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Guest Editorial: A Home for American Horticulture by Connie Clark 2 Garden Design: Dry Streams by Michael B. Trimble 5 Book Reviews by Gilbert S. Daniels 10 The Disa Orchid Text and Illustration by Peter Loewer 13 New Zealand-A Garden Tour by Ruby Weinberg 14 Nasturtiums by Jeanne Goode 20 Barnard's Inn Farm by Polly Hill 22 Native Lilies Text and Photography by Richard M. Adams, II 28 Classifieds 32 Pronunciation Guide 36 Sources 37 Strange Relatives: The Pro tea Family by Jane Steffey 38 The Design Page: Garden Gates by Margaret Hensel 44

On the Cover: It is not often that we have the opportunity to see a garden through the eyes of its maker, but in this issue, Polly Hill Beautiful flowers, fresh green leaves, a terrestrial habit takes us on a tour of her own Martha's Vineyard garden-Barnard's and a preference for cool temperatures characterize Inn Farm. Salt-blackened, shingled buildings and beautiful, lichen­ disa orchids. For more information on this summer­ covered granite walls set the tone for her island garden. "Wall blooming greenhouse plant, turn to page 13. building is an art as well as an engineering feat, but most of all, it Illustration by Peter Loewer. is a creative undertaking," says Mrs. Hill. "The walls are like lace, with open spaces between the solid frame, and are more fragile than their bulk suggests." To read more about Barnard's Inn Farm, turn to page 22. Photograph by Hollen Johnson.

EDITOR, PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR: Barbara W. Ellis. ART DIRECTOR: Rebecca K. McClimans. ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Lynn M. Lynch. EDITORIAL ASS ISTANT: Jane Steffey. HORTICULTURAL CONSULTANT, BOOK EDITOR: Gilbert S. Daniels. PRONUNCIATION GUIDE ADVISOR: Everett Conklin. ASSISTANTS TO THE EDITOR: Loui se Baughn, Cindy Weakland. BUSINESS MANAGER: May Lin Roscoe. MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: Connie Clark. COLOR SEPARATIONS: John Simmons, Chromagraphics Inc. ADVERTISING . REPRESENTATIVES: C. Lynn Coy Associates, Inc., 55 Forest Stteet, Stamford, CT 06902, (203) 327-4626.

Replacement issues of AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST are available at a COst of $2.50 per copy. The opinions expressed in the articles that appear in AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST are those of the authors and 3ce not necessaril y those of the Society. They are presented as contributions co contemporary thought. Manuscripts, an work and photographs sem for possible publication will be returned if they are accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST, ISS N 0096-4417, is the official publication of the American Horticultural Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22308, (703) 768- 5700, and is issued monthly. Membership in the Society includes a subscription to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Membership dues start at $20.00 a year, $12.00 of which is designated for AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Copyright © 1984 by the American Horticultural Society. Second-class postage paid at Alexandria, Virginia and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send Form 3579 to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121.

American Horticulturist GUEST EDITORIAL A Hame/or ican Horticulture

e do a lot of talking in Society wheat and com on his new property, which officers or, in later years, in standard of­ publications about our head­ he named River Farm. Washington's per­ fice-building accommodations. Imagine the W quarters,River Farm, which we sonal secretary, Tobias Lear, lived at River delight of staff members at the news of this were fortunate to acquire 11 years ago Farm, and was given a lifetime lease on move! The Society's entire membership through a grant from the Enid A. Haupt the property as a wedding present when embraced the opportunity to make this Charitable Trust. The current 25-acre he married Fanny Bassett, Washington's magnificent property "a home for Amer­ property sits on the Potomac River's banks niece. Lear served the first president closely ican horticulture." midway between the city of Alexandria, and was at Washington's bedside when he Today, River Farm boasts a number of Virginia and George Washington's Mount died. display and test gardens co-sponsored by Vernon estate. Many of our members have After Lear's death in 1816, two genera­ the American Horticultural Society and never visited River Farm, nor have they tions of Washington's family lived at River various plant societies. Our Ideas Garden read a comprehensive history of the prop­ Farm, then commonly referred to as Wal­ shows visitors what's new in ornamental erty. Since it boasts quite a background, nut Tree Farm. (Several very old walnut and vegetable gardening. We also have a and since our members' support has been trees still grace the property. Although their Dwarf Fruit Tree Orchard, a water garden, crucial in our maintenallce of River Farm, age has not been officially determined, we the beginnings of a woodland walk and I would like to give you an abbreviated like to speculate that Washington planted one of the largest osage orange trees in the version of "the River Farm story," made these trees himself.) In 1859, Charles Au­ United States (as determined by the U.S . possible by the research of Mary Bening­ gustine Washington sold 52 acres of the Forestry Service's Big Tree Program). ton, a River Farm docent, and Jeanne property to a Quaker family from New But of all the plantings at River Farm, Eggeman, the Society's receptionist and Jersey-Isaac, Stacy and William Snow­ I find the wildflower meadow most mov­ book service coordinator. den. The Snowden family lived in this area ing, perhaps because I can imagine this In 1653, River Farm and its environs for 100 years; Snowden Road, Snowden beautiful property graced with similar were acquired by Captain Giles Brent, the Station of the now-defunct Electric Trolley stands of daisies, evening primroses and first English owner of the property. His Line, and Snowden School bore witness to black-eyed Susans before any settler found wife Mary was the daughter of the Indian the family's influence and energy. The it. The eye follows the line of the massed Emperor of the Piscataway tribe---hence Snow dens gave River Farm yet another flowers down the gentle slope to the riv­ the first known name of the property, Pis­ name-Wellington. It was known as Wel­ erbank. Swallows dart over the meadow; cataway Neck. A subsequent marriage be­ lington by the next two owners-David the huge old trees lift another year's leaves tween the Brent and the Clifton families Frost and, later, the Thompson family, to the sky. changed the ownership of the property and proprietors of the area's largest dairy for This scene always reminds me of how its name to, not surprisingly, Clifton's Neck. many years. fortunate we are to be here. As custodians William Clifton built a brick house on the In 1919, Malcolm Matheson, Sr. bought of this unique and historical place, we property in 1757, part of which remains the property. The Washington Star re­ members of the American Horticultural in use today as the parlor of the main River ported before Mr. Matheson's purchase Society protect centuries of tradition as we Farm house. that this historic property was in lamen­ hope to create our own special history­ Apparently, the new house caught the table condition, the house "broken" and the beautiful story of American horticulture. eye of one of Clifton's neighbors. George the grounds sadly neglected. The Mathe­ Washington, who already owned much son family changed that, improving and acreage in northern Virginia, referred to enlarging the house and enhancing the his purchase of Clifton's property more grounds over the course of years. than 20 times in his diary; he bought the In 1973, the American Horticultural So­ original 1,800 acres in 1760 for 1,200 ciety purchased River Farm from the pounds (roughly $2,885 in today's cur­ Matheson family witli funds provided by rency). Washington, an avid and skilled the Enid A. Haupt Charitable Tmst. For husbandman, spent many hours each day 51 years, the Society had been headquar­ riding over his properties, planting, de­ tered in Washington, D.C. or Alexandria, -Connie Clark signing and supervising. He planted rye, Virginia, either in the homes of its early Membership Director

2 August 1984

Margaret Hensel

4 August 1984 GARDEN DESIGN Dry Streams

ardeners with a running stream or to keep their ponds topped up and their lating the terrain of a planting site-that spring-fed pond on their property streams flowing. For all but the smaller is, by incorporating well-designed ar­ Gcan create water-oriented plant­ water gardens, using a supplemental water rangements of stone, sand and gravel, and ings that waterless gardeners often despair source to keep the stream running and the by thoughtfully selecting the plants to be of ever possessing. Gardeners without a pond filled can be expensive. During times used. natural water sourcll can remedy this of drought, when the use of water for rec­ The idea of using sand or gravel to rep­ shortcoming by constructing an artificial reational purposes is restricted in many resent a stream, pond or lake originated pond, perhaps with a circulating pump to areas, a hot summer may find many gar­ in the Orient, where it has been nurtured bring water to a newly fabricated waterfall deners with a dry pond. for centuries. Such "bodies of water" can or stream. However, such gardeners must Fortunately, many of the aesthetic charms be either literal duplications of dried-up rely on wells or public water authorities of water in the garden do not depend ex­ streams or elaborate stone and sand com­ clusively on the actual presence of the water positions representing the passage of water LEFT: An Oriental-style dry stream in the itself. The sense of movement associated from the mountaintops down through val­ Japanese garden of Taizo-in. ABOVE: A dry stream need not be constructed of rocks and with running water and the cool tran­ ley gorges and finally into the sea. sand; this one in California is made of quility that emanates from still water can Before setting out to create your dry succulents and sedum. often be conveyed by carefully manipu- stream, decide what function it will play

American Horticulturist 5 GARDEN DESIGN

and how it will fit into your garden layout. Carefully consider the scale with which you will be working. If you want to sim­ ulate a stream passing through your gar­ den that will complement existing trees and shrubs, direct your efforts toward mimicking the dimensions and character­ istics you would find along the banks of a natural stream. If established plants play no significant role in determining the scale of your undertaking, you may want to try your hand at creating an abstract, Ori­ ental-style composition of stone and sand that brings mountains and oceans into your garden.

The Natural Look

If you want to simulate a stream on a life­ like scale, set aside thoughts of abstract representation, and concentrate on how you can bring the illusion of the presence of water into your garden. Your dry stream can be a literal recreation of a streambed, giving the impression that water, although currently absent, may return at any time. Or, for a more ambitious approach, you Michael B. T,imble can suggest the actual presence of water The small dry stream iii the author's wildflower garden. This photograph was taken in early by injecting a sense of movement and flow spring. into your creation. Regardless of the route you select, the near a streambed are usually worn smooth, number of guidelines that gardeners might final product must harmonize with its sur­ but the edges of the sedimentary rock that follow (some of which are mentioned later), roundings both in scale and appearance. often protrude just beyond the water's reach successful recreation of a natural stream Since you will be working to recreate in are angled. Keep in mind that the stones is more a matter of keen observation than your garden what exists naturally else­ outlining your dry stream should blend of adherence to rules. wbere, you will need to take into account convincingly with the materials along the A creative use of the dry stream idea is the lay of the land through which the bottom. to instill a feeling of the water's presence "stream" will pass. It will help a great deal The type of garden you envision will by focusing on its movemcmt. An excellent if you study the characteristics of streambeds help you determine if your dry stream will example of this ambitious style is the dry that pass through similar terrain in your create the illusion of a placid, meandering cascade of the temple garden of Saiho-ji area. watercourse or wiU resemble the bed of a in Japan. The scale is that of a life-sized When laying out your dry stream, follow more active stream that passes over rocky mountain cascade, and the stones have been the path water would naturally be imclined to steps in a series of short cascades. In either chosen and arranged to leave no doubt in take. Never permit the appearance of water instance, although the water is absent, its one's mind that if water were present, this running uphill or against the prevailing level of activity should be suggested by the is the path it would naturally take. grade. If you choose to alter the site to fit spe­ traits of the streambed. These traits can be To create this kind of effect in your own cific design objectives, be sure your streambed used to reinforce the prevailing character garden, the stationary stonework of the conforms to the alterations. of the surrounding garden. For example, dry stream must convey the characteristics Use materials that are consistent with an alpine garden would benefit from rocky, of running water. Begin by considering how the naturally occurring streams you want short cascades suggesting a mountain water actually moves. When it flows your stream to resemble. If you base your stream, while islands of flowering shrubs downward, its movement can be hastened recreation on streams in your own area, might be enhanced by peaceful, sweeping by a series of falls or a narrowing in its the proper materials will be readily avail­ curves suggestive of a meandering, lazy path. Its course can change as thtl terrain able. While you gather stones, devote some brook. through which it passes takes on different time to studying how they were shaped by Once the stream's path has been chosen, characteristics. The manipulation of these passing water and how different types of its character determined and suitable stones topographical featHres is important in cre­ stones take on distinctive characteristics as selected, the real challenge begins. How ating a sense of movement in your dry water rushes over them. Are the streams are you going to arrange the stones so that stream. in your area flowing over sandy, gravelly they appear to have been laid randomly This project, like the simple recreation or cobbled bottoms? Igneous rocks in or by natural forces? Although there art'l a of a natural streambed, is f:onstrained by

6 August 1984 the natural surroundings. Its character, too, fall or a series of steps. If you select the that channel the stream can be highlighted will be influenced by the type of garden latter, be sure that the steps are irregul arly with reindeer lichen to suggest the churn­ you plan to create around it. spaced, even haphazard in appearance. ing effect of swirling rapids or eddies. This When you plan the course your stream combination works best in shady spots will follow and how its stones will be ar­ where ample moisture is readily available. Fortunately, many ofthe ranged, you will find that the illusion of (For more information on how to start and movement and flow will be most effective grow these plants, see " Moss and Lichen aesthetic charms of if you keep one or more primary vi ewing Gardens" in the February 1983 issue of water in the garden do positions in mind. The relati onship of the American Horticulturist. ) stones to one another will govern the di­ Even if yo ur stream site has an appro­ not depend exclusively rection the strea m takes as well as the rate priate passage from high to low ground, at which it is " fl owing." So, to achieve a excavating the site before the first stones on the actual presence sense of flo w, it is important to consider are brought in will enable you to create how the placement of the stones can most the undulatin g bottom and occasional side ofthe water itself. effectively work on the im agin ati on. For pools and fall s that add to the overall example, grouping the larger stones in the impression of moving water. The stream's Once again, begin by charting the basic background, fairly cl ose together where bottom should be deeper in the middle course the stream will take. Follow the lay the stream ori ginates, will giv e the viewer than along the banks. When the larger bank of the land, from the high ground where standing in the fo reground the impression and turning stones are set into place, be the stream originates to the point where it that the stream is running toward him. As sure to dig them securely into the ground; disappears. To emphasize the fe eling of the stream progresses forward , the spacing they should look as if they are firml y an­ movement, you can alter the stream 's between stones and stone groupings should chored in place. Resist the temptation to course, excavate changes in the depth of increase gradually, while the average size use concrete or cement in securing your the "water," or incorporate small side pools of the stones will slowly decrease. To coax stones; unless carefully concealed, the ap­ whose pl acid nature can contrast with the the eye to follow your stream, follow the pearance of either material will add a harsh, "movement" of the main current. downward path suggested by the terrain , static element to your " moving" creation. Take care in selecting the stones tha twill place turning stones where a natural change Pl antings for this type of dry stream outline the stream. Although it is unnec­ of course might occur, and carefully ma­ should be compatible with the size of your essary for the type and size of the stones nipulate the spacing between individual project, but you need not restrict yourself you use to be uniform, they should appear stones and stone groupings. to those plants likely to be found naturally to be related by the forces of the "water" The successful creation of a " flowing" along a stream. Base your plant selections that they bound. dry stream is based, in large part, on the on the available growing conditions and Individual stones or groups of stones can type of material used to cover the stream's your personal preferences. Shady spots be used to signal a change in the stream's bottom. As mentioned earlier, the stream could host stream-side plantings of maid­ direction or the water's level of activity. bottom of a simple literal recreation should enhair ferns, primroses and Epimedium. As you arrange your stones, you may want reflect the impact that moving water would Sunny sites could be planted with Siberian to follow a few basic guidelines to help have on the stones. Here, however, you iris and cinnamon ferns . If you have enhance the aesthetic appeal of your proj­ want the bottom to reflect the movement matched the type of stream to the sur­ ect. Larger stones should be balanced by of the water itself. To create a compelling rounding garden, you should have no dif­ clusters of smaller ones. Stones that seem impression of substance in motion, you ficulty finding attractive plants to add to to thrust upward can be played off of hor­ can easily fill coarse sand or gravel in among the banks of your new bodies of "water." izontal arrangements, thereby heightening the stones, arranging it so that it snakes the sense of flow as your gaze passes from through the various rapids and gathers up one group of stones to the next. Try to at the edges of the falls. Unfortunately, Zen & the Dry Stream avoid juxtaposing distinctive stones unless keeping weeds, litter and leaves out of a you are introducing a change in the stream's sandy bottom can become an irritating To many people, the simple, austere stone character. Once the arrangement is com­ maintenance problem. If you use black and sand arrangements found in Oriental plete, its individual elements should catch plastic to suppress weeds, you will need to gardens do not constitute true gardening; your attention without arresting it; ideally, take special care to prevent the sand from to others, this style represents one of the your eye should pass easily along, follow­ being washed off the slippery surface. highest refinements of garden artistry. ing the stream's flow. Rounded cobbles are more difficult to work The gardens associated with the Zen Use cascades of piled-up stones to take in among the crowded stones used to out­ temples in Japan are undoubtedly the best the stream from one level to another. The line the stream. However, they can easily examples of how stone and sand can be stones of the cascades should be similar in create the impression of moving water re­ used to create illusionary vistas of moun­ composition to those used in the stream gardless of the viewer's vantage point. An tains, streams, rivers, oceans and islands. itself, or at least visually compatible. An undulating stream of cobbles, lightly mois­ In the hands of the Zen masters, gardens abrupt change in texture, color or shape tened just before visitors arrive, will com­ were created to aid meditation and self­ can dramatize the change from stream to plement most dry stream arrangements. discovery, offering as few sensory distrac­ cascade, but diverse materials should be Mosses pressed into the bare soil make tions as possible while encoura ging integrated without interrupting the overall an excellent substitute for sand or gravel. thoughtful contemplation. On an abstract flow. Cascades can be composed of a single Ribbons of green running around the stones level, these gardens can be viewed as ex-

