TheThe AmericanAmerican

GARDENERGARDENER® TheThe MagazineMagazine ofof thethe AAmericanmerican HorticulturalHorticultural SocietySociety JulyJuly // AugustAugust 20102010

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FEATURES DEPARTMENTS

5 NOTES FROM RIVER FARM 6 MEMBERS’ FORUM 8 NEWS FROM THE AHS Online auction offers exclusive experiences with noted gardeners, AHS and American Daffodil Society collaborate on digital reference, national achievements recognized at AHS Awards Ceremony, the AHS participates in Smithsonian’s fourth annual Garden Fest, the Homestead Resort hosts annual garden symposium, AOL volunteers lend a helping hand at River Farm.

15 AHS NEWS SPECIAL Harry A. Rissetto is named new AHS Board chair.

42 ONE ON ONE WITH… page 37 Teresia Hazen, horticultural therapist.

44 HOMEGROWN HARVEST A bounty of summer squash. 16 GARDEN SHOWSTOPPERS BY PAM BAGGETT Looking for that perfect for a summer focal point? Seek no 46 GARDENER’S NOTEBOOK further than these flamboyant tropicals. Federal court shelves pesticide, Logan Pass site named ’s first Important Plant Area, USDA-inspired “People’s Garden” concept CULTIVATORS OF CONFIDENCE BY DEB WILEY 22 gains national popularity, pilot sustainability Experienced gardeners called “garden coaches” offer inspiration ranking system launches across the U.S., and a helping hand for neophytes. assessment of plant collections at North American public gardens underway, organic food gardens a growing trend at headquarters SENSATIONAL SUNFLOWERS BY RITA PELCZAR 28 of major U.S. corporations, smartphone The big, bold blooms of this American native brighten up gardens applications for gardeners. and roadsides in summer. 51 GREEN GARAGE® Efficient methods of irrigation. 32 CREATING MOVEMENT IN THE GARDEN BY KAREN BUSSOLINI Use creative design and plant selection to infuse gardens with a 54 BOOK REVIEWS sense of movement and vitality. Urban and Suburban Meadows, Chlorophyll in His Veins, and Hybrid: The History and 37 RAINSCAPING BY KRIS WETHERBEE Science of Plant Breeding. By employing a variety of techniques to keep rainwater on their Special focus: Edible . properties, gardeners can play an important role in protecting the 57 REGIONAL HAPPENINGS health of local watersheds. 60 HARDINESS AND HEAT ZONES AND PRONUNCIATIONS

62 PLANT IN THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE COVER: Annual sunflowers ( annuus) come in a wide variety of colors and growth Violet silverleaf (Leucophyllum candidum).

DONNA KRISCHAN habits to suit gardens large and small. Photograph by Donna Krischan

July /August 2010 3 AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY “This is a book to turn to over a lifetime of garden misadventures.” Making America a Nation of Gardeners, a Land of Gardens —Dominique Browning The Times

Board of Directors CHAIR Harry A. Rissetto, Esq. Falls Church, FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN Don E. Riddle, Jr. Davidsonville, SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN Mary Pat Matheson Atlanta, SECRETARY Leslie Ariail Alexandria, Virginia TREASURER J. Landon Reeve, IV Woodbine, Maryland IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Susie Usrey Dayton, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Henrietta Burke Alexandria, Virginia

Sandra Address Chevy Chase, Maryland ■ Allan M. Armitage Athens, Georgia ■ Suzanne Bales Oyster Bay, New York Amy Bolton Falls Church, Virginia ■ Jane Diamantis McDonald, ■ Gay Estes Houston, Anne Garland Farrell Richmond, Virginia ■ Carole Hofley Wilson, ■ Margaret Kulp Louisville, Jack Lowry Phoenix, Maryland ■ Shirley Nicolai Ft. , Maryland ■ Holly Shimizu Glen Echo, Maryland

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Tom Underwood PRESIDENT EMERITUS Katy Moss Warner

AHS New President’s Council Encyclopedia of CHAMPION’S CIRCLE Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Kulp, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Rissetto ■ Mr. and Mrs. W. Bruce Usrey

LIBERTY HYDE BAILEY CIRCLE Mr. and Mrs. George Diamantis ■ Trish and Cam Gibson ■ Mrs. Elizabeth Craig Weaver Proctor ■ Mr. Arnold Gardening Steiner ■ Mr. and Mrs. Klaus Zech

Techniques HAUPT CIRCLE Mrs. Lynda A. Bachman ■ Mrs. Susan M. Cargill ■ Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Farrell ■ Dr. and Mrs. John A. Floyd, Jr. ■ Mrs. Richard W. Hamming ■ Mrs. Carole S. Hofley ■ Dr. and Mrs. David E. Morrison ■ Mr. and Mrs. J. Landon Reeve, IV ■ Mrs. Enid N. Warner

“You’ll find step-by-step COUNCIL MEMBER’S CIRCLE Mrs. Sandra L. Address ■ Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ariail, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert Baillie ■ Mr. and Mrs. Carter instructions for pruning, watering, Bales ■ Nancy J. Becker, M.D. ■ Mrs. Katherine Belk ■ Mrs. George P. Bissell, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. C. William Black ■ Dr. Sherran Blair ■ propagating; information about all Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Bluemel ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Bogle ■ Ms. Amy Bolton ■ Mr. and Mrs. Michael T. Bradshaw ■ Mr. and Mrs. Taylor categories of plants…sections on Burke, III ■ Ms. Judy Daniel ■ Mr. and Mrs. Carl Estes ■ Ms. Inger Fair ■ Mrs. Carolyn V. Foil ■ Ms. Marguerite Peet Foster ■ Ms. Amy Goldman ■ Mr. and Mrs. Joel Goldsmith ■ Mrs. Joan Goltzman ■ Ms. LaDawn Griffin ■ Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Hanselman ■ Dr. and organic techniques and recycling; Mrs. William O. Hargrove ■ Mrs. Elizabeth Hooff ■ Mr. Philip Huey ■ Mrs. Carolyn M. Lindsay ■ Ms. JoAnn Luecke ■ Mr. and Mrs. Bob and how to treat pests and J. MacLean ■ Ms. Melissa Marshall ■ Mrs. Dorothy Marston ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harold McClendon, Jr. ■ Ms. Rosalyn Milbrandt ■ Mr. and disease…. Consider it a plant- Mrs. James R. Moxley, Jr. ■ Mrs. Shirley Ann Nicolai ■ Mr. David D. Parrish ■ Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Smith, Jr. ■ Mr. and Mrs. William M. Spencer, III ■ Mr. Harold Stahly ■ Dr. and Mrs. Steven M. Still ■ Mr. and Mrs. Tom Underwood ■ Mr. Joe Viar ■ Ms. Angela M. lover’s mutual fund—a little of this Vikesland ■ Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Volk ■ Ms. Katy Moss Warner ■ Mr. and Mrs. Dennis White ■ Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. White ■ Mr. and little of that, in a dandy and Mrs. John W.White, Sr. ■ Ms. Jill Yates investment.” HONORARY PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL Ms. Louise Fruehling* ■ Mrs. Enid Haupt* ■ Mrs. John A. Lutz* ■ Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Miller* —Ginny Smith *In memoriam Philadelphia Inquirer

“This is a must have for gardeners and landscape designers.” Corporate Members —Joel M. Lerner Bonnie Plants ■ Brent and Becky’s Bulbs ■ The Care of Trees ■ Chapel Valley Landscape Company The Espoma Company ■ Furbish Company ■ Homestead Gardens ■ Kurt Bluemel, Inc. ■ Monrovia The Washington Post MTR Landscape Architects, LLC. ■ Osmocote

Horticultural Partners

America in Bloom Symposium & Awards Program ■ Bellingrath Gardens and Home Mitchell-Beazley/Octopus Books USA Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Garden Symposium ■ Cox Arboretum MetroPark 480 pages Hardcover, $45 Epcot International & Garden Festival ■ The Gardeners of America/Men’s Garden Clubs of America The Homestead in the Garden Symposium ■ Inniswood Garden Society ■ Morris Arboretum Available wherever Botanical Garden & Arboretum ■ Oklahoma Horticultural Society books are sold

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

For general information about your membership, call (800) 777-7931. Send change of address notifications to our membership department at HILE THIS ISSUE 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA of The American Gardener has the same look and feel 22308. If your magazine is lost or damaged in you’ve come to expect from the American Horticultural Society, behind the mail, call the number above for a replace- that familiar façade is an organization that is striving to better meet the ment. Requests for membership information W and change of address notification can also be needs of today’s gardeners, even as we prepare to celebrate our 90th anniversary in 2012. e-mailed to [email protected]. Honoring our leaders and engaging our future. At our spring Board of Direc- THE AMERICAN GARDENER To submit a letter to tors meeting, we recognized our outgoing members for their service and welcomed a the editor of The American Gardener, write to new slate of volunteer leaders. We applauded The American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Susie Usrey, who has admirably served the So- Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308, or send an e-mail to [email protected]. ciety as Board Chair for the last four years, for her work keeping the ship on course during a DEVELOPMENT To make a gift to the American Horticultural Society, or for information about period of unprecedented challenge. Treasurer a donation you have already made, call (800) Arnold Steiner was recognized for his finan- 777-7931 ext. 127. cial acumen and judgment during the same E-NEWSLETTER To sign up for our monthly period. We are grateful to Awards Committee e-newsletter, visit www.ahs.org. Chair Bill Barrick for his dedication to recog- INTERNSHIP PROGRAM The AHS offers intern- nizing and celebrating the best of American Tom Underwood and Harry Rissetto ships in communications, , and horticulture. We will also miss the liveliness of youth programs. For information, send an e-mail to [email protected]. Information and Kurt Bluemel and Missy Marshall; their important contributions have helped make application forms can also be found in the our River Farm headquarters an even more exciting example of American gardening. River Farm area of www.ahs.org. The American Gardener is going digital! We are supplementing the print ver- NATIONAL CHILDREN & YOUTH GARDEN sion of the Society’s flagship publication with a digital edition that will have the same SYMPOSIUM For information about the Soci- content but also include new search features and capabilities that will allow us to be ety’s annual National Children & Youth Gar- den Symposium, call (800) 777-7931 ext. an even richer resource for our members. All active members who have a valid e-mail 137 or visit the Youth Gardening section of address on file will receive the digital edition in addition to the print version. If you www.ahs.org. would like to receive the digital edition, please let us know—you’ll find a link on the RECIPROCAL ADMISSIONS PROGRAM The AHS homepage of our website (www.ahs.org) that will expedite this process. Reciprocal Admissions Program offers members Celebrate summer. In most regions of the country, gardens are approaching their free admission and other discounts to more than 250 botanical gardens and other horticultural midsummer glory. In this issue of The American Gardener, you will find suggestions destinations throughout . A list of for “Showstopping Plants”—bold and dramatic plants that are sure to be attention- participating gardens can be found in the Mem- getters in your garden. You will also discover how creative design can bring an ele- bership area of www.ahs.org. For more infor- mation, call (800) 777-7931 ext. 119. ment of motion to any garden, and learn about “rainscaping,” an earth-friendly gardening approach that is being embraced by gardeners across the country. RIVER FARM The AHS headquarters at River Farm is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays year- Honor a gardener. Nominations are now open for the 2011 AHS Great American round (except Federal holidays), and 9 a.m. to Gardeners Awards. Would you like the AHS to recognize someone who has made an 1 p.m. Saturdays from April through September. Admission is free. For information about events, important impact on horticulture, gardens, or gardening? Is there an organization rentals, and directions, visit the River Farm sec- doing great things in your community that should be rewarded? Look for details about tion of www.ahs.org. the 2011 awards program and how to make a nomination on our website (www.ahs.org). TRAVEL STUDY PROGRAM Visit spectacular pri- Talk back. An important part of the AHS’s mission is to be the voice of the Amer- vate and public gardens around the world ican gardener. To do that we need your support, opinions, and ideas. What is impor- through the Society’s acclaimed Travel Study Program. For information about upcoming tant to you about gardening? How can America become a land of gardens and trips, call (800) 627-6621, send an e-mail to gardeners? Share your thoughts by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or hris- [email protected], or visit the Travel [email protected]. Our editor, David Ellis, also appreciates messages at [email protected]. Study section of www.ahs.org. Thank you for supporting the AHS—we’re so glad you are along with us for the WEBSITE: www.ahs.org The AHS website is a ride, because we’re going places and doing things you won’t want to miss. valuable source of information about the Soci- ety’s programs and activities, finding out about Happy gardening! gardening events in your area, and linking to oth- er useful websites. To access the members-only Harry Rissetto, Chair, AHS Board of Directors section of the website, this year’s password is oak. The username is always ahs. Tom Underwood, Executive Director

July / August 2010 5 MEMBERSC’ FORUM

A LAVENDER FOR HARSH CLIMATES Digital edition available now! freely, continuing themselves without ef- Thank you for an excellent magazine. I re- fort on your part (without watering, fertil- Beginning with this issue, The American ally enjoyed the aptly named, “A Love Af- izing, or spraying)? Beyond beauty, do Gardener will be available as both a digi- fair With Lavender” article in the tal and print magazine. If we already have these communities also nurture other liv- May/June 2010 issue. If you live in a re- an e-mail address for you in our records, ing things in the garden?” gion with a harsh climate, I recommend a you will automatically receive an e-mail In my garden, examples of this include plant sold as “true lavender” by Bluestone notifying you when each new digital issue spotted jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) and Perennials nursery (possibly a of has been published. If you are not sure evening primrose (Oenothera sp.). Both L. ✕intermedia sometimes listed as whether we have your e-mail address, or self-seed freely and attract hummingbirds, ‘Dutch’). I have grown this plant for sev- you would like to sign up to have access bees, and sphinx moths all summer long. eral years in my south-central to the digital edition, visit www.ahs.org Thank you for an uplifting article en- garden (USDA Zone 4). It has withstood and click on the “Digital Magazine” link couraging our native wildflowers and wind, heat, snow, cold, drought, and on the homepage. their place in our gardens as a habitat and drenching rains, and it even survived the food supply for our native wildlife. miserable winter of 2009–2010. I have it IMPORTANCE OF NATIVES Pam Karaus planted periodically along the gravel road I read with interest “What is Wild?...and Cincinnati, near our east yard. I it lightly, never Why it Matters” by Rick Darke (January/ fertilize, and only water when the weath- February 2010). To quote from the article: PLEASE WRITE US! Address letters to Editor, The er is consistently dry. “…are there beautiful accidents in the American Gardener, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308. Send e-mails to Patricia McPheeters mix? Among the plantings, do you see any [email protected] (note Letter to Editor in subject line). Gothenburg, Nebraska self-perpetuating communities, seeding Letters we print may be edited for length and clarity.

AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY INTERNSHIPS at River Farm

Offering hands-on, practical experience, internships are one of the Society’s most important educational programs. Internship opportunities available include For 40 years, distinctive, award-winning landscapes have positions in publications, been the hallmark of Chapel Valley Landscape Companyʼs horticulture, and commitment to creativity, quality and service. We design, education. install and maintain landscapes that make a positive first For more information impression. Call us today to discuss your plans using our and application forms, comprehensive landscape services. visit the River Farm area of www.ahs.org or e-mail [email protected].

Maryland 410.442.2310 Virginia 703.406.0802 Washington, D.C. 301.924.5400 www.chapelvalley.com

6 the American Gardener THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURALHORTICULTURAL SOCIETY TRAVEL STUDY PROGRAM 2010–2011 TOURS

  

Sicily: Gardens and Antiquities       Limited            Availability! Register October 28–November 7, 2010 Today

■ From the sparkling seascapes of Taormina to the rugged landscape in the interior, this tour will explore the archaeological sites, historical monuments, and enchanting gardens of Sicily. The island is home to some of the finest classical sites outside of Greece. On this trip we will see marvelous examples of Roman and Byzantine mosaics as well as Norman churches and privately-owned Baroque palaces. We will also visit gardens where succulents, citrus, bougainvillea, and exotic plants abound. Call now to join us on this once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity.

2011 TRAVEL DESTINATIONS The AHS's Travel Study Program will be bound for three exciting garden destinations in 2011. Start planning now for next year's trips!

early May Gardens of the Loire Valley July/August Gardens and Innovation: Chicagoland & Rockford late September/early October Castles and Gardens of Bohemia & Moravia

Full travel itineraries will be available in September.

For more information about upcoming tours in the AHS Travel Study Program, please contact our travel planner, MacNair Travel: • E-mail: [email protected] • Call: (866) 627-6621 • Visit: www.ahs.org GARDENER Botanical nomenclatureisbasedon Alexandria, VA22308-1300. Society A–Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, Garden of Encyclopedia A–Z Society Copyright ©2010 bytheAmericanHorticultural Society. ©2010 Copyright material. Backissuesareavailableat$8percopy. stamped envelope.Wecannotguaranteethesafereturn ofunsolicited possible publicationwillbereturnedifaccompanied byaself-addressed, ily thoseoftheSociety.Manuscripts,artwork,andphotographs sentfor expressed inthearticlesarethoseofauthorsand arenotnecessar- Form 3579to ginia, andatadditionalmailingoffices.Postmaster:Pleasesend magazine subscription.PeriodicalspostagepaidatAlexandria,Vir- $60. Internationalduesare$50.$10ofannualgoestoward and onthe Gardener American The list of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Canada and Greenland and Canada States, United the of Flora Vascular the of list tion to (703) 768-5700.MembershipintheSocietyincludesasubscrip- Society, 7931EastBoulevardDrive,Alexandria,VA22308-1300, ber/October, November/December)bytheAmericanHorticultural ly (January/February,March/April,May/June,July/August,Septem- 8 h American The ADVERTISING & PARTNERSHIPS CONTACT US CORPORATE EDITORIAL The American Gardener American The the American Gardener Royal Horticultural Society Index of Garden Plants Garden of Index Society Horticultural Royal CHAIR The American Gardener American The Printed intheU.S.A. West DesMoines, Elvin McDonald Kennett Square, Richard W.Lighty Denver, Panayoti Kelaidis San Francisco, John E.Bryan Birmingham, Steve Bender Ithaca, NewYork Nina L.Bassuk Athens, Georgia Allan M.Armitage Brevard, NorthCarolina Richard E.Bir EDITORIAL ADVISORYBOARD Carole Ottesen CONTRIBUTING WRITER Rita Pelczar CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Krystal Flogel Meredith Soeder EDITORIAL INTERNS Viveka Neveln ASSOCIATE EDITOR Mary Yee MANAGING EDITORANDARTDIRECTOR David J.Ellis EDITOR E-MAIL: E-MAIL: (703) 768-5700 Alexandria, VA22308 7931 EastBoulevardDrive The AmericanGardener (ISSN 1087-9978)ispublishedbimonth- . Annualduesare$35;twoyears, [email protected] [email protected] , 7931EastBoulevardDrive, The American Horticultural American The on A Synonymized Check- Synonymized A . Opinions IN THE ONDIGITALREFERENCE COLLABORATE DAFFODILSOCIETY AHS ANDAMERICAN SUCCESSFUL AFTER A GARDENERS EXPERIENCESWITHNOTED ONLINE AUCTIONOFFERSEXCLUSIVE available isatourwith sources inhishomestateofHawaii. Also naturalandculturalre-nized forpreserving CEO den inKalaheo,, withdirector and tours istheNational Tropical BotanicalGar- throughout theUnited States. Amongthe a garden tourwithnotablehorticulturists forfourpeopletohave lunchand portunities ner andsilentauction. den event thatfeatures anelegantformaldin- Honorary Chairforthegala,ablack-tiegar- White House floristandowner ofInterieurs etFleurs inAlexandria,Virginia, isthe on Saturday, September 25attheAHS’s River Farm headquarters. junction withtheSociety’s AnnualGala, “Gifts oftheGarden.” Thegalawilltakeplace reprising theonlineauction,“One onOne withGreat AmericanGardeners,” incon- tions ofgardeners.” archives andwe are actively lookingforways tomaketheseavailable genera- tonew arecommunications. “There many othervaluable gardening references intheAHS accessibleindigitalformat,”says ful daffodilarticles to extendthebloomingseason, somethinggardeners are stillattempting todo. fromOne 1935,titled“How article LongistheDaffodil Season?” offersinsightonways andcultivars thatwere atthetime,andtipsforvarious new regions andclimates. be cooperatingwiththeAHStomaketheseyear booksavailable,” addsGripshover. elementofADS’sand thepublicisanimportant educational mission. “We’re pleasedto waystomakehistoricalinformationaboutdaffodilsaccessibleADSmembers ing new These CDsare available onlinethrough theADSwebsite for$10. together toofferdigitalversions oftheyear booksfrom 1935to1938oncompactdisk. ical references exist,sotheAHSandAmericanDaffodil Society (ADS)are working al volume titled TheAmerican Daffodil Year Book. 127 [email protected] ticketsforthegala. informationortoreserve CapstackCourtney cational programs toAmericangardeners. Call AHS’s mission ofofferingoutreach andedu- the auction andgalaraisefundstosupport The deadlinetobidisOctober 25,2010.The tunities forbidding,visitwww.ahs.org/auction. University in Jamaica Plain, . curator oftheArnoldArboretum ofHarvard The onlineauctionfeatures exclusive op- “This collaboration with the ADS is a terrific opportunity tomakethesewonder- collaborationwiththeADSisaterrificopportunity “This ongrowingThe year books includearticles andcaringfordaffodils,descriptionsof LouGripshoverMary andarchival policy,, ADSchairmanforlibrary saysthatfind- To learnmore abouttheavailable oppor- Chipper Wichman 1930s, the AHS published collections of articles aboutdaffodilsinanannu- 1930s, theAHSpublishedcollectionsofarticles at (703)768-5700ext. Michael Dosmann debut lastyear, theAmericanHorticultural Society (AHS)is , nationallyrecog- PROGRAMS •EVENTSANNOUNCEMENTS News , Waterfall atMcBrydeGardeninHawaii from the Only copiesofthesehistor- afew July /August2010 David J.Ellis, AHSdirector of Laura Dowling AHS ,

COURTESY OF NATIONAL TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN Awards, you can download a form from the AHS website Get Ready for 2011 Seed Exchange (www.ahs.org); turn to page 12 for more information. The deadline to donate seeds to the 52nd annual AHS Seed Exchange is coming up this fall, so don’t forget to save MAKING CONNECTIONS: THE AHS AND THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION seeds from your garden for this popular AHS membership ON SATURDAY, May 8, the AHS participated with other re- program. Members who donate seeds get the first opportu- gional gardens and gardening organizations at the Smithsonian nity to select from each year’s offerings. For more informa- Institution’s fourth annual Garden Fest. This free festival, which tion, visit www.ahs.org/membership/seed_exchange.htm, or look for a reminder in the next issue of the magazine.

