initially by cutting them back to two ~iI'. thirds of the plant's height. The next season and thereafter, America's Hometown Gorden Experts prune canes to three to six inches and remove those from the center to open up the plant. Always remove dead, diseased, or For the location of your nearest Home & Garden Showplace store, visit our website at www.gardenplace.com or call us at 1-888-474-9752. damaged canes. For more information on growing miniatures, seek out a copy of Miniature Roses by Rayford Clayton Reddell (Chronicle Books, 1998). ~ -Melanie Bonacorsa, Information Specialist
18 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May/ Jun e 1999 orer
WILD EARTH NATIVE PLANT NURSERY sundew (Drosera filiformis) and a small woodland plant, yellow star For a catalog, send $2 to by Christina M. Scott grass (Hypoxis hirsuta), with tiny Wild Earth, P.O. Box 7258, yellow flowers that bloom contin Freehold, NJ 07728. The ild Eard1 Native Plant Nursery isn't flashy. You won't uously from midsummer to fall nursery is located one mile find any state-of-the-art greenhouses here. In fact, you both species Pillar rescued from W won't find any electricity or even a phone. What you will development sites. Others include off Route 537 0 1'1 Wright- find in this Jackson, New Jersey, nursery is a large selection ofeast Barbara's buttons (Marshallia Debow Road in Jackson. ern native plants-from the well-known pitcher plant (Sarracenia grandiflora), a rare plant listed as Before visiting, call Rich purpurea) to the less-common hairy blazing star (Liatrisgramini threatened or endangered in sev Pillar at (732) 308-9777 to folia)-and the former landscape architect who, nine years ago, eral eastern states, and American arrange an appointment. decided to turn his hobby into a successful career. ipecac (Porteranthus stipulatus), Rich Pillar started Wild Earth in 1990, but its real beginnings with its wispy, spring-blooming go back to the early '80s. At the time, he was on the board of di white flowers and finely-cut foliage. rectors of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey and a successful Each year, Pillar works to make even more plants available to the landscape architect. He was usually the first person to visit a new public. Two of this year's more unusual introductions are golden job site in order to make an inventory of existing plants. "I could club (Orontium aquaticum), an aquatic plant with fingerlike scapes see that much of our natural heritage was being lost to develop topped with bright yellow flowers, and puttyroot (Aplectrum hye ment," he recalls. "And my job gave me the opportunity to be on male), a native orchid with a single overwintering leaf that disap the front lines of rescuing these plants from the bulldozers." pears before the flowering stalk develops in early spring. The nursery Most of these salvaged plants were relocated to Pillar's back is also offering a number ofnew ferns, including maidenhair spleen yard garden. From there, this plant enthusiast-who once propa wort (Asplenium trichomanes) and crested wood fern (Dryopteris gated plants in his college dormitory and sold them for book cristata)-both native to the eastern states-and the relatively scarce money- says his backyard became a giant experiment. "I tried to northwestern native, deer fern (Blechnum spicant). propagate everything," he says. The plants he succeeded with be The majority of Wild Earth's offerings are grown from seed came the seed sources for many of the nursery's offerings. gathered by Pillar. "I collect the seeds myself so I know exactly what I'm growing," he explains. Customers appreciate this A GREAT SELECTION hands-on approach. "I've never been to any other nursery that Much of WIld Eard1's success over the years can be traced to the nurs has plants that look so perfect," says Summers, who has been buy ery's distinctive stock, composed mostly of plants native to the east ing native plants from Wild Earth for six years. ern United States. "Wild Earth fills a niche that isn't being filled Robert Swain, a New Jersey landscape contractor who uses commercially right now," says Wild Earth's plants in land- P.M. Mooberry, a retired native scape restoration projects, plant consultant living in Ken agrees. "Each plant is like his nett Square, Pennsylvania. child. He nurtures it, coddles Carolyn Summers, who grows it, and doesn't want to let it more than 300 native species in go," Swain says. "There's real her garden in Hastings-on ly a kind of rustic romance to Hudson, New York, agrees. his life." While an employee of the New Pillar acknowledges that his York City Department of Envi work is not easy, but he finds ronmental Protection, Summers refuge in the nursery. "It's very researched the best sources of peaceful here," he says. "The natives for restoration projects. plants attract all sorts ofwildlife . Based on her findings, Summers Coming here is like entering an says, "Wild Earth offers things other world." ~ you can't find anywhere else." Among the more uncom Christina M. Scott is assistant mon plants Wild Earth sells are Wild Earth founder Rich Pillar (in shed) with some of his staff editor of The American tl1e carnivorous thread-leaved in one of the nursery's display gardens. Gardener.
May/Jztne 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 19 00 k
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB: TRAILBLAZERS IN CONSERVATION MORE THAN JUST HAPPY TRAILS Best known for maintaining 1,400 miles of trails in the Northeast, including 350 miles ofthe Appalachian Trail, America's oldest con by Mark C. Molian servation organization formed in 1876, when a small group of hik ers dedicated to "the advancement of those who visit tl1e W1ched over an isolated patch of rock-rooted flowers, Ken mOW1tains ... whether for ... scientific research or summer recreation" neth Kimball, research director for the Appalachian MOW1- met at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. The Htain Club (AMC), goes mostly W1noticed by summer club has since grown to 83,000 members and now maintains a se vacationers hiking on MOW1t Washington, deep in New Hamp ries of hiking facilities, education centers, and research laboratories. shire's White MOW1tainS. Those who stop for a closer look might When Kimball took charge of AMC's research unit in 1983, he wonder why Kimball is clipping flower heads and gently placing transformed the eight-year-old program from one primarily focused them into a small vial. The plant is Robbin's cinquefoil (Potentilla on maintaining trails and composting human waste to a research de robbinsiana), a small native perennial the US. Fish and Wildlife Ser partment that conducts intensive air-quality studies, recommends en vice proposed downlisting from federally endangered species status vironmental policies to protect area rivers and regulate car emissions, to threatened just last year. Upon returning to the AMC research and monitors the ecological impact of human activity in the north lab at the mountain's base, Kimball will tease out hW1dreds of mi eastern mountains. Today, AMC research on the alpine plants ofthese nuscule seeds from the fingernail-sized flower heads. Later, horti mountains is not only unlocking the plants' survival secrets, but is culturists with the New England Wild Flower Society will germinate also allowing scientists to study the relationship between the plant the seeds in its Framingham, Massachusetts, greenhouse. After the communities and the animals of the near-barren mOW1tain peaks. seedlings mature, Kimball, accompanied by biologists from the US. Forest Service, the US. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the New Eng MAPPING ALPINE PLANT COMMUNITIES land Wild Flower Society will return to MOW1t Washington to trans In the Northeast, alpine plants are limited to elevations above 4,000 plant the rare perennials. Because of the efforts of Kimball and feet. This amoW1ts to 13 square miles concentrated mainly in the others, the population ofthis plant-known to exist only on the west Presidential Range of New Hampshire and on MOW1t Katahdin in ern shoulder ofMoW1t Washington-has increased more tl1an 100 Baxter State Park, Maine. At these elevations, plants such as Robbin's percent since it was placed on the endangered species list in 1980. cinquefoil and mOW1tain avens (Geum peckii) thrive mainly between
Preserving alpine vegetation such as Robbin's cinquefoil, above, is one of AMC's missions. Left, Bill Brumback of the New England Wild Flower Society looks on as AMC's Melissa Iszard Crowley checks for tiny sprouts from seed sown the previous year. Greenhouse-raised cinque foil seedlings in pots, fore ground, await transplanting.
20 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May/June 1999 rocks or on ridges, protected from d1e For more information on sometimes hurricane-force winds. Appalachian Mountain Club's Through aerial photography and facilities, program s, and mem field mapping of these alpine plant Perennial Bedfellows bership opportunities contact commwuties, AMC has gained a bet ter understanding of d1ese tough, yet its Boston headquarters at precarious, species. "After mapping d1e (617) 523-0636 or its offices commlU1ities, we superimposed od1er on Mount Washington at kno'vvI1 data, such as locations of ridges (603) 466-2721, or visit its Web and valleys, exposure to win d and site at www.outdoors.org. snow, and similar factors onto our maps," ex.plains AMC ecologist Doug Weilll
tion to protect the alpine areas, as well as the whole Appalachian We urge you to consult with your lega l and financial advisors to assisl you in arranging the best method region of the Northeast." ~ conJributing. Th e American Horticultural Society is lax-exempt under Section 50H c)3 of the Internal Revenu e Service Code. Contributions to AHS are tax-dedu ctible to the full est extent allowed by law. AHS is also a registered charitableorganizalion under Section 57-49 ofthe Virginia Solicitation of Contributions Mark C. Malian is communications assistant at the American law; a financial statement is availabl e upon wrilten request from the Stale Di vision of Consumer Affairs. Horticultural Society.
May/ J une 1 999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 21 9 a ener
MAKEOVER IN SEATTLE pressed weeds and, as it decomposed, added organic matter to the soil. Arnold also created an elegant path from flagstones that she by Claire Hagen Dole had acquired in barter for her services as an arborist. The path winds £i-om the sU-eet to the front porch, then cmves around the house n leisurely Sunday mornings, Terri Arnold W
STARTING FROM SCRATCH Wllen Arnold moved into the cottage in 1987, it was surrounded by wunspired foundation plantings and an unkempt The tall, graceful perennials Terri lawn; the only thing worth saving was a Arnold has planted around her beach mature crabapple tree. An ardent but cottage, left, are in stark contrast to terfly gardener, Arnold decided to turn the lawn and ul'linspired foundation the garden into a wildlife haven filled plantings that were there when she with colorful plantings. She began by first moved in, above. removing the foundation shrubs, tllen smotllered the lawn with a wck layer of newspapers. The following year she tilled in compost to amend the soil and spread wood chips several inches ·deep over the bare growld. This mulch sup-
22 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Ma'ylj'Vbne 1999 on the plants into autumn to provide food for foraging birds. An eye-catching anemone (Anemone hupehensis var. japonica) Offi cial Tools UPRESS with pink. petals highlighted by yellow stamens stretches up from GUlDENS beside the path. Arnold also has a fondness for oddball plants such as Cephalal'ia gigantea, known as giant scabious because of its close relationship to scabiosas. This lanky eight-foot peren rlial bears pale yellow flowers that are popular "vith bees and but Now, if it could just terflies . In late Slimmer, its gracefully curving stalks straddle the flagstone path, providing tall perches for seed-hunting birds. pick up the kids. To anchor the front garden, Arnold selected trees and slu·ubs with interesting bark or foliage, such as snakebark maple (AceI' capillipes) and coral-bark maple (A. palmatum 'Sango Kaku'), as specimen plants. At its place of honor by the front door, COI'nus alba 'Elegantissima' sports variegated leaves with creamy margins. Butterflies and bees are also drawn to flowering shrubs such as Buddleia 'Lochinch', which has lavender-blue blossoms and fu zzy gray leaves that remain attractive throughout the winter; and B.glo bosa, with balls ofgolden flowers. To attract red admirals and other late-season butterflies,Arnold deadheads 'Lochinch' in fall to keep it blooming, then pnmes hard in early spring. B.globosa blooms on old wood instead of new, so Arnold shapes it in late SLUnmer.
WILDER IN BACK The backyard is a natural habitat area that Arnold has allowed to get a little wilder than the £i'ont garden. Maintenance consists main ly of pruning and removing invasive exotics sLlch as Himalayan blackberry (Rubus Pl'OceI'US), a weed that arrived a few years back in a neighbor's load of fill dirt. Arnold cu ts blackberry vines back in Spling and fall, but leaves them during summer to provide birds with a thicket for shelter and safety, as well as a source of food. One corner of the backyard is naturally boggy, creating a per fect environment for moisture-loving plants such as rushes, snow berry (Symphol'ical'pos albus), and red-osier dogwood (Comus stolonifem). Horsetails (Equisetum spp. ) are tolerated here, though they are too invasive for the rest of the garden. Water splashes over rocks in a whiskey-barrel pond that is camouflaged by irises and an arching doublefile viburnum (Vibumum plica The Planter's Wagon by Ames® tum forma tomentosum). A decorative stone turtle, stretching So versatile you can fold the from its hind legs as it spouts water into the pond, peeks tlu'ough handle down fo r a comfortable the foliage of this deciduous, horizontally branched shrub. seat. Stand the wagon In addition to the turtle, whimsical touches abound drroughout up for a vertical tl1e garden. Under the crabapple tree, angular pieces of granite rise out of the grOlmd like miniature tombstones. Arnold's tabby cat workbench. Or use likes to lounge among the rocks, which also make good perches for it to haul tools, birds and basking spots for butterflies. A few feet away, a painted supplies , mulch wooden bird patrols the flagstone patl1. Handmade bird houses and flow er flat s. including one made £i·om a gourd-adorn tl1e yard. EaSily maneuvers in tight The centerpiece oftl1e backyard is a wrought-iron rose tower, created by a local artist. Weathered to a rust-red hue, its posts and spaces . Fully assembled and a winding branch reach up to a swirling topknot tlut is distinc ready to use. Visit our website tively Art Nouveau. Arnold hangs a suet feeder from the i.ron at http://www.a mes.co m or branch. "It's too beautiful to cover with a plant, and the birds like call us at 1-800-725-9500 to tl1e high perch next to the Vel'bena bonal'iensis," she says. find the retailer neares t you It's said that the women in that first boatload of settlers who I landed here in West Seattle wept copiously as tl1ey made rude shel ters for protection against tl1e winter rains. Today, while watch ing a flicker or a wandering fo x from the comfort of her snug Lawn& Garden Tools - Since 1774 cottage, Arnold instead reflects on her good fortune to live in tlus wild pocket oftl1e city. ~ WeT ake The Hard Work Out Of Yard Work. Seattle nsident Clain Hagen Dole is editol' and publishel' of But terfly Gardeners' Quarterly. F0 1' mon infol'mation about this L-__..-._~ __ = 1997 Ames Lawn & Garden Tool s publication, visit hel' Web site atwww.butterflygardeners.com.