American Horticulturist 7 fqUERQiRDENS1 GARDEN DESIGN I .,:~ , .,' I am pies of austere representational land­ surging motion of a mountain stream to I I scape art; on a simpler level, they dem­ the more languid character of a broad river I I onstrate how stone and sand textures and is expressed by the changing characteris­ forms <;:an be juxtaposed to create beauty tics of the stones, as well as by their ar­ I I in the garden. They draw heavily on the rangement and spacing. Vertical planes are I Justly Famous For I viewer's imagination and thought; many more dynamic than horizontal planes; jag­ resist any attempts to classify them defin­ ged outlines suggest a level of activity miss­ : Rhododendrons : itively. The garden at Ryoan-ji, the Dragon ing in the softer, more rounded shapes. Peace Temple, is the finest example of how Once again, the a<;:tual arrangement of I Azaleas I stone and sand can create a compelling the stones should be planned with a pri­ I Japanese Maples I garden without being a representation of mary vantage point in mind. A cluster of Dwarf Conifers anything in particular. In contrast, the Zen stones in the background, leading to more I Bonsai Materials I garden at Daisen-in is unmistakably rep­ widely spaced stones in the foreground, I Flowering Trees & Shrubs I resentational. Yet both demonstrate the will direct the stream from back to front. I Rock Garden Plants I Zen ideal of reducing the complex to the Reversing this spatial arrangement, if care­ simple, drawing out the ultimate relation­ fully done, will give the impression of the I Good selef.:tion of I ship and interdependence of all things. stream originating at your feet and flowing unusual Horticulture Books - I I In order to be effective, such gardens outward into a distant sea. The key to must be isolated from their immediate sur­ successfully manipulating your materials I Color catalog describes, prices over I roundings; the presence of large trees, is to play with the illusions created by dif­ 2000 plants. Widely recognized as a I I shrubs or other visual distractions will ferent arrangements. I valuable reference book. $2.00. I quickly diminish the impact of your peaks Depending on your taste, you may want I WORLD WIDE SHIPPING I and seas. Both the famous Japanese gar­ to include plants in this type of garden. If Dept AH 1280 GOOdpasture Is. Rd. I dens at Daisen-in and the Zen masterpiece plants are included, they must conform to I Eugene, Oregon, 97401 I at Ryoan-ji depend on enclosing walls to the scale of the stonework and the scene I (503) 886-8286 isolate them from unwanted scenery. depicted. The presence of flowers on either I ______J The scale of these gardens can vary from woody or herbaceous materials will un­ large to intimate, depending on the space dermine the impression of mountains and available and the discretion of the garden­ vast seas; mosses and lichens will not. Rig­ maker. The east garden of Daisen-in con­ orously clipped azaleas, yew or boxwood Get Acquainted vincingly portrays what exists naturally over are often used to suggest wooded hillsides. with a Miniature Lady Palm many square miles in only a 12-by-47-foot Part of the challenge of creating mountains And Discover area. There is nothing literal about this and seas in the space of a back yard lies the Secret of the Orient depiction, but the elements of stone and in how you handle the plants. sand are so carefully combined that a clus­ There is a temptation to conclude that ter of stones-brimming with sand and dry streams are only suited to walled gar­ giving way to smaller stones that are abut­ dens where the scale of reality is banished. ted or surrounded by more sand-gives the Yet there is no reason why the natural unmistakable impression of a mountain styles described earlier and exemplified by and cascade feeding a river, flowing in a the dry cascade at Saiho-ji cannot be used valley, that eventually spreads out into a effectively to augment the beauty of gar­ more expansive lake or sea. The garden's dens whose scale and character are dom­ creator relies on the viewer's willingness inated by trees, shrubs and flowers. You to find mountains, falls and rivers among can compensate for the absence of water all the materials that have been so metic­ by selectively choosing and arranging the ulously arranged in the temple courtyard. materials to be used in the dry stream or KOBAN The stark simplicity of Daisen-in points cascade. It is a challenge for both the gar­ 7" pot up the difficulty in developing a highly den-maker and viewer to bring the char­ stylized, representational dry landscape. acter of water into a bed of stone. In the Palm & Book There are so few pieces to work with that theater, it is the willing suspension of $19.95 ppd. ($25 value) each piece must be handled properly. The disbelief that allows the audience to accept DWARF RHAPIS EXCELSA 'KOBAN' stones must appear to belong together; the the stage set as real. Given the same will­ 5" plastic pot, 16" tall, 3 yrs. old eye must be compelled to move easily from ingness on the part of the garden visi­ and COMPLETE BOOK OF RHAPIS PALMS stone to stone. Their arrangement must tor, a well-made dry stream can be equally 52 pages, fully illustrated provide a point of origin and then draw convincing. ~ - Michael B. Trimble (IIm~ ono oHo, po, customo,) the eye along to the stream's conclusion. olfo, "pi'os 10/84 paymont with o,do, This can be achieved by using stones with Book $5 R"'~ Catalog $1 a progressively softer outline toward the Michael B. Trimble is a landscape gardener and plant collector. He is the author of foreground. The more dynamic, expressive ~ltllpis ~~ vllrdcHS "Reading Tree Leaves: A Guide to stones belong in the cascade or at the Diagnosing Symptoms," which appeared in P.O .O. 287-A, GREGORY, TEXAS 78359 stream's origin. The progression from the our June 1983 issue.

8 August 1984 Bealllgut eft Usdul: Oltrfiative Plalll HerUoge AHS 39th Annual Meeting • October 31-November 3, 1984 • San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio' s Downtown River Walk

Texas-home of one-fifth of our nation's wildflower through the city's business district. Bordered by a species-is the setting for our 39th Annual Meeting. carefully planned terrain of lush foliage and cypress Join fellow gardeners as we focus on the uses and con­ trees, Riverwalk is just one of this historic city's servation of native plants nationwide. Mrs. Lyndon B. high points. Johnson, founder of the National Wildflower Re­ Be sure to join us as we consider a new frontier­ search Center, will join us at the LBJ Ranch for a talk our beautiful and useful native plant heritage. Send on "The American Wildflower-A New Frontier." the coupon below for special advance registration And two panels of leaders and experts in this impor­ information today, or call Robin Williams at the tant horticultural specialty will provide in-depth Society, 703/768-5700. We'll send you details education sessions of interest to the amateur and the right away. professional horticulturist alike. We'll have a specially guided tour of the magnifi­ Mrs. Robin Williams cent San Antonio Botanical Center, which shows, American Horticultural Society P.O. Box 0105 through special historic exhibits, how Texas pioneers Mount Vernon, VA 22121 found the state, and how they set about cultivating its natural resources. Dear Mrs. Williams, Tour spectacular private gardens open exclusively Please send me special advance registration information for the Society's to AHS members participating in the Annual Meet­ 1984 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. ing. Enjoy the Old World charm of Fredericksburg, a Name______charming community in the lush Texas hill country. Address______And in San Antonio, we'll have time to enjoy the beautiful Riverwalk, a natural waterway winding City______State,____ Zip, ______Book Reviews

HOME GROUND. Allen Lacy. Farrar Straus & Giroux. New York, New York . 1984.270 pages; hardcover, $14.95. AHS discount price, $13.45 including postage and handling. Most gardeners don't look to the Wall Street Journal for horticultural inspiration unless they are regular readers of that publica­ tion. Allen Lacy's periodic column on gar­ dening is not to be missed; what he has to say strikes directly to the heart of every gardener's successes and failures. Home Ground is a series of essays, many of which first appeared in the Wall Street Journal, on a myriad of gardening subjects. The topics range from Lacy's family origins on a leafless Texas plain, to such familiar sub­ jects as the first spring bulbs, the frustra­ tions of mail-order purchasing, or that ul­ timate non gardening activity-mowing the lawn. For pleasant entertainment on a sub­ ject that is dear to all of our hearts, I highly recommend this book. You will enjoy it, whether you read it from cover to cover in one sitting or just sample an essay or two before bed each evening.

THE DAMP GARDEN. Beth Chatto. J. M. Dent & Sons, Ltd. London, England. 1982.336 pages; Allen Lacy, author of Home Ground. Michael Lacy hardcover, $19.95. AHS discount price, $17.45 including postage and handling. scription of the plants that might be used collections they could. Nicolette Scourse This is a story of thll development of a in such a garden. has provided us with an authoritative and garden. Although damp soil often dis­ readable history of the impact plants had courages garden-makers, in this case, the in the daily life of the Victorians. author has turned these specialized grow­ THE VICTORIANS AND THEIR ing conditions into an advantage. This is FLOWERS. not the story of a water garden, although Nicolette Scourse. Timber Press. CEROPEGIA, BRACHYSTELMA the author's garden does have areas of open Portland, Oregon. 1983. 195 pages; AND RIOCREUXIA IN SOUTHERN water; the garden and the plants discussed hardcover, $22.95. AHS discount price, AFRICA. in this book are growing in the damp areas $21 .00 including postage and handling. R. Allen Dyer. A. A. Balkema along the edges of this open water. The Plants and flowers permeated the fashion­ Publishers. Rotterdam, Netherlands. gardening techniques and the plants dis­ able life of the eighteenth century. The pas­ 1983. 242 pages; hardcover, $35.00. cussed are also applicable to wet or soggy sion for natural history extended from the AHS discount price, $37.00 including areas in which a pond or stream is not very rich, with their great gardens and con­ postage and handling. present. While this is an English book, and servatories, to the very poor, such as mill This is a botanical monograph primarily the usual warnings regarding plant selec­ workers who bred new varieties of pinks of interest to botanists. The subject ma­ tion for use in the United States are ap­ and used them as inspirations for the pat­ terial, however, covers a number of genera plicable, there is still much to recommend terns they wove. The influx of new species that are popular among specialized plant this book to American gardeners. The first from many unexplored portions of the collectors; at least one species, Ceropegia half of the book describes the building of world helped spark the interest in botany; woodii, is a very popular housll plant. The the garden over a period of many years, plant enthusiasts from all walks of life work is well illustrated with line drawings, while the second half is devoted to a de- competed to collect and grow the largest watercolors and photographs, and distri-

10 August 1984 How to give a donation to bution maps are also included for each American Horticultural Society species. If you are interested in any of the more exotic species in these genera, or in and save money doing it. succulent plants generally, you may want to add this excellent reference book to your collection. The Wall Street Journal is a business newspaper - the Number 1 business publication in the country, read every business day by more than ALPINE AND ROCK PLANTS. six million men and women who Will Ingwersen. ]. M. Dent & Sons, Ltd. look to it for the facts, figures, London, England. 1983.212 pages; information and insights they need hardcover, $22.50. AHS discount price, to excel in their careers. But The $19.50 including postage and handling. Journal is aware that art and rulture, Gardening enthusiasts know Will Ingwer­ too, are essential and enriching parts sen as an English master of rock and alpine of the lives of all of us. gardens. In this book, Ingwersen's latest, That is why The Journal has recently he discusses his successes, his failures and expanded its daily coverage of the his favorite plants for the rock garden. This arts and cultural events. And that is is not an encyclopedic listing of plants but why we're extending this offer to a more personal commentary, meant to be you. Why not subscribe right now? read at leisure. Cultural idiosyncrasies are American Horticultural Society described where appropriate, and an ex­ If, right now, you subscribe to will benefit. And, with your own cellent index makes individual plant ref­ The Wall Street Journal, $15 will copy of The Wall Street Journal in erences readily available for the more im­ be contributed in your name to your hand every business day, so will patient reader who can't spare the time to American Horticultural Society. you. just sit back and enjoy this book. I THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. I Attn------: Manager of Subscriber Service Already a Journal subscriber? Consider the gift of a I WILDFLOWERS ON THE 200 Burnett Road subscription to a business associate or a friend. The WINDOWSILL. I Chicopee. MA 01021 $15 donation will still be made in your name. Susan Tyler Hitchcock. Crown 0 Yes, please start my subscription to To give a gift of The Wall Street Journal, please I I The Wall Street Journal. provide the information requested below. For correct Publishers, Inc. New York, New York. 0 One year $101 0 Six months $53 billing. remember to complete the section on the left. 1984. 143 pages; hardcover, $12.95. o Payment enclosed 0 Bill me When we receive your gift instructions. we'II send an I I For credit card billing please check: attractive gift card to your recipient. hand signed in AHS discount price, $11.85 including your name. o American Express 0 VISA I postage and handling. I o MasterCard 0 Diners Club Name ______Card # Exp. Date --- Address I This book, judged by its title alone, seem­ Signature ______ingly encourages a destructive activity­ I My name City State __ Zip ___ collecting and then growing wildflowers Sign gift card ------Address • I o One year $101 0 Six months $53 under conditions that might bring only City State __ Zip ___ limited success. Readers who suppress their Credit card orders valid only With cardholde r signa/ure Limited time oHer - good in continental U.S. only. 6MST # initial inclination to steer away from the book, however, will find that the author is well aware of this potential response. '------,... _------She deals with it in the first chapter of the book in a section entitled "Where and What Not to Gather," and then goes on to de­ Book Order Form scribe the beauties of such common weeds as plantain and dandelion when grown in Please send me the books I have checked below Please allow six weeks for delivery. Discount a window box indoors. Far from encour­ at the special AHS discount rates. price includes postage and handling. Virginia aging the destruction of wildflowers in their residents add 4 % sales tax. habitats, the author opens up a whole new o Home Ground $13.45 Mail to: Jeanne Eggeman, American Horticul­ aspect of garden enjoyment. This is defi­ o The Damp Garden $17.45 tural Sociery, P.O. Box 0105, Mount Vernon, o The Victorians and Their Virginia 22121. nitely a new approach to growing and en­ Flowers $21.00 joying plants that might otherwise be con­ o Ceropegia, Brachystelma and Ship to: ______sidered weeds, and whose beauty would Riocreuxia in Southern Africa $37.00 thus be overlooked. 6 o Alpine and Rock Plants $19.50 Street: ______o Wildflowers on the Windowsill $11.85 -Gilbert S. Daniels City: ______Gilbert S. Daniels is the Immediate Past Enclosed is my check for ___ books for the State: ______Zip: ---- President of the American Horticultural total amount of $ ____ Society. ~------American Horticulturist 11

TEXT & ILLUSTRATION BY PET ER LOEWER

ate in 198 1 while rea ding The Avant Gardener, to appear before the Swedish king nei ther naked nor clothed, the newsletter for " garden-minded people," I duly attended wrapped in a fishing net . .. . Still it does conjure spied an article crypticall y entitled " Disa Data." up a not unpleasant pi cture!" (Pe trus Jonas Bergius, who named According to the article, "There's wide agree­ the plant, was a Swede, and the upper lip of the fl ower has a ment among orchidists th at dis as are the most netted appearance, not unlike a fishing net. ) beautiful of all terrestrial orchids .... Until re­ The catalogue also noted th at disas are commonly known as cently, there was also general agreement that the Pride of Table Mountain in their native Afri ca and have these South African orchids were very difficult to grow." The captured the im agin ati on of pl ant lovers the world over. And, article said that much of this misconception was due to attempts although the seeds are minute, disa is one of very few orchids to grow disas in greenhouses devoted to tropical epiphytes. It th at will germinate without extra-special treatment. went on to say that Dr. Warren Stoutamire of the University of Disa pl ants are fo und growing along streams, sometimes ip Akron in Ohio had discovered the secret to their successful the company of grasses. According to the American Orchid cultivation. The doctor found that these particular orchids in­ Society, th ey are now carefully protected in their native habitat habit cool, constantly moist areas, preferring winter night tem­ lest they be exterminated. peratures of 32° to 45° F and summer day temperatures no higher In his instructions on care, Dr. Stoutamire noted that these than 70° F. They therefore make perfect companions for other orchids will grow well in low-nutrient, well-drained soil mixes denizens of a cool greenhouse, including cymbidiums, clivias of peat, perlite and vermiculite. He uses equal portions of each, and freesias. and fertilizes during active growth at intervals of one to three My interest was piqued, especially since I had lost most of weeks using an acid, 30-30-30 fe rtilizer in low concentration. my orchid collection during the winter of 1977. La yers of ice He recommends rainwater, but I've used our well water with on power lines had left us without electricity for four days, and, equal success. Stoutamire also found that these plants resent when the heat finally came back, pots of dead orchids surrounded lime and, after a few experiments, found that roots were severely a few healthy cymbidiums in the frigid greenhouse. With only damaged q. fter six months of application. one small wood stove and one kerosene heater, the orchids lost Disas are never completely dormant, and grow slowly out to the human inhabitants. throughout the year. Before and after flowering-usually during I wrote to Dr. Stoutamire, who told me that he, too, had lost June and July-new offsets are produced at the crown of the many tropicals that year-including some of his best disa clones­ plant; these will flower the following year. Once a mature plant but that these terrestrial jewels do stand a better chance of does flower, it dies off. If buds appear on a plant that has not survival in the cold. Eager to try something new, I ordered a produced offsets, they should btl removed. Otherwise, you will four-inch pot of Disa uniflora, and the plant duly arrived by enjoy the coming flowers but sacrifice future plants. UPS late in March. Buds soon formed, and, late in July, they Soil mixes must be moist, not waterlogged, and plants should opentld to reveal three beautiful flowers in varying shades of be divided or repotted only after old flowering growth di€s. orange and red, with the uppermost sepal lined in delicate trac­ When given proper, and cool, growing conditions, disas enjoy eries of a deeper color. as much llight as can be provided. They will also thrive under As I was now a disa convert, I mad€ an attempt to ferret out florescent lamps. According to Dr. Stoutamire, dis as seem to the derivation of the Latin name. I looked in the Royal Horti­ enjoy the company of other plants, and I have followed his advice cultural Society Ditr:ti()nary of Gardening, but it only gave "(der­ by placing them close to neighboring pots. ivation?)" after the name, a most unusual notation for that The fresh green leaves of a healthy disa look more like those august tome. Hortus Third was no better, and, unfortunately, of an iris or daylily than an orchid, and remain a welcome sight I had given away most of my books on orchids after the demise in a plant collection when most other o~chids are dull and lifeless. of my collection. Then I remembertld the often-interesting com­ They are a constant reminder of the beautiful flowers that will ments in the catalogue of Chiltern Seeds, an English firm that appear year after year. 0 caFCies a prodigious selection of orchids, including many species from Africa and Australia. Not only did they stock Disa seed, they also had information about the name: "Named, in what Peter Loewer is a botanical artist and scientific illustrator who must be one of the most abstruse of plant name dtlrivations, writes and illustrates his own books. He is the author of Peter after one, mythical, Queen Disa of Sweden who, commanded Loewer's Month-By-Month Garden Almanac.

