Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/greenscene3316edpr HOT PEPPERS New PHILADELPHIA GREEN Work FEBRUARY 2005 ‘Enjoy one of America’s finest garden centers... dfgfit in your own backyard! 85 Collections Exceptional Patio Furniture Unique Gan Waterfoo gardens Hundreds of years of expert experience • Acres of Top Quality Plants • Garden Supplies • Unique Garden Accents • 85 Collections of Exceptional Patio Furniture • Exquisite Gift & Flower Shops • Seasonal Christmas Shop • Professional Landscaping Services 136 Lancaster Avenue 200 N. Whitford Road Devon, PA 19333 (Vr Exton, PA 19341 610.293.0800 610.363.0800 waterloogardens.com BOTANICAL Specializing in Discreet Architectural and Landscape Lighting. ^ng^a,1^w Jersey, Boston, Maryland and Washington ^609-953-5334 www.botanicallighting.corfi 1979 - 2005 Over 25 Years of Commitment to . . . Cathedral Village Resident Satisfaction ... By managing all of our own departments, we have the flexibility and opportunity to satisfy our residents’ preferences and lifestyles more easily. Innovation ...Trend-setting programs are supported by outstanding facilities without additional cost. 600 East Cathedral Road Philadelphia, PA 19128 (215) 984-8622 www.cathedralvillage.com Vision . . . Anticipating changing trends and residents’ expectations is an on-going process that enables us to establish tomorrow’s new standards. Value . . . Visit and compare resident services and care in order to Understand the Real Value of Cathedral Village. Monday through Friday between 9 and 4. Appointments are necessary on weekends. Hr Equal Housing Opportunity A Nonprofit, Nondenominational CCRC Affiliated with the Jefferson Health System features 12 The 2005 Flower Show Come join us on a special “gardener's tour” of the 2005 Philadelphia Flower Show. Writer Betsie Blodgett will take you around the exhibits and tell you what kind ol plants you can expect to see. (This year’s theme is America the Beautiful, so you can safely bet that there will be roses galore.) 18 Orange Crush! What’s hot in the garden for ‘05? Orange flowers. ..and lots of 'em! Here, noted gar- den author Sydney Eddison guides us through the many types of orange flower- ing plants, as well as various hues and combinations you can play with. 30 Growing Begonias Indoors Each year at the Flower Show, Sylvia Lin racks up ribbon after ribbon for her sump- tuous begonias, many grown under glass in terrarium containers. Here, she shares a few of her trade secrets. 36 Understanding Suburban Sprawl Traffic jams. McMansions. Roads that are dangerous to walk or bike on. These are all symptoms of suburban sprawl, a phenomenon that has hit southeast Pennsylvania like a tornado. Writer Adam Levine explores this controversial topic, as well as new methods for dealing with this burgeoning growth in the suburbs and beyond. Columns 42 A Bounty of Bulbs By Judy Glattstein 43 Made in the Shade By Carolyn Walker 44 Classified Ads 46 Greening in Progress By Jane Carroll The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Main cover photo by Floyd Limbos. Doylestown. PA m¥ Editor Pete Prawn Associate Editor Jane Carroll Publications Assistant Laurie Fitzpatrick Art Design Baxendells' Graphic Publications Committee Rob Cardlllo Stephanie Cohen Joe Henderson Harry E. Hill, ex officio Anne Kellett Adam Levine Jennifer Lin Rhoda Maurer llene Sternberg Printer ALCOM Printing Group, Inc. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Web Site www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org 100 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 215-988-8800 Chair Harry E. Hill President Jane G. Pepper Executive Vice President J. Blaine Bonham, Jr. PHS Membership Information Linda Davis, 215-988-8776 Display Ads Kim Richards at Manzo Communications, - 61 0-527-7047 kim4manzocomm@aoi.com Classified Ads Laurie Fitzpatrick, 215-988-8769 gsads@pennhort. org Ask A Gardener Phone Line 215-988-8777, Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 12 (closed in December] askagardener@pennhort. org GREEN SCENE (USPS 955580), Volume 33, No.1, is published bi-monthly (February, April, June, August, October, December) by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a non-profit member organization at 100 N. 20th St„ Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495. Single Copy: $5.00 (plus $2.00 shipping). Second-class postage paid at Philadelphia, PA 19103. POSTMASTER: Send address change to GREEN SCENE, 100 N. 20th St., Philadelphia. PA 19103. © Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 2005 GREEN SCENE subscriptions are part of the membership benefits for. Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown, NJ Horticultural Society of New York Phipps Conservatory, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA Staten Island Botanical Garden, Inc, New York LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Every Philadelphia Flower Show starts with big dreams and big thinking, and then it’s time to switch to the details of the execution. 1 can just never decide which phase I like best, because both are challeng- ing, exciting and fun. The plan- ning phase starts years ahead, when we gather a large group to talk about potential themes for future Shows, using data, among others things, that we have gath- ered from visitor surveys in previ- ous years. Sam Lemheney, who joined the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society staff two years ago and who is now director of design, ran a theme concept meeting last fall and it is his challenge to take the ideas generated that day and mould them into workable con- cepts for you, our visitors, to enjoy in future years. In preparation for this year’s Show, whose theme is America the Beautiful, Sam joined the PHS staff in time to work with Show exhibitors who would bring the theme to life. For more information about these extraordinary exhibitors, please see Betsie Blodgett’s story on page 10. Once the floor plan and themed displays are well underway, plants have to be located, mulch ordered, staging built and an enormous variety of skills, many volunteer, must be engaged. Then, it’s time to move into the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where you will find carpenters, painters, stone masons, plumbers and landscapers working alongside bankers, lawyers and gar- deners of all backgrounds. These latter groups are most- ly volunteers and before we close our doors at the end of the Show, some 3,500 volunteers will have joined us in planning and production. The Philadelphia Flower Show is a spring extravagan- za and so much more. Once it’s gone from the Convention Center, we return to our PHS offices at 20th & Arch Streets to plan a host of urban greening and membership activities for the whole year. The largest of these efforts is Philadelphia Green. Proceeds from the Show are combined with revenues from government contracts and contributions from generous donors to fund Philadelphia Green, the nation’s most ambitious urban greening program. Through this program, PHS has been working, over the past three decades, with community groups throughout the city to transform vacant lots into beautiful gardens, to restore parks and to plant street trees, bringing greenery and gardening advice to residents throughout Philadelphia. In addition, we are responsible for the development and maintenance of landscape sites around the city, in coopera- tion with organizations such as the Fairmount Park Commission and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It’s rewarding work and if you would like to know more about Philadelphia Green or other PHS activities, please visit our website www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalso- ciety. org. In closing, I want to thank all our exhibitors and vol- unteers, who are so important to the production of every Philadelphia Flower Show. Special thanks also to our many partners, including Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc., who produced this beautiful program. For the past 14 years, PNC Bank has been a key part- ner as the Show’s presenting sponsor, and during this time we have benefited greatly from the productive rela- tionships that develop with such a longstanding partner- ship. 1 also want to thank our premier sponsor, Subaru of America, Inc., who has served in this capacity since 2001 and our official Show sponsors: Bartlett Tree Experts, EP Henry, Fiskars, WPVI-TV 6ABC, Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. and ARAMARK. Best wishes and enjoy the Show. Jane G. Pepper, President The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society GREEN SCENE • february 2005 6 “Wedding of the Senses ” Recognized Excellence in Design and Contracting "BLENDING HORTICULTURE AND ARCHITECTURE TO ENHANCE YOUR LIFE STYLE" INNOVATIVE DESIGN SOLUTIONS • SKILLED CRAFTSMEN • QUALITY NURSERY STOCK AND MATERIALS “Fruits of Our Labor* ’ Robert Montgomery Landscapes, inc. 545 East Uwchlan Avenue Chester Springs, Pennsylvania 19425 phone (610) 594-1810 Beautiful homes and gardens are the expression of imaginative and functional design concepts, not merely good inten- tions. Our award-winning designers and professional craftsmen, specialists in all phases of landscape construction and planting, collaborate closely with you during each phase of the design/build process. A leader in the successful design and management of large residential landscape projects in the Delaware Valley, Robert Montgomery Landscapes, Inc. assures that your property's fullest potential is realized. The Potting Shed Pepper people are not your average veggie growers. Like wine connoisseurs, they distinguish subtleties of flavor, tex- ture, aroma, and appearance among peppers, and savor and wax eloquent over them. And HOT- pepper people are true zealots. Columbus found capsicums — the New World peppers now grown globally — in the Caribbean. There are 20 wild species and five domesticated ones. C. annuum types include jalapenos and blazing, pea-sized chiltepins (alias pequins, chile pequenos, tepins or bird peppers). To other species belong the notorious tabasco (C. frutescens), by Hene Sternberg habanero (whose kick is described as "incendiary") and even one, rocoto, reputed to "kill blondes and raise the dead.” Salsa has replaced ketchup as America’s # 1 condiment, and people willingly eat sauces labeled “Viper Venom,” “The Last Rite,” “Mad Dog Inferno,” “Devil’s Revenge,” and “Pyromania. In southwestern chile-tasting contests, anyone who flinches is disqualified immediately. Since peppers vary even on the same bush, crossbreed promiscuously, not always coming true to seed, and change according to growing conditions and stage of ripening, there is constant vying for status as the hottest pepper. (FYI: To relieve a pepper-scorched palate, drink milk; water only prolongs the agony.) Ever since Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled ones, chiles have been used as painkillers, weapons, love potions, and cure-alls. Capsaicin, the source of pepper pungency, is so HOT — 70 times hotter than piperine, the spicy principal in black pepper, and 1,000 times stronger than zingerone, the active ingredient of ginger — that a single drop diluted in 100,000 drops of water will cause tongue blistering. It is concen- trated in the membranes attached to seeds inside the pepper. Flavor is located in the pepper wall and is associated with the pigment. The more intense the color, the stronger the flavor will be. The “heat” of a pepper is often measured using the Scoville Organoleptic Scale, devised by pharmacist Wilbur Scoville in 1912, but this is quickly being superseded by a more reliable and precise test using liquid chromatography. Scoville’s test required human judges, many of whom, undoubtedly, sacrificed their tongues for the sake of science. GREEN SCENE • february 2005 PEPPER PASSI In addition to temperature sensitivity and other weather-related factors, pepper grower John Swan warns, “If you plant peppers in the same soil year after year, you invite and perpetuate soil diseases, aphids, and other problems.” He cuts bottoms out of nursery pots and uses the pots as collars for his wire-caged plants, which are mulched with salt-marsh hay. The collars support young seedlings, concentrate watering, and discourage cutworms. Some people feel as if they are having actual withdrawal symptoms when they find themselves pepper-less for any pro- longed period of time. Indeed scientists are studying capsaicin for its addictive capacity. Be forewarned before becoming hooked on hot peppers: rehab for this condition may involve incarceration without benefit of fire extinguishers. estliA,atloiA. Located on the waterfront In the heart of Historic Lewes, The inn at Canal Square offers guests lavish comfort coupled with seaside charm. European- .style breakfast Included. Mentlonthls ad when matelng your reservation for the garden Tour and join us for a wine and cheese reception on the evening ofjune 17th. Inquire about our Spring Specials 122 Market street Lewes, t>E 1 °tj)58 Ph 302.644.3377 Resv g?g.644.1511 www.thelnnatcanalsguare.com mmm For more Information contact the Lewes, Chamber of Commerce at g77.46S.3537 or visit www.leweschamber.com 'Nnntucteet-5tyl.e' or, the Delaware Coast Mary vessels Parte visit Historic Lewes, Delaware and tour our "hidden" private gardens at the 15th Aw\Aua l Lewes, garden Tour sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce on sat urdaijjune lgth from 10 AM to 5PM. Mentlonthls ad and reserve your discounted garden Tour ticket for 43-D- IN PRAISE OF ORANGE involves silver-blue globe thistles ( Echi)iops bannaticus ‘Taplow’s Blue’) with orange daylilies. Failing blue flowers, which are always in short supply, you can do what photog- rapher Steve Silk and I do. We paint our garden furniture to supply the missing hue. One summer, he placed a bright blue Adirondack chair among the marigolds on his patio to the acclaim of garden visitors. The same year, I went the whole hog and made an entirely orange and blue container garden, which also won rave reviews. In almost every container garden that I’ve made on the terrace over the last few years, orange has played an important part. It all began with the Gauguin pot. I became drawn to the paintings of the French painter Paul Gauguin as an art history student. His blocks ol bold color — gorgeous reds, pinks, yellows, yellow-greens, and oranges coupled with contrasting blues — made my heart sing. Quite recently, I was standing before Parau, Parau, one ol his Tahitian paintings, in the Yale University Art Gallery, when it occurred to me that these were the same colors that pleased me most as a gardener. Then I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to take this painting and try to recreate the color scheme in a contain- er for the terrace? Before leaving the gallery, I purchased a slide of Parau, Parau, which I then took with me to nurseries. It was like a game, trying to match the colors as exactly as possible in flower and leaf. The orange-red was easy. The dense flower heads of a good old zonal gera- nium ( Pelargonium X bortoruni) filled the bill. But the soft shade of tangerine-orange was more elusive. I tried a lovely little diascia — a good color match but not a vigorous enough plant to grow in the same container with geraniums. I continued to experiment until I had a suitable cast of plants: red-orange geraniums for drama; pale yellow-green Helichrysum ’Limelight’ to match the foreground in the paint- ing; and to fill in the middle ground, a combination of Salvia splendens ‘Carabiniere Orange’, which has orange calyces and pink tubular blossoms, coleus in tones of pinkish orange, and matching swords of Phormium ‘Maori Sunrise’. In the container scheme, just as in the painting, soft, pinkish orange served as the middleman between the reds, yellows, and yellow-greens. But there remained one problem. Turquoise blue, an important ele- ment in the painting, is absent from nature’s floral repertoire. I looked and looked for a container this color, without success. So finally, I had one made! That summer, the Gauguin pot was a huge success, but copying the painting had an unexpected bonus. In the course of shopping for just the right colors, I had acquired a great many near-matches in a variety of wonderful plants, which ultimately wound up on the terrace. And before I knew it, I had an entire container garden of Gauguin colors — reds, yellows, yellow-greens — and, knitting them all together, many tints and shades of orange. Luckily, there are dozens of plants that produce orange flowers. Among the tender perennials, there are cannas, dahlias, lantanas, and tuberous begonias. As for hardy perennials, daylilies alone supply every possible tint and shade of orange, and annu- als with orange flowers abound: marigolds, cosmos, cigar plant, nasturtiums, and zinnias, to name a few. As you have seen, orange can mingle companionably with other warm colors, stand out in high contrast to complementary blues, and even measure up to white. White may not be a “color,” technically speaking, but in the garden, it is a force to be reckoned with. It takes a strong color to hold its own with white, and orange can do it. If you have never been a fan of this bright, invigorating hue, I hope you will give it another chance. Sydney Eddison is a nationally known gard' Gardens to Go: Creating and Designing a en author and lecturer. Her latest book is Container Garden (Bulfinch Press, 1 92 pages). GREEN SCENE • february 2005 Does your outdoor furniture need a facelift? Don't replace it-refu rbish it! Complete repainting and restrapping... we'll have your furniture looking like new at a fraction of the cost. We specialize in Brown-Jordan, Tropitone and Molla outdoor furniture. “We cannot believe our furniture. It looks absolutely brand new. ” Kitty Ault Mt. Kisco, NY e outhern I Company “My furniture was bought in 1978 and now it looks better than new. Your paint job is fantastic. I think it is a better job than when we bought it. ” Arlene Kaufman Pound Ridge, NY 1-800-622-1901 Pick up & delivery available SPECIALISTS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE XI D _o ~o ij/trcncc, Grown with Love, Large Selection. Better Quality, Lower Prices Visit us at Booth 211 for new, rare and unusual plants that will excite the gardening enthusiast. We will be featuring a wide selection of Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Award winning plants. Pennington 1536 Lower Ferry Rd 609 771-9496 Hillsborough Old Packard's Market - Rt 206 908 218-7844 Columbus Columbus Fanner s Market - Rt 206 609 518-9200 New Hope Rt 202 North Adjacent to Logan Square Plaza 215 862-4180 LYN SNOW ORIGINAL WATERCOLORS LIMITED EDITION PRINTS Come see our new- prints. Booth #627-629 And please visit our website www.lynsnow.com 27 GREEN SCENE • february 2005 Watering Bulbs Made in Europe, these attractive, hand-blown glass bulbs are more than just pretty ornaments. They are reliable plant sitters that keep your plants watered for up to a week while you are not around to tend to them yourself. XC479Z Watering Bulb $8.95 ea. To see these and many more gardening tools and accessories visit us at: gooth 606 1-800-683-8170 www.leevalley.com Lee Valley Tools Ltd. 814 Proctor Avenue Ogdensburg, New York 1 3669 Walpole Woodworkers Quality fence since 1933 540 Tabor Rd , Rt. 10W at 53N, Morris Plains, NJ • 973-539-3555 For a free catalog or all our locations visit walpolewoodworkers.com Come see us at the Philadelphia Flower Show, Booth #5 1 5. Discover how Walpole's style and quality will combine beautifully with your imagination to make this outdoor season your most successful ever AN D-C RAFTED WELE>J I . • m l - D- ** ARBORS TRELLISES OATES ” ? ARCHWAYS OBELISKS -p k . ' ■ 'hif: isl . I TOWERS v_~< PAVILIONS PERGOLAS SELECT FROM OUR POPULAR LINE OF PRODUCTS OR LET US BENCHES CUSTOM DESIGN/BUILD TO YOUR FENCES SPECIFIC NEEDS. SO |j§ rails The-j Painted Garden^, Inc. (215) 884-7378 WWW.THEPAINTEDGARDENINC.COM I 304 EDGE HILL ROAD, GLENSIDE, PA 19038 SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT Formida The Original Australian o-A It rcstst! ilugs. toails uw bags, > Encwrwcs growl and bk«cn». Bob Taylor M9 Amur C SoutkimpUi NJ HOW GREEN SCENE • february 2005 28 HYDR<§FARM — Horticultural Products — Gsrchn All YWr Long Grow Lights, Hydroponics, snd Mors Visit us at the Philadelphia Flower show Booth #516 For a dealer near you www.Hydrofarm.com or 1-888-780-4567 VISIT OUR LOCAL DEALERS TASTY HARVEST HYDROPONICS HYDROPONIC GARDEN AND SUPPLY ROUTE 41 & COUNTY HOUSE RD. 1012 B LINCOLN AVENUE DEPTFORD, NJ 08096 PROSPECT PARK, PA. 19076 1-856-227-6300 1-610-586-2171 GARDEN INDOORS 208 ROUTE 13 BRISTOL, PA. 19007 1-800-227-4567 Offering Agro-Sun Grow Lights the Successful Orchid Growers Choice. RATCHET-CUT* PRUNING TOOLS Call or Visit Our Website for Details VIEW OUR FULL PRODUCT LINE AT floriantools.com to order your limited edition hand pruner & pouch, call us toll-free: 1-800-275-3618 Florian Works Tough in the Garden and Works to Fight Breast Cancer. A GIFT THAT TRULY V KEEPS ON GIVING A limited edition Breast Cancer Pruner and Pouch includes a limit- ed edition 901 -model Pruner from Florian* with pink powder-coated steel handles in a pouch festooned with a pink ribbon. For every Breast Cancer Pruner and Pouch sold for $44.95, Florian will con- tribute $5.00 to support breast cancer research. VISIT US AT THE PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOV BOOTH #207 Statement of Ownership Management and Circulation (Act of October 23, 1962; Section 4369. Title 39, United States Code) 1. Date of Filing: December 1, 2004. 2. Title of Publication: Green Scene Magazine. 3. Frequency of issue: bimonthly. 4-5. Location of Known Office of Publication and Headquarters: 100 N. 20,h Street. 5th floor. Philadelphia, Pa 19103-1495. 6. Names and Addresses of Publisher and Editor: Publisher The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia, Pa 19103-1495: Editor: Pete Prown, 100 N. 20'h Street. 5th floor. Philadelphia, Pa 19103-1495. 7. Owner: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103. 8. Known bondholders, mortgages and other security holders holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities: None. 9. Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average No. Copies Each Issue Preceding 12 Months Single Issue During Nearest to Filing Date A. Total No. Copies Printed 12,237 12,136 (net press run) B Paid Circulation: Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors and counter sales 66 66 Mail subscription 11,321 11,570 C. Total Paid Circulation 11,387 11,636 D. Free Distribution by mail, carrier or Other means, samples, complimentary And other free copies 111 64 E, Free Distribution outside the mail (carriers or other means) 1,000 100 F Total Distribution (sum of D And E) 1,111 164 G. Total Distribution (sum of C and F) 12,498 1 1 .800 H. Copies not distributed: Office use, left over, unaccounted. Spoiled after pnnting 20 20 Return from news agents 0 0 1. Total (sum of G. HI and H2) Percent Paid and or Requested 12,518 11,820 I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete Pete Prown, Editor Exhibiting in the ■ BSr Philadelphia Flower Show for over 60 years. Visit us there in the Marketplace. naturalistic shorn The ana’s largest provider of orchid plants & related supplies 10 East Poplar Avenue, Linwood, NJ 08221 Retail Hours: Friday & Saturday, 9 am to 5:30 pm Wholesale by Appointment 610.927.4126 • e-mail: waldor@waldor.com or on the WEB at: www.waldor.com 29 GREEN SCENE • february 2005 Years ago, when I first discovered begonias, I was fascinated with a photograph of a lovely, small, yellow-flowered be- gonia, Begonia prismato- carpa. With some effort I was able to find a source who propagated a few under lights for me. I care- fully nurtured my find, only to have them very shortly go to begonia heaven. After this, I knew I must do some research to find out why my plants died. I learned that these plants need extra humidity and require a ter- rarium. My next question was: what is a terrarium? A ter- rarium is an enclosed con- tainer for growing plants that need a very humid environment. It can be a glass bubble, jar, aquarium, or fruit-ripening container. 30 Opposite page: Begonia prismatocarpa Right: The author’s collection of begonias sitting under grow lights in her basement How do I know that a plant needs extra humidity? Many catalogs have codes that indicate which plants require a terrarium. Growing begonias in con- tainers is relatively easy, because it requires only infrequent watering thanks to the closed glass lid, which maintains the humidity inside. 1 use a turkey baster to water my plants. I feel the growing medium with my fingers, and if it feels dry, 1 “under water” it and replace the cover. This means using a little less water than you think the plants might need. The fol- lowing day you'll find that what you thought was too little water was actually quite adequate. If youve added too much water, sim- ply tilt the terrarium slight- ly to the side and use the GLASS 31 By Sylvia Lin baster to draw out the excess water. Be sure to wash the baster to remove any bacteria or fungus. When watering, direct the baster into the medium, never directly onto the foliage, which could cause root-rot and fungal growth. I fertilize the plant with a balanced fertilizer that’s been diluted to roughly half strength. 1 place my terrariums 1 0 inches below a fluorescent light and use a timer for 12 hours each day. You may also use indirect light from a northern window. Never place the container in direct sunlight, or your plants will “cook.” As for general care, remove any dead leaves and flowers you see. If leaves touch and stick to the container wall of the ter- rarium, remove them by pinch pruning. When the plant becomes too tight in the container, re-pot it! Since reading Millie Thompson’s book. Begonias , I have followed her recipe for ter- rarium soil. She advocates using four parts of long-fiber sphagnum moss and one part perlite, and I have used this recipe success- continued on page 34 GREEN SCENE • february 2005 32 VISIT • Native & Exotic Plant Sale & Fashion Show in Horticulture Hall (week 1) oipre & Garden Show nd Spring Craft Show THEME: “Romantic Retreats” Over 20 Professionally Landscaped Gardens Orchid Society Show & Sale in Horticulture Hall (week 2) Buy Plants and Unique Garden Accessories • Free seminars at Green Thumb Theater March 4-6 & 11-13, 2005 Maryland State Fairgrounds gg ^qm^Tinwniiun, MD Adjacent Buildings... March I It I Spo Imarine BANK n Use this ad as a coupon for $1.00 ^i-oOFF one regular adult admission. With 400 Home Improvement Exhibits — Home Building — — Remodeling — — Kitchen & Bath — — Carden Landscaping — — Home Design — AND MUCH MORE ! SHOP * Thousands J; of One-of-a-Kin Juried Crafts t Both Shows $10 • Crafts Only $5 FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 410-863-1 180 For additional coupons 61 directions, visit our website: www.mdhomeandgarden.com An Unparalleled Choice in Adult Communities unique, beautiful arboretum setting • wide choice of homes dynamic community • ideal locations for culture and recreation superior health & wellness services with "patient partnership" approach We welcome your visit— see all we have to offer you. • Call 8oo.33i .^3og for an appointment. * EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY MEDFORD LEAS A nationally accredited. Quaker-related, not-for-profit community for those age 65 and above. Home of The Lewis W. Barton Arboretum & Nature Preserve • Member. Greater Philadelphia Gardens One Medford Leas Way I Medford, NJ 08055 I www. medfordleas.org 33 GREEN SCENE • february 2005 MOSTARDI 4033 West Chester Pike (Route 3) • Newtown Square, PA 19073 610-356-8035 • www.mostardi.com Your garden is your sanctuary...come to Mostardi’s for distinctive plants, expertise and inspiration. IMF’ ‘Marmaduke’ fully for many years. The preparation of the potting medium is as follows: • Place sphagnum moss in a kitchen colander. • Run the hottest water from the faucet over the moss for two minutes to remove undesirable material and kill bacteria. • Allow the moss to cool. • Moss should be moist but not wet. • Cut the moss into smaller pieces with scissors. • Wring out excess water to avoid root rot. • Mix sphagnum moss with perlite (in 4:1 ratio). • Place mixture into the bottom of the container and then insert plant(s). In all, terrariums require minimal main- tenance, watering, and very little space. As a bonus, they make a great floral center- piece when you need one. Some of the begonias with which I have had the most success are: Begonia prmnatocarpa , B. pris- ma tocu t'pd (variegated), B. bogneri, B. rajah, B. Buttercup’, and B. versicolor. Growing begonias in terrariums involves trial and error, but once you have mastered the technique, it is relatively easy. I know you will enjoy them as much as I do. Good luck! Special thanks to Millie Thompson, who has been my mentor and friend, as well as my inspiration to study and grow begonias. Her book, Begonias: The Complete Reference Guide, is a masterpiece, and you can find it in PHS’ McLean Library. 610-645-8764 • www.waverlyheightsltd.org HEIGHTS 1 400 Waverly Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035-1 296 THE FINER THINGS IN LIFECARE. • 100% and 50% recoverable entrance fee plans. • Over 200 apartments and villas. • Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Waverly Heights is a nationally accredited Continuing Care Retirement Community located in a lovely residential setting on the Philadelphia Main Line. Call us for information or a personal tour. • Fitness Center, Pool, Dining Options and many other services and amenities. GREEN SCENE • februory 2005 34 THUJA X ‘GREEN GIANT’ Screening Alternative to Leyland Cypress &. 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Heal Jr. & Virginia Z. Heal visit us on the web @ www.cshealmarket.com 1607 SALEM RD. Burlington Twp. nj (609)386-9422 Fax: (609)386-9635 OPEN DAILY! Mon.-Fri. 9-5:30, Sat. & Sun. 9-5 Become a Subscriber Member of Brooklyn Botanic Garden for $35 and receive: Three BBG All-Region Guides a year, called “a brilliant collection of gardening handbooks” by The New York Times. Subscription to the award-winning Plants & Gardens News. Reciprocal privileges at botanical gardens across the country. Discounts from gardening-related retailers and florists. To subscribe call 718-623-7210 or visit www.bbg.org. C. Colston Burrell and Lucy Hardiman Edited by Beth Hanson $9.95 each 1 20 pages 85 color photos Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1 1000 Washington Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11225 Brooklyn Botanic Garden All-Region Guides “For expert advice in all realms of horticulture, gardeners have come to depend upon the handbooks produced by Brooklyn Botanic Garden." —Booklist GUIDES iff. low GUiDts To order these and other outstanding titles in the series call 718-623-7286 or visit www.bbg.org/gardengiftshop. 35 GREEN SCENE • february 2005 The suburban development that has been enveloping Philadelphia and other large U.S. cities for the past 50 years, such a promising ideal when it began, is now seen by many Americans as a major threat to their quality of life. Car- dependent communities that sit miles out- side the city limits now suffer from air pol- lution and urban-style traffic jams. Residential and commercial developments have devoured farms, woodlands, mead- ows, marshland and other open spaces at an alarming rate. Between 1970 and 1990, the United States lost 19 million acres of rural land to development. That’s almost 30,000 square miles, and the loss continues at a rate of 400,000 acres a year. In the five-county Southeastern Pennsylvania region, between 1982 and 1997, 131,000 acres (204 square miles) were converted to suburban uses and almost 55,000 acres ol prime farmland were lost, while more than 122,000 new households were accommodated. In Montgomery County alone, between 1970 and 2000, 91,000 acres of farmland and natural lands were developed — more than 142 square miles, or 30 percent of the county’s total land area. As the suburbs have drawn people and businesses out of the cities and towns, urban centers have suffered. More than 30,000 vacant lots are scattered throughout Philadelphia, and in smaller cities in the region, such as Chester, large sections have been abandoned by all but the chronically poor. Besides reducing the quality of life for human residents in both urban and subur- ban areas, piecemeal development has also fragmented wildlife habitat. Populations of many species have declined, but a few have exploded, among them various exotic, inva- sive weeds and that four-legged scourge of suburban gardens, the white-tailed deer. Stream corridors have suffered as sur- rounding watersheds and wetlands have been filled in and built on. Precipitation, rather than soaking into the soil and recharging groundwater supplies, now quickly runs off lawns and paved areas, picking up pollutants such as lawn chemi- cals on its way to the nearest stream. Besides water pollution, stream erosion has increased along with development, and damaging floods are now common even during what were once considered only average-size storms. ADAM LElrINE ng the Tide Against Planned Development Some people suggest that all new devel- opment be banned until we can sort out what we already have, but local experts agree that even if this was possible, it is not necessary. “The fact is that population is redistrib- uting itself from city areas to less dense areas, and we have to deal with that,” says Charles Day, executive director of the GreenSpace Alliance of Southeastern Pennsylvania. “To take a Luddite-type atti- tude, to try to stop all growth, isn't going to get you anywhere.” Day and others point out that, with proper planning, intelligent growth and land conservation can occur side by side. PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR LU\ND PRESERVATION Concern about poorly planned develop- ment has led to increased public support for land preservation projects in this area, reflected in the passage of numerous municipal and county-level bond referen- dums and various local tax levies that have raised more than $600 million since the mid-1990s. In the vanguard of this movement was Chester County, where voters approved two bond issues, in 1997 and 1999, total- ing $125 million. Montgomery County, where the only areas not under severe development pressure are those already developed, spent $100 million on a wide variety of conservation and revitalization projects between 1993 and 2003, and set a new statewide record by approving a $150 million “Green Fields/Green Towns” refer- endum in November 2003. All 62 munici- palities in the county supported the refer- endum, which passed with 78 percent of the vote — a higher percentage than any of the candidates received who were running for county commissioner in that election. One key to its success was the inclusion of projects for both the developed and rural parts of the county, says Dulcie Flaharty, executive director of the Montgomery County Lands Trust (MCLT), which, since its founding in 1993, has spearheaded open space preservation in the county. “We were not just preserving farmland and creating trails, we were making pocket parks in the towns and planting street trees,” Flaharty says. Being bipartisan was “Would you gtciy rioina fforu tho niovioo for o/io /jjy/n ci your \n ordor to mivo ii pJuoo f or your Id do to vj'dWt lord piny for tbo root of thoir Jivoo?" Left: Aerial photo showing the Paunacussing Preserve, Buckingham Township, Bucks Co. and surrounding area in early ‘90s. Area bordered in yellow is the Paunacussing Preserve. Right: The same area in 2000. Above : View of interior woodlands at the Sadsbury Preserve in Chester County. Far right: View of wild rice marsh in Maurice River at the Peek Preserve, Millville, New Jersey. Right: Aerial shot of development Below: Idlewild Preserve, Lower Merion, Montgomery Co. also important, she adds, as it allowed elect- ed officials, regardless of party affiliation, to support the program — not that they need- ed much encouragement. The winter before the election, MCLT, using a $10,000 private donation, hired a polling firm to survey county residents about their attitudes toward open space preservation. The overwhelmingly positive results of the poll were used to justify the unprecedented $150 million request. “Polling showed us that, either through the popular press or their own concern, people understood the problem,” Flaharty says. “Open space preservation was something they wanted their tax dollars used for.” For those who needed convincing, Flaharty pointed out the relatively small expense for each taxpayer and compared it to other possible expenditures. “Would you stay home from the movies for one night a year,” she liked to ask, “in order to have a place for your kids to walk and play for the rest of their lives?” While $150 million is not going to pay for all the projects that need attention in the county, such bond issues are important, because, by showing a community’s com- mitment to preservation, the money can then be used to encourage other organiza- tions, government agencies and private individuals to add to the kitty. “It’s like anteing up in poker,” says Philip Wallis, past president of the Natural Lands Trust (NLT), in Media, PA, one of the area’s oldest land preservation groups. “If you don’t have value at the table, you’re not going to succeed. ...Nobody is going to give you all the money for any project. Most of the deals I work on have five sources of funds. SEEING PRIORITIES Before this recent spate of bond issues and tax levies, saving open space from development, in Southeastern Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the U.S., had been most often a reactive process. In general, only after a parcel of land was threatened were the resources mobilized to protect it. This process, flawed as it was, resulted in the preservation of large tracts of open space in this area, much of it due to the work of dedicated land conservation organizations. Through 1995 (the latest year for which complete figures are available), 161,000 acres in the five-county area had been pro- tected by various means, out of a total area of 1,405,000 acres. GREEN SCENE • february 2005 38 Despite these successes, it became clear several years ago, as leaders of preservation groups discussed how to expand efforts, that their work would be more effective if they had a more exact knowledge of the existing land resources in the region. Identifying critical areas worth preserving before the bulldozers stood idling in the wings would make protection of valuable land more than a last-minute, last-ditch effort that, as often as not, failed as time ran out. Preservation experts also hoped that a regional map, showing where critical parcels overlapped governmental bound- aries, would encourage more interaction between the five counties’ 238 municipali- ties, each of which has its own planning board, and most of which are not cooperat- ing with each other in land-use planning. Using computerized mapping technolo- gy, or geographic information systems (GIS), the GreenSpace Alliance, with sup- port from a coalition of regional organiza- tions interested in land-use (including MCLT, NLT, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society), spent more than a year identifying and ranking lands in the five-county Southeastern Pennsylvania region, based on their agricultural, natural resource and recreational value. The result- ing planning maps are part of the Regional Open Space Priorities Report, released in early 2004. According to its introduction, the report “identifies, prioritizes and recommends protection strategies for natural resources, agricultural and recreation lands [and] encourages partnerships between state, fed- eral, local and private conservation groups and others to protect critical open spaces in the region while sustaining economic growth.” More specific goals of the plan include the creation of interconnected habitat to support a diversity of wildlife; funding of parks and greenways through- out the region, especially focusing on river and stream corridors; and protection of farmlands and water resources, especially the headwaters of streams. The report recommends the permanent preservation of half of the still-undeveloped and unprotected “Open Space Priority continued on page 40 Brandywine Conservancy Montgomery County Lands Trust www. brandywineconservancy. org www. melt, org 610-388-2700 215-513-0100 Chester County 2020 Natural Lands Trust www.cc2020.org www.natlands.org 610-696-3180 610-353-558 7 GreenSpace Alliance of Southeastern Pennsylvania www.greenspacealliance. info 215-563-0250 Heritage Conservancy www. heritageconservancy. org 215-345-7020 Pennsylvania Environmental Council www.pecpa.org 215-563-0250 Philadelphia Green www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsoci- ety. org/ phlgreen The Trust for Public Land www.tpl.org Mike dispenses freshly brewed compost tea from out brewer. Directions r To Us Keystone Gardens inc 250 Conestoga Road Wayne, PA 19087 610 688 5969 IT'S TEA TIME WHAT IS COMPOST TEA Compost Tea is liquid extract of compost containing nutrients, micro-organisms and organic matter. It’s use helps retain valuable nutrients, improve soil structure and suppress disease. Compost tea is available every Fri, Sat and Sun. ABOUT US Keystone Gardens is a full service retail and wholesale garden center specializing in perennial and organic gardening products. Our residential gardening division offers creative landscape design solutions. 39 GREEN SCENE • february 2005 Lands” that were identified in the mapping process, amounting to about 158,000 acres, a goal that can be reached in a num- ber of ways. Outright purchase of land, or buying conservation easements that pre- clude future development, have been the methods most often used to protect land in the past. But to meet the goals outlined in the Open Space report, the building com- munity needs to be involved in the process, applying conservation principles that pro- tect natural areas every time a parcel is subdivided. These preserved areas, which preservation experts recommend amount to at least half of the acreage of each parcel, will over time connect to similar natural areas as adjacent parcels are similarly developed. The ultimate goal of the recommenda- tions, says Charles Day, is to limit the frag- mented development that has occurred for so long and with such devastating conse- quences, and instead foster “connectedness and continuity” in the landscape, and a sense of “regional stewardship." “Some people think the community they see out the kitchen window is all there is,” Day says. “But where does their storm water go to, where does their waste water go? Where do they shop, go to school? Where do they recreate, where does their trash go to, their electricity come from?” As an example, a township planning commission, with the help of the regional maps, will be able to look beyond the bor- ders of the individual parcel of land on its agenda and consider the consequences of their decision on a wider area. Instead of considering the land as part of a particular town or county, with boundaries based on political whims of the past, it can be seen as part of a watershed, with boundaries based on natural land features that may encom- pass any number of different municipalities. Phil Wallis envisions a time when all of us, government officials and single citizens, have the health of the land in the forefront of our minds, no matter how large or how small the decision to be made. It is happen- ing, here and there, but it needs to happen more and more. Caring for the land needs to become as natural to us as caring for our children. Only then will our land— which holds our roots, which is the basis of our life — be on its way back to health. ENCHANTING COTTAGES English country style comes to West Hill at Meadowood, an established lifecare community in Montgomery County. Designed specifically for the mature adult, these luxury homes feature two bedrooms on the first floor, a two-car garage, sunroom, spacious floor plans, and many delightful features. Other enchantments in this storybook setting include Meadowood’s popular cluster homes, apartments, and garden villas. Here you will find the stuff of legends with doctors on site and assisted living and skilled nursing worthy of state’s highest ratings for the last four years. Call (610) 584-1000 for more information. Come and see what’s new. We’re only 5 miles west of Blue Bell. Meadowood ^ 3205 Skippack Pike • Worcester, PA 19490-0670 • 610-584-1000 www.meadowood.net GREEN SCENE • february 2005 40 THE 57TH ANNl I AL WILMINGTON GARDEN DAY MAY 7, 2005 IO AM - 5 PM A Tour Of Distinctive Gardens and Homes FOR INFORMATION: (302) 428-6172 or www.gardenday. org A Tree & Landscape Services *'• ' A‘.- 'V n* * ' •< ' Unpretedehted Experience :v * PersonallService . * y ' ‘JBr • * , if . . ' - * " * Exceptional Quality Ws tflF^ f G * «v *- ♦Ji Call today to schedule a free professional consultation to review your property. 215-844-TREE (8733) • 610-688-6644 • Fax:215-438-1879 www.mcfarlandtree.com Celebrating Over 1 5 Years of Quality Lifecare! White Horse Village is a place for celebrating life! Retire to our beautiful 84 acre campus where we provide a full range of retirement lifestyles. Discover the community where the choice is yours! i t=J Accommodations range from 500 to 3000 square feet: • Garden cottages • Villas • Apartments • Carriage Homes We also offer choices to customize your lifestyle including: • Refundable entry plans • Flexible meal plans • Activities and cultural programs • Fitness and wellness • Many other services and amenities ...and the security of skilled nursing care and assisted living should the need arise and included in the fees. (610) 558-5000 -I 535 Gradyville Road • Newtown Square, PA 19073 www.whitehorsevillage.org *•’4, WHITE liH PA70 □ Send me the free Beauty' from Bulbs catalog. □ Send me 100 Muscari Mixture for $19.95. Q Check enclosed $ (C 1 residents add 6% sales ox) □ Charge to: □ MasterCard □ Visa □ Acct No.: Exp: Name: Shipping Address: City: State: Zip: Day Phone: Beauty from Bulbs Bring the special beauty of bulbs to your family’s garden from over 750 varieties of the finest Dutch flower bulbs. Call (860) 567-0838 or visit www.johnscheepers.com for your free, 80-page, color catalog. Magical Muscari Mixture Comprised of four, perennializing varieties of Muscari, our mix sparkles in tones of periwinkle, sapphire, pale wisteria and white. Top size bulbs. 100 bulbs for $19.95 (inch shipping). John Scheepers 23 Tulip Drive Phone: (860) 567-0838 t25|r' PO Box 638 Fax: (860) 567-5323 Bantam, CT 06750 www. johnscheepers.com 41 GREEN SCENE • february 2005 Judy Glattstein is an enthusiastic gardener, author, and lecturer who appreciates bulbs as "plants in a package." You can visit her website at www.bellewood-gardens.com. A Bounty of Bulbs by Judy Glattstein Multiplication Ten billion bulbs. This staggering figure is the quantity of bulbs pro- duced in Holland each and every year. Approximately 3.5 billion bulbs are exported to non-European Union coun- tries, and the United States is the num- ber-one customer for Dutch bulbs, importing an average of 1 .5 billion bulbs every year. That's a whopping number of bulbs and a phenomenal accomplish- ment in propagation. Commercially, nearly all bulbs are propagated asexually, primarily through division and scaling. You’ve probably noticed offsets on daffodils and tulips, or small cormlets on gladiolus. These can be grown to flowering size. There is a nifty technique used on hyacinths, wherein the basal plate is scooped out with a tool that reminds me of a melon bailer. Numerous little bulbs form at the wounded tissue. The mother bulb disin- tegrates, the babies are lined out in a production field and grown to marketable size. Lilies, meanwhile, can produce a new bulb from a single scale that’s been detached from the mother bulb. Daffodils are twin-scaled: the bulb is sliced from top to bottom several times, cutting it into eight or more segments. These are then separated into bits and pieces as small as two scale fragments. As long as the twin scales include a fragment of basal plate, they retain the capability of developing into a new bulb. (This is reassuring to those of us who happen to slice into dormant bulbs while mucking about in the garden. Should this happen to you, it is a good idea to dust the wound with a fungicide. I use “flowers of sulfur,” which is a fine, powdered form of sulfur.) Tissue culture is an expensive option that is used by Dutch growers only for a few bulbs, especially newer ones des- tined for the forcing market, as these generally can fetch a higher price per bulb than those intended for use by home gardeners and landscapers. Hybridizers searching for new varieties Netherlands Bulb Information Center don’t have a choice about this and must explore the genetic recombination that seeds have to offer. Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum ) reach maturity very quickly, in under a year from seed to flowering size. L. formosanum is equally speedy. However, bulbs are, in general, more leisurely about this process. Tulips, for example, take an average of five years to produce a bulb large enough to flower, which would still be too small for sale. There is no reason why home gar- deners cannot explore growing bulbs from seed, which is especially suitable for species as opposed to man-made cultivars. Sow seed thinly in a gritty pot- ting mix. (Hardy bulbs may need a chill- ing period, known as stratification.) Plan on keeping the tiny bulbs in their seed pot for a year or two; I've lost more by pricking them out too early than by leav- ing well enough alone. I prefer to use a deep pot, as bulbs seem to enjoy delv- ing downward, using contractile roots to pull themselves towards the bottom of the pot. With Arisaema seeds, for example, I sow them in autumn and keep them under grow lights in a cool basement, I gently dry off the seedlings sometime in January. Six weeks later I water lightly to awaken them, thus providing two growth cycles within one calendar year. Catherine Thomas, writing for the pro- ceedings of the International Plant Propagators’ Society, (Volume 53, 2002, pp. 593-94) discusses her exper- iments with lilies and dodecatheon, manipulating day length and tempera- ture to crowd two growing cycles into one year. I’ve raised cyclamen from seed, as well as Lachenalia. All it takes is patience. Besides, if you sow bulb seeds, sooner or later you’ll have plants. If you don’t, you won’t. GREEN SCENE • february 2005 42 Made in the Shade Carolyn Walker owns Carolyn's Shade Gardens in Bryn Mawr. PA, where she maintains several acres of shady display areas. She can be reached at carolynsshadegardens@verizon.nel or 610-525-4664 by Carolyn Walker Hellebores Beyond Lenten Roses (Part 2) In the last issue, I urged gardeners to extend their hellebore palette beyond Orientalis hybrids (formerly Lenten roses) by trying the equally fine “species" hellebores. Here, I am going to describe two of the more unusual species that are first-class additions to the shade garden. Helleborus purpurascens, a hybrid hellebore parent, is one of the earliest blooming of all the hellebores. In February, the 1 0-inch flower stems push through the soil, and the blooms open as soon as they are freed from the ground, remaining ornamental for at least two months. The exquisite 2-inch flowers appear before the leaves and are cup-shaped and variable in color, ranging from a smoky plum inside and out to a metallic purple outside with a green interior. The stiff, dark green leaves have an attractive form with five toothed, deeply divided leaflets radiating from the top of the stem in a unique, 1 2- inch circular pattern. The leaves of H. purpurascens die back in fall. H. purpurascens is native to sunny alpine meadows in eastern Europe. My plants thrive with morning sun or dap- pled shade and average moisture. Once they are established, I never water any of my hellebores — they are very drought tolerant. I do amend the soil with com- post during planting and replenish this organic matter by mulching with ground leaves every year. To avoid fungal dis- eases, clean up the old foliage in fall. Like the Orientalis hybrids, mature plants are easily divided in early spring by digging up the whole plant, washing off the soil, and cutting the root ball in half with a sharp knife. However, the larger a hellebore specimen is, the more flowers it produces and the more beau- tiful it becomes, so I consider dividing a last resort. Helleborus foetidus , or bearsfoot hellebore, is one of the most unusual and desirable plants in my garden. In October, its 18- to 24-inch stems of large, finger-like, black-green leaves are topped with contrasting pale green bracts, which mature into chartreuse flower buds in November. Over the win- ter, the buds slowly open into pendulous clusters of bell-shaped, chartreuse flow- ers edged in crimson. Through late spring, the flowers sit atop a 3-foot- wide, shrub-like plant of exquisite tex- ture and architectural beauty worthy of specimen status, especially for winter interest. A truly evergreen, four-season plant, bearsfoot hellebore comes through our hardest winters completely unscathed with picture-perfect leaves and flowers the following spring. If I had to grow only one hellebore, this would be it. Plants in the “Wester Flisk Group” with narrow metallic leaflets and red highlights are very beautiful but quite variable. Native to the UK and western Europe, bearsfoot hellebore grows in a wide range of cultural conditions in the wild. My best plants receive half a day of direct sun, average moisture with no extra watering, good drainage, and plenty of organic matter replenished yearly. Although bearsfoot hellebore has a reputation for being short-lived, five years on average, it self-sows prolifically and always replaces itself before it dis- appears. Transplanting seedlings is the best way to increase your stock, with plants blooming the second year. I hope I have inspired you to try species hellebores. Their beautiful flow- ers and unusual leaves, multi-season interest, adaptability to a variety of cul- tural conditions, especially drought, and their unattractiveness to deer make them star performers in Delaware Valley gardens. If you want to find out more about them, noted English horti- culturist Graham Rice’s website (www.hellebore.com) has a wealth of information. WV Above: A single flower of H. purpurascens. Left H. foetidus ‘Wester Fisk’ 43 GREEN SCENE • february 2005 CLASSI FI EDS ANTIQUE BOOKS RARE & PREVIOUSLY OWNED BOOKS ON HORTICULTURE & BOTANICAL PRINTS - Bought and Sold Polly Goldstein 37 Lochwood Ln. West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 436-9796 E-mail: GrannyPol@aol.com GARDENING BOOK READ GARDEN LUNACY: A GROWING CONCERN The Ultimate Laugh-out-loud garden book by award-winning writer and Philadelphia Flower Show Grand Sweepstakes winner ART WOLK Signed copies at www.gardenlunacy.com or purchase at the Philadelphia Flower Show or Amazon.com GARDEN RESTORATION Spruce Hill Urban Horticulture Accepting Clients For: • garden restoration • seasonal planting • garden maintenance Relax and enjoy your garden! 