Colchiculns PINK GIANT (C. autumnale major) Gorgeous rich pink blos­ soms of enormous size in September-October. Free flowering beyond belief. ROSE BEAUTY (C. autumnale minor) The latest to flower­ October and November. Star shaped flowers of clear rose­ lilac, produced in great profusion. CHECKERED BEAUTY (C. agrippinum) The glory of the spe­ cies! Many large rosy-lilac flowers, checkered deeper purple from a single bulb! 9 Tubers - 3 each of above - Only $10.95 Fall Flowering Crocus Species ORCHID WONDER (C . sativus) The true meadow saffron October flowering. This exciting orchid beauty with its brilliant Chinese-red stigmatas, which are used for saffron flavoring and dye, has been an important object of trade since Alexander the Great. Highly prized for its delicious fragrance. You may bring this exotic beauty and its storied COLCHICUM "PINK GIANT" history to your garden, for only $4.95 per dozen. 50 for $17.95. • WE PAY POSTAGE •

Let these rare fall flowering bulbs bring colorful

To your garden this very season. Planted this fall they will begin to flower in about three weeks. Since they are permanent, they easily naturalize and will bring drifts of glorious color to your autumn gardens for years to come - and at a season when it is most appreciated! Full sun , high or partial shade is to their liking. Use under trees or shrubs, along garden or woodland paths, in open fields or wherever delightful color will bring distinc­ tion to your garden. * * * * These TOPSIZE bulbs are collected and / or grown in their native habitat in Asia Minor, rendering them vi rus & disease free. * * * * LILIES - Award winning northern grown, varieties of incredible beauty, available nowhere else. Also Alliums, Hostas, Clematis, Wildffowers, Dutch Bulbs, as well as rare and distinctive easily grown bulbs and plants from worldwide sources. Sternbergias STERNBERGIA "SEPTEMBER SUNSHINE" SEPTEMBER SUNSHINE (S. lutea) 6// - Resembles a giant, brilliant yellow crocus, but larger, flowering for weeks, be­ ginning in September. GOLDEN SUNSHINE (S. clusiana) 8// - The finest species and Very Rare! Similar to above but even larger, with tulip­ like blooms often 4 inches in diameter, in October and November! 24 Large bulbs - 12 each of the above - Only $11.95 50 Large bulbs - 25 each of the above - Only $19.95 • WE PAY POSTAGE •

ALL ORDERS SENT TO THE WEST COAST POSTPAID . . . BY AI R

lilachtborne ~arben5 48A Quincy Street, Holbrook, Mass. 02343

Send $1.00 (deductible from first order) tor most complete cotor c atalog. Or tree with order. Ma ssac husetts Residents add 5 % sales tax. Ameri c an

HCDrticulturist Volume 56 Number 3 June, 1977

For United Horticulture . . the par­ ti cular o bj ec ts and bus in ess o f The MURRAY KEENE, Editor American Horti cultural Society are to JANE STEFFEY, Editorial Assistant promote and encourage national interes t ANTHEA DE VAUGHAN, Editorial Assistant in scientific research and educa tio n in DONALD WYMAN, Horticultural Consultant horticulture in all of its branches . ALEX BERRY, Art Director TOM STEVENSON, Book Department AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST is the JOHN SIMMONS, Production Coordination offi ci al pu blicatio n of The Amer ican H o rti cultur a l S oc i e ty , 793 1 Eas t The Ameri can Horticultural Soc iety, Publisher Boulevard Drive, Al exandria, Virg in ia Mount Vernon , Virginia 22121 22308, and is issu ed in February, April , 703/768-5700 June, Augus t. O ctober and December .. Members hip in the Soc iety au tomatical­ ly includes a subscription to Ameri can Horticult urist and $1.50 is d esignated for An Editorial each issu e of th is publicati on . Member­ 2 Plan Now to Join Us in So uth ern Californ ia ship dues s tart at $15.00 a year.

Refer editori al matters to: Murray Keene Education American H orticulturist 3 A Refres her fo r Ga rdeners- Planting in Co nta in ers-Henry M. Cath ey Mount Vernon, Virgin ia 22121 9 'Penng ift ' Crown Vetch-Robert S. Ross Refer advertising matters to: 20 Fall Vegetable Gardening-Tom Steve nson Publisher Services, Inc. 22 The Cultivation and Propagati on of Cycads-Robert T. Bu ckle y, Jr. 621 Duke Street Alexandria, Virginia 22314 30 Dwa rf and Slow-G rowi ng Co ni fe rs-Ri chard H. Munso n

AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST is d e­ voted to the dissemination of knowl­ Gardener's Notebook edge in the science and art of gro wing 11 En joy Beauty and Bounty with Dwa rf Fru it Trees-Earl Sorensen ornamental plants, fru its , vegetables, and related subjects. Original pap ers 12 Perennials for Today's Land scape-Susa n W. Plimpton which increase knowledge o f plant ma­ 13 Color Throughout th e Year-James M. Martin terials of economic and aes thetic im­ portance are invited. For manuscript 18 The Long wood Aquati c Cann as-Robert J. Armstrong specifications please address the edi tor, 34 Deciduous Shrubs fo r the Great Pl ain s-J. E. Klett Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121.

Replacement issues of AMERICA N My Favorite Plant HORTICULTURIST are available at a cost of $2.50 per copy, but not beyond 26 Malesian Rh ododendrons-F. Alice Jack (LeDu c) twelve months prior to date of current 42 The Ameri can Ye llowwood-Davi d R. Hershey issue.

The opinions expressed in the articles which appear in AMERICAN HORTI­ Travelog CUL TURIST are those of the authors and 6 A Preview of Huntington Botanical Gardens-Myron Kimnach are not necessarily those of the Society. They are presented as contribu tions to contemporary thought.

COVOR PHOTO BY: Longwood Gardens-Canna X 'Endeavour'-Longwood Hybrid #73331

Second class postage paid at Alexandcia, Virginia and at additional mailing of­ fices. Copyright © 1977 by The Ameri­ can Horticultural Society. CO lor separallons by CHROMA-GRAPHI CS INC 1 Plan Now to Join Us in Southern California This year's annual American Horticultural Society Con­ In the evening a rare plant sale and cocktail reception will gress will be held at the Huntington Sheraton Hotel in be held in the beautiful open-air Horseshoe Gardens at the Pasadena, California, October 25-29,1977. We have decided Huntington Sheraton. Later you will attend our Annual to extend the event one day to more adequately discover the AWlirds Banquet in the Viennese Room, with a fascinating plants and plantsmen of Southern California. Following is the indoor gardening presentation conducted by AHS President, tentative program. Dr. Henry M. Cathey. Although the arrival date for the Congress is October 25th, On Thursday, October 27th , Bill Evans will conduct an in­ many of you may 1Vish to take advantage of our pre-Congress formative and educational discussion on California fauna and tour, which originates in Sn Francisco on October 16th and flora. This is followed by a tour of the Huntington Botanic ends in Pasadena on the 24th. Gardens, with lunch at the Los Angeles State and County Ar­ A unique opportunity is offered to explore some of the boretum. coastal area of California between San Francisco and Pasa­ The afternoon will be spent touring the diverse landscape dena, a section of the state which is rich in horticultural inter­ of the Arboretum. est. The mild climate is conducive to the growth of a variety of After a brief respite, we depart for a dinner and evening in plants from many areas of the world. The pre-Congress tour is Los Angeles' exotic Chinatown. offered to a maximum of 40 people. On Friday, October 28th, the morning will be devoted to October 16th is the official arrival day; stay at the Mark educational gardening symposia, featuring eight horticul­ Hopkins Hotel, Nob Hill, for five nights of San Francisco's tural specialists. Gardening topics include: bromeliads, cacti fascinations. and succulents, begonias, proteas, California flora, new in­ First day-see the Golden Gate Park and Strybing Ar­ door plants, rhododendrons, and the AlI-America Selections. boretum, dinner in Chinatown. We then depart for lunch at Lawry'S Los Angeles Garden Tuesday , October 18th-University of California Botanic Center, and tour Sunny Slope Gardens' world-famous chry­ Garden, and explore the wine country and some outstanding santhemum display. wineries. On Friday evening, you are free to rest, relax and dine on Wednesday , October 19th-visit private gardens and one of your own. the world' s largest wholesale nurseries. On Saturday , October 29th, we will continue our educa­ Thursday, October 20th-north of San Francisco over the tional gardening symposia. This time six horticultural Golden Gate Bridge to some specialized nurseries, the Muir specialists will be featured. Topics include ferns, cyeads, Woods for the Coast Redwoods; dinner in Sausalito at a res­ California natives, indoor gardening, plant photography and taurant overlooking San Francisco Bay, with a talk by John a discussion on horticultural nomenclature. Bryan, Director of Strybing Arboretum. Later we will depart for South Coast Botanic Garden, where Friday, October 21st-Ieav~ the Mark Hopkins, go south we will have an outdoor buffet lunch. along the ocean route and visit some more nurseries; con­ The afternoon will be devoted to the fauna and flora of the tinue to Monterey, and two nights at Carmel. beautiful Descanso Garden Center. Saturday, October 22nd-morning free for exploring and That evening we again feature a cocktail reception in the shopping in Carmel's charming and varied shops. After­ Huntington Sheraton outdoor Horseshoe Gardens. This is noon-coach tour of 21-Mile Drive. followed by the President's Banquet in the Viennese Room, Sunday, October 23rd-drive south by Big Sur and San which includes the presentation of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Simeon-2-hour guided tour of William Randolph Hearst's Medal to one of America' s top horticulturists. extraordinary castle. Spend the night at the Santa Barbara This year we offer four post-Congress tours: Biltmore. Tour # I-a 3-day, 2-night event, will feature the famous Monday, October 24th-Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and California Bristlecone Pine Forest and Death Valley. High­ private gardens with a luncheon, spend the night at the lights include the San Andreas Fault, overnight at Huntington Sheraton, Pasadena. Sportsman' s Lodge, visits to Stovepipe Wells and Scotty's ••••••• Castle . Tuesday , October 25th, is the official travel day. Congress Tour# 2 is a 2-day, I-night visit to San Diego and includes registration will be held in the lobby of the Huntington Shera­ visits to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. ton Hotel. Tour# 3 is a 2-day I-night tour to Santa Barbara, with stops On Wednesday, October 26th, Congress Chairman Dr. Fran­ at the historic Courthouse and Mission areas, a drive to Sol­ cis Ching, Director of Los Angeles State and County Ar­ vang and Buellton. boretum, will present the opening address, to be followed by For the world traveler we offer Tour# 4, a 24-day trip to the the AHS plenary and business session. A noon buffet Orient, including Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. luncheon is planned in the well-appointed Georgian, Ship Within one month you will be receiving our preliminary and Quarterdeck Rooms. Congress pre-registration package. If by chance you do not In the afternoon you may choose eight of sixteen private hear from us and wish registration material write to: home and garden tours. These magnificent Pasadena area res- AHS Congress, American Horticultural Society, 2 idences will be opened exclusively to AHS members. Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121. M .C.K. A Refresher for Gardeners Planting in. CDnto iners

Prepared by Dr. Henry M. Cathey Continued from February 1977 and April 1977 issues

Holding Plants: At purchase thus a plant that needs full sun for able made out of all kinds of mate­ begin to train the plants to with­ rapid development during the rials and can simulate many textures stand the heat, wind and rain of the young plant stage can be moved to a and colors. You can grow in any con­ exposed growing area. Do this by partially shaded area for display tainer which provides the follow­ reducing the frequency of watering. when it comes into flower or fruit. ing: Add water until the entire root ball Plants which normally thrive only in • Enough rigidity to support the is fully moistened but allow the ex­ full shade will make the adjustments weight of the growing media, water cess to drain away. Water again to brighter conditions once they and roots. when the leaves begin to show the have established a root system and • Adequate room for the de­ first signs of wilting. The holding the leaves are shading the stem and velopment of the root system. An 8/1 operation should not last longer upper roots. Most plants can be depth is sufficient for most plants. than 2 weeks-if continued too long placed in a less favorable exposure • Construction in such a way that the older leaves will begin to tum for display for days or weeks if ro­ the excess water can easily drain yellow and fall. tated with equal or longer periods in away without damaging the sur­ Site: Plants in containers can have favorable exposures. Container gar­ rounding area. the best of two worlds-the growing dens should be portable (wheels, You cannot expect every container one and the showing one. The grow­ pallet size) to release full benefit of plant to be equally attractive ing world should be the ideal light their design potential. throughout the growing season. and temperature condition for the Containers: Great progress has Thus flexibility in placement is es­ plant-this preference was listed in been made from the days when sential for the maximum display ef­ Table 2 in Part II (April 1977). With window boxes were made of lumber fects. the container garden you can move (which rotted) or cement (which Soil Preparation: This is the most the plants as the season changes, cracked). Containers are now avail- critical step in the preparation of 3 your container garden. Agree at the excess water to drain away. The established, add a layer of growing beginning that you are not going to drainage area must be at least 4 to 6 mix. dig up soil from a garden area to fill inches deep. The third layer is the Water: Growing plants in con­ your container. The structure of growing mix. It should be at least 8 tainers is time consuming during your soil is usually unsuitable for inches deep and applied directly the first weeks following planting. container gardening. You should over the drainage material. The You will be striving to establish buy or prepare an artificial growing growing mix should be applied root systems which penetrate the mix . The commercial mixes are without large air pockets. I use my entire growing mix. If you fail to es­ composed of peat, vermiculite, per­ hands to firm up the-layer. I then tablish a completely expanded root lite and (more recently) wood chips. water to saturation and check to see system, you can expect some plants They have been blended with lime­ that the drainage holes are function­ to die. The way you water deter­ stone, superphosphate, and a com­ ing. If something is wrong in the mines how your plants will grow plete garden fertilizer. Some also preparation-you should tear every­ through the summer months. Im­ contain slow release fertilizers as thing out and start again. Finally, mediately following planting, water coated or slowly soluble forms. The level the growing mix, providing at until the excess begins to flow from bags of these preparations should be least a I-inch lip of the container. the drainage holes. Now wait until opened and 7 gallons of water per You can expect the growing mix to the surface of the mix is fairly dry to 30-lb. bag should be added. A day contract as the weeks go on-but the touch; you will observe a change later the mix is ready for planting. you should provide an easy way to in color-dark to pale brown. This You can prepare your own mix­ add water. A one-inch area is suffi­ means that the surface is dry but the following these steps: cient. interior mix may still be quite moist. • Use one-half bushel of perlite Add only enough watElr to restore or vermiculite the moisture in the upper level. Dur­ • One-half bushel of ground peat ing this critical stage it may be moss necessary to cover the plants with • 4 ounces of 20% superphos- plastic film (even old garment bags) phate to prevent a downpour of rain over­ • 4 ounces of dolomi tic limestone saturating the mix. • 2 ounces of 5-10-5 fertilizer Once the roots fill the area, heavy • Mix the ingredients thorough­ downpours of rain or overwatering ly-by placing them in a large trash with the hose (or automatic system) can or bag. Planting: (1) Seed: The prior steps will not cause any damage. Plan to • Add water to the mix, one gal­ of preparation make this milestone add about 1 inch of water every 7 lon at a time, until the mix is moist very simple. Everything is pre­ days throughout the growing sea­ but not soggy. Adding water to mix pared, sterilized and moistened. son. Never let the plants wilt and prior to placing in the container in­ Many kinds of seeds can be planted never over-soak them-either ex­ sures maximum hydration of the directly in the container. The safe treme will set up a condition where peat cells and thus maximum poros­ planting time, the germination secondary problems of disease or ity. times and requirements were given gas exchange will rapidly kill the • Store hydrated mixes in sealed in Part I (Feb. 1977 issue). The only plant. Water should always be polyethylene bags. It can be held for applied as droplets to growing drawback from growing from seed many weeks and be instantly avail­ is the many weeks it takes to get the mix-it is readily absorbed. Never able for use. turn a hose directly on the mix- the plants up to the flowering and fruit­ force of the water ruptures the fine Preparation for Planting: Visu­ ing stage. root system at the surface. Proper alize the container as having levels (2) Plants: Almost instant gardens watering will insure healthy plants. with different functions to insure can be created with purchased bed­ the creation of a propeI environ­ ding plants. The techniques for Mulches: Container grown plants ment for the development of the root planting into a terrestrial garden are seldom mulched. It should be system. First, check the drainage were discussed in Part II (April done, for just the same reasons as holes to be sure that water readily 1977). Similar procedures should be discussed in Part II for the terrestrial flows out of them. Cover them with used when growing plants in con­ gardens. I prefer to use decorative sheets of fiberglass or broken clay tainers. mulches on container gardens such pots to act as filters. The second Plant the container plant at or just as cocoa shells, salt hay, pine nee­ layer is drainage material-it should above the mix line. As the season dles, and coarse bark. Finely ground be coarse and porous and provide goes on, you will observe that the material should not be used. It can large air spaces between the parti- root ball from the plant is sinking form a seal on top of the growing 4 cles. This open space will permit the into the mix. Once the root system is Continued on Page 33 Table III: Milestones: Planting in Containers Species Location Minimum size Adapted to Preferred Grooming requirements Preferred types to grow con tainer per direct season plant = Dlam. seeding in of growth x Depth container Ageratum Sun, parti al 4" Avoid , seed- All season Remove faded flo wers to All types useful shade lings grow permit water to drai n slowly through Al yss um Sun 3" Direct All season Remove faded fl owers All types useful Aste r Sun 5" Direct Spri ng and Replant for second crop Dwarf types-earl y fa ll crop flo weri ng Balsam Sun, partial 5" Direct Spring crop Staking required to hold Limited range of types shade up plants-easily broken available- highly by w ind and rai n m ixed material Begonia Sun, partial 3" Avoid, seed- All season Remove seed pods All types useful (fiberous shade, s hade lings grow rooted) slowly Browalli a Partial shade 4" Avoid Spri ng and Cut back to maintain Limited range of colors fa ll season compact growth (blue, si lver, white) Cabbage Sun 8" Direct Spri ng and Replant fo r fa ll crop Dwarf types are avail- fa ll able; ornamental kale- variegated foli age, other decorative types Celosia Sun 6" Di rect pre- Summer All ow a ll shoots to Dwarf types-feather ferred mature on plant wi thout and crested types pinching Coleus Sun, partial 3"-8" Avoid All season Remove fl ower stalks by All types useful shade, shade nipping shoots as they emerge Dahlia Sun 8" Avoid Summer and Staking req ui red Dwarf types ca n be fa ll season grown from seed , cuttings, or tubers Eggplant Sun 10" Direct All season Harvest fruits as soon as Dwarf types with w hite possible to maintain pro- and green fruit avail- ductivi ty of plants able Geranium Sun, partial 5" Avoid All season Remove a U seed pods- All types useful sun do not prune, self branching Marigold Sun 3"-8" Direct All season Remove all fad ed flowers All types useful Nierembergia Sun, partial 3"-4" Avoid All season Trim to maintain com- Limi ted selection sun pact growth Onion Sun 6" Direct Spring and Keep on dry side as Seldom attempted faU season bulbs mature Pepper Sun 8" Direct All season Continuous harvest of Dwarf types-all types frui t to maintain produc- and uses are available ti vity Petunia Sun 4" Avoid All season Constant trimming back All types useful of shoots to promote basal branching Portulaca Sun 3" Direct Summer Remove seed pods Grow F-l hybrids for larger flowers and greater pla,nt vigor Salvia Sun, partial 6" Avoid Summer and Trim faded flowers to Wide range of colors shade fa ll season ma intain single flower and plant height co lor Snapdragon Sun 6" Avoid All season Remove flowering s hoots Wide range of colors, to promote growth of flower types lateral shoots height Tomato Sun 8"-12" Avoid Summer and Remove sucker shoots, Determina te types fall season stake, harvest frui ts to are easier to train maintain productivity than vining types Verbena Sun 6" Avoid Summer season Remove faded flowers Spreading and upright types Vinca rosea Sun, partial 5" Avoid All season Trim to maintain compact Dwarf types are shade growth available Zinnia Sun 6" Direct Summer Remove faded flowers; Wide range of types do not trim, natura ll y and s izes self-branching

5 A Preview of • ~n Botanical Garrlens Myron Kimnach , Curator

For AHS members planning to attend our Annual Congress in Pasadena, California, October 25-29, 1977, we offer the following preview of Huntington Botanical Gardens.

