A Garden View

January - April 2016 | NO 13 A Garden View The Hebrew versions of articles in English often carry different photographs, A New Book available at the garden’s shop Contents which are worth checking out!

Beautiful Israel In The Green 2 New Book 13 Avinoam Danin-In Plants and Flowers in Israel Memorial 4 News 14 Shlomo Ilan-The Visionary 6 Nature’s New Years From the Garden to the 7 The Almond tree 15 Will It Adapt? Plate! Comunity Gardens’ 8 Tu B’Shvat of Growth 16 and Camaraderie program & courses 10 Endangered Trees 18 Friends and Volunteers 20 Family Page 11 Deciduous Conifers in the Jerusalem Botanical 22 Events Gardens 12 Five Common and Important Mistakes in Maintaining Mature Trees

Editors: Ruth Perlman and Sara Adar Join us on a wonderful journey in a colourful album and explore our rich Scientific editing: Dr. Ori Fragman-Sapir botanical diversity. The book was just published by the Council for a Beautiful Israel and the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens. The author of the book is Ori Editorial Board: Sara Adar, Channa Cohen, Nehama Foerster, Ruth Perlman, Dr. Ori Fragman-Sapir Fragman-Sapir and several talented photographers contributed to its beauty, Odelia Aroshas Eyal Bartov is a prominent one. Each photograph is accompanied by a short Photography: Ori Fragman-Sapir, Judith Marcus botanical text as well as the place and date of photography. Graphic Design: Keren Shapira-Buzaglo Translation: Ofer Grunwald, Professional Translation Services In the book you can find impressive trees, landscapes, beautiful flowers, unique plants, Printed by: Shimshon Printers endangered species and more. We chose to concentrate on the wild plants that adorn Address: 1 Zalman Shneor Street, Nayot, Jerusalem (via Nayot Petrol Station) and brighten the landscape all year, and a specific group of ornamental and agricultural Mailing address: The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, Hebrew University Givat Ram Campus, plants. Jerusalem 9021401 The book is bi-lingual (English-Hebrew) and profits from its sales are directed to plant Telephone: 02 6794012 | Fax: 02 6793941 conservation in Israel. www.en.botanic.co.il Winter Opening hours: Sundays through Thursdays 9.00-17.00 Fridays and holiday eves 9.00-15.00 Sabbaths and holidays 9.00-17.00 Hours may be extended for special events - please check our website. Cover photo: Common Almond 2 3 This Time, from the Hub By Lior Gottesman Garden’s News... Garden’s News... Garden’s News... Director, JBG Hub

The Hub is center, or common meeting Maayan Shiri joined our team as The Green Team project is now in place, for various different activities. Community Coordinator. Maayan holds its fourth year of teaching Jerusalem’s a B.Sc. in Environmental Sciences. youths eco-leadership skills. The project The Gardens’ Hub was established about Before joining our team, she was the provides a fun, hands-on study program eighteen months ago, and focuses on director of the municipal community and combining community involvement, eco-social projects. It brings together environmental education department and joint-projects with organizations all of the Gardens’ community-action in Ramat Gan, and before that she nurturing young entrepreneurs. programs, both old and new. The Hub worked as project coordinator in the The program is part of the personal also serves as a meeting place for Hiriya Recycling Park. Maayan studied responsibility volunteer work required Jerusalem’s professional sustainability of permaculture. she is a total plant of high school students, offering teens the community. freak, and believes in the power of support, empowerment, added value, *** communities to create an eco-friendly and a unique experience. urban environment supporting high- *** A training nursery was officially opened quality sustainable living standards. And finally, The Gardens are already the Hub hosted its first community event in October. The nursery is handicap- *** operating a sizable compost- accessible, and hosts various Hub groups The Gardens Community program In October, the Hub hosted its first production program, using top-quality daily. These include ALUT’s program for for people over 55 has welcomed a new community event, attended by more gardening waste. But since November, autistic adults; REUT’s PTSD programs; group. There are now two groups working than 100 representatives from diverse we have added our organic kitchen Gardens Community activities, and in the Gardens, comprising over 50 organizations and groups, working on waste to the compost pile. As part of others. The nursery provides horticultural members which visit the Gardens three eco-sustainability projects in Jerusalem, this effort, we have placed two compost training and occupational rehabilitation, times a week. In addition to their eco- as well as the Gardens’ staff. During the bins near the Hub training nursery, and and will house plants intended for use horticultural training, group members event, the Hub team presented the results dedicated bins in the kitchens. in edible forest Gardens throughout engage in eco-volunteer projects each of its mapping project, conducted with The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens are Jerusalem. week. For example, they work with the 40 of these organizations, to map out proud to join the Turning the City Green “Dolls and Dreams” program, where relevant activities in Jerusalem. We talked composting revolution. *** the Gardens Community meet with about how the Gardens’ Hub can support *** Holocaust survivors once a month to these projects, serving as a key forum garden together. They also volunteer in for the professional community, through Community Gardens around the city. mutually-supported specialization and *** exchanges. The second part of the evening consisted of round-table discussions, where a random group of people from diverse backgrounds engaged in fascinating discussions on ways to increase collaboration, expanding both the reach and impact of these activities in Jerusalem. a sizable compost-production program training nursery ***

The Gardens Community program

4 5 The Almond Tree Dr. Ori Fragman-Sapir

