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ARNOLDIA

A continuation of the

Bulletin of Popular Information

VOLUME XX
1 960

PUBLISHED BY THE

arnoia:) arboretum

JAMAICA PLAIN, MASSACHUSETTS

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ARNOLDIA

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A continuation of the
Bulletin of Popular Information
of the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University

Volume 20 JANUARY 15, 1960 Number 1

ROOTING GHENT AZALEAS UNDER PLASTIC

Ghent azaleas have long been admired for their spectacular blooms in late
May. The group, however, has never risen to prominence in this country,
chiefly because of the difficulties encountered in propagating these plants asexu-
ally. They must be asexually propagated to maintain the desirable characteristics
of the many varieties ; none of the Ghent azaleas can be reproduced true to name
from seeds.

Attempts were made in 1951 to propagate some varieties from softwood cut-
tings. The results were highly discouraging. Not only did a large percentage of
the cuttings fail to root, but the few that did root failed to survive the first winter.
Most Ghent azalea varieties are propagated by layering in European nurseries.

The introduction of polyethylene plastic has changed these discouraging results.
Softwood cuttings of Ghent azalea varieties are now rooted successfully, with
vigorous resulting growth.

Rooting Procedure

J'he cuttings are rooted under wire frames covered with a polyethylene plastic.
The frames are constructed of turkey wire. No. 9 gauge, with 2x4--inch squares.
(Note illustration shown.) J'he wire is bent to allow a 10-inch distance from the
surface of the medium to the inside top of the wire. Frames are four feet long,
with the width determined by the width of the bench used.

After the cuttings have been placed in the medium, they are flooded in with
water and the frames are placed over them. 'I’he medium is never pounded. After
this, the ends and sides of the frames are covered completely with sheets of 2-
rnil. polyethylene {)lastic. riiis same type of structure can be used ecpially well
over flats of cuttings. Whatever kind of structure is used, the plastic must be
completely sealed.

A mixture of one-third sand, one-third peat and one-third ground Styrofoam
has proved to be the best rooting medium. J’he cuttings jyot only root more

[ 1 ]

heavily, but also produce a uniform root system. The type of peat used in this
combination is optional. The Arboretum has used many kinds and has found no
great difference in results among them.

This rooting mixture is heated by a lead-covered cable, thermostatically con-
trolled. The thermostat is set to turn on the current at 72 degrees F., but only
at night, since in the daytime there is sufficient heat beneath the polyethylene
plastic. The everyday temperature outside the greenhouse is high and the heat
builds up accordingly. On many days the median temperature is 85 to 95 degrees
F,, a factor which aids in the successful rooting of Ghent azaleas.

Timing

Before the introduction of polyethylene plastic, it was necessary to wait until
the new growth had set a terminal bud and had begun to harden off before the
cutting material could be collected, because the softer, more succulent cuttings
would wilt. Now, however, by use of polyethylene covers to maintain conditions
of high relative humidity, it is possible to collect the cutting material from soft,
succulent growth.

Prior to the use of polyethylene plastic covers, cuttings of Ghent azaleas were
not collected until late July or early August, when growth had matured to a
point at which it could be kept from wilting under open bench conditions. This
was accomplished by shading the cuttings with newspaper or cheesecloth and
syringing them manually at least once every hour.

The procedure, however, did not give good results. The cuttings rooted poorly,
since they were taken so late in the season, and the few that did root, died dur-
ing the first winter. (See Table I.)

Now it is possible to collect the cutting material in late May or early June.
Collected at this time, the cuttings not only root faster, but also root more
heavily, because of the soft growth used. (See Table II.) Once the cuttings are
rooted, every attempt is made to stimulate new vegetative growth. This helps in
the successful overwintering of Ghent azaleas and can be accomplished success-
fully by using artificial lights.

Artificial Lights

After the potting operation, the azaleas are placed on an open bench under a
single row of 100- watt incandescent lights. The lights are spaced two feet apart
in the row and 15 inches above the level of the bench; the benches themselves
are 32 inches wide. The lights are operated in the following manner:

At 5 p.m. the lights are turned on and left on all night until 8 a.m. One can
eliminate the overlap of artificial light and normal daylight by using a time clock.
J'he plants are kept under the row of liglits for approximately two months. Dur-
ing this period, the terminal buds break dormancy and produce two to eight
inches of new growth. This new growth is then hardened off, and the cuttings
are overwintered in a cold pit, where the temperature is 35 to 40 degrees F.

1

i

I

i

I

T

"i

1

f

platp: I

rpper: Type of root system ol)taine(l on cuttiiij^s iiiuler a polyethylene plastic cover.
Loirer: Two-year-old cuttirif^s of variety ‘(iloria Mimdi.’

Cutting Procedure

The cutting material is collected in late May or early June, whenever the new
growth is two or three inches long — long enough to make a cutting. Cuttings
are placed immediately in polyethylene plastic bags, which contain a small quan-
tity of moistened sphagnum, and stored in a refrigerator at 40 degrees F. until
they are used, sometimes five to seven days.

One prepares the cuttings for rooting by stripping the leaves from the bottom
inch and making a fresh cut at the basal end. Once the basal end has been re-
cut, the cutting is dipped first into water and then into the hormone powder,
Hormodin No. 3. Whether or not wounding is advisable depends upon the con-
dition of the cutting material. When soft, succulent material is used, the value
of wounding is questionable. However, when firmer cutting material is collected
in July and August, a wound is definitely beneficial.

Once treated with Hormodin No. 3, the cuttings are placed in the sand, peat
and Styrofoam medium, where they take from two to three months to root. When
rooted, they are potted into 2|^-inch standard pots and placed on a bench under
artificial lights.

Conclusions

1. The asexual propagation of Ghent azaleas is definitely feasible when poly-
ethylene plastic is used.

2. The use of artificial lights is a necessity if these varieties are to be over-
wintered successfully in commercial quantities.

3. The use of a wound on soft, succulent cuttings is not necessary.

4. A medium of sand, peat and Styrofoam, mixed in thirds by volume, pro-
duces a more uniform root system than a half-and-half mixture of sand and peat
alone.

Roger Coggeshall

Note: — This article appeared in The American Nurseryman ior 3 1, 1958. Many
have shown a marked interest in the subject, so it is reprinted here with the
permission of the publisher and the author, who wrote the article while still
propagator at the Arnold Arboretum.

PLATE II

PolyetliyIene-cov«*r<‘(l I'ropajfatiiij^ Hrnch.
r]>jn‘r: With wire .sti[)p()rts. Lnirrr: Completely sealed.

Table I. — Rooting Results Obtained with Open-Bench Type of Propagation.

Cuttings Results

Variety

No. of
Cuttings

l)ate

Taken

Treatment

Hooted

Cal-

lused

Dead

Date

" Rhod. ‘Gloria
Mundi’

50

7/1

Hormodin §‘2,

1 2

32

6

11/26

^ Rhod. ‘Gloria
Mundi’

50

11^19

Hormodin
plus w'ound on
one side

43

4

3

9/I8

^ Rhod. ‘Narcissi-
flora’

50

Hormodin if 2

0

—

50

6/17

^Rhod. ‘Pallas’

50

5/22

Hormodin ff^

0

—

50

7/11

^ Rhod. ‘Raphael
de Smet’

50

Hormodin 2

0

—

50

7/12

Rhod. ‘Raphael
de Smet’

50

6/18

Hormodin if 2
plus wound on
both sides

31

6

13

9/18

^ Rhod. ‘Raphael
de Smet’

50

ihi9

Hormodin ff^
plus w'ound on
one side

29

13

8

11/26

^The cuttings wilted and died due to insufficient humidity.

^ All the rooted cuttings failed to grow' the following spring. In many cases the
roots were alive, but the tops were dead.

[6]

Table II. — Results Obtained with Polyethylene Plastic Cases.

Cuttings Results

Lot So. of J>afe Cal-

Variefi/ yo.

Cuttings

Taken

Treatment

Rooted

lused

Dead

I)afe

^ Rhod.

200

5/28

Hormodin ^3

104

12

84

8/29

Charlemafrne’

^ Rhod. ‘Davisi’

100

5/24

Hormodin ^3

91

6

3

8/22

' Rhod . ‘Gloria
Mundi*

65

7/22

1 % Indolebutyric
Acid in Talc

5 8

5

2

9/20

Rhod. ‘Gloria

150

6/ 1 6

Hormodin ?f3

125

19

6

10/ 18

Mundi’

^ Rhod. ‘Gloria

100

6/ 18

Hormodin §?>

80

6

14

10/19

Mundi*

Rhod. ‘Josephine

200

5/28

Hormodin #3

149

7

44

8/29

Klinger’

MUiod.‘Nar- 1
cissirtora’

50

5/27

1% Indolebutyric
Acid in Talc

46

2

2

8/12

2

50

5/ 27

Hormodin §2

48

2

—

8/12

.S

50

5/27

Chloromone (full
strength)

46

1

3

8/12

4

50

5/ 27

Control (no
treatment)

16

9

25

8/12

^ Rhod. ‘Nar-

200

5/28

Hormodin ^3

136

14

50

9/23

cissitlora’

' Khod. ‘Pallas’ 1

50

5/27

1 % Indolebutyric
Acid in Talc

40

—

10

8/12

2

50

5/27

Hormodin ^3

43

4

3

8/12

3

50

5/ 27

Chloromone (full
strength )

33

1

16

8/12

4

50

5/27

Control (no
treatment )

24

18

8

8/12

^ Rhod. ‘ Raphael

1 45

6/I6

Hormodin ^3

83

50

12

10/17

de Srnet*

" Rhod . ‘ Ra[)hael

1 LS

()/ 1 8

Hormodin #3

109

32

0

9/ 18

de Smet’

' The cuttings in Lots 1, 2

and 8

had approximately 1

the same si/e

root system.

'I'he root systems in Lot 4 were very |)oor.

* 'I'he cuttinjrs were taken too late in the year. Heavier and faster rootinjj would
have been obtained if the euttinjjs had been taken earlier.

These euttinjfs were taken at the optimum time.

^ 'The rooted euttinjrs had very larcre root systems ( .‘l" in diameter). 'The euttin«js
were left in the medium too lon^.

ARNOLDIA

C

A continuation of the
Bulletin of Popular Information
of the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University

Volume 20 MARCH 18, 1960 Number 2

PLANTS OF POSSIBLE MERIT?

THPL Arnold Arboretum is continually introducing new or rare plants from all
over the North Temperate Zone. Some of these are new to America; some
are new to the collections in the Arnold Arboretum or have been overlooked for
a period of years. It might be of interest to glance through the following listing
of a very few, all of which are currently growing in the collections. Usually, it
takes years before certain woody plants become common and popular, due to
many varying circumstances. Some of the following list may continue to be grown
in this and in other arboretums, as botanical specimens of little popular interest;
however, others do have ornamental possibilities. This list is offered as an indi-
cation of what one can find in the Arnold Arboretum with a little browsing among
the many collections.

Abies concolor conica

Phis is a dense growing, pyramidal form of Abies concolor, selected by B. 11.
Slavin of the Rochester Parks, Rochester, New York, prior to 1982 when it was
described as being 1 1 feet high and 8 feet broad. Plants in the Arnold Arbore-
tum are much smaller, but being a variety of Abies concolor, it is thoroughly hardy
and able to withstand city growing conditions remarkably well. It should be
available in the trade by now. Our i)lants were obtained from the Bay .State
Nurseries of North Abington, Mass., a few years ago.

Acanthopanax henryi nana

A low, dwarf variety of .Icanf/iopana.v lienrt/i we obtained from the Kornik (lar-
dens and Arboretum in Kornik, Poland, in 1989, su[)posedly the first introduction
(»f this plant to the United .States. Our plant is now 86 inches high and 12 inches
in diameter. Only of merit for its low and slow growth. The thorny, upright
branches and the absence of bright flowers, fruit, and autumn color, will limit
its usefulness in garden plantings.

r !>

Acer ginnala ‘Durand Dwarf’

'rhis arose as a bud mutation on a plant in Durand-Eastman Park, Rochester,
New York, prior to 1955. Propagations from this sport are making low, wide,
shrubby-type maples. Our plants have been growing here only two years, but
are nearly 2 feet tall and as much across. Having the same brilliant autumn color
as the species and supposedly being free of insect and disease pests, this should
make a nice shrubby, mounded plant of special merit for fall color.

Berberis thunbergii ‘Globe’

This plant we received under the name of Berberis thunbergii nana from the Hill
Top Nurseries, Casstown, Ohio. It was patented August 4, 1936, (^189) and
called “Globe” barberry, and is still offered by that nursery. Our plant is dense
and globose in habit, 27 inches tall and 4 feet in diameter. It is green-leaved,
definitely not the small-leaved variety, minor. It is surprising to me that it has
not been popular in the intervening years. Because of its dense, rounded form,
it should make an excellent low hedge which would not require shearing.

Berberis thunbergii xanthocarpa

These four plants were obtained from the Rochester Parks of Rochester, New
York, in 1932. They are similar to the species in every way except that the fruits
are yellow and are sparsely borne. Three of these plants are growing together
in the planting adjacent to the Larz Anderson Dwarf Conifer Collection by the
greenhouses. I have never seen profuse fruits produced, and the autumn color is
not a brilliant scarlet, but decidedly yellowish. It will not make a very popular
ornamental shrub.

Berberis thunbergii ‘ Atropurpurea Nana’

This plant originated in Holland prior to 1952 when we first obtained a speci-
men from Wayside Gardens of Mentor, Ohio. It is also being sold under the
name of ‘Little Gem,’ Little Beauty,’ and ‘Crimson Pygmy,’ the last name
being supposedly “agreed upon” by several nurserymen growing it. However,
once a plant is distributed under one name, it is most difficult to rename it and
expect everyone to follow suit, especially if the proper rules of nomenclature in
naming new cultivars have not been followed in the first place.

In any event, plants 8 years old are only 2 feet high and 3 feet broad. The
foliage is red to reddish — if grown in the full sun. The young foliage has a
brighter red color when it first appears than does the mature foliage. This makes
an excellent spot of color in the sunny foundation planting, or it can be well
used as a most colorful low hedge.

Cercis canadensis ‘Wither’s Pink Charm’

This redbud we obtained from the Kingsville Nurseries of Kingsville, Md.,

in 1956. It has bloomed several times for us (mid-May) and the flower buds and
flowers are a soft pink. They do not have the purplish pink color of the common
wild plants. For those people who do not like the flower color of the species,
this variety might have merit.

Cornus mas nana

Originally introduced into the United States in 1925 in the form of grafts from
Kew Gardens, bmgland, by the Arnold Arboretum. There are few shrubs as
sturdily reliable for all types of plantings as is Cornus mas. Its only fault, if it
should be called a fault, is that it grows too large, hence this variety should
prove worth watching. The original plants died, but now we have many young
plants one year old, recently propagated from another importation from Kew
Gardens in England.

Hamamelis intermedia (yfl 173-28-B)

In 1928, William Judd, then propagator at the Arnold Arboretum, collected
seed from a plant of Hamamelis mollis which, in turn, had been grown from seed
collected in China in 1905 by E. H. Wilson. This Chinese plant was growing in
close proximity to Hamamelis japonica and apparently pollen from the Japanese
species on the pistils of the flowers of the Chinese species resulted in a cross
named by Alfred Rehder, Hamamelis intermedia, in 1944.

A number of seedlings were grown, some with reddish flowers, some inferior
to both species. The clone which has proved best as an ornamental is our number
1 173-28-B. This is hardier tlian //. mollis and considerably more floriferous than
//. japonica. The plant just coming into bloom March 1 of this year is growing
by the Administration Building where it has produced profuse yellow flowers each
spring. It is 12 feet tall by 15 feet in diameter, with a generally vase-shaped
habit. If other growers like it after satisfactory trial, it might well be deserving
of a clonal name.

Juniperus scopulorum ‘Grey Gleam’

Originated as a chance seedling at Wheatbridge, Colorado, and selected by
Scott Wilrnore of Wilmore Nurseries, Wheatbridge, Colorado, in 19 I t. It was
issued Flant Fatent ^848 in 1949. Th is has a distinct grey foliage color, sup-
posedly more p^ronounced in the winter than are some of the other ,/. scopulorum
varieties. J'his is also hardy in Zone 3, and warrants attention because of better
winter color than many other ./. scopulorum varieties.

Juniperus chinensis ‘.Maney'

.■\ seedling of,/, chinensis sarfrentii originating at Iowa State College, selected
in 1935 and introduced in 19t7. Our p)lant, about 12 years old, is 4 feet tall and
() feet across, a female with a few fruits. It is shrubby arul flat-to|)ped , with good

bluish-green foliage in the winter at a time when most J. virginiana varieties are
brownish.

Juniperus chinensis ^Mountbatten’

A seedling of J. chinensis originating at Sheridan, Ontario, Canada, and intro-
duced by the Sheridan Nurseries of Sheridan, Ontario, Canada, in 1948. Hardy
in Zone 3. Our plant, about 10 years old, is 9 feet tall and 3 feet wide at the
base, very dense and pyramidal, with close-growing shoots, all vertical. It is a
fruiting plant with bluish-green foliage in mid-winter, at a time when most J.
virginiana varieties are displaying brownish foliage.

Leucothoe catesbaei ‘Girard’s Rainbow’

Selected as a clone from among 30,000 seedlings by Girard’s Bros. Nursery,
Geneva, Ohio, about 1950. The foliage is variegated several shades of pink and
yellow, deep red, copper, and orange, as well as green. According to Peter E.
Girard, the plant has gone through all the winters without injury. We have
grown this since 1957. The plants seem to color better if grown in full sun than
in the shade, and there seems to be a slight variation in color from winter to
winter. Variegated evergreens are exceptionally difficult to use properly in the
garden scheme, and this one is no exception. For those wffio like variegated
plants, this might be an excellent one for trial.

Lonicera ‘Clavey’s Dwarf’

This originated several years prior to 1955 at Clavey’s Ravinia Nurseries in
Deerfield, Illinois. Since that time, it has been widely distributed. We have
been growing it since 1955, and our oldest plant is now 3 feet tall and 3 feet in
diameter. It appears to be closely allied to Lonicera xylosteum. It is excellent as
a low, thick, quick-growing hedge requiring little shearing. Mature plants are
said to grow^ as tall as 6 feet. Being a honeysuckle, it has the added advantage
of being little troubled with insect and disease pests.

Philadelphus ‘Frosty Morn’

This plant was patented (^1174) on March 10, 1953, by Guy D. Bush of
Minneapolis, Minnesota. The flowers are double and fragrant, appearing in mid-
June, and it is one of the few mock-oranges hardy in Zone 3. In Minnesota, it
has been noted as withstanding “the coldest Minnesota winters without damage
from freezing back.” It growls about 4 feet tall and is certainly among the best
for cold areas.

Pinus aristata

This is a native pine of the Southwestern United States, a standard tree up to
45 feet tall and sometimes a prostrate shrub. However, in the eastern United

PLATE III

( Left) I*lnus ariatdfa, bristle-cone pine, is dwarf in the Eastern United States. This plant, growing? in the Peren-
nial and wShriib Garden of the Case Estates, Weston, is 1() years old and only about 4 feet tall. (Right) Juuiperus
rhlncnni.s ‘ Mountbatten, ' a hardy variety of Chinese juniper originating in Sheridan, Ontario, Canada, and perfectly
hardv in that area.

States, it grows extremely slowly, one tree in the Perennial and Shrub Garden
at the Case Estates in Weston being only about 4 feet tall at the age of 16 years.
It does not conform to any particular pattern of growth, but groMS in a very
picturesque fashion, with short, bluish-green needles closely bunched together,
remaining on the plant for many years. It is of interest to note that old trees,
dwarfed and reduced by age and droughts in Arizona, have been estimated to
be 4,000 years old. Small white dots of resin are customarily borne on the
needles. In the East at least, this can be considered a most picturesque dwarf.

Rhamnus frangula asplenifolia

This shrub has been grown off and on in the Arnold Arboretum since 1 893 when
we first obtained it from H. Zabel of Munden, Hanover, Germany. This plant has
never proved popular, possibly because it has been thought difficult to propagate,
but softwood cuttings taken in mid-June have resulted in 80 percent rooting. The
very narrow leaves (giving rise to the varietal name) make the entire plant appear
fine textured. Because of its few insects and diseases, and because of its ease of
growth in any normal soil, it would seem that this variety might be used consid-
erably more than it is.