Though one of the most public of gardens (some 600,000 visitors came in 1976), the Huntington Botani­ cal Gardens began its existence as a private garden. To vis.itors, that remains one of its most appealing fea­ tures, for to walk through the spacious grounds and over the lush lawns or through the great mansion (now the Huntington Art Gallery) is to partake vicariously of the enjoyment Henry E. Huntington must have felt during his residence here. He purchased the 600-acre San Marino Ranch in 1903, building his home there soon after. This imposing building now contains the finest collection of English art of the Georgian period outside of England; such well-known paintings as "Blue Boy" and "Pinkie" attract large crowds each year. His passion for book-collecting resulted in such impor­ tant collections that by the early 1920's he had built a large library building adjacent to the home so that scholars could use his collection. Specialized in English and American history and literature, the Huntington Library is a rich repository of early printed books and manuscripts, many of them on display to the public. It is, however, the gardens that will most interest the reader. In the early years Mr. Huntington, together with superintendent William Hertrich, created a beau­ tifully landscaped garden at the same time they were carrying on a ranch operation of extensive groves of oranges and avocados, as well as vegetable and fruit gardens for the home. Huntington travelled widely yet always kept a fond place in his heart for his California home: "I have seen no place as nice as the Ranch" he wrote from Paris in 1913. Gradually ranching became 6 less emphasized, especially after his death in 1927. Today about twenty acres each of oranges and avocados are retained because of their historical and decorative interest-it is no longer easy to find an orange grove within many miles of Los Angeles. The avocados, some dating from 1906, form the oldest commercial grove of these trees in Southern California. Horticultural display increasingly became an interest of Huntington's. Among the earliest of the specialized gardens on the grounds were two started about the same time-the Desert Garden and the Japanese Gar­ den, now the most popular areas of the garden. The twelve-acre Desert Garden contains some 3000 kinds of succulents and other desert plants, the largest outdoor collection of such plants. Planted in rockeries of lava, . they are grouped more or less by country. Most spec­ tacular in color are nearly 200 species of aloes, mostly in bloom in January and February; their masses of red or yellow blooms are a gorgeous sight in winter on a sunny day against the often snow-covered mountains in the distance. Visitors are surpri'sed to learn that cacti are much less colorful in their display, though the in­ dividual flowers are indeed beautiful. Bright reds and yellows appear in waves periodically in spring, May

7 being the peak. At night, unseen by visitors, the mys­ The Herb Gai"den, long a feature at the Huntington, terious night-blooming cereus opens its huge and has recently been completely redone, with new brick ghostly flowers. The most showy cacti are not grown for walks and a rearrangement of the plants according to their flowers at all-the pincushion cacti or mammil­ usage, whetherformedicine, flavoring, perfume, dyes, larias that form coral-like mounds on the steep slopes, etc. Included are many rare and unusual herbs little and the golden barrel cacti. These are favorite subjects known except to advanced herb enthusiasts. The Rose of visiting photographers. In May the amazing puyas, Garden has also been extensively revised during the desert members of the bromeliad family, raise their last four years, with an increase in varieties from 150 to spikes of chartreuse or bluish green flowers. over 900. All have been arranged in a historical se­ The Japanese Garden is one of the earliest of its kind quence illustrating the history of the rose. Beginning in the United States. Over the years it has matured so with the oldest known varieties the sequence proceeds that it now appears centuries old. It consists of two to old shrub roses that bloom once a year; tea roses (the parts-the first, installed in 1912, represents an upper largest collection in the United States), frost-tender and class home and garden of the nineteenth century: grown mostly in the warmer parts of the world; both ponds with a red moon-bridge, lanterns and pagodas, a old and new climbers; and bed after bed of hybrid teas two-story house with sliding outer walls that are and floribundas in chronological order. Eventually a opened during visiting hours to reveal authentically booklet on the history of the rose will be available as a furnished rooms, and a great variety of plants tra­ guide. Our roses now form such a major collection that ditionally used in Japanese gardens. The second part, we have a yearly Huntington Symposium on Old added in 1968, represents a contemplative garden Roses, attended by enthusiasts from all over the United based on the Zen religion. Our Zen Garden is inspired States. by the garden of Daitoku-ji in Kyoto; unlike the more One of the great treasures of the Huntington is its famous garden of Ryoan-ji (of which there is a replica at collections, not only of art and books but also of plants. the Brooklyn Botanic Garden), Daitoku-ji contains not In addition to those already mentioned there is the only an expanse of sand and rock but also a variety of largest public collection of Camellia , some 1500 named plants whose shape and texture play an important role kinds, planted on both sides of the North Vista-an in the design. In a separate courtyard are collections of Italianate garden with fountains and statues-and in a bonsai and sui-seki. The latter are not yet sufficiently separate area north of the Japanese Garden. The cul­ appreciated in this country but should gain great popu­ tivars of C. sasanqua are in bloom in November, those larity. The aim is much as in bonsai-to represent natu­ of C. japonica are at their height in February and March. ral objects in miniature but through stones shaped by Growing amongst them is a substantial collection of nature. Several shows of bonsai, sui-seki and sai-kei azaleas, all of the evergreen type. Palms comprise the (miniature landscapes) are presented by local specialist largest public collection in the U.S. outside of Florida; societies each year in the Japanese Garden. several hundred mature specimens of about 100 species The earliest part of the Huntington Gardens to be de­ cover five acres. Often confused with palms are cycads, veloped was the lily ponds, begun in 1906. This is a distant relatives of the conifers. This, again the finest beautiful area, lush with tropical water lilies, bamboos, public collection in the west, is located around the Art and rare subtropical conifers (including Taiwania , Gallery and on the slope below. Some of these speci­ Ketel eeria andAraucaria). The proximity of the ponds to mens were obtained as early as 1908 yet are still small, the Desert Garden affords a startling contrast. Some­ for cyads are of ponderously slow growth. They have an what north and west of the ponds are three gardens de­ exotic otherworldly appearance useful in gardens of veloped recently. First, the Australian Garden contains exotic plants. species that are highly decorative and which thrive in Established in the 1950's, the Shakespeare Garden Southern California, where the climate may bring sev­ was begun because of the Huntington Library'S collec­ eral degrees of frost each winter as well as dry heat of tion of early editions of Shakespeare's works. Here, in a 105 degrees in summer. Here one can see bottlebrushes modem version of the Elizabethan knot garden, are in flaming reds and purple, kangaroo paws with amaz­ plants and flowers mentioned by Shakespeare; where ingly shaped and colored flowers, and purple mint­ possible the actual quotation is placed on a label for bush. On the slope above is the Subtropical Garden, each plant. Scattered throughout the grounds are fine where African and Mexican plants in particular are fea­ collections of magnolias (some fifty kinds), flowering tured. Most spectacular are the cassias, chorisias, fruit trees and unusual shrubs. In all, about 9,000 kinds Leucospermum reflexum , with its brilliant orange of plants can be found in the gardens and if these are flower-heads, and Tabebuia chrysotricha, a yellow not sufficient one can always walk a mile through the trt}mpet-flower from Brazil. Many of the plants in the old orange groves to the Huntington mausoleum, a Subtropical and Desert Gardens were collected on the beautiful structure designed by John Russell Pope botanical expeditions the Huntington sends to Mexico shortly before he did the similar but much larger Jeffer­ 8 yearly. son Memorial in Washington. Robert S. Ross Pennsylvania Department of Tra nsportation Harrisb urg , PA 17120

Anyone traveling through Penn­ for erosion, weeds, poor soil and smother weeds, it eliminates the sylvania in summertime cannot help even litter. It has earned its name as need for chemical herbicides. And it but notice the masses of dark green the " roadside conservation plapt." practically " eats" Ii tter, keeping plants covered with pink and laven­ A cousin to the pea and clover, waste paper and other trash out of der flowers that grow along many of this legume not only grows in the sight until it decomposes naturally. the highways. And although this poorest soil but enriches it as it Again, both these features help cut plant, known as 'Penngift' Crown grows. Since it can fi x atmospheric the cost of roadside maintenance. Vetch (Coronilla varia), is attractive nitrogen and add it to the soil, once Crown Vetch is the ideal erosion it is its unseen virtues that have established it needs no fertilizing. control plant because it will grow on made it a landscaping and environ­ This is an important cost saving the steepest slopes and its dense mental miracle. Crown Vetch has to these days. foliage and intricate root network be the near perfect natural control Because of its amazing ability to break up the rain and hold back the

Crown vetch makes an ideal ground cover for highway planting. This view is along PA Highway 322. soil. Another plus is that it is easy to harvest had been made. Then, a mediately develop into an 18"-24" control and never needs cutting, joint field test was sponsored by the high vegetative blanket. It is inevi­ saving additional millions of the Pennsylvania Department of Trans­ ta ble that woody seedlings will taxpayers' dollars. In fact, once es­ portation and Penn State's Agricul­ eventually get in roadside plant­ tablished, Crown Vetch completely tural Experiment Stations. ings, but a donn ant basal treatment takes care of itself. The first trial planting was made of such seedlings with 2,4,5-T, or Crown Vetch is a dense dark on a highway cut near Port Matilda, the use of Du Pont's new herbicide green mass of foliage during its Pennsylvania. After other test plant­ "Krenite" has proven effective growing season, which lasts from ings were made and studied, a fa­ without permanent Crown Vetch May to November. In midsummer, vorable report on 'Penngift' Crown damage. We recognize the inability the plants are literally covered with Vetch was published in 1954. of any grass or legume to prevent the small fragrant pink, white and lav­ The development of Crown Vetch invasion of woody seedlings, but ender flowers. From December to could not have come at a better time. feel the years gained in delaying this March the plant is dormant and The nation was about to embark on a forest encroachment in 'Penngift' turns brown. Even in its dormant highway building spree that would Crown Vetch has deterred millions state Crown Vetch provides erosion include construction of the Inter­ of dollars in brush cutting expense. control, with its foliage forming a state system. To build these new It has been estimated that the thick, tangled mat. The use of a superhighways through rugged ter­ 45, 000 acres Pennsylvania has non-evergreen ground cover pre­ rain such as that found in Pennsyl­ planted with Crown Vetch save the sents few aesthetic problems, since vania would require cutting into state's taxpayers $1.6 million a year in Pennsylvania, the roadsides are in planting and mowing costs. snow covered an average of 63 days In addition to its usefulness as a a year. In spring, the plant quickly ground cover, other uses have been recovers to become fully green by made of Crown Vetch. It has been early May. And it is well able to en­ used as a perennial cover crop for dure long periods of hot dry weather no-tillage com production for it not during the summer. only reduces erosion in com fields, This excellent plant is not native hills and mountains and building on but it adds from 50 to 100 pounds of to N.orth America. It ranges from fill across valleys. This construction nitrogen per acre to the soil each southern and western Europe to would leave many embankments year. It has also been used as forage North Africa and Western Asia. In that needed to be protected from for livestock. June of 1935, Dr. Fred V. Grau, an erosion. The plant is not a cure-all, and extension agronomist for the In the past, the Pennsylvania De­ does have its limitations. It appar­ Pennsylvania State University, dis­ partment of Transportation relied ently does best on a limestone soil. covered a plant he did not recog­ on such ground cover as Hall' s Areas being used for this plant the nize, tenaciously clinging to a pile of Japanese Honeysuckle (Lon icera first time should be inoculated with cinders and shale near Virginville in japonica halliana) , American Bit­ a special inoculant (either the seed southeastern Pennsylvania. Since tersweet (C ela strus scandens ), or the soil) provided by the commer­ the plant was found growing on the Memorial Rose (Ro sa wichuraiana), cial growers selling the seed. Areas farm of Robert Gift, it was later Coralberry (Sy mp horica rpo s v ul­ of less than one quarter of an acre given the varietal name of ' Penngift' garis) , Acacia (R obinia his pida) and can be planted with crowns, offered Crown Vetch. various mixtures of grasses and by many nurseries. But it is a vicious Dr. Grau took cuttings and har­ legumes. Each of these had its own spreader and should be kept out of vested seed from the Gift plants. He problems and none was entirely the carefully " manicured" garden established plantings on two small satisfactory for erosion control. where it could easily become a pest. farms near State College, Pennsyl­ Crown Vetch is normally planted Not all people like it, but, in general, vania. It is interesting to note that all with a straw mulch and a cover crop public acceptance has been high. Pennsylvania Crown Vetch is de­ of annual ryegrass, which helps Favorable comments have come scended from the original plants hold the soil until the plants are es­ from residents and visitors alike. found on the Gift farm. It is believed tablished. It takes about two years to Pennsylvania believes attractive that the Gift Crown Vetch arrived as establish a successful planting. One roadsides are important for a state a contaminant in a lot of imported of the best things about its use is the with a multi-billion dollar tourist alfalfa seed sown on the farm in fact that it does not have to be ind ustry . And during a time of about 1905. mowed, although it can withstand skyrocketing costs and limited rev­ By 1940, the first commercial mowing. I have seen it kept at a enues 'Penngift' Crown Vetch is one plantings had been established and 3-inch mowed height for years and way to keep roadsides attractive at 10 in 1946 the first commercial seed then released, when it will im- minimal cost. Enjoy Beauty and Bounty With arf -t 1fees

fruit trees. It can help you select the kind that best meets your needs. Here are some guidelines which can Order your trees in late fall or early be helpful: winter to assure delivery in time for 1. Leave only a limited amount of spring planting. Instructions for scaffolds (main branches) evenly planting come with your tree, and it spaced, vertically as well as hori­ Dwarf fruit trees vary in size is important to follow them. zontally, on all sides of the tree. when fully grown. Some stay so During the first summer, keep the 2. The lowest branch should be small they must be supported by a tree well watered to avoid the stress no lower than 2 feet from the wire trellis (called an espalier). Two of dry weather. Clear the grass to ground. espalier dwarfs, planted in a limited about 2 feet away from the trunk of 3. Select scaffold branches that space, will form a " fruit tree fence," the tree to prevent competition as have a wide angle crotch. During the 12 to 14 feet long, which will supply well as injury from the lawn mower. second and third growing seasons it a good quantity of fruit. Some dwarf A mulch around the tree will help may be necessary to place spreaders trees cover an area as much as 16 feet preserve moisture. Fertilizer is usu­ between the branch and center or more in diameter. The amount of ally not needed until the tree is in trunk thus forcing the branch to dwarfing depends on the type of full production. Then, only a limited grow at right angles to the main root stock or amount of dwarf inter­ amount of ni trogen should be added trunk instead of straight up. stem, as well as the type of tree and each year. The tree should be fer­ 4. Cut out cross branches or any soil. tilized only in early spring while it is branches that touch each other. Before you buy dwarf fruit trees, still dormant. Over-fertilization will 5. Trim back branches which are be sure to measure the space you result in excessive growth, a slow growing excessively so the tree want vour tree (or trees) to occupy start in fruiting, and poorly colored grows evenly in all directions. when' fully grown. When buying fruit. 6. Remember, the purpose of dwarf apples, you have a wide vari­ About the first of August, tree pruning is to let in sunlight, shape ety to choose from. Some of the most growth should be slowed to prevent the tree, and provide strong popular are the Red or Yellow Deli­ winter injury. This is accomplished branches to support the fruit. cious, MacIntosh, Jonathan and Ida by not adding additional water and A regular spray schedule should Red. It is desirable, but not abso­ by letting the grass around the tree be started the first year and contin­ lutely necessary, to plant two variet­ absorb the excess nutrients. It is ad­ ued during the life of the tree. There ies for cross fertilization. visable to protect the tree trunk from are two reasons for spraying against Once you have determined the rabbit and mouse injury with a plas­ disease and insects; one is to protect size you want, I recommend going tic tree-guard or %-inch-square to a nursery that specializes in dwarf hardware cloth. Continued on Page 44 11 ation misinterpreted the term "pe­ most often sought and many peren­ rennial" (forever free of work once nials are able to fill the bill. First of Perennials planted, they thought). People all, perennials must be reliable. quickly became disenchanted when They must be hardy in the area in for1bdays they discovered a perennial border, which they are to be used and this as such, meant plenty of work in the includes heat as well as cold toler­ landscapes form of dividing, deadheading and ance. cultivating. Second, they must be easy to Susan w. Plimpton But today perennials an~ reap­ maintain, not requiring extensive Landscape Architect pearing. The public is weary of the staking and deadheading. The Pojac Point " low maintenance" garden. These plants must be conservative in their Nort.h Kingstown, RI02852 gardens with their endless repeti­ growth habit, not rampant growers In the minds of many people, the tion of Juniperus wiltonii and creep­ overtaking everything in sight and use of perennials suggests the old­ ing cotoneaster, with an occasional they should be able to remain in­ fashioned extensive English border azalea and rhododendron thrown in place five or six years before requir­ with its high maintenance require­ for seasonal color ,_ are boring. ing division and/or replanting. ments. Before World War II, peren­ People are demanding more in the A third consideration: the plants nial borders were most often seen in way of color and form. The public must be disease and pest tolerant. America as part of large estates, has found that it responds in a posi­ They must not be subject to blight carefully tended by crews of garden­ tive and happy way to the seasonal which could eradicate the planting ers. These borders fell into disrepair changes which they observe occur­ or prey to harmful insects. during the war and in the post-war ring in plant material. A fourth requirement is that the years many never came back into fa­ The most satisfactory way to use perennials should have a relatively vor, in part because of the decrease perennials today, one that cuts long period of bloom; and, finally, in trained horticultural help. maintenance to the minimum, yet the plants chosen should have At the same time during the 1950' s provides a succession of bloom, is to good-looking foliage so that they are and 1960's, construction of private use them in combination with attractive even when not flowering. housing and industrial building shrubs and trees. If the woody mate­ The following notes are on peren­ was proceeding at an unprece­ rial is carefully chosen with an eye nials that are representative of the dented rate and most of these proj­ for line, form and texture to provide vast selection that is available. ects were demanding "instant land­ a good mixture of evergreen and de­ Achillea-Commonly called scaping". The emphasis on low ciduous, it will carry the design yarrow, this genus is valuable for maintenance curtailed the use of pe­ through the year. It's the perennials, its pinnate foliage and ability to rennials even further. Design be­ however, that will add the spice and do well in poor soil. In fact, rich came monotonous with the em­ excitement, catch the eye of the soil promotes weak growth. We phasis placed on woody material. passerby and give a real flair to the are especially partial to silver­ "Mounds" (in most cases poorly de­ design-all for very little cost. leafed A . mille[o/ium variety signed and constructed) became A new criterion for selection of 'Moonshine' . The flat yellow fashionable and pine barkm u1ch cov- perennials is already noticeable. corymbs bloom for a period of 4 12 ered all. Finally, the younger gener- The following five attributes are Continued on Page 14 more colorful. They provide flowers tiny bulbous iris. The delicate blue at a time of the year when there is and white Iri s bakeriana is generally Color little else to dispel the browns and the first to invade the hostile envi­ greys of winter. Even in Zone 5 there ronment, signaling the renascence Throughout are perennials that can bloom as of the garden. Along with it will be early as February. There are others I. histrioides major, slightly larger theYear that are still flowering well after the with less white on the falls. I danfor­ frosts and cold weather of October dia e will soon be along adding the James M . Martin and November. Perennials are the first cheery spot of yellow. Isn't it Horticultural Consultant perfect complement to flowering curious that such delicate appearing Kettering, OH 45429 shrubs and trees which make up the flowers should lead the parade? backbone of the garden, and to the Every gardener learns in time that Perennials bring color to the gar­ annuals that can give us summer­ micro-climates are all important in den in a very special way-a little bit long color where ever we want it. producing the earliest flowering at a time. Most perennials do not I would like to share with you possible for a given climate. Plants flower for long periods. No two ob­ some of my successes in Ohio gar­ near a brick wall facing south may jects can occupy the same space at dens; some perennials that are color­ flower as much as ten days earlier the same time. Therefore, it quickly ful and add something special to the than those planted in a shady spot becomes apparent that the garden gardening year. These are a few of with a northern exposure just a few planted exclusively to perennials the plants that I would recommend feet away. Another point to re­ cannot be a mass of color from for developing a garden for all sea­ member with these earlier plants is January to December. But that is not sons. In many respects they are the that they come up in very inclement necessarily bad. The joy and plea­ icing on the cake, the element that weather and they are generally small sure that perennials bring to the gives the garden character, variety, in stature so they should be placed garden is not dependent on an ex­ change and color. near the house where they can be travagant display of color. Unlike a In our part of the world, garden viewed close at hand, preferably bed of well kept petunias which interest in February and March from within the house itself. looks pretty much the same comes mainly from the persistent Accompanying or following close throughout the growing season, a fruit of a few shrubs and trees, and behind the iris is the more familiar perennial garden is always chang­ perhaps the foliage of evergreens. Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis). I ing color, character and interest. But if you are willing to scratch for it, have seen them in magnificient There is always something coming some color can be injected into the drifts in the garden of Mrs. John Aull to perfection and something passing scene as early as late February in a just north of Dayton. Through the its peak of glory. The garden be­ mild or open winter (1977 wasn't years she has naturalized "zillions" comes a place of discovery to which such a year). Some of the most de­ of Winter Aconite in a shady, natu­ we return day after day to view close pendable plants that can be in ral garden. In March the hillsides are at hand the many moods of the liv­ flower that early are herbaceous pe­ literally a carpet of gold. It is amaz­ ing landscape. rennials. ing that such diminutive plants There is another special way that One of the first bits of bloom to be could make such a spectacle. They perennials help to make a garden seen will almost assuredly be the Continued on Page 15 13 Perennials for Today's Landscape

