Allan Stavos Bulletin of the American

Vol. 36 Spring 1978 No. 2 The Bulletin Editor Emeritus DR. EDGAR T. WHERRY, Philadelphia, Pa. Editor LAURA LOUISE FOSTER, Falls Village, Conn. 06031 Assistant Editor VIKI FERRENIEA, Twin Brooks, RFD #1, Mason, Greenville, N.H. 03048 Contributing Editors: Roy Davidson Anita Kistler H. Lincoln Foster Owen Pearoe Bernard Harkness H. N. Porter Layout Designer: BUFFY PARKER Business Manager ANITA KISTLER, 1421 Ship Rd., West Chester, Pa. 19380 Contents Vol. 36 No. 2 Spring, 1978 Houstonia Longifolia—Maryann Collins 49 Those Commemorative Epithets—Howard Pfeifer 52 Granitic Flat-Rocks—John and Marie Wurdack 53 Early Plant Explorers of the Pacific Coast—Wayne Roderick 57 Daphne Cneorum and its Form, Eximia—James E. Cross 63 Two Dryland Ferns—Panayoti P. Callas 65 Rock Gardening in Boulder—P. P. Callas 69 Fall Crocuses—W. J. Hamilton Jr 71 A Woodland Aristocrat—Mrs. Ralph Cannon 79 Book Reviews: Handbook of American Gardens; Gardens in Winter 81 Of Cabbages and Kings: "Paradisia"—Frank Cabot; Androsace Chamaejasme —Harold Siebert; Dwarf Alders—Edith Dusek; Note from Alaska— Helen A. White 83

Published quarterly by the AMERICAN ROCK GARDEN SOCIETY, incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey. You are invited to join. Annual dues (Bulletin included) are: Ordinary Membership, $7.00; Family Membersliip (two per family), $8.00; Overseas Mem- bership, $5.00 each; Patron's Membership, $25.00; life Memlrership, $150.00. Optional 1st cl. delivery, U.S. and Canada, $3.00 additional annually. Optional air delivery overseas, $6.00 additional annually. The office of publication is located at 3 Salisbury Lane, Malvern, Pa. 19355. Address editorial matters pertaining to die Bulletin to the Editor, Laura Louise Foster, Falls Village, Conn. 06031. Address advertising matters to the Business Manager at 1421 Ship RdL, West Chester, Pa. 19380. Second class postage paid in Malvern, Pa. and addi• tional offices. Bulletin of the merican Rock Garden Society

Vol. 36 Spring 1978 No. 2

HOUSTONIA LONGIFOLIA

MARYANN COLLINS Apple Valley, Minn.

Having lived and gardened in New though they self-sowed, they always did England for most of my life, I have so with charm and restraint. had a long and intimate relationship In March of 1976 we moved to a with Houstonia caerulea, commonly suburb of Minneapolis, Minn. The called Bluets or Quaker Ladies. In May Midwest was virgin territory to me, these slender plants, with their four- and I was anxious for spring to come petaled light blue flowers, each centered in order that I could satisfy my with yellow, transform lawns and old curiosity regarding the area's native pastures into undulating sheets of pale plants. Most of all I wanted to visit blue by their sheer abundance. a prairie. As a child living in a suburb of Soon the snow melted and things Boston, I brought home mini-bouquets did not seem radically different. of Bluets and violets to grace my Granted, the sky seemed immense and mother's kitchen windowsill. As an adult the land was flat and open, but the gardening in the suburbs of Hartford, trees and shrubs which surrounded Conn., I grew them among more snooty homes and filled the wild places were alpines in the rock garden and allowed mostly familiar. My first concrete clue them to stay when they granted them• that something was amiss was when selves admittance to the sunnier parts I noticed Houstonia caerulea listed by of the primrose bed. They were prim a local retailer of wild and alpine plants and proper, knew their place, and under the heading "Collector's Plants"

49 for one dollar each. Was it possible an image left with me from reading that the abundant wildling that I had stories of prairie schooners and so recklessly walked upon by the hun• pioneers in times past. The directions dreds could be for sale at a dollar led us to what looked disappointingly a tuft? It seemed an insult to pay like a pasture and, indeed, adjacent and for what had always been a gift of separated by only a flimsy-looking nature, but I finally succumbed to barbed wire fence grazed several cows. homesickness and bought one when At first we strolled aimlessly about spring turned to summer without my through knee-high grass, but soon ever seeing a single Bluet, neither wild began to notice that only in some areas nor cultivated. The purchased plant was the vegetation predominantly grass. sulked and soon died. I resigned myself On small knolls and slight ridges the to living without houstonias since at grass grew low and sparse among ex• that time; houstonia and H. caerulea posed pieces of limestone, which had were synonymous to me. eroded and weathered until intricately Late that summer I received a phone pockmarked and coated with a soft call from a new friend and fellow ARGS grey patina; the kind of stone a rock member. The Minnesota Chapter mem• gardener dreams about. Interspersed bers had been involved in rescuing with the limestone and tufts of grass plants from a piece of virgin prairie were leafy clumps and mounds of her• that was soon to be quarried for stone baceous plants. We had been having and gravel. They had worked hard, a drought and not much was in bloom. and I was a new body with a new I stooped excitedly to examine what garden. I thought was a plant of Viola pedata "How would you like to dig some (turned out to be Viola pedatifida, the prairie plants from a virgin prairie?" Prairie Violet) and noticed a pinkish- she asked. "Dig some plants" and white four-petaled flower on an adjacent "virgin prairie" were about all I heard plant. It was somewhat like a single in my excitement. My husband, stoic blossom of Daphne cneorum, but it and long-suffering, wrote the directions. belonged to a scraggly plant with I dared not admit that I didn't know a small clump of basal leaves and a a prairie plant from a gopher hole couple of eight inch long stems, each for fear she'd change her mind. I had, topped by a few pinkish stars. It was up until then, been unsuccessful in certainly not spectacular, but I was seeing a prairie as almost all the un- primed to save the prairie plants, so wooded land was plowed and cultivated. took it home along with several plants My husband and I drove out armed of Viola pedatifida, Anemone (Pul- with trowels, plastic bags, buckets, and satilla) patens, and a car full of lime• a copy of Common Wild Flowers of stone. Minnesota by Monserud and Ownby When I got home and identified the in indecently mint condition. My plant with the pinkish-white flowers, friend's parting instructions were to I was surprised to find that it was look especially for Gentiana puberula, Houstonia longifolia. Usually I can whatever that looked like. I looked it assign a plant which is unfamiliar to up as we drove. me to a genus, but this plant did not I was not sure what to expect; in strike me as being a houstonia, although my mind's eye a prairie was composed I certainly knew H. caerulea well. I of grass as tall as a man on horseback, think the reason for this was that H.

50 caerulea's corolla ends in four rather by division of the basal rosette proved elliptical lobes which spread and flatten easy. sharply at right angles to the tube, It is just as well that propagation while H. longifolia's corolla terminates is easy, for one Sunday in August in four pointed lobes which flare out we went again to the prairie, and there gradually from the tube and reflex back sat an enormous bulldozer. I cursed. slightly at their tips in the manner A week later much of the prairie had of a diminutive lily. This characteristic, becomes a shambles of bulldozed soil more than the difference in flower color and the beginnings of a large quarry and the dissimilar number of blossoms pit. Although some of the plants are on each stem, lead to the difference safe, how sad a memento they are to in effect. the openess and freedom, the unique• I planted my new treasures in the ness and beauty of even a small piece as yet 'mostly rock' rock garden. The of virgin prairie. H. longifolia didn't even droop. "Must Nonetheless, here in the Midwest I be a weed," I thought. "Nothing choice have found another houstonia to love. would transplant that easily in 90° For me it performs outstandingly, and F. weather." It continued to bloom although straggly and ungainly in in• sparsely until frost. Had I had any• fancy and adolescence, it becomes a thing to replace it with, it undoubtably thing of beauty as it matures. Whether would have been relegated to the com• it performs as well for others and in post heap as it was not very attractive. other climates I do not know, for Min• This spring it sent up many more nesota has a continental climate of cold stems from the basal rosette and by winters, with many days when the tem• June it was an eight-inch bushy mound perature plunges far below zero, and studded with pinkish-white stars. It a fairly reliable snow cover. Summers bloomed unceasingly until the hard are hot and dry, and annual precipita• frosts of autumn ended its display. tion averages about twenty inches. Throughout the season it never exceed• In my garden the soil is somewhat ed eight inches in height but became alkaline, rich, but very heavy. When fuller, bushier, and thicker and so I constructed the rock garden, I in• regular of form that it looked sheared. corporated pea stone and humus into Every visitor to my garden noticed the existing soil to lighten it, but it and commented on it, thinking it to is still of the consistency of quicksand be some rare exotic from a far-off in spring, yet bakes to the hardness land. Little did they know that this of cement if allowed to dry out in was my cue to begin extolling its vir• summer. The rock garden is in full tues. With scarcely a pause for breath sun all day and exposed to the wind. I mentioned its carefree nature, It is under these conditions that H. resistance to weather, and long period longifolia thrives and H. caerulea per• of bloom. For their patience, visitors ished within weeks. usually went home with a plant of However, this spring I built a second, H. longifolia, since the original had less exposed garden and begged a flat been joined by several more, varying of H. caerulea from a friend in Con• in color from pale pink to white, which necticut. With several plants to experi• we had rescued from this same doomed ment with and a greater knowledge prairie. In addition, the original plant of the dimensions and vicissitudes of seeded lightly about, and propagation Minnesota weather, I have thus far

51 been successful in growing this also. They were content enough to seed Again, those planted in the hot and around a bit by autumn. exposed rock garden perished, but those And thus continues my relationship planted near the edges of a small artifi• with houstonias, but now with two spe• cial bog in the semi-shade of oak trees cies rather than one, each of different in the new garden seemed to thrive. temperament but equal charm.

THOSE COMMEMORATIVE EPITHETS

Everyone agrees that the scientific commemorate people (using their sur• names of plants are necessary for ac• names). curate reference. Many who wish to If the person commemorated is a use them, do so with trepidation and man, the species name ends in ii lack of confidence. Perhaps a few (examples: Anemone drummondii, recommendations may be helpful. Galanthus elwesii), unless the name First, from an historic viewpoint, it ends in er or a vowel, in which is clear there are three surviving forms case only one i suffices (examples: of Latin: that of classics scholars, the Holodiscus boursieri, Inula hookeri, Latin of ecclesiastics and that utilized Mahonia bealei, Nomocharis mairei). by the sciences, especially botany and These names are pronounced drum- medicine. Each has its peculiarities and mond' -ee-eye, el-wheeze' -ee-eye, boor- special definitions as well as pronuncia• see-air'-eye, /too&'-air-eye, beeV -ee-eye tion based upon historic precedents. (or beel'-eye), mare'-ee-eye (or mare' (Suffice to say, on the latter score, eye). no one now living has heard a Roman If the person commemorated is a conversing, so "rules" of pronunciation woman, then the suffix is ae (ex• are pressed according to prejudice, with amples: Cypripedium hookerae, Om- little agreement. As gardeners, I suggest phadoles luciliae; pronounced hook'- the main thing is to communicate, so air-ee, loo-sill-ih-ee. use the sounds most others use, and These pronunciations are used, and smile.) clearly understood, by gardeners and Second, scientific Latin has been for• botanists in the English-speaking part mulated to serve as an easy (that's of the world. Other parent tongues and right!) anchor for description and nota• cultures influence language in various tion understood by a world community ways, but we're looking for the easy of scientists. It also conveniently avoids way. Also, for the record, there are politics, which you will agree is near- other suffixes indicating commemora• Utopian. tion, but all are uncommon in use and With that preamble, note these simple thus rare in appearance. rules for spelling of species names that Howard Pfeifer, Willimantic, Conn.

52 GRANITIC FLAT-ROCKS: Natural Rock Gardens of Southeastern United States

JOHN AND MARIE WURDACK Beltsville, Maryland

The granitic flat-rocks of Vaugh in 1943; recent plant studies, southeastern United States are scenic especially at Emory University and Duke natural rock gardens, with an unusual University, have further refined that complement of plants. This distinctive ecological knowledge. flora is centered in northern Georgia, Certainly the best-known of the flat- rocks is Stone Mountain near Atlanta, with attenuations north ward as far as Georgia and some of the commoner southern-most Virginia and westward distinctive plants can sltill be seen there, into Alabama. The exposed rock area is as well as at Echols' Mill (Oglethorpe an estimated 8,000 acres, with about County, Georgia) and along Old Flat three-quarters of this in Georgia. The Rock Road (Kershaw County, South flat-rocks were known to the early plant Carolina); however, the flora on these explorers William Bartram, Andre outcrops has been much disturbed by Michaux, Thomas Nuttall, and Lewis park development or quarrying. Essen• Schweinitz. The botanical history was tially undisturbed are most of the rock admirably summarized by Rogers Mc- areas at Mt. Panola and Mt. Arabia,

53 both in DeKalb County (Georgia) and from the moisture-accumulating areas now public property, Heggie's Rock in and vegetation islands, often have a Columbia County (Georgia), and Forty dense and al tractive growth of lichens Acre Rock in Lancaster County (South (particularly Cladonia spp.) and Carolina). Most of the floristically rich mosses. In the shallow depressions, de• flat-rocks are not prominently elevated pending on water depth and persistence, above the surrounding piedmont, Stone are seasonal miniature rock gardens, Mountain being atypical. with spring or fall annuals or deciduous While many of the flat-rock plants perennials such as Amphianthus, sev• are also found elsewhere, some are eral species of Arenaria, Diamorpha, nearly or quite restricted to these out• Isoetes, and Senecio. Around the more crops. Two genera, each with a single developed vegetation islands or in species, are mostly (Diamorpha) or seepage areas is a larger flora, with completely (Amphianthus) confined to somewhat fewer endemics, including the flat-rocks. Amphianthus pusillus, Coreopsis grandiflora subsp. saxicola, Draba aprica, Isoetes melanospora, and Houstonia, Lindernia, Opuntia, Pha- Sedum pusiRum are listed among celia, Rhexia, Xyris, Yucca, and several Georgia's protected plants. Isoetes pied- species of Hypericum, Oenothera, Sela- montana, Portulaca smallii, Arenaria ginella, and Tradescantia. uniflora, and Sedum pusillum have been Certainly the natural rock gardens cited among North Carolina's "primary are at their best in early April. Then concern" plants. the marginal areas show the peak The habitats on the outcrops include flowering of shrubs and vines; the bare rock, rock crevices, shallow de• larger tree islands and seepages have pressions or weather pits (often sea• patches of Sedum pusillum, Phacelia sonally water-filled), vegetation mats or dubia var. georgiana, Amsonia ciliata, islands, and seepage zones, as well as and Tradescantia hirsuticaulis; and the the forested margins. The commonest weather pits are zoned pink, white, and trees at the outcrop edges or in larger yellow with Diamorpha smallii, vegetation islands on the rocks include Arenaria uniflora, Nothoscordum Juniperus virginiwia, Red Cedar; Pinus bivalve, Schoenolirion croceum, and taeda, Loblolly Pine; Quercus nigra, Senecio tomentosus. By summer time, Black Oak; and (on some outcrops) most of the spring plants have vanished, Quercus georgiana; attractive shrubs either into seed or below-ground dor• include Chionanthus virginica, Fringe mancy, and the summer flora does not Tree and Aesculus sylvatica as well compare in showiness with the vernal as a hybrid with A. pavia, both dwarf display. However, there are minor color buckeyes. Three ornamental vines are flashes, with Hypericum frondosum, H. also sometimes found on the flat-rocks: prolificum, and H. lloydii, Oenothera Gelsemium sempervirens, Yellow Jessa• fruticosa var. subglobosa, 0. linifolia mine, ranging north naturally to var. glandulosa, Talinum teretifolium, southeastern Virginia and barely hardy Poly gala curtisii, Liatris microcephala, in protected places near Washington, Rhexia mariana, Tradescantia rosea, D.C.; Lonicera sempervirens, Coral and Coreopsis grandiflora subsp. sax• Honeysuckle; and Anisostichus capreo- icola. In autumn, the desiccated lichens lata, Cross Vine, ranging north to east• and mosses freshen, the Confederate ern Maryland and Illinois. Daisy, Viguiera porteri yellows die The outcroppings themselves, apart Georgia and Alabama outcrops,