To see an article from one of the year books, click on the web special linked to the online version of this article at www.ahs.org. For more information on the American Daffodil Society or to order the CD, visit www.daffodilusa.org. NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS RECOGNIZED AT AHS AWARDS CEREMONY “THE PURPOSE of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give it away,” said Robert Herman, winner of the 2010 AHS Teaching Award, during his acceptance speech at the Great

AHS Volunteer Coordinator Jane Underwood, second from right, demonstrates how to make “tree-cookie” necklaces.

attracted thousands of attendees, took place in the Smithson- ian’s Enid A. Haupt Garden, a four-acre garden located adja- cent to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. AHS staff members hosted a booth at which children could create their own “tree-cookie” necklaces. Tree cookies are thinly sliced sections of tree branches with a hole drilled through the middle. The children used colored markers to decorate the cook- ies and then ran string through the hole to form a necklace. In the process they counted tree rings to determine the age of the AHS Board Chair Harry Rissetto, left, presents the AHS Teaching tree limb and learned about different kinds of trees. Award to Robert Herman at the awards ceremony at River Farm. Other booths offered fun and instructional projects related to insects, growing tomatoes, and floral arranging. Visitors also American Gardeners Awards ceremony held June 10 at the AHS’s learned about the benefits of green roofs, horticulture in zoos, River Farm headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. Coming from and even how chocolate is made. across the United States, the award recipients and their friends and To view photos of the day’s events, visit the Smithsonian Gar- families joined AHS Board members and staff in celebrating out- dens’ Garden Fest website, http://gardens.si.edu/gardenfest/. standing achievements fields such as landscape design, horticul- tural research, floral design, communication, and education. THE HOMESTEAD RESORT’S “IN THE GARDEN” SYMPOSIUM Publishers of four garden books were presented with the AHS’s LOOKING FOR an escape in a garden setting this summer? annual Book Award as well. Consider the Home- Melissa Butkiewicz, horticulturist at Dow Gardens in Mid- stead Resort’s “In the land, , who accepted the Jane L. Taylor Award on be- Garden Weekend” in half of Dow’s “Growin’ Gardeners” program, was excited to Hot Springs, Vir- attend the ceremony under an open tent on a beautiful early ginia, from August summer evening. The Growin’ Gardeners program “connects 20 to 22. In addition children with plants and joins whole families together,” said to presentations Butkiewicz. “Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, grandparents— from five gardening they’re learning right along with the kids.” experts during the The success of the AHS awards program is based on securing a broad pool of candidates for the different awards categories. To The Homestead Resort’s

LEFT: CINDY DYER. TOP RIGHT: ERIC LONG / COURTESY OF SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. BOTTOM HOMESTEAD RESORT nominate someone for the 2011 Great American Gardeners formal Spa Garden

July / August 2010 9 10 www.ahs.org M the Experts”Symposium. Pasadena, California. OCT. 28–NOV.7. OCT. SEPT. 30–OCT.2. SEPT. 25. AUG. 20–22. JULY 22–24. Program. Sicily,. Ceremony. Mr. andMrs.HarryA.Rissetto Plant Life,LLC Monrovia NurseryCompany Mr. andMrs.RobertE.Kulp,Jr. Mr. MarkKramerand Mr. PhilipHuey Homestead Gardens,Inc. ExxonMobil Foundation The EspomaCompany Edwaldan Foundation Mr. andMrs.GeorgeDiamantis Mr. andMrs.EliasCassis Bonnie Plants Mr. andMrs.RobertL.Bogle Dr. SherranBlair Mr. andMrs.C.WilliamBlack Ball HorticulturalCompany Horticultural Societyreliesongrants,bequests,andothergiftstosup- your annualcharitablegivingplan,please contact:TomUnderwood, In additiontovitalsupportthroughmembershipdues,theAmerican part ofyourestateplanning,asatribute toalovedone,oraspartof If youwouldliketosupporttheAmerican HorticulturalSocietyas the American Gardener port itsprograms.Wewouldliketothankthefollowingdonorsfor Ms. MelodyA.Blitt Date tobedetermined.AHSWebinar. sponsored orco-sponsored by theAHS.Visit ark your calendarforthesenationalevents thatare AHS AnnualGala. Executive Directorat(703)768-5700 ext.123or gifts receivedbetweenApril1andMay31,2010. St. Louis,. National Children&YouthGardenSymposium. The Homestead’s12thAnnual“IntheGardenWith it fNote Gifts of or call(703)768-5700formore information. Sicily: GardensandAntiquities. America InBloomSymposiumandAwards 2010 CALENDAR AHS NATIONALEVENTSANDPROGRAMS [email protected]. Hot Springs,Virginia. River Farm,Alexandria,Virginia. Mr. DaveBramson In MemoryofWilliamH.Tribou Mr. andMrs.AngelloChiarelli In MemoryofDavidCullen Mrs. JudyDaniel and LouiseVanderburghWall In MemoryofBarbaraWallBond Mr. andMrs.KlausZech Woolly Pocket Mr. andMrs.DennisWhite AHS TravelStudy and complimentary membershipintheAHS. and complimentary gle withthespeakers,atourofresort’s landscaped grounds, modations, breakfast anddinnerdaily, tomin- opportunities symposium, theevent includesawelcome reception, accom- AMERICA ONLINE(AOL), WE’VE GOT…VOLUNTEERS! dent, willleadthetourofresort’s manygarden areas. Power ofSmell.” Forrest Lee,Homestead grounds superinten- Garden“The ofEssentialFragrance—Fragrant Plants andthe executive director oftheU.S.BotanicGarden, willspeakabout versity ofPennsylvania andnotedplantexplorer. and MendezKerry , owner ofPerennially Yours inUpstate New York, Garden” radioshow. willbegarden Alsoparticipating designer a renowned author, horticulturist, lecturer, andhostofthe“In the dent on volunteers to support andextendthe workdent onvolunteers of thestaff.” tosupport AOL’s involvement,” shesays,“becauseRiver Farm issodepen- unteer Coordinator like theAHSneedlotsofhelp toachieve theirgoals.”AHSVol- helped outthisday. “I’m thrilledbecausenon-profit organizations this,” saysTony Derigge, aregular River Farm volunteer who Estate House. painting River Farm’s well ascleaning and around the grounds, as weeding, and planting including mulching, of different projects, bers tackleanumber teers andstaffmem- helped AHSvolun- AOL volunteer crew company’s founding. ofthe anniversary to celebratethe25th Help,” adayofservice was billedas“Monster inwhat the country tasksalloverservice formed community More effort. community service than2,500AOL volunteers per- ees toRiver Farm onMay ofthecompany’s 20aspart nationwide olutionize Internet communications,sentmore than50employ- page page. ConvenientlinksareofferedthroughtheAHShome- programs, you’llfindbothanAHSpageandaRiverFarm other AHSmembersorfindoutaboutupcomingeventsand The AHSisnowonFacebook!Ifyou’dliketoconnectwith Connect withtheAHSonFacebook The symposiumisheadlinedby nurseryowner To learnmore aboutthisevent, visit At River Farm, the “I thinkit’s thatacompanydoessomethinglike wonderful Paul Meyer, director oftheMorris Arboretum oftheUni- (www.ahs.org). Jane Underwood a deadtreeatRiverFarm. AOL volunteershelpcleartheremainsof the corporationthathelpedtorev- agrees. “We’re gratefulfor www.thehomestead.com. Holly Shimizu, André Viette,

KRYSTAL FLOGEL

Call for Nominations

AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 2011 GREAT AMERICAN GARDENERS AWARDS CINDY DYER 2010 Liberty Hyde Bailey Award Steven Still, Executive Director, Association

Liberty Hyde Bailey Award Professional Award Given to an individual who Given to a public garden has made significant lifetime 2011 administrator whose contributions to at least three achievements during the of the following horticultural course of his or her career It’s an Honor… fields: teaching, research, AWARDS have cultivated widespread communications, plant interest in horticulture. Since 1953, the American Horticultural exploration, administration, Society’s Great American Gardeners art, business, and leadership. Landscape Design Award Jane L. Taylor Award Awards Program has recognized Given to an individual whose Given to an individual, Luther Burbank Award work has demonstrated and organization, or program that individuals and institutions that have Recognizes extraordinary promoted the value of sound has inspired and nurtured made significant contributions to achievement in the field horticultural practices in future horticulturists through American horticulture. Nominations are of plant breeding. the field of landscape efforts in children’s and now being accepted for 2010. architecture. youth gardening. Nominate your “horticultural hero”— Paul Ecke Jr. Commercial Award Meritorious Service Award Teaching Award a memorable professor, a favorite garden Given to an individual or Recognizes a past Board Given to an individual whose writer, or the driving force behind an company whose commitment member or friend of the ability to share his or her incredible community project. to the highest standards of American Horticultural horticultural knowledge with For additional information and a excellence in the field of Society for outstanding others has contributed to a nomination form, visit www.ahs.org or commercial horticulture service in support of the better public understanding contributes to the betterment Society’s goals, mission, of the plant world and its call (703) 768-5700 ext. 110. of gardening practices and activities. important influence on everywhere. society. Nominations must be submitted B. Y. Morrison by September 30, 2010. G. B. Gunlogson Award Communication Award Urban Beautification Award Recognizes the innovative Recognizes inspirational and Given to an individual, use of technology to make effective communication— institution, or company for home gardening more through print, radio, significant contributions to productive and successful. television, and/or online urban horticulture and the media—that advances public beautification of American Horticultural Therapy Award interest and participation in cities. Recognizes significant horticulture. contributions to the field of horticultural therapy.

12 the American Gardener “LIVING” RETAINING WALL AT RIVER FARM and concepts that are aesthetically pleasing and environmen- EMBRACING THE current interest in vertical gardening tech- tally friendly is an important element of the AHS’s national niques, River Farm is one of the first locations in the Washing- mission,” says AHS Horticulturist James Gagliardi. ton, D.C., area to have an environmentally friendly SmartSlope Furbish, a Baltimore, Maryland-based firm specializing in living retaining wall on site, thanks to the Furbish Company, living retaining walls and green roofs, installed the SmartSlope an AHS Corporate Member. “Demonstrating new products next to the AHS’s vegetable demonstration garden on May 28. The plantings are taking root and will be growing vigorously by the end of the summer. SmartSlope is an innovative retaining-wall system con- structed with blocks that contain only half the concrete used in a typical retaining wall block, thus reducing the wall’s carbon footprint. It also provides space for plants to grow vertically within the wall while reducing stormwater runoff, minimizing ground disturbance, and reducing the heat-island effect in urban areas. “For us, success will be measured by how this sys- tem looks a year from now, when visitors will see only vegeta- tion, no concrete,” says Jimmy Dick, sales and marketing director of Furbish. For more information about living retaining walls and green roof systems, visit www.furbishco.com or www.smartslope.com. AMERICA IN BLOOM SYMPOSIUM COMES TO THE GATEWAY TO THE WEST THIS YEAR’S America in Bloom (AIB) Symposium and Annual Awards will take place from September 30 to October 2 in St. Louis, Missouri. Celebrating the beautification efforts of com- The new living wall next to the demonstration vegetable garden at munities across the nation, AIB will be honoring the most de-

MEREDITH SOEDER River Farm is planted with a mixture of edible and ornamental plants. serving in this year’s symposium, “Gateways, Gardens,

July / August 2010 13 Grandeur.” Symposium participants can attend sessions on hor- ticultural branding trends, cleaning and greening cities, and pro- tecting and marketing scenic byways as well as take tours through the Citygarden and other St. Louis neighborhoods and gardens. “We are so pleased to hold our national symposium in St. Louis, with its marvelous heritage, parks, and network of near- ly 200 urban gardens,” says Evelyn Alemanni, AIB board member, volunteer judge, and chair of the symposium com- mittee. “In addition to excellent sessions focused on commu- nity beautification, Peter Raven, president emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden, and Anna Ball, president of the Ball Horticultural Company, will present keynote addresses.” As a partner to AIB, the AHS supports the organization’s ef- forts in embracing community involvement, enhancing civic pride, and improving quality of life under the umbrella of planting trees, plants, and for all community members Karin Chaffin’s winning photograph to enjoy. For more information, visit the AIB website (www.americainbloom.org) or call (614) 487-1117. mer AHS Board member Arabella Dane (Center Harbor, ) won for Specialty Flowering. Rodney Toth (Hub- AHS WINNERS IN GARDEN CLUB PHOTO COMPETITION bard, Ohio) won for miscellaneous and was also First Runner-up. THE GARDENERS OF AMERICA and Men’s Garden Clubs Karin Chaffin (Denver, Colorado) was the winner for Wild- of America (TGOA/MGCA), an AHS Horticultural Partner, flowers, Annuals, Bulb-like Plants and also Second Runner-up. held its annual convention June 10 to 12 in Grand Rapids, To view more winning images, and for additional information Michigan. During the event, the TGOA/MGCA announced and highlights from this year’s TGOA/MGCA convention, visit the winners of the group’s 2010 photo competition. www.tgoa-mgca.org/default.htm. Among the winners were several AHS members. Anne Allen

(Bennington, ) won for Herbaceous Perennials, and for- News written by Editorial Intern Meredith Soeder. COURTESY OF TGOA/MGCA

14 the American Gardener LEFT: COURTESY OF HARRY RISSETTO. RIGHT: COURTESY OF LEE-CARRAHER PHOTOGRAPHY AND CORRALITOS GARDENS by Viveka Neveln BoardChair Rissetto NamedNewAHS SPECIAL NEWS AHS his proven commitmenttothe future Board chair forthepastfouryears. “With tion,” addsUsrey, astheAHS whoserved passion, andknowledge oftheorganiza- nia. “He bringsagreat dealofwisdom, utive withMonrovia inCalifor- nursery hspsto, says this position,” AHS andotherplantsocieties.” and improve theconnectionbetween the AHS, increase membership andsupport, he “hopestoincrease thevisibilityof now, asChairoftheBoard, Rissettosays 2004, hejoinedtheAHS’s Board. And February 1990issue ofthismagazine.In thored abouttheplantsin anarticle withothermembers,heco-au- organization. To share hisenthusiasmfor of theFriends ofRiver Farm fundraising many years andwasafoundingmember Rissetto hasbeenanAHSmemberfor AHSMEMBER LONGTIME W other waystobeinvolved. longer existsatRiver Farm, hehasfound next decade.Thoughthetrialgarden no societies, helpedwiththeproject over the had becomeinvolved withthetwodahlia in Alexandria,Virginia. Rissetto,who atitsRiver Farm headquarters maintain atrialgarden fornew and National CapitalDahlia Society to with theAmericanDahlia Society (ADS) first ledhimtotheAHS. based lawfirm.Anditwasdahliasthat reer inaWashington, asapartner D.C.- for gardening despitehisdemandingca- years ago,Rissettohasalwaysfoundtime First smittenwithdahliasmore than35 ety’s (AHS)Board ofDirectors inJune. chair oftheAmericanHorticultural Soci- pened for plant fanatic.At leastthat’s how ithap- many aweekend gardener intoalifelong “Harry isanoutstandingchoicefor “Harry During the1980s, AHSworked Harry A.Rissetto ITH dahlias have transformed flowers ofallshapesandsizes, THEIR Susie Usrey brightly colored , whobecame , anexec- that Rissettoselectedfromseedlings. called ‘Vicki’.Right:‘Amy’sStar’isacultivar Above: HarryRissettoadmiresafrillydahlia ADS President and potentialmembers.” a dynamicconnectionwithmembers tions, andtogardening, andmaintaining of attractingpeopletotheseorganiza- nity organizations.“Ienjoy thechallenge sitting ontheboards ofseveral commu- Dahlia Society andtheADS,aswell as president ofboththeNational Capital profit organizations.He as hasserved successfulunderhisleadership.”very I believe thenextcoupleofyears willbe growth andaccomplishmentsoftheAHS, setto isalsoan enthusiasticgardener. In In addition tohisbusinessacumen, Ris- HOBBYIST PLANT-BREEDING ness successfully.” a valuable abusi- perspective onrunning solutions. His alsoprovides legalexpertise sues anddistillingthemdown tofindgood irons inthe fire, andattakingdifficultis- dahlia society. “He excels atkeepingmany years invarious capacitiesthrough the has worked withRissettoformore than20 “Harry hasauniquesetoftalents,”says “Harry Rissetto isnostrangertoleadingnon- Jerry Landerholm , who American Gardener. Viveka Neveln isassociateeditorof utive Director Board through theyears,” saysAHSExec- strong and talentedleadershiponour beautiful color,” hesays. ing hasturnedintoaflower with bright, garden andthebudyou’ve beenwatch- whenonedayyou gooutinyourrush flowers.their colorful “It’s awonderful lilies, gladiolas,andrhododendrons for growing manydifferent kindsofday- been hisfirstlove, Rissettoalsoenjoys the trade.Andwhiledahliasmayhave award from theADSandisavailable in of hisseedlings,‘Amy’s Star’, wonan keeping.One if hegetsanythingworth these, helikestogrow outseedlingstosee 1,800-square-foot homegarden. From growing about80different cultivars inan his spare time,Rissettotendshisdahlias, pen intheworldofhorticulture.” bers tocontinuemakegreat thingshap- work withhimandourotherBoard mem- nowHarry atthehelm,I’m excited to “We tohave have such beenfortunate Tom Underwood July /August 2010 . “With The 15 16 W in the chart onpage 20. in thechart your fancy, there are ninemore choices the country. In casenoneofthosestrike from around othertropical plantexperts of myfavorites andoffernominations dazzled by theirbeauty. er—and garden guests—more timetobe imal attention,whichleaves thegarden- established, tropicals dojustfinewithmin- grooming; infact,oncethey’re plantedand They rarely need deadheadingorother storagearea.have agreenhouse orcool,dry moisture—and some willoverwinter ifyou ers, too,provided theyreceive adequate species. Most tropicals dowell incontain- will produce excellent results withmost soil, agoodmulch,andmoderatewatering growing conditions,either. Average-to-rich warm-season gardens. at handlingthedog-dayweather inour Tropicals, itturnsout,are adept perfectly grow plantsadaptedtothoseconditions. species, buttheycanbeassetswhenyou combine tokilltheirshare ofill-adapted high humidity, too. Heat andhumidity warm tohotsummers.Many areas have most oftheUnited States experiences different fromwinter maybevery ours, to grow. Considerthis:Whileatropical they are sometimesdescribed—are easy tropical plants—ortenderperennials as temperamental primadonna? mates. Whowantstobealove slave toa different from mostNorth Americancli- dens? Theycomefrom placesvery pect tropical plantstothrive inourgar- den palettemostofusare usedto. quite different from thetemperategar- tound uswithexotic flowers andfoliage share plantsthatas- ofheart-stoppers, The tropics seemtohostmore thantheir knocks ustoourkneesallseasonlong. they are, sometimeswe wantaplantthat ephemeral effectsand,magnificentas red by fall’s frosty kiss.But theseare amapleflamed in dozens ofbutterflies; blooms ofsummerJoe Pye covered first springshoots;thesmokypink In thefollowing pagesIdiscusssome They don’t askalotwhenitcomesto The factis,despitetheirexotic looks, But waitaminute,whyshouldwe ex- the American Gardener E’VE ALL a goldenhostaunfurlingits that stoppedusinourtracks: come across plants Showstoppers Garden visitors intheirtracks. further thantheseflamboyanttropicalsguaranteedtostopgarden Looking forthatperfectplantasummerfocalpoint?Seekno Ensete ventricosum ventricosum Ensete Ensete ventricosum ventricosum Ensete ‘Maurelii’ ‘Maurelii’ BY PAMBAGGETT

DAVID CAVAGNARO For gardeners willing to cliff-dive into the tropical look, there’s no better place to begin than with a whopping big banana, such as Abyssinian red banana (Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’, Zones 10–11, 12–1). It makes a dramatic statement with its statuesque habit (growing to eight feet in a summer, or to 15 or 20 in a site where it can be grown year-round), and upright highlighted by red margins and mid-ribs. The species is native to forested lower mountain slopes in Ethiopia and Angola. Full sun brings out the best color, but it will tolerate some shade. Don’t skimp on water and nutrients, though; ba- nanas are heavy feeders. If a banana seems too bold, consider in- stead one of the most beautiful and seduc- tively fragrant of tropical flowers: angel’s trumpets (Brugmansia spp.). The flared pendulous blooms reflect their common name, but rather than a blast of sound, these foot-long trumpets send a strong per- fume wafting over the evening garden. In temperate climates, most angel’s trumpets bloom in early summer and again as au- tumn nears. In flower, there’s no finer plant; out of bloom, their plain green fo- liage is bland. Five-foot-tall Brugmansia ‘Miner’s Claim’ (Zones 8–10, 11–7) solves that dilemma with lusciously variegated leaves. Sporting two-tone green foliage with creamy-white edges, ‘Miner’s Claim’ looks delightful even when it’s not draped in flesh-pink flowers. Grown in full or half- day sun, a large plant may produce hun- dreds of blooms in season. Avoid angel’s trumpet if you have small children because all parts are poisonous if ingested. Sensuous fragrance can also be had with the trumpetlike flowers of Crinum ‘Ellen Bosanquet’ (Zones 7–10, 11–4). A hybrid of African C. scabrum, ‘Ellen Bosanquet’ produces clusters of rich, - pink blooms borne on two-foot-tall flower stalks beginning in early summer. It is one of the hardiest in this of extremely long-lived bulbs, which bear sword- shaped, succulent leaves and over time can form massive clumps. In the southeastern United States, crinums can be found oc- cupying abandoned home sites and even the occasional ditch. Like its kin, ‘Ellen Bosanquet’ adapts well to drought or monsoon, sandy soil, loam, or clay. It Crinum ‘Ellen Bosanquet’ prefers full or part sun, and though it may

JOSHUA MCCULLOUGH be happier with mulch and an occasional

July / August 2010 17 18 somewhat drought-resistant,somewhat but and therichestsoilavailable. Cannasare cerise-pink shade.Give sun itfull or part blossoms inarichbutnotoverpowering (Zones 7–10,12–1)offerselegantweeping drawn totheshimmering silver-green fo- nature. Longbefore itflowers, you’ll be 12–1) hasaregal presence thatbeliesitseasy Tibouchina grandifolia potted andgrown inwatergardens. manii plays, butsix-foot-tall smaller thanpublicparks androadside dis- cannas toogaudytobeusedinspaces gardeners considerthe blooms ofhybrid trast well with more delicateplants.Some and humongousthree-foot leaves thatcon- look fabulousfrom earlysummertofrost sun. spell. Plant itinfullorpart though itcantoleratetheoccasionaldry erage-to-rich soilwithabundantmoisture, canes perpot.‘Pele’s Smoke’ thrives inav- Instead, selectplants withseveral rooted be alonely12-footstemby latesummer. sold inapotatthegarden center, foritwill chocolate-flavored. Beware thelonecane not sugar ,thoughunfortunately grass family, ‘Pele’s Smoke’ isalsoatrue grow eightto12feettall.Amemberofthe leaves are borneonduskypurplecanesthat pink mid-ribsasanoccasionalbonus.The milk chocolateandplum-purple,with Zones 9–11,12–7).Its grassybladesblend officinarum charum water-loving chocolatesugarcane contentedly instandingwater. tofullsun.Itditions inpart willeven grow age soilandmoisture butprefers lushcon- the parent plant.‘Portodora’ acceptsaver- the plantletsare tuckedclosetothebaseof “pups,” butratherthanmakingrunners, phant ears,‘Portodora’ produces smaller arise from aplumptuber. Likemostele- the leaves borneonpurplishstalksthat sky. ‘Portodora’ rockets uptoeightfeettall, three-foot leaves pointstraightupatthe root inanelectricalsocket—itsenormous, leaves, ‘Portodora’ seems tohave stucka elephant ears(Alocasia ra’ phatic focalpointthan near unkillable. drink ofwater, ‘Ellen Bosanquet’ isdarn Strong-stemmed, tall, andstatuesque, Cannas offerflamboyant flowers that A goodcompanionfor‘Portodora’ is It wouldbedifficulttofindamore em- (Zones 8–10,12–1).Whilemost the American Gardener thrives inmoistsoilandcaneven be Canna Alocasia spp.) have dangling ‘Pele’s Smoke’, (Zone 10–11, ✕ ‘Portodo- ehemanii C. (Sac- ✕ ehe- Alocasia Alocasia officinarum Saccharum Saccharum officinarum Saccharum ‘Portodora’ ‘Portodora’ ‘Pele’s Smoke’ ‘Pele’s Smoke’

