Hdp SaveArnerica?s Enda1vJered WUd crs

Ashe's magnolia (Magnolia ashe;) is the rarest of the native American magnolias. Many of America's most treasured wildflowers are threatened with extinction. In fact, experts estimate that 10 percent of the species and varieties native to the United States are in jeopardy. Over 50 taxa have already disappeared. Learn more about Ashe's magnolia and other endangered plant species by purchasing a copy of the American Horticultural Society's Endangered Wildflowers 1988 Calendar and reading through the in­ formative text. Funds raised from sales will be used to support conservation projects. To order your calendar, turn to page 40. VOLUME 66 NUMBER 12

President's Page: Season's Greetings by Carol yn M arsh Lindsay 2

The Design Page: Garden Reflections by Marga ret Hensel 4

The Indoor Gardener: Ladyslippers to Grow on Your Windowsills by Ell a May T. Wulff 7

Strange Relatives: The Pepper Family by Jane Steffey 10

Botanica at Key Biscayne by Ruby Weinberg 14

Bougainvilleas: A Feast for the Eyes by Tovah Ma rtin 22

The Mystery of Flowering Plants by Dr. Gilbert A. Leisman 27

Sources 36

Classifieds 38

Unusual Species: Dracunculus vulgaris-My Heirloom Plant by Alice B. Yeager 42

1987 Index 44

On the Cover: The glossy leaves and profuse scarlet fruit of Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii' fairly sparkle with holiday cheer. Though this vigorous ornamental evergreen has an affinity for the American South, it is hardy as far north as zones 7-9. A densely-growing holly, it can reach heights of up to 30 feet and provides an effective display both in the garden and in indoor arrangements. Ilex cornuta is a native of eastern China, where the dried leaves have been used as a medicine; its brilliant colors are still a most inviting tonic as winter days grow short. Photograph by Pamela Harper.

Botanica at Key Biscayne; see page 14. Photograph by Ron Oprzadek

Repl acement iss ues of AM ERI CAN HO RTI CULTURIST are ava il able at a cost of $2.50 per copy. The opinions ex pressed in the articles tha t appear in AMERI CAN HO RTICULTURIST are those of the authors and a re not necessarily those of the Society. Manuscri pts. art work, and photographs sent fo r possible publication will be returned if they a re accompa nied by a seJf­ addressed, stamped envelope. We cannot guarantee the safe return o f unsoli cited materi al.

AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST, ISS N 0096-441 7, is the offi cial publicati on o f the Ameri can Horti cultural Society, 7931 East Boul evard Dri ve , Al exandria, Virginia 22308, (703) 768-5700, and is iss ued monthly. The Am eri can Horti cultural Soci ety is a nonprofit organi za ti on dedi cated to excell ence in ho rticulture. Membership in the Society includes a subscription to AMERI CAN HO RTICULTURIST. National membership dues a re $25; foreign dues are $35. $12 of dues a re designated for AM ERI CAN HORTICULTURIST. Copyright © 1987 by the Ameri ca n Horticultural Society. Second-class postage paid at Alexandria, Virgin ia, and at additional mailing o ffi ces. Postmaster: Pl ease se nd Form 3579 to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST , P.O. Box 0 105, Mount Vernon, VA 2212 1.

EDITO R, PUBLI CATIONS DIRECTOR: Virgin ia W. Loui sel!. SEN IO R ASS ISTANT EDITO R: Kathleen Y. Riley . ART DIRECTOR: Rebecca K. McClimans. ASSOCIAT E EDI TOR, HO RTICULTUR E: Bri an C. Little. ASS ISTA NT TO THE EDITO R: Ma rtha Palermo. MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: Sall ie Hutcheson. ADVERTISING: Ameri can Horticu ltural Society Adve rtising Depa rtment, 80 South Ea rl y Street, Al exandria, VA 22304. Phone (703) 823-6966. COLO R SE PARATI ONS: Chromogra phics, Inc. HO RTI CULTURA L CONSULTANTS: Gil bert S. Daniels, Jane Steffey . EDITO RIAL ADVISOR Y BO ARD: Dr. Gerald S. Ba rad, Flemington, NJ; Dr. Harrison Flint, West Lafayette, IN ; Peter Loewer, Cochecton Center, N Y; Dr. Eli za beth McClintpck, Sa n Francisco, CAj Frederick McGourtny, Norfolk, CT j Janet M. Poor, Winnetka, IL j Maire Simington, Phoenix, AZ; Jane Steffey, Sy kesvill e, M D; Dr. Ja mes E. Swazey, Newark, DE; PhilIp E. Chandler, Sa nta Monica, CA.

American Horticulturist PRESIDENT'S PAGE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Season's Greetings omCERS 1987-1988 Mrs. Carolyn Marsh Lincbay Rochester, New York President Mrs. Harry J. Van de Kamp Pasadena, California n behalf of the Board of Directors and the staff First Vice President Mrs. John M. Maury at River Farm, I want to wish each of you a joy­ Washi ngton, D.C. Second Vice President ous holiday season and a New Year filled with Mrs. Charles W. Allen, Jr. great gardening experiences! Our gift to you, Glenview, Kentuckv Secretary . and our New Year's resolution, is to make your American Mr. Ri[hani J. Hutton West Grove, Pennsvlvan ia Horticultural Society a more exciting, enjoyable, and re­ Treasurer ' Mr. Everitt L Miller warding Society for all its members. Kennett Square, Pennsylvania We are thrilled about the plans for our 1988 Annual Immediate Past President Meeting, scheduled April 14-16 in Atlanta, Georgia at the BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mrs. Charles W. Allen, Jr. height of the spring season. Each day will be packed with Glenview, Ken tucky exciting events, from internationally recognized speakers Mr. Ri[hard C. Angino Harrisburg, Pennsylvania whom you will meet at receptions and dinners to entrees Gerald S. Band, M.D. Flemington, New ]ersev to Atlanta's most exquisite private gardens. Mrs. Benjamin P. Bole, Jr. The Southern hospitality extended to our Planning Com­ Cleveland, Ohio Mr. J. Jucbon Brooks mittee has been overwhelming! The distinguished Atlanta Sewicklev, Pennsylvania Dr. Henry M. Cathey Botanical Garden, its Board of Directors, and Ann Cram­ Washington, D.C. mond, the Executive Director, have rolled out the red car­ Mr. Russen Clark Boston, MassachusettS pet for us all. Mrs. Erastus Corning, n Albany, New York The meeting has been scheduled to follow the Williams­ Mr. Edward N. Dane burg Garden Symposium April 10-13, enabling our gar­ Boston, Massachusetts Mr. Ri[hanl J. Hutton dening enthusiasts to attend both events. You may extend West Grove, Pennsylva nia Mrs. Carolyn Marsh Lincbay this "Great Garden Week" even further by taking our Rochester, New York post-conference tour to Callaway Gardens. Mrs. John M. Maury Washington, D.C. In response to numerous requests we have shortened the Mr. Everitt L Miller Kennett Square, Pennsvlvania meeting to three days, reduced the costs substantially, and Mrs. Edward King Poor, III arranged a variety of hotel accommodations for your selec­ Wi nnetka, Illinois Dr. Julia W. Rappaport tion. Santa Ana, California Mrs. Philip Temple If you have never been to an Annual Meeting previously, Little Compton, Rhode Island mark your calendar and give yourself a gift-a trip to At­ Mr. Roy G. Thomas Woodstock, Vermont lanta. Meet with the officers and directors, and join us in Mrs. Harry J. Van de Kamp Pasadena, Californ ia congratulating the recipients of our distinguished awards. Mr. John H. Whitworth, Jr. Most important of all, bring your suggestions for mold­ New York, New Yo rk Mrs. Jean Verity Woodhull ing the future of the American Horticultural Society. Da)~o n , Ohio Come, participate, and share this glorious gardening expe­ Dr. John A. Wott Seattle, Wash ington nence by bringing a friend! EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mr. Pieter F. Oe[hsle

2 December 1987 Is your garden mlssing jewel-like flowers floating on a one of the most satisfying forms of gardening. If you shimmering water surface and the darting brilliance of haven't one, you are missing a great deal of satisfaction goldfish? Are you missing the melodic sounds of water from your garden. spilling from a fountain, vessel or waterfall? Let LJ.1ypons and TETRA POND help you to get started What you need in your garden is a water lily pool. A water today by ordering one of our durable TETRA POND 32 mil, illy pool is a garden whose plants like damp to very wet flexible 2 ply PVC pool liners. So easy to mstall and main­ feet. Fish and frogs like to live there and butterflies will tain you will ask yourself why you waited so long to begin like your garden better than ever. A water garden is simply this advepture. Choose from the seven sizes listed (sizes are approximate, for depth l¥iI ' to 2' to your own deSign.): o LUypons water garclerting eatalogue subscription ...... 8 4 . 0 8' x 12 ' liner makes 4 ' x 8 ' pool ...... 8 99 o 10' x 16' liinermakes 6' x 12' pool...... 8145 0 13 ' x 13' Uner makes 9' x 9 ' pool ...... 8165 o 13' .x 20' llnermakes 9 ' x 16' pool...... , .. , ...... 8199 0 16' x 23' liner makes 13 ' x 19' pool ... ' ...... 8299 o 20' x 26' liner makes 26' x 22' pool ...... , ...... 8399 0 23' x 30' liner makes 19 ' x 26 ' pool ...... 8499 Use your personal check or circle credit card: AE CEl CH DC MC VS .

. Card Number: Exp. Date _ =..".______--_--~---- Name Address City _____~ '-"""=~~ ______~~ ___~_~ __ State ~~~""__-Zip ~~ ___ Phone( Catalogue free with Uner order. Maryland (5%) and Texas (5-1/ 8%) reSidents please add sales tax. Lilypons Water Gardens 1526 A,mhort Road 1526 Lllypons Road P,O. Box 10 P .O. Box 188 Lilypons, Maryland 21717-0010 Brookshire, Texas 77423-0188 (301) 874-5133 Washington Local 428-0686 (713) 934-8525 Houston Local 391-0076 4 December 1987 THE DESIGN PAGE Garden Reflections

his month marks the fifth anni­ virtues: patience, flexibility, honesty, and versary of "The Design Page." To the ability to gracefully relinquish precon­ Tcelebrate the occasion, I le afed ceived ideas, to name only a few. through a thick stack of past issues of There have been many times when I have American Horticulturist and finally found drawn a design and specified certain plants my first column, titled "What is the Pur­ through visualizing the finished effect of pose of a Garden?" After five yea rs, I was seasonal combinations of foliage, flower curious to see if my ideas had changed and color, texture, and form. And while I've if the column had accomplished what it tried like some mad computer to take ab­ set out to do. solutely everything about the site and soil Surprisingly, a lot of things in that first conditions into consideration, a small per­ column still hit home. I still think a garden centage of plants will simply fail, while represents different things to different peo­ others will thrive, self-sow, and delight in ple. As a pl ace where our sense of wonder their new home. is stirred and illuminated, a garden is both One woodland walk immediately comes a means of self-expression and a place of to mind. Here, within a framework of na­ quietude and peace where we can regain tive trees and shrubs, I planned drifts of a sense of our own connection with nature. yellow and white Aquilegia, Polygonatum During these past five years I have writ­ odoratum 'Variegatum', Tiarella cordi­ ten on many aspects of garden design­ folia, ferns, and Lobelia Cardinalis and I". everything from garden architecture, seats, siphilitica for late summer color. At the gates, walls and fences, to such very sub­ end of the first year, the Tiarella cordifolia jective topics as color and fragrance. The had all but disappeared on the left side of columns about plants have ranged from the walk, but on the right side were happily trees to ground covers, spring bulbs to vines. thriving. Probably half the Aquilegia failed Perennials have been an important subject; to come through the winter, but the re­ their culture and maintenance, seasonal maining clumps grew quite large, and this color, the value of foliage, and the succes­ year I noticed hundreds Qf seedlings. After sion of bloom are only a few of the topics three years, the Polygonatum seems to be I have explored. barely holding its own, while the Lobelia While these topics are useful tools in species are wintering well and blooming creating a garden, probably the most im­ prolifically. portant advice I could give any new or At this stage of the garden's develop­ experienced gardener would be, "Don't be ment there are a couple of different ap­ afraid to experiment." The best gardeners proaches I might take. I could stick slav­ I know, those whose gardens are a rich ishly to the plan and with a great deal of and spontaneous expression of their unique effort rework the soil, replant the Poly­ personal styles, have acquired a good bit gonatum, buy more Aquilegia of the right of knowledge about plant culture and the . colors, and replant them. Instead, I have many varieties available, but more impor­ decided to work with the garden, listening tant, they delight in exploring their own to what it is obviously trying to tell me. A ideas. good percentage of those self-sown Aqui­ Any garden, large or small, is also a great legia will become a major feature in late teacher. If we are willing to be receptive, May and June, and because the Lobelia we'll learn any number of useful human species are doing so well, they will be an

Achillea and Sedum create a harmonious color combination in this cottage garden, but the spontaneity of such an effect may take years of careful attention to achieve.

American Horticulturist 5 mE DESIGN PAGE

important feature fo r the end of the summer. O ri gin ally envisioned as low mainte­ nance, this woodland garden has taken about three years to settle into its own rhythm, so I fi gured why fu ss around with it? It is lovely and still in keeping with the character o f the original pl an, and the money and time saved can easil y be put to better use in another area of the garden. T he creation o f a good garden or land­ scape does not happen in a year or two; it can take decades, even a lifetime of de­ veloping and refining ideas. Along with patience and long-range vision, good gar­ ...~1QoIIM"" "" .. '.' dening demands a gardener with an ob­ ~Ji;;; jecti ve and critical eye, someone who is !,~~.~., not afraid to make changes and can step enJoy your greenery without back from what has been created and say, trees, wreaths and greens there's worrying about shedding. " Heavens, that is the worst-looking mess !" one thing you should have IIIII A. Ask for Wilt-Pruf at your then get out there with pitchfork and trowel on hand: Wilt-Pruf®. V nursery or garden supply and gi ve it another go. Wilt-Pruf gives ever- PRUf®center. It will help eliminate It also takes courage, but of a different greens and plants a protec- needle and leaf drop. Plus it's sort, to recogni ze the beginning of a great idea and take it slowly, often labori ously, tive coating that holds in ANTlT.ANSPIRANT biodegradable and organic. Guards against through its many stages of development, moisture. maisture loss That should put Wilt-Pruf at And that means you can year'r(JUnd. the top of your list. ending with something th at looks uncon­ po. Box 4280, Greenwich, CT 06830-0280. trived, spontaneous, and honest. At some point in the development of a garden, parti cul arl y in the conceptuali za­ tion and development of an overall land­ scape plan, it certainl y is not cheating to Pari

s I watered my plants one morning, I was thrilled to discover a flower Abud on a plant I had purchased in England eighteen months ea rli er. This plant had been sprayed with insecticide, re­ moved from its pot, and maIled bare-rooted from England to John F. Kennedy Ai rport in New York. There it sat fo r more than two weeks, waiting to clear customs and agri cultural inspecti on. It finally arrived in my hometown post office on the Fourth of July and mi ght have had to languish ye t one day more in its dark box had not the postal worker on holiday duty been a fe l­ low gardener. He telephoned me at once to come get the plant. Eighteen months did not seem to be an excessively long recovery peri od for a plant subjected to such rough treatment. I checked again to be sure that what I had seen was not a new leaf. No, a leaf tip would have been thin. This was fat, a fat little bud which, if all went well, would become an elegant ladyslipper blossom. The lovely ladyslipper o rchids of the North American woods are both a joy and a bane to gardeners. These showy pl ants of the genus Cypripedium, also called pouch or moccasin flowers, are notoriously dif­ ficult to transpl ant and maintain in cul­ tivation. Their tropical southeast Asian cousins, once cl assified as cypripediums but now pl aced by taxono mists in the ge­ nus Paphiopedilum, are much easier to grow. The pl ant I purchased in England is a hybrid of paphiopedilum. If some atten­ tion is given to paphs' special needs, they make excellent houseplants and will bloom reliably every year. Individual fl owers last from one to three months on the plant and nearly as long when cut for flower ar­ rangements. Many orchid plants look impressive only when in flower. This is not true o f pa­ phiopedilums, which have attractive leaves as well as exotic blossoms. A number of varieties have leaves which are beautifully This striking example of Paphiopedilum mitylene boasts both a showy blossom and the attrac­ mottled with several shades of green. tive foliag~ characteristic of this genus. Paphs are much easier to grow than their co usins, the The tip of paphiopedilum flowers has ladyslipper orchids of the North American woods.

American Horticulturist 7 NOW ... BY MAIL! THE INDOOR GARDENER Unusual, Hard­ To-Find Flower been modified into the pouch or slipper­ rather than beautiful. Paphiopedilum ap­ Arranging shaped structure which gives the plants pletonianum is one of these. Its small green Supplies: their common name. In most species and flowers are narrow and have pink petal Tool, Techniques, hybrids the pouch is smooth and glossy, tips. Flowerheads are carried on top of Tricks of the Trade almost waxy in appearance. The sepals and stems that seem oversized in comparison. petals of some varieties also appear waxy, Its leaves are mottled. P. appletonianum SPECIAL OFFER­ so that the flowers look artificial. In other is an oddity, but it is a very reliable bloomer. MAKES A GREAT varieties, the petals may be covered with GIFT: warts or hairs, or both. Some species have The thin petals much longer than the other flower parts, fancifully twisted to resemble If attention is given to Original handlebar mustaches or corkscrews. paphs'special needs, Asian ladyslippers, whose flowers are Stem from two to nine inches wide, come in they make excellent every color but blue. Although many spe­ Stripper cies are a combination of green, white, and houseplants and will A unique tool for removing maroon, others are red, rust, rose, orange, thorns and leaves from tan, yellow or a wine color so deep it ap­ bloom every year. stems. pears to be black. The colors may be subtly 95 including onI y $9ea postage [, brushed on the flowers or boldly arranged handling in spots and stripes. Flowers are usually borne singly on stems ranging from a few One of the loveliest orchid hybrids, with Catalog ... $1.00 inches to a foot and a half tall. A few green and white striped flowers and mot­ M.C. & VISA ACCEPTED species carry two to four flowers per stem; tled leaves, is Paphiopedilum X Maudiae, The Keth Company some have only one flower open at a time first made from a cross between the alba P.O. Box 645 but keep making new buds at the end of (colorless) forms of P. callosum 'Sanderae' Corona del Mar, the stem so that they are almost always in and P. lawrenceanum 'Hyeanum'. (The California 92625 bloom. The only thing the flowers lack is cross was made later between the normally fragrance. colored forms of those species. The re­ Some paphiopedilums are much easier sulting purple-striped hybrids are desig­ to grow and flower than others; it is these nated "coloratum" to distinguish them from you should try if you don't have a green­ the more popular green-striped ones.) Many house. The large, round-flowered waxy orchid culture books call P. X Maudiae a hybrids derived from Paphiopedilum in­ beginner's orchid because it is supposedly signe and a few other species are very easy easy to grow. From my experience, this is to grow. The species P. hirsutissimum, not an easy paph and should be tried only whose hairy green and brown flowers have after you have been successful in growing fat rose or lavender petal tips, will quickly some of the plants recommended above. I grow into a clump with several mature have tried to grow it several times. Not Country Casual plants, each of which produces a short­ only have the plants failed to bloom, but Tht' (iarden and IxisUfe Furniturt' :-'pecialisb stemmed flower. Another very easy species they have gotten smaller from year to year A superior collection of dil'erse desiWls to cultivate is P. sukhakulii, a mottled-leaf until they disappeared altogether! from England's major jOineries variety with green and white striped flow­ Another group of paphiopedilums that and custOn! lI'orkshops. ers whose pointed petals are spotted dark I do not recommend for beginners includes SOLID TEAKWOOD maroon and held nearly horizontally. It the species P. bellatulum, P. concolor, P. BENCHES· CHAIRS· TABLES seems unbelievable that this showy species godefroyae, P. niveum, and especially P. SWINGS· PlANTERS was discovered in Thailand as recently as delenatii. These are diminutive plants with Immediate shipment from our own 1964! It has been much used in hybrid­ mottled foliage and beautiful, round flow­ Maryland w;!rehouse. Country Casual izing, and the hybrids made from it seem ers in shades of yellow, pink or white that pays the freight. to share its ease of culture. seem to have very special requirements. If Colour catalogue $2.00 Paphiopedilum hennisianum, P. argus, you are charmed by them, as I have been, Call or write for more information and P. urbanianum, which were also dis­ I suggest that you try hybrids between these and some of the easier to grow species or COUNTRY CASUAl. - CAH covered quite recently, are all easily grown 17317 Germantown Road and have green, maroon, and white flow­ hybrids. Germantown, MD 20874·2999 ers and mottled leaves. The plants grow The best way to begin growing paphio­ ( 301 ) 540-0040 fairly rapidly and bloom reliably for me pedilums is to visit a flower show or orchid every year. P. tonsum, also an easy grower, nursery and purchase a mature plant in ~I~ ENSURE AUTHENTICITY • has very shiny, greenish-tan blossoms with bloom. You not only will know what the SPECIFY warts on the petals. flowers look like, but that the plant is free ~ ~ MADE IN ENGLAND A few easily grown paphs are curious Continued on page 32

8 December 1987 The largest and most famous seed catalogue in the world ...

A glowing tribute to our founder, William Thompson, who in 1855 started his unbroken record of flower and vegetable seeds. A Royal Horticultural Soc. gold medalist and a recipient of rare seeds from Charles Darwin he initiated the modern policy of T&M. Acknowledged in the 1977 Guinness Book of World Records' 'To bring the widest possible range of varieties for your enjoyment.

