Daylilies at a Discount Big, Beautiful Plants That Have Everything but a Name

We don't run a discount operation, but this time we summer color as a gardener is likely to get, and their have a bargain. It's our Daylily Mixture, which we call durability makes them ideal for naturalized plantings 'The Unique 50.' The mix contains 50 different Day­ where steep slopes or poor soil proscribe more demand­ lilies that offer a wide range of colors, forms, and ing ornamentals. In fact, Daylilies are the ideal way to blooming times. They're recent hybridizer crosses, turn wasteland into a wonderland, for less than a dollar bought in bulk from a pal who breeds them, and their per square foot. ancestry is as varied as one could ask. Colors range If this sounds like your kind of proposition, please or­ from the palest yellow to the deepest red, plus every der 'The Unique 50,' #83080, which includes 50 plants, nuance in between. Since each plant is unique, you will all blooming size, to be shipped in time for spring plant­ find some grand and glorious individuals that you can ing plus detailed cultural instructions. The price, $75, name after friends, an agreeable sort of compliment. is a fraction of the cost for 50 plants of named varieties, Yes, there may be a clunker or two (after all, these are which we hope will encourage an appropriate degree of the plants the breeder didn't keep), and they can be dis­ self-indulgence. Please add transportation charges of carded without regret. 10% east of the Mississippi, 15% west except 20% to Daylilies (properly Hemerocallis) are, of course, the Pacific Coast states and 30% to Alaska. To Ct. ad­ most carefree and reliable of perennials. Give them a dresses, please add sales tax. For faster service, phone half day's sun and some well-drained soil and they will your order to (203) 496-9600 from 8 to 6 weekdays, 10 settle right in as cheerful and permanent neighbors, fill­ to 5 Saturdays. We need hardly mention that spring is ing your view with color from late June until Septem­ at hand and that early orders lead to early flowers. ber. Daylilies are not afflicted by a single pest that we know of and shrug off winter temperatures to minus Sincerely, 30°F. In fact, they are as close to " no maintenance" Amos Pettingill White flower farm PLANTSME N Litchfield 7721, Connecticut 06759-0050 VOLUME 66 NUMBER 4

President's Page: Come to New York! by Everitt L. Miller 2

A "How-To" Guide: Growing Tuberous Begonias by Anthony DeBlasi 4

Strange Relatives: The Basella Family by Jane Steffey 14

Giverny Text and Photography by Margaret Parke 17

Bowman's Hill State Wildflower Preserve by M a rcia Bonta 23

Hardy Palms T ext by Alan Meerow Photography by Pamela Harper 26

Sources 33

The Design Page: Garden Illustrations by M a rgaret Hensel 35

Book Reviews by Barbara W_ Ellis 38

Pronunciation Guide 40

Classifieds 42

On the Cover: Images of lush flowers, shimmering water, and dancing water lilies abound in the work of Impressionist painter Claude Monet. At Monet's recently restored garden at Giverny, clumps of colorful perennials, such as these lupine, remind visitors that Monet was a passionate gardener as well as painter. For more on the remarkable garden that inspired so me of the best-loved Impress ionist paintings, turn to page 17. Photograph by Margaret Parke_ The red and yellow blooms of American columbine, Aquilegia canadensis, decorate a stone wall running along Pidcock Creek in Bowman's Hill State Wildflower Preserve. To learn more about this preserve, which is located in Washington Crossing Historic Park on the banks of the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, turn to page 23. Photograph by Bruce Bonta.

EDITOR, PUBLI CATIONS DIRECTOR, Barbara W. Ellis. ART DIRECTOR, Rebecca K. McClimans. ASSOCIATE EDITORS, Lynn M. Lynch, A. Brooke Russell, Brian C. Linle. HORTICULTURAL CONSULTANTS, Gilbert S. Daniels, Jane Steffey. ASSISTANT TO THE EDITOR, Martha Palermo. PRODUCTION ASSISTANT, Lynn M. Lynch. ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE, C. W. Advertising, P.O. Box 138, Mount Vernon, VA 22121, (703) 360-6666. MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR, Sa llie Hutcheson. COLOR SEPARATIONS, Chromagraphics Inc. EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD, Dr. Gerald S. Barad, Flemington, NJ; Dr. Harrison Flint, Wesr Lafayerre, IN; Peter Loewer, Cochecton Center, NY; Dr. Elizabeth McClintock, Sa n Francisco, CAj Frederick McGourty, Norfolk, CT; janee M. Poor, Winnetka, ILj Maire Simington, Phoenix, AZ; Jane Steffey, Sykesvill e, MD; Dr. James E. Swa<;ey, Newark, DE; Philip E. Chandler, Santa Monica, CA.

Replacement issues of AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST a re ava il able at a cosr of $2.50 per copy. The opinions expressed in the articl es that appear in AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST are those of the a uthors and are not necessarily those o f the Society. Manuscripts, art work and photographs sent for possible publication will be returned if they are accompanied by a se!f­ addressed, stamped envelope. We cannot guarantee the safe return of unsoli cited material.

AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST, ISSN 0096-4417, is the official publication of the American Ho rticultural Society, 793 1 Easr Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22308, (703) 768-5700, and is issued monthly. Membership in the Society includes a subscription to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Membership dues srart at $25.00 a year, $12.00 of which is designated for AMERI CAN HORTICULTURIST. Copyright © 1987 by the American Ho rticultural Society. Second-class posrage paid at Alexandria, Virginia and at additional mailing offices. Posrmasre" Please send Form 3579 to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST, P.O. Box 0105, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22 121.

American Horticulturist PRESIDENT'S PAGE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Came to New York! omCERS 1986·1987 Mr. Everitt L Miller Kennell Square, Pennsvlvania President Mrs. Carolyn Marsh Lindsay Rochester, New York merica is a nation of gardeners. Accordirlg to the results of the annual First Vice President National Gardening Survey, conducted annually by the Gallup or­ Mrs. John M. Maury ganization for the National Gardening Association, gardening is the Washington, DC A Second Vice Presidel7l number one outdoor leisure activity in the United States. Over 30 million Mrs. Charles W. Allen, Jr. households throughout the country have some type of garden, and an ad­ Glenview, Kentucky ditional 17 million families would garden if space were available. SecretGlJI . American Horticultural Society members are leaders among this country's Mr. RichardJ. Hutton West Grove, Pennsvlvania gardeners. Our members are fortunate to have the opportunity to participate Treasurer ' in the Society'S activities, designed to help them improve their gardening Mr. Edward N. Dane knowledge. Boston, M assac hu se t l~ Immediate Past Presidel7l Once a year, Society members are invited to attend our Annual Meeting, which is held in a different part of the country each year. The most recent annual meeting was held in San Francisco, California. Participants in that BOARD OF DIRECTORS exciting event had the opportunity to hear excellent educational programs on a variety of subjects. Speakers presented up-to-date information on nu­ Mrs. Charles W. Allen, Jr. Glenview, Kentuckv merous topics of horticultural interest, including edible landscaping, Oriental Mr. Richard C. Angino gardening, and plant conservation. Annual meetings also feature tours to Harrisburg, Pennsy lvania private gardens and horticultural institutions. Participants in the San Francisco Gerald S. Barael, M.D. meeting visited Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences, and Flemington. New Jersey Mrs. Benjamin P. Bole, Jr. the Strybing Arboretum, to name three of the fascinating institutions sched­ Cleveland, Ohio uled. Perhaps the highlight of each annual meeting is the chance for Society Mr. J. Judson Brooks members from all walks of life to meet and exchange ideas with fellow Sewickley, Pennsylva nia members about their common interest in gardening. The receptions, and Dr. Henry M. Cathey especially the Awards Banquet, give our members a first-hand opportunity Was hington, DC Mr. Russen Clark to meet outstanding horticulturists. BostOn, MassachusettS The Society'S 42nd Annual Meeting this year will be held May 12 to 16 Mrs. Erastus Coming, II in New York City. The meeting headquarters will be at the Omni Park Central Al bany, New York Hotel. A great deal of planning has gone into making this meeting one of Mr. RichardJ. Hutton West Grove, Pennsy lvania the most outstanding the Society has ever held. Excellent educational programs Mrs. Carolyn Marsh Lindsay and discussion groups on subjects such as community involvement in gar­ Rochester, New York dening, private gardening in the city, and indoor gardening have been sched­ Mrs. John M. Maury uled. The speakers, all of whom are well known in their fields, promise to Washington, DC be outstanding. Tours are planned to both the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Mr. Everitt L. Miller Kennell Square, Pennsylvania the New York Botanical Garden. Other optional tours are planned for gardens Mrs. Daniel Pierce on Long Island and gardens in and out of the city. Dedham, Massachusetts Orle of the highlights of the meeting will be the AHS National Achievement Mrs. Frances J. Poetker Award Dinner, which will honor the Rockefeller family for their generations Cincinnati, Ohio of contributions to horticulture, garden design, restoration, and conservation. Mrs. Edward King Poor, III Winnetka, Illinois An illustrated lecture on gardens developed and maintained by the Rockefeller Dr. Julia W. Rappaport family will also be presented. This special banquet will be held in the New Santa Ana, Ca lifornia York Botanical Garden's Enid A. Haupt Conservatory on Friday evening. Mrs. Philip Temple The presentation of the Society's other coveted annual awards will be held Lillie Compton, Rhode Island on Saturday evening. Mr. Roy G. Thomas Woodstock, Vermont I urge members to attend this meeting. Not only will you learn new things Mrs. Harry J. Van de Kamp about horticulture, but you will have a chance to meet new and old friends. Pasadena, Californi a Together, we can cultivate a new awareness and better understanding of the Mr. John H. Whitworth, Jr. role the American Horticultural Society continues to play in today's rapidly New York, New York Mrs. Jean Verity WoodhuH changing world. Dal1on, Ohio Come to New York! I'll see you there. Dr. John A. Wott SeanI e, Washington -Everitt L. Miller President

2 Aprii1987 Let Tetra Pond turn your yard into a Living Showplace!

Dr. John Gratzek, Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia, is pho­ tographed beside his Tetra pond in his Athens, Georgia home. Dr. Gratzek is one of thousands of people now en­ joying a Tetra pond.

Above-ground a Tetra pond is easily constructed using land­ scape timbers-in fact, you can even put a Tetra pond indoors!

Tetra's flexible pond liners let you create the pond you want ... the size, the shape, and in your choice of location. In-ground, by following simple step-by-step directions, you can create a natural setting any professional landscaper would be proud of. Above­ ground you can use landscape timber to create a design for any The Tetra Luft Pump and location ... even in your home. Tetra's 32 Mil, flexible PVC liners Brillant G Pond filter provide are double-bonded and UV stabilized to withstand the coldest biological and mechanical fil­ winters and hottest summers year after year. tration and aeration for ponds up to 1500 gallons. Tetra's quality pond products let you successfully establish a new pond or maintain an existing pond.

In the winter there is no need to worry. Your Tetra pond liner Tetra Pond fish food and spe­ cial color-enhancing Koi food can withstand the worst conditions and unless the pond water provide complete fish nutri­ freezes completely to its lowest depth, your tion. Tetra foods float and will fish will remain in a dormant state until the never foul pond water. spring. No matter where you live, you can enjoy a yard pond! For more information on how to construct and maintain your Tetra yard Tetra water chemicals ensure pond, write Tetra Sales. the health and well-being of your fish and plants. AquaSafe Pond Formula: Tetra liners are available in seven pre-cut sizes. neutralizes pond water to be Order by stock no.: 16378 (8 ' x 13'),16370 (10 ' x 16' ), safe from chlorine, chloramine 16371 (13 ' x 13'), 16372 (13 ' x 20'), 16373 (16 ' x 23'), and toxic heavy metal ions. 16374 (20' x 26' ), 16375 (23' x 30' ). DesaFin: combines formaldehyde and malachite green to treat and prevent a broad range of fish diseases. FloraFin: the optimum fertilizer for growth and hardiness of all water plants including lilies and hyacinths.

Tetra Sales (U .S.A.) We are the 201 Tabor Road , Morris Plains, N.J. 07950 Telephone: 800-526-0650 water garden experts! Tetra JPCIDnncill In New Jersey (201) 540-4285 A "HOW-TO" GUIDE Growing 1Uberous Begonias

Tuberous begonias come in a host of colors-from intense scarlet to palest pink, to white. Camelli a­ flowered tuberous begonias, shown above, are perennial favorites, but there are many other flower forms from which to choose.

t is hard to imagine flowers like roses soft pastels edging a woodland walk or as begonias-called Begonia X tuberhy­ and camellias emerging, in just three a frosty-white pool around a garden bench. brida or, preferabl y, Begonia tuberhybrida I months, from an earthy brown object An ethereal salmon-pink or brilliant coral hybrids-are a group of cultivars devel­ that could pass for some forest litter you'd exhibit can be striking in a special niche, oped by breeding several Andean species, pick up and toss in a pond. Yet just such as can a gold-and-orange planter display including B. boliviensis, B. clarkei, B. davi­ a magic act is performed by tuberous be­ along the east sill of a porch, or a ruby­ sii, and B. rosiflora. Botanists divide these gonias, from June to September. red cascade from a basket perched near hybrids into 13 groups, which are based A bed or a planter full of well-grown your hammock. In fact, you can exploit on the characteristics of the flowers. tuberous begonias quickens the pulse and the many colors of tuberous begonias Besides the ever-popular camellia and makes you reach for the camera. These in just about any bright or shady setting rose types of tuberous begonias (which are plants are indeed generous with their sum­ imaginable. grouped into the Camellia, Ruffled Ca­ mer magic, whether used as a ribbon of According to Hortus Third, tuberous mellia, and Rosebud Groups), there are

4 Aprii1987 Is your gard~n missing jewel-like flowers floating on a one of the most satisfyi.Ng forms of gardening. If you shimmering water surface and the darting brilliance of haven't (me, you are missing a great deal of satisfaotioN goldfish? Are you missipg the melodic sounds of water f:rom your garden. sptlling fn!)m a fountain, vessel or waterfall? Let Lilypons and TETRA POND help you to get'started WJlat you need in yOUI' garden is a water lily pool. A water today by ord.ering one Qf our durable TETRA POND 32 mil, lily p@ol is a garden whose plants like damp to very wet flexible 2 p'ly FVC pool lin.ers. So easy to instill and mairt~

feet. Fish and frqgs like to live there and butterfHe/? will tain yen w:lH ask yoursdf why yen waitedi se leng tQ begin lili:e your ganleN Dette-r than eveI'. A water garden is simply this adventure. Choose from the seveN sIzes listed (sizes are ~pprQXiniate, feH; depth 1%' t{) 2' in your own deSign.}: ClJ Li[)'i'>e:ns waterg~dening ca't\aJ.ogue sl1.bscrlpti@u ...... g 4 ' E1 8' x 12' l:Ln~F makes 4' x 8' peol ...... 8 99 bJ .:),(i)' x ~6' 11ner makes 6' x 12' pool...... $'145 0 13' x13 ' J.mer makes 9' x 9' pool ...... '... : ... 81.65 ,0 13' x 20' liner makes 9' x 16' pO<leaf mold, forest hu­ in WARM soil this Spring . Extends Fall growing season 6 weeks. mus, shredded fir bark, or sphagnum peat Expandable with add-on un its. Optional automatic moss (i n order of preference) and one-third openers. Choose from different models. sand or sandy loam. Alternatives include Imported from Englan soilless mixtures such as Pro-Mix; two parts watering ~ peat moss to one part compost or rich loam, with sand or perlite added for drain­ Cans age; or potting soil with extra humus and Choose perlite or sand. from 13 If you want to plant tuberous begonias different in an outside bed, dig out the top 10 inches Models of soil and fill the planting space with the Handle every watering job in the greenhouse, garden recommended soil mix. The finished bed or home. Traditional zinc-dipped steel cans with brass roses. Genuine copper indoor cans. Long should be a couple of inches higher than reach plastic cans with gentle-rain spri nkler roses. the surrounding level. Water thoroughly Anthony DeBlas; several days before planting. To prevent breakage in high wind, use a wide Carden Arches Tuberous begonias grow well in con­ loop of thick, soft yarn to tie the heavy top With these classic pot at least 10 inches Engli sh arches you ca n of a tuberous begonia to a stake. tainers, too. Choose a build a wide variety wide and six to 10 inches deep. Avoid any of garden structures for climbing roses, some that are perfect for hanging baskets. window box or similar planter that is nar­ grapes, wisteria, The Pendula Group begonias (sometimes rower than eight inches or shallower than clematis, etc. Stro ng steel tubing sealed in listed as B. x lloydii pendula), for ex­ six inches. The container should be long weatherproof green ample, have a bushy, cascading habit and enough to allow IS-inch spacing between plastic. Easi ly assembled . 8' tall bear blossoms that are smaller than those plants. In the ground, there should be a x 5' wide. of the standard upright types, but more minimum of 18 inches between plants. numerous. There are also some cultivars Tuberous begonias can be grown in­ of tuberous begonias with fringed petals, doors if your house is cool, damp, and Bird Houses packed tightly like those of carnations, bright in summer. However, this type of FROM CERMANY which are appropriately classified in the begonia is not a house plant. I have seen Natural-brown. circular Carnation Group. In contrast, the petals specimens grown indoors, on windowsills, houses breathe like wood, resemble tree ­ of bearded begonias are puckered here and that are ghosts of what they could be if trunks-yet never rot. Front panels lock there into bizarre tufts. Also distinctiv·e are they were outdoors. securely, remove for the single cup-shaped blooms of the hol­ If the plants are growing well, feed every cleaning . Squirrels and pests cannot enlarge lyhock begonias (Marginata Group), which two weeks with a liquid plant food; if not, or destroy the holes . are borne on slender, erect stems. Some­ correct the conditions, and don't feed until Specialized models attract wrens. times listed as B. crispa marginata, these normal growth resumes. Use an all-pur­ chickadees. bluebirds. cultivars display large single blossoms with pose soluble fertilizer with an analysis of swallows - up to owls and wood -ducks. Hang fringed and ruffled petal edges, often in a 18-18-18 or 20-20-20 or 14-16-15. (Fish on trees or buildings . 5-1-1, Cost no more than contrasting color. There is also a group of emulsion, with an analysis of CRO-THRU wooden houses. culrivars whose blooms resemble trumpet shouldn't work, but it does!) daffodils (Narcissi flora Group), though I Tuberous begonias detest high temper­ Plant ~) haven't seen these offered lately. atures. Natives of tropical highlands, they Success with any plant hinges on the prefer a cool, moist climate. They grow to Supports: attention given to its preferences for light, perfection in the British Isles. On this con­ Hold perennials or soil, water, nutrients, and temperature. tinent, they are at their best in coastal areas annuals just where you want them­ Meeting the requirements of tuberous be­ and in the North where summer temper­ without tying or staking . Plants gonias is not difficult. However, since these atures remain cool. The quality of their grow through 3" plants are not quite as forgiving as, say, growth is diminished where night temper­ square me sh . Available in 5 sizes geraniums, neglect of any element of cul­ atures are constantly above 60° F and day in galvanized steel or ture is likely to result in dropping buds, temperatures are constantly above 80° F. green pla stic dipped finishes. stunted or scorched leaves, or inferior Crowding and stagnant air invite rot. Call or write for Our FREE CATALOG blooms, if and when they do open. Keep the plants and soil surface clear of Kinsman Company As for light, suitable expOSlues include debris. Pick off fading flowers by pinching River Road (Dept. 411) Point Pleasant, PA 18950 bright shade, dappled shade, early-morn- or cutting the succulent flower stem just (215) 297-5613