Winter is in full swing, and almonds already bloom. Flowering and Pollination in Almonds We can all revel at their beautiful blossoms, and later The almond flower has five large petals, which – from their delicious almonds. The almond got its attract hungry insects. The flower provides insects Hebrew name (Shaked) from its winter flowers – as food through pollen and nectar. Some of the pollen though it were working (shoked) to bring forth its sticks to the insect, which then pollinate other beauty before all the other local spring flowers. It is almond flowers. The almonds cannot self-pollinate, the first tree to flower – and so it has become integral meaning, that a flower can identify the source of the to that festival of trees – Tu B’Shvat. pollen and rejects pollen from the same plant. Thus, a lone almond tree would not set fruit. Nature’s New Years The almond goes by various names: commonly, it A Date that became a Holiday is known as ‘almond’; in Hebrew – shaked matsui; Almonds bloom before setting out leaves. Questions while its Latin name is Amygdalus communis. It is on the almond bloom were dealt by Prof. Avi Yedidya Yerushalmi a member of the rose plant family, which includes Shmida & co., who formulated interesting theories The Mishnah (Rosh Hashanah 1) mentions Nature’s fasting or supplication, students were dismissed many other well-known plants, such as the plum, on the matter: the early blooming almonds avoid New Year as date that was disputed between Beit early from Torah schools and midrashoth. In pear, cherry, apple, strawberry and rose. competition with other flowers over pollinating Shamay and Beit Hillel: 1st of Shvat, according to schools and at home, people drank wine with a insects. However, such flowering behavior entails Beit Shamay; or 15th of Shvat, according to Beith sweet biscuit and ate various fruit (particularly The almond has been cultivated in Israel since risk, its flowers can be ruined by winter storms. Such Hillel. Here, Nature’s New Years was counted those of Eretz Israel) which were received with ancient times. It is mentioned in the ancient texts, a risk could only be taken by a long living plant: one together with other ‘New Year’s days’, some of reverence and a longing for redemption. Even the but was not included among the Seven Species. The year it may lose its flowers in a storm, but in others which are not considered holidays, such as: the carob, which was considered food for goats in tree was one of the only crops which can be grown it will have an advantage in pollinating and setting Kings’ New Years, and New Years’ for tithes of Eretz Israel, was greatly honored in the Diaspora, in the mountainous terraces alongside olives, figs, its fruits. beasts. In conjunction with this reference, the and eaten as a true member of the fruits of the pomegranates, and grapes. Mishnah states: “The world is judged at four land. Who knows how many flowers an almond tree has? intervals of the year: At Pesah regarding produce, At the same time, in his book Hemdat Yamim, Much can be learn about the almonds from Prof. In surveys conducted in the Jerusalem Botanical on Shavuot regarding tree fruit…” These texts Rabbi Binyamin Halevi of Tsfat detailed a Tu Daniel Zohary’s writings. The genus Amygdalus Gardens, we have counted thousands of flowers indicate that the 15th of Shvat (Beit Hillel B’Shvat seder, which included the eating of thirty includes some forty species, ranging from China on small trees, and tens of thousands up and up Halachah) is the date of record for closing and types of fruit, a special blessing for each fruit and to Italy. Some of them can be seen in the Gardens’ to 250,000 flowers on larger trees! However, starting a new year of agricultural work, but is not reading passages from the Torah, the Mishnah Asian Section. Most almond species are genetically only a relatively small number of fruits set. This is an actual holiday. This date is required for practical and the Zohar concerning trees, fruits, and the and visually similar and can be crossed. In nature, because flowers are easily dislodged by storms and application of the Torah-based mitzvah “Thou shal coming salvation. The book, published towards isolated populations have remained genetically severe weather, and even are shed intentionally. truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field the end of the 17th century, was immensely distinct. This was true until the tree’s cultivation, The almonds only develop the most successful of bringeth forth year by year” (Deuteronomy, 14, popular and its Tu B’Shvat seder was adopted when cultivars were inter-bred with wild populations, embryos. 22). Indeed, the Rambam, in discussing practices by numerous communities. With the renewed resulting in new populations with intermediate traits. for donations and tithes, refers to the 15th of Shvat Jewish settlement in Eretz Israel, another aspect This phenomenon can be seen all throughout the Uses for Almonds as “Rosh Hashanah for tithes of tree fruit”. was added to Tu B’Shvat – it was declared as the genus’s geographic distribution, including Israel. The almonds we eat are actually the seeds, after It seems that until recent centuries, no additional national tree planting festival. At this point, even removing the fruit. Botanically, the entire fruit is significance was associated with the 15th of Shvat. non-fruiting trees, now recognized as an important Wild almonds can be found in the semi-arid known as drupe – a single-seed fruit covered by But research on the Cairo Geniza uncovered songs and essential part of the Israeli landscape, were regions, on the eastern slopes of the country up a fleshy exterior (such as an almond or an olive). written in Israel in the time of the Geonim (ca. 600- included in the holiday. Including the general to the Golan and Mt Hermon. In literature these Almond seeds are usually eaten dry, but early in 1000 CE), which were read in synagogues on the public and especially children in Tu B’Shvat tree populations are called Amygdalus korschinskii. the season some prefer to eat the entire green fruit. 15th of Shvat, concerning prayers for a year blessed planting activities, created a sense of pride and These were cultivated to the common almond, Seeds from wild almonds are usually bitter as they with fruits of the trees. These songs illuminate a personal responsibility to protect our forests and Amygdalus communis. In the Negev Highlands, contain amygdalin, a compound in the fruit which practice of expanding the context and significance flora in general. With encouragement from various Prof. Avinoam Danin discovered wild Amygdalus metabolizes into the poisonous cyanic acid. Do of this New Year date, which already began in this organizations, including the Botanical Gardens, Tu populations, which he described as Amygdalus not to eat too many bitter almonds. Cultivars have early period. Over time, the practice developed B’Shvat is now recognized as the national day for ramonensis. Some scholars consider these three a smaller acid content, and so taste sweeter. They to the point where we celebrate the 15th of Shvat field trips and school and family-based activities, species (communis, korschinskii, and ramonensis) as are healthy and nutritious, containing proteins, fat, (Tu B’Shvat) as a holiday in which we pray for a and strengthening our ties with nature. different sub-species of Amygdalus communis. On vitamins, and minerals. bountiful harvest, blessings and of thanksgiving for the cliffs of eastern Samaria one can find the rarest The almond is a small ornamental tree, well-suited the fruit of the trees. In Tu B’Shvat there is to be no almond Amygdalus arabica, which looks similar to a for small gardens, forestry, and planting on terraces. desert broom (Retama raetam). 