American Horticulturist 13 N E w z E A L A N D AGarden TolD' BY RUBY WEINBERG

e had not been in New Zealand I most admire: water, wall and rock plant­ As in the United States, artistic design is very long before we were asked ings. It was exceedingly difficult with so usually secondary to the growing of plants. Wthe question: "Well, mate, how much to distract me. I looked for plants However, horticulturally speaking, the Ki­ do you like our country?" Almost every surrounded by and reflected in water; I wis are fortunate to have such a moderate Kiwi we met on our five-week garden tour scanned every wall overhung with orna­ climate. Except for mountainous areas, the wanted our opinion of his homeland. Kiwi mentals; I tried to identify creeping, crawl­ mean temperature on North Island varies, is the affectionate name New Zealanders ing and cascading plants, especially those winter and summer, from 46° to 73° F. have given themselves; as we soon discov­ in rock garden settings. All were there in South Island is a little cooler-31 ° to 70° F. ered, whimsical humor is a part of their great profusion. I also tried to learn about" Though greater extremes do occur, mod­ culture, for the New Zealand Kiwi is a the country itself. eration permits unlikely plant associa­ chicken-like, flightless, nocturnal bird that These Southern Hemisphere islands are tions, and New Zealand's dedicated gar­ lays a ridiculously large egg. 10,000 miles from New York City and deners are able to grow an enormous variety It was almost the end of October when 6,000 miles from Los Angel€s, all alone in of plants. my husband and I arrived for a first lc>ok the South Pacific. The country should not Driving south from Auckland, I noticed at the country. Our port of entry was be confused with Australia, which is over that each little town and hamlet sported Auckland on a narrow strip of New Zea­ 1,200 miles from New Zealand's shores. flamboyant rockery plantings. We saw them land's North Island. Green, rugged and New Zealand is similar to California in in the center of tiny plazas, in planter boxes, brilliant in bloom-that was our overall size and shape, although the country is and often, interspersed with rocks in front impression of this land " down under." The divided into two major islands. Unlike of fenced-in private dwellings. In many Kiwi question was easy to answer, and we California, however, New Zealand has a places, stone walls were planted with trail­ did so in their vernacular: "En Zed is bloody population of only a little over three mil­ ing herbaceous plants. (The Kiwis some­ marvelous !" lion. Because of its small population, the times call cascading plants "spillovers.") For those of us who live in the Northem country is-even in this day and age-a Some of these rockeries included dwarf, Hemisphere, it is exciting to witness spring paradise of pristine scenery, pure waters flowering New Zealand and Australian unfolding when, at home, the autumn leaves and unpolluted atmosphere. natives: Hebe, Olearia, Parahebe, to men­ are beginning to tlarn. Although there is The two main islands of New Zealand tion only a few. I was especially impressed momentary confusion caused by this sea­ are, for the most part, well supplied with with dwarf forms of Leptospermum sco­ sonal disparity, the language poses few water. Springs, brooks and rivers spill forth parium, commonly called New Zealand problems for the American tourist. In-depth from the steep mountains, and lakes tea tree; or manuka. Thousands of hilly communication is possible, and my hus­ abound. Abundant rainfall helps to main­ acres were covered with wild, white ma­ band and I found the Kiwis to be friendly, tain a green mantle of grass all year round. nukas. Because they are so pretty and long­ loquacious and informative. Best of all, Fifty percent of the land has been classified blooming, New Zealand hybridizers have gardening secultivars in var­ discussing plants with our hosts-not to as rolling or flat. In such an undulating ious colors. mention reading their horticultural liter­ landscape, terraced gardens flourish

14 August 1984 N E w z E A L A N D

Here, also, are demonstration plots show­ ing homeowners how to use native plants in their own gardens. Those New Zealanders who are keen on nomenclature must learn botanical, com­ mon and Maori names for their indigenous plants. The Maoris, descendants of Poly­ nesians who preceded the Europeans on these islands, have remained a vital part of the New Zealand culture. Maori names for towns, rivers and mountains, as well as for shrubs and trees, add a piquant fla­ vor to the New Zealand experience. Southeast of Auckland is Rotorua, a small city located on a volcanic fault. Here we had our first look at the New Zealand bush (forest) and water plantings. Rainbow Springs and Paradise Valley are two tourist resorts located among innumerable springs and watercourses in the area. Huge trout thrive in meandering streams and small pools, which are surrounded by native ferns and mosses. The area is a showcase for exhibiting some of the 150 species of ferns found throughout the country, from the three-quarter-inch, filmy fern to giant, 50- foot-tall tree ferns. In another garden, a grove of tree ferns growing at the edge of a stream caught my attention; they were Sphaeropteris medullaris (formerly Cy­ athea medullaris), black ponga. Each plant was about 15 feet tall with a slim, black trunk and graceful, weeping fronds. In New Zealand, tree ferns are commonly lumped together and called pongas, and the trunks are widely used in building garden fences, walls and arbors. In Rotorua we also visited a private gar­ den, where Don Young, his wife and two sons were busily engaged in a whole host of horticultural activities. Their 11/2-acre garden was enchanting on the day of our visit. Most memorable was their pond, ac­ tually a series of small and largt pools

ABOVE: September brings early-spring masses of daffodils to Hagley Park in Christchurch, New Zealand. BELOW: Rhododendrons offer a breathtaking spring display at Pukeiti, a Photographs b N . Y atlonal Publicity St d' private preserve with a comprehensive U lOS, New ZeaJand collection of rhododendrons of the world,

American Horticulturist 15 N E w z E A L A N D

surrounding a bluestone patio. Volcanic rock, abundant in this area, was used to make the pools. The backdrop of orna­ mental trees, especially live oaks, created a woodland effect. Around the pool wen~ many dwarf pines and junipers, and a low Japanese maple. A distinctly Kiwi touch in this otherwise Japanese design was the profusion of flowering plants. Cyclamen persicum, the common florist's cyclamen (possibly hardy here), and water-loving or­ chids were placed in rock crevices. There were also primroses tucked into little is­ lands, and drifts of violets floated along the edges. Gardens throughout New Zealand were resplendent with blooming azaleas and rhododendrons during our visit. Although rhododendrons are not indigenous to these islands, the moderate climate is perfect for their cultivation, and we saw an enormous number of species and hybrids throughout the country. Many rhododendrons were in their prime during our trip to Pukeiti (Lit­ tle Mount), a private rhododendron pre­ serve on 900 acres just outside New Plym­ outh. Pukeiti has a comprehensive collection Disporum smith ii, with ivory, -funnel­ The Christchurch Botanical Garden is locat@d of rhododendrons of the world. I looked shaped flowers. Primroses of many species on 75 acres of Hagley Park. Here, a gardener works among the rock plants. for dwarf selections, so useful in rock set­ abound at Pukeiti. I noticed that here not tings, but unfortunately, the smaller rho­ all of these seemed to require the partial tering," or conversing with them. Then dodendrons are not at their best at Pukeiti; shade necessary in my own New Jersey and there, I decided to carryon a little excessive rainfall causes these plants to lose garden. chitchat as I worked in my own garden if their compact stature. Many alpines seemed It was in these gardens that I saw Rho­ that was the way to achieve Kiwi results. to thrive under these conditions, however. dohypoxis baurii for the first time. It is a Although the Kiwi sense of humor is Iberis, Gentiana verna, Lithospermum and charming creeper from South Africa, and pervasive, New Zealanders appear to take a flamiNg red phlox billowed from the high reputedly lengthy in bloom. On my return their gardening seriously. Twice weekly stone wall on the east side of The Lodge. home, I obtained some tiny bulbs for use Scarrow appears before a large television These represeNted some of the alpines grown as potted plants in my greenhouse. It will audience to present the latest in horticul­ in fine rock gardens all over the world. take time to evaluate their performance; tural technology. His radio program is also However, in New Zealand I was beginning their requiremer'lrs are tricky-dry in win­ popular, and his Garden Club boasts 1,700 to expect the rare and unusual, and I found ter and wet iN summer. members. it at Pukeiti. In one damp place, a patch As we left Fukeiti, driving south along Unpretentious and unruffled, New Zea­ of white-flowered, golden-throated Our­ the Tasman Sea, 1 could only marvel at landers seem to avoid such things as "Keep isia grew; it is the native New Zealand what I had seen. New Zealand's skillful off the Grass" signs. No on

16 August1984 N E w z E A L A N D

green occupy a good deal of space. neal, small species tulips, and low azaleas The hillside, bordered by a stream, was Much to my delight, terraced plantings in the background. Hypericum, Sax ifraga , aglow wi th blooming rhododendrons and seemed to be the rule rather than the ex­ tiny iris and hundreds of other plants seem camelli as during our visit. A small bridge ception on both North and South Island. to flow in and around the rocks. Here, and water wheel framed the picture. In the Occasionally, concrete bl ocks, slanted aga in , I found Rhodohypoxis. Note­ shallows, I could not help but notice an backwards and spliced with soil , were used worthy of the plants in bloom during our interes ting planting: a colony of the giant for this purpose. In some places railroad visit was a colony of a dwarf columbine Gunnera chilensis (formerly G. tinctorial. ties held garden embankments; the Kiwis from Japan, Aquilegia flabe llata var. pum­ The species is from Brazil and has huge call them " railway sleepers." ila (fo rmerly A. akitensis). Only fo ur inches leaves six feet across. In spite of their size, In the small city of Palmerston North, tall, the plant bears blue and white flowers the plants did not look tropical and were, home of Massey College, we viewed many above its dainty foliage. In general, we were in fact, perfectly at home in this cooler beautifully constructed stone buildings and struck by the robust health and vigor of climate. At a later date, I observed this walls. The grounds throughout the campus each and every pl ant within the garden 's same Gunnera in the ri ver at Queenstown were tastefully landscaped, and I saw azal­ confines. To the North American visitor, Governmental Gardens. Eventually, I dis­ eas, aubrietas and alyssums tumbling off it is a special thrill to see all of this in the covered that there is a rare, tiny species­ some of the walls. It could easily have been month of November! Gunnera magellanica-that would prob­ a North American campus, except for the In the city of Christchurch, one place in ably be more suitable than G. chilensis for South African proteas used as specimens particular has gained a horticultural rep­ edging small ga rden pools and streams. in several of the plantings. Just outside the utation: the home and garden of Edgar My interest in this genus grew. I learned college grounds, in Fitzherbert Park, we Stead. Stead, who died in 1941, was a rho­ that Gunnera prorepens, a small, bronze­ came upon a typical New Zealand scene: dodendron hybridizer, and his deciduous leafed New Zealand native, also thrives in a pretty rock garden charmingly used to Ilam (Knap Hill) azaleas have become the damp soil adj acent to water gardens; separate the park from the busy roadway. world-famous. The property is now much it is particul arly lovel y in autumn, when To save time, we flew across Cook Strait reduced in size and belongs to the Uni­ it displays its multitudinous " candles" of to South Island, landing in its largest city, ve rsity of Canterbury, but some of the bright red fruit. It is grown, or occurs nat­ Christchurch. With the exception of the original plantings have been maintained. urally, at Pukeiti, but I missed it there. downtown area, the entire community boasts colorful gardens. One out of every eight acres is also devoted to park land. On 75 acres of Hagley Park is the Christ­ church Botanical Garden. We strolled through the park, which is surrounded on three sides by the Avon River. On those sunny, breezy days toward the end of spring, !'Ivery tr!'le, shrub and flower appeared to be at its peak. Amid this luxuriance, I again became transfixed by a particular area: the rock garden. Situated in a southwestern corner of the park, a hillside-like planting had been creat!'ld from the shingles (stone rubble) and loose soil dredged from the nearby riv <'l r. Paths wander up, into and around the plantings, and ar€ defin!'ld by rocks and large boulders. The garden is spread with mats of gray and silvery con­ ifers, spring-flowering heaths (Erica car-

A fascinating array of alpine plants can be found growing at Alouette Nursery in Ashburton on South Island. The colleGtion includes both New Zealand natives and rock plants from around the world.

American Horticulturist 17 N E w z E A L A N D

It was well into November when we left It dominates the entire view like a giant cessfully import, propagate and grow some Christchurch. I felt like wingeing (grum­ hovering over Lilliput. The plant shop, lath of the world's rarest alpines. Quite a few bling) that our trip was more than half shade houses, demonstration gardens and are tiny members of genera that contain over, but on we drove to see alpines as house fill the LeComtes' property. All of larger species-Ranunculus, Iris and Po­ they are grown at Alouette Nursery. this looks out onto seemingly endless beds tentilla, for example. Many, such as Cas­ Jean and Jim LeComte, the proprietors of cushions, crawlers and cascaders that siope, Pleione and Gentiana, would be of Alouette, specialize-in treasured alpines, glow with vibrant color. Many have in­ classified as "difficult" in the United States. as well as choice dwarf conifers and rho­ teresting foliage; most are diminutive in The LeComtes would like to encourage dodendrons. Oddly enough, this nursery, stature. Here, also, are dry wall beds, their · the use of New Zealand mountain flowers which features mostly mountain plants, is crevices flowing with alpine jewelry. The in gardens, for they are not yet widely cul­ located in Ashburton, south of Christ­ rear beds are used by the LeComtes to raise tivated. Many species of Celmisia, for ex­ church on the Canterbury Plains, one of propagating stock for their mail-order ample, do well in Kiwi gardens but are not the few level areas in the entire country. business. A woodland area contains a fine yet popular among New Zealand's gar­ Here on the Pacific coast, mountains pre­ assortment of rhododendrons, including deners. The flowers are typical of daisy vent adequate precipitation from reaching many dwarf species. The entire area is con­ family members, with white rays and yel­ the land, and drought sometimes occurs. nected by a maze of lawns and pathways, low discs. Possibly 60 species have evolved Irrigation ditches, called water races, carry enclosed by a ponga fence on which clam­ in New Zealand, some with silvery foliage. rain and melting snow off the hilltops and bers the heavily blooming Clematis mon­ Jim LeComte has made a special study bring life-giving moisture to the agricul­ tana var. rubens, a vigorous pink-flowered of Aciphylla, which grows in odd, rosetted tural plains. vine from China. mounds. Forty-five different species of The LeComtes greeted us warmly. True As I looked out upon Lilliput, I realized Aciphylla have been identified. One in par­ to the nursery's name, singing birds also that most of these alpines require perfectly ticular had been misidentified until Jim welcomed our arrival. (Alouette is French drained soil. For some of the plants, scree found it on a mountainside and identified for lark.) Here, on at least three of five must be assembled. Scree is composed of it as a distinct species. The plant was sub­ acres, the LeComtes have created a fairy­ bits of mountain rubble mixed with de­ sequently renamed Aciphylla lecomtei. land in miniature. Far in the distance looms cayed foliage. The Alouette growers must At a neighboring estate garden, Holmes­ snowy Mt. Hutt, a well-known ski resort. be experts in soil preparation, for they suc- lea, we enjoyed walking through the 7% acres of beautifully maintained trees, shrubs, rhododendrons and perennials. I was in­ trigued by the small bi-level rock garden separating the drop in elevation on the side of a staircase. It contained a few dwarf conifers for vertical accent and was planted with more of those precious alpines. On a trip with Jim LeComte to the slopes of Mt. Hutt, we had our first glimpse of Raoulia, commonly known as vegetable­ sheep. (The name is suitable, for farmers often mistake the plants for flocks of graz­ ing sheep when viewing them from a dis­ tance.) The succulent, curlicue foliage is thickly covered with white hairs and clings to everything in its path. Surprisingly, the leaves felt tough and leathery. I learned that Raoulia is difficult to grow in the gar­ den, although a few New Zealand and English nurserymen have been successful with some species.

Dwarf conifers and azakas dot the rock ga·rden at the Christchurch Botanical Garden.

