Board Member Retires at Annual Meeting The Society extends its sincere thanks and a goodbye to Mrs. Frances]. Poetker, a dedicated mem­ ber of our Board of Directors who has served for the past nine years (1978-1987). Mrs. Poetker's term ex­ pired at the Annual Meeting of the American Horticultural Society, held on May 13th in New York City, New York. In addition to serving on the Horticultural Awards Committee, Mrs. Poetker was a member of the Soci­ ety's Professional Horticulture Advi­ sory Council. She and her husband, Mr. Joseph Poetker, donated flowers for this year's Annual Meeting and in addition, Mrs. Poetker created some magnificent floral arrangements for the AHS Awards Banquet. This lovely contribution, which was the Poetker's 50th-anniversary present to each other, was appreciated by all who at­ tended the Banquet. The Society has decided to present a new award at its annual Awards Banquet, in Mrs. Poetker's honor. The Frances]. Poetker Award will be presented to a floral artist--either amateur or professional--of national c reputation who has, over an ex­ tended period of time, generously given of his or her inspirational tal­ ents. Artists who have contributed to floral design, teaching, andlor writ­ ing, and who have, through the use of plant material, enhanced Mr. and Mrs. David Rockefeller accepting the Society's National Adtievement Award American aesthetics will be from Mr. Everitt Miller, AHS President, and Mrs. Carolyn Marsh Lindsay, Awards honored. Chairman. American The Apple o/Our Eye The Applewood Seed Company of tities of packaged seed have been Horticulturist Arvada, Colorado, deserves a special made available to AHS, for use in VOLUME 66 NUMBER 7 "hats off" from the staff and mem­ participant packages at our Annual PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR, Barbara W.. Ellis. EDITOR bers of AHS. The company has sup­ Meetings, due to donations from Ap­ A Brooke Russell. ART DIRECTOR, Rebecca K McClimans. ASSOCIATE EDITOR, Brian C. Linle. PRODUcnON ported Society projects for numerous plewood. In addition, Applewood has ASSISTANT, Lynn M. Lynch. ASSISTANT TO THE EDITOR, years, and has provided priceless conSistently provided the Society Manha Palermo. MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR, Sallie Hutcheson. ADVERTISING, Cindy Weakland. consultation. to staff horticulturists. with large quatities of various Address all editOrial correspondence to: The Editor, Since the late 1970's, Applewood has meadow seed mixtures for use in the American Horticulturist, American Horticultural Sociery, Box 0105, Mount Vernon, Virginja 22121. annually provided bulk quantities of River Farm wildflower meadow, thus AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST, ISSN 0096·4417, is published seed for a large number of selections greatly enhancing the educational monthly by [he American HOrticultural $ocie£y, 7931 East Boul evard Drive. Alexandria. Virginia 22308, 703·768·5700. in our Seed Program. Thanks to Ap­ value of this effort. Dues for membership in the Sociery stan at S25 per year, $12 plewood, seeds of such unusual As is sometimes the case with of which is for AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Copyright @ 1987 by the American Horticultural Society. The American plants as Jacaranda, Cilia, and Jeru­ close friends and associates, we have Horticultura l Society is a non 4 profit organization. salem cherry have rounded out our neglected to show our great appreci­ Contributions are deduaible for income tax purposes. Second-class poslage paid at Alexandria, Virginia and a[ program, stimulating the interest of ation for these fine deeds. We 'd like additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send Form 3579 to AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST. Box 0105. Mount our members and keeping them to do so now: Bushels of thanks, Vernon, Virginia 22 121. coming back for more. Large quan- Applewood! 2 • JULY 1987 Whafs Happening A gnarled old walnut tree at River Farm. Summer is here! Everyone seems to ested gardeners to visit our Dahlia be seeking the shade of the beautiful Test Garden, one of nine such gar­ old trees that grace the River Farm dens in the United States. Experts property, in order to keep out of the will be on hand to answer your gar­ hot summer sun. What stories those dening questions, and the dahlias ancient trees might tell if only they will no doubt be gorgeous! The could speak. Some of the gnarled old other gardens here at River Farm will walnut trees are thought to have also be lovely at that time of year. been planted during George Wash­ Admission: AHS members, $1; non­ ington's ownership of River Farm. members, $2; children under 12, Cool breezes from the river blow free. across the wildflower meadow and Autumn Festival. Sunday, October over the "ha-ha" wall, providing an 4, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Autumn Festi­ absolutely idyllic summer setting for val is always a delight, as autumn is a all who visit. The "ha-ha" wall is an particularly beautiful time of year 18th-century structure that kept graz­ here. The chrysanthemums and dahl­ ing livestock within pasture areas and ias