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Philadelphia Windowbox Company 610-310-1973 info@philadelphiawindowboxcompany.com www.philadelphiawindowboxcompany.com GREEN SCENE • february 2005 44 < 7// 1 unerica /i Gountru &tat& Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Brandywine Valley, Winterthur is home to Henry Francis du Pont’s unsurpassed collection of American antiques, his fabulous mansion, and glorious garden. '.448.3883 • www.winterthur.org lmington, Delaware, just minutes away from other Brandywine Valley area attractions, restaurants and hotels.) Mansion & Garden Tram Tours Special Exhibitions Spectacular Spring Blooms Shopping & Dining One of America’s “10 great places of historical proportions." - USA Today n — ? ■ssn* - Fggi & Greening in Progress “ Greening works. ” That’s the message of PHS’s Green City Strategy, which calls for significant invest- ment in Philadelphia’s parks, plazas, recre- ation areas and other green spaces as the cornerstone of an overall revitalization plan for Philadelphia. The Green City Strategy was adopted by the City of Philadelphia in 2003 as part of its Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI), an ongo- ing blight-removal program, and the city has awarded two contracts to PHS — total- ing $6.3 million — to carry out the greening work of NTI. “The transformation of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods is not just about bricks and mortar,” says Patricia L. Smith, the city’s director of neighborhood transformation. “We believe that cleaning up vacant lots and investing in quality green spaces is one of the most effective ways to build thriving communities, enhance the quality of life, and make Philadelphia one of the most desirable places to live, work, and do busi- ness. That’s why the city has partnered with PHS and is investing in the Green City Strategy.” During the first year, PHS cleared more than 1.3 million square feet of vacant land and planted more than 800 trees, among other accomplishments (see side- bar). Currently, PHS is working to identify and clean vacant lots in strategic locations that have the most potential impact on their surrounding communities. Sites will be chosen based on quality-of-life issues, such as safety and security, community development, and environmental con- cerns. Greening for Safety In some Philadelphia communities, chil- dren walking to school must go out of their way to avoid overgrown, trash-strewn lots that invite criminal activity. To enhance safety and security, Philadelphia Green will stabilize lots near schools, recreation centers and other neighborhood gathering places. In particular, PHS will partner with the School District of Philadelphia’s “Safe Corridors” program to identify key sites that, when cleaned, will greatly improve the safety of walking routes for schoolchildren. Encouraging Development Attractive, well-kept green spaces invite new investment in neighborhoods. Philadelphia Green will stabilize land in communities that are supporting new development, particularly new housing and commercial enterprises. They will also focus on historically stable neighborhoods that are starting to experience blight for the first time, highly visible corridors and thor- oughfares, and lots where abandoned buildings have recently been demolished. Storm Water & the Environment Vacant lots have the potential to slow down the rate of rain water that flows into the Delaware and Schuykill rivers, which places a burden on the city’s aging sewage system. With a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (and in partnership with the Philadelphia Water Department, the Department of Streets, and NTI), PHS will explore the potential for vacant land to serve as collec- tion sites for excess storm water. Keeping it Local Philadelphia Green has developed a maintenance project that employs neigh- borhood residents to perform basic land- scaping— trash removal and mowing — on lots newly cleaned by the city. PHS pro- vides training and technical assistance, coordinates trash and debris removal with the city, and provides overall management and administration. This program will be expanded and has the potential to manage as much as 2,500 parcels of land while pro- viding employment for city residents. Fostering Innovation Through partnerships with arts and cul- tural organizations, Philadelphia Green will provide opportunities for artists, designers, and other creative thinkers to find imagina- tive ways to connect communities to the “clean & green” spaces emerging in their midst. For example, vacant lots could be used for performances, temporary art exhi- bitions, or children’s art activities. — -Jane Carroll The Green City Strategy: first-year accomplishments include: • Stabilization of more than 1,300 parcels, or about 1 .3 million square feet of vacant land (about one-third more than the initial goal and equal to the length of Broad Street from Washington Ave to its northern end — about 8.3 miles). • More than 800 trees planted on vacant lots. • Development of successful program for community-based maintenance that employs 70 local residents. • Landscape improvements along four high-profile community corridors. • Enhancement projects at 23 new and existing community gardens. • Enhancement projects at 26 neighborhood parks. • Completion of 30 garden block projects, which distributed plants and sidewalk garden containers to residents. • Creation of a new “City Gardening Series” that offered dozens of free lectures and workshops, held at community locations through the city. GREEN SCENE • february 2005 46 Who knew that the secret to a green thumb was a pink bottle? Osmocote® has been the choice of knowledgeable gardeners for 40 years. Most plant foods unleash a spike of nutrition in the first few days, and then fizzle out. But with Osmocote Plant Food, your plants will get consistent nutrition for four whole months. It's no wonder Osmocote is preferred by the world's best gardeners — people who demand the best results and refuse to risk losing the season to a bad experiment. Use it just about everywhere. It's easy. Whether in-the-hole or in-the-mulch, whether for annuals, perennials, woody ornamentals or trees, Osmocote supplies the right amount of nutrition at the right time. Why not put it to work in your garden? Pick up a package of Osmocote, and let the pink bottle turn your thumb green. www.osmocote.com ©2005, Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company. World rights reserved. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND WEALTH? IT COULD BE THE UNIQUE THINKING OF PNC ADVISORS. As one of the largest wealth managers in the country, we are particularly adept at addressing the specialized needs of women investors like yourself to enhance and preserve wealth. Local experts, who live and work where you do, deliver wealth management solutions that are customized to your unique situation and concerns. Call 215-585-5438 today for more information about PNC Advisors' Women's Financial Services Network or for a complimentary wealth management consultation. © PIN C Advisors Women’s Financial Services Network The person pictured is for illustrative purposes only. PNC Advisors is a service mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., which is used in the provision of investment manage- ment, fiduciary and certain banking services by PNC Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank, Delaware Members FDIC. PNC Advisors does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value. www.pncadvisors.com 95 Collections of Exceptional Patio Furniture Cirque Garden AJSW Acres of Top Quality Plants | Garden Supplies | Unique Garden Accents 95 Collections of Exceptional Patio Furniture | Seasonal Christmas Shop Exquisite Gift & Flower Shops | Professional Landscaping Services 136 Lancaster Avenue Devon, PA 19333 610.293.0800 & waterloogardens.com 200 N. Whitford Road Exton, PA 19341 610.363.0800 Nurseries Landscape Design • Building • Irrigation 215.699.4714 * Enchanting. Striking. Durable. The perfect garden accent. Night or day. Spring, summer, fall or winter. Combine function and artistry to transform outdoor spaces With handblown glass orbs... each an original, glowing work of art. m Call toll-free 1-866-317-6727 uuuuuu.nightorbs.com LA\ORGENTE 3 GREEN SCENE • april 2005 1979 - 2005 Cathedral Village 600 East Cathedral Road Philadelphia, PA 19128 (215) 984-8622 www.cathedralvillage.com Over 25 Years of Commitment to . . . Resident Satisfaction ... By managing all of our own departments, we have the flexibility and opportunity to satisfy our residents’ preferences and lifestyles more easily. Innovation . . . Trend-setting programs are supported by outstanding facilities without additional cost. Vision . . . Anticipating changing trends and residents’ expectations is an on-going process that enables us to establish tomorrow’s new standards. Value . . . Visit and compare resident services and care in order to Understand the Real Value of Cathedral Village. Monday through Friday between 9 and 4. Appointments are necessary on weekends. A Nonprofit, Nondenominational CCRC Equal Housing ISl Opportunity Affiliated with the Jefferson Health System features DREEN 12 Shady Characters How do you create a woodland garden without losing half your plants to deer, rabbits, chipmunks, and squirrels? After many experiments that have misfired and, ultimately, yielded triumphant solu- tions, Dick and Ann Rosenberg have the answers. Here is a sampling of their favorite springtime bloomers for your shaded site. 18 Of Mules and Rhododendrons Nestled in the hills of rural Pottstown is Dr. Fred Winter’s fine collection of rho- dodendrons and rare specimen plants, along with garden inspirations that hail from as far away as Thailand and Japan. So, how do those mules fit into the pic- ture? Marilyn Romenesko tells all. 24 A Tour of Spring Every spring, PHS invites its members to tour inspiring gardens in different parts of the Philadelphia region. Susan Hudson offers a “teaser” for these tours — a preview of her garden, inspired in part by the circa 1737, stone Georgian house she and her husband purchased a few years ago in the French Creek area of Northern Chester County. 28 Hosta Heaven What happens when you combine a hill- side of 10,000 hostas, large shade gardens, and sunny perennial beds with a large pond, a 200-foot-long wall of mature bam- boo, and other wonders? Wayne Guymon takes us on a stroll of his ever-developing landscape. Columns 34 A Bounty of Bulbs: Bulbs for Bouquets By Judy Glattstein 35 Made in the Shade: European Wood Anemones By Carolyn Walker 38 Backpage: ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae — the Ultimate Screen Shrub? The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Main cover photo by Alan Detrick m¥ Editor Pete Prown Associate Editor Jane Carroll Publications Assistant Laurie Fitzpatrick Art Design Baxendells’ Graphic Publications Committee Rob Cardillo Stephanie Cohen Joe Henderson Harry E. Hill, ex officio Anne Kellett Adam Levine Jennifer Lin Rhoda Maurer llene Sternberg Printer ALCOM Printing Group, Inc. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Web Site www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org 100 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 215-988-8800 Chair Harry E. Hill President Jane G. Pepper Executive Vice President J. Blaine Bonham, Jr. PHS Membership Information Linda Davis, 215-988-8776 Display Ads Kim Richards at Manzo Communications, - 61 0-527-7047 kim4manzocomm@aol.com Classified Ads Laurie Fitzpatrick, 215-988-8769 gsads@pennhort. org Ask A Gardener Phone Line 215-988-8777, Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 12 [closed in December] askagardener@pennhort. org GREEN SCENE (USPS 955580), Volume 33, No.2, is published bi-monthly (February, April, June, August, October, December) by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a non-profit member organization at 100 N. 20th St.. Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495. Single Copy: $5.00 (plus $2.00 shipping). Second-class postage paid at Philadelphia, PA 19103. POSTMASTER: Send address change to GREEN SCENE, 100 N. 20th St.. Philadelphia, PA 19103. © Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 2005 GREEN SCENE subscriptions are part of the membership benefits for: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown, NJ Horticultural Society of New York Phipps Conservatory, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA Staten Island Botanical Garden, Inc, New York GATEWAY Garden Center Discover a vast selection of: perennials, grasses, conifers shrubs & trees water & container gardens fish & pond supplies organic solutions Native Plants our specialty Rt 41, Lancaster Pike Hockessin, DE 19707 • 302 239 2727 ww w.gatewaygardens. com Beauty from Bulbs Bring the special beauty of bulbs to your family’s garden from over 750 varieties of the finest Dutch flower bulbs. Call (860) 567-0838 or visit www.johnscheepers.com for your free, 80-page, color catalog. Magical Muscari Mixture Comprised of four, perennializing varieties of Muscari, our mix sparkles in tones of periwinkle, sapphire, pale wisteria and white. Top size bulbs. 100 bulbs for $19.95 (inch shipping). , John Scheepers 23 Tulip Drive Phone: (860) 567-0838 PO Box 638 Fax: (860) 567-5323 Bantam, CT 06750 www.johnscheepers.com PA70 □ Send me the free Beauty from Bulbs catalog. □ Send me 100 Muscari Mixture for $19.95. O Check enclosed $ (CT residents add 6% sales tax) □ Charge to: □ MasterCard □ Visa □ Acct No.: Exp: Name: Shipping Address: City: State: Zip: Day Phone: Email: Accessories for Home and Gard en www.aston-simms.com 732-649-4009 Setting the Standards of Excellence in Retirement Living Since 1967 Continuing Care Retirement Community 1120 Meetinghouse Road, Gwynedd, PA 19436 215-643-2200 • www.foulkeways.org c PANPH \ FRIENDS SERVICES fll AGING AAHSA Foulkeways' at Gwynedd does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, handicap or sexual orientation. GREEN SCENE • april 2005 6 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR METAMORPHOSIS What was your garden like 10 or 15 years ago? It’s fascinating to look at the way our gardening pursuits change over the years. When I started putting plants in the ground, circa 1990, it was all about big beds filled with roses and lilies. Today, my grand ambitions for a large, in-ground garden have given way to a suburban household, a lawn. ..and about 50 houseplants and orchids. Yes, I’m really more of a winter gardener than anything else, happily tending my many potted plants while the weather is cold and nasty outside. What about you — how different a plantsperson are you today than a decade ago? 1 decided to take a stroll around the offices of PHS to find some answers. Kathy Mills, Flower Show production director, says, “Eight years ago, my husband Tom and I had filled up the yard of our twin home in Delaware County, PA, so it was time to move. Since we are both horticulturists and plant lovers, we moved to Salem County, NJ and are currently working on filling four acres. Today, we are even more strongly committed to the power of mulch. We put down all we can afford each spring and early winter. Maybe that’s just because it gets harder to bend over to get the weeds!” Over in the Education Services department, pro- gram activities manager Chela Kleiber adds, “I got my dog Lila about 10 years ago, and she turned out to be a landscape architect. I let her run in my backyard gar- den and she created new pathways with graceful curves that are more convincing than what I could have cut away in the ivy in my back garden. Probably the most significant change in my plant taste is that I have developed a fierce devo- tion to annuals and large-leafed tropicals. There are many new container plants avail- able now, and I love to play with these fresh color and textural combinations.” Nancy O’Donnell, associate director of Philadelphia Green, has been through countless gardening phases over the past decade and now counts simplicity among her greatest outdoor virtues: “These days, I love my unusual flowering trees and shrubs the best. I enjoy the fragrant, fall-blooming witchhazel, and the red-flower- ing disanthus. I’m not as interested in encouraging finicky plants to bloom — I accept the conditions of my garden. ..and prune and weed ruthlessly. Looking back, I would say that each phase I went through was initial- ly complex, but then was followed by a simpler approach 1 can live with.” Philadelphia Green project manager Marilyn Romenesko adds, “I have begun to use plant repeti- tion more often in my home garden. I now use some of my favorite peren- nials, such as Amsonia hubrechtii , in several locations throughout the garden. This has the effect of making my garden beds seem more con- tiguous, and gives me the pleasure of viewing one of my favorite plants in many different settings.” Gold Medal Plant coordinator Joe Ziccardi says, “I used to plant the most flashy and floriferous members of the plant kingdom, without regard to the ramifica- tions of my actions. Today, I try to garden smart, using mainly native, non-invasive, low-maintenance and long-lived plants. Healthier plants require less fertilizer and pesticides, as well as fewer dollars out of my pock- et.” Finally, PHS executive vice president Blaine Bonham notes, “I have gone from being a daily gardener with several beds under cultivation to being a weekend gar- dener with three major areas at our shore house. I have also changed my plant “palette” to drought-tolerant, sun and salt-air-loving plants. One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is my penchant for cramming too many plants in spaces, because I am a garden center junkie and can’t resist any ‘new’ gems that I spy.” Indeed, who can? rvrj Mr, /r'f/'r/ email: greenscene@pennhort.org Above: Marilyn’s garden. Left: Blaine’s garden. 7 GREEN SCENE • april 2005 The Potting Shed As winter draws to a close, my thoughts turn to the arrival of spring. I look forward to hearing the chirp of goldfinches and the buzzing of bees around crabapples. If you want your garden to be buzzing with life, the key to attracting these creatures and other wildlife is to provide four basic necessi- ties: food, water, shelter, and places to raise young. GREEN SCENE • april 2005 8 Wildlife to Your Garden When we think of food, most of us think of setting out bird feeders. Many species, however, are not seed-eaters and will not visit your feeders (think of feeders as a sup- plement to the natural food that native plants, and the insects they attract, pro- vide). It is best to supply as much food as possible through the nectar, pollen, fruits and seeds of native plants which have evolved side-by-side with wildlife. For example, berries of the flowering dogwood ( Cornus florida) are high in fat, or lipid, content and ripen in August and September, just in time for migrating birds to load up before their long journey. Additionally, native plants are naturally resistant to drought and many local pests. That means they require less water and fewer chemical fertilizers and pesticides that can run off into streams and harm aquatic plants and animals. Water is the second essential element. In fact, something as simple as a small puddle will do. Newly emerged butterflies sip water and minerals from puddles or terra- cotta saucers. Birds like robins and barn swallows also harvest mud for nest build- ing. A more permanent and deeper source of water, like a pond, will attract a greater diversity of wildlife. Make sure to grow native plants like arrowhead ( Sagittaria lat- ifolia) in your pond so dragonfly larvae, turtles, frog tadpoles or fish have places to hide from predators. On land, too, plant cover protects small animals from predators and weather. You can look at natural ecosystems for ideas and inspiration. The eastern forest supplies a great lesson — it contains various plant communities to create tiers of cover, since different species inhabit different levels. Try to have a mix of tall canopy trees, under- story shrubs such as shadbush ( Amelanchier canadensis ), and an herbaceous layer con- taining leaf litter and native plants like wild ginger ( Asarum canadense). You can also create a brush pile with discarded tree branches in an out-of-the-way corner of your yard for small mammals and over- wintering mourning cloak butterflies. If you want your wild visitors to take up permanent residence in all stages of their life cycles, they will need locations for suc- cessful reproduction. Many species nest in cavities and use holes excavated by wood- peckers and other animals to raise their young. If possible, leave standing dead trees, or snags, for this purpose. Otherwise, offer man-made cavities, like birdhouses designed for specific needs. In all, it doesn’t take much to encourage wildlife to visit your property. Just follow the tips above and you’ll bring a bevy of wild friends to visit. lAf John Harrod works for the Delaware Nature Society, which offers its Backyard Wildlife Habitat™ program. For more information, call 302-239-2334 or visit www. delawarenaturesociety. org. Shreiner Tree Care Specialists, Inc. 334 S. Henderson Road • King of Prussia, PA 19406 Who’s Caring For Your Trees? Soring Services • Ornamental & Safety Pruning • Large Tree Pruning & Presentation • Shrubbery Hand Pruning & Trimming • Tree Hazard Evaluations • Tree & Stump Removal • Plant Health Care Evaluations • Insect & Disease Control • Tree & Shrub Root Fertilization Your Garden and Trees Deserve The Best of Care. . . The Shreiner team of Certified Arborists is committed to providing clients with knowledgeable service, attention to detail, arid exceptional value. Call today for your complimentary consultation. 610-527-3637 vvww.shreinertreecare.com 9 GREEN SCENE • opril 2005 Dogwood Fast Facts • The Latin name Cornus means “of the horn.” • The wood of Cornus florida was used for weaving shuttles, splitting wedges, and even golf clubs. • Cornus mas was said to be used by Odysseus and his men to build the Trojan horse. • Young stems from Cornus sanguinea were used as butcher’s skewers. • The inner bark of Cornus stolonifera was mixed with tobacco and smoked by native tribes of the Great Lakes region and central United States. • Cornus florida was said to be used to break the wretched hold of Hades and allow Persephone to ascend once again, bringing spring to a bleak and barren winter landscape. times. and published by Timber Press. Here are some quick “dogwood facts” to get you in the mood for their peerless spring bloom. Better still, new dogwood hybrids are beginning to battle the Anthracnose blight that has troubled Cornus florida in recent you love dogwoods, you may be inter- ested in the new book, Dogwoods, by Paul Cappiello and Don Shadow The legend of the dogwood flower is that its wood was used to fash- ion the cross on which Christ was crucified. It seems the dogwood once grew as tall as an oak and other noble trees of the forest, but the shame of being used in the crucifixion caused the dogwood great dis- tress and sadness. Recognizing the dogwood’s pain, Jesus is said to have promised to ren- der the tree forevermore unsuited for such a purpose. From that point on, the tree was to be bent and twisted so the wood would be unsuitable for any use that required a straight length. Furthermore, the petals were to be borne in a shape of a cross, with a rusty red nail mark at the tip of each and a crown of thorns in the center of the blossom. Of course, the fact that Cornus florida doesn’t grow within 2,000 miles of Golgotha, the site where Christ was crucified, does make this story a bit of a stretch, but it certainly helps one to remember the characteristics just the same. . PHILMIELPHI t GREEN *S v PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW «W MEADOW BROOK FARM scene photo contest OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES Who May Enter • Amateur photographers ages 1 8 and over. (Amateurs are defined as those who earn less than 1/4 of their annual income from photography.) • Employees of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and its affiliates are not eligible. Submissions • Photographers may only enter images as 4x6-inch or 5x7-inch prints, either in color or black-and- white. • Original images may be shot on print film, slides or digital cameras, but all submissions must be submitted as prints, as stated above (no slides or CDs accepted). • All photographs must be previously unpublished. • All photos must have been taken within the past three years (since August 1, 2002). • PHS may eventually mount photo submissions on cardboard, if we choose to display them. • If you’d like your images returned, please enclose a SASE with your submission. • On the back of each image, please write your name, address, email and phone. Optional-. You may also include technical information about the photograph (camera type, f-stop, speed, film type, etc.), as well as background info. • Photos that violate or infringe upon another photographer’s copyright are not eligible for entry. • The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is not responsible for loss or damage to any photographs submitted for the contest. Entry Fees • Photographers may enter 1 photo for a fee of $15, 2-5 photos for a fee of $25 or 6-10 photos for a fee of $40. Fees are non-refundable. • All entries must be received bv PHS by August 1, 2005 • All finalists will be notified by October 1 , 2005 PRIZES 1st Fuji A330 Digital Camera Kit from Ritz Camera, a 1-Year PHS Full Membership, and publication of your winning photo.* 2nd A 1-Year PHS Full Membership, 5 rolls of Fuji print film, and publication of your winning photo.* 3rd 5 rolls of Fuji film and publication of your winning photo.* Honorable Mentions (10): A Fuji single-use camera & your name listed in Green Scene and on the PHS website. ‘Publication will occur in PHS’ Green Scene magazine (12/05 issue) and on the PHS website, www. pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety. org For more information: Please email greenscene@pennhort.org for fastest response, or call John Gannon at 215-988-8871. Sponsored by: For more info on Dogwoods, visit www.timberpress.com. Win this Digital Camera! Are you a budding garden photographer? If so, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) invites you to enter its Green Scene “Garden Photo Contest,” sponsored by Ritz Camera and Fujifilm USA. Prizes include a Fuji A330 digital camera kit, film packages, single-use cameras, PHS memberships and more. Winning photos will also be published in the December 2005 issue of Green Scene magazine and on the PHS website, www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org. The contest’s judges are looking for superb images that capture the beauty of gardening and create a sense of community through horticulture. Specifically, plant portraits and close-ups, garden views, and people in the garden are all ideal subject choices. FUJIFILM Photos can be shot in any format, but must be submitted as 4x6 or 5x7-inch print(s). No digital submissions will be accepted. (See Official Contest Rules lor a complete list of submission requirements.) The deadline for entries is August 1, 2005. Payment Option: Check □ (payable to PHS) Credit Card □ Credit card type: Visa □ Mastercard □ Amex □ Discover D Card Number: Card Expiration Date: Please mail your entries to: GREEN SCENE PHOTO CONTEST, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 100 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 The contest is open to photographers 1 8 years and older. To be eligible, all mailed-in entries most by postmarked on or before August 1 , 2005. Warranty and Permission By sending this photograph(s) to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Green Scene Garden Photo Contest, I warrant that 1 am the sole author of this photo(s). I grant the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society the right to publish this photo in its publications and electronic newsletters, on its website, and in collateral publications, including, but not limited to promotional materials. I understand that beyond granting PHS these rights, I retain all other rights to this photograph. Printed Name Signature THE WOODS For more than 20 years, my husband Dick and I have shared our suburban wood- land garden with deer, rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks, and it has taken that long to find plants that please us all, human and non-human alike. Along the way, we’ve planted many species that have turned out to be impossible to grow because of the hungry ani- mals, and some that may sur- vive one year only to be eaten the next. As protection, we cover some plants with cages or wire, but through trial and error, I have found a number of plants that not only survive but thrive in our woodland with no such extra security. Though I can’t give you a guarantee, the following plants have survived in our garden, despite a verita- ble herd of deer and endless multitudes of squirrels and chipmunks. GREEN SCENE • april 2005 12 Helleborus foetidus (right) and H. hybridus not only grow well, but drop seeds freely. It is important to start with good plants or a good seed source, and then cull those seedlings that are not up to your standards. Hellebores are supposedly toxic to deer, and our deer avoid them. I’ve only had two hellebores eaten (the very night they were planted) and both were H. argutifolius ‘Janet Starnes’, a variegated hellebore. Hardy primulas thrive, and the critters do not seem inter- ested in them. Primula japonica likes a moist environment, but it does not need to be as con- stantly moist as some people suppose; in fact, mine survive with only occasional watering. Besides Primula japonica , P. veris, P elatior, P vulgaris ‘Hose in Hose’, P. sieboldii. P kisoana (left), and P. jesoana, have all done well. Some primulas re-seed in the woodland, while others need to be divided. Anemonella thalictroides (above) also re-seeds easily, which is a good thing, because this tiny spring plant is so lovely that I cannot imagine having too much. Arisaemas dont seem to be a choice morsel for any of the animals. Arisaema triphyllum , the native specimen, has done well for us, as has A. ringens, and A. candidissimum. Arisaema sikokianum is lovely, but not always reliably hardy. The same goes for A. candidissimum, but by planting the tubers almost a foot deep and covering them with Christmas-tree boughs in the winter, we have helped improve their chances. Phlox divaricata (below) and Phlox stolonifera have no apparent enemies and are easy to propagate. Many years ago, I bought three big plants of Phlox divaricata at the Philadelphia Flower Show and immediately made 1 5 cuttings, all of which grew into sizeable plants. They grow in an area with primulas, polemonium, and assorted corydalis. The pinks, blues, purples, and pale yellow present a lovely springtime palette. Woodland poppies ( Stylophorum diphylluni), below right, and Virginia bluebells ( Mertensia virginicd), below left, both natives, add color to the woodland each spring with their yellow and blue flowers. They disappear after blooming but reliably reappear the following year. Foxglove is a favorite of mine. Luckily, it is toxic to deer and the deer know enough to avoid it. We grow Digitalis purpurea, D. lutea , and D. grandiflora (left) . The tall spikes of D. purpurea are breathtakingly beautiful when grown in masses, which is easy to do because it re-seeds itself but is easy to remove if not wanted. Violets (above) are unpopular with those who like a weed-free lawn, but in the woodland they are delightful. We have permanent plantings of violets in various tones of pink, purple, blue, yellow, white, as well as two-toned. Not all violets can fend off the rabbits and deer — indeed, I have planted some that disappeared overnight. As much as I love Viola odorata, some of my four-legged garden visitors seems to love it even more. The shrubs S arcocca hookeriana, Mahonia bealei (right), Skimmia japonica, Daphne odora, and Daphne pontica have nice green foliage throughout the year. The Sarcocca spreads nicely and has sweet smelling flowers in the very early spring. While not reliably hardy, the Daphne odora has beautiful pink and white blossoms that make it worth growing, and Daphne mezereum does well in the woodland but loses its leaves in the winter. BULBS Bulbs add a special delight to a woodland gar- den, not only for my family, but also for the squirrels and chipmunks. Many bulbs can hold their own against the munching crowd, including daffodils ( Narcissus sp.), snowflakes ( Leucojum sp.), snowdrops ( Galanthus sp.), below, and winter aconite ( Eranthus sp.). The latter two will re-seed themselves, and narcissus and leucojum can be easily separated. CORYDAL Corydalis cheilanthifo- lia (white), C. solida (pink or rose) (above), and C. ochroleuca (yellow) all thrive, seed around, and add a light touch to the woodland with their lacy Various pulmonaria, brunnera, myosotis, omphalodes, and riarella have pretry blue, pink, and white flowers. Dicentra eximia seeds prolifically, and since there are always young and older plants, they bloom from spring through fall, adding inter- est with their lacy foliage and pink and rose tones. The foliage of Arum italicum disappears in the summer but stays green throughout the fall and winter. 1 always cut off the orange/ red berries before they drop because this plant re-seeds a bit too freely. My husband and I grow other bulbs and plants in our woodland, but the ones I’ve listed here have proved themselves the most reliable. While losing plants now and then comes with the territory, it has been encouraging finding beautiful, resilient plants that thrive as part of a colorful, delightful, and satisfying year-round woodland garden. IT’S TEA TIME WHAT IS COMPOST TEA Compost Tea is liquid extract of compost containing nutrients, micro-organisms and organic matter. It’s use helps retain valuable nutrients, improve soil structure and suppress disease. Compost tea is available every Fri, Sat and Sun. Mike dispenses freshly brewed compost tea from out brewer. Directions To Us Keystone Gardens inc 250 Conestoga Road Wayne, PA 19087 610 688 5969 >>*** ABOUT US Keystone Gardens is a full service retail and wholesale garden center specializing in perennial and organic gardening products. Our residential gardening division offers creative landscape design solutions. The Works Deer-Proof Daffodils For Naturalizing There can be no more agreeable sight in spring than a cluster of cheerful Daffodils in a meadow, at the edge of woods, or along- side a country path. We offer a premium mixture of Daffodils for Naturalizing that is designed for precisely this purpose. We call our mixture ‘The Works’ because it is blended from top-size bulbs of at least 30 of the best modern varieties, no more than 5 of each, to provide an astonishing array of colors, forms, and fragrances plus the longest possible season of bloom, up to 6 full weeks here. You will harvest armloads of these beauties for stunning spring bouquets for many years to come because Daffodils are nearly indestructible perennials that happily reproduce in any sunny, well- drained site. More important, deer and rodents won’t touch them. ‘The Works’ is offered only by the 100 and is delivered, with detailed instructions for planting and care, at the right time for fall planting. Because this custom-blended mix often sells out in fall, we recommend spring orders, which we encourage by a price of $59 plus delivery until July 1, $69 thereafter. To place your order, please visit whiteflowerfarm.com or call 1-800-503- 9624 and ask for ‘The Works’ S984310. Please mention Source Code 51056. We look forward to serving you. White Flower Farm PLANTSMEN SINCE 1950 17 GREEN SCENE • april 2005 fl " JIH ?v<, ,-t ^ ;>.!.| trU#Mfc8T?l! I Tlf '6t W . Inset: ‘Old Gold' azalea Rhodendrons are Just the Tip of the Iceberg in Fred Winter's Garden Story by Marilyn Romenesko Photography by John Gannon While shopping for a live Christmas tree in rural Pottstown, Dr. Fred Winter and his wife Barbara found more than they bargained for.. .much more. Indeed, instead of a lone evergreen to hang ornaments on, they bought an entire tree farm. On the 16-acre property they call the Schuylkill Navigation Company Farm is a lovely home with a grand garden, which includes a large collection of rhododendrons, rare specimen plants, handsome hardscaping and delightful water features. And yes, there are still a few Christmas trees remaining. Dr. Winter, who practiced radiology at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia and later in Pottstown for many years, is now a gar- dener extraordinaire. But like all gardeners, he has had his share of challenges. It took a mile of 10-foot-high metal fencing to put a stop to the deer browsing that destroyed many of his plantings, including his prized rhododen- drons. To look at the garden today you would never Right: Visitors enjoying a tour Right: A sculpture from Thailand Left: Dr. Winter High shade, filtered light (such as through pine branches). Avoid planting near shallow- rooted trees. Acid soil with a pH of 4.5 to 6. Organic matter such as leaf mold or 1 /4-inch milled-pine bark, either added to the soil or used as a mulch when decomposed. Supplemental watering during dry periods. i A Home to Roam low growth from the trees and shrubs. The starting point for a tour of this garden is a paved walk that leads to a dwarf conifer collection, where the dwarf umbrella pine (. Sciadopitys verticillata) and golden oriental spruce ( Picea orientals ‘Aurea’) take your breath away. You’ll also find a tastefully situated Bertoia sculpture that doubles as a dinner bell, whose ring is both enticing and resonant. A mixed border containing several colorful rho- dodendrons lines the opposite side of the walkway. Proceeding through a stone archway, you see a reddish stone wall extending several hundred feet to a huge wooden barn. Dr. Winter explains that the area adjacent to the wall was once the corral and stalls for 400 mules that pulled barges along the old Girard Canal, located at the bottom of a gentle hill now visible from the walkway. The mules were fed from the same barn that stands on the property today, almost 200 years later. The Schuylkill Navigation Company, from which the garden’s name derives, originally owned these animals. Entrepreneur Steven Girard and his mules, through their work pulling barges on the canal, con- tributed to the prosperity of the region. The mules also made a more direct contribution to the fertility of the property — the path taken to the canal each day by the mules now produces some of the most vig- orous rhododendrons on the entire site. Further along the paved walk is the ‘Spirit House’, a Thai-inspired garden house complete with seating, tables, and food preparation areas. Dr. Winter and his wife volunteered at a hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand for several years. While there, they took an interest in Thai culture and acquired many intricate woodcarvings that now adorn the garden house. The house offers peaceful views of a pond below and the farm fields beyond the garden. Below the ‘Spirit House’, on the way to the pond, is a replica of a Japanese Garden from Kyoto called Hojo Konji-in, which includes a grouping of rocks that look like a giant turtle. Dr. Winter explains that this sculpture is a symbol of long life and good fortune. However, it was the tall variegated pieris [Pieris japonica ‘Variegata’) situated above the rocks that first caught my eye. The pieris, along with mature shade trees, rhododendrons and a majestic 20-foot-tall umbrella pine, com- bined to make the Kyoto Garden a visual feast. As you continue down the hill, you come across an arched bridge which takes you across a stream of falling water, which empties into a large pond. The pond sits on one side of the path and a low, curved stone wall abuts the other side. The wall was designed and built by the Winters’ sons as a Christmas gift to their father. Above this is a large sweep of rhododendrons, while bog plants and Japanese iris ( Iris ensa- td) grow closer to the water. Several koi make their home in the pond, albeit not without risk, as great blue herons occasionally visit the pond to look for a meal. As a backdrop, one can see mature spruce and pine trees, the remnants of the Christmas tree farm that brought the Winters to this site 34 years ago (their property is now included in the Archives of American Gardens at the Smithsonian). Dr. Winter explains that all his garden areas were developed as planting sites for the many rhododendrons he propagated from seed Wholesale Dutch Flower Bulbs The original US wholesaler, Van Engelen offers over 750 varieties of Dutch flower bulbs. Its top quality bulbs and low prices are a serious gardener’s dream. For your free, 44-page price list, call (860) 567-8734 or visit wwsv.vanengelen.com. Naturalizing Narcissus Grand Mixture Our hand-picked, naturalizing narcissus mix has dozens of fine varieties for a prolonged blooming period. Unbelievably beautiful, it is the best mix in the US. Top size bulbs: 14/16 cm. 50 bulbs for $26.95 (inch shipping). , VAvt Cvtgcl cm Inc. jjJT. 23 Tulip Drive Phone: (860) 567-8734 PO Bo* 638 Fax: (860) 567-5323 Bantam, CT 06750 www.vanengclen.com □ Send me Van Engelen’s wholesale price list. PA70 □ Send me 50 Narcissus Grand Mix for $26.95. □ Check enclosed $ (CT residents add A"., valo tax □ Charge to: □ MasterCard □ Visa □ Acct No.: Exp: Name: Shipping Address: City: Day Phone:_ Email: .State:. THE 57TH ANNUAL WILMINGTON GARDEN DAY A Tour Of Distinctive Gardens and Homes FOR INFORMATION: (302) 428-6172 or www.gardenday.org 21 GREEN SCENE • april 2005 and cuttings over the past 25 years. He has also created some of his own hybrids, several of which have been registered with the Royal Horticultural Society, including ‘Fred’s Barbara’, ‘Breakfast’ and ‘Blessing’. An officer of the American Rhododendron Society, he often exchanges plants with fellow members. Through considerable time and effort, the Winters have transformed their property from “a jungle with grape vines that had stems as wide as your wrist” to an exquisite collection of gardens. But they also acknowledge the role of good fortune. The legacy of the mules and the humus-laden soil they left behind, the high shade of mature trees, and the drainage of gentle hillsides are all perfect for the cultivation of rho- dodendrons. Dr. Winter’s prescription for success with rhododendrons includes lots ol humus and well-rotted woodchips, the shade of trees whose canopies are well above the shrubs, good drainage and plenty of soil moisture. Most important, though, is a tall, sturdy deer fence — and maybe a mule or trwo. Above: ‘Herbert’s Royal Flush’, a deciduous azalea, with white Mazus growing on the path. II GREEN SCENE • opril 2005 22 > Many pictures and information on our website www.botanyshop.com • Joplin, MO or call 888-855-3300 for prices and information. THUJA X ‘GREEN GIANT’ Screening Alternative to Leyland Cypress 61 New England’s Dying Hemlocks O Plants 8"-3 1 /2ft. tall $3.00 to $45.00 each • New USDA Release • Pennsylvania Gold Medal Plant Award • Tough. Fragrant. 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Manuel A history of the early years of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the life and career of James Bowdoin 11, the Academy’s first president. Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society Vol. 247 Cloth ISBN: 0-87169-247-3 $40.00 ^ ^ ^ tjt r|t tjt AMERICA’S CURIOUS BOTANIST: A TERCENTENNIAL REAPPRAISAL OF JOHN BARTRAM (1699-1777) Edited by Nancy E. Hoffmann, John C. Van Horne A collection of essays celebrating the three- hundredth anniversary of John Bartram’s birth. The essays all contribute to the telling of the story of the multifaceted Bartram, called "the greatest natural botanist in the world.” Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society Vol. 249 Cloth ISBN: 0-87169-249-X $40.00 STUFFING BIRDS, PRESSING PLANTS, SHAPING KNOWLEDGE: Natural History in North America, 1730-1860 Edited by Sue Ann Prince A catalog of the exhibition at the American Philosophical Society. Featured are more than 200 historical objects, some on public view for the first time, that trace natural history in North America from 1730 to 1860. Many objects are from the APS collections, accumulated or acquired since the Society’s founding in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin. Transactions of the Amer. Philosophical Society Vol. 93, Part 4 ISBN: 0-87168-934-6 $20.00 STILL AVAILABLE - “Forget not Mee & My Garden...” SELECTED LETTERS, 1725-1768, OF PETER COLLINSON, F.R.S. Edited and with an Introduction by Alan W. Armstrong Collinson’s correspondence is "vigorous, brisk, and emphatic." The edition offers notes and commentary for most of the 187 letters included and contains more than 120 illustrations. Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society Vol. 241 Cloth ISBN: 0-87169-241-4 $60.00 Order online at fulfillment a amphilsoc.org or contact: American Philosophical Society, P.O. Box 481, Canton, MA 02021-0481 (tel: 800-821-7823; fax: 781-828-8015; e-mail: acadsvcCa aol.com). Prepaid orders are postage free; foreign orders, add minimum S6.00 for postage/handling. Checks must be drawn on U.S. Banks. Visa/MasterCard accepted. 23 GREEN SCENE • opril 2005 in HI in J»! | >( 1 ■ g| Photos by John Gannon This May and June, PHS members will once again have the opportunity to tour spectacular properties throughout the region during our annual Spring Garden Tours. Upcoming tours will occur in Chester County’s French Creek area; the lower Main Line; and around Trenton, New Jersey. In the following piece, gardener Susan Hudson talks about the garden she and her husband have lovingly restored and will now open to PHS tour visitors this May. Come join the fun! In April of 1998, my husband and I bought a National Register property called Penn Wick in the French Creek area of northern Chester County. A stone Georgian built in 1737, the house is almost intact except for a modern kitchen and bathrooms. The people who lived there in the past respected the house’s place in history and took care not to spoil the structure. Not so with the property. Originally a 200-acre Penn Grant, the site had no gardens prior to our purchase, only old black wal- nut trees and plenty of boxwood around the house. But out- buildings on the property offered inspiration for plantings in and around them. Prior to our move, I had divided my perennial gar- den and heeled in the plants in a friend’s garden in Maryland, thinking they would winter-over better in that southern location. By the fall of 1998, we had enlisted the help ol Jack Blandy of Stoney Bank Nurseries to take care of the first year’s planting. Our neighbor, Estelle Cremer, who owns a wholesale nursery, supplied large Himalayan pines from her property, as well as blue spruce and other large trees. We hoped the large trees would buffer the road noise, so we got some mature trees from Estelle, figuring that small, young trees would be dwarled against such a large stone structure. Preview a Destination on the PHS Spring Garden Tours Story by Susan Hudson Right: A basket filled with purple persian shield and a deep pink pelargonium. Using historic houses as our guide, as well as plants indigenous to the area, we set about building the gardens a year at a time. Little did we know Mother Nature had other plans. During our first three years, the Philadelphia area was hit with a severe drought. Trees and shrubs needed lots of water, and at one point, we were spending six to eight hours a day just trying to keep things alive. Then came the floods of Hurricane Hugo. Plants and trees were stressed, all blooming at the wrong times. Severe winters took their toll, too. Our goal of a horticultural legacy for the next generation was being severely tested. Like all gardeners, however, we did our best to roll with the punches and today we have a number of flour- ishing gardens around the house. The smokehouse or “piggery,” as we affectionately call it, has a garden with an armillary (a decorative celestial sphere) as its focal point. There, you can also find wisteria, alliums and lamb’s ears and a peek at a Clematis' Hagley’. The peren- nials that spent that first winter in Maryland have filled in nicely. The old foundation of a chicken coop houses all types of gallica and heirloom roses. (The gallicas, in particular, do well in the French Creek area and survive the cold winters.) Michael cleared away growth from the springhouse and built a creek bed to channel the water into a nearby pond. The growing conditions around it are tricky, including shade, hot sun, and very wet feet. It is fun to watch the birds pick the seeds from the forget-me-nots and splash and bathe in the creek. The Amelanchier lamarckii , with their white flowers, seem very happy in the spring. In winter, the stiff branches of eastern redbud trees chatter with the movement of the wind. There is an orchard of old apple trees where we are trying our own “March Bank,” like that at Winterthur. We planted bulbs in and around the orchard to nat- uralize the area and have started a grove of viburnum and other flowering shrubs. The aim is to tie the col- ors of the trees in the front of the property to the back plantings. The wood’s edge remains a challenge, especially trying to find the right shrubs that can take a lot of strong sun but not mind wet feet. In this area, Upcoming PHS Spring Garden Tours Come see this and other gardens on the PHS Garden Tour of the French Creek area of Northern Chester County on Sunday, May 22 from 12 noon to 5 pm. Other upcoming tours include the Lower Main Line area north of Philadelphia on May 8, and Trenton, New Jersey on June 12. Don’t miss the fun! Look for details on these special “Members- only" events in PHS News and on our website, or call 215-988-8869. GREEN SCENE • april 2005 26 Aesculus parviflora , Vitex sp. and Callicarpa sp. are but a few shrubs in the experimental stages. All told, we are no different from other gardeners who have a passion for beauty, a love of the land, and who revel in that wonderful feeling at the end of the day of having “dug in the dirt” and accomplished so much. Good or bad, success or failure, we continue to experi- ment and love watching things grow. Our garden is truly a work in progress. Above: A vista of the lawn and historic house. LIGHTING DESIGN • BUILD • MAINTAIN • www.botanicallighting.com • Medford Lakes, NJ • Phone 609-953-5334 Of Canal Square Lewes, Lelawflre Mtin/j vessels Parte visit Historic Lewes, Delaware and tour our "hidden" private gardens at the 15th Annual Lewes garden Tour sponsored toy the Lewes Chamber of Corwmerce on saturdayjuwe lSth from ±0 AM to 5 PM. MewtioiA, this ad and reserve your discounted garden Tour ticket for .410. For more information contact the Lewis Chamber of Commerce at or visit www.leweschamber.com 'Nantucket: -style' on the Delaware Coast /INN Coastal Retreat and event Destination Located on the waterfront in the heart of Historic Lewes, The inn at canal square offers guests lavish comfort coupled with seaside charm. Europea n-style breakfast included. Mentionthis ad when making your reservation for the garden Tour and join us for a wine and cheese reception on the evening ofjune 17th. Inquire about our Spring Specials 122 Market street Lewes, de ijjsz Ph 302. £>44. 