6 7 small wonder that you feel so at home here. You Araucaria: - It’s true what Tilia said about me. may have come from far away, but it’s hot and dry It was very easy for me to adapt to the climate Tu B’Shvat of Growth & Camaraderie here, and it’s hot and dry in Australia. So what do here in Israel. Because it’s hot and dry here, just (Between Trees and People) you care where you’re growing? like in my home country of Australia. Everyone here has seen me around in Parks and Gardens. Rachel Oron Liquidambar (stuttering): - I’m from America, But there is one thing in Jerusalem that I will and honestly, I don’t know how well this multi- never grow accustomed to – the snow. I was so The Gardens were established I asked: - Excuse me, but what are you arguing culturalism thing is working out. Each of us beautiful and green, and two snow-filled winters about? come from a different background, different broke me in half. I barely managed to stay alive. so that we, the visitors, could soil, different climates, different needs. Growing I’m slow to recover, as you can clearly see. But - Who are you? Mind your own business! together requires too many sacrifices from each of I’m not complaining. And how about you, Horse meet and get to know plants us. How exactly is it supposed to work? chestnut? What’s your story? from all over the world. - I’m from the Friends Society. Maybe I can help? Look at me, for example, I’m used to moist, cool Have you ever wondered what the trees that we summers. Now, in the autumn, all my leaves are Horse chestnut: - I’m actually quite used to wind brought from far off lands to be planted here in - Ok, if you insist. Let me explain, and first of all turning pink and red, just as they would back in and rain from my homeland at the foothills of the Jerusalem think? How does an English oak, a born you need to know some of the background: this America. People call it fall colors, but it hurts. Himalayas. I’m so beautiful and green that English and bred Briton, feel about being planted alongside section, where we are planted, has no name. It’s And I have heat waves. Plus, I lose all my leaves. gardeners brought me over to the Biritsh Isles. a South African olive? Or, what does a Canary pine near the Mediterranean Section, but we all come So here I have to go through all this in front of There, I adorn all their parks with my flowers. think about all those Mediterranean cyclamens from different continents – I’m from Asia, and this everyone?! It’s embarrassing. Every summer, I completely cover myself with crowding around at its feet? I walked around the tree here next to me, who looks so gentle and white blossoms! Gardens, and heard from the trees themselves refined, is Tilia. She’s from Europe. And then we Pistacia: - I’m Pistacia atlantica and I represent what they think about the whole thing… have … Africa, yet we Pistacia atlanticas grow all over the I’m sorry I was rude when we first met. I’m not like I tried to put the stabbings, murders, and our other region, from here to the Atlas Mountains, and I that. I got carried away in the heat of the moment woeful current affairs out of my mind, and went to Tilia (cutting in): - It’s not right to force us to feel right at home. Let me give you the facts about from our argument. I hope that all of us, all the the Botanical Gardens for some peace and quiet. live here together. These Gardens have different the history of this place here in the Gardens: trees here in the Gardens, will celebrate our New The Gardens’ calm encircled me, cradling me in sections, with each tree surrounded by its Year together. And I would like to wish a happy its pleasant embrace. I strolled about from Section well-known companions from home. I’m not When the Botanical Garden was first built in and flower-filled Tu B’Shvat to all the Friends of to Section, with the reassuring trees providing comfortable here growing next to this Asian… It’s the Seventies, the entrance was over in Neve- the Gardens and extend an invitation to everyone: company and clearing my mind of the evils of hard enough for me without her here! Sha’anan, not where it is now. The founding fathers man. The Sternbergia winked at me with their envisioned a flowering and interesting entrance, This coming Tu B’Shvat, please come and visit yellow smiles, and the Atlantic Cedar murmured Horse chestnut (whispering): - That Tilia may look which would greet visitors and immediately us, the original cast, in our modest corner of and swayed gently in the breeze, waving its refined, European and all, cultured, but she’s racist let them know what the Gardens were about: a the Gardens, at the far end of the Mediterranean canopy towards the Lebanese Cedars, high above as hell! collection of trees and shrubs from all around the Section. Try to pick us out of the crowd, and don’t my head. Our oaks were busy growing their new world. Ambassadors from five continents. worry – we have signs, so it won’t be too hard. acorns; while the Spanish Arbutus unedo trees Suddenly, another voice joins in: - My name is were proud at work growing both fruit and flowers. Araucaria, and I’m from distant Australia. They This is why they planted us at the entrance to See you in Tu B’Shvat! Suddenly, I heard loud angry voices from the far planted us here so that visitors to the Gardens the Gardens. Today, the entrance has moved Sincerely, Ambassadors from Five Continents edge of the Gardens. I made my way along the elsewhere, and we’re left here in a beautiful, could see that we can all live together in the same Araucaria Mediterranean Section, and the shouting got section, and blossom together. Like you humans peaceful spot at the far end of the Gardens. louder. There, at a hidden corner at the very tip of say, respecting