GOINGnative

Maianthemum racemosum but, I’ve even heard rumors that it was being moved from the family to the False Solomon’s Seal Convallariaceae family. Nevertheless, and with due respect (Smilacina racemosa or to all the name changes etc, this long lived, easy to grow, almost shrub-like in racemosum) appearance perennial will bring you, your friends, and your visitors decades of pleasure in your garden. It typically grows in average soil in all types of light conditions from deep shade to filtered sunlight. The deep green, glossy, arching foliage is persis- tent all the growing season long and the attractive, long lasting, elegant feathery, creamy white blooms light up the whole by Barry Glick garden in early- to mid-spring. Average height is 12–18", but I’ve seen mature, well-fed plantings attain heights of I had to go to England!!! from across the pond admire her plant- almost 60". Yes, I had to go to the UK to be ings and welcomed us into her home And if that weren’t enough, it’s fra- enlightened about a plant that grew in and garden. She laughed heartily when grant! And wait till you see the it my own backyard. In my defense, I was I explained to her what initially caught produces in autumn!!! so much younger then and much less my attention. Propagation is also quite easy as it enlightened. But here’s the short of it. Before I could query her as to what forms a new bud along the In 1992, my friend, Dan Heims, and I the magnificent planting was, she said every year and can even be easily spent two solid weeks travelling around “That’s one of yours.” grown from , although it takes sev- the UK visiting gardens, plant collec- “What do you mean ?” I asked. eral years to reach flowering size from tions, and friends. It was a plantsman’s “That’s your False Solomons Seal, seedlings. As far as the deer and other dream trip starting off with two nights Smilacina racemosa,” she replied. critters go, they may occasionally take a as the guests of Agatha Christie’s To avoid further embarrassment on nip at it, but it’s not on their delicacy list daughter, a day with Beth Chatto, a day my part for not knowing, I quickly com- and they pretty much ignore it. There with Elizabeth Strangman, and many plimented her on her exquisite choice of seems to be no insect, pest, or disease other legends of British gardening and plant material. So, there you problems. In fact, I’ve never culminating with a full day, sun up to have it! Here was a plant even observed an aphid on sun down, of Dan and I strolling around that I’d encountered in the it. o Wisley with Graham Stuart Thomas just woods behind my home on Barry Glick, the self-proclaimed the three of us. (I’d use a few exclama- many occasions and knew “King of Helleborus,” grew up tion points here, but I’ve been told that quite well, but never realized in Philadelphia in the ’60s, a I use too many!) that if you give it a home in mecca of horticulture. Barry cut It was on that trip to England, a a garden, free from competi- high school classes to hitchhike gardener’s Nirvana, that a chance tion with tree roots, weeds, to Longwood Gardens before he drive through the Devon countryside on rocks etc and a little TLC, it was old enough to drive. the way to visit yet another National performs tenfold!!! In 1972, he realized there Council for the Conservation of & Now, about the name of was just not enough room for Gardens collection brought us by a love- this plant, which by the way him and his plants in the big- ly cottage garden. There was a border is native to every state in city environment, so he bought along the front of the property of what I the US and all of Canada. 60 acres on a mountaintop in Greenbrier first thought was some rare Hydrangea Here’s where it gets kinda sticky. As a County, WV, where he gave birth to Sunshine . Now, in the UK, it’s not uncom- child, I always knew this plant as False Farm & Gardens (www.sunfarm.com), a mon for fellow gardeners to stop at a Solomons Seal. As I grew up and start- mail-order plant nursery. stranger’s garden and strike up a con- ed speaking Latin, it became Smilacina Barry grows more than 10,000 differ- versation, so I wasn’t surprised when racemosa to me. The true Solomon’s ent plants and specializes in native plants Dan slammed on the brakes again and Seal being any one of a number of and hellebores. He can be reached at backed up into yet another person’s species in the . 304.497.2208 or [email protected]. driveway. The woman was delighted Now, I come to find that not only have to have a couple of fellow plant geeks the taxonomists changed the name to Photos courtesty of Ian Cooke.

28 WASHINGTON GARDENER SUMMER 12