AVtERICANJ IORfICULTURIST NEWS-MAY 1981
Boston Congress Scheduled September 24-28, 1981
Come September, nothing sounds more appealing than spending a part of autumn in New England, and that's what we have planned for members of the Society who join us for the 1981 Congress in Boston and the post-Congress tour of Massachu setts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. sex Agricultural Institute has invited Our Boston meeting will begin on us to be their guests for the after the 24th with a cocktail reception at noon. Lunch on Saturday will be at Horticultural Hall as guests of the the Peabody Museum of Salem . Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Saturday evening is free so that par On Friday morning a series of edu ti cipants may rest from a full day's cational lectures have been sched activities and explore Boston at their uled. Among the speakers invited for own leisurely pace. this series will be George Pride, For guests who are early ri sers, we retired assistant director of the have planned a series of roundtable Arnold Arboretum; Thalassa Cruso, discussions at breakfast on Sunday well-known gardener and television morning. Participants can choose personal ity; and George Jung , an ex among several garden topics they Dr. Cathey to Take New Post pert on roses . After a box lunch, we would like to explore during this The Society is pleased to announce will board buses for a trip to Arnold breakfast meeting when they register. that Dr. Henry M . Cathey, former Arboretum and the lovely Honeywell Our plenary session and more educa president of the American Horticul estate. That night all participants in tional lectures follow until noon. tural Society, has recently been ap the Congress are invited to a lobster/ Among the speakers will be Kenn pointed as Executive Director of the clambake. Stevens, who will demonstrate flower u.S. National Arboretum. Dr. Cathey On Saturday the entire day will be arranging , and Dr. Gordon DeWolfe, was a visiting professor of floriculture devoted to seeing gardens and horti whose byline frequently appears in at The Ohio State University last fall cultural exhibits firsthand. The owners Horticulture. On Sunday afternoon and is presently on tour as a lecturer of four private gardens on the North we will once again take to the road, He is scheduled to begin work at the Shore have kindly agreed to allow us this time to see Cohasset Gardens Arboretum in June . to explore their gardens, and the Es- and Plimouth Plantation. That even- ...... ~ ing, after a no host cocktail recep- .. tion, our Congress will come to a close with the President's Banquet 1981 -Seed Program Exceeds Response of Many Past Years and Awards Ceremony. At this time As of the third week in March, more than 8,000 members have responded the coveted Liberty Hyde Bailey to our 1981 seed program, a considerable increase over the past several Medal will be presented. Carlton years. We are quite pleased with our 1981 effort, and thanks to your many Lees, a well-known garden writer and suggestions and offers of help, we can now have a clear picture of what landscape designer, will be the must be done to make next year's program the best ever. featured speaker. Many of you have told us of your wish to see more woody plants, Please put these dates on your cal shade-tolerant species, test cultivars and greenhouse plants represented in endar now and plan to join us for the future programs. We will do our very best to heed your suggestions. In 35th Annual Congress. Registration coming months we will be getting in touch with botanic gardens, arboreta, material will be mailed to you during plant societies throughout the world and international seed companies. May, and a follow-up registration Continue to keep us advised, as this is the only way we can truly serve packet will appear in the July issue you. of American Horticulturist news. Bro Our 1981 program would not have been possible without the efforts of chures are also available for the two one of our staff members who certainly deserves our public thanks. This week exploration of New England individual volunteered hours and hours of her own time to fill seed orders. scheduled to follow the Congress (for Thank you, Jane Glass, for your devotion. Without you, we would have more details, see " Dates to Remem had no 1981 seed program at all! ber" in this issue) Denver Symposium Cancelled River Farm Notes been lucky enough to receive seed We reg ret to announ ce that the of past and present AAS winners, Soc iety's Denver " Sprin g Symposi those plants that are selected as the ( um," sched uled for Jul y 14-18, 1981 , very best introductions in a given has been cancelled. The high cost of year. Here, as with the dahlias, test accommodations and associated ing is performed throughout the USA, events, coupled with the exc es sive and only superior plants receive the cost of air transportation made the distinction of becoming All-America event exorbitantly expensive. As a Selections medal winners. This year result a decision to cancel was made we will have three beds planted with by the staff. AAS winners in the flower division, However, the post symposium including the yet-unannounced win tour, " Exploration of Colorado," will ners for 1982. We will also have a be held. See the March American family-sized vegetable garden, but Horticulturist news for details and this year one with a new wrinkle. registration forms or contact Dorthy As we are all aware, the computer is Sower by at the Society for additional . ~ _____ j~-:£:.,--,..,J,!!r:.~=~:::==::::==~ 1 finding its way into all aspects of information. . . life, but how many of us would ex- .=::::...... ------1 pect to find it serving a purpose in the vegetable garden? This year our My River Farm Notes column in the vegetable garden will be designed by March issue of American Horticultur a computer, compliments of the k'tERlCANHoRTICULTURlST ist news was devoted to the rose gar Northrup King Company's " Smarter dens of River Farm . In May let us Garden Plan ." A computer program originally designed by AHS Board VOLUME 60 NUMBER 5 dwell on another of our gardens, the Ideas Garden. This garden is com Member Dr. John A. Wott.for use in PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR the state of Indiana has been adapt Judy Powell posed of a number of mini gardens, ed for use throughout the United EDITOR each emphasizing a particular type Barbara W. Ell is of plant material or a specific garden States by Northrup King, a major ART DIRECTOR setting. Our intention here has been seed producer. With this program a Rebecca K. M cC limans to locate in a single area a group of vegetable garden can be designed to EDITORIAL ASSISTANT plants that will show our many vis a family's exact needs. We plan to Jane Steffey itors both the very best of the tradi keep track of produce from our com TAXONOMIST tional and newer cultivars, and pro puter garden and will report our Dr. Frederick C. Meyer vide ideas for incorporating these and results in a season's-end issue of other plants into their own land American Horticulturist news. For Address all Society correspondence to: scapes. We have received a great more information on Northrup King's American Horticultural Society computer service, which is available Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121 deal of help in this endeavor. The local chapters of several of our na to homeowners for a small fee, write Address all editorial correspondence to: tion's pi ant societies, organ izations, to Northrup King Company, 1500 The Editor, American Horticulturist nurseries, seed producers, hybridizers Jackson Street N.E ., Minneapolis, MN American Hort.icultural Society and a host of individuals came to 55413. Also look for an article on Mount Vernon, Virginia 22121 gether to help us transform our brain computer gardening in an upcoming child into its present form. issue of American Horticulturist. AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST is published First came the American Dahlia The Society for Siberian Irises, monthly by fhe American Horticultural Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Society. Their band of hard-working especially Dr. Carrier McEwen, is to Alexandria, Virgin ia 22308. 703-768-5700. experts helped us develo p a se ction be thanked for its efforts to develop of our garden into an official dahlia an official Siberian Iris display garden Dues for membership in the Society start at test and display garden. We have on the grounds. Our bed of these $20 per year, $12 of whi ch is for AMERICAN four beds of test plants and two beds plants boasts an absolutely superb HORTICULTURIST. of standard cultivars, and together collection. they provide us with unbelievable Mrs. Mary Peddie of Rutland, The America n Horti cultural Society is a non Kentucky, an herb and dye plant profit organization. Contributions are de color from early summer to the first ductible for in come tax purposes. late-fall frosts. W e are particularly specialist, will be providing us with a pleased to have a test garden here planting design for an herb display IS SN 0096-441 7. Second-class postage paid because it gives our vi sitors the op garden. This will not be an elaborate, at Alexandria, Virginia and at additional portunity to see pl ants not yet on the formal planting but a teaching col mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send market and to learn just what has to lection of culinary herbs and dye Form 3579 to AMERI CAN HORTICULTUR IST, Mount Vern on, Virginia 221 21. transpire before a cultivar is deemed plants. We will have one bed de mark etabl e. voted to thymes, one to a side-by M ember of Society of National Association All-Ameri ca Selections Inc. was side display of other culinary herbs Publications next to come to our aid. We have and one to dye plants Everything
2 America n Horticulturist will be labeled, and the assemblage An additional bed to be construct of textures and odors shou ld give our ed this spring will complete our Ideas visitors a truly delightful experience. Garden. It will be planted with a fab GREAT NEWS Three of the "summer" beds al ulous collection of daylilies provided for your ready mentioned will first dazzle us by the American Daylily Society and HOUSEPLANTS with spring bloom. The bed that will combined with an exciting collection contain the thymes is presently of everlasting and dried flowers do and you planted with a selected collection of nated by the George W . Park Seed Send for FREE tulips, and two of the beds that will Company, Inc. Together these plant INFORMATION on contain the AAS flower selections are ings will provide a unique display for NUTRIPONICS TIoL now filled with a fantastic collection our visitors. of daffodils that represents 100 new This completes our tour of the Use Coupon Below cultivars given to us by the American River Farm Ideas Garden. We hope Daffodil Society for our official daf you have enjoyed it, and we hope fodil display garden. Once these you will be able to visit us this year plantings are in bloom there will be and see these plantings for yourself. no mistaking that spring has come. -Steve Davis
IDEAS GARDEN BEDS OOOOOOQOOOOOQ 000 0 00 000000000000000000000000 0 0000000000000000000000 Now you can grow healthy plants in doors-even tomatoes using a totally 000 0000 0000 new and simple system called "Nutri 6000 50000 40000 3 000 20000 ponics" . OC~O b~~ ~ 1 00 I ~~~0§ o This new system uses a modern attrac tive planter (or even a used tin can), that .' acts as a water reservoir for a flower pot ··• . ·· . .' . .'. permitting long periods without water · . ·· . .' . ·· . ing if you desire. Your plants gradually ·..• ·· . ·· . absorb all the moisture they require, 8 ••• 9 ··• . 10 ·· . 11 •••· 12 13 · . · . ·· . ' .. simply, easily, practically eliminating ·· . ·· . ·· . ' .. leading causes of house plant failure: in ··• . ··• . ·· . · . · . ' .. ·· . ·· . adequate moisture and overwatering. ·· . · . ·· . ·· . Fully tested. We have received many let ters from customers expressing satisfac tion. NUTRIPONIC KITS A VAILABLE Kits include our 50-page beautifully il lustrated book on Nutriponics along with Liqui-SoiITM, special Nutriponic pots and planting medium. Windowbox also available.