TOP: BILL JOHNSON. BOTTOM: SAXON HOLT. MORE SHOWSTOPPERS SUGGESTED BY REGIONAL EXPERTS

Tony Avent, president of Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, Dan Hinkley, a horticultural consultant and author from Indi- , nominated a , gigantea ‘Thailand anola, Washington, opted for giant Dutchman’s pipe (Aris- Giant’ (Zones 8–11, 12–7) as his favorite showstopper. “This tolochia gigantea, Zones 11–11, 12–7). “Collectively, I love this fast-growing monster reaches eight to nine feet tall in a mere genus of vines and perennials with their curious flowers and in- 20 weeks of warm temperatures and rich organic ,” says triguing pollination strategies,” says Hinkley. “A. gigantea is Avent. “Enjoy it for the giant umbrella-size leaves and fragrant over the top, however, with flowers one plantsman described as white flowers in summer.” enormous purple flying pancakes at- Egyptian reed or papyrus tended by a scrotal pouch. Who needs (Cyperus papyrus, Zones 10–11, 12–6) ‘Avatar’ with such creatures already in- was the choice of Dan Benarcik, horti- habiting this world?” culturist at Chanticleer garden in Variegated tapioca (Manihot escu- Wayne, Pennsylvania. “Nothing lenta ‘Variegata’, Zones 10–11, 12–7) screams ‘look at me’ like Cyperus pa- was the choice of Jimmy Turner, senior pyrus,” he says. “Its six- to eight-foot director of gardens at the Dallas Ar- vertical columns, festooned with Dr. boretum and Botanical Garden in Seuss-like mop heads of flowers, move Texas. “I like ’em big, bold, and tough in any breeze.” Although it’s techni- when it comes to plants, and this one cally an aquatic and will thrive in never disappoints me,” says Turner. standing water, it can get by with rich “The tri-colored foliage of variegated or- organic soil that is kept moist. namental tapioca will grow fast enough Scott Calhoun, an author and garden to look you in the eye by midsummer, designer based in Tucson, , and it is drought tolerant enough to suggested lady’s slipper (Pedilanthus take the blast furnace heat of a Texas macrocarpus, Zones 10–11, 12–7). summer and not even droop a . The “Its nearly leafless succulent stems shiny, yellow leaves bordered in bright look like a bouquet of lime-green Colocasia esculenta ‘Diamond‘Diamond Head’Head’ green especially stand out with their snakes,” Calhoun says. “In the sum- dwarfs its container at Chanticleer garden bright red stems.” mer, it produces -red flowers Holly H. Shimizu, executive direc- that remind me of women’s high-heeled shoes. Hummingbirds tor of the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., says Colo- like the flowers as well.” casia esculenta ‘Diamond Head’ (Zones 9–11, 12–7) “is my ab- Not one to shy away from color (or puns), Dan Heims of Terra solute favorite tropical outdoor plant at the moment. The Nova Nurseries, Inc., in Tigard, Oregon, picked Bismarck palm gigantic textural leaves of this taro are extremely bold and (Bismarckia nobilis, 9–11, 12–10). “I’m a fan of ‘bluitude’ and have rich color variations in changing light. When the sun hits this gem from Madagascar is a ‘fan’ of bluitude with immense, the leaves and you see it from behind, the leaf veins stand out pleated leaves to 10 feet across. Hardy in Houston, Southern in variations of purple and green. At other times, the plant is California, and , this is a showstopper you can’t miss!” a deep, rich dark purple, almost black.” —P.B.

liage. The six-inch oval leaves bear silken Senna didymobotrya (Zones 9–10, grow it in a container, choose a big one— hairs from which sunlight and morning 12–6) also bears leaves as showy as its late- at least 20 inches in diameter. dew drops sparkle. Unlike some plants summer flowers. Known as popcorn bush Cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capen- with silky foliage, T. grandifolia is never for the tantalizing fragrance of its foliage, sis, Zones 8–10, 11–7), bears glossy green, damaged by moisture. As they age, the it produces 15-inch compound leaves with pinnate leaves that make a handsome leaves turn bright orange, then scarlet, be- matched sets of dainty oval leaflets. Pop- backdrop for racemes of two-inch tubular fore dropping from the five-foot stems. At corn bush reaches five feet tall before it blossoms. In the species, native to south- all stages, the foliage makes a lovely coun- sends forth spires of golden flowers that ern , the flowers are fiery orange, but terpoint to flowers that emerge on long burst from burnished brown buds. Its del- there is also a pastel lemon-yellow form. It stalks beginning in late summer. The 12- to icate texture contrasts beautifully with grows as a scandent , throwing long 18-inch panicles bear two-inch, royal pur- broad-leaved bananas or elephant ears. A shoots that can be trained to trellises. ple blossoms accented with white centers large shrub or small tree native to sub- Where it is stem hardy (Zone 10) it can that turn crimson as the blooms mature. tropical Africa, popcorn bush grows best reach 20 feet tall, but in USDA Zones 7–9 Plants thrive on rich soil but average con- with considerable sun and appreciates rich it typically behaves as an herbaceous

JOSHUA MCCULLOUGH ditions in full or part sun will work, too. soil. Like other large-sized tropicals, if you perennial. Grown as an annual, expect a

July / August 2010 19 MORE SHOW-STOPPING TROPICALS TO CONSIDER Name (botanical, Height/Width Ornamental characteristics Origin USDA/AHS common) (feet) Zones Acalypha hispida 6–10/3–6 Fluffy, pendulous, deep-crimson flowers Malaysia to 11–11/12–6 chenille plant resemble dreadlocks New Guinea Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’ 10/3–4 Fragrant shell-pink flowers, 2-foot-long (species native 9–11/12–1 variegated shell leaves with bold yellow striping to eastern Asia) Begonia carolinifolia 2/4 Dark green palmate leaves nearly 2 feet S. Mexico and 9–11/12–9 palm leaf begonia across on burgundy stems 2 feet long Cycas revoluta 3–6/3–6 Robust, fernlike habit with glossy dark min. 50ºF/ Japanese sago palm green leaves 3 to 6 feet long 12–6 Dahlia imperialis 12–18/4–6 Leaves 2 to 3 feet long; 6-inch-diameter white, Guatemala to 9–11/12–1 tree dahlia pink, or lavender flowers with yellow centers Columbia Hedychium coronarium 10/3 Very fragrant white flowers; 2-foot-long leaves India 7–11/12–7 garland flower Musa ‘Siam Ruby’ 5–10/5 Burgundy to bronze-colored leaves with Asia 8–10/12–1 red banana attractive chartreuse patterning Trachycarpus fortunei 40/8 Large fan-shaped leaves up to 3 feet across 8–11/12–7 windmill palm Zantedeschia ‘Edge of Night’ 2/1 Purple-black flowers above green leaves (species native 7–9/12–1 black calla lily with small white spots and maroon edges to Africa) three- to five-foot-tall specimen. Cape honeysuckle looks great in containers and Agave attenuata flowers all year but most abundantly in late summer and fall. It will bloom best in full sun and is somewhat drought tolerant. Agaves are well-adapted to drought. But if you’ve ever been stuck by an agave’s spikes—or if you have small children or pets—you may be reluctant to risk safety for an agave’s stunning architectural form. Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata, Zones 9–11, 10–4), however, offers satin-smooth foliage without a single thorn. Native to central Mexico, it grows slowly up to three feet tall. The species has succulent, aloe- green leaves, but ‘Huntington Blue’ offers silvery-blue foliage. Solanum quitoense (Zones 10–11, 12–1) grabs the eye with its oversized growth and shockingly sharp thorns. Inch- long purple spines protrude from the veins of olive-green leaves that grow two feet across. Additional thorns cover the 30- inch-tall trunk, so it’s easy to see why gar- deners nicknamed this showy plant bed-of-nails. Tucked against the trunk are white flowers, followed by fuzzy green fruits that ripen pumpkin-orange. A rela- tive of tomatoes and eggplants, Solanum quitoense grows best with the same regimen that produces robust vegetables: full sun,

average-to-rich soil, and regular irrigation. MARK TURNER

20 the American Gardener Sources Aloha Tropicals, Oceanside, CA. (760) 631-2880. www.alohatropicals.com. Gardino Nursery, Delray Beach, FL. (888) 323-1333. www.gardinonursery.com. Glasshouse Works, Stewart, OH. (740) 662-2142. www.glasshouseworks.com. Logee’s, Danielson, CT. (888) 330-8038. www.logees.com. Stokes Tropicals, Jeaneretta, LA. (866) 478-2502. www.stokestropicals.com. Resources The American Horticultural Society A–Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants edited by Christopher Brickell and H. Marc Cathey. DK Publishing, New York, New York, 2004. Solanum quitoense Encyclopedia of Exotic Plants for Tem- perate Climates by Will Giles. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2007. Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Euphorbia tirucallii ‘Rosea’ Identification and Cultivation by Kirsten Albrecht Llamas. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2003. Tropicalissimo! Spice Up Your Garden with Cannas, Bananas, and 93 Other Eye-Catching Tropical Plants by Pam Baggett. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2008.

tense in full sun, though ‘Rosea’ grows fine in half-day light. In its native habitat, the species forms a 30-foot-tall tree, but, grown as an annual, ‘Rosea’ usually tops out at one-and-a-half to two feet. It is long-lived and easily overwintered indoors, howev- er—a task worth attempting because it gets more beautiful with age. Provide well- drained soil and don’t overfertilize. This is just a small sample of the showy, spectacular, or just plain odd tropical plants that will thrive—at least for a long summer—in most gardens. Try at least one Euphorbia tirucallii ‘Rosea’ (Zones and sticks-on-fire, aptly describe its ap- or two of these plants, if only to watch your 10–11, 12–6) A succulent native to tropical pearance. The plant is made up of a cen- neighbors’ jaws drop as they peer over your Africa and Asia, ‘Rosea’ bears no resem- tral green trunk, turning brown with age, garden fence. blance to the usual euphorbias grown in from which grow numerous branched American gardens—in fact it looks more stems in shades of chartreuse, soft red, and The author of Tropicalissimo! (Timber like something a playful child might build. pastel orange. A few tiny leaves are occa- Press, 2009), Pam Baggett lives in Cedar

TOP: ROB CARDILLO. BOTTOM: BILL JOHNSON Its common names, flaming pencil tree sionally produced. Its colors are more in- Grove, North Carolina.

July / August 2010 21 22 Garden coaching canincludeavarietyoftopics.Here RussellCamp,left,discusses sprinkler systemsettingswithaclient in an unfamiliarconcepttomany people. tered years thelexiconafew ago,it’s still make theirgarden better. and someprofessional insightonhow to like alittlenudge,anextrapairofeyes, elsewhowould and almosteveryone time gardeners insearch offresh ideas, don’t know abeetfrom abegonia,long- T Confidence Cultivators Though theterm“garden coach” en- the American Gardener HERE ARE Overwhelmed novicesOverwhelmed who ple whohire a garden coach: three kindsofpeo- garden consulting,butthatsoundedalit- about15years. “Ialwayscalledit dustry 2004 andworked inthehorticulture in- Washington, whohascoachedsince do,’” saysSue Goetz ofGig Harbor, ‘Come tomygarden and tellmewhatto ple tocreate their bestgardens. do: inspire, educate, andempower peo- to root out exactlywhatgarden coaches coaches, andexecutive coaches, it’s easy But inaculture coaches,life withsports “I hadsomanypeoplepesteringme, of landscape design.” vent myselfasagarden coachwhodoes expensive,” Campsays.“Idecidedtorein- a consumer-friendlyword—it sounded wordcall himself. ‘consulting’ “The wasn’t coaching foryears, heneverwhatto knew gree inhorticulture. Thoughhe’d been McDonough, Georgia, whoholdsade- landscapeprofessional in a state-certified little more friendly.” tle toobusinesslike.Coachingsoundsa hand forneophytes. inspiration andahelping Experienced gardenersoffer It forRussell Camp, wasasimilarstory McDonough, BY DEBWILEY Georgia.

RONNIE OWINGS When the media latched onto the con- one of her blogs (thegardeningcoachblog. cept of garden coaching about three years Resources com), “by the end of the walk-through, ago, Susan Harris of Takoma Park, Mary- For a list of garden coaching services he was visibly excited and exclaimed, ‘I land, found her coaching business caught in different regions, visit feel so empowered!’” in a wave of publicity that included the gardencoachdirectory.wetpaint.com. Debbie Notaro, a former real estate New York Times, Newsweek, the Associat- broker who found herself out of a job, de- ed Press, “CBS Sunday Morning,” and cided coaching would capitalize on her cer- other media outlets. Suddenly, garden just see myself as an experienced garden- tified Master Gardener experience and her coaching was, if not a hot trend, certainly er who wants to help others. I used the latent desire to answer frequently asked out of the shade and basking in the sun. word ‘coach’ with the woman who first questions: What’s wrong with my grass? hired me because it implies being paid. How do I deadhead? How do I prune? A GROWING INDUSTRY It’s not like taking a class, not like hiring What about watering and mulching? Is It’s impossible to know exactly how many a big, expensive designer.” that a weed? people in the United States call them- One of Harris’s clients was a surgeon “A lot of people need to be taught basic selves garden coaches or provide those who, though calm and competent wield- concepts, like that some plants grow in kinds of services, but the number appears ing a knife in the operating room, was shade, and some grow in sun,” says No- to be growing. terrified when it came to pruning his taro, who is based in St. Charles, . In April, an online directory of garden own . Faced with an $11,000 quote “Others are primarily looking for design coaches started by Harris—garden- to maintain his yard, he hired Harris to ideas or are interested in learning how to coachdirectory.wetpaint.com—included show him what to do. As she relates in match color combinations.” more than 100 listings in 38 states. Those numbers were up from 60 in 29 states the previous fall. The directory includes coaches not only in the United States, but in Canada, Ireland, the United King- dom, and Australia. Of course, the den- sity of garden coaches tends to be higher in states with higher populations and more major metropolitan regions; for in- stance there are nine coaches listed in California and seven in New York, but none listed yet for , Wyoming, or . Garden coaches tend to select descrip- tive names for their businesses. Among those in the directory are: Garden House- Calls (George Weigel in Pennsylvania), Garden Tutor Horticultural Services (Becky Super in Virginia), Garden Men- tors (Robin Haglund in Washington), and Gardening with Confidence (Helen Yoest in North Carolina). SERVICES OFFERED Some garden coaches offer specific hor- ticultural services such as landscape de- sign, garden and turfgrass maintenance, plant diagnostics, and irrigation system work. But basic garden coaching doesn’t have to include any of those services, just the ability to help clients under- stand how to solve their problems—and advice on where to go if they need spe- cialized assistance. “I don’t think I hold myself out as an expert,” says Harris, a former court re-

COURTESY OF DEBBIE NOTARO porter and certified Master Gardener. “I Debbie Notaro, right, instructs a client on the basics of gardening—including soil preparation.

July / August 2010 23 24 the American Gardener on isshownbefore,left,andafter,above. then helpsherclientsinstallandcareforthem.OneofthegardensGoetzworked Goetz ofGigHarbor,Washington,belowright,whosometimesdesignsgardensand Being alandscapedesigneraswellgardencoachcanbeadvantageousforSue

COURTESY OF SUE GOETZ (3) Camp searches for simple solutions to chores or problems. “I can boil everything THINKING OF HIRING A GARDEN COACH? down to a program,” he says. “I walk around someone’s yard and give them a If you are interested in hiring a garden coach, it’s a good idea to interview several list of what they have, and what they need, possible candidates so you can identify the ones with the background and person- when to prune. For most of your land- ality that will be the best fit for you and your garden. “You should be able to relate scape maintenance, what you do month to your coach,” says Georgia garden coach Russell Camp. “Their specialty should after month is the same year after year. So match your needs.” Here are some questions you might want to ask during the in- I give them a list of detailed instructions terview process: and tell them, ‘Here’s what to expect.’” Camp says coaches are in demand by ■ What’s your background and training? do-it-yourselfers who want to save money ■ Can I talk to some of your other clients? on landscape services. “Garden coaches ■ How much will it cost and how do you charge? are a little cheaper than a landscape firm ■ What will I get for my money? or a lawn service,” he says. “That’s anoth- er way I think I can help; if someone has Consult gardencoachdirectory.wetpaint.com for a list of coaches by state. always hired a lawn service, I can help them do it themselves.” Coaches don’t need a special degree, Goetz believes, but they must be extreme- ly knowledgeable about topics beyond mere plants, including soil fertility, , septic and sprinkler systems, rain gardens, and rooftop gardens. “And to be successful, you need to have an out- going personality,” Goetz says. GETTING STARTED Garden coaches take different approach- es to their services, but in essence, they listen to their clients and provide feed- back for action. Every situation is different but, ac- cording to Notaro, gardeners’ concerns often revolve around “Why isn’t this grow- ing?” Before Notaro visits a client, she asks them to answer questions such as: What are the top three challenges you face in THINKING OF BECOMING A GARDEN COACH? your garden? What are the light condi- tions in your front and back yards? What Almost anyone can be a garden coach; there are no licensing or testing standards. direction does your house face? What are But based on the advice of the garden coaches I spoke with, before diving into the your three favorite colors? role headfirst, ask yourself whether you can deliver on these statements: “I walk through and ask questions to get their personality type,” Notaro says. ■ I can offer research-based answers to horticulture questions. “I’m not there to judge or criticize, I’m ■ I’m organized and friendly. there to help them reorganize, amend their ■ I’m a good listener and can explain horticultural issues accurately. soil, and generally to be better gardeners.” ■ I can motivate my clients. Goetz says she spends about two ■ I have the capability to understand my client’s needs and abilities. hours on each visit with a client. “Our ■ My business plan is in place; clients can clearly understand what they’ll time is very efficient,” she says. “Often get for their money. I’ll scribble a rough plan on paper, cre- ■ I answer all calls or e-mails promptly and follow through on my promises. ate plant lists with botanical names, and take notes on whether the soil needs help. “Being a knowledgeable and passionate plantsperson is not enough,” says Sue Then, I mail a follow-up on how to take Goetz of Gig Harbor, Washington. “If you’re committed to being a coach you real- care of the yard.” ly need to step up a notch and position yourself as a professional.” —D.W. Harris first walks through a client’s

COURTESY OF DAVID YOST yard and asks how they want to use their

July / August 2010 25 space. “Almost everyone wants low main- tenance, by which they mean no mainte- FINDING THE INNER GARDEN nance,” she says. “So I try to get them to think sustainably, using plants that do Looking for coaching that digs deeper into the meaning of gardening? You might amazing things without watering.” be just the right client for Lois de Vries of Andover Township, , who calls Since many new gardeners tend to her business (and philosophy) “Cultivating Your Inner Gardener.” think first in terms of small plants, such as “A regular garden coach is concerned with plants and soil, but I’m more con- annuals and perennials, Harris tries to in- cerned that people learn about themselves and express that in the garden,” says still the importance of shrubs and trees in de Vries, who launched her business earlier this year. a landscape, “things that will provide three dimensional interest and cover ground ef- ficiently,” she says. COACHING FOR FUN Maybe it has something to do with the fact that gardeners generally like to grow things and help others, but all the coach- es interviewed for this article say they get more than money out of the job. “A coach can give an enormous amount of help and turn people into gar- deners, and that’s cool,” Harris says. One of Harris’ clients, a Washington, D.C. lawyer, had an absolutely blank- slate yard. “After only a few sessions, she was already transforming into an in- tensely passionate gardener,” Harris says. “That’s a coach’s dream come true.” Although most of her clients are one- timers, some have turned into friends. Teaching clients to express themselves in the garden is the goal of Lois de Vries, right. And Harris is slowly helping beautify her neighborhood as people turn to her for ad- In the course of her longtime job as a scout for garden magazines, de Vries has vice on a wide range of topics. visited thousands of gardens. Over time she took notice of various factors that Camp says coaching suits his “servant’s made some much more attractive than others. Eventually, she came to the con- heart.” “I feel like I have something to clusion that eye-catching gardens came into being because the gardener had in- offer and I do enjoy helping people,” he fused the space with special meaning. “They all had an intriguing story, some- says. “I love to see that little light go off in thing that went beyond their love of plants,” she says. their head and I enjoy seeing people start Memories, values, and meaning all come into play when thinking about your gar- to do it for themselves.” den, de Vries says. She offers a 10-week online course or a three-month, half-hour Goetz feels like she’s part helper, part every-other-week session that begins with the exploration of “who am I and what voyeur, part counselor. “It feeds my gar- do I want to become,” before focusing on common problems in the garden and how den addiction to get into other peoples’ to address them. gardens,” she says. “I always get excited to As part of the process of learning how to coach others, de Vries studied “mean- see new spaces.” At times, she’s even served ing training” under the guidance of creativity coach Eric Maisel. Her work eventu- as a mediator: “Sometimes I’m settling an ally intersects with more traditional garden coaching: “My clients start out think- argument between a husband and a wife. ing about their process and what they want,” she says, “but at some point they’ve I’ll say, ‘I’m not a marriage counselor, but got to get out there and get dirty.” —D.W. here’s my best advice!’” She enjoys watching some people shift from being completely clueless to being neighbor cut down a tree. She sent me Finally, beyond the satisfaction of help- incredibly passionate. “A young couple photos, and I was so amazed! It was as en- ing others, coaches get to do more of what with a brand new baby called three years joyable for me as it is for them to see how they already love—gardening. “Sometimes ago with dramatic ideas,” Goetz says. “I far they’ve come.” I find it hard to believe people pay me to drew them a design, a road map. Now, I Notaro loves what she calls the “V-8 do what I enjoy so much,” Notaro says. hear from them every six months or so. moment” when an idea clicks and the Recently the wife called to tell me they homeowner suddenly gets it and says, Deb Wiley is a freelance writer based in Des

had to change the back corner because a “Oh, how could I not think of that!” Moines, Iowa. COURTESY OF LOIS DE VRIES