weeks starting in June. The plants grow to a height of 18" and we place them in informal groupings spacing the plants 12" apart in full sun. Divide these every four or five years. We also use A. tom entosa, woolly yarrow, whose foliage is greyish green in color. Our pref- erence is for the variety 'Moon- light' which has lighter yellow flowers than the species as well as being less invasive. The woolly yarrow makes an excellent ground cover in dry sunny areas. Asclepias tuberosa-This is the Butterfly Weed and it is native. The bright orange flowers appear in July and the plants bloom for about six weeks. It is another plant which likes poor dry soil and full sun. Pest and disease free, it is not invasive. We have found the seeds easy to start in the fall in the cold frame and we move the plants to their permanent loca- tions in the spring. We advise our clients to purchase potted stock and plant either in spring or fall. These are slow to emerge from the ground in spring, so mark the lo- cation to prevent damage by early spring cultivation. Artemisia-The silver foliage of the artemisias forms good color contrasts with other colors in the garden. They all must be grown on poor soil in full sun. We use three of the artemisias most fre- quently: A . abrotanum , which gets c 0 to be about 3'-4 ' high and has the c. . ~ a: common name of Southernwood. c

A . sc hmidtiana is the lovely :J'" (/)'" "0 Silver Mound with greenish grey· c leaves. This plant will split open .,'"c :;; losing the mounded shape if the ::;; E soil is too rich. Here in Rhode 1s- '=; vi land we cut these back early in the ii1 ~ spring, letting the old foliage re- :J m >- main on the plant during the :J - winter to provide protection for D the crown. '"0 0 .c Along the beach we often use £l. 14 Con tinued on page 16 The purple-blue Siberian Iris follows the season of the tall bearded iris Color Throughout the Year

combine beautifully with the crisp white Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) that also are easy to naturalize. An editorial note-some writers make a distinction among peren­ nials on the basis of their under­ ground structures. They place those with bulb-like characteristics in a separate grouping and exclude them from an article on "perennials". Golden yellow 'Ola Kala' - tall bearded iris Obviously, I have a predilection not to permit the propagule to preclude perennial status! Another fine early season peren­ nial that brings color to a garden-in­ need is the Hellebore. I can recall the delightful experience of visiting the late Victor Ries' garden in Colum­ bus, Ohio. Early in March the beds in front of his home were overflow­ ing with the whites and reds of the beautiful Christmas and Lenten Roses (Hell eborus niger and H. ori­ Hell eboru s niger - Christmas Rose Coneflower 'Robert Bloom' (Echi nacea purpurea) entalis). The flowers combined with the marvelous foliage establish this as one of the perennials no credit­ able garden should be without. Vic could never get enough of them. He reveled in the subtle differences of the new sorts he had collected. However, one does not need to be a connoisseur to appreciate these fine plants. They seem to do best when protected by high branched trees. Speaking of Vic reminds me of another point about color from pe­ rennials. Shade is no great obstacle - to getting an abundance of flower throughout the growing season. Vic's garden was under an umbrella of massive red oaks which were one of his delights. In spite of this im­ posing sun shield, there was hardly a time when there was not some­ thing of flowering interest in his garden. Sun or shade, you can get color from perennials. In April, the color spectrum broadens dramatically. Pinks come from such dependables as the Bleed­ ing Heart (Dicentra spectabilis), Primroses (Primula x polyantha) and Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) . An Asclepias tuberosa Co ntinued on page 1 7 15 Today's Landscape 12/1 apart in the foreground of a ering peonies remain in bloom for shrub border. Iberis should be a greater length of time. quantities of A. st!? ll eriana or sheared back after blooming so it The most important part of Dusty Miller. It is native and will will retain a compact habit. This peony culture takes place at time get up to 20/1 in height. These grey plant likes full sun and the foliage of planting. The peony' s hole leaves have a whitish cast to them. is evergreen. The plants will grow should be carefully prepared 2' in Astilbe-This without doubt is 10/1 high and can spread out up to depth and l' across. Use plenty of one of the favorites for sun and 2' in diameter. There are several compost, peat and bonemeal. partly shaded situations . The varieties. We/ve used 'Snowflake' Avoid the use of manure as it en­ toothed foliage is handsome all and 'Purity'. 'Autumn Snow' will courages botrytis. The " eyes" of season. The plants are of uniform repeat its bloom in September but the peony should never be set height about 18/1, and the flower not as abundantly as in the more than 1/1 below the soil level. heads are plumes of white, red or spring. If they are deeper, the plants will pink extending upward another Iris-We use Iris siberica, the grow but not bloom. September is 10/1. They like moisture and can Siberian Iris, for its foliage accent a good time to plant peonies. They remain undivided for 4 or 5 years. as well as for bloom. We favor the should be located in full sun or We have lost them in situations Siberian Iris which blooms from partial shade. Dense shade or where heavy wet soil persists in mid-June to early July. These are competition from tree roots can the winter. The varieties we have easier to work into a border than also cause lack of bloom. Peony used include: 'Gladstone', pure the heavier German Bearded Iris plants should have support white; 'Peach Blossom' , pale and the foliage makes a delicate through the use of peony hoops. pink; and 'Red Sentinel' , dark vertical accent. The color range is These are put around the peonies red. Bloom appears in mid-June from blue to white and Siberian in early spring and left through and lasts one month. Iris are tolerant of full sun or light the season. Remove them after Hemerocallis-With proper plan­ shade. The plants are 3 feet in frost and cut off the foliage just ning, bloom from daylilies can be height with flowers about 3/1 in below ground level. No other had from May through Sep­ diameter which form interesting maintenance is required. Ants tember. We often use 12/1 high H . seed pods. We've used Iris sibirica may be observed on the buds, but flava , the Lemon Lily, which 'Cambridge Blue', a turquoise they cause no harm to the flowers blooms for two or three weeks blue, 'Tycoon', a violet blue, and or plants. Among other favorite starting in late May. It looks well 'White Magnificence'. We use the peonies is 'Festiva Maxima', a beneath Laburnum vossi and, of German Iris sparingly due to its huge white bloom with red flecks. course, they bloom simulta­ problems with borer and soft rot. Another is ' Albert Crousse' which neously. In the summer we Lavender-Although lavender is a fairly late-flowering soft pink. choose 'Hyperion' which blooms technically is considered a sub­ 'Phillippe Revoire' is a deep vel­ for three weeks starting in mid­ shrub, we group this plant in with vet red. July and is about 3' high. There perennials. We find its appeal al­ Platycodon-The common name are many color options in most universal. It blooms in July for Platy codon is Balloon Flower. Hemerocallis . They have no pests for about five weeks and the We use the variety mariesi which and diseases, will thrive in sun or foliage is attractive well into the grows to a height of 18/1 and shade, and have undemanding winter. Then it gets scruffy­ doesn't have to be staked. The soil requirements. looking and we cut it back to six plants will grow in partial shade Heuchera sanguinea-Coral inches in late March or early or full sun. Bloom starts in July Bells prefer shaded areas. We are April. Opinions differ but we've and lasts for 5 weeks. We have especially fond of the cultivar found our plants come through used both the blue mariesi as well 'June Bride' with pure white the winter well in this way. Lav­ as P. mariesi album . Recently we bellshaped flowers produced in ender combined with pink used a dwarf variety P.grandi­ June and July. The leaves are geraniums makes a pretty combi­ florum apoyama in a rock garden pretty, lobed-shaped and ever­ nation. Lavender requires full sun and found it grew about 8/1 high green. This plant profits from a and poor soil. The plants will at­ and bloomed all summer long. mulch as it heaves in cold winters. tain the height of about 18 inches. We divide these every 5 or 6 years. Paeonia-Peonies are the ultimate Mark the location of Platy codon Coral Bells like plenty of humus to in perennials to be selecteCl for to­ which is slow to start growing in hold moisture in the summer. The day's gardens. They are of easy the spring. flowers appear on 15/1 stalks. culture, long-lived (up to 25 years Until recently perennials have Iberis sempervirens-Candytuft or more in one spot), produce been a relatively untapped source of makes a neat edging plant or it can good cut flowers and have good­ plant material for today's gardens. 16 be used in groups of three spaced looking foliage. The double-flow- Much of the credit for their reemergence goes to Robert Hebb's mass of silky hairs that catch the careful analysis in Low Maintenance spring sun for glistening effects. To What every Perennials, first published by the attest to its durability, it is the state house plant Arnold Arboretum in two volumes flower of South Dakota. (October-November, 1974, and Good crisp accents of white can be needs ~ January-February, 1975) of Arnol­ designed into the garden with to keep it (. ~ dia. The combined volumes may clumps of Rock Cress (Arabis alpina) , now be purchased as one work in Sweet Woodruff (Asperula odorata) , fat and happy.~ bookstores throughout the country. and the ever popular Gas Plant It is a valuable reference for anyone (Oictamnus alb us) . All three of these working with the landscape. also have good foliage to enhance .c:nI?lB""-"-· ~ ~~ the display when the flowers are gone. ~ Color Throughout By May and June, the color range the Year is complete. In fact, with just two genera, tulips and iris, you can in­ especially fine plant is the Heart­ clude every color and hue imagin­ leaved Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia). able. With peonies thrown in for Not only does it reward us with full good measure, any gardener can panicles of pinkish flowers, but its create a color display to be the envy handsome, leathery leaves are a real of the neighborhood. This is all be­ asset. fore the annuals come into their own Blues come in abundance. The na­ and become the dominant factor in tive Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia most displays . Just think of the virginica) are one of my favorites. possible combinations. No matter hat's what this informative guide One of the nice things about what your living room color scheme Twill show you! " Linda Finkle­ Strauss's personal approach makes bluebells is that they do well in is, you can carry it out to the garden her book a wonderfully warm, easy shady spots, with little or no care, with these serviceable and depend­ read . . . . It reflects patience and clar- ity . . .. After absorbing her wisdom, and are easily naturalized. The able plants. There are so many to readers need have no further doubts shade of blue is bright enough to be choose from that every gardener has about how much or how little to water plants, or what kind of soil mixtures to seen from a distance. Another great an opportunity to develop a unique use. " -Publishers Weekly plant for blue flowers that also does combination. He may for instance " Readable .. . likeable .. . . Provides solid advice on environmental vari­ well in the shade is the Bethlehem achieve a multi-hued display of Ice­ ables, preventive medicine, propaga­ Sage 'Mrs. Moon' (Pulmonaria sac­ land Poppies (Papaver nudicaule) tion .... She encourages 'the bravado factor' in pruning and favors 'garbage charata) . The flowers are pink when with their fascinating crepe-paper gardens'-new greens from pits, po­ they open and then change to blue. flowers on slender stems. Although tatoes, pineapple tops .... Pam Car­ roll 's illustrations are precise and The spotted foliage is outstanding I must admit, for us they are almost attractive. " -Kirkus Reviews assuring a long season of interest. an annual! Or a delicate blend of With an illustrated, alphabetical sec­ tion giving valuable specific advice on Flowering may continue for as much pastels can be brought to the garden nearly 200 house-plant varieties. as eight weeks. For a carpet of blue, with Columbine (Aquilegia) and $12.95 hardcover, $6.95 paperback try the Grecian Windflower Coral Bells (Heuchera) . For those (Anemone blanda) . Where more who want a predominant theme of height is needed, the Siberian Bu­ blue, there is Baptisia , Campanula , HOUSE PLANTS gloss (Brunnera macrophylla) is as and Centaurea. One special bit of How to Keep'Em Fat &Happy dependable as you can get. Flower­ blue for closer observation is the low by Linda Finkle-Strauss ing continues through the first part growing Veronica incana . The foliage Illustrated by Pam Carroll of June. of this pretty perennial is gray and - At your bookstore or use this coupon :D For a sunny dry spot, there is a wooly. It makes a delightful back­ I!FJ rJ ~ McGraw-Hili Book Company ~ C"" • Dept. PL, 35th floor 0 real gem you ought to try and enjoy. ground for the spikes of blue which e Vn JIj 1221 Avenue of the Americas CD The Pasque Flower (Anemone pul­ strike unusual poses as they uncurl. I • • New York, N.Y. 10020 Please send me House Plants-How to satilla or A . patens) has fascinating Whites come to the late spring Keep 'Em Fat & Happy: blue, bell-shaped flowers with con­ g~rden with such old favorites as the _ . copy(ies) hardcover @ $12.95 _ ... copy(ies) paperback @ $6.95 trasting gobs of golden stamens. Shasta Daisies (Chrysanthemum max­ Name ______The special treat is the long silky imum). There are many cultivars Address ______hairs that grow on the flowers I the from which to choose. One I particu­ City ______leaves and the stems. Even when the larly like is'Aglaya', a frilled, double flower passes by, the s€ed head is a Continued on Page 37 State Zip ______17 Check or money order enclosed. L ___ "::I::~ ~d...:p~i~~ ~~s~ __ ~H.J