54 Agalinis and Carphephorus are pink- Houstonia pusilla — An annual, even purple splashes on or near the rocks, smaller and just as desirable as our the Coral Berry, Symphoricarpos or- Bluets, the flowers lavender with a red• biculatus bears its long-lasting fruits, dish eye. Spiranthes cernua flowers, and the win• Hypericum frondosum (synonym: H. ter annuals again sprout to prepare splendens) — A shrub to three to four for another spring floral climax. feet tall with large yellow flowers, quite Many of the flat-rock plants are hardy in Beltsville, common only on suitable for rock gardens, most of them Stone Mountain in Georgia but wide• at least as far north as the Potomac spread in the Tennessee cedar glades. Valley; however, not all those listed Hypericum lloydii — An ericoid below have as yet been grown by us. shrub usually only six to twelve inches Amsonia ciliata — A long-lived tall, common on Forty Acre Rock and perennial (which persisted at Beltsville hardy at Beltsville, the flowers rather for five years, but now temporarily small but a good yellow over a long pe• extinct there), with very narrow leaves riod in summer and fall. and blue flowers in spring, more pleas• ant in a rock gardener's ambiance than the commoner A. tabernaemon- tano. Arenaria uniflora — A winter annual a few inches tall, whitening the flat-rock depressions in spring, probably easy if one can fuss with gathering the seeds for resowing in the fall. Other species in the southeast include A. glabra and A. alahamensis, both also annuals related to the widespread perennial A. groenlandica which is at higher eleva• tions southwards. Carphephorus bellidifolius — A vis• Diamorpha smallii on Mt. Arabia ually pleasant low Composite, fall- flowering and thus doubly desirable, now being tested (actually a sandy Liatris microcephala — A very trim woodland species bordering flat-rocks, species at Echols' Mill, attractive in at least in South Carolina). flower, tending to sprawl in a well- Coreopsis grandiflora subsp. saxicola watered garden. — A perennial flowering for four sum• Nothoscordum bivalve — An onion mer and fall months in Maryland, with odorless foliage, the white flowers rather large and sprawling for a small often appearing in both spring and rock garden, much trimmer on the flat- fall, dormant in summer's heat, quite rocks. hardy, rather inconspicuous but pleas• Diamorpha smallii — A winter an• ant. nual, the early spring glory of the flat- Phacelia dubia var. georgiana — rocks, with masses of plants mostly Another winter annual with rather pale one to three inches tall pinkening the purple-blue flowers, dainty and weather-pits, to be cosseted like Arenaria desirable like the wide-spread typical uni flora. varietv.

55 Rhexia mariana — A perennial hap• has also been recorded from a few py in dryish places, the flowering start• flat-rocks. All the southeastern ing later than R. virginica and lasting Fameflowers (including T. appalachia- until frost, the petals white to pale num and T. calcaricum) are hardy in (rarely rich) pink. All the thirteen spe• Maryland. cies of Rhexia have been tried at one Tradescantia hirsuticaulis — A low- time or another in Beltsville and none growing and very desirable perennial other than R. mariana, R. nashii, and from the South, especially common on R. virginica have survived more than the Georgia flat-rocks, the flowers in a few winters. April, the leaves dying back in summer Schoenolirion croceum — A modestly and reappearing in late fall. Our pleasing lilaceous perennial widespread Maryland colony of the common blue- in southeastern United States, with flowered form has persisted for ten grasslike leaves and bright yellow years, but a plant with pink petals flowers in early spring, dormant in died out after a few seasons. summer, the leaves reappearing in fall, Tradescantia rosea — Only the hardy and long-lived in Maryland. typical form of this most desirable but Selaginella tortipila — Common only rather short-lived perennial (taxonomic at Heggie's Rock but there forming opinion tending to regard the placement large low mats, along with the sandhill in a separate genus, Cuthbertia, as cur• S. arenicola very desirable for rock rently correct) is known from (but gardens (but perhaps not reliably hardy not restricted to) the Georgia flat-rocks. northward). Even more attractive and commoner, Senecio tomentosus — An attractive at least on the coastal plain, is the species with a woody base, wooly leaves narrow-leaved var. graminea. (which die down in summer and reap• Viguiera porteri — A showy and pear in fall) and yellow flowers, grow• ing in large colonies on the flat-rocks, very late-flowering ( September- widespread in southeastern United November in Beltsville) annual com• States and hardy northwards. posite, mostly only twelve to eighteen Talinum teretifolium — The most inches tall on the flat-rocks but more widespread of our eastern species, robust in gardens. Despite the common desirable (although similar to the name in Georgia, the species is named others) for the flowers opening late for a Pennsylvania clergyman-botanist on summer afternoons. Another who was the first naturalist (in 1846) to technically distinct species, T. mengesii, visit Stone Mountain.

Our -visits to the flat-rocks started some time ago (for one of us, in 1943, courtesy of the U.S. Army). The photography was helped immensely during the spring of 1977 under the guidance of Madeline Burbanck. Bill Murdy, and Bob Platt of Emory University, Bob Krai of Vanderbilt University, Alex Harvill of Longwood College, and Bob Wilbur of Duke University.

Collect Seed for the Seed Exchange. Start Now.

56 EARLY PLANT EXPLORERS OF THE PACIFIC COAST

WAYNE RODERICK Berkeley, California

The first plant described from the States had acquired from France and West Coast of North America was to seek a good route by water to the Abronia umbellata. This was from the Pacific Coast. The expedition was also seed collected on the French expedition urged to collect whatever natural led by Jean Laperouse and collected history specimens they found along the by Collignon while they were at Mon• way. Among the horticulturally valuable terey, California, in September 1786. plants found by Capt. Meriwether Lewis A few other seeds were collected and (1774-1809) and Capt. William Clark some plants were mentioned but little (1770-1838) were: Erythronium gran- else was done. diflorum, Leivisia rediviva, Fritillaria The Capt. Geo. Vancouver Expedition pudica, and Trillium ovatum. The year of 1791 to 1795 along the west coast of the Louisiana Purchase, 1803, was of North America had as a botanist, spent preparing for the trip; it was Dr. Archibold Menzies (1754-1842). He not until the late spring of 1804 that collected a large quantity of specimens the expeditionary force left St. Louis but as most were filed away and not progressing that summer and autumn looked at for forty or fifty years, many as far as what is presently North were re-found in the interim and Dakota where it spent the winter. In described by others. The plants we asso• 1805 the men traveled on to the Pacific ciate with the name of Dr. Menzies where they built Fort Clatsap as winter are the Coast Redwood, Sequoia sem- headquarters. Very early in 1806 they pervirens, and the Douglas Fir, Pseu- started back for home collecting as they dotsuga menziesii, but he also found went the spring flowers where before many plants suitable for the rock gar• they had collected summer flowers. den; among these are Phyllodoce On their way west in the summer empetriformis, Clintonia unifhora, of 1805, Lewis and Clark had bought Disporum smithii, Penstemon david- roots from the Indians which these sonii, Gentiana sceptrum, Brodiaea pul- natives called Bitter Root; it was after chella^ and Vancouveria hexandra. Why this plant that Lewis and Clark named he named a plant after George Van• this area of what is now Montana. couver considering all the trouble he On their way home they found the had with that Captain is something Bitter Root in bloom and noted the of a mystery; however, in those days plants were succulent. In order to press captains were pretty much all tyrants, succulent plants these should be boiled the best known from this period being to break down the cells; otherwise they the infamous Capt. Bligh. do not press well. Undoubtedly Lewis The Lewis and Clark Expedition of and Clark neglected to take this step, 1803-1806 was set in motion to explore for a year and a half later when the the enormous territory that the United botanist who received the collection of

57 specimens opened the herbarium to exa• (1781-1838) and a German physician mine the sheets of dried plants be found and naturalist, Dr. Johann Eschscholtz that one of the pressed specimens of (1793-1831). They came south along the plant named Bitter Root was grow• the coast stopping at several places. ing! He potted the plant; it grew and In October, 1816, the expedition spent bloomed. He said it was a new genus a month in what is now San Francisco; which he named Lewisia after Capt. it was at this time the California Poppy- Meriwether Lewis and, because of the was found. This was named Esch- plant's amazing ability to revive after scholzia by the French botanist for being dried and pressed for so long, the German doctor while they were he gave it the species name rediviva. both working for Russia in Spanish The genus Lewisia is a western North territory. Chamisso also found a few American genus with the center of other plants that are suited to the rock distribution in Yosemite National Park garden: Romanzoffia and Ranunculus where seven species have been found. eschscholtzii. Another new genus discovered by the It is interesting to note that in giving Lewis and Clark Expedition was named the generic name to the California Pop• for Capt. William Clark: Clarkia to py, Chamisso misspelt Eschscholtz's which our garden clarkias, sometimes name so the scientific name of the called godetias, belong. The first clarkia plant is Eschscholzia californica. After was most likely found somewhere in the expedition Chamisso became a Ger• Montana or Idaho. Clarkias are restricted man citizen and, to this very day, is to western North America with the ex• famous in that country for his love ception of one species in southern Ar• poems supposedly written to Esch• gentina. scholtz. After the expedition was over Presi• In 1824 to 1827 and again in 1831 dent Thomas Jefferson, an ardent to 1833 the Horticultural Society of plantsman, who was largely responsible London (later the Royal Horticultural for instigating the expedition, received Society) sent out a collector to the many of the pressed specimens and west coast by the name of David seeds collected on the trip. These he Douglas (1798-1834), who has come turned over to his favorite nurseryman, down to us as the dour Scotsman. It Bernard McMahon for whom Mahonia is said his mother sent him to school was named. The German botanist at the age of four to keep him and his Frederick Pursh happened to stop by father from fighting so much. Douglas this nursery during his American was a massive collector, sending back travels and, seeing the seeds and pressed hundreds of pounds of seed and pressed plants, asked if he might "look" at plants. He was paid a hundred pounds them. It was later discovered that he per year plus expenses. It is interesting had walked off with much of the expedi• to note he put in a bill for sixty-six tion's material! In my research this pounds for three years expenses. seems to be one of Pursh's most "fa• Douglas is mostly remembered for his mous" contributions to botany. introductions of the Douglas Fir, Sallal The next expedition that brought a (Gaultheria shallon), and the Douglas botanist to the west coast was that Iris. He collected many of our great led by a Russian, Count Nicholas Ro- plants; several species of calochortus manzoff. On the Romanzoff Expedition and fritillaria, erythronium, Delphinium was the French botanist Louis Chamisso nudicaule, Sugar Pine, and Poison Oak,

58 to mention only a few of the many hun• of the other plants suitable for the dreds of species. rock garden that Nuttall found are In the olden days most ships stopped Leucocrinum montanum, Oenothera in the Sandwich Islands (presently the ovata, Oxalis oregana, and Spiraea Hawaiian Islands) for water and other densijlora. supplies. In 1834 Douglas went to In 1841 Nuttall's uncle died in Honolulu to board a ship for England. England leaving his estate to his neph• While waiting he went to the island ew. This uncle had a publishing of Hawaii for a few days and while house and many years earlier had ap• there he fell into a deep pit which prenticed Nuttall to a printer which had been dug to trap wild cattle and Nuttall disliked so he quit and came was killed by a bull. It is true that to America. Nuttall was his uncle's at this time he was having eye trouble only heir but the will specified that but he also had not made a friend he had to stay in England for nine of his host of the night before his months of every year. The estate was death. To this day it is debated whether so large that Nuttall therefore stayed he fell or was pushed. It is stated in England, making only one trip back that he left only one true friend: his to America, spending (in order not little dog. to break the terms of the will) the Thomas Nuttall (1786-1859) came to last three months of one year and the North America in 1809 and for two first three months of the following year years collected seed for Barton, his pay out of England. being eight dollars per month plus ex• The U.S. Navy Expedition under penses. He did not like carrying a Capt. Charles Wilkes spent the years gun even in hostile Indian country so 1838-1842 exploring along the West he used the barrel for digging up plants. Coast, most of this time in Oregon From 1812 to 1834 he did much collect• and Washington. The botanist on this ing in what is now Montana and the expedition was William Brackenridge Dakotas and also the Arkansas River (1810-1893). He was always in trouble area. Toward the end of this period with the expedition as he preferred to he spent most of his time at the Har• walk so he could collect more, thus vard Botanical Garden. He returned holding up the rest of the company. west in 1834 with Capt. Nathaniel In the late summer of 1841 a party Wyeth who was to establish a trading was sent out to find how close the post west of the Rockies. It was in Sacramento River came to the Columbia the area somewhere beyond Fort Lara- River. It was about this time that it mie but before they arrived at Fort was proven that the Santa Buena Ven• Walla Walla that Wyethia was found. tura (Sacramento) River did not go Nuttall seems to have described many east to the Rocky Mountains but north of the plants he found while in the to Mt. Shasta, a mountain more remote field and Wyethia seems to be one than it was thought to be. On October of these plants. It was at Fort Van• 5, 1841, somewhere on Mt. Shasta, the couver that Nuttall found the Western Indians of the area decided they did Dogwood, Cornus nuttallii. How it was not like the intruders and, with arrows missed by Menzies and Lewis and Clark coming thick and fast, the expedition is one of the mysteries of western bot• decided to make a fast side trip in any; Douglas thought it was the a westerly direction. It was during this eastern species, Cornus florida. Some fast detour that Brackenridge saw an