26 the American Gardener

28 golden flowersfrom latesummerintofall. sunflower, bears multiplestemsofbright growing selectionofnarrow-leaved orswamp goldfinches. Right:‘GoldLace’, alower- source formanybirds,including American Above: Sunflowersareanimportant food S ers taproots; someproduce rhizomes species; somedevelop fibrous roots, oth- ers, florists,andbackyard gardeners. producers, birdseed andsnackfood grow- tions tosatisfyadiverse audienceofoilseed nessed by plantbreeders todevelop selec- substantial genepoolthathasbeenhar- and interspecifichybrids,resulting ina In addition,there are numerous subspecies ers, allmembersofthegenus sent daystatusasamajoroilseedcrop. process thathasledtothesunflower’s pre- or pressed andboiledtoextractoil,a achene) wasground intowholesomemeal calledan dye. Theseed(actuallythefruit, used themforfood,medicine,oil,and domesticated by Native Americanswho ed forinformalgardens. flowers. Few otherplantsare aswell suit- birds indroves. Andtheymakegreat cut form. Theyattractgoldfinchesandother them sunanddecentsoil,they’ll per- summer fun.They’re easytogrow—give There are bothannualandperennial There are about62speciesofsunflow- Sunflowers were amongthefirstcrops the American Gardener UNFLOWERS evoke country gardensevoke andrelaxed country They are big,happyflowers that make folkssmile. Helianthus. Sunflowers flower ofKansas,andsomepeoplehave . Thesunflower isthestate But lastoneofthemisnative tothe every prairiesandroadsides.meadows todry among species,from swampsandwet and/or tubers.Native habitatsvary gardens androadsidesinsummer. The big,boldbloomsofthisAmericannativebrightenup sensational PERENNIAL SUNFLOWERS Perennial sunflowers needplentyofspace. much more Americanthantherose! It’s makes senseifyou thinkaboutit: lobbied tomakeitournationalflower. It BY RITAPELCZAR

LEFT: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM. RIGHT: COURTESY OF NORTH CREEK NURSERIES, INC. And in bloom, they can become top- like Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium pur- heavy and require support. Most develop pureum). To reduce its height and encour- rhizomes; in some cases this results in un- age more branches and blooms, cut wanted spread. For example, the developing stems back by a third in early or sun choke (He- summer. Or seek out the cultivar ‘Gold lianthus tuberosus, USDA Hardiness Lace’—a prolific bloomer that only grows Zones 3–9, AHS Heat Zones 9–5) is a late- five to six feet tall. summer bloomer native to eastern North Slightly smaller in stature are the America. It develops edible tubers that are small-headed sunflower (H. micro- somewhat like a crunchy , but its cephalus, Zones 4–9, 9–4) and the wil- aggressive rhizomes spread to form large low-leaf sunflower (H. salicifolius, Zones stands that are difficult to contain. 4–9, 9–6); both grow three to six feet tall Unless you are growing Jerusalem arti- and tolerate some drought. Native to the choke for its tasty tubers, a better garden eastern and central United States, the choice is the swamp sunflower (H. angus- small-headed sunflower has a bushy habit tifolius, Zones 6–9, 9–4). Another eastern and dark green leaves that provide good North American native, but with rhizomes contrast with its yellow blooms in late that stay closer to home, it grows best in summer. It even tolerates a bit of shade. moist soil, producing multiple stems that The willow-leaf sunflower, indigenous to are decked in clusters of three-inch, black- the dry prairies from Missouri to centered yellow blooms in autumn. At six and Texas, produces thin, slightly droop- to eight feet tall, it’s a great companion for ing lime-green leaves that serve as a ver- fall-blooming grasses and tall perennials tical accent to the middle or back of a

border throughout summer and fall. Its two-inch yellow flowers appear in late summer. The only downside to this species is that the stems often need stak- ing to remain upright. The Maximilian sunflower (H.maxi- miliani, Zones 3–9, 9–1) is a drought-tol- erant western North American native named for a Russian prince who studied North American plants in the 1830s. Like the swamp sunflower, it develops a large clump of branches and grows quite tall—

Left: Cultivars of Maximilian sunflower, such as ‘Santa Fe’, are suited to Western gardens. Top: ‘Lemon Queen’ is a cultivar of willow- leaved sunflower. Above: ‘Capenoch Star’ is a selection of H. ✕multiflorus, a natural hybrid

LEFT: ROB CARDILLO. TOP RIGHT: MARK TURNER. BOTTOM COURTESY OF NORTH CREEK NURSERIES, INC. between annual and perennial sunflowers.

July / August 2010 29 30 as thesource ofsunflower oil.Garden seeds usedforsnacks andgarnishes; tainers, andcutflowers; forbirdseed and cific uses:asagarden plantforbeds,con- America. It hasbeenbred for manyspe- annuus, tered bloomsallsummer. creamy white,brown-cen- produce oodles offour-inch, branched, five-foot plants favorites. The multi- ‘Italian White,’isoneofmy debilis tion ofthesubspecies, eastern U.S.native. Aselec- (H. debilis) name, theItalian sunflower the flowers. Florida isprized asmuch Texas, North Carolina, and white foliageofthisnative of through October. Thedowny nine-foot stemsfrom August borne prolifically onthree- to smaller thanmostspecies,buttheyare back oftheperennial garden. mid fall—makethesegoodchoicesforthe flowering season—from midsummerto low diskflowers atthecenter. Thelong lemon-yellow rayflowers anddarker yel- ‘Capenoch Star’ are daintilysingle,with ble, brightyellow blooms,whilethoseof ‘Flore Pleno’ produces largespraysofdou- has given risetoseveral lovely selections. capetalus), and thethin-leafsunflower (H.de- tween theannualsunflower 9–5), anaturallyoccurringhybridbe- silver-leaf sunflower the brightyellow toorangeflowers ofthe and aslow-release fertilizer. that hasbeenamendedwithcompost sunflowers grow bestinfullsunsoil throughout theUnited States. Annual prise thecultivated typesare easytogrow sides across thecontinent,soit’s nosur- Annual speciesgraceprairiesandroad- ANNUAL SELECTIONS heads formatleafaxilsallalongthestem. fall, two-tothree-inch daisylikeflower fective livingscreen. From latesummerto easily reaching 10feet,soitmakesanef- The mostfamiliarannualspecies, H. Despite itscommon With headsonlyaninchortwoacross, Helianthus the American Gardener ssp. grows wildthroughout North grows fourtosixfeettalland is anothersouth- cucumerifolius, ✕ multiflorus (H. argophyllus) H. (H. annuus) (Zones 5–9, are cultivars rangesfrom oneto16feet tall. grains toshedindoors.Height among have beendeveloped thathave noyellow seed. For cutflowers, pollenlessvarieties flower size andcolor, andproduction of inheight, branchinghabit, cultivars vary On the short endofthatrange, On theshort but incontainers onlyaboutafoottall. grows aboutthree feettallinthe garden, double, three- tofive-inch blooms,also feet tall.‘Teddy Bear’, shaggy, sporting flowered earlybloomer thatgrows three flowers surround adark brown center. a branchedhabit.Its red-and-yellow ray cracker’ grows twotothree feettallwith ments. Anotherpollenlesschoice,‘Fire- flowers makeinteresting indoorarrange- Dandy’ fitseasilyintoannualbedsand branched, two-footplants,‘Double pollenless bloomsthatare borneon branched plants.With itsdouble,red, chocolate-brown center on well- tall; deepyellow rayflowers surround a ‘Sunny Smile’ grows only12to15inches annual ‘ItalianWhite’. around abrowncenteraretheattractionin flowerheads. Above:Creamywhitepetals circles ofredandbrightyellowaroundits annual sunflower‘RingofFire’hascontrasting Left: AnAll-AmericaSelectionswinner,the ‘Zebulon’ isasingle-stemmed,large-

TOP: DAVID CAVAGNARO. BOTTOM: COURTESY OF ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS. Sources Forestfarm, Williams, OR. (541) 846-7269. www.forestfarm.com. Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Winslow, ME. (877) 564-6697. www.johnnyseeds.com. Park Seed Co., Greenwood, SC. (800) 213-0076. www.parkseed.com. Renee’s Garden, Felton, CA. (888) 880-7228. www.reneesgarden.com. W. Atlee Burpee Co., Warminster, PA. (800) 333-5808. www.burpee.com.

Resources Armitage’s Native Plants for North American Gardens by Allan M. Armitage. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2006. How to Grow the Biggest, Tallest Sunflowers: Tips from an Expert Above: Cuddly ‘Teddy Bear’ is a double- by Alice Formiga. www.reneesgarden. flowered selection growing to three feet tall. com/articles/grow-sunflower.html. Left: The aptly named ‘Elf’ is a dwarf sunflower Sunflowers: The Secret History by Joe that reaches only a foot or so tall and is a Pappalardo. The Overlook Press, good choice for containers. Bottom left: Woodstock, New York, 2008. ‘Soraya’, an All-America Selections winner Wildflowers: A Guide to Growing and in 2000, is a sturdy selection that bears Propagating Native Flowers of North orange-yellow ray flowers. America by William Cullina. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, If you like double flowers but prefer a Massachusetts, 2000. bit of height, try ‘Honey Bear’. It develops sturdy stems that reach five to six feet tall—a good choice for a summer hedge. ducers include the 12-foot-tall heirloom Another mid-size selection, ‘Velvet ‘Mammoth Russian’; ‘Titan’ and ‘Kong’, Queen’ grows four to five feet tall—its red, both of which grow to 14 feet; and ‘Sun- yellow, and orange ray flowers surround a zilla’, which can soar to 16 feet. Yellow ray dark center. In 2000, ‘Soraya’ was the first flowers fringe a large seed-filled center in sunflower to win an All-America Selec- all these selections. I like to harvest some tions award. The sturdy, well-branched, of those heads whole with a short piece of five- to six-foot plants require no support. stalk and hang them in the trees around Bright orange flowers with brown centers my yard where birds can feast on them. are held well above the foliage on 20-inch This most American of all plants has so stems, making for a spectacular display much to offer. Some require a lot of space, both in the garden and in a vase. The dou- but dwarf types easily fit into smaller gar- ble or semi-double flowers of ‘The Joker’ dens or can be grown in containers. So add sport concentric rings of red and yellow a few sunflowers to your garden and watch around a fuzzy, dark, pollenless center. them shine. And smile. Plants grow six to seven feet tall. Giant-size sunflowers look terrific Rita Pelczar is a contributing editor with against a garage wall or tall fence and The American Gardener and editor-in-chief many produce an abundance of seed for of the AHS Homegrown Harvest: A Sea- snacks or feeding birds. Goldfinches, in son by Season Guide to A Sustainable

TOP AND MIDDLE: DAVID CAVAGNARO. BOTTOM: COURTESY OF ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS. particular, flock to them. Good seed pro- Kitchen Garden (Mitchell Beazley, 2010).

July / August 2010 31 Use creative design and plant selection to infuse gardens with a sense of movement and vitality. creating a

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY KAREN BUSSOLINI

OME GARDENS are gorgeous to look at, yet static and devoid of en- S ergy, like an attractive stage set be- fore the actors emerge. Others entice you with an almost magnetic pull, an invita- tion to enter and explore. They have a palpable sense of motion, offer cues to the pace of your passage, and keep you wondering what you’ll find around the next corner. Even a small garden can be dynamic both to look at and to move through. From my experience, the most exciting gardens employ a combination of plants that move in the wind or have a lively habit and design elements that pro- vide a sense of flow. DIRECTING THE FLOW Like the art of dance, gardens and land- scapes are three dimensional; they unfold over time and have rhythm. But in order to visualize how the components of a gar- den direct us through that space, I find it helpful to first think in two dimensions, like a plan view drawn on paper. The primary lines that direct us through a landscape are made by paths and edges, by walls, fences, and other built structures, by massed plantings, and by the boundaries between positive and neg- ative space, especially lawn. It’s easy to see that a hard-edged path is a strong element leading through a landscape. Straight paths are going somewhere in a hurry, the shortest distance between two points. For example, the sidewalk leading straight from street curb to front door leaves no between parallel walls of trees. When strongly directional. They can disappear doubt about where a visitor should go. viewed from the palace, the axis appears to and reappear farther away, leaving us to Landscape designers often use perspec- narrow into the distance. The eye is natu- connect them visually, or direct us where tive—narrowing paths or spaces to funnel rally drawn to that far away point and the to go and then change direction. Diago- the view—as a means to entice visitors feet want to follow. nals always seem more dynamic and ex- into and through gardens. A well-known Different kinds of lines move us citing than straight-on axial paths and example of this is the main axis of the gar- through space in different ways. Edges— borders. Curves create an appealing sense den at the Palace of Versailles outside of beds, paving, structures, and other fea- of flow, inviting us to slow down and look Paris, which is a precisely delineated open- tures—can be soft or sharply delineated, at the garden. Curves often follow or en- ing about the width of a football field set built or planted, meandering, offset or hance topography, and they can be used

32 the American Gardener moving experience

Left: Long curves and stepped-up plantings create a strong, smooth flow in Pamela Frost’s small Vancouver, British Columbia, backyard. Above: This narrow dirt path at Chanticleer garden in Pennsylvania entices visitors with its childlike whimsicality.

By contrast, a narrow dirt footpath squiggling down a series of inclines and stone risers at Chanticleer garden in Wayne, Pennsylvania, was so whimsical that it made me want to giggle and skip along its short passage. Upslope from this lighthearted path, a wide bed of thyme calmly arcs across and down a steep hill. to conceal what lies ahead, so our curiosi- like a wide, lazy river looping on and on The bed’s strong, clean upper edge em- ty keeps us moving. until it goes out of sight beyond a bend. phatically moves the eye along the down- How quickly visitors move through a The powerful flow of the grass river is ir- ward curve, calling attention to the curve garden can be influenced by the size and resistible. Taller plants concealing what is of the hillside above. shape of the curves. Pamela Frost edged around each bend make you want to drift her Vancouver, British Columbia, back- downstream to see what garden wizardry MOVEMENT THROUGH MATERIALS yard with deep, curving beds of perenni- is just out of sight. This strong motion Creative garden designers often use differ- als stepped up to shrubs stepped up to and concealing of boundaries makes the ent kinds of stone or other materials in trees on the property lines. The beds’ small property seem larger and enor- gardens as cues to direct where and how long, slow curves define a lawn that flows mously intriguing. fast visitors move. For instance, you can

July / August 2010 33 walk anywhere, look up and enjoy the forms, colors, or plants—keeps the eye long view from a grass path because you Resources leapfrogging along. A colonnade march- don’t have to think about your feet. But Home Outside: Creating the Landscape es in a regular progression, while trunks crossing a stream on individual stepping You Love by Julie Moir Messervy. of limbed-up trees along a woodland stones or walking a path of uneven stones The Taunton Press, Newtown, edge might dance to an irregular beat. or pavers that skitter off sideways requires , 2009. Repeated colors or plants—soft more deliberation. Surfaces and patterns “Paths of Discovery” by Kris Wether- mounds of silver plants, patches of eye- that signal you to slow down this way in- bee. The American Gardener, Vol- catching gold, or zingy red blossoms scat- vite you to experience the garden more in- ume 86, No. 1. January/February tered throughout a long border— timately and notice finer details. 2007. encourage visitors to connect the dots and The varied patterns in Japanese gar- move on at a more leisurely and irregular dens and Chinese scholars’ gardens paved pace than evenly spaced boxwood balls or with stepping stones, river rocks, and roof way seem more like a garden terrace, it urns that march in orderly procession. tiles set on edge keep you meandering. still leads directly to a double-wide Contrasting elements can also trigger Walking barefoot, you can literally feel the garage door. The owner, who loves movement. We want to move from dark- direction signals as you go. A stone path Japanese gardens, interrupted the drive- ness into the light, from enclosed spaces with grain lines running the long way— way with an irregular stream of gravel to open areas. Warm colors in the distance or a gravel path raked down its length— running across the front of the house. pull us away from cool colors around us, will exert a stronger pull than one in This cross-current diverts attention away and active textures are enhanced by the which the grain runs crossways. Laying from the garage and gently sweeps you contrast with still textures. Focal points di- long, thin stones in the direction of the into intimate garden spaces alongside rect our attention, as do framed views and path accelerates movement; setting them and behind the house. borrowed views of scenes outside the gar- crosswise slows the pace. Varying the pat- A gardener I know in Connecticut sim- den. Even sound (the splash of a fountain) tern by doing both is a playful way to vi- ilarly directs traffic from house to garden and scent (the aroma of pine trees on a sually enliven the surface and set the feet by breaking up the grid of a bluestone ter- warm summer day) invite us to move on to find the source. PLANTS THAT MOVE We think of plants as being stationary, but there are lots of excellent plants that overtly offer movement in the garden, from tall ornamental grasses to weeping willows. Plants that provide motion are particularly valuable in winter, when we are most in need of interesting elements to make up for the absence of bright col- ors and other sensory pleasures. I could spend all day watching the dainty seedheads of Deschampsia flexuosa bobbing or the flowers of poppies (Pa- paver spp.) and gaura (Gaura lindheimeri) dipping and swaying as they catch the breeze. Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima), fine as baby hair, and delicate love grass (Eragrostis spp.) appear to con- stantly undulate even when it’s difficult to A cross-current of gravel through the stonework guides visitors in this Austin, Texas, garden. detect any wind. In southwestern gardens, the long leaf blades of Mexican grass tree moving. A jazzy syncopated or undulating race with a diagonal swath of randomly (Dasylirion longissimum) and some yuc- paving pattern in a terrace might move laid stones. (For more on use of different cas ( spp.) remind me of kinetic without actually going anywhere at all. materials and styles for paths, see “Paths of sculptures. (For a list of additional plants Changes in material, pattern, or di- Discovery,” in “Resources,” above.) that add life to gardens, view the web spe- rection cue us to move in different ways. cial linked to this article on the AHS web- An Austin, Texas, garden I admire has a MORE WAYS TO MOVE site at www.ahs.org.) short driveway composed of exquisitely Many other design devices and sensory Less obvious sources of movement fitted irregular limestone slabs. Although cues enhance a sense of movement are what I call “gestural” plants, which the artistic stonework makes the drive- through space. Repetition—of shapes, look like they are moving even when

34 the American Gardener they’re not. Some are strongly direction- al and can be used to enhance a sense of flow. For instance, the graceful Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) aligns itself in a way that evokes water stream- ing downhill—or cascading like a wa- terfall as it does in the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden in Seattle, Washington. Its cultivars ‘Aureola’ and ‘Albovariegata’ have racing stripes that heighten the impression. I’ve found it instructional and kind of fun to try to imitate with my hands the ac- tions plants seem to make with their forms. I started doing this impulsively one evening while strolling around Chanti- cleer garden. First I encountered a pot of floppy elephant ears (Alocasia spp.) with blooming papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) that shot up into the air and reminded me so much of exploding fireworks that I ex- pected to hear a loud “ka-pow.” Next was a roiling sea of prairie dropseed grass (Sporobolus heterolepis), which required two hands to mimic.

Top: Wind transforms Mexican grass tree (Dasylirion longissimum) at Peckerwood Garden in Texas into kinetic sculpture. Above: A waterfall of Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) at the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden in Seattle, Washington.

July / August 2010 35 Observing energetic plants makes me appreciate their expressive qualities. Japan- ese roof (Iris tectorum) isn’t just fan- shaped, its leaves fan out actively, positively rocketing from the base. Corkscrew rush (Juncus effusus forma spiralis) isn’t just curly-looking, it coils, springs, and almost goes “boing.” Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) swirls, sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ erupts like a fountain. Oth- ers remind me of dance movements. Tiger- eye sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’) recalls a sideways-slashing leap across the stage, an old leaning apple tree with branches ex- tending horizontally suggests balletic movement, as do Japanese maple trunks or branches of Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ as they sinuously weave in and out.

Above: A strong diagonal line toward framed and concealed views pulls you on, but the syncopated beat of stone steps and stepping-stones requires deliberation and attention to intimate plantings at Chanticleer. Left: To the author, Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ evokes the motions of a dancer.

Water metaphors can be put to good I started on a wide grass path beside a gola framed the now not-so-distant view of use in the garden to encourage the feeling woodland garden, with trees tall and dark trees backing still unseen gardens at the of motion. For instance, groupings of to my left. Shrubs along the woodland very bottom of the hill. Throughout the ‘Grey Owl’ juniper (Juniperus virginiana) edge got progressively shorter as the path passage, I got only tantalizing glimpses of recall a tossing gray sea, and masses of swept downhill and curved to the right. the gardens and vistas that lay ahead, keep- Siberian cypress (Microbiota decussata) in- Open sky ahead and to the right provided ing me moving while at the same time ap- terspersed with the white flowers and sil- additional impetus to move from dark to preciating all that was going on around me. ver foliage of Cerastium tomentosum light, but tall swaying grasses obscured Gardens like that engage the entire remind me of breaking surf around boul- those views, except for distant tree tops. A body and all its senses. They move us, ders or on top of a stone wall, especially series of curving beds to the right squeezed physically and emotionally, and transcend when covered with dew. the path into a narrower strait, where it the ordinary, making the garden experi- picked up speed and disappeared around ence an adventure. Why be content with CHOREOGRAPHING THE MOVEMENT a curve. Curiosity moved me on. a static garden if you can create something The evening stroll I took through the A completely different experience un- that is alive and full of energy? gardens at Chanticleer gave me a lot of folded around the corner. Suddenly there ideas about movement in the garden. were massive cut stone steps and stepping Karen Bussolini is a writer and photograph- One particular section of the garden pro- stones in syncopated combination veering er based in Connecticut. Her most recent vided an inspired example of how design off across a steep grade ahead under an book collaboration was with author Pene- cues, materials, and plants can be com- open sky. Various tall ornamental grasses lope O’Sullivan on The Homeowner’s bined to orchestrate movement and di- obscured the top of a tall retaining wall Complete Tree and Shrub Handbook rect attention. below, while the open “window” of a per- (Storey Press, 2008).