Cannas in the past have been popular bedding Canna x 'Ra', 1. G. 72478 plants, particularly in the more formal Victorian style Plant 165 cm. tall, glaucous; leaf blades to 60 cm. long gardens planted around the tum of the century and by 14 .5 cm. wide, elliptic, narrowly edged whitish; later. These were the tall varieties useful primarily for flowers clear, bright yellow, RHS Fan I, 9A-B, 10 cm. their tropical foliage effect. wide by 10 cm. deep; staminodia to 9.5 cm. long by 3 During recent years cannas have again become a cm. broad; ovary and fruit yellow-green. popular garden plant, but the emphasis has been more Canna x 'Taney', 1. G. 73729 on the dwarf large-flowered types, these being very Plant 188 cm. tall, glaucous; leaf blades to 60 cm. long useful in both formal and informal flower beds. A wide by 16 cm. wide, elliptic, narrowly edged whitish; range of flower colors, except for blue and lavender, is flowers burnt orange, RHS Fan I, 33C-D, finely available. The foliage can be various shades of green, edged yellow, 10 cm. wide by 8 cm. deep; staminodia red or bronze. Several forms of variegation exist in both to 8 cm. long by 3 cm. broad; ovary and fruit green. the flowers and leaves. These cultivars have been grown in the display pools Aquatic varieties have been developed and are avail­ at Longwood Gardens during the summer for the past able commercially. Most are similar in appearance to several years, and when given ample quantities of fer­ the taller of the terrestrial types. However, the cannas tilizer, light and warmth, they are in continuous bloom normally grown in the garden are not considered to be until frost. Divisions are planted in large tubs or other aquatic plants. containers filled with a very rich planting medium. Most of the known species of Canna are more or less Sand is placed on top to prevent the disturbing of the terrestrial, but Canna glauca L. is a species that requires planting medium by the water. The surface of the plant­ or at least prefers growing with its roots submerged in ing medium should be no more than a foot below the water. Like many Canna species it has relatively small surface of the water. These cannas are sun and heat lov­ flowers, which in this case are pale yellow in color. Typ­ ing. In order for them to do their best, they must be ical of many aquatic species, it has very erect foliage grown where full sun will reach them the entire day. with narrow lanceolate leaves. Longwood Gardens re­ Each fall the plants are taken from the outdoor pools ceived C. glauca L. in June 1969. It had been collected and the rhizomes are divided. Some of the divisions are earlier in the State of Rio, Brazil. planted in pots which are placed in tubs of water in a Canna glauca L. is more of a curiosity than an orna­ warm greenhouse, where they have continued to grow mental. Its very stiff upright habit does provide a useful and even flower during the winter. Any remaining Iform for the garden pool, but then so do a number of rhizomes are stored in damp peat moss in a cool well­ other aquatic plants. It flowers continuously through­ ventilated location. The rhizomes stored in this manner out the summer. There are never a great number of will survive the winter out of water, though not particu­ flowers at anyone time. Since the flowers are small and larly well. They do not produce plants with the vigor of pale yellow they do not present a particularly striking those grown in water in a warm greenhouse during the display. winter, and they do not keep nearly as well using this Longwood Gardens has had a canna breeding pro­ method as do the terrestrial types. One reason for this gram for many years. The natural thing to do was to may be the small amount of food stored in the rather attempt to cross the aquatic canna (c. glauca L.) with small, slender rhizomes developed by these plants. the terrestrial canna hybrids and see what would hap­ This is in sharp contrast to the terrestrial cannas which pen. This cross was easily done, and therefore repeated produce a heavy thick rhizome. many times. Seedlings from these crosses were grown In many respects, the hybrid aquatic cannas are, as in pools, and from these, four cultivars (one each of red, one would expect, intermediate between C. glauca L. yellow, orange and pink flowers) were selected and and their terrestrial parents. They will grow as terres­ named. They are: trials, but do better in water. Foliage is upright, but not quite as narrow as C. glauca L. Flowers are larger than Canna x 'Endeavour', 1. G. 73331 C. glauca L., but not as large as their terrestrial parents. Plant 180 cm. tall, glaucous; leaf blades to 55 cm. long by 14 cm. wide, elliptic, narrowly edged purple­ The four selected hybrids do have the bright colors typ­ ical of the terrestrials, but most of those discarded in brown, flowers bright red, RHS Fan I, 45C, 10 cm. wide. by 10 cm. deep; staminodia to 9 cm. long by 3 the program did not. No attempt has been made to cm. broad; ovary and fruit purple. backcross to either parent. These hybrids have been selfed, but so far all the progeny have been inferior to Canna x 'Erebus',L. G. 73728 the original hybrids. Plant 160 cm. tall, glaucous; leaf blade to 45 cm. long Because of their limited usefulness and their rela­ by 16 cm. wide, elliptic, narrowly margined translu­ tively slow rate of propagation, these aquatic hybrids cent whitish; flowers salmon pink, RHA Fan I, 39 have not been widely distributed. They are being B-C, pale yellow basally and on midrib dorsally, 10 shared on an exchange basis with other gardens and cm. wide by 8 cm. deep; staminodia to 9 cm. long by nurseries which may use them for display and/or mar- 3.5 cm. broad; ovary and fruit green. keting purposes. 19

Canna X 'Taney', Longwood Gardens Hybrid # 73729 Fall Vegetable Gardening By Tom Stevenson

For most vegetable gardeners, the on paper towels and a thorough chill season is about over with the first before dinner and the tossing with heavy frost. This need not be. Some dressing, according to the Leafy of our better known vegetables can Greens Council. be grown so they can be enjoyed 'Winter Bloomsdale' spinach is so right up to the early winter months. hardy it will usually live over winter Hardy kinds that thrive in cool (from a late August sowing) and be weather are the ones to plant. The ready to supply fresh, tasty greens cool autumn weather actually im­ in the spring. This variety survives, prowes the flavor of many of them. even in severe cold areas, without One of the most important factors any protection. in late fall and winter vegetable gar­ 'Green Ice' lettuce is especially dening is proper time of sowing. For something extra delicious, try crisp and tasty in salads; 'Cherry Most should be sown in late June, Chinese cabbage. ~ Burpee Hybrid' Belle' radish adds zip and color; July, or August. Of course, if you is one of the best. This variety grows 'Bloomsdale' spinach gives variety live in the South or Pacific Coast fast and needs cool weather to head and. texture. areas, you can plant much later, into well. The proper time to sow seed is Spinach is just as good cooked for fall and early winter. early to late June. It usually yields greens. So is kale and this along There are two main groups ofveg­ into late November. with Brussels sprouts really takes etables for fall gardening-root Served like lettuce or made into cold weather. These two vegetables crops and greens. According to Bur­ coleslaw, 'Burpee Hybrid' is a taste usually taste much better after being pee specialists, this includes beets, treat and is equally good cooked. frost-bitten, and can be picked from _carrots, parsnips, salsify, turnips, The flavor is unusually mild and ap­ right under ice and snow in the rutabagas, winter radishes, kale, petizing. This variety freezes well winter. collards, broccoli, cauliflower, kohl­ for use later on. Such sprouts need to be cooked rabi, Chinese cabbage, Brussels Other good salad crops for the fall within a few hours after picking or sprouts and celeriac. 'garden include ' Loosehead' and else stored temporarily in a freezer. Fall and winter cabbage, both red 'Butterhead' lettuce, radishes and Being partially frozen in the garden, and green, grow well from seed spinach. All grow so fast you should they tend to get soft and spoil if kept planted from mid-June through wait until August to plant them. very long above freezing. July. Succulent heads are ready to They stand some frost. If protected Sow seeds of kale and collards pick in fall for cooking, coleslaw, with newspapers from the first kill­ about mid-July and start Brussels sauerkraut, or storage in a cool, ing frost, they can often be har­ sprouts in peat pots or flats about frost-free place. They keep well and vested well into winter. June 1 and transplant to the garden are fresh and tasty into late winter. Spinach is rapidly surging to the when they are strong enough. Do not handle cabbage heads forefront as a delicious ingredient Collards and kale often make it when they are frozen. Wait for a for salads. The leaves need only a through the winter and put on new 20 thaw and then harvest. cleansing shower, then a draining growth in the spring. Frost im- proves the quality of these vegeta­ vive without protection until the bles. end of December, and they often last Many people like a combination the whole winter. of turnip greens, mustard greens There is one very important thing and kale. A mixture gives a good to remember with summer plant­ flavor to the greens by playing down ing-keep the ground evenly moist. the bitterness of mustard while en­ The weather is often hot, dry and hancing the flavor of turnips and windy so water as necessary with a kale. fine spray to keep the soil damp Beets , carrots, turnips and until seedlings are up and growing rutabagc:s also provide good eating well. This often makes the dif­ Send today for my FREE all fall and well into winter. Sow ference between success and failure. fact filled, informative them from mid-June to about the Sprouting seeds are thirsty and can­ COLOR CATALOG end of July. not stand complete drying out, even The late plantings produce roots for a short time. Full size, home gardener, just right to store in a cool, dark, Frost control is a way of extending quality California frost-free place for winter use. Or, the gardening season. An early frost REDWOOD greenhouses. store them right in your garden. that ruins tomatoes, beans and Don't take them up, just cover the flow ers often can be followed by FREESTANDING MODELS, LEAN-TO AND DOMES! rows in late fall with a thick layer of weeks of fine growing weather. The straw, salt hay or evergreen boughs. problem is to bring plants through 95 Whenever the weather permits, that first cold spell. From $89 push aside the covering and pull as Many methods of protecting many roots as you want. ~ RUmuIIF/l-, plants from fro st have been utilized THE GREENHOUSEMAN® 'Purple Head' cauliflower is a real with varying degrees of success. 980 17th Ave., Dept. 71-F gourmet vegetable hardly ever Plastic film covers, wind breaks, I Santa Cruz, Calif. 95062 available at super market produce smudge pots, heat burners, wind , counters. It is easy to grow, the machines, chemical foam, and heads don' t need blanching, they sprinklings with water are some of stay in prime condition for a long the methods that have been tried. time. Sow seed in late June. For gardeners, continuous sprin­ Start parsley in early May and sow kling with water probably is the seed of Swiss chard in mid -June. Pot most practical and promising up a few plants of parsley for grow­ method. In many years, one or two ing on the kitchen windowsill dur­ nights of water sprinklings in the ing the winter. fall may prolong the gardening sea­ Celeriac (has a flavor similar to son for two or three weeks. celery) is easier to grow than celery Probably the best bet with to­ and is more cold-resistant. During matoes is to pull up the plants, roots most normal winters it will last until and all, just ahead of the first frost, Vegetable Factory® early December without protection. and hang them up in the garage to It can be harvested, buried in the ripen. SOLAR PANEL garden, and used in the spring. Start Apparently, some chemical it in a seedbed or flat in early May. change must cause tomatoes to get a GREENHOUSE Parsnips, salsify and root parsley better color and a sweeter taste will withstand almost any winter when left on the vine, even when USES 60% weather that mother nature can stir the vine is pulled out of the ground, up. All three are improved in flavor according to the editors of Organic LESS HEAT. Th is prac tic al thermal wall greenhouse by cold weather. Root parsley and Gardening and Farming. so lves the en ergy cost problem . Patented rigid double-wall constru ction, tested in salsify should be sown in early May The fruit should be allowed to Ve rm ont. Cos t about Yo as mu ch to heat and parsnips up to June 15, depend­ ripen before being exposed to tem­ as ord ina ry gree nh ouses. More than pays fo r itself in he at savi ng s alone., Exc lu sive, ing on the size desired. Those sown peratures below 50°F. Considerable factory d irect onl y, All models and sizes, after June 1 will usually provide the loss of quality occurs if the tomatoes 5 year warranty. Free Color Brochure. Call or Write fo r information tastiest vegetables. are stored at temperatures below 50° Leeks and chives, both from the before having ripened. After they ~,--_.....;::o,-~ P.O. Box 2235 Dept. AH-6 onion family, are winter hardy. have ripened, they keep best at Grand Central Station Sown in early May they usually sur- Continued on page 29 New York, N.Y, 10017 21 (212) 686-0173 A PREVIEW OF SOME PLANTS YOU WILL SEE AT THE 1977 AHS CONGRESS IN CALIFORNIA The Cultivation and Propagation of Cycads

by Robert T . Buckley Jr. 213 Ea st A ve. Ramona, San Clem ente, CA 92672

Often the popularity of certain The Cycadaceae, consisting solely plants is related to their rarity. This of the genus Cycas , is a very beauti­ can be said of the cycad. Collectors ful Asian form with a range which have discovered them. In recent includes Southern Japan, the coastal years they have become as sought regions of the Far East, a small sec­ after as fine paintings and first edi­ tion of India, Australia, and por­ tions. This is understandable. Some tions of Madagascar and the East are quite beautiful, all are unusual, coast of Africa near Zanzibar. and the older specimens are ex­ The Zamiaceae can be found tremely valuable. Mature groupings worldwide. They are extremely var­ of these trees can sell for $1,000 or ied. There are 8 genera spread more. throughout the Caribbean area of Urtfortunately, unlih paintings, the New World, South America, cycads are living things and neglect Central and Southern Africa, and and unsatisfactory conditions will Australia. This distribution was take their toll. To compound the probably created while the conti­ problem, there is little information nents were joined together into available to the public on the culti­ Laurasia and Gondwanaland 150 vation of these plants. The learning million years ago. process is trial and error, which is The final family, the Stangeri­ expensive and wasteful. aceae , has had a curious past. It was This article is a mini-guidebook mistakenly classified as a fern when Emerging crown - Cycas revoluta . on cycads. If it prevents a few need­ first discovered. It lacks a trunk, less losses, then it has served its But toward the close of the ' Age of only the fronds appear above the purpose. Dinosaurs' cycads began to be over­ ground, so it wasn' t until the pollen shadowed by the emerging Angio­ History and seed bearing cones were ob­ sperms. Cooler climates and the served that botanists correctly Cycads are ancient plants. Their greater sophistication of competing placed this plant in the Cycadales ancestors were seed ferns common plants forced the Cycadales into a where it belongs. This curiosity is during the Carboniferous Period. decline. They now survive in greatly native to South Africa. We burn their remains as coal. Two restricted ranges spotted through­ The three families are easily dis­ other lines of cycad-like plants arose out the tropics. tinguished. during this period, but these are Cycads are often mistaken for Cycas has a long, narrow leaflet both extinct. palms. The reason is simple. The with a single midrib. It lacks side The fern-like nature of cycads can palm is exploiting the environmen­ veins. readily be seen as the new fronds tal niche that the cycad itself once The Zamiaceae lack the midrib. In­ appear. Some show a 'fiddlehead' . filled. Althugh the palm grows at the stead, numerous smaller veins run Other genera have a more advanced, same rate as a cycad, it is able to dis­ the length of the leaflet. erect mode of development. But tribute its seeds more efficiently. Stangeria has both a prominent even in these the furry, terminal bud There are three families within midri b , and smaller side veins 22 pattern of growth is maintained. the order Cycadales. radiating from this rib. Basic Cultivation dry. Water is conserved in the trunk, Cycads are subject to root fungus. Cycads can be quite hardy when and in the large tap root. This problem can be caused by bad the proper growing conditions are The soil mixture is probably the watering habits, or damage to the maintained. Although some can tol­ most important requirement for root when planting. Using sterilized erate frost during the winter, all of good growth in a cycad. You can soil in containers won't completely this tribe like to be warm, with good skimp on light, water, and fertilizer eliminate the possibility of infec­ drainage around their roots, and a and the plant will endure it. They're tion, but it will improve the odds. lot of light, though usually not full used to 'roughing it'. But stick the Adding equal parts of vermiculite sun. If you were to compare the plant in a dense, clay-like soil with and agricultural perlite will further cycads' growing habits with those of bad drainage and worse aeration aerate the soil and permit the rapid another plant, you might best de­ and the root will begin to rot. drainage so important with cycads. scribe them as being succulents. If the fronds are an even dark, or Some cycads grow in rain forest Usually, although their native cli­ light green, and the trunk feels firm where the dense canopy allows little mate may receive 50 to 60 inches of when you squeeze it you've got light to filter through. Despite this, rain in the winter, the summers are yourself a healthy plant. however, cycads are really not at home indoors except where there is a lot of natural light available. And it should come from 3 or more sides or as new fronds develop the plant will take on an attenuated, lopsided ap­ pearance. Most cycads will do best in a lath house where they receive filtered §unlight. It's also possible to keep them under large trees. But they should be kept in containers to pro­ tect them from the tree roots. There are many advantages to planting in containers. They're por­ table and can be moved in case of a freeze . You can fill them with a pre­ cise soil mixture. And they allow the layout of a collection to be modified as it expands over the years. Watering is always a tricky pro­ position when dealing with plants, and with cycads it's no different. A knowledge of where the cycad grows naturally will help. Simply check an atlas and note the maxi­ mum rainfall in that area. Generally, you should water heaviest, and begin adding fertilizer, when the new crown of fronds begins to ap­ pear. A crown enlarges rapidly and puts quite a strain on the plant. The crown will be stunted unless you provide enough water and food dur- ing this time. For the remainder of the year just go easy. Let the con­ tainer get slightly dry between wa­ terings (but not desiccated). Some plants prefer a hosing of the trunk and fronds instead of having their roots flooded regularly. Although a Seed cone - Dioon edule on grounds of Huntington Botanical Gardens. cycad may look somewhat like a 23 treefem, it's much better to treat it a plant by counting the number of very large, a plant four feet across like a cactus. crowns it has produced. These will might be 50 years old. There are several pests to watch be marked by persistent leaf bases Hybrids are possible between out for, although most insects ig- that appear as scales on the trunk. species, and possibly between some nore cycads. Snails like to eat the Count from the bottom up remem- genera according to Chamberlain. emerging fronds, which are very bering that one crown a year is the This means that you might still be soft and liable to damage during this rule. Some cycads, such as a Zamia, able to achieve a breeding popula- time. Once the fronds have enlarged never form a true trunk. Estimating tion even if you have only a small and hardened, snails will lose inter- the age of these plants is practically collection of mature plants. est. impossible. Since they never grow The appearance and sophistica- Scale is a threat all year round. In- spect the leaf bases and the under- Cycads Commonly Offered by Mail Order Nurseries sides of the leaflets for telltale Rate of Genus/Species Native Range Type of Habitat Growth lumps. You can pick these off by hand. Infestations of the trunk are Cycas revoluta Southern Japan Moist, sunny, coastal average more serious. Even after you wipe hillsides. Frost hardy. them out, dead scale can ruin the Cycas circinalis India and Wann, moist pinewoods, fast appearance of a beautiful specimen. Nepal Frost tender. A regular application of malathion (read the label for instructions be- Cycas media Northeast Moist Eucalyptus or slow Australia rain forest. Frost tender. cause any insecticide is as danger- ous to you as it is to the bugs) will Ma crozamia moorea Northeast Eucalyptus forest and fast prevent scale from establishing a Au ~ tralia grasslands. Frost tender. foothold. Bowenia spectabilis Northeast Wann rain forest. Frost slow Propagation Australia tender, and difficult to grow. A dwarf. The only Cycads were one of the first cycad with double leaflets seed-bearing plants. They lack on its fronds. flowers, but there is a definite divi- sion' into male and female plants. En cephalartos Southeast Wann, well-watered sunny fast lebo mboensis Africa cliffs and hillsides. Males develop one or more pollen Semi-hardy. cones. This pollen is distributed by the wind, or sometimes by birds. En ce phalartos southeast Wann, well-watered forests. very fast Insects do not seem to play much woodii Africa This species is technically extinct since no females part in the process. The pollen grain exist. Propagation is must manage to be carried to a entirely from offshoots. female cone at precisely the time Frost tender. when the cone scales part slightly. If Stangeria eriopus Southeast Wann, well-watered forest. slow this happens, and there has been a Africa Frost tender. A dwarf plant. rain, or heavy dew to deposit a film of moisture, the pollen grain will Ceratoza mia Eastern Wann, densely shaded rain slow give rise to a motile sperm which mexicana Mexico forest. Likes hillsides. Frost tender. will then combine with and fertilize the egg, or seed. Dioon edule Eastern Hot, arid forests. Frost slow Cycad pollen does not retain its Mexico hardy. vigor when frozen, so to ensure that Dioo n spin ulo sum Eastern Wann, densely shaded slow a female plant will be pollinated as Mexico rain forest. Frost tender. the cone begins to form it's a good idea to scout around and discover Zam ia floridana Southern Wann, sandy forest and slow Florida scrublands. A dwarf plant. who else has mature cycads in your Frost tender. neighborhood if you yourself don't have a male. And if you have a male, Zamia furfu ra cea Eastern Wann, somewhat swampy average but no female, you can always start a Mexiw rain forest. A dwarf, but will fonn a trunk after many 'stud' service for other gardeners. years. Frost tender. A cycad usually achieves sexual maturity after 25 to 30 years of Zamia fi scheri Eastern Wann rain forest. A dwarf. very fast 24 growth. You can estimate the age of Mexico Frost tender. ' / Drop garden waste in- tion of the female cones differ 'Accelerator' Super 18 greatly among the genera. In Cycas has 18 panels , 36" high, 34" diameter, revoluta the ovulate, or seed-bearing capaci ty 19 cu . ft. Use on soil . '- -IT cone is very primitive and resem­ Slide panels. ,.' Continuous bles that of the seed-ferns. The cone process . is really nothing more than an im­ $49 .95 'Accelerator' Super 14 mature and reduced crown of leaves has 14 panels , 36" with seeds nestled among the leaf­ high, 27" diameter, capacity 11 V, cu . ft. lets. In the more advanced cycads Use on soil . Slide panels. (Zamia is probably the summit of the Continuous process . evolutionary history of the family) $43 .95 the cone has become hard, very 'Accelerator' Super B simple in structure, and resembles a has 14 panels , 36 " high , 27 " diameter, pine cone. capacity 11 cu . ft. with special Cycads may also be propagated ventilator lor use on by offshoots and by cuttings. Some paved sur- will consider this to be the easier route. shovel rich compost out .faces $46 .95 Offshoots are merely buds gener­ ated by the root or lower trunk as a Just think what tons of compost will do for your Over 300,000 home gardeners world-wide own garden. It's the ideal natural fertilizer and soil Rotocrop compost bins because they end response to damage which eventu­ conditioner all in one - free for the making. unsightly heaps, make compost faster and are ally turn into small plants. Once scientifically designed to work effiCiently, they send out a frond the connection NEW'Economiser' turning garden and kitchen wastes into rich, valuable compost within weeks - no turning the to the parent plant may be severed LIFT-OFF compost bins heap. Make a ton of compost in one season! and the offshoot potted up. A dust­ Grow more bountiful vegetablf!s , more beautiful Rotocrop flowers, more luxurious lawns and healthier ing of the root, and wound, with a 'Economise,' lift off ,ange house plants with the natural plant food and powdered rooting hormone and for a binful conditioning humus that Rotocrop compost adds fungicide will help the new plant on of compost to your soil. every few UNIQUE DESIGN ADVANTAGES. Rotocrop ' s the road to survival. weeks. Rotocrop's 'Accelerator' compost bins are constructed from If you chop the trunk of a cycad lowest-priced precision-extruded rugged PVC panels which into sections and pot these, each sec­ compost bins. slide together to form a sturdy, heat-retaining Flip top to fill. .. lift off to empty tion will generate one or more new cylinder. With no corners to cool off, fermenta­ Rotocrop ' Economiser' compost bins are tion heat extends to all edges of the heap. Air plants. This, understandably, is a made from interlocking panels of strong , rot­ vents in each panel allow air in without letting rather drastic method of reproduc­ proof heat-retaining PVC which assemble in heat out. A base ventilator grille allows minutes to make a rigid cylinder. With no convection of air right through the heap. The tion. But it does work. corners to cool off, heat is retained longer molded flip-up, button-down lid keeps rain out, It is also possible to generate new and decomposition is fast. Vent holes in each heat in and makes filling easy. Unique patented panel and a ventilator grille for the base slide-panel design lets you remove ready plants from cuttings of the petiole, insure aeration and drainage, while a compost at ground level without disturbing or frond base. The process is a molded , flip-up lid keeps rain out , heat and moisture in . Lift off to expose entire heap . maturing layers. lengthy one, and it requires the use Make a binful of compost every few weeks. All models in unobtrusive green will enhance All models natural green . your garden. Packed flat for simple home of a heated Wardian case, sterile assembly in minutes without tools.