337^ Resv ???. (£.44.1^11 www.theinnatca na Isqua re. com 27 GREEN SCENE • april 2005 A O / well it should be, finding paradise was not easy. I first vis- "^k ited the Philadelphia area in April of 1996 on a temporary business assignment. At the time I was in the process of sinking roots down into the California soil outside Los Angeles, where I was cultivating a wind-swept desert hilltop. The palette was pretty much cacti and euphorbia. But by January, temporary became permanent. Reluctantly, my wife Doris agreed to leave the per- petual California sunshine and move with me. Thus began our search for a new place to garden (my perspective) and a place to live and entertain (her perspective). My require- ments were fairly straightforward: I wanted the opposite ol our California home — a prop- erty with at least two acres of natural woodland and a pond. A livable house was optional in my mind. Tour this garden on June 8. For more information, call 215-988-1625, or visit the PHS website and click on “Calendar.” Top Bench by bed contain- ing Rudbeckia Fulgiida ‘Goldstrom’, Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’, and Eupatorium Fistulosum ‘Galaxy’. Above: Hemerocalis ‘Strutters Ball’. 29 GREEN SCENE • april 2005 Right: WynEden’s pond with bench. Six months and at least as many realtors later, Doris finally struck gold. The house was a compromise from her perspective and oddly in retrospect, so was the gar- den from mine. A few weeks before, I had fallen in love with a wonderful 10-acre property with a wide stream, which was said to flood the house only occasionally. This new property also had a stream, but it looked more like a weed-clogged irrigation ditch than a babbling brook, and the woods on the north hill were overgrown with vines and brambles. But the place did have two ponds and plenty of potential, so we made an offer. The first year, with great reluctance, I decided to fol- low the advice of a number of gardening experts and allow the area to develop on its own so as not to acci- dentally dig up valuable plantings. My resolve lasted almost into June. By then it was clear that the previous owner’s primary interest was groundcovers. The prior owner had very effectively planted hundreds, if not thousands, of the plastic-like pachysandra plant on the steepest and shadiest parts of the grounds around the house. Perhaps not too surprisingly, 1 have come to respect the sagacity of this move. The large, dark green sweeps of color work well in the landscape all year long. More importantly, the original owner had also planted some ten thousand individual hostas in wide ribbons of blue, gold and green across the hillside below the house. This was a bold stroke. Otherwise, except for a few hundred daylilies hidden in the weeds at the edge of the pond, the grounds were essentially barren of perennials and understory shrubs. The first summer I cleaned up the daylily bed, carved out a few small beds for some perennials, and slow- ly began to fall in love with my new site. The lot is six and a half acres set between two hills covered with mature ash, tulip poplars, and beech. The key design elements were dictated by the site: 1) sweeps of big, bold plants to make an impact in such a large space; 2) with 1 0,000 hostas already, I was going to need still more hostas to tie the garden together; 3) with no tap water available in the main garden areas, putting plants where they would thrive without watering would This new property also had a stream, but it looked more like a weed-clogged irrigation ditch than a babbling brook. Right: Hosta Allan P. McConnell’. Far right: Trees leading up to the house. GREEN SCENE • april 2005 30 § be essential; 4) finally, and most importantly from a design perspective, I felt a strong need to respect the tranquil, secluded nature of the place. Some people refer to their gardening addiction as a hobby; I refer to mine as a passion — partly because there is a great deal of love involved and partly to avoid acknowledging the obsessive/compulsive aspect. From the small beds carved out of what resembled a parcel of wilderness a few years ago, there are now more than 2,500 feet of bor- ders on beds chock lull of almost as many differ- ent types of plants. The garden — which I’ve since dubbed WynEden — consists of three distinct areas each with its own style: the southern hillside with the house on it contains the 10,000 hostas previ- ously mentioned. These are bordered on each side by large shade gar- dens containing hardy woodland orchids, wood anemones (A. nemorosri), large patches of spring-bloom- ing phlox (7? divaricata ), trilliums, hellebores, toad lilies, dozens of different ferns and numerous cultivars of epimediums, asarums, arisemeas, hepaticas, and of course, more hosta (over 250 different cultivars at last Some people refer to their ardening addiction as a hobby; I refer to mine as a passion. count). While I think of myself as a garden designer first, the horti-holic collector in me is not far behind. The middle third of the garden is for sun lovers and contains the main pond and a smaller, feeder pond. Here there are willows, swamp cypresses, the obligatory weeping cherry tree, hundreds of water lilies in red, pink and white and an extensive sweep of lotus. This pond is home to some very large snapping turtles and is a favorite feeding spot for blue herons, kingfishers, ducks and a small bat family. A smaller second pond, backed by a 200-foot-long wall of mature bamboo, features a Japanese-style zigzag bridge and stone lanterns. Six wooden benches are strategically placed around the one- acre pond to provide resting points and highlight my favorite vistas. Most of the sunny perennial beds are located between the two ponds. While the other sections of the garden are focused mainly on foliage, here there are always lots of blooms. Early spring starts with the emergence of thousands of daffodils followed by the pale purple glow of Crocus tomasinianus and long ribbons of scilla, chino- doxa and muscari. July burns bright with the deep reds, oranges and golds offered by large sweeps of daylilies and black-eyed Susans ( Rudbeckia fulgida X Goldstrum). By the end of summer, hefty portions of each bed tower six feet high with huge masses of Joe Pye weed ( Eupatorium fistulosum). Their understated, dusty mauve colors are set off by the tall, bright yellow and gold of sneezeweeds ( Helenium autumnale), tall sunflowers (Helianthus‘ Lemon Queen’ and H. 'First Light’) and 6- to-8-foot-high rudbeckias ( R . maxima and R. nitida). Finally with fall, the gardening season ends almost as it began, with hundreds of pale lavender autumn crocus (C. speciosus) in bloom. The final third of the property, the northern hillside, is a highly edited woodland. I think of it as the white- flower hill. In early spring, thousands of small white bloodroot flowers ( Sanguinaria canadensis ) dapple the forest floor, followed shortly thereafter by the blooms of the native dogwoods ( Cornus florida). This provides a dramatic backdrop for the ponds and perennial beds as well as connects the garden to the hardwood groves that GREEN SCENE • april 2005 32 Above: September Sun’, Sieboldiana elegans1 and ‘Regal Splendor’. Opposite page: Elephant Ears, Eupatorium and Rudbeckia. extend beyond it at either end. This entire area is bordered by the small creek I once mistook for a ditch. Now that the drought is over and, thanks to the addition of a few small dams, it is one of the more exciting features in the garden — not quite a rushing trout stream, but definitely a babbling brook. At present, I am about halfway through a 10-year plan. The garden does require a lot of time and effort, but it provides infinite- ly more pleasure than pain despite my occasional grumblings to the contrary. In the end, spending over nine months look- ing for paradise seems to have been well worth the time, and even my wife loves WynEden, despite the lack of a luxuriant California climate. I’m also sure that the 10 years it will take to perfect it will no doubt seem equally worthwhile once accomplished — although I suspect Paradise, like life, is infinitely per- fectible. Tree & Landscape Services x - ; ■ . * CnpretedeYited Experience . ' ' * ' k * Personal Service - % ‘ .‘Mr »« ■ • ,r * . ) ■ r • " * Exceptional Quality : . t L| \. 1 ''It’s theMcFarls&id Way! ■ s -jy «v Xp d r . ? -e • « Call today to schedule a free professional consultation to review your property 215-844-TREE (8733) • 610-688-6644 • Fax:215-438-1879 www.mcfarlandtree.com 33 GREEN SCENE • april 2005 Judy Glattstein is an enthusiastic gardener, author, and lecturer who appreciates bulbs as "plants in a package." You can visit her website at www.bellewood-gardens.com. A Bounty of Bulbs by Judy Glattstein Bulbs for Bouquets Below: Tulip Daydream’, Helleborus foetidus, dogwood willow branches spring arrangement. Flowers add color and life to a room. Fresh is best, and there's nothing fresher than flowers from your own garden. A green thumb isn’t even necessary — bulbs are flowers in a package. What could be more delightful than a nosegay of tulips, daffodils, or hyacinths to welcome spring in a per- sonal way? Cutting their flowers is actu- ally good for bulbs; this will send all the nutrients down to the bulb rather than divert some to seed production. Not all bulbs have flowers suitable for cutting. For example, crocuses fall apart when picked, so are better enjoyed out- doors. And crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) has such a powerful, skunk- like odor that it is also better left out- doors. Snowdrops, however, can be charming as a simple tussie-mussie. I like to follow advice from the British gar- den essayist, Beverly Nichols, and set a little vase of them on a mirror to reflect the snowdrops’ dangling flowers and double my pleasure. Set on the win- dowsill near my computer, I can enjoy these earliest flowers even when those outdoors are still covered with snow. Tulips may be the foundation of the Dutch bulb industry, but in 2004, top garden writers picked the dainty grape hyacinth ( Muscari armeniacum) — which is perfect for nosegay — as their favorite. By the time Guinea hen flowers ( Fritillaria meleagris) come into bloom there are other flowers to mix and match with them, such as woodland -o phlox, Phlox dlvaricata, and IT | little violas. I adore their £ shades of lilac, lavender, and I purple in a diminutive e° arrangement. = It is the more substantial CL □ flowers that are usually con- 1 sidered for bouquets. o 77 Hyacinths make a lovely, and fragrant, cut flower, but they need a little assistance if they’re to hold up. One florist’s technique is to run a thin wire up their hollow stem, coming out near the top flower and formed into a little hook to hold the wire in place. Of course, daffodils are quite popular, and yellow trumpet daffodils are general- ly the most widely available. In my garden, I grow white ones, little ones, early and late bloomers, and a wide range from cyclamineus and poeticus cultivars. It’s much more pleasing to use the same diversity in bouquets than be forced to stay with a “one color only” option. Daffodils should be cut when their buds are showing color but are not yet fully open. Remember that freshly cut daffodils ooze a substance that causes other flowers (tulips espe- cially) to prematurely fall apart, so it’s best to arrange daffodils on their own. Or, condition the daffodils in a separate container for a day or so before com- bining them with tulips. The wide variations of flower shape and color make tulips popular around the world. Top flower arranger Gary Loen of Uden, in the Netherlands says, “When you put a bunch of tulips in a vase, something starts to happen, the bouquet changes every day.” That’s because their stems keep growing, even in the vase. Japanese arrangers prefer the lily-flowered ‘Ballerina’, with its exquisite orange petals drawn to a point and arching backward. Tulipa ‘Angelique’ is a German favorite, a romantic, pale-pink double tulip, its ruf- fled petals are shaded even lighter at the edge. In Italy, it’s ‘Maureen’, with cool and stately marble white flowers, that’s hot. The tulip ‘Queen of Night’ with vel- vety looking deep maroon flowers tops the autumn 2004 UK popularity list. And last fall, 500 ‘Spring Green’ tulips were planted in New York's Garden of Remembrance, near the site of the World Trade Center. Elegant green and white flowers have a cool, fresh look, both in the garden and in bouquets. My choice for cutting happens to be any tulip the deer have not dined on. It doesn’t take much. Bring a few flow- ers indoors for enjoyment when perforce you cannot remain in the garden. ^ Judy Glattstein’s newest book, Bulbs for Garden Habitats, is available from Timber Press in May, 2005. Her eighth book, it is the third about bulbs. 34 GREEN SCENE • opril 2005 Made in the Shade by Carolyn Walker European Wood Anemones In 1995, a gardening friend gave me several cultivars of a plant unknown to me, Anemone nemorosa or European wood anemone, telling me they would thrive in my difficult wood- land garden. Ten years later, those orig- inal plants have grown to patches measuring several square feet, and I have increased my collection to 1 4 cul- tivars. Today, I wonder how a plant so easy to grow and satisfyingly beautiful could be found in so few local gardens. Anemone nemorosa is native to Europe and east Asia, where it grows in deciduous woodlands, often completely carpeting the floor of ancient forests. The leaves and flowers arise from creeping rhizomes, which look like thin brown sticks and grow parallel to the surface of the soil. The rhizomes multi- ply to form thick, tangled mats of woody roots clearly visible when the thin layer of leaf litter is removed. In March, the spreading colonies send up separate stalks of leaves and flower buds, even- tually reaching a height of about 6 inch- es. The flowers open in April and bloom for about four weeks. By July, the plants are dormant, and the patches have dis- appeared completely like other spring ephemerals found in our native woods. The wild European wood anemone flower is single with six petal-like sepals that are white with a pink blush on the back, but it is the many cultivars, described below, that make the plant so enticing. The three-part leaves are also attractive: their deeply cut and toothed margins provide the flowers with a lacy backdrop. Although the flowers are only 1 to 2 inches wide, they are so numer- ous that they make an eye-catching show. For this reason, I allow my wood anemones to spread into sizable colonies. They are also an excellent groundcover around perennials or shrubs or in a succession planting, fol- lowed in May by hosta and ferns. Even though the leaves disappear, the woody rhizomes do not deter weeds. Anemone nemorosa is available as a dried rhizome from bulb companies in fall or, less frequently, in spring as a growing plant. Both methods have their advantages. Actively growing plants establish faster and form colonies quickly. A much greater variety of culti- vars is also available in the spring, as the bulb companies focus on a few tried- and-true types. However, dried rhi- zomes are less expensive and much easier to find. If you purchase the rhi- zomes, plant them in deciduous shade or even under evergreens about 1 inch deep and parallel to the soil surface, covering them with a couple of inches of ground leaves. They do not need any special treatment, as they enjoy our moist winters and dry summers. They are not bothered by pests or diseases. Europeans have appreciated Anemone nemorosa as a superior gar- den plant for centuries and have select- ed many beautiful cultivars. A check of the Royal Horticultural Society Plant Finder (www. rhs. org. uk/rhsplantfinder ) reveals 58 choices, six of which have received an RHS Award of Garden Merit. By comparison, American offer- ings are sparse. Nevertheless, you will be able to find some lovely cultivars in both single and double white, lavender blue, pink, and even green. The widely available ‘Robinsoniana’ has large blue flowers with prominent yellow centers (‘Allenii’ is very similar). ‘Alba Plena’, with a single row of pure white sepals topped with a white pompon, is quite pretty (‘Vestal’ looks identical but is not quite as vigorous). ‘Bracteata’ is a frilly, fully double form with the white sepal color spilling out onto the green bracts, Carolyn Walker owns Carolyn's Shade Gardens in Bryn Mawr, PA, where she maintains several acres of shady display areas. She can be reached at carotynsshodegardens@verizon . net or 610-525-4664 which form a ruffle around the flower. It is the best spreader in my woodland garden and my favorite. Finally, choose Anemone ranunculoides, which is closely allied to A. nemorosa , for its numerous yellow flowers. Watch out, you’ll start with one and pretty soon you’ll want them all. SOURCES Brent and Becky’s Bulbs 804-693-3966 www. brentandbeckysbulbs. com Carolyn’s Shade Gardens (see contact info at top of page) Heronswood 360-297-4172 www. heronswood. com Above: Anemone nemorosa Bracteata’ Below: Anemone nemorosa Robinsoniana’ 35 GREEN SCENE • april 2005 i # CLASSI FI EDS ANTIQUE BOOKS RARE & PREVIOUSLY OWNED BOOKS ON HORTICULTURE & BOTANICAL PRINTS - Bought and Sold Polly Goldstein 37 Lochwood Ln. West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 436-9796 E-mail: GrannyPol@aol.com GARDEN STRUCTURES HERITAGE STONE & MARBLE We are an installation and restoration company who emphasizes long lasting quality with outstanding craftsmanship. FLAGSTONE, BRICK-patios and walkways, COBBLESTONE-edging and paving, STONE walls, RETAINING walls, MARBLE, GRANITE-floors, walls, countertops. (21 5) 699-561 1 Upper Gwynedd, Pa. GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION Solar Innovations, Janco, Lord & Burnham and more. Call Robert J. LaRouche at Glass Enclosures Unlimited (610) 687-2444 THE SUNWORKS CORPORATION • Greenhouse Sales: Residential, Commercial and Institutional. • Installations: Of greenhouses from any manufacturer, shading and ventilation systems. • Maintenance: Reglazing, reskinning, painting, cleaning. Emergency repairs. Call (302) 655-5772, ask for John Klein PATIOS & WALKWAYS Flagstone - Pavers - Brick Robert J. Kleinberg Landscape Design & Construction 610-259-6106 See our work online 1 00’s of pictures at www.kleinberg.com GLASSCRAFT ASSOC. Greenhouse sales and restoration National Greenhouse Company, Solar Innovations, L&B, and more. Greenhouse kits available. 3488 York Road, Furlong, PA, 215-794-0666 LANDSCAPE DESIGN S. Edgar David and Associates Landscape Architects Site Planning / Garden Design Pools / Lighting Design 610-584-5941 seddesignstudio.com LINDA CORSON LANDSCAPE DESIGN • Consulting • Plans • Supervision Registered Landscape Architect Member ASLA 215-247-5619 David Brothers Landscape Services Bean Road Nursery Architects, Builders and Nurserymen Providing the Fine Art of Garden Construction and Landscape Restoration (215)247-2992 (610)584-1550 (610) 525-3232 DONALD PELL - GARDENS Creating & maintaining gardens with expert horticultural craftsmanship. View our portfolio of landscape designs online at www.donaldpell.com or call 61 0.91 7.1 385 for a brochure and consultation. LARGE SPECIMEN HOLLIES Ilex opaca cultivars I. aquifolia ‘San Jose’ Beautiful 20’ Colorado Blue Spruce Delicious fresh fruit - in season Indian Orchards, 24 Copes Lane, Media PA 610-565-8387 t ! : I : | I : I CLASSIFIED RATES Base Rate $3.00 per word Formatted Words $5.00 Minimum Charge $60.00 (without formatting) (ex. Bold, Italic or ALL CAPS) Discount 10% off the second 1 Line $15.00 per line consecutive ad, using the same copy Deadlines February Issue (by December 1) June Issue (by April 1) October Issue (by August 1) April Issue (by February 1) August Issue (by June 1) December Issue (by October 1) Please NOTE: Green Scene does not guarantee advertisement position, and we reserve the right to edit copy to fit available space. Green Scene ads are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis until space is filled for a particular issue. Please calculate your ad cost based on number and formatting of words, and enclose a check along with your copy (call for assistance). Green Scene will bill any difference or credit upon publication of your advertisement. If your new ad arrives very close to deadline, we may deposit your check until ad is scheduled. If we can't schedule your ad, your check will be returned. Make checks payable to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Send all advertising correspondence to: Laurie Fitzpatrick, Green Scene, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103 -1495. If you have any questions, please call (215) 988-8769. GREEN SCENE • april 2005 36 MULCH PINE NEEDLE MULCH Won’t change soil pH Wholesale and retail FLOWERS BY THE YARD 610-701-9283 renee52@ccis.net BALED PINE NEEDLE MULCH Pick up/Delivery/Spreading service Cedar Run Landscapes Call for brochure 1 -800-LANDSCAPE 215-653-0707 www. cedarrunlandscapes. com ORGANIC HORTICULTURE Unlock your garden’s full potential. Put life into your soil to establish the finest garden ever. Expect bigger and longer blooms, disease suppression, and drought resistance. We are experts in organic horti- cultural nutrition for your entire landscape. • Aerobic compost tea applications • Organic turf management • Plant healthcare consulting • Organic fertilizing products Living Earth Organics (610) 873-9322 organicsavvy.com TREE SERVICE Tree Transfers Inc. Large Tree Transplanting and Sales Specimen Plant material and Large Screening Plant Material Purchased (21 5)-635-231 0 UNUSUAL SPECIMENS RARE & UNUSUAL PLANTS • Specimen plants • Pond plants • Bonsai • Orchids • Hardy cacti • Tropicals • Sculptured trees and shrubs • Perennials • Unique Flower and gift shop. MUTSCHLERS’ FLORIST & RARE PLANTS 1-800-242-9438 www.mutschlers.com D WELD ARCHWAYS TOWERS PAVILIONS BENCHES CUSTOM DESIGN/BUILD TO YOUR The_j> Painted Garderu. Inc. RAILS (215) 884-7378 WWW.THEPAINTEDGARDENINC.COM 304 EDGE HILL ROAD, GLENSIDE, PA 19038 SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT ENCHANTING COTTAGES English country style comes to West Hill at Meadowood, an established lifecare community in Montgomery County. Designed specifically for the mature adult, these luxury homes feature two bedrooms on the first floor, a two-car garage, sunroom, spacious floor plans, and many delightful features. Other enchantments in this storybook setting include Meadowood’s popular cluster homes, apartments, and garden villas. Here you will find the stuff of legends with doctors on site and assisted living and skilled nursing worthy of state’s highest ratings for the last four years. Call (610) 584-1000 for more information. Come and see what’s new. We’re only 5 miles west of Blue Bell. Meadowood -4^ C; 3205 Skippack Pike • Worcester, PA 19490-0670 • 610-584-1000 www. meadowood. net 37 GREEN SCENE • april 2005 Meet Thuja ‘Green Giant’ By Betsie Blodgett "T" f you need an evergreen screen- I ing plant that deer disdain and JLyou don’t mind sharing your backyard with the aptly named ‘Green Giant', look no further than this 1998 PHS Gold Medal Plant Award winner. Thuja ‘Green Giant’ ( T. standishii x plicata ) lives up to its name, grow- ing at a rapid 2 to 3 feet per year, up to 60 feet tall with a 12-to-20- foot spread. Despite its unques- tionable need for leg room, ‘Green Giant’ is easy-to-please when it comes to growing conditions. It's for this reason that this tree is fast becoming the choice plant for screening out unsightly views, busy streets, or those insufferable neighbors next door. ‘Green Giant’ is also a frequent replacement for eastern hemlocks, which are in decline in the Mid-Atlantic, and American arborvitae, one of the white-tailed deer’s favorite snack plants. “This tree grows in almost any soil,’’ says Chuck Feld, owner of Birmingham Gardens in West Chester, PA. “It’s deer resistant, and there are no disease prob- lems." Feld, who propagates a cou- ple thousand cuttings of ‘Green Giant’ each year to sell wholesale to nurseries, says the pyramidal evergreen is a great substitute for Leyland cypress (x Cupocyparis leylandii ) and American arborvitae ( Thuja occidentalis) . The original ‘Green Giant' was RESOURCES The Botany Shop 888-855-3300 www. botany shop, com The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Plant Awards 215-988-8824 www. goldmedalplants. org US National Arboretum 202-245-2726 www. usna. usda.gov/Newintro/grgiant received as a gift in 1967 and planted at the United States National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., where it now stands about 50 feet tall. Plant experts believe it is a hybrid of the native western arborvitae, a very hardy, long-lived tree. With a USDA hardiness in Zones 5 to 7, ‘Green Giant’ is ideally suited for the Delaware Valley. The Botany Shop Garden Center, based in Joplin, Missouri, features a ‘Green Giant’ gallery on its website and touts the tree’s growing adaptability and deer resistance. And Joe Ziccardi, PHS’s Gold Medal Plant coordinator, says ‘Green Giant’ does not need pruning, although it can be clipped if you want a more formal hedge. “It's most useful where you need a large, evergreen screen. Ir’s big, so it needs room to grow — it’s perfect for places like large yards, parks and estates,” he says. Ziccardi cites the tree’s color throughout the year, too: “The dark green holds well through the | winter, unlike some of the other arborvitae that get a little rusty looking." And, unlike the Leyland cypress, ‘Green Giant’ has a central leader, making it less likely to split or pull apart after snow and ice storms. Tough, fast-growing and attrac- tive are just three reasons why this woody plant is one of the hottest screen trees around. 38 Chanticleer Open Wednesday -Sunday April through October Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087 610.687.4163 www. chanticleergarden . org plan** * H0me*Go„ NOSTARDI NURSERY Your garden is your sanctuary...come to Mostardi’s for distinctive plants, expertise and inspiration. vtaV***S , „.A. 3 'Ml- *>*< /•/ t • 7 ,uT 1 IK 4033 West Chester Pike (Route 3) • Newtown Square, PA 19073 610-356-8035 • www.mostardi.com An Unparalleled Choice in Adult Communities unique, beautiful arboretum setting • wide choice of homes dynamic community • ideal locations for culture and recreation superior health & wellness services with "patient partnership" approach We welcome your visit— see all we have to offer you. • Call 8oo.33i .f3o2 for an appointment. It OPPORTUNITY MEDFORD LEAS A nationally accredited. Quaker-related, not-for-profit community for those age 65 and above. Home of The Lewis W. Barton Arboretum & Nature Preserve • Member. Greater Philadelphia Gardens One Medford Leas Way I Medford, N] 08055 I www.medfordleas.org Margaret R., Age 67 . Recent widow MANAGING TRANSITIONS As one of the largest wealth managers in the country, we are particularly adept at addressing the specialized needs of women investors like yourself to enhance and preserve wealth. Local experts, who live and work where you do, deliver wealth management solutions that are customized to your unique situation and concerns. Call 215-585-5438 today for more information about PNC Advisors' Women's Financial Services Network or for a complimentary wealth management consultation. © PNCAdvisors Women’s Financial Services Network The person pictured is for illustrative purposes only. PNC Advisors is a service mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., which is used in the provision of investment manage- ment, fiduciary and certain banking services by PNC Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank, Delaware Members FDIC. PNC Advisors does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value. www.pncadvisors.com THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND WEALTH? IT COULD BE THE UNIQUE THINKING OF PNC ADVISORS. A Visit to a PHILADELPHIA COMMUNITY Huge Selectioi Unique Garden Accet Acres of Top Quality Plants cWaterCoo gardens Acres of Top Quality Plants | Garden Supplie Unique Garden Accents 95 Collections of Exceptional Patio Furniture New Expanded Aquatic Display Exquisite Gift & Flower Shops Professional Landscaping Services Seasonal Christmas Shop 136 Lancaster Avenue 200 N. Whitford Road Devon, PA 1 9333 C Exton, PA 1 9341 610.293.0800 610.363.0800 waterloogardens.com L imtjf' t g| w ■ | i 1 1 1 K / 1 m - ^ S ■ An Unparalleled Choice in Adult Communities unique, beautiful arboretum setting • wide choice of homes dynamic community • ideal locations for culture and recreation superior health & wellness services with "patient partnership" approach We welcome your visit— see all we have to offer you. • Call 800. 33i ,f3o2, for an appointment. MEDFORD LEAS A nationally accredited. Quaker-related, not-for-profit community for those age 65 and above. Home of The Lewis W. Barton Arboretum & Nature Preserve • Member. Greater Ph iladelph ia Gardens One Medford Leas Way I Medford, NJ 08055 I www.medfordleas.org IS. Enchanting. Striking. Durable. The perfect garden accent. Night or day. Spring, summer, fall or winter. Combine function and artistry to transform outdoor spaces. With handblown glass orbs... each an original, glowing work of art. Call toll-free 1-866-317-6727 lAMAM/v. night orbs, com LA\ORGENTE ^J) glass studio GREEN SCENE • june 2005 3 1979 - 2005 Over 25 Years of Commitment to .. . Cathedral Village Resident Satisfaction ... By managing all of our own departments, we have the flexibility and opportunity to satisfy our residents’ preferences and lifestyles more easily. Innovation . . . Trend-setting programs are supported by outstanding facilities without additional cost. 600 East Cathedral Road Philadelphia, PA 19128 (215) 984-8622 www.cathedralvillage.com Vision . . . Anticipating changing trends and residents’ expectations is an on-going process that enables us to establish tomorrow’s new standards. Value . . . Visit and compare resident services and care in order to Understand the Real Value of Cathedral Village. Monday through Friday between 9 and 4. Appointments are necessary on weekends. A Nonprofit, Nondenominational CCRC Equal Housing L±J Opportunity Affiliated with the Jefferson Health System Pete Prawn features 12 Bulbs: Southern-Style Searching for the best of spring and summer-blooming bulbs, John Gannon takes us on a tour of Brent & Becky’s Bulbs in Gloucester, Virginia. Brent and Becky Heath run a business that com- bines a wealth of knowledge on the sub- ject with a dash of Southern hospitality. 18 Hi Ho, Silver! Well, we’re not talking about that Silver, but the bounty of silver plants that make for amazing potted arrangements. Jo Ann Gardner shows us the various hues of sunny and shady silvers for your containers. Main cover photo by Pete Prown 24 Playing Copse and Arbors From jaw-dropping sculptures to pedestals for artful objects to climbing posts for vines, there are infinite ways to re-imagine trees. Ilene Sternberg tells all. 30 The Life Aquatic If you’re a fan of water gardening and won- der where some of your plants might have come from, look no further than Aquascapes Unlimited. Though it may appear to be just a quiet, little wholesale nursery, its output of watery wonders is mighty indeed. Jane Carroll was lucky enough to get the grand tour. Columns 34 A Bounty of Bulbs: Of Carinas and Caladiums By Judy Glattstein 35 Made in the Shade: Smothering Weeds By Carolyn Walker 38 Backpage: A Visit to the Cohocksink Community Garden Associate Editor Jane Carroll Publications Assistant Laurie Fitzpatrick Art Design Baxendells’ Graphic Publications Committee Rob Cardillo Stephanie Cohen Joe Henderson Harry E. Hill, ex officio Anne Kellett Adam Levine Jennifer Lin Rhoda Maurer Ilene Sternberg Printer ALCOM Printing Group, Inc. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Web Site www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org 100 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 215-988-8800 Chair Harry E. Hill President Jane G. Pepper Executive Vice President J. Blaine Bonham, Jr. PHS Membership Information Linda Davis, 215-988-8776 Display Ads Kim Richards at Manzo Communications, - 61 0-527-7047 kim4manzocomm@aoi.com Classified Ads Laurie Fitzpatrick, 215-988-8769 gsads@pennhort. org Ask A Gardener Phone Line 215-988-8777, Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 1 2 [dosed in December] askagardener@pennhort. org GREEN SCENE (USPS 955580), Volume 33, No.3, is published bi-monthly (February, April, June, August, October, December) by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a non-profit member organization at 100 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495. Single Copy: $5.00 (plus $2.00 shipping). Second-class postage paid at Philadelphia, PA 19103. POSTMASTER: Send address change to GREEN SCENE, 100 N. 20th St„ Philadelphia, PA 19103. © Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 2005 The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. A PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER GREEN SCENE subscriptions are part of the membership benefits for: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown. NJ Horticultural Society of New York Phipps Conservatory, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA Staten Island Botanical Garden, Inc, New York Reblooming Iris Glorious Flowers in Spring & Fall A small but growing number of Bearded Iris bloom gloriously in (une, then flower again in late summer and fall. Our sampler spans the rainbow of hues offered in this delightful group. One each of 6 Tall Bearded Iris, clockwise from upper left: ‘Rosalie Figge’, fragrant ‘Immortality’, ‘Bountiful Harvest’, ‘Mother Earth’, ‘Jennifer Rebecca’, and fragrant ‘Sugar Blues’. Bareroot, labeled plants delivered for fall planting. Reblooming Iris Sampler (F83233) of 6 plants is $39, plus shipping. To order, call 1-800-503-9624, or visit our Web site, whiteflowerfarm.com where you’ll find many more varieties of Tall and Dwarf Bearded Irises, rebloomers, fra- grant selections, Spuria and Siberian Iris. Please mention Source Code 52048. White FlowerFarm whiteflowerfarm.com Accessories for Home and Garden www.aston-simms.com 732-649-4009 History and Horticulture Visit the birthplace of American horticulture in the morning and explore the cutting edge of garden design in the afternoon. A truly remarkable day in the garden. www.bartramsgarden.org www.chanticleergarden.org Mention this ad and receive 2 for 1 admission. 6 GREEN SCENE • june 2005 Letter from the Editor Every other month, a shiny, new issue of Green Scene appears in your mailbox and will find its way into your eager hands. But who creates it and how does it get there? I thought I’d take a brief respite from our usual horticultural gab and talk about how a gardening mag gets put together. It’s actually lots of iun. Green Scene all starts on a single Microsoft Word file that’s been on my Mac for years and is simply titled “Future Story Ideas.” Without it, I’d be absolutely lost. As its title implies, that’s where I store all the good ideas I hear from colleagues and members and eventually begin to “program" them into rough sequences lor upcoming issues. Next up, I start contacting writers and photographers to create the articles. Occasionally, they might call me and pitch me a story, or I might hear about a great garden and dispatch a photographer to shoot it long before its intended publication date. (Here is the #1 rule of garden-magazine editing: Get your photos first , since you may need photos in February of a garden that was in bloom the previous June.) The garden writers and photog- raphers are, as you may guess, a pretty colorful lot. Some of them are full-blown horticulturists, while others are self-taught plant experts. Many are humorous folks, while others are quite serious and aca- demic, but most share the concerns that freelancers tend to have: when do you want the materials, how long should it be, and how much are you going to pay me, bucko? (Being a freelance writer in my own spare time, I can more than sympathize with the anxiety our craft inspires, especially that all-impor- tant last item.) Once the article and photos finally arrive “in house” a few months later, the editing begins. While our freelancers sometimes don’t like us to change even one single word, our crack editing team can usually make a good article very good and a great one even better. As editor-in-chief, my job at this stage is to coordinate the text, photos, captions and layout and make sure everything works together as seam- lessly as possible. Associate editor Jane Carroll, meanwhile, has the task of copyediting each piece into clean, readable English. Believe me, if there are gerunds to shuffle around or prepositional phrases that require cosmetic surgery, Jane is the editor to call. The editing, tweaking and general fussing doesn’t stop there. In addition to our departmental readers, PHS presi- dent Jane Pepper and executive vice president Blaine Bonham also read each and every article. II that weren’t enough, we also have longtime PHS volunteer (and super plant expert) Mary Ann Thomas read the copy to check the nomenclature and make sure it’s current, since botanical Latin names can abruptly change with little notice. Meanwhile, our advertising firm of Manzo Commu- nications is busy contacting local gardening businesses who want to display their wares and services in the pages of Green Scene. Didn’t I tell you there was a lot going on behind the scenes of magazine production? The magazine’s next stop is the office of our graphic artist, Laurie Baxendell. In many ways, this is where the magic of magazines really kicks in, because she takes all the glorious text, photos, ads and other creative ideas and begins turning them into the colorful layouts you see on the pages in front of you. This is a critical phase, and for a few weeks, Laurie and I talk and meet frequently to iron out the myriad production problems that crop up in any publishing venture. Nearing the end of the line, the magazine layouts eventually get shipped to our printer, Alcorn, for final revisions and — yes — printing. During this phase, we get color proofs of the copy to find those last-minute errors (which always creep in, despite our best efforts). Once printed, the Green Scene pages need a day or two for the ink to dry beiore they’re all stapled together and sent to the mailhouse to have the address labels affixed (the list emanates from our Membership Department) beiore the final trip to the post office. There, the US Postal Service folks check to make sure there’s enough money in our account and, if the piggy bank is full, it drops around 14,000+ copies in the mail to you and your PHS friends. Whew! There are, of course, lots ot other people here at PHS and at outside businesses that help make Green Scene the successful garden magazine that it is, and to them I am very grateful. It’s a huge group effort, yet one that makes the magazine gently glide into your mailbox every other month. But while the task of publishing Green Scene entails a lot of work, it’s work that we love. And that, gentle reader, is how one publishes a gardening magazine. email: greenscene@pennhort. org GREEN SCENE • june 2005 7 BEHIND THE INK The Potting Shed GROWING for the GUESTS At this BRANDYWINE GETAWAY, the Flowers are HUMBLY HOMEGROWN It's one thing to run an upscale country inn and festoon it with beautiful flowering con- tainers and floral arrangements. It’s quite another to hire a lull-time horticulturist, build a few greenhouses and grow everything “in-house. But that’s the way they do it at the Inn at Montchanin Village in northern Delaware, a rus- tic getaway located near such DuPont estates as Winterthur and the Hagley Museum. Running the show is head gardener/landscape designer Tony Mottola, an energetic, enthusiastic fellow who’s been working at the Inn since it opened in 1995. Working around a restored nine- teenth-century stone barn and various outbuild- ings, the Inn sits in an almost Brigadoon-like set- ting ol quaint pathways and cottages. Using that as his canvas, Tony and his green-thumbed crew lavishly plant the grounds each May with thou- sands of annuals, both in the ground and in enor- mous hanging baskets (some weighing up to 150 lbs.). Not surprisingly, the Inn’s guests are thrilled with their efforts. Just down the road from the Inn, however, is where the action really begins. Nestled behind the house ol the Inn’s owners, Dan and Missy Lickle, sits a handful ol greenhouses where Tony works all winter long, growing plants for Montchanin’s lav- ish summer displays. “I love annuals and we grow tons of them,” says Tony. “The quality of plant plugs has gotten so good that I don’t need to grow everything from 8 GREEN SCENE • june 2005 seed anymore. I especially like the Proven Winners plants for our containers, such as Bidens ferulifolia 'Peter’s Gold Carpet’ and Diascia ‘Red Ace’. The plug choices these days are endless.” The grower maintains a strict regimen of good greenhouse practices, which accounts for the great plants. “All of our container plants start with good soil-less mixes, which we prepare ourselves,” Tony notes. “I like to blend Scotts Metro Mix 510 with some Osmocote and maybe a little bit of water- retaining gel crystals — but not too much; other- wise, they’ll start taking water from the plant rather than giving it to them. We liquid feed on a regular basis, too. Finally, we keep the greenhous- es clean. We re frequently on our knees picking up dead leaves, because they can harbor diseases like fungus and botrytis. And that can ruin your crop.” Aside from bold annuals, Tony has another secret passion up his sleeve — lilies. “I recently started my own fresh-cut lily business called Crickets & Crows. The Lickles have been kind enough to let me grow my lilies in the greenhous- es here; in fact, we re building a new one just for the lilies. Naturally, lots of the lilies go over to the Inn, but I also sell them to florists and, one day a week, to the public. I’ve had a tremendously posi- tive reaction, partially, I think, because of our greenhouse regimen. Our lilies are very healthy. So if you ever find yourself a guest at the Inn at Montchanin Village and are mesmerized by the lush plantings that surround you, just keep in mind the hard work ot Tony Mottola and his team of tireless gardeners. The “labor of love” cliche may be overused in gardening circles, but at this quiet paradise, the sentiment surely fits. — Pete Prown Above: Containers and hanging planters overflowing with annuals are hallmarks of the Montchanin style. Opposite page: Tony with his home-grown lilies. GREEN SCENE • june 2005 9 Photos by John M. Lewis The Potting Shed The Gardener’s Bookshelf Color Your Carden by Jill Billington (192 pp., $29.95) It you get excited by the phrase “intriguing color combina- tions,” then this is a title worthy of your notice. Written by UK artist/gardener Billington, this Royal Horticultural Society book is full of useful tips and brilliantly colored photographs. You'll be gazing at it for hours. The Winterthur Guide to Color in the Garden by Ruth N. Joyce (181 pp., $19.95) A colorful guide to the seasonal plantings at Winterthur, accompanied by botanical information and excellent photo- graphs. Like the estate itself, this book is simply beautiful. Down the Garden Path by Beverley Nichols (296 pp., $24.95) One of the all-time garden classics, now reissued with its origi- nal 1932 artwork. Quainter and not as wittily acerbic as his later masterpiece Merry Hall, this gentle gem still deserves a place on every gardener s bookshelf. Garden Lunacy by Art Wolk (246 pp., $26.95) Granted, not all gardeners have a sense of humor, but Art Wolk certainly does, and he employs it in his first book to poke gentle fun at everything from home gardeners to the Philadelphia Flower Show. All told, it’s clever and charming, not to mention being graced with amusing drawings from Green Scene designer, Laurie Baxendell. Black Magic & Purple Passion by Karen Platt (239 pp., $26.99) This reference book focuses on the increasingly popular cate- gory of “black plants,” a broad color family that ranges from deep burgundy shades to a variety of purple-brown and bronze hues. Arranged encyclopedia style, this book features fine pho- tos and detailed habitat information on dark-toned species and cultivars. Welcome to the dark side! Trees of Pennsylvania by Ann F. Rhoads & Timothy Block (520 pp., $49.95) A vast, well-researched and illustrated tome on the native and naturalized trees of the Keystone State. Overall, an impressive feat. (Co-author Ann Rhoads was the winner of PHS’s Distinguished Achievement Medal in 2003.) The Garden Reborn by Ruby Weinberg (178 pp., $24.95) If you’ve ever wondered how to keep Mother Nature from tak- ing over your property, this guide to restoring and managing your aging landscape should be helpful. — Tim Smith GREEN scene photo contest OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES Who May Enter • Amateur photographers ages 1 8 and over. (Amateurs are defined as those who earn less than 1/4 of their annual income from photography.) • Employees of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and its affiliates are not eligible. Submissions • Photographers may only enter images as 4x6-inch or 5x7-inch prints, either in color or black-and- white. • Original images may be shot on print film, slides or digital cameras, but all submissions must be submitted as prints, as stated above (no slides or CDs accepted). • All photographs must be previously unpublished • All photos must have been taken within the past three years (since August 1, 2002). • PHS may eventually mount photo submissions on cardboard, if we choose to display them. • If you’d like your images returned, please enclose a SASE with your submission. • On the back of each image, please write your name, address, email and phone. Optional: You may also include technical information about the photograph (camera type, f-stop, speed, film type, etc.), as well as background info. • Photos that violate or infringe upon another photographer’s copyright are not eligible for entrv • The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is not responsible for loss or damage to any photograph- submitted for the contest. Entry Fees • Photographers may enter 1 photo for a fee of $15, 2-5 photos for a fee of $25 or 6-10 photos for a fee of $40. Fees are non-refundable. • All entries must be postmarked by August 1, 2005. • All finalists will be notified by October 1, 2005. PRIZES 1st Fuji A330 Digital Camera Kit from Ritz Camera, a 1-Year PHS Full Membership, an publication of your winning photo.* 2nd A 1-Year PHS Full Membership, 5 rolls of Fuji print film, and publication of your winning photo.* 3rd 5 rolls of Fuji film and publication of your winning photo.* Honorable Mentions (10): A Fuji single-use camera & your name listed in Green Scene and on the PHS website. ‘Publication will occur in PHS’ Green Scene magazii (12/05 issue) and on the PHS website, www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org For more information: Please email greenscene@pennhort.org for fastest response, or call John Gannon at 2 1 5-988-88 7 1 . 10 GREEN SCENE • june 2005 Win this Digital Camera! Are you a budding garden photographer? If so, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) invites you to enter its Green Scene “Garden Photo Contest,” sponsored by Ritz Camera and Fujifilm USA. Prizes include a Fuji A330 digital camera kit, film packages, single-use cameras, PHS memberships and more. Winning photos will also be published in the December 2003 issue of Green Scene magazine and on the PHS website, www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org. The contest’s judges are looking for superb images that capture the beauty of gardening and create a sense of community through horticulture. Specifically, plant portraits and close-ups, garden views, and people in the garden are all ideal subject choices. Photos can be shot in any format, but must be submitted as 4x6 or 5x7-inch print(s). No digital submissions will be accepted. (See Official Contest Rules for a complete list of submission requirements.) The deadline for entries is August 1, 2005. Payment Option: Check □ (payable to PHS) Credit Card □ Credit card type: Visa □ Mastercard □ AmEx 3 Discover ul Card Number: Card Expiration Date: Please mail your entries to: GREEN SCENE PHOTO CONTEST, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 100 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 The contest is open to photographers 18 years and older. To be eligible, all mailed-in entries must be postmarked on or before August 1, 2005. Warranty and Permission By sending this photograph(s) to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Green Scene Garden Photo Contest, I warrant that I am the sole author of this photo(s). 1 grant the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society the right to publish this photo in its publications and electronic newsletters, on its website, and in collateral publications, including, but not limited to promotional materials. I understand that, beyond granting PHS these rights, I retain ail other rights to this photograph. Signature Printed Name Summer Bulbs Lilies, Tulips, Cannas... and 12 GREEN SCENE • june 2005 A Visit to Brent and Becky's Bulbs In many ways, flowering bulbs are a gardener’s best friend. They ask little, tolerate much, and deliv- er a lovely floral dividend. That’s certainly the feeling at Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, the popular mail-order company that specializes in spring- and summer-blooming bulbs. The company’s headquarters is tucked into a corner of southeastern Virginia, close to waters that lead to the Chesapeake Bay. Admittedly, it’s a healthy drive for a northerner like me, but it’s worth every drop of gasoline (and every curse uttered in 1-95 traffic). When I finally got off the highway in Fredericksburg VA, I was rewarded with a beautiful, two-hour country drive over rolling hills, past farms and rickety produce stands with hopeful signs announcing “corn” and “pick-your-own” berries. Photos by Brent Heath GREEN SCENE • june 2005 GROWING A BUSINESS Now in its sixth season, the company offers a variety of spring, fall, and summer bulbs, from tulips and daffodils to dahlias and cannas. About 10% of the business, which generates most of the profits, is wholesale, with 90% of orders coming from home gardeners. This enterprise is only the most recent incarnation for Brent and Becky Heath. Brent’s roots in the area, and in the bulb business, stretch back three generations. In 1900 his grandfather purchased 650 acres of land for the whopping sum of $5,000. “There were no bridges in the area at the time,” says Brent. “The only way to really get around was on the water." In the beginning, there were daf- fodils— lots and lots of daffodils. Brent’s grandfather at one time grew more daf- fodils than anywhere else on earth. (For you trivia buffs, Cornwall, England, now owns that mantle, with Holland running a close second.) Brent’s parents carried on the business and at one point offered 1,500 13 In THE BEGINNING, there were DAFFODILS — lots and LOTS of daffodils. cultivars of daffodils in the catalogue. Back then, his mother ran the company, and his father was the grower and front per- son, much like today, when Becky runs the show. “I’m the grounded, practical one,” she laughs. They both spend time growing, experimenting, hybridizing, and more (Brent’s also a busy lecturer and photogra- pher). In addition, they make twice-yearly trips to Holland, where the majority of the business’s bulbs are grown. (Patience is def- initely a virtue when it comes to growing bulbs; it takes five to seven years before a bulb comes to flower.) A number of Dutch growers have con- tracts to grow seedlings for the company, and the Heaths employ a point person to run their Dutch warehouse operation. Then, after a series of Dutch and USDA inspections, the bulbs make their way by ship to Virginia. Today, Brent and Beckys Bulbs ships out close to 10 million bulbs across the country, to all 50 states. The relatively new warehouse sits on an 18-acre property; it’s a beautiful facility, though it got off to a rough start courtesy of 2003’s Hurricane Isabelle, which nearly destroyed the roof. This warehouse is home to the Bulb Shoppe, where walk-in cus- tomers can browse through a variety of bulb-related items, including vases, note cards, frames, and gardening tools. You can also browse through the “Bulb Shoppe Collection,” a selection of bulbs hand- picked from the catalogue, and pick up previously placed orders. It turns out that education is a passion for Brent and Becky, who both have a back- ground in teaching. At the warehouse, visi- Li lies, Tulips, Carinas... and 14 GREEN SCENE • june 2005 tors can wander through the catalogue gar- den, which contains plants featured in the summer and spring/fall catalogues. “We want people to get a real sense of the plants, what they look like when they bloom, their scent, and what they feel like,” explains Becky. A TRIP DOWN DAFFODIL LANE Last year, Brent gave 40 lectures around the country, in addition to the in-house seminars and tours he leads of the Heath farm, where all of the magic happens. With a tasty beverage in hand, Brent and Becky took me on one such tour of the fantastic gardens on the grounds of their farm and house. This large area of test beds is where Brent does all of his hybridizing and where he figures out what grows best in what soil and light conditions. I learn that summer bulbs hail from exotic lands like South America and South Africa. So, how do Brent and Becky keep their bulbs happy? While still in Holland, the bulbs are cured in a drying cell with dry air. On their voyage across the Atlantic, they’re stored in temperature-controlled contain- ers, and at the warehouse, they’re kept in a series of refrigerated rooms, set to tempera- tures that keep the various bulb types con- tent. “The air circulation in bulb storage is the most important factor,” says Brent, Above: explaining that good air flow is the key to fending off problems like rot. Summer-blooming bulbs like the soil temperature to be above 60 degrees and “almost all of them do well in containers,” notes Brent. Good drainage is key to their success, as Brent ruefully recalls “mindless irrigation systems” that have been the demise of many a bulb. Simply stated, Brent’s time-tested recipe for great bulb beds involves a mix of 6 inches of compost and sand. And it’s important to plant spring bulbs at least 6 inches deep (summer bulbs don’t have to be set as deep). 