59 unknown plant. He stopped his horse, and eventually the Mexican government jumped off, grabbed a specimen, and, in Monterey sent him a message order• remounting, took off like mad to catch ing him to leave California. Somewhere up to the rest of the men; thus was south of San Jose where the order discovered one of the world's most unu• caught up to him, he took over a home sual plants: the Cobra Plant, Darlingto- and made it into a fort, but after nia californica. a few days of waiting for an army Brackenridge's massive collection of which never came, he returned to Sut• plants was the first made for the ler's Fort. It is most likely that it Smithsonian Institute. was after he had left Sutter's Fort and In 1846 the Royal Horticultural So• was headed south along the base of ciety sent Theodor Hartweg (1846- the Sierra Nevadas that he found Fre- 1871) to California to collect seed of montodendron californicum, Carpenteria the California Fuchsia and the Chinqua• californica and, higher in the mountains, pin and whatever else he might find Calyptridium umbellatum and Sarcodes with the understanding that if he did sanguinea, the spectacular Snow Plant. not bring back the two things he was At the south end of the San Joaquin sent out to collect he would not get Valley he went over Tehachepi Pass and his pay of one hundred pounds per found Yucca brevifolia, the Joshua Tree. year. Hartweg arrived at Monterey at With all his blundering ways, it is a time when English speaking persons a wonder his men stayed with him were not well accepted because of the as he tried and finally succeeded in war with the United States. Therefore crossing the Sierra Nevadas i n his first year was limited to the area February in the worst of snow storms around Monterey and San Francisco and insisted on crossing the deserts with only a short visit to the Russians. in the dead of summer. It was while In 1847 he moved to Sutler's Fort trying to cross the Sierras over Carson and from this base explored the Feather Pass in February of 1844 that he found and Yuba Rivers. He not only collected Calocedrus decurans, the Incense Cedar. the required Zauschneria californica The great English nursery of Veitch and Castanopsis but many other good and Sons sent William Lobb (1809- plants, among them: Fritillaria recurva, 1864) to California in 1849 at the Iris hartwegii, Calochortus monophyllus, height of the Gold Rush; fortunately and Peltiphyllum peltatum. Later in the for them Lobb was such a good year he returned to Monterey and found plantsman he cared nothing about gold. the famous Monterey Cypress. In 1848 During his first two years he collected he returned to England with about 400 mostly among the coastal mountains species of plants. discovering Delphinium cardinale, to Capt. John Fremont (1813-1890) name only one of his many finds. In made three of his four trips to the 1852 he went to Oregon, returning to far west. If one reads Fremont's or California in 1853 and it was on this his father-in-law's reports one is told trip that he found Rhododendron what a fine person Fremont was. macro phyllum and Lilium columbia- However, if one reads a report written num. On his return to San Francisco by the Mexicans or by Sutter on the he visited Dr. Albert Kellogg who show• same subject it is a completely different ed him specimens of the great plant story. Fremont had no qualms about discovery of 1852, the Big Tree, which helping himself to whatever he wanted Dr. Kellogg was in the process of

60 describing. Lobb took off for the Sier• first resident botanist in the state. It ras like a shot out of a gun but at was Dr. Kellogg who was the founder first missed his mark and went up of the California Academy of Sciences. to the summit Where he found Primula He did some travelling and botanizing suffrutescens. (We will hear more on but he mostly described new plants this when we meet Brewer.) Finally, discovered by others. However, it was however, Lobb did get to the Calaveras Dr. Kellogg who found Lilium pardali- Grove where he dug up two plants num in what is now the city of Oakland of the treasured Big Tree and collected and AUium unifolium in the Oakland much seed, after which he came back hills. Lewisia kelloggii and Lilium to San Francisco as fast as he could kelloggii are two of the plants named and took the first ship out, heading in his honor. But of all of his botanical towards home. work he is most frequently remembered As soon as he arrived in England for his fight over the naming of the he took his herbarium specimens to Big Tree. And, eventually, he did get Dr. John Lindley of The Royal Hor• his wish of naming a plant after Martha ticultural Society, who quickly describ• Washington: Lilium washingtonianum. ed the newly discovered tree as Welling- John Newberry (1822-1892) was the tonia gigantea in honor of the English botanist on one of the railroad surveys hero, publishing the name in the Gar• led by Lt. Williamson. This was the deners Chronical in December 1853. northern survey which came west into Then the fight started! Dr. Kellogg's the Oregon and Washington area and name of Taxodium washingtoniana in then south into northern California. honor of Martha Washington was publi• Most of Newberry's collecting was done shed in 1854; then in 1855, the name in Oregon and Washington. Two of was changed to Sequoia ivellingtonia the more showy plants he collected were and again late in 1855 to Sequoia Gentiana newberryi, found somewhere gigantea. (Even this name is presently near the Oregon-California border, in question. The Big Tree is listed and Penstemon newberryi, most likely in The Royal Horticultural Society Dic• found on the side of Mt. Shasta. tionary of Gardening as Sequoia Sometime or other Newberry got down wellingtoniana. In Hortus and Rehder. to southern California and out onto both American publications, the Big the desert where he found the Desert Tree has been placed in a monotypic Lily. Hesperocallis undulatum and the genus of its own and is known as Desert Mallow, Sphaeralcea ambigua. Sequoiadendron giganteum. — Ed.) In 1863 the state of California started In 1855 Lobb came back to Califor• the State Geological Survey under Prof. nia though not under Veitch's pa• Josiah D. Whitney, for whom Mt. Whit• tronage. There is not much known of ney is named. The field leader and this period; he did some collecting for for a time botanist for the survey was Veitch and others but most of his time William Brewer (1828-1910). Brewer was spent in San Francisco where he and his men were extremely energetic died in 1864 of a mysterious illness. people: after surveying the mountains Dr. Albert Kellogg (1813-1887) of all week, sometimes on Sundays, just Big Tree fame, came to California at for a lark, they would climb a moun• the start of the Gold Rush but moved tain. Brewer found some of our best to San Francisco in 1850. He was a known mountain plants while he was physician and botanist and was the on the survey; he discovered the Sier-

61 ran Red Heather. Phyllodoce breweri, Within a short time he was walking also Lupinus breweri and Epilobium around. Lemmon soon became friendly obcordatum, to mention a few. Along with the local school teacher who was with Lobb, he is credited with finding also interested in the native flowers, Primula suffrutescens. It was ten years but unfortunately could not help to earlier, however, that Lobb was most identify the plants Lemmon found and actively collecting, so how they could so they sent fifty specimens to Dr. Bolan• have been jointly credited with the der. He, in turn, sent the pressed spec• discovery of this plant is something imens on to Dr. Asa Gray at Harvard of a mystery. Brewer went into the who declared not less than ten as new Sierras when Lobb was very ill (he species, one of which is the delightful died shortly thereafter) so it seems Potentilla millefolia. unlikely that they could have been in On one of Lemmon's botanizing trips the field together. Brewer was shortly into Nevada he described the mosqui• replaced as botanist on the survey by toes as being "9,473,608 solid feet Dr. Henry Bolander (1831-1897) but deep" and said that he slept in a tent while he remained with the survey he under five blankets with a kettle over continued collecting. In 1863 when his head but that even so the mosquitoes Brewer and his men were up in the ate him. In 1880 he became the State mountains, Bolander worked around the Botanist and moved to Oakland. During greater San Francisco Bay area and this period he spent most of his time it was he, in 1864, while working north in the field and must have explored of San Francisco, who discovered the every corner of the state. It is he who Mendocina Dwarf Forest. Still farther found Calochortus clavatus, Caulanthus north he found Erythronium revolutum inflatus, and Phacelia campanularia. and Cypripedium californicum. In addi• Alphonso Wood (1810-1881), prin• tion to these, Bolander is credited with cipal of the Brooklyn Female Academy the finding of Lilium bolanderi, Silene and author of a botany book, came hookeri var. bolanderi, Veratrum fim- to California in 1866 for a short time. briatum, and many others. He did his botanizing in the northern When John Lemmon (1832-1908) part of the state where he found Phlox was a boy his mother told every one adsurgens and Brodiaea ida-maia. The he was "born a botanist"; from the discovery and subsequent naming of time he could walk he was doing some• this brodiaea gives rise to another in• thing with wild flowers. During the teresting story. In the mining country Civil War he was captured by the South where he worked, Wood discovered in and spent three years in a prison camp short order that bachelors were poor from which he emerged at the end cooks and not very good housekeepers, of the war more dead than alive, so on his travels he tried to stay in weighing less than ninety pounds. In this homes where there were wives and weakened condition he went west to families. Somewhere in the Weaverville his brother's home in Sierra Valley, and Trinity area, he persuaded a stage arriving so exhausted that he could driver to put him up for the night. neither stand nor walk; yet within a Most likely during the evening he told few days he was able to go outside the family about his botanizing and and holding onto the fence near the the next morning, when he was about front door found five wild flowers, three to leave, the stage driver's daughter of which later proved to be new species. said, "Oh, Mister, Mister, if you find

62 a new flower will you name it for will be remembered gratefully by all me?" This was the day he found rock gardeners for his discovery of Brodiaea ida-maia Erythronium hendersonii and Lewisia Thomas Howell (1842-1912) was a cotyledon. Howell wrote A Flora of poor farmer who lived in southern Northwest America but he was too poor Oregon and spent most of his early to have it published. Nothing daunted, life struggling to make a living, but he bought a press, set his own type, he was always interested in plants and printed and bound his book himself, when he was in his forty's he taught completing it shortly after 1900. What himself botany, becoming so expert that a work of love! And so it is with many other botanists encouraged him this dedicated botanist that I shall bring to take it up professionally. He did this story of early plant explorers of extensive collecting over wide areas and the Pacific Coast to a close.

Daphne Cneorum and its Form, Eximia JAMES E. CROSS

Cutchogue, N.Y.

Daphne cneorum, the Garland This plant has two extreme dislikes, Flower, is widely desired for its flowers wet feet and nitrogen salts, and either and fragrance but has a reputation, by itself will finish the plant in short among even the best gardeners, of being order. If you plant Daphne cneorum eccentric if not difficult. Of the theories in very sandy soil behind a rock wall, advanced as to the plant's likes and or arrange some other combination of dislikes, the most common and certainly factors to ensure perfect drainage and the one that extends the furthest back apply no fertilizer you should, with in the history of arguments among gar• perhaps just a bit of luck, have your deners, is that concerning pH of the daphne bloom for many, many seasons. soil. There is no question that Daphne It will not, however, even with the cneorum tolerates or even likes lime; bit of luck, provide a particularly at• however, the addition of or absence tractive plant between blooms. of lime will not measurably prevent There appears to be a far better or hasten this plant's demise. One must alternative in the very different plant look elsewhere for the answer to which carries the name of Daphne longevity. cneorum 'Eximia'. This name, meaning

63 beautiful, is appropriate, for this is a rooting medium will produce a high definitely a superior form — so much percentage of rooting if the propagating so that one might question how it could facility tends to be on the wet side, derive from the species. It grows at or if a humidity chamber is used. This about two-thirds to three-quarters the medium has the disadvantage of pro• rate of the species with corresponding ducing a coarse, brittle root which less tendency to be leggy. It is much needs gradual acclimation to any grow- more evergreen with the foliage persist• ing-on medium with a goodly organic ing well down the individual stems. content. A good acclimation procedure This provides the pleasing result that, is to lift the rooted cuttings, lightly even in the dead of winter, it makes prune only the longest roots, and set an attractive mat covering the ground. them right back into the same Perlite It appears to bloom as heavily as the (after mixing into it a third or so species. Most important, it is clearly of peat), and returning them to the not as sensitive to water, and therefore same environment in which they were is easier to maintain in healthy condi• rooted for one to two weeks. With tion when being propagated and when 'Eximia' one can use a combination planted out in the garden. Without at• of peat and Perlite, about half and tempting a logical explanation, it half, as a propagating medium and transplants at any stage with ap• thus produce more normal roots at the preciably less risk of loss. outset with a high ratio of success Dormant hardwood cuttings o f even under wet and humid conditions. Daphne cneorum root readily when One other interesting note regarding taken from October into December and propagation: with dormant hardwood possibly beyond. Soft summer cuttings cuttings of most daphnes, the per• have not been tried but should do all centage of rooting seems to be in direct right if maintained in viable condition. relationship to the amount of good A light hormone and bottom heat shor• foliage on the cutting when it is taken. ten the time of rooting. A light wound This may help explain why 'Eximia', of one-half inch made on one side of aside from being quite different in ap• the stem with a single edged razor-blade pearance from the species, roots so will produce a heavier and better much more readily and reliably. This adhered root system, which, in turn, selection is a worthy addition to almost presumably makes successful transplant• any garden where good drainage can ing more certain. Straight Perlite as be provided.

64 TWO DRYLAND FERNS

PANAYOTI P. CALLAS Boulder, Colorado

What is it about the dryland ferns In the first comprehensive survey of that is so appealing? Surely their the ferns of Colorado, Dr. Edgar T. fascination doesn't just boil down to Wherry ruefully notes that my native the paradox of wet climate plants evolv• state "is far from being ferny"! It ing to grow in the full sun of some is true that you can travel over hun• of the hottest deserts in the world. dreds of miles on the plains and see Beyond mare novelty or quaintness, the no ferns from your car, and more sur• very adaptations these ferns have made prisingly traverse the entire Rockies to grow among cactus and yuccas, are and view nothing but dwarfed and scat• in themselves exceedingly beautiful; tered colonies of Bracken. Ferns do fronds as downy as polar bears in not form a prominent element of the Cheilanthes eatonii or Notholaena. sin- landscape here as they do in more uata var. integerrima; others like humid climates; we have no coastal Pellaea truncata are as shiny and blue beaches for Deer Ferns to carpet, and as metal. Few plants can compare with our forests are never undergrown with the Zig-zag Cloak Fern, Notholaena countless Sword Ferns. Our alpine fendleri, in intricate detail; the strongly screes are lucky to boast a few Fragile flexuous rachis branching into multiple Ferns; never the ostentatious drifts of pinnation, with tiny blue pinnules back• Maidenhair or dwarf Polystichums not ed with white wax are a miracle of to mention the ubiquitous Cheilanthes complexity. Yet this same fern haunts gracillima. some of the starkest terrain in the In order to find ferns in Colorado, Southern Rockies. you must get out of your car and For many years I thought I was walk. If you do this, you may be sur• subject to a rather lonely enthusiasm. prised at the large number of Pterido- One of the many delightful revelations phytes that have been discovered in for me in attending the First Interim the state. Sixtv-five species are defi• International Rock Plant Conference nitely known for the state, and many was to meet others interested in these of these have onlv been found in the unique — and largelv American — last few years. Most of these are found plants. The rock fern display in Seattle only locally in a few remote spots. was undoubtedly the first time many A surprising number of ferns reach of these elusive xerophytes were ever extreme limits of their overall range displayed in public. This display pro• in the state; Cystopteris rnontana from vided an exceptional opportunity to the north, Onoclea sensibilis from the compare dozens of living specimens east, Notholaena standleyi from the grown to perfection. I was a little south and Pellaea breweri from the chagrined to notice that several Col• northwest are typical of this. In many orado rock ferns were missing. It is instances, extreme stations in Colorado the responsibility of local gardeners to represent especially hardy clones of publicize their backyard plants. otherwise tender species.

