Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/greenscene3416edpr Arranging with FEBRUARY 2006 • $5.00 SPECIAL PREVIEW 2006 Philadelphia Flower Av Show A tarly SPRING BULBS page 30 PUSSY WILLOWS page 20 THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Waterloo gardens Nursery | Greenhouse | Perennials Garden Accents | Gardening Supplies Gift & Gourmet Shop | Flower Shop Patio & Garden Furniture Seasonal Christmas Shop Professional Landscaping Services 136 Lancaster Avenue Devon, PA 19333 610.293.0800 200 N. Whitford Road Exton, PA 19341 610.363.0800 waterloogardens.com oast iron statue oy nenri cxuaios lake Wicker b Brown Jordan 1979 - 2006 Over 26 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 tomorrows 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 • Accredited since 1983 Affiliated with the Jefferson Health System features Contents Mother Nature’s Magic Touch Thanks to some help from a very special lady, the 2006 Philadelphia Flower Show is poised to be the best one yet! Enchanted Spring... A Tribute to Mother Nature will dazzle Show veterans and first timers alike with its stunning displays of nature’s splendor. Get the inside scoop from Betsie Blodgett in the pages ahead. Working with Willows The unconventional beauty of pussy willows is a welcome addition to any home decor. So before you buy a bundle at this year’s Show, make sure to read Ellen Spector Platt’s valuable tips and techniques for the preparation and presentation of this distinctive species. 30 Early Signs of Spring If the frigid days of February make you blue, get a jumpstart on spring this year with Jessie Anne Keith’s informative guide to early bulbs. Discover how daffodils, crocuses, and other early risers make for the perfect wintry mix. 36 Groom to Grow How can you turn your shrinking violet into a blue ribbon contender? Just follow Ray Rogers’ simple steps for good plant grooming. Also, learn about the art of “passing”— making sure all entries are Show-ready before the competition begins. Columns The Well-Contained Garden Picking the Perfect Pot Living with Trees To Chop or Not To Chop? The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. Main cover photo © Floyd Limbos, Doylestown, PA » * PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 46 The Backyard Sage Advice from a Flower Show Veteran 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 liene 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 Joe Soprani, 215-988-8809 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 34, 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 “Wedding of the Senses” Recognized Excellence in Design and Contracting ■m “ Fruits of Our Labor ” Robert Montgomery Landscapes, inc. 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. 545 East Uwchlan Avenue Chester Springs, Pennsylvania 19425 phone (610) 594-1810 www.robertmontgomerylandscapes.com "BLENDING HORTICULTURE AND ARCHITECTURE TO ENHANCE YOUR LIFE STYLE" INNOVATIVE DESIGN SOLUTIONS • SKILLED CRAFTSMEN • QUALITY NURSERY STOCK AND MATERIALS Letter from the President Every Flower Show has its personality. The 2006 Show has gone one better — it's already had two personal- ities. First, there was Earthly Delights, a con- cept we had been work- ing on for a couple of years. As the elements of the Central Feature exhibit started to take shape, this title simply didn’t do justice to the exciting displays that Show Designer Sam Lemheney and the exhib- it creators were starting to put on paper. Last April, we decided that Earthly Delights, in the best garden- ing tradition, had to hit the compost pile. In its stead, we selected a fresh-as-a-daisy new title, Enchanted Spring... A Tribute to Mother Nature, and suddenly all was well. The title worked with the exhibits and con- veyed much more satisfactorily what we think will arise from the floor of the Convention Center during set-up week. I use that word “arise” carefully, because that’s exactly what happens. One day you walk in and the place is empty, save for a few old boxes left over from whatever trade show has just finished. The next day, the place is teeming with people, lights are dangling, stage sets are arriving on flatbeds, and a veritable con- voy of trucks is dumping mulch on the floor. Every year, I am dazzled by the creativity of our exhibitors and amazed at the dreams they bring to reality in the 10-acre Convention Center. Take Michael Petrie, for example, who with his team from J. Franklin Styer Nurseries is creating the 60 x 25- foot sculpture of Mother Nature that will grace the center of the exhibit hall. “I’ve lost quite a lot of sleep over this woman,” says Michael as he describes the platform he will set up with pallets that will be cov- ered with Styrofoam and then mulch, into which he will set Japanese hollies, weeping cotoneasters, and junipers. “She will be monumental,” says Michael, “but serene and green. ” Under her undulating green skirts will be grottoes in which Life3, a team of Europe’s top flower arrangers, will create bright, col- orful flower arrangements. The Philadelphia Flower Show is a team effort like none other and, as the pieces fit together in concept and finally on the Show floor, it always reminds me of the biggest jigsaw puzzle. You can’t really see a jig- saw until the last piece is in place. It’s the same with the Flower Show, and along every step toward com- pletion there are wonderful people who make it all fun and exciting and rewarding. To all our exhibitors, volunteers, and staff mem- bers, thank you so much for all you do to make the Show a wonderful event. Grateful thanks also to our sponsors. This will be PNC Bank’s fifteenth year as presenting sponsor and wonderful partner, and thank you also to Subaru of America, Inc., premier sponsor since 2001 . My gratitude also to the following official sponsors: Bartlett Tree Experts; EP Henry; WPVI- TV 6 ABC; Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc.; and ARAMARK. The Flower Show is just the beginning of the gar- dening year for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Once the weather warms up, PHS members have the opportunity to take advantage of a wide array of classes and trips and complimentary admis- sion to Chanticleer, a wonderful estate garden in Wayne. By April, our staff members are ready to take all the winter plans for new Philadelphia Green projects off the drawing board and into the community. For more than three decades, PHS has been investing Flower Show proceeds into accomplishing its mission to improve the quality of life and create a sense of com- munity through horticulture. Hundreds of acres of abandoned land in Philadelphia have become green assets in communities thanks to monies raised at the Flower Show. Through Philadelphia Green and the efforts of many city residents, we have also planted thousands of trees and improved dozens of parks. The numbers don’t do justice to a program that has had such a significant impact on the city of Philadelphia. If you would like to come with us and visit some of these sites in the summer, please send an email to pginfo@pennhort.org or call 215-988-8800. Another exciting year is about to begin, and we are so glad that you, our members, are part of it. Jane G. Pepper, President The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society GREEN SCENE • february 2006 1 Gardens are a metaphor for life itself. For all you give, the more you grow - and the more those around you grow. Plant seeds, nurture them, and share their beauty with others. Grow by giving back. To your garden. To yourself. To your community. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is a proud sponsor of Philly Green, inspiring urban communities across the country to transform neighborhoods one garden at a time. The Scotts Company LLC, founded in Marysville, Ohio in 1868, produces and markets products for lawn and garden care throughout the world. Scotts’ “Give Back to Grow” initiative supports The New York Botanical Garden, The National Garden in Washington, D.C., and other community gardening activities across the country, including Plant a Row for the Hungry. More information on The Scotts Company LLC is available at www.scotts.com. Scotts’ Family Of Brands •Roundup is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC |#NOVALIS Plants that Work® Perennials for Sun and Shade Quality Genetics and Breeding Over 700 Varieties for Sun and Shade Selected for Performance in Your Region and Climate Three Convenient Container Sizes Planting/Care Instructions and Consumer Web Support Exclusive Offerings Like Double Knock Out" Rose and Big Daddy™ Hydrangea Available Only at Fine Independent Garden Centers To Find Plants that Work" in Your Area, Use the Garden Center Locator Online at www.plantsthatwork.com t a MkMxm K. : Id wi 1 1 , v\ ■ Alan & Linda Detrick The Potting Shed G ROWI NG Euphorbia milii Top left: E. milii var. vulcani Top right: ‘Rainbow’ Middle Left: E. milii var. splendens Above: ‘Primrose yellow’ Bottom Left: ‘Sunny side up’ What type of plant could be better than a crisp, green- foliaged, disease-resistant, low- maintenance houseplant that blooms continuously? Euphorbia milii is just such a plant. When I began growing it several years ago, I was amazed at the ease of culture and the floriferous habit of this wonderful plant. As soon as the danger of frost is past in late spring, I place my potted euphorbias outside in a semi-shaded location in the garden. In its own container, this plant does extremely well with regular, but not excessive, watering and a bit of high-phos- phorous fertilizer each month. If you miss a watering or two, the plant remains in good condition, since it stores water in its woody (and spiny) gray stems. It does pre- fer well-drained potting soil enriched with some compost and supplemental watering once the soil becomes dry. As a houseplant during colder months, its only other need is a few hours of direct sunlight a day, such as near a southern or western window. Madagascar is the native home of these plants, which are considered hardy only to Zone 10 here. Euphorbia milii (pronounced you-for-bee-uh mill-eee-eye) usually grows rather slowly to a height of 3 to 4 feet, although the variety ‘Splendens grows 3 to 6 feet. Occasionally, I see a 3- foot plant outdoors in the summer here, and, from a distance, it looks a bit like a rose bush. Indeed, one of the common names for this plant is desert rose. But beware — the spines on this euphorbia are more sinister than those of roses. This might explain some of the other common names for this plant, such as crown of thorns, or Christ plant. Other common names derive from the so-called Thai hybrids, a group of this genus that has larger blooms, foliage and stems than E. milii. “In Thailand, these plants are known as Poysean (Chinese for eight saints) and are regarded as bringing good fortune (lucky plants),” according to the website of Wanapluck Garden Co., Ltd. of Thailand. Like other plants in the EUPHORIACEAE family, the showy portion of the inflores- cence of Euphorbia milii are bracts, or spe- cialized leaves. The actual flower, called a cyathium, contains a very small female flower surrounded by three male flowers, which are reduced to single stamens. The cyathea are borne in pairs and are subtend- ed by two colorful bracts known as cyatho- phylls. While the plants flower year-round, they are at their best in the winter and spring. The Thai hybrids have drastically increased in number over the past 30 years. The common colors are red and yellow, though hues range from red, orange, salmon, yellow, chartreuse, cream, and white to pastels and variegated versions of many of these. A few varieties have varie- gated foliage as well, but these are reputed to be difficult to grow and unstable in their variegation. To see a large selection of Euphorbia milii cultivars and to learn more about their culture, visit the web sites listed below. You’re sure to be euphoric at the fabulous array of euphorbias. — Marilyn Romenesko Web Resources www. tropicalnurseries. com www. wanapluk. com www.glasshouseworks. com www. bobsmoleys. com Also available at Meadowbrook Farm 213-887-3900 www.gotomeadowbrook. com The Gardener’s Bookshelf Courtyards: Intimate Outdoor Spaces by Douglas Keister (151 pp„ $39.95) Photographer Douglas Keister’s new book showcases the artistry and charm of courtyards across the globe. The stunning scenes, rich in color and texture, stir emo- tions and awaken an appreciation for design. But Courtyards offers far more than pretty photos: its in-depth look at enchanted private spaces makes for a fascinating read. Perhaps what’s most memorable is the tremendous diversity of the properties. Whether ancient or contem- porary, simple or ornate, each courtyard boasts a distinctive flare and a sense of serenity. And we all could use some of that. The Welcoming Garden by Gordon Hayward (144 pp„ $29.95) What’s the first thing guests notice when paying a visit? The front door, of course. Why not make a good first impression by taking a break from the backyard and developing a front garden to suit your taste and personality? In Gordon Hayward’s new book, The Welcoming Garden , readers receive handy hints for creating flower- lined walkways, intimate sitting areas, and other clever features that will make your visitors feel welcome. As a source of inspiration (or, perhaps, envy), the book also features several full-page photos of homes with heavenly front gardens. The Outdoor Living Idea Book by Lee Ann White (185 pp„ $19.95) The Outdoor Living Idea Book , new from Taunton Press, explores the limit- less possibilities a backyard provides. Whether it’s a dining area for summer entertaining, a welcoming spot to unwind, or a safe haven for kids to unleash their energy, a backyard should be an extension of the home and a reflection of its owner. Author Lee Ann White offers an abundance of tips and tricks to utilize terrains of all shapes and sizes. The book covers the basics, such as porch and patio decor, but also delves into romantic and luxurious backyard accoutrements, including Victorian-style gazebos and cascading water fixtures. Even often- overlooked details, such as wiring and weatherproofing, are covered in this exhaustive guide to the great outdoors. 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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 Guided by Quaker Values Setting the Standards of Excel in Retirement Living Since 196 1120 Meetinghouse Road, Gwynedd, Pa 215-643-2200 • www.foulkeways.o C Bl os j=J panpha SERVICES!*? Foulkw/ays .ll (»wvn**(lc) dnt’s not flisrrirT S3?! zLnmad aging aahsa color, religion, national origin, gender, age Aaa 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. 1 -866-44 5-3663 WWW. GLEN MEZDE.COM The Flower Show The Mother °f All Shows! Story by Betsie Blodgett Mother Nature never had it so good. With spring just around the corner, she will be surrounded by the most colorful and fragrant flowers, the finest horticultural specimens, and the most imaginative displays the world has to offer. And you can share it with her March 5 through 12, when the 2006 Philadelphia Flower Show comes to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Enchanted Spring... A Tribute to Mother Nature will feature one-of-a-kind exhibits, a new and improved floor plan in the amateur section, and interactive learn- ing stations, all part of the world’s largest — and many say the best — indoor flower show in the world. From the fragrant, enchanted Floratopia tree welcom- ing you at the entrance to exhibits showing how to create your own backyard paradise, this year’s Flower Show “will be a journey through Mother Nature’s gar- den— spectacular, whimsical, imaginative. It’s like noth- ing you’ve ever seen before,” says Sam Lemheney, show’s design director. “This will make people remember that gardening is about having fun, that you’re allowed to do whatever you want in your own garden,” he adds. No doubt he has had a tremendous amount of fun planning this year’s Central Features, where a towering figure called Natura — who at 25 feet high and 60 feet long is the biggest sculpture ever created entirely from living plants — will reign supreme. This Mother Nature, inspired by fairy tales Lemheney has read to his two young chil- dren, is a long-distance collaboration with set designer MR Daniels; J. Franklin Styer Nurseries vice president Michael Petrie; and world-champion European floral designers Tomas De Bruyne, Max van de Sluis, and Per Benjamin, better known as Life3. “They’ve pulled out all the stops with their ingenu- ity,” says Jane Pepper, president of the Pennsylvania Florticultural Society (PHS) , which produces the Flower Show. “It’s one of the most exotic and certainly one of the most challenging Central Features we’ve ever done.” “It’s a combination of different things,” Petrie says of the recumbent Natura, from whose uplifted hand will flow a gentle trickle of water. “She will be a huge pres- ence in the building. ” While Natura herself will be con- structed from thousands of green plants, color and flash will come from Life3’s floral extravaganzas tucked into six cave-like openings in her reclining form. Life3, whom Lemheney calls “the rock stars of the flo- ral world,” promises their designs interpreting the colors of the rainbow “will blow people away.” (Life3 will be at the Flower Show on Monday, March 6, and Tuesday, March 7 for floral demonstrations, a book signing, and workshops. Please visit www.thefloivershow.coml attrac- tions!special or call 215-988-8879 for more information or to purchase tickets for these events.) Jack Blandy, president of Stoney Bank Nurseries, who has exhibited in the Flower Show for 26 years, interprets three elements — water, wind, and fire — in “Mother Nature’s Garden,” skillfully blending whimsy with down-to-earth horticulture (see sidebar). The major exhibits section will include perennial favorites like the Philadelphia Zoo and Waldor Orchids, Right: A rendering of the huge, 25-foot tall display of Mother Nature. GREEN SCENE • february 2006 Lightning Strikes Again ed in the Flower Show for 26 wowed with special effects, including spraying fountains over an underwater castle and fans ruffling a prairie meadow, Stoney Bank’s exhibit will also offer plant ’It had been a stressful Thanksgiving weekend for Jack Blandy after a lightning bolt knocked out power to his greenhouses. But once he started talking about his plans for the Philadelphia Flower Show, all the worrying and lost sleep quickly faded away. “I think it’s going to be the best thing I’ve ever done,” says Blandy, president of Stoney Bank Nurseries, who has exhibit- Above: Garden display sketches and design ideas for the Delaware Valley gardener. “It’s going to be a nice marriage of exciting stuff and our strong horticultural background,” Jack says. “The whimsy of these three gardens is anchored in horticulture for the greatest indoor Flower Show in the world.” years and has picked up quite a few Best of Show awards along the way. Mother Nature’s Garden will be three gardens in one, depicting a trio of Mother Nature’s elements — Fire, Water, and Wind. At more than 4,200 square feet in exhibit space, it’s certainly the largest exhibit Blandy has ever designed and executed. “This is going to be pretty big,” agrees Shows design director Sam Lemheney. “Jack is doing three full gar- dens; they’ll each have their own personality, and Jack is going to bring them to life.” With fire-colored plants evoking a lava flow, kites fly- ing high over a stylized meadow, and every imagi- nable type of water garden, Jack promises this exhibit will appeal to novice garden- ers as well as expert horti- culturists. While visitors will be as well as Waterloo Gardens, returning to the Flower Show after a 14-year absence; newcomers Tourism Ireland; the American Horticultural Society; and TreeVitalize, a state program that promotes planting trees in southeastern Pennsylvania. A bigger and better PHS Village, with a redesigned Flower Show Shoppe and new Philadelphia Green exhibit, provides more room for this popular attraction. But don’t limit your Flower Show experience to one side of the building, for you’ll miss out on Its Your Garden and the revamped amateur exhibits in Hall B. “Visitors will be entertained as they’re learning,” says Lisa Stephano, public relations and marketing director at PHS, describing the new floor plan and exhibits that will teach visitors how to “Know It, Grow It, and Show It.” Enhanced signage, interactive displays, live demon- strations, and lots of “insider” tips will make you feel like a part of the Flower Show, not just a visitor. And look for two new classes in this section — arbors and pedestals — to give you even more inspiration for your own home and garden. “Free collectors’ cards depicting three-season window box designs, complete with plant suggestions and growing tips, will be available from des- ignated volunteers and at Flower Show Information Booths,” Stephano adds. To get the maximum enjoyment from your visit, it pays to plan ahead. Bugged by a critter that's defoliating your dahlias? Visit the Horticultural Information Booth in Hall B to speak with an expert. Always had a secret desire to raise orchids but heard they were impossible to grow? Check out the featured speakers at the Gardener’s Studio located on the Show floor to conquer your Cattleya fears. (Please visit the Flower Show website, www.theflowershow.com , or pick up schedules at the Show for up-to-date information.) Free All-Star Culinary Presentations and the Lecture Series on the Convention Center Concourse offer a chance to rest your feet while you’re learning about the art of ikebana or a Philadelphia celebrity chef’s favorite shortcuts in the kitchen. (Handouts at many of these scheduled events ensure you won’t forget what you’ve learned once you get home.) Whether you come to soak up the lectures and demonstrations, see the horticultural and artistic exhibits, or shop at the Marketplace, Lemheney prom- ises you will not be disappointed. “You have to see it for yourself,” he says. “This is one Show you don't want to miss.” 16 GREEN SCENE • februory 2006 Show Information: Premier Sponsor SUBARU Ireland €P HENRY Official Supplier of Hardscapmg ARAMARK EH J gg Above: Mother Nature’s hands and face being carved out of foam. Left: A section of the Central Feature Dates: March 5 - 12, 2006 Theme: Enchanted Spring. ..A Tribute to Mother Nature Website: www. theflowershow.com Phone Information: 215-988-8899 (recorded info) Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center 1 2th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19107 Hours: Sundays, March 5 & March 12 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday, March 6 - Friday, March 10 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1 1 8 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Best viewing hours are after 4 p.m. Box Office closes one hour before Show closing on all days. Producer: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Presenting Sponsor: PNC Bank Tickets: Adults {at the door) Opening Day Sunday, March 6 $26 Monday March 6 - Friday, March 10 $22 Saturday, March 11 & Sunday, March 12 $24 Children, ages 2-12 [at the door) March 5-12 $12 Advance Tickets: (good any day, available online and at Sales Outlets *) Adults $20 Children (ages 2 - 12) $12 Tickets available online at www. theflowershow. com *Sales Outlets: Flower Show tickets are available at participating PNC Bank branches, AAA Mid-Atlantic branches, Acme Markets, Philadelphia-area Borders Books & Music, Clemens Markets, SEPTA ticket-sales outlets, and participating garden centers, nurseries and florists. Check availability with individual outlets; service charges may apply. Show revenues support the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s outreach efforts, including its acclaimed greening program, Philadelphia Green (www.philadelphiagreen.org). ©PNCBANK Presenting Sponsor A summer home for the Robin family. A little shade for the lemonade. In countless ways, trees contribute to our quality of life. Bartlett Science and Bartlett Tree Experts protect the beauty, health and y'Mft value of that important quality ■ ®ur knowledge and techniques in 4 r00t care« so'l science, pest control and environmental stewardship are respected worldwide. We have been dedicated to H improving the landscape of L tree care, and the settings for lemonade stands, since 1907 Bartlett Tree Experts is a proud sponsor of the 2006 Philadelphia Flower Show BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS Please call 877-BARTLETT 1.877.227.8538 or visit our website www.bartlett.com SCIENTIFIC TREE CARE SINCE 1907 America’s Favorite Groundcover Rose YELLOW PINK • Easy-care, disease resistant • Glossy green foliage all season long • Masses of blooms late spring to fall • Perfect as a landscape plant too! CORAL WHITE Brilliant by Nature Ask for them by name at your favorite garden center this spring! www.tesselaar.com GREEN SCENE • february 2006 18 AW The Plant for Passionate Gardeners ~ Whether you're a passionate person who happens to garden, or a person ivho's passionate about gardening, you'll love Black Lace™. Its dark, finely cut foliage is an intriguing addition to any garden. The purple-black leaves contrast beautifully with many popular perennials, and add instant excitement to your garden. The cut leaf foliage is as dramatic a Japanese maple but as easy to grow as a hosta. Black Lace is the perfect specimen plant for high visibility areas like entryways or island beds. Black Lace can be found at better garden centers. To locate one near you, visit www.colorchoiceplants.com Easy to Grow, Incredibly Colorful Proven Winners® PW CobrCtee Flowering Shrubs Arrangements PUSSYWILLOW Story by Ellen Spector Platt \ A / V \ S C* Photography by Alan & Linda Detrick mf 1 # ll | 1^ | 1 I 1 f 1 Thousands of people leave the Philadelphia Flower Show each year carrying armloads of pussy willows. In fact, you can’t call yourself a loyal Flower Show visitor unless you’ve been poked in the eye by a rogue willow branch while riding the train home. But once your eye heals, the real fun can begin. Flere are a few creative arranging tips for your post-Show frolics. CUT & DRIED The simplest way to dry pussy willows is to cut the bottom off the stems, leaving branches rough- ly twice the height of your vase. The branches will dry in place without further effort on your part and will last for years to come. ► FRESH & FURRY If you’d prefer not to dry your pussy willow, treat it like any fresh-cut flower. Re-cut the bot- tom of the stems at home and place in a clean vase with water and floral preservative. Add other spring flowers such as daffodils or tulips, or add branches for forcing such as forsvthia or quince. The pussy willow catkins will continue to swell, mature, and develop their pollen. Eventually the catkins will drop off as the leaves emerge. When the wilting begins you can toss the whole arrange- ment on the compost pile. IN THE GROUND One year at the Flower Show 1 was inspired to pro- duce my own branches in per- petuity, so I bought a bunch of fantail willow, an interest- ing variety with contorted stems. At home I cut the bot- tom of the stems and placed the bunch in a coffee can full of water, topping up as needed. Eventually the catkins and leaves developed. When white roots appeared I added a cup of garden soil to the water. Every week I added another cup of soil and more water so the slurry never dried out. By the beginning of May | I had branches with nice roots. Mature pussy willow will actually grow into small trees up to 25 feet high and 15 feet wide. But I knew that mine I would never get that large because I’d been cutting branches every year. In my garden I dug four holes, 12 feet apart, and selected my four best stems for planting. Pussy willow prefers moist ground and full I sun. Since the shrub isn't par- ticularly attractive after early spring, I chose a site neatly concealed behind a garden shed. The rooted stems grew extremely fast. A 3-foot 1 branch became a 6-foot shrub in the first year. I made sure to give the young shrubs plenty of extra water the first year after planting. By the second year I was cutting my own branches for a vase indoors and by the third year, to my intense delight, I started selling a modest harvest of bunches at my own booth in the Show’s Marketplace. 21 i FAVORITE SPECIES Each species of pussy willow has its winning attributes, but here are a few of my favorites: The most familiar species is Salix discolor (Zones 4 to 8), which develops large, silver catkins in spring. Salix sachalinensis (Zones 5 to 7), the fan- tail willow known as Sekka, has flat branches that often form interesting patterns. Salix gracilistyla ‘Melanostachys’ (Zones 5 to 8), the red-gold pussy willow, sports black catkins with brick-red anthers. FAVORITE WREATHS I know of several ways to make pussy willow wreaths that look nice, either on their own or with other flowers and herbs. For any style wreath, make sure the stems are still pli- able before beginning. It’s best to get started in the first few days after getting them home; that way the catkins won’t drop and the stems will still bend easily if you want them to. Whatever style you make, remember that the stems shrink as they dry, so make the wreath extra full and pull wrapping wire tight to allow for shrinkage. i PUSSY WILLOW SWIRL • Start with a wire wreath form with clamps, about 10 or 12 inches in diameter. • Cut branches of fresh pussy willow into 6- to 8-inch lengths. Then make 10 to 12 piles of at least six pieces each. • Place a bundle on the frame inside a set of clamps, positioning the tips out at a slight angle. Bend the clamps down tightly. • Place the second bundle overlapping the stems of the first and clamp it in place. • Continue around the wreath clamping each bundle. When you get to the last bundle it will be a little harder and you may want to clip the stems slightly shorter. • Add a bow if desired. • Because stems shrink as they dry, make sure the clamps are very full and secure to allow for the shrinkage. • Use the wreath to hang indoors or outdoors in a protected place, or use without the bow flat on a table as part ol a centerpiece. Arrangements "HEART OF MY HEART" DESIGN Cut 1 1 stems of fresh pussy willow. Bind the stems together with florist spool wire about 4 inches from the bottom of the pile. Now grasp four stems near the top and pull down to the right and affix to the wired spot near the bottom. Take four stems and pull down to the left. You now have the two loops of the heart with three tall branches springing up at the top. Cover all the wire at the bottom with some ribbon or a raffia bow. Top Pussy Willow Heart Wreath with bow. Left Top Salix discolor blossoms (Pussy Willow) catkins. Left Inset Salix gracilistyla var. Melanostachys . Shreiner Tree Care Specialists, Inc. 334 S. Henderson Road Kinc. of Prussia, PA 19406 610-527-3637 WWW.SHREINERTREECARE.COM Spring. . . Soon to Arrive Tree Health, Safety and Improved Aesthetics Your trees and landscaping are essential to your home’s value. We are committed to providing you with exceptional care and service in maintaining the beauty of your home. Steve Shreiner, Certified Arborist Protecting Your Trees An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Before building a new home or considering an addition, several steps should be taken to preserve your trees. Protecting and preparing your trees prior to construction greatly improves their chance for survival. Call a Shreiner Arborist to perform a pre- construction site evaluation. J GREEN SCENE • february 2006 23 Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society Ordinary Mysteries Ordinary Mysteries: rhe Common Journal of- Nathaniel and Sophia Hawthorne, 1842-1843 Nicholas R. Lawrence and Marta L. Werner From the summer of 1842 through the fall of 1843, Nathaniel and Sophia Hawthorne kept a common journal of their daily lives in a notebook currently housed in the Pierpont Morgan Library. Intended solely for their own eyes, the journal records the ordinary events and activities that occupied the Hawthornes as newlyweds: walks through the countryside around Concord, appraisals of their new home, encounters with neighbors (among them Emerson, Fuller, and Thoreau), descriptions of the weather and the changing seasons— all material that Hawthorne would later draw on for the preface to his second collection of tales. Mosses from an Old Manse (1846). Its most persistent note, however, is the mutual expression of marital happiness. For over a century the jour- nal has been available in published form only as a mutilated text, edited initially by Sophia, who divorced Nathaniel's entries from her own and presented them as extracts from his solo notebooks. Ordinary Mysteries makes available for the first time a full facsimile edition of the journal, preserving the interplay of the Hawthorne's collaboration and revealing the censorship executed by Sophia on the manuscript after Nathaniel's death. Vol. 256 0-87169-256-2 / 978-0-87169-256-6 $75.00 Printed January 2006 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 bacteriological 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 contnbu- tions to the study of infectious diseases, the formation of modern immunology and innovative research on spe- cific 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, 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 hos- pitals 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 founda- tion 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 ail 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 revolutionize 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, develop- ment. and finally the collapse of this ambitious enterprise, which absorbed the ener- gies and attentions of a broad range of seventeenth-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 relation- ship between instrument makers and mathematical adepts, on the mechanical phi- losophy 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 DESCA AND IHb HYPHtft A i RTES out QUEST k D Graham 1 Ccmrnrr American Philosophical Society 104 South Fifth Street • Philadelphia, PA 19026-3387 (Tel) 21S440-3425 • (Fax) 215440-3450 BOOK ORDERS: Please contact our fulfillment service— DIANE Publishing Co., 330 Pussey Avenue. Unit #3 Rear, Collingdale. PA 19023 (phone 800-782-3833 or 610-461-6200; fax 610461-6130). Online orders may be sent to fulfillment@amphilsoc.org. See our website for recent catalogs and backlist: www.aps-pub.com 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 Tatter papers, as the author of the drama Cato, and as the composer of a body of minor Haan examines the intricate inter-textual relationships between some of Addison’s neo-Latin poems and the poetic corpus of one Augustan poet: Virgil (in particular, the Georgies). Vol. 95, Pt.2 0-87169-9524 $24 Printed June 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 centu- ry until to outbreak of the Second Word War; nevertheless, its origins are not well understood. Two important docu- ments—which have received little scholarly attention — shed considerable light on the genesis of this trade. These manuscripts describe the voyages of the American trading 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 officials 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 loin K Hocbna The Opening of the Maritime Fur Trade at Vergilius redivivus English verse. Estel PondWorks AQUATIC DESIGN ■ CONSTRUCTION • MAINTENANCE Contact us today to learn more about our full line of products and services. www.pondworksonline. com p 610.327.1423 f 610.327.1424 Come see us at the Philadelphia Flower Show, Booth #527. Discover how Walpole's style and quality will combine beautifully with your imagination to make this outdoor season your most successful ever. |fl|Wc3lpole Woodworkers, Quality fence since 1933 540 Tabor Rd., Rt. IOW at 53N, Morris Plains, NJ • 973-539-3555 For a free catalog or all our locations visit walpolewoodworkers.com Make Your Gardening Dreams Come True Successful gardens come in many shapes and sizes, from a glorious mixed border to cheerful and carefree pots like the annual Verbena in a strawberry jar shown above, item S871 13, 16 plants plus jar, for $75. For over 50 years we have offered gardeners inspiration, information, and the right selection of top-quality plants. Whether you’re a beginning gardener or a seasoned expert, White Flower Farm can provide what you need to be successful. Guaranteed. Our offering includes hundreds of perennials, annuals, shrubs, bulbs, and vines plus practical tools, supplies, and gifts. You’ll find choice treasures from around the world (more than 200 new this spring) and the best traditional varieties — a selection no garden center can match. Please visit whiteflowerfarm.com to make your selections which will arrive, with detailed instructions enclosed, at the right time for spring planting. You may also request a free copy of our spring catalogue by calling 1-800-475-0148. Please mention Source Code 61064. White Flower Farm whiteflowerfarm.com The Philadelphia Flower Show Presents QJ id ro A special advertising section for retail vendors in the Flower Show’s Marketplace” section. We invite you to visit them when you come to the Show 26 GREEN SCENE • february 2006 ARCHWAYS TOWERS SELECT FROM OUR PAVILIONS POPULAR LINE OF PERGOLAS PRODUCTS OR LET US BENCHES Thc-j Painted Garden-}, Inc. (215) 884-7378 WWW.THEPAINTEDGARDENINC.COM 304 EDGE HILL ROAD. GLENSIDE. PA 19038 SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT visit our Sales Area in Marketplace a^he 2006 Flower Show. After the show, visit our Orchid Jungle and Plant Showroom in Linwood, NJ Open Fridays & Saturdays Only • 9 am to 5:30 pm 10 East Poplar Avenue, Linwood, NJ • 609.927.4126 www.waldor.com HAND PAINTED) HOME ACCESSORIES May Pringle’s gardening journal and stories of life on a Pennsylvania famr inspired this line of original art and accents for the home. Choose from a range of floral themed cabinets, doorstops, fireboards and other decorative delights. See us in booth #513 at the Philadelphia flower show. www.maypringle.com Nature's Creations Natural Jewelry 8c Art Booth #61 1 Philadelphia Flower Show 2006 www.leafpin.com 800-288-7813 LYN SNOW ORIGINAL WATERCOLORS LIMITED EDITION PRINTS Com& fee our neurprUcts. Booth #627-629 And please visit our website www.lynsnow.com Perennial favorites for your , outdoor season. I Come see us at the Philadelphia Flower Show, Booth #527. Discover how Walpole's style and quality will combine beautifully with your imagination to make this outdoor season your most successful ever. Woodworkers* Qtiality 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 GREEN SCENE • february 2006 27 Spec&tfttog in Onhid Colton Gnw Light Hydroponics, otto Mon VISIT OUR LOCAL DEALERS TASTY HARVEST HYDROPONICS HYDROPONIC GARDEN AND SUPPLY ROUTE 41 & COUNTY HOUSE RD. 1012 B LINCOLN AVENUE DEPTFORD, NJ 08096 GARDEN INDOORS PROSPECT PARK, PA. 1 9076 1-856-227-6300 208 ROUTE 13 1-610-586-2171 BRISTOL, PA. 19007 1-800-227-4567 Visit us at the Philadelphia Flower Show Booth # 532 Extensive Selection of Garden Hand Tools From left to right: Rock Rake, Loop Hoe, Diamond Shuffle Hoe, Swoe, Slim Draw Hoe, Collinear Hoe <&en?oL ■ | Lee Valley 1-800-683-8170 www.leevalley.com P.0. Box 1780, Ogdensburg, N.Y. 13669 This selection of specialty hoes is just a small sample of the gardening tools we carry, for every need from propagation to harvesting. To see our complete line, stop by booth 606 and pick up our free 1 70-page garden tools catalog. Booth 606 28 GREEN SCENE • february 2006 Medford Leas and The Lewis W. Barton Arboretum Dynamic adult community • Beautiful arboretum setting • Superior health & wellness services ft 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 # Gall 800. 33i. 4803 or visit www.medfordleas.org Will you spend another season unsatisfied? Private Residence Spring City, PA Private Residence Villanova, PA 2005 PPA Honor Award ...1 robably, if you don't contact us soon. Quality design takes time, careful thought and inspired creativity. Plan next season's project now! Contact us and let our Award Winning team turn your dreams into reality. vv JtM Piedrrn Landscape Architecture Fine Garden Design & Construction Ecological Restoration P.O. Box 736 | Kimberton, PA 19442 | 610.983.3326 ® 6 1 0. 983. 