* Over 4000 varieties. * Scores of NEW ones. * 236 pages (9x6" approx.l * Every page in color. * State growing information. * Soil & position info. * Germination gen. * Green fingers guide. CZ1t.ompso1l. ,-.------,Don't" delay, send today ~ I To: Thompson and Morgan Inc., Dept 6 , Jackson. N.J . 08527 . LIIIl 8f> eiMorga1l. Please send me your FREE 236 page seed catalogue. I Name . I 'The SeedsmeT[ % 1.1855 1'~ rlf..) Address I Suppliers 0f seeds ~.: ~~O City ...... to the Royal Families of virtually every country in Europe I and leading Botanical Gardens throughout the world. l!t~ . ~ . ~ . ~ ";":";"'"~ . ~ ~ . ~.. ~ . ~ . ~ .. ~.. .J STRANGE RELATIVES The Pepper Family

rom ancient times, pepper had such value in the commerce of the Old FWorld that it was one of the treas­ ures sought by explorers who, in looking for the Spice Islands, found the New World. There they found plants with a peppery taste and called them peppers. But those plants were not true peppers: botanically, they were quite different. The New World peppers, capsicums or red peppers, are of the potato family, Solanaceae. True pep­ pers belong to the pepper family, Pipera­ c ceae, the vine peppers of the Far East, and o are the subject of this column. S oj The genus Piper, from which the family .D'"o name is derived, consists of a thousand or c:r: more species of shrubby, treelike, or climb­ ABOVE: Peperomia Sandersii is very popular as a houseplant; it is sometimes listed as P. ar­ ing plants with a pungent odor, widely gyreia. RIGHT: P. ariseoargentea, a species from Brazil, is an ornamental peperomia that distributed in tropical and subtropical re­ closely resembles a small heartleaf philodendron. gions of Asia and the South Pacific. Their often ornamental alternate leaves are sim­ vine from the tropical forests of monsoon Pepper has become basic to cooking in ple, with flowers arising opposite the leaves. regions of Asia, whose fruit-the pepper­ most countries of the world. The many These flowers, without sepals or petals but corn-was one of the earliest spices known. distinct varieties in the trade vary in aroma subtended by leaflike bracts, are extremely From the days of the ancient Greeks and and pungency, size and color, and are often small and densely clustered on a spike. Romans, peppercorns were a caravan im­ called after their place of origin. Pepper is One-seeded fruits (berries) are produced port to Europe by overland trade routes best bought whole because the aroma of on the spike. The most prominent member between India and Europe. They have been pepper is fugitive and also because ground of the pepper family, Piper nigrum, is a used for barter, tribute, and ransom. In pepper is easily adulterated. Peppercorns the Middle Ages, Venice and Genoa were keep almost indefinitely. the centers of distribution; their monopoly Pepper berries contain the alkaloid pi­ of the trade prompted the Western traders' perine, which is a stimulant; when ingested search for a sea route to the Far East. it causes a flow of saliva and gastric juices Black pepper is grown today throughout and so is an aid to diges tion. In this context the East Indies and the islands of the South pepper has had some limited uses in med­ Pacific and India, and has been introduced ICine. into tropical areas of Africa and the West­ Another species, Piper methysticum, has ern Hemisphere. In suitably warm, wet cli­ been under investigation for its possible mates of the tropics, the dark green leaves drug content. This fascinating member of and hanging strings of berries are trained the pepper family from the Fiji Islands is on concrete posts or in the shade trees of used by natives to prepare Kawa Kawa, a coffee plantations. drink identified in some references as " the Piper nigrum gives us both black and national beverage of the Polynesians." It white pepper. The berries are first green is the most powerful soporific in existence. and then, when ripe, bright orange-red. The plant was first scientifically described Collected berries are immersed in boiling by a father and son team of botanists who One of the Western world's water for ten minutes, which turns them accompanied Captain Cook on his second earliest spices was the fruit black, and are then spread on mats to dry voyage to the South Seas in 1776. They of Piper nigrum, which for three or four days. The black pepper were welcomed to the islands by the na­ of commerce is the finely ground fruit of tives with libations which had a strange gives us both black and P. nigrum. When the skin and pulp are narcotic effect and witnessed the cere­ removed from the fruit and only the seeds monial preparation of Kawa Kawa from white pepper. Anita Sabarese are ground, white pepper is the result. th e macerated roots of P. methysticum.

10 December 1987 American Horticulturist 11 STRANGE RELATIVES

Piper betle is a shrubby vine widely cul­ nineteenth century. The berries have also tivated in southeast Asia for use as a mas­ been crushed and smoked in cigarettes for We Grow ticatory. Its fresh green leaves, called "pan," relief of catarrh and ·asthma. However, Beautiful Perennials are chewed with slaked lime and betel nut beneficial effects of cubebs are too uncer­ A t A Price XQ!! Will Like!!! (the fruit of Areca catechu) as a stimulant tain to offset undesirable side effects, hence of sorts. The plants that return to bloom season it has been replaced by more reliable rem­ after season for years of easy pleasure, Another climbing shrub grown in the edies. our specialty . .. Perennials. tropics of the Orient and the West Indies While vine peppers have value as food White Iberis for early spring, for its fruit is P. cubeba. The dried fruits and medicine, another important branch summer's perky Shasta Daisies and are aromatic, with a taste that is pungent, of the family has aesthetic appeal, the pe­ fall for blooming Chrysanthemums . .. acrid, and slightly bitter. Dried untipe fruits peromias. Peperomias differ basically from Perennials beautify your home. are medicinally important in some parts the shrubby, vining members of the genus Bluestone grows over 300 varieties of the world. Most of the commercial sup­ Piper in being herbaceous, and are native of perennials which are shipped in ply of b~rries is shipped from Jakarta and to the Western Hemisphere as well as the full growth - easy to plant and each Singapore. Cubeb camphor, a drug sepa­ Orient. On the basis of certain aflatomical plan t guaran teed. rated from the berries, was used ifl Europe differences, they are segregated by some Send for our free catalog. We will be as a spice from the eleventh century and authorities as a separate family--Peper­ pleased to hear from you. as a diuretic from the beginning of the omiaceae. However, pepper family char- Name ______

Address ______

State ___ SOME WEll-KNOWN ORNAMENTAL PEPEROMlAS Z ip ______• P. argyrttia - Watermelon Begonia; Watermelon PepeFomia. (P. sandersu). 7225 Middle AR excellem apd very popular houseplant, this species is an herb six to ten Ridge Rd. iRGhes high. Reddish petioles are attached Rear the center of the underside of Madison, the 0vate leaf. Nifle to eleven veins radiate from the base of the leaf. Dark Ohio 44057 green and silver zones altemate on the surface and resernble the marking on waterrnelon l'ifld. Flower spikes gFOW three to five in a dl:lster. • P. caperata - Emerald Ripple; Green Ripple; Little Fantasy. This wrinkled-leaf species is a compact, tufted plant, six inches or more in Its ~rm~t for height, wi.th short stems. The glossy, dark greefl leaves, on reddish petioles, are the Very Finest in strongly rippled or cOfI'l:lgated. It produces maflY spikes of white flowers on Miniature Roses reddish stems six inches long. • P. ariseoargentea - Platinum Pepemmia; Silverleaf Peperomia; Ivy Peper­ emia. We carry the best This species frolJ.l Brazil resembles a small heartleaf whilodefldron. It is a selection, featur­ compact, tufted pla,nt with very short stems. Moderately puckered leaves are glossy and gray to silvery cream above, darker along the depf(~ ssed veins. ing the very best Flower stalks are four to five inches long on feddish stems. of the older and • P. obrusifoJia - Ovalleaf Peperomia; Blunt-leaved Peperomia; 8aby Rubber­ plant. the very newest This prostrate plant from tropical America and south Florida has wrinkled varieties. reddish stems whicn 1'00t at the joiflts. The fleshy leaves taper at the base and ar(;l rounded and notched at the tip. Spikes are s0litary OF in pairs. Numerous cultivars of this species are available; a variegated forrn is most ohen seen. It has a long history i~ cultivation. • P. fraseri - Flowering Peperomia. This plant from Ecuador is the only peperomia that makes a fair flower dis­ play. It has a tueeFous base and erect branched stems which grow to two feet tall. Stems, peti0les, and flower stalks are red. Basal leaves, in a rosette, are very succulent. Stem leaves are ifl whorls of three to five in the lower part and opposite or alternate above and less su<::mlent. White flower spikes are 10flg­ Address staLked, pyramidal pan ides. City • P. r:ubelJa A six-ipGh plam with hairy stems, erect and much-branched. Stems and pet­ State Zip ioles are crimson. Oval leaves in whorls of four, about half an inch long, ate .for~t Miniature Roses, Inc. dark green, someuimes with fletted pattern above afld crimson befleath. Its 58 Hammond Street, Dept. AH slender sWikes, either t€rminal or axillary, aF€..one inch long. Rowley, Massachusetts 01969 ------______-I

12 December 1987 THATCHED ROOF acteristics are shared by the genus Peper­ omia: simple, entire leaves; minute flowers BIRD densely clustered on a spike; and tiny one­ seeded berrylike fruits. About a thousand HOUSES species make up this genus of low-growing I perennial plants (the few annuals among I them are not in cultivation). They are trop­ I ical and subtropical herbs, distributed I mainly in North and South America and A TRULY I the West Indies. Several species are natives DRAMATIC EXPERIENCE I of Florida. In their jungle homes, many FOR YOUR PLANTS-LIQUID grow as epiphytes and others crawl and CONCENTRATE, GUARANTEED RESULTS I sprawl over stumps and roots on the jungle I Made in England by "cottage industry." JUNGLE JUICE (2-5-4) for fantastic foliage floor. Still others live an almost xerophytic The Thatched Roof Bird Ho uses have the growth and super green. I life akin to that of succulent plants. To charm of Fo lk ·craft .... o ne of th ose pleasant GRANNY'S BLOOMERS (0-6-5) ZERO nitrogen I thrive, they require warm temperatures and touches that make the English Gardens and special trace for abundant african violet I high atmospheric humidity but little soil fam ous. The house is a rustic hollowed blooms, you won't believe your eyes. branch with a flat back to hang o n a wall , I moisture. All are semisucculent with leaves CACTUS JUICE (1-7-6) For outstanding fence, or tree . A stub of a stem is the perch . specimens and helps promote flowering. that hold water in reserve. Twigs are fitted to hold the thatching. 10" I The diversity of foliage of peperomias high . Easy to clean o ut. Writes a reordering FLOWER CRACKER (1-6-5) For Impatiens, I Orchids. Bromcliads, Geraniums, all flowering and the different forms in which the plants customer: " ... my thatched bird house is th e I talk of th e neighborhood." Only 18.95 plants. grow give each species its distinct character each. Shipping $2.00 6oz. bottle makes 12 gals. capful measure. I and charm. The variegated foliage of some $3.85 ppd. Any 4-6oz. bUs., $11.85 ppd. I species is especially attractive, as is the The Walt Nicke Free catalog write I venation which lends pattern and color to Company the leaves of others. Fleshiness of leaves is P.O. Box 433A. 36 McLeod Lane Dept. AHS n Clarel common and the leaves of some varieties Topsfield. MA 01983 Deerfield, IL 60015 '" LaboratOries. Inc are fringed with hairs. The curious, slim­ flowering spikes attract attention standing above the leaves. There are many ornamentals, but one species of Peperomia, P. vividaspica, is cul­ tivated for food rather than ornament. Leaves and stems of this epiphytic species of are eaten uncooked in parts of Central and South America. The word "pepper" is incorporated in the names of various plants other than those EARTHLY DELIGHTS of Piperaceae. There are the hotly pungent capsicums and the red peppers previously FREE 1988 CATALOG mentioned. The spicy essential oils of Men­ • • Glorious, early-blooming A complete gardener's tha X piperita account for its being called annuals, fresh-tasting manual, our new Catalog the peppermint. The whole plant of Cal­ vegetables and zesty also includes tools, ifornia peppertree, Schinus mol/e, is rich herbs. Johnny's new accessories, books and in volatile essential oils which smell very Catalog contains over recipes, plus a wealth of information that much like true pepper; in addition, the 400 hardy seed varie­ ties that will tum your will help make you a pendulous clusters of its fruit have some backyard into a garden better gardener. Mail resemblance to the little fruits of Piper ni­ of earthly delights - even the coupon for your Free grum. The pleasantly pungent rootstock if you are subject to short growing Catalog today. of Dentaria gives it the name pepperroot. seasons with challenging weather! At Johnny's Selected Seeds, we have been r------And there are more! committed for over 14 years to developing I YES! Send my FREE Catalog. But true pepper has an identity all its the most productive, dependable seeds, for I Name------­ own in the plant kingdom, and we can your complete satisfaction. Every seed variety we sell must meet our exacting Address ------­ appropriately acknowledge it when we use I this ancient seasoning. Its ornamental rel­ standards of appearance, high­ germination, disease resistance and flavor. Town------­ ative-Peperomia-by its very name re­ That's why gardeners across the country I State Zip--­ minds us of their botanical kinship. have come to depend on us for bountiful I Jolmny' s Selected Seeds -Jane Steffey harvests of superior quality, regardless of regional conditions. 100 Foss Hill Road Jane Steffey is an editorial advisor to Albion, Maine 04910 American Horticulturist.

American Horticulturist 13 • n at Key Biscayne 14 December 1987 BY RUBY WEINBERG Many a gardener has wondered what it would be like to live in a botanical garden. Few of us can create a garden so large and so varied that each day, as we walk outside, we can discover some extraordinary plant unfolding into a new phase ofgrowth.

American Horticulturist 15 hen Fritz Scharen­ berg decided to build residential housing in Ke y Biscayne, Florida, he planned a condominium project on forty-five acres called Key Col­ ony. Although three areas were built in a fairly typical style, Scharenberg had a keen interest in horticulture and was inspired to plan the fourth differently. The twelve acres of landscaping were to include over five hundred species oftropical shrubs, trees, vines, and other exotic plants. He named it Botanica. Scharenberg hoped that Botanica would appeal to homeowners who, for a variety of reasons, have found home and garden maintenance difficult or impossible. To some, not having a private garden is a par­ ticularly painful loss. Botanica's condo­ minium owners would be more than com­ pensated for such a loss by their surroundings. Key Biscayne is a remarkable place. It is located on Florida's southeast coast about five miles below Miami. "Key" comes from the Spanish word cayo, meaning "little is­ land." The string of keys that meander off this part of the Florida peninsula is con~ nected to the mainland by bridges or causeways. But they are distinct ecosys­ tems, barrier islands protected from cli­ matic extremes by coral reefs and the Gulf Stream. While most of southern Florida is subtropical, below freezing winter tem­ peratures are a sometime occurrence. The Keys, however, are truly tropical and can support plant and bird life that would not long survive in most of the continental United States. The world's rain forests are quickly dis­ appearing, and with them many species of tropical plants. Every fifteen minutes land clearers level a jungle area equal to the size of Central Park in New York City. It has been estimated that it would take up to a thousand years for the flora of these areas to regenerate if left undisturbed. Plant col­ lections of rain forest species are thus be­ coming more precious. Whether or not de­ veloper Scharenberg realized it, even small botanical gardens such as Botanica may save a few species that might otherwise become extinct. Botanica's plantings are selected to il­ lustrate many kinds of exotica. From the climbing vine Vanilla fragrans (an orchid) to the epiphytic bromeliads perched in its tallest deciduous and evergreen trees, Bo­ tanica is a microcosm of tropical areas throughout the world. In 1979, before developing Botanica, Scharenberg ~ alled in landscape architect

16 December 1987 Ron Oprzadek to plan the gardens and coordinate them with construction of the buildings. A recipient of numerous awards for his innovative landscape designs, Oprzadek was put in charge of a land­ scaping budget of over $2 million. The project was what most architects might have considered the ultimate opportunity, especially for a designer with a fine hor­ ticultural appreciation. But it was also a difficult job complicated by timetables, lack of space, and other logistical problems be­ cause the gardens had to be installed si­ multaneously with the condo construc­ tion. Throughout, heavy building equip­ ment hampered ease of passage. Protecting rare trees and shrubs from damage was a difficult undertaking. From the outset, the developer and the architect decided to plant ornamentals as mature specimens. Tall trees were needed to shield and shade understory plants from excessive sun and salt spray. Handling sizeable trees was not easy and timing was critical. On one occasion, forty-five large trees had to be planted in an hour and a half. Many others were lowered into their confined spaces by means of a helicopter. Merely trucking the trees to the site in­ volved obstacles because of a narrow drawbridge. One magnificent forty-five-foot Queen's crape-myrtle lost most of its branches as it encountered obstructions at the tollbooth on the bridge. Fortunately, the tree recovered and is now one of the garden'S most beautiful specimens. As in all fine gardens, careful attention was given to soil preparation. Before man invaded Key Biscayne its sandy soils had been a hardwood hammock. Much of the land in southern Florida is low and swampy; hammocks are areas on higher ground supporting entire communities of plants, often carried in by birds or ocean currents from the Caribbean Islands. In 1910 the Key Biscayne hammock was cut down and" planted as a Nutrient-consuming coconur plantation; in more recent years it was a golf course. Soil replacement throughout four-story buildings connected in a laby­ FACING PAGE: Tall, slender palms, Ptycho­ Botanica was therefore of the highest rinth. Every apartment has an outside deck sperma elegans, are contrasted with Neoveit­ priority. with a view of part of the gardens. Home­ chia storck ii, a Fiji Island solitaire palm, in front of the white buildings. TOP: Ixora Topsoil brought in from parts of Dade owners are encouraged to grow seasonal 'Nora Grant' has brilliant flowers; it is just County in taNdem trucks was augmented flowers in deck planters equipped with au­ one example of the exotic flowering shrubs with quantities of peat from bogs in central tomatic irrigation. A workroom and bo­ found throughout Botanica's grounds. Florida. Ron Oprzadek also supervised the tanicallibrary are available to residents. ABOVE, LEFT: Pistia stratiotes grows on the surface of Botanica's lagoon. ABOVE, salvage of soils retrieved from filled-in golf Each cluster of buildings overlooks an RIGHT: Hawaiians make skirts from the course ponds. Carefully dried and mixed interior atrium. The atria plantiflgs were leaves of Cordyline terminalis, known as the with topsoil, this heavy soil proved excel­ positioned over the parking garages to make ti plant. Botanica provides an opportunity for lent for new tree plantings. The many effective use of available space. Corridors visitors to see plants that they may previously have seen only in greenhouses or as house waterproof planters throughout the gar­ are rimmed with handrail planters from plants. dens required gravel bases with a lighter which plants gracefully cascade. These soil mix incorporating large amounts of "spillover" plants are on three levels; the peat and cypress sawdust. atria are lush gardens of plants, pools, and Botanica's basic design consists of eight fountains.