each other’s differences. the Gardens, a heated argument was underway … So why fuss and fight?! Maybe, we should all try to between trees! And not just any trees, but some of Tilia (working herself up): - We are not humans accept our surroundings, and each other? I want the oldest in the Gardens. Some of the very first for them to bring us over here from all corners of to say something to all of you, the whole group ones! Loudest in the group was the Himalayan the world and force us to live alongside all sorts – We’re all here in Jerusalem in the Botanical horse chestnut – its five-fingered leaves shaking of riff-raff in this insufferable climate! I’m a tree. I Gardens. That’s a fact. every which way with excitement. I approached have roots! I don’t like wandering around between I suggest we each tell our visitor a little something her and tugged at her lowest branch. She noticed continents. That sort of thing is for wandering about overselves. But first, me and bent down. birds. I don’t like it! And as for you, Araucaria, 8 9 From the Head Scientist DeciduousDeciduous ConifersConifers inin thethe JerusalemJerusalem BotanicalBotanical GardensGardens Dr. Michael Avishai So what makes the Metasequoia so special? First of all, it is adaptable (for example down to-32 In our Gardens in Givat Ram there are two unique Endangered Trees degrees C!), and can withstand air pollution; it is species of conifers, with something in common – fast-growing and full of energy – traits which can Dr. Ori Fragman-Sapir they are relics from our planet’s ancient past. Eriolobus trilobatus be traced back before even the dinosaurs were The Gardens have been running an endangered around … in what is known as the Cretaceous Near the entrance to the visitor center, in the plant preservation project for years. We have geological period (warmer and drier than the raised bed which greets almost every visitor to the focused mainly on herbaceous annuals and previous periods). To ‘fossil’ species from the Gardens, grows a conical coniferous tree, with an perennials which can be propagated and grown same genus dominated much of the landscape amazing story – Metasequoia. In the summer, it quickly. of the northern hemisphere – where vast glacial grows green, and from mid-summer onwards it fields now stretch. Thus, the tree illustrates global seems to rust over gradually to autumn colors, We have recently started taking an interest in changes on geological time-frames, which makes until it stands completely naked by mid-fall. The endangered trees. We started propagating Ficus it a horticultural gem. branches emerge from the single, straight trunk, palmata, as detailed over these pages before. and only the round buds on the branches hold However, there are a few other rare trees in Israel the promise of renewed growth in the following which interest us. Almost all have horticultural Metasequoia glyptostroboides summer. applications. To mention a few: Our specimen comes from a small packet of seeds Eriolobus trilobatus is an extremely rare tree received as part of a seed-exchange in 1986 with in the Upper Galilee and Mt Hermon; there are the Smith College Botanical Garden. There were only four known sites in the country where just patiently germinated and grown by the former a few dozen trees can be found. Seeds collected Gardens’ nursery manager Yehiyel Baras. The tree on Mount Adir in the Upper Galillee germinated was planted in its current location by the curator in our nursery following cold stratification. These And from the far north to the far south: One for the European Section at the time, Zvi Refaeli, saplings are slowly growing and we hope to be of the rarest plants in Israel is the Ziziphus in the autumn of 1992, in preparation for the able to plant them out in the Gardens in a couple nummularia, which can only be found in Israel in visitor center’s inauguration in the spring of 1993. of years. One plant was also sent to the garden in Wadi Shani in the Eilat Mountains. After obtaining Kibbutz Bar’am, where it will probably feel more permission from the Nature and Parks Authority, This tree was chosen for its current location for its ‘at home’. we collected seeded fruits, which we then scientific importance as a living fossil, and for its germinated successfully. Two plants were planted beauty and value as an ornamental, as well as for Sorbus torminalis is also a tree from the far north; in the Gardens and have already survived their its value as being new in Israel. There may have in Israel, it can only be found on Mt Hermon, first winter. Time will tell if the plant will survive in been some risk involved, but like other ancient where it grows in open oak forests. It has elongated Jerusalem’s rainy climate. trees (Such as Ginko biloba), I assumed that it had brown fruit, which tastes similar to quince. a chance of surviving and it exemplifies all the It is emphasized, that we do not keep these rare Gardens goals. Sorbus umbellata is another species in this genus, plants to ourselves: Ziziphus nummularia seeds As a ‘living fossil’ it is known to science from and is even rarer! It grows on just a few cliffs on have been given to JNF’s Gilat nursery, which then geological findings such as leaf imprints and the Hermon. Of the seeds we planted, only one gave some seedlings to the Holland Park in Eilat. fossilized fruit from the Cretaceous and Tertiary germinated, and next autumn will be planted One plant was also given to Daphna Carmeli, who periods, about 136 million years ago. out in the Mediterranean Section next to the planted it in Kibbutz Sammar in the Arava, where Lebanon Cedars, completing the Gardens’ East- it is thriving and growing faster than the trees It’s discovery was sensational: It was first Mediterranean Mountainous Landscape. planted in Jerusalem. discovered as a living tree in 1943 in China, and On the Hermon, we also collected some Quercus has been used as an ornamental since 1948. In cerris acorns this year, as part of Dr. Michael We hope to succeed in propagating these rare Metasequoia Valley, in the wild, there are about Avishay’s research on local oaks. Only a few trees, providing a back-up for the dwindled 5000 individual specimens growing to about 60 acorns were planted and we hope they will grow wild populations, while also studying them and meters with a trunk girth of about 1 meter. They well. We will be able to compare these trees to the learning about them in our Gardens. Together with are protected as a national nature reserve in Quercus cerris already growing in the Gardens, the Nature