WINDOWSILL GARDENS Grafton, N.H. 03240, Dept. AH o Send Information 1. American Dahlia Society Test Garden 12. Culinary Herb Garden Send $4.95 Kit 13. Dye-Plant Garden o 2. American Dahlia Society Test Garden Send $9.95 Kit 3. American Dahlia Society Test Garden 13. Dye-Plant Garden o 4. American Dahlia Society Test Garden 14. Thyme Col lection Include $1.50 for Shipping 5. Traditional Dahlias 15. All-America Selections Flower Garden 16. All-Ameri ca Selections Flower Garden and 6. Traditional Dahlias Name 7. All-America Selection Vegetable Garden American Daffodil Society Display 8. American Iris Society Tall-Bearded Iris Garden Address Display Garden 17. All-America Selections Flower Garden and 9. American Iris Society Tall-Bearded Iris American Daffodil Society Display City, State Zip Display Garden Garden 10. American Iris Society Tall-Bearded Iris 18. Flower Garden Checks or Money Orders Only Display Garden 19. American Daylily Society Display Garden 11. Society for Siberian Irises Display Garden and Dried-Flower Garden
American Horticulturist 3 APRil 3(}'MAY 3 JUNE 6 American Rhododendron Society Annual Plant Sale " The Green Scene" Convention Fullerton Arboretum Sheraton-Palace Hotel California State University, Fullerton San Francisco, California Campus Fullerton, California MAY 1-3 Mid American Orchid Congress and Smoky Information: (714) 773-3579 Mountain Orchid Society Show JUNE &-7 United American Bank Delaware Flower Show Knoxville, Tennessee Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs MAY 3-10 Hagley Soda House American Association of Botanical Gar- Greenville, Wilmington, Delaware dens and Arboreta Annual Meeting Hours: Saturday 10:00 a.m . to 9:00 p.m. Strybing Arboretum Sunday 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. San Francisco, California Information: Wilmington Garden Center, Information: Mr. Hadley Osborn, 503 Market St. Mall, Wilmington, DL Executive Director, Filoli, Canada Road, 19801 (302) 658-1913 Woodside, CA 94062 NE 12-14 American Peony Society National MAY 9-10 Geranium and Pelargonium Show and Convention Kingwood Center Sale 900 West Park Avenue Southwest Branch of the International 't Mansfield, Ohio I Geranium Society Community Building, Plummer Park Information: Greta M . Kessenich, 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard Secretary, 250 In'terlachen Road, Hollywood, California 90046 Hopkins, MN 55343 Hours: Saturday noon to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. MAY 17-23 JUNE 17-20 Information: (213) 222-f>809 or (213) ~ African Violet Society of America, Inc. American Rose Society 1981 Spring 469-8665 ~ Annual Convention and Show National Convention and Rose Show Sheraton Palace Hotel Denver, Colorado MAY 13 San Francisco, California Information: The American Rose Society, American Boxwood Society Annual Information: Convention information,. P.O. Box 30,000, Shreveport, LA 71130 Meeting African Violet Society of America, Inc., Blandy Experimental Farm P.O . Box 1326, Knoxville, TN 37901 UNE 19-21 Boyce, Virginia National Fuchsia Society Annual Show MAY 13-16 MAY 22-24 Los Cerritos Mall American Iris Society 1981 Convention American Rock Garden Society Annual 605 Freeway & South Street Marriott Hotel, Interstate 70 at Lambert ' Meeting Cerritos (Los Angeles Area), California International Airport Howard johnson's Motor Lodge Hours: Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to St. Louis, Missouri Routes 22 and 48, Monroeville-Pittsburgh 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 noon to Information: Mr. S.H. Butt, AIS Exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike 5:00 p.m. Convention Registrar, 1904 Arrowhead Monroeville, Pennsylvania Information: (213) 277-6078 Lane, Godfrey, IL 62035 Information: joanne Schindler, 1015 (618) 466-1842 Varner Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15227 c JUNE 25-28 34th International Lily Show and North MAY 14-15 American Lily Society Annual Meeting 2nd Annual Menninger Flowering Tree MAY 30 Marigold Day New Holiday Inn Conference Lawrence Township Municipal Building Wilsonville, Oregon (near Portland) Quality Inn Lawrenceville, New jersey Information: Mr. james B. McCoy, 1311 Cypress Gardens Information: Mrs. jane Boning, 199 24th Avenue, P.O. Box 1606, Longview, Winterhaven, Florida C. .Spring Beauty Drive, Lawrenceville, Nj WA 98632 Information: Cheryl Fox, Menninger 08648, (609) 896-1090 Flowering Tree Conference, P.O. Box JUNE 25-28 16796, Temple Terrace, FL 33687 JUNE 5-6 Pacific Northwest Lily Society 1981 (813) 985-8511 Historic Landscape Architecture and International Lily Show MAY 17, RAIN DATE MAY 24 Gardening Conference Wilsonville Holiday Inn, Suburban Spring Open House Regional Conference of Historical Portland American Horticultural Society Agencies 25452 S.W . Boones Ferry Road, River Farm Cornell University Wilsonville, Oregon Mt. Vernon, Virginia . Ithaca, New York Hours: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. daily Information: Phone or write Dorothy Information: RCHA, 314 E. Seneca Street, Information: Ed McRae, 36752 S.E. Bluff Sowerby at the Society Manlius, NY 13104, (315) 682-7088 Road, Boring, OR 97009
4 America n Horticulturist ).ULY 8-12 Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ~ American Gloxinia and Gesneriad Society, Information: LAIFS, 14895 Garden Hill ~\ Inc. 25th Annual Convention . Drive, La Mirada, CA 90638, :Roosevelt Hotel, (213) 941 -5384 New York, New York ~ ,JULY 19 'Information: American Gloxinia and American Gourd So ciety Annual M eeting Gesneriad Society, Inc., 8 Kane I Fairgrounds Industrial Drive, Hudson, MA 01749 Mt. Gilead, Ohio JULY 9-12 Information: Ameri can Gourd So ciety, ') 1981 International Bonsai Convention P.O . Box 274, Mt. Gilead, OH 43338 Colony Square Hotel Atlanta, Georgia If your horticultural club or association is Information: I BS '81 Atlanta, c/o Betty planning an event that may be of interest Meinert, 720 Starlight Lane, Atlanta, to our national audience, please send us GA 30342 information conce rning the nature of the ! JULY 18-19 meeting, the dates, times and location at 18th Fern and Exotic Plant Show least three months prior to the time the Los Angeles International Fern So ciety meeting will take place. We will be happy Los Angeles State and County Arboretum to include it in our Calendar unless space WHY FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE PAY OUT Arcadia, California limitations prevent us from doing so. RAGEOUS PRICES fo r scrawn y, tasteless gro cery store vegetables?