18 August 1984 N E w z E A L A N D

Despite the unfavorable weather, all the trekkers reached the end of the trai l in high spirits. The scenery had been nothing short of breathtaking. Unfortunately for most American lovers of alpines, our climate is too extreme for many of these plants. High and low tem­ peratures, even in the New Zealand moun­ tains, are more temperate than on most of the North American continent. H owever, it has always amazed me how exotic spe­ cies can accommodate themselves to gar­ dens quite dissimilar to their native envi­ ronment. It would surely be a tour de force if I were to succeed in growing some of New Zealand's loveliest species in my own garden. Throughout New Zealand, plants in public gardens are carefully labeled, add­ ing to the visitor's knowledge and pleas­ ure. Additionally, guided tours may often be arranged, though it is best to do so in advance. Two outstanding books-Pal­ mer's Manual of Trees and Shrubs and Salmon's Field Guide to Alpine Plants­ It was a bit early in the season to see The garden of the late Edgar Stead, a wel l­ were invaluable to me in identifying flora many alpines flowering in the Southern known rhododendron hybridizer, contains everywhere. -Alps, the high mountains of South Island. a wide variery of plants, including At the end of our trek we flew back to rhododendrons and azaleas, as well as Nevertheless, my husband and I were de­ Phormium (commonly called New Zealand Auckland on North Island. A few days termined to hike in the area. The wonder flax) and Cordyline australis. later, the words and music of the Maori and beauty of this country were first ex­ folk song "Po Ataroa" came to mind: "Now peri('mced by pioneers who threaded their erable weatherwise. Only here and there is the hour that we must say good-bye." way on foot through the formidable was I able to see the smattering of a few Our New Zealand journey was over, and mouFltains, and we felt it was appropriate early flowers. However, the eerie bush ap­ we were homeward bound. It was difficult to follow in their footsteps. peared as in an unforgettable dream. Within to leave. The warmth and hospitality of In New Zealand a hike is called a " trek." the tree line grows a forest of subtropical every Kiwi we had met was above and Because so many Kiwis enjoy outdoor ac­ Nothofagus, a beech-like tree native to the beyond anything w€ had ever experienced. tivities, comfortable hut (cabin) accom­ Southern Hemisphere. The forest is crowded "She'll be right, mate" is a favorite Kiwi modations have been provided by the gov­ and shrouded in mosses, ferns and vines. expression. For us, everything was right ernmem even iFl the most remote areas. During rainy evenings in the huts, I found about the whole blooming wuntry. f~ So-called "freedom walkers" venture alone, several botanical references and learned but we chose to hike with an organized that almost all of New Zealand's alpine American Horticultural Society members tour called The Routeburn Trek. A little flowers are white in c010r. The reason is will travel to New Zealand October 15- four-day walk does not adequately de­ not entirely clear, but the wI or is usually November 1. For information about this s€ribe our experience. With a leader, rwo attributed to the fact that pollinating in­ exciting trip, write the Education Depart­ gl!lides and a small group of stalwart com­ sects were not present when the country's ment in care of the Society. panions, we walked 4,200 feet above sea endemic species were evolving. Many of level through both Mt. Aspiring and Fiord­ these alpines bear colorful fall fruit. The Ruby Weinbetg is a landscape designer and a land Nation'al Parks. AltogetR€r we cov­ majority are dio€cious; that is, both male former instructor of vocational horticulture. ered 25 miles, and the entire time it rained, and female plants are necessary for fruit She grows broad-leaved evergreens on her snowed, sl€eted and was unutterably mis- production. farm in New Jersey.

American Horticulturist 19 - as ur lums

BY JEANNE GOODE

olloping all over the garden in tries, and the beautiful "floures of blood" reckless disregard for paths and were received with as much excitement in L boundaries, nasturtiums were both pleasure gardens as the medically virtuous a joy and a revelation to me last summer. plants were in physic gardens. The nas­ Who could believe that one small packet turtium was still among the "outlandish of seeds would produce such an exuber­ flowers" listed by the herbalist John Ger­ ance of flower and leaf! I vowed to keep ard in 1577, but by 1629-whenJohn Par­ them under greater restraint in the future kinson wrote his Paradisi in Sole-it was but never to be without them again. "very familiar in most Gardens of any cu­ It seems that nasturtiums have often riosity," a flower of "so great beauty and produced this kind of where-have-they­ sweetness withall, that my garden of de­ been-all-my-life reaction. Europeans first light cannot be unfurnished of it." heard of them in the mid-sixteenth century In England the spurred flowers were in a book by Nicolas Monardes that de­ called yellow larks' heels and, more often, scribed the medicinal plants and other Indian cress; the taste of both flowers and remedies of the New World. During the leaves, described by Monardes as " notable height of Spain's power and influence, hotte," resembles that of tangy watercress. conquistadors brought their loot home by Nasturtiums contain mustard oil; hence way of the port city of Seville, where Mo­ their tangy taste. Nasturtium is an ac­ nardes was a busy and successful physi­ quired name, borrowed from true water­ cian. To him, the curative seeds, plants, cress, Nasturtium officinale. Even though roots and trees were even more valuable Linnaeus later showed that the plant is not than the gold, silver, pearls and emeralds related to the cresses and placed it in its most Spaniards considered the "greate own genus, Tropaeolum, the names Indian riches of the Occidental Indias." For 40 cress and nasturtium stuck fast and are still years before his book was completed, used today. Probably this is because nas­ Monardes eagerly obtained and planted all turtium or Indian cress, like watercress, the South American plants he could, and came to be considered a cure for scurvy, "made experience thereof, with many and although Monardes had not mentioned that Nasturtiums, Tropaeolum majus. divers persones, with all diligence and possibility. The English certainly relied on foresight possible, and with much happie it for this purpose through the seventeenth flowers and the somewhat unwieldy habits successe." Although most of the book deals and much of the eighteenth century. John of the familiar Peruvian species, Tropaeo­ with healing plants and other cures, nas­ Evelyn, the diarist, thought nasturtium was lum majus. In the meantime, however, new turtiums, known to Monardes as "Floures "the most effectual and powerful Agent in species discovered in Central and South of Blood," were included just for fun. "I conquering the cruel enemy." In his Ace­ America led to the dev@lopment of im­ sowed a seede which they brought me from taria, a lyrical discourse on the joys of proved hybrids with more color and·neater the Peru," he wrote, "more to see his fair­ "sallets," he urged his countrymen to in­ growth habits. Tom Thumb series culti­ nesse, than for any Medicinall vertues that clude the plant with other greens for good vars, which are upright, dwarf plants it hath .... It is a flower very beautifull, and healthful eating. The seeds, also be­ available in a wide range of jewel-like colors, whiche doeth adornate the gardens, and it lieved to be antiscorbutic, were pickled and and the Gleam series, all semi-trailers, groweth very well of the seede, or of the used as a substitute for capers, and space helped to restore nasturtiums' popularity. Plante." was found for nasturtiums in kitchens as Throughout the first half of this century, Monardes's book, published in a first well as flower gardens. nasturtiums were once again adorning installment in 1569, a second installment The early settlers carried seeds of this gardens. in 1571 and a complete edition in 1574, useful plant to America. Later, as pioneers Nasturtiums seem to have gone out of was a great success and was translated from moved westward, many carried the seeds style again, judging from the number of Spanish into several other languages, in­ with them. If conditions had permitted, people who asked about the plants when cluding Latin, French and English. John nasturtiums could have carpeted the ground they adorned my garden. Perhaps the time Frampton, who published the English with golden yellow from coast to coast. is ripe for their revival. Surely no garden translation in 1577, chose the felicitous Unfortunately, neither plants nor people should be withput these delightful, fra­ title Joyful! Newes Out of the Newe Founde can hope to enjoy uninterrupted popular­ grant annuals with their distinctive, round, Worlde. The plants themselves soon fol­ ity, and by the middle of the nineteenth green leaves and bright flowers. They are lowed the "joyfull newes" to other coun- century, gardeners grew tired of the yellow now available with flowers in shades of

20 August 1984 Pamela Harper pale to deep yellow, orange and scarlet­ the plants are transplanted. or borders at all unless trained to grow on red, rosy-red and pink, and in sizes and Nasturtiums will thrive in any kind of a trellis or pole. They are also very dec­ forms to suit any gardener's needs. The soil as long as it is well drained and not orative on fences, and if you have a scraggly Tom Thumb cultivars have been im­ overly rich in nitrogen; a great amount of patch of lawn, you can let them loose there proved. The Jewel series cultivars are up­ nitrogen tends to produce more foliage than to make a colorful ground cover. All nas­ right, dwarf, double-flowered plants that flowers. A location in full sun is best but turtiums look splendid spilling out of grow from 12 to 15 inches in height. The not absolutely necessary. You can expect hanging baskets, window boxes and or­ Whirlybird series cultivars are similar and a generous, if not nearly as prolific, crop namental urns, and all are free-flowering. even smaller, about 12 inches in height. of flowers in partial shade. Aphids have Use the leaves, flowers and stems as a The semi-trailing, double-flowered Gleam been known to find nasturtium leaves ir­ tangy, peppery addition to summer salads, cultivars will reach about 24 inches in resistible, and some gardeners use the plant as well as for long-lasting flower arrange­ length. The "old-fashioned" single-flow­ in the vegetable garden to trap these suck­ ments. Cut as many as you like, for they ered trailers grow about eight feet in length ing insects. will keep on blooming until frost. Some­ and are available in various colors, too. Jewel and Whirlybird cultivars are lovely time before the first frost-say, September Culture could hardly be easier. Modern in beds and borders. If you plant any of or early October-take stem cuttings of cultivars grow as well from seed as the the Gleam series, however, give each plant your favorites. They root easily, and if you nasturtiums Monardes planted so long ago. plenty of room in which to sprawl; they grow them near a sunny window, they will Since it takes only six weeks from seed to are anything but orderly, and have a habit provide you with flowers of great beauty flower, you can seed plants directly out­ of nudging and eventually enveloping their and fragrance all winter long. ~~ doors after the last frost date. For an even neighbors. This is done in the nicest pos­ Jeanne Goode is a free-lance writer whose longer season, plant th€m indoors six weeks sible way, of course, but a gardener with articles have appeared in American before that date in individual peat pots a master plan might well be upset. The Horticulturist, Horticulture and Garden. She so the roots will not be disturbed when eight-foot trailers do not belong in beds gardens in Yonkers, New York.

American Horticulturist 21 22 August 1984 he village of North Tisbury is in terthur and elsewhere, and to test their the center of the island of Martha's adaptability to the conditions on Martha's T Vineyard, which lies five miles off Vineyard. Our dearly loved island seemed the southeast coast of Massachusetts, be­ to me to be poverty-stricken horticultur­ low Cape Cod. Located on the outskirts ally. Would our lean and strongly acidic, of the village, Barnard's Inn Farm presents sandy soils, our windy, foggy air and our a typical New England scene. The barns long summer's drought support a wide va­ and dwellings are built on an intimate scale, riety of plants? made of time-honored shingled walls and I kept reminding myself that I was deal­ roofs. They are all weathered to a black­ ing with an ole! sheep farm, and that I gray because of their proximity to salt water. should only make plans that are compat­ The first home was built in 1697 on land ible with our quiet country setting of shin­ purchased from the Algonquian Indian, gled buildings and granite walls. Keep it Sachem. The additions and other farm simple, I said to myself, and don't clutter buildings followed one by one, and with up the open fields. And keep it manage­ them, the stone walls. able, since there is no garden staff. Starting This land had not been farmed for 30 from seed gave me considerable time to years or more when my mother and father mull over the landscaping problems. bought it in 1927. There was a cow barn There are about 4,000 feet of long, ram­ with a cow and a mule that were tended bling walls in the unwooded acres at Bar­ by a neighbor in the village a short half nard's Inn Farm. When one looks beyond mile away. There was a hand pump serv­ the buildings, the walls provide a unifying icing a hand-dug well just outside the presence in the 20 or so cleared acres, which kitchen of the seventeenth-century home­ are largely surrounded by woods. The walls stead, as well as an outhouse-a four-holer, define the boundaries we share with our with two small holes for children. By the neighbors. They isolate and shelter the or­ big sheep barn was a second well for the chard field, separate it from the west field, animals, capped over and long out of use. define two sides of the north field and dis­ No other facilities existed. Electricity had appear into the woods. At one time, the not yet come up-island. woods were cleared by the early settlers, For 30 years my mother joyfully un­ and all the open pastures were used for dertook the task of modernizing, but not sheep raising. Tourism has replaced that outwardly altering, these buildings. I like industry, but the walls remain, and help to think that if the long-gone farmers and to orient our woodland trails and guide us their wives should come back through the home again. In addition to the walls, there same old front gate and look around, they is a simple, flat-topped picket fence, sup­ would still feel at home here. The old barns ported on granite posts, that ornaments and buildings, large and small, still har­ the front gate and the old homestead on monize with the stone walls. These struc­ the road. One might think it too elegant tures are simple, quiet, gray and covered, for a farm home if it were not so basic, top and sides, with salt-blackened wood simple and lasting. shingles. Their proportions and roof lines There is no record telling us when each are satisfying in a timeless way. The moon­ stretch of wall was built. Before the walls light gleams white on the sloping roofs; were built, the Indians roamed these acres­ when snow covers them, they seem to settle without barriers or boundaries- while into the fields, hibernating. In summer, the hunting or gathering food. But I don't know simple charms of the old buildings provide whether the seventeenth, eighteenth or a feeling of repose and rest, so treal:> ured nineteenth century first saw our walls. I in today's world. can, however, vouch for the fact that they Over time this family summer home came were not all constructed by the same build­ under my care. With all the work on the ers at the same time. It is not difficult to . buildings completed, I turned my attention distinguish one section from another by to the land. Although I was only there in careful observation. Some sections were the summer months, in 1958 I began to built on a straight line, while others mean­ think about growing an arboretum from der with no clear direction. None of the seed. I longed to try all the beautiful plants walls· were built with a straight finish line I had seen at Longwood Gardens, Win- along the top. Consequently, the tops un­ dulate gently, although the fields them­ Butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa, is one of selves are reasonably level. Most of our the wildflowers that light up the summer meadows at Barnard's Inn Farm on Martha's walls are only about four feet high, because Vineyard. the loose arrangement of the stones will Pamela Harper

American Horticulturist 23 lUGHT: A tall stone gatepost stands beside a lichen- and clematis­ covered wall. FAR RIGHT: Granite walls owe much of their color to the crustose lichens that grow on their rough surfaces. The large, tapering rock at the center still shows the drill marks created when the rock was split.

Michael Selig

not tolerate too great a height. between the rocks, al1d the wind makes The early settlers moved the rocks by blowholes where the builder left openings means of a stone boat, resembling a rud­ too large to hold snow. A blizzard can pile derless sled and pulled by mules or oxen. up the snow on the lee side of a wall in They built the walls over a trench that had sharp, edged peaks, like egg whites ready been dug to a depth of one foot and filled for a souffle. The walls are like lace, with with two- to four-inch stones and pebbles. open spaces between the solid frame, and The heaviest boulders were laid on top of are more fragile than their bulk suggests. this foundation, and gradually more wieldy There is a balance in the whole; take down rocks were placed upon the lower ones. two stones from the top, and three more Small broken pieces were wedged here and may drop at your feet. They should be put there, and long rocks were placed some­ back so that their combined weight and times vertically, sometimes horizontally and balance will firmly support one another sometimes on an angle. Wall building is agam. an art as well as an engineering feat, but Most of the rocks used were boulders most of all, it is a creative undertaking. known as glacial pebbles, rounded by time Nowadays, a team of two men-one with and rough weather and transported to their a tractor and another with a crowbar­ resting places by the glaciers of the last ice can build a wall. age. The rounder the rocks are, the more Old granite is beautiful and many-col­ difficult they are to balance, especially if ored. It comes in blackish-gray, reddish­ they are enormously heavy. Occasionally, gray and greenish-gray. Much of the color a rock that was originally planned for a is provided by different species of crustose doorstep, a post or a foundation stone, and lichens, mellowed by shadows as the sun that had been damaged during the drilling moves over them. Snow falls in the crevices and cutting operation, was used in a wall.

24 August 1984 Hollen Johnson

American Horticulturist 25 TOP RIGHT: An arbor of European hornbeam, Carpinus betulus. FAR RIGHT: Limbed-up Nyssa sylvatica trees lining the wall of the west fi eld provide welcome summer shade. The Stewartia forest is on the right, and the Far Barn and the el field are in the distance. BELOW: Prunus maritima, commonly called beach or shore plum, produces a cloud of white blossoms in spring.