35 56 fax | www.piedmontdesigns.biz '/5 GREEN SCENE • february 2006 29 Bring on Spring with Early Bulbs Story and Photography By Jessie Anne Keith As the cold days of winter start to lengthen, I eagerly await the bright clusters of Narcissus, pale blue puschkins, and festive Crocus that magically appear in my frosty beds and lawn. Of all the season’s flowers, early bulbs — or geophytes, as they’re known botanically — surely impact the human psyche the most. They are the perfect cure for slushy days, icy feet and fingers, and the late winter doldrums. Their cheerful colors remind us of new growth and the approaching warmer weather, even though they disappear almost as quickly as they arrive. Some of the most beloved early geo- phytes are CROCUSES. Fittingly called “herald-of-spring,” Crocus are born from corms and boast 1 1 5 species, only a handful of which are heavily cultivated. Three of the most popular spring bloom- ing species are C. chrysanthus, C. seiberi, and C. vernus. These have yielded over 70 cultivars, including many tried-and-true antique varieties that have never fallen out of fashion. The giant crocus, Crocus vernus , has enormous flowers that can reach up to 30 GREEN SCENE • february 2006 2 inches across. The classic Dutch culti- var ‘Pickwick has charming purple and white candv-stripes and looks great with the velvety purple C. vernus ‘Purpureus Grandiflorus' (introduced in 1870). Last year mine bloomed in early March along with the vigorous clean white, C. vernus' Joan of Arc' (1943). Vibrant colors are welcome in early spring, and the magenta, gold, and white-throated Crocus sieberi subsp. sub- limis ‘Tricolor' is a knockout. When planted in sweeps they pack an impres- sive punch. A lirtle less flashy, but equal- ly beautiful are C. chrysanthus, the 1943 introduction ‘Cream Beauty’, and its opalescent blue counterpart ‘Blue Pearl’. Their subdued colors look very pretty planted with small snowdrops. SNOWDROPS ( Galanthus spp.) were first popularized in the United States in the eighteenth century. Many heirlooms are still available, and they are long- lived, so old clumps commonly show up around old homes. Their nodding white blooms appear as early as January and have three prominent petals (actually petal-like sepals called “tepals”) and an inner corona decorated with green marks. There are 19 species and many cultivars. To collectors, Galanthus vari- ants are all distinct and wonderful, but to the untrained eye their differences are very subtle. But even snowdrop neo- phytes would recognize some selections as extraordinary. The double snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis ‘Flore Pleno’ (1731) has flowers that look like skirts with ruffled petti- coats. The first US citation of this culti- var was made in 1735 by famed Philadelphia botanist John Bartram. The elegant teardrop flowers of the Greek native Galanthus ikariae are some of my favorites, and the eye-catching giant snowdrop, Galanthus elwesii , is especially tall (10 inches) and vigorous. There are also many great, but rare, cul- tivars. Galanthus nivalis ‘Angel ique has a distinct elongated corona and large drooping petals with just a hint of green, and the hard-to-find ‘Modern Art has unique, tripod-like flowers. Opposite page: Iris reticulata ‘Gordon’ Above: Crocus sieberi subsp. ‘Tricolor’ Left Crocus ‘Cream Beauty and ‘Blue Pearl Below Galanthus ikariae and Crocus vernus Bottom Galanthus elwesii Like snowdrops, the SPRING SNOWFLAKE ( Leucojum vernum) also has a wintery common name and habit. Leucojum and Galanthus are often mixed up due to similar names, bloom times, and colors, but they are very different. Unlike Galanthus, Leucojum are taller, reaching up to 12 inches, and their scapes carry multi- ple bell-like flowers with six petals tipped with green spots. Mine are happily growing beneath a red oak among a large patch of golden winter aconite. Eranthis hymalis is the most common of the WINTER ACONITES. This carefree member of the buttercup family (RanunculacEAE) is born from small tubers that naturalize well, particularly under trees. Close up they look like glassy buttercups wearing ruffs of pinkish green foliage, but at a distance mature sweeps become blankets of gold. Either way, they are impressive. Another vernal buttercup is Adonis amurensis. It is less common but worth seeking out. The flowers of this hard-to-propagate gem have cellophane yellow petals and feathery dark green foliage that almost look like plastic. A few years ago I carefully planted one in a pro- tected spot. It has since grown well, giving me the confidence to invest in more choice Japanese cultivars, like A. multiflora ‘Sandanzaki’, which has double gold flow- ers with an inner whorl of chartreuse petals. One cannot speak of golden spring flow- ers without mentioning DAFFODILS. The first daffodils that break bud in my garden are the small Cyclamineus daffodils, like the popular American cultivar ‘Jetfire’ (1966), the maize ‘February Gold (1923), and the creamy apricot ‘Snipe’. These begin to make their appearance in the beginning of March, along with the pretti- ly unkempt double Victorian heirloom Narcissus ‘Rip van Winkle’. Little blue spring flowers were a child- hood favorite, so two years ago I set out to fulfill my purple/blue, smaller bulb needs. I interspersed Scilla siberica ‘Spring Beauty’, pale cerulean Scilla bifolia , blue striped Puschkinia scilloides , and glory- of-the-snow ( Chionodoxa luciliae ) among pre-existing clumps of daffodils. I he result was sensational and top billing went to the Siberian squill. Scilla siberica ‘Spring Clockwise starting top left: Leucojum vernum Eranthus Narcissus ‘Rip Van Winkle’ Chionodoxa luciliae ‘Alba’ Iris histrioides ‘George’ Scilla blfolia Tall, early-blooming Narcissus tazetta hybrid 32 Right: Bulbocodium vernum Beauty’ has some of the best blue color. It spreads fast via bulb and seed — painting the landscape in only a few years — and cleans up easily. Once spent, I simply rake the leaves away. Scilla, Puschkinia, and Chionodoxa are similar in size and appearance, so they are often confused. Thankfully, several floral features easily distinguish them. Chionodoxa and Puschkinia have flowers with a small pointed corona and tepals that are fused at the base, while Scilla have free tepals and no corona. Flower shape and size easily distinguish Puschkinia and Chionodoxa. Puschkinia have smaller flow- ers held in a bell shape, while Chionodoxa have larger flowers that open flat. The earliest irises are dwarf rock dwellers like the purple Iris ‘George’, grey spotted hybrid ‘Katherine Hodgkin’, and perky yellow Iris danfordiae. Their cool flowers look best planted en masse along border edges or within rock gardens. The taller clump-forming Iris reticulata can reach 12 inches and boasts many great cultivars in shades of blue, purple, and white. I recommend interplanting the radiant blue cultivar ‘Gordon’ and clear white ‘Natascha’. So cheer up your late-winter garden with more early color. Plan ahead now by marking out new bulb territory to be con- quered, and don’t be afraid to try new, ear- lier, and more colorful bulbs. For me, this year’s pick is the electric pink Bulbocodium vernum. Make bulb lists, get the best pickings from the spring bulb vendors, and plant big this fall. You won’t be sorry you did! Jessie Anne Keith is a garden writer and horticultural instructor at the Williamson Free School in Media, PA. Her back- ground is in both horticulture and plant biology. Frost Fighters! When early geophytes bloom, abrupt snowstorms are as common as spurts of untimely warm weather, but they are amazingly resilient to such harsh conditions. They hug the ground and have many frost protec- tion mechanisms, such as antifreeze proteins. Others, like Adonis, even have flowers that track and reflect the sun, causing them to heat up, creating a pollinator oasis (pollination being another late-winter challenge). Insect pollinators are poikilotherms (cold-blooded) and need warmth to move, so on chance warm days, early bloomers must lure them fast with every floral enticement, like bright colors, nectar, fragrance, etc. On a warm February day while taking a beekeeping course, I observed this efficient seduction firsthand. Our honeybees took flight to forage and returned with loads of azure-blue, saffron-orange, and yellow pollen from nearby patches of Scilla slberica, Crocus, and Eranthis. It was amazing. Garden Accents Presents For Now And For The Future" ~ Personalized Armillaries by David Harber wEF. •; ... ; - y* : * > ^ ?&< * Elizabeth Schumacher's •' V. ' *•*» XV.-: ,VT' • y\ '■ . . V V ‘ ■ 4 Union Flill Road W. Conshohocken, PA 19428 610.825.5525 Tues-Sat I0am-5pm Or online anytime! www.gardenaccents.com GREEN SCENE • february 2006 33 Camden Children’s Garden The Camden Children's Carden is a special place for the young and the young at heart to explore and discover the natural world. The four-acre, interactive Carden features several whimisical gardens. Garden Attractions The Carden's educational exhibits include the Philadelphia Eagles Four Seasons Butterfly House, Plaza de Aibomto Tropical Exhibit and Benjamin Franklin's Secret Carden. Round out your visit with our three exciting amusement rides: Commerce Carousel, Arrow River Train, and the Spring Butterfly Ride. Festivals Enjoy the Second and Fourth Saturday Series - delighful Carden Festivals, April to November. Each festival is held 11:00am to 4:00pm and includes entertainment, crafts, educational activities and more. 0 Additional Garden Features The Garden offers a variety of educational activities: On-Site Lessons, Garden Festivals for Schools, and Distance Learning. The Garden also offers affordable family membership, volunteer oppurtunities and party rentals. Hours and Admission HOURS: 10:00am to 5:00pm. ADDMISSION: $3.00 for children (3-11), $5.00 for adults, and children ages two and under are free. Rides are $1.50 each. Croup rates are available. VISIT OUR EXHIBIT AT THE 2006 PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW! 3 Riverside Drive Camden, NJ 08103 856 365 TREE (8733) info@camdenchildrensgarden org www camdenchildrensgarden org V Children’* GARDEN Open April-October, Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm Wayne, PA 19087, 610-687-4163 www.chanticleergarden.org “For expert advice in all realms of horticulture, gardeners have come to depend upon the handbooks produced by Brooklyn Botanic Garden." —Booklist lOOGardenTips $9.95 each, complete with color photos and no pages of expert information. Available in book stores. Become a Subscribing 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 and Members News. Reciprocal privileges at botanical gardens across the country. Discounts from gardening-related retailers and florists. To become a member and enjoy these benefits call 718-623-7210 or visit www.bbg.org. Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1000 Washington Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11225 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. 610-645-8764 • www.waverlyheightsltd.org HEIGHTS d* 1400 Waverly Road, Gladwyne, PA 1 9035-1296 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! ' JK T- t=t 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 535 Gradyville Road • Newtown Square, PA 19073 www.whitehorsevillage.org WHITE Lewes. Delaware Mary vessels Parte visit Hist oric Lewes, Delaware and t our our "hidden" private gardens at the lfeth Annual Lewes garden Tour sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce on ■saturdayjune ly-th from no AM to 5PM. Mention this ad and reserve your discounted garden Tour tlcteet for 410. For more information contact the Lewes Chamber of Commerce at 2JJ-AC?5.3P)3>J- or visit www.leweschamber.com ’Nd/utucteet-styLe' or- the Delaware Const Coastal Retreat and Event destination at Canal Square . Located on the waterfront In the heart of Historic Lewes , The Inn at Canal Square offers guests lavish comfort coupled with seaside charm. Eurofea n-style breakfast Included. Fitness Room Coming Spring 2 00& Mentlonthls ad when making your reservation for the garden Tour and join us for a wine and cheese reception on the evening of June l&th. Inquire about our Spring § Summer Packages 122 Marfeet street • Lewes, ijjss Ph 302. £>44. 33J-J- • Resv g,g>g>.<&44.1911 www.thelnnatcanalsguare.com A * T. im^gj Hlln V fll l ; . ,i . Show Tips Good Grooming Makes All the Difference Story by Ray Rogers Someone jokingly once called me “The King of Grooming.” No, 1 don’t spend lots of time and money on haircuts and manicures; the compliment referred to the condition of my Horticourt entries at the Philadelphia Flower Show. It didn’t take me long to learn that in the world of horticultural competition, if all the other attributes of two entries are considered equal, evi- dence of good grooming usually means the differ- ence between a first-place ribbon and a lesser award. Presented here are some pointers to help you make your plants look their best and win you that blue. Grooming boils down to cleaning up a poten- tial entry. That’s it. But as the saying goes, the devil is in the details, so a good groomer spends GREEN SCENE • februory 2006 All cleaned up and ready for its closeup! The author’s fully groomed specimen of Pelargonium sidoides won a blue ribbon as well as a rosette prize from the Philadelphia Unit of the Herb Society of America in 2003. The pot and black gravel topdressing completed the presentation. Photo by Adam Laip9on time and effort removing unsightly plant parts, as well as on using complementary pots and top- dressings (more on that later). Where to begin? First, take a good look at a potential entry. Are there dead, fading, and dirty leaves and flowers, broken or leaning stems, and other faults? They might as well be a garish neon sign flashing on and off for the judges and the public. Anything eye-catching in a bad way must go, so that only the good qualities can shine forth. Don’t go overboard, though. No plant is per- fect, and inevitably some defects will remain after even the most detailed grooming session. The trick is to remove enough of the offending parts without making the plant appear naked. Every exhibitor has a tool kit of some sort to help with grooming. Without question, my favorite tools are my hands. Fingers and thumbs can go over a plant fairly quickly and precisely, and they don t earn' the risk of damage from slic- ing and poking like scissors and tweezers do. Of course I use scissors and tweezers and other imple- ments, but only after making the First pass with my hands. Man-made tools do the fine work that fingers can’t, such as removing brown leaf tips and firmly attached dead leaves. Paintbrushes — both intact and with the bristles cut down — handily remove the dust and other particles that huffing and puffing can’t. A moistened brush or soft cloth removes most stubborn dirt and white stains (from fertilizers, pesticides, and hard water), as does gentle rubbing with a clean finger and thumb. For most exhibitors, time is their most valuable grooming resource. Preparing some plants for show can consume prodigious amounts of time; one of my all-time top winners took the better part of two days to get it looking good, and that doesn’t include the other hours spent removing thousands of dead leaves as the plant matured. If you have a potential winner, start grooming well before the show date, and make a habit of check- ing the plant every now and then. You’ll stay ahead of the game and may also be alerted to pests or other problems in the meantime. Just as a simple, unadorned frame presents a picture in an attractive setting, so do a clean, uncomplicated pot and unobtrusive topdressing show off a plant to its best advantage. A plain ter- racotta pot in dark, earthy shades or tones of gray, plus relatively dark-colored pebbles or fine bark covering the potting mix, act as supporting play- ers for the star of the show — the plant. The 2006 Philadelphia Flower Show is just Top The author carefully grooming his show entry. Bottom In its pre-groomed state, this pelargonium clearly needs its dead leaves and debris removed. weeks away. If you’ve never entered a plant before, why not make 2006 the year you jump into the pool? Follow the above suggestions, and you just might enjoy the thrill of seeing a blue ribbon next to your plant for all the world to see. For more information on entering the Philadelphia Flower Show, visit www.theflowershow.com and click on the Exhibitor’s Guide. GREEN SCENE • february 2006 37 Show Tips Before the entries are judged and the rib- bons dispersed, there’s an important aspect of the Philadelphia Flower Show competition that most visitors never hear about. The process known as passing is an early step to ensure that all entries meet Show standards. Think of it as a dress rehearsal for plants. As the sun rises on the first day of the Show, eager exhibitors wake up extra early to head to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and present their creations to the awaiting passing committee. The passers, decked out in aprons and armed with red pencils, are ready to start the inspection. This is a milestone moment for exhibitors since each one has cultivated and cared for his or her entry since at least December 1 of the previous year (roughly three months). Some have been preparing their entry for an entire year. Make no mistake about it, these passers are no ordinary people. Rather, they are experts in the Competitive Class they exam- ine. Passers fall into two categories: horti- cultural and artistic. “The first step,” according to Shows Production Director Kathy Mills, “is to ensure that each entry conforms to the rules.” This requires that passers observe a laundry list of factors, including the cleanliness of the pot and the accuracy of the entry card. Passers must also check for prohibited materials, such as cut fruits or vegetables and artificial flowers or foliage. It’s also imperative that every entry is completely bug-free so as not to contaminate the competition. An entry that fails to meet the criteria isn’t dismissed, rather the exhibitor gets to right any wrongs detected by the passer. “If someone has a problem [with his or her entry] we can catch it before it gets too far. There’s a group of wonderful gentlemen who have supplies to help fix almost any problem the passers may find,” says Pat Carson, chair of Artistic Passing for 2006. “Everyone is very helpful. If you are missing something The Art of , in your tool kit, someone is always willing to try and help you out.” Although they are there to assist, mem- bers of either passing committee, horticul- tural and artistic, may not take the reigns and reconfigure an entry. This rule is taken quite seriously to ensure fairness for all Show exhibitors. Once all the alterations are made and the plants, exhibits, and arrangements are up to snuff, the entry card receives a big, red ‘P’ and is officially passed. At this time exhibitors are forbidden from further alterations and must bid adieu to their darling display. Although it can be a nerve-wracking expe- rience, passing is all about positive rein- forcement, and nearly every entry presented is passed. “We’re there to facilitate and to aid the people entering the Show,” notes Horticultural Passing Chair Linda Eirhart. “We want to give them the best chance of winning the best prize they can.” To learn more about entering the Flower Show, visit our website, www. theflowershow. com. The Barnes Foundation - OPEN ENROLLMENT - Classes start Sept. 2006 P*:\ », ’ Barnes Foundation Horticultural Classes 2006-2007 In 1940, Laura Barnes established the Arboretum School to provide students of horticulture, botany, and landscape architecture the opportunity to work under professional guidance. .L— j This fall, the Arboretum School of The Barnes — Foundation will accept twenty-five new first-year — | — ) students. The three-year program in ornamental horticulture offers a comprehensive curriculum of botany, plant propagation, practical horticulture techniques, and landscape design. A well-trained faculty provides expert instruction and guidance in the horticultural arts and sciences. Students learn and practice in the 12-acre arboretum and in the state-of-the-art greenhouse in Merion. The curriculum develops skilled practitioners through a combination of classroom lecture, self-directed learning, and hands-on experience. 1 ' -1— ) For more information and full course description and registration, please call 610-667-0290 ext. 2259. THE BARNES FOUNDATION 300 North Latch’s Lane, Merion, PA 19066 www.barnestoundation.org 38 GREEN SCENE • february 2006 www.foxglovesinc.com 1.888.322.4450 • A great liner under heavier gloves Beauty & Performance Elle Extends the distinctive comfort and protection of Foxgloves from finger tip to elbow Guards against irritation from plant oils, scratches and excessive sun exposure Original ’ Added grip dots for non-slip holding powe • Ideal for using rakes, pruners, shovels and other tools • Great driving and sport gloves Come see us at the Flower Show Booth 526 The Gloves You Love to Wear • Perfect for planting annuals and bulbs, dividing perennials, weeding and other bare handed tasks FOXGLOVES Wholesale Dutch Bulbs ■ 4 \ Narcissus Ice Follies #8201 Select from 800 Dutch flower bulb varieties for unmatched garden display and naturalized landscapes. Visit us at www.vanengelen.com for our 48-page price list and website specials. V&vi €v»5c1 cm 23 Tulip Drive • PO Box 638 IT Bantatn. CT 06750 UJ (860 >567-8734 PA80 www.vanengelen.com Buy where the professionals buy. Tree &' Landscape Services Exceptional Quality t's the McFarldkid Way l 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 • february 2006 39 The Well-Contained Garden THE POTS THEMSELVES By Rhoda Maurer Above: A simple terracotta container showcases Cyperus papyrus at Chanticleer. Top right: Colorful clay pots offer multitudes of possibilities to punch up or play off of color in the garden. Middle: Small containers used collectively as a small vignette in a private garden. Above: A painted sap bucket is an inexpensive yet effective container for Zephranthes Candida at Scott Arboretum. Left: A marble head is used as a container in a sculpture park in Japan. It may be cold outside, but spring will beckon in a month or two, and many gardeners will begin to daydream of the summer garden and its myriad potted possibilities. Whether you are adding new contain- ers or modifying an existing garden, it is wise to do a little early-season plan- ning that includes finding the appro- priate containers for your garden. There are many different types of containers, but all must provide a few basic requirements for plants: ade- quate drainage, adequate root zone area, non-toxic materials (especially for edibles), and the ability to hold potting media. For instance, many succulents and cacti can be grown in shallow containers, but tropicals need a deeper pot for their vigorous root systems. Unglazed clay pots have the best drainage and can develop charac- ter with age; the surface weathers and can grow moss. Glazed clay retains water better than unglazed clay and offers many color choices. Containers present challenges, too. Various metals acquire character with age, but may also rust or decay and sometimes cause the potting medium to overheat, damaging the roots of some plants. Whiskey barrels are often treated with creosote and should be avoided as containers for edibles. Aquatic plants require pots without holes, but all other containers, no matter the size, should have large drainage holes. Unless absolutely nec- essary to protect surfaces, saucers should not be used outdoors as they inhibit proper drainage. For large containers, invest in frost-resistant materials that can stay outdoors dur- 40 ing the winter. Antique lead contain- ers, stone vessels, frost-resistant terra- cotta, stainless steel, and some plastics will tolerate our winters if protected from standing water within. After the basic requirements have been met, the real fun ot choosing your container begins; personal pref- erence and aesthetic judgment are the only criteria. Today, there are more container styles and materials to choose from than ever before, thanks to the availability of manmade mate- rials; just be certain to invest in quali- ty pots appropriate for the size of the site and the garden aesthetic. Sometimes "found objects," like sinks, bowls and tubs, lend themselves as interesting vessels. Be creative, as a few great pots always have more impact than several mediocre ones. Price does not necessarily reflect qual- ity; however, in the clay-pot market you should expect to pay more for better pots. Many handcrafted, antique clay vessels have become sought-after treasures handed down by generations of gardeners. Sometimes they are even more valu- able than what’s planted in them! Containers are often used to high- light specific plants or the garden aes- thetic. For example, you can choose a container whose colors and textures complement or contrast with the plant inside it. In general, ornate con- tainers work best with simple plant- ings, while simple containers can suc- ceed with more complex plantings. Choose between showcasing the vessel and showcasing the plants. If you want the assemblage of container and plants to have a “wow” factor, then strong simple container forms work best. This does not necessarily equate to large in size; small simple forms can have just as much impact as large ones. Creative selection, a little planning, and placement of containers can lead to exciting possibilities in the garden. Don’t be afraid to use your imagination! Rhoda Maurer is the plant records supervi- sor 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. \ RYDER CUP 2006 \ IRELAND] Some ot the world's most interesting Sub-tmpical ptint* a were discovered here this ewnmg by TOM and HELEN from Stow . SfCfzi Tourism Ireland is a Proud Sponsor of the Philadelphia Flower Show Come visit our uniquely designed Irish Garden, walk around it and visit with our Irish Garden experts. - Meet Irish Trade Specialists at our exhibit all week. - Meet USA Tour Operators specializing in Garden packages all week. - Come to hear our Irish specialists lecture on all aspects of the Gardens of Ireland. , r r 1 f - « For more information: Log-on to www.shamrock.org/activity or call 1-800 223 6470 T |^1 Your very own Ireland Discover it at discoverireland.com GREEN SCENE • february 2006 41 pour some love into your patio pour some soul into your pool deck pour some heart into your driveway driveways walkways pool decks infe patios interiors ARCHITECTURAL ACD CONCRETE Bj Chmtofhtr MtMthun Cnnanf Inc 1 .877.843.4373 3001 new falls road | levittown, pa www.ArchitecturalConcreteDesign.com MOSTARDI NURSERY ^ y/T ~* \ ‘ ■■ ' mu Your garden is your sanctuary...come to Mostardi’s for distinctive plants, expertise and inspiration. -v : • V." -- • i 4033 West Chester Pike (Route 3) • Newtown Square. PA 19073 610-356-8035 • www.mostardi.com Living With Trees MOVING in By Adam Levine promised to cut it down for us never appeared, and then when spring came, the tree leafed out and looked pretty, and we began to have second thoughts. Our hesitation amounted to a stay of execution. The tree still stands. The common advice to new homeowners is to live with their landscape for a year before making any major changes. Clearly, Tom and I ignored that advice. After many years’ experience, we know what we like and espe- cially what we dislike. We filled a 20-yard dumpster with the latter category, with no regrets. But as eager as we’ve been to make our mark on this property — to make it ours — I’m sure we would have regretted removing the trees. Last year, as spring turned into summer, we found that we had more than enough sunlight in the garden to grow just about anything we wanted. And as the summer turned dry and hot we were grateful for the maple’s shade. We were also grateful for the surprising beauty of another small tree, an old rose-of-Sharon, which we decided to give a reprieve. Perhaps in gratitude, it covered itself with purple blossoms for months. Adam Levine, a frequent contributor to Green Scene, is nurturing a new garden at his home in Media, PA. After gardening for more than 20 years 1 still hesitate (sometimes for months or years) every time I have to plant anything. Is this the right exposure, the right soil, the right plant? Is there something else that might do better here? Years of indecisiveness have taught me that the only way to get plants in the ground is to have my gar- dening partner, Tom (a talented landscape designer), tell me exactly where to dig the holes. One added benefit of this division of labor is that I can always blame him if the plants don’t thrive. Fortunately, creating a new garden, which Tom and I are now doing, often begins with destroying what the previous owner left behind, and I am an expert at this phase of hor- ticultural work. The hesitancy I feel when I nurture plants disappears when I’m trying to kill them. I’m not only good at ripping and chopping and hacking plants out; I do the work neatly, since the goal is to leave behind a clean slate on which to write our own gardening dreams. Destroying things appeals to the boy in me, but as a new homeowner I’ve found that it is a great way to assert my property rights, to show the world that this is my garden now, to make or unmake according to my whim and my will. Last spring (with Tom's approval), I banged out 40 feet of awkward concrete sidewalk and hun- dreds of square feet of unwanted grass. Plant by plant and row by row, I whacked out a hundred feet of privet hedge that hemmed in our small lot on two sides. Several trees on the property were on our hit-list as well. Our new home faces due south, and after spending the previous 10 years in a part-shade situation, we were salivating at the possibilities of a full-sun garden. Large trees on neigh- boring properties already cast shade on part of the garden, and to maxi- mize the sunlight we planned to remove several smaller specimens on our side of the fence. One ol these, a Japanese maple, was too large to remove without a chain- saw, a tool that I’ve always been afraid to use (which, considering the effi- ciency of my destructiveness, is prob- ably a good thing). A friend who GREEN SCENE • february 2006 43 Classified Ads ANTIQUE BOOKS RARE & PREVIOUSLY OWNED BOOKS ON HORTICULTURE & BOTANICAL PRINTS - Bought and Sold Polly Goldstein 37 Lochwood Lane 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. 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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 7-1385 for a brochure and consultation. 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 i ) 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. It 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. 44 GREEN SCENE • february 2006 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 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 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 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. ‘'My furniture was bought in 1978 and now it looks better than new. 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I attended my first Philadelphia Flower Show several decades ago and, alter looking at all the beautiful plants, was in total awe. Many ol the plants were from estate gardens and includ- ed specimens I had never seen before. After seeing these exhibits year after year, 1 secretly wished that some day I could enter the Show myself. Years later, 1 took a chance and made my wish come true. My first exhibit was a rabbit’s foot fern ( Davallia fejeenis). I was petrified about entering, but once at the Show, everyone was so helpful and showed me what to do. Later that day, after the judges had completed their work, I couldn’t believe that my plant won a white rib- bon— an honorable mention. What a thrill! Once I experienced the excitement of exhibiting and winning a ribbon, I was truly hooked. The Philadelphia Flower Show is more than a competi- tion of plants and designs; it’s about camaraderie and spirit. After many years ol exhibiting, 1 still find the opening day just as exciting as I did that first year (and yes, I still get butter- flies in my stomach). Better still, seeing my Flower Show friends is exhilarating. These relationships were made years ago and now are treasured old friends: Peggy, Sandy, Alan, Lee, and many more. During the remainder of Show week, there is an aura of energy at the Convention Center. On any given day you can experience everything from watching the judging, attending interesting lec- tures, enjoying lunches at the Reading Terminal Market, and just browsing and being with friends. At the close of the Show, it’s like the day after Christmas when the cleanup begins. The anticipa- tion of next year is in the air, and you’re already thinking about what plants will be ready to exhib- it 12 months from now. You, too, may have a little green treasure at home waiting for its big day at the Flower Show. So I say, “Try it, you’ll like it!’’ It’s just so much fun. Known for her perfect begonias and succulent plants, Sylvia Lin is a 10-time winner of the Flower Show’s “Horticultural Sweepstakes” (awarded for most overall points in the horti- culture classes) and a multiple winner of the Edith Wilder Scott, Far Out Cactus, and Susie Walker awards. 46 GREEN SCENE • february 2006 c 2006, Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company. World rights reserved. www.osmocote.com Vsmocote Slow Release Plant Food Feed pa Pfamf Before you put your heart and soul into your garden, put some Osmocote® Plant Food into your plants. Unlike most plant foods, Osmocote Smart- Release® granules feed your plants continuously and more consistently for four full months. The results are simply amazing. Maybe that's why the world's best gardeners have trusted Osmocote for 40 years. MANAGING TRANSITIONS 'Margaret ft, Age 67 Recent widow THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESS AND WEALTH? IT COULD BE THE UNIQUE THINKING OF PNC ADVISORS. 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May Lose Value. www.pncadvisors.com The Saddleback Caterpillar page 10 \ THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY inefipwer Morning Glory Unique Garden Accents Over 60 Collections of Exceptioi il Patio Furniture 136 Lancaster Avenue 200 N. Whitford Road Devon, PA 1 9333 P Exton. PA 1 9341 610.293.0800 610.363.0800 waterloogardens.com *k This contemporary classic breaks all boundary of beauty with cherry-red double blooms so full and rich you hardly believe your eyes. Luxuriant green foliage creates the backdrop for a pageant of color from early June to hard frost. New-fashioned splendor en mass, in containers, or in tandem. A landscape shmb rose like no other, this powerhouse in genetics leaves you awestruck by a rampage of garden perfonnance. No fear for blackspot or pests. A brute against drought and humidity. Hardy in the face of winter and aggressive in partial shade, Double Knock Out ® knows no rival. Double Knock Out* ROSE The One-Two Punch in Aesthetics and Genetics To find Double Knock Out ® visit www. doubleknockoutrose. com Double Knock Out Rose ‘Radtko’ PP1 6202 Another Qreat Selection From -_J®»NCVALIS Plants www.plantsthatwork.com www. novalis . com 1979 - 2006 Over 26 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 tomorrows 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 • Accredited since 1983 Affiliated with the Jefferson Health System 24 Magnolias by the Score Magnolias are a sure sign of warmer days to come and, happily, there are plenty of species that thrive in the Delaware Valley. Rhoda Maurer reveals several that are springtime show-stoppers in our area. 32 Bringing up Basil Nothing gives meals that fresh, summery taste like basil straight from the garden. But basil is more than just a good garnish. Jo Ann Gardner explains how the heavenly herb is in demand for aesthetic purposes, too. Also, be sure to save the recipe for Jo Anns favorite basil pesto — simple steps for a delish dish. Assistant Editor Daniel Moise Advertising Coordinator Joe Soprani 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 FEATURES 12 Red Alert There’s no more difficult flower color to integrate into the garden than red. It’s bold and opinionated, and, to make mat- ters worse, there are different shades that stridently clash with each other. Fortunately, color expert Sydney Eddison puts the lid on this hue ‘n’ cry, and shows us how to tastefully incorporate red into any garden setting. 18 Gone Country Friends and family must have given Kathy and Marvin Andersen puzzled looks when they announced they were starting a farm. Now, a few years later, their 40-acre property is a fully function- ing example of “community supported agriculture, ” providing both food and fun to neighbors in northern Chester County. Join PHS President Jane Pepper as she ventures out to Charlestown, PA, COLUMNS 8 The Potting Shed 40 The Well-Contained Garden Bask in the World of Baskets 43 Living with Trees Can you Over- Love a Tree? 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 Joe Soprani, 215-988-8809 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 34, No.2, is published bi-monthly to see these farm fixin’s up close. 46 The Backyard: Philadelphia Green on TV The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. Main cover photo by Rhoda Maurer i nc IV1CLOMN LIBRARY Soc 100 North 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 (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 t 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 Editor LITTLE STORIES As I look at this issue of Green Scene , I mostly see the little stories behind the big articles. For example, I have long made the error, like many folks, of mis- matching red flowers in the garden. It’s a common enough faux pas. First, you buy a lovely deep pink or crimson flower at your local nursery and then place it next to a scarlet or salmon-colored one. Suddenly, dis- aster strikes! Your beautiful garden has turned into a shrill, jarring cacophony of color. To make matters worse, few of us have the bravado to do the right thing and rip out one of the plants and restore balance to the garden. In my case, I fret, “Whatever shall I do?” and try not to faint on the front lawn. One answer is to call in the experts. I’ve been luck)' enough to catch a few lectures by the garden color guru Sydney Eddison; then, last year, I asked her to write an article on using the color orange in the garden (February 2005). So I asked Sydney if she ever found herself “seeing red’ in the garden, and, indeed, she had on numerous occasions. And thus this tale of the two reds was born, featuring Sydney’s explanations on why “orange-reds never, ever should be mixed with “blue- reds.” This may sound confusing now, but after you read the piece, your garden will be a happier, far more harmonious place. And then there is the magnolia story. Last April, I gathered the Publications Committee to PFTS head- quarters for our annual meeting. This group is made up largely of horticulture professionals who volunteer their time to advise me on everything from possible article topics to tips on magazine design and layout. At the end of last year’s meeting, Rhoda Maurer — who is the plant records supervisor at the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College and writes a regular column for Green Scene — grabbed me by the arm. “Pete, you must come see the magnolias!” she intoned. “Sure," I replied, casually. “I’ll stop by Scott in the next week or two.” “No!” she shot back, excitedly. “You must come see them now. Right this minute. And don’t forget your camera!” Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating that exchange a little, but I’ve learned over the years that when a horticul- turist tells you to go see a group of blooming plants ASAP, you should heed their advice and hit the road. Well, Rhoda was right. I went to Swarthmore the next day and was simply blown away by the stunning col- lection of magnolias there. Better still, it was just about peak bloom, so the college campus was a fanta- syland of billowing flowers, color, and movement. It was one of those garden epiphanies that are hard to forget, and it served as the impetus for Rhoda’s informative article in this issue. An equally impressive road trip came late last sum- mer, when PHS President Jane Pepper asked me to accompany her to photograph a garden in northern Chester County. There, among the rolling hills of Charlestown, sits the Andersen family farm, owned by horticulturist Kathy Andersen, her husband Marvin, and their family. The farm is a CSA, which means community supported agriculture. The premise of a CSA is that it’s a working farm in which residents can buy “subscriptions” (pre-payments to the farmer) and receive fresh, wholesome produce all summer long. The Andersen farm is one CSA that is not only thriving, but is going like gangbusters. Their subscrip- tions are sold out every year, and son Bill has just pur- chased an adjoining property where he and his wife plan to launch a dairy farming operation. In addition, the farm’s overflow produce is sold each Saturday at a farmer’s market in nearby Phoenixville. In all, this is a truly inspiring story and a great demonstration of how the CSA model is revolutionizing agriculture in our increasingly crowded region. I’d also like to direct your attention to the back page of this issue, where you’ll find information on some- thing called Edens Lost & Found. That is the name of a four-hour TV documentary that will begin airing across the nation this spring on PBS stations. The series will spotlight one-hour each on Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago and our own Philadelphia — four cities that are in the process of re-inventing them- selves, partly through environmental solutions. Our hometown segment will air on May 25r^ and features PFTS and the work of its Philadelphia Green program, as well as the efforts of community groups, city gov- ernment, and nonprofits like the Mural Arts Program. Behind the lens, filmmaker Harry Wiland and his crew filmed in the city for nearly nvo years, capturing many of Philly Green’s projects, as well as the inspiring residents, volunteers, and city officials who help sup- port the work. Suffice it to say, we re very proud of our starring role in this landmark documentary. (Learn more at www.edenslostandfound.org.) So program your VCR, turn on your Tivo, or just clear your calendar for May 25th and stay home to watch some inspiring television. It’s been an exciting process to see this film being made, and it will be all the more thrilling to share it with you. Please tune in. email: greenscene@pennhort.org 6 GREEN SCENE • april 2006 maureen McGovern LITTLE broadway musical y Six generations have read the story. / * This one will sing it! V v ' MAY 2-7, 2006 MERRIAM THEATER 250 SOUTH BROAD STREET AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS . 1 t / • • , For Tickets: 215-336-1234 Ticketmaster.com tki j ^ w- r El' mEk Jgfl r i^vfl II \ R W * ^ ’ k y fl A Groups 20 + : 215-732-1366 • Information:, 215-732-5446 ! I Open Captioned Performance May 6th at 2pm / * • / ' www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com Philadelphia At The Merriam Theater I TheHiltmFamily I CBS®3 » PECO. An Exelon Company I I The Potting Shed A SIBERIAN JOURNEY 8 GREEN SCENE • april 2006 years, all of my bearded irises eventually ended up on the compost pile. But soon after I started growing the bearded sorts, I also discovered the Siberian irises, which enthusiasts describe as “beardless.” Their flowers lack the fuzzy, caterpillar-like structures on the lower three petals, but that’s not all they’re missing, namely most of the faults of the beardeds. True, their butterfly-like flowers last about as long as April snow, but I would argue that their rather brief bloom season is their only drawback. About six years ago I discovered the allure of the tetraploid sorts, the hybrids that carry twice as many chromosomes in their cells as the original species. Simply put, their dou- ble genetic load makes their flowers bigger, their stems stronger, and their leaves more lush. So of course I wanted to get my hands on some. I acquired starter plants of ‘Coronation Anthem’ and ‘Over in Gloryland’ at a Garden State Iris Society auction, and they grew well from the Have you ever fallen out of love? With a specific plant or group of them, that is? 1 have, and it happened after a long love affair that carried me to the heights of joy and the depths of misery... horticulturally speaking. Bearded irises (frequently but incorrectly referred to as “German” irises or Iris germani- ca), held me in their thrall for decades. I enjoyed their splendid colors in my gardens By Ray Rogars and in many others, but it was the ribbons and trophies that bore my name on many show entries that kept me going back for more. This was true despite the many shortcomings of these plants: borers, soft rot, leaf spot, top- heavy stems, short bloom season, uninteresting or unsightly foliage. So, after all those ‘Over in Gloryland’ exhibits the traits of a great tetraploid Siberian: robust growth, strong stems, and broad-shouldered flowers that retain the butterfly-like quality of the original species. start. Both bloomed the next year, but I knew I needed to wait until the second year to make any decisions about their garden worthiness. ‘Coronation Anthem’ sent up several bloom- stalks, each bearing four or five buds in three places, which is a very desirable trait among modern Siberians. ‘Over in Gloryland' pro- duced as many bloomstalks, more or less, but each stem bore two flowers each. It appeared that ‘Coronation Anthem’ would become both a reliable garden plant and a great prospect lor exhibition (all those buds and branches increased the likelihood of an entry with at least two flowers out). ‘Over in Gloryland’ might make a good plant as well, though it seemed a less likely generator of blue ribbons. Years passed, and both cultivars lived up to my expectations. ‘Coronation Anthem’ came just shy of a big award at an iris show, while ‘Over in Gloryland’ bore very attractive flowers but nary a blue ribbon. But then it came time to divide the clumps, which had grown from a few initial fans (groups of leaves growing from a rhizome) to big, entangled masses that took more than a little effort to wrest out of the ground and split up into suitable-sized divi- sions for planting. By this time, I was weaning myself from the beardeds and making a serious effort to grow any remaining irises for their garden worthi- ness instead of their promise to garner ribbons. I decided that one of the two Siberians would take pride of place in the front garden, and the other would grow with the collection of other cultivars in the less design-oriented back gar- den. It was a tough choice, but in the late sum- mer of 2003 I ended up planting five pieces of ‘Over in Gloryland’ in the front and keeping one piece of ‘Coronation Anthem’ in the back. Last May into June, I couldn’t stop looking at the large planting of ‘Over in Gloryland’, which proudly displayed its regal yet delicate blooms for a couple of weeks. ‘Coronation Anthem’ offered its usual abundance of flowers on show-quality stalks for nearly three weeks, so I wondered why I had chosen its partner for the front garden. Then it came to me: I defi- nitely preferred the sumptuous oomph and gar- den appeal of ‘Over in Gloryland’ over the greater abundance and ribbon-winning poten- tial of ‘Coronation Anthem’. So although the fire may have gone out for one group of irises, I still carry the torch for other members of this glorious genus. Even bet- ter, I now appreciate them more as a gardener and designer than as a ribbon hound. Ray Rogers has known and grown irises of some kind, first in Pennsylvania and now in central New Jersey, since early childhood. They still catch his eye, but not his competitive heart. That he saves for the Philadelphia Flower Show. ‘Coronation Anthem’ makes a splendid clump that blooms for up to three weeks. Happy plants may even produce a second, shorter flush of blooms a few weeks after the first one finishes. I* GREEN SCENE • april 2006 9 The Potting Shed Who knew an inch-long caterpillar could pack such a punch? GARDEN TERROR An Encounter with the Saddleback Caterpillar By Margaret Funderburg After the kind of summer when kids do the shoeless hot-foot dance to cross asphalt streets and experi- ment to see if an egg really will fry on the sidewalk, the weather finally broke in early September, and I was able once again to imagine working in my garden. My first task was to pull weeds and cut back the overgrowth that earlier in the summer qualified as delightful intermingling and now merely conveyed a message of aban- donment. While reaching toward one 4-foot-high-weed, I bolted upright when I felt a painful stinging sensation on my forearm. As I looked around, the first possible cul- prit I identified was a prickly green- brier vine hiding in the azalea. On closer inspection my eye was drawn to the lime green and purplish- brown back of a small caterpillar on the vine. The green was a florescent hue that I’m sure was meant to scream, “ Watch Out! Amma gonna hurcba!" Not only was the insect’s color and pattern striking, but the front and rear ends (I'm not sure which was which) were also covered with spiky horns. From either side it looked like an ancient fright mask. Being home alone and prone to dramatic thoughts, I imagined being poisoned. I carefully captured the insect in my daughter’s bug box so that if I happened to collapse some- one might be able to deduce the source of my ills and locate the anti- dote to save me. As it happened, after only an hour of stinging and the development of a 2-inch-diameter patch of bumpy redness, I did survive and was able to find out all about my adversary by going online and Googling “lime green caterpillar sting.” Here’s what I found about the saddleback caterpillar: SIZE: 1 inch (25 mm) COLOR: Purplish-b rown body with a purplish saddle shape on its green back. DESCRIP I ION: The saddleback caterpillar has poisonous spines on four large projections (tubercles) and many smaller ones that stick out from the sides of its body. The “sad- dle consists of an oval, purplish- brown spot in the middle of a green patch on the back. Saddleback cater- pillars feed on the leaves of bass- wood, chestnut, cherry, plum, oak, and other trees and shrubs. LIFE CYCLE: After turning into moths, the adults take flight in mid- summer. HABITAT: The saddleback cater- pillar is a general feeder and is found on shade trees and ornamental shrubs in late summer. TYPE OF DAMAGE: The poi- sonous hairs or spines are hollow and connected to underlying poison glands. Contact with them causes a burning sensation and inflammation that can be as painful as a bee sting. The irritation can last for a day or two and may be accompanied by nausea during the first few hours. Usually the site of contact reddens and swells much like a bee sting. CON I ROL: A person “stung” by a poisonous caterpillar should imme- diately wash the affected area to remove any insect hairs and poison that remain. An ice pack will help reduce swelling, and creams and lotions containing steroids will lessen the discomfort and promote healing. Persons known to be sensitive to insect stings should consult a physi- cian. Stinging caterpillars rarely occur in sufficient numbers to be considered plant pests, but people who work with ornamental plants should learn to recognize them and avoid touching them. [Information courtesy of the Virginia Cooperative Extension, www.ext.vt.edu/] The Gardener’s Bookshelf TEMPTING TROPICALS \ 175 IRRESISTIBLE ''V 1 IN DOOR PLANTS 1 1 1 1 N - ZACHOS lOOGardenTips Longwood Gardens: 100 Years of Garden Splendor by Colvin Randall (128 pp., $19.99 : $29.99) When Pierre du Pont bought a small farm outside Kennett Square, PA, 100 years ago, who’d have guessed it would become the luxuriant Longwood Gardens we know and love today? Join in the centennial celebration with Longwood Gardens: 100 Years of Splendor, a nostalgic voyage through acres of rich history. Filled with stirring, rare photos and intriguing insider knowledge, author Randall’s excel- lent research is certainly coffee table-wor- thy. The deluxe slipcase edition includes a DVD with a 31 -minute overview of Longwood history, as well as seven bonus films spanning the past 60 years. An American Cutting Garden— A Primer for Growing Cut Flowers by Suzanne Mclntire (284 pp., $29.95) Whether you’re a newcomer to the cut- ting garden scene or an experienced expert with blooms to prove it, everyone can appreciate An American Cutting Garden by Suzanne Mclntire. Written with the mid- Atlantic region in mind, this primer for growing cut flowers covers annuals, bienni- als, perennials, and bulbs. While the first part of the book gives hints on how to start your garden, the handy second half pro- vides detailed descriptions of 200 recom- mended species. Tempting Tropicals— 175 Irresistible Indoor Plants by Ellen Zachos (328 pp., $29.95) If you’ve grown weary of standard native species, why not make your home a little more colorful with some Tempting Tropicals! Ellen Zachos’ exhaustive expose covers everything you need to know about tropicals, including container choice, humidity levels, lighting options, and propagation. Truly a plant fanatic, Zachos even provides tips for traveling with plants! If the most exotic place you visit this year is the Jersey Shore, cozy up to this guide to 175 irresistible indoor plants. Stonescaping Idea Book by Andrew Wormer (138 pp., $14.95) Stones seldom receive due recognition for their ability to transform a home land- scape. But with proper planning, stones can be used to create walkways and walls, seating and sculptures. Hundreds of such examples can be found in the Stonescaping Idea Book by Andrew Wormer. From loca- tions all across the country, Wormer shows how homeowners have attractively utilized everything from carefully placed pavers and bricks to massive slabs and boulders. After reading the Stonescaping Idea Book, you'll never take granite for granted again. 100 Garden Tips and Timesavers by Walter Chandoha (120 pp., $9.95) Do you find there’s never enough time for gardening? Walter Chandoha, a man with more than four decades of gardening experience, is here to help with 100 Garden Tips and Timesavers. With chapters such as improving the soil, pest controls, garden design, and vegetables, there seems to be nothing Chandoha can’t do. Always the environmentalist, he even offers ingen- ious “trash to treasure” tips like converting an old golf bag into a tool carrier and using panty hose as plant ties and drying slings. This quick and easy resource is a welcome addition to any gardening library. — By Daniel Moise GREEN SCENE • april 2006 11 HOW to Use the ■ COLOR RED in YOUR GARDEN By Sydney Eddison D ed is not a hue to be taken lightly. Traditionally, it signals danger, incites revolution, and arouses passions. Even in the garden, it stirs con- troversy. Some gardeners hate it, but on the whole, my relationship with red has been joyful and pos- itive. It was a thrill in the 1960s to discover red daylilies. Ever since, I have been hooked on the genus Hemerocallis and the color red, but 1 can appreciate the frustrations of those who dislike it. It usually means that, at some point, they have planted incompatible reds together or with other unsuitable color companions. The effect can be garish, as I know from experience. The crux of the matter is color temperature. Some experts in the field of color scoff at the notion of warm and cool hues. But to artists and gardeners who use color for its visual and emo- tional impact, these terms make sense. Reds, oranges, and yellows are warm colors. They con- jure up the glow of embers, flames, and the heat of the summer sun, while blues, greens, and pur- ples are cool colors, evocative of ocean depths, for- est shade, and icy mountain tops. But here’s the rub: every color in the spectrum has warm ver- sions and cool versions. While red is essentially a warm color, some reds are warmer than others. A red with orange in it is the hottest of the hot, but a red containing blue is a much cooler hue. Other colors, like greens and yellows, are com- patible throughout their temperature range, but not the reds. To compound the problem, most of us fail to look closely enough at color to see a dif- Left: Tulip ‘Oxford’, a “warm” red. ference between a warm red and a cool red until it’s too late. However, the eye can be trained. The only necessary equipment is a simple color wheel, available for a few dollars at most art stores. The color wheel, which is based on the progres- sion of hues in the rainbow — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet — shows you how the hues are related to each other. And when it comes to color, the right relationship is everything. There is a comforting logic in the arrangement of hues around the circle. Red and yellow produce orange; therefore, orange belongs between its parents. In like manner, green belongs between yellow and blue, and violet between its parents, blue and red. Though the hues on the face of the color wheel lack the subtleties of nature, they serve as a useful guide. In the rainbow, as in the world of plants, colors gradually transition into one another. On the warm side, red transitions from red-orange to orange-red to orange to yellow-orange to orange- yellow and finally, to yellow, in which no trace of red remains. On the cool side, the progression moves by degrees through red-violet to violet-red to violet to blue-violet and so forth around the cir- cle to pure blue. Although many of the in-between hues have no name, each one has a logical place in the continu- um of color. The warm reds we call “scarlet” and “coral” belong somewhere between red and orange; likewise, cool “crimson” and “carmine” belong somewhere between red and violet. Pinks, also, have warm and cool versions, but which is which? The only way to tell is to rigorously com- GREEN SCENE • opril 2006 13 Right: The conflicting hues of the cool pink rose and the warm red geranium make them uneasy garden bedfellows. pare colors. Artists constantly make com- parisons and gardeners can do it too. Just ask yourself, “Does this pink (or red) lean toward violet, a cool color, or toward orange, a warm color?” It pays to learn the difference. The bottom line is that warm and cool versions of red and pink rarely look good together. According to a tattered, 4x6 inch, loose-leaf garden notebook, my struggles with these hues began in 1961. Having recently fallen under the spell of garden phlox, I ordered half a dozen, sight unseen, from a catalog. Three turned out to be a cool red; the other three, a warm, salmon pink. Together they were a disaster. But I did learn something. After seeing them in bloom I had written, “American Beauty — red Augusta’ would be good with purple and blue delphiniums but it’s not a color to be played around with." It would have simplified my life had I known the following rule of thumb. “Warm colors go best with other warm colors, and cool colors with cool.’’ There is a reason for this. The root of conflict is extreme difference. Reds containing orange are too different from reds containing blue. Look at the color wheel. Orange and blue lie directly Top: Dahlias Middle: ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ dahlia Bottom: Sydney Eddison’s red Hemerocallis m across from each other, which makes them exact opposites. Likeness, on the other hand, is the secret of harmony. Thus, peace in the garden is best served when a close relation- ship links the hues. For example, coral-red, which contains orange, is lovely with peach or shrimp-pink hues, which also contain orange. But perish the thought of coral-red with orchid-pink or mauve, both of which have a blue component. Some years after the phlox incident, I received a most generous gift — a beautiful peony called ‘Coral Charm'. By this time, I knew better than to plant it with the cool red peonies in front ol Rhododendron ‘English Roseum', a pink-flowered cultivar with a blue bias (photo #10). Having nowhere to put ‘Coral Charm', I dug a new bed and combined it with an early-bloom- ing daylily. It was a marriage made in heav- en! The peony went divinely with its gold- en-yellow partner because they share the same warm undercurrent. Likeness is the tie that binds. The flower color we describe as “golden” is, in fact, a shade of yellow containing a breath of orange. Coral, of course, has a strong lean- ing in that direction. This combination of hues inspired me to experiment with warm pink and coral-colored daylilies next to golden-yel- low Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’. It, too, proved a most harmonious scheme. So there you have it. Warm with warm and cool with cool. Warm reds, like coral, go with all the other warm hues. Once you can distinguish warm versions of a color from cool, you will love red as much as I do and use both reds and pinks with pleasure and success, Sydney Eddison is a well- known garden speaker and author. Her latest book is Gardens to Go: Creating and Designing a Container Garden. 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. 4802 or visit wAvw.medfordleas.org SH mm . . 16 GREEN SCENE • april 2006 This is* the generation yot We know you want your family to inherit more ar legacy begins ?tfian just your wealth. You want to preserve a way of life, so your grandchildren can have the same joys and opportunities you had. For 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. Geenmejje fthr'c \n* :v oj ouco 1 -866-445-3663 WWW.C3LENMEDE.CDM One Gardening Clan Moves from Suburbia to a Chester County Farm ? Ofe m ■ Photography by Pete Prown By Jane Pepper Farming o ur members never cease to interest and amaze me. I have known Marvin and Kathy Andersen for more than two decades and had them set- tled in my mind as gardeners, but 1 never would have thought of them as farmers. Marvin recently retired as a doctor in Wilmington and has interests that range from medicine to trumpet playing. Kathy is one of the nation’s foremost daffodil breeders and judges, with additional expertise in lilies and daylilies (she even graciously named a very tough, yellow daylily “Jane Pepper”). For as long as I have known them, the Andersens have lived in the sub- urbs of Wilmington. When I saw them last spring, they revealed another side of themselves. They told me they had purchased land in Chester County with their children and had started a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. Given that I love anything to do with growing vegetables, I invited myself out to visit in the summer. A DAY IN THE COUNTRY One hot, sticky, mid-September day, I set off from Philadelphia in a tropical downpour — a byproduct of Hurricane Ophelia — but by the time 1 turned off Route 29 into Charlestown Cooperative Farm, the sun was out. I spent a wonderful afternoon with Kathy and Marvin, their son and daughter-in-law Bill and Liz Andersen, and farmers Aimee and John Good and Sue Kilpatrick. After purchasing the land, the Andersen family hired Aimee and John as “head farmers in the winter of 200 1 . Aimee gave us a tour of the barn and plantings. The 40- acre farm includes 10 acres of vegetable gardens with another 10 acres of land devoted to corn. Aimee and John’s tasks included assembling a group of local residents willing to put up cash in spring to ensure that they would each receive a basket of fresh, organic vegetables weekly from early June until mid-November. By the summer of 2002, Charlestown Farm had 40 families, and the membership grew to 80 families in 2003. This past summer they had 150 families, each pay- ing $575 for their membership. With 100 families on the waiting list last summer, it's clear, says son Bill, that “there’s a huge, unmet demand for fresh, organic pro- duce.” Adds Aimee, “Our members tell us that not only do they want to have access to fresh produce, but they also want their kids to understand where their food comes from.” Children join their parents in collecting produce each week and also in harvesting from the “pick your own” sections of the farm, where they can find rasp- berries and strawberries, green beans, and all kinds of herbs and flowers. The farm also has resident chickens and, starting last summer, three boarding heifers. In addi- tion to vegetables, members can purchase farm-fresh eggs (from Charlestown and other local farmers) and pasture- raised chickens. FINDING THE LAND When I asked the Andersen family how they made this transition from suburban Wilmington to rural Chester County, Bill explained that when his mother developed health problems about five years ago, he and his wife and two of his siblings, who live in the Phoenixville area, decided it was time to try and figure out a way to entice the senior Andersens to move to their community. One evening he sat down and wrote to his neighbors to see if anyone was interested in talking to him about sell- ing their property. As luck would have it, the neighbor who lived right across Route 29 from the house he and Liz bought had recently entered into negotiations with an organization to sell half of their 80-acre farm. Some of it was destined to be housing; the rest would host an insti- tution. The parents had signed the deed; the children were due to sign in the next few days. When the neigh- bor heard that the Andersen family wanted to keep the land open as a farm, they agreed to talk. Within months, they had a deal on the land, and Bill and Liz began the search for someone to help them start a Community Supported Agriculture farm. Meanwhile, Kathy and Marvin started talking to architects to develop con- cepts for their new house that would sit on the upper ridge above the vegetables and corn. GREEN SCENE • april 2006 19 Farming The Andersen family is helping the community figure out how to keep more land available for agricultural uses, ratqier than having it all swallowed up by housing and office parks. MEET THE FARMERS Farmers John and Aimee Good grew up in Lancaster County, and when John was in college in Massachusetts studying English, he completed his community service requirement by working on a CSA farm. When Aimee, a student in biology and environmental studies, came to visit the farm she became hooked on the concept and signed on to work there for a season. Later, John left his job with the Forest Service and joined Aimee at the farm, which had not only a vegetable garden for members, but also a range of animals (chickens, cows, and pigs) as well as a bakery and an orchard. Aimee and John loved the farm lifestyle in Massachusetts, but their hearts were with their families in Pennsylvania, so when they heard a new CSA was to start near Phoenixville, they didn’t waste any time coming down to check out the possibilities. Their first season as head farmers at Charlestown Farm was daunting. When they arrived, the land was a series of soybean fields, so they had to work quickly to get crops going early in the spring, barely staying ahead of their carefully planned schedule. That year, once it was time to start harvesting, they had to carry all the produce to a barn a short distance away for preparation and distribu- tion. Changes came with time however, and the following season the barn, where they wash the produce and get it ready for pickup, was in business. Each year, the Andersens add equipment and amenities, such as a manure spreader and a walk-in cooler. One of the biggest challenges CSA farmers face is pro- ducing just the right amount of the right produce to sat- isfy the appetites of their members. Aimee and John spend hours and hours each winter researching crops and attending meetings with fellow CSA farmers to get the lat- est information on new varieties. One big winner in recent summers has been ‘Jericho’, a Romaine lettuce that resists heat and drought, allowing farmers to offer lettuce until mid-August, weeks after most lettuces have bolted or turned to mush. When I visited in mid-September, one section of the farm looked just beautiful, with the blues of collard greens mixed with bright green and red fall let- tuces and crinkly ‘Savoy’ cabbages. Aimee and John start all the seedlings for the farm. When I asked how many, Marvin Andersen guessed at “one million,” which sounded incredible, but when we counted up the pepper plots alone, Aimee estimated 2,400 pepper seedlings just as a start. Even if the total wasn’t really one million, 1 can understand why it seemed that way to Marvin. At Charlestown Farm, they garden organically and use insect-friendly products, such as Bt ( Bacillus thuringiensis). They also make extensive use of polyester row covers, which not only protect crops from inclement weather in spring and fall, but they also continued on page 22 Resources Although the Andersens cannot accommodate additional members at the moment, they are more than willing to offer advice and support to anyone who might be interested in starting their own CSA. Here is more information on this topic (with Liz’s com- mentary on the sites). • www.charlestowncooperativefarm.org is the offi- cial website for the Andersen’s farm. • www.localharvest.org lists CSAs and farmers’ markets nationwide, and it is searchable by zip code. The listing is free, and most of the local CSAs have registered. • www.buylocalpa.org is the website for the Buy Fresh, Buy Local campaign, a nationwide project to encourage consumption of local foods. Originally, the site and program were limited to farms selling near Philadelphia, but now all area farms can be listed on the site. You can find more information about the national campaign at www. food routes, org. • www.pasafarming.org is the website for PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture. It has limited consumer information, but Liz suggests readers might find it interest- ing for background information. • www.phoenixvillefarmersmarket. org 20 Recognized Excellence in Design and Contracting 1 Fruits of Our Labor Robert Montgomery Landscapes, inc. 545 East Uwchlan Avenue Chester Springs, Pennsylvania 19425 phone (610) 594-1810 www.robertmontgomerylandscapes.com 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. “Wedding of the Senses” "BLENDING HORTICULTURE AND ARCHITECTURE TO ENHANCE YOUR LIFE STYLE" INNOVATIVE DESIGN SOLUTIONS • SKILLED CRAFTSMEN • QUALITY NURSERY STOCK AND MATERIALS Farming keep our pests that can ruin a crop, such as flea beetles and cabbage white butterflies. To cut down on soil-born pests, the farmers methodically practice crop rotation. For nutri- tion, they use aged mushroom soil from local growers and also sow cover crops, which they turn into the soil in early spring. A GROWING PROPOSITION Clearly, Charlestown Farm is a family affair, and, although I met less than hall the family members involved in this enterprise, I sense that everyone has a role. Marvin’s roles include various projects related to the equipment. As we walked around, he also designated himsell as the official “cleaner outer" of the bird boxes. Kathy had the enormous task ol moving thousands of daffodils from their Wilmington garden before the soil froze last tall. And grand- son Charlie, a member of the next generation, not only suc- ceeded in attracting a state grant to build a hoop greenhouse, but he’s the one who grows and sells acres of corn. Bill and Liz meanwhile, not only manage the CSA, but they are also planning for the future. They recently added one more field to their own property across Route 29, which has more dramatic contours than Charlestown Farm and therefore is unsuitable for growing vegetables. They plan to restore the land for grazing and add a dairy operation that they hope they can manage along the lines of the vegetable CSA farm. Charlestown also sells vegetables and herbs to Restaurant Alba, a local BYOB that has been drawing rave reviews (7 King Street, Malvern, PA, 610-644-4009). On a broader scale, the Andersen family is helping the community figure out how to keep more land available for agricultural uses, rather than having it all swallowed up by housing and office parks. Bill and Liz were key to the devel- opment of the Phoenixville Farmers Market, which now operates every Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM in downtown Phoenixville from June until November. One weekend in September, alter my trip to the farm, I visited the market and bought some of the best chicken sausages I have ever tasted; at the next stand over, Aimee and John were busy selling Charlestown produce. I took home some salad turnips, which were good in a salad, but 1 liked them even better after I baked them to eat with the sausage and beets, also from Charlestown Farm. No question about it, there’s nothing quite like farm-fresh produce. And it was exciting for me to see the Andersen family embarking on a new adventure. tAf The Barnes Foundation In 1940, Laura Barnes established the Arboretum School to provide students of horticulture, botany, and landscape architecture the opportunity to work under professional guidance. This fall, the Arboretum School of The Barnes Foundation will accept twenty-five new first-year students. The three-year program in ornamental horticulture offers a comprehensive curriculum of botany, plant propagation, practical horticulture techniques, and landscape design. A well-trained faculty provides expert instruction and guidance in the horticultural arts and sciences. Students learn and practice in the 12-acre arboretum and in the state-of-the-art greenhouse in Merion. The curriculum develops skilled practitioners through a combination of classroom lecture, self-directed learning, and hands-on experience. -1— ) o ^l! For more information and full course description and registration, please call 610-667-0290 ext. 2259. THE BARNES FOUNDATION 300 North Latch's Lane, Merion, pa 19066 www.barnesfoundation.org rareFINDnursery Unusual & Rare Plants 76 Magnolia Varieties • Incredible Selection of Rhododendrons and Azaleas • Large Selection of Shrubs, Small Trees & Choice Perennials INC Send $3 for a 125-page Catalog which describes M00 plants or visit our newly designed website & order online 957 Patterson Road • Jackson, NJ 08527 phone: 732-833-0613 fax: 732-833-1965 e-mail: info@rarefindnursery.com website: www.rarefindnursery.com WE SHIP! 22 GREEN SCENE • april 2006 Available exclusively through • Long Blooming - More Color • Full Sun to Part Shade • Exclusive Patented Varieties SELECTED TO PERFORM Trees culture in Washington State many years ago, I first learned to appreciate mag- nolias. There, throughout the neighborhoods of Seattle, home gardeners had planted countless specimens of Magnolia x sonlangeana. Each spring, I would watch with unabashed joy as these trees broke through winter’s rain-soaked hold on the Pacific Northwest. The memory of those spring delights has guided my trav- els to Europe and the south- ern hemisphere in search of these wonderful plants. But right here in the Delaware Valley, where spring is pure magic, magnolias are a thrilling sign of the season’s arrival, bursting into bloom after a long, cold winter. The Magnolia genus (named after French botanist Pierre Magnol, 1638-1715) encompasses deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees, as well as an unusual flower suggest- ing its primitive relationship to the oldest of all flowering plant families. Indeed, many experts believe that only the conifers extend fur- ther back into antiquity.1 Found throughout eastern North America and Central MAGICAL 24 Above: M. sieboldii America to southern Brazil and temperate and tropical Asia, magnolias have adapt- ed to a wide range of grow- ing conditions. In the Delaware Valley, our USDA Zone 6b/7a is perfect for growing many magnolias with a minimum of care once established. Because the genus encompasses more than 120 species, this article will focus on select deciduous varieties suitable for our region. Most magnolia maladies result from poor selection, a poor site, or late frost dam- age. The native climate of each magnolia is a good guide to its winter hardi- ness. For instance, Magnolia campbellii comes from the Himalayas and prefers cool summers and mild winters, so it should not be expected to do well here. However, some of the latest Jury hybrids from New Zealand, using Magnolia X soulan- geana as the female parent, might prove to be hardy here ( Magnolia ‘Vulcan’, M. ‘Black Tulip’ and By Rhoda Maurer M. ‘Yellow Lantern M. ‘Felix Jury’). Certainly, magnolias adapted to hot summers and cold winters will do well in the Delaware Valley. But bear in mind that any magnolia will decline if planted in a site with poor drainage except for M. virginiana and its cultivars; they simply do not fair well in compacted or persistently wet soils. Each magnolia has its own beauty and charm, making it difficult to choose a favorite. The old-lashioned Magnolia x soulangeana , or saucer magnolia, is what most people are familiar with. Their large blossoms vary from almost pure white to pink and violet to near red, while some are bi-colored. The original cross of Magnolia denudata with M. liliiflora, back in 1820, resulted in a florifer- ous, wide spreading tree. Clones of Magnolia x soulangeana have been made by hybridizers all over the world. Second- and third-generation hybrids contribute to the complexity of the color range, and most are medium-sized trees appropriate for home gardeners. For the largest, nearly clean white flower, M. x soulangeana ‘Brozzonii offers a blossom infused with rose streaks up the middle of each tepal (a term used when the sepals and petals of a flower are indistinguishable). The Gresham hybrid, M. ‘Candy Cane’, has an upright habit with white blooms brushed pink. The Morris Arboretum has a beautiful specimen of M. X soulangeana ‘Norbertii’, a densely branched specimen with red- dish-purple flowers that glow in the evening light. A recent addition to the Scott Arboretum is M. ‘Paul Cook’, a vigorous, upright grower with large white flowers tinted laven- der-pink, measuring 1 1 inches in diameter. Named after the secretaries of the U.S. National Arboretum, the De Vos and Kosar hybrids offer the gar- dener smaller versions of Magnolia x soulangeana : M. ‘Ann’, ‘Betty, ‘Jane’, ‘Judy,’ ‘Pinkie’, ‘Randy,’ ‘Ricki’ and ‘Susan’. Crosses of the purple Magnolia liliiflora cultivars with Magnolia stellata cultivars, these shrubby trees mature at approximate- ly 1 5 to 1 8 feet tall by 20 to 30 feet wide. Some of the earliest magnolias to bloom in our area are Magnolia sali- cifolia , M. stellata, M. kobus, M. denudata and their hybrids. While many of these magnolias look small in the nursery, they grow into medi- um-sized trees and require ample room to mature. At Scott, we have a beautiful specimen of M. stellata ‘Centennial’ that has reached 20 x 24 feet after 32 years. In public gardens in the Delaware Valley, you can find mature Magnolia x kewensis ‘Wada’s Memory’, a hybrid between Magnolia kobus and M. salicifolia. It grows vig- orously upright and produces fra- grant white flowers each year around Easter, a bloom time that makes it vulnerable to spring frosts. Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ (M. kobus X M. stellata ) is a less vig- orous clone, has soft pink flowers, and works well in smaller gardens. In Swarthmore, PA, many examples of Magnolia denudata , a large tree to 40 feet with ivory tepals, grow on resi- dential properties. At the Scott Arboretum, we have a very upright clone recognized by John Hillier and the International Magnolia Society as worth naming as a cultivar. continued on next page Resources Rare Find Nursery Jackson, NJ 732-833-0613 www. rarefindnursery. com Fairweather Gardens Greenwich, NJ 856-451-6261 www. fairweathergardens. com McCrackens Nursery Zebulon, NC 919-365-7878 www.mccrackensnursery. com Gossler Farms Nursery Springfield, OR 541-746-3922 www.gosslerfarms. com/home. php Meadowbrook Farm Abington, PA, 215-887-5900 www. gotomeadowbrook. com M. stellata ‘Centennial 1 J * V Jk m Spring weather, notoriously unpre- dictable, poses a challenge for magno- lias in the Delaware Valley, since late frosts can damage emerging buds. For this reason — and for color variety — Scott Arboretum has begun adding yellow magnolias to its collection, since most of them bloom after our average last frost date. Some of the first yellow hybridiza- tion began more than 40 years ago at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Eva Maria Sperber, along with Lola Koerting and Doris Stone, selected Magnolia acuminata , a North American native, to cross with M. liliiflora and M. denudata from Asia in hopes of developing a hybrid with exceptional hardiness, tolerance to a variety of soil conditions, and yellow flower color. Perhaps the best-known result of their work, Magnolia 'Elizabeth' (named after Elizabeth Scholtz, for- mer director of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden) is a good, small tree that grows to 25 feet with clear, pale, primrose-yellow flowers opening before the leaves. Further crosses have produced a diverse group of yellow- flowering magnolias. M. ‘Yellow Bird flowers bloom as the leaves emerge on a pyramidal-shaped tree. M. 'Woodsman' has an artistic complement of flower colors — purple buds open to chartreuse blooms tinged with yellow and purple — but the plant lacks good form. More recent introductions include M. 'Lois’ (BBGRC 1160) and, named for another former director of BBG, M. 'Judy Zuk’ (BBGRC 1164), which is the hot plant in the magno- lia world now because of its intense, very late-blooming yellow flowers and upright form. continued on next page >f i&A Better than talking to your plants, Compost Tea is liquid extract of compost. It’s like plant vitamins - it helps them grow while improving soil structure and suppressing diseases. Join us for teatime! Our brew days are Friday, Saturday, & Sunday. ferem\A# • • Orqmc CoiMfO&i • MuUii Keystone Gardens inc 250 Conestoga Road Wayne, PA 19087 610 688 5969 www.keystonegardens.com 10% PWaumI Willi C^rjl. Tree Care Specialists \ 334 S. Henderson Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 610-527-3637 www.shreinertreecare.com Spring. . . The Annual Rebirth Tree Health, Safety and Improved Aesthetics Your trees and landscaping are essential to your home's value. We are committed to providing you with exceptional care and service to maintain the beauty of your home. Steve Shreiner, Certified Arborist Preserving Your Trees and Shrubbery An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Plant health care is a comprehensive landscape management service. Our arborists can protect your landscaping investment from seasonal insect and disease problems. Call to schedule your Spring evaluation. A Sensational New Perennial Hundreds of Blooms for Years Baptisia ‘Twilite Prairieblues’ PPAF is the first true bicolor in its genus. This lovely, heavy-blooming plant will transform your garden with long stems (up to 5ft) covered with elegant, yellow-keeled flowers and fresh, blue-green foliage. Give it a sunny, well-drained spot in Zones 4-9, and you’ll enjoy a vigorous and long-lived companion for other May and June bloomers, such as Achillea , Aquilegia, Geranium , and Roses. To order ‘Twilite Prairieblues’, please visit our Web site or call 1-800-503-9624 and ask for item S24650, $16.95 each, 3 for $48.95, plus delivery. To assist us, kindly mention Source Code 61065. Your plants, with detailed instructions enclosed, will arrive in time for spring planting, with an E-mail notice ahead of time. Success is guaranteed, or your money back. White Flower Farm grows top-quality annuals, perennials, shrubs, and bulbs (more than 200 new varieties this spring). We’ve been serving gardeners throughout the United States since 1950, and we look forward to serving you. White Flower farm whiteflowerfarm.com GREEN SCENE • april 2006 29 Trees The work of August Kehr and Joe McDaniel has produced yet more yel- low magnolias. Some of my favorites include M. 