TheThe AmericanAmerican

GARDENERGARDENER® TheThe MagazineMagazine ofof thethe AAmericanmerican HorticulturalHorticultural SocietySociety March / April 2011

designing with Shapes Creation of a Sustainable Daffodils for Every Region Solutions for Landscape Eyesores

contents Volume 90, Number 2 . March / April 2011

FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

5 NOTES FROM RIVER FARM 6 MEMBERS’ FORUM 8 NEWS FROM THE AHS River Farm’s Osage orange named National Champion, Spring Garden Market in April, National Youth Garden Symposium, ExxonMobil funds summer internship, River Farm part of Historic Garden Week in Virginia, new AHS Affiliate Member program launched.

12 AHS MEMBERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE Honey Barnekoff.

13 AHS CORPORATE MEMBER PROFILE The Espoma Company.

14 AHS NEWS SPECIAL page 18 2011 Great American National Award winners and 2011 Book Award winners. DAFFODILS: REGIONAL PROVEN PERFORMERS 18 46 GARDEN SOLUTIONS BY MARY LOU GRIPSHOVER No-sweat tips for great garden soil. Experts from the American Daffodil Society share their recom- mendations for that will thrive in different regions of 48 HOMEGROWN HARVEST North America. Pleasing peas.

50 ’S NOTEBOOK A PLANT SHAPE PRIMER BY RAND B. LEE 24 Monarch butterflies make slow recovery, For the design-impaired, here’s how to combine with dif- nematodes show promise as tree pest ferent shapes effectively in the garden. biocontrols, Morton introduces new sweetspire , endangered plants lacking in botanic garden collections, OREGON’S PLANT GEEK EXTRAORDINAIRE BY KIM POKORNY 28 Mailorder Association changes Running a trend-setting nursery, globe-trotting in search of new name, Harold Pellett is 2011 Scott Medal plants, writing horticultural references, and designing recipient. are all in a day’s work for Sean Hogan. 54 BOOK REVIEWS The Conscientious Gardener, Prairie-Style RETHINKING THE ROSE GARDEN BY PATRICIA A. TAYLOR 34 Gardens, and The Sustainable Rose Garden. that require chemical coddling need not apply to the newly Special focus: Edible gardening. restored Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden at the New York . 57 REGIONAL HAPPENINGS 60 HARDINESS AND HEAT ZONES GARDEN SECRETS BY SUSAN MORRISON AND REBECCA SWEET 40 AND PRONUNCIATIONS Using vertical gardening techniques can reduce the visual impact of unattractive landscape features. 62 PLANT IN THE SPOTLIGHT Pawpaw (Asimina triloba). ON THE COVER: The spiky blooms of Baptisia ‘Carolina Moonlight’ contrast with the globe-shaped

SUSAN A. ROTH of Allium aflatunense ‘Purple Sensation’ and A. ‘Gladiator’. Photograph by Rob Cardillo

March / April 2011 3 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY NEW from the American Making America a Nation of Gardeners, a Land of Gardens Horticultural Society A season-by-season guide to a sustainable Board of Directors CHAIR Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. Falls Church, Virginia FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN Don E. Riddle, Jr. Davidsonville, Maryland SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN Mary Pat Matheson Atlanta, Georgia SECRETARY Leslie Ariail Alexandria, Virginia TREASURER J. Landon Reeve, IV Woodbine, Maryland IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Susie Usrey Dayton, Oregon EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Henrietta Burke Alexandria, Virginia

Sandra Address Chevy Chase, Maryland ■ Allan M. Armitage Athens, Georgia ■ Amy Bolton Falls Church, Virginia Jane Diamantis McDonald, Tennessee ■ Gay Estes Houston, Texas ■ Carole Hofley Wilson, Wyoming Margaret Kulp Louisville, Kentucky ■ Jack Lowry Phoenix, Maryland ■ Shirley Nicolai Ft. Washington, Maryland

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Tom Underwood PRESIDENT EMERITUS Katy Moss Warner

How and when to grow President’s Council everything you want in CHAMPION’S CIRCLE Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Kulp, Jr. your own kitchen garden •Advice on planning, setting up, and CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE Anonymous ■ Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Bluemel ■ Mr. and Mrs. George Diamantis ■ Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Farrell ■ Mr. designing your garden and Mrs. Harry A. Rissetto ■ Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Smith, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. W. Bruce Usrey •Expert, earth-friendly techniques for successfully growing and harvesting LIBERTY HYDE BAILEY CIRCLE Mrs. Leslie S. Ariail ■ Ms. Judy Daniel ■ Trish and Cam Gibson ■ Mr. and Mrs. J. Landon Reeve, IV ■ Ms. herbs, , and vegetables Katy Moss Warner ■ Mr. and Mrs. Klaus Zech •Suggestions on the best varieties for different regions HAUPT CIRCLE Mrs. Sandra L. Address ■ Mrs. Lynda A. Bachman ■ Nancy J. Becker, M.D. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Bogle ■ Ms. Amy •A season-by-season guide for Bolton ■ Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Burke, III ■ Mr. James R. Cargill, II ■ Mrs. Elisabeth C. Dudley ■ Mr. and Mrs. Carl Estes ■ Mr. and Mrs. bringing the freshest fruits, herbs, Don W. Godsey ■ Dr. and Mrs. William O. Hargrove ■ Mrs. Carole S. Hofley ■ Mrs. Shirley Ann Nicolai ■ Mr. David D. Parrish and vegetables from garden to plate

COUNCIL MEMBER’S CIRCLE Mr. and Mrs. Robert Baillie ■ Mr. and Mrs. Carter Bales ■ Mrs. Katherine Belk ■ Mrs. George P. Bissell, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. C. William Black ■ Dr. Sherran Blair ■ Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Bradshaw ■ Mrs. Barbara O. David ■ Mrs. Julie Ernest ■ Ms. Inger Fair ■ Dr. and Mrs. John A. Floyd, Jr. ■ Mrs. Carolyn V. Foil ■ Ms. Marguerite Peet Foster ■ Ms. Joyce W. Godsey ■ Ms. Amy Goldman ■ Mr. and Mrs. Joel Goldsmith ■ Mrs. Joan Goltzman ■ Mr. Gerald T. Halpin ■ Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Hanselman ■ Mr. Edwin L. Heminger ■ Mr. Paul A. and Mrs. Nancy B. Hess ■ Ms. Nancy Hockstad ■ Mrs. Elizabeth Hooff ■ Mr. Philip Huey ■ Mrs. Marta J. Lawrence ■ Mrs. Carolyn M. Lindsay ■ Ms. JoAnn Luecke ■ Mr. and Mrs. Bob J. MacLean ■ Ms. Melissa Marshall ■ Mrs. Dorothy Marston ■ Mrs. Carol C. Morrison ■ Mr. and Mrs. James R. Moxley, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. James T. Norman ■ Mr. Michael Panas ■ Mrs. Jeanne Otis Shields ■ Mr. Harold Stahly ■ Mr. Arnold Steiner ■ Dr. and Mrs. Steven M. Still ■ Mr. Howard McK. Tucker and Ms. Megan Evans ■ Mr. and Mrs. Tom Underwood ■ Mr. Joe Viar ■ Ms. Angela M. Vikesland ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Volk ■ Mr. and Mrs. Dennis White ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. White ■ Mr. and Mrs. John W.White, Sr. ■ Ms. Jill Yates

HONORARY PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL Ms. Louise Fruehling* ■ Mrs. Enid Haupt* ■ Mrs. John A. Lutz* ■ Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Miller* *In memoriam

ALSO INCLUDES… •Handy charts that tell you when to Corporate Members sow seeds and harvest different vegetables Bonnie Plants ■ The Care of ■ Chapel Valley Landscape Company ■ The Espoma Company Furbish Company ■ Homestead Gardens ■ Kurt Bluemel, Inc. ■ Monrovia ■ Osmocote •Resource list and glossary •More than 300 color photographs throughout Horticultural Partners

America in Bloom Symposium & Awards Program ■ Bellingrath Gardens and Home Hardcover, $32.50 304 pages Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Garden Symposium ■ Cox Arboretum MetroPark Garden Centers of America ■ The Gardeners of America/Men’s Garden Clubs of America Great Gardens and Landscaping Symposium ■ The Homestead in the Garden Symposium Available wherever books are sold. Inniswood Garden Society ■ ■ Oklahoma Botanical Garden & Arboretum To view an excerpt from the book, visit www.ahs.org.

4 the American Gardener NOTES FROM RIVER FARM CONTACTS FOR C AHS PROGRAMS, MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS & DEPARTMENTS

For general information about your membership, call (800) 777-7931. Send change of address notifications to our membership department at HE GARDENING 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA world is abuzz—spring is around the corner! As gar- 22308. If your magazine is lost or damaged in dening activities ramp up across the country, the coming weeks will be full the mail, call the number above for a replace- of opportunities to check out new varieties at garden centers, attend work- ment. Requests for membership information T and change of address notification can also be shops, visit public gardens, or exchange tips with fellow plant enthusiasts. What- e-mailed to [email protected]. ever spring means to you, we hope it is full of rewarding gardening experiences. THE AMERICAN GARDENER To submit a letter to At our River Farm headquarters, one of the first signs of spring is witch hazel burst- the editor of The American Gardener, write to ing into bloom. In addition to watching the gardens awaken after a long winter, River The American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Farm is very much on our Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308, or send an e-mail to [email protected]. minds these days for other reasons. Our “By the DEVELOPMENT To make a gift to the American Horticultural Society, or for information about Foot” fundraising cam- a donation you have already made, call (800) paign for the much needed 777-7931 ext. 127. infrastructure improve- E-NEWSLETTER To sign up for our monthly ments at our headquarters e-newsletter, visit www.ahs.org. is well under way. With INTERNSHIP PROGRAM The AHS offers intern- this effort, our members ships in communications, , and and friends can support a youth programs. For information, send an e-mail to [email protected]. Information and foot or yard of the pipe and application forms can also be found in the cable necessary for us to River Farm area of www.ahs.org. complete critical upgrades NATIONAL CHILDREN & YOUTH GARDEN to our water, sewer, and SYMPOSIUM For information about the Soci- communications systems. ety’s annual National Children & Youth Gar- Witch hazels in early spring bloom at River Farm den Symposium, call (800) 777-7931 ext. “Synergy” is an overused 132 or visit the Youth Gardening section of word, but it aptly describes www.ahs.org. the close connection between our River Farm headquarters and the mission of the RECIPROCAL ADMISSIONS PROGRAM The AHS AHS. River Farm is a laboratory for innovative and practices. Reciprocal Admissions Program offers members Our children’s garden gets field-tested daily. The various gardens and notable free admission and other discounts to more than 250 botanical gardens and other horticultural plants—as well as the wildlife they support—are an inspiration for our visitors, vol- destinations throughout North America. A list of unteers, and staff. Plus, River Farm’s proximity to historic Mount Vernon makes it participating gardens can be found in the Mem- easily accessible to the thousands of visitors who each year drive down the George bership area of www.ahs.org. For more infor- mation, call (800) 777-7931 ext. 119. Washington Memorial Parkway to visit our first president’s home. Over the course of its long history, the American Horticultural Society has been RIVER FARM The AHS headquarters at River Farm is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays year- a trusted source of the best horticultural knowledge on a national level. Acquiring round (except Federal holidays), and 9 a.m. to River Farm in the 1970s added an exciting new dimension to what the Society could 1 p.m. Saturdays from April through September. Admission is free. For information about events, offer, and today the property remains a vital part of our work. Help us prepare for rentals, and directions, visit the River Farm sec- a bright future by becoming a supporter of our “By the Foot” campaign. Details tion of www.ahs.org. on how to join us in this important effort may be found on page 2. TRAVEL STUDY PROGRAM Visit spectacular pri- Also in this issue you’ll find advice on the best daffodils for your region, an in- vate and public gardens around the world troduction to a West Coast plantsman who is making his mark on American hor- through the Society’s acclaimed Travel Study Program. For information about upcoming ticulture, and an inside look at how the New York Botanical Garden is taking trips, call (800) 627-6621, send an e-mail to sustainable rose growing to a new level. And we would like to draw particular at- [email protected], or visit the Travel tention to the winners of our 2011 AHS awards (see page 14)—we are so pleased Study section of www.ahs.org. and proud to be able to honor these outstanding individuals and organizations that WEBSITE: www.ahs.org The AHS website is a are making our world a better place. valuable source of information about the Soci- ety’s programs and activities. To access the members-only section of the website, the user Enjoy, and…happy spring! name is garden and the password is ahs2011.

Harry Rissetto, Chair, AHS Board of Directors Tom Underwood, Executive Director

March / April 2011 5 6 shape, Iattachedtheradiallinestoathin with wire hoopsorstakes.For thesunrise nails, andthelower endstotheground the radiallinestotopoffencewith out theweb. Isecured theupperendsof place, Iaddedacouplemore circles tofill er circle placedinside.Once thiswasin lines oftwineradiatingoutfrom asmall- large outercircle oftwine,thenattached shape ofaspiderweb andasunrise. and twine,Icreated inthe supports fence inmygarden. Using recycled cord attachedtoasix-footcedar supports fashioningdecorative plants, Istarted and otherunsightlyaidsforclimbing Tired ofusingdanglingstrings,sticks, for creating decorative forvines. supports from sentusthistip SanCalifornia, Rafael, Maya Manny, anAHS memberandartist CREATIVE TRAININGFORVINES For thespiderweb, witha Istarted the American Gardener such as morning glory (Ipomoeasuch asmorningglory mered intothebottomrailoffence. rise—the wire frameisheldby tacksham- wire framethatformsthebaseofsun- provides supportforclematisinhergarden. Maya Manny’sspider-web-inspiredtrellising I’ve vines usedtheseshapestosupport MEMBERS C ’ FORUM spp.), American Gardener, American Letters weprintmaybeeditedforlengthandclarity. [email protected] (noteLettertoEditorinsubjectline). Alexandria, VA22308.Sende-mailsto PLEASE WRITEUS! the vinesattachedtostrings. It takesonlyalittleinitialtrainingtoget for almostanysmalltomedium-size vines. semium sempervirens), clematis, andCarolina jessamine tender to survive thewintersthere. tender tosurvive ed ustothemistake. This tree istoo dener from Merriam, Kansas,whoalert- Thanks toPatrick Muir, aMaster Gar- nensis erroneous reference toaMagnolia yuyua- January/February 2011issuecontainedan oncutting-edgetreesThe article inthe CORRECTION growing inOverland Park, Kansas. Address letterstoEditor, 7931 EastBoulevardDrive, San California Rafael, but theyare suitable Maya Manny (Gel- The

COURTESY OF MAYA MANNY THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY TRAVEL STUDY PROGRAM 2011 TOURS

Only a few spaces remain for this trip! Make your The Loire Valley and the Festival at the Domaine de Courson reservations May 5–14, 2011 today! with AHS Host Jane Diamantis and Tour Escort Susie Orso of Specialtours ■ Explore the beautiful and storied Loire Valley in northwestern France in springtime. This exclusive tour will provide entrée to some of the finest privately-owned historic châteaus and gardens, including Château de Cheverny, Château de Chenonceau, and the inspirational ornamental potager at Villandry. For the grand finale, we will enjoy the international “Journées des Plantes” festival at the Domaine de Courson, south of Paris.

Gardens and Innovation: Chicagoland and Rockford August 17–21, 2011 with AHS Host Katy Moss Warner and AHS Tour Escort Maren Seubert ■ Discover the horticultural abundance that the Chicago area offers during this tour of the innovative gardens that have contributed to the greening of Chicago. Among these are the Lurie Gardens in Chicago’s Millennium Park, the world-renowned Chicago Botanic Garden, and Garfield Park Conservatory. We will also visit several stunning private gardens, award-winning gardens in Rockford, Illinois, and the trial gardens at Ball Horticultural Company’s headquarters.

Castles and Gardens of Bohemia and Moravia September 25–October 6, 2011 with AHS Host Kurt Bluemel and Tour Escort Harriet Landseer of Specialtours ■ We begin this trip to the Czech Republic in the capital city of Prague, renowned for its castles and cathedrals. From there we will venture to the historic and picturesque regions of Bohemia and Moravia. Experience a wealth of gardens in styles ranging from formal Italianate, Renaissance, and Baroque to Neo-classical and modern— including several 20th-century gardens created by visionary designers.

For more information about upcoming tours in the AHS Travel Study Program, please contact our travel partner, MacNair Travel: • E-mail: [email protected] • Call: (866) 627-6621 • Visit: www.ahs.org GARDENER Botanical nomenclatureisbasedon Alexandria, VA22308-1300. Society A–Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, Garden of Encyclopedia A–Z Society Copyright ©2011 bytheAmericanHorticultural Society. ©2011 Copyright material. Backissuesareavailableat$8percopy. stamped envelope.Wecannotguaranteethesafereturn ofunsolicited possible publicationwillbereturnedifaccompanied byaself-addressed, ily thoseoftheSociety.Manuscripts,artwork,andphotographs sentfor expressed inthearticlesarethoseofauthorsand arenotnecessar- Form 3579to ginia, andatadditionalmailingoffices.Postmaster:Pleasesend magazine subscription.PeriodicalspostagepaidatAlexandria,Vir- $60. Internationalduesare$50.$10ofannualgoestoward and onthe Gardener American The list of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Canada and Greenland and Canada States, United the of Flora Vascular the of list tion to (703) 768-5700.MembershipintheSocietyincludesasubscrip- Society, 7931EastBoulevardDrive,Alexandria,VA22308-1300, ber/October, November/December)bytheAmericanHorticultural ly (January/February,March/April,May/June,July/August,Septem- 8 h American The ADVERTISING & PARTNERSHIPS CONTACT US CORPORATE EDITORIAL The American Gardener American The the American Gardener Royal Horticultural Society Index of Garden Plants Garden of Index Society Horticultural Royal CHAIR The American Gardener American The Printed intheU.S.A. West DesMoines,Iowa Elvin McDonald Kennett Square,Pennsylvania Richard W.Lighty Denver, Colorado Panayoti Kelaidis San Francisco,California John E.Bryan Birmingham, Alabama Steve Bender Ithaca, NewYork Nina L.Bassuk Athens, Georgia Allan M.Armitage Brevard, NorthCarolina Richard E.Bir EDITORIAL ADVISORYBOARD Carole Ottesen CONTRIBUTING WRITER Rita Pelczar CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Terra-Nova Sadowski EDITORIAL INTERN Viveka Neveln ASSOCIATE EDITOR Mary Yee MANAGING EDITORANDARTDIRECTOR David J.Ellis EDITOR E-MAIL: E-MAIL: (703) 768-5700 Alexandria, VA22308 7931 EastBoulevardDrive The AmericanGardener (ISSN 1087-9978)ispublishedbimonth- . Annualduesare$35;twoyears, [email protected] [email protected] , 7931EastBoulevardDrive, The American Horticultural American The on A Synonymized Check- Synonymized A . Opinions The majesticOsageorangetreeatRiverFarmisnowtheNationalChampion. IT’S OFFICIAL! ATRIVERFARM CHAMPION A NATIONAL former record holderwasatRed Hill, Patrick Henry’s homeinBrookneal, Virginia. American Horticultural Society’s River Farm inAlexandria,Virginia. headquarters The to theNational Register ofBig Trees coordinated by AmericanForests, isnow atthe H stafftosubmitthetree’s measurements totheAmericanForest’sAHS Register. by thesize wasstruck oftheOsage orange,andheencouragedthe signing, Kirwan thor ofRemarkable Trees ofVirginia. Farm,” saysRiver Farm Horticulturist mid-Atlantic region, tookroot atRiver Farm. so farnorecords have beenfoundtoindicatehow thetree, whichisnotnative tothe than 90feetincrown spread. Arboristsestimatethetree isatleast 200years old,but height, andcrown spread. River Farm’s Osage orangemeasured 58feettallandmore champion’s, according totheRegister. circumference wasdeterminedtobealmostseven incheslargerthantheprevious pany responsible forthemaintenanceofalltrees atRiver Farm, theOsage orange’s visit theAmerican Forests website (www.americanforests.org). special thing.”Forpublic settingis avery more ontheNational Register ofBig Trees, areas don’t toseelargetrees have theopportunity suchasthis,sotohave ithere ina The potentialchampionstatusofthetree wasfirstrecognized by With thehelpof theAHS’s corporate member Champions are determined basedonaformulathatincludescircumference, “The Osage orange adds a unique historic and horticultural elementtoRiver Osage orangeaddsauniquehistoricandhorticultural “The The nation’s largestOsage orangetree PROGRAMS •EVENTSANNOUNCEMENTS News While touringRiver Farm in2009duringabook- James Gagliardi . “A lotofpeopleinurban The Care ofTrees, atree care com- from the March /April2011 (Maclura pomifera), Jeff, au- Kirwan AHS according

VIVEKA NEVELN SPRING GARDEN MARKET IN APRIL NATIONAL YOUTH GARDEN SYMPOSIUM ONE OF THE mid-Atlantic region’s can’t-miss events, the AHS’s TWO DYNAMIC speakers will give the keynote presentations Spring Garden Market at River Farm offers a wide selection of at this year’s 19th annual AHS National Children & Youth Gar- plants and unique garden den Symposium, “Digging Into the Art and goods. The sale kicks off on Science of Gardening,” taking place July 21 Thursday April 14 with an through 23 in Michigan. John Fraser of the AHS members-only preview Institute for Learning Innovation will give sale from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the opening keynote. Fraser is a conserva- then continues on April 15 and tion psychologist known for his work in- 16 for the public. Shoppers can vestigating how childhood experiences in browse the wares of vendors natural environments influence attitudes from across the region who and beliefs in adulthood. The symposium will be selling everything from will wrap up with words of wisdom from native plants to trees, , Jane Taylor Jane Taylor, the founder and first curator vines, fruits, vegetables, and of the 4-H Children’s Garden at Michigan herbs. In addition to the State University (MSU), who is widely regarded as a pioneer in plants, garden art, tools, ap- the children’s garden movement. parel, books, and more will be During the symposium, participants will enjoy behind- available from vendors and in the-scenes tours of the two co-hosts: the MSU 4-H Children’s the AHS Garden Shop. Garden and the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. For the event, parking is Other highlights will include educational sessions, hands-on A shopper at last year’s plant sale $3 (it’s free for AHS mem- workshops, poster sessions, and ample opportunities for net- bers who show a current working and sharing program success stories. membership card or this issue of The American Gardener). Pro- “This is the event of the year for anyone who is passionate ceeds of the sale will support the stewardship of River Farm. about involving children and youth in gardening,” says For more information and directions to River Farm, visit Stephanie Jutila, director of AHS Member Programs and Out-

LEFT: DAVID J. ELLIS. RIGHT: COURTESY OF JANE TAYLOR www.ahs.org or call (703) 768-5700. reach. For more information, visit www.ahs.org/ncygs.

Gifts of Note

In addition to vital support through membership dues, the American Horticultural Society relies on grants, bequests, and other gifts to support its programs. We would like to thank the following donors for gifts received between December 1, 2010 and January 31, 2011.

Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Address Mrs. Carolyn M. Lindsay In Memory of Mr. John H. Ariail, Jr. Anonymous Ms. JoAnn Luecke Mr. and Mrs. Norm Hofley Mr. and Mrs. Robert Baillie Ms. Melissa Marshall The Care of Trees Dr. and Mrs. David E. Morrison In memory of Kathy Jo Snyder Maddox Mr. James R. Cargill, II Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nicolai Ms. Margaret C. Balcer Mrs. Barbara O. David Osmocote Mrs. Elisabeth C. Dudley Mr. David D. Parrish In memory of Florence G. Tullidge Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Farrell Mr. and Mrs. J. Landon Reeve, IV Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Farrell Dr. and Mrs. John A. Floyd, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henry Smith, Jr. Ms. Nicole Gagliardi Mr. Harold Stahly In Honor of the André Bluemel Meadow Ms. Amy Goldman Dr. and Mrs. Steven M. Still Dr. and Mrs. Steven M. Still Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Hanselman Terra Design Studios, LLC Dr. and Mrs. William O. Hargrove Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Volk In Honor of Sue Galvin Mrs. Marta J. Lawrence Mr. and Mrs. Carl Estes

If you would like to support the American Horticultural Society as part of your estate planning, as a tribute to a loved one, or as part of your annual charitable giving plan, please contact Courtney Capstack, Development and Outreach Manager, at (703) 768-5700 ext. 127 or [email protected].

March / April 2011 9 10 restore gardens atmore than50locations. throughout thestate.Since 1929, theorganizationhashelpedto the Garden ClubofVirginia restore historicgardens andgrounds onthedayoftour. properties participating Proceeds willhelp gardenweek.org. first dayoftours.For acompletelistingoftoursites,visitwww.va- work, and garden structures. architecture, art- to experiencebothhistoricandcontemporary pects ofthesites,Historic Garden Week willallow participants out allregions as- ofthestate.Besides highlightinghorticultural three dozen toursatover are 250properties scheduledthrough- place thisspringfrom April 16through 23 inVirginia. More than and otherhorticulture-related companies. sign businesses, landscapingfirms,nurseries, garden coaches, AHS. Theprogram isdesignedtomeet the needsofgarden de- still benefitfrom aprofessional membershipaffiliation withthe that maynotqualifyforthecorporate memberlevel, butwould has several levels designedforsmallorganizations orcompanies option calledtheAffiliateMember Program. program Thisnew efforts togardenersefforts nationwide. the coordination ofevents andprojects tohelpexpandoutreach program andoutreach fortheSociety. Theinternwillassistin toachieve theirmissions. enhanced opportunities reer options,whileorganizationssuchastheAHSbenefitfrom in thenon-profit sectortoundergraduatestudentsexploringca- ington, D.C.,area thissummer. CJSPinternshipsofferexperience Volunteer Fairfax, willprovide 60suchinternshipsintheWash- ternship positionatRiver Farm. CJSP, administered through mer Jobs Program (CJSP)hasgrantedtheAHSfundingforanin- STARTING IN NEW AFFILIATEMEMBERPROGRAM Lewis GinterBotanicalGardeninRichmond. Among thegardensontourwillbeGraceArentsGardenat AMERICA’S OLDEST WEEKINVIRGINIA GARDEN HISTORIC FOR THEFOURTH FUNDSINTERNSHIP EXXONMOBIL GRANT The AHS’s River Farm willbefeatured headquarters onthe This year, theinternshipatRiver Farm willfocusonmember the American Gardener Tickets canbepurchased inadvance online,orat March, membership theAHSisofferinga new year, theExxonMobil CommunitySum- and largesthomegarden tourtakes Seubert opportunity, [email protected], orcall For informationonhow toinvolve your businessinthisnew todisplaycustomers. site andanAHSAffiliatecertificate Member Program offersacompanylistingontheAHSweb- News writtenby Editorial Intern Terra-Nova Sadowski. www.ahs.org M East LansingandGrandRapids,Michigan. River Farm,Alexandria,Virginia. Manchester, Vermont. Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. de Courson. Williamsburg, Virginia. Experts” Symposium. Chicagoland andRockford,Illinois. AHS TravelStudyProgram.CzechRepublic. (Note: AHSMembers-onlypreviewsaleisThursday,April14.) APR. 16–23. APR. 14–16. APR. 10&11. APR. 1&2. OCT. 6–8. SEPT. 25–OCT.6. SEPT. 24. AUG. 19–21. AUG. 17–21. JULY 21–23. JUNE 9. MAY 7. MAY 5–14. In additiontostandard memberbenefits, theAffiliate sponsored orco-sponsored by theAHS.Visit ark your calendarfortheseupcomingevents thatare Smithsonian GardenFest/NationalPublicDay. at (703)768-5700ext.132. Great AmericanGardenersAwardsCeremonyandBanquet. America inBloomSymposiumandAwards. AHS AnnualGala. The LoireValleyandtheFestivalofDomaine Great GardensandLandscapingSymposium. AHS TravelStudyProgram.LoireValley,France. Historic GardenWeekinVirginia. Spring GardenMarket. National Children&YouthGardenSymposium. The Homestead’s13thAnnual“IntheGardenwith AHS TravelStudyTrip:GardensandInnovation. or call(703)768-5700formore information. Colonial WilliamsburgGardenSymposium. Castles andGardensofBohemiaMoravia. CALENDAR 2011 AHS EVENTSANDPROGRAMS Hot Springs,Virginia. River Farm,Alexandria,Virginia. River Farm,Alexandria,Virginia. Maren

COURTESY OF DON WILLIAMSON 2010 HONOR ROLL OF ANNUAL FUND

The American Horticultural Society is grateful to all who help advance our mission through financial, in-kind, and volunteer support. We would like to express special thanks to the following donors who increased their annual contributions through a special donation to the 2010 River Farm Annual Fund.

Kenneth W. Anderson Dr. Margaret Filbert In memoriam Dr. Molly Netto Anonymous Linda & Bob Fiscus Ms. Susan O’Connor Ritalyn K. Arps Ms. Anne Fogle Pennsylvania Perlite Corporation Lawrence D. Barlow Gardens Remembered Harriet and Edward Purtell Judith Bender Heidi C. Garman Joan F. Rice Lois G. Benjamin Trish and Cam Gibson Mrs. William C. Ridgeway, Jr. Tina Talbott Blackwell Ms. Peggy Griffith Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Roe Dr. & Mrs. William Boden Mr. Bill Haggard Reginald & Dolores Rose Dr. and Mrs. Peter Boer G. T. & H. R. Halpin Keith Rustemeyer Gregory J. Bookhultz, C. P. H. Mrs. E. Phillips Hathaway Dr. Randall Lee Saxon Cindy Broome Hayes Family Fund Linda Schweitzer Alice Cary Brown Michael R. Helsel Martha S. Seaman Ms. Petra Burke Karen LeCraft Henderson Ruth-Marie Putnam Smith William Burnham V. Janet Hollanger Melvin Starr Allen Bush and Rose Cooper Mr. McDonald Horne Martin V. Steed, Jr. Margaret Hodges Butler A. C. and Penny Hubbard John J. Szczech Wayne & Anne Byrd Merrill Jensen Kevin Tatreau Kathleen Byrnes Jim Johnson Colonel B. D. Taylor Glory M. Caldwell Phil & Liz Johnson Dr. R. Dale Thomas Peter J. Callnan, CPA Mrs. Sandra Kapetanakis Joy Reynolds Thompson Camelot Garden Club Ann & Mark Kington Susan Thomson Betsy Carbo Virginia Anne Korteweg Regina von Schriltz Paula B. Chipman Mr. Julius Kusey Judith S. Waters Mr. Will Clattenburg R. A. Lanciault Rosa Watkins Lisa Coakley Ms. Elaine and Mr. W. David Lee Ms. Jamia Weeks Gianne Conard, Bonnie Lilley in memory of George Wallace John & Carol Little Torrey Matheson Cooke Tim & Zenny Logue Irene C. Davis Kay E. B. MacNeil Irene Day Ruth Holje Manuele Peter Deahl, Fine Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm Matheson, III Thank Mrs. Dawn Denton Mr. S. Charles Melton Chuck Du Val Mr. and Mrs. William A. Morrill you! Michelle Eckart Marcia S. Morton Mr. Robert Fennell Donna L. Nelson 12 by Terra-NovaSadowski H EBR MAKINGADIFFERENCE: MEMBERS AHS learned ausefultrade,”saysBarnekoff. have tohave mended theirwaysand to comebackout,andthey’re goingto to 90percent ofthoseinmatesare going would liketoforgetabout,butabout80 Overland Park, Kansas,how togarden. this point,only—femalepresident ofthe prison. H Honey Barnekoff “It’s apopulationthatmostpeople the American Gardener While serving asthefirst—and,to While serving they enjoyed spendingtimein peoplewhocansay one ofthefew ONEY BARNEKOFF ty nearherhomein a correctional facili- to teachinmatesat program designed From theHeart, a Gardeningstarted in 2004,Barnekoff (TGOA/MGCA) Clubs ofAmerica ica/Men’s Garden Gardeners ofAmer- may be since pursuedcareers inthegreen industry. were doing.”Some formerinmateshave me allover theplacetoshow mewhatthey excited aboutgardening andwoulddrag mate,” saysBarnekoff. wouldgetso “They penitentiary’s kitchen. maintained avegetable garden forthe garden, beautifiedthegrounds, and . Theinmatescreated awater givinglessonsinclassrooms and started and five otherTGOA/MGCA members lessons relating togardening, soBarnekoff However,the finearts. there were no in gram, whichoffersinmatesinstruction inPrisonnized underthelocalArts pro- the AHS. As part oftherelationship,the AHS.Aspart AHS nership between theTGOA/MGCA and presidency wasthedevelopment ofapart- Another accomplishmentofBarnekoff’s WITHTHEAHS FORGING ACONNECTION “I loved beinginthere withthein- Gardening From theHeart wasorga- Honey Barnekoff to share herlove forgardening. grandchildren andhopestheywillcome other plants.She also enjoys hostingher garden where shegrows liliesandmany Barnekoff offerstours ofherown large the conference itself,” shesays. journey toMichigan wasjustaseventful as visit RAPgardens alongtheway. “The Rapids, Michigan, shedrove soshecould TGOA/MGCA conference inGrand discounts. Instead offlyingtolastyear’s ticipating gardens free admissionandother (RAP), whichgives AHSmembersatpar- the Reciprocal Admissions Program decade, Barnekoff fondof isparticularly zations promote eachother’s majorevents. photography contestandthetwoorgani- members canenterthegarden clubgroup’s with Terra-Nova Sadowski isaneditorialintern When sheisn’t visitingpublicgardens, As anAHSmemberherselfforthelast The AmericanGardener.

COURTESY OF HONEY BARNEKOFF COURTESY OF ESPOMA (2) example, conventional suchas fertilizers monly foundin syntheticproducts. For advantages compared withthosecom- gypsum andgreensand. nure, alfalfameal,andmineralssuchas lias, blueberries,andhy acid-loving plantssuchasazaleas,camel- uct onthemarket specificallydesignedfor food, Holly-tone known inthe1940s thankstoitsplant Established in1929,Espomabecamewell ADVANTAGE A NATURAL Jeremy Brunner M environmental responsibility. to reflect thecompany’s commitmentto innovative products new andotherways in thebusiness,heisstillcomingupwith tion owner ofEspoma, andafter14years mans,” explainsEspomaVice President has notbeenmateriallyaltered by hu- something thatisderived from nature and tered inMillville, New Jersey. mitment isEspomaCompany, headquar- that’s justifiablyproud ofitsgreen com- able gardening practices.One company panies are genuinelyembracingsustain- that itcanbedifficulttotellwhichcom- so manydefinitionsoftheterm“natural,” However, there are somany options,and garden results whilebeingearth-friendly. making iteasierthanever toachieve great ucts. For theecologicallyminded,thisis by Terra-NovaSadowski Espoma Company: AHS CORPORATE MEMBERINPROFILE These ingredients offeranumberof “We believe ‘natural’ isbestdefinedas ANY HORTICULTURAL and promoting naturalprod- panies todayare developing . He genera- isthefourth ® pasteurized poultry ma- pasteurized poultry cluding bonemeal, based ingredients, in- from natural, organic- tioners. Allare made cides andsoilcondi- potting mixes topesti- from plant foodsand ent products ranging Espoma offers50differ- . Thiswasthefirstprod- drangeas. Today, com- Committed toNaturalGardenProducts Solar panelsonEspoma’sfacilitiesoccupyroughlyasquareacreandpowerallitsoperations. embrace soilecologyratherthanignore it. asm fortheseenhancedmixes, which tion. Initial salesreflect adefiniteenthusi- toincrease overall nutrientabsorp- op asymbioticrelationship withplant mycorrhizal inoculants—fungithatdevel- Espoma’s pottingmixes new containing adding humus,”saysBrunner. by encouragingbiologicalactivityand the soil.Theyalso“helpimprove soils they are lesslikelytobewashedoutof foods release theirnutrientsslowly so The componentsofEspoma’s plant ous forquicklyleachingintowaterways. urea andammoniumsulfateare notori- member ofthe AHSin2009,andhasre- reason, Espomabecameacorporate ural andsustainablegardening.” For this gardening atalllevels [and]promote nat- organizations thatwork topromoteport ponent ofthis,addsBrunner, isto“sup- our business,”saysBrunner. One com- tothatphilosophyacross need tobetrue mentally responsible products, we feel we “As acompanythatsuppliesenviron- WALKING THEWALK Brunner is particularly excitedBrunner isparticularly about with Terra-Nova Sadowski isaneditorialintern nies inthegreen industry. setting ahighstandard forothercompa- with nature insteadoffightit,Espomais power toinnovative products thatwork ity. From itsfacilitiestosolar converting philosophy have alwaysmadethisaprior- inception, thecompany’s products and ing asustainablefuture. Since Espoma’s steptowards isanimportant dustry creat- toswitchcleansolarenergy.”country for thecompany, theenvironment, andthe eration,” saysBrunner. “In it’s short, good fuelsforgen- either domesticorimported no gases anddoesnotrely on rooftop solarpanels.“Solar energycreates arequarters completelypowered by its manufacturingfacilityandofficehead- to renewable energy. AsofDecember 2010, vironmental philosophyisitscommitment ation, andGarden CentersofAmerica. American Nursery & LandscapeAssoci- National Gardening Association, the cently developed collaborationswiththe The greening in- of the horticultural Another manifestationofEspoma’s en- The American Gardener. March / April 2011 13 AHSC NEWS SPECIAL AHS 2011 Great American Gardeners National Award Winners

HE AMERICAN HORTI- CULTURAL SOCIETY T is LIBERTY HYDE BAILEY AWARD proud to announce the distin- Given to an individual who has made sig- guished recipients of the Society’s nificant lifetime contributions to at least 2011 Great American Gardeners three of the following horticultural fields: Awards. Individuals, organiza- teaching, research, communications, plant exploration, administration, art, business, tions, and businesses who receive and leadership. these national awards represent the best in American gardening. Each has contributed significant- HIS YEAR’S recipient of the AHS’s most prestigious award is Richard E. ly to fields such as plant research, T Bir, Extension Horticulture Specialist Emeritus with North Carolina State garden communication, land- University (NCSU) in Fletcher. During his scape design, youth gardening, 25-year tenure with NCSU, Bir worked with teaching, and floral design. We county agents and nurserymen to evaluate, select, and grow better plants for the land- applaud their passionate commit- scape, focusing primarily on shrubs and ment to American gardening and trees. Prior to this, Bir was an Extension hor- their outstanding achievements ticulturist in Florida from 1972 to 1979. within their areas of expertise. While there, Bir earned several national and state Extension awards for his work, includ- The 2011 awards will be pre- ing best radio program. sented on June 9 during the Over the course of his career, Bir has been influential in increasing public awareness of Great American Gardeners American native plants and making them Awards Ceremony and Banquet more available through mainstream markets. at River Farm, the AHS’s head- In particular, he was instrumental in establish- ing and guiding the development of the Cul- quarters in Alexandria, Virginia. lowhee Native Plant Conference. Since its debut in 1984, this annual event has For more information, or to reg- become the foremost native plant conference in North America. ister to attend the ceremony, visit Bir’s 1992 book, Growing and Propagating Showy Native Woody Plants (Universi- ty of North Carolina Press) is still considered a classic. A popular speaker, he has www.ahs.org/awards or call (703) made presentations about native plants throughout North America and written 768-5700 ext. 132. numerous articles for popular, academic, and trade publications. In recent years, Bir has served as a consultant for the Southern Highlands Reserve in western North Carolina, dedicated to the native plants of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Bir has been the recipient of many horticultural awards, including the Arthur Hoyt Scott Medal and Award from the Scott Arboretum in Swarthmore, Penn- sylvania in 2006. In 2008, he received the International Award of Honor from the International Plant Propagators Society.

14 the American Gardener LUTHER BURBANK AWARD G.B. GUNLOGSON AWARD LANDSCAPE DESIGN AWARD Recognizes extraordinary achievement in the Recognizes the innovative use of technology Given to an individual whose work has field of . to make home gardening more productive demonstrated and promoted the value of and successful. sound horticultural practices in the field of Through his plant-breeding efforts, Tom . Carruth has helped transform the rose’s Edmund C. Snodgrass is president and reputation from that founder of Emory Knoll Farms, Inc., and With more than 25 years in public garden of a fussy prima donna Green Roof Plants in design and master planning, W. Gar y into a tough, beautiful Street, Maryland— Smith has distin- plant anyone can North America’s first guished himself as a grow. As director of re- nursery specializing landscape architect search and marketing in plants for green who celebrates plants for Weeks Roses in roofs and horticul- and the connections Pomona, California, a tural consulting. The they offer between position he has held nursery has supplied people and nature. since 1988, Carruth seeks out the best plants for more than Working almost ex- among proven older roses as well as intro- 400 green roof projects throughout the clusively in botanic ducing new varieties, 11 of which have re- United States and Canada. Snodgrass gardens and arboreta, he strives to find ceived the prestigious All-America Rose collaborates on green roof research with ecologically sustainable ways of making Selections Award (AARS), tying him with academic institutions including Pennsyl- gardens. His most recent projects include breeder Keith Zary for most lifetime vania State University, North Carolina master planning and for AARS winners. The most recent is Dick State University, and Michigan State the Southern Highlands Reserve; the Clark™ (‘Wekfunk’), this year’s winner. University, and he advises public gardens, Texas Arboretum at the Lady Bird John- including the Singapore Botanic Garden son Wildflower Center; and the conser- PAUL ECKE JR. COMMERCIAL AWARD and the U.S. Botanic Garden, on green vatory gardens at the John A. Sibley Given to an individual or company whose roof installations. He has also co-au- Horticultural Center at Callaway Gar- commitment to the highest standards of ex- thored two books about green roofs. dens in Georgia. cellence in the field of commercial horticul- ture contributes to the betterment of HORTICULTURAL THERAPY AWARD MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD gardening practices everywhere. Recognizes significant contributions to the Recognizes a past Board member or friend of field of horticultural therapy. the American Horticultural Society for out- A partner in Wertheim, van der Ploeg, & standing service in support of the Society’s Klemeyer, an architecture, landscape archi- An international leader in the field of hor- goals, mission, and activities. ticultural therapy, Candice A. Shoemaker is a professor of horti- William E. Barrick served on the Soci- culture and human ety’s Board of Directors from 1991 to 2010, health at Kansas State including three years University in Manhat- as chair. He lent his tan, and director of expertise to various the university’s gradu- committees, most ate studies in horticul- notably the Awards tural therapy. In her Committee, which research, Shoemaker he streamlined and investigates the physical and psychological strengthened during a benefits of gardening, with a focus on chil- decade as its chair. For tecture, and planning firm in San Francis- dren and older adults. Her work has been the Society’s 75th anniversary in 1997, Bar- co, California, Ernest Wertheim has been published in numerous journals, proceed- rick compiled 75 Great American Garden involved in garden center design in North ings, and books, and she was editor-in- Plants, a book describing dependable, low- America, Europe, South Africa, and Aus- chief of Interaction by Design: Bringing maintenance plants for a wide range of tralia for more than 50 years. Wertheim People and Plants Together for Health and growing zones. In 2004, he co-authored was instrumental in the formation of Gar- Well-being (Wiley-Blackwell, 2002). the AHS Southeast SMARTGARDEN Re- den Centers of America, a nonprofit trade Shoemaker is also the executive chair of the gional Guide. Barrick has been the execu- association, in 1972. As an active member People Plant Council, an international or- tive director of Bellingrath Gardens in of that organization from its founding, he ganization that promotes research and Alabama since 1999. Prior to that, he was has made major contributions to the suc- communications relating to the influence executive vice president and director of cessful planning and design of North plants have on human well-being and gardens at Callaway Gardens in Pine

PHOTOGRAPH OF W. GARY SMITH BY BRYAN FOX America’s independent garden centers. quality of life. Mountain, Georgia, for nearly 20 years.

March / April 2011 15 B. Y. MORRISON COMMUNICATION a United States public garden in 2003, TEACHING AWARD AWARD Phipps has endeavored to “green” all of its Given to an individual whose ability to Recognizes effective and inspirational gardens, displays, programs, and opera- share his or her horticultural knowledge communication—through print, radio, tions. Most recently, construction began with others has contributed to a better pub- television, and/or online media—that ad- on a new Center for Sustainable Land- lic understanding of the plant world and its vances public interest and participation in scapes that will comply with the world’s important influence on society. horticulture. highest green building standards. Piacen- tini has also served as executive director of Robert M. Olen is an Extension educa- North Carolina resident Joe Lamp’l is a the Leila Arboretum Society in Michigan, tor for the University of Minnesota Ex- published author, syndicated columnist, as executive director of the Rhododen- tension Service in St. dron Foundation in Washington, Louis County, Min- and assisted in the development of the Pa- nesota. For 30 years cific Rim Bonsai Collection. he has focused on cold climate garden- JANE L. TAYLOR AWARD ing and growing Given to an individual, organization, or fruits and vegetables. program that has inspired and nurtured fu- Olen developed one ture horticulturists through efforts in chil- of the earliest Master dren’s and youth gardening. Gardener programs in Minnesota, which continues to be one of the most estab- As a high school student in Great Barring- lished and successful programs in the ton, Massachusetts, Sam Levin co-found- state. His work with commercial growers ed Project Sprout, the has emphasized local fruit and vegetable first student-initiated production and implementing ways to and student-run pub- extend the growing season. Olen con- national television show host, and a Certi- lic in ducts a popular weekly call-in radio fied Landscape Professional. He is the for- the country. Now in show, hosts a locally produced PBS gar- mer host of Fresh from the Garden on the its fourth year, Pro- dening show, and writes a monthly gar- DIY Network and GardenSMART on ject Sprout has in- dening feature for The Senior Reporter. PBS. As founder and CEO of The joe gar- spired many other dener® Company, which provides eco- student-run gardens URBAN BEAUTIFICATION AWARD friendly gardening information, Lamp’l in schools as nearby as a few miles, and Given to an individual, institution, or hosts and produces Growing a Greener as far away as Uganda. In this one-acre, company for significant contributions to World, a television series that debuted in organic, edible garden, students learn and the beautification 2010 focusing on sustainability issues with everything from how to grow food to of American cities. an emphasis on gardening. Growing a leadership skills and handling responsi- Greener World content is also shared bility. Levin has presented at dozens of Douglas E. Hoerr is a Fellow of the through a podcast series and blog. schools, inspiring other students to start American Society of Landscape Archi- their own school gardens. As a keynote tects and a Distin- PROFESSIONAL AWARD speaker at the AHS’s 2010 National guished Alumnus of Given to a public garden administrator Children & Youth Gardening Sympo- Purdue University, whose achievements during the course of his sium in Pasadena, California, he im- where he earned a or her career have cultivated widespread in- pressed attendees with his engaging and bachelor’s degree in terest in horticulture. passionate presentation. Landscape Architec- ture in 1979. Since Executive director of Pittsburgh’s then, he has de- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Nominations for 2012 signed public and Gardens since 1994, private spaces that emphasize horticul- Richard Piacentini Help us give recognition to deserving ture as a transformative element. Hoerr has led the institu- “horticultural heroes” by nominating brings to his work a deep understand- tion’s transformation someone you know for one of the 2012 ing of spaces and the people who inhab- into a model of green Great American Gardeners Awards. To it them. One of his most notable building practices do so, visit our website (www.ahs.org) projects is his award-winning street- and environmental and click on “Awards” for more infor- scape design for the medians along awareness. Since mation, including a list of recipients Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, which has breaking ground on from past years. become a model for urban greening ini- the first LEED certified visitor center at tiatives everywhere.