Rhamnus frangula columnare

A seedling of Rhamnus frangula discovered in 1936 by A. E. Luedy of Bedford,
Ohio, and patented (i^l388) in 19.55. It is being called “Tallhedge” by the Cole
Nursery Compauy of Painesvile, Ohio, which is propagating it heavily. It is
claimed that this plant grows only to four feet wide, but 12 to 15 feet tall.
It need not be sheared, but submits to shearing very well, indeed. Hedges I
have seen of this on the campus of Pennsylvania State University look very well.
The variety has dark, glossy, green leaves and fruit of changing colors, similar
to the species.

Rhododendron mucronulatum ‘Cornell Pink’

Similar to Rhododendron mucronulatum in all respects except for its flowers which
are a true soft pink, while those of the species are an orchid purple. Originating
in a batch of seedlings at Cornell University slightly before 1952, this azalea has
excellent possibilities for those who dislike the purplish color of the flowers of the
species. The Arnold Arboretum distributed this to many arboretums and com-
mercial growers in October 1958. We have been growing it in the Arnold Arbo-
retum since 1952, where it flowers in late April.

Rhododendron ‘Mars’

This rhododendron is not new by any means, but it certainly is worthy of a
trial by those who like red-flowered rhododendrons. It is a Rhododendron griffith-
ianum hybrid, originated by Waterer Sons & Crisp in England before 1875. The

[ i-t]

Howers are a true deep red, a clearer red than any of the evergreen rhododen-
drons we are growing at this time, appearing in early June.

rhere is a question concerning its hardiness in the Boston area. Plants we are
growing are only a few years old. Protecting the plants in winter and planting
them in very protected places will help, certainly. It should succeed on Cape
Cod, Long Island, and from there, south. It definitely should not be considered
as hardy as many of the Rhododendron cataxcbiense hybrids, but for gardeners of an
experimental nature who like red colors, this might be a very worth-while plant
to try in protected situations.

Rhododendron ‘Rosebud*

This small azalea is one of several originated by Joseph B. Gable of Stewarts-
town, Pennsylvania. It was named in 1938, being a cross between ‘Caroline
Gable’ and ‘Louise Gable,’ has flowers that are lif inches in diameter, hose-in-
hose, and a strong purplish-pink color, flowering in early June. The name ‘Rose-
bud’ is truly well chosen for this plant. Our plants are still small although we
have been growing this variety since 1952. In a situation where it obtains some
protection from too much winter sun and high winds, this plant should prove a
most pleasing variety.

Rosa moyesii Geranium*

A selection of Rosa moyesii with single, deep-red flowers 2 inches in diameter,
during mid-June. The species is native in western China and just hardy in the
.Arnold .Arboretum. J'his form originated at the Wisley Gardens of the Royal
Horticultural Society of P,ngland prior to 1950. It is more compact in habit than
is the species. The fruits are flask shaped, 2 inches long and a rich orange-scarlet
color, hanging on the branches in clusters of from 3 to 6. Some of the Knglish
nurserymen have stopped growing the species in preference to this variety. 'I'he
.Arnold .Arboretum introduced this into the United States in 1952 and is propa-
gating this form for distribution.

Rosa pteracantha Red Wing*

Phis is a selection from a cross of R. hugonisY omeiensis pteracantha made in
Germany slightly before 1938. 'I'he flowers are single and pale yellow, I5 inches
in diameter, a[)pearing in early June; and the thorns on young growth are large,
wide at the base, and brilliant red. It was introduced into the United States
from Holland by the .Arnold .Arboretum in 195 1, its chief ornamental character-
istic being its large and very conspicuous bright red thorns.

I’.asily budded or grafted on R. midtijlora , it is extremely hazardous to handle
and the chances are that even though the .Arnold .Arboretum distributed it to
commercial growers in 1958, they will not handle it in large amounts.

Symphoricarpos chenaultii ‘Hancock’

Orig^inating in the Woodland Nursery, Cooksville, Ontario, Canada, about 1940
and named for Mr. Leslie Hancock, owner of the nursery. It is lower in height
than S. orbiculatus, being only about 2 feet high (even though a single plant may
grow as much as 12 feet across) and makes a much better ground cover because
it spreads rapidly by underground stems. Our plants have been killed back dur-
ing the past winters by low temperatures, but it may have been that these plants
were still pretty small and not thoroughly established. This shrub might well
deserve further trial, for I have seen it used to splendid advantage as a ground
cover on a steep bank in central Pennsylvania.

Syringa tigerstedtii

The Arnold Arboretum originally introduced this species to the United States
in 1949 as seed from Hortus Botanicus, Bergianus, Stockholm, Sweden. It re-
sembles S. yunnanensis and is a privet-looking plant with flowers not the least
ornamental. Apparently perfectly hardy under our conditions, it has no ornamen-
tal value, whatsoever.

Syringa Primrose’

Originated in Holland prior to 1949 and patented {-/fwos) in 1952, this was
first called ‘Yellow Spek’ after Jan Spek of Boskoop, Holland. Later, when it
was patented in the United States, the name was changed to ‘Primrose.’ The
Arnold Arboretum has been growing it since 1951. At first it appeared that the
flowers were merely a “creamy white,” but in the last few years, it must be
admitted that the flower color is a pale yellow and when the plant is covered
with flowers in May, it does stand out from all the many other lilacs in bloom
at that time.

Viburnum carlesii compacta

There may be three forms of this variety in the trade, but observations up to
the present time seem to point to the fact that Mr. C. Hoogendoorn’s selection
is best. This originated several years ago in his nursery at Newport, Rhode
Island. It is slower growing than the species and has dark green, shiny leaves.
The size, color and fragrance of the flowers are identical with those of the spe-
cies, but because of its dwarf, compact habit, it may have merit.

Donald Wyman

ARNOLDIA

A continuation of the
Bui.letin of Popular Information
of the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University

V^oLUME 20 APRIL 22, 1960 Numbers 3-4

MAGNOLIAS HARDY IN THE ARNOLD ARBORETUM

The mafjnolias comprise our most conspicuous flowering: trees. There are some
that can be g:rown in all but the coldest sections of the United States. Forty-
six species and varieties are currently being: g:rown in the Arnold Arboretum, but
there are a few more that will prove hardy, too. They are valued chiefly because
of their larg:e and showy flowers, which start to appear at the end of April, with
some plants still in bloom by early summer. Few have much to offer as far as
autumn color is concerned, but all have brig:ht red and interesting: fruits during:
late summer and early fall.

Some of these interesting: trees are native to North America, indeed some like
Magnolia acuminata and M. virfriniaua are native to the state of Massachusetts.
'Phose with colored flowers are mostly native in the Orient, except M. cordata
which has canary yellow flowers. It should also be noted that there are (juite a
few excellent species native or hardy in the South that are not hardy in New
Enfrland. Some of the most beautiful of all, namely 3/. sargentiana robusta and
M. sprengeri diva, are natives of Asia, but not hardy in the North. When one
has once observed the larg:e, delicate, rose-colored flowers of these species, one
does not soon forg:et them.

In heig:ht, mag:nolias ranjje from larg:e shrubs or small shrubby trees to stand-
ard trees maturing: 90' tall. I’lie tallest in the Arnold Arboretum are the two
s[)lendid specimens of M. acuminata in front of the Administration Building:. 'Phis
sf)ecies, as well as M. ohovata, will eventually ggrow to 90' hig:h. 'Phe smallest is
M. HHflora nigra which is actually a shrub of 9' but never has been hardy for
more than a few years at a time for us here.

.■\mongr the lowest would be the extensive M. soidangiana clan, which contains
the many varieties to be discussed later. In the eastern United .States, M. steUata
seldom fjrows over 20' tall, althoug:h I have seen it at ‘‘Bodnant" in Wales close
to 40' higjh.

Admittedly, the foliage of most of the magnolias is coarse. The exceptions are
probably M. salicijolia and M. slellata with leaves 1 long. On the other hand,
there are several species which may have leaves 12^' long or even longer, namely
M. fraseri, macrophylla^ obovata, officinalis and tripetala. On occasion, M. macro-
phylla will have the largest leaves of all, sometimes nearly 3' long. Foliage such
as this greatly restricts the usefulness of the species, for, in a windy spot, the
leaves are ripped and torn and thus can look disreputable for a great part of the
season. On the other hand, when used properly in protected places, such trees
create tropically exotic effects which can not be created in any other way.

The blooming period in the Arnold Arboretum extends from late April until
early summer, depending on the species. Some years the M. soulangiana varieties
make an attempt to bloom a second time in the late summer, but usually, when
this occurs after a very wet summer, only a few flowers are produced. Because
the flowers are so large, and come so late in the season, they frequently make a
great impression on the gardener.

The order in which the species in the Arnold Arboretum bloom, is as follows:
Late April — denudata, salicifolia, stellata, kobus, loebneri, proctoriana
Early May — soulangiana and many varieties
M id - M ay — fraseri

Late May — acuminata, cordata, liliflora nigra, soulangiana lennei, tripeta-
la, watsonii, virginiana
Early June — obovata, sieboldii
Mid- June — wilsonii
Early July — macrophylla

It is interesting to note, that in the warmer parts of the southern United States
some magnolias will bloom as early as February, and M. xcilsonii has been known
to bloom in August.

The major number of magnolias in the Arnold Arboretum have white to creamy
white flowers. The exceptions to this are M. cordata with creamy yellow flowers,
liliflora nigra with very dark purplish-red flowers, soulangiana with its many varie-
ties with pinkish to purplish flowers, stellata rubra with reddish flowers and xcat-
sonii with pinkish flowers. In the following list of recommended magnolias, those
in hardiness Zone 6, namely M. liliflora nigra, sieboldii, tliompsoniana and ’wilsonii
are not thoroughly hardy in Boston, for they have died out several times in the
Arnold Arboretum (which is Zone o) and no large plants are in the collections
now. However, they should prove fairly hardy in Rhode Island and the warmer
parts of Connecticut.

Recommended Magnolias

acuminata 90' Zone 4 New York to Arkansas Cucumber Tree

A pyramidal tree, becoming spreading at maturity, chiefly of value for its foli-
age. The small flowers are greenish yellow and none too conspicuous, appearing

[18]

PLATE IV

Majjiiolia spet-ies — fifteen difl'erent leaves: 1, kohu.s; 2, lochiten; 8, nhboldii; 4, prorforiarut ; 6, .souhnipidiid ; (j, lilijtord;
rlri/itiidud: S, (Icnidldtd; 9, uteUdtd; \(), fi'dtien ; 11, tripetdld; 12, ohordtd; 18, dcitmhtdtd ; 11, corddUi; 15, ttd/icifolid.

after the leaves are fully developed in late spring. The leaves are 5-1 1 inches long.
'I'his is often used as understock in grafting other magnolias. There is a magnifi-
cent old specimen on the Hunnewell Estate in Wellesley, and two younger pyrami-
dal trees in front of the Administration Building in the Arnold Arboretum.

cordata 30' Zone 5 Georgia Yellow Cucumber Tree

A smaller tree than M. acuminata, sometimes shrub-like, this has 4-inch canary
yellow flowers, much better than those of M. acuminata. The leaves aie 3-5 inches
long. This might be used as the substitute for M. acuminata on the small place.

denudata 45' Zone 5 China Yulan

Formerly termed M. conspicua this tree produces beautiful creamy white, fra-
grant, flowers 6 inches in diameter in early May before the 4-6 inch leaves ap-
pear. An excellent tree, one of the best of the magnolias, it blooms at the same
time (late April) as M. stellata.

fraseri 45' Zone 5 Virginia to Georgia Fraser Magnolia

The leaves are large, 8-15 inches long, and the milky white, fragrant flowers
are about 8-10 inches in diameter, produced in May and June when the plant is
in leaf. Because of large coarse foliage and flowers, this plant is difficult to use
properly in the small garden.

liliflora nigra 9' Zone 6 China Purple Lily Magnolia

This variety has darker reddish-purple flowers than does the species, the flow-
ers being 4-5 inches long and larger than those of M. liliflora. This is the hardiest
of the M. Ulflora varieties, but does not seem to last indefinitely in the vigorous
climate of Boston, Massachusetts. It is actually a bush, not a tree. The flowers
appear over a period of several weeks starting in late May or early June, usually
with the leaves.

Xloebneri ‘Merrill’ 50' Zone 4 {stellatayskohus)

This cross was made in the Arnold Arboretum in 1939 and the resulting hy-
brid is a vigorous growing tree, the original seedling now being over 25 feet in
height with a sturdy trunk. It blooms before the leaves appear, at the same time
as M. kobus and stellata (late April) with larger white flow'ers (often 15 petals)
than either species, and may start to bloom when only five years old. One of the
best and most vigorous of the early white flowering magnolias.

macrophylla 40' Zone 5 Kentucky to Arkansas Bigleaf Magnolia
This has the largest leaves and flowers of any of the hardy magnolias (in fact
larger leaves than any hardy native tree in North x^merica), and because of this
should not be used in any planting exposed to winds where the leaves can be
easily ripped and torn. The leaves are 15-25 inches and sometimes up to 36
inches long, as much as 7-12 inches wide. The creamy white, fragrant flowers

PLATE V

Maji^nolia buds. Left to ri^fht. Top row; kobun borealis, deuudata, rordafa. souhnigiana, kobus. (oebueri. Middle row: stel-
lata, Uliflora nigra, jtrorforiana. sa/irifo/ia, liliJJora nigraXste/lata rosea. Bottom row; rirgiuiana, rirginiana australis, tri-
petala. oborata. arnminata. ‘Merrill.*

may be 8-14 inches in diameter, appearing in early July after the leaves are fully
developed. It should be used with extreme care, chiefly for exotic or tropical effects.

obovata 90' Zone 5 Japan Whiteleaf Japanese Magnolia

Although flowering after the leaves have developed in early June, the creamy
white, strongly scented flowers, 8 inches in diameter, are most conspicuous.
There is an excellent 40 foot specimen of this species at the rear of the Adminis-
tration Building. The leaves 8-18 inches long and half as wide, are bluish white
on the under side. This is better for garden use than the native M. tripetala which
has flowers of a disagreeable odor. Still, it is a coarsely leaved tree, not good for
wind swept situations, but most useful in creating exotic effects.

salicifolia 30' Zone 5 Japan Anise Magnolia

The aromatic odor of the leaves when crushed is what gives this densely
branched, pyramidal magnolia its common name. The leaves are narrow, 12-4
inches long; the flowers white, 3 inches in diameter before the leaves appear in
late April or early May. A good foliage tree as well as a good ornamental in flower.

sieboldii {parviflora) 30' Zone 6 Japan, Korea Oyama Magnolia
Small white waxy flowers 3-4 inches in diameter, with the center a mass of
magenta purple stamens, and distinctly fragrant, are borne on this small tree in
May or later. The leaves are 32 inches long. The plant is not long lived (25
years), but the branches root readily wherever they touch moist ground.

Xsoulangiana 15' Zone 5 {demidatay^Uliflora) Saucer Magnolia

A cross made by one of Napoleon’s retired soldiers, about 1820. Undoubtedly
many other crosses of these tvv^o species have been made since, most of the plants
being large shrubs or small trees with vari-colored, large cup-shaped flowers,
blooming just after M. stellata^ kohus, salicifolia and denudata, but just before M.
HI fora. It is best to select the better of the named clones for asexual propagation.

Varieties of M. soulangiana

‘Alba’ (syn. ‘Superba,’ ‘Alba Superba’) introduced 1867 by Louis V^an Houtte,
Belgium. Flowers white, outside of petals colored very light purplish. The tree
is very compact.

‘Alexandrina’ introduced 1831, Paris, France. Flow^ers flushed rose purple out-
side, inside of petals pure white. One of the larger and earlier flowering varieties.

‘Andre LeRoy’ introduced 1900, Barbier, Orleans, France. Flowers are dark
pink to purplish on the outside (color close to that of Verbanica’). The petals
are white inside and the flowers are decidedly cup-shaped.

‘Burgundy’ introduced 1930 by W. B. Clarke, San Jose, California. Flowers
are the deep purple color of Burgundy wine, appearing earlier than those of
most other varieties.

PLATE VI

MatjnolUi ohovafa.

‘Brozzoni’ introduced 1900, Barbier, Orleans, France. When wide open the
flowers are 10 inches across making this one of the largest flowered varieties of
the M. soiilangiann group. The outside of the petals are tinged a pale purplish
rose, but all in all it is considered one of the best of the white flowered varieties.

‘Grace McDade’ introduced 1945, C. McDade, Semmes, Alabama. Flowers
are white with pink at the base of the petals.

‘Lennei’ introduced 185':2, originated in Florence, Italy. This has the darkest
purplish magenta flowers of this group (not as dark as M. liliflora nigra). ^Rustica’
has more red in the flowers

‘Liliputin’ originated in the Semmes Nurseries, Crichton, Alabama, a few
years ago with small flowers and a smaller habit than most M. souJangiana varie-
ties. It is slow in growth. The variety sold under the name “Late Soulangiana”
is similar in every way, although this supposedly came from England. We have
not yet had the opportunity to observe either of these in growth.

‘Lombardy Rose’ introduced before 1957 by C. McDade, Semmes, Alabama.
Lower surface of the petal is dark rose, upper surface white. This is a seedling
of M. soulangiana lennei with flowers continuing to bloom for several weeks.

‘Rustica’ (syn. ‘Rubra’ or ‘llustica Rubra’) introduced about 1893, Boskoop,
Holland. Flowers are more rose red than those of ‘Lennei’ but they are some-
what similar, being 5^ inches in diameter. The inside of the petal is white but
the general effect is more red than ‘Lennei.’

‘San Jose’ originated about 1938, San Jose, California. Flowers are larger
than many other varieties, rosy purple, and fragrant, and the plant is vigorous
growing. This blooms earlier than most other M. soulangiana varieties and is said
to be deeper colored than most, with the exception of Lennei.’

‘Speciosa’ introduced before 1830 in France. The flowers are almost white,
6 inches in diameter, very close to ‘Alba’ but just a trifle more color than ‘Broz-
zoni.’ It is important because it is the last of this group to bloom. Upright, tall
and fast growing.

‘Verbanica’ - Flowers outside a clear rose pink, inside white. This blooms
late, making a beautiful effect when most of the other varieties are dropping
their petals. Its one drawback is that it is slow growing.

stellata {halleana) 20' Zone 5 Japan Star Magnolia

Double, white fragrant flowers, 3 inches or more in diameter, and appearing
in late April before the leaves. The flowers contain 12-15 narrow petals. One
of the hardiest of the Asiatic magnolias, usually more of a tall shrub than a tree,
it makes an excellent and very jjopular ornamental specimen. We have grown
many seedlings of M. stellata, as have others, and it must be said that many of
the seedlings are inferior plants, growing much more like M. kobus and the dow-
ers have fewer petals as well. Hence this species, if it is a species, should not
be grown from seed but from cuttings taken from a good clone.

[•24]

PLATE VII

Majftiolia Howers. Left to riji^ht. Top row: kohus, stellafa. loehneri ‘Merrill/ Bottom row’: salici/olia, deumUtUt. proctorimia.

stellata rosea - Pink Star Magnolia

Flower buds pink, flowers usually white. This is mostly disappointing in flower,
since by the time the flowers are fully open they have faded completely white,
stellata rubra - Red Star Magnolia

Flowers purplish rose, imported from Japan about 1925. There is another form
of this which was raised in Boskoop, Holland, by Messers Kluis, before 1948.
The flower color was noted as being fuchsia purple 28/3 in the Royal Horticul-
tural Colour Chart. It is said to have been a chance seedling in a batch of M,
stellata, I have not yet seen this in flower, but J. H. Johnstone notes that the
flower color is vastly superior to that of M. stellata rosea.

There are several other seedlings of M. stellata w\\\\ purportedly “red” flowers
which may well merit further trial. Mr. K. Sawada of the Overlook Nurseries,
Mobile, Alabama raised one in 1946 and calls it ‘Red. ’ The flowers are 3-4 inches
in diameter with 10-16 petals. The outside of the petals is a dark purplish red,
the inside is white, but he says that when the tree is in bloom the general ap-
pearance is of more red than some that are being sold under the varietal name
of rubra. The Arnold Arboretum is growing these forms together, and sometime
will be able to say just which is best. Since the early flowering magnolias, in the
North at least, all have white flowers, a premium should be placed on the best
of these with colored flowers,
stellata ‘Waterlily’

Originated at Greenbrier Farms, Inc., Norfolk, Virginia, prior to 1939. It is
more upright, bushy and twiggy than M. stellata. The flower buds are pink, the
flowers eventually white and are slightly larger, with more narrow petals. It has
always been assumed to be a cross of M. stellataY.soulaugiaua but it looks very
much like M. stellata. Mr. Paul Vossberg writes that 1,000 seedlings of ‘Water-
lily’ were grown on Long Island and not one showed any traces of M. soulangiana
or its parents M. liliflora and M. deuudata.

