~GAZINE

THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, INC. * January 1962 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY A union of the A mel-ican Horticultural Society and the American Horticultural CouncIL 1600 BLADENSBURG ROAD, NORTHEAST. WASHINGTON 2, D. C.

For United Horticulture *** to accumulate, increase, and disseminate horticultural intorma!ion

Terms Expiring 1962 B. Y. MORRISON, Editor FREDERIC P. LEE JAMES R. HARLOW, Managing Editor Maryland HENRY T. SKINNER District of Columbia Editorial Committee GEORGE H. SPALDING California JOHN L. CREECH, Chair'man RICHARD P. WHITE 'N_ H. HODGE District of Columbia ANNE WERTSNER WOOD FREDERIC P. LEE Pennsylvania CONRAD B. LINK Terms Expiring 1963 CURTIS MAY l'vIARY W , M. HAKES FREDERICK G. MEYER Maryland WILBUR H. YOUNGMAN GRETCHEN HARSHBARGER Iowa FREDERIC HEUTTE OfficeTS Virginia PRESIDENT W. H. HODGE Pennsyillania DONALD WYMAN ALBERT J. IRVING Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts New York

FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT Terms Expiring 1964 HENRY T. SKINNER Washington, D. C. R. C. ALLEN Ohio SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT P. H. BRYDON California ANNE WERTSNER WOOD CARL 'W. FENNINGER Swarthmore, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania JOHN E. GRAF ACTING SEORETARY-TREASURER Dish-ict of Columbia GRACE P. WILSON GRAOE P. 'WILSON Blaciensbw-g, Maryland J1i[arylanci

The American Horticultural Magaline is the official publication of the American Horticultural Society and is issued four times a year during the quarters commencing with January, April, July and October. It is devoted to the dissemination of knowledge in the science and art of growing ornamental plants, fruits, vegetables, and related subjects. Original papers increasing the historical, varietal, and cultural knowledges of plant materials of economic and aesthetic importance are welcomed and will be published as early as possible. The Chairman of the Editorial Committee should be consulted for manuscript specifications. Reprints will be furnished in accordance with the following schedule of prices, plus post­ age, and should be ordered at the time the galley proof is returned by the author: One hundred copies-2 pp $6.60; 4 pp $12.10; 8 pp $25.30; 12 pp $36.30; Covers $12.10.

Entered as second class matter in the post office at Baltimore, Maryland, in accordance with the Act of August 24, 1912. Additional entry for Washington, D.C., was authorized July 15, 1955, in accordance witb the pro­ visions of Section 132.122, Postal Manual. A subscription to The American Ho,ticultural Magazine is included as a benefit of membership in the American Horticultural Society, Individual Membership dues being 16.00 a year. JANUARY. 1962

TIIE ~En.ICAN

FORMERLY THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE VOLUME 41 • NUMBER 1

Contents

The Best of the Dogwoods DONALD WYMAN ______I

Lapageria in Oregon DONALD '!\T. STRYKER ______II

A Rarely Cultivated Pitcher Plant W. H. HODGE ______13

Some Shade and Ornamental Maples, Part 2 CURTIS lVIA Y ______17

The Wild Yellow Roses and Related Species GRAHAM S. THOMAS ______28

A Book or Two ______36

The Gardeners' Pocketbook CUTcnma Toscoeana. B. Y. MORRISON ______42 Growing Plants in "Feather Rock." FREDERICK W. COE ______43 A Titan Arum Flowers. W . H. HODGE ______45 Gm-donia lasianthus Again. :MORLEY WILLIAMS ______48 Mahonia lomaTiaefolia and others. B. Y. MORRISON ______49 Hoya daTwini-Dischidi mfflesiana. HENRY TEUSCHER ______50 Vallota speciosa. W. H. HODGE ______52 These Plants Have Scents. FREDERICK W. COE ______53 Chinese Quince. CAROLINE DORMON ______54 Two Native Azaleas. B. Y. MORRISON ______55 Winter Heiiotrope. ELIZABETH LAWRENCE ______56 Junipenls confe)-ta. JOHN L. CREECH ______56 Odd Tree Noises. FREDERICK W. COE ______58 Skunk Cabbages. W. H . HODGE ______58 Magnolia sott.langiana var. bTOzzoni. B. Y. MORRISON ______60

JAN UA RY covr;;R ILLUSTRATION (HENRY TEUSCHER) Hoya darwinii (See page 50)

Copyrigill, © 1962 by The AmCl"ical1 Horticullural Society. Inc. ARNOLD ARBORETU?\-f

Figure 12

Paperbark lt1.aple, Acer griseum

Peeling of the reddish-brown bark is characteristic

(See page 17) The Best of the Dogwoods

DONALD WYMAN

Speak of dogwoods, and most garden­ come badly mixed in the American nurs­ ers immediately think of two or three eries. We haye been disappointed many species which are popular small tree , times in ordering plants from Ame-ican but there are many more species and sources under Lhi s name, only to find vari eties in this interesting and ornamen­ when the plan ts arrive that they were tal clan. In fact, American nurserymen not true Siberian Dogwood, but rather today are offering approximately forty­ C. alba, the European C. sanguinea, or five species and varieties, while over one of the native Americans with red or sixty-he are growing in the Arnold Ar­ reddish twigs (C. stolonifera, C. amo­ boretum at Jamaica Plain, Massachu­ m um, or C. baile'yi). setts. Not all are outstanding ornamen­ The Arnold Arboretum obtained tals, bu t those that are, or wi th further plants purporting to be tha t of Siberian trial may prove themselves to be, certain­ Dogwood from nearly thirty-six sources ly are worth careful consideration by the in this country and abroad, noted the in teres ted gardener. considerable mix-up, found the true va­ Vi sitors who may have made a May riety and re-introduced it to American pilgrimage to Valley Forge, Pennsylva­ sources. The true Siberian Dogwood is nia, when the Flowering Dogwood (COT­ hard to distinguish from the species on nus {101-ida) is at its height of bloom, purely botanical characteristics but is feel that this one species is the most im­ recognized by the f;'lct that the twig color portant. There special efforts have gone is a more brilliant red, making it more into making an extensive planting of worth-while as an ornamental for winter these beautiful trees as a living memo­ display. rial to the Revolutionary soldiers who Even native American species are fre­ wintered there almost two centuries ago. quently mis-identified. Such is the cast' On the other hand, people who live sometimes with C. stolonifem and C. in the Pacific Northwest are familiar amomurn. Both have reddish twigs, but with the beautiful Pacific Dogwood (C. C. stolonifera is usually the more desir­ nutted Iii) which does do so well along able of the two for ornamental planting the 'Vest Coast but does not grow well because of its stoloniferous habit of in the East. growth, lower size and greater hardiness. People who have made a hobby of ar­ One nurseryman was propagating thou­ ranging flowers have come to realize that sands of C. amomU1n (with brown pith) the Cornelian cherry (C. mas) is one of and labelling it C. stolonifera (which has the best of this entire group for "arrange­ white pith) before he realized his rather ments," especially for those made early serious error. in the season when branches cut from It is also probable that these shrubby garden plants are forced indoors for pre­ types can hybridize, one with the other, cocious bloom. so it becomes increasingly important to Then there are those shrubs with col­ realize the differences between the spe­ ored twigs, some of which are outstand­ cies and offer them for what they really ing all winter long. The native Red Osier are. Dogwood (C. stoloni/era) is colorful, but In order to do this so that comparisons the true Siberian Dogwood (C. alba sibi­ can be made, it seems advisable to divide rica) is even more brilliantly colored. It the plants into tree types, large shrub is unfortunate that this variety h~s be- types-from seven to twenty feet-and low shrub types. Since nearly forty spe­ H orticulturist of the Arnold Arboretum, H arvard cies and varieties have some merit for U niversiry, Jamaica Plain, 'Massachusetts, and Presi­ de nt o f the Amcri c.a n H orticulLural Society. landscape planting and another fifty are [l ] 2 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

ARNOLD ARBORETUM

Cornus controversa

either inferior to the selected group or from Long Island southward, with large no better ornamentally, only those that leaves four to seven inches long and as are worthy of consideration for landscape much as three and a half inches wide. planting will be discussed here. The flowers are small, in yellowish-white clusters about four to six inches wide but Tree Types without conspicuous bracts. Even though There are six species of dogwoods that it is not superior to C. controversa in are trees in this group recommended for flower, it may have merit in some situ­ landscape use, four of them being na­ ations because the flowers appear in July tives of China or Japan (C. capitata, C. and August, at a time when few other macmphylla" C. conlmveTsa, _ and C. trees bloom. Certainly it has merit as a l?o1£sa), and two natives of North Amer­ foliage tree. ica (C. nuttallii and C. {lOl"icla). The One of the taller of the dogwood trees least hardy, seldom planted in the United growing up to sixty feet high, is the Giant States (except in protected gardens on Dogwood (C. conll·oVe1"Sa). This is per­ the Northwest Pacific Coast), is the Ever­ fectly hardy as far north as Boston, where green Dogwood (C. capitata), a rounded, it does well. The leaves are alternate; evergreen to se mi-evergreen tree growing unlike those of most dogwoods; the flow­ about forty feet tall with small flower ers are small and similar to those of the clusters and four to six pale yellow shrubby types. The fruits are bluish­ bracts an inch and a half to two inches black berries and the autumn foliage col­ long. The fl owers appear in June and or is red. The branches are prod ueed in July and the red, strawberry-like fruits tiers or layers, s are those of some of the appear in the fall. The tree is very ten­ other dogwood tree types. All in all, der and can be grown only in those parts this is superior to the native alternate­ of the country relatively free of frost and leaved Pagoda Dogwood (C. alternifolia) high summer temperature. which is not recommended because it is The Largeleaf Dogwood (C. maao­ frequently susceptible to a serious twig phylla) is a forty-five foot tree hardy blight. JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1 3

ARNOLD ARBORETUM

Cornus kousa variegata 4 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

The last of the exotic tree types worth ing wild in 1918 by H. H . Eddie, a nurs­ growing is the Japanese or Kousa I?og­ eryman of Vancouver, British Columbia. wood (C. kousa) or its Chinese varlety, It resembles the species in every respect the Chinese Kousa Dogwood (C. kousa except that the leaves are variegated an chinensis). This is a small tree, only attractive green and gold in a spotted or about twenty-one feet tall, with very defi­ mottled eltect. It also tends to bloom a nitely layered branching and it is hardy second time during August, as do many as far north as Boston. The Chinese va­ plants of the parent species. riety is supposed to have larger flower The Flowering Dogwood (C . florida) bracts. Those of the species are supposed is native over a wiele part of the eastern to be an inch and a half long and about United States. A few plants have been an inch wide, while those of the Chinese found even in the woods of southern variety are supposed to be up to three New Hampshire, but this is about its and a half inches long and up to an inch northernmost limi t, for flowering, at and three-fourths wide. These two kinds least. This species can grow forty feet are definitely mixed in nurseries, how­ tall, and can live to be nearly a century ever, and are very difficult to tell apart. old, but to attain such trees, plants 1\1 y suggestion is to use the .Japanese spe­ would require good care to remain in cies which is slightly more cold hardy good condition. The merits of the Flow­ than the Chinese variety and fertilize it ering Dogwood are well known and need well. This treatment will probably re­ not be stressed here. As a specimen sult in just as large flower bracts as those flowering and fruiting tree, it is one of of the Chinese variety. At least, this has the best. Its horizontal branching habit, been our experience in the Arnold Ar­ its vivid red autumn color, spectacular boretum. fruit that may persist after the leaves The fruits of the Japanese Dogwood fall, all combine to make it of ornamen­ are large, red, raspberry-like affairs, all tal interest every season of the year. borne erect on the upper sides of the There are some varieties more or less horizontal branches, as are the flowers. well known, which are worthy of particu­ The foliage turns a dull red in the au­ lar note. tumn. This tree is definitely one which, if possible, should be observed from Cornus florida varieties above, to obtain the best view of the 'Cherokee Chief-Plant Patent No. 1710 flowers. As the flowers fade, the bracts in 1958 by Ike Hawkersmith, Win­ sometimes become tinged with red, but chester, Tennessee, with flower this depends upon either the situation bracts listed as a "rich ruby red" or the climate or both. The variety and new growth reportedly red­ named variegata has variegated leaves, dish. This variety, unfortunately, but is not especially outstanding. was grown and distributed under The two native American dogwood the name ('Super Red') by seyeral tree species are, of course, the most pop­ growers in the \l\Tinchester, Ten­ ular. The Pacific Dogwood (C. nuttallii) nessee, area shortly before it was is native from British Columbia to patented under the name 'Chero­ Northern California and can grow to kee Chief.' seventy-five feet, making it the tallest of 'Cherokee Princess'-a selection of the all the dogwood clan. Incidentally, it white-flowered species. has also been termed by some the best 'Fastigiata' -the original tree has been of the native American flowering trees. growing in the Arnold Arbore~um The small flowers are surrounded by in Boston, Massachusetts, s1l1ce four to six large flower bracts, making 1910. It was distributed to fifteen the entire flower cluster four or five nurseries in 1954 and probably to inches across. In this also, the flower others before that. The branching bracts frequently fade to a soft pink. The is definitely fastigiate, making it fruits are red. It is unfortunate that this possible to plant this clone in gar­ species does not thrive in the eastern dens where space is limi ted. This United States. grows twice as tall as it does wide, There is a variety of this called C. nut­ but in most C. floTida trees the tallii eddiei which was discovered grow- proportions are just the reverse. JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1 1)

ARNOLD ARBORETUM

Cornus florida fastigiata 6 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

As far as I can tell, the variety 'White Cloud'-A seedling selection 'Ascending,' patented in 1952, is made by Wayside Gardens, Men­ almost identical. tor, Ohio, before 1946. It flowers 'Gigantea'-found and named by Paul profusely when very young, some­ Vossburg, "Westbury Rose Com­ times a creamy white. pany, Westbury, L. 1., New York; 'Xanthocarpa'-A variety with yellow on the nearby Phipps estate about fruits, known since 1919. 1932, with flower bracts reported­ C. florida ntbm-Probably first found ly six inches from tip to tip. and noted by Marc Catesby in 'Magnifica'-also found on the Phipps Virginia about 1731. This is not estate about 1926 "with full, so cold hardy as the species and rounded bracts about four inches the color of the Flower bracts ap­ from tip to tip." parently varies considerably from 'New Hampshire'-selected from a tree a washed-out pink to a deep red in Atkinson, New Hampshire, for and may even vary on the same its apparently greater flower bud tree from year to year. It has hardiness, by Heinrich Rohrbach, been found several times in the Heatherfells Nursery, Andover, wild. The cultivar 'Prosser Red' Massachusetts. was found by Bruce Howell of 'Pendula'-originally described in 1887 Knoxville, Tenn., about the time for its pendant branches. A well of World War I, about three miles grown tree, does make a good spec­ from his nursery on property imen, somewhat stiffly branched owned by Brown Prosser. This but still interesting. has been grown, off and on, ever since, but most have discontinued 'Pleuribracteata'-with six to eight and growing it because the flowers are often more, flower bracts, flowers small and it grows slowly. Also more or less aborted; originated the leaves are a dark reddish in Orang~ County, North Caro­ green when they first appear, so lina, before 1914. that when the plant is in bloom 'Salicifolia'-with narrow, almost wil­ there is not any great contrast be­ low-like leaves and short, twiggy tween the flowers and the foliage. growth, making a tree smaller and Young plants are also reported as denser than the species. Henry J. slow to bloom. Hohman of Kingsville Nurseries, thinks highly of this variety and It is of interest to note that J. H . Ed­ has proved to me that uncompli­ die of H. M. Eddie and Sons, Vancouver, mentary starements I have made British Columbia, writes that he has a abou tit in the past should be cor­ cross of C. florida and C. nuttallii. This rected. hybrid, originated by his father, H. M. Eddie, has pendulous branches, leaves 'Welchii'-selected by Mark 'tVelch, a like those of C. floTida but slightly larg­ nurseryman, about 1920. Leaves er, and flowers like those of C. nuttallii. are sometimes a combination of Some of the blooms measured were six green, creamy white and pink. A inches between the bract tips. This needs sparse ble>omer, the foliage often further trial, and testing in the United burning in full, hot sun, never­ States. theless very pretty in a lightly shaded sitLlation, coloring well in the fall. Sometimes it will revert Medium and Large Shrubs to the green-leaved species. Mr. Hohman has an excellent form of Of the six species in this group, two this which he calls the "Kings­ are natives of Europe (C. mas) C. alba); ville form" with better color and one is a native of China (paucinervis) a better grower. The variety and three are natives of the eastern 'Aureo-variegata,' listed by Brim­ United States (C. amomum) C. mcemosa field Nursery, Wethersfield, Con­ and C. stolonifem). The tallest of the necticut, in 1958 is identical with group is the Cornelian cherry (C. mas) the "Kingsville form." which may be a tree up to twenty-four J ANUAR Y 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1 7

ARNOLD ARBORETUM

Cornus mas 'Flava' 8 THE Ai'vIERICAl HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE feet in height, but is usually m~ch lower evergreen, and it is usually under nine and is grown as a shrub WIth many feet in height. stems from the base. It is truly an excel­ The Silky Dogwood (C. am01nllm) is lent ornamental, with profuse small y.el­ native in the eastern U ni ted States, low flowers opening before the forsythIas grows about nine feet tall, is as hardy as bloom in the spring and bearing elon­ C. pancineYVis (it can be depended upon gated cherry-like fruits which can be used only up to the warmer parts of Massa­ for making preserves. The autumn color chusetts) and is not so good an orna­ is reddish. There is a plant in the Ar­ mental as C. alba sibiTica. It is men­ nold Arboretum which is over seventy tioned here because it is so widely found years old and which has never ~ee~ and has been collected and planted as a pruned or treated for any pest, so It IS poor substitute for the Siberian dog­ a shrub that will be long-lived and re­ wood. The fruits are bluish to almost a quire little care. Hardy up to southern grayish color and the twigs are not near­ New Hampshire, this can be used as a ly so red as are those of the Siberian dog­ specimen, as a hedge (for it responds wood. well to clipping) or as a large shrub for The Siberian Dogwood (C. alba sibi­ the background. l'ica) is a native of Europe. 1£ properly Flower arrangers like it because cut cultiyated the young stems will be a branches brought in to a warm room force more brilliant red than any other hardy well in the late winter and are ea~ily woody plant with colored twigs. Con­ worked into many types of arrangements siderably under nine feet tall, this plant, indoors. There is a white-fruited form to look its best each winter, should have 'Alba'; a yellow-fruited form 'Flava' and the older branches cut back at the base a variety with yellow leaves, aurea. of the ground in the early spring. Thus, There is also the form 'Aureo-elegantis­ young vigorous shoots are forced into sima, formerly called elega.ntissima, growth. It is also hardy throughout the which has leaves with a creamy white to United States and in all but the coldest red variegation, but it is not a very vig­ parts of Canada. The flowers are small orous grower. Another form 'Variegata,' and white, borne in flat umbels about has leaves with a white margin. The two inches in diameter; the fruits are variety 'Nana' has been described as a white (sometimes slightly bluish) and "spherical bush," originating in France very effective in the fall. An advantage before 1879, but I have never seen it. this has over C. stolonifem is the fact Several European nurserymen list this that it does not tend to spread by under­ plant, but when we have received speci­ ground stolons. mens so named, they have always turned Because the variety sibiTica has better out to be C. pumila, a low-growing type red stems, the species (C. alba) need not of dogwood with black fruits and little be grown. There are other varieties of ornamental merit. C. alba, however, which are also worth The next tallest in this shrubby group culti vating. C. alba 'Argenteo-margin­ is the Gray Dogwood (C. mremosa) , an ata' is one, with its white-edged leaves. American native growing up to fifteen In fact, from a short distance, there is feet tall, but usually is seen in gardens enough while in the foliage of this va­ under this height. It is as hardy as C. riety to make it a decided white-and­ mas, grows vigorously from the base with green color, distinctly different from the rather slender stems and so can be used solid greens of most other shrubs. 'Gou­ in clipped hedges. The flowers are in chaulti' is a variety with leaves streaked Rat white clusters up to two and a half with yellow and red hues, making it also inches in diameter, in mid June. These a shrub to use for its contrasting foliage. are followed in early summer by small 'Spaethii' has leaves irregularly varie­ white berries on red stalks, which are gated with deep yellow, and some co~­ most attractive, appearing earlier than sider this the handsomest of these varI­ most of the other dogwood fruits. eties. I have always liked 'Argenteo­ The Littleleaf Dogwood from China marginata,' for its white-and-green foli­ (C. paucineYVis) is not quite so hardy as age has a cool appearance that is restful the other two just mentioned. The fruits even on the hottest summer day. are black, sometimes the foliage is half The Red Osier Dogwood (C. stoloni- JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1 9