16 the American Gardener 2011 AHS Book Award Winners

Each year, the American Horticultural Society recognizes outstanding gardening books published in North America with its annual Book Award. Nominated books are judged by the AHS Book Award Committee on qualities such as writing style, authority, accuracy, and physical qual- ity. This year’s four recipients, selected from books published in 2010, are listed below. The 2011 Book Award Committee was chaired by Scott Calhoun, a and author based in Tucson, Arizona. Other committee members were Brandy Kuhl, head librari- an at the Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture in San Francisco, California; Doug Green, a garden writer and online media entrepreneur based in Stella, Ontario; Susan Appleget Hurst, a garden communicator in Winterset, Iowa; Greg Williams, producer of HortIdeas newslet- ter in Gravel Switch, Kentucky; Irene Virag, a former Newsday writer who won a Pulitzer Prize and lives in Fort Salonga, New York; and William Welch, a professor and Extension specialist at Texas A&M University in College Station and author of several garden books.

Armitage’s Vines and Climbers by Allan M. Armitage. Timber From Art to Landscape by W. Gary Smith. Timber Press, Press, Portland, Oregon. Portland, Oregon.

“Allan Armitage has done it again “Brimming with innovative de- with this book; doing for vines what sign ideas and inspiration, this he has been doing for herbaceous book is excellently produced from perennials for the past 20 years— cover to cover,” says Kuhl. “What giving clear, succinct information a wonderfully fresh take on land- gardeners can use and delivering it scape design that encourages the with a dry wit,” notes Doug Green. artist and garden designer to “This is a clever and authoritative abandon notions of realism in guide to perhaps the most neglected order to create exceptional pat- category of ornamental plants that is terns on canvas and soil,” says both a pleasure to read and a refer- Calhoun. “With beautiful art and ence necessity,” says Scott Calhoun. excellent writing, it’s a thoughtful book you can get lost in so deeply you won’t want to be found,” says Irene Virag.

Edible Landscaping by Rosalind Creasy. Sierra Club Books, San Francisco, California. Gardening for a Lifetime by Sydney Eddison. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon. First published in 1982, this landmark book was one of the This memoir gives a practical yet po- first to demonstrate the ornamen- etic perspective to gardening in the tal value of edible plants. “There golden years of life. “It resonated hasn’t been any other book that with me because gardening isn’t as addresses the subject of land- easy for me as it once was, and it scaping with food plants as effec- made me think about the advantages tively as this one,” says Susan of the experiences I have accumulat- Appleget Hurst, “The new, updat- ed,” says William Welch. However, ed edition is still detailed and Calhoun points out that it’s “not just specific enough for experienced a book for the AARP crowd. Her wise gardeners, but is even more ac- gleanings from a lifetime of garden- cessible and inspiring for new gardeners.” In addition to its ing are equally useful to anyone with outstanding content, Brandy Kuhl feels that this edition is limited time and energy for gardening.” Further adding to its “beautifully designed with striking photography,” and high- universal appeal, “even if you don’t garden, you can get lights edible gardening in all parts of the country, not just in something from this book,” says Virag. the author’s garden.

March / April 2011 17 18 regional proven performers Daffodils Daffodils planted inmassesmakeaspectacularshowing, asinthiswoodlandgarden. Forthebesteffect,choosea single cultivar. regions ofNorthAmerica. their recommendationsforcultivarsthatwillthriveindifferent of daffodils.ExpertsfromtheAmericanDaffodilSocietyshare Few plantsheraldthearrivalofspringlikecheerfulblooms the easiestplantstogrow, whichmakes ones thatwillthrive where you live. all regions; it’s justamatterofselecting the there are somedaffodilsthatwillgrow in all daffodilswillgrow inallregions, but cessfully. Mind you, that’s nottosaythat regions oftheUnited States cangrow suc- plantgenerathatgardenersthe few inall winter isover.” They alsobelongtooneof F Daffodils the American Gardener hope, theflower thatsays,“Yes, ofspring,theflower of OR MANY (Narcissus of us,daffodilsare the spp.) are among bulbs canremain inthesamelocationfor other critters.Andonceplanted, the squirrels, moles,voles, rabbits,orany fodils: Deer don’t eatthem.Neither do unique selections. to experimentwithbreeding theirown to usethemcreatively ingarden designor toexploreplenty ofopportunities ways deners, thislarge,diverse genusoffers gardening. For more experiencedgar- deners andforintroducing children to them agreat choice forbeginninggar- Another great reason togrow daf- BY MARYLOUGRIPSHOVER fodil display. brids inDivision 9 usually endthedaf- later-season bloomers,andpoeticushy- Short-cupped daffodilsinDivision 3are Division 1bloom early intheseason. Division daffodilsin 6andthe trumpet (www.ahs.org). ontheAHSwebsite this article tem willbeprovided through alinkto full descriptionoftheclassificationsys- cle, butforthosewhoare interested, a is toodetailedtobeoutlinedinthisarti- visions basedonflower form.Thesystem Daffodils have beenseparatedinto13di- DAFFODIL CLASSIFICATION small-cupped daffodil. ‘Barrett Browning’, awhite-and-orange, the mostrecent beingthe2011winner ceived theaward sinceitwasestablished, crisp. Thirty-three daffodilshave re- or coronas—“burn” and andbecomedry bleached outortheedgesofcups— ably sunfastsothatcolorsdon’t become flowers. Theflowers shouldbereason- plants thathave attractive, long-lasting the country. Theyalso mustbevigorous well inmostregionsshould perform of ments foraward winners are thatthey as agarden plant.Among therequire- (see sidebar, page22),given forexcellence ety’s John Wister andGertrude Award have wontheAmericanDaffodil Soci- lent daffodilsistoselectcultivars that selecting whichcultivars togrow. the mostdifficulttaskagardener facesis year incatalogsoratlocalstores—perhaps istered andhundreds are available each than 25,000cultivar nameshave beenreg- With allthedaffodilsavailable—more MAKING CHOICES or perennialize. many years andwillcontinuetoincrease, In general,thecyclamineus hybridsin One waytoensure you chooseexcel-

JERRY PAVIA ‘Barrett Browning’ is the 2011 winner of the American Daffodil Society Wister Award.

With a focus on Wister award winners, backed up by advice from American Daf- fodil Society (ADS) members in various regions, here are some recommendations for specific daffodil selections that are known to flourish in different regions of the country. PACIFIC NORTHWEST Gardeners in the Pacific Northwest enjoy the perfect climate for daffodils and will be successful with nearly all selections. An exception may be some of the tazettas (Division 8), which often send up foliage in the fall. Some of the best daffodils in this re- gion have been bred by Elise and Dick Havens, the owners of Mitsch Daffodils, a nursery in Hubbard, Oregon. Their ‘Sweetness’ is a good choice for warmer regions, such as Southern California and the Deep South. ‘Rapture’, with its beautifully swept-back yellow petals, blooms early in the season selections—you don’t have to use your and is the only daffodil to have won both imagination to call it pink. the Wister Award for garden perfor- mance and the ADS’s Pannill Award as SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THE SOUTH an outstanding exhibition flower. In warmer regions of the United States, ‘Stratosphere’ is a tall daffodil with yel- such as southern California and some low petals and a short orange cup and sev- parts of the South, the tazettas steal the eral blooms to the stem. In some climates show beginning in late December or Jan- it looks more like an all yellow flower. It uary. The tazettas offer the added bonus blooms later in the season and was the first of fragrance, but it can be a bit over- to win the Wister Award, in 1985. whelming, and gardeners tend to either ‘Accent’, a breakthrough flower in love it or hate it. 1960 for white-and-pink daffodils, won For those who live in warmer regions, I the award in 1987, the second flower to suggest trying ‘Falconet’, which Phil Huey, The backward-facing petals of ‘Rapture’ give be so honored. This is a flower that opens a member of the Texas Daffodil Society,

TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. BOTTOM CATRIONA T. ERLER. RIGHT: SUSAN A. ROTH it a unique windswept look. with pink color, and—unlike with some describes as fabulous. This yellow-and-red

March / April 2011 19 20 ‘Falconet’, left,and double-flowered‘Tahiti’,right, havebothproventobesuccessful selectionsinwarmregions suchasTex change, openingwhiteandyellow, with drifts. It goesthrough aninteresting color it idealformasspublicplantingsorlarge dustrial-strength constitutionthatmakes most widely-grown daffodils.It hasanin- region is‘Ice Follies’, whichisoneofthe rets perstem.Anothergoodchoiceforthis jonquilla selection isacross between atazetta and soggy soilscancausebulbrot.Theygrowbestwithaccessto type—either loamorclayisfineaslongitdrainsfreely; fore thetreesfullyleafout.They’renotparticularaboutsoil cause theyprogressthroughmuchoftheiractivegrowthbe- day ofsun,buttheycanbegrownunderdeciduoustreesbe- five orsixinchesapart. want tocreateclumpsoftheminyourgardenbeds,plant bulbs willmultiplyandsoonyou’llhaveafieldofcolor.Ifyou them 12inchesorsoapart;itmaylooksparseatfirst,butthe pendent onyourgardenplan.Ifyouarenaturalizingthem,plant is tall—aboutfivetosixinches.Thedistanceapartreallyde- better andbloomsimultaneously. Avoid mixtures;alargegroupofthesamecultivarwilllook less chanceofthegrowerbeingoutbulbsyouwant. of Juneatthelatest.Earlyordersareshippedfirst,sothere’s sources listedonpage23.Orderyourbulbsearly—bytheend able atlocalnurseries,soyou’llneedtorelyonthemail-order Many ofthecultivarsdescribedinthisarticlewillnotbeavail- DAFFODIL GROWINGGUIDELINES Daffodils thriveinsiteswheretheyreceiveatleastahalf In mostareas,plantdaffodilsabouttwiceasdeepthebulb the American Gardener and hasthree tofive ormore flo- N. only doublethatre-blooms consistentlyin ceived theWister Award in2003,isthe stem, butoccasionallythere are two. yellow flowers usuallycomejustonetoa grance tomatchitsname.Thesmallish flower matures. the cupbecomingcreamy whiteasthe Yellow-and-orange ‘Tahiti’, whichre- ‘Sweetness’ bloomsearlyandhasafra- blooming size,they’llagainrepayyouwithbeautifulblooms. or neighbors).Givenspaceandayeartwotogrowback divided, andreplanted(youcanalsoshareafewwithfriends bulbs aretellingyouthey’recrowdedandneedtobedugup, marigolds aregood—orotherperennialssuchasdaylilies. in placeuntilityellowsnaturally.Camouflagewithannuals— up, orfolditoverandputarubberbandaroundit;justleave blooms. Resisttheurgetocutfoliagegroundlevel,tieit is whenphotosynthesismostactive,creatingnextyear’s portant toleavethefoliageintactafterbloomingbecausethis because that’swhenthebulbsaremakingnewrootgrowth. in springandfall.Ifyoufertilizeonlyonceayear,doitthefall, lished plantings,broadcastfertilizerwithalow-nitrogencontent or 10-10-10isgood)intothesoilbeneathbulbs.Onestab- until thefoliageturnsyellowfollowingspring. regular moistureduringactivegrowth,whichisfromearlyfall If thenumberofbloomsdropsoffafterafewyears, To ensuredaffodilsbloomheartilyfromyeartoyear,it’sim- When plantingnewbulbs,mixabalancedfertilizer(6-10-10 daffodils won’t grow inFlorida unlessthey weather tounusuallywarm,orviceversa. there’s achangeeitherfrom nice cool explain this,butitseemstohappenwhen ate. Ihaven’t seenany scientificresearch to properly, whenweather conditionsfluctu- ones, sometimes“blast,”orfailtoopen Texas. Double daffodils,especiallyolder There’s awidespread perception that as. —M.L.G.

LEFT: BETSY STRAUCH. RIGHT: CATRIONA T. ERLER Dainty miniature ‘Hawera’, left, combines well with brightly colored pansies. Another Wister Award winner, ‘Accent’, above, was one of the first pink-and-white daffodils.

Mary Durtschi, whose garden in Stockton, Utah, is an ADS Display Gar- den, says she has occasionally planted bulbs as late as December 15 in beds that had already been prepared, and then cov- ered with a thick layer of straw. Among her favorites are ‘Rapture’, ‘Fragrant Rose’, ‘Ceylon’, and ‘Bravoure’. Good choices for cold-climate gardens are forced, but that’s not the case. The late In northern Georgia, big, bold, vigor- include ‘Golden Aura’, an all-yellow, large- John Van Beck, who lived in the Tallahas- ous ‘Bravoure’ flourishes. This large white- cupped daffodil that blooms in late mid- see area, discovered that with the proper and-yellow trumpet daffodil puts on a big season and makes a good show in the selection of cultivars, it’s possible to have show in mid-season. For very early flow- garden. It also makes its way to the exhi- five months of daffodil bloom in Florida ers, you can’t go wrong with ‘Peeping bition table now and again. The same can and South Georgia. His wife, Linda, con- Tom’, a cyclamineus hybrid in Division 6. be said of ‘Misty Glen’, which is all white tinues to grow daffodils and the couple’s The bold, long trumpet with its narrow, with a green eye. Neither flower is large, recommendations, which are included in slightly reflexed petals makes a welcome but they bloom reliably. a book co-authored by Linda Van Beck patch of gold in the garden. Another very ‘Merlin’ is a late-blooming, short- (see “Resources,” page 23), include Wister early bloomer is ‘Monal’, with yellow cupped flower with white petals and a winners such as ‘Accent’ and ‘Barrett petals and a large, bright red cup. small, almost disc-shaped yellow cup Browning’. edged with red. It’s a medium-sized Other good choices include ‘Bracken- UPPER MIDWEST AND MOUNTAIN STATES flower that will benefit from a little af- hurst’ and one of its parents, ‘Ceylon’, The cold winters and short growing sea- ternoon shade. share the same yellow-and-orange color son in the Upper Midwest and some ‘Segovia’ is one of the larger miniatures, scheme. ‘Saint Keverne’, a lovely all-yel- Mountain states don’t deter daffodils, but being almost two inches in diameter and low flower, is a Historic Daffodil, which they bloom later than elsewhere. In about a foot tall. When it’s happy, it makes in ADS circles means it was bred or in places where the ground freezes early, like a nice clump in the garden, and almost al- gardens before 1940. The miniature Minnesota, bulbs should also be planted ways makes it to the show table as well. Its ‘Hawera’, with its several pendent all-yel- earlier so they have time to set roots be- white-and-yellow, small-cupped flowers low florets is a little charmer. If you like fore the ground freezes solid. To be safe, are borne singly. fragrant, smaller flowers, try ‘Quail’, plant bulbs before October 15, and for which bears several small-cupped yellow added protection, mulch the ground MID-ATLANTIC

SUSAN A. ROTH (2) blooms per stem. above the bulbs once the ground freezes. From the Ohio Valley across to the mid-

March / April 2011 21 Miniature ‘Peeping Tom’, here keeping company with trout lilies (Erythronium ‘Pagoda’), is a cheery-looking, early-blooming daffodil.

Atlantic states, growing conditions for daf- JOHN AND GERTRUDE WISTER GARDEN AWARD fodils are good, and most selections will flourish. I garden in the Cincinnati, Ohio, The American Daffodil Society (ADS) sponsors an award program that recognizes area, and one of my favorites is ‘Fragrant outstanding daffodil selections. The award program, which debuted in 1980, is Rose’, a white-and-pink, large-cupped daf- named the John and Gertrude Wister Garden Award in honor of two influential fodil that is a mid- to late-season bloomer members of the ADS. with a roselike fragrance. Besides being a A renowned landscape architect and horticulturist, John C. Wister (1887–1982) great addition to a garden, it’s also a fre- was a charter member of the ADS and the third recipient of its Gold Medal, in quent winner at daffodil shows. 1961. He graduated from Harvard University and studied at the Harvard School of The yellow-and-orange, double variety Landscape Architecture and the New Jersey Agricultural College. ‘Crackington’ is another frequent show- Wister had broad horticultural interests and involvement. He was secretary of the winner. The petals and sepals open or- American Rose Society for many years and was a member of some 50 horticultural ange, becoming paler as the flower societies—including the American Horticultural Society (AHS)—and 30 scientif- matures, while the rows of yellow petals ic and conservation organizations. He was the first director of the Arthur Hoyt Scott lay in perfect symmetry, one row of pro- Horticultural Foundation and designed and created the Scott Arboretum at Swarth- gressively smaller petals atop another. more College in Pennsylvania, which now encompasses 300 acres. ‘Dainty Miss’ is an all-white, small Wister was the author of four books: The Iris, Lilac Culture, Bulbs for American flower—about two-and-a-quarter inches Gardens, and Four Seasons in Your Garden. He was also the first horticulturist to re- in diameter—which grows about 12 inch- ceive five major American horticultural awards: The Liberty Hyde Bailey Award pre- es tall. A perfectly formed and larger ver- sented by the AHS; the Scott Medal; the American Peony Society’s A. P. Saunders sion of its parent, N. rupicola subsp. Memorial Medal; the Honor and Achievement Award of the International Lilac So- watieri, it blooms in late mid-season. ciety; and the Gold Medal of the American Daffodil Society. The only split corona to have gained You can find a complete list of Wister winners on the ADS website (see “Re- the Wister Award is ‘Tripartite’. This all- sources,” opposite page). —M.L.G. yellow flower usually comes with two to

three dancing blooms per stem, with the ROB CARDILLO

22 the American Gardener Sources Bill the Bulb Baron, Santa Cruz, CA. (831) 236-8397. www.billthebulbbaron.com. Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, Gloucester, VA. (877) 661-2852. www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com. John Scheepers, Bantam, CT. (860) 567-0838. www.johnscheepers.com. Mitsch Novelty Daffodils, Hubbard, OR. (503) 651-2742. www.mitschdaffodils.com. Nancy Wilson Miniature Daffodils, Garberville, CA. (707) 923-2407. www.asis.com/~nwilson. Old House Gardens, Ann Arbor, MI. (734) 995-1486. www.oldhousegardens.com.

Resources The American Daffodil Society, P.O. Box 522, Hawkinsville, GA 31026–0522. www.daffodilusa.org. ■ Members receive quarterly issues of The Daffodil Journal, an invitation to the annual convention, and the opportunity to become an accredited daffodil judge. The ADS website of- fers daffodil information and links to daffodil societies and shows. Photos of all the Wister winners, as well as Suited for the mid-Atlantic region, ‘Intrigue’ was introduced by daffodil breeder William Pannill. thousands of other daffodils, may be seen at www.daffseek.org. cup split into six segments lying back ‘Chromacolor’, which has a large flower, Daffodils by Theodore James, Clyde against the perianth. It blooms late in the and is described as “an improved ‘Accent’ Wachsberger, Harry Haralambou. season. ‘Camelot’ is a sturdy, large- of deeper color.” It’s now being mass-pro- Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, cupped, all-yellow flower that not only duced for commercial sale. New York, 2004. makes a beautiful display in the garden, Another good choice for the mid-At- Daffodils for North American Gardens but is the parent of more than 125 other lantic region is ‘Resplendent’, a Grant by Becky and Brent Heath. Bright daffodils, so if you have any interest in Mitsch hybrid that bears a large, tall flower Sky Press, Houston, Texas, 2002. breeding your own daffodils, take note. with yellow petals and a vivid orange-red Daffodils in Florida: A Field Guide to Its foliage remains green well into June cup. It blooms in mid-season here under the Coastal South by Linda and Sara here in the Ohio Valley. trees, which offer some protec- Van Beck, 2004 (available through William Pannill, considered the dean tion against the sun burning the cup. the ADS website). of amateur daffodil hybridizers in the United States, gardens in Martinsville, FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT Virginia. Among the many daffodils he’s With so many amateur and professional ed. One of the more exciting develop- introduced, he’s particularly proud of ‘In- breeders working on developing new daf- ments is work currently underway in trigue’, a lovely reverse bicolor. “I think fodils, you can expect to see a steady southern California to create a line of it has dual value for show and garden,” stream of selections with improved char- fall-blooming daffodils. Now that’s real- says Pannill. Late in the season, its two or acteristics such as color, longer blooming ly something to look forward to. three blooms to a stem open lemon-yel- season, and disease resistance. Breeders low, with the cup maturing to white. are also striving to extend the range of Mary Lou Gripshover is a past president of Like most jonquil hybrids, it has a fine daffodils into regions where they have the American Daffodil Society. She gardens

JUDYWHITE / GARDENPHOTOS scent. Another Pannill introduction is not previously been successfully cultivat- in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area.