Ma y/J une 1999 THE AMERI C A N GARDE NE R 23 The AIllerican TRAV£L
SINCE 1985, the American Horticultural Society CAHS) , together with the Leonard Haertter Travel Company of St. Louis, Missouri, has conducted a Travel Study Program to gardens in the United States and abroad. This program offers participants an opportunity to visit exceptional private and public gardens, accompanied by tour leaders and horticulturists well-known in their field. Many of the private gardens included in the programs ar e open only to AHS tour participants. }; The American Horticultural Society educates and inspires people of all ages to become successful and environmentally responsible gardeners by advancing the art and science of horticulture. Horticultural Society SI ~~ PROGR----=--
GARDENS OF GARDENS AND FALL COLORS PROVENCE ALONG THE HUDSON June 14-24 (aboard the Nantucket CLipper) ---=.====-- October 2-9 GARDENS OF ---=.=.;.==- SCOTLAND GARDENS OF SOUTHERN ITALY (aboard the RoyaL Scotdman) Amalfi, Naples, Rome, July 7-18 and Islands of Ischia and Capri October 5-16 GARDENS OF CHINA SPRING GARDENS OF NEW July 18~AugUdt 2 ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA (jirdt departure) October 6-28
GARDENS OF CHINA GARDENS OF SAN DIEGO AugUdt 22-September 6 November 9-14 (decond departure) -----===- MILLENNIUM GARDENS GARDENS OF THE NEW ZEALAND CRUISE ITALIAN LAKES (aboard CLipper Odyddey) December 19-JanlUlry ~ 2000
out temperate regions of the northern tified American iris species, the crested iris The stylized iris we hemisphere. (Iris cristata) was sent to England in the The genus is named for Ilis, fleet-footed 1730s by botanist John Bartram. Since that now know as the messenger of Hera, the Greek goddess of time some 30 species and numerous sub marriage. According to legend, Iris de species of iris have been identified in North £leur de lis became scended to earth on rainbows, and from America. The majority of these are native to her footsteps sprang flowers arrayed in the either the Southeast or to coastal regions of an icon for nobility seven colors of the rainbow. The Greeks northern California and Oregon, but species were not the earliest culture to value the are also found around the Great Lakes and in the 1100s when iris, however; its symbol has been identified along both sides of the Rockies. Several in Egyptian carvings dating to nearly 2000 species are widely distributed within a large I(ing Louis VII B.C., and it once adorned the brow of the geographic region; a few are restricted to a now deteriorating Sphinx. couple of acres or counties. of France adopted In European history, the iris has been prized since at least the 6th century. The Coming to Terms the symbol for stylized rendition of an iris we now know Iris is the type, or original, genus identified as dle fleur de lis became an icon for nobil in the iris family (Iridaceae). Botanists de his banner. ity in the 1100s when King Louis VII of fine irises as monocots-plants with ONe France adopted the symbol for his banner. seed leaf that are usually characterized by Because irises proliferate throughout having parallel veins in their leaves and temperate regions of the world, many of flower parts in threes. the 300-odd species that have so far been In order to describe the differences be classified are adaptable to gardens in vari tween iris flowers, an tmderstanding ofsome ous parts ofNorth America. Our continent: basic terminology is necessary. Iris flowers has its own stock ofindigenous irises, how have a unique configuration with a total of ever-many of which are worthy garden six petals-botanists refer to these as species that 4ave been overlooked by gar "tepals." Three petals, called the falls, encir deners confronted by the thousands ofhy cle the outside of the flower. Thcose are either brids that have emerged in the last cennrry. held perpendicular to the stem or are re The American iris species, dl0Ugh lack flexed---=curved-downward. Each fall has a ing the divine connection of the Greeks, distinctive, often multicolored blaze ofcolor have no less varied a history. The first iden- at its center, or crest. These markings, which are sometin1eS furry or "bearded," serve to guide pollinating insects into the flower. The variability ofcolors and texrures in the mark ings on the falls is one important way by which irises are distinguished; it also offers iris breeders a glorious palette with which to expeliment. The inner ring of three petals, called the standards, stands perpendicular to or is slighdy elevated above the falls. In ad dition, a triad of columns containing the male and female reproductive structures curve out from the center of the flower and sit direcdy over the falls. In general, irises have flat, strap like leaves that taper to a point at the tip. Iris foliage ranges in color from bright green to blue green or gray-green and fearures the charac teristic parallel lines mentioned earlier. Leaves and flower stems grow from thick rhizomes that are specialized for water and food storage. As a result, most species~ven the wetland types-are drought tolerant. The Woodland and Dwarf Species The 'Red Dazzler' cultivar ef the cepper iris, above left, has striking brick-red petals The cheery dwarf crested iris (1. cristata) is with the standards outlined in gold. Above right: An ideal ground cover in partly perhaps the best-loved of the diminutive shaded sites, dwarf crested iris has purple flowers with cream and yellow m;:lrkings. woodland species. Hardy in Zones 3 to 8,
28 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Ma y/June 1999 Native rrises
Sources
AITKEN'S SALMON CREEK GARDEN, 608 NW 119th Street, Vancouver, WA 98685. (360) 573-4472. www. e-z.netl-aitken. Catalog $2. BAY VIEW GARDENS, 1201 Bay Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. (831) 423-3656. Catalog $2. FORESTFARM, 990 Tetherow Road, Williams, OR 97544-9599. (541) 846- 7269. www.forestfarm.com. Catalog $4. JOY CREEK NURSERY, 20300 N.W. Watson Road, Scappoose, OR 97056- 9612. (503) 543-7474. Catalog $2. LOUISIANA NURSERY, 5853 Highway 182, Opelousas, LA 70570. (318) 948-3696. Catalog $6. SISKIYOU RARE PLANT NURSERY, 2825 Cummings Road, Medford, OR 97501-1538. (541) 772-6846. www.wave.netlupglsrpn. Catalog $3. A thick stand of Iris setosa, here represented by the cultivar 'Nana', would grace WE-DU NURSERIES, Route 5, Box 724, any garden. This species is distributed in both eastern Asia and eastern North Marion, NC 28752-9338. (828) 738- America and will grow in a wide variety of soils. 8300. www.we-du.com. Catalog $2. ground by slender, nodular rhizomes, even ers. 'Summer Storm' has deep blue flowers. tually forming broad, dense clumps. The beguiling dwarf lake iris (I. lacus Resources I value crested iris's broad mats of tidy tris) is even smaller than the crested iris. THE AMERICAN IRIS SOCIETY, P.O. foliage and its carpet of flowers in April and The two-inch-wide blue flowers, some Box 55, Freedom, CA 95019. May. Place it on a wooded slope, at the front times marked with white or yellow, are www.irises.org. of a bed, along a path, or in a rock garden jauntier than those of its cousin; the leaves tHE GARDENER'S GUIDE TO GROWING where it has plenty of room to spread. The are very similar, but reach only four to six IRISES, by Geoff Stebbings. Timber plants compete well with established tree inches. Blooming in May, this little gem is Press, Portland, Oregon, 1997. roots and thrive even in dry shade, so they rare in the wild and has a resui.cted range A GUIDE TO SPECIES IRISES: THEIR can serve as a ground cover under shrubs on lakeshore dunes and gravel ridges IDENTIFICATION AND CULTURE, edited and flowering trees. Combine them with around the western Great Lakes. It is hardy by The Species Group of the British Jaco b's ladder (Potemonium reptans), in Zones 4 to 7 and grows well beyond its Iris Society, CambriClge University spring beauty (Claytonia spp.), wild ginger native range if planted in light, well Press, United KingdQm, 1997. (Asarumspp.), and creeping phlox (Phlox drained, limey soil in sun or part shade. The SOCIIITY FOR PACIFIC COAST NATIVE stolonifera). Use twinleaf aeffersonia plants spread to form extensive mats and IRISES, 4333 Oak Hill Road, Oakland, diphylla), bloodroot (Sanguinaria cana are handsome combined with spring bulbs, CA 94605. densis), Solomon's-seal (Smilacina race primroses, hellebores, and wild geranium SPECIES IRIS GROUP OF NORTH mosa), merrybells (Uvularia spp.), and (Geranium maculatum). AMERICA, 18341 Paulson SW, ferns to add height to the combination. Beachhead iris, I. setosa var. canadensis, Rochester, WA 98579. Plant crested irises in rich, moist, neu is a small iris with erect, straplike leaves to tral soil where they will be partly shaded; 10 inches and 2-inch-wide purple-blue or they will bloom more heavily if given some lavender flowers in late spring. It resembles this plant is fairly common in loamy alluvial direct summer sun. Divide them in late a small Siberian iris and is as easy to grow. soils on floodplains and on rocky slopes and summer and replant with the top of the rhi Found on rocky headlands, beach dunes, outcroppings above rivers and streams from zome just above tl1e soil surface. and riverbanks in northern North Ameri Maryland and Ohio south to Georgia and There are a number ofnamed selections ca, this plant is hardy in Zones 3 to 8. Plant Oklahoma. The sky-blue flowers have re of crested iris that vary in size and flower in rich but well-drained soil; full sun for clining standards over drooping falls, giving color. My favorite is 'Abbey's Violet', one part of the day is necessary for good growth them a somewhat flattened appearance. The of the darkest selections with deep blue and bloom. crest of the falls is small, orange, and beard violet flowers. 'Alba' is pure white; many The delicious fragrance of spring or vi ed, surrounded by white to pale blue mark white-flowered forms also bear this nan1e. olet iris (I. verna) brings many gardeners ings. The blossoms are two inches wide and 'Eco Little Bluebird' is a dwarf that grows to their knees. The t\¥o-inch-wide, blue the foliage stands just four to eight inches to four inches tall, witl1 deep blue flowers. violet flowers with erect standards and tall when mature. Plants creep over the 'Shenandoah Skies' has li.ch sky-blue flow- orange-blazed fa lls bloom on four-inch
May / June 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 29 The Pacific Coast Irises
he West Coast is home to a number of charming and beautiful native irises. stalks in early spring. The leatllery, grassWce Most are tricky to grow outside their native habitat-their evergreen foliage leaves elongate after flowering to one foot Tdies at 15 degrees Fahrenheit, and the plants succmnb at 5 degrees-but a few tall. Plant in well-drained, slightly acidic are worth trying in the East where summer nights are GOol and vvinters are mild. sandy or loamy soil in fnll sun or part shade; Collectively referred to as the Pacific Coast irises, these;: species grow wild in mead afternoon shade may be necessary in the ows and along the edges of open. woods in northerN California and southern Oregon. south. Hardy in Zones 5 to 9, this iris is na In cultivation, place them in a rockery, atop a stone wali, or on 11 gravelly slope where tive to open, rocky and gravelly slopes and perfect drainage is assured. Summer drought is no problem, but separate them from mixed coniferous woods and pinelands floppy or fast-spreading plants, because;: they sL'l.rrender to competition without a fight. from Pennsylvania and Ken.tucky soum to One of the largest and easiest-to-grow species, Douglas's iris (1. douglasiana) has Georgia and Mississippi. two- to two-and-a-half-foot-tall flower stalks and slightly shoner leaves. Blooming in May and June, the rich blue to c:reamy wrune flowers of this species feamI-"e flaring The Wetland Species standards and broad, spotted faNs. It grows best in light, quidc-dtairllng soil but ap The large-flowered blue "flag" iris is a fa preciates consistent summer me>istttre. Hardy Dn Zones 7 to 9. miliar sight in late spring and early summer in the wetlands of tlle East and Midwest. Most species have bold sU'ap-shaped leaves that may reach three feet long and bright indigo, blue-violet, or purple flowers. The most widespread species is the northern blue flag (1. versicolor), found in wet mead- 0ws and praities, still ponds, shallow marsh es, and bogs from Newfoundland and Manitoba south to Virginia and Minneso ta. Plants are tv.ro to three feet tall with dark-veined, three- to four-inch-wide, sky blue to indigo flowers held well above the foliage. Numerous cultivars with a wide range of flower colors are available. Hardy in Zones 3 to 8. FOWld in low meadows, wetlands, and ditches on the coastal plain from Virginia to Texas, the Virginia iris or southern blue flag (1. virginica) is similar to I. versicolor, Two westem irises-I. innominata, above left, and I. tenax, above right. but tlle flowers are carried even with the top of the two- to three-foot leaves. The GliowiI'lg wild in the foothltls and chaparral of southern Oregon and northern tips of the leaves droop downward, giving California, I. innominata has delicate, grasslike foliage and willy colored blue, pur the clumps a gracehli, flowing appearance. ple, or yellow flowers with attractive ma.dGngs. PlanlIS flower at six inches tall and the 1. vi1;ginica var. shrevei, found furtller in leaves grow to a foO[ or m@re, formiB.g compact mOlillds over time. They grow best land, is similar in appearance but has more in wdl-dram.ed soils. Hardy in Zon.es 7 tro 9. flowers per stalk and larger seed capsules. Tough-leafiris (1. tenax) is also a real daarmer, featuring medium blue to creamy Among the best of tlle many named selec flowers with, pert standards and :fla1;, pointed falls. The flowers on foot-ta1l stems tions tllat appear fi'om time to time in the often nestle within taller foliage. Hardy in Zones 6 to 8, this is the most cold hardy of trade are 'Contraband Girl', a robust hy the Pacific Coast spe;:cies; ~t is aJ:so the mos. moisture tolerant. blid with lush, wide foliage and blue-pur The popular Pacific Coast hybtids-produced by crossing blue-violet Douglas'S iris ple flowers; and 'Alba', a white-flowered with other western natives sw.ch as y
30 THE AMERICAN GARDENER Ma)' /J ~tne 1999 a-half-inch flowers have small standards and drooping falls, so tiley appear flat. Because of its unique color, tins species is inlportant in hybriclization. Along Witil several of me soumern species, this beauty conu·ibutes color and form to a group ofhyblids known as Louisiana irises. The least hardy of tile eastern Amelican uises, copper ilis is native to wet meadows and swamps from Illinois and Missouri soutil to Georgia and Texas and tiuives in Zones 6 to 9. 1. hexagona, often classified with the Louisiana irises, was me first of tile flags I grew. Despite its wetiand origuls, it flour ished for years in loamy soil tiut became quite dry in summer. In JWle or July, tile bright blue to royal purple flowers sport sharply pointed falls with golden yellow blazes. A mature clump in full flower is stw1lnng. The leaves often crinkle as tiley expand after tile flowers fade. Hardy in Zones 7 to 10. The Louisiana hyblids-produced £i-om Plant spring iris (I- verna), above left, in acidic soils where it will be partly shaded and hybrids with 1. brevicaulis) 1. ft,tlva) and receive regular watering in summer. Above right: The Missouri iris (I. missouriensis) is many otiler native and exotic species-are found along both sides of the Rocky Mountains from Canada to Mexico. especially popular wim soutilenl gardeners who must contend Witil extreme heat. In is J. t1'identata. This slim plant is elegant pests or disease problems, but iris borers numerable cultivars come ill a wide range but sparsely flowered. It reaches one and a may infest tile rlnzomes. The adult motils of blues, pinks, and reds, as well as white halffeet tall and has t\¥o- u1Ch-wide violet lay eggs on me foliage and tile larvae trav and yellow. An old but beautiful selection to wlnte flowers Witil short, erect standards el down tile leaves into tile rlnzome where is 'Black Gamecock', winch has velvety pur and showy, wide falls emblazoned witil yel tiley eat until noti1.ing is left but a hollow ple flowers wim gold marki.tlgs. Most cul low. Native to coastal wetiands from Nortil shell. They also spread bacterial infections tivars are hardy ill Zones 4 to 9. Carolina to Fi01ida, it blooms ill late spring. from plant to plant. From the Midwest and Rocky Moun Hardy in Zones 7 to 10. Good culture is tile best prevention. Re tains comes the lovely Missouri or Rocky move spent foliage in fall or early spling, and MOWltain ilis (1. missouriensis). This deli Wetland Irises in the Garden watch for signs of infestation. The young cate species-which resembles me fa.n1.iliar Most of tile flags do well ill pondside plant borers tunnel ti1rough the leaves, leaving Siberian iris-has narrow, strap-shaped ings, bog gardens, and in low spots with dark streaks ill tileir wal
May /J~tne 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 31
Native Grasses By using native grasses in the landscape, gardeners can reflect the patterns of regional plant communities.
b Y R c k Dar k e
Native grasses play many roles in the regional dramas of the North American landscape. In some places, such as the original tallgrass prairie, they are clearly the lead characters. More often, however, grasses are lesser but essential bit players, making subtle but certain contributions to the background and balance of diverse natural landscapes across this vast conti nent. More and more gardeners are looking for ways to make a connection between their home landscape and the natural plant communities in their re gion. Incorporating appropriate, regionally native grasses in the garden is a way to subtly create this effect. As a landscape designer, I see the garden as a kind of tl1eater. At its best, a garden designed to reflect the regional flora of fers a bow to nuanced performers such as native grasses. With or without grasses, the making of an evocative regional garden is no mean trick, since it relies on a synthesis of skills and insights from disci plines that are traditionally quite separate. Horticulture, which is rightly fo cused on the cultivation of plants, seems often to have had the unintended effect of emphasizing and celebrating plants as objects out of context. Land scape design aims for the broad view, but is often unschooled in the com plexities and practicalities of the plant palette. The ecological mindset delves deeply into opposite: Purple needle grass amid a the interrelationships of living communities, yet often perceives itself at odds with art. patch of California poppies at the Santa Many gardeners are making new~and sometimes conflicting-demands of gardens Barbara Botanic Garden. Above: Indian today. Gardens must be at once inspiring and conserving. They must be high-spirited but grass offers vertical contrast to the also easy to maintain. They must provide an opportunity for creative expression as well as curves of an antique tractor in the a reverent link to the larger ecology. They must reflect and sustain the practical rhythms author's Pennsylvania meadow garden. of our lives and our homes, yet also speak to us eloquently of the sun and the seasons. Creating Regional Landscapes Diverse and ubiquitous-not to mention beautiful-native grasses offer a wealth of pos sibilities for regional gardens, and I know of no better way of seeking inspiration than to study their natural roles in your own locale. In his essay "Mapping the Real Geography," published in the fall 1989 issue of Orion Nature Quarterly, Barry Lopez talks about de veloping an intimacy witl1 place and suggests this knowledge "resides with men and women more or less sworn to a place, who abide tl1ere, who have a feel for the soul and history, for the turn ofleaves and night sounds." Though I've had tl1e good fortune to