and Parks Authority and JNF, we may China, and are recognized as a world heritage which come from a more northerly population. even be able to return them to the wild. site. 10 11 From the Head Gardener Five Common and Important Mistakes tree’s deep roots do not receive any water, nor are in Maintaining Mature Trees the accumulated salts flushed out of the root mass. Eli Becker This may cause drying-out and nutrient lock-out. Many of us have mature trees in our home gardens, Therefore, it is important to provide deep irrigation at which we either planted years ago or inherited least once a month. from our predecessors. Much has been said and 3. Working the soil inside the root system written on the importance of mature trees, with their Herbaceous plants need to be changed out often – on green foliage, blossoms, and shade, in the urban average every five years for perennials and twice or Photographer: Dan Porges environment – in lowering summer temperatures and even three times a year for annuals. Every time we in soil preservation. change these plants, we prepare the soil by digging These trees, established over the past years, grow ever down 30-40 cm. The roots of a tree planted in a Avinoam Danin – In Memorial more important in light of the lower rainfall and higher herbaceous bed will be damaged if we work the soil 1939 - 2015 temperatures in our region in recent years. like this. Therefore, it is advisable to plan your garden Mature trees are a significant architectural and so as to plant trees alongside long-lived ground- Today, 13 December, we paid our last respects research… his curiosity and discoveries knew no engineering element in the urban landscape. covering species, to minimize such damage to the to Professor Avinoam Danin. Avinoam passed in bounds. You should have seen how he came to the However, in contrast to constructed elements, each is roots. agony, but lived amongst the flowers, and that is how herbarium with twinkling stars in his eyes – in the a living organism, with unique and dynamic needs, we will all remember him – a great man (literally), Mount Scopus Botanical Gardens, he had found a such as pruning and styling, and intelligent irrigation 4. Pruning who loved what he did deeply and devoted his life Mosheovia galilaea, a rare wild plant which until that accounts for its needs. With young trees, we conduct skeletal pruning. to his two great passions – his family, and plants. then he had only seen in books…! Caring for mature trees must be performed by Young trees are naturally vigorous and can overcome Avinoam discovered and scientifically described That is how we will remember him. May he rest in specialist pruning, but the backyard gardener can any severe pruning. Mature trees (who were pruned 43 species and 3 sub-species of plants, and another peace. Hagar Leshner also contribute to their health. Let us go over some and styled in their youth), require minimal pruning, three that he discovered and are named after him – I would like to talk about Avinoam his teacher. common mistakes we should avoid: which is mainly aimed at cleaning out dry matter, what a life’s work! I first met him in the late 80s, when I attended his allowing light into the canopy, and preventing over- I first “met” Avinoam through the articles and books 1. Watering too close to the trunk mythological course, Vegetation of Eretz Israel, lapping branches from causing mechanical damage. of my youth. When I came to the Hebrew University In Israel, trees are usually watered by looping drip during my bachelor’s studies in biology in the We should avoid pruning branches with a diameter of as an employee and a student, Avinoam’s door was irrigation around their trunk. After planting, irrigation Hebrew University. over 15 cm at their base, as the tree will not be able always open for questions, requests, and of course must be close to the root-ball (about 50 cm from Later, for seven long years in the 1990s we, the to recover and close a wound of this size, and often – ‘botanical discoveries’. the plant itself), as the tree has yet to send out roots. teaching assistants, would accompany Avinoam on the cut becomes the entry site for pests and diseases, We grew more familiar during the ‘Rare Species However, as the tree becomes established, we must five prep-trips. After each of these trips, we would as well as a structural weak point that can lead to Survey’, when we brought him information on expand the loop in relation to the diameter of the root- conduct a field trip with the students. One would breaking. the distribution of rare plants, which he first mass. think it would be boring to go back to the same incorporated in the field guide, and then in the The rule of thumb is for irrigation to be placed at the 5. Raising the canopy in mature trees places year after year, going over the same material databases which he developed. tree’s ‘drip-line’ – the edge of the tree’s canopy. This is We often see mature trees which have undergone – but not with Avinoam: each year he taught and In my work in the herbarium, I got to know “another where the tree’s fine feeder roots are located, which uncontrolled pruning to raise their canopy, leaving learned new things, following the fascinating Avinoam” – not just a teacher, but a colleague, who absorb water and nutrients. This will also encourage only half or a third of the tree’s canopy. such pruning phenomena that characterized each particular year. devoted tremendous amounts of time and effort to a wide and uniform root-spread, helping to stabilize leaves the tree with a weakened structure and without For me, Avinoam opened the door to a world of help me specifically, and to help the herbarium and style the tree. assimilation sites, increasing the risk of breakage or wonder! He presented plants not as specimens or in general. Avinoam contributed to the collection When we leave the irrigation close to the trunk, we even uprooting, especially in strong winter winds. species,but as plant communities. and enriched the herbarium with numerous plants, encourage the main roots to loop around themselves If we want to allow more light through, we should I finished that course with new insight on nature many of which were rare, identified plants which instead of spreading out, as they seek to remain close prune secondary branches, thus allowing more light as a whole, and made my final decision to focus I found challenging, and I relied heavily on the to the source of the water. As the roots thicken, they through, but leaving main structural branches along on botany in my