March / April 2011 23 24 a Plant the garden. different shapeseffectivelyin how tocombineplantswith For thedesign-impaired,here’s mum visualpleasure. ways ofcombiningtheshapesformaxi- blobs, pools,andmists—andsuggests groups—spikes, shapes tofourprimary thatreduces allpossibleplant geometry up withasimplesystemofhorticultural garden writerNancy McDonald, Icame with thehelpofmyfriendandfellow deciding theylookawfultogether. So putting thingsnexttoeachother, then Rocket series;mulleins(Verbascum majus), tall; tallersnapdragons biennis), flowered evening primrose ennial hollyhocks typically spiky. So are theold-fashionedbi- foxgloves formality andorder toa garden. Grouped together, theyalsoadd asenseof a frameworkthrough theirlinearity. third dimensionofagarden andcreating They drawtheeye upward, enhancingthe ning mostofthewayupcentralstem. a uniformorslightlytapered columnrun- their tops.If theydobranch,soin foliage clustered eitherattheirbasesor with thebulkofbranches,flowers, and least three timestallerthantheyare wide, have tobestaked.In general,theyare at lessrigidcharactersmay though afew Spike plantsstandmore orlessupright,al- SPIKES I perennial Maximilian’s sunflower (He- BY RANDB.LEE a Plant Certain genera—alliums,delphiniums, Certain me particular trouble: Iamalways me particular garden inmyhead.Plant shapes give ’M NOTVERY the American Gardener such asthehalf-hardy perennial which cangrow three tosixfeet (Digitalis (Alcea rosea); spp.), andliatrises—are good atdesigninga (Antirrhinum (Oenothera the gold- spp.); curving linescounterbalance theformali- curving border that spikeplantscannot,andtheir They lendareassuring substancetothe looking, moundedbushesor clumps. The bestblobplantsformdense, heavy- BLOBS ica). cobalt-blue Siberian catmint lianthus maximiliani); SPIKES Spikyplantssuchasblackcohosh third dimensiontoJudyFinch’sgardeninPalouse,Washington. Shape Primer Shape Primer All are athomein themixed border. and thetall,hardy, (Nepeta sibir- (Actaea diminutive cultivar ofNorway spruce late springtoearlysummer. spherical whiteflowerheads thatformin wide. Even “blobbier” are itshuge,nearly roundish bushthree tofive feettalland eastern North America.It makesa (Hydrangea arborescens), whichisnative to ‘Annabelle’ cultivar ofsmoothhydrangea ty ofspikeplants.Aprimeexampleisthe Another great isthe blobby sp.), foreground,anddelphiniumsadda

MARK TURNER Sources Ambergate Gardens, Chaska, MN. (877) 211-9769. www.ambergategardens.com. Companion Plants, Athens, OH. (740) 592-4643. www.companionplants.com. Forestfarm, Williams, OR. (541) 846-7269. www.forestfarm.com. High Country Gardens, Santa Fe, NM. (800) 925-9387. www.highcountrygardens.com. Magic Garden, Newfield, NY. (607) 564-9055. www.magicgardenplants.com. Resources Gardening with Shape, Line and Tex- ture by Linden Hawthorne. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2009. Perennial Combinations by C. Colston Burrell. Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania, 2008. POOLS California fuchsias (Zauschneria californica) such as ‘Silver Select’ flow around rocks. The Well-Designed Mixed Garden by Tracy DiSabato-Aust. Timber Press, (Picea abies ‘Little Gem’), which forms a and Swiss chard ‘Bright Lights’, which Portland, Oregon, 2009. slow-growing, dense green cushion to one forms rich green-leaved blobs adorned to three feet wide and a foot tall. Although with bright red, pink, yellow, orange, or very hardy, it doesn’t fare well in hot, white stems. humid climates. Coral bells (Heuchera spp.) are lovely Spiraea japonica cultivars ‘Goldmound’ little blobs for much of the year, but in late and ‘Limemound’ offer gold and char- spring to early summer they hoist airy treuse spring foliage, respectively, on wands of blossoms that transform them mounds two to three feet tall and three to into mist plants. four feet wide. Alpine spirea (S. japonica ‘Nana’) produces such a dainty mound POOLS shape—eight inches to a foot high and two Pooling plants hug the ground, spreading to three feet in diameter—that it is often evenly in homogeneous blankets. They used in rock gardens. These spireas are cold soften harsh geometries and serve as a hor- hardy to at least USDA Zone 4, but the izontal canvas upon which more dramatic may burn if they are exposed to full plants can be framed. sun in warmer climates. My favorite pooling plant is the Symphotrichum novi-belgii ‘Snow drought- and alkalinity-tolerant Turkish Cushion’ (syn. Aster novi-belgii) makes a speedwell (Veronica liwanensis). This hardy great front-of-the-border blob. At one foot perennial makes a spreading mat of little, tall by 18 inches wide, it is a mass of gold- round, dark green leaves that turn purplish eyed white daisies in late summer and fall. in winter; for several months in spring it Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’ forms lacy green covers itself with tiny, true blue blossoms. mounds spangled in summer by starlike The hardy moss phloxes (Phlox subulata) yellow flowers. Hemerocallis ‘Stella de Oro’, make good pooling plants for rockeries, as the popular miniature gold-flowered re- do the creeping thymes (Thymus spp.). blooming daylily, is another good blob. The four-inch-tall, mat-forming stonecrop Edible blob plants include Greek basil (Sedum spurium ‘Fuldaglut’) has reddish- (Ocimum basilicum ‘Minimum’), which orange leaves and rose-red flowers in late BLOBS In Antje Coté’s Pacific-Northwest makes perfect little, fragrant, green hemi- summer and autumn; like most stone- garden, sedums (foreground) and spirea

TOP: JOSH MCCULLOUGH. BOTTOM: MARK TURNER spheres about eight inches tall and wide; , it is quite drought tolerant. Solenop- ‘Goldflame’ form tidy mounds.

March / April 2011 25 26 Zones 4–8,8–1 Hybrids’ virginica), Zones 5–8,8–5 (dwarf Canterburybells), (lavender cotton),Zones6–9,9–6 Zones 6–9,9–6 (creeping oregano),Zones5–9,9–5 Zones 5–8,8–5 iris), Zones5–9,9–5 o’clocks), Zones7–10,10–7 (monkshood), Zones3–8,8–3 Limonium platyphyllum Limonium paradoxa Fallugia cordifolia hair fern),Zones3–8,8–1 aleuticum Adiantum ■ californica Zauschneria lanuginosus Thymus byzantina Stachys stolonifera Phlox vulgare Origanum ■ resinosa Scutellaria Santolina multiflora Mirabilis Dianthus medium Campanula maritima Armeria ■ virginicum (white culver’sroot,syn. Veronicastrum pallida Iris Eremurus thyrsoides Campanula Aconitum spinosus Acanthus ■ MORE PLANTCHOICES Zones 7–9,9–7 Zones 5–9,9–4 (compact seapink),Zones3–9,9–1 bellflower), Zones5–8,8–5 (lamb’s ear),Zones4–8,8–1 (creeping phlox),Zones4–8,8–1 AHS Zones9–5 breeches), USDAZones5–9, Zones 8–11,12–8 Select’ Zones 6–8,8–5 MIST PLANTS POOLING PLANTS BLOB PLANTS SPIKE PLANTS the American Gardener (California fuchsia), (foxtail lily),Zones6–9,9–4 ‘Tiny Rubies’(pink), ✕ ‘Bressingham Spire’ ‘Saso Dwarf’ Zones 4–8,8–3 isabellinus ‘Variegata’ ‘Blue Ridge’ ‘Compacta’ ‘Humile’ (Apache plume), (giant kale), ‘Silver Carpet’ (spiny bear’s (desert four ‘Premium Pink’ (western maiden- (prairie skullcap), (woolly thyme), (yellow-spike (variegated ‘Shelford (sea lavender), ‘Mattole Veronica forma album ‘Little Spire’)softenthelinesofmoreangularplants. MISTS Airyplantssuchas legiifolium topped by palebluestarlikeflowers. a matofcream-edged green leaves thatare flower family, grows aninchtall,forming atilis), sis fluviatilis ropean andAsianspecies theEu-make nicemistplants,particularly if thisisaproblem inyour area. in someregions, however, sochecktosee Fenneltheir larvae. isconsidered invasive bronze-gold flowers and attractbutterflies late summer, spikestoppedwithlarge,flat, that swell up tofourfeettallandwide.In spring asgreat smoky bronze-green puffs plant. It emergesfrom taproots inearly is thearchetypal, hardy perennial mist ‘Purpurascens’), withitsthreadlike leaves, busyborders.the eye canrest inotherwise spacewherelarger mistplantscreate airy a frameforplantswithmore rigidshapes; If amistplantissmallenough,itcanactas houettes ofotherplantssetbehindthem. diffuse thelight,allowing glimpsesofsil- mension ofheight.Theirleaves orflowers pooling plantsdo,butaddingathird di- softening spacesinmuchthesameway Mist plantsfroth theair, blurringlinesand MISTS The meadow (Thalictrum rues Bronze fennel(Foeniculum vulgare an Australian native inthebell- and (also listedas T. rochebruneanum Thalictrum aqui- Thalictrum Ipomopsis rubra, Ipomopsis Isotoma fluvi- spp.) and left, andRussiansage sary tothegeometrically balancedgarden. sary one another, but,infact, bothare neces- These adagesmayappearto contradict and Contrast Pleases, Monotony Freezes. bining are: Repetition, Not Competition The twobasicprinciplesofshape-com- SHAPES PLANT COMBINING flowers shapedlikeminiature dolphins. which hangdelicatewhite,blue,orpink billows oftinygreen stemsandleaves in annual cousintothedelphiniums,makes heads. Cloudlarkspur develop intodecorative balloonlikeseed- blossoms inearlysummer;theyquickly white,blue,orpink of green andstarry (Nigella sativa) fine-cut green leaves. Love-in-a-mist floating allseasonlonguponswells of froth ofbigrose, pink,orwhitedaisies bipinnatus (Linum perenne sophila nial mistplantsincludebaby’s breath borders andwoodlandedges.Other peren- ple blossoms.Theyare especiallysuitedfor midsummer, cloudsoftinywhitetopur- bluish, fernlikebasalleaves and,inearlyto their cultivars. Theybeardenseclustersof mingbird mint(Agastache aurantiaca). tender perennial’s orange-flowered hum- There are mistyannuals,too. Cosmos spp.); Americannative prairieflax ‘Sonata Mix’ creates athick forms threadlike clouds subsp. (Perovskia atriplicifolia (Perovskia (Consolida ajacis), lewisii); and the (Gyp-

ROB CARDILLO In her Wisconsin garden, Dorothy Danforth uses plants such as Carex elata ‘Bowles’ Golden’, Astilbe chinensis ‘Visions in Pink’, Ligularia ‘The Rocket’, Phlox paniculata ‘Blue Paradise’, and Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ to create a dynamic combination of shapes.

No matter how charming it may sound, bugleweed (Ajuga reptans ‘Multicolor’); ta)—and plant your mists, like Thalic- a garden in which no two plants are shaped and a circle of the tall-necked white Dar- trum aquilegiifolium, at its base. alike is usually a nightmare of visual over- win tulips ‘Maureen’ would look even If you have room, the best way to use stimulation. The eye instinctively looks for more pristine with the surprise of a weep- pooling plants effectively is to figure out similarities, and it tires easily when it can ing purple beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea which specimen plants you want to frame find few. As long as their shapes are har- Pendula’) in the center of them. them with, then plant a pool twice as wide monious, repeating plant shapes here and Blob plants harmonize beautifully with as your specimen plants will be tall at ma- there, even if you are using plants of dif- spike plants, as when one-and-a-half to turity. That means spiky Veronica spicata ferent sizes, textures, and bloom times, can two-foot silver mounds of Artemisia lu- ‘Icicle’, which grows around 20 inches tall make the difference between a garden that doviciana ‘Valerie Finnis’ are partnered in bloom, would look best encircled by a looks like a community and one that looks with the tall spikes of the biennial mullein pool of creeping white fairies’ thimble like a specimen collection. (Verbascum bombyciferum), or when the (Campanula cochlearifolia var. alba) at On the other hand, a garden in which white-edged, blue-green mounds of Hosta least 40 inches in diameter. all or most of the plants are shaped alike ‘Patriot’ are backed by clumps of the Having read all of this, you needn’t feel can be boring. What is wanted is a balance three-foot-tall white foxglove. guilty if you decide to make your entire between repeated plant shapes and con- As long as they are not allowed to garden a happy jungle of mists and mess- trasting plant shapes, so that the eye can grow too diffuse in outline, blob plants es, or a blazing phantasmagoria of surpris- find both reassurance through sameness also blend well with pool and mist plants: es. But amid all that excitement, clear out and refreshment through novelty. I love white bouquet tansy (Tanacetum a circle for a bench and surround it with a The spike is the most useful plant shape niveum) lapped by a wide swathe of sweet wide pool of all the same type of plant. You because it harmonizes with all the other alyssum (Lobularia maritima), or the will find yourself drawn to that patch of shapes, as long as the various plants’ ma- squat dwarf fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah restfulness over and over again, as the lark ture heights and widths are considered Blue’) interplanted with airy blue flax. is drawn to the vast blue sky. when intermingling them. For example, Pool plants are difficult to partner with white foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea forma mist plants, however, unless you cover a Rand Lee is a garden writer based in Santa albiflora) are striking rising from the wall with a vertical pooling vine—such Fe, New Mexico. This article is updated

DONNA KRISCHAN spreading pool of bronze, pink, and gold as ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspida- from one originally published in 2000.

March / April 2011 27 Oregon’s plant geek BY KYM POKORNY PHOTOGRAPHS BY Extraordinaire JOSHUA MCCULLOUGH

Running a trend-setting nursery, globe-trotting in search of new plants, writing horticultural references, and designing gardens are all in a day’s work for Sean Hogan.

EAN HOGAN walks through the lecting without feeling constrained. On culture on a more global scale, gardeners of greenhouses of Cistus Nursery, stop- trips around the world, including five to all levels from beginners to aficionados are S ping every few feet to describe a South Africa and dozens to the American discovering Cistus. They come by the hun- plant or tell its story. Two customers fol- Southwest, Mexico, and South America, dreds on tour buses that arrive up to three low, torn between listening or lagging be- the pair found hundreds of species, many times a week from spring through fall. hind to eyeball a striking yucca they’ve They come after hearing Hogan speak, never seen before. After being questioned, after reading his 2009 book Trees for All Hogan admits they’re looking at the only Seasons: Broadleaved Evergreens for Tem- four plants he’s got. perate Climates, or after referring to his Hogan smiles and the lines around his much-lauded, two-volume Flora: A Gar- hazel eyes crinkle. Maybe he’ll add figur- dener’s Encyclopedia (2003), which Hogan ing out how to propagate this spectacu- calls “my baby.” They come to buy plants lar selection to the already never-ending they can’t get anywhere else, to see the ex- to-do list facing him as owner of the Pa- traordinary garden and nursery, and to cific Northwest nursery that inspires the meet the man who coined the often-mis- nerdiest of the plant nerds. Or maybe his understood term “zonal denial.” customers’ attention will shift to the next amazing plant, and then the next one, ZONAL DENIAL until their brains are overloaded and they Though people tend to think the expres- forget the yuccas. sion refers to growing plants that are not hardy in their area, Hogan says this is not HORTICULTURAL HEAVEN the intent. He defines zonal denial as “the Twelve years ago, Hogan and Parker ability to create any texture, look, or feel, Sanderson, his partner at the time, put however exotic, with plants that thrive in their savings into leasing five acres on one’s own climate.” Sauvie Island near Portland, Oregon. The point, he says, is to get gardeners They built the first of Cistus’s 22 green- Sean Hogan examines bitterroot (Lewisia to leave convention behind, to not be houses and began filling it with the con- rediviva), a western native named after 19th- constrained by the narrow confines of siderable plant collection they’d been century explorer Meriwether Lewis. tradition or by what other people think. amassing over the years. That can include trying plants that may Even fellow plant nuts accustomed to new to cultivation. Although Sanderson not be hardy in your garden. horticultural excesses, such as Tony died in 2006, Cistus and its reputation “Certainly I’m a fan of growing any Avent, owner of Plant Delights Nursery continued to grow. Gardens now stretch plant you want,” says Hogan. “That’s in Raleigh, North Carolina, were ren- 500 feet down the gravel driveway, making part of the fun of gardening. If it’s im- dered almost speechless when first en- it clear to visitors and customers they are portant to you, grow it on your win- countering the tangled mass of treasures. entering a special place. dowsill in winter, or dump ice on your “It was horticultural insanity,” Avent re- “It’s a mecca, a world destination,” lilacs in summer. But that’s not the pri- calls. “You could spend two or three days says Panayoti Kelaidis, senior curator at mary definition of zonal denial.” in there. If you moved too fast, you’d Denver Botanic Gardens. “No one goes At the nursery, a green sign with white miss something.” to the Northwest without going there.” letters spells out the phrase, which will With more room at Cistus, Hogan and Although Kelaidis and Avent are famil- surely be part of Hogan’s legacy. For a few Sanderson indulged their obsession for col- iar with Hogan’s contributions to horti- days each winter, snow falls on the sign and

28 the American Gardener Yuccas, agaves, cacti, and a wide array of other drought-tolerant plants hold sway in this section of Cistus Nursery. coats the fine leaves of the bamboo next to With his parents, Bernard and Theta including Mexico. And the more time he it. Nearby are species of palm, eucalyptus, Hogan, he often went on hikes in the spent in the wild, the more he became olive, fig, and banana. It’s not what people high desert of eastern Oregon and the aware of the connections between plants. expect, which is exactly the point. chaparral and oak savannah of central “You start seeing the shapes, the pat- “One of Sean’s biggest influences is California. He also spent time tramping terns, the parallels,” he says. “No matter encouraging people to think outside the around Yosemite National Park, where his where you are, you see connections. It’s box,” says John Grimshaw, author of mother grew up next door to renowned absolutely the most fascinating thing.” For New Trees and manager of Colesbourne photographer Ansel Adams. example, he recalls standing on the edge Gardens in Gloucestershire, England. Whether by nature or nurture, Hogan of a cliff in Neuvo Leon in northeastern “He’s broadening their horizons, show- is drawn to the road. He didn’t think twice Mexico, “looking out on the same dark ing them there’s a much bigger palette of about taking off alone for a weekend trip trunks of oak, at manzanita and ceanoth- plants they can try and should try.” to the Sierra foothills after he learned to us that look for all the world like the ones drive in Sacramento, where the family you’ve seen in the Siskiyous.” NATURE AND NURTURE moved when he was 12. By the time he was Even more influential for the botani- In the upper-class Portland neighborhood 17, he was traveling throughout the West, cally gifted teenager was the realization where Hogan grew up, gardeners and gar- dening surrounded him. His mother, grandfather, uncle, neighbors, all of them, About Cistus Nursery he says, were “pretty diehard plant geeks.” Cistus Nursery, 2271 Northwest Gillihan Loop Road, Portland, OR 97231. On one side lived Margaret Mason, a (503) 621-2233. www.cistus.com. enthusiast who talked to the ■ A mail-order and retail nursery located on Sauvie Island, 15 miles northwest rapt 10-year-old about penstemons and of Portland, Cistus specializes in Mediterranean climate, Northwest native, gentians. On the other, retired general Southern Hemisphere, and hardy tropical plants. The retail nursery is open daily Gen Itchner invited Hogan to help in his from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., year round. manicured beds of annuals.

March / April 2011 29 SEAN HOGAN’S PLANT INTRODUCTIONS AND FAVORITES

Over the course of his career, Sean Hogan has introduced more than 500 plants into cultivation. Here are a few relatively new Cistus introductions; some are list- ed in the nursery catalog and others are expected to be available later this year.

Agave parryi var. huachucensis ‘Huachuca Blue’ On one of his many trips to the Southwest, Hogan discovered a blue agave with a particularly steel-blue color at 7,000 feet in the Huachuca Mountains. As he often does, he named it in honor of its native range. It’s a 20- to 24-inch tall, artichoke-shaped plant that even- tually forms small colonies. USDA Hardiness Zones 8–11 (Zone 7 if soil is very well-drained).

Ceanothus ✕‘Nathan’s Fendling’ Named after Hogan’s partner, Nathan Limprecht, who on his first excursion to the chaparral country of the Siskiyou Mountains waded out into a sea of shrubs and spotted something unique. Sure enough, at one of Hogan’s favorite places on the planet, he’d found a cross between West Coast natives C. cordulatus and C. velutinus that blends the tangled branches of the former and the round, blue, waxy foliage of the latter. A gorgeous evergreen

GEORGE HULL / COURTESY OF CISTUS NURSERY shrub to about six feet. Zones 6–8.

Sean Hogan plant hunting in Mexico in 2006 Cupressus arizonica var. glabra ‘Sedona Column’ Yes, this Arizona cypress was col- lected near the town of Sedona, but it wasn’t on a hike up in the orange cliffs. that plants grow in combinations that jolt Instead, Hogan spotted this dense, upright seedling, decorated for Christmas, people out of their comfort zone. In the growing on the side of Highway 89 just a breeze away from passing semis. Drought Sierra Madre of northeastern Mexico, he tolerant, it grows up to 15 to 18 feet tall. Zones 5–9. saw clumping dwarf blue palms (Brahea decumbens) and eight-foot rosettes of Delosperma congestum ‘Gold Nugget’ While hiking on the eastern flank of the Drak- Agave genterii growing under Douglas firs. ensberg Mountains in South Africa in 1991, Hogan took cuttings of a “cute lit- Such discoveries excite Hogan, not just tle plant” he spotted on a cliff ledge. Trials at Denver Botanic Gardens indicate because of his love for pure science, but the ice plant selection is hardy to at least Zone 5. It forms a compact mat of also for the implications for horticulture bright green foliage highlighted with masses of bright yellow flowers. A good plant and gardening. for the Midwest, Alaska, and Canada. Zones 5–10.

NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY Ficus carica ‘Sticky Fingers’ This year, All that stomping around gives Hogan, Hogan introduced a new fig that he and now 47, a sense of what works well in the his late partner Parker Sanderson found garden—insight he’s determined to pass on a frosty Christmas-morning walk along on to anyone who will listen, buy a plant, the levee in Clovis, California. With no or hire him as a designer, an aspect of his tools at hand, Hogan used car keys to career many people don’t know about, make a crude cutting of the plant, which but on which he spends about three- oozed white sap on the walk back to the quarters of his time. car, thus the name ‘Sticky Fingers’. Though his first love is designing pub- Three other figs he has introduced, all lic gardens such as the meticulously selections of F. afghanistanica and authentic Lan Su in grown for their extraordinary foliage Portland, which he devoted three years to rather than fruit, are equally fascinating. in the late 1990s, Hogan makes his bread Platinum-leafed ‘Silver Lyre’ is his fa- and butter on private jobs. His approach vorite; ‘Green Filigree’ and ‘Dwarf Green can be surprisingly minimalist. In a recent Filigree’ have foliage almost as dissected project for Portland residents John and as a Japanese maple. All stretch 15 to Fran Von Schlegell, Hogan reiterated the 20 feet and are very drought tolerant. natural materials and modern lines of the Zones 7–10. FicusFicus afghanistanicaafghanistanica‘Silver‘Silver Lyre’Lyre’ house with a restrained palette of silver- gray foliage and warm orange and red

30 the American Gardener Opuntia ‘Imnaha Blue’ It’s impossible to leave prickly pear off a list of introduc- tions from cacti-crazy Hogan, who is on a crusade to convince people prickly pears are not “trailer trash” plants. The extremely round, blue paddles and sparse spines of this one should do the trick. A cross between O. polyacantha and O. vul- garis, it was found spilling over a basalt ledge in northeast Oregon near the tiny town of Imnaha. Zones 4–10.

Tetrapanax papyrifera ‘Steroidal Giant’ Here’s a plant that more than lives up to its name, rising to 15 feet tall in one season with leaves a stunning five to eight feet in length. Hogan acquired it by a convoluted path that started with an elderly man who brought it from Japan to Hawaii. After many years, the man gave it to California nurseryman Ed Carman, who kept it in a gallon pot for two decades. When Roger Warner, formerly of the legendary Western Hills Nursery in Califor- nia, saw it, he was ecstatic to think he’d found a miniature rice paper plant. It didn’t take long to figure out it was anything but, and he passed it to Hogan. Stem hardy to Zones 7–11, hardy to Zone 6.

Trachelospermum asiaticum ‘Theta’ In a seed batch sent to Hogan from a Hong Kong botanical garden, he noticed an Asian star jasmine that “looked a little dif- ferent.” So he selected it and named it after his mom. Extremely thin leaves are flecked with silver in the center and turn maroon in winter. It climbs eight to 12 feet up a trellis or falling over a wall. Popular in the Southeast, it prefers full to part shade and regular watering during dry spells. Zones 7–10.

TetrapanaxTetrapanax papyriferapapyrifera ‘Steroidal‘Steroidal Giant’Giant’

Yucca rostrata ‘Sapphire Skies’ Most people would find it difficult to make a list of their top 500 favorite plants. Not Hogan, who puts Yucca rostrata high up on his. But it’s tough to propagate and the seedlings vary in “blue-osity,” so Hogan was thrilled to find this powdery blue selection in the early 1990s in northern Mexico; he has been able to reproduce it through tissue culture. If you’re looking for an architectural plant, this is it. It grows quickly to three feet and, in good conditions, eventually up to 10. Zones 7–10 (although has been grown successful- ly in Zones 5 and 6). If you’re looking for an even hardier yucca, Hogan recommends Y. baccata var. vespertina ‘Hualampai Blue’, a stunning banana yucca that is very upright, very blue, and grows up to four feet tall. Yucca rostrata ‘Sapphire‘Sapphire Skies’Skies’ Zones 4–10.