65 Cheilanthes fendleri to cultivation in the rock garden. Its deep green fronds, however lovely, don't Although desert ferns are as tempera• really do justice to the reputation of mental as they are beautiful (recom• the genus for woolliness and "xero- mending themselves all the more to phyticism." Cheilanthes gracillima rep• ambitious gardeners), I have always resents the genus in the Pacific region cherished a plant that can hold its and Cheilanthes feei is probably the own in the garden. Few are more most abundant overall. Both of these amenable than Cheilanthes fendleri. The are lovely plants, but neither can really genus Cheilanthes somehow epitomizes be recommended to the average rock dryland rock ferns. Nothalaenas may gardener since they are sensitive to be more glamorous, and Pellaeas more excess moisture and resent division. architecturally pleasing, but Cheilanthes Since they both grow from a central first leap to mind when desert ferns crown, and the latter species demands are mentioned. This is the most to grow not in soil, but in crevices of limestone — they should always be grown from spore rather than decimat• ing wild colonies. In Walter Phillips' survey of Arizona ferns, he notes that Cheilanthes fendleri "reaches the highest altitude of any of the various Cheilanthes species" in the state. This is in itself a clue that even in its southernmost forms, Cheilan• thes fendleri possesses a degree of genetic hardiness and tolerance to moisture unusual in the genus. So far it has only been found in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. In Colorado it occurs in a narrow belt of foothills bordering the Great Plains from just south of the Wyoming border southwards. I have always found it growing in decomposed granite soils P. P. Callas on steep, rocky slopes. It has been found on sandstone and a few times widespread genus of such ferns. One on limestone as well — so I suspect species or another can be found from that it isn't too fussy about soil acidity. Japan across Central Asia to the It will persist for some time in the Mediterranean basin. They are equally shade of growing pines, but the best common in the Southern Hemisphere colonies occur in full sun where its in New Zealand, Africa and South usual companions are cactus and yucca. America. They are perhaps nowhere In nature its fronds are often curled more common or varied than in the tightly because of cold or drouth, but southwest of the United States — but open quickly with cool weather after rains. several species range over much of the continent. Of the more familiar sorts, In the garden it seems to respond only Cheilanthes lanosa really responds to cooler, moister conditions. My best

66 colonies are in the open, northern ex• cheilanthes to grow. Once established, posure of my house where they have it will spread (slowly to be sure) by spread and been repeatedly divided its rhizomes to eventually cover a over ten years. Although little sun falls large area. Since several specialist nur• on them directly, the deep granitic scree series have begun to offer it, there dries so quickly that I water daily is no longer any excuse for its absence in hot weather. This treatment has kill• from gardens. ed every lewisia I have planted nearby, but Cheilanthes fendleri flourishes Reprinted from Monthly Bulletin of nonetheless. Its companion plants are Alpine Garden Club of British Co• Saxifraga x apiculata, Synthyris lanu- lumbia Vo. 21, No. 1 ginosa and campanulas. Notholaena fendleri Despite the cool site Cheilanthes in the garden are of identical stature and If any proof were needed to show texture with those of the wild. It super• how relatively unexplored hor- ficially resembles Cheilanthes feei ticulturally much of America remains, (which sometimes grows nearby), but I can think of no better evidence than even a cursory glance can distinguish our ignorance of the Zig-zag Cloak Fern them. Cheilanthes feei is covered with (Notholaena fendleri). This lovely en- a fine tomentum — the undersurface of the frond is reddish in color and the upper a whiter color than Cheilan• thes fendleri. More importantly Cheilan• thes feei grows from a central crown, and usually splays starfish-like from tiny crevices out of vertical cliffs. Cheilanthes fendleri is rhizomatous and individual plants can cover many square yards. It grows in open soil (but always perfectly drained and usually on the steepest of slopes) and its fronds are always held erect and grow so densely as to suggest a min• iature coniferous forest (as a niece of mine first pointed out). The top surface of the fronds is of a dull blue- green color, but the stipes and un• dersides are chaffy with many tiny scales. It has been confused with P. P. Callas Cheilanthes tomentosa — which can demic of the southern Rocky Mountains grow to fifteen inches — but lacks is absent from all the "standard" fern the white woolliness of that species. gardening guides; it is never mentioned In nature or the garden, Cheilanthes in rock garden journals, and can hardly fendleri will rarely exceed six inches be said to be in cultivation. And yet in height, and usually only grows to there is hardly a canyon in northern four inches. New Mexico or Colorado that doesn't From my experience it would seem boast a few cliffs filigreed with this that this is the easiest of the western most intricate of native rock ferns.

67 Rock gardens, as we inevitably ing drought, the pinnules recurve to discover, are as fertile of paradox as reveal the white undersurface at which they are of weeds and splendor. The time the plant looks like nothing so bitterest ironic pill is that plant that much as a piece of lace. Its closest repeatedly denies us. If this same plant relatives are easily separated by their flourishes in a nearby garden or the range, their preference for limestone wild, the irony is complete. I am con• and the opposite arrangement of their demned to live a short distance from branching. N. limitanea is more whole canyonsful of Notholaena southwesterly in distribution, while /V. fendleri and though I have its close dealbata is from the lower Mid-West. relatives growing healthily for me, my /V. parvifolia is from the hot, limestone favorite rock fern is represented by deserts of the South West, and perhaps only a few miserable clumps. It is so most closely resembles the Zig-zag Fern. elegant, however, I feel it deserves It is less strongly flexuous, however, wider recognition. Surely some more and lacks the white wax on the lower accomplished gardeners than myself will surfaces of its pinnules. some day learn how to tame it, perhaps I have never found N. fendleri on from spore-grown material. limestone, but it is locally abundant The Zig-zag Cloak Fern and its over moderate altitudes in the southern closet relatives have pestered tax- Rockies. It prefers to grow in the tiniest onomists over the last century. There crevices of granitic boulders from 4,000 is still no consensus as to their proper to over 9,000 feet in elevation. It is generic classification, since they share more commonly found in areas with many traits with both Notholaena and relatively low precipitation — under Pellaea. You are apt to find the Zig-zag fifteen inches of rainfall annually or Fern and its closest allies under either less. Although it is sometimes found name, since the characters used to dis• on rocky slopes overgrown with Pon- tinguish the two genera are intricate, derosa Pine, it seems to grow best confusing and often contradictory. For on bare cliffs that are quite exposed instance, the heavy coating of wax on to wind and weather. Its fronds are the undersurface of the pinnules is usually only five or six inches long, typical of Notholaena. This wax is pres• but monstrous plants fifteen inches or ent on fendleri, but altogether lack• more in height occur in especially ing in the closely allied N. parvifolia. favorable sites. N. fendleri isn't apt to be confused It is somewhat presumptuous to ad• with any other native fern, despite the vise people about the culture of plants bafflement of scientists. Its stipes are that don't condescend to grow for you dark brown, very brittle, branch re• — but few rock gardeners are at all peatedly into a "flexuous," which is familiar with the Zig-zag Fern's haunts. to say zig-zag pattern which is responsi• (Most visiting rock gardeners make a ble for the appropriate common name. bee-line for timberline in the southern The smaller stems continue to branch Rockies — missing some of their finest alternately up to four times, resulting plants in the process.) I would suggest in a quadripinnate frond — unusual you consider that the lower slopes of in such a diminutive fern. The pinnules the Rockies are rather dry at all seasons are finally suspended on pedicels so (the heaviest precipitation falling in fine as to appear to float in mid-air, the spring and early summer) . resembling a sort of fine mist, or, dur• Humidity is unheard of and winter

68 is cold and dry. I don't think, however, Zig-zag Fern is its fierce resentment that N. fendleri can tolerate the heat of disturbance. It takes several years and dryness that some desert ferns de• to recover from transplanting shock no mand since my most successful plants matter how careful you are in moving have grown in a rather cool exposure it. If you finally manage to grow it, with abundant water during the summer I'm sure you will agree that it is one of months (but with perfect drainage). America's foremost saxatile treasures. The greatest obstacle to growing the

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Rock Gardening in Boulder

When I wrote Panayoti Peter Callas (Primula allionii has made it through in Boulder, Colorado asking him for three winters) and it seems that they an article, I also asked what our mem• really enjoy our dry winters. bers were growing in their gardens Gentians are impossible to fail with out there and what the growing condi• here; G. acaulis and verna varieties tions Were like. My query elicited the bloom prolifically no matter where I following letter which I quote in part: plant them and I have quite a collection Our climate in Colorado is by no of other European gentians coming on. stretch of the imagination to be viewed I also have quite a few Asiatic gentians as benign. It would be difficult to de• (farreri, sino-ornata and hybrids) that cide which season, for instance, is the have proven perfectly winter and sum• driest. We customarily only have cool, mer hardy in my special gentian bed moist spells in late April and May. where Gentiana sino-ornata is a terrific although we have frequent, short thun• runner, layering itself vigorously. derstorms throughout the summer that Ericaceae are my sore point. I have cool the air a bit, even if they don't a number of cassiopes doing well (but wet the soil every afternoon. only the toughies), but except for a Growing a wide spectrum of rock few of the toughest genera and species plants is by no means impossible here, all Ericaceae must be planted in areas however. With fairly frequent irrigation devoid of winter sun. we can grow woodlanders successfully in Our winters are really exasperating. the shade and ferns happen to be one of November, for instance, was windy my passions. Primulas do well under every day this year with almost constant the same conditions and I am beginning chinooks, frequently over 100 mph with to discover that Asiatic sorts do espe• winds in excess of 40 mph continuing cially well. All the Sikkimensis Section for hours and days on end. (A chinook and the Cortusoides group thrive in is a warm westerly wind that raises moist spots. I also have a good collec• the temperature very suddenly. West tion of the European alpine species of the Rockies it is moist; east of

69 the Rockies it is very dry and sucks are constantly planned, occupied and up all moisture. — Ed.) This can really planted to bluegrass and petunias. The limit one's choice of tall conifers, etc., occupants of these have no way of but it is surprising how little damage knowing about rock gardening and it does to alpines. They even seem rarely have the time or money to spend to enjoy it. We have had no snow on landscaping their first years, and at lower elevations this year (compared by the time they show an interest in even to last winter's amazing drought) gardening, their yards and The other main groups of alpines neighborhoods are committed to grow• — companulas, dianthus and saxifrage, ing only the narrowest range of things. do just as well as gentians and primulas Our native soils on the plains are un• here when planted properly. Kabschias derlain by different sorts of the most are perfectly safe outdoors in our impermeable and awful clays (my house climate with our dry winters and mild is very fortunately situated in this spring spells when they bloom. They respect) and contractors invariably bloom much later outdoors than the seem to excavate the very worst "ben- literature indicates — the earliest open tonites" (packed adobes) to replace the only in March and the blooming season prairie loams in the yards of new of S. x petraschii extends into May. houses. I doubt whether many people A number of plants do well enough interested in gardening make a point for us here so I am really encouraged. of moving to Colorado, but even some• One member, for instance, has a dinner one moderately interested in garden• plate sized clump of Asperula nitida ing is apt to become discouraged after var. puberula that is thriving in the trying to dig a few spadesful of packed open, and when you can safely grow adobe soil. over a hundred clones of cactus out• That, in essence, is our condition. doors (as several local gardeners do) In a region of three million people with shortias and rhododendrons a in the shadow of the Rockies, I am stone's throw away, you must have sure that more and more gardeners something going for you. Bulbs are will become interested in rock garden• especially well suited to our climate ing as time goes on. Fortunately, our and autumn crocus are my special pas• budding organization has a core of sion in that sphere. This mild winter at least a dozen enthusiastic gardeners I have had the last of the autumn who have had considerable experience species liberally overlapping the earliest in this climate. I believe that as time winter sorts in bloom. So you see this goes on there will be more and more. is a tremendous region, potentially, for • • • rock gardening. The small clutch of Panayoti Peter Callas is with the rock gardeners here never cease to be school system tutoring foreign students amazed at the success of different plants who have language barriers; Colorado because our climate is supposed to be Springs, being a university city as well so difficult, and we really get excited as the seat of a good many U.S. govern• with our every effort. Our principle ment agencies, has a good many obstacles are ignorance — 'You can't families in residence from the world grow that here,' sort of thing — the around. Panayoti's parents are from lack of material available locally, and Crete and used to send their children the rapidly expanding urban and subur• back each summer to visit ban sprawl. Whole new subdivisions grandparents.

70 FALL CROCUSES

W. J. HAMILTON JR. Ithaca, N.Y.

Very few flowers can vie with the ient white spur, formed by the sheath• crocus for unsullied brilliance, and the ing leaves, will serve to identify both autumn bloomers are no exception. Re• kotschyanus and speciosus at this sea• sembling their spring counterparts they son, while other species still retain their differ only in their greater size and dormancy. Even though planted but a the glorious colored stigmatic branches. year or two, one finds a tremendous How much the gardener has missed increase. who knows only the so called Dutch The large slightly flattened corm is varieties. Showy as these may be, the distinctive, for the irregular periphery fat hybrids of Crocus vernus cannot has slight protuberances. Bowles sug• match those that flaunt their vases at gested that the wealth of little cormlets the other end of the year. There is arose from these slight irregularities, something serene about their ap• but close scrutiny reveals that they pearance amidst the withering and frost cluster about the basal plate. The very blackened herbs of October. Once you thin tunic, with its almost indiscernible have witnessed a great patch of Crocus parallel fibres gives me the impression speciosus, their finely pencilled petals of baldness. The year's offspring are spreading widely and creating a vivid remarkable for their great number and sheet of blue, you will indeed be en• distinctive appearance. These resemble tranced. Such beauty must not be a wheat grain or a rice krispie in hoarded but shared with all. Plant size and color, and will attain where they may be seen and admired, flowering size in two or three years. and new friends will come to your The corms of most species of crocus door. For all who see these lovely have a nutty flavor, not unlike that flowers must surely covet them. of a chestnut, and one can understand Crocus kotschyanus (zonatus) is why they are cherished by both the widely grown and often, with speciosus, goat herder and his flock. the only fall blooming crocus offered Once the pip has pierced the earth, by garden centers or the small bulb a day will suffice to produce the ghostly firms. It is usually the first to bloom, bud, and another will see the dia• the flowers appearing in our borders phanous soft lavender flower open, the from September 13 to 24. The first darker veins paralleling the segments bloom of a fall crocus is anticipated and the fulgent throat sporting two each year and is seldom missed. The distinctive yellow spots at the base of beds are searched for the blanched pip the segments. The anthers are a creamy a week before it is due. Frequently white, while the style is yellow. Like we fork over the border in early so many crocus, this species has a August, for this is a good time to rather weak perianth tube that divide and replant the corms. The incip• substitutes for the stem. A heavy shower

71 will beat down the bloom, but others form of pure aniline blue and a yellow continue to open for several weeks. base. 'Artabir' has broad inner petals A white throated form, Crocus of bluish white with methyl blue lines, hotschyanus leuco pharynx, commonly while the outer segments are a much known in the trade as Crocus kar- deeper blue. 'Oxonian' is a superb duchorum, shows its color a bit later. flower, its deep violet blue globe flower• The species is native to southern ing later than all other forms of spe• Europe. ciosus. It is not often offered, and If I were to grow only one fall how I wish that I had bought more crocus, speciosus would be my choice. than the half dozen corms that were It blossoms with hotschyanus, but its offered for 30 cents each back in 1960. several fine forms open over a long It blooms in November—sometimes! period. Bluest of all, the handsome cups Several years may pass without a are veined with an even deeper hue. flower. Where all these forms are grown Even the closed bloom is a delight together, they hybridize freely. The later with its silvery blue sheen, speckled they are to bloom, the less likely the with purple dots. When the blossom flowers will be fertilized, for bees and fully opens, it will take one's breath other pollinators are not often abroad with its loveliness, for the great in November, when the garden is grow• stigmata of scarlet-red forms a striking ing dank and cold. contrast. The long tube holds it erect for The season of bloom may be extended a few days, then the heavy flower will if one delays planting, and the pur• topple over, its prostrate form still at• veyors of bulbs may unwittingly favor tractive. Others will take its place, for us in this matter. Thus a late shipment a large corm will give a succession of speciosus, received and planted in of bloom. C. speciosus is more widely mid-October, may flower until late No• grown than all other fall blooming spe• vember and with the last colchicums, cies. In good supply and reasonably prolong the season measurably. cheap, it should be planted in quantity. Forty years have passed since I One's initial purchase will pay rich bought a handful of Crocus sativus dividends, for it increases rapidly, both corms, first of the fall bloomers I was by the abundant seed and the prolifera• to try. I had read many accounts of tion of countless cormlets each year. the fabled Saffron Crocus, mentioned The corm differs markedly from in the Song of Solomon and long re• those of hotschyanus, being distinguish• nowned for its use as a dye, a perfume ed by the annulate rings that girdle and a drug that reputedly cured all the lower third of the corm. These the ills man is heir to. As my children are readily sloughed off by one's watched the planting of these precious fingers. corms, I told them the story of this Of the several forms that we grow, fabled plant, how it had been praised C.s. 'Aitchisonii' is our favorite. Flower• by the Greek writers, presumably ing a week or two after speciosus, it brought to England by the Romans, is paler blue and a good bit larger, how the Middle Ages had their saffron some of our flowers measuring fully inspectors and of the unfortunate Fin- four inches across when fully expanded. deker who was burnt to death for adul• The blossoms open in mid-October and terating his saffron. All these and other continue flowering well into November. tales did I tell, and as visitors came C.s. 'Cassiope' is another large flowered to view our earliest fall crocuses and