26 August 1984 In winter, when the grass is down, the bri er, Smilax rotundifolia. A young teen­ wa lls appear taller than in summer. They age visitor eagerl y hacked at a large tangle are comforting then, in their secure stu r­ hi gher than his head with a small machete diness, obli vious of storm and gale winds. until he became discouraged and we came Deep in the woods beyond them, we see to his rescue. We uncovered a large open­ the retrea ting tree trunks of our forest, but ing in the wall, which gave new access to the wall s divide the fields from the wild, the woods from our field. We had never mysterious woods. known it was there, so high and thick was Rocks fres hl y dug fro m the ground are the catbrier. O ld , hand-forged ga te hinges usuall y rusty-brown in color. In two or were found lying in th e opening. In th e three years they match the other boulders process of clearing the mess, we also di s­ of dappled gray. In a few more yea rs they covered treasures from our local farm ga ther li chens and develop a greenish cast, dumps, including whisky, ink and bluing shifting in color with the seasons and th e bottles. humidity. Often, on a rainy day in March, The cleaning up and clearing of the walls both the walls and tree trunks shine with invited the presence of new plants. The the green of li ving pl ant ti ss ues, bringing walls' rectangular forms of various di­ hope and cheer after a long New England mensions came to be the backbone of my winter. landscape plan. One year we had the tops of the wall s The walls enclose the smallest field where repaired, since they had become snaggle­ the apple orchard once grew. The last ap­ toothed. On either side of the wall , often ple tree fell down in the 1930s, but the hidden by an accumulation of leaves, were wind shelter provided by those four walls rocks that had tumbled to the ground from and the comparati ve richness of the soil the top. Some had been knocked over by called fo r the placing of my nursery in that deer jumping the wall s. Others had been fie ld . Here I would plant my seeds. To thrown off balance by the heaving of fro­ screen this area fro m the road, 1 built an zen ground. In many cases, a tree had grown arbor just inside the wall. Passers-by, if too close to the wall so that its roots un­ curious, could watch the arbor take its dermined the all-too-precari ous balance of fo rm but could not see the nursery activity the rocks above. Branches, tossed down beyond the arbor. by the gales and icy winds of winter, had The years passed quickly, and as my also fallen from the trees onto the walls, seedlings grew, I planted them out in the causing rocks to fal l. All these rocks were fields. from the beginning, my plans fo­ retrieved and laid in the open on one side cused on the walls, leaving the centers of of the wall. Our helper was an artist, carver the fields open. I was reluctant to make of wooden birds, house-painter and col­ changes in the familiar aspects of the farm, lector of Indian relics. He leveled the tops but there was a field to which no one paid of the walls, making them beautiful in their much attention, just west of the nursery new repose and finish. field ; it became the arboretum field . After exploring the neglected, weedy One long wall on the west side of the fields one day, my young family and I de­ arboretum field is planted with a band of cided to " liberate" the stone walls. Some nearly all our native azaleas, from the ear­ were buried in thickets of poison ivy six liest-blooming Rhododendron vaseyi, to , feet high, with runners reaching as much the latest R. prunifolium. The wall protects as 20 feet into the field. Julian, my hus­ them, and they are sheltered and mulched band, used a three-gallon tank with bag from above by several large, old oak trees. after bag of Ammate to kill the ivy. The When blooming, the dainty rose-to-white rest of us, armed with loppers and ma­ blossoms are shown to advantage against chetes, were the back-up crew. We cut down the gray, lichen-covered granite. Various the trashy volunteers and suckers of wild conifers, grouped in a ring around the open cherry, locust and arrowwood. Each sum­ center of the fi eld, seem well adapted to mer we cleaned up a new stretch of wall. these conditions. Indeed, Japanese um­ We preserved the red cedar (Juniperus vir­ brella pine, Sciadopitys verticiliata, and giniana), and shad bush (known locally as Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica, seem wild pear) and the high bush blueberry. to grow better here than on the mainland. We did not disturb the tallest trees- the A short wall on the east side of the ar­ black locust and the finest spreading black, boretum field runs under two 40-foot black red and white oaks. The clearing continued oak trees. Between the oaks is an aston­ until all the walls were free of poison ivy. ishing great-leaved magnolia, Magnolia Next we took on the thorny tangle of cat- Continued on page 42

American Horticulturist 27 s I kneel in the ditch to observe the lilies, I try to keep my knees from A touching the soaked soil. Sweat bees land on the yellow flowers and search for pollen. One of the bees, its black body dusted with yellow pollen, lands directly on the flower stigma, which it is unable to distinguish from an anther. As the bee gropes, some of the pollen collected from another flower adheres to the sticky stigma and cross-pollinates the flower. Roadside ditches are an ideal habitat for TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY plants that prefer moist but well-drained BY RICHARD M. ADAMS, II soil, and the native North American lilies are no exception. Their underground bulbs sprout 12-foot stalks under these condi­ tions. The stalks are tiered with whorls of leaves and bedecked with yellow, orange or red sprays of flowers. Here, among the beer cans and asphalt, are flowers as pretty as those in any florist's refrigerator. Eight species of lilies grow wild in the eastern United States. They are found all the way from Canada to the Gulf Coast, and from the Atlantic shores to the mid­ western prairies. Two of these species, called the upright lilies, have distinctive, upward­ pointing, bowl-shaped flowers. They are closely related but easy to tell apart: the wood lily, Lilium philadelphicum, has whorled leaves and straight petals; the pine lily, L. catesbaei, has separate leaves and flower petals that curve downward at the tips. The other six species, called the nod­ ding lilies, have pendant flowers, as their name suggests. They, too, are closely re­ lated but are harder to distinguish than the species of upright lilies. Their downward­ pointing flowers are yellow, red and all shades in between. The three sepals and three petals, termed tepals because they look almost alike, curve up and back in varying degrees. The curving tepals form flowers that are thimble-, bell- or turk's­ cap-shaped. Since the seventeenth century, people have been debating over how the native North American lilies should be classified and how they are related to one another­ that is, whether certain lilies should be called species, subspecies, varieties or forms. Peo­ ple have often found it difficult to identify a particular plant as one species or an­ other, since some plants show character­ istics of both. It is evident that some of the species hybridize where their ranges over­ lap. These hybrids do not fit descriptions in books. W. B. Turrill, in A Supplement to Elwes' Monograph ofthe Genus Lilium, summed it up when he said, "The North American lilies of the Lilium canadense group are taxonomically exceedingly dif­ ficult and diverse opinions have been ex­ Lilium michiganense pressed as to the best way to classify them."

28 August 1984 To help settle these arguments, we need to look beyond the characteristics them ­ selves and ask, " What evolutionary forces shape and separate the species?" This is where my sweat bee observations pl aya role.

Species & Evolution As a species' environment varies, so does the species. Gradual changes in ecological factors, such as temperature, soil type, pre­ dominant pollinator or moisture, can ca use a cline-a gradual change in the charac­ teristics of the species. (The American Her­ itage Dictionary defines cline as "a series of differing characteristics within members of a species or population res ulting fro m gradual changes or transiti ons in the en­ vironment.") Such gradual changes make it difficult to separate or identify individual species, and are a major reason why the Lilium superbum. Turk's cap or swamp members of the nodding lil y species are so lil y, with its reddish-orange, recurved te­ difficult to distinguish. The following de­ pals, looks very much like L. michiga­ scriptions of the six indivi dual species of nense, the prairie lily. L. superbum is found nodding lilies and a few of their subspecies in eastern temperate fo rests from Cape Cod provide a good example of the difficulties almost as far south as the Gulf Coast. Un­ involved in the identification of lil y species. like its look-alike, it is often found growing in sopping wet soils. Although it grows in LiJium canadense. Commonly called Can­ swamps, lowlands and ditches, it seems to ada lily, this species is found from Nova prefer dampness resulting from moving, Scotia to the southern end of the Appa­ and thus well- aerated, water. Abundant lachians, and as far west as Ohio. The bell­ water and sun produce vigorous stalks that shaped flowers exhibit a range of colors, reach above a man's head and bear a dozen from lemon-yellow in New England to or­ or more fl owers. ange and cherry-red in the western por­ L. superbum can be distinguished from tions of their range. This gradual change prairie lily by looking closely at the flow­ in color may be due to pollination factors. ers. Swamp lily 's flowers are red, orange Sweat bees, which are known to see yellow and yellow inside, instead of almost solid much better than red, are important pol­ orange, and have a small green triangle at linators in the East; hummingbirds, which Lilium superbum the base. The two speci~s do not seem to are attracted to red flowers, play an im­ hybridize; their distributions do not over­ portant pollinating role in the western end birds are more abundant and reliable than lap significantly, and they bloom at dif­ of the plant's range. Two subspecies are another important lily pollinator, the sweat fer(lnt times-L. michiganense in early July, recognized on the basis of these color ex­ bee. Sweat bees are slowed down by the L. superbum in late July. tremes: the red-orange L. canadense subsp. cooler mountain temperatures and, as Butterfly pollination may help explain editorum, and the yellow L. canadense ground dwellers, find it hard to build nests the recurved tepals of some lily species, subsp. canadense. in the rocky terrain. although sweat bees and hummingbirds A cline exists between the Gray's lily and also pollinate them. A fritillary butterfly Lilium grayi. Named in honor of its dis­ the Canada lily; where their ranges over­ will sip nectar through the "back door" coverer, Asa Gray, Gray's lily is a rare, lap, plants with intermediate characteris­ of a Gray's lily bloom by inserting its pro­ high-elevation species found in the Blue tics are evident. As you travel toward the boscis between the tepals and retreating R.idge Mountains of Virginia and North higher elevations, you will fine plants with without pollinating the flower. The re­ Carolina. Its flowers seem well adapted to flowers that are too narrow to be called curved tepals of L. superbum force the pollination by hummingbirds not only be­ bell-shaped (as the wildflower books de­ butterfly around to the front of the flower, cause of their red color, but also because scribe Canada lily), but too wide to be where its wings contact the anthers and die flowers point outward mon~ than other described as thimble-shaped (a common stigma, and cross-pollinate the flower. species, making it easier for the birds to description of Gray's lily). There is a grad­ visit. Also, the narrowed, thimble-shaped ual chaRge in the species, for there is a LiJium michauxii. Commonly called Mi­ corolla of this species aids pollination by gradual chang(l in the importance of their chaux's lily, this species is also called south­ directing a bird's beak toward the anthers. respective pollinators-sweat bees at ern swamp lily, because it looks like L. super­ Why would a lily evolve to attract hum­ lower elevations, hummingbirds at higher bum, swamp lily, and is common in the South. mingbirds? In the mountains, humming- elevations. L. michauxii seems better adapted to drier soils

American Horticulturist 29 cause leaf-yellowing. This situation can be alleviated by adding peat, sulfur (one ounce per square yard) or chela ted iron to the soil. Native lilies are adaptable to soils of all textures, from sandy soils, to silts, loams, peats and even heavy clay. Heavier soils may lack adequate drainage and may not be well aerated. Ideally, the soil should be both well aerated and moisture-retentive. Add organic matter to increase the water­ holding capacity of the soil. Drainage can also be improved by planting in raised beds.

Planting. Fall is the best time to plant or move lily bulbs. Lilies look best if planted Lilium iridollae in groups of five or more. Start by digging a hole twice the diameter of the bulb and than does L. superbum; its stalks are short, each other? If hybrids are intermediate and slightly deeper than the r·ecommended typically under three feet tall, and it bears only can survive only where the environment is planting depth, as determined by the fol­ a few thick, almost succulent leaves. Its flow­ intermediat€, it is probably advantageous lowing formula: Plant a mature bulb with ers are usually borne singly, and there aresel­ if fewer unfit hybrids are produced. Such its top at a depth 2% times its height. For dom more than three flowers per stalk. All of isolating mechanisms restrict hybridiza­ example, a two-inch-high bulb would be these features reduce water loss and help the tion and can help identify species and settle planted with its tip five inches below the species adapt to the dry slopes, from the arguments about classification. In this case, surface, requiring a hole at least eight inches southern Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, they help justify calling L. michiganense a deep (five inches for covering soil, plus two where it is found. Perhaps to compensate for species rather than a subspecies or a variety inches for the bulb's height, plus one inch the plant's drought-imposed small size, the of L. canadense. This isolating mechanism for fill). Seedlings and very young bulbs flowers are large, showy and fragrant-all is incomplete, however, and some L. can­ should be planted closer to the surface; the features that help attract pollinating sweat adense X L. michiganense hybrids have plant has contractile roots that will actu­ bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. been found. These intermediate plants can ally shorten, pulling the bulbs down as they Seldom do L. michauxii and L. super­ survive only where the environment, too, mature. Fill in the bottom of the hole with bum hybridize; the former grows in dry is intermediate, along the boundary be­ loose soil, set the bulb upright, spread out soils and blooms in early August, while tween the temperate forest and the prairie. its roots and add soil slowly. Be sure not to the latter grows in wet soils and blooms leave any air space. Label the planting so in late July. LiJium iridoJ/ae. Pot-of-gold lily is a den­ you can tell what it is and will know where izen of Gulf Coast swamps. Just described the bulbs are when they are dormant. LiJium michiganense. Prairie or Michigan in 1946, it is found only in a small area lily is found in the midwestern prairie re­ of Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Light. Ideally, plants should be located gion, where soils are drier and more al­ Like L. superbum, it prefers moist con­ where the shoots can receive full sun but kaline than in the eastern temperate for­ ditions, but it has mostly yellow flowers. where the soil is shaded by small shrubs ests. The prairie lily, with its thicker leaves Its thickened leaves and fragrant flowers or other plants, both of which help keep and higher soil pH preference, seems resemble those of L. michauxii. Hybrids the soil cool and reduce water loss. In adapted to this habitat. Its evolution has between L. superbum and L. michauxii warmer climates, some protection from the favored no single pollinator; sweat bees, do not look like L. iriodollae. The origin hot afternoon sun is beneficial. butterflies and hummingbirds all visit the of this rare species, which is being consid­ orange flowers. ered for listing as Endangered, remains a Hardiness. Temperate lily species become Environmental conditions can also help mystery. dormant in the winter. They require a cold separate species, as in the case of Lilium period (vernalization) for normal growth michiganense and L. canadense subsp. ed­ and flowering the next year. In nature they itorum. On the eastern end of the prairie Culture experience temperatures from near freez­ lily's range, where the midwestern lime­ ing (L. iridollae near the Gulf Coast, stone soils give way to the eastern sand­ Lilies look lovely not only in roadside U.S.D.A. Zone 9) to AO° F (L. canadense stone soils, soil acidity and moisture con­ ditches, but also in gardens or wooded in southern Canada, U.S.D.A. Zone 2). In ditions help separate the prairie lily from areas. Here are some suggestions for grQw­ my experience all species are hardy in ith­ the Canada lily. Flowering time also helps ing them. aca, New York (_20 0 F, U.S.D.A. Zone 5). separate these two species. Throughout (L. iridollae was not evaluated.) most of their ranges, they bloom at about Soil. All of the eastern American lily spe­ When newly planted bulbs face a severe the same time; however, as the range of cies prefer acidic soils, except L. michi­ winter with slight snow cover, apply a one­ one approaches the range of the other, ganense, which grows in soils of' approx­ to three-inch layer of leaves, evergreen prairie lily blooms earlier and Canada lily imately neutral pH. In cultivation, all are branches or other mulch. Well-established blooms later. This phenomenon is called adaptable to a slightly acidic pH of 5.0- lilies do not usually need mulching. Good character displacement. 6.5. Alkaline soils, with a pH of 8 or greater, drainage improves winter hardiness; water Why are the two species trying to avoid may reduce the availability of iron and expands as it freezes, and in the winter,

30 August 1984 waterlogged soil may heave and split the their pollen. Refrigerated, pollen remains faster on plants grown close together. Keep bulbs. viable up to 10 months; frozen, up to two the soil constantly moist, but make sure years. To pollinate the seed parent, open the pot is not standing in water. Fertilize Propagation. Lilies can be propagated a mature bud, remove the anthers, and the plants when growth is active. Reduce asexually by separation, scaling and tissue brush pollen over the stigma with pieces water after flowering; lilies in pot culture culture-methods that retain the charac­ of pipe cleaner or another disposable ap­ tend to die back at this time. Overwinter teristics of the parent but also transmit any plicator. To prevent contamination, don't the pots in a cool (under 40° F) location­ fungal or viral diseases to the offspring. use the same applicator for more than one a cold frame, cool greenhouse, garage or Sexual propagation, by seed, stems the kind of pollen, and wash your hands after outdoors; the bulbs can survive frost. transmission of these diseases and will also each pollination. To get the most seeds, result in variations in the offspring. spread pollen over the entire stigmatic sur­ Fertilization. Lilies grow in spite of the Eastern American lily species, with few face. Cover the stigma with foil, or the poor soils in which they are found in the exceptions, are stoloniferous and produce entire flower with a bag, to guard against wild, where the levels of nitrogen, potas­ a new bulb every year. (The stolons in the insect-caused pollination with other plants. sium and phosphorus are often too low to exceptions-L. michauxii, L. philadelphi­ You will know when fertilization has been be detected in soil lab analyses. Early plant cum and L. catesbaei-are very short.) successful and it is safe to remove the cover, explorers, noting these poor soils, incor­ Vigorous plants often produce two or more because the flower will fade rapidly, the rectly deduced that cultivated lilies do not new bulbs, evident from the multiple shoots flower stalk will bend back and the ovary need much fertility. Although lilies may that appear close together. These plants will swell. Gather seed just before the cap­ not be able to compete with other plants can be divided to produce new clumps. sule splits open, in a few weeks. on more fertile soils, they benefit from fer­ A lily bulb is a dense cluster of scales, In nature, the seeds of eastern American tilization when cultivated and removed from which are actually modified leaves that are lily species fall to the ground in late sum­ competition. Fertilize in early spring with specially suited for over-winter food stor­ mer, are stimulated to germinate by the a balanced fertilizer. Over-fertilization, age. When broken off the bulb, scales start winter cold, and germinate the following particularly with nitrogen, often results in growing one or more bulblets near their spring. You will be unable to tell the seeds basal rot. bases. These bulblets eventually grow into have germinated until the following year, new plants. though, because the first year's growth is Viruses. Native lilies are highly susceptible Scale-propagated plants will generally a bulblet that remains underground all to viruses. Leaves may become streaked or produce above-ground growth within one summer and does not send up leaves until mottled, and the bulbs may weaken and year and will flower within two. Scaling the second spring. Germination is thus simply disappear. There is no cure, so in­ may be done just after flowering, while the termed hypogeal, from the Greek hypo, fected bulbs must be destroyed. As a pre­ stem is still green; but, for better results, meaning under, and geos, meaning earth. ventive measure, plant native lilies away wait until the stems begin to die down. Dig Each fall at the Oregon Bulb Farms, a top from fancy-named hybrids. Hybrid lilies up the bulb, remove the desired number lily grower, millions of seeds ripen. They are tolerate viruses, often without showing of scales, dust the scales and bulb wounds immediately dried and stored in huge freezer symptoms, and nearby species can become with fungicide, and replant the bulb, which rooms. Frozen, the seeds remain viable for infected when the virus is transmitted by will not be injured if only a few scales are 20 years. Seeds are planted in February. The aphids. removed. Plant the scales an inch or less as-yet unapparent hypogeal seedling bulb­ apart in rows six inches apart, and cover lets are vernalized over the winter and then them with about one inch of soil. The scales planted in the ground the following Feb­ Conservation may produce some growth above ground ruary, having spent one year in the seed flat. before fall. Just before frost, cover them (These planting times for Oregon's mild cli­ To the conservationist's consternation, most with an additional two to three inches of mate may, of course, need to be adjusted people acquire these lovely native lilies by soil and two to three inches of mulch. In for your local conditions.) digging them up in the wild or buying col­ spring, remove the mulch before growth Before sowing seed, dust it with a fun­ lected plants from a nursery. Collection begins. The bulblets may be moved to per­ gicide such as Captan or Thiram by putting reduces the numbers of plants in wild pop­ manent locations the next fall. the seeds and fungicide in a bottle and ulations, and adds species to rare and en­ Lilies can also be propagated by seed, shaking. Sow the seeds about six inches dangered lists. To combat this problem, but they will produce few, if any, seeds deep in a sterile, light, soilless mix or in the New England Wild Flower Society has when pollinated by the same plant or clone. fine vermiculite. Premoisten the medium helped fund research in tissue culture Since they require pollen from a different and let it drain until damp. Place the con­ propagation of these rare lilies. Seven clone for effective pollination, they are called tainer in a perforated plastic bag to help beautiful cultivars, which were originally self-incompatible or obligate outcrossers. keep the medium moist. collected by the author, have been named To make cross-pollination (rather than self­ and propagated by tissue culture. The pollination) even more certain, the anthers Pot Culture. Lilies are easy to grow in pots availability of tissue-cultured plants will on a given flower mature before the stigma. if they have good light, good drainage and allow gardeners to acquire native lilies This charactel'istic is called protandry, from fertile soil, and are provided with the win­ without contributing to their disappear­ the Latin pro, meaning first, and andros, ter dormancy p{lriod they require. Use pots ance in the wild. (See the Sources section meaning male. eight to 10 inches or larger, and plant sev­ on page 37 for a brief description of these To pollinate the flowers, first gather pol­ eral bulbs to a pot for fullness. Soilless cultivars and for information on how to len from the pollen parent by removing mixes are excellent; they provide good order them.) f~ the unopened anthers and drying them on drainage and are well aerated. Be prepared clean paper in a warm, dry atmosphere. to control pests such as aphids and diseases Richard M. Adams, II, is the curator at the As they dry, the anthers op{ln and shed such as botrytis; infestations can build up . Mt. Cuba Center in Greenville, Delaware.