Now - wi th food prices sky roCketing at al most Dates to Remember un believable rates- you can cut yo ur fam il y's food bi ll to the bone and grow plump, juicy ric h tasting Our Spring Open House, scheduled for Sunday, M ay 17 (rain date Sunday, vegetables almost every month of the year! May 24) from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m ., promises to be a bi g success. Pl ans in Yes' Grow delicious. mouth watering vegetables clude tours of the gardens, ex hibits by area artists and craftsmen, pl ant earl y as February a nd late as December wi th so'ciety displays and a seed and seedling sa le to benefit t he Landsca pe GUARD ' N GRO, the solar po wered mini green Fund. Come and enjoy the roses, tulips, cl ematis and ea rl y-bl ooming house . peonies that decorate River Farm in the spring. SOLAR DESIGN Members will have the oppo rtunity to visit so me of Europe's finest Forget ,Ht Ifil.. 'ia I lighttng~ Forge t anifiCial healing' GUARD gardens on an Exploration to Scotland sc heduled from M ay 26-Jun e 9 and 'N GRO works It S magil' entirely l)ff !oo lar energy. All yo u tlo is plal:e GUARD 'N GRO over se ~d s. t utt l ng~ . ()r a tour of Switzerland and Northern Italy fro m M ay 21 to Jun e 4. transplants. GUARD 'N GRO 's the rmal ai r t:ells trap and sea l in sola r hea l On our July Exploration of Colorado, scheduled from the 14th to the protects planl !o from freezi ng cold. ki lling frosl. :, 1t!t!1. hai l 27th of that month, participants will have the chance to enjoy a Rocky and high winds , keep~ plants warm and moisi. Insures fas!. full vigorous plant grow,h EVEN ON CLOUDY FREEZING Mountain Alpine Spring Read mo re abo ut this exc iting trip in the M arch COLD DAYS All this wi thout any art ificial light or heal w h ablJever~ insert in American Horticulturist new s. GUARD 'N GRO weighs 5lbs! Measure s 40" long x 18 " wide x 21" tall Pe rfect for po rch . patIO. backyarJ or sma ll s pac~ The Society's activities for fall begin with our 36th Annual Congress in containe r gardeni ng . Folds nat fo r storage! Add-on GUA RD Boston (see page one of this issue). Members wishing to explore New Eng 'N GRO extensions available , Each extension doubles the length of each GUARD 'N G RO unit. Leis you prn tc:c t your land at leisure will want to remain in Boston to join the Post Congress entire garden Spring, Fall and Winter! Tour of New England scheduled from September 28 to O ctober 7. Visits FREE to some of the area's finest public and private gard ens are pl ann ed Now - with food prices goi ng thro ugh the roof - you l:a n greatly reJul'e the endless expe nse of hav ing to pay out ra Also this fa" , members will have the opportunity to participate in an geous prices fo r " blah " tasti ng supe rmarket produL'e You can grow delicious mnulh watering vege tables (hi ); wiml'r Autumn TouLOf Yorkshire and East Anglia from September 10 through 24. while your friends are payi ng hi gh price s for them in stores Le t us ru sh you the startl ing facts and free information ki t The June issue of American Horticulturist will include an article on what wit h the complete GUARD 'N G RO story. England has to offer during this season of the year. Th e Royal Horticultural Society's Autumn Show is just one of the attractions in store. Other tours this autumn include visits to gardens both near and far. From September 24-0ctober 8 another tour of Switzerland and Northern Italy is planned. Those wishing to go even further afield may travel to Auckland, New Zealand and tour the gardens and geysers of this island nation on an Exploration of New Zealand scheduled for October 21- November 8. The Society's autumn tour of Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong in the past has been so popular that members will again be given the opportunity to Explore the Orient from November 1-24. (For an account of ______MAIL COUPON NOW! ------, this itinerary, read " Notes from the Orient" by Leonore Baronio in Ameri GUARD 'N GRO can Horticulturist, October/November 1979) Finally, those wishing to stay a :t Dept AH-S , St James, NY 11780 I~~' bit closer to home will want to join in the Exploration of Florida scheduled ...... Yes ~ Rush me my FREE G UARD 'N G RO fac t kit. I want for October 19-November 2. Cypress Gardens, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary to save money and c ut my food bill 10 the bo ne by growin g my own delic ious vegetables thi s Fall and Wi nt er with and Fairchild Botanical Garden are just three of the areas to be visited. GUARD 'N G RO mini greenhouses, No Ob li gation, No Tours of private gardens and some of the largest foliage plant nurseries in salesperson will call . the United States are also scheduled. Name ______
For more information, brochures and reservation cards for any of the , Addre~ ______above activities, write to Dorothy Sowerby in care of the Society. L: ______City State ___ Zip __ _
American Horticulturist 5 Ground Cherries- Sow and Harvest in One Season right from the husk. Whole berries served with sugar and cream are excellent for breakfast or lunch, and ( crushed over ice cream, the golden berries are an elegant dinnertime des sert. The cooked fruit is unmatched for pies, jams and jellies. Ground cherry is a carefree fruit crop. There is no need to site a per manent planting, for the patch shifts easily when garden plans change. Happily, it lasts in the garden be cause stray berries, which lie fallow over the winter, sprout when soil temperatures warm up. The fibrous root system is shallow, and seedlings transplant readily for a new patch each spring. Each spring, rake the garden clean Photo by Author of old plants so there are no hold The golden berry of the garden, which grow only in tropical and sub over chores of staking, pruning or ground cherry (Physalis pubescens), tropical climates, are marketed as mulching. You will not have to spray grows from seed to full harvest in gourmet items: tomatilla (P. ixocarpa) or dust either because insects and one season , providing ingredients for for Mexico's salse verde and cape disease do not bother these sturdy pies, jams, jellies or snacks right from gooseberry or poha (P. peruviana) for plants. A package of ground cherry the bush . The yeliowisR-orange berry Hawaii's prized preserves. seed, plus a spare plot of ground, are of this easy-to-grow annual is so Wherever tomatoes grow well, small outlays fo~ a large harvest of sweet afld juicy that it rivals other ground cherries will produce a good this garden-fresh fruit. garden fruit for mellow flavor. A crop. Wild plants thrive in the fertile few plants tucked away in a spare soils of meadows and fields and in corner of the yard will yield an abun gravelly soils along roadsides. Seed Ground Cherry Pie dance of good eating equal to that specialists have selected varieties 3 cups crushed ground cherries of perennial berry plantings. with extra large berries and these 2 tablespoons lemon juice Husk tomato or strawberry tomato improved types are sold by many 1 cup sugar are other common names for the seed companies. 1;4 cup tapioca ground cherry. These names further Ground cherry is a warm-season 1;4 teaspoon salt describe the look and taste of this · crop; sow seeds after danger of frost 1;4 teaspoon nutmeg wild fruit that grows naturally over a is past. Plant them in shallow rows Prepare pastry for two-crust, nine-inch large area of the United States. The with one-quarter inch soil cover. Af pie. Put fruit in shell and sprinkle little tomato-shaped fruit is enclosed ter plants are an inch or so tall, with lemon juice. Combine dry ingre in a papery husk, which, when ma thin the seedlings to a spacing of dients and sift over fruit. Cover with ture, falls to the ground to ripen. It two or three feet apart. Plants grow top crust and bake at 400°F for about tastes like a combination of both only 12 to 18 inches tall, but they 45 minutes. cherry and strawberry, with a hint of reach out several feet. Shallow apple or apricot. Ground cherry is hoeing controls early weeds, and the Ground Cherry Jam not a commercial crop, so the only sprawling growth chokes out later 4 cups crushed ground cherries way to enjoy its fresh tutti-frutti fla weeds. 1;4 cup lemon juice 1 package pectin vor is to grow plants in your home Harvest is slow because the berries 6 cups sugar garden or search out wildings. are scattered under rambling plants. The botanical name, as well as (High labor cost for picking is prob Measure ground cherries and lemon common names, group the ground ably the reason ground cherries are juice into large kettle and stir in cherry and tomato together in the not a commercial crop.) After berries pectin. Bring to boil, stirring con Solanaceae family because of similar· fall to the ground, collect the husks stantly. Add sugar, continue stirring ities in flower and fruit. Ground cher and spread them in shallow layers on and bring to full rolling boil. Boil for ry belongs to the same genus as the screened trays until surface moisture 4 minutes. Remove from heat, skim, Chinese lantern plant (Physalis alke dries. Stored loose in baskets in a ladle into jars and seal. kengi). Except for color, the five cool and dry place, the berries sided brown husks of ground cherry increase in sweetness as they ripen. Ground Cherry Jelly look like the brilliant-orange Chinese Husks preserve freshness for a month 31h cups fruit juice* lanterns, but the plants have different or more. The flavor and color keep 1;4 cup lemon juice growing habits. Chinese lantern is a even longer when you package and 1 package pectin perennial that spreads by fleshy freeze the unhusked berries. 41h cups sugar underground stems. Two husk fruits, Ground cherries are delicious eaten *To prepare juice: Simmer about 6