72 colchieums, I repeated the stories, ca• so many others, he remarked, "Crocus joling them to return in a week to are spring flowers and that is when view the gorgeous and historic bloom I want to see them." The corms were that was soon to open. A few did eight inches deep, well below the level return, to be treated only to clumps at which they had been planted. I set of long, narrow grass-like leaves of them out at this depth, incorporating a gray green color, but not a sight a quantity of sharp sand in the holes. of the glory I had promised. Perhaps, That very night a rabbit ate most of I thought, the corms needed an addi• the long leaves; rabbits seem to be tional baking, so the following year attracted to new plantings. The plants I dug them in late May, placed some were covered with chicken wire and in a paper sack hung in the cellar the leaves grew out in a matter of and buried others in a pail of dry days. And they did bloom well the sand. All were replanted in late August. following year. Possibly we now possess A little well rotted manure was mixed a good flowering clone. Perhaps we in the soil, as the British saffron may even have a few cormlets to spare growers had done in years gone by. in the years ahead. Alas, the cultivated This effort was rewarded with a single saffron crocus is almost always sterile. bud, devoured by slugs before the The variety C.s. cartwrightianus is glorious stigma could unfold. I had a small edition of C. sativus and is little reward with this species over the said to be delightfully free with its years. bloom, but the few I have planted have Then in early October of 1975 I been disappointing. Another variety visited Whit Reynolds, a fellow ARGS from Kashmir is likewise reported to member who gardens on damp rich flower well, while the white form with but well drained soil a few feet above blood red stigma is cherished by the the level of Cayuga Lake. He was an• few who can afford the high priced xious for me to see the growth of some corms. The Saffron Crocus presum• dwarf conifers I had given him that ably likes a fairly rich soil, frequent spring. And there grew in all their dividing and a thorough baking during marvellous colors — Crocus sativus. most of the summer. Given these requi• In utter disbelief, I counted ten large sites, one can hope for some niggardly clumps of the great chalices, their bloom. bright reddish lilac suffused with purple Even though you should meet with at the base and veined in yet deeper some success, don't plan on growing purple. The flaming stigma, with its Crocus sativus for retirement income. flattened branches, flopped over the The chain grocery stores ask $3.60 for widely expanded petals. Once sativus an eighth ounce of Spanish saffron. spreads its gorgeous petals, they remain It requires the stigma from nearly 500 open, subject to storms and foul flowers to approximate this amount. weather. But these clumps were so Be mindful that the Saffron Crocus crowded that the flowers held one has a paucity of bloom under any cir• another upright. When I asked where cumstances in the northeastern states. he had obtained the corms, Whit replied Crocus medius, flowering in mid- that he had bought them at the local October, is one of the loveliest of the Agway garden store several years past. lot. The deep lilac purple bloom has Knowing of my interest in crocus, Whit an indistinct throat patch of radiating urged me to take the lot, for, as to purple lines, a trifle darker than the

73 rest of the flower. The showy orange corm tunic is finely reticulate and the red style, finely divided, contrasts long roots are at least four times the delightfully with the rest of the bloom. depth of the corm, a fact one must The illustration, drawn by Dr. Bill be mindful of when preparing the bulb Dilger, is made from part of a clump bed. dug from the frozen ground on January Perhaps crocuses behave differently 5. It had continued to bloom well after in England, for in the Bowles garden its normal period because of a protec• it was reported to be leafless at flower• tive plastic dome that was shielding ing time, while in our garden the short it from continuing snowfalls. Note the stiff leaves help to support the perianth long perianth tube, characteristic of tube. But this is no occasion for sur• most crocuses, which serves as a stem prise, for the habits of plants and for the flower. Occasionally the tube animals cannot be stereotyped. In the arises from near the basal part of the Northeast, the brown trout is an Oc• corm, rather than from its center. The tober spawner, while in the upper reach• es of the Seine, I have watched them on the redds in February. The medium-sized corm of C. medius increases well if given a sunny spot in sandy loam. While it is native to the hills above the Italian Riviera, it is not lacking in hardiness. Two or three corms soon form a sizeable clump. Crocus ochroleucus is native to Palestine and Syria. The creamy white flowers have an orange base, white an• thers and orange filaments. The flower is small and held on a rather longish frail tube. While perfectly hardy, and blooming well into November, and often much later, it is a fragile species and is quickly beaten down by autumnal gales and rains. For years I have grown this crocus in the open, but am no longer content to trust to the vagaries of the weather. Grown in a covered frame with other choice forms, we have had bloom persist into mid-December. It is said to increase rapidly from a wealth of cormlets, but my plants have not demonstrated this prodigality. Crocus longiflorus appears with its leaves in late October. It has deep lilac purple flowers with rich orange yellow throat and scarlet stigma. Formerly known as odorus, even I can catch / its fragrance. Roy Genders likens its

Crocus medius scent to ripe plums, while Bowles would

74 have his readers bring a few blooms their ends. The dark deep purple into the house to remind them of flowers have attractive orange stigmata. primroses and iris and the coming of This one requires patience, for a year spring. The flowers do splendidly in may elapse after planting before one our hostile clime, far removed from is treated to the flower. It is reported the sunny hills of Malta and Sicily to be common in the Pyrenees. Bowles which they claim as home. remarked on its abundance, stating that I grow Crocus salzmannii because in the Basses-Pyrenees and even about it is available and does well in my Biarritz, it is almost impossible to dig garden. Native to southern Spain and up any plant in any spot at any time North Africa, the pale lilac flower with of the year without obtaining a plentiful yellow throat, yellow anthers and much supply of the small corms of this spe• divided orange style flowers in October. cies. Why then must I search long The bloom has a rather flimsy texture. for a source, then pay two to four A tuft of long grassy leaves precedes dollars a corm, depending on the de• the flower. Mine are growing between mands of the importer. Another expen• paving stones and are thus partially sive beauty is Crocus banaticus, whose secured from mice, which are said to distinctive segments are more like the favor the very large oorms. standards and falls of a miniature iris. Crocus pulchellus is a vigorous doer. The slightly reflexed outer petals are I have owned it but four years, but twice the length of the inner ones, of in that time it has well repaid the a warm purple hue that contrasts well high price of its corms. Close kin to with the pointed lavender inner ones. speciosus, it differs in its rich orange The thready lilac stigmatas are quite colored throat and pure white anthers. unlike those of any other crocus I have The inner segments are marked with seen. My single corm grows in a shaded several dark purple lines and a ring trough, as this Romanian species seems of orange blots at the base of each to prefer moist meadows and open segment. The handsome white cultivar woodlands. The unusually broad dark is seldom offered in the trade. Native shining leaves appear in late spring, to Greece, Turkey and Asia Minor, another feature which serves to dis• it presumably is an abundant species tinguish it from most of its allies. A in the wild but is seldom listed in half milk carton in the frame harbors catalogs. But this robust species in• a dozen two-year-old corms, so we creases well, and provides us with a may have several flowers another year. welcome crop of seeds. Do not overlook Crocus laevigatus, a little beauty that may persist into the We have a few others to keep com• new year. It is best grown in a covered pany with those listed above. Crocus frame, for snow frequently buries its goulimyi, described as recently as 1955, handsome flowers. forms a little lavender globe on a five inch perianth tube. The anthers and There are others to brighten the stark style are a pale sulphur. Mine are earth of the passing year, but the spe• grown in a whiskey barrel half, to cies listed above should provide the permit closer scrutiny. In the same tub, incipient crocus buff with a good start. several oorms of the unique Crocus We cannot hope to emulate the great nudiflorus have been planted. From the E. A. Bowles nor his friends Anderson, rather small corm, underground stolons Elwes, Farrer, Dean Herbert, Maw and are formed, producing small corms at their likes, but surely we can profit

75 from their writings based so well on ties can plant seed regularly, knowing long experience. The great lists of a we may never see the fruition of our century past are but memories. Even efforts, then surely you youngsters in in the past quarter century, the offerata middle life should not delay. Often the shows a yearly decline. A decade past, only manner in which a rare bulb or one Massachusetts firm listed a dozen corm may be obtained is from seed. fall bloomers and 59 winter flowering To be sure, a year may elapse before species and their varieties. The same germination occurs, but if one makes broker offered only six fall bloomers a start, it is but a short time before and ten winter flowering forms in 1976. new treasures are appearing annually. British firms offer us a wider choice. One may expect a packet of seed Twenty-one fall bloomers are listed by from the exchange in February, perhaps an advertiser in our Bulletin. There earlier. The seed should be planted on is no longer a problem in importing receipt. Crocus seed require no chilling, most bulbs and corms from abroad. but they do respend to a 24 hour Many, including crocus, are not subject soaking which surely speeds germina• to inspection, nor is an import permit tion. A fibre glass window box or any (cyclamens excepted) required. My similar container, provided with ade• friends and I are well satisfied with quate drainage holes, is filled a quarter British importations. We are not happy of its depth with broken crocks, cinders with our treatment by some American or large grit, then levelled off with firms, who exhort us to order early, equal parts of porous soil (composted then delay their shipment until the sod), sharp sand or chick grit, and ground is frozen, when the cold earth peat moss. The seeds are planted at must militate against root development. a depth of one half inch, in alternate If your purse strings are tight, and rows with snowflakes, scillas, muscari, must forego the purchase of corms, ornithogalums, etc. We start our seed there is yet another way to stock your on a sun porch which has a winter borders. Seed is usually not offered night temperature of 48-55°F. and day by commercial houses, but the seed temperatures of 60-75°F. depending on exchanges offer a splendid source of the amount of sunshine, which is a supply. In the past ten years, the ARGS very scarce item in Ithaca during the seed lists have posted an average of winter months. Crocus goulimyi has 23 species and varieties of crocus an• germinated in 33 days, while other spe• nually, while the Alpine Garden Society, cies are somewhat slower. The foliage over the same period, has bettered us may persist for two or three months. by listing an average of 58 species When it dies down, the tiny corms and their varieties over the same period. are spooned out into a saucer, then The Scottish Rock Garden Club also planted in half-gallon milk cartons. outdoes us in this respect. Crocus seed These are prepared by removing the is always in demand, and the less com• lower half with a single edge razor mon species seem always in short sup• blade, then cutting two triangular holes ply. Start with your own seed, or beg in the bottom for drainage. Screening a few from a more fortunate gardener. is fitted into the bottom (fine meshed hardware cloth will do) and provided When one learns that flowering sized with drainage material to a third its corms are not to be had for four or depth. The cormlets are planted half- five years after sowing, he or she may inch deep in the same mixture as they despair. But if those of us in our seven•

76 were started in, and the cartons placed or rubble should fill the excavated site close together in a frame, which is to a depth of several inches. If the covered with half-inch chicken wire soil is heavy, it is well to elevate the to exclude varmints. Two years ago, frame so that it sits a few inches above we started planting the seed directly ground level. Oak whiskey barrels, sawn in the cartons. These containers last through the middle, and properly fitted for two years, when the small corms with adequate drainage holes, make ex• will have drawn themselves toward the cellent tubs for growing crocuses. These bottom of the container. Now the size are filled two-thirds full with stones, of a pea, or often larger, they go into broken bricks or cinders, then a good permanent quarters, where one may ex• mixture of light soil added to provide pect bloom in a year or two. a growing bed of eight or ten inches. If one is to collect his own seed, This permits good drainage and a prop• close watch of the swelling seed pod er summer baking for those that re• must be kept in late May or early quire such treatment. June. The ovary is just above the corm, The late E. B. Anderson provided but as seed maturation approaches, the good counsel for those who would have stalk under the ovary has pushed it success with these mid-east species. He to the surface and the large brown stated that most bulbs and corms are seed capsule appears. The seeds are starting to rest when other rock plants large and readily recovered just prior are in full growth and in need of water, to dehiscing. Some species have strik• which is just what most bulbs do not ingly colored seed, glowing like little want at this stage. He recommended rubies when fresh. It is well to plant a raised bed, six inches high, built as soon as collected, but as indicated about small deciduous trees, such as above, storage does not inhibit germina• Primus or Malus. These will serve as tion. a water pump, the roots taking up any excess moisture. With the fall of Many crocus are native to the the leaves in autumn, the moisture need• Mediterranean area and the Middle ed for flowering is then available to East, where the earth receives a the crocus. A dry wall serves equally thorough baking during a rather long well, the bulbs or corms being planted dry season. Thus quite a few species on top of the wall. This is also a profit from being grown in a frame good site to plant Iris danfordiae. which can be covered with glass, or Search the countryside for old lichen- better, a sheet of plexiglass or acrylic covered stone walls for your raised plastic. The latter can be cut to any beds, these are attractive and add desired size, is lightweight and com• greatly to the appearance of your gar• pletely transparent and will not discolor den. even after years of exposure to sun Shall we use a ground cover to pro• and water. I usually make the flat top• tect the crocus flowers from the late ped frame of a size to match the sheet storms of the year? Farrer would have of plastic glass. It can be knocked us plant the corms "under a carpet together of weathered boards six to of something else, not only for the eight inches wide. Site it so that optimal protection of the crocus bloom itself, sunlight may be had. A frame measur• but also that the something else may ing only two by three feet will easily have its hour of glory when the crocus accommodate two hundred or more is no more". He urges a cover of corms. A layer of coarse sand, cinders Arenaria, Cotula, Acaena, Veronica re-

77 pens and others as being admirable which is too open to shelter slugs. carpets to associate with crocus for Crocus are remarkably free of disease the mutual benefit of both. and have few insect pests. They suffer We must again be reminded that from that implacable hoarder, the chip• most crocus enjoy a good baking in munk. Tamias will uncover the choicest their resting period; if they are to corms, leaving nothing but the shredded be topped by a spring or summer cover tunics. Cottontails are equally destruc• that requires water, then its purpose tive, for they often defoliate the plants will be defeated. Such green ground which results in a weakened flower bud covers all too often harbor slugs, which or none at all in the coming year. are inordinately fond of the crocus Mice and slugs are equally destructive, flower. If one must 'mulch', select a and even birds seem to delight in tear• plant that is reasonably open and can ing apart the newly opened flowers. manage without recourse to the hose. So guard against these pests and plant Sedum coeruleum is such a plant. The enough for them and for your own starry blue flowers persist for weeks. pleasure. Some of our crocus have seeded under Finally, place an order immediately semi-prostrate cotoneasters, the bran• you receive a catalog, for they should ches helping to support the flowering be gotten in the ground in August if you tube and forming an attractive foil are to enjoy them the same year.

As you go around the garden this spring admiring the newly sprung bulbs and greening buns and carpets, keep an eye open for the unwanted seedlings of trees and shrubs and yank them out summarily. The green propellers of sprouting maple keys and the unfurling leaves of seedlings that managed to attain a foothold last year show up well before the herbaceous plants have a chance to rise up and conceal them and they are easier to haul out before their roots delve deep.