American Horticulturist 31 Horticultural Explorations Classifieds

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------American Horticulturist 33------I CLASSIHEDS

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Plas- HERB & PERENNIAL FAIR tic pots, hanging baskets, peat pots, etc. . . . 40¢ PHALAENOPSIS (MOTH) ORCHIDS September 7, 8 and 9. 10:00 a.m. to 5 :00 p.m. stamps for postage. PLANT COLLECTIBLES, Blooming size, postpaid $9.50 each, minimum Large selection for sale, many rare. 200 + dif­ 103E Kenview Ave., Buffalo, NY 14217. order three plants. 10 mixed seedlings $35.00. ferent herbs, 300 + different perennials. V3 never INTERESTED IN A SHADY DEAL? Catalog $1.00 credited on first order. See the World's Fair in New Orleans, plan weekend before grown in U.S plus, geraniums,rock gar­ Protect your plants from blistering sun with visit to GREEN VALLEY ORCHIDS, Rt. 1, den plants, African violets and many, many more. SHADE CLOTH. Write or call (collect (404) Box 233 S, Folsom, LA 70437. (504) 796-5785. Workshops, doorprizes. For info write: WREN­ 778-8654) 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. e.s.t. weekdays WOOD, Rt. 4, Box 361, Berkeley Springs, WV for FREE informational kit. Your custom fab­ PLANTS-RARE BUT AFFORDABLE 25411. Or call: (304) 258-3071. ricated order, complete with reinforced binding Extensive selection: • American Natives • Out­ HERBS and brass grommets, is normally shipped within standing Ornamentals • Uncommon Conifers • 10 days. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. LA VENDER, POTPOURRI, HERBS, spices, Wild Fruit • Hardiest Eucalyptus • Wildlife Plants Economical, effective, long lasting, practical, and '. Affordable containerized starter-plants. In­ essential oils, fixatives, herb books, gifts, crafts, a proven way to create a more beautiful, healthy, dried flowers/wreath supplies. Quantity dis­ formative catalog-$1.50. FORESTFARM, 990 and efficient greenhouse. Used also as patio shade, Tetherah, Williams, OR 97544. counts. Catalogue $1.00. Potpourri Crafting protective bird netting, tarpaulin and swimming Booklet $3.50. TOM THUMB WORKSHOPS­ pool cover. Mastercard and Visa. YONAH PLUMERIAS AH, Box 332, Chincoteague, VA 23336. MANUFACTURING COMPANY, Box 280 SENSATIONAL OFFER! Over 45 Different va­ HOUSE PLANTS AH, Cornelia, GA 30531. rieties of Plumeria cuttings guaranteed true to NEW! Color catalog, 1984-86-$3.00, now lists name, many rare, some dwarf! Also hybrid seeds, JASMINES book on culture. Send SASE for FREE descrip­ 2,000 unusual Indoor Plants-Begonias, Exotics, Rooted camellia cuttings, named and labelled, Geraniums, Jasmines, Herbs. LOGEE'S tive price list. THE PLUMERIA PEOPLE, PO 10 for $7.50. Grand Duke or sambac jasmine, GREENHOUSES, AH, 55 North Street, Dan­ Box 720291, Houston, TX 77272. 4 for $6.00. List 25¢. Mrs. R. C. Welsh, Route ielson, CT 06239. 3, Box 1700, Madison, FL 32340. PUBLICA nONS ORCHIDS, GESNERIADS, BEGONIAS, CACTI EXOTIC FRUIT and VEGETABLES! Grow your & SUCCULENTS. Visitors welcome. 1984 Cat­ LILIES own! LIVING OFF THE LAND, Subtropic alog $1.25. LAURAY OF SALISBURY, Rt. 41 NEW HYBRID LILIES. Large field grown bulbs. Newsletter. Sample $1.00-MARIAN VAN (Undermountain Rd.), Salisbury, CT 06068 (203) List 25 ¢. SAXTON GARDENS, 1 First, Sara­ ATTA, PO Box 2131AH, Melbourne, FL32902- 435-2263. toga Springs, NY 12866. 2131.

34 August 1984 Its ~rm~t for the Very Finest in HELP WANTED HORTICULTURIST. Horticulture consultant NOW YOU CAN PRODUCE NEW Miniature Roses to work in ga rden center wi th customers to an­ HEALTHY PLANTS FOR LESS swe r lawn, garden and technical product ques­ THAN 1¢-NOT 25¢ or 30¢! ti ons. Send list of courses and res ume to : Di­ We carry the best rector of Education, FLOWER TIME, INC., YES-WE DO! 1178 Route 109, Lindenhurst, NY 11757. selection, featur- AQUAMONITOR GETS THE MAX­ PART TIME plant enthusiast needed to care for ~--''''R-~ ~"'I ing the very best pl ants in house and greenhouse regularl y one IMUM FROM THE SUN. IT AUTO­ day a wee k. Write: Lin coln Stevenson, Pin e Is­ MATICALLY SHADES WITH of the older and land, Rye, NY 10580. TIMELY BURSTS OF MIST-RAPID the very newest Ga rdener, dri ve r, caretaker, handyma n. Lovely GROWTH WITHOUT BURNS. seve n acres on ocean. Tropicals. Several rental varieties. cottages. Possibi lity wife part-time in house. YOU SAVE A "BUNDLE"-FUEL Owner travels a lot. Sma ll truck, modest cot­ BILLS DWINDLE. tage. Good salary. Vi ll a Narcissa, 100 Va nde r­ lip Drive, Palos Ve rd es, CA 90274. OUTDOORS OR IN YOU SAVE TIME AND MONEY.

RHODODENDRONS & AZALEAS NOTHING CAN COMPARE-NOT SPECIALI Z ING IN THE UNUSUAL. Dwarf EVEN COME CLOSE. Rhododendrons, Evergreen & Deci duous Aza l­ FREE BROCHURE DESCRIBES eas, Dwarf Coni fe rs, Compani on ·Pl ants. Ca t­ alog $1.00, refundabl e. THE CUMMINS GA R­ THE MARVELOUS PROPAGA­ DEN, 22 Robertsville Rd., Marl boro, NJ 07746. TION EQUIPMENT. Address (201) 536-2591. City VIREYA RHODODENDRONS: Adapted to warm er climates. Showy fl owers, rich fra­ State Zip grances. Outdoor, greenhouse, houseplant cul ­ ture. Mail Order onl y. FREE 1984 (Fall ) cat­ for~t Miniature Roses, Inc. ! alog. VIREYA SPEClALTIES NURSERY, Dept. 58 Hammond Street ! A, 2701 Malcolm Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90064. ------~-~:'::~~~,--~~-~~ ~-:~-~ ~~-~~~-~-~?-~?------j SEEDS WORLD'S LARGEST SELECTI ON of quali ty rare seeds from every continent. Thousands of hard-to-find exoti cs, tropicals, housepl ants, palms, fl owers, bulbs, hardy perennials, trees, llere. ferns, alpines, etc. Rare herbs, medi cinal, edible plants, European and Oriental vegetable va ri ­ eties. Hundreds of exclusives, all at reasonable American Horticultural Society prices. The world's most in fo rmative catalog, packed with illustrations, cultural and histori cal Fourth Western Regional Conference information, $1.00. WORLD SEED SERVICE, Box 1058-AT, Redwood City, CA 94064. "Urban Horticulture & The Sensible Gardener" TETRAPLOID DA YLILIES October 6-7, 1984 Over 450 hybrids; exotic new Tetraploid In­ in cooperation with troductions. Catalog $1.00, deductible with or­ der for plants. SEAWRIGHT GARDENS, 134 Fullerton Arboretum Indian Hill, Carlisle, MA 01 741, (617) 369- California State University 21 72. Visitors welcome! Fullerton, California TOPIARY Topiary Frames, animal shapes, geometrics. AHS Spring Symposium Write for brochure. Wholesale. Retail. TOPI­ ARY, INC., 41 Bering, Tampa, FL 33606. Los Angeles, California TREE PROBLEMS-BOTANICAL OR March 21-23, 1985 LEGAL For Directory of members of the American So­ ciety of Consulting Arborists-the experts in tree care and appraisals for legal matters, write: Mark your calendar ASCA, 315(AH) Franklin Road, North Bruns­ and watch American wick, NJ 08902. Horticulturist News WILDFLOWERS Edition for further Beautiful Gardens are easy with Wildflowers details! Call or write and Hardy Perennials. Husky field grown stock. Free Catalog, filled with helpful cultural infor­ the Society's Educa­ mation. BOEHLKE'S WOODLAND GAR­ tion Department . DENS, W140 NI0829 Country Aire Dept. A, Germantown, WI 53022.

American Horticulturist 35 Pronunciation Guide

The accent, or emphasis, falls on the Cordyline australis L. grayi L GRAY-eye syllable that appears in capital letters. cor-dec:-L Y-nee os-TRAIL-is L. iridollae L i-rih-DOLL-ee The vowels that you see standing alone Cornus kousa KOR-nus KOO-sa L. michauxii L mee-SHOW-see-eye L. michiganense L mich-i-gan-EN-see are pronounced as follows: Cryptomeria japonica krip-toe-MEER-ee-ah ja-PON-i-ka L. philadelphicum L fill-ah-DELL-fi-cum i-short sound; sounds like i in "hit" Cyathea medullaris L. superbum L sue-PER-hlum o-long sound; sounds like 0 in "snow" cy-AH-the-aht med-you-LAIR-iss Lithospermum lith-oh-SPER-mum a-long sound; sounds like a in "hay" Cyclamen persicum Macadamia integrifolia SYKE-Ia-meniSICK-Ia-men PER-si-kum mac-ah-DAME-ee-ah in-tegCri-FO-lee-ah Acacia ah-KA Y-see-ah Cynara sigh-NAR-ah M. tetraphylla m. te-tra-PHYLL-ah Aciphylla lecomtei Daphne DAFF-ne Magnolia macrophylla ak-i-PHYLL-ah lee-COM-tee-eye Disa uniflora mag-NOL-ya maGk-ro-FILL-ah Aletris ah-LET-triss DEE-sa ,you-ni-FLOR-ah Nasturtium officinale Antennaria an-ten-NAIR-ee-ah Disporum smithii nass-TUR-tee-um o-fiss-i-NAL-ee Aquilegia akitensis di-SPORE-um SMITH-ee-eye Nothofagus no-tho-FAG-uss ak-qui-LEE-jee-ah ah-kit-EN-sis Dryandra dry-AN-dra Nyssa sylvatica NISS-ah sil-VAT-i-ka A. flabellata var. pumila Embothrium coccineum Olearia oh-LEAR-ee-ah a. fla-bell-A Y-tah PEW-mi-Ia em-BOTH-ree-um cock-SIN-ee-um Ourisia our-RISS-ee-ah Asclepias tuberosa Epimedium ep-i-MEAD-ee-um Parahebe para-HE-be ass-KLEE-pi-uss too-bur- O-sa Erica mrnea Parthenocissus quinquefolia Banksia grandis BANKS-ee-ah GRAND-iss AIR-i-ka CAR-nee-ah par-thin-o-SIS-us quin-qui-FOL-ee-ah B. integrifolia b. in-teg-ri-FO-lee-ah Eucalyptus you-ka-LIP-tuss Phormium tenax FORM-ee-um TAY-nacks B. media b. MEE-dee-ah Finschia FIN-she-ah Platanthera lacera B. meissneri b. MICE-Ner-eye Galium boreale' pla-tan-THER-ah lah-CER-ah B.occidentalis b. ock-si-den-TAY-liss GAY-lee-urn bore-ee-ALL-ee Pleione PLEE-o-nee B. serrata b. ser-AY-ta Gentiana verna Potentilla po-ten-TILL-ah B. speciosa b. spee-see-O-sa jent-tee-A Y-na VERona Protea cynaroides Carpinus betulus car-PY-nuss BET-yew-Ius Gevuina avellana PRO-tee-ah cy-NAR-oh-eye-deez Cassiope cass-EYE-o-pee jev-YOU-ee-na av-el-LAY-nah P. nitida p. nit-EYE-dah Celmisia cell-MISS-ee-ah Gladiolus glad-ee-O-lus P. repens p. REE-penz Clematis montana var. rubens Grevillea robusta Prunus maritima PRUNE-us ma-RIT-i-ma CLEM-ah-tiss/clem-AT-iss mon-TAN-ah gre-VILL-ee-ah ro-BUSS-tah Ranunculus ra-NUN-kew-lus REW-benz Gunnera chilensis GUN-er-ah chi-lEN-sis Raoulia ra-OUL-ee-ah G. magellanica g. madge-el-LAN-i-ka Rhododendron atlanticum G. prorepens g, pro-REE-penz ro-do-DEN-dron at-LAN-ti-cum G. tinctoria g. tink-TOR-ee-ah R. prunifolium r. prune-i-FOL-ee-um Hakea HAH-kee-ah R. vaseyi r. VAZ-ee-eye Hebe HEE-bee Rhodohypoxis baurii Hedyotis caerulea row-do-hy-POCKS-iss BOW-ree-c:ye head-ee-O-tiss see-REW-lee-ah Robinia pseudoacacia Helicia diversifolia rob-IN-ee-ah sue-do-ah-CASE-ee-ah hel-ISS-ee-ah di-vers-i-FOL-ee-ah Saxifraga sacks-i-FRA YGE-ah Hemerocallis Sciadopitys verticil/ata hem-er-o-KAL-isslhem-er-OCK-a -!iss sy-ah-DOE-pit-us ver-tis-ill-A Y-ta Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia Serruria florida hicks-BEECH-ee-ah pin-at-i-FOL-ee-ah ser-REW-ree-ah FLOR-i-da Hypericum hy-PEAR-i-kum Shortia SHORT-ee-ah Iberis EYE-ber-iss Smilax rotundifolia Iris EYE-riss SMY-lax row-tun-di-FOL-ee-ah Juniperus virginiana Solidago nemoralis jew-NIP-er-us ver-jin-ee-A Y-na sol-i-DA Y-go nee-more-AL-iss Leptospermum scoparium Sphaeropteris medullaris THE WIDE, WIDE WORLD OF BULBS lit PLANTS lep-toe-SPER-mum sco-PAIR-ee-um spay-er-OP-ter-iss med-you-LAIR-iss Lists thousands of items. many rare, elUSive, and unobtain· Leucodendron leu-co-DEN-dron Spiranthes spy-RAN-theez able elsewhere. Plants, corms, roots, bulbs and tubers from the very finest U. S. and foreign growers. Orchids, bromeliads, Leucospermum argenteum Stewartia stew-ART-ee-ah insectivores, cacti, succulents, gesneriads, amaryllis, amids, leu-co-SPUR-mum ar-JEN-tee-um Telopea speciosissima gingers, herbs, lilies, perennials, wild flowers, ferns, irids, Dutch bulbs. PRICE: 85.00 (deductible) includes money­ Lilium canadense tee-lOW-pee-ah spee-see-oh-SISS-i-mah saving wholesale catalogs. LIL-ee-um can-ah-DEN-see Tropaeolum majus mITERNATIONALGROWERSEXCHANGE L. IZatesbaei L CATES-bee-eye tro-pee-O-lum MAY-jus P.O. Box 397-E, FARMlNGTON, MICHIGAN 48024 L. editorum L ed-i-TOR-um Vancouveria van-koo-ver-EE-ah