X thompsoniana shrub Zoned {tripetalayivirgiulaua) Thompson Magnolia

Originating about 1808, this hybrid has leaves 4-10 inches long, glaucous
beneath and otherwise similar to those of M. virgiuiaua. The creamy white flow-
ers are 4|^-6 inches in diameter, hence larger than those of M. virgiuiaua and
they are more globular as well, appearing in late June and July after the leaves
have been fully developed.

virginiana {glauca) 60' Zone 5 Eastern U.S. Sweet Bay Magnolia

A native shrub or tree from Massachusetts to Florida, one of the most fragrant
of all the magnolias, with 3-5 inch leaves, whitish on the underside and white,
waxy, very fragrant flowers in late June and July. In the far South the leaves
are evergreen, but the plant is deciduous in the North, and more shrubby.

[ ->« ]

Xwatsonii 80' Zone 5 {ohovafayC.siebo/(Iii) Watson Magnolia
First known in France in 1889, but originally from Japan. This small tree has
leav'es 4-8 inches long and fragrant, saucer-shaped flowers that are pink with a
ring of prominent crimson stamens in the center. It has larger flowers and leaves
than M. xieboldii, a closely similar magnolia. The flowers are borne in late June
and July after the leaves have been fully developed.

wilsonii 24' Zone 6 W. China Wilson Magnolia

A magnolia very easy to grow, blooming normally in mid-June, but often with
a second crop of white, saucer-shaped, fragrant and pendulous flowers in August.
They are 3|^-4 inches in diameter with a ring of red stamens in the center. The
leaves are 4-6 inches long.

Magnolias which might be Considered Mediocre as Ornamentals
cylindrica - extremely rare, closely related to M. kobus.
kobus

“ borealis ~ hardiest of the Asiatic magnolias, but not free-blooming.

Sometimes it takes 22 years before the first flowers are pro-
duced. The species is frequently used as understock on which
other magnolias are grafted.

liliflora - flowers not as large as those of 3/. idijlora nigra.

“ gracilis - smaller than species, not as desirable a plant.

Xloebneri - {stellataY^kobus). Select named clones only. ‘Merrill’ is the best at
present.

officinalis - Zone 6 with large leaves ( 14-21 inches) and flowers (6-8 inches),
but M. obovatn is hardier and has better foliage.

officinalis biloba - a variety merely with notched leaves.

proctoriana - poor flowers, blooms with 3/. stellata and kobus.

slavinii ‘Slavin’s Snowy’ - ‘Merrill’ has larger flowers.

soulangiana - use the better named clones.

“ ‘Amabilis’ - differs little from other varieties.

“ ‘Candolleana’ - differs little from other varieties.

“ ‘George Henry Kern’ - Plant Patent #820 - with us, this does not

have as large flowers as some of the other
varieties.

Highland Park #2686; .\.\ 888 - flowers brownish.

soulangiana ‘Lennei Alba’ - mediocre flowers.

“ ‘Norbertiana’ - mediocre flowers.

“ purpurea - probably a name applied to mediocre seedlings.

“ ‘Spectabilis’ - Brozzoni’ is better.

“ ‘Triumphant’ - resembles ‘llustica,’ not rated outstanding by W.B.

Clarke Co., San Jose, California, which has discon-
tinued it.

tripetala - M. obovota has better flowers.

“ variegata - poor variegated foliage,
virginiana australis - differs little from the species,
wilsonii taliensis - differs little from the species.

Magnolias Needing More Trial

kobus ‘Nana Compacta’ (?) - originated in the old Kohankie Nursery of Paines-

ville, Ohio, before 1950. A slow growing, com-
pact plant with flowers as yet unknown.

grandiflora X virginiana - several hybrids now being grown at the National Arbo-
retum deserve further trial.

Xkewensis (sa/icifoliaX kobus) - originated as a seedling at the Royal Botanic

Gardens, Kew, h5ngland, in 1938 and first flow-
ered in 1951. The flowers are pure white and
the leaves are 4-5 inches long.

Donald Wyman

Still Time to Register for the Following Spring Classes

Spring Field Classes in Ornamental Plants Instructor; Dr. Donald Wyman
Six meetings, Friday mornings, 10-12, April 29-June 3. Fee; $2.00

Contrib. de V horticulture francaise aux jardins americains
Cinq asences. V^endredi apres-midi 2-4 h, 29 avril au 27 Mai.

Instructrice ; Madame C. Weber Frix ; $10.00

Field Botany II Instructor; Dr. Burdette Wagenknecht

Five meetings. Tuesday afternoons, 2-4, May 3-31. Fee; $2.00

Reminder

Arnoldia Subscriptions for 1960 not paid by May 1 will be discontinued.

ARNOLDIA

A continuation of the
Bui.letin of Popular Information
of the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University

Volume 20 JUNE 3, 1960 Number 5

SHRUB HONEYSUCKLt:S WITH PINK TO RED FLOWERS

WALKING through the shrub collection in the Arnold Arboretum during
mid-May of this year, many visitors noticed a very deep-red-flowered bush
honeysuckle named ‘Arnold Red.’ Tliis was the deepest-red-flowered one of the
entire group. Past correspondence with plantsmen has repeatedly brought up the
question concerning just which is the deepest-red-flowered form. At one time,
it was considered to be Lonicera taiarica sibirica, later L. korolhoxcii za belli; but
now with these and others growing side-by-side in the same soil and exposure
here at the Arboretum, it seems that, under our conditions at least, Lonicera
Arnold Red’ has the deepest red flowers.

An interesting review is made here of some of the better bush honeysuckles
with pale pink to red flowers in the spring. J'hose with pure white flowers are
always valued ; the vines with red or yellow flowers are outstanding ornamentals ;
1 and some of the shrubs like L. syringantha and L. thibetica with lilac flowers are
also much used. Here is a brief discussion of the bush honeysuckles with pink to
red flowers growing in the Arnold Arboretum, listed in the order of deepening
1 color from very pale pink to strong purplish red as measured with the Nickerson
I Color Fan.

j Very Pale Pink

Lonicera bella rosea is listed in the catalogues and it is undoubtedly mixed with
others of this hybrid species. J'he true variety rosea has flowers which open a
very pale pink, almost white; unfortunately, they have the poor habit of fading
(juickly to yellowish in a day or two, before the rest of the |)ink flower buds on
the same branchlet have opened. I’he flowers are small, being only about one-
half inch in diameter; consecjuently , this does not merit wide use.

Lonicera nollia is not mueh better although the flowers are slightly larger.
Lonicera lalarica^ being grown widely from seed and hybridizing a great deal,
will vary considerably but can lx* considered as having good, very pale j)ink to
white flowers.

Both L. korolkoieii and its variety are probably mixed in the trade but both
apparently have very pale pink flowers and do not make the display that the
deeper pink variety aurora does.

Pale Pink (^.5 II o/s Nickerson Color Fan)

Varieties in this group include L. tatarica rosea and punicea. We obtained the
latter from E. H. Hillier & Sons in England in 1989. Both are good varieties,
the flowers of rosea being ^ inch in diameter and those of punicea being one inch
in diameter. The color is more or less uniform through the flowers. There is
a third variety of L. tatarica named elegans which we obtained years ago from the
Morton Arboretum, which has flowers identical in size and color with those of
punicea. This was named nearly a century ago and was listed by some German
nurseries in the 1890’s.

Two others in this group should be mentioned : L. amoena and its variety
arnoldiana. Both have flower buds a pale pink. As they open, the flowers of the
variety arnoldiana turn almost white. These are large, inch in diameter, and
the leaves of the plant are very narrow and grayish-green. The flower buds of
L. amoena are the same color, but the flowers open to a very pale pink and are
only J inch in diameter. The leaves are wider (up to f inch) but are also a
grayish-green color. The species is the more vigorous; the Arnold honeysuckle
is much more delicate and of a finer texture.

Petals Striped Deep Pink and White

The over-all effect of the flowers in this group is deep pink, but on close ex-
amination the white on the petal margin is seen. Lonicera tatarica angustifoUa is
one variety, but the flowers are only about ^ inch in diameter, so this might be
overlooked. Lonicera tatarica lutea, on the other hand, has slightly larger flowers
and, of course, bright yellow fruits, hence it has more ornamental value.

Lonicera tatarica sihirica has flowers ^ inch in diameter with a tinge of white on
the margin of the petals, so that actually, nearly one half of the petal surface is
white to light pink. This lightens up the flowers considerably, and although the
actual color of the stripes in the petals is a strong purplish red, the effect of the
flowers over-all is only a deep pink. Hence, for landscape use, the flower color
is much lighter than that of either L. korolkoxcii zabelii or ‘Arnold Red.’

In 1941, Mr. E. C. Hilborn of the Northwest Nursery Company, Valley City,
North Dakota, sent a hybrid {rnorroiciiX tatarica) with flowers about the same
color but larger. It is of interest to note that the true L. morroxcii (flowers white
to yellow) with a densely-rounded habit is very difficult to locate because it was
hybridized so freely with L. tatarica and has been grown consistently from seed.

L. tatarica leroyana has flowers 1;^ inches in diameter, striped a moderate pur-
plish pink (2.5 IIP T/s) with white petal margins, but blooms sparingl}’ and so
can be overlooked as far as flowers are concerned.

[ .-50 ]

PLATK VIII

Lfniirmi ‘Arnold K<‘(1' in tli(‘ Arnold Arhorctnm j^rows rapidly and makes a denscly-
hranclicd slind) fnll of deep pnrj)lisli r<-d llowcrs <*very sprinj^, follo\v<-d by hrij^lit red
fruits in the summer and fall.

Moderate Purplish Pink (2.. 5 HP 6/ lO)

I.on'icera korolkoxcii aurora is better than either the species or the variety jiori-
hu/ida, for it has deeper pink and slightly larger flowers (up to f inch in diameter).

Deep Purplish Pink (7.5 RP 6/ 12)

Lonicera bella atrorosea is the clone of this hybrid species to use for its deep
pink flower color. Without a question, it is mixed in the trade with L. bella
rosea, but rosea is the lighter of the two, so light that one sometimes does not
notice the pink color.

‘Sheridan Red’ originated in the Sheridan Nurseries of Ontario, Canada, a few
years ago, but was discontinued later because it was not as dark as L. tatarica
sibirica. ‘Hack’s Red’ originating in the Hack Nursery near Winnipeg, Mani-
toba, Canada, is slightly darker (7.5 RP 5/l2) but is not the darkest red.

Still another in this deep purplish pink group (5 RP 6/10) is L. amoena rosea.
It is a well-rounded shrub, dense in habit, with deep pink flowers, making this
a good shrub for its habit, but the flowers quickly fade yellowish.

Strong Purplish Red (7.5 RP 4/ll)

Lonicera korolkowii zabelii has flowers a darker red than any mentioned so far,
these flowers being ^ inch in diameter with narrow petals. It is widely grown
now in nurseries and gives a darker effect in full flower because the color is uni-
formly distributed over all the petals.

Lonicera majcimoiviczii and its variety sachalinensis also have strong purplish red
flowers, but they are so small (:j inch) that ornamentally they have no value.

Deep Purplish Red (lO RP s/io)

‘Arnold Red’ is without question the darkest red of all the shrub honeysuckles
that are growing together on our soil. This originated as a chance seedling at the
Arnold Arboretum, first blooming in 1947 at the Case Estates. {^Arnoldia 16 : 44-
45, 1956) It was distributed to commercial growers in October 1954. The flow-
ers are one inch in diameter and the dark red fruits are about f inch in diameter.
When in full bloom, it is a handsome plant. Like other varieties of the Tatarian
honeysuckle, pruning of older plants is often necessary in order to maintain a
neat appearance.

Summary

So, after checking all these shrubs in flower, the best of the Loniceras for pink
to red color as they bloomed in the Arnold Arboretum this year, were:

L. tatarica varieties rosea, punicea, elegans Pale pink
L. amoena and variety arnoldiana Pale pink

L. tatarica varieties lutea, sibirica Petals striped pink and white

L. korolkorcii aurora Moderate purplish pink

L. bella atrorosea Deep purplish pink

L. korolkoxcii zabelii Strong purplish red

L. tatarica Arnold Red’ Deep purplish red — darkest of all

Donald Wyman

[ ]

ARNOLDIA

A continuation of the
Bulletin of Popular Information
of the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University

Volume 20 SEPTEMBER 16, 1960 Number 6

PROPAGATION OF WOODY PLANTS BY SEED

SEED, nature’s most common method of plant reproduction, provides a means
by which an amateur can propagate many woody plants. Facilities needed
are simple and inexpensive. By the use of polyethylene plastic bags, seeds re-
quiring periods of pretreatment can be handled in an almost carefree manner.

Germination is defined as: **The process of the development of a seed into a
perfect plant.” Before this takes place conditions must be favorable and the seed
must be ready to germinate. Many kinds of seed germinate on being provided
with conditions such as moisture, air and warmth. Other kinds of sound seed
refuse to germinate when given these favorable conditions. Such seeds are not
prepared to develop and are termed dormant. This word stems from the Latin
word dormio which means to slumber or sleep. Until the inhibiting conditions of
dormancy are overcome, the seed is prevented from development. Dormancies
are protective adaptations which prevent germination at times unfavorable to seed-
ling survival. If these safeguards did not exist and germination occurred during
a warm spell in winter, the seedlings would perish in a subsequent cold period.
This situation, together with others, is i)revented by these natural inhibitors.
Nature has furnished these protections to insure continuance of the species.

Immediate Germination

Many woody plant seeds have no inhibiting factors and will germinate shortly
after having been sown. Among these are:

Seeds Without Inhibiting Dormancy

Buddleia sp.

Calluna (heather)

Catalpa

Cercidiphyllum (katsura tree)

(dethra (summersweet)

Deutzia

Diervilla

Enkianthus

[ .-i.-i ]

RECEIVED

SEP 1 6 I960

Library

?>ica (heath)

Hypericum (St. John’s wort)
Kalmia (mountain-laurel)
Kolkowitzia (beauty bush)
Leucothoe

Oxydendrum arboreum (sourwood)
Phellodendron (cork tree)

Philadelphus (mock orange)
Pieris (andromeda)
Potentilla (cinquefoil)
Rhododendron and Azalea)
Spiraea (bridalwreath)
VVeigela

After cleaning, seeds in this group are stored dry until sowing time. When han-
dled indoors or in a greenhouse they are best sown in late winter or early spring
so that they will germinate and grow with the lengthening days.

Complex Dormancy

Some dormancies are simple, others are complex. Germination of most woody
legumes, for example, is retarded by seed coats which are impervious to water.
A dormancy of this kind is relatively simple to overcome. To obtain prompt and
uniform germination the entry of water becomes necessary. Several procedures
will accomplish this. Large type legume seeds, handled in small quantities, can
be perforated with a file or sharp knife. Smaller type seeds or large seeds handled
in volume can be treated with hot water or sulphuric acid. Sulphuric acid treat-
ments are not recommended for amateurs because of the hazards involved. Acci-
dental spatterings of sulphuric acid could be destructive, if not disastrous.

Hot water provides a simple, safe and effective means of obtaining rapid ger-
mination. Seed is placed in a container; water at about 200 degrees F. is poured
over the seed and allowed to cool. Permitting it to remain in the water over
night before sowing is advantageous. The amount of water should be about five
times the volume of seed. On being removed, the seed must be sown at once.
If permitted to dry before sowing, the dormancy can recur. Should this happen,
the process would have to be repeated.

The second method is to sow the seed in a can, flat, or other container and
pour boiling water over it. In the event that an insufficient number of seeds ger-
minate, the seedlings which have developed may be removed and the ungermi-
nated balance retreated with hot water. A second treatment will usually stimu-
late further germination.

Stratification

Many seeds have internal conditions which inhibit germination. Often this is
caused by an immature embryo, which is not ripe although the seed appears ma-
ture. Exposure to a period of cold overcomes this dormancy. In nature, such seed
would germinate in the spring after being provided with cold by the winter. A
period of artificial cold works equally well. Stratification is the term commonly
used to define this procedure. This word is derived from the practice of placing

seed between layers, or strata, of medium for storag^e or pretreatment. It is now
interpreted as any process used to facilitate the germination of dormant seeds
which require pretreatment by time and temperature. This cold stratification is
accomplished by placing the seed in a refrigerator at about 40 degrees F. for the
required time. Forty degrees is a recommended temperature, but this has latitude.
Within reason, whatever temperature the household refrigerator is set for should
be effective. Freezing is unnecessary and seed should not be placed in the freez-
ing unit. The container for these seeds should be a polyethylene plastic bag.

Polyethylene has the property of allowing air to pass through it, but is vapor-
proof. A medium composed of one-half sand and one-half peat moss is suitable.
This is mixed together and dampened. Dampened is stressed as it must be moist
but not wet. In proportion, the medium should be two or three times the volume
of the seed. Advantages in keeping the bulk small will be obvious at sowing time
as the entire contents of the bag is sown. Twisting the top of the bag and bind-
ing it with a rubber band makes it vapor-proof for the period of cold stratification.
If properly sealed it can be left until time for sowing, be this a month or a year.
The following list shows some plants whose seeds respond to this type of strati-
fication, together with recommended periods of time:

Seeds to be Stratified

Approximate stratification time
in months

Abies sp. (fir)

Acer sp. (maple) most kinds
Aesculus sp. (horsechestnut)
Berberis sp. (barberry)

Betula sp. (birch )

Campjsis sp. (trumpet creeper)
Carpinus sp. (hornbeam)

Carya sp. (hickory)

Cedrus sp. (true cedar)

Celastrus (bittersweet)
Cliamaecyparis s[). (false cypress)
Clematis sp. (virgin's bower)
Cornus Horida (flowering dogwood)
Cornus kousa (Japanese dogwood)
Fagus sp. (beech)

Fraxinus sj). (ash)

Tigustrurn sp. (privet)

Fi(|uidaml)ar sp. (sweetgum)
Magnolia sp.

Mains sp. (apple)

2-.S

3

4

2-3

3-4

3-4

1-2

3

2

o

3

3

3

3

3

3-4

1-3

Nyssa sp. (tupelo) 3

Picea sp. (spruce) most species 1-3

Pine (most species) 2

Prunus sp. (cherries, etc.) 3

Pseudolarix (golden larch) 1

Pyrus sp. (pear) 3

Ribes sp. (currant and gooseberry) 3

Sorbus sp. (mountain ash) most kinds 3

Syringa sp. (lilac) 2-3

Thuja sp. (arborvitae) 2

Tsuga sp. (hemlock) 3

Vitis sp. (grape) 3

These recommendations cover most species in the genera listed. In the maples
and mountain ashes, for example, there are some exceptions that will not respond
to this treatment. Many of the conifers will germinate when sown without pre-
treatment, but do so erratically. Cold stratification tends to stabilize this condi-
tion and provide a uniform stand of seedlings. This can be important as many
conifer seedlings are susceptible to damping-off diseases. When induced to ger-
minate quickly and in unison, they can be potted or boxed in a matter of days.
By quickly separating them the spread of these diseases is minimized.

Double Dormancy

Still other seeds have conditions of double dormancy. They require warm, fluc-
tuating temperatures follow^ed by a cold period to be prepared for germination.
Dormancies of this kind are caused by reasons such as hard seed coats and im-
mature embryos. The endosperm (food storage tissue) can also be responsible for
this. Due to the length of time required for germination, they are called two-
year seed.