36 the American Gardener AMANDA GRIESSER / AHS ARCHIVES Rainscaping important roleinprotectingthehealthoflocalwatersheds. By employingavarietyoftechniquestokeeprainwaterontheirproperties,gardenerscanplayan A tributed toJoe Keyser, who waspubliced- Credit forcoining thetermisgenerallyat- Mid-Atlantic region inthelate1990s. “rainscaping,” atermthatevolved inthe approaches are oftencollectively called ening theloadonourwatersheds. These andlight- managing stormwaterrunoff recommending a variety ofapproaches to throughout theUnited States have been planners andenvironmental groups Over the last coupleofdecades,urban thanthereous surfaces are areas. inrural there isagreater percentage ofimpervi- nounced inourcitiesandsuburbs,where other waterbodies. in localstreams, rivers, lakes,and source (NPS) pollution—endsup agencies refer toitasnon-point contaminants—environmental products. Ultimately this cocktailof from animalwaste,andpetroleum pesticides, de-icingsalts,bacteria contaminants suchasfertilizers, picksupandcarrieswithit runoff Theresulting surfaces. pervious roads, parking lots, and otherim- roofs, lawns,driveways, sidewalks, andwatersheds. waterways bors—might have onourlocal ing lawn—andthoseofmyneigh- ran down mydriveway andslop- what effecttheexcess waterthat it never occurred tomethinkof plants happy. Until years afew ago, of theprocess forkeepingmy rain asanaturalandwelcome part And, likemostgardeners, Iview the plantsglisteningwithwaterdroplets. freshly washedlandscapeandadmiring downpour, breathing inthearoma ofa still revel intheimmediateaftermathofa NPS pollutionismostpro- offour When itrains,waterruns S ACHILD, sloshing through thepuddles.I rain mainlybecauseIenjoyed I looked forward to I lookedforward be usedtocollectwaterforpatioplants. Rain barrels,attachedtodownspouts,can water closeto the source usinglow-im- County,gomery “Capturing Maryland. Keyser didinMont-same department RainScapes Planner whoworks inthe ways,” explainsAnnEnglish, a are surfaces onroofs anddrive- pervious development, about70percent ofim- water forlateruse.“In atypicalhousing helping capture, andstore divert, rain- Rainscapes mimicnaturalprocesses by FORRAIN LANDSCAPING Bay Foundation.” developed by thenonprofit Chesapeake inspired by “the catchyBayscapes program 2006. According toKeyser, thenamewas of Environmental Protection (DEP)until County,gomery Department Maryland, ucation coordinator withtheMont- BY KRISWETHERBEE than beinglostasrunoff,” saysJohn soil oriscontainedforfuture userather faceted. “More waterinfiltratesintothe one’s property,” saysEnglish. andenhances duces stormwaterrunoff pact development techniquesbothre- before decidingwhichrainscaping tech- for-hire debate,otherfactorsto consider quent do-it-yourself versus professional- ning are essential,”hesays. plan- safety considerations,andrunoff and pavement. “Careful costanalysis, and hardscapes, andpermeable pavers installing green roofs, porous concrete quired formore complexprojects suchas arening andconstruction typicallyre- waterfeatures. water-harvesting ating raingardens rain- and constructing The benefitsofrainscapingare multi- Besides your budgetandtheconse- Church says thatprofessional plan- footprint. and reduce acommunity’s carbon habitat, increase value, property a garden canalsoenhancewildlife various rainscapingtechniquesin ity andsoilinfiltration,employing well asreplenish groundwater.” watercontamination,as surface ing, streambank erosion, and canhelpdecreaseing runoff flood- Illinois Extension Center. “Reduc- oftheUniversitypartment of ural Resources Management de- Church, aneducatorintheNat- progressive approaches suchascre- ing acanopyoftrees to andshrubs, well, andplant- drain, diggingadry and cisterns,installingaFrench garden beds,settinguprainbarrels clude redirecting downspouts to solutionsthatin- straightforward Rainscaping techniquesrangefrom WATER WORKS Besides improving waterqual- July /August 2010 37 niques to implement include the volume replenish water features, and irrigate If you live in a region where mosquitoes and timing of rainfall, topography of plants in containers and beds. That is, as- are a problem, you will need a mosquito- your landscape, soil porosity, and the size suming you have enough containers to proof screen on your rain barrel or cistern. of your lot and roof. Also identify any accommodate the runoff. Or you can add non-toxic products that problem areas; for instance, underground Commercial rain barrels typically kill mosquito larvae, such as Mosquito utilities could interfere with digging hold between 55 and 100 gallons and Dunks, to containers. (there’s a toll-free number you can call to come in a variety of styles and shapes. It’s have your site checked before you dig, see also fairly easy to make your own; many DRY WELLS AND FRENCH DRAINS “Resources,” page 40). Finally, decide jurisdictions sponsor rain-barrel work- A dry well is a good option when rainfall whether your goal is to divert or spread shops. While rain barrels are relatively in- is intermittent. Water enters the passive out runoff or, rather, to capture and reuse expensive and easy to install, they are, underground structure through one or it to water your landscape. almost literally, a drop in the bucket more entry pipes or channels located at Keep in mind that certain rainscaping when it comes to reducing runoff. A roof its top, and is then discharged through a practices that work well in one area may generating 300 gallons in a typical rain- number of small exit openings, where it perform poorly in another. It all depends fall would require six 55-gallon rain bar- gradually dissipates into the ground. on your site, climate, and available conditions for in- stalling each type of system. English explains that while it may be critical to create a tree canopy in some areas, installing a rain gar- den may well be the method of choice in other areas. Likewise, water harvesting that implements a “catch and release” system of cap- turing the water and slowly releasing it might be the best approach for some. In other areas where land is scarce, replacing driveways with permeable interlocking con- crete pavers is an excellent solution for reducing rain- water runoff. Regardless of where you live, there are a wide variety of rainwater management options to consider. Let’s look at some of the main ones to help you decide which ones—or Green or living roofs, such as this one at the AHS’s River Farm headquarters in Alexandria, which combinations—are right for you. Virginia, can help reduce runoff by absorbing some rainfall in the growing medium.

RAIN BARRELS AND CISTERNS rels to house that amount of water. A French drain moves surface and A roof equipped with a gutter system can The next step up is to install a cistern, groundwater from one area to the next. funnel rainwater to rain barrels or a cis- which is a super-sized water tank that can This type of system uses a perforated pipe tern. How much water you collect de- hold anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 gal- placed in a gravel-lined trench. The pipe is pends on the size of your roof and the lons. “To really make a difference in uti- topped with a grate or filter fabric and then capacity of the cistern or rain barrels. lizing runoff, one would need to install a covered with soil. Grass is often planted on Consider that a one-inch rainfall over very sizeable cistern, or direct the excess top. Church suggests using a French drain a 1,000-square-foot roof generates about water from your rain barrel or cistern to to catch the runoff from a paved surface 620 gallons of water. If your average an- another containment feature, such as a (such as a home foundation, patio, or re- nual rainfall is 40 inches, your yearly rain garden,” note Mark Sindell and Zack taining wall) so that it can slowly spread water yield rises to nearly 25,000 gallons. Thomas, landscape architects with into the rest of the landscape. Water from That amounts to an ample supply of “on GGLO, an architectural firm in Seattle, a French drain can also be directed to a dry

the house” rainwater to fill the birdbath, Washington. well or rain garden. MARY YEE

38 the American Gardener TOP: DONNA KRISCHAN. BOTTOM: MARK TURNER tive atremoving solublepollutants. pollutants andsediment, butare less effec- Vegetative stripshelpreduce theinfluxof water collectionsystem. other surface andapond, wetland,paved or surface the edge,andare situatedbetween the parallel topavement, atleastonefootfrom orotherplants.Thestripsrun clude shrubs tightly plantedwithgrass,buttheycanin- pavement, andlawns.Typically theyare from rooftops,duce stormwaterrunoff and thequantityofflow. area, slope,height anddensityofthegrass, control dependonthe tential andrunoff filtering actionoftheplants.Filtering po- They alsoremove pollutantsthrough the prove effective inregions withsandysoils. Swales provide control butmaynot runoff grasses orotherlow-growing vegetation. are covered withadensegrowth ofhardy French drainexcept channels theearthen ter system.Thesystemissimilartoa native forhomeslackingacurbandgut- A grassyorplantedswaleisagoodalter- SWALES ANDVEGETATIVEFILTERSTRIPS Like swales,vegetative filterstripsre- pavers arebothfunctional anddecorative. plants. Inmoreformal landscapes,permeable attractively landscapedwithmoisture-loving rainfall intheirgardens.Swales, top,canbe Homeowners havediverseoptions forkeeping landscape ison nearlyeveryone’s wish Having awaterfeature inthegarden or WATERA FUNCTIONAL FEATURE contractor.of acertified sential, soyou maywanttoenlistthehelp sometimes more. Proper installationises- expect upto80percent waterinfiltration, can soakthrough, thoughusuallyyou can type ofpaver determineshow much water like fashion,andporous concrete. The locking concrete pavers created ingrid- include grasspavers, gravel pavers, inter- also makesforgreat curbappeal. mer heatlevels are reduced. Thissystem are reduced, snow meltsfaster, andsum- ofpollutants runoff andsurface runoff create voids withinthesystem.Water duced withholesorlargeraggregates that Thepaversthrough are thesurface. pro- or concrete whileallowing watertofilter vides thestrength andstabilityofasphalt driveways, permeablehardscaping pro- A great and choiceforpatios,sidewalks, PERMEABLE PAVERS ANDPOROUSSURFACES Examples of permeablepavingsystems July /August 2010 39 list. But a water feature on its own does little to reduce stormwater runoff. At least, that used to be the case. Some newer sustainable stormwater management solutions now combine a re- circulating decorative water feature with a sub-surface rainwater harvesting collection system. The underground tank is con- nected to a high pressure pump, so you can have access to the stored water and use it to hand water or irrigate the landscape. A water feature can also be installed on top of permeable pavers, allowing them to collect the water and direct it to the stor- age system; overflow can be directed to a rain garden or allowed to slowly infiltrate into the soil. Mark Harp, owner of the Pond Store in Sumner, Washington, says that combining the aesthetics of a water feature with the environmental benefits of rainwater harvesting also can give you an emotional lift every time you see it at work. RAIN GARDENS A rain garden is a natural or artificial saucer-shaped depression in the landscape. Its primary function is to slow down runoff, store it temporarily, and release it gradually so it has time to spread out and soak in, but rain gardens also filter sedi- ment and pollutants while adding color and interest to the home landscape. The Decorative water features that recirculate rainwater stored in underground tanks, such as this soil at the bottom of the depression is often one installed by Mark Harp in Washington, are sophisticated solutions for reducing runoff. amended with a mix of organic matter, sand, and gravel to facilitate drainage. Rain gardens are typically planted with Sources hardy, non-invasive plants adapted to the region and the light exposure in the gar- Aqua Barrel, Gaithersburg, MD. (301) 253-8855. www.aquabarrel.com. den. These should include drought- and Cascata Rain Barrel, Cambridge, Ontario. (866) 476-6311. flood-tolerant selections suited to the vari- www.gardensupermart.com. able moisture conditions found in differ- Eagle Peak, Athold, ID. (877) 868-1195. www.epcontainers.net. ent sectors of the rain garden. Regional Green Culture, Lake Forest, CA. (877) 204-7336. www.greenculture.com. agencies often offer lists of plants for rain Planet Natural, Bozeman, MT. (800) 289-6656. www.planetnatural.com. gardens (for links to regional plant recom- mendations, visit the web special linked to this article on the AHS website.) For tips Resources on selecting an appropriate site for a rain 811: Call Before You Dig hotline. www.call811.com. garden, see the sidebar, opposite page. Backyard Conservation Wetland by the National Resources Conservation Service, Washington, D.C. www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature.backyard. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER Master Gardeners and County Cooperative Extensions—link to regional offices Once you know what works well in your through the American Horticultural Society website (www.ahs.org). area, you can combine several rainscaping Rain Gardening in the South by Helen Kraus and Anne Spafford. Eno Publishers, methods to achieve your overall goal. Hillsborough, North Carolina, 2009. English recalls one example where a rain Rain Gardens: Managing Water Sustainably in the Garden and Designed Landscape garden overflowed into a conservation by Nigel Dunnett and Andy Clayden. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2007. landscape swale equipped with three dry

wells that doubled as stepping paths COURTESY OF MARK HARP

40 the American Gardener CHOOSING A SITE FOR A RAIN GARDEN

When planning a rain garden, three important factors to consider are size, location, and permeability of the soil. You’ll need a sizeable space for the rain garden and overflow area. According to University of Illinois Extension educator John Church, homeowners often designate an insufficient area for the volume of water it will col- lect or for the porosity of the soil in the given space. The depth is determined by the soil porosity while the length and width depend on how much water you want to capture. Typically, rain gardens range from three to six inches deep, but heavy clay soil may require up to a 12-inch depth.

Rain gardens offer an aesthetically pleasing way to solve stormwater management issues.

Before deciding on a site, check the soil to be sure that it drains adequately. One way to do this is to dig a hole 12 to 18 inches deep and fill it with water. Allow the water to drain, fill it again, and then measure the depth of the water and how long it takes to drain. “This will give you an approximation of the infiltration rate in inches per hour,” say landscape architects Mark Sindell and Zack Thomas. Soil that drains faster than one inch per hour is ideal; if it drains at a rate less than a quar- ter inch per hour, you may want to select a different location. Dry streambeds such as the one in Tucson, In Rain Gardening in the South (see “Resources,” opposite page), authors He- Arizona, top, provide a way to channel and len Kraus and Anne Spafford note that to be effective as a pollution filter, a rain slow down stormwater. Green bulrush garden’s volume (depth ✕ length ✕ width) should be between five and 10 percent (Scirpus atrovirens), above, irises, and many of the impervious area (rooftop and driveway, for instance) that drains into it. The other water-loving plants are good choices garden also needs to be able to drain in two to three days. for rain gardens in temperate regions. Rain gardens should be located at least 10 feet from the house, away from septic systems, wells, and underground utilities. Be sure to site them downhill of your home through the swale. She says that the com- or other structures. Avoid existing low, moist spots, which are probably better suited bination of the techniques allowed the for consideration as a bog garden. If you have a steeply sloping property or get a high homeowner to reduce not only the runoff volume of stormwater, consult a licensed landscape architect for advice. —K.W. on his property, but that of two neighbors upstream. Sindell and Thomas noted a recently tional tool used to simplify and weave to- water quality created by the alarming pace designed rain garden that incorporated gether several design elements on a tight of urbanization, suburban sprawl, and “waves” of rain garden plant masses in site,” Thomas says. habitat loss,” says Sindell. “Get inspired, varying textures and colors. Several design We can all make a difference in reduc- get out there, and do your part.” elements were incorporated into the site, ing stormwater runoff, no matter what including an ethnobotanical urban agri- rainscaping techniques we implement in A frequent contributor to The American cultural garden and moss roof garden. our landscapes. “Even a small residential Gardener, Kris Wetherbee is a freelance

TOP LEFT: KAREN BUSSOLINI. BOTTOM LEFT AND RIGHT: COURTESY OF JIM NELSON “The planted ‘waves’ were an organiza- rain garden helps to counter the threat to writer based in Oakland, Oregon.

July / August 2010 41 42 by MaryYee Teresia Hazen:HelpingPatients RecoverthroughGardening meet thetreatment goalsofindividual nurses, physical therapists,andothersto of arehabilitation teamwithphysicians, therapist,Iwork aspart As ahorticultural What isyour role atLegacy? ately, andIwashired by Legacyin1991. sulting atnursinghomesalmostimmedi- so inspired todoprivate con- thatIstarted ticle aboutitinaprofessional journal.Iwas until1989,whenIcameacross anar- (HT) had never heard therapy ofhorticultural a break topursue classesinhorticulture. I cation, butafter20years inthefieldItook career ineducation, includingspecialedu- with peopleandgardening. my Istarted ington, soIhave alwaysenjoyed working on a120-acre farm insoutheasternWash- Teresia Hazen: cultural therapy? Yee:Mary L see the article “Gardenssee thearticle forRecovery” intheNovember/December 2009issueof play inhealthcare therapyasanemergingprofession. (For andhorticultural more abouttherapeutic gardens, and thehealthcare garden-design program atChicagoBotanicGarden certificate inIllinois. Therapy Award. program atLegacy therapycertificate Hazen forthehorticultural isalsoaninstructor the AmericanHorticultural Society recognized Hazen’s contributionstoherfieldwithitsHorticultural have received designawards from theAmericanHorticultural TherapyAssociation(AHTA). In 2007, the American Gardener EGACY HEALTH many ofitscritical-care/long-term care patientsaretoleave tohave theirster- theopportunity fortunate Managing Director Editor andArt Yee Mary talkedtoHazen role gardening abouttheimportant can Hazen helpeddevelop ninetherapeutic gardens atseveral Legacytreatment centers.Three gardens How didyou getintohorti- I grew up inafamilyof10 is alargenetwork offive hospitalsandrelated healthcare facilitiesinOregon where staff alsouseandbenefitfrom thegardens.” or findsolace.There are about9,000employees intheLegacysystem,andhospital tals isthattheyare available tothepatients24/7sotheycangooutanytimerelax gardens therapy. andhorticultural beautyofhavingthegardens atthehospi- “The sia Hazen, aregistered therapistandLegacy’s horticultural coordinator oftherapeutic canprovide.surgery “A garden shouldbeaplaceofpeaceforrestoration,” saysTere- herbs andvegetables, sittingareas forresting—and ahealinginfluenceno pill or patients andvisitorswillfindshadetrees, perennial borders, raisedbedsfilledwith ile rooms forarespite withnature juststepsawayonthehospital’s grounds. Here weekend hikers,orbirdwatchers. gardeners, theymightbenature lovers, people are insomeway—iftheyare not sure theyare interested ingardening. Most ment, we alwaysaskthepatientstomake tation. Of course,before anytreat- we start Gardening isagoodtoolbox forrehabili- apy forallpatients? Is gardening aneffective form ofther- ing care ofallthe gardens. den uptothem.Ialsomanagetheongo- raised bedsinthedesignstobringgar- the ground togarden, sowe incorporate instance, noneofourpatientscanbendto will address theneeds ofourpatients.For the creation ofgardens atthehospitalsthat andlandscapedesignerstofacilitate perts dens atLegacy, Iwork withhealthcare ex- patients usinggardening techniques. As thecoordinator oftherapeuticgar- N NOEWITH ONE ON ONE C … a stroke thatcausedhisleft sidetobeweak ing theseeds. strated, theneachpersontookturns plant- patients toremember thestepsIdemon- doors inpots.Thisexercise challengedthe the patientshow toplantbasilseedsin- improvement,goal ofmemory Ishowed and sequencingthoughts.To address the cently whohadproblems withmemory I worked with agroup ofstroke patients re- gardening isusedfortherapy? Can you give someexamplesofhow without havingtodoanything. surable physiologicalreductions instress— positive changes inmoodandshow mea- therapeutic garden, patients experience three minutesofbeing mented studieshave shown thatafterjust Another patient Iamworking withhad Even ifapatientdoesn’t garden, docu- The American Gardener.) in awell-designed

THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE: COURTESY OF LEGACY HEALTH and impaired his attention span. Because begun requiring a four-year degree and all he still needs a wheelchair, I have him plant training as college-transcripted coursework annuals in a raised bed while sitting to to receive AHTA credentials. I have been a Veggies And Herbs strengthen his left arm and begin coordi- part of developing and teaching two pro- In Biodegradable Pots nating both arms to work together again. grams for training horticultural therapy At the same time, he is practicing focusing professionals—one at Portland Commu- his attention on the task. As his balance nity College (PCC) and one for Oregon improves, he will perform the same tasks State University (OSU). from a standing position to continue de- The PCC gerontology program offers veloping his balance. These are skills the the six-course therapeutic horticulture se- patient can use at home after he has been ries required by the AHTA for registration, discharged from the hospital. as well as an option for earning an HT cer-

www.BonniePlants.com Gardening With You Since 1918.

Horticultural therapist Teresia Hazen shows a stroke patient how to use a hand trowel to plant marigolds in a raised bed at one of Legacy’s therapeutic gardens.

How are the therapeutic gardens at the tificate. OSU students can take these Legacy facilities maintained? courses at a Legacy facility as part of a new Both paid gardening staff and many four-year HT degree. trained volunteers contribute to the care Because HT is a newer field in some of the gardens. It is essential for our pa- parts of the world than it is here, I have also tients that the gardens engage and stim- been fortunate to have been invited to ulate all their senses, so we are always countries such as China, Japan, and Britain planting in order to keep the the gardens to share my knowledge with fellow care- botanically rich and looking fresh year givers. This fall, I will be at a large geriatric round. This also gives me a chance to try hospital in Paris for a day to teach the staff out some of the interesting new plants I how to integrate gardening techniques into read about in gardening magazines! patient treatment plans.

HT is still a developing therapeutic Are you working on any new projects? field. Can you tell us about some of your We are at about 80 percent of needed efforts to advance it as a profession? funds to begin building our newest garden Interest in HT has been increasing—espe- at Meridian Park Medical Center. We are cially as the senior population continues to hoping to break ground this summer. grow—but at the present time a person doesn’t need credentials to be a horticul- Mary Yee is Managing Editor and Art tural therapist. Since 2008, the AHTA has Director of The American Gardener.