I I I Economiser' soil, and dusting of the cutting with Economiser' Economiser' UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE. We'll ship in 18 has 18 15has15 12has12 rooting hormone, but when no panels 33" panels 33 " panels 33 " two weeks. If you ' re not delighted return it high,34" high , 28" high,22" within 14 days, for a full refund. All parts other method is available it can be dia. 17.8 cu . dia. 12cu. ft. dia. 7.8 cu . guaranteed for 6 months. The money you save in ft. capacity capacity ft. capacity attempted. $34 .95 $29 .95 $24 .95 artificial fertilizers or commercial compost will Sometimes, even the leaflets will pay for your' Accelerator' in no time. put out roots. .. , ~~ ... ,.--., ., If you have been lucky enough to 'Accelerator' Super slide panel have discovered some fertile seeds, : ' .' 1 _ ( ' " .~: : 1 . : . :. compost bins prepare some pots of soil and place ~ the seeds on top. Don't bury them, ------,• Mail to: Rotocrop (USA) Inc .. 58 Buttonwood Street, New Hope, Pa. 18938 AIN -05 just press them down about half­ I Gentlemen : Please ship way. It takes a while, but eventually 'Accelerator' Slide panel (Prices include Name ______I compost bins USA delivery a root will poke from one end (the I and 12-page I 0 18 panel Super 18 at $49.95 composting seeds should always be resting on I o 14 panel Super 14 at $43.95 bookie!.) Street ______I their sides) and bury itself in the I 0 14 panel Super B at $46.95 'Economiser' Lift-off compost I enclose my I soil. A month or so later a single I bins check/MOfo,~ City I o 18 panel Economiser at $34.95 Residents of Penn- I Continued on page 29 . sylvania add sales 25 I o 15 panel Economlser at $29.95 tax St t Z' . . ae IP ___~ • 0 12 panel Economlser at $24.95 ~ ------Malesian Rhododendrons by F. A li ce Jack (L eDu c) Lec III reI' in Horticulture Texas A & M University College Station , TX 77843

To most people in this country Veitch & Sons Nursery of Chelsea, lieved during the development of who have even a passing interest in England, developed 200 named hy­ the Victorian Hybrids. In their na­ horticulture, the rhododendron is a brids which were used extensively tive habitats, " Males ian" Rhodo­ familiar and often used plant. Yet, in exhibitions. Unfortunately for the dendrons are found everywhere, until very recently, almost one third future of the plants, their tropical from the coastal rain forests on up to of the 900 species which compose origins caused them to be consid­ altitudes of 10,000 feet in alpine the genus was totally unknown to ered (apparently without any test­ grassland conditions. The plants civilization. The present situation, ing) as "hot-house" beauties that themselves, with their fragrant at least as far as public familiarity required considerable pampering. flowers of pure, intense color and and use is concerned, remains the This belief, combined with in­ waxy texture, vary from small com­ same. creased costs of maintaining " hot­ pact shrubs at the higher elevations Hidden away in remote areas of houses" in the post World War I era, to rather large rambling plants in the New Guinea and other generally in­ and the shift in public interest to the coastal river an~ as . Depending upon hospitable tropical sections of the many newly introduced hardy environmental conditions, the same world, these 300 or so unexploited rhododendrons, caused the "Male­ species may be either a terrestrial species are collectively and popu­ sians" to decline in popularity. As a plant, or an epiphytic one, growing larly known as " Malesian" Rho­ result, most of Veitch's hybrids (to­ on host plants or even on patches of dodendrons! (taking their name day known as Victorian Hybrids) floating peat. from a contraction of Malaya and have been lost, although a few have Based upon the species' ability to Micronesia, the geographic home of survived at the Royal Botanic Gar­ naturally survive in a wide variety of a majority of the plants). And, in dens, Kew, and in private collec­ environmental conditions, it ap­ spite of the fact that so large a por­ tions. pears that there may be an unex­ tion of the total rhododendron Interest was revived following plored potential in this country for population consists of the "Male­ World War II when reports of several the plants as outdoor ornamentals in sians", until the past 15 years, little species from New Guinea reached the milder areas, and as tubbed dis­ work was done to take advantage of horticultural circles in this country play specimens in others. Ad­ them as either horticultural plants, and Europe. In 1960, in conjunction ditionally, because of the highly at­ or as a new gene pool for hybridiz­ with the revision of the " Flora tractive flowers, their possible use ing. Part of the reason for this ne­ Malesiana", Dr. H . Sleumer of the in floriculture should be considered glect is attributable to the remote­ Netherlands went on a plant collect­ as well. ness of their origin, and the diffi­ ing trip to Indonesia which con­ Work to develop desirable orna­ culty in obtaining specimen plants. cluded with several weeks in New mental cultivars is being carried on However, there are other reasons: Guinea and the discovery of over in several countries, including Aus­ historical accident, faulty assump­ 200 new rhododendron species. 2 tralia, England, and Holland. In the tions as to culture requirements, Other plant expeditions have fol­ United States, Strybing Arboretum and the vagaries of popular taste. lowed, including one sponsored by has had a breeding and testing pro­ Some of the "Malesians" were ini­ Longwood Gardens and the United gram in operation for ten years with tially discovered in the early 1800's, States Department of Agriculture in the object of developing a compact, and by mid-century several at­ 1970-1971. well shaped pot-plant that retains tempts were underway to develop The cultural emphasis is shifting the highly desirable floral charac­ commercial applications. For exam- because it has been found that the teristics of the species, and which is 26 pIe, between the 1850's and 1880's, plants are not as tender as was be- hardy in the San Francisco Bay area. 3 Their hardiness tests appear nell mixes amended with fir bark, quite promising, several species Terface, grit, and/or Mexfem pro­ having been able to survive temper­ vide an adequate media. atures that remained in the 20's for As a group the "Malesian" Rho­ over a week. At Longwood Gardens, dodendrons prefer to be kept evenly Pennsylvania, several crosses have moist, although they can tol­ been made, and these hybrids, erate occasional drying of the soil. along with some original Victorian On bright sunny days they may ex­ Hybrids are being used successfully perience temporary wilt if the soil as potted display plants. becomes too dry. On the other hand, While no results have yet been only a few species (those which made available to the general pub­ occur naturally in swamp or bog lic, it is hoped that these research areas) can survive a waterlogged condition of the soil. A requirement for warm tempera­ tures, once thought to be the most significant limiting factor in grow­ ing the early hybrids, has been shown to be exaggerated. Although they thrive in a warm environment, they will grow well in temperatures Rhododendron aurigeranum as low as 45°F. and will survive 27°F. Because of their habitat in the From the foregoing, it appears equatorial zone, the " Malesian" that the "Malesian" Rhododendron Rhododendrons must make an ad­ will be best suited for container cul­ justment to the varying day lengths ture. Growers have consistently of the temperate zone. They seem found that the plants grow quite readily capable of this adjustment well with lots of healthy foliage, but especially if care is taken to ensure few or no flowers when planted out good exposure to light during the in beds in a conservatory. However, winter months. During the summer when potted and allowed to become they will need lath or high shade to pot-bound, they not only retained Rhododendron la etum - dwarf growing reduce the intensity of light. When their good foliage, but flowered pro­ programs will produce some very fusely as well. The best example I fine ornamental cultivars. have is a plant of Rhododendron For those interested in growing or 'Princess Alexandra' which is about experimenting with the "Malesian" 18 inches high and 26 inches across Rhododendrons, the following in­ growing in a 5-inch pot. The last formation and observations are time it bloomed, it had 20 flower passed on: buds, each bud producing an umbel of about 10 to 12 flowers. It has also Culture been found that yearly pruning is The growing medium varies con­ necessary to insure well shaped, siderably with the grower. How­ compact plants, and that this prun­ ever, all seem to agree that it should ing must be started with the very be a porous, well drained mixture first flushes of growth of the rooted adapted to the natural habit of the cutting or seedling: 5 plants. One fact seems certain: the Diseases and Pests plants perform much better in soil­ There is very little in the literature about diseases or pests of the " Malesian" less or almost soil-less mixes. One of Rhododendrons, but the following has 4 the early reported media which I been noted: have found successful consists of Rhododendron macgregoriae X lochae Rhizoctonia: The sudden wilting of the 40% fine fir bark, 40% peat, and plant which is not caused by a lack of 20% loamy soil. I have also had good used in landscape plantings, protec­ moisture. It is controlled by sterilization of all media used, good sanitation, and results when screened leaf mold was tion from harsh winds (and salt destruction of the infested plants. substituted for the peat. Basically, it spray if near the ocean) is required Po wdery Mildew: A gray powdery mold seems that any of the soil-less Cor- in addition to the high shade. on leaves. It is controlled by lowering the 27 NEW was used only when needed to cut temperatures of between 70°F. and light intensity. The bench was wa­ 75°F. the seeds should germinate in tered daily or as necessary. Mist 20 to 45 days. ~earth Garden propagation is also successful if the Once propagated, the time to temperature and light are high flower varies considerably. They enough so that the cuttings may re­ will frequently flower in the rooted tain moisture, but are not so wet as cutting stage; for example, I have to encourage rot. This is a particular had one plant bear seven flower problem during the winter when umbels only 15 months after the cut­ there are many dark overcast days. ting was taken. From seed, the time For a propagating medium, I have to flower appears to be between 18 had good success with a variety of months and 21/2 years. different mixtures, including sand In conclusion, time may reveal A fireplace is the focal point of a room and Perlite, sand and peat, and pure that the "Malesian" Rhododen­ all year long. So, if you're lucky enough sand. Since the plants have no true to have one, make the most of it by con­ drons suffered from neglect for good verting it to a b eautiful indoor garden, dormant period, being of uninter­ cause in that there was no real use during the summer months. rupted growth, they can be propa­ Kit includes: A 20 watt fluorescent fix­ for the plant in the United States ture with grow bulb, a 24 hour automatic gated at any time of the year. Choose other than as an exotic specimen timer , six feet of reflective mylar, and tip cuttings of new growth which mounting bracket. No tools needed for in­ plant for collectors, or in limited hor­ stallation. Only $34.95. have just become firm to the touch. I ticultural applications in certain For tree lite rature write: would advise using a mild rooting small areas of the country. However, THERMALITE CORP. compound such as Hormodin #16 Dept. A.H. P . O. BOX 658 , Brentwood, Tn. 37027 it may also be that the "Malesian" Tel. 615/395-4353 which has been mixed with a fun­ Rhododendron is a horticultural gicide, such as Benlate (benamyl) or event waiting to happen. Only time Fermate (ferbam). The period re­ and continued research and de­ quired for rooting varies with the humidity, and spraying the plants or velopment can tell. In the interim, it drenching the soil with Benlate. Elemen­ species, with some rooting in as lit­ appears that here is an excellent op­ tal sulfur volatilized in a greenhouse is tle as four weeks, while others portunity for the amateur as well as also effecti ve. (especially the Victorian Hybrids) the professional plant breeder to ex­ Spider Mites : Symptoms are chlorotic take as long as 21/2 to 3 months. speckling or stippling of the leaves and plore new, heretofore unmanipu­ webbing on and between the leaves. They While "Malesian" Rhododen­ lated plant material. are controlled by spraying with Kelthane, drons can be grown from seed, the usually 2 applications, ten days apart. Footnotes Mealy bug: These white cottony-like seed is viable for only about 6 pests are usually found iR the apex of the weeks. This period can be extended 1. Although popularly called " Male­ plant, and their sticky " honeydew" can to about nine months by refrigera­ sian" rhododendrons, they are more become the breeding ground for sooty tion. The seedlings when emerging correctly named Vireya rhododen­ mold. Spray the plant with Sevin or are very small, being less than 1 mm drons as they all belong to the Vireya Diazinon as needed. Lace Bug: The first symptoms of this across, and their rate of growth in section of the genus Rhododendron. pest are the upper surfaces of the leaves the initial stages is very slow, being 2. Sleumer, H. 1966. An account of becoming stippled with minute white only 1 to 2 mm across after several Rhododendrons in Malesia. Flora spots. Later, the presence of black, resin­ months. The rate of growth can be Malesiana. Ser. I; vol. 6, part 4. Pp. ous fecal spots on the under surface of the accelerated by exposing the seedling 473-674. leaves can be noticed. They are controlled to extended photoperiods. Also, 3. Sullivan, Peter. 1973. Ten Years of by spraying the plant, especially the Vireya Rhododendrons at Strybing once the plants have reached a under sides of the leaves with Diazinon, Arboretum. Australian Rhododen­ Cygan, or Isotox. height of 1/2 inch and have formed dron Society Quarterly. 12(3):2-7. their first true leaves, a tip cutting 4. Brydon, P. H. 1971 . Rhododendrons Propagation may be taken. This cutting when from Malaysia. Brooklyn Botanic The "Malesian" Rhododendrons placed in screened milled sphag­ Garden Handbook. Rhododendrons are much easier to propagate by cut­ num moss, will outgrow the seed­ and Their Relatives. 27(2):36-40. ling.7 5. Osborn, Hadley. 1969. Vireya Section tings than the hardy types. I have Rhododendrons in California: A Pre­ Actual germination of the seed had the best results in a propagating liminary Report. American Rhodo­ bench without mist, but covered when fresh is quite easy. Seed may dendron Society Quarterly. with heavyweight translucent be sown on screened milled sphag­ 23(4):216-221. polyethylene and green Saran (shad­ num, or osmunda-Terface (mixed 6. Hormodin #1 contains 0.1 % in­ ing cloth) supported over the bench 1:1), or on fern fiber and crushed dolebutyric acid. 28 on a wire frame. The green Saran brick. With constant moisture and 7. Brydon, ibid. Continued from page 25 Continued from page 21 the end of the growing season is ex­ Cycads Fall Vegetable pected. This permits all of the frond will unfurl. strength to go into the fruit already Juvenile cycads seldom resemble Gardening on the vine. the adult plant. The shape of the leaf­ Late potatoes can be stored at 40°F lets will usually be slightly different. and 85 to 90% humidity. If the tem­ The most extreme variation can be perature is lower than this, the found inZamia furfuracea where the starch is converted to sugar and the leaflets look like large squares of potatoes become undesirably sweet. thick, green cardboard. However, if sweetening occurs, one Seedlings, and new plants grown to three weeks holding at ordinary from cuttings, are tender and must room temperature restores the natu­ be protected from full sun and ex­ ral flavor. tremes of temperature. They cannot Potatoes stored at 50° to 60° have a store water as well as the adults, so much better texture, color and flavor don't let the soil medium dry out. when cooked, but would sprout if Cycads are trees, and like trees not used before too long. The freez­ they tend to grow slowly. However, ing point of potatoes is 29° and there even a five year old seedling can be a is complete break-down when handsome specimen if well cared thawed. for. Cycads live for hundreds of Potatoes should always be stored years, like a Bonsai. A collection can in a dark place to prevent greening. be passed along from generation to This green color is the result of the generation. temperatures between 45° and 50°. buildup of solanine in the presence When starting a collection it is Here are two methods suggested of light. This imparts a bitter taste to tempting to buy large plants im­ by North Carolina State University the tuber. ported directly from the wild. This is horticulturists: Mild or Bermuda type onions risky. Pests can be imported acci­ First, you pull up the plants and cannot be stored very long but the dentally, and the native range itself hang them upside down in the more pungent types can be stored all may be harmed if the collecting of basement or some other well pro­ winter. Only onions that are well the plants is done indiscriminately. tected place. Pull off the tomatoes as cured and free from disease should It's my opinion that commercially they become ready to use. be stored. The temperature should propagated plants are a better buy. The second method that may re­ be 32° and relative humidity 70 to Under the Endangered Species Act, sult in your having fresh, home­ 75% . If the humidity is above this all cycads now require a special grown tomatoes for Christmas din­ level, the bulbs may sprout or gray license for import or export. As a liv­ ner is wrapping the fruit individ­ mold may set in. ing fossil, and because it is stately ually with paper. Keep only those Research at the University of and beautiful, the cycad is deserv­ tomatoes that are free of diseases Minnesota has shown that onions ing of protection. It would certainly and insects. You should check par­ can survive rather severe freezing be a tragedy if those individuals ticularly around the base of the (News & Views , March, 1977). Frost who appreciate these plants the stem. Fruit worms often burrow into on the onions does not penetrate to most were to contribute to their ex­ the tomato at that point. the living internal tissues because of tinction. Grade the fruit according to the the waxy, dry, surface. The bulbs All cycads are toxic due to the degree of ripeness. Those that are can therefore remain supercooled presence of a glucoside (Cycasin) in red-ripe won't hold too long. for hours at sub-freezing tempera­ their tissues. Children and animals It is best not to pack the fruit too tures. should not be allowed to chew on deeply into a container because Dutch Valley recommends plant­ the leaves, or eat the seeds as they those on the bottom may be dam­ ing onion sets in one manner for may cause paralysis or even death. aged. The best idea may be to lay the scallion-type green onions and in The fleshy covering of the seed is tomatoes out in a single layer on a another for large, dry ones. Large harmless, however. flat surface. Check them from time white sets, for instance, actually re­ Although it deals mainly with the to time for degree of soundness. sult in the fastest slender green on­ African cycads, The Cycads of South To get the best production of fruit ions. Often, a larger white bulb will Africa, by Cynthia Giddy, is a recent during the last two or three weeks send up 2 or 3 tangy scallion stems. and informative work with detailed the plants are in the ground, The smaller sets, on the other hand, instructions for care and propaga­ specialists suggest pinching out the produce better large cooking on­ tion. tips and flowers some weeks before ions. 29 Dwarf and Slow-Growing Conilers