7* Opposite page: ‘Stargazer’ lily. Brent Heath Pineapple lily (Eucomis comosa). Above left: The new warehouse and shop. GREEN SCENE • june 2005 15 Brent Heath Most critically, Brent’s outdoor “lab” allows him to closely follow his experi- ments and chart their successes and chal- lenges. “I’m learning something new every day,” he says. In talking about his desire to offer his customers long-blooming, thriv- ing plants with a proven track record, Brent’s got a simple answer: “We want peo- ple to have success in their gardens; gar- dening ought to be happy experience.” Yet, he also cautions that some plants simply won’t give the gardener “instant gratifica- tion,” and the company notes this and other factoids in their comprehensive cata- logues. At one point on our walk, Brent demon- strates how to use a heavy bulb planter designed to work through tough, unpre- pared soil. This gizmo is one in a line of tools that the company has designed and sells on their website. In fact, Brent and Becky’s website is a wonderlul place to start learning about bulbs, with in-depth listings and descriptions of any type of bulb you can name and tons more that you can’t. Lilies, Tulips, Carinas. ..and V GREEN SCENE • june 2005 We want people to HAVE SUCCESS in their gardens; GARDENING ought to be a HAPPY EXPERIENCE.” v A tiL P - m Vi' I| XI it , y vv. \ ? m ■ Left: A planter filled with taro ( Colocasia esculents ‘lllustris’). Above: Crocosmia masonorum. Right: Brent & Becky in their boat. A PASSION FOR BULBS Perhaps the most lasting impression of the Heaths is their passion for gardening and their desire to share that passion. In a walk through the garden outside the warehouse, Brent says, “Wed like people to sit in their garden and feed their soul.” And when is the last time you heard a business person say, “We don’t like to charge a fortune”? I was also struck by how Brent and Becky’s work and home lives are completely intertwined, nourishing and inspiring them. From taking the time to give this weary trav- eler a leisurely boat ride at sunset to sharing a taste of local seafood at one of their favorite restaurants, the Heaths redefined “southern hospitality" and sent this north- erner journeying home in a better state of mind. At least until I hit 1-95 again. Brent and Becky Heath are the co-authors of two books, Daffodils for North American Gardens and Tulips for American Gardens. For more information, contact Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, 7900 Daffodil Lane, Gloucester VA, 804-693-3966, www.bbbulbs.com. Walpole Woodworkers has what it takes to get your garden off the ground We offer spectacular handcrafted garden arbors, lattice panels, windowboxes, obelisks and much more. Discover how Walpole's style and quality will combine beautifully with your imagination to make this outdoor season your most successful ever. |§l||Wctlpole Woodworkers* Quality fence since 1933 540 Tabor Rd., Rt. 10W at 53N, Morris Plains, NJ • 973-539-3555 For a free catalog or all our locations visit walpolewoodworkers.com THUJA X ‘GREEN GIANT’ Screening Alternative to Leyland Cypress &. New England’s Dying Hemlocks Rebloomlng Hydrangea O Plants 8"-3 1 /2ft. tall $3.00 to $45.00 each • New USDA Release • Pennsylvania Gold Medal Plant Award • Tough, Fragrant, Thll. Skinny Evergreen • Deer, Bagworm & Disease Resistant • Fast Growing, 3’ to 5' / Year • Zone 4-9 www.knockoutroses.com VALLEY FORGE AMERICAN ELM • The Most D.E.D (Dutch Elm Disease) Resistant American Elm Ever Tested • New U.S.D.A Release - also - PRINCETON AMERICAN ELM 3' size - $20 each Many pictures and information on our website www.botanyshop.com • Joplin, MO or call 888-855-3300 for prices and information. ARBORS TRELLISES *■' GATES ARCHWAYS OBELISKS TOWERS PAVILIONS PERGOLAS tltoULAo . PRODUCTS OR LET US BENCHES CUSTOM DESIGN/BUILD TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS. f&l 8 FENCES RAILS The-j Painted Gardens, Inc (215) 884-7378 WWW.THEPAINTEDGARDENINC.COM 304 EDGE HILL ROAD. GLENSIDE. PA 19038 SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT GREEN SCENE • june 2005 17 Containers A Pot Full of 18 SILVER Growing Silver Plants in Containers Story by Jo Ann Gardner Photography by Karen Bussolini Potted silver plants highlight their surroundings, whether placed at an entryway, on a patio, by a path, tucked into the corner of a perennial border, or grouped in a shady nook. In a pot, their special magic intensifies the impact of their partners simply by association. Every leaf, every bloom, gains when paired or combined with silver plants. a Pot Full of SILVER Photos left to right: Scaevola aemula ‘New Wonder’, Salvia argentea, Centaurea cineraria ‘Colchester White’, and Phormium ‘Bronze Baby’. Helichrysum italicum and Myrtis communis. Kalanchoe pumila and Buxus sempervirens ‘Antarctica’. Some of the most striking silvers stand up well to heat combined with humidity, a def- inite boon to gardeners in the Mid-Atlantic’s Zone 6 climate, where such conditions define the season. And they are tough. From nearly white to nuanced gray-greens and grays, silver plants have adapted to unfavor- able growing conditions — excessive heat, drought, wind, and cold — by growing pro- tective coats of silky down on their leaves and stems (sometimes on their buds and flowers, too) that insulate them from adver- sity. Their downy hairs reflect the sun’s light, causing plants to shimmer and glow. Variegated silvers such as heucheras and Japanese painted fern ( Athyrium niponicum var. pictum ) have adapted to their environ- ment, too (helped by the breeder’s art), with intricately patterned lamination that lights up the darkest shade. When selecting plants, beware of con- tainer overload. A mini garden jammed into a pot might look interesting for a while, but in the long run it suffers from overcrowding and our eyes tire from the jumble. The idea is to create a community of complementary or contrasting colors, forms, and textures that share the same or similar cultural conditions and that will continue to please over many weeks, even months. GROWING AND CARING FOR POTTED SILVERS In a pot, most silvers need a steady sup- ply of moisture and fertilizer. In a bushel tub, combine commercial potting soil (usu- ally a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite) with slow-release fertilizer (this supplements, but does not replace, regular feeding) and crystal water granules, if you like to use them (these form a gel when wet). Look for potassium-based crystals, rather than sodium-based, because these take up water in a few seconds, thus pro- viding an immediate reservoir for plants to draw on. Watering can be minimized by planting in larger pots, which dry out more slowly, and by mulching with a thick layer of triple-ground bark that comes already mixed with soil. It’s dark, looks good, and water seeps into it, rather than running off its surface. Various watering systems for containers are also available. Grooming is essential, not only for cos- metics, but for avoiding plant meltdown. Pick off dead and decaying foliage and excessive growth near the plant’s base to promote air circulation. At the end of the season, discard tender plants or winter them over indoors, replant hardy types in the ground, or group them together in their containers, placed on their sides, in a sheltered spot. Or discard them. SILVERS FOR SUNNY SPOTS Among the nearly whites, Centaurea cinerea ‘Colchester White’ is a tender perennial that grows to 30 inches or more in a season if it has room to spread its fibrous roots. Its precision-cut, fili- greed foliage flares from hard, smooth white stems to form an impressive dome- 20 GREEN SCENE • june 2005 shaped fountain. Plants thrive in steady moisture and fertilizer, so if you want to dwarf it, a little neglect is okay. Light gray Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ is a desir- able border plant that looks great in a con- tainer, especially when grown as topiary (you can purchase it this way). A subshrub that’s 24 inches tall by 30 inches wide, it produces a dense canopy of lacey foliage with a refreshing aroma, which is released when lightly brushed. It is hardy from Zones 6 to 9. Beach wormwood ( Artemisia stelleriana ) , while impervious to drought, can sag in excessive humidity, but it is worth growing for its low, spreading, lobed foliage, essen- tial for tucking in at the base of plants or trailing from a hanging basket. To help it get through the season in good shape, add grit to the planting hole and around the plant’s base, and don’t overwater. Look for improved cultivars such as ‘Silver Brocade’ and Proven Winners’ ‘Silver Cascade’. Beach wormwood is hardy from Zones 3 to 7. In the heat of summer, both Plectranthus argentatus and Helichrysum petiolare ‘Minus’ do best with some protection from afternoon sun. One ol the most popular introductions from Australia, Plectranthus argentatus, grows to bush proportions in the ground, but in a pot is tamed to 2 feet with at least an 18-inch-wide spread. Hardy to Zone 10, it shouldn’t be exposed to outdoor temperatures until they are con- sistently warm. Its leaves, 2 to 4 inches long and 4 inches wide, are soft, silvery-gray, and nearly heart-shaped. By mid-summer, plants produce spikes of small blue-white flowers, which can be trimmed off or left alone. Silver hues persist even with flower- ing (not always the case). Trailing helichrysums are indispensable for containers. The best for humidity is the small-leaved H. petiolare ‘Minus' (now reclassified as Plectostachys serpyllifolia). Whatever name it is sold under, look for a licorice plant that has tiny gray leaves on lilting stems and plant it at the edge of a container to fall gracefully over the sides. Periodically trim to prevent sprawl. 10 SILVER COMPANIONS Calibrachoa 'Million Bells', Proven Winners Coleus New and old varieties Ipomoea batatas 'Blackie' [sweet-potato vine) Oxalis vulcanicola 'Zinfandel', Proven Selections Perilla fruticans var. crispa Petunia Wave series Phormium Amazing Red' (New Zealand flax) Scaevola aemula 'New Wonder Strobilanthus dyerianus (Persian shield) Tradescantia pallida Purple Queen GREEN SCENE • june 2005 I 21 a Pot Full of SILVER GREEN SCENE Photos top to bottom: Brunnera macrophlla ‘Jack Frost’ Begonia ‘Looking Glass’ B. ‘Looking Glass’ with black taro (Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’) SILVERS FOR SHADY SPOTS Silvers that take shade, humidity, and look good in a pot are all variegated in some way. One of the most spectacular is Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’. The leaves are unobtrusive in spring, when they are covered by sprays of dainty blue flowers. As the summer progresses, so does the foliage, which swells to 8 inches, laminated with silver and etched with green. The leaves of ‘Looking Glass’ are nearly all silver in maturity. Plants are hardy from Zones 2 to 8. The lamiums are also becoming popular, not just as groundcovers but as heat toler- ant plants to use in containers for their trailing stems. Lamium maculatum ‘Orchid Frost’ is a new introduction with the best heat tolerance. Its small leaves are frosted silver over green with a narrow green bor- der; showy two-lipped flowers are a soft: violet-pink. Cut them back after bloom to keep foliage fresh. Among the older culti- vars, ‘White Nancy’ is still tops for its fresh white flowers, frosted foliage, and adapt- ability to dry conditions. Both are hardy from Zones 3 to 8. Heucheras, hardy from Zones 4 to 9, pair well in containers with lamiums against a backdrop of green hostas in the ground. Among silvery heucheras, the best for heat tolerance is ‘Silver Scrolls’. Its leaves are rounded with dark purple veining over a metallic silver background. In spring, pink- tinged flowers sway atop tall wands. In more steady moisture and richer soil, try Japanese painted fern ( Athyrium nipon- icum var. pictuni) and heavily laminated angel-wing begonias (so-called because of their large wing-like foliage). Japanese paint- ed fern grows from 18 to 24 inches and looks best alone so it can show off its beau- tifully painted silver-gray fronds on bur- gundy midribs. ‘Silver Falls’ has pinkish-red midribs and reddish purple veining. ‘Ghost’ is a more vigorous plant with more silvery leaves. These are hardy from Zones 4 to 9. The large, ruffled foliage of Begonia ‘Looking Glass’ is dramatic. Growing to 6 inches in length, its olive midribs and veins stand out against heavily silvered leaves whose undersides are purplish-pink. Plants are heat loving and frost tender, so don’t put them out until nighttime temperatures are in the 60 degree range. Proven Selections’ ‘Sinbad’, an antique variety, has huge dusky green leaves covered in silver. Potted silvers should look as if they belong just where you put them. If they don’t, move them. That’s one of the greatest advantages of growing plants (not just sil- vers) in containers. Jo Ann Gardner is a writer and lecturer living in the Adirondacks, where she and her husband operate a small farm with extensive gardens. They co-authored Gardens of Use & Delight (Fulcrum). Her latest books are Elegant Silvers: Striking Plants for Every Garden (Timber Press), with Karen Bussolini, and a softcover edition of Herbs In Bloom (Timber). MOSTARDI NURSERY Your garden is your sanctuary...come to Mostardi’s for distinctive plants, expertise and inspiration. -mm • . 3V "- - ■4 ~***K<’r w ■‘•agS* . .-v *7* % O 4033 West Chester Pike (Route 3) • Newtown Square, PA 19073 610-356-8035 • www.mostardi.com Gateway Garden Center invites you to our Annual Water Garden Tour Saturday, July 3o ~ 9 am to 4 pm Join us on this self-guided tour of the area's premier water gardens. Be inspired and educated in the waps to create pour dream garden. $15.00 for members of DCH and PHS/$2o for non-members Proceeds benefit Delaware Center for Horticulture Gateway Garden Center: 7277 Lancaster Pk., Hockessin, De. Information: 302-239-3727 www . gate waygarde ns.com GREEN SCENE • june 2005 23 Trees BRANCHING Story by llene Sternberg Photography by Rob Cardillo When is a tree not just a tree? When it’s a work of art, of course. True, trees can support a decorative and utilitarian hand-woven hammock or a clothesline sporting your decorative and utilitarian SpongeBob-motif undergarments. And true, most trees are functional, sculptural, and splendid enough in their own right, but some gardeners carry their tree art a step further. FACE TIME (opposite page) Down at the Morris Arboretum, for example, philanthropist Nancy Peters Ryan dedicated this deftly and magnificently carved green man to the horticultural staff. Gifted Phoenixville, PA, wood carver Marty Long ( www.martylong.com ) crafted this hollow wonder from a beech tree that had declined with age. A GIANT FEAT (left) Jack Miller has spent close to 50 years creating his dreamscape, “Dans La Foret,” the garden around his home in Collegeville, PA, which the Journal of Japanese Gardening contends may be the largest moss garden in North America. But “about 15 years ago,” says Jack, “I had a series of recurring nightmares, increasing in intensity, that giants were chasing me through the garden, throw- ing boulders. Night after night I’d wake up in a cold sweat. In one of them, a stone had embedded itself in a big oak tree, about 14 feet up.” It was his wife, Carmen, who suggested that the bad dreams might cease if he created this sculpture. “It was no easy feat, either. Up on a ladder, we gouged out a hole for the rock and tied it with rope and tape until the cambium grew around it. Carpenter ants were already infesting the 100-year-old tree, which has subse- quently died, limb by limb, but the embedded stone persists, and the giants and nightmares have vanished." 24 GREEN SCENE TWO TRUNKS (above) Jack also uses tree stumps as a plat- form for artwork. On the remains of a dead tree trunk, he placed a whale vertebrae that he found on a trip, which New York artist Konstantin Bokov, who makes the recycling of objects a central theme of much of his work, transformed into an elephan- tine face. If, lor some reason, you don’t have a whale carcass or an artist friend handy, think of using a tree stump as a pedestal for a flower pot, sculpture, or a settee for your cat. Or scoop out a space lor a water bowl, fountain, or lor filling with soil in which to plant some stunning shrub, grasses, annu- als, or even another tree. (Just think — il the new tree croaks, too, you can plant another inside that stump and continue until you’ve got yourself something akin to a Mayan pyramid going on in your backyard.) BIRDING SPACE (right) In the garden of Eve and Per Thyrum in Wilmington, Delaware, a weedy golden rain tree ( Koelreuteria paniculata) about to be removed became a condo for homeless birds. The apartment complex is about to undergo renovation, during which the outmoded birdhouses will be replaced with new ultramodern facil- ities to attract a more desirable class of tenants. TOAD HAUL (below right) In another section of their garden, Per Thyrum has pollarded a wild cherry over the years, manipulating it to support huge boulders he claims were left by a runaway glacier. The photo shows only a part of the assem- blage, which hosts a metal Haitian frog. ■jM MUm i» 1 26 GREEN SCENE • june 2005 FOR THE BIRDS (left) Also in the Thyrum garden, a bizarre animated bird, created by Douglassville, PA artist Simple ( www.simplegardenart.com ), views with curiosity an interloping humming- bird by the same artist, demonstrat- ing the use of trees as a vehicle for dis- playing art or telling a story. BRANCHING OUT FRUIT COCKTAIL (left middle) Simple hangs a hand of bananas in a banana tree in his own garden. ROMANTIC VINES (below) Ivy or other vines can clothe a tree too modest to flaunt a naked trunk. Vines won’t harm the tree unless they strangle the poor thing, grow so thickly into the crown that they pre- vent sunlight from getting to the tree, or hide trouble brewing on a tree, inhibiting inspection. Otherwise, they can be beautiful while providing a worthwhile wildlife habitat. From PHS’s Gold Medal Plant family, check out these two great tree climbers: the climb- ing hydrangea ( Schizophragma hydrangeiod.es ‘Moonlight’) and Chinese trumpet creeper ( Campsis grandiflora ‘Morning Calm’). TOPIARY TALENTS (below) Longwood Gardens, Ladew Topiary Gardens, and other gardens have fine examples of trees as art — trees honed inro shapes and sculptures of all sorts. These are beautiful, high-maintenance projects especially suited for control-freak gardeners, but on a reasonable scale, fun for any of us to try. GREEN SCENE • june 2005 COMING UP ROSES (above) Another artistic use of a tree at the Morris Arboretum is this "William Baffin’ rose trained on a crabapple. Roses or clematis are beautiful when encouraged up a tree, a stump, or onto shrubby trees. The British use this device to great benefit and we should attempt it more often, as well. BRANCHING OUT INITIAL DOUBTS (left) But don’t try carving your artwork into a living tree, particularly it it’s not yours. Save your scarification for the Tattoo & Piercing Convention coming soon to a neighborhood near you. Rather, think up a clever, cre- ative way to use trees in the landscape to their best advantage. 'At' llene Sternberg is a busy garden I writer, whose work appears in | The Washington Post, Fine I Gardening, and American Gardener. ; She writes a regular column in the News Journal in Wilmington, Delaware. Rob Cardillo specializes in 1 photographing gardens, landscapes | and botanical subjects for editorial and commercial clients. He lives in Ambler, PA. Tree Care Specialists, Inc. 334 S. Henderson Road • Kinc of Prussia, PA 19406 Who’s Caring For Your Trees? Spring Services • Ornamental & Safety Pruning • Large Tree Pruning & Preservation • Shrubbery Hand Pruning & Trimming • Tree Hazard Evaluations • Tree & Stump Removal • Plant Health Care Evaluations • Insect & Disease Control • Tree & Shrub Root Fertilization Your Garden and Trees Deserve The Best of Care. . . The Shreiner team of Certified Arborists is committed to providing clients with knowledgeable service, attention to detail, and exceptional value. Call today for your complimentary consultation. 610-527-3637 www.shreinertreecare.com THE FINER THINGS IN LIFECARE. • 100% and 50% recoverable entrance fee plans. Waverly Heights is a nationally accredited Continuing Care Retirement Community located in a lovely residential setting on the Philadelphia Main Line. Call us for information or a personal tour. • Fitness Center, Pool, Dining Options and many other sendees and amenities. • Over 200 apartments and villas. • Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing 610-645-8764 • www.waverlyheightsltd.org HKIGHTS t§pf 1400 Waverly Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035-1 296 GREEN SCENE • june 2005 29 Plants Touring an Aquatic Plant Nursery in bucolic Bucks County, just past the fringes of sub- urbia, sits a quiet little nursery on a quiet lit- tle lane. So quiet, in fact, that on our visit to Aquascapes Unlimited, we sail right past the entrance and have to double back a few times until we find it. Eventually, we locate a drive- way that leads to a small parking lot guarded by a dog, some peacocks and a large pig named Red. Just beyond Reds pen sit a few greenhouses, and that’s where our tour begins. Aquascapes Unlimited is, quite simply, a wholesale grower of aquatic plants. They grow their specialty plants for retailers throughout the region, who then sell them to consumers. The region’s largest grower of carnivorous pitcher plants, Aquascapes also provides quite a few of the water-garden plants you see at the Philadelphia Flower Show. And they do it all from their little nursery, where owner Randy Heffner heads the operation with his small staff. Our tour guide for the day is grower John Mark Courtney, an expert plantsman and horticulture graduate from Delaware Valley College in nearby Doylestown. As we enter the first greenhouse, there are tables full of plants, but these are different from conven- tional nursery setups in that the plants’ feet are decidedly wet. Being aquatic plants, these seedlings are sitting in an inch or so of ggp; ■ ^ V**-. . «'■ ■ w & ? $ ■ * 7- ; - One of the holding ponds where plants are maintained. water, unlike terrestrial plants that need well-drained soil. “Our biggest crop of plants is probably Sarracenia (pitcher plants),” notes John. “We start them from seed and they nor- mally take six years to flower, but we’ve got that number down to three. They come in a whole range of colors, too, from deep red to white. We grow most of the straight species as well as many hybrids, some of which we produced ourselves.” Aquascapes grows plenty of other water plants, too, from carnivores like Venus flytraps and sundews to native orchids, society garlic ( Tulbaghia violacea ), spider lilies, lobelias, and a range of grasses. Randy has introduced several water garden plants into the trade, most notably the patented red-leaf arrow- head 'Silk Stockings’ and, recently, 'Big Red’, the red-stem golden club. All of Randy’s selections have been made from native wetland plants, collected or produced at Aquascapes. Randy, John and company also propagate 17 different types of grassy sedges (Carex sp.), which frequently go to state agencies, private environmental groups and contractors for stream bank restoration or wetland mitigation projects. The plants start as tiny shoots and grow in small containers for a few months. Then, miraculously, they are separated out into hundreds or even thousands of individual plants. 32 GREEN SCENE • june 2005 Right top to bottom One of several sundew varieties grown at the nursery. (Sundews catch insects on the sticky hairs on each stem.) A variegated spider lily (Hymenocalis caribaea variegata) Plants are grown on benches with circulating water. Above (left to right): John, Randy and staff pose with their pitcher plants. Another intriguing aspect of Aquascapes Unlimited’s green- house setup is the closed watering system they have developed, which is a form of “integrated aquaculture.” One of the large tanks in the main greenhouse contains a variety of goldfish, koi and mosquito-eating “gamboozie” fish ( Gambusia affinis), as well as edible duckweed for them to nibble on. The water in these fishtanks is circulated through all the plant trays, reduc- ing the need for fertilizers. In turn, the plants filter the water, making it more hospitable for the fish, since they naturally pre- fer a plant-filled environment. Outside of the greenhouses sit a number of long, rectangu- lar ponds where aquatic plants can mature to retail size. Here, amid the busy hopping and croaking of frogs, you can find large lotuses like ‘Mrs. Perry D. Slocum’ and waterlilies galore. Amazingly, all of the water on the property comes from a small pond that is kept brimming by a pump attached to a wind- mill— part of the all-natural processes used here. “It cuts down on the water bills, too,” adds Randy. Alas, Aquascapes Unlimited is not open to the public, but the next time you’re eyeing some charming aquatic plants at your local garden center, there’s a good chance they were grown in Bucks County at this small gem of a nursery. Aquascapes Unlimited is a wholesale nursery for native herbaceous wetland and ornamental aquatic perennials. They also deliver finished product to retail garden centers and to contrac- tors for wetland mitigation and restora- tion projects. Randy and John lecture and present workshops and demon- strations on bog gardens, native plants in the landscape, etc. For more infor- mation, contact them at: PO Box 364, Pipersville PA 18947, 215-766-8151, wetland@ComCAT.com . A. ■' fPSl stai A Bounty of Bulbs Judy Glattstein is an enthusiastic gardener, author, and lecturer who appreciates bulbs as "plants in a package." You can visit her website at www.bellewood-gardens.com. Of Carinas and Caladiums Right: Variegated canna Below: Caladium sp. The daffodils and tulips of spring have faded away, but other bulbs lend their flowers and foliage to embellish the summer garden. Some gardeners turn away from such traditional summer bulbs as cannas, favoring more exotic options like the Peruvian daffodil (Hymenocalis sp.). But a superb garden comes about not from the rarity of its plants, but rather, from thoughtful combinations that enhance its design. Take canna for example. I find their flowers to be underwhelming, bloated blobs of color that hummingbirds dis- dain. (The species and smaller-flowered cultivars, such as Canna ‘Intrigue’, are another matter.) What canna does offer the perspicacious gardener is superb foliage on deer-resistant, sun-loving, moisture-tolerant plants. Combine green-leafed canna with elephant ear for a tropical look in that awkward, soggy low spot where other plants fail to thrive. You can even sink them, potted, in the shallows of a pond since it’s difficult to over-water either of these tender peren- nials. Undemanding canna also thrives in sites with average moisture. The taller cultivars, such as 4- to 6-foot-tall 'Richard Wallace’ or ‘Rosamund Cole’, make excellent back- ground or accent plants. Other cannas, like ‘Red King Humbert’ or the smaller ‘Red Futurity’ have copper, purple, or bronze foliage that associates well with silver foliage and scarlet, pink, green, or blue to purple flowers. ‘Pretoria’ (some- times offered as ‘Bengal Tiger') has green leaves deliciously striped with yel- low. I enjoy it in combination with Allium flavum and Ruta graveolans ; the yellow flowers of the small onion and glaucous foliage of rue create a charming alliance. The elegant ‘Stuttgart’ can be more of a challenge. Its narrow, gray-green leaves blotched with white have a ten- dency, nay, an absolute requirement, for just the right placement, one that pro- vides morning light and mid-day shade and an ample supply of moisture. Grown in shade on the verge of a pond, ‘Stuttgart’ will thrive. I can offer devoted maintenance to a single 24-inch pot, but any more would be too much to care for. Let the midday sun scorch its leaves, miss studious attention with the watering can, and the white variegation promptly chars to unattractive brown. My other summertime favorite is cala- dium, a tender tropical J tuber I value for the interest ” it adds in the subdued light § conditions of my woodland garden. Caladium flowers are rather insipid, but that hardly matters when their leaves are so showy. Related to Jack-in-the-pul- pit, the plants are laced with crystals of oxalic acid, ren- dering them unpalatable to deer, woodchucks, voles, and other critters who regard my garden as a salad bar. A plant that thrives in the heat and humidity, caladiums need a two- or three-month jump-start indoors on a heating mat before they go out- doors in June. Fortunately, garden cen- ters generally have potted plants avail- able. Caladium, with their white, rose-pink, deep red, arrow-shaped leaves, bor- dered and veined in green and some- times blotched, splashed, or speckled with a secondary color, are equally suit- able for containers. Whether in the ground or in a pot, they work well with ferns or astilbes. Consider the tender Victorian brake fern (Pteris cretica ‘Albolineata’) or the hardy Japanese painted fern, l/\thyrium niponicum var. pictum), both with silvery fronds, for attractive foliage partners. Impatiens offer harmonious colors, too: white with white caladiums, pink or red for cultivars sporting those hues. Use the leaves as attractive filler in a summer bouquet; the removal of a leaf here and there only encourages more to grow. Remember, gardens are places where we grow a variety of plants in combination. Give these workhorse plants suitable partners for the dance, and enjoy the waltz as they frolic in your garden, m 34 GREEN SCENE • june 2005 Carolyn Walker owns Carolyn's Shade Gardens in Bryn Mawr. PA, where she maintains several acres of shady display areas. She can be reached at carolynsshadegardens@verizon.nel or 610-525-4664. Made in the Shade Smothering Weeds Native Groundcovers for Shade In early spring, when my capacity to garden seems endless, I always plan to fill in every bare space with thick groundcovers to save me from the much-hated job of weeding. However, other projects take priority, and in June I am berating myself once again while I pull out the endless annual weeds that seem to materialize overnight in hot weather. You and I can both avoid this yearly agony by planting one of the excellent Pennsylvania native ground- covers described below. All three pro- vide great coverage and the added bonus of outstanding flowers. Senecio aureus , or golden groundsel, is native to the moist woods of the east- ern United States. It spreads quickly by underground rhizomes to provide a thick, 6-inch-tall evergreen covering of dark green, rounded leaves with bright purple undersides. In early April, numer- ous 18-inch flower stalks with fuzzy, fern-like leaves sport elegant purple buds. The buds open to reveal loose heads of daisy-like, bright yellow flow- ers, which remain ornamental through May, when the stems begin to die back. The blooms are fragrant and excellent for cutting. Golden groundsel should only be planted where it has space to spread or compete with equally vigorous neigh- bors. It will grow right over more delicate plants. It is especially useful in full shade and dry soil or where deer are a prob- lem. I grow it very successfully between the roots of my shallow-rooted native hornbeam. Combine it with the blue of Jacob’s ladder or Virginia bluebells for a stunning mid-spring display. Phlox stolonlfera, or creeping phlox, grows on wooded mountain sides of the southeastern United States. Its stems trail along the ground, rooting as they go, to form a dense, 2-inch-tall ever- green mat of delicate leaves. From the end of March through May, it sends up 10-inch stems loaded with masses of star-like purple flowers. Creeping phlox grows in part to full shade in average soil with good drainage and is very drought tolerant once established. Although deer will occasionally eat it, it is not their favorite food in many gardens. Because of its low height, its spreading habit does not interfere with the growth of other plants. Creeping phlox has some excellent cultivars selected for flower color: ’Pink Ridge’, ‘Blue Ridge’ (the 1990 Perennial Plant of the Year), ’Bruce’s White’, and, my favorite, ‘Sherwood Purple’. The possibilities for combinations are end- less, but I love ‘Sherwood Purple’ with golden groundsel, paired quite effective- ly by Chanticleer at a recent Philadelphia Flower Show. On the tall side of the groundcover world is Chasmanthium latifolium, or northern sea oats, which is found in woodland openings or edges of the southeastern United States. It is a clump- forming ornamental grass 3 to 4 feet tall with a neat and upright habit. In midsummer, clusters of highly ornamental oat-shaped flowers dangle gracefully from the tips of the arching stems and sway in the slightest breeze. The flowers, along with the bam- boo-like, 8-inch leaves, turn a beautiful copper in fall and then a very attractive tan for winter. They remain orna- mental until the following spring and look spectacular in snow. My Longwood Gardens class voted Chasmanthium their favorite ornamental grass because of its long season of interest Chasmanthium grows best in part shade in any soil with average moisture and is deer resistant. Its dense clumps will spread to 24 inches wide. However, Chasmanthium is an avid self sower and should be either planted where it can spread or dead headed before the seeds drop in late fall. The flowers, both fresh and dry, are excellent for arrange- ments. Take my advice, plant more ground- cover and spend hot summer days sip- ping iced tea while admiring your weed- free garden, Above: Senicio aureus Below: Phlox stolonifera ‘Pink Ridge’ GREEN SCENE • june 2005 35 Classified Ads ANTIQUE BOOKS RARE & PREVIOUSLY OWNED BOOKS ON HORTICULTURE & BOTANICAL PRINTS - Bought and Sold Polly Goldstein 37 Lochwood Ln. West Chester, PA 1 9380 (610) 436-9796 E-mail: GrannyPol@aol.com GARDEN STRUCTURES HERITAGE STONE & MARBLE We are an installation and restoration company who emphasizes long lasting quality with outstanding craftsmanship. FLAGSTONE, BRICK-patios and walkways, COBBLESTONE-edging and paving, STONE walls, RETAINING walls, MARBLE, GRANITE-floors, walls, countertops. (21 5) 699-561 1 Upper Gwynedd, Pa. GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION Solar Innovations, Janco, Lord & Burnham and more. Call Robert J. 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Bold, Italic or ALL CAPS) Discount 10% off the second 1 Line $15.00 per line consecutive ad, using the same copy Deadlines February Issue (by December 1 ) June Issue (by April 1) October Issue (by August 1) April Issue (by February 1) August Issue (by June 1) December Issue (by October 1 ) Please NOTE: Green Scene does not guarantee advertisement position, and we reserve the right to edit copy to fit available space. Green Scene ads are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis until space is filled for a particular issue. Please calculate your ad cost based on number and formatting of words, and enclose a check along with your copy (call for assistance). Green Scene will bill any difference or credit upon publication of your advertisement. If your new ad arrives very close to deadline, we may deposit your check until ad is scheduled. If we can’t schedule your ad, your check will be returned. Make checks payable to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Send all advertising correspondence to: Laurie Fitzpatrick, Green Scene, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103 -1495. If you have any questions, please calf (215) 988-8769. 36 GREEN SCENE • june 2005 LARGE SPECIMEN HOLLIES Ilex opaca cultivars I. aquifolia ‘San Jose’ Beautiful 20’ Colorado Blue Spruce Delicious fresh fruit - in season Indian Orchards, 24 Copes Lane, Media PA 610-565-8387 LARGE TREES Tree Transfers Inc. 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Call today to schedule a free professional consultation to review your property. 215-844-TREE (8733) • 610-688-6644 • Fax:215-438-1879 www.mcfarlandtree.com ± IT’S TEA TIME Mike dispenses freshly brewed compost tea from out brewer. Directions To Us Keystone Gardens inc 250 Conestoga Road Wayne, PA 19087 610 688 5969 WHAT IS COMPOST TEA Compost Tea is liquid extract of compost containing nutrients, micro-organisms and organic matter. It’s use helps retain valuable nutrients, improve soil structure and suppress disease. Compost tea is available every Fri, Sat and Sun. ABOUT US Keystone Gardens is a full service retail and wholesale garden center specializing in perennial and organic gardening products. Our residential gardening division offers creative landscape design solutions. GREEN SCENE • june 2005 37 The Backyard A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT A Visit to the Cohocksink Community Garden by Margaret Funderburg '••tiff <**4 11 jfc in the Kensington section of Philadelphia sits a community garden with a big hole in it. That’s because one edge of the gar- den was once a creek bed, and it’s from that long-lost waterway that its name derives: Cohocksink Community Garden. For \st& I many years, the sloping edge of the old creek caused erosion problems in the garden, but in 2004, a team from Philadelphia Green helped solve the problem by building a retaining wall, using funding from Mayor Street’s Neighborhood Transformation Initiative. On a patio at the bottom of the slope, notes local resident and gardener Roger Wing, "You can actually stand where the old creek used to flow 100 years or so ago. Now we keep our tools here.” Roger is one of a group of neighbors who live around Thompson & Mascher Streets where Cohocksink is located. After he and his wife moved to the area four years ago, he discovered an old community garden that had fallen into disrepair. Roger secured a key to get into the gar- den and, along with neighbors, began the process of bringing the garden back to life. “A few of us took PHS’s Garden Tenders course to learn more about the challenges of urban gardening. Then Paco Verin, a project coordinator with Philadelphia Green, helped us get set up with raised beds and a new fence, and off we went.” Aside from the usual crops of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and herbs, the Cohocksink gar- deners are also well aware of something else: they’re growing a community. “This garden has become a focal point for the neighborhood,” says Roger, who’s holding his young son, Ezra. "People of different cultures meet and garden here — white, Asian, Greek, Filipino. We have six vegetable gardeners, but probably about two dozen folks from the neighborhood who volun- teer to clean up and help in some way here. And we’ve all gotten to know each other.” “We learn about plants from around the world, too,” he says of this multi-ethnic garden. “Someone planted Asian gourds last year, and a Greek woman harvested the tips from an ama- ranth plant — apparently they’re edi- ble. And we’ve all learned that what’s a weed to one person is a beautiful plant to someone else. This garden has opened our minds." Future plans for the site include more artwork (Roger is a sculptor), a mural, more ourreach programs for youth, and, someday, acquiring the Cohocksink garden permanently through the Neighborhood Gardens Association, a sister organization of PHS ( www.ngalandtrust.org ). “The garden has also become a metaphor for the neighborhood,” Roger concludes. “We’ve shown that a healthy garden is beautiful and that diversity is beautiful, and that the two are inextricably linked. And none of it would have been possible without the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and its Philadelphia Green program. Their support for community gar- dening in this city certainly helped make it happen.” Above: Roger Wing and son. Below: A gardener and his granddaughter amidst the harvest. 38 GREEN SCENE • june 2005 & WjUtiMLW umi you oro \s)ij Pomioyivonki^ iTnodS 3pP> sh/ubs 'bo;) ftgHPt sj/'ovy/) to torlvo jn your yard. Participating PA Preferred Nurseries, Garden Centers and Landscape Contractors Cedar Run Landscapes, Inc. North Wales Creative Landscapes, Inc. Bethlehem Dallas Nurseries & Landscape, Inc. Dallas Dundee Gardens Wilkes-Barre Edward's Landscaping Service, Inc. Forty Fort Elk Landscape Management, Inc. Pineville Garrett Churchill, Inc. Willow Grove Hanover Nursery Hanover Township Henninger Nursery, Inc. Kempton Huntsville Nursery, Inc. Dallas Martin Brooks, Inc. Doylestown O’Brien Landscapes Unlimited & H20 Systems Morrisville Palazzi Landscape Gardening “Since 1921” Newfoundland Pinecrest Tree Farms New Ringgold Plantique, Inc. Allentown ProMark Landscaping, Inc. Zieglerville Realty Landscaping Corporation Newtown The Rhoads Garden, Inc. North Wales Tall Timbers Nursery, Inc. Allentown Trail Gardens, Inc. Pottsville W.D. Wells & Associates, Inc. West Grove Wolf Run Nursery Reading For more information about this program or participating companies, visit www.GardenPA. "PA Preferred" and the PA Preferred logo are registered trademarks of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND WEALTH? IT COULD BE THE UNIQUE THINKING OF PNC ADVISORS. As one of the largest wealth managers in the country, we are particularly adept at addressing the specialized needs of women investors like yourself to enhance and preserve wealth. Local experts, who live and work where you do, deliver wealth management solutions that are customized to your unique situation and concerns. Call 215-585-5438 today for more information about PNC Advisors' Women's Financial Services Network or for a complimentary wealth management consultation. © P1MCADV1SORS Women’s Financial Services Network The person pictured is for illustrative purposes only. PNC Advisors is a service mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., which is used in the provision of investment manage- ment, fiduciary and certain banking services by PNC Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank, Delaware. Members FDIC. PNC Advisors does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value. www.pncadvisors.com A CENTER CITY GEM page 38 '/aI ART . in the GARDE page 1 0 fH i, n^vjt ‘TTft Life BEGINS *IN THE GARDEN ■H r -f i ► 4 1! li II i, R in r^Jo/'(/vn ? adie C^ddoc rated is leading the way in traditional and contemporary landscape design. With over twenty years of expertise working with the best properties on the Main Line, Gordon Eadie Associates has established a highly honored name in residential and commercial landscaping. GORDON EADIE CLASSICAL LANDSCAPE AND DESIGN J 6 1 0.9 3 3.4 4 1 0 • GORDONEADIE.COM Tree Care Specialists, Inc. 334 S. Henderson Road • King of Prussia, PA 19406 Who’s Caring For Your Trees? Fall Services •Ornamental Tree & Safety Pruning • Tree Health & Safety Evaluations • Tree & Stump Removal •Shade & Evergreen Tree Planting • Tree & Shrub Root Fertilization •Deer Repellent Treatments Your Garden and Trees Deserve The Best of Care. . . The Shreiner team of Certified Arborists is committed to providing you with knowledgeable service, attention to detail, and exceptional value. Call today for your complimentary consultation. 610-527-3637 www.shreinertreecare.com 1979 - 2005 Over 25 Years of Commitment to , Cathedral Village Resident Satisfaction ... By managing all of our own departments, we have the flexibility and opportunity to satisfy our residents’ preferences and lifestyles more easily. Innovation ...Trend-setting programs are supported by outstanding facilities without additional cost. 600 East Cathedral Road Philadelphia, PA 19128 (215) 984-8622 www.cathedralvillage.com Vision . . . Anticipating changing trends and residents’ expectations is an on-going process that enables us to establish tomorrow’s new standards. Value . . . Visit and compare resident services and care in order to Understand the Real Value of Cathedral Village. Monday through Friday between 9 and 4. Appointments are necessary on weekends. A Nonprofit, Nondenominational CCRC Equal Housing LfJ Opportunity Affiliated with the Jefferson Health System Contents features 12 South African Scents What plant has fragrances of coconut, apple, lemon, or peppermint? Why, pelargoniums of course (not geraniums , mind you). Caroline W. Amidon and Joyce E. Brobst lead us into the world of scented pelargoniums, with tips on culti- vation, propagation, and time-honored culinary uses for these South African natives. 18 Dog Daze of Summer Summer’s heat and humidity can get to anyone after awhile, but one welcome relief (for gardeners, at least) is the late- summer-blooming hydrangea, guaran- teed to bring new life to any tired, cranky landscape. Ellen Spector Platt reveals how fresh and dried hydrangea can be used in flower and wreath arrangements to spruce up the dog days of August. Main cover photograph by Rob Cardillo. 1 — — \ 1 k [\ 24 The Perfect Storm Though rain is a good thing, too much of it too quickly can become a nightmare for Philadelphia’s watersheds and sewer sys- tems. Adam Levine looks at the issues sur- rounding “stormwater runoff,” including an innovative project undertaken by the Philadelphia Water Department and PHS. 28 Going Undercover When we think of groundcovers for our gardens, pachysandra, ivy, and vinca often leap to mind. But there are perennials, grasses, and low-growing shrubs that serve the same purpose and add some unexpect- ed touches to your landscape. Janet Bly muses on the benefits and aesthetic appeal of some uncommon groundcovers. Columns 34 A Bounty of Bulbs: Make New Friends By Judy Glattstein 35 Made in the Shade: Late Summer Natives By Carolyn Walker 38 Backyard: A Visit to Rittenhouse Square The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Editor Pete Prown Associate Editor Jane Carroll Publications Assistant Laurie Fitzpatrick Art Design Baxendells' Graphic Publications Committee Rob Cardillo Stephanie Cohen Joe Henderson Harry E. Hill, ex officio Anne Kellett Adam Levine Jennifer Lin Rhoda Maurer llene Sternberg Printer ALCOM Printing Group, Inc. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Web Site www. pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety. org 100 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 215-988-8800 Chair Harry E. Hill President Jane G. Pepper Executive Vice President J. Blaine Bonham, Jr. PHS Membership Information Linda Davis, 215-988-8776 Display Ads Manzo Communications LLC 610-527-7047 manzocomm@aol.com Classified Ads Laurie Fitzpatrick, 215-988-8769 gsads@pennhort. org Ask A Gardener Phone Line 215-988-8777, Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 1 2 [closed in December] askagardener@pennhort. org GREEN SCENE (USPS 955580), Volume 33, No.4, is published bi-monthly (February, April, June, August, October, December) by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a non-profit member organization at 100 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495. Single Copy: $5.00 (plus $2.00 shipping). Second-class postage paid at Philadelphia, PA 19103. POSTMASTER: Send address change to GREEN SCENE, 100 N. 20th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103. © Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 2005 GREEN SCENE subscriptions are part of the membership benefits for Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown, NJ Horticultural Society of New York Phipps Conservatory, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA Staten Island Botanical Garden, Inc, New York passion Tkis is tke generation your legacy kegins. reserve not just wealtk, kut tke values tkat created it? Tke drive, passion to excel? For nearly kalf a century, we kave focused on onal individuals protect tke wealtk tkey worked to kuild, and pass generations. To put tkis experience to work for you, contact us. Glenmede 1-866-445-3663 WWW.GLENMEDE.COM Letter from the Editor ROAD TRIP For many folks, summer may mean it’s time to start digging in your garden. For me, it means the time is nigh for visiting gardens. As I write this in June, summer is fast upon us, and the time is ripe for getting out of my cluttered office and touring beautiful gardens across the region, taking photos for next year’s Green Scene articles. In May, I had the pleasure of visiting the greenhouses of Caroline Amidon, who co-authored an article in this issue touting the joy of growing pelargoniums. Caroline lives in northern Chester County, so I ambled up there one Friday afternoon. Within an hour, I found myself at her rural greenhouse (pictured above), marveling ar hun- dreds of gorgeous pelargoniums — not geraniums, mind you — which she and her friends had collected for the herb sale in Yellow Springs, PA the following week by the Herb Society ol America, Philadelphia Unit. Not only was it fun to sit and chat about different pelargonium varieties with these plant lovers (one of whom had traveled from her home in Switzerland to help with the sale), but when I also tallied in the gracious cup of tea and a chocolate biscotti, it was hard not to feel a little guilty. “All in the name of work," I thought to myself, grinning inwardly. Then last week, I drove over to coastal New Jersey to visit the garden of famed rosarian Stephen Scanniello, whose plantings will be the subject of a future Green Scene article. He sent me directions by email, including the cryptic remark, “The tree in my front yard will be in bloom when you get there.” Finding Stephen’s house was easy (in fact, it’s always easy to find a garden designer’s property — just look for a swath of ornate plantings amidst a street of plain, green lawns. Bingo). Bur where I was expecting a summer- blooming “tree,” instead I found a 20-foot-tall blue atlas cedar and, growing up through its branches, an Autumn Sunset’ climbing rose in full bloom. I’d guess that there were hundreds of rose blossoms snaking through the branches, their soft orange color beautifully highlighted against the cedar’s blue-gray backdrop. It was a master- ful bit of rose-growing legerdemain, if I might say so, and one well worth the trip. Each summer, I also hit the major gardening institu- tions in the area, to catch up on their latest horticultur- al doings. PHS puts on a number of events at Chanticleer in Wayne, PA, and Meadowbrook Farm in Abington Township, PA, so I have opportunities for photo taking at both. It’s hard to decide which is the more beautiful, so I just snap away and think of it as a happy embarrassment of riches. In fact, out-of-towners often remark that we locals are soooooo lucky to live in an area blessed with so many fabulous gardens. Although we sometimes take this for granted, when I make my annual rounds of Philadelphia-area gardens, I realize that we really do live in a beautiful spot for horticulture. SY'f/'S/ email: greenscene@pennbort.org GREEN SCENE • august 2005 7 The Potting Shed I often feel torn between the old and the new when an "improved” culti- var of a lavorite plant appears on the market. Old standbys miraculously morph over the winter, while the so- called improvements, presented in new colors and forms, offer fresh, sometimes expensive temptation. Questions always arise, too, about the new cultivars: "Are they hardy ? Are the descriptions accurate? Are they reliable and true to color and form?" And why would I try this when I have its parent in my garden and it grows beautifully? Why? Because I have to try them all! When I discovered the newest “pur- ple” coneflower cultivars known as ‘Orange Meadowbrite’ and ‘Mango Meadowbrite,’ I had no restraint. I hap- pily packed these new improvements into my garden to give them a try. ‘Orange Meadowbrite’ is the result of the seven-year hybridization effort of Jim Ault, Ph.D., director of Ornamental Plant Research at the Chicago Botanic Garden. (Its scientific name is Echinacea ‘Art’s Pride’, in honor of Art Nolan, Jr., a longtime benefactor of the Garden’s research program.) ‘Mango Meadowbrite’ is a recent “sport” (or nat- ural mutation) of the orange cultivar. The original purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea , can be identified by the raised central “cone” and drooping ray flowers. A native plant, purple cone- flower is a tough, cold-hardy perennial that stands up to drought, heat, and humidity and adapts to many soils. The rosy pink mid-summer blooms are a favorite of bees and other insects, and the seeds are a valuable winter food source for birds, particularly goldfinches. It requires little maintenance, and, even at 36 inches in height, needs no staking. It’s hard to imagine how this plant could be improved. Yet cultivars abound, giv- ing the adventurous gardener many choices in size and color. The newest sensation in coneflowers, ‘Orange Meadowbrite’, grows a full 36 inches and will bloom orange from the The NOT-SO-PURPLE CONEFLOWER E. 