In nature, after being shed in autumn, such seed would go through the first
winter without benefit from the cold because water had not penetrated the seed
coat. Through the following summer the seed coat decomposes and permits the
entry of water. Consequently, the second winter can provide the cold require-
ment. With the advent of favorable conditions in spring, the seed, thus prepared,
can germinate. Some plants produce seed in a given seed crop which germinate
each year fora period of years. Apparently variations in structure cause some of
them to require more seasonal cycles than others to overcome inhibitors. This
again is a survival adaptation. Should the flora of an area be destroyed, there
would be dormant seed remaining which wonld germinate and furnish replace-
ments. Some examples of these two-year seeds, together with suggested pre-
treatment, are as follows :

[8G]

k

CHIONAN^rH-uS R5TUSUS

TRSATV-jOT

B’lVE MONTHS WARM STRATIFICATION FOLLOWTID
BY THREE MONTHS AT 41“ F

VIBURrOJM SARGENTII FLAVUM

TRSATTvSNT

rIVE MONTHS WARM STRATIFICATION FOLLOWED
BY THREE MOOTHS AT 41®

X

PLATE IX

These seeds of Cfiion<tnthuH and VUntruum have been exposed to a period of warm
stratifieation and roots have developed. They are now ready for the se<’ond re(|nirement
(’onsistin^ of a 3-rnonth eold treatment. If this is not provid«’d to ri[)en the shoot t)ud,
they will never ^o beyond this sta^e.

Seeds with Double Dormancy

*Chionanthus sp. (fringe tree)

Stratification Time
in months

Warm

5

Stratification Time
in months

Cold

3

Cotoneaster sp.

5

3

Crataegus sp. (hawthorn)

4

3

*Davidia (dove tree)

5

3

Halesia (silver bell)

5

3

*Faeonia (tree types)

4

3

Stewartia sp.

7

3

*Viburnum

5

3

* These have a dormancy in the shoot bud after seed germination.

Fretreatment of seeds in this group must be done in two stages. They are
mixed with medium and placed in polyethylene plastic bags as previously de-
scribed. For warm stratification they should be provided with a location where
the temperature will fluctuate. In some controlled experiments temperatures
varying between 68 degrees at night and 86 degrees in the daytime have been
used to provide this. Again there is latitude. Bags of seed placed on a green-
house bench where the temperature ranged between 60 and 100 degrees have
produced good results. Any location such as a window sill or similar situation
where the day and night temperature varies would be suitable. A place in full
sun, however, could result in a build up of high heat which would be detrimen-
tal. After the period of warm stratification has been completed, the bag is placed
in a refrigerator for its cold requirement. Keeping track of this is easily done by
labeling each bag and marking on a calendar the dates they are due to be moved.

Those preceded b}^ an asterisk (p. 38) have a dormancy in the shoot-bud. To-
ward the end of warm stratification, roots will appear. These signify that the seed
is ready for the second or cold stage of stratification. It is well to check this as
the time required might vary in different species and with dififerent seed lots. By
carefully lifting the bag and looking for roots in the part which faces downward,
this is done.

Roots travel down and will be found spreading in the bottom of the bag. When
it appears that most of the seeds have produced roots, the bag can be moved to
the refrigerator. If this is not done, the root will continue to grow until food
stored in the seed is expended. When this happens, the seed will die. The period
of cold must be provided to condition the shoot-bud or the seedling will never
develop. Plate IX shows examples of seed in this class. Warm treatment has
been completed and roots are down. They are now ready for the second treat-
ment consisting of a three-month cold period.

Method of Sowing

Containers for sowing seeds in these different categories may be greenhouse
flats, tin cans with drain holes or any suitable container. Tin cans make very
satisfactory containers and the supply is inexhaustible. Size of the can will be
determined by the amount of seed to be sown. A small soup can would be ade-
quate for small amounts of seed, while a standard coffee can would accommodate
larger quantities. The container is prepared by putting an inch or more of broken
flower pots, stone, or some such coarse material in the bottom. Sphagnum moss,
leaves or such is put over this to prevent the soil from filling the spaces and block-
ing drainage. Drainage is very essential. Loose-textured potting soil is added,
firmed and leveled to fill the can within an inch of the top. A topping of milled
or screened sphagnum moss about one-half inch deep, completes preparation for
the sowing of fine seeds, such as rhododendron, spiraea and mountain-laurel.

The container is now placed in a vessel with water deep enough to be above
the material used for drainage. Capillary action will conduct water upward, wet-
ting the contents. It is well to do this a day in advance of sowing as sphagnum
moss wets slowly. Fine type seed is sifted over the layer of sphagnum and is left
uncovered. Crevices in the uneven surface catch and hold the seed in place.
Judgment must be used in sowing as it is a common error to sow too thickly.
Larger-type non-dormant seed is distributed over the surface and covered with
sphagnum. The rule of thumb recommendati{)n being to cover two or three times
as deep as the seed diameter. A favorable time for sowing seed which has no
dormancy is late winter or early spring so it will germinate and grow with the
lengthening days.

In sowing seed which has been stratified by the plastic bag method, the entire
contents is sown and topped with about one-quarter inch of sphagnum. Again
this is planned so that one-half inch of space remains at the top when the job is
finished. J'his half inch of space provides for watering.

Completed containers are now placed in polyethylene bags, closed at the top
or inverted and tucked underneath. Water should not be needed until the seed
has germinated and the bag removed, but it is well to check this occasionally.
After germination, the plastic cover must be removed as the seedlings become too
succulent when grown in this close atmosphere. Rather than remove this at once,
it must be removed in stages for lengthening periods each day, for several days,
to harden off the seedlings. Fhey are now ready for the care recpiired in good
management of seedlings.

It is not customary to raise hybrids or varieties from seed uidess it is known
what their performance will be. Lsually they do not provide plants with charac-
teristics similar to the parent. Those which are grown because of deviations from
normal, such as weef)ing forms or those with unusual fruit or flower color, often
reproduce a i)ercentage of offspring true to type, f’.xamples would be Sargent's

weeping hemlock and the pink-flowered mountain laurel which are reputed to
come about 90% true from seed. However, many years would elapse before they
were ready for segregation. When raising mountain-laurel in commercial work,
it would be of advantage to gather seed from only the deepest colored specimens.
Premium prices would be justified at time of sale for those with superior flower
eolor.

Plate IX shows Viburnum sargenfii flavum a variety which has yellow fruit. Ordi-
narily a variety such as this does not duplicate the parent, and therefore would
not be grown from seed. In this instance, those with yellow fruit can be sepa-
rated from those with red by the pigmentation in the petioles while the plants
are small.

Although it is not customary to raise hybrids and varieties from seed, many
new plants occur in this way. One with curiosity and adequate growing space
would find interest in raising these to see the outcome.

A. J. Fordham

Classes at the Arnold Arboretum
Fall Program, 1960

Economic Botany Instructor: Dr. Joab Thomas

Six meetings. Tuesday evenings, 7:30-9:30, Oct. 4-Nov. 8. Fee $10.00

Fall Field Class in Ornamental Plants Instructor: Dr. Donald Wyman

Five meetings. Friday mornings, 10-12, Sept. 30-Oct. 28. Fee $2.00

Field Botany I* Instructor: Dr. Richard Howard

Five meetings. Tuesday afternoons, 2-4, Sept. 27-Oct. 25. Fee $2.00

Plant Propagation J Instructor: Mr. Alfred Fordham

Ten meetings, the first on Saturday, Sept. 24, 9:30 a.m. Fee $25.00

Plant Structures Instructor: Dr. Burdette Wagenknecht

Six meetings. Thursday evenings, 7:30-9:30, Oct. 6-Nov. 10. Fee $10.00

Applications will be accepted now for all classes, and should be addressed to
Miss Stella Whitehouse, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain 30, Mass.

* Class meets at the Barn, 135 Wellesley Street, Weston, Mass.

J Class meets at the Arboretum Greenhouse on South Street, Jamaica Plain,
Mass.

[ -K) ]

ARNOLDIA

A continuation of the
Bulletin of Popular Information
of the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University

V’'oLUME 20

SEPTEMBER 23, 1960

Number 7

ILEX CRENATA AND EPS VARIETIES

The Japanese liolly was introduced into cultivation in the United States in
1864 and has proved popular in all types of ornamental plantings. Its small,
evergreen leaves and the dense, twiggy character of its branching give it quali-
ties that make it useful as a specimen, a background planting or a hedge, since
it withstands shearing very well indeed. American nurserymen have grown it
from cuttings for a long time and have found that when seed is planted, numerous
variations arise. In fact, there are so many now that if one studies the nursery
catalogues carefully, one will find some 40 names purporting to be different vari-
eties of this useful species and one nurseryman is known to have as many as 200
selected seedlings.

In order to assist those interested in making a selection among these i)lants,
this issue of Arnoldia is devoted to a cursory study of the varieties. Some are so
new that definite information concerning their performance is not available, and
will not be for several years. Because many people are interested in the lower-
growing types of shrubs, especially those which recpiire no special care or spraying
to combat insects and diseases, this is a group well worth noting.

Forty years ago there were only the s[)ecies, the variety microphi/Ha, and possi-
bly one or two others available in the trade. Now there are forty names being
listed, the most recent being one named '(ilossy* offered in an advertisement in
the .August 1, I9()(), issue of the ./wprhv/// S urseri/mau . (’ertainly all are notout-
standing ornamentals; some are not worthy of planting, and some of the names
listed are merely synonyms of older, recognized varieties, or are so similar that
from the standpoint of their use in the landscape, there is no appreciable difference.

Recommended Varieties

convexa: A variety introduced into America by the Arnold .Arboretum in I1M9
and hardier than the species. Until the peculiar winter or I 9.*)8-.3!>, t his had not

suffered much injury, but during that winter it was badly killed over a wide area
of the northern United States. Even at that, I think it is still an extremely
worthy specimen, with small, convex leaves and rather widespreading habit, flat
on top. Our forty-year-old plant is 9 feet high and 24- feet across. It will with-
stand clipping and makes an excellent substitute for box in the North.

helleri: Originating in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1925, this variety is very dwarf
and compact. In fact, it is so compact and rounded in habit that it looks as if it
had been sheared. Our 26-year-old plant is only 4 feet tall and 5 feet across, a
splendidly moulded specimen. The leaves are about one-half an inch long. This
was probably the first of the dwarf compact types of Japanese holly to be widely
grown by nurseries in the United States.

latifolia: This is so popular that apparently it is offered in the trade under several
names such as fortune'll major and rotund'folia . Actually these are all synonyms
which should be dropped in favor of latifolia. The plant has rather large leaves
for an Ilex crenata variety, they being about inches long and inches wide
and a glossy green. It is vigorous in growth, sometimes reaching a height of 20
feet.

mariesii: This is a dwarf variety with the small leaves bunched near the ends of
the twigs and growing less than an inch a year. Sometimes it is listed as var.
nummularia, but it is rather difficult to find commercially and thus is rare in cul-
tivation.

microphylla: Low in habit with small leaves inches long, this has been in
cultivation in America for fifty years or more and has proved to be the hardiest
of the older varieties. How its hardiness compares with that of the many newer
varieties remains to be seen. Certainly it is as hardy as convexa and it is hardier
than the species.

‘Compacta’: Dense and compact in habit, with leaves about ^ inch long, our
three-year-old plant is 3 inches high but 12 inches across.

‘Glass’: A male clone of Ilex crenata microphylla differing only slightly in that the
leaves are slightly smaller. It is compact and upright while young but can become
rather open with age.

‘Green Island’: Our eleven-year-old plant is loose and open (s feet tall and 6
feet across), not nearly so compact as older plants of helleri and ‘Stokes.’ It was
discovered in 1935 and introduced (Plant Patent 7^81?) in 1949 by the Styer’s
Nursery of Concordville, Pa. It is said to be more rapid growing than either
helleri or ‘Kingsville.’

‘Hetzi’: A dwarf clone of Ilex crenata convexa originating in the Fairview fiLver-
green Nurseries of Fairview, Pennsylvania, and proving rather popular.

[ ]

I*LATK \

(Above) Hr.v rmui/d Inllrri. (Melow) /Irr rrtiKifn r(»niu.r(i as a low lied^r** l>etween
two plants of Ih.r rn liiti/orHi.

‘Kingsville’: A dwarf clone of Ilex crenata longifolia discovered in Maryland in
1912. The Kingsville Nurseries of Kingsville, Maryland, purchased this plant in
1926 and later introduced it. Mr. Henry Hohman has the original plant which
is now 4- feet tall and 7 feet across, with leaves ^ inch long. The plant has a low,
rounded habit and is flat on top. It has not been known to bear fruit. It appears to
be quite hardy, having withstood winter temperatures of - 1 5° F. without injury.

‘Kingsville Green Cushion’: A very dwarf clone with spreading habit. A 10-
year-old plant was noted as being only 8 inches tall and 32 inches across. It
makes a solid, cushion-like mass. The leaves are similar to those of Ilex crenaia
helleri, but the plant is much more dwarf and compact.

‘Stokes’: This plant was originally selected from a batch of seedlings by Warren
Stokes of Butler, Pennsylvania, and was issued Plant Patent ?f887 in 1949. Our
12-year-old plant is 3 feet tall and 4 feet across, flat-topped and not quite so
globose as is the variety helJeri, but it is slightly hardier. This is a male clone.

Varieties Worthy of Further Trial

‘Canton’ *

‘Changsha’ *

‘Chengtu’ *

‘Foster No. 1’ — A selection of Mr. E. E. Foster, Bessemer, Alabama, said to
be very low, compact and spreading.

‘Glossy’ — First introduced in 1960. Noted as being slightly faster and more com-
pact in growth than convexa. Also noted as extremely hardy,” according to
advertisement of Gerard K. Klyn Nursery, Mentor, Ohio.

‘Green Thumb’ — A dwarf female clone selected by John Vermeulen & Son, Inc.,
Neshanic Station, New Jersey, in 1950 and introduced in 1956.

‘Howard’ — A possible hybrid.

Kunming

‘Maxwell’ — A possible hybrid.

‘Morris Dwarf’ — A clone of Ilex crenata microphi/lla with very dwarf habit and
leaves inches long.

‘Nanking’ *

‘Peking’ *

‘Red Lion’ — Said to be similar to the variety helleri.

‘T-one’ — A low-growing, small-leaved variety selected by the Tingle Nursery of
Pittsville, Maryland, said to be very compact.

‘Shanghai’ *

‘Willow Leaf’ — A clone of Ilex crenata longifolia.

‘Yunnan’ *

* These are seedlings named by the Styer’s Nursery of Concordville, Pennsyl-
vania. Of these, J. F. Styer thinks that ‘Chengtu,’ ‘Peking, and ‘Yunnan’ will
eventually prove best after the full trial period.

[44]

PLATE XI

Ih'x rrenata varieties. 1, Ilex crenata latifolia. 2, I. c. ‘Green Island.* 8, /, r. com'exa. 4, I. c. helleri. 5, 1. c. ‘Glass.
/. r. ‘Cornpacta.* 7, 7. c. ‘Kinf^sville.’ 8, /. c. ‘Geen Cushion.' 9, I. r. ‘Stokes.*

Plants and Names to Discard

crenata fortunei — Synonym for Ilex crenata hififoUa.

“ grandifolia — Probably synonymous with Ilex crenata latifolia.

“ longifolia — Lanceolate leaves.

‘ ‘ luteo-variegata — -Leaves v^ariegated, probably similar to Ilex crenata variegata

“ macrophylla — Probably synonymous with Ilex crenata latifolia.

major — Synonym for Ilex crenata latifolia.

“ paliidosa — Only for use in swampy places.

“ radicans — Leaves coarse when compared to those of other varieties.

“ rotundifolia — Synonym for Ilex crenata latifolia.

variegata — Leaves variegated.

“ ‘Buxifolia’ — Originated and named at Tom Dodd Nurseries, Semmes,

Alabama, a few years ago, not particularly outstanding and unfortu-
nately named ^Buxifolia,’ which name in its varietal form has been de-
termined a synonym for convexa.

“ ‘Lindleyana’ — Originated in the Lindley Nurseries, Greensboro, North
Carolina. Of dense growth, but differs little from other good selections.

* Longfellow’ — Leaves rather large, male clone, poor grower, closely re-
sembles Ilex crenata microphylla.

‘Oleafera’ — Not superior to recommended varieties.

“ ‘Tennyson* — Closely resembles //e.r latifolia, but a “ragged” grower

‘Uprite’- — Not outstanding, subject to chlorosis, somewhat similar to var.
latifolia.

“ ‘Vaseyi’ — Closely resembles var. latifolia but foliage loose and open.

Donald Wyman

Hurricane ‘Donna’

‘Donna’ came to the Arnold Arboretum on Monday, September 1^, preceded
by considerable radio warning^. The 3.64- inches of rain dumped on the Arbore-
tum were very much appreciated. The winds were not. Although two gusts of
140 miles per hour were registered at the Blue Hills Observatory in Milton, only
a few miles in a direct line from the Arboretum, it is most fortunate that damage
to trees in the Arboretum was not serious. Altogether, 39 trees were blown down.
Of these, 23 were pulled back into position, staked, pruned, watered and mulched
immediately. Two were propagated immediately. Fourteen were varieties dupli-
cated elsewhere in the collections.

Less than twenty-four hours after the winds stopped, the trees which were
salvageable had been pulled back into place or were propagated. Sixty loads
of brush have been picked up and hauled away, representing the branches that
were broken.

As is usual after such storms, injury could be found in the weak-wooded trees
{Cladrastis lutea^ Acer saccharimim, Ulmus pumila), especially if they happen to be
growing where the gusts of wind were worst. The hickories and locusts showed
considerable splitting (especially in poor crotches) and close observation of almost
every large branch broken from other trees showed a weakened or decayed situ-
ation which had long existed. Apparently there was much thrashing around of
the smaller branches in the oaks, evidenced by many small twigs about one foot
long on the ground.

Steps taken after any such storm should be prompt if the trees are to be saved,
f irst, tliose that are down or leaning (if the roots are not all broken) should be
pulled back into position immediately and securely staked before the exposed
roots have an opjportunity to dry out.

If the essentials of pruning are not well understood, one can learn a great deal
by carefully studying each broken branch to determine why it was broken. It
may be due to the vagaries of the unpredictable wind, but more often it is due
to decay that has been allowed to creep into the trunk or to a weakened crotch
which should have been pro[)erly pruned years ago. Occasionally, as in the case
of several 55-year-old PheUodendron lavallei trees, it is due to old age — the
branches have grown so far out from the trunk that they are very lieavy and will
not withstand the whipping effects of an unusually strong wind.

Broken branches should all be cut off smoothly and cleanly, the wood f)ainted
at once with some good tree |)aint, of which tliere are several on the market.

I'rees that were blown over and obviously had roots broken in the process
might well be pruned, sometimes heavily (to compensate for the loss of roots),
when they are pulled back properly into place and staked. Occasionally trees
that are split may be kept alive if bolted together properly. Such trees should

never be repaired by wrapping wire completely and tightly around the branches
or trunks.

The quicker such repairs can be made to the trees after a storm, the better
are the chances for survival.

Corrections:

In the last issue of Arnoldia there are three errors in the printed copy, due
entirely to the editor and not the author.

Page 34 : The heading Complex Dormancy should read. Seed Coat Dormancy

Page 35: Clematis stratification time should read, “3 months.”

Page 38 : In the table of seeds with double dormancy, the following comment
should be added after the last item (Viburnum) in the column : (This applies to
many but not all the Viburnums.)

Page 38: Beneath the table, delete the words, “after seed germination”
following These have a dormancy in the shoot bud.”

D.W.

[48]

ARNOLDIA

\ A

A continuation of the
Bulletin of Popular Information
of the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University

V^OLUME 20

OCTOBER 21, 1960

Number 8

FORSYTHIA ‘KARL SAX’

Twenty years ago a tetraploid Forsjjthia was produced by treating a seed-
ling of F. intermedia specfabilis with a colchicine emulsion. The colchicine

T

acts as a poison and disrupts normal cell division, but permits chromosome divi-

sion temporarily. In this manner the chromosomes in a cell can divide without a
subsequent division of the cell itself, so that after such a division a cell will have
twice the normal number of chromosomes. By producing tetraploid cells in the
growing point of a young plant, one can occasionally obtain entire plants wliich
have twice the normal number of chromosomes.

The tetraploid Forsythia, developed in this manner, has thicker leaves, larger
and darker flowers, and is more erect in growth habit than the original species,
F. intermedia spectabiHs. 'Phis plant, whicli was given the cultivar name ‘Arnold
Giant,’ was awarded the Lindley Medal by the Royal Horticultural Society in
1952, but has not proved to be very popular in this country.

In 191>4- Professor Karl Sax crossed Forsythia ‘Arnold Giant’ with nearby dip-
loids, including F. orata and F. intermedia spectabilis in order to obtain triploids.
Several |)rogeny were obtained from this cross and two were selected as superior
types. One of tliese, under the number 61-15-6, was named in honor of Mrs.
Beatrix Farrand. It has extremely large Howers which tend to be somewliat pen-
duh)us and are a lighter yellow than tliose of ‘.Arnold (liant.' It is a very vigorous
plant but has never become very po|)uIar due to the long, robust canes which it
produces, giving the plant an ungraceful appearance.