ARNOLD ARBORETUl\1

Cornus alba 'Argenteo.marginata'

fera) is the last of the species in this me­ Dwarf Dogwoods dium-sized group. It also is a native of the eastern United States, seldom grows The smallest of all the dogwoods is more than seven feet tall and, like C. the little Bunchberry Dogwood (C, cana­ alba, is hardy in all but the coldest parts densis), a native throughout eastern of Canada. It differs in that its twigs are North America and even eastern Asia, not colored such a brilliant red. It tends Anyone familiar with the mountains of to spread by underground stolons and so the eastern part of the country will rec­ takes over space and is perfectly at home ognize this nine-inch-high plant, usually in moist to wet soils, hence this species growing in dense mats as a ground cover, is excellent for planting on banks or be­ its small head of yellow flowers surround­ side a stream or pond. For strictly speci­ ed with four to six large white bracts, men planting, C. alba sibiTica or one and later followed by the edible bright of the other forms o[ C. alba should be red berries in the late summer. The selected, but for naturalistic planting in leaves are evergreen and whorled about wet soils, the Red Osier Dogwood is the the stem, It grows only in the cool, moist species to choose every time. climate of the mountains and when tried The yellow-stem variety should also elsewhere must be given protection be mentioned, C. stolonifera 'Flavira­ from drought and too-hot sun, else it mea.' This has been known since 1900, will fail miserably. and has all the good characteristics of the A taller dw.arf is the Kelsey Dwarf species and brilliant yellow twigs, in ad­ Dogwood (C, stolonifera 'Kelseyi'). This dition. Like many other shrubs, the old­ grows about eighteen inches tall and was er stems should be removed every few found in 1927 and in troduced by the years, cut off at the ground in the early Kelsey Highlands Nursery of East Box­ spring, to force from the base vi'gorous ford, Massachusetts. It has red stems young growth which will, of course, be and is densely branched, so it has some more brightly colored. use as a low plant. 10 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

ARNOLD ARBORETUM

Cornus racemosa

These, then, are the better ones of the and shrubs are of ornamental interest dogwood clan to grow as ornamentals. for at least two seasons (because of flow­ Of course, not all should have a place in ers and ornamental fruits) and that the every garden, but since there are twenty­ majority could be said to have a third one trees, fourteen shrubs and two dwarf season of interest because of good foliage shrubs among their number, at least one or interesting bark coloration. Trees and or two might be considered by every gar­ shrubs of interest for such a long period dener, depending upon the area where might well be given prime consideration his garden is located and the specific sit­ in every garden, especially the small gar­ uation he might have available. It is den where space is limited and plants obvious from the foregoing discussion selected should be ornamental for a max­ that most of these recommended trees imum length of time each year. La pageria in Oregon

DON ALD W. STRYKER

One day in 1948 as I strolled through soon crowding the boltom of the pot. I the Rhododendron section of the Univer­ moved the plant into a "half barrel," sity of California Arboretum in Berkeley, and the roots were not long in matting I was astonished to see pendant from an the bottom of even this, some 18 or 20 oak tree a spray of rosy red waxen bell­ inches deep. I do not know how deep the shaped flowers-Lapageria rosea! I had roots would grow if not confined. read about this Chilean climber and had This original plant, which has now seen photographs, bu t it was love at first been here for 12 years, is tremendous, sight, and the beginning of an affaIr that making new shoots each year that grow continues to this day. as much as 15 to 18 feet. And contrary to Although the literature* of horticul­ what has been written, it does flowe r on ture has ample references concerning the these new shoots! The tip of the shoot, cultivation of this plant in England, little extending back often as much as two has been written on its cultivation in this feet, contains one or two flowers in each country. It is my purpose here to set leaf axil, making a veri table garland of down some of my experiences with this flowers. unusual and distinctive plant. The plan ts respond very well to pot Having discovered Lapage 1'1>', I was culture if the soil mixture is quite po­ disappointed to learn that no plants were rous. I use the same mixture as with my available from the Arboretum, but I original plant but with slightly more managed to obtain a specimen from Eng­ leaf mold. Plants in the ground do very land in the spring of 1949, and in 1959, I well in an almost complete leaf mold acquired a splendid collection of plants and rotten wood compost. On the other when the Arboretum at Berkeley was re­ hand, I have planted LajJageria in ducing its stock. These plants had been straight soil with only the addition of a grown from seed which resulted from bit of peat moss. One specimen plan~ed hand pollination of flowers in a garden thus in the fall sent up, the followmg in Chile by Paul Hutchison, who was April, a shoot which came from the there as a member of a University of ground a full two feet from the original California botanical expedition. plant and which grew to nearly 18 feet The small plant sent to me from Eng­ and produced 35 flowers by August. land arrived in very poor condition, but Soil is less important than shade. When I potted it in a mixture of sand, pe.at, planted outdoors, Lapageria loves to and leaf mold, about equal parts, WIth grow up into and under the branches of just enough loam to hold it together, and trees, just as in its native Chilean forests, put it on a heated bench in the green­ but I have never found any shoots at­ house. ''''hen growth started, I used a tempting to grow out into full sunshine. mild solution of manure water as a fer­ tilizer and the plant responded very well, It likes plenty of water while growing and especially when flowering, and re­ • Most of the European notices of Lapageria began in sponds well to a humid atmosphere. The the middle 1800's soon after the introduction of the plant into England, but with almost as many reports foliage should be wet down thoroughly from France, fewer and later from Germany. They are all agreed that the plant is beautiful, that it do.es better during excessively hot days. in the ground than in containers of any sort, With a soil that is mostly loose in character, humusy in nature, an? As far as feeding is concerned, I find quick draining. The recommendations are almost uni­ that LapageTia planted in the ground in form for shade rather than sun, ample water during growing and flowering, and some discussi.ons of pr.opa­ a good mixture of leaf mold and peat galion. As seed was not immediately available, diVISion with good fibrous loam needs only an was admitted, and layering discussed at length. Later the discussions included reports on plants that grew out occasional application of any "complete" of doors in various parts of Britain. with an almost uni­ form report on walls, mostly north or northerly. Still fertilizer. I use one that is soluble in later reports brought data nn the use of cut flowers and water, and apply it about three times theIr esteem with florists. By the end of the 19th cen ­ tury the plant had almost disappeared from print, so during the growing season after soaking that the total pattern in history may be about to reo peat itself here. in this country.-Editor. the roots thoroughly. [11 ] 12 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

My garden near Langlois, Oregon, is I am very cautious about doing any approximately a mile and a h~lf fr0I? trimming of Lapageria. When by acci­ the Pacific ocean, so that the climate IS dent the tip of some of the new shoots normally mild. Since I have planted have been broken, I have noticed that Lapageria outdoors, however, the temper­ often the shoot will not produce an off­ ature has gone as low as 20 degrees-12 shoot for two years or more, ana then it degrees of frost-but only the new will send out several along the stem­ growth on the tips of the shoots was always from a leaf axil, but one never damaged, and only that which had grown can tell in advance from which ones. beyond the protection of the lath house Lapageria seems to resent being cut back had to be cut back. One plant higher on and will sulk and not send out any the hill under an oak tree was not in­ growth at all for as much as a year. I try jured at all. The same structure or foli­ to cut out only the dead wood or shoots age which shields Lapageria from the sun that are superfluous. The growth from should provide protection from the oc­ the old shoots is often wiry and difficult casional frosts of mild climates, and to train, so I try to keep all of the strong plants killed back to the ground by a new growth trained separately in order freeze sent up new growth in the spring to better control the side growths which in instances where the roots were pro­ produce the most blossoms. tected, according to the experience of Slugs and snails are voracious enemies Maurice Amsler in an English locale of Lapageria and must be completely similar in climate to Oregon's coast. controlled. The only insect which has I have also talked to a friend who has attacked my plants is orange tortrix, done some mountain climbing in Chile, which briefly infested the greenhouse and he tells me he has seen plants cov­ until eliminated by DDD. ered with snow. This naturally protects Propagation of Lapageria is most dif­ them, but he also stated that he has seen ficult from cuttings, and the roots often plants frozen down to almost ground take two years to form even when the level, where snow covered them, and that preferred method of layering is used. I in the spring new growths appeared and have propagated almost exclusively­ the plant was not actually hurt. and with excellent results-from seed, Also, I once moved a flat containing except when I have developed an out­ seedling Rhododendron from under a standing clone, when I propagate by lay­ large Lapage·ria plant in the greenhouse, ering. out into a quite cold area. During that I was unable to obtain any volunteer winter this flat froze solid, yet in the seed from my original English plant, but spring I discovered dozens of small Lapa­ Paul Hutchison sent me pollen of a par­ geria seedlings coming up all over this ticularly fine white clone which he had flat! The fruit had fallen into the flat named "White Cloud," and from appli­ and I had not noticed it. Thus it would cation of this pollen on my plants I have seem that Lapageria is far more hardy acquired some very fine forms. With than is suspected. ' these and the mature plants acquired To further test this idea, I have given from the University of California I plants to friends in Portland and also started an extensive program of hybrid­ some of the other areas in the \IVillamette ization. The results are most gratifying. Valley, with the understanding that they Using pollen of "White Cloud" on other be planted out in a fairly protected area whites, I now get a g 'eat percentage 01 but where if a really hard freeze came, white-flowering plants. Selecting the they would be subjected to it. I have largest flowers and putting pollen of the suggested that the roots of the plant be darker shades of rose to red, I now have protected with a heavy mulch in sllch some very fine deep colored forms. M)' conditions but that would be all. Then Lapagerias now range in color from the we shall know if the plant will come purest of whites to white petals under back, like an Asparagus, to which, of greenish or yellowish sepals to pink se­ course, it is closely related. pals, to very soft pale pink sepals and Lapagel'ia has traditionally been grown petals to shades of almost a clear red. in cool greenhouses, but plants I have To date I have not found a single sold have been grown successfully as plant with inferior flowers. I use as house plants. seed parent only the largest, best-colored JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER I 13 forms growing here and for the most part three weeks later these ladies were kind put pollen of whites on white, pink on enough to write and thank me for the pink, etc. \tVe have had some extraordi­ flowers and informed me they were still nary flowers on some of the seedlings and in good condition! I have heard that the these we hope eventually to name and plant was grown in Europe before World propagate as clones. 'War I as a source of cut flowers for cor­ I have found that seedlings, if well sages. I have given blossoms to two local cared for, usually will flower in their florists who have been quite enthusiastic second year, producing only one or two about the plant in their work. blossoms, but in their third year they LajJageria has had the reputation of become well established and start to send being most temperamental. I have a out strong flowering shoots. Since there plant li st for Southern California pub­ are many plants, inside and outside of li shed in the 30's which includes Lapa­ the greenhouse, I have flowers over the geria in several sections but in the cate­ entire year. The heavy flowering season gory of those plants which "rightfully b e­ long to those who work with some knowl­ for all plants, however, is from] uly to edge of plants or who knowingly enter November. into the experimental. " My experience Lapageria makes a novel cut flower. is quite to the contrary. \'Vhile it cannot I once gave a rather long branch of be left to fend for itself, Lapageria seems flowers to a garden club member for use to do equally well in a greenhouse, a in a display, and she later cut it into lath house, or planted outdoors in mile! three sections for her friends. Nearly cl imates.

A Rarely Cultivated Pitcher Plant

ltV. H. HODcE

Plants producing pitcher-shaped leaves, strali an pitcher plant and the only spe­ used as pitfalls both to snare prey and to cies in its family, is the rarest of the digest such additional nutrients, are not pitcher plant lot, seldom seen in culti­ unfamiliar subjects in horticulture. They vation. occur in three plant families, one native Although occasionally grown as a to the western hemisphere (SARRA­ prized plant in collections at European CENIACEAE), one to the Old 'World or Bri tish botanic gardens, this species tropics (NEPENTHAcEAE), and one to until recently has apparently not been Australia (CEPHALOTACEAE) . Several cultivated in this country. As a result species of our native American pi tcher of horticultural exploration in 1958, the plants (in the genus Sa1"?'acenia 111 east­ wri tel' was able to collect this rari ty in ern North America, and Darlingtonia of the field in 'West Australi a and living the northern California and sou thern plants are now established at Longwood Oregon coast) are occasionally grown as Gardens. greenhouse or garden plants; the numer­ ous species and hybrids of N epen thes of Cephalotus folliC1llaris grows in a the Eastern tropics are perhaps even more botanical parad"ise-tbe southwest corner familiar, being collectors' items for con­ of Australia-in an area noted for its servatory culture; but attractive little wealth of unusual native plants. There Cephalotlls folliC1l1aris, the \,Vest Au- it was apparently first seen and collected 14 THE AMERICAN HORT ICULTURAL MAGAZINE

W . H. HODGE Cephalotus follicularis growing in peaty soil in the wild near D en m aTk, H/ est A/,lStTalia. The oveTSt0 1"Y of gmsses and sedges wel°e cut back so as to show the pitcher leaves. by Archibald "Menzies, naturalist of the scene. It is said to prefer free-moving Vancouver's expedition of 1791. Even at soil water for successful growth and this home the range of this little pitcher plant appears to be the case. All plants ob­ is localized for although it occurs along served by me were growing a rod or two the coast from the Pallinup River west away from the open water of a swamp, to Busselton, it actually is common only but the roots were definitely above the in the districts just west of Albany. Be­ water table and gm wing in a fibrous mat cause of this, it is sometimes called the of plant remains. Albany Pitcher Plant. Its native haunts Like our own native pitcher plants, are part of a land with a Mediterranean­ Cephalotus produces compact rosettes of type climate characterized by mild tem­ leaves arising from a main taproot. Older peratures with frostless, wet winters plants form long underground stems (May to October) and rather dry sum­ from which secondary rosettes are pro­ mers. duced at some distance from the parent. For a stranger to find plants in the A single plant rosette stands no more wild is not always an easy matter for al­ than two to three inches above the sur­ though Cephalotus grows in peaty soil face of the ground. Unlike our American in moist open spots along streams and pitcher plants, two types of leaves are swamps, its ear th-hugging rosettes are produced. One is a normal, flat, some­ hidden beneath an overgrowth of grasses what fleshy, green foliage leaf, ovate or and sedges which usually dominate the elliptical in shape and produced in the j.-\NUARY 1962, VOLU.\fE -J I, :'\U'\lBER 15

C . HAMPFLER, J ONG WOOD GARDENS Closeup of a cultivated specimen of Cephalotus, growing in sphag. num in a te?"ra?-ium, nnd showing details of normal leaves (cente?-, above) and pitcher leaves. fall in the center of the rosette; these inch-long vessel, but also serve as a sort function as photosynthetic over-winter­ of living "barbed-wire fence," directing ing leaves. The other leaf type is the insects upwards to the "one-way-only" curious little carnivorous pi tcher which orifice of the trap. A formidable barrio appears on the outer margins of the cade of down-pointing teeth at the trap rosette in late winter and spring in ample mouth plus the usual slick slide surface time to be ready to trap prey in the main on the upper inner walls of the pitcher insect-hunting season of summertime. assure that entering prey will seldom The diminutive pitchers (actually escape. Although the pitcher leaves are transformed leaf petioles) are elegant bas ically pale green, they have attractive structures, well designed for holding purplish or maroon coloring which is water for trapping such terrestrial' game prominent on the girders, the orifice as ants. Three girder-like structures aid teeth, and especially on the veins of the not only to strengthen the one-to-two- protective cap or hood. G. HAMPFLE R, LONGWOOD GARDENS

Cephalotus would hardly be grown for its tiny buff colored flowers which appear in clusters at the summit of a tall twelve­ to-twenty-four-inch leafless stem, remind­ ing one of the inflorescence of our early woodland saxifrage (Saxitmga virgini­ ensis) , which indeed is a not-so-distant relative. The tall, simple stalk is well de­ signed to carry the flowers of this species up through the overgrowing mat of grasses and into a better position to as­ sure pollination by those flying insects upon which it relies, not for food but for survival. Although Cephalotus is botanically well-known, horticultural notes apparent­ ly do not exist and so a few remarks may be in order for the rare grower who may have the chance to cultivate this unusual species. Seed is apparently available for only a short time in season in the wild and is practically impossible to obtain unless a collector is on the remote spot in 'Western Australia at the proper sea­ son. Thus Cephalotus is most readily propagated vegetatively from plants col­ lected in the field. l'vIature plants ob­ tained near Denmark, 'Vest Australia, were shi pped to this coun try by air in polyethylene bags. At Longwood Gar­ dens they were potted up in several dif­ ferent soil mixes including peaty soil and ordinary live sphagnum. All pots were plunged in sphagnum on a greenhouse bench and kept under cool growing con­ ditions. A few of the potted plants were plunged also in sphagnum inside a ter­ rarium. Only the terrarium-grown speci­ mens thrived, indicating the need for higher conditions of humidity than is available under normal greenhouse con­ ditions. Special care should be given in terrarium culture to assure ample drain­ age which is apparently an important [actor for good growth. Cephalotus, as noted abo\"€, is not a.bog plant and defi­ nitely will not survive conditions where its roots stand in water. Our plants have flowered annually. In cultivation the production of flowers (usually in June) is followed by a falling off in vigor and it seems wise, in order to maintain good grovvth, to pinch off flower stalks as they appear, particularly since, in most cases, rhe species would be grown not for its flowers but for the unusual morphologi­ cal features of its pi tcher leaves.

The West Australian Pitcher Plant in flower, a greenhouse plant, growing LI6] at Longwood Gardens. Some Shade and Ornamental Maples Part 2

CURT IS MAY

Paperbark Maple (Ace I' griseum Red Maple (Ace?· -ru brwn L.), also (Franch .» Pax, also call ed Cherry .B arK called Swamp, White, Scarlet, or Soft :\faple, reaches 25 feet or so in height. It Maple, is native throughout most of was brought to the U nited Sta tes in 1901 the eastern half of the U nited Sta tes and [rom its n ative wes tern China. It is has been planted in most Sta tes. T he hardy in plant zone 5. The tree usuall y species is h ard y in plant zo ne 3. forms a ro unded rather open crown . R ed Maple trees may tower to a L eaves are compound; each of the 3 heigh t of 1iO fee t, and the d iameter of leaflets is ] to ~ inches long, pointed, Lhe trunk m ay reach 60 inches, however, and coarsely and bluntly toothed (Fig. in cities within its native range, a heigh t 3-F). T hey turn red in a utumn. T he of 50 to 70 feet at matur ity wo uld be peti oles are h airy. Flowers are relati vely considered normal. R ed Maple trees lew and borne in a ha iry corymb. T he may live for abou t 150 years, but the pendulous fruits hang on short stalks. exp ected li fe span in cities would be 50 The chromosome number of the vegeta­ to 75 years. U ncrowded R ed Maple ti ve cells is 26 according to Fos ter (~). usually develops a more or less rounded Seed germination is poor because of crown, but pyramidal and columnar undeveloped embryos. Seed sho uld be varieties h ave been fo und and pro­ stratifi ed in moist sand o ut-o f-doors or pagated. r efrigerated for a year before planting. T he bark on yo ung li m bs and branches Because of the poor seed germination is smooth and light gray. I t is darker and lack of other practi cal methods of and breaks into scales on older parts. propagation, the Cherry Bark Maple has T he twigs are green at first and later not been planted extensively. red with numerous light-colored, corky The light brown bark that sep ::t rates spots called lenticels. Bark of the twigs in thin fl akes in a manner similar to that lacks the pungent odor of bark of the of the paper birch is the most unusual twigs of silver maple. characteristic of this sp ecies (Fig. 12). T he 2h- to 4-inch long leaves are dark

FigIne 13. Staminate (left) (fnd p istillate (right) {l owen of the Red Maple are produced before the leaves fro171 buds formed during the jnevious growing season.