Richard H . Munson Assistant Professor The Agricultural Technical Institute W ooster, O H 44691

The gardener's world is getting power them with brightly-colored most any situation, won't over­ smaller. It always seems that as your foliage and flowers? Will they stay power your Campanulas or Sci/las interest in growing a wide variety of small enough so overcrowding will with flashy leaves and blossoms and plants increases, the space in which not become a limiting factor? The still stay small enough for use in to grow them decreases. Obviously, serious gardener must ask these your cramped garden space. The greater care must be taken in the questions before planting new vari­ dwarf conifers fit these require­ choice of plants. eties and cultivars. ments with ease! Will they perform well in my soil Wouldn't it be nice to find a group Pliny, in the first century A.D., and climate? Will the new additions of plants which answers these ques­ made reference to the savin juniper, to my garden grow in harmony with tions for you-a group of plants Juniperu s sabina 'Tamariscifolia'. the existing plants or will they over- whose constituents grow well in al- The Japanese have long used the

Dwarf conifers - Strybing Arboretum dwarf fonns of pine in their refined place in almost anyone's landscape. during the growing season, they gardens. Although known for cen­ It can be used effectively as a speci­ take on a brownish cast during turies' the dwarf and slow-growing men plant or in the background of winter. This cultivar should have a conifers are just now coming into ex­ the shrub border. Its ultimate height growing site that is protected from tensive use in America. is around 6 feet. harsh winter winds and too much The following sixteen plants are Another excellent cultivar of drying sunshine. It should do well admittedly some of my favorites. white spruce is 'Echinifonnis'. Its in the same site where evergreen But more than just being my per­ leaves are the only feature that is azaleas come through the winter in sonal preferences, these plants are similar to Pic ea glauca 'Conica'. good shape. Growing to a height of some of the best, most serviceable, Growing to an eventual height of around 30 inches after several years, miniature plants grown in this perhaps 12-18", 'Echiniformis' 'Vilmoriniana' is suitable for the country today. All of them are avail­ fonns a low, dense, globe-shaped or foreground of a border planting. able from commercial sources. cushion-shaped plant. Since its rate Similar in shape to the white One of the most important genera of growth is so slow (up to JA" per spruce cultivar of the same name, of conifers is Pic ea, the spruces. year), 'Echinifonnis' will never out­ Juniperus communis 'Echinifonnis' is Within this genus are many dwarf grow your garden. It is definitely a a very dwarf mound-shaped shrub. and slow-growing variants. Picea foreground specimen. Sometimes called the hedgehog abies, the Norway spruce, has ap­ The Serbian spruce , Pi ce a juniper, 'Echinifonnis' is covered proximately 125 different forms. omorika , is noted for being one of the with tiny, bluish-green, sharp­ While not all are dwarf, many of few spruces whose needles are flat pointed leaves. An extremely dense them are in the dwarf category. in cross section-most spruce nee­ plant, the hedgehog juniper grows Among the most common are 'Clan­ dles are distinctly four-sided. The to only about 10 inches in height. brassiliana', 'Gregoryana', 'Maxwel­ dwarf Serbian spruce, Pi ce a omorika This is one of the tiniest conifers Iii', 'Nana', 'Nidifonnis', 'Ohlen­ 'Nana' grows to about 41/2 feet tall available. dorffii', and 'Procum bens'. Picea and is generally rounded, usually Another procumbent juniper abies 'Mucronata' , known since somewhat broader than high. The with spiny, bluish-green needles is around 1835, is in my opinion the broad stomatal lines on the under­ Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' . This best. As a young plant, 'Mucronata' surface of the leaves give the plant plant spreads along the ground ranges from nearly globose to an overall bluish appearance, mak­ fonning a compact mat of branches pyramidal in shape, and its rate of ing it a useful specimen for color and foliage . The leaves become growth is relatively slow, although contrast in the landscape. slightly purplish in winter. Al­ after about 15 years it begins to grow Noted for its spectacular large though there seems to be some vari­ more vigorously. The leaves are blue fonns, the Colorado spruce, ation in the foliage between one dark green, thick and stiff, and the Picea pungens , has several dwarf cul­ plant and another, the spreading buds are large and very conspicu­ tivars. The best is the cultivar habit is always retained. A very ous. The branchlets are often clus­ 'Montgomery'. Flat-topped and similar but slightly more bluish tered on the branches with their tips broader than high, 'Montgomery' plant is Juniperus squamata 'Pros­ curved away from the point of at­ has excellent bluish-green, stiff trata'. tachment. Because of its eventual foliage. Its slow rate of growth and The pines have many variants of larger size, 'Mucronata' is best used compact habit make it highly desir­ shape, ultimate size, rate of growth, in the background of a border plant­ able for specimen use as well as suit­ and foliage color. One of the most ing. able for the foundation or border interesting of these is the dragon­ The white spruce, Picea glauca , planting. eye pine, Pinus densiflora 'Oculus­ has two excellent cultivars worthy of Japanese cedar or Cryptomeria is draconis' . This striking plant has mention here. Probably the most an unusual genus that is not too well variegated leaves of alternating yel­ commonly used small conifer, the known in this country. Native to low and green bands. When viewed dwarf Alberta spruce, Picea glauca Japan and southern China, Cryp­ from the end of a branch, the yellow 'Conica', is definitely worthy of its tomeria is perhaps on the hardiness and green bands fonn concentric widespread popularity. Conical to borderline in our northern states. rings around the dark reddish­ pyramidal in shape, 'Conica' has However, with proper site selection brown buds giving the appearance very densely arranged branchlets it will do quite well in the North. of a large eye, hence the name clothed with tiny, light green nee­ Cryptomeria japonica 'Vilmoriniana' dragon-eye pine. This is a larger dles. Because its foliage is so dense is a very slow-growing globe­ plant and should be used as a and its fonn so regular the dwarf Al­ shaped cultivar. The foliage is quite specimen plant. berta spruce always appears to have small and densely arranged on Arbor-vitae is a commonly used been freshly sheared. Completely short, stiff branchlets. Although the and overused shrub. Most fonns are hardy, Picea glauca 'Conica' has a leaves are a good bright green color large and vigorous with dark green 31

Photo by Donald Wyman foliage . An interesting alternative is horizontally displayed branches. of a problem than with full-sized Thuja piicata 'Cuprea'. This dwarf The tips of the branchlets are specimens except that a little fer­ conical shrub reaches at most 3 feet slightly pendulous and give the tilizer goes much farther with in height and has golden yellow to plant an overall pleasing appear­ dwarfs. bronze-colored foliage on the tips of ance. Insects are normally not a serious the branchlets. The distinctive color Sometimes listed as 'Cole's Pros­ problem except that an infestation of of this plant contrasts markedly with trate' hemlock, Tsuga canadensis a destructive pest can cause rela­ most other plants. It is best used as a 'Cole' is a prostrate spreading dwarf tively more severe damage on a little foreground plant. conifer with pendulous branches plant. Be on the watch for signs of The Douglas-fir is known for its that become devoid of leaves in the insect feeding. very tall, graceful habit. One of the center. The bareness of the larger Pruning usually consists of re­ most economically important conif­ central branches gives the plant an moving an occasional reverting, ers, Douglas-fir is native to the old, gnarled look. The ultimate vigorous branch. Failure to remove western portion of the United height is perhaps 12 inches at most. reversions can cost the loss of a fine States. Pseudotsuga menziesii 'Densa' The Sargent weeping hemlock specimen. is a very dense, flat-topped, slow­ Tsuga canadensis 'Pendula', resem­ Displaying the miniatures is best growing shrub. Discovered in the bles a graceful waterfall with its accomplished by arranging them ac­ pinetum of Highland Park in tiered pendulous branches flowing cording to height and spread in a Rochester, New York, 'Densa' is not down to the ground. Although in prepared planting bed covered with too well known yet. However, this time it becomes a large plant, 'Pen­ a mulch of pine needles, shredded beautiful conifer is well worth the dula' is a useful slow-growing plant. bark, or small pebbles. They can be effort of finding it. Its ultimate It is probably best used as a speci­ used in conjunction with flowering height is around 3 feet. men. Give it plenty of room to de­ shrubs as well as with perennials The dwarf Hinoki falsecypress, velop. and alpines. Remember to keep the Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana', is Using dwarf conifers effectively companion plants in scale with the probably the most sought after in the landscape is not especially dif­ dwarf conifers. slow-growing conifer. The problem ficult if you follow a few basic rec­ The dwarf and slow-growing con­ is not finding a plant with the cul­ ommendations. Because they are ifers can fill a real need in your gar­ tivar .name 'Nana'; the problem lies small, dwarf conifers have a difficult den. Besides the occasional thrill of in finding the true 'Nana'. Unfortu­ time competing with weeds for finding a rare specimen after a long nately most plants sold as 'Nana' are water and light. The use of a mulch search, you will continue to enjoy really 'Nana Gracilis' which is much around the plant can take care of the unique contribution that they more robust than the former. The these problems. Fertility is no more make for many years to come. true 'Nana' is somewhat globe­ Tsuga canadensis pendu la shaped and dense, reaching a height of 3 feet in extremely old specimens. The sculptured effect of the bran­ chlets is quite attractive. Use this one in the foreground. Another falsecypress with excel­ lent characteristics is Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard'. This conifer with soft, blui,sh-green plumy foliage is often sold incorrectly as the cultivar 'Cyanoviridis'. Its for­ mal conical shape and colored foliage make it an excellent speci­ men plant. Winter wind and sun can cause browning of the leaves. Give 'Boulevard' a protected site. The hemlocks seem to have a VI . ~ propensity for producing dwarf ..J ui., forms. Among the many dozens of u variants are the cultivars 'Bennett', ec 'Cole', and 'Pendula'. Bennett's u,..'" .0 hemlock is a spreading shrub, o (; 32 somewhat broader than high, with ""a. /J ·-. ~ ------r~ Continued from Page 4 not be necessary. I have grown ~./f :~'" many of the plants listed in Tables I, " ~ .. Container Growing II, and III, without any need for a QUESTERS A~ mix in which green algae and molds pesticide. I give my plants plenty of WORLD OF ~ ' ~ may grow. The mulch should be room, maintain adequate but not NATURE TOURS only deep enough to cover the sur­ luxury levels of nutrients, I keep the face and should not be placed within foliage dry and have good air "Nature tour" has a definite meaning when you travel with Questers. th e onl y profes­ 3 inches of the base of the plant. movement through the space. I also sional travel co mpany specializing exclu­ Cultivation: Container grown continually check for problems. sively in nature to urs. Our approach is to provide you with the plants should never be cultivated. It When a pest appears, I spot spray troadest possible opportunity of experienc­ may be necessary, however, to with a broad spectrum pesticide. I ing for yourself the natural history and cul­ ture of each area we ex plore. Wi th the lead­ scrape off a surface layer of green al­ use the EC (Emulsifiable Concen­ ership of an accompanyi ng naturalist. we gae. The presence of algae says that search oui the plants and animals. birds and trate), diluted into a glass container, flowe rs ... rain forests, mountains. and the growing mix is being held too and applied as an attachment to the tundra .. . seashore. lakes, a nd swamps. We moist or with restricted air move­ also' study the architecture, archaeology. watering hose. A compressed air museum collections, temples. and customs ment. sprayer may be more useful for a of the people. The current Direc tory of World wide Na­ large garden area. For a few plants, ture Tours describes 33 tours. varying in an aerosol can with a non-polluting length from 4 to 36 days, to vi rtually every pa rt of the world . Inclu ded are Mexico. propellant (listed in fine print on the G uatemala . Ha waii. Alaska. Indonesia. In­ label) may be the way to do it. Cover dia. East Africa, Iceland. and Australasia. Tour parties are small, the pa ce leisurely. yourself up by wearing protective and itineraries unusual. clothing. Read the label of the pes­ Call or write Q uesters or see your Travel Agent today for your free copy of the Direc­ ticide to determine if the chemical tory of Worldwide Na ture Tours. can be safely used on the particular Questers Tours Fertilizers: Growing in containers plant. Read and learn what you can AND TRAVEL. INC. requires a continuous supply of nu­ do safely. Dept. AH-677. 257 Park Avenue South trients throughout the life of the Grooming: Table III suggests I New York. N.Y. 10010. (212) 673-3120 plant. The growing mix contains some of the things that you can do to ------sufficient fertilizer to sustain maintain the appearance and pro­ growth for 3 or 4 weeks. I suggest ductivity of the plants. A few min­ that you begin to add fertilizer at the utes at the proper time will help to beginning of the third week follow­ insure a long display period. ing planting-with dry fertilizer Fall Bonus: All of your container make a semi-circle application of gardens are portable. Even before 5-10-5 or 10-6-4, about 1 teaspoon the first frost-you may wish to per plant. It should be applied just move them to a protected area. You prior to watering for prompt pene­ can cover a screened porch with tration into the mix. Make ad­ polyethylene-this prolongs the ditional applications at monthly display time. Some areas often have intervals. Slow release fertilizers can one early severe cold period, which "GROW TALL" in janco's also be used. Each time you water, damages many of the tender plants, new Camellia glass-to­ some of the nutrients are leached followed by several weeks of warm ground greenhouses. into the mix. Follow the recom­ weather. If the plants could be pro­ Extra height, extra light make these new mended rate of application 'on the tected for a few nights-you often lean-to and free-standing Camellias ideal label, the standard doses are de­ may have a display for another six for topiary trees, large ornamentals, hang­ signed for a 3-month release period. weeks. Also share your plants in the ing baskets. Like al l jancos, they are all­ alum inum for minimum maintenance, fit Liquid or water-soluble house plant fall with friends-let them borrow any site, every budget. fertilizers may also be used. Again, one or several for many weeks of en­ Jan co is the only manufacturer with a read the label and follow directions. joyment in a sunny cool spot in the natio n-wide network of agents who are working horticulturists, each with his own Pest Control: Container grown home. I gladly give the plants away, working Jan co. They're ready with prac­ plants are more susceptible to pest but I always request the return of tical advice on all aspects of erecting your Janco. problems than those grown in the growing mix and container. When Write for FREE 48-pg. terrestrial garden. If you have pre­ the plants freeze--I remove all stub­ full-color catalog today! pared and grown the plants prop­ ble and stack the filled containers in Janco Greenhouses erly-they will be more lush and an area which is well-drained. I Dept. AH-6 succulent than their neighbors in cover them over with clear plastic for 9390 Davis Avenue Laurel, Md. 20810 the ground. Pest management may use the following growing season. (301) 498-5700 33 Deciduous Shrubs br the Great Plains J. E. Klett , Assistant Professor South Dakota State University Brookings, SO 57006

The climatic conditions of the Modern homeowners desire ad­ Northern Great Plains Region pre­ ditional ornamental features such as sent a real challenge for growing cer­ attractive flowers or fruits. tain woody ornamentals . With At South Dakota State University homeowners showing an increased research has been conducted by the interest in home and public Horticulture-Forestry Department beautification, the importance of over a period of years in McCrory selecting woody ornamentals for Gardens, evaluating deciduous or­ growth rate and habit, winter har­ namental shrubs for adaptability to diness, foliage appearance, dura­ the area and for various ornamental tion of flower, fruit color and size characteristics. Numerous decidu­ has become significant. Demand is ous shrubs have proven from these great for shrubs which are low in trials to be outstanding for this area. height and fairly maintenance free. Several shrubs in our research fl ex verticillata

Poten tilla fruticosa 'Coronation Triumph'