July / August 2010 43 44 by KrisWetherbee Summer SquashSecrets drainage issues.) (Growing plantsinraised bedssolves uptake ofbothwaterand calcium. ganic matter, whichwillhelpincrease drained soilenrichedwithplenty ofor- well- full sunandmoderatelyfertile, seedsintheground.ing afew than simplyploppinginaplantortoss- there’s more toproducing qualityfruit one oftheeasiestveggies togrow. But Summer squash( pepo) be grown throughout theUnited States. to reason thatthis warm-seasonnative can With originsinNorth America,itstands GROWING GUIDELINES I Yellowcrookneck,‘Spaceship’pattypan,and‘Magda’arejustafewofmanyvarietiessummersquashtochoose from. Left toright: nutty, possibilities are endless. theculinary tofulland from mildandbuttery varying es forthegarden. Andwithtastyvarieties tween—offer anexciting rangeofchoic- deep forest hueinbe- green—with every from buffyellow, togoldenyellow and dolins insolid,speckled,orstripedcolors saucers, billiard balls,andclublikeman- Squash bestwhengrown performs in F YOUEQUATE nis, you’re inforasurprise.Flying with justgreen zucchi- grocery-store the American Gardener summer squash is also er hoseordripirrigationsystem. plied tothebaseofplantsusingasoak- disease. Supplemental waterisbestap- leaves can increase thelikelihoodfor becauseexcess moisturekept dry on are thirsty. Thefoliage,however, isbest to thrive. Actually, it’s theirroots that duction andquality. pro- can stuntplantsandhamperfruit squash issensitive tocoldweather, which members ofthecucurbitfamily, summer tween 65to80degrees isideal.Likeall 6.8 pH)andasoiltemperature rangebe- www.territorialseed.com. Grove, OR.(800)626-0866. Territorial SeedCompany, www.superseeds.com. ter, ME.(207)926-3400. Pinetree GardenSeeds, www.johnnyseeds.com. ME. (877)564-6697. Johnny’s SelectedSeeds, Sources OERW HARVEST HOMEGROWN Plants needplentyofwaterinorder A slightlyacidicsoil(between 5.8to C New Glouces- Winslow, Cottage distribute itonto thegoldenstigmain gather pollenfrom themale flower and ing yourself. It’s easy. Use acottonswabto lacking, you mayneedtodothepollinat- needed inorder If beesare tobearfruit. flowers soactive insectpollinatorsare nation. Plants bearbothmaleandfemale thereasonlittle fruit, maybepoorpolli- three weeks duringthegrowing season. twoto water withcompostteaevery seaweed foliar fertilizer. Alternatively, plants withagedcompostorafish-and- best. Once theblossomsappear, sidedress lookingits amendment tokeepthefruit oyster shellsoranothercalcium-rich plants offtoagreat Add start. crushed two ofcompostoragedmanure helpsget consistently, are fruits oftenmisshapen. Andwhenwateredbitter-tasting fruit. in- tions ofcucurbitacin,resulting in ly, theplantsproduce higherconcentra- orare wateredroots gettoodry irregular- supply. Theremedy? Lotsofwater. When often usewaterfasterthantheroots can forwater.a cry In hotweather, theplants If your plantshave lotsofflowers but Amending thesoilwithashovelful or If plantslookwiltedinthemorning,it’s

RICK WETHERBEE (3) center of the female flower. De- Common squash diseases in- termining which is which is also clude bacterial wilt, mosaic easy: Female flowers have a small virus, and mildew. Implement ovary or swelling behind a short- disease-prevention methods, stemmed flower. The male flow- such as rotating crops, providing ers are larger and have longer, adequate spacing, controlling thinner stems. aphids, and watering regularly at the soil level—not overhead. PEST AND DISEASE PREVENTION Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, RECOMMENDED VARIETIES and squash vine borers are the No matter their appearance, all most common pests. If these are summer squash have thin skins, a problem in your area, grow soft seeds, and delicate flesh. seedlings and young plants be- Choice, disease-resistant vari- neath floating row covers until eties include ‘Tigress’, ‘Sungreen’, they start flowering. ‘Soleil’, and ‘Plato’. Short on Cucumber beetles spread dis- space? Try compact ‘Cute Fancy’ eases and feed on flowers and or ‘Bush Baby’. If lack of adequate fruit, especially if plants have pollination is a concern, consider higher concentrations of cucur- ‘Cavili’, ‘Partenon’, and ‘Sultan’, bitacin. Avoid drought stress and self-fertilizing varieties that need you may just avoid this beetle. no insect activity in order to pro- Squash bugs suck the sap from duce fruit. As for me, my must- plants, and as they feed, they release a Squash plants need a lot of growing room and have collection includes buttery ‘Yellow toxin that can make plants wilt. To deter regular harvesting of fruits in the summer. Crookneck’, nutty ‘Magda’, ‘Black Beau- these bugs, rotate any cucurbit family ty’ zucchini, pattypans ‘Peter Pan’ and member, such as cucumbers, melons, and remove the offender, slit the stem just ‘Starship’, and ‘Floridor’, a bright yellow, squash. Interplanting radishes or mari- above the entrance hole, remove and dis- round zucchini. golds is reputed to repel these bugs. The pose of the borer, then mound soil or tachinid fly is a natural predator, so grow compost over the wound. Repel potential ENJOYING THE HARVEST plants such as yarrow (Achillea spp.) that invasions by planting radishes or sprin- Summer squash can be harvested and eat- attract these beneficial insects. kling wood ashes or crushed black pepper en at different stages. Squash vine borers can cause plants to around the base of the vines. Plant core- The blossoms are delectably tender, es- wilt and die. Be alert for leaves that sud- opsis, yarrow, or anise hyssop in the bed to pecially when stuffed, battered, and fried. denly become limp, indicating a squash attract trichogramma wasps, a natural Harvest baby squash—which is sweet and borer may be feeding within the stem. To predator. delicate in flavor—with the blossom intact or just after the flower fades. Pick young fruits when brightly colored; about two to Planting Basics four inches in diameter for pattypan and GETTING STARTED round types; four to six inches long for Plant in early spring after danger of frost has passed, or about two weeks after your crooknecks and compact varieties; and six last spring frost. Plant from spring to midsummer for subsequent harvests into fall. to eight inches long for most zucchini and For transplants, sow seeds indoors three to four weeks before your last spring frost. straightneck types. The fruits grow fast once the plants DIRECT SEEDING start to produce, so check them often. Sow seeds directly in the ground after danger of frost has passed and when the soil Large squash isn’t quite as tender, but as temperature reaches 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow seeds about a half to one inch long as your thumbnail can easily pierce deep, with two to three seeds per hole or three to five seeds per hill. the skin and the fruit weighs less than one pound, it is still edible. SPACING Use squash raw in salads, serve with For rows, sow seeds about 18 inches apart in rows spaced four to five feet apart; or dips as an appetizer, or create a sensa- grow in hills spaced four feet apart. Follow the same spacing for transplants. tional summer sauté. Squash can also be baked, boiled, steamed, grilled, roasted, DAYS TO MATURITY deep-fried, or stir-fried. 47 to 60 days from seed, depending on the variety and time of year planted. Subtract about 10 days if using transplants. Kris Wetherbee is a garden writer based in

DONNA KRISCHAN Oakland, Oregon.

July / August 2010 45 46 A honeybeegatherspollenonawildradish. 2009, andinMarch 2010,theEPA an- tramat from themarket inDecember orderedThe court theremoval ofspirote- because oftheabsencelong-term data. populations thatisnotfullyunderstood have adelayed, negative impactonbee keepers’ fearsthattheinsecticidemay becauseofbee- filed thelawsuit,inpart, this process. spirotetramat, theEPA failedtofollow comments for30days.In thecaseof by thepublic, aswell asallow forpublic legally obligatedtopublishitforreview be registered by theEPA, theagencyis submits anapplicationforitsproduct to cide. Whenaninsecticidemanufacturer for registering spirotetramat asapesti- EPA didnotmeetthelegalrequirements June foundthatthe 2008,butthecourt vironmental Protection Agency(EPA) in oranges, andtomatoes—by theU.S.En- crops—including apples,pears,, was approved foruseonhundreds of names Monvento, Ultor, andKontos. It Bayer CropScience, goesby thetrade pollinators. Thepesticide,produced by long-term effectsonhoneybeesandother circulation duetoconcernsaboutits cide spirotetramat beremoved from thatthesystemicinsecti- ruled eral court and theXerces Society, aNew York Fed- Resources Defense Council(NRDC) Following alawsuitfiledby theNatural SHELVES PESTICIDE COURT FEDERAL Horticultural NewsandResearch ImportanttoAmericanGardeners The NRDCandtheXerces Society the American Gardener tats. Similarly, thoughIPAs are notlegal criticalbirdidentify andpreserve habi- an internationalprogram designedto Audubon Society’s Important Bird Areas, hanging gardens. such asalpinemeadows, wetlands, and The sitealsofostersavariety ofhabitats, growing wildanywhere elseinMontana. counii), lagopus), andMacoun’s draba(Draba ma- tiana glauca), species, includingglaucousgentian Pass, isahaven tonearly30rare plant The 26,770-acre area, centered atLogan tana’s firstImportant Plant Area (IPA). ofGlacier Nationalpart Park asMon- cently designatedaregion inthecentral The Montana Native Plant Society re- AREA PLANT IMPORTANT PASS MONTANA’S SITENAMED LOGAN FIRST chronic damagetobeecolonies. to determinewhetheritislikelycause agency mustnow reevaluate thepesticide which bansitssaleanddistribution.The cancellationorder,nounced atemporary Many rarealpine plantsflourishatLoganPassin Montana’sGlacierNationalPark. GARDENER The IPA program ismodeledonthe three plantsthatcannotbefound C running pine(Lycopodiumrunning ’ NOTEBOOK S (Gen- www.plantsocieties.org/importan.htm. Areas intheUnited States, visit termine whatconstitutesaneligiblesite. IPA program hasitsown guidelinesto de- found there. Eachstatethatimplementsan statusoftheplantspecies conservation must meetspecificcriteriaregarding the area tobedesignatedasanIPA, andthesite in theUnited States. countries, LoganPass isthefirstIPA site Kingdom andseveral otherEuropean been designatedthroughout theUnited implementing IPAs. WhileIPAs have lichens, hasbeenthemajorforce behind Britain’spreserving plants,fungi,and mental organizationcommittedto ing. Plantlife International, anenviron- andfund- research, efforts, conservation to pinpointareas thatwouldbenefitfrom site designations,identifyingthemhelps outside of the U.S. Department ofAgri- outside oftheU.S.Department thefirst“People’ssack started Garden” just A year ago,Agriculture Secretary Tom Vil- ONTHERISE PEOPLE’S GARDENS To learnmore aboutImportant Plant In Montana, citizens cannominatean

LEFT: COURTESY OF REBEKAH D. WALLACE, BUGWOOD.ORG. RIGHT: COURTESY OF PETER LESICA culture’s (USDA) headquarters in Wash- irrigation in gardens, preserve natural Among the 150 pilot projects are the ington, D.C. This garden was created as a ecosystems, initiate alternative energy Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, living exhibit of the work the USDA does sources, and rehabilitate recreational which garnered national attention for its with plants. Vilsack also challenged all areas. While each project has its own spe- decimation by Hurricane Katrina in USDA employees to build People’s Gar- cific goals, the new program will rank lo- 2005; the Phipps Center for Sustainable dens at their locations across the country. cations on project type, site design— Landscapes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; This past June, Vilsack announced that including water, soil and vegetation, ma- the Wildflower Farm in Coldwater, On- more than 400 People’s Gardens now exist terials selection, and human health and tario; and the Power Plant in in all 50 states, two U.S. territories, and well-being—construction, operations Burbank, California. Each location will three foreign countries. and maintenance, and monitoring and be subject to SITES guidelines and will According to the USDA, these gar- innovation. The ultimate goal of the pro- be responsible for achieving Pilot Certi- dens demonstrate the “connections we gram is to improve the sustainability of fication. To find out more about this new can make between providing access to locations throughout the world. program, visit www.sustainablesites.org. nutritious food, while protecting the landscape where that food is grown, serv- ing our communities, and helping those in need. These gardens provide educa- tional opportunities for children and adults about nutrition and sustainability as well as introduce younger generations to agriculture and fresh foods.” Already, thousands of pounds of pro- duce grown in People’s Gardens around the country have been donated to those in need. And in an effort to teach chil- dren healthy lifestyles and the advantages of gardening, People’s Gardens and the White House Kitchen Garden champi- oned by First Lady Michelle Obama have teamed up to promote community ser- vice and civic involvement by donating vegetables to local food pantries. To find out about starting or joining a People’s Garden in your community, visit www.usda.gov/peoplesgarden. PILOT SUSTAINABILITY RANKING SYSTEM LAUNCHES ACROSS THE U.S. After debuting in 2005, the Sustain- ability Sites Initiative™ (SITES) has an- nounced a nationwide pilot program to rank various sites in achieving sustain- able landscape and development. SITES partners American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wild- flower Center, and the United States GROW PLANTS Botanic Garden officially began a two- year pilot program this June. Released in November 2009, The Sustainable Sites Ini- NATURALLY tiative: Guidelines and Performance FOR ALL POTTED PLANTS – INDOOR AND OUTDOOR! Benchmarks 2009, the guide outlining NEW! Espoma Organic Potting Mix is a rich blend the 250-point, four-star rating system, will of the finest natural ingredients that helps to grow larger plants be the core of this new program. with more abundant blooms. And because no synthetic plant foods are used, it’s approved for organic gardening. Espoma – Pilot locations range from residential the most trusted name in organics since 1929. facilities to farms across the United www.espoma.com States, Canada, and Europe. For each site, teams look to reduce waste, improve

July / August 2010 47 48 ty, and the United States BotanicGarden Arnold Arboretum ofHarvard Universi- Internationalservation (BCGI), the of BotanicGardensA jointeffort Con- UNDERWAYCOLLECTIONS AMERICAN ASSESSMENT OFNORTH oftheworkplace.” a vitalpart healthy eatingandsustainableagriculture making ment ahugestepforward, brings thebackyard gardening move- workers across thenation.Thetrend they’re educationaltoolfor animportant food editorforChange.org,“Ithink gardens,” saysSarah Parsons, sustainable while gettingsomeexercise to boot. to escapethecubicleforabreak outside, produce theygrow. Plus it’s agoodexcuse these gardens, theycantakehomethefresh benefits inthiseconomy, butthanksto Workers maynotbegettingraisesorother ed vegetable gardens fortheiremployees. Best Buy, Aveda, andKohl’s allhave start- Big corporationslike PepsiCo, Google, trend iscatchingoninthebusinessworld. published inMay, theediblegardening According toaNew York Times HEADQUARTERS AT CORPORATE MAKEASPLASH FOODGARDENS ORGANIC breweriana), Educator inPlantStudiesAward(1985).Also,recognitionofSnodmith’smanyyearsservice,aBrewer’sspruce Jersey AgriculturalSociety’sWilliamH.AllenCommunicationsAward(1982),andtheNYBGDistinguished Botanical Garden(NYBG)since1968. In additiontowritingthegardeningcolumnfor radio show,GardenHotline plications fromabrokenleg.Knownforhislivelyapproachtoansweringgardeningquestions,Snodsmithhostedthe Accomplished gardeningexpert,author,andlongtimeradiohostRalphSnodsmithpassedawayinAprilduetocom- Gardening ExpertandRadioPersonalityRalphSnodsmithDies PLACESintheNEWS PEOPLE and son, whodiedinJanuary.Aprolificwriter,CarlsonwasaprofessoremeritusoffloricultureatMichiganStateUniversity(MSU The AmericanFloralEndowment(AFE)announcedinFebruarythatithasestablishedamemorialtributehonorofWillCarl- American FloralEndowmentHonorsWillCarlson Will Carlson “Regardless ofthemotives behindthe the American Gardener Among Snodsmith’smanyaccoladesaretheAmericanHorticulturalSociety’sCommunicationsAward(1992),New a westernnativenotcommonlygrownontheEastCoast,wasplantedinhishonoratNYBG1998. the recipientofmanyprestigiousawards,includingAHS’sH.MarcCatheyAward. Garden Consortium,andhelpedtosetuptheProfessionalPlantGrowersAssociation. 30 years.HealsoestablishedMSU’sHorticulturalDemonstrationGardens,wasachairpersonoftheMSU founded themagazine during hiscareer,heestablishedandcoordinatedtheMichiganMasterGardenerProgram.Healsoco- for 36years.Inadditiontoteachingmorethan31,000undergraduate,graduate,andextensionstudents nation totheAFE,c/oWillCarlsonMemorialTribute,1601DukeStreet,Alexandria,VA22314. If youwouldliketomakeacontributiontheWillCarlsonMemorialTribute,canmailyourdo- Carlson isrememberedinthefloricultureindustryasadynamicandpioneeringindividual,was ® , for35years,andappearedasgardeningeditoron article gust 1,anditssuccess dependsonthepar- began inMay through Au- andwillrun North American CollectionsAssessment ican publicgarden collections.The plant speciesare growing inNorth Amer- toidentifyhowrently many underway (USBG) inWashington, D.C.,iscur- California. Companyemployeesgrowawidevarietyofplantsin asystemofcontainers. This workplacegardenisontheroofofGoogle’sheadquarters building inMountainView, Greenhouse Grower, Greenhouse Americana Encyclopedia Yearbook Encyclopedia Americana for whichhewrotethe“OnetoGrowOn”columnmorethan Good Morning America Morning Good the assessmentand thegardens themselves. tissue culture facilities,willbevaluable to dens ofallsizes, aswell asseedbanksand the United States. cated throughout Canada,Mexico, and ticipation ofthenearly900gardens lo- , hewasalecturerattheNewYork The BCGIstresses thatinputfrom gar- for eightyears. (Picea )

LEFT: COURTESY OF AMERICAN FLORAL ENDOWMENT. RIGHT: COURTESY OF TAMMY CAMP The ultimate goal of this project is to ad- vance plant conservation efforts by deter- mining which endangered and rare species RELIEF FOR are currently being cultivated in living col- lections and which are not. DRY PATCHES The BCGI, Arnold Arboretum, and USBG plan to make the assessment results globally available in a report titled Con- serving North America’s Threatened Plants. Also, all data collected by August 1 will be part of the BCGI’s global analysis of plant collections, which the organization will present at the 10th annual Conference of Long a staple on the farm, the the Parties to the Convention on Biologi- little green can is also at home cal Diversity this fall in Nagoya, Japan. For more information about the assess- in the garden. For soothing ment, visit www.bgci.org and click on the roughed up hands, chapped link to the Plantsearch database. and chafed skin, and cuts and SMARTPHONE APPS FOR THE MODERN GARDENER scrapes, dig for the Bag Balm®— Who says that technology does not belong the time-tested solution. in the garden? Smartphone users can now get gardening tips straight from their mo- bile devices. Among the many garden-re- DAIRY ASSOCIATION CO., INC. lated applications (or apps for short), P.O. BOX 145, DEPT. AG10, LYNDONVILLE, VT 05851/TEL. 802-626-3610/WWW.BAGBALM.COM there’s “Eden Garden Designer,” which WEST OF ROCKIES: SMITH SALES SERVICE, 16372 S. W. 72ND ST., PORTLAND, OR 97223 can help you design your garden based on a photo of the blank slate that will be your garden. There are also apps for diagnosing plant problems. “The Plant Doctor” offers 32 symptoms to choose from and remedies for plant ailments. “Houseplant 411” is a similar app that offers care instructions for 70 common houseplants and an “Ask Judy” feature for questions on your specif- ic plant problems. Indoor-plant expert Judy Feldstein says, “Houseplant 411 is a timesaving and money-saving app allow- ing you to quickly diagnose existing indoor plant care concerns and to select the best plants prior to purchase for your particu- lar indoor environment based on temper- ature and lighting recommendations.” Smartphone users can also take advan- tage of botanical garden tour apps. The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in Ohio and the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona, have created iPhone apps with tours, maps, videos, podcasts, and schedules of events. You can find links to other gardening apps by clicking on the online version of this article at www.ahs.org.

News written by Editorial Interns Mered- ith Soeder and Krystal Flogel.

July / August 2010 49 Legacies assume many forms

hether making estate plans, considering W year-end giving, honoring a loved one or planting a tree, the legacies of tomorrow are created today.

Please remember the American Horticultural Society when making your estate and charitable giving plans. Together we can leave a legacy of a greener, healthier, more beautiful America.

For more information on including the AHS in your estate planning and charitable giving, or to make a gift to honor or remember a loved one, please contact Courtney Capstack at (703) 768-5700 ext. 127.

Making America a Nation of Gardeners, a Land of Gardens TOP: SHEPHERD OGDEN/ AHS ARCHIVES Improving Water EfficiencyintheGarden by RitaPelczar and increases productivity. set and strawberries promotes earlyfruit red plasticmulchusedaround tomatoes water,squash. In additiontoconserving loving vegetables suchasmelonsand Black plasticisagoodchoiceforheat- and-white pagesonly)beneath . (non-glossyblack- like tousenewspaper bark orwood, andpineneedles. compost, leafmold,shredded orchipped water. Effective mulchmaterialsinclude compete withgarden plants foravailable penetration, andinhibitingweeds that thatcanpreventsoil surface moisture ofthe evaporation, minimizingcrusting water efficiencyby reducing surface into soil. rains andimprove moisture infiltration ways helpprevent duringheavy runoff forwalkwaysanddrive-porous surfaces drainage. Proper gradinganduseof adding ittoaheavy, claysoilwillimprove sandy soilswillhelpretain moisture; ing. Incorporating organic matterinto beginning withsoilpreparation andgrad- to improve waterefficiencyinthegarden, A numberofstrategiescanbeemployed PRACTICES CULTURAL water every day.water every next drought, buttoconserve only toimplementduringthe remembering,well worth not water efficiencyinagarden are tices andtoolsthatincrease region hasended,buttheprac- Thankfully, thedrought inmy lot aboutwaterconservation. North Carolina hastaughtmea A In gardens, vegetable andsmallfruit I Mulching increases thesoilsurface FEW YEARS typically moistwestern of drought in for arowofleeks,cropthattendstorequireplentymoisture,particularly whenyoung. 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Iparticularly from Colorite Plastics are lead-free, bacte- good wateringcanare keytoolsforthistask. hose withanozzleorwaterbreaker anda andabust.Asturdya bountifulharvest opment—can meanthedifference between moisture—at keytimesinthecrop’s devel- you grow adequate vegetables andfruit, tered untiltheybecomeestablished.Andif even drought-tolerant plantsneedtobewa- My preference forsmallwatering The U-Can U-Can Element ® ® wand offers fingertip shut-off; wand offersfingertip ™ line ofgarden hoses out canbeachallenge.In hotweather, you know thatkeepingthemfrom drying If you grow outdoorplantsincontainers, CONTAINERS SELF-WATERING worth ofslow-releaseworth fertilizer. imum drainage andsixto12months andthesoilto providethe reservoir max- mineral substratethatisplaced between water level indicator. Lechuza-Pon isa with asub-irrigationsystem thathasa a great rangeofstylesthatare equipped box. For ornamentalplants, potting mixandcastersformoving the bles onadeckorpatio. Kitsinclude voir, isagoodchoiceforgrowing vegeta- to supplywater, thefrequency isreduced. with areservoir, soalthoughyou stillneed day. Self-watering containersare equipped containers mayrequire wateringtwicea U-Can and perhapshandiest,wateringcanisthe quire luggingahosearound. My newest, handy forthosesmalljobsthatdon’t re- rain barrels onmyfarm.Theycomein keep onehandyatthevarious spigotsand planted container—isthewateringcan.I plantedshrub,seedlings, anewly ora weight evenly whenfull. has beenengineered todistributethe tilizer. andthecan Thegripiscomfortable well forfer- asawaterproof compartment kler head(withaposttostore thehead),as two-gallon capacityandaremovable sprin- , withitsthree-gallonEarthBox reser- Lechuza self-wateringcontainer ® . Thismoldedplasticunithasa Lechuza has