[l7] 18 THE .-\l\1ERICAN HORTICULTURAL ~L-\GAZI:\E green and shiny on the upper surface and light green and slightly hairy on the lower surface (Fig. 3·H). They have 3 or 4 sharply and irregularly t~othecl lobes. In most seasons the leaves brIghten the autumn landscape with their bril· liant scarlet, orange, and yellow colors. Some trees display brilliant red autumn· al color year after year. These should be sought, propagated, and distributed. Red Maple trees are also especi~lly attractive in late winter or early sprmg when the dense clusters of small, red or rarely yellow, sessile flowers open before the leaves. Trees may bear only pistil­ late or only staminate flowers, or both (Fig. 13). The vegetative cells have either 78 or 104 chromosomes according to Duffield (6). The bright red of the immature fruits contrasts pleasingly with the light green of the expanding leaves. At maturity in late spring or early summer the fruits are tan to brown. The wings of the fruits average %·inch in length. Seed should be collected as soon as it is ripe. There are about 25,000 cleaned seeds in a pound. Germination potential is 75 to 85 per cent. Red Maple is gen­ erally propagated from seeds, which will germinate and may be planted as soon as they are ripe. They may be kept under refrigeration at about 40°F. and planted in the autumn of the season of ripening or the following spring. If only a few seedlings are desired, seeds may be planted in moist, shredded sphagnum in a flat or a pot. Seedlings growing in sphagnum rarely damp-off and may be held for many weeks or months if necessary before they are trans­ planted. In commercial practice seeds are sown out-of-doors in beds or rows. Selections are propagated by budding or by grafting the selections onto seed­ lings of the species. Seed from special selections only rarely produce seedlings ARNOLD ARRORE having the characteristics of the seed­ Figure 14 source tree. Several special selections of Red Maple, Acer rll.brum f. colllmnare red maple are available. Among these are columnar and globe·shaped types. A. rub1"um f columnaTe (Rehel.) Schwe­ cultivars are Gerling, Scanlon, and Til­ rin (Fig. 14) is densely upright; the cul­ ford. tivar Armstrong is narrowly columnar. Red Maple, which is planted exten­ Cultivar Bowhall also grows tall and sively for shade from the Atlantic coast straight. ' to the eastern part of the Great Plains, A. rubmm f. schlesingeri Sarg. ex Sch­ can be transplanted relatively easily. In­ werin develops autumnal colors about formation given for transplanting Sugar 3 weeks earlier than the species. Other Maple applies also to Red Maple. JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1 19

Red. Maple thrives best on a fertile, Flowers are about VB inch long and well-drained, moist soil, but will grow are borne on short stalks in loose corymbs satisfactorily on a wide range of soil on selnder, drooping pedicels. Staminate types including relatively dry sites. It and pistillate flowers are usually formed will tolerate wetter sites than sugar on separate plants. maple. In nature it is often found in Fruit~ are smooth with broad, nearly somewhat swampy places. erect wmgs and are often rosy in sum­ For those who desire a tree of fairly mer. rapid growth, the Red Maple represents There are 13,000 to 20,000 seeds in a a compromise between the rapidly grow­ pound. Seed may be sown in autumn ing Silver Maple and the more slowly after it ripens. One authority suggests growing Sugar Maple. However, some storage at 41 °F. for 90 days before storm damage to old trees may be ex­ planting. pected in regions having ice, sleet, and Rocky lVlountain Maple grows well on heavy wind storms. a relatively dry, well-drained site in the Red Maple commonly has a wide­ sun. It is not used much as a shade or spreading, somewhat shallow root system, ornamental tree, but in some western which absorbs much water from the soil. parks it contributes blazing color to Maintenance of a good lawn beneath a the autumn picture. Deer commonly Red Maple is often difficult because it browse on it. casts heavy shade and demands consider­ able water. Pruning of lower branches to raise the base of the crown will allow more light to reach the ground beneath Silver Maple (Acel' saccharinum L.), the tree. al~o called Sof~ Map~e, White Maple, or Roots of Red Maple will grow through RIver Maple, IS a WIdely planted native small openings in sewer pipes. Once tree reaching 120 feet in height under inside the pipe, the roots grow rapidly the best growing conditions. In cities it and interfere with flow of sewage. commonly grows to a height of 50 to Red Maple is sometimes tapped for 75 feet. It is native to northeastern syrup. The yield of sugar is said to be United States and the eastern part of about half that of Sugar Maple. The the northern and central Great Plains wood is used for flooring, furniture, and but has been planted in all States. miscellaneous purposes. It is not as The crown is commonly wide-spread­ strong as wood of Sugar Maple. Birds, ing with many long, slender branches squirrels, rabbits, deer, and other wild­ (Fig. 15), but columnar types have been life feed on red maple or use it for selected. shelter. Bees collect pollen and nectar The 4- to 6-inch long leaves are deeply from the flowers. 5-lobed to 5-cleft, with each lobe deeply and doubly serrate. They are green on the upper surface and silvery white on the lower (Fig. I-D). They turn yellow Rocky Mountain Maple (Acer gla­ in autumn. ?l'um. Torr.), also called Dwarf Maple, IS natIve to western North America. It The bark on young trunks, limbs, and is a bush or small tree growing usually branches is smooth and gray. On older to not more than 25 feet in height but stems it is light brown, has a furrowed reaching a height of 40 feet and having surface, and breaks into flakes which are a trunk diameter of 6 to 12 inches. commonly loose at the ends and fastened in the center. Twigs are green or chest­ Trees are often bush-like because of the nut brown and have a pungent odor numerous basal sprouts that develop when broken. Twigs of Red Maple (A. and the upright branching habit. Bark mbntm) do not have this odor. of the trunk is thin, smooth, and dark reddish brown. Winter buds have red The trunk is upright often dividing or occasionally yellow scales. into two or more main ascending limbs, Leaves are deeply 3- to 5-lobed or 3- especially when the tree is not crowded. parted, 1 to 5 inches wide, dark green One Soft Maple with a trunk 22 feet in and shining on the upper surface, and circumference is on record from Wis­ pale green on the under side (Fig. conS111. 2-D). Petioles are bright red. Leaves The wood is light in color, relatively become richly colored in autumn. soft, hrittle, subject to early decay, and 20 T H E AMER ICAN H O RTICU LTUR .-\L MAGAZI NE

ARNOLD AR BORETUM

Figure 15

Branching habit of Silver Maple. Bark is light-gray and has a distinctive odor. JANUARY 1962, VOLUME '11. i\U:.1B ER 1 21 to breakage in severe wind, snow or ice The cultivar ,,,fieri has pendulous storms. branches and deeply cleft leaves with Flower buds form during the summer dissected lobes. Kll •.' ~ 111all (10) describes on twigs of the current season's growth 29 se lections. and open in late winter or early spring Si lver Maple grows rapidly and will of the following year. Flowers h ave no withstand city co ndiLions. It grows best petals, are greenish yellow, and are on a moist, rich so il but will grow on produced in short-stalked clusters. Stami­ many so il types and in relatively un­ nate and pistillate flowers may be pro­ [avorable environments. Silver j\{aple duced on the same or on different trees. is on the shade tree blacklist because of The chromosome number of vegetative Lhe tendency of old trees to break in cells is 52, according to Taylor (16). storms, raise and break sidewalks with The young 2-winged fruits are red al roots that form near the surface, and first, but turn straw-colored or light because its roots orten clog sewer and brown when they ripen in early summer. drain pipes. A tree bearing pistillate flowers will Silver Maple is subject to damage by normally produce some seed each year fungi that cause verticillium wil t, wood and an especially abundant crop at ir­ decay, and leaf spots. In the Great regular intervals. The seed wi ll germi­ P lains Silver Maple trees sometimes fail nate as soon as it is ripe and usually wi ll to develop normal green leaves but have produce a seedling wi th several pairs of instead pale-green or greenish-yellow leaves by the end of the first growing leaves. Poor growth can be expected of season. Seed may be stored at about trees with this chlorotic leaf condition. 40°F., but if the moisture content of the seed falls below 30 to 34 per cent it will Si lver Maple ca n be tapped for syrup. not germinate. There are abou t 1,400 The yield is sa id to be abou t half that cleaned seeds to the pound. of the Sugar Maple. Si lver i\laple is fed Propagation is generally by seeds, but upon by deer, squirrels, rabbits, and special selections are propagated by other wildlife. Trunks and limbs hol­ budding or grafting. Propagation by lowed by decay furnish shelter for wild­ cuttings is uncertain. life.

Figure 16. Flower clusters (left) of Sugar ~1apl e. Flowers of lower cl uster are staminate. In the upper cluster some flowers are staminate and some are pistillate. Staminate flowers have sausage­ shaped pollen sacs. P istillate flowers hal'e elongated, crooked stigma3, Staminate flower cluster (right) of the Striped Maple,

COURTESY OF W. H. HOl: GF. 22 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL ~lAGAZINE

Striped Maple (A ce r pennsylvanicll1n have a short compact trunk and a com­ L.) also called whistlewood and moos~­ pact, more or less globular crown (Fig. wood, is native in eastern North Amen­ 17). However, varieties with crowns of ca and hardy in plant zone 3. Trees are other shapes have been selected. Bark usually less than 40 feet in height. of young trees is silvery and smooth. The bark is thin, rather smooth, As the tree matures the older 1/2- to %­ greenish to reddish brown, and promi­ inch thick bark becomes darker, deeply nently marked with longitudinal white grooved or ridged longitudinally, and streaks that appear during the second tends to break into flakes, plates, or season of growth. Old bark is darker, scales. rougher, and less streaked. The striped Sugar Maple trees may live for 100 bark is especially attractive in winter. years or more, reach 120 feet in height, Buds are red. Bark of A. p. L erythw­ have a branch spread of 60 to 80 feet and cladwn (Spaeth) Rehd. retains its red­ a trunk diameter of 3 to 4 feet under ness in winter. the most favorable conditions. However, Leaves are slightly cordate, 3-lobed, 5 when planted on streets in cities, trees to 7 inches long, and finely toothed. with a height of 75 feet and a branch Young leaves have a brownish pubes­ spread of 40 feet would be considered cence on the lower surface. They turn fully developed. The proportions of the yellow in autumn. height of the tree to the breadth of the The vellow flowers are borne in crown of the conic, pyramidal, or colum­ drooping racemes and open in Nlay or nar selections are of course different June after the leaves are fully expanded. from those of the species. Staminate and pistillate flowers occur in Leaves of Sugar Maple are opposite. separate clusters but on the same tree They vary greatly in size but generally (Fig. 16 right) . are 3 to 51/2 inches wide (Fig. I-E). They The fruits, which are scarlet when ripe are dark green on the upper surface, in September, are short-stalked and have lighter green on the lower surface, and wings spread widely at right angles. thinner than the leaves of the Norway There are about 15,000 seed to the Maple or common Red Maple. pound. Seed may be sown outdoors in The small, yellowish, clustered flowers early autumn or stored at 41 °F. for 90 hanging on long hairy pedicels are to 120 days if it is to be planted the produced from leafless lateral buds or spring after it is collected. leafy terminal buds at the time the In nature, striped maple grows best in leaves expand from the brown pointed cool, moist woods in a partly shaded situ­ buds in the spring (Fig. 16, left). Each ation. It does not respond to cultivation cluster of flowers may contain staminate­ and is best when naturalized and left or pistillate flowers, or both. Both types alone. of flowers are usually produced on a tree, but sometimes a tree may produce flowers that are all of one type. Taylor Sugar Maple (Acer sacchanmt Marsh.) (16) reported that the chromosome is also called Rock Maple, Hard :Maple, number of vegetative cells is 26. The or Sugar Tree. Black Maple is some­ flowering period may last from a few times considered a variety of Sugar days to about 2 weeks, depending upon Maple. weather. Cool weather prolongs the The native range of sugar maple ex­ period. Bees collect pollen and nectar tends from Nova Scotia and Newfound­ from the flowers. land westward to eastern North Dakota, The samaras ripen in autumn and southward to Texas, and eastward to whirl down on their 1- to I Y4 -inch long Florida. It is planted for shade in all wings. In winds they may cover consid­ States, extensively from New England to erable distances. the eastern Great Plains, but it does not Sugar Maple may be propagated from thrive where temperature is high and seed. A good seed crop may be expected soil moisture low. It is recommended every 3 to 7 years. Usually only one of for low elevations in Montana, for west­ the pair of keys contains a seed. The ern Washington and Oregon, and for light-brown, ripe fruits may be taken northern California. A. saccharum is from the tree or collected after they fall. hardy in plant zone 3. The fruits may be stored in a cool place Uncrowded Sugar Maple trees usually over winter and planted the following JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1

Fig. 17. This magnificent Sugar Maple at the Arnold Arboretum is typical oj the species.

spring or may be planted in the autumn, germinate. The kitchen refrigerator pro­ in which case the seed normally germi­ vides satisfactory storage conditions for nates the following spring. Germination small quantities of seed. Seed should be is hypogenous, that is the cotyledons re­ stored dry. Wet seed may decay in stor­ main beneath the surface of the gl'ound. age. Seed stored for 90 days in moist A rest period of 60 to 90 days at about sphagnum at 31 °F. had begun to germi­ .35 to 40°F. is necessary before seed will nate. The germinated seed was planted tensLlcs of the seed-source tree. Selec­ tions are propagated by grafting onto Sugar :Maple seedlings. If only a few seedlings are desired, seed may be planted about Ys- to 'l:4 -inch deep in pulverized and moistened sphag­ num moss in a wooden flat. In sphagnum the seedlings may be held for a year or more, or they may be transplanted to soil after the stems have become woody. In commercial practice, the seed is sown in beds out-of-doors in the autumn or spring. No practical method of propagating Sugar Maple by cuttings has been de­ veloped, but rooting up to 65 per cent of greenwood cuttings taken from young trees in .June and treated for 3 hours with indolbutyric acid at 50 parts per million has been reported. Acel' sacchanlm f. monumentale (Tem­ ple) Rehder, the Sentry Maple (Fig. 18), has a compact, upright form. A. s. f. cO !zl1n17G1'e (Temple) Harkness is some­ what similar. The columnar types pro­ duce a dense top and generally grow more slowly than the species. Several cultivars have been named. Among these are Coleman, Flower, Newton, Sentry, Sandborn and Temples Upright. Hark­ ness (9) discussed the nomenclature prob­ lems of selections of Sugar Maple. Dormant Sugar Maple trees may be transplanted in either spring or autumn with a relatively high expectancy of sur­ vival. Trees in full leaf may also be transplanted successfully if adequate equipment is available and proper pre­ cautions are taken. Sugar Maple trees of any size may be transplanted. Small dor­ mant trees may be moved with bare roots. ' /"hen a large trees is moved, soil in which the roots grow should be moved ARNOLD j\R80RETUM Figu,re 18 wi th the tree, and with as Ii ttle disturb­ ance as possible. For such work special Monumentale, an upright selection of equipment is needed and the services o( Sugar Maple. an arborist are advisable. Sugar maple thrives in a rich, w~ll­ in shredded sphagnum and it produced drained soil but will grow on a wide normal plants. Seed refrigerated at 35 range of soils. Sugar lVla ple does not to 40 °F. should be planted as soon as grow well in poorly drained or poorl} possible after storage for 60 to 90 days. aerated soil. When a young tree IS The .average number of seed per planted one should make certain that the pound IS about 6,000 but the range is hole in which the tree is planted will not 3,000 to 9,000. An average germination hold water during rainy periods. The of about 40 per cent may be expected. rate of drainage can be determined by The seed will germinate in light having digging a test hole following a period of an intensity of 2 per cent of full sun­ wet weather, filling the hole with water, light. Seeds of selections usually do not and observing how much time is re­ produce seedlings having the charac- quired for the water to drain out of the [24] JANUARY 1962, VOLU~IE 41, NUMBER I 25 hole. 1£ water stands in the hole more autumn or late spring frosts. It is recom­ than a day, some provision should be mended for lawns, parks, and streets made to improve the drainage before the that are wide enough to accommodate it. tree is planted. Trees are more suscep­ Mycorrhizal fungi (endotrophs) grow tible to damage from excess water in the in the roots of Sugar Maple but little is soil during the growing season than dur­ known about their effect on tree growth. ing the dormant season. Excess water re­ The Sugar Maple is the source of most duces the oxygen content of the soil, and commercial maple syrup and sugar. The roots may suffocate. wood is hard and close-grained, and Sugar Maple is classed among the more takes a high polish. It is used for a wide storm-resistant trees, however, in hurri­ variety of items where either strength or canes and in sleet and ice storms, some a smoothly finished surface are required. trees may be damaged. Sugar Maple is It supplies food for birds, deer, squirrels, more storm-fas t than Silver or Red Ma­ rabbits, moose, and beaver. ples. Bleeding canker may develop fol­ Sugar Maple is the official tree of New lowing severe storm damage. Sugar York, Rhode Island, Vermont, "West Vir­ Maple is susceptible to damage by smoke ginia, and Wisconsin. and fumes and so is not suited for plant­ Stumps of Sugar Maple usually be­ ing in areas where air pollution is a come punky and may be broken up easily problem. It is seldom damaged by early 7 to 10 years after the death of the tree.

ARNOLD ARBORETUM Figure 19. Magnificent specimen of the Sycamore Maple, Acer pseudoplatanus, near the Black Water River, Kells, Ireland.