March / April 2011 31 Daisy, planted at Great Dixter, Lloyd’s über-famous garden in Sussex, England. “I gave him starts of some things— hardy banana, agave, various hardy succu- lents,” Hogan recalls with a smile. “I didn’t really know about his famous rose garden, but I got a card that said, ‘I planted your bananas. Tore out roses. They’ll talk.’ ” “They” did talk—the gardening world, especially in we-do-it-a-certain- way Great Britain, was scandalized by Lloyd’s flamboyant new subtropical gar- den. Hogan and Lloyd were amused, not surprising for two men with a penchant for pushing boundaries. THE POWER OF STORY Hogan also likes to engage people’s imag- inations with stories that often change the way they think about plants. A good example of this comes on a fall afternoon at Hogan’s home garden in Portland. About a dozen women from a garden club listened as Hogan patiently identified plants he’s identified 100 times before. The oak (Quercus hypoleucoides) that doesn’t look like an oak. The Chinese rice-paper plant (Tetrapanax papyrifer) that, yes, is hardy. The palm that comes from a plant found at a temple in Japan. There are bits of Chile, South Africa, San Francisco, and Portland in the garden, he told them. Hogan explained that plants can be more In addition to all his other activities, Hogan finds time to design gardens such as this one at than the sum of their parts. He’s making the home of Portland, Oregon, residents John and Fran Von Schlegell. the point that they come with stories and the stories make a difference. bark and flowers. “With all my self-im- that getting caught up in the moment “It’s one thing to understand where a posed ideas about plants fitting together, often puts him at a disadvantage. “He’ll tell plant came from in the wild; that’s a teach- I also think it’s fun to think about repeat- you he’s going to stop by,” says Avent, who ing moment,” Hogan explains. “But if you ing colors and textures in ways you won’t lives across the country from Hogan. “But know the history of where it came from in necessarily see in nature,” he says. he’s made 40 other friends in the area. He’ll cultivation, it adds another very rich layer. He works on drawings in his home of- start at one end and you’ll never see him. It gives a sense of place, a sense of history.” fice, upstairs in the 1880 craftsman house Six months later, you say, ‘I thought you To emphasize this, he relates a story. he shares with partner Nathan Limprecht. were coming by’ and he’ll say, ‘I got busy.’” “There’s a little white primrose that grows Maps of minimum and maximum tem- No one seems to hold it against him, on the Falkland Islands. There was a fel- peratures are taped to one wall and light though, mainly because Hogan can charm low who was the captain of a ship that was streams in through a cathedral of bamboo the leaves off an evergreen. sunk during the Falklands War. He res- outside the six windows. Legendary British gardener Christo- cued only one thing when he abandoned Downstairs in the kitchen he indulges pher Lloyd, who could be equally engag- ship. The King of Saudi Arabia had given his “hospitality gene,” chopping vegetables ing but more acerbic, traded quips and him a gold-bound volume of a book on and boiling pasta while keeping up a steady friendship with Hogan for 20 years. The the flora of Saudi Arabia, but what he stream of conversation with friends, ac- two met at California’s Berkeley Botanic grabbed was that little primula. He took it quaintances, and strangers. Entertaining— Garden, where Hogan was horticulturist back to England and named it ‘Swan planned and impromptu—is as much a from 1988 to 1995, and Hogan unwitting- Song’ for the ship, which was called The part of his life as the 12-hour work days. ly influenced one of Lloyd’s most infa- Swan.” Summing up, Hogan says, “There The hospitality gene can get Hogan mous gardening decisions: to tear out the is a difference between that plant and the into binds, though. Even he acknowledges 70-year-old rose garden his mother, primrose sold at the grocery store.”

32 the American Gardener plant-collecting trips, Hogan can get so caught up keying out a plant or just mus- ing at its wonderfulness that, all of a sud- den, he realizes he’s headed for an all-nighter when everyone else is heading to bed. “He focuses on what’s right in front of him, not the future,” says Avent, who has traveled with Hogan. If you can get Hogan to sit still long enough, the stories tumble out. On ex- peditions to South Africa with Sander- son, he encountered baboons with good throwing arms, ended up at the hospital with a more-serious-than-usual case of food poisoning, and came across a red,

Resources Flora: A Gardener’s Encyclopedia, Sean Hogan, Chief Consultant. Tim- ber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2003 Hogan has a soft spot for prickly pears (Opuntia spp.) This one is O. basilaris ‘Peachy’. (two volumes). Trees for All Seasons: Broadleaved Even if the tale is forgotten by its audi- Western Hills Nursery in California’s Evergreens for Temperate Climates by ence, Hogan believes in its power. Some- Sonoma County, where Hogan volun- Sean Hogan. Timber Press, Portland, where in the brain is a spark that will light teered in his 20s. “Seeing people meeting Oregon, 2009. upon sight of a primrose. each other, hearing different languages, For Hogan, knowledge is a powerful watching connections being made,” he addiction, one he hopes others will devel- says. “That gives me the biggest high.” black, and green poisonous viper that op at Cistus. He and Sanderson built a looked just like a euphorbia. “We were in covered area, intimate with exotic plants, ADVENTURES IN PLANT HUNTING the land of mimicry, so we mimicked a where people are encouraged to have a seat Perhaps the only bigger high Hogan gets wild hare and ran,” he says, laughing and a conversation. This design was in- is from plant hunting, where his extreme from the safety of time and distance. spired by the salonlike atmosphere of focus on the task at hand is legendary. On Running isn’t always an option. On an- other trip to South Africa in 1991, the two arrived in a remote region, only to be told the local constable requested their pres- ence. Politics being what they were, refus- ing seemed unwise. The day unfolded with a paddy wagon ride, ranch hands with rifles, a drunken Afrikaner barbecue, “Northern Exposure” on TV, a car acci- dent, and a ride in a BMW with the 1970s pop group Bread blaring on the radio. “It was a cacophony of weirdness,” says Hogan, noting that the constable turned out to be a “sweet, sweet guy and intense- ly passionate gardener.” Weirdness aside, the experience makes for a great story, one he’ll be telling for years to come as he walks through the greenhouses of Cistus, always with peo- ple following along, listening, looking, and learning.

Kym Pokorny has been the garden writer for Hogan’s design aesthetic shows through in this elaborate border that flanks Cistus’s entrance. The Oregonian for 14 years.

March / April 2011 33 34 I light-pink, continuous -blooming Bour- exceptionally fragrant‘Mystic Beauty’, a nestled amongsoftshell-pink petals. The teas, withitsmahogany-tinted stamens the mostbeloved ofthesinglehybrid There was‘Dainty Bess’, dubbedoneof New York BotanicalGarden (NYBG). Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden atthe Rose Garden rethinking the Rose Garden rethinking the T WASTHE ing as he surveyed the1.04-acreing ashesurveyed Peter Kukielski foundhiseyes tear- the American Gardener Roses thatrequirechemicalcoddlingneed notapplytothenewlyrestored Peggy RockefellerRoseGardenattheNew York Botanical Garden. spring of2007and States. During theprevious winter, of themostbeautiful intheUnited maintain therose garden’s statusasone see a$2.5millionrestoration andto the NYBG,locatedinBronx, toover- Just ayear before, hehadbeenhired by den’s curator. sentenced todeathby Kukielski, thegar- other 400rose cultivars hadjustbeen bon rose, was closeby. Thesetwoandan- It wasnot supposedtobethisway. PHOTOGRAPHS BYIVOM.VERMEULEN BY PATRICIAA.TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHS BYIVOM.VERMEULEN BY PATRICIAA.TAYLOR prohibits theuseofthree groups ofpes- York law CityLocalLaw37.Thisnew garden’s mission. to addaneducationalcomponent tothe ber, andthe repositioning of manyroses fall ratherthanjustinJune and Septem- in continuousbloomfrom springinto rosesdition ofnew sothatthegarden was improvements, soilamendments,thead- Kukielski infrastructure hadsupervised And thenhewasinformedabout New

PHOTOGRAPHS BY IVO M. VERMEULEN / COURTESY OF NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED Above: Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden Curator Peter Kukielski with ‘Mother of Pearl’ roses. Left: Kukielski evaluates roses in the David Austin English rose border. In the foreground are two roses— dark pink ‘Betty Prior’ and white Iceberg™.

chemicals. But these roses, to devotees at least, offered little that was special be- yond their vigorousness. To someone like Kukielski, who readily bills himself as a rose fanatic, roses should be enchanting. They should beguile with lush beauty and delicate fragrance. WORLDWIDE SEARCH Like many rosarians, Kukielski had viewed with dismay the decline in popu- larity of roses among the American gar- dening public in the last 50 years because of the flower’s reputation for excessive care and spraying in home gardens. Kukielski was aware, however, that there were breeders both in the United States ticides on city property. The botanical Roses that Kukielski personally loved, and abroad who were seeking to bring garden had just learned that it fell under such as the aforementioned ‘Dainty Bess’, roses back into gardens by creating vig- the law’s purview; its rose garden, in par- had to go. Others, which shall remain orous, beautiful, disease-resistant plants. ticular, was regularly drenched with a nameless, he admits he was glad to toss. To find these plants, Kukielski spent cocktail of the banned . All had been bred primarily for beauty, the winter of 2008 traveling around the Suddenly, just a year after arriving with little thought of the care and the world—via the Internet. He contacted from Atlanta, where his company de- chemicals needed to keep them alive. Even Germany’s preeminent nursery, W. Ko- signed rose gardens for large estates, with weekly spraying, many were covered rdes Sohne. A five-generation rose- Kukielski was faced with an immense with black spot and yellow foliage by the breeding machine, Kordes introductions challenge: turning a garden that was, as time September rolled around. have won more awards in All Deutsch- he puts it, “living on an I.V. drip of Thanks to breeders like Bill Radler, land Rose (ADR) trials than those from chemicals,” into one that showed it was who developed the popular and robust any other firm. (The ADR trial is a possible to grow extraordinarily beauti- Knock Out™ rose series, there were some three-year evaluation of new varieties at ful roses not only without pesticides, but roses in that spring of 2007 that 11 locations throughout Germany; ab- also without extra fuss and care. bloomed all season without the use of solutely no pesticides are used.) “With

March / April 2011 35 extraordinary healthy foliage,” Kukiels- ki says, “Kordes roses are stand-outs among no-spray varieties.” He clicked over to the House of Meil- land in France, where six generations of the family have been busy breeding roses, among them the world-famous ‘Peace’ rose. Today, the firm’s emphasis is on ex- quisite, often fragrant, roses that require little or no spraying. Among these are the dwarf, everblooming shrubs in the Drift™ series introduced in 2008. Closer to home, there was G. Michael Shoup of the Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham, Texas. For almost three decades, Shoup has been hunting for and introducing fragrant old-time roses— mute legacies from settlers of a century and more ago that had become wild along Texas back roads and cemeteries. He has also used these tough old-timers as parents of carefree, repeat-blooming roses that are often almost prickle free. A little further north, at the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Dallas, Kukielski reviewed the Earth-Kind® roses. Starting in 1990, the Service established plant trials in which roses were left on their own in baking heat for four years—no fer-

Top: A panoramic view of the expansive Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden. Right: The garden introduced its trial site of Earth-Kind roses in spring 2010.

36 the American Gardener tilizer, no pesticides, no , and, after the first year, no water. Those that not WHAT IS A SUSTAINABLE ROSE GARDEN? only survived—and it was surprising to many that there were survivors at all—but A sustainable rose garden, such as the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, is not nec- also looked good were designated Earth- essarily an organic garden. While the roses in such a garden are either disease resis- Kind roses. Among these, ‘Ducher’—bred tant or completely impervious to diseases, they are subject to insect infestations. in France in 1869 and featuring elegant, When the pests are particularly numerous, sprays are often used. Generally, organic fragrant, ivory-white flowers—has been a sprays are tried first, but if they are not effective, synthetic chemicals are applied. star at the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden. That said, the Margaret Hagedorn Rose Garden at the U.S. Botanic Garden in (Earth-Kind trials are now being conduct- Washington, D.C., is totally organic. This status, according to its director, Holly ed in public gardens throughout most of Shimizu, was a decision by the entire staff. The garden, however, is not a mono- the eastern half of the U.S. and in Califor- culture—that is, it does not consist only of roses. Perennials are mixed in with nia, Oregon, and Alaska.) disease-resistant roses and the carefully chosen combination of plants helps to Up in Minnesota, Bailey’s Nurseries, deter pests and diseases. another multi-generational firm, was also Out on the West Coast, the Huntington Rose Garden, under the aegis of its long- developing stellar roses, thanks to the time curator, Clair Martin, has been almost spray-free for over two decades. Much breeding work of Ping Lim. Hired in of this is due to stringent 1992, Lim is responsible for many award- state laws that have in- winning roses as well as the recently in- creasingly banned the use troduced ever-blooming, fragrant Easy of toxic chemicals in pub- Elegance™ Rose series. Bailey’s is so con- lic places. Martin points vinced of their vigor and resistance to dis- out that the relatively dry ease that it offers a two-year guarantee to climate in San Marino, all home gardeners. California, is also con- Kukielski also sought out roses devel- ducive to discouraging oped by the late Griffith Buck. A profes- disease. That, plus the sor at Iowa State University, Buck was careful selection of roses, one of the first recognized breeders to in- decreases the need for reg- troduce disease-resistant roses. Over four ular applications of syn- decades, he named 90 different varieties. thetic pesticides. “These are great roses,” Kukielski says, Public gardens, partic- “not only for the harsh climate of the ularly those solely devoted The rose garden at The Huntington in San Marino, California American prairie, where they were bred, to roses, are meant to be but for any climate. Among these, beautiful displays. As is evident from Peter Kukielski’s example, an incredible ‘Quietness’, with soft pink, fragrant, amount of work is needed to enable a public rose garden to make the transition to ever-blooming flowers, is a stand out.” a sustainable one. There is another factor as well: time. As Martin points out, “Once you break away from chemicals, it takes at least three years to get the garden back MAKING SPACE into balance with nature and the soil healthy.” While a rose curator might argue in When Kukielski had finished his research, favor of such an approach, a garden’s trustees, charged with overseeing a beauti- he had a list of 1,700 roses that he wanted ful creation, may be more reluctant to do so. to add to the garden. That meant an al- Currently, there appears to be no overall trend toward creating sustainable pub- most equal number had to go. By recon- lic rose gardens. However, with the increase in new laws restricting the use of tox- figuring the beds, he was able to whittle ic chemicals in public areas, as well as the superb breeding work by rose fanciers down the discard number to 1,300. Still, both in this country and abroad, expect to see more such beautiful and inspiring that is an awful lot of roses to put on the gardens in the near future. —P.A.T. chopping block. In addition, breeding work is on-going, so every year Kukielski learns of new, exciting roses. Since the To ensure that the newcomers per- ratings in 2009 and 2010. (See sidebar on only way he can acquire them is to banish form to expectation and that old-timers page 39 for list.) other roses from the garden, it has now be- remain competitive, he introduced an Roses that end up at the very bottom of come a one-for-one tradeoff. evaluation system in 2009. Every month, the list are candidates for disposal. Yet a few This tradeoff regimen is rough. Last Kukielski and garden volunteers rate of these are retained, because the garden summer, for example, Kukielski saw a rose each rose with regard to floral beauty, fo- has an educational mission to demonstrate description in the Kordes catalog and on liage attractiveness, fragrance, and over- the history and evolution of rose breeding. the spot decided he had to have it. The all vigor. These evaluators are tough. So in designated areas of the garden, visi- more difficult decision was how to elimi- Only 22 of the 487 repeat-blooming va- tors can see the old, fragrant hybrid tea nate a rose to make room for it. rieties in the garden received Superior roses, a collection of heritage roses, a swath

March / April 2011 37 Sources Chamblee Roses, Tyler, TX. (800) 256-7673. www.chambleeroses.com. Heirloom Roses, St. Paul, OR. (503) 538-1576. www.heirloomroses.com. Northland Rosarium, Spokane, WA. (509) 448-4968. www.northlandrosarium.com. Pickering Nurseries, Port Hope, ON, Canada. (866) 269-9282. www.pickeringnurseries.com. Regan Nursery, Fremont, CA. (800) 249-4680. www.regannursery.com. Roses Unlimited, Laurens, SC. (864) 682-7673. www.rosesunlimitedownroot.com.

Resources Just Say No to Chemicals—My Journey to All Natural Rose Gardening by Paul Zimmerman. Article based on lecture to New York Botanical Garden, www.paulzimmermanroses.com. The Sustainable Rose Garden edited by Pat Shanley, Peter Kukielski, and Gene Waering. Casemate/Newbury Books, Havertown, Pennsylvania, 2011.

“While own-roots roses, when com- pared to grafted roses, take a little more time to build up and become estab- lished,” Kukielski says, “they are always true to their variety. They are also more likely to survive hard winters and tem- perature fluctuations. Basically, these are healthier plants and less prone to pathogens.” It is relatively easy to distinguish an ‘Awakening’ roses climb the central gabezo in the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden. own-root rose from that of a grafted rose at a garden center. If there is a little woody of David Austin English roses, and classics that; a single plant from top to bottom. ring or a knob at the base of the plant, it such as the ‘Peace’ rose. These areas of the Grafted shrubs are two-part creations. indicates a graft has been made. garden are sprayed as needed with ap- Generally the roots—or understock— Because the Peggy Rockefeller Rose proved pesticides so that they do not look of a grafted plant determine its height Garden is a garden—only like a wasteland by early fall. and shape, while the upper section—the one type of plant is grown—it is essential scion—exhibits the attributes of its that the healthiest possible plants are ini- STANDING ON THEIR OWN ROOTS flowers and foliage. The advantage of tially included in its designs. Most other Kukielski points out that just about all grafting is that a relatively young plant garden areas contain a mixture of roses—newcomers and classics—added can be grafted onto established roots, plants—shrubs, perennials, and annuals to the collection are brought in on their which means a larger shrub the first year —and this mixture ensures that no one own roots. Own-root shrubs are just in the garden. pest can wipe out the entire display.

38 the American Gardener TOP-RATED PERFORMERS AT THE PEGGY ROCKEFELLER ROSE GARDEN In alphabetical order, the following 22 repeat-blooming roses were the only ones among 487 varieties to receive Superior rat- ings in both 2009 and 2010. For a list of the Top 100 Performers by year, go to www.nybg.org, click on “Gardens & Plants,” then “The Collection,” and then on “Rose Garden.”

NAME CLASS FLOWER TYPE/COLOR Brother’s Grimm Fairy Tale™ Floribunda Double/deep red-orange Caramel Fairy Tale™ Shrub Double/light amber-yellow Cinderella Fairy Tale™ Shrub Double/light pink ‘Ducher’ China Double/white Easter Basket™ Floribunda Semi-double/pink-edged yellow Home Run™ Shrub Single/deep red ‘Jasmina’ Large-flowered climber Very double/pink-violet ‘Karl Ploberger’ Shrub Double/pale yellow Kordes Moonlight™ Large-flowered climber Semi-double/coppery yellow Home Run™ ‘Kosmos’ Floribunda Very double/creamy white Lady Elsie May™ Floribunda Semi-double/orange-pink Laguna™ Large-flowered climber Very double/magenta-pink ‘Larissa’ Shrub Very double/pink Lions Rose® Floribunda Very double/creamy white, pink blush ‘Macy’s Pride’ Shrub Double/creamy white ‘Mother of Pearl’ Grandiflora Double/pink Peach Drift® Shrub Semi-double/peach-apricot Pink Drift® Shrub Single/deep pink ‘Purple Rain’ Shrub Double/purple-pink ‘Quietness’ Shrub Double/light pink Rosanna® Large-flowered climber Very double/salmon-pink Traviata™ Hybrid tea Very double/red Peach Drift®

For example, rose slugs—the larvae of varieties on the market that are beautiful 2010 Rose Garden Hall of Fame Award primitive wasps called sawflies—wreak but not great garden plants. These roses re- on the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden. havoc on rose foliage while leaving that quire too much effort to maintain, both in In announcing the award, GROW offi- of catmint (Nepeta spp.) unharmed. By terms of chemical sprays and fertilizers. cials noted that, “Through the vision of interspersing catmints with rose shrubs, Working in the public garden arena, I want Curator Peter Kukielski, the Rose Gar- rose slugs are blocked from a straight-line to show everyone that comes to the Peggy den has undergone a tremendous reno- attack on the roses. Because Kukielski Rockefeller Rose Garden that they too can vation and transformation…which has does not have such a mixed-planting op- easily grow roses in their own gardens.” resulted in creating a sustainable public tion in his garden, the roses that come To aid gardeners too far away to visit garden, representing an outstanding col- out on top of the monthly evaluations are the Garden, Kukielski has co-edited, with lection of roses that…can be grown with- truly extraordinary. Pat Shanley and Gene Waering, The Sus- out harming the environment.” tainable Rose Garden (see review on page “I personally want to bring the rose EXPANDING AVAILABILITY 55). Through that book as well as through back as a great garden plant,” Kukielski Quite a few of the roses Kukielski has se- garden visitors, Kukielski has embarked proclaims. “It is a plant that now needs lected, particularly those developed by Eu- on a crusade—one that ironically he little effort to maintain and little to no ropean breeders, are not only unfamiliar might not have undertaken without the chemical intervention. It is available in to American gardeners but also unavail- help of Local Law 37. many sizes, shapes, and colors, has the able. By displaying them in the Peggy Faced with a challenge, Kukielski longest flowering time of all blooming Rockefeller Rose Garden, Kukielski hopes turned it into an opportunity—one that shrubs and, finally, is just absolutely, in- to create enough interest among Ameri- proved both satisfying and exciting. One credibly beautiful.” can suppliers that they will offer them. testament to the success of his approach “I feel this is where we have a key role,” came from the Great Rosarians of the Patricia A. Taylor is a garden writer based in

TOP: GENE SASSE / COURTESY OF WEEKS ROSES. BOTTOM: THE CONARD-PYLE CO./STAR® ROSES he says. “In all honesty, there are many rose World (GROW), which bestowed its Princeton, New Jersey.

March / April 2011 39 Garden Secrets

Using vertical gardening techniques can reduce the visual impact of unattractive landscape features.

BY SUSAN MORRISON AND REBECCA SWEET PHOTOGRAPHS BY REBECCA SWEET

VEN THE loveliest of gardens can harbor an eyesore. Whether it’s an ugly (and noisy) air- Econditioning unit or a looming utility pole, most of us have something in our gardens that we wish would just go away. When budget or practical considerations preclude that option, the best approach is to blend, hide, or soften the appearance of those offenders to minimize their impact in the landscape. Learning a few easy design strategies and knowing the right plants to use is all it takes.

HIDE IN PLAIN SIGHT ed directly in front of an object will often with small or narrow leaves appeal to the While your first thought might be to draw the eye toward the very thing you eye without demanding a lot of attention. simply hide an eyesore with a screening want to disguise. While it is certainly ef- When placed in front of or near an object, plant, this plan can sometimes backfire, fective at blocking a view, it doesn’t pro- the plant’s delicate features help the object depending on the plant you choose. vide a particularly attractive alternative. appear to gently recede into the back- Whether a plant stands out or blends in When trying to disguise something, it’s ground. Examples of these types of plants has a lot to do with its texture. A large, better to use a plant with fine textures. include grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis dense shrub with big, coarse leaves plant- From a distance, finely textured plants ‘Morning Light’, with its narrow leaves,

40 the American Gardener ekka’. And don’t forget, plants near bar- becues or fire pits can’t be allowed to grow too tall or flop over where they might touch a flame or scalding-hot sur- face—for obvious reasons!