6 Apri/1987 o Please send me advance information on the 42nd Annual Meeting of the AHS , to be held in New York City.

___----LZ,ip : ____

MAIL TO : Elizabeth Smith , AHS , PO Box 0105, Mount Vernon , Virginia 22121 . SUPPORT FROM WEED WITHOUT A "HOW-TO" GUIDE SCOTLAND For over 50 years, the BENDING below the blossom, allowing the rest of Scottish War Blinded have made a galvanized wire, With the EASY WI::EDER;M you the stalk to fall off naturally. This method garden plant support that is can now have a weed-free lawn and avoids creating open "wounds" along the used in home and public garden withowt back stress and dan­ life lines of the plant and thus prevents gardens all over Britain -­ gerous herbicides. infection. (It is not necessary to remove even sold at the famous EASY WEEDER features: Wisley Garden Centre. the single female blossoms that flank the Place this support over your • Hardwood handle • Assembed & tested plants early-on to allow • Stainless blade • Made in USA showier double male blossoms, except for them to grow up thru the • Under 2 Ibs. • Lifetime guarantee cosmetic reasons.) Discolored, dead, or five separated sections of damaged leaves should be clipped in a sim­ the ring. The ring is support­ $29.95 plus $3.00 ilar manner. Stems, which are composed ed by a set of 3 legs. Order ._ .. ' . . shipping and handling the rings (4 .sizes) and the ; ;~; . •. :". / ' ." .J VISA, Me or check almost completely of water, can be tall and leg-sets (3 sIzes) separately. } j:r0:£l~J;~\t;>:A heavy by midsummer and are likely to snap RINGS: SET OF 3 LEGS: £.~~ in a stiff breeze. To prevent the stem from 12" Ring .••. $1.95 18" High ... $1.85 breaking, stake the plant when it is five or 15" Ring ... $2.40 24" High ••. $2.50 WARNICo/USA six inches high. Use a strong, stout stake, 18" Ring .•. $2.85 36" High ... $4.15 59A Rutter St. 22" Ring ..• $3.40 Rochester, NY 14606 and be sure to insert it at least three inches away from the base of the SFem to avoid Shipping 1-800-451-1118 damaging the tuber. Avoid using string or ~a[tcMckE Charge: except NY state $2.00 twine, which can cut fleshy stems. Instead, Box667A Hudson, NY 12534 1-800-537-0047 use strips of old rag or similar wide, soft NY state material to attach the plant to the stake. FREE GARDEN TALK FREE Make the loops loose to allow for expan­ A CATALOG OF FINE PRODUCTS FOR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR GARDENERS sion of the stem. Famous English Garden Tools, Cape Cod Do not cultivate around tuberous be­ Weeders, Swiss Pruners, Maine's Magic Weed­ gonias. These plants produce a network of ers, Snail/Slug Traps, Danish Tools, English Thatched Birdhouses, and much, much more. fine roots at or near the surface of the soil WALT NICKE BOX 667A, HUDSON, NY 12534 that should not be poked. Pull out any w@eds that grow near the plants. After the first light frosts damage the "A sensible piece of garden furniture:' foliag@, dig up the plants, with the soil still clinging to the roOFS. Set them in a dry, The Teak Garden Bench is without a doubt one (Assembly takes 20-30 minutes with a hammer cool, frost-free spot, such as a shed. Care­ of the most enduring pieces of garden furniture for the dowels, and a screwdriver.) made today. Its graceful lines are classic. With its When you buy from Smith & Hawken, you are fully remove the tops of the plants when high raked back and deep contour seat, it is an taking advantage of the fact that there are no they have dried and shriveled, brushing the extremely comfortable place to sit. importers, agents, or retaileFS. We buy direct and soil off the tuber. If the tuber is still not The Evenlode bench, shown bel0w, was de­ sell direct. And while we realize our prices are signed to withstand weather and public use, and lower than other companies selling the same fur­ dry, keep it exposed awhile longer. A tuber thus it employs teak aFtd tFaditional mortise and niture, we have a bonus. Wlnen you order from that has grown in a pot may be dried in tenon joints. Teak is one of the densest hard­ this ad, there is no shipping charge. We will woods available and has a high natural oil con­ deliver free to your door anywhere in the U.S. the same pot, then removed. Store dry tub­ tent that makes it completely resistant to rot, #44204' Evenlode Bench ...... $290 ers all winter in a paper bag in a cool, dry, even in the most extreme climates. #4421 5' Evenlode Bench ...... $330 frost-proof place. The Evenlode bench comes in four, five and #4422 6' Evenlode Bench . . . $425 six foot lengths. Armchairs are avail­ #4425 Evenlode Armchair ...... $230 In F@bruary, any tubers that don't show able, as well. All are shipped #5E46 Set: 4' Bench, two Armchairs $690 pink buds should be moved to a warm, knocked dowFt in cartons, #5E47 Set: 5' Bench, two Armchairs $730 dark place. When sprouts appear-but no ready to assemble. To place an order, request a catalog or receive additiOflal information, please call me, Chiquita later than March-set tubers, hollow (con­ Woodard, at (415) 383-4050. # 7901 cave) side up, on two inches of moist peat ©1986 Smith & Hawken moss or coarse sphagnum moss, four inches apart. Any convenient shallow container with holes in the bottom for drainage will do. Sprinkle enough sphagnum moss over the tubers to barely cover them. Keep the medium moist by sprinkling the surface 0 when it dries. Keep tubers in a warm (60 - 700 F), bright place. When growth is well under way, water slightly more often be­ tween surface dryings. When the shoots are about four inches high, the tubers are ready to be carefully lifted and planted in pots, boxes, planters, or beds-provided that the danger of frost has passed. Set plants with the tips of the leaves facing in

8 Aprii1987 Country

4' Country Casual Chippendale II, Casual 19 " Gloster Planter The Garden and Leisure Furniture Specialists A superior collection of diverse designs from England's major joineries and custom workshops.

SOLID TEAKWOOD • BENCHES • CHAIRS • TABLES • SWINGS • PLANTERS for park, church, school, office or private garden

MADE IN ENGLAND Mendip Suite: 6 ' Bench, Mendip Master Chair, 5 ' Bench, Chinese Wheel Pattern Table

6'6" Lutyens-

Immediate Shipment from our own Maryland warehouse. Country Casual pays the freight. 16 pg. colour catalogue $2.00 5' Windermere, Matching Chair and Wiltshire Low Table 'NSUR' Country Casual - CAH AUTHENTICITY ~_1_ ~ 17317 Germantown Road, Germantown, Md. 20874-2999 SPECIFY MADE IN ,...~ ~ (301) 540-0040/ Metro D.C. #428-3434 ENGLAND,;a ....~

The Twelve Months of Roses PORCELAIN SCULPTURE COLLECTION

The twelve most beautiful so that you may enjoy watching With your collection you will roses of all. Each petal your 'garden' grow-one beautiful also receive a custom-designed wood blossom at a time. display stand-at no additional and bud individually formed Each rose will be handcrafted charge-which will show all twelve by hand. $29.50 with loving care in the finest roses in one dramatic arrangement. porcelain. Each petal and leaf. . . And what a breathtaking display each bud ... will be individually it will be! formed and assembled, to create a To enjoy the vivid color and The daring crimson American flower of astonishing beauty and fascinating variety of these fme Beauty . .. the vivid purple Cardinal realism. Together they provide a imported porcelain sculptures de Richelieu ... the creamy white diversity-and a unity-that yourself, or to delight someone Rosa Alba. The twelve most will be a constant source ofjoy special with the gift of one beautiful beautiful roses of all are being and admiration. rose each month during the coming brought together in an extra­ "The Twelve Months of Roses" year, you need only sign and return ordinary collection of handcrafted porcelain sculpture collection is the Subscription Application. porcelain sculptures. "The Twelve available solely from The Franklin But please be sure to return it no Months of Roses." Mint. Each sculpture will be later than May 31 , 1987. Here is the delicate pink accompanied by a specially-written Painter's Rose. And Old Blush­ card relating the fascinating story the beautiful rose from China that behind that rose. graced Empress Josephine's famous rose garden at Malmaison. Here, too, is the faintly-tinged Sweetbrier, also known as Eglantine -its beauty lauded in the great plays of William Shakespeare. And the York and Lancaster rose ... the Duchesse de Brabant . . . Buff Beauty. In all, twelve different roses that will never fade-their beauty yours to enjoy forever. And they will be issued at the convenient rate of one rose sculpture each month,

Actual size. r------SUBSCRIPTIO N APPLIC ATIO N The Twelve Months of Roses Please mail by May 31, 1987. The Franklin Mint Limit: One collection per subscriber. Franklin Center, Pennsylvania 19091 Please enter my subscription for "The Twelve Months of Roses," to be individually crafted for me in fine porcelain. Mr./Mrs./Miss ______I need send no money at this time. My collection will be sent to me at the rate of one sculpture per month, and Address ______I will be billed $29.50* for each just before shipment. With my collection I will also receive an elegant wood display stand at no additional charge. City ______*Phu my state sales ta x and $1. fo r slripping and handlirlg, Signature ______State, Zip ______ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE S UBJECT TO ACCEPTANCE. 77 A "HOW-TO" GUIDE

the direction you want most of the flowers to face. Tubers should be about one inch below the surface. Do not mound any soil , against the stalk. .--- Tuberous begonias can also be grown I from seed. However, the dust-like seeds I require patient handling. In January or I i ~~I_II~ February, sow the seeds on the surface of Greenhouse I I r.,,ra-k a moistened, sterile, seed-starting medium orSunroom? I ",,,==-~, II_--=~ A TRULY (milled sphagnum moss is excellent). Keep I "- .. ,., DRAMATIC EXPERIENCE 0 Make the right choice with Janco. I them moist, warm (75 F), dark (for ex­ I FOR YOUR PLANTS-LIQUID ample, covered with paper), and in a place I CDNCENTRATE, GUARANTEED RESULTS We 're the only manufacturer to offer I with good air circulation. You may need a complete range of greenhouses and I I JUNGLE JUICE (2-5-4) for fantastic foliage a lens to see them sprout-about the sixth 50larooms to matcM every lifestyle. growth and super green. I or seventh day. At the first signs of life, climate and budget. I I GRANNY'S BLOOMERS (0-6-5) ZERO nitrogen expose the seed flat to bright light, but 50 before you make your decision. I and special trace for abundant african violet send $2.00 and receive our informa­ I I blooms, you won't believe your eyes. keep it out of direct sunlight. Keep the tive 48-page color catalog featuring surface from drying out by spraying with I CACTUS JUICE (1-7-6) For outstanding over 100 greenhouses. ~ I a fine mist. When the seedlings are big 50larooms and IANCO I specimens and helps promote flowering. I enough to hal'ldle, transplant them one inch accessories. t.RHN1 I FLOWER CRACKER (1-6-5) For Impatiens, I apart in flats. Keep them in a warm, bright, &. GLASS STRUCTURES I Orchids, Bromeliads, Geraniums, all flowering Mail to: Building in the sun since 1948. I I plants. protected spot. When they crowd each Janco Greenhouses. Dept. AM 4. 9390 Davis Ave.. Laurel. MD 20707. (301) 498-5700 I I 6oz. bottle makes 12 gals. capful measure. other, transplant again to two inches apart, I I've en closed $2.00 to cover firsHlass postag e and I $3.85 ppd. Any 4-6oz. bUs., $11 .85 ppd. and feed them with liquid plant food at I handling of my 48-page color catalog. I Free catalog write bi-weekly intervals. When they are crowded Name I I Address ______again, they are ready to be planted wh€re Dept. AHS Clarel I ______City St at e__ Zip -- aI n they are to bloom. The whole process can Phone ( ) • Deerfield, IL 60015 '" Laboratories. Inc L take five or six months. For faster, more certain results, choose cultivars from a group of hybrids like Non-Stop or Clips, both of which bloom in four months from SOWIng. The soil and light requirements de­ scribed above are easily settled at the out­ set. Other matters such as feeding, staking, storing, and starting are also straightfor­ ward. But two factors-climatic condi­ tions and water-are critical to success with tuberous begonias. If your ar€a is windy, you can provide a windbreak, such as a hedge or fence. If it's too dry, you can splash water around in the morning of a sunny day. But if you live in a hot, dry climate, you had better give up trying to grow tuberous begonias, unless you have a greenhouse and can pro­ vide 14 hours of light during an artificial winter cycl€. (In this case, you would store tubers in a cool place in the summer and start them in the fall.) Even in a green­ house, these begonias perform marginally. (You could try ke€ping one in an east win­ s Teak Garden Boxes dow, during the winter, with a 60-watt light bulb burning four feet above it, be­ Teak garden boxes for indoor or outdoor use. tween 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.) Tuberous Call or write for details. begonias are cyclic in nature and are lovely Ask for our "Gifts for Gardeners" catalog. while in bloom, but will only perform well 4801 First St. N., Dept. A, Arlington, VA 22203 if they have been allowed to go dormant Trade Inquiries Welcomed 703-528-8773 in winter. The ideal growing cycle is seven to eight months.

12 April 1987 Proper watering is crucial to the plants' performance. They must be checked each D~~~}hlfS day. Be careful not to overwater in dull or rai ny weather. You can water more lib­ Get more ~or y~~w .. . erall y if the weather is warm, sunny, or money by actIng" BonUS P\ant windy. The ideal to strive fo r is moist soil FREE "Big Nam$~OOO or more) that is sli ghtly dry between waterings . (If P\US rders ol on\Y . yo u have an affinity for plants like Africa n {on 0 violets, then watering should be second nature.) Water the pl ants before they are Get dazzling color and eviable gorg eous blooms THIS SUMMER, or make your home fl oral arrangement excitingly beautiful with WILD'S completely dry. Conve rsely, don't keep the guaranteed top qu ality, magnificent Daylili es. A rare and limited oppor­ soil dripping wet; wet plants invite rot. tunity, so select your old favori tes and choose from the glamorou s new vari eti es , all at 1/3 off prices shown (min . ord er $10), plus $3.00 packing and When the soil surface looks dry, push your handling charg e. Order NOW! All ord ers must be received by April 30, 1987. finger an inch or so into the soi l. If the medium is moist below the surface, water Cat. Price Cat. Price Cat. Price o ANNIE WELCH EM Ae OE o HALLOWELL EM Dor Ae o ROYAL GAANET M li ghtly; if it's dry, water thoroughly. Plants Bl ush pi nk. sunlast. . . . 2.00 Creamy yellow & rose·pink . . 2.00 Ve lvely garnel red , ru ffled ...... 2.50 o .BIG WIG ML Dor Lemon or o JAY M Ae OE o SILVER CIRCUS EM OE F that are either too dry or too wet show chartreuse wilh pink ove rlay ..... 2.50 Vibranl rose red, rulfled . . 3.00 Large yellow ; pink inlusion ...... 3.00 their distress by dropping buds. If possi ble, o CANDY APPLE MOor Re OE o JULY GOLD LM Dor Ae OE o SMALL WAYS EM Dor 6" rich pink melon . . 2.50 6" ruffled gold ...... 3.00 Pale lemon yellow, green hea rt . . . 2.50 water in the morning, to avoid letting plants o CAPE COD EM Ae OE o LEMOINE BECHTOLD M OE o STAGECOACH INN EM OE Auffled, deep wine red . . . .. 7.50 6·8" dusly rose ...... 3.00 Lighl yellow pink . . .. . 4.00 go through the night wet. o CATHEDRAL ML Dor o LILLIAN FAY MOor Ae OE o STAKE RACE LM Dor Re Long Auffled apricol brushed rose ..... 2.50 3" medium yellOW, apple blooming pale orange yellow . .. . 3.00 Tuberous begoni as are ra rely bothered o CHRISTMAS CAROL EM green hearl . . 3.00 o SUMMER SPLENDOR M OE Ae Velvely red; green hearl ...... 3.00 o LlTILE LOVE ML Re Apricol·buff flu shed orange . . . 2.00 by pests and diseases. In spring, if yo u see o CONSTITUTION ISLAND EM Dor Ae Excellenl small melon . . 2.00 o TIMELESS M Dor Ae OE larvae nibbling at the tender growth ti ps, Auffled deep yellow ...... 2.50 o LlTILE MUCH EM, 3·1 /2" ruffled 8" muled ivory flesh peach ...... 3.00 o CUP RACE M Ae yellow. red eye markings ...... 2.50 o TINA RENAE EM squash them. In summer, if you have slugs 4- 1/2" sal mon pink . . 2.50 o LlTILE TYKE MOor Bright red. Ruffled peach ...... 2.00 o DATE BOOK EM yellow green Ihroat. .. 2.00 o TROPIC TANGERINE EM Ae or earwigs, use bai t to control them. Medium rose pink ...... 3.00 o MAGIC WORD M Very ru ffled sparkling tangerine .. . 2.00 o DOLL HOUSE EM OE Lovely creped pale yellow ... 2.50 o WESTWARD VISION EM Dor Ae OE The newer strains of tuberous begoni as Exlremely ru ffled langerine ...... 5.00 D MATEUS EM Dark ve lvety. wi ne red...... 3.00 o ETEANAL LOVE MOor OE Auffled rose wine...... 5.00 o WILD HEART ML Dor are resistant to powdery mildew. Adequate Lighl cream inlused pink . . . 3.00 o MYSTERY VALLEY ML Ae Velvety red ...... 3.00 o FRANS HALS ML. Bicolor of Smooth coral pink ...... 3.00 o WILD KEY EM Ae spacing of pl ants, free air circul ation, re­ yellow & red . . . 2.00 o MY WAYS EM Dor Ae OE 4" peach paslel ...... 2.00 moval of fa llen petals and leafstalks, and o GEORGE CALEB BINGHAM Velvety ruffled bluish red ...... 12.50 o WIND CHIMES EM M Ev OE F 7·8" pink blend. . . 3.00 o NOB HILL EM Ae OE 3" yellow melon pastel . . . 2.50 mo rning watering (to keep pla nts dry o GIANT FLING EM·M OE Large pale lavender pink ...... 2.00 o WINE TIME EM Ev OE 8·1 /2" lighl creamy yellow .. . .. 3.00 o PILOT LIGHT EM·M Ae OE Velvety, deep wine red ...... 4.00 through the night) all help prevent mildew. o GLISTENING BEAUTY M Lavender pink. large lemon heart .. 2.50 o WINNIE THE POOH M Auffled orchid pink ...... 2.00 o PLUSH EM Adorable 3" pastel yellow ...... 2.00 If mildew should appear, treat the infected o GOLDEN CHANCE EM Ae OE Auffled. deep raspberry red ..... 2.50 o WISDOM M Dor Ae OE Big gold with deep red edges .... 3.00 o PAAIAIE BUTIERFLY M Oor Ae Buff pink melon...... 2.00 areas with a fun gicide. o GOLDEN GIFT M Ae 6·7" orchid pink. . . 2.00 o YOUNG COUNTESS M Ae Oulslanding brillianl gold ...... 2.50 o PAECIOUS ONE EM 4·1/2" pale orchid pin k . . .. 2.00 If, in spite of yo ur efforts, fl owers are o GREEN CANYONS M Pale cream overlaid pale pink . . 3.00 consistently disappointing- small, single, Orchid pink; green heart ...... 3.00 or semi-double-or plants are stubby, lanky, or otherwise unappealing, chances are you have an inferior tuber. Most tub­ EASY TO GROW GUARANTEED SAFE DELIVERY BEAUTIFUL TO SHOW Wild 's plants are true to name and guaranteed delivered safe. erous begonias 0 1'1 the market are raised Wild's ships only large, sturdy, well-cared-for and healthy plants from seed gathered from high-quality KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS: ready to take root and produce profuse blooms. strains. Occasionally, however, a grubby c-carly; Ev-Evergreen ; EM-Early offspring filters through the supply of tub­ Mid; M-Midseason; ML-Mid Late; SEND NOW FOR OUR L-Late; OE-Opens Evenings; 96·PAGE COLOR CATALOG ers. Just discard any that don't measure Re-Reblooming ; F-Fragrant; Dor­ Choose from more than 1300 varieties of up. You may, of course, purchase tubers Dormant. Iris, Peonies and Daylilies. Catalog shows propagated vegetatively from topnotch many in full color and gives timely cultivars, but these are considerably more planting tips and instructions. Sent FRE ~ ANY $15.00 $10 with minimum $10 ord er... or send only expensive. WORTH ...... ONLY $2 .00 for catalog (deductible on your first Unfortunately, tuberous begonias do not Any $22.50 worth, $15; any $30 worth, catalog order) . respond to the same relatively carefree cul c $20, etc. Min. order $15 worth for $10. Add $3.00 pkg. & hdlg. NO C.O.D.'S PLEASE tme as do dahlias, gladiolas, and other rlllill!lllllll!ill!l!III!IIlmIIl!lIlI!I1IlIIlI!iII!lIII!IIi!SliIIIlIIillllllilllllilllillll!llllil!l!li!i!lilll!lllli, gardetl Favorites. But give these summer­ BONUS PLANTS We will send these magnificent GILBERT H. WILD & SON, INC. blooming " bulbs" what they wam, and Daylilies FREE with orders shown : • AH·487 Joplin St., Sarcoxie, Mo. 64862·0338 I they will mushroom into the most dazzling !iii 0 Please ~ end varieties ct'lecked . I enclose . I $20.00 Order, WILD KEY l1li $ (1/3 off total erder at prepaid shapes and colors imaginable. 6 !II prices shown) plus $3.00 pkg . & hdlg. charge. Send I -Anthony DeBlasi $30.00 Order, PRECIOUS ONE Iii FREE catalog and any EARNED FREE PLANT $40.00 Order, WINE TIME I Missouri residents add 5.8% sales tax to order. I $50.00 Order, MATE US o Enclosed is $2 for 96-page Color Catalog only ANth ony DeBl asi is a free-l ance writer and I (deductible on first catalog order). I photographer living in West Newfield, Maine. His last article for American Horticulturist, "WE WILL NEVER I NAME I COMPROMISE QUALITY FOR " A Most Unusual Pl ant," appeared in the I ST IR F.D I December 1986 issue. PRICE':... OJI....~W:IJ. L ______CITY ST.A.TE ___ ZIP ___ ..1