May / June 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 33 nizes that a garden is sassafras (Sassafras albidum) to greet visi rarely ifever actually fin tors coming in the drive and to provide ished, we still have a partial screening from the road. This de long way to go toward ciduous planting is punctuated by our embracing the flux that evergreen native red cedar (Juniperus Vi1' is characteristic of the giniana). Local asters (Aster diva1t icatus natural succession of and A. cordifolius) serve as low ground plant types seen in our covers beneath various seedlings and cul native landscapes. tivars of switch grass, including 'Cloud Nine'. The switch grass provides a quick The Northeast means of fililing tl1e middle level, especial My wife Melinda and I ly while the trees are small. Eventually tl1e gardm on one afld a half sassafrases will shade out the grass and their acres at the eastern edge trLU1ks will be a sufficient screening pres of the Pennsylvania ence. In the interim years, we are enjoying Piedmont, just a few the fine texture and billowy translucence miles from its intersec of the grass against the colorful autumn fo tion with Delaware's liage of the sassafras and the opaque green coastal plain; thus we are of the red cedars, all of which are reminis influenced by two very cent of similar associations in the regional different regional native native landscape. landscapes. Our local Sin1ilarly, in a rear section of our garden, Pennsylvania surrounds a mass planting of river birch (Betula nigra are mostly deciduous 'Heritage') and native shrubs has shared forest-with few native space with a number of grasses in the past grasses-though many decade, yet only wild oats (Chasmanthium local old fields and road latifolium) remains today. This eastern na side rights-of-way have tive grass is one of the few that thrives in become modern har shade, normally occuring on wooded Top: Not all grasses are green. Little bluestem (Schiza bors for native grasses, slopes, moist thickets, and river bottoms. chyrium scoparium 'The Blues')-here flanked by pink including little bluestem The fine texture of the grass complements asters and black-eyed Susans-has a strong lavender tint. (Schizachyrium scopari the bold trunks oftl1e birches, and in au Above: June grass (Koeleria macrantha), blooming in com um)) broomsedges tumn the tawny color of its dangling seed bination with another prairie native, purple coneflower, (Andropogon vir,ginicus heads is set off dramatically by the vibrant goes dormant in midsummer. and A.gyrans)) switch foliage colors of decidous shrubs, includ grass (Panicum virga ing spicebush (Lindera benzoin)) visit and enjoy many exotic landscapes, I re tum)) Indian grass (Smghastrum nutans)) fothergilla (Fother,gillagardenii)) and sweet main most avidly a student of my native and purple love grass (Eragrostis superba). spire (!tea virginica 'Henry's Garnet'). Northeast and find daily delight in making Delaware's open coastal lands and natural Wild oats tolerates the root and moisture a garden based upon my observations of ly moist meadows are home to many more competition from the trees and shrubs, per the regional flora. native grasses. To complicate matters, we petuating itself by self sowing modestly into True grasses-members of the grass are directly adjacent to an historic farm available niches. Modeling after the re family (Poaceae), as distinguished from stead, and we have no desire to ignore the gionai cycles, we've recognized autumn as sedges, rushes, and other grasslike plants regional cultural tradition that often puts the naturally most colorful time in our gar are cosmopolitan in distribution, occurring corn, hay, or winter wheat-all grasses-in den. We tend to choose woody plants pri natively from mOLU1tain tops to seashores. ourpurwew. marily for their fall foliage display or They are tl1e dominant plants in most open Our property was a farm field until 50 colorful fruits and use grasses as subtle habitats, but are relatively scarce in dense years ago, and it was still largely lawn a counterpoints. forests. Adept colonizers of open ground, decade ago. Though grasses are evident in grasses are among tl1e first species to gain a our garden, tl1ey are not the main motif. Winning Combinations foothold in landscapes cleared by natural We believe a forested landscape is proba The flowering of the grasses coincides witl1 cataclysms or human activity. They are often bly the most beautiful and sensible long that of our many local native asters, gold transients in regions such as the Northeast, term goal for us; but in the meantime enrods, Joe-pye weeds, and other members where successional vegetation has a natural we're having fim experimentring witl1 a va oftl1e aster family (Asteraceae). Many of tendency toward trees. riety of grasses on our deliberate journey tl1ese forbs-nongrass herbaceous plants In practical gardening terms, this sug back to the woods. share the grasses' preference for sun, and gests grasses are sometimes best cast in Grasses bave proved superb fillers and make sensible, low-maintenance garden temporary roles in the regional garden, quick organizers ofspace as the lawn grad companions to the grasses. moving gracefiuly off-stage before the fi ually gives way to rnL"Xed borders. For ex We have a small meadow garden nearly nale. Though common wisdom recog- ample, we recently planted a grove of of necessity: It occupies the same ground as
34 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May/June 1999 om septic field, which mllst be kept free of tile transition ll sing atl artfi.u nux of native signs centered on grasses. Though little of woody pla.nts. This area is planted in a mo flowers atld grasses, including wild oats. the original prairie remains, restored saic of grasses, including little bluestem, prairies such as tile one at tI1e University of broomsedge, Indian grass, switch grass, and Natural Associatimzs Wisconsin, Madison Arboretum evoke tI1e pm-pie love grass. The meadow garden is off Many regional floras include a wealth of visual power of tllese once vast grasslands. tile soutll-facing side of tile house, so tile grasses witl1 garden potential just waiting They also remind us that grasses at"e only translucent qualities of tile grasses are ac to be recogluzed. Consluting work for tile pa.t:t of tile story. cenUlated by natm-a1 side- and backlighting. Delaware DeparU1lent of Transportation While prairie grasses such as big This provides an ideal setting for bold sculp has recently brought me into much closer bluestem (Andropogongerardii) and Indi tural objects, and in tile intel10r ofthe mead contact "vitll Delawat"e's coastal flora. The an grass (Sorghastrum nutans) may make ow tile tlml vertical lines of tile grasses play native grass component of tI1is region in up tI1e majority of tile matrix, an important delicately against tile dark form of a 1930s cludes little-known gems such as plume part of tI1 e secondary irtterest atld diversity vintage u"actor. This rusty relic is til ere to grass (Saccha1'um conto1't'/;~m) split-beard is due to tile flowering forbs that pepper provide a destination witlli.n tile meadow, broomsedge (And1'opogon terna1'i'/;~s) and the prairie. The 10-inch-wide leaves of particularly for children, and serves as an al coastal switch grass (Panicum ama1''/;~m). prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum), lusion to tlus t\.vilight period for tile small T hese are fr equently seen in populations for instance, offer dramatic contrast with family farms tI1at once typified om- region. wi til native evergreens such as American grasses. T he fact that this easy-to-grow The IlU1Unous beauty of tile meadow grass holly (Ilex opaca), inl
THE AMERICAN GARDEN ER 35 uesque. Though I've known the wide-rang of the garden in dry regions like California, Sources ing butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) which may have the heat to support year from its eastern haunts, I've never seen it round flowers but certainly doesn't have look so stunning as when it appears as a the water. This state has an exceptional bright orange dash in a sea of prairie grasses. number of attractive native grasses that are Another facet to consider is that not all just beginning to make their way into re prairie grasses are late-blooming, warm gional gardens. season growers. For exam.ple, the aptly It's not difficult to understand why they named June grass (Koeleria macrantha) were so long ignored. Much of California's extends the grasses' season of interest, early garden tradition was established by blooming in June along with forbs such as immigrants from the moist eastern states, purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). most of whom found the native cycles of A low, bunching grass that grows to two wint~r flowering and summer dormancy to feet tall, June grass has slender, needlelike be incomprehensibly exotic. It has taken leaves and flowering stems that are finely generations for gard.eners to come to terms hairy at the base. The delicate greenish with the sere beauty of summer dormant flowers are clustered around the top six to grasses amid manzanitas and other native eight inches of the flowering stems, taper flowering plants. For today's native-grass ing to a point at the top. June grass does enthusiasts, there is much inspiration to be best in dry, open sites; it is hardy to Zone 4 found in the serenely beautiful regional if developed from northerly seed sources, landscape that can be found at the Santa but not terribly heat tolerant. In warmer re Barbara Botanic Garden. gions it may go dormant in late summer One of my favorite plant combinations and so should be sited where late sumrner at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is pur blooming plants will fill the breach. ple needle grass (Nassella pulchra) former One of my favorite private midwestern ly Stipa pulchra) interspersed with gardens, the Schuler estate in Lake Bluff, California poppies (Eschscholzia californi Illin.ois, has a prairie at its heart. A few ddt ca). Both were in bloom when I visited the design elements elevate the landscape from garden in late February. The bright, obvi mere restoration to inspired regional art ous orange of the poppies carried the com form. The prairie grasses include the usual bination, but the silver translucency of the suspects, mostly propagated from seed of long-awned grass added a distinct elegance. local provenance. A mixture of prairie forbs This cool-season grass was once a principal includes bright summer highlights such as constituent of California's native grass yellow coneflower (Ratibida pinnata). A lands, but it has largely been displaced by strip oflow turf separates the prairie garden invasive exotic species. It does best in full from the more formal area nearest the sun and in well-drained soil but tolerates a house, and two elegant stone benches mark fairly wide range ofsites. Hardy to Zone 8, the entrance to a network ofsimple mowed it self sows but is not invasive. pathways that memder through the grass Nearby, burnt-orange stalks of south es. A mammoth oak has fallen at one edge western bushy beard grass (Andropogon of the planting, and its dark hulk has been glomeratus var. scabriglumis)-still left in place as a sculptural piece, shading standing from summer-stood side-lit and sheltering a bench.. against a foreground of gray-leaved yuc Alan Wade, proprietor of Prairie Moon cas and distant, dark green live oaks. This Nursery in Winona, Minnesota, recom clump-forming, warm-season native of mends northern or prairie dropseed moist open sites in the Southwest and (Sporobolus heterolepis) a three-foot-tall California grows to five feet tall and has warm-season grass that will tolerate rich attractive flowers clustered in dense, er or wetter garden soils better than some bushy bracts. other smaller prairie grasses such as little Visiting the same meadow area in mid bluestem and sideoats grama (Bouteloua June, I remember marvelling at broad curtipendula). "Northern dropseed is dif sweeps of gray wild rye (Leymus cinereus) ficult to establish from seed in my area, in fu!Jl flower against the mountain back but transplants well and is hardy into drop, with the curious seedheads of cater Zone 4," says Wade. pillar phacelia (Phacelia cicutaria var. hubbyi) adding interest. Gray wild rye is na California tive to a variety of habitats from Minneso Our increased sense of environmental re ta to British Columbia and south to sponsibility is partly behind the re-thinking California. A drought-tolerant, clump-
36 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May/June 1999 Native Grasses
forming grass that does best in areas with low humidity and cool nights, it grows six to eight-feet tall and quickly outgrows smaller gardens. Along the path at the periphery of the meadow, leafy reed grass (Calamagrostis foliosa) spilled gracefully through rustic fenceposts. Heavy flower heads contribute to this species' distinctly lax habit, which is ideally suited to sloping ground, mirroring its natural habitat of coastal bluffs, cliffs, and scrubby woodland in northern Cali fornia. The state is home to many beauti ful Calamagrostis species-including Pacific reed grass (c. nutkaensis) and ser pentine reed grass (c. ophitidus)-which differ significantly in their size, stance, and habitat preference. Leafy reed grass, center, is partnered with a mixture of non-natives in this California hillside garden, but its position on the slope evokes its natural habitat. Lessons from the Desert The California and desert sections of the Botanical Garden at the University of Cal ifornia, Berkeley, are also superb places for Seasonality of Grasses local residents to learn about native grass es and possible companion plantings. I've f you really want your garden to reflect the natural look of your region, it's im visited the California section a number of portant to recognize and welcome the characteristic seasonal cycles of the times in early winter, and have always been Iplants you grow. If you're gardening in the central or eastern states, native struck by the beauty of the dry seed stalks grasses for the most part can be divided into cool-season and warm-season types. of many grasses such as deer grass (Muh Cool-season grasses such as crinkled hair grass (Deschampsia flexuosa) and lenbergia rigens) catching the low rays of Jun<:: grass (Koeleria macrantha) for example, grow best in temperatures from the sun and standing brilliantly against the near freezing to about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Typically, these grasses will begin olive tones oflive oaks on the Berkeley hills. growtk in late winter and have their best display of foliage and flowers in spring Another inspired regional composition and early summer. They go partly or fully dormant in the heat and humidity of at Berkeley is a mass of winter-green Cali mid- to late summer and may leave a gap in your landscape unless your design in fornia fescue (Festuca california) below the cludes "follow-on" companion plants that come into their peak. in the heat. curving mahogany branches of manzanita Warm-season grasses begin growth in late spring, increasing in vigor as days (Arctostaphylos manzanita). I first saw the grow warmer. They revel in intense Slill, thriving in areas that have extended peri Arizona and Mexico native bamboo muhly ods of temperatures in the 80 to 95 degree range, and usually flower at summer's (Muhlenbergia dumosa) in the desert sec end or in early autumn. Their blooming is often accompanied by rich fall foliage tion, planted amongst Opuntia cacti and colors, and most remain attractive even in winter dormancy. The majority of other desert region plants. The lacy, bil pra.i1"ie and eastern perennial grasses are warm-season typ<::s, including the beard lowing foliage of this unique desert grass grasses (Andropog.on sPI". J, little bll:lestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Indian made a remarkable contrast to the bold, grass (SorghMtr:um nutans) prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) and switch. hard forms of the cacti. grass (Panicum virgatum). These are but a few ofthe innummerable In the Mediterranean climate of southern California, the growing cycles of grasses amongst our regional floras that grasses are governed more by rillinfal} cycles than by temperatufe. 'Thel'e, the ma have potential for enriching the garden. For jority of ornamenta:! nativ<:: grasses, incluGling most Calamagrostis) Festuca, example, the Muhlenbergia species de Achnatherum) and Nassella (formeJ'ly Stipa) species, Me wet-s<::ason growers. scri bed above are only two ofat least 10 that 'Fl'lt~y grow dming the wint<::r and spriIlg rains, flower in spring or early summer, show great promise for warm regiONS. Fur and go partly or fully dormant in the sammer drought. It is often possible to ther gains will surely come from cooperative keep ilies<:: grasses green through, Sllmmeli by arti£<::ial watering; howe:ver, in ad horticultural, artistic, and ecological evalu dition to consuming large aau,ounts of a scarce natural resource, this practice ation of grasses in the larger context. ~ works against th<:: seasonal rhythms of the re;gion. EV@il in sumlirl(~ r,dry regions, however, there are native grasses such. as giwt wi:ld rye (Leymus condensatus) and A writer, photographer, and landscape de d<::er grass (Muhlenbe1;gia rigens) that are adapted to dtought and naturally S11S signer, Rick Darke lives in Landenberg) tain growth through the summer months. Accepting, and even celebrating, Pennsylvania. His most recent book) The these sequences in the garden is part of coming to ~erms with the larger celebra Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental tion of plaGe. -R.D. Grasses, was published in March by Tim ber Press.
Ma y/Ju ne 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 37
many non-native ornamental plants ica in search of trees to replenish to the United States. France's depleted forests and inter In the early 1800s, Michaux's esting plants to showcase the broad son, Frans:ois Andre, continued his reach ofFrench exploration. In No father's work in America and was vember 1785, Michaux, his IS-year one of the first people to recognize old son Frans:ois, a trained gardener that America's trees were being de named Paul Saunier, and a servant pleted to fuel the needs of the landed in New York. rapidly expanding population. Michaux faced many obstacles Ironically, Frans:ois Michaux's ex upon his arrival. He knew little Eng peditions, designed to replenish lish, had no permanent lodging or France's forests, ultimately fostered work space, and found that the locals the early forest conservation move were less than enthusiastic about ment in the United States. Today, working for hire. Nevertheless, Andre and Frans:ois Michaux are Michaux botanized in New Jersey inextricably linked to American and Long Island, amassing five large sylviculture and their surname is boxes of plants and seeds for France memorialized in dozens of plant in just three weeks. His colleotion in and place names in this country. eluded azaleas, "Carolina potatoes" (sweet potatoes), American chest The Gentleman Farmer nuts, cranber.ries, tulip trees (Lirio The descendent of generations of dendron tulipifera), more than 600 French farmers, Andre Michaux sweet gum (Liquidambar styraci was born on March 7,1746, in the flua) cuttings, and acorns ofred and royal shadow of Versailles. By the white oaks. Most ofhis shipment was time he was 20, both his parents headed for Rambouillet, a park King had died, leaving him in charge of Louis hoped to fill with plants from the family farm and his younger sib foreign countries. lings. In 1769 he married Cecile Within a month, Michaux had Claye and seemed destined to carry found a spot on the Hackensack River on his fami.Jy tradition of life as a in New Jersey for a nursery to serve as gentleman farmer. But Cecile's a way-station for the plants headed for tragic death a year later during the Europe. Nicknamed "the French birth of their son, Frans:ois Andre, man's garden," this nursery was to be left Michaux in despair and come Saunier's life's work. For a year, changed the course of his life. Michaux made New Jersey his head To deal with his sorrow, quarters, venturing into Pennsylvania, Michaux threw himself into his New York, Maryland, and VIrginia on work. He soon caught the attention collecting forays, visiting Benjamin of the king's physician, who offered Franklin, George Washington, and to guide him in botanical studies. Top: An illustration of Pinckneya pubens from American plant explorer William Bar Michaux traveled to Paris to study Franc;ois Michaux's The North American Sylva; this tram along the way. at the Jardin du Roi (now known as rare tree was named by his father, Andre, who the Jardin des PI antes ) and was discovered the flame azalea, above, in 1787. Botanizing in the South named a collector for the royal gar Opel'ling spread: The large lilac-purple flowers of the From his first weeks in America, den. In this capacity, he was sent on Catawba rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbi Michaux had longed to see the leg brief expeditions to England and ense) light up the landscape in the southern endary diversity of flora and fauna of Spain, and eventually on a three Appalachian mountains, an area the Michauxs came the South. With this in mind, he and year expedition to Mesopotamia to love. Inset: Tbis 1819 portrait af Franr;ois Andre Frans:ois sailed for Charleston, and Persia to gather medicinal and Michaux is one of the few in existence. There is no South Carolina, in September 1786. ornamental plants. known portrait of his father, Andre Michaux. Andre purchased 111 acres ofland In 1785, Michaux returned to just outside the city to serve as a France with an impressive collection of for bringing in the Chinese tallow tree (Sapi nursery and botanical garden. seeds and dried specimens. Many of these um sebiferum), which has become highly in He immediately began exploring, plants he would later introduce to America, vasive in the southern United States. spending most days in the forest, where he ineluding the camellia, ginkgo, pomegran observed "the most interesting and in ate (Punicagranatum), sweet olive (Os On to America digenous trees." His journals describe manthus fragrans), silk tree (Albizia Soon after Michaux returned from the East, "forests rich enough in soil and terrain to fulibrissin), and crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia he was named King Louis XVI's botanist promise a rich harvest of plants" and the indica). He may also have been responsible and commissioned to explore North Amer- glorious flame azalea (Rhododendron cal-