American Horticulturist 17 series of hallways, ramps, are Scheff/era arbicola and Ligustrum si­ Other unusual palms include Caryota steps, elevators, and coral nense 'variegatum', the Chinese privet. The ochlandra, the Canton fishtail palm, one and gravel pathways con­ latter appears all white in the sunshine and of the few of its kind outside of China; nect the entire garden and provides a splendid contrast to the sur­ Archontophoenix, a rare palm from lead in and out of five lob­ rounding greenery. Queensland, Australia; and Chamaedorea bies, each with a special To this northern gardener, a palm tree tuerckheimii from Costa Rica. The latter, plant collection. There are also two ground had been the romantic symbol of the trop­ called the potato chip palm because of the level courtyards, Lagoon and Phoenix ics, and one palm was much like another. shape of its leaves, grows only an inch or Court. Walking and bicycling trails twine After examining Botanica's extensive col­ two per year. around the gardens, each with an ecolog­ lection, I realized that palms are exceed­ One palm is, at the moment, only a seed. ical theme: the Palmatum, the Sanctuary, ingly diverse. Leaves can resemble fans, But what a seed-the largest in the world! the Mahogany Trail, and the Hammocks. feathers, or fish tails, some smooth, some It is the rare Coco-de-mer, described in This complex design has been dia­ shaggy. Trunks vary from the fat to the detail in David Attenborough's book, The grammed by the architect in a book that slender. The Balaka of Samoa is tall and Living Planet. The enormous nut looks is available to condo owners. Ron Oprza­ slim. (Samoan natives use them for spears.) like two coconuts joined together. Because dek has divided the garden into a hundred Some palms have multiple trunks, still others it is filled with hard flesh, it floats below observation stations; each area and its are bottle-shaped. An oddity, a Coccoth­ the surface when it falls into the ocean. plantings are described in cletail. Visitors rinax, or old man's palm, has a trunk cov­ Thus submerged, salt water kills it. For may ask for tour guides to identify inter­ ered with beard-like fibers. hundreds of years, sterile nuts were washed esting plants. None are labeled, since Bo­ Various palms are scattered throughout up on the shores of the Indian Ocean­ tanica was planned as an estate garden Botanica, many displayed in the Phoenix hence its name Coconut-of-the-sea-but rather than an arboretum. Courtyard. Phoenix is the name of date not until the eighteenth century did man My first view of Botanica unfolded as palms, but in Florida's humidity this edible discover the home of these huge trees­ an elevator took me from the parking ga­ fruit is of poor quality. Phoenix reclinata the Seychelle Islands. rage to the fourth story. On the rim of a has a special charm of its own; it is found A viable Coco-de-mer takes two years four-sided corridor, I observed plants on the edge of cliffs in Africa. It reclines to germinate. Botanica's was brought to hanging out and over the atrium. As Schar­ and then snakes back to one side, so for Oprzadek by a u .S. agricultural agent. It enberg put it: " Foliage hangs like em­ a designer it has dramatic landscaping pos­ will remain half-buried in gravelly sand broidery." The white stucco walls are en­ sibilities. Ron Oprzadek searched for un­ until it shows signs of life. It is hoped that hanced with the purple blooms of Lantana usual specimens of this tree. He located a successful attempt to germinate the nut montevidensis, the rosy flowers of Hibis­ and transplanted one shortly before a bull­ will increase the tree's restricted habitat. cus 'LaFrance', the red tubes of Russelia dozer leveled the site for a fast food outlet. Botanica's gardeners, like plantsmen equisetiformis (coral plant), the powder Another he discovered in a rundown area everywhere, have had some disappoint­ blue of Plumbago auriculata, or the ever­ of Sarasota on the front lawn of a halfway ments. Not long ago, a curious form of blooming yellow of Allamanda cathartica. house. The owner, a woman who cared Arecastrum romanzoffianum, the queen's Some, such as the hibiscus, are uprights for a dozen foster children, was overjoyed palm, was carefully planted. This tree has that have been pruned into trailing forms. when she was told that she would receive grown as a three-crowned specimen, rare Two plants not hlsually seen as cascaders a substantial sum of money for her tree. in nature. Unfortunately, hurricane-force

The Plan ofBotanic a at Key Biscayne

18 December 1987 winds toppled all three crowns, destroying the treasured specimen. Ron Oprzadek is particularly interested in cycads. There is a co ll ection of these in both Phoenix Court and the Mahogany Trail. Cycads, probably the food of her­ biverous dinosaurs, existed 225 millio n yea rs ago. (See article on page 27.) Cycad branches and leaves have characteristi cs of ferns, palms, and pines. The cones are usu­ all y quite decorative. Zamia furfuracea (same as Z. pumila) has a large female cone with bright red, bean-like seeds. But En­ cephalartos villosus has a la rge male cone, ye ll ow in color, also filled wi th red seeds ! Throughout Botanica, flowering trees are used as dramatic accents. Almost every tropical area of the world is represented; Bombax ceiba, the kapok from India; Cochlospermum vitifolium, the buttercup tree from Central and South America; Bra­ chychiton acerifolius, the Australian flame tree; and Syzigium jambos, Malaya'S rose apple. Bauhinias, though common in Flor­ ida landscapes, are among my own favor­ ites, especiall y Bauhinia variegata, the or­ chid tree, in bloom from January to May. Botanica's kapok tree was difficult to obtain. In spring, kapoks bear magnificent red flowers, followed later by fruits filled with si lky white seeds that are carried miles by th e wind. Curiously enough, even in the hands of experienced horticulturists the seeds are difficult to germinate. Cuttings, too, root with difficulty. Ron Oprzadek found a large tree in Boynton Beach, the property of a retired couple who previ­ ously ran a nursery. The nurseryman had tossed prunings from the tree onto his compost heap. One, a two-foot log, had sta rted to grow. Over a period of time, Botanica's ga rdeners root-pruned the log until it was ready to be moved. The tree has been brought to Botanica where it is now growing beautifully. Northerners seeking exotics for their so­ lariums and greenhouses will find many interesting flowering shrubs throughout the development. Some are improved cul­ tivars of familiar tropicals such as the bril­ liant hybrids Ixora 'Nora Grant', 'Super King', and 'Maui'. Clerodendrum is often grown under glass, but I had never before seen Clerodendrum speciosissimum, the glory-bower. Its foliage has a white cast and its red flowers are distinctly showy. A few other perennials, used as understory plants here, have possibilities as northern

Phoenix canariensis, a date palm, graces the entrance to the Palmatum Lobby. Each of the gardens has a particular ecological theme; the Palma tum contains Balaka of Samoa and Coccothrinax, or old man's palm.

American Horticulturist 19 dwarf banana, Musa rosea x velutina. Ba­ nanas have colorful bracts rather than bright flowers and this hybrid's are hot pink. The fruit is small and yellow. A local hobbyist made the cross. Also at this site is a little known African shrub called Miracle Fruit, Synsepalum dulcificum. Its tiny red fruit affects the taste buds in such a way that when an acidic fruit is consumed after the Miracle Fruit, it tastes sweet.

on Oprzadek revealed that of all the trees in the gar­ den, the Brazilian jaboti­ tica, Myrciaria cauliflora, is his favorite. It is a small evergreen located near The RLagoon bridge. Oprzadeksearched for some time for this particular specimen because he wanted a mature tree. Jabotiticas must be at least ten years old to fruit. Ron finally discovered a twenty-five-year-old jaboti­ tica in Delray Beach. The elderly couple who owned it were loath to part with it; only the fact that it would be displayed in ABOVE: Lantana montevidensis, or weeping container plants. They include the ginger­ a botanical garden persuaded them to give lantana, cascades from a handrail planter. like Dichorisandra warscewicziana, with up their treasure. Jabotiticas, unlike most Lantanas, natives of South America, grow wild in parts of Florida. ABOVE, RIGHT: A purple flowers; the bat flower, 'Tacca fruit trees, bear individual purple "grapes" species of Calyptrogyne, an Australian swamp chantrieri; and the Australian brush cherry, on their trunks and stems. The tree is not palm. BELOW, LEIT: Dioon emvercottum, a Syzygium paniculatum. The latter "down easy to grow in southern Florida unless native Mexican cycad. BELOW, RIGHT: under" shrub has small, shiny leaves (red the soil around it is amended with iron Bombax ceiba, India's kapok tree, is also when young) with white flowers, followed and other missing elements. Jabotiticas are called the silk cotton tree. by edible red fruit. worth it, according to Oprzadek, because Many common house plants can be seen "the grapes" are utterly delectable. Rac­ in their natural environment. To me, it was coons think so, too, for wherever these quite a shock to see the schefflera Brassaia animals are present, man seldom gets to actinophylla grown to full height as a land­ harvest much of the fruit. scape plant and topped with spikes that Behind Botanica's swimming pool is an protrude high above it. The spikes bear area called The Sanctuary. At the entrance fascinating clusters of red fruit. to this peaceful retreat is the lychee, Litchi Fruit, spice, and nut trees are used or­ chinensis, a spreading, moderate-sized tree. namentally. Pesticides, especially fungi­ Chinese restaurants sometimes offer ly­ cides, keep the trees clean and attractive chees as a dessert fruit. The nuts grow in but are applied too heavily for consump­ clusters on the branches. When the thin, tion of the edible parts. Many fruit trees leathery shells turn red, the nuts are ready were placed around The Lagoon. The La­ to be harvested. The fruits within are white goon is a free-form, manmade pond, shaped and juicy. like a large and small pear with the narrow The Sanctuary is so thickly planted that ends joined together. A bridge crosses at it is difficult to realize that just beyond the the narrows, and two falls of recirculated thirty-foot hedge is the busy thoroughfare, water create a naturalistic effect. Here, amid Crandon Boulevard. Nature-loving condo lush tropical foliage, three terraces of gravel, owners and visitors are undoubtedly drawn coral, and wood ties, connected with steps to this area because it is a wild bird refuge. and paths, completely surround the shal­ Key Biscayne provides a habitat for north­ low waters. ern migrating birds, West Indian species, A sweet fragrance permeates the air and "exotics"--caged pets that have es­ around The Lagoon in autumn when the caped from captivity. There are also per­ Chinese loquat, Eriobotrya japonica, manent residents; Green or Great Blue blooms. Two of these evergreens face each Herons are often seen feeding in the shal­ other on the upper landing. The delicate low waters of The Sanctuary's pond. Frogs, flowers are followed by yellow fruit which turtles, iguanas, and herbiverous birds ripens in midwinter. munch on aquatic plants. Near a waterfall at The Lagoon is the The Hammocks is the last stop on Ron

20 December 1987 Oprzadek's diagrammed tour. This area, centered by the new Hammocks Recrea­ tion Center, was landscaped with the in­ tent of restoring vegetation originally found here and on the other Florida Keys. A hundred trees and shrubs were trans­ planted from a site in Key Largo that was being cleared. Moving them was a gamble for they had grown in a shallow topsoil consisting mostly of coral rock. Little or no soil clung to the roots, making suc­ cessful transplantation difficult. No other site here looked as leafless and forlorn as The Hammocks area when first planted, Oprzadek admits. But Botanica's gardeners were advised not to treat the planting in the same way as nursery-grown ornamentals. Fertilizer, water, and mulch were used sparingly to emulate natural conditions. Close setting of the trees pro­ tected the lower shrubs, and sporadic ir­ rigation imitated the wet and dry seasons of the Keys. In a short period of time, the Hammock's trees and shrubs burst forth with new leaves and took on the appear­ ance of a long-established, indigenous community. As a bonus, The Hammocks now requires the least amount of main­ tenance of all the gardens. A few native nut- and spice-producing plants are located in The Hammocks. Ja­ maican caper, Capparis cynophallophora, is one of them. It is closely related to the southern European species of caper whose flower buds are used for the pickled con­ diment. Also at The Hammocks are two species of Psychotria, with berry-like fruit. The Conchs, the original inhabitants of the Florida Keys, used the berries for "wild coffee." The gardens, the developer, and the ar­ chitect have won some twenty awards. Oprzadek has visited botanical gardens and conservatories throughout the United States, contributing seedlings of rare tropical plants in a "Share the Wealtl~" program. Distri­ bution of unusual ornamentals to those who can grow them will always be one of his goals. As he says in his book, "The intent of the gardens is to be enjoyed by all who visit." Whether homeowners and visitors merely stroll through the gardens soaking in the spectacular scenery or spend time studying the plants, enjoyment is the key word. Few of us can travel, as David At­ tenborough did, to every tropical country in the world to see exotic flora. At Botanica the task has been made much easier. North Americans don't even need a passport to travel to southern Florida.

Ruby Weinberg is a gardener and writer living in Califon, New Jersey.

American Horticulturist 21

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOYAH MARTIN

ne cannot escape the feeling of offspring of B. glabra, B. peruviana, and veneration associated with bou­ B. spectabilis, sharing deceptively similar gainvillea. Those p a per-thin floral characteristics but gaining their di­ bracts attached precariously to verse temperaments from a medley of roaming bra nches invite awe. sources. The only hybrid on which the Each floral cluster appears lineage is a matter of general agreement is ephemerally fr agil e and daringly impos­ that of the magenta bougainvillea, B. sible to cultivate: we assume that what is 'Crimson Lake' (also known as B. 'Mrs. delicate must be difficult. Bougainvilleas Butt'). The most widely grown bougain­ offer the gardener a challenge. This, of villea, 'Crimson Lake' was probably the course, is part of their beauty. initial child of the union between B. glabra In temperate regions, landscape design­ X B. peruviana. This duo has been so long ers employ the vine liberall y for a splash in cultivation and is responsible for pro­ of color. In tropical and semi-tropical re­ ducing so many progeny that it has become gions, it is ubiquitous. In the northern kn own as B. X Buttiana. United States, the cultivation of bougain­ The bougainvillea's gaudy bracts com­ villeas is generally confined to the win­ pensate for its modest blossoms. The shades dowsills and greenhouses of a few brave of bougainvillea bracts run the gamut from souls. So it is entirely possible that you riotous to reserved. Most common is the have never seen th at glorious vine of South magenta, B. 'Crimson Lake', which is America. pl anted profusely throughout the South­ Bougainvilleas climb as sturdy, brittle­ west. But perhaps more worthy of rec­ stemmed vines bearing sparse, dark green ognition are the subtler hues such as salmon, leaves. Each branch might be a rotund inch yellow, pink, and luminous white. Many or more in diameter at its base, tapering a ga rdener who is not normally a white gradually in its ascent. These clumsy flower aficionado will fall head over heels branches bear thin, woody "thorns" which for the pearly white bougainvillea. That appear cumbersome when bare against the sensational floral display features pristine old wood, but they daintily carry the blos­ white bracts set off by a network of del­ soms when new. The flowers themselves icate green veins accentuated by the green are long, tubular, and very insignificant. and white tubular blossoms nestled deep But each blossom is shielded by its atten­ within the cluster. dant bract-and those bracts have won the Bougainvillea cultivars possess the un­ bougainvillea its fame. canny habit of changing color in mid-bloom. Bougainvillea is a member of the Nyc­ You might witness an umbel unfurling on taginaceae, a family shared with the pop­ its opening day and describe it as crimson. ular four o'clock (M irabilis jalapa). How­ One week later, a visitor might view the ever, the bougainvillea remains an aloof same umbel and characterize the floral aristocratic relative. There is nothing com­ bracts as blush pink-and both observers mon about such an exotic vine. The bracts might be correct. The bracts of all bou­ are tissue paper thin and nearly translu­ gainvilleas tend to fade from their opening cent. An ever-changing triangle is formed, brilliance to a more subdued hue before composed of the gracefully curved bracts dropping. On the other hand, an occa­ gently camouflaging their flowers nestled sional hybrid might turn color completely within. It is art in nature. in a matter of days. For example, B. 'Ca­ Bougainvillea cultivars are all similar in marillo Fiesta' makes its debut as orange, appearance, and there are only three spe­ but the bracts waver on the brink of pink cies of bougainvillea in popular cultiva­ throughout its display until they finally tion. These three have become happily in­ surrender and drop to the ground rose­ tegrated until even the experts are reluctant tinged. to make claims concerning a hybrid's par­ Other bougainvillea hybrids are adorned entage. Most cultivars are the confused with unique dual coloration. B. 'Mary Pal­ mer' produces neighboring umbels of both pure white and red bracts on the same vine. Bougainvillea 'Camarillo Fiesta' is a quick­ change artist: it begins its career with orange The harlequin effect is quite spectacular, bracts which gradually change to rose. even a bit bizarre.

American Horticulturist 23 Do bougainvilleas deserve their reputation as finicky plants to grow? Possibly so. But real gardeners never balk at a challenge.