American Horticulturist 13 STRANGE RELA TIVES The Baselfa Family

he Basellaceae is a small family of north, but with some winter cover, the four genera and only a few species, roots will survive up to USDA Zone 6. This T some of which are useful as veg­ species is said to have escaped from cul­ etables and ornamentals. All basella family tivation, and grows wild in some parts of members are tropical, herbaceous, twining Florida and Texas. vines that need a trellis or some support A . cordifolia produces no fruit. It is in order to climb. Without support, their propagated by bulbils that form in the axils leaves and stems trail along the ground. of the lustrous, evergreen leaves. The plant The rootstock is often tuberous. Other fea­ looks somewhat like basella, but has wav­ tures common to all of these species in­ ier, thinner leaves and more slender flower clude fleshy leaves that are borne alter­ spikes. In addition, the fragrant flowers, nately on long climbing stems, and small, which are white when they open and fi­ insignificant flowers. The calyx and petals nally turn black, are smaller and more of the flowers are persistent and cling to abundant than those of basella. (It is th~ the fleshy, berry-like fruit. blooms that gave rise to the name mig­ Basella is a genus of five variable species nonette vine.) grown in warm countries as potherbs. The Frost-resistant ulluco was among the cultivated kinds are so similar that bota­ many valuable root crops and tubers that nists consider them to be a single species­ were overlooked by the Spanish in their Basella alba. Commonly known as Mal­ early explorations of the New World. Ul­ abar spinach, Malabar nightshade, or In­ luco is the Andean word from which the dian spinach, B. alba is probably native to botanical name Ullucus tuberosus is de­ Africa and Southeast Asia. (Basella is the rived. The potato-like tubers of this native Malabar name for the plant.) This sprawling or climbing perennial are staples herb is now distributed throughout the of the time-honored diet of the Andean tropics. Its cultivar, 'Rubra', which is people. Tiny yellowish or greenish blooms sometimes listed as a species, bears stems, are followed by egg-shaped, berry-like fruit. petioles, and flowers with a reddish tinge. Red-stemmed Malabar spinach, Basella alba U. tuberosus is the only species in its genus. The small flowers remain closed on thick­ 'Rubra'. Courtesy of Park Seed, Greenwood, SC The underground tubers of ulluco vary stalked spikes that measure two to eight from pea-size to the size of a pigeon egg. inches long. The spikes of the black, berry­ as a substitute for safflower juice. They are rose-violet in color. Cultivated like fruits are similar to those of pokeweed Anrederas are the ornamental vines of varieties are white, yellow, rose, red, or (Phytolacca). the basella family. There are several spe­ reddish in color. Small tubers are also pro­ Basella, which branches and grows rap­ cies, all of which are native to tropical duced in leafaxils. Native Andean villagers idly to a length of several feet, is often America. (Anredera was formerly classi­ can be seen bartering the freshly harvested cultivated in this country as an annual or­ fied as Boussingaultia, in honor of J. B. tubers for fruit or other produce in the namental vine for screening porches or Boussingault, a noted French agricultural markets of their towns. Scientists are fences and walls. In temperate regions, this chemist who lived from 1802 to 1887.) studying the properties of ulluco to deter­ succulent plant can be grown as an annual, The species are grown as ornamentals out­ mine the potential for wider use of this warm-weather substitute for spinach. The of-doors in warm regions; elsewhere, they plant. leaves of basella have a mild flavor and are grown under glass. The basella family provides not only a are rich in vitamin A and C, as well as Andredera cordifolia, Madeira vine or satisfying and nutritious alternative to calcium and iron. And, if given support on mignonette vine, is the most familiar spe­ spinach, but also a tropical flowering vine which to climb, basella plants will produce cies. (A. cordifolia is sometimes misiden­ that serves as an attractive wall covering clean, grit-free leaves (in contrast to spin­ tified as A . baselloides, a species that is in warm climates. And as for one family ach) throughout the summer and autumn. probably not in cultivation.) Native from member whose potato-like tubers are edi­ Although usually cooked, the leaves are Paraguay to southern Brazil and northern ble, the full economic and dietary benefits edible raw. They are sold as greens in the Argentina, Madeira vine is widely culti­ have yet to be tapped. 8 markets of Hawaii, and are applied as vated in the tropics as a covering for arbors -Jane Steffey poultices in parts of the Orient. In addi­ and walls. This rapidly growing, tuberous­ Jane Steffey is an editorial advisor and a tion, red juice is extracted as a dye for jelly, rooted, perennial twiner may climb to 20 frequent contributor to American for rouge, and, in China, for official seals feet in a season. It is not root-hardy in the Horticulturist.

14 April 1987 PLANT FOOD SO GOOD IT'S BEYOND BELIEF.

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARGARET PARKE

rom the time he was a boy in Le and the children watered in the evenings. Hav re, France, Claude Monet had Extra help was hired only for special pro­ F always been drawn to the valley of jects. Later, as Monet became more pros­ th e Seine River with its evanescent li ght. perous and fam ous as a painter, and as the In 1883, after living and painting in var­ ga rden expanded, he took on a head gar­ ious cities along the riv er's banks, the 42- dener, M. Breuil, and five assistants. But yea r-old artist moved to Giverny, about his preoccupation with the garden never 50 miles northwest of Paris. Shortly after waned. Early each morning, dressed in his arri va l, Monet wrote, " \ am filled with rough tweeds, sturdy boots, and a soft­ delight. Givern y is a spl endid spot for me." crowned hat with a wide brim, he would He was to spend the next 44 yea rs there, stroll along the paths, preparing the day's painting and ga rdening so passionately that instructions. Sometimes he would argue it is hard to say where one left off and the heatedl y with Breuil, who wanted plenty other began. of space between plants and more pruning; Monet, then a widower with two sons, Monet cared more for density and color was accompanied to Givern y by his future rel ationships. Together they pl anned the wife, Alice Hoschede, and her brood of ga rden for an uninterrupted succession of six. (Ali ce had been abandoned by her hu s­ flowers from spring through autumn. Or­ band, Ernest H oschede, a flamboyant chids, strelitzias, Korean chrysanthe­ businessman and art collector, after he went mums, and African water lilies were grown bankrupt.) The entire cl an settled into a in the hothouse to brighten the winter nondescript 19th-century farmhouse in a months. The artist wanted to make sure section of Giverny known as the Pressoir, that he would have a year-round supply or "cider press." The walled property in­ of fresh cut flowers to serve as live models cluded an orchard and a vegetable garden. for his paintings. Clipped box hedges and a few scraggly About 10 years after moving to Giverny, looking spruce, cypress, and yews fl anked Monet bought a swampy plot of land across a wide central path. the small road-the "chemin du Roy"­ Monet established his studio in a barn and railroad track that bordered his estate. attached to the western end of the house. After extensive negotiations with village He then immediately set about digging up officials, he was permitted to divert the the clipped box, moving mounds of earth, waters of the Epte, a tributary of the Seine, and shifting plants. He installed paths and to create a lily pond on his property. (To planted his favorite flowers-both for vis­ reach the pond, one passed through the ual enjoyment and to cut and use as models wrought iron gate at the end of the Grand for his paintings when the weather was Allee and crossed over the road and rail­ inclement. Gradually, all the trees, with road track.) As the years passed, Monet the exception of two yews along the main came to depend on the water garden more allee, were removed. and more to provide motifs for his work. During the early years at Giverny, Mo­ When he was in his seventies, Monet net worked in the garden during the day, was persuaded by his friend Georges Cle­ menceau, then Prime Minister of France, Claude Monet's paintings of his water ga rden to paint a monumental work centering on are wdl known among art lovers. Today, the water lilies. For this project Monet had visitors can en joy the lush flower borders and shimmering water that inspired the great a special studio built next to his house so French Impressionist painter. that he could work indoors on the huge

American Horticulturist 17 ably looked like when Monet lived there, including details such as flowers on the mantelpiece and shiny copper pots hang­ ing in the kitchen. In 1980, after four years and $2.5 mil­ lion, the restoration of the house and gar­ dens was complete, and the Musee Claude Monet was opened to the public. Now, seven years later, the gardens have had time to mature to their full glory, and vis­ itors familiar with Monet's work have a unique opportunity to step into the "orig­ inal" work of art. The Musee Claude Monet has proved to be a successful restoration. Not only has it recaptured the historic niche in which Monet lived and worked, it has revived the spirit of the place as well. Today, vis­ itors stroll the garden paths with a sense that the artist is still in residence. In early June, Giverny is vibrantly fresh and awash in a sea of color, textures, and fragrance. Roses-shrubs, standards, ABOVE: Monet spent hours seated beneath the rose bower at the edge of his water garden, studying the light falling on the water and water lilies. He used the small boat, which has been climbers-are everywhere, clambering with restored, to row out into the pond to paint. RIGHT: Brilliant lupine and other perennials clematis up green-painted tripods, arches, abound at Giverny. and trellises 01'1 house and studios, and draping fences and walls. Although the canvases. (The studio's skylight ceiling was Beaux-Arts of the French Government. Van plants in the garden are not labeled, I rec­ 49 feet high.) Over the next 13 years, de­ der Kemp consulted old garden plans found ognized a few old favorites: deep pink 'Paul spite illness and near-blindness from cat­ in the debris of the greenhouse. He also . Neyron'; white, heady-scented 'Blanche aracts, he devoted his energies to working met with M. Andre Deviller, who had often Moreau'; silky, perfumed, rose-pink 'Bar­ on the paintings. In one famous photo, visited Giverny as a young man to discuss oness Rothschild'; and two that are fre­ Monet can be seen sitting under a rose the garden with the artist. In addition, Van quently seen in American gardens today, bower near the edge of the lily pond, study­ der Kemp relied on the memories and re­ 'Queen Elizabeth' and 'Robin Hood'. One ing the swirling upside-down reflections in search of Monet's great-nephew, M. Jean­ of Monet's favorites, the single yellow rose, the water so that he could capture "the Marie Toulgouar, an artist who now lives 'Mermaid', was resuscitated after being soul of the dance of his water garden." in the village of Giverny with his wife. struck down by the harsh winter of 1985, The result of his many years of work is A staff of six gardeners, headed by M. and once again climbs the trellis outside "Decoration des Nympheas," a series of Gilbert Vahe, removed the rubble and the bedroom window. 19 panels, each 6 1/2 feet high to 20 feet unearthed the original paths; restored the The garden known as the Clos Normand wide. Monet donated the Nympheas to the metal arches, trellises, and latticework; re­ stretches out from the back of the house. French Government as his legacy to France, built the greenhouses; and brought tons of Its main axis passes from the back porch but died in 1926, before they could be new soil, compost, and manure into the through the 10-foot-wide, sloping Grand installed. gardens to counteract the soil's chalkiness. Allee, which leads toward the water gar­ Monet's step-daughter and daughter-in­ Muskrats ravishing the water lilies and den across Monet's old "chemin du Roy." law, Blanche de Hoschede-Monet, tended plantings along the bank of the pond pre­ On either side of the Grand Allee, straight the family homestead until her death in sented an unexpected problem to the gar­ paths crisscross each other at right angles 1947. For the next 30 years, the garden deners, who finally drained the pond and to form rectangular planting beds. This and buildings were neglected. Monet's son lined the banks with metal sheeting-an basic, somewhat formal design was typical and heir, Michel, had little interest in gar­ effective but expensive solution. (Water lil­ of many French gardens of the time. How­ dens, and left the property to the French ies are still wrapped in wire mesh before ever, Monet preferred a more natural gar­ Government in 1966. they are planted, to prevent them from den, so flowers were planted-then as When restoration work was begun in being eaten.) In order to cut costs, all an­ now-to billow freely over the edges of 1976, the two-story pink stucco house and nuals used to fill the extensive two-acre the beds, softening the effect. outbuildings were in shambles. The gar­ garden were propagated-and still are­ From the wall at the far end of the gar­ dens were not only weedy, but had also in the newly restored greenhouses. Seed­ den, the stucco house glows pink through been damaged by a bomb that had ex­ lings are transplanted to both a service area the exuberant spectacle of the Clos Nor­ ploded near the greenhouses during World of the garden and several growing fields mand's lush flower beds. The plantings are War II. Monet's cherished lily pond was in the village. flooded with bright colors juxtaposed in stagnant and overgrown, and the Epte was The house and studios were given a fresh monochrome masses, the hallmark of Mo­ polluted from factory run-off upstream. coat of paint, and the apple-green shutters net's impressionistic style both in the gar­ Gerald Van der Kemp, former Conserv­ and wrought iron railings were restored. den and on canvas. There are irises (mostly ator of Versailles, was appointed director Furnishings were selected to give visitors the blue ones favored by Monet), volup­ of the restoration by the Academie des an idea what the inside of the house prob- tuous peonies, and flaming poppies, as well

18 April 1987

as old-fashioned annuals and perennials­ wild geraniums, Aubrieta, Lunaria, lu­ pines, foxglove, columbines, dame's-rocket, and many others-in dazzling masses, clusters, and cascades. The changing light plays upon the garden, backlighting a poppy with its head in the sky or softening and blurring the masses of millefleur roses on the arches along the Grand Allee, no doubt as it did when Monet tried to capture the soul of his garden on canvas. Near the water lily studio at the eastern boundary of the Clos Normand, white tur­ keys strut in a poultry yard behind a rose­ entwined wire fence, a reminder of the farmyard heritage of the property. Across from the yard is a picturesque, bulb-strewn lawn enclosed by an espaliered apple fence and bordered with gray-leaved herbs. Near the house, in front of the porch where Mo­ net and his family would lunch on summer LErr: Bri ghtly colored tulips deco rate th e beds outside th e pink stu cco house. ABOVE LErr: days, is a clump of cherry trees given to A cluster of lu sh, sca rl et poppie wait to be painted. ABOVE RIGHT: Rh ododendrons and the artist by Japanese guests. In spring, aza leas lin e th e banks of the pond. they sprinkle their blossoms over two cir­ cular planting beds filled with tulips, Eng­ and there with the strong vertical lines of with the bulbs. Later, in mid-June, thou­ lish daisies, and forget-me-nots, all of which agapanthus and lilies. The rose bower, with sands of annuals are transplanted from four­ are replaced later in the season with ge­ its bench where Monet often sat, still rests inch pots to the garden beds. Summer brings raniums and begonias ringed by dianthus. near the water's edge. From late spring a display of astilbes, everlastings, impa­ The second of Monet's gardens, the water through summer, yellow, white, purple, tiens, cornflowers, delphiniums, bell flow­ garden, is now separated from the Clos pink, and lavender water lilies hold their ers, santolinas, wormwood, and phlox. Normand by a busy highway, which re­ bowls of flowers above glossy leaves. Because the beds are packed so fully, placed the old road. Visitors no longer en­ According to Liz Murray, a horticul­ hand-watering is impossible; overhead ter the water garden from the Grand Allee; turist from Pebble Beach, California, who sprinklers are used for both watering and instead, they must walk through a short has worked at Giverny, Monet used his fertilizing. Gardeners prune and spray the tunnel that passes under the road and con­ painterly eye to alter the perspective of the plants on Mondays, when the property is nects the two gardens. Emerging from the water garden. By sharpening the curve of closed to the public. (For information on tunnel, visitors find themselves in the mid­ the pond, planning meandering paths, and visiting Giverny, see "Sources" on page dle of a serene landscape, said to have been planting clumps of ornamental grasses, 37.) From time to time, the weather takes inspired by the Japanese woodblock prints trees, rhododendrons, and azaleas, Monet its toll; 200 rose bushes were lost during that Monet collected. The road is hidden created the illusion that the two-acre gar­ the severe winter of 1984-1985 and had by a vine-clad fence, and the contemplative den is larger than it really is. to be replaced. mood is a dramatic change from the col­ Monet's two gardens have been de­ Besides the gardens, visitors can explore orful gaiety of the Clos Normand. A path signed to provide a succession of blooms the area across the road, where the bosky follows the winding stream to a wisteria­ from spring through fall. Although they hills that border the village of Giverny rise festooned Japanese footbridge, which arches are kept as historically authentic as pos­ on the north. There, next to the parking over a water lily pond (now fed by an sible, it has been necessary to make some lot, is a new greenhouse and a complex of artesian well) of flickering light and color. planting substitutions, since many of Mo­ buildings that will house visiting art stu­ Willow trees bend toward the pond, rip­ net's favorite plants are now unobtainable. dents from different countries. pling the water with leafy fingers. A small However, modern cultivars are used with Visitors should not overlook a tour of bamboo "forest" rustles at the foot of a discretion, and careful attention is paid to the house, with its tiled kitchen, yellow­ majestic copper beech, the only red-leafed color compositions. Such modern irises as painted dining room, cleaned and restored tree that Monet would permit in this part 'Siva Siva', 'Zantha', 'Golden Delight', Japanese prints, and upstairs bedrooms. of the garden. (Sadly, Van der Kemp said 'Study in Black', and 'Night Owl' now grow From the window, one can look out over that the bamboo planting was being dec­ alongside old and new blues, including 'Blue the whole resplendent garden with its spar­ imated by souvenir-seekers who were snip­ Chiffon', 'Crystal Blue', 'Sapphire Hills', kling palette of colors, a scene that brings ping the shoots. A low-voltage wire fence and 'Blue Brilliant Cadeau'. to mind Monet's comment: "I perhaps owe has been installed around the bamboo and Each year, before planting the bulbs, becoming a painter to flowers." 0 has been an effective deterrent so far.) gardeners at Giverny pull out the annuals, While color is the dominant feature in add compost and manure, and turn the Margaret Parke is a free-lance writer and the Clos Normand, this element is more beds over. They then steam the soil to con­ photographer whose articles have appeared in subtle and complex in the reflected light trol weeds and prevent diseases. The fol­ Organic Gardening and The New York Times. Her most recent article for American of the water garden. Textures are also lowing spring, wallflowers, forget-me-nots, Horticulturist was "The Abby Aldrich bolder. Ferns, hydrangeas, and giant cow pansies, and violas are brought in from the Rockefeller Garden," which appeared in the parsnips line the banks, punctuated here growing fields and planted to bloom along October 1985 issue.