6 America n Horticulturist Ro bert W . Langhar\ Corn ell Unive rsity cups crushed ground cherries with 11h cups water for 10 minutes; strain through cloth. Measure juices into large kettle and stir in pectin. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Add sugar, AN INVALUABLE NEW BOOK fo r everyone who works with greenhouses .. continue stirring and bring to full wheth er for pleas ure or profit rolling boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Re If you own or a nticipate owning a move from heat, skim, ladle into jars (fREER (j~RDENS greenhouse you must read this book. and seal. It a nswers a ll your questions about Rhododendrons· rare heating, ventilating, insulating, water Ground cherry seeds may be pur and unusual ing, li ghting, fertilizing, and pes t chased from Gurney Seed & Nursery contro l. Effecti ve use of over 200 line Co , Yankton, SO 57079 (request their drawin gs help to emphasize these Azaleas points. This info rmation will a ll ow new 1981 introduction, 'Pineapple Evergreen-Exbury-Deciduous you to ma ke the pro per deci sions on Cherry'); or from Thompson & how to ma nage your greenho use. Morgan, PO. Box 100, Farmingdale, Dwarf Conifers-Bonsai Material The book is o rganized for easy NJ 07727 (ask for 'Golden Berry'). Flowering Trees & Shrubs-Books reading into fo ur secti o ns; structures, Japanese Maples e nv iro nme nta l contro l, materia ls . - Jane Sansregret ha ndling a nd cro p progra mming. It is well indexed fo r quick reference. Color Catalog - describes and Plant Label Catalogue prices over 1600 different plants. r------Ha lcyon Press of Ithaca Still Available Widely recognized as a III Ha lcyon H ill Road valuable reference book. Ithaca, New York 14850 The Aluminum Plant Label Catalogue, 1981 Edition, $2.00 Yes. Please send me copies 1980, published by the Society, is of G ree nh o use M a nagem e nt b y still available from the Plant Science WORLDWIDE SHIPPING R o bert W . Langhans @ $ 14 .50 per Data Center. The catalogue lists the co py. A check fo r $ is over 2,400 labels produced by PSDC Dept AH 1280 Goodpasture Is. Rd. enclosed. A ll o rders postpa id . Name ______in the last two years and includes Eugene, Oregon, 97401 cost information, ordering informa (503) 686-8266 A ddress ______tion and order forms. It is divided C ity _ ___ Sta te_ _ Zip__ into six major categories, each with a characteristic illustration for plants, roses, bonsai, greenhouses, nature trails and identification tags. A com plete scientific plant name and com mon plant name index is in the cata Enjoy WATER-LILIES logue for easy reference. Because these labels are from the compre In your own garden. hensive library of aluminum plant labels, the cost is very reasonable: Lilypons catalogue prices are comparable to that of the features everything non-permanent labels. These standard needed for your aluminum alloy labels have a life time of 15-30 years and are impervi garden pool, ous to corrosives, pollution and including the pool. graffitti. PSDC also makes customized labels in any size up to 12" x 18" with silver, black or gold back Lilypons Water Gardens grounds and in three thicknesses: .063, .032 and .020 inches. Labels are r------available in various styles; some with LILYPONS WATER GARDENS ill ustrations, text and borders. WATER-LILIES 1505 Amhon Road 1505 Amhon Road LUypons, Maryland 2171 7 Brookshire , Texas 77423 The Aluminum Plant Label Cata Fiberglass garden pools, (301) 874-5133 (713) 934-8525 logue, 1980 is available for $3.00 plus Lotus, aquatiC plants, YES, Please send me the new colorful $1.00 for postage and handl ing. The Filters, pumps, lights Lilypons catalog. I enclos e $1.75. price of the catalogue w ill be deduct PVC pool liners, sweeps Name______~------ed from orders of $50.00 or more. (Please print) Send in your requests w ith the appro Statuary, books, koi Goldfish, scavengers Address ______priate rem ittance to the Plant Sci City ______Send g 1. 75 for catalogue. ence Data Center of the American State ______Horticultural Society, Mount Vernon, Zlp ______VA 22121.
'------_ _ --..J '--______.______~ America n Horticulturist 7 Publications to Write For Grow. This edition is an abridged list breeders will pay more attention to of daffodil names that includes over this species in their efforts to develop Orchids Under lights 5,000 registered cl utivars. Over 11,000 hardy forsythias. The Indoor Light Gardening Society cultivars grown in gardens, for com of Ameri ca, In c. has published a mercial use and exhibition are cur handy reference booklet entitled Or rently registered, and this listing is In Praise of Kudzu chid Culture Under Lights. The guide maintained on a computer bank in Residents of the southern portion of Des Moines, Iowa. Each cultivar list the United States, perhaps all too ed in Daffodils to Show and Grow is familiar with the prolific, leguminous classified according to the shape, vine called kudzu, may not be aware size and type of cup, color, season that the plant has an almost unbe of bloom and average height. Each lievable number of uses. Originally entry also includes the name of the brought to the U.s. from Japan breeder, parentage of the cross and around the turn of the century, other information about the cultivar. kudzu was widely promoted for ero The listing is $4 .00. Send your sion control and restoring southern check to Ticknor Tyner, American agricultural land whose fertility had Daffodil Society, Tyner, NC 27980. been depleted by cotton and tobac is an ideal introduction for the begin co. It has also been widely used as ner and also could serve as a refer Restoration and Management Notes livestock pasturage, fodder and hay. ence booklet for the more advanced Free copies of the first issue of Res The species most commonly found in grower. The 19-page booklet is illus toration and Management Notes, a this country is Pueraria lobata. trated with black and white photo new publication from the University In Japan the roots of this plant, graphs and clear line drawings. Rich of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, which may grow to a length of seven ard Peterson, its author, is also Execu will be available to interested persons feet or more and can weigh 440 tive Director-Editor of the American on request. pounds, are harvested and processed Orchid Society. He includes a discus The publication, to be made up into a powder that is thought to be sion of appropriate species for light mostly of short notices deal ing with the country's oldest and finest cook culture and tips on how to grow the techniques and principles of re ing starch and jelling agent. Kudzu them, as well as lists of orchid sup- storing and managing communities of powder is an excellent substitute for pi iers and books for further study _native plants and animals, is intended arrowroot or cornstarch, which is To obtain a copy of Orchid Culture to encourage communication be used as a colloidal thickener in Under Lights, send $1.50 to Miss Iia tween researchers, landowners and sauces or soups. It can be used as a Hallowell, Publications Sales ILGSA, others involved in the active conser crispy coating for deep-fried foods 297 Second Street, Albany, NY 12206. vation of natural and sem i-natural and will also serve as a jelling agent areas. The first issue is scheduled for like agar or gelatin. Japan produces Handbook on Roses publication in April 750,000 pounds of kudzu powder The 1981 Handbook for Selecting Those interested in receiving a each year. Roses is now available from the complimentary copy should write or The root is not the only useful American Rose Society. This year's call W .R. Jordan, III, The University part. Weavers extract supple, water book I ists over 1,000 different roses of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, proof fibers from young vines that that are available from nurseries 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison, WI are prized for their almost trans throughout the country. The hand 53711 . (608) 263-7888. lucent luster and the ease with which book shows the color classification they take natural dyes These fibers and type of plant (hybrid tea, minia weave into beautiful, highly durable ture, etc.) for each I isting, and each Erratum cloth called kappu. Cellulose fiber plant has been given a numeri ca l rat In the January issue of American from large, crushed vines can be ing indicating its performance in the Horticulturist news an error appeared made into an excellent traditional garden. under the heading, " Cold Hardiness paper. Other products made from the To order, send ejther 35q: and a of Forsythia Varies." The buds of For young vines are sturdy wicker bas legal size, self-addressed envelope sythia ovata survived temperatures of kets, grasscloth and kudzu twine. with 30q: postage affixed or $1 .00 to -29°C and not -2°C as stated in the An interesting, informative book, cover postage and handling to The article. The Book of Kudzu (Autumn Press, American Rose Society, P.O. Box Several readers have expressed an 1318 Beacon St. , Brookl ine, MA 30,000, Shreveport, LA 71130. Orders interest in F. mandschurica, one of 02146, $5 .95 postpaid), provides a received without postage and 35q: or the hardier species mentioned in the glimpse of the number of uses for the $1 .00 charge will not be honored. article. According to the authors of this now infamous plant. In addition the original paper that appeared in to a brief history of the plant and its Daffodils to Show and Grow Hort Science in October 1979, this is uses, the book includes a number of The American Daffodil Society and a plant that has been all but ignored recipes for kudzu powder, informa the Royal Horticultural Society have since its original discovery. It is not tion on medicinal uses, specific direc joined together to publish the second listed in Hortus Third and is not gen tions for making kudzu powder and edition of Daffodils to Show and erally available. It is to be hoped that a chapter on weaving with kudzu.