40 THE AMERICAN GARDENE R May/June 1999 MichallX
endulaceum), "the color of fire, he couldn't afford to send any deep red in all parts of the flower botanical specimens to France, but and even more vivid in shady spots.» he managed to explore and keep his Along the paths he observed moss nurseries in working condition by hung forests of live oak, flowering borrowing on his modest estate. dogwood and myrtle, and swamps During these final years, Michaux filled witl1 cypress and tupelo trees. discovered the fever tree (Pinckneya Traveling sometimes with his son pubens). Restricted to tl1e southeast and sometimes alone, MichalLx cov ern United States, this rare plant was ered the territory from Hudson's originally found by William and Bay to the Inclian River in Florida John Bartram on the shores of the and from the Bahamas to the banks Altamaha River in Georgia in 1765, of the Mississippi River. When pos but was first described and named by sible, he rode on horseback but was Michaux. often forced to u·avel on foot. Once, By 1796, Michaux was financial near Augusta, Georgia, his horses ly unable to carryon and he sailed were stolen and Michaux was forced for Europe on August 13 (his son to walk, pulling his belongings be Fran~ois had returned to France five hind him on a small cart. Shortly years earlier to finish his education). into the trip, a wheel broke, putting Off the coast of Holland, his ship his travels temporarily on hold. But ran aground and he was washed Michaux's frustration was quickly ashore-un conscious-along with compensated by his cliscovery of his records and seeds. Such was his lady's slipper (Cypripedium calceo characteristic determination that, as lus) and Carolina allspice (Calycan ..\IAGNO I.. JA <'Ul'da.u. soon as he had regained conscious thus floridus) near the area where ness, he immediately set about res the wheel had broken. cuing and drying his collection. Michaux returned again and One final disappointment met again to botanize in the Appalachi Michaux upon his return to Paris. ans, with its rich store of vegetation. The forest of Rambouillet was not, Here Michaux described and named as he had hoped, grown tall with the Catawba rhododendron (R. tulip trees, yellowwoods, red buds, catawbiense), the delicate fire-pink: and magnolias. The purple rhodo (Silene vi-;;ginica), and the fringe u·ee dendrons and pink: azaleas did not (Chionanthus virginicus). He dis bloom in the gardens. In the chaos covered the yellow cucumber tree of the Revolution, France's parks named Magnolia cordata by and nurseries had been neglected or Michaux but later renamed M. destroyed. Of the mousands of acuminata var. subcordata-which plants he had shipped, only a hand was not seen again in the wild for an ful survived. other 150 years, and tl1e Piedmont Magnolia cordata, found by Andre Michaux and illus After shaking off this calamity, a rhododendron (R. minus), with its trated in The North American Sylva, top, is now few years later, Michaux traveled to bell-shaped shell-pink: blossoms. named M. acuminata var. subcordata. Michaux sent Madagascar to start a new botanical On an icy February day he added several shipments of fringe tree, above, to France. garden on the coast as a receiving sta- to his cliscoveries the winter-naked tion for tropical flowers. But in 1802 yellowwood (Cladrastis lutea), though michauxii). Considering only the plants na he contracted yellow fever and died. there were no leaves to provide clues. This tive to the Carolinas, Michaux is the au Despite his disappointments, Andres rare tree is the only American species of a thority for 26 genera, 188 species, and four legacy is enormous. Not only did he intro genus best represented in the highlands of varieties. In adclition, he named 95 species duce European and Asian plants to the China and Japan. Anomer discovery, and varieties that have subsequently been United States and those of the New World Oconee bells (Shortiagalacifolia), was not placed in other genera. to Europe, he made extensive records of observed again for 100 years, despite nu America's flora. His magnificent volume, A merous efforts to locate it. A Disappointing End History ofAmerican Oaks, illustrated by The extent of Michaux's success is evi In spite ofhis fruitful botanical expeclitions, renowned 19th-century botanical artists dent by the number of plants he described Michaux faced several disappointments late PI and HI Redoute, presents descrip and the large number of plants bearing his in his career. Throughout his time in Amer tions of 20 species and several varieties of name, inducting the Carolina lily (Lilium ica, the botanist had received government American oaks. And his two-volume Flora michauxii), Michaux's sumac (Rhus subsidies irregularly; after the French Rev Boreali-Americana, published posthu michauxii)-now an endangered species olution, the payments stopped altogether. mously in 1803 by son Fran~ois, was the and the swamp chesumt (Quercus During the last two years ofhis II-year stay, first comprehensive compilation of North
May / Jun e 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 41 American flora. Also illustrated by forest conservation movement in tl1e the Redoutes, it is of special inter 19t11 century. est because it includes only plants In its pages, Michaux wrote in that Andre had seen or gathered. calm, analytical prose about tl1e loss Each description of a plant's habi of forest cover in America and sug tat thus provides another account gested ways to remedy the problem. of the tireless botanist's trek across He expressed concern over the enor the American landscape. mous fuel consumption in brick kilns, sugar refineries, distilleries, and In His Fathers Footsteps potteries. Occasionally, he recalled a By a strange twist of fate, Franc;:ois practice so wanton-tl1e sacrifice of Andre, then a trained scientist, was an entire mature cabbage palm in the United States by assignment (Sabal palmetto) for a mere three of the French government as his fa ounces of its succulent edible heart ther lay dying in Madagascar. wood, for instance-that his prose Franc;:ois's mission "to sUldy trees became intemperate. He compared that could enrich French forests" the destruction of the cabbage palm might have been unnecessary had to the "prodigality of the works of his countrymen handled carefully nature when early KenUlcky settlers the trees and seeds sent so faithflll killed the buffalo, an animal weigh ly by Andre. ing 1,200 to 1,500 pounds, for the On this expedition-from 1801 pleasure of eating its tongue." to 1803-Michaux botanized in In 1822 Michaux retired to his Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, as country estate in France, where he well as the Carolinas, New York, and lived quietly until his death three New Jersey. As he traveled, Michaux decades later. Even then, his influ also kept an entertaining account of ence on American forestry contin frontier America and its people. ued through a substantial financial Drinking, he observed, was a favorite legacy to the American Philosophi pastime. "A passion for spiritous cal Society to be used in promoting liquors is one feature of the United sylviculUlre in the United States. States," he noted at one point. These monies prepared the way But in keeping with his com for establishing the Pennsylvania mission, Michaux's focus was on Department of Forestry and tl1e ac America's trees, and his reports quisition of cut-over-previously noted all aspects of their growth logged-land. About 85,000 acres and usefulness. He was impressed of this land in southeastern Pennsyl by a plane tree (Platanus occiden Oconee bells, top, was collected by Andre Michaux in vania was later named the Michaux talis) that measured 47 feet 1788 and not seen again for nearly 100 years. Michaux State Forest. It was there that Amer around-more than twice the size reported that his 1796 discovery, yellowwood, above, ica's first nursery used specifically to of any known today. And he mar was a practical source of yellow dye. grow seedlings for reforestation was veled at his journeys in a 24-foot built, and it was there that the coun long canoe that was constructed from a America, traveling from Maine to Georgia try's first fire-lookout tower was built. single log. But as he observed the trees and and shipping back hundreds of seeds and Today, almost 150 years after Franc;:ois's how they were used, Michaux also noticed plants. Today, the productive forests south death, the Michaux FLmd continues to pro a growing timber shortage in the East, a of Bordeaux stand as a testament to mote research in arboriculture. Small won topic that he would later revisit repeatedly. Michaux's experience and dedication. der, then, that this Frenchman has been After reUlrning to Paris, Michaux com called me "Father of American Forestry." pleted an extensive report on the 68 species The North American Sylva The spirit of the Enlightenment, and of North American trees that he felt might In 1808 Michaux retll!rned to France and the desire to explore and understand tl1e grow well in France. So impressed was the devoted himseLf to writing the monumen naUlral world, motivated the Michauxs, fa French Administration of Waters and tal work titled Histoire des Arbres Forestiers tl1er and son. Both France and tl1eir adopt- Forests that it gave MichalL,{ a major role in de rAmerique Septentrionale, more com ed land, America, are the benefactors of reclaiming the sandy wastelands then en monly referred to as The NOl,th American their dedicated efforts to observe and C011- a: ~ croaching on the farmland below Bor Sylva. These three volumes, illustrated in serve plants and forests . ., I U deaux. He was instructed "to collect and color by the Redoutres, describe trees using ::l ~ send to France the forest trees susceptible of scientific observations as well as personal Susan Davis Price is a free-lance writer liv- t;; being naUlralized on wasteland where the commeIlJts and lively anecdotes. This grand ing in Minneapolis. Her most recent book, " I native species refuse to grow." Accordingly, work, the earliest manual of American Putting Down Roots, will be published this ~ in 1806, Michaux sailed once again for trees, is said to have sparked the American fall by University ofMinnesota Press. ~
42 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May/J~bne 1999 Rain Lili s These tough little bulbs offer gardeners serendipitous color in summer borders and containers.
b y J 0 h n E B r y a n
Once little known to gardeners who lived north thin, strapWce leaves. Moreover, many species rebloom Witll each of USDA Zone 8, rain lilies (ZephJwanthesalld HabTanthusspecies) successive rain shO\.ver. are beginning to extend their rallge of influence because of their Most species are easy to grow eitller outdoors or, where tlley cheery crocusWce flowers and adaptability to container culture. aren't hardy, in containers protected during winter, and mey come Most of these diminutive bulbous perennials in the amaryllis in a variety of colors-fi·orn gold, yellow, and white to a range of family (Amaryllidaceae) are native to tropical alld subtropical re pink hues. For tlle most part mey are heat alld drought tolerant, gions of Central and South America, but several ZephJwanthes alld a few species tl1rive in swampy, seasOllally flooded ground. species are t:lative to the southern United States. These smail, del icate-looking plants-also known by all array of evocative com Origins mon nalnes such as fairy lilies, storm lilies, alld zephyr lilies--come The genus ZephYTanthes-the name means "flower of the west complete with a built-in hydrologic alarm clock. wind"- consists of about 35 species native from Argentina alld Through a process that still puzzles plant physiologists, these Columbia norm wards tl1fough Central America, me Caribbeall, sleeping beauties awaken at the kiss of seasonal rains. Most Mexico, and parts of the species are triggered by rains in mid- to late summer, but a few soumern United States. The Pink storm lilies (z. grandiflora) come into flower in spring or early fa ll . Once activated, shoots native range of some six or make a colorful show in terra- burst forth seemingly overnight alld the brightly colored flow seven species stretches into cotta containers beneath ers open witl1in days on five-to-15-inch stems amid a clump of tlle United States, alld Otll- planters of geraniums.
May / J 14, ne 1999 THE AM E RIC A N GAR DEN E R 43 Sources
BRENT AND BECKY'S BULBS, 7463 may form on a stem, while Zephyranthes lilies grow well in part shade or filtered Heath Trail, Gloucester, VA 23061. flowers are always solitary. The rootstock of sunlight, so they can be grown beneath (877) 661-2852. www.brentand both genera is a rounded, true bulb with a trees as long as they are not in direct com beckysbulbs.com. Catalog free. relatively long neck. The bulbs are covered petition with tree roots for water. PLANT DELIGHTS NURSERY, INC., in a brown tunic and look somewhat like Rain lilies are also quite heavy feeders, 9241 Sauls Road, Raleigh, North those of snowdrops (Galanthusspp. ). thriving on an annual application of or Carolina 27603. (919) 772-4794. The taxonomy of rain lilies is rather ganic soil amendments or balanced slow www.plantdel.com. Catalog: 5el"ld 10 murky and, over the years, quite a number release fertilizers. These should be added first-class stamps or a box of of species have been transferred from after the blooming season has ended and chocolates. Habranthusto Zephyranthesand vice versa. while the foliage is still in active growth. WE-DU NURSERIES, Route 5, Box Species of both genera have also been Fortunately, rain lilies have few pest or 724, Marion, N,C 28752-9338. placed in, or moved from, other genera in disease problems. Slugs and snails may dam (828) 738-8300. www.we-au.com. the amaryllis family, including Rhodo age foliage or flowers, but they can be de Catalog $2. phiala, Hippeastrum, Pyrolirion, Cooperia, terred by controls such as copper barriers or YUCCA DO NURSERY, Route 3, Box Argyropsis, and Haylockia. the classic beer trap. 104, Hempstead, Te){as 77445. Propagation can be by offsets of the par (409) 826-4580. yuccado@nette'Xas. Growing Needs ent bulbs, separated after growth has fin net. Catalog $4. While plants of both genera have fairly sim ished. However, it is best to allow the plants ilar cultural needs, their growing require to become wel!l established before lifting ments differ in one important way: and dividing them. Seed can also be sown Resources Habranthusspecies should be planted with in the spring using a potting soil mixed with the neck of the bulb just showing at the additional sharp sand. Transplant groups of surface of the soil, but Zephyranthes bulbs seedlings into individual pots when they are should be buried to about two or three large enough to handle. Rain lilies will often times their diameter. seed themselves when well established. Most species in the two genera are reli ably hardy only in Zones 8 to 11, but sev Containers eral Zephyranthes species can take Almost all rain lilies will do well in con temperatures in the upper 20 degree tainers providing the soil mixture is free ers have been cultivated in the South for so Fahrenheit range and will grow into the draining. A blend of one-third top soil, long, they have naturalized widely. southern part of Zone 7. one-third coarse sand, and one-third Zephyranthes are generally found in moister Brent and Becky Heath, owners of vermiculite is suitable. While their foliage habitats than Habranthus, inhabiting Brent and Becky's Bulbs, a mail-order nurs is growing they can be watered regularly, stream banks and shady upland forests. ery in southern Virginia specializing in but stop watering as soon as growth slows The genus Habranthus includes some summer-flowering bulbs, say Z. candida is down. Much like amaryllis, rain lilies thrive 10 species that are native to temperate the hardiest species for them, but they also and bloom best when they are crowded in areas of central and souther:n South Amer grow Z. citrina and H . robustus there and a container, so don't divide and repot un ica and Mexico. The genus name translates are testing several other species. less the bulbs are starting to literally to "delicate flower." Habranthus species This difference between the hardiness squeeze themselves out of their container. are generally not as hardy as Zephyranthes, of the genera can be at least partly attrib Carl Schoenfeld, owner of Yucca Do with a center of diversity deeper into South uted to the bulbs of Z ephyranthes being Nursery in Hempstead, Texas, recom America tha.ll. the latter genus. Habranthus buried deeper in the soil. A light winter mends starting with about five bulbs in a also tend to do best in drier sites than mulch will help protect the tender bulbs in eight-inch pot. About two weeks after each Zephyranthes, often growing among rocks areas where they are borderline hardy. In flowering cycle, harvest the ripened seeds and in gravelly soils . regions with colder clin1ates, both genera and spread them around on the surface of can be grown in containers and then the container, where they can germinate Telling Them Apart moved indoors or to a frost-free area when and form new bulblets. "In several years At first glance, the two genera are quite temperatures drop. you will have 60 or more mature bulbs similar in appearance. For instance, Z. A few species, such as Z. atamasca, Z. blooming all at once after each rain show g randiflora-which sometimes goes by the reginae, and Z. candida thrive in moist or er-a memorable sight," notes Schoenfeld. common name of pink storm lily-is often wet soils, but for the most part rain lilies Schoenfeld also emphasizes that rain mistaken for and sold as H . robustus. do best in moisture-retentive soils that lilies in containers thrive on neglect. "Rain It's easiest to tell plants of the two gen drain freely, especially in winter. In the lilies are very carefree and put on the best era apart when they are in bloom. eastern stat es, this can be accomplished by show when you ignore them. All of a sud Zephyranthes flowers face directly upward planting them in a very free-draining soil den it will rain-and the pot will erupt willi and have stamens ofequallengili, while the mixture composed of a blend ofsharp sand flowers," says Schoenfeld. If the normal flowers of Habranthussit at an angle on the and organic matter. Spring-flowering bloom time for a particular species arrives stem and their stamens are not all the same species tend to grow best in areas with dry but no rain comes to trigger llieir flower length. Habranthus flowers are generally Sl!lmmers. ing, Schoenfeld says llie spectacle can be in solitary, but very occasionally two blooms Despite being very heat tolerant, rain duced willi a soaker hose or watering can.
44 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May / Ju ne 1999 Rail1Ijlies
Left: Naturalized in the South, white rain lily (Z. candida) is distinguished by its tapered foliage and starry white flowers. Center: H. robustus has outward facing flowers with petals that are bright pink, fading to white at the mouth of the flower cup. Right: Native to moist woodlands and grasslands of the Southeast, the Atamasco lily bears fragrant white flowers in March or April.