professional life. Since 2007, website he built for identifying plants. prevent the movement of water and minerals. the main trunk. I’m teaching this course, replacing Avinoam who We were delighted, he and all of us working in the retired and am very proud to do so. Much will be herbarium, when his office was relocated alongside 2. Frequent short watering, without deep irrigation These are important points to keep in mind, and we said of Prof. Avinoam Danin, one of Israel’s greatest the herbarium. This brought him even closer, and Trees are often planted amongst beds of ornamental recommend you consult with experts concerning botanists. Prof. Avinoam Danin left behind him an he became an integral part of the team. plants. Herbaceous plants have a shallow root problems with your trees, and of course visit us in the amazing legacy of knowledge about Israel’s flora… In all the years after his retirement, he kept system, and so we water them relatively frequently, Botanical Gardens, where you can enjoy the many May he rest in peace. reappearing with new discoveries, excited as a for short periods of time. If you only rely on the trees and learn about them in our regular courses and child discovering new worlds, and delighted in his Ori Fragman-Sapir irrigation provided for the ground-cover plants, the guided tours. Good luck! 12 13 Shlomo Ilan – The Visionary Sara Adar

Last November marked 22 years since the passing over several years, but landscapes are created of Shlomo Ilan, the man who, for decades, over generations. We have created a landscape of preached organic agriculture and horticulture and introduced (imported) species, and forgotten our eco-consciousness on a national scale. native plants… We must formulate a horticultural philosophy, and develop an ecological approach From the Garden to the Plate! Long ago, when I was an inquisitive young founded on planting the right plant in the right Amanda Lind ornamental gardener, I set off from Kibbutz Horshim place, without using toxic substances… We must where I lived to “Karei Desheh” at the northern nurture the love of small gardens, especially in the Winter is upon us….and that means lots to do in the garden end of the Sea of Galilee for a national gardening cities and in the projects…” Leaving the garden fallow last year means that now it’s time for digging, feeding, mulching and pruning. seminar (by bus, no less…) I hope I would not be wrong in saying that Shlomo expressed his views on the role of gardens and One of the most satisfying winter vegetables is “Swiss” Chard; Beta vulgaris, commonly known as I arrived late. Still, I opened the heavy door and organic gardening in Israel out of a comprehensive, Mangold. entered a long, narrow room with a very high over-arching and solid view of the urgent, global A useful and easy to grow hardy perennial, regrowing each year and prolifically self-seeds. The leaves are ceiling. The participants were seated in tight rows need to protect the world and Nature from the easy to harvest and plants can continue to provide fresh leaves throughout the season. in absolute, captivated silence. I was stopped dead terrible destruction of man. In referring to organic The leaves can be used like spinach and are a source of Vitamin A. The variety sold in Israel has white in my tracks, my eyes gripped by the seated figure gardening, he did not mean a fanatical, one- stalks which can be steamed and eaten like asparagus; the French call them carde. A variety from the USA across the room, speaking confidently to the group: sided fixation on a naïve return to Nature. The has brilliantly colored red or yellow stalks bringing interest to the garden at this time of year. A broad-shouldered man, his lush hair and beard idea is to create a gardening culture, based on Historically; Chard was known to Aristotle and the Romans introduced it into Europe. exuding warmth and wisdom, a visionary… what a an understanding of biological processes and Being so versatile and satisfying it really is good for winter warming soups and in Israel it is used figure he carved! His eyes no longer saw the room inter-dependencies on the one hand, and an prolifically in the traditional “Hamusta” soup. before him, but looked far off into the distant future, understanding of social processes and modern with full confidence and faith, affirming every needs on the other.” Chop a bunch of spring onions uttered sentence: Shlomo Ilan. A few forward-looking statements made by (Use only the green leaves and use the white part for another dish) Shlomo: “It is our job not just to plant trees, but also The professional journal published by the Gardeners to feel the needs of future society” … “Automation Chop a large bunch of Chard leaves (leave the stalks aside till later) Association since its founding, ‘Gan VaNof’, would through robotics and computers will gradually Chop four cloves of garlic hold a regular spot for Shlomo’s articles, and was replace the human work-force, and perhaps society Add a celery stick a perfect platform for his musings and theories on will have to face the problems created by more free Juice of one lemon real-world ecology and organic horticulture. time” … “There will be rapid urban development Salt and Pepper of high-rise buildings, and people will not be able Boil everything in a pot with about 2 liters of water In the autumn of 1972, I was leafing through an to garden at home” – this leads Shlomo to the Cook for about 20 minutes. edition of Gan VaNof wholly-devoted to trees, practical suggestion of allocating space for planting Add the Chard stalks at the end of the cooking so they are not overcooked when I found a personal reply by Shlomo: family-gardens – and his musings focus first and “And if I ask myself which trees I should use to build foremost on Jerusalem – the terraces of the Judean This is the base for Hamusta “Kubbeh” soup, drop homemade Kubbeh my surroundings – my answer must be divided into Mountains, for Jerusalem’s inhabitants – a prophecy (if you can make them or buy them ready made) into the soup when it is boiling and cook with no lid on two clear points: first – we must consider the tree’s that came true in Sataf. the saucepan for at least half an hour. ecological suitability to its environment, otherwise Let us suffice with the above quotes. I will, however, it would be plagued by disease and pests and grow recommend our readers buy his book ‘The Fruitful This is an unusually sour soup but rewarding especially if the chard is from the garden. weak. Second – aesthetics: it is better we should Garden’, which