LEFT AND CENTER: RITA PELCZAR A GOOD SOAKING soil type. This assures a good soaking When plants need water, it’s best to aim for without runoff; it’s especially useful for WORLD’S #1 TOP their root zone. Soaker hoses, such as newly transplanted specimens. PLANT SUPPLY Dramm’s Colorstorm™ series, deliver wa- ter slowly at ground level, increasing the DRIP, DRIP, DRIP… PLANT #1HEALTH EXTRA LIFE chances that it will be absorbed by the soil The ultimate in efficient water delivery is Greatest Guarantee-Offer PROOF Ever SINCE 1940, $5,000. GUARANTEED to be rather than run off and supply a steady seep the drip irrigation system. These range Worldunchallenged, CHAMPION of water to the roots without wetting the fo- from small, gravity-fed systems for con- #1 Activator, #1 Trans/ #1 Extra #1 REVIVER, PLANTER, GROWER, liage, which can spread diseases. They work tainers to high-tech, pressure-regulated WORLD’S FAIR SCIENCE-MEDAL-WINNING #1 Perfecter V TM TM best for plants that are closely spaced, and systems for large gardens. The basic idea is I ® 50 IN they’re a great option for rows of vegetables, the same: tubing connects a water source ONE strawberries, and bush fruit. They also work to areas where plants are growing; smaller VITAMINS-HORMONES USED BY U.S. –– FERTILIZER GUARANTEED Departments of –– PESTICIDE –– POLLUTING BioUSABLES As Advertised in AGRICULTURE, ARMY, NON TM Better Homes & Gardens well for beds of densely planted annuals. tubing and emitters or micro-sprays direct NAVY, AIR. Etc. TO ADD TO FERTILIZING for growing Landscape Architecture ALSO BY STATES, Horticulture CITIES, COUNTIES, DOUBLE MONEY-BACK UNIVERSITIES If you’ve ever forgotten to turn off water to individual plants or containers. RECOMMENDED TOP VALUE BY EXPERTS OF TV, RADIO, BOOKS, EXTREME Concentration MAGAZINES, Drop-A-CupTM or CONFERENCES Dozens Drop-A-GalTM your soaker hose or sprinkler, you’ll be Lee Valley’s IV Drip Watering is the OF THE interested in Dramm’s Water Timer—a simplest system I have seen, and it’s ideal WORLD’S SCIENCE & INDUSTRY ONLY GOLD MEDAL simple device that you connect to your for keeping your patio containers or win- WORLD’S FAIR 1940 science ADD to any fertilizingTM • 50 INSTANT BioUSABLES NORMAL PURE COMPLEXES hose. You can set it to run for up to two dow boxes from drying out. It consists of • From Carbon-Hydrogen-Oxygen MIRACLES natural organic crystals • Save plants from waiting while IN EACH trying to make them hours and it will shut off automatically. a two-and-a-half-gallon water bag that is • Unique. Nothing is “like” it. DROP! SEE TO BELIEVE–– HEALTHIER, FASTER plants hung on a wall or post; gravity delivers BEAUTY and CROP yieldADDED TO 21 FERTILIZERS by 21 Growers

YOU CAN the water to up to six adjustable emitters. ORDER PINT, QUART, Larger systems can be designed for GALLON, Billions–PROVEN more extensive gardens. Rain Bird has a or DRUM B A L A N C E D ORIGINAL ADDED TO do-it-yourself sprinkler design service that 18 FERTILIZERS, by 18 Growers

NEARLY 1000 BOOKS, CONFERENCES, RECOMMENDED BY MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPERS, TVs, RADIOS USED BY FIVE U.S. DEPARTMENTS TO HELP WIN WORLD WAR II OF GOVERNMENTS, STATE UNIVERSITIES, LEADING THOUSANDS ARBORETUMS, BOTANICAL GARDENS, PARKS SYSTEMS U.S. STATES and CITIES IN MULTIPLE-DRUMS LOTS FLOWERING PLANTS SHOW WINNERS – “everywhere” HEALTHY, TOXICS-FREE FOODS GROWERS UNIQUE. Far easier plant success Aqua Cone

Aqua Cones, available from Gardener’s Supply, are low-tech perforated spikes that screw onto the top of empty two-liter soda Rain Bird Landscape Drip Watering Kit bottles from which the bottoms are re- moved. After filling the spike with clean can help you design and implement a sys- sand, it is inserted into the soil as close to tem that suits your garden’s needs (see the plant as possible and the bottle is filled “Sources,” page 52). Rain Bird also has a with water. The water gradually seeps Smart Irrigation Control System that through the sand into the soil near the can save an estimated 30 to 70 percent of

11 XMAS TREES 17 HYDROSEEDING 22 plant’s roots. Aqua Cones can be used with your irrigation water. It suspends irrigation 12 REFORESTATION 18 LANDSCAPING COMPETITIONS 13 HYDROPONICS 19 PROPAGATION 23 INTERIORSCAPING 12-ounce, 16-ounce, or one-liter bottles for when it’s raining and measures the amount 14 FIELD CROPS 20 ANTI-EROSION 24 15 BONSAI 21 ENVIRONMENTAL 25 WEATHER DAMAGE watering container plants—even hanging of the rainfall, adjusting the watering 16 TISSUE CULTURE IMPROVEMENT 26 WATER GARDENS baskets. Of course, you still have to add schedule accordingly. It also takes factors AT CONSCIENTIOUS PLANT DEALERS WORLDWIDE water to the cones, but this system saves such as sun/shade, soil type, and slope into Used, tipped to, and supplied by thousands of conscientious plant-selling firms. On every continent, without salesmen. time, reduces waste, and puts the water account. For more details about drip irri- REFUSE “just as good,” false, cheaply made, where it’s most useful. gation, read the “The Merits of Drip Irri- unbalancing substitutes – often 991/2% water. Similarly, the Tree Irrigator from Lee gation” by Lee Reich in the July/August NOTHING IS AT ALL “LIKE” Valley Supply Company is a 15-gallon ca- 2006 issue of this magazine. 50 VITAMINS-HORMONES V pacity vinyl ring that slowly allows water Made in U.S.A. by VITAMIN INSTITUTE I to seep through emitters over a period of Rita Pelczar is a contributing editor with 12610 Saticoy Street South, North Hollywood, CA 91605 five to eight hours depending on your The American Gardener. Website www.superthrive.com

July / August 2010 53 BOOKC REVIEWS

Recommendations for Your Gardening Library

Urban and Suburban Meadows: a wealth of information and clearly articulated step-by-step Bringing Meadowscaping to Big and Small Spaces methodology for meadow making. Catherine Zimmerman. Matrix Media Press, Silver Spring, Maryland, —C. Colston Burrell 2010. 272 pages. Publisher’s price, softcover: $29.95. C. Colston Burrell, author of Perennial Combinations (Rodale Press, THE CONCEPT of a meadow garden is simple: wildflowers, 2008), writes and gardens in the Blue Ridge Mountains near grasses, butterflies, and minimal maintenance. In reality, mead- Charlottesville, Virginia. ows are complex ecosystems that re- quire some know-how to create. Enter Chlorophyll in His Veins: horticulturist and landscape designer J.C. Raulston, Horticultural Ambassador Catherine Zimmerman and her new Bobby J. Ward. BJW Books, Raleigh, North Carolina, 2009. 332 pages. book Urban and Suburban Meadows. Publisher’s price, softcover: $25. Chock full of concise information, this book enables readers to envision THE NAME J.C. Raulston may not evoke the same horticultur- meadows and prairies as achievable, al veneration as does those of Frederick Law Olmsted, Gertrude low-maintenance gardens that offer a Jekyll, or Thomas Jefferson, but in viable alternative to lawns. Chlorophyll in His Veins, author Bobby Imbued with Zimmerman’s passionate commitment to sus- J. Ward lays out the case for his great- tainable gardening, this well-researched book starts off by build- ness. Jefferson and others might have ing a convincing case for meadow ecosystems versus matched Raulston’s energy, but when it monocultural lawns, complete with charts comparing costs. came to “evangelical” fervor for gardens (On average, meadows are twice as expensive to install but half and plant introductions—or a fondness as expensive to maintain over time.) Integrating advice from a for banana split parties—the native Ok- handful of experts, Zimmerman leads readers step by step from lahoman was the undisputed winner. conception to fruition. Chapters cover topics such as site prepa- Ward’s well-written biography tells the ration, design, establishment, and maintenance, enhanced by story of a complex, charismatic teacher plenty of color photographs, illustrations, and sidebars. A plant and plantsman who inspired a generation of gardeners before trag- key presents recommended regional wildflowers and grasses ically dying in a car accident in 1996, at the age of 56. grouped by soil moisture requirements. The first part of the book covers the main points of The chapter on maintenance, with its dramatic photographs Raulston’s life, spanning from his childhood to his untimely of raging conflagrations, may put a few readers off. While burn- death. Born in 1940 in Lucien, Oklahoma—a once-prosperous ing is the best way to maintain grasslands, it isn’t always tenable Great Plains oil town—Raulston grew up among sprawling due to community ordinances, spatial concerns, and the ex- fields and a paucity of native trees. Despite his mono- pertise required to conduct a burn. That said, the book presents cultural surroundings, plants and gardening fascinated him alternatives such as annual mowing, which are more practical from an early age. Years later he gave a talk titled “Why We Gar- for the home gardener. den,” saying, “We garden to seek our private, secret world or It is difficult for any book to cover an entire continent, find the rural childhood we never had.” though this volume makes an attempt. The book’s overall focus Raulston’s love of plants ultimately led him to become a pro- is clearly east of the Rockies, yet a large number of pages are de- fessor of horticulture at North Carolina State University voted to other regions, including brief descriptions of 84 eco- (NCSU) in 1975. Within months, he helped bootstrap the uni- regions with diverse floras that are excluded or glossed over by versity’s eight-acre arboretum, though he had to buck some hor- the plant key. And because, as Zimmerman puts it, “finding ticulture department resistance, including one jealous colleague local resources, such as nurseries, providing plants native to who wrote to the dean demanding, “This concept of an ar- your area is a key element in the successful outcome of your boretum must be stopped.” Luckily, it wasn’t stopped, and this meadow or prairie planting,” there is a section listing these re- now legendary arboretum that bears Raulston’s name is living sources for various regions around the country. proof of his tremendous legacy. Despite the book’s ambitious scope, any reader consider- This legacy is the subject of the second part of the book. ing a meadow as a landscaping alternative will find it contains Along with lists of Raulston’s many awards through the years

54 the American Gardener and plants named in his honor, this section includes stories about all the plants he promoted and introduced into the hor- Books in Brief ticulture industry. There are five presentations Raulston deliv- Documented evidence shows that climate change is influ- ered, which give insight not only into his horticultural prowess, encing plants and their habitats, so what’s a gardener to do? but also the quirky sense of humor that dazzled his audiences According to editor Janet Marinelli in across North America and the world. The Climate Conscious Gardener For the last 15 years of his life, Raulston signed his letters with (Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 2010, what became his mantra: Plan and plant for a better America. $12.95), “Gardeners, with their inti- This book compellingly chronicles how Raulston did just that. mate connection to the natural world, —Allen Bush have a unique opportunity to demon- strate how to transform concern over Allen Bush is director of special projects for Jelitto Perennial Seeds in climate change into effective action.” Louisville, Kentucky. He became friends with Raulston when he was the After examining how climate changes owner of Holbrook Farm and Nursery in Fletcher, North Carolina. are affecting plants, the seasons, gar- dening techniques, and “green” Hybrid: The History & Science of Plant Breeding lifestyle practices overall, this book shows readers how to Noel Kingsbury. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2009. make climate conscious gardens through the tools they use, 512 pages. Publisher’s price, hardcover: $35. the plants they choose, and the ways they use energy. At the end of the book, a handy list of resources includes books, BRITISH HORTICULTURIST Noel Kingsbury has produced websites, and organizations that can provide further insight, an absorbing perspective on an exceedingly complex topic in instruction, and assistance. his new book, Hybrid: The History and —Meredith Soeder, Editorial Intern Science of Plant Breeding. Teeming with names familiar to students of horticul- ture—Linnaeus, Bailey, Mendel, Bur- Relying primarily on the bounty of her garden in Oyster Bay, bank, Borlaug, Wallace—this book New York, Suzy Bales offers a seasonally organized guide to flo- provides a unique historical overview of ral arrangements in Garden Bouquets plant domestication, propagation, hy- and Beyond (Rodale, 2010, $35). Her bridization, diversity, and genetic man- creations range from simple tussie- agement, presented in two parts. mussies and single-stem bouquets to The first part focuses on the origins elaborate garlands, centerpieces, and of plant breeding, beginning with the faux topiaries. The focus on using sea- role of our Neolithic ancestors in man- sonally available materials encourages aging the environment for ease of food acquisition. Moving creativity, especially in winter, when chronologically, this section covers the genetically dynamic Bales relies heavily on foliage, berries, landraces of edible plants, the Agricultural Revolution, crop and seedheads for her designs. The globalization, and the introduction of Gregor Mendel’s revolu- first section of the book showcases the seasonal arrangements tionary principles of genetics, which ultimately transformed through large, colorful photographs. Another section, appro- plant breeding from trial and error into an applied science. priately titled “Tricks of the Trade,” covers the details of how Part two addresses the continuing study of plant hybridiza- to create different kinds of arrangements, as well as tips for get- tion and genetics. Here, Kingsbury delves into the political and ting buds to open and conditioning flowers to prolong their philosophical ramifications of genetically modified plants, vase life. Anyone who enjoys floral arrangements will find while hearkening back to the historical efforts to create better both inspiration and information in this new book, which is crops. He explains that the technology behind genetically mod- lushly illustrated with more than 150 color photographs by ified crops “arrived at the time it did primarily because the sci- Steven Randazzo. ence behind it had developed sufficiently.” He even-handedly —Krystal Flogel, Editorial Intern discusses the ethics, legalities, and social and political dilemmas of modern plant breeding trends, including the thorny issues of ownership and patents. This book will have great appeal to botanists and horticul- The scope of this well-researched book is stunning; it is ap- turists, as well as to the home gardener with an interest in the parent that the work was a labor of love. Kingsbury is thorough, origins of horticulture and a curiosity about the future of glob- and each chapter is a rewarding feast of narrative and informa- al agriculture. Hybrid is a masterful work by an admirably am- tion. And, while the use of technical terms is unavoidable, the bitious author. author makes every effort to keep the book from becoming aca- —Kathryn Lund Johnson demic through his conversational writing style and a helpful back-of-the-book section, titled “Technical Notes,” that pro- Kathryn Lund Johnson is a freelance nature writer and photographer vides explanations of some of the more esoteric material. based in Middleville, Michigan.

July / August 2010 55 GARDENERC’S BOOKS

Edible Gardening

HETHER YOU’VE grown a few herbs in a pot or and Editor Fiona Gilsenan provides a fun and straightforward have an extensive plot to raise bumper crops of veg- approach to getting started. Divided into two sections—the first W gies, there’s nothing quite like eating something on designing, preparing, and construct- you’ve grown yourself. Not only is homegrown produce fresh- ing your garden area and the second on er and tastier than store-bought, but it often comes with a how to grow specific vegetable crops— healthy helping of accomplishment. The best part is that any- this easy-to-follow handbook comes one can do it and there are lots of new books to help you get complete with an artistic arrangement of started or get smarter about how to grow your own food. Books vivid photographs. Whatever your reason on edible plants are currently the hottest publishing commod- for wanting to grow your own food—to ity, so here are a few reviewed by AHS staff members. be a more sustainable consumer, spend time with your family, or ensure that you If you’re a city dweller like me but think you don’t have enough have fresh, seasonal produce—Klein will room for food gardening, Sonia Day’s Incredible Edibles (Fire- have you growing your own in no time. fly Books, 2010, $14.95) just might con- —Krystal Flogel, Editorial Intern vince you otherwise. Day opens with insightful tips, such as how to avoid Starter Vegetable Gardens (Storey Publishing, 2010, $19.95) common pests and which plants start by Barbara Pleasant is another great resource for new garden- easily from seed. The remainder of the ers or those without a lot of time and book describes edible plants to grow in space for growing edibles. This book not limited spaces, from the not-so-com- only contains ideas for getting started, it mon asparagus pea to popular garden fa- provides guidance for expanding your vorites such as basil. Each plant profile garden over three years as you gain more provides helpful details such as recom- confidence. Pleasant takes pains to re- mended varieties, when to harvest, common problems of the move all the guesswork by including plant, and even the degree of difficulty to grow. Combined with plans customized for various climates, Barrie Murdock’s enticing photographs, Day’s advice surely will plant lists, step-by-step instructions for inspire you to start cultivating some incredible edibles, and maintaining your garden depending on the season, and plenty maybe you’ll even have enough to share! of colorful diagrams and photographs to illustrate concepts. —Courtney Capstack, Development and Outreach Manager The book also goes into detail on techniques such as mulching, staking, and extending the growing season. Homegrown (Rodale, 2010, $19.99) by Marta Teegen is an- —Viveka Neveln, Associate Editor other good book for those who are short on space but would still like to grow their own fresh pro- Eat Your Yard! by Nan K. Chase (Gibbs Smith, 2010, $19.99) duce. Founder and owner of a kitchen offers the perfect blend of gardening advice, recipes, anec- garden design business in Los Angeles, dotes, tidbits of botanical history, and California, Teegen has plenty of ideas beautiful color photographs showing for starting a space-saving kitchen gar- edibles both in the garden and har- den from scratch. The book is filled vested. The author has grown most of with useful diagrams and discussions of the 35 fruits, nuts, and herbs she dis- everything from containers to soil to cusses—from apple, lavender, and sunlight exposure. Teegen doesn’t stop blueberry to olive, kumquat, and there; she also includes dozens of great recipes for using the prickly pear—and writes of them with fresh herbs, vegetables, fruit, and edible flowers that can be authority and affection. Even if you grown in small kitchen gardens. have no desire to grow your own al- —Meredith Soeder, Editorial Intern monds or bake a batch of almond biscotti, this book makes for an enjoyable read and will leave you feeling good just For beginning gardeners looking for a little guidance, Grow Your knowing more about what you eat. Own Vegetables (Mitchell Beazley, 2010, $19.99) by Carol Klein —Mary Yee, Managing Editor and Art Director

56 the American Gardener REGIONALC HAPPENINGS

Horticultural Events from Around the Country

NORTHEAST SOUTHEAST Events sponsored by or including official CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN participation by AHS or AHS staff members THROUGH AUG. 29. Romantic Gardens: Nature, are identified with the AHS symbol. THROUGH SEPT. CASA Community Garden Art, and Landscape Design. Exhibit. Morgan Work Days. CASA of Madison County. Library and Museum. New York, New York. Huntsville, Alabama. (256) 533-7775. Events hosted by botanical gardens and (212) 590-0312. www.themorgan.org. http://casamadisoncty.org. arboreta that participate in AHS’s Reciprocal RAP JULY 19 & 20. Bedrock Exposure: Admissions Program are identified with the RAP JULY 17. Natural History of Georgia Geology of the Gardens. Class and field RAP symbol. Current AHS members showing Plants. Class. The State Botanical Garden of walks. Coastal Botanical Gardens. a valid membership card are eligible for free or Georgia. University of Georgia Visitor Center. Boothbay, Maine. (207) 633-4333. discounted admission to the garden or other Athens, Georgia. (706) 542-1244. www.mainegardens.org. benefits. Special events may not be included; www.uga.edu/botgarden. contact the host site for details or visit JULY 22–24. Nantucket Garden Festival. Nan- www.ahs.org/events/reciprocal_events.htm. RAP JULY 24 & 25. Southeastern Regional tucket Lighthouse School. Nantucket, Massa- Bonsai Show. Cheekwood Botanical Garden chusetts. (508) 228-0427. www.nantucket & Museum of Art. Nashville, Tennessee. lighthouseschool.org/gardenfest/. (615) 337-4728. www.cheekwood.org. Flower show. Phipps Conservatory and Botan- RAP AUG. 4. Kitchen Tour 2010. Merry- ical Gardens. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (412) JULY 28–31. 27th Annual Cullowhee Confer- spring Nature Center. Camden, Maine. 622-6914. http://phippsconservatory.org. ence: Native Plants in the Landscape. (207) 236-2239. www.merryspring.org. West Carolina University. Cullowhee, JULY 23–25. Shore Orchid Festival. North Carolina. (828) 227-7397. RAP AUG. 5. Designing Gardens and American Orchid Society. Silva Orchids. http://nativeplantconference.wcu.edu. Landscapes: 25 Years on Martha’s Vineyard. Neptune, New Jersey. (732) 922-2635. Lecture. Polly Hill Arboretum. West Tisbury, www.silvaorchids.com. RAP AUG. 7. Palms 101. Workshop. Massachusetts. (508) 693-9426. Mounts Botanical Garden. West Palm www.pollyhillarboretum.org. RAP JULY 27. Outdoor Gardens of the Beach, Florida. (561) 233-1757. USBG. Tour. United States Botanic Garden. www.mounts.org. RAP AUG. 7. Exciting Introductions or Washington, D.C. (202) 225-1116. Stealth Invaders? Class. Arnold Arboretum www.usbg.gov. AUG. 11–13. Summer Green Show. of Harvard University. Boston, Massachu- North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Associ- setts. (617) 384-5209. RAP JULY 31. 45th Annual Open House ation. Greensboro Coliseum. Greensboro, www.arboretum.harvard.edu. Festival and Wine Tasting. Gardening talks North Carolina. (919) 816-9118. and activities. Rutgers Gardens. New www.ncnla.com/events-tradeshows-sg.php. AUG. 27–29. Hollister House Garden Study Brunswick, New Jersey. (732) 932-8451. Weekend II. Seminar, rare plant sale, gala http://rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu. AUG. 24. Tomato Tasting Party. Boone reception, and tour of gardens. Hollister County Extension Office. Burlington, House Garden & the Garden Conservancy. AUG. 3–5. Penn Atlantic Nursery Trade Kentucky. (859) 586-6101. Washington, Connecticut. (860) 868-2200. Show (PANTS). Pennsylvania Landscape & http://ces.ca.uky.edu/boone. www.hollisterhousegarden.org. Nursery Association. Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. Oaks, Pennsylvania. NORTH CENTRAL RAP AUG. 28. Introduction to Seed Saving. (800) 898-3411. www.pantshow.com. IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI Class. New England Wild Flower Society. Nasami Farm. Whately, Massachusetts. AUG. 7 & 8. Cactus Show. National Capital Cac- RAP JULY 17. The Art of Bonsai. Exhibition (508) 877-7630. www.newenglandwild.org. tus and Succulent Society. Brookside Gar- and demonstration. Morton Arboretum. Lisle, dens. Wheaton, Maryland. (301) 962-1400. Illinois. (630) 968-0074. www.mortonarb.org. Looking ahead http://montgomeryparks.org/brookside. SEPT. 11. Gathering of Gardeners: Fall Sym- RAP JULY 29. How to Handle an Overgrown posium. Master Gardeners of Monroe Coun- AUG. 21. Native Plant Seminar and Sale. Irvine Foundation Planting. Class. Holden Arbore- ty. Rochester Museum and Science Center. Nature Center. Owings Mills, Maryland. (443) tum. Kirtland, Ohio. (440) 946-4400. Rochester, New York. (585) 461-1000 ext. 738-9200. www.explorenature.org. www.holdenarb.org. 225. http://gatheringofgardeners.com. Looking ahead RAP JULY 23–25. 41st Annual Ikebana SEPT. 10 & 11. Historic Plants Symposium & Show. Sogetsu School of Ikebana, MID-ATLANTIC Heritage Harvest Festival. Monticello. Char- Columbus Branch. Franklin Park Conserva- PA, NJ, VA, MD, DE, WV, DC lottesville, Virginia. (800) 243-0743. tory. Columbus, Ohio. (614) 645-8733. THROUGH SEPT. 12. Gargoyles in the Garden. http://heritageharvestfestival.com. www.fpconservatory.org.