Sycamore Maple, a vigorously-grow­ The thick, leathery leaves are 5-lobed ing maple (Acel' pseudoplatanus L.), is a with coarsely serrate margins, 3Y2 to 7 native of Europe, and was brought to inches across, deep green on the upper this country in early colonial times (Fig. surface and lighter green on the lower 19). Mature trees may reach 90 feet in surface (Fig. I-F). Winter buds are green. height and have a wide spreading crown Harkness (9) stated that, in Rochester, which is less compact than that of· Nor­ leaves commonly freeze on the tree be· way maple. Sycamore Maple is hardy in fore they fall in autumn. plant zone 5. The bark of the short trunk is gray 26 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

ARNOLD ARBORET UM FiglJ,re 20. Tatarian Maple, Acer tataricum. and breaks loose in thin, broad flakes or Sycamore Maple trees of any size can scales. be transplanted successfully. (See Sugar Each vegetative cell contains 52 chro­ Maple.) mosomes (Foster (8)). Sycamore Maple has been planted in The yellowish-green flowers are pro­ the East, on the Pacific Coast, and in the duced in pendulous racemes in late Rocky Mountain region. It is not as spring. hardy and in general is not as long-lived The fruits, which hang in clusters that as Norway Maple. It is resistant to dam­ may be as much as 5 inches long, ripen age by salt spray and is useful in seacoast in autumn but hang on the tree through planting. Because of its tendency to de­ the winter. They may be collected and velop roots near the surface, it some­ sown in the autumn or held in storage times cracks and raises sidewalks when at 40 °F. for 90 days before sowing. planted close to them. In Europe the The average number of seeds per pound wood, which is used for furniture, is is 5,900. They will germiFlate between called harewood or silver greywood. 40 and 50 °F. Propagation is by seed and by bud­ ding of varieties on seedlings of the spe­ cies. (See Sugar Maple for further infor­ mation on propagation.) Tatarian Maple (AceT tataTicum L.), Several selections are cultivated. A. p. a relatively small tree, almost as wide as f. eTythroca1 " p ~tm (Carr.) Pax has bright tall and growing to a height of 20 to 30 red fruits. Leaves of A. p . f. pmpw"eum feet, was brought here in 1759 from its (Lond.) Rehd. are purple on the lower native lands in southeastern Europe and surface; those of A. p. f. wOTleei Rosenth. Asia (Fig. 20). This useful small tree or and Schwerin are deep golden yellow tall shrub is hardy in plant zone 4. when they are young. Leaves of the culti­ The slightly glossy, 2 to 4 inch long, var spaethi are burgundy wine red on the roundish oval or oblong or cordate leaves lower surface. The cultivar globosum have doubly serrate margins. They color has a rounded crown; ascendens and highly red and yellow in autumn. eTectum have upright branches. Other Flowers are white and borne in long cultivars are L eopoldii and Prinz Hand­ peduncled panicles. Young fruits are jery. bright red in summer. Abundant seed JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER I 27 is produced. There is one record from Literature Cited Montana of trees that produced seed 1. Burton, J. H. 1952. The grafting of some when they were about 7 years old. maples. Proc. 2nd Annual Meeting Plant Seed may @e sown outdoors in autumn. protJagato?'S Soc., pp. 71·80. Stratification or cold storage might also 2. Coggeshall , Roger G. June 1954. Propa· be a satisfactory method of holding the gating some rarer plants from seed. AI" seed for spring sowing. Coggeshall (5) noldia 14 (5). 3. Coggeshall, R oger G. 195 .'i. The propaga­ reported that 63 and 77 per cent of cut­ tion of Asiatic maples. Proc. 5th Annual tings taken from old trees on August 16 Meeting Plant ProtJagators Soc., pp. 33-39. and May 10, respectively, rooted in sand 4. Coggesh all, R oger G. Ju ly 1957. Asiatic under a plastic tent. maples, their propagatio n from softwood The Tatarian Maple grows best in cuttings. Arnoldia 17 (Nos. 8-9). 5. Coggeshall, R oger C. i\ lav I, 1957 . The moist soil. propagation of Asiatic maples. A mer. Nurs· eryman, pp. 9-10. 6. Duffield, .J . W. 1943. Po lyploidy in AceI' rubmm L. Ch?'On ica Botanica 7 (8): 390- Vine Maple (A cer ciTcinatum Pursh), 399. native from British Columbia LO Califor­ 7. Dunn, S. and R. J. Townsend. Sept. 1954. nia, grows to about 40 feet in height un­ Propagation of sugar maples by vegetative cuttings . Jour. Forestry 52 (9). der favorable conditions in the West. 8. Foster, R . C. 1933. Chromosomes in m aple. The crown is widespreading, often with Jour. Arnold Arboretum 14, 386. several basal branches resting on the 9. H arkness, B. 1955 . H OrL US durobrivensis ground. These branches may produce III. Acer. Phytologia 5 (6): 233-256. roots. Stems of Vine Maple commonly 10. Krussman, G. 1959. Handbuch der Laubge­ holze,2 LiefcrLlng, Band 1, Bogen 7-10. Ver­ are much twisted and turned. The light lag Paul Parey. Berlin u . Hamburg. green leaves are 2 to 7 inches across and II. McGill, Wayne. 1952. The se lection of rna· have 7 to 9 serrated lobes, which become pIe understock, bud wood and the timing tinged with red in late summer. Autumn a nd placement of buds. Proc. 2nd Annual foliage is yellow to orange and scarlet. Meeting Plant Propagators Soc ., pp. 64-70. 12. Meurman, Olavi. 1933-34. Ch romosome My co-worker, F. G. Meyer, says that in morphology, somatic doubling a nd second· burned-over areas along the Pacific Coast ary association in Ace1' plalanoides L. He- Vine lVIaple provides a blazing splash of 1'editas 18: 145-173. scarlet beginning in September. The at­ 13. Mulligan, B. O. 1958. Maples cultivated in the U. S. and Canada. Amer. Assoc. Botan­ tractive flowers are carried on drooping ical Gardens a nd A rboretums. corymbs and have white to red or purple 14. Nordine, R . M. 1952. Collecting, storage sepals. The fruits are rose colored. and germination of maple seed. Proc. 2d The chromosome number of vegeta­ Annual Jltleet ing Plant Propagators Soc., pp. tive cells is 26, according to Foster (8). 62-64. 15. Smith, F. L. J apanese maples by inarching. There are about 5,000 seed per pound. Jan. 1954. The Nat. Hart. Magazine, pp. Seed sown in autumn after it ripens will 61-62. germinate the following spring. 16. Taylor, W. R . 1920. Chromosomes in sLIgar Vine Maple, which may live in nature m aple. Cant. Bot. Lab. Univ. Pa. 5. 17. Van Dersall, W. R. 1938. Native woody for 80 to 90 years, will grow in partly plants of the U nited States. U. S. Dept. Agr. shaded situations. It does not thrive in Misc. P'Ubl. 303. the East but may be used in partly 18. Wells, T. S. 1955. Plonl propagation prac­ shaded locations. At Rochester, N. Y., tices. The Macmillan Co., New York. it grows as a shrub on poor soil, accoru­ 19. Wells, J. S. Oct. 1, 1953. R ooting Acer pal­ ing to Harkness (9) . matum. Amer. N'U1'SeI'yma'll, pp. 15, 59-65. 20. Wright, .J. N . May, 1957. New ch romo­ In nature it furnishes food for wapiti, som e CO llnts in AceI' a nd Fraxlllus. Jour. beaver, and muskrat. Man-is Arboretum. 28 T H E Ai\IERICAN HORT ICULTURAL i\L-\ GAZINE

Rosa foetida

(Photographed from a plate in Curtis's Botanical Magazine, t. 363) The Wild Yellow Roses and Related Species:f.

"The Yellow Rose (as divers do report) was by Art so coloured, and altered from his first estate, by grafting a wilde Rose upon a Broome-stalke; whereby (say th;y) it doth not only change his colour but his smell and force_ "-Gerarc\ 's H erball, b97.

GRAHAM 5. THOMAS

It so happens that most of the few In the garden all these roses except yellow-flowered wild roses fit botanical­ R. eeoc and also R. fo etida and its vari­ ly into a convenient group, the Pimpinel­ eties blend happily with everything else, lifoliae, induding one white-flowered Lheir tones being cool and refreshing; species, and these few species are dis­ Lhe soft mauves of rhododendrons or the tributed only through the Old World Haming colors of azaleas are all the better from Eastern Europe to China. So far for a few pale ye llow or white roses; like­ only two of them-Rosa fo etida, the Aus­ wise irises and peonies are enhanced by trian Brier, and R. spin osissi'm a, the big bushes of pale yellow behind them. Burnet Rose-have been used to any A very different approach is needed for extent by hybridizers, and possibly un­ R . foetida and its more startling vari­ told advances in yellow roses are at hand eties; I do not feel happy with them in through some of the other species_ any combination of roses apart from These roses form a rather diverse their own derivatives_ Their ye llow is so group from a garden point of view but harsh and insistent that it needs the rich botanically they are governed by a few background of a copper beech hedge to characters common to them alL Thev add tone. The gorgeous warmth of the are erect-growing shrubs, with straight o~­ 'Austrian Copper' Brier is equally diffi­ almost straight prickles; leaves small, cult to place with other roses, but it is with anything from five to nineteen leaf­ such a glorious personage itself that I lets; stipules narrow and joined to the prefer it on its own. Against varied petiole for about half their length; bracts greenery, or copper leaves, it can be the absent; the sepals are vertical and stay focal point for the whole garden for its on the hips which are rounded and few brief weeks of flowering, then to sink orange, red or maroon. into insignificance for the rest of the sea­ It will be seen, therefore, that we have son. Even so I prefer to lead up to sllch ordinary shrubs with small leaves to deal brilliance as this wi th other brilliant with; no great attraction in the hips, but plants, such as potentillas and geums, only in the color of the flowers, and which diffuse the dazzling color in a ka­ there is no doubt that the species in this leidoscopic mixture, and through their group do add something very valuable varied warmth and overlapping flower­ not only to roses in general but to the ing periods, prolong the ~isplay so th~t whole of horticulture_ For where would the given spot can retam a barbanc our early summer shrub display be 'with­ splendor through the summer. I referred out the dainty grace of R_ hugonis or R. briefly to this coloring before, and would eantabrigiensis, or without the glory of like to enlarge upon it here, as among 'Friihlingsgold'?-to say nothing of our species roses R. fo etida and R-f. bieo lor modern roses which owe almost their en­ do need such careful placing in the gar­ tire yellow and flame coloring to R_ den, and need to be approached in colors fo etida and its latent characters. of gathering strength_ This method is • An edited chapter-extract from Mr. Thomas' book indeed practi sed in several famous gar­ Shrub Roses Of Today to be published by Phoenix House in the spring of 1962. The new book will cover dens today and excellent examples may all species of shrub roses of garden value, except those included in the n ew edition of his Old Shrub Roses, be seen in the purple-and-orange garden together with their hybrids, with chapters on Hybrid Musks, Rugosas, H ybrid Pepertuals a nd all miscellaneous at Crathes Castle, in the red-and-purple shrub rose hybrids e,'olved during this century a nd be­ borders at Hidcote, in the recl-and-yellow fore. The 14 Roses depicted from watercolors and eight from pencil dTawings, together with nomerou s borders at Tintinhull, and beels of gor­ photographs. are a ll by the author. The published work will contain references to previously publi hed geous color assortments at Sissinghurst ilJustrations and gardens where the roses discllssed m ay be seen. Castl e, Newby Hall, and Blickling Hall. [29] 30 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

Let it not be thought, however, that roses been known since before 1590. The re­ provide necessarily the bulk of color in verse of the petals is much the same color these blends. Probably the reverse would as that of R. foelicia, but shows through be true, but there is no doubt that the the thin texture some of the intense nas­ 'Austrian Copper' and some of its near turti lim-red of the face of the flower. relatives can add very greatly to such Occasionally this dazzling rose reverts on displays. I need only call attention to an odd branch or two, to the vivid yellow 'Reveil Dijonnais' and some of the flame­ of the species. . and-yellow Hybrid Teas and vivid In the garden it grows best in the same Floribundas to conjure up some wonder­ conditions as R. foetida, and both of ful 'hot' color schemes. them, on account of their color, should This type of color work cannot depend be kept well away from the many roses upon normal greenery for its ultimate which flower with them early in the sea­ success. As I mentioned earlier the cop­ son, and which have those soft tones of per foliage of a beech, prunus, or ber­ mauve-pink which are so prevalent m beris hedge is to my mind almost essen­ the genus. tial to give the grouping warmth and Miss 'Willmott tells us it is known in richness, and provides of course the in­ France by the name of 'Rose Capucine' estimable asset of permanent color and used to be known as 'Rose Com­ through the various flowering seasons. tesse.' I wish we could find the double form which was apparently recorded in Rosa ecae. Afghanistan. The strange 1815 or thereabouts-although it could name commemorates Mrs. Aitchison­ scarcely be an improvement on the sin­ E.C.A.-the wife of the botanist who gle. In most of the portraits cited the named it. This rose is unique; slender artists have obviously been carried away upright growth with long reddish twigs with the unusual coloring of the flo'wers; set wi th reddish thorns and small we can imagine what a relief it must be smooth dark green leaves. It is quit~ to have a rose to paint of such brilliance startling when in flower for the blooms when so many are mauve-pink. a~e of intense deep buttercup-yellow. FIve feet by four feet, or considerably Rosa foelida 1Jenial1a. The Persian Yel­ more on good soil. Needs full sunshine low rose was introduced to this country and well-drained soil, and contrasts well by Sir Henry 'Willcock in 1838, and was with blue spring-flowering ceanothuses. welcomed by growers as the most bril­ Rosa foetida. Western Asia. The Aus· liant and satisfactory of the double yel­ tria~ Brier. Although marked by an in­ low roses for the garden. To us, with so tensIty of yellow bordering on the color many fine yellow roses around us, it is of sulphur, a scent that one could hardly difficult to imagine a time when the only cal~ attractive, and possessing a name double roses of this color were the little w~Ich calls attention to its heavy color, Burnets and R. hemisphaerica. The lat­ thiS rose has a profound influence on our ter seldom produced flowers worth look­ modern garden roses mainly through its ing at except in good weather, so we can famous variety, R.f. persiana. In the old appreciate with what enthusiasm the books the species was known as R. lutea 'Persian Yellow' must have been greeted. and was known and grown before 1600. In the Ga1"denen' ChTOl1icle for 1843 The shining rich brown stems are set plants were advertised at fifteen shillings with straight gray prickles, and bear each, a fabulous sum in those days for a small .Ieaves of intense parsley-green. n~w rose, and the equivalent to over ~he Wide open flowers create a very start­ nll1e dollars today. Eventually its pol­ lmg effect. !n. my e~perience, despite len was made to produce fine yellow mod­ the fact that It IS a native of hot arid dis­ ern roses, such as had never been seen tricts, it appears to thrive best in our before. Five feet by four feet. cooler counties and in Scotland; this is The famous nurseryman of Lyon, Per­ als.o true of many other roses from the net-Ducher, made a determined effort in Middle East. Pruning seldom improves 1883 and subsequent years, pollinating the results. Five feet by four feet. thousands of Hybrid Perpetuals with the 'Persian Yellow' and eventually succeed­ Rosa foetida bicoloT. R. lutea pll11icea. ed in raising two seedlings, one of which The famous 'Austrian Copper Brier' has subsequently gave rise to 'Solei I d'Or: JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1 31

.51(1{>

I L

Rosa sericea

(Photographed from a plate in Curtis's Botanical Magazine, t. 5200) 32 THE A]'vIERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE the first of the 'Pernet' race of roses. is nearly Lhornless, but the bases of the They have since been merged into the young shoots are often crimson with Hybrid Teas and, with the brilliant c?l­ bristly hairs and prickles. This exquisite oring of R. fo etida bicolor, have also gIV­ species has tiny, smooth leaves, creating en us the t.wo-tone effect which occurs in a fern-like effect on a shrub some seven the 'Austrian Copper.' feet high and wide. The flowers are charmingly disposed along the arching Rosa hemisphael·ica. Western Asia. R . wiry twigs, and are of cool butter-yellow, sulphw'ea, R. glaucophylla. The 'Sul­ with a hint of primrose; they seldom phur Rose.' Known and grown before open fully, remaining in a cupped shape, 1625. A famous rose which is not really crinkled and silky. Surpassed by some of suited to our climate, but, prior to the its offspring. Thrives on chalky and other introduction of the 'Persian Yellow,' it soils, but is at its best when on its own was the only large double yellow rose in roots. The small maroon-colored hips cultivation. On account of its size of are not conspicuous but the foliage often bloom it was often called the 'Yellow turns to purplish brown in the autumn. Provence Rose' although in growth and general appearance it bears no resem­ Rosa omeiensis. See R. sericea. blance to the true 'Provence Rose,' R. Rosa primula. Turkestan to Northern cen tifolia. China. The 'Incense Rose' is so called Its synonym, R. glaucophylla, gives us because of the rich aroma which ema­ the key to its foliage, which is of a dis­ nates from the young foliage, which is tinctly grayish hue, and it has hooked dark green, smooth, narrow and of a prickles, distinguishing it again from R. somewhat glaucous tint. Some leaves foetida, even without flowers. It is of have as many as fifteen leaflets. The rather loose habit, and the twigs droop plants are upright and a pretty sight with the weight of the large globular when in flower, the tone of yellow being blooms, filled with petals, of a brilliant very pale and transparent like that of a sulphur yellow, and sweetly scented. Un· primrose. It can make a fine effect when fortunately, except in particularly warm loaded with flowers; at Highdown, the dry weather, and in the right conditions. famous chalky garden created by Sir it seldom gives perfect blooms. They Frederick Stern, it has reached some six tend to 'ball' and decay without open­ feet by ten feet. Hips reddish, not con­ ing. It grows and flowers at Highdown. spicuous, but the young growth is red­ Mr. Gordon Rowley suggests that this dish brown wi th red thorns. rose was derived as a sport from a single­ flowered species R. mpinii. As however, Rosa sericea and omeiensis. Separated as the double-flowered rose was named first, they are only by minor botanical differ­ the name of this single-flowered species ences, it is best to class these two species would be R. hemisphael'ica rapinii. This together for our present purpose. They species is a native of Asiatic Turkey to are the only roses which have four petals N .W. Persia. About four feet. instead of the usual five. They make tall There is a very full account of these rather open shrubs up to some 9 feet roses and an excellent plate in Miss high and ·wide; the stout young shoots Willmott's book The Genus Rosa. The are often densely bristly giving way to double variety was depicted by Van Huy­ almost smooth wood which is irregularly sum and others in some of the great set with wide, flattened, triangular prick­ Dutch flower pictures of the seventeenth les, most evident in the variety R.s. pler­ century. and its vivid color and occasion­ acantha. Numerous rich green leaflets ally superb blooms made it greatly give the plant the ferny appearance pe­ prized. The quotation at the head of culiar to several of these roses. In Au­ this article applies to this rose. gust and September in a good season, the bushes are brilliant with small pear­ Rosa hugonis. Central China. With R. shaped glossy hips in bright scarlet; in moyesii this is one of the two most fa­ R.s. omeiensis they have a thickened yel­ mous roses which, being brought from low stalk. In addition R.s. omeiensis has the Far East at the turn of the century, nearly glaucous leaflets up to seventeen, revolutionized the horticultural apprais­ whereas those of R .s. se-ricea are silky­ al of the wild roses. An established plant pubescent beneath, and not more than JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41 , NUMBER I 33

8218

Rosa sericea pteracantha

(Photographed from a plate in Curtis's Botanical Magazine, t. 82 18) 34 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE eleven. In spite of all this Mr. Gordon Rosa xanthina. This, the double flow­ Rowley considers, from Hurst's ?ybrid­ ered form, has been cultivated for over izations and from recent observatIOns on a hundred years in Northern China and living material under his care at Bayford­ Korea, and has been known over here bury, that these roses should be united as R. slingeri. The growth is less free under R. sericea. than its single parent and the flowers, They are attractive shrubs for the gar­ though a good color and fairly double, den, giving the unsophisticated effect are less beautiful and effective. Six feet that is the prerogative of dainty wild by six feet. Unlike 'Canary Bird,' which species, and are really exquisite in flow­ is sometimes called R. xanthina spon­ er. The petals are beautifully shaped tanea, it has prickles. and slightly veined, remaining in a wide, cup-formation for most of their short Rosa xanthina spontanea. N. China and life. Their flowers are normally white. Korea. Although this was introduced in 1907 it has never become widely known, Rosa sericea. Himalaya, introduced 1822. having been overshadowed by 'Canary Bird' (q .v.). It is vigorous, reaching in Rosa omeiensis. Szechuan, West China, Mr. Hillier's garden eight to nine feet, in trod uced 1901. with the usual light green foliage of the Rosa sericea chrysocarpa. A form with group, and large light yellow single flow­ beautiful yellow hips. ers. Rosa sericea denudata. A thornless form. Hybrids of the Yellow Roses