American Horticulturist 21 "B g .,o l:j ~ iii ~=------~~----~

22 April 1987 Bowman's Hill Stale .Wildflower Preserve

BY MARCIA BONTA

Ost people who visit Washing­ visited this quiet refuge on a weekday several we were not familiar with. One of ton Crossing Historic Park in morning in early May. We stopped first at the loveliest and most intriguing was dou­ M Pennsylvania are history buffs, the Preserve Building to pick up a map of ble bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis intent on seeing the place where George the area as well as a list of the plants that 'Flore Pleno', which Ralph Reitz, the Chief Washington embarked when he crossed bloom in May and where they are found Propagator, explained is an aberration that the Delaware River into New Jersey that on the preserve. Posted on the bulletin board does occasionally occur in nature. Canby's bitter Christmas night in 1776. outside the building is a more precise up­ mountain-lover (Paxistima canbyi), a rare Wild plant enthusiasts, though, come to date of what is currently in bloom and prostrate shrub, was also labeled, as were die park for a different reason. From late exactly where-measured in feet-the the attractive blue creeping ji>hlox (Phlox March until early October they visit Bow­ plants can be found along the trails. If, for stolonifera), nodding trillium (Trillium man's Hill State Wildflower Preserve, instance>you arrive in mid-AprH and wa.flt cemuum), great SoloO'lon's-seal (Polygon­ which, since 1934, has specialized in the to see celandine poppies (Stylophorum di­ atum commutatum), shooting-star (Do­ preservation and conservation of Penn­ phyllum) in flower, the list will tell you decatheon meadia), and crested iris (Iris sylvania's native plants. This lOa-acre pre­ that they grow 250 feet from the beginning cristata) . The latter is an example of a serve, located within W~shington Crossing of the Marsh Marigold Trail on the right­ wildflower growing in the preserve that is Historic Park, consists of woods, mead­ hand side. Then, following the foot mark­ not native to Pennsylvania. (This partic- ows, ponds, bogs, and barrens. Today, ap­ ings on the trail, you can easily find the proximately 1,500 herbaceous plants grow unlabeled celandine poppies. LEfT: Naturalist Pauline Simmons talks to a along its 26 short trails, which are, in part, The only labeled plants are grown in the group of children about the wildflowers at planted and maintained by garden club small garden around the Preserve Building, the Bowman's Hill State Wildflower Preserve in Pennsylvania. ABOVE: A clump of members from the nearby Philadelphia area. to which the staff plans expand. On that Trillium grandiflorum growing in the gardens Following the advice of the preserve's May morning we discovered many beau­ around the Preserve l3uilding provides a hint botanist, Janet Urban, my husband and I tiful labeled wildflowers there, including of what the Preserve has in store for visitors.

American Horticulturist 23 RIGHT: Twin-leaf starflowers (Trientalis borealis). We then coneflower and turned our attention to the pond rimmed summer phlox coex­ ist happily near one with enormous royal ferns and the large, of the trails at Bow­ green leaves of American white hellebore man's Hill State (Veratrum viride). Back in 1950, the pond Wildflower Pre­ received the Garden Club of America's serve. FAR RIGHT: Founder's Fund Award, and it still has American colum­ bine, Aquilegia can­ plenty of ambiance. adensis, clings to a Not all the trails we followed feature stone wall beside showy flowers, however. The Wherry Fern Pidcock Creek. Trail (named for Philadelphia botanist Ed­ gar Wherry, who was instrumental in de­ veloping the preserve) highlights the pre­ serve's interest in wild ferns. Another section, called Penns Woods, was the first reforestation program in Pennsylvania, and has nine acres of tended woodlands where hundreds of Pennsylvania's native trees and shFubs grow. Another specialty of Bowman's Hill State Wildflower: Preserve is medicinal plants. Clusters of the pale yellow-green flowers ular species grows in Indiana, southern Marigold Trail was still bright yellow with of ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), which Ohio, Maryland, and further south.) Al­ celandine poppies and swamp butterwps wild food expert Euell Gibbons called though the preserve is primarily a show­ (Ranunculus septentrionalis), and low­ "more precious than gold," can be seen case for Pennsylvania native plants, other growing shrub yellow-root (Xanthorhiza along the Medicinal Trail in midsummer. non-native wildflower favorites of garden simplicissima) was covered with small, Although ginseng used to be abundant club volunteers are also occasionally planted drooping, brownish-purple flowers. The throughout its range from Quebec to Man­ along the trails. hooded flowers of skunk cabbage (Sym­ itoba and southward in the mountains to After studying the labeled plants, we set plocarpus foetidus) had appeared back in Alabama and Arkansas, its prized, man­ out with PetersOn and McKenny's A Field March, but the lush and skunky-smelling shaped roots have been over-collected for Guide to Wildflowers, along with the pre­ leaves were quite prominent. Unfortu­ sale at $300 to $400 an ounce in the Ori­ serve's "Blooming Guide List for May," nately, one of my favorites, yellow lady's­ ent, where it is valued as an aphrodisiac. and with those aids we were able to iden­ slipper (Cypripedium calceolus), was not Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), tify most of the plants we saw. Any specific yet in bloom, but the blue or woodland another member of the ginseng family, looks questions we had were referred to Jim Av­ phlox (Phlox divaricata) was almost as much like ginseng, with its compound leaf ens, who works on the grounds and has a striking in appearance. of three to five leaflets. But unlike ginseng, missionary zeal when it comes to supplying Along one of the loveliest trails, Bluebell whose flower stem is connected to its leaf information about the plants. In fact, we Trail, we saw redbud or Judas tree (Cercis stem, wild s

24 Aprii1987 destruction. The pale golden blossoms by's mountain-lover (Paxistima canbyi), a teres ted in promoting native grasses as or­ closely resemble those of the deep yellow ground-cover shrub propagated success­ namentals. One of his favorites, prairie marsh marigold (Caltha palustris). But un­ fully by the Delaware Valley College of dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepsis), is also like the latter, which bears kidney-shaped Science and Agriculture. Like ginseng, it endangered in Pennsylvania. This attrac­ leaves, the spreading globeflower has but­ has a relatively small range in the south­ tive disjunct species is found only on rare tercup-like, toothed leaves that surround central Appalachian Mountains region, serpentine barrens in the state, although the upright stem. Also, marsh marigolds where it grows in rocky, well-drained up­ in the Midwest it is far more common in grow in any wet area, while spreading land woods. a wide variety of habitats. A tall perennial, globeflowers require wet, alkaline mead­ Of course, employees of the preserve do it bears long, narrow leaves that are often ows, which are rare in Pennsylvania and not go out into the woods and dig up the rolled and grow in conspicuous tufts-a the other states-New Jersey, Connecti­ plants they want. Instead, they depend on perfect backdrop, Reitz maintains, for but­ cut, and New York-where there are still several outside sources-commercial nur­ terfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), any of the known populations. At Bowman's Hill State series, the Ornamental Horticulture De­ wild blazing-stars (Liatris spp.), and wild Wildflower Preserve, spreading globe­ partment of the Delaware Valley College lupine (Lupinus perennis). flowers are grown in pots, since the staff of Science and Agriculture, and the Inter­ Pennsylvania has many disjunct species, has not been able to build a proper habitat national Seed Exchange-to supply them that is, plants that are abundant in areas for the plants yet. This means of propa­ with new plants. As members of the Ex­ far from the state and then appear in iso­ gation may be the plant's best hope for change, they give as well as receive seed. lated, restricted habitats such as remnant survival, because all the proper habitats, Thus, much of the initial plant work is prairies, or serpentine and shale banens. at least in Pennsylvania, are in private hands done under glass before most of the plants The dense blazing-star (Liatris spicata), and are used for livestock pasture. are transplanted into the proper environ­ which blooms in large masses on the mid­ Another endangered plant in Pennsyl­ ment at the preserve. western prairies, appears again in several vania that the preserve cultivates is Can- Chief Propagator Reitz is especially in- remnant prairies in western Pennsylvania. It blooms in August at the preserve. Blue­ eyed Mary (Collinsia verna), another showy prairie species, can be found only in the southwestern corner of the state, and can also be seen at the preserve in late April. Because Pennsylvania has a wide diver­ sity of plant species, the work at Bowman's Hill State Wildflower Preserve is never done. Prairie species are encroaching on the state's western border, while many northern spe­ cies reach their southernmost limit on Lake Erie's shores. The preserve still has many such plants (and habitats) it must add to its collection. Some are common, like the deep-woods speckled wood lily (Clintonia umbellulata) j others are extremely rare, like Kalm's lobelia (Lobelia kalmii), which prefers the same alkaline soil as does spreading globeflower. The volunteers, employees, and visitors will all tell you that the preserve is beau­ tiful precisely because it is constantly evolving. They say that even if you visited once a week throughout the season, you would still see different plants in bloom. (For information on visiting Bowman's Hill State Wildflower Preserve, see "Sources" Oft page 37.) Bowman's Hill State Wild­ flower Preserve is an aesthetic as well as an educational experienc~ne that bears repeating as often as possible in order to gain a greateli appreciation for what the natural world of plants has to offer gardeners. 6 Marcia Bonta, a weekly columnist for the Altoona Mirror, has written for the Conservationist, Bird Watcher's Digest, and Pennsylvania Heritage. Her last article for American Horticulturist, "John Bartram and His Garden," appeared in the December 1985 issue.

American Horticulturist 25 Indeed, as landscape plants, palms are plant.) In Florida, various native ferns col­ When the winter's first most at home in the tropics. Yet several onize these "boots," and other tropical species from this diverse family (Palmae) plants (for example, Hoya, Epiphyllum and snow turns sooty gray, can withstand considerable frost. These various gesneriads) can be established in could anything be more stalwarts of the palm clan can survive with them, creating a novel effect. The small little or no injury in areas where winter fruits are dark brown and shiny. The spe­ tantalizing than a pic­ temperatures reach as low as 18 0 to 200 cies eventually forms a dense, globular head. ture of azure-blue F-roughly, the warmest portions of USDA S. palmetto is extremely adaptable to Zone 8. (Gardeners in marginal areas should soil type, but responds well to rich soil and waters, glistening sands bear in mind that microclimates may allow ample fertilization. In the landscape, it is and coconut palms more freedom than a hardiness map might most effective grouped in small groves of indicate). several plants for accent. swaying in the breeze? Two genera of hardy palms that are na­ Sabal minor, the dwarf palmetto, is na­ In the popular imagina­ tive to North America and are found at tive from Georgia to Florida and west to tion, no plant conjures the northernmost boundary of palms' range Texas. It is somewhat less hardy than the in the Western Hemisphere are Sabal, the cabbage palm, and its leaves are not cos­ up visions of tropical cabbage palm or palmetto, and Serenoa, tapalmate like those of the latter. This spe­ paradises as does the the saw palmetto. cies lacks a visible trunk; instead, it grows Sabal palmetto, the cabbage palm, is from a subterranean stem. However, in­ majestic palm tree. found from th~ Carolina coast south, dividual specimens have been known to through all of Florida. The growing point, produce six-foot trunks that eventually shed or "palm heart," of this species was har­ their leaf bases. These eccentric individuals vested by early Floridians and cooked as also produce slightly costapalmate leaves, "swamp cabbage." Of the 20-odd species though the rib penetrates only a few inches in the genus, this is probably the hardiest; into the blade. Generally, the leaf is no cabbage palms can withstand tempera­ more than three feet in diameter and has tures into the low teens within their native 15 to 20 segments, each of which is cut range. two-thirds of the way to the petiole. The S. palmetto is extremely variable in size, fruit is dark brown or black. fruit character and habit. It is a costapal­ The dwarf palmetto is more shade­ mate-leaved palm, meaning that the pe­ tolerant than the cabbage palm, and fre­ tiole extends like a rib into the fan-shaped quently grows beneath the canopy of hard­ leaf blade. Each leaf is from three to six wood forests. In general, fresh seed of pal­ feet long and is held on six- to nine-foot mettos germinates within two months, petioles. The leaves are green to blue-green which is remarkably fast for a palm. Once in color. The segments are divided about the seedlings appear, however, the speed one-third of the distance to the leaf base, of growth slows considerably. and are split at their apex. The rib exten­ A common sight in our southeastern sion of the petiole is markedly curved and coastal plain states, from southernmost gives the leaf a twisted appearance. In south South Carolina to Florida, is Serenoa re­ Florida, cabbage palms may reach 90 feet pens, the saw palmetto. This species is often in height; in cultivation and at the northern found growing beneath a canopy of slash end of their range, they average 20 feet. pines, forming a dense ground cover, par­ TEXT BY ALAN MEEROW The leaf bases generally persist for many ticularly where fire has frequently swept PHOTOGRAPHY BY years, forming a distinctive crisscross pat­ PAMELA HARPER tern. (Like everything else about this palm, A commercial grove of date palms, Phoenix this characteristic varies from plant to dactylifera, growing in Death Vall~y.

26 April 1987

across the pinela nds. Often c ursed by pl ant, often producing tight clumps, and about 10 to 20 species of Old World plants. farmers and homeowners alike, the saw is hardy to at least 10° F. (Hortus Third The species hybridize readily, and some of palmetto provides a home for rattlesnakes, indicates it is probably hardy in Zone 7.) the "specie s" offered by nurseries are and is a heavenly source of honey. A single The species prefers low-lying areas and probably not what they are advertised to plant spreads prodigiously, eventuall y fertile soi l. Although wild specimens trans­ be. All members of the genus are pinnate­ forming huge colonies. pl a nt well , this practice is not recom­ leaved palms whose distinctive lower leaf­ S. repens is ha rdy to well below 20° F; mended unless existing plants a re threat­ lets a re modified into long spines. its subterranean growing point makes it ened by development. The most familiar of the date palms is impervious to cold a nd virtuall y impos­ Perh aps the most widely seen hardy palm P. dactyli(era, which produces the date of sible to eradicate except by bulldozer and in the United States is Washingtonia (ili­ commerce. This species will experience leaf chain. Mature specimens are difficult to (era, the petticoat palm o r Califo rnia fan kill at 20° F, but has been known to survive transpl a nt because o f the extensive un­ palm . Cali fornia's o nl y indigeno us palm , temperatures as low as 4° to 10° F. It fruits derground root system. Res idents within it is found near desert springs in southern indifferently except in areas with dry sum­ the domain of this species are best advised California and neighboring Arizona. The mers. In northernmost zones, it may even to learn to a ppreciate it. common name is derived fro m the effect fai l to flower. Since date palms are dioe­ As an impenetrable hedge, S. rep ens is created by the enormo us shag of o ld leaves, cious (meaning there a re separate male and unbeatable. It grows from a bra nching, which hang downwa rd, adh ering to the female plants), both sexes are necessary to underground trunk, although o n occasion gray trunk fo r ma ny yea rs. If not removed, produce dates. Successful pollination usu­ it will form upright or leaning aeri al stems they can eventua ll y cover the entire three­ a ll y involves shinnying up a female palm that can grow up to 10 feet in height. The foot-wide trunk, which ca n attain a height and dusting the flowers with pollen col­ slender leaf stem is finel y toothed, a nd the of 50 feet. When the leaves fin a ll y let go, lected from the male. (This difficult ma­ base is covered with a fine, fibrous ma­ they often present a hazard to passers-by. neuver is o ne of the reasons dates are so terial. The palmate leaf is deeply cut almost The gray-green palmate leaves of W. (il­ expensive at the supermarket.) In any event, to the base, and th e stiff segments- as many i(era are at least six feet wide at maturity, fo r ornamental purposes alone, P. dactyl­ as two dozen-grow wide apart and up­ and a re covered with ma ny long threads. i(era is not the best that the genus has to right. The two-foot leaves vary in colo r The petiole is green and ma rgin a ll y a rmed offer. from green to blue-green; the best of the with teeth. The petticoat palm i ha rdy to Liberty Hyde Bailey called Phoenix can­ latter forms a re sold as "blue saw pal­ at least 20° F, a nd is grown in both the ariensis " the gem of the genus." Com­ metto." The branched inflorescence, which southwestern a nd Gulf states. Washing­ monly called the Canary Island date palm, grows to three feet, is packed with small, tonia is used most commonly in avenue this species has a stout trunk to which the creamy-white flowers that attract large pl antings in both California a nd Florida. leaf bases adhere for ma ny years. It will numbers of bees. Their fragrance is a di s­ The date palms (Ph oenix spp.) comprise grow as hi gh as 50 to 60 feet and spread tinctive fe ature of the pinelands in sum­ mer. The fruit is bl ack o r blue. Another hardy North Ameri ca n native palm is Rhapidophyllum hystrix, the needl e or porcupine palm. Considered by many to be the continent's finest palm , it is among the rarest of our indigenous pl ants. Its dis­ tribution in the wild-from South Caro­ lin a to Florida and Mississippi-is quite local, and only at ra re way stations can it be considered abundant. This dwarf, spreading fan palm has an erect or creeping trunk that is usuall y no more than three feet long. Dark leaf base fibers cover the short trunk, from which radiates a mass of long, sharp, bl ack spines. The palmate leaf, which is deeply divided, is dark green and shiny above, and silvery­ gray below. The palm's rarity may be due to the fact that the plant hides its ripe fruit amid the spines, a habit that often causes the fruit to decay before it is dispersed. R. hystrix should be better known in the nursery trade. It makes an excellent hedge

LEFT: Sabal minor, which is hardy to Zone 8, growing with Gelsemium sempervirens at Brookgreen Gardens near Charl eston, South Carolina. RIGHT: Phoenix canariensis, com­ monly called Canary Island date palm, is an excellent choice for a large pot pl ant in northern areas.

American Horticulturist 29 HARDY PALMS

out almost as far. It tends to grow slowly palmate leaf varies from green to almost at first, but once a trunk forms, its rate of blue. Typically, this palm is clump-form­ development increases greatly. Its short ing and bushy, and grows as high as 20 petioles are spiny, and the leaves, which feet. The sword-shaped segments, deeply sport several hundred pairs of light green cut and firm, are held on long, spiny pet­ leaflets, can be as long as 20 feet. F€w ioles. The leaf bases persist on the trunk. specimens grown in this country will achieve The only drawback of C. humilis is its slow such dimensions, however. rate of growth, which decreases in pro­ P. canariensis is hardy to at least 20° F, portion to the amount of winter cold it and makes an excellent container plant for must withstand. many years. Female plants produce copi­ A hardy palm with edible fruit is Butia ous one-inch orange fruits in large clusters. capitata, the pindo palm. This pinnate­ (The taste of these fruits leaves something leaved native of sOl!lthern Brazil and neigh­ to be desired.) This species performs best boring countries can withstand tempera­ in moist, rich soils, and can be effectively tures as low as 15° F. It is grown through­ used as a lawn specimen. Olit California and as far north as the Date palms germinate quickly and easily Carolinas. The stout, slow-growing trunk from fresh seed. The plants can also be attains a height of 10 to 20 feet and is propagated from suckers that appear on attractively patterned with old leaf stubs. the lower trunk. Because there are so many The strongly arching, gray-green leaves are hybrids, it is best to consult a reliable nurs­ several feet long. The yellow-to-red fruit ery before selecting a specimen for your has a flavor like that of pineapple and For greener, healthier, more particular area. banana rolled into one. vigorous houseplants, Oxygen Plus Trachycarpus fortunei, the Chinese The record lows of the 1981-82 winter is the best-performing plant food you windmill palm, is one of a genus of about provided a sharp test of some of the palms can buy. University tests prove it. fom species that are native to China, Japan described above. For instance, specimens Mixed with water, Oxygen Plus and the Himalayas. In their natural hab­ of Trachycarpus fortunei in Augusta, releases critically-needed oxygen at itat, these species have been known to sur­ Georgia, were damaged and lost all their the root level to protect against the vive a winter snow cover at times. T. for­ leaves, but recovered the following spring. tunei is the most widely planted, and the In protected sites in Tennessee, some suc­ #1 causes of houseplant tailure­ hardiest of them all. In fact, it may well cumbed entirely, while others revived with compacted soil and overwatering. be the hardiest palm available in cultiva­ warmer weather. Our native needle palm Oxygen Plus delivers essential nutri­ tion. Its single; slender trunk rises to about suffered leaf damage in Georgia, but perked ents everytime you water-even if 30 feet (much less in cultivation) and is up in winter's aftermath. you overwater. covered for many years with a distinctive Gardeners in marginal areas can gww Oxygen Plus. There's simply mat of dark brown leaf base fibers. The their palms in containers and treat them nothing better for your plants. Let toothed petiole is about two feet long and as indoor-outdoor plants. (Grow them in us prove it. is also clothed at the base with these hairs. any good potting soil amended by one third The palmate leaf, which grows to three with coarse sand.) When winter threatens feet in diameter, is fan-shaped. The leaf in earnest, the plants can be moved to a segments, which are cut almost to the base, frost-free location. Keep in mind, however, are dark green above and glaucous-green that a container plant is considerably more below. The half-inch-Iong, three-lobed fruit susceptible to cold damage than the same Buy one 8 oz. bottle for the regular price is blue when ripe. plant planted directly in the ground. of $2.99 and we'll send the second The Chinese windmill palm is found in When using palms in the open land­ bottle FREE! gardens as far north as Oregon and North scape, you should also keep microclimates Send order with a check or money order Carolina. It will reliably withstand tem­ in mind. Avoid low-lying places that might to Plant Research Laboratories, 23666 peratures as low as 10° F and probably become pockets for cold-air drainage. A Birtcher Drive, Ste. B, EI Toro, California even lower. It is a fast-growing palm and planting site near a south-facing wall can 92630. For additional orders, please call responds well to irrigation and fertiliza­ provide a life-saving margin of a few de­ 1 (800) 221-2589 (OUTSIDE CALIF.) , grees. A good example of microclimatic (714) 581-PLUS (INSIDE CALlF.), or tion. Occasionally, it is found in nurseries instruct us on your personal stationery. under the name Chamaerops excelsa or variation is found on the campus of the C. fortunei. University of Florida in Gainesville, where Name ______The true genus Chamaerops is com­ a courtyard that is walled in on three sides posed of but a single species, C. humilis, by three-story buildings provides protec­ Address ______the European fan palm. Europe's only na­ tion for such displaced exotics as queen tive palm, it is not only hardy (it has sur­ palm (Arecastrum romanzoffianum), Sen­ City ____ State __ Zip __ vived 6° F), but also highly variable in form. egal date palm (Phoenix reclinata) and even © 1987. Plant Research Laboratories Single-trunked and multiple-trunked spec­ avocados-all plants that are normally re­ AH ------imens are available, and the color of the stricted to central or south Florida. 30 April 1987 If B!Jgs Could Read, The LabelS On Most Pesticides Would Scare Them 1b Death. There's a reason chemical pesticides carry such terrifying warnings. Synthetic chemicals such as diazinon, malathion, and carbaryl can cause skin rashes. Respiratory problems. Vision loss. Even nerve dam~e. Good reasons to consider switching to Attack Natural Pest Controls. These remarkable products are made from natural ingredients such as pyrethrum, bacteria, and insecticidal soaps. All of which are extremely deadly to insects. But harmless to cats, dogs, and - most importantly- people. That's why Attack labels carry only common-sense precautions. Attack is so safe, you can use it to protect your vegetables right up to the minute you harvest. Something you dare not try with most chemical pesticides. So look for Attack Because the only thing that should be scared of an insecticide is an insect. Attacl{ Natural Pest Controls That Work® For free literature, please call 1-800-368-2244. Or write Reuter Laboratories, 8450 Natural Way, Manassas Park, Virginia 22lll. HARDY PALMS