'Mango Meadowbrite1 Sources Meadowbrook Farm Song Sparrow Perennial Farm 215-887-5900 800-553-3715 www. gotomeadowbrook. com www. songsparrow. com 8 GREEN SCENE • august 2005 Plant Delights Nursery White Flower Farm 919-772-4794 800-503-9624 www.plantdelights.com www.whiteflowerfarm.com first year it is planted. 'Mango Meadowbrite' is similar to the orange cultivar, except it displays mango-col- ored ray flowers in perfectly rich, yellow- gold tones. While Echinacea purpurea is deer resistant, deer have reportedly been sampling these new cultivars in several Pennsylvania gardens. You’ll also want to keep these cultivars far away from the original rosy-pink coneflowers, because the combination is not pretty. Two other new, sturdy coneflowers are the yellow ‘Sunrise’ and orange ‘Sunset.’ They are hybrids of E. purpurea and E. paradoxa. Two white cultivars will help light up the evening garden. 'White Swan’ has creamy, off-white ray flowers and ‘Fragrant Angel’ has pure white ray flow- ers. Both have copper-colored central cones and grow to a height of 30 inches. Their white flowers will jump out of the darkness and look stunning among plants with dark green or variegated foliage. The growers at Terra Nova have also introduced two new cultivars: 'Fancy Frills’, which looks like a pink sunflower, and 'Hope', a pale-pink variety (a por- tion of its sales will also go to breast-can- cer research). And for a new dwarf type, try 'Little Giant.' So if you enjoy the variety of sizes, col- ors, and bloom times that new cultivars offer, you’ll want to try these “improved” coneflowers. But if you prefer to express your enduring devotion to the humble, original Echinacea purpurea , by all means, stick with the tried and true. — Jules Bruck A Little Nipper in New Jersey He has Midge Ingersoli’s eyes and Melinda Moritz’s well-manicured toes, but the rest of the Flower Show duo’s lat- est creation is all Garden State. “Jersey Native Nipper”— one of 30 fiberglass dog sculptures you’ll find around Moorestown, NJ, this summer— is covered with lifelike annuals, perennials, vines, trees and shrubs...and a critter or two. Midge and Melinda, longtime Philadelphia Flower Show volunteers and trained artists, spent about 60 hours dec- orating the 5-foot-tall pooch with hand- painted images of native flora and fauna from the state’s varied landscapes, from deciduous forests to the Jersey Shore. “It really took on a life of its own,” Melinda said. Nipper 2005 is a public art project and fund-raiser that will benefit five commu- nity partners. Midge, a member of the Nipper 2005 steering committee, said the terrier is a fitting icon: it is the symbol of the Victor Talking Machine Company (later to become RCA) in Camden, whose founder, Eldridge Johnson, lived in Moorestown and was a generous bene- factor. For more information about this project, as well as a “Nipper Finder” map (hint: Jersey Native Nipper is #3), visit www.nip- per2005.org. The Nippers will be in town until mid- September, when they move to the Moorestown Mall for their October 9 gala auction. -Betsie Blodgett The Potting Shed The ARTFUL Gardeners I had meant to ask Terry and Tom Allen if they are jazz lovers, because that’s how their garden sounds — it has that sweet reflection, yet a sense of play that one might find in a swinging bebop tune. The couple’s sprawling property outside of Philadelphia fea- tures a landscape with differ- ent garden elements that all somehow work together: a lush wild- flower meadow, a “hidden garden” bordered by tall arborvitaes, a wooded area with meandering paths, a gently sloping hillside at the back of the prop- erty, lush lawn areas, and a vegetable garden. And throughout this rolling landscape, you will find art objects of all kinds, shapes, and styles — from classical statues to sculpture that reveal a sense of humor and whimsy. “It’s not just my garden,” says Terry (pictured above), offering an early dis- claimer. “It’s our garden,” adding that her husband Tom plays a big part. Though he’s at work during the week, “I get him on weekends,” she laughs. “He does all of the heavy lifting.” Some of this arduous activity occurred when Terry and Tom bought the house 10 years ago. “It was a jun- gle out there,” says Terry of the land- scape. They spent a couple of years just clearing out the vines, weeds, and poi- son ivy that had taken over the grounds. Tom personally planted the 125 arborvitaes that surround the hid- den garden. Recently, the Allens have started opening up their garden to tour groups — thus far, the Junior League Garden Club and the Gladwyne Library have dropped by — and Terry has discovered an added benefit. “Getting the garden ready for a tour gives me an ending point,” she explains. “Otherwise, everything in the garden remains a work in progress.” Still, more often than not, the gar- den is ever changing. Two visits spaced a year apart revealed additional borders as well as a “migration” of art objects around the land- scape. The sensation is akin to revisiting a room that’s been slightly rearranged; you may know that it’s dif- ferent, but exactly hou> it’s different is something dif- ferent altogether. In one example, a statue of St. Fiacre, the patron saint of gardeners (and, notably, of Parisian cab-drivers) had been moved from its location overlooking the meadow to a secluded spot in the deep shade of the wooded garden. Moving the statue shifted its context. The Irish monk’s demeanor, one of open reflection in the meadow, became one of private prayer in the woods. “There are subtle things tucked into the corners,” Terry notes, and you can literally pass right on by interesting plants and objects if you’re not careful. Apparently, there are six ceramic but- terflies hanging from various trees throughout the landscape. “I challenge you to find all six,” she said to me. (I failed.) At another point, Terry points out a Buddha statue, gazing serenely at us, nestled in the nook of a tree that I would have obliviously walked right on past. Believe it or not, what began initial- ly as a formal landscape, a result of meticulous garden design, has mischie- vously “de-evolved" into improvisa- tion. As in jazz, there’s a structure to it, yet it’s filled with the nuances that only happen in the moment. “The art in the garden is acciden- tal,” Terry says, taking a stab at explaining an aspect of her gardening philosophy. Perhaps. 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N] 08055 EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY www.inedfordleas.org GREEN SCENE • august 2005 11 Heaven Scent A WORLD OF FUN Story by Caroline W. Amidon & Joyce E. Brobst Photography by Pete Prown Opposite page: ‘Paton’s Unique’ Right: ‘Creamy Nutmeg’ The genus Pelargonium is an absolutely fascinating GROUP OF PLANTS WITH AN EQUALLY FASCINATING HISTORY. These plants, members of the GERANIACEAE, or geranium family, were discovered in South Africa in the early 1600s by plant collectors sent to remote areas of the world, primarily by European physicians in search of medicinal plants. With famil- iar scents of rose, lemon, coconut or spice, pelargoniums seemed to hold the prom- ise of medicinal value. In actuality, few have medical uses, but their fragrance helped them gain popularity in the gardens of England and the perfume industry of France. When the colonists came to North America, they brought with them approximately 20 varieties of scented pelargoniums. With little access to spices, the colonists used them for flavoring foods. Pelargoniums ask little of their growers. In return, they offer visual, tactile, and olfactory delights. The plants come in many forms, from those that look like ferns to those with large, almost round leaves. Some sprawl and some grow upright. Some like a bit of shade while others require full sun. Light green, dark green, variegated or fuzzy, these tough, forgiving plants thrive on benign neglect. Some are hardy to Zone 7 or 8, but all are hardy in Zone 10. THE NAME GAME This group of plants presents a challenge when it comes to nomenclature. The common name “scented geraniums” (or simply “scenteds”) is misleading. Only some pelargoniums are scented. To further complicate matters, all pelargoniums are gera- niums, but not all geraniums are pelargoniums. When one thinks of geraniums, their colorful blooms come to mind, however, because “scenteds” are grown for their fra- grance, few people pay attention to their flowers. The Pelargonium flower — with a range of color (white to deep purple), irregular in form with two upper petals and three lower petals — provides a key to distinguishing this genus from other members of the GERANIACEAE family. When making your first purchase, you may decide to purchase P. 'Filbert’, P. ‘Concolor Lace’, and P. ‘Shottesham’s Pet . Some time later, as you become more familiar with WITH PELARGONIUMS “E lovely plants are the same, even though they have been sold under three different names. Don’t let this confusion dampen your enthusiasm. Smell the plants, look at their wonderful textures, and purchase the ones you really like. Then sort out the names to the best of your ability. It is a constant, yet rewarding, challenge. GREEN SCENE • august 2005 13 Plants Clockwise from top left: P. denticulatum ‘Variegated Prince Rupert' ‘Charity’ ‘Mint Scented Rose’ CARE & CULTIVATION Scented pelargoniums need good air circulation and well-drained soil. If you are growing plants on a windowsill, place the pots on pebbles to keep them above any drained water. As the plant grows, remember to pinch the growing tips to encourage branching. It is always best to water the soil around the plant, trying not to wet the leaves. Because Pelargoniums come from South Africa, most do not like high humidity. If your plant develops a problem with fungus, excessive watering will sim- ply spread the disease. If you notice leaves with rust-colored spots, remove the leaves immediately and either burn them or put them in the trash. Keep infected leaves out of the compost heap; the spores will remain active and return to spot your plants again. Control white flies and aphids by vigilant spraying with insecticidal soap every three to four days. PROPAGATION Scented pelargoniums are easy to grow from cuttings. You will need small pots with drainage holes; a sharp knife; and sterile potting soil amended with perlite, pigeon grit, or the granular baked clay product known as Turface at a ratio of five parts soil to one part amendment. With the sharp knife, take a cutting from an actively growing plant. (Some species have a nor- mal dormant period, while some are thrown into dormancy by excessive temperatures.) Make the cut three to four leaf nodes down from the grow- ing tip, cut off the bottom two leaves and stipules and any flowers or buds. Since excess leaves draw strength from the cutting, leave only one or two. After making a hole in the potting soil, place the cutting into the hole, making sure at least one node is below the soil. Tamp the soil down gently and water. If you are fortunate enough to have a heat tape or mat, set the temperature at 70 degrees F. and place the pot on the tape. Keep the cuttings out of full sun until signs of growth appear. Begin fertilizing when the plants are well rooted, using a well-balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20. ORNAMENTAL USES This versatile group of plants offers a wide vari- ety of textures, leaf colors, and growth habits to fill virtually any garden requirement. P. denticulatum mimics the delicate effect of ferns in bright sunny spots, while P. ‘Golden Variegated Nutmeg' makes a low-growing, contrasting border. They make excellent container plants for patios and decks or as garden accents. The patient gardener can even create beautiful topiaries with members of this genus. Branches of scenteds that have been hardened off make a great addition to flower arrangements, adding color, texture, and fragrance. While the flowers last only for a day or two, the foliage holds up for weeks. Peppermint or rose-scented pelargo- nium leaves, used as the outer collar, set off the delicate, fragrant blossoms of a tussie-mussie and add to the olfactory delight of the tiny bouquet. Dried leaves retain their delightful fragrance in potpourris. IN THE KITCHEN Many scented pelargoniums have a long history of safe culinary use. Rose- and lemon-scented leaves are great for adding to your baked goods. (Try layering sugar or flour with leaves for several days to enhance the flavors of baked items.) Peppermint, lemon, or rose leaves are a delightful addition to fresh fruit, iced tea, butter, or even ice 14 GREEN SCENE • august 2005 To help us relieve some of the confusion with names, we have begun to focus more intently on the true species of scented pelargoniums. We would like to share some information on just a few of these gems. Remember, the true species are the original sources of the genetic material for all of the present-day cultivars, sports, and hybrids. Their fragrances are strong and distinct and for the most part, once you get to know them and their habits, are reliable growers. P. crispum (lemon scented) This plant with tiny crinkled leaves has been referred to as the finger-bowl geranium since Victorian times. It has a strong lemon scent and can be used for flavoring. It is a slow grower, and requires frequent pinching of the growing tip to keep its upright growth vigorous and strong. The stem tends to become woody in this species. It requires full sunlight, and good drainage. A sandy soil mix is preferred. This plant makes a stunning topiary, although it is somewhat difficult to train and maintain. P. odoratissimum (apple scented) This plant, with a wonderful aroma described as apple-mint, is ideal for hanging baskets and will not disappoint you. It is a vig- orous grower that enjoys partial shade. In its native habitat it is said to grow as “under- growth in forests or in shady places protected by bushes or rocky ledges” (from the book Pelargoniums of Southern Africa, Vol. 1 by J.J.A. van der Walt). P. tomentosum (peppermint scented) A favorite, once you are familiar with it. It has a strong peppermint scent and leaves that feel like velvet. This plant is highly branched and grows low to the ground. Recognizing that in its native habitat it is “usually found on the margins of ravine forests near streams, where it grows in sandy soil derived from sandstone” (from the book Pelargoniums of Southern Africa, Vol. 2 by van der Walt and P.J. Vorster) helps us to understand why it prefers a shady spot in the garden with good drainage. P. tomentosum makes a handsome container plant if pinched regularly and given optimum growing conditions. P. grossularioides (coconut scented) This little-known plant has a wonderful coconut scent and is a must-have for any col- lection. Its leaves are strongly scented and the plant blooms prolifically with the most deli- cate, tiny purple flowers. The plant can be counted on to show its “storksbill” shaped seed pods from which this plant group gets its name (the Greek word Pelargos means stork). It prefers shade and well-drained soil. Joyce and Caroline (left) with friends, preparing for the annual herb sale at Yellow Springs. cream. A rose-scented leaf dropped into a jar of boiling apple jelly imparts a lovely, subtle flavor. Lemon-scented forms make a fine lemon liqueur. As you can see, this rewarding, versatile group of plants presents a wealth of possi- bilities and challenges to pique the interest of even the most seasoned gardener. Experiment with them and share your findings with friends. Before long, you may find yourself a passionate collector of these wonderful plants with the confusing name. The authors would like to credit the fol- lowing individuals for their inspiration and spirit in the pursuit of knowledge about this fascinating group of plants: James Barrow, Ph.D., James Becker, Faye Brawner, Madalene Hill, Mary Peddie, and Arthur Tucker, Ph.D. Clockwise from top left: P. ionidiflorum P. 'Roger’s Delight’ P. ‘Velvet Oak’ P. ‘Copthorne’ Guided by Quaker Values FOULKEWAYSti# AT GWYNEDD* 4 » i / A. JfV J Setting the Standards of Excellence in Retirement Living Since 1967 Continuing Care Retirement Community 1120 Meetinghouse Road, Gwynedd, PA 19436 215-643-2200 • www.foulkeways.org t=j c PA M PH services is W Foulkeways' at Gwynedd does not discriminate on the basis of race. aging a a h s a color, religion, national origin, gender, age, handicap or sexual orientation GREEN SCENE • august 2005 17 Story by Ellen Spector Platt Photography by Alan and Linda Detrick Late summer in the garden can be a dreary time, but nothing perks up a landscape like hydrangeas. Even better, hydrangeas offer bountiful material for home flower arrangers, who can use both fresh and dried flower heads in their floral creations. In this article, we’ll look at three great ways to integrate this late-summer favorite into your dazzling arrangements. GREEN SCENE • august 2005 Arrangements ImP Flower Arranging Projects for Late-Summer Fun -M Pr,, j^A' V ufeT v. ^ |C/ . " J 1 Arrangements USING FRESH HYDRANGEAS 20 GREEN SCENE • august 2005 Luxuriant heads of freshly cut hydrangea can instantly turn any gar- dener into a floral designer, no expe- rience necessary. Whether you have one of the big-leaf hydrangeas (. Hydrangea macrophylla) , the native H. arborescens ‘Annabelle’, oak leaf hydrangea ( H . quercifolia) , or an old favorite like Peegee ( H . paniculata ‘Grandiflora’), cut five stems or more, take off a few leaves so they don’t overwhelm the blooms, and stuff the stems in a container filled with water. Because the flower heads are so big, they need no companions to fill up the vase. Instant arrangement! The big flower heads of hydrangeas are perfect for the massive arrange- ments needed for large, open spaces. Think of them as an interesting filler or background material, using them instead of greens, and then add other flowers. Tips for Using Fresh Hydrangea • If you have floral food, add it to the water to prolong the life of the flowers. If not, change the water every other day. • Always remove bottom leaves so they don’t decay in the water. • Whenever you gather branches from a shrub for indoor display, use it as an opportunity to shape the shrub. I rarely do an official pruning. Since I gather so much material for my home, I can accomplish two tasks simultaneously. USING DRIED m m HYDRANGEAS While it seems every visitor to the Philadelphia Flower Show walks away with a bunch of freshly cut pussy willow stems, I’m sure that one of the most asked questions at the Show is, “How do you dry hydrangea and keep it from shriveling up. When I offered my dried hydrangea wreaths for sale in the Show’s Marketplace, I was inundated with that question. There’s only one foolproof method for drying hydrangea. Make sure each panicle is mature before you cut it. Then it will dry anywhere you put it; no hanging, boiling or special treat- ment necessary. With Peegees, all the flowers mature at the same time and are ready to cut for drying in late September or early October in our area. You can tell that they’re ready because the color changes from ivory-white to blush pink. The pink then becomes tinged with burgundy or green, and the flowers feel less damp to the touch, even papery. If you're a careful observer, you can see that the tiny flower within the center of each set of petal- like sepals has darkened. The flowers of big-leaf hydrangeas like ‘Nikko Blue’ and ‘Endless Summer’ mature at different times throughout the sum- mer and into frost season. That means watching, waiting, and cutting a few flowers at a time from each shrub. Watch the flow- ers change color as they mature from a brilliant blue or pink to a softer shade mixed with other tones. Tiny center flowers will darken, as with the Peegees. Tips for Using Dried Hydrangea • If you’ve cut the panicles when they’re mature, no further processing is needed, and you can use them immediately in wreaths or arrange- ments. They will continue to dry for a few weeks, but arranging them when freshly cut means there will be no shattering or dropping of petals as you work. • Some of the hydrangeas, like H. petiolaris, don’t have much substance when dried. The species with the fullest flower panicles look best. • Treat dried hydrangea as you would any other dried flower; keep it away from intense humidi- ty and direct sunlight. Also keep them away from curious, clutching hands and wagging dog tails. Hydrangeas are dramatic enough to stand alone in an abundant wreath with no other accompaniment, but perhaps you’re looking for something more com- plex. Here are some ideas. • Start with a straw wreath base. Make loops of fresh bear grass (every florist carries it) or any other narrow grass from your garden. Secure the ends with a rubber band or tight wire. • Pin the loops on the straw base, each with one floral pin. Then pin on pani- cles of hydrangea, covering the whole straw base. Voila — you’re finished. Hang over a nail or stand along a man- tel to display. • If you wake up the next morning and want to continue, take out the glue gun and start adding other dried flow- ers. I’ve used globe thistle, roses, celosia, and heather, but by all means, use whatever you have. Just remember to cut the stems short before gluing. • Use plain hydrangea and team it with fresh or dried magnolia leaves. • Use a plain hydrangea wreath as a cen- terpiece. Insert a cake stand in the cen- ter and pile up some fruits of the sea- son. Osage oranges gathered from a roadside make an interesting color and textural combination. MAKING A HYDRANGEA WREATH 22 GREEN SCENE • august 2005 Ellen Spector Platt is the author of nine books on flower and herb topics. Her latest is Easy & Elegant Rose Design: Beyond the Garden (reviewed in the April 2005 issue of Green Scene). 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VISA MasterCard accepted Fax orders accepted. No telephone orders, please Also, see our website for recent catalogs and backlist www.aps-pub.com. Louis A. Waldman GREEN SCENE • august 2005 23 Landscapes When It Rains, It Pours Understanding the Importance of Stormwater Runoff Story by Adam Levine T here’s nothing like a good summer thunderstorm. The air cools, the sky darkens, and the wind seems to suddenly come out of nowhere; then the thunder cracks and people run madly for cover as the rain rushes down. It’s one of nature’s “big ticket” shows. But believe it or not, storms can have nasty environmental consequences in urban areas. “Stormwater runoff” (rainfall and melted precipitation that runs over the land and into our rivers and streams) is now the primary source of water pollution in many parts of the United States. What can be done? In Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has joined forces with the Philadelphia Water rial boom that would have been unimagin- able 40 or 50 years ago. In those days, the rotten-egg smell of hydrogen sulfide — a Department to minimize stormy, runoff through innovative urban lands product of sewage decomposition — could waft more than a mile inland from the river ing projects. SO, WHAT'S THE GOOD NEWS? In the Schuylkill River within Philadelphia, more than 40 species of fish now thrive, and a river otter was recently seen cavorting at the Fairmount Dam near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Just a few decades ago, this would have been unthinkable. The Schuylkill was, to put it kindly, a murky mess. But the cre- ation of the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Water Act in the early 1970s helped to turn things around. Laws banning the discharge of industrial wastes and munici- pal sewage have resulted in dramatic improvements in water quality and the return of aquatic life to many ol our rivers and streams. The Delaware River has also come back to life, a recovery that is more than biolog- ical. The riverfront is undergoing a residen- on a hot summer day, causing staid William Penn atop City Hall to hold his nose in dis- gust (at least in the vision of editorial car- toonists). WHAT'S THE NOT-SO-GOOD NEWS? Despite the success oi this nationwide cleanup effort, our rivers and streams are not as clean as they should be. In many streams, boating and fishing are now con- sidered safe, but swimming (where you’re in direct contact with the water) still poses a health risk. With the most obvious pollu- tion sources now under control, federal and state regulations are now focusing on less visible sources, such as stormwater runoff. In Philadelphia, most of the older areas are served by combined sewers, which collect sewage and stormwater runoff in the same pipe. Those pipes drain by gravity toward the nearest stream or river and, until well into the 20,h century, that is where they dumped their contents. As the city’s popu- Beginning in the early 1900s and contin- uing through the mid-1960s, Philadelphia constructed a massive sewage collection and treatment system, which represents the most extensive and expensive part of the city’s infrastructure. Like most systems, this one is not perfect. The main problem is the system’s inability to handle high storm Hows. “During heavy rains the amount of flow can exceed the capacity that a sewer can carry or that the treatment plant can clean up, says Glen Abrams, urban water- sheds planner with the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD). “When that happens, those large flows are diverted out of the sys- tem and into the rivers or streams.’’ (For the technically-inclined, this phenomenon is known as a combined sewer overflow.) In the Philadelphia system, there are about 200 locations where these overflows occur with varying frequencies, polluting the city’s rivers and streams with significant amounts of bacteria and other contami- nants. Along with many other cities, Philadelphia is now under state and federal mandates to minimize the number of over- flows and mitigate their effects. Newer parts of the city are served by “separate sewers,” carrying stormwater and sewage in separate pipes. The stormwater pipes dump directly into the nearest stream; the sewage flows to treatment plants. It sounds like a good solution, but 24 GREEN SCENE • august 2005 Courtesy of the Philadelphia Water Department this approach is also fraught with compli- cations. “The problem here is that as stormwater runs over rooftops, parking lots, streets, roadways and even across land, it picks up pollutants like motor oil, pesti- cides, chemical fertilizers, trash, and other wastes,” Abrams says. It’s not only an issue for the city, but for the suburbs as well. SEEKING ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS Simply put, the key to controlling stormwater pollution is to keep as much runoff as possible out of the sewers, espe- cially during big storms, when those dread- ed “combined sewer overflows” are most likely to occur. To avoid this problem, most cities rely on costly infrastructure — build- ing bigger pipes and underground storage tanks that detain the flow until it stops raining and then slowly release it to the treatment plants. Philadelphia has built a few of these proj- ects, but an alternative method is “low-impact neighborhood development,” a long-term, incremental approach that seeks to manage stormwater in more natural ways, relying more on landscaping than infrastructure. In looking to implement such projects in Philadelphia, PWD saw PHS as a natural partner. “PHS has lots of experience in introducing horticulture into neighbor- hoods,” Abrams says. Funds awarded through the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener program allowed the partnership to undertake a test project; five vacant land sites were re-graded so that stormwater stays on the site, collecting in swales and detention areas and then slowly soaking back into the ground (rather than running off into the streets and then the sewers). These small-scale projects can only make an impact if they proliferate around the city. As in recycling, the combined effects of many projects will have a cumulative impact, which will ultimately lessen the burden on our sewer system. Residents need to understand how these unusual, ephemeral urban “ponds” can play an important environmental role, and the public also needs to be assured that the ponds will drain quickly enough (within 24 hours) to prevent any disease-carrying mosquito larvae from hatching out. Abrams recognized from the start that the strong relationship between PHS and the local community is crucial to this edu- cation process and to the long-term stew- ardship of these sites. “For us, it’s not only about implementation,” says Maitreyi Roy, Philadelphia Green director at PHS. “For these projects to succeed, we need a holistic approach that integrates each site into the life of the community.” Another pilot project involves PHS, the Water Department, and the Philadelphia School District working together to bring greening to schoolyards, which are often entirely paved and lacking in green space. “The lack of vegetation reinforces the dis- connect that urban kids have from their environment,” Abrams notes. The School District’s “Campus Parks Initiative” aims to replace some of the blacktop with gardens, and stormwater management components will also be incorporated into these revital- ized landscapes. “We hope to create a whole series of ‘natural sponges’ in the city that recon- nect the urban land to the natural water cycle,” says Abrams. “What we’ve lost is a critical part of that cycle— infiltration, the water soaking down and recharging the groundwater.” West Philadelphia's Mill Creek sewer, under construction in 1883. “During heavy rains, the amount of stormwater flow can exceed the capacity that a sewer can carry or that the treatment plant can clean up. When that happens, those large flows are diverted. ..into the rivers or streams.” — Glen Abrams, urban watersheds planner with the Philadelphia Water Department GREEN SCENE • august 2005 25 Landscapes MAKING THE CONNECTION In some ways, the construction of huge infra- structure projects seems to be an easier (albeit costlier) solution to the stormwater runoff problem. One large underground storage tank might hold as much runoff as 1 ,000 vacant-lot ponds. The large tank would be a solution that, as long as it worked, the average person would never have to think about. Like the sewer system itself, the tank would be out of sight, out of mind. But in the end, the invisibility of most urban infrastructure is at the crux of the problem. Most people don’t know where the city’s water comes from or where it goes. We flush our porcelain toilets, and then what? We turn the spigot and water comes out of the tap, but this is only the end of a long process that begins with those awesome summer thunder- storms. Using the landscape as part of the solu- tion to the stormwater problem is a small begin- ning in repairing this disconnection with our environment, helping to reveal one part of a nat- ural cycle that, whether we realize it or not, is the basis of life on earth. *4^ Philadelphia's Historic Streams FOR MORE INFORMATION Adam Levine’s Web site, PhillyH20, has a wealth of infor- mation about the history and development of the city’s water- sheds and sewer system. For a special page on stormwater, with information and illustrations relat- ing directly to this article, go to www.phillyh2o.org/stormwater.htm. The exhibits at the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, located in the historic Water Works complex north of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, are educational and entertaining for adults and children alike. Topics covered include the history of the water supply and sewer system, the natural water cycle, water- sheds, stormwater runoff, and much more. Admission is free. For information, visit www. fairmountwaterworks. org. Adam Levine, a frequent Green Scene contribu- tor, is also an environmental historian who works with the Philadelphia Water Department. Left: These vacant lots have been re-graded to catch rain- water, which slowly soaks into the ground instead of flooding sewer pipes. Horticulture INSPIRING GARDENERS FOR 100 YEARS WINTERTHUR GardenFair September 16-18, 2005 | Winterthur, Delaware Sponsored by ioto by Rob Cardillo (flUPDNt) GreenVista Garden Products Everything for the Great American Garden Winterthur and Horticulture magazine present a spectacular, three-day plant extravaganza. Winterthur is conveniently located off 1-95, 6 miles NW of Wilmington, Delaware, and less than one hour south of Philadelphia. 302.888.4600 800.448.3883 www.winterthur.org sja Groundcovers Exploring Mention groundcovers and what comes to mind? Chances are that pachysandra, ivy and vinca win this word-association test, most- ly because of their reliability and low cost. But many grasses, low- growing shrubs, and perennials perform extraordinarily well in a groundcov- er role. Thinking beyond the traditional choices can yield some interesting results. Groundcovers have numerous benefits. Situated correctly, they discourage weeds and reduce maintenance chores. They provide cooling shade for shal- low-rooted plants like rhododendrons and azaleas. Adding a groundcover to an area that usually requires annual mulching can reduce mulch expenditures and improve the looks of your garden at the same time. Finally, groundcov- ers heighten the impact of trees and shrubs by adding an intensity of color and lushness that will make your garden stand out. A good groundcover plant has a spreading habit that discourages weeds. Well-behaved groundcovers also should have the following features: Uncommon ideas for Groundcovers Story by Janet Bly • require minimal maintenance • complement surrounding plants • remain attractive for an extended time period — evergreen features are a plus, but are not always essential • don’t compete with roots of neighboring shrubs or trees. jsr c Q_ -CD kz -l — • 03 m 00 o Q. o c: ■25 5 03 CO Z3 JC c .03 Q COVERING ^ ^ 1 Aruncus aethusifolius (dwarf goatsbeard) H ■/ Ground covers new element to the garden and deserve as much consideration. Attention to bloom color, foliage, and texture should guide your selection process. When planning your design, try “layering” to connect the ground- cover to the trees and shrubs Before choosing a groundcover, evaluate your growing conditions. Like other plants, the happiest, least-demanding groundcovers grow in conditions that match their cultural requirements. In other words, try- ing to fight Mother Nature usually means frustration and more work. How much sun does the area receive and at what time of day? Does the area tend to be moist or dry? Can you water this area without undue effort? Like any other planting project, it's a good idea to get a soil test at the outset to guide your plant choices and make appropriate bed preparations. Leaf mold and compost are always good soil amendments, since they enrich the soil with organic matter and help retain moisture. It’s tempting to think of groundcovers merely as utilitar- ian space fillers. But like a specimen tree, they introduce a Helleborus foetidus growing above it. Underplant a flowering tree or shrub with a groundcover that shares the bloom time and color. Combining a Kousa dogwood, for example, with a white- blooming perennial geranium like Geranium X cantabrigiense ‘St. Ola' results in a repetition of white blooms at different levels. Or, a redbud ( Cercis canadensis) paired with rose daphne ( Daphne cneorum ‘Ruby Glow) makes for a great spring vision in pink. Color layering is synergistic, the effect giving greater punch than either one alone. Bloom succession is another concept that works well with groundcovers. A mix of plants with similar flower color at different times continues a color theme over an extended time peri- od. At the Enid Haupt Garden in Washington, DC, sweet box ( Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis ), a low evergreen shrub with white fragrant flowers in February, shares space with Geranium macrorrhizum 'Album' (also evergreen, with white blooms in May-June) and Aruncus aethusifolius (dwarf goatsbeard, blooming in June-July). This particular combination also features a great variation in foliage tex- ture— another way to keep the ground level interesting. Flowers aren’t the only way to bring in color. Yellow- foliaged plants brighten up shady spots and draw attention over a long period of time, while many flowering plants bloom for only a few weeks. One such plant is Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’, a new Japanese forest-grass cultivar, intro- duced by Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon. Described as metallic gold, spiky and upright, it’s a great choice for even- ly moist, shaded areas with rich soil. For lightly shaded or sunny locations, the long-popular deutzia {Deutzia gracilis) jazzes it up with a new Proven Winners cultivar, 30 GREEN SCENE • june 2005 Barren strawberry ( Waldsteinia ternata ) Deutzia gracilis ‘Chardonnay Pearls’ Rob Card i I lo Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ ‘Chardonnay Pearls’, which offers striking chartreuse leaves along with the familiar white flowers. Dark-foliaged plants can also enhance the beauty of shad- ed areas. Hellebores fill this role nicely and are an increas- ingly popular choice for shaded, moist areas. The stinking hellebore ( Helleborus foetidus ) has dark green, narrowly divided foliage that provides great texture and color. The light green flowers appear early in spring and last for an extended period. Christmas rose ( Helleborus niger) also per- forms well and has larger, leathery leaves. Its common name notwithstanding, it blooms generally appear in January and last until April. You can also pair the foliage of trees or shrubs with groundcovers. Epimediums make great groundcovers and Epimedium grandiflorum ‘Lilafee’ is particularly lovely, with large lavender blossoms rising above the heart-shaped foliage that is bronze when new and bright green when mature. A ‘Lilafee’ planting under a Katsura tree ( Cercidiphyllum japonicum) creates a striking echo of foliage coloration and shape. If you can’t live without pachysandra, try the native Allegheny spurge ( Pachysandra procumbens) for a lovely, ele- Ground co vers Allegheny spurge {Pachysandra procumbens) gant effect. Great in dappled or deep shade, fragrant flower spikes of pink and white appear in spring. Green summer foliage takes on silver mottling in the fall. Evergreen in Zones 7-10, it is generally herbaceous in this area. Challenges of tough sites (sunny, dry, sloped) can be over- come with the right choice. Barren strawberry ( Waldsteinia ternata) has nicely lobed evergreen foliage and yellow blooms in spring. This is a good, low-growing (6 inches x 36 inches), weed-smothering plant that loves neglect. Dianthus ‘Bath’s Pink' (with its delightful common name of “cheddar pink”) presents a soft and refined look for banks and dry spots. Another Proven Winners entry, its grey-green evergreen foliage forms a low mat, and pink blooms over an extended period in May and June make a great display. At the end of the day, the only rule about groundcovers is to remember that there are no rules. Popular evidence aside, your choices for groundcover plants are virtually unlimited. ^1 Janet Bly is owner of Signature Gardens, LLC, a garden design firm. Start with high performance plants from Mostardi We stock flowers, shrubs and trees that are recommended by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s “Gold Medal Award” Program. They are superior plants that will provide longer- lasting beauty all around your home. Stop by today to check out our MOSTARDI NURSERY incredible collection of greenery. The colors are gorgeous. The values are exceptional. And the prices are surprisingly low for such high quality. But then, that’s what you should expect from Mostardi plants. They are as good as Gold! 4033 West Chester Pike (Rte.3) Newtown Square, PA 19073 610-356-8035 www. mostard i . com 32 GREEN SCENE • august 2005 Does your outdoor furniture need a facelift? Don't replace it-refurbish it! Complete repainting and restrapping... we'll have your furniture looking like new at a fraction of the cost. We specialize in Brown-Jordan, Tropitone and Molla outdoor furniture. “We cannot believe our furniture. It looks absolutely brand new. ” Kitty Ault g Mt. Kisco, NY outhern i Company “My furniture was bought in 1978 and now it looks better than new. Your paint job is fantastic. I think it is a better job than when we bought it. ” Arlene Kaufman Pound Ridge, NY 1-800-622-1901 Pick up & delivery available SPECIALISTS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE The Scott Associates' 2005 Plant Sale The Sale will be held on the Swarthmore College Cunningham Field on College Avenue. Follow signs on Rte. 320 in Swarthmore, PA. For info, call 610-328-8025. For recorded directions, call 610-328-8001. • Choose from hundreds of varieties of perennials, trees, shrubs and vines, many of which are unusual or hard to find. • Wide choice of exotic houseplants and tropicals. • 2005 Plant Sale Feature: a diverse selection of groundcovers for the garden. • Unique selection of art and artifacts. • Plant experts on hand to assist you. • Free parking and admission. • VISA and MasterCard accepted. • Rain or shine! • Proceeds will help build the new Education Center and Greenhouse. 10 am-1 pm Noon-3 pm Members Only General Admission THE ASSOCIATES OF (must show card) THE SCOTT ARBORETUM 1-3 pm www.scottarboretum.org General Admission Daffodils & Daylilies Two hours of planting, Five months of bloom Plant Daffodils and Daylilies together for a long-lived, easy-care garden that deliv- ers many weeks of bloom year after year. Our “Collaboration” Mixture includes 100 bulbs of “The Works,” our premium Daffodil mixture plus 24 plants of our “Crescendo” Daylily collection, both blended for diversity of color and form plus an extended period of bloom. Visit whiteflowerfarm.com or call 1-800-503-9624 and order item F983072 for $1 15 plus delivery. For Zone 7 South, order F983073, priced the same. Bulbs and bareroot plants will be shipped together at the right time for fall plant- ing. Please mention Source Code 52051. White Flower Farm whiteflowerfarm.com GREEN SCENE • august 2005 33 A Bounty of Bulbs Make New Friends Judy Glottstein is an enthusiastic gardener, author, and lecturer who appreciates bulbs as "plants in a package." You can visit her website at www.bellewood-gardens.com. 34 Summer is still with us, but the first signs of autumn are creep- ing in the door. Garden centers and nurseries display boxes of bulbs for sale. Tempted, we gardeners suc- cumb to impulse purchases on our path to the checkout counter. But as the saying goes, “Make new friends while you keep the old,” which for us means, “Try some new bulbs this year.” THE WILD Side. Consider going wild in the garden. In mid-spring, the elegant Fritillaria verticillata has greenish-white bells atop an 18-inch stalk, with twisting, tendril-like nar- row leaves that hold onto nearby plants in the woodland. Tropical- looking dragon arum ( Arum dracun- culus, syn. Dracunculus vulgaris) has a blood-red sheath wrapping around an elongated spike in early summer. Pollinated by carrion beetles and flies, GREEN SCENE • august 2005 it smells like rotting flesh for the first couple of days. Hardy in my wood- land, with leaves reminiscent of stink- ing hellebore, the dragon arum looks superb with ferns and hosta at the bot- tom of my driveway, well away from the house. Iris bucharica flowers in my garden late every April and presents two or more buttercup-yellow and white flowers per stem amidst the shiny, apple-green leaves, going dor- mant soon afterwards. Planted on a sunny slope, it copes with my clay soil (though better drainage would be advisable). Where to Plant. Choosing a site for your new bulbs is often more of a quandary than buying them. You need to understand your garden’s microclimate, as well as the needs of the bulbs, to make your plantings a success. Tulips, for example, are not woodland plants and will fail accord- ingly. Few bulbs, in fact, want soggy soil. Think beyond the moment of bloom and consider the bulb’s habit of growth. Taller alliums such as ‘Globemaster’, ‘Firmament’, ‘Rien Poortvliet , and ‘Lucy Ball’ lose their leaves as flower buds form. The solu- tion to their naked appearance is sim- ple: incorporate them with ornamen- tal grasses and herbaceous perennials such as yarrow ( Achillea ‘Coronation Gold’ or ‘Moonlight’). Peonies, daylilies, and Siberian iris also make great partners for tulips and daffodils in a flower border. The herbaceous perennials’ foliage disguises the aging daffodil leaves (which one is not per- mitted to fold, braid, rubber-band, or otherwise knot up.) Take a Chance! it’s been said that 80% of the sales in a grocery store come from 20% of the items sold there. No doubt it’s the same for gar- den centers and nurseries. Sunshine- yellow daffodils and vivid red tulips are popular for a reason and might be just what you need to satisfy your craving for bulbs, along with fragrant hyacinths and a plethora of smaller bulbs, from snowdrops, scillas, and crocus to grape hyacinths and more. But in addition, let this be the year you plant something funky, some- thing wild, and something new in your garden. Left: Allium ‘Globemaster’ Below: Arum dracunulus SOURCES Brent and Becky’s Bulbs 877-661-2852 www. brentandbeckysbulbs. com Dutch Gardens 888-821-0448 www. dutchgardens. com McClure & Zimmerman 800-883-6998 www. mzbulb. com John Scheepers, Inc. 860-567-0838 www.johnscheepers. com Carolyn Walker owns Carolyn's Shade Gardens in Bryn Mawr, PA, where she maintains several acres of shady display areas. She can be reached at carolynsshadegardens@verizon.net or 610-525-4664. Made in the Shade Late Summer Natives In August and September, many late-summer and early-fall-flower- ing plants thrive in my shade gar- den, including three easy-to-grow native plants with showy flowers and majestic habits. These star performers make a wonderful addition to the fall garden. Chelone lyonii, or pink turtlehead, comes from the mountains of the southeastern United States. It has 2- to-4-foot, dense upright stems and naturalizes slowly, but not aggressive- ly, by rhizomes, forming large clumps. Its 6-inch, emerald-green, glossy leaves — rounded at the base and nar- rowing to a pointed tip — form a stun- ning backdrop for large clusters of 1- inch, clear pink, snapdragon-like flowers that appear in August and September. A mature planting in full bloom is breathtaking, and the flowers are excellent for cutting. As an added bonus, its chartreuse seedpods stand out nicely against the dark leaves and last into November. Pink turtlehead grows best in aver- age to moist soil in part shade and does well in wet areas. My patch thrives in a moist, north-facing corner with full but open shade. You can pinch back the stems in May to pro- duce bushier plants. Pink turtlehead attracts checker spot butterflies but | resists pests, deer, and diseases. % Aster cordifolius, or blue wood aster, ^ grows in the dry meadows and woods 5 of the eastern United States. The 3-to- f O 4-foot, bushy plants sport 5-inch- 2 long, smooth, gray-blue leaves with wine-red highlights. In September and October, loose, 1-foot panicles of blue-violet flowers form atop erect stems. The plants bloom profusely and, when massed, produce a beauti- ful, billowy blue haze. Blue wood aster grows in average to dry, well-drained soil in part to full shade. Plant it under trees, along wood edges, and among hosta to cover up tired plants. It is a great candidate for dry areas in gardens with heavy root competition. It thrives in my woodland under 100-year-old sycamores and black walnuts. It will self-sow when happy and can be pinched back to produce bushier plants. The cut flowers make a great substitute for baby’s breath in arrange- ments. Insects and diseases are not a problem, but deer occasionally nibble on it. Blue wood aster flowers attract many different butterflies, especially crescent spot butterflies. Lobelia cardinalis, or cardinal flower, grows in wet meadows and on stream banks throughout most of the 5 United States. The 3-to-4-foot, | upright, un-branched stems arise in = late spring from over-wintering basal § rosettes. The 6-inch, dark green, lance-shaped leaves often have red highlights. In August and September, up to 50 brilliant, two-lipped, scarlet- red flowers cover the top 18 inches of each stalk. Cardinal flower’s bright color makes it visible from a great dis- tance in the garden. Cardinal flower grows in average to moist soil, even in standing water, in part to full shade. Its reputation for being short-lived comes, I believe, from the fact that garden books often recommend planting it in full sun. I have long-lasting plants growing in average garden soil in the shade, and in moist areas, it self-sows happily to form large colonies. I have had bad luck with the many cultivars and crosses sold as Lobelia cardinalis and recommend sticking with the straight species. It has no pest or disease prob- lems and, since it is pollinated by ruby-throated hummingbirds, you are almost guaranteed to attract this gor- geous bird if you plant this fabulous flower. Left: Chelone lyonii Below left: Aster cordifolius Below right: Lobelia cardinalis GREEN SCENE • august 2005 35 Carolyn Walker Classified Ads ANTIQUE BOOKS RARE & PREVIOUSLY OWNED BOOKS ON HORTICULTURE & BOTANICAL PRINTS - Bought and Sold Polly Goldstein 37 Loch wood Ln. West Chester, PA 19380 (610) 436-9796 E-mail: GrannyPol@aol.com GARDEN STRUCTURES HERITAGE STONE & MARBLE We are an installation and restoration company who emphasizes long lasting quality with outstanding craftsmanship. FLAGSTONE, BRICK-patios and walkways, COBBLESTONE-edging and paving, STONE walls, RETAINING walls, MARBLE, GRANITE-floors, walls, countertops. (21 5) 699-561 1 Upper Gwynedd, Pa. GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION Solar Innovations, Janco, Lord & Burnham and more. Call Robert J. 