Less predictable than the single bou­ , rable of hybrids, and they further protect gainvilleas are the pigments in the multi­ the vine with the use of heat-retaining walls. bracted hybrids. A multibracted bougain­ B. 'Crimson Lake' (syn - B. X Buttiana) villea bears no flowers at all, but exhibits is found so extensively in the Southwest a frilly cluster of many paper-thin bracts that the vine has become a tradition. Its instead. The colors of these bracts tend to bright bracts adorn whitewashed villas and fade more noticeably in the doubles than complement crude adobe huts. Due to its their single counterparts. The floral bracts stamina, B. 'Crimson Lake' is often used of the double varieties are smaller but more on concrete walls in desert regions where profuse. They lack the graceful majesty of the temperatures exceed 1000 F. by day a single bougainvillea but have a more fes­ but plummet suddenly at nightfall. tive appearance. The coloration of those multiple bracts is muted, with a hint of green evident toward the center of each ougainvilleas are also extremely cluster. popular in South Asia, In India Variegated bougainvilleas are attractive they are a favorite ingredient in even when not in bloom. Many cultivars government-sponsored urban sport creamy markings throughout their beautification projects, and Asian foliage which resemble that of B. 'Rasp­ gardeners typically cultivate a di- berry Ice', the most common variegated verse range of hybrids and display a broader cultivar available. 'Raspberry Ice' has leaves spectrum of colors than we commonly find which are sizeable and generously mottled in this country. Asian plantings tend to be with a milky edging and a hint of rose more imaginative. Hedges of breathtaking toward the midrib. Accented by the red bougainvillea adorn the countryside and floral bracts, the overall effect is unex­ soften cityscapes throughout Asia. celled. Those of us dwelling in less moderate Perhaps the bougainvillea's prime at­ regions are tempted to cultivate bougain­ tribute is its affection for our climate. The villeas indoors. The bougainvillea is ca­ vine grows to greater perfection and pro­ pable of choreographing an extravaganza duces a more glorious floral exhibition in far grander than the modest smattering of this country than is possible in Britain. color which we are accustomed to pro­ When the bougainvillea was first intro­ ducing in our greenhouses and on our win­ duced into the glasshouses of England from dowsills, In summer, a bougainvillea puts South America in the mid-1800s, the vine on its most impressive show, but during was abandoned as worthless because it re­ the winter we most appreciate its efforts. fused to blossom in Britain's foggy climate. Suddenly it is possible to endure three more However, in sunnier France the vine proved months of winter and another foot of snow. more obliging, and there its true virtues Growing bougainvilleas indoors re­ were discovered. Having redeemed itself quires the gardener to simulate a tropical in France, the plant was named for the environment. Even though bougainvilleas French explorer who circumnavigated the are not fussy plants (they do not require globe in the 1760s, Louis Antoine de Bou­ fiddling with pruning shears and soil mixes), gainville. they have climatic preferences, and they Being a South American native, bou­ remain rather stubborn about compro­ gainvilleas enjoy basking in the radiant sun mising in the matter of atmospheric COI:I1- of our southern regions. However, they are fort. To meet this challenge there are three not winter-hardy in areas where temper­ things to remember: atures drop below freezing; they can be • All bougainvilleas require sun and the considered reliably hardy only in Zone 10. more generously that ingredient is fur­ With special planning for their planting, nished, the more enthusiastically the trop­ this can be extended slightly into Zone 9. ical vine performs. If the plant is grown If temperatures do not drop below freezing on a windowsill, a southern exposure is for more than twelve hours in a region, then bougainvilleas can survive with a sea­ Bougainvillea 'Crimson Lake' is a top per­ sonal dormancy period. Many southerners forme~ and is found draping walls and hill­ report that B. X Buttiana is the most du- sides throughout the world.

24 December 1987

ideal if it is unencumbered by porch or tree summer with profuse lilac blossoms, borne when it is dry, and do not overpot the shade. During the dark winter months it singly rather than in umbels. The thin but plant. is absolutely essential to provide the vine prolific stems fill out the basket ambi­ A note here concerning the repotting of with direct sun. A bay window facing south, tiously and produce a cascade of color un­ bougainvilleas might serve to prevent many but also receiving east and west light, is matched by the upright varieties. heartaches. The watchword is "proceed the best possible windowsill environment. Most bougainvilleas prefer to be trel­ with caution." The bougainvillea's roots • Bougainvilleas do not flourish at tem­ lised, and this is one of the simpler methods are extremely brittle and precariously at­ peratures below 63° F. They might silently of accommodating a roaming bougainvil­ tached to the woody stem. Such roots are endure a few cool nights, but a protest is lea. The framework must be sturdy; thin easily severed, and a mature bougainvillea inevitable if the chilly conditions persist. plastic trellises will never hold the weight. specimen will rarely survive to form new The first symptom of complaint is a tell­ Eventually a thick, wooden, three- to four­ roots following the accident. When re­ tale pink tinge to the foliage. This warning foot trellis will be necessary to hold the potting, take care not to wiggle the stem, is followed rapidly by the decisive foliar vine, so you might as well offer the sturdier and never handle the specimen by yanking drop, one leaf at a time. Bougainvilleas support initially. Run the vine up to the at that stem. Also, be sure that your trellis might survive, but they will stubbornly re­ top of the trellis, then begin to encourage is buried deeply in the soil. Many a top­ fuse to blossom or grow while being sub­ it to the side, down and around. Side shoots heavy vine has suddenly fallen over, pull­ jected to less than ideal conditions. will soon appear, and they can be woven ing the base free of its anchoring root sys­ • Humidity is the third crucial factor. A to fill in the center, balancing out the floral tem. Finally, keeping the soil firmed around bougainvillea's humidity requirements are display. the stem will prevent the vine from pre­ not unreasonable, but it does insist on a carious and potentially disastrous wob­ relative humidity of at least 50 percent. here are other methods of disci­ bling. Fortunately, this atmosphere can easily be plining a bougainvillea. An over­ Any good, rich soil will suffice for a created even in the driest home by the ad­ head arbor is aesthetically satis­ bougainvillea, but bear in mind that a heavy dition of pebble trays or a humidifier. fying and not a difficult feat to soil is necessary to support the weighty top When choosing a bougainvillea cultivar accomplish. Unfortunately, this growth. Fertilizing should be undertaken for nurturing in your home or greenhouse, is one of the more space- and time­ in spring and summer when a bougain­ choose well, as few indoor environments consuming of growing methods. Years may villea enjoys its prime growing season. At can accommodate more than one speci­ elapse before the bougainvillea reaches the that time, 20-20-20 (or any balanced fer­ men. But when you adopt a bougainvillea, top of a greenhouse, and many more years tilizer) is recommended and should be ap­ it is likely to become a friend for life. The will slip by before its branches can be ef­ plied in dilution every three weeks. vine is noted for its longevity. fectively pleached to form an arbor. How­ Bougainvilleas are not pest prone. They Since bougainvillea hybrids hail from ever, walking beneath a canopy of paper­ can be the victims of red spider mite, but such mixed parentage, their growth habits thin flower bracts is quite a heady expe­ they are not a favorite host of that insect, are a matter of great diversity. B. 'Crimson rience and one worth the investment in and mites are rarely a problem. More prev­ Lake' and B. 'Texas Dawn' (a pink bracted time. alent are mealy bug infestations which oc­ hybrid) are two of the most ambitious Unless you are sculpting your specimen cur beteween the crevices of the woody climbers in the genus. B. 'Barbara Karst' into a topiary or standard form, it is not branches and the leafaxils. A swab of al­ (with large pinkish-red bracts) does not essential to prune a bougainvillea. Keep in cohol should do the trick in controlling grow as rapidly, but compensates with mind that the flowers are produced on the this foe. spectacular floral displays exhibited on thick, older stems and they appear on tip Consider the rewards-colored bracts fledgling vines. The more muted hues such growth only. If you remove all of your tips, dancing airily from wandering branches. as salmon, yellow, and white tend toward you will have sacrificed that year's blos­ And periodically those bracts fall lightly slower growth and less rampant coverage, soms. So prune sparingly and cut off only to the ground, strewing the floor with color. while the multibracted bougainvilleas are thin, whip-like growth which is competing Single bougainvilleas are self-cleaning and almost dwarf in comparison to their single with the main stem. In this manner, you send their spent bracts floating downward counterparts. will be encouraging larger and more pro­ like colorful tissue paper confetti. If you Multibracted bougainvilleas can be ef­ fuse floral umbels on the leading vine. find the residue objectionable, grow mul­ fectively cultivated in hanging baskets due Watering is also not a difficult task to tibracted bougainvilleas; their spent bracts to their lethargic growth rate and modest master. However, bougainvilleas have the remain on the stem rather than dropping root room requirements. Bougainvillea disconcerting habit of fainting into a death­ dramatically at your feet. baskets are created by winding the branches like wilt when watering is delayed a few A final hint: the double bougainvillea into an orb. If done well, the effect can be hours later than scheduled. They also tend makes an excellent cut flower, and bou­ breathtaking. Be warned, however, that to lapse into an equally dramatic wilt when gainvillea bracts hold their color admira­ this is a difficult feat to master, and until the sun reappears after a long absence. By bly for pressed flower arranging. With a the branches are thickly interwoven, be remaining unfazed by a bougainvillea's little artistic skill, you can create new ways prepared to have only sparsely leaved, melodramatics, you will be toughening the of displaying this flower's color and del­ woody stems dangling before you at eye new growth and at the same time dis­ icacy and add to your enjoyment of this level. couraging similar performances in the fu­ species. Bougainvillea Harrisii variegated lends ture. Pot-grown plants will require more Tovah Martin, a frequent contributor to itself naturally to a hanging basket. This water than vines sunk directly into the American Horticulturist, is the begonia cultivar is gracefully scan dent, and its small, ground, but do not overwater, especially specialist at Logee's Greenhouses in cream-and-green leaves are adorned in during the winter. Water your specimen Danielson, Connecticut.

26 December 1987 The 7Y1llsterq of olUering Plunts

This reconstruction of an early Mesozoic landscape shows the dominance of cycads and conifers. It was at the end of this period and the beginning of the next-160 million years ag()-that flowering plants emerged.

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY DR. GILBERT A. LEIS MAN

American Horticulturist 27 ate in the "Age of Dino­ (400 to 440 million years ago). It was an saurs," perhaps 135-150 extremely simple plant, at least when com­ million years ago, the earth's pared to the complex plants of today. It climate grew warmer and had an upright stem, no leaves or roots, wetter than in the preceding dichotoFIlous bramching, terminal spor­ _ ...... __ age. As the first birds ap- angia, a conducting syst{lm, ' outiele, and peared and small mammals prospered and air pores (stomata). diversified, the first flow€rimg plants Al'l evidence points to thtl green algae as emerged. Within a brief span of g€ologic logical ancestors. All €ssential ceUular de­ time-a few minion years-these plaAts tails are the same. If we accept the premise became botanically dOFIlinant, eclipsing that the simpl€ green alga€ are ancestral more primitive classes. . to vascular plapts, is Cooksonia really so Today there are some 25tl,000 known primitive? Obviously it d¢pelilds Hpon which flowering species, ranging in size from the end of the telescope YOH are looking duckw€ed (a floatimg aquatic plant one­ through. sixtee1'lth inch in diame~er) to the Euca­ The next gtwlogical period, called the lyptus (three hundred f{let tall). From what Devonian (350-410 million y€ars ago), saw ancestors did angiosptums (Howel!ing the more recent relatives of Cooksonia fan plants) spring? Why did t\i!ey spread so out <'lv€r the landscape and evolve into more rapidly? What can paleobotany-th€ study and more complex forms. It was a period of plant fossils...:...tellas about their evo­ of very rapid evolation (again from a geo­ lutioii!? Scienc~ can pr0vid€ us with a wealth logicaf standpoipt); this is at least pal'tiaUy of information~~nd some answers- bat due to !'he variety of habitats and niches ililtriguing qu€stioms remain. Our curreml available. An aquatic habitat is fairly con­ estimate 0£ the age of the earth is 4.5 bitlion stant in all respects; a teFrestrial habitat is years, We kmow ve,ry little of what this consid€rably more variabJe, affording a primitive {larth was like. Pl'o~ably it was multitude 0f areas and niches. With such hot; waner was present but 0tlly in vapor­ variety available, and little if any compe­ OtiS form. The atmosphere was hardiy com­ nition, it is small womder that many n€w ducive to iife, consisting of such toxic gases Cooksonia is the oldest known terrestrial, categories of plants evolved to fill these as ammonia, methaae, and carbon diox­ vascular plant. vacanci€s. Every major group of plants, ide. ANd there was no oxygen. even th€ seed plants, came into existence. As the earth began to (;;001, vast ar€as isttmce. They grew in m!lmber and contin­ The only major group missing was the of Water covered its surface. Erosion of u{ld to add to the supply of oxygen in the flowering plants, and they did not make bare land carrieo Large quantities of nu­ atmosphere. Evtmtually a concentration of their debut until much later. tJ;'ients and minerals into the s€a, building app(oximately 20 percent of oxygem made Lycopods (club mosses), horsetails up a "primordial soup." From this pri­ it possible for organisms to venture onto (scouring rashes), ferns, and gymnosp€rms mordial soup organic mol€c\:llies ar0se and the land surface. (plants whose seeds lie naked in cones, e.g., from fhese the forerunners of living cel'ls. However, a low level of oxygep was only conifers) all prospered, fonliling new fam- . The oldest idtmtifiabl€ organic fossils one of many problems. Protection against ilies, genera and species, and preparing the were discovered about seven y€ars ago in dessication, anchorage and absorption, a way for the famous geological period, the western Australian rocks <;alled stt0mat­ conduGting system, pores to allow oxygen Carboniferous (270-350 million years ago). olites. These rocks have fueen dated at 3.5 to enter-all these and many, many more The climate during the Carboniferous pe­ billion years old. Ia appeal'ance, the cells adaptations had to evolve. It does n0t take riod was moist, warm, and uniform the im the /jocks l'esemble modern bacteria, as muclil imagina~ion to reaJize that an these year rOHnd, resulting in a very lush growth do later fossils of youngel' age fl'om odH~r things could \lot have happened at once. of vegetation and many marshy and swamp­ localities. Somewhere al@l'lg the way cer­ 'Ihere were doubtless many a,ttempts to like areas. tain of the bacteria b€came photosyn­ transcend these barriers, a,ttempts 0f which From this period come lycopods, num­ thetic, an event of great imp0rt, since a we hav~ no record, bHt evenrually these bering fiv€ genera, all diminutive in size. by-product of the pl10cessis oxygem, a gas most important evolutionary events in the Lycopodium, still fairly widespread in New required by all aerobic organisms. With 'i~ 1listory of the plant kimgdom carne to pass. England and the only economically valu­ a short period of time, geologically speak­ The 0ldest known terrestrial, vascular: abl'e plant in the group, is picked for ing, many differemt gro~ps of algae, aH plant of which Wtl have any record is Christmas decorations. Fossil lycopods were marine and photosynthetic, came into ex- Cooksonia of middle to upper Silurian age plentiful, large, and very taill. Three dif-

28 December 1987 So far, botanists have been able to ascertain reasonable evolutionary pathways-ancestors and offspring-for most of the major groups of plants. A notable exception is the origin of the flowering plants.

ferent genera, all referred to as scale trees, mate became warmer, wetter, and favor­ The magnolia family is considered by grew up to one hundred fifty feet tall. They able for temperate and tropical vegetation. many botanists to be among the most were called scale trees because they left leaf It was then, or more likely at the beginning primitive of angiosperms. Some recent finds cushions and scars on the bark of the tree of the Cretaceous (160 million years ago), support this concept, but others do not. resembling fish scales. that flowering plants emerged. Angio­ Various groups of plants have been pro­ Another large group of Carboniferous sperms, like gymnosperms, are seed plants, posed as ancestors to the angiosperms: seed plants were the calamites, represented to­ but their seeds are enclosed in an ovary, ferns, cordaites, and cycadeoids among day by only one genus, Equisetum. None rather than exposed. others. None satisfy all the requisites. of the ten or twelve living species is more So far, botanists have been able to as­ Regardless of its origin, once the flow­ than a few feet high. The calamites of the certain reasonable evolutionary path­ ering habit was firmly established, flow­ Carboniferous age reached fifty or more ways-ancestors and offspring-for most ering plants began to fan out into new feet. of the major groups of plants. A notable ecological areas and to establish new tax­ Ferns were most common, and many of exception is the origin of the flowering onomic categories. Why did angiosperms them were quite similar to those growing plants. Over a century ago, Charles Dar­ become dominant so rapidly? Was the cli­ today. Tree ferns were especially common. win termed their origin an "abominable mate more favorable to them? Was the mystery." New discoveries and new ideas genetic plasticity of the gymnosperms ymnosperms were promI­ and hypotheses have provided clues but wearing out? nent, at least in certain areas. no definite answer. Gymnosperm plants are all woody and Cordaites was a very large One problem is that classification of liv­ take many years to reproduce. Most an­ and tall tree, growing to one ing angiosperms is based on reproductive giosperms reproduce very rapidly, espe­ hundred feet or more. It had structures: flowers and fruits. Fossil flow­ cially the herbaceous ones. Genetic ad­ long, strap-like leaves unlike ers and fruits are rare and, when found, aptation, therefore, would logically proceed those of other gymnosperms. Perhaps the seldom contribute to our picture of a prim­ much faster than in the gymnosperms. most unusual group of gymnosperms were itive flowering plant. A most spectacular event was the co­ the seed ferns (pteridosperms). They had evolution of multitudes of new flowers and fern-like foliage but bore seeds and pollen new insects, each adapted to reproduc­ organs. tively accommodate the other. A little logic Variations did exist in the swamp forest. makes this imperative: no bees, no flowers; For example, "coal balls" (see accompa­ no flowers, no bees. nying article) collected in Iowa and Kansas Beetle pollination was probably one of are almost completely dominated by cor­ the first methods of pollination and is still daite fragments with few lycopods. Just used by many flowers. The beetle is at­ the opposite prevails in Illinois coal balls. tracted by the very strong odor of the flower, The reason for this variation is not known. frequently similar to rotting meat. If the At the end of the Carboniferous period flower is thick and fleshy, the beetle will a sudden and dramatic change in climate often chew its way to the center of the occurred with devastating effect on the flower to get to the pollen. vegetation. The temperature became con­ Bees have special mouth parts and body siderably colder and the precipitation level hairs for collecting pollen. The eye of the dropped. The swamp forests essentially bee is quite different from ours. Ultraviolet disappeared, with only gymnosperms sur­ is perceived as a distinct color while red viving. Xerophytic characteristics, already becomes part of the background. As 01'1 "pre-formed," enilbled them to survive the foxglove, the bee-pollinated flower oftel'l other conditions. Not only did existing has special markiTolgs to lead the bee to a gymnosperms survive the next period, the nectar gland and landing platforms with Permian (225 to 270 million years ago), guidelines leading to the center of the flower. but two other families evolved as well, the Flowering plants dominate the land­ cycadeoids and the cycads. The Triassic scape today, and we are completely de­ and Jurassic (135-225 million years ago) pendent upon them for all our grains, fruits, were the "age of the gymnosperms." and vegetables. Not only do they make life Toward the end of the Jurassic the c1i- on this planet possible, they add immeas­ urably to its beauty-and leave eager bot­ Five genera of Lycopodiaceae were present at anists with yet another evolutionary mys­ the beginning of the Carboniferous period. tery to solve.