Although a cold-damaged palm is not a pretty sight, it should be left alone until warm weather returns. Even burned and blackened leaves can help to insul ate the irrepl aceable " palm heart" and protect it fr om further harm. When emerging leaves appear in spring, injured foli age can be removed. A regul ar fertilizati on program throughola t the subsequent growth peri od will aid the plant's rapid recovery. Palms are generall y easy to grow out­ doors. As a rule, all mature pl ants require full sun to thrive. Yo ung pl ants, however, 'i-HE"" ~.+.~~'" benefit from light shade. One solution to PLANTING COUNCI[ this problem is to maintain your palm as a contain er pl ant for the first few yea rs, Without Wilt-Pm! then transpl ant it to a sunny locati on. When plants lose too much Notable palm pests inch!l de various scales, moisture during a move, the the palm aphid and the palm -leaf skele­ result can be wilting, shock­ even. Gleath. toni ze r. Contact insecti cides have proven Wilt-Pruf®helps prevent effective in combatting these pests. Infes­ transplant shock by providing a tati ons can also be controll ed by removing protective coating that holds in old, unsightly leaves. M agnes ium defi­ essential moisture. Wilt -Pruf also protects ciency can be a probl em, parti cularly in against drought, windburn, air sa ndy, alkaline soil s. Severe cases cause a pollution, salt spray damage and Guards against . condition called " fri zzle-top," which causes winter kill. Another plus, It'S rrwisture loss year 'round. new leaves to a ppear stunted and de­ P O. B ox 4280, Greenwich, CT 06830-0280. formed. Soil applica ti on of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) is an effecti ve remedy. NOW ... BY MAIL! In recent yea rs, lethal yell owing disease of palms has caused in creasing concern, Unusual, Hard­ particularl y in south Florida, where old To-Find Flower pl antings of coconut palm s have literall y Arranging been decim ated. The disease- still poorl y Supplies: understood-is caused by a mycopl asma, an orga nism related to bacteri a, and is car­ Tool, Techniques, ri ed by a species of leafh opper. In the ea rl y Tricks of the Trade stages of infecti on, the fo liage of the pl ant SPECIAL OFFER­ ye ll ows. Eventuall y, the plant dies. Un­ MAKES A GREAT fortunately, th e onl y remedy for an in­ GIFT: Revive Your Houseplants! fected palm is swift removal from the land­ scape. The disease has recently spread to The basic nutrients used in plantfoods The southern Texas, although cooler weather haven't changed in decades . Try may inhibit its northerl y progress. Among Original something new! Venture into the high­ the hardy palm s susceptible to this disease tech world of growing house plants with Stem Vita.Grow liquid Plantfood. Bathe your are Phoenix canariensis, P. dactylifera and plants in liquid sun shine and see new Trachycarpus fortunei. Stripper growth in just 2 to 3 weeks. Before selecting or planting hardy palms, A unique tool for removing be sure to talk with your local Extension thorns and leaves from Vita·Gro Liquid Plantfood promotes Agent. A wrong choice of species, site or stems. stronger, healthier arl d more beautiful treatment could easil y result in needless 95 including hO l!Jse plants all year long with one expense and disappointment. onI y $9ea postage [, application every other month . Try it! handling As bold and distinctive accent plants, Your plants will grow to love it . Money­ hardy palms can greatl y enrich the land­ New Catalog .. . back guarantee. $1.00 Refundable with scap e. M o re impo rtantly, these exotic FIRST ORDER Easy directions: Just shake and apply tropical plants can be a refreshing and wel­ The Keth Company 8 oz . bottle $3.50 (includes shipping) come sight on a chilly winter's day. 0 P.O. Box 645 Swallowtail Corporation Alan Meerow recently co mpleted hi s Ph .D. in Corona del Mar, 1705 14th St ., Suite 331 horticultural taxonomy at the University of California 92625 Boulder, Colorado 80302 Fl orida in Gainesv ille.

32 April 1987 ':4. great advance to the information needed by American gardeners:' Sources - Joan Lee Faust, New York Times Compact, carefully organized, and pro­ fusely illustrated, TAYLOR'S GUIDES TO GARDENING are designed to be the most BOWMAN'S HILL STATE WILDFLOWER comprehensive guides to practical gar­ PRESERVE dening ever published. This spring, four new volumes join the ranks: House­ Information on Bowman's Hill State Wild­ plants, Vegetables & Herbs, Shrubs, flower Preserve may be obtained by writ­ and Ground Covers, Vines & Grasses. ing or calling Washington Crossing His­ Already available are the popular toric Park, Washington Crossin g, PA Bulbs, Perennials, Annuals, and Roses. 18977, (215) 862-2924. The preserve is Each guide features: ~ more than 400 color photographs plus hundreds of line open daily from 8:00 a. m. to sunset. The drawings ~ special color keys and plant Preserve Building is open Monday through charts ~ timetables and climate zone Saturday, 9:00 a. m. to 5:00 p.m., and on maps ~ "How to grow" tips from lead­ Sundays from noon until 5 :00 p.m. There ing experts in the field ~ flexible, dirt­ is no charge for admission. Guided tours resistant covers and sturdy, lie-flat cloth are available for groups by pre-arrange­ bindings for hands-free use. Look for all eight volumes at your ment. Write or call the Preserve for details. favorite bookstore or garden center. Pick The Preserve is located on River Road, up your favorites and start gardening with PA Route 32, two miles south of New the experts-AHS Member Price - $13.45 Hope, Pennsylvania. From Philadelphia, To order, please add $L75 per book for follow Interstate 95 north, 29 miles from postage and handling and mail 10: Robin Williams, American Horticultural Society, the Center City area. Get off at the la st Box 0105, Mount Vernon, VA 22 121. exit in Pennsylvania (Morri svi ll e, Yardley, ~- Houghton Mifflin Company Washington Crossing). Turn left on Leg­ ~ islative Route 09151. Drive five miles through the village of Taylorsville to th e intersection with PA Route 32. After 2.3 miles on Route 32, turn left into Bowman's FIRST &ONLY Hill State Wildflower Preserve. (Ignore the Greenhouse/Screenhouse Its ~rmaft for entrance to Bowman's Hill Tower I/Z mile Year-Round Combination! before Wildflower Preserve.) the Very Finest in UNIa,,~~RG~-P6R(\i· Miniature Roses HARDY PALMS Gardeners interes ted in the cultivation of 5U"- INSULATED We carry the best palms will want to join the Palm Society, WINTER SUN SPACE CONVERTS selection, featur­ which publishes a journal devoted to the TO A SUMMER SCREEN ROOM! study of these fascinating plants. Annual ing the very best dues are $15.00. For information on mem­ of the older and berships, write The Palm Society, Box 368, the very newest Lawrence, KS 66044. Hardy Palms are available from the fol­ varieties. lowing mail-order nurseries. Seed: The Banana Tree, Dept. AH, 715 North­ ------ampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Send 50¢ i--D---~-~nd My Free Color or stamps for catalogue. International Seed Supplies, Dept. AH, P.O. : Catalog Today! Box 538, Nowra. 2541, N.S.W. Aus­ tralia. Catalogue free. Name Plants: [J Bron ze aluminum 0 Shatter-resistant glazing ONo foundations required 0 Easy do-it·yourself Address Louisiana Nursery, Dept. AH, Route 7, assembly 0 Ideal spa/hot tub room . City Box 43, Opelousas, LA 70570. Cata­ Send $2 for Color Catalogues, Prices, logue $3.50. Zip SENT FIRST CLASS MAIL. , State Endangered Species, Dept. AH, P.O. Box Dealer Inquiries Welcome , 1830, Tustin, CA 92681. Catalogue VEGETABLE FA CTORY, INC. 1 for~t Miniature Roses, Inc. PO. Box 2235, Dept AH-87 : 58 Hammond Street, Dept. AH subscription $5.00. New York, NY 10163 : ______Rowley , Massachusetts 01969 --I

American Horticulturist 33 SOURCES

GROWING TIJBEROUS BEGONIAS Thompson and Morgan, Dept. AH, P.O. from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 2:00 Tuberous begonias-both seeds and tub­ Box 1308-AM, Jackson, NJ 08527, cat­ p.m. to 6:00 p.m., from April 1 through alogue $2.00. ers-are available from the following mail­ October 31. The gardens are open all day K. Van Bourgondien & Sons, Inc., Dept. from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Both the order companies. AH, P.O. Box A, 245 Farmingdale Road, Antonellii Brothers, Dept. AH, 2545 Cap­ gardens and the museum are closed Mon­ Rt. 109, Babylon, NY 11702, catalogue itola Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, cat­ days. The address of the Musee Claude free. Monet is Claude Monet Museum, Giv­ alogue free. W. Atlee Burpee Co., Dept. AH, War­ erny, 27620 GASNY, France, (telephone: minster, PA 18974, catalogue free. 16.32.51.28.21). For a photocopy of a GIVERNY Kartuz Greenhouses, Inc., Dept. AH, 1408 brochure on Giverny, which includes a map, Sunset Drive, Vista, CA 92083, cata­ Ideally, before visiting Giverny, you should send $1.00 to Assistant-to-the-Editor, logue $1.00. go to the Orangerie in the Tuileries in Paris American Horticultural Society. Logee's Greenhouses, Dept. AH, 55 North to see the mural-size Les Nympheas. Then Street, Danielson, CT 06239, catalogue you can visit the Jeu de Paume at the op­ $3.00. posite corner of the Tuileries to see more THE BASELIA FAMILY Park Seed Company, Dept. AH, P.O. Box paintings by Monet. (These are scheduled Seed for Basella alba, commonly called 31, Greenwood, SC 29647, catalogue to be moved to the new Musee d'Orsay, Malabar spinach, can be purchased from free. so check first.) Also, two miles up the Seine, the following mail order companies. The Plant Kingdom, Dept AH, Box 7273, at 2 rue Louis Boilly, is the Musee Mar­ Park Seed Company, Dept. AH, P.O. Box Lin.coln Acres, CA 92047, catalogue mottan. This museum contains Monet's 31, Greenwood, SC 29647, catalogue $1.00. private art collection, bequeathed to the free. John Scheepers, Inc., 6 Wall Street, New government by Monet's son Michel. The Seeds Blum, Dept. AH, Idaho City Stage, York, NY 10005, catalogue free. paintings provide a glimpse of the unique Boise, ID 83707, catalogue $2.00. Stokes Seeds Inc., Dept. AH, 1407 Stokes sensibility of the artist, and will enrich your Thompson & Morgon, Dept. AH, P.O. Building, Buffalo, NY 14240, catalogue visit to Giverny. Box 1308, Jackson, NJ 08527, cata­ free. The Museum at Giverny is open daily logue $2.00.6

-AHS Binders- How does your gar­ den grow? Ameri­ can Horticulturist is not only filled with beautiful pictures, but also with help­ Felco's Two Handed Shear easily ful gardening infor­ cuts branches up to 1112 " in diameter. mation. The Shear is 15" long yet weighs only Now you can 27 ounces. We also offer many other keep your issues of Felco Pruners, all of which have American Horticul­ unsurpassed quality of Swiss-precision turist all in one workmanship. place for quick, For information on these and handy reference. our other Premium Gardening These attractive binders will hold 18 issues. Products call or write for our free That's three years' worth of gardening know­ how. color catalog. Satisfaction guaranteed. Our magazine title is attractively embossed in gold on a rich, leatherlike green spine. Eas­ ily applied gold numbers are included to help you add dates and volume numbers. Three or more binders for $6.50 each or GAR D N R $7.50 for one binder postpaid. Send your check to Binders, The American Horticultural Society, Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121. 3123 Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery. 713· 466· P.O. Box 40526 Dept. B1 Houston, TX 77240

34 April 1987 mE DESIGN PAGE Garden Mustratians

f asked to choose your three favorite herbaceous perennials, which would } they be? The choice would undoubt­ edly be difficult. Some perennials might be considered favorites for their rarity or spectacular bloom, such as 'Blackmore and Langdon' delphiniums and Phlox pani­ culata 'Dodo Hanbury Forbes', which bea rs mammoth flower heads. Or your choices might include such sterling plants as Bap­ tisia australis, peonies, and Dictamnus al­ bus, with their reliable blooms, long-l ast­ ing foliage, and low maintenance requirements. I asked myself the same question, and not one of my choices was rare, particu­ larly beautiful, or the kind of horticultural challenge that assures a feeling of great accomplishment when the plant survives. Instead, my favorite perennials are com­ mon, reliable, and among the most useful and easily grown for a wide range of gar­ den settings. I first became aware of the potential of Stachys byzantina (formerly S. lanata), commonly called lamb's-ears, in the gar­ den of the late Countess Munster. Her bor­ ders at Bampton Manor in Gloustershire were considered by the English gardening cognoscenti to be among the best in Eng­ land. As with any truly creative gardener, Countess Munster was aware that the value of a plant is not solely in its flower and foliage but also in how and where it is used. Her borders, which were placed in line with the steeple of the local church so that it could be seen through them, were begun with large clumps of Stachys by­ zantina on either side. When viewed from the house, the silver-gray stalks were a Stachys byzantina makes an effective companion for hostas, white lupine and iris in the White wonderfully understated repetition of the Garden at Sissinghurst. church's steeple. By this simple device, she incorporated the church and the surround­ touted Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet' (a the bloom stalks of Stachys are coming on, ing tree line into her garden, in a kind of non-flowering form ) as it is the vertical they are fuzzy, white, and fresh. Once they English adaptation of the Japanese tech­ flower stalks that are important in the have bloomed, they remain in peak con­ nique of " borrowed scenery." composition. dition for about three weeks. Stachys byzantina is also used with flair Despite the plant's usefulness, it has be­ In my opinion, most gardeners expect in the White Garden at Sissinghurst, in come stylish to dislike the flower stalks of too much of this plant. They leave the bloom combination with a light green hosta, white Stachys byzantina. True, they will never stalks till they get dried and faded, then lupine, Iris sibirica, and the gray-leaved have the translucent delicacy of Campan­ wonder why they have grown tired of them. foliage of various artemisias and white ula persicifolia 'Telham Beauty', but that I have found that if the flower stalks are lilies. It is not so much the highly- is like comparing apples and oranges. When cut off just a bit past their peak, they don't

American Horticulturist 35 Do You Save THE DESIGN PAGE get a chance to get dull, and the silvery can be planted in continuous lines as an Garden leaves seem to hold up better and remain edging for rose gardens, herbaceous bor­ a strong feature for the rest of the growing ders, and terraces, and as an underplanting Magazines? season. for shrub and climbing roses. It blooms Those gardeners who still may not be with many roses and is a reliable comple­ sold on Stachys should know that no less ment to a wide range of rose colors, from an expert than Gertrude Jekyll also found deep scarlet to pink and salmon. Only with it valuable in her gardening endeavors. In white roses is Nepeta not effective. It is Colour Schemes for the Flower Garden, also pleasing with Iris in just about any color (except for those lurid purple-pinks) and Geranium endressii 'Wargrave's Pink'. Another plant useful for And Nepeta is just the thing for softening the hard edge of steps or the top of a wall, softening edges is where it can billow over. Another plant useful for softening edges Alchemilla vulgaris, or is Alchemilla vulgaris, or lady's-mantle. In lady's-mantle. England, it is a rare garden that doesn't have its share, or more, of this plant. In the British Isles, where the weather tends she advocates the use of this plant as an to be a bit moister than in most of the informal edging in some of her beds, and United States, it self-seeds in cracks in ter­ describes it as "one of the most useful of races, in between stones in walls, and just plants for grey effects." In her purple bor­ about anywhere it can get a foothold, in der, she mixed Stachys with lavender, full sun or partial shade. If allowed to have Gypsophila, and edging patches of catmint its way, A. vulgaris not only softens edges (Nepeta mussinii), "a plant that can hardly of a terrace but can envelop an entire path be overpraised." or terrace. Still, it is not so much invasive Turn your back issues into Jekyll's description of Nepeta in her bor­ as it is enthusiastic. Unlike goutweed (Ae­ a valuable resource with the der and its maintenance is concise and gopodium podagraria) and other such evocative, and should entice any curious menaces, its roots will not infiltrate an area, Gardener's Index gardener to try it. Like Stachys, this plant, and if the faded flower heads are removed, by itself, will never rival a delphinium, and it cannot self-sow. for 1986 will be left in the dust by even the most In my New England garden, the soil is modest shrub rose. But Nepeta is emi­ usually reasonably moist, so A. vulgaris lllis book of over 10,000 entries nently useful and, for that reason, is right thrives in full sun. In the Midwest, where extensively indexes 1986 issues up there on my list of favorite plants. soil bakes solid about midsummer, some of the top five American Nepta mussinii grows from 15 to 18 gardeners I know grow it in partially shady gardening magazines, including inches high and bears neat, small-leaved areas and enrich the soil with humus and American Horticulturist. foliage. In late spring and early summer, locally available manure. It includes an annotated subject a sprawling mass of flower spikes in vary­ Like Stachys and Nepeta, Alchemilla is guide and a detailed index for ing shades of blue appears. While many an excellent linking plant. Surprisingly, its identifying information on plants, catalogues still state that Nepeta will bloom chartreuse flowers combine well with named varieties, diseases, insects all summer, such statements are optimistic everything from Delphinium to evergreen and new gardening ideas. or unrealistic. The most successful ap­ shrubs. When its rather brief bloom has Written and compiled by a proach to prolonging the blooms seems to passed, its flower stalks tend to flop all professional researcher and avid be a thorough shearing of at least half of over the place, particularly after a heavy gardener, this index will save you the flower stalk. This method encourages rain. Then, sometime in midsummer, it can time when searching for articles a second, though less spectacular, bloom. be grabbed by the handful and cut right of interest. Like Stachys, Nepeta prefers a well-drained back to the new leaves that form at the soil that is a bit on the dry side, though it crown. These round, gray-green leaves are The Gardener's Index for 1986 will also thrive in the average border. folded like miniature fans and, when open, is available at the special AHS Selected forms and hybrids include N . have a velvety surface where dew and light member price of $9.00 ($10.00 mussinii 'Blue Wonder', which has a more rain settle in pearl-like drops. Even when Nonmember). To order send compact and uniform growth, and grows A. vulgaris is not in bloom, its foliage makes $9.00 plus $2.00 for postage and 12 to 15 inches high; N. x faassenii, a it worth having around all season. 0 handling to: sterile hybrid that does not self-sow and -Margaret Hensel Robin Williams is often confused with and sold for N. mus­ American Horticultural Society sinii; and N. mussinii 'Six Hills Giant'. P.O. Box 0105 Margaret Hensel, a landscape designer and Mount Vernon, VA 22121 Certainly the most popular use of Ne­ consultant, lives in the Berkshires in western peta in all its forms is as an edging. Nepeta Massachusetts.