Downspouts. These are necessary yet potentially distracting elements around your home. Typically made from alu- minum, galvanized metal, or plastic, they rarely harmonize with the architecture of your house or your landscaping. While they might not consume a lot of space, they can be attention grabbers. Softening the outline of a downspout with larger shrubs is a good way to reduce its impact. Again—plants with large, bold leaves tend to draw attention, so opt instead for those with soft, feathery fo- liage, such as yew pine (Podocarpus elongatus ‘Monmal’) or hopseed bush (Dodonaea viscosa). There are a few other things to keep in mind when selecting plants to place near a downspout. The soil needs to have ex- cellent drainage to prevent root rot, espe- cially in wetter climates. Remember to leave plenty of room between the plant and the downspout so that the foliage of the plant when it is mature won’t block the bottom of the drain. Some downspouts can be quite beauti- ful, of course, especially when they are made from copper or another natural ma- terial. If you’re lucky enough to have one of these, consider growing a delicate vine up the downspout. The beauty of the downspout will still shine through, and the vine will act as another design element. Above: Delicate leaves and an open form make evergreen hopseed bush (Dodonaea viscosa) an When choosing a vine, make sure it appropriate choice to draw the eye away from the downspout of this house. Opposite: A ‘Cécile won’t grow so large or heavy that it pulls Brunner’ climbing rose provides additional height to a fenceline, screening out unwanted views. the downspout off the side of your house or smothers your roof in a blanket of and shrubs such as japonicus Keep the ultimate size of a plant in green. Wisteria, ivy, and trumpet vines, ‘Green Spire’, with its small, variegated mind when making your selection; you leaves and open habit. don’t want it to grow so large that it even- tually overpowers your space. Who wants This article is excerpted and adapted from Gar- Barbecues and Other Built-Ins. To draw to be completely isolated from the rest of den Up! Smart Vertical attention away from the bulky shape of the yard by a dense, massive shrub when Gardening for Small built-in elements in your yard—such as barbecuing or relaxing in the hot tub? and Large Spaces by barbecues, fire pits, or hot tubs—place a Vertical plants work well, as they have the Susan Morrison and finely-textured plant nearby to help them height to get the job done without eating Rebecca Sweet (Cool Springs Press, Brent- blend into their surroundings. You won’t up too much garden space. The plant wood, Tennessee, be able to completely hide these things— you choose should also be tough enough 2011, $19.95). Used nor should you need to—but you can cer- to withstand any residual heat or chlo- with permission from tainly soften their visual impact with a rine, such as ‘Emerald the publisher. green, living screen. ’n Gold’ or Camellia sasanqua ‘Setsug-

March / April 2011 41 The use of vertical plants and upright garden accessories transforms a tiny suburban yard, above, into a private, tropical retreat, right. for example, grow too large for a gutter to support. The constant effort required to prevent them from covering a roof makes them an impractical choice. In- stead, plant a deciduous vine with an ul- timate height of 15 feet. Deciduous vines are lighter, so in stormy conditions are less likely to be pulled off than a heavier, evergreen vine. Examples of delicate de- ciduous vines to consider are some culation is required for the unit to op- instead of distracting the eye, it can have species of clematis, Mexican flame vine erate efficiently. Also be sure to keep the opposite effect, making the unit (Senecio confusus), and orange clock vine one side of the unit free of any plants for more prominent. A better strategy is to (Thunbergia gregorii). easy access and maintenance. place a group of plants next to the unit to Avoid planting a single specimen di- help nudge a viewer’s gaze to a more OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND rectly in front of a heat pump or AC unit; pleasant view. Sometimes something is just too utilitar- ian or downright unattractive to blend in with the rest of the landscape. Whether it’s an air-conditioning unit, a utility pole, or a neighbor’s roofline, softening it might not be enough. What you need is a way to permanently hide an object or view—whether that’s using evergreen plants, a cleverly placed trellis, the art of distraction, or a combination of all three.

Air-Conditioning Units and Heat Pumps. Why is it that these bulky things often seem to be placed right in the mid- dle of prime garden views? Not only that, but they offer no aesthetic value to your landscape, and when they’re running, they are loud and blow out hot air. When you want to conceal an air- conditioning unit or heat pump with plants, select tough varieties that can stand up to hot air that will likely be blowing directly on them. Plants should be spaced a minimum of two to three Because they are approximately the same height and depth, these flowering quinces feet away from the box, as good air cir- (Chaenomeles sp.) make an air-conditioning unit less conspicuous in this planting bed.

42 the American Gardener Utility Poles. A seemingly simple solution significant open space is required on all grow quite tall, especially when trained to an obtrusive utility pole is to wrap netting sides for safe and easy access. along the top of a fence. Climbing roses around it and grow a vine that will “skirt” A simple solution is to focus on screen- provide months of gorgeous blooms, a the pole. This could be a problem, howev- ing the sides and rear of the box, which are garden full of scent, and decorative rose er, when utility workers need to access the most visible from your garden and home, hips in fall. Even in winter, when the roses poles. Most utility companies require a five- while leaving the front that faces the street have lost their leaves, their bare branches foot easement around a pole for access. open for easy access. will continue to provide partial screening. When plants grow into this space, pruning This can be done by planting flower- Hardy and vigorous climbing rose vari- becomes the responsibility of the home- beds that will shield your view of the util- eties include ‘William Baffin’, ‘New owner—you. If a plant is not pruned when ity box, using a decorative fence or small Dawn’, and Fourth of July™. requested, utility company workers may be trellis as the backbone of this small bed. In For maximum year-round coverage, forced to prune it themselves, whether the addition to providing an attractive back- consider evergreen trees and shrubs with homeowner agrees or not. Since the poles ground for shorter plants, a fence may also dense foliage. If room allows, place the are city property, the utility company will prevent plants from spreading into the re- plants in a staggered pattern rather than always have the right to remove vines. quired open space. Using a trellis to sup- in a single straight row; a staggered

Left: Use fast-growing annuals, such as golden hops (Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’), to “skirt” utility poles. Above: Fast-growing, narrow hopseed bush and compact Carolina laurel cherry (Prunus caroliniana ‘Compacta’) hide the view of a neighbor’s unattractive roofline.

If you decide to plant a vine, make it port a small vine creates an additional arrangement increases the area’s per- a fast-growing annual, such as golden design element in the planting beds. ceived depth and offers more visual ap- hops (Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’), black- peal. In very narrow spaces where only a eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata), or Rooflines. Love thy neighbors, but not single row is feasible, mix your plantings morning glory (Ipomoea sp.) Annual their rooflines? In residential neighbor- and stagger heights to create an illusion vines can grow 20 feet in a single season. hoods, undesirable views of rooflines are of depth. If access is required later, removing them one of the most common homeowner is fairly easy and inexpensive. complaints heard by garden designers. SOFTENING CHAIN-LINK FENCES Plants that can be used as screens to effec- Here’s a design problem that a lot of home- Utility Boxes. If you have underground tively block out an offending view should owners must contend with: a chain-link utilities, you won’t have the problem of provide additional interest—such as fra- fence. Though functional, most chain-link looming poles and overhead lines that ex- grance, colorful blooms, or beautiful eye- fences lack style as well as provide little pri- ist in many neighborhoods. Still, you may catching foliage. vacy—and removing them is usually not end up with a large utility box placed on Climbing roses are a good choice. De- practical. However, you can easily soften a your front lawn. These boxes are typical- pending on the variety, they can both fit fence’s harsh line and make it less obtrusive

RIGHT: LAURA SCHAUB ly filled with high-voltage components, so within a narrow planting bed and still or even more attractive. All you need are

March / April 2011 43 the right plants, plus materials available at pending on the height of your chain-link your local home-improvement store or fence, can increase the height of your neighborhood garden center. screening by an extra foot or two. An assembly of lightweight wooden Using plants to break up lines. One so- trellis panels, readily available at most lution is to use a chain-link fence as a giant garden centers, can also make a good ad- trellis to support a mix of vines that can ditional layer of fencing. Paint the panels cover the fence with both foliage and flow- a neutral color if you want the fence to re- ers. While annual vines such as the com- cede into the background, or go bright to mon morning glory grow the fastest, they transform the fence into a bold design only last for one season and will need to be statement. To take this idea one step fur- replanted each year. For most gardens, ther, consider inserting small random mir- perennial or evergreen vines are a better rors or decorative tiles within the fence. choice because they will provide years of beauty once established. Above: Honeysuckle covers a chain-link fence WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE When choosing a vine, avoid those that with summer blooms. Top: A brightly painted As you can see, no matter what you have develop large woody trunks. Not only can lattice conceals a chain-link fence and in your landscape that detracts from its they overpower a garden, but, over time, provides a colorful backdrop for the garden. beauty, there is often a fairly simple solu- they will destroy a fence. More suitable are tion. Sometimes it’s necessary to view the vines that are manageable in size and garden centers, reed fencing is easy to at- problem as an opportunity to turn weight, such as honeysuckle (Lonicera tach to a chain-link fence with twist ties. lemons into lemonade. With a little cre- ✕brownii ‘Dropmore Scarlet’), evergreen It offers immediate coverage and pro- ativity, you can minimize negative visual wisteria (Millettia reticulata), or Carolina vides a beautiful natural background for impacts—and perhaps get something jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens). surrounding planting beds. This type of more in return. fencing is available in neutral colors, Add another layer of fencing. Another making it a good choice to create a sim- Susan Morrison and Rebecca Sweet are simple and inexpensive way to soften ple backdrop for lush planting beds. It landscape designers in northern California your chain-link fence is to install reed has the added advantage of providing and the co-authors of Garden Up! (Cool fencing in front of it. Available at most nearly complete visual privacy, and, de- Springs Press, 2011).

44 the American Gardener

46 by ScottAker No-Sweat Tips forGreat Garden Soil articles linkedtothisoneontheAHSwebsite, articles usingpinestrawasmulch.(Forcan try more onsoiltesting,see bushesyou have seton,you yourenough fortheblueberry heart ments. For example,ifyou discover thatyour soilisnotacidic oxygen toallthethingsthat live inyour soil,including plantroots. thatprovidewhich caneliminate thespacesbetween soilparticles more thantwoinchesdeep. Also,avoid compactingthesoil, or otheravailable organicmatteronceortwice ayear inalayer no maintain optimalmoisture levels. borne diseases,provide essentialnutrientstoyour plants,and that isessentialtohealthysoilcanresist invasions ofsoil- lots oforganicmatter. acomplexweb oflife Thiswillsupport If you wantgreat soil,emulatenature. Thatmeansproviding BEST KNOWS NATURE (Iris sibirica), feet, suchascardinal flower (Lobeliacardinalis), may becreating aperennial garden withplantsthattoleratewet culents. If you have slow-draining, heavyclaysoil,your best bet you cangrow terrificmelons,aswell asprairieplantsandsuc- plants thatthrive initnaturally. If your soilissandy, you’ll find garden dependsonacceptingthesoilyou have andgrowing the down by addingorganicmatter, toalargedegree successinyour nutrients beautifully, butmaystaysoggyforlongperiods oftime. rainfall isplentiful,butdoesn’t holdnutrientswell. Claysoilholds light toholdplantsagainststrong winds.Sandy soilisgreat where is toowet, toodry, toopoorlydrained,lackinginnutrients,or soil, probably becauseitdoesn’t exist.Perhaps you thinkyour soil I have never heard agardener boastthatheorshehastheperfect LET SOILGUIDEYOURGARDEN E ing your backintheprocess. are mybesttipsfortakingcare of itwithoutneedlesslybreak- far more effective thanIcouldever beinimproving it. encouraged ahostofcreatures to inhabit thesoil,andthesewere better thanthesoilthatonlyreceived mulch.Themulchhad prised tofindthatmyintenselyamendedandtilledsoilwasno ofmygarden.digging inpart years Afterafew ofthis,Iwassur- my time,Ihadtosettleforsimplymulchinginsteadofallthat and several otheradditives. Once parenting demandedmore of That said,asoiltestcanhelpguideyour selectionofamend- To reap thesebenefits,applychoppedleaves, rotted manure, While itispossibletoimprove almostanysoil from thetop Avoiding manygarden withyour problems soil.Here starts the American Gardener ARLY INMY I dugdeeplyandincorporatedpeat,decayed manure, hard work wasneededtoprepare thesoilforplanting. and ornamentalsedges(Carex career asagardener, I wasconvincedthat spp.). www.ahs.org.) G Siberian iris ARDEN C S OLUTIONS A tomatoinfectedwithSouthernblight,acommonsoil-bornedisease. soil willmakeyou abettergardener. ferent stagesofdecaygoingoninit.Knowing more aboutyour aroma. Notice allthethingsthat callithome.Examine thedif- your hand,takeacloselookatitstexture, andbreathe inits know andappreciate your soil.Asyou digintoit,holdsome in weeks toensure thatyou won’t beplantingaproblem. bors—in aquarantinearea soyou canmonitorthemforafew plants—whether purchased orpassedalongfrom friendsorneigh- with. Thebestwaytoprevent alltheseproblems istoholdnew may belurking insoilthattrees, andperennials shrubs, are sold plants you grow inyour garden. into your soil,whichmayforce you todrasticallylimitthe wiltareverticillium nearlyimpossibletoeradicateoncetheyget healthy plants.Southern blightand and wiltingofotherwise in improperly handledmulch.Allresult inthesuddencollapse and phytophthoraroot rot canalsoarrive inpottedplantsand escape detectionuntilthey’ve wreaked havoc inyour garden. weevils andJapanese weevilsplantand mayhitcharideinnew soil from somewhere else.For example,insectssuchasblackvine pests, diseases,andweeds thatfindtheirwayintoyour garden via Be careful aboutwhatyou putintoyour soil.There are many CONTAMINANTS GUARD AGAINST he wrote the“DiggingIn” columnfor TheWashington Post. Scott AkerisaWashington, For D.C.-basedhorticulturist. 10years This spring,Iencourageyou totaketimereally getto Oxalis, chickweed, yellow nutsedge,andotherdifficultweeds Fungal wilt,Southern diseasessuchasverticillium blight,

COURTESY OF CLEMSON UNIVERSITY–USDA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION / BUGWOOD.ORG Gardening Q&A with Scott Aker

FIZZLING FOXGLOVES try moving your foxgloves to a cooler site. If all else fails, you can I’ve grown foxgloves in my partly shaded perennial border for try using a containing neem or horticultural oil to control several years. At first they were fine, but last year the foliage mites, or apply a product containing spinosad to control thrips. turned bronze and dried up and the flower stalks didn’t de- velop properly. Do you know why this might be happening? REVERTING SPRUCE I planted a dwarf Alberta spruce next to my front door four Your foxgloves are probably host to thrips or mites, or, more like- years ago, and it has since grown to four feet tall. This ly, both. Both pests are tiny, so in order to identify them, hold a spring I noticed that a branch about six inches from the top piece of white paper under some of the affected leaves and then is sticking out and has much larger needles than the rest of tap on the leaves vigorously. Use a magnifying glass to examine the plant. Should I cut this branch off? whatever falls on the paper. Thrips are small torpedo-shaped insects, generally yellow in Yes, you need to remove this branch, which is known as a rever- color, that scrape away tissue and ingest the sap. This results sion. Dwarf Alberta spruce is simply a compact form of white in very small linear white stipples on the leaves, and causes them spruce (Picea glauca). From time to time, individual buds may mu- to curl a bit. Mites are small round creatures about the size of a tate back to the non-dwarf form. If left to grow, the reversion will period. They feed by piercing the leaves and sucking up the sap. transform your dwarf Alberta spruce into a much larger tree. They also stipple the foliage, but their stippling is more yellow. If Cut the branch off well below the point it is growing from, even left untreated, either of these pests can injure the leaf tissue so if that means removing the top of the spruce. Dwarf conifers that badly that the leaves turn bronze and may eventually dry up. spawn one reversion sometimes produce more, so if your spruce Mites and thrips get started in the first warm days of spring, so exhibits this tendency, either remove it or transplant it to a loca- keep damage to a minimum by looking for these pests as soon as tion where it has more room to grow—a mature white spruce may the leaves start to emerge. You may be able to discourage a de- reach 15 feet in diameter and 50 feet in height. —S.A. veloping population by spraying the foliage weekly with a strong jet of water. Both pests thrive in hot, dry conditions, so you might also E-mail your gardening questions to Scott Aker at [email protected].

March / April 2011 47 ‘Sugar Ann’snappeas ‘Sugar Ann’snappeas 48 by FionaGilsenan Delicious andDependablePeas supports ornot,usuallymaturesupports earlier bush varieties, whichcan begrown on a trellis or tosignificantheights.Dwarf still immature. while theseedsareflat podsare harvested Snow peasare alsoeatenwhole,butthe the plumpseedsandtenderpods. eaten. Snap peasare eatenwhole—both tough, inediblepods;onlytheseedsare (sometimes calledEnglish peas)have protein, B vitamins,andfiber. be snippedforsalads—andthey’re fullof cious raworcooked—even theshootscan fixing nitrogen inthesoil.Theyare deli- borne bacteria,theyfeedthemselves by easy tohandle;andwiththehelpofsoil- germinate readily; theirseedsare large and sown directly intheground where they P Tall varieties orviningtypeswillclimb The familiargarden or shellingpeas the American Gardener long listofattributes:theycanbe grow cool-seasonvegetables witha EAS (Pisum sativum) are easy-to- over season. ashorter than viningtypes,andproduce theircrop sun; theygrow bestwithasoilpHof6.0 plants are regularly watered. year roundpeas virtually aslongthe and coolsummers,gardeners cansow of theyear. In areas withmild winters and wintertoavoid thehottestmonths ond crop canoftenbegrown infall. season.Asec- rieties toextendtheharvest has thawed. Select bothearlyandlateva- late winterorearlyspring,afterthesoil frost, soincoolerclimates,sow peasin may takelongertosprout. 70 days,althoughseedsplantedincoolsoil date you sow. Most varieties require 50to number ofdaystomaturitybasedonthe cessfully. Seed packageswillindicatethe ofNorthpart Americacangrow themsuc- careful timing,gardeners inalmostevery Peas thrive incoolertemperatures, butwith GROWING GUIDELINES the variety. days fromseed,dependingon DAYS TOMATURITY50to80 one totwoinchesapart. Sow seedsoneinchdeepand four feetapartforviningtypes. rows 16to18inchesapart; SPACING Spacebushpeasin prior toplanting. and dustwithaninoculant growth, soakseedsovernight from latefalltowinter. be worked;asecondcropcansowninearlyfallmanyareas. Inwarmerregions,sow GETTING STARTEDIncoldweatherregions,sowpeasinspringassoontheground can Planting Basics OERW HARVEST HOMEGROWN Peas needwell-drained soilandfull In warmregions, sow peasinthefall Young peaseedlingstoleratesome To speedgerminationand C week—more whentheyare flowering past yieldshave beenlow. ensure if ahealthypopulation,particularly urally inmanysoils,usinginoculantshelps though thesebeneficialbacteriaoccurnat- sprinkled onseedspriortoplanting.Al- from mostseedcompaniesandcanbe roots fixnitrogen inthe soil—are available give themsomethingtoclimb. twigs intotheground alongtherow to branched vinesistoinsert short support courage diseases.Asimpletechniqueto circulation provided by atrellis helpsdis- can begrown theair withoutsupport, ting between posts.Althoughbushtypes teepees work well, or you canstringnet- high andreasonably sturdy; bamboo vining typesshouldbesixtoeightfeet stems create atangledmess.Trellises for before orjustafterplanting,otherwise prevent seedsfrom rotting. it withcompostorplantinraisedbedsto to 7.5.If your soildrainspoorly, amend Water peasdeeplyatleast oncea Soil inoculants—bacteria thathelppea Be sure toerect your trellising system

ALAN AND LINDA DETRICK (2) and setting pods. Keep the roots cool ENJOYING THE HARVEST with a mulch of straw or , and Sources Harvest garden and snap peas when the weed carefully to avoid disturbing their Territorial Seed Company, Cottage seeds are plump but the shells have not shallow roots. Grove, OR. (800) 626-0866. started to wither. If you can see a sharp out- www.territorialseed.com. line of the pea through the pod and the pod PESTS AND DISEASES W. Atlee Burpee Seed Company, has turned a dull green, the peas are overripe Many varieties are resistant to the most Warminster, PA. (800) 888-1447. and will taste bitter and starchy. Pick snow common pea diseases: fusarium wilt, pow- www.burpee.com. peas just when the seeds start to swell inside dery mildew, viruses (such as enation West Coast Seeds, Delta, British Co- the pod. Depending on the variety, snow virus), and bacterial root rot. To further lumbia, Canada. (888) 804-8820. and snap peas may have strings to remove, avoid diseases, provide good air circula- www.westcoastseeds.com. similar to green beans. Don’t allow over-ma- tion with proper spacing and vine sup- ture peas to remain on the vine, because this port. Grow peas in a different bed each will discourage further production. year, using a three-year rotation. Snap peas In my opinion, peas taste best when Aphids may gather on new shoots; ■ ‘Sugar Snap’. 62 days. A 1979 AAS win- cooked minimally, so I simply steam them pinch out the shoots or knock the aphids ner, it grows four to six feet tall with sweet, lightly or throw snow peas in at the end of off with a strong jet of water. three-inch pods. a stir-fry. Peas are also delicious raw in sal- ■ ‘Sugar Ann’. 52 days. An early-ripening ads; snap peas are great as crudités. RECOMMENDED VARIETIES bush pea bears sweet, crisp pods on two- My children adore frozen peas as Shelling peas foot plants. A good choice for small gardens. snacks, so I freeze as many as I can. Blanch ■ ‘Alderman’ (Tall Telephone). 80 days. the peas lightly—two minutes in boiling Tall vines (up to eight feet) produce high Snow peas water and then two minutes in ice water— yields of three- to four-inch pods. ■ ‘Oregon Giant’. 65 days. Four- to five- before bagging and freezing. ■ ‘Mr. Big’. 67 days. This 2000 All-Amer- inch pods on three-foot-tall vines. ica Selections (AAS) winner has pods up ■ ‘Mammoth Melting Sugar’. 70 days. Fiona Gilsenan is a garden book author and a to six inches long and vines to four feet. Produces pods up to five inches long on contributor to the Sunset Western Garden Resistant to wilt and powdery mildew. four-foot, wilt-resistant vines. Book. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

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March / April 2011 49 A colonyofmonarch butterfliesoverwinteringin theOyamelfirforestsofcentral Mexico. 50 1997, coloniesoccupied45acres. for thepastseven years. For example,in ly smallerthanexpected,basedonaverages couraging, populationsare stillchronical- noted thatalthoughthesenumbersare en- of Mexico, andthecellularcarrierTelcel, Commission forNatural Protected Areas Wildlife Fund theNational (WWF), last year. cupied withcolonies,upfrom 4.7acres year.every Thisyear, 9.9acres were oc- at specificbreeding sitestheyreturn to based ontheacreage theinsectsoccupy began in1993.Population countsare level sincecomparablerecord-keeping thatputcountsatthelowestobserved when analarming75percent drop was proximately doubledfrom lastyear, counted inMexico thisseason. monarch (Danaus plexippus) study indicatesapromising increase in isthatajust-releasedand thegoodnews United States toMexico tooverwinter, about 2,800milesfrom Canadaandthe Each year, travel monarch butterflies RECOVERING POPULATIONS MONARCH Horticultural NewsandResearch ImportanttoAmericanGardeners The study, sponsored by theWorld Monarch migrationnumbershave ap- the American Gardener populations milkweeds suchas Gardeners canattractmonarchsbyplanting groups suchastheWWFare promoting plant formonarchs. syriaca), ulations ofcommonmilkweed (Asclepias and theuseofpesticidesonroadside pop- change, habitatlossthrough deforestation, to avariety offactorssuchasclimate es ofthesemonarch declinesare attributed caus- ulations are normal,buttheprimary GARDENER To reduce habitatloss,conservation Year-to-year fluctuationsininsectpop- a primary foodsource andhost a primary C Asclepias currassavica. Asclepias ’ NOTEBOOK S The destructivelarvaofthepeachtreeborer tolerates heat. weed soggy soils,andtropical orscarletmilk- (A. incarnata, well incoolerregions, swampmilkweed Zones 3–9,AHSHeat Zones 9–1)grows milkweed (A.speciosa, planting avariety ofmilkweeds. Showy populations by avoiding pesticideuseand tunity togrow themforprofit instead. trees anoppor- illegallyharvest otherwise program gives localresidents whomight around themonarch breeding sites.One alternate-income projects inregions aboveground, thenematodesare toosen- peach tree borer, butoncethe pestsemerge prey ontheunderground lifestagesofthe biocontrols. ing thenematodeseven more effective has beenexploringthepotential formak- USDA’s AgriculturalResearch Service known predators ofbothpests, the nematodes—microscopic worms—are trees.damages citrus Because beneficial troduced species from theCaribbeanthat sect—and theDiaprepes in theUnited States thananyotherin- tree borer—which killsmore peachtrees pestsareticularly destructive thepeach a variety ofpestsanddiseases.Two par- Fruit trees are notoriouslysusceptibleto BIOCONTROLS ANDCITRUS PEST PEACH Gardeners canencouragemonarch For instance,nematodessuccessfully (A. currassavica, Zones 3–9,9–3)thrives in Zones 9–11,12–1) USDA Hardiness weevil—an in-