American Horticulturist 29 Plunt 19osSils: Sermons tn Stone

paleobotanist is a scientist who searches for clues to the structure J1 and evolution of ancient plants through their fossilized remains. Under the right conditions, the most fragile fern can leave an imprint legible to a paleobotanist millions of years after its brief life. A fossil can be defined simply as any identifiable trace of an organism that lived in prehistoric times. Such " traces" are highly variable, be they plant or animal. The old­ es t plant fossils found to date are over three billion years old. Of the three basic types of rocks in the earth's mantle-igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary-only sed­ imentary rocks are prime candidates for plant fossils. Sedimentary rocks include limestone, sandstone, siltstone, shale, and even coal and volcanic ash. Fossilization occurs when sediment is rapidly deposited on an organism which is shielded from the normal activity of de­ composer organisms by submergence in deep water, extreme alkalinity or acidity, or heavily charged mineral water allowing rapid infiltration. There are four types of fossils which may form in the sediment: • Impressions. The simplest of the plant TOP: An impression fossil of a seed fern leaf. BELOW LEFT: Ginkgo leaves in a compression fossils is an impression. As the name im­ fossil. RIGHT: Petrified cycadeoid stern from the Cretaceous period. plies, this is merely an imprint of an or­ ganism (or a part thereof) with no organic such information is of prime diagnostic occasionally found as wood specimens in matter preserved. We have all probably value in identification. glacial till. Permineraliza tion can involve seen imprints from falling leaves on a newly • Molds and Casts. Impressions and several different mineral compounds, but laid cement sidewalk. In essence, this is compressions are most often formed from silica and limestone are the most common. what fossil impressions are. One can as­ two-dimensional objects. Three-dimen­ Contrary to what many people believe, pe­ certain such things as dimensions, general sional objects, such as branches, roots, trifaction usually does not involve mole­ morphology, and venation patterns, but cones, etc., often form molds and casts cule-by-molecule replacement of the or­ nothing of internal structure. instead. The terms "mold" and "cast" mean ganic matter by the mineral. Rather, the • Compressions. A very similar type of exactly what they mean in art. For ex­ mineral (in solution) simply impregnates fossil is the compression, the only differ­ ample, if a branch fell in an area of rapidly th e specimen, le aving the organic matter ence being the presence of organic matter. accumulating sediments, the sediments relatively unmodified but now imbedded In leaf compressions, this organic matter would quickly envelop the specimen and in mineral. is in the form of a black film which usually harden before the branch began to decay. The Petrified Forest in Arizona consists represents remnants of the cuticle, the most Following decay, a cavity would be left in of wood impregnated chiefly with silica. highly-resistant part of the leaf. By care­ the hardened sediments-the mold. If the The beautiful colors of the wood, however, fully applying several layers of clear nail cavity became filled with additional sedi­ are not due to the silica, which is a rather polish (let dry in between), you can build ments, these would form the cast. The cast bl and tannish-gray in color, but rather to up a clear coating that can be easily pulled is morphologically identical to the original mineral " impurities" such as iron and alu­ off the specimen. If you are fortunate, the branch but, of course, has no internal minum compounds. To verify the excep­ black organic film will come along with structure. tion to the rule on petrifaction, many of the coating and can be examined under • Petrifaction. Internal preservation, for these beautiful pieces a re of little scientific the miscroscope. The size, shape, and ori­ the most part, can be achieved only through value since most of the organic cells and entation of epidermal cells, hairs, and sto­ permineralization, or petrifaction. The only ti ss ues have been totally replaced by min­ mata can be ascertained, and very often exception is unaltered remains, such as are era I. In general, petrified wood that is dark

30 December 1987 brown or almost bl ack in color exhibits the best preserva ti on. Such wood is usua ll y studied by thin­ secti on techniques. These involve gluing a sma ll piece o f the wood to a mi croscope slide, grinding with carbo rundum powder (o r something similar) until the wood is thin enough to transmit li ght, and then gluing on a cover slip for protection. If preserva tion is good, mi croscopic exami ­ nati on should reveal enough histological (cellular) deta il to make identifica tion pos- Coal ball peel shows the longitudinal section of a scale tree cone. sible. though no one knows fo r sure how coal surface in a perfectl y hori zontal plane to Coal Balls ball s were fo rmed, the presence of lime­ avoid an unevenl y thickened peel. Both of Limes tone impregnati on is most com­ stone strongly suggests a marine environ­ these were overcome by the acetate film mon in nodules call ed "coal ba ll s." Most ment either close by or actua ll y covering technique (1956) in which a coal ball need of the first nodules discovered in the coal the organic litter. T here is convi ncing evi­ onl y be approximately level. The peel would fi elds of Europe in the 1800s were spher­ dence that during the Carboniferous pe­ dry in less than two hours and would al­ ical, hence the name, coal ba ll. Alm ost riod, a shall ow ocean moved back and forch ways be of uniform thickness. without exception, coal ba ll s are found in several times over the area which is now What does a paleobotanist do besides coal seams dating from the Carboniferous the central and east-central United States­ wasting hi s time and making a lot of noise periods (270 to 350 million years ago). precisely the area where we find coal ba ll s. cutting coal ba ll s? He is constantly on the They are extremely impo rtant to a paleo­ The ea rliest technique fo r studying coal lookout fo r new, undescribed specimens. botanist, since they contain perminerali zed ball pl ant fragments was the same thin­ He also looks fo r material imperfectl y de­ pl ant fr agments, often in a near-perfect secti on technique used fo r petri fied wood. scribed before; in other words, better spec­ state o f preservation. Intracellular detail s, This res ulted in beauti ful slide prepara­ imens. The ultimate goal is to put all these such as nuclei and pl astids, are occasion­ ti ons, but a great deal o f the specimen itself parts together into one plant. This is most all y present, and there is o ne repo rt o f was ground away in the process. o ften the hardes t part of the job. thread-like strands within a nucleus that In 1928 a new technique was introduced For those who are intrigued by paleo­ look very much like ch romosomes. And that overcame this probl em o f wastage. botany and would like to collect plant fos­ this is materi al over 300 million years in After the coal ball has been sectioned with sil s fo r pl easure o r study, here are a few age! a di a mond saw , the fl a t surfaces a re suggestions: M ake friends with a good fo s­ Much o f our fundamental knowl edge o f "etched" with dilute hydrochl ori c acid . The sil hunter, write to the State Geological coal ball plants is due to the work of Eu­ acid disso lves a very thin layer of the Survey fo r suggestio ns, study museum ropean paleobotanists in the 1800s and embedding limestone and leaves the cell specimens, visit the local college or uni­ earl y 1900s. Coal ball s were not recog­ wall s and other organic matter fr om the ve rsity where you might find some old, ni zed as such in N o rth Ameri ca until the pl ant fragments projecting in ve ry slight eccentric paleobotanist like myself, or visit 1920s, when they were spotted in the coal relief. A cellulose-based liquid is then poured nati onal parks and monuments where por­ mines o f Illinois. Subsequently, Ameri can onto the etched surface. After a twenty­ ti ons may be set aside as fossil sanctuari es. coal ball paleobotany flourished. Coal ball s four-hour drying peri od, the hardened cel­ Look along road cuts, especi ally new have been found in many areas of the ce n­ lulose film can be peeled from the surface, ones. When the Kansas Turnpike was first tral and east-ce ntral United States, includ­ bringing along the o rganic projections opened we found some bea utiful fossil ing Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, which are now embedded in the peel. The pl ants. Missouri, and Kansas. film can be examined by conventional mi­ As a last resort, head for a local rock The climate during the Carboniferous croscope techniques . If something of in­ shop. That's what my wife does and it periods w as very favorable for plant terest is observed, the surface can be re­ quickl y depletes my wallet. Let me em­ growth-uniformly warm and moist year­ etched and a new peel made. This re-etch­ phasize that this is a last resort! round as evidenced by the absence of an­ ing and re-peeling can be repeated as often nular rings in tree fossils. Such conditions as desired, resulting in a sequence of serial Dr. Gilbert A. Leis man, a professo r of favored vast areas of swamp forests, the peels of even tiny fragments. biology at Empori a State University in organic debris of which formed our mod­ Empori a, Kansas, contributes frequentl y to The only disadvantages to this liquid techni ca l, scientifi c, and popular journals. He ern coal deposits. But what abol!l t coal balls? cellulose technique are the long drying time edits the Kansas Wildflower Society Where do they fit into the picture? AI- and the necessity of positioning the etched Newsletter.

American Horticulturist 31 Now there are over 120 practical gardening items in our Garden Catalog. THE INDOOR GARDENER Powerful Continued from page 8 them, then fill in around the rest of the Steinmax blooming. Some orchids wait years after roots with bark. reaching apparent maturity before they fi­ Ideally, paphiopedilums should be re­ nally bloom. However, once they have potted every year, with all the old bark bloomed they usually continue to do so removed. If your plant is firmly attached annually if they are well treated. Plants in to its pot, soak the pot for fifteen minutes, bud or flower are more expensive than then try to remove the plant. Turn the pot unbloomed plants, but for a beginner, they upside down and bang the rim against a are worth the extra cost. hard surface. If you are transplanting to a motors. larger pot and are having difficulty re­ Center blade has an exclusive clean-cutting Light action .against fi xed counter blades to moving the plant from its pot, you may quickl y shred corn stalk s, vines, prunings, Paphiopedilums will get adequate light have to slide a thin-bladed knife around old plant s, leaves and newspapers. if grown in an east- or west-facing win­ the inside to sever the roots from the pot. Side chute hold s I y." branches steady for 3450 rpm chipper blades. dow. East is preferable, as the leaves are If you will be repotting in the old pot and Bulk !.kaf Shredding Accessory less likely to be burned than in a west the roots do not shake free, it is not nec­ has 12-edge blade and large circular hopper window. If you grow paphs in a south essary to detach them, just be sure to re­ opening for piles of leaves. Finely shreds a window, either put tissue paper across the move and discard all the old medium. If bushel in under a minut e. glass to diffuse the light, or put them be­ the roots are clinging tightly to a few large hind taller plants so that they are partially pieces of bark or drainage material, these shaded. They need about a thousand foot­ may be left attached. Tear off any old, candles of light. Ladyslippers are also eas­ decayed roots. Living roots are covered ily grown under fluorescent lights. They with fuzzy root hairs and have white or can take higher intensities of light under yellowish tips. Try not to damage these fluorescent tubes than on a windowsill, as when reporting. Replace the drainage ma­ the fluorescents will not burn the leaves terial in the bottom of the pot, and fill in unless the leaves actually touch the bulbs. around the roots with fresh fir bark until the bark comes up just barely half an inch Leaves-AwayTM Humidity above the base of the leaf fans. Tamp the Set the plants on trays of gravel or small pot on a firm surface to settle the bark, Gutter Guards pebbles, partially filled with water. The and add more bark if necessary to cover 4 ft. length s of aluminum each have 3600 water level should be below the top of the all the roots. Always water thoroughly after holes to admit water but exclude leaves and debri s. Guards slide up under shingles, then gravel so that water never touches the bot­ potting; then resume your normal water­ clip securely to out er edge of aluminum tom of the pots. This will help to provide ing schedule. gutters. Permanent , effecti ve, unobtru sive necessary humidity, which ideally should Pot your paphs in the smallest pot into and economical. be 40-50 percent. Misting the foliage will which the roots will fit. If the plants have Continuous process also help to increase the humidity. Be sure several mature fans of leaves and you would Bins to do this in the morning so that the folia'ge like to increase the number of plants rather has time to dry before nightfall. If you get than the size of the pots, grasp the bases water in the crown of the plant where the of the fans just above the roots firmly in new leaves grow, or in the pouch of a your hands and pull them apart. They will flower, it will rot. If water accidentally gets usually separate with minimal damage to into the crown, tip the plant so it runs out, the plant, each fan having its own set of or blow hard into the crown to force the roots. These may then be potted as indi­ water out. vidual plants. Be sure to label each division with its Potting name and the date it was reported. If you Scientific design holds in warmth and moisture, Never pot paphs in soil. I have found are giving a division to a friend, give the accelerates decomposition. Turns garden and kitchen wastes into rich soil-conditioning that medium-grade fir bark is the best pot­ plant a clonal name if it does not already compost in a few week s. Add materials ting medium for my mature paphs. I use have one. That way, as the plant gets di­ an ytime, slide up panels to remove mature a mixture of medium- and fine-grade bark vided and passed along to additional friends, compost at ground level. Four sizes to choose. for most seedlings, but very small seedlings everyone knows it is the same plant as your Other items: • Bird Houses need fine-grade fir bark as they should stay original. An example of a plant with a • Sheffield Pri'de tools • Watering cans somewhat wetter than larger plants. Pro­ clonal name is P. X Maudiae 'Magnifi­ • Juwel cold frames • English planters vide good drainage at the bottom of the cum'. 'Magnificum' is the clonal name, • Garden Arches • Tool racks pot, using an inch or two of clay potsherds, which should always be offset by single Call or write for OUR FREE CATAWG styrofoam packing chips or marble-sized quotation marks. pebbles below the fir bark. Sometimes, when Kinsman Company Watering River Road, Dept. All the plant I am potting has long roots, I put Point Pleasant, PA 18950 the roots all the way into the bottom of Correct watering is essential to growing (215) 297-5613 the pot and lay the drainage material over paphiopedilums. The roots should be kept

32 December 1987 For People Who Really Love Birds sli ghtly damp at all times. O n the other ~FREE hand, they must never be all owed to re­ THE FEATURE mai n soggy, or they will rot. In their native rain fo rests, paphs live on steepl y sloping PACKED AUDUBON hillsides. They receive frequent showers, BIRD FEEDER but the stee pness of the terrain prevents NURSERY water from co ll ecting around their roots. _ Tested and endorsed by the Be sure your pots have large drainage holes . National Audubon Society. _ Huge CATALOG ,~I;LJ, capacity (1 .2 gallon pole style or Enjoy page after Always water fro m the top, and never leave 2.2 gallon hanging style). _ Easy to page of exquisite the pots standing in water. Remember that fill. _ High impact Le xan ® ornamental plants, including many although the top of the fir ba rk is dry, th e construction for durability and new Kelly exclusives, all in living bark further down in the pot may still be weather resistance. _ Squirrel proof. color. Thorough descriptions tell moist. If in doubt, test for moisture by _ Internal metering ring reduces spillage and waste. _ Solar heating you which plants are best for you! sti cking yo ur finger down in to the pot. If - dark green metal base clears It's your best guide to better land­ yo u li ft the pot daily, you wi ll soon learn portholes of snow and ice, keeps seed scaping. Call or write today for to judge moisture content by the weight dry, prevents dangerous mold. your FREE copy! of the pot. _ Nylon perches protect birds' fee t _ Satisfaction guaranteed. Toll Free 800-828-6977 How often should you water ? Dr. Gus­ _ 24 " high x 6" diameter. tav Mehlquist, professor emeritus of hor­ (in Ny) 800-462-6836 or send coupon TODAY! ti culture at the Uni ve rsity of Connecticut, FREE WITH EVERY PURCHASE! a grower of superb paphiopedilums, is fo nd Roger Tory Peterson's book, r------~ Arst Guidi to Birds. KELLY NURSERIES of recounting the fo ll owing rule for water­ 101 8 Maple St., Dansville, NY 1 4437 ing orchids: If a cattleya appears to need ( )Rush My FREE KELLY Catalog to: watering, wait a week to water it. If a To order, send check or money order for $39.95 PLEASE PRINT plus $3 shipping and handling per uni t. NY State cymbidium appears to need watering, water Name ______residents add sales ta x. Specify hanging style or Mailing it. If a paphiopedilum appears to need pole mounted (pole included). Address ______watering, you should have done it two days NORTH FORK ______Zip ______ago. Dept A12 , Box 741 , Mineola, NY 11501 After a paphiopedilu m has flowered, it ~------~ is normal for the leaves on that fa n to yell ow and di e in the course of the yea r or two after fl owering. By this time, it shoul d have initiated one or more new growths Sweet, mild 'n at the base of the old fa n, so that there will be new leaves maturing as the old ones meaty ... di e. If an entire plant begins to pale and the leaves are shrivell ed, suspect that the .Big, red tomatoes bursting with flavor! .A plant is not getting enough water. This super size for slicing . • Produces an ample harvest held high on thick, sturdy stems­ could be either from underwatering or be­ doesn't need staking! • Full, dense foliage cause the roots have rotted from over­ guards the developing fruits from sunscald. watering or decayed potting medium. If you suspect root damage, knock the STAKELESS . plant out of its pot to examine the roots. TOMATO IOCpkt If they are shrivelled or soggy, repot im­ medi ately in fresh bark and take special Plus a FREE pains to see that the plant is well misted to make up fo r the water the plant can't Spring Catalog! get from its roots. It takes months of tender GURNEY Seed & Nursery Co., Dept 85-9348, Page 51., Yankton, SO 57079 loving care to repair the damage caused by careless watering. Never be afraid to take a plant out of its pot to inspect the Here's my 10~ . Please send me my packet of tomato seeds plus a I D. FREE copy of Gurney's brand new 1988 spring catalog. roots. If you are careful, you will not hurt Ir------I the plant, and what you learn about the I N~e I condition of the roots and potting medium may save its life. When I buy a new plant, I ~~ I I always repot it. I P.o. Box Rt. Box I Air movement (highly desirable), tem­ City State ZIP ~ perature, humidity and the type of pot used TO: 'M Seed & Nursery Co., Dept. 85-9348, Page St., will all determine how frequently you I~MAIL G-'~RNEY.. Yankton, South Dakota 57079 should water. I keep my pl ants in plasti c -----LlMIT ONE OFFER PER FAMILY------

American Horticulturist 33 THE INDOOR GARDENER

winter. Be sure to water thoroughly with plain water between fertilizings so that you wash out fertilizer salts which might ac­ cumulate in the fir bark and damage the roots. Temperature So you've bought a paphiopedilum, pot­ ted it in fir bark, watered and fertilized it properly, given it good humidity and ad­ equate light, and it is growing beautifully. The leaves are large and firm and the roots are healthy. The only trouble is, you've lavished attention on this plant for more than a year and it won't bloom. What's wrong? In a word, temperature. I bought my first paphiopedilum, a yel­ low Paphiopedilum insigne complex hy­ brid, in flower at the Philadelphia Flower Show in 1960. It somehow survived the dismal light and low humidity of my par­ ents' house and the baking sun and low humidity of my college dormitory, al­ though over the years it got smaller and smaller. When I acquired my own house, I put it on the windowsill on a pebble tray, read up on and put into practice proper potting and watering procedures, and the plant began to thrive. In a few years, it had filled a five inch pot with leaves, but there was never a bloom to be seen. Finally, in 1976, I told a nearby orchid grower who had hundreds of paphs blooming in his greenhouse about my healthy but flow­ erless plant. He told me to give it cold nights for a month and see what happened. I put the plant in a sunny window in our unheated basement, and the plant re­ One of the easiest species to cultivate, Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum is a good choice for the warded me with three flowers. Tempera­ gardener who doesn't have a greenhouse. ture made all the difference. Daytime temperature is probably not as pots so that they will not dry out too rap­ I had one which made buds year after year, important a factor in paphiopedilum cul­ idly. Consequently, I need to water only only to have the buds dry up before open­ ture as some orchid books would lead one once or twice a week. Clay pots permit ing. Since Dr. Mehlquist told me to water to believe. In general, the mottled-leaf paphs constant evaporation of moisture out of it, water it, and water it, I have had no prefer somewhat warmer temperatures than the growing medium, so if your plants are problem getting the flowers to open. After most of the plain-leaf types, but a range in clay pots, you will need to water more the flowers have been fully open a few of 65-85° F. suits them all just fine. If tem­ frequently-perhaps daily. In cloudy days, I resume my normal watering sched­ peratures go higher than that for short pe­ weather, you will not need to water as ule, and the flowers last for months. riods, they will survive, but for extended often as during periods of sunshine. Adjust periods of 90° + F. temperatures it is very the frequency of watering to your growing Feeding important that they have constant air conditions. When in doubt, it is better to Paphiopedilums do not require much movement and frequent misting to cool the err on the side of less water rather than fertilizer. Since the fir bark uses nitrogen leaves. I solve this problem by putting my more. The only exception to this rule is as it decays, a 30-10-10 formulation will plants outside for the summer on shelves for plants in bud. be necessary for your ladyslippers, but this in the shade of tall trees. When a ladyslipper is in bud, it should should be applied at a quarter to half the Summering the plants outdoors also be watered more often than usual as it dosage recommended by the manufac­ solves the problem of dropping the night needs the extra water for flower produc­ turer. Fertilize your plants twice a month temperature enough to initiate flower buds. tion. This is especially true for the waxy during spring and summer and once a I leave the plants outdoors in the fall until complex hybrids, which make huge blooms. month during the shorter days of fall and night temperatures are consistently drop-

34 December 1987 "Gets rave reviews!" ping below 50° F., but I keep a careful eye Our customers love it! They've sent on weather forecasts which might warn of us hundreds of letters praising its old-fashioned, full-bodied flavor! frost. The plants can survive temperatures Short, disease-resistant vines set in the high thirties, but freezing temper­ bushels of bright red fruit early atures will kill them. in the season-and don't run all According to some authorities, the cooler over the garden doing it! growing plain-leaved paphiopedilums need HY-X night temperatures of 50 - 60° F. for two weeks to a month in order to set Rower TOMATO buds. The mottled-leaf kinds, and a few plain-leaved ones such as Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum, will set buds with night temperatures of 60 - 65° F. More impor­ tant than a specific night temperature is the need for a difference between day and m. ~ SEED & NURSERY CO. night temperatures of preferably ten de­ g;1 ~ Dept. 83-9217 Oak St., Shenandoah, IA 51602 grees. When a ladyslipper has been grown in I ----~------I I Henry Field' s, Dept. 83-9217 Oak St., Shenandoah, Iowa 51602 sufficiently cool night temperatures, a I I Y I 've enclosed my dime. Send me my packet of Hy-X tomato seeds flower bud should appear in the center of I es, and a FREE copy of Henry Field's new 1988 spring catalog. I each mature leaf fan . After the bud has I I Name ______emerged above the level of the leaves do I I I not turn the plant. This could result in the I Street ______Rower's opening upside down! As the flower I I P.O. Box ______Rt. ______Box ______I stem grows taller and leans toward the sun, I I insert a slender stake into the medium near I City ______State ______ZIP ______I the base of the fan, being careful not to I I\. ______LlMIT ONE OFFER PER FAMILY, PLEASE. ______J damage the roots. Gently tie the stem to the stake so that the stem remains straight and the bud is supported by the stake.