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Bold, Italic or ALL CAPS) DISCOUNT 10% off the second 1 Line $15.00 per line consecutive ad, using the same copy Deadlines February Issue (by December 1) June Issue (by April 1) October Issue (by August 1) April Issue (by February 1) August Issue(by June 1) December Issue (by October 1) Please note: Green Scene does not guarantee advertisement position, and we reserve the right to edit copy to fit available space. Green Scene ads are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis until space is filled for a particular issue. Please calculate your ad cost based on number and formatting of words, and enclose a check along with your copy (call for assistance). Green Scene will bill any difference or credit upon publication of your advertisement. If your new ad arrives very close to deadline, we may deposit your check until ad is scheduled. If we can’t schedule your ad, your check will be returned. Make checks payable to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Send all advertising correspondence to: Laurie Fitzpatrick, Green Scene, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society', 100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103 -1495. If you have any questions, please calf (215) 988-8769. 36 GREEN SCENE • august 2005 LARGE SPECIMEN HOLLIES Ilex opaca cultivars I. aquifolia ‘San Jose’ Beautiful 20’ Colorado Blue Spruce Delicious fresh fruit - in season Indian Orchards, 24 Copes Lane, Media PA 610-565-8387 LARGE TREES Tree Transfers Inc. Large Tree Transplanting and Sales Specimen Plant Material and Large Screening Material (21 5)-635-231 0 Serving the Delaware Valley since 1987 MULCH PINE NEEDLE MULCH Won’t change soil pH Wholesale and retail FLOWERS BY THE YARD 610-701-9283 renee52@ccis.net IT’S TEA TIME WHAT IS COMPOS! TEA Compost Tea is liquid extract of compost containing nutrients, micro-organisms and organic matter. It’s use helps retain valuable nutrients, improve soil structure and suppress disease. Compost tea is available every Fri, Sat and Sun. ABOUT US Mike dispenses freshly brewed compost tea from out brewer. Directions To Us Keystone Gardens inc 250 Conestoga Road Wayne, PA 19087 610 688 5969 Keystone Gardens is a full service retail and wholesale garden center specializing in perennial and organic gardening products. Our residential gardening division offers creative landscape design solutions. BALED PINE NEEDLE MULCH Pick up/Delivery/Spreading service Cedar Run Landscapes Call for brochure 1 -800-LANDSCAPE UNUSUAL SPECIMENS RARE & UNUSUAL PLANTS • Specimen plants • Pond plants • Bonsai • Orchids • Hardy cacti • Tropicals • Sculptured trees and shrubs • Perennials • Unique Flower and gift shop. MUTSCHLERS’ FLORIST & RARE PLANTS 1-800-242-9438 www.mutschlers.com HOSTA Over 100 varities Assorted perennials Ferns, shade plants Michael’s Country Nursery 165 Tuckerton Road Medford, NJ 856-983-6512 www.hostasbymichaels.com • T : X** »k *«_’•*? * * v- g! Vieira 1 " m, . A*" ^McfAfRLAITD 1. Tree & Landscape Services \ v* I -f >v •r ? V % f Call today to schedule a free professional consultation to review your property. 215-844-TREE (8733) • 610-688-6644 • Fax:215-438-1879 www.mcfarlandtree.com GREEN SCENE • august 2005 37 The Backyard Imagine you’re in charge of a six- acre expanse in the heart of the city, visited by 3,000 people a day. The planting, mulching, weeding, pruning, watering, raking, mowing, trash-toting, and beautifying require- ments are mind-boggling. Such is the scenario at Rittenhouse Square, one of five original city parks specified by William Penn in his original plan for Philadelphia. Despite massive daily wear and tear, the park maintains its sophisticated European beauty year after year — a feat made possible large- ly by the city’s Fairmount Park Commission and the energetic efforts of a group of neighbors called the Friends of Rittenhouse Square (FRS). The roots of FRS go back to 1976, when Bicentennial frenzy was build- ing and Philadelphia was undergoing a city-wide spruce-up. To supplement Rittenhouse Square in BLOOM By Jennifer Reynolds the limited resources of the Fairmount Park Commission, under whose aus- pices Rittenhouse Square falls, con- cerned neighbors banded together to work with the city in a public-private partnership. From a simple start involving litter clean-up and flower planting, FRS has helped to support an array of ambitious projects and ini- tiatives to protect and preserve this precious square of green. “Through the years, the city has implemented a range of capital improvements in Rittenhouse Square,” reflects Chris Palmer, director of operations and landscape manage- ment for the Fairmount Park Commission. “And the Friends group has been a valuable partner in the park.” The Parisian flair of Rittenhouse Square is due to the vision of Paul Cret, the Beaux Arts School architect commissioned to redesign the Square in 1913, and whose body of work includes the Barnes Foundation, Rodin Museum, and Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Born and raised in France, Cret returned to his homeland to fight in World War 1. “Cret was thinking of Rittenhouse Square even when he was in the trenches,” says Nancy Heinzen, who serves on the board of directors of FRS as vice pres- ident of landscaping. “He sent back sketches of the fountain and reflecting pool. The allee of chestnut trees you see today are a very French touch." Towering over the sidewalks, the chestnuts provide a stately source of shade for what Philadelphia Inquirer architectural critic Inga Saffron called “the nation’s most beautiful urban park.” When disease dooms existing trees in the Square, they are replaced by healthy young saplings. FRS recent- ly purchased and paid for the planting of oak, maple, ash, and autumn blaze trees, all from the Fairmount Park Commission’s menu of approved trees. In its nearly 20 years, FRS has effi- ciently plowed more than 90% of the funds it raises annually from member- ship fees and its June “Ball on the Square” event into fencing, fountains and flowers, lighting and landscaping, tree tending and trash toting. FRS also pays for sidewalk cleaning by Center City District employees. It has replaced the sprinkler system, installed and sold sponsorships on 147 teak benches, and writes checks to cover landscaping fees. Works now in progress include replacing and paint- ing exterior fences, replacing finials, and arranging for a new shed. Notes Heinzen, “Although Cret was childless, he was very sensitive to the needs of little ones in the city and felt strongly that parks are for children.” Cret would be pleased to see that chil- dren figure largely in Rittenhouse Square. New babies make their public debut at the Goat Statue, the unofficial meeting place of children and their caregivers at the southwestern corner of the park, while toddlers never tire of climbing on statues and chasing pigeons. Students sun themselves, office workers eat their lunches, dog owners parade their pooches, and retirees meet for daily gossip. No won- der Rittenhouse Square was recently named #6 on the list of 20 Best North American Districts, Downtowns, and Neighborhoods by the Project for Public Spaces, and no wonder it has hundreds of best “friends.” 38 GREEN SCENE • august 2005 John Scheepers Beauty From Bulbs Bring the special beauty from bulbs to your family’s garden from John Scheepers’ collection of over 800 Dutch flower bulbs. Choose from among tulips, narcissi, crocus, hyacinths, fritillaria. scilla and hundreds of unusual, hard-to-find varieties in smaller quantities with real, volume discounts For a free, 84-page, color catalog, call (860) 567-0838 or visit www.johnscheepers.com. We will ship your bulbs to you for planting at the proper time this fall! (Call us if you need help with your selection.) To help you get through the winter, order your paperwhites and amaryllis bulbs now: we have an amazing selection of over 50 varieties Tulips • Narcissi • Muscari • Scilla • Lilies • Allium • Fritillaria • Eremurus • Crocus • Paperwhites Hyacinths • Chionodoxa • Leucojum • Iris • Galanthus • Anemones • Ornithogalum • Ipheion Camassia • Amaryllis • Calochortus • Hyacinthoides • Corydalis • Frythronium • Freesias Serving America’s finest gardens for over 90 years. Visit www.johnscheepers.com for irresistible website specials. Here is our White & Ihirplc Haze Allium Special #6606: 5 Allium Mars and 5 Allium Mount Everest for just $27.95 (plus shipping). Take a peek at our Beautiful Dutch Iris #6616 and Tangerine-Pink Tulip Cutting Garden #6612 Specials. John Scheepers, Inc. 23 Tulip Drive • PO Box 638 Bantam, Connecticut 06750-06.38 Phone: (860) 567-0838 • Fax: (860) 567-5323 Email: customerservice@johnscheepers.com Website: www.johnscheepers.com \75 Van Engelen Wholesale Flower Bulbs This fall, transform your family’s spring garden into a work of art with flower bulbs from Van Engelen. The leading US wholesaler of Dutch flower bulbs. Van Engelen offers a premier collection of over 800 tulips, narcissi, fritillaria, allium, lilies, muscari and hard-to-find varieties. The quality of Van Engelen’s flower bulbs and its prices are a serious gardener's dream. Please call (860) 567-8734 or visit www.vanengelen.com for your free, 48-page, wholesale price list. We will ship your bulbs to you for planting at the proper time this fall! (Call us if you need help with your selection.) Tulips • Narcissi • Muscari • Scilla • Lilies • Allium • Fritillaria • Eremurus • Crocus • Hyacinths Chionodoxa • Leucojum • Iris • Galanthus • Anemones • Ornithogalum • Ipheion • Camassia Paperwhites • Amaryllis • Calochortus • Hyacinthoides • Corydalis • Erythronium • Freesias John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds Growing flowers, herbs and vegetables and cooking what we grow gives us an exuberant feeling-a feeling that life is infinitely whole and good. As our families delight in the abundance of fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers from this summer’s harvest, it is the perfect moment to note what worked well and what we would like to grow (and feast on) next year. Kitchen Garden Seeds offers you a growing, distinctive line of gourmet vegetable, fruit, herb and flower seeds. Please contact us for our 48-page, illustrated catalog with over 340 selections of the world’s best varieties for your family’s garden. Our catalog is sprinkled with practical horticultural tips by Barbara Damrosch and wonderful recipes from renown chefs. Visit www.kitchengardenseeds.com for special seed collections developed for Thanksgiving gifts and holiday stocking stuffers! Sunflowers • Tomatoes • Strawberries • Corn • Lavender • Heliotrope • Leeks • Cauliflower • Basil • Digitalis Peas • Sweetpotatoes • I hunbergia • Sage • Melons • Parsnips • Lemongrass • Artichokes • Cleomes • Escarole Beans • Alyssunt • Eggplant • Snapdragons • Dill • Parsley • Shallots • Spinach • Morning Glories • Swiss Chard Salvia • Hollyhocks • Asparagus • Oregano • Lavatera • Cabbage • Lettuce • Brussels Sprouts • Cosmos • Squash Cardoons • Sweet Peas • Turnips • Garlic • Beets • Nasturtiums • Peppers • Cucumbers Endive • Rutabaga • Carrots • Nicotiana • Broccoli • To name just a few... John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds™ 23 Tulip Drive • PO Box 638 • Bantam, CT 06750-0638 Phone: (860) 567-6086 • Fax: (860) 567-5323 Email: customerservice@kitchengardenseeds.com Website: www.kitchengardenseeds.com PA75 Buy where the professionals buy. V&n €n$c]cn \nc. 23 Tulip Drive • PO Box 638 Bantam, Connecticut 06750-0638 Phone: (860) 567-8734 • Fax: (860) 567-5323 Email: customerservice@vanengelen.com Website: www.vanengelen.com Visit www.vanengelen.com for irresistible website specials. Here is our Glorious Spring Special #651 1: 1 00 Tulip Golden Parade. 50 Hyacinth Pink Pearl and 100 Muscari armeniacum for $72.95 (plus shipping). Take a peek at our Lawn-of-Dreams Crocus #6502 and Flaming Tulip #6520 Specials. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND WEALTH? IT COULD BE THE UNIQUE THINKING OF PNC ADVISORS. As one of the largest wealth managers in the country, we are particularly adept at addressing the specialized needs of women investors like yourself to enhance and preserve wealth. Local experts, who live and work where you do, deliver wealth management solutions that are customized to your unique situation and concerns. Call 215-585-5438 today for more information about PNC Advisors' Women's Financial Services Network or for a complimentary wealth management consultation. © PNCAdvisors Women’s Financial Services Network The person pictured is for illustrative purposes only. PNC Advisors is a service mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., which is used in the provision of investment manage- ment, fiduciary and certain banking services by PNC Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank, Delaware Members FDIC. PNC Advisors does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value. www.pncadvisors.com Waterloo Grown Hardy Garden Mums Mlscanthus Ai Fall Fun Hayril Sonoma 2 Dinnerware Cast Stone Fountain tin Patch - Weekends in October at the Exton Location Waterloo Qardehs Nursery | Greenhouse | Perennials Garden Accents | Gardening Supplies Gift & Gourmet Shop | Flower Shop Seasonal Christmas Shop Patio & Garden Furniture Professional Landscaping Services 136 Lancaster Avenue 200 N. Whitford Road Devon, PA 19333 Exton, PA 19341 610.293.0800 VwX- 610.363.0800 waterloogardens.com 1979 - 2005 Over 25 Years of Commitment to.. . Cathedral Village Resident Satisfaction ... By managing all of our own departments, we have the flexibility and opportunity to satisfy our residents’ preferences and lifestyles more easily. Innovation . . . Trend-setting programs are supported by outstanding facilities without additional cost. 600 East Cathedral Road Philadelphia, PA 19128 (215) 984-8622 www.cathedralvillage.com Vision . . . Anticipating changing trends and residents’ expectations is an on-going process that enables us to establish tomorrow’s new standards. Value . . . Visit and compare resident services and care in order to Understand the Real Value of Cathedral Village. Monday through Friday between 9 and 4. Appointments are necessary on weekends. A Nonprofit, Nondenominational CCRC Equal Housing IsJ Opportunity Affiliated with the Jefferson Health System Contents features 12 Failing for Azaleas Azaleas are typically thought of as spring performers, awing us with their bold blooms. But many azaleas also have col- orful fall foliage, which can bring two- season interest to your garden. Patricia A. Taylor reveals these rich autumnal tex- tures. 18 Prospecting for Gold Like those elusive, prized gold nuggets of Western lore, the most spectacular woody plants in the region often are right under our noses. The 2006 winners of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Gold Medal Plant Award are introduced to you by Steve Mostardi, including two shrubs, two trees, and one glorious vine. Main cover photograph by Rob Cardillo 24 Living in a Fantasyland If you’re looking to spice up your garden- ing life, there are numerous ways to gener- ate some enchantment. In this photo essay, photographer Rob Cardillo shows us lush lagoons, fire-lit gardens, minimalist milieus, and jaw-dropping colors that will rewire your creative senses. 30 Of Moss and Men Did you know that there are 15,000 species of moss in the world? Or that moss lacks roots, but has “rhizoids”? Or that moss thrives where grass doesn’t? To discover more secrets of this subtle wonder, Ilene Sternberg talks to moss mavens David Benner and Jack Miller. Columns 36 The Well-Contained Garden: Winter Storage for Tropical Container Plants By Rhoda Maurer 39 Living with Trees: THE RAKE’S Progress Bv Adam Levine 42 The Backyard: Hanging Around By John Gannon The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. (5 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 1 — \ \ 1\ iTCTLi-LLCr- ■ Editor Pete Prown Associate Editor Jane Carroll Associate Editor John Gannon Art Design Baxendells' Graphic Publications Committee Rob Cardillo Stephanie Cohen Joe Henderson Harry E. Hill, ex officio Anne Kellett Adam Levine Jennifer Lin Rhoda Maurer Ilene Sternberg Printer ALCOM Printing Group, Inc. Tin* Pennsylvania Horticultural Soeielx Web Site www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org 100 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 215-988-8800 Chair Harry E. Hill President Jane G. Pepper Executive Vice President J. Blaine Bonham, Jr. PHS Membership Information Linda Davis, 215-988-8776 Display Ads Manzo Communications LLC 610-527-7047 manzocomm@aoi.com Classified Ads Joe Soprani, 215-988-8809 gsads@pennhort.org Ask A Gardener Phone Line 21 5-988-8777, Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 12 [dosed in December] askagardener@pennhort. org GREEN SCENE (USPS 955580), Volume 33, No.5, is published bi-monthly (February. April, June, August, October, December) by The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a non-profit member organization at 100 N. 20th St„ Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495. Single Copy: $5.00 (plus $2.00 shipping). Second-class postage paid at Philadelphia. PA 19103. POSTMASTER: Send address change to GREEN SCENE, 100 N. 20th St.. Philadelphia, PA 19103. © Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 2005 GREEN SCENE subscriptions are part of the membership benefits for: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown. NJ Horticultural Society of New York Phipps Conservatory, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA Staten Island Botanical Garden. Inc, New York Amaryllis Fabulous & Foolproof Gifts The shapely blooms and glowing colors of Amaryllis light up a winter day like nothing else we know. Our premium bulbs are guaranteed to produce 2 stems, each bearing at least 4 stunning, trum- pet-shaped blooms. Each bulb arrives ready to grow, needing only water and light, making them the ideal gift for home or office, with prices beginning under $25. Your gift, with detailed growing instructions and your greetings enclosed, will arrive in time for the holidays. Or, if you prefer to deliver your gifts in person, order any of our Amaryllis collections shipped to one address, and save 5-14% compared to individual pricing. The Hit Parade collection (shown above) includes 3 magnificent Amaryllis in wicker baskets for $82 plus shipping, item X84072. Our Gift Guide offers hundreds of thoughtful, distinctive gifts for gardeners and their friends — including a special 10% discount on Gift Certificates of $50 or more. To order, visit whiteflower farm.com or call 1-800-503-9624. Please mention Source Code 53044. White Flower Farm whiteflowerfarm.com 4 Union Hill Road W. Conshohocken, PA 19428 610.825.5525 Tues-Sat I0am-5pm Sun I lam-4pm Open 7 days a week from May to September Or online anytime! www.gardenaccents.com Elizabeth Schumacher's iarden^ (fccents IT’S TEA TIME WHAT IS COMPOST TEA Compost Tea is liquid extract of compost containing nutrients, micro-organisms and organic matter. It’s use helps retain valuable nutrients, improve soil structure and suppress disease. Compost tea is available every Fri, Sat and Sun. ABOUT US Keystone Gardens is a full service retail and wholesale garden center specializing in perennial and organic gardening products. Our residential gardening division offers creative landscape design solutions. / Mike dispenses freshly brewed compost tea from out brewer. Directions To Us Keystone Gardens inc 250 Conestoga Road Wayne, PA 19087 610 688 5969 6 GREEN SCENE • October 2005 Letter from the Editor Bring Your Garden Indoors Like many folks, over the years I’ve become a bit of a winter gardener. No, not the outdoor “winter inter- est” type, but the houseplant, love-it-in-a-pot type. Indeed, gardening indoors has distinct advantages over the outdoor variety. There’s little or no weeding to be done. The pests are minor and usually controllable. And, best of all, you can have a screaming floral extravaganza in the middle of a roaring Nor’easter in January. I’d never been too handy with houseplants until one year when I cut back a pot or two of impatiens in October and brought them indoors. By Christmas, the pots were bloom- ing so profusely that I felt like a green-thumbed genius. Now, I bring lots of impatiens inside in the fall and let them run riot all winter. Come spring, I cut them back, haul them outdoors, and usually get another full season out of them. Dollar for dollar, I will always maintain that the humble impatiens is the best annual-flower value for the Delaware Valley. Pest-free, they go crazy all summer in the shade and, once cut back, do double-duty to light up your winter when set in a sunny window. I simply can’t live with- out them. But there’s more to the indoor garden than impatiens. Last year, 1 had a coleus that was spectacular for most of the winter until it curled up and died. I’ve had much more luck with zonal geraniums ( Pelargonium sp.). They like a weekly watering and regular fertilizing; with some good sunlight, you’ll definitely get a great wave or two of blossoms. (Hint: don’t skimp on the fertilizing during bloom time — they seem to like the extra boost, especially if it’s a large plant.) Begonias can be great, too, provided they get enough humidity. In two recent issues of Green Scene (April 2003 and October 2004), we discussed the joys of raising Phalaenopsis orchids at home. As these articles revealed, with proper care your orchids add their amazing colors to your indoor oasis. I have about 10 that I keep from year to year near my humid shower, losing perhaps one or two, but often adding a new Phal or an almost equally durable Phragmipedium. My eclectic collection also includes various cacti, succulents, and a large bonsai Ficus benjamina. Other favorites in this group include the plump desert rose ( Adenium obesum). Euphorbia milii with its hot red flower, and yet another that’s cream-colored: E. milii var. lutea. It’s a beauty.. .or at least it was until I brought it to an early grave. (We indoor gardeners bring about the demise of lots of plants, primari- ly, I think, so we can happily go out and buy new ones.) The key to successfully growing most of these plants is, alas, a large sunny window. I say that because not everybody has one, and it’s essential to coaxing big blooms out of these plants when it’s only 30 degrees outside. If you have a small window, then by all means put some plants on the sill, but if you really don’t have much light, there are alternatives. The dwarf umbrella tree ( Schefflera arboricold) or your everyday rubber plant, for example, both do well in medium-to-low light areas and are basically un-killable. For more choices, ask for advice at your local nursery. If you have houseplants that have been summering out- doors, you should make plans to bring them inside very soon. Keep an ear out for frost warnings, since a sudden frost can wipe out your whole collection. A day or two before the move, you may want to blast the plants with a hose to knock off any lingering pests, and also clean out any dead leaves from around the base of the plant to prevent festering dis- ease. And finally, don’t forget to cut those impatiens back. Within a few weeks, your sunny window will look like a Caribbean tourism brochure, with blazing pinks, reds and purples galore. To learn more about bringing plants inside for the winter, please turn to page 36 and read the new container-gardening column by Rhoda Maurer of Scott Arboretum. We re also happy to see the return of columnist Adam Levine, who will treat us this coming year to a series of articles about trees and how they shape our everyday lives. Enjoy. email: greenscene@pennhort.org GREEN SCENE • October 2005 7 The Potting Shed Your Tulip SURVIVAL Guide By Marilyn Romenesko "T" f* it’s October, it’s time to start thinking about planting your spring-blooming bulbs. Tulips, in particular, come .A. JL in a wide color range offering everything but a true blue. While tulips were bred primarily for cutting and for flower shows, some of them naturalize, and a few may produce a respectable show (with smaller flowers) two, three, and even five years after planting. Getting these tulips to rebloom for a few years, however, depends on several factors. Since they are native to the cool moun- tainous regions of Turkey and the Himalayas, they prefer 6 to 8 hours of sun daily and well-drained soil that remains dry during the summer months. They also prefer to be fertilized three times per year: once in the fall planting time, again spring when they begin to emerge, and again after their foliage has turned brown. “The fertilizer of choice is a slow- release 7-10-5, according to Jo- Anne van in Berg-Ohms, president of John Scheepers, Inc. Jo-Anne also rec- ommends spreading the fertilizer over the soil surface after the bulbs are planted and watering to get the roots established prior to freezing temperatures. While location is almost everything, there are other factors involved in bringing these beauties back more than once. Planting to the proper depth is critical. Planting tulips to a depth of 8 inch- es (at the base of the bulb) is preferred, but label directions should be followed for specific varieties. Colorblends, a Dutch bulb sup- plier, recommends digging your bed to a depth of 24 inches and planting the bulbs at 9 to 10 inches deep. “This forces the mother bulb to produce fewer but bigger bulbs with a better chance to pro- duce flowers the following season,” says the company’s website. The most surprising aspect of tulip culture (for return bloom) is that the flower stems should not be cut; only the top portion of the flower stem should be pruned to prevent seed formation. The flower stems as well as the foliage photosynthesize to create the energy needed to bloom the following year. While it is tempting to remove the yellowing foliage and stems, they must be left intact to turn brown prior to being removed. A companion planting such as daylily, hardy geranium, or annual flowers can hide the unsightly foliage. Bulb size is also a factor in the return of tulips in successive years. Look for the largest bulb size available. Dutch Gardens and other bulb companies offer 14-centimeter bulbs (most are 11-12 cm.) in their “perennial” tulips. Larger bulbs tend to remain whole after blooming, thus providing more energy for the production of large flowers the follow- ing year. Smaller bulbs tend to split and thus produce smaller flowers (if any) in successive years. Species tulips, while more diminutive in size, are some of the best for reblooming over the course of sever- al years. Waterlilly and Kaufmanniana tulips are two that naturalize. Growing 6 to 8 inches high, they both do quite well in rock gardens and well-drained borders. Giant Darwin hybrid tulips can bloom for several years, too. They are larger bulbs that grow taller, ranging from 16 to 26 inches in height, with much larger blooms. (For additional perennial varieties visit the website of Missouri Botanical Garden, www.mobot.org.) Granted, if deer or squirrels sniff out your tulips, they’re goners, since four-legged pests find them to be an irresistible snack. But if you select the best varieties, plant them to the correct depth, and care for them properly, there’s a good chance your tulips will give you more than a few seasons of sensational bloom. Below: ‘Pink Impression’ and ‘Salmon Sheets’ Bottom: Darwin hybrid tulips (‘Parade’ and ‘Golden Parade’) COLORBLENDS 888-847-8637 www. colorblends. com Dutch Gardens 888-821-0448 www. dutchgardens. com John Scheepers, Inc. 860-567-0838 www. johnscheepers. com The Gardener’s Bookshelf The Perennial Gardener's Design Primer by Stephanie Cohen & Nancy J. Ondra (310 pp., $24.95) This collaboration between Cohen and Ondra, two local perennial-gardening powerhouses, yields a truly impressive resource for the home gardener. From describing the indi- vidual plants to learning how to make them all work together, this book presents a vast amount of information in a colorful, user-friendly format that all will appreciate. Add vivid color photos and illustrations, and you’ve got a real keeper on your hands. Bravo! — Tim Smith by Beth Kephart (144 pp., $17) Following in the footsteps of contemporary nature writers like Gretel Ehrlich, and at times sounding almost Thoreau-like (“I went to the garden to see more truly”), Beth Kephart uses the pleasure garden Chanticleer (in Wayne, PA, where PFiS members get free admission) as inspiration for thoughtful, mid-life musings on identity, motherhood, aging, and love, among other topics. — Jane Carroll Hydrangeas for American Gardens by Michael A. Dirr (225 pp., $29.95) Until the publication of this book, one had to rely on British publications and catalogs to learn about the genus and its wonders. Dirr divides the book into chapters on each species, providing comment on every variety and cultivar. Fie also gives additional information on culture, propaga- tion, taxonomy, breeding, and resources. The book is gener- ously illustrated with photographs of not only the lovely flower heads, but also (much more usefully) the habits and garden settings. Dirr’s wife Bonnie contributes accomplished watercolors and colored-pencil drawings to the book. — Nancy Q. O’Donnell The House Plant Expert, Book Two by Dr. D.G. Hessayon (127 pp., $14.95) Considering that Book One in this series has sold 14 million copies around the world, it’s easy to understand the demand for a followup. Like the first book, this volume also takes a “sound bite” approach to houseplants, giving each genus a color photo and abbre- viated information on care and cultivation. There are also longer articles on design, pests, and diseases and even Christmas-blooming plants. If you love houseplants, owning both volumes seems like a fait accompli. — Tim Smith MICHAEL A DIRR HYDRANGEAS for American Gardens mm jzi Perennial ^Gardener’s >| Design Primer phanl* Cohan Nancy J Ondra Ghosts in the Garden The Adventurous Gardener: New York & New Jersey by Ruah Donnelly (354 pp., $25.95) PHS has plenty of members in New York and especially New Jersey, so if that includes you, we thought you’d be interested in this book. True to its subtitle of “Where to Buy the Best Plants in New York and New Jersey,” this guide offers specialties, anecdotes, and directions to over 100 nurseries and growers in those states. The author also includes info about nearby restaurants and attractions, so you can make a day of it. What a great resource! — Pete Prown GREEN SCENE • October 2005 9 I have made peace with two backyard enemies: multiflora rose bramble and honeysuckle vines. I’ve given up trying to tame these two invasive scourges and let them run amok over portions of my property. But I get something in return: Christmas wreaths. In late fall, I put on an old suede jacket and grab my clipping shears to harvest clusters of rose hip and honeysuckle vines for my annual wreath-making. (The jack- et is the only thing in my closet that pro- tects me from the aggressive thorns on the multiflora rose.) Instead of giving boxes of cookies to friends and family during the holidays, 1 hand out wreaths. And little does anyone know that these gifts are actually recycled invasives. Think of it as a gardener’s ver- sion of making lemonade out of lemons. GREEN SCENE • October 2005 10 The multiflora plant produces prodi- gious rose hips from early October to mid-November. Gathered into clusters, they can be easily wrapped around wreaths made from honeysuckle vines. The rose hips are long lasting, with color that ranges from burnt orange to blood red, depending on how early or late you harvest them. If you can get the berries before the birds, they can be used as an alternative to holly berries as accents in winter arrangements or wreaths. The invasive honeysuckle vine, mean- while, is more malleable than wild grape vines for shaping into wreath forms. My wreath recipe has three simple steps: bending honeysuckle vines into a circular form, wiring rose hip into bun- dles, and applying the bundles to the form. The only tools needed are clipping shears, good leather gloves (those darn thorns again), and floral wire. These wreaths will hold their color well after Christmas. You can dress them up with a gold ribbon, or leave them plain for a more understated look. STEP 1: The Wreath Form You’ll need four or five lengths of hon- eysuckle vines about four feet long. Each should be the thickness of your index fin- ger. It is sad testament to the out-of-con- trol state of honeysuckle on my property that I have plenty of vines this thick. If your honeysuckle problem is not as bad, you’ll have to scavenge for mature vines in the woods. Don’t strip the vines of their papery, dark outer layer. You want the vines to look like grape vines. Take a vine and shape it into circle, putting one end under the other to keep it in place. You may have to use a little muscle, but this resistance is what holds the vines in place. The wreath form should be about a foot or so in diameter. If it looks more oval than round, don’t be afraid to force it into a cir- cle; it will bend easily. Wrap another vine around this one, going over and under the first vine. Repeat with all the vines. Learn About Invasive Plants Online Ecology & Management of Invasive Plants Program www. invasiveplants. net Center for Invasive Plant Management www. weed center, org National Park Service www. nps. gov/plants/alien STEP 2: Rose-Hip Bundies Take about six clusters of rose hip. Hold together in a bushy clump and tightly wrap floral wire around the stems. Clip the stems. You’ll be placing these one on top of the other on the wreath form. The number will determine how big your wreath will be. Start by making at least a dozen clusters. STEP 3: Applying the bundles Take about 10 inches of floral wire. Place a bundle of rose hip on the wreath form. Use the wire to secure the bundle to the honeysuckle wreath. Repeat with all the bundles. Make sure the bundles are close together to give the wreath a full look. Jennifer Lin is a writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer and serves on the PHS Publications Committee. GREEN SCENE • October 2005 11 On an early September day, three years ago, I came across a shrub with deep burgundy foliage on the grounds of Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island. Enchanted by the color, I parted some branches to see the label and was surprised to learn that I was looking at a native pinkshell azalea ( Rhododendron vaseyi) in the first flush of its annual fall show. Until that day, I had always assumed azaleas were only col- orful in spring and summer. Clarence Towe, author of American Azaleas (Timber Press, 2004), says that 1 was not alone in this opinion. While half of the 14 azaleas native to the East Coast have colorful fall foliage, they are rarely used by landscapers with this feature in mind. He believes more gardeners should utilize these two-season plants. Take, for example, the flame azalea ( R . calendulaceuni). Ablaze with fiercely orange spring flowers — when the 18th century plant explorer William Bartram first saw these growing in northern Georgia he described the woods as burn- ing with their color — this 6-to- 12-loot- tall shrub is equally dramatic in the fall, when its leaves add orange and red sparks to garden scenes. On a softer color scale, the 6-to- 12- foot pinxterbloom (R. periclymenoides ) is covered with fragrant white to light pink flowers in early spring and in fall features burgundy colors washing through its leaves. And then there’s the roseshell azalea ( R . prinophyllum). The early May flowers on this 5-to- 10-foot-tall plant are pink and fragrant, opening amid emerging leaves with pink to bronze highlights. In fall, the leaves in full sun turn russet red to burgundy while those in shade turn yel- low. Frequently, Mr. Towe told me, this azalea will bear both fall colors, with red foliage on top and yellow underneath. Mr. Towe added a note of caution. Foliage color on azaleas is affected by the same factors that influence color on trees and other shrubs: the amount of moisture in summer and the coolness of late summer and early autumn nights. A location featuring morning sun and afternoon shade also contributes to more colorful fall leaves. He then suggested that I contact Wayne Mezitt of Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Mr. Mezitt’s father, Ed, is famous in horticultural cir- cles for introducing the PJM rhododen- drons in the late 1930s. In the 1950s, Ed created another spectacular genera- tion of shrubs, featuring native azaleas as one or more of the parents. These shrubs all inherited the native azalea genes for mildew resistance and low maintenance. Wayne named five with all- native parentage that are particularly outstanding: • ‘Pennsylvania’, at only 4 feet tall, is perfect for smaller gardens. It is the last of the fragrant azaleas to bloom and bears pink flowers with orange eyes throughout late July and into August. The leaves turn a distinctive coppery red in fall. “I hope that you will be amazed as I am at how much interest azaleas add to your gardens throughout the year.” 13 Rhododendrons Fall & Spring THIS PAGE Left top: ‘Shrimp Pink’ Left bottom: ‘Karen’ OPPOSITE PAGE Top left: ‘Girard’s Petite’ Top right: ‘Girard’s Fuschia’ Bottom: ‘Schlippeneleachy’ • ‘Westons Sparkler’ tops out at 6 feet and bears fragrant pink flowers in July. In fall, its blue-green leaves, which have silver undersides, turn a dark wine-purple. • ‘Pink and Sweet’, which grows 4 to 6 feet tall, lives up to its name with a massive June display of softly fra- grant pink flowers. The late summer foliage continues the theme when it assumes a dusty pink coloring before finally aging to a purple-red. • ‘Weston’s Innocence’ is anything but innocent in the fall when its leaves turn a brilliant burgundy. In June, this 4-to-6-foot-tall shrub is covered with small, intensely fra- grant white flowers. • ‘Weston’s Lemon Drop’ grows to 8 feet and carries gardens through the heat of high summer. Its peach-tone buds swell throughout June and into early July. From mid July and often well into August, these buds open into pale yellow flowers. The leaves, a distinctive blue-green, turn a red- dish orange in fall. Ed Mezitt also mixed East and West in his breeding work. In the case of the Shrimp pink hybrids, for example, he used the native Carolina rhododen- dron ( R . minus) and the ‘Cornell Pink’ cultivar of the Asian R. mucronulatum as parents. The resulting seedlings grew to compact, 3-to-4-feet-tall plants with I Shrubs Fall Open House at Meadowbrook Farm Join us at Meadowbrook Farm for our annual Fall Open House, Saturday, October 22 from 1 0 AM to 5 PM. There will be self-guided tours of the house and private gardens, where you can enjoy fall-themed plantings and decorations. Kids, come in your scariest (or cutest) costume and par- ticipate in fun events and activities. Adults will be inter- ested in talks and demos throughout the day, and we’ll have free refreshments for everyone, plus prize drawings and sales. For more informa- tion call 215-887-5900 or visit www.gotomeadowbrook.com. numerous soft pink flowers in mid- spring and leaves dotted with a rainbow mixture — purples, reds, and yellows — of colors in fall. These are now sold either as Shrimp pink hybrids or as the named varieties ‘Caronella’, ‘Llenroc’, and ‘Vallya’. Other breeders concentrated solely on Asian species and produced such garden gems as ‘Karen’, a 3-foot-tall shrub with rich purple spring flowers and evergreen foliage that takes on red and black maroon tints in cold weather. ‘Girard’s Petite’ is a similarly small, evergreen shrub but with cheery, rose-colored spring flowers and glossy green leaves that take on deep red tints in fall. When it comes to the royal azalea ( R . schlippenbachii), no breeding work was required at all. Considered by many to be the finest of the deciduous azalea 16 GREEN SCENE • October 2005 species, this 6-to-8-foot shrub frequently bears a mixture of pure white and light pink flowers in spring. These are fol- lowed by rich green leaves that turn a soft yellow in fall. For those with really small gardens, Hank Schannen, proprietor of Rare Find Nursery in Jackson, New Jersey, recom- mends ‘Maruschka’ for year-round appeal. Growing less than one foot tall, this evergreen azalea features flowers that decorate spring settings with bright orange-red tones and leaves that are a deep, glossy green in summer and a shiny burgundy wine color in winter. Now is the perfect time to seek out two-season members of the rhododen- dron genus. Just go to a local nursery or retail garden center and check out the leaf color on these shrubs, some of which may be offered at reduced prices to clear out stock before winter sets in. I hope you will no longer be surprised as I once was to see the colorful foliage on many rhododendrons. You will be amazed at how much interest they add to your gar- dens throughout the year. Patricia A. Taylor is a long-time Green Scene contributor and also writes for The New York Times , among other publications. Cots wold Sheep Morris Arboretum Authentic reproductions of Cotswold Skeep add ckarm to your own garden all year long. Tke perfect gift for tke person wko kas everytking. Available exclusively from Tke Morris Arboretum. Order by pkone: 215-247-5777 ext. 181 Tke Morris Arkoretum 100 E. Northwestern Avenue in Chestnut Hill • morrisarboretum.org WILMINGTON. DELAWARE Located at Delaware Route 100 and Kirk Road, Montchanin, DE 19710 For Information about the Inn at Montchanin packages call us toll free at 800-269-2473 or 302-888-2133 or visit www.montchanin.com /he Inn at Montchanin Village, once part of The Winterthur Estate, features 28 rooms/suites within 1 1 carefully restored historical homes appointed with period furniture, marble baths and all the amenities for the sophisticated traveler. The award winning and professionally landscaped courtyards and grounds complement the exquisite and unique comfort of the guest rooms.The Inn's renowned Krazy Kat's Restaurant, once the village blacksmith shop, is famous as much for its fresh and creative American Cuisine as for its whimsical decor featuring tiger print chairs and portraits of felines in full military regalia. Gold Medal Plants The PHS Gold Medal Plant Awards Story by Stephen Mostardi Opposite page: Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ Five for Survival The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Gold Medal Plant Award program recognizes and promotes beautiful and reliable trees, shrubs, and vines that thrive in the Mid-Atlantic region, and the five winners for 2006 illustrate the great diversity of plants fitting that description. This year’s selections include two shrub gems that have been hiding in plain sight, two highly valuable trees, and a native vine that deserves much more attention. These plants are useful landscape problem solvers that can survive even the most difficult conditions. Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' (Panicle Hydrangea) Hydrangeas have exploded in popularity, and there are numerous varieties currently on the market. This represen- tative of the panicle species of Hydrangea received a Gold Medal Award for its improved landscape perform- ance. Serious flower power is the hallmark of this deciduous shrub, since it blooms steadi- ly from mid-summer through fall. Its cultivar name, ‘Limelight’, refers to the ini- tial lime-green coloration of the pyramidal flower clusters held erect on sturdy stems with coarse green foliage. The long-lasting show is charac- terized by a transformation of bloom color to white, then shades of pink and burgundy. In the fall, all the colors are on display as the plant exhibits various stages of bloom. ‘Limelight’ can be vigor- ous, reaching an ultimate size of 8 feet tall by 6 feet wide. Pruning the plant in early spring can regulate the size and shape somewhat and allow flower buds to form on current season’s growth. Since freeze damage is not an issue, the plant will provide year after year of dependable bloom. It grows best in aver- age to moist soil conditions, and full to partial sun will bring copious flowers. The best part of all is that Limelight is readily available at most garden centers, mak- ing this easy-to-grow plant easy to find, too. Maackia amurensis 'Starburst' (Amur Maackia) As increasing amounts of land in the Philadelphia region are developed and urbanized, there is a growing need for trees that can with- stand the more stressful con- ditions this creates. One of this year’s award-winning trees, ‘Starburst’ maackia, can readily fit the bill. And, since part of the Gold Medal Program’s mission is to pro- mote uncommon or under- used but worthy plants, this deciduous tree certainly 18 GREEN SCENE • October 2005 erty this year? If so, you’ve contributed to a brand new initiative called land you may be eligi- ble for a 25% rebate* on any tree you have purchased since April of 2005. TreeVitalize is an outreach cam- paign initiated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The goal of the pro- motion is to plant 20,000 trees in Southeastern Pennsylvania. These plantings will help restore our region’s tree cover (the percentage of land shaded by trees), which has become severely depleted over the past decade. If you’ve planted a tree this year in your local community or on your own property or plan to do so before the end of 2005, please let us know via our website. Visit the PHS website (www.pennsyivaniahorticulturalsociety.org) for more information on TreeVitalize and how to register the number of trees you’ve planted. deserves the recognition. At a size of about 25 to 30 feet tall and wide at maturity, ‘Starburst’ is well suited to smaller city gardens and most suburban landscapes. Its dense and uniform branching structure works well in mass plantings on commercial sites or for street planting. This adaptable tree tolerates both poor soil conditions and urban pollution. Besides being a rugged landscape survivor, this maackia also exhibits many refined ornamental features. In mid-summer, it produces a nice display of spiky white flowers that sparkle above the deep green foliage. Though its fall color is not too excit- ing, the bark of the trunk and major branches can be quite handsome in color and tex- ture. ‘Starburst’ is a rising “star” for the landscape. Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls' (American Wisteria) Our native species of wiste- ria have long been overshad- owed by the widely planted Asian types. However, with the invasiveness of Chinese and Japanese wisteria becom- ing a concern, the time is right for an American • Tree & Shrub Root Fertilization • Deer Repellent Treatments Your Garden and Trees Deserve The Best of Care. . . The Shreiner team of Certified Arborists is committed to providing you with knowledgeable service, attention to detail, and exceptional value. Call today for your complimentary consultation. vv 610-527-3637 V www.shreinertreecare.com J/ GREEN SCENE • October 2005 21 Quercus pa I us tr is 'Pringreen' (Green Pillar® Pin Oak) For gardeners with limited space, the Gold Medal selec- tion committee has found a narrow, well-behaved shade tree. With a diameter of about 1 5 feet and growing to 50 feet in height, Green Pillar oak (as it’s known commer- cially) can make the most of the least amount of space. The trade name Green Pillar accurately describes the appearance of this member of our native pin oak family. With a columnar, upright orientation, this deciduous tree complements many con- temporary architectural set- tings, especially where plant- ing space is at a premium. Its foliage is dark green with deeply-lobed leaves typical of the species and, in the fall, the glossy green color changes to a mix of maroon and red, then brown. As with most Gold Medal winners, disease and insects are not a problem with this tree. Avoid soils where pH levels are too high in alkaline, since the resulting iron chlorosis can be problematic. Otherwise, pin oaks are well adapted to conditions throughout the region, and Green Pillar will thrive in average, well-drained soils in full sun. wisteria, Amethyst Falls’, to receive a Gold Medal Award. Though more restrained than its Asian cousins, this deciduous vine is still quite vigorous, reaching a height of 15 to 20 feet. The stems climb by twining around posts or beams, making this plant ideal for covering siz- able trellises, arbors, or post- and-rail fences. Older stems of Amethyst Falls’ become thick and woody, so the vine needs sturdy support. Training and excessive growth can be managed with early- spring pruning. Just like the other 2006 award winners, Amethyst Falls' is tough and adaptable, thriving throughout the region and suitable for urban gardens or containers. Lightly fragrant lavender-blue flowers V Above and right: Wisteria ‘Amethyst Falls’ Opposite page top (and inset): Maackia ‘Starburst’ Bottom: ‘Pringreen’ oak DShreiner Tree Care Specialists, Inc. 334 S. Henderson Road • King of Prussia, PA 19406 Who’s Caring For Your Trees? Fall Services • Tree & Shrub Pruning • Tree Health & Safety Evaluations • Tree & Stump Removal • Shade & Evergreen Tree Planting Gold Medal Plants c. 1741 Rabbit's Ferry House Christmas Weekend in Historic Lewes, Delaware December 1-4, 2005 Includes 32nd annual Lewes Historical Society House Tour, 74th annual Old-Fashioned Christinas Parade, Merchants Hospitality Night, Art Exhibits, Musical Entertainment, and Breakfast with Santa. For more information and purchase house tour tickets, call the Lewes Chamber of Commerce toll free at 1-877-465-3937 www.leweschamber.com “ Nantucket Style? on tke- Delaware- Coast Located on the waterfront in the heart of Historic Lewes, DE, The Inn at Canal Square oilers guests lavish comfort coupled with seaside charm. Complimentary Buropean-Style breakfast served each morning inquire about our Fall & Winter Great Escape Packages 122 Market Street Lewes, DE 19958 Ph 302.644.3377 Resv 888.644.1911 www.theinnatcanalsquare.com Below with inset: Eleutherococcus sieboldianus open in May and June, with recurrent flowering until August on new growth. Full sun brings the best flowering. The foliage of this wisteria remains lush and healthy all season long, providing care- free coverage for a wide vari- ety of home and garden struc- tures. Eleutherococcus sieboldianus 'Variegatus' (Beauty Briar) The word “adaptable” cer- tainly sums up the character- istics of this beautiful shrub. Equally at home in sun or shade, city or country, this versatile plant can work any- where except in wet soil. Its common name, ‘Beauty Briar’, alludes to the combi- nation of creamy bright and green variegated foliage, along with small prickles at intervals along the stems. This carefree shrub is unaf- fected by insects or disease and, though it maintains an informal rounded shape on its own, it easily rebounds from heavy pruning or trans- planting. It tolerates urban environments, where it makes a good screen or barrier, reaching a size of 5 to 7 feet tall and wide. In a woodland setting, beauty briar can real- ly light up a location in full shade while blending well with other plants in a natura- listic landscape. Non-stop foliage color throughout the growing sea- son overshadows the discreet greenish-white flower clusters i that appear in May on this i deciduous shrub. Though lacking in fall color, this plani compensates by fending of) I deer. Bet on beauty briar tc( be a winner wherever it i; planted. WV To learn more about these and other trees, shrubs and vines in PHS’s Gold Medal program, please visit www.goldmedalplants.com or call 215-988-8824. 22 GREEN SCENE • October 2005 Congratulations! Piedmont D E S I G 1ST S T, hank you to our Staff, Vendors, Associates <& Clients that helped us with the success of these 2005 Perennial Plant Association Design Award Winners l 2005 PPA Merit Award Landscape Renovation, Gladwyne, P I 2005 PPA Honor Award Bird and Butterfly Garden, I Ulanova , PA 2005 PPA Honor Award Kitchen Garden and Terrace Bircbnwvi/le, PA 2005 PPA Merit Award Outdoor Kitchen Exton, PA iur landscape can also be Award Winning! Call us and let our talented staff turn your dreams into reality P.O. Box 736 I Kimberton, PA 19442 | 610.983.3326 © 610.983.3556 fax | pd@piedmontdesigns.biz ^ Piedm DBSIGN S landscape design & construction Gardens ENCHANTED SPACES Photography by Rob Cardillo Text by Tim Smith We all need a little more fantasy in our lives and what better place to start than in the garden. At next year’s Philadelphia Flower Show (March 5-12, 2006), fantasy will be front and center in an excit- ing array of exhibits titled “Enchanted Spring.’’ As a little prequel to the Show, we’ve collected this photo gallery of enchanted garden spaces to stimu- late your creativity and broaden your design plans for next year. Color Wheel mr The Space: Purple castor bean (Ricinus communis) growing in the Pennsylvania garden of the artist known as Simple. The Idea: Color design isn’t just about the plants you put into your garden, but also what is behind them. Here, an electric-blue tarp and black hoses form a dramatic backdrop for the hot reds and cool purples of canna and the castor beans. What’s behind your flower border? A f Massing Containers The Space: This lush garden is actually a few stories off street level. Located in West Philadelphia atop a row house, Michelle Murphy’s rooftop garden is a veritable explosion of color and texture. The Idea: No matter if you’re growing annuals or perennials, mass them together in containers for a more powerful impact. Single flowering containers can look lost and insignificant ^ There’s strength in numbers. r Gardening at Night The Space: At a garden created by Piedmont Designs in Chester County, PA, an outdoor fireplace lights up the night, adding ambience to this outdoor room. The Idea: Not all gardens are meant to be viewed during the day, so when designing your beds, don’t forget about evening light. Lighter flowers— especially white— really “pop” after dusk, adding a whole new dimension to the garden experience. And a safe, outdoor fire can add further magic to an evening on the terrace. Artistic Subtlety The Space: A suburban lawn The Idea: Not all garden art has to be fancy or dramatic. Here, three simple concrete spheres make superb lawn sculpture, adding visual interest, but not overwhelming their green surroundings. The key word here is “harmony.” J Your Own Lagoon? The Space: Unlike traditional pool surrounds, the one in this photograph illustrates the growing trend in naturalistic landscapes. Here, that concept is revealed in man-made concrete boulders and lush tropical plants around the main pool and elevated Jacuzzi. The Idea: Pool design is advancing by leaps and bounds, and there are now many more options beyond a stock rectangle surrounded by flat concrete pads. Grottos and lagoons are becoming more popular, as are colored sides and bottoms beyond the standard powder blue. 26 A Blaze of Color ^ The Space: Speaking of fire, the front yard of the Kehlor garden in Schuylkill County, PA, is ablaze with hundreds of chrysanthemum blossoms. The Idea: If you want the front of your house to be a show- stopper, think big. The Space: A display garden at the Garden Accents store in West Conshohocken, PA (www.gardenaccents.com). The Idea: A whimsical play on classical designs, featuring a joyous nude sculpture by Barbara Chen frolicking amidst elephant ears and a formal column. What fun! Pete Prown Plants that Move The Space: At the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia, you’ll find this sumptuous combination of roses, catmint, and ornamental grasses. The Idea: Yes, color, scale, and texture are important, but ornamental grasses and other tall plants add the element of movement to a garden. When the wind picks up, grasses will gently sway, bringing rhythm and energy to your plantings. 'TM'./Ol yflPRc’' -«v: Gardens The Night Spa ^ The Space: This magical spa has a viniculture theme, with fountains pouring out of a wall made of wine bottles and surrounded on either side with tropical foliage. The Idea: Clearly, this spa celebrates the wine-drinking interests of the homeowner. If you have a fantasy, don’t be afraid to take it to the limit in your outdoor space. * !t\Wi Minimalism The Space: A white pagoda/gazebo by the pond at Hortulus Farm in Wrightstown, PA (www.hortulusfarm.com). The Idea: Can you say, “Less is more”? This all-white structure forms a dramatic focal point and harmonizes elegantly with its surroundings, which include the dogwood blossoms. This teaches us to keep our focal points simple and uncluttered. For more about the 2006 Flower Show, visit www.theflowershow.com or read PHS News newsletter for a series of articles about the Show’s “Central Feature” display, /if SS- - GREEN SCENE Upcoming PHS Lectures Be sure to check out these upcoming evening lectures, all of which begin at 6 pm at PHS (20th & Arch Streets), and are followed by a wine and snack reception. The fee for each is $20 for PHS members and $25 for non members. Designing the Philadelphia Flower Show by Sam Lemheney December 6, 2005 PHS Flower Show designer and director Sam Lemheney will draw on his years of experience working with Disney World and the Philadelphia Flower Show, and discuss the essential elements that give the Flower Show the “wow” we all expect and adore. Enchanting Gardens by Gary Smith January 2006, date TBA Taking his cue from the 2006 Flower Show theme of “Enchanted Spring,” avant- garde designer Gary Smith will discuss how he creates enchanting gardens. New Ways with Perennials by Noel Kingsbury February 28, 2006 Celebrated British author and garden designer takes a fresh look at contemporary approaches to using perennials. For more information, call 215-988-8869 or email programreg@pennhort. org. Medford Leas and The Lewis W. Barton Arboretum Dynamic adult community • Beautiful arboretum setting • Superior health & wellness services MEDFORD LEAS A nationally accredited. Quaker-related, not-for-profit community for older adults with campuses in Medford and Lumberton. New Jersey Member, Greater Philadelphia Gardens # Call 800. 33i. 4803 or visit www.medfordleas.org Having problems finding a Landscaper? Private Residence Villanova, PA ...If you waited until Spring to start your search, it's no wonder. Quality firms are booked in advance. Don't let another season pass you by! Plan your Spring project now and let our Award Winning team turn your dreams into reality. Piedmcnt D ESIG1M S landscape dotlgn & construction Private Residence Gladwyne, PA Landscape Architecture Fine Garden Design & Construction Ecological Restoration P.O. Box 736 | Kimberton, PA 19442 | 610.983.3326 © 610.983.3556 fax | pd@piedmontdesigns.biz '"Hi © 2004 Piedmont DESIGNS, LLC \ Garden Photos by Rob Cardillo Photography, Ambler, PA GREEN SCENE • October 2005 29 Making the MOST “MOSS Story by llene Sternberg Photography by Rob Cardillo Some people work hard to get moss out of their lawns. Others, like Jack Miller and David Benner, who both lay claim to the title “Moss Man,” have made careers of removing lawn from their moss. On a Japanese Zen dreamscape — over two acres of moss, wooden gates, bridges, lanterns, sculptures, a gazebo, stone basins, a Japanese maple grove, imported stone, slate, granite, an azalea collection, dwarf conifers, and carefully chosen native and exotic plants — Miller and his wife Carmen have spent 45 years developing their magnum opus “Dans La Foret,” perhaps the largest moss garden in North America, in Trappe, PA. It was also selected a few years ago for inclusion in the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Gardens. Although Miller hasn't visited Japan, admirers insist he must have been there in a past life. Like his own garden, projects Miller has designed — other moss gardens, “kare- sansui” gardens (dry landscapes, involving placement of stones, and where gravel and stone are used to represent water), and ventures using bamboo and rock — are all imbued with Japanese sensibility, such as the setting he created around the Pagoda Building in Bala Cynwyd, PA. As for the moss, in winter, when other vegetation weeps and sleeps, moss is soft, green, lush, and beckon- ing. It thrives where grass won’t: acid-rich soil, compact- ed, shaded or poorly drained sites. It’s a great soil builder, GREEN SCENE • October 2005 31 breaking down everything from rwigs to stones over time. It requires no mowing, dethatching, fertilizing or pesticides. Moss is relatively pest free, but not altogether carefree. Weeding, sometimes with tweezers, and leaf removal can be somewhat laborious, but moss mavens consider it a Zen under- taking. Though deer seldom browse on moss, other animals such as squirrels and chipmunks may try to disrupt the velvety carpet. (“Zen-Shmen!” they’ve been known to say, “Were dig- gin’ for seeds.”) Miller admits to many hours of hand-removing herbaceous interlopers, the most persistent of which are mountain bluets, a.k.a. Quaker ladies ( Houstonia caerulea.) He’s firmly against using herbicides on moss. Although others claim they use Roundup to oust grasses and that it does no harm, Jack insists it does indeed. On the other hand, David Benner lets the green “ladies” proliferate and considers them an enhancement to the wood- land garden surrounding his home in New Hope, PA. His charming hillside haven, begun in the 1960s, boasts some unusual shrubs among the moss, along with Trillium, Shortia, Tiarella, Rhododendron, ferns, and other dappled shade lovers, along a path so narrow that only squirrels on the South Beach Diet can visit. (No deer in Benner’s garden. The Benners also sell deer fencing.) David isn’t the only moss grower in the fam- ily, either — his son A1 cultivates moss for sale on 54 acres in Honesdale, PA (see Resources box). Since moss has no vascular system and absorbs water direct- ly from the air or through rainfall, it can suffer under a mat of Opposite page top: Moss ball on a pedestal (Glattstein garden). Opposite page bottom: Ostrich ferns by mossy steps (Berg garden). Left Lichen-covered tree root in moss bed (Miller garden). 33 Landscapes leaf litter. Removing moss-smothering leaves is an annual autumn chore. With blowers, rakes and tarps, Miller and his helpers drag and dump hundreds of pounds of leaves into a deep gully off to the side of his garden. Talk about a compost pile! Benner spreads a mesh net (which Moss Acres also sells) over his garden to catch leaves for easy removal and also to pro- tect newly transplanted moss from birds, mice, and squirrels digging for grubs. He eschews blowers, as it disturbs neighbors and renders chipmunks hard of hearing. Worldwide, there are some 15,000 species of moss, simple green land plants with leaves, stem, and no roots, normally attaching to the ground by delicate, colorless or brown threads (rhizoids.) Benner and Miller each have about 25 species in their gardens, but our climate is probably capable of support- ing 1,200 kinds if you can find them. Learn more about moss’s sensuous virtues in Moss Gardening by George Schenk, (Timber Press, 1997), selected by the American Horticultural Society as one of 75 Great American Garden Books, and in Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Oregon State University Press, 2003). Then, should you decide that moss is a must, you can nur- ture preexisting moss in your garden in areas already hospitable to them or transplant moss in spaced-out plugs or sheets sold by the square foot. You can even buy moss en masse on eBay. Four popular mosses are fern or sheet moss ( Thuidium ), described on Moss Acres’ informative website as “low-growing, fast spreading, economical, and versatile,” making an excellent alternative groundcover for shady areas; rock cap moss ( Dicranum ), which forms a beautifully textured, primeval cover-up for rock walls, boulders, and pond edging; haircap moss ( Polytrichum ); and cushion moss ( Leucohryum ), sold by the clump, to provide still more contrast. “We store moss dry,” says Benner. “It can go dormant for years. Once it’s watered, it comes back. We grow it on our property, periodically harvest it directly from our own woods, and coordinate with contractors throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania to acquire moss that would have otherwise been destroyed at construction sites.” To prepare the ground for moss, remove all plants and sprin- kle the soil with powdered sulfur or even powdered milk. Lay patches of moss or sprinkle moss spores onto wet ground and irrigate regularly until the moss takes hold. Moss milkshakes (a blender concoction of half moss, half buttermilk or beer) can be painted on practically any porous surface. Try applying these moss cocktails on the surface of bricks, rocks, terracotta, cement pots or troughs. Given the proper amount of shade, moisture and temperature, that method should take about a month to produce results. Since the most minute of meadows can satisfy moss lust, Moss Acres sells tabletop Zen-in-a-bowl gardens. They also rent out a 3.5 horsepower “Hydro-Mossing” spray unit for cov- ering large areas, from 1,500 square feet to over an acre, with specially formulated “moss sauce,” along with misting kits for maintenance. Better yet, the Millers’ mossy sanctuary, Dans La Foret, is for sale. Buy a ready-made moss garden and take over where Jack leaves off. (Call 610-489-2245 to arrange a visit.) Moss has been known to calm the spirit and fire the imagi- nation, but be forewarned: wherever moss takes hold, fairies, gnomes, and elves have a tendency to move in. Be on the look- out for Tonka trucks and mini-Mayflower vans. Pool with moss and primroses. RESOURCES MOSS ACRES 866-GET-MOSS www.mossacres.com OUTSIDE PRIDE 877-255-8470 www. outsidepride.com SPRING HILL NURSERY 513-354-1509 www. springhillnursery. com 2006 PHILADELPHIA March 5-12 One-of-a-Kind Experience Private guided tours of the largest indoor flower show in the world ALL NEW Early Morning Tour Package: • Groups of 8-12 visit the Show before opening. • NEW! Shopper’s Delight discount card for merchandise at official Flower Show Shoppe • NEW! Celebrity Flower Arrangement Demonstration • Goody Bag PLUS extra Flower Show admission ticket Don’t miss this year’s Show! Be one of the first to visit NEW Interactive Design and Garden Features. Send name and mailing address to earlymorningtours@pennhort.org, call 215-988-8800 or go to www.theflowershoiv.com to download an order form. Reservations are limited. Produced by the PENNSYLVANIA Presenting Sponsor © PJ\ICBA1\K HORTICU LTURAL society GREAT GIFT IDEA ■ GREAT GIFT IDEA ■ GREAT Special Offer for PHS Members: Reserve by DECEMBER 1 for $85 per person. After 12/1/05, admission is $105 per person. A TRIBUTE TO MOTHER NATURE Start with high performance plants from Mostardi We stock flowers, shrubs and trees that are recommended hy the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s “Gold Medal Award” Program. They are superior plants that will provide longer-lasting beauty all around your home. Stop by today to check out our MOSTARDI NURSERY incredible collection of greenery. The colors are gorgeous. The values are exceptional. And the prices are surprisingly low for such high quality. But then, that’s what you should expect from Mostardi plants. They are as good as Gold! 4033 West Chester Pike (Rte.3) Newtown Square, PA 19073 610-356-8035 www.mostardi.com GREEN SCENE • October 2005 35 The Well-Contained Garden WINTER STORAGE for TROPICAL Container Plants By Rhoda Maurer hen you spend all summer caring for your container plants, it’s hard to say goodbye to them in the fall. But keeping some of these plants alive until spring is easier than you think, and in many cases, you can start the next growing season with larger plants and save yourself some money, too. You can take root cuttings of most annuals, and many tropicals will survive as growing specimens in our home environments for a few months. But some are worth over- wintering as dormant plants in a cold frame, garage, unheated sun-porch, or unheated and dry basement. This method minimizes pest problems and utilizes limited grow- ing spaces more efficiently. Optimum storage temperature to maintain dormancy is between 40° to 45°F. Slightly colder temperatures are tolerable, but should not drop below 35°F. Warmer tempera- tures will require more fre- quent monitoring and might induce top growth. If digging plants from the ground, I pre- fer to remove most of the pot- ting medium or soil before winter storage to minimize potential insect and fungal problems. Perhaps the easiest plants to over-winter, Alpinia, Canna, Hedychium, and tuberous Oxalis species, can be stored in their summer pots. Some of the slower-growing cultivars can be grown as specimens in their own containers for two to four years before needing a new pot. Be sure to label your plants beforehand, so you can differentiate between species in the spring, and move them into a dry, unheated basement after the first light frost has destroyed the foliage. If moving containers into the base- ment is impractical, you can dig these tubers out of their summer homes and cover them with potting soil in dark plastic bags left slightly open or in old milk crates. The pot- ting media — fast-draining peat or coir-based (made from coconut husks) — must be slightly damp; you should be able to squeeze the media in your hands without any runoff. Monitor them during the winter months so that the tubers 36 do not rot from too much moisture or dry out from too lit- tle. Other genera that would do well with this treatment include Agapanthus, Amaryllis, tuberous Begonia, Curcuma, Dahlia, Eucomis, and Zingiber. Abutilon, Acalypha, Brugmansia, and many bananas ( Ensete , Musa, and Musella) can also be stored in a dry, unheated basement or similar environment. But do not cut them back. Instead, remove only the spent leaves of bananas to the pseudo-stem, leaving a tall, fleshy stub. Bring woody tropical plants inside before the first frost is expected; they will drop their leaves soon after moving them into storage. They should be left in their summer containers (or if dug out of the ground, they should be pot- ted at this point). Again, they will need monitoring for excessive desiccation of the stems. These plants should be kept on the dry side, but do not allow the potting medium to pull away from the sides of the pot. Bananas require a delicate moisture balance to succeed. Over-watering will fatally damage these plants, and tem- peratures should not be above 40°F. Once they are brought back outdoors in late spring, prune them back to nice, strong shoots to form the new framework. Re-potting, water, fertilizer, and light will quickly stimulate new growth. Cultivars of Crinum asiaticum, Cyperus papyrus, Duranta repens, established Euphorbia continifolia, Fuchsia, Pelargonium, and Tibouchina will also survive the winter with this storage method. Colocasia species and cultivars and Ipomoea batatas culti- vars require a little more preparation for dormant storage. It is important to differentiate between Alocasia and Colocasia (two genera commonly known as elephant ears) as a light frost may damage Alocasia species beyond its abil- ity to regenerate. This genus has better success in a green- house over the winter months, since they do not form a substantial, bulbous tuber. After a light frost, the bulbs of elephant ears and tubers of Ipomoea should be collected, washed, allowed to air-dry for one to two days, and labeled. At this point the bulbs can be stored in sawdust, peat moss, or other sterile media or double-dunked in a solution of anti-desiccant such as WILT PRUF® concen- trate mixed with water at a ratio of 1:10. Once the solution is dry, Dennis Schrader of Landcraft Environmentals (LTD) suggests wrapping the bulbs and tubers in newspa- per and an opaque plastic garbage bag. Store the prepared packages on a shelf in a dark, dry, unheated basement or garage. Every two to four weeks, monitor the bulbs for rot and desiccation, removing any diseased bulbs and spraying the bulbs with water if necessary. M Top Bananas and elephant ears in a greenhouse after removal from winter storage in a basement. Middle left: Canna cultivar at Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown, NJ. Middle right: Eucomis bicolor at Chanticleer. Bottom Dave Melrose and a student worker emptying summer containers at Scott Arboretum. Rhoda Maurer is the plant records supervisor at the Scon Arboretum of SwARTHMORE COLLEGE. SHE IS ALSO THE HEAD GARDENER FOR A PRIVATE ESTATE IN New Jersey and loves to write, photograph and lecture. You can visit the Scon Arboretum's website at www.scottarboretum.org. GREEN SCENE 37 Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society Vol.254 - $60 ISBN-10: 0-87169-254-6 ISBN-13: 9/8-0-87169-254-2 Printed July 2005 John Haygarth, FRS (1740-1827): A Physician of the Enlightenment Christopher Booth John Haygarth, MD, FRS (1 740-1 827), from an obscure valley in the Yorkshire dales in the north west of England, became a physician in Chester in 1767, There he introduced separate wards in the Chester Infirmary where patients with fever could be isolated and cared for. It was the stimulus for the develop- ment of the fever hospitals of nineteenth-century England, Haygarth moved to Bath in 1798, continued to write on med- ical matters, and played a major role in the foundation of the Bath Provident Institution for Savings, a model for the savings- bank movement in England. Transactions of the American Philosophical Society Vol. 94, Pt. 5 — $24 ISBN: 0-87169-945-1 Printed November 2004 The Shortest and Most Convenient Route: Lewis and Clark in Context Robert Cox (ed.) Based on papers delivered at the Bicentennial Conference for Lewis and Clark, held in Philadelphia in August 2003, these essays grapple with the motives underlying the Corps of Discovery and the impact on American culture. The multiple contributions address and shed light on how Philadelphia helped to shape this quintessential errand into the wilderness. The authors use the question of fail- ure as a means of interrogating the intellectual and cultural con- text in which the expedition was framed and in which its results were distributed. Vol. 95, Pt. 1 — $24 ISBN: 0-87169-951-6 Printed June 2005 The Opening of the Maritime Fur Trade at Bering Strait: Americans and Russians Meet the Kagigmiut Kotzebue Sound John R. Bockstoce The maritime fur trade was a commercial force in the Bering Strait region from the early nineteenth century until the outbreak of WWII. Two documents that have received little scholarly atten- tion shed light on the genesis of this trade, describe the voyages of the American trading brigs General San Martin in 1819 and Pedler in 1 820, and provide valuable information on the relation- ships that existed between the American maritime traders, the Russian officials in Kamchatka and Alaska, and the inhabitants of the Bering Strait region. Vol. 95, Pt. 2 — $24 ISBN. 0-87169-952-4 Printed June 2005 Vergilius Redivivus: Studies in Joseph Addison’s Latin Poetry Estelle Haan Addison's current reputation rests almost exclusively on his role as the accomplished essayist of the Spectator and Tatler papers, as the author of the drama Cato, and as the composer of a body of minor English verse. Estelle Haan examines the intricate inter-textual relation- ships between some of Addison's neo-Latin poems and the poetic corpus of one Augustan poet: Virgil. See our website for recent catalogs and backlist: www.aps-pub.com American Philosophical Society 104 South Fifth Street Philadelphia, PA 19026-3387 (Tel) 215-440-3425 (Fax) 215-440-3450 Prepaid U S. orders mailed book rate are postage free. Foreign orders, add minimum $6.00 shipping/handling (Media Mail). Expedited mailing charges at cost. Checks must be drawn on U.S. banks Make checks payable to American Philosophical Society. VISA/MasterCard accepted. Fax orders accepted. THUJA X ‘GREEN GIANT’ Screening Alternative to Leyland Cypress 6L New England’s Dying Hemlocks Reblooming Hydrangea O Plants 8"-3 1 /2ft. tall $3.00 to $45.00 each • New USDA Release • Pennsylvania Gold Medal Plant Award • Tough, Fragrant. Thll, Skinny Evergreen • Deer, Bagworm & Disease Resistant • Fast Growing. 3' to 5’ / Year • Zone 4-9 www.knockoutroses.com VALLEY FORGE AMERICAN ELM • The Most D.E.D (Dutch Elm Disease) Resistant American Elm Ever Tested • New U.S.D.A Release - also - PRINCETON AMERICAN ELM 3’ size - $20 each Many pictures and information on our website www.botanyshop.com • Joplin, MO or call 888-855-3300 for prices and information. University of Cambridge Twenty -second Annual Summer Study Program for Adults July 16 - 29, 2006 LEARN at the University of Cambridge with distinguished Cambridge faculty. LIVE in residence at beautiful Downing College. All rooms have private bath. CURRICULUM tailored to the interests of adults who are looking for a unique educational and cultural experience. COURSES: • The Knight and Chivalry • The Evolution of the English Garden • Air Power and Air Warfare • Jane Austen • The Age of Milton, Hobbes and Locke Credit is available. For brochure write or call . . . Office of Cooperating Colleges 5441 Thomas Rd., Fairview, PA 16415 Ph: (814)456-0757 Fax:(814)833-4781 www.cssp.net Beauty & Performance I FOXGLOVES 1.888.322.4450 www.foxglovesinc.com GATEWAY Garden Center Discover a vast selection of: perennials, grasses, conifers shrubs & trees water & container gardens fish & pond supplies organic solutions Native Plants our specialty Rt 41, Lancaster Pike Hockessin, DE 19707 • 302 239 2727 www.gatewciygardens. com 38 GREEN SCENE • October 2005 Living With Trees THE RAKE’S Progress By Adam Levine After a summer of hazy humidity, we’re reminded in autumn how truly blue a sky can be — a blue that provides the perfect backdrop for leaves that transform themselves with the season. Seeing a blazing maple on a crisp October morning, the tree, lit both from within and by the rising sun, is one of the highlights of my horticultural year. Unfortunately, as autumn slips toward winter and all those leaves fall to the ground, what was so beautiful a week before now becomes another chore. This, in a nutshell (and depending on the tree, we will have those to deal with as well) is the story of gardening: the perfect moment passes, and the gardener is left behind to clean up the mess. Perhaps “mess” is the wrong word to use, or the wrong attitude to take toward leaf cleanup. After all, in the autum- nal ritual of shedding its leaves, the tree is only doing what comes naturally, attempting to return some of its seasonal fecundity to the earth from which it springs. To put it less poetically, rotting leaves are fertilizer, rejuvenating the soil with nutrients and organic matter. To remove every leaf from a property for the sake of neatness robs our gardens of these benefits, invites erosion on slopes and, by baring the soil, encourages weed seeds to germinate. I’m not advocating leaving every leaf in a garden where it falls, only that we consider the disposition of the leaves we do remove. Bagging leaves for the regular trash pickup is, to my mind, a waste of two valuable resources: the landfill space, and the leaves. Taking advantage of municipal leaf removal programs may make our job easier, but we shouldn’t assume that all this material is recycled. I recent- ly found out that my town, although it hopes to someday establish a leaf recycling program, now sends the leaves to the incinerator! Certainly, if your goal is a perfect lawn, leaves should be removed so they don’t kill the grass. Raking leaves off a lawn can also help “dethatch the turf and improve its future growth, although overly vigorous raking on a weak- ly established lawn might rip out the grass entirely. Another way to remove leaves from a lawn, if they do not lie too thickly, is to use your mower to chop and bag them. The resulting grass/leaf combination is a great addition to the compost pile. In undeveloped parts of the yard or garden, or in areas of sturdy groundcover such as pachysandra or ivy, leaves can simply be left on the ground to decompose naturally. On garden beds where a thick carpet of leaves might make it difficult for plants to emerge the following spring, try rak- ing the leaves from the area, run- ning them over several times with the lawn mower, and reapplying the chopped leaves as mulch. Chopped leaves — or the partially decomposed “leaf mold that some municipalities give away in the spring are as effective as commercial mulches in retaining soil moisture and inhibiting weeds — and look more natural as well, espe- cially in woodland gardens. Finally, regarding the tools of leaf removal: while blowers are unarguably efficient in sweeping the garden clean of all detritus (including any mulch on the beds and the first few inches of topsoil!), once the leaves begin to pile up the effectiveness of this whiny tool diminishes in exponential relation to the height of the pile. A hand rake, with its broad pushing surface, is much more effective at moving large accumulations of leaves and is blessedly quiet as well. Not a soul beyond a worm in the lawn will ever be roused early on a Saturday morning by the gentle scrick-scrick- scrick of a rake. Adam Levine, CO-AUTHOR OF THE Philadelphia Flower Show: Celebrating 175 Years, is an ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORIAN WHO LIVES IN Media, PA. His Web site is www.phillyh2o.org. GREEN SCENE • October 2005 39 Classified Ads ANTIQUE BOOKS RARE & PREVIOUSLY OWNED BOOKS ON HORTICULTURE & BOTANICAL PRINTS - Bought and Sold Polly Goldstein 37 Lochwood Ln. West Chester, PA 1 9380 610-436-9796 Email: GrannyPol@aol.com GARDEN STRUCTURES HERITAGE STONE & MARBLE We are an installation and restoration company who emphasizes long lasting quality with outstanding craftsmanship. FLAGSTONE, BRICK-patios and walkways, COBBLESTONE-edging and paving, STONE walls, RETAINING walls, MARBLE, GRANITE-floors, walls, countertops. 21 5-699-561 1 Upper Gwynedd, Pa. GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION Solar Innovations, Janco, Lord & Burnham and more. Call Robert J. LaRouche at Glass Enclosures Unlimited 610-687-2444 THE SUNWORKS CORPORATION • Greenhouse Sales: Residential, Commercial and Institutional. • Installations: Of greenhouses from any manufacturer, shading and ventilation systems. • Maintenance: Reglazing, reskinning, painting, cleaning. Emergency repairs. Call 302-655-5772, ask for John Klein PATIOS & WALKWAYS Flagstone - Pavers - Brick Robert J. Kleinberg Landscape Design & Construction 610-259-6106 See our work online 1 00’s of pictures at www.kleinberg.com LANDSCAPE DESIGN S. Edgar David and Associates Landscape Architects Site Planning / Garden Design Pools / Lighting Design 610-584-5941 seddesignstudio.com LINDA CORSON LANDSCAPE DESIGN •Consulting 'Plans •Supervision Registered Landscape Architect Member ASLA 215-247-5619 David Brothers Landscape Services Bean Road Nursery Architects, Builders and Nurserymen Providing the Fine Art of Garden Construction and Landscape Restoration 215-247-2992 610-584-1550 610-525-3232 DONALD PELL ~ GARDENS Creating & maintaining gardens with expert horticultural craftsmanship. View our portfolio of landscape designs online at www.donaldpell.com or call 61 0-91 7-1 385 for a brochure and consultation. LARGE SPECIMEN HOLLIES Ilex opaca cultivars I. aquifolia ‘San Jose’ Beautiful 20’ Colorado Blue Spruce Delicious fresh fruit - in season Indian Orchards, 24 Copes Lane, Media PA 610-565-8387 CLASSIFIED RATES Base Rate $3.00 per word Formatted Words $5.00 Minimum Charge $60.00 (without formatting) (ex. Bold, Italic or ALL CAPS) DISCOUNT 10% off the second 1 Line $15.00 per line consecutive ad, using the same copy Deadlines February Issue (by December 1) June Issue (by April 1) October Issue (by August 1) April Issue (by February 1) August Issue (by June 1) December Issue (by October 1) Pi .EASE NOTE: Green Scene does not guarantee advertisement position, and we reserve the right to edit copy to fit available space. Green Scene ads are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis until space is filled for a particular issue. Please calculate your ad cost based on number and formatting of words, and enclose a check along with your copy (call for assistance). Green Scene will bill any difference or credit upon publication of your advertisement. If your new ad arrives very close to deadline, we may deposit your check until ad is scheduled. II we can t schedule your ad, your check will be returned. Make checks payable to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Send all advertising correspondence to: Laurie Fitzpatrick, Green Scene, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103 -1495. If you have any questions, please calf (215) 988-8769. 40 GREEN SCENE • October 2005 LARGE TREES Tree Transfers Inc. Large Tree Transplanting and Sales Specimen Plant Material and Large Screening Material 215-635-2310 Serving the Delaware Valley since 1987 MULCH PINE NEEDLE MULCH Won’t change soil pH Wholesale and retail FLOWERS BY THE YARD 610-701-9283 renee52@ccis.net BALED PINE NEEDLE MULCH Pick up/Delivery/Spreading service Cedar Run Landscapes Call for brochure 1 -800-LANDSCAPE www.CedarRunLandscapes.com REAL ESTATE Fall Open House Self-guided tours of estate and private gardens Shop for fall plants and decorations Kid-friendly activities and Halloween dress up • Free demos and refreshments, plus prize drawings • Pennsylvania Horticultural Society members receive 10% discount. Meadowbrook Farm, a garden center and gift shop in Abington Township, is an affiliate of The Pennsylvania \ Horticultural Society. ' 1633 Washington Lane • 215-887-5900 EADOWBROOK FARM unvw.gotomeadowbrook. com Country Home on 75 acres. Professionally landscaped. Three ponds, 15-foot waterfall flowing into large pond. See our website for more information: http://farmforsale-pa.com:84/ UNUSUAL SPECIMENS RARE & UNUSUAL PLANTS • Specimen plants • Pond plants • Bonsai • Orchids • Hardy cacti • Tropicals • Sculptured trees and shrubs • Perennials • Unique Flower and gift shop. MUTSCHLERS’ FLORIST & RARE PLANTS 1-800-242-9438 www.mutschlers.com HOSTA Over 100 varieties Assorted perennials Ferns, shade plants Michael’s Country Nursery 165 Tuckerton Road Medford, NJ 856-983-6512 www.hostasbymichael.com TRELLISES GATES ARCHWAYS OBELISKS TOWERS PAVILIONS PERGOLAS BENCHES FENCES RAILS OF PRODUCTS OR LET US CUSTOM DESIGN/BUILD TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS. The^j Painted Garderu, Inc. (215) 884-7378 WWW.THEPAINTEDGARDENINC.COM 304 EDGE HILL ROAD, GLENSIDE. PA 19038 SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT SELECT FROM OUR POPULAR LINE GREEN SCENE • October 2005 41 The Backyard HANGING AROUND By John Gannon Hanging baskets of petunias and sweet potato vine on Market Street. Pedestrians in Center City Philadelphia often look as if they’re on a mission. They walk with quiet determination, undeterred by cabs cutting them off at intersections, nonplused by their fellow citizens cluttering up the sidewalks. In tact, it’s easy to forget to slow down and simply look up — up at the incredible skyscrapers, up at the ornate buildings that echo the city’s industrial heyday, and up at the hanging baskets ot flowers. Flowers ? Yes, if you walk along Market Street, east of City Hall, passersby who take a minute to look around are rewarded with large hanging baskets filled with abundant flowers. This is yet another phase of downtown greening initiated by the Center City District, a business improvement district committed to a vital downtown. “The aim is to further beautify ‘Market East’ in order to attract more shoppers, visitors, and residents,” says Blake Lehmann, public spaces manager for CCD. “This project also sends the mes- sage to property and busi- ness owners that we’re continuing to make great improvements to this corridor.” Since 1998, the Center City District has contracted with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to manage a vari- ety of landscape elements, including approximately 800 street trees, 1 50 side- walk planters, nine in-ground parking- lot screens (landscaping that buffers parking lots from the sidewalk) and, most recently, 156 hanging baskets along Market East, which were installed in July. For PHS, these baskets add a new dimension to an ever-expanding roster of consulting projects with organ- izations seeking expertise in urban land- scape design, horticulture, and mainte- Though the hanging baskets look as if they have always been there, the project team had to work through a long “to- do” list. PHS surveyed Market Street and found that light and wind condi- tions ran the gamut — from windy to calm and from direct sun to dense shade. Since the idea for the project wasn’t hatched until spring, PHS’s landscape contractor, Fine Garden Creations, had to scramble a bit to find a nursery that could help secure and then grow the plants. Then, there was the hardware for the baskets, which had to be sturdy enough to handle the weight of all of those flowers. (Believe it or not, each basket, when soaking wet, weighs upwards of 75 pounds!) Because Market East is so busy during the day, the project was installed in the middle of the night. “We had to use scissor-lifts to install the hardware and hang the baskets,” explains Fine Garden’s George Petropoulos. Two crews worked throughout the night, each starting from opposite ends of Market Street. “The biggest challenge is maintenance,” says George, adding that the baskets need to be watered four days a week — a task done in the wee hours of the morning with ladders, before the onslaught of rush hour. PHS project manager Julie Snell notes that this is a pilot effort and that PHS and Center City District will be monitoring its progress and comparing notes in the fall. “It’s a new project for all of us,” she notes. “But we’re happy with the results. So far, so good.” And if all goes well, maybe you will see more hanging baskets around Philadelphia. WW' For more information on the Center City District, visit: centercityphila.org 42 GREEN SCENE • October 2005 This is the generation your legacy begins We know you want your family to inherit more than just your wealth. You want to preserve a way of life, so your grandchildren can have the same joys and opportunities you had. For nearly half a century, we have focused specifically on helping exceptional families protect and grow the wealth they worked to build. We would be pleased to put this experience to work for you. Glenmede 1 -a66-445-3663 WWW.ELENMEDE.CaM THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND WEALTH? IT COULD BE THE UNIQUE THINKING OF PNC ADVISORS As one of the largest wealth managers in the country, we are particularly adept at addressing the specialized needs of women investors like yourself to enhance and preserve wealth. Local experts, who live and work where you do, deliver wealth management solutions that are customized to your unique situation and concerns. Call 215-585-5438 today for more information about PNC Advisors' Women's Financial Services Network or for a complimentary wealth management consultation. ©PNC Advisors Women’s Financial Services Network The person pictured is for illustrative purposes only. PNC Advisors is a service mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., which is used in the provision of investment manage- ment, fiduciary and certain banking services by PNC Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank, Delaware. Members FDIC. PNC Advisors does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value. www.pncadvisors.com MANAGING TRANSITIONS THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 1 / 1 V ' j ^TPfririv'.Wi imlrl ' — :'wWr i 1979 - 2005 Over 25 Years of Commitment to .. . Resident Satisfaction ... By managing all of our own departments, we have the flexibility and opportunity to satisfy our residents’ preferences and lifestyles more easily. Innovation ...Trend-setting programs are supported by outstanding facilities without additional cost. Vision . . . Anticipating changing trends and residents’ expectations is an on-going process that enables us to establish tomorrow’s new standards. Value . . . Visit and compare resident services and care in order to Understand the Real Value of Cathedral Village. Cathedral Village 600 East Cathedral Road Philadelphia, PA 19128 (215) 984-8622 www.cathedral v i 1 lage. com Monday through Friday between 9 and 4. Appointments are necessary on weekends. A Nonprofit, Nondenominational CCRC /S Equal Housing If] Opportunity Affiliated with the Jefferson Health System features 10 Photogenic Flora It wasn’t easy to sort through the myriad photos submitted to the 2005 Green Scene “Garden Photo Contest,” but we did and the results are in. Take some time to appreciate the winning entries; these luscious images will leave a lasting impression. 16 Beautiful Boughs For folks with green thumbs, nothing invokes winter wonderment more than holly. Get into the spirit of the season with Andrew Bunting, as he discusses the vast variety of hollies that thrive in our area. Also, learn which species will best suit your home landscape. Main cover photo by Patricia Kuniega Contents / ^ 1 \ \ IN Shedding Shed Myths If the word “shed” causes you to shudder, you’re not alone. Many people can't stand the sight of an awkward, unattractive storage shack looming in the backyard. But since the bikes and mower must go somewhere, Stephanie Cohen offers some tips to make a drab shed divine. With some planning and some planting, sheds can go from “eyesore" to “focal point.” Columns 32 The Well-Contained Garden Cold-Weather Plantings 35 Living with Trees Learning Patience 38 The Backyard Restoring an Urban Jewel The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. Lee Levin-Friend Letter from the Editor Photo Finish Within the pages of this issue, you’ll find the winners of the first Green Scene “Garden Photo Contest,” which we launched earlier this year. Honestly, we started this contest on a lark. I was thumbing through some old issues of Green Scene and noticed that PHS ran a contest back in the 1980s, but it somehow fell by the wayside. Well, apparently, some readers missed it, because we had a tremendous response to this new contest. All tallied up, we had over 100 entries from all over the region, with the largest offerings from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 1 had been chewing my nails because the entries only trickled in at first. Then in July, the pace picked up and right before the deadline we had a flood of entries. The photographic quality of our entries was excellent, too — our readers clearly know how to handle their cam- eras, even some of the beginners! The bulk of the images we received were close-ups of flowers, which is perfectly understandable. 1 remember when 1 put my first “macro” close-up lens on a camera and peered into the viewfinder. The image was astounding, almost like rediscovering what a flower looks like. Instead of big color petals, the macro lens brings the photogra- pher into a tiny, yet fasci- nating universe of sta- mens, pistils, and florets that are hard to see with the naked eye. And clearly, the members who entered the contest love macro photography as much as I do. However, we also received an array of land- scape shots and a few of friends and families in the garden. One of my favorites is this one by Lee Levin-Friend of Emmaus, PA, who snapped this humorous “plant” photo of her brother Gene in Hawaii (left). Alas, it wasn’t a winner in our contest, but it made us smile and we thought we’d share it with you. Who were the contest judges, you might ask? We asked members of our volunteer Publications Committee to take on the task (see the masthead on page 3 to find out who they are), since this group contains many creative and visually oriented garden experts. We were also joined by former PHS Chair Ann Reed, a fine photographer in her own right. We also thank Ritz Camera and Fuji Film, who donated fabulous prizes to our winners. We spent a lovely afternoon looking at dozens of photos at PHS’s Meadowbrook Farm and picked our winners. I called our first-place winner, Patricia Kuniega, just before we went to press and she was delighted with the news. She also noted that she was “honored" to be a part of the contest, because it was all part of the good work of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. We’re blushing. Thanks to everyone who was involved in our contest. And stay tuned for '06! email: greenscene@pennhort.org 4 GREEN SCENE • december 2005 jf generation your legacy i ^ 1 mi M i % 1 1 1 ;W' • nw We know you want your family to inherit more than just your wealth. You want to preserve a way of life, so your grandchildren can have the same joys and opportunities you had. For nearly half a century, we have focused specifically on helping exceptional families protect and grow the wealth they worked to build. We would be pleased to put this experience to work for you. Glenmede 1 -866-445-3663 WWW.BUENMEDE.CaM The Potting Shed Top: Maze created with 1,000 Thuja occidentalis Fastigiata (Pyramidal cedars) at Van Dusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Bottom: Bryn Mawr College labyrinth Yet another claim to fame for Pennsylvanians: the American Maze Company ( www.american - maze.com ), which built the corn maze at Cherry-Crest Farm in Paradise, PA, and others around the country, boasts it has been “getting people lost since 1993,” the year it created America’s first cornfield maze at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA. While corny ones may be a recent phe- nomenon, mazes are nothing new. Turf mazes have ancient pagan origins, conceiv- ably linked to fertility rites. The earliest recorded one was an Egyptian temple/palace/mortuary, c.1795 BC, which accord- ing to Greek historian Herodotus, surpassed the pyramids in cost and labor. It had 3,000 cham- bers, a forest ol stone pillars, and bewilderingly intricate corridors, render- ing it impossible for intruders to negotiate — perhaps as impenetra- ble as my walk-in closet. Mazes became popular as ornamental garden fea- tures in Italy, then in France in the late fifteenth century. In Elizabethan England, they were made from ground-hugging greenery, much like knot gardens and parterres. Both mazes and labyrinths have been resurfacing lately in public and private spaces, not only in the form of maize mazes, but as mirror mazes, wood and water mazes, garden turf mazes, and labyrinths on hospital and spa grounds, prison sites, in healing gardens, school- yards, churches, and hip business parks. Although the terms “maze” and “labyrinth” are often used interchangeably, mazes are a specific kind of labyrinth meant to con- found and entertain with multiple routes. Labyrinths offer a single circuitous path leading to a central point, with no blind passages or dead-ends. Because of their simplici- ty, they have offered a gateway to the spirit for 3,300 years, serving in religious devotion and meditation. Ancient labyrinths were located indoors. One of .2 the earliest Christian □ examples was carved on f a ninth-century Italian ^ cathedral wall lor com mu- S nicants to trace with their fingers in order to soothe their minds before entering the sacred space. Labyrinths tend to follow a few basic designs, one being a time-hon- ored, three-circuit configuration. Another is a medieval pattern with 1 1 concentric circuits, such as the one inside France’s Chartres Cathedral, intended for making a symbolic pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Modern pilgrims still walk the path as a tool to enhance worship, contemplation, and/or personal growth. Most labyrinths, though, are seven-circuit, egg-shaped affairs based on a motif that goes back at least 3,200 years, usually referred to as “classical” or “Cretan” (not to be confused with what you’ve been calling your boss behind his The Maze CRAZE By llene Sternberg 6 GREEN SCENE • december 2005 back, which is spelled differently.) But a maze or labyrinth can be vir- tually any shape or size, limited only by the bounds of imagination. Labyrinths can consist of pebbled paths, mounds seeded with grasses, low-growing shrubs, herbs, or ingen- ious materials of your own choosing, as ephemeral as twigs and leaves or as splendid as marble. You can even rent one by the week from the Labyrinth Company in Baltimore, Maryland. Just think of it: spiritual awakening, Fedexed right to your door! A Flower Show Labyrinth If you want to see a labyrinth up close, come to Temple University Ambler’s exhibit at the 2006 Flower Show (March 5-12). The students at this well-known horticultural college wanted to create a healing garden and will devote one section to the creation of a labyrinth. The garden will also be a tribute to the late Ernesta Ballard, who attended school there. Says Jenny Carey, director of Temple’s Landscape Arboretum, “The students wants to portray the healing benefits of gardening. They’ll use lots of native plants, and also show how to design a healing garden, including the labyrinth. A-mazing Resources Websites www. americanmaze. com www. labyrinthcompany. com www. labyrinthsociety. org www. labyrinthonline. com Books Magical Paths: Labyrinths & Mazes in the 21st Century by Jeff Saward Labyrinths & Mazes by Jurgen Hohmuth Labyrinths: Ancient Myths & Modern Uses by Sig Lonegren EURO-STYLE Arranging at the FLOWER SHOW What happens when you bring together three of the best flower artists in Europe? You get cutting-edge flower design. Life3, which is the working name of Per Benjamin, Max van de Sluis, and Tomas De Bruyne, brings a combination of craftsmanship, knowledge of materials and daring designs to their work, which will be seen for the first time in the US at the 2006 Philadelphia Flower Show. L,ife3 will also put on a special demonstration at the Show on Monday, March 6 (see information below). As for the trio’s individual design philosophies, Max van de Sluis of the Netherlands says, “Nature is my big inspiration. When arranging, I observe my materials and try to find out which style best matches the flowers. And everything has to be in harmony and balance, so 1 can show — through my creativity — the beauty of nature at her best.” Perhaps Per Benjamin of Sweden sums it up best: “Flowers never leave people indifferent; flow- ers always awaken, translate or communicate emotions. As a designer, my personal challenge is to find new ways to use and show ordinary flowers. Therefore, 1 constantly try to work with new color combinations and with flowers that aren’t my favorites. Seeing design problems as possibil- ities...that’s being creative!" — Tim Smith Quotes courtesy of Emotions, the hardcover book by Life3 (Stichting Kunstboek, publisher). Also look for their new book, Wedding Emotions. Life3 Floral Demonstration, Book Signing & Reception Monday, March 6, 2006, PA Convention Center Room 114 Lecture Hall Demonstration: 1 — 2:30 pm Reception: 2:30 — 3:30 pm Be inspired! Making their first appearance in the US, Life3 will help create one of this year’s Philadelphia Flower Show Central Feature Exhibits, “Natura, the Goddess of Nature,” and will host an exclusive floral demonstration at the Show. The award-winning World Cup flower arrangers will demonstrate their beautiful and unique style in an elec- trifying presentation. After the demonstration, enjoy light refresh- ments and meet these celebrity designers face-to-face. The three- some will also sign their latest books. Seating is limited. Reserve today. To purchase tickets with a credit card, call 215-988-8879. The Potting Shed As the winter solstice penetrates our weary minds and bodies with cold, we yearn tor the welcoming warmth of summer. The high summer’s feverish activity of growing, unfurling, bursting, and buzzing cajoles us gardeners endlessly to pay heed. Only in the lean days of winter do our senses grasp the individual charms of those plants that capital- ize on the limelight left empty by other seasonal plants. Hot colors are rare among the monochrome grays and greens of winter. Stems and fruits, rather than flowers, are the main sources of color. But woody plants such as shrub dogwoods {Cornus alba, C. sanguined , and C. stolonifera) offer colorful stems to brighten winter days and make a dramatic impact when planted en masse. If you can only grow one, I recommend Cornus sanguined 'Midwinter Fire’, a stunning conflagration of red, yellow, and orange even on the gloomiest days. Later on, the stems of 'Midwinter Fire’ will electrify the soft hues of early spring bulbs. Variegated and chartreuse selections may prolong the seasonal interest, but they are prone to leaf spotting. For a strong contrast, plant Rubus thibetanus, whose ghostly stems arch like a frozen fountain. Its canes should be cut back severely in spring as this bram- ble can be aggressive. Fruit-bearing shrubs have a starring role now. The red berries nestled underneath the her- ringbone framework of Cotoneaster horizontalis beckon like hidden jewels. For sheer brilliance, the fruit display of Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red’ and 'Winter Gold’ have no match, and you can bolster fruit production by planting a good pollinator like 'Southern Gentleman’ nearby. C. sanguinea Midwinter Fire Cotoneaster horizontalis 8 GREEN SCENE • december 200 5 Vignettes by Eric Hsu Spangled with their fragrant, spidery flowers, witchhazels claim the throne for best, long-last- ing winter flowers. Their colors span from soft yellows, such as Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’ (a PHS Gold Medal Plant) to fiery red-oranges, like Jelena’. Witchhazels also have beautiful vase-like silhouettes that enhance the floral display. The bark of birches ( Betula ) and maples (Acer) offer texture and color. Our native Betula nigra has shaggy bark that begins ochre before maturing to chocolate brown. ‘Heritage’, anoth- er Gold Medal winner, is a fast-growing birch, while ‘Summer Cascade’ is a weeping type. Acer griseum’s bark exfoliates to reveal the tree’s cinnamon orange interior. Less accommodating but equally stunning is Acer pensylvanicum ‘Erythrocladum’, whose apricot stems are shot with white streaks. When young, the trunk is a brilliant pink before mellowing to yellow. Grasses assume a sculptural beauty when glistening with Lost. Before they disintegrate in late winter, they provide a diaphanous, kinetic quality. Calamagrostis X acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’, Miscanthus, and Pennisetum are good choices, but the popular Hakonechloa macra and Stipa tennissima fulfill their roles equally well. Both the latter bleach gracefully and turn a radiant gold if illuminated by the afternoon light. Carex grasses persist well after most herbaceous perennials have retired to dormancy; their mophead shapes are excellent foils for the stark, angular outlines of woody plants. A favorite is Carex osbimensis ‘Evergold’, whose variegated leaves light up those dark, short days of win- ter we long to escape. Rubus thibetanus GREEN SCENE • december 2005 9 Photos Picture PERFECT Winners of the 2005 Green Scene “Garden Photo Contest” It was a tense moment as the “Garden Photo Contest” judges stood over a table covered with your fabulous photographs. Which one was the best? A few hours later, after numerous judging rounds, we stood admiring the win- ner’s circle, which includ- ed 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes, as well as 10 honor- able mentions. It was lively work, but everyone agreed that there are plenty of great photographers who read Green apw? Scene. Now, let’s find out who the winners are! By the Editors 10 GREEN SCENE • december 2005 1ST PLACE winner NAME: Patricia A. Kuniega TITLE: “La Primavera” PRIZES: Fuji A330 digital camera, one-year PHS membership, publication ot photo. SHOOTER’S COMMENTS: The photograph was taken in late March at Otts Exotic Plants in Schwenksville, PA. Borrowing its name from the Botticelli painting, the photo captures full blooms and buds bursting with spring fervor. The photo was taken in natural light on a Olympus C-5050Z camera loaded with ISO 100 him. The lens was set at 1/200 with an aperture setting of f/5.6.” (Her website is www.patsflowerphotos.com ) Prizes courtesy of: ag'i^dniia'm GREEN SCENE • december 2005 11 70250 2nd PLACE WINNER: NAME: Claudia Maxey TITLE: “Wheatfield near Fouleng, Belgium” PRIZES: One -year PHS member- ship, five rolls of Fuji print film, and publication of photo. Shooters Comments: “This photo was taken in the Flemish countryside on a summer’s day. The landscape in that part of Belgium is breathtaking. No matter where you look, you can envision a Van Gogh painting.” 