'Daybreak’, a PHS Gold Medal winner with a narrow, upright habit and fragrant rose-pink, flushed yellow flowers. M. 'Sunburst', an upright tree that reaches 30 feet, pro- duces an abundance of deep canary- yellow flowers. M. 'Sundance' is a fast-growing, medium-sized tree with barium-yellow flowers, while M. ‘Sun Rav’ has larger flowers and blooms later. Phil Savage of Michigan and David Leach of Ohio have developed mag- nolias that stand up to the chilly tem- peratures of the upper Midwest, so they are safe bets for our region. M. 'Ivory Chalice’ has narrow, goblet- shaped, ivory-yellow flowers that retain their shape until the tepals fall. M. 'Yellow Lantern’ always intrigues visitors with early, tulip- M. 'Golden Endeavour’ is a smaller, rounded-crown tree to 20 feet. M. 'Gold Star has yellow, star-shaped flowers that take after its pollen par- ent, Magnolia stellata 'Rubra’. Popular in Europe and New Zealand, M. 'Butterflies’ offers a compact, upright habit on a medium-sized tree; its deep yellow flowers have red sta- mens. With saturated pink to magenta flowers, hybrids of M. liliiflora ‘Nigra’ X M. sprengeri ‘Diva’ present a colorful show in the Delaware Valley. Magnolia ‘Galaxy’ has a pyramidal habit, while M. ‘Spectrum has an oval canopy and larger individual flowers (both were raised by William Kosar at the U.S. National Arboretum). At the Scott Arbo- retum, these bloom after the M. X soulangiana but before most yellows. While the majority of magnolias flower best in full sun, some selections from Asia do better in light shade, since they grow as understory plants in their native environment. The nod- ding flowers of M. sieboldii are best enjoyed from below, such as on a hill- side, atop a wall, or where people sit. This small tree has an almost large- shrub-like habit, and the white flowers contrast with the central red staminal cone. With their singular beauty and end- less variety, it is no surprise that mag- nolias have such a long, romantic his- tory of cultivation. They have been documented in gardens as early as A.D. 650, when Buddhist monks planted Magnolia denudata at temples for the symbolic purity of its stunning white flowers1 2. As spring arrives, I hope you, too, will discover the charms — and the magic — -of magnolias. 1 National Arbor Day Foundation 2 Dorothy J. Callaway, The World of Magnolias (Timber Press) Select from 800 Dutch flower bulb varieties for unmatched garden display and naturalized landscapes at the best prices. Visit www.vanengelen.com for our 48-page price list and website specials. V&h Cv»sclen 23 Tulip Drive • PO Bo* 63K Bantam. CT 06750 169)5674734 PA81 www.vanengelen.com Buy where the professionals buy. Enhance Your Garden with Timeless Character Come see our extensive gallery collection of distinctive antique and contemporary garden ornaments from around the world. 30 GREEN SCENE • april 2006 "The Sheperdess" Dry-Cast Limestone by Haddonstone. » Kimam > Guided by Quaker Va ^Setting the Standard&pi » in Retirement living Sin 1120 Meetinghouse Road, Gwyne JXjJ 27 5 643-2200 • www.foulke ' 4 • 1^1 panpha IEwces Noways • a|\yneoJ *1 ■ .. agi,‘.c. 0*l$a oolor. religion, national of| inate on the basis of race, handicap or sexual orientation. ri£ m Summer Hours Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm Fridays until 8pm Wayne, PA 19087 www.chanticleergarden.org 610.687.4163 ■49 Will you spend another season unsatisfied? Private Residence Villanova, PA 2005 PPA Honor Award ...f^ robably, if you don't contact us soon. Quality design takes time, careful thought and inspired creativity. Plan next season's project now! Contact us and let our Award W inning team turn your dreams into reality. Private Residence Spring City, PA Landscape Architecture Fine Garden Design & Construction Ecological Restoration P.O. Box 736 I Kimberton, PA 19442 | 610.983.3326 ® 6 10.983.3556 fax- | \v\v\v. p iedmon tdes igns. b iz “'B © 200-1 Piedmont DS.SJCSS, II JZ Garden Photo: in R oil Cardtllo Photograph), Amolor. PA GREEN SCENE • april 2006 31 Story by Jo Ann Gardner Photos by Karen Bussolini c ver since Ocimum t ‘Dark Opal’, the first purple basil, made its debut as an All-America Selection in 1962, basil’s reputation as a gar- den ornamental has grown steadi- ly, changing the way we think about herbs. No longer confined to the herb garden, many basils are in demand for their aesthetic appeal, and deservedly so. Right : ‘Genovese’ basil with rosemary and home-grown tomato Opposite page: Close-up of ‘Genovese’ basil BEYOND PESTO Gardeners have long valued basils for their lush green or purple foliage and varied forms, from miniature globe-shaped shrubs to upright towers. Massed flower spikes of the showiest sort range from purple to pink, often borne on designer-colored calyces and stems. More recently, variegated foliage has come into the basil mix. In addition to their beauty, basils have an edge over other gar- den plants: just growing and tending them envelops the gardener in warm, sweet, and spicy aromas, often with a touch of citrus. Originally from tropical Asia and Africa, basils have been culti- vated for thousands of years for their culinary and medicinal prop- erties (like other members of the mint family, they are natural digestives). The majority of basils derive from O. basilicum or sweet basil, the one widely used in cooking. Others are hybrids, often of uncertain origin. They love heat, sun, and loamy soil that allows plenty of moisture to reach their roots. Most basils, except for hybrids, are true annuals; they mature and produce seeds their first season in the ground, then expire. New plants will grow from seed each season, but they may differ from their parents. Sow seeds indoors at least six weeks before the last expected frost. Cover them with a sterile soil mix and keep them warm to speed germination (in as little as three days). Don’t set plants out- doors until daytime and nighttime temperatures are at least 60°F or higher. Purples basils, especially, will sulk and refuse to grow if too cold. When sowing seed outdoors, tamp them firmly into moistened ground to prevent them from washing away in heavy rain. Basils described as tender perennials, or ‘ temperennials,” survive the winter outdoors in Zones 10 or higher and are only sold as plants. They can be wintered over indoors easily from cuttings or mature plants. In the garden, treat basils as you would other ornamentals. Pinch off flowers from those grown for foliage and trim plants back once or twice a season to encourage fresh leaf production. Most bush basils need little, if any, pruning. For flowering types, cut off mature flowering stalks to coax new blooms. It’s no chore to keep plants trim since basils are so attractive in fresh bouquets. Don’t be surprised if they root in water. Upright, vigorous basils add striking accents in beds and borders and make distinctive hedges. Rows of dwarf basils work well as edging plants. All types of basil look handsome in containers on the patio or deck, where they will receive maximum heat and attention. GREEN BASILS Ocimum basilicum 'Sweet Genovese’ is familiar as the pesto basil because of its superior clove flavor, but it is also a fine garden plant. In the absence of heavy harvesting, it produces a striking 3-foot bushy tower of 3-inch-long, lustrous green leaves. Pinch off the insignificant white flowers as they appear. Other green basils have a more pronounced columnar form. Tender perennial 0. X citri- odora Aussie Sweetie’ (O. x c. Lesbos’/’Greek Columnar ) grows to 30 inches, forming a sturdy upright bush of 1-inch bright leaves. It flowers very slowly and thrives in heat and humidity. Aussie f Left : Cinnamon basil Right: Basil ‘Minette’ potted with standard ‘Kiwi’ fern at Shady Gate Gardens. Sweetie’ has a spicy-citrusy aroma. I love cinnamon basil (0. basilicum ‘Cinnamon’) for its stocky habit and colorful ensemble: purple stems topped by a wealth of small pink to purple flowers growing from a base of red-veined, green leaves. Cinnamon basil makes a great digestive tea with a spicy-fruity flavor. ‘Siam Queen’, a 1997 AAS winner, is an improved version of Thai basil used to flavor Thai and Vietnamese dishes. A vigorous plant growing to 3 feet, its bright green, anise or licorice-scented foliage grows on red stems. By midsummer, densely packed pink-violet flower spikes adorn the stems. A 2002 AAS winner, ‘Magical Michael’ is a compact plant, just 13 inches tall and wide, with lush foliage perfectly balanced by a mass of pur- ple flower spikes. The standard green bush basil is ‘Minimum’, a fine-leaved round ball, 6 to 12 inches tall and densely packed with small pointed leaves that taste like nutmeg. ‘Spicy Globe and ‘Green Globe’ are variations on the bush basil theme, compact and uni- form— no pruning necessary. ‘Minette’, 10 to 15 inches, is an improved globe basil with bright green leaves topped by tiny white flowers. These dwarf basils grow easily from seed, producing an upright little bush ideal for railroad gardens or miniature fairy gar- dens. I grow bush basils as an edging and in terracotta pots to con- trast trailing rosemary and the sherbet nasturtium, Tropaeolum ‘Creamsicle’. PURPLE BASILS The original purple basil, Ocimum ‘Dark Opal’, grows 12 to 15 inches tall and nearly as wide. Purple Ruffles’, a 1986 AAS win- ner, has heavily ruffled, almost fringed, dark purple leaves and showy whorls of pink to rose-lavender flowers. It may be slow to continued on next page AMERICAN HOSTA SOCIETY NATIONAL CONVENTION Hostas by Design June 14 - 17, 2006 Radisson Hotel Valley Forge Hosted by the Delaware Valley Hosta Society Dramatic Displays of Hosta Leaves, Never-Seen-Before Plants, and Artistic Competitions Sales of Hundreds of Different Hostas by Nurseries and Growers from around the Country Two Full Days of Garden Tours Auction of Rare Hostas PHILADELPHIA Learning Opportunities: The Newest in Tissue Culture Foliage Design in the Garden Ferns as Companion Plants Hosta Horticulture PUBLIC SALE: JUNE 17TH 1 :30 - 5:30 Don’t just lust after our cutting-edge Hostas. Come buy them! REGISTRAR: CAROL EWALD 856 769-1263 hosta06@comcast.net Information: www.HOSTA2006.org ILADELPH GREEN SCENE • opril 2006 35 start and greenish in the seedling stage, but it takes off in warmer weather when it turns all purple. 'Red Rubin’, very true from seed, holds its color all season. ‘Osmin’, the latest in the purple sweep- stakes, is reported to be the darkest of all. Grown for their out- standing foliage and beautiful flowers, purple basils’ spicy flavor preserves well in vinegars and jellies. Dwarf purples travel under different names but are very similar. Look for the original 'Well-Sweep Miniature Purple , developed by Cyrus Hyde at Well-Sweep Nursery. A choice plant that grows as a tender perennial, this dainty miniature bush, about 10 inches tall and 6 inches wide, has small, oval, dark-purple mahogany leaves and whorls of tiny pink flowers in large spikes at the top of the plant. In a class by itself, the camphor-scented ‘African Blue’ ('Dark Opal’ X O. kilmandscharicum) is a natural hybrid. Discovered by Peter Bouchard of Companion Plants herb nursery, it grows as a tender perennial to 3 feet tall and almost as wide, bearing dark green, purple-veined leaves with a bluish cast. The long showy pur- ple flower spikes (non-seeding) make wonderful cut flowers. VARIEGATED BASILS Basil’s extraordinary variability is a boon to the gardener. Two variegated basils, both grown as tender perennials, offer special delights. O. X 'Variegated African Blue’, a sport of 'African Blue’, bears foliage marked with a pattern of white, lime, and dark green, but grows less vigorously than its parent. Pierre Bennerup, propri- etor of Sunny Border Nurseries, Inc., discovered what is known as O. x citriodorum 'Pesto Perpetuo’ PPAF in his own vegetable gar- den. A sport of 'Aussie Sweetie’/’Lesbos’, this eye-catching plant has light green foliage edged creamy white and does not flower. Its continued on page 38 Top right Basil with marigolds Left top Basil ‘Green Ruffles’ Left middle: Thai lemon basil Left bottom: Genovese basil is equally attractive in the flower or vegetable garden. THUJA X ‘GREEN GIANT’ Screening Alternative to Leyland Cypress & 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. Tall, 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. 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GREEN SCENE • april 2006 37 Plants Jo Ann’s Favorite Basil Pesto 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.gatewaygardens. com 2 cups loosely packed, fresh slender columnar form — no more than a foot wide — is retained even as plants shoot upward to 5 feet. Bennerup, who advises trimming the tips every month or so, has grown ‘Pesto Perpetuo’ as a spectacular hedge around his garden (plant them close together for this effect). It makes a delicious pesto with a slight- ly different flavor from 'Genovese’. Though basil will remain Queen of the Herb Garden, it has many dif- ferent roles to play throughout the landscape. Use it in your kitchen if you want to, but don’t hesitate to grow it for its looks alone. This ver- satile herb has earned its place in the pleasure garden. Jo Ann Gardner has written several books on gardening, including Elegant Silvers, with Karen Bussolini. ‘Genovese’ basil, with as few stems as Put these ingredients into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse about 20 times or until the basil is well pulverized. Add salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. I make this at the height of basil produc- tion, then freeze it to use later as a base for classic pesto, or simply add frozen chunks to sauces. For classic pesto, add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/3 cup ground pine nuts or walnuts, or as much as needed to thicken the sauce. possible 2 cloves garlic, peeled 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil Unprecedented Experience • Personal Service • Exceptional Quality Call today to schedule a free professional consultation to review your property. ^MCFARLAND _lTree & Landscape Services 2 1 5-844-TREE (8733) 610-688-6644 Fax: 215-438-1879 www.mcfarlandtree.com 38 GREEN SCENE • april 2006 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 2005 Best in . Show y vfc A. Hr • Spring Flowering Shrubs Superb Annuals and Perennials Beautiful Cut Flower Arrangements Year-round Indoor Plants Decorative Gifts April Specials: Valid April 1 - May 1 20% off potted bulbs and indoor flowering potted plants. 20% off any cut flower purchase. PHS member special - get 15% off any giftware purchase (except sale items) www.gotomeadowbrook. com 1633 Washington Lane, Abington Township, PA 19046 • 215-887-5900 Meadowbrook Farm is an affiliate of The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society GREEN SCENE • april 2006 39 The Well-Contained Garden BETTER BASKETS of the growing season, a mature basket planted in a 24-inch diameter form can weigh up to 100 pounds when wet, so plan your support system accordingly. Ideally, the form and hanging supplies should be construct- ed of substantial materials that are weather resistant, such as heavy gauge rubber-coated wire. Unlike other materials, a wire frame lasts for many seasons and offers varied planting opportunities; two half-round forms can be wired together for a full round the next year. Un-milled sphag- num moss (not the peat moss com- monly used as a soil conditioner) makes the best material for lining wire forms. It can be found at some garden centers, craft supply stores or through mail-order; it is very long stranded, has a very coarse appearance, and retains organic debris from the peat bog. Even though I believe that as stewards of the environment we should be using peat- free products (because it’s a non- renewable resource), I have not found good alternatives that successfully grow plants along the sides of these baskets. Most tropical plants perform well in shady conditions, so these baskets can be grown under the eaves of the house or hung from large tree branches or other structures. When selecting plants, you will need some large focal J rowse around almost any gar- den center in spring and ^ M J you 11 see hanging baskets of | begonias, geraniums, petunias, and s fuchsias overflowing with blossoms. 03 5 But some public gardens in the 6 Delaware Valley have adopted more g complex and exotic hanging baskets g that include tropical plants known for | their foliage rather than their floral dis- play. At the Scott Arboretum, we like to call these “Burle baskets" after the renowned landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. These can take the tradi- tional form of a half-round hanging basket, sphere, cone, or other shape. All you need is a form with a sturdy wire frame, some un-milled sphagnum moss, well-drained potting media, interesting plants and some creativity. Unlike traditional baskets, the form for your Burle basket needs well- spaced openings for planting on the sides and bottom as well as the top. Planting the sides will help ensure that once mature, the plants will com- pletely hide the form and sphag- num lining. Keep in mind that, by the end Top Half-round basket at Chanticleer. Right: Half-round basket on display at Scott Arboretum mid-summer 2005 40 GREEN SCENE • april 2006 Above Eve Thyrum planting her “Burle Basket’ at a Scott Arboretum workshop. Above: Jeff Jabco showing how to stabilize a sturdy round frame while lining it with sphagnum moss. points, some rambling types, and fillers of various textures and growth speeds; this is where personal creativi- ty can blossom. Besides annuals, consider bromeliads, tillandsias, Tradescantia sp., tropical ferns, Altemanthera sp., smaller elephant ears, tropical Oxalis sp., rex and tuber- ous begonias and assorted ivy, as well as many fast-growing perennials and plants found in the houseplant section of your garden center. Before you begin planting this out- of-the-ordinary basket, prepare the sphagnum moss by soaking it in water. (As a precaution, always wear rubber gloves when working with sphagnum moss to protect yourself from a rare, but potentially unpleasant fungal infection called Cutaneous sporotri- chosis.) Place rounded forms in a pot or bucket to prevent the form from rolling as you line it with an inch or so of prepared and squeezed-dry sphag- num. After the form is lined half way, begin to add your potting media, which will hold your lining in place as you work up the form. Use a soil- less peat or coir-based media with added perlite for good drainage. After you have completed lining and filling the form, plant one plant at a time by gently pulling aside the sphagnum lining and making a divot in the potting media. Wedge in the roots and push the lining back around the collar to secure it in the basket. Now, just water, fer- tilize, pinch and groom regularly, and enjoy! 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. Unique, Norman Rice contemporary rancher • blends seamlessly into the Wissahickon Watershed • protected valley with creek views • 2+acres • excellent well • beautiful naturalized landscaping » organic garden • greenhouse • complete privacy • in Gwynedd Valley Please call (215) 699-3645. Lewes, Delaware Mary vessels Park visit Historic. Lewes, delaware and tour our "hidden" private gardens at the lfcth Annual Lewes parole n Tour sponsored by the Lewes chamber of Commerce on saturdayjuwe 17th from 1 0 AM to 5 PM. Mention this ad and reserve your discounted garden Tour ticket for $±o. For more Information contact the Lewes chamber of Commerce at sy-y-.F&s.3pi3y- or visit www.leweschamber.com 'Nnw.tuc.leet-styl.e' on the Delaware Coast, ma ■« iolHH taw ‘in ■ u Coastal Retreat and event destination t it 'anal quare , 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. Fitness Room Coming Spring 2.00& Mentlonthls ad when making ojour reservation for the c\ardtr^ Tour and join us for a wine and cheese reception on the evening of June l&th. Inquire about our Spring § Summer Packages 122 Market street • Lewes, t>e ±Jj)5S Ph 302. £>44 .3377 * ResV SSS.&4 4 ,±J)±± www.thei nnatca na lsquare.com % -WINTERTHUR Winterthur Museum & Country Estate is home to Henry Francis du Pont’s fabulous mansion and world-renowned garden. Located on Route 52, just minutes from Wilmington, Delaware, and less than an hour from Philadelphia. 800.448.3883 • 302.888.4600 • www.winterthur.org “One of the 1 0 great places to inhale the flower scents of Spring " —USA Today PHOTO: HOC ( ARDII.I O CARING FOR THE YOUNG Unlike smaller, cheaper plants that are less promi- nent in the landscape, a tree is a commitment, something that needs to be cared for, especially early in its life. A tree is like a child: raise it up right, and it will reward you with years of pleasure. And a tree, unlike a child, doesn’t suffer from the terrible twos or go through a rocky adolescence. Instead, you will enjoy its shade, or colorful foliage, or in some cases, fruits and nuts. Unless, of course, we make it suffer by treating it wrong. One of my favorite trees is Acer gri- seum (paperbark maple), which has beautiful, cinnamon-colored, exfoliat- ing bark on older specimens. After admiring this tree in other gardens for years, I finally bought a foot-tall seedling at a nature center sale in 1 996. My fantasy was to find the perfect spot in which to plant my beloved, one where it would thrive long after my own life had past. But one of the gar- den’s lessons is that there are no perfect places for anything. Some rules, for some fussy plants, are inviolable, but part of the fun of gardening is boldly planting something where no one has dared to plant it before. Unless it’s an obvious contradiction, such as planting a sunflower in the shade, such experi- mentation is how we learn. If only I could follow my own advice. Instead of planting it in the gar- den, my poor Acer sat in its pot for six months, after which I plopped it into a holding bed, where it grew for more than three years, until the spring of 2000, when I finally decided to end my indecision and take the leap of faith that planting always is. I planted it, straightened the slender trunk as I filled around the roots, and hoped that, unlike an ill-treated child, my tree would forget its early years and forgive. Unfortunately, this was not the end of the tree’s travails. In 2002, when my gardening partner redesigned our gar- den space (which we were only rent- ing), he decided the tree had to be relo- cated about 30 feet across the yard. It had grown to about five feet by then and seemed happy where it was, and I argued against the move. But my part- ner is both the artist and the optimist in the family, and he assured me the tree would both look better and do well in its newly-appointed spot, and it did. I always say that men bearing gas- or electric-powered cutting tools should be kept 500 feet away from any gar- den, with electric fencing if necessary. But a well-meaning if ignorant garden- er (male or female) can do quite a bit of harm even with a pair of hand pruners. One day 1 decided the Acer needed a little extra help growing tall and strong, and I did exactly the wrong thing, cutting off all the lower branch- es up to about three feet. I have since learned, through the PHS Tree Tenders program, that a young tree (especially one that has been recently transplanted) needs those lower branches to bulk up the girth of its trunk and provide energy for root growth. If any pruning at all is to be done, those healthy branches should be taken out slowly, a third at a time over several seasons. In spite of it all, the tree continued to grow and thrive — but in Fall 2004, the estate on which we rented was sold to a developer, and we moved the tree again, along with most of our garden, to a house we bought nearby. After it sat in burlap all winter nestled under a pile of mulch, we planted it last April in what I hope will be its final resting place and not the place of its demise. I worry for the tree now, because during last summer’s drought several of the lower branches died back and many of the leaves shriveled and browned. The ingrained pessimistic part of me insists: “The tree is dead! Dead! Dead!” Besides the optimist gardening part- ner, who insists the tree is fine, I now carry a counterpart to that naysaying yammerer inside my own head — the gardener who, for the past 20 years, has learned that plants are far more resilient and forgiving than most peo- ple, and that come spring, my Acer — along with the rest of the gar- den— will most likely come back to life. And if it not, it isn’t all my fault and it certainly isn’t the end of the world. It is sad when a young tree dies, but there are other trees to plant, and I now have learned how to treat them right. To learn more about PHS tree programs, visit our website (www. PennsylvaniaHorticulturalSociety. org) and click on “Learn About TreeVitalize” in the Latest News section. Adam Levine, a frequent contributor to Green Scene, is nurturing a new garden at his home in Media, PA. GREEN SCENE • opril 2006 43 Classified Ads ANTIQUE BOOKS RARE & PREVIOUSLY OWNED BOOKS ON HORTICULTURE & BOTANICAL PRINTS - Bought and Sold Polly Goldstein 37 Lochwood Lane West Chester, PA 1 9380 610-436-9796 Email: GrannyPol@aol.com GARDEN STRUCTURES HERITAGE STONE S MARBLE We are an installation and restoration company whoemphasizes 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 mam ufacturer, shading and ventilation systems. • Maintenance: Reglazing, reskinning, paint- ing, 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 ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS to the Thousands of Local Gardeners who read GREEN scene Contact Michel Manzo at 610-527-7047 or manzocomm@aol.com for more information 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 610-917-1385 for a brochure and consultation. I 44 GREEN SCENE • april 2006 CLASSIFIED RATES 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 MULCH ORCHIDS Little Brook Orchids 8000+ Orchids AUSSIE GOLD Distributor Patio/Tropical Plant Boarding Lancaster, PA 717-394-1000 Email: littlebrookorchids@comcast.net UNUSUAL SPECIMENS RARE S 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 Base Rate $3.00 per word (without formatting) 1 Line $15.00 per line Formatted Words $5.00 (ex. Bold. Italic or ALL CAPS) Minimum Charge $60.00 Discount 10% off the second consecutive ad, using the same copy Deadlines February Issue (by December 1) April Issue (by February 1) June Issue (by April 1 ) August Issue (by June 1) October Issue (by August 1) December Issue (by October 1) 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 NURSERY 800 varieties of Perennials 100 varieties of unusual Annuals POPES’ GARDENS 1146 Old White Horse Pike, Waterford, 856-767-3343 www.popesgardens.com 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: Joe Soprani Green Scene The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 -1495. If you have any questions, please call 215-988-8809. GREEN SCENE • april 2006 45 The Backyard A MUST-SEE TV EVENT! M l< I i i i ' Philly Green to be Featured in Major Television Documentary on PBS By Daniel Moise Roll out the red carpet and warm up the spotlight, because the premiere of Edens Lost & Found is fast approaching. The Philadelphia portion of this four- hour documentary, featuring four American cities and their respective greening projects, will make its PBS debut on May 25. Edens Lost and Found is an uplifting look at Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle, and Los Angeles, each of which is using greening and environmental innovation as a means toward urban rebirth. It reveals how professionals, government, and ordinary citizens can come together to create a better way of life for all. The brainchild of Academy Award-wi n- ning filmmak- ers Harry Wiland and Dale Bell, the movie is sure to inform, inspire, and engage. PHS played a significant role in making the documentary’s Philadelphia segment a reali- ty. By raising funds; arranging logistics; and hav- ing a broad network of contacts, friends, and partners in Philadelphia, the PHS staff was an integral part of the filming process. “It was fascinating to see what it takes to make a movie. It requires resourcefulness and an incredible attention to detail,” says 46 GREEN SCENE • april 2006 Joan Reilly, director of Philadelphia Green. Of course PHS wasn’t solely behind the scenes — the decades-long efforts of PHS’s Philadelphia Green program are a highlight of the film. The documentary also showcases other endeavors that have put the city on the path to a better future. The development of charter schools, new housing opportunities, and the work of the Mural Arts Program all convey just how innovative the city has become. “Our role in the film relates to stew- ardship of the environment. Greening is an important step toward revitalizing a city that must be lifted up and recog- nized,’’ Joan says. “I hope the film will make people want to work and live in Philadelphia, as well as visit its tremen- dous points of interest. Tying this all together is the film’s host, actor David Morse, who lives in Philadelphia. Morse has been featured in dozens of films including The Green Mile, Dreamer, and the upcoming 16 Blocks. “It is really exciting to have a man of his talent and integrity be a part of this project,” Joan says. The first two segments of Edens Lost and Found will feature Chicago (May 18) and Philadelphia (May 25). The other two parts, showcasing Los Angeles and Seattle, will air in the fall. “I’m very excited that PHS had a sig- nificant role in getting this film made,” says J. Blaine Bonham Jr., executive vice president of PHS. “I also think it’s terrif- ic that the work of PHS will garner national exposure, allowing the entire country to see what we re all about.” B Check your local TV listings for air times in your area. vvPA Preferred REGISTERED PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PLNA ^ .^Sirffp^Good Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association Look for this logo to make sure you’re getting Pennsylvania’s finest - such as^Droducts at yourlocal gayden center ;and services ffom your \ professional landscape contractor. i Participating PA Preferred Nurseries, Garden Centers and Landscape Contractors... Cedar Run Landscapes, Inc. North Wales Creative Landscapes, Inc. Bethlehem Dallas Nurseries & Landscape, Inc. Dallas Derstine Landscaping & Turf Care Souderton Dundee Gardens Wilkes-Barre Edward's Landscaping Service, Inc. Forty Fort Garrett Churchill, Inc. Willow Grove Hanover Nursery Hanover Township Huntsville Nursery, Inc. Dallas Martin Brooks, Inc. Doylestown Plantique, Inc. Allentown Realty Landscaping Corporation Newtown Tall Timbers Nursery, Inc. Allentown The Rhoads Garden, Inc. North Wales Mostardi Nursery Newtown Square O'Brien Landscapes Unlimited & H20 Systems Morrisville Walck Enterprises, Inc. Drums W.D. Wells & Associates, Inc. West Grove Eric L. Kirchhoff Landscape, Nursery Palazzi Landscape Gardening & Greenhouses Pineville “Since 1921 ” Newfoundland For more information about this program or participating companies, visit www.GardenPA.com. "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. © 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 All About OCKOUT ROSES page 16 THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 1979 - 2006 Over 26 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 tomorrows 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. t=f EQUAL MOUSING OPPORTUNITY A Nonprofit, Nondenominational CCRC • Accredited since 1983 Affiliated with the Jefferson Health System 10 Roses and Their Friends More often than not, roses are relegated to remote areas of the garden, isolated from their botanical brethren. But why? Despite what you may have heard, rose- bushes make great companion plants to a large variety of annuals, herbs, trees, and shrubs. Trust rose virtuoso Stephen Scanniello to show you how to mix it up. 16 The “Rocky” of Roses Do high-maintenance roses make you want to throw in the trowel? Don't get discouraged. Here, Anthony S. Aiello tells the story of the Knock Out rose, a horticulture heavyweight for the modern rose grower. Learn more about its intriguing origin in the pages ahead. 20 It Pays to be Green Money might not grow on them, but trees are proving to be quite valuable to urban business owners. Research shows that customers prefer shopping in commercial districts adorned with flowers, shrubs, and trees. In this story, Jane Carroll shows just how strongly environment can impact the economy. COLUMNS 6 The Potting Shed 32 The Well-Contained Garden How to Create Dynamic Designs 35 Living with Trees The Benefits of Bigger Trees 38 The Backyard Get the Dirt on Garden Tenders The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. Main cover photo by Rob Cardillo PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER 26 Backyard Battles with Dry Shade Your backyard may seem like a peaceful retreat, but do you know what’s going on beneath the soil? Underground, the roots of plants and trees are engaged in a ruthless turf war. No need to fear, horticulturist George Weigel is here to help. Learn about accommodating plant species that don’t mind sharing root space and are able to thrive in the dry shade of tree canopies. Assistant Editor Daniel Moise Advertising Coordinator Joe Soprani 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@aot.com Classified Ads Joe Soprani, 215-988-8809 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 34, 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 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 FEATURES Editor Pete Prawn Associate Editor Jane Carroll The 2006 Green Scene Letter from the Editor “Garden Photo Contest” is here! See page 30-31 for details. The WAR of the ROS Roses are simply the definitive garden plant. They are the universal symbol of love and romance, but also symbolic of other sentiments, too, such as courage, admiration, purity and sympathy. Roses are full of contradic- tions, sporting both gorgeous blossoms that attract admirers and a thorny stem that chases them away. In the right spot, roses can bloom happily for decades, but in the wrong spot, they can be miserable under-performers and be host to myriad diseases. And yet year after year, we keep buying roses. We simply can't stop ourselves. I've had roses on my property ever since I started gardening in the early '90s. I'm hardly an expert rosarian, but to me, one’s home and lawn are not complete without a few roses. In my very first garden, I erected an arbor using two old porch columns and a rickety trellis on top (see photo). On either side, I put in a pair of climbing 'Blaze' roses. By the second year, I had a stunning display of crimson blossoms that greatly boosted my gardening morale. But there was a downside, which I learned the hard way: black spot, mildew, fungal diseases. After three or four glorious weeks of blooms in June, my rose arbor turned into a black, moldy mess in July and all the leaves fell off. This, I learned eventually, was typical of many roses that some of us grew back then. My experiments with hybrid tea roses had a similarly devastating result: a few, brief weeks of beauty followed by a month or two of depressing decay. It was almost enough to make me give up roses for good. But age brings knowledge; soon I learned about “shrub roses and a growing list of disease-resistant varieties, and my rose interests were reinvigorated. A few years later, I visited the gar- den of expert rose grower Reggie Thomas and was simply blown away by her fearless plantings. There were roses on the fences, roses on the arbors and trellises, and roses climbing all over her house. I was transfixed and transformed. We even wrote about her spectacular garden in the April, 2002 issue. And then came Knock Out. This hardy shrub rose changed the rules of the rose-growing game. No longer were we rose lovers victims of those hot, humid Mid-Atlantic summers. Here, at last, was a rose that needed no fungicides, elaborate pruning, or special fertilizers. Instead, Knock Out bloomed prolifically all summer long and actually thrived on negligence. And for those who couldn’t stomach its violently magenta color in their plant- ing beds, there soon came pink and blush Knock Outs for those requiring a softer palette. Today, we are living in a golden era for rose growing and we will celebrate that in this issue. Despite the sweltering months of July and August (and sometimes September), gardeners in our region can find a multitude of tough, hardy roses that take a beating and keep on blooming, such as ‘Carefree Beauty’, and the popular Flower Carpet and Premium Rose brands. For open- ers, we hear from expert rosarian Stephen Scanniello, who gives us a tour of his private garden on the Jersey shore. In that sandy spot, he grows a vast assortment of roses and even a “rose tree,” one of the most spectacular feats of gardening skill this editor has ever witnessed. (See pages 12-13.) As a followup, Anthony Aiello of the University of Pennsylvania’s Morris Arboretum writes about the Knock Out rose and, most notably, the pink variety they discovered in their gardens. Of course, there’s more in this issue of Green Scene besides roses, but in any case, this is one edition of the magazine with a very rosy disposition. •T/Au •'R/W/vz h j y If He Got Any Bigger, You Wouldn’t Believe It! Big Daddy!™ Hydrangea is incredible! Giant 12-14” flower heads against a backdrop of handsome folL He’s a big hit in your flower beds and borders, blooming Early Summer through Fall with blue flowers in acidic soil and pink flowers in alkaline soil. Outdoors, Big Daddy’s perfect for garden groupings and accents. Inside, he’s king of the house for fresh cuttings and dried arrangements. Tough in the heat and humidity and a real performer in the sun and shade. Big Daddy’s the one hydrangea you need to include in your landscape design. Another Qreat Selection From 1 ^ncvmjs Plants dlat\\ork tvunv.novalis.com HYDRANGEA Every yard needs a Big Daddy!