Rosa sericea 'Heather Muir.' A superb 'Canary Bird.' At one time distributed form, named after the creator of the as R. xanthina spontanea, under the im­ Kiftsgate garden, who purchased it many pression that it was the wild type of R. years previously as a seedling from E. A. xanthina, it has since been considered a Bunyard. A most beautiful large shrub hybrid, perhaps R. hugonis X xanthina with extra large white flowers produced or spinosissima. I have found no record over a long period (about three months), of its origin. The richly colored brown followed by orange-red hips on orange­ stems have a few prickles towards the red stalks. Nine feet tall and wide. base, and are noticeably warty, i.e., cov­ ered with tiny excrescences. The leaves Rosa sericea polyphylla. R. sericea in­ are of bright fresh green, luxuriant but ermis glandulosa. A form with numerous small and fern-like; they are hairy be­ leaflets, and not many prickles. neath, and also in the folds above. The flowers open wide, and are of clear bright Rosa sericea 'Praecox.' Early flowering yellow, creating a really splendid effect form. on the arching young branches and small twigs. Unfortunately, it is subject to 'die Rosa sericea pteracantha. R. omeiensis back' like R. hugonis, but appears to be pteracantha. A rose well known for its most at home in the drier parts of the large flattened prickles. These are borne country on well drained soils. Hips ma­ on stiff straight stems, being sometimes roon or blackish, not conspicuous. Seven so numerous and wide that they make a feet tall and seven wide. vertical line of red among the small ferny leaves. Some prickles are an inch Rosa headleyensis. This was raised at or more wide at the base. The flowers Boidier, the home of the late Sir Oscar are white, and otherwise the plant is Warburg, at Headley near Epsom about much like the species but less graceful. 1920. The seed parent was R. hugonis, In the garden this variety should be presumably pollinated by R. spinossima placed so that the sun can shine through altaica. Dr. Bernard Smith at Pusey, the prickles, giving a rich color-effect. In Wiltshire, has the best plant I know, their second season the prickles become which is about nine feet high by 12 feet gray; thus, pruning to encourage con­ wide. This vigorous and healthy plant stant new shoots is desirable. Introduced has the general ferny appearance of the from Western China in 1890. Eight feet parents as one would expect, with par­ by eight feet. ticularly ha ndsome creamy-yellow single JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1 35

flowers. Very fragrant. I consider this is experience, where it scores over R. hugo­ the most ornamental of all the hybrids nis and 'Canary Bird.' of R. hugonis that I have seen so far; its wide flowers, graceful growth, and clear Rosa ptemgonis 'Earldomensis: R. pter­ soft coloring make it an important gar­ agonis pteragonis. R. hugonis X sericea den plan t, and it is amazing that it has pteracantha. Raised in Mr. Courtenay remained so long in obscurity. Page's garden, "Earldom," Haywards Heath, where the National Rose Society's Rosa ptemgonis. Under this hybrid name trials were held for many years. Forms are gathered all hybrids between the R. a bushy, thorny shrub with some of the sericea-omeiensis group and R. hugonis. reddish flattened prickles of the second parent. Small pretty foliage and bright Rosa pteragonis cantabloigiensis. 1931. yellow single flowers early in the season. Raised at Cambridge Botanic Garden by Six to seven feet. Dr. C. C. Hurst while working on the genetics of the genus. I regard this and Rosa pteragonis 'Hidcote Gold: 1948. R. headleyensis as the most satisfactory Apart from the fact that this plant has of the species-like yellow roses. R. canta­ been growing for many years at Hidcote brigiensis makes an erect bush seven feet and was apparently raised there, I have by six feet or more, densely covered in no records of it. It is possibly a hybrid of tiny hairy bristles on strong young R. hugonis, and the other parent is no growth, but without wing-like prickles; doubt R. omeiensis pteracantha, as it wi th the same ferny leaf-effect of its par­ bears conspicuous flattened prickles very ents, but a shapely well-filled habit. The like those of this species. It is a vigorous five-petalled flowers are very slightly graceful bush with long wand-like paler than those of R. hugonis, but still branches and drooping twigs studded a good clear yellow, and are far more with good, clear yellow, single, five-pet­ shapely and open wider than those of alled flowers and plen ty of small foliage. that species. Extremely free flowering An attractive shrub combining the five and a wonderful sight in full bloom; petals of a yellow rose with the striking small orange-red hips in late summer. armature of R. sericea pteracantha. Sev­ Fragrant. Not subject to die-back in my en by seven feet. A Book or Two

The h ybrids, of course, are treated more thor­ The Complete Book of Lilies oughly than the species, but then they are more F. F. R ockwell, Esther C. Grayson, and J an popular and will continue to be so. de Graaff . American Garden Guild and The appendix contains a large number of Doub leday and Company, Inc., 575 Madison lists of lilies which should prove of great value Avenue, New York 22, New York, 196 1. 352 to the gardener. Lilies are listed in many differ· pages. Illustrated. $5 .95. (Library) ent wa ys under m any different criteria. There is no question of the value of these to the novice T his is, as the title suggests, a most complete lily enthusiast. These lists, the up-to-date terat­ book on lilies. Unfortunately completeness is ment of the hybrids and the chapters on propa­ not synonymous with quality, and quality is gation and plant breeding are good reasons for wha t this book lacks. By comparison with Mr. owning this book. For the connoisseur this book de Graaff's earlier book, of which h e was sole will not replace Lilies of the W orld, but then, a uthor, this book is more pretentious in scope It wasn 't meant to. but less accurate in execution. Knowing Mr. de Graaff's felings on some of the topics discussed , ''''hy the authors went to all the trouble of I find it difficult to believe h e contributed much writing a book and then illustra ting it with the more than his name to large parts of the book. lack of va riety found here, is beyond me. The T he book is divided into three m a in sections, pla tes are good , but why should the same lilies the first of which seems largely the work of the be used several times with negative r e v e r s ~ d Rockwells. While there is little actually wrong or wi th the plants rearranged? One group of with the treatment of "Lilies in th e Garden ," Mid-Century H ybrids appears at least three the treatment is quite general and, despite Mr. times. The same lilies are used in black-and· Rockw ell 's ass urances to the contrary, indicates white illustrations and color plates. Further· little real personal knowledge of the genus. Per­ more, it s~e m s almos t unfair to show, as examples haps the [actual material came from O regon and of the correct use of lilies, potted plants, grown the filler from Massachusetts? An exception is to perfectIOn under glass and a rranged amidst the chap ter on fl oral arrangem ent, which seems shrubbery so as to suggest that they grew there. to my mind, unschooled in the intricacies of that There are innumerable ~ m a ll errors such as subject, to be inform ative and useful. the statement that E. H. Wilson discovered T he second part, "The Growing of Lilies," Liliu m dcwidii, the use of the single i ending on gives a very thorough account of the lily as a L. daVid!! and L. hanson ii, a nd the labeling of plant: its habits, structure and reproduction . the R ed Band Lily as the Gold Band Lily. These Mrs. Virginia H owie's accura te and instructive are of less consequence than the over·all medioc­ line drawings do much to enhance the useful ­ ri ty of the book, bu t nevertheless detract from ness of this section. The chapter on "Lily its worth. It is the fee ling of this reviewer that Trou bles: Diseases and Pests" is, a t best m ediocre. in such a book, intended to inform the public, The speculation on cures for virus and the reo the au thors should exert a special effort to see la ti onship of plant diseases to those of m an are that errors are at a minimum. But then, m ost m ere pse udoscientific flights of fa ntasy. It serves avid garden ers are h orticulturalists, while most only as a change of p ace from the usual dry horticultural writers are journalists, and the gar­ treatment of d iseases and symptoms. On the deners ge nerally take the professional writers other hand, the chapters on p ropagation and with a grain of salt and go on doing things in plant breeding are excellent and instructi ve with the m anner they have found most success ful. the added bonus of a discuss ion on wh at the The writers have los t the confidence of the ga r­ breeder should be. The usual treatment of deners by producing a surfeit of books with a p aucity of reliable, first· h and information. U n· ~n et h o d s and techniques is a necessa ry part and IS well wntten and illustrated . One co uld only fortunately, this book does not stand out from ask to have more ideas on the O'oals of breeding the crowd. in the various h yb rid groups. Chapter 15 comes RICHARD "V . LIGHTY as a disappointing shock. In dealing with the exhibition of lilies it sh ows little ev idence of having b e~ n seen by Mr. de Graaff. Anyone fa lTIlbar Wi th hiS m ethods of cu tting, packina , ShlpplIlg, and exhibiting lilies will n otice i~­ The Mango. Botany, Cultivation mediately that most of the recommendations are and Utilization exactl y opposite to his practice. Evidently the Lal Behari Singh. Interscience Pub lish ers, wnter of thiS chapter had not attended any of Inc. , 250 Fifth Avenue, New York I , New Mr; de Graaff's several lectures on this subject. York. 1960. 438 p ages. Illustrated. $13.25. LI.h es from Oregon have been shown in coun­ tn es around the world, and have received awards (Library) after being shipped that distance. This book is one of a series of World Cro1) . T he last par t of the book, "The Lily W orld," B ooks on the botany, cultiva tion and utiliza tion IS co ncerned wI.th the enumeration and descrip­ of the m ore important plant crops, under the tIOn o[ the species and hyb n ds. T he descriptions gen eral editorship of Professor N. Polunin. It is are hOrl!cultural and fin e for the gardener. a well documen ted review of the world literature

(Books availab le for .loan to the M em bership are designated: (Libra·ry). Those n ot so designated ;~~ In pTlval~ collectwr:s an d aTe 11..01 available fo r loan. Books available Jor sale to the M ember· .I ~ are des.lgnated wllh the speCial reduced price an d are subject to the usual change of price ~ I t ~u t notice. Orders m ust be sent thro ugh the A merican Horticultural Society accompanied Yl t e proper paymen:t . Please allow ~ lVo to three weeks for delivery. Those not designated for ~~/ . to t~e M~m b ers h lp at r ~d uc e d pnces can be purchased through the Society, however, at the al l Pi Ices gwen . In .these Instance.s the full profi t is received by the Society to be lIsed for Increased services Il nd benefits of the M embership.) [36) JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1 37 on the subject of mangoes combined with first Campanulas and Bellflowers hand reporting on Indian mango culture. There are chapters on the following subjects: History, in Cultivation origin, nomenclature, distribution; Botany and H. Clifford Crook. St. Martin's Press, Inc., rootstock; Cytogenics and breeding; Fruit bud 175 Fifth Avenue, New York 10, New York. differentiation and periodicity in cropping; Cli­ 1959. 90 pages. Illustrated. $2.50. (Library) mate; Soil; Varieties; Propaga tion; Planting and Care; Irrigation, Nutrition; Diseases and their H. Clifford Crook, who is probably the out­ control; Insects, mites and other pests; Angio­ standing English authority on Campanulas and spermous paras ites and epiphytes; Marketing; its related genera, in his preface states that he and Utilization. has restricted himself to "SpeCies which are The review on cytogenetics and breeding will known to be in cultivation in England, even be welcomed by research workers interested in though in some cases con iderable persistence the development of new varieties. In the chapter and search may be needed to secure them." on Varieties the choicest Indian mangoes have been classified as to geographical origin, de­ Several yeras ago Mr. Crook published a well scribed and illustrated. Several varieties devel­ illustrated book on "Campanulas" in which he oped in Egypt, Florida, the Philippines, and described a nd co mmented on every species that T hailand are described. There is some reason was known at that time. In England, this is to question which of the variety na mes pertain considered a tandard work on the genus. Any­ to true clones and which to types of sim ilar one studying this subject, would be bound to clones. Comparative illustrations of the stones, consult his book. In his present book, he has with adhering fib ers, would have been useful, as made a selection of those plants that he believes, well as notes on disease or insect resistance ot with proper attention to their requirements the various varieties. A list is included of the and idiosyncrasies, can be grown in England by 23 Indian va rieti es the a uthor rate;; topmost for the average gardener. He has devoted chapters fla vor. to those plants suitable for the border, the rock The subject of vege tative propagation is ex­ garden, the wild garden, and the Alpine H ouse. tensively dealt with and the various techniques T he last chapter in the book is devoted to a dis­ are well illustrated by line drawings. It is not apparent which methods are most sll ccessfully cussion of other genera of the Campanulaceae employed in the various mango growing areas that are attractive and not too d iffi cult to raise of the world. The use of plastic tape is men­ including Adenophora, Cyananthus, Symphi­ tioned but not sheets of plastics for protecting a ndra, Codonopsis, Edraian thus, ] as ione, and grafts or for shipping budwood. Phyteumas. The book is clearly and concisely written with In the course of a lifetime, the writer has the inclusion of few Indian coll oquialisms. raised, or attempted to raise, nearly all of the Measurements are either in metric or British Campanulas mentioned in Mr. Crook's book. No terms. It should be well received by a ll who doubt most of them can be grown in this coun­ work with tropical and subtropical fruits. try, despite the fact that in certa in sections, such H. F. W. as the Central States, where in summer the thermometer may frequently rise above 90 de­ grees, and the winter weather is so variable, it is possible that the mortality would be heavy. Mammillaria. Cultivation and In the Pacific northwest, where the climate is Characteristics more like that of the greater part of England, this handicap would be obviated. For example, Cyril Marsden. Cleaves-Hume Press, Limited, in the neighborhood of Seattle, and on Van­ London, England. Distributed by St. Mar­ couver Island, we have observed the delightful tin's Press, Inc., 175 Fifth Avenue, New York little Campanula piperi growing luxuriantly: 10, New York. 1957. Illustrated. $7.75. here in the Ohio valley, on numerous occasions (Library) we have started this plant from seed; when the The author's preface states that this is the sec­ hot days of July and August arrived, the plant, ond in a series of books pertaining to the cactus despite careful nursing, invariably perished. family. The first volume d ealt generally with Of these species which Mr. Cook described, it cactus culture and its problems. This book d eals might be of interest to the reader to have a list only with the genus Mammillaria. of some of those that a t various times have The first section is divided into four areas of thrived here, despite the handicaps of our cli­ general informa tion concerning the genus: back­ mate. Among the taller species more suitable for ground, classification of species, cultivation and the border or the wild garden, there are C. p ropagation. The remainder of the book covers lactiflors, persicifolia, latifolia, trachelium, glo­ the identification and culture of the individual merata, latiloba, and of course, the Canterbury species. Very helpful cultural notes have been Bell: fo r the rock garden, the ironclad poschar­ gathered from the experiences of many growers, skyana, portenschlagiana (syn. muralis), car­ both private and commercial. patica, raddeana, collina, garganica, kemulariae, Mr. Marsden's ex tensive research into the for­ and the H arebell, C. rotundifolia which is often mer names of each species will prove especially the last plant to bloom in our rock garden: for valuable. Any owner of a mammillaria with a the Alpine House, or pOSSibly in a partly shaded name however archiaic will be able, in most cold frame, there are many delightful low grow­ cases, to ascertain its proper identity from the ing plants that are no t too difficult to raise, such inclusive index. as C. betulaefolia, cochlearifolia (syn. mural is) , Unfortunately this book does not contain a fragilis, isophylla, p ulla. T hen there are the standard key for identifying unnamed plants in monocarps, or biennials, such as andrewsii, sar­ a cactophile's collection. tori, a nd formanekiana. PAUL W. SHAW R OBERT M. SENIOR 38 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

Are You Your Garden's Worst Pest? Excerpts: Letters of Charles Sprague Cynthia Westcott. Doubleday and Company, Sargent to Rochester Park Inc., 575 Madison Avenue, New York 22, New Personnel York. 1961. 312 pages. Illustrated. $4.50. Distributed by Gilboy's House of Books, 197 (Library) Chestnut Street, Rochester 7, N. Y. Rochester Dr. Westcott has again produc ~ d a most prac­ Chapbooks, Publisher. June, 1961. 52 pages. tical book for the home gardener. In "Are You $2.00. (Library) Your Garden's Worst Pest?" she combines tech­ Th~s is a paper bound volume of great style, nical knowledge and common sense in a way that beautIful format and printing. The Excerpts both the inexpert and expert gardener will find were chosen and annotated by Bernard Hark­ helpful. ness of the Rochester Park Department. Her lates t book contains nearly a thousand The majority of the letters are addressed to recommendations for chemical control of dis­ Mr. John Dunbar, who began his career in the eases and pes ts attacking garden plants. In addi­ Rochester Park System in 1891 and made a name tion, Dr. Westcott discusses the need for diver­ for himself and his work through a long and sifying garden plantings so that a disease or pest valued life. A few are addressed to Mr. Richard outbreak will not cause wholesale destruction. E. Horsery, whose work centered in and for the She also warns against the danger of planting famol1s Highland Park. alt~rnate hosts, that is, different kinds of plants The correspondence shows clearly the value which some rusts need to complete their life that Professor Sargent found in the work of cycle. these men and their assistants, and the letters She discusses plant quarantine regulations in delightfully informal, and brief, make referenc~ an understandable way, especially to the ship­ to many of the disting.uished botanists and plant per who must often take special precautions to col1ectors of the penod, men of this country comply with them. and abroad. To the home gardener who does not keep an . Prof. Sargent's interest in Crataegus is clear accurate time table for such things, Dr. West­ III the early days and his interest in what the cott tells when-and how-to prune trees and members of the Park Department were doing in shrubs, especially roses. She discusses the com­ the way of 'pla~Jt collecting in this country is mon problems of planting, mulching, fertilizing pate~t. While III no sense was the cooperation and watering. one-Sided, the position of the Arnold Arboretum Dr. Westcott cautions against the average gar­ in Sargent's affections is clear. dener's belief that every problem can be coun­ B. Y. M. tered by use of a dust or spray. She precedes her chapter on spray recommendations with two -others: "Is This Spray Necessary?" and "Spare Your Friends." Dr. Westcott's appendix includes the common Carefree Gardening names of garden pesticides and precautions to be taken in their use; optimum soil acidity range J ean Hersey. D. Van Nostrand Company, for most garden plants; and State and Federal Inc., 120 Alexander Street, Princeton, New plant quarantine regulations. Jersey. 1961. viii + 192 pages. Illustrated. P. R. M. $4.95. (Library) . AHS Members Price $4.20. A sto:y ?f gardening in an easy manner along With enJoYing the fields surrounding a Connecti­ cut home and making them a part of the home landscape. The meadows around the house are allowed to grow and even some cultivated an­ ~llla!s ~nd pe.rennials are encouraged to natural­ You Can Grow Orchids Ize III It. It IS mowed only once a year in mid­ Mary Noble. Mary Noble, 3003 Riverside August. Only a limited area near the house is Avenue, Jacksonville 5, Florida. 1960. (Re­ maintained as a lawn. The surrounding area is vised, Second Edition.) 152 pages. Illus­ planted in flowering shrubs and trees. Bulbs are trated. (Paperbound.) $1.98. (Library) used for spring flowering and ferns and other shade loving plants in the wooded area. Vege­ This second edition of a popular handbook on tables are grown with special attention to salad orchid growing is written particularly for those plants. who have seen or heard about orchids but have The author describes the way she maintains no~ tried to grow them. The subject is enthusi­ her home grounds with suggestions on the kinds astically presented. Much of the information is of plants for diffeFent uses and her ways of slightly more applicable to areas of mild climate. growing them. A book to read and learn how such as Florida, than to the North. The more one person gardens in a "carefree" manner. ;COillmon genera of orchids are described and CONRAD B. LI NK !Uu.strated. All factors affecting the growth and mamtenance of orchid plants are discussed in­ , clu~Eng environmental Fequirements. potting'ma­ ten llJs and procedures, propagation, and the ,control of insects and diseases. Directions are Chemical and Natural Control ' ~iven for preparing and using the orchid flowers of Pests ~n corsages and arrangements. A glossary 0f the more commonly heard orchid names and other E. R . de Ong. Reinhold Pllblishing Corpora­ terms is included. The book is enthusiastic con- tion, 430 Park Avenue, New York 22, New cise, well illustrated and inexpensive, ' York. 1960. 244 pages. Illustrated. $7.50. H. F. W . (Library) JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41 , NUMBER 39