BOTTOM: COURTESY OF WORLD WILDLIFE FUND. TOP : COURTESY OF FOREST AND KIM STARR. RIGHT: COURTESY OF CLEMSON UNIVERSITY– USDA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SLIDE SERIES / BUGWOOD.ORG

52 and has been a top performer allalong,” and hasbeenatopperformer that’s beeninourcollectionssince1958 isatime-provenmarket. “This shrub boretum inLisle,Illinois, ishittingthe 5–9, 10–6)developed attheMorton Ar- sweetspire gardens anduniversities,Virginia anew After rigorous evaluation inbotanical NEWSWEETSPIRE ARBORETUM’S MORTON ing nematodesintheirdefense. velop rootstocks highlyadeptatrecruit- and theresearchers’ ultimategoalistode- treecovery incitrus defensemechanisms, dis- beneficial nematodes.Thisisanew the roots exudechemicalsthatattract roots are attackedby Diaprepes team hasdiscovered tree thatwhencitrus vived; thenextyear nonesurvived. of testing,30percent oftheborers sur- can follow theborers. During thefirstyear form aprotective barriersothatnematodes friendly gelthatcanbesprayed ontrees to have created anontoxic, environmentally- in pursuit.In Byron, Georgia, scientists sitive tothesun’s lightandheattofollow At theUniversity ofFlorida, another the American Gardener (Itea virginica ‘Morton’, Zones weevils, best known foritsattractive fallfoliage; tive tothesoutheasternUnited States, is dent ofcollectionsandfacilities. says KrisBachtell, Morton’s vicepresi- A shrubwithmulti-seasonappeal,‘Morton’Virginiasweetspireprovidesvividfallcolor. Sweetspire, na- aclump-formingshrub racemes ofwhite,fragrantflowers inmid- fall foliage,Virginia sweetspire produces the firstfrost. In additiontothecolorful ing inearlyNovember andlastingthrough the hollylikeleaves turnbrightred, peak-

COURTESY OF THE MORTON ARBORETUM COURTESY OF HAROLD PELLETT. it grows three tofourfeettall. ant, andthrives inmoist,acidicsoil,where quantify North America’s contribution to- banks orlivingcollections. States, and Mexico are maintainedinseed threatened plantsinCanada,theUnited cent ofthenearly10,000endangered and Harvard University foundthatonly39per- Garden, andtheArnoldArboretum of International,servation theU.S.Botanic ment conductedby BotanicGardens Con- still hassomecatchinguptodo. Anassess- Year ofBiodiversity, butNorth America 2010 marked theendofInternational COLLECTIONS ENDANGERED PLANT Scarlet Beauty which willbemarketed underthename andotherpollinators.‘Morton,’terflies June toearlyJuly. Theflowers attractbut- tinguished AchievementAwardforNurseryCrops. Liberty HydeBaileyAwardandtheAmericanSocietyforHorticulturalScienceDis- many otherawardshehasreceived,includingtheAmericanHorticulturalSociety’s tolerant ofenvironmentalandbiologicalstresses.Pellettwilladdthemedalto of theArthurHoytScottMedalpresentedbyArboretumSwarthmore Even inretirement,HaroldPellettisstillmakingwaves.Hethisyear’srecipient Harold PellettReceivesScottMedal ment. TolearnmoreabouttheDGA,visit gardening isavailable,fromseedsandplantstoirrigationsuppliespowerequip- and websitestosocialmediamobilecommerce.Virtuallyeverythingrelated print catalogs,andournewnameembracesthisgrowingtrend.” venience ofbeingabletopurchasegardeningproductsonlineinaddition tion isnowcalledtheDirectGardeningAssociation(DGA). consumers nowhaveformakingpurchases,theMailorderGardeningAssocia- panies haschangeditsname.Inordertobetterreflectthefullrangeofoptions The world’slargestnonprofitassociationofdirect-to-customergardeningcom- Mailorder GardeningAssociationChangesItsName PLACESintheNEWS PEOPLE and The studywasprompted by theneed to Members oftheDGAselltheirproductsthroughvariousvenues,fromcatalogs Executive DirectorCamilleCiminosays,“Today’sconsumerenjoysthecon- ™ , is particularly coldtoler- , isparticularly Development Centertocontinuebreedingdurableplants eral horticulturalfields. vised 20graduatestudentswhoarenowinvolvedinsev- 50 scientificpapersinpeer-reviewedjournals,andad- produced over25shrubandtreevarieties,published ticultural scienceattheUniversityofMinnesota,Pellett tions tothescienceandartofgardening. individuals whohavemadeoutstandingnationalcontribu- College inSwarthmore,Pennsylvania.Theawardisgivento In hisretirement,PellettfoundedtheLandscapePlant During his38-yearcareerasafacultymemberinhor- www.directgardeningassociation.com. Nova Sadowski. News written by Editorial Intern Terra- digm incollectionsmanagement.” flora. We para- hopethisbecomesanew ourthreatened to conserve stering efforts time thedirect value ofourplantsinbol- assessment, manyofussawforthefirst Arboretum says, “By inthis participating curator oflivingcollectionsattheArnold rators are optimistic. Michael Dosmann, current capacitymust nearlydouble. ble through collections.To achieve this,the threatened plantspecies shouldbeaccessi- states thatby thattime,75percent of tions through 2020.One ofthesegoals ac- and principlesforplantconservation (GSPC),settargets for Plant Conservation national agreement, theGlobal Strategy wards Aninter- globalplantconservation. Despite the outcome, horticultural cu- Despite the outcome,horticultural WORLD’S #1TOP USED BY PLANT SUPPLY RECOMMENDED BY 12610 Saticoy Street South, North Hollywood, CA91605 12610 Saticoy StreetSouth,North U.S. STA THOUSANDS NOTHING ISAT ALL“LIKE” REFUSE plant-selling firms. On Used, tippedto,andsuppliedbythousandsofconscientious AT CONSCIENTIOUSPLANTDEALERSWORLDWIDE HELPWINWORLDII WAR DEPARTMENTS TO U.S. FIVE unbalancing substitutes–often99 UNIQUE. HEALTHY, TOXICS-FREE FOODSGROWERS FLOWERING PLANTSSHOW WINNERS – “everywhere” ADDED TO aei ...by Made inU.S.A. V 16 TISSUECULTURE 15 BONSAI 14 FIELDCROPS 13 12 REFORESTATION 11 XMASTREES I # SINCE 1940, #1 Activator, #1 Trans/ #1Extra WORLD’S FAIRSCIENCE-MEDAL-WINNING Greatest Guarantee-OfferPROOFEver , ARMY, TM SCIENCE &INDUSTRY #1 EXTRALIFE 1 WORLD’S FAIR1940 TV, RADIO,BOOKS, CITIES, COUNTIES, ONLY GOLDMEDAL VITAMINS-HORMONES World CHAMPION RECOMMENDED ALSO BYSTATES, USED BYU.S. BY EXPERTSOF CONFERENCES NAVY, AIR.Etc. Departments of UNIVERSITIES MAGAZINES, EIE, PLAN REVIVER, HEALTH PLANT TES andCITIESINMULTIPLE-DRUMS LOTS

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Recommendations for Your Gardening Library

The Conscientious Gardener: Cultivating a Garden Ethic Prairie-Style Gardens Sarah Hayden Reichard. University of California Press, Berkeley and Lynn M. Steiner. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2010. 303 pages. Los Angeles, California, 2011. 254 pages. Publisher’s price, hard- Publisher’s price, hardcover: $34.95. cover: $27.50. THROUGH TENDING her own prairie garden in Minnesota, SOMETHING’S IN the air in Seattle. First came Linda Chalk- editor-cum-garden writer Lynn Steiner developed a love of the er-Scott, the myth-busting professor, author, and blogger who myriad plants that once dominated the casts the hard light of science onto horti- Midwestern landscape. Her passion cultural practices based at best on anecdo- shines through in this lavishly illus- tal evidence—and, at worst, on old wives’ trated book, written from the heart in tales. Now comes Sarah Hayden Reichard, a succinct, informative style. conservation biologist at the University of As its subtitle states, this book covers Washington, wielding data from peer-re- all you need to know to “capture the viewed journals to examine sustainable essence of the American prairie wherev- gardening as we currently know it. er you live.” It begins with an introduc- In addition to scientific facts, through- tion to the vast and varied grassland out the book Reichard invokes the philos- communities of the Midwest, from the ophy laid out in A Sand County Almanac, prairie borderlands to the slopes of the Rockies. These tall, mixed, the classic 1949 book by Aldo Leopold. One of the most influen- and shortgrass prairies serve as templates to inspire and inform tial conservation thinkers of the 20th century, Leopold wrote elo- gardeners with their majesty and species diversity. quently about the need for changing how humans relate to the Because “plants of the tallgrass prairie are best suited to a wide land. In a similar vein, Reichard aims to help us view the garden range of garden and landscape uses,” the book focuses mostly on “like the land, as a fully functioning ecosystem—and to incorpo- these. An appendix lists these species by , divided rate the awareness that its impacts extend far beyond its footprint.” into the categories, Flowers, Grasses and Sedges, Shrubs and Small Reichard can be an enjoyable storyteller as well as an exacting Trees, and Trees. scientist, and the book is enlivened with her personal experiences Next, the book presents a straightforward explanation of the as a gardener on three quarters of an acre in a “somewhat wild” steps necessary for planning, site selection, preparation, pur- ravine in Seattle. These include her adventures with the moun- chasing, and planting gardens and small scale restorations de- tain beavers—creatures she finds alternately captivating and in- voted exclusively to regionally appropriate native species. furiating as they chew up her prized plants and stack them neatly Steiner devotes a chapter to weeding, watering, burning, and at the entrance to their burrows. mowing. Unlike many books that cover prairie gardening, it fo- The Conscientious Gardener is divided into eight chapters cov- cuses on techniques appropriate for smaller spaces. ering soil, water, the pros and cons of going native, gardening and Steiner wisely points out the potential pitfalls of native land- wildlife, pest management, confronting climate change, and waste scapes in urban and suburban neighborhoods. For example, reduction strategies in the garden. Given that Reichard is one of prairie plants may appear weedy to the uninitiated. She suggests the leading authorities on plant invasion—her research helped ways to help neighbors accept non-traditional landscapes, such document that more than half the invasive species in developed as demonstrating intent with mowing strips, fences, and other countries around the world were introduced for the horticultural elements common in traditional gardens. trade—it’s not surprising that the most compelling chapter is on Plant profiles complete the volume, highlighting the “the aliens among us.” showiest, most adaptable, and size-appropriate forbs and grass- Although Reichard comes to no earth-shaking conclusions es for residential landscapes. about the current state of sustainable gardening, her search for a Whether you envision a sea of waving grasses, or simply wish garden ethic based on both science and a love of the land can serve to enjoy a sampling of the prairie’s diverse flora, this book is sure as a model for gardeners everywhere. to inspire and inform. —Janet Marinelli —C. Colston Burrell

Janet Marinelli has written several books on sustainable gardening, C. Colston Burrell is a plantsman, garden designer, and author of including Stalking the Wild Amaranth (Henry Holt, 1998). several books, including Hellebores (Timber Press, 2006).

54 the American Gardener The Sustainable Rose Garden The editors of this book are all master rosarians with im- Edited by Pat Shanley, Peter Kukielski, and Gene Waering. Newbury portant positions in the world of roses. They’ve brought to- Books, Havertown, Pennsylvania, 2010. 272 pages. Publisher’s price, gether pieces written by 38 of the world’s leading rose experts hardcover: $34.95. to examine all aspects of the new sustainable roses, from new classes of low-maintenance roses to sustainable gardening prac- ABOUT 20 YEARS ago, I stood with the eminent rosarian Ray- tices, establishing healthy ecologies of beneficial microorgan- ford Reddell at his Garden Valley Ranch in Petaluma, California. isms on the plants, and much more—including nine sweetly Masses of roses of many kinds were in scented poems about roses by Emily Dickinson. kaleidoscopic bloom. Nary a mildewed The information presented in this reader will appeal to ama- leaf nor a bug-chewed bud was visible. teur and professional alike. Of particular importance are articles “What’s the secret to such a healthy-look- about the new landscape roses that function so well with mini- ing rose garden?” I asked him. mum maintenance. “Earth-Kind® Rose Trials—Identifying the “Spray, spray, and spray,” he said. And World’s Strongest, Most Beautiful Landscape Roses,” describes he meant using heavy-duty, toxic pesti- trials where candidates for the Earth-Kind label are planted in cides. Today, as Garden Valley’s current unimproved soil, given no fertilizer, water, or pesticides, and are owner Ron Robertson explains in The essentially abandoned to their fate. Those that survive and thrive Sustainable Rose Garden, the only spray are given the designation. Michael Marriott weighs in on “Health now used on the roses is active aerated compost tea. “Basically in David Austin’s English Roses,” and Gary Pellett writes a “Re- what we’re doing is introducing sufficient quantities of good port on Kordes® ADR Roses in the United States 2010.” This lat- fungus [sic] and bacteria to out-compete the pest organisms ter is a German program similar to the Earth-Kind trials. that are always present,” he says. Overall, this is a fascinating and informative book for any- This organic approach to pest and disease control, coupled one who loves roses but wants to avoid spraying them with toxic with rose breeders’ spectacular new disease-resistant hybrids, chemicals. has taken rose growing into the new era of ecological con- —Jeff Cox sciousness. The use of pesticides has become far less attractive to many rose growers, as we learn that the chemical sterilization Jeff Cox is the author of Landscape With Roses (Taunton Press, of our rose gardens is ultimately self-defeating. 2002) and 18 other books on organic gardening, food, and wine.

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March / April 2011 55 GARDENERC’S BOOKS

Edible Gardening

CONFESS, I’m not really a by-the-book gardener, despite having a horticulture degree. Part of the fun for me—particularly when it comes to my vegetable garden—is following my instincts and I whims, and seeing what happens, rather than trying to follow all the “rules.” While my approach may not be exactly scientific, I love picking up tips and tricks from others, so I can’t resist perusing all the latest books on edible gardening. Here are some that got me thinking, planning, and planting what I hope will be my best effort yet.

Grow the Good Life by Michele The Kitchen Gardener’s Hand- Owens (Rodale, 2011, $24.99) is, in book by Jennifer R. Bartley (Timber short, a “why-to” rather than a Press, 2010, $22.95) comes at the “how-to.” If you think veggie gar- topic from a seasonal perspective dening isn’t for you, this book aims with the goal of having “something to convert you into a rabid grower either to eat or to cut for an arrange- of all things edible. For those already ment through the year.” For each on Owens’ wavelength, don’t write season, the book describes the plants the book off too quickly as preach- at their peak during that time of ing to the choir—she has plenty of year, recipes, luscious photographs, wise, wry, eye-opening things to say succinct to-do lists, and a few exem- on the subject, based on her nearly plary designs. two decades of experience. Ready to make the bold, brazen For the newbie, starting small is a move of planting your edibles out good idea. Sugar Snaps and Straw- front for the world to see, instead of berries by Andrea Bellamy (Timber hiding them out back like a dirty lit- Press, 2010, $19.95) will walk you tle secret? The Edible by through “planning, creating, and Ivette Soler (Timber Press, 2011, tending an organic food garden in a $19.95) covers every consideration, small space.” Bellamy delivers bite- from which plants to choose to de- size pieces of information about signing and maintaining your auda- everything from soil and pests to cious, tradition-flouting food garden. raised beds and containers. While a pretty edible garden is a The Complete Kitchen Garden by noble goal, there’s a practical side to Ellen Ecker Ogden (Stewart, Tabori this game, which is the raison d’être & Chang, 2011, $24.95) provides for the Week-by-Week Vegetable plans for 14 different themed edible Gardener’s Handbook by Ron Ku- gardens, ranging from the salad jawski and Jennifer Kujawski lover’s garden to the family garden. (Storey Publishing, 2010, $14.95). For each theme, Ogden gives brief This accessible, straightforward descriptions of the plants to use, book lays out tasks based on weeks broad guidelines distilled into 10 before and after an area’s last frost tips for making the plan work for date, making it useful no matter you, and recipes starring the result- where you live. ing bounty. —Viveka Neveln, Associate Editor

56 the American Gardener COURTESY OF WYCK HISTORIC HOUSE AND GARDEN Garden. Washington,D.C.(202)225-8333. Scotland. (800) 287-1482. Cooperative Extension.Lewiston,Maine. displays, tradeshow.UniversityofMaine gardening/main dens. Alexandria,Virginia.(703) 642-5173. in theGarden. 877-7630. College, RandolphCenter,Vermont.(508) The Life-LongGarden. (610) 328-8025. College. Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Lecture. WisterCenter,Swarthmore Augusta, NewJersey.(973)989-9448. Garden Show. Brooklyn, NewYork.(718)623-7200. Blossom Festival. APR. 7. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/gsgp/ RAP RAP www.springfestgardenshow.org. y www.usbg.gov. RAP Looking ahead www.bbg.org/visit/calendar. RAP APR. 9. MAR. 26. www.nybg.org. RAP education.htm. THROUGH JUNE5. (202) 245-5898. Research Center.Beltsville,Maryland. National Arboretum.BeltsvilleAgricultural Symposium andPlantSale. Garden. Bronx,NewYork.(718)817-8687. Broadway atNYBG. 322-6971. Gardens. Stamford,Connecticut.(203) MAR. 17–20. MAY 7. APR. 30&MAY1. MAR. 5–APR.25. APR. 2. MAR. 26. Northern GardeningSymposium: Plant HuntinginWesternChina. Maine GardenDay. Art exhibit.UnitedStatesBotanic PA, NJ,VA,MD,DE,WV,DC CT, MA,ME,NH,NY,RI,VT www.bartlettarboretum.org. www.newenglandwild.org/learn. Plant Sale. Oh Deer:DeterringDamage MID-ATLANTIC Sussex CountyFairgrounds. Lahr NativePlant Lecture. GreenSpringGar- Springfest Flower& e-garden-day NORTHEAST Close: AJourneyin Brooklyn BotanicGarden. www.scottarboretum.org. www.usna.usda.gov. www.umaine.edu/ The NewYorkBotanical Horticultural EventsfromAroundtheCountry The OrchidShow:On Sakura MatsuriCherry Vermont Technical Bartlett Arboretum Workshops, . United States contact thehostsitefordetailsorvisit benefits. Specialeventsmaynotbeincluded; discounted admissiontothegardenorother valid membershipcardareeligibleforfreeor www.ahs.org/rap. RAP Admissions Programareidentifiedwiththe arboreta thatparticipateinAHS’sReciprocal Events hostedbybotanicalgardensand Shows.” and clickon“FlowerHomeGarden offered, visit symbol. Fordetailsonthespecificbenefits present AHSawardsaredesignatedbya discounted admissiontoAHSmembersor Flower andgardenshowsthatofferfreeor EINLHAPPENINGS REGIONAL THERE MAYBE Old RoseSymposiuminMay 21, theOldRoseSymposiumwillcelebrateitsthirdyearatnation’soldestrose toric HouseandGarden,establishedin1689Germantown,Pennsylvania.OnMay [email protected], visitwww.wyck.org, support thepreservationand operation oftheWyckproperty.Toregister,e-mail Wyck’s two-and-a-half-acresite, whichboastsa1920sgreenhouse.Allproceedswill discovered growingatWyckin1970. The cultivar‘ElegantGallica’wasfirst symbol. CurrentAHSmembersshowinga C www.ahs.org/events/index.htm no betterplacetoexplorethehistoryofrosesthanatWyckHis- k known abouttheoriginsofthese roses. Bermuda RoseSociety,willdiscuss whatis tury: Wyck arebelievedtobefromthe17thcen- example, atleastthreerosesgrowing deep-rooted historyofplantsatWyck.For tor, NicoleJuday.Judaywillspeakonthe sium, andWyck’shorticulturistcura- Foundation andsponsorofthesympo- Scanniello, presidentoftheHeritageRose flower’s historicalsignificance. perts willlectureontopicsrelatingtothe garden growinginitsoriginalplan.Roseex- Watlington, aformerpresidentofthe island ofBermudainthe1950s.Jennie unidentified varietiesfoundgrowingonthe collection ofBermudaMysteryRoses: rare heritageroses,includingacomplete and ‘Celsiana’. —Terra-Nova Sadowski, EditorialIntern www.easternshorehabitat.org. MAY 15. www.virginia.edu/blandy. RAP Looking ahead RAP RAP tal Farm.Boyce,Virginia.(540)837-1758. Arboretum ofVirginiaatBlandyExperimen- Eastville, Virginia.(757)442-4687. for HumanitySmallGardenTour. 6262. Kennett Square,Pennsylvania.(302)658- Center forHorticulture.LongwoodGardens. or call(215)848-1690. During lunch,guestsareinvited totour Speakers willincluderosarianStephen Additionally, therewillbeanauctionof Rosa alba MAY 7&8. APR. 30. MAR. 20. www.thedch.org/activities-events. Eastern ShoreofVirginiaHabitat AL, FL,GA,KY,NC,SC,TN ‘Semi Plena’,‘PinkLeda’, Rare PlantAuction. Thinking Outsidethe SOUTHEAST Garden Fair. March / April 2011 The State Delaware 57 58 garden.com. (404) 876-5859. Atlanta BotanicalGarden.Atlanta,Georgia. Watts ofFlowerPower. www.bloomngarden.com. y y MAR. 24–27. RAP www.aldridgegardens.com. (205) 682-8019. Botanical Gardens.Hoover,Alabama. Ground CoverBox. (706) 663-5153. Callaway Gardens.PineMountain,Georgia. Franklin, Tennessee. (615)973-2112. den showandplantsale.AgExpo Center. 639-2050. Hospital Campus.Mobile,Alabama. (251) information, call(630)968-0074orvisit AHS membersshowingacurrentmembershipcardreceivefreeadmission.Formore art andhorticultureenthusiasts. role treesplayineveryone’slives,whileprovidingmulti-dimensionalappealforboth as afocalpointwithinthegardens.Indoingthis,artwillcallattentiontovital a backdroptotypicalvisitorexperience,theexhibitwillbringthemforeground says Dorgan. about treesinanewway,” to inspirevisitorsthink specific landscapesofoursite freedom torespondthe wanted theartiststohave vious seasonalexhibits.“We will beunlikeanyofthepre- experience atMorton,saysit mari Dorgan,headofvisitor ture Unframed,”andAna- beginning May19. Arboretum inLisle,Illinois, be ondisplayattheMorton the 11installationsthatwill moss. Thesearejustafewof tukea), yellowwood ful yarnhugsthebarkofa Nearby, arainbowofcolor- create alivingpainting. inus quadrangulata) BRIGHT YELLOW “Nature Unframed”Exhibit Morton Arboretum SpotlightsTrees with cork tree(Phellodendronchinense APR. 8–10. MAR. 24–27. Because theMortonArboretumispartofReciprocalAdmissionsProgram, Instead ofseeingtreesas The exhibitiscalled“Na- the American Gardener MAR. 22&21. imitating lichenor www.festivalofflowers.com. Annual PlantFairandSale. Bloom ‘n’GardenExpo. Festival ofFlowers. (Cladrastis ken- www.callawaygardens.com. www.atlantabotanical Lecture. Aldridge Atlanta Blooms!20,000 Spring bulbdisplay. stands behindagiantcanvas,itsbranchesprotrudingthroughto fabric highlightsthestrikingbranchstructureofadeadChinese Providence example whatwillbeonviewatMorton’sexhibit. ‘Bound Denbighshire’byartistPhilippaLawrenceisan var. Gar- glabriusculum). Inthedistance,ablueash www.mortonarb.org. —Terra-Nova Sadowski,EditorialIntern Spring Show&Sale. Garden. Glencoe, Illinois.(847)835-5440. North Carolina.(704)687-2870. Botanical Gardens.Charlotte, University ofNorthCarolinaCharlotte Coral Gables,Florida.(305)667-1651. Festival. www.winghavengardens.com. RAP www.chicagobotanic.org. RAP www.fairchildgarden.org. RAP www.gardens.uncc.edu. APR. 22&23. North Carolina.(704)331-0664. Wing HavenGardens.Charlotte, APR. 12–15. MAR. 26&27. APR. 30&MAY1. IA, IL,IN,MI,MN,ND,NE,OH,SD,WI Fairchild TropicalBotanicGarden. NORTH CENTRAL Spring PlantSale. Spring PlantSale. Illinois OrchidSociety Chicago Botanic Food andGarden (Frax- Humble, Texas.(281)443-8731. Mercer ArboretumandBotanicGardens. Arboretum. ,Iowa.(515)795-3216. (314) 577-5100. for HomeGardening.St.Louis,Missouri. Missouri BotanicalGarden.KemperCenter Albany, Mississippi.(662)316-0088. Show. Hot Springs,Arkansas.(501)262-9300. Floral display.GarvanWoodlandGardens. New Orleans,.(504)483-9471. Center. CityParkBotanicalGarden. Louisiana StateUniversityAgricultural Indianapolis, Indiana.(317)923-1331. Lecture. IndianapolisMuseumofArt. Gardening withFelderRushing. (440) 602-3833. The HoldenArboretum.Kirtland,Ohio. Save thatRainforaSunnyDay. Indiana. (317)251-9253. Garden Show. y www.imamuseum.org. RAP RAP RAP www.iowaarboretum.org. RAP www.extension.umn.edu/county/crowwing/mg. Brainerd, Minnesota.(218)824-1068. ty MasterGardeners.CentralLakesCollege. APR. 2. APR. 30&MAY1. www.lsuagcenter.com. APR. 2&3. RAP www.newalbanygardening.com. MAR. 25&26. www.hcp4.net/mercer. RAP www.stxbot.org. RAP www.garvangardens.org. RAP www.orchardinbloom.org. 2133. Building. Sedalia, Missouri.(816)987- Gourdening. Corpus Christi,Texas.(361)852-2100. Texas BotanicalGardens&NatureCenter. Demonstrations, lectures,workshops.South 740-7116. Riverside Gardens.Youngstown,Ohio.(330) APR. 29–MAY1. APR. 22. APR. 21. APR. 16&17. APR. 2. APR. 1. MAR. 25&26. MAR. 22. MAR. 21–APR.3. Union CountyFairgrounds.New www.showmegourdsociety.com. Garden Expo2011. Spring GardenShow. AR, KS,LA,MO,MS,OK,TX www.millcreekmetroparks.org. SOUTH CENTRAL State FairGroundsAgriculture Spring FeverSymposium. Arbor DayTreeGiveaway. New AlbanyHomeandGarden Planet Indy:Gestalt Build aRainBarrel: Holiday Park.Indianapolis, Fruit OrchardPlanting. Show MeGourdFestival: inBloom www.holdenarb.org. www.holdenarb.org. www.mobot.org. Daffodil Show. March MartPlantSale. Tulip Extravaganza. Crow WingCoun- Workshop. Fellows Iowa