78 A WOODLAND ARISTOCRAT

MRS. RALPH CANNON Chicago Illinois

Every woodlander should grow a col• the edges and dark, shiny green in ony of Helleborus orientalis, commonly color. This makes them very handsome, known as Lenten Roses, somewhere in sturdy and Gothic throughout the grow• their woods. They are a member of ing season. When the gloom of winter the Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae). is still with us the flowers of the Lenten Though neither new nor rare they are Roses begin to appear. In early April remarkably beautiful and easy to grow. when most of other plants are sleeping, These plants are not indigenous to our it is marvelous to walk in the woods, American woodlands but a prudent all bundled up, and find the Helleborus woodlander is always looking for a trying to push its blossoms up for view wonderful new plant to naturalize. I and give a charming foretaste of became interested when a friend from delights to come. Along with the England sent me six hybrid plants and snowdrops they may be called the I began to study this genus and found heralds of spring. As they bloom so that my interest turned to sheer fascina- early the blossoms can be laid flat tion.Among the hybrids were: H. 'Pet- with frost or snow but will rise again sarao', with white cups; H. 'Prince when mild temperatures return and Rupert', white cups spotted with maroon come through without suffering. Several and H. 'Nancy Smith', purple cups. nodding flowers are carried on each I now have three large colonies growing ten to twelve inch stem and are in different areas, each colony being markedly decorative. The showy part more than a yard square and all grown of the bloom is the petaloid oaylx which from seed. remains fresh looking on the plants It is said that H. orientalis traveled for a long time although toward the from Turkey, Greece and Asia Minor end they become greenish in color. The to England and from England to the cups are two to three inches in diameter U.S.A. They definitely are ideal for and substantial in texture. In the center woodlands provided that they are curious tubular nectaries, which are shadowed by taller plants or the high modified true petals, stand just behind shade of trees and that their the cream colored stamens. These in physiological nutritional demands are turn are clustered round the prominent met. These plants have a tolerance for horn-like green stigmas. A mixed colony shade that few other plants have and will show a wide range of colors, from few woodlands exist where conditions white to off-white, cream, rose, lilac favorable for growth does not already or purple and sometimes may be spotted exist. They revel in leaf mold and like or blotched with other colors. I have a fairly heavy loam and moisture. In never had a yellow one. As a cut flower favored places they may reach two feet they are not reliable. You may be suc• in height. The foliage is very cessful if you cut them in bud, split distinctive: strong, leathery, palmate the stems and plunge the tip of the leaves, deeply cut or divided into seven stalk into nearly boiling water for a segments or lobes, coarsely toothed at minute or so. If successful, they will

79 last a long time in the vase. plants are bought, you will have to These plants do not like to be disturb• wait a couple of years before they ed and therefore resist transplanting, flower but once established they will so plant them where they will remain. improve year after year. If the plants have to be moved do After H. orientalis is happily estab• so right after flowering. One-year-old lished they will thrive without any atten• seedlings are more easily moved. tion. They are long-lived and need no Since plants are expensive, this cultivation and will flourish and flower should inspire raising them from seed. every spring. Just leave them and enjoy Growing them from seed can be them. They are self-contained and self- fascinating and will add to the size sufficient plants. If you do not gather of your colony as well as providing the seeds for increasing your colony, an element of surprise when they bloom. you will find self-sown seedlings, My batches of seedlings have been from possibly a new hybrid. I have never open-pollinated seeds. A colony of a seen any damage by mice or slugs dozen or so plants makes a beautiful on any of the plants. Their tolerance planting, for their spectacular foliage to severe winter conditions of —20°F. is striking and of lasting interest. Seeds confirms their hardiness and they will become ripe the latter part of June. remain semi-evergreen if a few They will be found in the three horns evergreen boughs are thrown over them in the center of the old bloom and after the ground freezes. If the extent the capsule must be gathered before of the woodland allows one to indulge they dehisce and shed their seed. Generally a heavy crop of seed is pro• in such luxuries as these Lenten Roses, duced. Plant the seed at once using it is indeed fortunate. Because these standard techniques and wait until the perennial plants are remarkable, following spring for germination. Cover beautiful and rewarding in any the planting with dead leaves which woodland setting and require no divid• will protect them from being washed ing, no staking or cultivation, in fact away by rain. These seedlings will pro• no work after they are established, they duce flowers in three to four years. warrant consideration for naturalization Instead of relying on seeds, if new by all true woodlanders everywhere.

Love, knowledge, and plants are never lost in the giving and frequently, like bread crumbs scattered on the waters, are returned a thousand fold. How often we have given away a division or cutting or a pinch of seed to a friend only to beg back a new start of that same plant after it has vanished, alas, from our own garden? How many unusual clones of inestimable value have been lost to cultivation because the finder wished to he the only one who grew it? Yet how many now grace our gardens because a unique find was propagated and generously shared.

80 Handbook on American Gardens, quote from the Editor's introductory Brooklyn Botanic Garden Record, statements: Plants and Gardens, Vol. 26, No. 3, "The 250 gardens which are describ• Revised Printing, 1977, 87 pp.; ed in this Handbook are a varied Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Wash• group. The majority are botanic ington Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y., 11225. . . . gardens or arboreta, while some are estate or plantation gar• Broadly speaking, those who are dens, and a few are nature unacquainted with the Brooklyn Botanic preserves. Still others are commer• Garden Record series of Handbooks, cial enterprises. They range in size entitled "Plants and Gardens" are miss• from one-quarter to 10,000 acres. ing a collection of most useful reference All of them, regardless of their materials extending over many years. diverse origins, are places of beauty These Handbooks are basic, they are and harmony in a changing environ• specific, they are essentially for the ment." layman; they are in layman's language As its subtitle states, this Hand• but, as one would expect and as may book is in fact a Traveler's Guide. be needful, they are also technically There are entries for 48 of the States accurate; and where editorial judgment plus the District of Columbia, and the dictates technical terminology, they do Virgin Islands (missing: Wyoming, not shun the technical. All together in Alaska and Puerto Rico). There are their more than fifty titles currently entries for each of the Provinces of available, they cover probably as broad Canada except the Yukon and North• a spectrum of horticultural interests and west Territories and their associated subject matter as one is likely to find arctic realms. In short, wherever a published under one roof anywhere on mobile populace can go on wheels here this continent. While, perforce, they is a storehouse of concisely stated data give due attention to the Garden's on what travelers in pursuit of hor• parish, they are by no means parochial. ticultural interests may find when they As is well known, the Garden's world get there. of horticulture is world-wide; its Any such compilation is necessarily publications accordingly embrace sub• selective; you'll not find, for instance, stantial leagues of square miles of our directions to Wyoming's Medicine earthly sphere. Wheel (Thanks be, but see ARGS Bulle• The immediate concern of the tin, Vol. 29, No. 3, p. 81); but you Handbook under review is the broad will find: expanses of this land of ours and of Item: Routings to and details about our good neighbor to the north. To (including open hours, admission

81 charges, etc.) such spots as Coral other among the two dozen entries. Gables' Fairchild Tropical Garden, Item: If, with forethought and more with its "Montgomery Palmetum" time, you gathered in from Califor• (Conn, members note, please, the nia's State Chamber of Commerce Montgomery Pinetum in Greenwich (the Handbook lists State and Pro• — not listed under Conn., true, but vincial Tourist Information no matter: it's the same Bureaus, with addresses) assorted Montgomery, and so is Picea brochures, maps, etc., you could in• pungens glauca 'Montgomery'). We dulge in a "garden-hopping binge" are reminded that the Fairchild Gar• of major proportions up and down den also holds a palm glade in the State. (That you might return cherished memory of Liberty Hyde home to find your job gone and Bailey and — note please — atten• your garden irretrievably lost in tion is also called to a rock garden weeds and underbrush might be a within the bounds. (Should be in• small price to pay — if you're teresting indeed, and an inducement that dedicated.) and spur to our southern members.) So much for samples. Item: In case you missed the exhibit For a horticultural "bus-man's holi• in Seattle in 1976, you will find day", this Handbook and, as a compan• for future inspection reference to ion volume, the Guide to Public Gar• the genus Nothofagus — the beeches dens issued by the Garden Club of of the Southern Hemisphere scarcely America (see ARGS Bulletin, Vol. 35, known in this country, but visible No. 2, p. 98) will, together or in the University of Washington Ar• separately, enhance your travels boretum. materially. Between these two, one can Item: Rock gardening and herb garden• hardly escape some overlapping of ing need not be wholly alien one places listed, but that is of little import, from the other. Did you, when at for in many particulars the two comple• our Annual Meeting in Milwaukee ment each other, and you'll be the '73, see in the Boerner Gardens one gainer. Both are modestly priced and of the country's largest collections of convenient pocket-size. Don't leave of herbs? If not, you will find home without them. directions to help you retrace your Milton S. Mulloy steps. Item: The entries for Pennsylvania re• veal a bewildering number of gar• Gardens in Winter. Elizabeth Lawrence. dens missed in the Philadelphia area Claitor's Publishing Division, P.O. Box when we foregathered in spring, 1977 3333, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821 at Valley Forge. Some of those may well become objectives for later trips. In the year of its first publication, Item: What is one to say of Califor• 1961. Gardens in Winter by Elizabeth nia? For those burdened with but Lawrence was reviewed in the ARGS limited vacation time, the only Bulletin, wherein it was described as recourse is to fly and to hire a "the product of a prodigious amount car on arrival. Then with this of experience and research". Further, Handbook in one hand and road the author's style was deemed reminis• maps within reach, start at one end cent of that of Reginald Farrer and of the State and zig-zag toward the Gertrude Jekyll.

82 Now sixteen years later Gardens on native irids, autumn-flowering in Winter is re-issued with 16 addi• bulbs and other topics may be found tional pages to record additional notes in the 1940 and '50 numbers of the gathered in during those years. Miss Bulletin. Lawrence cherishes and nurtures gar• Caroline Dorman's drawings dening friends all across the country enhance Gardens in Winter and there and with their help she depicts winter is much of her gardening experience gardens under climatic conditions in Louisiana as reported to Miss Law• widely differing from her own in rence also included in its pages. I Charlotte, North Carolina. am happy to note that Dr. Dorman's Miss Lawrence received the William own books Flowers Native to the Deep Herbert Medal from the American South and Natives Preferred are Amaryllis (now Plant Life) Society available from the same publisher, in 1943 and the ARGS Award of Claitor's. Merit in 1972. Several of her articles BH.

* • • of Cabbages and Kings • • •

First, I would like to thank all those the rest of the magazine. I have who so gallantly and immediately discovered that being the editor of a answered my pleas for articles; without publication such as the Bulletin is not their instant and generous response precisely conducive to thinking deep neither this issue of the Bulletin nor thoughts while relaxing in an easy the last could have been gotten out chair. Most of what will appear in to the membership as swiftly as they this column will be material supplied have been. by others. I have, however, ruminated Though I have had a little previous to a considerable extent over the prob• experience as an editor (helping Line lem of what the Bulletin represents with his books and articles and working and what its readers expect it to be. for our local newspaper), these past Magazines come and go, rise and few months have been an education fall, change their format and their con• for me. If I remember accurately there tent. In the last issue of the ARGS was at one time in a national magazine Bulletin, there was a slight change in a column called "The Editor's Easy format; in lieu of the wonted full Chair." It contained the fine flower page-width line of type there is now of the editor's private ruminations and a two column set-up. The size of type one visualized him, slipper-clad, loung• remains the same; it is still ten-point, ing back in his cushioned chair, think• though we did toy with the idea, partly ing deep thoughts. But if, indeed, this for our own comfort in proof reading, flow of philosophic prose was the prod• of going to a slightly larger twelve-point uct of the real editor, I'm sure he typeface. I have been assured that the had to find a surrogate to get out short line in the two column format

83 is easier to read than the longer page- to do with them. Could a picture inter• width line, perhaps you agree. It has pret the humor in Wayne Roderick's an additional benefit in that it allows article in this issue and the personality for greater flexibility in picture size; of the early plant explorers about whom in many cases a narrower than full he writes? Could a picture or even page width is better suited to the subject a series of pictures describe as ac• matter than is the full page spread. curately the needs of a specific plant Because of our commitment to the as do growing instructions given in present printer, the Bulletin is printed a few concise words? by letter press. This means that all But of what should the written con• pictures have to be made into either tent of the Bulletin consist? Some hor• line cuts or, in the case of photographs, ticultural publications have gone in al• half-tone plates at some expense per most exclusively for technical articles, square inch and, if the only illustrations at times in a scientific jargon so dense available are color slides, these have as to be almost un-understandable ex• to be first converted to black and white cept among the elect; others have con• prints. Each step is expensive and dur• centrated on instructions for the begin• ing each step something is lost in ner, with the result that the same sub• clarity. Line drawings reproduce better ject matter is covered yearly over and than even black and white photographs over again. Yet others have filled their and both are better than slides. pages with the activities of the society: From time to time the question of committee reports, lists of plant-show color pictures in the Bulletin has been winners, program notes and, in a few mooted. This has been looked into but cases, cosy accounts of local get- the cost would be prohibitive — and is togethers including a description of it really necessary? It is true that the tempting goodies supplied by the over the years most magazines having refreshment committee. a general circulation and even a few Except for a few reprinted articles, of the more specialized publications the members of a society such as ours have gone in for page after glossy are the sole source of the material page of color photography. In a few that appears in their publication. The cases the results are stunning, but in editor can beg for articles. He cannot some the reproduction is smeary and commission them nor can he offer to off color and in certain cases the stress pay. Therefore to a very large extent on full color illustrations has been ac• the magazine depends on what turns companied by a lessening in the quan• up. We are, perhaps, more fortunate tity and even in the quality of the in this respect than some other specialist reading matter. Perhaps this over-riding societies. Our field is not a narrow belief in the value of full color pictures one concerned with but a single plant results from television or Mr. family or genus, nor need we be con• McLuhan's statement (probably misin• cerned with everything that grows as terpreted) that the medium is the are the botanical gardens which must message. We have been led to believe consider the whole world of plants from that we have become a nation of non- the arctic to the tropics to the home readers. But I believe that our members, vegetable plot. at least, can read and, indeed, enjoy Our subject matter is sufficiently reading about plants and gardens and restricted to be comfortably encompassed landscapes and the people that have within the pages of our Bulletin, yet