Q) ;;: ui ..., >­ J:J '"o .s::: c.." Lonicera tatarica 'Valencia' Rosa ru brifolia plots have emerged as outstanding summer which turn yellow-purple purplish fall color. The growth habit because of their smaller growth in autumn. It has been in our trials is a little more open than desired, habit. Plants which fall into this cat­ since 1971 and is superior to the cul­ but the early white flowers an­ egory include Cotoneaster congesta tivar 'Claveyi' in growth habit. It is nourLcing the coming of spring (Pyrenees Cotoneaster), Caragana suitable for a low hedge and for maKe it desirable for planting in the brevifolia (Shortleaf Peashrub), foundation plantings. Great Plains. Caragana frutex ' Globosa' (Globe A plant with a narrow upright A genus of small and often Caragana), Lonicera x ylosteum growth habit which may be used scraggly appearing shrubs are the 'Emerald Mound' (Emerald Mound nicely as a corner plant in a founda­ Potentillas. They are adapted to ad­ Honeysuckle) and for a corner plant­ tion planting is Rhamnus frangula verse conditions and perform well ing Rhamnus frangula 'Columnaris' 'Columnaris'. It fares well through in droughty areas and do best in hIll (Columnar Buckthorn). the winters of the Great Plains Re­ sun. Potentilla fruticosa 'Coronation Cotoneaster congesta grows less gion, though minor die back has Triumph' has been outstandi"ng than one foot and has a dense com­ been observed in some springs. The over the past years due to its prolific pact nature. It has small dark glossy leaves are dark glossy green during golden yellow flowering from sum­ green leaves with wavy margins. the summer changing to greenish­ mer to fall. This cultivar has a more The small flowers are inconspicuous yellow in the fall. The flowers are upright growth habit and matures at but the abundant red fruits are effec­ unimportant, but the fruit changes about 3-4 feet. The leaves are of fine tive into the fall . It is definitely the from red to purple-black during the texture and have a better green color most superior cotoneaster in our maturation process through Sep­ than most cultivars. The fruits are trials for uniform growth habit and tember. The plant should be grown small dry hairy capsules which are good fruit characteristics. It fits well in full sun to maintain its dense persistent but have no ornamental into foundation plantings where a form . value. The plant can be used in ground cover effect is desired. Besides outstanding growth habit foundation plantings for its attrac­ Peashrubs are deciduous shrubs and generally carefree maintenance tive flower and small growth habit. generally grown for their yellow practices most homeowners desire Ilex verticillata is a species of Ilex flower and growth habit. This genus additional ornamental characteris­ which is adapted to the more rigor­ is quite hardy and various species tics of flower or fruit, or both, on de­ ous growing climate of the Plains, are planted throughout the Great ciduous shrubs planted around but occasional chlorosis on the Plains Region. Two species have their homes. Various shrubs in our leaves occurs due to the alkaline soil emerged from our trials as having trials have continually shown these of most of the Great Plains. This superior growth habit. Caragana outstanding ornamental characteris­ shrub has been planted in our trials frutex 'Globosa' has a pronounced tics but still maintain growth habits since 1970 and has never shown any globe-rounded shape which is suitable for foundation plantings. winter damage. It is a slow grower maintained to maturity. The plant Abeliophyllum distichum (Korean having an oval shape with fine needs very little pruning to main­ Abelialeaf) and Potentilla frutico sa twiggy branches. The fruit, which is tain this globe shape. It has no at­ ' Coronation Triumph' (Coronation shiny bright red, is generally effec­ tractive flowers or fruit, but it does Triumph Cinquefoil) have out­ tive from September to January. It is have good dark green foliage which standing flowers; whereas Ile x v er­ excellent for mass effect. Male and generally holds late into the fall. It is ticillata (Winterberry) and Lonicera female plants are required for fruit ideal for a foundation planting and tatarica 'Valencia' (Valencia Hon­ set. can be planted as a low-mainte­ eysuckle) have good fruit charac­ Most honeysuckles become quite nance hedge plant. Caragana bre­ teristics. Viburnum opulus 'Compac­ large with age and are not suitable vifolia is another superior peashrub tum' (Compact European Cranber­ for foundation plantings. Lonicera with a very fine textured arching rybush) and Cornus alternifolia tatarica 'Valencia' is a cultivar which growth habit. It is also extremely (Pagoda Dogwood) have outstand­ is more compact in growth habit hardy though it has no ornamental ing flower and fruit characteristics. than most cultivars of Tatarian Hon­ flower or fruit, but it does have good Since most species of the genus eysuckle. It has the upright-arching dark green foliage. The arching Forsythia are not dependably hardy growth habit of the species but it is growth habit adds character to the in the Northern Great Plains, more compact. The foliage is shrub. It fits nicely in any contem­ Abeliophyllum distichum can be bluish-green in summer and bears porary foundation planting. planted as a substitute for its early pink to white flowers in June. The Lonicera xylosteum 'Emerald flowering. It has been in our trials fruits are numerous, orange, and Mound' is a cultivar of the European since 1967, and has bloomed early persist into !he winter. It fruits a lit- Fly Honeysuckle which has a com­ each spring with numerous white tle later than most honeysuckles, but pact-mounted growth habit. It has flowers. The leaves are dark green the fruit is of high quality. Due to its dark green leaves throughout the throughout the summer turning to a more compact growth habit it could 35 be used effectively in larger founda­ adapted to the Great Plains Region if insect resistant than the species. tion plantings. a northern seed source is planted. Another shrub with an outstanding Several shrubs in our trials which The yellowish-white flowers borne ornamental characteristic is Rosa have proven to be outstanding in in flat-topped upright cymes are ef­ rubrifolia (RedleafRose). This shrub, both flower and fruit characteristics fective for about two weeks in early which is mostly non-suckering, has include Viburnum opulus' 'Compac­ June. The non-persistent fruit is attractive red-blue foliage through­ tum' and Corn us alternifolia . Vibur­ bluish-black in color in August but out the growing season. The flower num opulus 'Compactum' has been the persistent fruit stalk does turn to is single, rather small, and bright in our trials for ten years and has a pinkish-red. Cornus alternifolia pink in color. The fruit is maroon in maintained an excellent rounded could be the Great Plains Region color and persists into the winter globe growth habit of four or five substitute for Cornus florida. adding some winter color. Foliar feet without any maintenance. The Numerous deciduous shrubs diseases are not common, making it compact European Cranberry has have shown outstanding summer or desirable for contemporary residen­ white flowers borne in flat-type winter texture characteristics in our tial foundation plantings. cymes in late May and June. The trials. Cornus stolonifera 'Isanti' These thirteen plants are exam­ flowers are of interest because the (Isanti Redosier Dogwood) is a ples of deciduous shrubs which sterile and fertile flowers in the in­ hardy shrub with outstanding red to have proven to be outstanding in florescence create a pin-wheel ef­ purplish-red twig color which is our research plots over the past ten fect. The fruit is a deep red color very handsome and eye appealing years. Each shrub has one or more which starts in July and persists into in a winter setting against snow. outstanding ornamental characteris­ the winter. The fruit on this shrub This cultivar has been planted in our tics which are well suited for plant­ has been abundant ever since its trials since 1970 and has a dwarf­ ing in most contemporary founda­ original planting. mounded growth habit. The flowers tion plantings. If homeowners plant Where horizontal accents are are a dull white borne in a flat­ these shrubs, I'm sure they would needed in a landscape the somewhat topped cyme in early June. The fruit be doing less maintenance work larger shrub Cornus alternifolia can is white colored and is borne in late with foundation plantings and en­ be utilized. This plant has been in August-September. The foliage is joying their overall ornamental ef­ our trials since 1969 and appears fairly clean and is more disease and fect much more. Revolutionize Your Gardening With The Garden Weasel™ New tool from Emope cultivates Order yours today. (delivery with half the effort. Thrns weeds to within two weeks of order). mulch before they get a start. At last there is an easier, more r ONLY $29.95-:-POSTPAID.,

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of 1V2 ", uproot Expi ration Oate ______young weeds, and plants and roses. More than reduce the drag 300,000 patented Garden ~~~:~~~~ l··-r-es7Cid:-en-ts- a-;-dd.,--4:-:c%:-s-,al:-es- t-ax----­ and labor Weasels have been TO: associated with an old-fashioned pmchased by gardeners in GARDEN WEASEL hoe or cultivator. Emope over 1013 Wes t 8th Street (P06) Kansas City, Missouri 64101 Removable tine sets and a short the past 3 NAME ______handle for flower years. Units box gardening make are precision ADDRESS ______

the Garden Weasel manufactured CITY ______many tools in one. in West You can even work Germany of STATE ZIP _ _ _ _ MONEY BACK GUARANTEE safely around your rust-free, If you 're not delighted, return within 15 days for full youngest, tenderest pressure-cast alloy. ~~ ..J 36 L ------Continued from page 17 (Lobelia cardinalis). Also good for the shade are the host of Hostas with Color Throughout their handsome leaves and stalks of the Year white or lavender flowers. The Wonder of Staffa (Aster frikar­ tii) begins to flower early in summer and continues to produce its laven­ der blue flowers until frost. Most of the perennial asters come in to flower in September giving the gar­ den its autumnal trappings along with the Chrysanthemums. Mums are certainly the most popular of all fall flowers with a range of color that includes pure whites, yellows, flowered sort that has a long bloom­ pinks and reds, and magnificent ing period. 'Thomas Killin', a large bronzes. flowered single or semi-double is Another outstanding flower for also an excellent choice and is more late summer and fall is the Japanese prolific in bloom. Candytuft (lberis Anemone (Anemone hup ehensis sempervirens) provides low mounds japonica). Since the flowers are held See Sunny of white flowers for accents. A white 2-3 ' above the garden bed, they can that really turns heads is the Desert be used as background plants where Candle (Eremurus himalaicus). This their white or pink blooms are espe­ California species is one of the earliest cially appreciated late in the season . eremurus to flower with stalks that This is also the time of Goldenrods Plan now to reach head high or better. The (So lidago). There are many good, attend the 32nd flower clusters themselves are from garden forms of this familiar native 18-30" long. The flowers begin open­ such as 'Peter Pan', 'Golden Mosa' Annual AHS ing at the base of the inflorescence and 'Cloth of Gold'. Congress, and work their way up the spike. Back in February or early March, The color is a waxy white and very perennials brought color to the gar­ October 25-29, 1977. lovely. den in a subtle way. They can also See page 2 for details. For the remainder of the summer, bring the flowering year to a close in If you wish further the color of a perennial garden can a subtle fashion. One of the last information and registration remain bright and vivid or cool and plants to come to perfection is the material, please complete blue. Different species continue to Hardy Cyclamen (Cyclamen the coupon below and mail to: favor us with their flowering spe­ europeum and C. neapolitanum). Al­ AHS Congress ciality and sustain our interest. For though the Neapolitan is more pub­ American Horticultural Society the most complete range of color the licized, mainly due to its exception­ Mount Vernon, VA. 22121 Phlox (Phlox paniculata) becomes the ally fine foliage, I like the European backbone of the garden. Of course equally well if not better because the day lilies (Hemerocallis) and the true foliage is present longer. Both ,----, lilies (Lilium) are full of possibilities species have diminutive rose col­ Please send me registration for garden color and accents. ored flowers that look like exquisite information for the 32nd AHS I Fortunately, many of the summer miniatures of their big cousins, the Congress. flowering perennials are extremely Florist's Cyclamen. durable and do their thing without a Adding color to your garden I lot of care and attention. Yarrows throughout the year with perennials PLEASE PRINT (Achillea), Coreopsis , and Gaillardia can be a fascinating labor of love. NAME ______I provide the garden with warm yel­ The selection is so immense and lows and reds from early summer till challenging that you will become a ADDRESS ______I frost, and are almost indestructible. more sophisticated gardener just by I In shady spots, two natives that take indulging in the exercise. The re­ care of themselves and provide good wards are equally large. Perennial I I patches of color are the Bugbane gardening is an adventure-get in­ (Cimicifuga) and the Cardinal Flower volved! L ---- ~37 plant book. There is also "know how". To: AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST Specific information is given for each Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121 (PLEASE PRINT) variety of plant, including care in all phases of plant growth -It is compre­ Mail to: ______hensive and accurate, containing 110 full Address ______color photos in 80 pages plus cover. Written by M . Jane Coleman Helmer, City _____ State ___ Zip ___ Ph .D. Photography by John Pike. Please send the following books at $2.95 each plus 45 cents for first book - 25 cents for each additional HANGING PLANTS FOR MODERN book postage and handling. LIVING Hanging plants of all types fill the QUANTITY - pages of this beautiful book. More than __ Bromeliads for Modern Uving 120 handsome color illustrations demon­ __ Ferns for Modern Uving strate the versatility of these favorites. __ Cacti & Succulents for Modern Uving ___ Important information on appearance and __ Flowering Plants for Modern Uving care accompanies each picture. There __ Hanging Plants for Modern Uving are 80 pages plus cover. Written in a com­ __ Foliage Plants for Modern Uving prehensive, easy-to-read style. Written Shipping and Handling by M . Jane Coleman Helmer, Ph. D. Total Enclosed Photography by John Pike. • ORDER NOW!

• Gorgeous, living color PhO::.t.:.:o:..:S:..o:.f:..-______plants in "use" settings.

• Common names lead. • Scientific names follow.

• Temperature tolerances listed in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.

• Metric equivalents shown for __-­ measurements.

• Individual directions on light requirements, watering, feeding and soil, with professional growing tips. Gardeners' Questions &Answers

By Tom Stevenson

Q: I have a lilac bush that has Q: In February I trim my rose November and then replant them. been growing in one place for seven bushes to 11/2 to 2 feet tall. They Recent research indicates that it years and it has never bloomed. I've bloom nicely but by fall they are 6 to may be better to replant them im­ had suggestions about liming it 8 feet tall. Am I doing something mediately after separating them. heavy in the fall, but that didn' t wrong? I've never seen rose bushes, The main reason is that the best work. I've had suggestions about other than climbers, get so tall. place for the bulbs is in the ground, manuring it heavy in the fall, but A: Most hybrid tea roses that unless there is a cool, dry, dark place that didn't work either. Is there any­ have plenty of room with full sun­ where they can be stored at between thing I can do to encourage it to light grow 6 to 8 feet tall and even 55 and 65 degrees. bloom? taller. This is good because they According to Dr. August De Her­ A: SO far as known, there is no produce more flowers throughout togh, Michigan State University such thing as a lilac that cannot the season. If they are crowded they horticulturist and researcher, pro­ bloom provided the environment is may get even taller but they don' t longed storage of tulip bulbs above satisfactory. First of all, it must be have the room to spread out and 65 degrees can cause physiological old enough. If a rooted sucker is there are fewer blooms. They can be injury to the flower bud and cause taken from an old-fashion purple kept lower by pruning them re­ abortion of the bud resulting in lilac and planted elsewhere, it prob­ peatedly throughout the growing blind plants. ably will not bloom for 10 years or season. Some naturally grow taller In the deep south where soil tem­ eve~ longer. The suckers taken than others: Floribundas do not peratures do not go low enough to from some of the newer varieties grow nearly as tall as hybrid teas and satisfy the chill requirements of may not bloom for a long time grandifloras. tulips, Dr. Hertogh says, the bulbs either, depending on the root-stock. Q: Should tulip bulbs be taken should be lifted, after they finish Fairly nice lilac plants can be pro­ up every year and separated? When blooming, given a cold treatment of duced from seed but they may not is the best time to dig them? four to five weeks at 35 to 40 degrees bloom for 10 to 12 years. On the A: Many gardeners dig their and then replanted. Otherwise they other hand, plants produced from tulip bulbs every two or three years won't do much. cuttings or by budding (grafting) and separate them. For exhibition Q: Several days ago I sprayed my usually bloom in a year or two. quality flowers, they should be dug vegetable and flower gardens with The lilac may not bloom in the every year and only the largest bulbs Black Leaf 40 . The next day almost shade. It needs full sun. replanted. everything was wilting. I know I fol­ An application of lime will take In naturalized plantings, espe­ lowed the directions exactly. So care of soil acidity but it may take a cially if the bulbs were planted 8 to what did I do wrong? Last summer I long time for it to do so. Lime 10 inches deep, they may be left un­ used the sprayer to kill a lot of applied to the soil surface (scattered disturbed for many years before poison ivy, but since then I have on top of the ground) may not pene­ they stop blooming altogether. The rinsed it out three or four times. trate to the root zone for three to five flowers may be smaller after three or A: It is dangerous to use a years. four years but stilI quite attractive. sprayer for garden plants after it has On the other hand, an overdose of The time to dig the bulbs is after been used for spraying with a lime reaching the root zone may be the foliage turns yellow but before it weed-killing chemical. It is difficult, as bad as none at all. A single appli­ dries up and drops off. If you wait very difficult, to clean it out suffi­ cation of two or three cups of ground too long, you may not be able to find ciently to make it safe. limestone every four years should the bulbs. For this reason it is highly advisa­ be adequate. There is a difference of opinion ble to have one sprayer specifically Lilacs can be seen blooming beau­ about the best time to replant the for use only with weed-killers. To tifully around old farm houses de­ bulbs. The traditional method has avoid confusion, this sprayer spite years of neglect. When every­ been to dig, dry them off for about a should be clearly marked " For Use thing else fails to make a plant week in a shady place, clean and Only With Weed-Killers." 40 bloom, try neglecting it. separate, store until October or If the sprayer must be used for other purposes after having been The recipes given are not ordinary used to apply a weed- killer, it dis hes with to matoe s arbitra rily plunked into ingredient li sts, but are should first be thoroughly cleaned Books rather a collection of tested recipes with a solution of ammonia (one where tomatoes in som e way change pint of household ammonia per 10 and/or enhance the ultimate finished By Tom Stevenson gallons of hot water). product. Then try it experimentally on one A HERITAGE OF HERBS INDOOR TREES or two plants to find out if it is safe to History, Early Gardening, and Old Recipes By use generally. By Ja ck Kramer Q: We have a beautiful zoysia Bertha P. Reppert Ha wthorn Books, Inc. lawn which seems to have choked Stackpo le Books New York, N. Y.-1976 Ha rrisburg , Pa .-1976 out most all weeds except wild on­ 162 pages, well illustrated, $4.95 190 pages , well illu strated, $8.95 a paperback reprint ions. Each year we use the wax bar but they still remain. Can you rec­ Shunned by many tor the greater part Indoor trees add drama to modem of the 19005, herbs have come out of the interiors an d many times substitute for ommend a solution? past into the present, says the author, furniture, the author says. In kitchens, A: A combination of mowing becoming part of the space age, to take living rooms-all rooms-greenery can and timely use of 2,4-0 (a weed­ their place side by side with i nstan t ev­ sprout. A treelike palm in the living killing chemical) should get rid of erything, miracle drugs, and better Ii v­ room tra nsforms the area from ordinary wild onions and wild garlic but it ing through chemistry. to extraordinary. In h er book, the a uthor includes Indoor trees need sp ecific care, he will take about three or four years. step-by-step instructi ons on herb gar­ says. All in all , a whole new set of cul­ They start growing in the fall, sur­ dening, over 75 modernized antique rec­ tural rules is necessary to make trees re­ vive the winter and flourish in the ipes, a how-to list of 50 useful herbs, and all y flourish in the home. So take this spring for a peak period of food summaries of over 230 native herbs. It book in hand and have love in your heart production (photosynthesis). makes herb garden ing possible for and grow a tree in your living room. everyone, she says. GARDENING IN CONTAINERS Preventing the tops from growing Cooking, medicinal and cosmetic rec­ By limits the production of food and ipes are exciting and varied (who would Editors of Sunset Books eventually results in death of the have thought roses have so many uses) and Sunset Magazine and will no doubt cau se some delighted bulbs underground. Lane Publishing Co . surprises, she says. In the fall when they first come Menlo Park , Calif. - 1976 For example, gathering rose hips is 80 pages , illustrated, $2.45 paperback up, treat the tops with 2,4-0. Follow one of the more satisfying joys of the fa ll directions on the label for mix and season . It is a bonus one receives for Once you've tried growing plants in application. Do not apply when the growing old-fashioned roses. The round containers, the authors say, you will wind is blowing because many red seedpods of rosebush es, large or very likely become a devotee of this ver­ kinds of broadleaf plants are sensi­ small , new hybrids or old-fashioned are satile way of gardening. Whether you entirely edible, says sh e, a desirable ad­ tive. tend a few pots of herbs at the kitchen dition to the year's harvest. door or landscape your deck completely In the spring keep the tops cut off "Since rose hips have more vitamin C with tubbed plants, you'll discover that with the mower or treat them with tha n oranges, tomatoes, and lemons containers make gardening flexible and 2,4-0. If you skip a period and the combined-a cup of rose hips being fun. tops are permitted to produce food, equal to fifty oranges-why not cultivate Specific s u ggestions are given for a closer friendship with this delicious you are right back where you using container plants, what you need to available fruit?" know about planting and caring for the started. plants, and descriptions of individual It is difficult if not impossible to THE TOMATO BOOK plants especially suited to container life dig all the bulbs out. If just one is Everything You Need To Know in various situations. left, it will grow and quickly multi­ About Growing And Preserving The book can be ordered direct from ply. By the publisher. Q: I have some radish and let­ Yvonne Young Tan NEEDLEPOINT Vantage Books Handpai nted • #13 Mono tuce seeds left over from this spring. New York, N . Y. -1977 Canvas • Persian Wool Can they be saved to use next year? Yarns • Steel Needles 230 pages, illu strated, $5.95, paperback postpaid $34.50 A: If they are stored properly, For the vast cult of tomato aficionados C & M H DESIGNS INC. they should be all right. A good BOX 183 there are four periods of sublime plea­ NEW YORK. NY. 10014 place to store them is in a mason jar sure, says the author, digging, planting SpeCialists In Rugs. Tapestnes with a new lid. Storage temperature and maturing, harvesting, preparing Fantastic and consuming the fruits of our labors. should be no higher than 75 de­ PLASTIC FLOWER POT SALE grees. A good place is a cool cellar. This book is concerned with all four processes, but while as much in-depth The two most important factors FREE Samples and Literature planting information as you could need Send $1.00 for postage & packaging shortening seed life are high seed is included, the emphasis is on eating, moisture and high temperature. says she. FLOR-L-POT Box 34 , BETHEL, MINN. 55005 41 The American Yellow­ wood by David R. Hershey 504 Sn yder Hall Univers ity Park, PA 16802