is essentially a compendium of all plant a tree that will be beautiful and accentuate its his various writings – texts that are both educated Amanda leads the “Community in the gardens” group and works as the Coordinator for Jerusalem unique character in each season. And finally, third and practical. But I will mention his wife, Community Gardens for the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. – clearly, the tree must develop naturally! With the Judith Ilan, who was his eyes and who wrote down bare minimum of intervention by the gardener.” his articles and musings, and the person who brought his theories to life, by growing the wonderful In the conference that took place in Beit Hashita garden, a mixed-organic garden surrounding their in October of 1985, to mark 40 years since home, leading by personal example. the Gardening and Landscaping Association’s founding, Shlomo was the guest speaker. An excerpt from his statements: “You can build a house 14 15 Jerusalem Botanical Gardens School of Horticulture Course Curriculum – 2015-2016 Home Garden Course Garden's community with hands-on workshop Plan for February A unique course for plant-lovers seeking to start or cultivate their home garden. ההאב הסביבתי-חברתי Sunday-Tuesday של הגן הבוטני Between the hours of 9:00-12:00 A vibrant, thriving garden requires basic knowledge and ongoing maintenance. You Tuesday 2.2 JBG Practical gardening in the greenhouse can’t just put plants in the ground and with Amanda Instruction on growing water them. The course takes place in the summer vegetables Prepare personal mini greenhouses and sow Botanical Gardens, using the Gardens’ facilities, and includes tours, workshops Sunday 7.2 Evelina school Volunteer with holocaust survivors group Mini greenhouses and sow summer and demonstrations. vegetablesExercise with Dalit Isaschar Topics: Botany – plant anatomy, soil, Tuesday 9.2 JBG Practical work in the greenhouse with Amanda Practical workshop: Garden to water, plant dynamics, plant species, Kitchen Gather and prepare a rich breakfast planning the home garden, water conservation, planting and propagation Visit and activity at the Wohl Rose Garden Sunday 14.2 Wohl Rose For information on courses and hours, workshops, the horticultural calendar, Garden Exercise with Dalit Isaschar see ‘Adult courses’ on the Gardens Guided tour of the Garden with Ofri herbs and spices, etc. work in the rose garden website: www.en.botanic.co.il Info and registration: Instructors: Gardens staff Tuesday 16.2 JBG Meet with the Friends of the Botanical Gardens organization Guided tour Courses Department and additional professionals. with Rachel Oron and Yechiel Bares Odelia Aroshas – Course Coordinator Start date: Start of February. Lilly Stayer – the garden's seed index 02-6794012 | 052-4472409 Sunday 21.2 Bet HaKerem "sustainable neighborhood" project in [email protected] Price: NIS 1,980. Beit HaKerem Exercise with Dalit Isaschar David Mendelbaum – project coordinator Duration: 20 meetings, held Tuesdays in the neighbourhood 13:00-17:00. Tuesday 23.2 Lev HaIr Visit to the community greenhouse at Lev HaIr community centre Morning coffee at the "Hadarta" coffee shop Meet with Roni Lessons are held in the upper classes in the Gardens. the community coordinator Work in the greenhouse with Aviad Sunday 28.2 JBG Midway review of volunteering with Holocaust survivors group Exercise with Dalit Isaschar Instruction with Maggie Gadd from Eshel JDC

מנהל תרבות חברה ופנאי המחלקה לגיל השלישי 16 From our Volunteers

Dear Friends and New opportunities Profile: Rachel Oron Visitors – Greetings! for Volonteering in the Channa Cohen Rachel Oron has been volunteering in the Gardens These words were written written in the Gardens: and deeply involved in all its activities for almost cold, clear air of a pre-Hanukah evening, 30 years. But how did it all start? Library – Magazine catalog manager. Working Back in 1984, Rachel saw an ad for a plant while the days are crazed and hate-filled, with Dr. Ori Fragman-Sapir. Minimum introductory course in the Botanical Gardens, with innocent people being murdered, and requirements: basic English reading ability, taught by Dr. Michael Avishai. She developed an no end in sight. physically able to move the rolling shelves and immediate connection to plants, and ever since move magazines from place to place. Basic her life has been intertwined with that of the knowledge of working with computers. Gardens – and no wonder: Rachel grew up in And yet, we should raise high the beacon Kfar-Saba to parents who always loved gardening, How have the Gardens changed over the years? of hope with all our hearts and pray for the Library – Librarian. Working with Dr. Ori flowers and trees – which were the backdrop for There is no doubt that big and important things return of peace and serenity to our lives Fragman-Sapir and Shila. Book organization and her childhood. are happening in the Gardens: the Discovery Trail, and that we will once more breathe in arrangement, with regular weekly work hours Rachel is one of the lucky ones whose job the upcoming Visitor Center, the new state-of-the- art tropical conservatory … the Gardens organize an air of growth and blossoms as nature during which people can be invited to visit the and hobbies met: she worked in the Hebrew library and browse the books. University’s biology lab. many activities for children and many events to all awakens and Spring once more covers the Rachel told me she particularly loves trees, and he people. land! Translation – Translating articles and other this love came from her mother. The Botanical Gardens are covered with material from Hebrew to English, and And what do you see for the future? wondrous renewal - and we invite the occasionally from English to Hebrew. Working What’s special about them? I am worried about the next generation of botanical Rachel says she did not understand the beauty of volunteers in the Gardens: It’s important that the public to visit the Gardens, enjoy its hidden with Dr. Ori Fragman-Sapir. Possible to work from home. trees until she came to the Gardens. Rachel lists volunteers will have training and will know the gems, each bursting and blossoming at its Requirements: prior translation experience in their virtues – she can see a similarity between trees garden and it’s plants collection – we need guides own time – and to join us, the volunteers, these language pairs. and people: trees breath like us, eat, want to raise available to anyone who is interesting in botanical who take an active, fun and rewarding part a