Containers can be moved indoors or into a candida and Z. citrina, has pale, primrose south through the deserts and scrubland cold frame during winter. yell ow or even pinkish yellow flowers with of northern Mexico, Z. drummondii has a green eye. (Zones 7-9, 9-7) fragrant flowers that open in late after Worthy Rn-in Lilies Touted by Plant Delights Nursery in noon on stems four to six inches tall. This The following rain lilies are those most Raleigh, North Carolina, as "one of those species has rwisted, intensely blue foliage available in the trade and easiest to grow in can't miss plants for the blackest of that emerges before the flowers and often the home garden. thwnbs," Z.flavissima has inch-wide star lies limply on the ground. (Zones 7-9, South and Central American Zeph shaped golden flowers that bloom with the 9-7) yranthes. Perhaps the best-known rain rains from early summer through early fall. Another evening-blooming species, Z. lily-and one of the easiest to grow-is Z. A native ofArgentina and Brazil, it does best chlorosolen is mainly distributed from candida, sometimes called the white rain in rich, moist soils and will even grow in Louisiana west through Texas, Oklahoma, lily. A garden escape in Louisiana, Texas, shallow water. (Zones 7-9, 9-7) and Mexico to New Mexico, but is also and Mississippi, its native habitat is stream Some botanists believe Z. grandiflora, known from the highlands of Brazil. Its 15- and river banks in Argentina and Uruguay. sometimes called pink rain lily, mayactual inch-tall flower spikes bear fragrant creamy According to botanical lore, a Spanish ly be a hybrid of wild rain lilies selected by white flowers that open in late afternoon explorer was so taken with the broad the indigenous inhabitants of the Yucatan during late summer. (Zones 7-9, 9-7) sweeps of these starlike, silvery-white flow Peninsula or more southerly regions of Discovered just a few years ago at about ers he saw growing along the banks of a Central America. Whatever its true origins, 4,000 feet on steep slopes in the Mexican majestic Argentine river that he named the it has become naturalized in many warm re highlands, Z. macrosiphon has rich, rose river Rio de la Plata (river of silver). gions around the world, including much of pink flowers that bloom from mid-spring Z. candida forms dense clwnps of semi the Gulf Coast. It is arguably the prettiest through late summer. In seeming contra evergreen, tapered, rushlike foliage up to 12 member of the genus, featuring delightful diction of its subtropical provenance, Z. inches long. The flowers, which bloom from large, rose-pink flowers with a white throat macrosiphon has remained evergreen at mid- or late summer wough fall, close in and prominent yellow stamens in midswn Yucca Do Nursery despite temperatures the evening or if shaded. White rain lily will mer through early fall. Under ideal condi dipping to 17 degrees. In the garden it tolerate a range of soils, from clay to sand, tions-moist, rich soil and part shade-it does best in moist, fertile soils with after and will grow in swampy or boggy areas. forms foot-diameter clumps offoliage that noon shade. (Zones 8-11, 12-8) (USDA Zone 7-11 , AHS Zone 12-9) produce up to 20 flowers at a time. This is Named after the location in Mexico Native to the Yucatan peninsula and the one of the most commonly mislabeled rain where it was first identified, the Valles yel Caribbean, Z. citrina has crocuslike, bright lilies, and is often mistaken for the smaller low rain lily (Z. reginae) has clear yellow golden yellow flowers up to one and a half flowered Z. rosea or for Habranthus 1'obus flowers that bloom off and on through inches in diameter. Ideal for naturalizing, tus. (Zones 7-9, 9-7) mid- and late summer. It thrives in any Z. citrina does best in drier sites and flow Mexican and Southwestern Zeph well-drained soil . (Zones 7-9, 9-7) ers in late summer to early autumn. A cul yranthes. Widely distributed from cen Z. traubii, an August-flowering rain lily, tivar, 'Ajax', an apparent hybrid between Z. u·al Texas into eastern New Mexico and has delicate, star-shaped white flowers. It is
May / June 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 45 I airl Lili es Where to Plant Rain Lilies here are enough species of rain lilies blooming at different times of the year vigorous rain lily that forms established that, with a little forethought, gardeners can have rain lilies blooming from clumps ofits greenish-gray straplike foliage Tspring through fall. in the right garden setting. It is native to Because they are low growing, try to plant rain lilies where they can be easily seen Argentina and southern Brazil. Sometimes and appreciated, such as along a path, in the front of a border, (')[ on the top of a wall confused with Z. grandiflora or sold as Z. where they can be seen at eye level. Avoid planting them beneath the eaves or a.m,y robusta, its flowers are pink with darker where where they will not be in position to take: advantage of rainfall for their veining and can reach up to three inches serendipitious displays. Because of their diminuitive statute and intermittent bloom" long and as wide when fully open. It ing patterns, they produce the greatest effect when massed. Plant them in groups of blooms consistently throughout the sum at least 10 to 20, each bulb spaced two to four inches apart. mer and is regarded as an excellent con Rain lilies resent disturbance and thus should be planted in a location where tainer plant. (Zones 9-11,12-9) they are likely to remain for a number of years. They are ideal for naturalizing but Native to Argentina and Uruguay, H . will resent the compaction of soil caused by frequen.t foot traffic, so plant them off tubispathus pops out of the ground the beaten path. seemingly overnight-after a good rain in Camouflage the foliage of rain lilies-and wrevent weeds-by planting, rllem be mid- to late summer. The one-inch-diam neath slach low-growing plants as border camatic;ms, gr,asses, or perenniais such as eter, copper-colored flowers bloom about Heuchera or Arm.eria that offer interest when not in flower but could 'll,Se some hel'p six inches above the ground. The foliage at certain times. In his book Garden Bulbs for the South; author Scott Ogden suggests begins to emerge as the plant is in flower. planting rain lilies beneath non-aggr:essive ground covers such as sweet alyssum (Lob Several selections have been named: 'Au ularia maritima), creeping thyme (Thymusglabrescens), or germanders such as Teu reus' has golden flowers; 'Roseus' has pink crium aroanum. and T. chamaedrys. Various low-growing sedurns also make good flowers. (Zones 9-11,12-9) companions and are comparably heat and drought tolerant. Rain lilies can also be There is some disagreement about the planted in front of shrubs or taller perennials to offer seasonal color. genesis of a botanical variety, H . tubis pathus var. texensis, which appears to ei Containers ther be native to Texas or a garden escape. Rain lilies can be planted by themsdves in a container, but because many species pro Either way, this plant, locally known as duce foliage and flowers intermittently, it wiJ1llook r:at'heF .bare at times. For added in Texas copper illy, is easy to grow and pro terest' try planting tWiem with iow-growing or trai1in,g a.rJ..l'l'uais, or arotlFld the base of duces small yellow-orange flowers that stnail, upright shrubs. -JE.B. have a brown throat and coppery veins on the outside of the petals. It grows along the roadsides of central Texas, where it native to dry, hot desert sites, so is drought with red." Atamasco lilies flower between blooms in late summer to fall. In the gar tolerant. (Zones 8-10, 11-9) April to June for about four to six weeks. den it requires a well-drained site but oth Yucca Do nursery owner Schoenfeld In the garden, they do best planted erwise thrives on drought and neglect. and his former partner, John Fairey, dis beneath deciduous trees in moist, acidic (Zones9-11,12-9) covered Z. 'Labuffarosa' in 1990, grow soil. (Zones 7-11,12-8) ing on granite outcroppings beneath Closely related to the Atamasco lily is Z. For the Future evergreen hollies in the Mexican high treatiae, confined in the wild to Florida and Avid rain lily fans are already stretching the lands. " It's really the most attractive of Georgia. The flowers of this species are traditional hardiness limitations that have all the rain lilies we grow," says Schoen white when they first open in February to been placed on these tender plants, and it feld. "It multiplies rapidly, fo rming May, taking on a pink hue with age. (Zones seems only a matter of time before breeders dense clumps that look not unlike liri 7-9,9-7) take it upon themselves to develop hardier ope." The slightly drooping petals are Habranthus. The foliage and flowering varieties for northern gardeners. clear pink, with the color intensifying stems of H. brachyandrus, a native of In the meantime, intrepid nursery own toward the edges of the petals. Unlike southern Brazil, are up to 12 inches in ers' such as Schoenfeld of Yucca Do and most rain lilies, Z. 'Labuffarosa' thrives length. The flower petals, pink suffused Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery, in deep shade, where its light pink, late with lavender, deepen to burgundy as continue to seek out garden-worthy summer flowers stand out nicely. they curve downward into the throat of species in the mountains of Mexico. Some (Zones 7-10,11-8) the flower. H. brachyandrus blooms in of these newer selections are showing great Southeastern Zephyranthes. One of mid- to late summor. (Zones 9-11,12-9) promise and more may be introduced as the only "true" North American species is The creamy or greenish white flowers of they emerge from nursery trials. "We hope the Atamasco or swamp lily (z. atamasca). H. concolor, a spring-flowering species from in the future hardier rain lilies will be avail This species is native to damp pine wood Mexico, appear before the foot-long, strap able to gardeners," says Schoenfeld. lands and meadows from Virginia south to like, grayish foliage. Native to the deserts Don't wait for that to happen; try grow Florida and west to Mississippi; it is now, of Mexico, H . concolor flowers best if kept ing some rain lilies this year, even ifyou live unfortunately, rare in the wild. The fra dry during the winter months, so either north of Zone 7. ~ grant flowers are white with a green grow this species in containers and bring it throat, sometimes lightly tinged with pink inside in winter, or plant in very well An internationally known bulb specialist or red; the species name is derived from a drained, sandy soil. (Zones 10-11, 12-10) and writer, John E. Bryan lives in San Fran Native American word meaning "stained As its name suggests, H. robustus is a cisco, California.
46 THE AMERICAN GARDENER M a y/ Jun e 1999 English Borders, r-rexas Style Native and adapted ex~tic ..1.. ~ plants form colorful mixed borders at a Texas nursery.
b y Lan a Rob n son
Doing what comes naturally seems to be, well, mal grounds created by the former owners of the 1930s-era estate natural for Randy and Sue Weston. This philosophy governs remain, but naturalistic areas resplendent with native Texas plants both their gardening preferences and the lifestyle they have cho and highly acclimated non-natives are now its hallmark. A stroll sen for themselves and their seven-year-old son, Jackson. Fif through the extensive demonstration gardens, traversed by a small teen years ago the Westons pulled the plug on fast-paced creek and graced by shallow pools, peaceful grottos, and serpen corporate careers-he as a manager of a major accounting fum tine paths, is a scintillating walk on the wild side. and she as a successful certified public accountant-to found It wasn't always this idyllic, though. Randy and Sue admit that Weston Gardens in Bloom, Inc., a retail nursery in Forth Worth, both they and their plant business struggled until they struck upon Texas. There they have found fulfillment showing north central their native and adapted plant niche. "We started in 1984, when Texas gardeners how to make successful gardens using an eclec the economy was totally in the dumpster," Randy, now in his mid tic blend of plants native to the South and non-natives adapted forties, recalls. "We really had to stretch to keep things going." to the region's hard-baked clay soils and drastic fluctuations in Sue says she and Randy were often sorely tempted to return to temperature and rainfall. their "real" jobs. "Finally we At their home, directly across from their lO-acre nursery, the had to say, 'Forget the edu This sunny border at the Westons have created a series of demonstration gardens, including cation, forget it all'. We were Westons' home features Russian several English-style mixed perennial borders for sun and shade, able to shut that door and sage, purple coneflower, and water features, and collections of antique roses. Vestiges of the for- make a commitment to Drummond's sundrops.
May / June 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 47 make things work here," she says. "We no normal weather here," Randy points changed our game plan: We knew we out. "You can depend on only one thing: couldn't compete with the chains, so we In Texas it's going to be hot." decided to offer something totally differ ent. And that's how we got started with Informality Rules perennials and our 'Texas-Tough' natives ." The fact that English-style borders are often And, she might add, that was the beginning informal and spontaneous in appearance of Weston Gardens' success. makes them particularly well suited to laid For the Westons, mixed borders, back Lone Star gardeners, and the Westons' which incorporate annuals, perennials, personal philosophy is that gardening should shrubs, and ground covers, are the be a leisure activity, not hard work. Sue sug essence of the English-style-meets-Texas gests that a garden should be a stress-free en climate look they are trying to show their vironment for all who enter, especially for customers. Coming up with the right those who tend it. "We always promote the combinations of plants to achieve that outdoor experience of gardening," says Sue. goal has presented both challenges and "People should be able to listen to the birds, rewards. "Clumpy, clay soil is pretty much see the butterflies, and enjoy their sur a given in this area. We choose plants that roundings. 11hat's what it's all about." will cope with the extremes of our weath Although it sounds strange coming Sue and Randy Weston stroll among er-from drought to deluge," says Randy, from a Texas nurseryman, Randy is a pro ornamental grasses planted in one of noting that his gardens endured 100 con ponent of English garden designer the demonstration gardens they have secutive days without rai n from July Gertrude Jekyll, who pioneered the idea of created at their home. through early October in 1997. "There is blending annuals, perennials, and shrubs in a mixed border to create a seamless array of textures and colors throughout the grow Westons' Top Picks for "Texas-Tough" Plants ing season. "I'm more of a naturalist," says Randy. "I like drifts of plants instead of clipped, formal gardens." SUN . ~~ SHADE . . The Westons also feel strongly that NATIVES NATIVES putting together a garden is a way for peo Autumn sage (Salvia greggii) Columbines (Aguilegia canadensis, ple to find a creative outlet for artistic tal Black-eyed Susan CRudbeckia spp.) At IOf'lgissima) ents that are often suppressed by the Calylophus (Calylophus drummond- Coral bells (Heuchera spp.) demands of modern life. "Beyond the pure ianus, C. hartWegii) Irises (Louisiana and bearded) enjoyment involved, gardening appeals to Coneflowers (lichinacea purpurea lyre-leaf sage (Salvia Iyrata) our artistic side- all of our senses become E. pallida) Pigeonberry (Rivina humiJis) involved," says Randy. "Many people are Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata Southern wood fern (Dryopteris not attuned to that until they're shown 'Moonbeam') ludGviciana) some of these things." Flame anisacantbu5 (Anisacaf'lthu5 Turk's"cap (MaJvaviscus arboreus Randy's own awakening to the wonders quadrifidus var. wdghtii) var. drummondii) of naUlre occurred in childhood growing Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri and Violets (Viola 'White Czar') up on the Texas plains. "My maternal cultivars) Wild oats (Chasmanthium grandmother was an avid flower gardener. Rock rose (PallOnia lasiGpetala) latifolium) As a small boy, I would help her garden, Texas aster (Aster oblongifolius) Wild petunia (Rue Ilia spp.) and that is my link. Once you introduce Texas lantana (Lantana horridula) Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata, children at an early age to the outdoors and Wild petunia (Ruellia spp.) P. 'Chattahoochee', P. pilosa) nature, it never leaves the senses. Sue and I Winecups (Callirhoe involucrata) both grew up on farms, and it's something NON-NAtiVES that has sUlck with us." NON-NATIVES Cast-i r.on plant (Aspidistra elatior) Butterfly busl:l (Buddleia spp.) Hostas ('H.osta spp.) Adapting the English Style Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) Japanese bolly fern (Cyrtomium Randy favors the look of random plantings in Sedums (Hylotelephium and ffllcatum) a garden design, but his methods for estab Sedum SPFl.) Japanese painted fern (Athyrium lishing a romantic, English-style border are Veronica (Veronica spp.) niponic:um 'Pictum') quite deliberate. In seminars held at Weston Wall germander (Teucrium Rain lilies (Zephyranthes spp.) Gardens, he advises gardeners to take at least chamaedrys) Strawberry begonia (Saxifraga a year before planting to pinpoint areas ofs un Wormwood (Artemisia 'Powis stolonifera) light and shade within the space to be used Castle') Tassel fern (PGlystichum and to mull over the fate of existing elements. Yarrow (Achillea spp.) polyblephaf.'um) "A mixed border offers diversity with different layers, textures, and sizes of
48 TH E AM E RI CAN GARD E N E R May/J une 1 999 rI'cxas (~arden
Above left: Calylophus hartwegii, a member of the evening primrose family, is native to the Southwest and western Texas. This spreading perennial flowers from spring to fall. Above right: A planting of Callirhoe involucrata-appropriately known as winecups-Iends brilliant color to a sun-drenched patio in the demonstration gardens. plants," says Randy. "It's important to re Chinese photinia (Photiniaserratifoka), or is the peak time for gardens. Most annual search the water requirements ofplants and holly. Even a full-canopied tree with shel and perennial plantings tend to struggle to ident:ifY your competing species. Find out tering branches, such as a mature cedar or during the heat ofJuly and August and re which is your aggressive grower. You start elm, can produce the desired effect. bound in the cooler fall . Gardeners striving with the right plants, look at factors such as "Trees are the most important elements to mimic the English look can choose from sun, shade, root competition, and cultural of any garden," Randy emphasizes. "Ifyou a lively array ofperennials the Westons have requirements, and then group them ac don't have trees, you don't have structure." found will do best in their climate. Among cordingly. It's more of a challenge than ar Trees also are one of the few plants that offer the plants that Randy recommends for ranging them in neat little rows, but part of interest in winter, which is why Randy says sunny borders is flame anisacanthus the fun is finding combinations that work he chooses his u'ees in the winter months to (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii), together." Other important considerations, better see how they will look. In a shade gar an irregularly branched shrub that grows obviously, are flower colors and bloom den, he recommends adding understory two to four feet tall . Native to Texas and times. "If you plan those right, there's trees to create vertical interest. Ornamentals Mexico, it bears spikes of red to orange something that looks good all year long." such as the fi'agrant Mexican plum (Prunus tubular flowers in midsummer. mexicana), possurnhaw holly (flex decidua), Calylophus (Calylophus drummondi Creating Structure Texas kidneywood (Eysenhardtia texana), anus), also known as Drummond's sun In Randy's view, creating a sense of enclo and smoke tree (Cotinus obovatus) are hand drops, is a spreading ground cover native to sure-be it masonry walls, lines of shrubs, some, hardy Texas natives. Texas and New Mexico. Closely related to or vine-covered fences-is an important Highly acclimated non-natives such as evening primrose, this drought-tolerant element of the design. Partitions of old chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), with its aro perennial is ideal for rock gardens and along brick or stone, such as the 1930s-era iron matic foliage and azure flowers , and the walls, where its cheery yellow flowers bloom stone retaining walls at Weston Gardens, ever-popular heat-tolerant crape myrtle in clusters. C. hartlllegii also has yellow are worth consideration. Boxwoods and (Lagerstroemia spp.) do well in Texas, also . flowers but is a shorter species. other classic English hedging plants are not Another adaptable ground cover favored suitable in Texas, but Weston recommends Sun'1o/ Borders by the Westons is winecups, or purple evergreens such as junipers, arborvitae, In tlle Fort Wortll area, April through May poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata). N a-
May/June 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 49 tive to Texas, New Mexico, and much of the to provide a smattering of additional color central United States, this fast-spreading to an English-style border include gom perennial has rich purple, cup-shaped flow phrena (Gomphrena globosa and cultivars), ers that bloom from June until frost. The cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), and Texas box on page 48 lists other plants the West bluebells (Lupinus texensis). ons recommend for sunny borders. Randy also packs his borders with leafY, Sources textured plants to provide contrast to the Plants for Shade brightly colored flowers and to offer inter ANTIQUE ROSE EMPORIUM, 9300 For the shady border, the Westons have put est when tlle flowering plants are out of Lweckemeyer Road, ~renham, IX together a list of heat-toleraut native and bloom. Although its foliage is somewhat 17833. (409) 8~6-90D 1. Catalog $5. non-native perennials (see box on page 48). unruly, oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea fORESTifARM, 990 lfetherow Road, Natives include lyre-leaf sage (Salvia lyra quercifolia) offers appeal wough at least Williams, OR 97544-9599. (541) ta), which offers spikes of pale blue to vio three seasons with its cinnamon-colored 846-726~. www. forestfarm. Qom. let blossoms in midsummer; Turk's-cap bark in winter, showy white spring flowers, Catalog $4. (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii) and burgundy to purple fall color. The PLANT DELlGMTS NURSERY, 9241 Sawls a super hummingbird attractor, and wild non-native heavenly bamboo (Nandina Roacj, Raleigh, NC 27603. (919) 772- oats (Chasmanthium latifolium). Native domestica) provides a striking vertical ef 4794. www.plantdel.com. Catalog: ferns the Westons have found adapted to fect through its straight stems. Heavenly Send 10 stamps or a box of the Texas heat include Southern wood fern bamboo also brings fall and winter interest chocolates. (Dryopteris ludoviciana), and holly fern with its attractive red berries and fall color. WOODLANDERS, INC., 1128 Colleton (Cyrtomium falcatum) . The non-native To bridge the gap between late winter and Avenue, Aiken, 5C 29801. Phone and Japanese painted fern (Athyrium nipon spring, Weston also uses adapted non-na fax: (803) e48-7522. Catalog $2. icum 'Pictum') and tassel fern (Polystichum tives that bloom in early spring, such as YUCCA DO NURSERY, Route :!l, gox 1Cl4, polyblepharum) also work well in Texas. forsythia (Forsythia spp.), flowering quince Hempstead, 1')( 77445. (409) 826-4580. (Chaenomeles Japonica), and spirea (Spi [email protected]. Catalog $4. Adding Color and Texture raea spp.) in his plant collages. In the sunny border, annua'ls that work well For gardeners seeking low maintenance,
50 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May/June 1999 texture, and virtually nonstop blooms, Sue fo untain grass (Pennisetum alpecuriodes In the nursery's shade garden, a hand recommends antique bush roses. Cultivars 'Moudry'), and wild oats make nice plumes hewn bench provides a vantage point for such as 'Petite Pink Scotch', 'Duchesse de among his flowering plants. viewing assorted grasses, lyre-leaf sage, Brabant', 'Fairy', and 'Mutabilis' top her list Though many gardeners rely on rather wormwood, and other plants. because of their durability and heat toler bland grolUld covers such as ivy, pachysan ance. She also steers customers toward dra, and vinca, the Westons recommend n-y climbing varieties such as 'Old Blush', 'O~ ing such colorful flowering selections as Getting There cile Brunner', 'Lady Banks', 'Seven Sisters', germander (Te-vtcrium chamaed1tys), creep and 'Mermaid', which can beaUtll)' even the Lng tllymes (Thymus spp.), sn·awberry be Weston Gardens in Bloom, Inc. is at plainest offences. gonia (Saxifraga stolonifera)) calylophus, 8101 Anglin Drive in Fon Worth, Texas In addition to wild oats, a number of and 'Moonbeam' coreopsis to their cus 76140. The nursery's four acres of other ornamental grasses are used to add tomers. "Remember, it's tile overall look demonstration gardens include lily texture to the Westons' English-style bor that cowlts, so be creative," says Randy. ponds, antique roses, and mixed perenni ders, as well as provide winter interest. The Westons' gardening philosophy has al borders. In addition to offering plants Randy sells 55 different selections at the been successfi.u bOtil for thei.r business and for sale, the nursery provides landscape nursery, most grown on site. Among these tlleir customers. Visitors flock to the nurs planning services and often hosts lecrures are tall and elegant Lindheimer's muhly ery throughout tile growing season to view and workshops by prominent regional grass (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri), charac the display gardens and take ideas-and gardeners and horticulturists. Scheduled terized by blue foliage and silvery flower often plants from the nursery-home with for July 10 and 11 are workshops on spilces that bloom from September through them. Using the Westons' "Texas-Tough" "Best Plants for Smruner" and "Orna December. This grass is both a texturizer natives as a starting point, many central mental Grasses." Nursery hours are 9 and an outstanding specimen plant. Little Texas gardeners are putting togetller mixed a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Satur bluestem (Schizachyriumscoparium) is not borders of which even Gertrude Jekyll day in summer. For more information as big but is, nonetlleless, beautiful-witll wOlud be proud. ~ about the nursery or workshops, call teal-blue blades tlut turn bronze in the fall. (8 17) 572-0549 or visit the nursery's Weston says shorter grasses, such as pm-ple Lana Robinson is a free-lance writer who Web site at www.westongmtdens.com. muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris), black gardens in Waco) Texas.