8 American Horticu lturist The Philadelphia Flower Show - Personal Impressions The most absorbent If I had to choose just one word to classes was won by a life-size tiger describe this year's Philadelphia covered in stripes made of baby substance Spring Flower Show it would be tears. The stripes were created by Wonderful! There were so many alternating Soleirolia soleirolii with a on earth ... things to see that it is difficult to gold-leafed cu ltivar of the plant. Pots decide what highlights could best of diminutive rock garden plants, - begin and end a description of the forced winter aconites, snowdrops show. During my visit I had enough and miniature daffodils were equallv M\¥t~I_I trouble just deciding which way to fascinating. Exhibitors in the Trade ABSORBENT POtYt.£R ® look first. Booth area had hundreds of plants Thi s remarkable new soil additive A Victorian bandshell surrounded for sale, and after ca reful considera dramatically increases water holding by plantings of foxglove, hollyhocks tion I purchased several new plants capacity yet will not cause and daisies, a water garden complete to grow in my windowsills at home. overwatering problems. Plants develop faster and grow hardier, with less care. with water lilies, and an overgrown In short, it was all lovely, and I A product of USDA research , Aqua hillside covered with summer f lowers wish I could go see it all over again. Stor absorbs up to 900 times its' are only three of the displays that The Pennsylvania Horticultural So weight in water in the form of gel parti helped cast a lovely summery mood ciety is to be congratulated. They not cles . These" actual pieces of water" over the entire exhibition. The Phila only presented a spring show that act as tiny reservoirs allowing pl ants to delphia Zoo provided a small travel would inspire gardeners to get started draw water only as they need it. ing circus complete w ith life-size with the season's activities, but they AquaStor also provides the ideal en topiary bears and monkeys. A patio also attended to all of the details vironment for roots by improving aera garden planted with vegetables and that make a show of this size a suc tion and drainage . flowering annuals was a highlight cess . The maintenance committee Water houseplants once a month. among the many educational exhibits. managed to contain 6,000 gallons of Plants grown with AquaStor require less frequent watering. It protects The competitive eXhibition classes water for the water lily garden and plants that are sometimes overlooked , were no less interesting. Some of the the canal without a flood; screens and next vacation . .. no water worries. larger specimens that stand out in and boughs of smilax hid the service Great for the garden my mind include an enormous Clivia areas and ceilings from view; and a Flowering plants develop more blos with yellow flowers that stood nearly dedicated watering crew kept the soms and bloom longer. Vegetable four feet tall, a sim ilar sized jade plants looking fresh and beautiful. I plants produce larger yields in le ss plant and a beautiful specimen of look forward to next year! time . All with up to 50% le ss water. Asparagus meyeri. One of the topiary - Barbara Ellis Trees and shrubs flourish the first year Aq uaStor helps establish plants by eliminating transplant shock due to water stress. The 4 oz . package of fast absorbing AquaStor 450 is enough for ten aver age houseplants. For outdoors order extra absorbing AquaStor 900. One 8 oz. package does 40 ten foot rows, 200 sq . feet of garden, or 12 average trees or shrubs . Easy to use ... Long lasting . . . Biode- gradable . . . Here's how to order: Me/Visa call toll-free: 1-800-621-0660 In Illinois: 1-800-572-0444 Absorbent Industries Inc. 611 E. Jefferson St. Morton, "61550 Name ______
Address, ______City ______State_ Zip _____
O MC O VISA # ______lnterbank# _____ Exp . Date.__ ___ AquaStor 450 AquaStor 900 CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT; A wreath formed of growing succulents of many different colors _ __4 oz . 80z . was an interesting entry in one of the many competitive classes at the show; To enter the main $4 .95 ppd . $7 .95 ppd . exhibition area at the Philadelphia Spring Show, visitors crossed this rustic wooden bridge over a ___Three for ___Three for water lily garden designed by Lilypons; This eye-catching topiary tiger with stripes made of gold $12 .95 ppd . $19 .95 ppd . and green baby tears attracted a great deal of attention. Credit card or money orders ship ped within 48 hrs Check orders . allow 2-4 weeks for delivery
America n Horticulturist 9 In 1979 a system of double caging Growing Warm Season Vegetables in Cold Climates was tested to afford the plants addi tional protection and increased grow ing room . The plants in this group were initially grown in 11-inch diame ter cages placed inside 26-inch di ameter cages. When the transplants outgrew the smaller cage its layer of plastic was removed; the cage was left in place to provide support for the plant and fruit. The outer cage remained in place throughout the season. Observations on several of the cul tivars tested may help cool weather gardeners select plants to grow in their own gardens. The large-fruited 'Early Girl', although only tested dur Experiments conducted at the Univer tic could be pulled taut so that it ing the 1979 season, proved to be sity of Alaska Agricultural Experiment would not flap and tear in the wind. much more cold tolerant than the Station may help gardeners in the Performance comparisons were other two plants included in the cooler regions of the country or made with tomatoes, cucumbers and large-fruited group. " 'Early Girl' pro those whose gardens are in somewhat peppers. Th e tomato results, reported duced nearly as many fruit as 'Early exposed locations improve their suc here, are representative of the re Tanana', and since the fruit were cess with such warm season crops as sponses exhibited by the other two larger the yields were similar," re tomatoes, peppers, squash and sweet crops. " The variety [cultivar] grown ports Mr. Allen. This " might be a corn. always proved to be an important good large-fruited variety for home Alaskans have been using clear factor," says Allen, " but no single gardeners to use on a trial basis." In plastic mulches for producing squash variety was best in every year. Since addition, Allen noted that, " 'S ubartic and sweet corn for a number of the kind of weather to be experi 25' and 'Manitoba' both had larger years, reports agricultural engineer enced in any particular summer can fruit and good yields compared to Lee Allen in the January, 1981 issue not be predicted in advance, a grow 'Early Tanana'." All three cultivars of Agroborealis. The clear plastic er might do well to use both large are recommended for gardens in cool mulch increases soil temperature and small-fruited [tomato] varieties areas of the country. enough to allow these plants to per and provide as much micro-climate Seed for the tomato cultivars men form well even in Alaska's cool improvement as possible. By using tioned in this article, as well as other climate. plastic-covered cages, many Alaskan cold-tolerant hybrids, is available Popular cultivars of tomatoes, cu gardeners will be able to grow fruits from Stokes Seeds Inc., 737 Main cumbers, squash and peppers need and vegetables outside that would Street, Box 548, Buffalo, NY 14240 additional protection, and Mr. Allen otherwise require full greenhouse and Gurney's Seed and Nursery Co., found that providing transplants with protection." Yankton, SD 57079. a simple plastic-covered cage as a protecting structure " improved the survival and establ ishment of trans plants and has resulted in faster Tomato Trial Results growth throughout the season and Average yield, pounds per plant better production." The cages were constructed of 1978 Unprotected Protected (Single Caged) 6 x 6-in ch, six- and nine-gauge wire Large-Fruited Cultivars reinforcing mesh. To stabilize the 'Delicious' 0.1 0.9 cages in the ground, the bottom ring 'Fantastic' Small-Fruited Cultivars of wire was cut off, leaving the wire 'Early Tanana' ends to push into the soil. In very 'Manitoba' 0.9 3.1 windy areas Allen suggests that addi 'S ubartic 25' tional wires be used to fasten the cages more securely. Wires can be Average yield, pounds per plant attached to the sides of the cage and 1979 Unprotected Protected then fastened to stakes that are Single Caged Double Caged driven into the ground. The 24-inch Large-Fruited Culitvars tall cages were covered with rectan 'Delicious' gu lar sheets of plastic attached by 'Fantastic' 0.5 0.6 1.3 roll ing the ends of the sheets around 'Early Girl' a stick that was then fastened to the Small-Fruited Cultivars cage with string. In this way the plas- 'Early Tanana' 0.9 2.0 2.7