I’he second selection (6It5-I.S) differs from ‘Arnold Giant' and ‘Beatrix Far-
rand' in several respects, and is here described as a new cultivar, Forsythia ‘Karl
.Sax,' in honor of Professor Karl .Sax who was responsible for originating the plant.

Fnrsythia Karl Sax' is a moderately compact shrub, 2-.S meters tall. I he
branches tend to be somewhat robust, but they are not so rigidly erect as those
of Arnold Giant' or Beatrix l arrand,' giving this shrub a more graceful habit.

The plant is short-styled and flowers profusely, with large flowers up to 4.5 cm.
across. The flowers are deep yellow, darker and more golden than those of
‘Beatrix Farrand,’ but still brilliant. The fruit is 1-1.5 cm. broad and up to 2.5
cm. long, very similar to the fruit of ‘Arnold Giant.’ The opposite leaves are
ovate, 7-10 cm. long, 3. 5-4. 5 cm. broad (occasionally up to 12 cm. long, 6 cm.
broad in shaded leaves). The leaves are strongly toothed along the margin and
area dull, dark green above, lighter beneath. As in all polyploid forsythias, the
leaves are noticeably thickened and somewhat rigid.

Probably one of the more desirable features of this new shrub is its extreme
hardiness. Reports from nurserymen in the Midwest, where the past winter was
unusually severe, indicate that Forsythia ‘Karl Sax’ came through better than any
of the other forsythias. It is said to be particularly good where late spring frosts
destroy the bloom of many forsythias.

One disadvantage of the polyploid forsythias is that they tend to be rather
difficult to propagate by means of cuttings. However, Mr. H. L. Greenwood of
Interstate Nurseries has written that their results in propagating Forsythia Karl
Sax’ have shown that softwood cuttings in cold frames do very well, although
hardwood cuttings in the open field do poorly.

Genetically, the origin of this new Forsythia is still something of a mystery.
In contrast to the other progeny of ‘Arnold Giant,’ this plant has proved to be
quite fertile. Cytological examination has revealed that Forsythia ‘Karl Sax’ has
the same chromosome number as ‘Arnold Giant,’ and is therefore, a tetraploid —
not a triploid as is the case with ‘Beatrix Farrand.’ Since forsythias are normally
self-sterile, it was surprising to learn that a lone tretraploid plant could give rise
to tetraploid progeny, with only diploid plants available to serve as the pollen
parent. It could have originated from the fertilization by an unreduced pollen
grain from a diploid plant, but unreduced pollen grains are very rare in Forsythia.
The other possible explanation is that this plant originated from a self-pollination
of ‘Arnold Giant.’ In a self-sterile group one would not expect this, unless tetra-
ploidy has induced some degree of self-sterility. This is known to have occurred
in other self-sterile plant groups and it is certainly possible that this is what has
occurred in Forsythia.

Preliminary tests have been conducted to determine the degree of self-compati-
bility in both ‘Arnold Giant’ and ‘Karl Sax,’ by placing bags over some of the
branches to prevent cross-pollination. So many bags and labels were lost, how-
ever, that the results were inconclusive. Possibly later experiments can be more
carefully guarded and will give more conclusive evidence on the breeding be-
havior of polyploid forsythias and on the origin of this interesting plant.

JoAU L. Thomas

[50]

platp: XII

(Above) CIose-u[) of Howers of Forsi/fhid ‘Karl Sax.’ (Below) h'orsythin
‘Karl Sax* as it is j^rowin^f iti the Arnold Arboretum.

Ornamental Fruits, 1960

Autumn color in the Arnold Arboretum is good this year. Hurricane “Donna”
did not dry out much of the foliage here, and of course the Arboretum is suffi-
ciently inland so that salt water, picked up by the winds, did not have any serious
effect on the foliage as it did to a great extent along the shore of southern New
England.

Unfortunately, many of the viburnums have few if any fruits, probably due to
poor weather conditions when the flowers were open last spring. The same is
true of the apple crop in this area — the McIntosh which is the favorite variety
and widely grown, has produced extremely few apples. Some of the later-blooming
varieties such as the Baldwin, have fared better. Incidentally, Baldwin is one of
the few apple varieties which can produce a commercial crop without cross polli-
nation ; McIntosh practically requires it.

Cornus ^o?ufland its variety have fruited very well indeed, as did Cormis Jlorida.
Winterberry {Ilex verticillata) is literally loaded with fruit, and many of the early
flowering oriental crab apples are also well laden with fruits. On the other hand,
the Lowbush Blueberry produced very few fruits in this area.

This can all be traced directly to weather conditions during the flowering period.
A look at the “Local Climatological Data” received from the U.S. Weather
Bureau shows that there was some rain on every day but four from May 8-24,
and the rain was well distributed over each twenty-four-hour period, showing
that the weather was damp and moist much of the time. It was also cold a greater
part of the time — very poor weather for fertilization to take place.

Plants such as the early flowering crab apples, which are fruiting well, flowered
before the cold rainy weather set in, or after it was over {Cornus kousa and its
variety c/iinensis, Ilex verticillata all of which flowered in June when the weather
was warmer and sunny). Those plants not fruiting well (McIntosh apples, many
of the viburnums, Lowbush Blueberry, etc.) flowered when weather conditions
were poor for pollination.

Donald Wyman

ARNOLDIA

A continuation of the
Bulletin of Popular Information
of the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University

V’'oLUME 20 DECEMBER 23, 1960 Numbers 9-10

: THE HILLCREST GARDENS, WESTON, MASSACHUSETTS

IU^^OR thirty-three ,vears, from 1911 until Miss Marian Roby Case con-

A ducted a practical school of agriculture and gardening on her estate in Weston
for children of Weston and the surrounding towns. The activities of the school,
! with the exception of the last two years, as well as the development of the farm
I and bits of Miss Case’s own philosophy , are recorded in the annual “green books,

i which thus comprise a liistory of the estate and a record of the land's use. The

! year 1960 marks the fiftieth anniversary of this farm, now known as the Case P'.s-
' tates of the Arnold Arboretum. The following brief history is intended as a trib-
ute to Miss Case and a summary of a remarkable philanthropic enterprise.

‘ Marian Roby Case ( 1 864- 1 944<) was the daughter of James Brown Case (l826-
1907), originally of Providence, Rhode Island, and I.aura I^ucretia Williams Case
(1833-1918), the daughter of Moses Williams of Roxbury, Massachusetts. Prior
to 1909 the Case family spent the winters in their home at 468 Beacon Street,
Boston, and the summers in Weston. James Case purchased the General Darby
pro[)erty in the geographic center of town, dismantled the existing frame house
and built the well-known Case house. It was the third dwelling to stand on the
[)rof)erty and today houses the kindergarten and offices of the Weston Scliool
» system.

'I'here were four children in the Case family, all girls: Louisa ( 1 862“1 94()),
Caroline ( 1 8.M)-1 9 1 9), Mal)el ( 18.58-1883), and Marian. Mabel died in early
maturity and Caroline was the ordy one to marry.

Following the death of her parents, Louisa inherited the (’ase house on Welles-
ley Street and lived there until 1912. Her sister Marian Roby inherited a small
tract of land lying between W ellesley and .\sh Streets and east of Newton Street.
On this land, to become the original section of Hillcrest Gardens, was located

’ Bibliographic Data on the Ilillcr<*st Cardens Boohs. .lour. .Arnold Arb. II:

3IH-32(), IfPiO.

the Dorgan House, occupied by a gardener and dismantled in 1935. In the spring
of 1909 twenty-three acres of land adjacent to the Case family property came on
the market. Miss Case bought this land, including the Barker House, later known
as the Williams House or the Sentinels (lOl Wellesley Street) on Memorial Day,
of that year. A red barn next to the house was torn down and the first rose gar-
den was established on the filled-in cellar. These properties surrounded a small
amount of land on which was the Cooper House (l02 Wellesley Street). In 1910
M iss Case bought this property, renamed it Appletree Cottage for a famous set
of apple trees surrounding it, and made the house her home.

The entire property was known as Hillcrest Farm, although the origin of the
name cannot be determined from available records. In the first Hillcrest Farm
booklet, published by Miss Case in 1911, she wrote : “Hillcrest is an experimen-
tal farm where we wish to work up the scientific side of agriculture as well as to
employ boys of the town through their long summer vacation.” The land was
called Hillcrest Farms until the eleventh summer (l920), when the name was
changed to Hillcrest Gardens. Miss Case attributed the change of name to the
influence of Charles Sargent and John Jack of the Arnold Arboretum.

It is interesting to note that Miss Case’s interest in horticulture and the de-
velopment of Hillcrest Gardens never exceeded her desire to contribute to the
boys who worked on the land, and, in fact, all children interested in nature.

In horticultural activities Miss Case was extremely active and used the develop-
ing gardens to this end. In the winters she frequently travelled the Mediter-
ranean, partly for her health and partly for the horticultural interest of the area.
She established many contacts in Italy, Sicily, Greece and Egypt, where she not
only collected seeds herself but she had seeds of potentially useful ornamentals
sent to Weston for trial. In 1924 Miss Case became a fellow of the Royal Horti-
cultural Society and received seeds from the Kew Gardens and similar sources.
She was a life member of the Botanical Society of South Africa and received many
packets of seeds from that area. Hillcrest Gardens became the first spot in New
England to try many South African herbaceous plants as garden annuals. In ad-
dition, Mr. Chittenden, director of the Royal Horticultural Society gardens at
Wisley, was a personal friend and sent her some of the best plants grown at
these gardens.

In New Fmgland her influence in horticulture extended to many areas. One of
her most important roles came about as a result of her active participation in the
Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Miss Case joined the Society with a life
membership in 1911. In 1921 she was elected a trustee and so served for over a
decade. She also served actively as chairman of the Childrens Gardens Commit-
tee. She established the Hillcrest Medals for children’s gardens and these were
awarded from 1918 to 1933. In 1927, thirty-seven bronze medals were awarded
to children who prepared outstanding gardens or exhibits. Other special awards
or functions of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society bore the Hillcrest name,

[o4]

such as a silver cup for the best collection of iris and the Hillcrest Gardens sum-
mer lectures sponsored by Miss Case. In 19"26 Professor Sargent, on behalf of the
Massachusetts Horticultural Societ.v, awarded a gold medal to Miss Case witli the
citation, ‘‘Since 1910, Miss Case has financed and energetically conducted a
vocational gardening school for boys between the ages of nine and eighteen.
Equipped with this knowledge in the art and practice of raising first-class flowers,
fruits and vegetables and taught to appreciate the book of Nature, these boys go
forth worthy, capable and practical. Miss Case's deep love of Nature has found
expression in this most useful work and in her the art of garden craft has a staunch
and generous friend.*’ Miss Case was very proud of the award and its citation
and it is only surprising that she did not mention the Centennial Gold Medal of
the Massachusetts Horticultural Society awarded to her in 1930 for her educa-
tional work within the Society.

Horticulture Magazine, now a publication of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society, began publication in 1920 as a weekly, privately published journal witli
Edward Earrington as its editor. It came under the sponsorship of the Massachu-
setts Horticultural Society in August 1923, and continued as a semi-monthly
periodical. Apparently this magazine proved a financial burden to the Society and
was the subject of much discussion at tlie meetings of the trustees. Professor
Sargent and Miss Case were its strongest defenders, firmly anticipating its present
success. Quietly, but not without official notice. Miss Case contributed generous
financial support to meet its deficits. Miss Case regularly contributed articles and
short horticultural observations, thirty alone in 1920, and sent many copies to
her friends and correspondents abroad to make the publication more widely
known internationally.

Miss Case was in close association with the Arnold Arboretum and the Botanic
Gardens of Harvard University. She received many plants from the Arboretum
for trial in Weston and today some of the outstanding specimens of plants intro-
duced to American Horticulture by E. H. Wilson of the Arboretum staff' are
growing on the Case Estates. Miss Case was appointed a member of the Over-
seers Committee to visit the Harvard Botanic Garden in 1922, and in 1924- she
sponsored a private viewing of these gardens. 'Pea was served and over 4000
invitations were sent, of which 3000 were accepted, h'lsewhere in the Boston
area the Benevolent Emit and Elower Mission received her support with regular
contributions of cut flowers and plants.

Miss Case was an active member of the Woman's National Earm and Garden
.Association and served in many of its offices, including that of president in 1927-
28 when this national organization met at Hillcrest.

In Weston her generosity found many avenues of expression. She was an active
member of the Eirst Parish ('hurch, Unitarian, and many benefits were held at
Hillcrest Gardens for this parish. In the same manner she supported the Society
for the I’revention of Cruelty to Children. Likewise the local school system re-

[ ]

ceived her attention. She offered prizes for the best essays written on topics
which she suggested. Frizes were offered from 1921 until 1932. In the latter
year forty-two prizes were awarded (generally books of poetry) in grades seven
through twelve. She was an active participant in the Weston and Wayland
Grange and for at least one year (l929) was president of the Wayland Garden
Club.

The school at Hillcrest Gardens received her constant attention. She person-
ally selected the boys and watched their work and development, keeping in touch
with them even after they had left Hillcrest. As one student wrote in 1913, “it
seems to be a settled policy with Miss Case that when a boy has entered the
work here a^d as long as he continues here that he is never out of her reach.”
Miss Case personally selected many of the leaders from among the boys, en-
couraged the development of others and disciplined those who needed it. During
the school term she met with the boys in study periods to watch their work and
regularly took a period each week to read to them from the works of challenging
authors. No summer was complete unless Miss Case read to the boys Sill’s
“Opportunity,” Longfellow’s “Fiftieth Birthday of Aggassiz,” Lowell’s “Vision
of Sir Launfal” and Wordsworth’s “Happy Warrior.” Others of her favorite
readings included Van Loon’s “The Story of Mankind” and “The Americani-
zation of Edward Bok.”

Although there was no lack of applicants from whom Miss Case might select
boys for her school, she reported on at least one occasion that her “chief trouble
has been to find a man to take charge, who liking boys knew something about
agriculture or a man wide in farm knowledge who would have patience with the
boys.” Three men of her choosing, Thomas Park, Jack Williams and Dennis
Crowley, were largely responsible for the signal success of Hillcrest as a school
for boys.

Each summer began with having pictures taken of the boys. These pictures
hung on the wall of the clubhouse throughout the summer. One year Miss Case
wrote, “One boy coming into my studio to have his picture taken asked me if I
thought he had grown since last summer. I was able to tell him I thought he
had grown in everything that makes a boy worth while.”

Today many of these same graduates a number of whom still live in Weston,
speak with pride and pleasure of the influence of Miss Case and Hillcrest on
their youthful years.

Since Hillcrest was a truck farm, it operated in competition with other farmers
in the area. But the income from the produce grown at Hillcrest never equalled
the cost of the school and Miss Case’s many horticultural philantropies. The
wages paid to the boys were low and perhaps for this reason Miss Case feared
criticism. In several of the “green books” she questioned the appreciation of the
townspeople in Weston for her efforts. In 1917 she wrote, “Sometimes I wonder
if the good people of M'eston who buy these vegetables at low market prices

delivered to their doors, ever stop to wonder who paj’s for raisings them and the
berries, plums, apples and peaches which three times a week are sent around
town.” There follows a bit of homely philosophy in which she rnusintrly writes
of herself in the third person, “She can have boys trained to teach other boys
to grow food for the people. Is she willing to pay the cost? She needs the in-
terest and appreciation of her neighbors.” This appreciation came shortly after
the publication of the booklet in the form of a petition signed by sixty-four of
her neighbors. It read, “The accompanying petition will, I hope, assure you how
greatly Weston people appreciate Hillcrest Farm. We the undersigned desire to
express our appreciation of the service rendered to the townspeople during the
past by Hillcrest Farm and to request that its products will continue to be dis-
tributed in Weston.” The boys, however, needed no encouragement to express
their appreciation. They wanted to work successive summers and one was finally
told, after twelve years, that he should seek employment elsewhere for his own
benefit. The following year, however, he returned to be in charge of the boys.
Another reported, “The selling of the produce brings the boys in contact with
the customers and is very instructive to them. It is one branch of the farm work
which gives the boys a good business training and also helps them to develop
patience and tact as they meet so many different kinds of customers.”

The Land and its Buildings

d'he land comprising the Hillcrest Gardens was purchased by Miss Case in five
pieces, supplementing her original inheritance of land . I'he first purchase in 1909
was twenty-three acres and included the Williams house. About 1910 Appletree
Cottage was purchased and in 1912 an additional forty-six acres known as the
Milton lot w’as added. This included the Milton house and garage and an old
gray barn, later dismantled. In 1916-17 the five acres between Wellesley Street
and Ash Street known as Crosslots w'ere [)urchased from the Hastings family and
brought under cultivation. Apparently the Hastings House at 181 Wellesley
Street was included in this f)urchase. I’he final purchase, another five acres be-
tween 1.87 and 168 W’ellesley .Street, contained a pine woods and a large swamp
and was purchased to screen Hillcrest from the real estate development along
Chestnut Street.

'I'he first summer at Hillcrest was Sf)ent clearing the rather poor farm lands of
rock and pruning the neglected a[)ple and peach trees. Large boulders were
hauled to one side and used to make two outstanding examples of the wall builders*
art. 'I'he large, freestanding wall, ten feet high, six feet thick and 200 feet long
is the longest of its kind known in New Kngland. I'he inspiration for such a wall
came when Miss Case, on a visit to 'I'okyo was deeply impressed with a vista
where f)ines towered over grey stone walls,*’ as they were to do at Hillcrest.

d'he clubhouse, now 138 Wellesley Street, was uuder construction as a private
residence in Crosslots when purchased by Miss Case in 1911 and moved to its

present location, formerly the site of a “yellow barn.” A bell cupulo was added
and in 1927 the large veranda was constructed. The second floor of the clubhouse
was partitioned to accommodate a toilet and a darkroom for the boys’ use. The
first floor was used as a display and sales area for produce and the second floor,
with its dias, served as a study hall and classroom. During the many benefit open
houses held at Hillcrest, the veranda was used for serving lunches and teas, and
as a platform for instrumental or choral groups.

Another item constructed from native stone was the large incinerator built in
1924 to the rear of 187 Wellesley Street. Brush and debris from the farm was
burned in this massive structure to secure ashes for fertilizer.

The large yellow barn at 135 Wellesley Street was started on the 18th of April,
1927, and was dedicated in the late summer with a reception for the National
Farm and Garden Association and later with the Labor Day exercises. The barn,
designed by Samuel W. Mead of Weston, and constructed by William Kellar,
was an outstanding structure for its time. The cold rooms for storage of fruits and
vegetables and the special facilities for storage of manure were advances in design.

Throughout her travels. Miss Case accumulated figures or objects of art for in-
clusion in the garden. A few of these remain, such as the Italian bird tiles built
into the cellar window of an old barn and now seen next to 1 33 Wellesley Street.
Some were commissioned by Miss Case, such as the painting representing Deme-
ter and Triptolemus by Alberti Angeli of Florence, Italy, which was hung on the
wall of the clubhouse. A special stone settee with a wrought iron back bearing
a design of two Hillcrest boys in uniform and an oval spray of roses and pansies,
as well as an iron chain of 250 links can still be seen next to 101 Wellesley
Street near the ground cover display.

Two concrete benches, copies of an original built by Russell G. Crook of Lin-
coln in 1921, feature Puck playing with a goat and some Byzantine birds. One
of these benches is in the perennial garden and the other is between the yews
near 101 Wellesley Street.

The Farm and the Gardens

From the beginning. Miss Case maintained high standards based on her broad
knowledge of gardens in many parts of the world. The Hillcrest farm and gar-
dens, she felt, must be outstanding in every way and she would tolerate no
lesser aim. The original land purchase consisted of neglected agricultural land.
Subsequent purchases, increasing the land area to 100 acres, added not only
more agricultural land, but also a forest and a swamp. By 1917 approximately
twenty-five acres were under cultivation and in 1930 there were forty acres of
crops and gardens. P^very j-ear, as a result of her many contacts and member-
ships, Miss Case received new seeds or plants for trial. These were carefully
tended and regular reports were sent to official sources when these were required.
The first introductions mentioned were three rows of espaliered fruit trees im-

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ported from England in 1910 and grown on trellises near the big stone wall. An
interest in native herbaceous plants culminated in the development of a woods
garden and special attention was given to the selection of seed from the best of
the New England wild flowers or berried plants such as blueberries and black-
berries. These selections were distributed in exchange for seeds from other
sources.