May/June 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 51 the interested amateur, but will be of use BUTTERFLY GARDENING: to professionals. Beginning with the au CREATING SUMMER MAGIC thor's own cottage gardening chronology, IN YOUR GARDEN. the book then progresses to a brief but in The Xerces Society in association with the teresting history of the cottage garden. Smithsonian Institution. Sierra Club Books, The ensuing chapters discuss specific top San Francisco, 1998. 208 pages. 71;'4/1 x ics related to his design process, including 91;'4/1. Publisher's price, softcover: $24. AHS color, fragrance, edible plants, and gar price: $19.20. dening in difficult sites. Each chapter opens with a quote and closes with a very OSt American gardeners like but useful-although specific and, therefore, terflies, perhaps in part because somewhat Limited-list of plants pertain Mthe overwhelming majority of our ing to the topic. One exception to this for native species do not destroy the plants we mat comes in the chapl'er on edible plants, which is missing what could have been a -~E""r!:orjj ANO l1POAT f O- very useful plant list. Also, the chapter on diffimlt sites closes with a mere list offra 13utterfly gardening grant daylilies. The appendix-which con - tains lists of resources arranged by topic, a b ~bliography, and a list of plant societies ~ cottage gardening is one of the most useful parts of the book. The biggest disappointment for me ~ butterjry gardening was the photographs. The images of in dividual plants do enhance the text, but 4'a.- wlJ1'IWn and gardening the photographs of the gardens-while beautiful-are mostly British. They ~.... herbs could easily lull unsuspecting readers into unrealistic expectations for the PLEASURES OF THE Southwest. The book would be far more COTTAGE GARDEN. valuable if the author's own experiences The Xerces Society and Rand B. Lee. Friedman/Fairfax Publishers, were chronicled not only in words, but New York, 1998. 144pages. 10/lx 10/l.Pub in pictures. The Smithsol1 ian Illstitutio11 ~...,.. -..-. ===== lisher's price, hardcover: $27.50. AHS price: Despite this caveat, the book is full of I N 'fRO OUC't l O)l .B Y E,O.Wll. S Or..' $19.25. good gardening information presented in an entertaining style. And although it could love. As a result, we are free to admire a hen this lO-inch-squate book easily sit on a coffee table, it is worthy of be- giant swallowtail swerving through an with its glossy jacket picturing the opening in the trees, a red admiral flicker W ideal cottage garden crossed my ing among the composites in a flower bor desk, my initial thought was, "Oh no! An der, or a monarch gliding purposefully other English book depicting gardens that across a broad sweep oflawll. we can't grow in this climate." Upon read The authors of Butterfly Gardening ing the book, however, I was pleasantly sur hope to persuade you to make your garden prised to find I was wrong. Lee is a native a place where the swallowtails and red ad son who has created cottage gardens in mirals thrive. Under the sponsorship of the some very difficult gardening environments. Xerces Society, a group dedicated to the Starting in Connecticut, he then jumped to conservation of insects and other inverte Key West, Florida, followed by Cork COUll brates, 13 biologists, gardeners, photogra ty, Ireland. For the last 10 years he has been phers, and nature writers have contributed settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 17 short chapters on how to attract butter The diversity of his gardening experi flies to your garden and how to appreciate ence is clear throughout the book, as when them when they arrive. he states that "one must accept one's limi On the attraction front, you will learn tations and the limitations of on~'s ecosys which plants provide nectar or larval food tern." Lee advocates the use of locally that certain butterflies find especially ap adapted or native plants, which can provide corning one of the references you keep near pealing, as well as how to increase the diver you with the "look of artificial chaos" that your gardening journal. sity and number ofyour butterfly visitors. In he espouses as the principal design element -David T. Scheid addition to sample garden designs and lists for a cottage garden. "Learning the plants David T Scheid has been involved in public of butterfly-attracting plants, you will find that will thrive in your area and planning horticulture for more than 20 years. Cur information on such important topics as your cottage garden around them will rently, he is program director for horticul suppliers of seeds of native plants. make your life much easier," he says. ture at the Northern Vi"0inia Community On the appreciation front, several of the The book is organized to discuss plants College in Sterling, Virginia. authors describe the delights they have de and design principles that will help not only rived from their butterfly gardens. Their
52 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May/June 1999 enthusiasm is contagious, and in the batl tract houses Catl even begin to imagine. process ofs haring their experiences you will A few of these gat"deners inherited sizeable learn something about the natural history properties. Others came ofage long before of butterflies and be better able to fully gorgeous views made property valuable. Al enjoy these gorgeous insects. though there are a couple of properties of One of the contributors, photographer only an acre or so, one encompasses a Edward S. Ross, offers a brief guide to but mind-boggling 425 acres. And while these terfly photography, a challenging and en hands may be covered with dirt, for the joyable activity. The book itself is liberally most part the fingernails didn't have to be Common and beautifully illustrated "vith Ross's won presentable at an office Monday through Plants derful color photographs and those of other Friday. These gardens can be tough to re of the gifted photographers. Close-ups of the late to if you have to squeeze yo m garden r adult great pmple hairsu-eak or the chrysalis ing time in on weekends and bet\veen the Mid-Atlantic of the Mexican fiitillary will soften the heart end of a commute atld cooking dinner. Coast of the most die-hard insect hater. Fortunately, the auth or and editors i A Field Guide An underlying theme is that by making have made sme dlere is somedling here for revised editio n om gardens more butterfly- fiiencll y, we will everyone. Each profile contains a sidebar GENE M. SILBERHORN also promote insect conservation. In an in of useful information: native grolmd cov The Mid-Atlantic coast is rich creasingly urbanized and agriculturalized ers; favorite roses or clematis or fruit trees; with a variety of habitats and an world, many butterflies-and other in platlts suitable for bonsai; or how to make abundance of cornmon, if not always sects-need om assistance. If you want to cedat" troughs for alpines. The text entries familia r, plants. This acclaimed fi eld learn how to become a butterfly watcher, a themselves, while chatty, are full of more guide to the plants found along the butterfly photographer, or a butterfly con little throw-away tips. Ever have dle mge coast from Long Island Sound to servationist, this fine book is for you. North Carolina's barrier islands is -John Alcock newly revised and updated. John Alcock is a professor at Arizona State "A superb guidebook for amateur natu University and auth01' of In a Desert Gar ralists, students in a variety of ecology den, a book about the insects he has attract oriented courses, and gardeners w ho wish ed to his unconventional landscape. to assess new species."- American Horti w ihlrist, reviewing the first edition EARTH ON HER HANDS. $16.95 paperback Starr Ockenga. Clarleson N. Potter, New Yorh, 1998. 239 pages. 9/1 x 12 ". Publisher)s p1'ice, ha1'dcove1': $55. AHS price: $40.
his book's designer couldn't be more appropriately named, because Kayo TDer Sarkissian has produced an ab solute knock-out. The book profiles 18 American women with fabulous gardens who have done all or most of the work with their own hands. The author and photog "Perfectly Delightful" rapher, whose work has appeared in muse The Life and Gardens of Harvey Ladew ums and galleries dlroughout dle world, to make yom own stone wall? Here's how CHRISTOPHER WEEKS provides both long sumptuous color views to do it, complete with a suggested soil mix He played piano with Cole Porter. H e and close-ups ofevery garden, and there are for those planting pockets. Are yom grav rode horseback in the Hollywood Hills watercolor plans of each landscape to help el paths slipping down a bank? Here's a tip with Clark Gable. He ate snails with orient dle reader. You meet each garden for stabilizing them. the French writer Colette, in bed. It er-dressed to go to work with trowel or Readers will have to beware of region was all, as he often said, "perfectly delightful." Few more colorful figures trug or tractor-in a full-page sepia portrait. al differences, however. The fruit tree rec embellish American cultural history At both the front and the back of the book ommendations may not translate from than the late Harvey S. Ladew, wealthy are sepia close-ups ofplants held by grubby, Illinois to your own orchard or garden, socialite, fox hunter, artist, All ... gnarled hands with broken fingernails-the atld of course the native trees and shrubs traveler, and-at his ~. ~ proud badge of the lifelong gardener. for southern gardens won't work too well country estate outside • ,~ . ~ The energy levels of the profiled garden in North Dakota. The areas most heavily Baltimore-creator of ~.~"'. !'1. _ ers sometimes seem superhuman. One gar represented at"e the upper Midwest, New the nation's most ... .. ~ dener has battered her hands shaping 600 England, Northwest, and nlid-Southeast. admired topiary garden. ,,~ , \l\. feet of stone walls. One grows 93 vegetable But of course, what books like this re $32.50 hardcover I 1 vatieties from seed. Another-with her hus ally come down to are the things we all band-has laid cement reflecting pools, have in common. Huge trees fall, deer rav THE JOHNS HOPKINS wall May/June 1999 THE AMERI CAN GARDENER 53 Louise Allen in Atlanta: "Digging in the earth takes my mind off diffiCl1lt things." Hattie Purtell of Milwaukee, who comes Buy recycled. into tlle garden at dawn to work and listen ., to the birds and insects, finds it "more beautiful than any cathedral." No matter where we live, and no mat ter how compact our gardens or how crunched om time, we gardeners tend to speak a universal language. And every read er can take comfort in noting tl1at some of The California these women are well into their 80s. Grant ed enough energy of our own, tllere may Landscape Garden yet be time for that big dream. Ecology, Culture, and Design -Kathleen Fisher by Mark Francis & Andreas Reimann ~ It would mean Kathleen Fisher gardens in a suburban tract Francis and Reimann bring the the world to them. house in Alexandria, Vilrginia. beauty, resources, and natural pro TYLER'S HONEST HERBAL, cesses of the California landscape to Recycling keeps working to protect 4TH EDITION. the home garden in this fine testament their future when you buy products Steven Foster and Var1'o E. Tyler. The Ha to ecological gardening. made from recycled materials. For worth Herbal Press, Binghamton, New York, $29.95 paperback, $50.00 hardcover, 1999.442 pages. 61j4" x 8%". Publisher's illustrated a free brochure, write Buy Recycled, price, hardcover: $49.95. AHS price: $45. Environmental Defense Fund, 257 ith the ever increasing interest in Park Avenue South, New York, NY herbal remedies, more gardeners lO010, or call1-800-CALL-EDF. W are growing their own herbs. But L""'''''''CU Guide to Biological Pest Control before you begin boiling water for an herbal by Mary Louise Flint & tea or other concoction, take a look at the up ENVIRONMENTAL B>F DEFENSE ~ Steve H. Dreistadt aEPA FUND dated fourth edition of Tyle1t 'S Honest Herbal. Written for home gardeners, land First published in 1981, this book is consid scape professionals, and anyone ered by experts to be one ofthe most reliable fascinated by natl1ral enemies and sources of information on herbal medicines. their prey, this is the best-ever THIE WEED lNH1BlTOR Foster and Tyler-leading authori.ties in practical guide to the identification HARDEN BLANKET !!he study of natural products for medicinal use-analyze and report on the most current and biology of beneficial organisms • Covers ~ IHir e garden eas ily. scientific research and clinical data for more that control pests. than 100 popular herbal remedies, including $35.00 paperback, illustrated • Tough, durable, resists rot and mildew. St. John's-wort, echinacea, ginseng, and • Retains soi l warmth and moi sture. ginkgo, to support or disprove the purport ed uses of each plant. The authors' evalua Pests of the Garden • Needl e punched material combines strength with perm eability. tions a-re objective and straightforward, and Small Farm noting the chemical constituents in each • Blocks OL\t unwanted grass and plant and their efficacy in preventing or treat A Grower's Guide to Using Less Pesticide weeds, elimi nates th e need for Second Edition pOl entially ha zardous chemical ing ailments. Safety is also addressed, with by Mary Louise Flint herbicides . warnings of possible side effects and poten This extensively revised new edition • 5 Year Guarantee again st UV tial drug interactions. Each entry is followed adapts scientifically based integrated deterioration. by a list of references, allowing interested readers to study the scientific data themselves. pest management techniques to the Kit includes : For ease of use, entries are arranged al needs of the home gardener. • Garden Blanket (24 ' x24') $35.00 paperback, illustrated with Pre-Marked Rows phabetically by each plant's C011Ullon name. • Fabric Pin s for Securing A thorough index makes it a snap to locate • Complete In structions and information on many topics, including toxic Helpful Hints plants, plants used to treat certain symptoms or illnesses, and FDA regulations. Tyler's Honest Herbal offers an informed and serious evaluation of herbal remedies; At bookstores or order 1-800-822-6657 it is recommended reading for anyone con UNIVERSITY OF sidering the use of these products ...... , CALIFORNIA PRESS Weeks Mills, ME -Christina M. Scott www.ucpress.edu (207) 445-5684 or 1-800-982-3204 Christina M. Scott is assistant editor of The Ameri.can Gardener. 54 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May/June 1999 ments as a gardener, landscaper, and gardening, including design, plant selec farmer. With information garnered from tion, alld maintenance for both ornalTIental gardeners' Washington's memos, diaries, garden al'ld vegetable gardens. Concise instructions plans, and plant lists, the author reveals are provided for projects such as building how tl1is famous stateSmall gathered seeds ponds, pergolas, decks, and fences, as well books and u'ansplanted and prwled trees. Gris as explanations on how to lay hard surfaces wold also shows how Washington designed such as concrete, paving slabs, and stone. To bette1' serve our members, AHS has teamed a kitchen garden, pleasure garden, and An appendix includes seasonal calendars for ~tp with Amazon.com. We can now offer bet botal1ical garden that have be<:'Jn restored at ornalTIental and edible gardens. ter disco~tnts on most t-itles, faste1' delive1'ies, MOWlt Vernon. more invent01'Y, and improved access to ha1'd QUICK AND EASY CONTAINER to-jind titles. Tlqe books listed here an based on WATER GARDENS. perceived reader interest, unusz,tal s~tbJect DESIGN Philip Swindells. Storey Books, Pownal, Ver matte1", 01' substantive content. To 01'de1", 01' for mont, 1998. 128 pages. Publisher's price, information about other gardening booles, hardcover: $22.95. AHS price: $16.25. please call Trish Gibson at (800) 777-7931 Container water gardens offer versatility for ext. 36 01' visit our Web site at \¥w\¥.ahs.org gardeners who don't have time or space for and link to Amazon. com. conventional water features. Swindells, a water garden expert, provides complete step-by-step insu'uctions for creating more GARDEN HISTORY thall 25 easy alld affordable water gardens for both indoors and out, proving that KNOT GARDENS AND PARTERRES. water features are not just for large, exU'av Robin Whalley and Anne Jennings. Barn agallt gardens. Each project is illustrated Elms Publishing, London, 1998. 