™ To find yours, visit www.plantsthatwork.com Hydrangea inacrophylla Big Daddy™ PP14527 Container water gardens bring liquid life to decks and patios. Like any flower pots, they provide focal points of color and texture right where you can enjoy them most. Beyond that, they add the delightful presence of water — its mesmerizing movements, dancing reflections, and, if you add a small fountain, relaxing sounds. A bubbling miniature pond will fascinate visitors and enter- tain kids, and it’s the perfect way to learn about aquatic biology before you plunge into a larger, in-ground project. Water gardens can grow in any sturdy water- tight vessel, including glazed crocks, ceramic pots, plastic bowls, and metal troughs. You can use more porous containers if you waterproof them first. For aesthetic reasons, most people prefer a dark interior finish to hide plant sup- ports, fountain plumbing, and possible algae growth. Dark interiors also give an illusion of depth. Proper location is key. Most aquatic plants do best with at least five to six hours of direct sun- light. Too much shade and your plants will decline and give way to algae soup. And since water weighs about eight pounds per gallon, you won’t want to be pushing these pots around, so site them right before you fill them. For visual interest, try a mix of tall, broad, floating, and cascading plants. Arrange plants like you would any bouquet — tall ones in the back — and don’t crowd the container lest you lose sight of the water’s surface. Most plants sold for water gardens are grown in a mucky soil, but those grown in normal potting soil will cloud up the water. Repot them in heavy clay, pond mud, or even non-clumping cat litter. Maintenance is minimal. Top off your pot with the hose every few days and keep an eye out for mosquito larvae, especially in these days of West Nile Virus. These tiny wrigglers nor- mally won’t appear in a container with moving water, but you can easily overfill the containers to push out any larvae that float near the top. Or treat your mini pond with Bt doughnuts, which contain a natural larvicide that’s safe and effective. For a temporary water garden that’s perfect for outdoor entertaining, simply cut and float a handful of your favorite leaves and blooms in an attractive container, as they often do at Chanticleer in Wayne, PA. Here’s how to turn a common wooden barrel planter into a delightfully bubbly ecosystem: STEP ONE: Place a sheet of flexible PVC pond liner (or other heavy plastic) into the bar- rel. Push and fold the fabric as needed, making sure you work it into the bottom as much as possible. Using long sturdy staples, fasten the fabric securely to the top rim. Alternatively, you can buy a preformed hard-plastic liner to fit common-sized barrels. STEP TWO:: Cut off the excess fabric to give the edge a nice finish. STEP THREE: Add pebbles or gravel to the bottom of the pots to keep them weighted down. Use bricks, piles of stones, or inverted ceramic flower pots to keep each plant’s foliage above the waterline. STEP FOUR: Fill container with water. If your water supply is heavily chlorinated, let the water sit for a few days before adding plants. STEP FIVE: Add fountain and enjoy. SOME SUGGESTED PLANTS: The Potting Shed remember my first encounter with cardinal flower ( Lobelia cardinal'll). One summer I visited the Western Pennsylvania Nature Conservancy’s Wildflower Preserve near Pittsburgh with my parents. My mother was there as a gardener and plant enthusiast in search of new gardens to enjoy (passions that obvi- ously rubbed off on me), and my father was providing his usual role as weekend-excursion chauffeur. Suddenly I noticed a flash of brilliant red, which alerted my bud- ding avian interests. Was that a scarlet tanager I had just spotted? I had read about this intrepidly migratory red bird in books and wanted to see one in every common cardinal that visited our home garden. (And yes, both the flower and the bird are named after the red vest- ments of Catholic cardinals.) A closer look of the beckoning red patch revealed it was some kind of elongated flower cluster, and a quick check of my wildflower identification guide unmistak- ably identified it as cardinal flower. Even though it was not my hoped-for scarlet tanager, it was still an exciting find, made even more memorable by our discovery of a rather large stand of it blazing farther along the trail in a lower, wetter spot. Even the chauffeur was impressed! Ever since that day, I’ve admired cardinal flower for its brilliant summer display. It is easy to enjoy in your own garden in a moist to almost-wet and not overly fertile spot in morning sun or dappled afternoon sun, where the plants will bloom for a few years and then be readi- ly replaced by healthy new volunteer seedlings. I planted a few cardinal flowers in my so-called bog garden, which in reality is little more than a plastic-lined corner of soil in my back garden, but it provides the conditions for a little colony of cardinal flowers to per- sist. They don’t grow as tall as the ones I’ve admired in a friend’s garden in the New Jersey Pinelands, where the sandy, moist soil supports the production of many four- footers. But mine still have the power to attract yet another species of bird in this story, namely the ruby- throated hummingbird. Although I don’t live in a nature preserve, my few plants still provide some magic moments for me — much like the time I first spotted car- dinal flowers in the Wildflower Preserve — when a hum- mingbird darts around them before dashing away. So while I still haven’t yet observed a scarlet tanager, maybe some day what 1 think is a spike of cardinal flower moving in the breeze will actually turn out to be that elusive little bird. Until then, I can at least enjoy the brilliant color of this native gem. Ray Rogers likes to include bird watching among his gardening activities and can usually distinguish a bird from a flower. 8 GREEN SCENE • june 2006 FLASHES of 1 CULTIVATION Height: 2 to 4 feet Bloom time: Summer Soil: Moist clay to sandy loam ph: Neutral to slightly acidic Light: Partial shade to full sun Broadway Across America PHILADELPHIA Experience the magic of Broadway at the Merriam Theater! 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They deserve better treatment than being stuck in a bed you create for them along the driveway or behind the boxwood hedge, isolated from the rest of the garden where they shamelully drop their leaves and bare their canes when black spot hits. Why not dress up your roses with companion plants and flowers that can fill in during those times when roses aren’t in bloom? Create gor- geous gardens with your roses. That’s what I like to do with mine. While I was the curator of the Cranford Rose Garden at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, I grew nothing but roses. Occasionally there was a stray viola seedling that blew in from the nearby com- post pile, but otherwise it was just roses — nearly 5,000 plants. After 13 years, I tired ot this traditional style. When I ven- tured out on my own as a garden designer, I couldn’t wait to combine roses with all sorts of perennials, biennials, annuals, herbs, trees, shrubs, and flowering bulbs — all wonderful companions for roses. The perfect cohort is a plant that will complement the rose, not compete with it. The blue atlas cedar in my Barnegat, New Jersey, garden stops traffic every June. From dawn to dusk, cars slow down or stop and I hear the camera shutter click. Apricot-pink roses, blushed with orange, spill out from the cedar’s every opening nearly 20 feet above ground, spilling from the long majestic branches of this blue- gray-needled evergreen. The rose is ‘Autumn Sunset’, a climber planted along- side the tree 10 years ago. The rose does no harm to the cedar, and the tree offers the rose safe harbor from the winter winds and natural support lor its fragrant, bloom-cov- ered canes. When ‘Autumn Sunset’ is not in bloom, the beauty of the tree takes center stage, as if the rose never existed. This is exactly what a rose companion should do. Choose companions whose needs for sunlight, water, air circulation, and growth space match those of your roses. Roses require at least five hours of sunlight in a well-drained site. They need regular water- ing, so lavender and other plants that require less moisture should be planted away from the drip irrigation or perhaps on a mound next to the rose for better drainage. Use plants with similar growth habits; don’t plant aggressive trees or shrubs with a small rosebush. When roses are shaded by taller plants they won’t bloom; they’ll sulk. Since roses are prone to black spot and mildew, don’t crowd them with large-leaved perennials like foxgloves and delphiniums; allow enough space for the foliage when you are spacing these mates with your roses. Perennials and annuals with smaller foliage, such as daylilies and nepeta, won’t interfere with air circulation and can be planted closer to the rose. If my roses become infected with black spot, I begin to prune. In mid-summer, when the heat and humidity is at its worst and the disease is prevalent, I prune back the rose and let the companions take the spotlight. I’m also not afraid to dig up a rose and try a better variety. When paired with the right companions, roses can be part of the four-season garden. Evergreens such as boxwoods or yews add a formal touch, as well as color during the winter when the roses are dormant and at their least attractive. Spring bulbs like tulips, fritillaria, camassia, and chionodoxa add early color, and if planned properly, will complement the newly emerging foliage of the roses as they break dormancy. The grey, blue, and green foliage of nepeta, Story by Stephen Scanniello Photography by Pete Prown Create gorgeous gardens with your roses. That’s what i like to do with mine. GREEN SCENE • june 2006 11 lavender, and teucrium work well with all colors of roses. Spikey perennials, includ- ing campanula, salvia, and summer bulbs, add a wonderful fragrance to the garden while the roses are between bloom cycles. Asters and chrysanthemums will hide the inevitable naked knees of the hybrid teas in autumn. Don’t overlook rose foliage. The colors of emerging leaves range from intense plum red to bluish green depending on the type of rose. I under-plant Rosa glauccL, also known as the red-leafed rose, with tulips ‘Shirley’ (white streaked with purple) and ‘Queen of the Night’ (dark purple). Both of these tulips bloom as the rose’s grey-red foliage comes out of winter dormancy. Tea and China roses sprout rich red foliage that mixes well with many perennials and shrubs. The fragrance of a rose garden can be enhanced by equally fragrant companions. It’s a magical moment during a full moon on a June evening to wander through my Barnegat garden as ‘Mme. Planner’ and This page: Rosa glauca 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 ‘Mme. Hardy’ are in peak bloom, sur- rounded by the airy umbels of the perenni- al herb Valeriana officinalis — infusing the evening air with its fragrance of fresh baby powder. I also plant the annual Nicotiana throughout the garden for its delicious evening scent. If that’s not enough, try pots of night-blooming jasmine near a porch or under the window of the family room. To add a striking vertical element to your garden, plant tall, spikey perennials and biennials such as foxgloves, hollyhocks, veronicastrum, and delphiniums next to rose-covered pillars and arches. Be sure to allow space for the foliage of these colorful plants so you don’t crowd out the rose. Better yet, use them with tall shrub roses like ‘Abraham Darby’ or ‘Belinda’s Dream . Salvia, low-growing veronicas, and other small spiked plants add a finer style of ver- tical to the garden; they are perfect planted among hybrid teas or old garden roses. The annual salvia ‘Black and Blue’ and the new orchid-pink hybrid tea ‘Memorial Day’ make a lovely combination. Perfect for your city terrace or garden patio, the Hill Company offers the finest outdoor furniture for a sophisticated sense of style. Our free design sendee helps you plan your space. With our fully stocked warehouses, most styles available for immediate delivery. Hill Company, where beautiful outdoor living begins. CO THE HILL COMPANY 8615 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, PA 19118 215.247.7600 | www.hill-company.com Free Parking Behind Our Store GREEN SCENE • june 2006 13 Besides the obvious cover-up scheme, there are other benefits to growing other plants with your roses. Some garden plants attract beneficial predators, while others act as natural pest repellents. Perennials with umbel-shaped blooms, like yarrow, bronze fennel, and valerian ( Valeriana officinalis), attract a tiny wasp that preys on aphids. Members of the allium family (gar- lic chives and flowering onions) seem to repel sucking and chewing insects as well. In autumn I plant these, as well as other spring and summer flowering bulbs, as 14 GREEN SCENE • june 2006 close as possible to the bases of my roses. I like to finish the job by planting violas, preferably the Sorbet Series, where the bulbs are buried. These small pansies are more winter tolerant, bursting into full bloom just as the sun begins to warm the garden in early spring. They serve as a colorful living mulch around the base of the roses. Growing roses should be fun, not a chore. With good planning, common sense, and the right companions, you'll get very satisfying results. So come on, take your roses out of the rose garden and bring them into your broader flower garden where they belong. Stephen Scanniello is best known as a hands-on gardener who transformed the Cranford Rose Garden of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden into one of the world’s most acclaimed rose gardens. Stephen has co-authored Roses of America and Climbing Roses, and has written Rose Companions and A Year of Roses. He lives and gardens in Jersey City and Barnegat, New Jersey. This is the generation your legacy begins How do you preserve not just wealth, but the values that created it? The drive, the vision, the passion to excel? For half a century, we have focused specifically on helping exceptional individuals protect the wealth they worked to build, and pass it on to future generations. To put this experience to work for you, contact us. GCENkroE 1 -S6S -44 5-3663 WWW.GLENMEDE.COM A COMPLETE A New Rose Discovery at the Morris Arboretum This page: Pink Knockout Opposite page: Morris Arboretum's rose garden Story by Anthony S. Aiello A few years ago for Mother’s Day I gave my mom several Knock Out rose plants. She was very happy for the gift, but after thank- ing me, her next response was, “But roses are so much work; don’t I need to prune and spray these throughout the summer?” “No,” I told her, “these are a new type of landscape rose that blooms all summer long and are highly disease resistant.” Skeptically, she watched me plant them, and I’ve had nothing but rave reviews ever since. Knock Out rose ( Rosa ‘Radrazz’) is one of the hottest-selling plants in the United States. Unofficially, there were close to two mil- lion of them sold last year alone! Knock Out was bred by William Radler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and introduced by the Conard- Pyle Company of West Grove, PA. Its flower color is unmistakable — a bright, rich, cherry red — with blooms that are self-clean- ing and last from late spring into the fall. It is an absolutely carefree, land- scape shrub rose, reaching about 4 feet tall and wide, with remarkably disease- resistant foliage. In the spring of 2000, around the same time that I had given my mother her roses, the Morris 16 Ml y* n * " 1? ^ff^}'AT r4£ :,/ ^7 ^dia jyjr. t ^ . r<- ;§ . ^ * ^ ^Wr a* *• wfjf Clockwise from top left: Blushing Knockout A red Knockout bloom Pink knockout Steve Hutton, president of Conard-Pyle Knockout closeup Knockout in a container Arboretum in Philadelphia received several Knock Out roses from Conard-Pyle, and we planted them adja- cent to our parking lots. We chose this location because it was far from any roses that were being sprayed for disease, the bed has terrible soil, and is an area that bakes during the summer months. We wanted to see if these roses were as tough as everyone claims they are. One day in the summer of 2001 our rosarian, Mike Tuszynski, noticed one plant of this group had a branch with pink flowers instead of the typical red. We immediately contact- ed Conard-Pyle and began propagating this pink “sport” (a sport is a natural mutation). It turns out that Knock Out is a variable plant; Conard-Pyle had simultaneously discovered an identical ‘pink’ Knock Out. Over the next sum- mers, we v/orked with Conard-Pyle to propagate and evaluate this pink sport in their field trials. It turned 18 GREEN SCENE • june 2006 out that the two pink discov- eries were virtually indistin- guishable in the field. Eventually Conard-Pyle chose to introduce their rose as the Pink Knock Out {Rosa ‘Radeon’), but because of our simultaneous discovery the Arboretum shares in the royalties from this introduc- tion. Pink Knock Out rose has proved to have all the great characteristics of the origi- nal Knock Out, with the only difference being the flower color. Its flowers are a medium pink rhat can stand alone or integrate into a mixed border, combining well with traditional rose companions like lavender, catmint, and salvia. Its per- formance and ultimate size are very similar to Knock Out. It is totally resistant to rose black spot and reaches 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. Pink Knock Out blooms continuously from June ro October and is fully hardy in the Delaware Valley. If you are looking to expand your palette of the Knock Out series, you can also choose from Double Knock Out {Rosa ‘Radtko’), which has cherry-red dou- ble flowers, and Blushing Knock Out {Rosa ‘Radyod’), with shell-pink blooms. All of the plants in the series are on display in the Morris Arboretum’s rose garden, where we have mixed them with perennials and annuals for longer sea- sonal interest. The Knock Out series of roses has made believers of many former rose-phobics. If you give them what they most want — full-sun, rea- sonable soil, and spring pruning — they will become one of the easiest and most trouble-free plants in your garden. Anthony S. Aiello is the Gayle E. Maloney Director of Horticulture and Curator at the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. The garden’s website is www. morrisarboretum. org . Many pictures and information on our website www.botanyshop.com • Joplin, MO or call 888-855-3500 for prices and information. THUJA X ‘GREEN GIANT’ Screening Alternative to Leyland Cypress & New England's Dying Hemlocks C3 Plants 8"-3 l/2ft. tail $3.00 to $45.00 each • New USDA Release • Pennsylvania Gold Medal Plant Award • Tough, Fragrant, Tall, Skinny Evergreen • Deer, Bagworm & Disease Resistant • Fast Growing, 3' to 5' / Year • Zone 4-9 www.knockoutroses.com Reblooming Hydrangea VALLEY FORGE AMI • 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 GREEN SCENE • june 2006 19 The of BUSINESS GREENING Using Horticulture to Enhance the Bottom Line Story by Jane Carroll Where would you rather shop? In a big-box store surrounded by an asphalt parking lot, in a strip mall off a congested thoroughfare, or in pleasant shops along a tree-lined street adorned with flowering containers and hanging baskets? Given the choice, most people favor nicely landscaped surroundings. But adding a splash of green to the urban setting can also help paint a rosier economic picture. Research indicates that greening has a positive effect on the business environment and real estate values. Kathleen Wolf, research director at the College of Forest Resources, University of Washington, has found that people not only like the look and feel of tree- lined streets, but they are more likely to open their wallets when trees and flowers are around. In the Journal of Forestry, Wolf writes that there are “positive associations between streetscapes having trees and consumer preference, perceptions, and behavior.” Her research shows that people will travel farther to visit “forested” shopping districts, are more willing to pay for parking there, will pay more for goods and services (9 to 12 per- cent more), and come away with a better overall impression of their experience.1 Cities across the country are taking notice. Citing advantages to businesses along with environmental concerns, the Sacramento Tree Foundation in California is working to double the six-county Sacramento region’s tree canopy over the next 40 years. Chicago has invested unprecedented resources toward becoming the nation’s “greenest city,” 20 Top: Containers add beauty to South 1 7th Street. Bottom: Pedestrians enjoy the shade of trees on Walnut Street. Mm » iumw v ■ m % w^k N i • V f> ■.* fnyiHn A Philadelphia Green A GREENER DOWNTOWN Through its Philadelphia Green pro- gram, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society works to beautify and maintain public green spaces, streetscapes, and gate- ways in the city’s downtown and commer- cial districts. PHS works under contract for the Center City District, a business improvement organization, to maintain hundreds of street trees, sidewalk planters, hanging baskets, and parking-lot screens in the downtown area. It also partners with the city’s Fairmount Park Commission to maintain high-profile landscapes such as the grounds of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Logan Square, and the Azalea Garden. All of this greening requires a financial commitment that is difficult for cities with sagging budgets, yet it can pay off by creat- ing a more appealing environment for shoppers and investors. Paul Levy, president and CEO of the Center City District, says his organization has planted more than 600 new street trees and cares for another 300. “Considering the cost of the tree, the trench the tree is planted in, the brick paving over the trench, and the under- ground watering system,” Levy explains, “this amounts to an investment by the District of more than $2,000 per tree, or $1.2 million [for the new trees]. Additionally, we invest roughly $60,000 per year in a maintenance program for all 900 trees. But we believe strongly that the shade and attractiveness provided by street trees offer benefits to commerce and quality of life in Center City that make the financial investment more than worthwhile.” A NEW PHILADELPHIA In some of Philadelphia’s struggling neighborhoods where decades of popula- tion loss has meant blight and abandon- ment, greening is a big part of the effort to breathe new life into these communities. From 1993 through 2002, PHS worked with the New Kensington Community Development Corporation in eastern North Philadelphia to manage the neigh- borhood’s 1,100 blighted vacant lots. The effort included “stabilizing” vacant lots (clearing debris and installing grass, perimeter fencing, and trees), creating com- munity gardens, planting trees, renovating parks, and transferring some lots to home- owners. Last year, a study by Susan Wachter, professor of real estate at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, revealed that the value of homes adjacent to the improved lots increased by 30 percent.2 PHS also manages vacant land in the American Street Empowerment Zone, cleaning lots and planting trees along this historically important industrial corridor. The effort has dramatically improved the area’s appearance, sparked new economic opportunities, and prompted several American Street businesses to help support the work financially. Local businessperson Tom Forkin serves as president of the American Street Erie Avenue Business Association. He sees greening as a way to stay competitive. “We got involved with cleaning and greening in our neighborhood because we see it as an economic development generator. Cleaning, greening, and stabilizing have been a huge boost— not only for my busi- ness but for the surrounding businesses, for the surrounding community.” PHS has been addressing the vacant land problem in other parts of the city as well through a contract with the city’s Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI), a full-scale program to revitalize neighborhoods. More than 4,000 debris- filled vacant lots have been stabilized and another 2,500 lots are kept clean through PHS’s Community LandCare Project, in which neighborhood-based contractors perform regular mowing and trash removal. The results have been dramatic. “There really is a new Philadelphia.” says Stephanie Naidoff, city representative and director of commerce. “I think greening has provided the ‘tipping point’ in terms of transforming the neighborhoods, because it empowered the communities.” (continued on p. 24) 22 GREEN SCENE • june 2006 TVe. TLC of feA Better than talking to your plants, Compost Tea is liquid extract of compost. It’s like plant vitamins - it helps them grow while improving soil structure and suppressing diseases. Join its for teatime! Our brew days are Friday, Saturday, & Sunday. • Qrqmc CoiMj/o&i • MuUli Keystone Gardens inc 250 Conestoga Road Wayne, PA 19087 610 688 5969 www.keystonegardens.com 10% V\*C4mf wiih Meniher&lup GrJI Unprecedented Experience • Personal Service • Exceptional Quality y IT’S THE MCFARLAND WAY! Call today to schedule a free professional consultation to review your property. ^MCFARLAND _l.Tree & Landscape Services 215-844-TREE (8733) 610-688-6644 Fax:215-438-1879 www.mcfarlandtree.com Reblooming Iris Glorious Flowers in Spring & Fall A small but growing number of Bearded Iris bloom gloriously in June, 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’, purple-and-white ‘Boun- tiful Harvest’, ruffled ‘Mother Earth’, rose-pink ‘Jennifer Rebecca’, and the two-toned ‘Best Bet’. 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, fragrant selections, Spuria and Siberian Iris. Please mention Source Code 62043. White Flower Farm whiteflowerfarm.com Philadelphia Green We believe strongly that the shade and attractiveness provided by street trees offer benefits to commerce and quality of life in Center City that make the financial investment more than worthwhile. — Paul Levy, President and CEO, Center City District NEIGHBORHOOD CORRIDORS As part of its NTI contract, PHS has also brought greening to commercial strips in several city neighborhoods, creating green traffic islands, small “pocket parks,” and new street-tree and container plantings. Lewis C. Wendell is executive director of the University City District in West Philadelphia. The organization partnered with PHS to transform a large traffic trian- gle at 45th Street and Baltimore Avenue into a green gateway. “I am a firm believer that an aesthetically pleasing environment with well-maintained landscaping helps create a business-friendly atmosphere where people will want to spend their time and their money,” he says. The Neighborhood Transformation Initiative has begun to focus on these neighborhood-based commercial strips. It recently launched a new Commercial Corridor Support Program that will help • 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. 1 Fitness Center, Pool, Dining Options and many other services and amenities. 610-645-8764 • www.waverlyheightsltd.org 1400 Waverly Road, Gladwyne, PA 1 9035-1 296 WAVERLY HEIGHTS • 100% and 50% recoverable entrance fee plans. • Over 200 apartments and villas. THE FINER THINGS IN LIFECARE. pay for building rehabilitation, fayade renovation, new business development, streetscape enhancements, and greening. “The aim of this program is to promote commercial corridors as healthy, vibrant hubs for steadily improving neighbor- hoods, and greening will continue to be an important component,” says Eva Gladstein, director of NTI. It’s an invest- ment that promises rewards beyond the corridors themselves. In a study completed this year, Susan Wachter found that a cor- ridor in excellent' condition is correlated with a 36 percent rise in value for homes within 1/4 mile.3 DOLLARS AND SENSE As more and more urban areas “go green,” the benefits can reach far and wide. Attractive streetscapes bring increased busi- ness activity, higher real estate values, and new jobs, which means more tax revenue and a better economic picture for cities. Beyond that, reinvestment in the nation’s aging cities means less development in outer-ring suburbs and rural areas, preserv- ing precious open space. On a personal level, green cities just feel better. Says Lewis Wendell, “Encouraging businesses — along with institutions and residents — to decorate their surroundings with plants and flowers is in everyone’s interests, as it greatly enhances our quality of life.” 1 Wolf, Kathleen L. “Business District Streetscapes, Trees, and Consumer Response,” Journal of Forestry. December 2005, 396-400. 2 Wachter, Susan, “The Determinants of Neighborhood Transformation in Philadelphia, Identification and Analysis: The New Kensington Pilot Study.” The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2005 (funded by the William Penn Foundation). 3 Wachter, Susan, and Kevin C. Gillen, “Public Investment Strategies: How They Matter for Neighborhoods in Philadelphia-ldentification and Analysis.” The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2006 (funded by the William Penn Foundation). 24 GREEN SCENE • june 2006 n^^Knoek Jft.Pses Fall’america'JI ROSE SELECTIONS The Knock Out® Rose (variety: Radrazz) It s hard to heat a great slirul) rose for lots of color and little fuss. V in I there's nothing greater in shrill) roses than The Knock Out® family of roses. In gardens across America, Tile Knock Out- Rose. I In- Blushing Knock Out" Rose, and The Pink Knock Out " Rose have set a new standard for high performance and low care. Months of non-stop color on a tough, hardy, maintenance free plant. The Blushing Knock Out* Rose (variety: Radyod) Star Hoses 0 Star Plants THE CONARD-PYI E CO. WWW.TH EKNOCKOUTROSE.COM The Pink Knock Out* Rose (variety: Radeon) UMM 1 1 H. II I a 1 wLwt Irill ijiji Story and photography by George Weigel UNDER the CANOPY The Trick Sweet woodruff Astilbe chinensis ‘Pumila’ Geranium ‘Rozanne’ Place annuals in buried pots under trees. *1 Clockwise from top left: Tree roots killing grass Hypericum ‘Albury Purple’ (St. Johnswort) to Planting in Dry Shade Trees have a lot of great traits, but they make lousy botanical neighbors. Anyone who has repeatedly attempted to plant grass under the canopy of a silver maple can vouch for that. Grass roots and tree roots just don’t get along. You may be able to milk a few extra years out of turfgrass by limbing up and thinning out tree branches, irrigating in dry weather, reseeding with shade-tolerant fine fescue, and keeping foot traffic to a minimum, but despite these efforts, the tree will ultimately win out. Big-rooted or shallow-root- ed species, such as maples, oaks, beeches, birches, tulip poplar, honey locust and spruce, are especially unwelcoming to new neighbors. Dealing with this kind of dry shade is one of the toughest challenges in gardening. Tree leaves not only block sunlight and light rain from reaching the ground, but even heavier rains are quickly sucked dry by the tree’s elaborate root system. Although many gardeners try adding soil before reseeding, this rarely aids the cohabitation of tree and grass roots. Adding a little soil allows the roots to simply grow up into it within a year or two. On the other hand, by adding too much soil you run the risk of smothering the roots. So what’s a root-harried gardener to do? The easiest and most obvious solution (other than simply mulching the area) is replacing the struggling grass with a groundcover that tolerates both dry and shaded conditions. My favorite is pachysandra, either the native Allegheny spurge (P procumbens) or the faster-growing and more common Asian type (/? terminalis). These ever- greens are tall enough to choke out creeping weeds and polite enough not to creep into the surround- GREEN SCENE • june 2006 27 Dry Shade MOSTARDI ing lawn or up the tree. Creeping myrtle ( Vinca minor), wintercreeper ( Euonymus fortunei ) and European bugle- weed ( Ajuga reptans) are also decent alternatives if you’re meticulous about picking out weeds until they thicken. Ivy may be cheap and effective, but it doesn’t know when to quit. A more garden-friendly approach is to use masses of perennial [lowers that tolerate shade and tree roots. Tops on my list is lily turf ( Liriope muscari), a grassy-looking, foot-tall, semi-evergreen plant that displays purple flower spikes in late summer. I have a double ring of them growing unfazed around a hulking pin oak. All you need to do is mow or weed-whack them to a stub at winter’s end. Another grossly underused under-tree perennial is barrenwort ( Epimedium sp.), which gets red-tinged, heart-shaped leaves and dainty, hanging, bell-like flowers in spring. They’re slow to get going but make an attrac- tive, weed-choking planting by the third or fourth year. Another beauty is leadwort ( Ceratostigma plumbagi- noides), a 10-inch creeper that gets true-blue flowers in late summer, followed by glossy scarlet foliage before the leaves drop for winter. Then there are the many new introductions of ever- green hellebore hybrids ( Helleborus hybridus), lotsa’ hosta, several nice species of heart-shaped, evergreen hardy gingers, and an ever-expanding array of silvery- and dark-leafed coral bells ( Heuchera sp.). Hosta and coral bells add season-long color to the shade thanks to their leaf colors, but variegation fans might want to try variegated Solomon’s seal ( Polygonatum odoratum var. thunbergii ‘Variegatum). This white-edged, arching perennial both brightens the shade and grows tall and dense enough to choke out all but the biggest, most bul- lying weeds. One good way to use these dry-shade heroes is to mix and match them. Have fun experimenting with varying textures and colors, but be sure to plant the taller types closest to the trunk and shorter ones along the perimeter. Examples: use an inner ring of blue hosta surrounded by an outer ring of liriope, or use odd-numbered groupings of variegated Solomon’s seal, hellebores, and coral bells toward the inside while ringing the perimeter with bar- renwort. Before planting anything, it helps immensely to loosen the soil as best as you can among the tree roots. Then work 2 or 3 inches of compost or good-quality topsoil into the native soil. This will give your young plants a little elbow room to get started before having to do battle with the more elaborate tree 1 % Your garden is your sanctuary...come to Mostardi’s for distinctive plants, expertise and inspiration. mm r*' - V.; • 4033 West Chester Pike (Route 3) • Newtown Square, PA 19073 610-356-8035 • www.mostardi.com roots. If at all possible, don’t slice into any roots that are index-finger size or larger. It’s far wiser and simpler to just plant around them. Disrupting or digging up some of the smaller mats of “feeder” roots is less of a problem because they usually rejuvenate quickly without harming the tree. After planting, it is critical to keep the soil consistently damp until your new plants take hold. Be vigilant with the water the whole first year, and then water every few weeks in droughty weather. An inch or two of mulch over the planted bed will also help retain soil moisture and keep weeds in check. If you want more structure under and around multiple trees, try a few shrubs that can go face-to-face with their bigger cousins. Forget the landscaper-special azaleas, rho- dodendrons, and mountain laurels. Although they prefer shade, I’ve found 28 GREEN SCENE • june 2006 f L*i 'r^m •t Wt p?*. E If, X | ▼/ jfl ; sMTm Ten other perennials that tolerate dry shade under big trees: • Barren strawberry (Waldsteinia fragaroides) • Crested iris (Iris cristata) • Dwarf Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis ‘Pumila’) • Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) • Green and gold (goldenstar) (Chrysogonum virginianum) • Hardy geraniums (Geranium sp. and hybrids) • Japanese painted fern (Athyrium nipponicum var. pictum) • Pussy toes (Antennaria plantaginea) • Sweet woodruff (Asperula odorata) • Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) Left: One dry-shade sollution is to use landscaping features that don’t compete with roots, such as water gardens, paver patios, benches, arbors or several large flower pots. Dry Shade they really dislike being transplanted into beds that big trees already rule. This is especially true if you’re at all lax with soil care and water- ing. Better choices on the evergreen front are dwarf boxwoods: the PHS Gold Medal award-winning glossy spreader sweet box ( Sarcococca hooker iana var. humilis), the trailing juniper look-alike Russian cypress (Microbiota decussata), the holly look-alike mahonia (either M. aquifolium or M. bealei), the common cherry laurel ( Primus laurocerasus) , the spreading English yew ( Taxus baccata Repandens), or the deer-resistant yew look-alike Japanese plum yew (Cephalotaxus harring- tonia var. drupaced). Above: Virginia sweetspires ( Itea virginica ) are surprisingly Hydrangea arborescens dry-shade-tolerant and, once established, their fall foliage is stunning. St. Johnswort (Hypericum sp.), dwarf fothergilla and some of the new dwarf forsythias are sound deciduous-shrub choices as well. If you have room to go high under mature, limbed-up trees, consider viburnums, blue hollies, yellow-flowering Japanese kerria and the two most drought-tolerant hydrangea species, oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea querci- folia) and smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens). Growing annual flowers in dry shade is difficult, but placing pots on top of the ground may help. A good way to minimize watering is to sink your pots in the ground. Use plastic pots with holes to provide your wimpy annu- al roots with a protective barrier from the invading tree roots. If all else fails, avoid battling the roots by turning the tree area into a sitting area filled with non-root-com- petitors like a bench, a flagstone pad, a boulder or two, a statue or fountain, a water feature or container water garden, and a few flower pots for color. All you need then is a glass of iced tea, and that dry shade is now an asset instead of a headache. George Weigel is garden columnist for The Patriot-News in Harrisburg and a Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist. He is also, as he puts it, "a certified gardening nut.” GREEN SCENE • june 2006 "Oli7/c^ - rfiimiMimwnawi n. ME4lxmiSU ‘ * ’ i V/ - afc * + r * ^ V 4L, A * z. ^ ^ *• Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’ Late summer in the garden is the best of times and the worst of times. On the pos- itive side, August and September are the ideal time for harvesting vegetables and enjoying summer-flowering annuals that have reached their zenith. On the other hand, it can be painfully hot and dry, and many flowering perennials are simply exhausted by this time. What’s a gardener to do? We asked some of the staff at PHS what plants they enjoy at this time of year and picked up some tips for this dry, quiet time of year. Says Philadelphia Green landscape architect Marilyn Romenesko, “I absolutely love Helenium autumnale , also known as Helen’s flower and sneezeweed. Mine is a gorgeous red-orange color with the most interesting globose receptacle in the center. The receptacle changes in color from brown to streaked yellow to spotted yel- low and finally solid yellow. The petals are almost like a skirt around this structure. “There are also cultivars of various heights in colors ranging from light yellow to mahogany to bronze red. This helenium likes moist soil and full sun. It gets fairly large — 40 inches high and wide — and it blooms for about 3 to 4 weeks. I enjoy taking close-up photographs of this flower in its various stages of development.” Adds Linda Walczak, another landscape architect in PHS’s Public Landscapes department, “One of my current favorite plants for the August/ September garden is an old favorite, Anemone ‘Honorine Jobert’. I find the clear, bright single- white flowers with their vivid yellow centers refresh- ing on a warm, September day. The large, coarse- textured leaves of its base make a striking contrast to the slender, elegant flower stalks that rise above them. ‘Honorine Jobert’ tends to surprise me toward the end of the season. Whether adding high- lights to a shade garden or complementing more traditional late-season plants in a sunnier location, 1 am always happy to rediscover it.” PHS News editor Jane Carroll looks to bigger specimens for late-summer enjoyment: “My hus- band and I couldn’t be happier with the three- flower maple ( Acer triflorum) we planted last fall. After talking to colleagues at PHS and researching trees on the Internet, we chose this petite maple to replace an aged, diseased apple tree in our back yard. A PHS Gold Medal plant, it fits nicely into our small garden and brings a splash of color to the late summer and fall garden, eventually turning a gorgeous deep orange.” In my own plantings, I turn to the simple annu- al Cleome to get me through the dog days of August. Aside from its tall, graceful habit, I love the way it self-sows and also provides lots of seeds for me to sprinkle in other beds for the following year. Another favorite is the crape myrtle ( Lagerstroemia indica). I planted a pair of hardy varieties two years ago, and they finally bloomed last year in early August with deep pink panicles. I’d definitely like to see more crape myrtles throughout the Delaware Valley; they provide much-needed color in a period when most trees are simply green. Another late-summer favorite of mine is actually that venerable star of late spring, roses. Many rose varieties return for one last, dazzling hurrah in September. This final flush is not as full as the spring one, but it’s a glorious moment nevertheless. The temperatures are finally starting to cool, and the roses are putting on a nice show to celebrate the moment. And don’t forget all the ornamental grass- es that reach perfection at this time. Indeed, many plants and gardens in our region look their best in September — something over- looked by a lot of gardeners. For many of us, life gets busy again after Labor Day, but if you stop and look around, you’ll be rewarded by some of the best blossoms of the season. fSr/r &/rwf/e email: greenscene@pennhort.org 4 GREEN SCENE • august 2006 plus billable hours a week.) even years to make partner One Pa ssion. 