Much of the produce was custom grown. When townspeople expressed interest
in a particular fruit or vegetable or in a certain variety, Miss Case often obtained
these seeds or plants and the produce was soon supplied. Many grape varieties
were reserved for special customers. The old apple and peach trees on the origi-
nal land formed the first produce offered for sale, but expansion was rapid. In
191 4-, 800 grape plants were purchased and the famous vineyard of forty varie-
ties became productive in 1916. Wild blueberries were picked from the land and
the best plants were dug and brought under cultivation. In the early years Miss
Case offered a prize to the boy who found the first plant producing blueberries
the size of a dime. Such a plant was not found at Hillcrest, so the prize was
offered to all members of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and in 1931
was finally awarded to Mr. ^Albert C. Burrage. Anticipating a market among the
people of Italian descent. Miss Case introduced plants of European dandelions.
In 1918, partly due to the wartime need to produce foodstuffs, Hillcrest had sixty
varieties of vegetables under cultivation. Notwithstanding this effort to produce
vegetables in quantity, the school proudly maintained its high standards of
quality, as is attested by the many awards received for its fruits and vegetables.
Ninety-seven awards and votes of thanks were received from the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society in 1920 and fifty-two awards were received at the Weston
grange fair in 1922.

Hillcrest Gardens used the latest methods of cultivation and followed closely
the agricultural developments of the day. Both surface and overhead irrigation
was used, the Skinner overhead system being tried there for the first time in
Massachusetts. The animals of the farm supplied manure, but chemical fertilizers
and sprays were also employed generously. The original horses and plows gave
way to the first Fordson tractor in the Weston area in 1920 and that to the
Rototiller and Farmall tractors in 1933.

Originally the produce was sold to residents of Weston but deliveries to Wal-
tham and Boston proved even more profitable. A bicycle express provided de-
livery service in Weston in 1911 while the Hillcrest team and wagon carried
produce to greater distances. A Ford truck replaced the horse and wagon in 1 9 1 3.
By the year 1 9 1 8, produce was sold at the farm, though deliveries were still made
twice a week to Waltham and Boston and three times a week in Weston. How-
ever, in 1920 Miss Case noted that it was no longer necessary to make commer-
cial deliveries, for merchants were willing to come to the farm for the fruits and
vegetables. In 1921 a Hillcrest teahouse and market was started in a yellow barn

[ ««> ]

near the village smithy in Weston center. A woman was hired to run the tea-
house with the help of the boys from Hillcrest, who also operated the stand.
'I'he teahouse and market operated until 1933. After that all produce for Weston
was sold directly to a local market.

To Mr. John Wister, who came to Hillcrest as a lecturer to the boys, and to
Mr. Arthur Williams, belong the credit for the horticultural developments at
Hillcrest Gardens. After Mr. Wister's first visit he sent to Miss Case a number
of Iris versicolor varieties for the swampy areas at Hillcrest. In 1923 Mr. Wister
spent most of the summer planning the roads and paths, the special woods gar-
dens and a test garden for the American Iris Society. He also made a catalogue
of all the ornamental trees and shrubs under cultivation and suggested that a
peony garden be established. Thus, in 1924 between oOO and 600 iris cultivars
were planted in approved form next to Appletree Cottage and in 1925 an old
potato patch was replanted to peonies. The woods garden was established the
following year and the spring garden in 1931. By 1934 the iris garden, having
outgrown the existing beds, was rei)lanted with over 700 cultivars. Mr. Williams
and his family came to Hillcrest in 1922 and his deft touch with plants, together
with his constant search for better cultural methods produced the outstanding
horticultural specimens for which Hillcrest became known.

Hillcrest Gardens flourished in the 1930’s, but on the afternoon and early
evening of September 21, 1938, a disastrous hurricane swept through the area.
Much damage was done to the finespecimen trees on the grounds, many of which
stood alone without the protection of mass j)lantings. In the orchards seventy-
four large apple trees and twenty-nine other fruit trees were destroyed. The
woodlands behind the gardens were severely hit and the Sentinels, those famous
pines standing guard behind the high stone wall, were toppled. In the forest
2500 pines, some exceeding three feet but all averaging at least eighteen inches
in diameter were felled, as were 500 oaks and 250 maples. Many trees and shrubs
in the garden were hauled erect and staked into position but many otliers were
lost. During the winter months the woods were cleared and logs salvaged from
the tangle which nature had created. The government established a saw mill in
Wayland and by team, truck and tractors, logs from Hillcrest were hauled to
the mill. 'I’he resulting 130,000 board feet gave ample evidence of the hurri-
cane's destruction.

The Boys at Hillcrest

During the first summer at Hillcrest in 1910, six boys were hired to help on
the farm. I'liis nund)er was increased to eight the second summer and to eighteen
in 1912. Twenty was the maximum number enrolled in the school. Originally,
Miss Case planned to divide the boys into two groups according to age, a younger
group which would work mornings oidy and an older group to work all day.
Work began at Hillcrest in the middle of .lunc, after the close of the public
schools and at a time when the strawberry crop was ready to be picked. During

[Cl ]

the early years the boys were all photographed individually and, foreshadowing
the group health plan later to cover all Hillcrest employees ; all received a physi-
cal examination from Dr. Wood, a family physician of Weston. In 1911 each boy
was supplied with two khaki “uniforms,” consisting of a Norfolk jacket with the
Hillcrest emblem on the left sleeve, the Hillcrest hat and a tie. By 1937 the
uniform had changed to two green sweaters, one for dress, each with a gold felt
shield bearing the name “Hillcrest” in green letters, and a green tie.

At the first assembly of the season Miss Case presented each boy with a diary
in which to make daily entries of the weather and of his activities. Pencils and
notebooks were also supplied for his drawings and observation papers and the
notes to be taken for the required Labor Day paper. Then Miss Case outlined
what was expected of the boys in diligent work habits on the farm and in their
studies. For the first several years the boys worked from eight in the morning
until noon and from one to four-thirty in the afternoon with two half-hour re-
cesses and on Saturdays from eight until noon. A one-hour lecture was given on
alternate Mondays and the boys prepared a program of entertainment for them-
selves on the intervening weeks. On Wednesdays there was a study hour of draw-
ing or reading and on Fridays Miss Case read or heard the boys read or speak.
Eventually the educational aspects became more significant under the guidance
of the various men in charge of the school. For the greater part of its existence,
the school consisted of one hour a day for drawing, reading or study, with a pro-
gram featuring a guest lecturer one full afternoon each week and an earned out-
ing on Saturday afternoons. The younger boys drew leaves, the older ones flowers
and whole plants. At one time the younger boys studied agriculture and farm-
ing, the middle group studied botany from Gray’s “How Plants Grow” and the
older boys studied from Bailey’s “Nursery Book.” Bird identification was an
important part of their education and one boy made a list of sixty-five different
birds observed at Hillcrest in the summer of 1918. Elocution lessons were oflTered
at times under the direction of a Mr. Gifford of the Emerson College of Oratory,
who gave the boys regular “vocal calisthenics.” Observation papers were re-
quired and the best were published in the green books.

Discipline was strict, enforced by the teachers and by Miss Case herself. A
system of demerits was imposed for infraction of rules and the boys with most
demerits were threatened with being dismissed or with being ineligible for em-
ployment the following year, yet no boy was ever guilty of sufficient infractions
for either of these punishments. On the other hand, good work was rewarded
with Miss Case’s praise and prizes of photographs, books or money.

The chores for the boys were varied. The clubhouse must be kept clean; the
vegetables and fruits must be picked and washed for market and peddled from
door to door; the donkey needed care; the barn must be swept and the vege-
table and flower garden must be weeded.

The outings during the year were eagerly anticipated, reported upon and long

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remembered. When the first motor car was bought, a ride to Concord, Salem,
Sharon (Moose Hill Sanctuary), the Navy Yard, Franklin Park, Waltham Field
Station, Benson Animal Farm, East Boston Airport, Walden Pond, the Proctor
estate, or even a trip to Boston to see Buffalo Bill, rewarded the boys, yet com-
bined education with pleasure.

An annual all-day picnic was also held for all of the boys. The favorite spot
was Paragon Park at Nantasket, but one trip to Hampton Beach was timed so
that the boys could see an eclipse of the sun.

Extra activities found their way into the program as well. Eager to march in
the parade celebrating Weston’s 250th anniversary, the boys formed a marching
unit complete with drums made of cheese boxes with paper-and-curtain heads.
Later Miss Case bought six snare drums, a base drum, eight fifes and a pair of
cymbals for the unit, so impressed was she with their efforts. During the period
of the First World War, patriotism became the motivating force at Hillcrest. The
boys collected money from door to door to have a plaque placed in front of the
library during an appropriate ceremony. The need for growing and conserving
food was impressed on the farm boys, who labored long and hard to grow good
crops. One kitchen on the farm was devoted to canning. Jars were solicited and
finally purchased by the carload and during 1917 over 900 jars of fruits and vege-
tables were preserved to meet an anticipated food shortage in the winter. Since
vegetable seeds were difficult to obtain, the Hillcrest boys saved seed from their
crops in 1918 for the following season and made available the surplus to others.

For these and similar efforts the boys received wages. In 1911 Miss Case
thought that one dollar a week for the younger boys and twenty dollars a month
for the boys working full days was appropriate. By 1925 the standard was ten
dollars a month, increasing five dollars each month for each year’s service to a
maximum of twenty-five dollars. In addition, the boys received produce from the
farm. Few there were who went home empty-handed. Only during the depres-
sion year of 1933 did Miss Case find it difficult to finance the farm. This was re-
flected by more stringent rules of behavior and a decrease in the maximum wage
to twenty dollars. While most of the boys were from Weston in the early years
of the school, boys were accepted from adjacent towns and a few came even
greater distances. Miss Case insisted that applications come from the boys and
not from their parents. Most boys commuted to the farm every day but a few
boarded at Hillcrest. For this they were charged $8.50 a week while earning
$10.00 a month. Obviously there were parents who recognized the value of this
unique training ground and were anxious to give this opportunity to their sons.
Yet rarely did the farm meet its expenses. Hillcrest and its school proved to be
one of Miss Case’s many charities.

Perhaps one of the best known activities of Hillcrest Gardens was the summer
lectures, generally held on Wednesday afternoons. The clubhouse was swept and
an attractive display of flowers, fruits and vegetables were offered for sale on the

first floor. The local papers and the magazine Horticulture announced the speak-
ers who were outstanding men in science or in public life. Special groups from
settlement houses, the Perkins Institute, the garden clubs or churches and
schools were often invited. These lectures, six each summer, were offered from
1911, when the speakers were William Denton (butterflies), F. W. Barret
(bees), B. F. McDaniel (soils), Wilfrid Wheeler (apples), W. G. Kendall (grapes)
and John T. Nichols (birds) until 1941 when the speakers were the Beverend
Miles Hanson, Jr. (English composition), E. D. Merrill (Romance of Plant
Names), Harold S. Tiffany ( ITopagation of plants), the Reverend Waitsill H.
Sharp (Meaning of German occupation in Europe), Charles F. Whitney (Lore of
North American Indians), Lawrence B. Fletcher (public reservations), A. B.
Stout (The Plant Breeders Work), Edmund Mezitt (Edible and ornamental ber-
ries) and Ernest Little (Lse of chemistry on the farm). During these thirty
.vears, 115 men, including college presidents, outstanding scientists and former
Hillcrest boys, appeared on the lecture programs. Remunerations up to $100
plus expenses made the trip worthwhile for the speakers and indicate Miss Case's
generosity and interest. As she expressed it, ^*In order that we may keep in
touch with the best work that is being done in agriculture and also interest the
boys in nature, we have had lectures through the summer by specialists.'*

A favorite speaker. Dr. A. B. Stout of the New York Botanical Garden ap-
peared on the program fifteen times. Close runners-up in the popularity contest
were John Wister( Arthur Hoyt Scott Horticultural Foundation) and E. H. Wilson
(Arnold Arboretum). Such outstanding scientists as Glover Allen, Charles Brues,
M. L. Fernald, Richard Fisher, Marshall Howe, John Jack, B. Y. Morrison,
Robert Cushman Murphy, Harris Reynolds, Harold St. John, Clark Thayer and
C. A. Weatherby joined propagators and poets, ministers and E.nglish teachers
on the Hillcrest lecture platform.

'I'he summers ended on Labor Day with annual exercises. 'I’o these the parents
and neighbors were invited. I he boys marched up the stairs to the second floor
of the clubhouse led by the oldest or the most outstanding boys carrying the
American flag and the Hillcrest flag and singing America. I'he American flag
was [)resented to Miss Case who held it while the audience joined in the singing,
riiis was followed by the pledge of allegiance. J'he Hillcrest school song was
sung and the |)rogram introduced by Miss Case. She announced the names of
the judges who would decide on the best papers to be read by the boys and the
prizes to l)e awarded for work during the year. Each boy then read his paper
and when all were done .MissC.’ase presented first the Hillcrest pin to those boys
completing with distinction their first year at Hillcrest and then the Semper
Raratus pin bearing the motto of the school, to the boys of three or more sum-
mers. riien the prizes were awarded for the best |)apers read that day and finally
the prizes for work during the year; for the best work in the field, in the study
hour, the l)est report of the lectures, the best drawings, observation papers, the

wild flower collection and the bird list. During one year fifteen of the eighteen
boys on the farm received prizes. In such a manner Miss Case won the hearts
of the boys.

Following the exercises the boys returned home. A few worked on the farm
on Saturdays into the fall and for several winters Miss Case had Saturday or vaca-
tion work or classes for the boys who wished to attend. Classes in woodworking
and weaving were offered at one time and during the First World War, a class
in first aid.

During the winter Miss Case usually travelled to the Mediterranean. She
found time, however, to edit the reports of the boys and to publish the annual
green book, to order seeds and to plan the gardens, to correspond with former
Hillcrest boys and to select the ones for the coming summer.

The End and a New Beginning

During 1939, the thirtieth anniversary year of Hillcrest, Miss Case was seri-
ously ill. The summer followed its usual course with twenty boys employed on
the farm, fourteen of them having worked previous years. The Labor Day exer-
cises were special, however, for all former Hillcrest boys were invited to return
fora reunion or to send greetings. The group gathered at noon for a luncheon,
the birthday cake, and special speakers. Dr. E. D. Merrill spoke, as did Thomas
Dooley. A roll call of former Hillcrest boys, with responses, was followed by a
talk by John Wister on the future of Hillcrest.

Mr. Wister considered the possibilities of continuing Hillcrest to meet the
goals which Miss Case had established in 1909 and maintained to that day. He
dismissed the suggestion that the land become a park for the town of Weston or
even a part of the Boston Metropolitan Park System. Instead, he expressed the
hope that some organization such as the Massachusetts Horticultural Society,
Harvard College, Wellesley College, or perhaps the state university at Amherst
might be able to continue to do the research work in various fields connected
with flower gardens.” Mr. Wister, recognizing the improbability of continuing
the school, pointed out that ‘^We cannot lay down exact programs for the future.
All Miss Case can do is to express her wish that her present work should con-
tinue. She and all of us must trust to the intelligence and good faith of the per-
son and organizations who may take over the work here. If they follow the spirit
of the founder, there will be many years of usefulness ahead for these gardens
started in 1909 by Miss Marian Roby Case.” Mr. Wister’s talk is published in
the green book of 1939.

Hillcrest Gardens and School operated through 1942. On July 4, 1944, Marian
Case died. Having determined that the Massachusetts Horticultural Society did
not feel capable of operating the estate, she bequeathed the property to Harvard
University for the purpose of the Arnold Arboretum.

In this decision, her sister Louisa’s influence is shown. Louisa Case was in-
terested in maintaining the family property intact. In 1942 she gave to Harvard

[ 6<! ]

University §50,000 and some fifty-nine acres of the original Case property, in-
cluding her residence in Weston, as a memorial to her father, James B. Case.
Perhaps the family relationship to President Lowell influenced her in this direc-
tion. Perhaps, too, Marian Case felt inclined to follow her sister’s lead since,
having been on the Visiting Committee for the Arnold Arboretum, she knew
something of its needs. In an}' case, both bequeathed their properties to Harvard
University, with endowments to maintain the land.

The two pieces of property, nearly 200 acres, were accepted by Harvard L'ni-
versity for the purposes of the Arnold Arboretum and were called the Case Es-
tates of the Arnold Arboretum. Almost immediately Harvard University was
approached to release a portion of the Case lands to the town of Weston for the
purpose of new school construction. Miss Louisa Case, who outlived her sister
Marian, was consulted and by agreement, to avoid eminent domain suit. Harvard
sold to the town 43 acres, including the original Case mansion, a barn and ex-
tensive ranges of greenhouses. In 1957 the town again required land for a pro-
gram of school construction, and this time, by an eminent domain suit, another
32.5 acres, mostly land bequeathed by Louisa Case, were lost to Arboretum pur-
poses. The current use of the remaining 1 10 acres has been described in other
issues of Arnoldia ( ]6 : 9-\6, 53-59, 1956; 18:41-44, 1958).

The land is used principally as nursery and testing areas for the new plant in-
troductions of the Arnold Arboretum. The Case Estates, offering both room for
the growth of such plants and more rigorous environmental conditions than those
prevailing in Jamaica Plain, serve this purpose admirably.

Many acres, as well as smaller, casual plantings, are devoted to species of less
ornamental value and are grown there permanently so that records of the species
may be maintained for future taxonomic studies and for breeding programs.
Many other acres of land have been devoted to long-range growth studies of
trees. J'he wooded areas serve as natural zones of vegetation for use of classes.
.Special display plantings of ground cover plants, shrubs for perennial gardens
and small street trees have been established. Large areas liave been landscaped
for the enjoyment of visitors.

I'he Case Instates remain open to the public, even as did Hillcrest Clardens,
but there could be no Hillcrest School without tlie vibrant personality of a Miss
Marian (’ase. A few high school students are employed each summer and college
students, carrying on graduate research [)rograms, continue Miss Case's goal of
scientific leadership in the fields of agriculture and horticulture. Hillcrest Har-
dens established a standard of excellence in the years of its existence from 1910
through 19 It which we hope the Case Instates of the Arnold Arboretum may
successfully maintain.

[ <i7 ]

Bl( M MU) A . I loWAUI)

1*

ARNOLDIA

A continuation of the
Bulletin of Popular Information
of the Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University

V^oLUME 20 DECEMBER 30, 1960 Numbers 11-12

HOW TO ESTABLISH AN ARBORETUM OR BOTANICAL GARDEN

Numerous requests are received from time to time by the principal arbore-
tums and botanical gardens of the country for information concerning how
to start an arboretum. Such inquiries clearly indicate that the arboretum idea is
definitely being considered in widely separated parts of the country.

Professor Charles Sprague Sargent, first director of the Arnold Arboretum, long
ago realized the need for arboretums or maintained plant collections strategically
located in the various climatic zones of North America. Many new arboretums
were established during his lifetime. Such institutions are not competitive but
cooperative, and today there is a great need for more of them.

Botanical gardens on the other hand, are much older in this country and abroad.
It is obvious that there is an ever growing desire on the part of the public to have
named collections of p)lants, both native and exotic, for observation as well as for
study and enjoyment in pjlaces where they can best be seen and appreciated.

An arboretum should be carefully planned, well financed, and competently
administered. 'Phis article is devoted to some of the ways and means of establish-
ing and maintaining a satisfactory arboretum or botanical garden, many of the
suggestions here oft’ered resulting from observing the successful development of
various institutions in widely separated parts of the country.

Definition: — An arboretum or botanical garden, as considered in the following
discussion, is an am[)le area set aside for the growing and effective display of all
the different kinds of worthy ornamental trees, shrubs, vines and other plants
which can be grown in a given area, their maintenance, proper labeling, and
study. It does not necessarily have to include all the plants that can be grown
in a region, nor does it necessarily have to include formal beds or borders of
annuals and perennials.

An arboretum differs from a botanical garden in that the em{)hasis is placed on

the growing of woody plants in the arboretum, whereas in the botanical garden
emphasis is not placed on the growing of any particular kind of plant, but all
types are grown. Large rock gardens and expensively operated rose gardens are
frequently found in an arboretum or botanical garden but these are not essential
parts of either.