160 pages. witll detailed color photographs. An ency Publisher's p1'ice, ha1'dcover: $45. AHS clopedic list oflargely trouble-free aquatic price: $31.50. plallts is included to help you choose plants This book is a treasure U'ove of information suitable to your climate. The care of water about the development of knot gardens plants, fish, and snails is also discussed. The throughout history. On the more practical book includes more than 100 color photo side, the authors explore different methods graphs and illustrations. of creating and using knots as a garden fea ture and describe systematically the process GREAT GARDEN FORMULAS. of planning, planting, and maintaining a Joan BenJamin and Deborah L. Manin, knot garden. This is a great book for any THE ART OF THE KITCHEN GARDEN. editors. Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylva one interested in garden history or who Jan and Michael Gertle),- The Taunton nia, 1998. 342 pages. Publishe1"s price, wants to replicate historical designs. The Press, Newton, Connecticut, 1999. 151 hardcover: $27.95. AHS price: $19.75. many color photographs of lmot gardens pages. Publisher's price, hardcover: $29.95. This useful collection of more than 350 are sure to inspire any gardener. AHS price: $27. mLx-it-yourself concoctions for your gar If you are no longer satisfied witll grow den provides explicit, cookbook-style in- ing vegetables in neat little rows, then tl1is is the book for you. The authors discuss new ways to layout a garden so it is botll functional and aestlletically pleasing. In cluded are detailed designs of quilt-block gardens, Japanese family-crest gardens, and Celtic knot gardens. The book is il lustrated with 134 color photographs and 29 color drawings. REFERENCE GARDENING BASICS. WASHINGTON'S GARDENS AT Ken Beckett, Steve Bradley, Noel Kingsbur)s MOUNT VERNON. and Tim Newbury. Ste1,ling Publishing Co., Mac Griswold. Houghton Mifflin Company, NI:w York, 1999.276 pages, Publishe1"sprice, Boston, 1999. 192 pages. Publishe1"s price, hardcover: $29.95. AHS price: $21. hardcove1': $40. AHS price: $28. Step-by-step instructions and thousands of This year, the 200th alu1iversary of George photographs and illustrations make this structions on how to make everything Wasl1ington's death, is the perfect time for book an informative reference for both be from compost to natural herbicides and release of this compilation of al'chival ma gimllng and experienced gardeners. The au pest repellants. Most of the recipes use in terial highlighting Wasl1ington's achieve- tllors guide the reader through all stages of gredients readily available at the local gar- May/June 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 55 den center or grocery store. The book in count of their history and complete infor cludes a large list of sources for informa mation for their cultivation and propaga tion and supplies, a bibliography of tion. A professor oflandscape architecture recommended reading, metric conversion at the Kyoto University ofArt and Design, tables, and a complete index. Kuitert also disentangles the confusing mixture of Japanese and English plant names that have long plagued nurseries, PLANTS collectors, and amateur gardeners. In ad dition, Dutch plant breeder Arie Peterse JAPANESE FLOWERING CHERRIES. contributes a complete botanical key to the Wybe Kuitert with A rie Peterse . Timber classifica tion of Japanese cherries. More Press, Portland, Oregon, 1999. 395 pages. than 100 color photographs of cherries in Publisher's price, hardcover: $39.95. AHS flower, along with rare period artwork, price: $28. complete this practical handbook for se Kuitert's extraordinary book on Japanese lecting and growing these aristooratic flow flowering cherries includes a detailed ac- ering U-ees. MISCELLANEOUS PAPERMAKING WITH PLANTS. FIelen Hiebert. Storey Books, Pownal, Ver 1 mont, 1998.'112 pages. Publisher's price, hardcover: $24.95. AHS price: $17.50. A papermaker and artist, Hiebert shares the techniques she uses to create unique obsession with orchids takes him on a quest sheets of paper from plant materials gath into the wild swamps of southern Florida. ered from the wild or the garden. Arrested after stealing rare orchids, rene Hiebert provides step-by-step ilJ.struc gade plant dealer John Laroche and three tions on setting up a studio, collecting Seminole Indians become embroiled in an plants and preparing the fibers, and ulti odd legal controversy involving environ mately, making your own paper. The mentalists, Native American activists, and book includes color illustrations, an ap devoted orchid collectors. The result is a pendix, glossary, and resource guide. tale that is mange, compelling, and at times hilarious. Woven through the story is a THE ORCHID THIEF. wealth of botanical information about wild Susan Orlean. Random House, NC1V York, orchids, all checked for accuracy by the 1998. 284 pages. P'btblisher's price, hardcov American Orchid Society. This book sup er: $25. AHS price: $17.50. ports the old adage that truth can indeed The fascinating u-ue story of a man whose be stranger than fiction. AHS HORTICULTURAL BOOK SERVICE ORDER FORM SHIP TO: Name CHOOSE PAYM ENT METHO D: Address o Check enclosed. Amount: $ City State Zip o Charge to: o VISA o MasterCard Daytime phone ( Account # Book Title Qty. Price Each Total Exp . date Signature STANDARD SECOND- NEXT-DAY SHIPPING DAY AIR AIR Subtotal $3 per $6 per $8 per Virginia residents: Add 4.5% sales tax shipment shipment shipment plus 95 ¢ plus. $1.95 plus $2.95 Postage & Handling (see chart) per Ltem per Item per Item Total Mail completed form to: AHS Horticultural Book Service, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308-1300. Or call toll-free (8 00) 777-7931 ext. 36. Prices in effect until June 30, 1999. After expi ration date, orders will be filled pending availability. Please allow four to six weeks for delivery. Pr ices subject to change without notice. 56 THE AMERI CAN GARDENER May/June 1999 demonstrations on a wide variety of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. (610) 388-1000 insects, spiders, millipedes, and crus ext. 507. taceans will be sponsored by the U.S . National Museum of Natural History's NORTH CENTRAL (NMNH) Department of Entomology, U.S. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, THROUGH JUNE 20. Butterflies in and AHS. The National Mall, Washington, Wonderland. Krohn Conservatory, Eden D.C. (703) 768-5700 ext. 10. Park, Cincinnati, Ohio. (513) 352-4080. MAY 15 & 16. Spring Plant Sale. MAY 14 & 15. 40th Annual Hyde Park William Paca Garden, Annapolis, Garden Fair. Hyde Park Shopping Maryland. (410) 267-6656. Center, Chicago, Illinois. (773) 493-8882. MAY 22. S1st Annual Virginia Penin JUNE 13. White River Gardens Grand sula Rose Society Rose Show. Coliseum Opening. White River Gardens, regional Mall, Hampton, Virginia. (757) 851-5122. Indianapolis, Indiana. (317) 630-2010. MAY 22. Green Spring Gardens Day JUNE 19. Garden Walk '99. Private gar happenings Plant Sale. Green Spring Gardens Park, den tour. Quad City Botanical Center, Alexandria, Virginia. (703) 642-5173. Rock Island, Illinois. (309) 794-0991. a look at wha~s MAY 23. Plant Propagation Work JUNE 19-27. Boerner in Bloom. shop. Field Studies Institute. Winter Boerner Botanical Gardens, Hales happening around green Resort, Wintergreen, Virginia. Corners, Wisconsin. (414) 529-1870. (804) 325-8172. the nation JULY 8-11 . International Lily Show. JUNE 5 & 6. 7th Annual Hosta Wisconsin-Illinois Lily Society. Chicago Cut-leaf Show. Phipps Conservatory, Botanic Garden, Glencoe, Illinois. AHS Events Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (412) 622-7363. (847) 835-5440. Events sponsored or co-sponsored JUNE 10-12. Native Plants in the NORTHEAST by AHS are indicated by this Landscape. Conference and plant sale. c:rnsymbol. An expanded and Millersville University, Millersville, MAY 14 & 15. May Market. Plant sale. updated Regional H appenings list Pennsylvania. (717) 872-3030. Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington, ings can be viewed on the Society's Connecticut. (860) 677-4787. Web site at www.ahs.org. JUNE 12. Gardens Since Eden. Lecture. U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, MAY 19. Play and Nature in Child D.C. (202) 245-2726. hood Development. Symposium. Rusk MID-ATLANTIC Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, New JUNE 12 & 13. Blue Ridge Garden York, New York. (212) 263-6058. THROUGH MAY 31. From Botany to Festival. Historic exhibit gardens, work Bouquets: Flowers in Northern Art. shops, and plant sale. Explore Park, MAY 29. Celebration of Spring. Art exhibit. National Gallery of Art, Roanoke, Virginia. (540) 427-1800. Flower show. Unitarian Memorial Washington, D.C. (202) 737-4215. Church, Fairhaven, Massachusetts. rJmJUNE 17. Creating Sanctuary- (508) 979-4085. rJmMAY 12. The Capitol Grounds: A New Approach to Gardening in the Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Washington Metropolitan Area. MAY 29. Herb and Plant Sale. Shaker Friends of River Farm lecture series. George Friends of River Farm lecture series. George Museum and Library, Old Chatham, New Washington's River Farm, Alexandria, Washington's River Farm, Alexandria, York. (518) 794-9100. Virginia. (703) 768-5700 ext. 10. Virginia. (703) 768-5700 ext. 10. JUNE 1. Pruning Trees and Ornament MAY 12. Preservation Garden Party. JUNE 24. Free Day and Community als. Workshop. UMass Extension Center, Woodrow Wilson House, Washington, Open House. Garden and nature trail Waltham, Massachusetts. (413) 545-0895. D.C. (202) 387-4062 ext. 15. walks. Brandywine River Museum, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. (610) 388-2700. JUNE 5. Unusual Annuals. Garden semi MAY 13-15. Mayfair Art and Garden nar and plant sale. Basin Harbor Club, Show. Alumni Hall, University of Virginia, rJmJULY 7. Floral Designing Vergennes, Vermont. (802) 475-2311 . Charlottesville, Virginia. (804) 979-8460. for Summer. Friends of River Farm lecture series. George Washington's rJmJUNE 9-12. AHS Annual MAY 14-16. Middleburg Garden River Farm, Alexandria, Virginia. Conference. Workshops, lectures, and Market. Community Center Grounds, (703) 768-5700 ext. 10. tours with nationally recognized gar Middleburg, Virginia. (540) 687-TOUR. dening experts. Fairmont Copley Plaza, JULY 23. 3rd Annual Conference on Boston, Massachusetts. (703) 768-5700 ~MAY 15. Bugfest '99. Displays and Woody Plants. Swarthmore College, ext . 10. 58 THE A ME RI C A N G AR D ENE R May/ J une 1 999 NORTHWEST Birthday for Bartram MAY 21-5EPT. 30. Butterflies & hiladelphia, PelU1sylvania, will host a Blooms. Exhibition. Woodland Park Zoo, u'io of events celebrating the 300th Seattle, Washington. (206) 684-4800. Panniversary of the birth oOohn Bar tram, Amelica's first botanist and fOLmder MAY 22. Whidbey Island Garden of Am erica's oldest botanical garden, Tour. Private garden tour. Freeland, American historian David McCullough will Washington. (360) 678-6105. give the keynote address at "Baru'am 300: A Gatl1ering," a symposium examining JUNE 5. 11th Annual Bamboo Festival Baru'am's influence on 18tl1 -century sci and Plant Sale. Pacific Northwest ence and exploration . From Wednesday, Chapter of the American Bamboo Society. May 19 tl1rough Ftiday, May 21, histOlians, Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, editors, and educators from tl1e United Washington. (206) 543-8800. States and Canada will meet at the Acade my of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia to JUNE 26. Alaska Botanical Garden offer analytical accow1ts of Bartram's con Fair. Alaska Botanical Garden, tributions to American and European Anchorage, Alaska . (907) 265-3165. botany, his role in the demystification of the Amelican fi'ontier, and his scientific legacies SOUTH CENTRAL in me 20m cenm ry and beyond. The 18th-century Bartram house, On Saturday and SW1day, May 22 and 23, MAY 12. Harvesting and Drying HistOlic Baru'am's Garden will host "BarudJl1 300: Living History Festival." John Baru'am Herbs for the Home. Workshop. and Benjarnin Franklin re-enactors will be accompanied by period crafters demonstrating McAshan Herb Gardens at Festival Hill, and selling traditional wares on Barmun's 45-acre national landmark homestead along tl1e Round Top, Texas. (409) 249-5283. banks ofm e Schuylkill River. Bartram's historic botanical garden and house will be open for formal tours and musical and dance performances. Children's events and entertaining ex MAY 22 & 23. Everything's Coming hibits by omer Philadelphia musew11S and cultmal institutions are also sd1eduled. Up Roses. Rose show. Herman, Missouri. Additionally, as part of me Baru'am celebrations, HistOlic Bartram's Garden is con (800) 932-8687. ducting me first census of Franldinia alatamaha) a u'ee native to Georgia. All fi'anklinias today are descended fi'om those grown by Bartram and his family, who are credited witl1 MAY 22 & 23. St. Louis Horticultural saving it from e),:t:inction. Census results will be annow1Ced dwing d1e May festivities. Society Show and Sale. Missouri For more information on tl1e Bartram celebrations, contact Historic Bartran1's Gar Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri. den at (215) 729-5281, or visit its Web site at lVwlv,libe1'tynet.org/ba1' tram. (314) 577-5100. JUNE 28-JULY 2. Herbal Odyssey. Wild for Wildflowers Workshop. Heritage Herb Gardens, Ozark Folk Center, Mountain View, n Saturday, JW1e 12, gardeners from tl1roughout m e Normeast will descend Arkansas. (800) 264-3655. on Garden in tl1e Woods in Framingham, Massachusetts, to celebrate d1e O25tl1 anniversary of New England's largest wildflower sale. More tl1an 10,000 SOUTHEAST propagated native plants~ncomp assing 250 species and varieties- will be on sale at me New England Wild Flower Society'S aIU1Ual extravaganza. Among me offerings JUNE 6. Seasons Garden Celebration. \ovill be yellow lady's-slippers, trilliums, bleeding hearts, phlox, aI1d colwnbines. Plant Grand opening of Dogwood Garden and experts will be on hand to answer questions and to assist wim plaI1t selections. Woodland Sculpture Trail. Cheekwood Wildflower seed giveaways, gardening raffles, a silent auction, children's activi Botanical Garden, Nashville, Tennessee. ties, and free demonstrations on a variety of gardening-related topics \ovill round out (615) 356-8000. me anniversary celebrations. Since 1974 , tl1e New England Wild Flower Society has raised more tl1aI1 $500,000 for native plant conservation mrough its aIU1ual sale. JUNE 12. Hemerocallis Show. Atlanta For more information, contact tl1e society at (508) 877-7630 or visit its Web site at Botanical Garden, Atlanta, Georgia. wWlv.newfs.org. -Mark C. Motlan, Communications Assistant (404) 876-5859. JUNE 12. Irises for the Garden. Lecture. Tryon Palace, New Bern, North JUNE 12 & 13. Webster Arboretum JUNE 19 & 20. Marchand Inter Carolina. (800) 767-1560. Horticulture Faire. Webster Arboretum, national Horticulture Conference. Rochester, New York. (716) 872-2911 . Buffalo Museum of Science, Buffalo, New JUNE 18. Hardy Geraniums. Lecture. York. (716) 825-5200 ext. 310. Georgia Perennial Plant Association. JUNE 18-20. Rose Weekend at Atlanta History Center, Atlanta, Georgia. Elizabeth Park. Friends of Elizabeth JUNE 25-27. 8th Annual Flower Festi (770) 955-1303. Park. Hartford, Connecticut. val. Whiskers Field, Stowe, Vermont. (860) 242-0017. (800) 247-8693. JUNE 30. Garden Gambol. Garden tour. May / J une 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 59 Lompoc Flower Festival a look at current offerings from the marketplace CLASSIFIED AD RATES: All classified advertis ing must be prepaid. $2 per word; minimum $50 per insertion. Copy and prepayment must be re ceived on the 20th ofthe month three months prior to publication date. Send orders to: ABS Adver f you enjoy smelling the sweet fragrance of knee-high sweet peas as they bloom, or tising Office, 4350 DiPaolo Center, Suite B, capturing the beauty ofvivid zinnias, marigolds, peturlias, sunflowers, and other blos Glenview, IL 60025, or call (847) 699-1707. Isoms with your camera, then visit the Lompoc Flower Festival, held annually the last weekend in June (June 23 to 27 in 1999). This wind-swept section of southern Cali AZALEAS AND RHODODENDRONS fornia has been the flower seed capital of the nation since the early 1900s, when seed THIRTY YEARS growing and shipping the companies started raising sweet peas and other cool-weather flowers in the chilly, moist hardiest azaleas and rhododendrons. Hundreds climate of the Lompoc Valley. For !'he past 47 years the festival has celebrated the open to choose from. Catalog and Color Cue Card subscription: $3. CARLSON'S GARDENS, ing of the June-through-Al!lgust blooming season by offering self-guided toms thrmlgh Box 305-AHS, South Salem, NY 10590. 