36 April 1987 I ~~~~ I The American Horticultural Society Carabilit~ Brown s EnglanD & Tbe cbelsea Flower SGow May 18-June 1, 1987 Th e name Capabi lity Brown is sy nonym ous with the magnifi cent open parks and woodlands of England. His influence is also felt in so me of the great houses and surrounding gardens which he was responsible for architecturall y and aestheticall y. Our two w.eeks which wi ll include Press Day at the Chelsea Flower Show, wi ll include visits to some of these 'Treasure Houses, with private tours conducted by the owners or head gardeners, as well as tours of so me small er and more private estates, little kn own to the general public. COST (exclusive of air) $3595.00

Lost anD FounD: Formal GarDens of EnglanD June 17-July 2, 1987 Come to the mysteri ous wo rld of England's 'Lost and Pound Formal Gardens; ranging from the grandeur of Powis Castle in Wales, to the sundap pled mystery of Melbourne. We'll see the strange emblemati c top iary garden at Packwood House in Warwickshire, and the coziest Tudor & Stuart manor houses. A special tour with Graham Stuart Thomas of his world famous old rose co ll ecti on at Mottisfont Abbey is scheduled. Although most of the ~IDlrri~=~lnrl'!f~~~N magical gardens of Renaissance and 17th -century England were swept away by the improving hand of Capability Brown, Humphrey Repton, and other great exponents of the English 18th-century landscape school, enough traces remained to inspire a revolution in 19th-century England. Under the influence of Sir Walter Scott, many an old garden was rev ived and revised. Through such gardens, we'll be able to trace the little known history of England 's fantastic formal gardens. COST (exclus ive of air) $3750.00

GarDenS of the Riviera anD BurgunD~ September 19-0ctober 4, 1987 This deli ghtful fall trip to France wi ll enchant all lovers of roses as well as those of yo u who thrill at th e thought of the Rivi era and of Burgund y. Under the guidance of Ri chard Hutton, our leader and Pres ident of Conard-Pyle/Star Roses, we will tour some of France's most important gardens and nurseri es. Among our hosts wi ll be Selection Meilland, one of the world 's foremost rose breeders as well as many private individuals who will open their gardens to us. We wi ll spend one week in the south of France touring the Rivi era from Monaco to Nice and An tibes. We'll spend our second week aboard the luxurious hotel barge 'Janine' fl oating t!lrough Burgundy's rich and varied countryside so busy at this harvest time of yea r. COST (exclusive of air) $3875.00

Ken~a ana East Africa October 14-31, 1987 Our trip to Kenya should delight and surprise those who are interested not only in horticulture but also in the wildlife, ecology and geography of East Africa. These two weeks offer an exciting and adventurous opportunity, unusual in scope, content and variety. We will visit a wide range of habitats and vegetation zones where both fl ora and fauna thrive. After a brief stay in Nairobi, we are off on our horticultural safari, journ eying north to the Aberdare National Park, a lush verdant region typical of an equatorial forest ecosys­ tem. We will cross the Equator en route to Samburu Game Reserve, a semi-arid landscape, and continue on to the multi-vegetati onal zo nes of Mt. Kenya and our visit to the luxurious Mt. Kenya Safari Club. An exciting adventure follows with three full days of game viewing in the Masai Mara, Kenya's fin est game reserve before concluding our safari in Lake Naivasha touring private estates and gardens. COST (exclusive of air) $3975.00

TheseFor furth tripesr areinformation sponsored please by th econtact Amer:ican Horticultural SOciett; =. ji!ii~iiPASSAGES ~fu!!!~~;F.~ PASSAGES UNLIMITED 10 Lakes ide Office Park, Wakefield, M assachusetts 01880 UNLIMITED, INC. 617-246-3575 EAIIS Travel Book Reviews Program The National Trust: A Book of ~ Gardening. TilE NATJONA L TRUST Emerald Gardens of Ireland (June 4-18). The Emerald Isle is not as well known for her Penelope Hobhouse. Little, Brown and Company. gardens as her English neighbor, but Irish Boston, Massachusetts 1986 256 pages; hardcover GARDENING gardens have a wild and wonderful glory all 529.95. AHS member price, 52695. their own. Come take a romantic journey to some of the lost relicts of the Irish landscape Great Britain's National Trust manages as well as to the flourishing estates of today. some of the world's most beautiful gar­ You will discover the surprising variety and dens. Sissinglmrst, Stourhead, Wakehurst richness of these gardens, and the changing Place, and Hidcote Manor are perhaps some mood and character of the landscape as well. of the best-known of the Trust properties, We begin our tour in the Southwest, with its but all of the Trust gardens have been looked dramatic views of the sea and mountains, and to for inspiration by gardeners the world continue to Dublin and County Wicklow, over. Many books have described these ''The Garden of Ireland. " Leader: Patrick Bowe, garden designer and expert on 19th­ gardens, but Penelope Hobhouse (author and 20th-century gardens. of Color in Your Garden and the individ­ ual responsible for the upkeep of the Na­ Lost and Found: Formal Gardens QfEng­ tional Trust garden at Tintinhull House in land (June 17 -July 2). Discover some of Somerset, England) has taken a different England's most fantastic formal gardens, in­ approach. This is a book about how the dening, A Book of Gardening would be cluding the grand Powis Castle, the leafY Mel­ principles of gardening are applied in the an excellent text to read before or after bourne Hall and the flowery enclosures of National Trust gardens. visiting Trust properties. It would certainly cozy Tudor manor houses. We will also tour In addition to drawing from her own give visitors an appreciation for the work Packwood House and view its magnificent to­ experience, Hobhouse has interviewed head that goes into these beautiful gardens. piary yew, as well as Sutton Hoo and its lav­ ish contemporary emblematic garden. Leader: gardeners at a variety of Trust gardens, Mac Griswold, garden writer and historian. and presented their knowledge and ex­ Acetaria: A Discourse of Sallets. perience in a text that is intended to help john Evelyn Still Point Press. Dallas, Texas. 1985. In Search of Gertrude Jekyll II (July 7-22). bridge the gap between the theory of gar­ 149 pages; hardcover 5200.00. AHS member price, Our search for the gardens of Gertrude Jekyll den design and its practice. The book in­ $/80.00. will take us to the English countryside to visit cludes detailed drawings of borders, plant the many homes and gardens that speak to lists, and maintenance programs, as well This unique book will appeal to biblio­ the genius of this outstanding gardener and as tips and comments from many hl3ad philes and garden history buffs. Acetaria, her remarkable partnership with Sir Edwin gardeners about the gardens themselves. initially published in 1699, is the first book Lutyens. Throughout our tour we will meet The book is divided into chapters on a written in English on the subject of salads. with English authors, landscape architects and horticulturists who will share willi us variety of specific topics. " The Garden This new edition is a fine quality, limited­ their knowledge and affection for the work of Framework," for example, includes sec­ edition printing of 300 copies. (The books Gertrude Jekyll. Leader: Mac Griswold, gar­ tions on "Structural Planting," which deals were printed by letterpress on French mold­ den writer and historian. with hedges, avenues, pleaching, arbors, made paper. The 6V2- by 9 1/2-inch books and tree tunnels; "Planting in Patterns," are hand bound with quarter-morocco discusses topiary, knots and mazes, and leather and tips, a leather spine label, and YES! Please send me more informa­ parterres. The chapter entitled "Garden sides decorated with a pattern based on an tion on the tours I have checked Fearnres" covers borders, rose gardens, herb 18th-century. German gilt paper.) below. gardens, and water. There are also chap­ Author John Evelyn is perhaps best o Emerald Gardens of Ireland ters on garden walls and informal planting. known for the diaries that he kept all of o Fonnal Gardens of England The final chapter, "Practical Mainte­ his adult life, which have been an inval­ o In Search of Gertrude Jekyll nance," includes sections on lawn care, uable aid to historians studying daily life machinery and equipment, soil steriliza­ in the 1600's. Evelyn, who was an early Name: ______tion, winter protection, and compost. environmentalist as well as an avid gar­ The National Trust's A Book of Gar­ dener, published several books, including Address: ______dening is beautifully illustrated with color a discourse on forest trees and a gardener'S photographs. An index and maps locating calenmar. Acetaria: A Discourse of Sallets City: __ State: ___ Zip: _____ the gardens are also included. represents 40 years of collecting infor­ MAIL TO: Elizabeth Smith, American Horticultural In addition to being a valuable bridge mation on growing and harvesting salad Society, PO Box 0105, Mount Vernon, VA 22121. between the theory and practice of gar- plants. The majority of the text is devoted

38 Aprii1987 AZALfAS AND RHODODENDRONS 'THINK BIG ' IF YOU LIVE FAR OR NEAR to discussions of the use and characteri stics FOR THE SIZES WE SHIP HAVE NO PEER - of over 70 salad plants. General gardening SO PROFESSIONALLY PACKED information and an appendix containing THAT THEY REACH YOU INTACT, various recipes are also included. This book AS FRESH LOOKING AS WHEN THEY LEFT HERE! presents a fascinating look at the ga rden­ Extensive selection! Personal service! ing and culinary trends of tim es past. "~R.~40Ns "For Gardeners & Designers Who Care . VI .. Need Advice? Call (914) 763-5958. The Scented Room. 2-year Catalog Subscription Barbara Milo Ohrbach. Clarkson N Pottel; In c. $2.00 (deductible with order) New York, New York 1986 132 pages; hardcovl!7; G4RDE~ Box 305-AH 117.95. AHS member price, 113.45. ------OF VERSES South Salem, NY 10590 Potpourris, herb wreaths, dried flowers, and pomanders have experienced renewed The New Dayilly popularity in recent years, and the growing interest has been reflected in an ever-grow­ '-The Ultimate Perennial" ing number of publications and busi nesses devoted to herbal products. The Scented ElZefwlZtilZg gaufwi bEgilZ with thE ~w 7:JOJj[i[j}­ Room contains information on making and .JVWJ {!o[ou- .J\fWJ 'JOWZi-.JVEW 'J[OWE~! using a wide variety of herbal products. In {!OlnE- !BE EI"U'.h.an.tJ! addition to providing recipes for pot­ 25 <:JJa.<:y. f):)£.1C~iptilTE Catafo in. Co[o~ $3.00 pourris, sachets, scented pillows, poman­ 9 ders, lavender bottles, and a variety of other Greenwood Nursery scents, the author has included chapters fD,!>t . c/f, (P. r!J. 'Box 1670 on growing and gathering flowers, wreath­ g olda, (b!f 93116 (805 ) 964-2420 making, and making dried flower arrange­ ments. Perhaps the most important feature of this book is the lovely photographs, Horticultural which serve as an excellent indication of Catalogue how these projects can be presented. $2.00 The author is owner of a home-furnish­ .. of/]u ing store in New York City, and has been ~"LES creating herbal products for 10 years. n-.'l (301) 363-1371 e-~ Orchids from Curtis's Botanical -"V THINK SPRING IN SPRING J' Magazine. WHEN YOUR NEEDS ARE SHOWING! Samuel Sprunger, Editor. Cambridge University ORDER BEFORE JULY 8th FOR Press. New York, New York 1986 525 pages; hardcover, $/50.00. AHS member price, SIll. 75. BETTER BULBS. BETTER CHOICES. BETTER PRICES

Since its first publication in 1787, Curtis's wide variety of Springflowering Bulbs - Fall Planting Botanical Magazine has been known for 112 Green Spring Valley Road. Owings Mills, Maryland 21117 its lavish, hand-colored illustrations of plants. The magazine has long been known for the quality and the accuracy of its plant portraits. From 1787 until 1948, illustra­ Book Order Form tions of nearly 1,200 species of orchids Please send me ~he following books at the special AHS member prices. appeared in Curtis's, and all of these- National Trust Book of I would like to order __ books. 1,176 to be exact-appear in this lavish D Gardening ...... $26.95 Enclosed is my check for $, _____ book. The illustrations take up the vast LlTTL 05220 majority of space, but updated nomencla­ D Acetaria: A Discourse of Ship to: ______tural information is also included. (The Sallets ...... $180.00 text that originally accompanied the illus­ STILL 05230 D The Scented Room ...... $13.45 Street: ______trations when they were first published has CROWN 05240 not been included.) This is primarily a book D Orchids ...... $117.75 City: ______for orchid fanciers and for individuals in­ CAMBR 05250 terested in botanical illustration. n Please add $1.75 per book for postage State: Zip: _____ -Barbara W. Ellis and handling. Virginia residents, also add 4.5% sales tax. Please allow six Mail to: Robin Williams, AHS, P.O. Barbara W. Ellis is Publications Director for weeks for delivery. Box 0105, Mount Vernon, VA 22121. the American Horticultural Society.

American Horticulturist 39 Pronunciation Guide

Aegopodium podagraria Begonia boliviensis Clintonia umbellulata ee-go-POE-dee-um poe-dah-GRARE-ee-ah be-GO AN-yah bow-lih-vee-EN-sis klin-TOE-nee-ah um-bell-you-LA Y-tah Alchemil/a vulgaris B. clarkei b. CLARK-eye Collinsia verna kol-LIN-see-ah VER-nah al-keh-MILL-ah vul-GAIR-iss B. vrispa marginata Cypripedium calceolus Andredera basel/oides b. CRIS-pah mar-jin-A Y-tah sip-rih-PEE-dee-um kal-see-OH-lus an-DRA Y-der-ah bass-el-oh-EYE-deez B. davisii b. dah-VIS-ee-eye Delphinium tricorne A. cordifolia B. x lIoydii pendula del-FIN-ee-um try-CORE-nee a. core-dih-FOE-lee-ah b. LOY-dee-eye PEN-dew-lah Dictamnus albus dick-TAM-nus AL-bus Aplectrum hyemale B. rosiflora b. rose-ih-FLOR-ah Dodecatheon meadia ah-PLECK-trum hy-eh-MAL-ee B. x tuberhybrida b. too-ber-HI-brid-ah doe-dee-KATH-ee-on me-dee-ah Aquilegia canadensis Boussingaultia bows-sin-GAUL-tee-ah Epiphyllum ep-ih-FILL-um ak-qui-LEE-jee-ah can-ah-DEN-sis Butia capitata Gaylussacia brachycera Aralia nudicaulis BOO-tee-ah cap-ih-TA Y-tah gay-lew-SACK-ee-ah brack-ih-SER-ah ah-RAIL-yah nu-di-KAUL-iss Caltha palustris KAL-thah pah-LUSS-tris Geranium endressii Arecastrum romanzoffianum Campanula persicifolia jer-A Y-nee-um en-DRESS-ee-eye are-ee-CAST-rum kam-PAN-yew-lah per-sis-ih-FOE-lee-ah Helonias bullata row-man-zoff-ee-A Y-num Cercis canadensis SIR-sis can-ah-DEN-sis hell-OWN-ee-us bull-A Y-tah Asclepias tuberosa Chamaedaphne calyculata Hoya HOY-ah ass-KLEE-pee-us too-bur-OH-sah kam-ee-DAF-nee kal-ee-kul-A Y-tah Hydrastis canadensis Aubrieta aw-BREE-shah Chamaerops excelsa hi-DRASS-tiss can-ah-DEN-sis Baptisia australis KAM-er-ops ex-SELL-sah Hydrophyllum canadense bap-TEE-zee-ah aw-STRAIL-iss C. fortunei c. for-TUNE-ee-eye hi-drow-FILL-um ca n-ah-DEN-see Basella alba bass-EL-ah AL-bah C. humilis c. hue-MILL-us Iris cristata EYE-riss kris-T A Y-tah

A Reminder. to AHS Members: The American Horticultural Society wishes to remind you of the many wonderful benefits of your membership. We hope that If~1 you enjoy as many of them as possible. AHS Membership Benefits ...... Plants Wanted. Staff horticulturists available ...... American Horticulturist magazine. Six jssues of to find sources fOF plants that members seek . our beautiful full-color magazine) published ..... Horticultural Tours. Exciting trips to places of bi-monthly and alternating with: horticultural interest...... American Horticuttwrist newsletter. Six issues ...... Annual Meetings and Symposiums . of our faet-filled newsletter) also published Stimulating educational programs) held each bi-monthly. year. Registration fee discounts for members...... Gardener)s Information Service. Staff ...... Special events at the Society)s River Farm horticulturists available to answer individual headquarters. Entrance fee discounts for gardening questions . members...... Seed Program. Free seeds) many of them If you would like additional information about any unusual) available to members once a year. of these membership benefits) write or call the ..... Book Buyer)s Service. Gardening books at AHS Membership Department) P.O. Box 0105) discount prices. Mt. Vernon) VA 22121, (703) 768-5700.