family, and have comfortable living conditions. sphere and not only as a place of recreation and spending time. – I think there have to be very in its cultivation! Education – Organizing the plant file for But unlike people – trees have roots and are bound the Hebrew gardening course. Working with to where they grow, literally; whereas we are not close ties with the community. Odelia Aroshes and Dr. Ori Fragman-Sapir. bound, and roam about from place to place. I hope that the Friends of the Gardens can renew With wishes for plentiful rains and flowers! Requirements – prior experience in organizing Trees do everything in their power to survive and and become integrated with the changes in the computerized data, writing experience. Some of procreate. Trees and people have the same goals. Gardens. Ruth, Channa, Nehama, Sarah, Odelia, and Ori the work may be done from home. Rachel has and continues to hold numerous Database - Gathering information on the functions in the Friends Society. Gardens’ plants for the database. Working with Dr. Ori Fragman-Sapir. Requirements – able to Like what? use a computer, Hebrew writing experience She is a member of the Society’s Tours Committee, (English writing experience an advantage). In the recent past, weekly tours were offered to visitors, but today as the demand for guided tours decreases, tours are offered once a month. Rachel also mans the gift shop once a week, directs visitors to interesting paths, and even provides guided tours – as necessary. 18 19 Family Page

Is there, like me, a mask, Hamantashen a joyous and happy, cha, cha?! Nehama Foerster Nehama Foerster The word ‘Hamantashen’ (or Hamantaschen) is German, where poppy-filled cookies similar to our hamatashen were popular. In German, the cookies were called Mohntaschen – meaning ‘poppyseed- Israel’s holidays are closely bound to Israel. This mask was displayed in the Israel filled pouches’. To Jewish ears, ‘Mohn’ sounded very similar to ‘Haman’, they were given the Yiddish nature, and each season brings with it its Museum. It was made of stone and served a name ‘Hamantaschen’, ultimately becoming a traditional Jewish Purim treat. And since the pastries own holidays. Take for example Hanukkah, ritualistic purpose: connecting with the tribe’s resembled ears, and these two similarities led to our ‘Hamantashen’ or ‘Haman’s ears’… which ended just a short while ago – outside ancestral spirits, so that they may protect their You can use the following recipe to make them at home! it’s cold, dark, wintery; so we celebrate the living descendants. Similar ritual can still be festival of lights and light candles for eight seen in Africa, performed by ‘shamans’ – Hamantashen Recipe Channah Cohen days. In Shvat, we mark nature’s holiday, tribal prophets – seeking protection, health, the celebration of trees, followed closely by and successful hunts. For the dough: Purim, which offers all of us a chance to be Sometimes, masks cover only the face or part 2 eggs someone else for a day – by wearing a mask. of the face, and sometimes they cover the Half a cup sugar The word comes from the Latin ‘masca’ entire head. In Greece, they were commonly Half a cup oil or Arabic ‘maskharah’. The mask seeks to used in theater where men portrayed women, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract transform us into someone else, allowing us who were not allowed to perform themselves. Juice and zest of half an orange to behave differently and be unrestrained in The mouth of the mask was even shaped in 2 and a half to 3 cups flour our revelry, drinking, and dancing. After the such a manner as to amplify the actor’s voice. 1 teaspoon baking powder cold dark of winter – spring is finally here and On the other hand, Commedia dell’Arte For the filling: we can throw off our dark, heavy clothing mainly seeks to render the characters more Jam with crushed cookies and feel instantly lighter! ludicrous, while Shakespeare used them for or cook: 2 cups ground poppy-seed with half cup milk, 3-6 tablespoons sugar, and raisins. mystery and concealment. We tie this to the Book of Esther, as she The magic powers of masks are inexplicable, Instructions: also put on a costume before going to King according to Prof. Yaacov Raz, who studies Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, and roll out with a rolling pin; Ahasuerus. And so, let us raise our glasses Japanese and Far Eastern culture. Masks Using a cup, cut out circles of dough and place filling in center of each circle; and drink until we can’t allow people to undergo metamorphosis, and Fold three sides towards the center to create a triangle; Press edges firmly together. tell Haman from Mordechai, unto through the mask and the dance, a person Bake for thirty minutes at 175-180 degrees C. forgetfulness… and, indeed, processions obtains a double identity – his own, and that …Bon Appetit! such as the one held in Purim can be found of the costume. across many different cultures: the Carnival in Venice, various festivals in South America, Today, who wouldn’t want to be a queen for African mask rituals, Commedia dell’Arte a day? balls, Shakespearean characters who take on A beauty queen, a famous dancer, or even * Did you know that edible poppy and narcotic poppy are different varieties of Cultivated poppy different guises, and many others. Superman?! (Papaver somniferum) ? In Israel it is forbidden to grow all of them The first mask in the world, from the seventh millennium BC, was found here, in southern Happy holiday everybody!

All tours depart from the visitor center. Walking tours are guided by Friends of the Gardens and are offered to visitors at no extra cost and without prior כל הסיורים יוצאים ממרכז המבקרים. registration. | For guided tour inquiries, call: Ilana – 02-6480049, Gardens entrance – 02-6794012. הסיורים הרגליים - בהדרכת מדריכים של אגודת ידידי הגן ומיועדים לקהל מבקרי הגן, ללא תשלום נוסף וללא הרשמה. Professional tours are guided by the Gardens’ science staff. טלפון לבירורים לגביהם: אילנה: 02-6480049, שער הכניסה לגן: 02-6794012. Coffee Club – will not meet in the coming months due to renovations to the visitor center. הסיורים המקצועיים בהדרכת הצוות המדעי של הגן. קפה מועדון – לא יתקיים בחודשים הקרובים בשל שיפוצים במבנה מרכז המבקרים. Every Monday, Yehiel Baras will provide phone consultation on horticultural questions from 9:00 to 10:00 am. To consult Yehiel, cal: 073-3727101 מידי יום ב׳ מתקיימת הדרכה טלפונית מהשעה 9:00 עד 10:00 בבוקר, על-ידי יחיאל ברס בשאלות על טיפול בצמחים. ניתן להתקשר לטלפון: 073-3727101

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