After the flower has been fully opened for These beautiful, ~ , scissors are several days, you may move the plant to made to last a lifetime. In production l :.~;;::i:::iII_.. ,~-:f o::-r o~v~e~r300 years. For delicate display the flower. The cooler it is kept, , flower work, ~~~::;;;;iiiiiiI'~G;:~~:::::~o r heavy pruning the longer the flower will last. Very Sharp, A hardworking beauty. Once your ladyslipper flowers, the only Send $6.00 ea. Mt Ru shmore Supply complaint you may have is that the Rower Box 233 Brooklyn NY 11222-0233 lasts so long you get tired of seeing it! The next step is to join an orchid society and SUNDfAL Set me right and use me well learn how to grow orchids whose flowers and the time to you I will tell. Solid zi nc solar timepiece. don't last three months. Pertect for herb garden, patio or poolside. Make delightful gifts Articles, like plants, take time to grow. for gardeners. Free informative Since I began this one, the fat little bud on folder included. Send check or M.O. for $6.95 to Pigeon Hill, my English import, Paphiopedilum mity­ 94 Station St., Suite 22t A Hingham , Ma. 02043 lene, has lived up to its promise. The flower Ma. res. add 5'10 IX. is really a bonus; I bought the plant for its beautifully mottled leaves, knowing noth­ ing of its background. If I had, I might not have bought it, for it is closely related to AZALfAS AND RfiODODENDRONS P. X Maudiae. However, now that I know THINK BIG! Think both early and late! I can keep a Maudiae relatively happy, Wouldn't Summer Azaleas look great maybe it is time to try growing P. X Mau­ diae again. After all, if some people call it In June and July a beginner's orchid, Paphiopedilum X When the rest have gone by Maudiae can't be all that difficult, can it? And next Spring seems an awfully long wait? -Ella May T. Wulff Extensive selection! Personal seNice! I~40Ns "For Gardeners & Designers Who Care., ," I. Need Advice? Call (914) 763-5958, Ell a May T. Wulff, a freelance writer living in O1R 2-year Catalog Subscription North Windham, Conneoticut, has been ~~RDE~ $2.00 (deductible with order) growing orchids 'since 1976 and is the current ~ Box305-AH president of the Connecticut Orchid Society. ------OF VERSES South Salem, NY 10590

American Horticulturist 35 r------, GOPHER IT! Eliminate Burrowing Rodents Sources At last an effective means to rid the yard THE DESIGN PAGE BOUGAINVILLEAS: A FEAST FOR THE and garden of Gophers, Maver Rare Perennials, Dept. AH, 3245 EYES S. Juneau, P.O. Box 18724, Seattle, WA Hatten's Nursery, Dept. AH, 6401 Over­ Moles and Shrews. 98118, catalogue $1.00. look Rd., Mobile, AL 36608, catalogue Shady Oaks Nursery, Dept. AH, 700 19th with stamped legal enve lope. Ave., N.E., Waseca, MN 56093, cata­ House Plants Today, Dept. AH, R.R. 2, logue $1.00. Crawfordsville, IN 47933, catalogue free. Wayside Gardens, Dept. AH, Hodges, SC Logee's Greenhouses, Dept. AH, 55 North 29695, catalogue, $1.00. Street, Danielson, CT 06239, catalogue NEW Woodlanders, Inc., Dept. AH, 1128 Col­ $3.00. leton Ave., Aiken, SC 29801, catalogue The Plumeria People, Dept. AH, P.O. Box The $2.00. 770291, Houston, TX 77272, catalogue $1.00. electronic BOTANICA AT KEY BISCAYNE stake vibrates Tours of Botanica and directions to the LADYSLIPPERS TO GROW ON YOUR grounds may be requested by writing or WINDOWSILLS and emits a noise calling Diane Dunlap, manager, 101 Cran­ Plants in 15 second intervals don Blvd., Key Biscayne, FL 33249, (305) Fort Caroline Orchids, Dept. AH, 13142 361-3662. Guided tours can be arranged Fort Caroline Rd., Jacksonville, FL causing underground by appointment. 32225, catalogue free. Most of the plants mentioned in this Great Lakes Orchids, Dept. AH, 28805 dwellers within a 100 ft. article may be ordered from the following Pennsylvania Rd., Romulus, MI 48174, radius to flee. Has mail-order companies. catalogue free. Plants Kensington Orchids, Dept. AH, 3301 Plyers been proven effective. John Brudy Exotics, Dept. AH, Route 1, Mill Rd., Kensington, MD 20895, cat­ Box 190, Dover, FL 33527, catalogue alogue free. $1.00. Maver Rare Perennials, Dept. AH, 3245 Protect your Lawn, Country Hills Greenhouse, Dept. AH, S. Juneau, P.O. Box 18724, Seattle, WA Route 2, Corning, Ohio 43730, cata­ 98118, catalogue $1.00. Garden and 'frees. logue $2.50. Orchids by Hausermann, Inc., Dept. AH, Endangered Species, Dept. AH, 12571 Red 2N 134 Addison Rd., Villa Park, IL Hill, P.O. Box 1830, Tustin, CA 92681, 60181, catalogue $1.00. FEATURES catalogue $5.00. Orgel's Orchids, Dept. AH, 18950 S.W. Logee's Greenhouses, Dept. AH, 55 North 136 Street, R.R. 2, Box 90, Miami, FL • No more gas, traps or Street, Danielson, CT 06239, catalogue 33187, catalogue free. pOlson. $3.00. Seeds Seeds Thompson & Morgan, Dept. AH, Farra­ • Safe for children and pets. The Banana Tree, Dept. AH, 715 North­ day & Gramme Avenues, P.O. Box 1308, ampton St., Easton, PA 18042, cata­ Jackson, NJ 08527, catalogue free. • Each stake is effective for logue 75¢. a 100 ft. radius. Chiltern Seeds, Dept. AH, Bortree Stile, FOSSIL PLANTS Ulverston, Cumbria, England LA12 7PB For further information on fossil plants, • Battery powered. G.D. and B.S. Bowden, catalogue $2.00. visit or write the Smithsonian Institution, • Waterproof. International Seed Supplies, Dept. AH, P.O. National Museum of Natural History, NHB Box 538, Nowra, NSW, Australia 2541, 166, Smithsonian Institution, Washing­ • No servicing required. catalogue $3.00. ton, DC 20560, or the Illinois State Mu­ Thompson & Morgan, Dept. AH, Farra­ seum Herbarium, Spring and Edwards • 3 Month Guarantee. day & Gramme Avenues, P.O. Box 1308, Street, Springfield, IL 62706. Please send a chec k or money order for $49.95 each Jackson, NJ 08527, catalogue free. "Coal Balls: A Key to Ancient Plants" (plus $4.00 shipping). Save money and buy 2 for is a booklet that was published by Dr. $94.95 (plus $6.00 shipping). DRACUNCULUS VULGARIS Leisman; it can be obtained free by writing M.O. Xpres,,-s ______George W. Park Seed Company, Inc., Dept. to: Dr. Gilbert A. Leisman, Biology Di­ 4330 Barranca Pkwy. • Suite 101E • AH, Hwy. 254 North, P.O. Box 31, vision, Emporia State University, Emporia, LI~e~A.,!22: 4______J Greenwood, SC 29647, catalogue free. KS 66801.

36 December 1987 IF YOU GROW INDOOR PLANTS PLEASE READ THIS AD!

I would like to talk to you about the kind of Wonderlite is unique because it has a balanced light your plant needs and why under certain cir­ spectrum and can be screwed into any ordinary cumstances our Wonderlite lamp is what you should light socket. Its light extends from the blues (380 purchase. Of course, if you have low light demand­ nm) to the far reds (730 nm) (which has been ing plants or your plants get sufficient natural light, proven to make plants grow and flower) because you may not need Wonderlite, but please read on it contains two sources of light! One strong in the anyway. Who knows, this ad may let you talk your­ blues and the other in red. Because it can be self into that special high light plant you have screwed into an ordinary socket, you can have always wanted. plants virtually anywhere you want them, and be­ cause it is a flood light, you can use it on your Plants use different portions of the light spec­ larger expensive plants or an entire collection of trum whose radiations are measured in smaller ones. As a bonus, Wonderlite makes plants wavelengths called nanometers (nm) for all biolog­ look beautiful and is compatible with natural light ical activity. For example: photosynthesis, the con­ and most other indoor lighting. version of light energy to chemical energy take place between 440-490 nm (blue) and also between Wonderlite costs $39.50 which is not cheap 650-680 nm (red). Flowering may be triggered in but looks better when compared with a fluorescent the photo chrome molecule by wavelengths of 660- set up of four 40 watt tubes (to match our 160W 730 nm (far red). There are many more photores­ Wonderlite) which is about $70.00. As I said, ponses which you should investigate but the point plants which are either low light demanding or is that a healthy plant requires a balanced light have access to sufficient natural light do not require spectrum. Wonderlite (however, all plants thrive under Won­ derlite) but for those who do our lamp is uncondi­ The problem with standard screw-in bulbs is tionally guaranteed for one year and when used that they use one source of light and therefore, are properly (at least 8 hours between switch-offs) it deficient in a portion of the spectrum. For example, is rated over 10,000 hours. To repeat, the Wonder­ most bulbs labeled "plant lights" are really incan­ lite can be screwed into existing sockets such as descent lights which are strong only in the yellow­ track lights, clip-ons or any free standing fixture red (560-650 nm) area of the spectrum and have and its balanced spectrum will help your plants a sprayed on blue coating inside the glass. This grow and bloom. coating actually cuts down the brightness or inten­ sity of the light and only improves the spectrum To order, please fill out the coupon or call our to a minimal degree. It is true that some fluorescent toll free number 1-800-221-4392. tubes do have a balanced spectrum but they require Thank you, a means of putting the tubes right over the plant as they are not completely effective at distances greater than 21f2-3 feet. This makes them inefficient for large plants. Besides many fluorescent fixtures H. Allerhand are decoratively unsuitable. President PUBLIC SERVICE LAMP CORP. Wonderlite® ------

Wonderlite Department Public Service Lamp Corp. Dept. C 410 West 16th Street o N.Y. State Residents add appropriate sales tax a>~ New York, NY 10011 Total Enclosed _____ (212) 989-5557 o Check o Visa o Master Charge Card No. ______Expires ______

Signature ______

Name ______Address ______AH3 City ______State ______Zip ______SAGAPRESS CLASSICS For Gardeners and Landscape Architects

The Complete Flower Paintings and Drawings of Graham Stuart Thomas CIassifieds with essay and notes by the author The R.H.S. awarded a Gold Medal to Graham Stuart Thomas for his botanical paintings and drawings, reproduced here in one magnificent BOOKS volume. These spellbinding portraits GARDEN DESIGN & HISTORY: GARDEN reveal a rare combination of artistry ART & ARCHITECTURE: CLASSIC WORKS and scientific understanding of the ON GARDENING. NEW & OUT-OF-PRINT flowers he so sensitively depicts. This BOOKS. Search service. Catalogs $1.50. Special stunning book also documents Mr. PLANT HUNTING book catalog upon request. Thomas's life work including details of WARREN BRODERICK, PO Box 124A, Lan­ his magnum opus: restoring the singburgh, NY 12182. gardens of England's National Tmst Classified Ad Rates: OUT-Of-PRINT BOOKS: Bought and Sold: from 1955, plus his definitive books on 85¢ per word; $17.00 mInI­ Horticulture, Botany, Landscaping, Herbology. old roses and 170 illustrations. Large Catalogue $1.00. POMONA BOOKS, 208 pp Hardcover, 58 color plates mum per insertion. 10% dis­ Rockton, Ontario, Canada LOR lXO. AHS Member Price $42.75 count for three consecutive in­ "HOW TO MURDER YOUR PLANTS" the The English Flower Garden sertions using same copy. Copy book that makes you a plant expert overnight! by William Robinson Discover secrets to indoor plant care, selection, must be received two months design, and more. Free details or $12.95 to: WE A masterwork reprinted, called the CARE, Dept. AHB, 8033 Sunset Blvd. #2628, most important and influential in the prior to publication date. Send Hollywood, CA 90046. language. Crusty and opinionated, orders to: American Horticul­ Robinson prescribed perennials and Out of Print and scarce gardening and botanical natural effects, writing vigorously from tural Society Advertising De­ books. Catalogs issued regularly. Please write experience. His dictionary of hardy partment, 80 South Early Street, to WHEELBARROW BOOKS, 22, Brangwyn plants is invaluable. Plant nomencla­ Ave.> Brighton, Sussex, BNl 8XG, England. ture is updated by Graham Stuart Alexandria, Virginia 22304. Or DRIED BOUQUETS SO REAL THEY LOOK Thomas. Foreward by Henry Mitchell; call (703) 823-6966. FRESH! Show-and-Tell books: Step-By-Step introduction by Deborah Nevins. BOOK Of DRIED BOUQUETS, over 285 Pho­ Original fine steel engravings. tos: Williamsburg, Modern, Country, Victo­ 720 pp Hardcover THE AVANT GARDENER rian, Gifts. ($12.95 ppd.). Step-By-Step BOOK AHS Member Price $33.25 DIFFERENT, EXCITING, GREAT fUN TO OF PRESERVED FLOWERS, professional se­ READ-for the gardener who wants to get more crets for preserving 100 flowers, includes Mi­ The Formal Garden in England crowave, ($3.95 ppd.) BOTH BOOKS $15.90 by Reginald Blomfield out of gardening! Subscribe to THE AVANT GARDENER, the most useful, most quoted of ppd. fREE NEWSLETTER, send stamp. RO­ Reprint of the classic handbook on for­ all gardening publications. Every month this BERTA MOFFITT, PO Box 3597, Wilmington, mal design. His theme: the garden unique news service brings you the newest and DE 19807. should logically extend. the house, most practical on-going information-new 1985 Edition EXOTICA 4, with 16,300 photos, reflecting its geometry and its style. plants, products, techniques, with sources, plus 405 in color, 2,600 pages in 2 volumes, with Garden history, knots, parterres, uses feature articles, special issues. 18th year. Awarded Addenda of 1,000 Updates, by Dr. A. B. Graf, of grass, pleaching, hedges, mazes, Garden Club of America and Massachusetts $187. TROPICA 3, revised 1986, 7,000 color with plans and illustrations, steel Horticultural Sociery Medals for outstanding photos, now 1,156 pages, $125. Exotic Plant engraved, fiFst published in 1892. contributions to horticulture. Curious? Sample Manual, 5th Ed., 4,200 photos, $37.50. Exotic 252 pp Hardcover copy $1. Serious? $10 full year (reg. $15). THE House Plants, 1,200 photos, $8.95. Circulars AHS Member Price $23.75 AVANT GARDENER, Box 489M, New York, gladly sent. ROEHRS, Box 125, E. Rutherford, Daylilies by Arlow B. Stout NY 10028. NJ 07073. Reprint of a masterpiece by an Ameri­ AZALEAS & RHODODENDRONS BULBS can botanist. updated by Graham HARDY AZALEAS & RHODODENDRONS: Bulbous Plant Journal, HERBERTIA and Quar­ Stuart Thomas and Darrel Apps. Northern grown and acclimated. Proven hardy terly Newsletter. Color-filled articles on bulbs, Species, early hybrids, cultural and here without winter protection. Big sizes! Big corms & tubers of Amaryllidaceae and related hybridizing notes, newly discovered selection! Personal service! Two Year Catalog families. $20/Year. APLS-AH, PO Box 5355, color plates, photos -- the daylily Subscription: $2.00 (deductible). CARLSON'S Pasadena, CA 91107-0355. reference, unique in its scope. GARDENS, Box 305-AHA1287, South Salem, CACTI & SUCCULENTS 145 pp Hardcover, 12 color plates NY 10590. (914) 763-5958. AHS Member Price $27.55 ATTRACTIVE and UNUSUAL CACTI, Lith­ BONSAI ops, and other succulents all seed grown. Gov­ The Peony by Alice Harding Bonsai Trees, Supplies. Catalog $2.50. We ship ernment licensed; ship anywhere. Informative A delightful and authoritative book, anywhere. MJe. VISA. BONSAI CREATIONS, catalog $1.00 (redeemable). REDLO CACTI AH, this overdue reprint covers history of P.O. Box 7511, Fort Lauderdale, FL33338 (305) 2315 NW Circle Blvd., Corvallis, OR 97330. the genus, mythology, seed setting, 463-8783. FLOWERING JUNGLE CACTI. We offer the preparation of soil and a shrewd ap­ Learn the fine art of Bonsai-join BONSAI BEST ChristmaslEaster Cactus, Orchid Cactus praisal of varieties still grown and CLUBS INTERNATIONAL. $15 USA mem­ (Epiphyllums), Hoyas, Haworthias, other suc­ loved today by discerning gardeners. bership includes one-year subscription to BC1 culents (over 1,000)! New Cobia Christmas 253 pp Hardcover, 15 color plates MAGAZINE and many other benefits, i.e., Cactus now available. All color 1987/88 plant AHS Member Price $25.65 symposia, lending library, member Bonsai tOhlrs. catalogue, plus 6 page 1988 supplement only Please add $1.75 per book for postage and handling. Dept. AH, 2636 West Mission Rd. #277, Tal­ $2.00 (refundable): RAINBOW GARDENS, Box Allow six weeks for delivery. Mail to: Robin Williams, lahassee, fL 32304. 1431-AHI8, Vista, CA 92083. AHS, Box 0105, Mount Vernon, VA 22121.