T his 244-page book is divided into two m ain same. Most of the text of the introduction is sections. In the first section (55 pp.) natural very good; the explanation is given that this control of insect p ests and preda tors, insect dis­ book is really for people who are not interested eases, and the use of pest resistant plants are dis­ in competitive work nor RIGID RULES, which cussed. The second section presents detailed in­ can be inhibiting to some temperaments, but formation on pests (insects, plant diseases. who want to know how to arrange Bowers at­ weeds) of field crops, orchards and vineya rds, tractively. The author does give some excellent vegetables, and ornamentals and lawns. E ighteen ideas on mechanics, especially on the use of pages are devoted to the latter group. chicken wire-gOOd , if you are a chicken wire A useful feature is an a lphabetical list of addict-and she has given some good pointers pesticides, their chemical names, and their use. on conditioning various Bowers, but when she In the rapidly expanding field of pesticides new comes to color, she again dwells on RIGID compounds are constantly appearing. de Ong RULES. brings the literature up to 1958. Dr. de Ong is a T he arrangements are colorful, maybe suitable well known authority in the field of insect con­ for home use, although this reviewer feels that trol work. C. M. it would be better for beginners to be taught the PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN, so that they would not use a receding color in the center of an ar­ rangement of warm colors, nor two large white " bulls eyes" in an otherwise all red design. The Growing for Showing so-called rigid rule of using deep tones low is Rudy J. Favretti. Doubleday and Company, not a rule but the use of a principle affecting Inc. , 575 Madison Avenue, New York 22, New the stability of the design. York. 1961. 147 pages. Illustrated. $3.95 . So-o-o read the introduction, enjoy the text (Library) . AHS Members Price $3.55. with each illustration, but, please, do not use similar d es igns in competition. Mr. Favretti's book fulfills a long felt need­ G. P. W . namely a "how-to-do-it" one for the amateur who would like to exhibit horticultural speci­ mens in a flower show. The material covers culture, grooming, and conditioning. It has in­ formation concerning the soil, light, and tem­ Miniature Roses perature needed in order to produce good speci­ mens. It goes into the training, pinching, and Roy Genders. Blandford Press, 16 West Cen­ disbudding operations and gives valuable ad­ tral Street, London, W .C. I , England. Dis­ vice for protecting specimens from weather dam­ tributed by St. Martin's Press, Inc., 175 Fifth age. Spraying is also dealt with, and useful Avenue, New York 10, New York. 1960. 104 hints on how to apply as well suggested cautions pages. Illustrated. $3.95. (Library) wi th pesticides. Miniature roses are attracting much a ttention In the part dealing with selection of plants because of their size, habit of growth and adapt­ not all show material is covered, but the infor­ ability. This book supplies cultural information mation on potted plants and garden Bowers is and discusses ways in which miniature roses may helpful and the portion devoted to vegetables be used. and fruits contains interesting information. The It begins with the origin and introduction of reviewer feels that this book should be read and these roses into Great Britain. Next, varieties are used by all garden club members planning horti­ discussed with brief descriptions of each. In some cultural classes, whether as exhibitors or in cases, the origin or parents of a variety is given. charge of staging. Judges, who have taken the M iniature roses are easy to propagate by cuttings National Council of State Garden Clubs courses or by budding. Even seed propagation is in­ in order to obtain an amateur accredited judge's cluded, since this is the way new varieties are status with the organization, will also find much developed from hybridizing. Planting, soils, fer­ to help them. For the average gardener entering tilizers, and pest controls are all included. a show it would be an admirable guide in aid­ Several chapters suggest uses for these minia­ ing them in the selection of specimens for ex­ ture plants as in special rose gardens, for troughs hibits. Anyone interested in exhibiting in a or tub gardens, in window boxes or as potted flower show will find much to guide them in plants. Since this book is written for British their selection of specimens of exhibition. conditions, the American gardener will have to FRANCIS PATTESON-KNIGHT make some adjustments in the culture suggested. This is not serious, however, since the basic in­ formation will be most helpful. The book is well illustrated, including 10 in color. Flower A.rrangements in Color CONRAD B. L INK Violet Stevenson. A Studio Book, The Viking Press, Incorporated, 625 Madison Avenue, New York 22, New York. 1961. 72 pages. Illustrated. $2.98. (Library) Gardening the Easy Way This book consists of twenty-four color plates The Homeowner's Complete of arrangements suitable for the four reasons, Guide to Gardening with explanatory text for each plate-and a sixteen-page introduction. Edwin F. Steffek. Holt, Rinehart and Win­ This reviewer examined all the color plates ston, Inc., 383 Madison Avenue, New York 17, first, then read the introduction-and could not New York. x + 198 pages. Illustrated. $3.95. keep from wondering if the author had done the (Library) 40 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

Gardening, T he Easy Way is an intriguing there may b ~ more than one variegated form as title and is written for the very beginning gar­ in Acalypha wilkesiana or Yucca aloi/olia. Cul­ dener, one who has little information on plants tu raj suggestions are given for each genera. Most and their culture. It begins with the house, as of this would apply to conditions in the United you find it after the builders leave, or as all old States or with some slight adjllstment. The book one you ha,'e just bought. The author tries to was originally written in German. anticipate the problems and questions that will CONRAD B. LINK be met and to discuss them in a logical order. He begins with the tools yo u need and the soil. Jl1 odern Trees Next come trees, wh ere he describes what makes E. H. M. Cox and P. A. Cox. Thomas Nelson a good tree, how to buy one, and when and how a n ~ l Sons, 18 East 41st Street, New York 17, to plant it. H e tells wha t some of the terms mean New York. 1961. x + 195 pages. Illustrated. that confront the buyer such as caliper, ball ed , 25 shillings. (Library) and burlapped. Lists of trees with a brief de­ sc ription of each is included for different areas T his 195 page book will be of interes t to those of the country. In a similar manner shrubs, who want to know something about how selec­ roses, annuals, perennials, vegetables and fruits ted American trees from other parts of the world a re each considered. grow in the British Isles when planted as orna­ Gardening practices are discussed such as menta ls. The book is written with the gardener pruning, fertilizing, watering, propagation all in 111 Jl1111d. Color plates of MagnOlia X veitchii, a manner that is understandable to the beginner. Acer nikoense, Cercis siliquastrum. and Abies This is a good book for one who is very much forrestii are excellent. There are 23 text illustra­ an amateur. It will help them to get off to the tions. Elementary basic information on cultiva­ right start with a t least some answers to their tion and propagation is given. The authors state ques tions. erroneously that seed of all maples mllst be CON RAD B. LIN K st ratifi ed. Seed of Acer rubrum and A. saccha­ rhinllL11 will germinate if sown as soon as it Nature's Year ripens. Descriptions of individual trees at spe­ The Seasons of Cape Cod cific locations are a valuable feature. The au­ The Seasons 0/ CatJe Cod . thors point out some requirements tha t must be J ohn Hay. Doubleday and Company, Inc., met [or a tree to withstand climatic conditions 575 Madison Avenue, New York 22, New in different parts of the British Isles and the York. 1961. 200 pages. Illustrated. 1)4.50. effects of climate on flowering and growth. Al­ (Library) together the book is in teresting and instructive. To those lovers of natural history who know It is a book for the tree fancier. that curving spit of sand that is Cape Cod this C. M. will be an appealing book. For this is a vo lume The Fern Guide of nature essays about the Cape, one for each month of the year. As a Cape Codder the au­ N ortheastem and Midland United States thor has seen all this Cape's moods from the and Adjacent Canada " restless days" of March until that time of year when ice appears on the innumerable freshwater Edgar T. Wherry. Doubleday and Company, ponds. Among other things he writes knowingly Incorporated, 575 Madison Avenue, New York of a walk with an ovenbird, of chipmunks, of 22, New York. 1961. 320 pages. Illustrated. shipwreck , of tawny- beard grass, and indeed of $3 .95. (Library) . AHS Members Price $3.55. a hundred other things. The reader will find a In 1942 Dr. Wherry published the Guide to bonus in fine woodcuts by David Grose. Hay, a Eastern Ferns, which for many years enjoyed a sort of modern Thoreau, ably presents the ap­ well-deserved popularity, but covered only the peal that the Cape has to the naturalist- just region from Pennsylvania and New Jersey to one of the number of reasons why this famed Virginia. The present volume covers the whole physiographic feature has been selected as a of the northeastern and midland states together new National Seashore Park. with adjacent Ca nada. All of the approximately W. H . H . 135 species a re illustrated by excellent line Variegated Foliage Plants drawings. The book llas excellent keys to the ferns and Paul Fischer. (Translated and edited by [ern allies, together with a usable glossary, a Corry Van Alphen.) St. Martin's Press, Inc.. chapter on fe rn cytology, and one on fern spores. 175 Fifth Avenue, New York 10, New York. Helpful notes are given on growing ferns in the 1960. 136 pages. Illustrated. $3.50. (Library) garden; also on collecting ferns. In Variegated Foliage Plants the author de­ For the serious fern amateur this book is just scribes variegated plants which he has grown in a bout indispensable. hiS greenhouses and which are suitable for P AUL RUSSELL indoor decoration. T he plants included are those kinds which are ' normall y grown in the green ­ T he Orchard and Fruit Garden house or as house plants. A few collld be grown outdoors 111 the more southern states and at Edward H ya ms and A. A. Jackson (editors) . least one, Hosta, in the north. The plants de­ Longmans, Green and Company, Incorpora­ scnbed are those with vivid coloring or varie­ ted, 119 West 40th Street, New York 18, New ~ated foliage that Occur naturally. He has not York. 1961. xvi + 208 pages. Illustrated. 7 lI1clllded plants having a variegation that is due pounds (Library). AHS ;\fembers Price to a ViruS or some known disease. In addition to $29.95. ~aturally colored or va riegated foliage plants, he This book is written for everyone interested in lI1cludes colored or variegated varieties or culti­ the fruit crops grown and marketed in Great \'ars of normally green plants. In some species Britain. It not only contains chapters on the JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1 41

origin and history uf the variollS Temperate cli­ York. 1961. x + 474 pages. Illustrated. mate fruit crops but treats on the bananas, citrus $9.50. (Library) fruits, avocados and other imported tropical fruits that are encountered almost as frequently Your Garden Soil. in English ruarkets_ There are chapters on the Hoao to make the most of it greenhouse culture of peaches, grapes, cucumbers R . Milton Carleton. D. Van Nostrand Com­ and tomatoes_ Particular attention is given to pany, Inc., 120 Alexander Street, Princeton, the Temperate climate tree fruits such as apples, New J ersey. 1961. vi + 170 pages. $3 .95_ pears, peaches, and plums and to the various (Library) small fruits. Each subject is covered by the American Tomato Yearbook, 1961 individual best informed on the subject. As would be expected, the varieties described arc John W. Carncross, Editor. American To­ those best adapted to the English climate. This mato Yearbook, 8 Elm Street, Wes tfield, New rather limits the usefulness of the book as a text J ersey. 44 pages. Illustrated. ~2.00. (Library) to the British Isle but as a reference to descrip­ Modern Fruit Science. tions of fruit varieties, particularly the apples, Orchard and Small Fruit Culture it will be of broader interest. Short histories of Norman Franklin Childers. Horticultural fruit growing in America, Australia, and South Publications, Rutgers Uni versity, New Bruns­ Africa are included. The book is superbly illus­ ",.ick, New J ersey. 1961 (Second Edition). trated in natural color photography, bea utifully XVI + 896 pages. Illustrated. i.50. (Library) printed, well bound and encased in a heavy red jacket. Hanna's Handbook of Agricultural H.F. W. Chemicals Lester W. H anna. LesLer "I' . Hanna, Route Succulents in Cultivation I, Box 210, Forest Grove, Oregon. 1958 (Sec­ Vera Higgins. St. Martin's Press, Inc., 175 ond Edition). 496 pages. JIIlIstr~ted . $5 .95_ (Library) Fifth Avenue, New York 10, New York. 1960. 168 pages. Illustrated . .$4.95 . (Library) The Biology of Mycorrhiza A book on the cu lture of succulent plants as J. L. Harley. Interscience Publ;~hers, Inc., indoor or greenhouse subjects. The author dis­ 250 Fifth Avenue, New York I, New York. cusses the general cultural requireme~lts as she 1959. 233 pages. Illustrated. $8 .75. (Library) has found them or as she follows them under Horticultural Dictionary in Eight conditions in England. H er terminology is Brit­ Languages * ish in some cases as "long tom" referring to a pot size. Potting, soils, watering, pest control J. Nijdam, Editor. Prepared under the aus­ and propagation are all briefly discussed in sep­ pices of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fish­ arate chapters. eries, The Netherlands. Interscience Pub­ lishers, Inc., 250 Fifth Avenue, New York, I, The succulent plants found in 12 plant fam­ New York. 1961. 504 pages. $7.50. (Library) ilies are considered by genus. "Vith each genus is mentioned one or more species together with .. (Dutch, English, French, German, Danish, a paragraph or two of cultural suggestions. The Swedish, Spanish and Latin.) discussion is simple and helpful as to culture but Medical and Biological Research in Israel the descriptiOns are not written to be used in the Moshe Prywes, Editor. The Hebrew Univer­ identification of a plant. sity of J erusalem and Hadassah, The Wom­ C. B. L. en's Zionist Organization of America. Dis­ tributed by Grune and Stratton. Inc., New The 1961 American Daffodil Yearbook York, New York. J 960. xx + 562 pages. Il­ lustrated. $8.00. (Library) Carey E. Quinn, Editur. American Daffodil Society, 10 Othoridge Road, Lutherville. Physiology of Plants Maryland. 1961. 108 pages. Illustrated. P. Font Quer. Harper and Brolilers. 49 East (Library) 33rd Street, New York 16, New YOl'k. 1960. 128 pages. Illustrated. $2.25. (Library) The specialist in daffodils will find in this yearbook several chapters of interest. To those Cell Heredity interested in new varieties there are the reports Ruth Sager and Francis J. Ryan. John Wiley or evaluations of new varieties as described in and Sons, Inc., 440 Park Avenue, Suuth, New the Daffodil Symposium. The majority of the York 16, New York. 1961. xii + 412 pages. chapters or articles are concerned in one way or Illustrated. $7.50. (Library) another with the breeding of daffodils. These include articles on the selection of seed and pol­ Seeds. len parents, on insects and their attacks as re­ The Yearbook of Agriculture, 1961 lated to seed production, on pollen, as well as Alfred Stefferud, Editor. U. S. Department of a general review of Daffodil breeding in the Agriculture, Washington 25. D. C. Available United States mentioning the names of many from the Supe.rintendent of Documents, Gov­ persons interes ted in this and comments from ernment Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. them. 1961. xvi + 592 pages. Illustrated. $2.00. C. B. L. (Library) Other Books Added to the Library The Neao Perennials Preferred Helen Van Pelt Wilson. M. Barrows and ["troductioll to Soil Microbiology Company, 425 Park Avenue. South, New York iV[artin Alexander. John ' ·Viley and Sons, Inc., 16, New York. 1961. 320 pages. Illllstrated. 440 Park Avenue, South, New York 16, New $4.95. (Library) 42 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

IVAN N . ANDERSON

Curcuma roscoeana The Gardeners' Pocketbook

Curcuma roscveana showing green in the inner portion. Each One of the delights of moving into any bract carries within it, several flowers new area. comes from indulging ones that open one at a time, never together curiosity not only about the new plan.ts on this one plan t. These are a paler one may find in the gardens there, but m color, almost lemon yellow. It seems that pursuing the relatives of these same the plant observed showed the first plants, which only the newcomer seems flowers from the lower bracts first, others likely to do. appearing up and down, but as the sum­ mer and early autumn progressed flowers Although the "South' 'is said to be or a flower might appear anywhere. Un­ filled with "Hidden Lilies' 'all of them fortunately no effort was made to de­ presumably Curcuma petiolata, th~ pres­ termine the total number per bract and ent writer is still stubbornly holdmg to the infloresence is still so handsome after the idea that the plants in the garden more than two months, the writer is un­ here are not that species but Heaven willing to tear it apart to discover the alone knows which. Other curcumas count. The Ridgway colors would be: have been bought and while as ye t that for the bracts; Bittersweet Orange light­ have produced only terrifically tropical ening as the color goes down toward the looking foliage, one unknown almost of base of each bract where Neva Green dwarf banana proportions, the most takes over; for the flowers, Light Orange amazing species is the most tropical and Yellow, with a central zone of Capucine according to Mr. Wyndham Hayward Yellow. At this writing (Nov. 11 , 1961) from whose splendid nursery, the root there is a flower about to open in the came, is the only species that tolerates a lowest bract, apparently the fourth and pot, and in this case, it is a 'must." some signs of other flowers to come The smallish root, should not be above. planted until one can be sure th~t the Mr. Hayward's instructions were to soil is warm. In a greenhouse m the allow the plant to come to rest when ~he North this would present no pr~bl~m , foliage began to show signs of yellowmg but here with only a house that IS Just and to keep the root warm all winter. In kept free of frost, it meant that the root the spring offsets may be found abou~ the was not potted untillVlay. ~he sO.il must parent root, which serve as the. baSIS of be rich, abundantly supplIed WIth .hl!" increase. How fortunate the wn ter may mus, and yet swift in drainage. ThiS IS be in keeping the roots re~ai~s to ?e the not impossible mixture so beloved seen and only a later exammal10n wIll in rock gardens. show how many offsets there m.ay be, Our single root was slow to start but which will need time and £eedmg to sent up a good shoot, that developed come to flowering size.-B. Y. MORRISON, leaves, eventually five in number, in two Pass Chl'istian, Mississippi. symmetrical ranks, as formal as one could desire or plan. From the center there came up, in August for this one plant, the inflorescence, to a height of sixteen inches, with the upper half fur­ Growing Plants in "Feather Rock" nished with the bracts typical in the genus. This species has bracts ?f a~az­ After a year of growing plants in pum­ ingly firm substance, like curvmg lip~ , ice or "feather rock" the first expecta­ the whole making a much more archi­ tions have not been lessened. Several tectural pattern than any othe.r curcuma things have been learned, the main one known here. The color IS unlike that of being that water i~ most ca s e~ ca.n be the common species, whatever its name, poured on freely with ev~n qUite 1I1tol­ being a clear orange, turning toward erant plants and nO.harm IS done. I have green as it approaches the stem, and two pieces planted m western rock ferns, [43] 44 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

FR EDERI CK W. COE

Cacti "Feather Rock" measuring about twelve by fourteen inches contains (clockwise, COID­ mencing with the top, left plant): Paramount hybrid Fluffy Ruffles, Notocactus mammu­ loSlls, Echinocereus pectinal us, Echinocereus Fendleri, Notocactus sp., Paramount hybnd Dainty Bess (in flower) .

one group of plants native to Marin become dormant, as they do locally dur­ County here in California and consisting ing the period between June and Oc­ of two species each of Cheilan thes and tober. Pellaea, as well as two "lace ferns" (AsPi­ ]\II y second fern rock has C heilanthes dotis californica and Onychium densum) covillei from the Tehatchapi Mountains, and the California gold-fern (PitYTO­ Cheilanthps or N othalaena newbel-ryi gmmma tTiangulaTis) as welI as Selagi­ and Pellru'a compacta from Rivers ide nella walla cei: a fern relative which CounLy, all doing very well. These ferns, grows locally under similar conditions to particularly the species from Riverside the rock ferns. All of these ferns have County, go dormant for most of the year done well and continue to grow in spite of watering. They start into throughout most of the year when wa­ growth in late winter and by mid-April tered, rather than going dormant as they have finished their growth for the year. do in nature. The selaginella has pro­ A more recent rock has been planted ceeded to root into the bare surface of in eastern native ferns with maidenhair the pumice, sending wire-like roots into spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes), the rough; bubbly solid rock. These brown-stemmed spleenwort (A. platyneu­ ferns definitely seem to need water, for Ton), walking fern (CamptosoTUS Thizo­ I lost my first plants through the belief phyllus), rusty cliff fern (Woodsia that they could be allowed to dry off and ilvensis), and hairy lipfern (Cheilanthes JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER I 45