84 wide enough to be the source of many proached it with a different point of and varied articles, some of which should view. As a result, it is in need of re• please most of our readers most of the organization, especially some of its beds time. (which are examples of what Farrer categorized as "Dog's Graves" and "Al• An Unusual Opportunity mond Puddings",) so that they will blend more readily into the landscape. Frank Cabot, our treasurer, sends The problem is that Mr. Stefenelli and in this suggestion for a "working" vaca• his staff have their hands full carrying tion for an alpine enthusiast: out their mission and are unable to cope The Giardino Alpino "Paradisia" is with the reorganization and the weeding located at 1700 meters (5600 ft.) at and the 60,000 summer visitors at the the foot of the Gran Paradiso Massif same time. (4061 meters or 13,323 ft.) in Valnon- There is an opportunity here for a tey at the upper end of the Cogne small number of rock gardeners (spread Valley which lies directly to the south throughout the May 15-October 15 sea• of Aosta in the heart of the Graian son at the rate of one or two individuals Alps in northern Italy. at a time) to exchange board and lodg• "Paradisia" has been in existence ing in one of the most dramatic of for some fifteen years and the setting alpine valleys for highly satisfying work for the alpine garden, which is part in an alpine garden where plants that of the Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso, lowlanders struggle over flourish and is incomparable with its backdrop of abound. The individuals who pursue everlasting snow and steep valley sides this opportunity should be experienced strewn with lichen covered boulders that gardeners with a demonstrated talent lead down and form the framework for rock work that is considered aes• of the garden. thetically satisfying to their peers. A Silvio Stefenelli, the Director of the familiarity with Italian or French or garden, is a highly sympathetic, self- German would also come in handy. taught, diligent horticulturist who, in While much of the time would be addition to running an alpine botanic spent in working in the garden there garden, herbarium and index seminum, would, of course, be opportunities to is engaged in mapping the flora of explore the surrounding heights and the region and conducting cultural ex• valleys and to enjoy the glorious flora periments on endemic plants with of the Graian Alps and the ibex that economic potential, such as the genus abound in the National Park. Masses Artemisia which flavors a variety of of Androsace vandellii (imbricata) potent liqueurs made in the region. grow on cliffs within an hour's walk, Mr. Stefenelli spends the entire year Saxifraga tombeanensis is found up one in the valley (moving a few miles down valley, Saxifraga caesia and diapen- the road to Cogne in mid-winter so sioides up another. The alpine turf is that his children can get to school) a carpet of Pulsatilla, Androsace carnea and lives in a charming alpine chalet and Gentiana verna and, of course, that adjoins the garden. Over the years Paradisia liliastrum. he has built up a fine herbarium of Those who have what it takes and native plants. who like the idea of this particular The garden has had several directors "stairway to Paradise" should write in its short life, each of whom ap• Silvio Stefenelli, Giardino Alpino

85 "Paradisia", Valnontey, 11012 Cogne My original plant was given to me (Aosta), Italia. by a friend and plant enthusiast who collected it on one of his trips. A. Androsace Chamaejasme chamaejasme can be found in the open field but is more likely to inhabit the Harold Siebert, of Stony Plains, Al• edge of woods. berta, Canada sends in the following I am always charmed by this plant vignette on Androsace chamaejasme. no matter what time of year, and when The accompanying delightful drawing it is in bloom it calls me down to is by Linda Chabun who works in it for just one more delightful sniff his greenhouses: before going to the house. * Secret Soil Mix Some of you may already have a favorite soil mixture but others may be floundering, wondering which plant likes what. My mixture for most alpines except the ericas is as follows: 1 part topsoil (preferably from a good farm) 1 part sphagnum peat (from a natural peat bed, although the baled stuff will do in a pinch) 1 part washed sand (not fill sand) 1 part mushroom compost (This is beautiful. I get mine from a mushroom This little gem is one of my favorites. farm nearby. You could substitute well It is a native of Alberta and a happy rotted manure or aged compost ins• resident in my alpine house. In winter the plant is inactive (I keep the tem• tead. ) perature at 35°F.) and the deep green For ericas I just triple the peat. rosettes, about the size of a nickel, remind me of webby sempervivums. I Dwarf Alders have to be careful not to overwater This interesting report of an unu• in winter because they are susceptible sual find is from Edith Dusek of to powdery mildew. Graham, Washington: In the alpine house they will come Finding young alders (Alnus rubra) into flower about April: fragrant, in the Pacific Northwest is nothing creamy flowers with a dark orange eye, noteworthy. Each newly shorn bit of tiny, the size of your little fingernail, ground quickly develops a coat of them very much like those of Androsace competing so fiercely for life that in lanuginosa in appearance, but the heads three years time it can be nearly im• are borne on the top of rigid, two possible to push one's way through inch stems. them. Understandably any alder babe A. chamaejasme multiplies slowly by that is indiscreet enough to appear in underground stolons, and I use my stand• the gardens gets short shrift. ard alpine mix* to grow it in. Fresh Several years ago my fingers were seed germinates easily and the plants flying from one unwanted bit of are fairly generous with seed. greenery to the next when a young

86 alder, no more than a few inches high, my son's eye. He now has it in a had the temerity to break off rather proper bonsai dish and quite a fetching than pull out as they usually do. creation it is. Perhaps this is what called my attention Whether or not my eye has been to it, perhaps not. At any rate, at sharpened so that it has become more that particular moment I hadn't a tool aware of small things that are unusual, handy with which to evict the remainder I do not know, but shortly thereafter and, being in my customary hurry, another of these runty alders with pint I passed it by with a promise to give sized leaves was found. The following it its come-uppance during the next year we spotted two more. They were session of weeding. Still, something dug and potted. Misfortune in the shape nagged about that pesky alder. For of a playful kitten ended the career its height it must have had an unusual of one. It was then decided to plant supply of roots to tack it to the ground the other two in a frame of rich dirt with such determination. Normally to see if this would cause them to seedling alders have one or, at most, revert to type. They showed their appre• a few chunky stems, large buds, a few ciation by producing somewhat larger, large leaves and not too many roots. though far from normal, leaves. Though This one had numerous wispy stems they looked prosperous by the end of with small buds and leaves about the the season, one was less than a foot size of a nickel. Oh well, I thought, tall while the other scarcely made ten just a starveling — or was it? Subse• inches. This fall's cleanup produced yet quent checks disclosed that the un• one more of these curiously small al• daunted little alder had put out fresh ders, this one about three inches high twigs and leaves, but instead of throw• or near it, among quite normal ing out one stout main branch with brethren, and several even more which to be on with the business of minute specimens with miniscule leaves. living, it remained low and twiggy. The "tall" one looked definitely a I let it be, why I do not know, for keeper. After a conference, it was de• alders rate high on my list of least cided to leave the wee ones for another favorite trees. year to see what would happen to them. A couple of years later, our son Now we are pondering why all these became engrossed with bonsai and his dwarfs should appear in an area no enthusiasm was contagious. My fingers larger than a city lot, most of them itched to try shaping something — any• within a stone's throw of one another. thing. Aha! That scruffy little alder Do alders normally produce dwarfs with was just the thing for a novice to such frequency only to be overwhelmed use as a practice tree. There it was, by their more vigorous fellows or is still no more than a foot tall though there something unusual about this par• by my calculations it should have been ticular location? No other dwarf trees closer to fifteen feet. Once dug and of any sort have appeared in the area. potted it was a rather interesting look• However, a few years ago, a pond, ing affair with numerous short, which lies just to windward, produced threadlike branches held stiffly erect, albino tadpoles of the Red-legged Frog something after the fashion of a Lom- (Rana aurora.) The appearance of one bardy Popular. My attempts at shaping albino creature is rather unusual; this it could not have been too much amiss pond had dozens of them, quite bog• for at last the puny little misfit caught gling the imagination of the

87 herpetologist who checked into the mat• plant species as well as for air traffic. ter. Is there any connection between A great deal of plant life found its the proliferation of albino tadpoles and way across the land bridge as did peo• of dwarf alders? We have no idea. ple and animals. Many plants are the No more of the tadpoles have been same on both sides of the Bering Sea found. Needless to say we are keeping and others are closely related to those watch for more of the curious little across the straits. alders. St. Lawrence Island is a remnant • • • of the old land bridge and, as might be expected, is rich in Asiatic species. In the letter accompanying her arti• Alaska is sparsely populated and has cle, Mrs. Dusek reports that Polygala had comparatively little serious botaniz• calcarea, thought by some gardeners ing. It is entirely possible that species to be a difficult, miffy plant, is one hitherto unknown to this continent may of her "favorite good natured plants." yet be discovered here. It is also likely In her garden "it makes platter sized that further botanizing of the state will mats so smothered in season with its result in the extension of the range blue flowers that scarcely a leaf is of many plants, particularly from in sight. It self-sows a bit too and Siberia. Several plants that are now all without a lot of fuss and feathers known to range west in Canada almost on my part." Mrs. Dusek must have to our border may also be found here a fairly limy soil. Here, too, in our in the future. limestone soil, this lovely little polygala An example of the kind of thing flourishes and self-sows, but will not to look for near the American side last a season where the soil is acid. of the old land bridge is Salix num- mularia. This willow species has been noted as advancing across northern Siberia to the Bering Straits across Note From Alaska from Wales, Alaska, on the Seward Helen A. White of Anchorage, Alaska Peninsula. Why couldn't it be found sends the following note: near Wales too? Scientists now believe that there was Carbon-14 dating has shown that a bridge of land across the Bering Alaska's flora is much the same today Sea, fluctuating in extent, until the final as it was 20,000 years ago before it division between Siberia and Alaska migrated to these shores. One might took place about 10,000 years ago. It come across some really "old" plants seems that Alaska is a crossroads for here.

To protect and harden-off young shrubs and evergreens, a snow fence—or equivalent—laid on rails to rest above the plants is a wondrous help. It saves losses among rhododendrons in particular. D. DeV., Monroe, Conn.

88 THE PERMANENT METAL LABEL A—Hairpin Style Markers 10 for $1.65 B—Plant or Shrub Labels 50 for $1.50 C—Cap Style Markers 10 for $1.65 D—Swinging Style Markers 10 for $1.50 E—Rose Markers 10 for $1.65 F—Tall Display Markers 10 for $2.25 G—Tall Single Staff Markers .... 10 for $2.15 H—Pot or Rock Garden Markers . . . 10 for $1.25 J—Small Plant Labels 50 for $1.25 PAW PAW EVERLAST LABEL COMPANY Box 93 — E Paw Paw, Michigan 49079 Quantity Prices Available Postage Prepaid

Grower of GARDEN ROCKS FOR SALE Wholesale & Retail ROCK PLANTS, HERBS at location in the PERENNIALS ILI0N GORGE, ILI0N, NEW YORK 13357 ANNUALS Calcareous Tufa, also called "Horsebone" The proper kind of stone for rock gardens and Large Selection Religious Grottos. Large variety in size, shape and appearance. No Catalog In large quantities—$25.00 per ton In small quantities—$2.00 per Bu. All Plants for Sale at Nursery Only ?.t per lb. Selected specimens somewhat more SAMUEL F. BRIDGE, JR. Depending on size and appearance 437 North Street JOSEPH T. FERDULA Greenwich, Conn. 06830 300 Litchfield St., Frankfort, N.Y. 13340

DISPOSING OF OLD BULLETINS? The Society's reserve stock of back Numbers is seriously depleted or exhausted In the following. These are URGENTLY NEEDED to keep a supply available for Members who seek to build up their own libraries. If you have no further use for yours, others do. Many thanks to past donors; many more are needed to meet demands. Vols. 1-10, inclusive — Vol. 20, Noa. 1, 3 & 4 any and all Numbers Vol. 21, Nos. 1, 2 & 4 Vol. 11, No. 3 Vol. 22, Nos. 1 & 2 Vol. 12, Nos. 2, 3 & 4 Vol. 24, Nos. 1 Vol. 13, Nos. 1 & 2 Vol. 23, No. 3 Vol. 14. No. 1 Vol. 25. Nosu 2, 3 Vol. 15, Nos,. 1, 2 & 4 Vol. 27, No. 3 Vol. 16, all 4 Nos. Vol. 28, No. 3 Vol. 17, all 4 Noa Vol. 29, No. 3 Vol. 18, Nos. 1. 3 & 4 Vol. 31, Nos. 1 Vol. 19, Nos. 2 & 3 Vol. 32, No. 2 Please send to ARGS SECRETARY, 3 Salisbury Lane, Malvern, Pa. 19355. Secretary will also entertain offers for extensive "runs". Postage will be refunded.

NATURE'S GARDEN THE ROCK GARDEN Maine Hardy Plants

QUALITY PRIMROSES Choice Cultivars — Uncommon Species Grown and Mailed in Peat-lite ASIATICS-ALPINES New Varieties Annually NATIVE PLANTS. LIST 50 cts. Seedlings from Several Exchanges and other European Sources ROUTE 1, BOX 488 Many Ericas and Callunas Mail Order Catalog 40<2

BEAVERTON, OREGON 97005 LITCHFIELD, MAINE 04350

89 1978 Holidays for Flower and Mountain Lovers with FAIRWAYS & SWINFORD

A selection of our 1978 tours is given below and details of these and others will be sent automatically to any members of the ARGS on our Mailing List and on request, otherwise. Every departure is escorted by a suitable expert and, where their names are not shown here, will be supplied on our prospectus.

LV/l: NEPAL—THE LANGTANG VALLEY—6 to 26 May: £660 Oleg Polunin accompanies this trek, on which fifteen nights are spent under canvas and are preceded and followed by a day or two in Katmandu for acclimatising and resting respectively. The Langtang is famous for its rhododendrons and for its splendid views of Langtang Lirung and other peaks. A few days are spent at Shingdum, the head of the valley, from which there are several enticing walks and climbs.

SB/62: SPAIN—BEILSA—VALLE DE PIN ETA—31 May to 14 June: £216 This small village lies at the foot of the Valle de Pineta in the Spanish Pyrenees at about 3,500 feet, close to the National Park of Ordesa and is an excellent centre for making expeditions into the high mountains, where an interesting flora is to be found. We stay at a pleasant family hotel on the slopes at the edge of the village from which there are lovely views and delightful walks.

SB/63: SPAIN—SIERRA DE CAZORLA—13 to 27 June: £251 The Sierra de Cazorla spreads over most of the Jaen Province and is crossed from North to South by the great network of the river Guadalquivir which flows swiftly through a series of gorges and ravines turning into waterfalls of dramatic beauty. We stay at over 6,000 feet in a beautifully placed Parador from which there are walks leading to a remarkable variety of mountain plants including the viola cazorlensis, an extremely rare species of violet to be found only in these parts, and locally known as the Andalusian Edelweiss. This region is also famous for its birds and wild life in general.

SB/64: ITALY—PONTB DE LEGNO—27 June to 11 July: £249 This very attractive centre lies at about 4,500 feet, at the head of the Val Camonica in the norther part of the Province of Brescia and is very well equipped with transport to the high places where flowers grow in variety and abundance. It is in fine walking country, and the hotel is particularly recommended.

In addition to the holidays mentioned above we shall also be operat• ing two tours to LAD AKH—India's Little Tibet—in July and September, as well as our special and unique pony-trek in Kashmir and two tours to Nepal and Kashmir in May and October. Our tour of South Africa leaves in September. FAIRWAYS & SWINFORD (Travel) Ltd. 37 Abbey Road, St. John's Wood London NW8 OBY, England (Telephone 01 624 9812 Cables SWINFAIR LONDON NW8) ^ PLANTS FOR THE CONNOISSEUR DWARF CONIFERS—for troughs and rock garden that will not outgrow their site in a short time. JAPANESE MAPLES—only the finest are grown. Dwarf in growth—exquisite foliage. The above for mailorder or pickup. CATALOGUE 50$ The following for pickup only. ROCK PLANTS—ALPINE HOUSE PLANTS—DWARF RHODODENDRON Many rarities in quantities too small to list are available to those willing to visit the nursery and extensive rock gardens. By appointment only on Tuesdays—Saturdays and Sundays, call 516-MA 3-7810 after 8=00 PM. JOEL W. SPINGARN 1535 FOREST AVE. BALDWIN, N.Y. 11510

STONECROP NURSERIES Cold Spring, NY 10516 {Just off Rte. 301—between Rte. 9 & Taconic)

Offering a wide selection of Alpine plants and wildflowers for the Rock Garden and Alpine House; Trough Gardens; Unusual Perennials and Dwarf Shrubs. Cash and Carry—No Catalogue By Appointment only—914-265-2000 Display Gardens and Alpine House Frank Cabot—Prop. 014-265-3533) Sara Faust—Mgr.