38 December 1987 "CATALOG OF UNUSUAL SUCCULENTS" rea ti on offers supervi sory position in ho rticul­ Discover the largest selection of weird and un­ tural operati ons and management of landscape usual succul ents-picture book catalog of suc­ projects. Involve the direction of flower bed culent crests, variegates, living stones, and odd­ creation, turf mai ntenance and improvement, balls. Send $1.00 today . "CATALOG OF erosion control, restoration of landscape and UNUSUAL SUCCULENTS," Dept. A-12, 553 direct contact with the public. Requires B.A. in Buena Creek Road, San Marcos, CA 92069. ho rti culture o r landscape architecture; mini­ mum four yea rs experi ence in park, botanical CARNIVOROUS PLANTS garden or nursery management or closely re­ PASSAGES UNLIMITED, Ca rnivo rous, woodland terrarium plants and lated field, with at least 18 months in admin­ supplies. Book, The World o(Carnivorous Plants, istrative or managerial capacity . Sa lary: Mid- INC. $8.95 postpaid. Catalog FREE. PETER PAULS 30's, depending on experience. NYC residency PRESENTS AHS TRAVEL NURSERIES, Canandaigua, NY 14424. required within 3 months of empl oyment. Di­ CATALOGS rector of Recruitment, NYC Dept. of Parks & 1988 Recreation, The Arsenal, Central Park, New FREE GARDEN CATALOG-4,000 items: York, NY 10021 (2 12) 360-8210. Equa l Op­ Seeds, Plants, Trees, Pots, Pl ant Foods, Bene­ Again in 1988 Passages Unlimited has portunity Employer. fici al Insects, Books, Greenhouses. MELLIN­ designed three unique trips for the GER'S Dept. 320 North Lima, OH 44452. HORTLINE Society's membership. It is our great DAYLILIES Back in print: Hortline, the " when to-how to" ho rticulture newsletter! $ 15.00/ yr. for 12 good fortune to have Dick Hutton, Board DA YLlLlES GALORE! Beautiful na med hy­ monthly issues. USDA zones 4, 5, 6 and 7. Make member and President of Conard­ brids. Quantity discounts. Send now for FREE checks paya ble to: TOM'S WORD HORTI­ informative catalog. LEE BRISTOL NURS­ Pyle/Star Roses, as our tour leader for CULTURE CONSULTING, PO Box 5238, ERY, Box SA, Gaylordsv ille, CT 06755. Charl eston, WV 25361. two of these offerings. Back by popular EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HOUSE PLANTS demand is his trip to see The Gardens of Administrativelrechnical responsibilities. De­ JASMJNES! BEGONIAS! Exotics from the far the Riviera & Burgundy (June 11-25), gree in horticulturall y related field, 3 yea rs ex­ corners of the world! Logee's 1986-88 profusely featuring one week in the south of France perience in public horticulture. Request detail s: illustrated mail-order catalog features 2,000 rare Pinsburgh Civic Garden Center, 1059 Shady and one week on the barge 'Janine' in indoor plants for yo ur windowsill or green­ Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. house. Catalog-$3.00. LOGEE'S GREEN­ Burgundy. In October we will Fall Into FRAGRANCE HOUSES, Dept. AH, 55 North Street, Daniel­ Spring when Dick will also lead a three SEEDS FOR FRAGRANCE, herbs, and the son, CT 06239. week trip of 'Rhododendrons and Roses' English Flower Garden. Catalogue $1.00. THE ORCHIDS, GESNERIADS, BEGONIAS, CACTI through the extraordinarily beautiful FRAGRANT PATH, Box 328A, Fort Calhoun, & SUCCULENTS. Visitors welcome. 1986-87 NE 68023. catalog $1.75. LAURAY OF SA LISBURY, Rt. ga rdens of New Zealand, with a possible FREE 24-HOUR HORTICULruRAL 41 (U ndermountain Rd.), Salisbury, CT 06068 extension to Thhiti. ANSWERS (203) 435-2263. By contrast to these exotic destinations The horticultural answer men at Green Cross INDOOR-OUmOOR GARDENING Wintercare answers all horticultural questions SUPPLIES we are also presenting the AHS ~t 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 1-800- "FREE CATALOG"-"LOWEST PRlCES" .. . Home'ln Virginia (April 23-May 1) with 841-1105: leave question ... answer by mail. Pots, baskets, flats, paks, labels, pens, etc ... . a tour during Historic Garden Week to In California (415) 362-0660. Or write: H.A.M., 2 Stamps ... Postage .. . PLANT COLLEC­ 260 Bay, Suite 207, San Francisco, CA 94133. TIBLES, 103E Kenview, Buffalo, NY 14217. visit many Restoration and private gar­ dens. We will conclude our week with a GARDEN ORNAMENTS INDOOR-OUmOOR GROWING Bronze, Lead, and Stone including Topiary. 400 SUPPLIES visit to the Society's Headquarters, River page catalog available $8.00. Hard bound li­ FREE GROWING SUPPLIES CATALOG. Fann. brary edition over 2,000 illustrations showing Wholesale Prices! Fast Service! Pots, fl ats, la­ bird baths, benches, bronzes including tablets, bels, fertilizer, tools, plant stands. FPI-H, 2242 cisterns, compasses, cupids, curbing, dolphins, Palmer, Schaumburg, IL 60173. eagles, elephants, finials, frogs, foxes, fruit bas­ For information, please check below & mail kets, gates and gate posts, Japanese lanterns, IRIS NOTES this coupon to: Passages Unlimited, Inc. lead figures, lions and lion masks, mermaids, LINE DRA W1NGS-4 BEAUTIFUL IRIS. Eight 14 Lakeside Office Park planters, St. Francis, weathervanes. KENNETH notes on blue or white paper. $4.95 postpaid. LYNCH & SONS, 78 Danbury Road, Wilton, C. SHANKS, 14 REMINGTON, HOUSTON, Wakefield, MA 01880 CT 06897. TX 77005. or Call 1-617-246-3575 Beautiful handcast English Lead Garden Turtle JASMINES Six inches long, Four pounds, $36.50 ppd. GENE o Gardens of the Rivi era & Burgundy Assorted Jasmines, Thunbergia Erecta or Pentas (June 11-25) MORRIS, 3193 Highway 155, Locust Grove, four for $7.50. List 30¢. EDNA WELSH, Rte. GA 30248. 3, Box 1700, Madison, FL 32340. o Fall Into Spring (October 20-November 5) GARDENING GLOVES o AHS 'At Home' In Virginia (April 23-May 11) MUSHROOMS GOATSKIN GLOVES. Tough, lightweight goatskin stretches and becomes form-fitting, GROW SHIITAKE/EXOTIC MUSHROOMS Name giving wearer ultimate in fit, grip, dexterity. Producers & suppliers of the highest quality commercial strains for mushroom growers. Natural lanolin in leather keeps hands soft. Sizes Address 7-10 or send outline of hand. $8.50 postpaid. Consulting, Supplies, Spawn. Serving the in­ PUTNAM'S, Box 295C, Wilton, NH 03086. dustry with state of the art solutions backed by scientific and applied research. Send $2 for cat­ City ______State_ Zip __ HELP WANTED alog (refund w/purchase) to: NORTHWEST LANDSCAPE DIRECTOR OF LANDSCAPE MYCOLOGICAL CONSULTANTS, Dept. A, Phone ______MANAGEMENT. NYC Dept. of Parks & Rec- 702 NW 4th St., Corvallis, OR 97330.

American Horticulturist 39 CLASSIFIEDS

NEW CARDINAL FLOWE~ COLORS HARDY PERENNIAL LOBELIA HYBRIDS: 1988 CALENDAR Not available elsewhere. Fuchsia, amethyst, pinks, whites, others. SASE FOR LIST (issued January) THURMAN MANESS-WILD­ • Funds raised from sales will be used To Order Calendars: WOOD, Rt. 3, Box 165, Pittsboro, NC 27312. to support conservation projects Send $6.95 per calendar; $6.25 for AHS NURSERY STOCK • 16 full-color photographs members. (For orders of 3 or m0re mailed to • Information on all plants pictured the same address: $6.45, non-members; MILLIONS OF SEEDLINGS: High Quality, Reasonable Prices. Over 100 Selections for • Large 8W' by 11 W' format (812" by $5.75, AHS members.) Please add $1.00 per Christmas Trees, Ornamentals, Windbreaks, 23" when open) calendar for postage and handling. PostagOREGON HOLLY FOR AN OLD State: ______~== ~~~ _____ Zip: ______~ ~ __ FASHIONED SENTIMENTAL CHRISTMAS Charming 2-lb. box of choicest green and var­ iegated berried holly with fragrant nosegay of Price/Calendar: $ Total # ordered: cedar, mistletoe and juniper. $12.50 airmail Postage & hand.lli:tg: $ Enclosed is my check for: $ postpaid. Specify greeting. Orders acknowl­ edged. Write or phone for complete brochure. Mrs. Richen (503) 625-6682. OREGON SE­ LECT HOLLY FARM, Sherwood, OR 97140. Plant the Very Best ... PEONIES Plant Andre Viette FIRST &ONLY Including rare hybrids. Also DA YLILIES, JAP­ Quality Perennials! ANESE IRIS, HOST A. 1987 catalog through Greenhouse/Screenhouse November 15 or reserve your February 1988 The Famous Andre Viette Year-Round Combination! copy-$1.00 (refundable). CAPRICE FARM Farm and Nursery has NURSERY, 15425 SW Pleasant Hill, Sher­ one of the largest UNI~~~RG'f.SA"\NG Rt"" wood, OR 97140. (503) 625-7241. collections in the East. We ship nationally. PERENNlALS SUit-PO INSULATED NEW, INEXPENSIVE way to buy perennials. Rare and Unusual WINTER SUN SPACE CONVERTS Specialists in growing and improving perennials Perennials TO A SUMMER SCREEN ROOM! guarantee you the finest plants ever offered­ same as used by professional nurserymen. Send Specializing in for FREE Bluestone catalog, lists mme than 300 Flowering varieties, plus information on care and growing. Perennials BLUESTONE PERENNIALS, 7201 Middle Rock Garden Ridge, Madison, OH 44057. Perennials Woodland We offer a good selection of sturdy plants. Send Plants $1.00 for Plant List (refundable). CAMELOT Daylilies _...... =- 1 # ~ NORTH, R2, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472. ~~/ NEW INTRODUCTIONS AND OLD FA­ VORITES featured with detailed cultural in­ formation and growing tips in our 48 page cat­ alog. Wildflowers and trees and shrubs, too! nc(rtViette Send $2.00 for two year subscription. HOL­ FARM & NURSERY BROOK FARM, Rt. 2, Box 223B-8030, Fletcher, NC 28732.

Accept No Substitute D Bronze aluminum D Shatter-resistant glazing Color your garden Beautiful with glorious lilies. D No foundations required D Easy do-it-yourself Carefree plants produce abundant flowers every assembly D Ideal spa /hot tub room . 703-943-2315 year. Collection of ten different hybrid bulbs Send $2 for Color Catalogues, Prices, just $13.99 including shipping. Order "Lovely Dept. AH, Rt. 1, Box 16 SENT FIRST CLASS MAIL. Lilies" from MILAEGER'S GARDENS, 4838 Fishersville, VA 22939 Dealer Inquiries Welcome Douglas Avenue, Racine, WI 53402. Perennial Write for our catalog - $2.00 VEGETABLE FACTORY, INC. Wish book offering 500 perennial varieties, $1.00; P.O. Bo x 2235, Dept AH-87 free with order. New York, NY 10163

40 December 1987 HOSTAS, IRISES, DA YLILlES, WILDFLOW­ PROPAGATOR WANTED Seeds of choice woody and herbaceous plants ERS, and other sun and shade loving perennials. PROPAGATOR/H ORTI CUL TURIST/E DU­ and vines. Clematis, Fothergilla, Primulas and Large selection of many common and rare va­ CATOR NEEDED TO FULFILL PROFES­ many Maples. Plants for fall color, ornamental rieties. Catalog $1 (refundable). LEE'S GAR­ SIONAL POSITION. DIVERSE DUTIES AND bark or berri es. Generous packets $1.50 Post­ DENS, Box 5, Tremont, IL 61568. RESPONSIBILITI ES AT A STABLE, HIGHLY paid. Send large SASE for informational list and free packet of seeds. MAPLETHORPE, 11296 Large Selection of Perennials for sun and shade. RESPECTED INSTITUTION. BACHELOR'S Sunnyv iew NE, Salem, OR 97301. Tall, Medium and carpeting Sedums. Extensive DEGREE AND EX PERI ENCE. COMMEN­ co llection of annual and perennial herbs. Cat­ SU RATE SALARY. SEND LETTER OF AP­ RARE NEW VARIETIES OF EXOTIC TROP­ alog $1.50. WRENWOOD, Rte. 4, PO Box 361, PLICATION AND RESUMETO THE DAWES ICAL SEEDS. Easy Growing Instructions In­ Berkeley Springs, WV 25411. ARBORETUM, 7770 J ACKSONTOWN cl uded. FREE List. Maroc, Dept. 12A, 22 Circle ROAD, S.E., NEWARK, O H 43055. DrivelB, Tiburon, CA 94920. PLANTS-CHOICE AND AFFORDABLE Extensive Selection: * American Natives * RHODODENDRONS & AZALEAS Rare and uncommon seeds and bulbs. Mostly Outstanding Ornamentals * Uncommon Con­ SPECIALI Z ING IN THE UNUSUAL. Dwarf tropical: Heliconi a, Banana, Cashew, Mango­ ifers * Perennials * Potential Bonsai * Har­ Rh ododendrons, Eve rgreen & Deciduous Azal­ steen, Carambola, numerous palms and protea. di est Euca lyptus * Wildlife Plants * Affordable eas, Dwarf Conifers, Companion Plants. Cat­ We ship WORLD WIDE. For catalog send 50¢ containerized starter-plants. Informative cata­ alog $1.00, refundable. THE CUMMINS GAR­ or stamps. THE BANANA TREE, 715 North­ log-$2.00. FORESTFARM, 990 Tetherah, DEN, 22 Robertsvi lle Rd ., Marlboro, NJ 07746. ampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Williams, OR 97544. (20 1) 536-2591. THE WORLD'S LARGEST and most famous PLANTS-SCARCE AND UNUSUAL RHODODENDRONS AND AZALEAS-Select seed catalog. Over 225 pages, 4,000 varieties, 1,000 color pictures. A major book of reference. Distinctive plants for your graden and land­ from 1,000 varieties with many new exciting The Encyclopedia of how and what to grow scape. Scarce, unusual and many old favorites. introductions. Also Laurel, Andromeda, Holl y, from seed. Vegetables, potted pl ants, exotics, Well established in 4" pots, ready for yo u to Conifers, Rare Pl ants and Trees. Mail-order ca t­ perennials, alpines, rockery, latest and bes t an­ grow on. FREE catalog. APPALACHIAN GA R­ alog $2.00. ROSLYN NURSERY, Dept. AH, nuals, trees, shrubs, bulbs from seed; includes DENS, Box 82, Waynesboro, PA 17268. (7 17) Box 69, Roslyn, NY 11576. (5 16) 643-9347. rare items unobtainable elsewhere. Write for 762-4312. ROOTING free copy, all owing three weeks, or enclose $2 PLUMERIA! GINGERS! HIBISCUS! CLONE plants with the CLONPOT@> Kit. Spe­ for first-class mail: THOMPSON & MOR­ BOUGAINVILLEAS! cial plastic and clay containers, su pplies and GAN, INC., Dept. AHC, PO Box 1308, Jack­ DA YLILlES, TROPICAL BULBS, BOOKS. A complete instructions for rooting cuttings in your son, Nj 08527. COLLECTOR'S DREAM CATALOG OF home. $13.95, $2.00 handling. SKOGEN P. . EASY-TO-GROW EXOTIC PLANTS-$1.00. SUPPLY, P.O. Box 753, Grand Haven, MI TREES AND SHRUBS HANDBOOK ON PLUMERIA CULTURE­ 49417. Camelli as, unusual evergreen and deciduous $4.95. RELIABLE SERVICE, GROWING IN­ shrubs and trees. Direct introductions from China ROSES STRUCTIONS, SPECIALTY FERTILIZERS. and j apan, over 200 species and varieties of­ SPECIAL OFFER: Plumeria cuttings, five dif­ HARD TO FIND ROSES : Old and New vari­ fered. Many new this yea r. Catalog, 44¢ post­ ferent colors (our selection) $25.00 (postpaid, eties including: HT Elizabeth Taylor, HT Lemon age. CAMELLIA FOREST NURSERY, 125 USA). PLUMERIA PEOPLE, Dept. AH, PO Box Sherbert, HT Maid of Honour, HT Marijke Carolina Forest, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. 820014, Houston, TX 77282-0014. Koopman, HT Nantucket, HT Sandringham Centenary . We carry the hardy Canadian Ex­ UNUSUAL PLANTS POSITION A VAILABLE­ plorer roses, and a large selecti on of the new RARE SUCCULENTS, EUPHORBIAS, CAU­ HORTICULTURAL DIRECTOR­ Austin English Shrub Roses which combine old DICIFORMS, SANSEVIERIAS, LOW LIGHT PAWLING PROPERTIES ASSOCIATES rose fragrance and appea rance with HT and FL PLANTS, OTHER EXOTICA. Catalog and pe­ RESPONSIBILITIES: Organization & coordi­ fl owering frequency. Excellent additions from ri odi c newsletters $1.50 deductible from 1st or­ nation of accessions for a 190 acre eastern na­ M cG redy: HT Penthouse (pk), HT Freshie der. SINGERS', 17806 Plummer St., North­ tive pl ant botanical garden now under construc­ (salmon pk), HT Redwood (very dark pk), HT ridge, CA 91325. tion, including coordination with our research Peachy (peach), and FL Red Hot (reddish). Free person in the field . Direction and coordination li st on request. HORTICO, INC., R.R. #1, VIDEOTAPES with grounds superintendent and gardeners in Waterdown, Ontario, Canada LOR 2HO. (416) NEW VIDEOTAPES! Increase your vegetable/ collections maintenance. Design and installa­ 689-6984. fl ower yield; tour famous gardens. Over forty tion of extensive planned plantings. Implemen­ ROSES IN PORCELAIN. Our rose necklaces titles. Free Catalog (800) 331-6304, California tation and maintenance of computeri zed pl ant are unique. Handpainted and set in sterling sil­ call collect (415) 558-8688. THE ORIGINAL records system. ver. Send $1.50 for color photo/brochure. P & S HOME GARDENER'S VIDEO CATALOG, QUALIFICATIONS: Extensive knowledge of Porcelains, P.O. Box 844, Holly Hill, FL 32017. Box 410777, Dept. AH, San Francisco, CA eastern native woody plants. Experience in hor­ 94141. ticulture and in direction of intelligent dedicated SEEDS WILDFLOWERS personnel. Understanding of plant labelling and PRIMULA AURICULA SEED, IMPROVED UNCONVENTIONAL, RARE AND FAMIL­ records systems. Knowledge of the ecology of GARDEN AURICULA STRAIN THE RESULT IAR NATIVE WILDFLOWERS AND CUL­ native plant habitats desirable. OF 30 YEARS OF SELECTIVE BREEDING. TIV ATED PERENNIALS for formal or natur­ SALARY: New four bedroom house provided A COMPLETE PALETTE OF COLORS. ALSO alistic areas. Top quality nursery propagated in beautiful location. Utilities covered. New car. SHOW, ALPINE, DOUBLE AND SMALL HY­ plants. Free list of mail-order plants or descrip­ Maintenance covered. $20,000-$23,000 with BRID AURICULA, CANDELABRA HYBRIDS tive catalog $3.00. NICHE GARDENS, Rte. 1, full medical, retirement, vacation and other ben­ AND LATE FLOWERING PRIMULA FLOR­ Box 290, Dept. A. , Chapel Hill, NC 27514. efits. Use of recreational facilities. TO APPLY: INDAE. SASE FOR LIST TO HERB DICK­ Send resume to: David Rathbun, PO Box AA, SON, CHEHALIS RARE PLANT NURSERY, WOODLANDERS Pawling, NY 12564; Call (9 14) 855-1531. 2568 JACKSON HWY, CHEHALIS, WA 98532. RARELY OFFERED SOUTHEASTERN NA­ POSITION WANTED WORLD FAMOUS SELECTION of rare seeds TIVES, woody, herbaceous, nursery-grown. EXPERT PROPERTY CARE. Land, Flora, from every continent. Thousands of exotics, Many hardy northward. Also newly introduced Structures, Administration, all capably handled. wildflowers, trees, Himalayan alpines. Gourmet exotics selected for Southern gardens. Send 39¢ Permanent position sought with responsibili­ vegetables, culinary herbs. Catalog $1.00. ].L. postage for extensive mailorder li st. WOOD­ ties. Will live on site. L.S ., PO Box 761, Ojai, HUDSON, Seedsman, Box 1058-AT, Redwood LANDERS AH, 1128 Colleton Ave., Aiken, SC CA 93023. City, CA 94064. 29801.