1 liis is llu.' general ion your legacy Levins Mow do you preserve not just wealth, hut the values that ereated it? The drive the vision, the passion to excel? For half a eenturv, we have focusei specifically on helping exceptional individuals protect the wealth they workei to build, and pass it on to future generations. To put this experience to worl lor you, contact us. PH, M / \ Glenmede WWW.GLENMEDE.CDM *XJ Leaning on her washing machine and holding a framed photograph in her hands, Liz Schumacher points to the “before” status of her Gulph Mills, PA property, where she and her hus- band Ralph moved in the late '60s. A steep-looking slope with a few rudimentary walls, this one-acre uphill space — deemed “unsavable” and “unworkable” by neighbors — even turned off landscap- ers. “I think they looked at us and said this is a lost cause,” Schumacher recalls. “It took us a long time.” Today, however, the award-winning, multi-tiered garden is esteemed by many for its strong “bones.” “The term ‘bones’ mean it has good structure,” Schumacher explains, spanning the carefully planned expanse of stone walls, greenery, and ornamentation. “The lines have to be strong because plants go every which way.” Schumacher’s first move in creating a solid structure was to plant groundcovers and trees — a recommenda- tion from a Swiss landscaper who was apparently unfazed by hills. “You have to think about tree shape and bark tex- ture,” says Schumacher, adding that gardeners should research what trees and other plants will look like year- round. Her garden includes a Katsura, whose foliage turns an apricot color in the fall. “Most of the trees here have nice bark.” Schumacher then replaced the crumbling stone walls. Shrubs, stone staircases, and even a purple jungle gym — first used by her children and now coveted by her grandchildren — were also added to anchor the space. A view from the ground level barely does the garden justice. Multiple staircases lead visitors through six landings, including a stroll garden with skipping stones, a pond and hammock area, and a tea house. Each space has its own carefully placed garden ornament. “Garden art expresses your style,” says Schumacher, who opened her own garden-ornament business, Garden Designs Inc., in West Conshohocken in 1979. “The key is quality, not quantity. You can get carried away with too many garden ornaments. You should use them in the context of garden design. " She says another way to create good bones is to take advantage of your site’s views. “My garden seems a lot bigger because of all the levels. I don’t think you have this many areas of interest on a flat surface. I love look- ing through the garden to something beyond. That gives you depth and makes you want to explore the garden more.” — Laura Beitman “The term 'BONES’ mean it has GOOD STRUCTURE. The DESIGN LINES have to be STRONG because plants go every which way.” I The Potting Shed Where I Shop 4007 Skippack Pike Skippack, PA 610-584-0797 “When I need (okay, want) new plants, my favorite local nursery is Floral and Hardy. It’s an attractive store with an interesting plant selection and fun gifts. I especially like the way their plant inventory changes frequently. You can go back every few weeks and find new varieties to buy; it’s not just the same ol’ thing week after week. Plus they sell chocolate-covered sesame seeds. I can’t get enough of those.” — Stephanie Cohen, horticulturist and author Where do you shop? We’d like to hear about the small nurseries and florists in PA, NJ, and northern Delaware where you buy your plants and flowers. In less than 150 words, please describe why you like this shop. Mail to: Green Scene, 100 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or email it to: greenscene@pennhort.org FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS from the PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW ? In this new feature, we’ll present a ° selection of flower arrangements from the 2006 Philadelphia Flower Show. I The goal is to showcase the kinds of I artistry involved in the designs, as a well as share ideas on what you can do in your own arrangements, either at home or when entering the 2007 Show. For more information, visit www. theflowershow. com Pedestals Urban Elegance Lee LaPonte (Garden Club of Nashville) Phalaenopsis orchids, Egyptian papyrus, bleached ting-ting Blue “A spectacular interpretation of rhythm and depth." 8 I GREEN SCENE • august 2006 GREEN ^ M°« r,Cc 2 MLUKmMuot raw scene photo contest Official Contest Rules Who May Enter • Amateur* photographers ages 1 8 and over. (*Those who earn less than V 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. • IMPORTANT: On the back of each image, you must 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. • 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 , 2003). • Photos may eventually be mounted on cardboard, if we choose to display them. • If you’d like your images returned, please enclose a SASE with your submission. • 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, 2-3 photos for a fee of $25 or 6-10 photos for a fee of $40. Fees are non-refundable. Prizes 1st Nikon L4 Digital Camera, one-year PHS Membership, and publication of your photo. 2nd The Philadelphia Flower Show coffee table book and publication of your photo. 3rd One-year PHS Membership and publication of your photo. Honorable Mentions (10): Publication of your photo and a special PHS gift. ‘Publication will occur in PHS’s Green Scene magazine (JAN/FEB, 2007) and on the PHS website. Important Dates • Entries must be received by Sept. 15, 2006. • Winners will be notified by Nov. 1 5, 2006. For more information: For questions about the contest, please email greenscene@pennhort.org for fastest response. Yot can also call Dan Moise at 215-988-8871. Enter the 2006 “Garden Photo Contest”! Enter the Green Scene “Garden Photo Contest” and win this Nikon Coolpix L4 Digital Camera from This year’s theme is People in the Garden, and we’re hoping to see your best shots of friends, family, gardeners or just everyday nature lovers standing amidst the flowers and foliage. You can also enter your favorite Flower Close-ups, Garden and Landscape shots or other Nature images. The contest’s judges — all professional photographers and gardeners from the Delaware Valley — will be looking for superb images that capture the beauty of gardening and create a sense of community through horticulture. Winning photos will be published in the January/February 2007 issue of Green Scene magazine and on the PHS website, www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org. Photos can be shot in any format, but must be submitted as 4 x 6 or 5 x 7-inch prints, with your name and phone/email on the back. No submissions by email or on CD will be accepted. The deadline for entries is September 15, 2006. For more information, please visit the PHS website at www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org or email greenscene@pennhort.org with questions. ENTRY FORM (pi ease fill out completely) Name: Address: City: State: ZIV_ Phone: Email: ENTRY FEES Amount (check one): 1 photo ($15) □ 2-5 photos ($25) □ 6-10 photos ($40) □ Payment Option: Check □ (payable to PHS) Credit Card ~l Credit card type: Visa □ MasterCard □ Amex □ Discover □ 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 September 15, 2006. Warranty and Permission By sending this photograph(s) to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Green Scene Garden Photo Contest, I warrant chat I 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 Exciting New VERBASCUMS Story by llene Sternberg Right: ‘Helen Johnson’ Opposite page: ‘Southern Charm’ Photo by Rob Cardillo I i ’ve been out shooting verbascums all day for your Green Scene story,” says Chris Hansen, who works for Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon. “Gee, are they tough to gun down?” I won- dered. Quite the contrary, it seems. Commonly known as mullein, the genus Verbascum is today eas- ier to find and more in vogue than ever before. Referring to one of their common names, they’re not your “granny’s flannels” anymore. Actually, the word “mullein” — based on “muleyn,” the old English word for “woolen” — comes from the Latin word mollis , or “soft,” as in “mollify.” A genus of some 300 biennial and perennial species, the soft leaves of the common roadside weed Verbascum thap- sis were often used to line shoes, a precursor to Dr. Scholl’s footpads. A renowned local horticulturist who insists on remaining anonymous informed me that an additional use for the velvety leaves is respon- sible for another of its common names, “camper’s delight.” (Use your imagination.) Out West, verbascum was called “miner’s candle,” as its dried leaves are highly flammable. In fact, mullein leaves and stems became oil lamp wicks. Dried flower spikes dipped in tallow provided the blazing torches carried by French peasants in pre- Revolution uprisings. Hence, more folk names: “can- dlewick” and “torch. Witches were said to use fiery mulleins in their incantations, offering yet another name, “hag’s taper.” Verbascums contain hesperidin, which has antioxi- dant and anti-inflammatory properties, plus B vita- mins, vitamin D, choline, PABA, sulfur, and magne- sium. They have emollient, sedative, narcotic, astrin- gent, analgesic, fungicidal, germicidal, antihista- minic, and other therapeutic virtues, so Puritans brought mullein seeds to America in the early 1600s for their medicinal herb gardens. Herbalists still treat a multitude of ailments utilizing all parts of the plant. Aristotle noted, however, that mullein seed cast into the water will kill fish, but apparently not those who eat them. Although catching fish this way was out- lawed in Germany several centuries earlier, German immigrants brought seed here in the 1700s for just that purpose. Mullein also contains coumarin , the anti-coagulant used in rat poison, and in rotenone, a pesticide. Verbascum also functioned as a dye. Roman ladies once colored their hair yellow with mullein flowers steeped in lye. Flowers boiled in water with dilute sul- Verbascums phuric acid results in a green dye, brown with the addition of alkalis. Okay, so you’re not interested in dying your hair green. You just want a pretty flower for your garden? Garden writer Ken Druse, Sunshine Farm & Gardens nurseryman Barry Glick and other fervent gardeners like Wilmington’s Eve Thyrum might recommend Verbascum chaixii (pronounced shay'-zee-eye), a southern European native with both yellow- and white-flowered forms, each with pretty yellow- orange, pollen-tipped purple stamens. Glick loves the white one, ‘Album’. He says he’s been growing it for years, that it comes true from seed and is perennial, and that it grows very well in sun or shade. Below: West Chester gardener John Swan says, “My Verbascum and Stachys favorites are V bombyciferum ‘Silver Lining’ which makes a tall, elegant show with its pure yellow flow- ers and white felted leaves and stem; V nigrum , a two-foot-tall perennial bearing clusters of dusky yel- low flowers with dark eyes; and V. dumulosum, a love- ly plant with cup-shaped, rich yellow blossoms that needs drainage and is a spreader in rock walls.” Purple mullein ( Verbascum phoeniceum), one of the primary parents of modern hybrids, is short lived and often treated as an annual. Flowering purple in the wild, it tends to produce variable offspring in cultiva- tion. Promiscuous garden trollops that they are, mulleins produce volunteer seedlings with change- able characteristics. Interbreeding with long-lived V chaixii or V. olympicum (another garden favorite) and any other willing verbascum species or cultivar, many hybrids have been discovered by chance in gardens. Photo by Rob Cardillo & % ■ i'i if£ . * £ Barnes Foundation Horticultural Classes 2006-2007 The Barnes Foundation ARBORETUM SCHOOL OPEN ENROLLMENT - Classes start Sept. 2006 In 1940, Laura Barnes established the Arboretum School to provide students of horticulture, botany, and landscape architecture the opportunity to work under professional guidance. This fall, the Arboretum School of The Barnes Foundation will accept twenty-five new first-year students. The three-year program in ornamental horticulture offers a comprehensive curriculum of botany, plant propagation, practical horticulture techniques, and landscape design. A well-trained faculty provides expert instruction and guidance in the horticultural arts and sciences. Students learn and practice in the 12-acre arboretum and in the state-of-the-art greenhouse in Merion. The curriculum develops skilled horticulturalists through a combination of classroom lecture, self-directed learning, and hands-on practice. 0.) — ) -i— ) -i— ) For more information, a full course description, and registration, please call 610-667-0290, ext. 2259 or ext. 1071. ^ THE BARNES FOUNDATION 300 North Latch’s Lane, Merion, PA 19066 • www.barnesfoundation.org | A Perfect for your city terrace or garden patio, the Hill Company offers the finest outdoor furniture for a sophisticated sense of style. Our free design service helps you plan your space. With our fully stocked warehouses, most styles available for immediate delivery. Hill Company, where beautiful outdoor living begins. THE HILL COMPANY 8615 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, PA 19118 215.247.7600 | www.hill-company.com Free Parking Behind Our Store DOUBLE-FLOWERED PEONY COLLECTION A trio of beauties for the garden and the vase The huge blooms, gentle fragrance, and glossy foliage of Peonies should be an essential ingredient of every perennial garden. If you would like to enjoy one of nature’s loveliest and longest-loved plants without paying the price for the most recent vari- eties, here’s your opportunity. Our Old-time Peony Collection includes three double-flowered plants, one each of a red, a white, and a pink, not labeled by name. We ship large roots with 3-5 eyes, at the right time for fall planting in your area, with detailed instructions included. To place your order for item F83543, $26 plus shipping, visit our Web site whiteflowerfarm.com or call us at 1-800-503-9624. Please mention Source Code 6205 1 . Please note that our Web site offers hundreds of other perennials, shrubs, and bulbs that are perfect for fall planting. We guarantee success and look forward to serving you. Sincerely, Amos Pettingill White Flower Farm whiteflowerfarm.com Verbascums Further cross-pollination and laboratory tampering to replicate desirable traits and intensify hues begets favorable results. Druse says he perpetuated 'Southern Charm’ from root cuttings with great success; it’s a dainty, fre- quently seed-grown hybrid that comes in shades of buff, lavender, and soft rose. "I took cuttings in March as soon as the soil thawed, and others in autumn after the frost, and refrigerated them. Both worked. I got flowers by June.” Just recently he announced: ‘“Southern Charm’ is back for a fifth year!” Terra Nova’s noted plant breeder Dan Heims refers to his hybrids as “The New Verbascum.” What makes them different? “They are vigorous, quite hardy, ster- ile, have an extraordinary number of flowers, excep- tional branching, and they’ll rebloom if cut back after the first show. " Of course, he may be a bit biased, but his creation 'Gold Nugget’ halted my sprint through a nursery the other day, the only plant that caught my eye. It’s one of Dan’s personal favorites, along with 'Lavender Lass’, ‘Sugar Plum', 'Dark Eyes’ (a dwarf cultivar.) His tips: “Drainage, drainage, drainage! No clay! Raise them up when planting and don’t use a lot of fertilizer.” Mulleins range from 8 inches to 8 feet, have long taproots, usually flower in July and August, and like a sunny location. Verbascums make outstanding bor- der performers and add a vertical accent. Scott Arboretum director Claire Sawyers says, “Verbascums have made a dramatic addition to our texture-focused Nason Garden, where we’ve tried to contrast fine-tex- tured plants, such as ornamental grasses and needled conifers, with bold foliage and architectural charac- ter. Verbascums have both — bold leaves and spires of flowers, a fun attention-getter.” In Europe and Asia, mullein was considered a sure safeguard against evil spirits and magic. Homer’s Odysseus took some along for protection against the wiles of Circe. There must be some truth to its evil- repellent powers, as it’s deer-proof, snail-proof, pretty much goof-proof, and drought tolerant to boot. It is subject to spider mites, but perhaps the ancients never encountered that particular evil. Use organic controls to eliminate them. Local PA horticulturist Stephanie Cohen, the “Dr. Root of Perennials,” says, “When I first taught my students about verbascum 20 years ago, it was one of my least favorite plants — limited colors and spindly spikes with few flowers. In the last five-to-seven years, due to lots of interest and breeding, colors range from soft pastels to hot and wow! The flowers are bigger and showier. The verbascums available for today’s garden definitely have lots to offer to modern gar- deners.” WW llene Sternberg’s latest book is Best Garden Plants for Pennsylvania , co-written with Alison Beck. For a review, see “The Gardener’s Bookshelf” on page 35. Opposite page clockwise from top left: ‘Gold Nugget’ ‘Plum Smokey’ ‘Lavender Lass’ ‘Southern Charm’ Left: ‘Sugar Plum’ |‘ ' jWL- L . I ,jr ' l ■ I "a a \ t m, ■ \\ .. |1 1 [ JrV. jA L m py fe jgM' ^tiJI ^Kr ~ f v%M&K . . f^' m lEk Vv FTP ft* i| HARDY CACTI Green Weapons Against Drought Drought is the bane of the gardening world, and Pennsylvanians have dealt with their fair share ol parching, listless weather in recent years. Beyond watering like mad or pounding the dry earth with frustration during mandatory water restrictions, what’s a garden- er to do? Fortunately, you can cure your drought despair by entering the summer prepared with a few xerophytes (plants adapted to dry conditions). Of these, nothing can outperform the most high-tech of water-efficient plants, hardy cacti. Several prickly pear, barrel cactus, and ball cactus grow well here. Some are even regional natives! True cacti are members of CACTACEAE. Exclusive to the New World, mem- bers of this family have three key traits: succulent green stems with a waxy, water-impermeable epidermis (skin), spines and/or barbed bristles called glochids (both modified leaves), and showy flowers with many overlapping petals and whorls of stamens. They thrive in the harshest environments, including the dry mountain ridges of the Colorado Rockies and California’s sweltering Mojave Desert. PRICKLY PEAR CACTI Opuntia, commonly called prickly pear or cholla, has 200 temperate and tropical species. These have interconnected paddle-shaped or linear pads and big yellow, orange, red, or pink flowers followed by balloon-shaped fruit that is often red and edible. Plants spread slowly as pads break off and form roots. Years ago, my grandmother planted the midwestern twist-spine prickly pear ( Opuntia macrorhiza) in her southern Indiana garden. It was the first time I’d seen a hardy garden cactus. Before her house was sold last year, I transplanted some of these easy-to-grow, gold-flowering plants to a sandy raised bed in my Delaware garden. Native to south central and eastern Pennsylvania, Devil’s tongue ( Opuntia humifusa ) has bright yellow flowers followed by edible red fruit. Plants reach 12 inches high and have small, non-threatening spines. Since it tolerates salt, you’ll also find it along Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Mine thrive in a hot sandy spot near the sidewalk. Tulip prickly pear ( Opuntia phaeacantha) has fierce spines and large flow- ers of yellow, orange, pink, or red (depending on the variant) followed by brick-red fruit. Despite its pointy demeanor, this very cool plant can be visu- ally softened by snow-in-summer ( Cerastium tomentosum ) or Mexican feath- Opposite page top: Opuntia humifusa Opposite page bottom: Apricot and yellow Opuntia phaeacantha Story & photography by Jessie Keith GREEN SCENE • august 2006 17 Cacti RESOURCES: Bob Smoley’s Gardenworid 3720 SW 183rd Terrace Dunnellon, FL 34432 www. bobsmoleys. com High Country Gardens 2902 Rufina Street Santa Fe, NM 87507 www. highcountrygardens. com Beaver Creek Greenhouses PMB#364-4155 Deep Lake Boundary Road Colville, WA 99114 www. rockgardenplants. com Desert Moon Nursery PO Box 600 Veguita, NM 87062 er grass ( Stipa tenuissima ). Plants range from 1 to 3 feet high but often remain shorter in Zone 6. The nearly spineless beavertail prickly pear ( Opuntia basilaris) has tidy upright blue-green pads that reliably bear gorgeous magenta flowers. One caveat: southern selections of Opuntia basilaris are less hardy, so northern stock is a must. My Zone 4 plants have survived without a hitch. The stone-dwelling brittle prickly pear ( Opuntia fragilis) only grows to 4 inches but spreads to 2 feet. Many small yellow flowers emerge from its fragile ovoid pads, which resist the cold remarkably well. Populations have been reported as far north as northern British Columbia. Imagine, a cactus growing Above: Opuntia fragilis Below: Echinocereus reichenbachil For hardy cacti seed, write to: New Mexico Cactus Research PO Box 787 Belen, NM 87002 ! 18 Above: Trough of Opuntia and Barrel Cactus so near the Arctic Circle! The cultivar 'Bronze Beauty' has burnished red highlights in winter and pairs well with the apricot Delosperma 'Kelaidis' (ice plant) and tubular Sempervivum ‘Oddity’ (a hens ‘n’ chicks cultivar). BARREL, PINCUSHION, AND BALL CACTI Most cacti grow in one of three common forms: round, low-growing barrel; pincush- ion; or ball shaped. Some hardy western and midwestern natives fall into these categories. Sneed’s pincushion cactus ( Escobaria sneedii var. leei ) is a New Mexican alpine that’s perfect for mini desert container plant- ings. Apricot pink flowers emerge from its small white mounds of 2 to 8 inches. Mine look smart in a raised trough with two other compact hardy western species, the white-flowering Simpson’s hedgehog cactus ( Pediocactus simpsonii) and the small barrel cactus pink spinystar ( Escobaria vivipara). Missouri foxtail cactus ( Escobaria missouriensis) grows in pincushion mounds that reach 12 inches and bear non-threatening, spider-like needles and subtle bronzy-gold flowers. This hardy plant inhabits much of the Midwest and central United States, which ensures its dependability in a hot well-drained Pennsylvania garden. Hedgehog cacti have two genera, Pediocactus and Echinocereus. These have clumped barrel-shaped stems with colorful flowers and edible round pink, red, or brown fruits. Two vigorous southwestern species are the large red- flowering scarlet hedgehog cactus ( Echinocereus coccineus) and the pink lace hedgehog cactus ( Echinocereus reichenbachit). Echinocereus coccineus can reach 1 to 3 feet while E. reichenbachii reaches one 1 foot. Both have vertical ridges of white spines and dense growth habits. My three-year-old Echinocereus coc- cineus has reached 6 inches and flourishes alongside golden Sedum ‘Angelina’ and finely textured Sedum sexangulare. CACTUS CULTURE Hardy cacti need the perfect planting ground. Poor drainage, organically rich or clay soils, and low light are major cultural enemies! Any one o! these can annihilate a perfectly healthy cactus in no time. To attain perfect drainage, plant them in raised beds, reduce the soil con- tent, and add fast-draining, nutrient-free amendments like chicken grit, sand, or pebbles. Organic mulches must be avoided unless you want a rot- fest. Small stones are a kinder form of weed barrier and lend a desert look. Cacti also prefer a hot, south-facing exposure. Novice cactus gardeners may want to start with trough plantings for better control of cultural conditions. When working around cacti, a gentle hand will protect you and your plants. Spines are designed for defense, and the pads break off easily. Rose gloves will protect your hands and upper arms. When transplanting, protect the pads and spines by gently holding the plants in layers of bubble wrap. So, whether summer chooses to bring fair or chokingly dry weather, it can’t hurt to stand prepared with a few prickly beauties. You’ll be glad to have the chance to fight back with these water-wise weapons of green, Zones and bloom times for cacti mentioned in this article: Echinocereus coccineus Zones 5-8, June-July Echinocereus reichenbachii Zones 5-8, June-July Escobaria missouriensis Zones 4-8, May-June Escobaria sneedii var. leei Zones 5-9, May-June Escobaria vivipara Zones 4-8, June-July Opuntia basi laris Zones 6-10, June Opuntia fragilis Zones 2-8, June Opuntia humifusa Zones 4-9, June-July Opuntia macro rhiza Zones 3-9, June-July Opuntia phaeacantha Zones 6-10, June Pediocactus simpsonii Zones 3-8, May-June i T Bonsai is a little bit art, a lit- tle bit horticulture, and a lot of patient nurturing. But one thing it’s not is easy. Even Jim Doyle, the renowned bonsai mas- ter and teacher from Harrisburg, Pa., will admit to that. He’s been crafting miniaturized trees in the smallest of pots for more than 30 years and con- fesses to “killing a lot of trees learning the art. He tells students, wryly, “The only reason I have a right to teach you is because I’ve killed more plants than you have. But through death, there’s knowledge.” Doyle has become one of America’s best-known bonsai experts, lecturing at conferences and botanical gardens from New York to Florida to Vancouver and most stops in THE QUIET Right: Jim Doyle Below left to right: Black pine Bird’s nest spruce Scotch pine between. He’s co-chaired the American Bonsai Society’s national symposium, belongs to practically every bonsai organization known to modern man, and last year won Best of Show honors at the prestigious Mid-American Bonsai Exhibit in Chicago. His award-winning bonsai was a century-old, 30-inch-tall arborvitae that is somehow surviving in only a 4-inch-deep pot. These days Doyle is also develop- ing an international reputation. The American Bonsai Society recently referred to Doyle and Germany’s Walter Pall as “the dynamic duo of bonsai. ’’ Yet few outside of bonsai cir- cles know this soft-spoken owner of Nature’s Way Nursery and Bonsai Studio, a small garden center, land- A Visit with Jim Doyle of Natures Way Nursery Story & Photography by George Weigel ONSAI MASTER Bonsai Left top: Korean hornbeam Left bottom Arborvitae Right top: Hinoki cypress Right bottom: Japanese maple scape business, and bonsai shop nestled in a bamboo-shielded nook of suburban Harrisburg. “Jim’s a very mild guy,” says Chase Rosade, himself a nationally acclaimed bonsai practitioner from Bucks County. “Sometimes the best-kept secrets are the ones in your own back yard. Rosade is the one who inadvertently pushed Doyle’s then-dormant bonsai button when Doyle was about to earn a horticulture degree from Delaware Valley College in 1973. “I saw Chase working on a 70-year-old Japanese maple,” Doyle recalls. “That was my first serious introduction to bonsai. He really inspired me.” Doyle hadn’t even originally planned to get into horticulture when he went to Del Valley. He was hoping to become a veteri- narian and was more interested in wrestling and tap and jazz dance than anything relat- ed to plants. Then one summer he got a job digging trees at Bucks County Nursery and suddenly realized he really liked working outdoors. He switched out of biology and fell in love with what he calls the “mystery and marvels of plants." He recalls, “I found it amazing that you could take two parts of plants and put them together or start a seed and get a plant. It was almost like a mira- cle.” After graduation, he and a friend bought a rickety old Ford Econoline pickup truck and started their own landscaping business on a rented piece of ground in Dauphin County. They called it Nature’s Way Nursery because of Doyle’s predilection for organic gardening. At first, it was a conventional business with conventional plants. It grew through the 1970s and early 1980s into a 20- employee business with a small retail nurs- ery specializing in dwarf conifers and Japanese maples. During those years, Doyle puttered around more and more with bon- 51 A Few Bonsai Tips from Nature’s Way Owner Jim Doyle: Start inexpensively. Learn by using distressed plants from end-of-season sales or by dig- ging up a struggling landscape plant or two. Go to a bonsai demonstra- tion, join a bonsai club, or take a class. “I’d do all of those things before picking up a bonsai book,” Doyle says. “There must be 300 books on bonsai out there, and about 250 of them aren’t worth read- ing because they’ve got the wrong information.” Study how trees grow in nature. Also look at art. A good bonsai specimen will draw on both of these sources. Proper watering is critical. Regular watering is needed because such little soil is used, but good drainage also is criti- cal so the roots don’t rot. Most bonsai plants will need at least some winter protection. Keep in mind that potted bonsai plants are less cold-hardy because the roots have less protection and far less soil insulation than in- ground plants. Good outdoor bonsai species for beginners: junipers {Juniperus), horn- beams ( Carpinus ), and azaleas. Good indoor bonsai species for beginners: figs {Ficus), Schefflera and Podocarpus. Doyle’s five favorite bonsai species (besides the one he’s working on at the moment): pines ( Pinus ), hornbeams {Carpinus), Japanese maples { Acer palmatum), larch (Larix) and the tropical Jaboticaba. sai. He took classes, went to symposiums, and killed a lot of would-be bonsai trees. “To this day, 1 still have my first bonsai,” Doyle says. “It’s dead, but I still have it." Though Doyle has gotten a lot better at his craft over the years, he says that bonsai never really gets easy. “It’s a combination of art, science, and horticulture,” he says. “Some people are very good at keeping plants alive. Some are better at styling trees. In rare cases, they’re good at both.” One of the biggest challenges Americans have with bonsai, though, is the patience it takes to grow and craft a really superb spec- imen. “A lot of people are in a hurry,” says Doyle. “This is living art. If you want instant gratification, it is not the art for you. A bonsai is never finished— that is, until the plant is dead. I always tell people a greatly styled dead tree is better than a poorly styled live tree. Doyle says the biggest compliment for him is when someone looks at one of his miniaturized creations and says, “This reminds me of a romantic spot and the tree I used to sit under,” or “This reminds me of the big oak tree that used to be in my grandfather’s back yard." It’s hard enough to evoke those kinds of feelings with paint and brushes but even harder when your materials are wire, some snippers, a skinny pot of gravelly soil, and a gnarly plant that keeps wanting to grow where you don't want it to. Doyle’s “a-ha” moment came when Japanese bonsai master Yuji Yoshimura one day told him, “Jim, you keep getting lost in the horticulture end of it. You’re not put- ting art into it. From then on, Doyle start- ed looking at art books, paying attention to clouds, and looking at nature through a camera lens without actually taking pic- tures. It helped his work immeasurably. Little by little, bonsai grew from a hobby to the main focus of his business. He began trav- eling to China and Japan, converted a garage into a bonsai studio in 1989, and began specializing in Asian-influenced landscape designs. Soon, his phone was ringing and Doyle found himself speaking at big-name garden venues all over. Now, after more than 30 years of snip- ping and observing, he’s become that rarest of individuals who can grow bonsai, style bonsai, and teach others how to do it. All without killing nearly so many trees as he once did. George Weigel is a Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist and garden writer for the Patriot-News in Harrisburg. Nature’s Way Nursery and Bonsai Studio is located at 1451 Pleasant Hill Road, Harrisburg, near the village of Linglestown. Contact them at 717-545-4555 or visit www. natu resway bonsai, com. The Morris Arboretum gardenrailway FAIRY TALE RAIL II OPEN THROUGH OCT 9TH See your fairy tale favorites along a 1/4 mile track ,-y- with model trains. All in the outdoor garden. For more information call 215-247-5777 or visit our website: www.morrisarboretum.org f '"Hi > rfj Does your outdoor furniture need a facelift? “We cannot believe our furniture. It looks absolutely brand new. ” Kitty Ault Mt. Kisco, NY le Jouthern 1 Company Don't replace it-refurbish it! Complete repainting and restrapping... we'l! have your furniture looking like new at a fraction of the cost. We specialize in Brown-Jordan, Tropitone and Molla outdoor furniture. “My fiimiture was bought in 1978 and tww 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 J 24 GREEN SCENE • august 2006 Winterthur Museum & Country Estate and Horticulture magazine present GardenFair Everything for the Great American Garden Sponsored by (ffljPDiD) GreenVista" Garden Products September 15-17, 2006 • Winterthur, Delaware PHOTOS: ROB CARDILLO w. Sj 'iLl u -- — Featuring a special lecture by television’s favorite gardener, P. Allen Smith P. Allen Smith is an award-winning garden designer and host of the public television program P. Allen Smith's Garden Home and the syndicated 30-minute show P. Allen Smith Gardens. He has emerged as America’s most recognized and respected garden design expert, providing ideas and inspiration through multiple media venues. GardenFair is more than just a plant sale. It’s a spectacular weekend event where you can: Explore a wealth of new and unusual plants from specialty nurseries Learn from leading plant experts and garden designers Discover eye-catching ornaments, elegant antiques, and garden furniture Come experience GardenFair For details, visit www.hortmag.com, www.winterthur.org or call 302.888.4600 • 888.448.3883. Horticulture winterthur INSPIRING GARDENERS FOR 100 YEARS TY Winterthur Museum & Country Estate is located off 1-95, 6 miles NW of Wilmington, Delaware, and less than one hour south of Philadelphia. Story by Eric Hsu Photos by Rhoda Maurer STALWART SEDUMS Few perennials are as indispensable as sedums in the border or rock garden. Some of them offer a striking contrast between flower and seed as their flowers turn russet and their stems pare to skeletal remains. The sight of sedums coated with frost on a winter morning dispels the notion that death ends their starring roles. Others act as ground- covers and possess resilient evergreen foliage that repels heat, humidity, and cold. Their succulence is a trait shared by other genera, such as Kalanchoe and Sempervivum, in the CRASSULACEAE family. BORDER SEDUMS Most gardeners are familiar with SedLum spectabile and its hybrid ‘Herbstrfreude’ (syn. 'Autumn Joy’). 'Brilliant', ‘Carol’, and 'Neon', all having bright pink flowers and thick green leaves, are other outstanding selections of S. spectabile. 'Herbstrfreude’ still remains the yardstick by which other cultivars are judged, but plants, having been seed-propagated, are highly vari- able in cultivation. Some flower earlier or later than others and grow to different sizes, although cultural conditions may be a culprit. 'Autumn Fire is the answer to the splayed growth of 'Herbstrfreude’. Its growth is sturdy, tight, and better developed. S. spectabile and S. telephium subsp. maximum are the main progenitors of colorful cultivars. One of the best hybrid seedlings is ‘Matrona’, which arose at Ewald Hugin’s nursery in Germany. Its name aptly alludes to a woman of well-rounded form, and this plant is robust by all standards. The 24-inch succu- lent stems are thick, strong, and upright; the bur- gundy-suffused, round leaves are large; and the flat pink flowers are borne in large heads. Similar is 'Joyce Henderson’, differing only in its looser habit. ‘Matrona’ has yielded a sport, Black Jack’. This promising introduction with slate blue foliage was Left: ‘Matrona’ recently discovered in the production fields of the wholesale firm Walters Gardens in Michigan. Avoid ‘Mohrchen’, which fares better in cooler summers. Here in the Delaware Valley it is ungainly and prone to aphids and rust. 'Garnet Brocade’, a new intro- duction with bronze-red stems and matching flowers, promises to be a better substitute for 'Mohrchen'. Another dark-foliaged cultivar is 'Purple Emperor’, discovered by Graham Gough of Marchants Plants, Sussex, England, and introduced through Washfield Nursery in Kent. Only 18 inches high, it is shorter than ‘Matrona’, and the wide, matt leaves turn a darker purple when the red-violet flowers open. From my experience, its coloring is lighter in rich, clay soils, and the growth habit is floppy, although a mid- summer shearing will remedy it. Several reports have noted its tendency to rot away, yet good drainage and full sun will ensure better over-wintering success. 'Purple Emperor won plaudits in the nursery trade for its colorful foliage, but unscrupulous growers propagated seed-raised progeny under its name and undermined the original plant’s merits. ‘Gooseberry Fool’ originated as a self-sown seedling in the late Graham Stuart Thomas’ garden. It should be grown more widely, not only for its white-greenish coloration, but also for its upright, sturdy stems flushed with purple and its cupped, fleshy leaves. Introduced from Japan by Barry Yinger, ‘Frosty Morn’ sports white-margined leaves mottled in green and gray. It is undeniably handsome, but it has a few faults. Plants emerge in spring full and compact but soon sprawl in the center, and any green-reverting shoots, if left unpruned, can crowd out the variegated ones. A better alternative may be S. spectabile ‘Pink Chablis’, which has the same variegated effect and pink flowers. S. erythrostictum ‘Mediovariegatum’ is the yel- GREEN SCENE • august 2006 27 Sedums PROSTRATE SEDUMS Sedum sieboldii is a charming species bearing blue- gray succulent leaves held nearly horizontal. A snazzy variegated cultivar, ‘Mediovariegatum’, steals the show with creamy yellow margins. 'Bertram Anderson’, 'Ruby Cloud’, ‘Sunset Cloud’, and ‘Vera Jameson are showier versions of S. sieboldii with smoky blue foliage and rosy red flowers. The mound- like arching nature of these sedums suggests a plant- ing site where they can recline over a stone wall or a raised bed. GROUNDCOVER SEDUMS Evergreen sedums make great groundcovers. S. kamtschaticum, S. spathulifolium, and S. spurium are classic choices for tough sites since they form weed- suppressing mats. Not surprisingly, a few have been employed for green roofs where they bravely take heat and drought in stride. A newcomer hailing from Croatia, Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’ (3 to 5 inches) has brilliant, chartreuse, needlelike leaves with tips that turn orange in cooler temperatures; its yellow flowers are somewhat superfluous. I1 i Right: ‘Sieboldii’ Below Sedum at Wisley in the UK low counterpart with golden blotches in the leaf cen- ters. Green shoots are a minor nuisance in this cultivar. Breeding at Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon has produced shorter plants with colorful foliage and per- sistent flowers and without the tendency to flop over. ‘Cloud Walker’ has tiered clusters of mauve flowers held loosely, ‘Mr. Goodyear’ is similar with tighter clusters, and 'Hot Stuff’ is a Lilliputian version of 'Brilliant.’ These cultivars make excellent front-of- the-border plants. CULTIVATION AND GARDEN USE Sedums do best in well-drained soils under sunny conditions. The leaner rhe soil, the better. A mild infestation of aphids can occur in early summer, but these can be dispatched with a strong spray of water from a hose or a mild dose of insecticidal soap. Autumn-flowering plants like asters, chrysanthe- mums, and grasses make ideal companions. A suc- cessful autumn melange in my former garden was Sedum ‘Matrona,’ Aster oblongifolius ‘Raydon’s Favorite’, Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’, and Panicum virgatum ‘ Heavy Metal’. Sedums also work exceedingly well in containers. I’ve used ‘Purple Emperor’ with Aloe ‘Blue Elf’, Heuchera ‘Velvet Night’, and Meliantbus major ‘Purple Haze’, all of which echoed each other in hue. In another container, Sedum sieboldii served as a foil to Helleborus X sternii. At the Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College, a mixed planting incorporates ‘Matrona’ with Hydrangea quercifolia, Fothergilla major, Cornus ‘Silver and Gold’, Cotinus coggyria ‘Royal Purple’, and Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’. You can anticipate butterflies and bees feasting on the flowers and you’ll see birds perched on the seed heads. Above: ‘Purple Emperor’ Left: ‘Neon rT/WA w 'W . 1 1 Ju V ' Wffj V m ' w *Id a ■ ’■ / HfiflU ’ 1 ■ ' '> / * •'JH ■ Vi ' \(1 HP 4 Zi L flic r , jmBk I Sedums PROPAGATING SEDUMS Sedums are easily propagated by seed (sow in fall or early spring) or cuttings. Division can produce sever- al plants, but a faster way to increase border sedums is to harvest several stems during summer. Strip the stems free of leaves (leave the petioles if you like), bunch them together, and hang them upside down in a cool, dark place. Within several weeks, small plantlets should appear within the leaf axils. When the plantlets have reached 1 inch, gently break them off and plant them in a free-draining mixture containing perlite and potting medium. Keep them well watered in a sunny site until they are large enough to plant outside. You can grow them like houseplants during the winter and plant them outdoors in late spring. Any surplus plants can be given to admiring visitors, assuring your sedums of their durability in the garden for years to come. Right: Bertram Anderson’ Explore the possibilities of living at Medford Leas ■ beautiful arboretum settings • wide choice of home designs • ideal location for culture and recreation • superior health and wellness services 1971-2006 CELEB RAT INC 35 YEARS OF TRADITION AND INNOVATION For more information: 800. 3 3 1 . 4802 or www.medfordleas.org A nationally accredited. Quaker-related, not-for-profit community for older adults with campuses in Medford and Lumberton. N] Home of the Lewis W. Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve I Member. Greater Philadelphia Gardens & 30 GREEN SCENE • august 2006 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 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 Avant Gardens 710 High Hill Rd. Dartmouth, MA 508-998-8819 www.avantgardensne.com Joy Creek Nursery 20300 NW Watson Road Scappoose, OR 503-543-7474 www.joycreek. com Meadowbrook Farm 1 633 Washington Lane Meadowbrook, PA 215-887-5900 www.gotomeadowbrook. com Plant Delights Nursery 9241 Sauls Road Raleigh, NC 919-772-4794 www.plantdel. com By Rhoda Maurer MAINTENANCE & GROOMING Now that you’ve designed and planted show-stopping containers for your garden, you'll need to establish a maintenance routine to keep them looking their best. Proper watering, fertilizing, and grooming habits are essential if you want your containers to look as good as those pictured in gardening magazines. At the Scott Arboretum, we are fre- quently asked how often and how much we water our containers. While there is no recipe that works for all sit- uations, a good rule of thumb is to water only after the soil has dried out but before plants have wilted. Most importantly, water must be applied thoroughly and allowed to drain freely through the bottom of the pot before moving on to your next container; do not allow water to stand in saucers. During the height of the season, you might water large containers 3 to 4 times per week and smaller pots daily. Plants confined to the microcosm of a container need a steady supply of nutrients. If you plant your containers early in the season, but after the likeli- hood of a late frost has passed (mid- May for the Delaware Valley), you can begin fertilizing with a controlled- release, pelletized fertilizer like Osmocote (there are many brands and generics available). You can apply up to double the rates specified for annu- als without worry of fertilizer burn. This application will free up some of your precious time for other spring- time tasks. However, you should not use controlled-release fertilizers after temperatures climb into the 80°F range, as the method of release is dependent upon the thickness of the semi-permeable membrane, tempera- ture, and moisture. In the heat of our summer, fertilizer from controlled- release pellets is often rapidly dumped, sometimes burning roots or crusting pots with excessive salts. Instead, you should apply a water- soluble fertilizer mixed with water beginning in early to mid June and continuing weekly through fall. A fer- tilizer composition of 20-20-20 or 15- 30-15 (percentage of nitrogen, phos- phate, and potash) with micronutri- ents is ideal; anything with too high a nitrogen content compared with phosphate may inhibit flowering. If you have a fertilizer injector system, 200ppm is a good starting ratio; that can increase to 300ppm during the height of the growing season. As plants grow and their leaves and blossoms mature, wither, and die, they can begin to look unkempt. That’s where the next step, grooming, comes in, and it’s often the most overlooked. Removing spent foliage keeps your plants looking fresh, and deadheading flowers encourages new buds, but be selective and leave some flowers to develop into showy seed heads for late-season interest. For example, deadheading the entire flower spike to the first full-sized leaf on a canna will encourage new stalks. But you may prefer to keep the canna fruit later in the season by simply removing the spent petals as they wither. Removing verbena, petunia, begonia, and fuchsia flowers will encourage fur- ther flowering. Foliage pinching is perhaps the most difficult task to master and requires close attention to the way plants grow. In general, pinching back encourages branched growth, giving you dense, overflowing containers by the end of the growing season. If filler plants like coleus, tradescantia, sweet potato vine, and alternanthera are not pinched back, they become very leggy. You should always pinch plants back to a node just above a dormant bud; do not leave stubs or you may not get the desired result. Feeding your plants while at the same time pinching off new growth may seem counter-intu- itive, but it’s the best way to keep con- tainers looking full and bountiful. So set up a regular schedule of watering, fertilizing, and grooming. It may seem like a lot of effort, but if you follow this regimen, you’ll be rewarded with a container garden that’s downright photogenic. 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. 32 GREEN SCENE • august 2006 Photo by Rhoda Maurer The Gardener’s Bookshelf i » uJ iTER* E N I ?N‘*G I ^ATLANTIC 1 E N ' '\iJ/ ;.. \ ' ;r r /, Vrj'feM TER Best Garden Plants for Pennsylvania by llene Sternberg and Alison Beck (176 pp„ $16.95) With its biting winters and scorch- ing summers, Pennsylvania’s roller- coaster weather can make garden planning a chore. Fortunately, llene Sternberg (a frequent Green Scene con- tributor) and Alison Beck are all too familiar with the Keystone State’s tricky conditions and have written Best Garden Plants for Pennsylvania to help. Divided into eight categories, including annuals, vines, and bulbs, the guide explains the pros and cons of 160 species. Large, full-color photos help make it easy to plan the perfect garden. Bird-by-Bird Gardening by Sally Roth (377 pp„ $29.95) Bird’s the word in Sally Roth’s latest book, a follow-up to the popular The Backyard Birdfeeder’s Bible. Whether you’re wowed by warblers or fascinat- ed by finches, Bird-by-Bird Gardening shares clever methods of luring your favorite species to your property. Nineteen garden designs, each with its own water projects, plant recommen- dations, and feeder recipes, help take the guesswork out of attracting your feathered friends. If you think you know all there is to know about birds and gardens, Roth’s book will have you eating crow. Water Gardening for the Mid-Atlantic and New England by Teri Dunn (176 pp„ $18.99) Water fixtures can dramatically change the mood of any garden. A bubbling fountain exudes an air of luxury, a Koi pond provides serenity, and a rustic container display has undeniable old-world charm. Teri Dunn’s new guide walks readers through the planning, installation, and maintenance stages of water gar- dening, sprinkling helpful “can’t miss tips” along the way. Also useful is the plant directory, a detailed compilation of water-loving lilies, lotuses, and accessorizing plants. Beautiful Madness by James Dodson (289 pp„ $24.95) Can gardening be dangerous? The answer is yes if you’re James Dodson. In Beautiful Madness: One Man’s Journey through Other Peoples Gardens, the intrepid author finds himself in a number of prickly situations as he explores green spaces around the country and beyond. Whether it’s sneaking into a hosta convention or trekking about Africa with “plant hunters,’’ adventure follows Dodson at every step. Of course, a year of gar- den gallivanting wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Philadelphia Flower Show, which is discussed at length in this titillating travelogue. R is for Rose— Reflections from a Passionate Rose Lover by Carolyn Parker (208 pp„ $35.00) Valentine’s Day may be long past, but roses make the perfect gift all year long. Learn more about this favorite flower in R is for Rose — Reflections from a Passionate Rose Lover. Journey with photographer, author, and gar- dener Carolyn Parker from A (Alba, Rosa Rugosa) to Z (Zephirine Drouhin) as she details 26 of her favorite species. An added bonus is the book’s lush and vibrant photogra- phy. R is for Rose is a radiant read. — Daniel Moise 34 GREEN SCENE • august 2006 TLL of f&A Better than talking to your plants, Compost Tea is liquid extract of compost. It’s like plant vitamins - it helps them grow while improving soil structure and suppressing diseases. Join its for teatime! Our brew days are Friday, Saturday, & Sunday. fe.rem\A* • Vwk+CAye. • Orqmc Lov*yo&\ • MuLli Keystone Gardens inc 250 Conestoga Road Wayne, PA 19087 610 688 5969 www.keystonegardens.com 1(9% Pi*£0unl Willi Me^er^lu^ Lay A. chanticleer a pleasure garden □□ Open April-October Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm Wayne, PA 19087 www.chanticleergarden.org 610.687.4163 THUJA X ‘GREEN GIANT' Screening Alternative to Leyland Cypress & 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. GREEN SCENE • august 2006 35 Classified Ads ANTIQUE BOOKS RARE & PREVIOUSLY OWNED BOOKS ON HORTICULTURE & BOTANICAL PRINTS - Bought and Sold Polly Goldstein 37 Lochwood Lane West Chester, PA 19380 610-436-9796 Email: GrannyPol@aol.com BOTANICAL LIGHTING Botanical Lighting Specializing in tasteful architectural and landscape lighting. Please view our on-line gallery: botanicallighting.com or call: 609-953-5334 Serving: Pennsylvania • New Jersey Boston • Maryland • Washington DC 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 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.mostardi.com 36 GREEN SCENE • august 2006 CLASSIFIED RATES LANDSCAPE DESIGN 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 215-247-299 2610-584-1550 610-525-3232 Susan M. Mattison, ASLA Landscape Architecture Services Garden Design, Urban Gardens Consultation Services 215-985-1709 smm-land@rcn.com 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. SED Design LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS Garden Design, Water Gardens, and Pools 610-584-5941 Visit our portfolio on the web seddesignstudio.com Tree Transfers Inc. Large Tree Transplanting and Sales Large Screening & Specimen Plant Material Garden Restoration. Ponds, Waterfalls & Patios 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 NURSERY 800 varieties of Perennials 100 varieties of unusual Annuals POPES’ GARDENS 1146 Old White Horse Pike, Waterford, NJ 856-767-3343 www.popesgardens.com Triple Oaks Nursery & Herb Garden Great Plants • Display Gardens • Programs Franklinville, New Jersey www.tripleoaks.com 856-694-4272 greatplants@tripleoaks.com ORCHIDS Little Brook Orchids 8000+ Orchids AUSSIE GOLD Distributor Patio/Tropical Plant Boarding Lancaster, PA 717-394-1000 Email: littiebrookorchids@comcast.net 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.mutschiers.com Base Rate $3.00 per word (without formatting) 1 Line $15.00 per line Formatted Words $5.00 (ex. Bold, Italic or ALL CAPS) Minimum Charge $60.00 Discount 10% off the second consecutive ad, using the same copy Deadlines February Issue (by December 1) April Issue (by February 1) June Issue (by April 1) August Issue(by June 1) October Issue (by August 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-served 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: Joe Soprani Green Scene The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 -1495. If you have any questions, please call 215-988-8809. LARGE TREES UNUSUAL SPECIMENS GREEN SCENE august 2006 37 The Backyard AN OASIS OF PEACE AND BEAUTY How Heather Ascher Helps Keep Center City Growing By Daniel Moise with boxwoods that were bought then for 15 cents apiece! “Front-yard gardens were part of the architect’s original design, so we wanted to preserve that. Being a part of PHS’s City Gardens Contest has taken our commitment to a whole new level,” Heather says. Relative newcomers to the annual compe- tition, the English Village gardeners have consistently exceeded expectations. Although they won first place in 2004, for Heather, the sweetest victory was their first foray into the event three years prior. “In 2001 we came in second, and we were shocked. As individuals we had very little experience, so 1 suppose our award was based on combined effort,” Heather says. “That’s what the contest is all about: gener- ating a sense of community. We’re a diversi- fied group with at least one thing in com- mon— the love of green.” The English Village has attracted the attention ol City Councilman Darrell Clarke, who Heather sagaciously invited to a garden party in 2001. “Because his office provides PHS’s Philadelphia Green program with funding, I thought he should see how the City Gardens Contest helped shape up our block. I hoped he’d remember it when drafting the budget,” she says. Councilman Clarke graciously accepted the invitation and was thoroughly impressed by the botan- ical beauty and neighborhood pride. Such savvy earned Heather the opportu- nity to join the board of directors of the Center City Residents’ Association (CCRA), a well-established civic organiza- tion dedicated to maintaining and improv- ing the quality of life in downtown Philadelphia. She has served on the CCRA board since 2004. Heather is also a member of the Philadelphia Green Advisory Board. “I was concerned about the diminishing amounts of green space in Center City,” she says. “Philadelphia Green empowers people to make our city a more attrac- tive, safe, and livable place through horticulture, and I wanted to help.” Interestingly, the invitation to join the Advisory Board arose shortly after the death of Heather’s father, Edward Turner, a lifelong florist. Part of her motivation to accept the position was to commem- orate his love of nature. Heather’s mother, Ruth, is also an avid gardener with a verdant property in Delaware County. Heather says, “Try as I may, my thumb will never be as green as those of my parents.” In 1928, the publication Building Developer referred to the English Village, a block of homes near Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square, as “an oasis of peace and beauty in the midst of busy business blocks. Now, 78 years later, the statement still holds true, and it’s largely due to Heather Ascher. Thanks to Heather’s ability to organize and inspire her neighbors, the 20 stately homes that surround the old-fashioned 2100 block of St. James Place are tastefully adorned with lush gardens. Amidst the gar- dens, one can see a pair of Japanese maples that were plant- ed in the late 1940s, along 38 GREEN SCENE • august 2006 “Wedding of the Senses” Recognized Excellence in Design and Contracting “ Fruits of Our Labor ” Robert Montgomery Landscapes, inc. 545 East Uwchlan Avenue Chester Springs, Pennsylvania 19425 phone (610) 594-1810 www.robertmontgomerylandscapes.com 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. “BLENDING HORTICULTURE AND ARCHITECTURE TO ENHANCE YOUR LIFE STYLE" INNOVATIVE DESIGN SOLUTIONS • SKILLED CRAFTSMEN • QUALITY NURSERY STOCK AND MATERIALS Wealth can make a profound difference on the future. At-o V v It’s time for PNC Wealth Management. First, you need a vision plan that addresses you unique concerns. Let PNC serve your wealth management needs, powered by one of America’s most trusted financial service firms. Call us at 1-888-762 or visit pnc.com. ©PNC WEALTH MANAGEMENT PNC s a registered service mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. ("PNC’). Investment management, wealth management, fiduciary services and FDIC-insured bank ng products and services are provided by the PNC subsidiaries, PNC Bank, National Association and PNC Bank, Delaware which are Members FDIC. PNC does not provide oga tax or accounting advice Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value [ I ■ A]r Arrangement Flower Arranger Jane Godshalk THE PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY WALLACE ASSOCIATES INC REGISTERED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS LICENCED CONTRACTORS 610-444-6161 V WVV£W.WALLACELANDSCAPE.CoM ly second-hand deste. Undersized computer This is the generation your legacy begins How do you preserve not just wealth, but the values that created it? The drive, the vision, the passion to excel? For half a century, we have focused specifically on helping exceptional individuals protect the wealth they worked to build, and pass it on to future generations. To put this experience to work for you, contact us. W W W . GLEN MEDE.CDM 1979 - 2006 Twenty-seven Years . . . and the Vision Continues . . . Cathedral Village Above photo shows our latest amenities to support resident activities: Surrounding a new professional, six-hole putting green is this butterfly garden complete with a natural rock waterfall and shaded seating area. The putting green is maintained daily so that it is always ready for residents and their guests. 600 East Cathedra] Road Philadelphia, PA 19128 (215) 984-8622 www.cathedralvillage.com Cathedral Village still offers the traditional CCRC contract, the most extensive available in the retirement industry. The contract provides a Value to our residents, measured in the number and quality of services received for the monthly fee, that is unparalleled and ... it covers more today than it did 27 years ago. Years of Innovative planning by the Board of Directors and Management have gone into Cathedral Village. The outstanding array of services and quality of care provided by all departments, including Dining, Health Care with Outpatient Services and Unlimited Nursing Care, Health Club fitness and exercise programs, Horticultural activities and workshops, Village College classes, and Art and Music facilities have resulted in unusually high Resident Satisfaction. The Vision of Cathedral Village continues. It is an on-going process that accommodates changes in cultural trends and in residents’ lifestyles. We invite you to visit, question, and compare! Come in Monday through Friday between 9 and 4. Appointments are necessary on weekends. A Nonprofit, Nondenominational CCRC • Accredited since 1983 Affiliated with the Jefferson Health System Table of Contents FEATURES The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Web Site www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org Vines Divine If working with vines has had you climb- ing the walls in the past, let Andrew Bunting steer you in the right direction. Many vines are ideal for the Delaware Valley, and incorporating them into the garden can create an aura of charm and whimsy. scene Editor Pete Prown Associate Editor Jane Carroll Assistant Editor Daniel Moise Advertising Coordinator Joe Soprani 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. 22 12 The Gold Standard 26 Branching Out Planting trees has been a major 100 N. 20th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103-1495 215-988-8800 PHS and the Chanticleer Foundation component of PHS s Philadelphia Green Chair proudly introduce the 2007 inductees to the prestigious Gold Medal Plant Award program. The three winners earned such distinction because of their eye-appeal, performance, and hardiness. Learn more about the terrific trio with Pennsylvania- certified horticulturist Joe Ziccardi. program for more than a decade. Yet as the region’s tree canopy continues to disappear, two very important initiatives are rallying to counter the crisis. Jane Carroll explains how Tree Tenders and Tree Vitalize are fighting to preserve the urban forest. Harry E. Hill President Jane G. Pepper Executive Vice President J. Blaine Bonham, Jr. PHS Membership Information Linda Davis, 215-988-8776 Display Ads 16 Bulbs in Battery Park Last autumn Patricia Taylor witnessed the planting of 70,000 bulbs in lower Manhattan. Ranging from the standard tulip to some uncommon corydalis, more than 60 species were pan of the capdvating downtown design. Stop by the next time you’re in the Big Apple, or allow Patricia’s recommendations to bring the beauty to your own backyard. COLUMNS 8 The Potting Shed 32 Botanical Bouquets Supermarket Magic 34 Show Plants Potting Tips from a Flower Show Pro 38 The Backyard Meet Wangari Maathai The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society motivates people to improve the quality of life and create a sense of community through horticulture. Main cover photo by Margaret Funderburg {J PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Manzo Communications, LLC 610-527-7047 manzocomm@aoi.com Classified Ads Joe Soprani, 215-988-8809 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 34, No.5-6, 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 SCREEN T Call me odd, but I really enjoy shop- ping for trees and shrubs, probably more than searching for flowering herbaceous plants. Why? In a word, permanence. Above: ‘Diablo’ nmebark . , / . ... . Buying a woody plant is a maior decision that will Right: Leyland cypress 1 ° . ,,, have an impact on the landscape for years, il not decades, to come. You could argue that it’s one of the most important decisions a gardener will ever make. And somehow, that appeals to me. Consider the tree. Purchasing a tree on a whim and quickly plunking it in the ground is often a mistake, generally because trees grow much larger than one thinks they will. 1 kept this in mind recently as I began looking for trees and shrubs to screen out the house of a close neighbor. I knew I didn’t have room for huge specimens, so I began exploring trees and shrubs with dense foliage that grew 20 to 30 leet tall for part of the screen. There are plenty of great conifers, but they are often slow growers and I’m in a hurry. My thoughts quickly went to the popular arborvitae, ‘Green Giant’, a fast-growing, dense conifer, but they top out over 30 feet high, which might obstruct a nice view. So I stopped at Mostardi’s Nursery in Newtown Square, PA, and chatted with one of the salespeo- ple there. After a description of my planting needs, he steered me toward a pair of Leyland cypresses. They fit all the criteria for screening out the neighbor’s second-floor deck, which required a tree that was quick growing to 20 to 35 feet and had dense foliage and a manageable spread (no more than 20 feet). Though Leylands have their downsides (their shallow roots can sometimes make them susceptible to disease), they neverthe- less thrive in this region and are hard to beat for their fast rate of growth. (Other screen plants worth noting — all PHS Gold Medal Plants — are ‘Yoshino’ Japanese cedar and ‘Emerald Sentinel’ red cedar juniper.) But 1 wasn’t finished shopping. There’s another stretch along the property line that I wanted to plant, but I didn’t want trees so tall that they would obscure another good vista. The obvious solution would be shrubs and, here, I knew exact- ly what I wanted. A few years ago 1 bought a PHS Gold Medal plant called eastern ninebark ( Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diablo’) and it turned into a large, beautiful screen shrub. In my full-sun location, it grew to about 8 feet high and wide and produced rich burgundy foliage with white flow- er clusters in the spring. With- out hesitating, I grabbed the five remaining plants at Mostardi’s that day and happily drove home with my “instant neigh- bor screen.” All of this rein- forces the idea that shopping for trees and shrubs can involve both fun detective work and the thrill of plant hunting. It's especially satisfying when your research gives you a sense of what the tree or shrub will look like in 10 years. Again, the oft- repeated line “right plant, right place” comes to mind. I know we say that a lot in these pages, but it’s the secret of great gardening and successful landscaping. You can see more excellent trees, shrubs and vines on the PHS website, where you’ll also find a new online Search function to help you find Gold Medal trees, shrubs and vines quicker than ever. email: greenscene@pennhort.org 6 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 Broadway Across America PHILADELPHIA Experience the magic of Broadway at the Merriam Theater! > a I ma RICHARD (.1 ( >K( . I I'HOMAS WI ND I TWELVE ANGRY MEN starring RICHARD THOMAS and GEORGE WENDT September 26 - October 1/06 THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE October 17-22/06 ON GOLDEN POND starring TOM BOSLEY and MICHAEL LEARNED October 31 - November 5/06 ALTAR BOYZ November 28 - December 3/06 CHITA RIVERA: 1ANCEO LIFE ™e dancer-s life January 9-14/07 S'lnOk ALL SHOOK UP .Tlrjjp February 20-25/07 THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA inthepiaZZfl March 6.1l/o7 DOUBT May 15-20/07 MICH \f L YORK Lerner & Loewe’s CflMCLVT CAMELOT starring MICHAEL YORK June 5-10/07 Season Special Attractions" 'Sold separately. ONLY Season Ticket Holders have advance purchase privileges for these exciting shows: THE PRODUCERS November 14-19/06 till m MEL BROOKS musical CHICAGO December 19-31/06 MOVIN’ OUT May 8-13/07 These shows are not available to the general public at this time. Become a Season Ticket Holder to guarantee your advance purchase privilege! See g shows for as low as $198.50 f 9-SHOW season package \ Tues/Wed/Thur 8pm Sunday 6:30pm Friday 8pm Sat Mat 2pm Sat Eve 8pm Sun Mat 1pm Premium (Orch A - Q) $548.50 $59900 $633.00 Pit/Orch/Balc A — L $498-50 $54900 $58300 Balcony M - P $422.00 $463.50 $490.00 Family Circle A - F $282.50 $31450 $33150 Family Circle G - H V $198.50 $219.50 $234.00 J PECO TheHiltonFamily Due to the nature of live entertainment, all pnces, shows, artists, dates and times are subject to change without notice. CURRENT SEASON TICKET HOLDERS CALL NOW TO RENEW YOUR SEATS! Phones open from 10am -5pm, Monday- Friday Group discounts available. Reserve now: 215.732.1366 888.451.5761 BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com/Philadelphia Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad Street The Potting Shed i A popular ornament in formal gar- dens, the armillary sphere is a three-dimensional sundial. The sphere’s intersecting rings represent the great circles of the earth, including the polar circles, the equator, and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. The central rod, or “gnomen,” points to the pole star, and as the sun passes through the sky it casts a slowly moving shadow on the equatorial band, which is marked with hour lines. But just how do they tell time in your garden? To accurately record the time, each armil- lary sphere must be made for its specific location using the precise latitude and longitude, and the gnomen is orien- tated on a north-south axis. Thus each instrument lends itself to personalization — most com- monly an inscription on one of the outer bands, such as the name of the garden or a favorite quotation. This personal aspect is “rather sort of lovely in a way,” Jonathan Langford says with charm- ing British ver- bosity. Langford is sales director for David Harber Ltd., a small company based in Oxfordshire in the English countryside that sells armil- lary spheres, sundials and other handmade garden orna- ments. Equally lovely is the way that spheres and sundials seem to slow down time, inviting one to enjoy the luxury of simply watching the hours pass in a garden, What is an ARMILLARY SPHERE? 8 GREEN SCENE a calming antidote to the frantic pace of 21st-century life. “Armillary spheres first became popular as garden orna- ments during the Renaissance,” Langford explains. “Because of their open design, they don’t dominate the landscape.” David Harber Ltd. makes armillaries in bronze, brass, or stainless steel for clients all over the world. The compa- ny also makes horizontal sundials, sculptures, water features, and other outdoor curiosities, often using light. Langford says “henges” (as in Stonehenge) are an especially hot item lately. “All the rock stars want their own henges,” he says. — Jane Carroll SOURCES David Harber Ltd. www. davidharber. com North American Sundial Society http://sundials. org Garden Accents www. gardenaccents. com BOOKS Albert E. Waugh Sundials: Their Theory and Construction Rene R. J. Rohr Sundials: History, Theory, and Practice Enjoy Spring Twice Bulbs for Indoors and Out Our designers create dozens of new spring- flowering bulb combinations each year, all based on top-quality varieties we import from Holland every fall. The best are offered for your consideration at WHITEFLOWERFARM.COM. If you’d like to bring next spring’s garden to a new level of charm and beauty, choose from dozens of designs and hundreds of bulbs, all delivered with complete instructions. There are many weeks of cool, pleasant weather left to get your bulbs into the ground, and we stand ready to serve you whenever you’re ready. Our indoor collections contain the same top-size bulbs, potted by us and cooled in our refrigerators so they will bloom gloriously and fragrantly during the winter months. Forcing bulb collections (such as “Beneath the Snow”, item X84406, $75 plus shipping) make marvelous holiday gifts. Delivery begins in December with full instructions enclosed. There is PLENTY OF TIME FOR FALL PLANTING and our stocks remain complete. Visit our Web site and make your selections today. Every item is guaranteed. Please refer to Source Code 63042. White Flower Farm whiteflowerfarm.com You can also see a small, purely decorative example of an armillary sphere in our PHS McLean Library. GREEN SCENE • October 2006 9 The Potting Shed millions of tiny, reddish-brown, needle- sharp trunk hairs that can cause plenty of nose and throat irritation when inhaled and make you itch if touched. Plant them away from most human traffic,” he advises. Some ferns produce more spores than others. “Some may be interspecific and others intergeneric hybrids; the latter prob- ably don’t even make spores, and must be propagated by division. And many fern species produce separate sterile and fertile fronds. One could always look at the fronds closely now and then and remove most of the fertile ones, although this seems a bit time-consuming. I like ferns best out in the garden in the shade,” Ogren says. Even though a famous NASA study a decade or so ago proved houseplants clean the air by removing VOCs (volatile organ- ic compounds), they also produce VOCs of their own. “All Ficus species release harmful VOCs into the air and have long been known to trigger indoor allergies, including a skin rash,” says Ogren. “Anyone with rubber allergies ought to have as little direct skin contact as possible with all euphorbias, including poinsettias. No one should ever make When Houseplants ATTACK rvrv' friend Tom Ogren, author of Allergy-Free Gardening and Safe Sex in the Garden , has a sexual hang-up about plants. Take him to the most glori- ous, inspiring garden, indoors or out, and he walks around grimfaced, clucking and mumbling about there being too many male plants (i.e.: those evil, pollen-produc- ing culprits of the plant world that create allergens by the score.) In my living room he scowls at a 7-foot- high Podocarpus macrophyllus. “Hmmm....” he mutters. “Not only a male, but you’ve got a mealybug infestation here,” he says, scrutinizing my prize specimen. “Big-time allergy plant,” he decrees, as my humiliated Podo bows its branches in disgrace. Ogren has strong advice on allergies and houseplants: “Pollen generators like peace lily ( Spathiphyllum sp.) should be avoided, unless you clip their blooms before they mature,” he warns sensitive folk. And here’s his lowdown on hanging ferns: “When hanging- basket ferns cast off their miniscule spores, they land directly on unsus- pecting victims below.” Ogren says that, like mold spores, fern spores are not nose-friendly. “Tall tree ferns can shower spores down on people. Furthermore, tree ferns have 10 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 Outmaneuvering Mold • Keep soil on the dry side. Water with care and only as needed. • Don’t let water accumulate in the plant’s pot or the tray beneath. • Give plants the most light they can tolerate. • Diligently remove any dead leaves; don't allow dying foliage to accumulate. • Monitor indoor humidity using a hygrometer to ensure that the general environment is not overly moist. • Be vigilant for mold, fungus, and insect pests. : cuttings of any euphorbia in the house. Some give off carcinogenic VOCs when cut.” If plants are grown well, getting great care and thriving, most may indeed improve indoor air quality. But if they’re dusty, too wet, dry, or cold, never fertilized, not getting enough light, etc., they often get mealybugs, scale, aphids, whiteflies, or spider mites. These insects can quickly pro- liferate. They shed old skin and other parts, and this insect dander is extremely aller- genic. Insects also produce large amounts of feces, called “honeydew,” and mold quickly grows on this rich organic material. The highly allergenic mold spores become airborne inside the house.” The take-home lesson: keep houseplants healthy, check for bugs now and then, and if they get ragged, put them outside or toss ’em. — Ilene Sternberg Where Shop Swarthmore Flower & | Gift Shop 17 S. Chester Road Swarthmore, PA 19081 877-226-5334 www.swarthmoreflowershop. com “Swarthmore Flowers is one of those cute ‘neighborhood’ flower shops. Nestled right in the village center, the store has a great loca- tion, friendly staff, and very creative flower arrangers (co-owner Susan Essick has been a longtime entrant at the Philadelphia Flower Show). The selection is pleasantly eclectic — there are cut flowers, but also interesting potted plants and a huge selection of clever gift items. In my crazy, hectic life, it’s easy ‘one-stop shopping’ when I need a last-minute present for a friend.” — Valerie Smith, Wallingford, PA Where do you shop? We’d like to hear about the small nurseries and florists in PA, NJ and northern Delaware where you buy your plants and flowers. In less than 150 words, please describe why you like this shop. Mail to: Green Scene, 100 N. 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, or email it to: greenscene@pennhort. org FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS from the PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW Class: Medium Niche Title Theme: Rare Find Arrangers: Ann Mastrangelo & Kathy Holmes, Huntingdon Valley Garden Club Plants: Banana flower, Baby bananas, croton leaves Ribbon: Blue Judges’ Comments: “Truly, a rare find!” For information about entering the 2007 Philadelphia Flower Show, visit www.theflowershow.com GREEN SCENE • October 2006 11 The WINNER’S Stamp of Excellence I ■i^pKLPU The results are in, the votes have been tallied, and the decisions are final: we now have three new winners of Gold Medal Plant Awards. This PHS program has long recognized trees, shrubs, and woody vines of outstanding merit and teaches home gardeners about superior woody plants for their properties. Our trio of 2007 Gold Medal winners are all excellent woody plants for the home landscape. They’re rugged, too. With stunning looks and impressive performance and durability, these Gold Medal winners have it all. CRAPE MYRTLE Pink Velour It’s hard to believe, but a crape myrrle — popular in the South, but considered unreliably hardy up here — has finally earned a Gold Medal Award. The winner’s name is Lagerstroemia indica ‘Whit III’, but you will find it under its trade name, Pink Velour. Hardy in Zones 6 to 9, this small tree was chosen for its cold tolerance and its amazing resistance to powdery mildew. The next time you visit your local nurs- ery, take a look down the row of potted crape myrtles. If Pink Velour is in stock, you will be drawn to it like a cat to anchovies, thanks to its dramatic colors. The shrub parades flashy, magenta-pink flower clusters atop shiny burgundy foliage in mid-sum- mer. With color lacking in the garden at that time of year, especially in the tree and shrub category, Pink Velour’s relatively late bloom time and bold hues justify its place in the landscape. Pink Velour works well as a specimen shrub or near the foundation. Growing to 10 feet high by 6 feet wide, it can be pruned to the desired height in late August or early spring. Site it with some northwest wind protection and 2 to 4 inches of mulch around the base to assure year after year of enjoyment from this drought-tolerant beauty. With its impressive combination of color and durability, Pink Velour outshines its peers and belongs in gardens in our region. CIRCLE THE 2007 PHS GOLD MEDAL PLANT AWARDS Story by Joe Ziccardi, PCH GREEN SCENE • October 2006 13 Gold Medal Plants SUMAC Tiger Eyes Known botanically as Rhus typhina Bailtiger’, Tiger Eyes is a staghorn sumac with purplish-pink stems and exotic cut- leaf foliage. Changing with each season. Tiger Eyes starts out chartreuse in the spring, turns bright yellow in the summer, and eventually blazes scarlet-orange in the fall. It is more compact than the species, reaching a maximum of 6 feet high by 6 feet wide and is not considered invasive. Prune this small tree to encourage full- ness and branching. Tiger Eyes will also tol- erate a hard “cut back,” if necessary. It prefers well-drained soil, but adapts well to poor soils and urban situations, exhibiting good pollution tolerance. It’s great as a foundation or specimen planting, in mass, or in containers. A North American native, this sumac grows in full or part-sun and is hardy in Zones 4 to 8. PHS is grateful to the many individuals and organizations that help support the Gold Medal program. The Gold Medal Plant Award Committee, a volunteer panel of horticulturists, nurs- ery owners, landscape professionals and home growers, meets twice yearly to select new plants. The Chanticleer Foundation provides financial sup- port for the program and highlights Gold Medal plants at its Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, PA. Staff and members of the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association help force and donate plants for the Gold Medal exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Snow each year. 14 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 DOGWOOD Venus Cornus ‘Venus’ is an improved, hybrid dogwood bred by the renowned plant hybridizer Dr. Elwin Orton. Boasting superb resistance to anthracnose and pow- dery mildew, along with excellent cold-har- diness (Zones 4 to 8), ‘Venus’ stands out in the vast crowd of dogwood varieties avail- able today. Thanks to its full, low-branching habit, the tree veritably explodes with flowers in early spring, sporting 6-inch, pure-white blooms with green centers that cover the tree to the ground. Growing 25 feet high by 25 feet wide in full or part-sun, this Rutgers introduction has clean foliage and grows quickly. Dr. Orton’s desire to create a superior dogwood led him to cross the Pacific dog- wood (C. kousa X nuttalli) with the kousa dogwood (C. kousa), thereby producing a flowering tree for the 21st century. ‘Venus’ is certainly a specimen worthy of a prime spot in your garden. Opposite page: Rhus ‘Tiger Eyes’ This page: Cornus ‘Venus’ Many pictures and information on our website www.botanyshop.com • Joplin, MO or call 888-855-3500 for prices and information. THUJA X ‘GREEN GIANT’ Screening Alternative to Leyland Cypress & New England’s Dying Hemlocks C=> Plants 8”-3 1 /2ft. tall $3.00 to $45.00 each • New USDA Release • Pennsylvania Gold Medal Plant Award • Tough, Fragrant. Tbll, Skinny Evergreen • Deer, Bagworm & Disease Resistant • Fast Growing, 3' to 5' / Year • Zone 4-9 www.knockoutroses.com Reblooming Hydrangea VALLEY FORGE AME • 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 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 15 PLANTING BULBS in the BIG APPLE Story by Patricia A. Taylor Last October, I attended a very unusual bulb planting at the Battery Bosque, a recently restored, garden-filled section of Battery Park near the southern Manhattan terminal of the Staten Island Ferry. What made the planting so unusual was not only the presence of highly regarded design- ers— renowned Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf and Dutch garden authority Jacqueline van der Kloet — but also the methods of selecting and sorting the bulbs., .more than 70,000 of them, donated by the Dutch International Flower Bulb Center (IFBC). THE PLANT PALETTE Oudolf had first assigned a color theme for each of the 22 planting beds in the Bosque area and then filled the beds with perennials with appropriately colored flow- ers or foliage. Next, he and Ms. van der Kloet selected bulbs to match or comple- ment the perennials and extend the flower- ing season. “We ultimately chose about 60 different kinds of bulbs,” Oudolf explained, “and had a good time working out various color schemes for the different planting beds.” In an area featuring the lovely, summer- long, pinkish-violet flowers of the hardy ‘Claridge Druce’ geranium (G. x oxoni- anuni), for example, the two specified yellow winter and early spring flowers. They chose winter aconites ( Eranthis hye- malis ), the diminutive ‘Peeping Tom’ narcissus, and ‘Pagoda’ dog-tooth violets ( Erythronium sp.). The winter aconites will bloom first each year. They will be followed by the bronze, marbled foliage of ‘Pagoda’ and then the charming ‘Peeping Tom’ yellow flowers. In April, the buttery yellow blossoms of ‘Pagoda’ appear, and by May, when the geranium begins its flowering period, above-ground traces of the bulbs have dis- appeared. All 70,000 bulbs were selected for their ability to come back year after year and for their propensity to slowly drift and natural- ize. They require only adequately drained soil and winter and spring sun (and thus are perfect for placing under deciduous trees). Following the directions of Oudolf and van der Kloet for the quantity of different bulbs in each area, volunteers put the total amount in a container and mixed every- thing together. In the area cited above, for example, 600 winter aconites were tossed with 100 narcissus and 100 dog-tooth vio- lets. Volunteers then casually threw the resulting mixture among the hardy gerani- ums and planted each bulb in the exact spot where it landed. Mr. Oudolf, Ms. van der Kloet, and Frans Roozen of the IFBC also pitched in so the press photographers could record the event. Thankfully, we press people were not asked to get low down and dirty and join in the planting. 