10 American HortIculturist the tiss ue was taken from under new Hosta cultivars on a wider sca le. Meristem Propagation of the soil, contamination of the ex - HortScience, December 1980 Hostas plants was also a problem. Horticulturist Martin M . Meyer, Jr., Researchers hope meristem prop 1980's Most Popular agation will make many often scarce at the University of Illinois, has suc Hosta cultivars more readily available cessf ully propagated three cultivars Hemerocallis to gardeners in the future. Until re of H. sieboldiana, 'Helen Doreo', The American Hemerocall is Society cently, crown division was the only 'Frances Williams' and 'Fran ces Wil announced the res ults of their 1980 way to propagate cultivars, resulting liams Gold Sport', by using florets Popularity Poll in the winter iss ue of in rather lengthy periods of introduc that have reached a specific stage of The Hemerocallis Journal, and three tion for any newly developed plant. development as the meristematic cultivars received over 150 votes Several scientists across the coun tissue sou rce. His technique was suc each . Cultiva r ' Ed Murray' came out try have experimented with tissue cessful " if the flower scapes were on top with 202 votes, followed by culturing different species of Hosta allowed to develop until the florets 'Ruffled Apricot' with 184 votes and using meristematic tissue taken were separated," and had reached a 'Sabie' with 172 votes. Twelve other from different parts of the plant. In length of between 112 and 1 centi cu ltivars received over 100 votes. one of the first experiments conduct meter. Tissue taken from larger flor They are: 'G reen Flutter' (146 votes), ed on a member of this genus, buds ets on more mature scapes was not ' Bertie Ferris' (145), 'My Belle' (145), or "eyes" were taken from the under as successful. 'Mary Todd' (135), 'Moment of Truth' ground rhizome of Hosta decorata. Other sc ientists have successfu lly (122), 'Sari' (119), 'Harry Barras' (116), Although this method proved suc propagated spec ies of Hosta with 'Evening Belle' (112), 'Hope Diamond' cessful, taking the tip off the growing tissue taken from shoot tips, florets (107), 'Little Grapette' (103), 'Winning point of the rhizome of a scarce, new and sl ices of the scape. These experi Ways' (101) and 'Hanze l Monette' cultivar of this species reduced the ments should lead to techniques that (100). Over 100 different cultivars plant's growth potential, and, since will allow hybridizers to distribute received more than 25 votes each.
Guinness Rated Vegetables
Gardeners interested in growing the several tips that have worked for • Prune plant to one or two vege biggest or the best vegetables will other gardeners. They are: tables to channel all of the plant's want to try some of the tips passed • Choose a variety known to pro energy. on by Jane Grace in the January/ duce gigantic vegetables. • Surround a North-South garden February 1981 issue of Gardens For • Raise your soil 's humus content with grounded copper wire to stimu AI/, News. Grace is a recognized to four or five percent with organic late growth with "electroculture." authority on the " Biggest and Best" matter. • Experiment for the fun of it with in vegetable gardens and is responsi • Water consistently. techniques purported to grow giant ble for deciding what gigantic speci • Apply fertil izers in balanced, vegetables , like intravenous feeding mens are entitled to be listed in the properly-timed amounts. of milk, beer or plant food with a Guinness Book of World Records. • Hand-pollinate giant or unusual wool wick, planting by the moon, etc. In this article, Grace mentioned vegetable blossoms for early fruit set. How big is big? Imagine a cante loupe weighing in at 41 pounds, 2 ounces, a cabbage measuring 259 inches in circumference or a 52- pound, 11 1f2-inch cauliflower. Two Arkansas gardeners produced a 200- pound watermelon! Fifty percent of Grace's record holders come from the United States. Engl ish gardeners, who have pro duced most of the prize-winning Brassicas, hold 25 percent of the rec ords. The remainder come from Canada, Africa, Australia, Scotland and Hungary. Grace, who collects and sells un usual seeds, offers prizes to new record breakers: $250.00 for a new winner and $100.00 for runners-up who have broken the old record. To/ obtain seed from plants that have produced record breaking plants, write Grace's Gardens, 10 Bay Street, #300, Westport, CT 06880.
American Horticulturist 11 Fuel-Saving Methods air temperature averaged 58°F. Roses, for Greenhouses total rated output of 1360 MW is tomatoes, chrysanthemums and gera capable of heating 1,000 acres of Greenhouse operators and enginee(s niums growing inside were unaware of greenhouses at an annual current around the world have developed the frosty outdoor climate. cost of less than 50 cents per square many ideas, gadgets and methods for In another example of heating with foot. Oil refineries, nuclear power lowering greenhouse heat losses by waste heat, Control Data, a computer plants and other commercial instatla up to 50 percent in order to reduce manufacturer, is successfully heating tions are equally satisfactory heat heating costs. Other approaches to an 11 ,OOO-square-foot greenhouse sources. the problem, already in operation in complex with their 85°F waste heat The potential is tremendous. If all Minnesota, include using waste wood water. This water would normally be existing commercial American green and heat produced as a byproduct of routed to cooling towers. Their struc houses were heated with condenser industry for fuel. ture, like those in Becker, Minnesota, waste heat, Americans could save an Currently, three commercial green is glazed with double-layered acrylic estimated 1,000,000 gallons of oil or house operations in Minnesota are material to reduce heat loss. equivalent daily during the winter. providing at least a portion of their How many greenhouses can be We would be wise to efficiently use heating requirements by burning heated in this manner? The Becker such precious waste materials from waste wood such as wood chips and plant with two coal-fired units and a now on.-R.E. Widmer sawdust. If waste wood can be obtained from paper mills, woodworking plants Greenhouse for Bronx Zoo Uses New Material and the like, for the cost of hauling, local greenhouses can be heated for The World of Birds exhibit at New 18 X 41 foot greenhouse was built approximately 40 cents per square York City's Bronx Zoo boasts not adjacent to the exhibit building. The foot per year. By comparison, oil only over 100 species of birds but new structure not only solved serious costs about $1.50 per square foot also an attractive botanical display space problems; careful planning also and natural gas is roughly $1 .00 per consisting of more than 50 kinds of allowed Curator Dr. Don Bruning to square foot (summer 1980). Efficient tropical plants. expand the program at a minimum boilers are essential and costly, but The Zoo has a sizable investment cost. fuel savings can pay for the whole in these plants, an equity built up The program is aimed at produc heating plant within three years. Simi over the years by a plant growth and ing replacement plants as needed at lar wood-burning operations may be maintenance program housed, until the lowest possible cost. " A major found in numerous other states. Ob last spring, in a small area within the concern in planning the greenhouse viously, there is not enough waste exhibit building. Recently, with the was the cost of heating it," says Dr. wood available to heat all of the help of a substantial donation, a new Bruning. "Our winters are severe, and country's greenhouses. Waste heat water is another al ternative. Power companies develop huge quantities of heat while generat ing electricity. While modern generat ing plants are most efficient when they release condenser water to the cooling towers at 85°F, older plants are frequently designed to release condenser water at temperatures of 50° and 55°F. It is not yet known if the lower temperature water could adequately heat commercial green houses in northern states. - The University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agen cy (EPA) and the Northern States Power Company (NSP) cooperated in an experimental project to determine the feasibility of efficiently heating greenhouses with 85°F waste heat water from the NSP generating plant at Becker, Minnesota. The method proved quite practical during some of the coldest winters on record. Out side air temperature reached a low of Acrylic's high strength and light weight permit installing the double-skinned sheets with supports -43°F at Becker at 8:00 a.m. on on four-foot centers, which is not possible with single glass. Thus, installation cost is reduced as January 9, 1977, while the greenhouse fewer structural supports are required.