American Horticulturist 41 UNUSUAL SPECIES Dracunculus Vulgaris My Heirloam Plant

ome of us own what can only be termed " heirloom plants." Grown Sfrom cuttings, bulbs, and seeds that have been passed along from generation to generation, no one seems to know much about their origins. We keep them around for sentimental reasons, kindly remem­ bering the folks who gave them to us. Some of the plants are real oddities-take my Devil's-tongue, for instance. It is an easy­ to-grow plant adaptable to many areas and fascinating to watch as it develops. An elderly neighbor who liked to collect out-of-the-ordinary plants gave my mother a "start" ofDevil's-tongue back in the days of the Great Depression. Trading plants was then a pleasant diversion in a time of stress, a way of obtaining new plants with­ out putting a strain on pocketbooks that were already well worn and short of cash. My Devil's-tongue has been in the fam­ ily ever since those lean days, but where our neighbor acquired it is anyone's guess. Many seasons have come and gone and hundreds of revisions have been made to plant catalogs, burying the original source in oblivion. This much I do know-Devil's-tongue originated somewhere in the region of the Mediterranean. It is a member of the Ar­ aceae, or arum family, and is known as Dracunculus vulgaris. The arum family also includes some plants more familiar to us, such as the unique Jack-in-the-pulpit (Ar­ isaema triphyllum)-that well-known na­ tive of America's rich, moist woods-and the lovely calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiop­ ica) . The latter has been developed for flo­ If you have a taste for the unusual try Dracunculus vulgaris, or Devil 's-tongue. This spectacular ral use and is grown commercially for cut member of the arum family is sure to draw attention, both for its unusual blooms and for its flowers and potted plants. A number of prominent, long-lasting foliage. years ago its cream colored, wax-like blos­ soms were very popular in bridal bou­ gets downwind from it, the carrion-like My friends would look at the Devil's­ quets. It is doubtful, however, that the calla odor will announce its presence.) Unfor­ tongue blossoms and hold their noses. lily's kinsman, Dracunculus vulgaris, will tunately for Daddy, the Devil's-tongue had "Ooh, look at all the flies! " "Phew, what ever attain the same distinction. been planted just outside the south fence a terrible smell!" Neighbors would drop A practical man who leaned toward the of his vegetable garden in a spot where my by to view the curiosity. All stood at a more edible aspects of gardening, my father mother liked to plant her colorful array of respectful distance, moving around if the was not fond of the Devil's-tongue. (If one dahlias, perennial phlox, and zinnias. wind shifted.

42 December 1987 Nothing detracted fro m the fl o urishing erl y. It prefers semi-shade and does not growth of the Dev il 's-tongue; it continued tolerate heavy shade such as that under­ to grow and multiply, sending up mo re nea th magnoli as and live oaks. The flick­ lea fage and fl owers as the yea rs went by. ering shade of mimosas or a place that Finally, th ere ca me a time when th e ho use ca tches onl y morning sun is ideal. If grouped was to have new occupants, traumati c fo r with other pl ants, remember that Devil 's­ pl ants if new owners a re no t pl ant-con­ tongue is going to be gone by summer, scious but prefer a neat lawn, shade trees, crea ting a gap th at must be fill ed with and nothing more. T hat was the case, so something else. I rescued th e Dev il 's-tongue and some of My pl ants a re planted away fr om the its descendants (as well as o th er plants) house in their own spot next to a compost and moved them to my own ho me. Not enclosure beside the vegetable garden. There onl y is the Dev il 's-tongue a lin k to th e pas t, th ey get the benefit of ri ch soil and parti al but it is an outstanding- and beauti ful­ shade, and their full -bl own blossoms may pl ant. As for the odo r-well , ho ld yo ur be admired as long as one stands upwind nose ! There's no decree saying all fl owers from them. As attention-getters and con­ must smell like roses. versa tion pieces, there is nothing else around In earl y spring, whil e the weath er is still th at resembles them. quite chilly and mo rnings are tinted with Dev il 's-tongue is an earl y riser, so tubers frost, the Dev il 's-tongue pushes its way up should be pl anted in the fall and spaced through the ea rth, soon unfolding its ti ghtly about fifteen inches apart-that is, if you rolled green leaves streaked with white. As li ve in the South. In our Zone 8, I plant the pl ant grows, the leaves grow larger, the tubers three inches deep and they re­ For greener, healthier, more until they are quite prominent. The foli age main in the ground year-round. Dormant vigorous houseplants, Oxygen Plus is an outstanding feature of this plant be­ tubers have withstood temperatures down is the best-performing plant food you cause the leaves are deepl y cut, giving the to 1°_10° F., with onl y moderate mulch. appearance of having ten o r mo re seg­ Infrequently, we have what is considered can buy. University tests prove it. ments. The plants grow with surprising a severe w inter fo r o ur area, when the · Mixed with water, Oxygen Plus speed as the stout, straight stems- white, ground will freeze an inch or so deep, but releases critically-needed oxygen at spotted with purple- continue th eir up­ Dev il 's-tongue does not seem to suffer any the root level to protect against the ward thrust, adding to th eir tropi cal ap­ damage. Fro m this, it is fair to co nclude #1 causes of houseplant failure­ pearance. At their maximum height, the th at this is a fairly hardy plant and adapt­ compacted soil and overwatering. pl ants are well over three feet tall and the able to many areas. But if you live where Oxygen Plus delivers essential nutri­ fl owers measure twenty inches o r mo re in winters are consistently bitter and harsh, ents everytime you water-even if length. you sho uld w inter the tubers indoors, you overwater. Dracunculus vulgaris comes into bloom pl anting them outside again in early spring Oxygen Plus. There's simply in mid-spring, with a flamboyant display after the ground thaws and is workable. nothing better for your plants. Let of its royal colors-variations of deep red. This spectacular plant is also a novelty us prove it. When our neighbor gave my mother the to grow in the greenhouse, but again , the Devil's-tongue, she stressed that it would odor must be considered. It is an ideal be blooming in time for Mother's Day. pl ant for large o utdoor planters, as the Sure enough, in southwestern Arkansas the tubers can be removed after they go into blooming period is in early May, usually dormancy and the planters used for an­ centering around that celebrated day. other flower that likes hot weather. Blos­ Buy one 8 oz . bottle for the regular price The flower-bearing stems are easily som odor is a determining factor in placing of $2.99 and we'll send the second identified, as they are larger than the leaf the planters, but Dracunculus vulgaris is bottle FREE! stems. When the proper time comes, the well worth growing for its outstanding fo­ Send order with a check or money order closely wrapped, spotted spathe gradually liage alone. The leaves come up early in to Plant Research Laboratories, P.O. Box rises from the center of a stem and unfolds the season and are in evidence much longer 3976, Laguna Hills, California 92654. For its ruffled edges to reveal the beautiful, than the flowers. additional orders, please call 1 (800) wine-red, velvety interior and the almost If you, too, are a connoisseur of the un­ 221-2589 (OUTSIDE CALlF.) , (714) black spadix. The bloom is followed by a usual, try growing the Devil's-tongue. It is 721-0153 (INSIDE CALlF.), or instruct us on your personal stationery. seedhead that matures into a cluster of easy to raise, and with a little TLC, you orange-colored seeds resembling the seed­ will be rewarded by its extraordinary Name ______head of a Jack-in-the-pulpit, and as sum­ beauty-not to mention the notoreity you'll mer heat comes on, the whole plant dies receive. Address ______down and goes into dormancy. -Alice B. Yeager Devil's-tongue likes rich, well-drained, City ___ State _ Zip __ loamy soil with a pH factor of 6.0-8.0 but Alice B. Yeager, a freelance writer and artist, © 1987. Plant Research Laboratories needs plenty of moisture to develop prop- li ves and gardens in Texarkana, Arkansas. ------HOR American Horticulturist 43 1987 Index

n annual index to articles appear­ Autumn Garden, An. Oct., 2I. ing in American Horticulturist Basella Family, The. Apr., 14. magazine is printed in each De­ Begonias, Tuberous. Growing Tuberous A Begonias. Apr., 4. cember issue. You can keep your issues of American Horticulturist in one place for Blackberry Lilies. Aug., 5. Botanical Prints. Jun., 18. quick, handy reference by using one of our Botanica at Key Biscayne. Dec., 14. attractive binders with our magazine title Bougainvilleas: A Feast for the Eyes. Dec., embossed in gold on a rich, leatherlike green 22. spine. Each binder will hold 18 issues­ Bowman's Hill State Wildflower Preserve. that's three years' worth of gardening know­ Apr., 23. how. Easily applied gold numbers are in­ Bulbs. Spring Bulbs. Oct., 42. cluded to help you add dates and volume Cabbage, Ornamental. An Autumn Garden. numbers. You may order three or more Oot., 2I. binders for $6.50 each or send $7.50 for Cacao Beans and Cola Nuts. Feb., 30. Careers in Horticulture, Part III. Feb., 25. one binder. Send your check to Binders, Catalogue Review, A. Tree and Shrub The American Horticultural Society, Mount Suppliers. Feb., 8. Vernon, VA 22121. Celebrating Sunflowers. Aug., 22. Choosing the Best Rose. Oct., 35. Design Page, The. Garden Illusions. Feb., 5. Garden Illustrations. Apr., 35. Garden AUTHOR Reflections. Dec., 5; Spring Bulbs. Oct., 42; Adams, Richard M.,II. Careers in The White Garden. Jun., 11; Woodland Horticulture, Part 111. Feb., 25. Gardens. Aug., 34. Barnes-Svarney, Patricia. S.U.N.Y. Devil's-tongue. Dracunculus Vulgaris - My Greenhouse. Jun., 5. Heirloom Plant. Dec., 42. Bonta, Marcia. Bowman's Hill State Dracunculus Vulgaris - My Heirloom Plant. Wildflower Preserve. Apr., 23. Dec., 42. DeBlasi, Anthony. Growing Tuberous Dried Flowers. Everlasting Perennials. Oct., Begonias. Apr., 4. 10. Harmon, Stanley M. Liatris. Jun., 25. Educational Facilities. S.U.N.Y. Greenhouse. Harper, Pamela. An Artist's Garden. Aug., Jun., 5. 18. Parke, Margaret. Botanical Prints. Jun., 18; Employment in Horticulture. Careers in Hensel, Margaret. Garden Illusions. Feb., 5; Giverny. Apr. , 17. Horticulture, Part 111. Feb., 25. Garden Illustrations. Apr., 35; Garden Reddell, Rayford. Choosing the Best Rose. Everlasting Perennials. Oct., 10. Reflections. Dec., 5; Spring Bulbs. Oct., 42; Oct., 35. Foliar Fragrance. Aug., 15. The White Garden. Jun., 11; Woodland Scott, Barbara. Blackberry Lilies. Aug., 10. Fossil Plants. The Mystery of Flowering Gardens. Aug., 34. Sheldon, Elisabeth. Hardy Geraniums. Oct., Plants. Dec., 27; Plant Fossils: Sermons in Hillstrom, Judith E. Lycoris Magic. Aug., 44. 4; Jane Loudon: First Lady of Gardening. Stone. Dec., 30. Hynes, Erin Monica. Public Gardens: Jun., 15. Garden for Maryland, A. Aug., 26. Practical but Spectacular. Jun., 42. Steffey, Jane. The Basella Family. Apr., 14; Garden Hints. Choosing the Best Rose. Oct., Jackson, Faith. A Garden for Maryland. Cacao Beans and Cola Nuts. Feb., 30; The 35. Aug., 26. Pepper Family. Dec., 10; The Phlox Family. Garden Illusions. Feb., 5. Leisman, Gilbert A. The Mystery of Aug., 5. Garden Illustrations. Apr., 35. Flowering Plants. Dec., 27; Plant Fossils: Stone, Doris M. Longue Vue. Jun., 28 .· Garden Reflections. Dec., 5. Sermons in Stone. Dec., 30. Weinberg, Ruby. Botanica at Key Biscayne. Gardens. An Artist's Garden. Aug., 18; An Loebel, JoAnn Schowalter. Flowers for Dec., 14. Autumn Garden. Oct., 21; Botanica at Key Drying: Everlasting Perennials. Oct., 10. White, Jane Baber. Restoration of a Poet's Biscayne. Dec., 14; A Garden for Loewer, Peter. An Autumn Garden. Oct., 21; Garden. Oct., 27. Maryland. Aug., 26; Giverny. Apr., 17; Tree and Shrub Suppliers. Feb., 8. Wulff, Ella May T. Ladyslippers to Grow on Longue Vue. Jun., 28; Miracle on 104th Lynch, Lynn M. Celebrating Sunflowers. your Windowsills. Dec., 7. Street. Feb., 15; Restoration of a Poet's Aug., 22. Yeager, Alice B. Dracunculus Vulgaris - My Garden. Oct., 27; Woodland Gardens., Martin, Tovah. Bougainvilleas: A Feast for Heirloom Plant. Dec., 42. Aug., 34. the Eyes. Dec., 22. Foliar Fragrance. Aug. , Gardens, France. Giverny. Apr., 17. 15. Giverny. Apr., 17. Meerow, Alan. Hardy Palms. Apr., 26. SUBJECT/TITLE Growing Tuberous Begonias. Apr., 14. Miller, Lynden B. Miracle on 104th Street. Aromatic Foliage. Foliar Fragrance. Aug., 15. Hardy Geraniums. Oct., 4. Feb., 14. Artist's Garden, An. Aug., 18 . Hardy Palms. Apr., 26.

44 December 1987 Helianthus. Celebrating Sunflowers. Aug., 22. History of Gardening. Botanical Prints. Jun., 18; Jane Loudon, First Lady of Gardening. Jun., 15; Restoration of a Poet's Garden. Oct., 27. Horticultural Careers. Ca reers in Horticulture, Part Ill. Feb., 25. Horticultural Research Facilities. S. U.N . Y. Greenhouse. Jun., 5. How-To Guide, A. Growing Tuberous Begoni as. Apr., 4. Indoor Gardening. Ladys lippers to Grow on Your Windowsills. Dec., 7. Jane Loudon: First Lady of Gardening. Jun., 15. John J. Tyler Arboretum, The. Oct., 15. Ladyslippers to Grow on Your Windowsills. Dec., 7. Liatris. Jun., 25. ._._.lam !l'iUI!1a_lliiU~ Linanthus. The Phl ox Family. Aug., 5. Please send your value-packed Longue Vue. Jun., 28 . I catalog. I enclose $2, deductible I Lycoris Magic. Aug., 44. I on my first catalog order. I Miracle on 104th Street. Feb., 14. I Name II Mystery of Flowering Plants, The. Dec., 27. New Plants for 1987. Feb., 18. I &JRFD I Paleobotany. The Mystery of Flowering I City State--Zip_ I Plants. Dec., 27. II send to: I Paphiopedilum. Ladyslippers to Grow on I GILBERT H. WILD & SON, INC. I your Windowsill s. Dec., 10. !1m AH·1287 Joplin SI. Sarcoxie, MO 64862 • Pepper Family, The. Dec., 7. • ••e ••ilIW£I ••• Perennials. Flowers for Drying: Everlasting Perennials. Oct., 10. Phlox Family, The. Aug., 5. Piperaceae. The Pepper Family. Dec., 10. Plant Collections. The John]. Tyler Arboretum. Oct., 15; S.U.N.Y. Greenhouse. Jun., 5. ~FREE---.... Plant Fossils: Sermons in Stone. Dec., 30. Plants for the Landscape. Bl ackberry Lilies. Aug., 10; Hardy Geraniums. Oct., 4. Polemomium. The Phlox Family. Aug., 5. Public Gardens: Practical But Spectacular. Jun., 42. Restoration of a Poet's Garden. Oct., 27. Roses. Choosing the Best Rose. Oct., 35. Seasonable Reminders: Lycoris Magic. Aug., SEED CATALOG Featuring more than ninety delicious tomato 44. varieties, 43 sweet corns, 1 5 cantaloupe, 90 Spencer, Anne. Restoration of a Poet's marigolds and 110 petunias plus a huge selection Garden. Oct., 27. of other garden favorites in the 1 500 listed Spring Bulbs. Oct., 42. varieties. No other catalog lists four Brussels Sprout varieties or such an extensive list of exotic Strange Relatives. The Basella Family. Aug., Oriental vegetables. 5; Cacao Beans and Cola Nuts. Feb., 30; Quality Stokes seeds are noted for their high ger­ Th ~ Pepper Family. Dec., 10; The Phlox mination, excellent vigor and top productivity. For Family. Aug., 5. your best garden ever, plant Stokes seeds this year! Sunflowers. Celebrating Sunflowers. Aug. , STOKES SEEDS 1118 Stokes I!Idg .. Box 548. Buffalo. NY 14240 22. ------, S.U.N.Y. Greenhouse. Jun., 5. STOKES SEEDS 1118 Stokes Bldg .• Box 548. Buffalo. NY 14240 Theobroma. Cacao Beans and Cola Nuts. ( I Rush My Free Stokes Catalog to: PLEASE PRINT Feb., 30. Tree and Shrub Suppliers. Feb., 8. Namo ______Tulips. Spring Bulbs. Oct., 42. Mailing White Garden, The. Jun., 11. Ad~ro •• ______Wildflower PreseI:Ves. Bowman's Hill State SEND TODAY Wildflower Preserve. Apr., 23. ______Zip ______FOR YOUR FREE COPYI Woodland Gardens. Aug., 34.

American Horticulturist 45 ~~ ~======~ ~~ ~======~ Gardening in t e South Country Casual to Antebellum Elegance

AHS 43rd Annual Meeting • April 14·16, 1988 • Atlanta, Georgia • Tour magnificent private gardens and see a grounds of the Atlanta Historical Society and variety of Southern gardening styles the Atlanta Botanical Garden and delight in • Enjoy educational sessions that will expand Georgia 's historical and horticultUfal treasures your gardening expertise and provide you with • Savor the magic of Callaway Gardens new inspiration • Enhance your own garden with plant • Learn about the latest developments in purchases from visits to Goodness Grows horticultural research from experts associated Nursery and other noted garden centers with the Biosphere II project in Arizona Plan now to join us in Atlanta-a city rich in • Wander through the beautifully landscaped history and horticulture-April 14-1§, 1988. Look for program details and registration form in the February issue of American Horticulturist.