COURTESY OF PHILLIPA LAWRENCE MAY 6 & 7. Symphony of Gardens Tour. Del Mar Fairgrounds. Del Mar, California. Natchez, Mississippi. (601) 446-6345. (760) 295-7089. www.sdhortsoc.org. www.symphonyofgardenstour.com. APR. 17. Garden Party and Tour. Windsor Veggies And Herbs Square-Hancock Park Historical Society. SOUTHWEST Los Angeles, California. (213) 243-8182. In Biodegradable Pots AZ, NM, CO, UT www.wshphs.org. APR. 1 & 2. Southwest Regional American Association Looking ahead Conference. Rio Salado College. RAP MAY 14 & 15. Herb Weekend. Tempe, Arizona. (877) 275-2242. Plant sale, tastings. Fullerton Arboretum. www.communitygarden.org. Fullerton, California. (657) 278-4010. www.fullertonarboretum.org. APR. 9. Herb Festival. Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Superior, Arizona. (520) 689- NORTHWEST 2723. www.cals.arizona.edu/bta. AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY

RAP APR. 16 & 17. Spring Bulb Show. RAP MAR. 25–27. Boise Flower & Garden Red Butte Garden at the University of Utah. Show. Idaho Botanical Gardens. Boise Salt Lake City, Utah. (801) 585-0556. Centre. Boise, Idaho. (503) 335-3336. www.redbuttegarden.org. www.gardenshowboise.com.

RAP APR. 18–23. Party for the Planet. MAR. 26. Spring Gardening Symposium: Earth Day celebration. Tracy Aviary. Inspired Gardening Within the Environment. Salt Lake City, Utah. (801) 596-8500. Northwest Horticultural Society. www.tracyaviary.org. Kenmore, Washington. (206) 780-8172. www.northwesthort.org. www.BonniePlants.com RAP APR. 21. Wicked Plants: The Delicious- ly Dark Side of the Plant World. Lecture. RAP APR. 28. Hypertufa Container Denver Botanic Gardens. Denver, Colorado. Workshop. Kruckeberg Botanic Garden. Gardening With (720) 865-3580. www.botanicgardens.org. Shoreline, Washington. (206) 546-1281. www.kruckeberg.org. You Since 1918. y APR. 29–MAY 1. Maricopa County Home & Landscape Show. Arizona State Fairgrounds. APR. 30 & MAY 1. FlorAbundance. Plant sale. Phoenix, Arizona. (602) 485-1691. Magnuson Park. Seattle, Washington. (206) www.maricopacountyhomeshows.com. 325-4510. www.arboretumfoundation.org.

Looking ahead Looking ahead MAY 6. National Public Gardens Day Celebra- RAP MAY 1–8. MayFest. Displays, presenta- tion. Rio Grande Botanic Garden. Albu- tions, plant sale. Lakewold Gardens. Lake- querque, New Mexico. (505) 848-7112. wold, Washington. (253) 584-4106. www.cabq.gov/biopark. www.lakewoldgardens.org.

MAY 14 & 15. Idaho Green Expo. WEST COAST Green Works Idaho. Boise Centre. CA, NV, HI Boise, Idaho. (208) 949-6058. y MAR. 23–27. San Francisco Flower and www.idahogreenexpo.org. Garden Show. San Mateo Event Center. San Francisco, California. (415) 684-7278 RAP MAY 21. Plant Sale and Seasonal ext. 2. www.sfgardenshow.com. Kick-Off. Alaska Botanical Garden. Anchorage, Alaska. (907) 770-3692. RAP MAR. 26. Spring Plant Sale. www.alaskabg.org. The Gardens at the Springs Preserve. Las Vegas, Nevada. (702) 822-7700. CANADA www.springspreserve.org. MAR. 15–20. Canada Blooms. Flower and APR. 2. Wise Water Management. Workshop. garden festival. Direct Energy Centre. Occidental Arts and Ecology Center. Occi- Toronto, Ontario. (416) 447-8655. dental, California. (707) 874-1557 ext. www.canadablooms.com. 201. www.oaec.org. RAP APR. 9. The All-You-Can-Eat Gardening y APR. 7–10. California State Flower, Food Workshop. Royal Botanical Gardens. Hamil- & Garden Show. Cal Expo. Sacramento, ton, Ontario. (905) 527-1158. www.rbg.ca. California. (877) 696-6668 ext. 4. www.calstategardenshow.com APR. 14. Cedar Series Art in the Garden. Art exhibit. VanDusen Botanical Garden. Van- APR. 11. The . Lecture. couver, British Colombia. (604) 257-8333. San Diego Horticultural Society. www.vandusengarden.org.

March / April 2011 59 PRONUNCIATIONSC AND PLANTING ZONES

Most of the cultivated plants described in this issue are listed here with their pronunciations, USDA Plant Hardiness Zones, and AHS Plant Heat Zones. These zones suggest a range of locations where temperatures are appropriate—both in winter and summer—for growing each plant. While the zones are a good place to start in determining plant adaptability in your region, factors such as exposure, mois- ture, snow cover, and humidity also play an important role in plant survival. The zones tend to be conservative; plants may grow outside the ranges indicated. A USDA zone rating of 0–0 means that the plant is a true annual and completes its life cycle in a year or less.

A–F G–O P–Z Acanthus spinosus uh-KAN-thus spih-NO-suss Gelsemium sempervirens jel-SEE-me-um Parthenocissus tricuspidata par-then-o-SISS-us (USDA Zones 5–9, AHS Zones 9–5) sem-pur-VY-renz (7–9, 9–1) try-kuss-pih-DAY-tuh (4–8, 8–1) Adiantum aleuticum ad-ee-AN-tum Helianthus maximiliani hee-lee-AN-thus Perovskia atriplicifolia peh-ROV-skee-uh uh-LOO-tih-kum (3–8, 8–1) maks-ih-mil-ee-AN-eye (4–9, 9–4) at-rih-plih-sih-FO-lee-uh (5–9, 9–2) Agastache aurantiaca ah-GAH-stah-she Humulus lupulus HEW-mew-lus LEW-pew-lus Phlox subulata FLOKS sub-yew-LAY-tuh aw-ran-tee-AY-kuh (7–10, 10–7) (4–8, 8–1) (3–8, 8–1) Ajuga reptans uh-JOO-guh REP-tanz (3–9, 9–1) Hydrangea arborescens hy-DRAN-juh P. stolonifera P. sto-lon-IF-ur-uh Alcea rosea AL-see-uh ro-ZAY-uh (2–9, 9–2) ar-bo-RES-enz (4–9, 9–1) (4–8, 8–1) Antirrhinum majus an-tihr-RYE-num Ipomopsis rubra ih-po-MOP-sis ROO-bruh Picea abies PY-see-uh AY-beez (3–8, 8–1) MAY-juss (7–9, 9–1) (6–9, 9–5) P. glauca P. GLAW-kuh (2–7, 7–2) Armeria maritima ar-MEER-ee-uh Iris pallida EYE-ris PAL-lih-duh (1–9, 9–1) Podocarpus elongatus pah-doh-KAR-pus muh-WRIT-ih-muh (3–9, 9-1) I. sibirica I. sy-BEER-ih-kuh (3–8, 9–1) ee-lon-GAY-tus (9–11, 12–1) Artemisia ludoviciana ar-teh-MEEZ-yuh Lavandula angustifolia lah-VAN-dyew-luh Scutellaria resinosa skoo-tuh-LAIR-ee-uh loo-doh-vik-ee-AN-uh (4–9, 9–1) ang-gus-tih-FO-lee-uh (5–8, 8–5) rez-ih-NO-suh (4–8, 8–1) Asimina triloba uh-SIH-mih-nuh try-LO-buh Lewisia rediviva loo-ISS-ee-uh reh-dih-VY-vuh Sedum spurium SEE-dum SPUR-ee-um (4–8, 9–5) (4–8, 8–3) (3–10, 8–3) Betula pendula BET-yew-luh PEN-dyew-luh Limonium platyphyllum lih-MO-nee-um Senecio confusus seh-NEE-see-o kon-FEW-suss (3–7, 7–1) plat-ee-FIL-um (7–9, 9–7) (10–11, 12–7) Camellia sasanqua kuh-MEEL-yuh Linum perenne LY-num pur-EN-ee (7–9, 9–7) Spiraea japonica spy-REE-uh jah-PON-ih-kuh sah-SAHNG-kwuh (7–9, 9–6) Lobelia cardinalis lo-BEEL-yuh kar-dih-NAL-iss (4–9, 9–1) Campanula cochlearifolia kam-PAN-yew-luh (2–8, 8–1) Stachys byzantina STAY-kiss bih-zan-TY-nuh kok-lee-air-ih-FO-lee-uh (5–7, 7–5) Lobularia maritima lob-yew-LAIR-ee-uh (4–8, 8–1) C. thyrsoides C. thur-SOY-deez (5–8, 8–5) muh-WRIT-ih-muh (0–0, 9–1) Symphyotrichum novi-belgii sim-fy-o-TRY-kum Consolida ajacis kon-SOL-ih-duh uh-JAY-sis Lonicera ✕brownii lah-NISS-er-uh NO-vih-BEL-jee-eye (4–8, 8–1) (0–0, 9–1) BROWN-ee-eye (3–8, 8–3) Tanacetum niveum tan-uh-SEE-tum Cosmos bipinnatus KOZ-mos by-PIN-nay-tus Millettia reticulata mih-LET-ee-uh nih-VEE-um (5–9, 9–5) (0–0, 11–1) reh-tik-yew-LAY-tuh (7–10, 10–7) Thalictrum aquilegiifolium thal-IK-trum Crambe cordifolia KRAM-bee kor-dih-FO-lee-uh Mirabilis multiflora mih-RAB-ih-liss ah-kwi-lee-jih-FO-lee-um (5–9, 9–4) (6–9, 9–6) mul-tih-FLOR-uh (7–10, 10–7) T. rochebruneanum T. rowsh-broo-nee-AY-num Digitalis purpurea dih-jih-TAL-iss pur-PUR-ee-uh Nepeta sibirica NEP-eh-tuh sy-BEER-ih-kuh (3–8, 8–4) (4–8, 8–1) (3–8, 8–1) Thunbergia alata thun-BUR-jee-uh ah-LAY-tuh Dodonaea viscosa doh-doh-NEE-uh Nigella sativa ny-JEL-luh sah-TEE-vuh (10–11, 12–10) viss-KO-suh (9–11, 12–9) (0–0, 9–1) T. gregorii T. greh-GOR-ee-eye (11–11, 12–10) Eremurus ✕isabellinus air-eh-MYUR-us Ocimum basilicum OSS-ih-mum buh-SIL-ih-kum Thymus pseudolanuginosus TY-muss iz-uh-BEL-ih-nus (5–8, 8–5) (0–0, 12–1) soo-doh-luh-noo-jih-NO-sus (5–9, 9–5) Euonymus fortunei yew-ON-ih-mus Oenothera biennis ee-NOTH-ur-uh by-EN-iss Verbascum bombyciferum ver-BAS-kum for-TOON-ee-eye (4–9, 9–1) (4–8, 8–1) bom-bih-SIF-ur-um (5–9, 7–2) E. japonicus E. jah-PON-ih-kus (6–9, 9–1) Origanum vulgare o-RIG-uh-num vul-GAH-ree Veronica liwanensis vur-ON-ih-kuh Fagus sylvatica FAY-gus sil-VAT-ih-kuh (4–9, 10–2) lih-wuh-NEN-sis (4–9, 9–4) (4–7, 9–4) V. spicata V. spy-KAY-tuh (3–8, 8–1) Fallugia paradoxa fah-LEW-gee-uh Veronicastrum virginicum ver-on-ih-KASS-trum pair-uh-DOK-suh (7–11, 12–7) vir-JIN-ih-kum (4–8, 8–3) Festuca glauca fes-TEW-kuh GLAW-kuh Zauschneria californica zowsh-NAIR-ee-uh (4–8, 8–1) kal-ih-FORN-ih-kuh (8–11, 12–8) Foeniculum vulgare fee-NICK-yew-lum vul-GAY-ree (4–9, 9–1)

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GARDEN MARKET 1. Publication Title: The American Gardener. 2. Publication No. 1087-9978. 3. Filing Date: Sep- C tember 16, 2010. 4. Issue Frequency: Bi-monthly. 5. No. of Issues Published Annually: 6. 6. An- nual Subscription Price: $35. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: The American Gardener, American Horticultural Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, Vir- ginia 22308–1300. 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: Same as above. 9. Full Names and Corporate Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher—American Horticultural Society, same address as above. Editor— CLASSIFIED AD RATES: All classified advertising must be prepaid. David J. Ellis, same address as above. Managing Editor—Mary Yee, same address as above. 10. $2.75 per word; minimum $66 per insertion. Copy and prepayment Owner: American Horticultural Society, same address as above. 11. Known Bondholders. Mort- gagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, must be received by the 20th of the month three months prior to Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12. The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this or- ganization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes have not changed during the pre- publication date. Display ad space is also available. To place an ad, ceding 12 months. 13. Publication Name: The American Gardener. 14. Issue Date for Circulation call (703) 768-5700 ext. 120 or e-mail [email protected]. Data Below: Nov./Dec. 2009–Sept./Oct. 2010. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation:

Avg. No. Copies Actual No. Each Issue Copies of Issue During Preceding Published Nearest GARDENING SUPPLIES 12 Months to Filing Date

HORTICULTURAL PERLITE–Extra Large for Orchid Growers. Available in a. Total No. Copies (Net Press Run) 19,081 18,337 4 CuFt Bags. Contact: Pennsylvania Perlite Corp. Ph: (610) 868- b. Paid Circulation 0992. E-mail: [email protected]. (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions 16,486 15,806 Stated on PS Form 3541 (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions 0 0 Stated on PS Form 3541 PLANT LABELS (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails 0 0 Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, ENGRAVED BOTANICAL and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS® PLANT LABELS (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail 0 0 PLANT IDENTIFICATION FOR EVERY GARDEN Through the USPS c. Total Paid Circulation 16,486 15,806 FAMILY - - SPECIES - COMMON NAME (sum of 15b (1), (2), (3),(4)) Order @ www.gardenmarkers.com d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution FAX: 434-975-1627 (1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County 0 0 PLANT LABELS – STAKES – TREE TACKS Copies Included on PS Form 3541 (2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies 0 0 Included on PS Form 3541 (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at 705 51 Other Classes Through the USPS PLANTS (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside 125 80 the Mail (Carrier or Other Means) LILY NOOK—Lilium specialists, Asiatic, Martagon, Trumpet, Oriental, e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution 830 131 (Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3), (4)) Species and Orienpet lilies. Bulbs available spring and fall. Color cata- f. Total Distribution 17,316 15,937 logue $3. Box 846, Neepawa, MB R0J-1H0 Canada. Phone: (204) 476- (Sum of 15c and 15e) 3225. Fax: (204) 476-5482. E-mail: [email protected]. Web: g. Copies Not Distributed 1,765 2,400 www.thelilynook.com. h. Total (Sum of 15f and 15h) 19,081 18,337 i. Percent Paid 95% 99%

I certify that all information furnished above is true and complete. —David J. Ellis, Editor To place your ad here, please call (703) 768-5700 ext. 120 or e-mail [email protected].

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March / April 2011 61 62 by JamesGagliardi Pawpaw: Pretty and Palatable P and Nebraska. Ontario and west toMichigan Floridanorthern tosouthern range encompasses25statesfrom tropical. Yet theplant’s native to asmallmango,itlooksalmost treuse similarinappearance fruit hanging leaves andsmooth,char- America. With itslong,broad, woodlands ofeasternNorth scape, especiallyinfallwhentheyturnpure long) makeaboldstatementintheland- ed tree intwotothree fruits years. curs infourtoeightyears, whileagraft- grown from seed.From oc- seed,fruiting paw shouldbepurchased young or tap root, transplanting isdifficult;paw- tall andwide.Because thistree formsa orsmalltree,shrub reaching upto20feet eight initsgenus,pawpawgrows asa pawpaw’s manyuniquequalities. 400 otheramazingplantsbecauseof auction catalogcover, selectingitover committee chosepawpawtogracethe Plant Auction Delaware CenterforHorticulture’s Rare on thePlant Selection Committeeofthe Zones 9–5)happened whileIwasserving triloba, (Asimina 353-4028; One GreenWorld, www.nolinnursery.com. KY. (270)369-8551. Nolin RiverNutTreeNursery, Sources Pawpaw’s large,lushleaves (uptoafoot The onlycultivated speciesamongthe My firstexperiencewithpawpaw the American Gardener AWPAW SEEMS out ofplaceinthetemperate www.onegreenworld.com. ® in 2008.Thatyear, the USDA Zones 5–9,AHS Mollala, OR.(877) strangely Upton, flowers, right,areworthcloseinspection. form inclumps,andtheirdark,exotic-looking Their palegreen,mangolikefruits,aboveright, Pawpaws, above,thriveinsunnylocations. tardlike texture. the yellow-orange flesh,whichhasacus- simply break openthesoftskintoenjoy store. Tothem inthegrocery eatthem, life, whichexplainswhyyou won’t find shelf- in latesummerbuthave ashort maturity over astaggered periodoftime dark brown, beanlikeseeds.Thesereach up tofive inches longwithseveral large, least twodifferent selectionsorcultivars. set,soit’sfor optimalfruit bestto plantat odor. Pawpaw requires cross-pollination beetles forpollinationwithanunpleasant petals.Theflowerscurved attractfliesand circle and a largeroutercircle ofthree re- ent. Eachbloomismadeofasmallerinner ed closely, theirintricaciesbecomeappar- flowers are easytomiss,butwheninspect- bare branches.Thesmall,dark purple spring, unusualflowers appearalongthe yellow. Before theleaves emergeinlate LN NTESPOTLIGHT THE IN PLANT Each flower produces multiplefruits C growing ifyou have the rightspace. However,fruit. anypawpawisworth counted ontoproduce abumpercrop of And asyou mightguess,‘Prolific’ canbe seeds. produces withfew large, sweet fruits resembling vanilla custard, while‘Mitchell’ colored fleshand exceptional flavor ple, ‘Taytwo’ withlight- isprized forfruits their fruit’s size, taste,orcolor. For exam- out someoftherarer cultivars, selectedfor poor man’s banana andIndiana banana. some ofitsothercommonnames,suchas nana inmostrecipes, whichmightexplain and kiwi.Pawpaw cansubstituteforba- includingbanana,mango, tropical fruits been describedasacombinationofvarious Society atRiver Farm. oftheAmericanheadquarters Horticultural James Gagliardi atthe isthehorticulturist The true pawpawconnoisseurmayseek The true has The uniqueflavor ofpawpawfruit

LEFT: LYNNE HARRISON. TOP RIGHT: DAVID J. ELLIS. BOTTOM RIGHT: COURTESY OF WENDY VANDYK EVANS / BUGWOOD.ORG