Flower of Cladrastis /utea In the deep, rich soils along streams of the southeastern United States grows one of North America's rarest trees, the American yellow­ wood (Cladrastis lutea). The great French botanist, Andre Michaux, first discovered the yellowwood near the Cumberland River in what is now Tennessee. Returning to his nursery at Charleston from his final American plant hunting expedition during March of 1796, Michaux paused to examine an unusual tree. He stopped at a nearby fort where a soldier volunteered to cut down several so that Michaux could gather seeds to send back to France . Michaux noticed that the freshly cut wood was a bright yellow and wrote to the territorial governor suggest­ ing that this new tree may yield a valuable dye. On his way back to France later that year, Michaux's ship was wrecked, but his her­ barium of American trees was 42 saved. Disheartened by the new government's lack of interest in ance. Clusters of 2 to 4 inch flattened this size. plants and by the few survivors of pods form soon after flowering; at Yellowwood is virtually free of in­ the more than 60,000 trees he had first green, they ripen to a medium sects and diseases, so control meas­ sent back, Michaux set about to pub­ brown in Septem ber and soon drop. ures are rarely necessary. lish descriptions of his discoveries. Early settlers did 0 btain a yellow Pruning must be done only dur­ However, before he could describe dye from the heartwood, as Michaux ing summer, for yellowwood bleeds the yellowwood, he was off on a proposed, and used it to color their severely if pruned at other times of plant exploration to Madagascar homespun fabrics. They also found the year, Low side branches on where he died of a fever in 1803. For­ that the hard, close-grained wood young trees may be removed if a tunately, his son Fran<;ois brought made a beautiful and durable larger trunk is desired. Young trees seeds to Europe and published a de­ gunstock. The wood would be excel­ must have any weak crotches re­ scription of yellowwood under the lent for fine furniture , but the moved and their crowns thinned. scientific name Virgilia lutea in 1812. short-trunked trees do not yield Older trees will need little pruning if It was later reclassified with the boards of sufficient length to be they are properly trained while genus Cladrastis by a German used in this manner. Since it is not young. The generic name, Cladras­ taxonomist, Karl Henrick Koch, in an important lumber tree and syn­ tis, is Greek for fragile branch, refer­ 1869. Koch recognized that the thetic dyes have made it unneces­ ring to the brittle twigs. Despite this American yellowwood was the only sary to extract the natural coloring name, yellowwood's branches are New World member of this unusual from its heartwood, the yellow­ no more easily broken than most genus which contains three other wood's main value is its ornamental other trees. Multi-branched speci­ species, two in China and one in Ja­ use. mens which were improperly pan. Yellowwood is most often used as pruned when young do, however, The American yellowwood has a shade or specimen tree and, occa­ tend to split at the crotches during one of the most restricted natural sionally, as a street tree. Although severe wind or ice storms. ranges of any North American tree. the crown is dense, the yellowwood There is at least one cultivar, It is found in western North casts a medium shade which, with 'Rose a' , with light pink flowers. Carolina, central Tennessee and its deep root system, allows other Ironically, the original tree of this Kentucky, northern Alabama and plants to grow beneath its canopy. clone grows at the Perkins Institute Georgia, northeastern Arkansas, Underplanting with low shrubs or for the Blind in Massachusetts. and southern Missouri. Despite this ground covers makes the smooth Strangely enough, yellowwood is limited range, the yellowwood has gray bark even more attractive by most popular in Europe, where it proven to be tolerant of extremes of providing a con trasting back­ seldom blooms because of the cooler heat and cold. It grows as far north ground. For use as a street tree, a summers. Its desirable ornamental as New England and Ontario (USDA long trunk is obtained through care­ qualities-bright green foliage, hardiness zone 3) , so will thrive in ful training of young plants. The yel­ smooth bark, fragrant flowers, and nearly the entire United States. lowwood's modest size allows it to fall color-combined with its hard­ Yellowwood characteristically fit into today's smaller yards and iness, drought resistance, and forms a short trunk which branches narrow streets better than many freedom from pests and diseases into two or three large, ascending shade trees, while its clean foliage, make the yellowwood one of our limbs to form a spreading dome­ beautiful flowers, smooth bark, finest landscape plants. Like many shaped crown. Open grown trees clear fall color, and attractive winter native plants, however, the yellow­ are usually from 30 to 50 feet tall with silhouette offer year-round interest. wood has not really been discovered a nearly equal spread. The smooth, Yellowwood prefers deep, moist by Americans. Most of the beautiful silvery-gray bark closely resembles soil; but will thrive in almost any trees that Andre Michaux found in that of the beech. The bright green, well-drained garden soil, even al­ America's wilderness are not often compound leaves consist of 5 to 11 kaline ones. The deep, spreading used in our landscapes; yet the leaflets and are from 8 to 12 inches root system makes the tree Ginkgo, Crape Myrtle (Lager­ long. In autumn the foliage turns a drought-resistant; and as a member stroemia indica) , and the Silk Tree or bright, clear yellow before falling. of the Pea family, yellowwood's Mimosa (Albizzia julibrissin) , all in­ Foot-long, pendulous clusters of roots fix nitrogen, allowing it to troduced by Michaux from China,

U) white, wisteria-like blossoms ap­ thrive in infertile soils. are tremendously popular. More . ~ ...J pear in early June with the new Trees are easily transplanted gardeners need to discover that na­ ui Q) leaves. Although yellowwood tends when young, but should be dug tive plants, like the American yel­

U)o appear every season still perfume to 20 feet within ten years and will that are often the mainstay of (5 .c: the area with their delightful fragr- first begin to flower after it reaches American gardens . 11. 43 Cladrastis /utea - this tree was planted by John Bartram at his botanic garden. Continued from page 11 Gardeners Marketplace Dwarf Fruit Trees African Violets Daffodils

Ameri ca's FinesF-100 Best Violets and Send for our descripti ve catal ogue of 450 va­ the tree and its leaves, the other, to Gesneraids-Write for Co lor Catalogue rieties of Ameri can grown Daffodil bulbs. protect the fruit. 15¢-lllustrated Growing Aids Catalogue Garden Club discounts available. Set of 8 25¢-FISCHER GREENHOUSES. Dept. AH . co lor postcards sh owing 26 varieties and Rapid leaf development and wet Linwood , New Jersey 08221 . gardens for $1.00 . The Daffodil Mart, Box 112A, North, Virginia 23128. weather in the spring will require a Alpines, Dwarf Evergreens regular spray application of fungi­ Ferns. cide at intervals no longer than two NE W VA RIETIE S-NEW CATALOG of hard y Alp ines, Weste rn natives, DWARF eve r­ LEARN ABOUT FeRNS-join the Los Angeles weeks. For a suggested total spray greens, fe rn s, shr ubs, choice naturally-con­ schedule, you can consult your local Internati onal Fern Society for onl y $4 .50 torted Bonsai subjects. Descri ptive catalog, yearly. Re cei ve 28 page educational Bulletin agricultural extension office. cultural in format ion . 50 cents. Alpines-West and two-page Le sson monthly. Address Nurse ry, Rt. 2, Box 259, Spokane, Was hington LAIFS, 4369-H Tujunga, North Holl ywood , CA By choosing the correct spraying 9920 7 91604. equipment which gives complete coverage, and by closely following Books Flower Pots the directions that come with the EXOTICA 3, Pi ctorial cyc lopedia of Exotic Fantasti c Plasti c fl owerpot sale. Free samples chemical, good control of insects Plants, 12, 000 ill, 1834 pg., $81 .00 ppd. Ex­ and literature. Send $1 for packaging and and pests can be maintained with­ oti c Plant Manual, 4200 photos . $39.50 ppd. postag e. rLOR-L-POT, Box 34, Bethel, MN out upsetting the ecology of the sur­ Exotic House Plants, 1200 ills., $10.00 ppd. 55005 Send for book list. Roehrs Company, Box 125 rounding area. (227 A Paterson Avenue) E Rutherford , N.J. Fountains and Waterfalls 07073 (NJ residents add 5%) . Fruit production can be expected Your complete sou rce fo r founta ins , wa­ to start the second or third year after Carnations terfalls. garden pools and garden ornaments. planting. First-year blossoms Free catal og. Roman Fountains. In c . Box should be picked off to allow the Baumer, Inc ., Dept. A. H., 9900 N. Mic higan 10190-AHC Albuquerque. N.M. 87 11 4 Road , Ca rm el , Indiana 46032. Ca rnati on young tree to develop without put­ rooted cuttings. Growing instructi ons and Gardening Equipment ting energy into fruit. price list avai lab le. MIST ING & TRICKLE IRR IGATIO N CON­ In later years, if the tree produces TROLS . Patented, versatile, reliable. "Two more fruit than it can support, the Catalogs 'v aluable high yield accessories." Fully guar­ excess fruit should be thinned. This anteed . AOUAMONI TO R, Bo x 327-Z , GROWERS CATALOG-(Our 51 st Year) Hunt ington, New York 11 743. should be done in June befor@ the Th ousand s of item s. Trees, Shrubs, Plants, larger fruit reaches an inch in diame­ Fruits, Seed lings, Seed s, Pots, Tool s, NEWI pH TE STER-complete instrument for ter. Pick off the smallest first, leav­ Supplies, Books. Stamps apprec iated. Mel­ easy, on the spot, accurate pH measurements linger's, 2398 Range, North Lim a, Ohi o 44452. in gardens, lawns, greenhouses, houseplants, ing a minimum space of 4 to 6 inches sw imming poo ls, aquarium s. Lightweight, between the remaining fruit. Be­ self-contained meter, nothing el se required . cause the remaining fruit is still rela­ Chrysanthemums Size T'x2W'xH4". Fully guaranteed. $17.95 postpaid. N.Y.S. re sidents add tax. PRACTI­ tively small, the tree may look like Baumer, In c. Dept. A.H., 9900 N. Michigan CAL PRODU CTS, Box 246-A, South Salem, almost nothing is left. But, re­ Rd ., Carmel , Indiana 46032 . Greenhouse NY. 10590. member, it is bett@r to end up with a Chrysanthemum rooted cuttings. Growing in­ st ructions and price list ava ilable. Ground Cover Plants smaller crop of good-sized apples PACH YS ANDRA-Idea l Permanent Eve r­ than a large crop of tiny apples. NATI ONAL CHR YSANTHE MUM SOCIETY, green Ground Cover Plants. Thri ve in most Thinning the tree also insures an­ IN C. USA . Ann ual dues $7.50, includes 5 is­ so il s, sun or shade. Grow to an eve n hei ght of nual bearing because, when a heavy sues of THE CHRYSA NTHEMUM , Beg inner's 8". Pl ant 6" apart. Stu rd y, heavi Iy rooted plants, pos tpaid ; 50-$8.95 ; 100-$16.95 ; crop is left on the tree, it often bears Handbook. Mrs. F. A. Sharpnack, Se c . 12514 Epping Ct. Wheaton , Md. 20906 500- $59 .95 ; 1000-$105.00 Gu ar anteed to li ve only every other year. or we 'll replace up to 1 yr. Fo lder on request. PEEKSK ILL NURSERIES, SHRUB OAK 17, You'll find that growing your own Daffodil Bulbs NEW YORK 10588 dwarf fruit trees is interesting, fun Ye llow Trumpets: King Alfred (Earl y) or First Herbs and rewarding in both beau ty and (Extra-Earl y) Bu shel s $39., Pe c ks $11 . bounty. And nothing can match the Po stpaid East of Mi ss iss ippi, 10% extra Wes t. HERB PLANTS fro m 95¢ . Over 150 varieti es­ satisfaction of eating and sharing 10% Di scount before June 15. Free folder fea­ culinary, medicinal , dye, in sect repell ing , and tures additional va rieti es, collecti ons, mix­ scen te d geraniums. Informati ve broc hu re delicious tree-ripened fruit you tures. Ri ve r's Ed ge Farm , Rt. 3, Box 228A, 50¢ . FOX HILL FARM , Box 7AH Parm a, MI have picked right in your own yard. Gl oucester, Va . 23061 . 49269 Indoor Plant Specialists Publications

Begon ia s, Exoti cs: Geraniums and Herbs. EXOTICA 3, Pi ctorial cyclopedia of Exoti c New 85th Anniversary Catalog, profusely i Ilus­ Plants, 12,000 ill , 1834 pg ., $8 1,00 ppd. Ex­ trated with colo r , $2 . 00 . lOGEE 'S oti c Pl ant Man ual, 4200 photos $39.50 ppd. American GREEN HOUSES , 55 North Street , Danie lson, Exotic House Plants, 1200 ills, $10.00 ppd. CT 06230 Send for book li st. Roehrs Company , Box 125 (227A Pate rson Avenue) E. Rutherford, N.J. Dwarf confiers, Japanese Maples, Bamboos, Horticultural 07073 (NJ re sidents add 5%). Cactus, Ferns, Hosta s, Sempervivums, Pe­ rennials, Unusual plants and trees. Catalog So me Copies " Organic World" chart er iss ue .50¢. Pal ette Gardens, 26 W. Zionhill Rd ., Society. .. still avai lable $2 postpaid. Or se nd $6 for Quakertown, Penna, 18951 charter issue plu s two yea r subscription at in­ troductory half rate. "Organic World ," P,O. Juices and Juicers Box 9669, Marina Del Rey, Ca lif. 90291 .

Get well, keep well by raw jui ces! 36-page The Th ompson Begonia Guide, second ed i­ easy booklet 50¢ (refundable). Free inform a­ tion, a three vo lume work for the beginning tion about USA made finest juicers, 5-10 years grower advanced grower and col lector. Vo l­ guaranteed, delivered. No cash necessary. umes are distributed separate ly. Forfurther in­ Mastercharge honoured. Dr. J. Hajek, 916-180 formation write to E. & M. Th ompson, 310-A Markham Road , Scarborough, Ont. , Canada Hill Street, Sou thampton, N.Y. 11986. M1M 2Z9, Slides Library Micronutrients HARPER HORTICULTURAL SLIDE LIBRARY Micronutrients (trace elements) are ju st as 10.000 35 mm slides of correctly Identified necessary for plant growth as nitrogen, plants-bulbs, perennials, sh rubs, vines, phosphorous and potash . Without these Wildflowers, etc , also garden views. s.a e. for trace elements proper plant growth is im­ details, Pamela Harper, 219 Robann a Drive, possible. Seaford, VA 23696 (804-898-6453) Our trace element formulation is a bal­ anced blend of iron , manganese, copper, Stamps for Collectors zinc, boron and molybdenum. It may be offers gold and silver applied as a so lution or dry blended with Flowers or Birds on Stamps 25 different 35¢ medals for perfect hor­ other dry fertilizers, The approximate quan­ plus list of 100'different Topical Collections. tity of Zephyr Bl end is 1-2% of the NPK fer­ GEORGE FORD , POBox 5203-A Gulfport, ticultural specimens at ti lizer being applied. If applied alone the ap­ Florida 33737 proximate application rate should be 4 oz. State or Regional per 250 sq . ft . Normal watering should follow. Volunteer Peace Corps A symptom sheet will be included with Shows sponsored by each shipment. On this sheet will be listed You are needed for Peace Corps projects in member Plant various conditi ons which wi ll be remedied l atin America, Afri ca, Asi a. Extension work in by proper addition of micronutrients. harvesting , storage & marketing, home gar­ Societies. Send $2.95 to Zephyr Systems, In c ., Box dening projects, re search, nursery & orchard 4022, Wilmington DE 19807 for a 6 oz. trial programs, etc. Transportation , housing, med­ package which wi ll be shipped postage ical care, paid vacation . U.S. citize n. Sing les Offer this free medal paid. larger quantities are available. or cou ples only. Information: l ynn Rotenberg, ACTION , ORC Box F-1 8, Washington, D.C. at your next Show by Miniature Etchings 20525. applying three months Miniature hand-coloured etchings fo r doll­ in advance to: houses and col le ctors. Subjects inc lude herbs, wildflowers, berried p lants. Editi ons limited to 100 copies of each design. One dol­ lar for brochure. The l ittle Farm Workshop, Box 279, RD. 1, Bath, Pennsylvan ia 180 14.

Miscellaneous Plants GROW SPECTACULAR American EXOTIC FLOWERS Blueberry Plants 18 varieties 1 to 5 yrs, As­ from Imported see ds.... Try "Pheasant's Eye " (AdOni S). HorticUltural paragus, Rhubarb, Ra spberries, Flowering Monkey Flower (Mimu lu s). Spider Flower (Cleo mel. Giant Velvet Flower (Salp lgl ossis). Pincushion Flower (Sc ab i­ Society Shrubs, Evergreen s, etc. Free Pri ce Li st. osa) . Butterfly Flower (Schizant hu s). Baby Blue Eyes Common Fields Nursery, Ipswich, Mass. (Nemophila). All annuals . easily grown indoors and out­ Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121. 01938. doors Any four 'packets 52.00. All seven S3.00 poslpaid VALERIE NIXON Box 38248, Los Angeles, CA 90038 The gold medal may be Primroses Give C/ friend awarded for fifteen blue­ ElARNHAVEN PRIMROS~S display spectacu­ ribbon winners, and the C/ gift membership lar early Spring Color. Unusual Flower Seed silver medal for eight. rarely available. Illustrated catalog 50¢. FAR in the NORTH GARDENS, 15621 Auburndale Way, American Horticultural Li vonia, Mi chigan 48154, Society.