36 August 1984 Sources

THE DlSA ORCHID Readers interested in lilies may want to join the North American Lily Society, Inc. Chiltern Seeds (Bortree Stile, Ulverston, For information, write Mrs. Dorothy B. Cumbria LA12 7PB, England, catalogue Schaefer, Executive Secretaty, NALS, PO $1.50) offers Disa seed. They supply com­ Box 476, Waukee, IA 50263. plete and accurate germination instruc­ Anyone interested in growing and con­ tions with every packet. serving native wildflowers should consider Gardeners who would like to purchase joining the New England Wild Flower So­ Disa plants should write to Dr. Stouta­ ciety. For information, write New England mire, 3615 Mogadore Road, Mogadore, OH 44260. Wild Flower Society, Inc., Garden in the Woods, Dept. AHS, Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA 01701. NEW ZEALAND--A GARDEN TOUR Gardeners who would like to visit New NASTURTIUMS Zealand should write to one of the fol­ lowing New Zealand Government Tourist Nasturtium seed is readily available from Offices for more information. most garden centers, nurseries and mail­ New Zealand Tourist Office, Suite 970, order seed firms. The following companies Alcoa Building, 1 Maritime Plaza, San offer several cultivars. Francisco, CA 94111, (415) 788-7404. Agway, Inc., PO Box 487, Elizabethtown, New Zealand Tourist Office, Suite 1530, PA 17022, catalogue free. 10960 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, W. Atlee Burpee Company, Warminster, CA 90024, (213) 477-8241. PA 18991, catalogue free. New Zealand Tourist Office, Suite 530, Comstock, Ferre & Company, 263 Main 630 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10111, Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109, cata­ (212) 586-0060. logue free. For more information on the American Geo. W. Park Seed Company, Inc., PO Box Horticultural Society's October 15-No­ 31, Greenwood, SC 29647, catalogue vember 1 tour of New Zealand, write to free. the Education Department, American Thompson and Morgan, PO Box 100, Far­ Horticultural Society, PO Box 0105, Mount mingdale, N] 07727, catalogue free. Vernon, VA 22121, (703) 768-5700. (206) 424-5647 for a price list.) The following cultivars are available: THE PROTEA FAMILY BARNARD'S INN FARM Lilium canadense subsp. canadense 'Ten­ Protea family members are not readily Although Barnard's Inn Farm is a private Gallon Turkscap'. Petals and sepals un­ available through mail-order sources, but garden, Polly Hill does welcome visits from usually long and narrow, suggesting a gardeners in warmer regions of the country interested horticulturists and gardeners. To ten-gallon hat. may find them at local nurseries and gar­ make arrangements for a visit, write to L. canadense subsp. canadense 'Peaches den centers. In the Nortn, Grevillea seed­ Polly Hill in care of the American Horti­ and Pepper'. Peach-orange with a sprin­ lings can be found in some tropical plant cultural Society, PO Box 0105, Mount kling of fine spots. stores. The following companies offer seed Vernon, VA 22121. L. canadense subsp. canadense 'Melted of some of these beautiful plants. Spots'. Yellow flowers blackened inside ]. L. Hudson, Seedsman, PO Box 1058, with spots. Redwood City, CA 94064, catalogue L. canadense subsp. editorum 'Fire En­ $1.00. Offers an excellent selection of NATIVE LILIES gine'. Flowers bright red. Pro tea species and also lists Grevillea. B&D Lilies (330 P Street, Port Towsend, L. canadense subsp. editorum 'Chocolate Thompson and Morgan, PO Box 100, Far­ WA 98368, catalogue $1.00) is the only Chips'. Red flowers with unusually large mingdale, N] 07727, catalogue free. Lists retail mail-order source for the seven tis­ spots. Banksia and Embothrium. sue-cultured cultivars of North American L. grayi 'Gulliver's Thimble'. Vigorous International Seed Supplies, PO Box 538, lilies that have been released. (Wholesalers grower with large, bright red flowers. Nowra. 2541, N.S.W. Australia, cata­ can write to B&B Laboratories, 1600-D L. iridollae. An unnamed clone of this rare logue free. Offers Protea, Macadamia, Dunbar Road, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273, specIes. Grevillea and Telopea.

American Horticulturist 37 STRANGE RELA TIVES The Protea Family

Bonnie Stutski

ccording to Greek mythology, Pro­ Paintings made at the Cape were eventu­ most part, they are bisexual, although in teus was a prophetic old man of ally used to make engravings of these ex­ some instances male and female flowers Athe sea who could change himself otic plants. appear on separate plants. The fruits are into any shape he pleased. Appropriately, Eventually, the group of plants known nuts, drupes or capsules, and the seeds are Linnaeus selected the name Pro tea for a as Pro tea gave its name to the Proteaceae, often winged. group of South African plants of great va­ a family of some 55 genera and 1,200 spe­ Almost all Proteaceae are trees o'r shrubs riety that he knew only from a collection cies of trees and shrubs that ar:e found in with alternate, entire or variously divided of engravings. He included the proteas in southern Africa, Asia, Australia, and Cen­ leaves that are leathery and have a thick his Systema Naturae in 1735. tral and South America. They are espe­ cuticle. The leaves are also sometimes hairy. Dutch traders sailing around the Cape cially prevalent in areas with long, annual These characteristics aid in conserving of Good Hope first brought tantalizing dry seasons. The family provides numer­ water, an important adaptation that helps fragments of the bizarre and unknown Af­ ous examples of links between the floras these plants survive in their native rican flora to Holland and Britain in the of South America, South Africa, Australia environment. sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In­ and Asia. The genus Pro tea consists of 100 spe­ dividual specimens created a sensation, and The structure of the flower head is the cies, most of which are from the Cape re­ their uniqueness aroused a sense of won­ distinctive feature of the protea family. The gion of South Africa. Proteas are one of der. From the time the Dutch first occupied flowers, insignificant in themselves, are the most characteristic elements of the the Cape of Good Hope, they had assem­ often grouped in showy spikes or heads unique Cape flora. Of all the diverse plant bled portfolios of watercolors depicting the surrounded by rings of bracts. They are groups that make up South Africa's won­ flora and fauna of their distant outpost. petalless but have petal-like sepals. For the derfully rich flora, few genera are as widely

38 August1984 syrup, ca ll ed bossiestroop, was apparentl y an established custom by th e end of the seventeenth century. P. rep ens has the dis­ tinction of being the first Protea to be brought into flower outside of the Cape regIOn. P. nitida, with its sh ining white foliage, was introduced to Kew Gardens in 1787, and it flowered and produced seed in Eng­ lish greenh ouses. All forms of this species have a hi gh degree of fire resistance ; dwarf forms regenerate from basal lignotubers, whil e tree forms are protected by excep­ tionally thick layers of bark. In the twentieth century, botanical col­ lecting in So uth Africa intensified, and ex­ ploration in the Cape mountains and re­ mote areas brought forth new discoveries resulting in the addition of many new named species to the genus Protea. The macadamia nut, long considered one of the finest nuts in the world, is also a product of the protea family. Native to Australia, macadamia nuts were eaten reg­ FAR LEFT: Pro tea blossoms are a common sight in florist shops. The flower heads are at­ ularly by the aborigines. When European tractive fresh or dried. LEFT: Grevillea ro­ settlers arrived, they quickly developed an busta, silky oak, is an attractive ornamental appreciation for the nuts. In 1858 the bot­ in warm climates. It is grown for its fern-like anist Ferdinand von Mueller collected and foliage and showy blooms. ABOVE: Macada­ described the tree from which the nuts mia integrifolia, smooth-shelled macadamia, is the most commonly grown species in nut­ originate. He named it Macadamia, in honor Leon Nedbalek producing countries. of John Macadam, Secretary of the Phil­ osophical Institute of Victoria, Australia. There are 10 species of Macadamia. The known or as immediately recognized as try's national flower. only two having edible nuts are found on Protea. The solitary flower heads are said Of a'll the woody plants of the Cape the eastern slopes of the mountains along to look like glorified artichokes. The name region that could be pressed into service the east coast of Australia, an area covered given king protea, Protea cynaroides, is by the resourceful pioneers from the by a dense rain forest. They are M. inte­ based on this resemblance; Cynara is the Northern Hemisphere, proteas were the grifolia, smooth-shelled macadamia, and generic name for artichoke. The bracts­ most abundant and most readily available. M. tetraphylla, rough-shelled macadamia. the showy parts of the king protea's large Protea wood provided fires for warmth There is considerable variation within the flower head-are often rigid and rosy-pink, and for cooking. The bark was used for two individual species, which hybridize with silky hairs on the outside that overlap tanning, and the wood (notably from P. when grown close together. The tree is a one another like the scales of an artichoke. nitida, the wagon tree), for building wag­ small evergreen with whorled leaves and When heads of P. cynaroides open, they ons, small furniture and other small arti­ tasseled flowers borne in pendant racemes. are full of honey and are called honey pots. cles. P. repens, sugarbush, was one of the The flowers are followed by extremely hard­ James Petiver, an apothecary from Lon­ most heavily exploited shrubs during the shelled nuts in clusters of a dozen or more. don, published the first description of P. first 200 years of Cape Town's existence. The trees bear continuously when mature. cynaroides in 1698 from a dried specimen. The copious nectar produced by the flow­ Since ripe nuts are difficult to distinguish King protea was introduced to Kew Gar­ ers was thickened to produce a nutritious from immature nuts when still on the tree, dens in 1774. Although all the Protea spe­ syrup when other sweetening agents were the nuts are commonly harvested from the cies were thought of as South Africa's na­ unavailable. This syrup was later found to ground. The tree also yields fine-grained, tional flower, it was not until 1976 that be highly effective in curing coughs and reddish cabinet wood, but the most val­ P. cynaroides officially became that coun- other chest ailments. Preparation of this uable product from this tree is the nut crop.

American Horticulturist 39 STRANGE RELA TIVES

Macadamia seeds are reported to have Archipelago. In fact, after Acacia and Eu­ grown from seed, and its feathery foliage been first planted in Hawaii in 1878 and calyptus, it is the largest genus of woody is a pleasing addition to the indoor garden, in California in 1879. In Hawaii, maca­ plants in Australia. Its name honors an even though flowering cann0t be expected. damia trees were planted in the 1890s for eighteenth-century English patroN of nor:­ Banksia, a genus of trees and shmbs that reforestation projects, a use for which the ticulture and botany, Charles Francis Gre­ are widely distributed in Austr:alia, is dis­ tree proved unsatisfactory. They were also ville, vice-president of the Royal Society tinctive in several ways. It is named for Sir planted in gardens as an ornamental, and of London. Included in the 250 species of Joseph Banks, the famous explorer-bota­ in orchards as a source of nuts. Soon, thou­ Grevillea are evergreen trees and shrubs. nist who was r€! sponsible for many plant­ sands of macadamia trees were growing Many of the numerous species are re­ hunting expeditions sent out from England on the islands, and a nut industry devcd­ nowned for the ornamental qualities of in the eighteenth century. Banksia is con­ oped. The University of Hawaii undertook their: flowers and foliage; with few excep­ sidered symbolic of the Australian bush. a survey and evaluation of macadamias, tions, all have horticultural potential. New, Without exception, every species has hor­ then propagated the most promising types. selected varieties and garden-raised, named ticultural potential. The diversity of leaf In 1948 and 1952, these researchers in- hybrids are constantly being added to the shape alone makes Banksia a popular sub­ . troduced cultivars with the best produc­ lONg list of attractive plants in this genus. ject for floral artists. All species are par­ tion records and adaptability to Hawaiian The chief feature of Grevillea blossoms ticularly attractive to honey eat€!rs; hence climates. During the early years of the in­ is the fringed effect created by the long its name Australian honeysuckle. Drops of dustry, researchers discarded all M. tetra­ styles, which protrude tar above the gen­ nectar in the flow€rs attract both bees and phylla selections and restricted their at­ eral level of the flower cluster. The name birds in large numb€!rs. The 50 species of tention to M. integrifolia. Today, these spider flower, commonly given to mem­ small evergreen trees and shrubs in this cultivars of M. integrifolia have found fa­ bers of the genus, refers to these showy genus are also a source of tannin and of vor in all of the nut-growing countries that clusters. Individual flowers are grouped wood for furniture, pictur€ frames and have a tropical climate. The Hawaiian cul­ together in several ways: they may be pen­ shipbuilding. tivars were introdl!lced to California after dant or erect; some are borne in dense, Banksias are useful in tne garden and World War II. M. tetraphylla has proved cylindrical racemes or spikes, others, in a are a good source of cut flowers. Their to be better adapted to California's sub­ one-sided arrangement, like a toothbrush. popularity derives from the variety of forms tropical, warm dry climate than to Ha­ Some flowers produce nectar that is at­ found in the flower spike, and from the waii's climate. Researchers in Florida, where tractive to birds. bright red or yellow color. There may be the soils are different and the climate is Grevillea foliage is evergreen, shiny or as many as 1,000 individual flowers in one more tropical, are still testing to find silky-haired beneath, and variously dis­ spike, and, as in other plants of the family, adapted cultivars. sected, lobed or needle-like. Common the style is long and conspicuous. The leaves Macadamias have been growing for at names for some favorites are especially de­ of some species are smooth and shiny; others least 40 years in South Africa, where they scriptive: cat's claw, referring to the prom­ feel plush and have undersides that are pale seem to perform better thaD in their native inent style; prickly plume, in reference to or white with short, woolly hairs. Most Australia. It is estimated that South Africa both fl owers and leaves; orange pine, with species retain their winged seed, firmly is second only to Hawaii in the number of fiery orange cones of bloom and narrow, embedded in woody cones; seed is ex­ acres of macadamias under cultivation. pine-like foliage. tracted using special techniques. When a Besides South Africa and Australia, a few G. robusta, silky oak, is popular in its brush fire destroys the plant in the wild, other tropical countries also produce mac­ native Australia and in warm climates the seeds are released, and subsequent ger­ adamia nuts commercially. around the world. This species is the larg­ mination is prolific. Close kin to Macadamia are some other est of all grevilleas. Its silky wood and oak­ B. grandis, commonly called tall bank­ nut-bearing trees of the protea family. like grain make it a valued timber tree; it sia, is one of the largest species, reaching Gevuina ave llana, commonly called Chile furnishes excellent wood for cabinetwork. a height of about 40 feet. It has deeply hazel, is occasionally grown in Zone 10 Silky oak is used as a shade tree on tea indented, foot-long leaves, which are shiny regions of California. Its cherry-size fruit plantations to shield tea plants from the above and woolly beneath. The yellowish­ yields an edible kernel much like hazelnut tropical heat. In Australia it is recom­ green inflorescence is also about one foot in appearance and flavO£. This evergreen mended for parks, large gardens and broad long. B. meissneri has leaves tnat closely tree from southern Chile is also a source roads. G. robusta is particularly attractive resemble those of a fir tree. B. speciosa, of wood for furniture, picture frames, as an avenue tree in California, Hawaii the showy banksia, has narrow, eight- to shingles and small, turned wooden objects. and Florida in the early summer months, ten-inch, grayish-colored leaves that re­ The Finschia species hom New Guinea when the branches are ladeN with orange­ semble rickrack braid. Its thick, yellow and nearby islands are the source of seven fringed blossoms. These one-sided, four­ flower €ones attract honey-eating birds. kinds of edible nuts. The Australian red­ inch-long clusters of flowers, which ac­ The leaves of widely cultivated B. media nut, Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia, and Heli­ company the much-divided ferny foliage, are somewhat like oak leaves, and its flow­ cia diversifolia, both bear nuts tnat may are followed by leathery black seed cases ers are bright yellow. B. occidentalis has be eaten out of hand. A few other tropical that persist after the winged seeds have brignt red flowers. B. integrifolia, white genera produce nuts containing poisonous been shed. honeysuckle, yields tannin from its proc­ substances that must be removed by boil­ Although silky oak is a toO-foot tree in essed bark. The wood of B. serrata is used ing or roasting before the nuts are eaten. its native rang€!, two- or three-foot seed­ for furniture. All of these species have spikes The largest genus in the protea family lings have attained great popularity as in­ or cones that cut well and make interesting is Grevillea, from. Australia and the Malay door pot plants. The plant can be readily flower arrangements.