July / August 2010 57 58 prairieconference.org. Dayton, Ohio.(513) 941-6497. Center. MountSt.JohnPreserve. Midwest NativePlantSociety.Bergamo (319) 273-3836. of NorthernIowa.CedarFalls, ence. http://cincinnatibirds.com/mwnp/. AUG. 6–8. RAP AUG. 1–5. 355-5191 ext.1359. Gardens. EastLansing,Michigan. (517) Michigan StateUniversityHorticulture http://cbgarden.org/Ripe.html. on salethroughCBG’swebsite.Formoreticketandfestivalinformation,visit the festivalorHarvestMoonDinner,butdiscountedticketsforwillbe sions Program(RAP),soadmissiontothegardenisfree.TherenoRAPdiscountfor ebration ofourdiverseandthrivinglocalfoodcommunity.” CBG’s executivedirector.“Thegardeninautumnisaperfecthomeforthree-daycel- life forsomanypeople,RIPE!isanideawhosetimehascome,”saysNatalieRonayne, they canuseinthegardenandkitchen,aswelltipsforhealthierliving. specializing inlocalfood,andslow-foodpractitioners.Visitorswilltakeawaynewideas tors tointeractwithregionalfoodiesandgreenthumbs,includingfarmers,restaurants Dinner onThursday,September23. and, bestofall—eatingthisfineproduce.TheeventwillkickoffwithaHarvestMoon farmers, gardeners,andfoodpurveyorscanlearnallaboutgrowing,maintaining— terest inediblegardening.Participantscanenjoyfreshproduceatitspeakfromlocal be presentingRIPE!,itsfirstfoodandgardenfestival,whichcelebratesthegrowingin- FROM SEPTEMBER Food andGarden Festival DebutsinCleveland Much ofRIPE!willtakeplaceontheGeisTerraceatCleveland BotanicalGarden. CBG isaparticipantintheAmericanHorticulturalSociety’sReciprocalAdmis- “With theediblegardeningandlocal-foodrevolutionhavingbecomeawayof CBG’s extensivegardensandconservatorywillprovideanidealbackdropforvisi- the American Gardener Tallgrass PrairieCenter.University AUG. 3. Midwest NativePlantConference. North AmericanPrairieConfer- MSU GardenPlantShowcase. www.northamerican www.hrt.msu.edu. 24 to26,theClevelandBotanicalGarden(CBG)inOhiowill (479) 750-2620. Garden oftheOzarks. Fayetteville,Arkansas. RAP RAP www.chicagobotanic.org/calendar. RAP (608) 246-4550. Gardens. Madison,. State DahliaSociety.OlbrichBotanical Glencoe, Illinois.(847)835-8284. Summer Festival. JULY 17. AUG. 21&22. AUG. 21&22. —Meredith Soeder,EditorialIntern AR, KS,LA,MO,MS,OK,TX SOUTH CENTRAL Firefly Festival. Chicago BotanicGarden. www.bgozarks.org. www.olbrich.org. Dahlia Show. Malott JapaneseGarden Botanical Badger 593-8969. Greenhouse Complex. Kaysville,.(801) Denver, Colorado.(720)865-3500. Lecture. DenverBotanicGardens. . (225)767-6916. Louisiana StateUniversity.BatonRouge, Introductions. Emory’s FavoriteVarietiesandNew expo.org Tulsa, Oklahoma.(918)746-5125. Plants. How YouCanSustainWildlifewithNative (316) 264-0448. The WichitaGardens.Wichita,Kansas. (636) 296-5661. Botanical Garden.St.Louis,Missouri. St. LouisAnnualAuction. Glendale, Arizona.(480)966-1610. Association. TheRenaissanceGlendale. Day ofEducation(SHADE). (636) 451-3512. Shaw NatureReserve.GraySummit,Missouri. San Antonio,Texas. Henry B.GonzalezConventionCenter. Texas Nursery&LandscapeAssociation. AUG. 20–22. www.tulsaaudubon.org. RAP RAP www.lsu.edu/hilltop. JULY 24. JULY 20. AUG. 21. http://azna.org/shade. AUG. 13. www.botanicgardens.org. RAP JULY 24&25. www.botanicgardens.org. RAP RAP RAP AUG. 21. co. (505)471-5623. cho delasGolondrinas.SantaFe,NewMexi- (512) 477-8672. Zilker BotanicalGarden.Austin,Texas. souri. (314)514-8348. at RidgwayVisitorCenter.St.Louis,Mis- dening Society.OrthweinFloralDisplayHall Gateway, Colorado.(720)865-3500. Gardens. GatewayCanyonResort. Artist’s VisualJournal. AUG. 19. AUG. 8. JULY 29. JULY 23–25. AUG. 28&29. AUG. 28. Lecture. TulsaGardenCenter. . Home VegetableGardening: Plant Auction. Garden Fair. Southwestern HorticultureAnnual Wildflower ID&Ecology. 2010 NurseryLandscapeExpo. http://utahbotanicalcenter.org. http://utahbotanicalcenter.org. Herb andLavenderFair. Herb Orchid SocietyofGreater The KitchenEcosystem. Lecture. HilltopArboretum. Bringing NatureHome: Daylily Sale. SOUTHWEST AZ, NM,CO,UT www.shawnature.org. Weekend Workshop: www.osogsl.org. www.zilkergardens.org. www.botanica.org. Bamboo ShowandSale. www.nurserylandscape www.golondrinas.org. Utah BotanicalCenter Denver Botanic St. LouisWaterGar- www.slwgs.org. Missouri Botanica, Arizona Nursery Class. El Ran-

COURTESY OF CLEVELAND BOTANICAL GARDEN AUG. 29 & 30. African Violet Demonstration. Rio Grande Botanic Garden. Albuquerque, Arizona Highlands Garden Conference . (505) 764-6200. www.cabq.gov/biopark. Addresses Sustainability TAKING PLACE in Payson, Arizona, on August 27 and 28, the 11th Annual Arizona WEST COAST Highlands Garden Conference will focus on “Sustainable Gardening for Homes and CA, NV, HI Communities.” The conference is sponsored by the University of Arizona Coopera- RAP JULY 17. Companion Planting. tive Extension and local Master Gardener volunteers. Class. Descanso Gardens. La Cañada On Friday, August 27, the conference kicks off with Flintridge, California. (818) 949-7980. optional demonstration tours to local garden sites. At- www.descansogardens.org. tendees will have the opportunity to visit different loca- tions in and around Payson to learn effective ways to JULY 23 & 24. Kaimuki Orchid Society Show. capture and harvest rain, how to design and maintain a Kalani High School. Honolulu, Hawaii. (808) 737-1882. E-mail: kaimukiorchid firewise garden, how to create square foot vegetable gar- [email protected]. dens, and about plants adapted to dry gardens. On Saturday, August 28, the main conference opens JULY 24. Ground Rules for Gardening. Class. at the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino just south of Payson. The Springs Preserve. Las Vegas, . Keynote presentations will be made by David Wann, au- (702) 822-7786. www.springspreserve.org. thor of Affluenza and Zen of Gardening, who will address “Why We Garden,” and desert permaculture innovator Greg Peterson of the Urban Farm RAP JULY 25. Pruning and Gardening Lec- in Phoenix, whose presentation is titled “Simple Sustainability: My Ordinary Extraordi- ture. South Coast Botanic Garden Founda- nary Yard!” Throughout the day, there will be breakout sessions focusing on vegetable, tion. Palos Verdes Peninsula, California. herb, community, and even songbird gardens, as well as outdoor demonstrations and (310) 544-1948. www.southcoastbotanic garden.org. time to browse for books and gardening supplies from a variety of vendors. “The conference centers on sustainable gardening, but will include useful infor- RAP AUG. 7. Summer Gardening Fair. San mation for gardeners in high elevations from 3,000 to 7,000 feet. It’s not just for Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Ar- Master Gardeners but for anyone interested in gardening in this region,” says Hat- boretum. San Francisco, California. (415) tie Braun, Master Gardener Coordinator with Coconino County, Arizona. 661-1316. www.sfbotanicalgarden.org. Discounted registration is available until July 30. For more information or to reg- ister, contact Susan Bolt at (928) 474-4160, or download the registration form at AUG. 12–15. Festival of Fruit. California http://extension.arizona.edu/gila/horticulture. Rare Fruit Growers, Los Angeles Chapter. —Meredith Soeder, Editorial Intern Cal Poly Pomona. Pomona, California. (805) 584-6244. www.festivaloffruit.org.

RAP AUG. 14. Plant Sale and Garden Washington. (425) 417-4161. www.west in Small Spaces. Class. Washington State Workshop. Ruth Bancroft Garden. Walnut seattlegardentour.com. University. King County Extension. City Creek, California. (925) 944-9352. of SeaTac Council Chambers. Sea Tac, www.ruthbancroftgarden.org. JULY 24 & 25. Northwest Herb Fest. Herbal Washington. (206) 205-3210. Transitions. Wise Acres. Pleasant Hill, Oregon. www.king.wsu.edu/gardening. AUG. 17–22. American Begonia Society Con- (541) 736-0164. www.herbaltransitions.com. vention. Embassy Suites. San Francisco, Cali- CANADA fornia. (415) 931-4912. www.begonias.org. AUG. 14. Dahlia Show. 5 Valleys Dahlia & Glad Society. Western Montana Fair. JULY 18. 3rd Annual Green Festival. AUG. 21 & 22. Fall Biodiversity Plant Sale Missoula, Montana. (406) 375-0331. Educational sessions and family activities. and Garden Tours. Occidental Arts and E-mail: [email protected]. Devonian Gardens. University of Alberta. Ecology Center. Occidental, California. Devon, Alberta. (780) 987-3054. (707) 874-1557. www.oaec.org. AUG. 14 & 15. Western International Show. www.ales.ualberta.ca/devonian/. Gladiolus Society. Eagle Senior Looking ahead Center. Eagle, Idaho. (208) 459-7295. JULY 19. Vancouver Shade Garden SEPT. 4 & 5. Hawaiian Festival. www.gladworld.org. Society Annual Show. VanDusen Botanical Southern California Plumeria Society. Garden. Vancouver, British Columbia. Casa del Prado. Balboa Park. San Diego, RAP AUG. 21 & 22. Eastside Fuchsia Society (604) 602-6644. www.vancouvershade California. (619) 461-5942. Show & Sale. Bellevue Botanical Garden. gardensociety.ca. www.socalplumeriasociety.com. Bellevue, Washington. (425) 451-3755. www.bellevuebotanical.org. AUG. 7 & 8. Art in the Garden. Exhibition. University of British NORTHWEST AUG. 26–28. Farwest Show. Greenhouse and Columbia Botanical Garden. Vancouver, AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY nursery industry trade show. Oregon Associ- British Columbia. (604) 222-8372. RAP JULY 17 & 18. Parade of Ponds. ation of Nurseries. Oregon Convention Cen- www.artinthegarden.ca. Botanical Garden. Anchorage, Alaska. ter. Portland, Oregon. (800) 342-6401. (928) 770-3692. www.alaskabg.org. www.farwestshow.com. AUG. 28 & 29. 1st Annual Dahlia Show. Alberta Dahlia & Gladiolus Society. JULY 18. 16th Annual West Seattle Garden Looking ahead Bower Place Centre. Red Deer, Alberta. Tour. West Seattle Garden Tour. Seattle, SEPT. 9. Productive Vegetable Gardening (403) 346-4902. www.dahliashows.com.

July / August 2010 59 PRONUNCIATIONSC AND PLANTING ZONES

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

A–D E–I Liriope muscari lih-RY-o-pee mus-KAR-eye (6–10, 12–1) Acacia schaffneri uh-KAY-shuh SHAF-ner-ee Ebenopsis ebano eb-en-OP-sis EH-buh-no nummularia liss-ih-MAHK-ee-uh (USDA Zones 8–10, AHS Zones 12–7) (8–10, 11–7) noom-yew-LAIR-ee-uh (4–8, 8–1) Acalypha hispida ah-kuh-LEE-fuh HISS-pih-duh Ensete ventricosum en-SEH-tee ven-trih-KO-sum Manihot esculenta MAN-ih-hot es-kew-LEN-tuh (11–11, 12–6) (10–11, 12–1) (10–11, 12–7) Acorus gramineus AK-or-us grah-MIN-ee-us Eupatorium purpureum yew-puh-TOR-ee-um Microbiota decussata my-kro-by-O-tuh (6–9, 9–5) pur-PUR-ee-um (3–9, 9–1) day-kuh-SAY-tuh (3–7, 7–1) Adiantum pedatum ad-dee-AN-tum peh-DAY-tum Euphorbia tirucallii yew-FOR-bee-uh miz-KAN-thus sih-NEN-siss (3–8, 8–1) tih-rew-KAL-ee-eye (10–11, 12–6) (6–9, 9–1) Alpinia zerumbet al-PIN-ee-uh zeh-RUM-bet Fagus grandifolia FAY-gus gran-dih-FO-lee-uh (9–11, 12–1) (3–9, 9–1) N–Z Agave attenuata uh-GAH-vee uh-ten-yew-AY-tuh F. sylvatica F. sil-VAT-ih-kuh (4–7, 7–3) (9–11, 10–4) Gaura lindheimeri GAW-ruh lind-HY-mur-eye Nassella tenuissima nah-SEL-luh ten-yew-ISS- Albizia julibrissin al-BEEZ-yuh jew-lih-BRISS-en (6–9, 9–6) ih-muh (7–11, 12–7) (6–10, 10–6) Hakonechloa macra ha-kon-ee-KLO-uh MAK-ruh Papaver atlanticum puh-PAH-vur at-LAN-tih- Ananas cosmosus uh-NAN-us koz-MO-sus (5–9, 9–4) kum (5–7, 7–4) (11–11, 12–1) Hedychium coronarium heh-DEE-kee-um Pedilanthus macrocarpus peh-dih-LAN-thus Aristolochia gigantea uh-ris-toh-LO-kee-uh kor-o-NAIR-ee-um (7–11, 12–7) mak-ro-KAR-pus (10–11, 12–7) jy-GAN-tee-uh (11–11, 12–7) Helianthus angustifolius hee-lee-AN-thus Pennisetum setaceum pen-ih-SEE-tum europaeum uh-SAR-um yew-ro-PEE-um ang-gus-tih-FO-lee-us (6–9, 9–4) seh-TAY-see-um (8–11, 12–8) (4–8, 8–1) H. annuus H. AN-yoo-us (0–0, 12–1) Phormium tenax FOR-mee-um TEN-aks Begonia carolinifolia beh-GOHN-yuh kair-o-lin- H. argophyllus H. ar-go-FIL-us (0–0, 11–1) (9–11, 12–2) ih-FO-lee-uh (9–11, 12–9) H. debilis ssp. cucumerifolius H. DEB-ih-liss ssp. Picea breweriana PY-see-uh brew-ur-ee-AN-nuh Bismarckia nobilis biz-MARK-ee-uh NO-bil-iss kew-kew-mur-ih-FO-lee-us (8–11, 12–1) (6–8, 8–6) (9–11, 12–10) H. decapetalus H. dek-ah-PET-uh-lus Polygonatum odoratum pah-lih-GO-nay-tum Brunfelsia nitida broon-FEL-see-uh NIT-ih-duh (5–8, 8–5) o-doh-RAY-tum (4–8, 8–1) (min. 45º F, 12–8) H. maximiliani H. maks-ih-mil-ee-AN-eye Rhus typhina RUS TY-fee-nuh (3–8, 8–1) Carex albula KAIR-eks AL-bew-luh (7–9, 9–6) (4–9, 9–4) Saccharum officinarum sak-AH-rum C. flagellifera C. fla-jel-EE-fer-uh (7–9, 9–7) H. microcephalus H. my-kro-SEF-uh-lus o-fiss-ih-NAR-um (9–11, 12–7) Canna ✕ehemanii KAN-nuh ✕eh-heh-mah-NEE- (4–9, 9–4) Scirpus atrovirens SKEER-pus at-ro-VY-renz eye (7–10, 12–1) H. ✕multiflora H. ✕mul-tih-FLOR-uh (5–9, 9–5) (3–8, 8–2) Cerastium tomentosum sair-ASS-tee-um H. salicifolius H. sal-iss-ih-FO-lee-us (6–9, 9–3) Senna didymobotrya SEH-nuh did-ee-mo-BOT- toh-men-TOH-sum (3–7, 7–1) H. tuberosus H. too-bur-O-sus (7–9, 9–6) ree-uh (9–10, 12–6) Colocasia esculenta kol-o-KAY-see-uh Iris tectorum EYE-riss tek-TOR-um (5–9, 9–3) S. wislizenii S. wiz-lih-ZEN-ee-eye (8–10, 11–7) es-kyew-LEN-tuh (9–11, 12–7) Impatiens capensis im-PAY-shenz kuh-PEN-sis Solanum quitoense so-LAH-num key-TOH-en-see C. gigantea C. jy-GAN-tee-uh (8–11, 12–7) (0–0, 12–1) (10–11, 12–1) Crinum scabrum KRY-num SKAY-brum Sporobolus heterolepis spor-OB-o-lus (8–11, 11–5) J–M het-ur-o-LEP-iss (3–8, 10–2) Tecomaria capensis tek-o-MAY-ree-uh Cucurbita pepo kew-KER-bih-tuh PEH-po Juncus effusus forma spiralis JUNG-kus kuh-PEN-sis (8–10, 11–7) (0–0, 8–1) eh-FEW-suss forma spih-RAL-iss (6–9, 9–6) Tibouchina grandifolia tih-boo-KY-nuh Cycas revoluta SY-kas reh-vo-LOO-tuh Juniperus procumbens joo-NIP-er-iss gran-dih-FO-lee-uh (10–11, 12–1) (min. 50º F, 12–6) pro-KUM-benz (4–9, 9–5) Trachycarpus fortunei trak-ee-KAR-pus Cyperus papyrus sy-PEER-us puh-PY-russ J. virginiana J. vir-jin-ee-AN-uh (3–9, 9–1) for-TEW-nee-eye (8–11, 12–7) (10–11, 12–6) Larix decidua LAY-riks deh-SID-yew-uh Yucca faxoniana YUK-uh fak-son-ee-AN-uh Dahlia imperialis DAHL-yuh im-peer-ee-AL-iss (3–7, 7–1) (6–10, 10–5) (9–11, 12–1) Leucaena retusa loo-KAY-nuh re-TEW-suh Y. rostrata Y. ros-TRAY-tuh (5–11, 12–2) Dasylirion longissimum das-ih-LIR-ee-on lon-JIS- (7–10, 11–7) sih-mum (9–11, 11–7) Leucophyllum candidum loo-ko-FIL-um Deschampsia flexuosa deh-SHAMP-see-uh KAN-dih-dum (8–1, 12–8) flex-yoo-O-suh (4–9, 9–1) Leucophyta brownii loo-ko-FY-tuh BROWN-ee- eye (min. 50ºF, 12–10)

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July / August 2010 61 62 by ScottCalhoun A SilverLiningforHotClimates:Violet Silverleaf bell-shaped flowers, whichbloomsoprofusely thattheynearlyobscure thesilver foliage. gree oftinyleaves issosilver, itappearsalmostwhite.AndIhaven’t even mentionedtheroyal purple, foliage, theleaves ofsomeotherso-calledsilver plantslookdullasdishwater. Thisshrub’s rounded fili- W Two notableselectionsdeveloped atTexas mer about10to20daysafterarainfall. ing duringhot,humidspellsinthesum- five feettall withanequalspread, bloom- heatanddrought tolerant. very shrub and minimize transpiration,makingthe white hairsonitsleaves reflect thesun in theLeucophyllum most strikingleaves ofanytheshrubs during thesummermonths. comes intheformofmonsoonlikestorms states, where nearlyalloftherainfall ern Texas andseveral Mexican This area includesmuchofwest- vast, dry, andrelatively colddesert. region—aChihuahuan Desert Texas rangersare allnative tothe NATIVES DESERT barometer plant. ty, itisalsosometimesknown as triggered by warmthandhumidi- bloom cycle ofTexas rangeris Texas sage,orcenizo. Because the monly referred toasTexas ranger, evergreen com- woodyshrubs genus Violet silverleaf isamemberofthe Monrovia, sources include: We suggestaskingyourlocalgarden centertoorderthemforyou.Wholesale We werenotabletolocatemail-order sourcesforthecultivarslistedinthisarticle. Sources Mountain States WholesaleNursery, tion soyoucanlookforretail sourcesnearyourhome.) It typicallygrows between three and Violet silverleaf hasthesmallestand the American Gardener Leucophyllum, ver landscape shrub Ihavever ever landscapeshrub laideyes on.Next tothenearlymetallicshineofvioletsilverleaf’s ITHOUT HYPERBOLE, Azusa, CA. genus. Thefuzzy a group of www.monrovia.com. Glendale, AZ. I cansaythatvioletsilverleaf (Leucophyllumcandidum) Leucophyllum candidum Leucophyllum from Arizona easttoFlorida where tem- Violet silverleaf isappropriate forgardens GROWING TIPS out thesummerandearlyfall. compact andbloomsrepeatedly through- profusely, Cloud’ ismore while‘Thunder Cloud’ isslightlylargerandbloomsless ver leaves withdark purpleflowers, ‘Silver Cloud’. Althoughboth have intenselysil- L. candidum A &MUniversity inCollegeStation are LN NTESPOTLIGHT THE IN PLANT (The websiteincludesasearch func- www.mswn.com. C ‘Silver Cloud’ and‘Thunder ‘Silver Cloud’ dening books. a garden designerandauthoroffive gar- Based inTucson, Arizona, ScottCalhoun is recommend itwholeheartedly. ofthesummer.ers inthesteamiestpart I fine silver foliageandcool-colored flow- anyone in harsh,hotclimateslookingfor ball leadtree Texas ebony(Ebenopsis ebano), such astwistedacacia wislizenii) senna(Senna suchasshrubby ing shrubs walls. It canbemixed withyellow-flower- when placedagainstbrightlycolored mum). Violet silverleaf isalsohandsome Mexican grasstree such asFaxon yucca(Yucca faxoniana) succulent plantswithdarker green leaves, rock gardens. It mixes nicelywithbold masse it well awayfrom the trunk. Violet silverleaf isagreat choicefor Violet silverleaf canbeusedsinglyoren and is particularly well adaptedto and isparticularly genus, fast-draining soil. planted inasitewithfullsunand winter. Violet silverleaf willthrive if and soilsare notsoggyduringthe Zones 8–11,AHSHeat Zones 12–8) grees Fahrenheit (USDAHardiness peratures rarely drop below 10de- organic mulch,makesure tokeep makes thebestmulch.If usingan root zone. Looserock orgravel or cumulate around thetrunk in basinswhere rainwatermayac- overwatering, soavoid plantingit sensitive topoordrainageand Of allofthemembers or plantednearfine-leaved trees (Leucaena retusa). L. candidum (Dasylirion longissi- (Acacia schaffneri), is themostsil- is themost or golden- or

SCOTT CALHOUN