3rd PLACE WINNER: NAME: Sharon Sherman TITLE: “Spring House in Lionville, Chester County” PRIZES: Five rolls of Fuji print film and publication of photo. Shooters Comments: “How won- derful that my daily travels take me by this relic of times passed. As I drive by, I slow down and smile. It's beautiful in its simple glory." GREEN SCENE • december 2005 HONORABLE MENTION Patricia Danzon HONORABLE MENTION WINNERS PRIZE: A Fuji single-use camera. ■ ■■■■■■■I 21 0 21a HONORABLE MENTION Roger Thorpe HONORABLE MENTION Susan Rothschild Photos HONORABLE MENTION Mary Brighrwell-Arnold GREEN SCENE • december 2005 15 Plants Left: Ilex cornuta ‘Slack’s’ (Chinese holly) Below: I. verticillata ‘Cacapon’ Hollies for the DELAWARE VALLEY By Andrew Bunting Photographs by Pete Prown & Rhoda Maurer Throughout the Delaware Valley, you can find majestic American hollies ( Ilex opacd) at any of a number of historical homes and properties — proof that hollies have been used in Philadelphia-area gardens for centuries. The Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College has one of the largest holly collections in the United States. Alumnus James Frorer donated the entire collection from his private garden in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1974. Today, the Arboretum has more than 300 kinds of hollies. We’ll look at some of the best vari- eties, any of which would be perfect for the home landscape. But first, let’s talk about some general characteristics of this wonderful group of plants. GREEN SCENE • december 2005 16 GREEN SCENE • december 2005 17 Plants Our climate, USDA Zone 6b/7a, is per- fect for growing a range of hollies. Our clay-based soils and even the sandier soils of New Jersey can support many varieties and species. While most hollies thrive in full sun, many do very well with a fair amount of shade as well. The dry summer of 2005 offered more proof of their hardi- ness, as many hollies, especially many of the evergreen species (such as. Ilex opaca , /. X koehneana , I. X altaclerensis, I. crenata, and I. cornuta), are relatively drought toler- ant. In the landscape, hollies offer a multi- tude of ornamental attributes. Many are considered the quintessential ornamental plant for the winter landscape, with their evergreen leaves and an abundance of red, orange, or yellow fruits. There are also a number of outstanding deciduous cultivars that have leafless branches in the winter and are laden with orange or red fruit. When it comes to fruit, it’s important to know that hollies are dioecious , which means that you need both a male and a female plant for good fruiting. In our area there are often enough random males in close proximity to your fruiting female that planting a specific male pollinator is not necessary. However, there are some hollies, especially the deciduous hollies, that need specific male pollinators. Since there are so many good choices for this area, it can be hard to decide on the best cultivar or species for a specific garden need. Through my experience of growing and displaying hollies at the Scott Arboretum, I can suggest the ‘best of the best’ for a variety of garden situations. In the winter landscape there is perhaps nothing more beautiful than a single, pyramidal, evergreen holly silhouetted against the winter sky. Accomplishing this scene is only difficult because there are almost too many choices. In an English garden there is the ubiquitous and quintes- sential English holly ( Ilex aquifolium). While this holly will thrive just south of us in Washington, DC, it is often burned by winter winds in our area. Luckily there are other species that emulate the ornamental effects of the English holly. One of our favorites is Ilex X altaclerensis ‘James G. Esson’. ‘James G. Esson’ has large, glossy green leaves and abundance of dark red berries, which persist from September to March. At maturity, it can easily reach 40 feet tall with a spread of 15 feet. Ilex X koehneana ‘Wirt L. Winn’ is also a fine, red-fruiting cultivar with very glossy leaves. For a smaller plant I recommend ‘Centennial Girl’. Its habit is very tight, but it also produces copious red berries. While the American hollies (/. opaca) do not have a glossy leaf like the trees men- tioned above, they still make a very hand- some specimen holly in the landscape. One of the very best cultivars for this area is ‘Satyr Hill’, a recipient of a PHS Gold Medal Plant award. It reaches 30 to 40 feet and has abundant red berries and a glossy leaf instead of an opaque or dull leaf like most American hollies. Similar in stature to the American hollies is Ilex'/. attenuata , which is a hybrid holly that combines Ilex opaca and the thin- leaved Ilex cassine. In texture it is a little finer than that of the American holly because of its narrower leaves. For red fruit there is none better than ‘Foster #2’, and for golden yellow fruits there are two out- standing cultivars, ‘Longwood Gold’ and ‘Boyce Thompson Xanthocarpa’. r DShreiner Tree Care Specialists, Inc. 334 S. Henderson Road • King of Prussia, PA 19406 Winter Landscape Care Are deer eating your landscape investment? We can apply contact repellents to your shrubbery and young trees that will discourage deer from browsing and destroying your plants. Call today to schedule your deer-proofing. Protect new and established landscape trees and evergreen shrubs from winter burn. Broadleaf evergreens such as Southern Magnolias, Rhododendrons, Cherrylaurels, Camellias, Boxwoods, Hollies and Cryptomeria will benefit from anti-dessicant spray applications. This polymer spray prevents Winter injury caused by wind burn, sun scald and cold temperatures. Applications are being performed now. V. 610-527-3637 J GREEN SCENE • december 2005 19 Plants One of the best uses for hollies is privacy screening or hedges. Any of the larger hol- lies such as Ilex opaca, I. X koehneana, and /. X altaclerensis c an be used in this manner. For a smaller hedge that is easily manipu- lated by pruning or shearing, I would sug- gest Ilex X aquipernyi Dragon Lady™. This tightly pyramidal holly has tiny, shiny, almost triangular leaves that are nearly black-green in color, and its dark red berries provide an ornamental bonus. Dragon Lady makes an excellent backdrop for a perennial border or can be used to enclose a property. Deciduous hollies top my list for exqui- site ornamental interest in the winter land- scape. These hollies are generally selections of I. verticillata, I. serrata, or hybrids of the two. Most deciduous hollies have an ulti- mate height of less than 10 feet, making them good candidates for the smaller gar- den. They are extremely adaptable, too. In the wild they are often found growing along lakes and ponds in standing water. In the garden, they will fruit best in lull sun and can grow in very dry or wet soil. Our two favorites at the Scott Arboretum are Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’ and ‘Winter Gold’. Both reach 6 to 8 feet at maturity. ‘Winter Red’, as the name implies, is covered in large, glossy, red fruits from September sometimes until April or May of the following year. ‘Winter Gold’ is a bit of a misnomer, since the fruits are actually a soft salmon-orange. ‘Winter Gold’ combines beautifully with the paper- bark maple ( Acer gnseurri) . For both, you can use ‘Southern Gentleman’ as the male pollinator. By now, I hope I’ve convinced you that hollies are perhaps one of the most versa- tile, adaptable, and ornamental of all the trees and shrubs that thrive in the Delaware Valley. Andrew Bunting is curator for the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College. For more information on the Arboretum and its holly collection, visit www.scottarboretum.org or call 610-328-8025. Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society Emil von Behring Infectious Disease, Immunology, Serum Therapy Derek S. Linton In 1901 Emil von Behring received the first Nobel Prize in medicine for serum therapy against diphtheria, a disease that killed thousands of infants annually. Diphtheria serum was the first major cure of the bacteri- ological era and its development generated novel procedures for testing, standardizing, and regulating drugs. Since the introduction of antibiotics Behring and his work have largely been forgotten. In the first English-language scientific biography of Behring, Derek S. Linton emphasizes Behring's seminal contributions to the study of infectious diseases, the formation of modern immunology and innovative research on specific remedies, and vaccines against deadly microbial infections. This biography explores his complex relations to the rival bacteriological schools of Robert Koch in Berlin and Louis Pasteur in Paris, the emergent German pharmaceutical industry, and the institutionalization of experimental therapeutic research. The second part of the volume contains translations of thirteen key articles by Behring and his associates on infectious diseases, immunology, drug testing, and therapeutics spanning thirty years of his remarkable scientific career. Vol. 255 0-87169-2554/978-0-87169-255-9 $65 Printed September 2005 John Haygarth, FRS (1740-1827): A Physician of the Enlightenment Christopher Booth John Haygarth, ns A Phjtitlan of I (if EnliijhUitmcni mm Jtffi John Haygarth, MD, FRS (1740-1827) hailed from an obscure valley in the Yorkshire dales in the north west of England. Educated at Sedbergh School. Cambridge, and Edinburgh, he became a physician in Chester in 1767. There he introduced separate wards in the Chester Infirmary where patients with fever could be isolated and cared for. It was the stimulus for the development of the fever hospi- tals of nineteenth-century England. Haygarth moved to Bath in 1798, where he continued to write on medical matters. He also played a major role in the foundation of the Bath Provident Institution for Savings, a model for the savings-bank movement in England. Vol. 254 0-87169-254-6/978-0-87169-254-2 $60 Printed July 2005 Transactions of the American Philosophical Society Descartes and the Hyperbolic Quest: Lens Making Machines and Their Significance in the Seventeenth Century D. Graham Burnett “...if you have a year or two to apply yourself to all that is necessary, I would hope that we might see. by your efforts, if there are animals on the moon... " With this alluring suggestion, penned in the autumn of 1629, Rene Descartes enticed a young provincial artisan to undertake an unprecedented and secretive project, one that promised to revolu- tionize early modern astronomy. Descartes believed he had conceived a new kind of telescope lens, shaped by the light of reason itself, and cut by an elaborate machine, a self-regulating and automatic device capable of bringing crystalline geometry to the muddy earth. This study traces the inception, development, and finally the collapse of this ambitious enterprise, which absorbed the energies and attentions of a broad range of seven- teenth-century savants, including Huygens, Wren, Hevelius, Hooke, and even Newton. Examining in detail the making of lenses over a vitally significant century, Descartes and the Hyperbolic Quest sheds light on the history of telescopes in a tumultuous period, on the changing relationship between instrument makers and mathematical adepts, on the mechanical philosophy and its machines, and finally on the life and thought of Descartes himself. Vol. 95, Pt. 3 0-87169-953-2 $24 Printed October 2005 The Opening of the Maritime Fur Trade at Bering Strait Americans and Russians Meet the Kanigmiut in Kotzebue Sound John R. Bockstoce The maritime fur trade was an important commercial force in the Bering Strait region from the early nineteenth century until to out- break of the Second Word War; nevertheless, its origins are not well understood. Two important documents— which have received little scholarly attention— shed considerable light on the genesis of this trade. These manuscripts describe the voyages of the American trad- ing brigs General San Martin in 1819 and Pedler in 1820. and they provide valuable information on the complicated relationships that existed between the American maritime traders and the Russian offi- cials in Kamchatka and Alaska, as well as with the inhabitants of the Bering Strait region in the first quarter of the nineteenth century. Vol. 95, Pt. 1 0-87169-951-6 $24 Printed June 2005 |ohe H. BkIoioci The Opening of the Maritime Kur Trade at Vergilius Redivivus Studies in Joseph Addisons Latin Poetry Estelle Haan Virtually ignored by modern scholarship, Addison's Latin verse has failed to receive the critical attention it deserves. Addison's current reputation rests almost exclusively on his role as the accomplished essayist of the Spectator and Tatler papers, as the author of the drama Cato, and as the composer of a body of minor English verse. Estelle Haan examines the intricate inter-textual relationships between some of Addison's neo-Latin poems and the poetic cor- pus of one Augustan poet: Virgil (in particular, the Georgies). Vol. 95, Pt.2 0-87169-9524 $24 Printed June 2005 American Philosophical Society 104 South Fifth Street Philadelphia, PA 19026-3387 (Tel) 215440-3425 • (Fax) 215440-3450 See our website for recent catalogs and backlist: www.aps-pub.com Prepaid U.S. orders mailed book rate are postage free. Foreign orders, add minimum $6.00 shipping/handling (Media Mail). Expedited mailing charges at cost. Checks must be drawn on U.S. banks. Make checks payable to American Philosophical Society. VISA/MasterCard accepted. Fax orders accepted. Vergilius REDIVIVUS Sturttcf in Jow/Vi Atkii ton's Latin Poetry The Shortest and Most Convenient Route Lewis and Clark in Context Robert Cox (ed.) Based on papers delivered at the Bicentennial Conference for Lewis and Clark, held in Philadelphia in August 2003 to explore new approaches to understanding “Meriwether Lewis in Philadelphia," these essays grapple with the motives underlying the Corps of Discovery and the impact on American culture. Most of the essays in this vol- ume began in that invigorating three-day exchange. The multiple con- tributions address and shed light on how the nation's foremost urban center, Philadelphia, helped to shape this quintessential errand into the wilderness. The authors use the question of failure as a means of interrogating the intellectual and cultural context in which the expe dition was framed and in which its results were distributed. Vol. 94. Pt. 5 0-87169-9451 $24 Printed November 2004 Garden Sheds What do Most gardeners fall into two distinct categories: those whose landscapes are clut- tered and those who prefer things uncluttered. I fall into the first cate- gory. After moving to a new house a few years ago, 1 managed to throw away broken tools, old pots, out-of- date seeds, and lots of junk. Then 1 began creating a new garden. Suddenly all sorts of things seemed to accumulate in my garage — garden tools, fertilizer, all sizes of pots, bird seed, and one very large wheelbarrow, as well as a small garden cart for transporting my aforementioned tools. I also got some really nifty large terracotta pots that could not stay outside. I also began to buy and receive as gifts all sorts of garden art. Then came the patio furniture and assorted benches. Soon, one half of the garage was completely filled with my gar- dening things, and I used the other half to, well, park my car. At this point my husband issued an ultima- tum: my stuff had to go. He was parking in the driveway and was tired of scraping ice and snow off the car when he went to work every morn- ing. So he suggested we join the ranks of the rest of suburbia and buy a shed. I wasn’t thrilled with this option, but having no other choice, I agreed. As 1 got used to the idea, I had visions of charming little sheds with posts or porches looking almost like dollhouses. It didn't seem so bad after all. A few weeks later, we began shed shopping, but what I had envisioned was not what my husband had in mind. Each time he remembered something else I was likely to put in there, the dimensions of the shed YOU DO with An UGLY SHED? Story by Stephanie Cohen Photography by Rob Cardillo Linden Hill Gardens (Ottsville, PA) r nv, si 11.11 11 11 ~ v* 1 i 1 ' ! 5 Inta Krombolz garden. A selection of scenic sheds from around the Delaware Valley. 24 GREEN SCENE • december 2005 Garden Sheds Stephanie Cohen grew. In the end, we came home with one very large, very ugly shed about the size of a small airplane hangar. When it was delivered and placed in my backyard, I was on the verge of hysteria. It was a true designer’s nightmare. ..and it was all mine! The shed needed to look like it belonged. The colors of the shed mimic the house colors and I added a flagstone path from the front door to the edge of the planting bed that sur- rounds the structure. Since the shed has no particular style, I decided it should look like a small cottage. The bed is rounded and engulfs the entire shed and it needed to be tied to the rest of the garden. The shed is in a shady area near some birch trees, so I added another, very large birch ( Betula nigra ‘Heritage’) on the left side, which made the shed look smaller, and because of the size of the tree this also made it appear that both have been there for awhile. Since I decided the shed should have a “cottage-y” look, as well as try to make it a low-maintenance area (since the hose barely reaches), I planted lots of shrub roses, including ‘Knockout’. I chose a limited plant palette that includes lots of the shasta daisy, ‘Becky’ ( Leucanthemum X superbum ‘Becky’), tons of Liriope muscari, All-American selection of daylilies, some Trophytaker daylilies, lots of catmint ( Nepeta x faassenii ‘Walker’s Low), and some calamint ( Calamintha nepeta ‘White Cloud ). Along the edge of the path leading to the shed’s entrance, several vari- eties of thyme grow, and I’m hoping they start to creep into the flagstone. GREEN SCENE • december 2005 25 Garden Sheds Right & below: The author’s completed shed. I have also placed a trellis — in blue to match the shutters — to hide some of the shed wall. Hydrangea petiolaris is slowly climbing up, and when it starts to devour the wall, I will prune it to the right size. On the other side of the shed is a Persian lilac ( Syringa X persica), whose lovely foliage will add great texture, as well as pretty flowers and some flower-carpet roses. There’s also a very old nasty rose that Arts & Crafts-garden doyenne Gertrude Jekyll loved, one called Rosa sericea pterycantha, which has bright red, recurved thorns that are beautiful but dangerous. I also added some plants that were taking over another garden bed, such as Campanula punctata "Wedding Bells’, a bellflower that should have been labeled “plant at your own risk.” I also mixed in a dwarf Miscanthus that has a gold stripe. For height I added a large trel- lis and a few clematis. I’m not sure if they took, but I’ll eventually get one that will twine and vine so it gives the tree on the other side some counter- balance and scale. A few mums help fill more space. This year 1 planted lots ol daffodils, crocus, and anemones to herald spring. The back of the shed is almost completely hidden with various and sundry grasses. In between these I planted a few sunflowers and some castor bean plants ( Ricinis communis ‘Carmencita’) just for a little color. There are also a few Caryopteris x cladonensis seedlings on one corner, which are filling out nicely. 1 added an eclectic metal birdbath to act as another focal point. In short, I am trying to make this large intrusion in my landscape blend into its sur- roundings, and whether I add more plants or other garden art around the shed remains to be seen. This is a work in progress and I con- tinue to take plants from other beds and add them to the shed garden. 1 like the illusion that it will ebb and flow like a Victorian cottage garden. Anything needing pampering will probably just die, since I have no time for plants that need surgery or even minor face lifts. I want this garden eventually to look overflowing and bountiful, as though a lady in her broad-brimmed garden hat, long gloves, and pruners might collect some flowers for her basket or trug and take them into her home to be placed in a charming vase in her parlor. Eventually, the shed will turn into a large, romantic cottage in my back- yard. Of course, the real garden- er— me , in my well-worn tee shirt, haggard-looking jeans, clogs, and gloves with holes — will not add to this idyllic picture. By the way, the shed was filled to overflowing by the end of the second summer we used ii. The things in the shed seem to multiply exponentially, somewhat like rabbits in spring. When the last vestige of useable space is gone, shall I contemplate another shed? The answer is definitely, No! That is, unless it’s cute ... and very small. Stephanie Cohen is a nationally known horticulturist. Her latest book is The Perennial Gardener’s Design Primer, co-written with Nancy J. Ondra. Member, Greater Philadelphia Gardens # Gall 8oo.33i.43o2 or visit www.medfordleas.org Medford Leas and The Lewis W. Barton Arboretum Dynamic adult community • Beautiful arboretum setting • Superior health & wellness services MEDFORD LEAS A nationally accredited. Quaker-related, not-for-profit community for older adults with campuses in Medford and Lumberton. New Jersey GREEN SCENE • december 2005 27 Tools my father taught me one thing about gardening, its that using the right tool for the job can turn drudgery into enjoyment. Twenty-five years ago, he found me struggling to shape some shrubs with cheap hand pruners I bought at Kmart, and on my next birthday, he presented me with a pair of Felco #2 pruners. He taught me that quality gardening tools are essential, and since then I have diligently searched out tools that offer the best performance, quality, and durability. So, just in time for the holiday season, I offer the following eight tools superior in every way to their competition for your shopping list. Joyce Chen Unlimited Scissors I never go to the garden without my Joyce Chen scissors. They are great for gathering bouquets, light pruning, deadheading, and general cleanup and are even tough enough to cut through thick stems. They are 6 inches long with a 2-inch blade and flexible red vinyl handles, suitable for left- and right-handed gardeners. Electronically hardened so they don’t require sharpening, they come with a lifetime guarantee. The tapered blade points and good leverage allow precise and easy cutting. The scissors are small and light so they fit in my back pocket, making them readily accessible whenever 1 need them. Fanno Saws I never use power tools, so when I need to cut a large branch I reach for my pruning saw made by Fanno Saw Works, a third-genera- tion family company based in Chico, California. The superior curved design of these high-quali- ty saws, made for professionals, allows them to slip through wood without binding and to maximize the effectiveness of the downward stroke. I use the No. 4 pruning saw, which has a two-handed han- dle and a self-feeding, self-clean- ing blade design that allows for cutting large limbs quickly and efficiently. It has a 13-inch steel cutting edge and an 1 1-inch hard- wood handle. My husband likes the No. 2 folding saw, which can be conveniently carried in your pocket. Designed for orchard work, it has a shorter and narrow- er blade and handle for cutting in tight spaces. You can’t go wrong with any of the Fanno saws. For pruning woody plants, I use my Swiss- made Felco #2 pruning shears. While they are a little more expensive, I have had mine for 25 years, and they look and cut like new with only a half dozen sharpenings over that whole period. They weigh 8.5 ounces and are 8 inches long with bright red, non-slip, solid forged aluminum alloy handles. They have a precision-made, hard- ened, replaceable cutting blade (although I've never replaced mine). My reliable #2s are the basic model, but Felco also makes a wide assort- ment of specialized primers. GREEN SCENE • december 2005 29 Tools Kneelons Kneepads I spend too much of my gardening life on my knees doing what I like to call precision weeding. I have tried kneeling pads and Japanese farmer pants with built-in kneepads without success — the pads never seem to be in the right place at the right time. But Kneelons strap-on, soft neoprene kneepads work perfectly for me — they are like kneeling on clouds. They are waterproof, washable, and flex easily as you kneel and crawl around the garden. They fit comfortably around your knees with Velcro straps, adjusting to 15 to 18 inches around the lower thigh and 14 to 16 inches around the upper calf. Kneelons are another “tool” that I put on auto- matically when I dress for the garden. Smith & Hawken English Poacher’s Spade Every once in a while you come across a tool so useful you wonder how you ever functioned without it. That’s the way I feel about this small spade, which I use to dig every perennial I grow for sale at my nursery. The poacher’s spade weighs three pounds and is 36 inches tall with a wooden Y-grip handle. The 5 1/2- inch-wide by 10 1 /2-inch-tall heavy duty blade is perfectly bal- anced to slide easily into crowded beds and lift out the desired plant without disturbing its neighbors. Pieter Van Schaick, man- ager of Smith & Hawken’s Bryn Mawr store (where PHS mem- bers get a 10% discount), says it is his best-selling spade. If you have perennial beds, you need this wonderful tool. Bosmere Tip Bags As I walk around the garden, I deposit the results of my weeding and pruning into my British-made Bosmere tip bag. It is bright green with two extra long, red pinstriped handles and measures 15 inches tall by 12 inches wide, with a capacity of 1.2 cubic feet (“Handy” size). It is made of semi-rigid, heavy-duty woven polypropylene with a flexible plastic hoop on top to make it stand up on its own. But what sets it apart from the competition is its durable yet lightweight con- struction. When I’m weeding, I can take it right into perennial beds and set it down on top of plants without damaging them. I also use the same sturdy but lightweight bag in a larger size: 18 inches tall by 23 inches wide with a capacity of 4.6 cubic feet (“Popular” size). This size is great for bigger jobs like cleaning out perennial beds in early spring. It also works well for leaves, because the sides stay upright and my rake fits right inside. These bags are so well made that I have yet to wear one out. 30 )] Flexogen Hose Every gardener needs a good hose. After dealing with much kinking, splitting, and leaking, I decided to spend the extra money and invest in a Flexogen hose. Flexogen hoses are made to last (and guaranteed for life), with 8-ply construction that includes layers of radi- al tire cord reinforcing. They also feature heavy-duty brass couplings with built-in washers. All this attention to detail provides maximum kink and abrasion resistance in a hose that coils and handles easily in all weath- er. The difference is amazing. It’s no surprise that I have spotted Flexogen hoses at many area arboretums. Repellex Deer Repellent There would be no point in using any ol my tools ii I couldn’t keep the deer away from my plants. For six years, I have had great success with Repellex deer repellent, which is available premixed or in con- centrated form. Unlike most other commercial deer repellents, Repellex is not egg-based, but is made with dried blood (providing a fertilizer bonus) in a latex base. It lasts longer, usually at least four weeks, and works far better than any other product I have tried. The one catch is that, because it works by odor and taste, the deer will eat any parts of the plant that have not been sprayed. In the spring, I have to spray almost once a week to cover new growth and flowers that were not out the week before. Although it is non-toxic, environmentally safe, and biodegradable, it should not be applied to edible crops. Carolyn Walker owns Carolyn’s Shade Gardens in Bryn Mawr, PA, where she maintains several acres of shady display areas. She can be reached at carolynsshadegardens@verizon.net or 610-525-4664. Resources Joyce Chen Unlimited Scissors 847-307-8625 www.joycechen.com Felco Pruners www. felcostore. com Fanno Saws 530-895-1762 www.fannosaw.com Smith & Hawken English Poacher’s Spade 800-940-1170 www.smithandhawken. com Kneelon Kneepads 800-381-7179 www. drfostersmith. com Bosmere Tip Bags 704-784-1608 www.bosmere.com Flexogen Hose 814-443-4802 www. gilmour. com Repellex Deer Repellent 800-574-9936 www. sa vingport. com m The Well-Contained Garden CONTAINERS inthe COLD By Rhoda Maurer No doubt, spring and fall are spectacular in the Delaware Valley. But the winter months in the gar- den can bring profound small pleasures. During the bleakness of winter, a chance discovery of a flowering shrub or perennial that still has foliage glistening in the morning frost brings a feeling of hope and lightheartedness. Containers need not be a feature in the garden for only the three growing sea- sons. Carefully chosen containers planted for winter interest offer the gardener a chance to brighten up entrances or fre- quently viewed areas of the garden in the stark days of winter. Environmental conditions will influence your choices in both the container materials and plant palette. Concrete, metal, lead, or fiberglass composite containers hold up to cold weather best. Terracotta often breaks from the effects of tem- perature fluctuations, and some plastics become brittle in cold temperatures due to degradation from UV light expo- sure. Many parts of a plant are affected by winter weather. Roots are exposed to the freezing and thawing of the media within the container — generally, the larger the container, the better the insulation from low temperatures. Above soil level, branches, leaves, flowers, berries, and buds must contend with drying winter winds, scalding rays of the sun on a bright winter’s day, and extreme air temperature. Therefore, chose plants for a zone or two colder than the one for your growing area to help ensure their survival in a winter container. A select list of plants often used by the Scott Arboretum (Zone 6b/7a) in its containers is on the following page: 32 GREEN SCENE • december 2005 Winter stem color: Salix alba ‘Chermesina’ Salix irrorata Salix purpurea 'Nana Cornus sericea 'Cardinal’, ‘Kelseyi’, 'Silver & Gold’, 'Isanti’, ‘Flaverimea’, 'Budd’s Yellow’ Cornus alba' Siberica’, ‘Spaethii’, 'Bloodgood' Cornus sanguinea 'Winter Flame’ Low evergreens: Pachysandra terminalis 'Green Sheen’ Sasa veitchii Leucothoe 'Lovita’ Acorns gramineus 'Oborozuki' Liriope muscari Lonicera nitida 'Baggesen’s Gold’ Carex 'Evergold’ Bergenia ‘Silver Light’ Heuchera 'Dale’s Strain’ Hedera colchica 'Sulphur Heart' Hedera helix ‘Buttercup’, ‘Goldheart’ Juniperus sqamata 'Hogler Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filiiera Aurea' Microbiota decussata Euonymus fortunei ‘Blondy’, 'Emerald Queen’, 'Moon Shadow’, ‘Silver Queen Tall evergreens: Ilex crenata ‘Steeds’ Juniperus chinensis Torulosa’ Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ Mahonia japonica Kalmia latifolia cultivars Adequate drainage is required in winter containers, along with good water retention. The Scott Arboretum uses a soil- less peat or coir-based medium, with perlite for added drainage. Monitor your plants and water as necessary. Plants still transpire even if they are not actively growing; this will be especially true of broadleaf or needled evergreens on a windy day. In winter, the landscape becomes simplified in color, and plant shapes and forms prevail. Designing winter containers with this concept in mind can assist you in either integrating them into the garden or making them a dominant feature. Unusual forms, such as that of Harry Lauder’s walking stick (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’) or corkscrew willow (Salix babylonica var. pekinensis ‘Tortuosa’), will make a dramatic statement. The colorful stems of many shrubby dogwood or willow cultivars will also make a colorful addition to any container. As a point of technique, you don’t necessarily need to put plants in your container. Many of the winter containers at the Scott Arboretum include cut branches from Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’, C. sericea ‘Silver and Gold' and many other shrub- by dogwoods. Simply stick them in containers after planting the under planting to create the “effect of a shrub surround- ed by groundcover. The branches remain turgid and colorful throughout the winter months and only start to desiccate after temperatures begin climbing in spring. Gardening at this time of year heightens one’s appreciation for simple beauty and a respect for the perseverance of plants in a harsh environment. Walking by a fragrant flowering shrub, noticing the way the light on a winter’s day plays with snow covered berries, or catching a glimpse of bright color from the stems of a dogwood certainly lifts the spirit. With careful planning, containers can add significant pleasure to the winter garden. Decorative fruit: Ilex verticillata ‘Sparkleberry’, ‘Afterglow’, ‘Winter Gold , Winter Red' Ilex pedunculosa Winter and early spring flowering: Corylopsis pauciflora Hamamelis mollis cultivars H. X intermedia cultivars Hamamelis vernalis cultivars Sarcoccoca humilis Jasminum nudiflorum Mahonia japonica Stachyurus praecox He lie bo rus foetidus Helleborus X hybridus Unusual form: Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ Salix babylonica var. pekinensis ‘Tortuosa’ Rhoda Maurer is the plant records supervisor at the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College. She is also the head gardener for a private estate in New Jersey and loves to write, photograph and lecture. You can visit the Scott Arboretum’s website at www.scottarboretum.org. GREEN SCENE • december 2005 33 Save 10% on Gift Certificates from White Flower Farm The Perfect Gift for a Gardener White Flower Farm gift certificates allow your gardening friends to select at leisure from the many hundreds of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and bulbs offered in our three seasonal catalogues and at whiteflowerfarm.com. To reward your generosity, we offer a 10% discount on any gift certificate of $50 or more. Every plant we deliver is cared for, wrapped, and packed by professionals who know what it takes to have them arrive in prime condition, and each plant is 1 00% guaranteed. Our gift guide also features traditional holiday favorites such as fresh greens and wreaths, forced bulb collections, and beautiful Amaryllis in baskets and cachepots. Visit whiteflowerfarm.com or call 1-800-503-9624 to order. Please use source code 53051. • 100% and 50% recoverable entrance fee plans. • Over 200 apartments and villas. • Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Waverly Heights is a nationally accredited Continuing Care Retirement Community located in a lovely residential setting on the Philadelphia Main Line. Call us for information or a personal tour. • Fitness Center, Pool, Dining Options and many other services and amenities. 610-645-8764 • www.waverlyheightsltd.org WAV EH LY HEIGHTS 1400 Waverly Road, Gladwyne, PA 1 9035-1 296 THE FINER THINGS IN LIFECARE. MOSTARDI We’ll help you gather all the special things you need this holiday season.... Come visit our Christmas _ garden shop. White Flower Farm 4033 West Chester Pike (Route 3) • Newtown Square, PA 19073 610-356-8035 • www.mostardi.com whiteflowerfarm.com Living With Trees The JOY of WAITING By Adam Levine Several years ago, the staff of a well-known botanical gar- den tried to transplant a large tree from the edge of its property to a prominent position in the heart of the gar- den. The goal was to replace a “missing tooth” where one of a row of similar-sized mature trees had died. At most botanical gardens, many of the herbaceous plants used in the public displays have multiple “understudies” wait- ing in greenhouses for their chance in the limelight. Any dis- play specimen that fails to live up to expectations gets the hook, and a new plant takes its place, with most of the audi- ence (except wiseguys like me) none the wiser. The ease with which they replace smaller plants perhaps encouraged this par- ticular garden’s staff to try this big tree switch, and to under- take it in an unusual way. First they carefully exposed the tree’s roots, which spread for maybe 1 5 or 20 feet from the trunk to the drip line (the circle below the tree’s outermost branches). Thus prepared, a helicopter airlifted the massive bare-root specimen to its new location. Lowered into the planting hole, the tree was treated with special chemicals to encourage root rejuvenation, trussed up with supports, and the entire operation was proudly described in a sign at the trans- plant site. But in the end, this high- wire act of horticultural chutz- pah failed. The tree died. The simplest moral to this story is that there is a risk when planting something as permanent as a shrub or a tree in a row or other formal arrangement, because if one plant is damaged or dies, the symmetry is spoiled. But perhaps the most astounding thing about this seemingly preposterous project is that it had a fairly good chance of success. Trees are surpris- ingly resilient and, if given even a modicum of preparation and follow-up care, will most often thrive after transplanting. Small bare-root trees — grown at rural nurseries, dug from the ground with their roots washed clean of soil, and shipped by mail or truck into the city — are commonly planted by com- munity groups in Philadelphia. Larger tree specimens can be carefully dug and their roots and the surrounding soil wrapped in burlap (the so-called “ball-and-burlap” or “B&B” method). While it is always best when mov- ing plants of any size to replant them as soon as possible, B&B trees can survive (if not thrive) out of the ground for months or even years if the root balls are covered with mulch and kept moist. At the high end of the transplant spectrum, homeowners with huge resources can pay companies to move large trees — 20 or 30 feet tall, with root balls maybe a dozen feet across and weighing several tons — from one part of a proper- ty to another, or they can buy such specimens from specialty nurseries. These big trees, judiciously located, can provide an instant look of age and maturity, especially for those who live in newly constructed homes. 1 his is “instant gratification in the garden," which, if not an oxymoron, should be. For me, a garden is more than an outdoor version of interior decorating. I don’t want my garden to appear out of a for- mer cornfield overnight, as if by magic. In my ideal world, I would have the patience and life span to grow everything in my garden from seed, includ- ing the trees. What 1 find exciting and rewarding is the process: watching plants grow and thrive and weave them- selves together in an ever- changing horticultural ballet that is never the same from season to season and year to year. As for our helicopter-transported tree, rather than trying to fill the gap left by the dead tree with one of equal size (and thereby pretending that nothing had changed), the botanical garden might simply have planted a seed in its place. Next to it, they could have placed a sign to inform its visi- tors: “We ask no pardon for the appearance of this site. Nurtured by our best efforts, plants often thrive and grow and delight; but despite these efforts, plants sometimes die. Change is an inevitable part of gardening with living plants and part of what makes it endlessly fascinating. We hope you enjoy watching this seedling grow as you visit us in the com- ing months and years.’’ Adam Levine, a frequent contributor to Green Scene, is nurturing a new garden at his home in Media, PA. GREEN SCENE • december 2005 35 Classified Ads ANTIQUE BOOKS RARE & PREVIOUSLY OWNED BOOKS ON HORTICULTURE & BOTANICAL PRINTS - Bought and Sold Polly Goldstein 37 Lochwood Ln. West Chester, PA 19380 610-436-9796 Email: GrannyPol@aol.com GARDEN STRUCTURES HERITAGE STONE & MARBLE We are an installation and restoration company who emphasizes long lasting quality with outstanding craftsmanship. FLAGSTONE, BRICK-patios and walkways, COBBLESTONE-edging and paving, STONE walls, RETAINING walls, MARBLE, GRANITE-floors, walls, countertops. 215-699-5611 Upper Gwynedd, Pa. GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION Solar Innovations, Janco, Lord & Burnham and more. Call Robert J. LaRouche at Glass Enclosures Unlimited 610-687-2444 THE SUNWORKS CORPORATION • Greenhouse Sales: Residential, Commercial and Institutional. • Installations: Of greenhouses from any manufacturer, shading and ventilation systems. • Maintenance: Reglazing, reskinning, painting, cleaning. Emergency repairs. Call 302-655-5772, ask for John Klein PATIOS & WALKWAYS Flagstone - Pavers - Brick Robert J. Kleinberg Landscape Design & Construction 610-259-6106 See our work online 100’s of pictures at www.kleinberg.com LANDSCAPE DESIGN S. Edgar David and Associates Landscape Architects Site Planning / Garden Design Pools / Lighting Design 610-584-5941 seddesignstudio.com CLASSIFIED RATES Base Rate $3.00 per word Formatted Words $5.00 Minimum Charge $60.00 (without formatting) (ex. Bold, Italic or ALL CAPS) Discount 10% off the second 1 Line $15.00 per line consecutive ad, using the same copy Deadlines February Issue (by December 1) June Issue (by April 1) October Issue (by August 1) April Issue (by February 1 August Issue (by June 1) December Issue (by October 1) Please NOTE: Green Scene does not guarantee advertisement position, and we reserve the right to edit copy to fit available space. Green Scene ads are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis until space is filled for a particular issue. Please calculate your ad cost based on number and formatting of words, and enclose a check along with your copy (call for assistance). Green Scene will bill any difference or credit upon publication of your advertisement. If your new ad arrives very close to deadline, we may deposit your check until ad is scheduled. If we can't schedule your ad, your check will be returned. Make checks payable to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Send all advertising correspondence to: Laurie Fitzpatrick, Green Scene, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103 -1495. If you have any questions, please call (215) 988-8769. 36 GREEN SCENE • december 2005 LINDA CORSON LANDSCAPE DESIGN MULCH UNUSUAL SPECIMENS • Consulting • Plans • Supervision Registered Landscape Architect Member ASLA 215-247-5619 David Brothers Landscape Services Bean Road Nursery Architects, Builders and Nurserymen Providing the Fine Art of Garden Construction and Landscape Restoration 215-247-2992 610-584-1550 610-525-3232 DONALD PELL GARDENS Creating & maintaining gardens with expert horticultural craftsmanship. View our portfolio of landscape designs online at www.donaldpell.com or call 610- 917-1385 for a brochure and consultation. LARGE SPECIMEN HOLLIES Ilex opaca cultivars I. aquifolia ‘San Jose’ Beautiful 20’ Colorado Blue Spruce Delicious fresh fruit - in season Indian Orchards, 24 Copes Lane, Media PA 610-565-8387 LARGE TREES Tree Transfers Inc. Large Tree Transplanting and Sales Specimen Plant Material and Large Screening Material 215-635-2310 Serving the Delaware Valley since 1987 PINE NEEDLE MULCH Won’t change soil pH Wholesale and retail FLOWERS BY THE YARD 610-701-9283 renee52@ccis.net BALED PINE NEEDLE MULCH Pick up/Delivery/Spreading service Cedar Run Landscapes Call for brochure 1 -800-LANDSCAPE www.CedarRunLandscapes.com RARE & UNUSUAL PLANTS • Specimen plants • Pond plants • Bonsai • Orchids • Hardy cacti • Tropicals • Sculptured trees and shrubs • Perennials • Unique Flower and gift shop. MUTSCHLERS FLORIST & RARE PLANTS 1-800-242-9438 www.mutschlers.com Statement of Ownership Management and Circulation (Act of October 23, 1962; Section 4369. Title 39, United States Code) 1. Date of Filing: September 22, 2005. 2. Title of Publication: Green Scene Magazine. 3. Frequency of issue: bimonthly. 4-5. Location of Known Office of Publication and Headquarters: 100 N. 20th Street. 5th floor. Philadelphia, Pa 19103-1495. 6. Names and Addresses of Publisher and Editor: Publisher - The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia, Pa 19103-1495: Editor: Pete Prown, 100 N. 20th Street. 5th floor. Philadelphia, Pa 19103-1495. 7. Owner: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103. 8. Known bondholders, mort- gages and other security holders holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities: None. 9. Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average No. Copies Each Issue Preceding 12 Months Single Issue During Nearest to Filing Date A. Total No. Copies Printed (net press run) 12,385 12,200 B. Paid Circulation: 1 . Sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors and counter sales 700 400 2. Mail subscription 11,525 11.671 C. Total Paid Circulation 12,225 12,071 D. Free Distribution by mail, carrier or Other means, samples, complimentary And other free copies 110 65 E. Free Distribution outside the mail (carriers or other means) 20 10 F. Total Free Distribution (sum of D and E) 130 75 G. Total Distribution (sum of C and F) 12,355 12,146 H. Copies not distributed: 1 . Office use, left over, unaccounted, spoiled after printing 20 20 2. Return from news agents 0 0 Total (sum of G, HI and H2) 12,375 12,166 Percent Paid and or Requested (C. divided by G. times 100) 98.95% 99.38% I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Pete Prown, Editor GREEN SCENE • december 2005 37 The Backyard A NEW CROWN of EMPRESS TREES for Logan Square By John Gannon and Nancy O’Donnell you journey from City Hall to the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the Ben Franklin Parkway, you pass the dramatic Swann fountain that sits on Logan Square. Over the years, its surround- ing landscape has fallen into disrepair, with uneven paths, barren planting beds, and benches that are in poor condition or missing altogether. In addition, a recent evaluation oi the empress trees that surround the fountain revealed that most of the 12 trees are in poor condition and need to be removed. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, through it Philadelphia Green program, is embarking on a project to rehabilitate the landscape at Logan Square in Philadelphia. The project is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Fairmount Park Commission. The Landscape Pan Logan Square is one of the five original squares that city founder William Penn included in his seventeenth-century vision of Philadelphia as a “Green Countrie Towne.” This park was reconfigured in 1919 by French landscape architect Jacques Greber, creating the present “circle within the square.” The new design for Logan Square by Olin Partnership retains the essential elements of Greber’s plan: the sight lines along the main axis, the replacement empress trees, and the seasonal floral display ol the perimeter planting beds. The shape of the revised planting beds is inspired by the design of the three rivers rep- resented in the Swann Fountain. Arcs of annu- als, perennials, shrubs and groundcovers will surround the lawn panels, emphasized by lines of low hedges. To preserve views into and out of the space, none of the new plantings will exceed 3 feet in height. The design also calls for “hard- scape” improvements — rein- forced gravel paths, new benches facing the fountain, and a slightly narrower perim- eter sidewalk — that will enhance the setting for the plantings. PHS and Fairmount Park have developed a landscape management plan that will provide ongoing care for the landscape once it’s completed. The two organizations have committed staff and money for the landscape’s upkeep. Fairmount Park will continue to provide basic landscape serv- ices such as mowing, litter pickup, and maintenance of the irrigation system. Why are the Paulownias being repaced? Along with the beloved Swann Memorial Fountain, created by Alexander Stirling Calder, the 12 empress trees ( Paulownia tomentosa) were one of the most distinctive aspects of the Logan Square landscape. Because this tree variety remains a signature element of the landscape and, indeed, of the entire Benjamin Franklin Parkway, PHS made a special effort to evaluate their health and safety, bringing in Morris Arboretum’s Arboricultural & Natural Resource consult- ants to perform this task. The investigation found that three of the trees were in serious decline and had to be removed immediately. Five more trees suffered maladies like cavities, cracks, fungus, and other structural problems. Two of the remain- ing four needed drastic pruning, which would likely result in an unattractive form and would require yearly pruning to keep them stable. Only two of 12 trees were in good condition, and if they were to remain, would be threat- ened by construction activities. For these reasons, PHS and the Fairmount Park Commission decided to remove all of the trees and plant new paulownias. Extensive horticultural expertise is being employed in the propagation of the new trees for the Logan landscape. Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA, is growing the 12 replacements, which are offspring from trees in its collection. The young trees were grown from cuttings of the original trees in Longwood’s famous paulownia allee. As a result of this high-quality' parentage, the young trees destined for Logan Square are sure to have a desirable bloom time and color. (Some nursery-bought paulownias bloom after the tree leafs out, obscuring the blossoms. There also can be inconsistencies in color.) Currently, the trees are undergoing a process of cutting back and root pruning to stimulate healthy, even growth, all in prepara- tion for their move to Logan Square in the fall of 2006. PHS is working closely with Longwood staff on this unusual process for acquiring specimen empress trees. And since this species is particularly fast growing, we expect the replacements to reach significant size within a few years after planting. At pres- ent, the young empress trees are growing an impressive 9 inches per week. For more information about the Logan Square landscape rehabilitation, contact Lisa Stephano, PHS Director of PR & Marketing, 215-988-8840 or lstephano@pennhort.org. 38 GREEN SCENE • december 2005 FOXGLOVES 888.322.4450 foxglovesgardengloves.com AN D'C RAFTED WELDEQJ •*" • •• -w t. ** * ARBORS 2* . i I- ^ ARCHWAYS OBELISKS TOWERS PAVILIONS SELECT FROM OUR POPULAR LINE CUSTOM DESIGN/BUILD TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS (215) 884-7378 WWW.THEPAINTEDGARDENINC.COM 304 EDGE HILL ROAD, GLENSIDE, PA 19038 SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT RAILS mm 111$ 2006 PHILADELPHIA March One-of-a-Kind Experience Private guided tours of the largest indoor flower show in the world ALL NEW Early Morning Tour Package: • Groups of 8-12 visit the Show before opening • NEW! 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