40 August 1984 All four species of Telopea, a genus of whose members are commonl y call ed pin­ evergreen shrubs from Australia and Tas­ cushion flowers. Leucospermum includes mania, are ornamental, and have been 40 species of erect or procumbent shrubs brought into garden cultivation in Aus­ th at bear globular, four-inch blooms with tralia. They bear brilliant red fl ower heads spiky red, pink, ye llow or orange styles. of considerable size and are found in areas Serruria florida, blushing-bride, is a fa­ that are subject to periodic burning-over; vorite flo wer for weddings and other fes ­ at the base of the plant they develop a tive occasions in South Africa. Nodding large, woody, fire-resistant excrescence, fl ower heads of crea my white flushed with known as a lignotuber, from which the pink are made up of papery, petal-like bracts plant renews itself after burning. surrounding a mass of pinkish hairs, whi ch T. speciosissima, commonl y called war­ are actuall y the true fl owers. These treas­ atah, is the state fl oral emblem of New ures fr om the Cape Provi nce are almost South Wales. A mature, well-grown, eight­ extinct. foot-tall plant may bear 400 globular flo wer The plants of the protea family are in­ heads in a season. The brilliant red fl owers comparable in ornamental value. They are are packed in broad cones with red bracts. striking in habit and foli age, occasionally Its leaves are long, smooth and tapering, even approaching the bizarre. The uniquely and toothed on the edges or lobed, with fas hi oned, often intensely colorful flower prominent veins. Waratah has been grown heads are spectacular. Many species of the for many years in Australi a; its blooms family-both Australian and Afri can na­ make excellent, long-lasting cut fl owers. ti ves- are grown in arboreta and public Waratah seeds are also commercially pro­ parks in tropical and subtropical climes. duced there. In their native countries, they ornament Another Australian genus, Hakea, con­ many private gardens. Many have been sists of about 100 species. The genus, whose introduced to warmer parts of the United members are commonly referred to as pin­ States-primarily California, Fl orida and cushion trees, was named in honor of Hawaii , and to a lesser extent, Nevada, Christian Ludwig von Hake, a German Arizona and Texas. patron of botany of the early nineteenth It has been said that members of this century. The spidery, clustered flo wers and family are difficult and challenging to grow. woody seed pods of Hakea, unlike those Some are more tolerant of cultivation than of Grevillea, have seeds with long terminal others. In general, many do seem to resist wings. Hakeas are recommended in Aus­ cultivation outside their natural range and tralia for gardens, parks and massed high­ habitat, but cultural instructions are avail­ way plantings. They are grown outdoors able for the persistent gardener. in the southern and southwestern United The commercial production of many States and are well adapted to Zone 10 species specifically for cut flowers and fo­ portions of California. They withstand liage has developed in the United States, slight frost and are drought-resistant. Australia, South Africa and Israel. In Aus­ Embothrium coccineum, Chilean fire tralia, species of Banksia, Telopea and tree, is widely grown in Irish gardens. It others are farmed for this purpose. A sim­ is also found in the Puget Sound area of ilar development has occurred in South Washington and in coastal gardens of Or­ Africa, where Pro tea, Leucodendron and D Please send me Free Catalog. egon and California. Brilliant crimson Leucospermum are now grown on a com­ D Please send me Mammoth Dar­ flowers-thread-like because of the long, mercial basis. Plantations of Banksia and win Hybrids /100. protruding styles-are massed in showy Dryandra in Hawaii supply the cut flower *Enclosed is check or money order dusters on this hardy (U.S.D.A. Zone 9) market there; cut Pro tea flower heads also for $15.95. and handsome plant from the Andes. originate in the San Diego area and other Leucodendron is a genus of small ever­ parts of California. The nursery industry, gn;len trees from Africa. These trees are too, is devoting special attention to these Name dioecious; that is, male and female flowers plants to meet an increasing market Address ______are borne on separate plants. L. ar­ demand. City ______- genteum, the silver tn~ e, is distinctive for With the well-established economic im­ State Zip ____ its softly hairy, bright silver leaves that portance of macadamia nuts, we can safely overlap each other closely and almost say that the protea family is in business! hide the thick branches. The silver tree ~ -Jane Steffey grows outdoors in Zone 10 portions of California. Jane Steffey serves as Ecditorial Advisor to Still brook Farm Also prominent among South African American Horticulturist and is an active AHS Maple St., 307-F, Litchfield, IT 06759 evergreens is the genus Leucospermum, volunteer.

American Horticulturist 41 BARNARD'S INN FARM

Pereooials: Continued from page 27 The plants in the Playpen-camellias, Plants for the '80's macrophylla 'Julian Hill', which bears 11- azaleas, compact rhododendrons, dwarf inch white flowers in June. When this tree conifers, spring species bulbs, choice hol­ A SYMPOSIUM was a small seedling, the walls protected lies and many plants of different textures Sponsored by The New York it from the north and east winds. Under and times of bloom-are all kept to scale. Botanical Garden, this sym­ the oaks and on either side of the magnolia, Some perennials, such as columbine, gen­ posium is designed to familiarize I planted a seedling group 6f the Choptank tian, Shortia and lilies, as well ascflowering professional horticulturists and River hybrids of the native coast azalea, shrubs, including Daphne and laurel, en­ advanced amateurs with new R. atlanticum. These natives from our home hance the wide borders on either side of a trends in the selection, marketing state of Delaware are well adapted here, central grass path. Clematis vines climb on and use of herbaceous perennials and mine have grown to over six feet tall. the wire. At the far west end, just outside for both residential and public When the lilacs have finished blooming, the Playpen, is a long stone seat at the edge landscapes. The symposium will these azaleas open their dainty pink and of the woods. One can sit there and, when be conducted at two sites: at The white blossoms and pour forth their fra­ the Playpen gates are open, see the wide New York Botanical Garden, grance. Once established, the azaleas never grassy path that leads through the Playpen, Bronx, New York on Saturday, need watering, weeding, spraying or prun­ the arboretum field and the nursery field September 29 and, in coopera­ ing, and the oak leaves that filter down all the way to the wall along oUf,highway tion with the American Horti­ keep them fed and mulched. The coast and over to the neighbor's field beyond. cultural Society, at Mount Vernon, azalea is strongly stoloniferous; it spreads Near the buildings the grass is mowed Virginia on Saturday, October 13 . into a solid bed of bloom in less than 20 occasionally, suggesting a lawn. However, For a brochure, write: years from seed. the centers of the largest fields, left rough Education Department Inevitably, with nearly 2,000 taxa to ac­ and mowed only once a year, are filled De New York commodate, I found that my plantings had with wildflowers and grasses from spring outgrown the arboretum field. Gradually, until fall. The wildflowers include brown­ Botanical Garden I spread out into the west field, the north eyed Susans, Queen-Ann's lace, natural­ Bronx, New York 10458 field, the el field, and even into the woods ized Siberian iris, goldenrod, green-fringed or call: (212) 120-8747 at Holly Park. orchids (Platanthera lacera) , ladies' -tresses One special planting can be seen along (S piranthes), Quaker-ladies (Hedyotis), the west wall of the vegetable field. Twenty pussy-toes (Antennaria) and the endless black tupelo, Nyssa sylvatica, were planted supply of asters and other New England in a lOO-foot row along the far side of the treasures. I have also added butterfly weed, wall. These trees, which are known on the colicroot (A letris) and other natives to these island as " beetlebung," have had all the fields from time to time. The walls embrace low branches pruned off and now provide all these lovely wildflowers and seem to a high canopy over their wall. Walking hold back the encroaching forest. along the path close beside the wall, look­ From our terrace off the transformed ing under the trees, one can enjoy the view cow barn, we see two sides of our el field over the field to the distant woods beyond. wall. These are decorated with clematis The beetlebungs make an informal hedge and daylilies during June, July, August and on stilts, creating welcome shade in sum­ early September. Beyond the field wall, we THE PERMANENT mer and superb color in the fall. can see the open area of the big west field. Another special garden, dubbed the This wide vista terminates in the quiet gray­ METAL GARDEN LABEL Playpen, is perhaps the biggest attraction green woods bordered by a strong hori­ for visitors. It is located at the south end zontal line of granite close to the earth, A-Hairpin Style Markers 30 $6.90 of the five-acre west field, which is walled giving a restful feeling of permanence. B-Plant or Shrub Labels 100 $5.70 C-Cap Style Markers 30 $7.00 in on all four sides. Paralleling the south Throughout the seasons, there is harmony D-Swinging Style Markers 30 $5.95 wall is a fenced area, 35 by 300 feet, with between plants and walls. In winter the E-Rose Markers 30 $6.60 F-Tall Display Markers 30 $9.25 gate openings at either end and in the mid­ tones are gray: the rocks are white and G-Tall Single Staff Markers 30 $6.75 dle. The fence wire is supported by posts H-Flag Style Markers 30 $5.50 gray, or black and gray, or greenish with J-Small Plant Labels 100 $5.65 that are joined and topped by a well­ lichens; the grass is yellowish-tan or pink­ K-Tie-On Labels 100 $6.60- M-Mlniature Markers 30 $5.60 weathered, flat board. Since the walls pre­ ish-tan against gray rocks. In summer there vent both deer and rabbits from entering, is a preponderance of green-rich, mixed Special Quantity Prices Available Postage Prepaid it is safe to plant the broad-leaved ever­ shades-studded with the colors of sum­ greens and other selected plants that are mer's flowers. In earliest spring, fragile Introductory Offer: 1 Each; A, B, C, D, E, H, J, K vulnerable to the appetites of wildlife. pinks, tan, chartreuse and white light up with Water-Proof Crayon Only $2.50 Full-sized conifers, planted outside the the gray. PAW PAW EVER LAST wall to the north, serve as a windbreak Apart from the colors, one is struck by LABEL COMPANY and provide a special atmosphere of shelter the forms of the individual boulders mak­ and seclusion. The waH, seen through the ing up the walls. There is an unchanging, P.O. Box 93-AH-2 Paw Paw, Michigan 49079-0093 wire, also gives architectural dignity to the timeless quality to their shapes. They have full length of this garden. unyielding surfaces and an unstructured

42 August 1984 The Pleasure mass-no tops, bottoms, fr onts or backs. backed by America n holli es, whi ch are in They are entirely impersonal. The plants, turn backed by a wall. of Flowers••• on the other hand, are always changing, The wa lls also create partitions between - QUALITY TOOLS uncertain, fragil e and vulnera ble. A plant di fferent scenes . Around the far end of the will either grow or die, whil e a rock always vegetable fi eld, fo r example, the path be­ - BE.AUTIFUL CONTAINE.RS keeps the sa me size and shape. The di ver­ yond the Stewartia fo rest lea ds th rough a - ACCE.SSORIE.S FOR YOUR sity of patterns created by the wall-build­ wall 's opening into the arboretum field. GARDE.N AND TABLE. ers is basica ll y the sa me today as it was Q uite unexpected is the sheltered stone 100 or 200 yea rs ago. ga rden, sli ghtly ra ised above the grass and - UNIQUE. GIFTS I sought the most elegant plant textures tu cked into a quiet corner of the wall be­ -AND, OUR and fo rms to contras t with my walls. Epi ­ side a swingi ng bench that is supported on mediums, maidenhair fe rn, Vacouveria . . . . old granite posts. O ne is invited to stop, NEW CATALOG All of these low, wild treasures look lovely rest and look at the minutiae of horticul ­ brought to you by the against a giant basal boulder. O n a tall er tu re- a coll ection of small rock plants. In distributors of the scale, the bright holl y berries of the de­ another field a camell ia border runs fo r ORIGINAL STEM STRIPPER ... ciduous winterberry-dainty and erect­ 150 feet on the north side of an east-west are at their best in the sunlight, planted wall, which protects the plants fro m the The Keth Company against a wall. In August, the sweet au­ hot March sun. It gives one such a sa tis­ tumn clematis vines tumble over both sides fy ing fee ling to see the glossy, sunlit ever­ Box 645. Dept. PH-3 of many walls in sheets of white fragrance. green leaf against the rough-s urfaced, im­ Corona del Mar. California 92625 Late in the autumn our nati ve woodbine, mobile stone wall. Camelli as, of course, PLEASE SEND $1 .00 Parthenocissus quinquefolia, drapes its are experimental here, but much has al­ REFUNDABLE ON YOUR FIRST ORDER PL£<.SE crimson-leaved strands along the walls and ready been learned, and many new seed­ PRlffT: Nam~ ______reaches high into the branches of the black lings have proved viable in our latitude.

A~~" ______locust, Robinia pseudoacacia. The animals that abound on the is land

a~ ______Some of the walls on Barnard's Inn Farm have developed thei r own specia l uses fo r can present a formal, dignified as pect, such the walls. Frightened rabbits leap to safety SLIIle. Zip ______as those on our frontage on the State Road. through their well -known holes between Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Backl When the grass strip between the bl acktop the rocks; rabbit-s ize holes are not big and the wall is mowed, and the entire wall enough fo r dogs. Deer approach the walls can be seen, passers-by often look over it cautiously, stop still, then spring effort­ r------' to see what is hidden behind the noble lessly to the other side. Mice and voles, in Lily Bulbs Grown granite structure. The pine trees look very their twilight travels, have made runways soft near the heavy wall, and the dwarf over the rocks-not over the top of the in Holland conifers look so sophisticated and elegant walls but along their sides, in well- traveled A wide se lection of Asiati c, when contrasted with the walls. routes. Skunks wi ll lumber along the length trumpet & Oriental hybrids. of a wall for 50 feet, until they find an I have made paths that are as basic to -- Highest Quality-­ the garden'S design as the walls. Many paths easy passage and escape out of sight on lead to openings in the walls and to new the fa r side. Quail, perched on the top of lowest Prices areas of interest. Some walls and paths are the wall, sing their cheery territorial call, No ne over $2.50 inseparable. When going in the same di­ " bob-white." They can be coaxed by an rection, one supports and reinforces the echoing whistle to run along the top for importance of the other. It is more inviting 30 or 40 feet. Cats go up and over the to follow a path to its destination with a walls in a kind of slither when on the prowl l wall at one's side. If a path leads to a wall through the fields. at a distance, a vista is created. For ex­ So, the walls offer more than a shelter r3 tufj/" ample, at Barnard's Inn Farm a long path from the wind; they become a textural set­ through conifers and rhododendrons leads ting fo r the contrasting forms of plants, a ~. to a large winterhazel bush in front of a home for wildlife, the structure of my gar­ 1432 Manor Lane wall. The wall is in view the length of the den's design. Quite simply, there never walk, but in early spring the delicate yel­ would have been an arboretum at Bar­ Blue Bell, PA 19422 low-green tassels of the winter hazel adorn nard's Inn Farm had we not been blessed o Please rush 'Bluebelllilies the gray wall, which can be seen through with our granite walls. 0 catalog. $1.00 enclosed. the bare branches of the tall shrub. More Name ______spectacular in bloom is the alice of kousa Polly Hill is an amateur gardener and has dogwood, Cornus kousa. The double row been a member of the American Horticultural Address ______of trees progresses through three fields and Sociery for many years. She is grateful to terminates at a boundary wall. At the end Longwood Gardens, the Universiry of City ______Delaware and many gardens and plant of this alice are three massive granite rocks, societies for teaching her much of what she Statet:.. ______Zip, ______the most aesthetic of our old, discarded knows about horticulture and for helping 1984104005 rock pile. They are grouped together and with plantings at Barnard's Inn Farm. ~.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.~

American Horticulturist 43 mE DESIGN PAGE Garden Gates

ou'd think that garden gates, es­ iron gate sets the mood for the more for­ pecially in the country, would be malized tone of the lawn and borders. From Y fairly common, wouldn't you? In the lawn, this same gate appears to fit well the small New England town where I live, with the herb garden's own style of I thought that with little effort I would formality. find attractive wooden gates, their white Unlike a door set in a wall, gates have paint peeling, or even the remnants of fili­ the obvious advantage of letting you glimpse greed wrought iron, rusty and made im­ what is to come, thus establishing a visual mobile by spider webs and a tangle of wild link between one garden area and the next. roses. Then, too, there is a moment just before Yet on a recent survey of the country­ you pass through the gate-when you look side, I was bewildered to find, instead of over it to the orchard billowing with white gates, a disproportionate number of soul­ bedstraw, Galium boreale, and goldenrod, less gaps-gaps in everything from listing Solidago nemoralis, and, turning back to picket fences to formidable stone walls, fasten the latch, catch a glimpse of the herb their hand-forged hinges rusty and useless. garden's golden Hemerocallis. Repetitive As the afternoon wore on, I began to colors aside, this simple act of turning back think that the opening and closing of gar­ establishes an even firmer link between these den gates had indeed become a lost art. disparate areas. But high on a hill with a view of the sur­ When a garden is laid out, all too often rounding valleys, I looked again 'at a field­ there is so much concern for what goes stone wall I had driven past a hundred into it that little attention is given to how times before, and noticed a gate set into and where it begins, or how to heighten the wall. the initial and final experiences. The act Once a crisp green, the gate was now of entering a garden-whether through a faded to the color of the lichen on the weathen;:d cedar gate or lilac hedge, or stones, and opened with the creaks and around the shade of a massive beech tree­ groans of old age. Here was a gate that becomes a dramatic metaphor. Here, we had welcomed generations of families from are told, is a separate place-a place where the orchard of apple trees and wildflowers solitude, peace and beauty can be found; beyond, into the formality of the enclosed a timeless place where one's spirit is herb garden. renewed. This hillside setting suggests that a gar­ One gardening friend, enamored with den's interest frequently depends upon the poetic imagery of gates, has playfully changes of mood and style, as well as adroit extended this garden gate metaphor. For transitions between informal and formal her, gates are synonymous with a child-. areas. In this case, we are led from the hood of gate-swinging and fences made meadow's dappled shade, through the green invisible beneath honeysuckle. Following gate into the sunny, geometrical confines what she described as a "lively debate" of the walled herb garden and out through with her husband, she removed a single a wrought iron gate to a lawn edged with hinge of the gate in the fence surrounding perennial borders. While the gates of this their front yard and left the gate hanging country garden were never designed to keep "in a most picturesque manner." Over the rabbits from devouring the herb garden's years, this perpetually open gate, en­ sorrel, they are extremely helpful in estab­ . meshed in honeysuckle and morning-glo­ lishing fluid transitions between three dis­ ries, has become an unchanging reminder tinct areas of the garden. of childhood and a symbol to friends of The green gate's pleasant rusticity is to­ this couple's constant and overflowing tally in keeping with the mood of the or­ hospitality. ~~ chard as one walks from the meadow. From -Margaret Hensel inside the walled garden, this same gate Garden gates come in all shapes and sizes. As all four of these garden gates suggest, a gate prepares one for the orchard. On the walled can set the m09d for a garden even before the Margaret Hensel is a landscape designer and garden's south side, the fanciful wrought visitor enters. writer living in Massachusetts.

44 August 1984

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