40 April 1987 I. sibirica i. sy-BEER-ih-kah Liatris spicata lie-AT-riss spee-CAT-ah Lobelia kalmii low-BEEL-ee-ah KALM-ee-eye Lunaria loo-NAIR-ee-ah Lupinus perennis lew-PINE-us per- EN-iss Mertensia virginica mer-TEN-see-ah vir-JIN-ih -kah Nepeta faa ssenii neh-PEE-tah fah-as-S EN-ee-eye N . mussinii n. mus-SIN-ee-eye Panax quinquefolius PAN-ax quin-que-FOE-I ee-us Paxistima canbyi pack-iss-TIE-mah CAN-bee-eye Phlox divaricata FLOCKS di e-vair-ih-KA Y-tah Spring lasts P. paniculata p. pan-ick-yew-LA Y-tah P. stolonifera p. stow-I ow-NIFF-er-ah 365 days Phoenix canariensis FEE-nicks ca n- air-ee-EN-sis P. dactylifera p. dack-til-IF-er-a h with a Turner P. reclinata p. wreck-I ynn-A Y-t ah Phytolacca fi e-toe-LAC K-a h Greenhouse. Polygonatum commutatum Write for FREE CATALOG. poe-lig-oh-NA Y-tum com-mew-T A Y -tum TURNER GREENHOUSES Ranunculus septentrionalis Hwy. 11 7 Bypass rah-NUN-kew-Ius sep-ten-tree-oh- N AL-iss RhapidophyLlum hystrix Goldsboro, NC 27530 rah-pid-oh-F1LL-um HISS-tricks Sabal minor SA Y-bal MY-nor S. palmetto s. palm-ET-oh Sanguinaria canadensis san-gwin-AIR-ee-ah ca n- ah-DEN-sis Sarracenia purpurea sair-ah-SEN-ee-ah pur-pur-EE-ah Serenoa rep ens sair-en-OH-ah REE-penz Sporobolus heterolepsis FI NE GARDEN FURNIT UR E spore-OH-bol-us het-er-oh-LEP-sis Stachys byzantina STACK-iss bi z-an-TEE-nah S. lanata s. lah-NA Y-tah Stylophorum diphyllum sty-Iow-FOR-um di e-FILL-urn Symplocarpus foetidus sim-ploh-CARP-us FET-tid-us Trachycarpus fortunei tray-key-CAR-pus for-TUNE-ee-eye Trientalis borealis try-en-TAL-iss bore-ee-AL-iss Trillium cernuum TRILL-ee-um SIR-num T. f/exipes t. FLEX-ih-pees Trollius laxus TRO-Iee-us LAX-us Ullucus tuberosus ul-LEW-cus tube-er-OH-sus Uvula ria grandiflora yew-view-LAIR-ee-ah grand-ih-FLOR-ah U. perfoliata ~ . per-fol-ee-A Y -tah Classic design meticl!llously built with the best material, solid Honduras U. sessilifolia u. ses-sil-ih-FOE-Iee-ah mahogany protected with high gloss marine paint. Veratrum viride. ver-A Y-trum VEER-ih-de Attractive, durable, outdoor furniture that you will enjoy for a long time. Washingtonia filifera wash-ing-TOE-nee-ah fill-IF-er-ah Color Folio $2.00 Xanthorhiza simplicissima 4619B Central Avenue Road, Knoxville, TN 37912 zan-tho-RISE-ah sim-pli-SISS-ih-mah

American Horticulturist 41 Classifieds

AFRICAN VIOLETS BANANA PLANTS THE HERB GARDENER' S RESOURCE We ship starter plants: Standards, MIniatures, .. 35 varieties, plus pineapples, bromeliads, cacti, GUIDE, Second edition. A comprehensive ref­ Semi-mini's, Trailers, Species; Leaf Cuttings and palms, citrus, etc. Catalog $1.00. GARDEN erence offering 500 sources of plants, products, servic~s, information! $7.95 from NORTH­ Supplies. Send $1.00 for 1987 descriptive cat­ WORLD, Dept. 32, 2503 Garfield, Laredo, TX alog ($2.00 overseas). ZACA VISTA NURS­ 78043. WIND FARM, Rte. 2, Box 246(A), Shevlin, MN 56676. ERY, Dept. AHS, 1190 Alamo Pintado Road, BIRDHOUSE PLANS Solvang, CA 93463. BOUGANVILLEAS CHEEP! CHEEP! CHEEP! Do it yourself bird­ SPECTACULAR TROPICAL BLOOMING ALPINE & ROCK GARDEN PLANTS house plans for your garden. $3.00 postpaid. SAUK RIVER PRESS, Box 2475, San Francisco, PLANTS. Three different, labeled, with cu ltural ADVENTURE IN COLD CLIMATE GAR­ CA 94126. information. $15.00 postpaid. Catalog $1.00. DENING Alpine-Perennial plants for begin­ GARDEN WORLD, 2503-C Garfield , Laredo, ner and discriminating collector. Descriptive BONSAI TX 78043. catalog $1.50. SOLAR GREEN, LTD., RR 1, Bonsai Trees, Supplies. Catalog $2.50 (deduct­ Box 115A, Moore, ID 83255. ible). We ship anywhere. Gifts. M/C. VISA . BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN BONSAI CREATIONS, 2700 N. 29th Ave., INTERNSHIPS Over 300 Varieties for Sun & Shade. Includes #204 AH, Hollywood, FL 33020. (3 05) 962- Spring and summer internships in practical hor­ 13 varieties Dianthus, 28 varieties Phlox sub­ 6960. ticulture and teaching are available at the ulata, 13 varieties hardy Geraniums. 24 Page MATSU-MOMIJI NURSERY-offering the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. For information on Catalog, please send 44¢ in stamps. ROCK­ finest in Bonsai, Maples, Pines. PO Box 11414, different intermships offered, please write to: NOLL NURSERY, 9210 U.S. 50, Dept 33, Philadelphia, PA 19111, (215) 722-6286- cat­ Internships, BROOKLYN BOTANIC GAR­ Hillsboro, OH 45133-8546. alog $1.25. DEN, 1000 Washington Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11225. START ROCK GARDENING NOW. Our Learn the fine art of Bonsai-join BONSAI EASY-TO-GROW Collection, 12 plants for your CLUBS INTERNATIONAL. $15 U.S .A. mem- . BULB CATALOG-FREE bership includes one-year subscription to BCI climate, $21.95 plus $5.00 shipping East of More than 400 flowerbulb varieties (including MAGAZINE and many other benefits. Dept. Rockies, ($3.00 West). No foreign shipping. Or autumn blooming crocuses and colcmicums) make AH, 2636 West Mission Road, Tallahassee, FL send $2.00 for our informative catalog, and fall our 1987 Flowerbulb Catalog and Planting Guide 32304. supplement. Over 1,000 plants; rock gardening a valuable reference for every flowerbulb en­ books. SISKIYOU RARE PLANT NURSERY, BOOK SEARCH thusiast. Write for your free copy: McCLURE Dept. 74, 2825 Cummings Rd., Medford, OR Send your list of wanted out-of-print, hard to & ZIMMERMAN, Quality Flowerbulb Bro­ 97501. find books --.- gardening or otherwise. I'll search kers, 1422 W. Thorndale, Dept. AH, Chicago, IL 60660. AROID SOCIETY for them. No charge or obligation. EDWARD F. SMILEY, Bookseller, 43 Liberty Hill Rd., Interested in Anthuriums, Dieffenbachias, Phil­ Bedford, NH 03102. BULBS odendrons, etc? Join the International Aroid So­ "THE WIDE, WORLD OF BULBS AND ciety: Monthly Newsletter, Quarterly Journals. BOOKS PLANTS", The world's unique source book. Dues $15, annually. Write: INTERNA­ DRIED BOUQUETS SO REAL THEY LOOK Listing over 5000 rare bulbs and plants, in­ TIONAL AROID SOCIETY, PO Box 43-1853, FRESH! Show-and-Tell books: Step-By-Step cludes 1000 orchids, 250 bromeliads, over 1000 Miami, FL 33143. BOOK OF DRIED BOUQUETS, over 285 Pho­ hardy petennials, herbs, wildflowers, ferns, 2000 tos: Williamsburg, Modern, Country, Victo­ rare imported bulbs-many unobtainable else­ THE A VANT GARDENER rian, Gifts. ($9.95 ppd.). Step-By-Step BOOK where. Cactus, herbs rare seed and much, much DIFFERENT, EXCITING, GREAT FUN TO OF PRESERVED FLOWERS, profession al se­ more!!! Three year subscription $5.00 (deduct­ READ-for the gardener who wants to get more crets for preserving 100 flowers, includes Mi­ ible). INTERNATIONAL GROWERS EX­ out of gardening! Subscribe to THE AVANT crowave, ($3 .95 ppd.) BOTH BOOKS $12.90 CHANGE, PO Box 52248-AH, Livonia, MI GARDENER, the most useful, most quoted of ppd. FREE NEWSLETTER, send stamp. RO­ 48152-0248. all gardening publications. Every month this BERTA MOFFITT, PO Box 3597, Wilmington, Unusual Daffodil varieties-specializing in hy­ unique news service brings you the newest and DE 19807. bridizing development of new pinks and species most praotical on-going information-new OUT-OF-PRINT BOOKS: Bought and So ld: hybrids. Bulbs grown and personally cared for plants, products, techniques, with sources, plus on our Oregon farm. Color catalog- send $3.00 feature articles, special issues. 18th year. Awarded Horticulture, Botany, Landscaping, Herbology. Large Catalogue $1.00. POMONA BOOKS, (deductible on order) to: GRANT MITSCH Garden Club of America and Massachusetts Rockton, Ontario, Canada LOR lXO. NOVELTY DAFFODILS, PO Box 218D, Hub­ Horticultural Society Medals for outstanding bard, Oregon 97032. contributions to horticultur~. Curious? Sample 1985 Edition EXOTICA 4, with 16,300 photos, copy $1. Serious? $10 full year (reg. $15). THE 405 in color, 2,600 pages in 2 volumes, with CACTI AND SUCCULENTS AVANT GARDENER, Box 489M, New York, Addenda of 1,000 Updates, by Dr. A. B. Graf, NY 10028. $187. TROPICA 3, revised 1986, 7,000 color Living ston~s and other desert flora (cacti and other succulents) all seed grown. Federally li­ ph6l tos, now 1,156 pag~s, $125. Exotic Plant AZALEAS & RHODODENDRONS Manual, 5th Ed., 4,200 photos, $37.50. Exotic censed to export. Satisfied customers are using our informative catalog. Get yours for $1.00 HARDY AZALEAS & RHODODENDRONS. House Plants, 1,200 photos, $8.95. Circulars (redeemable) from : REDLO CACTI 001, 2315 Northern grown and acclimated. Big sizes! Big gladly sent. ROEHRS, Box 125, E. Rutherford, N.W. Circle Blvd., Corvallis, OR 97330. selection! Personal service! For Gardeners and NJ 07073. Designers Who Care ... Two Year Catalog Out of Print and scarce gardening and botanical Winter-Hardy Cactus to - 20°. Many varieties. Subscription: $2.00 (deductible). CARLSON'S books. Catalogs issued regularly. Please write Send stamp for price list. INTERMOUNTAIN GARDENS, Box 305-AHA487, South Salem, to WHEELBARROW BOOKS, 22, Brangwyn CACTUS, 2344 South Redwood Road, Salt Lake NY 10590 (914) 763-5958. Ave., Brighton, Sussex, BN1 8XG, England. City, UT 84119.

42 April 1987 DO YOU LIK E ORCHID CACTUS, CHRIST- DAYLILIES MAS/EASTER CACTUS, SANSEVIER IAS, other DA YLlLlES GALORE! Bea utifu l named hy­ tropical cactus? Send for our 1987 ca talog to- brids. Quantity discounts. Se nd now for FREE day ! 100 + colo r photos, 40 pages total (in - info rmative cata log. LEE BR ISTOL NURS­ cludes separate Bookshop Cata logue featu ring ERY, Box 5A, Gaylordsvi ll e, CT 06755. 260 + Cactus, Bromeliad, Gree nhouse books). Both catalogs together only $1.00. Includes many DA YL ILIES FOR THE COLLECTOR. Many discount specials, plant accessori es, fertili zers. colors tetraploids, diploids, miniatures . Spuria, RA INBOW GARDENS, Box 721-AH47, La Louisiana IRISES. Catalog $1.00. CORDON Habra, CA 90633-0721. BL EU FARMS, Box 2033, Sa n Marcos, CA 92069. "CATALOG OF UNUSUAL SU CCULENTS" THE PERMANENT Discover the largest selecti on o f weird and un- DRIP IRRIGATION METAL GARDEN LABEL usual succu lents-picture book ca talog of suc- DRIP IRRIGATION- id ea l for fl owers, vege­ culent crests, vari ega tes, living stones , and odd- tables. Save water, reduce disease, increase yields, A-Hairpin Style Markers 30 $7.65 B-Plant or Shrub Labels 100 $6.30 ball s. Send $1.00 today. "CATALOG O F durable. FREE in fo rm ati on, M ISE R IRRIGA­ C-Cap Style Markers 30 $8.25 UNUSUAL SU CCULENTS," Dept. A-4, 553 T ION, Box 94616 AH , Lin coln, N E 68509- D-Swinging Style Markers 30 $6.50 Bu ena Creek Road, San Marcos, CA 92069. 4616. E-Rose Markers 30 $7.20 F-Tall Display Marke rs 30 $10.15 LARGEST SELECTION of rare succulents in ESTATE GARDENER G- Tall Single Staff Markers 30 $7.45 the east, including Euphorbias, Pa chypodiums, H- Flag Style Markers 30 $6.25 Position sought in the Midwes t or East. Strong and many caudiciforms. Send $2.00 for our il- J- Small Plant Labels 100 $6.30 maintenance, reno va ti o n and design ski ll s. K-Tie·On Labels 100 $7.40 lustrated 1987 mai l o rder cata log which in - Bachel or of Science-Ornamental Horticulture. M- Miniatu re Markers 30 $6.15 cludes a wealth o f cultural info rmati on. All or- Twelve yea rs experie nce. Specia lti es: Flower ders tota ll y guaranteed ! Visitors welcome by Special Quantity Prices Available Gardens, Woodland and Prairie Plantings . Call appointment. H IGH LAND SUCCULENTS, Postage Prepaid Mike: (3 12) 798-4125 after 8:00 p.m. Eureka Star Route, Box 133 AH, Gallipo li s, O H 45 63 1, 614-256-1428. EXOTIC PLANTS Introductory Offer: 1 Each ; A, B, C, 0 , E, H, J, K With Waterproof Crayon Only S2.75 YES ... WE DELIVER . .. Exoti c Cacti and H IBISCUS-JASM IN ES-RARE EXOT ICS ! Succulents- right to your doorstep, via ... U.P.S. 1,000 listings, conscienti ous service. N ew 1987 (Quality at reasonable prices) Catalog ... $2.00 mail-order catalog $2.00 (refundable) . STALL­ PAW PAW EVERLAST (Refundable first pl ant order) K & L CACTUS INGS NURSERY-910 Encinitas Bl vd., En cin­ LABEL COMPANY AND SUCCULENT NURSER Y, 12712 Stock- itas, CA 92024. P.o . Box 93 AH Paw Paw, Michigan 49079-0093 ton Blvd., Galt, CA 9563 2. FLOWERING HOUSEPLANTS Abbey Garden for the ra re, exoti c, unusual. GESN ER/ADS. Huge coll ecti on. Sinningia, World's largest sel ecti on under one roof. Cau- Gloxinia, Columnea, Epi scia, Achimenes, more. diciforms, Eupho rbias, Hawo rthias, Lithops, Descriptive catalog $1.50. ROBERTS' GES­ Mesembs, Cacti and much more. Catalog: $2.00 NERIADS, Dept. A.H., 5656 Calyn Rd ., Bal­ HOUSE (refundable). ABBEY GARDEN, Box 1205 A, timore, MD 21228. Carpinteria, CA 93013. FREE CATALOG "JW--.' VENT rnrn~TIrnrn[ C~VOROUSPLANTS FREE GARDEN CATALOG-4,000 items: Carnivorous, woodland terrarium pl ants and Seeds, Plants, Trees, Pots, Plant Foods, Bene­ supplies. Book, The W orld o( Carnivorous Plants, fi cia l Insects, Books, Greenho uses. MELL­ $8.95 postpaid. Catalog FREE. PETER PAULS INGER'S, Dept. 320, North Lima, OH 44452. NURSERIES, Canandaigu a, NY 14424. FREE 24-HOUR HORTICULTURAL CAT ALOGS ANSWERS Holbrook Fa rm has built an enviable reputation The 24-Hour Horticultural Answer Man an­ in just seven years for growing a fascinati ng swers all horticultural questions free. 1-800-841- variety of high quality perennials, wi ldflowers, 1105. In California: (415) 362-0660. Or w ri te : and selected trees and shrub shipped nationwide H.A.M., 260 Bay, Suite 207, San Francisco, CA from the mountains o f North Carolina. Send 94133. Models for GREENHOUSES. COLOFRAMES and $2.00 today (fully refundable with first order) FUCHSIA now SKYLIGHTS & SOLAR INSTALLATIONS. for our 48 page 1987 catalogue which includes Beautifu l fuchsia plants by mail. Shipped in 3" va luable information and plant lore fo r over FEATURES pots. 125 varieties. FREE list. G & G GAR­ • Fits most greenhouses 250 plant selections. HOLBROOK FARM & DENS, 6711 Tustin Rd ., Sali nas, CA 93907. NURSERY, Route 2, Box 223B-6017, Fletcher, • Vertical or Horizontal vents NC 28732. Old favo rites and unusua l selections. Over 50 • No electricity. SOLAR POWERED heat resistant varieti es. Catalog 40¢. HIDDEN • You select Opening Temperature DAHLIAS SPRINGS N URSERY, Route 14, Box 159, • Corrosion resistant ma terials Dahl ias- All types, sizes, colors. World-wide Cookevill e, TN 38501. • Durable . Sample tested to 50 years of Selection. Color catalog $1.00 refundable on no rmal use. GARDEN O RNAMENTS order. CONNELL'S, 10216 40th Ave. E., ---OUR GUARANTEE-­ Tacoma, WA 98446. Bronze, Lead, and Stone including Topiary. 400 Our openers will open wider. faster. smoother. page catalog available $8.00. Hard bound li­ and more firmly while lifting 1liz to 4 times the brary edition over 2,000 illustrations showing actual loads of other similar products. ~inese Garden Scissors bi rd baths, benches, bronzes including tablets, ~ s er.d ;n ~ e beautiful . ~ . scissors are cisterns, compasses, cupids, curbing, dolphins, FREE INFORMATION or this Ad. with made to last a lifetime . In production eagles, elephants, fin ials, frogs, foxes, fruit bas­ order. Save $1 . for over 300 years. For delicate kets, gates and gate posts, Japanese lanterns, dealer inquiries welcomed. ~ ~... )ot ~ "'~ flowerwor1<., lead figures, lions and lion masks, mermaids, \.:. or heavy pruning 8uperiorC71utovents 5 tl2 .lonZ Very Sharp. A hardworking beauty. planters, St. Francis, weathervanes. KENNETH Se nd $6.00 ea. Mt Ru shmore Supply LYNCH & SONS, 78 Danbury Road, Wil ton, 17 422 La Mesa Lane Box 233 Brooklyn NY 11 222-0233 CT 06897. Huntington Beach. Ca . 92647