16 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 Bulbs Left: Allium cowan ii Below: Narcissus ‘Peeping Tom’, Erythronium ‘White Beauty’ and Geranium ‘Claridge Druce’ Bottom Daffodils with an underplanting of violet hyacinths. MM PLANTING TIMES & DEPTH While the three Dutch people were kneeling in the dirt with their noses turn- ing a bluish red from the blustery breezes swooshing in from the nearby water, I asked them about planting timing and depth. Roozen assured me that bulbs can be planted until the ground freezes, which means well into December in the Green Scene area. And then there is depth. The soil in the courtyard where my husband and I have recently moved in Princeton, NJ, has the consistency of cement, leading to a “shal- lower is better” attitude on my part. “Wrong,” said Roozen. The standard wis- dom is to plant a bulb at a depth of three times its height. I pleaded with him to say that a wee bit shallower might be okay, but he was adamant. Not only that, he added that even deeper than three times a bulb height would be fine. Unknowingly, van der Kloet came to my rescue. For in choosing the bulbs for the park, she specified many of what were once referred to as “minor bulbs” but which are now called “special bulbs” to give them greater pizzazz. These bulbs tend to be smaller and do not need to be planted so deep. “I love these bulbs,’ she said. “While not as flashy as tulips or daffodils, they add a soft charm — and often fragrance — to gar- den borders.” Many of these minor bulbs are also heir- looms, bulbs that were introduced to culti- vation generations ago and yet have some- how never widely caught on with garden- ers. Three deserve special mention. In alphabetical order, they are: Allium cowanii. Known as the bride’s onion in Europe, this wonderful plant is unusual among alliums in that its flowers are sweetly fragrant rather than onion- scented. The blossoms are a sparkling white and open for a good three weeks during the height of the marriage season in May. 2007 PHILADELPHIA FLOWER March 4-11 Special Members Rate Private guided tours of the largest indoor flower show in the world M LEGENDS «4of IRELAND • VIP early entrance and tour with a group of 8-12 visitors, before the Show opens to the public • Shopper’s Delight discount card for merchandise at official Flower Show Shoppe • Celebrity Flower Arrangement Demonstration • Goody Bag PLUS extra Flower Show admission ticket • $85 per member Tours available March 5—9. Deadline for reservations is January 20, 2007. Send name and mailing address to earlymorningtours@pennhort.org; call 2 15-988-8775 or go to www.theflowershow.com to download an order form. Reservations are limited. Produced by Presenting Sponsor X”< PENNSYLVANIA PINICT* ATSJV' HORTICULTURAL soc/err ■ I \l V- D/AI \ GREEN SCENE • October 2006 19 Bulbs THE BATTERY BOSQUE Gladiolus communis byzantinus. This hardy “glad” — it need not be dug up out of the ground when winter comes — was first introduced into gardens in 1700, and then, for reasons unknown, disappeared from view. Heritage plant enthusiasts and those wanting easy-care plants have created a new groundswell of approval for this late-spring beauty, which is decked out with spires of deep wine-pink flowers that are lovely in both borders and arrangements. Scilla mischtschenkoana. This late-winter charmer has one of the most unfortunate botanical names I have ever come across. Just try and pronounce the species name. And because it is so little recognized, it has yet to acquire a common, popular name. I have grown it for years and love its warm green foliage, which often emerges in early February, and the delicate light blue flowers with a darker blue stripe down each petal that follow soon afterwards. RARER BULBS In addition to heritage bulbs, the Dutch designers also chose several that are, to my knowledge, unknown to American garden- ers. “Our feeling was,” van der Kloet explained, “that once visitors to the Bosque saw them, they might want to add them to their own borders. And in demanding these really lovely flowers, they will encourage more sellers to offer them.” These are: Corydalis decipiens. Similar to the popular C. solida, this corydalis bears spring flowers that are a deeper reddish purple and bloom for a much longer period. Crocus pulchellus ‘Zephyr’. This fall- blooming crocus features lightly fragrant, bluish-white flowers. Ornithogalum narbonense. When I visit- ed the park again this past June, this plant’s 3-foot-plus spikes were bursting with white flowers in a bright shade area. These three are definitely candidates for my gardens, and I hope that van der Kloet is right in her assumption that they will soon be more widely offered. (While Fraser’s Thimble Farms ( www.thimble - farms.com), a mail-order firm based in Vancouver, Canada, does offer the Corydalis and the Ornithogalum, there is a $50 minimum plus a fee for sending the plants into the U.S. I have purchased bulbs satisfactorily from this company before.) Above: Artist renderings of the completed landscape. WORTH THE TRIP In any case, whether scouting new bulbs and perennials, looking for new garden design ideas, or seeking just plain serene, restful beauty, check out the Battery Bosque— preferably in balmier weath- er— on your next visit to Manhattan. “I hope everyone enjoys the result as much as Jacqueline and I enjoyed planning it,” says Oudolf. SOURCES McClure & Zimmerman Friesland, Wl 800-883-6998 www.mzbulb.com John Scheepers Bantam, CT 860-567-0838 www.johnscheepers. com Brent and Becky’s Bulbs Gloucester, VA 804-693-3966 www. brentandbeckysbulbs. com 20 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 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.gatewaygardcns.com A. \jh7J Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania -• - at • -T.v - - experienced olor Come Visit ! 100 Northwestern Avenue in Chestnut Hill, PA 215.247.5777 www.morrisarboretum.org Barnes Foundation Horticultural Classes 2006-2007 The Barnes Foundation ARBORETUM SCHOOL OPEN ENROLLMENT - Classes start Sept. 2006 In 1940, Laura Barnes established the Arboretum School to provide students of horticulture, botany, and landscape architecture the opportunity to work under professional guidance. This fall, the Arboretum School of The Barnes Foundation will accept twenty-five new first-year students. The three-year program in ornamental horticulture offers a comprehensive curriculum of botany, plant propagation, practical horticulture techniques, and landscape design. A well-trained faculty provides expert instruction and guidance in the horticultural arts and sciences. Students learn and practice in the 12-acre arboretum and in the state-of-the-art greenhouse in Merion. The curriculum develops skilled horticulturalists through a combination of classroom lecture, self-directed learning, and hands-on practice. a) — ) -! — ) — ) t) > i — I H Q Z! For more information, a full course description, and registration, please call 610-667-0290, ext. 2259 or ext. 1071. •ny THE BARNES FOUNDATION >• 300 North Latch’s Lane, Merion, PA 19066 • www.barnesfoundation.org j- GREEN SCENE • October 2006 21 fantastic VINES Delaware Valley Sometimes just the mention of vines con- jures up images of forests covered in kudzu or an old estate where a wisteria has consumed an arbor or trellis. There is no arguing that some of the worst thugs in our home gardens are vines, or that many of our most pernicious weeds like bindweed, mile-a-minute, and bittersweet are vines, too. But there are many fantastic ornamental vines worth considering for the home garden. Vines fill many niches in gardens. Some are self-clinging and able to climb without support on brick and stone facades and even trees. Others need a little help from a fence or trellis. Many vines are very adaptable, growing in sun or shade and tolerating various soil types. While no single article can cover all the outstand- ing vines that thrive in our area, I will highlight some new and underused vines with a myriad of ornamen- tal attributes. Many books have been written on the queen of climbers, the clematis. At the Scott Arboretum we have begun collecting species clematis native to the southeastern and southern United States. One of our favorites is a Texas native, Clematis texensis. Like other native American clematis, the flowers have a pendant “urn” shape that looks as if it has been carved out of wax. In June and July the wiry, twining stems are cov- ered with striking red flowers. Unlike other clematis, it is not very vigorous, growing only 6 feet in a sea- son. We have positioned it to grow up through the steely-blue foliage of a blue Atlas cedar, Cedrus atlantica, whose foliage provides a living trellis and contrasts nicely with the Texas clematis flowers. One of the best self-clinging vines is the climbing hydrangea, especially the popular Hydrangea petio- laris. This beautiful vine attaches itself with tiny rootlets along the stem and requires a sturdy structure for vertical growth. The branches reach up to 3 feet away from the main attaching stems. In July it is adorned with four-part, sweetly fragrant flowers, and in fall the foliage turns a nice butter yellow. Recently, Chanticleer horticulturist Dan Benarcik found a green and yellow variegated sport at his former row house in Wilmington, Delaware, and named it ‘Firefly’. ‘Firefly’ has been propagated by a wholesale nursery and should be available next year. Closely allied to the climbing hydrangeas are the schizophragmas, also known as the Japanese hydrangea vine. A past winner of the PHS Gold Medal Award, Schizophragma hydrangeoides ‘Moonlight’ is one of my favorite vines. The heart- shaped foliage has distinct silver veins overlaid on dark green leaves — a coloration particularly effective in shade. In June and July, large flat-topped hydrangea-like flowers appear. A large single floret makes up the showy part of the flower. From a dis- tance it appears as if the florets are floating above the foliage. For the last decade we have been trialing many different Schizophragma at the Scott Arborettum, and two standouts are Schizophragma hydrangeoides ssp. quelpartensis and S. integrifolium. Schizophragama hydrangeoides f. quelpartensis has flowers similar to the more common Japanese hydrangea vine. The leaf differs in that it is more ser- rated along the margin of the leaf, creating a nice tex- tural effect. S. integrifolium has a large solitary floral bract like S. hydrangeoides, but it is more elongated. The species is often seen in English gardens. At the Arboretum, both Chinese wisteria, Wisteria sinensis , and the Japanese wisteria, Wisteria floribun- da, are seeding into our native woods surrounding the campus. Therefore, we decided to stop planting or promoting these species and their cultivars, and to focus on native species instead. We grow the Kentucky wisteria ( Wisteria macrostachya ) and the American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens). While the Asian species have long panicles of flowers that hang downward, a local selection from Longwood Story by Andrew Bunting Photography by Rhoda Mauer Left Campsis grandiflora ‘Morning Calm’ GREEN SCENE October 2006 23 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 Vines Gardens, Wisteria frutescens ‘Longwood Purple’, has shorter, stout clusters of flowers that sit atop the foliage. At home I grow this wisteria on a rustic fence, and it is covered with smoky purple flowers in May. Less vigorous than the Asian species, it requires less pruning and containment. Growing on the north side of my house in combi- nation with Schizophragma hydrangeoides ‘Moonlight’ is a Boston ivy, Parthenocissus tricuspidata ‘Fenway Park’, another self-clinging vine. This fast-growing vine has broad, three-pointed leaves that emerge bright chartreuse yellow in the spring. It can really brighten a shady spot and makes a striking backdrop for shrubs and perennials planted in the foreground. Two years ago, I needed some work done on my house, so I cut the ‘Fenway Park’ to the ground. The next spring it grew all the way back up to the top of the second floor. If it gets out of control, you can sim- ply prune away what you don’t want and pull it off your house without damaging the mortar. Most vines flower in late spring and into summer, but a few bloom in April. The Carolina jessamine or Confederate jasmine, Gelsemium semperivens ‘Margarita’, is a spring-flowering Gold Medal winner. In early April, this semi-evergreen vine is absolutely covered in 2-inch-long, bright yellow tubular flowers. In the South, where it is native, it is often seen along the 1-95 corridor flowering along the edges of woods and on roadside fences. As a twining vine, it does need a trellis or other support. It is an exciting time in horticulture, and there are dozens of wonderful vines for the home gardener to try. These vines discussed here are merely the “tip of the iceberg.” Andrew Bunting is curator at the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College. Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Clematis texensis Wisteria frutescens ‘Longwood Purple' Gelsemium semperivens ‘Margarita’ Schizophragma hydrangeoides Right: Parthenocissus tricuspidata (left) with Japanese hydrangea vine (right). Tending the RBAN PHS HARNESSES THE POWER OF TREES THROUGHOUT THE REGION By Jane Carroll Trees provide shade and beauty, yet they also do much more. A single tree on your property can increase the value of your home and help keep it cool. A neighborhood filled with hundreds of trees is a more desirable place to live, and a tree-lined shopping district feels more pleasant and earns higher profits than a barren strip mall. Plant a thousand trees and you begin to see benefits on a broader scale. Trees clean the air, reduce flooding, and improve water quality. PHS has been promoting the benefits of trees since the late 1970s, beginning with Philadelphia Green’s first street tree plant- ing program. Its “Tree Tenders” project was created in 1993 to train Philadelphia resi- dents to plant and care for street trees. Offered in partnership with Penn State Cooperative Extension, the nine-hour free Tenders course teaches general tree-care skills to organized groups and individuals. By working together to plant trees and improve their neighborhoods, these com- mitted volunteers are building stronger communities. A REGIONAL ISSUE In Philadelphia, trees make the dense urban landscape more livable. But as devel- opment devours more and more open space outside the city, the loss of trees erodes the quality of life for millions of people and hurts the entire regions economy. (Fewer trees means more polluted air, resulting in higher healthcare and environmental reme- diation costs.) A 2003 study by the non- profit organization American Forests ( www.americanforests.org) found that the five-county Greater Philadelphia Region, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, has lost eight percent of its tree cover — the area shaded by trees — in the past 1 3 years. In 2004 the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) responded to this crisis by creat- ing TreeVitalize, a four-year, $8 million public-private partnership that aims to plant 20,000 trees in the region and pro- mote the benefits of trees. Partnership and citizen involvement are crucial aspects ofTreeVitalize, and PHS is a 26 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 TreeVitalize accomplishments to date • More than 7,000 trees planted •104 acres of riparian buffer zones restored • 1,400 citizens received PHS Tree Tender training • 1,700 people have volunteered to plant trees 'Sfeses ,,-»rendo V* „ B s>’unf^S!l£e -■ cotATlMJ DlV'ERSITYj Urban Forest leading participant. DCNR secretary Michael DiBerardinis says there was a strong interest on the part of many organi- zations to do something about the problem of tree loss. “Scores of local and county governments, community groups, founda- tions, nonprofits, and businesses are driv- ing the initiative forward," he says. “It is inspiring and hopeful to me.” Tree Vitalize has three main components. First, it is working to plant shade trees in cities and towns where tree cover is below 25 percent. Second, it works with regional organizations on “riparian buffer projects” to replace trees near rivers and streams. The third component is an effort to train 2,000 citizen volunteers who will plant and care for trees. Drawing on its extensive work with communities through Philadelphia Green, PHS is spearheading this effort. “By becoming part of the TreeVitalize partnership, Philadelphia Green can reach out to more communities and promote the value of trees on a region- al level in a way that we would not be able to on our own,” says Philadelphia Green director Maitreyi Roy. BRANCHING OUT As part of TreeVitalize, PHS has expand- ed its Tree Tenders training to communities beyond the city. Each spring and fall the course is offered in the city and in two other municipalities. “Until now, we’ve focused on Philadelphia, and we weren’t sure what the response would be outside the city,” says Tree Tenders manager Mindy Maslin. “It’s been better than we had hoped. We’ve had Shreiner Tree Care Specialists Fall. . . Time To Care For Your Trees! 334 South Henderson Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 www.shreinertreecare.com J Last fall, fourth grade students at the Reynolds Elementary School received lessons in tree care and helped mulch 12 newly planted cherry trees in their Brewerytown neighborhood. (Trees currently shade just two percent of Brewerytown.) They were joined by DCNR secretary Mike DiBerardinis (left) and Pennsylvania congressman Dwight Evans. 80 to 100 people sign up for each class, and local governments have been very welcom- ing.” PHS has launched a Citizens Campaign to encourage southeastern Pennsylvania home- owners to plant trees on their properties. It includes “Tree Jamboree” events where peo- ple can learn about the benefits of trees, get a planting lesson, and pick up coupons for rebates on tree purchases. Tapping its broad membership base, PHS holds a TreeVitalize tree sale at its annual Members’ Day event each fall and includes special displays at the Philadelphia Flower Show. “We’re using the trees to connect all kinds of issues in our neighborhood. It’s a fantastic way of bringing people together.” —Geoff DiMasi, Vice President, Passyunk Square Civic Association 28 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 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.mostardi.com GREEN SCENE • October 2006 29 Urban Forest TAKING ROOT IN NEIGHBORHOODS Through Tree Vitalize, PHS is also work- ing with residents, neighborhood groups, the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, and the city’s Fairmount Park Commission to plant more trees in Philadelphia neighborhoods and parks. PHS organizes planting events, works with community groups, facilitates partnerships, and provides oversight. To receive trees, neighborhood organiza- tions must submit applications and con- tribute in-kind resources such as labor and community outreach. “We couldn't do this without these motivated volunteers,” says TreeVitalize project director Patrice Carroll. In the Passyunk Square neighborhood in South Philadelphia, new trees have brought big changes — and not just in the neighbor- hood’s appearance. Geoff DiMasi, vice president of the Passyunk Square Civic Association, says his group’s involvement in TreeVitalize has been “transforming.” The group has planted hundreds of trees through the program and has strengthened the community in the process. “All of our tree plantings are volunteer projects,” says DiMasi. “We have people lined up to plant the trees — at one planting we had 200 people. The neighbors get to know each other at the plantings. Then the people who get the trees in front of their houses end up spending more time outside, so they talk to their neighbors more. I’ve seen senior citizens cry, they were so happy to have a tree.” The Civic Association’s first project was to plant 43 trees around the Capitolo Playground, a project that brought about better communication between park employees and residents. The group then forged closer ties with the police district by dedicating a group of trees to local officers. “Were using the trees to connect all kinds of issues in our neighborhood,” says DiMasi. “It’s a fantastic way of bringing people together.” CARING FOR TREES Planting trees is just the first step in restoring a healthy urban forest. Densely populated areas present trees with special challenges like polluted air, tight spaces, and injuries from cars. Keeping the trees alive and thriving is a big concern for every- one involved. TreeVitalize trees are procured by the Morris Arboretum. Arboretum experts identify species of trees that tolerate urban conditions and work with nurseries to make them available. The Arboretum will also conduct a follow-up study to see how well the trees survive after planting. THE BIG PICTURE PHS has begun working with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and Penn State Cooperative Extension to educate municipal managers, decision makers, and elected officials throughout the region about the value of trees. “Our goal is not simply to get trees in the ground,” explains TreeVitalize ’s Patrice Carroll. “The larger goal is to encourage stewardship of our natural resources through education and awareness.” Adds DiBerardinis, “When we engage citizens and connect them to this impor- tant work, we are not only ensuring the survival of a tree, but we re building a con- stituency and creating advocates of our environment for the future.” GET INVOLVED! Tree Tenders Call 215-988-8844 or email treetenders@pennhort. org TreeVitalize Call 215-988-8874 or email pcarroll@pennhort. org To support the work of PHS and Philadelphia Green Call 215-988-8800, or make a secure contribution online at www. pennsylvaniahorticultumlsociety. org 30 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 Did you know? August is the month when fawns begin consuming vegetation at full force. Over the course of the summer the deer herd in many areas doubles in size and now those cute fawns will become voracious landscape destroyers, turning your flowers and shrubs into baby food. Are You Prepared? Call today for a free, no obligation property assessment and let one of our experts customize a service plan for you. Making an Imprint "Nature Technologies is making an imprint. . . by employing an ever changing arsenal of deer deterrent methods" —The Wall Street Journal June 27, 2006 We'll stop deer from destroying your garden or we'll refund your money % NATURE ^ 1 f C H N 0 l 0 G I f S m SMS o f f i m 1 1 1 firms 1-800-763-2149 Operators standing by 24 hours a day www.naturetechnologies.com Perfect for a city terrace or garden pado, the Hill Company offers the finest outdoor furniture for a sophisticated sense of style. Free design services help plan your space. Most styles available for immediate delivery. Hill Company, where beautiful outdoor living begins. THE HILL COMPANY 8615 Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, PA 191 18 215.247.7600 | www. hill-company. com Free Parking Behind Our Store BEST OUTDOOR FURNITURE 2006 AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOC IETY Scholarly publishing since 1 771 THE LIBRA Y OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Edwin Wolf 2nd and Kevin J. Hayes Beginning in the late 1950s, Edwin Wolf 2nd embarked on a bibliographic odyssey to reconstruct the “lost” library of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin’s library, the largest and best private library at the time of his death in 1790, was sold by his grandson in the last eighteenth century to Robert Morris Jr., who subsequently sold it in the early nineteenth century. None of the catalogues of the collection survive, and the contents of the library were virtually unknown until 1956, when Wolf discovered the unique shelfmarks Franklin used to identify his books Wolf s work to reconstruct a catalogue of the library continued for the next thirty years but was unfinished at the time of his death. As the tercentenary of Franklin’s birth approached. Kevin J. Hayes took up the work and has continued to discover titles that were part of the library. Everything found to date, close to 4,000 entries, has been compiled here. Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society Vol. 257 ISBN: 978 0-87169 257-3 $100.00 A PORTRAIT OF ELIZABETH WILLING POWEL, 1743-1830 David W. Maxey Drawing on original manuscript sources, David Maxey offers a persuasive study of a late-eighteenth century portrait and its subject. He focuses attention on a painting that has long puzzled art historians and the person portrayed in the portrait woman of talent whose life has remained undeservedly obscure. Elizabeth Willing Powel occupied an influential position in Philadelphia society during and after the Revolution Personal loss touched her deeply and. at a critical moment, Philadelphia limner and sign painter Matthew Pratt captured on canvas the grief she experienced What happened thereafter to the portrait becomes an essential part of the mystery that David Maxey has successfully undertaken to solve. Transactions of the Am. Phil. Soc. Vol. 96, Part 4 ISBN: 0-87169-964-8 $24.00 Order online at fulfillment@amphilsoc.org or contact our fulfillment sendee: DIANE Publishing Company , 330 Pusey Avenue, Unit #3 Rear, P.O. Box 1428, Collingdale, PA 19023 (tel: 800-782-3833; 610-461-6200; fax: 610-461- 6130) Orders must be prepaid via check, money orders, or credit card: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover. Checks and money orders must be in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank, made payable to DIANE Publishing Company. Credit card receipts will indicate DIANE Pub. Co. as the processor. Domestic shipping — $4. 00 for the first book and SI. 50 for each additional book. Add $1.00/book for FedEx Ground or UPS Ground. Expedited shipping available; please inquire. Foreign orders — S7.00/book for shipping. Orders are shipped within 48 hours of receipt Allow 5-7 days for domestic delivery and 3-4 weeks for foreign deliver}'. GREEN SCENE • October 2006 31 * Botanical Bouquets By Jane Godshalk Supermarket Magic Bring the beauty of nature indoors where you can enjoy it throughout the day and evening. Here’s how to make a simple bouquet with flowers easily obtained from your garden, florist, or local supermarket. YOU WILL NEED: • A glass or other water-tight container. Here you see a 6-inch round glass bowl. • Floral scissors or knife and clippers for heavier branches. • Fresh water and possibly a teaspoon of bleach. • A half dozen slender, pliable branches 2 to 3 feet long (Good choices include willow, grapevine — fresh or cut from a wreath — and red twig dogwood.) • A variety of flowers from your garden* or a market bouquet from a reliable grocer. (Note: many grocers and lood markets carry excellent flowers, but it is a good idea to check what day the store gets its flowers from the wholesaler to ensure freshness.) • A few stems with leaves from your garden. Azalea, acuba, rhododendron, hellebores or any seasonal green will do. STEP BY STEP: STEP 1 : Carefully rinse out the vase to remove any stray materials and then fill it with clean, cool water. STEP 2: Organize branches, foliage, and flowers. Strip leaves from flower stems. STEP 3: Gently bend a few branches so they fit into the bowl or vase, creating a structure that has relatively even spaces between branches. This will be your support system for the flowers and foliage. STEP 4: Cut your foliage stems to a length that complements your container (about twice the height of the vase). STEP 5: Place your foliage over the rim of the contain- er. Make three evenly spaced groups of foliage with each group about the same size and length. Another variation: This 8-inch square vase gets its structure from branches of red twig dogwood (still green). Flowers from this market bouquet - r&; i'k T' include sunflowers, asclepius, amaranthus, and S/~ j globe thistle. STEP 6: Cut your flowers to about twice the vase height and place them into your arrangement, paying attention to color, size and shape— larger and darker flowers go first, then smaller and more delicate flowers follow. Save a few tall feathery stems to finish the design. STEP 7: Add a few small stems of the same branches in your structure in the vase to give the impression of being connected. STEP 8: Carefully add a teaspoon of bleach to the finished design to preserve the flowers and keep the water from discoloring. * Flowers from your garden should be picked in early morning or evening to give them the longest life. Place them immediately in water. Jane Godshalk is a gardener and passionate flower arranger. The beauty of nature, its colors and textures, inspire her. She has studied floral design in the US and in Europe and teaches floral design at Longwood Gardens. 32 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 A Flowers, tools and other materials that are required. B The cut flowers spread out. C Creating the “support system.” D The stems in this photo are cranberry viburnum ( Viburnum opulus). E The first layer of foliage. F. Adding more plant material to fill out design. G The finished arrangement. At GREEN SCENE • October 2006 33 Far left: Two layers of daffodil bulbs sit at their correct levels in a pot. Left: The author’s rosette-winning pot of Narcissus ‘Chromacolor’ at the 2006 show Potting Up Over the years I have won my share of ribbons at the Philadelphia Flower Show, and in this new column I’ll be showing you how I do it. Will I give away my secrets? Maybe. Each column will concen- trate on one group of plants, but I’ll keep you posted on the progress of others. Along the way I hope you’ll pick up some tips on how to grow your own prize-winning plants. I start getting excited about the next Flower Show in October, as I pot up my daffodils to prepare them for their winter activity. You may wonder why 1 chose the word “activity,” instead ol “dormancy” or “slumber,” thinking that winter is a quiet time for daffodils in the garden. As it turns out, winter is a time of extensive root development as well as below-ground growth of the flowering shoots. Here’s a brief review of my potting procedure, which has been adapted and refined over the last 17 years: First, I assemble all of the necessary materials: clean, healthy bulbs; 6- and 10-inch clay azalea pots; small pieces of window screening; a coarse, open potting mix containing lots of bark and/or coir and some perlite; plastic labels; and a pen- cil. You may wonder if the pots need to be brand new and perfectly clean, and to that I respond with a definite “nope.” I’ve been re-using some pots for several years now, just giving them an annual cursory scrub with plain water. Heavy-duty cleaning and other operations can come later if necessary. After covering the drainage hole with screening, I place some potting mix in the pot and press it down firmly enough to settle it in. Then comes the game of adjusting the level so that enough mix sits below the bulbs for them to root nicely but not so much that the bulbs end up sit- ting too high in the pot. Since I always arrange large daf- fodil bulbs in two layers, I do a test run with a few bulbs sitting on the mix and then place another bulb on their “shoulders.” If about half of the top bulb appears above the rim of the pot, then I'm good to go with filling the pot. Pushing in a label (bearing the cultivar name and some- times other information, such as number of bulbs) finishes the job. Once the bulbs are settled into their pots, I place them in the large open space under my front porch. While many exhibitors’ pots spend their time in covered cold frames and filled trenches, mine are essentially out in the cold open air. This allows me to check them for watering needs and developing problems, but it also means I must peri- odically walk around hunched over in that cold and dimly lit space from October until February, when the pots come out of storage on a staggered schedule. Once in the greenhouses, the daffodils grow rapidly and bloom beautifully, and then — hopefully — they will win ribbons at the Show. I’ll keep you posted on the progress of the daf- 34 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 fodils in later columns. In the meantime, here’s what’s hap- pening with my other potential Show entries: My amaryllis ( Hippeastrum cvs.), the ones that can pro- duce scores of flowers for the Show, are going dormant and look bedraggled. My cacti and other succulents are either approaching full dormancy (cacti and deciduous succu- lents) or are revving up after semi-dormancy ( Haworthia , Gasteria, and Aloe). My hardy herbaceous perennial and woody plants are in a deep slumber or nearly so. My gera- niums ( Pelargonium sp.) are beginning their active winter growth period after being semi-dormant since May. So, stay tuned for more pre-Flower Show action in greenhouses. ..and elsewhere! 2007 will be Ray Rogers’ 18th year of entering plants at the Philadelphia Flower Show. He plans to enter a few pots of daffodils. Nature’s Creations - Natural Jewelry & Art Silver or Gold Finish Natural Holly Pin 2"x2" Earrings Available * m Earrings Available Ginkgo Spray Slate Tile WWW.LEAFPIN.COM 4x4 800-288-7813 c. 1741 Rabbit's Ferry House Christmas Weekend in Historic Lewes, Delaware November 30-December 3, 2006 Includes 33rd annual Lewes Historical Society House Tour, 75th annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade, Merchants Hospitality Night, Art Exhibits. Musical Entertainment, Gingerbread Storvtime & Crafts, 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 w w w . le we sc ha mbe r.com 'Ncu^tucteet-stLjlfi" oivtke utlavjart cpiast Located on the waterfront in the heart of Historic Lewes. The Inn at Canal Square offers guests lavish comfort coupled with seaside charm. Complimentary European-Style breakfast and Guest Fitness Room 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 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 35 Photo by Andrew Kazmlerskl, Dreamstime.com Classified Ads ANTIQUE BOOKS RARE & PREVIOUSLY OWNED BOOKS ON HORTICULTURE & BOTANICAL PRINTS - Bought and Sold Polly Goldstein 37 Lochwood Lane West Chester, PA 19380 610-436-9796 Email: GrannyPol@aol.com BOTANICAL LIGHTING Botanical Lighting Specializing in tasteful architectural and landscape lighting. 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Kleinberg Landscape Design & Construction 610-259-6106 See our work online 100’s of pictures at www.kleinberg.com Serving: Pennsylvania • New Jersey • Boston • Maryland • Washington DC 36 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 LANDSCAPE DESIGN LARGE SPECIMEN TREES CLASSIFIED RATES 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 Susan M. Mattison, ASLA Landscape Architecture Services Garden Design, Urban Gardens Consultation Services 215-985-1709 smm-land@rcn.com 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. 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Ponds, Waterfalls & Patios 215-635-2310 Serving the Delaware Valley since 1987 Colorado Blue Spruce and American Holly Fresh Christmas Trees Apples, Pears, Cider, Delicious Homemade Pies INDIAN ORCHARDS 610-565-8387 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 NURSERY Triple Oaks Nursery & Herb Garden • Great Plants • Display Gardens • Programs Franklinville, New Jersey www.tripieoaks.com 856-694-4272 greatplants@tripieoaks. com 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 Base Rate $3.00 per word (without formatting) 1 Line $15.00 per line Formatted Words $5.00 (ex. Bold, Italic or ALL CAPS) Minimum Charge $60.00 Discount 10% off the second consecutive ad, using the same copy Deadlines February Issue (by December 1) April Issue (by February 1) June Issue (by April 1) August Issue(by June 1) October Issue (by August 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-served 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: Joe Soprani Green Scene The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 100 N. 20th Street, 5th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103 -1495. If you have any questions, please call 215-988-8809. The Backyard ter to headline the proceedings than a woman who has revolutionized grass- roots environmentalism? Wangari Maathai began the Green Belt Movement in Kenya in 1977 in response to the depletion of her coun- try’s forests. She envisioned a society of people who consciously work for the continued environmental betterment of Kenya through conservation, communi- ty development, and capacity building. It wasn’t long before tree planting arose as a central component to actualizing these ideals, and now nine districts WANGARI MAATHAI This month Philadelphia will welcome a renowned leader in the global greening effort, Professor Wangari Maathai. The 2004 Nobel Peace Prize recipient will serve as the keynote speaker for the Growing Greener Cities symposium, held at the University of Pennsylvania campus from October 15 through 17 (co-sponsored by PHS, The Penn Institute for Urban Research, and the Media & Policy Center Foundation). Inspired by the PBS series “Edens Lost & Found,” this event is designed to explore complex urban environmental issues of the 21st century. And who bet- Below Members of the Green Belt Movement. throughout the country have adopted such practices. “In Kenya, few forests are left. My response was to begin planting trees to help heal the land and break the cycle of poverty. Trees stop soil erosion, leading to water conservation and increased rainfall. Trees provide fuel, material for building and fencing, fruits, fodder, shade and beauty,” Maathai says. The effort has been divided into two phases, each an inspiring success. The PHS WELCOMES first targeted tree planting on private lands, including schools, churches, and farms. The second, aimed at public spaces, gets trees planted in parks and by roadways, and helps restore forests. Recently an emphasis has been placed on indigenous trees to preserve local biodi- versity. “The planting of trees is the planting of ideas,” she says. “By starting with the simple step of digging a hole and planting a tree, we plant hope for ourselves and for future generations. Our message has spread faster and far- ther than we could have imagined.” Her conviction proved contagious, and the subsequent Green Belt Movement International allowed Maathai’s message to reach a global audi- ence, empowering individuals world- wide to protect the environment and promote good governance and cultures of peace. Maathai’s message will reach a new audience as part of the Growing Greener Cities symposium. Representatives from each of the four cities spotlighted in “Edens Lost & Found” will be on hand to share their insights. Other invited guests include leaders in the municipal, nonprofit, and academic sectors of greening. By assembling some of the most forward-thinking experts on the subject, PHS hopes to foster a dynamic discussion on the future of urban environmentalism. “In the world, there is a new collective force of people mobilizing around the issue of peace, but linking it to the need to protect the environment,” Professor Maathai says. “Nature is not an amenity to be drawn upon. It is a fundamental com- ponent of our ability to survive.” Wangari Maathai will speak from 7 to 8 pm on October 16 at Irvine Auditorium, 3401 Spruce Street, Philadelphia. This event is free, but online pre-registration is required at: www.upenn.edu/penniur/ maathai.htm. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. 38 GREEN SCENE • October 2006 Broadway’s Song and Dance Extravaganza! TICKETS: $10-$67.50 PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE 24/7: WalnutStreetTheatre.org ticketmaster PURCHASE TICKETS BY PHONE: 215-574-3550 or 215-336-1234 825 Walnut Street • Visit us at WalnutStreetTheatre.org For more information: 8oo.33i.43o2 orwww.medfordleas.org IMAGINE LIVING IN AN ARBORETUM ! A nationally accredited, Quaker-related, not-for-profit community for older adults with campuses in Medford and Lumberton, NJ Home of the Lewis W. Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve I Member, Greater Philadelphia Gardens Explore the possibilities of living at Medford Leas • beautiful arboretum settings • wide choice of home designs • ideal location for culture and recreation • superior health and wellness services 1971-2006 CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF TRADITION AND INNOVATION Wealth can make a profound difference on the future. It’s time for PNC Wealth Management. First, you need a vision - a plan that addresses your unique concerns. Let PNC serve your wealth management needs, powered by one of America’s most trusted financial service firms. Call us at 1-888-762-6226 or visit pnc.com. 97860E PH as- IB-37 iq?qqp ©PNC WEALTH MANAGEMENT PNC 8 a registered service mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”). Investment management, wealth management, fiduciary services and FDIC-insured banking products and services are provided by the PNC subsidiaries, PNC Bank, National Association and PNC Bank, Delaware which are Members FDIC. PNC does not provide lega tax or accounting advice Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value ( PENNSYLVANIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY III 1 II I 11 1 1111 3 1827 00C 35£ 4 2