914- miles of flower fields. This brings on -lookers Yp-dose and in sniffing distance ofa host 763-5958. of colorful flowers, including asters, GOsmos, larkspur, marigolds, stocks, and zinnias. An old-fashioned carnival and barbecue kick off the weekend.'s activities, followed by a BEEKEEPING floral parade and an arts and crafts fair in Lompoc's Ryon Park. For details, contact QUALITY BEEKEEPING EQUIPMENT AND the Lompoc Valley Festival Association, P.O. Box 50S, Lompoc, CA 93438, or call SUPPLIES. Explore the miracle. Free catalog. (805) 735-8511. -Karen L. Dardick, specialfromLosAngeles BRUSHY MOUNTAIN BEE FARM, 1-800- BEESWAX (233-7929). BOOKS Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont, Marino, California. (626) 405-2100. North Carolina. (704) 825-4490. Hortica: Color Cyclopedia of Garden Flora with Hardiness Zones and Indoor Plants, MAY 29-31. Tour of Getty Museum. 8,100 color photos by Dr. A. B. Graf, $238. JULY 1-31. Azaleas Bloom. Callaway Sponsored by Ruth Bancroft Garden. Tropica 4: 7,000 color photos of plants and Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia. Walnut Creek, California. (510) 210-9663. trees for warm enviroRmems, $165. (800) 225-5292. Exotic House Plants: 1,200 photos, 150 in JUNE 16-JULY 5. Gardens of the color, with keys to care, $8.95. SOUTHWEST Golden State. Flower and garden show. Shipping additional. Circula1'S gladly sent. Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, California. ROEHRS CO., Box 125, East Rutherford, NJ MAY 8. 11th Annual Herb Fair. Tucson (619) 755-1161. 07073. (201) 939-0090. FAX (201) 939-0091. Botanical Gardens, Tucson, Arizona. (520) 326-9686. JUNE 25 & 26. Silver Jubilee Gardens' BOOKS ON GARDENING, LANDSCAPING, Faire. The Gardens at Heather Farm, PLANT-HUNTING, BOTANY, ETC. JUNE 6. Colorado Water Garden Walnut Creek, California. (925) 947-1678. A stock of over ~,OOO titles, including Society Plant Sale. Denver Botanic rare color plate books. Gardens, Denver, Colorado. (303) 755-1885. JULY 3 & 4. Cactus and Succulent Society of America Show. Huntington Free catalog fram: ST. ANN'S BOOKS WEST COAST Botanical Gardens, San Marino, Rectory House, 26 Priory Road California. (626) 405-2141. Malvern, Wores. WR14 3DR, U.K. MAY 15. Perfect Perennials. Lecture. Tel: 011441684562818 Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton, California. CANADA Fax: 01144 1684566491 (714) 278-3404. E-mail: [email protected] JUNE 4-6. Van Dusen Flower and MAY 15 & 16. Geranium Plant Show Garden Show. Vancouver, British DAYLlLlES and Sale. San Oiego Geranium Society. Columbia. (604) 257-8671 . QUALITY DAYLILY PLANTS. All sizes, types, Casa Del Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, and colors. Diploids and tetraploids. FREE cata California. (619) 469-8936. JULY 9-11. Victeria Flower and log. SPRING CREEK DAYLILY GARDEN, Garden Festival. Royal Roads University, 25150 Gosling, Spring, TX 77389. (281) 351- 8827. USA only. MAY 16. 25th Annual Plant Sale. Victoria, British Columbia. (250) 881- Huntington Botanical Gardens, San 7469.~ 60 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May/June 1999 GREENHOUSEPLAsncs BOB'S SUPER-STRONG GREENHOUSE Get Your Copy Today! PLASTIC- Pond Liners. Resists hailstones, yellow ing, leafbmning. Samples: 2 stamps appreciated. Box Andre Viette Farm & Nursery 42AG, Neche, ND 58265; 204-327-5540 daily. Perennial Handbook and .., Mail Order Plant Catalogue. 54 New Perennials Avai.lable for 1999 plus thousands of "perennial favor ites" and over a hundred color photos to help make your choices easier. Also, THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN detailed planting instructions and tips. Sch.ool of Professional Horticulture, Academic This is a "must have" for only $5.00. and practical training, two year pr.ogram. Andre Viette Farm and NurserY~ W,i., S,h,,1 ,[Pro[=i". H"ci'",~ NYBG, Bronx. NY 10458 .or ph.one . HOSTAS ~ P. O. Box 1109. Dept. AG Fishersville, Va. 22939 ~ (718) 817-8797 for inf.ormation. _-'-< ... HOSTA SPECIALISTS-Field grown, large 1-800-575-5538 choice selection including species, classics, new and e:~~~ :}~{! ~~_ f NEW ZEALAND - AUSTRALIA exclusive varieties. Descriptive catalog, includes color, $3. SAVORY'S GARDENS, INC., 5300 GARD EN, BOTANICAL, WILDLIFE & WALKING Whiting Avenue, Edina, MN 55439-1249. TOURS FOR GRO UPS & INDIVIDUALS Kome& 1999-2000 PEONIES • Rugged design Oct. Roseweek Australia Rose Garden T.our BEAUTIFUL JAPANESE/CHINESE TREE • Easy to use with D" To mmy Cai.-ns PEONIES. Wide variety of exotic, INEXPENSIVE • Adjustable nozzle Oct. Australia Spring Garden Tour peonies available. Catalog $3. All plants 3 years old • I-gall on capacity with Jim Wilson Nov. New Zealand Spring Garden T.our and older. SMlRNOW'S SON'S PEONIES, Dept. with Bill A ldrich, for the AG , 168 Maple Hill Road, Huntington, NY only$16§1§ California A rbo1'et1 (}7) SEVA LD NURSERY ~ (6S0) S9S-2090 ~,=;rEO N I ES ', '/: .' P.9LCIJ"IC P.9L'TJ-f'W.9LryS 4937 3RD AVE . SO . 'i ~ """'"~ 'C. ~"f'" ~"" 0"""""" MPLS ., MN 55409 COLOR CATALOG $1.00 (REFUND WITH ORDER) DRIP IRRIGATION • POND LINERS Highest Quality, Best Selection, Low Costl SEEDS • ~ FREE D,!pwCNkI Catalog UNCOMMON SEEDS for exceptional gardens: Yoursou,~,", Mkro Irrigltlon hard -to-find ornamentals, unusual perennials, 231 E. San Francisco SI. 800-616-8321 flowery vines, antique annuals, rare alpines, trees, Willits, Ca 95490 email: [email protected] tropicals, wildflowers , herbs, heirloom vegeta bles. Catalog $1. HUDSON SEEDS, SR2, Box 337-AG, LaHonda, CA 94020. EarthCo Soil Analysis HARDY MAINE PERENNIALS We provide your garden with only the best!! V' Basic Test ($15): pH, organic Many new and hard t.o f"md. matter, phosphorous, potassium, Descriptiv4 catalog listing over 900 lIari.ties 2.50 www.FieldstoneGarden•. com magnesium, calcium+ recommendations Fielclstone Gardens, Inc. V' Advanced Test ($30): basic test + 620A Quaker Lane not Vassalboro, Maine 04989-9713 micronutrient analysis L PhIFax :( 207~3836 V' Complete Test ($40): advanced test+ soil classification (% sand, silt & You can breathe new life into this precious clay) resource. Trees that filter and clean polluted .water are in decline. Help plant 20 million A detailed graphical report will provide easy-to-read recommendations. Send a soil sample (2 cups), name, trees for our streams and rivers. $10 plants address, phone number & crop/plant being grown 10 hard-wo rking, water-cleaning trees. along with check to: Earth Co, Dept. AG, P.O. Box Ca1l800j545-TREE, or visit our 50084, St. Louis, MO 63105 (314) 994-2167. website: www.amfor.org. It's amazing what grows when you plant a tree. AM( P., I CII N F O Rl ST5 MOVING? GL§I)i\1 Don't miss a single isme of THE AMERICAN Perer-m ials. Shop online a1$:www.etera.com O[~L[M · GARDENER. Send an old adMess label and Y01W c'JT dll for a free catalog featuril'lg 28,0 vilr ~ties new address to: AHS, Address Change Dept., -' ZOOO and 19 garden pla.lJs. ~ 7931 East Bouleva"d D"ive, AlexM,dria, VA Toll-free: 1.888.840.402'1 AMER/CAN FORESTS, Washing/on, DC 20013-2000 ~ ~~~r~ . 22308-1300. Please allow 4 weeks notice. Ma y/Ju n e 1999 THE AMERICAN GARDENER 61 1. munzii 7-9,9-7 Rhododendron calendulaceum 5-9, 9-5 1. prismatica 4-9, 9-3 R. catawbiense 4-8,8-1 hardiness and 1. setosa var. canadensis 3~8, 8-1 R. minus 5-9, 9-5 1. tenax 6-8, 9-7 Rivina humilis 11, 12-7 1. tridentata 7-10,10-7 Rubus procerus 6-9, 9-4 heat zones 1. verna 5-9, 9-6 1. versicolor 3-8, 9-1 1. virginica 4-9, 9-6 Saccharum contortum 9-11, 12-9 For yo~tr convenience, most ofthe cultivated plants featured in this edition ofthe magazine are listed 1. virginica var. shrevei 7-9, 9-7 Salix argyrocarpa 5-8, 8-4 here lvith their USDA Plant H ardiness Zones and Koeleria macrantha 6-9, 9-6 S. planifolia 1-7, 7-1 AHS H eat Zones. If ais listed in place of USDA Sarracenia purpurea 2-8,8-1 hardiness zones, it means that plant is a true an Sassafras albidium 5-8,8-4 nual--it completes its life cycle and dies in a year Leymus cinereus 4-9, 9-3 Saxifraga stolonifera 6-9, 9-6 or less. Tropical plants that require minim~~m tem Liatris graminifolia 6-9, 9-6 S. rivularis 2-5,5-1 peratures warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit Lilium michauxii 7-8,8-7 Schizachyrium scoparium 5-9, 9-5 the minimum average temperature in USDA Lobularia maritima 11, 12-1 Silphium laciniatum 5-9, 9-5 Zone ii-witt be listed by minimum average tem Lupinus texensis 5-8,8-5 S. terebinthinaceum 3-7,7-1 perature rather than by zone numbers. Magnolia acuminata var. subcordata Sorghastrum nutans 5-8, 8-5 4-8,8-1 Sporobolus heterolepis 3-9, 9-1 Malvaviscus arboreus var. Teucrium aroanum 7-11,12-7 Andropogon elliottii USDA 2-7, drummondii 9-11,12-9 T. chamaedrys 5-9, 9-5 AHS 7-1 MarshalliagrandiJlora 5-7,7-5 Thymus glabrescens 6-9, 9-6 A. glomeratus var. scabriglumis Muhlenbergia dumosa 8-10,10-8 Viburnum plicatum forma 2-7, 7-1 M.lindheimeri 8-10,10-8 tomentosum 4-8, 8-1 A.gyrans 2-7,7-1 M. rigens 8-10, 10-8 Zephyranthes atamasca 7-11, 12-8 A. ternarius 2-7, 7-1 Nymphaea odorata 4-11,12-1 Z. candida 7-11, 12-9 A. virginicus 2-7,7-1 Orontium aquaticum 5-9, 9-5 Z. chlorosolen 7-9, 9-7 Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. Osmanthusfragrans 9-10,10-9 Z. citrina 7-9,9-7 wrightii 9-10,10-8 Z. drummondii 7-9,9-7 Aplectrum hyemale 4-8, 8-3 Z.Jlavissima 7-9,9-7 Asplenium trichomanes 5-8, 8-4 Panicum amarum 5-9, 9-5 Z.grandiJlora 7-9, 9-7 Bouteloua curtipendula 5-9, 9-4 P virgatum 5-9, 9-5 Z. macrosiphon 8-11, 12-8 Calamagrostis foliosa 5-9, 9-4 Pavonia lasiopetala 61-64°, 12-9 Z. reginae 7-9, 9-7 Callirhoe involucrata 4-6, 6-1 Phacelia cicutaria var. hubbyi Z. treatiae 7-9, 9-7 Caltha palustris 3-7, 7-1 10-11,12-10 Cephalariagigantea 3-7,7-1 Phloxdivaricata 4-8, 8-1 The codes above an based on a number of com Chaenomeles japonica 5-9, 9-3 Photinia serratifolia 7-9, 9-7 monly available references and are likely to be con Chionanthus virginicus 5-9, 9-4 Platanus occidentalis 5-8,8-5 servative. Factors such as microC£imates, plant Cypripedium calceolus 3-7, 7-1 Polemonium reptans 4-8, 8-1 pl'ovenance, and use ofmu lch mayaffectindivid Cyrtomiumfalcatum 6-10,10-6 Polystichum polyblepharum 6-9, 9-6 ualgardeners' experiences. To purchase a durable Punicagranatum 8-10, 10-8 tlVo -by-threefoot postel' of the AHS H eat-Zone Quercus michauxii 7-9, 9-7 Map, catt (800) 777- 7931 ext. 45. Darmera peltata 5-9, 9-5 Dryopteris cristata 6-8, 8-6 D.ludoviciana 6-10,11-6 Eragrostis superba 9-11, 12-9 Festuca californica 4-8, 8-4 Fothergilla gardenii 5-9, 9-5 Glyceria obtusa 5-9, 9-5 Gomphrena globosa 11, 12-1 Habranthus brachyandrus 9-11, 12-9 H. concolor 10-11, 12-1 ° H. robustus 9-11, 12-9 H. tubispathusvar. texensis 9-11,12-9 Hypoxis hirsuta 5-8,8-5 Iris brevicaulis 5-9,9-3 1. cristata 3-8, 8-1 ._- 1. douglasiana 7-9,9-7 1. fulva 6-9, 9-5 1. hexagona 7-10,10-8 "2010':.0 i.II 1. innominata 7-9, 9-7 .,:.0101110 ~~~.,~,,: , O I~ 1. lacustris 4- 7, 8-1 1. missouriensis 3-7, 8-1 62 THE AMERICAN GARDENER May/June 1999 C. nutkaensis Orontium aquaticum C. noot-KAY-en-siss o-RON-tee-wn ah-KWAT-ih-kum C. ophitidus Perovskia atriplicifolia C. o-FEE-tih-dus peh-ROF-skee-uh at-rih-plih-sih Callirhoe involucrata FO-lee-lll kah-LIR-o-ee in-vol-yew-KRAY-tuh Photinia serratifolia Calylophus drummondianus fo- TIN-ee-lll seh-rat-ih-FO-lee-uh kal -ih-LO-fus drum-mon-dee-AN-L1s Phytolacca americana Chaenomeles japonica £Y -toh-LAK-uh uh-mair-ih-KAN-uh kee-NOM-ee-leez jah-PON-ih-kuh Pinckneya pubens Cyrtomium falcat~tm PINK-nee-ull PYEW-benz sur-TOH -mee-um fal- KAY-tum Polystichum polyblepharum Eschscholzia californica pall-LISS-tih-kum pall-Wl es-SHOLTZ-zee-uh kal-ih-FORN BLEF-ah-rum ih-kuh Porteranthus stipulatus Eysenhardtia texana por-tur-AN-thus stih-pyew-LAY-tus eye-sen-HART-tee-uh tek-SAN-uh Prenanthes boottii Habranthus brachyandrus Pren-ANTH-eez BOOT-ee-eye hab-RAN-thus brak-ih-AN-drus Rhododendron calendulaceum a simple speaking guide to Hypoxis hirsuta ro-doh-DEN-dron kull-len-dew hy-POK-siss her-SOO-tuh LAY-see-um plants found in this issue Iris brevicaulis R. catawbiense EYE-riss brev-ih-KAW-liss R. kuh-taw-be-EN-see Acer capillipes I. innominata Rubus procerus AY-sur kuh-PIL-ih-pees 1. ih -no-men-AY-tuh ROO-bus pro-SAIR-us A. glomeratus var. scabriglumis I. lacustris Rivina humilis A. glom-uh-RAY-tus var. skay 1. lall-KUS-tris liv-VY-nuh HEW-mill-lis BRIG-lu-mis Koeleria macrantha Saccharum contortum Anemone hupehensisvar. japonica kel-LEE-ree-uh muh-KRAN-thuh sak-AH-rum kon-TOR-tum uh-NEM-o-nee Im-pay-EN-sis Liatrisgraminifolia Schizachyrium scoparium var. jah-PON-ih-kuh ly-AY-triss grah -min-ih-FO-lee-uh skits-all-KEER-ee-um sko Anisacanthus quad1,ifidusvar. wrightii Lilium micha~txii PAR-ee-um uh-nis-uh-KAN-thus kwad-RIF-ih LIL-ee-wn mih-SHO-ee-eye Silphium laciniatum dus var. RIGHT-ee-eye Lindera benzoin SIL-fee-um lah-syn-ee-AY-tuh Aplectrum hyemale lin -DAIR-uh BEN-zoh-in S. terebinthinaceum uh-PLEK-trum hy-em-AY-lee Lobularia maritima S. tair-ull-bin-thin-AY-see- um Arctostaphylos manzanita lob-yew-LAIR-ee-ull muh-WRIT Sorghastrum nutans ark -toh-STAFF-fil-os man-zuh-NEE-tuh ih-muh sorg-ASS-trum NOO-tanz Blechnum spicant Malvaviscus arboreusvar. drummondii Sporobolus heterolepis BLEK-num spih-KANT mal-vuh-VISS-kus ar-BOR-ee-us spor-OB-o-lus het-ur-o-LEP-iss Bouteloua curtipendula var. drwn-MON-dee-eye Symphoricarpos albus boo-teh-LOO-uh kur-tih-PEN Muhlenbergia dumosa sirn-fo-rih-KAR-poz AL-bus dyew-luh mew-len-BUR-jee-uh doo-MO-suh Teucrium aroanum Calamagrostis foliosa Nymphaea odorata TOO-kree-wn all-RO-lll-num kah-luh-mah-GROS-tiss fo-lee-O-suh nim-FEE-llh o-doh-RAY-tuh T. chamaedrys T. KAM-ee-drees Tridens fiavus What's in a Name: Sporobolus TRY-denz FLAY-VLlS Viburnum plicatum forma tomentosum art of the grass family (Poaceae), ·the genus Sporoboluy--commonly known as vy-BER-num ply-KAY-tum forma dropseed--contains more than 100 annual and perennial species distributed wh-men-TOH-sum Pwidely around the world. Some 35 species are native or naturalized in North Zephyranthes atamasca America, but only two-prairie dropseed (5. heterolepis) and alkali dropseed zef-ih-RAN-theez at-uh-MASS-ktll (S. ai1'oides)-are commonly grown as ornamentals. z. chlorosolen Native Americans once made a flour from the seeds of prairie dropseed, which is Z. klor-O-so-len one of the characteristic plants of the once vast North American tallgrass praitie re z.fiavissima gion. Its natural habitat is now widely scattered from central and eastern Canada Z . flllh -VISS-ih-mull south through the central United States to Texas and Colorado. z. reginae The genus name is formed from the Greek words spora) which means "seed," and Z. reh-JEE-nee ballein) "to throw." As with the genus's common name, dropseed, this refers to the z. sulfurea way the seeds readily fall from their hulls when ripe. The species name of prairie drop Z. suhl-FEW-ree-uh seed means "diversely scaled"-an allusion to the papery scales that enclose the seeds . z. traubii Z. TRAW-bee-eye Ma y/J une 1999 THE AM E RI CA N GARDE N ER 63 growers of Distinctively Better plants, cultivated in our exclusively formulated nutrient rich soil that provides the healthiest, hardiest, and most beautiful plants available at fine garden centers. Look for our Audubon Habitat Caffection, an alliance betwetm Monrovia and the Natiorral Audubon Society. It features a special collection of plants that attract birds, butterflies, and other backyard wildlife. Watch for upcoming special Monrovia theme collections and continuous new and exclusive Monrovia plant introductions. M 0 n r 0 v i a . .. impacting the North American landscape for more than seventy years with th@highest quality plants and the newest ideas in horticulture. from our growing fields to your garden, We care for your plants. MONROVIX~ HORTI C ULTU R AL CRA F TS MEN SI NCE I926 Look fo r Mo nrovia plants a t f ine garden cen t ers. Fo r t he lo catio n nearest you, call toll free 1 -888 -Plant It .'