Both differ from a park in that in the former a serious effort has been made to
plant an extensive collection of many kinds of labeled plants not only for the
purpose of display but also for critical examination and scientific study. Many
parks are planted without the labeling of any plants and with the use of only a
small number of locally available plant species. Some parks, it is true, contain a
certain number of labeled plants, as for example, the Boston Public Garden ;
Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island ; Fairmont Park in Philadel-
phia; and others throughout the country, but no consistent effort is made in most
of them to label and keep labeled all the different kinds of plants grown. Both
a park and an arboretum or botanical garden can be used for recreational pur-
poses; but the arboretum or botanical garden go beyond the park in that they
become highly educational to many of their visitors, demonstrating by means of
labeled specimens what good species are available for planting in a given area or
can be grown indoors.

The purpose of any arboretum, be it large or small, is to grow (and to keep
labeled) the best of the ornamental woody plants which will thrive in a given
locality. Many other objectives may be considered, such as the actual introduc-
tion of new plants into cultivation, actual exploration of remote regions, the
growing of all types of woody plants hardy in the area, scientific investigations
of various kinds including plant breeding and hybridization, the maintenance of
a large herbarium and library, and laboratories of various t3’pes — these may be
legitimate functions of an arboretum, depending on the funds available, and the
qualifications of the members of its staff.

Botanical gardens maj" have even wider functions for their aims are wider, in-
cluding as they do representatives of the whole plant kingdom from the tropics
to the Arctic, grown outside or under glass. However, small communities should
not be deterred by these weighty and often expensive objectives for they may be
omitted altogether where funds for the maintenance of such gardens are unavail-
able. If an arboretum effectivelj" demonstrates ^*the best” of the woodj" plants
hardy in its area, this alone will make it a most valuable asset in the community
it serves. The botanical garden need not cover a large area. It can be effective
on a few acres with a few display greenhouses and display a representative col-
lection of plants from all over the world.

Charles Sprague Sargent used to saj" that in order to start an arboretum it was
necessarv to have a thousand acres of land with at least a million dollars endow-
ment: yet he started an arboretum with onlj" 125 acres of land and $100,000
endowment, and in the early years of the Arnold Arboretum he had onlj’ one

[70]

tliird of the income of that modest endowment for annual expenditure. I'liere is
still the need for large arboretums placed in different regions representing differ-
ent climatic conditions where all the woody plants hardy in an area may be grown
and which are well endowed for scientific investigations. This is undoubtedly what
Professor Sargent had in mind, for the Arnold Arboretum was, and is, that kind
of an institution. But times are changing. With the extensive garden club move-
ment and increased tendency away from urban dwelling, more and more people
are becoming interested in the growing of plants.

A new conception of an arboretum is coming into being. This is very well ex-
pressed in the plantings of the Arthur Hoyt Scott Horticultural Foundation at
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. It is adaptable to communities
smaller than Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, St. Louis or Seattle. It
is feasible where funds are lacking to finance expensive scientific investigations,
but where there is a definite need to grow and demonstrate to the public ^*the
best’* plants hardy in a particular area. It is readily seen that this idea is a flexi-
ble one for the actual size of the arboretum or botanical garden may vary con-
siderably. d'he idea is based on the theory that the same old varieties of plants
may be superseded by new and better varieties. There are new varieties of cars,
of refrigerating devices, of clothes and women's hats, and there are new varieties
of plants as well. In the display gardens the “old” varieties are grown side by
side with the “new,*’ both often being available to the plant-buying public. But
with the best varieties only being displayed, interest and variety in private and
municipal planting will be greatly stimulated. With this conception in mind, the
committee responsible for planning an arboretum or botanical garden should be
so constituted as to give the best advice possible for its usefulness and adaptation
to the community.

P^unctions of an Arboretum or Botanical Garden: — 'Phe purposes of estab-
lishing a display garden should be carefully considered before the plan is publicly
broached. Some of the more important functions of such a garden might be:

1) d’o grow o?dy a few of the best*’ plants hardy in the area in order that
liorne owners may become accjuainted with tlieir names, their ornamental charac-
teristics and the proper methods of culture.

2) d’o show a complete selection of all that is considered the best from an orna-
mental standpoint among the woody plants (if an arboretum, or among the peren-
nials, annuals, l)ull)S as well, if a botanical garden) that it is possible to be grown
in the area.

.S) d'o serve as a means of introducing new plants into the area, regardless of
the source from which they may come.

t) d’o disseminate knowledge of plants to the public. I'his would include in-

elude information on culture, pruning, fertilizing and possibly a continual study
under local conditions of just what varieties are ‘*the best” including cooperation
with schools, garden clubs and other organizations.

5) To test the hardiness of untried varieties.

6) To provide a laboratory for students of botany, horticulture and nature study.

7) To increase the productivity, economic importance and beauty of an area,
by intelligent and interesting planting, and by introducing plants not grown
there before.

s) To provide recreational stimulus to the public by means of walks, drives
and beautiful displays, flower shows, etc., and to stimulate the pleasure of learn-
ing to know new plants which might be adapted to planting on private property.

Each of these functions should be studied individually with view to the best in-
terests of the community. One of the first decisions to be made is whether the
present park system satisfies the needs and desires of the people or whether its
scope should be enlarged. Would the people be interested in a garden of woody
plants only, or should an expensive display greenhouse for showing material in
the winter be included? It is important to consider that an arboretum will always
be less expensive to operate even if it includes a large variet}^ of woody plants.
On the other hand there are some communities where plant displays in large con-
servatories fill a real need in the winter. If this is the local situation and funds
are available, the construction of display greenhouses filled with exotics must be
considered.

If the community is small, the effective functions of the display garden will be
largely display. If the community is large and funds are available, the functions
may also include scientific investigations, especially if there is an institution of
higher learning with which the arboretum may be connected. How far this may
be extended will depend upon the community, its nearness to other large insti-
tutions, the availability of funds, and on leaders in the municipality.

Methods of Establishing an Arboretum or Botanical Garden: — The first ar-
boretums and botanical gardens started as private gardens when individuals became
interested in assembling collections of plants. John Bartram has the credit of
establishing the first large collection of trees and shrubs in this country when he
established his garden in 1728 at Kingsessing on the banks of the Schuylkill
River near Philadelphia. Since that time, many private collections have been es-
tablished at one time or another but many of them have passed out of existence
after the death of the original owners. Today there are a few private arboretums
worthy of the name. Among them would be the one started by Mr. H. H.
Hunnewell in Wellesley, Massachusetss, in 1852, and devoted mainly to coni-

[72]

fers ; and that of Mr. Stanley Rowe of Cincinnati, Ohio, which now contains
3000 different kinds of woody plants.

A local community can have an arboretum as a result of cooperative effort by
various local organizations. The Berkshire Garden Center at Stockbridge, Massa-
chusetts, is just such an example. Funds are raised by local committees of enthu-
siasts to produce and maintain the type of arboretum wanted by a majority of the
community — in this case showing some of the better ornamental plants that can
be used in planting home grounds in the area.

riie government operated arboretum is exemp3lified by the Dominion Arboretum
adjacent to the Experimental f arm in Ottawa, Canada. This is 73 years old and
contains about 3300 species and varieties of woody plants. It is owned and
operated by the Canadian government. Our own National Arboretum at Wash-
ington, D.C. has been developed by government funds. FAen national govern-
ment budgets are frequently the playthings of legislators, and the future of an
arboretum under government jurisdiction, though safer than a private arboretum,
may still suffer much from a fluctuating annual budget.

An arboretum is sometimes part of the park department of the city. Such is the
case with Highland Park and Durand-Kastman Park in Rochester, New York,
d'he 484- acres constituting Durand-Kastman Park were originally a gift to the
city, made by Dr. Henry S. Durand and George Kastman, but maintenance
operations are carried out exclusively by the city Park Department, support being
from city taxes. The advantages are obvious, for the park personnel is usually
well equipped to maintain a collection of trees and shrubs. However, disadvan-
tages are often evident. In many a park department the annual budget is subject
to devious mani|)ulations by politicians who may have no interest in park plant-
ings and in all too many cities in this country the park department budget is tlie
first to suffer reductions when city expenditures are cut.

riie best method of establishing an arboretum or botanical garden is to provide
a properly safeguarded restricted endoxcment , the income from which may be used
only for specified purposes. The endowment should be sufficiently large to pro-
vide a reasonably ample annual income, for only in this way can permanence be
assured. It will l)e necessary for the Planning (’omrnittee to estimate the annual
expenses in advance. Many arboreturns today are l)eing operated wliolly or in
part by income from endowments, fhe endowment is not sufficient in some in-
stances to cover all ex[)enses and additional funds are necessary from the tax
budget or from [)rivate sources in order to make it possible to attain the ends de-
sired. When the income from an endowment must be augmented by annual popu-
lar subscriptions or by annual grants from the city park department, many
difficulties arise. Phis is, in general, a most unsatisfactory way of operating an
arboretum, for projects started one year w lu n funds may be ample may have to
be curtailed or even discontinued in another year. Success is most assured wlien
an ample endowment is possible.

Usually a board of directors is formed to oversee the administration of funds
in privately endowed institutions. Such is the case with the Morton Arboretum
at Lisle, near Chicaoro, and with Longwood Gardens at Kennett Square, Fa.
Frequently it has been found advisable to associate the arboretum (with its en-
dowment) with an institution of higher learning. Such is the case with the
Arnold Arboretum (Harvard University), Arthur Hoyt Scott Foundation (Swarth-
more College), Morris Arboretum (University of Pennsylvania), each one of which
has its own endowment. The Arboretum of the U niversity of Washington (Seat-
tle) is connected with the U niversity with most of its maintenance funds coming
from state appropriations. This source is supplemented by membership fees, and
an attempt is now being made to secure a restricted endowment.

The association with a university is ideal for it tends to add permanence to the
arboretum ; sound and intelligent advice on arboretum problems are always availa-
ble from university staff members, and the arboretum can serve as an ideal out-
of-doors laboratory to augment classroom instruction. It is also true that the
facilities offered bv an arboretum would be used more as a result of this associa-
tion than might otherwise be the case.

When budgetary items are reasonably fixed from year to year, the work of an
arboretum can proceed unhindered by extraneous circumstances. The main object
in establishing an arboretum is to make it permanent, to provide for a perma-
nently debendable source of income, and thus insure its usefulness to be continu-
ously available to the greatest number of people. There is no better way to insure
this than to provide an ample endowment at the beginning.

Selection of the Site: — Before the plan can be made, a site must be decided
upon, and the size of the area to be developed should be determined in relation
to the sources and amount of available funds. The site could well be a local spot
of beauty, of historical significance, or an existing part of a park if suitable. It
will take intelligent discussion and sound advice to decide on the site, for the
general plan and the functions of the arboretum also must be considered simul-
taneously. Arrangements should be made for alternatives in case the amount of
money originally hoped for is not eventually forthcoming. A very important
factor is accessibility.

Who is to Plan: — Almost any enthusiastic temporary group may be responsi-
ble for initiating public interest in the new arboretum, but a planning committee
responsible for preparing definite plans associated with a campaign for raising
funds should be carefully selected. The planning committee could well include
an experienced landscape architect; a representative from the park department
who would know about future park plans; a banker; a person well versed in the
values of real estate; prominent nurserymen ; and representatives from prominent
civic organizations who would represent the desire of the people to have an arbo-

[7U

return and the will to work for one. A representative from an active arboretum,
similar in size to the one contemplated, might well be called in for consultation.
Large committees move more slowly than small ones, but somehow all interests
should either be represented or heard prior to the time the actual site is decided
upon and the plan is completed.

Ways of Initiating Interest and Action: — It is a simple matter to propose the
idea of an arboretum in any community lacking one. Except in strictly urban
areas, most home owners are interested in planting their properties so as to make
them beautiful and enjoyable for as much of the year as possible. In strictly urban
areas the people always desire to get into the open for rest and relaxation. Conse-
quently, people in general are receptive to the idea and do not begin to “hedge”
until the time comes for asking for increased taxes or donations for endowment
or for annual support.

Many community organizations are well equipped to assist in a campaign for an
arboretum. The garden club movement is fortunately firmly imbedded in almost
every community. Nature clubs, bird clubs, forestry associations, conservationist
groups and other organizations by their very nature should be interested in the
idea and their members afford an excellent basis for enthusiastic support. Schools,
parent-teachers organizations, Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, women’s organizations,
church groups, town p^ark departments, all should be thoroughly canvassed and
their supjport enlisted.

Horticultural experts could give illustrated lectures to show the kinds of p)lants
which might be grown. Local landscape architects could have a field day in dis-
cussing j)ossibilities. Staff' members from existing arboretums could come and show
what has been done in other communities, and discuss frankly the possibilities
of a local arboretum. Costs could be discussed by committees representing various
organizations. When opinion becomes fairly crystallized, some group could offer
a sum to be used for the p)rej)aration of a definite {)lan. d'his was done in Seattle
with excellent results. It was felt by those in charge that a top)ograp)hic map of
the Seattle Arboretum site was necessary, showing the two-foot contour lines.
Such a map) was p)rep)ared by the State W.K.R.A. at a cost of .f5, 465.00. 4'hen
the (jarden Club of Seattle raised 83,000.00 and under its ausp)ices a p)lan was
drawn by a p)rominent firm of landscap)e architects. Hy the time the p)lan draw-
ing stage is reached, p)ublic op)inion should be fairly well crystallized in the form
of a p)lanning committee or “Arl)f)retum Committee" which would have the
authority to work with the individuals drawing the p)lan.

It is always advisable to have a well conceived p)lan on p)ap)er, regardless of
what the local situation may be. I'he man or men eventually to be in charge of
an arboretum do not just l)egin to p)lant trees and shrubs. Roads must be con-
structed, p)aths p)rovided for p)edestrians, a certain amount of grading done, cer-
tain p)lants p)Iaced in situations where they will grow l)est, a p)rop)agating unit

intelligently placed, water pipes laid where they will do the most good, drainage
provided for in certain instances — in short, a thousand and one things should be
thought of before the actual planting is started. In some instances the soil of the
arboretum site may be very poor, and arrangements must be made to grow cover
crops on it for several years (this was done on the site of the National Arboretum
in Washington), thus preparing the soil over a period of time before any trees or
shrubs are planted. Water, in the form of a running brook or pond, can be used
to excellent advantage if properly planned for, whereas without planning, such
a feature might easily become a liability. Trained horticulturists experienced in
arboretum objectives and various professional landscape architects are familiar
with these phases of the project. Thus if carefully considered plans are prepared
in advance, much money can be saved, and many disappointments avoided by
doing the right thing at the right time in the right manner.

How to Plant: — The actual placing of the different groups of trees and shrubs
should be done according to a carefully conceived plan in which the individual
needs of the plants are harmonized with the requirement of good landscape de-
sign and in which the best interests of the public are also considered.

Some of the arboretums have been laid out so that the plantings follow a defi-
nite botanical sequence of families and genera. This is not necessary or essential
in most arboretums. It is advisable to keep all the plants in a certain genus
together if possible, and to so place the important genera that they are easily
seen from roads and paths. All projected plantings should be critically considered
from the standpoint of landscape design.

Azaleas and rhododendrons, if used, should be given a situation with acid soil
where they have some protection from winter winds. Lilacs should be so placed
that people can easily walk among them and observe them closely as well as from
a distance. A colleetion of hickory or walnut trees, for instance, might be placed
in an out-of-the-way spot, where they can be seen from a distance. Colorful dis-
plays that have particular seasonal interest should be easily accessible and where
they can be seen from many vantage points. Some plants like wet soils, some do
better in dry soils. Each group should be placed where it will grow best.

Special attention should be given to displays of seasonal interest. Lilacs, for
instance, are of interest only in the spring and might well be grown near the
viburnum collection, which is of interest chiefly in the fall. The oriental crab
apples, on the other hand, have seasonal interest both spring and fall and hence
might be in a spot by themselves. Certain azaleas and the flowering dogwood
bloom at the same time and might be planted adjacent to one another. A bank
of red roses that will bloom in late June might be planted near the collection of
mock oranges to give it additional color interest when its white flowers appear.
Evergreen trees are frequently kept by themselves, but intelligent planting
would call for the placing of a few deciduous trees in such a collection, especially

[70]

those which color vividly in the fall, to lend color and variety. And in or near
plantings of deciduous trees it is usuall.v desirable to place a certain number of
selected evergreens.

It may be advisable from a maintenance standpoint to grow many shrub groups
together in long beds with grass walks between them. Planted in this manner
the shrubs are easily observed closely. A large number can be studied with com-
paratively little effort, and direct comparisons made. Roses, and representatives
of such genera as IVeigela, Spiraea, Deutzia, Philailelphus, Chaenomeles, and several
other genera come in this group that can be so treated. Sucli a collection, though
of little landscape interest, has a great deal of interest to the public at all times
of year. The ‘^shrub collection” at the Arnold Arboretum contains 800 different
kinds of shrubs in parallel beds. It might well be one of the features in any
arboretum, placed easily accessible to the main entrance, where people with lit-
tle time can spend it to best advantage. It is also a most economical method of
growing such a large number of shrubs, for machine cultivation can be easily
practiced .

What to Plant: — What constitutes “the best” and who is competent to judge
which are “the best” is always a debatable question. There are in existence
several large collections of woody plants in this country and attempts are con-
tinually being made to make reliable lists of “the best” ornamentals in each
group (genus or species). Such available lists could be utilized at the start. Let
me explain more fully how this might be done, using the collections at the
Arnold Arboretum as an example.

At the present time there are approximately 6000 different species and horti-
cultural varieties of woody plants being grown in the Arnold Arboretum. Certain
groups are larger than others. 'I'hus in these collections there are 96 viburnums,
107 mock oranges, 159 maples, 270 crab apples, and 574 lilacs. Taking tlie
lilacs for closer scrutiny, there are approximately 400 varieties of Syringa vulgaris
alone, of which 32 have white flowers I Certainly all do not have outstanding
ornamental value. In fact, it is extremely difficult to tell some of the varieties
from others. It would be difficult to locate nursery sources for all, and certainly
many have been discarded by commercial growers as being unsatisfactory, d'his
large collection of lilacs has its |)lace as a laboratory for scientific study (Mrs.
Susan 1). McKelvey did much of the work for her monograph on lilacs in this
collection) but many of the varieties could be eliminated if scientific study were
not one of the functions of this arboretum. 'I’he collections would be much more
ornamental if the number of varieties were reduced, for then massed plantings
of a single lilac variety could be made ir> space now occupied by twenty different
varieties, for the ornamental effect of a massed planting is always greater, es-
pecially to the casual observer.

In a small arboretum, a collection of 5() or even 25 varieties of lilacs might be

[77]

satisfactory — only those being selected for planting which are considered to be
the most ornamental and representative of the entire group. Just as many plants
could be used as in our large collection if space were available, but far fewer
varieties. The same principle could be used in selecting “the best” in the other
groups of plants. The advice of local plantsmen will prove invaluable at the start
when considering such points.

The Number of Plants: — The number of plants selected at the beginning will
vary with the part of the country in which the arboretum is located, with its
size, financial resources, and its propagating facilities. A few examples will illus-
trate this point. In making a preliminary report of proposed plantings for the
Cornell University Arboretum, now called “Cornell Plantations,” there were
approximately 2,000 species and varieties of woody plants listed as worthy of
trial at the beginning. The Arthur Hoyt Scott Foundation of Swarthmore College
listed approximately 2,800 species and varieties of woody plants that were being
grown therein 1942. The 6,000 species and varieties now growing in the Arnold
Arboretum might be reduced as much as one half or even more if only the most
ornamental were to be selected. These figures are, of course, very general but
they give some idea of the number of plants worthy for first consideration. The
American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboretums has published three
inclusive studies, one on lilacs, one on crab apples, and a third on maples, show-
ing the tremendous number of varieties being grown in this country and offering
suggestions for short lists of the best. Such lists should be consulted. The smaller
the arboretum, the fewer the number of specimens of any one variety which
should be grown.

The first places to investigate as possible sources for plant materials would be
the local nurseries. Nurseries at a distance may be able to supply many varieties
unavailable locally. It will, of course, be found that some species are unobtaina-
ble from commercial sources. Then it is necessary to provide for a propagating
unit and grow wanted varieties from cuttings or by grafting, where the propagat-
ing material is supplied by other arboretums, private individuals, or in some in-
stances where seed is collected in native habitats primarily for this purpose. The
smaller the plants when purchased, the lower the initial expenditure. The larger
the plants at the start, the more quickly an initial display can be made for the
public to enjoy. The factors here involved are obviously important ones and
should be carefully weighed by the local planning committee.