are in spectacular bloom, and the out of the garden. Because of this, a foliage at River Farm is showing sweeping vista to the river beyond splendid color. Numerous activities o Please send me a Free Catalog. was left open. are planned for this year, among o Please send me Mammoth Dar­ If you have not yet been to River them exhibits by various plant socie­ win Hybrids/IOO. Farm, perhaps you might want to in­ ties; arts and crafts; and the sale of o Payment enclosed $ ___ clude it in your vacation plans while plants, bulbs, gardening books, and o Charge to: you're in the Washington area. Or, if other gardening items. Refreshments o Master Card 0 Visa you live nearby, we are just a short may be purchased and enjoyed as Exp. Date ________ distance from Old Town Alexandria. you stroll around the grounds. Ad­ Act. No. _________ It is such a lovely place, and one we mission: AHS members, $2; non­ Name __________ especially want to share with all of members, $3 ; children under 12, Address _________ our members. We hope the follow­ free. City __________ ing activities will provide a little ex­ For more information, please write State c ______ Zip __ tra incentive for you to plan a visit. or call me at the Society: Sharon Dahlia Day. Saturday, September Barnes, P.O. Box 0105, Mount Ver­ 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Once again, this non, VA 22121, (703) 768-5700. special day will provide an opportu­ -Sharon Barnes, Stillbrook Farm nity for members and other inter- Public Relations Director Maple Street, 307-E, Litchfield, CT 06759 AMERICAN HORTICULTURIST • 3 Gardener's Dateline July 1-4 baldo, HTR, clo Community Re-entry Ser­ American Gloxinia & Gesneriad vices of Michigan, 216 St. Mary's Lake Society Annual Convention Road, Battle Creek, MI 49017, (616) 962- The Landmark at Metairie, New Orleans, 9529. Louisiana. Information: George Wagues­ pack, Registrar, AGGS Annual Convention, July 31-August 2 334 Halsey Dr. , Harahan, LA 70123. Natural Organic Farmers Association Summer Conference July 3-10 Williams College, Williamstown, Massa­ Course: "The Protection & chusetts. Information: NOFA 1987 Sum­ Conservation of Historic Landscapes, burgh, Pennsylvania. Information: Alle­ mer Conference, Jack Kittredge & Julie Parks & Gardens" gheny County Extension Service, 1520 Rawson, RFD #2, Barre, MA 01005, (617) West Dean House, West Sussex, England. Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, (412) 355-2853 Information: The Lecture Organizer, West 392-8540. Dean College, West Dean, Nr. Chichester, August 3-7 West Sussex P018 OQZ England, Tel: Sin­ July 19-22 Perennial Plant Symposium gleton (0243 63) 301 National Herb Growing and Perennial Plant Association. Omni Inter­ Marketing Conference national Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland. In­ July 6-10 Purdue University's Dept. of Horticulture formation: Dr. Steven M. Still, 2001 Fyffe Course: Landscaping with and Cooperative Extension Service, Inter­ Court, Columbus, Ohio 43210, (614) 292- Groundcovers national Herb Growers and Marketers As­ 6027. Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, sociation. Adam's Mark Hotel, Indianapo­ Pennsylvania. Registration: $155. Informa­ lis, Indiana. Information:- Dr. James Simon August 9-13 tion: Longwood Gardens, Continuing Ed­ or Laura Clavio, Horticulture Bldg., Pur­ American Institute of Biological ucation Department, PO Box 501 , Kennett due University, West Lafayette, IN 49709. Sciences Annual Meeting Square, PA 19348, (215) 388-6741 , Ext. 516. The Ohio State University, Columbus July 19-23 Ohio. Information: Louise Salmon, Meet­ July 7-8 American Society of Plant ings Manager, AlBS, 730 11th Street NW, Course: "Urban Design Charette" Physiologists Annual Meeting Washington, DC 20001 , (202) 628-1500. Department of Architecture and Planning, Chase Park Plaza Hotel, St. Louis, Mis­ Catholic University, Washington, DC. In­ souri. Information: ASPP 1987 Annual August 15-16 formation: Thomas Walton, Department Meeting Registration, 15501-A Monona Eastern International Gladiolus Show of Architecture, The Catholic University of Drive, Rockville, MD 20855. Northwest Ohio Gladiolus Society. To­ America, Washington, DC 20064, (202) ledo, Ohio. Information: Vince Sattler, 635-5188. July 22-25 4919 Angola Rd., Toledo, OH 43615, Society of American Florists Annual (419) 382-4260. July 7 -August 7 Convention Course: "Gardens & Urban Landscape" St. Louis, Missouri. Information: Beth August 15-23 Department of Architecture and Planning, Grandel, SAF, 1601 Duke St. , Alexandria, Southern California Home & Garden Catholic University, Washington, DC. In­ VA 22314. Show formation: Thomas Walton, Department Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, of Architecture and Planning, The Catho­ July 24-August 1 California. Information: George Colouris, lic University of America, Washington, DC International Botanical Congress 501 N. Brookhurst, Suite 100, Anaheim, 20064, (202) 635-5188. West Berlin, Germany. Information: The CA 92801 , (714) 635-8330. Secretary, XIV International Botanical July 9-10 Congress, K6nigin-Luise-Str. 6-8, 0-1000 August 17-21 Agri-Tech '87 Berlin 33, (030) 831-60-10.