12 American Horticulturist we realize that a glazing material with much better heat-insulation value than glass was required. We also wanted a material with higher impact resistance because of the pos sibility of accidental breakage. Final ly, the material had to be reasonably priced." The contractors, Lord & Burnham, Irvington, N.Y., recommended Exolite double-skinned acrylic sheet. Manu factured by CY/RO Industries, Clifton, F or yourself or a friend. N.J., it is a glazing material that has Membership in the attracted a lot of interest by growers who are building new greenhouses. Society, which costs only Due to its unique construction, $20 a year, will provide Exolite has an insulation factor, or you or your gift U value, of .55. Rigid acrylic supports spaced about every half inch sepa recipient with these rate two flat sheets of acrylic, also a benefits: half-inch apart, trapping a layer of air in between. According to research • Twelve issues of Ameri done at Penn State University, when can Horticulturist: comparing heat loss from a glass house to that of an Exolite house, a six issues in beautiful, savings of 40 percent can be realized. four-color format and Exolite transmits 83 percent of six issues in newsletter light in comparison with glass, which format. transmits 89 to 90 percent, but the • Ready answers to your personal total amount of light reaching the gardening questions from our plants is about the same. The roof staff of experts. bars in the Exolite house are spaced • Marvelous horticultural travel opportunities offered at low group every four feet instead of every two rates. feet; fewer heat pipes are needed • Discounts on books , and free exotic seeds once a year. due to the insulation factor; and a lot of diffused light bounces off the ver • An open invitation to River Farm, the Society's historic tical internal support bars of the Exo headquarters. lite into the greenhouse. Why not send in your order today? Simply fill out the order bl ank The strength of the Exolite panels below and mail it to the Society. You may enclose a check, or if you is rated at well over 10 pounds per prefer, we will bill you later. Happy gardening! square foot, so Exolite can resist damage due to hail, wind, vandals and snowload. Therefore, annual American Horticultural Society, Mount Vernon, VA 22121 maintenance costs are lower than glass. Equally important, Penn State o YES, I wouLd like to become a member of the American studies indicate the material has a Horticultural Society. life expectancy of 20 years. I would like to give membership in the Society to a friend. For all these reasons, Exol ite has o also found use in passive solar appli cations, such as attached green Myname1______houses or solariums for homes and offices. Address______" We expect that our new green City State ______Zip, ______house will permit expansion of our plant growth program so that we can Gift recipient's name______provide plants for other exhibits at Address'______the zoo," says Dr. Bruning. "All in all, we feel that the unique greenhouse City State ______Zip, ______will provide the most benefits at the minimum operating cost." Sign Gift Cardr ______For more information on Exolite I enclose my check for $20. 0 Please bill me. write CY/RO Industries, 697 Route 46, o
Clifton; NJ 07015. ($12 of membership fee is for American Horticulturisl)
American Horticulturist 13 GARrmERSM___ ARK_E_I'P_~_C_E ____ _
order. Ci rcu lars gladly sent. ROEHRS, Box 125, E. DISTINCTIVE GARDEN ACCESSORIES - Rutherford, NJ 07073. Unique Cedar Plant Box, Chinese Chippendale BOXWOOD BULLETIN Design. Custom-made. Paint or weather naturally. Join the Ameri can Boxwood Society for $500 per Our steeple Bird Feeder makes a beautiful gar year and receive quarterly the Boxwood Bulletin: den focal point. Brochure. FRANELI, 133 Union Informat ion on varieties, cul ture, history, etc. Street, Montclair, NJ (201) 744-0891 . Ameri can Boxwood Society, PO Box 175, Boyce, CLASSIFIED AD RATES: DWARF CONIFERS & PERENNIALS VA 22620. Effective June 1, 1981-50 14 American Horticulturist color catalogue and current price list. Prec ipita- Cuttings & plants available. $1 .00 for list. SAN working with photographers on horticultural and tion, In c. 17317 Germantown Rd ., Germantown, LUIS GARDENS, RD 3, Box 269A, Dept. AH , landscape des ign subjects. Appl icant must have MD 20767. (301) 428-3434. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. degree in horticulture and previous writing ex- GENETIC SANCTUARY AND POSITION ~ INIATURE ROSES peri ence. Prefer knowledge of southwest ga rd en SOUGHT problems. Send resume to Dr. John Fl oyd, South- J Finest and Latest Vari eties. Catalog $1.00 (refund- ern Living, P.O . Box 523, Birmingham, AL 35201 . Property and position sought by botanical re- able). PIXIE TRE AS URE S M INIATURE ROSES, search foundation, see April advertisement, this 4121 N. Prospect, Yo rba Linda, CA 92686. ROSES cla ss ification. The KUSA Research Foundation. MISCELLANEOUS ; t ROW INDOORS AND OUTDOORS. No yard or apartment is too small to enjoy the pleasure of GREENHOUSE GROWING ELIMINATE UNSIGHTLY WIRE HANGERS ON growing these little roses. Free co lor catalog of YOUR HANGING BASKETS. STRONG, ATTRAC- PROPAGATION BREAKTHROUGH - Don' t selected varieties. NOR'EAST MINIATURE gamble, use only the best mist controls. Guaran- TIVE OLEF IN FIBER HANGERS ATTACH ROSES, INC. BOX " AH," ROWLEY, MA 01969. teed versatile, portable, indoor, outdoor, auto- EAS ILY, WASHABLE, WON'T FADE OR M IL- TETRAPLOID DAYLIlIES matic, economica l. Write Aquamonitor, Box 327, DEW. USE INDOORS O R OUTDOORS, SPECIFY Huntington, NY 11743. TAN, BROWN, EGGSHELL, OLIVE, GOLD. 21 Over 450 hybrid s; exotic new Tetrapl oid Introd uc- inch $3.25, 3/$9.00. 28 inch $3.95, 3/$1095 tions. Cata log $1 .00, deductible with ord er for GROUNDCOVER OCEAN GAR DEN S, BOX 453, OAKHURST, NJ plants. SEAWR IGHT GARDEN S, 134 Indian Hill, Pachysandra -Ideal Perm anent Evergree n 07755. Ca rlisle, MA 01741 (617) 369-2172. Visitors wel- groundcover plants. Thrive in most soil s, sun or Exotic Butterflies, Beetles, Africa, Brazil, etc. 64 come! shade. Plant 6" apart. Sturdy, well-rooted pl ants, Page Catalog. $1.00. Complete Scientific, PO Box TEXAS WILDflOWERS postpaid: 5(}$12.50; 1Q(}$21 .95; 5Q(}$79.95; 1 ,oro 307-H, Rou nd Lake, IL 60073. $135 .00. " Finest Quality Stock." Guaranteed to Colorful cata log lists seeds of 201 Texas wild- live or we' ll repl ace up to 1 fu ll year. Folder on FRE E CATALOG Listing great values on test flowers, plus t ree~, shrubs, cacti. Many in bu lk request. PEEKSK ILL NURSERIES, Shrub Oak 17, meters, pots, flats, soil conditioners and other ac- quantities. Also books, Bluebonnet prin ts, ca len- NY 10588. cessori es. Send 30<1 in stamps for postage to dars, Newsletter, notecard s. Send $1 (refundable) Grow-n-Energy, Box 508A, Ba ldwin Place, NY to Green Hori zons, 500 Thompson, Kerrville, TX HAWAIIAN PLANTS 10505. 78028. HAWAIIAN PLANTS AND SEEDS. Send 50<1 for COMPOST SHREDDER -Under $25.00. Build UNCOMMON SEEDS our Catalog of Rare and Unusual Pl ants from adaptor for your rotary mower. For easy to foll ow HAWAII . Hana Gard enland, PO Box 248AH, Thousands of rare and unusual seeds from every plans send $3.00 to RAMSHRED, PO Box 4493, Hana, HI 96713. continent. Also, Barnhaven Sil ver Dollar Prim- Dept. AH, Martinez, GA 30907. roses. Catalog $1.00 (deductible), FAR NORTH HEDERA Shade cloth for patio or greenhouse. Eight densi- GAR DENS, 15621 AH Auburndale, Li vonia, M I SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER. Ten outdoor ties avail able. Custom sewn with reinforced 48154. potgrown ivies. All different. authentica ll y named binding and brass grommets. Last for years. Ca ll Our latest cata log features many new seeds and cultivars from our stock of fan cy, rare & unusual (404) 778-8654, 24 hours a day. Yonah Manufac- bu lbs not previously offered. If you are a seri ous va ri eties. Our selection on ly, ALL TEN FOR turing Company, P.O . Box 280, Cornelia, GA grower of uncommon plants, our cata log is spe- $10.00, plus $1.50 packing and transportation. Vir- 30531 . cially for you . 