HARDY ALPINES & ROCK GARDEN PLANTS DWARF CONIFERS Androsace Dianthus Many new additions in our new catalog. Gentiana Descriptions and cultural information. and many others Catalog, 50 cents No Catalog—Cash & Carry ALPINES-WEST NURSERY Please call (617) 883-6697 Rt. 2, Box 259 Spokane, Washington 99207 FRANK A. JARVIS Quaker Street, Millville, Mass. 01529

GREER GARDENS More than 600 varieties of Rhododendrons Rock Garden Material—Lewisias, Dwarf Conifers Japanese Maples, Meconopsis, Sedums & Sempervivums Color Catalog hailed as being a worthy addition to your Gardening Library—$1.00. Shipping a Specialty.

Dept. R, 1280 Goodpasture Island Rd.f Eugene, OR 97401

91 Rock Plants, Alpines, Dwarf Conifers, MINIATURE GARDENS cultivator of unusual plants Dwarf Shrubs etc. Many Rare Choice alpines, dwarf conifers, "Get Acquainted Special" unusual perennials, rock garden treasures, 6 Hardy Sedums Labeled $3.00 Postpaid dwarf ornamental shrubs Descriptive Rock Plant Catalog 50* Catalog $1.00 We ship to the U.S. RAKESTRAW'S PERENNIAL GARDENS Box 757, Stony Plain G 3094 S. Term St., Burton, Michigan 48529 Alberta, Canada T0E2G0

Hardy Named THE AMERICAN PENSTEMON SOCIETY SEMPERVIVUMS SEDUMS Cordially invites you to join its growing list JOVIBARBA & ROSULARIA of enthusiastic members.

Red: Pink, Purple, Blue & Green If you are interested in Penstemons, you New American Hybrids—Imports from Europe will be interested in the activities of the Wholesale and Retail society. OAKHILL GARDENS Write to the Secretary, I960 Cherry Knoll Road OrVille M. Steward Dallas, Oregon 97338 c/o Mrs. Vincent Astor (Same location—new address) P.O. Box 336, Bnarcliffe Manor Phone 503-6234612 before 9:00 AM or New York 10501 after 5:00 PM for Particulars Visitors Welcome — Picnic Area — Garden Clubs welcome (please by appointment) SORRY, WE NO LONGER SHIP AMERICAN PRIMROSE SOCIETY Helen E. & Slim Payne offers Quarterly publications beautifully illustrated, PLANT JEWELS OF THE an international seed exchange of approx• imately 100 different Primulas and a culture HIGH COUNTRY chart to assist in the growing of species Primulas. Sempervivums and Sedums U.S.A. $7.00 per year by Helen E. Payne Edward L. Pincus, Treasurer 111 Full Color Photographs 11813-1 OOth N.E. Autographed Copies $8.50 Postpaid Kirkland, Washington 98033

SISKIYOU RARE PLANT NURSERY

Our catalog offers an unrivaled selection of the world's most unusual and desirable alpine, native and rock garden plants.

50 cents brings our catalog. Cost refunded first order.

Sorry we cannot accept Canadian or Foreign orders.

L. P. Crocker B. C. Kline

522 Franquette Street, Medford, Oregon 97501

92 GULL HARBOR NURSERY A special issue of Specializing in Rock Garden and PACIFIC HORTICULTURE Perennial Plants Over 200 species, including devoted largely to Rock Gardening has LEWISIA COTYLEDON, contributions from Fred Boutin, Molly PULSATILLA VULGARIS, Grothaus, Lester Hawkins Will Ingwersen, GENTIANA ACAULIS and Owen Pearce, Chris Rosmini, Ray Wil• CYCLAMEN NEAPOLITANUM liams, Jean and Joe Witt, and others. 3944 Gull Harbor Rd. Illustrated color quarterly: Olympia, Wash. 98506 Annually, $6 U.S., $7 Foreign. Write to By Chance or Appointment—tel.: 943-0394 P 0 Box 22609, San Francisco, CA 94122. Weekends Only — March 1-July 15

J. A. MARS of HASLEMERE HARDY CYCLAMEN - freshly lifted tubers, DWARF BULBS - many uncommon and rare, including old fashioned wild Daffodils, HARDY ORCHIDS, CYPRIPEDIUMS, PLEIONES. SNOWDROPS We now have an exceptional and unique collection of over 40 species and hybrids. A wonderful opportunity to add to your collection or start one. Please send for our catalogue. J. A. MARS of HASLEMERE HASLEMERE, SURREY, GU27 3DW, ENGLAND

ORCHID GARDENS Over 150 Native Plants, Ferns, Club-mosses Shrubs, Ground Covers, offered in our Copyrighted Wildflower Culture Catalog. O&Vu NURSERIES Send 50

ALPENFLORA GARDENS Dwarf Evergreens 17985 40th Ave., Surrey, B.C. Canada V3S 4N8 and Rock Plants New list in 78; many new & rare plants, colorful primroses, many dwarf & species For sale at nursery only. irises, alpines, floriferous rockery plants, choice perennials, ornamental grafted trees, evergreens, rhododendrons, ground covers, Catalog 50V miniature roses. 1159 Bronson Road Buy Canadian, U.S. $ at premium! Quality plants in 4" pots; quantity discounts Fairfield, Conn. 06430 Open weekends & holidays only

93 Dwarf Evergreens PUSKAS WILDFLOWER NURSERY Native plants—Perennials Holly Wildflowers from all over the world Unusual Trees and Shrubs Groundcovers Alpines—Ferns—Herbs Send 52£ Stamps Rare bulbs for lots of interesting information Kent Hollow Rd. DILATUSH NURSERY RR #1, Box KH-37A 780 Route 130 Kent, Conn. 06757 Robbinsville, NJ. 08691 Phone (203) 927-3680

Jewels of the Plains — delays continue to ROCK GARDEN PLANTS plague the publication of my book, now & GROUNDCOVERS expected in 1978. "plants for dry sunny areas Meantime: extensive Hardy Cactus propaga• and those shady corners" tions and seeds of Hardy Cacti are ready for spring shipment; also seeds of selected Easy things for beginners, forms and colors of Yucca glauca and of a Also some Alpines and Primroses. few other Great Plains species. Lists on Send 25^ with request request. for list to: Woodland Rockery CLAUDE A. BARR 6210 Klam Road PRAIRIE GEM RANCH Otter Lake, Michigan Smithwick, S.D. 57782 48464

WATNONG NURSERY THE WILD GARDEN The place to find some Box 487 "HARD TO FIND" PLANTS Bothell, Washington 98011 Gaylussacia brachycera Offers some 300 new plants this year— Dwarf Conifers, Leiophyllum, dwarf & low growing Rhododendrons, R. yakusianum & alpines and perennials of middling height several of its hybrids —in a 50^ Catalog Supplement (ready By Appointment, at the Nursery Only early spring). The $1.00 Main Catalog Hazel and Don Smith (1976-1977) is current and still available. 201 — 539-0312 -G.S. Morris Plains, New Jersey 07950

DWARF CONIFERS, ALPINE PLANTS RARE PLANTS and SEMPERVIVUMS, HOSTAS, SHRUBS BAMBOOS, ORNAMENTAL Dwarf slow growing conifers that GRASSES, EXOTIC MAPLES stay dwarf and other shrubs all suitable for Bonsai culture. Large illustrated Catalog 500 Large collection of Alpines as well Plants also available at the nursery as unusual plants are listed. Telephone: 215-536-4027 Please send $1.00 for catalog. PALETTE GARDENS ALPENGLOW GARDENS 26 West Zion Hill Road 13328 King George Highway Quakertown Pennsylvania 18951 Surrey, B.C. V3T 2T6, Canada

94 THE ALPINE GARDEN SOCIETY Membership of the Alpine Garden Society puts the American alpine gardener in close touch with those throughout the world who share his interest in one of the most absorbing branches of horticulture. The Quarterly Bulletin of the A.G.S. is respected internationally as one of the most informative publications of its kind. It will bring into your home a distillation of the experience and ideas of some of the finest gardeners, plant explorers and horticultural thinkers of our time. Among the many other benefits of the Society, its uniquely comprehensive seed list alone is worth more than the modest subscription of $10.00 for Overseas Mem• bers. Apply to:—- The Secretary, The Alpine Garden Society- Lye End Link, St. John's, Woking, Surrey, England

THE SCOTTISH ROCK GARDEN CLUB

Offers you . .. its twice yearly Journal, well illustrated and containing au• thoritative articles on all aspects of rock gardening, rock plants, and their world wide haunts.

Its excellent annual scheme for the distribution of rare & unusual seed, amongst its international members.

for £2.50 per year ($5.00)

R. H. D. Orr, C.A. 70 High Street, Haddington East Lothian, Scotland will be glad to send particulars.

THE ALPINE GARDEN SOCIETY'S PUBLICATIONS,

WRITTEN BY ACKNOWLEDGED EXPERTS IN THEIR OWN SUBJECTS, OFFER OUTSTANDING VALUE

THE GENUS LEWISIA By R. C. Elliott The only monograph on this fascinating American genus $3.50

SAXIFRAGES By Winton Harding A guide which should be read by every rock gardener $3.00

ALPINES IN SINKS AND TROUGHS By Joe Elliott A most useful guide by one of our best known nurserymen $2.00

THE GENUS CYCLAMEN By D. E. Saunders The most up to date book on this wonderful genus $2.00

ASIATIC PRIMULAS By Roy Green $7.00 DAPHNE By Chris Brickell and Brian Mathew $7.00

ANDROSACES By George Smith and Duncan Lowe $7.00

(All prices postpaid)

AGS Publications are available ONLY from: D. K. HASELGROVE, Distribution Manager, 278/280 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, London E17 9PL, England

95 YOUR ARGS STORE

1. ARGS BULLETINS, back issues. Refer to CUMULATIVE INDEX and listing in this issue for subjects, availability and prices. 2. ALASKA-YUKON WILDFLOWER GUIDE, Helen A. White (Ed.), paper only, many color plates and b & w sketches $6.00 3. SEED GERMINATION REPORT, Dara E. Emery (Ed.), data on selected species and forms by various reporters $1.00 4. THE ROCK GARDENER'S HANDBOOK, selections from ARGS Bulletin back issues (1965), hard cover $1.50 5. THE ROCK GARDEN, Henry T. Skinner (reprint) $1.00 6. LIBRARY BINDERS, each holds two years $3.00 7. ARGS EMBLEMS, lapel or safety-clasp pins. Specify $3.00 8. ARGS SHOULDER PATCHES, washable $2.00 9. CUMULATIVE INDEX to ARGS Bulletins, Vols. 1-32, incl NC 10. ARGS SLIDE LIBRARY CATALOGUE NC 11. MEMBERSHIP LIST NC 12. LIBRARY SERVICE LIST NC Please order from the ARGS Secretary, 3 Salisbury Lane, Malvern, Pa. 19355. All orders prepaid (foreign orders in U.S. funds, please); make checks or Postal Money Orders payable to "ARGS," (no cash). U.S. destinations must show ZIP code. Orders will be sent surface mail, postpaid; airmail charges billed at cost.

BULLETINS FOR SALE — Back Numbers Available at $1.00 each

Vol. 22, No. 3 Vol. 29, Nos. 1, 2 & 4 Vol. 23, Nos. 1, 2 & 4 Vol. 30, Nos. 1, 2 & 4 Vol. 24, Nos. 2, 3 & 4 Vol. 31, Nos. 2, 3 & 4 Vol. 25, No. 4 Vol. 32, Nos. 1, 3 & 4 Vol. 26, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4 Vol. 33, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4 Vol. 27, Nos. 1 & 4 Vol. 34, Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4 Vol. 28, Nos. 1 & 4 Vol. 35, Nos. 1 & 3

All Nos., Vol. 1 thru 10, & any Nos. in Vol. 11 thru 33, not specifically listed above, are $2.00 each, when available. Please inquire as to availability.

"BARGAIN PACKAGE" Large stocks of certain numbers permit %-price offer — ten numbers at $5.00, So• ciety's selection, but your stated preference will be observed, if possible. ****** For specific articles as listed in the Cumulative Index, give Vol. & pages listed. Issue will be sent, if available; otherwise, a charge of 15# per page for duplication from file copy. Please remit with order; foreign orders in U.S. funds, please. Shipments postpaid, except airmail (billed at cost). Please make checks/money orders payable to: AMERICAN ROCK GARDEN SOCIETY 3 Salisbury Lane Malvern, PA. 19355

96 DIRECTORATE AMERICAN ROCK GARDEN SOCIETY President Emeritus HAROLD EPSTEIN, 5 Forest Court, Larchmont, New York

President JAMES A. MINOGUE, RL 1, Box 126A, Bentonville, Va. 22610 Vice-President - ELEANOR BRINCKERHOFF, Rt 2, Georgetown, Conn. 06829 Secretary „ „ WILLIAM T. HIRSCH, 3 Salisbury Lane, Malvern, Pa. 19355 Treasurer »« FRANCIS H. CABOT, Cold Spring, N.Y. 10516 Directors Term Expires 1978 Mrs. Edward (Fran) Frederick W. Case, Jr. Mrs. William (Marnie) Flook Lubera Term Expires 1979 Harry Elkins Wayne Roderick Sharon Sutton Term Expires 1980 Norman C Deno Mrs. Louis (Molly) Grothaus Ms. Deon R Prell Director of Seed Exchange Director of Slide Collection Frances Kinne Roberson Quentin C Scblieder 1539 NE 103rd St., Seattle, Wa. 98125 Box 1295-R, Morristown, NJ. 07960 ARGS-PHS Library Service Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Library 325 Walnut St, Philadelphia, Pa. 19106

CHAPTER CHAIRMEN Northwestern SHARON SUTTON, 8235 NE 119th St., Kirkland, Wash. 98033 Western WILLIAM S. FOLKMAN, 2640 San Benito Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 Midwestern AILEEN MCWILLIAM (Acting Chm.), 711 Magnolia St., Mena, Ark. 71953 Allegheny DR. ROBERT MCDERMOTT, 1507 Mifflin Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15207 Potomac Valley MRS. WILLIAM G. BANFIELD, 15715 Avery Rd., Rockville, Md. 20853 Co-Chairmen MRS. HERBERT L KINNEY, 3611 King William Dr.,01ney, Md. 20832 Delaware Valley ANITA H. KISTLER, 1421 Ship Road, West Chester, Pa. 19380 New England ~ MRS. FREDERICK BALDWIN, 105 North St., Foxboro, Mass. 02035 Great Lakes GINNY LEGRAND (MRS. VICTOR LEGRAND), 3 Cypress Garden, Cincinnati, OH 45220 Wisconsin-Illinois • • VAUGHN AIELLO, 2322 North Wayne, Chicago, EL 60614 Columbia-Willamette KENNETH J. LOVE, 3335 N.W. Luray Terrace, Portland, Ore. 97210 Connecticut RONALD A. BECKWITH, Li-chiang Gardens, 12 Grant Avenue, Southampton, MA 01073 Long Island JOHN BIEBER, 18S8th St., Bethpage, NY 11714 Hudson Valley JOHN TREXLER, "Skylands," Ringwood State Park, Ringwood, NJ 07456 Minnesota „ „...MRS. HUGH COCKER, 4140 Highway 14 East, Rochester, Minn. 55901 Siskiyou .. CATHY KING (MRS. DON KINC) , 1101 Comet Ave., Central Point, OR 97502 Western-No. Carolina ....FRED REES, Rte #1, Saluda, N.C. 28773 Rocky Mountain ., T. PAUL MASLIN, 819 14th St, Boulder, Co. 80302 Adirondack « .KATHIE Lrpprr, 6 Glen Terrace, Scotia, NY 12302