A merican Horticulturist 43 CLASSIFIEDS

GARDENING HOUSE PLANTS OLD-FASHIONED FLOWERS GUARD-N-FAB RI C CONTRO LS WEEDS. ORCHIDS, GESNERIADS, BEGONIAS, CACTI Fine Seeds for Old-Fashioned Perennials. Fra- Promotes growth, conserves water, fertilizes. In­ & SUCCULENTS. Visitors welcome. 1986-87 grant fl owers . .. cottage garden fl owers ... di vidual coll ars or cover beds, rows. 3' X 50' ca talog $1.75. LAURA Y OF SALISBURY, Rt. cutting fl owers ... period garden restorati on sheet, $18.00, $2.00 postage and handling. Free 41 (Undermountain Rd.), Sa lisbury, CT 06068 source ... catalog $1.00. SELECT SEEDS, AH , Catalog. TWO RIVERS GA RD ENS, Dept. AH- (203) 435-2263. 81 Stickney Hill Road, Union, CT 06076. 345, Rte. 2, Box 136B, Villa Ridge, MO 63089. HOYA ORCHIDS GARDENING GLOVES Hoya, species and cultivars. Catalog- $1.00. Alocasia, Anthurium, Bromeliad, Calathea, Fern, GOATSKIN GLO VES. To ugh, li ghtwe ight AD ASTRA FLO RA, Rte. 1, Box 333-A -2, Hoya, Palm , Pl atycerium, Orchid Supply Cat­ goatskin stretches and becomes form-fitting, Monticello, GA 31064. alog $1.00. From: ANN MANN, 9045 Ronden, giving wearer ultimate in fit, grip, dexteri ty. Windermere, FL 32786. Natural lanolin in leather keeps hands soft. Sizes INDOOR-OUTDOOR GARDENING 7-10 or send outline of hand. $8 .50 postpaid. SUPPLIES PEONIES PUTNAM'S, Box 295C, Wilton, NH 03086. " FREE CATALOG" ... " LOWEST PRICES" Including rare hybrids. Also DA YLILIES, JAP­ GRAPE VINES ... "TOP QUALITY" . .. Pl asti c pots, hangin g ANESE IRIS, HOSTA. Catalog $1.00, refund­ GRAPE PLANTS 40 SEEDLESS, DESSE RT, baskets, etc . . .. 2 Stamps . . . Postage . .. PLANT able with first order. CAPRICE FARM NURS­ AMERICAN and GRAFTED EURO PEAN COLLECTIBLES, 103E Kenview, Buffalo, NY ERY, 15425 SW Pleasant Hill, Sherwood, OR WINE vari eties. WINE MAKING SUPPLI ES, 14217. 97140. (503) 625-7241. BOOKS . New 1987 catalog FREE. SQUARE FREE G RO WING SUPPLI ES CAT ALOG. ROOT NURSERY, 4764 Deuel Rd., Dept.AM- Wholesale Prices ! Fas t Service ! Pots, fl ats, la­ PALMS 7, Canandaigua, NY 14424. " THE GRAPE bels, fe rtilizer, tools, pl ant stands. FPI-H, 2242 LO W LI GHT INDOOR EXOTICS. Dwarf PEOPLE." Palmer:, Schaumburg, IL 60173. " Lady Palms," Grape Ivy, Ming Aralis. Elegant, GREENHOUSE EQUIPMENT JAPANESE AND AMERICAN long- li ved, easy care. Many green and varie­ ga ted cultiva rs. Catalog $1.00. RHAPI S GA R­ FREE CATALOG-Save on equipment, pots, WILDFLOWERS DENS, PO Bol.( 287-A, Gregory, TX 78359. fl ats, baskets, soils, fertilizers. Send 22¢ stamp Also Epimediums, Alliums, Species Iri s, Rock for postage. GROW-N-ENERGY, PO Box 508A, Garden Pl ants. Rare and Unusual Perennials. PERENNIALS Baldwin Pl ace, NY 10505. Catalogue $.50. WE- DU NURSERI ES, Rte. 5, Box 724, Mari on, NC 28752. Perennials, Hosta, herbs, ornamental grasses, GREENHOUSE GROWING wildflowers and azaleas. Hundreds of va ri eti es, GREENHOUSE SUPPLIES : Fans, H eaters, JASMINES many rare and unusual. Catalog $2.00 (refund­ Sh ading, Misting, Watering, Propagation, Tools, Rooted camell ia cuttin gs. 3 assorted, 10 for abl e). List 56¢ legal SASE. THE CROWNS­ Pots. Catalog $2.00. CHARLEY'S GREEN­ $8 .00. 4 assorted J as mines $7.50. EDNA VILLE NURSERY, PO Box 797, Crownsville, HO USE, 1569-B Memorial Highway, Mt. Ver­ WELSH, Route 3, Box 1700, M adison, FL MD 21032. non, WA 98273. 32340. Large Selection of Perennials for sun and shade. HEATHS & HEATHERS KOI Tall , Medium and carpeting Sedums. Ex tensive HARDY HEATHERS FOR ALL-YEAR GAR­ Finest Quali ty Japanese Ko i, 3" to 28", $15.00 co llection of annual and perennial herbs. Cat­ DEN COLOR! Send SASE for descriptive mail­ to $1 ,000.00 each. Philadelphi a area. Call : alog $1.50. WRENWOOD, Rte. 4, P OBox order li st. Fast Service ! HEATHER GROW­ Weekdays : (2 15) 563-3336; EveningslWeek­ 361, Berkeley Sp rings, WV 25411. ERS, Box 850, Elma, WA 98541. ends: (215) 667-7340. Unusual ROCK & SH ADE Pl ants, Hosta, HELICONIA MIST CONTROLLERS Hemerocallis, Sempervivum, Shrubs, Iris & Na­ THE FLOWER OF THE FUTURE! Fo r long­ YOU CAN GET FANT AS TI C PRO PAGA­ tive Ameri ca ns. Perennial Seed. 24 Page Catalog las ting exoti c arrangements grow heli coni as. TION RESULTS! Bigger profits at less cost! Send 44¢ stamps. ROCKNOLL NURSERY, Loveli er Than The Bird-of-Paradise ! Over 30 Guaranteed best on the market! AQUAMON­ 9210 U.S. 50, Dept. 33, Hillsboro, O H 45133- exquisite va rieti es now available. Write fo r Free ITOR foll ows cl osely the mist requirements of 8546. List: THE HELl CONI A HAUS, 14522 S. W. almost any unrooted cu tting, compensating au­ NORTHERN GROWN, lili es, daylili es, Sibe­ 142 Pl ace Circle, Mia mi, FL 33 186. tomaticall y fo r changes in sun, temperature, rian iris, median bea rded iris and daffodil s. Send HELP WANTED humidity, wind, etc. AQUAMONITO R pays $3.00 fo r colored ca talog. BO RBELETA GA R­ Seeking couple or two individuals to manage fo r itself quickl y! Send for free brochure giving DENS, INC. , 15974 Canby Avenue, Rte. 5, Fa r­ full-time garden center. Possess the knowledge exciting facts. AQUAMONITO R, Dept. 4, Box ibault, MN 55021. to sell quality items and the sales manship to sell 327, Huntington, NY 11 743. Telephone: (516) something extra by thinking for customer. Re­ 427-5664. PLANT AND GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY membering customer names. Thorough knowl­ NATURAL DECORATIONS HARPER H O RTIC ULTURAL SLIDE LI­ edge of all products. Minimum experience 2 UNUSUAL WREATHS for every decor .. . even BRARY (Pamela Harper), 219 Robanna Shores, yea rs with H orticultural degree helpful. Send Napkin Rings, Jewelry from REA L Fl owers! Sea ford, VA 23696. (8 04) 898-6453. Special­ resume to : Pepper Gardens Ltd., 2 Broadway, $1.00 Color Catalogue. MERRY M EA DOW izing in pl ant and garden pictures. New cata­ Hillsdale, NJ 07642. Attn: Robert Fernbacher. FARM, PO Box 8061, Cranston, RI 02920. logue $2.00. Lecture slides: 30 different sets for HORTLINE sale or rent. $1.00 for lecture listings onl y. NURSERY STOCK Back in print: Hortline, the "when to-h ow to" PLANTS-CHOICE AND AFFORDABLE BABY EVERGREENS, seeds, seedlings, rh odo­ ho rticulture newsletter! $15.00/yr. fo r 12 Extensive Se lection: * Ameri can Nati ves * monthly issues. USDA zones 4, 5, 6 and 7. Make dendrons, azaleas, fl owering shrubs, shade trees, large assortment of rare and standard plants. Outstanding Ornamentals * Uncommon Con­ checks payable to: TOM'S WORD H O RT I­ ifers * Perennials * Potenti al Bonsai * Har­ CU LT URE CONSULTING, PO Box 5238, Catalog free. GIRARD N URSE RI ES, Box 428, Dept. AH-S, Geneva, O H 44041. diest Euca lyptus * Wildlife Pl ants * Affordable Charl eston, WV 25361. containerized starter-plants. Info rmative cata­ MILLIONS OF SEEDLI NGS; High Quality, HOSTAS log-$2.00. FO RESTFARM, 990 Teth erah, Reasonable Prices. Over 100 Selecti ons for Williams, O R 97544. Choice selecti on. Descriptive ca talog $1.00. SA­ Christmas Trees, O rn amentals, Windbreaks, VORY'S GREENHOUSES AND GARDENS, Timber, Soil Conservati on, Wildlife Cover. Free PLANTS-SCARCE AND UNUSUAL Hybridizers and Growers, 5300 Whiting Ave., Catalog. CARINO NURSERI ES, Box 538, Dept. Distincti ve pl ants for your garden and land­ Edina, MN 55435. (6 12) 941-8755. j., Indiana, PA 15701. scape. Scarce, unusual and many old fa vorites.

44 April 1987 Well established in 4" pots, ready for you to HARDY RHODODENDRONS & AZALEAS. SWEET POTATO PLANTS grow on. FREE catalog. APPALACHIAN GAR­ Northern grown and acclimated. Big sizes ! Bi g Sweet Potato Plants for Sale. Booking Orders. DENS, Box 82, Way nesboro, PA 17268. (717) selection! Personal se rvi ce ! For Gardeners and 12 Vari eti es, write. FRED'S PLANT FARM, 762-4312. Des igners Who Ca re ... Two Year Catalog Dresden, Tennessee 38225. PLUMERIA! GINGERS! HIBISCUS! Subscription: $2.00 (deductible). CARLSON'S BOURGAINVILLEAS! GARDENS, Bo x 305-AHR487, So uth Salem, TETRAPLOID DA YLILIES NY 10590. (9 14) 763-5958. ALSO DA YLlLlES, TROPI CA L BULBS, Over 450 hybrids; exotic new Tettaploid In­ troductions. Catalog $1.00, deductible with or­ BOOKS. A COLLECTOR'S DREAM CATA­ ROCK GARDEN PLANTS LOG OF EASY-TO-GROW EXOTIC der for plants. SEAWRIGHT GARDENS, 134 PLANTS-$1.00. HANDBOOK OF PLU­ Rare Alpines, Wi ldflowers, Dwarf Conifers, Indian Hi ll , Carlisle, MA 01741 (617) 369-2172. MERIA CUL TURE- $4.95. RELIABLE SER V­ Groundcovers, Colo rful Rock Plants, Hard y Vi sitors welcome! Rh ododendron, Books. Catalog $ 1. RI CE ICE, GROWING INSTRUCTIONS, SPE­ TOPIARY CIALTY FERTILI ZERS . SPECIAL OFFER: CREEK GA RDENS, 1315 66th Ave. NE, Min­ neapoli s, MN 55432. (612) 574-11 97. PLANTED TOPIARY AND FRAMES. Dis­ Plumeria cuttings, fiv e different colo rs (o ur se­ co unt to clubs. Write for FREE BROCHURE. lection) $25.00 (postpaid, USA). PLUMERIA ROSES TOPIARY, INC, 41 Bering Street, Tampa, FL PEOPLE, PO Box 820014, Houston, TX 77282- 33606. 0014. HARD TO FIND ROSES, old and new varieties including the HT Maid of Honour. List on re­ UNUSUAL PLANTS PRESSED FLOWERS quest. HORTICO, INC, R.R. # 1, Waterdown, RARE SUCCULENTS, EUPHORBIAS, CAU­ PRESSED FLOWER supplies, kits, instructi on Ontario LOR 2HO 41 6/689-6984. DICIFORMS, SANSEVIERIAS, LOW LIGHT booklets. Free color brochure. BJ G ASSOCI­ PLANTS, OTHER EXOTICS. Catalog and pe­ ATES, Dept. AH, Box 463, Edgmont, PA 19028. SANSEVIERIAS ri odi c newsletters $1.50 ded uctible from first RARE BULBS NEW! THE SANSEVIERIA TRIFASCIATA ord er. SINGERS', 17806 Plummer Sr., AH, VARIETI ES by B. Juan Chahini an . Over 100 ISMENES, Spider Lili es, Aztec Li lies, Hymen­ Northridge, CA 91325. pages, 82 color photos, B&W pictures, an ex­ ocallis bu lbs. Price list on reques t. Descriptive hausti ve text, charts, propagation, hard cover VIDEOTAPES brochure, $1.50. SHIELDS HORTIC UL­ and color jacket. $22.50 + $2.00 shipping. Add INCREASE YOUR GARDENING KNOWL­ TURAL GARDENS, PO Box 92, Westfield, IN tax in Californi a. TRANSTERRA, 18618 Er­ EDGE. Thirty outstanding ga rdening video­ 46074. win Street, Reseda, Cali fo rnia 91335. tapes. Priced $13.95 Up . Free Catalog 1-800- RARE PLANTS 331-6304. California Call Collect (415) 558- SEEDS RARE AND UNUSUAL PLANTS-otherwise 8688. The Original Gard eners Video Catalog, commercially unavailable- for botani c coll ec­ HUDSON'S WORLD-FAMOUS CATALOG, PO Box 410777, Dept. 8-A, San Francisco, CA 94141. . tions, landscaping, home, office-130 Bamboo, since 1911, offering thousands of unusual seeds 1ncluding giant, medium-sized, dwarf, green and from every continent. Fragrant Jasmines, ele­ WILDFLOWERS ga nt Angel's Trumpets, Baobab, Teosinte. Him­ variegated, 90 cycads, 180 palms. 1,000 pl ant SOUTHEASTERN WILDFLOWERS FOR THE alayan, African, Australian wildflowers. Rare and gardening books. Three seasonal ca talogs GA RDEN AND NATURALIZING. All top culinary and medicinal herbs. Ameri ca n heir­ $5. ENDANGERED SPECIES, PO Box 1830, quality nursery propagated pl ants. Catalogue loom, European, Oriental and traditi onal Mex­ Tustin, CA 92681-1830. $1.00, refundable. NICHE GARDENS, Dept. ican Indian vegetables. Hundreds of excl usives. A, Rte. 1, Box 290, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. RARE TROPICALS Inform ati on-packed ca talog $1.00. J. L. HUD­ AROIDS, BROMELIADS, CYCADS, FERNS SON, Seedsman, Box 1058-AT, Redwood City, WILDFLOWERS! N aturalize areas around yo ur (especia lly Platyceriums), PALMS. Safe Deliv­ CA 94064. home. Easy-to-grow SEEDSIPLANTS. COLOR CATALOG - $1.00. PASSIFLORA, Box 99, ery Guaranteed. List-stamp. JERRY HORNE, World's largest watermelon and cantaloupe va­ Germanton, NC 27019. 10195 S.W. 70 Street, Miami, FL 33173. rieties from Guinness record holder. Seeds $1.501 RHODODENDRONS dozen. GIANT WATERMELONS, PO Box 141 , Easy, reliable, NURSERY-GROWN WILD­ .Hope, AR 71801. FLOWERS. Colorful selections for northern and RHODODENDRONS for the woodland, land­ sou thern ga rdens, sun or shade, wet or dry. RARE PETER PEPPER realisti c shape, hot, de­ S cape, and rock garden. Free descriptive listing. Bloom frost to frost. FREE BOOKLET. Pl ant licious. Only source for seed, $3 plus stamped CARDINAL NURSERY, Rte. 1, Box 316M, descriptions, growing instructions. Suggestions envelope. ALFREY, Box 415, Knoxvill e, TN State Road, NC 28676; (919) 874-2027. for landscape uses and plant combinations. 37901. RHODODENDRONS & AZALEAS SUNLIGHT GARDENS, Rte. 3, Box 286-AH, THE WORLD'S LARGEST and most famous Rhododendrons and Azaleas, Hybrid and Spe­ Loudon, TN 37774. seed catalog. Over 225 pages, 4,000 varieties, C ies. Dwarf and Standard. We Ship. Catalog WILDFLOWERS OF THE US-It's easy to grow 1,000 color pictures. A major book of reference. beautiful wildflowers in your own backyard. $1.50. SONOMA HORTICULTURAL NURS­ The Encyclopedia of how and what to grow Our 32-page ill ustrated catalog tells you what ERY, 3970 Azalea A ~ SebastopolJ CA 95472. from seed. Vegetables, potted plants, exotics, to plant and how. $1. MOON MOUNTAIN­ SPEC IALIZING IN THE UNUSUAL. Dwarf perennials, alpines, ro c k ~ r y, latest and best an­ AH, PO Box 34, Morro Bay, CA 93442. Rhododendrons, Evergreen & Deciduous Aza­ nuals, trees, shrubs, bulbs from seed; includes Ieas, Dwarf Conifers, Companion Plants. Cat­ rare items unobtainable el sewhere. Write for BUTTERFLY GARDENS! Attract butterflies a log $1.00, refundable. THE CUMMINS GAR­ free copy, allowing three weeks, or enclose $2 with easy to grow wi ldflowers. Wide selection. DEN, 22 Robertsville Rd.,.Mariboro, NJ 07746. for fi rst-olass mail: THOMPSON & MOR­ Catalog $1.00. Refhlnd abl e. NATURAL GAR­ (201) 536-2591. GAN, INC, Dept. AHC, PO Box 1308, Jack­ DENS, 113-AH Jasper Lane, Oak Ridge, TN RHODODENDRONS AND AZALEAS-Se­ son, NJ 08527. 37830. I ect from 1,000 varieties with many new eXGit­ SEMPERVIVUM 1ng introductions. Also Laurel, Andromeda, Holly, Conifers, Rare Plants and Trees. Mail­ SAMPLER 10/$8.00, or send one stamp for price list. COUNTR Y COTTAGE, Roune 2, Box 130, 0 Fder catalog $2.00. ROSLYN NURSERY, Dept. Sedgwick KS 67135. AH, Box 69, Roslyn, NY 11576. (516) 643- J Ide al permanent ev ergreen ground cov er pl ants. Thrive in 9 347. most soils. in sun or shade. Grows to an even height of 8 SEMPER VIVUM & SEDUM inches. Pl ant 6 inches apart. Sturdy, w e ll ~ roo te d pl ants, postpaid: 50 - $13.95: t OO - $24.95: 500 - $99.95: 1000 Rhododendroas, Azaleas, Kalmia in small sizes HEN & CHICKS. Over 400 varieties, plus 75 - $t 75.00. Prompt s hipments. Finest Quality Stock. for the collector. FREE catalog. E. B. NAU­ SEDUMS. Sampler 12/$10.45. Catalog 50 cents, Guaranteed 10 live orwe'li replace . ree up to 1 year. Fo lder on requ est. (N.Y. residents pl ease add sal es tax.) MAN, 688 St. Davids Lane, Scheaectady, NY FREE with order. ALPINE GARDENS, 15920A PEEKSKill NURSERIES, Box H, Shrub Oak, N.Y. 10588 12 309. S.W. Oberst, Sherwood, OR 97140.

Am.erican Horticulturist 45 MARLATE _6000

ACUTE ORAL LO 50 RATING IN MILliGRAMS

The Leader in Low Toxicity

Marlate Methoxyclor Insecticide effectively _5000 perennials, and delicate ornamentals. It can controls a diversified range of insects which be utilized on such sensitive vegetables as to­ infests fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals in all matoes, beans, and squash which may be in­ gardens aFld greenhouses. It has the lowest jured by other insecticides. Garden lovers will toxicity rating of the major insecticides on the feel comfortable and rest assured using Marlate market today in a ga-rden and backyard that is enjoyed by THE LOWEST TOXICITY AVAILABLE children and pets. The Toxicity Graph below compares Its contact action controls over 300 varieties Marlate with other major insecticides. The of insects including cabbageworms, Japanese graph is measured in milligrams and is divided beetles, leafhoppers, tent caterpillars, flower into four toxicity classes (Class I-Poison; _4000 thrips, and gypsy moths. Class II-Warning; Class III and Class IV­ Marlate Methoxyclor Insecticide is a prod­ Caution) as stated by the Association of uct you can depend on. Study the evidence and American Pesticide COlltwl Officials, Inc. (MPCO). The number appearing at the top of each bar represents the Acute Oral 10 50 decide for yomscif. Ti~e Tested Ii1 rating of each insecticide as given in the Farm Chemicals Handbook 1985. The Acute Oral LO 50 is the determination of toxicity of each insecticide. The lower the LO 50 number in milligrams, the more poisonous the chemical. Methoxychlor Clearly illustrated, Marlate soars to the top of Insecticide the graph registering 6000 milligrams­ the lowest mammalian toxicity rating of all the major insecticides. . • Manufactured by It is 40 times less toxic than Dursban (Lorsban), 15 times less toxic tbaFl Diazinon, 12 times less toxic than Sevin, and six times less toxic than Malathion. Continued exposure to Malathion and Sevin can affect the cholinester­ KINCAID ENTERPRISES, INC. P.O. Box 671 ase (a body enzyme necessary for proper nerve Nitro, WV 25143 function) levels in the blood. BIO-DEGRADABLE For m~re information em Marlate and a list of Marlate's bio-degradable formulation will distributors near you please fill out the coupon not harm the environment and is non­ below and mail it today. accumulative in the food chain. It can be ap­ plied repeatedly without harm to the ecosystem. ..• Please send me more information on Marlate and.. • the------nearest distributor in my vicinity. VERSATILE AND EFFECTIVE AH487 1 Marlate is non-phytotoxic to most 1NAME growing plants, shade trees, shrubs, MALATHION _1000 ADDRESS fruits, annua:ls, I ORTIdENE 1CIT Y STATE ZIP 1 • CAUTION Class IV I am inte rested in controlling • CAUTION Class III • WARNING Class II 1the fo llowing insects in my • POISON Class I 0 fl ower 0 vegetable garde n SEVIN _ 500 I --- ROTENONE B1AZINON & PROXOL I 150 1---L.. ___ _ OOVP OURSBA' • LORSBA' ;:~ .111 75

® MARLATE is a regis tered Irade mark of KINCAID ~NT . INC .