1M stamp. The Banana Tree, 715 ginia res idents add 4% tax. All plants shipped to PE CANS: Quart each halves, pieces, mea l. Three- Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. all points in contiguous U.s. via U.P.s. unless quart sa mpler $9.95 postpa id. Tenpeco, Box 638 otherwise directed. Pri ce li st with order or for UNUSUAL PLANTS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES HO, Rutherford, TN 38369. SASE . Early orders will include a new (1980) Containeri zed starter plants of *Wild fruits* registered cu ltivar, a cutleaf beauty. SW ICE- TE AS-Gourmet - Over 50 va ri eties to choose -*Conifers*-* Hardy Western Native~*-*Bee GOOD NURSERY, 641 Randolph Rd , Newport from. Tea Sa mpler Pack-$4.99 + 75q: Postage Plants*-*Other Ornamentals*-*Wealth of infor- News, VA 23605. and Handling. Includes free price list - tea - cof- mation in our descriptive list-$1 .00. FOREST- HERBS fee - spices. THE GEN ERAL STORE. 113 West FARM, 990 Tetherah, OR 97544. 3rd, Maryville, MO 64468. LAVENDER, ROSEBUDS, POTPOURRI, herbs, WILD BIRD FEEDERS spices, essential oils. Scottish soaps: wood hya- POTPOURR 1-Secret Blend. Absolutely Heav- WILD BIRD FEEDERS: Finest Window, Porch, primrose ... Wholesale/Retail ca talogue enly. Sample-$2.00 75q: Postage and cinth, + Deck, Terrace, Hanging, Pipe Mounted. Nest 30<1. Potpourri Crafting Booklet $200. Tom Handling. Includes free price list - tea - coffee - Homes. Free ca talog. Dialabird, 554S Chestnut Thumb Workshops, Box 3496-AH, Alexandria, VA spices. THE GENERAL STORE , 11 3 West 3rd, Street, Westwood, NJ 07675. 22302 . Maryville, MO 64468. HOUSE PLANTS MISe. PLANTS WILDflOWERS " NEW ENGLAND MEADOWS", a 14 va ri ety Dracaena, Philodendrons, Palms, Euphorbias, Siberian Iris-Ten named varieties . Broad color seed mixture. Provides co lor May 'til frost. Used Sansevierias, Aloes, Bu lbs, Haworthias, Pachy- and season range. Stamp for descriptive catalog. successfully all over the East. Send for bro- podiums, Adenia, Adenium, Testudinaria, I po- TRANQUIL LAKE NURSERY, 45 River St., Reho- chure. Spruce Brook Nursery, Wheeler Rd . and moea, Curcurbitaceae, Cyphostemma, Raphion- both, MA 02769. acme, Anacampseros, Pe largoniums, Sarcocau- Rt. 118, Litchfield, CT 06759. PHALAENOPSIS (MOTH) ORCHIDS Ions, Cotyledons, Senecios, Othonnas, Didierea- WOODLAND PLANTS Blooms for months. Seed lings to blooming size, ceae, Stapeliads, Sarcostemmas, Ceropegias, Many varieties of hardy fern s, wild f lowers and wh ite, pink, yellow, peppermint and novelty Encephalartos, Bowenia, Lep idozamias, Macro- native groundcovers grown in containers. Elimi- types, $8Q(}$2000 up. Add 15% shipping U.s.A. zamias, Cycas, Zamias, . Ceratozamias, dioons, nates the ri sk of trying to establ ish coll ected Dischidias, Send for list. GREEN VALLEY ORCH IDS, RD 1, Hoyas, Fern s, Bamboo, Bonsai, plants. Also ca rry native trees and shrubs. Con- Box 233S, Fo lsom, LA 70437 (504) 7%5785. Flowering Bushes and Trees, Evergreen Bushes tainer grown shrubs that attra ct birds and wild- and Trees, Groundcovers, Ivy, Orchids, Orchid PLANT HORMONES life. Write for catalogue-send $1.50. Spec ial Cactus. Catalog and news letters $4. ENDAN- " MER ISTEM" va luable phalaenopsis by produc- prices to the trade. Panfield Nurseries, Inc., 322 GERED SPECIES, 12571(A) Red Hill, Tustin, CA Southdown Road, Huntington, NY 11743. 92680. ing keikis with hormones. Experiment with other difficult-to-propagate plants. Complete with de- UNUSUAL INDOOR PLANTS. 1800 Va rieties- tai led ill ustrated instructions and up-dated notes. Begonias, Exotics, Geraniums, Cacti, Oxa li s, 15cc for $15. 45cc for $35. Wholesa le inquiries :l~~ tit : •. ~'f~ 1 ~. tJ ~-.-~ Herbs. Catalog with color $2 .00. Logee's G reen- invited. PLANT HORMONES, Box 354V, McMas- ) houses, AH , 55 North Street. Danielson, CT ter University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 1CO, Can- Ideal permanent evergreen ground cover plants. Tll,rive In 06239. ~~~tCh~:.I\'I~~t s~n i ~~h~~a~~r~r~~uSrd~. ~ne ll~;~~t~el~~;n~s~ ada. postpaid : 50 - $12.50, 100 - S21.95. 500 - 579.95 1000 - 5 135.00. Prompt shipments. Finest Quality Stock . HOYAS POSITION AVAILABLE Guaranteed to live or we'll replace free up to 1 year . Folder an request . . (N .Y. residents please add sa les tall ,) HOYAS-New 1981 , Descriptive list of 115 dif- Ass istant Garden Editor for Southern Living Mag- PEEKSKILL NURSERIES, Box H, Sh,"b Oak. N.Y . 10588 ferent hoya species with growing instructions. azine. Responsibi lities include copy writing and American HorticultUrISt 15 New Plants Listed as Panicum carteri hosaka, Carter's major threats to this species are panicgrass, a species thought until trampling, vandalism, fire and pos Threatened or Endangered recently to be extinct, has been pro sible habitat alteration due to recent Th e U.S. Fi sh and Wildlife Service posed for Endangered status with coconut plantings in the area in has added three new plant species to Critical Habitat The species only which it grows.-Endangered Species the list of Endangered and Threat- exists on Mokoli'i Island, Hawaii. The Technical Bulletin, February 1981 ened Spec ies and proposed two other ...... ~ spec ies for consideration. Callirhoe scabriuscula, the Texas poppy-mallow, has been listed by the Coming in the June Issue of American Horticulturist Service as an Endangered species (F R. 1/13/81). For more inform ation If, by May, you already know that on this plant see American Horti your winter plans for the summer culturist news, November 1980. Gyp garden will never materialize, then sum wild buckwheat, Eriogonum you will appreciate Martha Prince's gypsophillum and Todsen's penny special contribution to the June Issue royal, Hedeoma todsenii also were - " Confessions of a Lazy Gardener." listed as Threatened and Endangered Other good armchair reading this species, respectively (F .R 1/19/81). month will include Fred McGourty's Astragalus montii, the Heliotrope delightfully witty and informative milk-vetch, has been proposed for article on container gardening; a dis listing as an Endangered species with cussion of flowers that carry the Critical Habitat Only a single popu name lily-in name only-by Mrs. lation of this plant is known to exist Ralph Cannon; and a peek at the in the alpine Big Flat meadow area Robison York State Herb Garden. of Heliotrope Mountain. A. montii is Lorraine Marshall Burgess also shares a small perennial member of the pea her ideas for designing a " color family, Fabaceae, that was first dis coded" garden in shades of lavender, covered and described in 1976. This and Valerie Samson will write about Author Patti Hagan arranges plants in the moss canoe she designed for the stoop of her Brook is a characteristically slow-growing the Society's Autumn Tour of Eng lyn home. plant that is intolerant of habitat dis land. In addition, there are our regu turbance. Its proposed Critical Habi lar features- Strange Relatives, Pres article this month on building moss tat is relatively remote and is already ident's Page, Gardener's Marketplace canoes. Look for these stories and managed by the U.s. Forest Service. and Books - and a new, " how-to" more coming up in the June issue. RlCAN HoRTICULTURIST 2ND CLASS kv1E POSTAGE PAID AT THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ALEXANDRIA, VA. MOUNT VERNON, VIRGINIA 22121 82 05 Al 40213 DAY --D 929A MIS S DOR OT HY L DAY 929 AUDUBON PA RKWAY LO UISV I LLE KY 40213