A Fern. "Feather Rock:' planted with .Pellaea mucronata, Cheilanthes gracillima, Selaginella wallacel, ~spldotlS californlca: Onychlllm densum, Pellaea andromedi folia, Pityrogramma tnangularls. The erect plant In center, foreground is Pinus monophylla. This rock is about sixteen inches by nineteen.

lanosa). Each fern is planted in a sepa­ A Titan Arum Flowers r~te pocket in the pumice and pieces of limestone have been incorporated in the In April of 1961 Longwood Gardens pocket containing the walking fern. The was able to display for the first time in surface of the pumice has been covered its greenhouses a flowering specimen of with a fine sifting of peat moss, fine sand Amorphophallus ti/anu.m , the titan and soil and tiny bits of live dry moss arum of Sumatra, often billed incorrect­ were sprinkled on this surface. After ly as " the largest flower in the world." about six months the rock surface is com­ [The largest tr.ue flower, measuring 18 pletely covered with moss and the ferns inches across is produced by a Malayan ~ll are growing quite happily. My hope parasi tic herb, Raffiesia amoldi.l The IS that the walking fern will "walk" on "flower" of the titan arum is, of course, this surface, if all goes well. actually an inflorescence, which is greatly Two very successful rocks have been surpassed in size by that of the tali pot planted in cacti, one containing hybrid palm (C01ypha umbraculifera) . Since and species cacti, the other planted only the blooming of this strange species of in species cacti, mostly lobivias. In con­ Amorphophallus under greenhouse con­ trast to the fern rocks, which have been ditions in temperate countries is a rare kept in half shade, the cacti get sun or enough occasion, it warrants some brief full sky light all day. Only if the a ir notes for the record . temperature gets in the high 90's do they The first titan arum to flower in the need to be shaded or turned so that the western hemisphere bloomed in the plants do not get full sun. The latter is greenhouses of the New York Botanical easy if the rock is irregular in shape and Garden in June, 1937. [See The National the plants are placed on a slanting sur­ Horticultural Magazine, July 19371- A face. - FREDERICK W. COE, R oss, Cali­ description of it and its culture are very fomia. fully documented in a special iss ue of the

JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1 47

Journal of that Garden, published in might not survive. Fortunately, in July August, 1937. The Longwood Gardens of 1958, a typical giant leaf was produced plant originated from one of three corms and this remained in good shape for obtained during 1957 in the course of twenty months, until March of 1960. The plant exchange with a correspondent in leaf attained a maximum height of 117 North Sumatra where material was col­ inches with a petiole length of 79.5 lected from forests near Pematang inches and a peLiole circumference (at Siantar. base) of 18.25 inches. In early June of According to the literature, the life 1960, when dried off, the corm had in­ cycle of Arn01'phophallus titanwrn, is more creased in weight to 53.25 pounds. or less a seven year one. The early years Following a six month rest period, the following germination of the seed are corm again started growth with the ap­ purely vegetative, a single large, much pearance of a young shoot on .January divided, compound leaf being produced 21, 1961. This eventually produced an annually (seasonally) and devoted to the inflorescence on April 13, 1961. The at­ storage of large supplies of food in the tractive spathe (mottled green outside underground stem or corm. '!\Then this and dark maroon inside) and yellowish bulb-like structure increases sufficiently spadix opened at about 6:30 p.m., an­ in size to assure successful f10weri ng, an nouncing the event through the dis­ inflorescence bud is formed and its ap­ charge of the powerful carrion stench so pearance and the ultimate production of notable in this species. The inflorescence flowers and seed mark the end of the remained open throughout the night, plant's life, for the old corm normally but by 8 a.m. the following morning dies. The seed produced, of course, had started to close. It reopened slight­ serves to assure the continuation of the lyon a subsequent day, but did not reo species in nature. U nfortunatel y, under main fully open as long as specimens cultivation no viable seed has ever been previously flowered. By i(ay 7 the spadix produced, and this is the primary reason had completely collapsed. why the titan arum is so rare in green, While in flower several pollinations house collections. were attempted wi th the result that two Of the original three corms received fruits developed 1'0 maturity. One of by Longwood Gardens from Sumatra, these was dissected and found to contain two were lost due to rot caused by trans­ an embryo lacking endosperm. Seed it injuries. The third probably weighed from the other was planted but did not from 25 to 30 pounds at the time it was prove viable. originally planted and was about 16 This plant was relatively puny com­ inches in diameter. Apparently a young inflorescence bud had already been set pared to the specimen flowered in 1937 for such soon appeared after the plant in New York. The latter, originating started into growth. Perhaps due to from a 113.5-pound corm, produced an transport shock, if failed to develop prop­ inflorescence 101 inches high (measured erly and it was feared that the corm from soil level to tip of spadix). Com­ pared to this, the Longwood plant pro­ duced a specimen 50.75 inches high from Amorphophallus titanum a 53.25-pound conn. An unusual post­ script to this note is that instead of rot­ Corm as received from Sumatra ting away, as it is supposed to do after in 1957, top, left. flowering, the corm of the Longwood Inflore3cence at LongWOOd Gardens in plant remained in good condition. In April, 1961, top, right. July, after a rest period of several Single compound leaf growing months, it again started growth. As of at Longwood Gardens, 1960, Lhis wri ting (September 25, 1961) , a new bottom, left. leaf has been ' formed-practically the Fruiting stalk in native forest same size as the 1960 leaf. It looks, there­ near Pematang Sian tar, Northern fore, as though there would be a chance Sumatra (scale in decimeters) , for this particular plant to produce an­ bottom, right. other inflorescence sometime in the fu­ ture.-"V. H. HODGE, Chevy Chase, (BOTfOM, RIGHT I'I-IOTO(; RA 1'1-/ FURNTSI\JoI) nY \\I. H. HOUGE; OTHERS BY G. HAl\II'FLLR, I..ONGWQOD GARDENS) Nlaryland. 48 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

Gordonia lasianthus JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1 49

Gordonia Lasianthus Again circle of blooms, The blooms were atop the equally striking circle of long leaves, A short time ago there was a note on Gordonia lasianthus in the AHS Gar­ wi th their slender leaflets, that are so denen Forum. If my identification is ac­ different in style and character from curate, this tree grows in the woods here, those of the familiar Japanese bealei, a in association with pine, oak, hickory, species that flowers here after Christmas, sassafras, jIIlyrica ce?'ifeTa, flex glabm, often in chilly seasons well into Febru­ and Persea borbonia. At a casual glance ary. In contrast with the flowers of bea­ it looks a lot like Persea, but tends to be lei these are a brilliant yellow, sweetly of a darker green. It is a handsome tree, scented and long lasting, but in the two deserving of wider use. plants seen, not setting fruits as freely. The bloom illustrated in a New Bern There seems to be some difference of garden is on an eight foot tree moved opinion as to where the plant should be in from a nursery near Norfolk two years located from the point of view of its opti­ ago and planted in full sun. The photo­ mum development. In a letter, John L. graph was made in the last week of .r une, Creech tells me that it has been long 1961. Blooming will continue until late established in the Avery Island plantings in the fall. Blooming had not yet begun of the McIlhennys and that in too dense on the trees in the vvoods. The flowers shade it becomes straggling and legg;y. on Fmnklinia planted last season and Here, on the chance that it may be a now just starting, are almost identical little tender to cold, it will have to have but smaller. some shade. The plants referred to above G. lasianthus has a reputation among were definitely leggy and bare stemmed. local nurserymen of being difficult to This fault can be laid against any Ma­ move. It is difficult, but if properly nur­ honia not in health. This, in addition to sery grown, or if root pruned well in the fact that it is not an impressive plant advance, and then adequately cared for for some years after planting, may ac­ during the first season, there should be coun t for the fact tha tit is not often met no unusual difficulty.-MoRLEY 'iN'IL­ in ordinary gardens. The amateur who LIAMS, New Bern, North CaTolina. is not willing to wait for development is impatient of the early lean years. The question of hardiness is not com­ pletely known, or agreed upon, but bea­ lei can be met in a variety of places through the eastern States, so wide in range that one can only imagine that the plant is more durable than is usually thought. Mahonia lomariaefolia and others If the splendid close suckering habi ts In the March issue of the Journal of of M. fortunei, that will make a splen­ the Royal Horticultural Society, H. G. did thicketlike mass in time, could only Miller reports on Late-flowering Trees be added to these other species, they cer­ and Shrubs, He admits at the close of his tainly would add much to any planting lecture that he has reported on several of evergreen shrubs. As winter flowering plants that "viewers may regard as too is a great addition to any scheme, there early flowering to be classed among the is an added value. Berries, which are late summer-blooming shrubs and so to fine on bealei, covered with glaucous conclude I will mention two which are bloom until almost ripe, when they a'-e at the winter end of my subject." In his usually picked off by the birds as they plantings, this species and M. acanthi­ blacken, make a show during the early folia bloom in November. months, :March and April here, that is In the editor's garden, jill. lomariae­ almost as desirable as the period of folia is still too young to think of bloom blooming. and as yet does not even show the typical No special requirements of soil seem character of growth and leaf that make to be needed, other than good soil, deep­ it such an outstanding plant. In a near­ ly prepared, and in a site that is neither by garden, however, two plants were too dry nor wet from poor drainage.­ seen, newly set from a source in tvlobile, B. Y. MORRISON, Pass Cl71'istia'l1 , Missis­ that were crowned with their splendid sippi.

JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NU1VIBER 1 51

Hoya darwini and Dischidill rajjlesiana through which water readily enters, and The genus Hoya, of which the ""Vax that a root, developed from the stem, also plant," Hoya cal"nOSa, is the most widely enters t~lis opening. The ~cco mpanying known representative, has sixty or sev­ Illustratwn shows one. such pouch cut enty species. which OCCUr in the tropics open with the well sheltered root inside. and subtroplcs of i'vIalaya, India, China, I t can be assumed that in nature ants Indonesia, the Philippines, and Aus­ probably carry humu's into the pouch, tralia. Hoya danlJini is of particular in­ and that rain water trickling down 'along terest because some of its leaves are the ste!? will provide a regular supply formed into hollow pouches in a similar of nutrients. manner as is known from the famous The pouch·leaves of Hoya daTwini are Dischidia mffiesiana which belongs to usually developed in pairs, or sometimes the same family, the ASCLEPIADACEAE or ~hree together, but always only at wide "Milkweeds." Intervals. They are somewhat heart­ 'When Dischiclia raffilesiana was first shaped in outline, up to 4 cm. wide on discovered many speculations were made top and about the same in length. They as to the functions of these pouches, and have in the rear a somewhat recessed and one of the assumptions, which prevailed rather large opening, 1.8 cm. in diame­ ~or a long time, was that they served as ter. The curious part is that because of Insect traps. This is definitely not the the posItwn of the pouches, which with case. In fact, the genus Dischidia itself their rear sides are pressed tightly to­ shows rather clearly how these pouches gether, the recessed opening makes it al­ c~me to be. de,:elope~ .. Several other spe­ most impossible for water to enter. In CIes of D~sch~dla hVIng under similar cultivation in our greenhouses, these conditions as D. raffiesiana-on the bare pouc~es are always completely dry inside, bark of -trees (often dead trees), where In spIte of frequent spraying, and roots they are expose~ to periods of drought­ are never developed in them. Apparent­ have fleshy, shIeld-shaped leaves, which ly, they serve no purpose whatsoever. are tightly appressed to the bark of the The. twining stem with its large leaves readily develops free roots. It is possible, host t~ee. Roots develop under these of course, that under natural conditions ~heltenng leaves. From this adaptation It was only a step to the formation of the pouches may be functional. closed pouches. We received our first plant of Hoya Dischidia rafflesiana develops long, ram­ daTwini from the Botanical Garden, bling shoots which, when they find a suit­ Goettingen, Germany, under the name able spot for attachment, first develop a Dischidia m e17illi, but, even before it cluster of pouch leaves from which after flowered, a visiting botanist told me that a while ~ew shoot~ appear. In a green­ he believed this to be Hoya daTwini house thiS Dlsch~dza is able to travel in which he said vvas frequently misnamed this manner even along a bare steel bar, Dischidia menilli in cultivation. Actu­ as long as it is within the reach of water ally, the two have little more in common spray, and under such conditions it never than that both are native to the Philip­ produces any free roots at all. pine Islands. Their resemblance in gen­ When one examines one of these eral appearance is very superficial. pouches, which may be four or more "When our plant flowered, all doubts inches long, one sees first of all that on were removed. The flowers of the D is­ its top is a funnel-shaped opening, chidias are quite small and are urn­ shaped, with only a very small opening, Dischidia Iaffi es iana, pouch.leaf cut opeQ while the star-shaped corolla of any Hoya showmg the root insi de it, top, left. opens wide. The "wax plant," H oya caT­ Hoya darwinii, one of the pouch·leaves nosa, which is a well-loved house plant, removed and turned around to show the is typical for this feature. The flowers of opening, top, right. H oya da?"wini. are about an inch in di­ Dischidia l'affiesiana, showing a group of ameter and are very h andsome. They are pouch.leaves, bottom, left. rose in color, deepening to purple iIL the Dischidia, raffi es iana, one pouch·leaf center. HO j'a daTwini is a rampant showing the opening, bottom, right. climber and requires considerable space Hoya darwinii, in flower, is shown on thl:: if it is not restrained.-HENR't TEUSCHER, Front Cover. CU?"Qf;OT, jllfontTeal B otanical Can/en, j\!fontreal, Canada. (ALL PHOTOGRA PHS FURNISHED BY THE AUTHOR) 52 THE ATvlERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

G. HAMPFLER, LONGWOOD GARDENS

A greenhouse-grown specimen of Vallota speciosa

Vallota speciosa like the hi ppeastrums and therefore makes a fine year-round house plant. On To those who know it, this amaryllid the other hand, a number of years are is one of the loveliest of "the Cape required to produce show specimens. bulbs." In summer, usually August, ma­ But if half a dozen bulbs are grown to­ ture plants produce several tall stalks gether in a large pot or tub, the display each having four to nine red trumpet­ they will eventually make, perhaps aft~r shaped flowers each three to four inches eight to ten years, is well worth the walt. across. Vallota is apparently Ii ttle grown In Britain where it has had periods ot in this country. This is unfortunate for, popularity, Vallota is known as the Scar­ unlike many bulbous plants, this species borough lily and the name has been is evergreen. Thus it does not have to carried to us as well. In a sense this is an be put through an annual rest period unfortunate name appended, so the story JANUARY 1962, VOLUi'v!E 41, NUMBER 1 53 goes, because original bulbs were washed a dotting of bright yellow daisy flowers ashore from the wreck of a Dutch vessel over an otherwise golden brown s lop~. at Scarborough on the English coast. It This is the Hayfield Tarweed (Hemt­ would seem that, when possible, plants zonia luzulaeJolia v. lutescens) , an an­ should bear the popular names of their nual, whose leaves, stems, and even buds homelands, particularly when theirs is ~ are covered by sticky golden droplets of land with a common tongue. South Afn­ scented resin. cans call this plant the Knysna or George This "weed" has a very long season of lily after its local haunts and certainly bloom as there are two forms, one spring either of these is a more appropriate blooming, the other summer and fall name. blooming. Even in late fall when the sea­ A mono type (in other words, the sole so nal rains are expected daily and slopes species in its genus), Vallola is found .in are brown and dry, the tar weed contin­ nature only along a one-hundred-mlle ues to bloom and scent the slopes. stretch of lovely Indian Ocean coastline The fat bodied black blister beetle, known familiarily to South Africans as which damages cultivated aster, seems to the "Garden Coast." This area extends like the buds and flowers, for there are roughly from Mossel Bay to Humans­ always swarms of them clustered around dorp in the Cape Province, but the p~ant a good stand of the plants. is especially well-known around the httle Although it is admittedly a "weed," if resort towns of Knysna and George. you are growing hay as a crop, the won­ A decade ago I had the pleasure of ob­ derful odor is to me one of the attrac­ serving flowering specimens of this spe­ ti ons of the golden hills. cies in the wild on its native coast. Un­ Not so appetizing an odor, unless you like other more familiar South African are especially fond of a mephitic scen.t, bulbous species, it is associated wi th is that of the skunk-weed (Navarretw wooded or forested areas which occupy squoTrosa) which is fairly abundant in the valleys of numerous small streams Marin county. This annual member of which traverse the Outeniqua Moun­ the Gilia Family with round heads of tains, a range paralleling the Indian small pale lavender flowers set amon~ Ocean. Vallota seems to prefer sunny thistle pointed bracts has finely cut folt­ sites with good soil in open glades or age covered with glandular h.airs secret­ clearings in these broadleafed evergreen ing sticky skunk-scented resm. Fortu­ forests which exist because of the twenty­ nately this plant does not seem to grow five inches of well-distributed annual in large pure stands, for only a breeze or rainfall. It is natural, then, that in culti­ a slight brush with the plant is needed vation this plane resents being dried off to release the distinct smell. As the plant at any time. usually grows six to eight inches high Since vallotas can at most stand only and is not conspicuous, you may think a few degrees of frost, they are generally that skunks are much more plentiful considered to be greenhouse bulbs. Eyen than they really are unless you recog­ so, they are easy enough to grow on a nize it. sunny windowsill in the average home. A member of the mint family with a In culture they are handled essen tially much more pleasan t smell is the yerba the same as Hippeastrums except that buena (Satul'eja douglasii), an evergreen vallotas, once established, dislike being creeper which grows along the borders of disturbed and should never be dried off. woodlands or in lightly shaded fields. -\IV. H. HODGE, Chevy Chase, Maryland. This plant is common in th~ coast~l hills and gives its name to the Island m ~he middle of San FranCIsco Bay to which These Plants Have Scents the Oakland-San Francisco bridge is an­ As you drive north over the Golden chored. The scent varies slightly from Gate bridge from San Francisco on a plant to plant and some a~e much. ~ore warm day during the late spring, sum­ pleasant than others. At Its best It IS a mer or fall you are greeted by a wonder­ minty odor with overtones of nutmeg or ful aromatic, almost sage-like, odor waft­ mace. Unlike either of the previous ing down from the hillside above the plants, yerba buena is odorless until highway. During late slimmer the source crushed. This creeper has oval, crenu­ of this smell is more obvious because of late half to an inch opposite leaves, and 54 THE Al\IERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE small white or pale lavender flowers borne in the axils of the leaves in spring. There is a tree native to California and Oregon and known by many na~es i.n these states. Locally it is the CalIfornia Laurel or Bay, while in Oregon it is the myrtle or pepperwood. It (Umbellula: · ~a californica) varies in size and shape with exposure to wind and climat.e b~t no matter its shape, it scents the air with an aromatic bay tree odor. When the new foliage is still soft this smell is particu­ larly strong on a breezy day and a grov~ of these trees will have almost a medi­ cinal odor. The dried green leaves may be used cautiously as a flavoring in much the manner of "bay" leaves (Laurus no­ bilis). In spite of the strong aromatic flavor, which you might think would dis­ courage any foraging animal, the wild deer will keep small plants trimm~d to the point they resemble a badly clipped boxwood. On the hillside behind my home are plants four or five feet tall which are as dense as any hedge from this continual nibbling. One other tree which is rarely seen, JA: N aLUr:l1 Size even here in California, is the Catalina PEN AND INK DRAWING BY CAROLINE DORMON ironwood (Lyonothamnus flO1"ibundus). This dis tan t relative of the spirea stands alone in its genus and is only found on Chaenomeles cathayensis four islands off the Southern California coast. Two forms occur, one with simple almost peach-like leaves, on Santa Cata­ lina Island. The other form has pinnate leaves wi th the leaflets again cut (var. as­ Chinese Quince plenifolius) and resembling closely the Some years ago the late l'vliss Louise eastern sweet-fern (Comptonia peregrina Butler (The Cottage, St. Francis:,ille, var. asplenifolia). This is found on all Louisiana) gave me a very large qumce, four islands and grades into the other weighing more than a pound. It was form. Because of the unique foliage this golden yellow and deliciously fragrant. is usually offered by nurseries . I planted the seeds, which germinated In suitable mild climates where tem­ well. One of these plants bore a fruit in peratures do not dip below twenty de­ three years. grees Fahrenheit, growth is rapid and the Meanwhile, I had read descriptions of Catalina ironwood grows to be a medium Chaenomeles sinensis, and had tried in size tree in a few years. With the fern­ vain to find it in a nursery catalog. Ernest like foliage, peeling dark red bark and ,Nilson says, "It is a favorite of the priests large clusters of small white flowers in and is commonly seen in temple grounds spring, it is quite a striking sight. Al­ throughout the Orient." (Plant Hunting, though all of these matters are men­ Vol. II). One day I read that the Chi­ tioned in descriptions of the tree, I find nese keep fruits in the house all winter, no note made of the pleasant odor of the for their perfume. This struck a spark leaves. Near a tree on a warm day this in my mind-I had this much desired scent is identical to the fir tree. Prob­ tree! iVl y golden frui t reposed in a bas­ ably it has not been noticed or described ket in my house, and kept perfectly un- for so few really warm days occur in its til the late winter. , native islands and with a cold wind blow­ The pale pink flowers are large, but ing the tree has no odor-FREDERICK W. borne singly, therefore not nearly so COE, Ross, California. showy as the shrubby species of Chae- JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER I 55 nomeles. But for an autumn display, it Two Native Azaleas is unsurpassed. In late fall th~ leaves be­ Although the interest of the e~ito~'s come glistening scarlet and cnmson, a.nd garden is centered chiefly on speCies m among them hang the great gol~en fruits. the Tsutsuji Section of the genus Rhodo­ Both remain on the tree untIl almost den dron) the two species of azaleas com­ Christmas. mon in the immediate area, canescens The small shapely tree seldom exceeds and seTrUlatllm) have been in the plant­ fifteen feet in height, and is suitable for ings for years. Each year they increas~ in even small grounds. It sheds i~s bark in the beauty of their display and remmd large flakes, light brown on the mner sur­ face. us that the evergreen azaleas we love best have little to offer in the way of per­ This species is sometimes co~fused with a similar one, C. cathayensts) but fume. Some years ago, one plant of aus­ l?'inum from a stand near Van Cleve, the latter is not nearly so worthwhile. The odd fruits are pear-shaped, smaller, Mississippi, was added and that now rises about seven feet tall, and annually is and not very fragrant. Neit~er are the leaves so brilliantly colored m autumn. covered with its small yellow flowers, The flowers are much like those of C. this plant with pink tinted tubes. . sinensis) not at all showy. The leaves are Until last summer, no plants of 1JTUnt­ lanceolate, minutely and evenly serrate, folium had been gotten and when they while those of C. sinensis are ovate-oc­ were added, one plant each of alabam­ casionally obvate-and finely and irreg- ense) aernu lans and prinophylla were or­ dered too, largely to satisfy my curiosity. ularly serrate. . A enulans is reduced to a variety of vis­ The true Chinese Qumce, Ch.ae­ nomeles sinensis) prefers a heavy nch cosum by Rehder but flowered here as soil, but will grow in almost any well­ a very fine thing, better th an any form drained site. It is somewhat subJect to of viscosum that I recall, and well be­ fore se?Tulatllrn even thought of bloom­ fire-blight, and should not be plante~l ing. Whether or not this plant is a par­ near pears or native cr~bapples: It IS said to be hardy to Philadelphia, but ticularly fine individual or n.ot, one .d?es thrives best in the Deep South. Every not know, but it was a stunnmg adclttlOn to the planting. Southern garden should grow this small tree, so spectacular in autumn.-CARo­ P1'inophylla is now reduced by Rehder to a synonym of R. roseurn .. The ,Plant LINE DORMON) Saline) Louisiana. here is a fine thi ng, but thIS particular individual does not have the carnation­ like scent that was so evident in the plant in my former garden, that came fro~n the Chaenomeles sinensis Nik Nar Nursery, in North Carolma, a scent that usually is noted for ~he .sre­ cies. Here again, we had a fine mchvld­