The Amount of Space Required: — This, too, varies with the arboretum, its
size, funds available for maintenance, and its functions in the community. Should
much space be given over to massed plantings of single varieties? Massed plant-
ings of azaleas, lilacs and crab apples are most ornamental and can be extremely
effective, whereas massed plantings of maple trees, for instance, take up much

more space and have little ornamental effect. The enforcing of a rigrid rule that
no more than two or three plants of any one variety can be planted mif^ht be
enough to defeat the purposes of an arboretum in the eyes of the public. The
Arnold Arboretum proper covers an area of 265 acres, yet there is little room for
additional plantings, even thoujjh nearly half the present area is woodland. 'J'his
wooded area is considered absolutely essential in setting: off the man-made plant-
ing:s to fjood advantag^e, and to serve as an added source of beauty and interest
to visitors. \’iburnums alone take 30,000 square feet (l90 plants), elms take up
about 5t acres (iTO trees), while the lindens are g^iven 3 acres for 58 trees,
rhree and a half acres constitute what is known as the shrub collection — long:
beds of miscellaneous slirubs with g:rass walks between, in which about 800 differ-
ent species and varieties are g:rown. Almost a third of this is taken by the g:rass
walks. Such a shrub collection affords an excellent means of teaching: the public
a g:reat deal in a small area, but affords no opportunity for g:org:eous displays of
massed plant materials.

Another way of approaching: a decision on the amount of space necessary would
be to take the fig:ure of 2,000 species and varieties as a starting: point (the num-
ber su^g:ested as the starting: point for consideration by Cornell Idantations). If
two plants of each of these were planted in long: nursery rows, the distance be-
tween plants averag:ing: 20 feet, they would take about 37 acres. Would such a
planting: in nursery rows have aesthetic value and be of interest to the public?
Of course not I On the other hand, the proverbial ‘‘thousand acres" mig:ht prove
too much for practical purposes. Here is another opportunity for intellig:ent plan-
nintj by the Arboretum Committee, and an opportunity where practical plants-
rnen and landscape architects can lend invaluable assistance.

Costs: — d’he maintenance of plants in an arboretum need not be expensive.
Sprayinjj, pruniiifr, planting:, should not be curtailed in any one year. If spray-
iiijr and pruning: be omitted two or more successive years because of lack of funds,
the [)lanting:s cjuickly show neg:lect and it ma}' take several years to bring: some
of the plants back into vijjorous growth. A fluctuating: budg:et does not allow for
intellig:ent annual o[)eration, one of the best arg:uments afjainst trying: to operate
too extensively on the l)asis of funds solicited annually.

'I’he actual amount of money necessary to operate a small arboretum varies
with the size of the arboretum, the labor situation , eciuiprnent, the objectives and
the extent of its formal plantinjjs. »;ood park administrator who knows park
maintenance costs in the locality where an arboretum is to be established can jjive
excellent advice rejiard in jr such costs. I lowevcr, certain thiiifisare known. Lilacs,
crab apples, quinces, and many other fjroups arc very susceptible to infestations
of scale and should be treated annually with a dormant spray to control this pest.
They need a certain amount of renewal pruning: every few years, without which
periodic care they will very (piickly turn into unattracti\e specimens which ha\e

little ornamental value. No collections of these particular kinds of plants should
be contemplated unless they can be cared for properly each year.

As an example of the cost for maintaining one group of plants, there are ap-
proximately 700 lilac plants in the collection at the Arnold Arboretum. Spraying
these with a dormant oil spray takes two men about a half day, and about 600
gallons of spray mixture. Three good pruners spend an average of two weeks in
this collection each year, keeping it in excellent condition. The cutting off of
flower clusters is a time-consuming operation but should be done for the benefit
of the next season’s display. Although we cannot do this completely every year,
if done properly (as it should be) it would take four men at least two weeks. This
will give some idea of how to approach the problem of prospective costs in each
of the large collections contemplated.

Viburnums need practically no spraying and very little annual pruning. Elms
must be sprayed in this area for elm leaf beetle and the bark beetle. Canker
worm, gypsy moth, willow leaf beetle, Japanese beetle — all attack many kinds
of plants and must be controlled in various parts of the country. In 1959, 400
man hours were spent in spraying the various collections in the Arnold Arbore-
tum for specific insect and disease control.

Pruning, also cannot be definitely estimated. Young plants, pruned properly
at transplanting time, may require no pruning for several years. On the other
hand, in an established arboretum with many kinds of mature trees, a wind, snow
or ice storm may cause immense damage. The hurricane of 1938 cost the Arnold
Arboretum in pruning and the removal of fallen or badly damaged trees and
shrubs about $6,500 above the budget provided. This did not include the irrepa-
rable loss of old established specimens. During a recent winter, one fourteen-
inch snowstorm with very heavy snow broke so many branches that it took ap-
proximately seventy-five man-days to repair this damage alone.

Labor: — This item is the most expensive in any park or arboretum. It can be
controlled somewhat by the amount of grass cutting and leaf raking which is
done. In some parks all grass areas are carefully cut with a lawn mower once a
week. This is a very expensive operation. In the arboretum or botanical garden
certain areas are given over to the growth of deciduous trees and conifers the
grass need only be cut but a few times each season, providing a few walks are
open through these collections. In the shrub collection, which many people visit
at all seasons of the year, the walks should be closely cut, as well as certain small
areas along the main walks and near main entrance gates. Grass cutting is an
essential annual operation to reduce the fire menace and must be provided for.
Tractor-drawn rotary mowers are ideal for keeping grass under control at mini-
mum expense.

Hoeing by hand takes considerable time. The cost of this operation can be re-
duced by the use of mechanical equipment in the larger beds, and may be reduced

[ 80 ]

still further by the use of some of the new weed killers now available. The Arnold
Arboretum employs nine laborers with occasional additions during spring and
summer, a superintendent with his assistant, for the maintenance of the growing
collections, as well as a propagator, his assistant, and a man in charge of label-
ing and mapping. These are not maximum requirements, probably might be
termed the minimum labor requirements for an arboretum the size and age of the
Arnold Arboretum. The National Arboretum with 450 acres has 32 men on the
grounds crew. The Arthur Hoyt Scott Horticultural Foundation with an area of
about 300 acres has seven on the grounds crew.

Equipment: — The more standardized mechanical equipment that can be utilized
to good advantage, the less will be the expenditures for labor. Minimum equip-
ment for a 200-300 acre arboretum might be :

Fractor (with rotary mower, plow, harrow, etc.)

Sprayer with tank capacity of at least 300 gallons
At least one ton and a half truck
2 power lawn mowers
2 heavy duty rotary mowers
Kototiller or small motorized cultivator
Gasoline chain saw

d'he best available hand saws, pruners, pole saws, etc., for the type of work
contemplated

Propagation: — F'.very arboretum large or small should have its own propagating
unit. Since many of the plants grown will be rare, they will not be available
from commercial sources as plants, hence the arboretum will have to propagate
many species from seeds, cuttings’ or grafts. 'Fhere are decided advantages in
having a nursery well stocked with materials, for plants so grown are easier to dig
and move. 'I'he.v should be correctly named, for if they are allowed to grow to
sufficient size in the nursery, they can be properly identified before being trans-
planted. I^arger sjjecimens can be handled this way than would be advisable
with purchased specimens.

I'he actual size of the greenhouse will depend on the location of the arbore-
tum, its size, and the amount of material to be propagated. At the beginning a
great deal of pro[)agating will be needed to provide material for contemplated
plantings. Many of the older arboretums are concerned merely with replacements
and material which is new to the collections.

It is amazing what a large amount of material can be propagated and grown
to planting size in a well organized space. I'lie .-Krnold .Arboretum has been
operating for 35 years with oidy two greenhouses 5()'x 1 S'. A recent reassessment
of its space needs showed that though it needed an additional greenhouse for
ex{)erimental use, it still could carry on with normal propagation procedures with

only two houses. Many a smaller arboretum has considerably less greenhouse
space, and a few have more.

A pit house is essential in the North to aid in wintering over young stock and
propagation materials. In the South, lath houses are essential, the number de-
pending on the size of the whole arboretum undertaking. In the Arnold Arbore-
tum we have found that saran cloth shade houses are ideally suited for growing
ericaceous and other broad leaved evergreens during the hot summer months.
We have five houses varying in size, approximately lOO'xSO'. Frames are also
essential for wintering young plants. Nursery space will vary but the young arbo-
retum which is doing a lot of plant propagation will need several acres at least.

It goes without saying that an experienced plant propagator must be employed.
Sometimes he can work alone, sometimes he may need assistance, but in order
to keep accurate records and to produce good plants, he should be thoroughly
trained and experienced. If he is of this type, he will know the approximate
size of the nursery and plant bed space needed, as well as the type of greenhouse
space required.

Labeling and Mapping: — A most essential function of an arboretum is to keep
the plants properly labeled. In order to maintain correct labeling it is essential
that the plantings be accurately mapped. An active young man who is really in-
terested in this work — and it takes a great deal of walking! — should be able to
keep maps and labels up-to-date, providing he has some seasonal assistance. In
the winter some of the labor force could paint and even print labels. In the sum-
mer, one or two high school boys might be hired to help with the mapping if this
were necessary. Mapping with the alidade and tape is sufficiently accurate. We
have found that maps approximately 2^x2^' on a scale of = are practicable,
but a few enlargements are necessary on a scale of \''= 10'. It took nearly a year
for two men to map all the plants in the 265 acres in the Arnold Arboretum, but
once accomplished, the maps are easily kept up-to-date with a minimum expen-
diture of time.

If plants are not accurately and clearly labeled, the arboretum loses its educa-
tional function completely. Labels will disappear, often being appropriated by
certain types of visitors, and others will become defaced. Thus a careful mapping
of a collection makes relabeling of individual plants simple and accurate, for the
critical and sometimes time-consuming matter of reidentification is eliminated.
A display label should be clearly visible on every plant except in instances where
a large number of a single variety are used in mass planting. On the label, as a
minimum, should appear the common name, the scientific name, and the geo-
graphic origin of the species.

In the Arnold Arboretum we have a small record label made of embossed zinc
tape which is attached to every plant when it is planted in the collections. This
remains on the plant indefinitely, and contains the accession number of the plant,

[82]

its scientific name, the origin of the plant, and the date of its accession. These
cost about five cents per label just for the materials. A large wooden or metal
display label is attached to each plant that is large enough to carry one. These
cost about twenty to thirty cents per label for the materials (not including the
labor of printing) and will remain on the plant in good condition about five years.
Certainly a plant worth placing in an arboretum is worth two labels at a cost of
thirt.v-five cents.

Educational Costs: — If a community is large enough, the director or superin-
tendent of the arboretum might be a man who could direct the work in the arbo-
retum and at the same time give lectures to local groups concerning the plant
materials in the arboretum and their proper use. He could write articles for local
publication, conduct groups through the arboretum, and work with local groups
for the general education of the public in better appreciation of the plants and
their maintenance, fhe services of such a man are almost a ‘Snust” for the
arboretum or botanical garden since a certain amount of educational publicity
contributes materially toward a better utilization and appreciation of the arbore-
tum by the residents of a community.

It would serve no purpose to give the actual operating exj)enses of any arbore-
tum, since methods vary, functions of the arboretum vary, and wages vary. Each
expense item should be understood before studying actual maintenance costs,
'riie figures and facts given, however, should serve to help with the general
plans of any Arboretum Committee. 'I'hey should be interpreted by men familiar
with maintenance work who at the same time are familiar with the proposed func-
tions of the arboretum under consideration.

For those who are interested in knowing where American arboreturns and bo-
tanical gardensare, ‘‘d'he Arboreturns and Botanical Gardens of North America* ’
is a seventy page booklet published by the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain,
Mass., in 1959. It is available for .Si. 50 postpaid. One hundred and nine arbo-
retums are described so that with this as a reference, those wishing to start an
arboretum could contact any of these that might have policies and a size similar
to that wanted by the organizational group. Such institutions are always glad
and willing to help with information and suggestions when a new garden is
contem[)lated.

[ h:5 ]

Donai.i) Wyman

)

■sti

INDEX TO VOLUME XX
Illustrations are in bold face type.

Abies concolor, 9

conica, 9

Acanthopanax henryi, 9
nana, 9

Acer ffinnala Durand Dwarf,* 10
Aerial photograph of Hillcrest Gar-
dens, Plate XIII, 39
Arboretum or botanical garden. Defi-
nition, 69-7 1

Arnold Arboretum, Fall Classes, 40

, Spring Classes, 28

Autumn Color, 32

Azaleas, Ghent, rooting under
plastic, 1-7

Berberis \Atropurpurea Nana,' 10

— Crimson Pygmy,' 10

— ‘Globe,* 10

— ‘Little Beauty,' 10

— ‘ Little Gem, ’ 1 0

— thunbergii nana, 10
xanthocarpa, 10

Boys School at Hillcrest Gardens,
33-67

Case, Louisa, 33, 66, 67
— , Marian Roby, 33-67
Cercis canadensis Wither's Pink
Charm,* 10, 11

Classes, Fall, Arnold Arboretum, 40
— , Spring, Arnold Arboretum, 28
Coggeshall, R., 1-7
Corn us mas, 1 1
nana, 1 1

Cuttings, two-year-old, of variety
‘Gloria Mundi,’ Plate I, I
Data, Local Climatological, 32
Dormancy, Complex, 31

— , Double, 36

Establish an Arboretum or Botanical
Garden, How to, 69-83
Forsythia ‘Arnold Giant,' 49, 30

— ‘Beatrix Farrand,' 49, 30

— intermedia spectabilis, 49
Forsythia ‘Karl Sax,’ 49-32, Plate

XH, 31

— ovata, 49

Fruits, Baldwin apples, 32
— , Cornus fiorida, 32
— , — kousa, 32

— , chinensis, 32

— , Ilex verticillata, 32
— , Lowbush Blueberry, 32
— , McIntosh apples, 32
— , Ornamental, 1960, 52
— , \dburnum, 52

Functions of an Arboretum or Botani-
cal Garden, 71,72
Ghent Azaleas, Rooting Under Plas-
tic, 1-7

Flamamelis intermedia (^1 17 3-28- B),
1 1

— japonica, 1 1

— mollis, 1 1

Hillcrest Boys and Staff, The, Plate
XIV, 63

Hillcrest Gardens, ^^'eston, Massa-
chusetts, 'Fhe, 33-67
Honeysuckles, Shrub, with Pink to
Red Flowers, 29-32
Hurricane ‘ Donna," 47, 32
Ilex crenata and its \’arietics, 41-48

Compacta,* 12

Ilex crenata convexa, tl, Plate X, 43

[ ]

Ilex crenata fortunei, 4-2

‘Glass,’ 42

Green Island,’ 42

Ilex crenata helleri, 42, Plate X, 43

‘Hetzi,’ 42

‘Kingsville,’ 44

‘Kingsville Green Cushion,’ 44

Ilex crenata latifolia, 42, Plate X, 43
major, 42

— — mariesii, 42

microphylla, 41, 42

rotundifolia, 42

‘Stokes,’ 44

Ilex crenata varieties, Plate XI, 45

— plants and names to discard, 46

— varieties worthy of further trial, 44
Ilex crenata ‘Mountbatten,’ 12, Plate

III, 13

Juniperus chinensis ‘Maney,’ 11, 12
sargentii, 1 1

— scopulorum, 1 1
‘Grey Gleam,’ 11

— virginiana, 12

Labeling and Mapping, Cost of, 82, 83
Leucothoe catesbaei ‘Girard’s Rain-
bow,’ 12

Lonicera amoena, 30, 32

arnoldiana, 32

rosea, 32

Lonicera ‘Arnold Red,’ 29, Plate
VIII, 31

— bella atrorosea, 32
rosea, 29

— ‘Clavey’s Dwarf,’ 12

— ‘Hack’s Red,’ 32

— korolkowii, 30

aurora, 30, 32

zabelii, 29, 30, 32

— maximowiczii, 32
sachalinensis, 32

— morrowii, 30
Xtatarica, 30

— notha, 29

— ‘Sheridan Red,’ 32

— syringantha, 29

— tatarica, 29

angustifolia, 30

elegans, 30

— — leroyana, 30

lutea, 30

punicea, 30

rosea, 30

sibirica, 29, 30, 32

— thibetica, 29

— xylosteum, 12

Loniceras for Pink to Red Color, Sum-
mary, 32

Magnolia acuminata, 17, 18, 20

— ‘Alba,’ 22

— ‘Alba Superba,’ 22

— ‘Alexandrina, ’ 22

— ‘Amabilis,’ 27

— ‘Andre LeRoy,’ 22

— Brozzoni,’ 24
Magnolia buds, Plate V, 21

— ‘Burgundy,’ 22

— ‘Candolleana, ’ 27

— conspicua, 20

— cordata, 17, 18, 19

— cylindrica, 27

— denudata, 18, 22
Magnolia flowers, Plate VII, 25

— fraseri, 1 8, 20

— George Henry Kern,’ 27

— ‘Grace McDade,’ 24

— grandiflora X virginiana, 28

— Highland Park ^2636, 27

— Xkewensis, 28

— kobus, 18, 20, 22, 27
borealis, 27

— “Late Soulangiana, ” 24

— ‘Lennei,* 24

— ‘Lennei Alba,’ 28

— liliflora, 20, 22, 27

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Magnolia liliflora gracilis, 27
nigra, 17, 18, 20

— ‘Liliputin,’ 24'

— Xloebneri, 18, 27

— ‘Lombardy Rose,* 24-

— rnacrophylla, 18, 20

— Nana Compacta,’ 28

— Norbertiana, * 28

Magnolia obovata, 17, 18, 22, 28
Plate VI, 23

— oflicinalis, 1 8, 27
biloba, 27

— parviflora, 22

— proctoriana, 18, 27

— ‘Red,’ 26

— ‘Rubra,* 24

— ‘Rustica,* 24

— ‘Rustica Rubra,* 24

— salicifolia, 18, 22

— ‘San Jose,* 24

— sieboldii, 18,22

— Slavin*s Snowy,* 27

— soulangiana, 17, 18,27
lennei, 1 8

purpurea, 28

Magnolia species — fifteen different
leaves, Plate IV, 19

— ‘Speciosa,* 24

— ‘Spectabilis,* 28

— sprengeri diva, 17

— stellata, 17, 18, 20, 22, 21*
rosea, 26

rubra, 26

— ‘Suf)erba,* 22

— X thompsoniana, 18, 26

— triF)etala, 18, 22, 28
variegata, 28

— ‘ rriurnphant, * 28

— ‘X’erbanica, * 22, 21-

— virginiana, 17, 18, 26
australis, 28

— ‘Waterlily,* 26

— Xwatsonii, 18, 27

— wilsonii, 18, 27
taliensis, 28

Magnolias Hardy in the Arnold Arbo-
retum, 17-28

Method of sowing (seeds), 39, 40
Philadelphus ‘Frosty Morn,’ 12
Pinus aristata, 12, Plate III, 13
Plants of Possible Merit?, 9-16
Propagating bench, polyethylene-
covered, completely sealed, Plate
II, 5

Propagating bench, polyethylene-
covered, with wire supports, Plate
II, 5

Propagation of Woody Plants by Seed,
33-40

Rhamnus frangula asplenifolia, 14

columnare, 14

“Tallhedge,” 14

Rhododendron ‘Caroline Gable,* 15

— ‘Cornell Pink,* 14

— ‘Louise Gable,’ 15

— ‘Mars,’ 14, 15

— mucronulatum, 14

— ‘ Rosebud , ’ 15

Root system, type of, obtained on
cuttings under polyethylene
plastic cover, Plate I, 3
Rooting Ghent Azaleas Lnder Plas-
tic, 1-7

Rosa Geranium,* 15

— moyesii, 15

— ‘Red \\’ing,* 15

Seeds of Chionanthus and V^iburnum,
Plate IX, 37

— to be stratified, 35, 36

— with double dormancy, 38

— without inhibiting dormancy, 33,
3t

Shrub Honeysuckles with IMnk to Red
Flowers, 2{>-32

Stratification, 34, 35
Symphoricarpos chenaultii ‘Hancock’
16

Syringa ‘Primrose,’ 16

— tigerstedtii, 16

— ‘Yellow Spek,’ 16

— yunnanensis, 15
Types of Arboretums, 72-74
Viburnum carlesii compacta, 16
Weston-Hillcrest Gardens, 53-67
Woody Plants, Propagation of, by
Seed, 33-40

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