PEN AND IN K DRAWIN G BY CAROLINE DORMQN ual with large flowers and fine clear rose pink color, blooming after canescens) and before aernulans) which is a summer bloomer. It is well worth a place. The two plants of p nmifolit~rn are markedly distinct in growth habits, ob­ viously collected plants and properly pruned down, now furnis~ed wi~h new growths. One has ?tarted mto vigorous growth, with promise of bud settmg at this writing (mid-July), the other ,~ooks much like any plant of the g~neral m.ol­ lis" category, un~appy , ':Vlth poons~ leaves and uncertam color m them, as If attacked by red spiders, which are not present. One can only wonder, .if any care could be added to the routmes of regular moisture, c~refully ~eated site, and semi-shade, to mduce thiS plant to Y.! N atu ra l Size ri val its fellow. There are, as yet, no 56 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

signs of bud setting. The plants, of where they are least expected and prob­ course, came from S. D. Coleman, Fort ably not wanted." He advises growing it Gaines, Georgia. in a large pot sunk to its rim in the The only thought that comes, is that ground. Other winter gardeners suggest often in this garden, a newly set plant, of enjoying it at someone else's expense, apparently perfect condition on arrival, and that some one not too close at hand. will remain almost stationary in growth, In spite of all this, I have brought a until the second year and then often will root from Mrs. Drane's garden in mine make a new top, from new growth so that and am enjoying the pattern of the large the original plant disappears into the leaves, much like those of Brunnera new mass. The editor would be glad to rnacTOphylla) while I wait for the vanilla­ hear from others if this type of reaction scented winter flowers. The wide leaves is or has been noted elsewhere in the suggested to Dioscorides, what became Deep South.-B. Y. MORRISON) Pass the generic name, from the Greek for Christian) Mississippi. broad-brimmed hat. The winter heliotrope is said to like clay banks, and I have certainly found it drought-resistant, but the foliage soon Winter Heliotrope looks forlorn if it is allowed to get too I first read about winter heliotrope in dry. Coming from the Mediterranean Garden Gossip (April 1939) in the gold­ countries, it is a somewhat tender plant, en days when Elizabeth Rawlinson was and I do not know how far north it its editor. "Petasites fragrans)" Jane grows. Mrs. Bratenahl may have kept it Boyd Nelly wrote in the correspondence inside.- EuzABETH LAWRENCE, Charlotte) column, "has grown for years and years North Carolina. in our old graden in Portsmouth (Va.) and we have loved it for its unusual fragrance and its ornate leaves. It is an evergreen, growing from six to twelve Juniperus conferta inches high, with leaves round, smooth Among the conifers of Japan that fit and green on the upper side, fine, matted well in the American environment, with hairs on the under side, the margins Junipaus conferta) the Shore Juniper, toothed. The flower heads are small, is singularly promising. This species is growing in a cluster and dingy white, the most nearly prostrate of the low­ turning to purple as they grow older and growing junipers and forms a true most fragrant. A partially shaded border ground cover. Along the beaches of seems best suited for growth." Japan, its horizontal branches develop in I first saw winter heliotrope in Miss a radiating fashion, root down into the Isabel Busbee's garden in Raleigh, and sand and then produce numerous verti­ soon transferred a root of it to mine, cal shoots that create a solid mat. The where it bloomed in January and prompt­ leaves are arranged in whorls of three, a ly disappeared. Miss Isabel's died too. quarter to a half inch long and needle­ That was nearly twenty years ago, and sharp. The foliage is bright green. I searched for it in vain until last fall, Junipen.s conferta is distributed fro'm when I came upon a patch in Mrs. Tanegashima, a small island south of Drane's garden in Edenton (N.C.). She Kyushu, Japan, to southern Sakhalin and said she got it from Hayes, another old although it is common on the Jlat sandy Edenton place, where it blooms in Jan­ beaches, it occasionally is found inhabit­ uary. ing rocky sea-cliffs. From an adaptation This is all that I know about winter point of view it should be suitable ,any­ heliotrope in America, except that Mrs. where along the coasts of the United Bratenahl once grew it at the Cottage States, and although predominantly a Herb Garden at the Washington Cathe­ sun-loving plant, the Shore Juniper will dral, but English gardeners often speak invade lightly wooded areas, in which of it, and always with dire warnings of case, it grows with leggy, upright the impossibility of ever getting rid of it, branches. One of the common associa­ once it becomes established. Mr. Darnell tions found along the beaches of south­ says that the thick roots travel for yards ern Japan, especially on the Pacific side underground, "throwing up growths of Honshu, is Juniperus conferta and JANUARY 1962, VOLUME 41, NUMBER I 57

JOH N L. CREEC H

Juniperus conferta, a young plant on sand beach of Tanegashima, Japan

Juniperus conferta, the shore juniper, as it grows naturally along the beaches of Honshu, Japan

JOH N L. CREECH 58 THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

Pin us t1ll1l1bergii, the J apanese Black Silver "VatLle, which are a mass of golden Pine. T he juniper forms an evergreen, flowers in February or March and set a sand-holding cover while the pines de­ heavy crop of seed pods. These hang in velop a wind break behind the beaches. reddish-brown clusters and by mid-June This combination should be effective also are ripe. On this day a light sound like along our eastern seaboard from New popping corn could be heard and pods Jersey so uthward. The black pine is were seen to spli t open from the side, especially tolerant to salt spray and grows raining down a half dozen small black well in sandy beach soil. seeds as they curled about the unopened The Shore Juniper is used in plant­ s:de. A slight breeze would detach these ings in the southern United States spli t pods and they, too, showered down. and, although introduced only in 1914, Bark peeling from a tree would ordi­ is available in a number of nurseries narily not be thought of as a noisy proc­ in the mid-Atlantic states.-JoHN L. ess, but in a grove of the Pacific Ma­ CREECH, CTOPS ReseaTch Division, AgTi­ drones (ATbutus menziesii) in mid-July, cultuml Resea?·ch SeTVice, United States again on a hot, dry day, there is a con­ DepaTtment of AgTicultuTe, Beltsville, stant whisper of sound and a fine confetti MaTyland. of small pieces of bark float down from the trunk and all the branches exposed Odd Tree Noises to direct sunlight. In deep shade at the Since I moved to California many base of these trees ordinarily checkered things about the plants have impressed dark gray bark forms, but the rest of the me, but the subject of this note is some­ trunk and limbs have beautiful, smooth thing that might very well go unnoticed. cinnamon brown bark. After peeling in Tree "noises" are usu ally limited to the July and for several we~ks thereafter, the squeaks of branches rubbing together, limbs remain greenish brown, very grad­ the sighi ng of the wind through ever­ ually returning to the former shade. green needles, or the rustle or rattle of Only a tissue paper layer of bark peels, leaves. Ordinarily these are taken for but this comes from the whole tree and granted on a windy day. To h ave trees forms a light carpet on the forest floor. make "noises" on hot, still days is an­ After seeing bark peel in this manner, other matter entirely. I wondered if the sycamore (Platanus) The Monterey Pine (Pinus Tadiata) is trees are even noisier in their peeling. widely planted in the San Francisco Bay The large eucalyptus trees nearby with region and a mature grove is found near strips of bark twenty-five feet long hang­ the Letterman Army Hospital on the ing from the clean, white trunks also Presidio. One hot September day at will be "listen ed" for on some hot, dry noon I was walking through this grove day. - FREDERICK ' N. COE, R oss, Cnli­ and noticed a popping, crackling noise fomia. coming from high in these pines. After Skunk Cabbages careful study with the help of binoculars, I found this was coming from cones The n orthern gardener wi th a woodsy which were opening their scales and brook, spring or continually wet spot on shedding seeds. Once in awhile a few his place should consider the skunk cab­ seeds would come spiralling down. This bages as hardy garden oddities for spring­ pine belongs to the closed cone group time show. The characteristic conical but apparently sun heat is enough to and often variously striped yellow, green open them in some cases, whi l ~ the or maroon spathes of our eastern skunk Lodgepole Pine (P. contoTla and var. cabbage (SymplocaTpus foetidus) are fa­ MUTTayana) and Bishop Pine (P. mUTi­ miliar to many as among the earliest cata) need intense heat from fires to fully (February-April) spring flowers in the open the cones and shed their seeds. northeastern states and adjacent Canada. The second sound was heard one hot T he "skunky" odor of the flowers or June day when the relative humidity was bruised leaves may be objectionable to eight per cent and the temperature was some, but is m ore than offset, it seems to in the mid-nineties. In Marin County me, by the plant's unusual interest. there are scattered small groves of na tu­ Far more attractive horticulturally ralized acacia trees coming, like the ellca­ (and apparently equally hardy and odor­ lyptus, from Australia. Usually these are iferous!) is the western yellow skunk cab­ A. decunens in its variety denlbata, the bage (Lysichiton ameTicamtm) which is J ANUARY 1962, VOL UME 41, NUI\ IBER 1 59

W. H. HODCE The Yellow or Western Skunk Cabbage flowering in early July at Chinook Pass (Elevation 5440 feet) near Mount Rainier, Washington nati ve to springy wooded sites in the so­ apparently distinct Eas tern As iati c spe­ called transition and Canadi an zo nes in cies, L ysichiton ramtschatcense, bearing the mounta ins from northern California white spathes equal in size to those of the to Alaska. The illustration shows a wild 'Wes tern Ameri can plant but wiLh the plant blossoming in earl y July during fl owers said to be odorless. snow-melt time at Chinook Pass (5 ,440 In all skunk .ca bbages the earl y spring­ feet elevation), l\Ir. R a inier, 'Was hing­ fl owering structures precede th e large ton. The sunny cowslip-yellow spathes cabbage-like leaves whi ch persist for sev­ of Lhi s particular species are often the eral mon ths a fL er fl owering to give add i­ size of those of a Calla lily (Zn l1 ledeschia) ti onal in tere t in the garden. The three and when in bloom are most attracti ve, species descri bed are p ropagated usually especially when several specimens are by the thi ck rootstocks. I n the ca e of allowed to clump. Less well-known is an the American spe:: ies these may be ob- 60 THE Ai'vIERICAN HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE tained either in the wild in late spring pinkish purple at the very base on the or early summer (be prepared for deep outside only. This is not strong enough digging!), or from the occasional nursery­ to spoil the white effect of the bloom man who specializes in plants for wild­ from a little distance. While it is not flower gardens. safe to predict from the newly planted Plants of Symplocarpus can. be marked specimen, this one seems to agree with when in flower if a special color varia­ Millais' statement that "the leaves devel­ tion of the spathe is desired. Poor forms op with the flowers." Here there are (wi th greenish-yellow rather than pure leaves at blooming time, but not enough yellow spathes) of the yellow skunk to interfere in any way. cabbage (Lysichiton) also exist, making Millais gives credit for its introduction careful selection of wild plants worth­ to Barbier & Cie, of Orleans, France, while.-\IV. H . HOOGE, Ch evy Chase, about 1911, a statement that we have had Ma·ryland. no chance to verify-possibly a needless notion! He does not state that they orig­ inated it, or that it came from the orig­ Magnolia soulangiana var. brozzoni inal population and into their hands by In MiJlais' Magnolias, published in purchase. 1926, the plant named is discussed sep­ Whatever the story, behind all, the arately from many of the clones resulting plant remains a lovely magnolia. Pos­ from the original cross that produced sibly for those persons who visit this gar­ what we know now as Soulangiana, since den and state categorically that they can­ Millais regarded the clone b?"O zzoni as not grow early blooming Oriental mag­ one of the best. nolias on account of frosts that wreck It should be remembered that "soul­ the bloom, this is a solution of their angiana" is the result of a cross of M. troubles. Usually they admit that they denudata by M. liliflora and that there do not know the beautiful hybrid lennei, were among the seedlings of the popula­ which also is late flowering and well tion resulting, more than one plant that worth a place in any garden that has received a name. There seems to be some room for a plant that is spreading in question as to how the plants came into habit rather than tree-like with one out­ cultivation through a nursery source, and standing trunk. in the book mentioned this is discussed, Possibly it should be recorded that the the author pointing out the theories and winter-spring of 1960-61 was the kindest suggesting the doubtfulness of some. that has occurred here in ten years and Whatever the complete story, the fact that all the early magnoli as had the remains that a number of the most beau­ chance to bloom without frosts, and such tiful of the early flowering magnolias are a display! The glorious Yulan. a tower th.e result of the cross. of white, the variety bought as denudata Nearly all that we have been able to elon gata, not so tall yet. but solendid; find are represented in the collection Picture a denudata seedling (?) from here, but bro.z.zoni was added only in vVada in Japan, which had its first nor­ 1960, as a fairly large plant from a Pa­ mal flowers, and while close to those of cific Coast nursery. The plant as re­ elongata, is different enough so it will be ceived, was slender. and with widely di­ cherished always; and Veitchii itself, now vergent branching, suggesting that it about twenty feet tall, covered from top might make a tree or shrub wider than to bottom with its blooms so different in tall, but the real excitement was the style and with a clearer pink than shows presence of three flower buds, sug!!,"esting in many. All these made up a fine sight, an early blooming habit-early in age, and some filled the air wi th their delec­ not season. table perfumes. Actually, the major value of the clone Trials are being made again, wi th the is the fact that it is one of the very last species that have failed several times, to bloom, with flowers lasting well into Sieboldi and Wilsoni, and so far all goe" April here when all the others have long well. The problem seems to be relate~ since past. to summer, but whether too long a pefl­ The blooms are not as large as the od of heat, or too frequent rainfall has largest soulangiana but are not small, been their undoing, remains to be prov­ about ten inches across when widely en.-B. Y. MORRISON, Pass Christian, open. The color is white, with a flush o'f lV!. ississippi. VOLUME FORTY-ONE

1 962

WASHINGTON, D. C. © COPYRIGHT

THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, INC., 1962 the PEONIES

Amateur, professional grower, or scientist: H ere is a book you will enjoy reading, profit from reading. Authoritative. truly comprellensive, yet with interest main­ tained-you explore this family of superb plants about whi ch so little is generall y known. You may, or may not be familiar with names of the men and women who wrote this book. We only can say: You would search far to find people who know more about Peonies-who are better able to share with others, interestingly, the results of their experiences , the findings of their research. EDITORS- J ohn C. Wister, Director, Arthur Hoyt Scott Horticultural Founda­ tion, Swarthmore College; Gertrude S. vVister. CONTRIBUTORS- Sil via Saunders; P . P. Pirone; W illiam H. Krekler; Harold E. Wolfe.

Getting down to specifications of this book: It, of co urse, deals with both TREE PEONIES (S uffruticosa or Moutan, Delavayi, lutea, potanini) and the more fam iliar HERBACEOUS PEONIES. For both, there are chapters on culture. Descriptions. Propagation. Check lists of varieties. Lists of growers. Botanical cl assifications. Pests and d iseases. History. Breeding. Bibliography. This 200+ page book is illustrated with over 60 expertly done photographs and line drawings. Published by the American H orticultural Society, it is being offered to Members at specially reduced pre-publication prices. Cloth bound edition $4.00. "Paper-back" $2.50. You save on either edition by order­ ing before February 15. You must be delighted with this book or yo ur money will be refunded-NO time limit-NO q uibbling. ------

American H orticultural Society-1600 Bladensburg Road, N.E.- ' Nashington 2, D. C.

Please send me one copy of The Peonies as soon as it is published.

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